present Knowledge of God in this life that which shall be in the life to come 1. Cor. 13.12 3 Like as when a man goeth to buy or borrowe some Candles and bringing them home being within night yet keepeth them vnlighted receiueth no comfort nor benefite by them Euen so if a man haue Knowledge in the word of God and yet his heart and mind is not enflamed and kindled with the loue of the truth his Knowledge will not profit him to saluation Knowledge of God 1 AS he that diggeth for treasure casteth the earth from him and maketh a deepe pit vntill hee finde that which he seeketh Euen so he that seeketh the Knowledge of God must castaway all earthly affections and wholly prie into heauenly affaires Prou. 1.4 5. 2 As great and rich Treasure is many times hid in an homely earthen vessell So it pleaseth God to put the precious Knowledge of himselfe and his truth into poore weake and fraile men 2. Cor. 4.7 Knowledge may be increased alwayes in the best LIke as he that vseth the hand and helpe of many Physitions though he be alwayes vnder the cure of some can neuer come to perfect health Euen so such as doo alwayes seeke and euer learne yet for all that they neuer come to the Knowledge of the truth 2. Timo. 3.6 7. Knowledge and beleefe in grosse 1 AS a man may carrie fire about him in a flint stone without heate and perfumes in a Pomander without smell except the one be beaten and the other chafed Euen so such men as Know and beleeue in grosse the misteries of our faith that there is a God which rewardeth good and euill that he is terrible in his counsels vpon the sonnes of men that there is a hell for sinners a heauen for good lyuers a most dreadfull day of iudgement to come a strait account to bee demaunded and the like All this they Know and beleeue in generall as marchandise wrapped vp together in a bundell but for â—hat they vnfold not these things nor rest vpon them in particular for that they let them not downe into their hearts nor doo ruminate on them with leysure attention for that they chew them not well in mind by deepe consideration nor doo digest them in heart by the heate of meditation they remaine with them as a sword in his scabard and do helpe them as little to reformation of life for which they were reuealed as a preseruatiue in their pocket neuer applied can helpe their health And thus they beare the generalâ— Knowledge of these mysteries locked vp in their breasts as sealed bagges of treasure that bee neuer told nor opened and consequently they haue neither feeling sence nor motion thereby 2 Like as it may bee that one man may know an other man by sight whom yet in deed he knoweth not thorowly because he vnderstandeth not what affection hee beareth towards him So men Know naturally that there is a God but what his will is or what is not his will they doo not know Rom. 3.11 Iohn 1.18 A godly King 1 AS breath is necessarie for the body of man So also is a godly King to the people whome hee gouerneth Lam. 4.20 2 As the roaring of a Lyon is fearefull So the wrath of a King is terrible Prou. 19.12 3 As a theefe taken in stealing with the deed dooing is brought to open shame Euen so Kings and Princes and nations putting confidence in Idols and yet deceiued in finding no helpe in them in time of their distresse are put to manifest shame and confusion Iere. 2.26.27 Meanes of Knowledge AS light endureth not alwayes but darkenesse succeedeth So the times and meanes to get Knowledge endureth not alwayes but wee are to vse them whilst God doth giue them Iohn 12.35 The Kingdome of heauen 1 LIke as Marchants can be well content when they see Pearles of great price to bestow all their substance and wealth on them hoping to be great gayners thereby Euen so much more godly Christians ought not to spare any earthly treasure or to forbeare any cost for the attainment of that most precious pearle the Kingdome of heauen Math. 13.45 46. 2 As hee that findeth a Treasure in an other mans ground cannot iustly enioy the same except at his great charge he first straine himselfe to purchase the soyle Euen so the Kingdome of heauen the heauenly riches cannot be had but of them which if neede so require can bee content to forgoe all their worldly wealth for it Math. 13.44 3 As wee doo naturally loue the body more then the soule and the goods and commodities of this temproall life more then the treasures of spirituall riches So wee seeke first the things that concerne this present life and as for those that belong to the Kingdome of heauen wee seeke after them but seldome sleightly and as it were for a fashion Math. 6.36 4 As all they that are possessed with righteousnesse peace and ioy of the holy Ghost which Saint Paul calleth the Kingdome of God are certaine to enter into heauen So it is in vaine to pretend to enter into the Kingdome of God which is in heauen vnlâ—sse the Kingdome of heauen which is the gate bee first in vs that is to say if wee haue not the true knowledge of God and of his Sonne Iesus Christ a liuâ—ly faith a feruent charitie vnlesse we increase in sanctification of body of soule and of mind vnlesse in our selues we doo feele a good conscience conioyned with peace and ioy in the holy Ghost and vnlesse we bee regenerate in newnesse of life Rom. 14.17 Iohn 3.3 1. Cor. 6.9 5 As where there bee two gates to a Towne it is not enough that we enter the first vnlesse we also passe throgh the sâ—cond So is it not enough that we being members of the Church vsing the holy ministerie which is as the first gate to the Kingdome of heauen vnlesse we thence proceed to the second in liuing as true and liuely members of the Church declaring the effects of the holy Ministerie by the testimonies of our faith mortification of the old man newnesse of life in briefe by dayly amendment of life 6 As when winter is ouer the nearer that the Sunne draweth vnto vs the more doth the earth being warmed by the heate therof fructifie and the longer that the daies are the more worke may we doo Euen so the nearer that the kingdome of heauen doth draw vnto vs by the comming of Iesus Christ especially by his ascention into heauen the more should we be heate in the loue of God and charity to our neighbours to bring forth the more fruit of holinesse and be the more addicted to all good workes 7 Like as it is commonly said that the Cat would fish eate but she would not her feete weate Or as Balaam wished that hee might die the death of the righteous and that his end might be like theirs but yet he would not obey the will
the cōuersation of the wiues 1. Pet. 3.1 Euen so much more may the maister of the family do vnto God and his Church honourable seruice not only by sanctifying his house by the word of faith but also by hauing alwayes in a readinesse verie notable matter to further the building of Gods dwelling place 2. Timo. 1.5 3.15 Act. 16.1 3 As the disorder of one Priuate family namely of one Micha of Ephraim was an occasion that Idolatry did spread thorow the whole Tribe of Dan and so continued many yeares Iudg. 17 18. Chap. Euen so contrarily Gideon being stirred vp by the goodnesse of God to the reformation of one meane family in Manasseh was the cause of a very great deliuerance to the whole natiō from most mightie and cruell enemies and most abhominable Idolatrie for the space of fortie yeares Iudg. 6 7. 8. chap. Curious Questions to be auoyded 1 AS it is sufficient for one that would bee heated or warmed by the fire that hee stand neare it for if hee put his hand into it he shall surely bee burned So they that presume to dispute and Question about God about hell c. further then the word reuealeth falleth into blasphemie and so into hell fire 2 As a boysterous noyse or hidious sound grieueth the hearing ouer aboundance of meate noyeth the stomacke grieuous burthens bee wearisome to the bearer continuall raine hurteth the earth and ouermuch of any thing is noysome and hurthfull So doo difficult Questions quickly ouercharge weake and meane wits Rashnesse to be eschued especially of the godly 1 AS hee that is soonest wearied that knoweth not how far his iourney is So worketh hee and goeth about his businesse with tediousnesse till repentance ouertaketh him who well knoweth not the estate and manner thereof before 2 As the enemie lying neare the Walles is the cause why the Citie dooth watch and take diligent heed So when your enemie diligently waite and marke you then will you doo nothing Rash or void of reason Resurrection of all at the latter day 1 LIke as at the last day the bodies of the righteous and faithfull shall rise againe vnto immortalitie glorie and honor the greatnesse wherof the eye hath not seene nor the eare heard nor the hart of man conceiued So the vnrighteous and reprobate shall rise againe with their very bodies vnto euerlasting shame and both body soule shall goe into hell with the diuell and his Angels there to abide euerlastingly Esay 66.24 Mark 9.44 Math. 25.30.46 Ioh. 5.28 29. Act. 24.15 2. Cor. 5.10 Dan. 12.3 Reue. 20.13 2. Pet. 2.4 5 6. 2 Like as the vngodly in this word haue with their bodies taken their owne pleasure ioy and delight Euen so in the life to come they shall be plagued and punished with euerlasting paine and torments in the same bodies 3 Like as when we see seed sowne to putrifie and corrupt we are yet in good hope that it will spring vp againe with fruit for vnlesse it be dissolued it cannot rise againe So in like manner we must hope of our owne bodies being buried when we see their corruption yet wee must then bee most certainely perswaded that they shall rise againe for death doth not so much waste the body as the corruption of it Act. 16.8 1. Cor. 15.1 2 3 4. c. Ioh. 5.28 11.24 Act. 24.15 Repentance 1 LIke as if a Noble man or Gentlemans seruant were for committing of treasony fellony or murder condemned and going to the place of execution his Lord or Maister of meere fauour and good wil should not only by suit to her Maiesty procure a pardon for his life and so deliuer him from that villainous death which for his deserts he had worthily deserued but also should adopt and take him for his Sonne heire shuld this fellow after this his deliuerance goe and say I will now be idle take my pleasure and follow mine owne phantasie and neuer endeuor to please or pleasure my Lord or maister but rather I will seeke to hurt displease him euerie way that I can What shall wee say in this case Be not these most wicked and desperate words And doth not such a fellow deserue most grieuous punishmēts Euen so the like say they who either by word or deed say that Christ hath redeemed vs by his death hath purchased for vs forgiuenesse of sins righteousnesse and so deliuered vs from hell and made vs the Sonnes of God and heires of heauen wherefore wee will stand like idle persons or rather doo more wickednesse and liue as we list c. Christ our Sauiour doubtlesse died not for such nor satisfied for their offences no nor yet merited heauen for them to the end that they should spend their dayes in Idlenesse and heape sinne vppon sinne and become altogether wicked but that they seeing his great loue and how greatly sinne displeased him seeing hee was willing to redeeme them from sinne Sathan death and hell should no more commit sinne but loue honour and obey him thanke him put their trust in him and worke vertuous and good works plenteously not as bond seruants to escape hell for so much as Christ hath deliuered them neither yet thereby to winne heauen which he by his passion hath purchased for them but as naturall Sonnes for the glorie of God mooued thereto by motion of the holy Ghost and by faith and loue For godly Christians doo vndoubtedly feare to sinne so much more then the wicked doth by how much more they know that God dooth in this present life punish his legitimate children more then bastards Rom. 6.4 Gal. 5.14.2 Timo. 2.19 Tit. 2.11 c. Luk. 1.75 Eph. 1.4 2.10 1. Pet. 1.15 1. Pet. 4.17 18. Iere. 25.12 Iona. 1.12 2 As for examble like as if an Astrologer should tel an ambicious Cardinall that he should bee Pope although he did put an vndoubted trust therein yet for all that hee would not be idle but would vse all meanes possible to attaine and come to that dignitie Euen so the children of God the surer they are that Christ hath redeemed them so much the more they vnderstand the great good will of God towards them and therefore they are alway forced more and more by Repentance and godly conuersation of life to make certaine vnto themselues the knowledge of their election and redemption in Christ 2. Pet. 1.10 3 Like as the fire without heate or warmth is no true fire So is it a cleare matter that faith without Repentance is no true faith Luk. 19.8 23.40 41 42. Act. 2.37 19.18 19. 4 As it is the nature of some cloth if it bee stayned when it is wet the staine will seeme to bee easily washed out but being drie it will appeare againe Euen so some men thinke that they haue Repented when they haue done it to halfes and therefore they are to repent againe as those that breake out of prison are brought thither
be able more easily to ouercome his master sinnes So likewise he that would be able to beare afflictions and the crosse of all crosses namely death it selfe must first of all learne to beare small crosses as sicknesses in body and troubles in mind with losses of goods and of friends and of good name which may fitly be tearmed little deaths and the beginnings of death it selfe so he must first of all acquaint himselfe with these little deaths before he can well be able to beare the great Death of all 35 Euen as he that hath a Sonne which is in good and perfect health and a seruant that is exceeding sicke dealeth more roughly and seuerely with his sonne then with his seruant not because hee loueth his seruant more then his sonne but because he would if it might be restore his sicke seruant to his former health but his sonne whom he loueth most dearely he reproueth checketh taunteth and correcteth Euen so our louing God sometimes afflicteth his deare children whome hee most tenderly loueth Heb. 12.6 7 Gal. 6.14 2. Tim. 3.12 Rom. 5.3 Mat. 5.10 and doth suffer them to be exercised with wants with hunger and cold with weepings and wailings with sighs and sorrowfull sobs with nakednesse and want of harbour with heauinesse of heart vexation of soule with sicknesse of bodie and want of libertie and with a thousand other calamities and cares and in the meane time suffereth the wicked and vngodly ones of the world to want nothing hee giueth them health wealth and libertie worldly honour and dignitie and what not meaning and purposing by these meanes if the fault be not in themselues to bring them to know to feare to honour and to serue him by whose prouidence and appointment they haue and enioy all those good blessings and so be cured and healed of the sores and sicknesse of their soules 36 As the skilfull pearle seller and cunning lapidarie doth willingly suffer the Indian diamond or adamant to be smitten and strooken with great and weightie blowes because he knoweth well that the hammer and anuill will sooner be bruised then the diamond or adamant will be broken So likewise our most wise God yea onely wisedome it selfe suffereth men of excellent vertues of vnquenchable loue and charitie and inuincible constancie to fall into diuers temptations and great afflictions and to be plunged deepe into manifold miseries because he will haue their inward graces to breake out and so shine before men that they seeing the constancie of his Saints may glorifie God which is in heauen 37 As a Mother that waines her childe layeth wormewood or some other bitter thing vpon her breast to make the childe loathe the milke So likewise God makes vs often feele the miseries and crosses of this life that our loue and liking might bee turned from this world and fixed in heauen 38 As rawe flesh is loathsome to the stomacke so is euerie sinner and vnmortified man loathsome vnto God till the Lord by Afflictions mortifie in him the corruptions of his nature and specially the loue of this world 39 As Horses that are headstrong and either keepe not their right pace or turne out of the way be rained and kept in with the bridle So the Lord bringeth vs backe from our headinesse by one Affliction calamitie or other 1. Cor. 11.32.2 Cor. 1.4 40 Like as if any shrewde childe purpose to flie from his schoole-maister or refuseth to keepe the schoole diligently there are messengers straightway sent for him to bring him backe So likewise God dealeth with vs who sendeth his messengers to wit troubles the pestilence and other diseases to bring vs backe to himselfe Heb. 12.6 41 As a Maister can in no wise be said to hate his scholler when he fetcheth him into the schoole with his rodde from playing the treuant euen so no more doth God hate vs when he calleth vs backe from our leaude wayes by his correction Psal 5.4.5 42 As in a house where there are many children the rod is necessarie or as in a Citie subiect to diuers diseases and where there is an euell ayre Phisitions are needfull So likewise in the house of God where there are many childrē enclined to euil the rod of Affliction is many times more necessarie then bread Psal 119.67.71 43 As a mad man is angrie with the Phisition chaseth him away and throweth away the medicine but a wise man that is sicke of a corporall disease sendeth for the Phisition taketh drinke at his hand thanketh him yea and giueth him a reward So when God the soueraigne Phisition of our soules visiteth vs with Afflictions and giueth vs wholesome medicines we must not be like mad men reiecting the hand of God but receiuing the medicine wee must giue him thankes and blesse him after the example of Iob. Iob. 1.21.22 44 As corne that is shut vp and closed in the huske and the chaffe commeth not forth if the eare be not beaten and so tarrieth still in the chaffe if it be not fanned Euen so the like hapneth to the children of God if they bee not beaten and fanned by tribulations to be seperated from the chaffe of the world and the pleasures and impediments that be in it 45 As the beasts that go by the way and see on the side of them faire fields assaying to go to them running vpon the hedges of thornes if they feele the sharpe pricks they go backe and returne into the way So likewise whē the children of God go out of the right way to heauen to go to the fields of this world and of the flesh God maketh them to come vpon the thornes of Afflictions to the ende that by their prickings they may turne backe againe Hose 2.6 46 As golde by fire is seuered and parted from drosse so singlenesse of heart and true Christian simplicitie is best seene and made most euident in troubles and Afflictions In prosperitie euery man will seeme godly but Afflictions do drawe out of the heart whatsoeuer is there whether it be good or badde Psal 26.2 47 As the obedience of Christ in the crosse was a gratefull sacrifice to God So our obedience in al Afflictions and troubles pleaseth God not for it selfe but in respect of faith whereby it is seuered from the punishments of the vngodly is layde vpon the altar of Christ through touching of whom it is sanctified and accepted of God Iob. 19.25 48 As myrrhe notwithstanding it be sharpe and bitter yet it healeth wounds and preserueth from putrifaction So the crosse and troubles of the Saints though it be irkesome to the flesh and grieuous yet it destroyeth not but healeth rather 49 Like as when a mother willing to weane her child shall say vnto him night and day My child it is time to weane thee thou art growne great inough and I am with child my milke is corrupt it will make thee sicke yet he is so fond of the breast that he can not forsake
exercised and our hope augmented 12 As the sauorie salt consumeth away the corruption from the vnsauorie meate Euen so affliction consumeth and purgeth away the corruption of Christians in seasoning their liues to all profitable vses for by it wee are knowne both within and without to our selues and to other men 13 Like as the Physition is necessary vnto the sicke or the biting corasiue vnto the festered sore or the sharpe lancere vnto the mollified matter So likewise without all cōparison the crosse and Affliction is more necessary vnto a Christian For by it the sickenesse of sinne is remoued the fleshly lustes cured and the superfluous humours of earthly pleasures are cut away 14 Euen as no man euer sawe the head go into a place one way and the members another way vnles they were diuided and cut off So in like manner Iesus Christ our head entered into the Kingdome of his father by ignominie reproofe shame slaunder rayling persecution Affliction and the Crosse and therefore we his members if we continue the members of his bodie must enter in by the same way and none other Matth. 10.24.25 Iohn 15.18.19.20 15 As the fiery bush that Moses saw in the mount Oreb Exo. 3.2 3. which bush for all that it was on a flaming fire yet did it not consume Or as the shining worme that beeing cast into the fire doth not perish nor consume but contrariwise is thereby purged from filth more beautifull then if it were washed with all the water of the world Euen so such Christians as are cast into the fire of Affliction are not consumed but purged tryed and purified 16 As the child is glad when the father smileth vpon him and speaketh comfortably vnto him although hee beats him So let vs be glad and reioyce when our heauenly Father doth smile vpon vs in giuing vs the assurance of his loue although he doth afflict vs. 17 As the Physition or Surgion bindeth him fast that is vexed with a frenzie stirs him vp that is troubled with the disease of Lytharge putteth them both to vexation and yet loueth them both being not onely desirous to restore health vnto them both but also applies very diligently his whole Arte and studie in curing of these thinges Euen so God although he be sometime sharpe and seuere in afflicting and punishing his yet doth hee most louingly by such meanes procure saluation vnto his elect Adulterie 1 LIke as Tumblers seates are called trickes but it may be by their sport as it sometimes falleth out they may breake their neckes Euen so Adultrie fornication and such filthinesse howsoeuer it be counted a tricke of youth yet it is such a tricke as they may thereby without repentance condemne themselues 2 As a man before God killeth his neighbour if hee hate him yea if he do not loue him and of loue keepe himselfe both from doing hurt and also bee ready and prepared to helpe his brother at his neede Euen so the consent of the heart with all other meanes that follow thereof be as well Adulterie before God as the deede it selfe Matth. 5.27 Adams fall came not to passe without the decree and ordinance of God 1 AS a man may giue a litle child some smal stripe with a rod without the parents appointment which notwithstanding they wold peraduenture dissemble winke at but none dare vndertake to cut him of the stone or to cut off any limbe without the fathers good will and authoritie Euen so the greater that the importance of Adams transgression was in that it tended to destroy and ouerthrow so excellent a worke of God namely man created to his image the more are we to beleeue that it was neuer done without his counsel or decree 1. Sam. 2.6 Amo. 3.6 Iere. Lam. 3.38 Psal 104. 105. 106. 107. 136. toto 2 As a Sparrow falleth not to the ground without the will of God Mat. 10.29 Euen so Adam being so excellent a creature created after the Image of God could not take so horrible a fall without his prouidence and decree Act. 4.27.28 2.23 Amendment of life necessarie 1 LIke as if a Marchant seemeth willing to trust an other that is readie to be banquerout with all his goods one warning will be inough to reclaime him ye shall not need to pray him to beware or to alleadge many reasons to withhold him the onely feare of apprehension of the losse of all his goods will be a reason and exhortation sufficient Euen so then when Iesus Christ saith Be ye better aduised that is amend and note that by offending God and so taking the way to hell we endaunger our selues yea wee doo euen assure our selues to loose both bodies and soules for euer It is therefore meere madnesse and vngratefull rage to continue and not to be wiser and better aduised that we may conuert to God and by amendment preserue our bodies and soules vnto life euerlasting Math. 3.2 4.7 2 As litle children are nursed vp to the end they may grow great and waxe strong and it were a wonder to see a childe continue as litle and weake as at the birth Euen so if we who being members of the Church of Christ and consequently entred into the path that leadeth to the Kingdome of heauen and daily do receiue the foode of Gods word and Sacraments should not encrease in faith working in loue and Amendment of life it were a great ingratitude and vnexcusable obstinacie which should not escape vnpunished to stand still in the way and not to go forward Aduersitie ought to make vs more faithfull and godly 1 LIke as the more one forceth to take away a staffe which I hold in my hand while I am awake so much more the faster I shut it in and hold it the harder that it may not bee taken away from mee Euen so the more the diuell endeuoureth to take faith from vs by tribulations so much the more do wee meditate on the promises of God to holde it fast and the more hee thrusteth at vs to ouercome vs so much the more strongly wee leane vpon the staffe of Faith to ouercome his assaults The Aduersitie of the faithfull is not aboue their patience that God giueth AS the Lord our most good and mercifull father doth according to his infinite wisedome and endlesse compassion prepare his people vnto himselfe trying what they will beare for his names sake Euen so hee doth not assay them aboue that he makes them able to beare but armes them beyond the thoughtes of the heart of man till he send them full deliueraunce of all euill and troubles Aduersitie bridleth our wicked appetites and maketh vs more obedient 1 AS wilde and fierce horses are woont to be broken with the hardnesse of the bridle and sharpnesse of the bit So our vntamed lusts and vnbridled appetites are hampered and brought within the compasse of reason with the bridle of Aduersitie troubles sorrowes and afflictions 2
