like men perish but the word of God endureth for euer To be short let all that feare God obey this precept of his renounce the pursuite of their owne malice purge their hearts and cleanse their hands giue place to his ordinance reuerence his Ministers seeke lawfull remedies vpon necessitie but seeke not so reuenge in this world as though thou wouldest leaue nothing to be reuenged of God in another Despise not Gods vengeance here on earth neither faint nor be astonied though thy cause can not bee heard though thy right cannot be cleared appeale in prayers to the witnesse and Iudge of heauen he is higher than the highest euen that king of kings that God of Gods that Lord of lords whose great name is heere subscribed to the claime and promise of trueth vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord to whome being one in substance three in person the onely wise inuisible and eternall God be all honor power and dominion for euer and euer Amen FINIS THE SWORDE OF MAINTENANCE A Sermon preached before the Right Worshipfull the Iudges of Assise and gentlemen assembled at Hertford the 13. of Iuly 1599 for the execution of Iustice * ⎠* PERIIT ET INVENTA EST LONDON ⧠Printed by R. B. for Gregory Seaton 1600. The text Hate the euill and loue the good and establish Iudgement in the gate it may be Amos. 5. 15. that the Lord God of hostes will be mercifull vnto the remnant of Ioseph INeede not vse many circumstaÌ„ces Right worshipfull Fathers and brethren beloued in the Lord to moue this graue assembly to attention whose religious mindes are readily prepared I trust to receiue with meekenes the worde of God and therefore cannot but affourd mee beneuolent audience in the handling of the matter of this text being so consonant to your godly dispositions pertinent to the present occasion and set downe in compendious precepts so fit for your sharpe vnderstanding short allowance of time For what else is my text but a briefe issue of a long Processe betweene the Lord of hostes his people Who like a plaintiffe much agrieued Amos. 3. had often protested against the rebellions of Israell and made many proclamations as with sound of trumpet against their iniuries offered reproued their corruptions of Amos. 4. religion and their defaults of Iustice cut downe their mightie sinnes with mightie iudgements executions of famine sword pestilence thereby hauing wasted their multitude from thousands to hundreds from hundreds Am. 5. to tennes and yet now as a kinde father intending the correction and not the coÌ„fusion of his children hee offereth a capitulation of peace with these conditions If you will seeke the Lord and liue if you will seeke good and not euill chuse life and not death hate his enemies loue his friends establish his approued ordinance of iudgement abandon all places of idolatry surcease those loftie sinnes of oppression and iniustice so commonly practised in the gate then goe to the Lord will reason with you and come to a friendly parle for further reconciliation But before any peace can be concluded mercie expected punishment released or execution stayed you must condiscend to these Articles Hate the euill and loue the good and establish iudgement in the gate In these wordes we may generally note these two pointes First what conditions the Lord requireth Secondly what truce hee offereth The conditions concerne the affections and actions the affections are hatred and loue each of them being directed vnto his seuerall obiect hatred is let loose at euill loue is drawne and confined wholly to the good The action is mixt including many vertues excluding many viâ—es being an accomplishment of iustice and mercy and the establishment of iudgement whose fountaine is in the heart and priuate affections of men reformed but the streames do flowe runne downe in publike to the comfort of the good and terrour of the badde These are the Articles which the Lord doth propounde to the Israelites by his Prophet Amos and daily by vs his Ambassadors doth offer vnto you his people 2. Cor. 5 with desire that you would be reconciled vnto him and subscribe with heart and hand to the contents thereof Which being promised and performed beholde a gratious truce and couenant on Gods behalfe It may be the Lord of hostes will be mercifull to the remnant of Ioseph Let no man be discouraged at this phrase of speach as though Gods promises were like the doubtful Oracles of heathenish Idoles yea and nay it may be and it may not be for with the Lord there is assurance of mercie his wordes be yea and Amen Hath hee saide it and shall hee not doe it hath hee spoken and shall hee not accomplishe it The possibilities Numb 23. of men are full of hazard but the Lord is not a man that hee should lye or double or be preuented of his purpose Is there no doubt then in this speach None touching the absolute performance of the Lord but much difficultie in respect of flesh and bloud if men looke vpon their owne vnworthinesse vnconstant perseuerance and the lowe ebbe that the house of Ioseph and Gods people are sometimes driuen vnto Yet againe all is courage when we