as pietie makes vs receiue it all from God and as from a father makes vs to take sicknesses afflictions of the body as a purgation for the health of the soule for as much as but one dramme of the loue of God manifested vnto vs by his spirit is of power to dissolue a sea of griefes there needing but one sparke of the spirit of God to cōsume all Of such as are learned In a word art thou learned I will further instruct thee for know thou that whatsoever thou knowest is not the thousand part of that whereof thou artignorant for he who was most expert in the knowledge of the matters of this life acknowledged that all his knowledge was but vanitie yea vanity more apt to puffe vp then to fill to make thee proud rather then truely glorious A learned ignorance There is also a certaine learned ignorance that one who is truly learned would preferre before all thy learning And therefore in praysing God for his graces referring them to their right end namely vnto pietie to the service of God without the which they are nothing be not then I pray thee too wise in thy selfe But art thou ignorant Of such as are ignorant or esteemest thou thy selfe to be so who darest not speake before others and art ashamed of thy selfe Be not therefore troubled I am about to teach thee how to be both better learned and wise if thou wilt beleeue me nay if thou wilt but beleeue even that great learned Apostle who 1 Cor. 2.2 determined among his Corinthians to know nothing but Iesus Christ and him Crucified was notwithstanding rapt vp into the third heaven into Paradice where he both heard and sawe things not to be vttered and yet of all that he makes no reckoning in respect of this onely knowledge the knowledg of this one thing which is onely necessary on which they are all either grounded or confounded Let vs see then how pietie suffers not riches to make vs proud nor to turne favour into oppression greatnesse into violence health into disorder knowledge into vanitie but extracting these from it as it were poyson from Vipers to make thereof good Treacle turning it into the medicine of humaine societie being without this both dangerous and deadly to meddle withall It supplies also all our wants poverties infirmities afflictions and necessities as onely necessarie like vnto that hearbe Tobacco so much extolled in the New-found-Landes which alone is sufficient for meate and drinke for Clothes and for Physicke Wee say like to that Manna in the Wildernesse according to the Iewish Rabbines which fitted every mans taste whatsoever he desired else were there never so little of this drugge it would convert to it selfe and into it selfe every other thing See another Example in Saint Paul Phil. 4. ver 11. I haue learned sayth he to be content with that I haue I know how to want and how to abound every where and in all things I am taught as well to be satisfied as to hunger as well to abound as to want But heare how I am able to performe all things in Christ who giues me strength Phil. 4.13 in and by this his onely grace This onely grace of Christ doth furnish all being apt onely of it selfe both to pare away our excesses and to supply our wantes to make vs finde contentment in povertie and glory in shame And therefore sayth he elswhere God forbid that I should glory in any thing but in the Crosse of Iesus Christ A poore glory wilt thou say in one Crucified He is dead indeede but is risen againe ascended into heaven and raigneth there Of which glory of which kingdome hee that is a member of Christ feeles himselfe alreadie partaker of Who thinketh it strange that the head being in heaven the feete should not haue a feeling therewith should not glory therewith though creeping here belowe on the earth And from this glory it commeth that the Apostle stiles himselfe putting it in the front of one of his Epistles Philem. 1. Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ in bondes for his Name Might hee not rather wilt thou say haue stiled himselfe with a more honourable title namely Rapt vp into Paradise as if he had beene equall to the Angells Note But his pietie this faith in Christ honours him and sanctifies his bondes so that to suffer in Earth for Christ is more vnto him then to be taken vp into heaven this ravishment being of short continuance but his sufferings which assure him of his promise to haue there an everlasting being and to raigne there for ever with him What is meant by this one thing But heere O Christian it may be thou desirest to knowe wherein this one thing properly consistes which hath so many vertues and onely can doe all things but thinkest and fearest that this knowledge is too laborious who seest so many bookes of so long studies written so many degrees to passe through to attaine to so high a knowledge And verily the mystery of godlinesse is great as Saint Paul telleth vs. 1 Tim. 3.16 That God was manifested in the flesh iustified in spirit seene of Angels preached vnto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world and received vp into glory For of every one of these Articles there might Volumes be made The Angels themselues sayth Saint Peter desire to prie thereinto 1 Pet. 1.12 But for all this be not dismayd For God the Creator of man in his mercies would that this