were the deliuerance too late but wee meane that hee deliuered him that hee should not bee hanged So likewise when the Scripture saith that Christ dyed to deliuer vs out of hell because hee saueth and deliuereth vs that wee come not there which else should surely haue gone thither and haue beene damned perpetually except Christ by his death had deliuered and loosed vs. Christ reuiueth vs againe that were dead LIke as the Pellican which hauing brought foorth her young ones dead or beeing stung or killed by Serpents shee pecketh foorth her heart bloud to reuiue them Euen so wee beeing conceiued and borne in sinne and altogether dead in our trespasses and offences stung of that olde and fierie Serpent the diuell which first beguiled our Parents in Paradise and so hauing the reward of sinne which is death we in this case are reuiued and quickned againe by the bloud of the true Pellican Iesus Christ which he from his heart hath shead and powred out for vs. Col. 2.13 14. Christs person consisteth of two natures 1 LIke as there must be both these two natures true and sound the properties of either being kept in one person of Christ to reconcile man to God and to strike this couenant So also to keepe this couenant that according to the promise and oath of God it may be euerlasting both natures must remaine for euer sound with their properties vnlesse we will haue the couenant in the piller and foundation to be shaken 2 Like as when the roote of a tree is hurt the braunches also doo wither and there can be no fruite hoped for Euen so the Doctrine beeing corrupt concerning the person of Christ and the two natures in the same person together with their distinct properties the doctrine also of the Priestly and Kingly office of Christ remaineth corrupt which are as it were the fruites of the doctrine concerning his person Christ though amazed and confounded with sorrowes and feares yet remained still sinlesse LIke as if you set two glasses filled the one with muddy water and the other with cleare Christall water and first let them stand till all the muddinesse in one be setled at the bottome then shake both these glasses in the one the mudde ariseth straightway and defileth all the water there in the other although you shake it neuer so much yet the cleare water though troubled likewise remaineth still all cleare as Christall Euen so if any of vs bee shaken and disquieted with any trouble our muddy affections arising doo presently defile vs all ouer but Christ in whom was mans true nature but not any the least defilement of nature beeing likewise shaken he remained still cleare from any the least spot of sinne at all Christ neuer lost his confidence in God LIke as those men do neuer loose their confidence and trust in God who by some violence are stricken into astonishment or naturally fall on sleepe their faith patience loue obedience decreaseth not in them for all that Euen so neither in Christ his assurance in God could neuer decay albeit his sinlesse nature might and did feare the paine and beeing astonished with excessiue paine might and did suddenly desire ease Math. 27.46 Mar. 14.33 c. He that Speaketh in the Church LIke as if the Harpe make a confused noyse and giueth no distinct sound it delighteth not it recreateth not because no man can tell what it is that is plaide So he that Speaketh in the Church in a language which other men vnderstand not cannot edifie because men vnderstand not what he speaketh Confessing of secret faultes LIke as he is vnwise that openeth his disease and committeth himselfe vnto an vnskilfull Phisition that will rather make him worse then cure him Euen so as vnwise is he that reuealeth his secret falls scapes to them whose mouthes are readie with the Pharisies to say See thou to that or to blabbe abroad their brethrens infirmities so making the matter rather worse then better Christ after a sort present with vs in bodie 1 AS the sun which thogh it remain stil in the firmamēt and therefore in verie deed toucheth not the eye yet the bodie of the Sunne is present to the sight notwithstanding so great a distance betweene So likewise the bodie of Christ which by his ascending is taken vp from vs and hath left the world and is gone to his father is indeed absent from our senses yet our faith is conuersant in heauen and beholding that sonne of righteousnesse and is verily in presence with it there present like as our sight is present with the body of the Sunne in the firmament or as the Sunne is present with our sight in earth Ioh. 14.19 16.28 Act. 7.55 Col. 3.1 Hebr. 4.16 10.28 2 As the Sunne with his light is present to all things So is also Christ with his Godhead Spirit and power present to all and filleth all Ephe. 1.23 Col. 1.17 18. How Christ sitteth at the right hand of God 1 AS it is the vse and custome of Kings and Princes which haue their deputies substitutes to whom they freely giue all authoritie to rule and gouerne and do cause that man to sit by him and at his right hand whom he will giue most honor and vnto whom he wil giue most authoritie and power Euen so we vnderstand by these words He sitteth at the right hand of God that our Sauiour Christ is exalted aboue all creatures and that hee hath dominion or gouernance in heauen and in earth and that he raigneth with his Father hauing equal power with him 1. King 2.19 Psal 45.9 110.1 Mat. 20.21 Phil. 2.9 10 11. 1. Pet. 3.22 Ephe. 1.20 21. 4.15 2 As those on earth that are set at the right hand of Kings do execute iustice in courts or Assises for the maintenance of the state and peace of the Kingdome Euen so Christ Iesus sitting at the right hand of his Father that is being made soueraigne Lord of all things both in heauen and earth is to hold a Court or Assise in which he shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead Christ confounds his enemies AS Iosua dealt with the fiue Kings that were hid in the Caue he first makes a slaughter of their armes then he brings them foorth and makes the people to set their feete on their neckes and to hang them on fiue trees Euen so Christ deales with his enemies he treades them vnder his feete and makes a slaughter not so much of their bodies as of their soules And this the Church of God findes to bee true by experience as well as it findes the loue of Christ towardes it selfe Iosu 10.24 Luke 17.27 Psal 2.9 110.1 Corruption of truth by mans traditions AS sweete Dough is made sowre by a litle Leauen So is the sweetnesse and comfort of the doctrine of truth corrupted if it be neuer so litle entermedled with humane doctrine or mans traditions Mat. 13.33 16.6 The Creature
meanes and way to life and saluation and doo drawe on to death and damnation and therfore they that be Elected to life eternall are also Elected to haue Faith and consequently to amende theyr liues Rom. 8.1 c. Ephe. 1.4 2.16 Colloss 3.12 1. Pet. 2.9 10. 3 Like as a poore mayden who hearing that some King had among all other chosen her to be his sonnes wife and withall ordained that to that ende she forsaking her parents and kinsfolkes should come to him on foote in the midst of winter no doubt she would willingly and readily leaue all and euen in winter and on foote come to the King to finish this great marriage as the like we reade of Dauid 1. Sam. 18.17 c. Euen so we vnderstanding and hauing witnesse that God hath chosen vs to be the spouse of his sonne Iesus Christ and coheires of his kingdome and also that it is his will that forsaking the world and the flesh we should walke through the path of good workes in amendment of life to come to heauen there to accomplish this happie mariage we ought feruently to renounce the world the flesh and euery thing that contrarieth his will that we may the more speedily and chearfully proceede in amendment of life and so performe this blessed marriage 4 Like as if the Sunne in his force shining vpon a stone can so heate the same stone that a man shall not be able to touch it with his hands Euen so much more shall we if we meditate vpon the loue of God towards vs in our Election albeit we were as cold as Marble be warmed and kindled to loue him with al our harts with al our strength and with all our minds 1. Iohn 4.19 Luk. 14.15 Expectation of reward AS two that should passe together towards their countrie the one to receiue honour for his good seruice done abroad the other as prisoner to be arraigned of treasons committed in former Dominions against his Soueraigne could not bee like merrie in their Inne vpon the way as it seemeth to me and though hee that stood in daunger should sing or make shew of courage and innocencie and set a good face vpon the matter Yet the other might well thinke that his heart had many a colde pull within him as no doubt but all wicked men haue when they thinke with themselues of the life to come or as if Ioseph and Pharaos Baker had knowne both their distinct lottes in prison to wit that on such a day the one should be called foorth to be made Lord of Egypt and the other to bee hanged on a paire of Gallowes they could hardly haue beene equally merrie whilst they liued together in time of their Imprisonment Euen so the like may be said and much more truely of vertuous and wicked men in this world For when the one doth but thinke vpon the day of death which is to bee the day of their deliuerance from their prison their harts cannot but leape for very ioy considering what is to ensue vnto them after But the other are afflicted and fall into melancholy as often as mention or remembrance of death is offered for they are sure that it bringeth with it their bane Gene. 40 41 43. chap. Gene. 30.1 37.4 1. Sam. 18.8 Eloquence in Sermons forbidden EVen as those sheepe which in the presence of their shepheards doo vomit and cast out againe the grasse which they haue eaten doo not profitably shewe how much and how wel they haue fed but those rather which doo inwardly digest and concoct their meate and doo giue abundance of milke doo beare the softiest weightiest and finest Wooll and doo shewe themselues to be fat faire and well liking For by these things they shew and plainely proue that their pasture is exceeding good Euen so not those Pastors Ministers and Preachers of the word which doo deliuer words and stuffe their Sermons with Eloquence and braue phrases doo fruitfully and throughly declare vnto the people that Vertues pasture is excellent good and wholesome to be desired of all but they rather which doo inwardly concoct vertue and do obserue it and bending themselues to the actions and performance thereof doo flowe with the sweete milke of mercie and doo cloath themselues and others with the fine fleeces of Christian loue and charitie doo euidently declare how much they haue profited in the doctrine of Christ and how much also others ought to profit in the same and doo stirre vp the hearts and minds of their hearers to vertue and godlinesse both with their doctrine and liuing 2. Tim. 4.1 2 5. Tit. 2.7 Math. 5.19 Our Elders and auncestors in time of ignorance had yet good consciences in Ciuill causes AS the men of Niniuie repented at the preaching of Ionas and not the Iewes at the preaching of Christ who was greater then Ionas Euen so the good and faithfull dealing which our Elders and ancestors had in times past in Ciuill causes doth reprooue our iniquities and shewe what they would haue beene if they had had the preaching of the Gospell so plainely as wee haue And therefore well saith a godly Father Men had better consciences then lesse knowledge Now haue they more knowledge and worse consciences Math. 12.41 Beza Epis 1. Excesse taketh away pleasures AS too bright a light dazeteth our sight and too great a noyse hindreth our hearing So likewise too great curiositie in deuising our pleasures taketh away a great part of the fruition of our delightes neither is there any thing that maketh our meate more sauerie then hunger and health Enemies of the Gospell AS Archers doo ayme their arrowes vnto a certaine marke So the Enemies of the Gospell bend and bestow all their endeuours vnto the subuersion of the true doctrine and of the true Church of God Psal 2.2 3. Faith 1 LIke as the Sun which although it remaine still in the Firmament therefore in very deed toucheth not the eie yet the peeces or resēblance of the body of the Sun is present and reacheth to the sight notwithstanding so great a distance betweene So the body of Christ which by his ascending is taken vp from vs hath left the world and is gone to his Father is in deed absent from our senses Yet our Faith is conuersant in heauen and beholdeth the Sonne of righteousnesse and is verely in presence with it there present like as the Sunne is perceiued by our sight in earth Iohn 14.19 16.10.28 Act. 7.55 Col. 3.1 Heb. 4.16 10.28 2 As the Sunne with his light is present to all things So is also Christ with his Godhead spirit and power by Faith present to all and filleth all Ephe. 1. 23. Col. 1.17 18. 3 Like as when a man hath libertie to goe into the treasure house of a King there to enrich himselfe wil first of all seeke to haue the keys wherwith he may open the doores and so enter for otherwise it wil nothing profit him
whiles they seeke for succour and comfort of the world they finde no better thing than death where they thought to haue found life experience dooth teach them that they sought for life in the house of death and for a medicine there where â—o good thing is to be had The necessitie of the Magistrate and a preaching Minister AS the wal within eke without is made ofsquared stones between the which the lesse stones are conâ—eined to make the building vp EueÌ„ so the preaching Miâ—ister within the church the Magistrate in the commoÌ„ weale should support and vphold the meaner sort in due obedience 2 Like as the Soule in excellencie surpasseth and exceedeth the bodie So dooth the office of the Preacher which principally is occupied in instructing of the soule deserue to be preferred before all such functions as concerne onely the bodie and the direction and ordering of the outward life of man out of which office of a diligent Preacher springeth and issueth the true outward obedience vnto the ciuil Magistrate who as he compelleth the Preacher perswadeth as he constraineth the Preacher allureth as he forceth with the sword so the Preacher draweth voluntarily by the doctrine of the word Meanes must be vsed 1 EVen as Noe thogh he knew he shuld be saued did not neglect the Means but made the Arke as God commaunded So also we though we be perswaded oâ— our saluation must notwithstanding vse those Means thaâ— God hath appointed and set downe for the same in hiâ— word 2 As God is able to keepe in health whom hee listeth either without foode physicke or any such meanes froâ— death of the bodie So likewise is hee able to deale witâ— the soule but yet he wil haue his appointed Meanes vseâ— as the hearing of his word preached Catechising and thâ— partaking of the Sacrament 3 Like as when a certain King maketh this Proclamâ—tion that of a company of rebelles or malefactors thoâ— who comming into his presence haue his scepter reachâ— out vnto them shall liue the rest shall haue the Lawe passe on them yet he keepeth himselfe within a stroâ— Castle the gates being fast shut herevpon many of thâ— malefactors casting off their olde and filthie apparell 〈◊〉 dresse themselues in the best manner they can to come before the king When they come to the place of his abode they find no entrance saue onely a few of them yet they that stand excluded are better to bee admitted then they who conâ—emning the Kings offer neuer looke towards him and yet in truth they that stand nearest to the gates doo no more deserue life neither are any more capable of it or any nearer vnto it for ought that they themselues can doo then they who bee a hundred miles off So God biddeth all cast off their sinnes their corrupt dispositions and liues and to come and seeke to him for grace yet they doo not by this Meanes deserue nor can by any Meanes compell God to admit them into his fauour and to touch their hearts with his spirit All should vse this Meanes and hope to obtaine grace yea none can hope to obtaine grace who doo not vse this Meanes yet some vse the Meanes and doo not obtaine and others obtaine not vsing the Meanes yet the Meanes is carefully to be vsed and necessarie to be knowne 4 Euen as we must be diligent to doo all good works and not put our trust of saluation in them but say when wee haue done all those things which are commaunded 〈◊〉 wee are vprofitable seruants Luk. 17 9.10 So likewise we must vse alwayes lawful Meanes to defend our selues â—â—d yet say Our helpe is in the name of the Lord which hath made heauen and earth for hee hath ordained such â—eanes to saue vs by and workes by the same our deliâ—erance when pleaseth him and sometimes to shewe his â—ower hee deliuereth vs without such ordinarie meanes â—sal 124.8 Mortification AS the Arke was to Noe a graue and yet the way to saue him Euen so he that will liue euerlastingly must be Mortified and die to his sinnes Gene. 7.1 c. Mourning for our sinnes 1 AS the Eagle feeling his wings heauy plungeth them in a fountaine and so reneweth his strength Euen so after the same sort a Christian feeling the heauie burthen of his sins batheth himselfe in a fountaine of teares and so washing off the old man which is the body of sinne is made yong againe and lustie as an Eagle Luk. 7.44 2 As Peters faith was so great that he lept into a Sea of waters to come to Christ Math. 14 28 29. So also his repentance was so great that hee lept into a Sea of teares when he went from Christ Mark 14.72 Luk. 23.63 3 As it is an Idoll and no God which hath eyes and seeth not So he is rather an Idol shepheard then a godly Pastour which hath eyes and weepeth not more or lesse one time or other in preaching to the people Iere. 9.1 Act. 20.31 4 Euen as the Oliue tree is most aboundant in fruit when it distilleth So likewise a Christian is most plentifull and powerfull in prayer when hee weepeth and Mourneth for his sinnes 5 As salt vapours aryse out of the Sea which afterward are turned into a pleasant shower So out of a sinfull sorrowfull soule dooth arise sobs and sighes like salt vapours which immediatly are turned into a sweete shower of teares 6 As a Quaile flies ouer the Sea feeling himselfe beginne to bee wearie lights by the way into the Sea theâ— lying at one side he layes downe one wing vpon the water and hold vp the other wing towards heauen least he should presume to take too long a flight at the first hee wets one wing least hee should despaire of taking a new flight afterwards he keepes the other wing drie Euen so must a Christian man doo when hee layes downe the wing of feare vpon the water to weepe for himselfe then hee must hold vp the wing of loue towardes heauen to reioyce for Christ and the other of sorrow for himselfe 7 As a Hinde goeth not still forward in one way but iumpes crosse out of one way into an other Right so a Christian in Mourning for his sinnes must iumpe crosse from himselfe to Christ and then backe againe from Christ to himselfe 8 As Hanna wept for her barrennesse Euen so haue we great cause to weepe for our sinnes seeing wee can conceiue nothing but sorrow and bring foorth iniquitie to death 1. Sam. 1.5 9 As Tamar wept being defloured by her brother So likewise we haue greater cause to weepe seeing we commit spirituall incest and Adulterie daily with the diuell 2. Sam. 13.19 10 As Hagar wept beeing turned out of Abrahams house So this ought to be the greatest cause of weeping vnto vs that our life is no life because wee neuer cease from sinning while we are heere pilgrimes straungers exiled and banished out of our Fathers house in heauen
on the left hand which are indeed on the right those that are on the right hand are shewed to be on the left and by this meanes there is a counterfeiting of the truth Euen so in the Workes of hypocrites although there bee a faire shew outwardly in the sight of men yet it is false for that those things which are vngodly wicked are counted holy and true Iam. 1. 23 24. 2 As the strong bitternesse of the Allow tree taketh away the sweetnesse of the sweetest Honie So euil Works destroy and take away the praise of good deeds Gods Word is true AS the Sunne ceaseth not to giue light and brightnesse although some man shutteth his eyes that he may not see it nor be lightned therewith Or as meate ceaseth not to be good and nourishing although it be receiued without profit of a stomacke euill disposed So likewise if many vnwilling to beleeue that the will of God is such as he hath declared by his Word reiecting by their incredulitie the grace which God offereth them this their incredulitie ought not to make any good Christian to cal into doubt the truth of God and the testimonie of his good will towards him Math. 9.29 Good Workes make vs not pure in Gods sight 1 LIke as if an Asse were trimmed and decked in a Lyons skinne and would needs be a Lyon yet his long eares beeing alwayes vpward should easily descrie and bewray him Euen so if we adorne garnish and set forth our selues with glorious beautiful Works neuer so much so that no man can say but that wee are vtterly innocent and inculpable in diuers and many points yet notwithstanding we haue filthie vncleane and wicked hearts full of securitie and neglect of God altogether giuen to the loue of our selues and to all manner of dissolutenesse 2 As a Schoolemaister will take in good part the diligence that his Schollers can doo and if hee see them put their good wills thereto hee will beare with their faults and teach them their lessons but to the stubburn and froward hee will shewe no gentlenesse but cast them off So likewise God with those whom he hath chosen in Christ before the world was made will beare with their infirmities and winke at their litle faults teach them to doo better and praise their well doings and gently correct their faults but his enemies and outcasts because whatsoeuer they doo is hypocrisie hee loues them not but euen their prayer is turned to sinne and whatsoeuer they doo is defiled because they be not graffed and chosen in Christ Iesus Gen. 4. Tit. 1.15 Rom. 14.23 Wicked men take parts together against their Ministers and godly men AS there was such affinitie and alliance betwixt Hypocrates Twins that when the one wept the other wept also when the one laughed the other laughed and when the one was touched the other was touched ones ioy was an others ioy and ones griefe was an others griefe Euen so is it with the Wicked and reprobate impes of the Diuell if the Minister speake against one say they hee speaketh against all touch one touch all so wise they are in their generatioÌ„ as they wil not say The Preacher spake against me but he spake against such a one Worldly minded men LIke as a man that looketh on a Towne platted in foure leaues of Paper he shall somewhat discerne the order of the streetes and houses thereof but afterward if he shall lay downe in the like quantitie of Paper the whole prouince wherein that Citie standeth and the same will not shew so great as a mans naile and lastly if hee shall represent the whole world in as much Paper hee shall then see neither house nor Towne yea scarcely the whole Prouince perhaps hee may find the names of the Realmes and see their extent in the breadth of two or three nayles and looking from heauen the whole world wâ—l not seeme so much Euen so then it is a great folly or rather a madnesse for those that are straungers vppon earth and burgesses of heauen diuersly and by sundrie meanes to offend God for the getting of a small portion of earth which is as nothing wherein they resemble Esau who for a peece of bread and a messe of pottage sold his birth-right Gene. 25.34 Hebr. 12.16 The true Worship of God 1 EVen as a foule and stinking Viall infecteth the pure and good Ointment which is put into it Euen so the Worship of God if it be placed in a foule hart it wil soone corrupt and shortly turne into flat Idolatrie and wicked dissembling 1. Cor. 5.7 2 As a litle Leauen leaueneth a whole lumpe Euen so a little vngodlinesse and worldly affections sowreth the whole masse of Gods Worship and seruice and maketh it vnpleasant vnto him 1. Cor. 5.6 3 As the true God is to be worshipped alone So is he to be Worshipped in truth as he himselfe and not as man inuenteth Exod. 26.1 c. 2. Chro. 3.1 c. Leuit. 10.2 We ought to put in practise the Word of God 1 AS Medicines doo minister health to none but those that take them whose nature also is strong and wel prepared to receiue their operations So it is requisit that they which heare and read the Word of God should receiue and apply it to themselues and pray vnto God to prepare them and by his holie spirite so to dispose their hearts that the doctrine exhortations may worke their operation in them Ephe. 3.20 21 22 23 24. Iam. 1.22 2 Like as they that haue learned the Art of sowing of Cord-wainerie or Draperie and so forth yet are not reputed Taylors Cord-wainers or Drapers vnlesse they do in act execute those Sciences which is indeed the purpose of their Apprentiship Euen so let vs neuer looke to be true and sound Christians or Gods children notwithstanding wee haue learned the Word of God and the manner thereof vnlesse we also performe the workes of Christians of the children of God Lu. 11.28 Rom. 2.13 3 As when wee haue trimmed and shorne our heades and beards before we come forth we looke in the Glasse whether it be well Euen so much rather ought we after we haue heard the Sermon the end whereof tendeth to amend our liues immediately to looke vpon and peruse our soules to the end to see whether our corruptions and vices being cut downe and mortified the same be cleare and pure in the sight of God 4 As Hearbes prepared by Art doo heale the bodie So likewise the Word of God rightly applied doth cure a sicke soule The Word of God ought to be carefully searched into AS they which doo digge mettals out of the earth doo not contemne nor despise the least gobbets and peeces that they espie but take all but especially if they finde by digging a veine of Gold they leaue no way vnsought but with all care diligence they looke about them and doo dig the Gold and earth together and most diligently
