by his welbeloued together with the Reasons By welbeloued God is meant One Reason for that Appellation was because he is the Churches well-beloued shee being his spouse and he her husband In which respect as he was a member of the Church and in the behalfe of the Church he so termeth him for he did loue him well So then Doctr. Euery one ought to loue the Lord. The Church and euery true member of the Church doth and so ought to loue the Lord entirely This we finde commanded m Deut. 6.5 10.12 Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy might n Psal 31.13 Loue yee the Lord all his Saints for the Lord preserueth the faithfull and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer If any man loue not the Lord Iesus o 1 Cor. 16.22 let him be Anathema Maranatha had in execration or excommunicated to death This we shall likewise finde practised by Gods Saints p Psal 18.1 I will loue thee O Lord my strength saith Dauid And againe q 16.1 I loue the Lord because he hath heard my voyce Thus S. Peter r Iohn 21.25 Lord thou knowest that I loue thee And Mary had many sinnes forgiuen her Å¿ Luke 7.47 for shee loued much The Church in the Canticles likewise plentifully t Cani 1.7 Tell me ô thou whom my soule loueth saith shee to Christ And againe u â— 1.3 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soule loueth And what word more common in that song than Loue and welbeloued I must bring Ignatius also to be of the Quorum * Epist 12. quae est ad Romanos My Loue Christ saith he was crucified And thus hath this truth beene proued That the Church and euery true member thereof both doth and ought to loue the Lord entirely Reason Dilexit enim non â—xistentes iâ—o â—â—sistentes Bernard And Reason good For first he loued vs not existing yea resisting For x Rom. 5.8 1 Iohn 4.19 while we were yet sinners he loued vs. This Reason is giuen by S. Iohn We loue him because he loued vs first And surely if God preuent vs with loue we can doe no lesse than answer him in the same nature though not for that is impossible in the same measure Doe not Publicanes y Mat. 5.46 Luke 6.32 Si taerdi sumus ad amandum non tardi simus ad redamandum loue those that loue them Sinners doe the same Though then we haue not beene forward to loue first yet let vs not be backward to returne loue at last Againe we are tyed to him by all the bonds of loue and duty we are his creatures z Psal 100.3 he our maker we his Reas 2 Seruants he a Mal. 1.6 our Lord we his Children b 2 Cor. 6.18 he our Father we his c Hos 2.19 Spouse he our Husband Yea so strait is the vnion betwixt him and vs as that he is said to bee the Foundation d Ephes 2.20 we the building He the e Iohn 15.1 root we the branches He the f Ephes 5.23 Head we the body c. Being bound by so many and so neere bonds how can wee but acknowledge it is our duty intirely to loue him Besides he only is loue-worthy being g Cant. 5.10 Splendor summi illius boni pulchria Coelnin pulchra terra fed pulchrior quifecit illa the chiefest amongst Reas 3 ten thousands What is there to be compared with him The most excellentest creatures are but as the beames of his beauty That glory or goodnesse which is in any of them is but as a shadow in respect of that infinite good which is in him who is the maker of them Thus this threefold cord may hold vs h Eccles 4.12 it will not easily bee broken as speakes wise King Solomon And now Triplex ex arbore fructus A three-fold vse this point affords For triall And indeed what better vse can we make Vse 1 of it There was neuer any Senacherib nor Iesabel but said they loued God and who boasts more they loue him than the prophanest wretch that daily doth contemne him It is a thing counted both common and easie to performe this duty and no man doubts hee is herein to seeke when notwithstanding this is as true as God is true who is Truth it selfe that no more doe truly loue God than are from all eternity elected by God to saluation And wee know or may know for Scripture saies it that the number of them is small i Esay 1.9 Luke 12.32 yea very small comparatiuely considered their account will soone be made k Rom. 9.28 it is but a short worke into a short summe shall they be gathered Rules of triall for the discouery of our loue to God Seeing then it is as narrow as Gods election and that is very narrow let each one search narrowly his bosome for this grace A rule of three 1. our Affections 2. our Words 3. our Actions will sufficiently discouer it By our Affections By our affections will it soone bee seene what loue we beare to God For Loue as the greatest wheele sets all the rest a worke Desire It is the strongest affection and to it doe all the rest giue place where that goes before Desire followes after What I loue I desire to enioy and it is not where it begets not a desire of society l 2 Sam. 13.2 Ammon was very sicke through loue his flesh did pine and waste away because he could not enioy his sister Thamar Dauid and Ionathan did loue intirely m 1 Sam. 18.1 and as the Text saith their soules were knit together whence it was that they tooke such pleasure and contentment each in other n Cap. 20.18 19 41 42. the story shewes what shifts they made to meet what weeping and heart-sorrow there was when they were to part and all because they loued Thus hee that loues the Lord must needs desire to haue society with the Lord A ioy it is to his soule to meet him and nothing doth he desire so much as to enioy him And so Dauid was affected as appeares by those many patheticall desires of his o Psal 73.25 Whom haue I in Heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire besides thee p Psal 42.1 As the Hart panteth after the water-brookes so panteth my soule after thee O God q Psal 146.6 My soule thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land r Psal 130.6 My soule waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning These and many other such like sayings shew the affection of his soule And whereas in some places God is pleased graciously to manifest his presence after a speciall manner and in some exercises there is an
absence of their children In humane loue amongst friends it fareth after the same manner as it doth in naturall what a heauy parting was there betweene Ionathan and Dauid u 1 Sam. 20.41 And is not this the nature of religious loue The Spouse hauing lost her welbeloued inquires through the streets as vndone without him * Cant. 5.6 Cap. 3.2.3 Saw yee him whom my soule loueth And so doth euery faithfull soule when through their misbehauiour they cause the Lord for a while to leaue them and withdraw his fauourable presence from them In case of wrong we haue an excellent example in Ionathan how grieuously did he take it that his beloued friend Dauid should be iniured though it were his owne father who offered it For so saith the text x 1 Sam. 20.34 He was grieued for Dauid because his father had done him shame So loue to God causeth a man to take to heart things done against his name and honour be it done either by himselfe or other If by himselfe he goeth out y Matth. 