cast our eyes vpon the Lord of hosts who is strong to saue inclyning to mercy whose readinesse to helpe in extremitie appeared to Ioseph and was often shewed to his seed when they were but a remnant and reuersion and therefore may assuredly comfort all faithfull hearts that without all doubt hee will be mercifull vnto them if they keepe this couenant with the Lord and consent to hate the euill and loue the good and establish iudgement in the gate Thus much haue I spoken to declare vppon what ground our doctrine exhortations by Gods assistance shall be planted in what tearmes the estate of the Israelites â—hen stoode and what Articles were propounded for the redresse of their calamities in the vrging vnfolding whereof our greatest time shall be spent because we desire to apply the same approued remedy to our owne decayes waÌ„ts assuring our selues the Lord will not faile to be mercifull if we keepe touch and promise with him in such conditions as he requireth In one word therefore to winde vp the suÌ„me of all these conditions it is that which wee Knowledge 1 call sometimes conscience sometimes zeale not the common conscience of the world but that same which is first cuÌ„scientia ioyned with knowledge that it may haue an eye to discerne Couragâ— 2. good from euill Secondly that which is rooted and planted in the will and affections that it may haue an edge of hatred to threaten the euill and a backe of loue to defend the good Practise 3. Thirdly such a conscience here is required as hath not onely skill to discerne or will to desire but also a readie hand to practise not resting in contemplation but proceeding to such action
TWO SERMONS OF ASSISE The one intituled A prohibition of Reuenge The other A Sword of Maintenance Preached at two seuerall times before the Right worshipfull Iudges of Assise and Gentlemen assembled in Hertford for the execution of iustice and now published By W. Westerman Minister of the word in Sandridge LONDON ⧠Printed by R. B. for Gregory Seaton and are to be solde at his shop vnder Aldersgate 1600. MVNIFICENTIA REGIA 1715. GEORGIVS D.G. MAG BR â—â—ET HIB â—â—â— FD. J. Pinâ— sculp To the Right worshipfull and worthie Gentlemen master Rafe Coningsbye and master Pope Blunt Esquiers and in Commission of the Peace for the Countie of Hertf. and libertie of S. Albans W. W. wisheth all increase of heauenly wisdome to the glorie of God the profite of their Countrie and the saluation of their owne soules AT your requests in your seuerall Sheriualties Right worshipfull I preached these two sermons where I trust the Lord gaue a blessing to the fruit of my barren and vnworthie lippes But because the most part of Auditors heare sermons as Trauailers by the lawe might vse Grapes that is eate some Deut. 23. 25 for the present time but cary none away with them and for that our Lord and Sauiour teacheth such frugalitie in feasts of small preparation that the fragments should be gathered â—ohn 6. 12. vp and nothing lost I haue thought it not amisse to presse out the liquour of these my grapes and present the reuersion of them as it were after the feast in this basket of leaues for a more generall vse and longer continuaunce If the remaynes seeme greater then the former prouision impute it to Gods blessing that suffereth no decrements nor want at his feastes and to the short allowance of tyme wherewith my wordes but not my sense were assysed and stinted at the first deliuerie In such earnest businesse when there is no surplus of time to bee borrowed we holde it lawfull to temporize not quenching the spirit but coÌ„ueying the streams of our words within narrow banks after which sort they may be more fruitfull the Lorde assisting then if they ouerflowed all without boundes or measure But howsoeuer then these exercises were abridged by the hower yet now in the writing I haue giuen them more free vent and libertie where euerie man may bee the caruer of his owne time in hearing and reading And in this maner nowe published I sende them abroade vnder your names and tytles Right worshipfull that they may be not onelie a pledge of my good will to you both vnited in one Epistle as yee are in loue and in loue like Dauid 1. SaÌ„ 20. 17. 2. Sam. â— 2â— and Ionathan but also giue testimonie of that commendable order in your graue assemblies where I perceiued both Iudges and Gentlemen beginning their affaires with the first fruits of their knees eares hearts and tongues consecrated to God and directing the rest of their proceedings accordingly in wisedome and iustice In this loose and prophane age wherin too many make an Idole of their priuate fancie and blesse themselues in their mother witte the moste base Idolatrie of all others â—ib de vera elig ca. 38. saith Austen It is a comfort yet that the Cedars and men of greatest note will beautifie Gods seruice with theyr worthie examples as they strengthen iudgement with their Authoritie The deligent execution of iudgement in ciuil causes is without doubt an acceptable seruice to God For which purpose both Iudges Rulers are commanded to be wise and learned that in the same they