newnesse of life 2. Cor. 5.19 Saluation onely in the Church 1 AS Sothern-wood will grow no where but in Gardens where it is planted So the godly wil not grow any where but in the Church and body of Christ where they are engraffed 2 Euen as it was necessarie that they which should be saued from the floud should be in the Arke So likewise all they that will be saued from the floud of Gods wrath must of necessitie bee in Christ and so in the Church Gene. 7.1 c. Sacrament of the Supper compared with the Paschall Lambe 1 AS the Paschal Lamb was instituted eaten the night before the children of Israel were deliuered out of Egypt So likewise was the Supper of the Lord instituted and eaten the night before wee were deliuered from our sinnes Exod. 12.1 c. 1. Cor. 11.24 25. c. 2 As the Paschall Lambe was a very Lambe indeed Euen so the Sacrament is very Bread and Wine indeed 3 As the Paschall Lambe was called the Lords passeouer or passing by of the Lord which destroyed the power of Pharao deliuered him So the Sacrament is called the body and bloud of the Lord which destroyeth the power of the diuell and deliuereth vs. 4 As the Children of Israel were but once deliuered from Egypt notwithstanding they did take euery yeare a Lambe to keepe the deed in perpetuall remembrance Euen so Christ our Sauiour bought and redeemed vs but once for all although the Sacrament thereof be often distributed and broken among vs to keepe the benefite in perpetuall memorie 5 As many as did eate the Paschall Lambe in faith and beleeued Gods word as touching theyr deliueraunce from Egypt were as sure of the same thorowe faith as they were sure of the Lambe by eating of it So as manye as doo eate of the bodie and blood of Christ by faith and beleeue Gods word as touching theyr deliueraunce from Sinne Death Hell and damnation are as sure of theyr deliueraunce thorow faith as they are sure of the bread by eating of it c. Sinne how carefully it is to be auoyded 1 AS the diseases of the bodie and corporall death doo much disquiet and trouble our mindes that wee commonly tremble and quake at the onely mention of them Euen so howe much more ought wee to feare the sicknesse of the soule and death of the same which commeth by reason of sinne then which there can bee no greater nor more fearefull calamitie come vnto vs. 2 Like as euerie man dooth auoide so much as in him lyeth the paine miseries diseases and death of the bodie Euen so howe muche more ought wee to decline and eschewe the death of the soule and the causes of these euilles which bee Sinnes and offences and feare the anger of God which wee so by our transgressions doo procure 3 As the Physition seeing in a Glasse by the water the diseases within the body by skill and learning searches out the cause of the disease and ministers good things for the same Euen so wee in looking into the Glasse of Gods word shall soone perceiue the diseases and infections of Sinne which are in vs and the cause thereof and so wholesomely minister some profitable and comfortable remedies for the same 4 As little theeues beeing let in at a window will set open great gates for greater theeues to come in at Euen so if wee accustome our selues to commit little Sinnes and let them raigne in vs they will make vs the fitter for greater offences to get the aduantage of vs and to take hold on vs. 5 As all kind of wild beastes escaping out of the snare will take heede least they come there any more yea though they should bee in bondage euen vnto man the most excellent of all other creatures Yet man by Sinne falling into the snares of Sathan cannot beware though hee shall bee in bondage to the most cursed of all creatures 6 As a drunken man whilest hee ingorgeth aboundance of Wine feeleth no discommoditie thereby but afterwards he seeth and feeleth the inconuenience of the same So in like manner Sinne whilest it is in committing dooth darken the light of reason howbeit afterwards the conscience arysing sheweth both the vglinesse of Sinne and the absurditie of the fact and so vexeth the soule more grieuously then if all the world accused him of the same Sacraments are not corrupted by the wickednesse of Ministers 1 LIke as there is no difference betweene the selfe-same image or figure of any thing imprinted or sealed with a Ring or signet of Golde and with a signet made of yron or wood Euen so the word and Sacraments being ministred by a lawfull Minister although otherwise a wicked and an vngodly Minister yet be the same Word and Sacraments of the same vigour strength and efficacie as when they be ministred by a man of excellent vertue and godlinesse For as the Father shall not die for the childe nor the childe for the Father So the Minister shall not die for him that receiues at him nor the partie that receiues for the euilnesse of the Minister for euery one shall sincke in his owne sinne so that the Minister which doth so wickedly corrupt the holy Sacramēts and holy ordinances of God ministreth them to his own damnation and iudgement Deut. 24.16 Ezech. 18.20 2. King 14.6 2. Chro. 25.4 1. Cor. 11.29 2 Like as among men if a Letter be sent so that the hand and feale of him that sendeth it be well knowne it maketh no matter who or what manner of man be the carrier Euen so it ought to suffice to know the hand and seale of our Lord in his Sacraments by what lawfull Minister so euer they bee brought for the malice or leaudnesse of man cannot change the nature of the ordinance of God And therefore the vertue and efficacie of the word and Sacrament consist and depend not vpon the worthinesse or vnworthinesse of the Minister but in and vpon the commaundement ordinance power and authoritie of God onely 3 Like as Gold is Gold of whom so euer it be giuen or receiued Euen so likewise is the Sacrament whether it be giuen by a good or bad Minister For Iudas although he were a theefe yet hee Preached and baptized whose doctrine and baptisme was as well the doctrine and baptisme of Christ as was Peters and Andrewes Iames and Iohns Ioh. 6.70 12.6 4 Like as if the Treasurer or Receiuer of a Prince doo deliuer forth false counterfeit money in stead of good the Office whereunto hee is called cannot make it other then false and counterfeit money because he dooth not execute his Office faithfully but doth chaunge the good money which hee receiued to distribute by the commaundement of his Lord and Maister into that which is not the same that he receiued to be distributed and by this meanes they which shall haue receiued the same shal be deceiued and spoyled On the other side although he were
also conserue and nourish vs in the same by the right vse of his holy Sacraments and wil make vs to grow and wax strong and accomplish the worke which he hath begunne in vs and al this by his Sonne Iesus Christ 25 As it is not enough that a shepheard doo onely gather his sheepe into the fold or sheepecoate but also that hee prouide meate for them and pasture Or as it is not sufficient that a Maister doo onely entertaine his seruant into his seruice by giuing him his Liuerie coate badge whereby hee is openly knowne to be his man but also that hee prouide and giue him meate and drinke dayly to feede him So surely dooth the Lord with vs in these Sacraments For by baptisme doth hee admit vs to his seruice and by the Supper doth hee feede vs that we perish not with hunger 26 Like as mans body is nourished and sustained by bread and Wine So also our soules are sustained spiritually with the body of Christ giuen for vs and with his bloud shed for our sakes Iohn 6.32 33 35. 1. Cor. 11.24 25. 27 As bread nourisheth our bodies So thereby we learne that Christes body hath most singular force spiritually by faith to feede our soules Ioh. 6.50 55 56. 28 And as with Wine mens hearts are cheared and their strengths confirmed So we learne also that with his bloud our soules are refreshed thorow faith 29 And further as surely as we know that we haue receiued the bread wine with our mouths and stomacks So surely thereby we are assured that Christ maketh the faithfull beleeuers partakers of his body and bloud Ioh. 6.54 63 64. 30 As those which haue eaten sweete Comficts and seede for the most part on delicate Cates haue sweete breathes Euen so must there needes bee found a sweete smelling Odour in all the words and workes of those which are fed with this spirituall and heauenly foode the bodie and blood of Christ and in whom Christ dooth dwell for they do all things for the profit and edification of their brethren and the glory of God 31 Euen as the Gospell which of it owne nature is the word of life and saluation is yet turned by the wicked vnto the sauour of death So the Sacraments also which are instituted by God vnto the saluatioÌ„ of men are notwithstanding receiued by the faithlesse and the vnwoorthie communicants vnto their condemnation and iudgement and yet do they not desist in respect of God to be true Sacraments still 32 As a sicke man feeles no comfort or nourishment when he eateth meate and yet it preserueth his life So the weake Christian though he feele himselfe not nourished at the Sacrament by Christs bodie and blood yet he shall see in time that his house shall be preserued thereby vnto euerlasting life 32 Like as Souldiers when they receiue their pay do binde themselues to their Captaine by solemne oath Euen so we when we are partakers of the holy Sacraments which God hath appointed in his Church by the which he bestoweth vpon vs spirituall gifts do bind our selues to him by the same oath 34 As we see with our eyes that the bread is broken for vs So we are certainly confirmed in our faith that the bodie of Christ was giuen vnto death for vs. 35 As certainly as we see that the bread and wine to be present So certainly do we beleeue that the bodie and blood of Christ is present with vs also yea we do not beleeue that it is the Supper of the Lord except his bodie and blood be present with vs. 36 As things set before the eyes do mooue the sight Euen so the Sacraments moue the heart to beleeue 37 Euen as sure as we take the bread in the Lords Supper and eate it with the mouth of the bodie and drinke the wine So verely certainly euen at the same instant with the mouth of our faith we receiue the verie bodie and blood of Christ and there it doth as actually comfort and sustain the soule as doth the bread and the wine nourish and comfort the heart and the outward man 38 And as verely as the most soueraigne plaister and salue laid to a wound or soare draweth out the filth and healeth it so verily and really doth the bodie and bloud of Christ thus receiued put away the soares and deformities of the soule and not only maketh it whole but also pure clean without scar wrinkle and spot and so maketh it a delectable louely faire spouse in the sight of God 39 As when many Windows be opened in an house the more light may come in then when there is but one opened Euen so by the perception and receiuing of the Sacraments a Christian mans conscience hath more helpe to receiue Christ then simply by the word preached heard or meditated and therefore the Sacraments may well be called seeable sensible taste-able and touchable words 40 As the Diuel entred into Iudas by the soppe which Christ gaue him yet not that he receiued an euil thing of him but because he did receiue it badly and with an euill mind Euen so the vnworthie communicants eate and drinke their owne damnation not by the eating of the bread and wine which are holy signes but because they receiue the same without faith and repentance hauing in euil conscience 41 As the word Sacramentum was a form of a solemne â—â—h in war wherby the soldier did vow destinat himself to serue his Generall and the Generall in like manner did binde himselfe to his souldiers So also by the vse and institution of the holy Sacraments after that God hath promised that he will be our God and giue vnto vs saluation he doth in like manner binde vs as it were with a solemne oath before himselfe before Angels and men that we will serue him and none other Soule 1 LIke as to be healthie in our bodies it is not inogh not to haue the plague or a plurasie but generally to be free from all diseases Euen so to be holy in our Soules we must be clean from all spots and defilings and we must take the whole lawe of God as an vniuersall rule of all our thoughts affections words and deeds to the end to keepe it from point to point and not to omit any thing which is there commaunded vs. 2 As sweete Oyle powred into a fustie vessell looseth his purenesse and is infected by the vessell So the Soule created good and put into the corrupt bodie receiues contagion thence Rom. 5.13 3 Like as if a man should borrow a thing of his neighbour and vse it so as he doth quite spoyle it he would be ashamed to bring it againe to the owner in that manner and if he doo the owner will not receiue it Euen so vngodly men in this life do so staine their Soules with sinne as that they can neuer be able to giue them vp into the hands of God at the day of death
