THE CLEARING OF THE SAINTS SIGHT A SERMON PREAched at CVNDOVER neere the Religious and ancient Towne of SHREVVSBVRY By SAMPSON PRICE Batchelour of Diuinitie of EXETER Colledge in OXFORD 2. KING 20 5. I haue seene thy teares Behold I will heale thee LONDON Printed for IOHN BARNES dwelling in Hosier Lane neere Smithfield 1617. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL truly religious my very good LADY the Lady OVVEN wife to the worthy Sr ROGER OVVEN MADAM I can not more fitly salute you then in the phrase of Diuine S. Iohn Grace be with you 2. ep Ioh. 3. mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ This Sermon preached before you was attentiuely hearkned vnto and the copie required after the speaking of it My hasty returne from the Country to this eminent Cittie gaue me not time then to yeeld vnto that religious request But now I haue sent it in a more publike forme that others may receiue comfort if they haue neede of such balme I am sure God hath prouided for euery one some crosse ELI in his children DAVID in his enemies Dr. Hâ—ll IOSEPH in his brethren LAZARVS in his body IOHN in his liberty IOB in all Pli hist nat l 7. No creature commeth weeping into the world but man and no creature weepeth so much being entred into the world as man Teares are the beginning and argument of life so hold some Philosophers some Lawyers life by weeping holding that if the childe were heard cry it is a proofe of his liuing Aug cons l. 10. The Eyes are the chiefest hurt of the senses the best windowes for Sathan not euill in themselues but in the effects the heart corrupting them and therefore haue teares Mr. Greenham in his counsels Hearing is the sense of learning but Seeing is the sense of certaintie A Christian compassed about with infirmitie may say as one did Greg Thomas doubting hath more profited mee then Maries beleeuing yet now if we stagger Ioh 1.46 a voice will call vs Come and see Our eyes must bee lifted vp for our redemption is aboue worldly obiects dazzle the sight in the corny vallies Peâ—râ—ch dial â—6 airie mountaines shadowy groues flowrie bankes cleare fountaines christall riuers greene meddowes and beautifullest faces as at other times in filthy dunghills heapes of durt mishapen monlers rotten carrions they are lothsome to the sight The sight of the wicked to flourish is greenous to the godly in regard whereof Pigmelius a graue Roman Prelate not long after the Primitiue Church being fallen blinde was wont â—olemnely to thank God that by that meanes he was freed from seeing the enemies of his Church and especially Iulian the Apostate But our comfort is that our sight shall be cleared and no such obiects shall offend vs for all occasion of teares shall be taken away and our eyes wiped with Gods owne hand He shall annoint our eyes with eye-salue that we may see Rue 3.18 A toy which can not elect Lady be expressed with paper and inke 2. ep Io 12. but when we see God face to face In the meane while our teares must be moderated and we must waite patiently for this change This is the aime of my poore meditations in my Sermon and being much bounden to your worthy and learned Husband vpon your religious desire of the Copie I commend it vnto your good Ladiship and to all the louers of the truth who shall read it And so leauing this memoriall of my respect vnto your Ladiship whom I know to be zealous for the truth with my deuotions for your honourable Husband vertuous Selfe and hopefull issue I rest Your Ladiships in the Lord SAMPSON PRICE LORDIESVS BEGINNE AND END REVEL 7.17 God shall wipe away all teares from their eies HOw glorious the nature of man was in the beginning before his fall may appeare in his creation GOD created man in his owne image Gen. 1.27 Gen 1.27 Not that he tooke vpon him an humane shape when hee created man as some erroneously collected Eugubinus Neither is that image to be ascribed onely vnto man and the woman excluded as others defend Theodoret. It was true of the male and female they were made in Gods owne likenesse which may be vnderstood either of their dominion ouer the creatures Basil or of their immortality of the soule or of their freewill or because as all things are originally in God Aug. l. de qu ana c 2. Damasc l 2. dâ—â—ide c 12. so also man doth participate with the nature of all creatures of plants in growing and increasing of beasts insense and mouing of Angells in vnderstanding or rather as Saint Paul speaketh This new man was created in righteousnes and true holinesse Eph. 4.24 Eph. 4.24 What was then wanting vnto him saith Bernard when he was so warmely cloathed with soure vertues Ber. sup cant Mercy kept him Truth instructed him Iustice ruled him Peace nourished him But man being in such honour forgot the goodnes of his Maker and since hath remained miserable in his posteritie who finding themselues to be but men naked poore and to be pittied Iament that they are men Ber. decensid lib. 2. blush that they are naked weepe that they are borne and murmure that they are at all when their bodies weake with sickenesse doe remember them of their mortalitie Aug. contra Iulian l. 4. â— 14. 