our afflicted neighbour and helpe to relieue him with that which is our owne The which definitioÌ„ hath foure principall branches The first whereof is that Mercy is an affection of the minde against the opinion of them which place this vertue onely in externall actioÌ„s For neither are those to be esteemed vertues which haue not their originall in the heart or minde of man Therefore as Wisedome saith Giue me thine hart So those Scribes and Pharises were reiected of the Lord and their workes reprobated because whiles they seemed to honour him with their lippes their hearts were farre away The next is that Mercy is that affection of the minde which condoleth that is sorroweth and lamenteth together with and for another Or as Augustine againe saide Aliena miseriae in nostrâ— corpore compassio the compassion of anothers misery in our owne bodies In such sort Ieremy pittieth and lamenteth the wretched condition of his people and Christ sorrowed together with Martha and Mary lamenting their brothers death Thirdly in this definition is found somewhat added of our beneuolence whereof our destressed neighbour might be relieued comforted or eased for it little helpes the afflicted that wee condole with him in his condition except that also we exhibite and bestowe somewhat whereof hee might hope for remedy or reliefe To this the Apostle perswading said we should remember the words of the Lord Iesus that it is better to giue then to receiue Acts. 20. Io. 6. Thus the Lord had not onely compassion on the people which wandred as sheepe without a shepheard but gaue them for their comfort the bread both for their soules and their bodies The fourth and last point is that we exhibite and bestowe on the afflicted for his coÌ„fort not another maÌ„s goods but that which is our owne For if we take from one man giue to another we shall declare our selues cruell whiles we would seeme mercifull And thus should the good affection of the mercifull minde be expressed in those actions deedes which are not only called but are indeed the works of Mercie Gregorie Grego his 3. termes would that those works should be coÌ„teined in Giuing counsailing teaching but Lyra Lyra 3. better comprehendeth them in the helping or releeuing others with our wealth with our workes and with our Counsaile But best of all our Lord Sauiour Christ perswading to this right excellent vertue Christ his 4. poynts of Mercie teacheth meÌ„ first to loue next to blesse thirdly to work fourthly to pray Yea Loue your enemies blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which hurt you In another place be setteth downe foure other wordes to expresse this vertue Mat. 5.14 viz First Iudge not secondly condemne not thirdly forgiue Fourthly giue Anâ— finally in an other place he produceth sixe braÌ„ches or works of Mercie in that saying to his Saints standing on his right hand As first I was hungrie ye gaue me meate 2. Thirstie ye gaue me drinke 3. Harbourles ye tooke me in 4. Naked ye cloathed me 5. Sick and ye visited me 6. A prisoner and ye comforted me To the which some others haue added one other work of mercie and made in all the number seuen aptly comprehended in this Monostich 7. workes of mercie Visito poto cibo redimo tego colligo condo that is To visite to giue drinke to feede to redeeme to cloath to harbour to burie But because this belong rather â—o th' externall action then to the minde thereâ—ore may not fully expresse the whole vertue alâ—hough they declare her in the workes some oâ—hers combyning this latter with those former words of Christ doe gather both from th' one and â—he other fourteene branches of this tree 14. Branches of Mercies tree whereof â—euen may be applyed to the exercise of the body â—nd seuen to the affection of the minde and comprehended them all in this Tristich Voslio poto cibo tectum do visito soluo Comodo compatior converto dono remitto Arguo supplico consulo do quoque quodque talentum To cloath to giue to drinke to feede to harbour To visite to paye to lende to pitie to conuert To bestowe to remit to reprooue to beseech To counsaile to giue of whatsoeuer good thing I haue Now this must not be forgotten that as we may not vniustly take from one to bestowe in Almes on another so whiles wee endeuour to declare our good affections by our good works we haue a care to doe those works well Doe good works well least they loose their proper grace remembring this that when Christ spake of Almes and the workes of Mercy he aduised his Disciples to obserue three things As first a good affection secondly a conuenient handling thirdly a good end that is that first the heart and minde bee well constituted in loue faith and the Diuine feare next that the persons times places and occasions be duely regarded thirdly that the whole be referred to the glorie of God the good of our brethren and the discharge of prophane dutie the first whereof noteth heauenly wisedome the second godly discretion the the third gratefull obedience the beautifull ornaments of a faithfull and mercifull person Moreouer as the vertue Mercy is an affection of a condoling minde as that whereby man is touched or moued towards man it is requisite to consider with the semblable discretion to what kinde of persons this affection is extended To whom Mercy is extended As it was before saide that it respecteth the miserable condition of the wretched and afflicted person But there be which would constraine this Vertue or rather the effect of this Vertue to foure sorts as namely to the Poore the Righteous the Widowes the Elders respecting the poore for their pouertie the Righteous for their innocency the Widowes for their insufficiency the Elders for their reuerence Pro. 12.10 Against the which kind of persons the vnmercifull and cruell in all ages haue bent their furie and rage saying as in the Booke of Sapience Sap. 2. Let vs oppresse the Poore Let vs persecute the Righteous Let vs wring the Widowes and let vs not spare the hoare heads Gal. 6.10 But Saint Paul speaking of our good workes meaning no doubt the workes of mercy exhorteth vs to doe good to all men but chiefely to the houshold of faith wherein hee would that wee should extend the fruites of mercy especially to the godly but yet so that wee ought not neglect all others or withdraw our willingnesse of doing good vnto all that neede the same In the which no doubt hee had an eye to the Doctrine of his Maister who in his true exposition of the Lawe Mat. 5. 6. and 7. willeth that this goodnesse bee extended euen to our enemies as it is before remembred Loue your enemies Blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you pray for them
the same wherein is performed our duty both to God and man And speaking of the nature dignitie and office thereof hee thought hee could not sufficiently exalt the honour of the same 1. Cor. 13. but thus hee saith Though I speake with the tongues of men and Angells and haue not Loue I am as a soundiing brasse or tinckling Cimball Though I had the gift of prophecying and knew all secrets and all knowledge yea if I had all faith so that I could remoue mountaines and had not Loue I were nothing And though I feede the poore with all my goods and though I giue my body to bee burned and haue not Loue it profiteth mee nothing Loue suffereth long is bountifull enuieth not boasteth not is not puffed vppe disdaineth not seeketh not her owne is not prouoked to anger thinketh not euill reioyceth not in iniquitie but reioyceth in the truth suffereth all things beleeueth all things hopeth all things and endureth all things Loue neuer falleth away though that prophecyings bee abolished or the tongues cease or knowledge vanish away Againe Verse 13. Now abideth Faith Hope and Loue these three but the chiefest of these is Loue. Therefore Saint Augustine perusing Pauls praise of this most honourable vertue seemeth to recapitulate his manifolde members in his description thereof Thus is saith hee a right Will turned vtterly away from all earthly and present thinges ioyned in seperable to GOD and vnited with a certeine fire of the holye Spirite from whence it proceedeth and is saide to be enkindled estraunged from all filthy pollution ignorant of corruption empaired with no kinde of immutabilitie superiour to all thinges which are carnally minded the strongest of all affections desirous of holy contemplations not at any time conquered of any other in any thing the summe of all good actions the health of manners the end of the heauenly lawes the death of all crimes the life of vertues the strength of the fighters the palme of the victors the armour of sacred mindes the cause of good deserts the reward of the perfect that without the which no man pleaseth God fruitfull in the repentance gladsome in them that profite glorious in those which perseuere victorious in the Martyrs profitable in all beleeuers the same in the which euery good worke whatsoeuer hath and holdeth life Finally because Saint Paul hath conioyned together faith hope and loue wee finde them so placed in this Soole and conioyned that albeit we may distinguish them yet diuide them wee may not for it is necessary the one holde fast by the other nor worketh the one without the other The Taw is staied with the Key or Pinne and reacheth from thence to the Tractory or Lambe where by the Key is signified Faith by the Tractory Hope and by the Taw Loue as before it is declared Which three hauing their seuerall offices may well expresse the same in three words Faith saith I assure it Hope saith I expect it Loue saith I tend towards it For Faith is assured of the good thinges which God hath promised nor doubteth shee of the performance of his word knowing him to be righteous Hope with a longing desire euer expecteth and looketh to obtain those good things which God hath promised and faith hath assured and therefore is not wearie Loue in the daily exercise of the diuine vertues and fruits of faith standeth not still gaping for the same without her dutifull endeuour but worketh righteously and tendeth towards the attainement of that which is promised assured and hoped for Loe such a precious Iewell is Loue Such a powerfull Taw hath Pieties Plough And thus haue we the Soole throughly performed CHAP. XXVIII The Oxen which draw forth the Soole of Pieties Plough AS wee haue throughly perused the Soole of Spiritual Plough so now is it meete that we also peruse the Oxen which drawe the same wherein wee may consider three principall points viz. First those Oxen. Next their Labour Lastly their Reward First 1 The Oxen we might after the minde of some men vnderstand by those Oxen the Commaundements of God partly in regard of the number partly for the office 10. Oxen. There bee ten particular Commaundements in both the Tables of the Lawe which stand as for fiue yoke or couples whose strength is the force of true Contrition and the powerful draught of godly repentance by the which mans hard vncircumcised heart is fallowed and prepared for the seede whereof the Apostle called it a Schoolemaister vnto Christ for they drawe or force men to Christ in whome there is founde mercie and perfection Howbeit there bee other liuely Oxen the which the Maister husbandman hath both prepared yoked together and perswaded to draw strongly forth this Spirituall Soole 1. Cor. 9.9 1. Tim. 5.18 Saint Paul as well in his Epistle to Timothy as in that to the Corinthians likeneth the true labourers of the Lord in his spirituall worke Deu. 25.4 to Oxen. Thou shalt not muste the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne This hee taketh out of the Law and that wee might the better vnderstand his meaning hee addeth Doth God take care for Oxen As if hee saide God dooth not so much respect the Oxen themselues as hee doth men for whose sake this was written for the labourer in the Lordes worke is worthie of his hire as the labouring Oxe requireth to haue his fodder 2. King 19 19. Wee finde in the second Booke of the Kings that when Eliah went forth to annoint Elishah for a Prophet in his place hee found him in the Lande ploughing with twelue yoke of Oxen and himselfe with the twelue 12. Yoke of Oxen. After the which number wee may take for this labour certaine orders of holy and wise persons remembred and commended in the sacred Scriptures As first the twelue Patriarkes tied vppe vnder the yoke of the olde Testament and the twelue Apostles bearing the gentle yoke of the Gospell And these both yoked or numbred together make the iust twelue yoke and the number of those foure and twentie Elders mentioned by Saint Iohn in his Apocalyps In the like sense Apoc. 4. and 5. wee haue the number of the twelue foundations and twelue gates of the heauenly Ierusalem Saint Paul neuerthelesse 10. Orders of Oxen. alluding to the former number of the ten Commaundements maketh ten orders of those spirituall Oxen of the which in his Epistle to the Ephesians chapter 4. hee nameth fiue and in his former Epistle to the Corinthians chapter 12. hee nameth other fiue As first Apostles next Prophets thirdly Euangelists fourthly Pastours fiftly Doctours sixtly Powers seuenthly Healers eightly Helpers ninthly Gouernours tenthly Linguists And these are first those Doctours of the newe Testament immediately chosen called 1 Apostles and sent forth of Christ to teach the Gospel with a speciall power of the holy Ministerie 2 Prophets The second sort are those Preachers of the diuine mysteries