doo make a prophane washing and so administer no Sacrament of the Lords 2 Like as if the will of a Prince do ordaine one certaine man to confirme writings that by his onely Seale which hee hath appointed for that purpose so that although an other vse an other Seale made without or against his will of the same matter and fashion and in all things like it yet it is treason to vse it and the same is none of his Seale Euen so by much more ought the will of God which is that onely those should minister the Sacrament which haue a publike calling therevnto and haue that authoritie giuen them from the Lord should minister the Sacrament and none other although an other doo it in the same order and with the same instruments 3 As by the Seale which the Prince hath set apart to seale his Graunts and Letters Pattents with when it is stolen and set too by him that hath no authoritie there groweth no assurance vnto the partie that hath it So if it were possible to be the Seale of God which a woman should set too in Baptizing Infants yet for that she hath stolen it and put it too not onely without but contrarie to the commaundement of God we see not how any can take any assurance of the doing hereof For as well and as lawfully may she preach publikely in the Church and minister the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper openly or otherwise as to Baptise in time of necessitie c. 4 As a Seale added to a Deede or Euidence by such as hath no authoritie to put to the same hath no force to ratifie or confirme the Couenants and Graunts in the Writing which kinde of Seale hath beene alwayes deemed no better then a counterfeit and plaine forgerie Euen so the outward seale of Baptisme added by women hath no force by Gods institution to confirme any in the promises of saluation because women haue no warrant in the word to Baptise for euerie washing of the childe in the name of the Trinitie is not a Sacrament of Baptisme neither can there bee rendered any cause why the Lords Supper ministred by them should not bee counted as good a Sacrament as their Baptisme Baptisme 1 EVen as they which were in the Arke of Noah were preserued from the floud So whosoeuer doth earnestly sticke to the couenant of their outward Baptisme are deliuered from the euerlasting floud that is to say from the paynes and torments of hell by Iesus Christ 2 As the floud did preserue so many as were within the Arke but sunke the rest So likewise is Baptisme auaileable to so many as are Baptized into the Church of Christ by faith but helpeth the rest no more then it did Simō the sorcerer Act. 8.9.10 c. Mar. 16.16 1. Pet. 3.10.21 3 As in the Floud both sinne and sinners did perish So also in the floud of Baptisme sinne sinketh but the sinner is safe Tit. 3.5 Iohn 3.5 4 As the Purse of a true man in the hand of a theefe doth not make or proue him to be a true man Euen so Baptisme though it be in the assemblies of the Churches of Rome yet it noth not proue them to be the Churches of God neither doth it appertaine vnto them but vnto an other hidden Church of God which he hath in all ages gathered forth of the midst of them 5 As the graffe receiueth substance and nourishment of the roote into which it is graffed So they that receiue Baptisme with such faith as they ought do truly feele the effectualnesse of the death of Christ in the mortifying of their flesh and therewithall also they feele the effect of his resurrection in the quickning of the spirit Rom. 6.3 Col. 2.12 Reading of Authors 1 AS Vlisses stopping his eares with waxe escaped the danger of the Sirenes So ought we to auoyde such things as are found filthy in Bookes and Authors though they seeme pleasant if we will auoide the danger ensuing such things 2 As the like pleasure is not to him that goeth into a goodly garden garnished with diuers kindes of hearbes and flowers and that there doth no more but behold them of whom it may bee said that hee went in for nothing but that hee would come out and to him which besides the corporall eye pleasure knoweth of euerie one the name and propertie So verily much difference is there in reading of Authors and in sundrie sorts of men that doo it and much more pleasure and profit hath hee which vseth art and iudgement then the other which with great studie indeed turneth them ouer but for lacke of the knowledge of precepts wanteth also the fruite and delectation that he more amply might obtaine Christs Body is not inclosed or conteined in the bread vnder the bread or with the bread neither the bloud in the wine vnder the wine or with the wine 1 AS the bloud of our Sauiour Christ doth cleanse vs from all our sinnes 1. Ioh. 1.7 and yet we need not to haue it really present with vs for to be washed or bathed in it So Christ our Sauiour according to his promise doth daily or whensoeuer we do come worthily to his holy Supper feed both our bodies and soules with the wholesome and heauenly foode of his precious Body and bloud and this doth he by his eternall and almightie Spirit so that he needeth not therefore to come downe at the becke of euerie iugling popish Priest and to be really present in their wafer Cake after that they haue with gaping and blowing spoken foure or fiue words vpon it Receiuing of the Sacrament Iohn 13.20 Luk. 10.16 Math. 25.41 c. 1 LIke as Christ doth recouer and impute that to bee done vnto him which is done to his Ministers or poore needie members So also doth he recouer and impute that to bee done vnto his Body and bloud that is done vnto the Sacrament of the same 1. Cor. 11.27 2 Like as he that sinneth against a Minister or a poore man sinneth against * Act. 9.4 Zach. 2.8 Christ himselfe although in the meane while hee hath not hurt Christes person in any point Euen so is he also guiltie of the body and bloud of Christ whosoeuer receiueth the Sacrament of the Body and bloud of Christ vnworthily although in the meane season he hath not receiued the very Body and bloud of the Lord. 3 Like as if a Rebell should tread vnder his feete the Seale Letters or Coyne of the Prince although he touch not the Prince himselfe nor tread him vnder his feete yet is he said to haue troden the Prince vnder his feete and is accused not for hurting the Seale or defiling the Letters or defacing his Coyne but hee is charged of treason and accused for treading the Prince vnder his feete Or if one man should send a gift or token vnto an other man as a peece of bowed siluer a Nutmeg or a Rasing of Ginger if the partie
that they may immediately teach not seeking thereby to amend and make better themselues 2 As vessels that are to bee filled are bowed and made apt to receiue the liquor that is powred therein So ought a Learner to accommodate and applie himselfe that nothing of that which is profitably spoken doo scape him 3 Like as in meates one and the selfe same dish is diuersly set forth according to the inuention of the dresser and appetite of the eater Euen so in Learning one and the selfe same point is diuersly handled according to the discretion of the writer and capacitie of the reader 4 Like as choyse and good Wine looseth his verdure and strength if it bee put into a vile and vnpure vessell Right so a good word or sentence if it bee spoken of an euill man or Learning if it chaunce to a wicked man taketh none effect 5 As the Diamond enchased and set in Gold giueth a farre brighter glosse then if it were set in leade yron or other baser mettal Euen so the loue of godlinesse and vertue planted in a Learned mans breast bringeth forth farre greater and more excellent fruit then if an vnlearned man enioyed the same graces Lying of God and his truth most offensiue AS hee sinneth most grieuously which deceiueth trauelling men by shewing them a contrarie way Euen so much more hainously offendeth he that in matters of Religion doctrine and godlinesse doo bring men into errours through Lying because he doth therby as it were thrust them out of the kingdome of heauen Ezech. 13.6 8 10 19. Iere. 23.25 26 35. 14.14 Esay 9.15 16. 1. Cor. 15.15 Iam. 3.14 Lords Supper 1 LIke as in the person of Christ his manhood was seene on earth and his Godhead being not at all seene did notwithstanding great and wonderfull things without any chaunging or confounding of natures Euen so in the Lords supper we see the bread and Wine Christs body we see not which notwithstanding worketh in vs. 2 As the body of the Sunnes light aboue is in it selfe whole albeit it bee dispersed heare beneath So likewise Christ in heauen aboue is whole notwithstanding he suffereth vs in his supper each one to bee full partakers of his body and bloud when hee giueth himselfe vnto vs and yet without any diminition at all of himselfe when he offereth himselfe vnto vs which are weake without beeing inclosed in vs when he is receiued of vs and without any dishonour at all to his maiestie when he commeth into our small cottage and will haue our hearts to be his Temple and dwelling place 3 Like as the forbidden fruit which Adam and Eue did eate in the Garden of Eden by Sathans prouocation procured their death Euen so that heauenly Manna which Christ hath appointed for our spirituall foode in his supper dooth bring vnto the worthie receiuers thereof euerlasting life Gene. 2.17 4 As the sicke man the weaker hee knoweth himselfe to bee should so much the more earnestly desire meate both to receiue nourishment and to refresh his strength Euen so so farre off it ought to bee that our weaknesse should keepe vs from the receiuing the Lords supper that it ought rather to spurre vs forward to come vnto it that by it we might be strengthened in faith and repentance 5 As the word of God is all one whether it fall vppon the euill or vpon the good surely it is all one in the minds of the hearers So the Sacrament of the Lords body and bloud is all one whether it be receiued of the good or of the euill and as the Gospell in it selfe is the power of God to sauing it doth also saue but it is not al alike to the vnbeleeuing as it is to the beleeuing So the Sacrament is of it selfe the body of Christ but to the wicked which doo contemne it and to them which do receiue it vnworthily it is farre otherwise 6 As a mother hauing brought foorth her little one dooth not forsake it but nurseth and bringeth it vp So Christ hauing ordained Baptisme to bee as a seale and pledge of our spirituall new birth into his Church did institute the holy supper to the end that by participation in his body and bloud we might the more bee strengthned in this assurance that Christ is ours together with all his benefites and so feede our soules spiritually to life euerlasting 7 As a litle waxe powred vpon other waxe is made all one with it Euen so they that receiue the Sacrament of the Lords supper worthily abide in Christ and Christ in them 8 As the Child when he commeth to age is bound to honour his parents not onely for his begetting and bringing into this life but also because they haue fed and brought him vp and still do continue the same duties vnto him Euen so should it be with vs whome God hath as it were begotten into his Church through our Baptisme and to whome hee hath since in his holy supper ministred the foode of our soules in the Communion of the body and bloud of Iesus Christ for not onely our spirituall new birth by Baptisme but also the spirituall foode which that good Father giueth vnto vs in his holy supper doo binde vs to honour him yea and should thereto mightily induce vs considering that for foode of our soules hee hath deliuered his onely Sonne Iesus Christ to bee crucified for vs. 9 Like as if any man had a child so sicke that nothing coulde serue for his foode and recouerie but precious Pearles confected or preserued this child should be much bound to loue and honour his parents that for his reliefe had not grudged at such cost and expences Euen so wee shall deserue great reproofe of our heauenly Father who feedeth vs in his holy supper not with pearles but with the very flesh and bloud of his Sonne Iesus Christ in case wee should make no account to please him by amendment of life withall considering that as there is no comparison betweene pearles the body and bloud of Iesus Christ so the spirituall life of our soules is without comparison much more excellent then the life of our bodies 10 As meate and drinke ministred vnto the body doo maintaine the life motions and senses of the body So from the communion in the body and bloud of Iesus Christ which is the foode of the soule must proceed the spirituall and heauenly life cogitations affections words and deedes 11 As it were a straunge case if the body by eating and drinking should gather no sustenance and consequently want all motions sense and bodily operation So were it a monstrous matter that the soule communicating in the body and bloud of Iesus Christ should gather no spiritual foode that might bring foorth newnesse of life and holynesse in words and deeds 12 As the hololy supper is the table of Gods children the faithfull and members of the Church of Iesus Christ So the communicating thereat is a solemne protestation