15. especially when their minds are distracted with cares deiected with feares faint with labour and addicted to pleasures A meditation able to make men sinke vnder the burthen of discontent if we knew not that much better things are prouided for vs hereafter This is one part of Gods image to bee renued in knowledge Col. 3.10 Exod 7.17 Os 14.9 Ioh. 17.3 Ioh 1.29 Col. 3. To know God to be the Lord Exod. 7. To know him and to trust in him Of. 14.9 To know him to be the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom he hath sent Ioh. 17. to know that he is the Lambe which taketh away the sin of the world Ioh. 1. the Lambe before whom the foure beasts foure and twenty Elders fall downe with their harpes and golden viols full of odours because hee was worthy to take the book and open the seales because he was slaine and redeemed vs vnto God by his bloud because hee hath made vs vnto our God Kings and Priests Chap 5. vers 8.9.13 as we finde in the 5. Chapter of this Prophesie the Lambe vnto whom euery creature which is in heauen and on the earth and vnder the earth and such as are in the sea ascribe blessing glory and power the Lambe who as he was carefull to charge Peter to feede his lambes Ioh 21.15 Ioh. 21. so is he here described to prouide for his Saints in heauen to aray them with white robes that is his owne righteousnesse called white raiment chap Vers 14.
2. King 6. which were Angels 2. King 6.17 or most commonly not seene to men yet alwayes in a readinesse for Gods seruice and his childrens preseruation encamping round about them that feare him Psal 34.7 and deliuering them being all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heires of saluation Heb. 1.14 Besides these God comforteth men with his other creatures those two great lights the Sunne to rule by day Psal 136.8 which Anaxagoras held much greater then Peloponesus a countrey in Graecia Anaximander as bigge as the earth the Mathematicians exceeding the earth 166. times Clauius the Moone to rule the night Iob 38.31.32 such are the influences of Pleiades bringing the spring the bands of Orion bringing raine Mazzaroth in his season and Arcturus with his sonnes Hee heareth the heauens they heare the earth and the earth shall heare the corne Os 2 2â— and the wine and the oile He is with Kings is their kingdomes Bishops in their churches Peeres in their consultations Iudges in their iudgements Captaines in their battels euer ready to comfort when the helpe of man is vaine Is 50.3 He that can cloath the heauens with blacknesse and make sackcloth their couering can also stretch them out like a curtaine to couer himselfe with light as with a garment He that can send out a great winde into the Sea till it worke and be tempestuous Psal 104.2 Io. 1.4.11 and the waues thereof tosse themselues Ier. 5.22 can also stay them that they preuaile not thought they rore and smite through the pride thereof Instrumenta sunt tota creatura Dei all the creatures of God are ready at his command to attend the elect for their good Iob 26 12. Wigand Syntag Vâ—t Test and the reprobate for their hurt He is the best comforter others may deceiue a friend his friend as Achitophel did Dauid a Counseller his client as Abimelech the Schechemits the wife the husband as Dalilah did Sampson the daughter leaue the mother as Orpah Naomi but God neuer faileth and therefore as Demosthenes held that no man could be miserable which laid temperance and continencie for a foundation of wisdome so much more may wee hold him to be most comforted which hath the Lord for his God and as that Emperour Marcus Aurelius often professed that hee would not leaue the knowledge hee might learne in one houre for all the gold hee possessed receiuing more glory from the bookes hee read and wrote then all the battels he wonne and kingdomes he conquered so may wee resolue that this only maketh vs happy that God doth comfort vs. Vse 1. How wretched then is the estate of them which oppose themselues against this God of coÌ„fort Such are the Atheists of this age whose Patron was Diagoras 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in plaine termes denying that there was any God at all and Epicurus trampling vpon religion They are Infidels in heart Blasphemers in tongue the greatest Traitors to their Prince Rebels to their country a poyson to their houses plague to their friends causing the earth vpon which they goe to be cursed the ayre where they speake to be infected and Sathan where they enter to be possessed Strange it is that eyther Graecian or Barbarian Turke or Christian any one whose se et tread vpon the earth or whose eyelids are opened towards heauen should not in their liues proclaime the