mystery should of right belong as well vnto the ignorant as vnto the learned by very Idiottes he hath converted Orators in the netts of poore Fishermen he hath taken Philosophers In one and the same Sea both great and small fish liue and swimme depths for the one and shallownesse for the other thou hast thy part in this mystery or rather thy priviledge though thou couldest not reade Vnder the Law it was sayd doe this fulfill the Commaundements of God and thou shalt liue A lesson proportioned according to that integritie wherein our first parents were created After so great a fall which displaced which bruised all his faculties and ours in him as over-matched For where is the man that ever did or could performe it But Christ our Lord by his perfect obedience not content onely to satisfie for vs but therewithall giues vs a lesson both shorter and easier that is this mystery of faith If thou confesse sayth the Apostle the Lord Iesus with thy mouth and beleevest in thy heart that GOD hath raysed him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10.9 Wilt thou haue it in other words These things are written sayth S. Iohn these Gospels Ioh. the 20. and last verse that thou mightst beleeue that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God and that in beleeving you might haue life in his Name And wilt thou make it thine and appropriate it vnto thy selfe say then with S. Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 It is a true
THREE HOMILIES Vpon these three sentences following PSAL. 55.22 Cast thy burthen vpon the LORD Iohn 14.27 My peace I giue vnto you LVK. 10.42 One thing is necessarie Composed by Philip Mornay Lord of Plessis Marly LONDON Printed by I. D. for Nathanael Newbery and are to be sold in Popes-head alley at the signe of the Starre 1626. To the Worshipfull and his very loving Sisters Mris Dorothie Gerrard Mris Elizabeth Harvie Mris Anne Moulson All increase of true happinesse DEare and loving Sisters seing it hath pleased God to vnite vs together by most neere and strict bands of amity as namely those of nature and grace I haue often beene proiecting with my selfe which way I might before my departure out of this world leaue with each of you some expressions of that loue which in regard of both these bands I finde my selfe obliged vnto you in Wherevpon it being my hap during this late and great Visitation never to be forgotten to light vpon a subiect well suiting to these troublous times viz. these 3. Treatises ensuing written by a Noble and Iudicious personage in his owne natiue Language I resolved out of that little insight I had thereinto by reason of my trauels in my yonger yeares to set vpon the translation thereof time and leisure serving me so fitly therevnto And the rather least with the vnprofitable servant I might iustly be taxed in mine own conscience either of laying vp in a Napkin Luk. 19.20 Mat. 25.25 or burying in the earth even this one talent committed vnto my trust Now howsoever some may here not vntruely obiect that moe Tracts in this kinde haue already bin brought to light then are either carefully read or of the Readers kindly respected yet wel weighing the worth of the points herein cōtained it seemed to mee that I could not without some wrong done to my selfe others withhold them any longer from the publicke view For what burdened soule would not gladly accept of case What trembling heart would not reioyce to find peace And who is he or shee whose heart head being distracted cumbred about many carking cares would not willingly light vpō that one thing which being obtained would breed in them a world of contentment So that vpon the point these 3. Treatises carefully read digested and well practised may in some cases proue more beneficiall then to be left by the gift of friēds thousands of gold silver Now as I am bold to publish them my good sisters to the world vnder each of your names patronage so is it my meaning also to bequeath the same vnto you not as a worldly but as a spiritual legacy the fruit wherof my hope is shall abide with you forever Let me intreate you all then my deare sisters with good Mary to chuse the better part which as Christ sayth shall never be taken from you lest being overmuch busied about the things of this life you should seeme to come short of the heavenly as it is to be feared too many haue already done doe will doe till they repent the same at leisure For what will it profit vs to gain the whole world and to lose our owne soules or what can wee giue in exchange for our soules Mat. 16.26 But beloved Sisters I am perswaded better things of you such as accompany salvation though I thus speake Wherefore accept in loue what is here presented vnto you from a loving heart and cease not I pray you to pray for him who desires from the heart ever to rest Your very loving Brother A. R. Ianuary 5. 