the sword of punishment in their hands or have families under their governance to labour for to redresse this great enormity of all such as live x 2. Th. 3.10.11 Ecclus. 33.24 25 26 27 28 29. idlely and unprofitably in the Common weale to the great dishonour of God and the grievous plague of his seely people To leave sinne unpunished and to neglect the good bringing up of youth is nothing else but to kindle the Lords wrath against us and to heape plagues upon our owne heads As long as the adulterous people were suffered to live licenciously without reformation so long did the plague continue and increase in Israel as ye may see in the booke of Numbers But when due correction was done upon them the Lords anger was straight-way pacified and the plague y Num. 25.3 c. Psal 106.30 ceased All Masters are to remember the example of Abraham written for their learning of whom the Lord testified saying I know him that he will command his children and his z Gen. 18.19 houshold after him and they shall keepe the way of the Lord to doe justice and judgement that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him Saint Paul saith to the Colossians Masters a Col. 4.1 give unto your servants that which is just and equall knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven And to the Ephesians he saith b Ephes 6.9 Forbeare yee threatning Iesus the sonne of Syrach saith Whereas thy servant worketh truly c Ecclus. 33.30 31. entreat him not evill nor the hireling that bestoweth himselfe wholy for thee Let thy soule love a good servant and defraud him not of liberty Many are the good counsailes for masters towards their servants in the book of Ecclesiasticus and throughout the whole Bible which they may observe as they reade through all the same Of Servants duties towards their Masters and Dames Concerning servants duties towards their masters and dames and other their duty besides it is said in the * T. 2. p. 253 254. Homily against Idlenesse Here ought artificers and labouring men who be at wages for their worke and labour to consider their conscience to God and their dutie to their neighbours lest they abuse their time in idlenesse so defrauding them which bee at charge both with great wages and deare commons They bee worse then idle men indeed for that they seeke to have wages for their loytering It is lesse danger to God to be idle for no gaine than by idlenesse to win out of their neighbours purses wages for that which is not deserved It is true that Almighty God is angry with such as do defraud the hired man of his d Iam. 5.4 Ier. 22.13 wages the cry of that injury ascendeth up to Gods eare for vengeance And as true it is that the hired man who useth e Tit. 2.9.10 deceit in his labour is a theefe before God Let no man saith Saint Paul to the Thessalonians subtilly f 1 Thes 4.6 beguile his brother let him not defraud him in his businesse for the Lord is a revenger of such deceits And afterward the sacred * p. 254. Homily saith Here might be charged the Serving-men of this Realme who g Eph. 5 15 16 17. spend their time in much idlenesse of life nothing regarding the opportunity of their time forgetting how service is no heritage how age will creepe upon them Where wisedome were they should expend their idle time in some good h Pro. 14.23 businesse whereby they might increase in knowledge and so the more worthy to bee ready for every mans service It is a great rebuke to them that they studie not either to write faire to keepe a booke of account to study the i 1 Cor. 14.1 5. tongues and so to get wisdome and knowledge in such bookes and workes as be now plentifully set out in print of all manner of Languages Sundry times doth the Holy Ghost by the Apostles deliver commandements unto servants concerning their duties Saint Paul saith to the Ephesians k Ephes 6.5.6 7 8. Servants be obedient unto them that are your masters according the flesh with feare and trembling in singlenesse of your heart as unto Christ Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall hee receive of the Lord Col. 3.22 whether he be bond or free To the Colossians he saith l Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh Vnto Timothy hee saith Let as many m 1 Tim. 6.1 2. servants as are under the yoke count their owne masters worthy of all honour that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed Vnto Titus he saith Exhort n Tit. 2.9 10. servants to bee obedient unto their owne Masters and to please them well in all things not answering againe not purloyning but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things And Saint Peter saith o 1 Pet. 2.18 19.20 Servants be subject to your masters with all feare not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward For this is thanke-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure griefe suffering wrongfully For what glory is it if when yee bee buffetted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when ye doe well and suffer for it yee take it patiently this is acceptable with God CHAP. 83. Of the foure principall Vertues IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 31. Homily concerning good Workes it is said There is one worke in the which be all good workes that is Faith which p Gal. 5.6 worketh by charity If thou have it thou hast the ground of all good workes For the vertues of strength wisedome temperance and justice be all referred unto this same faith It is written in the booke of the Wisdome of Solomon q Wised 8.7 If a man love righteousnesse Wisedomes labors are vertues for she teacheth temperance and prudence justice and fortitude which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in their life And these foure Vertues are by some called the principall Vertues because they are fountaines of others and foure maine matters wherein the due administration of mans affaires doth consist Of Prudence And to begin with r Prov. 1.2 3. and 8.11.15 16 2 Chro. 2.12 Prudence first It is observed to be a vertue which according to the rule of honesty prescribeth unto man what is to be sought after and what is to be shunned Hereunto Christ exhorted his disciples saying Behold I send you forth as sheepe in the middest of Wolves bee ye therefore Å¿ Mat. 10.16 wise as Serpents and harmles as Doves Saint Paul
house of the Rechabites for keeping all the precepts and for doing according to d Ier. 35.18 15. all that they were commanded by Ionadab their father much more doth he expect that people should doe according to every particular which e 1 Tim. 3.15 Isa 2.2 3. Micah 4.1 2. Zech. 8.23 Act. 15.2 4 6 22. holy Church prescribeth unto them We are also hereto for to remember the counsell given by Isaiah f Isa 55.6 7. Seeke ye the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is neere We are to seeke afore the doore be g Mat. 25.10 11 12. shut against us and afore the master of the house be h Luke 13.25 26 27. risen up as Christ admonisheth The Lord by Hosea saith That it commeth to passe that there is a time when such as have dealt treacherously against the Lord which will not frame their doings to turne unto their God but retaine the spirit of Whoredome in the midst of them and not know the Lord but walke on in spirituall pride They shall goe with their flockes and with their heards to seeke the Lord but they shall not i Hos 5.6 find him he hath withdrawne himselfe from them Ieremiah signifieth of the manner of k Ier. 50.4 5. seeking the Lord where he saith In those daies and in that time saith the Lord the children of Israel shall come they and the children of Iudah together going and weeping they shall goe and seeke the Lord their God They shall aske the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come and let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall covenant that shall not be forgotten We are not to travell toward Canaan for to enjoy there the milke and honey retaining within our selves a lusting after the l Exod. 16.3 1 Cor. 10.6 fleshpots of Egypt Also unlesse we seeke the Lords kingdome with our m Ier. 29.13 whole heart we shall never finde it It is most memorable what is written in the booke of Chronicles That all Iudah had sworne with n 2 Chron. 15.12 15. all their heart to seek the Lord and sought him with their whole desire and he was found of them and the Lord gave them rest round about There are some that seeke as they say after Christs kingdome but it is according to the imagination of their owne heart and not according to the prescriptions expressed in Gods word and declared in the Divine Service of the Church And it commeth to passe with them as Isaiah saith o Isa 29.8 9 10. It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth and behold he eateth but hee awaketh and his soule is empty or as when a thirsty man dreameth and behold he drinketh but he awaketh and behold he is faint and his soule hath appetite So shall the multitude of all Nations bee that fight against mount Zion Stay your selves and wonder cry ye out and cry they are drunken but not with wine they stagger but not with strong drinke For the Lord hath powred out upon you the spirit of deepe sleepe and hath closed your eyes c. CHAP. 91. Of the Christian unity IT is the last of the complaints which the holy Fathers of the Church have made in the sacred prayer after the Letany in the last Fast booke There hath beene little or no care among us to keepe truth and peace together for the preserving of our Church State In the Collect for Simon and Iudes day wee are taught to pray Grant us so to bee joyned together in unity of spirit by the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles that we may be made an holy p Ephes 2.19 20 21 22. Heb. 3.6 1 Pet. 2.5 See also the margent temple acceptable to thee through Iesus Christour Lord. In the Collect for All Saints it is said Almighty God which hast knit together thy Elect in one communion and fellowship in the mysticall q Eph. 2.22 23. and 4.15 16. body of thy Sonne Christ our Lord grant us grace so to r Phil. 3.17 Heb. 13.7 follow thy holy Saints in all vertuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joyes which thou hast Å¿ Isa 64. 