things naturall and not ignorant of any kind of learning or discipline may by the discourse in this Booke bee sufficiently prooued and manifestly gathered for that in their writings they vse many Similitudes and make so many comparisons of things fetched off and from the very secrets and bowels of nature as namely from wilde and tame beastes foules wormes creeping and swimming creatures Hearbs Trees the Elements fire water earth ayre riuers brookes welles Cesternes Seas stars pearles stones lightning thunder raine deaw heate drowth cold winds blasts haile snow frost yce Corne seede salt leuen nets snares and likewise from the humours in a mans body as bloud milke women in trauaile in child birth drosse Iron Gold Siluer and innumerable other things wherewith they learnedly beautifie their matter and as it were brauely garnish and decke out their termes words and sentences with tropes and figuratiue phrases Metaphors Translations Parables Comparisons Collations Examples Shemes and other ornaments of speech giuing thereby vnto their matter a certaine kind of liuely gesture and so consequently attyring it with light perspicuitie easinesse estimation and dignitie stirring vp thereby mens drowsie minds and awaking slouthfull negligent carelesse sluggish and retchlesse people to the consideration and acknowledgement of the truth and to the following and imbracing of vertue and godlinesse Hereby as they doo labour to deterre and withdraw the wicked from their wicked wayes by laying downe before them Similitudes tending to such purpose So doo they no lesse stirre them vp to vertue to true happinesse to perfect felicitie to sound assurance to the feare of God and trust in his mercie Finally they each way seeke to winne them to the knowledge of God and of themselues and leaue no way vnattempted to allure and bring them to the truth and perfect blessednesse And as touching the godly which feare the Lord and frame their liues accordingly they cease not to encourage confirme strengthen and establish them in their vertuous doings by earnest exhortations to persist in their well begunne exercise They doo as the Apostle Saint Paule also willeth Admonish such as walke inordinately and liue out of course being vntractable and vnruly 2. Thes 3.11 1. Thes 5.11 to remember their dutie to acknowledge their fault they gently reprooue them and mildly seeke to recouer them they comfort the weake and cheare vp the mourneful they strengthen the feeble and broken hearted they reuiue the sorrowfull and heauie spirited they raise vp them that are throwne downe they vse lenitie mildnesse and compassion towardes all men in generall they are slow to anger slow to reuenge and violence they heale the broken and brused consciences they preach deliuerance to the captiues sight to the blind libertie to the imprisoned comfort to the afflicted ioy to the distressed health to the sicke recouerie to the diseased and to the miserable releasement from the thraldome and tyrannie of the Diuel all these and many other they notably and elegantly set forth in their writings by most apt Parables forcible Comparisons and effectuous Similitudes Christ in whome are hidden all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Mat. 13.3 saith the Euangelist spake all these things to the multitude by Parables and without a Parable spake he nothing vnto them that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet who said I will open my mouth in Parables c. To the which Tertullian in his fourth Booke against Marcion dooth very fitly agree saying Neither is the forme of Christs speech new when he obiecteth Similitudes Also Origen cap. in Math. 13. writeth that Christ spake nothing to the companies of common people without Parables which are a kind of Similies but to his Disciples to whom it was giuen to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heauen he did not so Therefore a Similie is most fit for a Preacher because it reasoneth from things confessed and very manifestly and wonderfully layeth the matter euen before the eyes So that the vse of a Similie reacheth very farre for it is vsed for ornament for delight for plainnesse for grauitie Nothing bringeth more grace pleasure or dignitie Neither is it to bee couered in silence that Chrysostome the auncient Church men did commonly beginne with a Similie agreeing to their argument And the same in their Exordiums yea in all parts of their speeches and writings did the Princes of wise eloquence and eloquent wisedome vse as Tertullian Origen Cyprian Nazianzen Basil Iohn Chrysostome Hierom Ambrose Augustin But of the great vse of Similituds we may read more largely in the Homely of Io. Chrysostome vpon the 33. of Ioh. and his Homely vpon Gene. 13. And in Origens Homely vpon Leuit. 10. And in Augustine in the very beginning of his second Booke concerning Christian doctrine And D. Gregorie in the 36. cap. of his third Booke of Morals And to conclude in Agrigola his first Booke of Logicall inuention cap. 25. Seeing therfore each one of the Prophets among whom many were Kings descended of royall bloud haue discoursed of these things and inserted and spoken of the same in their writings seeing likewise our Sauiour Iesus Christ and his Apostles haue practised the same and shewed foorth the like kind of doctrine as also the learned writers haue done I thought my labour should bee well imployed and bestowed if I should in this Treatise plainely shew what store of excellent learning profound wisdome hidden knowledge and exact skill of nature what zeale likewise of aduancing true Religion and of banishing all Idolatrie and superstition there rested in those men that by diuine inspiration haue left and deliuered vnto vs such worthie and wholesome matters in such surpassing knowledge by drawing into their Bookes for the greater ornament and setting out of their speech the whole store and furniture of nature Now calling to mind Right Worshipfulls not onely the manifold curtesies and benefites which I found and receiued now more then thirtie yeares agoe when I taught the Grammer Schoole at Okeham in Rutland and sundrie times since of the Religious and vertuous Lady Lucie Harington your Worships Mother my especial friend in the Lord but also the great kindnesse and fauourable good will during my long trouble and since by both your Worshippes towards me extended In consideration whereof least I should seeme altogether vnthankfull which compriseth and containeth in it selfe all vices both towards God and men I am therefore euen prouoked in some small measure of dutie to shew my selfe some wayes thankfull vnto you And whereas at this time euerie gratefull person doth not onely in word but also in deedes with their presents and giftes shew some signe and token of this their thankfulnesse Euen so I also out of my simple Garden haue chosen and gleaned a handfull of Flowers as it were a Nosegay the best present I haue to Dedicate offer vnto you Thus humbly desiring your Worships to accept this my simple present most earnestly beseeching
to whom it were sent wold not take it but refuse it despitefully or contemne it the man that sent it might well thinke he had contemned and disdained him and not his gift or present but what might hee thinke if hee should cast it into the dyrt and trample it vnder his feete Therefore if hee did as hee ought to do he should consider when he receiued the token the minde and good will of his friend that sent or gaue it and according therevnto to esteeme and receiue it So likewise if we do as we ought to do in beeing partakers of these holy Mysteries we should rather consider the minde and good will of our louer Christ then the Bread and Wine which we see yea if we do not altogither consider Christes minde and purpose in this behalfe we deale vnhonestly and strumpâ— like with him For it is the propertie of Strumpets to consider the things giuen and sent them rather then the good will and minde of the giuer and sender whereof the true louers doo not consider in any point the value of the things giuen or sent but the minde and good will of the partie So we if we be true Louers of Christ must not consider barely the outward things as the Bread and Wine which wee see and our senses perceiue but rather altogither wee must viewe and consider the minde of Christ and therafter and according to it to esteeme and account of the same 4 Like as if a wilfull and rebellious subiect should no more esteeme or regard his Princes seale then other common wax or haue it in no greater reuerence then the seale of some priuate man it might rightly be said that hee maketh no difference of his Princes person that is to say that he doth no more esteeme him then hee doth other men yet it needeth not that the Kings person bee there really present So when we come to the Lordes table if we take vnreuerently the misticall Bread and Wine as other common meates appointed for the bellie then make wee no difference of the Lordes Body wee doo not esteeme the worthinesse price and vertue of it which in the holy Mysteries is so freely and so liberally offered vnto vs. And therefore if we receiue this Sacrament vnreuerently not considering who is the Author of it nor who it is that offereth himselfe so mercifully and louingly vnto vs it is no maruell therefore that the holy Apostle saith that we are guiltie of the Body and bloud of the Lord that is to say that we are before the seate of Almightie God because of our vnthankfulnesse and vnreuerent handling of the holy Mysteries counted as guiltie as if wee had slaine the Body of the onely begotten sonne of GOD and shead his most precious bloud vpon the Crosse Or it is no maruell that in stead of grace in stead of forgiuegesse of our sinnes and of life euerlasting wee doo eate and drinke our owne damnation And yet it followeth not that the Body and bloud of Christ be really present there in the Sacrament Christes naturall and immortall Body can be but in one place at once and not in many places 1 LIke as the Soule of man vnited to his Body cannot be a Body because it is a spirit Euen so the like is of the Body and of the Soule of Iesus Christ and of his diuine and humaine nature of the which euerie one of them holdeth so continually his properties that the one cannot be that the other is For albeit that they be vnited together by personall vnion yet for all they remaine alway distinct in their vnitie according to their properties and not confused in such sort that the one cannot be the other wherefore wee may not say at all that the Diuinitie is the humanitie or that the humanitie is the Diuinitie nor that the one is conuerted into the other For if there were such a conuersion they should no more be that which they are but should bee chaunged into other natures which thing cannot be For God can neuer bee but God Wherefore hee cannot be conuerted into man but he may vnite man to himselfe as he hath done in the person of his Sonne Iesus Christ Likewise man cannot bee conuerted into God for so much as he is a creature and that God which is the Creator of all cannot bee created but is without beginning as hee is without end and infinite the which thing cannot agree with any creature From whence it followeth that the Gods which are created are no Gods at all but are onely creatures or else vaine illusions or imaginations And as the substance of GOD cannot bee conuerted into that of man nor that of man into that of God for otherwise God should not be God nor man should not be man at all Euen so neither the one nor the other may be without his conuenient and naturall properties belonging to the diuine nature it is no more diuine nature but humaine In like sort if the Sacramentall signes of the Body and bloud of Iesus Christ haue the naturall properties which do belong to the Bread and to the Wine as they haue indeed if they haue their qualities and accidents and these same effects they are not then really and substancially the Body and bloud of him but Bread and Wine remaining alwaies in their substance with their accidents 2 As the bodie of the Sunne and light of it are so ioyntly ioyned together that the one cannot be seperated from the other yet it followeth not that wheresoeuer the light of the Sunne is there the body of the Sunne must be also For as the Sunne being still in the Element according to the order that God hath appointed among vs his creatures doth wtth his light refresh comfort and quicken all things here vpon earth So our Sauiour Christ Iesus who is the true Sonne of righteousnesse being still vntill the time that God hath appointed on the right hand of his Father touching his manhood that is to say aboue in heauen in the place of beatitude felicitie and ioy raigning there with the Father in equall glorie and maiestie doth continually assist aide and comfort his Church by his holy spirit being alwaies present with his elect and chosen by his diuine Maiestie prouidence and inuisible grace whom hee doth not cease through his almightie power the spirit being the worker of it to feede still with the wholsome foode of his most precious flesh and bloud Now as it were most noysome and hurtfull vnto all the whole earth if we had here belowe the Body of the Sunne so is it not expedient that the Church and Congregation of the faithful should haue Christ still present here touching his humanitie and manhood For so he saith Iohn 16.7 3 As no man can denie but that the eye and the sight of it be so ioyntly and inseperably ioyned together that as long as the eye is whole and sound the one cannot be seperated from the other yet
