Note is it meate and drinke vnto thee to doe the will of Christ Is thy hand euer ready according to thy abilitie to bestow any thing vpon Christ for the aduancement of his glory Doest thou labour in the place vvherein thou liuest to aduance the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ Canst thou bee content to vndergoe shame disgrace trouble persecution and bonds yea death it selfe for Christs sake Doth the remembrance of his comming to Iudgement cheere vp thy heauy soule And doest thou cry with the spouse of Christ Come Lord Iesus come quickly These bee markes and tokens whereby thou maist discerne whether thou dost loue Christ Iesus yea or no. But because all men are ready to say that they loue Christ or else it were pitty they should liue and the like when indeed the loue of Christ is not in them Markes to discerne our loue to Christ I will yet proceed a little further and obserue a few notes and markes of this pure and hearty loue to Christ which are most certaine signes of grace 1. By our loue to his word First if wee loue Christ wee will loue his word delight in it and esteeme it aboue gold and pretious stones Psal 119.67 Lord what loue haue I vnto thy word saith Dauid all the day long is my study in it Yea it is altogether impossible for a man to be religious to feare God and to loue him that hath no sound loue nor delight in the word of God so that by our loue to his word wee may iudge of our loue to Christ No loue nor delight in the word surely no loue nor delight in Christ great loue to the word great loue to Christ In the valewing of this pearle Dauids practise is notable who made the Testimonies of God his heritage Verse 111. and the very ioy of his heart and esteemed them aboue gold yea aboue fine gold And therefore seeing most men haue no delight in the word seldome or neuer heare it vnlesse it be for fashion sake read it or meditate in it day or night it is a certaine token that the loue of Christ is not in them 2. By our loue to his Saints Secondly if wee loue Christ Iesus with all our heart we will loue those whom he loues his blessed members true Christians 1. Iohn 3. Hereby saith Saint Iohn wee know that we are translated from darknesse into light because we loue the brethren Dauid testifies of himselfe Al my delight is vpon thy Saints It is our duty to loue all but wee must loue the Saints with a peculiar and speciall loue as heires with Christ and members of the same body with vs. Therefore seeing men generally hate the members of Christ contemne them and despise them doth not this make it verie apparent that the loue of Christ is not in them For the world loues her owne Iohn 15.19 But because I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Thirdly if we loue Christ Iesus 3. By our obedience we must shew it by our obedience to his word and to his holy Lawes for so saith Christ If ye loue me Ioh. 14 23. keep my Commandements Little obedience little loue no obedience to Christs will no loue hearty obedience hearty loue And therefore seeing generally men rebel against his word and breake his Commandements thogh these men should swear they loue Christ yet are they liars and the loue of Christ is not in them For who can beleeue that a traytor can loue his Prince Fourthly if we loue Christ Iesus 4. By our suffering for Christ we cannot endure to heare him blasphemed rayled on reuiled his word contemned or his Sabaoths prophaned but it will grieue vs at the very heart we will to the vtmost of our power defend his cause as a louing childe the cause of his father and a faithfull seruant the credit of his maister And withall it will make vs be content to indure some triall and persecution for his sake yea losse of libertie wealth riches yea life iâ—selfe who hath so loued vs that he shed his bloud for vs. Thus much of the affection of the Church towards Christ Iesus Now we are to come to the petitions themselues Shew thou mee O thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest c. THe Church heere as in many other places of the holie Scriptures compares Christ Iesus to a good and faithfull shepheard as the Prophet Esay describes him Esay 40. He will gather together his Lambs And againe Behold Ezech. 34. I will require my flocke of the Shepheards and I my selfe will feede my sheepe and cause them to rest quietly This is acknowledged of the Prophet Dauid Psal 23.1 The Lord is my shepheard therefore I cannot want Yea Christ doth thus entitle himselfe saying Ioh. 10.11 I 〈◊〉 the good shepheard c. Now the Church of Christ doth put vp her request to this great Shepheard and Doctour of his Church that hee would be pleased to tell her where hee feedes his sheep with the preaching of the Word and the vse Of the Sacraments that so shee may ioyne with them there to be fed and comforted Quest But Obiect was not this the true Church that moueth this question what is then that other Church or flocke she enquires after Resp Ans I answere Howsoeuer the Church of God is but one in all the world yet it hath diuerse partes As the Ocean sea though but one yet it is called by diuers names according to the place where it lies Euen so the Church of Christ though but one yet it hath diuers parts as the Holy-Ghost distinguisheth of it Reuel 1.4 writing to the seuen Churches which are in Asia Now of the whole Church of Christ some parts of it be at peace and rest free from persecution when other partes may suffer persecutions molestations and be vexed by the Diuell and his instruments whom he sets a worke Now in this place the Church of God in persecution and great affliction desieth to know of Christ Where he feedes his sheepe that is where the Church is at rest and peace where the word is purely preached the Sacraments duly administred and Discipline duly performed that she may ioyne with them in the seruice of Almightie God From this request and earnest Doctr. 2 sute of the Church vnto Christ to know where he doth feed his sheepe wee learne that it is a true note of a sheepe of Christ Iesus The true note of a sheep of Christ to hunger and thirst after the word of God to hunger and thirst after the word of GOD to enquire where Christ feedes his flocke where the word is truely and faithfully preached and the Sacraments truelie administred And this doubt our Sauior him selfe obserueth to be the eare-marke of his sheepe Iohn 10.27 My sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow
labour to be approued for the Sheepe of Christ 2 Papists Secondly the Papists which barre the people from the preaching of the Word and keepe them in miserable ignorance and blindnesse And all others which seeke by all meanes possible to hinder CHRISTS sheep from endeuoring to be taught which otherwise would enquire Where Christ feedeth his Sheepe where the Word is truely preached and taught and the Sacraments duly administred These are like the Scribes and Pharises Who shut vp the Kingdome of heauen that will not enter themselues nor suffer them that would Oh what sacrilege doth that adulterous church of Rome commit that take from the people the key of Knowledge yea and nuzzle them in ignorance teaching that it is sufficient to beleeue as the Church doth beleeue Rom. 12.2 Phil. 1.10 Whereas the Scriptures do require of all men the spirit of discerning Eph. 5.15 Try the Spirits whether they be of God that so they may allow of those things that are good and bee without offence vntill the day of Christ otherwise if they follow their false teachers they are sure to perish Mat. 15.14 For when the blinde leade the blinde they both fall into the pit of destruction 3 Carnall Protestāts Thirdly all carnall Protestants and secure worldlings who although they do enquire where they may buie a good bargaine or get a good purchase and labour for that yet neuer inquire where Christ feeds his Sheep Oh it is a wonder to see how men do couet plesures profites and preferments these they seeke for with might and maine But for the Ministerie of the Word to haue it truely taught them that their soules may be saued this they esteeme not they looke not after it Surely by this they declare to the whole world that they are none of Christs sheepe For if they were They would heare his voyce and follow him Iohn 10.27 Seeing the true Church of Doctr. 