the Lord in mercie to blesse you both and all yours with his holy spirit with increase of long life and much faith in him to his glorie and the benefit of this our Countrie and in the world to come of his vnspeakable mercie to crowne you with euerlasting glorie I most humbly take my leaue Your Worships in the Lord much bounden and in him to be commaunded Robert Cawdray great benefit and comfort by this worke if after his returne home from the hearing of any godly Lecture or Sermon where he hath either heard any principle of God his Religion handled and spoken off Or else any vertue commended or vice condemned he shall turne to that point and first search it out in the Table and so then to Read all such Similies in the Booke as he shall there find touching the same point and matter R. C. A TREASVRIE or Store-house of Similies both pleasaunt delightfull and profitable c. A Accusation AS fire cast into the water is quickly quenched so a false Accusation against an honest life is soone extinguished Aduersitie As a wise Pirate and gouernour of a shippe will in a calme and faire weather looke for a storme euen so euery wise man in time of peace and prosperitie will prepare his mind for Aduersitie Psal 69.2 2 As a man or beast that suddenly falleth into a deepe quagmire whereof hee can find no bottome must needs perish except there be some at hand to draw him out so hee that falleth into extreme Aduersitie except God do helpe him out must needes bee therein ouerthrowne and perish 3 Euen as in Winter when it is exceeding cold and in Sommer when too much heate inflameth all things great thunder and lightnings are seldome heard and seene but in the spring-time and haruest when the aire is cleere and calme then chiefely they burne and strike where they light So great calamities and bitter troubles do lie in wait for prosperitie they seeke not after them which in a low and meane estate do labour and take paines in heat and cold and all stormes else but those do they most suddenly wound ouerthrow and consume as it were with fire which in a calme spring-time and haruest of prosperitie are drunken with pride and too too insolent with vaine glory of the world and are set vpon the top of vanitie it selfe 4 As the seed is more fruitfull that hath bene couered with snow and the fire burneth faster that hath beene pressed downe with the winde So are the heartes and soules of true Christians bettered by Aduersitie 5 As Marriners who if they be once in the hauen are the greatest drunkards blasphemers whore-maisters licentious persons that may be but if they be vpon the sea in any perill and danger of their liues there was neuer Hermite no not Paul nor Hilarion so holy in words so austere in life and deuout in prayers as they are Iona. 1.4 5 Euen so we in like maner are neuer so humble and lowly minded in prosperitie as we are in Aduersitie for if we be well and at our ease wee thinke of nothing but of sporting and playing wee spend the time in carding and dicing in dancing and making merrie wee studie in the morning what new pastime we may haue all the day following and we are neuer so much afraid of any thing as that we should want time and health neuer thinking vpon the shortnesse of our dayes and the small time wee haue to liue here so long as we are in health and iollitie The chiefe cause of Atheisme AS there is small hope to be conceiued of that Patient which being grieuously sicke will neither feele his disease nor beleeue that he is distempered nor abide to heare of physicke or Physitions nor accept of any counsell that should be offered nor admit any talke or consultation about his curing So likewise those men that inordinately loue the worlde which bringeth them to hate God and to conceiue enmitie against him are in more dangerous estate then any other for that they know not their owne danger but perswading themselues to be more wise then their neighbours doe remoue from their cogitations all things whereby their health and saluation may be procured 1. Iohn 2.15 16. Gods Anger 1 AS the course of a streame being stopt it gathereth a great damme and being let suddenly goe it ouerthroweth all in his way Euen so Gods anger beeing stayed a time the windowes in heauen being opened it will shortly it is to be feared powre downe on our heads plentifully for the manifold sinnes that raigne in euery estate throughout our whole Land 2 As the wette wood although it be long in burning yet will burne faster at the last So the Anger of God although it be long in comming yet it will come the fiercer at the last Psal 51.9 c. 3 As Water is deepest where it is the stillest So where God is most silent in threatning and patient in sparing there he is most inflamed with Anger and purpose of reuenge therefore the fewer that the iudgements be that are powred forth vpon the wicked in this life the moe are reserued in store for them in the life to come 4 Like as a man liuing in health wealth and all manner of pleasure should haue this of a sudden made knowne vnto him that he is condemned of treason committed against his Prince and Countrey and that therefore hee is forthwith to be depriued of life and of all those pleasures which hee doth enioy there beeing no hope of pardon which cannot possibly bee procured by himselfe or any other it depending wholly in the gracious fauour and free inclination of the Prince who vseth to be greatly inflamed with anger against all such offenders and not to spare one of a thousand of them wee cannot fully conceiue in minde or expresse in word the greatnesse of his griefe sorrow and feare Euen so much more grieuous and fearefull a thing it will be to incurre the displeasure and Anger of God the losse of eternall ioy and happinesse togither with those endlesse paynes which are prepared for the wicked Affliction 1 LIke as if a sheepe stray from his fellowes the shephard sets his dogge after it not to deuoure it but to bring it in againe euen so our heauenly shepheard if any of vs his sheepe disobay him he sets his dogge of Affliction after not to hurt vs but to bring vs home to consideration of our dutie towards him Now his dogges be Pouertie Banishment Sicknesse euill Rulers Dearth Death Warre losse of Goods or Friends c. 2 As a vessell when it is foule must be scoured and cleansed before any good liquour be put in it or as hee that would haue his ground to be fruitefull must first pull vp the weedes before hee sowe good seede euen so the Lord our good God doth by Afflictions as it were by sharpe medicines and chastisements purge our bodies to the end that our
to behold the bright Sunne vnlesse it be couered with a cloude Euen so no man can abide the Maiestie of God but through the Lord Iesus Christ Communion with Christ 1 AS the head giueth sence and motioÌ„ to the members and the members feele themselues to haue sense and to moue by the meanes of the head Euen so doth Christ Iesus receiue and quicken euerie true member and by his heauenly power maketh him to doo the good which he doth 2 Like as from the stock sap is deriued to the graft that it may liue and grow and bring forth fruite in his kinde So likewise do all the faithfull that are grafted into Christ the true vine Rom. 6.4 5. Iohn 15.1 2. Ephe. 13.16 3 And as the graft looseth his wilde nature and is changed into the nature of the stocke and bringeth forth good fruite Euen so in like manner it is with them that are in Christ who by litle and litle are wholly renued from euill to good Act. 15.9 Conscience touched 1 LIke as they which haue diseased bodies are contented with no one Phisition but do coÌ„mit themselues to euerie man that will promise them helpe So also it fareth oftentimes with them that haue their consciences ouâ—â—pressed with the burden of their sinnes that they can be content to yeelde themselues to euerie hereticke that will promise them libertie 2 As after great stormes the ayre is cleare so after the flouds of repentant teares the Conscience is at quiet 3 As a sicke man that is pained diuersly complaineth of diuers places euen so a man troubled in Conscience vseth many phrases according to the diuersitie of afflictioÌ„s Psal 51.8 9 10 11 12. Consideration and earnest meditation of our estate needfull 1 LIke as a man that hath a iournie to make but from England to Constantinople although he had made the same once or twise before yet would he not passe it ouer without great and often Consideration especially whether he were right and in the way or no what pace he held how neare he were to his wayes end and the like Euen so euery Christian hath far more need of due Consideration who must passe froÌ„ earth to heauen being subiect to by pathes and manifold dangers as euerie pleasure of this world euerie lust euery dissolute thought euery alluring sight tempting sound euery diuell vpoÌ„ the earth or instrument of his which are infinite beeing a theefe and lying in waite to spoile him vpon this way towards heauen 2 As theeues seeme mad vnto wise men that seeing so many hanged daily for theft before their eyes will yet notwithstanding steale againe and all for want of due consideration Euen so the very same cause maketh the wisest men of the world to seeme very fooles and worse then franticks vnto God and good men that knowing the vanities of the world and the daunger of sinfull life doo follow so much the one and fear so litle the other Math. 7. Luk. 12. Rom. 2. 1. Cor. 1.2 3. Gal. 3. 3 Like as if a Lawe were made by the authoritie of man that whosoeuer should aduenture to drinke wine should without delay hold his hand but halfe an houre in the fire or in boiling leade for a punishment many no doubt would forbeare wine albeit naturally they loued the same and yet a Lawe being made by the eternall Maiestie of God that whosoeuer committeth sinne shall boile in the fire of hell without ease or end many for lacke of consideration commit sinne vpon sinne with as little feare as they do eate or drinke 4 As he may be thought to be but a foolish Marchant that for quietnes sake would neuer looke to his owne accounts booke whether he were behinde hand or before Or as a shipmaister were greatly to be laughed at that for auoyding of care would sit downe and make good cheare and let the ship go whither she would Euen so much more in the businesse of our soule it is madnesse and folly to fly consideration for eschewing of trouble seeing in the end this negligence must needs turne vpon vs more trouble and irremediable calamitie The Condition of mans creation AS a Marchant Factor when he is arriued in a straunge Countrey or as a Captaine sent by his Prince to some great exployt is accustomed when hee commeth to the place appointed then aduisedly considereth wherefore he was sent to what end what to attempt what to prosecute what to performe what shall be expected and re-required at his hands vpon his returne by him that sent him thither these cogitations no doubt shall stirre him vp to attend to that which he came for and not to imploy himselfe in impertinent affaires So likewise euerie Christian desirous of saluation ought to aske of himselfe why and to what end he was created of God and sent into this world what to do wherein to bestowe his dayes thus doing he shall finde that it was for no other cause but onely to serue God in a right maner in this life Deut. 6.13 Luk. 1.74.75 Whosoeuer breaketh one Commaundement is guiltie of the breach of all LIke as if a Father should say vnto his son do such and such things and I wil take thee for an obedient childe and giue thee all my possessions now the sonne breaketh somewhat of that which his father charged him withall and is therefore accounted disobedient and deserueth to loose whatsoeuer was promised Or as if one man bestow vpon an other house or land or some such like thing and in consideration thereof bindeth him to fulfill many conditions whereof if he breake but the least the gift is voide and it is all one as if he had neuer giuen any thing Euen so likewise we may not maruell when we heare that by the breaking of one point of one Commaundement wee faile of perfect righteousnesse and are made the heires of euerlasting damnation if God should measure out vnto vs the due reward of his damnation Deut. 27.26 28.58 59. Iam. 2.10 2. Euen as if a Rule be broken in some part or the linke of a round chaine yet we may rightly and truly say that they are not wholely and altogither broken So likewise if but one Commaundement be broken yet all are broken in the sight of God for the iustice of God is indiuisible The Couenant of God 1 AS it is the chiefe and principall part in the lawe of Wedlocke and before all required of the wife that shee kept this faith to her husband that shee admit no other man in his sight vnlesse shee will bee refused as an adultresse So likewise this is the chiefe point in the Couenant of GOD that wee sticke vnto him onely and alone or else to be put out from the Couenant Creature 1 EVen as a brittle glasse being filled with some extreame strong liquor cannot but burst in sunder not because of any antipathie which is betwixt them but because the glasse is not of sufficient strength to containe
or annoy Conscience 26 Euen as a paire of Turtle Doues when the one feedes the other feedeth when one likes not the other likes not when the one dies the other dies So where good Conscience is mainteined there are many excellent gifts of God flourishing and where Conscience decayes they also decay 27 As diseases if they be long neglected become incurable So the Conscience much and often wounded admits no comfort neither will it alwayes boote a man after many yeares to say at the last cast Lord be mercifull vnto me I haue sinned Though some be receiued to mercie in time of death yet farre more perish in desperation that liued in their sinnes wittingly and willingly against their owne Conscience Pharao Saul and Iudas cried all Peccaui I haue sinned against God yet Pharao is hardned more and more and perisheth Saul goeth on in his sinnes and despaireth Iudas made made away himself And no maruell for the multitude of sinnes oppresse the Conscience and makes the heart to ouerflowe with such a measure of grief that it can fasten no affiance in the mercie of God 28 As a Ship is on the Sea if it be not well gouerned or if there be a breach made into it it draws water and sinks and so both men and wares and all in likelihood are cast away So we are all as passengers the world is an huge Sea through which we must passe our Ship is the Conscience of euery man 1. Timo. 1.19 3.12 the wares are our Religion and saluation and all other gifts of God Therfore it stands vs in hand to be alwayes at the helme and to carrie our Sip with as euen a course as possibly wee can to the entended porte of happinesse which is the saluation of our soules Christians 1 AS wholsome hearbs are in some countries growing plentifully in other sparingly somewhere in euery high way otherwhere onely in priuate Gardens somewhere againe they cannot grow at all So godly Christians are in some places many in other fewe somewhere mewed vp in close houses somewhere againe not to be found at all 2 As some hearbs will prosper and grow in the Mountaines some in low grounds some in shadowie places some in sunny places some in the corne field some on the drie heath some by the salte Sea coast some by the sweete Riuers So the godly Christians grow vp some in high places some in mean estate some where they haue defeÌ„ce and some where they are persecuted c. 3 As the bastard Narcissus or yellow crowbellies flowreth in Februarie and is in flower vnder the Snowe So true Christians shew forth their zeale in the coldest time and age as Wickliefe c. in Poperie 4 As Woodrow an hearbe all of a most pleasant smell yet loueth darke shadowie places So many godly Christians of great gifts loue to liue obscurely 5 As some hearbes last but a small time and yet wholesome hearbes and vertuous for all that as Monsotaile Adders-tongue c. So many Christians liue but a while and die in the flower of their time and yet good Christians for all that 6 As Sothernwood will not flower in euerie countrey that it will growe in So the godly oftentimes professe not or cannot be suffered to professe openly where they haue bene called 7 As Appelles the Painter much lamented if hee should scape but one day wrthout drawing some picture or line So ought a Christian man be sorie if that any day should passe without some good worke or exercise 8 As the care of an euill Christian when he is sicke is to desire to be whole only to liue and enioy the pleasures of the world Euen so the desire of a good Christian when he is diseased is to be whole not so much to liue as to glorifie God and to reforme his life 9 Like as Sheepe do know the voice of their owne shepheard and flee from a straunger Euen so godly Christians acknowledge Christ onely their Teacher and will heare onely those that Preach his word soundly and not credit any other that Preach false doctrine how great in authoritie so euer they be yea though it were an Angel from heauen Gal. 1.9.9 Iohn 13.27 10 As sheepe followe their owne shepheard whither soeuer hee goeth Euen so must faithfull Christians follow Christ in life in persecution and in glory beholding his life as a patterne to leade their liues by by suffering troubles patiently so often as it shall please God to lay them vpon them and so afterwards to become partakers of his glory Math. 11.29 Mat. 20.28 2. Cor. 8.9 Phil. 2.5.6.7 2. Timo. 3.12 2.11 12. 1. Pet. 2.21 4.1.13 2. Timo. 2.12 Iam. 5.10 11 As in Infidels liuing honestly the spirit of God bridleth the force of sinne and the corrupt nature that it breake not out as it doth in many other So also in Christians that are indeed godly the same spirit not onely represseth the corruption of nature outwardly but also mortifieth it within at the roote and regenetateth the whole man into a new creature 12 Like as when a man hath a iourney to go his minde is to dispatch it in all haste yet when he is in his trauell he goes but slowly by reason of some lamenesse in his ioints Euen so likewise many good Christians who haue an earnest desire and purpose to proceed in vertue and godlynes all their life long are yet now and then by the meanes of their corrupt nature so hindered that they cannot performe that dutie so fully and exactly as they purposed to haue done Rom. 7.15.23 13 As a candle lighteth euery man in the house So likewise should the good behauiour wise dealing and vpright conuersation of Christians shine bright before men that God by them may be glorified Math. 5.15.16 1. Pet. 2.12 14 As Doues are innocent simple and harmelesse Eâ—en so Christians ought to be simple and plaine in their callings and behauiour one towards an other especially such as be professors of the Gospell 15 As buildings cannot stand except they be borne vp by their foundation So likewise Christians are in an vnstable state except they stay themselues vpon Christ 1. Cor. 3.11 16 Like as good ground which when it is tilled and sowen bringeth forth fruite plentifully Euen so those which receiue the word preached gladly beleeue it stedfastly and expresse it in life accordingly are good Christians Math. 13.23 17 As nothing is iudged fruitfull but that which bringeth forth fruite plentifully Euen so it is not one or two good things whereby Christians are iudged to be good vnlesse they be filled with the fruite of Righteousnesse Phil. 1.11 18 Like as Vines being let to grow out at large in small time become wilde and fruitlesse Euen so Christians being giuen ouer of God to runne whither flesh and bloud would easily be allured their case is desperate and their life fruitlesse Iohn 15.5 19 As Vines being proyned and dressed in such sort as their
rather putrifie within him by couering and defending them then heale by repentance and confession it is to be feared that such a one shall not finde repentance at commaundement when he wisheth for it Rom. 2.3 4. Carnall men 1 AS a childe borne and brought vp in a dungeon will not beleeue if his mother tell him of the light of the Sunne and such other pleasant commodities that there are such things or very hardly Euen so no more will Carnall men beleeue either the immortalitie of the soule or the mercie and iudgement of the Lord c. 2 Like as in other matters it commeth daily to passe that meÌ„ being in processe of timâ— brought by experience to see their owne errors wherein they haue done amisse are displeased with themselues for so dooing wish they had done otherwise and so are said to repent of this or that action So Carnall men hauing all their liues liued in vaine and sinfull pleasures altogether carelesse of the seruice of God and of their owne saluation at length see the vanitie of their liues past are greeued for it and wish although too late that they had taken an other course 3 As Adam by comming out of the state of holinesse into the state of sinne had his eyes opened to see the filthinesse of sinne and his owne nakednesse wherevpon he beeing ashamed desired to hide and couer himselfe So in like manner Carnall men comming out of the state of senselesse securitie wherein they neither knew nor considered what sinne is into the state of repentance wherein they conceiue of sinne as it is indeed and iudge themselues in regard of it the most abiect men of all other vnworthie of their company or to come in their sight and therefore they decline and shun it wherin this shame doth consist Couetousnesse in old men 1 AS wayfairing men the lesse way they haue to go the lesse carefull neede they to be either of spending their money or victualls Euen so for olde men who haue as it were one foote in the graue to be couetous is a verie absurd thing Christ our Prophet 1 AS the print of a Seale is more plainely perceiued in the soft waxe then in the Seale it selfe So likewise the knowledge of God is more manifest to vs in Christ who is the liuely image and engrauen forme of his Father 2 As the Moone dooth naturally receiue her light of the Sunne So all the light all the true wisedome and vnderstanding or heauenly knowledge that the Church hath it hath it of our Sauiour Iesus Christ Christ was in our person iustly cursed of God and executed for vs. 1 AS the Suretie is by the iust sentence of the Lawe condemned to pay his debt for whom hee hath willingly and aduisedly vndertaken Euen so it is meere and true iustice and no wrong that Christ by the iust sentence of the Lawe was hanged on a tree and so hee bare indeed the true curse of the Lawe 2 As the Suretie although hee be vtterly cleare obnoxious and guiltie to none yet by his suretiship is a debter and obnoxious to the Creditor and the Law So likewise Christ tooke our person on him and presented himselfe therein before his Father and so hee became by our sinnes sinfull defiled hatefull and accursed 3 Like as if a tender Ladies only child should by some casualtie be all tumbled in bloud or mire most stinking filth the child so berayed loathsome would breed great abhorring loathing in the eyes of the delicate Lady yet the childe 's own person shuld be neuerthelesse beloued of the mother but rather the more if it may be So such two persons or conditions are found in Christ according to one he was alwayes beloued according to the other which he tooke vpon him whilst he had not finished that office he was iustly accursed Christs Merits 1 AS the Iebusites Gods enemies could not fully be coÌ„quered vntil Dauid came Euen so no more could the Kingdome of Sathan bee cleane ouerthrowne vntill Christ Iesus the King of glory was borne of the seede of Dauid who conquered sinne hell and the diuel and possessed the holy hill Sion and made his people Citizens of the heauenly Ierusalem 2. Sam. 5.6 7 8 9. Iosu 23.7 8 9 10 11 12 13. 2 Euen as the Oyntment that was powred vppon the head of Aaron rested not there but went downe also vpon his beard yea to the skirts of his cloathing So likewise the righteousnes of Christ and his Merite is giuen and attributed to euery one that be his members Psal 133.2 3 As Christs righteousnes is made ours really by imputation to make vs righteous Euen so we by the Merite of his righteousnes imputed to vs do merite and deserue life euerlasting Christ a King 1 AS King Dauid when hee had raigned 33. yeares in Ierusalem died with great victorie Euen so Christ â—esus our Lord and graund Captaine after hee had preached the Kingdome of his Father gat this noble victorie â—gainst death and all his enemies in the 33. yeare of his â—ge by suffring death and tryumphantly ascending into heauen where he raigneth a glorious King for euer Christian a generall name for all that are baptized LIke as euery man and woman hath a seueral proper name whereby hee is discerned and knowne â—rom another Euen so there is one name that is generalâ—y apperteining vnto all men namely Christian which is â—eriued vnto vs from Christ our Sauiour as the Authour 〈◊〉 whom we beleeue in whom we are baptized whose word we esteeme whose redemption and righteousnesse we doo reuerence by whose spirit wee beeing annoynted with holy oyle by him are made ioyfull and glad Act. 11.26 26.28 1. Pet. 4.16 Gods Children 1 LIke as natural Children are like their naturall fathers in fauor in speech in laughter or in some lineaments of their bodies Euen so the spirituall Children of God are like vnto him their Father in righteousnesse and holinesse of life 2 AS we loue them which loue our Children and our hearts and hands too arise against them which misvse theÌ„ Euen so the Lord our God who exceedeth all fathers in loue much more loueth those which loue his Children and his heart and hand too arise in his heauie wrath and displeasure against such as harme and misvse them 1. Iohn 5.1 Psal 15.4 Mat. 10.40 41. Luk. 10.16 Zach. 2.8 3 As a woman in trauaile in the middle of her sorrow crieth in her paines Euen so such is the estate of God his Children in the midst of persecution Esa 26.17 The excellencie of Gods Children 1 LIke as Dauid said when hee should haue married Saules daughter Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a Kings sonne seeing that I am a poore man and of small reputation So seemeth it to any a light thing to bee sonnes and daughters of GOD the King of all Kings seeing wee are sinfull men and of no reputation but haue deserued rather eternall
confusion 2 As the sonnes of Princes are in great account with men in this world Euen so the Children of God are in greater account with God and all godly men both in this world and in the world to come 3 As the Children of Kings are attended vpon by Noble men and guarded with strong men yet both but men whose breath is in their nosthrils and their hands cannot accomplish the deuice of their heart Euen so the Children of God are attended vpon by God himselfe whose eye is alwayes ouer the righteous they are guarded by the Angels of God who for their swiftnes are said to haue wings for their readinesse they are said to stand in the presence of God and for their strength incomperable 2. Kin. 19.35 Psal 34.15 4 As the pleasures of the sonnes of men are such as the world doth affoord carnall securitie worldly prosperitie fleshy delights beastly sensualitie with pride and ease wealth fulnesse of bread and such like Euen so the pleasures of the Children of God are such as the world can neither giue nor take as the loue of righteousnesse delight in the law of God patience in affliction loue of the Saints which excell in vertue and such like Psal 1.2 16.3 1. Cor. 2.9 5 Like as the riches and treasures of the sonnes of men are gold and siluer houses and lands Lorships and manners rents and reuenues and such like which theeues may steale or moathes may eate or rust may freate or fire may consume or water may ouerflowe or time may weare or death may end So likewise the riches and treasures of Gods Children are the word of GOD Gods fauour forgiuenesse of sinnes freedome from hell and the diuell libertie with the Saints the spirit of contentation peace of conscience continuall ioy in the holy Ghost and a Kingdome of glorie in heauen with such like which no theefe can steale no rust can freat no fire can burne or consume no water can drowne no plague can infect no time can weare nor death can end 2. Cor. 3 17. Gal. 5.22 Esa 11.2 6 As those are in most honour with Princes which are said to stand in their presence and attend vpon them in their Courts as Daniel did So Gods Children shall stand in the Courts of God and haue the full fruition of his comfortable presence and therefore on the contrarie side the vngodly are herein accursed in that they are shut from the presence of God to wit his gracious presence for otherwise all things whatsoeuer are in his presence The Children of God 1 LIke as a heathen man beeing asked why hee did weare such a long bushie beard answered that so often as he beheld it he might commit nothing vnworthy the grauitie of the same hee would not be like a Tauerne with a bush at the doore and no wine within So likewise if any man shall aske the Children of God why they are called Christians the Church of God the spouse of Christ Citizens of heauen and by such like names of loue and honour they are to answere that so often as they remember these names and titles they ought not to commit any thing vnworthy the grauitie and maiestie of the same 2 As many Papists and some Protestants too who be superstitious and Popishly affected doo not remember what titles they haue nor by what names they be called and therefore they must haue puppets and images in their Churches and houses to put them in minde of their dutie to God Euen so some mens Religion and holinesse is all in their titles of Gods Children and in naked names of Christians which onely they hold when indeed all Christianitie is banished from them 3 Like as it is counted a shame for a Citizen to go like a Courtier or for a man to put on womans apparell or a woman to weare on mans apparell which is an abhomination to the Lord Euen so it is a greater shame for the Children of God who are Cittizens of heauen to go after the fashion of the Courtiers of hell or after the manner of the world Rom. 12.2 4 As when Christ the Lord of life was put to death there was darknesse vpon the face of the earth the vaile of the Temple rent the graues opened and the dead arose c. at the sight whereof the very enemies of Christ which watched him were afraide for that they had done vnto him yea they were constrained to confesse and say Doubtlesse this man was the sonne of God Math. 27.54 So likewise the Children of God that be or ought to be dead with Christ their head vnto sinne as he died for our sinnes then there will follow a wonderfull alteration in their liues there will appeare such zeale in professing of the Gospell such pittie in relieuing the poore such patience in bearing the crosse such faithfulnesse in performing of promises such charitie in iudging their brethren such mercie in forgiuing offences such sinceritie in worshipping of GOD such constancie in defending of the truth such watching ouer all their wayes and such wisedome in winning men â—o God that their very enemies which before did mocke â—hem hate them and persecute them shall be constrained with shame to say These are no doubt the Children of God these are good men these are true professors inâ—eed c. Rom. 6.4 5. c. 5 Like as worldly men in their houses in their apparell 〈◊〉 their feastings in their furniture and in euerie thing â—hey striue to haue matches all their things sutable So â—â—kewise the ChildreÌ„ of God must striue to haue their titles â—nd names their liues and qualities their profession and practise sutable and answerable the one to the other and so to depart from iniquitie 2. Tim. 2.19 6 As carnall men desire to be gorgeously apparelled Euen so the Children of God desire to be cloathed with their house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 3 4. 7 Euen as plants trees do spread abroad their rootes in the earth from whence they haue their nourishment So likewise the Children of God because they be fedde with delicates and dainties from heauen and are norished with the grace fauour of God they hold vp their hands they turne vp their eyes they lift vp their hearts mindes to God that is in heaueÌ„ from whence their soules receiue comfort ioy saluation and euerlasting life Saluation onely to be had in Christ if men know how to finde him 1 LIke as if a man knew certainly that in such a wood an infinite masse of money were hid if the owner thereof would giue it vnto him yet if by no meanes hee could finde the same what should the gift of such a treasure profit him thogh it were of value to purchase a kingdome nothing at all Euen so standeth the case betweene Christ and vs though we know neuer so well and certainly that saluation and all kinde of treasure is permanent and to be found in him and do belong