the eye is not in all places that the sight dooth reach vnto As wee knowe that seueritie and mercie are in God so ioyntly ioyned together that the one cannot be seperated from the other and yet they that feele his seueritie doo not feele his mercie that is to say those whom he doth according to his righteous iudgement punish euerlastingly in hell fire them doth he vtterly banish and put away from his bounteous goodnesse and mercie Euen so although the Diuinitie and humanitie of Christ be so lincked and ioyned together that wheresoeuer the one is it doth not therfore follow that the other is there also For the godhead of Christ can be euerie where and in more places then in one at once but his manhood cannot be euerie where nor in moe places then one at once Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper do no more change their substance nor qualities then the water in Baptisme 1 AS in the Sacrament of Baptisme the substance of water remaineth still So likewise in the Lords Supper remaineth the substance of Bread and Wine 2 As in Baptisme is giuen vnto vs the holy Ghost and pardon of our sinnes which yet lie not lurking or inclosed in the water so in the Lords Supper is giuen vnto vs the Communion of Christes body and bloud that is grace forgiuenesse of sinnes innocencie life immortalitie without any transubstantiation or including of the same in the Bread Mar. 16.19 Luk. 24.6.51 Act. 1.9.10 Iohn 12.8.26 3 As by Baptisme the old man is put off and the new man put on yea * Gal. 3.27 Christ is put on but without transubstantiation or chaunging of the water Euen so it is in the Lords Supper wee by faith spiritually in our soules do feede on Christs Body broken do eate his flesh and drinke his bloud do dwell in him and he in vs but without transubstantiation Bookes 1 AS Theeues be loth to assault an house where they know to be good Armour and Artillerie so wheresoeuer the Bookes of the holy Scriptures be wel occupied and exercised there neither the diuell nor any of his angels dare come neare 2 Like as Smithes Masons Carpenters and other handie craftsmen what need soeuer they be in or what shift soeuer they make will not sell or lay to pledge the tooles of their occupation for then they could not worke or follow their trade and so get their liuing So likewise euerie good Christian ought to be like minded and affectioned towards the Bookes of the Prophets Apostles and other holy writers inspired by the holy Ghost the instruments of their saluation and therefore not to sell or pawne them away 3 As vnto those precious stones the greatest price is due which not onely with their colours do delight the eyes but also are of effect for medicines So vnto those Bookes is the chiefest praise due which in them do not onely containe pleasant speech and eloquent but also that do deliuer the minde from all vice and corruption 4 Like as one dish of meate well chewed and digested will comfort nature more then diuerse delicates that lie rawe and vndigested in the stomacke Euen so one good Booke often and throughly read will do thy soule more good then the superficiall sight and taste of a thousand 5 Like as no wise man will receiue a writing for the least plotte of grounde without the counsell of some learned Lawier nor a medicine for his body without the aduise of some learned Phisition Euen so much more ought a Christian not to venture vpon a Booke wherein may be some damnable errour which may conuey from him his heauenly inheritance or some deadly poyson which may kill his soule without the direction of some godly Diuine 6 As vnto men of diuers complexions and affections God hath giuen choise of meates and varietie of apparell So likewise many Bookes to one ende are published and set forth by sundrie men in diuers fashions and with a diuers gift order and facilitie that hee whom one Booke sauoureth not might yet like the taste of an other Our second Birth LIke as we see the naturall Body from the first Birth to receiue diuers members and euerie member diuers offices vses as it is the vse of the eye to see good or euill and of the hand to take vnto it that which is good and to remoue from the Body that which is euill Euen so in the second Birth we receiue new members whereof euerie one hath his diuerse vse and function as knowledge of the will of God hope loue faith which is as it were the hand reaching vnto vs all the mercifull promises of GOD in Christ whereby we are so surely ioyned in affection to the Lord that by nothing we can be seperated Cares of the world hurtfull AS a Clocke can neuer stand still from running so long as the peases and plummets doo hang thereat Euen so a worldly man hauing infinite Cares cogitations and anxieties hanging vpon his minde as waights vpon the Clocke can neuer haue rest or quiet day or night but is enforced to beate his braines when other men sleepe for the compassing of those trifles wherwith he is encombred Carelesse keepers of Gods commandements AS the Scribes and Pharisies that came from Ierusalem picked a quarell against our Sauiour Christ because his Disciples did eate with vnwashed hands wherby they transgressed as they said the tradition of the Elders Our Sauiour Christ in defence of his Disciples chargeth the Scribes and Pharisies which were so zealous to maintaine their owne ceremonies that they were carelesse to breake the commaundements of God Euen so it commeth to passe alwaies that they which are most earnest in vpholding and defending traditions and ceremonies inuented by man are most forgetfull in keeping the commaundements of God But this is the iust iudgement of GOD against those that inuent a new worship of their owne braine That first they loose their labour and secondly that they are depriued of all-right vnderstanding because they haue presumed to be wiser then God Whom the word of God condemneth Esa 29.13 14. 6.9 Math. 13.14 Act. 28.26 Rom. 11.8 Iohn 12.40 Carnall minded men AS with a leaude and naughtie Companion if wee keepe companie we shall learne no good but rather be readie to be infected with his sinne and vice Euen so if wee suffer our selues to be acquainted with the flesh and vse it as a companion in all our dealings and yeeld vnto it we shall then be sure to learne no good of it for the flesh prouoketh vs to whordome to drunkennes to wantonnesse c. Now if we shall acquaint our selues with the flesh we shall learne those things which tend to our destruction Gal. 6.8 Rom. 8.12 13 14 15 16. Tit. 2.12 The Cause of Gods plagues are diligently to be searched out LIke as the Phisition seeing in a glasse by the water the disease within the body by skill and learning searches out the cause of
nature AS the Camelion is sometimes blacke and sometimes greene sometimes pale and sometimes blew for he euer taketh his colour of the thing which he seeth to be next vnto him and doth shew and represent the colour of what thing is set before him So men of all degrees are wont very much to imitate the nature disposition and manners of those whose Counsell they follow whose familiaritie they vse Psal 101.1.2 c. Christes care of his members though absent EVen as the Eagle hauing her yong ones shut vp in the nest although shee flieth exceeding high and pearseth the loftie ayre yet shee withdraweth not her eyes from her yong ones but still beholdeth them and they also crying after their manner with their streatched our neckes doo looke after her Euen so the Lord Iesus ascending into heauen did behold his Disciples and they also hungring and thirsting after him did fasten their eyes vpon him and did not loose the sight of him vntill he pearsed and broke open the heauens and entred into the presence of his Father And although they were diuided from him in body yet in heart and mind they followed him still Act. 1.9.10.11 Crosses are the badge of a Christian EVen as it is a thing very commendable and woorthie praise that a Souldier doo euer beare about him the signes and badges of his Captaine that it may appeare to whom hee belongeth So is it no little honour to a true Christian man to passe through many daungers and to be experienced in many troubles and to endure many afflictions for his Captaine Christs sake for sorrowes vexations and trbulations are the armor and badges of Christ Gal. 6.17 Christ fisheth for men AS the Diuel that wicked and craftie fisher with his great large long and broad Nets taketh and draweth vp great multitudes and infinite numbers of soules The Diuels baite which voluntarily giue themselues vnto him and doo suffer him most easily to take them by and with with his baites which are voluptuousnesse the foule pleasures and rotten delights of the flesh worldly wealth at will the vaine glorie of the world innumerable riches of all sorts power authoritie vanitie an insatiable desire to beare rule and a thousand such others the seely poore fishes being deceiued by these baites do neuer feele the hooke vntill it stick so fast in their iawes that there is no scaping but the diuell maketh a full account of them as of his owne Euen so contrariwise Christ doth fish for men that hee may draw them out of the bitter waters of the daungerous sea and that he may giue vnto them the water of grace who seeketh to saue their soules and to bring them to euerlasting happinesse and celestiall immortalitie who yet flie from him and would not come neare him he fisheth with a sharpe and bitter baite Christs baite very vnpleasant to the corrupted nature and appetite of a naturall man to wit with much fasting praying often with watchings honest labours in a mans calling contempt of the world spirituall pouertie bitter teares deepe sighes and greeuous grones for sinnes committed against the Lord with humilitie and lowlinesse of heart with kindnesse peace patience righteousnesse and such other things all which although to those which are enclined with a right and true loue of God they are pleasant and welcome yet neuerthelesse to the will and desire of a meere naturall man that is a friend of flesh and bloud they are hard and doo seeme very bitter to his corrupted taste Men which can keepe no Counsell are very daungerous 1 AS the Sea called the dead Sea which is a Lake in Iudea called Asphaltits whereof Aristotle Plinie Iustine and diuers others do make mention wherein is neither fish nor any liuing creature found in it wherevpon it hath the name Dead and in it nothing is couered neither doth any thing that is in it sinke to the bottome thereof but all things do swim and are in sight and do continue in the top of the water Euen so such are they that will keepe no Counsell nor secrets whatsoeuer but will reueale and bewray all things that they know whether they be good or bad 2 Euen as Hypanis a Riuer in Scythia which hath a maruellous sweetenesse vntill a litle bitter spring which Herodotus calleth Exampeus be mingled with it and then it is corrupted with a wonderfull bitternesse Euen so those men which are like torne vessels that will hold no water and so full of chinkes that they neither can nor will keepe any secrets or Counsell are very bitter and intollerable men and do much harm in euery place where they come neither can any Counsell or secret be committed vnto such without great daunger to the Common-wealth wherein they dwell and especially to all those that repose any trust in them Such men seeme they neuer so wise learned and full of Counsell are not to come neare godly Princes neither to be made acquainted with matters of state and the affaires of the Common-wealthes least they do great hurt both with giuing counsell themselues and also by discouering such waightie secrets as shall in trust be committed vnto them Iob. 22.18 Psal 1.1 Christ is lesse beholden to the most part of the world then Caesar was to the Romanes AS Marcus Antonius with an Oration that he made vpon the death of Caesar is said to haue greatly delighted the people of Rome and that hee moued very many of them to shead great store of bitter teares when hee put them in remembrance of the great benefites which they had from time to time receiued of Caesar and withall did shew them Caesars garments wherein his enemies Cassius and Brutus had slaine him all full of bloud whereat they were so mightily mooued that they expulsed the homicides and murtherers out of the Citie so that they durst not if they would liue any longer come neare it And yet in these dayes of ours though the Preacher neuer so good an heauenly Orator come with the Oracles of God himselfe in his mouth and shew most plainely what Christ the Redeemer of the world hath done for man and prooue that man hath receiued vnspeakeable and innumerable benefites by and through Christ and declare what bitter teares water and bloud did trickle downe his cheekes and what deepe and deadly sighes with many fearefull and greeuous grones did rise from his heart before he came to the Crosse and though hee rip vp his passion stitch by stitch as the holy Booke and diuine Word shall direct and leade him and though particularly he shewe how and where he was wounded that hee was beaten spit vpon crowned with thornes nayled hand and foote to the Crosse scorned and mocked of the Iewes though he shew most liuely that the wicked and cruel Iewes embrued their hands in his blood gaue him vineger and gall to drinke yea and although the Preacher declare and proue that besides the death and passion of his
