with all boldnes In the 6. cap. is commended Steuen ful of saith strength or rather power for the worde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is there read and that none coulde resist the wisdom and spyrite which spake in hym Of lyke sorte and effect is it that the Lord sayeth vnto Ieremie Beholde I haue giuen saieth he my wordes into thy mouth beholde I haue appointed thee this daye ouer nations and ouer Kingdomes that thou maiest pluck vp and roote oute subuert and destroye build and plant Many moe places there be whiche do not obscurely make mention of this facultie and power in speaking But it appeareth that the apostle ioyned these thrée thinges together I meane Doctrine Puritie of lyfe and Facultie or Power in teaching in that place where he sayeth vnto Timothy Take a paterne of the wholesome wordes which thou haste harde of mee with faith and loue which is in Christe Iesu The notable thinge giuen thee in charge keepe thorowe the holy ghost which dwelleth in vs. By holsome wordes is playnely and sufficientlye ynough distincted and meante Doctrine by faythe and loue Puritie of lyfe by the excellente thinge giuen in charge and the holy ghost Facultie or the gifte of teachinge And certes so farre foorth is this power and vertue in teachingâ— which me haue touched in the thirdâ— and lâ—ste place requisite in all those that wyl teach the people that albeit they be endued with learning and also with integritie of mâ—ner yet tsâ—e thâ—â— be destitute of thâ—â— one let them neuer lâ—â—â—e to accomplishe any thinge worthy of prase or commendation Wherefore so muche the more muste all meâ—â—e labour the matter that prepare themselues to the function of 〈◊〉 or that haue 〈…〉 vnto that 〈◊〉 lyke as they are furnished with 〈◊〉 and good manners so also adorned with a spyrite and power in teaching they may come forth into the publyke Theatre of the Church Moreouer the spirit or power in teachinge to thintent we may ad this also is geuen freely of God in the first calling but the increasemeÌ„t thereof is obtained of hint thorow often prayer Fynally it is nourished and preserued with a feruent studye of procuringe the health and saluation of the hearers Whereof the fyrste verylye is manyfest For whomsoeuer GOD voucheth safe to choose and selecte to the excellent excellent office of teachinge the people in the Church the same also immediatelye he fréely garnisheth with hys spyrite and giftes necessarye to so weighty a charge A plentifull wytnesse of hymselfe is Ieremye Cap. 1. who when he had sayde that he coulde not speake as one that was a childe heareth the Lorde sayinge vnto hym Thou shalt goe vnto all that I wyll sende thee vnto and all thinges that I wyll giue thee in charge shalte thou speake I haue giuen my wordes into thy mouth c. Christ lykewise is a witnesse of the same matter promysyng to sende and geue to hys Apostles and Disciples the holy ghost that shoulde teach them in all trueth whiche shoulde strengthen and furnishe theyr myndes and in theyr extreame perilâ— euen with Kinges and Princes also minister vnto them in due time what thinges they shoulde speake To bée shorte the Apostle Paule affirmeth that it is GOD that maketh the ministers of the news Testamente méete both to thinck and to speake The seconde pointe béecommeth playne and perspycious by this that Thapostles in the Actes Cap. 4 doe make their petitions vnto GOD that hée woulde graunt vnto his seruaunts That they might speake the woorde with all confidence and lybertye And Paule not onely hymselfe for the same cause sueth vnto GOD with continuall prayers but also requesteth and beséecheth others to doe the same Praye sayeth hee for mee that the woorde may bee giuen vnto mee in the openinge of my mouth with lybertie to the ende I may make manifest the mistery of the Gospel for the which I supply an ambassade in chaines that I may speake therein freely as I ought to speak Agayne in the 2. Thessa. 3. Pray for vs brethren that the worde of the Lorde may haue free passage and be gloryfied For whiche cause also there is a custome receiued in all Churches that all Diuine Sermons shall begin with publick inuocation In whiche inuocation it behooueth all men with their whole hartes to pray first that the Teachers may sincerelye and with boldnesse open and explane the woorde of God then that GOD woulde vouchsaue to illustrate the hartes of the hearers to th ende they may rightly vnderstande the doctrine proposed and duly vse and practise the same As touchinge the thirde it is certayne that where the office enioyned of GOD is with zelous and feruent affection executed it cannot bée but that hée of his bountiful goodnes wyll brynge to passe that happye and prosperous successe shall follow and ensue For GOD wyll not suffer the great labours and industry of good men seriouslye séeking hys glorye to become frustrate and voyde of fruite For this cause the doctrine of the word of GOD is not in one place alone resembled vnto séede that bringeth forth much fruite The Apostle also exhorteth Timothy not to neglect the gift giuen vnto hym but to exercise himselfe dylygently to thintent his profiting might be apparaunt in all thinges For if he gaue attendaunce to him selfe and to learning and continued therein it woulde come to passe that hee shoulde both saue himselfe and his hearers And certenly he that doubteth not of his callinge hee that is assured of the verytie of the doctrine which he professeth he that cannot be reprooued of any manifest crime hée that is pryuye in his conscience of hys owne fidelytie and dylligence hee that accounteth nothinge of more weight and imporfauÌ„ce then to sanctifie the name of God on earth and to gayne as many vnto Christ as is possible Vndoutedly hee speaketh boldly and vnbashfully that which God coÌ„maundeth The sharpe and vehement Oration of this man striketh and perceth the hartes of the hearers pea hée doth not onely pricke men forwarde to the amendement of lyfe but playnely forceth and compelleth them Wherefore there is no man but that may perceyue him to bée decked and adorned with a singuler spirite powre in teachinge euen of GOD himselfe But such a study and such godly affections the Apostle very artificially describeth 1. Thess 2. his wordes no doubte are worthy of vs to be remembred and such as all Preachers ought contiunally to haue in a table before their eyes Yee your selues knowe bretheren sayth hee our entrauÌ„ce in vnto you howe that it was not in vayne but after that wee had fuffered before and were shamfully entreated at Philippos as yee well knowe wee behaued our selues boldely in our God to speake vnto you the Gospell of god with much striuing For our exhortacion was not to bring you to errour nor yet to vncleanes neither was it with guile but as we were
therefore are prudently to be consydered of hym that will preache and compose his Sermon in the kinde didascalick so soone as hauing ended the exordium hee shall come to the pithe and effecte of the matter I First he shall mark whether it be expedient that a certayne forme of confirmatiō be vsed or altogether cōmitted II Secondlye it is necessarye that he haue at hande places of inuencion congruent and correspondent to this kynd by the direction wherof he shall excogitate and vtter those thinges that may holsomelye be put foorth to the multytude III Thirdly he shal haue in a readinesse certayne cautions wherewith being furthered he shall prouide and foresée lest any thing rashly vnsauourily friuolously lest any thing vaine superstuous defectiue or redundant doe escape hym in the sacred assembly Of these thrée poyntes so far forth as they are peculiar to the Didascalick kynde we will orderly entreat It is not without cause that we affirme it expedyent vnto hym that will speake to the people to delibrate whether confirmation ought to be instituted or no. For often times al the order of confyrming is omitted and the preacher can in no case vse the fame though he woulde neuer so feine For when it standeth him vpon simply to interpret the text of the holy Scriptures as it lyeth he is compelled to follow the order in his enarration and to vsurp such kinde of argumentes and proofes agayne to examine those common places which and what maner as well the words as the matters placed in the texte doe apparauntly minister And it were a great offence to passe ouer those reasons and common places vndiscussed whiche are openly touched in the scriptures read before Herevnto is added that this same faithfull explanation