may serue the Lord yet not onely as ciuil Politicians but as holy Christians with feare and trembling And therefore they Psal 2. must kisse the sonne least he be angrie and bende the knees of their wisdome power authoritie to the name of him first that is president ouer the congregation of the gods on earth The heathens neuer durst attempt any matter of great importance without inuocation on their gods and some solemne inauguration or sacrifice performed by their priests and wizards to get a forehand blessing to their actions Euen amongst them it seemed absurd and arrogant to commence graue enterpryses without calling a greater power to their assistaunce although some did attribute so much to their owne wisedome prowesse and fortune that they thought praiers were for simple wretches and fooles as Aiax like an Atheist vaunted Aliorum est vincere MelaÌ„cthon â—rat de precat Dâ—o iuuante c. Other cowardlie fellowes may obtaine victorie by the helpe of God but such as he could do well enough without him Yet such were accompted most miserable euen of those that had onelie a generall glimse of an vnknowne God and therefore Homer at all hard assaies sheweth how great small did enterprise nothing without some supplication to the gods As for the auncient Israelites they had their Leuites Numb 10. with trumpets to go before them Priestes and Prophets assistant in all 1. Sam. 13. 13 difficult occasions When Saul left Samuel he proued himselfe a foole though hee offered a selfe-will sacrifice to the Lord. And what became of the penne of the Scribes or the wisdome of the wise when they leaned to their owne fancies The pen saith Ieremy became vain Ierem. 8. 9. the wise meÌ„ are ashamed afraid taken for lo they haue reiected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is in theÌ„ But the practise in those your assemblies declare your reuerence to holy exercises which to your coÌ„mendations and gods glory are continued the Charter of heauen being first vnfolded the Commission from the next supreame Gouernor afterward being read that both your authoritie from heauen and earth may giue the Iudges confidence in their proceedings good successe in their determinations In that place at two seuerall times I was a witnes of the generall coÌ„sent of many worthy gentlemeÌ„ for the furtheraÌ„ce of peace iustice good order but I haue had dayly experience in your selues som others about vs with what singular care and dexteritie you haue managed the weightie affaires both of your Prince and country whensoeuer you haue beene emploied by commission from the one or petition from the other Neither haue your publike employments withdrawne you from the exercise of priuate vertues your delight in holie exercises is manifest by your diligent repaire vnto them your affabilitie and kindnesse appeareth in the courteous carriage of your selues towardes all men that deserue not the contrarie Which personall qualities are also graced with a diligent reformation of your followers a matter of greater In Paâ—â—gyâ—ic dicto Traiano magnificence saith Plinie then for a man to reforme himselfe Whence it was that the Queene of Saba was not onelie in admiration of Salomons wisdome â— King 10. 5. and answers but also of the sitting of his seruants and the order and apparell of his attendants To confirme and encourage you in this course of vertue ye haue had both domesticall and neighbour examples
and all that were in authoritie the King of Babylon knew not God the rulers in Saint Pauls time were no Christians but heathens and tyrants yet such gouernours are to bee obeyed and prayed for that vnder them Christians may liue in peace godlines and honesty how much more the faithful gouernors that seeke themselues the peace of IerusaleÌ„ the righteousnes of Gods kingdome though many blemishes may be noted and imperfections of men in the administration of iudgement vnder them Here may we not forget the Papistical Cleargie Recusant Papists that acknowledge the power of the Magistrate wheÌ„ they would haue their pestilen thatred executed against the saints of God which they call heretikes but when iustice shoulde worthilye bee turned vpon themselues then they pleade exemptions and priuiledges they are spirituall may not be touched forgetting that which the Lord hath set downe for a perpetual Canon Let euery soule be subiect Which Chrysostome expoundeth of Church-men as well as of lay people Siue Apostolus siue Euangelista siue Propheta fueris Magistratui subesse debes Be thou Apostle Euangelist or Prophet or whatsoeuer thou must yeeld subiection to the temporall Magistrate As these would exempt themselues from their due obedience to Rulers and yet shrowd themselues vnder their wings for reuenge or defence so Iulian the Apostate did exact obedience and tribute belonging to gouernours but perswaded all Christians that his tyrannie and crueltie was good for them they might not resist but suffer If hee stroke them vpon one cheeke they should turne the other thus in an irreligious ieast sending in deede his subiects to heauen and himselfe merrily into hell It seemeth