26.75 with Peter and weepeth bitterly and as it is said of the people of God in the day of their repentance drawes water z 1 Sam. 7.6 to powre it out before the Lord. And so was Dauid affected as appeares in that a Psal 51. poenitentiall Psalme which he made vpon occasion of his soule fall into adulterie and murther If by others he laments it heartily with Lot b 2 Pet. 2.8 who dwelling amongst the wicked in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deeds And thus did Dauid c Psal 119.158 I beheld the transgressors and was grieued because they kept not thy word d Vers 136. Riuers of teares runne downe mine eyes because they keepe not thy law So Ezra who when he heard how the people had sinned and dishonoured God by taking strange wiues vnto them e Ezra 9.3 He rent his garment and his mantle and pluckt the haire from off his head and beard and sate downe astonied Ieremiah likewise when he saw the people would not giue glory to the Lord neither would heare he telleth them f Ier. 13.17 his soule should weepe in secret for their pride and his eye should weepe sore and runne downe with teares for their disobedience And thus did those mourners marked with Gods owne marke for his g Ezek. 9.4 mourne for the abominations committed in Ierusalem whereby they testified the soundnesse of this grace of Loue. As Griefe so Patience Patience in suffering and vndergoing of trouble labour paine will manifest how great our loue is which we beare to God What infinite paines will men that loue the world take for a handfull of it Hunters Hawkers how doe they toyle and moyle yet neuer complaine And why They loue the sport Vbi amor est non est labor sed sapor Bernard ser 85. in Cant. Hard things loue makes easie great paines to it seemes pleasure no taske so hard which loue refuses to gratifie the beloued partie For the loue that Iacob did beare to Rachel h Gen. 29.20 he was content to vndergoe seuen yeares hard seruice and they seemed vnto him but as a few dayes the reason is giuen in the text For the loue he had to her If Shechem will marry Dinah it must be on condition of Circumcision he must first suffer the cutting of his tender flesh though it be as questionlesse it would be very painfull i Gen. 34.19 Now the young man deferred not to doe the thing because he had delight in Iacobs daughter The like patience will be found in vndergoing any paine or trouble for Gods cause if we truly loue him The Apostles depart from the presence of the Councell k Acts 5.40 reioycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ Ignatius that blessed Martyr of Christ Iesus thus testified his loue as appeareth l Eccles Hist Euseb li. 3. ca. 36. by his Epistle which he wrote vnto the Church of Rome where he professeth that the more he was exercised with the iniuries of his oppressors the more he was instructed and that he weighed neither visible nor inuisible things for the loue of Christ And addeth further Come fire crosse wilde beasts slaughter tearing of bones dismembring of the parts of my bodie yea let all the torments of the deuill rush vpon me so I may enioy Christ better for me to be a Martyr than a Monarch Ex narratione historica de condem Ioh. Hussi in Concil Const. my Loue is crucified c. And so Iohn Hus who being led forth to the place of execution after he was condemned in the Councell of Constance to be burned hauing a cap of paper set vpon his head in which were painted three deuils of an vgly shape and this inscription added This is an Arch-heretique when he beheld it said very mildly My Lord Iesus Christ who was innocent vouchsafed to weare a sharpe crowne of thornes for me wretched sinner and therefore I will beare this though imposed as a scorne for his names sake And in that truly named Golden Legend m Heb. 11.36 of how many doe we reade who were tryed by mockings scourgings bonds imprisonments who were stoned sawen asunder tempted slaine with the sword who wandered about in sheeps skins and goat skins being destitute afflicted tormented c. Thus Gods seruants whose hearts haue beene inflamed with a loue vnto him haue reioyced in their sufferings and patiently vnderwent the heauiest trials especially when it hath beene for their Sauiours sake taking greater pleasure in their iron fetters than the proudest Courtier doth of his golden chaine It was Hardings inuectiue against our reuerend and pretious Iewell that we Protestants were worse than the very deuils For whereas bread and water and the Crosse could scar them away Princes could be rid of vs by no meanes but fire To whom that excellent Bishop answered that though it pleased his malitious humour to make but a iest of the bloud of Gods Saints yet it was no more ignominie for Lambes to suffer what Christ suffered than it was praise and credit for Wolues to betray him as Iudas did Zeale By our Zeale lastly may our loue be tried For whether it be an intention of loue as some would haue it or a compound of loue and anger as other describe it Certainly it is a spirituall heat wrought in the heart of man by the Holy Ghost improuing this good affection of loue as one of late hath well defined it By this Moses discouered his loue for though hee were the meekest man vpon the earth yet he was not only grieued but wonderfully angry n Exod. 32.19 when he saw God to be dishonoured So Elijah Phineas Samuel Dauid Nehemiah and many others did the like as largely appeareth in their stories And surely if we loued the Lord it could
For looke as the loue of God is the fountaine of all his benefits extended vnto man so is loue in man the cause of his obedience and seruice to his God God hath loued vs first to doe vs good and we loue him next that wee may doe him seruice And thus wee haue done with the markes of triall whereby if wee take any tolerable paines in the examination of our selues it would soone be seene what loue to God we beare and as I feare it would appeare that albeit the greatest number professe they loue the Lord yet the fewest number would bee found to loue him in sincerity And Lord thou seest and knowest it For how little art thou desired or sought for How small is that Ioy which men take in thee or thine Who sets thy feare before their eyes and when thou hidest thy face what man is troubled Where is our patience in suffring for thy sake when one houre in thy house of praise cannot be endured without an ache in our bones and of what are we so soone weary as of well-doing As for our zeale where is it while we sit still and see thee dishonoured hauing no courage for thy truth And doe not our tongues condâ—mne vs while they are for all purposes except thy glory If they should iustifie vs would not our workes and actions testifie against vs We call thee Lord but where 's thine honour The title onely and no more thou gettest of vs. Or if thou doest it is but the dregs and offall the very worst of all and yet we grudge when wee haue not the best from thee O blessed Sauiour shed abroad thy loue in our hearts that we may loue thee better And this is the first vse which I would haue made of this let our second be for Exhortation that we would Vse 2 loue the Lord yea preferre him in our loue aboue all other welbeloueds Let our Affections be set vpon him and be enflamed towards him Let our tongues be mute to all vanities and eloquent only vnto him and for him who gaue man his tongue and speech and whilest other mens discourses are taken vp about trifles let ours be spent in setting forth his praises Let our Actions bee such as may be pleasing to him and let vs not dare to venture vpon any thing that may offend him And how euer we cannot perfectly yet let vs all pray for grace that we may loue him yet more feruently and lesse fainedly only for himselfe and his mercy For this end vse these helpes Helpes to attaine to the loue of God Get a true knowledge of him and of his name n Psal 9.16 Ignoti nulla cupido For they that know him loue him and as our knowledge is such is our loue The Heathen man obserued that vnknowne things were not desired though in themselues they were neuer so excellent or desirable And what a helpe this is for the attainment of this grace appeares by that speech of the Church vnto her Spouse o Cant. 1.2 Thy name is as ointment powred forth therefore doe the Virgins loue thee His name fame glory and renowne was by many meanes made knowne especially by his Word vnto the world and hence it was the Church did carry such an inward affection and hearty desire to him which she testified by an outward approuing and liking of him Thou then that desirest to loue God see thou get the true and sound knowledge of God labour first for that by vsing all good meanes tending thereunto especially diligent reading and conscionable attending to the preaching of the Word p Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures saith our Sauiour for in them ye thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of