of the scriptures is not alwaies conueighed a lyke after one rate in the company of Christian hearers For somtimes many diuers cōmon places are noted in the scripture recited conteyning very godly and profitable matter but amongst them all onely a few supposed to bee most fruitfull are with as great industrye as may be expounded Somtime the whole explanation of Scripture is aptly distributed into two or thrée chapters or partes or common places it maketh no great matter how we tearme them Yea now and then also thou maist sée the whole diuine redynge with all the parts thereof to be directed to a more ample explication of one only common place Moreouer some whiles all and euery member of the scripture is briefely and precisely run ouer to the intent afterwarde some one common place by it selfe may more franckly and abundantlye be declared Which things whilest they are in this wise accomplished certes there is no kinde of thinge héere that may séeme to beare the forme or countenaunce of a iust confirmation Agayne on the other side there is special consideration where lawfull confirmation may seasonably be admitted For whensoeuer any one place or sentence out of the scriptures is openly explaned or a man vndertaketh to handle a Theame simple or compound then worthely is iust confirmation to be adorned furnished with all kynde of preparation and withall are to be heaped together arguments deduced out of those places of Inuention whiche we see to be attributed to the kinde didascalick And that I may speake briefely if the matter so requyreth that a Booke of Scripture or any parte thereof be opened to the people there is no place left vnto confirmatiō but if a place or sentence taken out of the scriptures or a Theame simple or compounde and peraduēture choyce be made of some common place or affaires incydent by occasion of time to bee intreated off then there is no let but that a iust Confirmation may bee vsed Let vs nowe procéede to speake of the places of Inuention Whensoeuer it shall bee thought good to handle a diuine Sermon certaine places ought alwayes to be in a retines by the order and direction whereof thou mayst finde out and as it were drawe out of couerte into light as well the thinges that are conuenient to the explycation illustratinge of thy purpose as also those thinges that are knowne to bée auayleable to the edification of the hearers All the places which wée vse in this behalfe it is requisite that wée deuide into two formes or orders far otherwise truely then the Logicians or Phylosophers haue bene accustomed The fyrst forme compriseth those that admonyshe and showe vnto vs howe and after what sorte wée may gather out of the Scriptures whiche wée haue read the cheife common places touchinge all the doctrine of pietye of faith and touchinge the dutyes of charytye and hope II. The later forme conteyneth those places of Inuention out of whiche are deryued apte argumentes to discribe and set forth the nature and forte of that thinge of whiche wée purpose to intreate The fyrst forme sheweth playnely Theologicall or diuine places and such as are vsurped in no other disciplynes the last comprehendeth places Philosophicall albeit some also Theologicall Of the former order are accounted fyue that is to say I Doctrine II Redargution III Institution IIII Correction V Consolation Which places whence we haue taken them and how it behoueth vs to vse them arighte vnto the ende whiche we talke off it is easy to be knowne by the woordes of the Apostle 2. Timoth. 3. and Rom. 15. All scripture sayeth he is giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable to doctrine to reproue to correction to instruction which is in rightuousnesse that the man of God may be perfect instructed vnto all good woorkes And what soeuer things haue bene written afore time were writen for our learning that we through patience and comforte of the Scriptures might haue hope Lyke as therefore we may briefely learne out of these wordes how and by what meanes the kinds of diuine sermons ought conueniently to be deuided euen so the Apostle in the same wordes playnly sheweth how and after what sort we may pick not out of the scriptures which we shal fortune to reade fruitfull plentious matter of speaking whereby faith hope loue and al the duties of sincere godlynesse may amonge true christian hearers be aduaunced and promoted Which thinge to the intente all men may the more easely vnderstand I will not let somewhat more exactly to speake of euery of them in order I Doctrine which compriseth an assertion and comprobation of true opinions admonisheth vs that we should diligently ensearche whether in the wordes of Scripture which we haue in hande any thing be either openly affirmed or couertly signifyed that ought to be referred to some article as they tearme it of fayth or to a principle of christian religion For it can not be but that when we haue some space together stirred vp the powers of our minde in musing and consideringe of things some such matter will come to remembraunce if in the meane tyme we beare about fixed in our memory all the articles
earth Wherevpon the wise men are of some celebrated as the first original confessiōs of christ III. Doctrine God or Christ without hauinge any respecte or choyse of persons calleth all men vnto him indifferently and voucheth safe to illustrate their hartes with his holy spirite Frste are called the Iewes then the Gentiles afterwarde poore simple Shepheards then againe learned experte or wise men So far forth in Christ there is neither Iewe nor Gentile circumcision or vncircumcision Barbarian Scythian bonde or frée IIII. Institution It is our parte and duetie in what place soeuer wée be with all our endeuoure to séeke after Christe Those men came from the furthest parte of all Persia with great costes charges with great paine trauile and in so long and tedious a iorney also with incredible perill of their liues What behoueth vs therfore to doe who wheresoeuer our minde is endued and garnisshed with faith may there be sure to finde Christe Christ is at home at our houses and obteineth the middell place wheresoeuer two or thrée be gathered together in his name Where is he that is borne Kinge of Iewes V. Doctrine Christ is a true kinge albeit his kingdom be not of this worlde temporall or such a one as is gotten and confyrmed by force of armes and strength of men but heauenly spiritual eternal and establyshed all onely by the power of God. VI. Institution It is worthy of great admiration that a fewe straungers in an vnknowen Countrey in the chiefe and principall citye of all Iurye where the kinges Courte with his warlicke garrison was residente durst make so notable a confession of Christ being as yet base and obscure of whom no ayde or succoure semed to bee loked for by reason whereof greate stirres ensued the kinge and all Hierusalem beinge vehemently troubled But that came to passe vndoubtedly forasmuche as they were enflamed with an inuinsible faith towardes God and the holy Ghoste moued and droue forward their mindes Let vs therefore learne in like maner being instructed with a sounde and stéedfast Faith vnbashfullye and couragiously contemning all daungers whatsoeuer which séeme to bée set before vs or also daily to be renewed of Sathan and the worlde to confesse Iesus Christ to bée our kinge and Sauiour yea and by all possible meanes to publishe and declare his name Let the tyrauntes lyke vnto Herode storme and stampe let the hypocrites forge their wiles and snares let the Scribes and Pharises take their crafty counsayles togither yet will not wée ceasse with all our harte and mynde to séeke and with all boldenesse to confesse Christ to bée our kinge and Sauiour VII Correction Where are nowe those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those dastardes which euen when all things are safe sounde doe yéelde no confession at all of Christ or of faith in Christ Let them bée ashamed of their ingratitude towardes God. For we haue seene his Starre in the Easte VIII Doctrine God reuealeth his will vnto men diuers wayes First truely internally to witt by the secrete inspiration of his spirite wherwith hée eftsoones moueth the hartes of all men which is so far forth necessary euery where that without it no knowledge is supsed to bée certayne and sure And ofte tymes verily God certifieth by this meanes as wel the regenerate as not regenerate of most graue and weighty matters Secondely externally and that eyther by his angels appearinge