vnto them who beeing turned from iniquitie do lead a new life 1 LIke as if the Seruant of some Noble man or Gentleman were for committing of treason felonie or murther condemned and going to the place of execution and his Lord or Maister of meere fauour and good will should not onely by earnest sute to her Maiestie procure a pardon for his life and so deliuer him from that villainous death but also should adopt and take him for his sonne and heire if he now after this his deliuerance go and say I will take my pleasure be Idle and follow mine owne phantasie and neuer endeuour to please or pleasure his Lord and Maister but rather seeke to hurt and displease him euerie way that hee can such a wretch deserueth to be punished most extreamely Euen so such as say that Christ hath Redeemed vs and by his death hath purchased for vs forgiuenesse of sinnes righteousnesse and life euerlasting and hath adopted vs to bee his sonnes and heires wherefore we will take our pleasure be Idle and rather we will doo more wickednesse doubtlesse Christ dyed not for such nor satisfied for their offences no nor yet merited heauen for them to the end that they shouid spend their dayes in Idlenesse and heape sinne vpon sinne but rather to liue Christianly and godly Ro. 6.4 Gal. 5.24 Tit. 2.11 2. Tim. 2.19 Luk. 1.75 Ephe. 1.4 2.10 1. Pet. 1.15 2 Like as if an Astrologer could or should tell an ambitious Cardinall that he should be Pope although hee did put an vndoubted trust therein yet for all that hee would not be Idle but would vse all the meanes that possible he could to attaine and come to that dignitie Euen so the Children of GOD the surer they are that Christ hath Redeemed them so much the more they vnderstand the great good will of God towards thē and therefore they are alwayes forced more and more by godly conuersation of life to make certaine vnto themselues the knowledge of their election and Redemption by Christ 2. Pet. 1.10 3 If a miserable and wretched Theefe shall haue committed many thefts and murthers and after that his wicked deedes were knowne the sonne of a King should be brought to be arrained and condemned for the same and so beare the punishment thereof and this theefe to be discharged and pardoned if herevpon the theefe should reioyce and make a scoffe at him when hee seeth the sonne of a King to be put to death and suffer the punishment that hee deserued such a Caytiffe deserueth a most horrible death Euen so at this present it fareth with vs behold our Sauiour Christ the onely Sonne of God is imprisoned and we deliuered hee condemned and we pardoned hee put to death and to all shame and we receiued to honour it is not therefore for vs to be drowsie-headed and liue securely and to flatter our selues in our sinnes and iniquities 4 As the Israelites were neuer able to yeeld sufficient thanks to God for their bodily deliuerance from the bondage which they were in in Egypt So to Christ our Sauiour for our Redemption and spirituall deliuerance from the tyrannie of Sathan and sinne Exo. 14.30 20.2 Psal 81.10 Gods Prouidence ouer his Children 1 AS it was impossible that Herod and Pilate together with the Gentiles and Iewes should conclude more and bring any more to passe in afflicting Iesus Christ our head then the hand and counsell of the Lord hath ordained to be done from euerlasting So also it is impossible that the Herods of our time the Pilates the Pharisies togither with the mad and bewitched people should take more in hand and bring more to passe in afflicting the members of Christ then the hand and counsell of God hath first decreed to be brought to passe by them Act. 4.27.28 Iohn 7.30 8.20 2 As the smallest birds of the earth are not taken without the will and prouidence of our heauenly Father Euen so nothing good or euill dooth happen vnto Gods Children without his prouident will Math. 10.29 Amo. 3.6 3 As the Lord in mercie feedeth the birds of the ayre that they haue sufficient and also so gallantly decketh the Lillies of the field which bee so gorgiously and so richly cloathed that euen Salamon in all his royaltie was not apparelled like one of them Euen so much more if wee haue an assured trust in him so liberall and bountifull a Father he will not doubtlesse see vs his Children lacke any thing that good is concerning our foode or sustenance apparell or cloathing as shall be meete and expedient for vs. Math. 6.26 28 29 30. What Comfort we receiue by the name of Christ or annoynted 1 LIke as the annoynting whereby at Gods Commaundement Prophets Priests and Kings were appoynted amongst his people with an outward and visible Oyle was a publike testimonie that God would gouerne and defend his people by this person and also keep and vphold his diuine worship and likewise teach his people and this person had commaundement of this thing that they might suffer themselues to be gouerned cleansed and taught Euen so the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh concerning his manhood is annoynted with the holy Ghost without measure which is the truth of that outward annoynting and so is ordeined and giuen of the Father to the Prophet Priest and King of his Church 2 As it must needs be that all they be made sadde that doubt vnder what Lord they are in this life whether vnder Christ or Satan So on the contrarie it cannot be but all they must be filled with ioy who by the inward testimonie of the annoynting of faith and by the outward washing of holy Baptisme are assured that they are vnder Christ the King of righteousnesse Col. 1.13 Luk. 17.21 2.10 11. 3 Like as in time past when Salamon by the commandement of God was annointed there was publike ioy amōg the people of God because they knew that God wold do them good and defend them by the hand of a King Euen so wee when we heare out of the word of God that our Lord Iesus is Christ that is that same annoynted of the Lord we ought with the Angels to be filled with an exceeding ioy of minde beeing surely perswaded that euen in this very thing that the heauenly Father hath appointed and in very deede giuen his owne Sonne Christ that is annoynted to bee our King that he dooth openly from heauen declare that hee by his sonne will become the euerlasting restorer and defender of his Church Christian Seruice AS in a mans body one part is very readie to doo seruice to an other the foote to the eye and the eye to the foote Fuen so euerie Christian man as parts of the mysticall body of Christ must be willing and ready to do seruice one to an other not enuying those which bee in greater calling nor scorning his inferiours Christianitie LIke as euery thing which striketh a hard Stone
hungrie to know and beleeue there is meate in the world except he knew the place and the man that had it for him that he might resort vnto him Or as it is in vaine for one to confesse his disease and sicknesse vnlesse he know some good and skilfull Phisition who might helpe him So likewise it shall profit vs nothing at all to know or confesse our sinnes if wee bee ignorant of the Mediator that should take them away Iohn 1.29 1. Timo. 2.5 Math. 11.28 Christ the soueraine salue for our soules 1 LIke as if the sicke person should seeke out such a Phisition as either could not or wold not cure him his labour also were vnprofitable and all one as if the needie man should go to one for an almes that were as needie as himselfe Euen so wee being sicke of our sinnes in our soules must be carefull that we go and run to such a cunning Phisition as we are sure both can and will for his abilitie and compassion cure and heale our infirmities and hath a salue for euerie sore and maladie Luk. 3â— 46 47. Act. 10.43 2 As it was in Egipt in the great dearth and famine of corne none could haue any foode of Pharao the King but by the hands of Ioseph whom he had made Ouerseâ—â— and Ruler of the land in his name for when they cried to him for bread he said Go ye to Ioseph and what he saith to yoâ— doo ye Gene. 41.55 So likewise it is now in the famine and dearth of our soules for spirituall foode wee can haue nothing to feede our hungrie soules from the King of Heauen but by the meanes of the true Ioseph which is Iesus Christ who is ordained of his Father to rule and gouerne all things in his name so that he sendeth vs to his sonne when wee aske any thing of him for in him hee is well pleased and for his sake onely and for no mans else doth he bestowe this benefite vpon vs. 1. Iohn 5.11.12 Iohn 8.24 Christ 1 LIke as our armes hands feete and the rest of our members are nourished not of and by themselues but of and by the meate that is conueyed into our mouth and head Euen so wee are nourished not of and by our selues but by the vertue that is powred in the head of Christ Iesus Heb. 2.11 Ast. 17.28 2 Like as the Sun with his light beneficially comforâ—eth all the world So Christ the Sonne of God reacheth his benefites vnto all men so that they will receiue them thankfully and not refuse them disobediently Psal 19 1.2 3 As the Sun is the well-spring of liuely power So Christ giueth life euerlasting to all beleeuers 4 As the Sun with his brightnes driueth away cloudes and foggie Mystes So Christ the sonne of God sitting at the right hand of his Father is the conquerer of Tyrants and Hereticks 5 As the Sun in winter when he is most farthest off from the Pole is most nearest the earth so the sonne of God is most neare vnto the godly ones in miserie and giueth â—hem helpe and saluation 6 As it is a most certain token of death to a sick man as Hypocrates saith if hee dreame that the visible Sunne is hidden obscured and darkned so likewise a most cerâ—aine death of the soule is nigh at hand if our Sonne Christ be darkned by abolishing or corrupting of the true doctrine 7 As the sunne giues light plentifully to the whole world and yet keepe the selfe same light within it selfe Euen so our Sauiour Christ God and man hath the perfect fulnesse of all goodnesse in him selfe and yet giues part to vs as he thinks good not loosing any peece of that he hath himselfe but lightning our darknesse with that light which he hath within himselfe 1. Cor. 1.30 8 As the fountaine from which all men doo draw water and from which the small creekes and armes doo runne and flowe is said to haue water of it selfe and yet commeth not as of it selfe but from the spring which dayly feedeth it and from the flowing streames and is sufficient for all men to drawe out off Euen so Iesus Christ hath life in himselfe to wit the fulnesse of life wherewith he liueth and quickneth his and yet hath hee it not as of himselfe as he witnesseth in an other place that hee liueth because of his father Iam. 5.26 Carnall profession LIke as all those that were borne of Abraham were not the children of Abraham So likewise all that professe the Gospell are not partakers of the Gospell 2 As it is not vsuall to curbe in the horse in his race but before hee beginne to runne Euen so those which bee by nature cholericke melancholike are by reasons and perswasions to be wonne and restrained before they begin to be angrie Contempt of Christ AS a strumpet loueth the tokens that her louer sendeth her better then her louer himselfe and in time of pouertie shee will vtterly forsake him So Christ is our louer and mans soule is shee whome he loueth hee hath giuen vs tokens as pledges of his loue to wit all kind of riches and good things whatsoeuer wee possesse in this this world now if for loue of keeping these things in time of persecution we forsake our louer wee be abominable strumpets vnworthie to be beloued of him Christ suffered in his soule for our saluation 1 AS the Holocaust or whole burnt offering the whole and euerie whit beeing chopt and cut into peeces was altogether put into the fire and burnt and so it was by a speciall name called the Whole burnt offering Euen so not the body onely but also the soule of Christ euen euerie whit of his humanitie was burnt and consumed in the fire of affliction as a perfect Holocaust and a whole burnt offering for our sinnes Leuit. 16.5 c. Esay 53.20 2. Cor. 5.21 Heb. 2.14 2 As wee haue sinned both in our bodies and soules So likewise Christ was made our propitiation who purposely and answerably did suffer both in body and soule 3 As an armie of souldiers doo altogether get the victorie and not any one of them asunder and yet for all that each one singly is profitable in fight for the attainment of victorie Euen so the sufferings of Christ as his death and bloudshed his hatred his shame and ignominie c. both of his body and of his soule all together doo sufficiently merite but each one in seuerall is profitable and helpeth thereunto Christes victorie ouer Sathan LIke as if two enemies fight together and the one let the other chuse his weapon himselfe and appointe the other what weapon hee is to vse if hee which is dealt so withall doo vanquish and ouercome the other the greater is his glorie which dooth so ouercome So likewise Christ and Sathan fighting Sathan did chuse to fight with him in the flesh the weakest of many weapons yet euen with that weapon did Christ ouercome him which got
thou by a spirituall touching of Christ dead buried be quickned to euerlasting life 2. King 13.21 Our Conformitie with Christ by a certaine kind of imitation 1. AS Christ in the garden and vpon the Crosse by prayer made with strong cries and teares presented and resigned himselfe vp to be a sacrifice of propitiation to the iustice of his Father for mans sinne So must wee also in prayer present and resigne our selues our soules our bodies our vnderstanding will memorie affections and all we haue to the seruice of God in the generall calling of a Christian and in the particular callings in which he hath placed vs. Psal 40.7.8 2 As Christ bare his owne Crosse to the place of execution So must we as good Disciples of Christ denie our selues take vp all the Crosses and afflictions that the hand of God shal lay vpon vs if it be euery day and follow him Iohn 19.17 Math. 10.38 3 As our Sauiour Christ when hee apprehended the wrath of God and the very pangs of hell were vpon him wholly stayed himselfe vpon the aide helpe protection good pleasure of his Father euen to the last So must wee by a true liuely faith depend on Gods mercy in Christ as it were with both our hāds in peace in trouble in life in the very pang of death and we must not in any wise let our hold go no though we should feele our selues discend to hell Children not to be cloathed with ouer costly apparel AS the soft Flax soone catcheth hold on the fire So likewise youthfull nature will soone bee inflamed with Costly apparell and with new fashions which is a great fault in parents as lamentable experience too much teacheth this day Esay 14.12 Zeph. ◠8 Christ will take Compassion on vs. 1 AS the Apple of the eye is so tender that it may not be touched but with great griefe So likewise the coniunction betweene Christ vs is such that he feeleth our afflictions and thereof taketh great compassion Zach. 2.8 2 As Alexander the Monarch of the world whensoeuer he came to any Citie to besiege it he wold at the first shew forth display his white flag or banner in tokē of mercy if they would yeeld but if they would not then he would set forth and display his red flags and banners in token of wrath and bloud So in like maner at the first our Sauiour Christ wil shew mercy vnto vs hoping that we wil turne repent but if we wil not then he wil bring dreadful iudgements vpon vs. Cardes and Dice 1 AS by lots the souldiers parted the garments of Iesus Christ So may we wel say that these games of Cards and Dice is the meanes to part betweene the world and the diuel many of those who professing reformed Religion are addicted therunto Mat. 27.35 Pro. 16.33 Eph. 5.16 2 As the pleasure of gaine and the sorrow for losse in play are mighty passions to moue the harts of men So also a number of braules quarrels and controuersies doo arise of Carding and Dicing as swearing cursing and blaspheming of God c. Exod. 20.7 Math. 12.36 1. Cor. 10.31 3 As they that whet their kniues vpon a chalke stone do not sharpen them but rather make them more dul blūt Euen so such as vse Dicing and Carding do not quicken their wits but rather dull them Christ is the foode of a Christian soule AS euery man is carnally fed and nourished in his body by meate and drinke Euen so is euery good Christian man fed and nourished in his soule by the fleshe and bloud of our Sauiour Christ Care of the saluation of others AS when one of our friends is ill at ease or sicke in his body we will not sticke to ride and runne to procure any meanes whereby to restore his bodily health Euen so much more ought we to be more carefull of the saluation of the soules of our brethren by how much more the the soule is of greater price then the body Christ crucified healeth vs. AS skilfull and cunning Physitions are wont sometimes when a sick man is sore vexed with a numnesse of his whole body to cut a vaine of his head that the letting of bloud may heale the body of that disease and sicknesse Euen so Christ is our head and wee are his members A vaine of our head is cut that our whole body may be healed Christ suffered that mankind might bee redeemed Col. 1.18 Gal. 4.4 Originall Corruption is the roote of all sinne AS the cause of trees and plants of their rootes stockes stems and boughes is in the seede So the cause of our transgressions foule sinnes and most daungerous iniquities is our owne Corruption wherewith wee are moued and inclined to all euill and the ignorance and not knowing of our selues wherewith we are greatly hindred in the knowledge of our God and doo also most sharpely censure those things in others which wee doe loue and cherish in our selues Our Conuersation is carefully to be looked vnto AS it behoueth him that walketh vpon cordes strained and fastned on high diligently to looke to his footing that he may not totter or decline this way or that way Euen so it standeth vs vpon to bee warie and carefully to looke about vs and to take good heede where we set our feete that is our affections and the delights of our hearts least we fall downe headlong into the bottomlesse gulph of Gods displeasure For if wee will fixe our affections and bend our wils with a deliberate consent to doo the thing that is euil vniust and vngodly making no conscience of any thing that we doo bee it neuer so opposite and contrarie to the will of God it cannot be but falling from the state of grace wee shall fall most suddenly and shamefully into the infernall pit of hell death and damnation 2 As a wheele although it turne about on the ground yet the greatest part of it is alwaies from the earth and but little of it toucheth the ground So although our body be on earth yet the Conuersation of the soule which is the greater part of vs must be in heauen Christ is possessor of heauen for vs. 1 AS if vpon the confiscation of an inheritance comming to many brethren when the Prince afterward maketh a release the eldest brother taketh the possession for assurance that himselfe and his brethren are restored to their goods and the same is an assurance to the coheires with the eldest that in the person of their eldest brother themselues are put in possession of the inheritance common to them all Euen so Iesus Christ hath taken possession of heauen not onely for himselfe but also for vs his coheires Rom. 8.17 2 As the high Priest entring into the holy Sanctuarie vpon his shoulders and brest carried the twelue names of the twelue Tribes of Israel So Iesus Christ entered not alone into heauen but we also with him Ephe. 2.5 Companie changeth
body he suffered in his soule the heauie wrath and indignation of his Father and the extreame tortures and torments of hell for a time no lesse then the the reprobates that be there alreadie and no lesse then all we by iust desert should haue suffered for euer if Christ had not done it for vs and yet fewe or none for all this will shead one teare giue one grone or sigh once from the bottome of his heart Christ his goodnesse considered there was neuer any creature dealt so vnkindly with him as man doth AS sometimes it falleth out that a Henne sitteth vpon Ducks egges and with her diligent sitting and the heate of her body she doth hatch and bring them forth and when they be able to follow her she clucks them and after her maner as though they were her naturall Chickens she doth call them about her but they being not of her but the Ducks kinde though by her they haue beene hatched and of her haue receiued life and though shee hath a continuall care to bring them vp and to defend them from such enemies as seeke to deuoure them yet neuerthelesse they will follow and seeke after that wherevnto by nature they are inclined and giuen when shee is scraping and scratching in the earth to finde them foode they will be in the water mire or foule puddle after their kinde she may cluck and walke alone they will not keepe her companie vnlesse perhaps in some daunger when the Kite is readie to catch them for some succour they will flie to her howbeit at the length when she perceiueth them to be vnnatural and vnkinde to her she doth forsake them and giue them ouer Euen so our sweete Sauiour Christ Iesus hauing taken great pains for vs and hauing humbled himselfe euen in the lowest degree of all humilitie that can be named as in comming downe out of his fathers bosome being most perfect most holy and omnipotent God being euery way equall and in nothing interiour to his Father to take our weake fraile and feeble nature vpon him and sinne excepted to haue a perfect feeling of all our miseries infirmities as wearisomnes of body hunger and thirst and such others and besides the induring of these many yeres together hauing suffered a most cruell death and euen at his death vpon the Crosse hauing tasted and taken a full cup of his Fathers furie and indignation which was indeed filled and prepared for vs as a iust reward for our sinnes and should haue beene our owne cup and our owne portion for euer and euer had he not euen then taken and supt it vp to cleare and to free vs from it Againe after all these things hauing still continued his humilitie in suffering death to keepe his bodie three dayes in the graue and euen as it were to treade and trample vpon him and then manger death hell diuell and Iewes hauing risen againe and being ascended and gone vp to his Father where now vntill his comming againe to iudge the quicke and the dead he sitteth at the right hand of maiestie and power He now speaketh and calleth vnto vs by his Prophets Apostles and Ministers and willeth vs to remember what case and estate we were â—n before he died and suffered all these things for vs and he would haue vs to know to be sure and neuer to forget that if he had not suffered death here vpon earth as hee did we should neuer haue found any way or entrance into heauen the celestiall ioyes and pleasures of the Lords saints saluation and eternall life should neuer haue beâ—onged vnto vs wee should haue had no more to do with them then they that liue without faith and die infidels The horrors of hell and the stinking lakes of vnspeakable shame confusion torments endlesse death and damnation should haue beene our inheritance lot and perpetuall portion Christ therfore doth daily put vs in mind that we be not our owne but his and that we bee the greatest and dearest purchase that euer was made in heauen or in earth and that the like price and cost was neuer bestowed vpon any creatures as vpon vs. When the Angels which were in heauen in the presence of their creator did once offend they were hurled out and cast into hell Christ would not bestow vpon them one pennie of all that great price and rich raunsome which he paied for vs he would not then become man to shed one drop of bloud for them but for our sakes hee spared not one drop but shed all The Hen that himselfe speaketh of was neuer so diligent and carefull to gather her chickings vnder her wings as he hath euer beene most ready to shroude and to protect vs against all the enemies of our soules and bodies Many mothers shal sooner forget the children of their owne wombe and vtterly forsake them before Christ will forsake vs yea he will neuer forget nor forsake vs vnlesse we first forget and forsake him Now therefore wee being his so dearely bought and so truely paid for hee calleth vpon vs euery day he clocketh vs and looketh for vs that we should follow him and treade in such steps as he hath appointed that we should not range at randome but keepe our selues within the hearing of his voice and our liues within the limits of obedience vnto the same these things he looketh for at our hands But we deale with this most kind most louing and most mercifull redeemer and Sauiour of our soules bodies euen so as the vnnatural vnkind Ducks deale with the Hen of whom they haue receiued life they regard not her clucking neither we Christs calling when shee is seeking and prouiding for them on the faire drie and wholesome earth they will bee in some foule water filthie mire or stinking puddle And when the Lord Iesus calleth vs to integritie of life to doo the thing that is iust and right in his owne eye and to speake the truth according to the knowledge of our hearts then will wee with greedinesse pollute our soules and bodies with al wickednes and things that be abominable then will we oppresse our brethren not caring who sinke if our selues swimme then will we not sticke to speake lies euen to Gods owne face And when the Lord calleth and sendeth vs to seeke heauenly things wee presently returne to the foule puds of the world carnal delights and vaine yea vile pleasures So that wee euer take the contrarie way to that which Christ commaundeth Christ calleth for our harts to haue them in truth and sinceritie with all diligence to attend vpon his pleasure and to waite on his will he would haue vs not in part but wholly to giue them vnto him and without the heart hee will receiue and take in good part at our hands and lips nothing But wee on the other side giue nothing lesse to God then our hearts There is nothing that may and cannot commaund our hearts haue them at pleasure sooner