4 5. Psal 31.19 Mat. 25.21 prepared for them that unfainedly love thee through Iesus Christ our Lord. In the prayer for the whole state of Christs Church militant here in earth it is said We beseech thee to inspire continually the universall Church with the spirit of truth unitie and concord and grant that all they that doe confesse thy holy name may * 1 Cor. 1.10 agree in the truth of thy holy word and live in t 1 Cor. 12.13.25 Ioh. 17.21.22.23 unity and u Eph. 4.16 Col. 2.19 Eph. 5.2 Ioh. 13.35 godly love In the Collect to be read after private absolution it is said Preserve and continue this sicke member in the w Ps 122.3 Act. 1.4 Eph. 5.3 Ps 133.1.2.3 unitie of the Church In the second Collect for Peace it is said O God which art Authour of peace and lover of concord c. In the Collect to be read on the fourth Sunday after Easter it is said Almighty God which dost make the mindes of all faithfull men to bee of one x Phil. 2.1 3.2.5 and 3.16 will c. In the sacred Letanie it is said That it may please thee to give to y Ps 67. Zechar. 14.9 Eph. 1.10 Is 11.9 all Nations unity peace and concord In the first part of the * T. 1. p. 89.90 Ps 22.27.28.29 Ezech. 37.22 Homily against contention it is said Among all kinds of contention none is more hurtfull than is contention in matters of Religion Eschew saith Saint Paul foolish and unlearned z 2 Tim. 2.23.24 questions knowing that they breed strife It becommeth not the servant of God to fight or strive but to be meeke toward all men This contention and strife was in Saint Pauls time among the Corinthians and is at this time among us English-men For too many there bee which upon the Ale-benches or other places delight to set forth certaine questions not so much pertaining to edification as to vaine glorie and shewing forth of their a 1 Tim. 6.20 cunning and so unsoberly to reason and dispute that when neither part will give place to other they fall to chiding and b 1 Tim. 6.3.4.5 contention and sometime from hot words to further inconvenience Saint Paul could not abide to heare among the Corinthians these words of discord or dissention I hold of c 1 Cor. 3.3.4.5 Paul I of Cephas and I of Apollo What would he then say If he heard these words of contention which be now almost in every mans mouth d Iam. 4.11 Rom. 14.12.13 Hee is a Pharisee he is a Gospeller he is of the new sort he is of the old faith hee is a new broched brother he is a good Catholike father
not abide the word of God but following the perswasions and stubbornnesse of their owne hearts goe backward and not forward as it is said in e Ier. 7. 24. Ieremy they goe and turne away from God Many now a daies by their neglect to have the holy Bible in their houses by their neglect to search it by their neglect to live according to it by their neglect to amend according to it what by the ministery they are informed of to be amisse by their neglect to heare it duly according to the Law of the Church by their neglect even all the yeare to conferre on it and by their neglect to meditate thereon they shew plainly that they have it in contempt and were it not for feare of being punished by the Magistrate they would expresse what is in their hearts against it And so some Machavillians will adventure sometimes to utter without any feare of God or man Moreover the contemners of the Divine Service-doctrine of the Church and of the Ministers which conscionably endeavour to live and teach according to all the same are to be reckoned among the g 1 Thes 4.8 contemners of Gods Word as it may appeare out of Christs words where hee saith unto his Ministers He that heareth you heareth me and he that h Luke 10.16 despiseth you despiseth me If they have kept my saying they will keepe yours also Ieremiah saith The wise men are ashamed they are dismayed and taken loe they have i Ier. 5.9 rejected the Word of the Lord and what wisedome is in them Of halting on both sides IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 259. Homily of Repentance it is said God requireth a sincere and pure love of godlinesse and of the true worshipping and service of God that is to say that for saking all manner of things that are repugnant pugnant and contrary unto Gods will wee doe give our hearts unto him and the whole strength of our bodies and soules according to that which is written in the Law Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with k Deut. 6.5 all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy strength Here therefore nothing is left unto us that we may give unto the world and unto the l Rom. 13.14 lusts of the flesh For sith that the heart is the fountaine of all our workes as many as doe with whole heart turne unto the Lord doe m Rom. 14.7 8 9. 1 Thes 5.10 live unto him onely Neither doe they yet repent truely that halting on both sides doe otherwhiles obey God but by and by doe thinke that laying him aside it is lawfull for them to serve the world and the n Rom. 8.8.4 5.12 Gal. 5.16 17.24 flesh Elijah said How long halt ye betweene two opinions or thoughts If the Lord be God o 1 Kings 18.21 follow him but if Baal then follow him The Lord Iesus hath said p Mat. 6.24 No man can serve two Masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else hee will hold to the one and despise the other Yee cannot serve God and Mammon Of Vaine glory IT is signified in the second part of the * T. 2. p. 203. Homily concerning the Sacrament That by vaine-glory ambition c. people are q Prov. 13.10 dissevered which should be joyned together in unity and godly love And therefore in the sacred Letany we are taught to pray for to bee delivered from it Saint Paul saith Let us not be desirous of vaine-glory r Gal. 5.26 provoking one another envying one another Christ said to the disobedient Iewes Å¿ Rom. 5.44 How can ye beleeve which receive honour one of another and seeke not the honour which commeth from God onely Againe the Lord saith t Iohn 7.18 Hee that speaketh of himselfe seeketh his owne glory but he that seeketh his glory that sent him the same is true and no unrighteousnesse is in him Saint Paul saith O Timothy keepe that which is committed to thy trust avoiding prophane and vaine bablings and u 1 Tim. 6.20 21. oppositions of science falsely so called which some professing have erred concerning the faith Saint Iohn saith Among the chiefe Rulers many beleeved on Christ and because of the Pharisees they did not confesse him lest they should bee put out of the Synagogue For they w Ioh. 12.42 43. loved the praise of men more than the praise of God Of Hypocrisie IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 10. Homily of the misery of man it is said Few of the proud just learned wise perfect and holy Pharisees were saved by Christ because they justified themselves by their counterfeit holinesse before men Wherefore good people let us beware of such hypocrisie vaine glory and justifying of our selves The Lord said unto his disciples Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees which is x Luk 12.1 hypocrisie The Lord signifieth that the Hypocrites doe their Almes for to y Mat. 6.2.5 have glory of men They love to pray standing c. that they may bee seene of men They make long z Mat. 23.14 prayer thinking to be heard for their a Mat. 6.7 much speaking They outwardly b Mat. 23.28 appeare righteous unto men but within are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie All their workes they doe for to be c Mat. 23.5 seene of men They justifie d Mat. 16 15. themselves before men Saint Paul saith not he that c 2 Cor. 10.18 commendeth himselfe is approved but whom the Lord commendeth Christ hath very plainly displayed the nature of hypocrisie in the 23. Chapter of Saint Matthew Of Heresie IN the Letany we are taught to pray To be delivered from all false doctrine and heresie Saint Paul saith unto Titus A man that is an f Tit. 3.10.11 Heretike after the first and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inverto id quod interius eratextrà verto seu resuâ—ino An Heretike is as a dogge returned to his owne vomit againe 2 Pet. 2.22.21 second admonition reject knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being coÌ„demned of himselfe Whence it may appeare that 3. things are to be considered concerning heresie First that it is a departing out of the narrow way that leadeth unto life eternall both with minde and life or a turning cleane contrary to the right forme Secondly it is returning unto an habit of sinning And thirdly it is a condition or estate without peace of conscience but having an inward condemnation They of the Church of Rome which call heretikes the members of the Apostolicall Church of England namely that Church in England which is by Law established under the Kings Majestie doe greatly and damnably slander them For the true meÌ„bers of the said Apostolicall Church of England are not in minde and life departed forth of the narrow way