nos incipimus postea dei omnia adiuvamur Aug. in Psal 51. c. In euery good worke wee our selues doe not first begin the same and then afterward are assisted by the mercy of God but it is he that first inspireth both our faith and loue towardâ— him without any of our good deserts preceeding And seeing that this vertue as it is saide is a diuine motion inspired into mans heart I remember that Dauid praying to God for the same did first desire God Psal 51.10 to Create a newe heart within him As if he shuld say That which must steed me in this matter must come from aboue neither is there any thing in mine heart already that can be made to serue in this businesse therfore it is needfull not that my old heart be renewed but that I haue another heart not made or framed of the old but created to the which also ô Lord I beseech thee to renew within me thy spirit which I haue enioyed heretofore of thine especiall loue and fauour towards me Therefore although the Lord both commandeth and commendeth the labour and diligence of man as the meanes wherby he is willing to exhibite vs his graces yet doe all our labours and diligence nothing profit vs therin except there be both loue and grace in the Giuer that is in God who iustifieth and frameth mans heart to his Image and will for the sake of his sonne For this grace and mercy proceeding from that diuine loue doth euer preuent vs and go before our faith our loue our vertues our Iustice Yea this is the same whereby wee haue further engendred in our hearts and made able to apprehend that Iustice the which as a good Tree groweth and buddeth and beareth fruite namely all those godly vertues qualities and actions which are required of that man whom the Lord hath iustified And therefore in our iustification Two things in our Iusttification there is not onely the faith of the Belieuer but also the grace of him that iustifieth This meate our Sauiour when in his Doctrine he saide Ioh. 15. Without mee ye can doe nothing that is yee cannot bring fourth any manner fruite either healthfull or profitable neither are yee able to doe any good work acceptable to the Lord except ye belieue in me and by your faith remaine in me And hereof is it that when Saint Paul speaketh of mans iustification being very warie that nothing thereof be yeelded to mans workes or merits hee saith that we are iustified sometimes by grace sometimes by mercy sometimes by faith approaching grace for it is most certaine as Augustine saith againe that the grace is of him that calleth Ad Sympli g. 2. vocantis est Gratia c. Grace and faith and the good workes followe him which hath receiued that grace neither yet are the workes such as obtaine grace but such as proceede of grace And this he maketh plaine by a notable Simbole or similitude For the fire saith he scaldeth not that it may be hoate but therefore because it is hoate nor therefore runneth well the wheele that it may be round but for that it is already round So no man worketh well that hee may thereby receiue grace but therefore hee worketh well because hee hath already obtained it for how can he liue iustly which hath not bin iustified how can he liue holily who hath not bene sanctified So said Augustin alluding to the words of Christ First make the tree good and then the fruit will be good for a good man from the good treasure of his heart bringeth foorth that which is good but on the other side yee can not gather figges of thistles the euill man from the euill treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is euill and how can ye think or speake or do well when your selues are euill By this wee see that howsoeuer our aduersaries would that our perfect iustice should depend on our workes that no worke seeme it neuer so good before men is a perfect worke of Iustice except it be wrought by the person iustified Whereof it was saide that the very Prayers of the vngodly are turned into sin Neither may wee imagine No good worke but that which followeth grace that any work endeuour studie thought or Action is eyther acceptable to the lord or profitable for mans soule without this precedeÌ„t grace which proceedeth from the eternall loue of God in his sonne the Which we may explane by a familiar example though taken froÌ„ an heathen History without iust offence Valerius Maximus Valer. Max. Lib. 2. among his examples of memorable deeds maketh mention of one Liuius Torquatus Manlius a noble Consul of Rome and of his Son â— right valiant and couragious gentleman This gentleman saith he being of a couragious mind went forth with his men of Warre waged battaile against another Nation his fathers enemie but without his said fathers leaue fauor or knowâ—edge and thereof got the victory and a famous conquest in the iudgement of all men who at his returne home praised his valiant exployt noble action with the highest applause the which they all hoped would not onely be confirmed but also tripled by his most noble father Howbeit Torquatus contrary both to their hope and his expectation did not onely preseÌ„tly vnfold his great dislike of his son who aduentured to goe forth without his will consent and so in his disgrace but also al the action great exploit of his aduenture for he commanded him to be slaine for a sacrifice Satius iudicaus patrem forti filio quam patriam miliâ—ari disciplina carere Iudging it better that a father wanted such a valiant son then that the country should be depriued of her militarie discipline In like maner we should beware that we presume not to get credit with the Lord by any worke that we shall endeuour to doe without his grace good wil preuenting vs or to thinke that we can be righteous holy acceptable vnto him but that he first iustifie vs in his son And truly besides this memorable example the very experiment of mens dealing after the course of nature and reason informeth vs of those things The order of Noahs approbatioÌ„ Gen. 6.8.9 But passing by them let vs againe returne to those examples Testimonies of the holy Scriptures and therein first consider the method and order of the righteousnesse and approbation of holy Noah It is reported of him First that he found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Secondly that he was a righteous man Thirdly that he was perfect Fourthly that he walked with God In that he found grace are two things obserued First that the Lord louing him did fauour him next that hee gaue him faith wherby to finde and apprehend that diuine grace In that hee is saide to be righteous wee are taught that the Lord who had fauoured him and graunted him faith did also approue and
which hate and persecute you Following therein the example of our heauenly father who maketh his Sunne to shine as well on the euill as on the good and giueth rayne both to the iust and vniust and is mercifull vnto all To this he addeth a reason For if ye loue and doe good to them that loue doe good to you what reward haue you doe not the Publicans euen the same To and for this wee haue also the examples of many good men as of Abraham whose good deedes Ghrist commendeth of Lot in Sodom of Noah in the old world of Moses in Egypt of Dauid in Israel of Nehemiah Neh. 1.4.5.6.15 in Iudeah And in the new Testament besides Zacharie Elizabeth Lydia Cornelius Labitha Anna Martha Mary Paul Stephen and such wee haue the most perfect example of the Lord Iesus himselfe who though God became and dyed for man to bring him to life euen then when man was sinfull and an enemy vnto him CHAP. V. The generall signification of the word Mercy AS the word Iustice or Righteousnesse before mentioned as so placed alone hath a very large signification comprehending as in one word the summe and habite of all vertues and so the whole dutie of a man euen so this Word Chesed or Mercy in the like sort accepted is extended to the same but yet so as that therein Iustice is declared and perfected For Mercy The mercy of God as it is applied to the Lord signifieth not onely his free remission and pardon of our sinnes as it is before saide but also all those good motions waies blessings graces and meanes which hee bestoweth vseth and applieth to the calling home redemption and preseruation of them whom in his eternall loue hee hath elected and predestinated to life in his sonne Iesus Thereof the Lord saith by the Prophet Ieremy I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue therefore in Mercy haue I drawne thee Ier. 31.3 yea vnder this word and that most cōmonly in the holy Scriptures are signified all and singular those graces bounties benefits blessings and whatsoeuer good things the Lord our God of his meere loue fauour and good wil powreth forth and bestoweth on men being indeed the effect and fruite of his diuine and eternall loue to his Saints in Christ This word therefore vsed the holy Patriarch Iacob when returning from Mesopotamia and considering how rich and bountifull the Lord his God had bene vnto him in loue graces and manifold benefits far beyond all his deserts or worthines he confessed and saide Catóntimickol hachasadim Gen. 32.10 and 33.11 that is I am farre vnworthy all those Mercies This king Dauid very often acknowledged vnder the same word Chesed Of such a force is it as it is iustly applied vnto our good God whose mercy is said to comprehend all his workes In like manner the same being applied to man The mercy of man and especially to that duty which is required of man towards man signifieth not onely those particular Species or kinds of Iustice as humanitie benignitie beneuolence kindnesse gratitude or that Sogyn or affection of loue or that worke of mercy which wee call almes-deeds or pardon of trespasses or such like before mentioned as in any part or member therof but all and euery those louing affections godly wordes holy actions good deedes and commendable things whatsoeuer to the which a true Christian is worthily inuited perswaded and directed within that loue of his neighbours contained and commaunded in the second Table of the diuine Lawe and confirmed both by the Doctrine and example of our Lord Christ as that whereby true loue charitie is expressed performed perfected with effect The holy Psalmist speaking of the righteous man Psal 37.21 saith The Righteous is Mercifull as if this were the fruite which so good a tree yeelded he is Righteous Ergo he is mercifull or he is vnmercifull for he is righteous Therefore is the word taken for the very definition of Iustice Megaudes in 2. Tim. 2 Caiu in Hos 12. because that therein onely that generall vertue so often commanded and commended in the holy Scriptures is apparantly expressed and perfected as the cause by his effects The Apostles haue commonly for this word vsed Agape Loue or Charitie comprehending all the fruites of faith and mans whole dutie against the which is opposed a word which signifieth distraction cruelie vncharitablenesse vnmercifulnesse oppression spoyling and the effects of malice As it is saide of the olde world the earth was filled with crueltie Gen. 6. Pro 22. Psal 50. Mercy perfection Mat. 5 48 Luk. 6.36 The vngodly are cruell and pertakers with theeues robbers or oppressors Finally wee may obserue that in the Sermon of Christ Saint Luke calleth that Perfection which Saint Luke calleth Mercy yee shall therefore bee perfect as your father in heauen is perfect Be yee therefore mercifull as your father also is merciful By the which as he meaneth one thing so hee would that men vnder this word Mercy should bee perfect in all goodnesse though not in measure or quantitie yet of nature and qualitie like vnto God our heauenly father And to this are we inuited by the Prophet Hosey Hos 10 12 when he saith Reape ye according to the measure of mercy And by the Lord Iesus citing the Prophets words I wil haue mercy not sacrifice which is as if he said Mat. 9.13 and 12.7 All your sacrifices and oblations nothing please me whiles I finde you to bee cruell vncharitable and vnmercifull one towards another yea whiles I finde no goodnesse nor perfection in you conformable to the image of God But on the other side If yee doe iustly loue mercy humble your selues and walke with God Mich. 6.8 as Noah Enoch Abraham and others the godly and faithfull in their times haue done then will I accept your Sacrifices not onely with your Mercy but in regard thereof as the right effect of so good a cause And so much touching those two vertues Iustice and Mercy as either of the wordes are absolutely placed and so commonly accepted in the holy Scriptures CHAP. VI. 1. Of Iustice and Mercy conioyned 2. And of such their acceptation for the vse of Pietie AS we often find those two words Iustice and Mercy disioyned set a part so also wee finde them often conioyned the which after the first sight should seeme Hos 10 12 that the former signifie the thing required of man the latter the reward or benefite that man is to expect thereof Isay 55. as elsewhere it is said Let the vnrighteous man forsake his owne waies so shall the Lord be mercifull vnto him so the Lord should heere say by his Prophet Sowe to your selues for Righteousnes and then shall ye reape according to the measure of mercy Howbeit although I will not vtterly impugne that sense yet consenting with the best it is certaine that the Prophet as well here as