1625. To the Reader CHristian Reader thou hast heere by the good providēce of God and not without the faithfull endevours of a very good friend a faire opportunitie offred thee to read and read again if thou be pleased these three Homilies of the thrice renowned Philip Mornay Lord of Plessis who in commenting vpon the holy Scriptures Act. 8. seemeth rather to resemble Philip the divine Evangelist then a peere of that Land where he did reside His labours herein though short yet shalt thou finde them pious pithy learned and sweete For here 1. thou maist learne on whom to cast the burden of thy ordinary and extraordinary tryals 2. In all outward and inward perturbations where to finde true peace 3. In all thy worldly encumbrances how to pitch vpon that one thing which in truth is better then all things whatsoever besides So as had not my friend and my selfe by often viewing and reviewing them over in these late dolorous dayes esteemed that thy gaine inreading of them would plentifully haue answered the paine thou hadst not I dare assure thee in so great plentie and varietie of good Bookes at this time had so free an vse of this being penned as it was in another Language Accept it then Good Reader as a pledge of our Loues to thee as also of our earnest wishes that thou maist daily profit in the knowledge of these and the like sacred and divine truthes to the glory of God and thine owne eternall good Amen Thine in Christ C. C. A HOMELIE Vpon these words of DAVID Cast thy Burthen vpon the LORD and he will nourish thee Psal 55.22 DAVID much experiēced in bearing Afflictiōs powreth out his soule in a most bitter Complaint before God sal 55. I grieue saith he and am much perplexed because of the voice of the enemie But what voice They cast iniquitie vpon mee vpon mee poore Innocent all iniquitie all manner of Crimes And for the furious hatred which they beare mee And what Enemie was it He with whom I was so familiar that we communicated our secrets tegether wee went together into the house of God And in this case what could be more sayd When from whence cōfort should come thence ariseth griefe Neither dissembles he the depth of his anguish My heart is sore pained within me And I sayd who shall giue mee the wings of a Doue that I may flie away As if he should say now ready to leaue all This affliction aboue any other being beyond the patience and consolation of man But as soone as he was come againe vnto himselfe nay rather going out of himselfe he redoubles his courage I will cry vnto God and the Lord will deliver me if at the first he vnderstand me not nor answere me I will not recoyle Psal 55.17 Evening and morning and at noone day will I cry aloud and he will he are my voice I will knocke and that so often and hard at his gate that he will open vnto mee Such importunitie is pleasing vnto him Then he giues vs a lesson In like care from whom can we better take it or vp on better proofe Vers 22. Cast thy burthen saith he vpon the Lord and he will nourish thee Art thou a Christian and overwhelmed with adversitie or toyled vnder thy Calling powre out thy heart vnto the Lord roule thy selfe even vpon him take him
the godly the slaues at the perill of the children the Philistime vnto the shame of the Israelite reprobate Saul vnto the confusion of faithfull David He delivers them into their hands he forsakes them And therefore we are not to thinke it strange if the request of David passeth from a prayer vnto a cry from a cry vnto a hideous noyse from a hideous noyse vnto a tempest Psal 55. 2. And yet though he casts not off his burthen may he not be sayd to shake it off Hee shakes it off who to deliver himselfe from affliction makes a Covenant with death and hell takes counsell of flesh bloud trades with the world though it be with losse of the glory of God redeemes himselfe he cares not how from them who persecute him David doth not so for saith he death as a tyrant shall sease vpon them Psal 55.15 But as for me I will call vpon the Lord and he will saue mee Vers 16. Why so Verily because hee knoweth that the Church is Gods building that the faithfull are his true children and are the only living stones therof that amongst these stones some are hewen some polished for the corner-stone for the maister-piece for Corinth c. All that come vnder his hand must endure the mallet the chislell and so much the rather by how much they are destinated to a higher place to wit to stand in the forefront of the building Seest thou any exempted from the hammer then say boldly they are not fit for his building Vpon our corner stone he layeth no other but chosen precious 1. Pet. 2.5 yea himselfe to be layd as the head stone of the Corner by what hammers chislells c. hath he not passed Namely calumnies false witnesses of Pharisies of Priests the cruelties of the Romanes of the Iewes themselues his brethren according to the flesh Vpon this stone thinkest thou vnskilfull builder that there may be set any ruffe ones And thou vntamed member dost thou thinke it strange that to make thee capable thereof he make thee passe vnder the playne makes thee smooth through hacking and hewing Therefore David who had passed through such trials who knew what and how many hewings are needfull for the faithfull to make them fit for this building what were the vses and benefits of affliction which God sends vs is not ashamed to say Psal 119. vers 67. that before he was afflicted he went astray but now it had brought him backe to his Law He casts not off his burden through despaire but cryes vnto the Lord and waiteth for his answere because he assures himselfe that that spirit which cryeth in him Abba Father the same eternall spirit doubtlesse will giue him this answer behold I am with thee neerer vnto thee then thy selfe He knowes that the Lord doth willingly draw neere vnto the broken hearted contrite spirits Psal 34. 