3 God doth heere seeke to Christ IESVS to be taught and directed The Church of God doth acknowledge Iesus Christ for her chiefe shepheard we learne that it is the dutie of the true Church of God to acknowledge Christ Iesus alone for their great Pastor and Shepheard the onely Head and chiefe Doctor of his Church and therfore to be ruled by him and his Word alone to be content to be ledde and guided by this great Pastor and Shepherd of the Church as in Iohn 10.28 I am the True Shepheard and doe know my Sheepe and am knowne of mine This is acknowledged by Peter in the behalfe of all the Disciples Iohn 6.68 Maister to whom shall we goe Thou hast the words of eternal life And CHRIST hath promised to be present with his Church Euen to the end of the world Eph. 2.22 Colos 2.19 Matth. 28. And agayne hee saith that Where two or three are gathered together in my name I will be in the middest amongest them Now the duety of Christ this great Shepheard it standeth in two things First to gouerne his Church prescribing vnto them Lawes binding the consciences of all his Members And secondly by his grace to quicken and to put a spirituall life into them So that they shall be able to say That they liue not but CHRIST in them Reason And the reason is to be marked and considered which serue likewise for the confirmation of this point of Doctrine vnto vs is because the worke of saluation is wholy and onely wrought by him and no part thereof is reserued to any creature as the Apostle witnesses when hee saith That amongst men there is no other name giuen vnder heauen whereby wee may bee saued but onely by Iesus Christ And the Authour of the Epistle to the Hebrewes witnesseth the same thing when he saith that hee is able perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him This condemnes the Church Vse 1 of Rome as no true Church of God First because they will not content themselues with Christ Iesus to bee their great Pastor and general Shepheard but they haue set vp the Pope his Vicar and matched him yea preferred him before Iesus Christ Nay they will not bee content with that pasture which Christ alloweth for his Sheepe the greene pastures of his holie Word and cleare streames of his blessed Gospell but they will feede on the filthie Trash and dirty Drugs of their owne deuising the fond and foolish deuices inuentions and traditions of men of their Popes Cardinalls So as they declare to the world they are no sheep of CHRIST In that they will not heare his voyce and follow him Iohn 10.17 nor be content with the foode hee hath prepared for them but feede on the filthy and foule pudles of mans traditions Vse 2 This may serue to admonish all the faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ which stand in Christs steed That they teach nothing but the truth of God wholesome doctrine not their owne deuices and dreames but that which they perswade themselues Christ would speake if hee were present So on the contrary part you that are the hearers must content your selues with the Pastures of Gods Word the plaine and the pure Preaching of the word of God and not to bee carried away to listen after strange Sheepheards that teach erroneous doctrine that may corrupt or the deuices of man which may tickle the eare and not worke grace in the heart And such are the vile Doctrines of the Church of Rome which will rather bane and poyson mens soules then edifie them as their doctrine of Merites Inuocation of Saints praying for the Dead and a thousand the like The which because they haue no footing in Gods word are here condemned as no wholesome pasture for Gods sheep to feed vpon Thus much for the Churches first request The second followeth And where thou causest them to lie downe at Noone FOr the better vnderstanding of these VVordes we must know how that it was the manner of the Shepheards in those hote Countries to driue their sheep to the pasture in the morning and after when the Sunne waxed hote to driue them to the water and at noone to carry them to some shadow where they might rest in the heate of the day lest they should bee annoyed with the scorching heate and beames of the Sunne So heere the Church of God and the Spouse of Christ compares Christ to a faithfull and true Shepheard and intreates him to tell her where hee doth cause his Flocke that is his faithfull people to finde shelter and comfort in the heate of persecution when the Sunne is hottest at Noone day that is in the greatest and hottest persecution of the Church of God in the most dangerous and troublesome trials and times of great extreamitie which is heere meant by Noone day when the Sunne is most hote and scorching according to that of our Sauiour speaking of one sort of euill hearers And when the Sunne was vp Mat. 13.6 and v. 21. they
the height and the measure of her iniquitie is once full according to that of Sainct Iohn in the Reuelation Shee is fallen shee is fallen euen Babylon that great Citie c. God put it into the hearts of all christian princes to rise vp against her * By suppressing of Poperie that their warre with them may assure them of a peace with themselues and with their Lord God For how dangerous they be vnto a christian common-wealth euen theyr hellish Attempts do shew Neyther is it an error in practise as many would beare men in hand but it is an error in doctrine teaching yea and maintaining it that they may safely kill and take away the life of a christian Prince that will not yeelde and subiect himselfe vnto the Pope of Rome * Therfore traitors to Christian Princes in action or affection and so much the more dangerous to be sufferd And no maruell then though they can not endure the manifestation of God his Word which is a Lanthorne vnto our feete and a Light vnto our Paths directing vs to heauen For this Light if the Pope did not smother it euen little children in the Streetes would long ere this haue cryed Fie vpon them fie vpon them Jt is my care both in publike and priuate out of my small reading to discouer as much as in me lieth the mysterie of Iniquitie and to lend one blast to the sounding of that Horne The word that shall at last shake downe the walles of this Iericho Jt is the old and ancient Doctrine of Faith and Repentance that I heere intreate of As for the plainenesse of the manner of deliuery of it I do trust you will acknowledge that the power of the spirit is best seene in weakenesse and that plainelinesse do best answere a straight and euen Leuell the euidence of the spirit is best seene in plainenesse J haue presumed to prefixe your Worshippes Name vnto this small Worke Jt shall by Gods good blessing increase your loue vnto the truth and gospell of Iesus Christ A zealous professour whereof you haue shewed your selfe to be these many yeares and worke in you a further detestation of Poperie As you haue begun well so proceed and let your workes be more at last then at first Be still for God in all his wayes and God will be still for you in all your waies aduance him still and hee will aduaunce you Thus I adde this poore Mite to the treasurie of the Church ascribing the Patronage to your selfe the vse to the world and the successe of it to God I pray God to keepe you in his holy feare and fauour vnto the end and so remaine Your worships in the surest bond SAMVEL SMITH A Table of the Doctrines contained in these two Sermons THE FIRST SERMON CANT 1. v. 6.7 Doctrine 1. CHRIST IESVS must bee loued with the strongest affection of Loue. p. 234 Doct. 2. True note of a Sheepe of Christ to hunger and thirst after the word of God p. 225 Doctr. 