a fiery and bloody triall prize not this transitory life aboue the word of life Gods Gospell and aboue the Lord of life Gods only begotten Sonne and aboue eternall life Gods bountifull and free gift Reu. 2.10 Esto fidelis Be thou faithfull vnto the death and Christ shall giue thee the Crowne of life Thou that art a fruitefull Vine planted by Gods owne right hand and watered with the dew of Heauen take heed that thy branches be not torne away by the violent blast of persecution when God shall be pleased to suffer such tempests to trouble the lower region of the Ayre in this militant Church Hath God planted thee in a fruit full hill Esay 5. fenced thee and gathered out the stones from thy Vineyard by Reformation take heed that thou suffer not thy fence to be troden downe be watchfull that the enuious man doe not throw in againe those stones by deformation Be carefull also that thy boughes and limmes be not stollen away by night by those that creepe through the hedge into the vineyard Take heed that the little foxes do not vndermine thine inclosure and purloine away thy best fruit when they pretend to look another way and professe onely to request courteous harmlesse harbour for a while in thy ground but in the mean time work themselues in dig their earths and bring in their yong cubbes thither which will soone learne not onely to climbe vp to the top of the vine and crop the fairest branches but also scratch vp the root of it Of these I will say nothing let the Spirit speake Cant. 2.15 Cant. 2.15 Take vs the foxes the little foxes that spoyle the Vines for our Vines haue tender grapes That I dwel not too long vpon Vniuersals giue me leaue now to descend vnto particular application of this precept by discussing what kind of Church it most properly concernes and who are they that fruitfully vse or peruersely abuse this wholesome spirituall counsell Tene quod habes Hold that thou hast First for the hauing The Church of Rome arrogateth vnto it selfe the prime possession of this spirituall tenure that they only hold it in Capite from Christ himselfe in their own head the Pope that al other Christian Churches are but vnder-tenants as holding by deriuation of petty leases from this vniversall Land-lord that they haue an indefeasible perpetuity therof as intailed vnto the Pope sibi haeredibus in perpetuum to him his heires world without end that other Churches haue no other Charter of it then a Transcript from that Originall and no longer can hold it then whilest they are conformable and seruiceable in Tenancie of vassalage or villenage to the Lords of the Mannor of Rome A vaine fond incroching forgery of vsurpation as authenticall as the pretended donation of Constantine of the patrimony of Saint Peter and other priuiledges vnto Siluester the Pope To these we may wel say with the Apostle Came the word out from you 1. Cor. 14.36 or did you preach the same 1. Cor. 1. or were wee baptized into the name of S. Peter or S. Paul If Prioritie imply originall tenure in faith surely Ierusalem must bee the grandmother Church Isai 2.3 For de Sion exiuit lex Out of Sion shall goe forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem The ancient Fathers reckoned not one but many Tertul. de Praescript aduers Haret Ecclesias matrices originales fidei motherly originall Churches wherein the faith was planted seuerally by diuers Apostles not by one And therfore whersoeuer any church can shew conformity vnto the Charter of the Scriptures it may rightfully plead this Habeo as well as any other the Church of the world As for the church of Rome we deny not but in the primitiue and better times it might wel say Habeo I haue this pledge of Truth Teneo I keepe it intire and sincere But the present Roman Church or rather the Papall faction in the Westerne Church hath long since left that Hold the present Church there hauing little else but locall prescription for propertie herein The ancient Christian Romans according to the instruction of the great Apostle expressed vnto them were not ashamed to hold Rom. 3.24 that we are iustified freely by grace The present in Rome or depending on Rome imbaseth this doctrine by mixture of workes preparatory satisfactory and superrogatory The old Christian Romans were so obedient vnto their Instructors as to imbrace his doctrine when he said Rom. 13.1 Let euery soule be subiect to the higher powers The now new Romanists subduce from this yoke their Clergie and Votaries nay they subiect the Scepter of Princes to the Popes becke S. Chrysost in Rom. 13. Chrysostome vpon the aforesaid words of the Apostle said Si Propheta si Euangelista Though thou be a Prophet or an Euangelist yet thou art a subiect to the higher powers And S. Bern. Bern. Qui conatur excipere tentat decipere He that would except any goeth about to deceiue But the moderne Order of Iesuits are more learned then these Fathers and more wise then the very Apostles of Iesus The ancient Christian Romans learned of S. Paul Rom. 10.14 How can they call on him