the common translation which the Romanists follow speaketh contrarie to their own practise and meaning Non defendentes hath the translation in this place not defending your selues but their practise is contrarie for they trouble heauen and earth for the auenging of their quarrelles and doubt not by any violent proceedings to supplant Kings and Princes and depose them from their thrones being animated and warranted by that hellish resolution of Gregorie the seauenth his successors that treason against vnbeleeuing Princes is lawfull But touching the wordes of our Sauiour Christ where he prepareth Christians to beare iniuries without resistance they take not away publike and lawfull defence such as is sought by a due course of complaint or reply at the hand of the Magistrate without rancour and heart-burning For when he teacheth Christians that being smitten vpon one cheeke they Math. 5. should turne to him that smiteth the other he intendeth they should bee so farre from rendering one blowe for another that rather they should suffer two then reuenge one and yet not to faile in the lawfull defence of themselues For in the same Chapter immediately our Sauiour saith Agree with thine aduersarie quickly least he deliuer thee to the Iudge and the Iudge to the Sergeant without doubt ratifying the course of ciuill proceedings in iudgement Moreouer he giueth example of this himselfe who being smitten did not strike againe but yet he expostulateth de facto touching the deed whether it were lawfull or no in him that strook him If I haue euill spoken beare witnesse of the euill but if I haue well spoken why smitest Iohn 18. 23. August ad Marcellin thou me Vbi ostendit saith Austen praeparationem maxillae faciendam esse in corde where he sheweth that the preparation of the other cheeke must be made in the heart For so Christ Isai 56. Iesus gaue his cheekes to the nippers and was not onely content to suffer blowes but death for his enimies The like example giueth Paule before the high priest reprouing the iniustice of the Acts. 23. 3. Acts. 21. 13. â—om 9. 3. Acts. 23. 17. Iudge and yet prepared to suffer bondes and death and to bee separate from Christ for his countrimen Moreouer did not the same Paul obtaine a safe conduct for his safegard against certaine wretched fellowes that had sworne his death Did he not appeale to Caesar and Acts. 25. 12. take the honest aduauntages of the lawe to helpe himselfe If this were the practise of the best men who doubteth but our Sauiours precept respecteth the heart and priuate court of mans conscience prouiding against all impatiencie and immoderate desire of reuenge but leauing open the lawe for a lawfull defence and open preseruation of life goods bodie and name So then the law is good if it be not abused as it is saide in another sense for it serueth to redresse all wrongs to represse all tumults and therefore was it a wise speach of the towne Clerke of Ephesus to the raging Idolaters If Demetrius or the crafts meÌ„ haue a matter against any man the law is open and Acts. 19. 38. there are deputies let them accuse one another And here come in the foxes and followers of Such as abuse the law by ouerusing the same the law such as will not reuenge in words nor blowes but rather desire to bee slaundered and to take blowes yet not for any meeknesse but to get an aduauntage in lawe wherein they may shew all extremitie of lingering reuenge And here they spend their witte their wealth their friends their time their soules all as the Spider that woorketh out her owne bowels to compasse hir prey Wil you examine what be their actions and suits coÌ„monly Surely words of vnkindnesse actions of some deserued slaunder some trespasse pedibus ambulando de lanacaprina asini vmbra Of goates wooll and the shadow of an asse How do these Sycophants abuse the ordinance of God with their contention for trifles They are not vnlike those nice people that continually lie in the handes of physitions and surgeons for pimples and warts when both the physition and the lawyer was appointed for necessity and not for wantonnesse Am I deceiued or do I not see these suters pestered with boxes and papers the bookes of their profession to course about from place to place more busie to cast away their money then then the lawyer to catch it They haue a running sore of self-will and malice but their worde is onely Currat lex Let the lawe haue his course a course they meane without ende except they can saciate their wilfull mindes with a full triumph ouer their impouerished aduersarie Their courage is inuincible for neither the admonition of friendes threates of authoritie no nor badde successe in theyr suytes can make them giue ouer and sit downe by it for it fares with them as with the drunkard in the Prouerbes that boasteth after this maner They haue stricken me but I was not sicke they Prou. 23. 35. haue beaten me but I knewe not of it when I awoke therefore will I seeke it yet still As such seeke the wine when it hath bitten them so these being drunken in the pursuite of their malice though they smarted a while and caught an