me Seriously meditate of Gods loue to thee in Christ before all worlds were and of his rich mercy which he offers thee through Christ Consider what a difference hee hath made betweene thee and many other that are reprobates which onely came from the riches of his loue for by nature thou wert as vile as they as miserable as they a childe of wrath as well as any of them not a haire to choose betweene them and thee Consider of it likewise in other particulars as thou shalt haue occasion and it will worke thy heart to loue him Loue is loues load-stone so sheweth the Apostle q 2 Cor. 5.14 The loue of Christ constraineth vs. Labour then to loue God a little who hath loued vs exceeding much and indeed as r Ser. 83. in Cant. Bernard speaketh we cannot answer God well in any thing but in loue For if he be angry with vs wee may not answer him againe in anger if he iudge vs we may not againe iudge him if he chide vs we must be patient if he command we must obey But in that he loueth we may yea must returne loue for loue for he loueth to be loued Remember often his holy presence and doe not dare to goe whole weekes nor daies nor houres without thinking of him for that will estrange our Affections more and more from him We see how it often happens with new maried couples who though at first they seeme somewhat strange and hardly can affect each one the other yet through daily familiarity and communion they come at length entirely to loue Withdraw your hearts from the loue of the world if you would loue the Lord For the loue of God and it cannot stand together so witnesseth S. Iohn Å¿ 1 Ioh. 2.15 If any man loue the world the loue of the Father is not in him And so S. Iames t Iam. 4.4 The friendship of the world is enmity with God whosoeuer therefore will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God And thus our blessed Sauiour u Matt. 6.24 Yee cannot serue God and Mammon We must therefore either renounce the world or our part in Christ for worldlines and Christianity as we see are two such ends as will neuer meet Thy loue to the world must abate if thou wouldest haue thy loue to Christ encrease See thou frequent the company of the godly Thou must * Cant. 1.8 walke in the steps of the flocke and feed thy kids neere the tents of the shepheards Thou must conuerse with holy Christians who are x Cap. 2.5 sicke of loue and abound in holy affections When those daughters of Ierusalem who at first despised Christ and wondered why the Church should make so much adoe for him had a while conuersed with the Church about him and heard her speake with such affection admiring and extolling him then they also fall in loue with that beloued and offer their seruice to the Church in ioyning with her to seeke him out y Cant. 6.1 Whither is thy beloued gone say they O thou fairest amongst women whither is thy beloued turned aside that we may seeke him with thee Thus holy conference with such as loue Christ is
especiall kinde of fellowship had with him we shall finde what a great desire the godly haue had to such places and what great loue they haue borne to those duties Å¿ Psal 26.8 I haue loued saith Dauid the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth And else-where thus t Psal 27.4 One thing haue I desired of the Lord that I will seeke after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple And againe u Psal 84.1 2. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my soule longeth yea euen fainteth for the Courts of the Lord. vers 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house A day in thy Courts is better than a thousand vers 10. I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the Tents of wickednesse The like is his desire after the meanes and exercises of Religion * Psal 119.97 Oh how loue I thy Law it is my meditation all the day x verse 127. I loue thy Commandements aboue gold yea aboue fine gold y Psal 55.17 Euening and morning and at noone will I pray and cry aloud z Psal 119.164 Yea seuen times a day doe I praise thee because of thy righteous iudgements This hath beene the desire of such whose hearts haue beene enflamed with the loue of God after his presence of grace here and as desirous haue they bin after Gods presence of glory hereafter with Paul desiring to bee loosed that hee might bee with Christ a Phil. 1.15 which they count best of all and with the Bride and Spirit in the Reuelation say Come b Reu. 22.17 vers 20. Amer euen so come Lord Iesus Againe out Ioy will make knowne our loue Ioy. For where loue is there ioy will shew it selfe 1. In the Presence or enioyment of the party beloued 2. In his Image or picture 3. In such things as tend to the setting forth of his Honour As loue causeth vs to desire society with the beloued party so it maketh vs to reioyce in it greatly when it is obtained and had euen as a louing wife reioyceth in the company of her Husband aboue the company of any other whatsoeuer so saith the Church c Isay 61.10 I will greatly reioyce in the Lord my soule shall be ioyfull in my God The Apostle Paul calleth Christ his reioycing d 1 Cor. 15.31 By our reioycing which I haue in Christ Iesus Thus do Gods children reioyce in Gods presence yea e Isay 9.3 their ioy before him is according to the ioy in haruest and as men reioyce when they diuide the spoyle As they ioy in his Presence so doe they reioyce in his Image The very picture of a friend whom we entirely loue we esteeme highly of and often solace our selues in the beholding it So f 1 Iohn 5.1 If we loue him that begat we loue him also that is begotten If we loue God it cannot be but we must needs reioyce in the Image of God which appeares in his children consisting in g Ephes 4.24 righteousnesse and true holinesse And thus did Dauid h Psal 16.2 3. My goodnesse extendeth not to thee but to the Saints that are in the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight Where marke 1. His delight was In the Saints 2. In all the Saints 3. All his delight was in them The mother of Darius as I haue read saluting Hephestion in stead of Alexander who was but Alexanders fauourite blushed and was much ashamed vpon notice of her mistake which Alexander perceiuing bid her not be troubled for said he he is also Alexander Doest thou reioyce in Christ thou must then reioyce in the godly for they also are i 1 Cor. 12.12 Christ And as in the Image so Loue causeth vs to reioyce in euery thing that serueth to the praise or profit of the beloued party So here As 1. generally in the Churches welfare Ierusalem k Psal 137.6 shall be preferred to our chiefest ioy thus the godly in Isayes dayes l Isay 66.10 Reioyce yee with Ierusalem and be glad with her all yee that loue her reioyce for ioy with her all you that mourne for her 2. More particularly The readinesse of the people to doe God seruice will stirre vp Ioy as in Dauids time m 1 Chro. 29.9 The people reioyced for that they offered willingly And in Asa's time n 2 Chro. 15.15 All Iudah reioyced at the oath of the couenant which they had made vnto the Lord for they had sworne saith the text with all their heart So likewise will the conuersion of sinners Thus when the Iewes heard of the conuersion of the Gentiles and that the Holy Ghost was fallen vpon them as vpon themselues at the beginning they glorified God saying o Acts 11.18 Then hath God also vnto the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life It maketh vs likewise to reioyce at our owne well-doing because honour thereby redounds to the name of God so saith Solomon p Pro. 21.15 It is ioy to the iust to doe iudgement And lastly in our owne saluation q Luke 10.20 that our names are written in the booke of life Thus in these and in all things else which tend and so farre forth as they tend to the setting forth of the Almighties praise doth Loue cause vs to reioyce Further Feare our Loue if sound will be discerned by our Feare How afraid are we to offend or any way displease those whom we entirely affect And therefore these two are ioyned together by r Deut. 10.12 Moses as sisters for where one is there is the other True it is that perfect Loue casteth out Feare Å¿ 1 Iohn 4.18 as S. Iohn speaketh but that is meant of a slauish and seruile feare not of this sonne-like and filiall feare for it doth establish it Moses in one verse sheweth both these kindes of feares t Exod. 20.20 Feare not saith he to Israel for God is come to proue you and that his feare may be before your faces that you sinne not He bids them not to feare viz. with that slauish feare and yet chargeth them to feare viz. with this godly and child-like feare By this latter feare then we need not feare to try our loue For without question he that truly loues God is afraid to displease God by committing of the least sinne for feare lest it should make a diuorce betweene him and his God whom his soule loueth Moreouer Loue causeth Sorrow and Griefe Griefe 1. For our beloueds absence 2. For any wrong or iniurie offered vnto him Doe we not see what discontentment beasts which out of naturall instinct loue their young doe shew when they haue lost them And how grieuously doe Parents take the death or