some tyme in visible forme Or by men such as were the Patriarkes Prophetes Apostles and the electe of all ages which moue and perswade other to the fayth and the holy actions of loue Or by other creatures voyd of reason amongest which may bée numbred as well all this wholle frame of the worlde distincted and adorned with hir partes as also the fyre in the bushe the cloude in lykenesse of a piller and the starre whereof we nowe speake c. By these and such lyke meanes God whensoeuer it pleaseth him declareth vnto mankinde his goodnesse iustice and power IX Institution We are admonished by the example of she wise men that we should not be idle gasers and beholders of such tokens if at any time they appeare For God by his prouidence ordayneth all these thinges and vndoubtedlye to our instruction though not alwayes knowen vnto vs. X Redargution They erre and are deceiued not onelye in the stars but also al the heauen ouer as they say whiche by reason the wise men were taught by the guidinge of a starre that Christ the sauiour of mankinde was borne goe about to commend Astrology which they cal iudiciall and coniecturall as an art certayne and infallible For that starre was not of the number eyther of fixed or erraticall but verily a newe starre which god woulde haus for a time to bée séene and agayne to banishe out of sight Yea rather truely it was no starre at all if wée will credite Chrysostom but onely the likenes of a starre In like maner the wise men gathered not by that starre any thinge touchinge the maner of Christes lyfe or of those things which it behoued afterwarde to chaunce vnto him as neither they obserued after the order of the Mathematickes the disposition and aspect of other Planetes accordinge to their regions or houses but they were taught that Christ is the kinge and sauiour as well of the Iewes as also of the Gentiles Moreouer that his kingedome is spirituall and heauenly not carnall and earthly Wherevpon it necessarily followeth that whatsoeuer they obtayned they receiued it by the reuelation of the holy ghoste not by the canons of Astrologie againe that by the same spirite and star which was with them in stéede of the external word and euen of a preacher hymselfe they were brought to the faith and the confession of faith and that nothinge euer came into their mindes as touching Astrological coniecture XI and XII Doctrine and Institution Séeinge further that God vouchsafeth to teache the wise men in this sorte by a Starre and not by angels or men we shall héere worthely note the wonderfull counsel and purpose of God whereby so oft as he determineth to perswade any vnto hym he applieth himselfe such is his wisdome and goodnesse to their capacities to the intent veryly they may profytte and goe forewarde through those thinges wherewith they are moste chiefely acquainted Wherefore it pleased God to call vnto hym the wise men of the Gentiles being dilligent enserchers of naturall causes by a signe appéering in heauen For the Starre was as fytte an instrument for that purpose among those Persians as the preaching of the worde is knowen to be a most apt and ordinary instrument amongst other nations But a while after when the wise men had stepped vp to somewhat an higher degrée in the schoole of Christian doctrine hee instructed them with the wordes of the Prophet which they heard at Hierusalem Laste of all as being further profited he taught them also by his angels in a
to bée true the excellent institution in the faculty of well speaking of the most famous men Cyprian Chrisostome Basilius Gregorius Nazianzenus and other doth aboundantly argue who being not a little furthered with the furniture of oratorycall arte became easely of all other the most notable Preachers But pronounciation for as much as it is now far otherwyse vsed then it was in times past and that all thinges ought with greater grauitie yea maiestie to bee done in the Temple then in the courte to the whiche onely the Rhetoritians somtime informed theyr Disciples agayne syth euery Prouince and euery language hath hys proper decorum and comelynesse both in Pronounciation and gesture which in an other place woulde not so well bee lyked off It shall be good for the Preacher not to searche the arte of Pronouncinge out of the Scholes of auncient Orators but to endeuour hymselfe rather to imitate those Maisters whom hee perceiueth aboue the residue to bee commended for their excellent grace and dexteritie in Pronounciation and behauiour especially in theyr owne natiue Countrye and region By all these thinges it may appeare that the Preacher hath many poyntes chiefely in Inuention wherein he differeth from the Orator Whiche thinge séeinge it is so it shall be our part in opening of Inuention to employ a specyall labour and dilygence Albeit in the meane time if wee shall perceiue any thing to happen by the way as touching disposition néedful to be marked we wyll in no wyse dissemble it ¶ What matter the Preacher shall choose to handle and entreate off Cap. V. CHriste in one place sayeth that the Ecclesiasticall teacher is lyke vnto an housholder which bringeth out of his treasury thinges both newe and olde And the Apostle calleth the same a faithfull and wyse stuarde or Dispensator in the house of GOD. Wherefore the Preacher shall with all dylygence and fydelytie applye hymselfe vnto this that as â—fte as he is purposed in his minde to teache and to exhybite some specyaltie of hys wysedome hee chose and selecte suche matter as may bée Profitable Easye and Necessarye Whiche how and after what sorte it ought to bée vnderstoode it is requisite that wee declare more at large The vniuersall doctrine of the Gospell is no doubt verye profitable but it falleth out how I knowe not that that is founde to engender most ample commodities especially with the rude people whereby Faith properly is nourished whereby men are prouoked to charytie and good woorkes and lastly whereby the hope as well of the true beléeuers as also of the good dooers is strengthened confirmed For the whole man as wel internell as externall hath néede to bee enstructed and taught not onelye as touching the duties of this lyfe present whereof some are towardes God and other some towards men but also as touching the expectation of the lyfe to come For thorowe the knowledge and righte vse of these thinges man fynallye is made perfect and procureth to himselfe an entryce to the true and euerlastinge felycitie And surely the doctrine of Faith and Loue or Charytie doth most duly teach and instruct this present lyfe when as faith agréeing to the inwarde man sheweth schiefelye what we owe vnto god loue enforming the outward maÌ„ teacheth what we owe not only vnto god but also to men But hope with the things that cleaue thervnto do certify vs of those benefits of the lyfe to come with the expectation whereof we ought to sustaine and proppe vp our languishing mindes weryed and laden with misery Wherfore the Preacher shall wholly be occupyed in handlyng and discoursing of these places most chiefly which are conteined vnder Faith Loue and Hope Now to Faith belong these places of the goodnes and power of God of the frée mercy of God towarde vs of the benefites purchased by Christ of the merit and effect of the death and of all the actions of Christe of the giftes of the holy ghost of repentaunce and true mortification of faith and spirituall viuification of the remission of sinnes of the iustification of man thorow faith in Iesus Christ of the right inuocation of the name of GOD of the daylye exercise of prayer of thankes giuinge of the sincere worshippinge of God as namely in what points it consisteth of the dignitie effect and the loue of the worde of God of the promises of God of confession of the knowne veritie of constancye in faith Lykewise against the abusers of the name of God against othes and swearing against sondry supersticions against rites of Idolatrie against new spronge vp heresies Also those first articles of relygion contayned in the Symboll of the apostles called the Creede are to be placed in this tribe or forme To the order of Loue perteine these places of the amendement of lyfe of the integritie of maners of chastitie of modestie of avoyding of offences of kyndnes and lyberalytie of almes and other good déedes of pacience of bearing the crosse of forgiuinge of those that hurte vs of praying for all men euen for our enimies of humilytie of obedience to magistarates Also of those thinges that become euery man in his callyng