and fall like one of the Princes In the booke of Wisdome it is said unto Rulers d Wisd 6.4 5 6 Because being Ministers of his Kingdome you have not judged aright nor kept the Law nor walked after the Counsell of God horribly and speedily shall hee come upon you For a sharpe judgement shall bee to them that bee in high places For mercy will soone pardon the meanest mighty men shall bee mightily tormented It is recorded of Mordicai the Iew being advanced next unto King Ahasuerus that he sought the e Est 10.3 wealth of his people and spake peace unto all his Seed Blessed are they that keepe judgement and hee that doth f Ps 106.3 righteousnesse at all times saith David But saith Isaiah Woe unto them that g Isa 10.1 2. decree unrighteous Decrees and that write grievousnesse which they have prescribed to turne aside the needy from judgment and to take away the right from the poore of the people that widowes may be their prey and that they may rob the fatherlesse The Lord saith by Moses h Exod. 23.2 3 8. Deut. 16.18 19.20 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to doe evill neither shalt thou speake in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgement Neither shalt thou countenance a poore man in his cause The Iudges and Officers shall judge the people with just judgement Thou shalt not wrest judgement thou shalt not respect persons neither take a gift for a gift doth blinde the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous That which is altogether just shalt thou follow Paul saith to the Thessalonians Wee command you brethren in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ That yee with-draw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us For even when we were with you this we commanded you That if any man would not worke i 2 Thes 3.10 neither should hee eate It is a saying and observed out of Moses Law There should be no k Deut. 15.4 begger in Israel CHAP. 73. Of Swearing IN the * T. 1. p. 45. Homily against Swearing and perjury it is said When Iudges require oaths of the people for declaration or opening of the truth or for execution of Iustice Swearing is lawfull Also when men make faithfull promises with calling to witnesse of the name of God to keepe covenants honest promises statutes lawes good customes as Christian Princes doe in their conclusions of peace for conservation of Common-wealths and private persons promise their fidelity in Matrimony or one to another in honesty and true friendship and all men when they doe sweare to keepe common lawes and locall statutes and good customes for due order to bee had and continued among men when subjects doe sweare to bee true and faithfull to their King and Soveraigne Lord and when Iudges Magistrates and Officers sweare truly to execute their Offices and when a man would affirme the truth to the setting forth of Gods glory for the salvation of the people in open preaching of the Gospell or in giving of good Counsell privately for their soules health All these manners of swearing for causes necessarie and honest be lawfull But when men doe sweare of custome in reasoning buying and selling or other dayly communications as many be common and great swearers such kinde of swearing is ungodly unlawfull and forbidden by the Commandement of God For such swearing is nothing else but taking of Gods name in vaine * P. 46 47. Afterward it is said Whosoever sweareth when he is required of a Iudge let him be sure in his conscience that his oath have three conditions and hee shall never need to be afraid of perjury First hee that sweareth must sweare truly that is he must setting apart all favour and affection to the parties have the truth onely before his eyes and for love thereof say and speake that which he knoweth to be truth and no further The second is he that taketh an oath must doe it with judgement not rashly and unadvisedly but soberly considering what an oath is The third is he that sweareth must sweare in righteousnesse that is for the very zeale and love which he beareth to the defence of innocency to the maintenance of the truth and of the righteousnesse of the matter or cause all profit disposits all love and favour unto the person for friendship or kindred laid apart That in communication wee ought not to sweare Christs words doe declare where he saith l Mat. 5.34 35 36 37. Sweare not at all neither by heaven c. by no creature But let your communication be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more then these commeth of evill The which Scripture as it forbiddeth all manner of swearing in communication so it forbiddeth to sweare at any time by any thing excepting the name of God onely The Lord saith to the Israelites by Ieremiah How shall I pardon thee for this thy Children have forsaken me and m Ier. 5.7 sworne by them that are no gods In the second part of the * P. 50. Homily of swearing it is most memorably said To the intent you should know how great and grievous an offence against God wilfull perjury is I will shew you what it is to take an oath before a Iudge upon a booke First when they laying their hands upon the Gospell booke doe sweare truly to enquire and to make a true presentment of things wherewith they be charged and not to let from saying the truth and doing truly for favour love dread or malice of any person as God may helpe them and the holy Contents of that booke They must consider that in that booke is contained Gods everlasting truth his most holy and eternall Word whereby we have forgivenesse of our sinnes and be made inheritours of heaven to live for ever with Gods Angels and Saints in joy and gladnesse In the Gospell booke is contained also Gods terrible threats to obstinate sinners that will not amend their lives nor beleeve the truth of Gods holy Word and the everlasting pain prepared in hell for Idolaters Hypocrites for false and vaine swearers for perjured men for false witnesse barers for false condemners of innocent and guiltlesse men and for them which for favour hide the crimes of evill doers that they should not be punished So that whosoever wilfully for sweare themselves upon Christs holy Evangely or Gospell they utterly forsake Gods mercy goodnesse and truth the merits of our Saviour Christs Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension they refuse the forgivenesse of sinnes promised to all penitent sinners the joyes of heaven the companie with Angels and Saints for ever All which benefits and comforts are promised unto true Christian persons in the Gospell And they so being forsworne upon the Gospell doe betake themselves to the devills service the master of all lies falshood deceit and perjurie provoking
in the same which doth in any wise concerne us And we thus honouring the Church our spirituall Mother God our heavenly Father will give us his blessing Hee will send us light in our understanding readinesse and obedience in our will discretion in our words and actions true serious and loyall indeavours As wee are taught to pray for in the latter part of the Prayet next after the Letany in the late Fast Booke for the peace and prosperity of Ierusalem the unity and glory of this Church State That so we may love it and prosper in it full of grace in this life and be filled with glorie in the life to come through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An Advertisement SInce the a 2 Tim. 3.1.2.3.4 time that b Isa 5.21 Wisedome in ones owne eyes and prudence in ones owne sight hath so much abounded it is familiar with very many when they see or heare any thing delivered concerning religion if it be a matter which they affect not presently to passe an hard censure thereon though the deliverie be the very established doctrine or discipline of the Apostolicall Church of England by Law established under the Kings Majesty The c Rom. 3.13.14 Ps 140.3 poyson of aspes is under the lips of many Who say with our d Ps 14.4.3 tongue will we prevaile our lips are our owne who is Lord over us The holy Prophet saith The Lord shall cut off the tongue that speaketh proud things The holy Apostle saith e 1 Tim. 3.16 Without controversie great is the mysterie of godlinesse And though the men of God have signified that the Holy Scriptures divinity is partly f Heb. 5.12 milke for babes or little children in g 1 Cor. 1.3 Christ partly h Heb. 5.14 strong meate for the i 1 Ioh. 2.13.14 young men and partly hidden k Rev. 2.17 Manna for the fathers in God also that naturall ones l 1 Cor. 2.14 cannot know the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned yet notwithstanding so outragious is the pride and arrogancie of many who since they came to the yeares of discretion have made no progresse in regeneration or the new birth unto the m Rom. 2.2 renewing of their mind and the amendment of their n Philip. 1.27 1 Pet. 2.12 1 Pet. 1.15 Eph. 4.22 conversation according to Gods Holy word that rashly they o 2 Pet. 2.12 will speake evill of the things which they understand not and as the Apostle saith p 1 Tim. 1.7 desire to be teachers understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirme Moreover how contrary minded soever each is to other yea how greatly different they are from the minde and life prescribed in the Divine Service of the Church whom some of them sometimes will acknowledge to be their Mother Yet each one taketh for granted that the grounds in his q Prov. 21.2 Prov. 12.15 owne minde are the right and that the grounds in all r Philip. 