3. The church of God doth acknowledge Christ to bee her chiefe shepheard p. 267 Doctr. 4. The church of GOD sometimes is in the very heate of persecution p. 274 Doctr. 5. Christ leaueth not his church in the heate of persecution but prouideth comfort for them p. 285 Doct. 5. It is altogether impossible for men to holde out in time of triall that are not assisted by God p. 296 THE SECOND SERMON CANT 1. v. 7. Doctrine 6. CHRIST esteemeth of his church as if they had no sinne p. 308 Doctr. 7. The church of GOD sometimes may bee at such a streight as not to discerne the truth p. 317 Doctr. 8. A direction to know which is the true church p. 324 A Fold for Christs SHEEP THE FIRST SERMON CANT 1.6.7 6 Shew thou me O thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest and where thou liest at noone For why should I bee as shee that turneth aside to the Flocks of thy companions 7 If thou know not O thou the fairest among women get thee forth by the steps of the Flocke and feede thy Kiddes by the Tents of the Shepheards BEFORE I enter into the Text it selfe which I haue now read vnto you it shal not be amisse for my better proceeding and your vnderstanding to speake something concerning the order of placing this Booke the Title of it and the subiect matter therein contained Touching the order of placing this Booke wherein king Salomon labours to build vp the Spirituall Temple of the Soule It is the same hee obserued in building the materiall temple 1. Reg 6. where he framed three Courts the vtmost for the Common People the second for the Priests and Leuites and last of all that Sanctum Sanctorum the Holiest of Holies onelie for the High Priest to enter in at and that but once a yeare euen so in this Spirituall Temple of mans Soule hee hath likewise framed three Courts First an vtmost Court which is his Booke of Prouerbes where all sorts and degrees of men whatsoeuer are taught instructed a ciuill course of maners Next to that he hath a second Court which is his Ecclesiastes leading men on further in the wayes of godlinesse and Christian piety And last of all hee hath a Sanctum Sanctorum which is his Canticles wherein not euerie one but onely those which delight in heauenlie and Diuine Mysteries may behold the pure free perfect eternall and constant loue of Christ Iesus towards his Church and euerie faithfull Soule as also the loue of his Church towardes him and what great and princely benefits she reapeth by him Secondly for the Title and subiect matter of this most excellent Booke as there is Sabbatum Sabbati so this is a Song of Songs because of all that Salomon did endite this is most Diuine and most excellent In the which hee doth most liuely and affectionately by Allegoricall and Parabolicall Speeches cipher out and describe vnto vs the most holie and perfect loue of Christ Iesus towardes the Church his blessed Spouse For CHRIST and his Church are heere brought in in this worthie Booke as two Paramours Psalme 45 who are in loue the one with the other as a time of wooing euer goeth before the solemnization of Matrimonie and which in due conuenient time haue a purpose to marrie Math. 1.11 as Ioseph and Mary were first espoused before they came together So the same order is obserued in this Spirituall Vnion betwixt Christ and his Church Iohn 3.29 They must first bee contracted then after married The Contract is when a man is regenerate and borne anew Reuel 21 9. translated out of Nature into Grace depending only vpon Christ for saluation and finished and made vp in the day of Iudgement when all the Elect shall fully enioy Christ For so witnesseth the Holy ghost where it is said Let all be glad and reioyce and giue glory to him for the Marriage of the Lambe is come and
his wife hath made herselfe ready Reu. 19.7 So then this booke containes in it the wonderfull loue and mutual affection betwixt Christ Iesus and his Spouse the true Church of GOD and euerie true beleeuer Thus much may serue touching the book it self we will now come to the words of the Text. Shew thou me O thou whom my soule loueth c. IN the beginning of this chapter the Church beginneth to speake to Christ and being rauished in heart with his Loue desires most earnestly to be embraced of him that shee might be ioyned vnto him and haue fellowship with him preferring Christ Iesus with the blessings and benefites she reapeth by him before all other things in the world In the third Verse shee confesseth her vntowardnesse and her want of power to embrace Christ and therefore she desireth him to draw her heart by his Word and Spirit whereby shee sheweth her earnest desire to receiue Iesus Christ Verse 4. She remoues an obiection that might be made for it might be said Alas thou art black and deformed how canst thou then hope that hee will take any pleasure in thy beauty seeing that hee is the most pure blessed and glorious Son of God To this she confesseth that though by Nature shee be blacke ful of blemishes and naturall corruptions by reason of her originall sinne and naturall corruptions as also her actuall transgressions yet notwithstanding being washed in Christs Bloud cloathed in his Righteousnesse and being decked and beautified vvith the Graces of his Spirit Knowledge Faith Repentance Zeale Patience Loue Obedience c. shee is faire and comely Now in the sixt Verse shee puts vp an earnest request vnto Christ that he would in mercie shew her where hee feedeth his Flocke and where he prouides comfort for them in the time of trouble For Christ being the great Sheepheard his Church on earth seekes onely after him to be fedde resting assured that there is but one true shepheard who feedeth all his Sheep with wholesome pasture In these two Verses we haue two things to be considered of vs Viz. 1 The Request and Petition the which the Church doth make vnto Christ Verse 6. The Texâ— diuided 2 The most kinde and louing answere of Christ Iesus vnto his Church directing her and comforting her according to her Petition Verse 7. In the first of these wee are to consider two things First the Request and secondly the reason of the Request In the Request note First the person to whom she resorts Oh thou whom c. Secondly the Request it selfe which is twofoâ—d First that Christ Iesus would shew her where he feeds his Flocke with his holy Word Sacraments to this end that hee would feede her as he fed the Flockes of former times Secondly where hee prouides shelter and shadow in the heate of persecution as the manner of those Shepheards was in those hot countries to driue their sheepe to shade in the heate of the day And lastly the Reason For why should I bee as shee that turneth aside after the Flockes of thy companions So that if CHRIST doe it not it will not bee for His honour nor yet for her good The person vnto whom the Church seekes for direction First for the Person to whom shee seeketh for direction and comfort it is CHRIST IESVS the Sauiour and Redeemer of his church and people whom shee describeth thus Oh thou whom my soule loueth c. q. d. O Lord IESVS CHRIST my Sauiour and Redeemer whom I loue with all mine heart yea whom I loue most earnestly aboue all the world So as if the question were asked what I loue best in all the world I speake it from my heart It is thou Lord alone Doctr. 