which leadeth unto life eternall neither doe they give themselves unto sinning neither are they without Gods peace in their consciences Every true member of the said Church of England endevoureth to beleeve and live according to the divine Servince-doctrine and the rest of the doctrine and discipline which is established by publike or common Authority All which said doctrine discipline as this present worke abundantly declareth serveth to further people in the g Ier. 6.16 old pathes where is the good way as the Prophet Ieremiah speaketh and every one that faithfully walketh therein according to the established doctrine and discipline findeth more and more rest for his minde or soule Of hardnesse of heart IN the second part of the * T. 2. p. 269 270. Homily of Repentance it is said Let us hearken unto the voyce of Almighty God h Prov. 1.23 24 28. when he calleth us to repentance let us not i Iob 9.4 Prov. 21.29 and 29.1 harden our hearts as such k Exod. 8.15 Infidels doe who abuse the time l Rev. 2.2 given them of God to repent and turne it to continue their pride and contempt against God and man which know not how much they m Rom. 2.5 Iam. 5.3 heape Gods wrath upon themselves for the hardnesse of their hearts which cannot repent at the n Luke 13.25 26 27. day of vengeance With great godly wisedome hath holy Church ordained to be read at morning Prayer the Psalme wherein God saith unto us by his servant David To day if ye will heare my voice o Ps 95.8 harden not your hearts Wherefore Saint Paul saith Take heed brethren lest there bee in any of you an evill hart of unbeliefe in departing from the living God But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you bee p Heb. 3.12.13.14.15 hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne For wee are made partakers of Christ if wee hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end A meanes to unharden ones owne heart is to beleeve aswell Christs q Mat. 5.20 Matt. 18.3 Luk. 13.3 Rom. 8.13 Luk. 14.26.33 Ioh. 15.6 threatnings as his promises And al that do beleeve what is said in the Gospell concerning his unpartiall judging of mankind have not hearts so hard as they have which beleeve not those divine Oracles concerning Christs righteous judging See Zechariah 7.9.10.11.12.13 and Acts. 28.23.24.25.26.27 Of Desperation IN the second part of the * T. 2. p. 57.58 Homily of falling from God it is said Let us beware good Christian people lest that wee rejecting or casting away Gods word by the which we obtaine and retaine true faith in God be not at length cast off so farre that wee become as the childrē of unbeleefe which be of two sorts far diverse yea almost cleane contrary and yet both be very farre from returning to God the one sort onely weighing their sinfull and detestable living with the right judgement and straitnesse of Gods righteousnesse be so without counsell and be so comfortlesse as they all must needs bee from whom the Spirit of counsell and comfort is gone that they will not bee perswaded in their hearts but that either God cannot or else that hee will not take them againe to his favour and mercie The other hearing the loving and large promises of Gods mercy and so not conceiving a right faith thereof make those promises larger than ever God did trusting that although they continue in their sinfull and detestable living never so long yet that God at the end of their life will shew his mercy upon them and that then they will returne And both these two sorts of men be in a damnable state and yet neverthelesse God who willeth not the death of the wicked hath shewed meanes whereby both the same if they take heed in r Heb. 3.7.13 2 Cor. 6.1.2 Ioh. 9.5.4 Ioh. 12.36 Luk. 13.25.26.27 Mat. 25.10.11.12.13 season may escape The first as they doe dread Gods rightfull justice in punishing sinners whereby they should bee dismayed should despaire indeed as touching any hope that may be in themselves so if they would constantly or stedfastly beleeve that Gods mercy is the remedy appointed against such despaire and distrust not onely for them but generally for all that be sory and truly repentant and will therewithall sticke to Gods mercy they may bee sure they shall obtaine mercy and enter into the Port or haven of safegard into the which whosoever doth come be they before time never so wicked they shall be out of danger of everlasting damnation as God by Ezechiel saith s Ezech. 18.21.22.23.27.28 What time soever a sinner doth returne and take earnest and true repentance I will forget all his wickednesse The other as they bee ready to beleeve Gods promises so they should be as ready to beleeve the t Rev. 21.8 1 Cor. 6.9.10 Gal. 6. threatnings of God aswell they should beleeve the Law as the Gospell aswell that there is an hell and everlasting fire as that there is an heauen and everlasting joy aswell they should beleeve damnation to be threatned to the wicked and evill doers as salvation to be promised to the faithfull in word and workes aswell they should beleeve God to be true in the one as in the other And so along the Church delivereth Gods truth in a wonderfull divine manner Christ saith u Mat. 11.28.29.30 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden with the burden of your sinnes and with griefe for them and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you and learne of me for I am meeke and lowly in heart and ye shall finde rest unto your soules But as Saint Paul saith The Lord Iesus shall bee revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that w 2 Thes 1.7.8.9 obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ who shall be the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power c. Of Sedition and privie conspiracie THough wee heare it or at least should often heare it read in the sacred Letaine From all Sedition and privie conspiracie good Lord deliver us yet how prone are many in the world thereunto Such consider not what the Gospell saith There is no x Rom. 13.1.2 power but of God The powers that bee are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Such consider not that other most memorable oracle of God delivered by S. Peter Submit your selves to y 1 Pet. 2.13.14 every ordinance of man for the Lords sakes whether it be to the King as Supreame or unto governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evill
came to passe in some measure when as the Sacrament of circumcision according to Gods ordinance was receiued But now the grace is receiued in Baptisme and in the circumcision of the heart CHAP. 16. Of the calling of Moses IN the second part of the * T. 1. p. 33. Homily of good workes it is sayd Euer since the fall of Adam all that came of him haue beene so blinded through Originall sinne that they haue beene euer ready to fall from God and his Law and to inuent a new way vnto saluation by Workes of their owne deuising Insomuch that almost all the World forsaking the true honour of the onely eternall liuing God wandred about their owne fantasies Worshipping some the Sunne the Moone c. Such was the rudenesse of the people after they fell to their owne fantasies and left the eternall liuing God and his Commandements that they deuised innumerable images and Gods In which errour and blindnesse they did remaine vntill such time as Almighty God pittying the blindnesse of man sent his true Prophet Moses into the World for to reprooue and to rebuke this extreame madnesse and to teach the people to know the onely liuing God and his true honour and worship o 1 Iohn 3.11.12 Caine is mentioned the first man after Adam that brought foorth the fruites of the fall in that he fell from the loue which by the Law of nature hee owed vnto his Brother and hated him and slew him Caines posterity shewed a degenerated nature namely p Genesis 4.23 Lamech in taking two Wiues Whereas as Christ sayth From q Math. 19.8 the beginning it was not so For in the beginning it was sayd r Genesis 2.24 A man shall leaue Father and Mother and shall cleaue to his Wife and they twaine shall be one flesh Lamech also further manifested his corrupted nature saying I haue Å¿ Genesis 4.24 slayne a man in my Wounding and a young man to my hurt Great was the departure from Gods euerlasting Law vntill the dayes of Enos And t Genesis 4.26 then sayth the Text beganne men to call vpon the name of the Lord. Afterward Enoch the u Iude 14.15 seuenth from Adam prophecied saying Behold the Lord commeth with ten thousands of his Saints to execute iudgement vppon all and to conuince all that are vngodly among them of all their vngodly deedes which they haue vngodly committed and of all their hard speeches which vngodly sinners haue spoken against him But in the dayes of Noah iniquity agayne more exceedingly abounded though hee was a w 2 Pet. 2.5 Preacher of righteousnesse among the people And God brought in the Flood vpon the World of the Vngodly After the Flood the consideration whereof one might thinke would haue terrified mankinde from committing wickednesse people being multiplied especially the x Gene. 10.10 posterity of Ham fel to euill working againe to the building of a City and Tower whose y Gene. 11.4 top might reach vnto Heauen and to make themselues a name c. Yea not only the posterity of Ham but many also of the posterity of Shem degenerated so farre as that they serued z Ios 24.2 other Gods And as Achtor in the Booke of Iudith sayd Abraham with his would not follow the a Iudith 5.7 Gods of their Fathers which were in the Land of Chaldea but left the way of their Ancestours and worshipped the God of Heauen the God whom they knew In the dayes of Abraham there was in the World Gods Priest-hood after the order of b Genesis 14 18 Melchizedec whereof among the most there was little or no vse made but blindnesse of vnderstanding and iniquity of life most preuailed vntill that God raysed vp Moses as the Homily sayth who was c Heb. 3.5 faithfull in all Gods house who also witnessed against the abominations of the world and taught Gods d Ecclus 1.5 euerlasting Law with Gods Statutes e Deut 4.1 and iudgments CHAP. 17. Of the Passeouer IN the first part of the * T. 2 p. 197. Homily concerning receiuing the Sacrament it is sayd Of old time God decreed his wonderous benefits of the deliuerance of his people to be kept in memory by the eating of the Passeouer with his rites and Ceremonies In the second part of the * Page 202. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is sayd That newnesse of life as fruits of Faith is required in the partakers of the Lords table wee may learne by eating of the Typicall Lambe whereunto no man was admitted but hee that was a Iew that was circumcised that was before sanctified And in the * To. 2. p. 196. Transitus noster id est Phase ita eâ—lebratur siterrena et AegiptuÌ„ dimittenteâ— ad Coelestia festmemus Hieronimus in cap. 26. Math. Homily of the Resurrection it is sayd Christ our Easter Lambe is offered vp for vs to slay the power of sinne to deliuer vs from the danger thereof and to giue vs exampleÌ„ to dye vnto sinne in our liues And let vs passe ouer the affections of our old conuersation that wee may be deliuered from the bondage thereof and rise vp with Christ Moses from the Lord sayd vnto the people of Israel And f Exo. 12.26.27 it shall come to passe when your Children shall say vnto you what meane you by this seruice That yee shall say it is the sacrifice of the Lords Passeouer who passed ouer the houses of the Children of Israel in Egypt when hee smote the Egyptions and deliuered our houses Also sayth Moses g Exod. 12.48 when a stranger shall soiourne with thee and will keepe the Passeouer vnto the Lord let all his Males bee Circumcised and then let him come neere and keepe it And he shall be as one that is borne in the Land for no vncircumcised person shall eate thereof And concerning the Spirituall signification of the Passeouer it is manifest out of Saint Paules Words where he sayth h 1 Cor. 5.7.8 Purge out the old Leauen that yee may be a new Lumpe as yee are vnleauened for euen Christ our Passeouer is sacrificed for vs. Therefore let vs keepe the Feast not with olde Leauen neyther with the Leauen of malice and wickednesse but with the vnleauened bread of sincerity and truth The Passeouer was the second Sacrament celebrated in the Church of the Iewes the i Deut. 14.2 peculiar people of God in those times CHAP. 18. Of the Law giuen by Moses IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 275. Homily against Disobedience and wilfull Rebellion it is sayd As God the Creatour and Lord of all things appoynted his Angels and Heauenly Creatures in all obedience to serue and to honour his Maiesty So was it his will that man his chiefe Creature vpon the earth should liue vnder the obedience of his Creatour and Lord. And for that cause God as soone as hee had Created man gaue vnto him
ye seeke a proofe of Christ speaking in me He also inwardly instructeth his people as it is testified of Lydia That the Lord Å¿ Acts 16.14 opened her heart that she attended vnto the things which were spoken by Paul Also he is the foreceller of things to come as it is written t Reuel 1.1 The Reuelation of Iesus Christ which God gaue vnto him to shew vnto his seruants things which must shortly come to passe u Heb. 1.1 God saith the Apostle to the Hebrews who at sundry times and in diuerse manners spake in times past to the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken vnto vs by his Sonne who hath sayd w Heb 2.12 I will declare thy name vnto my brethren CHAP. 29. Of Christs Kingdome IN the third part of the * Tom. 2 p. 227. Homily for Rogation weeke it is sayd To Iesus Christ our Sauiour and Mediatour hath God the Father giuen the power of heauen and earth and the whole iurisdiction and authority to distribute his goods and gifts committed vnto him For so writeth the Apostle x Ephes 4.7 To euery one of vs is grace giuen according to the measure of Christs giuing And thereupon to execute his authority committed after that he had brought sinne and the diuell to captiuity to be no more hurtfull to his members he ascended vp to his Father againe and from thence sent liberall gifts to his well beloued seruants and hath still the power to the worlds end for to distribute his Fathers gifts continually in his Church to the establishment and comfort thereof In the first part of the * Tom. 1â— 54 Homily concerning falling from God it is sayd Whereas God hath shewed to all them that truly beleeue his Gospel his face of mercy in Iesus Christ which doth so lighten their hearts that they if they behold it as they ought to doe be transformed to his image be made partakers of the heauenly light and of his Holy Spirit and be fashioned to him in all goodnesse requisite to the children of God So if they after doe neglect the same if they be vnthankefull vnto him if they order not their liues according to his example and doctrine and to the setting forth of his glory he will take away from them his Kingdome his Holy Word whereby he should reigne in them because they bring not forth the fruite thereof that he looketh for Saint Paul sayth to the Romanes y Rom 5.20.21 The law entred that the offence might abound but where sinne abounded grace did much more abound That as sinne hath reigned vnto death euen so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life by Iesus Christ our Lord. z Math. 28.18 All power sayth Christ is giuen to me both in heauen and in earth Concerning his Kingdome Isaiah thus writeth a Isa 9.6.7 Vnto vs a childe is borne vnto vs a Sonne is giuen and the gouernment shall be vpon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderfull Counseller the mighty God the euerlasting Father the Prince of peace of the increase of his gouernement and peace there shall bee no ende vpon the Throne of Dauid and vpon his Kingdome to order it and to establish it with iudgement and with iustice from hencefoorth euen for euer b Rom. 14.17 The Kingdome of God saith Paul is righteousnesse peace and ioy in the Holy Ghost c Luk. 17.20.21 The Kingdome of God saith Iesus Christ commeth not with obseruation neither shall they say Loe here or Loe there for behold the Kingdome of God is within you d Psal 145.13 Thy Kingdome saith Dauid is an * Or a kingdome of all ages as in the Margent euerlasting Kingdome and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations Christ must e 1. Cor. 15.24.25 reigne saith Paul till he hath put all his enemies vnder his feete Then commeth the end when he shall haue deliuered vp the Kingdome to God euen the Father when he shall haue put downe all rule and all authority and power CHAP. 30. Of Christs mediation for his people and of the reconciliation IN the third part of the * Tom. 2. p. 228 Homily for Rogation weeke it is said God the Father of all mercy wrought the high benefit vnto vs of reconciliation not by his owne person but by a meane by no lesse meane than his onely beloued Sonne whom he spared not from any paine and trauaile that might doe vs good And in the said part of the * Page 228. Homily it is further deliuered That as by him being the euerlasting Wisedome he wrought all the world and that is contained therein so by him onely and wholy would he haue all things restored againe in heauen and in earth In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 118. Homily concerning Prayer it is sayd Whereas we must needes vse the helpe of some mediatour and intercessour let vs content our selues with him that is the true and only f Heb. 9.15 Mediatour of the new Testament namely the Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ For as Saint Iohn sayth g 1. Ioh 2.1.2 If any man sinne we haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous who is the propitiation for our sinnes And Saint Paul in his first Epistle to Timothy sayth h 1 Tim. 2.5.6 There is one God and one Mediatour betweene God and man euen the man Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe a ransome for all men to be a testimony in due time The Prophet Isaiah declaring the state of man fallen saith i Isa 59.2 Your iniquities haue separated betweene you and your God and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that he will not heare Saint Paul sheweth the Saints of Ephesus what Christs mediation had wrought for them saying k Eph. 2.13.14.15.16 But now in Christ Iesus Yee who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the bloud of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken downe the middle wall of partition betweene vs hauing abolished in his flesh the enmity euen the law of commandements conteined in ordinances for to make in himselfe of twaine one new man so making peace Likewise he sayth to the Saints of Colosse l Colos 1.18 19.20 21.22.23 It pleased the Father that in him should all fulnesse dwell And hauing made peace through the bloud of his crosse by him to reconcile all things vnto himselfe by him I say whether they bee things in earth or things in heauen And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your minde by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and vnblameable and vnreproueable in his sight If yee continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moued away from the hope of the Gospell c. And for as much as Christ is for his people an