on whom they haue not beleeued And therefore as they beleeued only vpon God in Christ so in prayer they called only on him But the present Romanists fill their churches altars of Inuocation oblation with ten Saints for one Christ The old Romans beleeued S. Paul when he wrote vnto them Stipendium peccati mors Rom. 6.23 the wages of sinne is death But the new Romanists distinguishing of sinnes mortall and veniall maintaine that there be some sins for which death is not due The old Romans beleeued that eternall life is the gift of God Rom. 6.23 but the new that it is due to the worth of good workes The ancient Christian Romans learned no doubt the same doctrine of this Apostle which he taught their brethren the Corinthians 1 Cor. 11.26 As oft as yee eat this bread and drinke this cup ye shew forth the Lords death vntill he come But the new Romanists robbe vs all of the Bread by a pretended Miracle of Transubstantiation and the Laitie of the Cup by a tricke of Concomitancie But I am not here to read a Lecture of the differences and degenerations of the present Roman Church which are soundly and plentifully demonstrated by the lights of the reformed Churches in their controuersall Bookes Only this I inferre that of all Christian Churches that I know extant this day in the World the Roman troope especially in the superlatiue Tenents of the Iesuites can least of all iustifie themselues and say either Habui quod teneo I had it from Christ that which I now hold or Teneo quod habui what I receiued from Christ and his Apostles I still maintaine intire and incorrupt such
enemies and assureth him of ayd and affistance In the latter part hee first exhorts him to constancie then recounts the rewards of Conquerours He exhorts him to constancie in the words of my Text Behold I come quickly hold fast that thou hast that no man take thy crowne He recounts the rewards of conquerors in the words immediately following my Text Him that ouercommeth will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God he shall go no more out c. Where is Praelium Proemium a holy warre and a rich reward A combate to bee vndergone by him that will winne or keepe his Crowne The former verse whereof I haue made choyce is the Christian mans Castle not vnlike the Tower of Dauid A thousand Shields hang therein and all the Targets of the strong men The force of the words lies 1 Exhortation first in an Exhortation which is as the middle and center of the verse Hold fast that thou hast and about it these two Motiues twine like the Serpents about Mercuries Rod 2 Motiues First a Promise by way of Prediction Behold I come shortly Secondly a Monition by way of Caution That no man take thy Crowne Both these are sacred treasures laid vp in the Arke The first The pot of Manna sweet nourishing and comfortable Beholde I come quickly The second is the Rod of Aaron laid vp in the same Arke of the Couenant a rod of Instruction Premonition and Correction That no man take thy Crowne The first of these intertained in vs by Hope The second kept safe by Feare The Hope of future good and happinesse whereto the Eare openeth whereon the Eye is fixed with expectation and the Heart bent with longing when the Bridegroome pronounceth vnto his Spouse the Church this most welcome voice Behold I come quickly The Feare and awfull reuerence whereat the eare tingleth and the heart quaketh and all the faculties of the inner man doe apply themselues together for the working out of salvation with feare and trembling when our Master Prophet and King doth instruct and moue vs saying to euery faithfull Soule take heede That no man take thy Crowne In the first we behold the Sonne of God as most amiable and comfortable there wee view him as he is speciosus prae filijs hominum fairer then the sons of men and with Peter we say Quò ibimus whither shall wee goe but to thee for thou hast the words of eternall life Behold I that am the way the truth and the life doe come quickly In the second we view him as appearing in a bright consuming sire with a two-edged sword comming from his mouth with a Rod of iron in his hand with a voice full of terrour and amazement threatning least another take thy Crowne In the first hee appeares as in the gentle winde In the second hee shewes himselfe as in the thunder In the first the voice of Christ is as a sweete Cimball In the second like the sound of many waters The first is a motiue of Comfort promising aide and assistance The second of Terrour threatning a degradation for want of perseuerance In the hand of this good Samaritan is soft Oyle and sharpe Wine or vinegar A comfortatiue and a corrasiue Such is his method of curing if by faire promises hee cannot perswade his manner is by threatnings to compell I begin and intend most to insist on the maine branch of my text the matter principally intended incompassed and walled in as it were with the other parts the Exhortation Hold fast that thou hast where two points readily offer themselues to be considered Actus and Obiectum 