1 Christ Iesus must be loued with the stFaida Hamdiongest affection of loue Hence wee learne with what affection euery childe of God and true beleeuer must loue IESVS CHRIST namely with the greatest and strongest affection of loue they can So as if it were asked what or whom dost thou loue most thou canst truely say with the Church here the Lord Iesus CHRIST O thou whom my soule loueth So did S. Peter whose loue was so great that he died for CHRIST So that hee might verie well say to Christ when hee asked him this question Whether he did loue him or no Yea Lord Iohn 21.15 thou knowest that I loue thee The like is to be seene in Marie whose loue was so great to Christ that in testimonie thereof shee washed his feet with her teares and wiped them with the haires of her head So that CHRIST giues this testimonie of her to her euerlasting praise Luke 7.47 That shee loued much So doth the Church and Spouse of CHRIST testifie her loue to Christ in diuers places of this most worthy book calling CHRIST IESVS her Beloued Cant. 2.10 My beloued spake and said c. And againe Stay mee with Flaggons and comfort mee with Apples for I am sicke of loue Cant. 2.5 Yea it is a Precept giuen by the Lord God himselfe that hee must haue the chiefest loue and the first roome in our hearts Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart with al thy soule with all thy strength Deut. 6.5 The Lord will not be satisfied with the loue of our eyes to behold his workes the loue of the eare to listen to his word the loue of the tongue to talke of him the loue of the feet to go to his Sanctuary but the Lord doth require all these loues together in one So as a man may truely say with Dauid the prophet Psal 83.25 Whom haue I in heauen but thee And 〈◊〉 desire nothing in earth in comparison of thee The Lord cannot abide that a man should haue a heart and a heart one for God another for the Diuell We can not serue God and Mammon Mat. 6.24 wee must not part our loue to the world the Flesh or the Diuell but Christ must haue all Now the reasons are diuerse to shew with what an ardent affection wee must loue CHRIST IESVS First because he is our Husband Reason 1 and wee are his Spouse for so saith the Prophet Esay Esay 54.5 Hee that made thee is thy Husband whose name is the Lord of Hoasts And agayne Reu. 19.7 Let vs reioyce and giue glorie to him for the Marriage of the Lambe is come and his wife hath made her selfe ready Now our Spirituall seruice and worship of God is as it were a certaine Marriage of our soules vnto God When wee take vpon vs the profession of Christ Iesus as in Baptisme then wee betroth our selues to Christ as to an husbaÌ„d entring into couenant with CHRIST To keepe vs onely to him vnto our liues end So then by this meanes the Lord is become our husband we his Spouse Now then as an honest man can not endure that another man should haue a portion in his wife so will not
we do liue heere For this life is the time of a Christian mans warfare neither must we looke to finde Heauen vpon Earth for if we will be Christs Disciples we must take vp his Crosse and follow him we must not dreame of a victory before we fight For it is the lot of the godly to suffer persecution yet this may bee the comfort and stay of a Christian Soule in the middest of them all That the Lord will dispose of them so as that they shall worke to the best to them that loue God and neuer depart from vs but shall leaue a blessing behind them so that wee shall bee sure of this that we shall gaine more in the Spirit then we can loose in the flesh Vse 3 Thirdly seeing it is the will of God that his owne true Church and faithfull children shall be tried and vndergoe the heate of persecution let vs heere learne to bee wise neither to thinke that wee are out of Gods fauour if wee bee tried or to thinke the worse of the Gospell of Christ because the crosse and triall goes with it Wee are ready to thinke the Lord loues vs not or that the Gospell the which wee professe is not a good profession because wee see it hated persecuted and railed on by wicked men Well it is that which God will haue it was the condition of Christ Iesus before vs and vnlesse wee looke that the seruant should bee greater then the Maister it must bee ours Secondly wee learne from Doctr. 4 hence Christ leaues not his Church in the heat of persecution but prouides comfort for them that though it may bee sometimes Noone-day with the Church of God hot and bloudy persecution yet Christ hath euer a shelter and shadow for his people Hee hath a Lair for them a place of shelter shadow and comfort he is euer present with his Church and people in the hottest times of persecutions and afflictions to comfort them to refresh them to ease them of their miserie to deliuer them This the Lord expresseth in the Prophet Esay 54.7.8 For a litle time haue I forsaken thee but with great compassion will I gather thee for a moment in mine anger I hid my face from thee for a little season but with euerlasting mercy haue I had compassion on thee Psalme 2. This doth the Prophet Dauid make manifest that notwithstanding the rage and malice of Gods enemies Hee that dwelleth in heauen shall laugh them to scorne the Lord shall haue them in derision This comfort is excellently set forth by the Prophet Esay when hee saith in cha 43.1.2 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee O Iacob and he that formed thee O Israel feare not for I haue redeemed thee I haue called thee by thy name thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the flouds that they doe not ouerflow thee when thou walkest through the very fire thou shalt not bee burnt neyther shall the flame kindle vpon thee For I am thy Lord God Thus prouided hee for his Church in the dayes of Hester Ester 3. when they could see no meanes to escape What a mischiefe had Herod inuented against the Messiah so secretly Matt. 2.13 as that hee disclosed the secret of his heart to none but pretended to the Wise men that his intent was to worship Christ yet the Lord did bring his deuice to naught and Ioseph and Mary with the child Iesus was deliuered Acts 12.16 Peter being cast into prison should euen the next day haue beene executed yet through the prayers of the Church was deliuered This Doctrine is further cleared by the examples of Ioseph Iob the Church in Egypt Cen. 41.14 Exo. 12 41 Dan. 6.23 Dan. 3. Daniel the three children Sidrach Mishach and Abedâ—â—go who for a time indured shame and reproach of the crosse yet afterwards the Lord returned vnto them when the time of refreshing came So that howsoeuer Gods children may be vnder the heate of persecution for a time it shall be but for a time hee will not leaue them destitute of his helpe and comfort for euer but will in the end deliuer them The Reasons seruing to confirme this Doctrine are manifest Reason 1 First consider the Titles by which GOD is called as a Father to shew the care that he taketh ouer his Church as his children to prouide for them and to gouerne them For what father will not saue his childe if possible hee can from fire or water or some other eminent danger Rom. 8.15 Iohn 10 1. Matt. 7.11 Now then if wee that are euill know how to helpe our children how much more shall our heauenly Father that knoweth all things giue good things vnto his children Againe Christ is called by the name of a Shepheard as the Church doth confesse in this place Now wil the Shepheard see the sheepe goe astray and not bring them into the right way againe or suffer the wolfe to deuoure the sheep and not rescue them And what shall wee thinke that Christ the true Shepheard of his Church will bee