2.3 others mindes in any manner differing from his are the wrong and withall every one for the most part of the aforesaid unhumbled heart by his owne imagined-right groundes without any feare of the Eternall Almighty God and without any reverence unto the Supreame divine Wisedome of Christs holy Church contained in the bookes of her publike worship will s 2 Pet 2.10 presume to be able to judge of yea will assume confidence and boldnesse or rather most damnable audaciousnesse to condemne deliveries in the aforesaid bookes which the Soveraigne Majesty hath ratified and the most reverend Fathers the Archbishops and all the right reverend fathers the Bishops and the rest of the whole Clergie not any one excepted Quod medicorâ—m est promittunt â—ediâ—â— tractant Faâ—â—ilia fabri Sola Scripturarum ars est quam siâ—i passâ—â— omnes vendicant Hanc garrula anus hanc delirus seneâ— have Sophisia verâ—â—sus haâ— universi praesumant laceraâ—â— docent antequam discant Hierâ—nymus in epissola aâ—â— Pauâ—aum presbyterum de omâ—bus divine hâ—storia libris which hath entred into holy orders according to such manner and sort as by the Ecclesiasticall Law it is appointed have allowed and by subscription have witnessed the same But let the unpartiall reader of this treatise following where doubt about any matter may arise throughly consider the Holy Scriptures which either are expressed or in the margent but quoted for the confirmation of the point mentioned And let none except here against because the deliveries are in no Philosophicall method but in the most vulgar plainnes for all hereof is written for the furtherance of the laity and aswell in termes as in forme and manner accommodated unto the meanest capacity All teachers which study to edifie their auditory doe well know that it is farre easier to expresse their mindes in divine matters so as the learned may comprehend than as the unlearned may but a litle apprehend It is written concerning Christ for our example that t Mark 4.33 hee spake the word unto the people as they were able to heare it There are now extant in English sundry bookes very profitable which few of the common people doe make use of for that their style and words for the most or a great part are for Schollers reading onely Great was the divine Wisedome of the Church in setting forth her Homilies in so familiar a manner And by those most sacred Sermons all Pastours and teachers should take u 2 Tim. 1.13 example how to frame their meditations unto their auditories easiest and speediest edification Furthermore let none expect to finde any common place of divinity here fully handled but let this worke be accounted only an introduction into the bookes of the divine Service where as in an Ocean of divine truth there may bee had a great abundance of information both touching he matters ensuing and also concerning many more This book may be used as a finger of one that pointeth us unto such places as we have not throughly taken notice of afore Also the godly reader shall perceive that every one which w Mat. 5.6 hungreth and thristeth after righteousnesse to have within him more and more the x Phil. 2.5 1 Cor. 2.16 minde of Christ and to have the life of Iesus more and more made y 2 Cor. 4.10 11. manifest in his body may forth of every Chapter following receive some light unto the apprehending of everlasting truth in the matter there treated on Lastly Seeing that in the bookes of divine Service there are such heavenly sentences and speeches even as the learned are delighted in reciting the sayings of the Fathers of the Greeke Latine Churches so should wee unto z Exod. 20.12 1 Cor. 4.15 Ecclus. or Ecclesiasticus 8.8.9 due honouring of the Fathers of our owne English Church enable our selves to say on every point of divinity that which they have with one
the Holy Ghost PAG. 373 CHAP. 97 Of Sundry other Gods Curses upon disobedient people PAG. 377 CHAP. 98 Of deferring Repentance untill likelyhood of bodily death PAG. 382 CHAP. 99 Of sundry of Gods blessings upon obedient people in this present life PAG. 386 CHAP. 100 Against separating from the Church of England by law established under the Kings Majesty in any manner PAG. 390 THE CHRISTIAN DIVINITY OVT OF the Divine Service CHAP. I. That there is a GOD. IN the third part of the * In the second Tome in folio page 228. Homily for Rogation Weeke it is sayd That faith is the first entry into the Christian life according as the Scripture deliuereth He a Heb. 11.6 that commeth to God must beleeue that he is and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him The * Heb. 4.2 Mal. â— â—4â— want of which beleefe is the cause that mâ—â— in these dayes are so negligent in seeking thâ—â—ord some being cold in Religion others 〈…〉 warme Some there are that say in thâ—â— b Psal 14. â— hearts there is no God through c Psal 10. â— their priâ—â— they will not seeke after him God is not in all their thoughts Sundry others there are which though they doe d Titus 1.16 with their mouthes professe to know God in their Workes they deny him being abhominable and disobedient and vnto euery good Worke * Or voyde of Iudgement as the Margent hath it Reprobate That there is a God it needeth no demonstration for euery e Psalme 19.3 Nation on the face of the whole Earth doth acknowledge it There was neuer any one borne into the world Rom. 10.18 Nulla est gens tam barbara quae non fateatur esse aliquem Deum adeò quidem vt homines falsum Deum haebere inalint quà m nulluâ— omnino tam alte nimiruÌ„ sensus divinitatis indit incordibus nostris Ciceâ—o which at one time or another if he or she liued vnto ripe yeares testified f Rom. 2.15 Act. 14.7 not vnto it It is a principle or g Iohn 1.9 light which God hath set in euery Humane soule That sayth the Apostle which h Rom. 1.19.20 is naturally knowne of God is manifest in mankinde for God hath shewed it vnto them For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearely seene being vnderstood by the things that are made euen his eternall power and Godhead so that they are without excuse The i Psal 9 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thâ—â—yâ—â—â—des iudgments which euen in all ages come vpon wilfull breakers of Gods Lawes as on Traytors on such as breake their lawfull oathes or take false oathes Also the iudgments on wilfull murderers who being apprehended and examined commonly cannot but confesse their deed also on Blasphemers and the k 〈◊〉 5 9. like declare plainely that there is a Righteous most mighty power though in his Essence or being he is l 〈◊〉 â—1 27 vnseene to al eyes of flesh on Earth Also the m Heb. 〈…〉 horrours and terrours which come into the hearts of such as liue wilfully disobedient to Gods Lawes and especially when as 〈◊〉 haue n Mat 27.37 〈…〉 10. committed some great Wickednesse The o Acts 2.37 heaâ—â— and â—â—ings and the p Wisd 17.11 Conscience remorses the inward q Gen. 3.10 Rom. 6.21 â—â—â—me which followeth after transgressing of Gods euerlasting Law and the like Effects shew the r Colos 1.29 Iob 33.14.15.16.17.18.29.30 working of the infinite Godhead in the minds of Mankind Vnto this God blessed for euer the Church sayth Å¿ In Saint Ambrose his song All the earth doth worship thee the Father euerlasting To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heauens and all the powers therein To theâ— Cherubin and Seraphin continually do cry Holy holy holy Lord God of * Or hosts See Rom. 9 29. with Isa 1.9 Sabaoth Heauen and earth is full of the Maiesty of thy glory CHAP. 2. That there is a Trinity in the Godhead In Hebraico Bibliorum exemplari non rarò Trinitatis mysterium significatur vti in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iob. 35.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 149.2 vide Isa 54.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Eccles 12.1 IN the Athanasian Creed it is sayd The Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinitie and Trinitie in Vnitie Neither confounding the persons nor diuiding the substance For there is one person of the Father another of the Sonne and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost is all one * Ioh. 10.30 Ioh. 17.22 the glory equall the Maiestie co-eternall Saint Iohn sayth t 1. Ioh. 5.7 There are three which beare record in Heauen the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Saint Mathew sayth u Mat. 3.16.17 Tetragranimaton ut Author est Galatinus in Targum antiâ—â—itus scriptum erat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad Trinitatis divinae mysterium inunondum When Iesus was baptized of Iohn he went vp straight way out of the water And loe the Heauens were opened vnto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Doue and lighting vhon him And loe a voyce from Heauen saying This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased There was Iesus the Sonne in his humane nature baptized with water There was the Holy Ghost descending like a Doue and lighting vpon him There was the Father speaking from heauen and saying This is my beloued Sonne And in the name of each person of the Trinity Christ commaunded his Ministers to baptize saying * Mat. 28.19 Goe yee and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost The Church in the Preface to be read vpon the feast of the Trinity onely Singula sunt in singulis omnia in â—â—ngulis singula in omnibus omnia in omnibus unum omnia Qui videt hoc vel ex parte vel per speculum in aenigmate gaudeat cognoscens Deum sic ut Deum honoret gratias agat Qui autem non videt tendat per pietatem ad videndum non per caecitatem ad calumniandum quoniam unus est Deus sed tamen Trinitas nec confuse accipiendum est ex quo omnia per quem omnia in quo omnia nec dijs multis sed ipsi gloria in secula seculorum August lâ—bro sexto de Trinitate capite ultimo teacheth vs to say It is very meete right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places giue thankes to thee O Lord Almighty and euerlasting God which art one God one Lord not one onely Person but three Persons in one substance For that which we beleeue of the glory of the Father the same we beleeue of