1 Actus a performance Hold fast 2 Obiectum the Obiect the matter or thing possessed that which thou hast Loose no opportunitie but Hold not slightly or perfunctorily but firme and fast thou hast begun well euen so perseuere holding that which thou hast 1 Hold fast Strong was the poison of Heretickes and sharpe the sword of Tyrants in this age of the Primitiue Church like brethren in euill they were leagued and linkt in conspiracie against the Lord and his annointed against Christ and his Disciples The one sort being Satans Aduocates the other his Assasines the one beseiging the holy Ierusalem without the walls by hostilitie the other vndermining her within the walls by Conspiracie and Treason Heretickes like the Locusts with Scorpion-like tailes did not only hurt wandering and wauering Christians with the deadly sting of their contagious errours but also indangered many of them who had the seale of God on their forheads Tyrants like the great red Dragon with seauen heads ten hornes neuer ceased to persecute the Spouse of Christ and to make warr with her seede So that by the Impostures of Heretickes and Crueltie of Tyrants some Christians were drawne to leaue their Hold and fall backe from the Truth Against such cowardly Combattants these enemies of the Gospell that thus ran away from the banner of Christ this good Angell of Philadelphia had hitherunto opposed himselfe Now because hee should not sinke in the midst of his conflict our Sauiour incourageth him and his Church with this Exhortation saying Hold that thou hast As if he should haue said thou hast begun in the Spirit end not in the Flesh as yet thou bearest the Image of God then fashion not thy selfe according to the World thou art yet in the Light delight not then in the workes of Darknesse thine Alpha hath beene sinceritie then let not thine Omega be seusualitie without perseuerance the best Professor is but as a branch cut off from the Vine he can bring forth no fruit a painted Tombe full of rotten bones a fruitlesse Fig-tree with goodly blossomes Very profitable therefore and effectuall is this Act or Performance Hold fast Constancie and Perseuerance are in the Scriptures principally set forth by foure Metaphors Ploughing Running Standing and Holding The first two signifie Action and Motion the other Quiet and Immutability For the first of the foure our Sauiour saith No man that putteth his hand to the Plough and looketh backe is apt to the Kingdome of Heauen Luk. 9.62 For the second Saint Paul saith So runne that yee may obtaine 1 Cor. 9. For the third the same Apostle saith Stand therefore and your loines girded about with verity Ephes 6.14 For the fourth my Text saith Hold that thou hast that is to say perseuere in faith and righteousnesse and vse thy function without feare Holding is a naturall action and gesture of the hand and other members which not only men of vnderstanding by reason but euen babes and sucklings do vse by instinct nay all liuing creatures yea and some stupid bodies also though they haue not this architect organ of the hand yet haue they the reach and force of appetite which as it carrieth them by way of desire to those obiects which are naturall and conuenient for them so when they attaine such obiects they haue also the facultie of
vertues yea and Christian obedience yet haue forsaken this straight path they haue gone in the way of Cain and haue been seduced in the wages of Balaam for reward and peruerted in the gainesaying of Core The whole Epistle of Iude and the second Epistle of Peter are fit Comments to expresse the Character of these crooked degenerating Christians In considering this Proposition as it is intire in it selfe Tene quod habes Hold that thou hast wee view the large extension of it in respect of those to whom it is spoken to wit to all Persons and Times 1 It concerneth all persons either 1 Indiuiduall euery singular Christian 2 Collectiue or Christian Churches 2 This Precept is spoken to all Times both persons and Churches in all Times during the warfare of this world whether in time of new plantation of the Church or ancient continuance in the Summer of flourishing peace or the Winter of bitter persecution in the Spring of our jolitie when we should sacrifice our tender yeares vnto the Almightie or in the declining of our drooping age when we expect like ripe shcaues to be brought into Gods barne in the dayes of our youth when wee are to remember our Creator by holding our selues fast vnto him or in our decrepid old age when the keepers of the house tremble Eccles 12.3 and the strong men bow themselues and the grinders cease and those that looke out of the windowes bee darkened that is per totum vitae curriculum during our whole race and pilgrimage in the Mesech of this world As for the Persons whom it concernes Persons first Individually the Spirit standeth at the doore and knocketha t the heart of euery Christian ringing this watchword in his eare Tene quod habes Hold fast that which thou hast gotten None so