Scriptures into our mother tongue to be faithfull and meet for vs both to heare and read yea and to settle our beliefe therein and ought we not also to ascribe great authoritie unto the spirit of the Church in her x 1 Thes 5.20 prophecying or sermon making her composing of the Homilies for our instruction in the Doctrine of the holy Scriptures Wee pray unto God as her wisedome hath prescribed we heare and read for holy Scripture as her wisedome hath translated and ought we not with like conscionable respect to heare and read the exhortations interpretations applications c. in her Homilies set forth for Doctrine refutation correction and instruction in righteousnesse as her wisdome hath delivered unto us The great authority of the deliveries in the Homilies may appeare unto us out of this consideration When wee heare a Pastour Curate or Lecturer preach wee heare deliveries which are but the wisdome of a private Minister But when wee heare a Homily read wee heare deliveries which are the wisdome of the Church or for approbation whereof the whole Churches Clergie have written their * See the Epistle to the Reader and the Advertisement afterward Of the Curates making a short exhortation to the people when iust occasion is thereunto assent Concerning exhortation in publike it is said in the Rubricke after the Nicene Creed After such sermon homily or exhortation the Curate shall declare unto the people whether there be any holy-dayes or fasting dayes the weeke following and earnestly exhort them to remember the poore saying one or moe of these sentences following as hee thinketh most convenient by his discretion In the * T. 2. p. 138. Homily of Common prayer and Sacraments a saying of Iustinus Martyr is related viz. Vpon the Sunday assemblies are made both of them that dwell in Cities and of them that dwell in the Countrey also Amongst whom as much as may bee the writings of the Apostles and Prophets are read Afterwards when the reader doth cease the chiefe Minister maketh an exhortation exhorting them to follow honest things In the first part of the * T. 2. p. 3. Homily concerning the right use of the Church there is mentioned what the Ruler of the Temple in Antiochia signified unto Paul and Barnabas after the lesson or reading of the Law and Prophets viz. If any of you have any exhortation to make unto the people y Acts 13.15 say it That exercise which now is cōmonly called preaching answereth much to the aforesaid exhortation yea exhortation is part of a preaching as Paul saith z 1 Cor. 14.3 He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort But the exhortation here now meant is a short speech made unto the people which is allowed by authority yea required in sundry cases As when a briefe is read then to exhort the people unto a Rom. 12.13 2 Cor. 9 5. contribution by alleaging some Scriptures and reasons whereby the more to move them to the same When poore parties are to be married and doe desire an Offering then an b Heb. 10.24 Gal. 2.10 1 Tim. 6.17 18. exhortation may be made unto the Congregation for to stirre them unto liberality Sundry occasions doe sometimes come to passe needing some short exhortation for matters better administration CHAP. 47. Of expounding the Scriptures and of preaching also of peoples hearing sermons IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 4. Homily concerning the right use of the Church it is said That it is convenient that the Scriptures of God and specially the Gospell of our Saviour Christ should be read and expounded to us that be Christians in our Churches c. It is written in Nehemiah that the Priests read in the Law of God distinctly and gave the c Neh. 8.7 8. sense and caused the people to understand the reading Of Preaching Concerning preaching the aforesaid part of that Homily also delivereth In Luke ye reade how Iesus according to his accustomed use came into the Temple and how the booke of Isaias the Prophet was delivered him how hee read a Text therein and made a d Luke 4.16 17 18 19 20 21. sermon upon the same In the first part of the * T. 1. p. 54. Homily concerning falling from God it is said God doth send his Messengers the true preachers of his Word to e Isa 58.1 admonish and warne us of our duty The 45. constitution of the Church is Every beneficed man allowed to bee a preacher and residing on his benefice having no lawfull impediment shall in his owne Cure or in some other Church or Chappell where he may conveniently neare adjoyning where no preacher is preach one sermon every sunday of the yeare wherein he shall soberly and sincerely f 2 Tim. 2.15 divide the word of truth to the glory God and to the g 1 Cor. 14.12 Of the dignity of preaching according to holy Church her prescription best edification of the people Such a preaching of Gods Word is an exercise worthily had in high account It hath the operation of Gods Spirit commonly accompanying it into the hearts of the hearers The h Heb. 4.12 Word of God divided aright is quicke and powerfull and sharper then any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Saint Paul saith An i 1 Cor. 14.24 25. unbeleever comming in where prophesie or faithfull preaching is becommeth to be convinced in conscience The secrets of his heart are made manifest and so falling downe on his face hee will worship God and report that of a truth God is in the Preacher How k Act. 2.41 powerfull was the sermon of Peter which he made to the Iewes by the inspiration of Gods Spirit and the same Spirits operation in the hearts of his hearers The Lord said by Ieremiah concerning some Prophets If they had l Ier. 23.27 28 29. stood in my Counsell and had caused my people to heare my words then they should haue turned them from their evill wayes and from the evill of their doings He that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces The Apostle saith If our Gospell be m 2 Cor. 4.3 4 hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the god of this world hath blinded the mindes of them that beleeve not lest the light of the glorious gospell of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Of Peoples hearing of Sermons Now concerning peoples hearing of sermons it is said in the exhortation at the end of Baptisme-service That Children may know the better what their godfathers and godmothers promised and vowed in their names they shall be called upon to
Moses Moses is preached What is it to preach though the terme be now by an excellency commonly used for to make a sermon of about an houre long in the Pulpit is it not openly to make knowne the Doctrine of Christian faith and life And is not then the heavenly trueth e In Luke 8.39 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is many times translated preaching is rendred published published or preached in the reading of the lessons the Epistle and the Gospell Is not Gods truth as concerning godlinesse f So in Luke 12.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which sometimes is rendred shall be treached as in Mat. 24 14. is there rendred shall bee proclaimed published in the reading of the common prayer in the reading of the Homilies in the explaining of the Catechisme in the Divine service and by instructing the ignorant in the same Let such as so sleight contemne or neglect the Divine service-deliveries examine themselves if they be not of like minde to those of whom it is written in Ezechiel g Ezek. 33.30 31 32. that will speake one to another every one to his brother saying Come I pray you and heare what is the word that cōmeth forth from the Lord And they come unto thee as the people commeth and they sit before thee as my people and they heare thy words but they will not doe them for with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their covetousnesse And loe thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voyce and can play well on an Instrument for they heare thy words but they doe them not Or rather if they be not such as Saint Paul foretold would be in the last dayes h 2 Tim. 4.3.4 who will not endure sound Doctrine but after their owne lusts will heape to themselves teachers having itching eares and they will turne away their eares from the trueth and will be turned unto fables Being also lovers i 2 Tim. 3.2 4 5. of their owne selves boasters proud disobedient to parents unthankfull unholy without naturall affection false accusers fierce despisers of those that are good heady high minded c. having a forme of godlinesse but denying the power thereof Were it the righteousnesse of faith and life which they k Mat. 5.6 hungred and thirsted after and as the sacred Letany saith to have the grace of Gods holy Spirit for to amend their lives according to his holy Word also for to have an heart to love and dread God and diligently to live after his Commandements They by the grace of Christ should perceive in the books of Divine service frō the publike hearing of the same a plentifull helpe to bee towards attaining that l Phil. 3.14 make as also by the reading of the holy Scriptures which the Church hath translated for them into the English tongue Who now a dayes attaineth unto that soundnesse of faith and unto that measure