a certaine Precept and Law which hee being yet in the state of innocency and remayning in Paradize should obserue as a pledge and token of his due and bounden obedience c. In the third part of the * T. 1. p. 85. Homily against Adultery it is signified That before the Law was giuen by Moses the Law of nature onely reigned in the hearts of men In the first part of the * T. 2. p. 18.19 Homily against perill of Idolatry it is sayde If wee bee the people of God how can the Word and Law of God not appertayne vnto vs Saint Paul alleadging one Text out of the Olde Testament concludeth generally for other Scriptures of the old Testament as well as that saying Whatsoeuer is Written before meaning in the old Testament is Written for our instruction Which sentence is most specially true of such Writings of the olde Testament as contayne the immutable Lawe and Ordinances of God in no Age or time to bee altered nor of any persons of any Nations or Age whatsoeuer to bee disobeyed c. And in the first part of the * T. 2. p. 125. Homily concerning the place and time of Prayer it is sayd Whatsoeuer is found in the Commandement appertayning to the Law of nature as a thing most godly most iust and needfull for the setting forth of Gods glory it ought to bee retayned and kept of all good Christian people Moses diuided the Law which hee from God gaue to the people of Israel into k Deut. 6.1 Deut. 6.20 three kindes saying Now these are the Commandements the Statutes and the iudgements which the Lord your God commaunded to teach you that yee might doe them in the Land c. By the Commandements are meant the l Deut. 4.13.14 ten Commandements called commonly the Morall Law By m Deut. 16.12 See in Psal 119.8 according to the Diuine Service Translatiō and compare therewith the last translation Statutes are meant the ceremonies or the ceremoniall Law And by Iudgments are meant the n Exod. 21.1 iudiciall Law Concerning the Morall Law whereof the tenne Commandements are a summe or ten generall deliueries there Christ in his Gospell hath confirmed the euerlasting continuance of the same the farre greatest part of his new Testaments Precepts beeing Morall commanding and saying o Mathew 3.12 Whatsoeuer yee would that men should do vnto you do yee euen so vnto them for this is the Law and the Prophets And Paul signifieth the euerlastingnesse of that Law saying p Ephe. 6.2 Honor thy father and thy mother which is the first Commandement with promise that it may bee well with thee and thou mayst liue long on the earth The Ceremoniall Lawes as of Circumcision in the q Gal. 5.2 flesh of r Heb. 1◠5.8 offering for Sacrifices the bodies of Beasts and the like endured but vntill the time of ſ Heb. 9.10 Reformation and the time of the t Acts 21.25 Establishing of the Ordinances of Messias the Lord Iesus Christ Paul sayth If yee be u Gala. 5.2 Circumcised Christ shall profite you nothing And the Apostle speaking of Christs comming into the world deliuereth Wherefore when hee commeth into the World hee sayth Sacrifice w Heb. 10.5.6.7 8.9 and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sinne thou hast had no pleasure Then sayde he Loe I come to doe thy wil O God Hee taketh away the first that hee may establish the second Yet of no Ceremoniall Law is the righteousnesse or morall signification ceased which is to bee obserued of vs but it endureth for euer as it may very plainely appeare out of Saint Paules VVordes to the Romanes where hee sayth x Rom. 8.4 That the righteousnesse of the Lawe might bee fulfilled in vs who VValke not after the flesh but after the Spirit The iudgements or the Iudiciall Lawes though the righteousnesse intended by them all is euerlasting are not in euery y See the seauenth Article of the Religion established particular of them now in force in any Christian Common VVealth as the Law of punishing Adultery with Death VVhich may appeare by Christs dismissing the z Iohn 8.11 Woman taken in Adultery and by his permitting a man to a Mat. 5.32 put away his Wife for Fornication Which putting away neede not be if the b Leu. 20.10 Law of Moses concerning punishing Adultery with Death stood still in Vniuersall force or vertue For so soone as the married party had committed Adultery hee or shee should bee taken away by suffering Death according to Moses Law No lawe or ordinance of what kinde so euer which hath proceeded foorth of the Wisedome of the Eternall God for the vse of Mankinde is to be neglected as concerning the equity or morality thereof though the ceremony of it or such like circumstance be ceased as it is written c 2. Tim. 3.16.17 All Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God and is prositable for Doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction in righteousnesse That the man of God may bee perfect throughly Furnished vnto all good workes And againe the Apostle sayth to the Romanes d Rom. 15.4 Whatsoeuer things were written afore time were written for our learning c. CHAP. 19. Of the Tabernacle and Temple of the Iewes IN the first part of the * Tom. 2. p. 126.127 Homily concerning the place and time of Prayer it is sayd So soone as God had deliuered his people from their enemies and set them in some liberty in the Wildernesse he set them vp a costly and a curious Tabernacle which was as it were the Parish Church a place to resort vnto of the whole multitude a place to haue Sacrifices made in and other obseruances and rites to be vsed in Furthermore after that God according to the truth of his promise had placed and quietly setled his people in the land of Canaan now called Iewrie he commaunded a great and magnificent Temple to be builded by King Solomon as seldome the like hath beene seene a Temple so decked and adorned so gorgeously garnished as was meete and expedient for people of that time which would be allured and stirred with nothing so much as with such outward goodly gay things This was now the Temple of God endued also with many gifts and sundry promises This was the publike Church and the mother Church of all Iewrie Here was God honored and serued Hither was the whole Realme of all the Israelites bound to come at three solemne feastes in the yeare to serue their Lord God here The Tabernacle consisted of three partes e Exod. 27.9 the Court the f Exod. 26.33 Holy and the most Holy The g Num. 1.50.51.53 Leuites did seruice in and about the Court The h Heb. 9.6 Priests did seruice in the Holy And the i Heb. 9 7. high Priest alone once
pertaine unto every circumstance in Gods worship Let all things bee done m 1 Cor. 14.40 decently and in order CHAP. 43. Of the due Celebration of Sundayes and other times required by the Church to be kept holy IN the first part of the a T. 2. p. 124 125 126. Homily concerning the place and time of prayer the Church saith It appeareth to be Gods good will and pleasure that we should as speciall times and in speciall places gather our selves together to the intent his name might be renowned and his glory set forth in the congregation and assembly of his Saints As concerning the time which Almighty God hath appointed his people to assemble together solemnly it doth appeare by the fourth Commandement of God Remember saith God that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day Vpon the which day as is plaine in the b Act. 13.14.44 Act. 15.21 Acts of the Apostles the people accustomably resorted together and heard diligently the Law and the Prophets read among them And albeit this Commandement of God doth not binde Christian people so straitly to observe and keepe the utter Ceremonies of the Sabbath day as it was given unto the Iewes as touching the forbearing of worke and labour in time of great necessitie and as touching the precise keeping of the seventh day after the manner of of the Iewes For we keepe now the c Act. 20. l. 1 Cor. 16.2 Non inep è colligitur jam tum consuevisse Christianos hoc die solennes agere conventus Annol ad Act. 20.7 in Jun. Bibl. vide 