and trade of lyfe Moreouer against yâ—e against drounkennes against slaundryng and detraction against fornication against superfluitie in apparel other things against filthy idlenesse against vsurers against euill and noysome customes against al kinde of viâ—es which from time to time doe créepe in amongst vs Lastly to these ought to be added the declaration of the Decaloge especially the commaundements of the seconde table Now the doctrine of the churche of the communion of the Church of the authorytie of the Church of ecclesiastical discipline of the sacramentes of the institution and right vse of the same is wholy applyed to the exercise of faith and loue ioyntly together Last of all to Hope are these places to be referred of eternall life in the kingdome of heauen of the glory of the soules and bodyes after this lyfe with Christe sittinge at the right hand of God the father of the resurrection of the body of the last iudgement to be executed by Christe of the rewarde of good works in the world present and to come of the assured deliueraunce of the godly out of daungers of the paines and sondrye calamities of the wicked of the euerlasting condemnation of the vngodly But who is able to recken vp and rehearce all places in order These verely are the chiefe and principal which haue euery where in the sacred scriptures in the sermons of the Prophetes of Christ and the Apostles most plentifully expressed and that most holesomly are propounded and set foorth to the multitude in the Church and of which the teachers of the people shall neuer at any time sufficientlye neuer out of season entreate And that we haue rightlye and properlye recited and digested these said places this may be a proofe that the Apostle writinge to
that may afterward redounde to potterytie And these places verely may be taken as specifyed of the Orators but out of Diuinitie are deryued groundes of greater weight and importaunce as 8 Of that that wee ought not to be so fylthye and vile as that wee shoulde submit our mindes and bodyes to our enemy the Diuell to serue his wicked and diabolicall suggestions 9 Of that that we incurre the crime of disloyaltie yea and of high treason also if we reuolte from the tents of our sauiour Christ unto Beliall 10 of that that it is a great ingratitude and that more is an extreame cruelty to crucify Christ a fresh through our sinnes and to dispise his blood wherwith he hath once wasshed and sanctified vs. 11 Of that that by defylynge our selues with sin we grieue the holy ghost and doe slaunder the holy angells our kéepers yea and the vniuersall church of God. 12 Of the that by the grace of God assisting vs we may be able to refist the temptor and traitor sathan tame our flesh abandon evill thoughts c. 13 Of that that if we harken vnto the Deuill all the fault shall be imputed to vs and vnto our iniquitie neyther shal it bee lawfull to pretende any excuse at all but euen wee our selues shall bes punished for those enormities whiche by the prouocation of the deuill we commit 14 Of the paines that are threatned vnto sinners and the same not onely temporall but also eternall to the auoyding and eschewing wherof there is no way for vs to be founde except we repenting implore the ayde of Christe Somtimes occasion is offered vnto the preacher to sti◠vp his audients vnto loue that is to saye vnto charytie or beneuolence Which truly then chiefely commeth to passe when as entrety is made of some notable vertue or when the excellent déede of some Patryarke Prophet Apostle or of any other man of worthy memorye is celebrated and solempnised For héere it is conuenient to prouoke the mindes of men and so farforth as may be to enflame them to loue and imbrace so excellent and rare a vertue to the feruent study of imitating so notable a déede To the furtheraunce therefore of this matter much auaylable will be the reasons taken out of the places of thinges to be desyred and thinges to be eschewed to witte 1 Of the honestye Of the thinge 2 Of the godlynesse Of the thinge 3 Of the religiousnesse Of the thinge 4 Of the gloryousnesse Of the thinge 5 Of the easynesse Of the thinge 6 Of the necessitie Of the thinge All which thinges may briefely be confirmed and illustrated by reasons sentences examples similitudes deryued out of the treasurie of the sacred scriptures Item 7 Of the causes of thinges 8 Of the circumstaunces 9 Of the signes or accidents as well 10 Antecedent and 11 Adioyned to the matter it selfe as also 12 Conssquent c. Which kinde of places verily and those deduced out of Diuinite we sée the holy Prophets to vse as oft as thei exhort vnto rightuousnesse vnto modestie vnto humilitie vnto the confession of the knowne trueth vnto the diligence obseruation of the true worshippinge of god Neyther dothe any thinge what soeuer appertinent to this kynde of busynesse lesse notably appeare in those Sermons of Chrysostom in which he endeuoureth to traine men vnto pacience sobryetie hospitalytie liberalitie towardes the poore and other such lyke vertues Now to cause that feare of gods iudgemēt to be imprinted in the mindes of the hearers will be a helpe and furtheraunce proofes drawen forth 1 Of the the greatnesse of our sinnes which it behoueth to be amplyfyed out of the law by and through all the circumstaunces thereof 2 Of our owne vnworthynes and proper offence 3 Of our owne imbecilitie and weakenesse We that are voyde and destitute of all kinde of vertues what shall we obiect against the iudement of God 4 Of that that it is necessary the threatninges of God thould be accomplished without any exception 5 Of the grieuousnes of the paynes that are euidentley mentioned and set forth in the threatnings of God. 6 Of that that God executeth those things indifferentlye whereby both his iustice becommeth famous and his mercy also apparaunt 7 Of the examples of those men whō we know to haue bene sharply punished of God for their sinnes 8 Of that that God if he punisheth not by and by and if not in this lyfe yet after a shorte time or at least after this lyfe he repayeth due penalties accordynge to the desertes 9 Of that that no euasion of mans wisdom or industrye will serue to escape and winde out of Gods iudgement It is no difficult matter to accorde also some other places vnto these arguments touched before in the premisses The controlling Sermons of the Prophets and Apostles or of Chrysostome and other holy fathers doe throughlye abounde in this kinde Further to the procurement of hope and desyre of mercy doe conduce a number of places accustomed to be vsed in consolations but especially these 2 Of the confession of sinnes before God. 3 Of our humilytie or mortification 4 Of the continuall imploration of Gods ayde God despiseth not the prayers of them that humble themselues and dispaire of their owne strength 5 Of the power of the spirit assistinge vs in our prayers 6 Of the promises of God. 7 Of the naturall goodnesse of God that is the promiser whereby he will both be prayed vnto and also graciousely graunt our peticions 8 Of that that God delighteth to stande by his woorde and promise and will deceiue no man. 9 Of the intercession of Christ our mediatour 10 Of the effect of the death and all the merits of Christ 11 Of that that our father knoweth our necessities yea euen before the aske 12 Of our election vocation iustification 13 Of that that God neuer vtterly forsaketh those that be his but with fatherly compassion helpeth them before they fall into any extreame daunger To the furtheraunce also hereof let the Sermons consolatory or comfortatiue be read disposed to the fortifiynge and erecting of mindes in the conflicts of temptations and no doubt a much more plentifull matter will offer it selfe in them then can of vs in few words be comprised Lastly if thou intendest to prouoke the mindes of men vnto pitie and compassion which then truely is expedyent to be done when the people is to be admonished and required to be helpfull to the poore and needye to succour them that are afflicted with sicknesse shypwracke casualtie of fyer rage of waters warre or such lyke calamitie to labour with all dilygence to reduce those that erre or those that are almost fallen into desperation into the right way agayne or to pray vnto God for their health and safety thou shalt conueniently gather some reasons of these places followynge 1 Of the age as if it be a childe or an olde man that is afflicted 2 Of the sexe 3 Of