of holinesse and righteousnesse of life as is prescribed and taught plainly in the bookes of the Divine service Is it any godlinesse or true devotion or any property of the Christian profession for people having most wholesome food by the greatest wisedome and care of the Church prepared and so disposed as it may bee profitably received and inwardly digested unto the great increase of holy understanding and upright living in their owne Parish for to goe out thence ordinarily for food abroad with violating the established order of the Church giving offence to the Minister and a great m 1 Cor. 10.32.24.33 Rom. 14.13.19 1 Cor. 8.13 scandall to the people of the congregation CHAP. 48. Of peoples reading the holy Scriptures in private and of meanes helping unto the understanding of them THE very first of all the sacred sermons or * T. 1. p. 1. Homilies of the Church is titled a fruit full exhortation to the reading and knowledge of holy Scripture and it saith Vnto a Christian man there can bee nothing either more necessary or profitable than the knowledge of holy Scripture forasmuch as in it is contained Gods true Word setting forth his glory and also mans n 2 Tim. 3.16 17. duty And there is no truth nor doctrine o Isa 8.20 necessary for our justification and everlasting salvation but that is or may be drawne out of that Fountaine and Well of truth Therefore as many as bee desirous to enter into the right and perfect way unto God must apply their mindes to know holy Scripture without the which they can neither p Mat. 22.29 Ier. 8.9 sufficiently know God and his will neither their office and duty And as drinke is pleasant to them that be dry and meat to them that be hungry So is the reading hearing searching and studying of holy Scripture to them that be desirous to know God or themselves and to q Ps 19.10 and 119.103 Iohn 7.17 Ps 103.18 Mat. 7.21 doe his will And their stomacks onely doe r Mat. 7.6 2 Pet. 2.22 Phil. 3.19 loath and abhorre the heavenly knowledge and food of Gods Word that be so drowned in worldly f Eph. 4.17 Ier. 2.5 vanities that they neither t Rom. 8.5 savour God nor any godlinesse For that is the cause why they desire such vanities rather than the true knowledge of God And so along forward the said Homily delivereth sentences worthy to bee printed in letters of gold yea to be laid up in the secret of our hearts In the first part of the * T. 2. p. 143. Homily an information for them which take offence at certaine places of the holy Scripture it is said The great utility and profit that Christian men and women may take if they will by hearing and reading the holy Scriptures dearely beloved no heart can sufficiently conceive much lesse is my tongue able with words to expresse Wherefore Satan our enemy seeing the Scriptures to bee the very meane and right way to bring people to the true knowledge of God and that Christian religion is greatly furthered by diligent hearing and reading of them hee also perceiving what an hinderance and lett they bee to him and his kingdome doth what he can to drive the reading of them out of Gods Church And so forward it treateth in a wonderfull Divine manner In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 230. Homily for Rogation weeke it is said No where can we more certainly search for the knowledge of the will of God by the which we must direct all our workes and deeds but in the holy Scriptures for they be they that u Iohn 5.39 testifie of him saith our Saviour Christ We see with what vanity the schoole doctrine is mixed for that in this Word they sought not the w Eph. 5.17 Rom. 12.2 will of God but rather the will of reason the trade of custome the path of the fathers the practice of the Church Let
returning first he will have us to returne unto him with our g Ioel 1.12 whole heart whereby he doth remove and put away all hypocrisie lest the same might justly be said unto us This people draweth neare unto me with their mouth and worship me with their lips but their h Mat. 15.8 heart is far off from me Secōdly he requireth a sincere and pure love of godlinesse and of the true worshipping and service of God that is to say that forsaking all maner of things that are repugnant contrary unto Gods will we do give our i Prov. 22.26 hearts unto him and the k Luke 10.27 whole strength of our bodies and soules Here therefore is nothing left unto us that wee may give unto the world and unto the lusts of the flesh For sith that the heart is the l Prov. 4.23 fountaine of all our workes as many as doe with whole heart turne unto the Lord doe m Rom. 14.7 3 live unto him onely In the second part of the * P. 264 265. Homily of Repentance it is said Now it shall be declared unto you what be the true parts of repentance and what things ought to move us to repent and to returne unto the Lord our GOD with all n Psa 119.60 speed Repentance as it is said before it is a true returning unto God wherby men * Prov. 28.13 Isa 55.7 Ezek. 14.4 5 6 Ezek. 18.21 30 31. forsaking utterly their idolatry and wickednesse doe with a lively faith embrace o 1 Iohn 4.7 8 16. love and worship the p Rev. 14.7 true living God onely and give themselves to all manner of q 1 Tim. 5.10 Tit. 2.14 Eph. 2.10 2 Tim. 3.17 Of the foure parts of Repentance good workes which by Gods Word they know to bee acceptable unto him Now there bee foure parts of repentance which being set together may be likened to an easie and short Ladder whereby we may climbe from the bottomlesse pit of perdition that wee cast our selves into by our dayly offences and grievous sinnes up into the Castle and Towre of eternall and endlesse salvation The first is the r Ioel. 2.13 Acts 2.37 condition of the heart For we must be earnestly sory for our sinnes and unfainedly lament and ſ Zechar. 12.10 Ezek. 36.31 bewaile that wee have by them so grievously offended our most bounteous and mercifull God who so tenderly loved us that he gave his onely begotten Sonne to dye a most bitter death and to shed his deare heart-blood for our redemption and deliverance And verily this inward sorrow and griefe being t Iam. 4.9 10. conceived in the heart for the heynoursnesse of sinne if it be earnest and unfeined is a sacrifice to God as the holy Prophet doth testifie saying u Ps 51.17 Isa 57.15 and 66.2 5. A meanes to unharden our hearts A sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and broken heart O Lord thou wilt not despise But that this may take place in us we must bee diligent to read and heare the Scriptures and Word of God which most lively doe paint out before our eyes our naturall w Isa 64.6 Eph. 2.2 3 12. uncleannesse and the x Rem 7.7 Ps 1.7 8. 2 Tim. 3.16 17 Ps 119.104 105 130. Eph. 5.13 enormity of our sinfull life The second is an vnfained confession and acknowledging of our sinnes unto God whom by them wee have so grievously offended that if he should deale with us according to his y Ps 143.2 justice we doe deserve a thousand Hels if there could be so many Yet if we will with a sorrowfull and contrite heart make an unfained z 1 Iohn 1.7 9. Ps 32.5 Ezek 18.22 confession of them unto God he will freely and frankly forgive them and so put all our wickedness a Micah 7.18 19. out of remēbrance before the sight of his Majesty that they shall no more be thought upon The third part of Repentance is faith wherby we doe apprehend and take hold upon the promises of GOD touching free pardon and b Col. 2.13 Rom. 3.25 24. Eph. 4.32 Heb. 9.15 forgivenesse of our sins Which promises are sealed up unto us with the c Heb. 2.9 14 15. Heb. 9.16.17 22 23. Mat. 26.28 death and bloodshedding of his Sonne Iesus Christ The fourth in an amendment of life or a new life in bringing forth the d Mat 3.8 10. 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 5.24 fruits worthy of repentance For they that doe truly repent must be cleane altered e Rom. 12.1 2. 2 Cor. 3.18 Ier. 48.11 changed they must become new creatures they must be no more the f Ier. 50.4 5. Ezek. 18.31 Mar. 16.17 1 Cor. 6.11 same that they were before They that doe from the bottome of their hearts acknowledge their sins and are unfainedly sorry for their offences will cast off all hypocrisie and put on true humility and g Mat. 11.29 1 Pet. 5.5 Eph. 4.2 lowlinesse of heart They will not onely receive the Physitian of the soule but also with a most fervent desire h Ps 101.1 and 84.2 and 42.1 2 3. Song 3.1 2 3. and 5.8 long for him They will not onely i 1 Pet. 2.11.12 1 Pet. 4.1 2 3 4. abstaine from the sinnes of their former life and from all other filthy vices but also flee eschew and k 1 Thes 5.22 abhorre all the occasions of them and as before they did give themselves to uncleannesse of life so will they form henceforwards with all diligence give themselves to innocency l Rom. 6.13.29 purenesse of life and true godliness m Luke 19.8 Zacheus after his repentāce was no more the man that he was before but was cleane changed altered It is therfore our parts if at least we be desirous of the health salvatiō of our own selves most earnestly to pray unto our heavēly father to n Eph. 3.16 Luke 11.13 assist us with his holy Spirit that we may be able to o Iohn 10.27 hearken unto the voice of the true Shepheard and with due p Acts 3.22 1 Pet. 4.17 obedience to follow the same Let us hearken to the voyce of Almightie God when he q Pro. 1.23 24. calleth us to repentance let us not r Heb. 3.7 8 15. harden our hearts as such infidels doe who abuse the time ſ Rev. 2.21 given them of God to repent and turne it to continue their pride and contempt against God and man which know not how much they t Rom. 2.4 5. heape Gods wrath upon themselves for the hardnesse of their hearts which cannot u Luke 13.25 Mat. 25.8 9 10 11 12. repent at the day of vengeance In the third part of the * P. 271. Homily of Repentance there are declared some causes which should the rather move us unto repentance As first the Commandement of God who in