1 Cor. 11.20 in Syriaco Teslamento nâ—c non in Arabiâ—o in utroque mentio fit de die Domini nostri Syrus legit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arabs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quiâ—n nev 1.10 pro eo quod in Graecis exemplaribus legitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 habet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in â—â—e â—llo primo first day which is our Sunday and make that our Sabbath that is our day of rest in the honour of our Saviour Christ who as upon that day d Mar. 16.6.1.2 rose from death conquering the same most triumphantly yet notwithstanding whatsoever is found in the commandement appertaining to the law of nature as a thing most godly most just and needfull for the setting forth of Gods glory it ought to bee retained and kept of all good Christian people But alasse it is lamentable table to see the wicked boldnesse of those that will bee counted Gods people who e Ezek 20.12 13. passe nothing at all of keeping and hallowing the Sunday And these people are of two sorts The one sort if they have any businesse to doe though there be no extreame neede they must not spare for the Sunday they must ride and journey on the Sunday they must drive and f Neh. 13.15 16 17 18 19 20. Ier. 17.21.22 carry on the Sunday they must row and ferry on the Sunday they must buy and sell on the Sunday they must keepe markets and faires on the Sunday Finally they use all dayes alike worke-dayes and holi-dayes all are one The other sort is worse For although they will not travell nor labour on the Sunday as they doe on the weeke day yet they will not g Isa 58.13 14. rest in holinesse as God commandeth but they rest in ungodlinesse and filthinesse prancing in their pride pranking and pricking poynting and painting themselves to be gorgeous and gay they rest in excesse and superfluity in gluttony and drunkennesse like Rats and swine they rest in brawling and rayling in quarrelling and fighting they rest in wantonnesse in toyish talking in filthy fleshlinesse so that it doth too evidently appeare that God is more dishonoured and the Devill better served on the Sunday than upon all the dayes in the weeke besides As soone as God had finished heaven and earth and all the same and had made man he rested the seventh day and blessed it and h Gen. 2.2 3. sanctified it for man therein to rest also as Christ saith i Mar. 2.27 The Sabbath was made for man The Lord saith by Isaiah k Isa 58.13 14. If thou turne away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor finding thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Iacob thy father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it The sacred l Canon 13. constitution of the Church concerning the due celebration of Sundayes and Holy-dayes is ever memorable viz. All manner of persons within the Church of England shall from henceforth celebrate and keepe the Lords day commonly called Sunday and other holy-dayes according to Gods holy will and pleasure and the Orders of the Church of England prescibed in that behalfe that is in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publike prayers in acknowledging their offences to God and amendment of the same in reconciling themselves charitably to their neighbours where displeasure hath beene in oftentimes receiving the Communion of the body and blood of Christ in visiting of the poore and sicke using all godly and sober conversation Concerning other times enjoyned by the Church to be observed for holydayes Of the celebration of holydayes as Christmas day c. it is to be remembred that because it is the Law of the Church our mother we ought so to observe them as she requireth And that the Church hath power to appoint holydayes it may appeare out of the m T. 2. p. 82 83. Homily of fasting where it is said We doe not read that Moses ordained by order of Law any dayes of publike fast throughout the whole yeare more than that one day The Iewes notwithstanding had more times of common fasting which the Prophet n Zechar. 7.5 Zachary reciteth to bee the fast of the fourth the fast of the fifth the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth moneth But for that it appeareth not in the Law when they were instituted it is to bee judged that those other times of fasting more than the fast of the seventh moneth were ordained among the Iewes by the appointment of their governours rather of devotion than by any expresse Commandement given from God Vpon the ordinance of this general fast good men tooke occasion to appoint to themselves private fasts at such times as they did either earnestly lament bewaile their sinfull lives or addict theÌ„selves to more fervent prayer c. And the Prophet doth not disallow their sequestring of dayes for fasting but for that they neglected o Zech. 7.9.10.11.12 judgement mercy and humilitie of heart and as it seemed accounted true religion for to consist onely
and 15.20 21. Miriam the Prophetesse the sister of Aaron tooke a Timbrell in her hand and all the women went out after her with Timbrels and with daunces And Miriam answered them Sing yee to the Lord c. Singing the same song as did Moses and the Children of Israel And Saint Iohn in the Revelation foretelling the actions of Christs Church to come to passe saith q Rev. 15.2 3. I saw as it were a Sea of glasse mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his marke and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glasse having the Harpes of God And they sung the song of Moses c. see Revel 14 2 3 4 5. and 5.8 and 1 Cor. 14.7.26 and from thence and other Scriptures it is manifest that Christian people have used musicke in praising the name of the Lord and there is not in the whole Bible any manner of mention concerning abolishing of the same CHAP. 46. Of the publike reading of the holy Scriptures as also the Homilies and of making an Exhortation in publike IN the Preface afore the Common prayer it is said The ancient fathers for a great advancement of godlinesse so ordered the matter that all the whole Bible or the greatest part thereof should be read over once every yeare intending thereby that the Clergy and especially such as were Ministers of the Congregation should by often reading and meditation of Gods Word be stirred up to godlinesse themselves and be more able to exhort others by wholesome doctrine and to confute them that were adversaries to the truth And further that the people by dayly hearing of holy Scripture read in the Church should continually profit more and more in the knowledge of God and be the more inflamed with the love of his true religion What care hereto our fathers have had may appeare out of the sacred Kalender and out of the order how the Psalter is appointed to be read and out of the order how the rest of the holy Scripture beside the Psalter is appointed to be read all which are set before the Common prayer It is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles that at Antioch in Pisidia in the Synagogue on the Sabbath day there was the Å¿ Act. 13.15 reading of the Law and the Prophets In another place it is said Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him being t Act. 15. â—1 read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Saint Paul saith to the Colossians When this Epistle is read amongst you cause that it be u Col. 4.16 read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that yee likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea Of reading the Homilies Concerning reading the Homilies the Sermons set forth by the publike authoritie of the Church in the Preface published afore them it is said Considering how necessary it is that the Word of God which is the onely food of the soule and that most excellent light that we must walke by in this our most dangerous pilgrimage at all convenient times be preached unto the people that thereby they may both learne their duty towards God their Prince and their neighbours according to the minde of the Holy Ghost expressed in the Scriptures and also to avoide the manifold enormities which heretofore by false doctrine have crept into the Church of God and how that all they which are appointed Ministers have not the gift of preaching sufficiently to instruct the people which is committed unto them whereof great inconveniences might rise and ignorance still be maintained if some honest remedy be not speedily found and provided The Queenes most excellent Majestie tendering the sole health of her loving subjects the quieting of their coÌ„sciences in the chiefe principall points of Christian religion and willing also by the true setting forth and pure declaring of Gods Word which is the principal guide leader runto all godlines and vertue to expell drive away as well all corrupt vicious and ungodly living as also erroneous and poysoned doctrines tending to superstition and Idolatry hath by the advise of her most honourable Counsellors for her discharge in this behalfe caused a booke of Homilies which heretofore was set forth by her most loving brother a Prince of most worthy memorie Edward the sixt to bee printed anew wherein are contained