as it were certayne steppes and degrées whereby the godly are brought vnto true and perfect knowlege Which thinge how it may with ease be accomplyshed I will in few words rehearce and as ye would saye with certayne poyntes added declare They talked together I The first degrée to come to an absolute knowledge of the trueth as touching Christ and the will of God is constituted in holy and godly meditations and in a feruente desyre of perceiuing the trueth Whiche desyre or study GOD hymselfe other whiles graffeth in the mindes of men ministringe of hys owne accord occasion of godly meditations like as those thinges that were done at Hierusalem gaue cause to the disciples to talk and common of Christ And Iesus himselfe drew neere II Assoone as any doe earnestly begin to applye theyr minde to thatteynement of diuine knowledge God hymselfe vouchsafeth to be present with them and to fauour their godly desyres Wherefore they easely perceyue their mindes to be wonderfully and in a certaine secrete maner inflamed their counsayls to vs directed and a meane wherby they may profyt to be opened By meanes whereof we may learne that the second step or degrée whereby the way is laide open to the knowledge of thinges diuine consisteth in the sincere callinge vppon the name of GOD and in the present aide and helpe of the same There is no cause why any maÌ„ should perswade himself that he can happily attempte the study of holy thinges if he first implore not humbly the diuine ayde and féele the same to be present with hym And for this cause doth Iames cap 1. grauely admonish vs that we should aske spirituall wisdom of him that giueth it namely god c. One of them aunswered whose name was Cleopas III The third degrée of profyting in thinges spiritual is the diligent conferrence with others especiallye with the learneder sorte And God is wont alwayes to those that with all their harte long after the knowledge of heauenlye thinges to minister apt helps and instruments of all sortes For the holy ghoste commaundeth Phillip to approche more néere to the chariot wherin the Eunuche quéene Candaces chief gouernour was caryed to the intent he might cléerely interpret the scriptures read but not vnderstanded God by an angell willeth Cornelius the Centurion to send spéedily to Ioppa for SimoÌ„ Peter of whom he mighte be instructed in the doctrine of true religyon And héere in this place Christ himselfe commeth forth in this owne person rather then those his disciples shoulde be destitute of a faithfull instructor What that a place very profytable to the commendation of the heauenly doctrine falleth in where it is sayde That Iesus of Nazreth was a prophete mightye in deede and in worde before God and all the people Truely very notable effects of the celestiall doctrine are héere set forth before our eyes Yea and certaine women amonge vs. IIII They that couet to profyt in sound holy doctrine what time they haue diligently conferred as touchinge the trueth with other godly menne of all sortes and degrees in the forrth place they shal exactly weigh and perpende all mens opinions sayings interpretations disputations yea they shall marke also visions reuelations dreames of whiche the Prophete Ioell speaketh capi 2. signes and wonders and of al these thinges so farre forth as in them lyeth they shall prudently shewe their iudgement Finally they shall trie all thinges as the Apostle sayth 1. thess. 5. and holde that which is good But that all sorts of men ought worthily to employ their endeuor to the doctrine of piety it is plaine and euident forasmuche as we sée the care and dutie euen of women also toward Christ crucifyed dead and buryed to be héere vehemently praysed and set forth They found it euen so as the women had saide There is good hope that the godlye may there verye well profyt and goe forwarde where as consent and agréement is founde in sounde doctrine which alone is of great importance to the establishing of Gods church and to the amplyfying therof And he saide vnto them O yee fooles V Ater the opinions of other men heard and prudently weighed there remayneth an other marke or fyft step whiche the disciples must climbe That is that the iudgement of the Scriptures themselues which is most perfect and aboue all other may alwayes be harkened vnto For vnto these must of necessitie be referred whatsoeuer is at any time produced as touchinge the doctryne of trueth We sée how Christ and the Apostles doe fortyfye all their assertions with the testimonies of the lawe the prophets how much more méete is it therefore that we stick fast for the authorytie of the lawe 〈◊〉 thee 〈◊〉 be set Christ and Apostles vpon this foundation whatsoeuer is builts that shal be certaine sound and stable in the churh and he shall be iudged to haue more profyted others whosoeuer shal build in this sort Againe it can nothe chosen but that it muste néedefull whatsoeuer is taken from any at 〈◊〉 and obtruded for sound 〈◊〉 And they drew 〈◊〉 to the towne VI 〈…〉 all times the thankfulnes their 〈…〉 God that distributeth to euery 〈◊〉 hys gift◠〈◊〉 measure as pleaseth hym as also to 〈…〉 by which they know and confesse themselues to be holpen for 〈…〉 For to those that are thankfull and doe rightlye vse the gifts graunted vnto them â–ª God willinglye 〈◊〉 more and committeth vnto them as it were new tallents But from the vnthankfull and those that either knowe not or wyll not vse them aright are taken a waye agayne such those that they haue already gotten And their eyes were opened Truely they that are thankfull do féelâ— in themselues manifest increasements of knowledge God vndoubtedly augmenting and be wâ—ifying his gifts in them And in this behalfe we sée the Apostle Paule praying with great effect to God the father that the loue of all his heaters might yet more and more abounde in knowledge and in all spirituall vnderstanding c. And they rose vp the same howre and returned VII Moreouer when a man is come to the exact knowledge iudge of the 〈…〉 shall 〈…〉 â—â—ught to 〈◊〉 but shall indeâ—â—◠〈…〉 all 〈◊〉 possible to bring others also to 〈…〉 Therfore we shall fréely and â–ª but a 〈…〉 confesse the knowen trueth he shall labour to 〈…〉 other both priuate and publickly 〈…〉 forth as oportunitie will serue 〈…〉 and friendly confer with other learned men moued not so much with desyr of teaching as of learning and fynally in al his actions hee shall set before his eyes both the edyfying of his hearers and increasement of the church For to thèse â—â—des most thief 〈…〉 God giueth to the faithful the 〈…〉 of thinges spirituall with these â—â—tion the 〈…〉 good will towardes God and men by this 〈…〉 concorde and agréement in doctrine in nourished in all Churches and to be shorte by such diligence is the Church of God confirmed encreased
thy pleasure and Lazarus in like maner receyued paine but now is he comforted and thou art punished Thirdly when death is now to be entred into the godlye are not afrayde they remayne constant and inuincible they pray and call vpon GOD they desyre to haue their sinnes pardoned through Christe they prayse and extoll their most mercifull and heauenly father they giue hym thankes they wholly dedicate and commend all that euer they haue vnto hym They say w the apostle I am fully perswaded that neither death neither lyfe can separate vs from the loue of God whiche is in Christ Iesu our lorde And agayne Rom. xiiii whether we liue or die we are the Lords But the wicked vngodly are altogether troubled they tremble for feare their harts faile them they are angry with God they cursse they blaspheme An example of such great diuersitie we may behold in the two théeues that were hanged on the crosse with Christ of whō both the actions endes are described to be very diuers Luke 23. Fourthly The godly being now dead do rise again to euerlastīg life but to the wicked remaineth a second death to be suffered after the death of their body This difference moreouer is expressed Luk. 16 by a manyfest document as touching the ritch man and Lazerus These things be of no small force and moment to admonish and warne all estates of men The vngodly may in good time be admonished to bethink them of conuersion and amendement of lyfe To the auoydinge of sinnes it wyll profyt greatly if they oft times be mindefull of death and of those thinges that follow after death The godly againe may learne out of al these thinges how they ought to behaue themselues as well in their lyfe as also in death it selfe they may learne that deathe is in no wise to be feared of them they may learne to despise the world and all thinges that are