of the sacred Scriptures rightly diuided neither can there be any more wel-commed pardon proclaimed to men then that which containeth the free forgiuenesse of sinnes And there cannot a more happie newes bee published abroad then that which concernes the inheritance of euerlasting life Notwithstanding the Preacher himselfe be carelesse be Leprous be filthie bee beastly or vile yet the godly Hearer will not forsake this heauenly foode or make light account of this wholsome medicine lightly esteeme this Gold or reiect this pardon thinke scorne of this newes but feede hungerly vppon it applie it in time lay it vp in his heart yeelde all reuerence vnto it and delight onely therein as in the very ioy of his soule 9 As a poore Prentise that is very desirous to learne his occupation throughly in euery point who notwithstanding his Maister doth dayly reuile him call him Asse and dolte yea and somtimes doth surely swinge him yet will he accept the same in good part and by no meanes be driuen from learning the misterie of his Trade because it bringeth in the end a pleasure with profit So likewise euerie Christian Hearer of the word should be so addicted to the loue thereof that neither respecting some outragious affections nor yet weying at all the disordered wordes which vnaduisedly passe from some Preachers mouth but regarding rather the matter in hand should wholly fixe their minds thereon assuring themselues that albeit the same seemeth sower at the first to flesh and bloud yet in the end it wil bring quiet rest to their soules Mat. 11.29 Hebr. 12.11 10 As the Anuile or Stithie the more it is hammered the harder it is So the most Hearers of the word now a dayes haue their harts so hardned in sinne and their consciences so seared vp with an hot yron that the hammer of Gods word cannot breake them in peeces nor zealous preaching approach to the quicke as it did before in the Apostles c. Psal 95.8 Rom. 2.5 Ephe. 4.19 1. Timo. 4.2 Iere. 23.29 Act. 2.41 8.12 11 As it is the beastly nature of some Horses to kicke at his keeper which prouides him prouender So is it the marke of a degenerate mind for any man to murmure at the iust reprehension of his Pastour 12 As a Glasse-windowe receiueth in the light so soone as it shineth but withstandeth euerie tempest or shower that beates at the same So should euerie Christian Hearer bee readie to receiue the light of the truth when hee heareth it preached and bee likewise as carefull to withstand and reiect euerie errour or false Doctrine that dooth slip from him which will after mooue a tempest in his conscience by the sence of Gods iudgement 13 As a Riddle or Syue letteth the cleare water issue foorth quite and keepeth onely the Chaffe or the mud that swimmeth aloft Or as a daintie and delicate Dogge which when one offereth him a good morsell of meate will scornefully cast his head aside and catch a Flie So in like manner the malicious Hearer whatsoeuer good morsell of Doctrine or instruction shall be proffered him by the Preacher the same shall surely fall to the grounde but if any vaine or vnsauorie matter shall slippe from him whereby hee may sustaine any reproach that shall bee sure to be catched and marked and to bee cast in his teeth c. 14 As the Thistle which if it bee stroked vpwardes will not lightly molest a man but beeing stroked downewards dooth pricke him So surely many Hearers of the word preached so long as their Ministers doo Preache pleasant things they seeke not to stirre them at all or bee displeased with them both so soone as hee beginneth to rubbe them a little on the gall and to touch them home to the quicke then they kicke and storme at the same Esay 30.10 Ierem. 11.21 Amo. 7.12 Mich. 2.11 2. Tim. 4.3 15 As meate the more a man receiueth the more it distempereth if it bee not digested So the more a man learneth and the more he Heareth the greater is his sinne if he grow not by it 16 As the Auditors of Ezechiel did willingly come and sit before him and Heare him but they iested at his words and would not doo as he taught them Euen so many will giue Preachers the Hearing but with their mouthes they iest it out and make no more reckoning of their Sermons then they doo of a Fidler and his song and not so much Ezech. 33.30 31 32. 17 As Naash the Ammonite said who would make a couenant with the men of Iabesh Gilead vpon condition that hee might put out all their right eyes and bring all that shame vpon Israel So likewise many Hearers of the word will in effect say to the Lord we are content to bee thy children and to heare thy Preachers thou shalt bee our Father so that wee may haue what we will say what we will and doo what we will 1. Sam. 11.2 18 As where the word is not preached there the people perishe So where it is plentifully deliuered and the people negligent in Hearing of it and not obeying it there is deepe damnation and vtter destruction shortly to be looked for Zepho 3.1 19 As stonie grounds mingled with some earth are commonly hot and therefore haue as it were some alacritie and hastinesse in them and the Corne as soone as it is cast into this ground it sprouteth out very speedily but yet the stones will not suffer the Corne to bee rooted deepely beneath and therfore when Summer commeth the blade of the Corne withereth with rootes and all So likewise is it with those professours and Hearers of the word who haue in their heartes some good motions by the holy Ghost to that which is good they haue a kinde of zeale to Gods word they haue a liking to good things and they are as forward as any other for a time and they doo belieue but these good motions and graces are not lasting but like the flame flashing of straw and stubble neither are they sufficient to saluation 20 As they that haue any bodily diseases if they refuse the Physick ministred vnto thē reape no profit at al albeit the Physition offer them medicines a thousand times Euen so the Preacher of the word shall doo no good by his preaching vnlesse his Hearers and auditours attentiuely marke and carefully practise the same 21 As the wicked and vngodly in old time when they were reprehended by the Lords Prophets for their sins and wickednesse did either denie their fault committed as Kaine and Gehesie Gene. 4.9 2. King 5.25 Or else they were angrie and vsed reprochfull words and sought reuengement As king Herord vnto Iohn Baptist Mark 6.17 The Elders to Steuen Act. 7.57 Or else they craftily and couertly excused themselues as Saule did 1. Sam. 15.20 Euen so do the wicked and vngodly Hearers of the word when their sinnes and wickednesse are spoken against and laide open by faithfull Preachers whereas
scruple at all at great sinnes as the Papists do who will not sticke to blaspheme the name of God and yet make a conscience of sinnes as the breach of any the Popes decrees c. Math. 22.23 Hardnesse of heart 1 LIke as wee feele our sicknesse by contrarie life and health Euen so Harnesse of heart when it is felt argues quicknesse of grace and softnesse of heart but contrariwise when Hardnesse hath so possessed the heart that it is neuer felt this is daungerous in them who haue their consciences seared with an hotte yron who by reason of custome in sinne are past all feeling who likewise despise the meanes of softning their hearts Esay 65.17 Zach. 7.11 Ephe. 4.19 2 Like as if the clearenesse of the Sunne doo happen to shine vpon the eyes of him that is blind his eyes are not made clearer thereby but rather more dimmer Or if one doo shout or speake loude in the eares of him that is deafe his hearing is nothing thereby quickned but rather more dulled Euen so if any man shal propound and speake the truth to him whose heart is Hardened hee is not made the better any thing at all by it but afterwards conceiueth more Hatred against the truth 2. Cor. 2.16 Act. 19.9 Exod. 9.34 3 As it is daungerous to the state of his body whose veine beeing striken by the Physition sendeth foorth no bloud Euen so daungerous is his condition for his soule that hath his heart smitten by the word of God but sheweth no tokens of repentance 4 As in some kind of sicknesse a man may die languishing So likewise where Hardnesse of heart raignes wholly and finally a man may descend to the pit of hell tryumphing and reioycing 5 As we are carefull to flie the infection of the bodily plague So much more carefull should we bee to flie the common blindnesse of mind Hardnesse of heart which is the very plague of all plagues a thousand folde worse then all the plagues of Egypt 6 As there is nothing harder thē the Adamant stone especially that which is had in the Indians which in firmnes hardnesse value exceedeth the rest which yet is said to bee subdued and mollified with the warme bloud of a Goate So likewise the heart of man beeing Hardned through the continuance and Custome of sinne will not be mollified bridled nor tamed neither with the bloud of a Goate nor yet with the bloud of that immaculate Lambe Christ Iesus which gaue himselfe a sacrifice for vs vpon the Altar of the crosse there bestowed his bloud that he might mittegate and appease our wild minds and pricke to the quicke our hard and senselesse hearts and to open vnto vs the way to the attaining of eternall life and euerlasting saluation Esay 48.4 Iere. 5.3 7 As a stone preaseth to his centre So an Hard hearted man is preasing toward hell Exod. 15.5 Hatred 1 LIke as loue beareth good will euen to the dead and wisheth them aliue and would if it were possible stay them from death which are condemned to die Euen so Hatred seeketh to fley the liuing and deemeth them vnworthie of life which haue offended neuer so lightly 2 As the fire doth consume that substance whereby it is nourished Euen so Hatred consumeth the hart wherein it hath beene misled 3 As the Moath doth gnaw the garment where it is bred So Hatred gnaweth the heart wherein it was conceiued 4 As a Bee stingeth and pricking an other doth loose his sting and can neither make Honie nor liue but a smal time after So the heart pricking an other with the sting of Hatred dooth loose many sweete vertues and killeth it selfe Mans Heart naturally corrupt from the wombe 1 AS a Tree whose roote is rotten and infected with venimous sap bringeth foorth none but corrupt and naughtie fruite Euen so from mans Heart which is corrupt and naturally infected with the contagion of sinne can proceede nothing that is good For that which is born of the flesh is flesh Gene. 6.5 8.21 Psal 14.1.3 53.1 3. Rom. 3.10 c. Mark 7.18.21 22. 2 Like as a Wolfe cannot ingender but a yong Wolfe and a Serpent a young Serpent and euen as wee doo not leaue off or cease to hate a yong Woolfe although that he hath not yet eaten or woried any sheepe Or a yong Serpent notwithstanding that he hath not yet cast forth his venime but doo iudge him worthie of death because of the peruerse nature that is in them So ought we to esteem and thinke that God hath no lesse occasion to hate and condemne vs euen from our mothers bellie because of our peruersitie and naturall malice engendred with vs. And though the Lord should damne vs eternally hee should doo vs no wrong but onely that which our nature meriteth and deserueth For although that the young Infant hath not yet done any worke which wee may iudge to be euill and wicked sith that he hath not yet the vnderstanding discretion nor the power to doo it yet it followeth not therefore but that the peruersitie and malice which is naturall in man hath alreadie his roote in him as one part of his paternall inheritance the which cannot please God For although that it bringeth not foorth her fruites yet they doo remaine still there as in their roote which will bring them forth in his time As the venime is alreadie in a Serpent although that he bite not and so the nature of a Woolfe in a yong Woolfe how harmelesse soeuer he seemeth to be 3 As a Seale cannot bee Imprinted in an Adamant which by reason of the hardnesse thereof wil not yeelde Euen so the Heart of man is by nature so hard that it will not yeeld vntill it bee wounded and brused by the spirite of God by the preaching of the law Ezech. 11.19 Rom. 2.5 Psal 51.17 4 Like as when the Adamant is beaten to powder it will then receiue any print Euen so when the Lord shall bruse our Hearts and batter our affections and take the sence from them then they will no doubt receiue some impressions of Gods anger and vengeance 5 As Waxe melteth with the heate of the fire So the Heart of man fainteth with the greatnesse of troubles and vexations Psal 22.14 Our Hearts must be eleuated dayly to heauen 1 AS those that keepe Clockes vse euerie day once at the least to pull vp the plummets least their weight should draw them downe so farre that the course of the Clocke should be hindered So in like manner wee must set apart somtime of the day for the eleuating and raysing vp of our minds to heauen by meditation on Gods word and prayer least our Hearts should so far descend through the weight of the cares of this world that our course in godlinesse should be hindered and stopped 2 As the Marriner on the Sea doth cast out the best Iewels and most precious things if they ouer-loade his ship and put it in