certaine wholesome and godly exhortations to move the people to honour and worship Almighty God and diligently to serve him every one according to their degree state vocation And in the latter part of the Preface it is said That all her people of what degree or condition soever they be may learne how to invocate and call upon the name of God and know what duty they owe both to God and man so that they may pray beleeve and worke according to knowledge while they shall live here and after this life bee with him that with his blood hath bought us all And at the end of the first Tome of the Homilies it is said concerning the Homilies of the second Tome Hereafter shall follow sermons of fasting praying almesdeeds c. with many other matters as well fruitfull as necèssarie to the edifying of Christian people and the increase of godly living From al which aforesaid delivery it is most manifest that the one only end why the reverend Fathers and the most learned Doctors of the Church composed the sermons commonly called Homilies was for the edification of the congregations in holinesse and righteousnesse and for a helpe unto Ministers that with the said sacred sermons the people committed to their charge might be the more instructed in the faith and life of the true Christian religion As therefore we have received from our fathers the CommoÌ„ prayer as a forme of prayer thanksgiving and confession so ought wee not to receive from our fathers hands their booke of Sermons the Homilies as a forme of wholesome words in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus Saint Paul charged Timothy to hold fast the w 2 Tim. 1.13 Rom. 6.17 forme of sound words which he had heard of him in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus Let any one unpartially weigh every particular sentence in the booke of Homilies and there will appeare nothing but Christian faith and godly love intended and held forth therein Moreover ought wee reverently to heare the Sermons of such as bee but young Students in Divinity and ought we not with great reverence to attend unto the Homilies the Sermons set forth by the chiefest Divines in the whole Church of our Land We ought not to be partiall towards the established Doctrine of our Church We commonly ascribe great authoritie unto the spirit of the Church accounting her Common prayer profitable for us to pray with unto Almighty God We ascribe great authoritie unto the spirit of the Church accounting her translation of the
from the priesthood That they shoud not eate of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with d Ezra 2.63 Vrim and * In the service of Consecration of Bishops in the Prayer after the Letanie then road the true signification of the words Vrim and Thummim is delivered namely truth of Doctrine and innocencie of life See 1 Esdras 5.40 Thummim Saint Peter saith e 1 Pet. 2.13.14 Submit your selves unto every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it bee to the King as Supreme or unto governours as unto them that are sent by him c. Samuel told Saul that God had made him the f 1 Sam. 15.17 See the 37. Article of Religion Head of the Tribes of Israel Therefore our King is Head of the Tribe of Levi the supreme governour over all degrees and orders of the Clergie in his Majesties Realmes Dominions aswell as over all other persons Concerning bearing faith and true allegiance to the Kings Highnesse his heirs and successors according as it is prescribed in the oath of allegiance it may first bee considered that in the whole Bible there is no mention of any of Gods people at any time to have done contrary unto such allegiance but ever to have borne faith and true allegiance unto to their Soveraigne the supreme Magistrate over them The Lord Iesus Christ both by g Mat. 12.20.21 precept and also by example taught loyalty to bee performed unto Caesar by all professed Christians all others The Apostle Paul enjoyned Titus to put all professours of Christianity in minde to be h Tit. 3.1.2 subject to Principalities and powers to obey magistrates to bee ready unto every good worke to speake evill of no man to bee no brawlers but gentle shewing all meekenesse unto all men Almost the whole 13. chapter of the Epistle to the Romanes is a declaration how subject and faithfull every soule not excepting any Ecclesiastical person ought to bee unto his Prince which beareth the sword which receiveth tribute and custome The higher powers unto whom Saint Paul commanded Christians to bee subject for Conscience sake and to render all their dues to owe nothing but love and honour and hee for to exclude universall ill attempts against ones Soveraigne saith Loveworketh no ill to ones neighbour were not defenders of the Christian faith neither were they favorers of the Gospell the highest powers over i 1. Pet. 1.1 Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia unto whom Saint Peter required those to whom hee wrote for to bee loyally subject If people were not in Conscience bound to bee universally faithfull unto their Soveraigne the society of mankinde could not consist together but the whole world would in short time bee turned into a wildernesse To release any from their duty to their superiours was the k ◠Marke 7.7.8 9 10 11 12 13. Doctrine of the Scribes and Pharises the mortall enemies to Christianity who taught that one having offered a certaine gift though hee honoured not his father or his mother should bee free making thereby the fifth Commandement of God of non effect by that their damnable traditiō And are not Kings l Isa 49.23 fathers Queenes mothers according to the language of the Holy Scriptures Saint Peter saith Feare God and m 1 Pet. 2.17 honour the King Salomon also saith n Eccles 10.20 Curse not the King no not in thy thought How zealous was David that hee would neither do nor o 1 Sam. 24.6.7 and 26.9 suffer to bee done any manner of annoyance towards the Lords annoynted though he were disobedient unto the Law of the Lord Let any search the whole Scripture and more especially all the new Testament and let him observe what manner of innocent life the life of the Christian Religion is prescribed for to bee or is described there and he shall plainely see that it is contrary to the universall Christian p Mat. 20.16 Rom. 16.19 Rom. 13.10 1 Thes 5.15 1 Cor. 13.4.5.6.7 nature for any people not to beare such faith and such true allegiance unto their Soveraigne as is expressed in the oath of allegiance and expounded or delivered in the Booke intituled God and the King What it is to be defective in duty towards ones Soveraigne the Church hath also most divinely declared in the Homily an Exhortation cōcerning good order obedience to Rulers and Magistrates and amply in the Homily against disobedience and wilfull Rebellion the which deliverie of holy Church all persons should often read or heare read unto them CHAP. 71. Of submission to all Powers inferiour to the Kings Majesty IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 69.70 Homily of obedience it is said Take away Kings Princes Rulers Magistrates Iudges and such estates of Gods order no man shall ride or goe by the high way unrobbed no man shall sleepe in his owne house or bed unkilled no man shall keepe his wife children and possession in quietnesse all things shall be common and there must needs follow all mischiefe and utter destruction both of soules bodies goods and Common wealths But blessed be God that we in this Realme of England feele not the horrible calamities miseries and wretchednesse which all they undoubtedly feele and suffer that lacke this godly order and praised be God that we know the great excellent benefit of God shewed towards us in this behalfe God hath sent us his high gift our most deare Soveraigne Lord king Charles with a godly wise and honourable Counsell with other superiours and inferiours in a beautifull order and godly Wherefore let us subjects doe our bounden duties giving hearty thankes to God and praying for the preservation of this godly order Let us all obey even from the bottome of our hearts all their godly proceedings Lawes Statutes Proclamations and Injunctions with all other godly orders Let us consider the Scriptures of the Holy Ghost which perswade and command us all obediently to be subject first and chiefly to the King Majestie Supreme Governour over all and the next to his Honourable Counsell and to all other Noblemen Magistrates and Officers which by Gods goodnesse be placed and ordered In the second part of the * T. 2. p. Homily of fasting but it is said Positive lawes made by Princes for conservation of their Policie not repugnant unto Gods Law ought of all Christian subjects with reverence of the Magistrate to bee obeyed not onely for feare of punishment but also as the Apostle saith for q Rom. 13.5 Conscience sake Conscience I say not of the thing which of it owne nature is indifferent but of our obedience which by the Law of God we owe unto the Magistrate as unto Gods minister That saying of the holy Ghost by Saint Peter confirmeth all Submit your selves to ever ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it bee to the King as supreme or unto r 1 Pet.