of himselfe or his brother The end of our tillages but he may not make a sword to this end to kill men sauing by the Iudgement of publique authoritie as in warres or in the execution of Iustice on the malefactors So it is right lawfull yea and commanded to men to till plough vp their fieldes for the better sustentation of mans life but not of avarice couetousnes as Cain did whose mind and studies were fixed wholie on the earth And this did he expresse by two simboles first that he challēged for his own the thing vnmoueable as the earth and then did build a citie which hee called after his sonnes name Enoch that is taught or dedicated as to this trade or labour So the end of this labour and the manner therof maketh it either good or euill which yet in it owne nature is good Therefore although that wicked Cain abused this noble exercise of the ground who therefore was cursed from off the ground Gen. 4. which should not yeelde him the fruites of his labours therein and that the Lord had couered the earth with a floud and destroyed the fruits and fashion of all the husbandrie and labours thereon for mans great sinne Gen. 8.22 yet after his wrath was appeased willing that this benefit should be renewed and prospered vnto man made this mercifull promise vnto Noah that yet Sowing time and Haruest should not ceasse all the dayes of the earth Ezek. 36. And so he commanded to the Israelites that after their returne from Babylon they should till and sowe their fields to the which he also promised a blessing Therefore besides many others Hosiah the good king of Iudah loued husbandry Elisha was found by Eliah in the fields plowing with twelue yoak of oxen himselfe with the twelfth Iob was an husband man had may oxen to that purpose so was Abraham as his seruant Eleazer witnesseth and Booz the grandfather of Dauid was a tiller of the field and into his fielde Ruth Ruth 2.3 the Moabitesse first came to gleane eares of corne Finallie our Sauiour compareth God our heauenlie Father to an Husbandman in whose fielde is sowen the good corne yea he compareth sometimes his disciples or beleeuers to the good field From hence Paul taketh a Metaphor Yee are Gods husbandry Wee are the labourers liking the worke of the Lorde by the Minister to the labour of the husbandman in the fielde And surely I haue not found howe plainer to expresse the loue regard of the Lord to his people nor how better to display the duty This kinde of labour fitty expresseth mans dutie not onely of a minister in the church but of euery true christian in his place calling then by kinde husbandry and especially that which appertaineth to the Plough Sowing Reaping c. Wherin besides the ioile and labour of the body is required seuen seueral vertues that is to say First Wisedome next Fortitude 3. Prayer 4. Diligence 5. Perseuerance 6. Expectation 7. 7. Vertuos Thankfulnes And the which are surely in right request with all true Christians in their seuerall callings as without the which and euery of them no man is of abilitie to holde and enioy his place comfortable to himselfe or profitable to others Thus therefore the good husband man doeth not only labour but also by Wisedome 1. Wisdom doth know and consider the state of his land and soyle the manner of vsage the nature of his feede the times and seasons of his Sowing 2. Fortitude Reaping Tilling and manuring Next as the labours of husbandrie are very gainefull and profitable so require they the more industrie and paines of body therefore the husband men are commonlie strong both of minde and bodie of minde therby willing and ready to labour without disdaine in these thinges of the earth of body as wherby they endure the labour For weake and feeble persons are not fit for this work nor are they meet which contemne or disdaine it They be strong of bodie whom euen nature hath framed to sustaine labours Hugo de saen Victo h 1. ca. 14 de Claustr of the which there be 3. sorts some though they are able yet will not performe thinges profitable others are both able and willing and others are willing to doe more then their power extendeth though the first is to be blamed the third commended yet the second maketh a meet husbandman 3. Because wee must first seeke the kingdome of God his Righteousnes it is not conuenient nor safe that the husbandman should attempt anie thing on the presumption of that his wisdome or abilitie of bodie without Prayer and the deuout seruice of God perswading that this is the way to obtaine a blessing vnto his labours and a prosperitie from the Lord from whose goodnes euerie good gift perfect gift commeth and that in the name of Christ without whom as hee saith we can doe nothing Fourthly adde to the former Christian Diligence 4. Diligēce for this kinde of labour is not an idle negligent or easie endeuour but such as must be compassed and effected as by an able so by a diligent hand especiallie in those times seasons of the yeare when men plough sow and reape else as little or nothing is performed to effect and as delayes bring dangers men may be preuented of their expectation by contrarie weather by the springing of tares the devouring of byrds blastings and other such inconueniences which commonlie ensue the wante of timely diligence 5. 5. Perseuerance Neither may we think that this labour lasteth but for a day or a week or a moneth but that the labour of the husbandman continueth for vnto him euery day bringeth his worke and euery day in the yeare his appointed labour the wich if the idler once neglect hee can neuer or verie hardlie recouer it therfore he that taketh this in hand or goeth to the plough must proceed and not looke back or giue ouer for then all is lost neither gaineth the husbandman any thing but by Perseuerance After this the husbandman expecting the end of his labours must Patientlie abide and continue in Hope 6. Patiēce in hope Here we must depend by Faith on the Lord and waite his pleasure for the fruites of his labours at the appointed time And this is that which incourageth him both to labour to continue in his labour Lastly that he may not shew himselfe ingratefull to the Lorde hauing from his blessing receiued the fruites of his labour hee is bound to be thankfull to the Lord God to whom it is in deede a right good thing to be thankfull as the Psalmist saith In and by all these things wee are taught what is required in the spiritual husbandrie in the which Pieties Plough is taken in hand And therein is required not onely labour but a good labour 7. Thankfulnes and that is well performed for the pleasure
prepared HAuing before spoken of the sowing of the seed and that it is required the lande wherein the same seede is sowne should first be well fallowed whereby the tares and weedes may be mortified and suppressed that the good fruites might ensue without hindrance it is now in question with what instrument this is to bee wrought and performed But seeing that al things are difficile and so hard as fewe men can expresse them wee hold him happie which by the diuine grace is made able thereto for it is certaine that the natural man cannot conceiue the things of the holy Ghost as wee plainely see in the example of Nicodemus Ioh. 3. â— 2 with whom Christ disputed concerning mans Regeneration teaching him to vnderstand diuine thinges by the similitudes taken from the truth of things terrene After whose example wee may againe consider the Husbandman how and with what instrument hee dealeth in this point of good husbandry as wherewith the better to ease himselfe expedite his worke The chiefe Instrument of his Action is that Aratrum which wee call the Plough wherein are found fiue generall partes to bee considered as First the Soole with his members Fiue parts of the Plough Next the Oxen which draw it Thirdly the Holder which directeth it Fourthly the Leader who allureth it Fiftly the Driuer wh prouoketh it To the which also wee may adde one other thing which thogh not any part of this Plough yet incident and conuenient to the better preparation of the Land and that is the Harrowing wherein also are considered three partes That is 1. The Hart owes which breake the Clods Three parts in the harâ—owing of the LaÌ„d 2. The Horses which draw 3. The Driuer who yoketh them Comparable to the which we haue found a â—ertaine spirituall Plough and like Harrowes in â—â—d by the true vse whereof the spirituall Husâ—â—ndman may with the more facility and better â—eed effect that which is required and thereby â—uch ease himselfe touching the great paines â—rowes of his handes about the Earth Gen 3.17 and 5. â—9 which â—e Lord had cursed according to that prophesie Lamech in the naming of his sonne Noah who â—erwarde became so good a Husbandman â—ow in the examination of the Parts let vs first â—â—nsider of the Soule which is that Instrument â—erewith being fastened to the Oxen The Soule with che parts therof 14. the Husâ—â—dman rippeth vp his land for the Seede and â—â—â—rein we finde besides some others fourteene â—s or members as they follow viz. 1 The Share 2 The Shippe 3 The Culter 4 The Beame 5 The Tractorie 6 The ground Rise 7 The broad hale 8 The Round Halt 9 The Chaine 10 The farther Wheele 11 The neere Wheele 12 The Axell 13 The Key 14 The Tawe â—o the which particular parts and members so many Actions and vertues of Righteousnesse and Mercy may be compared viz. 1 Contrition of the heart 2 Humility of the Spirit 3 Confession of the mouth 4 Maceration of the flesh 5 Hope of Remission 6 Patience in affliction 7 Conuersion of minde 8 Correction of works 9 Combination of vertues 10 Meditation of godlinesse 11 Continuance of good actions 12 Inuocation of God 13 Iustification of faith 13 Loue of the Spirit A memoranduÌ„ for the Ploghmen in the field Loe in this sort is the Soole of Pieties Plough framed as whereby the verie Plough men labourers in the field following or beholding the Plough may easily as by certain Symboles consider theit owne condition and call to memory those things wherunto the Lord in his word and by his seruants hath inuited seekes to perswade them that being thereby sooner taught they may as good Husbandmen labour in the Lords field both for his glorie and their owne commodity And this that wee may yet better know remember to obserue let vs be contented to peruse and examine those particulars CHAP. XIII .. The first part of the Soole is the Share THe first is the Contrition of heart Contrition of heart likened to the Share of the Soole This Instrument is called in Latine Dentale Dentale of the word Dens or Tooth for that it pierceth or biteth and the vse thereof is to pierce the â—owels of the soyle as therein to force the same â—nd make way for the Culter which followeth â—â—ne to diuide and open that which the Share â—â—th pierced and this very aptly expresseth that â—â—ntrition of heart which is well defined the CoÌ„â—â—ction or wholesome motion of an humble â—inde or sorrowful heart rising of the Recordaâ—â—n of sinnes committed and the feare of Gods â—â—ements on the same and is declared with 〈◊〉 sighes and weeping eyes And howsoeâ—â— wee finde the same to be occasioned by any â—â—â—â—rnall action wee most know it to be the veâ—â— worke of God then wrought when by the 〈◊〉 and iudgement of Conscience he openeth 〈◊〉 a man the greatnes horrour of his transâ—â—ssion and sins demonstrateth to him his high pleasure with an iminent plague for the same 〈◊〉 it slicteth on his heart the bitter sense oâ— his â—â—ath as whereby hee is forced to feare to tremble and to feele the eager gnawing wringing torment of a guiltie Conscience now as readie to be drawn to the Iudgement Seate and thence as gultie to bee sent forth to the place of execution that so beaten downe daunted and mortified he might afterward be made capeable either of grace and consolation in the Lords mercy or being left to himselfe might fall through dispaire into eternall death and damnation With this Share did the Lord pierce and wound the hearts of those Iewes to whom Peter preached accusing and charging them with the betraying and murthering of the Lord Iesus which had iustly prouoked the Lord deserued the paine of his iust iudgements whereon being pricked in conscience they said vnto Peter and the other Apostles Act. 2.37 Men and brethren what shall we doe The same Share pierced the Publicans the Souldiers and the people when Iohn the Baptist told them that the Axe was laide euen to the roote of the tree so that euery tree that brought not foorth good fruit was to be hewen downe and cast into the fire This was the preaching of the Lawe whereat also Dauid Manasses Peter Magaalen accusing themselues as guilty were brought to contrition And indeede Dauid after the experience of this instrument found that it was not onely a thing profitable for him as whereby not might begin to proceede with Pieties Plough Psal 50. but also a pleasing Sacrifice vnto God the which is strongly seconded by the Lord himselfe who saith To whom should I look but to him which is poore and contrite in heart and trembleth at my wordes Esai 66.2 Therefore the same Paul much commendeth 2. Cor. 7.7.8 writing to the Corinthians and addeth Though I made you sorie with a Letter I repent not though I did repent Againe I now