not bee but wee would be zealous for the Lord. It is a cold loue that is not heated with this fire When men can disgest oathes and blasphemies as easie as the Ostridge iron and see God to be dishonoured without indignation let them conclude loue is wanting That same Spirit that descended first vpon the Lord Iesus o Matth. 3.16 in the similitude of a Doue descended afterwards vpon his Apostles p Acts 2.3 in the similitude of fire As in some things we should be meeke and patient so in other things hot and earnest Meeknesse in our owne causes but in Gods zeale and feruencie doth well And thus wee haue seene the first rule of triall wherein I haue beene somewhat large though I hope not ouer-large forgiue all good faults breuity in the next shall make amends The second way for the discouery of our loue is by our Speeches 2. By our speeches For q Mat. 12.34 out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Experience makes this good r Isay 32.6 The niggard will be talking of his niggardnesse the worldling of his wealth the voluptuous of his pleasures the ambitious one of his honours and preferments And whatsoeuer a man loueth most that will hee take his greatest ioy in talking of Nauita de ventis de tauris narrat arator c. What commendation shall you heare the Huntsman giue of his Dogge The Faulkner of his Hawke How large are these in praising of their sport Thus is the tongue the Interpreter of the mind Lingua est animi Mercurius and by its language you may easily ghesse at the hearts meaning If the loue of God be there thy tongue will be the tell-tale and bewray it either in speaking of the Lord or for the Lord. Of him in commending or admiring him It was the loue of God Å¿ Psal 119.164 in Dauids heart that fild his mouth with often praises The Spouse in the Canticles she loued much and praised much t Cant. 5.10 My welbeloued is white and ruddy the chiefest often thousands his head is as the most fine gold his lockes are bushie and blacke as a Rauen his eyes are as the eyes of Doues c. So shee goes on her tongue being u Psal 45.1 as the Pen of a ready Writer hauing words at will to praise and admire euery thing that was in him So likewise for him the tongue will be imployed if loue bee in the heart Dauid will speake for God and for his truth * Psal 119.46 euen before Kings and will not be ashamed To heare God to bee dishonoured his Word blasphemed his Gospell scorned his Children reuiled Loue cannot brooke It will worke within vs as Nature wrought in the sonne of Craessus of whom it is recorded x Herodotus that though he had beene alwaies dumbe yet seeing one come to kill his father the impediments and strings of his tongue were violently broken through the force of naturall affection so that he cried out Oh man kill not Craessus And surely wee may in this case say as that heroicall Luther said in the like Maledictum silentium quod hic conniuet Cursed be that silence that here forbeareth Thus may we make our tongues the touchstone of our hearts For as the doore-keeper said to Peter so say I y Mat. 26.73 Thy speech bewraieth thee 3. By our Actions The third and last way is by our workes and actions Loue is full of operation so shewes Saint Paul z 1 Cor. 13. and hardly can it deny any worke which the party beloued doth enioyne Hence said Daelilah to Sampson a Iudg. 16.15 How canst thou say I loue thee when thy heart is not with mee Thou hast mocked me these three times hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth Our blessed Sauiour makes this a rule of triall b Iohn 14.15 If you loue mee saith hee keepe my Commandements And againe thus c â—ers 21. Hee that hath my Commandements and keepeth them hee it is that loueth me And elsewhere thus d Cap. 15.14 You are my friends if you doe whatsoeuer I command you Thus Abraham made good his loue e Gen. 12. 22. by his ready obedience to Gods command in offring vp his sonne and in leauing his owne Country to goe to that place whither God should send him And as loue maketh vs thus obedient and dutifull so it causeth vs to be bountifull and liberall f 1 Cor. 13.4 as the Apostle speaketh For where the heart is inlarged the hand cannot bee straightned where the bowels are open the purse is neuer shut So that Herod may haue his pleasure which hee affects g Marke 6.23 what cares hee though hee part with halfe his Kingdome What will a man spare from his speciall friend that may bee for his good All I haue is at his command to whom I haue giuen my selfe So said Iehosaphat to Ahab h 2. Chron. 18.3 I am as thou art and my people are as thy people Ionathan loues Dauid as his soule and he will shew it i 1 Sam. 18.3.4 by stripping himselfe euen to his sword and to his bow for the supporting and helping of his dearest Dauid Of so franke a disposition is loue that it will bee prodigall of its neerest and dearest things If Maries teares will wash her Sauiours feet k Luke â— 38 she will powre them out and not thinke her haire too good to bee the towell No Spikenard l Iohn 12.3 shall bee too costly for his head whom her soule affects what though that vnguent might haue beene sold for some great summe of mony wherewith shee might haue done her selfe much good Yet shee had rather bestow it on her Sauiour than on her selfe because shee loued her Sauiour more than her selfe Thus loue will bee content to bee at cost for Christ and thinkes nothing too much that is done to him or for him As that renowned Master Fox of whom it is reported that hee would neuer deny Beggar that asked in Gods name Thus by our obeying of him and cost for him our loue may soone be seene our workes indeed doe not iustifie yet they testifie As in a clocke though the finger of the Dyall makes not the clocke to goe but the clocke it yet the finger without shewes how the clocke within doth stirre so here And therefore what Saint Iames speakes of Faith m Iames 2.18 Shew mee thy Faith by thy workes for that Faith that is without workes is dead So say I by loue Shew mee thy loue by thy workes for that loue that is without workes is dead Ye loue your backes and spare not to cloathe them you loue your children and therefore doe much for them you loue your beasts and therefore bestow largely on them and can you say you loue the Lord and deale so pinchingly and illiberally with him It cannot be