wherefore David having experience of Gods goodnesse in his deliverance from the hand of Saul said I will love thee O Lord my strength The Lord is my rocke and my fortresse and my deliverer my God my strength in whom I will e Ps 18.1.2.3 trust my Buckler and the horne of my salvation and my high tower I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to bee praised so shall I bee saved from mine enimies It proceedeth also from beliefe in God and in his word which beliefe God graciously giveth unto those that feare him and diligently pray for the same as Saint Paul signifieth to the Ephesians saying In whom wee have boldnesse and accesse with f Eph. 3.12 confidence by the faith of him Ieremiah saith Cursed bee the man that g Ier. 17.5.6.7.8 trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme and whose heart departeth from the Lord. But blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is The seventh duty is to call upon God The seventh duty to call upon God And that is to pray unto him David saith offer unto God thankesgiving and pay thy vowes unto the most High and h Ps 50.14.15 call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me It proceedeth also out of beliefe as it is written How shall they i Rom. 10.14 call on him in whom they have not beleeved People obedient to Christ and his k Mat. 18.17 Church which humble themselves and faithfully endeavour to observe all the ordinances of Christs Church have the promise to be heard when they call on the Lord and doe in the name and mediation of Iesus Christ aske such things as bee agreeable to his will as Saint Iohn saith Whatsoever we l 1 Ioh. 3.22 aske wee receive of him because wee keepe his Commandement and doe those things that are pleasing in his sight The eight duty is to honour Gods Holy name The eight duty To honour Gods holy name And for the performance thereof wee pray when we say Hallowed be thy name They that make conscience of breaking the third Commandement of m Exod 20.7 taking his name in vaine are such as have a regard to honour his n Mal. 3.16.17.18 name By the Name of the Lord is not onely meant a word or words proper to the Creator whereby he is distinguished from all creatures in speaking of him or unto him but also sundry other things whereby the Lord becommeth knowne unto us The name of the Lord is observed sometimes to signifie God himselfe his holy being which is infinite almighty c as where it is said The o Prov. 18.10 Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the righteous runneth into it and is safe Where name may signifie also power and protection So in Moses where it is said If thou wilt not observe to doe all the words of this Law that are written in this Booke that thou maist feare his glorious and fearefull p Deut. 28.58 Name The Lord thy God then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderfull c. It signifieth also the will and Commandement of God as where it is said whosoever will not hearken unto my words which my Prophet shall speake in my q Deut. 18.19 Name I will require it of him Officers under the Royall Majestie use the word name in the like sense when they say I charge thee in the Kings name c. It also signifieth the religion or worship of God as where it is said in Micah All people will walke every one in the name of his god and wee will walke in the r Micah 4.5 name of the Lord our God for ever and ever Other significations it is observed to have It is our duty to honour to reverence both with soule and body with heart and mouth and with due respect for to esteem whatsoever Name God is called by or knowne The Lord said by Samuel unto Eli Them that s 1 Sam. 2.30 honour me I will honour And his Omnipotencie looketh for honour to be performed by us unto him signifying it by his Prophet Malachie saying A sonne honoureth his Father and a servant his Master If then I bee a Father where mine t Mal. 1.6 honour And if I be a Master where is my feare The ninth duty To honour Gods holy word saith the Lord of Hosts unto you O priests that despise my name and yet yee say wherein have we despised thy name The ninth duty is to honour Gods holy word David saith I will worship towards thy holy Temple and praise thy Name for thy loving kindnesse for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy u Ps 138.2 word above all thy name Christ saith to his Father Sanctifie them through the truth thy w Ioh. 17.17 word is truth And David saith unto the Lord Thy x Ps 119.142 Law is the truth Now for to make mention of any sentence in any deliverie by the Kings Majestie or by the Parliament or by the Convocation without due reverence thereto is justly a lightnesse or rather a lewdnesse Likewise for to mention any sentence of holy Scripture Gods holy word without due reverence thereto both with heart and voice honouring it as a word that y 1 Pet. 1.23.24 25. endureth for ever and as that whereby we shall every one without respect of persons bee z Iob. 12 48. judged in the last day lightly to alleage any divine deliverie is by all that truely feare God judged to proceed from a heart full of impiety and iniquity Isaiah signifieth that wee are to a Isa 66.5 tremble at Gods word and in no wise to make jests with any of it or rashly to utter any part of it but when wee speake any portion of holy Scripture to have a most serious care that it may tend directly to the glory of God and as much as may bee to the b Eph 4 2â— edification of the hearers Also we are not onely at all times with feare and honourable respect to recite holy Scripture when wee have occasion thereto but also to bee obedient or obediently enclined unto every document thereof which wee mention Else our honouring of Gods word is but a c Mat. 15.8.7 lip honour whereof Christ saith This people draw nigh to mee with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips but their heart is farre from me Which doing Christ in the verse afore signifieth to be but a kind of hypocrisie Herein saith Christ is my Father glorified or his word honoured that yee beare d Ioh. 13.8.16 much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples He is not accounted a true honourer of the Lawes of a Realme which meerely with due regard doth rehearse them but hee that also conscionably endeavoureth to live according to every of them The tenth duty to serve God truly all the dayes of
lusts which warre against the soule having your conversation h 1 Pet. 2.11 12. honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speake against you as evill doers they may by your good workes which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of Visitation Whence it may appeare that that is Honesty which is not onely expresly approved by the holy Scriptures but also whatsoever is accounted honourable or worthy of praise according to the light of true reason S. Paul saith For when the Gentiles which have not the law doe by nature the things contained in the law these having not the law are a law to themselves which shew the i Rom. 2.24 15 worke of the law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witnesse and their thoughts the meane while accusing or else excusing one another c. Also nothing ought to be supplicated unto a King but what is rightfull and Honest For Solomon saith Righteous lips are the delight of Kings and they love him that speaketh k Prov. 16.13 right Of Courtesie IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 157. Homily concerning Almes-deeds it is said Be courteous unto the poore Saint Peter saith Finally be ye all of one minde having compassion one of another love as brethren be pitifull be l 1 Pet. 3.8 9. Courteous not rendring evill for evill or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing King Rehoboam for giving m 1 King 12 13 14 16. uncourteous answeres to his subjects when they came unto him lost the most part of his Kingdome thereby Solomon signifieth that a Superiour should not without just cause answere his inferiour discourteously saying He that n Prov. 14.21 despiseth his neighbour sinneth but he that hath mercy on the poore happy is hee He that o Prov. 14.31 oppresseth the poore reproacheth his Maker In Ecclesiasticus wholesome counsaile is given hereto Turne not away thine eye from the needy and give him none occasion to curse thee for if he curse thee in the bitternesse of his soule his prayer shall be heard of him that made him Let it not grieve thee to bow downe thine eare to the poore and give him a p Ecclus. 