to God to suffer and sustaine hunger colde nakednes watchings trauailes persecutions and all afflictions whereby the flesh is often manifested and subdued to the Spirit For this louing Taw Raban in sermon esteemeth nothing hard nothing bitter nothing heauie nothing deadly what hard yrons what bitter wounds what intollerable paines what mortall pangs preuaile to daūt Loue which is a shield impenitrable against all dartes withstanding all swords contemning all perils and diriding all deaths Therof could the most holy Spowsesse say Cant. 5 6 7. As strong as death is Loue much water cannot quench it neither can the floods drowne it If a man should giue all the substance of his house for Loue they would greatly contemne it Touching the second which is that Loue to the Sonne Psal 2. we heare the Psalmist say O kisse the Sonne lest he be angry and so ye perish by the way Againe He is the Lord Psal 45. and worshippe thou him To this the holy Apostles oft perswade and beyond all others 1. Ioh. 1. that most louely Apostle in Christ is in this very emphatical and the Lord Iesus himselfe as he exhorted his Apostles and followers to this vertue so hee willed them to expresse the same by the keeping of his commandements Ioh. 21. by feeding his flocke by mercie charitable actions The reasons may bee taken from the wordes of the Psalmist where hee saith Kisse the Sonne c. That is first he is the Son of God the Father of right ought to beloued next if we loue him not he will be angry thirdly if he be angry hee destroyeth them that prouoke him fourthly if we loue him we are blessed fiftly he is the Lord our God sixtly hee is our King our Priest our Prophet our Sauiour our Mediator our life Psal 2. 45. who shuld not loue his King his Priest his Prophet his Sauiour his Mediatour his life The Apostles haue gathered applied many reasons thereof which yet are thus concluded by a learned Father Aug. de Caten rudi Ama amorem illius qui amore tui amoris descendit in vterum virginis c. Loue his Loue saith hee who for thy Loue came downe into the wombe of a virgin and there made a copulation of his Loue with thy Loue by humbling himselfe and exalting thee and conioyning the light of his eternitie to the vile slime of thy mortalitie Moreouer touching the nature operation and vtilitie of this Loue in our selues from whence spring no meane causes to perswade vs. An other in a certain sermon calleth it fire light honie wine and the Sunne Fire in meditation purifying the mind from all blemishes Light in prayer illuminating the minde with the clearenesse of vertues Honie in thanksgiuing sweetning the minde with the dulcor of diuine benefites wine in contemplation consolating the minde with cheerefull delectation and a bright Sunne in the eternall happinesse clarifying the minde with gladsome and wholesome light brightening the minde with vnspeakeable ioy and eternall gladnesse This therefore is a most diuine treasure the which whosoeuer hath it is right rich and whosoeuer hath it not is wretched and poore The third linke is that loue of the holy Spirite when feeling our selues both sanctified comforted by the pleasant beames of the same wee are so rauished with the loue thereof as we embrace his most excellent graces not onely in our selues but also in all others This is that Spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding of counsell and strength of knowledge and of the feare of God the which resting on Christ made him prudent in the feare of the Lord the which all Christians do both admire and praise before all the vertues of men Isai 11.2 The same from his fulnesse diriued vnto men hath distributed diuersitie of gifts and the manifestation of the Spirite is giuen to euerie man to edifie withall 1. Cor. 12.7 For one from thence hath the word of wisedome an other the word of knowledge an other faith an other the gifts of healing an other the operations of great workes an other prophesie an other discerning of spirits an other diuersitie of tongues an other the interpretation of tongues And all these things worketh the same spirit distributing to euerie man seuerally as hee will the which are to be accepted and commended with ardent loue of this spirit Besides this by this Spirit is Christ Iesus present with vs in the world euen vnto the end thereof For he saith I wil be with you alwaies and where two or three bee congregated in his name he is in the middest of them that is by his Spirit By this wee haue our consolation in this world and therefore hee is called the Comforter as he saith I will send you another Comforter which shall remaine with you for euer Ioh. 14 16. This is the same which assureth vs in our spirits that we are Gods children and to be short by the helpe of this Spirit wee behold Gods face for hee sanctifieth vs without the which we cannot see the face of God Heb. 12.14 Therefore we are to embrace him and his rich graces with faithfull and godly loue These things Augustine deepely perpending made his prayer vnto the holy Ghost in these wordes Sanctum opus in me spira vt cogitem c. In epist ad quendam comitem Inspire in mee a good worke that I may thinke thereof prouoke mee to performe it perswade mee to loue thee confirme me that I may reteine thee keepe mee that I loose thee not The fourth lincke of this spirituall Taw signifieth the loue of our neighbour Wee cannot be ignorant both what the Lord in the Lawe and the Prophets and also in the Gospel biddeth in this point as namely that wee should loue our neighbour as our selues And this also the holy Apostle especially St. Iohn the Euangelst in their Epistles labour to perswade all Christians vnder that word agape that is Charity Loue or Charitie which is a right diuine facultie inspired into our hearts by that diuine Spirit by the which we euer wish well vnto our neighbours and according to the measure of our abilitie studie to helpe and benefit him for Christ his sake and in the name of God The true nature of this louely linke is well defined before in the word Mercy the which as Christ teacheth the Lord requireth of man towardes man to declare his iustice beyond all burnt offerings Mat. 9. Mich. 6. and externall sacrifices And to this are wee moued besides the former causes in that the nature thereof is good the vse profitable we are brethren the sonnes of one Father of the same baptisme the same faith the same familie people of the same God heires of one inheritance and partakers of life together through one Mediatour and Sauiour Now Saint Paul conioyning together those foure Linkes confirmeth Loue to bee the perfection of the Law that is
enable him for his diuine seruice whereof hee was not onely esteemed but was indeed a righteous man Thirdly hee was clad in the full habite of vertues whereof hee was perfect and esteemed as worthy to walk with God as those Saints which are esteemed by grace worthy to stand before the Sonne of man The like we finde in the holy father Abraham who being first loued and graced of God did by the diuine gifts of faith apprehend that grace by the which hee pleased the Lord God in that which he did answereable to that cōmandement of the Lord Gen. 17.1 I am God all sufficient walke before me and be thou perfect This considered the Apostle writing to the Hebrewes Heb. 13.28 Let vs saith he retaine grace to what end that thereby we may serue God to to please him with reuerence and feare As if he should adde for without this grace we may neither serue nor please God as he requireth But on the other side we finde The works of the Iewish Hypocrites not onely by the testimony of the Prophets but also of the lord Iesus himselfe that albeit the Iewes did many great workes made mightie shewes of integritie and perfection offred vp many Sacrifices and oblations vsed much prayer Almes-deedes fastings and obserued many ceremonies of the Law and traditions of their Elders with wonderfull deuotion they were neuerthelesse both blamed condemned for Hypocrits with this saying Isa 1.11.12.14 Mat. 9. But Who hath required those things at your handes Goe yee and learne what this meaneth I will haue mercy and not those sacrifices For the Lord would that their harts should first bee graced and conformed to his will by faith apprehending his grace of and by the which they might be iustified and well approued in his sight Therefore 1. Sam. 15 although King Saul gaue a glorious pretence to the honour of God when hauing subdued Agag the Amalakite he reserued part of the spoile to be offred vp in a burnt Sacrifice to the Lord of heauen yet because his heart was not well qualified by grace going before whereof hee might haue taken his approbation with the Lord hee was not onely nothing commended but much blamed and threatned to bee cast off from the kingdome of Israel For had hee bene graced he would haue belieued and hauing belieued he would haue obeyed and in his obedience pleased the Lord which offreth his grace and would not that wee should receiue the same in vaine Righteousnes is the effect of Iustification These things well considered we find that righteousnes or Iustice is the very effect or fruit of that Iustification of man before God of the which we shall haue occasion to speake hereafter And thus haue we seene what it is which the Lord God requireth of vs and what we are to yeeld him vnder this word Iustice or Righteousnesses Neither may we doubt but as those persons of vertue prowes in all ages Io. 12.26 haue bene thoughe worthie of honour among the children of men◠the Lord will reward and crowne those his graces and workes in vs as if they were not his but ours as not only the holy scriptures warrant vs but the exāples of his Saints and children remembred in the same for our consolation sufficiently confirme In regard wherof they haue attributed to this noble Vertue manie princely prerogatiues as that among others she yeeldeth to her louers followers Honour life glory security goodnes peace quietnes cōstancy boldnes consolation prosperity the highest felicitie through Iesus the true king of righteousnes CHAP. IIII. Of the word Mercie the second member of the requested Subiect THe word which the Prophet Hoseyah vseth in this place is Chesed which we find diuersly trāslated so accepted according to that whervnto it is applied vsed as somtimes for good wil kindnes humanity or friendship In which sense Abraham meant it when hee said vnto his wife Sarah Gen. 12.13 20.13 This Mercie shalt thou shew me wheresoeuer I come that thou say thou art my Sister Sometimes for remission and pardon of sins clemency benignity As the Prophet Isay saith Let the vngodlie man forsake his owne wayes so shall the Lord haue mercie vpon him Isay 55.7 for he is very ready to forgiue And this as it seemeth Cicero expounded in the word Mercy when speaking in the cōmendation of Caesar as also Augustine citeth it he said Nulla de virtutibus tuis nec admirabilior nec gration Misericordia est Cicer. August in lib. de ciui dei Affectio Amoris Storge There is not any one of all thy vertues either more praise worthie or more acceptable thē Mercie Sometimes for that affection of loue wherby the parēts are naturally touched towards their children again the children towards their parents the friend towards his friend the brother towards his brother the neighbour towards his neighbour sometimes for Almes deedes such like whereof examples may bee taken from many places in the holy Scriptures Indeed the word Chesed comprehendeth al those particular vertues Chesed or Mercie being as the Species or branches thereof but yet I find not that the same which the word signifieth in his large acceptation can be either comprehēded or fullie expressed in any of those particulars no more then the whole can be cōteined within any one part therof More aptly the generall word Bonitas Bonitas or Goodnes well conteineth it for this may be extended to euerie vertue especially to Mercie by the which it is expressed Therefore the Mercie of God is often called his goodnes himself being the highest Good is called Mercifull for that by Mercy his goodnesse is worthily declared towards all his Creatures In the like sense we name them good men whose Christian loue and charitie to and for others are made apparant in the workes of Mercy But to auoide those doubts which might rise of the diuersitie of translations that shall best content vs which not onely the Septuagint haue yeelded but also that the Lord Iesus himselfe by the testimonie of the Euangelist hath confirmed saying Hose 6.6 Mat. 9.13 and 12.7 In Moral The definition of Mercy Volo misericordiam I will haue Mercy This word after Cregory accepted in his common signification is made misero corde that is of an afflicted or troubled heart which either being sorrowfull for anothers misery taketh on him cōpassion or as wretched requireth and needeth the pittie reliefe of others Basil Basil in Psal 114. amplifieth the same saying it is a certaine passion proceeding from the compassionate towards them which are vnworthily and by iust meanes afflicted But because this vertue is not perfected but in that wherby it is declared Augustine hath a definition thereof including either member with effect Mercy saith he is the affection of the minde condoling with some addition of a benefite as whereby we may both take compassion of