more carelesse of his Flocke whom he hath purchased vnto himselfe with no lesse price then with his owne heart Bloud then an earthly man is of his Sheep Seeing then that Christ Iesus is the King of his Church the shepheard of his Sheep we need not doubt but that hee will defend his Church and saue his sheep so that none shal be able to destroy them or take them out of his hands Secondly our weaknesse and naturall corruptions are not hidden from the LORD Hee knoweth whereof wee are made hee remembreth that wee are but dust And therefore saith the Apostle God is faithfull which will not suffer vs to bee tempted aboue that wee are able but will euen giue the issue with the temptation that wee shall bee able to beare it So then whether wee consider the Office of Christ as a shepheard to keep his Church or the mercie of Christ that is euer ready to couer the wants of his Seruants making their afflictions to be but momentarie in these two respectes wee may safely gather that the Lord will neuer forsake his children nor leaue them in their daungers but prouide for them both shelter and comfort when they shall finde the heate of afflictions to shine most hottest vpon them The vse serues to direct vs to Vse 1 whom wee should goe in time of trouble and great distresse for if Christ be our sheepheard wee are to flie to him He is a faithfull preseruer of them that trust in him Shall wee goe to Saints or to Angells Doubtlesse Abraham is ignorant of vs and Israel knoweth vs not Esa 63.16 What then shal we trust in our chariots or in our horses doubtlesse a horse is counted but a vaine thing to saue a man Psal 37.17 Surely we cannot honour him more then when we depend on him and rest vpon his mercie Thus
Dauid behaued himself in all his extremities flying vnto God as a sure refuge Psa 91.2.3 I will say to the Lord O my hope my fortresse He is my God in him will I trust Hee will deliuer mee from the snare of the Hunter and from the noysome pestilence His eares are alwaies open to the cries of his children hee putteth their teares into his bottle So long therefore as we haue a voyce to call vpon GOD or a heart to sigh and groane vnto him wee haue comfort and assurance to be deliuered and that hee will not leaue vs nor forsake vs in danger Vse 2 Heere is matter of endlesse comfort vnto the Church and children of God that we know that the Lord Iesus Christ promiseth that hee will prouide a Lair for vs a place of comfort and refreshing a shadow euen at Noone day in the heate of bloudy persecutions Many indeed are our infirmities feares cares sorrowes and troubles yet in middest of them all the childe of God may say with the Prophet Why art thou cast downe O my soule and why art thou so disquieted within me O waite on God for I wil yet giue him thanks He is my present help and my God Psal 42.5 O then let vs be constant let vs comfort our selues in Christ Iesus let vs not for feare or danger deny CHRIST and his Gospell for CHRIST will be a shelter vnto vs to refresh vs and deliuer vs. This sheweth the most wofull Vse 3 and desperate estate of all wicked and vngodly men who being out of Gods fauour not beleeuing in Christ nor repenting of their sinnes in time of persecution when the Sunne waxeth hote Alas they shall not know where to hide their heads for they shall finde no shelter nor comfort nor no place of refuge For Christ is a shelter onely to them that beleeue in him and obey him And therefore thou which art a wicked man an impenitent sinner a prophane person Alas what wilt thou doe and which way wilt thou turne thee in the time of trouble and calamitie when the Sunne waxeth hote in the heate of persecution and scorching triall Whither then wilt thou runne for shelter Alas thou shalt then be as a mad beast which in the heate of the day runnes vp and downe and findeth no couert So shall all wicked and impenitent sinners haue no place of succour but lie open to all GODS iudgements be scorched Ezec. 9.4 yea euen consumed with the fire of Gods displeasure when the righteous those which are in Christ Iesus shall finde shelter Now followeth the Reason which shee vseth to moue the Lord Iesus Christ to graunt her request The churches reason of her request taken from the great perill and danger shee was like to fall into Namely lest being left without his direction and comfort shee be constrayned to Turne aside to the Flocks of the companions that is to say to leaue the true church and worship of God and ioine with the false church to commit idolatrie called heere the Flockes of the companions Not for that they are eyther Christ his companions or the companions of his church and people but because they account themselues so yea they thinke and call themselues CHRISTS companions And if this thing should come to passe through want of Christs assistance to direct her and to comfort her in persecution then it shall not bee for his honour not her good This is the summe and substance of her Reason Doctr. 5 Hence we are taught that it is altogether impossible for men and women It is altogether impossible for men to hold out in time of triall that are not assisted by God euer to stand out in the brunt of persecution vnlesse they be taught of God and comforted by his Spirite And hence it is that the Prophet Dauid a man after Gods owne Heart and indued with a singular portion of GODS Spirit doth earnestly begge and craue at Gods hand the enlightning of Gods Spirit and desireth to be taught of him Open mine eyes that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law Psal 119.8 And againe 27.34.73 Teach me thy Statutes And againe Make mee to vnderstand the way of thy Precepts c. Yea CHRIST tells the Iewes which murmured against him because he said that no man could come to him vnlesse his Father drew him that all the Elect are taught of God Ioh. 6.45 And this made Paul to pray for the Ephesians ch 1.17 that God would giue them the Spirit of Wisedome and to enlighten their mindes that they might know what is the hope of their calling and what the riches are of his glorious inheritance A notable direction vnto all sorts of men how to behaue themselues when they shall come into the house of God namely not to rest on any naturall gift whatsoeuer it be wisedome learning wit memory c. For the wisedome of the flesh is enmitie with God Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 1.21 But to goe out of our selues and to seek the Lord in humility and denial of them selues and then the Lord will giue vs a discerning spirit that we shall not be deceiued If any man saith Christ will doe my Fathers will he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of GOD Iohn 7.17 And againe Christ promiseth his Disciples being now to leaue them and to go to his Father that the Spirit of Trueth should leade them into all truth Reasons And the reasons are First wee are all blinde and by nature can hardly see into the truth vnlesse Christ direct vs by his Spirit for so saith Salomon Prou. 14.12 The waies that seeme right vnto vs the issues thereof are the wayes of death It is a part of our misery that we are turned euery one vnto his own way Esay 53.6 Secondly when we know it Alas wee are of our selues so weake and flesh and bloud will bee so vnwilling to suffer for Christ his sake that vnlesse the Lord do assist vs we shal not be able to vndergo the least temptation that shal be laid vpon vs. And lastly the enemies of Gods truth are in their generation so wise and so subtile coming vnto vs in Sheeps clothing to deceiue vs that of our selues we shall easily be drawne away to beleeue lies In all these respects we may safely conclude the former Doctrine that it is impossible for vs to holde out in the day of triall vnlesse wee be assisted by the LORDS holie spirit Vse 1 This sheweth that if tryall do come and persecution shall arise for CHRISTS sake and the Gospells sake Alas most men would yeeld to any Religion to Popery Idolatry Superstition to the flockes of the companions to the church of Rome to flatte Idolatry For alas they know not the trueth They are not taught of GOD They bee blinde and ignorant and will easily beleeue and embrace any Religion Vse 2 This must stirre vp euery true christian man and woman to