4.5 6 8. friendly answer with meeknesse We ought not to despise any for any bodily deformity or infirmity The Apostle saith q 1 Pet. 2.17 Honour all men Bee gentle shewing all r Tit. 3.2 meeknesse unto all men Of retaining the memory of Saints IN the Kalender set afore the Common Prayer the names of sundry men and women which in their life time here on earth were famous for piety and vertue are inserted for perpetuall memory as Cyprian Benedict Anne Katherine c. Wherein holy Church doth according to the Scripture which saith The Prov. 10.7 memory of the just is blessed but the name of the wicked shall rot The righteous shall be had in everlasting t Psal 112.6 remembrance In the third part of the * T. 1. p. 65. Homily concerning the feare of death there is a Saints saying mentioned namely Saint Martin who said Good Lord if I be necessary for thy people to doe good unto them I will refuse no u Phil. 1.24 labour but else for mine owne selfe I beseech thee to take my soule In the eleventh Chapter to the Hebrewes the memoriall of many Saints is blessed so in Ecclesiasticus Chap. 44.45 46 47 48 49 50. Of Veracity or True Speaking IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 47 48. Homily concerning Swearing it is said Every Christian mans word saith Saint Hierome should be so true that it should bee regarded as an oath And Chrysostome witnessing the same saith It is not convenient to sweare for what needeth us to sweare when it is not lawfull for one of us to make a w Col. 3 9. Isa 63.8 lye unto another Hee that useth truth and plainnesse in his bargaining and communication hee shall have no need by such vaine swearing to bring himselfe in credence with his neighbours nor his neighbours will not mistrust his sayings The Prophet Ieremiah saith Take ye heed every one of his neighbour and trust ye not in any brother for every brother will utterly supplant and every neighbour will walke with slanders and they will deceive every one his neighbour and will not speak the truth they have taught their tongue to speake x Ier. 9.4 5. lies and weary themselves to commit iniquity David saith Lord who shall abide in thy Tabernacle who shall dwell in thy holy hill He that walketh uprightly worketh righteousnesse and y Psal 15.1 2 3. speaketh the truth in his heart Of Diligence IN the admonition to all Ministers Ecclesiasticall set afore the second Tome of Homilies it is said It shall be necessary that yee z 1 Tim. 4.12 1 Pet. 5.3 above all other doe behave your selves most faithfully and diligently in your so high a function After it is said It shall be well done to spend your time to consider well of such Chapters before hand whereby your a Eccles. 12 9 10 11. prudence and diligence in your office may appeare c. In the first part of the * T. 2 p. 115. Homily concerning the place and time of prayer it is signified That by the fourth Commandement it appeareth no man in the sixe dayes ought to be sloathfull or idle but b Exod. 20.9 Rom. 12.11 diligently to labour in that state wherein God hath set him Most divinely doth the Church counsell us unto diligence in the third part of the * T. 2. p. 232. Homily for Rogation weeke saying Brethren howsoever the c 1 Cor. 11.32 world in generality is d Hos 4.6 forgetfull of God let us particularly attend to our time and e Eph. 5.15.16 Col 4.5 winne the time with diligence and apply our selves to that light and f 2 Cor. 6.1 2. grace that is g Tit. 2.11.12 offered us let us if Gods favour and judgements which he worketh in our time cannot stir us to call home to our selfe to h Phil. 2.12 doe that belonging to our salvation At the least way let the malice of the devill the naughtinesse of the world which wee see exercised in these i 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Tim. 3.1 c. perilous and last times wherein we see our daies so dangerously set provoke us to k Mar. 13.33 34 35 36 37. Ephes 4.1 watch diligently to our l 1 Cor. 1.9 vocation to walke and goe m Phil. 3.13 14. 2 Pet. 1.3.10 Prov. 4.18 forward therein In the * T. 2. p. 241. Homily concerning the state of Matrimony it is said But to this prayer must bee joyned a n 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 8. singular diligence c. In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 272. Homily of Repentance it is said If we should suspect any uncleannes to be in us
not abide the word of God but following the perswasions and stubbornnesse of their owne hearts goe backward and not forward as it is said in e Ier. 7. 24. Ieremy they goe and turne away from God Many now a daies by their neglect to have the holy Bible in their houses by their neglect to search it by their neglect to live according to it by their neglect to amend according to it what by the ministery they are informed of to be amisse by their neglect to heare it duly according to the Law of the Church by their neglect even all the yeare to conferre on it and by their neglect to meditate thereon they shew plainly that they have it in contempt and were it not for feare of being punished by the Magistrate they would expresse what is in their hearts against it And so some Machavillians will adventure sometimes to utter without any feare of God or man Moreover the contemners of the Divine Service-doctrine of the Church and of the Ministers which conscionably endeavour to live and teach according to all the same are to be reckoned among the g 1 Thes 4.8 contemners of Gods Word as it may appeare out of Christs words where hee saith unto his Ministers He that heareth you heareth me and he that h Luke 10.16 despiseth you despiseth me If they have kept my saying they will keepe yours also Ieremiah saith The wise men are ashamed they are dismayed and taken loe they have i Ier. 5.9 rejected the Word of the Lord and what wisedome is in them Of halting on both sides IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 259. Homily of Repentance it is said God requireth a sincere and pure love of godlinesse and of the true worshipping and service of God that is to say that for saking all manner of things that are repugnant pugnant and contrary unto Gods will wee doe give our hearts unto him and the whole strength of our bodies and soules according to that which is written in the Law Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with k Deut. 6.5 all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy strength Here therefore nothing is left unto us that we may give unto the world and unto the l Rom. 13.14 lusts of the flesh For sith that the heart is the fountaine of all our workes as many as doe with whole heart turne unto the Lord doe m Rom. 14.7 8 9. 1 Thes 5.10 live unto him onely Neither doe they yet repent truely that halting on both sides doe otherwhiles obey God but by and by doe thinke that laying him aside it is lawfull for them to serve the world and the n Rom. 8.8.4 5.12 Gal. 5.16 17.24 flesh Elijah said How long halt ye betweene two opinions or thoughts If the Lord be God o 1 Kings 18.21 follow him but if Baal then follow him The Lord Iesus hath said p Mat. 6.24 No man can serve two Masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else hee will hold to the one and despise the other Yee cannot serve God and Mammon Of Vaine glory IT is signified in the second part of the * T. 2. p. 203. Homily concerning the Sacrament That by vaine-glory ambition c. people are q Prov. 13.10 dissevered which should be joyned together in unity and godly love And therefore in the sacred Letany we are taught to pray for to bee delivered from it Saint Paul saith Let us not be desirous of vaine-glory r Gal. 5.26 provoking one another envying one another Christ said to the disobedient Iewes Å¿ Rom. 5.44 How can ye beleeve which receive honour one of another and seeke not the honour which commeth from God onely Againe the Lord saith t Iohn 7.18 Hee that speaketh of himselfe seeketh his owne glory but he that seeketh his glory that sent him the same is true and no unrighteousnesse is in him Saint Paul saith O Timothy keepe that which is committed to thy trust avoiding prophane and vaine bablings and u 1 Tim. 6.20 21. oppositions of science falsely so called which some professing have erred concerning the faith Saint Iohn saith Among the chiefe Rulers many beleeved on Christ and because of the Pharisees they did not confesse him lest they should bee put out of the Synagogue For they w Ioh. 12.42 43. loved the praise of men more than the praise of God Of Hypocrisie IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 10. Homily of the misery of man it is said Few of the proud just learned wise perfect and holy Pharisees were saved by Christ because they justified themselves by their counterfeit holinesse before men Wherefore