prosecuting that which is commenced By this the Mariner Merchant passe ouer the daungerous Seas hoping to returne home with gaine The husbandman teareth vp his soile and laboureth hardlie in the field in Hope to gather the fruits of his trauailes The Father puts forth his Sonne in a farre Country at his great charge in hope hee will returne home a learned man By this the very Rebell sometimes yeelds himselfe to the Princes hand in hope of pardon the condemned man hopes for life the sick man seeing the Phisitian lookes for health to all men the greatest solace in the concourse of calamities is the Hope of an Alteration Nazian Eccl 9.4 whereof the wise man said To the liuing there is hope 3. Kindâ—â— of Hope and therfore a liuing dogge is better then a dead Lyon By this are wee reteined in the full expectation of those things which are either promised or wished for And of this there be three kindes the first wherof is engendred of an Opinion the second of certaine Knowledge the third of Faith The Opinionate hope is either taken from the report of the worde of some others or from some particular examples or from the conceite of a mans owne minde and is indeede nothing but a bare perswasion and often prooued deceitfull and vaine The next is that which Experience hatcheth as whereby men hauing tried the causes by their effectes hope for the like to ensue againe The third springeth of Faith The vaine hope and beeing of affinitie to the seconde expecteth that which Faith assureth relying on Gods promises Againe that first kinde though but deceitfull and vaine hath drawen many men forth not onely to the contriuing of manie vnlawfull actions Gen. 3.1 but also to the aduenture of diuers sundry hard exploits the which Pindare considering said that manie a man it exalted whom vppon a sodaine it cast downe Heuah hearkening to the deceitfull words of the Serpent Act. 12. hoped that she should be made a Goddesse passing wise by eating of the forbidden fruit King Herod seeing that he preuailed in his purpose against Iames the brother of Iohn hee proceeded further and tooke Peter also hoping hee should haue had therein the like successe arguing thus I had my purpose on Iames Ergo I shall haue the like on Peter Gen. 4. Cayn conceyted so well of himselfe and of his actions that if Abel his brother were extinguished he hoped he should be the onely promised Seede of the woman the heire of the world and liue in all peace The like hope had Absalom against his Father Dauid 2 Sam. 15 Mat 2. So the other Herod hoped that in the murthering of the Innocent children hee should also murther Christ and ouerthrowe his kingdome But as the wise man saith Whiles the vngodly hope to haue a friend of vnrighteousnes Sap. 2.16 5.14 Iob. 8 9. Ia 1.10 they come to nought for the hope of the vngodly is like the drye thistle flower or dust which is bloweÌ„ away of the winde â—ike a thinne scumme that is scattered abroade with the storme and as the smoke that the winde disperseth and as the remeÌ„brance of him that passeth taryeth but for a day 2 The more certaine hope The second kinde of hope is more assured for that it is taken froÌ„ the certaine knowledge or experieÌ„ce of things as wherby meÌ„ of the same causes hope for the like effects as froÌ„ the fire heate from the water moisture from the Sunne light and from the night darknes So in things diuine and spirituall from Gods loue we expect grace vpon our true repentance the mercy of God Thus we hope as God is our Father and we are his children that hee will prouide for vs according to his good nature and his louing kindnes to others his children Thus Paul consolated the Corinthians 2. Cor 1.7 in their affliction Our hope saith he is stedfast concerning you in as much as we know that as yee are partakers of the sufferings yee shall also be partakers of the Consolation hee addeth for wee would not haue you ignorant of our afflictions c because wee should not trust in our selues but in God who deliuered vs from so great a death and thus hee would thereof conclude therefore hee wil also deliuer you who haue the same God for your Father who are professours of the same cause who are partakers of the same afflictions with vs. Thus the poore prodigall Sonne Luke 15. vpon certaine knowledge of his good Fathers nature and loue returned home hoping to finde the fruits thereof towards himselfe 1. King 20.32 Thus the Assyrians hauing experienced the mercifull heartes of the Kings of Israel came and submitted themselues to the King with halters on their neckes And thus the people hauing tried and found the great vertue of healing in the Lord Iesus and his Apostles came preseÌ„ted their sick before him and them in hope of helpe Such arguments we finde aboundant as in the holy Scriptures so chiefly in Dauids Psalmes Psal 37. and sayings among the which that is notable where hee saith I haue bene yong and now I am old yet I neuer saw the righteous forsaken thereof he would conclude therefore I hope hee will not forsake me which am a righteous man in this that my sinnes are pardoned and I depend on him by my faith Againe hee saith The righteous man is mercifull As if hee wold argue This is a righteous man ergo I hope he will shew me mercy For I find it truly tried that from righteousnes issueth mercy This is a good hope and of neere affinitie with that which followeth 3. The best kinde of hope and chiefly heâ—e required which rising of a true faith in Iesus Christ is defined the sure expectation of those good things promised vs in the holy Gospel as namely remission of our sinnes the righteousnesse of Christ the gratious aide and help of God in all our afflictions the mitigation of our sorrowes and calamities a glorious victory ouer sinne and the diuell and the inheritance of life euerlasting according to the fore knowledge and good will of God in his Sonne Rom. 8. This is that which fortifieth patience perswadeth the verie groaning creature to abide serue vntill the day of the adoption of Gods children In this hope said Dauid I beleeue verily to see the goodnesse of God in the land of the liuing In the same said Iob Iob. â—4 I know that my Redeemer liueth and that I shal rise againe in the last day and shal be couered with my skinne Heb. 11 and shall see God In this the ancient fathers trauailed patiently towardes the Citie of the Saintes before they obtained the promises This is that Helmet of Saluation whereof St. Paul speaketh in the furniture of a true Christian Ephes 6 Omnium prorum spes c. and the only hope
of all the godly as not only Augustine but the Apostle writeth that we haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and hee is the propiciation for our sinnes For whensoeuer the vngodly shall forsake his own waies and the vnrighteous his owne imaginations and turne againe vnto the Lord the Lord through this his Sonne shall be mercifull vnto him for hee is verie ready to forgiue yea hee will put all his wickednesse out of his remembrance as the holy Prophets testifie Therfore is this part worthily likened to the Tractorie by the which all Christians are not only consolated in their great sorrow but also drawne forth encouraged in the workes of their vocation to follow Christ their Maister though vnder the Crosse towards euerlasting life CHAP. XIX The sixt part of the Soole is the ground-Rise AFter the Contrition Humiliation Confession Maceration Hope of Remission there needeth Christian Patience 6. Christian PatieÌ„ce by the which a Repentant Sinner is wonderfully strengthened in the better performance of all the former for by this a man is made able to sustaine and ouercome with an equall mind all aduerse hard aduentures whatsoeuer the which therefore our Sauiour commended to his Disciples in the middest of their afflictions and troubles in this worlde Mat. â—4 Iam. 5.7 saying In patience yee shall possesse your souless the like hath Iames Be yee pattent therefore brethren vnto the comming of the Lorde And this is signified by the Grownd-Rise in the Soole of Pieties Plough This is that peece of timber which is fastened to the foote of the broadhale and serueth not only for an ayd to that part in the staying vp of the earth which the Culter hath opened but also for the beating of the stones clods and earth from the bottome of the furrow and indeede standeth in the place of the mightiest assaultes of those manifolde oppositions the which notwithstanding being of that force though of no great bignes it slideth forth with the Soole and passeth on in the worke pretended leauing all those stones cloddes and rased earth behinde it as that valiant victor which hauing slain his enemie in the field passeth ouer him and lets him there lie And of that nature and force is Patience which therfore is defined a voluntarie and daily sustentation and tolleration of very difficult and hard thinges for the sake of honestie vtility or after the Philosophers an obedience to Reason in bearing those hard aduentures which Reason perswadeth to bee borne and not daunted with sorrow that a man should yeeld to do or commit any thing against vertue notwithstanding he should die or suffer any pain whatsoeuer Neither are such esteemed patient persons which ouercome with sorrow are perswaded to perpetrate that which is not agreeable to Iustice or any other vertues But the Fathers of our Church defining the right Christian and true Patience the same which is here required haue strengthened it with the diuine loue in Iesus without the which all patience is painefull and euery affliction intollerable Hee therefore which gladly beareth all labours Cassiodor True Patience and her offâ—ce afflictions and griefes laide on him in this life in the hope of those good thinges which are to come vnto him and for the loue of GOD in Christ is a right patient man Hee beareth not against his will or perforce but willingly and gladly not pleasures but paines not in hope of worldly promotion but of the good things of the life to come not for the loue of the world diuell or flesh but for the loue of God that not deserued by that suffring or any his merits but in Iesus Christ This therefore is that vertue indeede which obeyeth God in bearing all afflictions which the Lorde commandeth him to beare and therein is not broken with sorrow as that wee woulde endeuour any thing against Gods will or grudge at those his corrections For it is the office of Patience to mollifie all sorrowes by the acknowledging of Gods will and the consideration of the gladnesse of his Spirit to retaine hope of good deliuery from troubles through Christ to desire of God mitigation ease according to that saying of the Psalmist Waite on the Lord and keepe his waies and he wil promote thee thou shalt see it Iohn Chrisostome Chrysostome gathereth nine degrees of this Ground-Rise The first degree is that a man beginne not to doe any Iniustice Next that hee reuenge not his enemie with the like Thirdly that he do not that which himself hath suffered to him that molested him but to surcease Fourthly to expose himselfe to the sufferance of iniuries Fiftly to offer himselfe againe to the like Sixtly not to hate him that wrongs him Seuenthly but to loue him Eightly to doe him good Ninthly to pray for him These pointes are taken from the Doctrine of Christ Mat. 5 3â— which hee preached to his Disciples on the Mount I say vnto you saith he Resist not euill but whosoeuer shal smite thee on thy right cheeke turne to him the other also And if any man will sew thee at the law take away thy coate let him haue thy cloake also and whosoeuer will compell thee to goe a mile goe with him twaine Againe Loue your enemies blesse them that curse you doe good to them that hate you pray for them which hurt you and persecute you This hee saith to teach how farre off wee should bee from reuenge murmour and that wee should rather be contented to beare yet more and greater wrongs and troubles then to study or endeuour to reuenge or grudge against that which we haue already laide on vs. Our Lord to perswade to this vertue produceth one sound reason That you may be the children of your Father which is in heauen As if hee said God is patient and long suffering he is your Father yee are his children it is meete that yee should therein be conformed to your father which saith Be ye holy as I am holy Christ might haue produced the example of Iob that patient man as Iames did or of Abraham of Ioseph or of Moses as Stephen and Paul did yea he might haue brought his owne example who as the Scripture testifieth being stricken he strooke not again God is called Patieâ—t but patiently bare our sinnes and our punishments in his body on the tree and was the most perfect patterne of this vertue farre beyond all them that euer liued in the world but he bringeth forth God his naturall father and our heauenly father and as he declared therein both his true nature and obedience to his naturall father so would hee that we also through him should bee therein conformed and made like to our heauenly father and might thus argue God is patient and he is my Father therefore am I also patient which am his sonne God is patient and hee is your Father and I am patient which am his Sonne