serpent was on a pole to be seene of the Israelites who were stung Let vs so speake of him as that the daughters of Ierusalem may fall in loue with him working first vpon the vnderstanding of our people bringing them to a through knowledge of this Christ whom we tender vnto them as an husband for this is requisite in mariage Error personae makes a nullitie And then secondly vpon their affections that they may take liking of him To further which we must speake earnestly and seriously not coldly carelesly vsing the best of our skill with arguments and motiues to winne them to his loue What a shame then is it for a Minister either to be ignorant of this Christ whom he should commend for a husband to the Church for what wise man will speake for a stranger of whom he hath no knowledge Or knowing him yet be dumbe or silent neuer speaking to the Church in his praise and commendations Or if he doth yet then to speake either idly and foolishly as alas too many doe whereby many are discouraged and driuen further off from Christ or else vnfaithfully speaking two words for themselues and one for him desiring o Acts 20.30 to draw disciples rather after them than winne soules to God Oh let not these things my brethren be found in any of vs but seeing we are called to such honour let vs be instant in preaching holy in liuing earnest in perswading carefull in admonishing giuing to Gods people the golden bracelets of Gods truth that so as p Gen. 32.10 Iacob returned with many more soules out of Syria into Canaan than he brought so we may goe out of this world with many soules conuerted and wonne by vs to Christs loue into the world to come Let Hearers hence also be exhorted For seeing Ministers Vse 2 are Christs seruants to offer and perswade mariage betwixt the Church and him let them be bid welcome and harkned vnto What maid will not marke and giue good attention when matter of mariage is broken to her especially if the offer be of some great heire nobly borne well descended c. and shee her selfe but meane and of low degree Should shee turne away her eare from harkning to such a motion and say nay to such a personage seeking and suing to her would shee not be iudged and that iustly to be a foolish woman And yet thus it is with vs the Sonne and heire of the great King of heauen sends his Embassadors to treat with vs poore beggars yea worse than beggars concerning mariage and yet good Lord how coy are we we cannot be spoken withall forsooth we be not at leisure And when our leisure serues vs what a deale of wooing needs there A man indeed would thinke it would be but an easie suit and that Gods Ministers should not need to spend much breath before they haue obtained and yet they with all their perswasions and intreaties cannot so farre preuaile with vs as to make vs hearken to it Euery suitor shall haue hearing yea and speeding too before Christ Iesus The Deuill though he comes euer masqu'd and neuer dares shew his face as well knowing if he did appeare in his owne colours no soule could then affect him yet because his promises are great and large as q Matth. 4.9 they were to our blessed Sauiour when he offered to ioynture him in many kingdomes if he would loue him and fall downe and worship him is soone heard and answered The World though it be a warped aged and decrepit suitor exceeding old blinde and lame hauing sore eyes bleare and raw with cares swolne leggs diseased with surfets and but a few minutes more to liue all as bad qualities in a suitor as may be yet promising large ioynture good maintenance wealth at will honours and preferments with the like this old dotard speeds And for the Flesh though as r Iude 23. S. Iude speaketh it be spotted all ouer like an vncleane Leper or vlcerous Moore yet because it is as it were a homebred childe and pleads more than familiaritie with vs promising all pleasure and content vnto vs as soone speeds as either of the former But as for Christ who is best worthy he hath but a cold suit of it But beloued be more wise giue not oh giue not thy consent to any other saue Christ alone if thou dost thou art vndone for euer The deuill he is large in promises his words drop Nectar but he is Å¿ Iohn 8. a lyer and a murderer and so thou wilt finde him in the end if thou dost trust him And for the world it hath but a weake tenure of all that it possesseth and can assure thee of no other dowry than vanitie and vexation as t Eccles 1. Solomon witnesseth who proued it if then thou bestowest thy selfe on it be thou assured that in the end thou must be left without being satisfied As for that other suiter the Flesh he is least worthy the hearkning to of any Remember he is an ill wooer that wanteth words they are the cheapest chaffer a man can part withall and therefore no wonder if he doth seeke to insinuate himselfe by promises but passe not for them nay stop your eares against them and in this point be like the Adder u Psal 58.4 5. which will not heare the charmer charme he neuer so sweetly For be you well assured if you make him your head and lord of all he will soone consume all to your finall vndoing Giue entertainment therefore I beseech you to the Lord of glory For him I am a deputed wooer at this time my suit vnto you is for your loues for Christ my Master For * 2 Cor. 5.20 as though God did beseech you through vs we pray you in Christs stead that yee be reconciled vnto God Were he euill-fauoured or deformed then you might haue some cause to refuse to loue him but he is not x Cant. 5.9 He is white and ruddie the chiefest amongst ten thousands infinitely fairer than all the sons of men y Heb. 1.3 being the brightnesse of the glory of his Father and the expresse image of his person Or were he poore like Lazarus you might haue some reason to dis-affect him but he is not for he is rich and wealthy being the greatest heire that euer was euen z Heb. 1.2 heire of all things Or could you alledge that his stocke is meane his birth ignoble it were somewhat but that you cannot for he is a Reuel 19.16 17.14 King of Kings and Lord of Lords which dignitie is his by birth Or could you obiect against his wisdome it might be some excuse for your refusall but neither can you here except b Coloss 2.3 For in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and of knowledge Seeing then he is the fairest wealthiest noblest and wisest of any other whatsoeuer set thy heart vpon him and loue him vntill thou be
sicke of loue for him We see how many in this world marry some only for beauties sake many againe for riches sake other some for Nobilitie and Gentry sake and not a few for wisdomes sake but where all these meet it is iudged a match vnmatchable Why see all these are abundantly in him and therefore seeke no further for thou wilt assuredly speed worse Standst thou vpon dowry Alas Thou hast little cause for what bringest thou but sinne and beggery And yet he will enstate thee into a kingdome of incomprehensible glory Ahashuerosh promises Esther halfe his kingdome but Christs performances outstrip his promises hee giues his a whole one c Psal 45.15 With ioy and gladnesse shall they be brought they shall enter into the Kings Palace saith the Psalmist speaking of the Church Christs spouse He hath a glorious house a Citie of gold to entertaine thee the foundations of whose wall are garnished with pretious stones S. Iohn in his d Reuel 21. Reuelation sets downe a full description of it who so will let him reade it and regard it though it passeth the measures of Geometrie to measure it the skill of Logicke to define it and the eloquence of Rhetoricke to expresse it But thus conceiue If the house of this world be so excellent as that it deserues to be so esteemed by vs wherein God lets his enemies dwell and if the lowest pauement of that heauenly mansion be so gloriously bespangled with the Sunne Moone and twinckling Starres as we see it is what then is the Mansion it selfe how glorious must the sides and seeling of that eternall Tabernacle be which God hath sequestred for himselfe and Spouse These things being well considered I hope thou wilt forbeare to set thy loue vpon any other Suiter and now at length suffer thy selfe to be wrought vpon by our Ministerie not to gainesay that we with all speed and haste as Abrahams seruant did may returne againe to him that sent vs. And thus much for the Appellation which I could not passe ouer without some vsefull obseruation His warrant is next to be considered which he brings for the publishing of this his Song and is implied