where no Fowler is Euen so God reuealeth not his secrets to his people but by his Ministers Amo. 3.5 7. 12 As a Candle that is lighted ought not to bee put vnder a bushell but set vpon a Candlesticke that all they that come into the house may see light by it Euen so the Ministers of the word ought not to hide their giftes but so plainely to set foorth the light of Gods most holye word that euerie man in the Church may thereby bee guided and directed in his calling Psal 18.28 Mark 4.21 Math. 5.15 16. 13 Like as Aarons rodde beeing afore withered and dried by diuine vertue became greene againe budded and brought foorth good and wholesome fruit Euen so likewise it is meete that such as bee called to the Office of the Ministerie in the Church of God should shewe foorth the fruites of vertue and good workes in themselues and by wholesome doctrine also instruct others vnder their charge to doo the like and to shewe foorth â—heir sound and liuely faith by good and Christian actiâ—ns Numb 17.8 14 As the paines of a woman in child-birth is great and wonderfull Euen so the paines toyle and griefe of body and minde which true and faithfull Ministers of Christ take and suffer to forme and fashion Christ in them that pertaine to their charge is excessiue great Gal. 4.19 15 As naturall Fathers doo make no spare of labour trauaile and toyle to get and lay vp in store for their childreÌ„ Euen so the true Ministers of the word ought to take great care paines and to make no spare of themselues but to bestow themselues and all their gifts fully and wholly vpon their flocke to winne them to God who hath made them Fathers ouer his people 2. Cor. 12.14 15. 1. Thes 2.11 16 As fishers do oftentimes catch with their nets great store and plentie of fish in the Sea Euen so when it pleaseth God to bestow his graces in aboundance then his Preachers by the preaching of his word shall catch great store and varietie of mens soules and so conuert them to God Ezech. 47.9 10. Mark 1.17 17 As the Apostles when they had laboured all night in fishing and caught nothing yet in the day time they cast out againe at the commaundement of Christ and so inclosed a great number Euen so godly Ministers are neuer to dispaire though they doo not see that they winne any by the word yet God will blesse their labours when he seeth it good Luk. 5.5 6. 18 As Hiram bestowed much labour vpon the materiall Temple Euen so should Pastors and Preachers take much paine with the people of God which are his spirituall temple 1. King 7.13 14. c. 19 As the Israelites might not plough with an Oxe and an Asse So onely those Ministers must instruct the people of God who are able to teach them Deut. 22.10 20 Like as the runners looke euer to the marke and the Champions employ all their shifts and practises to smite their aduersarie and start not aside with blinde braides ne beate the aire with rash stroakes Euen so euery man in his vocation but specially the Ministers and teachers of the Church ought to chuse out wisely the meanes that leade straight to the right end and in exercising the same to vse diligence and continuance that they may in the eternal life attain the promised reward of their diligence 1. Cor. 9.24 25. 21 As hired seruants will not tend mens sheepe and cattell longer then there is money and profit comming to them for it Euen so such Ministers which serue in the Church of God if their end be their owne profit and promotion then they surely giue ouer and chaunge their copie when dayes of prosperitie faile and when stormes and persecution for the word begin to growe Iohn 10.12 13. 22 As a carefull Housholder is not onely content with prouision for the present time but prouideth aforehand and hath by him store of things needfull both old and new as well for his houshold as for the entertainment of his friends Euen so he that is a Minister in the Church of God ought by long studie and meditation aforehand to be throughly furnished and stored with all maner of doctrine and comforts needfull for euery sort of men Math. 13.52 23 As that is counted the life of men wherein they most delight and reioyce So that is a good Ministers life to see his flock stand fast in the Lord. 1. Thes 3.8 24 Like as a Nurse dooth fauour and with all mildnesse softer and cherish her children Euen so ought a Minister with all kindnesse and lenitie to cherish his flock 1. Thes 2.7 25 As a Souldier taketh wages of them for whom hee fighteth and goeth on warfare Euen so a Minister of the Gospell may lawfully receiue maintenance at the hands of them to whom hee preacheth the Gospell 1. Cor. 9.7 26 As a Souldier pressed forth to the warres entangleth not himselfe in other ciuill affaires Euen so a Minister which is Gods Souldier ought to keepe himselfe free from all such things as might hinder him from his calling 2. Timo. 2.4 27. As one candle cannot light an other if it selfe bee put out So likewise a Minister and Preacher shall not inflame others with the loue of God and godlinesse himself being voyd and without the same loue and godlinesse Iob. 21.17 Luk. 22.32 28 Like as the Trumpet soundeth out aloude to giue souldiers and seruitors warning to prepare and put themselues in a readinesse for that which they are appointed for Euen so much more should godly Ministers straine their voyces and crie aloude both to Princes and people to shew them the dangers that are imminent and at hand for their sinnes Esay 58.1 29 As the Trumpetter that is set to watch for the comming of his enemies is guiltie of the bloud and death of the Citizens and people if through his negligence and for want of warning by his Trumpet the enemie steale vp vpon them and make slaughter and hauocke of them at vnwares Euen so the Ministers of the word also if the people perish in their sinnes for want of continuall admonition and calling vpon to repent their bloud will bee required at theyr hands Ezech. 33.2 c. 3 17.1â— 19. 30 As the wrestler obtaineth not the crowne oâ— garland except hee striue for it according to the Lawes of wrestling So likewise Ministers are not to looke for any reward except they doo their diligent endeuour to doo their duties faithfully 2. Timo. 2.5 31 As work-men that labour faithfully and painefully in their calling are worthie to haue their hire and wages well paide them Euen so much more such Ministers which labour carefully in the Church of God for the saluation of soules deserue to haue the reward allotted and appointed them for their paines Math. 10.10 32 Like as a man that hath meate and drinke enough but no stomacke to digest it and so the more hee eateth
of a good kind ordereth his going so well that though he haue run ouer many fields and through a thousand thickets already yet he neuer remembreth any labour which is behind but forgetteth it and if he chance to lap water in some brooke by the way yet euen while he lappeth hee lifteth vp his head and still goeth on plieth him forwards to his game So must we doo in this pursute of Perfection seeing Christ hath now sprinkled all the way betweene heauen and earth with his bloud and so hath made it a freshe and a liuing way therefore wee which haue noses like the Tower of Lebanon must as Bloud-hounds trace him by the foote and runne after him in the smell of his oyntments and hunt hotly vpon his fresh and liuing way with a fresh and liuely faith and though we haue gone very farre and done a thousand good deedes alreadie yet we must alwayes forget that which is behind till wee haue gotten if not the childrens bread yet at the least wise some little crum of mercie that falles from our maisters table some litle drop of blood that falls from our Lords side which will be sufficient to make vs perfect men in Christ Hebr. 1â— 20 Cant. 1.4 25 Euen as that altar of perfume was placed not in any common roome or in any odde corner of the Tabernacle but in the Sanctuary it selfe somewhat beyond the vaile close to the golden Censer verie neare the mercy feate So a Christian heart which is a spiritual altar of perfume and of a sweet sauour to God must daily endeuour it selfe to that which is before and stil more more aspire to heauenly things and alwayes nearer and nearer approach vnto Perfection and vnto the throne of grace and continually higher and higher aduaunce itselfe to him that is the highest and holiest of all Exod. 36.6 Heb. 9.4 2. Cor. 2.15 26 As the Israelites so soone as they had pitched in Mithkah which signifies sweetnesse by and by remoued their Tents from Chashmonah which signifies swiftnesse So we must ioyne sweetnesse and swiftnesse both together and assoone as we haue tasted and seene how sweete the Lord is presently we must remooue our Tents from thence and follow hard and runne not only sweetly but also swiftly in the way of peace which leadeth vnto Perfection and life Num. 33.26 27 As a Pomegranate hath many graines within him in his case and a little rounde circle or a crowne without him vpon his head now these graines being sweete in taste and red in colour are orderly set one by another and point vp or as it were looke vp altogether to the crowne So in like manner we which are plantes of the Church as an Oâ—chaâ—dâ— of Promegranaâ—es must growe and goe on still to Perfection not onely when we enioy the sweete taste of pleasant prosperitie but also when we beare the redde colour of bloudie persecution and consenting in a kinde of conformitie and perfect peace and vnitie one with another we must point vp altogether with the finger of faith to Christ and looke vp continually with the eye of lone to our head who by being first crossed is now come to be crowned with honour and glorie 28 As Iacob wrastled all the night long and neuer gaue oâ—er till about the breaking of the day that he was called Israel So likewise we must wrastle all the night long of this life and neuer giue ouer till the day breake and the shadowes flie away and we come to the maruellous light and sight of God by Perfection Gene. 32.24 Mar. 13.35 Cant. 4.6 29 As Ioseph signifieth encreasing and Aramathia signifieth getting the reward So we must alwaies encrease and goe on still to attaine Perfection till we get the reward 30 Like as they which runne their Horses for a wager spurre them hardest at the races ende So seeing our saluation is nearer now then euer it was therefore we must runne faster then euer we did especially because the very Horse and Mule and diuers other bruite beasts which haue no vnderstanding though they haue bene neuer so much wearied tyred before yet when they come neare home they will mend their pace And therefore the more to blame should we be if hauing trauelled thus far alreadie in the way to Perfection and being come by this time almost to our iournies end we should now go no further when indeed we ought if it be possible to runne much faster to our euerlasting home in heauen 31 As the holy Angels blush and holde downe their heads when they see vs stumble or trippe neuer so litle So on the other side they shoute and clappe their hands when they see vs runne chearfully in a good course and come away a pace to Perfection 32 Euen as a royall King when one of his Nobles returnes home which hath in a forraine Countrey by chiualrie or feates of armes or other like excellent parts atchieued and gotten great renowme to his Realme presently sendeth for him to his Court and in open audience giueth him words of grace and aduaunceth him to hie preferments and honour So Christ our most magnificent King immediately vpon our arriuall and entrance into heauen but of the forraine Countrey of this world will reach forth vnto vs his holie hand conducting vs to the eternall Tabernacles of rest and as for all the prayers that we haue made all the teares that we haue shead all the almes that we haue giuen all the other exercises of Christian life that we haue performed though neuer so secretly in this pursuite of Perfection he will openly reward them and most gloriously crowne them when all the host of Angels shall triumph for our corronation and the blessed Saints shall thinke themselues more perfect for our Perfection and all the Court of heauen shall applaude our prayses and God himselfe shall say Amen to our felicities 33 As they which by the counsell of Hefiodus doe often adde small things to small and so at last become rich So he which groweth in vertue more and more at last becommeth perfect Priuate men and women may greatly further the Chuch 1 AS women did worke diuers things for the Tabernacle in the dayes of Moses Or as the Temple was not built but by men of all sorts in the time of Salomon and the walles of Ierusalem vnder the guiding of Nehemiah So may Priuate men very much further the building of the spirituall Temple which is the congregation of Christ Exod. 35.25 1. King 5. Nehem. 3. Iosh 24.15 Act. 10.2 7. Gene. 14.14 18.19 Rom. 16. toto Iere. 35.1 c. 2 As out of Abraham Isaac and Iacobs house sprang forth the Churches of the Iewes So the glorious congregations of the Gentiles in like manner beganne in the families of Priuate men For as seruants well nurtured may adorne the doctrine of God our Sauior in all things Tit. 2.10 and husbands obeying not the word may without the word be wonne by