in the worlde they may rightly prepare themselues vnto death throughout their whole life they may minister vnto others that are sicke and at the poynt of death apte consolations they may learne how to strengthen and sustaine themselues in their very last conflict with death He that shall both by good reasons and also by apte and plaine words declare and illustrate all these thinges or certaine other haply besides not disagréeing from his purpose shal be iudged to haue bestowed a very good and holsome labour in speaking But as I sayde there is left great libertie in the handeling of these kinde of theames to the teachers in the church forasmuche as it behoueth them ofte times to enterlace many thinges that conduce to reproue them that be of a sinister iudgement to exhort to rebuke to comfort by reason wherof it commeth to passe that the bounds of the Logicians be of necessitie transgressed Chrisostome ofte times compareth the ministers of the worde with those men that vse to furnishe their tables with deinty and delicate meates the better to entertaine many guestes of diuers and sondry dietes And very aptlye in my opinion For lyke as that feast maker is not thought to satisfy his guestes that setteth before thē one onely kinde of meate and that alwayes dressed after one the same maner but ought rather euer anon to alter the kindes of meate and then cause them to be brought vnto the bourd now dressed after this fashion now after that Euen so the Preacher except he vse somtimes chaunge and varietie of matter in the inuention and disposition of thinges the hearers will soone be weryed and yrked euen glutted as ye would say with a certaine fulnesse and lothsomnesse of stomack Wherfore it may truely be saide that it is a work moste harde and difficult to prescribe rules or perpetuall obseruations and suche as may be sufficient to the colledge of Preachers One most certayne rule there is and that can in no wise deceiue vs namely to imitate and followe with all dilygence and endeuour the examples of the holy Sermons which are extant as well in the sacred scriptures as also whiche are read in all the most allowed Doctors of the Church Albeit there is no doubt but that the holy Ghost also the Prince and a lonely maister of all true teachers what time he is in the beginning of the sacred Sermon with a feruent harte and perfect fayth called vpon wyll both liberally minister and suggest and also most wisely dispose and put in order what thinges so euer are to be spoken so farre foorth that the excellent preachers doe oft times perceyue far other matters to come into their mindes standing in the pulpit then they had premeditated at 〈◊〉 and that the same matters vttered ex tempore the 〈◊〉 to a better yssue and are more gredily and fruitfully receyued of the hearers then those which they had before exactely prepared and digested Howebeit examples of Sermons in which are to bée sene simple theames godly and profitably handeled thou maist finde in Chysostome in his fift Tome as touching praier fastinge repentaunce of which also he entreateth ther in many sermons Of his sermons touchinge gods prouidence we haue before mentioned There be besides in mennes handes certaine orations of Basilius magnus concerninge fastinge baptisme humilitie thankes giuing ire enuye And of Gregorius Nazianzenus touchinge peace touchinge baptisme I can not but that I must needes add by the waye for the better admonishemente of the reader that a simple theame is at some times in such wise declared that the whole tractation thereof doth passe to an other kinde of Sermon then to the kinde didascalick Some one promiseth peraduenture that he will entreate of almes but whilest hee goeth on his whole Oration is spent in exhorting and perswading that all men woulde giue gladly to the poore It is certaine that this Sermon shal more iustly be referred to the kinde Institutiue then to the kinde didascalick Agayne one taketh in hande to entreate of death but he teacheth in the meane time that it is not to be feared of the godly the the dead are not immoderatly to be lamēted May not a man say the he comforteth more rather then teacheth In lyke maner he the intendeth to speake of ire or enuy and reproueth those vices as vehementlye as hee can declaring that they are greatly to be abandoned of all men there is no man I suppose that will not graunt hym to be occupied in the kynde Correctiue ¶ What the way and maner is to declare a theame compound in the kinde didascalick Cap. IX A Theame compound is then offered to bée handeled when the state of the Sermon to bée had is declared in many wordes euen in a full proposition as the Logicians vse to speake as when we say Christ is very God and very man man is iustified by faith without workes they that are iustified ought to bée giuen to good workes the dead shall rise or reuiue againe But as oft
inuentione entreatinge of reprehension and Fabius Quintilianus in his fifte booke cap. 13. touchinge confutation doe teach some thinges not to be refused In which notwithstanding the preacher must prudently disâ—earne what may rightly by introduced into the Church where all things ought to be accomplished with great reuerence and without the breach of charitie and what is to be left to the brabbelinge pleadinge place VIII Diuinitie sheweth also certaine formes of solutinge or assoylinge peculiar in a maner to it selfe and very much vsed and frequented Chiefely and principally the iudgement of God is oft times set against the iudgement of men or the sayinge of the superior against the sayinge of the inferior In which respecte verily Christ Math. 15. infringeth the opinion and tradition of the Pharises by opposinge against them the worde assertion of god him selfe when he proueth them guilty by reason they transgressed the commaundement of God through their owne traditions IX The true and natiue interpretation of the Scripture is alleadged against that which was of other peruorstly put forth Christ Math. 4. vnto that that the diuell saide If thou be the sonne of God cast thy selfe downe headlonge For it is writen he shall giue his Angels charge ouer thee and with their handes they shal beare thee vp least at any time thou hurt thy foote against a stone answereth eftesâ—nes by bringinge a true interpretation It is writen saith he Thou shalt not tempt the Lorde thy God. X. To the sentence by an other alleadged is sometime added or opposed that which in the same matter is chiefely to be considered When the diuell had sayd vnto Christ If thou be the sonne of God commaund that these stones be made bread Christ maketh aunswer Man liueth not by bread onely but by euery worde that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. As who sayth Christ addeth that wherevppon dependeth chiefely the sustentation and preseruation of our lyfe and opposeth and preferreth spirituall nourishment to that which is corporall XI Necessitie requireth often times the a concilement of the places outwardly repugnant be vsed made as touching which matter Augustine hath copiously entreated in his bookes de consensu EuaingelistaruÌ„ likewise against Adimantus the disciple of Maniches we also haue briefely touched some thinges in our second booke de Theologo coÌ„cerninge the order of diuine study XII And moreouer the same places may stand vs in great stead be oft times applied to redargution which in the preceeding chapter we recounted fit to the confirmation of true doctrine The diligent reading and examining of confutations which doe here there occurre in the sacred scriptures will euidently demonstrate many moe thinges perteyning to this effect XIII And like as to the solutions of argumentes and reasons are very opportunely and fitly added those thinges that may stirre vp and prouoke the mindes of men to assent euen so at the ende of that part or whole Sermon which is ordeyned to reproue shall not vnprofitably be heaped togither certen perswasiue or rather dehortatory reasons wehreby men may be deterred froÌ„ embracing false assertions premonished to take diligent héed of the infection of hipocrites Such are reasons deriued of the study scope of false teachers after which sort Christ and the Apostles doe oft times forewarne the belieuers lykewise of the unprofitablenes of the unrightuousnes of the perill and daunger of the thing c. Whereby are declared the dammages inconueniences which out of errors and dissentions doe redounde as well publikly to the Church as also priuately to euery mans conscience In which