comfortable Maiesty of this God but as it is supposed that Anaxagoras would neuer haue affirmed snow to be blacke but that he was starke blinde of both his eyes so these would neuer so much erre but that they are blinded in their vnderstanding more insensible then the creatures voyd of reason for the starre confessed the son of God and led the wise men to Christ the sea and windes did obey him the Asse did beare him to Ierusalem the Fishes at his command came into the net and one brought money to pay tribute the Sunne at his death was appalled the earth did tremble the stones did cleaue asunder and the graues did open they are more obstinate then the Deuill Mar. 5.6.7 seeing Iesus a farre off he came and worshipped him crying with a loud voice that hee was the Sonne of the most high God Iesus hee knoweth and Paul Acts 19 15. but these acknowledge neyther God nor Iesus nor any true Prophets sent from God but the time shall come that the eyes that sinne hath shut damnation shall open and they shall know that this God is not vnfitly called by the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the sharpnesse of his sight and swiftnesse of his course seeing all and ruling ouer all in a moment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as that whereby all things are caused to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that he giueth life and motion to all Aristed in hymno in Iouem Diog. Laâ—râ— c. el Rhodig and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in reguard of his goodnes whither should I send the foolish Naturals which neuer look vpon the God of Nature but to the creatour of all which fashioned all Nature it selfe is nothing but a power placed by this God in his creatures Hugo Quis disposuit membra pulicis culicis who hath disposed in order the limmes of the flea and gnat they haue their life and motion flying death louing life seeking after that they delight in shunning that which troubleth them hauing sense and quicknesse in motion This God made them Qui fecit Angelumin coelo fecit vermiculum infecta He that made the Angell in Heauen made the little worine on the earth Aug super Psal 148. Totum attende totum lauda consider all the order of Gods workes thou shalt see cause enough to praise God for all Thou art without excuse for the inuisible things of him from the creation of the world are cleerely seene being vnderstood by the things that are made Rom. 1.20 Witnesses against thee shall be that the Lord hath done good for thee and giuen thee rain from heauen and fruitfull seasons filling thy heart with food and gladnes beside the expresse testimonies of the word Acts 14 17. open prophecies of things to come thousands of yeeres before they came and infinite miracles O reason not as the besotted Epicure How doth God know can hee iudge through the darke clouds Iob 22.13 thicke clouds are a couering to him that he seeth not and he walketh in the circuit of Heauen God is euery where and there is no euasion from him no corner in hell no mansion in heauen no caue in the top of Carmel no fishes belly in the bottome of the Sea no dark dungeon in the land of captiuity no clouds of the day darknesse of the night secrecie of a friend or a more secret conscience nor any like euasion can hide thee or thy actions from this God He maketh the fields haue eyes to see thy
deeds the woods eares to heare our proiects the wals of our bed chambers mouths to witnesse against vs. He can vse thy selfe as an instrument against thy selfe and thine owne mouth to testifie against thee eyther vnawares to disclose thy faults or in sleepe by a dreame to make them knowne or in sicknesse to raue at the sight of them or else in some phrensie to vomit them out or in the torment of conscience to confesse them all To the wicked this God at the last day shall appeare terrible his face as a flame of fire his voice thunder his wrath horror He shall meet them riding vpon the wings of the winde raining vpon them snares to entrap them fire to deuoure them hailstones to kil them a smoke to smother them a stormy tempest to terrifie them the stinck of brimstone to annoy them and hot thunder bolts to shoot them thorow then send them to the great gaole of hell where there is no desire but reuenge no deuotion but cursing no blessing but blasphemy where they may be remooued from place to place but neuer eyther be eased of pangs or freed of paines where there shall be famine for gluttony thirst for drunkennesse burning for lust madnesse for swearing want for ill gotten goods staruing for cruelty But to the elect hee shall bring ioy peace and all comfort 1. Cor. 15.28 Hee shall be all in all to them How should this encourage vs now to be known to this God of comfort Vse to beleeue him to be and to conceiue him rightly to remember his presence and consider his prouidence to loue him aboue all to hold on his side against all and to be subiect to him