the Soole is the round-Hale BY the former handle of the Soole called also the Broade Hale is signified the turning about 7 Correction of the words and works c. and correction of the heart minde and inwarde affection of the Soule Now by this second called the Round-hale there is noted also a correction of mans words workes actions conditions and endeuours that therein the conuersion might be not onely in the minde or inward man but also without in the members so in the whole man is a perfect conuersion answerable not onely to the Greeke Metonoiah but also to the Hebrue Teschubah the altring or renewing not onely of the minde but of the whole man That is the meaning of the Prophet when hee saith Turne againe vnto the Lord Conuert thou vs and we shall be conuerted The order thereof wee may learne from the practise of the cunning Phisitian who endeuouring to alter the constitution of his sicke Patient applieth to cold causes hotte medicines and to hotte humours colde things as that with the cause of euery maladie The order of conuersion might with his contrary be best maistred and suppressed the like we may take from the vsage of the husbandman who into his hungry fields brings the fattest soyle into snapy and wet places hotte lime ashes and sand into high earth the sound marrle and into stony ground the cleanest worthe Euen so in this conuersion it is required that against wicked vices there be opposed all godly vertues Thus taught our Sauiour Christ who came into the world to saue sinners and thereto as Simeon prophecied to be the downe-falling Luk. ◠and the vprising of many in Israel which is meant not onely of sundrie persons diuersly affected to whom he allots a contrary retribution but also of one and the same singular person or persons in whom he destroyeth the kingdome of sinne that in the same he might set vp and establish the kingdome of righteousnesse And in this hee wrought the ruine of pride by his humility the ruine of auarice by his liberalitie the ruine of luxury by his chastitie the ruine of enuie by his charitie the ruine of gluttony by his sobrietie the ruine of wrath by his patience the ruine of sloath by his diligence in a word the ruine of all wickednesse by his righteousnesse A certaine man endeuouring to perswade to this patterne counselled as thus translated Vnto the sicknesse of the Soule the contraries apply Giue Niggard of thine owne thou wanton bend to chastitie Turne Enuie into loue and Pride to good humilitie Yeeld Glutton to Sobrietie thou wrathfull patience loue In fine to bridle youthfull flesh the Rodde of Nurture proue Luk. 3.5 This rule taught Iohn the Baptist in his preaching of Repentance Let euery hill bee brought lowe let euery valley bee filled vp let thinges which are crooked be made straight and that which is rough be made plaine The same Ezechiel hath without a metaphor saying Ezec. 18.21 Let the vngodly man turne away from his vngodlinesse and doe the thing that is right And Daniel counsailing Nabuchadnezar thus Breake off thy sinnes by righteousnesse Dan. 4. and thine iniquitie by mercie The meaning is that men should cast away the deedes of darkenesse and put on the armour of light that the errour of their liues might bee redressed and themselues turned to the truth and brought from the power of Sathan vnto the Lord their God This is the enkindling of the blacke cole which hauing fire in it shineth bright yea this is the well culturing of mans vntrimmed land wherby the face and forme thereof being changed renewed and all things perfected hee is made liable both in body and minde to the heauenly and soueraigne seede Howbeit we must neuer forget this that both the beginning the proceeding and the effecting of this holy worke of mans Conuersion is not of mans owne will or abilitie but that which belongeth onely to his grace who hath created him and by his Spirite in his Sonne renueth them which belong vnto his kingdome The necessitie and manner of the Lords diuine worke therein hee declareth in his disputation with Nichodemus concerning the same saying Verily verily I say vnto thee Io. 3.5 except that a man be borne of water and of the Spirite he cannot enter into the kingdome of God Where he meaneth the Spirituall water whereby wee are baptized by the holy Ghost into newnesse of life The which being an especial worke of God not onely aboue mans abilitie but farre beyond his wisedome to conceiue he is bound to ascribe the praise thereof vnto the Lorde and with continuall inuocations and praiers desires of his goodnesse that as hee is most willing to worke this conuersion in vs by his Spirite we may not any way refuse the good motions of the same but euermore yeeld our selues readie both in minde and members to suppresse vices by the exercises of holy vertues and to turne away from all euill to follow and encline vnto all that is good by the helpe and grace of God in his sonne Iesus CHAP. XXII The ninth part of the Soole is the Chaine 8 The combination of Vertue AFter the two Hales or Handles wee regard the Chaine or Iron-Rope the which being fastned to the Tractorie and grapled to the yokes the whole Soole is pulled forth by the Oxen This Chaine or Rope is made of many Rings or linckes fastened one within an other so as one of thē being drawn forth all the other must of necessitie follow To such a matter aymed those auncient The three Graces wise and gratefull men who framed their three Xarisetes or Graces so as Xaris charin pherei One grace held supported or prouoked an other By this is fitly depainted the true combination prouocation of those motions which are agreeable to the lawe of God inspired and kindled by his diuine Spirite yea those very heauenly vertues and graces which are deriued vnto vs by a measure from the fulnesse of Christ and are appointed to sustaine and followe one an other in these persons regenerate Of this spake Saint Iohn when he saide that From his fulnesse we all receiue Grace Ioh. 1. vpon Grace or one vertue following an other And no doubt of the same spake Paul when hee would that such as beleeued should thereto adde not onely vertue but Proceede from vertue to vertue that is to adde one vertue to an other vntill they were made perfect in Christ But Saint Peter iumpeth iust to the Graces 1. Pet. 15. and numbreth vp sixe particular Linckes for this Chaine saying Giue yee all heede that yee minister in your faith vertue in your vertue knowledge in your knowledge temperance in your temperance godlinesse in your godlinesse brotherly kindenesse in your brotherly kindenesse loue Whereas hee saith Giue ye all heede that ye minister in your faith vertue c. He meaneth not that the power of the action or
is not yet made meete to rule the Church Labour in the word doctrine By Labouring in the Word the Apostle meaneth his exercise in the holy Mysteries but chiefly diligent studie and meditation in the feare of God whereby being that way furnished he may be able to draw forth of his full vessell measurably vnto his flocke in the Church the which is meant by the labour in doctrine It is therefore required that the Minister be of good gouernment for himselfe his family and flocke and that hee bee a diligent student and painefull feeder of the sheepe of Christ thereby to expresse his loue to his maister and to discharge his dutie in his place And that this may be done with more cheerfulnesse The yoke of the oxen Act. 1.15 they forget not the nature of their yoke and combinations This is not that seruile yoke of the lawe tied to circumcision ceremonies and such like the which except they did in those times obserue they were cursed but that easie yoke which our Sauiour willeth vs to take vp that is the sweete doctrine and most wholesome discipline of the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ by faith in whom wee are saued and whom to serue is perfect freedome for he is our sanctification and redemption To take vp this yoke is to submit our selues to the doctrine rule and discipline of Christ to doe him homage to embrace him to harken to him and to honour serue and follow him as our Maister our teacher our king and the authour of our health he saith not cast off the yoke of the Lawe but take mine for it is not enough to abandon other yokes except wee also take vp this yoke and follow him in the field as his loue-labouring Oxen vnder this yoke wherein although some sower things are mixed with sweete things yet hath it both great comfort and like vtilitie And this The manner of the combination in the yoke that we may also the better enioy the manner of the combination labor and proceeding of those Oxen it may be considered and by comparison duly applied Therefore heere first let vs note the agreement as of two Oxen vnder the same yoke so the meete concorde of them all together in the same labour Secondly their faithfulnesse in the worke wherein drawing proportionably one deceiueth not another Thirdly their strength which is not lither or weake buâ— forcible to the purpose Fourthly their willingnes to the furtherance of the worke Fiftly their mutuall comfort wherein one encourageth an other in ther labour In like manner for the better speede of this Plough the spirituall Oxen haue and retaine first loue and concord in and among themselues for hereby saith Christ shall all men know that ye are my Disciples secondly faithfulnesse in their function which as the Apostle saith is required of the disposers of the mysterries of God thirdly fortitude assisted by godly patience as hee saith Possesse your soules in patience and be strong in the Lord fourthly goodwill as the Angells proclaimed Goodwill vnto men fiftly it is required that those good Oxen should animate and prouoke one an other of them in this good worke in such sort as did the vigilant Pastours who hearing of the birth of Christ saide one to an other Luk. 2.15 Heb. 8.10 Rom. 3.27 1. Tim. 1.19 1. Cor. 1.24 1. Pet. 1.5 Come let vs goe to Beth-lem and see this thing And as also did Saint Peter and Iohn Paul and Barnabas Philippe and Nathanael taking and vsing for their better furnishing of those yokes the Lawe of the Spirit and of a sound conscience for necke-bowes the wisedome and power of the Highest for the kayes and the lawful disposition of their senses internall externall for the ropes or chaines as whereby they see heare taste sauour feele the things which appertaine as wel to the soule as to the body for the the glory of God the benefit of the church and discharge of proper duties All the which is not a little fortified by that faithfull Hope which looketh not onely to the expected fruits of their labours in others but to a meete remuneration on themselues albeit they haue an especiall regard as wel to their owne duty binding them as to the glory diuine emboldning them 1. Cor. 9. 1. Tim. 5. For as the labouring Oxe by the rule of the law might not be defrauded of his due fodder so hee that tilleth the ground should till the same in hope And this is spoken not only to perswade the spirituall land to yeeld fit food to the spirituall Oxen as of right Grego in Iob. lib. 1. c. 16. but to encourage those Oxen to to labour the land as of dutie without fainting When therefore the Apostle wisheth that the Ministers of the Gospel should liue of the Gospell his meaning is that they should bee well maintained as whereby the better able to performe the worke And this hee likewise vnderstandeth by that double honour Double honour which they deserue that rule wel and labour in the word and doctrine first they are to be esteemed with due reuerence and maintained with like beneuolence Neither is their reward only with men but with the Lorde who is not forgetfull of their good works God promised to AbrahaÌ„ 1. Cor. 15. that he would be his exceeding great reward which doubtlesse was entended not of that only which should be enioyed in this life but of that wherein those Saints are and shall be as the heauens light Dan. 12.13 How the true Labourers are rewarâ—ded with men and shine as the stars in the firmament for euer It is too often obserued in the maligne world that the best labourers want their condigne honour yea their most worthy studies and godly endeuouors are rewarded with hatreds emulations displeasures and ingratitudes as sometime the laborious Oxe findes at the vnthriftie husbands handes tedious toiles sorie fare and bad vsage that farre inferiour touching this dutie to the heathen who as Plato Plato de Leg. dial 6. de sacer disputed in his lawes euer regarded the honour of their Priests Howbeit it is most true for their endlesse comfort that those their labours in the Lorde are not in vaine but euermore recompenced with a double reward of the Lords bountie and grace In regard whereof not onely Moses the Propheâ—s and Apostles haue beene well pleased to beare Onus aestum Diei the burthen of the day in this seruice but also the Martyrs of the Primitiue Church with the Ministers and all other faithfull workemen in this field haue exposed themselues to the wood rage of bloody Tyrants resoluing not onely with Iob and Paul If thou wouldest kil me yet wuld I trust in thee And in this cause death is to me an aduaÌ„tage but also with those Martyrs of the Greek church Gordius Gordius Martyr Ignatius saying Ego ou monon hapax apothanein eitotmos echo huper tou onomatos