15. 2. c. Reading is not preaching 1 AS the smell or sight of meate doth good to the hungrie man but it will not feede him except he taste of it So by Reading of the Scriptures men may haue some feeling smell of Religion but they shall neuer throughly taste of it without preaching 2 As meate that is rawe and fat may bee called good but it is not to bee eaten before it bee made ready and dressed So are the Scriptures Reade good holy and pure but not sufficient foode for the people without preaching 3 As is a whole Loafe set or cast before children which want strength to cut it Euen so is Reading without preaching which indeed is a right cutting and diuiding of the bread of life that euerie one may haue his seuerall portion 1. Timo. 2.15 4 Like as if one shoulde offer good treasures to his friend but yet such as were hid shut vp and fast locked and could not bee come by in thus dooing hee should mocke his friend Euen so bare Reading without preaching is bare feeding because preaching is an opening of the treasures to the ioy of Gods children 5 As fire couered with ashes dooth little or nothing heate or profit them that stand by it Euen so bare Reading is smally auaileable to the people without preaching which preaching is an explaining and a discouering of hard and darke points Like as if the Husbandman should cast whole strikes and bushels of Corne on his land together on heapes he should both loose his labour and his seede Euen so that Minister that only Readeth the Scriptures in the Church and preacheth not dooth loose his labour and deceiueth his auditorie 7 As that Fisher catcheth no fish who shuffleth his Nettes on heapes and not opening them Euen so that Minister that contenteth himselfe with the simple reading of the Scriptures in the Congregation winneth no soules to God Refusing the meanes 1 AS we see many men at some times not so much grieued for the sicknesse it selfe as for that they haue willingly neglected the meanes which might haue preserued their health or else for that they haue abused the phisick that might haue restored their health to them againe Euen so in like manner it fareth with those who haue either vnreuerently refused the meanes which should haue kept their soule from surfetting or else vnthankfully haue abused those helpes which might haue recouered them againe 2 As a riche man is sometimes humbled for not giuing money to the poore which he might haue done So likewise some are much grieued for not vsing their good gifts to the benefite of Gods Church so also others are troubled for abusing their gifts to the hurt of Gods Church The Resurrection a wofull day to the vnrepentant 1 IF a man were bidden to goe to bedde that after he had slept and was risen againe he might goe to execution it would make his heart to ake within him yet this yea a thousand folde worse is the state of all impenitent sinners they must sleepe in the graue for a while and then rise againe that a second death may be inflicted vpon them in bodie and soule which is the suffering of the full wrath of God both in bodie and soule eternally Ioh. 5.29 2 Like as when a Traueller comes into an Inne hauing but a penny in his purse who sitting downe calles for all store of prouision and dainties whose behauiour and doing may be thought in the iudgement of all men to be foolish and madde because hee spendes so freely and hath no regarde to the reckoning which must follow Euen so much more foolish and madde is the practise of euerie man that liueth in his sinnes and bathing himselfe in his pleasures in this world neuer bethinketh howe hee shall meete God at the last day of iudgement and there make a reckoning for all his doings A Reward 1 AS a Reward is giuen to a workeman after his worke is done So euerlasting life is giuen vnto the faithfull after the trauailes and miseries of this life ended Rom. 6.23 2 As hee which runneth a race must continue and runne to the end and then be crowned Euen so must we continue to walke in good workes vnto the ende and then receiue our Rewarde eternall life 2. Timo. 4.8 Reall presence 1 LIke as when a word is vttered the sound comes to the eare and at the same instant the thing signified comes to the mind and thus by relation the word and the thing spoken of are both present together Euen so at the Lordes Table Bread and Wine must not be considered barely as substances and creatures but as outwarde signes in relation to the bodie and blood of Christ and this relation arising from the verie institution of the Sacrament stands in this that when the elements of bread and wine are present to the hand and mouth of the receiuer at the verie same time the bodie and blood of Christ are presented to the minde thus and no otherwise is Christ truly present with the signes 2 As one Candle is lighted by an other and one torch or candle light is conueyed to twentie candles Euen so the inherent righteousnesse of euery beleeuer is deriued from the store-house of righteousnesse which is in the manhood of Christ for the righteousnesse of al the members is but the fruite thereof euen as the naturall corruption in all mankinde is but a fruite of that originall sinne which was in Adam Remission of sinne AS it is meete and needfull that the inferiour seeke to the superiour the begger to him that is rich and liberall the sicke man to the Physition the offendant to the mercifull Prince So it is the dutie of man to seek for Remission of sinne for spiritual life health and wealth at the hands of God the onely giuer of all good things Amo. 5.6 Math. 6.5 11.28 Riches and dignities make wicked men worse AS great Flouds and swelling Riuers when they ouerflow their chanels and do break through their banks by reason of their raging violent streams and so spread and runne abroad cannot fill and couer the fielde with water but they hurt corne and grasse or what so else is in their way So great Riches mightie powers and high dignities when they grow and encrease in wicked vngodly men doo not spread abroad and runne ouer the fields and limits of Common-wealths but they do much harme to wit they polle and pill away the riches substance of the silly weake and poore men they fill theyâ— purses with the bloud of innocents they build their houses and establish their dignities vpon the disgrace and the oppression of the Saints and seruants of God and whatsoeuer is in their way to their liking they carrie it with them by hooke or crooke by right or wrong they care not who weepe so they laugh who be emptie so they be full who be vndone so they be aduaunced Here hence come slaughters
wicked and vniust if hee did distribute it good and such as he was commaunded the same could not let at all but that it should be good currant money and that they which should receiue it should very well make their profit thereof Euen so the Minister although he bee lawfully called and haue sufficient giftes to Preach yet if hee doo not administer the Sacraments according to the Lords ordenāce or do either disguise peruert them or else doo administer other in stead of them in thus doing the case is altered but otherwise the vitiousnesse of the person cannot nor may hinder the vertue of the Lordes ministerie 5 As the word of God although it bee Preached by mortall men yet ought the same to bee receiued of all good Christians not as the word of men but as the word of God and as it were proceeding out of the mouth of Christ 1. Thess 2.13 Euen so the holy Sacraments although they bee ministred by frayle and lewd Ministers are to bee receiued of the godly and religious not as proceeding from men but as it were from the hand of God himselfe the first and principall author thereof How Sinne dependeth on God LIke as the Physition comming vnto the sicke person doth by medicines draw corrupt humours out of his body and bringeth them out either by a Purgation or by a sweate or vomit or letting of bloud as hee iudgeth it best yet dooth hee not graft in the sicke person naughtie and corrupt humours Euen so God causeth to bee brought to light our malice which was not brought forth before but lay hid within to make manifest his iustice and to open our Sinnes and yet hee suffereth them to breake foorth by chaunce or rashly but ordereth and gouerneth them according to his iudgement that euen by them he doth fulfill the limits of his prouidence Esay 10.6 7.15 16. The Scripture not hard LIke as if one should affirme that because there bee some bones in a shoulder of Mutton therefore it is nothing but bones and no fleshe thereon at all Or because some places in the riuer bee deepe therefore all the riuer from head to foote is deepe and no shallow to bee found therein which were most rediculous to affirme Euen so is this opinion of the Papists that because some places in the Scripture bee hard therefore all the whole body of the Scripture is hard so as lay people may not read them Deut. 6.6 7. Psal 19.7 8. Col. 3.16 Iohn 5.39 2. Pet. 3.15 Secrecie 1 AS silence is a gift without perrill and containeth in it many good things So it were better our Silence brought our simplicitie into suspition then to speake either inconueniently idlely or vnnecessarily 2 As the Viper is torne in sunder when shee bringeth foorth her little ones So Secrets comming out of their mouthes that are not able to conceale them doo vtterly vndoo and ruine such as reueale them 3 As we must render account for euerie idle word So must we likewise for our idle Silence No Seruice pleaseth God but such as he teacheth AS the Lord in the first Commaundement wholly demaundeth the soule will vnderstanding and hart that is our faith feare loue thankefulnesse inuocation and spirituall adoration or worshipping to bee giuen to him onely and for his sake as he shall appoint So in the second Commaundement Thou shalt not make to thy selfe c. Hee generally requireth for the outward Seruice of him that we should follow his word in seruing of him and take and account it no lesse then Idolatrie or Image Seruice whatsoeuer thing is inuented by man Saint or Angell and not by him concerning his worshippe and Seruice Leuit. 26.1 Exod. 34.13 14 15. Deut. 4.23 Psa 97. 7 106.36 Esay 44.19 Iere. 2.27 There is no Sinne whatsoeuer but it is forbidden by the Law of God nor any good worke but it is there commaunded LIke as if a King being resolued to forgiue no offence worthie of death and thereupon pretending to set downe a Law which if his subiects keepe truely in euerie point they shall escape the edge of his sword and be well promoted yet one man for all that omitteth some matter worthie of death which beeing done the King conuenteth him before his iudgement seate as a malefactor layeth to his charge the committing of that euill or omitting of that good which is not contained in his Law and vpon confession thereof giueth sentence of condemnation against him the partie might well answere his King that hee were vniust and his Law vnperfect Euen so in like sort for as much as the Lord hath decreed death to bee the certaine reward of euerie Sinne. Rom. 6.23 and hath giuen his Law for this intent and to teach man to avoide whatsoeuer is damnable and that whosoeuer obserued all things written in this Law might liue thereby If there be any Sinne that is any thing that he will damne a man for not forbidden or any good worke not commaunded in this Law then is God vniust and the Lawe vnperfect of which neither is true for as for God hee is not vnrighteous Rom. 3.5 6. And as for the Law it is perfect Psal 19.7 Iam. 1.25 Sacraments be commonly called by the names of those things which they be Sacraments off LIke as when a Noble man or Gentleman deliuereth a letter of Annuitie or rent to any one of his seruants he saith he giueth him an Annuitie of ten pound by the yeare No man is so simple to thinke that the letter is the money it selfe but an assurance confirmation signe or gage of such a Summe of money in such sort that hauing such a letter he is full assured of the money Now no man is so blockish to thinke that hee hath euill spoken for so much as euerie man doth well know that the signes haue the names of the things which they signifie After this manner of speech also as an Ambassadour of a Prince being demaunded of the authoritie hee hath receiued of his Lord to deale in such or such a matter dooth vse to shew foorth his letters of credite or Commission and to say Here is mine authoritie albeit that the letters are not the power it selfe but onely the testimonie of the same Euen so the bread and the Wine are the remission of sinnes or the body and bloud of Christ to wit they are as seales and letters whereby we are assured that the body of Iesus Christ crucified and his bloud shed haue purchased vnto vs the forgiuenesse of Sinnes and eternall life Gene. 33.20 41.26 Ioh. 10.7 14.6 15.1 1. Cor. 10.4 16. Ezech. 4.1 5.2 2. Cor. 5.21 Ioh. 1.14 Saluation is to be sought in and by the appointed meanes though God could saue vs without all meanes AS God by his omnipotent power could preserue aliue our mortall bodies extraordinarily and supernaturally without naturall foode and sustenance as hee did Moses and Elijah the space of fortie dayes they not