before all He foreseeth all our troubles before they be wisely ordereth them and preordaineth what shall be the end O that all were so wise to consider and thinke vpon this then would not some in a desperate discontent make their owne hands their executioners others vpon crosses be carried violently from their wits others euer be wishing for death though vnprepared for it others murmure against God because their reward is not otherwise for seruing God others vpon a sting of conscience seeke for merry and prophane company sumptuous and rioting feasts reuelling and vnlawfull games wanton vnchast songs the sound only of the viol and harpe to driue away care wheras earth can neuer redresse that which came from Heauen Expect of thy stepmother nothing but discontent The world is an ocean of troubles here is no firme land mischiefes must striue for places lest they lose their roomes Hee seeketh vs that made vs let vs not bite the stone but look vp to the hand and then as Moses feared not his rod though it were turned into a serpent Exod. 7.9 no more shal we all the crauling and hissing scourges of this life Doth any now droop vnder a feigned cuill or augment sorrow through impatience or feare danger yet farre off or being distracted with the passions of the mind and haunted with sin sit downe and weepe and refuse comfort contrary to that rule Fortianimo mala fer nec bis miser esto dolore Behold here is a cordiall Aquacaelestis water from heauen a preseruatiue against the poyson of any discontent other helps may make vs like glow-wormes which cast a fire but being pressed there is nothing but a crude moisture they are seeming and only shining comforts but God is a true and onely comforter hee comforted Dauid when hee was weary with groaning I sai 6.6 Isa 38.14 Isai when hee chattered like a Crane or Swallow mourned like a Doue his eyes failed with looking vpward Iob. 42.6 Iob when hee abhorred himselfe and repented in dust and ashes Manasses when hee was taken among the theeues 2 Chro. 33.11 Psal 42.5 bound with fetters and carried to Babylon Why then should we cast downe our soules and bee disquieted within vs wee should rather imitate Luther that heroike spirit who when the world stood against him he caused that Psalme to be sung the title whereof is Psal 46.1 The confidence which the Church hath in God God is our refuge and strength a very present helpe in trouble wee should bee glad and reioyce in the Lord our God Lel. 2.23 and as the Hart panteth after the water-brookes so should our soules pant after God Psal 42 1. for hee hath not onely annointed others to preach good tidings vnto the meek to bind vp the broken-hearted to proclaime liberty to the captiues Isa 61. and the opening of the prison to them that are bound but he himselfe looketh vppon the mourners in Zion giuing vnto them beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heauinesse and hee shall wipe away all teares from their eyes It is his owne Act which is my second part THE true Church out of which there is no saluation Pars. 2. is compared to many glorious things to a Doue for her louelinesse to a Vine for her fruitfulnesse to a mount for her safenesse to a Priesthood for her holinesse to a Queene for her royalty to a Tower for her glistring yet she doth but soiorne and while it is vpon earth is subiect to the scorching of the sun the whole world is but a low moorish watry ground and the Elect heere are like the children of Israell lifting vp their voyces and weeping because they are in Bochim Fleâ—â—â—â— Tremel Iud. 2.5 i. a place full of weepers they are vsually eyther in blacks mourning or in red persecuted yet glorious in this apparell Isa 63. trauelling in the greatnesse of their strength being dipt in bloud This life is a seede-time and wil be louring Post nubila sudum Reuel 19.13 we shall haue a calme haruest Wee are trauellers and shall vse many hosts though wee shall finde few friends our daies are spent eyther in seeing or doing or suffering euill Greg Naz. Euery one hath his roule spread before him written within and without Lamentations and mourning Ez 2 10. and woe some put singing for mourning so that teares sometimes may haue reioycing as Cyprian speaketh of some Gaudium pectoris lachrymis exprimentes Vulg carmen they expressed the ioy of their hearts by their teares Cyp Gen 43.30 such were the teares of Ioseph seeing his brother Beniamin his only brother by the mothers side his bowels did yerne and hee sought where to weepe and hee entred into his chamber and vvept there Iunius such were the teares of Iacob when Ioseph made ready his chariot and went to meet him to Goshen in the City of the Nobles Septuag Gen. 46.29 and presented himselfe vnto him he fell on his necke and wept on his necke a good while so did that father at the returne of a prodigall Luk. 15.20 but vsually teares are the iuice of a minde pressed with griefe The father weepeth for