tou Kuriou Iesou alla kai muriakis ean iaie I am ready said Gordius not onely to labour but to die for the name of the Lord Iesus not onely once but a thousand times if it might so bee Ignat. in apost ad Trattia acts Epest 10. ad Ephes And I said Ignatius haue setled my hope in him who died for mee that is Christ For there is no guile founde in him Againe I am for Gods cause deliuered into the hands of murtherers as from the bloud of Abell the iust vnto the bloud of Ignatius the least Againe writing to the Romanes Suffer mee saith he to be made meate for the beastes appointed to deuour me Epist 11 that I may be made worthy of God For I am the wheate or corne of God and I shall be grinded with the teeth of beasts that I may become cleane bread for the Lord and therto ye may perswade those beasts that their wombes become my Sepulchre and that they leaue no part of my body whereby after my death the same may not remaine loathsome vnto any of them which liue Loe this is that which faithfull hope perswades and such are the Oxen such is their labour in this field and such is their remuneration with the Lorde and his Saints CHAP. XXIX 1 The Holder 2 The Leader 3 The Driuer of Pieties Plough WE knowe right well The working of God in the regeneration of man Dionys Areo in Caiest hierarchiae ca. 1. that no man commeth to the Father but by the Sonne that no man commeth to the Son but he whom the Father draweth and that no man commeth either to the one or to the other but by the power and motion of the holy Ghost So that in this worke the whole Trinitie of the diuine Deitie hath his action and perfect working therefore it is Cant. 1. that the most holy Spowsesse â—s Salomon testifieth prayeth to her most peerlesse head saying Draw me forth after thee and then will we runne Ier. 31. Ephraim implores as the Prophet Ieremie saith O Lorde conuert vs and wee shall bee conuerted The Apostles desire O Lorde encrease our faith And the Lorde Iesus himselfe sending forth his Apostles commaundes them to preach the Gospell and to Baptise the beleeuers in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Therefore as the Plough is by the Holder thereof directed by the Leader allured and by the Driuer prouoked so is this spirituall Plough directed by God the Father allured by God the Sonne and prouoked by God the holy Ghost for God himselfe holdeth Christ Iesus leadeth and the holy Spirite prouoketh the Plough in this husbandrie and field of the Lord. Gen. 1.1 Thus in the great work of the Creation these three persons had not onely their seuerall but their ioynt operations as Moses testifieth Thus in the conception and birth of Christ God the Father begets Mat. 1. Luk 2. God the holy Ghost workes in the conception and God the Sonne is begotten and borne which three also worke in the begetting regeneration and new birth of the elected Saints albeit they are not three but one eternall God The Holder My Father saith Christ is an Husbandman and so called in regard of his wisedome prouidence and good endeuours had God is as a Husbandman Secund. Philoso and daily employed by him on the soyle of mans heart wherein semblant to the Husbandman whom the Philosopher Secundus in the presence of Adrian defined he is a Minister of labours an improuer of the desart a Phisitian of the earth a Planter of trees and a Measurer or Proportioner of monethes In this person we may here remember beyond many others two principall attributes or diuine vertues namely Gods iustice and mercie his Iustice and his Mercie both the which in the holding of this Plough hee aptly applieth as his two handes to those two Hales or handles of the Soole In the former we finde him euer vpright and seuere against presumptious sinners in the latter louing and cheerful to penitents The first is strengthened by the vigour of the Lawe the latter beautified by the comforts of the Gospel and therein both these are so tempted by the meditation of Messias his merite Gregor mor. in Iob. 35 lib. 26. cap. 10. that neither presumption hurteth nor desperation killeth him that truly repents For as God is a good Father so in his goodnesse he respects not only his naturall Sonne God and man but all such as haue their adoptioÌ„ by grace in him with a right fatherly loue and affection The Leader as it is said before is Christ Iesus 2 Christ is the Leader of the Plough who indeede goeth forth before all those his Oxen as their Head and Captaine and willing to bring man from errours to the truth and especially his Ministers to the right method and order of their vocation Aug. in Ioan. tract 22. he saith I am the Way the Truth and the Life As if he would say Falli non vis Ego sum veritas Mori non vis Ego sum vita Errare non vis Ego sum via Non est qua eas nisi ad me non est quà cas nisi per me Wilt thou not be deceiued I am the Truth Wilt thou not die I am the Life Wilt thou not erre I am the Way Thou hast not whither to goe but vnto me neither maist thou walke safely sauing by me This is the same to whom the Lawe directs the Prophets point the Figures ayme and whom the Father would that all men should heare and hee hath not onely shewed the way vnto the kingdome but louingly allures men to walke in the same Therefore he faith Mat. 11.29 Learne of me Come vnto me Neither hath he at any time required that of his followers in this worke which himselfe had not first vndertaken in his owne person In regard whereof Apo. 14.1 those hundred fortie and foure thousand redeemed soules which stand with the Lambe on Mount Sion followe him wheresoeuer he goeth and therefore as for him they are crossed they shall be with him also crowned finding that all the afflictions of this life for him Ro. 8. are not worthy that glory which shall be reuealed in him 3 The Driuer The holy Ghost prouokes the good Oxe The Driuer of this Plough is the diuine Spirite through whose instigation the goade is agitated the Oxen prouoked and the Plough furthered too and for the which it pleaseth him semblant to the Goad inch or driuer of Oxen to vse and apply sometimes Words sometimes Voices sometimes Songs or whistlings sometimes prickes and stripes The Words Words are the examples testimonies sentences and Parables of the holy Scriptures Eccle. 12. the which as saith Salomon as are goades and nailes fastened by the maisters of the Assemblies which are giuen by one Pastor goades to prouoke and nailes to confirme the working
true Christian The Voices Voices are the preachings of the Prophets Preachers Euangelists and Ministers of the holy word who like Saint Iohn the Baptist the Criers voyce in the world prepares the Lordes way among men The Songs Songs or whistlings are the sweete promises of God in Christ who by many comfortable metaphors and arguments of loue allures men vnto him The Shaking of the Goade Shaking of the Goade is the comination or threat of punishment and heauie iudgements to fall on them which are either negligent or vnfaithfull in this seruice As thou Sonne of man saith the Lord if thou tell them not of their sinnes but permit them that they die therein I will require their blood from thine hand Againe Cursed is hee who dooth the Lords worke negligently The Pricks of the Goade Prickes of the Goade are corrections afflictions crosses anguishes and sorrowes whereby the lazie is stirred vp the idler prouoked the sinner punished Ion. 2. By this Goade was Ionas pierced when hee was found faulty in his Ministerie by the same was Peter perswaded to acknowledge and confesse him thrise whom hee had thrise denied Iob. 20. Saul by the same became a Paul most redie to runne his course in this Plough and those Angells in the Ephesian Churches Apoc. 2. which were sometime tepidous and backeward were well warned and set forward And truly this is Gods wisedome to deale with his seruants as for his owne glory and the good of his Church so for their good whom he warneth threatneth punisheth not to destroy them but as a good Father to his prodigall child as a prudent Schoolemaister to his negligent schollers as a cunning Phisitian to his insolent patients Chrysost ad Bab. Martyr and as the wise husbandman to his lazie Oxen but yet with some seueritie on them that disobey his knowne will and abuse with presumption his gratious long suffering Thus haue wee perused Pieties Plough in all parts members performed Now hee that takes hold of this Plough Hee that takes the Plough in hand but continue it and continueth not to the end but lookes backward with Demas is not fit for the kingdome of God Let vs therefore pray to the Lord to encrease our faith to helpe on our labours to confirme our ministerie and strengthen vs in him both to the end and in the end by the strong influence and power of his Spirit the agitator and driuer of this potent Plough CHAP. XXX The harrowing of the Lords Land after the Seede sowen therein PIeties Plough beeing thus compleat wee are next to consider of the harrowing of the Lords Land The good husbandman for the breaking and bruising of the rough cloddes of earth and better couering of the Seede cast into his field hath an instrument framed to that vse which he calls the Harrow or Dragge and this containes diuers orders or rewes of manie sharpe tines or nailes the which by how much more keene and tender pointed they bee the better by so much they serue to this vse Now in this spirituall Georgie there is likewise a spirituall Harrow without the which there rest in the heart of man many stubborne cloddes of concupiscence and sinne as whereby the soueraigne seede of the heauenly word may not well take roote and bring forth fruit of encrease This Harrow is that tentation whereby the Lord God bruiseth the corruption of mans nature The Harrow or Dragge and trieth them that appertaine to his Kingdome for their good And therefore as the Harrow hath in it many sharpe tines or prickes for that vse this Tentation hath his Contents of diuers kindes of affliction applicable and that profitable for the spirituall Lande Amongst many others of this kinde the Apostle to the Hebrewes The harrow tines chap 11. hath numbred these particulars as namely mockings scourgings bands prisonments stonings piercings woundings burnings wandrings tormentings afflictions death And those and such like vexations hath the Lord appointed and permitteth to fall on his Saints as whereby in this life they might be tried and in their triall purged as corne and purified as gold in the fire that so through many tribulations incident to mans nature they might bee framed liable to this vse and finally being redeemed from the earth and washed in the blood of the Lambe and abandoning the world they might effect and enter the heauenly Ierusâ—lem Greg. in Iob. li. â—6 ca. 9. the place of their rest Neguitia reproborum triturae more electorum vitam quasi grana à paleis seperans premit purgat The naughtinesse of the Reprobates saith Gregorie after the manner of a triture or threshing doth bruise and purge the life of the elect as seperating the corne from the chaffe for the euill when they afflict the good The cause wherefore God suffereth the godly to be afflicted in this life doe the sooner thereby driue them from the desires of this world for whiles they lay on them many violent pressures they compel them to hasten to things heauenly the which is well noted in the example of the Israelites when Moses called them from the oppression of Pharaoh And this is the cause that the Lord permittes the righteous to bee troubled by the vnrighteous that when they heare tell of the good thinges future which they desire they may sustaine for a time the affliction of those euill thinges which they abhor and such their crosses may enforce them to an happy ende while loue allures them to the same Neither indeed may the nature of men be otherwise framed applicable to the Lords vse as thus by praue concupiscence subdued to sinne But by this as by the rough Harrow the clods of his nature being bruised and that good corne couered in the earth howsoeuer the wicked imagine the seede of Gods word therein dieth the fruite of Righteousnesse in time is seene to recompence the husbands toyle Therefore when the Prophet Dauid obserued the necessitie and conuenience thereof he confessed that good it was for him that hee had bene troubled that is harrowed though by the persecution of Gods enemies 1 We are not afflicted by God vniustly But if at any time we seek for the cause of this our trouble and can hardly finde the same yet let this suffice to perswade that wee suffer none of these trialles vniustly for if by the goodnesse of God we be now made somewhat who before were not there is no doubt but that the same God bearing rule ouer all will not permit vs which now are made to be vniustly afflicted he will not neglect the worke of his owne hand but preserue that himselfe hath created Greg. ibi i. cap. 10. and constraine all those hard aduentures betiding vs to further the same preseruation for his glory and our endlesse consolation Next let vs endeuour in this case to resemble the good ground which first simplie obeyeth yeldeth to the hand of