pray to CHRIST as the church doth heere That hee would teach vs by his Spirit that hee would open our eyes that wee might see the truth and that he would giue vs hearts to beleeue it to loue it and to liue and die in it That hee would giue vs the Spirit of Discerning 1. Iohn 4.1 To try the Spirits whether they be of God that so wee may discerne the truth from falshoode Yea wee must so labour to bee fast grounded in the Truth Matt. 7.26 that no winde nor weather may remoue vs That wee be sure to lay a good foundation that we do digge deepe into our owne hearts builde on the Rocke To hate Poperie and all Idolatrie to loathe it as the Doctrine of Diuells Though they say they be the true Church and the companion of Christ yet be they the Synagogue of Sathan The maine points of their Religion being cleane contrarie vnto the word of God as are their Doctrine of Merites Inuocation of Saints worshipping of Images praying for the dead Sacrifice of the Masse that so wee may for euer stand out against that cursed and damnable doctrine of the Church of Rome Yea let vs intreate the Lord that hee would neuer suffer it to get head againe in this Land notwithstanding wee haue deserued as great a iudgement but especially that hee keep vs that wee neuer ioyne with them in that bloudy Religion Vse 3 It condemnes all those who are ready either for feare of persecution or by blindnesse and ignorance to embrace any Religion or ioyne with any Church who to keepe their Liuings hold their Lands to enioy their honours and pleasures would turne as doth the winde and embrace any Religion ioyne with Papist Iew Turke yea the deuill himselfe for liuing sake Oh! the true Church of Christ feare themselues and their weakenesse that they should bee drawne away and seduced to embrace false religion And therefore they doubting the worst and fearing the corruption that is in their owne hearts pray vnto Christ that they may not bee left vnto themselues but that they may finde strength from him to withstand them The end of the first Sermon A Folde for Christs SHEEPE THE SECOND SERMON CANT 1.7 7 If thou know not O thou fairest amongst women get thee forth by the steps of the Flocke and feede thy Kiddes by the Tents of the Shepheards WEE haue heard before of the earnest request of the Church vnto Christ That he would in mercy shew her where hee feedes his Flocke and where he prouideth comfort for them in time of trouble Heere is the most kind louing and gracious answer of Christ Iesus vnto the Request of his Church Parts of the Text. in the which note three things 1 His exceeding loue and kindnesse in that he calls her the fairest among women 2 His gentle reproofe of her If thou know not q.d. This is very strange that thou which art the true Church shouldest not know where Christ feeds his sheep 3 His direct Answer to her request wherein hee doth answer her to the full If thou wouldst know where I feede my sheep that so thou maist feede with them and finde consolation vnto thy Soule then thou must go in the steppes of the Flocke That is thou must embrace the Faith Religion the worship and seruice of God the which my ancient church from the beginning haue imbraced The Faith Religion the Worship and Seruice of GOD which my ancient Seruants Abraham Isaac and Iacob haue done and tread in their steps Secondly thou must place thy Tent where the shepheards haue done the Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles of CHRIST their doctrine taught before This is the summe and substance of Christs answere vnto his Church First obserue heere how Christ describes his true Church and Spouse Hee giueth her a most kind and louing name expressing his kinde and singular loue vnto her O thou the fairest among women Quest Obiect But this may seeme strange for the Church confessed before that shee was blacke and Sun-burnt deformed c. How then can Christ call her the fairest amongst women Ans The Church Resp and euery true Beleeuer are black and deformed in themselues vile and vncleane and they can see no beautie in themselues but are blemished yea and stained with sins originall and actuall But as they be sanctified by his Spirit washed in his Bloud and clothed in his Righteousnesse they be faire and beautifull in the sight of Almighty God because Christ hath washed them from all their sinnes in his Bloud and couerd them with the pure roabes of his owne Righteousnes decked and adorned them with the holy and heauenly graces of his Spirit knowledge faith repentance zeale patience c. According to that speech that the Lord himselfe vseth Ezech. 16. thou art faire through that beauty of mine which I haue put into thee Doctr. 6 Here marke the endlesse loue of Christ Iesus vnto his poore church and people Christ esteemes of his church as if they had no sin that esteems so highly of them as if they had no spot of sin or vncleanenesse though they in themselues bee blacke deformed and polluted yet all those who doe truely repent embrace Iesus Christ and beleeue in him that are washed from their sinnes sanctified by his Spirit and obey his will all these are faire yea most beutifull in his eyes Hee will not looke vpon their sinnes and blemishes but wincke at them so long as they endeuour and desire to doe his will This is confessed by wicked Balaam when he saw that no policie or deuice could take any place against the Church of God He seeth no iniquitie in Iacob he beholdeth no transgression in Israel Nu. 23.21 Againe how goodly are thy tents O Iacob and thy tabernacles O Israel as the vallies that are stretched out c. Num. 24.5 So that the nature and condition of the true Church farre exceeds all other societies of men whatsoeuer and is pretious and deere vnto Christ Hereunto cometh the titles and commendations giuen vnto the Church so often in this most excellent booke of the Canticles Cant. 2.2 She is as the Roe of the field the Lillie of the Valley the Fairest amongest Women an Orchard of Pomegranats a Fountaine of Gardens and 4 13. and 5.9 a well of springing waters the Spouse and Sister of Christ the Beauty of the Earth the Glorie of the world a Lillie among Thornes c. And againe Thou art all faire my Loue and there is no spotte in thee These and the like examples whereof the Scripture is full all serue to confirme the euerlasting trueth of this Doctrine vnto vs how deare and precious the Church is in Christs sight that of al Societies and Assemblies of men in the world none are more excellent and worthy none more amiable and louely none more beutifull and precious then the Church of God the Spouse of Christ Reason 1 And the Reason of