stumbleth at euery stone and sometime falleth in the myre The Diet of the soule AS it is not sufficient for the good estate of mans body that it be brought into the world in the naturall â—erfection of it which consisteth in the equall temperaâ—ure and iust proportion of the seuerall partes of it for â—hat it beeing left here would soone perish and come to â—ought And therefore it must of necessitie bee contiâ—ually both nourished with meate and Drinke and also preserued from all hurtfull things yea carefully restored to the former state of health if by any inward or outward meanes it fall into sicknesse or be any way hurt wounded or distempered Euen so no more will it serue for the good estate of the soule that it be both prepared by repentance for regeneration yea actually regenerated by the spirit of God but it likewise must continually be tended fed right Dieted and cherished yea healed of all those maladies which by any meanes happen vnto it 2 As the body being neglected for a smal time becommeth weake and distempered yea soone falleth into sicknesse and doth perish So is it with the soule the which being neglected but a litle there wil a decrease of holinesse be plainly felt yea perhaps seene by others 3 As the body must continually be repaired with nourishment because it is continually consumed by our naturall heate So must the soule by a good Diet dayly vsed be preserued 4 As it is impossible to order the bodie aright either iâ— sicknesse or in health without the certaine knowledge of our complexion age and strength and vnlesse we maâ—â— in what parts it is most weake or strong that accordingly choyse may be made both of meates in health and of râ—medies in sicknesse So the foundation of the right ordering of the soule consisteth in this that we know our age and strength in Christ whether we be ripe strong men able to digest solide meates or but babes and weaklings who must be fed with milke and also our infirmities whâ—â— sinnes we are most subiect vnto that so we may auoyd aâ— occasions of them 5 As most men liuing are said to haue their health howsoeuer that exact temperature ad pondus wherâ— of Phisitions dispute cannot bee founde in any maâ— or in any age So absolute perfection of holinesse is not required to spirituall health 6 As it is sufficient for bodily health that the distemperature be not so great and manifest as that it hinder any of the naturall faculties from their functions So likewise if the corruption of sinne be so brideled as that it hinder not the performance of any Christian dutie there is spirituall health yea although this corruption of sinne be so strong that it doth sometimes bring forth some sinne and hinder in part the performance of some Christian dutie yet if for the generall course of life the grace of Gods spirit do preuaile so that it represseth that sin and performeth all duties sometimes faintly and imperfectly at other times fully and couragiously yet here is health 7 As the naturall life of man may if no outward violence come be preserued with the least care cost paines that can be but if a man desire to keep his bodie in vigour and strength there must choyse of Diet be made and care vsed and most of all if he goe about to augment either his stature in his yoong yeares or afterwardes his strength or flesh he must be yet more carefull yea curious in his Diet bestowing all his time yea great care and cost in it So it is in spirituall life the which being once put into the Soule of man by the hand of God will continue there euer by itselfe although as it commeth often to passe the owner of it be negligent in mainteining it yea in a manner carelesse of it Whereas he that desireth to continue a whole strong man in Christ without any sicknesse or decrease of grace must make account to bestowe great care in this worke and farre greater if as he ought he desire to encrease in grace 8 As it is the part of a wise man not to walke too neare the brinke of a deepe Riuer whereinto if he chaunce to slip there is daunger of drowning but rather to keepe a a loofe off and so to be in safetie So a good Dietarie of the Soule must carefully auoyd licentiousnesse and the too free vse of worldly pleasures Luke 21.24 1. Cor. 6.12 9.27 9 As it is not sufficient for the feeding of the body that meate be receiued into the stomacke for that if by any infirmitie thereof it be straightway voyded it doth not any whit nourish the bodie Euen so no more will it serue for the feeding and dieting of our Soules that we heare the word with great ioy and delight yea with care and attention vnlesse also wee remember and keepe it in our soules 10 As the bodie the which although it be fedde to the full and daily filled with meate yet it cannot be preserued much lesse increased in health strength and vigour vnlesse it be exercised that so the meate receiued into the belly may be drawne and fastned to the other parts of the bodie which otherwise will not nourish but soone passeth away without any profit So for the preseruation of spirituall health and strength exercise is no lesse needfull then foode the truth here of appeareth in many who although they feede their soules with all care and diligence being continually conuersant in studying hearing reading meditating and regarding the word yet their Soules are not nourished by this foode because they do not ioyne exercise vnto it as prayer and inuocation of the name of God both publike and also priuate conference c. 1. Thes 5.17 Luk. 18.1 Ephe. 6.18 11 Like as men feeling their bodies any way heauie distempered and out of course straightway they flie to this remedie of exercise not doubting but that it will soone put it away So whensoeuer we feele our selues prone to sinne and vntoward and sluggish in the seruice of God if we giue our selues to the exercise of prayer and stretch out the ioynts of our soules before God we shal no doubt feele a great chaunge in our soules and that now they are light and able to lift vp themselues to heauen 11 As it commeth to passe in our bodies both in the whole and also in the seueral parts and members of them that the more they are exercised the more they are both confirmed in strength and augmented in quantitie and contrarily the more they cease from performing their naturall functions the lesse able they are to performe them yea by this meanes it commeth to passe that they are litle and weake Euen so it commeth to passe in the dieting of the soule the graces whereof as they are more or lesse put in practise in the doing of good works the performance of Christian duties so they doo either encrease or decay
2 As a Dead man in his graue cannot stir the least finger because he wants the very power of life sense and motion So likewise no more can he that is Dead in sinne will the least good Nay if he could either will or doo any good he could not be Dead in sinne 3 Euen as a Dead man in the graue cannot rise but by the power of God So no more can hee that is Dead in sinne rise but by the power of Gods grace alone without any power of his owne Iohn 3.3 Ephes 2.10 4.24 Phil. 2.13 Deuise of the wicked AS the Egges of the Cockatrice hatched are full of poyson Euen so are the deuises of the wicked and the execution of their enterprises hurtfull Esay 59.5 The Diuell fearefull and enuious 1 LIke as if an enemie of great might hauing also an aduantage of vs by reason of the ground wherein he hath planted himself be dreadful to vs so as we haue good cause to feare him Euen so much more we ought to bee afraid of the Diuel hauing the like or greater aduantages of vs. Ephe. 6.11.12 2 As a good Midwife is carefull to helpe the woman in trauell and saue the child Euen so the Diuell contrariwise is ready to hinder and hurt the Church to destroy her seede Reue. 12.2.3 God Delighteth in the conuersion of a sinner AS a Father taketh great ioy and comfort when his Sonne who was wilde vnthriftie and vngodly becommeth modest thriftie and religous Euen so it is a Delightfull and acceptable thing to God when any sinner is conuerted from his wicked and lewde course and now liueth Christianly Luk. 15.23.24 Dissentions AS Bees when they striue together and are stirred vp through some vehement motion with throwing of dust are brought into order and appeased Euen so men when they are tossed and tormented with troublesome broyles perturbations and passions if they would remember dust whereinto of necessitie they must be turned and neuer forget death which they shall neuer bee able to escape they would easily bestayed pacified and quietted would represse keepe within compasse their strangling lusts and vnruly appetites which cannot indure to be tamed and ruled by reason How to encounter with Death 1 LIke as if a man were to fight with a Dragon his best way to deale with him is to pull out his venemous sting Euen so the Dragon wherewith euery Christian man is to encounter is Death whose sting is sinne therefore that we may not take the foyle of Death we are in all our life to labour to bereaue him of this his sting 1. Cor. 15.56 2 As the Philistines that they might the better deale with Sampson cut off his haire where his strength lay So also euery one of vs that wee may the better deale with Death are to cut off our sinnes which bee the strength of Death Iud. 16.5 c. Death 1 LIke as hee that is to passe ouer some great and deepe ryuer must not looke downeward to the streame of the water But if he would preuent feare hee must set his foote sure cast his eye to the banke on the furthest side Euen so he that draws neare Death must as it were looke ouer the waues of Death and directly fixe the eye of his faith vpon eternall life 2 Like as if a poore man should be commaunded by a Prince to put off his torne and beggerly garments and in steade thereof to put on royall and costly robes it would be a great reioycing to his heart Euen so much more ioyfull newes must this be vnto all repentant and sorrowfull sinners when the King of heauen and earth comes vnto them by Death and bids them lay downe their bodies as ragged and patched garments and prepare themselues to put on the princely robe of immortalitie No tongue can bee able to expresse the excellencie of this most blessed and happie estate 3 Euen when a man was to offer a Bullocke or Lambe in sacrifice to God he must leaue his offering at the Altar and first goe and be reconciled to his brethren if they had ought against him So much more must this bee done when men are in Death to offer vp themselues their bodies and soules as an acceptable sacrifice vnto God Rom. 12.1 4 As Trauellers not thinking of the Sunne setting are ouertaken with darkenesse before they be aware So doth Death sodainly come vpon many that neuer thought of it neither haue learned to die nor what shall become of them when they be dead so that it behooueth all Christians that wil be saued to watch to stand stedfast in the faith of Christ to quite themselues like men and to be strong and to do all that they do in loue 1. Cor. 16.13 5 As earthen vessels are alike subiect to danger breaking whether they be new or olde made So likewise all men are open and subiect to Death alike whether they be yong men and in their lusty and flourishing age or they be old men and well strooken in yeares 6 Like as if a man shal come into a Potters ware-house where he shall see a large Table set full of Pots some old and some new some little and some great and shall demaund of the Potter which of them all shall first be broken he may well say for answer That which shall fall first to the ground Euen so among men he dieth not first that is elder but he that first falleth to the ground that is commeth first to his graue Psal 2.9 Esay 30.14 Reue. 2.27 7 Like as if a Begger should be commaunded to put off his old ragges that he might be cloathed with rich costly garments he would not be sory though he should stand naked a while till he were wholly bestripped of his rags So likewise when God calls a man to Death and bids him put off his old ragges of sinne and corruption and be cloathed with the glorious roabe of Christes righteousnesse there is no cause why he should be loth to die seeing his abode in the graue is but for a space while corruption be put off 2. Cor. 5.1 2. 8 As bread of all other nourishment doth sustaine the body So aboue all things a continuall thought of Death is wholesome for the soule 9 As yong schollers who hauing spent their time diligētly at their bookes return from the Vniuersities to their friends and are welcommed home both of father mother brother and sister euery one preasing forward with great desire to kisse them and to make the greatest demonstration of ioy and gladnesse that may be for their happie returne So in like maner when true Christians die depart out of this world where they are as it were at schoole to returne to their fathers house God himselfe is the first that biddeth them welcome and willeth them to enter into the ioy of their Lorde and Father Iesus Christ is the next which taketh leadeth them into the Pallace of the
forgiue others for by it a Christian may easily know that God hath sealed to him the forgiuenesse of his sinnes euen in his heart 2 As a man walking vnder a wall in a cold Sunnie day is heated of the wall which first receiued heate from the Sunne Euen so hee that sheweth mercie to others hath first receiued mercie from God Math. 5.7 Faith and hope doo differ 1 A As Faith apprehendeth a present benefit So likwise hope looketh for one to come 2 As Faith apprehendeth the promise made by Christ So neither hope nor other workes can doo 3 As Faith is a knowledge in the minde and trust in the will So hope is a knowledge in the will and in the heart Faith perfect in substance but in quantitie groweth greater by dayly encrease 1 AS a childe when it is new borne is a perfect man and a man full growne is a perfect man So also standeth the case with Faith That Faith is perfect which receiueth and taketh hold vppon Christ but it hath neede of daily encreasements to the end it may become full in all parts Mar. 9.24 2 Like as a child though he be a perfect man yet hath neede of dayly foode and nourishment to the intent hee may come to his full growth and making Euen so he that belieueth hath neede to minde Gods word continually and to heare the same preached often with other like helpes to the end that he may from day to day take new encreasement 3 Like as the power of reason which we receiued at the first birth of our flesh must alwaies be nourished helped and exercised to the necessarie vses of our life So likewise Faith which is as it were a certaine reason of our second birth and new man must be fed and furdered like an infant to the spirituall life Faith is tied to no time to no age nor qualitie of life LIke as it is in the Summer season some trees are fruiteful naturally in the beginning of Summer some a litle after some in the middest some after the middest yea and some doo beare their fruite at the latter end And the tree is counted to be neuer a whit the lesse fruitefull that beareth at the last then the same which beareth in the beginning of the yeare But the same is vnfruitfull which doth beare no fruite at all neither in the beginning neither in the middest nor yet at the ende of the Summer For when the Summer is once past there is no hope that the tree which hath beene barren all that time can beare fruite at winter because that God hath so appointed that they should beare not in winter but in the Summer season Euen so likewise he that commeth vnto Faith at the last cast of his life must be deemed no lesse faithfull then he which began to belieue in his youth But he that is neuer made faithfull at all in this life there is no hope of him that he can come vnto faith in the winter time which shall follow the Summer of this our life Luk. 13.7 Luk. 23.42 43. Act. 9.1 c. 8.22 23 24. Feare 1 LIke as the Bristle which is on the Shoemakers threed goeth thorowe the hole first and so drawes a long and strong threede after it Euen so the Feare of Gods vengeance first goeth before and throweth downe a man in his owne sight and then followes the long threede of Gods mercies in Christ offered in his word Agge 1.12 13. 2 As the theife that will not steale not for loue of any righteousnesse or reuerence to God but to escape the gallowes Euen so some men doo well and eschew euill not for any feare or loue of God or goodnesse it selfe but to escape punishment 3 Like as whē the ayre is couered with clouds the Sun darkned tempest beginne to aryse lightnings and fire flie from heauen rumbling and noyse is in the aire the clouds bursts and the thunder cracke comes then raine falls and straight followes Sunne-shine and faire weather Euen so a man truely fearing God beeing touched in conscience with sorrow for his sinnes as one oppressed with the burden and vilenesse thereof complaines to God accuses himselfe grones sobbes and sighes like the thunder crack dare not looke vp towards heauen for his wickednesse but condemnes himselfe At the last burstes out on weeping and teares like drops of raine comes trickling down his cheekes straightwayes followes quietnesse of conscience with wondring and praising the vnspeakable goodnesse of God for his mercies and comfort in Christ his Sonne offered to such a troubled conscience Friends are not alwaies to be chosen for their wealth AS he is a foole which buying a horse beholdeth only the gay Saddle braue Bridle So is he most foolish which going about to get Friends chuseth them rather by their wealth and apparell then by their good nature qualities and conditions Eccle. 6.6 7. c. Frailtie of mans nature 1 LIike as a Hound cannot but follow his game when he seeth it before him if he be loose Euen so can we not but fall into sinne when occasion by temptation is giuen vs if the Lord in mercie withdraw and keepe backe his helping hand from vs. 2 As a small threede holdeth a strong man where hee gladly desireth to bee and a little pulling draweth a man whether he willingly goeth Or as a little wind driueth a Shippe with the streame and tide Or as a light perswasion is enough to make a leacherous man belieue that fornication is no sin And an angrie man that it is lawfull to reuenge himself c. Euen so if the Lord lead vs into temptation and giue vs ouer for our vnkindnes vnthankfulnes seeing our blind nature delighteth in euil is prompt ready of it selfe to belieue lies a litle is enough to make them that loue not the truth to belieue lies fainings and superstitions and to harden them therin 2. Thes 2.1 2. c. 3 As a stone cast vp into the ayre can neither goe any higher neither yet there abide when the power of the hurler ceaseth to driue it Euen so seeing our corrupt nature can but goe downeward onely and the diuell the world and the flesh driueth there to the same way How can we proceede further in vertue or stand therin when we are tempted if our mercifull and good God do not by his holy spirite from time to time guide and gouerne vs In Gods Fauour LIke when a man is in Fauour with his Prince hee is then bold to come vnto him may haue free accesse vnto his presence and may sue to him for any benefite or preferment whereof hee standeth in neede and may obtaine it before any other Euen so they which are in Gods Fauour by reason that they are freely pardoned and iustified in Christ doo boldly approch into Gods presence and they are ready to aske and are sure to obtaine any benefit that is for their good Faithfull 1 AS an whole
ministerie of death it fitly serueth for the taming and maistering of the rebellious flesh Euen so the Gospell containing the bountifull promises of God in Christ is as Oyle to powre into our wounds and as the water of life to quench our thirstie soules And it fitly serueth for the strengthening of the spirite 2 As the Diamond which beeing moystned in the warme bloud of a Goate may bee brused though otherwise it cannot bee hurt with any fire be it neuer so hotte nor broken with any violence bee it neuer so strong Or as the Horse which erst while was outragiously fierce is by gentle handling meekened and made handsome for the Saddle Or as the Dogge in like manner whose nature is churlish and vntoward which is agreeable to his name is yet by gentlenesse brought to doo that that is not incident to his nature Euen so some men whose harts cannot be mollified and softned by the terrours iudgements of the law are yet reclaimed wonne and made to relent by the milde and gentle perswasions and promises of the Gospell 3 As the Doue found no footing at the first sending Euen so the Gospel of Christ doth not alwaies find entertainment Gene. 8.8 Math. 10.14.10.3.19 Act. 13.51 4 As the seede sowne in the fielde as wheate bringeth forth graine and corne according to his nature and kind So the Gospell preached bringeth foorth out of a godly heart that which both in it selfe it teacheth that which it deliuereth to wit faith in Christ amendement of life the knowledge of God loue towardes God and our neighbour and such other fruites as are sowne and preached 5 As the lightning that breaketh out of the clouds shineth ouer all Euen so doth the Gospell of Christ 6 As men light not a candle to couer or whelme it vnder a bushell but on a Candlesticke to light all that are in the house Euen so the light of Christes Gospell may not bee hid nor made a seuerall thing as though it pertained to some certaine holy personnes onely nay it is the light of the whole worlde and pertaineth to all men and therefore ought not to bee kept from any Math. 5.14 7 Like as the Frogges of Egypt raysed out of the dust by the diuelish art of the MagiciaÌ„s cried out against Gods veritie calling againe by Moses and Aaron the people of God to the true libertie and worshipping of God Right so doo the Popes Legates and Papistes molest with their talke and speech the preaching of the Gospell the free deliuerance the Christian libertie and true seruice of God Exod. 8.7 8 Euen as a murtherer guiltie of death contemning the fauour which he heareth to be offered vnto him of a most mercifull King calleth and procureth to himselfe the more grieuous punishment So in like case if any hearing the Gospell of grace imbraceth not the same is to himselfe the authour of heauier punishment and condemnation Godly men 1 LIke as in the straite Seas the water ebs and flowes Euen so is it in the Godly as long as they liue in this world according to their owne feeling there is an accesse and recesse a comming and going of the spirite Psal 1â—â— 5.88 77.2 3.7 8. 2 As the lights and starres of the firmament doo giue light to all which are vnder heauen So the vertues of Saints and Godly men doo giue light to others to follow their example 3 As the Palme tree is least at the bottome and the higher it is rhe greater and thicker the braunches are but all other trees are contrarie So the Godly are most conuersant and haue the best part that is the soule in heauen but the wicked are contrarie 4 As a Panther hath fower clawes and no more on each foote behinde but fiue clawes and no lesse on each foote before So the Godly though they be weake to the world-ward yet they are strong to God-ward Mat. 11.12 5 Like as the filthie doo more and more wallow themselues in the myre and array and defile themselues too vilely So the Godly doo more and more applie themselues dayly to cleannesse and holinesse of life Reue. 22.11 6 As the Owle is howted and wondred at among other birds Euen so the Godly are often made a gazing stocke and a wonderment vnto the vngodly because the course of Godlinesse is most straunge and foolish in their eyes Lam. 4.3 1. Cor. 4.9 7 As all Birdes though hating one an other do wonder at the Owle So likewise all the wicked beeing enemies amongst themselues doo set their seuerall powers against the Godly Psal 22. Luk. 23.12 The reason is because they hate nothing neither any people so much as the truth and the professors thereof Math. 5.11.12 12.34 8 As Sheepe are simple but yet bring profit to their owners both when they are liuing and when they are slaine Euen so the Godly are not onely harmelesse and innocent as Doues and yet can discerne of true doctrine and false but they are also very profitable both in their life and death The vse of Gods Gifts to men AS a sheepe hath and beareth a fleece of Wooll not for himselfe but for the necessitie and benefite of men Euen so the Gifts of God which he giueth vs either spirituall or temporall we are not to keepe them onely for our selues but to supplie the necessities and wants of others Eccle. 11.1 2 3. Gods promises LIke as if an earthly King should promise one a liuing whilst he liued it would be an occasion that he should lessen his carefulnesse for earthly things Euen so how much more should Gods Promise make vs carelesse for worldly things which is King of all kings Hebr. 13.5 6 7. Iosu 1.5 Psal 118.6 2 Like as nutritiue cordiall medicines are not good for euery sicke person especially when the bodie needeth rather a strong purgation then a matter restoratiue Or as incarnatiue medicines for the time allay the paine of the Patient but after the griefe becommeth more greeuous Euen so the comfortable applying of Gods Promises are not so profitable for euery one that is humbled especially when their soules are rather to be cast downe then as yet to be raised vp so the sugred consolations may for a time ouer-heale the conscience abate some present grief but so as afterwards the smart will be the sorer and the griefe may grow the greater wherof ensueth this effect that coÌ„fort seemeth to cure for a while but through want of wisedome in the right discerning of the cause we minister one medicine for an other and so for want of skil the latter fit grieueth them sorer than the former God the Authour of mens afflictions 1 LIke as if a maÌ„ hauing receiued a greeuous wound should not care for the healing of it should not hasten to the Surgion or Physition nor should prouide any remedie but should sometime accuse his owne sloth and negligence for that he did not auoid the arrow sometime grinning should byte the