18. He delights rather to be in the prison of sorrow then in the wedding chamber in a soule withered with bitternesse then spread out in deliciousnesse And in deede seldome you see such a one powre out his soule before God but presently shee gathereth vp againe her selfe in faith and confidence and her cry is turned into thanksgiving this swounding into a sacrifice of praise Hath David said Psal the 6. vers 3.4.5 9. My bones are vexed and my soule is astonished By and by also followes Depart from mee yee workers of iniquitie the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping And vpon the calumnies of Cusse the Beniamite prayeth he Psal the 7. vers 1.2.11.13 15. 17. Lord I draw neere vnto thee defend mee that he teare mee not in peeces like a Lyon He resolues with himselfe verses 10.11.12 The Lord is my Buckler if he turne not he will whet his sword There he finds both his weapons offensiue and defensiue hee shall travayle to bring forth wickednesse but shall bring forth a lye his travayle shall fall vpon his owne head I said saith he elswhere when I began to slide when I began to be swallowed vp with feare I am cut off in thy sight Psal 31. vers 22.23.24 But thou hast heard the voice of my supplication when I did cry vnto thee glorying therevpon by way of triumph saying Loue the Lord all yee his Saints for he keepeth his faithfull ones be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart And so in this place having felt himselfe discharged of the burthen of his griefes he encourages others saying Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord c. Psal 55. Is he hid in the Desert of Ziph flying from the fury of Saul his King being ready to be delivered vp into his handes by those of that place He hath no sooner sayd Psal 54.13 O cruell people a people that haue not set God before their eyes do even seeke my life But he presently resolues God is my helpe Vers 4. He even burnes with zeale to offer him sacrifice I will sayth he Vers 6. sacrifice vnto thee with a free heart for thou hast delivered me Even thou hast delivered me He holds his deliverance for accomplished he sees it with his faith with the eyes of his soule though a farre off yet most certaine For the holy History tells vs that as Saul and his people went pursuing him a messenger met Saul saying 1 Sam. 23.27 Make hast for the Philistimes are come into thy Dominions Saul presently breakes off his Chase and behold David in an instant beyond all expectation delivered by meanes of the Philistimes And hereunto belongs that of the Psal 57.4 1 Sam. 24. ver 1. at what time he hid himselfe in the caue of Hengedi When Saul also sent to kill him in his house we see him troubled 1 Sam. 19.9.11 He obserues their practises their plottes their watches he opposeth his integritie and his innocency but with what peace vnto his soule Psal 59. ver 9.12.16 Lord God thou wilt laugh at them and yet Lord slay them not least my people forget it He is now more carefull of their life then of his owne Lord I will sing of thy mercy in the morning I will not loose one houre of my ordinary exercises The like examples wee haue also in the Psalmes 64.69.140 and many the like against those who eyed him watched him in his wayes in his words if they could even to his very thoughts But even in the greatest perill he concludes all in certaine hope of Deliverance saying The iust shall reioyce in the Lord and shall draw neere vnto him and all that are true of heart shall be glad and reioyce as touching his Iustice which he will manifest to the one and will doe to the other The flouds are risen vp even vnto my soule I am afflicted and in griefe but thy deliverance shall lift mee vp on high so high that no waters no not a deluge shall attaine thereto I know that the Lord will execute Iustice for
judgements of God against Kings and against Nations after them the Apostles sent to Preach the onely word of salvation vnto the ends of the world to the ruine of false gods and of their Idolls the pretended protectors of States and of Common-weales Those Prophets and Apostles being consequently bound to defend their cause against the persecution of those who disgraced them And so in like manner those who in the Church as they are dispensers of the Gospell hold their place at this day For with what confidence and with what wisedome did Elias and Elizeus with their cloakes stand against Kings Princes and the Priests of Israel Iohn Baptist with his garment of Cammels haire withstood King Herod The Apostles being poorefishermen and vnlearned vndertooke the ruine of Sathans kingdome the Conquest of the world vnder the Crosse of Christ Therefore let those who succeede them in this office accept of this Commission in all humilitie and say Lord who am I that thou hast called mee therevnto And what man is he though never so great that is sufficient for it But yet as vncapable as I am even the least in my selfe yet being assisted by thee who art the greatest what am I not able to doe For so Esay sayth Isa 6. Woe is me for I