the Doctrine is apparent man was first cast out of Paradise for sin neither is there any thing that doth hinder his returne but only sin for it is sinne that makes vs execrable to the Lord and doth hinder all good things from vs. Psal 38.4 For as long as sinne remaynes it is as a weightie burthen to presse downe a sinner into hell and the wages and stipend of it is eternall death Therefore Romans 6 if sinne be taken away and pardoned as it is from all the Elect what should hinder their happinesse God hath against them no matter of displeasure and the obedience of Christ Iesus being imputed vnto them heauen can not bee denyed vnto them but they must needes bee saued Secondly Christ Iesus doth Reason 2 esteeme highly of his Church and the Church is most excellent in her selfe because in it alone saluation is to be found and no where else When the Lord brought the great and generall deluge ouer the face of the whole earth What place was there left more excellent then the Arke in the which Noah and his Family were saued and out of the which the whole world besides perished What was that Arke but a Type and Figure of Christs Church wherein saluation is to bee found and out of the which there is no saluation to bee looked for Seeing therefore that remission of sinnes is proper onely to Christs Church and that therein is saluation and eternall life to bee found wee may safely therefore conclude that the estate of Christs Church and of euery member thereof is most excellent and blessed The vses of this Doctrine is Vse 1 excellent as the nature of the Church is First then seeing that Christ will thus passe by the sinnes of his children and iudge them faire without any spot and blemish of sinne if they do truely repent and embrace Him and his Righteousnesse by faith Here is matter of endlesse comfort to euerie poore childe of God Note Doest thou repent of thy sinnes and art truely humbled for them Doest thou embrace CHRIST IESVS for the pardon of them Hath God sanctified thy heart by his Spirit so as thou hatest euerie wicked way and dost desire and endeuour to obey God his will in all his Commandements Well then comfort thy selfe and cheere vp thine owne soule Christ Iesus will couer all thy sinnes they shall neuer be layd to thy charge but hee will wrap thee in his own righteousnesse whereby thou shalt appeare faire and beautifull in his sight Indeed many a poore child of God looking on their owne infirmities and manifold corruptions see themselues to be black indeed deformed and stained with sinne it grieueth them that they do hang downe their heads and goe drooping all their dayes striuing and also struggling with their rebellious hearts and vile corruptions and thinke that CHRIST IESVS cares not for them cannot loue them being so defiled with sinne But I say againe Be not discouraged for if thou doest repent of them beleeue in Christ hate thy sinnes and prayest often vnto God to giue thee power to withstand them vsing all godly meanes to withstand them Christ Iesus wil couer them and passe by them all as he did deale with Dauid Peter c. Oh then how carefully ought all men daily endeuour themselues to be the members of this Societie that so they may haue a part in all these excellent prerogatiues and then howsoeuer the world doe esteeme of them counting them miserable grinding at them with their teeth and nodding at them with their heads and euerie way contumeliously reproching them yet are they deere and precious in the sight of Christ who hath redeemed them with the ransome of his owne bloud Let vs learne by Christs example Vse 2 heere that if we see anie good thing in the childe of Almightie God to commend it and to embrace it and if we see any blemish or infirmitie that we wincke at it and couer the same with the cloake of Loue and not as the maner of wicked and vngodly men who though they see many good giftes and graces in GODS children as knowlege faith patience loue zeale c. passe by them all and if they shall espie but one blemish or infirmitie or weakenesse by and by they blaze it abroad with open mouth note them with a blacke cole calling them Puritanes Precisians Hypocrites and the like reuiling them in a most odious manner like a Coorrector of a Booke passe by all that is well and if but one fault find that out like the horse-Flie passing by many floures and sweet hearbs lights vpon some noysome sore these are not like vnto CHRIST but to their sire the Diuell who is the Accuser of the Brethren Thus much for the exceeding loue and kindenesse of Christ Iesus toward his church in that he cals her by this kind appellation The fairest amongst women Secondly his gentle reproofe of her If thou know not q. d. This seemeth strange 2 Christs gentle reproofe that thou shouldest be ignorant where I doe feede my sheep where my truth and gospell is truely preached and soundly professed But if thou know not The church of God somtimes may be at that straight as not to discerne the truth I will direct Doctr. 7 thee and shew thee how thou shalt finde it out Hence we are taught that the church of God and true beleeuers may sometimes be so blinded and left to themselues that they stand at a stagger and doe hardly know which is true religion Where Christ doth feede his Flocke where the word is faithfully preached soundly professed For we are all of vs readie to erre by nature How apt are wee in matters that do concerne our Soules to be mistaken partly through our owne blindnesse ignorance and carelesnesse in not searching of the Truth and trying of the spirits and partly by the subtile policy of the diuell who is Gods Ape and so like him in many things as that it is hard to discerne his slights and falshoods Wicked men false teachers lying prophets set such a face and shew on their errors and beare them out with such a countenance credite and authoritie and the truth is so neglected plaine and simple troden vnder foot that it is hard for a man yea the true Church of God sometimes to discerne where Christ feedeth his Flocke 1. Reg. 18.12 When as Elias was left alone and Baals foure hundred and fiftie prophets who could almost then discerne the worship of GOD from Idolatry when all was corrupted So when Michaiah told the trueth and Ahab had foure hundred false Prophets it was hatd to discerne the truth of God from the lying of Sathan In Christs time how did the Scribes and Pharisees confound Religion dimme and dazell the truth for the which our Sauiour himselfe did often reprooue them And in our times how doe the Papists labour to obscure Religion how bold and impudent are they to defend Idolatrie
their owne traditions and constitutions Vse How should this stir vp euery christian man and woman to study the word of God so that knowing the truth beleeuing the doctrine of God we may be able to discerne betweene light and darkenesse truth and falsehood idolatry and the seruice and worship of God Secondly to intreate the Lord in all humilitie to open our eyes to discerne the truth to giue vs his holie Spirit to leade vs into all truth to giue vnto vs the Spirit of Discerning to trie the spirit and the doctrine whether it be of God or not for otherwise we may be ledde awry and take light for darkenesse and darkenesse for light Let vs then confesse our ignorance and blindenesse and bewayle it Let vs striue against our carelesnesse Let vs prooue the Doctrine by the touch-stone of the Word if they be according to the law and the Prophets else abhorre them Acts 17. Let vs doe as the men of Berea did intreate the Lord to giue vs the Spirit of Discerning that we may trie all things and hold the truth And if euer wee had neede to pray for the Spirit of Discerning now is the time we see how bold the Diuell is how diligent to deceiue vs and the Papists they be impudent and shamelesse euen to thrust vpon vs their cursed Idolatrie and tell vs it is the true worship of God their abominable Masse their Merites Purgatorie prayer for the dead worshipping of Images calling vpon Saints vnwritten Verities their vile Traditions and filthy abhominations their Constitutions and vile Decrees as if they were the written word of God Now vnlesse we haue knowledge and bee able by Gods Spirit to discerne the spirits