sauage and wilde beastes 5 Like as the Sunne being high at noone causeth short and small shadowes but being low in the Morning or Euening it causeth the same to appeare both broade and large So by how much the more a man is endued with vertue and Godlinesse by so much the lesse desireth the boasting and aduauncement of himselfe whereas on the contrarie part one endued with the smacke and smell of vertue will straight cracke bragge yea and make thereof his boasts 6 As Egges that be ful doo sinke in the water but those that are emptie doo swimme aboue So he that is adorned with true vertue and learning will not so much brag or boast himselfe as he that is otherwise 7 As no man is so thankfull for health as hee that hath beene in continuall sicknesse Euen so no man feeleth the mercie of God that is not truely Humbled in his owne sight 8 As it is honestie for a man when hee is bidden to a feast to be remooued higher then he offereth to sit rather then to bee remooued lower Euen so Humilitie in our dealings bringeth Honour and estimation Luk. 14.9 10. 9 As proud persons stay themselues vpon their owne strength that is stay vpon a reede and vppon the Ice of one nights freezing and are like vnto smoake that mounteth vp on high and so in going vp is scattered and consumeth to nothing Euen so the Humble man is a Rocke or a square body which is alwayes stayed on which side soeuer it be turned 10 As Brasse or Copper dooth make a greater sound and is heard further off then Gold whereas notwithstanding Gold is farre more excellent then it So eloquence ioyned with knowledge soundeth lowder and farther then Humilitie coupled with charitie and yet such Humilitie is farre better and more excellent then it 1. Cor. 8.1 13.1 11 As the high hilles after much Tillage are often barren whereas the low Vallies by the streames of waters passing through them are very fruitfull Euen so the gifts of God ioyned with a swelling hart are fruitlesse but ioyned with loue and the grace of Humilitie they edifie 12 As a tree the more deepely it is rooted in the earth the taller it groweth and mounteth the higher Euen so a man the more humble and lowly that he is the more and higher doth the Lord exalt him Math. 7.17 Luke 1.52 53. Iam. 4.6 13 As a building is so much the firmer and stronger as the foundation and ground-worke of the same is laide lower and deeper Euen so the ground-worke of Christian Phylosophie is vnfained Humilitie and the deeper that the same is laide and setled in our hearts the surer and more permanent will the building of our religon be Luk. 14.11 18.14 Math. 23.12 14 Euen as wee see sometimes two men about to goe into some sumptuous and stately Hall or house through a very low and narrow doore the one stouping and bending himselfe dooth passe through and goe in without harme the other stout not stouping nor bending at all but preasing in with great force hurteth his head and falleth backward Euen so such a stately and princely place is the kingdome of heauen the habitation of the Saints of God whose way is very straight as Christ affirmeth and the doore thereof is lowe and narrow So that that man which humbleth himselfe and stoupeth low doth enter into that most stately and princely house of the King of heauen but hee that is puffed vp with pride and swelled with insolencie cannot get in at that gate he falleth to the ground his pride doth throw him backward Math. 7.13 14 11.29 18.3 4. 15 As spices smell best when they are smallest beaten So are a Christians good works more acceptable to God when they are lessened by Humilitie 16 As pride and good conscience can neuer goe together So Humiliation is the beginning of all grace and religion and such as haue knowledge in Religion and many other good gifts without Humilitie are but vnbrideled vnmortified and vnreformed persons 17 As the Vallies are more vsually fertile then the hils for that the fatnesse of the earth is more easily carried thither by raines and showers So must it be with vs if wee will be filled with the graces and blessings of our God we must be Humble low and plaine as the vallies 18 As that great Oratour Demosthines somtimes spake of pronunciation who beeing demaunded what was the first second and third especiall point of Rhetoricke answered alwayes Action So may wee likewise say of true Humilitie that it is the principal part of Christianitie and as it were all in all yea the life and soule thereof so that it be true entire and vnfeigned 19 As the heauier the burthen is the more it presseth downe So likewise the moe and the more hainous that our sinnes bee the greater is and ought to be our Humiliation 20 As it is in the parts of holinesse the more they are practised by the body in the life and action the more they are confirmed and encreased inwardly in the soule So the more that a man giueth himselfe to the vse of all the outward exercises of Humiliation before men the more doth he humble himselfe in the sight of God 21 As trees growing on the top of hills haue a rough barke crooked knots long bowes and therefore vnmeete for any building vntill they bee fallen pilled squared drawne home and can do nothing of al these themselues So likewise we as long as we be wandring in the mountaines and wilde woods of this world being highly minded and in great wealth or authoritie aboue others as on an hill we haue froward proud minds and not meete for Gods house vntill we be Humbled and made lowly in our owne sights and fall flat downe at Christs feete and haue the rough barke of our old Adam pulled off and our crooked affections cut away bee mortified and drawne home by the preaching of his word and working of his holy spirit 2. Cor. 3.5 Ioh. 6.44 Hypocrites 1 AS the cotten head of the hearbes Lysimachus Fodefoote Dandelion and Fleabane which a blast of wind carrieth cleane away So likwise the Religion and zealous profession of Hypocrites when a little trouble or persecution ariseth are then carried cleane away 2 As the small hearbe Biscort hath smooth and plaine leaues like vnto hearbe Patience but in the earth hath a crooked roote So many beare a smooth countenance and a faire shewe outwardly seeming to take all well which inwardly haue a crooked and an euill heart in meaning 3 As the small Celendine springeth and flowreth at the comming of the Swallowes and Summer birdes withereth at their departing So many men professing Religion rise at the warme prosperitie of some and fal away at their departure into the stormie winter of aduersitie 4 As the Holeworte with the solide roote and Holeworte with the hollow roote neuer growe together the one by the other in the same garden
melting it Euen so in like manner the holinesse of God may better be known in the reuolt of Hypocrites approching vnto him by honorable offices in his Church and profession of his word and so he may bee the more glorified of the people in such iudgements and also so much the lesse will hee suffer their corruptions but will punishe them more sharpely Leuit. 10.3 2. Timo. 4.10.14 15 16. 30 As a thicke Wood and goodly groue giuing great shaddow very pleasant to behold dooth delight the eyes of the beholders so greatly with the varietie and thicknesse of flourishing trees and pleasaunt plants that it seemeth to be ordained only for pleasures sake and yet within is full of poysonfull Serpents rauening Wolues and other wilde hurtfull and cruell beastes Euen so an Hypocrite when outwardly he seemeth holy and to be wel furnished with the ornaments of all sorts of vertues dooth please well and delight much the eyes of his beholders but within him there lurketh pride couetousnesse enuie and all maner of wickednesses like wild and cruell beasts walking and wandring in the wood of his hart For fained holinesse is double iniquitie 31 As a Swanne whose feathers are all white but her flesh blacke white without and blacke within Euen so he is not to bee counted religious but an Hypocrite that doth couer hide his foule faultes and loathsome sinnes with a faire and beautifull shew of vertue fayning an holyner where none is 32 As the Viper although shee bee pestilent and poysonfull yet notwithstanding whiles shee is nummed with cold she may safely be handled not because shee hath no poyson in her but because in her cold and numnesse shee cannot vse it Euen so pernicious and dissembling Hypocrites do somtime want opportunitie and power to practise and to put in execution their wicked and detestable treacheries 33 As the skin of a Foxe is of some value and in request but the fleshe is nothing woorth So outward shewes of holinesse are highly esteemed with Hypocrites but cleannesse of the heart and inward puritie is of them no whit regarded 34 Like as an Apple that is very beautiful without but is rotten within Or as a goodly tall Tree that flourisheth and is full of leaues but yet fruitlesse Euen so such is an Hypocrite who would seeme to be that he is not and hateth to be that he seemeth 2. Tim. 3.5 35 As the Ostrige beeing a great and mightie foule hath wings but doth not flie neither is lifted vp from the ground with them So very many men in the world doo seeme to be carried vp to heauen vpon the wings of their ceremonies but are in deed in heart mind and desire fast nailed to the earth 36 As the Kite being a most greedie rauening foule mounteth exceeding high so that you would thinke she toucheth the gliding clouds and as she flieth doth spred her wings and yet when shee is at the highest shee hath her eyes fast set and fixed below in the earth prying and spying to catch if shee can some poore Chicken or ther pray within her talens in deed shee flieth high but neuer looketh vp towards heauen but altogether downe towards the earth Euen so thou shalt see a number of 〈◊〉 faining a certaine sanctimonie counterfeiting much holinesse who although they are thought with the contemplation of heauenly things to be rauished and taken vp into the cloudes yet they mind nothing lesse then true godlinesse neither any thing more then earth and earthly things Their studie is for worldly honour their greatest carking and care is for rich and large reuenues for dignities Princes fauors and worldly wealth Such men turne their backes to heauen and flie from God and so being disappointed of that light which they seemed to 〈◊〉 for they are wrapped in palpable and most daungerous darknesse 37 As Brasse is a mettall of red colour and hath a certaine likenesse of Gold but is indeede Brasse not gold Euen so such are Hypocrites which vnder the shape and colour of Religion and holinesse do couer a Chaos and confused heape of all wickednesse and abhomination Such men when they seeme best are then worst for of all wickednesse there is none more pernicious then that of â—â—eâ—â—s which when they are most bent to deceiue they handle the matter so that they seeme to bee honest vertuous and godly men 38 As he that hath a painted Oxe and hunteth followeth for Partâ—idges is not an Oxe but vnder the shape and likenesse of that simple creature lieth in waite for the prettie fine Birds that he may take them and kil them So likewise an Hypocrite that with a counterfeited and fained holinesse wil colour and couer impietie wicked purposes or whatsoeuer is against the word and will of God 〈◊〉 not a iust man but vnder the colour and shape of godlinesse and honestie seeking the prayse and glorie of the world he casteth in his head and worketh by degrees the ruine decay and vndoing of his neighbours that he may compasse their goods lands and possessions gaine some honour and dignitie among men 2. Tim. 3.5 39 Euen as the swiftist Haukes going about to seaze vpon and to take the Bird that flieth as it were in the top of the ayre doth not by and by when shee first seeth her flie directly towards her but rather at the first with fetching of a compasse doth seeme to forsake and to despise her and to draw and to flie from her but at the second or third flight she goeth toward her in the ayre with a wonderfull force and incredible swiftnesse to take her in the ayre and to rend her in peeces Right so doo Hypocrites behaue themselues for at the first to see too they wil seme to thee not to regard but to contemne the riches and promotions of the world but then they coyne and counterfeite a simplicitie fouling for a greater matter then yet they see present and reaching at some higher aduauncement and greater dignitie then that present time and occasion dooth offer but at the second or third flight when euerie thing dooth answere their expectation thou shalt peceiue that withall speede and greedinesse they will lay hold vpon those things which thou thoughtest they had contemned They doo not wish or desire any thing more neither can any thing more highly please them then the very selfesame things which they once made the worlde beleeue they detested and could not abide them These are double hearted men they haue wicked lippes and hands that worke iniquitie they be those sinners that goe two maner of wayes and euerlasting woe is their reward Math. 2.8 40 As Painters which haue a greater regarde to the colours and shadowes of Images and Pictures then vnto the substaunce of the same and contemning the inward parts they bestow all the wit skil and cunning they haue in expressing and painting out a bare shaddow and outside of the thing and the more they deceiue the eyes
doo the will of my Father saith Christ which is in heauen Euen so is it often said that a hood maketh not a Muncke neither rounding or powling neither yet a long Gowne or a square Cap or Tippet maketh a true Apostle or Minister but he is counted to bee the assured Minister of Christ which both is able and can by sound doctrine exhort and comfort the gaine-sayers thereof and also doth diligently goe before the people of God by good example of life and vertuous conuersation 48 As it is the dutie of Iudges which doo sit in iudgement as concerning matters of life and death to shut the one eare to the accuser and to reserue the other for him that is accused after the example of great Alexander So likewise it is the part of Ministers to be ready to make answere to euerie question of the Law of God for he that is ignorant in Gods Law he may assure himselfe that he can by no meanes be Gods Minister Mind 1 AS we vse not the troubled water vntill it bee cleared againe So must we not vse our Mind being moued and angrie but suffer it first to be pacified 2 As out of the vessell which is filled with liquor the â—yre is expelled So out of a Mind replenished with verâ—ue and godlinesse all kind of vanities be voide Member of Christ falleth not finally AS a mans arme taken with the dead Palsie hangs by and receiues no heate life or sence from the rest of â—e Members or from the head yet for all this it remaines still vnited and coupled to the bodie â—nd may againe be recouered by plaisters and phisicke So after a greeuous fall the child of God that feeles no inward peace comfort but is smitten in conscience with the trembling of a spirituall Palsie for his offence neuerthelesse in deed remaines before God a member of Christ which shal be restored to his former estate after true and vnfained repentance Memorie AS the leaues of a booke which is sildom vsed wil cleaue fast together Euen so the Memorie waxeth dull if it be not oft quickned A Minde ruled by reason AS the ship which hath a strong ankor may safely stay in any hauen So likewise a man which hath his Mind ruled by reason will liue peaceably and quietly in any region of the world The Minde of man 1 AS Trees planted and set by the waters side seeme faire and pleasant adorned with store and varietie of fresh and greene leaues So likewise doth the Minde of man being garnished with godly knowledge moysâ—ned with the water of Gods diuine spirit flourish shine with the bright beames of vertue and spread abroad his boughes both of faith toward God and also yeeld foorth the fruite of Christian workes toward his neighbour Psal 1. 3. Esay 17.8 2 As the eye of the bodie although it behold all otheâ— things yet it cannot see either it selfe or some other partâ— of the bodie euen those which are nearest vnto it So it fareth with the Mind of man the eye of the soule it ranged ouer the whole worlde aboue the highest heauens anâ— beneath the bottom of the earth and yet it is a straunger 〈◊〉 home most ignorant of the owne estate 3 As we see in running Riuers that the force of the water is greatly diminished when as the currant thereof is turned into seuerall litle streames and that both the heate and light do loose much of their vertue when as they are dispearsed abroad into large and open places So likewise it happeneth to our Mindes when as they are applied vnto seuerall studies which sometimes are contrary one to the other so that we thinking through an ambitious desire to do many things in the end effect and bring to passe nothing as we should do 4 As Porke betokeneth vncleannesse from which we must abstaine and beasts did signifie that beastly affections should be killed So the Minde and will must be renued that it may allow chuse and do such things as please God 5 As the bodie being alwayes oppressed with labour looseth his strength and so perisheth So likewise doth the Minde of man oppressed with the cares and pleasures of this world loose all her force lust and desire that she had to the rest to come of eternall life and so dieth not onely the death of sinne but hasteth what she can to hate abhorre all vertue 6 As a ship hauing a sure Ankor may lye safe in any place So the Mind that is ruled by perfect reason is quiet euery where Merite or desert not to be looked for for well doing 1 LIke as if one say the Prince hath bestowed a great Office vpon such an honest man this betokeneth â—ot wherefore but vpon what maner of person the Prince â—estowed it Euen so in like maner if we say that God wil â—iue glory the kingdome of heauen and euerlasting life â—o them that walke vprightly this teacheth vs what maner of men the Lord will giue the inheritance vnto but not for what cause mouing him he will giue it vnto them Eze. 36.22 Math. 18.27 25.34 Luk. 17.7 9 10. Gal. 1.15 3.18 2 As he which is wicked and dooth wickedly hurteth himselfe and not God Or as hee that hath the health of his bodie and doth by good dyet keepe and preserue it dooth hee therefore deserue any reward at the Phisitions hands Verely no for he doth it not for the Phisitions profit but for his owne Euen so likewise he that by the gift of God hath obtained the health of his soule and by his grace doth the things that belong to the preseruation of the same shall we say that he dooth Merite or deserue any reward at Gods hand because that he is made such by his grace and gift and doth now through his helpe aide and assistance keepe the same grace for his onely profite and commoditie either by earnest beliefe or by vnfained loue or by assured hope or by well doing and patience in aduersitie and trouble c. 3 Like as if any man that hath a state or interest for terme of yeres and a taking of profit in a peece of ground by another mans liberall graunt doo also claime to himselfe the tytle of proprietie dooth hee not by such vnthankefulnesse deserue to loose the verie selfe possession which hee had Or like as if a bonde Slaue beeing made free of his Lorde doo hide the basenesse of the estate of a Libertine who is made free by maumission and not by byrth and boaste himselfe to bee a Free-man borne is hee not woorthie to bee brought backe into his former bondage Euen so althougâ— good woorkes proceede from the grace of God yeâ— they doo please him and are not vnprofitable to the dooers of them but rather they receiue for rewarde the most large benefits of God not because they deserue but because the goodnesse of God hath of it selfe appointed this price vnto theÌ„ But what spitefulnesse is this
should say that he had in vaine asked helpe at their hands Euen so much more wil God the great king of heauen and earth who is as able as the richest and as willing to giue as the frankest yea and hath as great care and that not without cause of his glorie as any man hath of his worldly worship renowme thinke scorne that any man should say there is no helpe for me in God I haue in vaine afflicted my soule humbled my selfe at his footestoole by Prayer cleansed my wayes in his sight repaired to the place of his presence and called vpon him there is nothing to be hoped for or gotten at his hands 29 Euen as the Smith striketh the yron while it is hote and fit to receiue any forme or impression So God although he could imprint his grace in the coldest hardest and flintiest disposition of the heart yet he rather doth it when as the affections of men are stirred vp and enflamed either by the ministerie of the word and publike Prayer during the which regeneration is ordinarily wrought in men or else by some priuate Christian exercise as reading the Scripture and serious meditation but especially by praying and singing Psalmes to God in the time of the which actions it pleaseth God sometimes to send his spirit into the hearts of his elect 30 Like as a medicine or playster cannot heale a wound if there be any yron sticking in the same So in like manner the Praier of a man profiteth him not as long as there is sorrow in his mind or hatred in his brest for if charitie want all things be void 31 Euen as a child when he feareth any euill or harme towards runneth to his father for helpe and succour So in like manner the children of God they runne to God by Prayer in all their daungers and distresses Gene. 16.11 21.17 32 As a louing Father in regard of his ignorant and somtimes negligent child doth giue him things vnasked but not to the rebellious Euen so God doth oftentimes bestow his graces and benefites vpon vs without Prayer 33 As parents rather take pleasure to heare their children stammer then to heare some other speake eloquently Euen so doth the Lord take pleasure in the Prayers of his Saints because in Christ hee taketh them for his children 34 As the knowledge of God ought not to be vnperfect or doubtfull So Prayer should not be faint or slacke without courage or quicknesse 35 Like as he that is in prison desireth euer to be deliuered whether hee be eating drinking or sleeping and as he that is sicke desireth alwayes to bee whole euen so dooth euerie Christian man pray continually yea euen when hee seemeth not to pray for Prayer consisteth not in much babling Math. 6.7 But in spirit and veritie Iohn 4.24 and in vehement desire of the heart towards God 36 As a Sonne being pinched with any griefe or want doth straight way runne to his Father for reliefe So doo the faithfull in the manifold miseries and crosses of this present life seeke for helpe at the hands of their heauenly father by Prayer Ephe. 5.1 37 As the exercising of the body doth not onely preserue it in the naturall vigour but also increaseth strength of it and keepeth it from sicknesse So by the daily vse of Prayer wee shall find that the Lord will increase in vs all spirituall graces farre aboue our owne expectation or the opinion of any other Ephe. 6.18 It is no Presumption to be assured of our saluation 1 LIke as if a king should make a promise vnto some one of his seruants whom he fauoreth and the same partie should aunswere againe I stand in doubt of your promise or I hardly beleeue the performance of your promise might not the King well thinke himselfe greatly dishonoured to haue it doubted whether he be a man of his word But if he should sweare for the Performance of his promise yet the partie would not credit him he would neuer put that vp or suffer such an iniurie Euen so after the same manner it must needes follow that seeing God hath bound himselfe both by promise and by oath that it is great presumption for vs not to beleeue him yea it is all one as to thinke that God may lie or that he may be forsworne which is horrible blasphemie Hebr. 6.17 18. 2 Like as it is al one if a man be cōdemned for treason to haue his pardon sent him being but one man alone or hauing a great sort moe cōdemned vnto death with him as if a general pardon be sent for them all Euen so it is betwixt God and vs we were all condemned he hath sent a general pardon to as many as beleeue his promise which he offereth and sendeth vnto all in generall as hee also offereth and sendeth vnto euerie one in particular saying that whosoeuer beleeueth and trusteth in Christ shall be saued God therefore hath told some men that is such as beleeue that they shall be saued and such as doubt of his promise and his oath that they shall be damned So that it is no presumption to be sure and certaine of our saluation Mar. 16. Iohn 3.16 17 18. 5.24 Act. 15.11 Pure mind AS the Sunne is not defiled by shining vpon a puddle or dunghill but doth rather drie vp and driue away the stinch Euen so a Pure and chast mind striueth against the vncleannesse of the world and ouercommeth it but is not defiled it selfe Proceeding in Religion LIke as the young child must not looke to bee fed alwayes with the Teate or pappe but as it groweth in yeares so to feede on stronger meate Euen so good Christians must not content themselues to haue learned the principles of Religion but they must labour also to Proceed and come to perfection by learning the substantiall and higher points of Religion and not to bee like truants alwayes sticking at one lesson Hebr. 5.13 14. 1. Pet. 2.1 2 3. Prayer must be made to God alone LIke as if a King would send out a Proclamation that all his subiects whensoeuer they had any suit or trouble should come to himselfe and let him vnderstand their case to the intent to winne his subiects fauour and to make knowne his good will towards them then that man might well bee counted foolish that knowing this would seeke and sue to some Noble man to get him to speake to the King for him and this King might iustly be offended and displeased at him for so doing Euen so it standeth betwixt God and vs who hath commaunded vs to call vpon him in the day of trouble so hee will deliuer vs and therefore those that make Saints their mediatours doo robbe him of his honour and glorie that is due vnto him c. Psal 50.15 Profession abused AS wee doo not condemne the Art of Physicke because some Physitions haue giuen poyson for Apothicarie drugges but those that abuse the Art Or as wee