good people let us beware of such hypocrisie vaine glory and justifying of our selves The Lord said unto his disciples Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees which is x Luk 12.1 hypocrisie The Lord signifieth that the Hypocrites doe their Almes for to y Mat. 6.2.5 have glory of men They love to pray standing c. that they may bee seene of men They make long z Mat. 23.14 prayer thinking to be heard for their a Mat. 6.7 much speaking They outwardly b Mat. 23.28 appeare righteous unto men but within are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie All their workes they doe for to be c Mat. 23.5 seene of men They justifie d Mat. 16 15. themselves before men Saint Paul saith not he that c 2 Cor. 10.18 commendeth himselfe is approved but whom the Lord commendeth Christ hath very plainly displayed the nature of hypocrisie in the 23. Chapter of Saint Matthew Of Heresie IN the Letany we are taught to pray To be delivered from all false doctrine and heresie Saint Paul saith unto Titus A man that is an f Tit. 3.10.11 Heretike after the first and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inverto id quod interius eratextrà verto seu resuâ—ino An Heretike is as a dogge returned to his owne vomit againe 2 Pet. 2.22.21 second admonition reject knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being coÌ„demned of himselfe Whence it may appeare that 3. things are to be considered concerning heresie First that it is a departing out of the narrow way that leadeth unto life eternall both with minde and life or a turning cleane contrary to the right forme Secondly it is returning unto an habit of sinning And thirdly it is a condition or estate without peace of conscience but having an inward condemnation They of the Church of Rome which call heretikes the members of the Apostolicall Church of England namely that Church in England which is by Law established under the Kings Majestie doe greatly and damnably slander them For the true meÌ„bers of the said Apostolicall Church of England are not in minde and life departed forth of the narrow way
a Sunne and sheild the Lord will give grace and glory f Psal 84.11 no good thing will he with-hold from them that walke uprightly Saint Iohn saith Whatsoever we aske g 1 Ioh. 3.22 we receive of him because wee keepe his Commandement and doe those things which are pleasing in his sight And Isaiah saith unto Christs Church Behold the darknesse shall cover the earth and grosse darknesse the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seene upon h Isa 60.2 thee Saint Paul saith to the Ephesians In Christ also after that ye beleeved ye were i Ephes 1.13.14 sealed with that holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory Yea Saint Peter signifieth that if faith vertue knowledge temperance patience godlinesse brotherly kindnes and charity be in us and abound we shall never k 2 Pet. 1.10 11. fall but so an entrance shall be ministred unto us abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ Many more are the blessings which accompany Gods true Religion now in this life present which a devout soule may observe signified throughout all the Scriptures and the books of Divine Service Read Deuteronomy 28. Isaiah 60. and observe the 7. sundry blessings promised by Christ in Mat. 5. and to what conditioned people they are made likewise the 7. promises or blessings signified to the seven Churches of Asia in Rev. 2 3 CHAP. 100. Against separating from the Church of England by law established under the Kings Majesty in any manner IN the third part of the * T. 1. p. 36. Homily concerning good works it is signified That the world from the beginning untill Christs time was ever ready to l Exod. 32.1 7 8. fall from the Commandements of God and to seeke other meanes to honour and serve him m 1 Sam. 15.21 22 23. after a devotion found out of their owne heads and how they did set up their owne n Mat. 15.3 6 9. traditions as high or above Gods Commandements which hath happened also in our times the more it is to be lamented no lesse than it did among the Iewes and that by the corruption or at least by the o Mat. 13.25 26. negligence of them that chiefly ought to have preserved the pure and heavenly doctrine left by Christ What man having any judgement or learning joyned with a true zeale unto God doth not see and lament to have entred into Christs Religion such p 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. false doctrine superstition idolatry hypocrisie and other q 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5. enormities and abuses so as by little and little through the sowre leaven thereof the sweet r Rev 11 3 7 8. bread of Gods holy Word hath been much hindred and layed apart For the reforming of the which the like things amisse the holy Fathers of the Church of England by the assent and consent of the Royall Majesty set forth the book of common Prayer the book of Homilies and the booke of ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons for to declare the true worship of Almighty God and to be used in the publike performance of the same They also for the avoiding of diversities of opinions and for the stablishing of consent touching true Religion composed 39. Articles concerning fundamental matter in religion And for to keepe decency order and uniformity of Christian life throughout the whole Church there are made Constitutions Canons Ecclesiasticall 141. Moreover for the instruction of scholers in schooles and likewise for the use of all other people there is set forth by publike authority a Catechisme of a larger and of a shorter forme which is commonly called Nowels Catechisme And it expoundeth the 10. Commandements the 12. Articles of the Creed the 6. Petitions of the Lords Prayer and the Sacraments Baptisme the Supper of the Lord There is also the booke called God and the King which every subject ought to have for to be minded most constātly resolved according to the information of the same booke These aforesaid books are the bookes of the established doctrine discipline of the Church of England Now besides those books the law instruction or teaching of the Church our ſ Prov. 6.20 21 22 23. mother There is also the whole holy Bible by the appointmēt of the royal Majesty the ministery of learned Doctors in the Church t 1 Cor. 14.12.19 Hab. 22. Psal 67.2 set forth into our mother tongue and so published as that every man woman child may enjoy it for to u Ps 119.9 conforme their minds lives according to all the everlasting commandements of the same Seeing then that the Church of England doth thus w Phil. 2.16 hold forth the word of life eternall cherisheth nourisheth up her members therin even from their very infancie for so it is her ordinance that every particular person should be educated how greatly doe they sinne which doe in any manner x Iude 19. separate from her But some will say That shee her selfe is separated from other Christian Churches with which shee was at unity in times past Let us heare the words of the Church her selfe concerning this matter written in her 30 Canon where it is said So farre was it from the purpose of the Church of England to forsake and reject the Churches of Italy France Spaine Germany or any such like Churches in all things which they held and practised that as the Apologie of the Church of England confesseth it doth with reverence retaine those Ceremonies which doe neither endamage the Church of God nor offend the mindes of sober men and onely departed from them in those particular points wherein they were fallen both from themselves in their ancient integrity and from the Apostolicall Churches which were their first Founders There are others of sundry kinds which say we separate not from the Church but from her errors and from her superstitions or from her imperfections If any one will unpartially by all Gods expresse word examine what those wise ones in their owne eyes doe finde fault withall in any of the aforementioned bookes of the Church and what they doe y Isa 50.11 Ier. 16.20 setup to themselves for to follow hee cannot but by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ which at length z Psal 25.12 13 14. Iohn 7.17 Mat. 7.7 8. bringeth every one into the way of truth which unfeinedly seeketh it for to walke faithfully therein unto his lives end plainly perceive that such have no more cause to separate in regard of any particular than others have in regard of the generall deliveries by the aforesaid Church of England in the bookes above named To God onely wise bee glory through Iesus Christ for ever Amen FINIS