Booke of the Wisdome of Solomon where it is said That in her is an z Wis 7.22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29. understanding Spirit Holy one onely manifold subtill lively cleare undefiled plaine not subject to hurt loving the thing that is good quicke which cannot bee letted ready to doe good kinde to man stedfast sure free from care having all power overseeing all things and going through all understanding pure and most subtill spirits For Wisdome is more moving than any motion she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her purenesse For she is the breath of the power of God and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty Therefore can no defiled thing fall into her For the is the brightnesse of the everlasting light the unspotted mirrour of the power of God and the Image of his goodnesse And being but one shee can doe all things and remaining in her selfe she maketh all things new and in all ages entring into holy soules shee maketh them friends of God and Prophets For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with Wisdome For she is more beautiful than the Sunne and above all the order of the Starres being compared with the light shee is found before it There are two Holy Scriptures which tell us what is wisdome and understanding In the Booke of Iob it is said Behold the feare of the Lord that is a Iob. 28.28 wisdome and to depart from evill is understanding Moses sheweth the same also saying Behold I have taught you statutes and judgements c. Keepe therefore and doe them for this is your b Deut. 4.6 wisdome and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall heare all these statutes and say Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 230. Homily for Rogation weeke the Church very divinely hereto saith Let us with so good an heart pray as Solomon did and wee shall not faile but to have the spirit of Wisdomes assistance For he is soone c Wis 1.2 Wis 6.12.13.14 seene of them that love him hee will be found of them that seeke him for very liberall and gentle is the spirit of Wisdome In his power shall we have sufficient ability to d Ioh. 16.13 know our duty to God in him shall wee be e Acts. 9.31 Ioh. 14.16 comforted and couraged to walke in our duty in him shall wee bee meete vessels to receive the grace of Almighty God for it is hee that purgeth and * 1 Pet. 1.22 purifieth the minde by his secret working And he onely is present every where by his invisible power and containeth all things in his dominion Hee lightneth the heart to conceive worthy thoughts to Almighty God shee sitteth in the tongue of man to stirre him to speake his honour no language is hid from him for he hath the knowledge of all speech he onely ministreth spirituall f Eph. 3.16 strength to the powers of our soule and body Of the spirit of Counsell Concerning the spirit of Counsell it is such an ability in some measure as Paul had whereof he speaketh to the Corinthians saying That we may be able to g 2 Cor. 1.4 comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God Solomon saith A wise man will heare and will increase learning and a man of understanding shall attaine unto wise h Prov. 1.5 counsels Iethro was not onely wise for himselfe but had ability to give some good i Exod. 18.19 counsell unto Moses also Of ghostly strength Concerning ghostly strength or strength in the spirit Paul prayeth for it to be given to the Ephesians saying That God would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be k Eph. 3.16 17 18 19. strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that yee being rooted and grounded in love may bee able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that yee may be filled with all the fulnesse of God Some are but l Rom. 14. ◠weake in the faith but Abraham was m Rom. 4.19.20 strong in faith Paul for the Colossians having prayed that they might bee filled with the knowledge of Gods will in all wisdome and spirituall understanding desireth also that they may be n Col. 1.9 10 11. strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulnesse Of the spirit of Knowledge Concerning the spirit of knowledge it is to bee considered that more is meant than a meere Historicall knowledge of truth namely an experimentall knowledge whereof Saint Iohn saith Hereby doe we o 1 Ioh. 2.3 know that wee know him if wee keepe his commandements God saith by Ieremiah Did not thy father eate and drinke and doe judgement and justice and then it was well with him Hee judged the cause of the poore and needy then it was well with him Was not this to p Ier. 22.15.16 know mee saith the Lord Hereto pertaineth that knowledge which is promised to be given to the cōprehended in the new covenant whereof the Lord by the same Prophet saith I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and they shall all q Ier. 31.33.34 know mee from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord. Of the spirit of true godlinesse Concerning the spirit of true godlinesse thereby is meant the inward worshipping of God within the spirit principally wherewith God is r Ioh. 4.23 most delighted Saint Paul saith Bodily exercise profiteth little but s 1 Tim. 4.8 godlinesse is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come The outward worshipping of God in every particular manner is with all care to be performed and preserved But withall the walking with God and the inward * Micah 6.8 as in the margent humbling of ones selfe thereto is to be zealously endevoured by the which we draw t Heb. 7.19 Ps 148.14 Iam. 4.8.9.10 Of the spirit of the Holy feare of the Lord. nigh unto God Lastly Concerning the spirit of the Holy feare of the Lord that is hereto considerable which is written That Christ in the dayes of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and teares unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that hee u Heb. 5.7 feared Great was the w Ioh. 8.49 reverence which Iesus Christ did continually beare towards God his Father Wee are required to x Eph. 5.1.2 1 Pet. 2.21 Ioh. 13.15 imitate him in all things written of him for our example
he is a Papist he is an Heretike O how the Church is divided O how the Cities bee cut and mangled O how the Coat of Christ that was without seame is all to rent and torne O body mysticall of Christ where is that holy and happy Vnity e Iohn 15.5.6 Eph. 2.12 out of the which whosoever is hee is not in Christ * Marke well this sacred delivery concerning the Absolute necessity of being in Christian Vnity or of unfeined striving thereunto If one member be pulled from another where is the body If the body be drawne from the head where is the life of the body Wee cannot bee joyned to Christ our head except we be glued with concord and charite one towards another For he that is not of this Vnity is not of the Church of Christ which is a Congregation or Vnity together and not a division Saint Paul saith That as long as emulation or envying contention and Factions or Sects be among us we be f 1 Cor. 3.3 carnall and walke according to the fleshly man And Saint Iames saith g Iam. 3.14.15.16 If ye have bitter emulation or envying and contention in your hearts glory not of it for where as contention is there is unstedfastnesse and all evill deeds And why do we not heare Saint Paul which prayeth us whereas he might command us saying I beseech you in the name of our Lord Christ Iesus that you will speake all h 1 Cor. 1.10 one thing and that there be no dissention among you but that you will bee one whole body of one minde and of one opinion in the truth The same Apostle also saith i Eph. 4.1.2.3.4.5.6 I exhort you that you walke as it becommeth the vocation in which you be called with all submission and meekenesse with lenity and softnesse of minde bearing one another by charity studying to keepe the Vnity of the spirit by the bond of peace For there is one body one spirit one faith one baptisme There is saith he but one body of the which he can bee no lively member that is at variance with the other members There is one spirit k Eph. 2.22 1 Cor. 12.13 which joyneth and knitteth all things in one And how can this one spirit l 1 Kings 19.11.12.13 raigne in us when wee among our selves be divided There is but one faith and how can wee then say he is of the old faith and he is of the new faith There is but one baptisme and then shall not all they which be baptised be one m Prov. 13.10 Contention causeth division wherefore it n 1 Cor. 11.16.18 Rom. 16.17 Gal 5.19.20.21 ought not to be among Christians whom one faith and baptisme ioyneth in an Vnity Againe Saint Paul saith o Phil. 2.1.2.3 If there be any consolation in Christ if there bee any comfort of love If you have any fellowship of the spirit if you have any bowels of pitty and compassion fulfill my joy being all like affected having one charity being of one minde of one opinion that nothing be done by contention or vaine glory In the * T. 2. p. 179. Homily for Good-Friday it is said Christ delighteth to enter and dwell in that soule where p Ioh. 14.23 Act. 2.1.2.3.4 love and charity ruleth and where peace and concord is seene In the second part of the * T. 2. p. 203. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is said Saint Paul writeth that we being many are q 1 Cor. 10.17 one bread and one body for all bee partakers of one bread Declaring thereby not onely our communion with Christ but that Vnitie also wherein they that eate at this table should be r Col. 2.2.19 knit together For by dissention vaine glory ambition strife envying contempt hatred or malice they should not be dissevered but so joyned by the bond of love in one mysticall body as the cornes of that bread in one loafe In the fourth part of the * T. 2. p. 235. Homily for Rogation weeke it is signified that by love and charity which is the onely livery of a Christian man and by godly peace and quiet wee bee knit together in one generall fellowship of Christs ſ Eph. 3.15 family in one common t Eph. 2.19 1 Gal. 6.10 houshold of God And because that all true members of Christs Church doe live in unity of the most holy faith and in uniformity of godly life or unfeinedly endeavor thereunto they are therefore in the first Collect for Good Friday called Gods Family and in the Collect for the fift Sunday after the Epiphany are called God Houshold David saith u Ps 122.3 as in the Divine Service translation Ierusalem is builded as a City that is at unitie in it selfe Saint Paul very lively sheweth the unity of Christs Church saying From the head Christ the whole body fitly w Eph. 4.16 joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it selfe in love To the Colossians he saith From the head Iesus Christ all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and x Col. 2.19 knit together increaseth w th the increase of God S. Paul to the Corinthians speaking of himselfe and other servāts of Christ saith * An holy Scripture much considerable hereto Walked we not in the y 2 Cor. 12.18 same spirit walked we not in the same steps Were wee not of one minde and of one life The Lord by Ieremiah promiseth to all people obedient to his will that he will give them z Ier. 32.39 one heart and one way that they may feare him for ever for the good of them and of their Children after them Zechariah saith And the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day there shall bee one Lord and his a Zech. 14.9 name one Saint Paul saith to the Corinthians As the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are b 1 Cor. 12.12 13 14. one body so also is Christ For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether we bee bond or free and have beene all made to drinke into one spirit For the body is not one member but many Saint Paul saith to the Ephesians Christ is the Saviour of his c Eph. 5.23 body of members indeavouring to keepe the unity of his spirit He will save his d Heb. 5.9 obedient e Mat. 1.21 people from their sinnes but will condemne to everlasting destruction f 2 Thes 1.8 9. such as willingly disobey the commandements of his Gospell If a man saith Christ g Iohn 15.6 abide not in mee he is cast forth as a branch and is withered and men gather them and cast them into
of the Lord Iesus Christ should onely live walke dwell rule and raigne Saint Paul unto Timothy signifieth that people till they bee penitent for their sinfull life and doe bring forth fruits meet for repentance are in the snare of the n 2 Tim. 2.26 Devill taken captive of him at his will Saint Iohn foretold how that o Rev. 20.2 7 8 9. Satan should bee bound a thousand yeares and after that he must bee loosed a little season when the thousand yeares were expired Satan should be loosed out of prison and should goe out to deceive the Nations which are in the foure quarters of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battell the number of whom is as the sand of the sea And that they would goe up on the breadth of the earth and compasse the campe of the Saints about and the beloved City but fire should come downe from God out of heaven and devoure them Saint Paul likewise foreknowing how that in the time when Satan was let loose out of the prison wherein hee had beene bound a thousand yeeres p Mat. 24.12 iniquity would abound and the love of many would waxe cold foretelleth what sinnes would raigne then yea in the professours of the name of Christianity saying This know also that in the q 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5. last dayes perillous times shall come For men will be lovers of their owne selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankfull unholy without naturall affection truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a forme of godlinesse but denying the power thereof How mighty soever the Devill is and that he is like a roaring Lyon yet if the obedient people of God doe resist him Saint Iames saith that he will r Iam. 4.7 flee from them Saint Iohn saith He that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that ſ 1 Ioh. 5.18 wicked one toucheth him not Such as doe t Iam. 4.8 9 10. draw nigh unto God cleansing their hands and purifying their hearts submitting themselves unto God humbling themselves in the sight of the Lord unto such as Iames saith God draweth nigh he giveth grace he lifteth them up into u Ephes 1.3 and 2.6 heavenly places in Christ Iesus Iob the obedient child of God witnessed by God himselfe to be a perfect and upright man a fearer of God and an eschewer of evill was by Gods Almighty power and wisdome w Iob 1.1 10. hedged in round about so that the Devils hand could not reach him untill for a time and with x Iob 1.12 limitation there was permission Wonderfull is the providence of God for such as y Psal 34.7 9 18. feare him and have a religious and conscionable z Psal 119.6 respect unto all his Commandements It is ever remarkably signified in the prayer towards the end of the most sacred Letany That such in whom is the sighing of a contrite heart and of a spirit sorrowfull for committing sinnes are graciously heard so that those evills which the craft and subtiltie of the Devillor man worketh against them be brought to nought and by the providence of Gods goodnesse be dispersed that the obedient servants of Christ being hurt by no persecution according as the Eternall Wisdome seeth it most requisite to dispose may evermore give thanks unto God in his holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. CHAP. 94. Of the Seven deadly Sinnes SAint Paul a 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5. reckoneth up seventeene deadly sins that among many professours of the name of Christianity would raigne in these latter times And holy Church according to the delivery of godly antiquity in the third part of the * T. 2. p. 293 294. Homily against disobedience and wilfull rebellion saith Thus you see that all good Lawes are by rebels violated and broken and that all sinnes possible to bee committed against God or man be contained in rebellion which sins if a man list to name by the accustomed names of the seven capitall or deadly sinnes as Pride Envie Wrath Covetousnesse Sloth Gluttony and Lecherie he shall find them all in rebellion and among rebells c. We are taught to pray in the sacred Letany From fornication and all other deadly sinne and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the Devill Good Lord deliver us Of Pride IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 7. Homily of the misery of man it is said The holy Ghost in writing the holy Scriptures is in nothing more diligent than to pull down mans vaine glory and pride which of all vices is most universally grafted in all mankinde even from the first infection of our first father Adam And therefore wee read in many places of Scripture many notable Lessons against this old rooted vice to teach us the most commendable vertue of b 1 Pet. 5.5 humility how to know our selves and to remember what we be of our selves In the first part of the * T. 1. p. 52. Homily of falling from God it is said Of our going from God the wise man saith That c Ecclus. 10.12 13. Pride was the first beginning for by it mans heart was turned from God his maker For Pride saith he is the fountaine of all sin He that hath it shall be full of cursings and at the end it shall overthrow him And as by pride and sinne wee goe from God so shall God and all goodnesse with him goe from us In the * T. 2. p. 109. Homily against excesse of apparell it is said That people in hell too late repenting themselves shall openly complaine with these words d Wis 5.8.9.13 What hath our pride profited us or what profit hath the Pompe of riches brought us all these things are passed away like a shadow As for vertue wee did never shew any signe thereof and thus we are consumed in our wickednesse In the second part of the * T. 2. p. 214. Homily for Whitsunday it is said Saint Gregory saith Pride is the roote of all mischiefe And Saint Austines judgement is this that it maketh men devils And * T. 2. p. 216. afterward it is said Wheresoever ye finde the spirit of arrogancie and pride c. Assure your selves that there is the spirit of the devill not of God albeit they pretend outwardly to the world never so much holines For the spirit of Iesus is a e Mat. 11.29 a lowly spirit c. Habbakkuk saith Behold his soule which is f Hab. 2.4 lifted up is not upright in him but the just shall live by his faith Whereby the Prophet giveth us to understand that faith whereby Gods people doe live is a property quite cōtrary to loftinesse of minde Also God g Iam. 4.6 resisteth the proud but giveth grace to