treasures The yron one is the viler but yet it is the better Euen so such a King is our God and such an house is that heauenly habitation of his Saints wherein are inestimable treasures endlesse ioyes and vnspeakable good things which are worthier and more excellent then man is able to expresse 2. Cor. 2.9 All which heauenly treasures God hath promised to all them that shall enter into his holy hill or house of Saints The golden key which the most part of this world do choose and trust too that they may enter into heauen is worldly wealth and aboundance of riches ioyned with couetousnesse which will neuer open the Lords house where are kept his celestiall and inestimable treasures but that key doth open a foule and vile house of this world which is full of all filthinesse abhominations The yron key is spiritual Pouertie against the which the kingdome of heauen is neuer shut but standeth euer wide open to all them that bring with them that key Math. 5.3 Therfore let vs make no account of the golden key but let vs for Christ and his kingdome forsake and dispose the deceitfull riches of this world which are desired and sought for farre and neare by Sea and land with daungers and losse of the bodies and soules of many thousands as though men could bribe God for their sinnes and purchase heauen with their worldly trifles and let vs without murmuring and grudging with all patience of heart and mind beare and imbrace Pouertie and al those crosses and afflictions which vnto the world seeme bitter and intollerable of which kind very many doo happen in the life of men Let vs earnestly seeke after the riches of the Lords kingdome and euerlasting life for they be stable and permanent and let vs not set our hearts and affections on this world for it waxeth old and rotten it staggereth is ruinous and ready to fall Iob. 21.13 Prou. 11.4 Posteritie degenerating EVen as thicke and blacke cloudes doo obscure and darken the bright and glittering starres So degenerating Posterities and such as bee polluted and blemished with treacherie and iniquitie doo dishonour their auncestors and doo extinguish the cleare light of their noble vertues and doo put vppon them the vgly darksomnesse of their owne vices that although they be noble men by birth and discent yet they fall into obliuion and by little and little are quite forgotten Outward Professors are often hypocrites EVen as many men are much delighted with Musicke and will most gladly heare Musitions make songs of the noble acts and singular vertues of many men but neuer care to imitate one vertue of a thousand which they heare with prayses extolled vnto the skies So very many men in these our dayes are outwardly very forward to heare Sermons and the word preached and as Ananias will bee willingly to see too at some cost to maintaine Preachers and all is in many but meere hypocrisie to please their owne humours with straunge and new matter with some Logicke Rethoricke and brauerie of wordes which they looke for without any purpose to frame their liues after such doctrine as the Preacher deliuereth Gods mercie in his Promises 1 LIke as if I owe to a Creditor vpon a very formall bill a hundred pounds he will not to the end to enduce me to pay the same faithfully Promise to giue me tenne times so much more yet thus dooth God deale with vs who is so wonderfull in his goodnesse that hee vouchsafeth to Promise vs so many benefites if wee amend our liues that is to say if we performe the thing whereto wee are alreadie bound 2 If he that is free bindeth himselfe to serue an other then it is reason that his Maister shuld Promise him some wages and reward for his seruice But wee are not free but alreadie bound to serue our God yet doth hee Promise vs great benefits if we imploy our selues faithfully in his seruice by amending our liues Preaching killeth sinne AS the Walles of Iericho did fall downe flat at the sound of the Trumpets and the shouts of the people Euen so sinne and wickednesse will fall flat downe and decay in the people when Ministers shall faithfully and carefully execute their office by diligent preaching and Catechising Iosu 6.20 Esay 58.1 Hose 5.8 Prosperitie argueth not a man to hee saued and contrariwise c. AS Haukes of the best kind whiles they liue are highly esteemed and much made off and are daintily fed and tenderly looked vnto and are carried vpon the fistes of great and mightie men but when they be dead they are throwne out vpon the dunghill and on the other side the Partridge when shee liueth is troubled afflicted and pursued of all euerie Carter and Ploughman is readie to fall vpon her to do her violence and to kill her but when shee is dead shee is brought to the tables of Princes and is very honourably set before them So very many that in this life are counted very famous and notable men and do lead their liues in great Prosperitie worldly wealth and haue all things at their wills and pleasures when they remooue hence and depart this life they shall be hurled vpon that most foule and filthie dunghill of hell to bee tormented in the stinch and abhomination for euer But others which in this life are encumbred tormented and afflicted with diuers and sundrie calamities and euen for their vertues sake are hated of the wicked and contemned of the world when they shall depart out of this life they shall bee brought and presented before the Lord with great honour and placed with the King of heauen in euerlasting glorie that is full of honour and full of vnspeakable ioyes 2 As the skilfull Physition dooth giue to a patient of whose recouerie he dispaireth all things that hee requireth but he denieth many things to him of whose health hee hath good hope So God many times bestoweth his blessings of worldly things vpon the reprobate when hee for diuers respects refuseth to giue them to the godly The Passion of Christ to be reuerenced AS he which reioyceth when an other hath killed the kings Sonne is conuinced also to bee partaker of the treason So he which is glad off doth not speake reuerently of Christs Passion is guiltie of it Long escaping of Punishment a hinderance that many doo not repent AS an old Theefe that hath stolen a long time and escapeth both prison and gallowes is animated and encouraged more boldly to proceed in his wickednesse thinking hee shall so alwayes escape So many filthie and loose liuers goe forward in their abhominations without repentance thinking that because God doth not incontinently punish them and shew some manifest iudgement and signe of his wrath vpon them therefore they shall be acquited for altogether Whereas contrariwise if God should by and by strike them downe as soone as they had sinned by thundering vpon one and lightning vpon an other and raining fire
of a good kind ordereth his going so well that though he haue run ouer many fields and through a thousand thickets already yet he neuer remembreth any labour which is behind but forgetteth it and if he chance to lap water in some brooke by the way yet euen while he lappeth hee lifteth vp his head and still goeth on plieth him forwards to his game So must we doo in this pursute of Perfection seeing Christ hath now sprinkled all the way betweene heauen and earth with his bloud and so hath made it a freshe and a liuing way therefore wee which haue noses like the Tower of Lebanon must as Bloud-hounds trace him by the foote and runne after him in the smell of his oyntments and hunt hotly vpon his fresh and liuing way with a fresh and liuely faith and though we haue gone very farre and done a thousand good deedes alreadie yet we must alwayes forget that which is behind till wee haue gotten if not the childrens bread yet at the least wise some little crum of mercie that falles from our maisters table some litle drop of blood that falls from our Lords side which will be sufficient to make vs perfect men in Christ Hebr. 1â— 20 Cant. 1.4 25 Euen as that altar of perfume was placed not in any common roome or in any odde corner of the Tabernacle but in the Sanctuary it selfe somewhat beyond the vaile close to the golden Censer verie neare the mercy feate So a Christian heart which is a spiritual altar of perfume and of a sweet sauour to God must daily endeuour it selfe to that which is before and stil more more aspire to heauenly things and alwayes nearer and nearer approach vnto Perfection and vnto the throne of grace and continually higher and higher aduaunce itselfe to him that is the highest and holiest of all Exod. 36.6 Heb. 9.4 2. Cor. 2.15 26 As the Israelites so soone as they had pitched in Mithkah which signifies sweetnesse by and by remoued their Tents from Chashmonah which signifies swiftnesse So we must ioyne sweetnesse and swiftnesse both together and assoone as we haue tasted and seene how sweete the Lord is presently we must remooue our Tents from thence and follow hard and runne not only sweetly but also swiftly in the way of peace which leadeth vnto Perfection and life Num. 33.26 27 As a Pomegranate hath many graines within him in his case and a little rounde circle or a crowne without him vpon his head now these graines being sweete in taste and red in colour are orderly set one by another and point vp or as it were looke vp altogether to the crowne So in like manner we which are plantes of the Church as an Oâ—chaâ—dâ— of Promegranaâ—es must growe and goe on still to Perfection not onely when we enioy the sweete taste of pleasant prosperitie but also when we beare the redde colour of bloudie persecution and consenting in a kinde of conformitie and perfect peace and vnitie one with another we must point vp altogether with the finger of faith to Christ and looke vp continually with the eye of lone to our head who by being first crossed is now come to be crowned with honour and glorie 28 As Iacob wrastled all the night long and neuer gaue oâ—er till about the breaking of the day that he was called Israel So likewise we must wrastle all the night long of this life and neuer giue ouer till the day breake and the shadowes flie away and we come to the maruellous light and sight of God by Perfection Gene. 32.24 Mar. 13.35 Cant. 4.6 29 As Ioseph signifieth encreasing and Aramathia signifieth getting the reward So we must alwaies encrease and goe on still to attaine Perfection till we get the reward 30 Like as they which runne their Horses for a wager spurre them hardest at the races ende So seeing our saluation is nearer now then euer it was therefore we must runne faster then euer we did especially because the very Horse and Mule and diuers other bruite beasts which haue no vnderstanding though they haue bene neuer so much wearied tyred before yet when they come neare home they will mend their pace And therefore the more to blame should we be if hauing trauelled thus far alreadie in the way to Perfection and being come by this time almost to our iournies end we should now go no further when indeed we ought if it be possible to runne much faster to our euerlasting home in heauen 31 As the holy Angels blush and holde downe their heads when they see vs stumble or trippe neuer so litle So on the other side they shoute and clappe their hands when they see vs runne chearfully in a good course and come away a pace to Perfection 32 Euen as a royall King when one of his Nobles returnes home which hath in a forraine Countrey by chiualrie or feates of armes or other like excellent parts atchieued and gotten great renowme to his Realme presently sendeth for him to his Court and in open audience giueth him words of grace and aduaunceth him to hie preferments and honour So Christ our most magnificent King immediately vpon our arriuall and entrance into heauen but of the forraine Countrey of this world will reach forth vnto vs his holie hand conducting vs to the eternall Tabernacles of rest and as for all the prayers that we haue made all the teares that we haue shead all the almes that we haue giuen all the other exercises of Christian life that we haue performed though neuer so secretly in this pursuite of Perfection he will openly reward them and most gloriously crowne them when all the host of Angels shall triumph for our corronation and the blessed Saints shall thinke themselues more perfect for our Perfection and all the Court of heauen shall applaude our prayses and God himselfe shall say Amen to our felicities 33 As they which by the counsell of Hefiodus doe often adde small things to small and so at last become rich So he which groweth in vertue more and more at last becommeth perfect Priuate men and women may greatly further the Chuch 1 AS women did worke diuers things for the Tabernacle in the dayes of Moses Or as the Temple was not built but by men of all sorts in the time of Salomon and the walles of Ierusalem vnder the guiding of Nehemiah So may Priuate men very much further the building of the spirituall Temple which is the congregation of Christ Exod. 35.25 1. King 5. Nehem. 3. Iosh 24.15 Act. 10.2 7. Gene. 14.14 18.19 Rom. 16. toto Iere. 35.1 c. 2 As out of Abraham Isaac and Iacobs house sprang forth the Churches of the Iewes So the glorious congregations of the Gentiles in like manner beganne in the families of Priuate men For as seruants well nurtured may adorne the doctrine of God our Sauior in all things Tit. 2.10 and husbands obeying not the word may without the word be wonne by
that euer was and God hath bestowed the same on his Elect and hee requires nothing at their handes but that they would turne their faces from this world and walke vnto it in the way which hee hath chalked foorth vnto them in his word Therefore if they be desirous to haue Saluation life euerlasting they must come forth of the broad way that leades to destruction and enter into the straight way that leades to eternal life they must acqaint themselues with the guides which are the faithfull Ministers of the word that wil cry vnto them Here is the way walke ye in it when they shall goe to the right hand or to the left 2 As Simeon going into the Temple by the motion of Gods spirit met with Christ So if we will be ruled with the same spirit frequent holy assemblies we shal meete with our Saluation Christs Spirit 1 AS the light cannot match with darkenesse So likewise Christs Spirite cannot accord and match with sinne and lusts of the flesh 2. Cor. 6.14 2 As Raine with the moysture therof fatteth the earth to make it fruitfull Euen so the holy Spirit with his inuisible grace doth make vs fruitfull to produce the fruits of righteousnesse Ioh. 7.38 3 As fire consumeth euerie thing that it layeth holde on So the Spirit of God consumeth all the corruption of our hearts and originall sinne in vs. 4 As fire giueth light to the bodily eyes So the Spirit giueth light to the eyes of the soule Ephe. 1.17 5 As fire giueth life quickneth those that be benummed with cold So the Spirit of God doth quicken and put life into those that be dead in their sinnes Ephe. 3.5.16 6 As a man that made a bargaine will bee carefull to keep the earnest pennie that he loose not all his bargaine So also must we be carefull to keepe the Spirit of God the earnest pennie of our saluation that we bee not depriued of the same Ephe. 1.13 Sacraments AS Circumcision which was a Sacrament of the olde Law was a seale in that time to our Fathers of righteousnesse Euen so be our Sacraments to vs in these daies seales of Gods promises vnto vs and all haue one strength and vertue Rom. 4.11 Sinne of set purpose AS hee that striketh the King ignorantly not knowing him to be the King is nothing in so much fault as he that striketh him knowing it is the King Euen so hee that dooth offend God of ignorance is to bee lesse blamed then he that wittingly and willingly offendeth him Luk. 12.47 48. God giueth vs vnderstanding to know the Scripture EVen as the Disciples of our Sauiour Christ had no knowledge nor vnderstanding vntil God gaue it thē So fareth it with al the rest of Gods children that althogh they heare neuer so much his Apostles Preach yea Christ himselfe personally sounding in their eares yet except the Lord open their hearts and minds as he did Lydia it auaileth not one Math. 16.17 Act. 16.14 Sinnes are our greatest enemies 1 AS a huge and mightie fire will bee asswaged and at the length quite put out if the stickes and other matter that doth chearish and increase it be withdrawne and kept from it So in like manner our affections and troubles will come to an end if we doo cease to doo euill and giue ouer sinning before it giue ouer vs for our Sins are as drie stickes and stubble wherwith the fire not onely of the wrath and malice of Infidels and heretikes but also of the wrath and indignation of God is kindled increased and most mightily stirred vp against vs. 2 As wee wonder at the Creator not onely in great matters as heauen earth the Sunne Elephants c. but also in like creatures as pismires lice wormes flies c. So a soule giuen to Christ must as wel regard litle as great matters and Sinnes knowing that wee must giue an account for euerie idle word Math. 12.36 For the health of the Soule the bodie is to bee kept in subiection LIke as when one part of a man that is sicke is not capable of the remedie wherewith he may be holpen the Physition is wont to applie the same remedie to an other part as if one bee grieued with an extreame Ach of the head then the Phisition vseth to strike a vaine of the arme because the head will not abide Phlebotomie or bloud letting So that we may helpe and heale many diseases of the Soule wee must keepe the body in subiection to the spirit and tame the lusts of the flesh and labour to bridle our affections and to keepe them within the compasse of reason sobrietie and temporance Spirits that die in the Lord. EVen as the Spirit of Christ passed from the Crosse into Paradise at the verie same moment that it departed out of the body and thence returned into the body that whole Christ in respect that he was man might be afterwards glorified So likewise all good Christians doo beleeue that their Spirits and soules who die in the Lord doo straightway depart vnto God there to enioy that measure of glorie that is appointed for them vntill that they being adioyned againe vnto the same bodies which will be the very same in substance truly corporall though in a far more excellent estate shall liue vnder Christ their head for euermore Luk. 23.43 Reue. 14.13 The Lords Supper 1 AS Bread nourisheth and strengthneth man and giueth him abilitie to labour So the body of Christ eaten by faith feedeth and satisfieth the soule of man and furnisheth the whole man to all duties of godlinesse 2 As Wine is drinke to the thirstie and maketh merrie the hearts of men Euen so the bloud of our Lord Iesus drunken by faith dooth quench the thirst of the burning conscience and filleth the hearts of the faithful with vnspeakable ioy The holy Spirit the earnest pennie of our inheritance 1 AS in a thing that is bought there is sometimes giuen an earnest pennie to wit some part of the money agreed on as wel for the beginning of the payment as by consequent for the assurance that the bargain shal be held firme So likwise the holy ghost who by faith engendreth peace ioy in the harts of the faithful is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the prayse of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full enioying of the inheritaunce of heauen Ephe. 1.13 14. Rom. 8. 29 30. 2 Like as when a man dooth purchase an inheritance he first giueth earnest that is some part of the money promised that serueth as a beginning to the payment of the totall Summe So God hauing redeemed vs by the bloud of Iesus Christ giueth the earnest pennie of his holy Spirit that is to say a beginning of knowledge of the true God of sanctification of loue to God of
the iudgement of the best Lawyers So then if we in our causes and earthly matters whether we bee olde or young no hardnesse can stay or hinder vs to slacke our duties but rather cause vs to vse more diligence Euen so should it be yea so would it be in hearing learning and searching out the will and Word of our heauenly Father wherby our hope is to attaine to the possession and inheritance of euerlasting life And if any part of it should seeme hard vnto vs yet that should not cause an hardnesse of heart in vs to cast off the care of the whole and vtterly to refuse to heare read or learne any part of it Iohn 5.39 Act. 17.11 30 Like as our bodies are nourished sustained with carnall and naturall foode Euen so our soules are fed and nourished by reading and hearing the Word of God 31 Like as the crowing of the Cocke was an occasion to mooue Peter to repent Euen so the Word preached by faithful Ministers is a meanes to bring their hearers to repentance Math. 26.74 75. 32 As the Arke was a blessing to those that knewe the right vse thereof as the Israelites did but it was a curse and a plague to the abusers thereof the Phylistines 1. Sam. 5.1 2 3 4. c. Euen so is the Word of God a great comfort and blessing to those that rightly vse it faithfully imbrace it and rightly practise it but it is a plague and curse to those that haue it and abuse it and do not reforme themselues by it 2. Sam. 6.3 c. 1. Chro. 13.5 Iere. 23.19 Deut. 11.27 28. 2. Cor. 2.15 16. Math. 10.14 15. Hebr. 2.2 3 4. Iere. 11.3 33 As a hungrie man will not refuse meate if it bee good and wholesome which is offered to him by a child So ought none to refuse the Word of God if it be offered sound and good though the preacher thereof be a yong man 34 As those men that dwel by the ryuer Nilus are made deafe by the great and exceeding noyse of that water Euen so many people at this day by the plentifull continuall preaching of the Gospell a lamentable thing to heare doo waxe dull hearers wearie of it and loath it euen as the people of Israel loathed Manna Mumb. 11.6 35 Like as yong children that haue Ratles when they bee new and haue them first will loue them very much and greatly delight in them so that they will not forgoe them when they eate or sucke yea and they will haue them with them in their Cradles but when they be a litle olde they will cast them away and care not for them Euen so a great number of people did make great account of the preaching of the Word in the time of ignorance and would go farre and neare to heare it who now hauing plentie of Sermons doo loath them and care not for them c. 36 As hunger is a signe of good health So likewise to hunger and thirst after Gods Word is a notable signe of our spirituall health and safetie Math. 5.6 37 As Spices smell strongest being pounned and beaten then lying whole in a bagge Or as Imbers are hottest being raked abroad and meates do nourish better being cut and shred then being eaten in gobbeth Euen so the Word of God truely expounded preached and rightly diuided is of greater efficacie and power then when it is but barely read 38 As men vsually rubbe the Chaffe from the Corne and then eate it So must the spirituall foode the Word of God be done withall if it haue any corruption added to it by the preacher 39 As by wholesome meates and drinkes the body is strengthned and increased and by the wise counsell of Physitions the sicknesse to be feared is preuented So by the word of God the faith of euerie Christian is encreased and by the admonitions thereof the daungers to bee feared are auoided whilst hee willingly giueth credite to that which is spoken 40 As the materiall seede is counted of small estimation So is the Word of God amongst the wicked and vngodly Luk. 8.11 1. Cor. 1.18 41 Like as the seede hath power to bring forth fruit of it selfe So doth the VVord of God bring forth that euen which Kings cannot cause to spring forth but by it selfe 42 As seed groweth not in the hand not being sowne So the Word of God doth not increase except it be preached published abroad and rightly diuided 2. Timo. 2.15 43 Like as worldly wise men vse to buy bookes of Statutes and to haue them in their houses to read on that they may know how to auoide daunger of Law Euen so the faithfull do alwayes set before them Gods Word and in all their doings it is their Counseller least they should come into daunger of Gods displeasure Psal 119.24 44 As a shower of raine falling vpon fire dooth easily extinguish and quench the flame Euen so the VVord of God being receiued into our hearts doth easily make all concupiscence to vanish away 45 As the skill and cunning of the Physition healeth al the infirmities and diseases of the body So Gods Word onely cureth the sicke sorrowfull and distressed soule 46 As a plant by continuall watering groweth vp at length to a great tree So a man by continuall watering of Gods Word doth at last grow vp to the full height of vertue and godlinesse 47 Like as long as the Physition doth appoint the sicke man what hee shall doo how to diet himselfe and what medicines to take there is hope of life but if hee forsake him we looke for present death So as long as God of his goodnesse lets his Word be among vs there is good hope of his loue and fauour but if hee take the same away from vs then there is no comfort left 48 As those that build without a good foundation either the wind or water soon ouerthroweth it Euē so they which in matters of faith stay not themselues vppon the Word but vpon the credite of their teachers shall not be able to withstand the subtilties of the Diuill but are easily ouerthrowne Math. 7.26 27. 49 As wheat giueth sound good and substantial nourishment vnto the body Euen so doth the true Word of God mightily and wholesomely nourish the soule 50 As a graine of Mustard seede beeing the least of all seeds and sowne in the earth when it groweth vp ariseth to a great height and beareth great braunches so that the foules of heauen may build vpon the shadow of it Euen so the Word of God and faith beeing not idle but working although in outward shewe it seeme small and slender yet dooth it by little and little spread it selfe and like a faire fruitfull braunched tree receiue daily strength and encrease Luk. 13.19 17.6 Mark 4.31 51 As the Sun which was made to lighten all things is most light So the Word which was made to cleare all things is most cleare Psal 119.105 Prou. 8.9
is carried vpward by the vessel and at the same time goes downward because he walkes downeward in the same vessell at the same instant Euen so the Will of a man regenerate partly willeth and partly nilleth that which is euill because it is partly regenerate and partly vnregenerate Worldly wise men LIke as a woman who hauing so much worke to doo that shee could not tel where to begin sat her downe and left all vndone Euen so Worldly wise men who seeing many things out of order both in Church and Common-wealth and so little hope of any redresse or reformation thereof that they cannot tell which or what to correct or amend first and therefore they leaue sinne vnpunished and let men doo what they list Workes follow faith in euerie good Christian AS in materiall buildings after the foundation is laid ther remaineth the greatest labor time cost cunning diligence to be bestowed vpon the framing furnishing of other parts that must ensue Euen so the heauenly edifice or building of our soule haue laide on the foundation ground of true belief the rest of all our life time labour studies is to be imployed in the perfecting of our life and actions as it were in raising vp the wals and other parts of our spirituall building by the exercise of all vertues and diligent obseruatioÌ„ of Gods commandements without the which it will be to no more purpose for vs to bragge of our faith or knowledge in the scriptures or to say that we haue faith and looke to bee saued as well as other men then it will be to purpose to haue a foundation without a building vpon it Iam. 2.26 Mat. 3.8 Wickednesse and the fruites thereof 1 AS the godly when they die leaue not onely behinde them a good name and fame vnto themselues but also to their kindred Euen so contrariwise the wicked and vngodly when they die leaue not onely a reproach and shame to themselues but also to their kindred Math. 11.39 2 Like as when Grapes be full ripe and readie for the presse then we know that vintage is at hand So likewise when VVickednesse aboundeth Gods vengeance cannot be farre of Ioel. 3.13 Wife AS the glistering beames of the Sunne when it ariseth decketh the heauen So the vertuous dispositions of a good VVife adorneth the house The Workes of the world declare God the workeman thereof 1 AS a prisoner in a dungeon may easily by a litle beam that shineth in at a chinke conceiue there is a Sun from whence that beame descendeth Or as a Trauayler in the wildernesse that falleth vppon some Channell or Brooke may ascend by the same to the VVell or Fountaine Euen so he that beholdeth considereth the wonderfull VVorkes of the world may therby conceiue also the wonderfull Artificer or workeman that made them 2 Like as if a man do passe by sea into some forraine straunge or sauadge Countrey where nothing else but birds and beasts do appeare yet if hee should espie some exquisite building or other worke of Art and reason in the place hee would presently assure himselfe that some men dwelt or had bene in that Countrey for that such things could not be done by beasts or vnreasonable creatures Euen so if we cast our eyes in the view and consideration of the heauens with the Sunne Moone Starres and the rest of the creatures of this world we may then easily iudge that there is a God that hath made all these and so from time preserueth the same Psal 19.1 Iob. 38.4 c. 3 As in a Quiar or company of singers when the foreman hath giuen the first tune or note there cnsueth presently a sweete harmony and consent of all other voyces both great and small sharpe and meane So likewise God in the creation of this world hauing giuen once the first push or motioÌ„ to the highest heauen called the first moueable there ensueth vpon the same al other motions of heauens Planets Elements and other bodies in most admirable order concord and congruitie for conseruatioÌ„ and gouernment of the world 4 Like as if a man that stood a farre off vpon a Mountaine should see in a fielde vnder him a great huge and maine Armie of souldiers most excellent wel appointed eache one in order agreeing with other diuided into Rankes Squadrons Companies and Offices subordinat the one to the other by degrees and yet all rending one way all their faces bent vpon one place all mouing marching turning together all endeuoring with all cheerfulnesse towards the performance of one common seruice by mutuall assistance without dissention or clamour he that should see this as he could not but imagine some generall high Captaine to be among these souldiers whom all obeyed and from whose supreame commaundement and order this most excellent subornation agreement and vnion proceeded Euen so much more vpon consideration of the former coherence consent and miraculous subornation of creatures among themselues in their operations must we inferre that they haue some generall commaunder ouer them all by whose supreame disposition each creature hath his charge and peculiar taske appointed which he must performe for the common and vniuersall seruice of the whole Workes good 1 LIke as when we mingle water with wine in a Cup or in a Glasse that which is powred in there is called wine though water be mingled with it and albeit there be more water then wine yet that which is the more principall and most precious part of all beareth the name Euen so the good Workes which we doo by the grace of God be it that they haue a great many spottes and imperfections as they proceede from vs yet for all that they hold alwayes the name and reputation of him who is the principall author 2 As sweete water issuing out of a pure Fountaine is by a filthy channel made corrupt So likewise Workes of Grace euen the best of them are mixt Workes partly holie and partly sinfull whereby it is euident to a man that hath but common sense that they are not answerable to the righteousnesse of the Lawe and that therfore they can neither merite life nor any way iustifie a man before God Phil. 2.13 Luk. 17.10 Esay 64.6 Rom. 3.20 Gal. 2. â—6 Ephe. 2.8 9. Tit. 3.5 3 As it is of necessitie that the tree be made good before she bring foorth good fruite and therefore the fruite maketh not the tree good but is rather the sign of a good tree Euen so it followeth that Workes doo not iustifie because they are done of those which before were made righteous through Grace So that a good Woorke maketh not a good man but a good man maketh a good Worke. Math. 7.17 18. 12.33 4 Like as bond men and slaues who were in such state in old time so in bondage to their Maisters that thogh they laboured toyled neuer so much yet they got nothing for themselues but were held and kept vnder the