in these words Of my beloued i. Text. The song which his beloued put into his mouth and which he had in charge from him to publish for albeit Isay was the Author instrumentall and Pen-man of it yet God was the Author principall We see then he set it forth Cum gratia priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis And hence let Ministers learne Doctr. Ministers are to deliuer nothing for Doctrine but what they haue warrant for the deliuery of To deliuer nothing for Doctrine but what they are able to shew warrant and commission for the deliuery of Good warrant we must haue for what wee teach our people whether it tend to the enforming of their iudgements or rectifying of their affections and be able to shew that we deliuer nothing but what we haue receiued in charge from God to deliuer It was the vsuall manner of the Prophets preaching vnto the people to prefixe before their message these and such like prefaces e Ezek. 2.4 Hos 4.1 Ioel 1.1 alibi Thus saith the Lord Heare the Word of the Lord The Word of the Lord which came c. Whereby they shewed they had authority from God And thus doth Saint Paul ground his Doctrine as vpon a sure and certaine foundation f 1 Cor. 11 23. I haue receiued of the Lord saith he that which I also haue deliuered vnto you And againe elsewhere thus g 1 Cor. 15.3 First of all I deliuered vnto you that which I receiued c. This the Lord himselfe enioynes his seruants h Ier. 1.7 Thou shalt goe to all that I will send thee and whatsoeuer I command thee thou shalt speake said the Lord to Ieremiah And to Ezechiel was this charge giuen i Ezek. 3.17 Thou shalt heare the Word at my mouth and giue them warning from mee So likewise when our Sauiour sent out his Apostles into the world to teach all Nations he willeth that they should k Mat. 28.20 teach them to obserue all things whatsoeuer saith hee I haue commanded you Yea our blessed Sauiour himselfe professeth l Ioh. 7.16 8.28 My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me And againe The things that I haue heard of him those speake I to the world And the reason of this is good viz. Reason that the faith of our hearers should not bee in the wisdome of men but in the power of God which reason the Apostle himselfe renders m 1 Cor. 2.4 5. why he came not with excellency of speech nor entising words of mans wisdome but in demonstration of spirit and power Vse 1 The vse is two-fold First it concernes vs Ministers that we be carefull of our Doctrine and see that it be warrantable sound and good not ours but Gods The Lawyer saith one beginnes with Reason and so descends to common Experience and Authority The Physitian he beginnes with Experience and so comes to Reason and Authority But wee Diuines must beginne with Authority and so proceede to Reason and Experience We are Christs Embassadors and in his stead saith the Apostle n 2. Cor. 5.20 Now wee know an Embassador is to speake nothing but what is giuen him in Commission He may not adde nor alter chop and change inuent or deuise any thing of his owne No way is hee to depart from what is giuen in charge but he must be found faithfull in the execution of his office and so see we be Beware wee oh beware wee of propounding any such Doctrine as tendeth either to the infecting of the iudgement with error or tainting the life with vncleannesse Take heed how wee dare to broach any new conceit or vnnecessary quiddite fitter to breed iangling than godly edifying still remembring that it is the conuiction of the conscience the information of the vnderstanding the resolution of the iudgement the gaining of the affections the redresse of the life that should be our aime in dispensing of the Word Now as for trickes and crankles Grammaticall and Rhetoricall descant ends of gold and siluer what helpe they to this businesse Aarons bels must bee golden bels not brasse nor copper nor any such like metall but pure gold Doctrines proceeding from our owne braine coyned on the Anuill of our owne inuentions are not Cum gratia priuilegio Gods pure truth must be dispensed and all the truth and nothing but the truth So helpe vs God Secondly this neerely concernes all Hearers that Vse 2 they receiue nothing into their heads and hearts but what they find Seene and allowed and published by Authority To the Law and to the Testimony o Isay 8.20 said the Oracle of God of old If they speake not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them This is the touch by
Rom. 4. as Abraham the Father of the faithfull Psal 90. title 2 Sam. 23.1 Moses the seruant of God Dauid the sweet singer of Israel And S. Peter S. Paul S. Iohn and so the rest Thus the wicked leaue a filthy sauour behinde them as a greasie snuffe when it goeth out which euery one that passeth by stops his nose at but the godly leaue their names behinde them for a blessing the very remembrance of them is sweet and like the end of some sweet wax candle which euery one loues to haue the sent of euen after it hath left burning Wouldst thou then bee counted excellent See that thou doe a Ruth 4.11 worthily in Ephratha and so be famous in Bethlehem It is vertue onely that can emblazon thy name and that will doe it A field of sinceritie charged with deeds of pietie cannot but be accomplisht with a crest of glorie But if thou liuest licentiously and prophanely so loathsome will thy abominable life make thee as that thou shalt scarce euer come into mention of Gods people but with a stile like that of Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat b 2 King 10.29 that made Israel to sinne Vse 4 And lastly for Consâ—lation let this serue to the godly poore despised by the rich and worldly wise Know thou for thy comfort thou art a choise plant in Gods account and hee that knowes the true worth of things esteemes thee precious and holds thee for one of his iewels of great price whateuer men doe deeme Malach. 3.17 And when that day of separation shall come hee will then make it known to all the world First by his setting thee on his right hand as one of his darlings Matth. 25. whom he purposeth to aduance and honour when all other shall be turned to the left hand as base and contemptible Secondly by that his gracious call and sweet sentence Come thou blessed c. The prosecuting of this point would bee very comfortable but I hasten and now come to the fift Particular heere mentioned whereby Gods loue to this his Vineyard was manifested in these words He built a Tower in the midst of it which was as well for the beautifying and adorning it Text. as for the further strengthning of it By which Tower whether wee vnderstand the glorious Temple in Ierusalem that stately edifice and building or Ierusalem it selfe whereunto all the Tribes resorted Psal 122.4 and the nations came to worship it will leade vs to this Obseruation that The Beautie and Bulwarke of a place is Gods seruice and worship erected and set vp in that place Doctr. Gods worship beautifies and strengthens that place where it is set vp For neither is Ierusalem nor Zion here compared to a Tower especially in regard of the stately buildings multiplicity of Turrets aspiring Towers or the like but in regard of Religion that was found in it In Ierusalem was the continuall worship of God In the Temple the continued seruice of God and this was it which gaue the grace and countenance this made it the golden head of the picture Ladie of the world seat of the Monarchie and as Micah agreeing with this of our Prophet cals it the c Mich. 4.8 Tower of the flocke and the strong hold of the daughter of Gods people We reade d 1 Sam. 4.20 21 how that good woman the wife of Phinehas vpon hearing tidings of taking of the Arke with very griefe fell in trauell and gaue vp the ghost before whose death neither could the birth of a manchild nor the kinde and comfortable speeches of those women then present with her any whit comfort or content her but she cries out The glory is departed from Israel because the Arke of God was taken yea shee doubles