day if ye will heare his voyce harden not your harts And Christ saith Whiles ye haue the light walke in the light Moreouer the Lord speaking of an especiall time saith Isai 49.8 I haue heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of saluation haue I succoured thee The which S. Paul applying to this gratious opportunity wherein the Lord did not only declare but offer vnto the Corinthians others the effects of his loue hee saith Now is that acceptable time 2. Cor. 6. now is that day of saluatioÌ„ And this is that which the Lord gratiously extendeth to his Saints the which hee wold they should accept without delaies for their good This therfore obserued righteous Noah when according to Gods commandement he did not onely preach of Gods mercies 120. yeares to the olde world but entred the Arke in the opportune time The like obserued AbrahaÌ„ wheÌ„ he went forth of his own Country Lot when he departed froÌ„ Sodome Moses when with the Israelites he went out of Egypt and Matthew Peter Iames Andrew Paul and Iohn when they were called they answered not wee will first goe and burie our fathers or bid them farewell which are at home or goe see the farmes we haue purchased or prooue the oxen wee haue bought but they presently accepted the diuine grace without lingering or excuses Thus the fiue wise Virgins waited and in the due time entred in with the Bride when the foolish neglecting the opportunitie were shut out with this saying I know you not And this should teach vs to accept of the precious good opportunity the rather for that as in the same we shall finde rest to our soules and bee blessed So in the neglect thereof there is coÌ„monly found affliction and woe Chry. in Babil conâ—ra gentes For as Saint Chrysostome saide Tâ—iaute gar esti tou thiâ—â—macrothamia tois oule eis deon chromenois auteÌ„ peer ateran eo ageitendiken Such is the long suffering or goodnesse of God that hee greeuously punisheth them which abuse it and as to them which repent the same is euer found profitable so to the obstinate stubborne persons it offereth an occasion of more greeuous punishment and is according to that coniunction on the Israelites saying As the Lord reioyced ouer you to doe you good Deut. 28.63 and tomultiâ—ly you so be will reioyce ouer you to bring you to nought and ye shal be rooted out of the Land whither thou goest to enioy it if thou wilt not feare the Lord thy God This being well considered by the Prophet and willing that the Lords children well aduised should obserue the due time with her oppertunitie he said It is time to seeke the Lord whiles he commeth as if hee should say to serue him to feare him and to apprehend and accept his louing graces then whiles he offereth the same 3. The Lords fatherly affection Dyonis Areo pag in Caelest hierarchia cap. 1. The third Reason is drawne from the consideration of that Storge or most louing affection of a naturall father to his dâ—are sonne Wherein the Lord declares himselfe as a Father to his people and therein as wee see howe parents in many thinges preuent their children and are willing and ready to pardon them before that euer they aske or seeke for pardon vppon their faultes committed beeing sorie that by their slidings they offer occasion of anger or correction euen so as the Prophet saith The Lord is very readie to forgiue and commeth forth vnto them Isa 5.5 Hos 10. Luk 15. to raine Righteousnes vpon them This hath Christ expressed in the Parable of the good Father and his prodigall Sonne Where the good father seeing his poore sonne comming towards him yet a great way off ranne forth to meete him and yet before his sonne could open his mouth to aske mercie he preuented him with the tokens of his goodnes and fatherly loue Of this grace and mercie of our heauenly Father comming neare vnto vs and so ready to helpe and embrace vs with the armes of his loue Saint Augustine in his holy Cofessions could meditate in this sort Gratia misericordia Dei semper praueniebâ—â—t 〈◊〉 c. The grace and mercie of God did alway preuert me from many daungers it deliuered me when I was sicke it salued me when I erred it reduced me when I fell downe it vpraised me when I was sorrowfull it consolated me c. Thus as the Lord seemeth very sorrowfull that we should sinne to offend him and endanger ourselues so is he glad of our returne vnto him as whereby we may be recured for our safetie And knowing our necessities at all times he doth often minister vnto vs that whereof we haue need albeit bee haue neither the knowledge nor the readinesse of our selues to a ke or require the same at his hands The fourth Reason is taken from the excellencie of the benefite or thing promised for he saith 4. The excâ—lâ—encie of the benefit that the Lord will come and raine downe Righteousnesse vpon them that sowe for righteousnesse and reape after mercies measure which indeed is a great and excellent blessing of the Lorde on his Saints as wherby they shall not onely haue a good reward but with great abundance The second thing promised is as the wise man hath said Righteousnesse Righteousnesse that is the fruites effects and reward of Righteousnesse by the figure Metonomia Now as we should perswade that the promises of God are Yea and Amen so his will is that such as heare his word and obey him therein shall obtaine and retaine that which they faithfully desire for his owne glory and their benefite Therefore he saith Aske and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall finde knocke and it shalt be opened vnto you Heb. 11. And Blessed are they which hunger and th rst after Righteousnesse for they shall be satisfied Therefore was it as the Apostle saith that the holy Fathers staggered not in faith but stedfastly beleeued that God would euer be as good as his promise So ploughing for Righteousnesse and seeking after goodnesse we shall no doubt timely reape and enioy the fruites thereof Secondly by this word the Prophet pointeth to that encrease of vertues which should ensue our labours in the Lorde by the same we are encouraged to diligence and therein to regard how we may bee augmented as that the fiue talents committed vnto vs should by our godly exercises bee made tenne and those tenne talents twentie neuer doubting of the rich bountie of the Lord who as he vseth not to quench the smoking Flaxe nor to breake the bruised Reede hee will accept that which we haue and not condemne vs for want of quantitie when wee endeuour in his feare to expresse the qualitie and he will of his goodnesse giue a plentifull encrease vnto our labours To this aymed Saint Iohn Ioh 1. â— when he said that from his fulnesse we all receiue
whereby euerie one hath enough thereof to societie as the earth hath of the timely raine when it falles thereon Not of mans policie or power but of his owne goodnesse to whom it is lawful to do as himself listeth with that which is his owne The seuenth Argument is taken from the benefite of righteousnesse in our selues 7. The benefite in our selues for he saith that hee will raine Righteousnesse on you that is on them which haue sowne vnto themselues for righteousnesse or laboured for Pietie Surely the fruite of this Grace shall be our owne if we seeke the Lorde after this method and rule So said the sweete Psalmist concerning the godly Psal 107.37 Thou shalt eate the labour of thine hands Againe they sowe the fieldes and plant Vineyards which bring forth vnto themselues fruitefull encrease for he blesseth them and they multiply exceedingly What Husbandman is he wich is not encouraged to labour in his field if he once perswade in assurance that he shall not onely haue great encrease but that the profit therof shall be his owne What Merchant man aduentureth not on the raging Seas with the more boldnesse which hopeth that the gaines of his trauels shall redound to himselfe And truly so is that man animated and encouraged in his vocation that hopeth for his proper commoditie and reward of the same So saith the Prophet to the righteous The Lorde will raine downe Righteousnesse that is the full fruites and effectes of Righteousnesse vpon you As Christ said in his praier to his Father I pray not for the world but for them whom thou hast giuen me out of the world So saith the Lord by the Prophet I say not that those large Graces are laid vp of my loue To whom Gods graces appertaine and so bestowed on the worldlings which followe after their owne lustes in voluptuousnes and sinne for these things appertaine not vnto them but onely for the Righteousnesse which are exercised in the workes of Pietie which haue laboured in my Vineyard and therein borne the burthen and heate of the day for it is meete according to my promise that by the merite of my Sonne they now rest from their labours and haue a refreshing yea that they bee rewarded and all their workes follow them in the glory of their Sauiour The eight and last Argument is taken from the Lords kinde fauour vnto his chosen 8. The Lordes kindenesse and regard and his louely regard of this businesse to be performed considered in this word He commeth For first in that himselfe being so high and glorious should not onely respect man but also vouchsafe to come vnto him intimateth vnto vs with what gratious kindnes and kinde grace he embraceth his Saints To this the Lord alluding by his Apostle saith Apo. 3. Behold I stand at the doore and knock if any will open vnto me I will come in and sup with him and hee with me It is esteemed no meane loue of a Prince grace of a subiect when the Prince vouchsafeth to come vnto his subiect resting himselfe vnder the couering of his house and such is the Lords kinde loue vnto vs and such is our honour by his grace Next hereof is gathered the great regard that the Lorde God hath of the performance of his word and preseruation of his chosen for howsoeuer he hath risen vp early sent forth his seruants with a charge not onely to worke but to ouersee direct and also to recompence the labourers with meete rewards yet such is his regard that hee likewise commeth himselfe not onely to see the thing performed but to effect it or at the least to supply by his powerfull hand wisedome prouidence that whatsoeuer hath beene found in them wanting or defectiue according as himselfe saith in the Prophet Ioel Ioel. 2. Act. 13. Behold I worke a worke in your daies as if he said howsoeuer the whole hoast of heauen be moued and the inhabitants of the earth prouoked and all my seruants are ready in their places to performe my word to them commanded yet doe I my selfe worke all neither are they able to effect or bring to passe ought without mee yea and I will see that the thing promised shall be surely performed brought to passe in his due time And this we must beleeue perswade that as the Lord is good to Israel so wil he of his louing affection bee present with Israel that is to the godly to helpe them to preserue them and to benefit them with the rich treasures of his house Lo such is his goodnesse and so large are his mercies vnto them which plough for righteousnesse and reape after the method of mercie In regard whereof let vs be excited and stirred vp in the right performance of this duty let vs seeke the Lord in singlenesse of heart and call vpon him with our voyce let vs loue him aboue all things and come vnto him let vs be thankfull and expresse our thankfulnesse in our humble and dutifull obedience vnto his most high Maiesty in the name of his sweete Sonne Iesus to whom with the holy Ghost three persons in Trinitie and one eternall God in vnitie be praise honour and glorie for euermore Amen FINIS