alas wee shall drinke in poyson idolatry and superstition O then let vs labour to know the Word of God beleeue it obey it bee reformed by it confesse our ignorance and with all humilitie pray vnto God to open our eyes to giue vs the spirit of discerning to know true Religion from false which if wee do certainely the Lord will reueale his Truth vnto vs. And thus much shall serue for Christs gentle reproofe of his Church 3 Christs answere vnto his church The third and last point is the direct answere of Christ to the request of the Church shee desired to know of Christ where he fed his flocke and comforted them in the time of persecution that so shee might ioyne with them and be defended by him from false worship and the idolatrous Church Heere Christ doth answere her to the full If thou know not Oh thou fairest among women get thee foorth by the steppes of the Sheep and feede thy Kids by the Tents of the Shepheards His counsell standeth in two parts to shew her where he feedeth q. d. Wouldest thou know where I feede my Sheep and where I cause them to lie downe at Noone that thou mightest feed with them and be in my Fold to be defended and protected by mee then I counsell thee First to walke in the steppes of the Sheepe that is thou must walke in the steppes of the faithfull seruants of God Abrabam Isaac and Iacob thou must embrace that faith religion worship of GOD which they beleeued and embraced that is meant by the steppes of the sheep Secondly thou must feede thy Kids that is thou must receiue and embrace that Doctrine which the ancient Shepheards Pastors Prophets and Apostles haue taught and deliuered And if thou shalt thus treade in the steps of the sheepe Abraham Isaac and Iacob and embrace and obey the doctrines taught by the Prophets and Apostles in the old and new Testament thou shalt then know where I feed my sheepe that thou maist feed with them and take mee for thy true Shepheard Doctr. 8 From this answere of Christ we learne a cleere direction A directiō to know which is the true Church to know true Religion and the true worship of God from false religion and false worshippe If men doe desire to know where Christ feedeth his sheepe and where GOD is truely worshipped where is true religion we must then treade in the steppes of the Sheep That is we must worship God as Abraham Isaac and Iacob did as Moses and the Prophets did treade in their steppes and follow their godly examples beleeue repent and walke with GOD as they did whom by the iudgement of Faith wee may conclude of that they were the Sheepe of Christ for of them doth Christ speake heere and not of a company of Popes Cardinalls Iesuites and the like of that rabble of whom to thinke that they should belong to this Folde I know not whence I should fetch my charity Againe wee must embrace and beleeue the doctrine taught by Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles who were the true Shepheards and faithfull Pastors of the Church of GOD To the Law Esay 8.20 and to the Testimony if they speake not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Iere. 6.16 And againe Thus saith the Lord stand in the wayes and behold and aske for the olde way which is the good way and walke therein and you shall finde peace and rest for your soules So then if we desire to know true Religion and the true worship and seruice of God this is the way which I heere teach and deliuer from the Lord IESVS CHRIST against the doctrine of all the Shauelings of Rome namely this and none but this To inquire of the faith Religion and maner of the worshipping of God performed by Abraham Isaac and Iacob Patriarkes and Prophets Preached and published by Christ and his Apostles beleeue that imbrace that and rest our soules on that This may serue to decide a great question and long controuersie betweene vs and the Papists They affirme that they are the true Church and we are Heretickes wee beleeue and hold that we are the true church of God and that they bee not but Babylon and the Synagogue of Sathan This then is the maine Question whether they or wee bee the true Church Who shall iudge euen Christ Iesus himselfe in his owne word wee rest vpon him and flie vnto him which if the Papists would do likewise they would neuer haue runne into a labyrinth of controuersies as they haue euen at this day For Christ would quickly haue put an end vnto all For he saith that they be the true Church which Treade in the steps of the Sheep and feede by the Tents of the Shepheards That is that people that beleeue and worship God as Abraham Isaac and Iacob did and also that old Religion which they beleeued and embraced as the true Religion for that was taught by the holy seruants of God who were the faithfull Shepheards and Pastors sent of God to his Church Now let triall be made whether the Papists or Protestants the Church of Rome or the Church of England do thus For the Papists although they call their Religion the old Religion yet alas it is newly deuised the gteatest parts of it within these foure or fiue hundred yeares It is such as was neuer knowne to Abraham Isaac Iacob Moses or the Prophets it was neuer knowne to Christ or his Apostles they haue lost the Steps of the Sheepe and the Tents of the Shepheards that Doctrine manner of Religion the worship and seruice of God which was vsed by the Patriarkes Abraham Isaac and Iacob taught by Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles and they haue got a new Religion of their owne deuising They walke not in the steps of the Flocke but in the steps of their proud Popes couetous Cardinals filthy Friers mangy Munkes They haue deuised a thousand things in the seruice and worship of God against his Word and against the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Where shall we euer finde that Abraham Isaac Iacob and the Prophets did euer pray to Angells or Saints worshipped Images prayed for the dead looked to bee saued by their owne workes or merites If they can shew me any foule-mouth'd Iesuite of them all but any one example in the whole booke of God of any of all Gods children that haue performed them I will then lay my hand vpon my mouth In the meane time giue me leaue O ye Papists to tell you that you are none of Christs Church you are none of Christs Sheepe for you haue left the Steppes of the sheepe and the Tents of the shepheards the Doctrine taught by the Prophets of God Christ and his Apostls and are no better then the whoore of Babylon the Synagogue of Sathan But as for the Church of England wee doe beleeue and embrace that olde and true Religion that same Faith which Abraham Isaac and Iacob did vse we holde that Doctrine taught by the ancient Prophets and holie Apostles of CHRIST IESVS without either adding or detracting And if wee should dare to deuise a new kinde of Faith Religion and worship of God not vsed nor knowne to the ancient Prophets Patriarkes and Apostles as the Church of Rome doth it were to leaue the Steps of the Sheepe and to ioyne with the Flockes of the Companions euen to shake hands with Idolaters Vse 2 Well let vs then euer stand out against the Antichrist of Rome Reu. 18.4 and as Christ saith Come out of her ioyne not with her in her false Religion and Idolatrous seruice of God lest you partake of her plagues but let vs hold fast still the true Religion of God Treade in the steps of the Sheep Feed by the Tents of the Shepheards Let vs liue and die in the true Church of God for euer hold fast the true ancient holy religion which we haue receiued frō the holy Patriarks Abraham Isaac Iacob Moses the Prophets and the holy Apostles of Iesus Christ then we shall be safe and sure yea blessed and happy for euermore FINIS