curiously wrought of silke siluer or gold to weare vndersome other garment doth suffer his vppermost garment as doublet or coate to be pinkt and cut in diuers places that the vnder costly worke may outwardly appeare and be seene of all Euen so our heauenly Father a God of compassion mercie yea the God of all comfort doth sometimes suffer that man whom he most dearely loueth to be wounded of the wicked and to be smitten with calamities and miseries to the end that the precious and golden breast-plate of patience wherewith the Lord hath inwardly endued him should outwardly appeare and bee seene of all Reue. 3.19 Math. 5.10.11 Rom. 3.4.5 59. As the waters which were very bitter in Marah after that the wood was throwne thereinto Exo. 15.25 became sweete So there can no crosse or Affliction happen to the Saints of God in this life but it becommeth most pleasant if the wood of the crosse of Christ be added as asauce but if that be taken away the waters become bitter and vnsauourie that is euerie trouble is verie sower and intollerable vnles it be tempered as it were with the Crosse of Christ 60 As the bush that Moses sawe Exod. 3.23 was not consumed with fire So neither do the weapons or crueltie of enemies consume Christians although they be mightily beset round about of the wicked 61 Like as when trees be hewen downe much moe impes do spring vp then the boughes were that were cut off So now after the slaughter of many godly men moe did runne vnto the Gospel and that day by day then euer did yea and the blood of the slaine bodies was a certaine watering of the new plantes springing vp in the Church So that a Martyr in suffering doth not suffer for himselfe alone but also for euery man For himselfe he suffereth to be crowned for euery man hee suffereth to giue them an example for himselfe to his rest for euery man to their welfare 62 As the intangled fowle can not escape or wind him selfe out of the net that compasseth him Euen so no more can we winde our selues out of those Afflictions that God layeth vpon vs. Lamen 1.13 63 As the fluttering of the snared bird holdeth her faster then before So likewise our strugling and murmuring against God in our Afflictions auayleth vs nothing at all but rather we must take patiently whatsoeuer hee doth lay vpon vs and seeke vnto him alone for release by earnest prayer who onely can deliuer vs. 64 As the grapes can not flie from the treader of the wine presse Euen so no more can wee escape Gods hand in punishing and afflicting of vs. Lamen 1.15 16. because there is no place to flie from his presence Psal 139.7 8. 65 Like as salte preserueth flesh that it do not putrifie and the drawing plaister searcheth and purgeth that part of the bodie which is sore least through corrupt matter it pine away Or as the hote iron being put thereunto burneth out and consumeth whatsoeuer should hinder the recouerie thereof So likewise doth Affliction and tribulation least wee should waxe rotten in the filthinesse of sinne draw vs backe from the renuing of sinne taketh away the delight of resting in euill quencheth the fire of lust and easily plucketh out of a good heart whatsoeuer is an impediment to the good health of the minde Euen as by long boyling of gold which is throwne into the fornace any other corrupt thing mixed therewith is tried out and taken from it Like so through affliction and aduersitie both the delight we haue in creatures the flattering we make of our selues the confidence wee haue in men and whatsoeuer else is not pure vanisheth away and is put from vs and the minde thereby wholy bent vpon God of whom it wayteth to obtayne a quietnesse 66 As the couragious horse shewes by his prauncing and all other tokens of fiercenesse how vnwillingly he abideth his rider yea he throwes him off if hee can and yet neuerthelesse is brought vnder will he or no and as the gentler horse more quietly suffers his rider turnes what way soeuer he appointes him and lets himselfe be tamed Euen so the wicked when God doth trie them with affliction and miserie with pensiuenesse and with aduersitie they spurne against it although they nothing preuaile and being impatient of their misfortune make resistance all that euer they can but the godly sorte stoope to God suffer them selues to be ruled and with all humblenesse of minde yeelde to the will of God through which it comes to passe that as the one sorte reapes no fruite through their impatience so the other by their sufferaunce depart with exceeding great profite and commoditie 67 As one and the same Sunne hardeneth myre and yet melteth waxe Euen so in a manner doth Affliction make good men become the better and euill men the worse 68 Like as the Musition straineth his strings and yet he breaketh none of them but maketh thereby a sweeter melodie and better concord So God through affliction and trouble destroyes not those which be his owne but makes them better and more plyable vnto the fruition and enioying of the life to come 69 As the Mason heweth out stones which he maketh fitte for building of his house graues them and squares them before he lay and ioyne them to the building Euen so through Affliction doth God turne trie exercise and prepare before hand his elect with whom as with liuely stones he purposeth to build the habitation of God hee siftes them as corne with a fanne winnowes them from the chaffe and puts them aside into his chest before he lay them vp in his heauenly barne 70 As the seede of the haruest which is couered with frost increaseth more fruitfully and as the flame with blowing is kept vnder to the intent it may increase and be made greater So doth God through affliction trouble and aduersitie more vehemently rauish our mindes stirs them vp and increases them with a longing for him 71 Like as if a sheepe runne from his fellowes the shepheard sets his dog after it not to deuoure it or hurt it but to bring it in againe So our heauenly Shepheard if any of vs his sheepe disobey him he sets dis dog of affliction after vs as pouertie sickenesse euill rulers dearth death warre losse of goods or friends c. not to hurt vs but to bring vs home to a right consideration of our duetie towardes this our heauenly father and most kinde Shepheard 72 Euen as Christ whome in Baptisme wee put on was baptized with the Crosse So wee also as long as we remaine in this world must prepare our selues to the crosse and aduersities 73 Euen as the conscience assenteth to the Law reprouing sinne So also by the Crosse wee are admonished to repent that we may be saued 74 As the goldsmith intending to make pretious and excellent vessels fit for the vse of great Kings doth cast his golde into the fire
that so it may become pure from all drosse So before that the faithfull can be vessels of honour fit for the seruice of God in the Kingdome of heauen they must be cast into the furnace of Affliction and there be weaned from the vaine delights and pleasures of sinne yea tryed to be sound in the profession of the faith and corrected for their former misdemeanour 75 As a tree which although it be remoued out of one place vnto another yet florisheth so the Afflictions of the godly turneth to their profit Admonition or wholesome preceptes 1 AS vnto him that is diseased with the Kinges Euill hony is vnpleasant and bitter when as vnto others the same is very sweete So good and profitable admonition and wholesome preceptes to godly men are most delectable whereas vnto those that are corrupted with affections they be altogether sharpe and vnsauorie Anger 1 AS continuall shogging doth much bruise and shake the body So dayly anger doth wound and marre the mind Pro. 16.32 2 As a childe for want of experience seeking with a sword to annoy others woundeth himselfe So Anger that intendeth to endammage others is most hurtful to it selfe 3 Like as according to the mind of Hipocrates that sickenesse is most perillous wherein the sicke man altereth his countenaunce and hew So likewise there is no disease of the minde more mischieuous then Anger for it altereth the voyce and going of man that hee seemeth sometimes strange vnlike to himselfe Pro. 14.17 Ephe. 4.31 Col. 3.8 4 As the Marriners perceiuing tempest at hande do with ankers fasten their shippe So before the tempest of immoderate Anger do inuade vs wee ought with reason to stablish and fasten our minde 1. Cor. 13.5 5 Like as if a man blow a sparke hee doth many times make a great starre-fire but contrariwise if hee spitte on it he quencheth it cleane out Euen so if one speake proude boasting wordes to his enemie he shall incense and prouoke him to wrath but if hee intreat him kindly with faire speeches hee then shall pacifie his Anger before it breake out Mat. 5.22 Rom. 12.19 Pro. 15.1 18. Eph. 4.26 26. Col. 3.8 6 Like as if a man ioyne fire to fire he maketh the flame the greater Euen so if a man thinke to suppresse another mans Anger by being angrie himselfe hee shall both loose his labour and rather encrease the other mans Anger 7 As vineger corrupteth a vessell if it be long in it So Anger doth corrupt the heart if it continue in it 8 Like as we abhorre drunkards for that so long as they are drunken they are without sence and vnderstanding differing nothing from bruit beasts but in shape portraiture onely So in like maner for the same cause must we flie this cholerick passion of Anger which like a hot feruent feuer so troubleth our minds that so long as we are possessed therewith we can not vnderstand much lesse speake any thing that sauoureth of reason 9 As we account him a madde and a furious man that would set fire on his owne house Euen so may we thinke of him that setteth his owne heart on fire burneth himselfe through anger malice and reuenge 10 As vineger spoyleth the vessell wherein it is kept So doth Anger and choller marre him in whom it aboundeth 11 As euery one abhorreth a wrangling and contentious person and as euery one looketh carefully to fire for feare of harme So likewise we should take heed of this chollericke passion of Anger which is as a daungerous flaming fire wasting and consuming whatsoeuer it toucheth and cannot be quenched but with great difficultie beeing once but a litle kindled 12 As fire when it is couered with ashes yet it is not quenched Euen so Anger or choller though it be dissembled couered or retayned in the heart a while yet it is not so quenched but it hatcheth hatred which by litle litle so conuerteth himselfe into his substance as in short time it becommeth vnseperable from his nature 13 Like as if wee haue but one child wee are loth hee should be gouerned by a foole So likewise we must consider that when we suffer our selues to be transported by Anger and choller we commit our selues as it were to be ruled by a furious person 14 Like as when our enemie inuadeth vs we seeke to repulse and driue him backe by all meanes possible least he should set footing in our territories land and nestle himselfe neere vs and if he be entred we are carefull so to impeach and remoue him that he fortifie not himselfe Euen so in like manner wee must make such bulwarks about our heartes that Anger and choller may no way enter but if it happen that it once entreth and lyeth secretly in the corners of our breasts and that it surprise set vpon vs on the sudden or maketh way by force we must forthwith deuise all the wayes we can to expell it as soone as we may 15 If we haue eaten poyson we seeke forthwith to vomite it vp againe with all speed and if we be fallen into any disease we vse the meanes we can to prouide a remedie So likewise when wee feele any vnruly motions of Anger or choller the fiery flames thereof be once kindled in our hearts wee must be carefull to represse and coole them as we would be to quench the fire in our houses Ephe. 4.26 16 As wind in the bodie puffeth it vp and maketh it to swell and seeme great Euen so Anger puffeth vp a man and maketh him so proud and arrogant that he thinketh no deuice so good as his owne neither will he take any counsell of himselfe during the heate of his fiery passion nor yet receyue any at other mens handes 17 As they who seeing their houses on fire vnderstand not what is said vnto them by reason of the noyse about thē the troublesome cogitations of their owne mindes Euen so angrie peeuish persons are so sencelesse void of reason that they will not hearken to any good aduice or counsell so that if one speake gently vnto them they do not regard it if hee reproue them roughly they are the more exasperated and become more wilfull 18 As many medicines do litle profit if they be not applied after the fitte be ended So can we not comprehend any reason if with the tumultuous and troublesome motions of Anger our mindes be molested and vexed 19 As we vse to deale with fire which with great earnest endeuour we seeke to quench when as it first beginneth to kindle not expecting or tarrying til it hath takē the beames and rafters of the house or any solide matter whereby it may be encreased and strengthened So in like manner we must not stay til we burne flame with Anger but as soone as euer wee feele our selues disposed thereunto and that the pulse of our heartes beginnes to beate more quicke then is conuenient for a right wholesome
Gene. 21.14 11 As the virgin Marie wept so sore for the death of her Son Iesus as though her tender heart had bene stabd and pearst through with a sharpe sword Euen so there is nothing in the world that ought to cause vs to bee more sorrowfull then this that Christ beeing blessed in himselfe â—as cursed for vs being exalted in himselfe was imbased for vs being iustified in himselfe was condemned for vs being a liue in himselfe was dead for vs. 12 As a Ship being neither too heauily burdened nor â—o lightly balaÌ„ced feareth neither waues nor winds but sayleth safely to the hauen So wee beeing neither too heauie for our owne sinnes and miseries nor too light for Christs mercie but ioyning Weepe not for me but weepe for your selues Luk. 23.28 Both together shall neither bee drowned with waues of desperation nor puffed vp with the winds of presumption but we shall sayle safely in the Arke of Noah vpon the sea of this world till we arriue at the hauen of all happinesse in heauen 13 As a Father pittieth his owne child and if hee see him crie doth what hee can to still him and takes out his hand-kercher and wipes the infants eyes himselfe Euen so after the same fashion God our heauenly Father will with his owne holy finger wipe away all teares from our eyes and take vs most louingly by the hand and leade vs out of the house of Mourning into the house of mirth then though we haue sowne in teares yet wee shall reape in ioy Psal 103.13 Reue. 7.17 Psal 126.5 Naturall thing AS the salte water being for drinke vnprofitable yet susteineth and beareth vp the Ship better then the sweete which for drinke is more apt and meete So euerie Naturall thing hath his owne vse whervnto if it bee applied then it worketh his effect Good Name 1 AS fire once kindled is soone preserued but beeing extinct it is not easie to kindle the same againe So is it easie to defend a good Name but if it be once blotted and lost hardly shall we restore it againe 2 As the Lord by the eight commaundement bindeth our hands as it were with a manacle or hand shackle from stealing robbing or any wayes diminishing of our neighbours goods So also by the ninth Commaundement he bridleth our tongue that we should not hurt or impaire the good Name credit or estimation of our brethren but by loue to vphold and maintaine the same Prou. 22.1 Eccle. 7.3 3. As a precious Oyntment being poured foorth casteth out spreadeth abroad a sweete a fragrant and an oderiferous smâ—ll far and neare Euen so the good Name and fame of such Christians as are annoynted with the holy Ghost dooth cast out and spread it selfe farre and neare very sweete to the nosthrils of the Almightie and verie delightfull to the members of Christ Cant. 1.2 1. Ioh. 2.20 27. Noble men and housholders 1 LIke as the Sunne in the Firmament giueth light to all the regions round about him and by his bright appearing expelleth the darknesse comforteth and cheareth the world So likewise should Noble men Magistrates Gentlemen Ministers and housholders labour to banish sinne and corrupt Religion and bee a lanthorne of godly life to comfort and shine to others that they might direct their liues after their good ensamples Phil. â— 15 Math. 5.16 2 As Cyprian let no day passe without reading of Tertullian nor Alexander without reading of Homer nor finally Appelles without some line proportioned So is it meete that no degrees should loose any opportunitie or occasion graunted to the meditation of Christian Religion but rather being taught by the example of the Emperour Constantine would repose their whole study in the word of God Deut. 17.19 20. Iosu 1.8 Psal 1.2 Deut. 3.11 12 13. Neglect of heauen for earthly things LIke as if a Golden game of inestimable value should bee proposed for such as would run could win the same and when the course or race were begunne if some should step aside and followe after flies or feathers that passed in the ayre without any regard of the prize and gole proposed who would not maruaile and take pittie of their folly Euen so is it with men of the world who are placed together in a course or race and that the kingdome of heauen is propounded vnto vs for the game or prize but few endeuour to enter therein and why For that most men doo step aside and leaue the marke Most men doo run awry and doo follow feathers vp downe in the ayre most men doo pursue vanities and hunt after pleasures and doo wearie themselues therewith vntill they can neither runne nor goe nor mooue their limmes any further and then for the most part it is too late to amend their folly 1. Cor. 9.24 25 26 27. Psal 4.2 3. Iere. 2.13 18. The Name profiteth none in whome vertue is n◠〈…〉 1 AS neither they yearely reuenueâ—â—or the glorious titles and Names â—â—â—â—cessors and to discend of noble parentage maketh men noble and renowmed indeed vnlesse they themselues be godly honest and wise Euen so neither the godly Names no nor yet the faith and vertue of Fathers auaileth wicked and vngodly children any thing at all vnlesse they repent and become faithfull as their Fathers were Iohn 8.39 Math. 3. â— Gal. 3.7 2 Like as those children which are named and called by and after any of the names of Patriarkes Prophets Apostles or by the Name of other Saints man or woman are not any thing the better because they haue such godly and Christian Names vnlesse that they doo immitate and follow them in faith vertue and godly behauiour Euen so on the other side they that be not called by such Christian Names as are mentioned in the sacred Scriptures are not in respect of their Names any thing the worse hauing an assured faith in the merites of Christ his death passion and bloud-shedding and leading their liues agreeable to the same Iosua 10.3 Daniel 1.7 To what ende proper Names were giuen vs in baptisme LIke as infants in times past amongst our auncestors had their Names giuen them when they were Circumcised to this end that the Circumcised might be admonished by the calling by their Names at what time and place they had their Names giuen them and should thinke that they are written in the number of the children of God and ioyned in league with him and made partakers of the couenant So after the same maner must we remember that haue had proper Names giuen vnto vs at our baptisme for this vse and end both to distinguish betwixt man and man and also to put vs in mind that we are by grace adopted to bee the Sonnes of God and receiued into his fauour and therefore that wee are Gods owne and as it were his goods and riches as they which beare his Name as proper vnto him Luk. 1.59 2.21 Wicked Neighbours LIke as Thornes cannot be touched nor handled except mens
good part and doo of his owne free will although shee had spoken nothing thereof and when shee knoweth what her husbands will is in things shee gladly talketh with him thereof and accordingly as shee seeth him disposed to doo shee will often desire him to doo it Euen so the godly Christians which vnfainedly loue God in that they know his wisedome and will is best cannot forbeare but often pray and talke with him and desire him to doo that which he knoweth is best and which they know also he would do if none should aske or pray for the same 8 As Rebecca when two twinnes stroue in her wombe was troubled and said why am I so Wherefore she went to aske the Lord namely by some Prophet So when we feele this inward fight betwixt the fleshe and the spirit the best thing is to haue recourse to God by Prayer Gene. 25.22 9 As the children of Israel by compassing the Citie of Ierico seuen dayes by sounding Rams hornes ouerturned the walls thereof So by serious Prayer and inuocation of Gods name the spirit is confirmed and the Turrets and Towers of the rebellious flesh battered Ios 6.34 Math. 26.41 1. Pet. 4.7 10 As the preaching of the word serues to declare and to conuey vnto vs Gods graces Euen so in Prayer wee come to haue a liuely feeling of the same in our hearts for it is the key whereby we open the treasures of God and pull downe his mercies vpon vs. Psal 106.23 Ephe. 6.18 11 Like as if a man be to come before an earthly Prince he will order himselfe in apparell gesture and word that hee may doo all things in seemelinesse and dutifull reuerence Euen so much more are Christians to order themselues when they are to appeare before the liuing God in Prayer Eccle. 5.1 12 As a child cannot without blushing call him Father whom he cares not continually to displease through his lewd conditions neither can his Father delight in such a child Euen so with what face dare any man in Prayer call God his Father whome hee makes no conscience to offend and displease most rebelliously by word and deed 13 As that Citie which is not fenced with Wals may be easily brought vnder subiection of the enemie because it wanteth that which should withstand the force and encounters of the enemie So likewise the diuell will easily bring our soules in subiection vnto him and with no great paines lead them to all kind of lewdnesse vnlesse they be fenced by often and feruent Prayer vnto God 14 Like as the Sunne giues light to the body So Prayer giueth light to the mind for as it is daungerous for a man neuer to see the Sunne So it is much more perillous for a Christian man neuer to pray 15 As trees bring foorth no fruit vnlesse they receiue Sap and nourishment from the rootes Euen so wee can neuer increase in godlinesse vnlesse we bee continually watred by our Prayers 16 As theeues and robbers beholding a man florish his sword about his eares will not then set vpon him Euen so the wicked spirits seeing vs fenced by our Prayers will straightway giue backe and leaue vs vnassaulted 17 As waues of water are tossed and carried away by force of wind So likewise hee that prayeth without faith must needs be carried of euery forcible affection therefore cannot looke to obtaine his petitions Iam. 1.6 7. 18 As women preuaile with men in their suits by great importunitie Euen so godly Christians by Prayer without ceasing do obtaine their requests of God Luk. 18.3 7. 19 Like as the poore Captiue is alwayes creeping to the prison doore often labouring to get off his bolts and fetters and to escape out of prison So likewise must wee alwayes creepe to the Lord for his spirit by Prayer to free vs out of this bondage and prison of sinne and corruption and euerie day come nearer the prison doore looking when our blessed Sauiour will vnbind vs of all the fetters of sinne and Sathan and fully erect his kingdome in vs. 20 As a Mother that carrieth her child in her armes if it crie for the Dugge and suckes the same it is aliue but beeing obserued many dayes together if it neither crie nor stirre it is dead So in like manner it is an vnfallible note of a true child of God to crie to his Father in heauen by Prayer but hee that neuer crieth nor feeleth himselfe stirred vp to make his mone to God is in a miserable case and he may well be thought to bee but a dead child 21 Like as we see green wood lying in the fire sobbing and smoaking long before it wil burne Euen so no doubt all Gods children doo feele a strife and combat in their spirits in many of their Prayers Esay 38.41 c. 22 Like as euery Fencer or florisher proueth not a valiant and couragious man when hee commeth to fight in good earnest Euen so no more are those Prayers found effectuall neither can such men speake a word to the purpose when affliction hath laid hold on thē in deed wheras a true Christian neuer sheweth his manhood nor his cunning in this weapon of Prayer more then when he is to fight for life and death and the greater the daunger is with so much the stouter courage is he endued Psal 32.6 23 As he that truly loueth delighteth in nothing more then in the often talking conference with him whom he loueth Euen so where there is true and vnfained loue vnto God there is a burning desire by often Prayer to talke with God so as no perill nor danger no not of losse of life can stay or hinder it as may appeare by Daniel Dan. 6.10 24 As the more wood is laid on the fire the greater is the flame So likewise is the continuall talking with God by Prayer a great increasing of our loue towards him as on the contrarie the seldomer we common with him by Praier the more doth our loue towards him from time to time abate slake vntil in the end it be cleane quenched 25 As a certaine kind of Serpent when hee commeth to drinke doth vomit vp al his poyson So a godly Christian when he commeth to pray must banish and cast away all anger malice and hatred of his heart 26 Like as the Ship with prosperous wind is speedily carried in her course So our Praier is more profound and is better hard when our minds are feruent with some desire Psal 17.1 27 As Elizeus did cast salt into the waters of Iericho to make them sweete So must wee salt and season our Prayers with teares to make them fauorie and delightsome to God 2. King 2.21 28 Like as if men of great and loftie spirits who to God are as silly wormes creeping on the earth stand so much vpon their reputation that as it is recorded of the Senatours of Rome in old time they thinke it a great disgrace vnto them that any man