her passionate complaint and againe with her last breath saies The glory is departed from Israel for the Arke of God is taken And thereupon shee giues her sonne a name and calls him Ichabod as much as to say where is the glory or rather No glory and all because the Arke of God was taken And thus not State not wealth not outward magnificence but the presence of God in his Ordinances was euer accounted to be the glory of that people And so the Apostle in reckoning vp the priuiledges and prerogatiues of the Iewes telleth vs e Rom. 9.4 5. That to them belonged the Adoption and the Glory meaning thereby the Arke which was a token of Gods presence whence God also heard the praiers and praises of his people and gaue forth Oracles vnto such as sought him As it was their glorie so it was their Strength By it great things had beene for them wrought Before it the waters of Iordan were diuided Ios 3.14 The Idoll Dagon was laid flat vpon the floore Ios 6.11 The strong wals of Iericho were demolished by the presence of it before it their enemies cannot stand And this caused Israel too superstitiously to trust in the Arke of wood when they had God their enemie for when they fell before their enemies they thus aduise f 1 Sam. 4.3 Let vs fetch the Arke of the Couenant of the Lord out of Shiloh vnto vs that when it commeth amongst vs it may saue vs out of the hands of our enemies Besides this that hath beene said and shewed of the Arke for making good this point that of the Prophet Isaiah might be brought g Jsaiah 26.1 In that day shall this Song be sung in the land of Iudah We haue a strong citie saluation will God appoint for wals and bulwarkes c. But I hasten to the vsâ— Vse 1 See here what enemies all irreligious persons are to this State and Kingdome As likewise such as seeke to suppresse and ouerthrow Gods worship and true Religion These are the capitall enemies of our nation in as much as they labour to the vtmost to pull away that which is the Stay and Pillar of our Land Satan and his instruments haue euer charged true Religion and the professors of it to be the authors of all contentions tumults and insurrections and the greatest enemies of States and Kingdomes which imputation the father of lies hath laid before the eies of great ones to alienate the mindes of Princes both from it and them Thus was h Hest 3.8 Dan. 3.12 Acts 17.18.19.26.24.5 Ahashuerosh incensed against the Iewes and Nebuchadnezar against the three companions of Daniel as if they had beene disobeyers of the kings lawes and contemners of his edicts So S. Paul was often accused by the Stoicks in Athens by Demetrius by Tertullus that he was a pestilent fellow a mouer of sedition amongst the Iewes thorow the world and a sect-master And in the time of the tenne first persecutions if there were any publike plague or calamitie fallen on citie or countrie the heathen would straight cry out vpon the Christians accusing them to be the authors and causers of it If Nilus
yet let vs not lie still and wallow in vncleannesse For casuall defilements there is hope but for wilfull pollutions there is little How can God dwell or abide with vs if we be swearers drunkards vsurers oppressors or the like Assuredly he neither can nor will for these impieties and such like are more odious to him than any carion is or can be to vs nay the Deuill himselfe is not so hatefull to him as sinne is Non odit peccatū diaboli causa sed diabolum peccati causa for he hates not sinne for the Deuils sake but the Deuill for sinnes sake And therefore to shut vp all with that exhortation of the Apostle n 2 Cor. 7.1 Dearely beloued let vs cleanse our selues from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the feare of God Hitherto we haue intreated of the Vineyards plantation The supplantation of it followes next to be handled which is contained in the 3 4 5 6 verses wherein we haue First the Lords Plea with them vers 3 4. Secondly the Verdict or Iudgement past vpon them vers 5 6. In the Plea we haue first an Appeale made to them vers 3. And secondly an Inditement against them vers 4. In the Appeale diuers circumstances are considerable As 1. The Manner of it which is not in commanding-wise as it might haue beene but by way of intreaty and request I pray you 2. The Matter requested and for which this Appeale was made and that is that they would discerne wisely of the matter and accordingly passe sentence Iudge 3. Who they be which are made Iudges of the cause and they are the men of Iudah and inhabitants of Ierusalem euen the whole multitude 4. The Parties betweene whom the controuersie and variance is and they are God and his Vineyard God being the Plaintiffe and Israel the Defendant And now ô inhabitants of Ierusalem iudge I pray you Text. Vers 3. betwixt me and my Vineyard c. And now or Now therefore Expos These are the words of God himselfe q d. Seeing it is thus that my Vineyard hath so frustrated my hopes therefore now c. O inhabitants And men The words are in the Originall read in the singular not in the plurall number O inhabitant and man By whom some would haue the Lord Iesus to be meant as before was shewed but it is euident that here the Lord appealeth to the Iewes themselues and makes them Iudges in their owne cause referring the matter betweene him and them to their owne consciences And we know it is no rare thing in Scripture to finde one number put for another the plurall for the singular and the singular for the plurall Now the reason why the Lord speaketh to one man as it were rather than to all or to them all Singulariter loquitur postulans non simpliciter omnes sed vnumquemque Muscul as if they were but one may be this because he would haue iudgement not as simply of them all together but particularly of euery one willing euery singular person of Iudah and Ierusalem to commune with their owne hearts and accordingly giue sentence And therefore Tremellius and Iunius with diuers others Imò viri Ichudae singuli reade as the Originall hath it Ierusalem Iudah Iudah was the Country Ierusalem was the chiefe Citie in that Country and indeed one of the most famous Cities of the world full of people great amongst the Nations Princesse amongst the Prouinces and in one respect exceeded all other Cities in the world besides for therein was Mount Zion the place of Gods seruice and worship and therefore it was called the o Psal 48.1 8. Citie of the Lord of Hoasts The Citie of God Iudge To iudge sometimes signifieth to passe an vpright or vnpartiall sentence against any true or false so Christ willeth the Iewes to p Iohn 7.24 iudge righteous iudgement and sometimes it is only taken for the vnderstanding and discerning of all things so meaneth the Apostle when he saith q 1 Cor. 14.29 Let two or three speake and let the other iudge i. discerne what is spoken This latter some would haue only here meant as if the Lord did not require sentence but only an inspection into the cause But it may rather seeme the Lord requires not only that they should consider and discerne but also that they should speake their minde and giue sentence against such a Vineyard We shall not need to stand longer vpon Interpretation the other words are cleare we come now to Doctrine with the Vses and duties which we are to learne from each of the particulars And first from the Manner of this Appeale I pray you learne that Doctr. Gods proceedings against sinners is with meeknesse and much mildnesse With much meeknesse and mildnesse doth God proceed against sinners When he hath to deale with them he doth not come in furie and rage but in milde and peaceable termes with kinde intreaties He doth not as we see imperiously command them with Sic volo sic jubeo c. but vouchsafeth kindly to request them Iudicate quaeso I pray yee iudge The like was Gods manner of proceeding with Adam after his transgression r Gen. 3.9 11. Adam where art thou Who told thee thou wert naked Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I told thee thou shouldst not eat In the like manner he comes to Cain ſ Gen. 4.9 Where is thy brother Abel What hast thou done And so our blessed Sauiour how mildly did he deale with him that smote him vniustly t Iohn 18.23 If I haue spoken euill beare witnesse of the euill but if well why smitest thou me And what mildnesse and meeknesse did he shew to Iudas when he came to betray him euen at that time calling him friend u Matth. 