behalfe may some thinges lawefully be entermedled méete for the mouinge of affections But like as in the former kinde so in this also are certaine Cantions very requisite and necessary I. The preacher shall endeuour himselfe with all industry and diligence to bringe to light the subtill sophistry and fraudulent workinges of the aduersaries but with such pollicie and discretion that he againe be not thought to vse like sophisticall dealinge The talke of truth ought to be playne and simple For in case thou doest nothinge els then subtelly inueigh against subteltie thy tale will be as much suspected and disliked as their tale whom thou impugnest and the hearers will iudge none other but that there is come before them som noble payre of sophisters as if they behelde Protagoras and Euathlus on a day appointed brauling in the brabbelinge consistory II. Howbeit neither is it necessary nor expedient publikely to ensearch and narrowely to examaine all thinges which are produced of the authors of false assertions whither they bée Ethnickes or heretickes leaste verily whilest we goe about to withdrawe men from error wee minister occasion to some amonge the hearers especially to the curious to enquire more scrupulously after them and by this enquiry as it commonly commeth to passe to slide and fall into erroure Counsell not much vnlike to this giueth S. Augustine who in this booke de catechizandis rudibus cap. 7. hath these wordes Then is mannes infirmitie to be enstructed and encouraged against temptations and offences whither they be without or in the Church it selfe without against the Gentiles or Iewes or heretickes within against the chaffe of the Lordes floore Not that discourse shoulde bee made agaynst all kindes of frowarde and peruerse menne nor that all their crooked and fantasticall opinions should by questions propounded be refelled but it is to be declared according to the shortnesse of time that it was so sygnified before and what the profit of temptations is in teachinge of the faithfull and what holsome medicine there is in the example of Gods pacience who hath determined to suffer these things to the end That whiche Augustine therefore thought good to be done in teaching the elder sort that I suppose in consideration of our times wyll be profytable to the whole multitude in which no doubte a number may be founde more rude and ignoraunt then those rude and simple of whom he maketh mention III Moreouer the Preacher shall take diligent héede least he be thought to vtter and pronounce any thinge of a corrupt affection of which sort it is in case he immoderately flattereth himselfe or those that fauour his opinion if he commendeth all his owne stuffe more then is méete or if so bee hee inueigheth ouer bitterly against any of his aduersaries as though he were more incensed with hatred of the persons then with desyre of defendinge the trueth In déede he may touch the persons sometimes also sharpely after which sorte we sée the Pharisies to be handeled of Christ but â—e must in no wise pretermitte grauitie wherevnto it behoueth a godly zeale to be ioyned and that as the Apostles speaketh accordinge to knowledge finally thorough loue he ought to auoyde all offence giuinge IIII Againe in the whole Sermon behoueth great moderation to be vsed whereby all men may be giuen to vnderstande that their saluation and repentaunce is ernestly
authors of great and publike offences c. We will shew a compendious way how these thinges may be brought to passe I No small number of reasons may chiefely be deryued from those places which we sée to be in vse with the Orators as Of the honesty Of the cause or matter Of the iustice and equitie Of the cause or matter Of the goodnesse Of the cause or matter Of the profitablenesse Of the cause or matter Of the surety Of the cause or matter Of the comlynes cōmendation Of the cause or matter Of the necessitie Of the cause or matter Of the easines or possibilytie Of the cause or matter II To declare any thing to be iust godly praise worthy necessary many grounds and proofes may be drawen out of the most plentifull storehouse of the sacred Scriptures whiche thou mayste dispose in what order thou wilte Of the commaundement of God. Of the promises of God. Of the counsell of the holy prophets or Apostles whiche séeme to perswade some such lyke thing Of the examples and déedes of the holy Saints Of the profit and vtilitie which wyl redound to the mindes of the faithfull or to the whole church Of the illustration of Gods maiesty and glory when namely we shew the to the settyng forth of Gods glory to the sanctyfying of his name vpon earth the thing that we speake off wil wonderfully auayle Of the edifying of others when we declare that the same déede wil be profytable to a great number of other to the end they may be confirmed in godlynes For these and such lyke places moe be as ye woulde say domesticall and companyon lyke to diuinitie but to the Orators they are straunge and vnaccustomed if so bee I meane they be handeled after the same maner that we sée them to be handeled in the holy scriptures Now if thou be disposed to exhort or admonish thou hast in this behalfe also certaine places at hand I And worthily in the first place shalt thou put before thée those thinges that may be taken out of Diuinitie as a treasury by it selfe very ritch and plentifull Argumentes are deriued Of the prayse of the thing wherof entreaty is made or also of the persons which we desyre to admonish For so the Apostle doth oftetimes through praysing stirre vp mens mindes Of the hope of the successe For God fauoreth gladly helpeth the endeuorus of the faithfull Of the publike expectation of other brethren or congregations Of the glory to be looked for as well with God as with men For to require a testimony of the trueth of honest good men is an honest poynt And all men ought to labour in this that they may to all euery where bee a good sauour of Christe It behoueth all men to profit a lyke both by good reporte and euill report and to promote the thinges that are Jesus Christes But yet shall no good man couet ouer much to séeke after glory with men much lesse shal he rest in it being gotten and that for this cause least whilest be obteyneth temporall glory of men he be spoyled of a more ample glorye to wit immortall which he should haue enioyed of the immortall God. Of the feare of ignominye or reproche For it may be obiected vnto them that they profit not in Christ but rather reuoult from Christ as we sée the Galathians to be taunted of the Apostle whom he doubteth not to call foolysh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the certaintie and greatnesse of the rewards which remayne for vs as well in this lyfe as also in the lyfe to come For there be promises of both kyndes put foorth vnto vs. II And héere againe be effectuall those places that a litle before I reherced to wit Of the commaundement of God Of the promises of God Of the threatnings of God Of the counsell of holy men Of the examples and déedes of the same Of comparisons c. III What shall I saye that of causes moreouer and circumstaunces may no slender argumentes be taken when as in these oft times lye hid many thinges which minister no small force to the styrring vp of mindes IIII Neither shall héere be pretermitted the craft or cunning of mouing of affections For in case thou desyrest to induce the multitude to the loue of vertue to the hatred of vice to compassion towardes the oppressed with wronge to indignation against the despisers of vertuous exercises to the seruēt study of any thing it shal be thy part to set abroch all the engins of art and grace in speaking Hitherto finally do pertaine also communications obsecrations contestations and such like figures as we sée oftentimes the prophets and apostles to haue vsed Furthermore he that wyll prayse eyther a person or déede or thing shall vnderstand that he must somwhat otherwise frame his talke in the Church then the company of Rethoritians is accustomed at the barre or in the Scholes For these truely when they prayse any person doe prefixe before their eyes these places the nation countrey lygnage wounders or miracles that went before the natiuitie name ornamentes of the body as fauour strength comlines moreouer education studies artes also the goodes or ornamentes of the minde as witte docilitye sharpnes of sight prudence gentilnes sobrietye grauitye constancy fortitude godlines zeale of religion then the kinde of life state or condition