am vndone because I am a man of polluted lips no sooner had God touched his lips with a liue coale from the Altar but he changeth his speech Who shall I send sayth the Lord he answeres chearefully behold I am here send mee But with what Commission Say vnto this people in hearing you shall heare and not vnderstand c. Make fatte the heart of this people c. Let a man haue ten times as many naturall gifts as Esay had could he without this assistance from the Lord haue vndergone this Charge In like manner the Prophet Ieremy I haue set thee this day sayth the Lord over Nations and over Kingdomes that thou shouldest plucke vp and pull downe that thou shouldest build and plant A pooresilly Priest of Anothoth Iere. 1.1 Therefore he that will wonder let him yet wonder at it Ah Lord God beholde I cannot speake saith he for I am but a childe And behold he had no sooner touched his mouth but presently he girdeth vp his reynes and is resolved that whereas be-before he acknowledged himselfe to be but a childe now he begins to be a man and the terror of men So likewise Christ tells the Apostles Math. 10.19 Yee shall be brought before Kings and you shall beare witnesse of mee even to the ends of the earth being but men of meane condition to stand astonished at the onely looke of a man of authoritie the boldest amongst them at the word of a poore silly mayd But take no care sayth the Lord I will put that into your mouth at the very instant which you shall say Feare not saith he also vnto S. Paul hold not thy peace Act. 18.10 for I am with thee And what he sayd to them let vs take as spoken vnto all vnto all who are Ministers of the same word being never destitute of his spirit nor of his strength to the pulling downe s yth the Apostle of strong holds 2 Cor. 10. casting downe all counsells and every high thing which exalts it selfe against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ having vengeance ready prepared against all d sobedience What can be said more And be not dismayd at this that the liue coale hath not touched thy lippes nor the breath of Christ breathed vpon thee the signes of his word and spirit provided that thou hast his Commission with thee and his word in thy mouth Those signes had their place once for all Timothy had not received them whom notwithstanding the Apostle summons before God and before the Lord Iesus vnto whom he shall giue an account 2 Tim. 4.1 2. Where he sayth Preach the word But how in season and out of season reproue rebuke exhort doe the worke of an Evangelist It may be thou shalt be hated of those which are without and despised sometimes of those within wilt thou haue it bteter cheape then the Mr of the Vineyard Which of the Prophets or which of the Apostles were not abused stoned and vexed Say with David Psal the 31. I haue beene a reproach vnto my adversaries vnto my neighbours much more and those of my acquaintance seeing mee fled from me But Lord I haue sayd thou art my God I trust in thee Learne thou also with the same great Apostle 2 Cor. 6.7.8 to goe through honour and dishonor through good report and evill report by the word of truth by the power of God by the armor of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left Be not discouraged also if thou fallest vpō a barren ground as it were sowed with salt vpon a brutish and stiffe-necked people Who hath beleeved sayth Esay our report And after him our Saviour himselfe Ioh. 12.36 And of sixe hundred thousand which went on t of Aegypt with Moses ready armed how few of them entred into the Land of promise Of so many people whom our Lord had healed had preached vnto even the eternall word how few of them did beleeue and continued following him How many thinkest thou were there of them who helpt to blaspheme him at his death And notwithstanding did God therefore cease to devide Canaan by lyne vnto his people The word of the Crosse did that cease to subdue the world yea to triumph in the world and over the world Heare our Saviour Christ himselfe in Esay the 49.4 complaining and in his consolation receiue thou thine I sayd I haue laboured in vaine and spent my strength for nothing notwithstanding my reward is with the Lord and my worke with my God The Lord who answeres him afterwards I haue heard thee hold it as if it were already done in an acceptable time in the day of salvation haue I succoured thee It must be a long time after least thou shouldst waxe weary yet in his time in an acceptable time in a time by him eternally pre-ordained And thus of this word which thou publishest to the clearing of his truth to the convincing of errors to the advancement of the kingdom of his Christ to the dissolution of the tyranny of Antichrist waite for the fruit and expect the effect in his time but in the meane time be not thou carelesse but vse all the means to manure the ground which he hath committed vnto thee And say vnto him Lord this ground will be but Iron if the heaven be of Brasse From thy onely blessing I waite for the fruit of my labour by thy Commandement I plant and in this hope I water And thus beholde how in the difficulties of our Callings we are to comfort our selues in the Lord. Is there no other burden which we are to cast vpon the Lord Yes verily the weightiest doth yet