great a proficient in Christes Schoole but needs this lesson to be inculcated to him none so raw a beginner to whom this instruction can bee vnseasonable Thou that art but a tender Babe in Christ feed on the sincere milke of the Gospell and to that end forsake not vina vbera veteris noui Testamenti Bern. the two Pappes of the Old and New Testament bee not beaten off from sucking spirituall nourishment from them Thou that art growen vp a strong man in Christ and hast sensus exercitatos to discerne betweene good and euill light and darknesse thou that canst instruct others in the way of truth and godlinesse 2 Tim. 1.14 Hold fast thy Depositum Lest when thou preachest to others thy selfe become a cast-away And well it is by Saint Paul called the Depositum of pledge a thing committed vnto vs in trust For as by the law of nature redde depositum doth bind euery such fiduciary not to vse the pledge as his owne proper goods but to bee accountable for it and restore it when it shall be called for otherwise is guiltie of injustice and violating of the dictamen rationis the principles of naturall reason So here for the treasure of Gods truth committed to our hands we must acknowledge our selues to bee but depositarij trusted as pledge-keepers and not as proprietarij Lords and masters of it For we are to giue account thereof in illo die in that great day of generall Audit when euery one of vs shall be called to a reckoning how he hath discharged his trust Wherefore for the better endeering this possession first remember how thou hast receiued it Secondly foresee the dangerous meanes which draw thee from it The first is Vnde habes from whence thou hast it The second Quomodo non tenes by what meanes thou dost lose it First whence hast it thou 1 By Baptisme whereby thou hast put on Christ Galat. 3.27 whereby thou art buried with Christ whereby planted together to the likenesse of his death Rom. 6.4 2 By the Preaching of the word When thou wert but a young twig thou wast ingrafted by Baptisme vnto Iesus Christ now after thou art growen to be a stronger branch thy root is watered by Gods Planters whose instructions distill vpon thee as the raine whose doctrine doth drop as the dewe or as the small raine vpon the tender hearbe and as the showers vpon the grasse Deut. 32. Paul planting Deut. 32.2 Apollo watering God giuing the increase who affordeth the Sunshine of his grace for the helping thy growth and fertilitie and vouchsafeth in patience to expect thy fruit these diuers yeares pruning thy boughes with the rodde of chastisement and affliction nay descending yet further to dig and dung the hungry soyle about thee but if after all this planting watering pruning fatning thou shalt remaine still barren and cumber the ground euen to the hindering of other plants from thriuing what canst thou expect but that the axe or hatchet of Gods iudgement should stub thee vp by the rootes and thou be cast into vnquenchable fire Secondly the manifold dangerous meanes of loosing our Hold by may be reduced vnto these three Rapto Furto Dolo. The first is violence of Robbery when as by strong hand inuasion is made vpon vs to quit and forsake true Religion for feare of death and persecution So in the Primitiue Church some by the violent torments of raging persecutions were through humane infirmitie driuen to let goe their Hold being not able to resist ad sanguinem Cyprian vnto blood Whereupon some did temporise conforming themselues to some outward actions of Idolatry others deliuered vp the Books of holy Scripture to the Pagan persecutors who thence were called Traditores These alas did humanū pati shew themselues to bee but men not being able to keepe vpright the ship from wracke in such violent and tempestuous stormes The second meanes of dispossessing vs of our heauenly treasure 2 Furto is Furto by Stealth that is when either the cares or pleasures of this life fulnesse plentie peace politike complying with others conforming our selues to our neighbours or companions doe seduce vs to imbrace this present world and to tread Gods truth vnder our feet when we permit by conniuence and sleepinesse the tares of corruptions to be sowen amongst the wheat Gods word and truth that is when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wicked one stealeth away the good seed out of our hearts Math. 13. and scattereth instead of it the banefull and poysonous seeds of corruption both in doctrine and manners For so by Gods iudgement it commonly commeth to passe that degeneration in the one begets a corruption in the other where no due care is of preseruing the truth of God in sincerity of Religion there God suffereth one sinne to become the punishment of another by consequent lewdnesse and impuritie of life which then there hath greatest dominion where the Gospell is bereft of free passage where corrupt superstition and dotages haue thrust out of the throne true Christianitie where the weed and rust and canker of late inuented and obtruded nouelties haue ouergrowne