26.50 Friend betrayest thou the Sonne of man with a kisse In that parable of the mariage of the Kings sonne * Matth. 22.11 wherein Gods proceeding against wicked and vngodly professors who repent not of sinne neither doe beleeue in Christ is set forth this point may haue further confirmation for to him that hath not on a wedding garment the King saith thus Friend how camest thou in hither c. quietly and peaceably examining and conuincing him And this the Lord doth Reason that he may the sooner and the better bring the sinner to a sight and sense of his sinne and fault and that he might if it were possible be pricked in his heart and be brought to see that it is out of loue which the Lord beareth to him as he is his creature and that he desireth not his death but his repentance that he might liue And certainly this milde and gentle kinde of dealing doth much sooner cause the offender to see his fault than a hastie and passionate proceeding doth or can So that vnworthy guest when he was so friendly dealt withall had nothing to answer but
was speechlesse x Matth. 22.12 Herein let vs be followers of God as deare children Vse 1 in manifesting this notable fruit of the Spirit when we haue to deale with sinners which hath in it the very pith of loue which when it accompanieth a reprehension or obiurgation it is as that same pretious oile y Psal 141.5 which shall not breake the head Let Ministers here learne how to deale with their hearers intreating exhorting beseeching euen then when they may lawfully command In things of this life see how men are faine to intreat and sue hard for that which is their owne and heart-glad they are if by any such course they can gather vp their debts How glad then may we be if by any earnest perswasion or faire intreatie we can gather vp the debt of obedience which our people owe vnto the Lord I will neuer thinke much to speake faire and friendly so that may follow thereupon And thus the Apostle Paul doth come vnto his hearers with z Rom. 12.1 I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God And a 2 Cor. 5.20 We beseech you that you would be reconciled vnto God And againe b 2 Cor. 10.1 I Paul my selfe beseech you by the meeknesse and gentlenesse of Christ These are his vsuall exhortations And surely when Ministers speake thus to sinfull men and proceed after this manner with them I beseech thee by the mercies of God I pray thee that thou wouldest leaue thy drunkennesse profanation of Gods Sabbaths swearing c. and be reconciled vnto God it must needs strike deep into their hearts if they be not sealed vp with hardnesse vnbeleefe Let Magistrates hence learne to shew mercy compassion and all tokens testimonies of loue towards malefactors euen then when Iustice is to be executed and punishment inflicted that offenders may see it is not malice but Iustice that inflicteth that punishment vpon them and that it is not their bloud but their good and the good of others which is sought And thus dealt Ioshua with Achan after he was apprehended for that execrable wickednesse which he had committed and whereby all Israel was troubled c Iosu 7.19 My sonne saith he I beseech thee giue glory vnto the Lord God of Israel and make confession vnto him and tell me now what thou hast done hide it not from me For want of this Iehu the king of Israel is threatned to be punished For albeit he executed the iudgements of the Lord against the house of Ahab according to Gods command yet doing it with a cruell and reuengefull minde without all pittie and compassion God was displeased and saith he will reuenge the d Hos 1.4 bloud of Iezreel vpon the house of Iehu Let all Christians in generall take out this lesson which the Lord himselfe doth here and elswhere teach vs by his practice and in informing or reforming offending persons let vs vse all moderation and meeknesse endeuouring in the quietest mildest manner to conuince them of their sins In so doing we shall first tread in the steps of God himselfe Secondly giue obedience to Gods commands which require vs e Gal. 6.1 to Restore such as are fallen with the Spirit of meeknesse Thirdly manifest we haue the Spirit of God in vs by the fruits whereof this is one f Cap. 5.23 Fourthly haue some hope that our reproofes admonitions exhortations c. shall be profitable for if euer we doe good it must be by weight of good Arguments pressed in meeknesse of wisdome with mildnesse of spirit that must be as sugar without which the bitter pils of reproofe will not be swallowed But alas we cannot hit of those steps which our heauenly Father hath trodden in and wherein our blessed Sauiour hath gone before vs. How doth that hastinesse in many of vs Ministers who because we see not present successe of our labours are ready to surcease our pains forgoe all sort with this truth or that Iniunction which S. Paul giueth to Timothie and in him to all other Ministers g 2 Tim. 2.29 In meekenesse instruct those that oppose themselues if God peraduenture will giue them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth How doe those bitter iests taunts and reproches cast out against such as are in miserie what though they be euill doers standing at the bar to be iudged and arraigned vsually to be heard in the places of Iustice Iudgement by such as are in place of authoritie come nigh this copy which God hath set How can we see we imitate God like good childrē when hauing to deale with friend or foe we grow hot and boisterous if we be a little moued Alas for vs oh that we could but remember Gods peaceable proceeding euen with the vessels of his wrath learne more mildnesse But are we to deale thus mildly with all Quest may some demand is there no time when nor no person to whom rigour and seueritie must be shewed Surely much patience and lenitie must be vsed euen vnto the very worst Answ vntill it be despised and wilfully contemned and then if it be cleare no meeknesse will serue to winne men it is high time to vse seueritie toward such who by milde intreaties will not be perswaded And thus our blessed Sauiour though in his first Sermon he pronounceth h Matth. 5. Blessings yet in his other he denounceth i Matth. 23. Woes curses against the Scribes and Pharisees when as the former did not worke vpon them Let this teach vs likewise to admire the great goodnesse Vse 2 and vnspeakable mercy of the Lord. Men commonly are intreaters for those things which are profitable to themselues but who is he that is earnest with another to doe that which tends only to the profit of him with whom he dealeth If a man of himselfe cannot see what maketh for his owne good and doe it of his owne accord we thinke him well worthy to smart for his owne folly But here see Gods dealing with vs the sons of men who desireth and intreateth vs to sit in iudgement against our selues and why surely for this end that he might not iudge vs for as the Apostle speaketh k 1 Cor. 11.31 If we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged of the Lord so that the profit hereof would be our owne How should our hearts relent how should we be ouercome with this kindnesse of the Lord who so graciously mercifully requesteth intreateth vs for our own welfare Vse 3 And lastly is God so milde euen when he hath to deale with sinners and doth he proceed in such quiet and peaceable termes euen with wicked and vngodly ones then let this stay the hearts of Gods people for assuredly with them he will not be rigorous nor extreme If these fare so well certainly Gods children shall fare farre better Lift vp then thy deiected spirit and cheare vp thy disquieted and