likewise the benefites of fortune as riches friendships possessions enheritaūces againe the actes done both publickely and priuately afterward the rewardes of the actes done as honours offices triumphes last of all the thinges accomplished in the olde age death end of life opinion after death signes or wonders going before or following after death After this sort I saye are the Orators wont to run through all the degrees of age But somtimes they distribute those places in this order the first they speake of the gifts of the body next of the gifts of fortune and finally of the giftes of the minde But verily the preacher in all this busines vseth somuch vnlike practise I. First truely the Churche hath not bene accustomed to prosecute with prayses those that be a liue still subiecte to all kindes of tempations and sinnes as the Orators haue done in puttinge forth their Panegyricall and plausible Orations vttered in prayse and commendatiō of men as who saith iudgeinge that to be either the propertie of flatterers or of such as prepare a triumph before the victory Of whom that the doinges of those are shamefull of these fonde and folishe it is plaine and manifest But it prayseth and extolleth those onely whom all good men trust assuredly to be now translated into the felowshippe and societie of Saintes II. Againe the Preacher that will celebrate the praises of any good holy man dealeth very slenderly with those places which wée reherced yea so far is it off that he taketh matter of prayse of the benefites of the body and of fortune that he scarce
there is appoynted a certaine mixt kinde of Sermons framed and compacted indifferently out of diuers kinds by partes Further it is no harde matter in the first entrye and euen in the premeditation of the sermon ensuing to discerne vnto what kinde euery place or euery part doth belong that is to say whether it be of the kinde Didascalick or of the kinde Reprehensiue or Redargutiue or of the kinde Instructiue or of the kinde Correctiue or lastly of the kynde Consolatory And when the very kinde of the sermon is once known it will be an easy thinge to collect a certaine order of expoundinge out of those thinges which in the Chapters afore going are seuerally declared touching euery kinde As for examples of mixt or meint Sermons there be extant not a few in the Euangelistes For Christe doth ofte times in one continuall Oration discusse diuers and sundry places and therof truely some pertayninge to the doctrine of faith othersome to the information of life or consolation It is no hard case to deuide the parts and to distinguishe one from an other The first Epistle to the Corinthes how plentifull is it in this behalfe how diuer matters doth it contayne yea thou shalt finde almost neuer an Epistle put foorth by the Apostles which is not distributed into diuers places Chrisostome as well other where as also inespecialye where he popularly interpreteth the bookes of holy Scripture as Genesis the Gospell of Mathew Iohn c. Lykewise Origen that longe before him laboured in the lyke calling doe exhibit infinit examples of this matter and the same also very fitte and conuenient But these thinges touchinge the mixt kinde thus compendiously to haue admonished shall suffice ¶ That three thinges are alwaies to be regarded of the Preacher the profit of the hearers comelynes in gesture and pronounciation and the studye of concord Cap. XVI VErily I suppose we haue sufficiently expressed all thinges which are requisite to be knowne to the framing of all kynde of sermons wherfore it is méete now that our discourse draw to an ende Onely I entend héere in this place friendly to admonish euery Preacher that he would inespecially remeÌ„ber thrée thinges and so long as hee shall sustayne the excellent function of teaching the people endeuour with al diligence and enforcement to practise and obserue them The first is that hée continually set before his eyes the profit and vtilitie of his hearers The seconde that he be a very careful and diligent obseruer of decorum in the vniuersall order and grace of speaking The third and last that he become not in any wise the author of any discords in the Church that is to saye neyther vary from his fellow labourers in doctrine or opinions nor minister any matter to the ignoraunt people of brawlings or contentions Touching these three poyntes truely he shall at all times be very solitious yea and bende héere vnto all his whole care and cogitation whosoeuer to the aduauncement of Gods glory vppon earth is desyrous in the Church faithfully to deliuer to the flock committed to his charge the doctrine of sincere religion I But he declareth himselfe ernestly to seeke the profit of his auditors which as well sheweth aparaunt signification of some notable good wyl towards them as also choseth such matters to entreate off as out of which he trusteth most fruite and commodytye wyll redounde to his hearers Certes how desyrously and with what â—urninge affection Christ coueted the profit and vtilytie of his owne nation he hymselfe expressed where he sayth that he would often times haue gathered together the inhabitauntes of Hierusalem euen as a Henne gathereth hir chickhens vnder hir winges Where I pray you is any creature to be founde that so muche tendereth the safety of hir younge ones as the Henne Againe Paule the apostle how euidentlye with what exquisyte woordes and how often doeth hee declare the incredible loue wherewith hée imbraced those most tenderly from time to time which hée had once instructed in the principles of religion There bee innumerable places in his Epistles demonstratinge the same But as touchinge the iudgement and dexteritie requisite in choosinge of fit and conuenient matters forsomuch as wée haue already spoken in the first booke wée will not héere make any newe repetition II. Howbeit as concerninge comlines in gesture and pronunciation briefely and truly to speake what I thinke looke how great care is to bée imployed in orderinge of the life and dayly conuersation euen so great also ought worthily to bée taken to the due gouernment and moderation of the speach For doubtlesse the spéech is a certaine portion of the life and that truely not the least And ofte times by the spéech is a great ghesse and iudgement giuen touchinge the whole inclynation and disposition of a man. For it is playne and euident that puritie and simplicitie ioyned with prudence and discretion like as in life so also in spéech or communication is commended of all men Wherefore the Preacher must at all times but then chiefely when hee beginneth first to exercise himselfe in Teachinge the multitude take diligent héede least hée vsurpe any thinge in wordes in pronunciation or also in gesture which may bréede and ingender contempt of his person with the people Wee haue séene them sometimes that haue so to often and in euery Sermon repeated some one worde or sentence wee haue seene them that haue mingeled euen to the lothsomnes of the hearers tropes or figures nothing fitte and correspondent to the diuine matters which they had in hande agayne wee haue seene them that in the hart of their matter haue vttered diuers times scarce honest and comely motions And these thinges ministered occasion to curious carpers and controllers of other mens doinges to scoffers and iesters amonge the rude sorte that when they were disposed to procure sport and laughter in their iunkettinges and tipling feastes they thought there could be no utter thing for theyr turne then cunningly and pleasauntly to represent the wordes the voyce the gesture of the Preacher Yea and moreouer they accustomed through the sames occasions to miscall the Preacher himselfe by some ridiculous name as oft as in their talke they made any mention of him What should I say more By reason of their vndisereete and vnseemely gesture some are made the common talking stocke and publicke pastime of the people But to the anoyding of these inconuenieÌ„ces which through vnskilfull dealing in wordes and behauiour be incurred and falne into two remedies séeme good vnto me for this present time to be considered The one is that whosoeuer taketh in hand the function of preachinge doe foorthwith set before him some one excellent Ecclesiasticall Teacher whose name is famous and renowmed and who with singuler grace and dexteritye expoundeth the sacred Scriptures in all respectes so far as may bée to be imitated and folowed For most commonly it commeth so to passe that what all men doe iudge worthy of