receiuing in that time any bodily meate or drinke according to the order of nature yet neuerthelesse no man ought to refuse meate and drinke beeing the ordinarie meanes that God hath appointed for the preseruation of our bodily life Euen so God could saue vs without all meanes and giue vnto vs a liuely faith through the wonderfull working of the holy Ghost and that without either preaching or hearing of his word or else without prayer and ministration of the Sacraments yet neuerthelesse is it his ordinance not so to do Exod. 28.18 34.28 Deut. 9.9 1. Kin. 19.18 Act. 9.1 c. Sacraments 1 AS the great Castle Giliâ—fer floureth not til March and Aprill a yeare after the sowing and Marians Violets two yeares after their sowing So the grace of God receiued in baptisme doth not by and by shew forth it selfe till some yeares after the infusion 2 Euen as the best medicines doo most annoy vnlesse they bee rightly ministred and receiued So the vnspeakable wholesome Sacraments of Christ to the worthie receiuers are al health and life but to the vnworthie death and damnation 3 As a seale is altogether vnprofitable yea not allowed a seale vnlesse it be bounde or set to some instrument or writing for the confirmation thereof Euen so the Sacraments are altogether vnprofitable yea indeed are no Sacraments if they be not ioyned with the word of God preached to confirme the same vnto vs. Matth. 28.19 1. Cor. 11.26 4 As they which come to heare the Gospell preached and want faith receiue nothing but words and the Gospell to them is no Gospell Euen so they which come to receiue the Sacraments without faith do indeed receiue the symballs or signes but they haue not the fruite and thing of the Sacraments 5 As Circumcision which was a Sacrament of the old Lawe was a seale in that time to our Fathers of righteousnesse Euen so be our Sacraments to vs in these daies seales of Gods promises vnto vs and al haue one strength and vertue 6 Like as the Sunne which shineth well for all but not to all so it happeneth to those to whom the Sacraments are ministred 7 As there are none but those which haue eyes and do open their eyes that do receiue the light of the Sunne the which it representeth to all but in the meane time such as are blinde or do shut their eyes do not receiue it for they haue not the instrument without the which they cannot receiue it So standeth it betweene the faithfull the vnfaithful in respect of the ministery of the church for it representeth vnto all the benefites of God And albeit that the wicked and faithlesse do not receiue them at all that notwithstanding the fame letteth not but that the Ministery hath alway in it self his vertue But in the mean while it is not ordeined but to be exercised towards those for whom it was ordained or otherwise it should not be a Ministery and by consequence shuld not haue his vertue For where there is no faith in the heart there the holy Sacraments or signes do no more profit the soule then the light or shining of the Sunne doo those that are blind 8 As a corrupt and withered braunch which sticketh still fast to the tree but for all that can receiue no strength or life from the roofe or hart of the tree Euen so the vnfaithfull although they receiue outwardly the bread and the wine of the Ministers in the Supper of the Lord yet they do not receiue the fatte or the inward strength and the treasure to wit the life the holy Ghost or to speak it in one word the communion of the body and of the bloud of Iesus Christ no more then the corrupted or withered braunch receiueth life and strength of the tree in the which it is dead albeit for a time it cleaueth fast to it 9 Euen as it followeth not that for so much as the withered braunch can draw to himselfe no strength nor receiue life that therefore it must needs bee also that the sound braunches can draw or receiue no strength or life of the trunke or body of the tree or that it doth not communicate his life vnto those good and sound braunches Euen so it followeth not that the Sacraments be vain and bare signes because that the vnfaithfull cannot lay hold on life nor on that which is offered and sealed vnto vs by the same 10 As the fault is not in the Tree but in the withered braunches that it receiueth not from the Tree a fatnesse or a iuce So no more is the fault in God which offereth and presenteth to all men richly his giftes but in the vnfaithfull which neither will nor can receiue and imbrace the same because of their vnfaithfulnesse through the which they are dead in the body of the christian church as oftentimes a braunch doth starue in a good tree 11 Like as the Scripture of God is an Indenture betwixt him and vs wherin is contained both the promises grace and mercy which God offereth to the world in his sonne Christ and also the conditions which he requires to be fulfilled on our behalfe So the Sacraments are the seales set to this Indenture to strengthen our faith that we do not doubt 12 As it is not inough to write the conditions of a bargaine in an Indenture except it be sealed Euen so God for our weakenesse thought it not sufficient to make vs promise of blessings in writing in his Scriptures but he would seale it with his owne blood and institute his Sacraments as seales and pledges of the same trueth to remaine to be receiued of vs in remembrance of him and strengthening of our faith So that we may very conueniently say that Sacraments are as witnesses and solemne oathes wherby we do as it were homage to God and do make profession of our faith and Religion 13 Like as in CircumcisioÌ„ there meet foure things that is to say the promise the commaundement of the signe and the beliefe of the promise So likewise in the meeting of euery Sacrament the same things must of necessitie meete namely that a godly Sacrament be a visible signe commaunded and ordained by God Whereby like as God beareth record of his promise vnto men so man accepting the signe doth on the other side professe his faith toward God and confirmeth the same with the vse of the signe and by thinking vpon it 14 Like as if a man would take the bush that hangeth at the Tauerne doore and should sucke it for to slake his thirst and would not goe into the Tauerne where the Wine is might bee well accounted an idiot and a foole Euen so likewise may he be reckoned a foole that wheras the signes of the Sacraments were ordained by God to bee helpes to nourish and plant faith in our hearts and to confirme in vs the promises of God hee through ignorance thereof as many doo should preposterously iudge of the same
with them So likewise we ought to make more account of the Word of God which is the Law of spirituall libertie Iam. 2.16 91 As Mariners vse by the starres to direct their courses on the Sea So must wee make Gods Word a starre to direct vs to Christ 92 As wee account much of Rings Iewels or such like things which are left vs of parents and friends beeing dead So must we account make much of Gods Word left vs by Christ 93 As the Sunne shining vpon filthy sinckes dunghils and puddles draweth out loathsome smells yet it selfe is pure and not defiled with them Euen so the VVord of God which though it draw sinne and wickednesse from sinfull men yet it selfe is pure and holy Psal 12.6 19.8 94 As we may see many mens faces but not know their minds except wee conferre long with them So it is with the VVord of God if we onely barely and carelesly read it and doo not earnestly meditate in it and studiously search it 95 Euen as the naturall man conceiued of naturall seede is nourished with bloud in his Mother wombe and fed afterward with Milke when hee is once borne as all creatures are nourished with that whereof they are engendred So in like manner the regenerate man conceiued and begotten of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God is nourished fostered by it receiuing the same simply and purely without any mixture and hotch potch of any other mans inuentions with it Wicked 1 AS the third sort of Canterburie belles beeing planted in Gardens prosper ouermuch for it dooth spread abroad and multiply that it hurteth other hearbs and will not easily bee weeded out or ouercome Euen so the Wicked in the Church 2 As if one and the same wormewood the common wormewoood is hote in the first degree Sea wormwood hote in the second and yet both wormwood So among the Wicked some lesse hote in profession some more and yet both Wicked some lesse cruell some more cruell and yet both vngodly c. 3 As the wilde Boores and Swine which are wont to eate and destroy other Wheate and Corne will seldome feede vpon Triticum Romanorum or bearded wheate because of the prickie beards which doo them hurt So the VVicked which liue by deuouring and oppressing other the Children of God will seldome assault them which can hurt them 4 Polimanie held in the hand keepeth a man from beeing stung or hurt with any Scorpion but the more vertues a man hath the sooner the VVicked will vexe him therefore are worse then Scorpions 5 As the great Raifort or mountaine Radish being planted neare the Vine causeth it to starue and wither away So the VVicked beeing too neare the godly make them to decay and fall away 6 As the Salamander that is euer in the fire and neuer consumeth So be the souls of the reprobate and vngodly men euer dying in hell and yet neuer dead 7 As water lighting vppon a hard stone falleth away because there is no entrie open into the stone So the VVicked doo with their hardnesse of heart driue backe the grace of God that it cannot pearce into them 8 As the flint stone are made of such matter that neither water can moysten them nor fire can melt them Euen so the VVicked and obstinate are so stonie hearted that neither the heauenly deaw of the sweete promises of the Gospell or the feare or furious threatnings of the law can mollifie their hearts Ezech. 3.9 9 As long as a sicke man can walke and stand there is some hope that he will recouer and amend but if he must needes lie downe then there is little hope of his health Euen so a man that walketh in the counsell of the VVicked or standeth in the way of sinners there may be some hope of him but if hee once sit downe in the Chaire or seate of the scornfull then there is no hope at all of his repentance Psal 1.1 10 As the disease of a Canker infecteth alwayes the next part vnto it vntill it haue runne through and infected the whole body Euen so the VVicked neuer cease vntil they haue drawne them all such as keepe them companie 1. King 11.3 4 5. Deut. 7.3 4. Iudg. 16.16 17 18. 11 As fire is of this nature qualitie that it will burne vp whole houses and faire places euen with a sparke if it be letten alone which otherwise might bee put out with ones finger Euen so the VVicked yea but one Wicked member in a Towne if he bee suffered will at length doo much hurt to the whole Towne c. 12 As that Mother cannot but be greatly afflicted who hauing many children weeping and crying at once for meate and she not hauing sufficient or none at all to giue them Euen so the VVicked man beeing greedily called vppon without ceasing but almost infinite passions to yeeld to their desires must needes be vexed and pitifully tormented especially being notable to satisfie any one of the least of their petitions 13 Like as the stone of Sycila the which the more it is beaten the harder it waxeth Euen so the VVicked the more that the terrours and threatnings of Gods iudgements are denounced against them the more hard harted they bee 14 As the Graue alwayes craueth for more and is neuer satisfied Euen so such is the vnsatiablenesse of the throates of the Wicked Rom. 3.13 15 As the Milner doth muffle and blindfold his horse that draweth his malt Mill whereby the horse supposing that he goeth right forward is deceiued for that hee turneth round Or as the Faulconer doth put hoods vpon the heads of his Haukes that so they may sit the quietter on his arme Euen so Sathan muffleth and hoodwinketh the Wicked by ignorance and by the delights pleasures vaine inticements of the world that so he may possesse them the quietter to their vtter ouerthrow 16 As the Adder is by nature enclined and desirous to sting and hurt with his poyson whome so euer hee may Euen so all the counsels of the Wicked tend to the encrease of wickednesse and mischiefe Psal 58.4.5 83.5 17 As the poysonfull nature of an Adder can by no means be redressed no not by enchauntment for he stoppeth his eares against the charmer Euen so there is no hope of the conuersion of obstinate Wicked ones who stubburnely refuse to heare all wholesome doctrine and good counsell that proceedeth out of the word Act. 7.57 18 As the Axe is in the hands of the hewers or workemen Euen so the Wicked whose miserie and seruice the Lord vseth to destroy and to plague others are also in the hand of God Esa 10.15 19 As men throwe away their tooles when they are worne and broken Euen so God when he hath finished his worke then he casteth away the Wicked whom onely he vseth as instruments of his wrath Esay 12. 20 As Anakins or Giants were driuen out of the land of Canaan for their sinnes