Sathan and sinne the worlde and our owne selues to match with Christ Iesus and bee gouerned vnder him hee will vouchsafe to embrace vs and receiue vs to fauour Oh therefore good people as you loue your owne souls let me intreate and in intreating let me obtaine that you will vnfeignedly loue Christ Iesus againe I maye not leaue you til I obtaine at your handes O that I coulde so vndermine your hearts and vse my speech so as I might preuaile with you and speede for so gracious a sutor and louer Alas my deare brethren we haue serued our owne lustes too too long already For is it not sufficient for vs that we haue spent the time past of the life after the lust of the Gentiles walking in wantonnes lustes drunkennesse pride selfeloue couetousnes gluttony drinkings and such other abhominations 1. Pet. 4.3 Let the rest of our life be consecrate vnto God for we haue played the filthy harlots too much and haue mocked with the Lord a long time We haue made many fayer promises and shewes of loue but in vaine some of vs for we haue turned to our owne filthines againe and not liued chaste in our soules before the Lorde so as it is wonder that he hath not giuen vs a bil of diuorcement al this time and turned vs out of doores Let vs therefore humble our selues before the bill of diuorcement be published against vs. Alas let not the loue of this world though it séeme neuer so gorgious rich and precious in our eyes deceiue vs so that our loue shoulde be set vpon that and Christe shoulde be gainesayd who hath beene at great cost with vs. Some refuse to ioyne with Christ because they are wedded to their pleasures and profits and are loth to be weaned from them Some thinke Christe to homely and plaine for them and not gallant ynough to maintayne them in their pride in their great ruffes gorbellies broadred heare and a thousande such vanities which hinder them from matching with Christ The courtlike minions drowned in their pleasures are ashamed of the playnes of Christ for they that are in kinges housen weare soft apparell but Christe is without such pompe Othersome refuse him because he is deformed and worne with afflictions being loath to vndergo the crosse with him Othersome imbrace him willingly so farre as their pleasures and commodities reache and as they may liue easely but when Christ looketh to haue their loue in trouble in pouerty in shame in dishonor then they leaue him as most faithlesse and shamelesse strompetes Other some vse Christ as a band to couer their vnchast and filthy life and as a cloake to couer their vncleannesse when in professing of him they thinke to set a good face on the matter countenance themselues by him though they priuily nourish pamper most vile beastly affections yea vglesome monsters at home as a harlot which taketh a husband is bear his name as an outward honesty and yet let out her body most shamelesly to other men who cutteth off her selfe by her vnfaithfulnesse from her husband So shal al such haue a bill of diuorcement and bee vtterly caste off from Christe Iesus vnlesse they repent Christ I say is come into his Garden by his ministers and ouerlooketh his Church labouring by his worde to draw men more neere vnto him for his word is his errande or suite which he maketh to vs and the free deed of feofment which hee maketh to his Spouse of his inheritaunce so as we must by faith set our hand to it doing all seruices and loyalties due to the Lorde who holdeth the prerogatiue ouer vs. Yet we refuse to make sure this our estate vnto vs or to match with Christe affiauncing our selues wholy vnto him both body and soule to be sanctified to the vse of holinesse and righteousnesse Surely there is iust cause that we should yeeld to this suite to eat of his pleasures with him to make merry with Christ in this his roial banquet and to match our selues to him In deed there is a great inequalitie in the match that the sonne of God should come downe from heauen indued in our â—â—â—she to espouse him self to mans soul which was forfeited into the hand of sathan and hel so as modesty might seeme to be an excuse to hold vs backe but it is not that which hindreth vs but euen pride selfeloue contempt ignorance worldly mindednesse and such like Cast off therefore al lets and yeeld ouer your selues to the Lorde sith he hauing all riches offereth to participate the same with vs and intreateth vs so to doe by his seruantes If we seeke for a rich match Lo he is most rich If for honor and dignity he is most honorable and king of al kings If for pomp he hath al the glory of his father If for beauty and person he is most beautifull and personable If for pleasure he hath all true pleasures If for ease he offereth true rest and ease euen to our soules If we seeke to match with an honest stock who is more honest gratious louing and holy then the sonne of God Who loketh not to our person beauty riches stock or pareÌ„tage for we come al off the rotten poore beggerly deformed Psal 44.3 and defiled race of Adam but beholdeth vs in him selfe and as the Hebrwes speake pleaseth him selfe in vs and so sanctifieth vs in him self to become a noble generation and kingly priesthood 1. Pet. 2.9.10 yea he hath mercy on her that was not pittied Hosh 2.23 Thus we see that Christ in whom all riches are without measure is not a niggarde to kéep theÌ„ to himself but most frankly frely he imparteth theÌ„ al to his church and participateth euen his own glory with his saintes so as he hath giuen charge to his angels to becom the princely gard of his quéen which is the company of the beléeuers whom the Lord sanctifieth to be holy without spot and wrinckle For we must not looke to be at our owne wil and follow our owne minds but must be at the commandement of our spiritual husband Christe Iesus to doe his will renouncing our owne will and corrupt affections and become new creatures For they that are Christes haue crucified the flesh with the lusts desires thereof Gal. 5.24 and let him that is in Christ become a new creature 2. Cor. 5.17 And this is it that frayeth men from Christ because they are loath to vnder go his burthen and yoke to cast of the world leuing theÌ„selues behind theÌ„ to follow Christ And true it is vntil we are truely won vnto christ affianced to him by faith forsaking our own selues we are in the state of damnation Let vs therfore vpon paine of damnation forsake our selues the world Sathan sinne and our owne worthines and stand to the Lords curtesie yea let vs wed our selues to him seruing him with obedient heartes preseruing our thoughtes affections and
desires chast vnto him not intangled with the loue of the world our owne pleasures and filthy lustes For Christ loueth not to match with the soule that is set in the loue of this worlde or where vncleannesse is resident Oh therefore I pray you let vs ioyne handes and heartes with him let vs euen this day make a new couenaunt with him yea let euery one of vs in our souls mourn lament that we haue let out our lusts thoughts affections and members to Sathan heretofore and plaied the harlots with him I say let this day be a witnesse with vs that we haue affianced our heartes vnto Christ O let me not speake or intreat in vaine it wil be your own hurt deare brethren We can except nothing againste this heauenly sutor neither in his person parentage riches loue nor in the couenaunts which he maketh with vs. He may except many thinges against vs but passing ouer al occasions he freely loued vs when we were his enemies he chose vs before we were and visited vs when we were miserable harlots and outcastes redeemed vs when we were captiued of Sathan washed vs and bathed vs in his owne precious bloud when we were grieuously defiled and desperately forlorne he trymmed vs with his owne beauty and righteousnesse when we were vglesome in our selues cloathed vs in his owne garmentes when we were naked Finally he decked vs that hee might loue his owne goods in vs and came in the time of wooing in his own fleshe pitched the field against sathan and sinne who had taken vs captiue and to whom we had giuen our selues as slaues and so as a valiant champion fought for his spouse iustled with all the powres of hell Math. 16. and shooke the foundations of it brake the yron gates thereof that they shall not preuaile against his spouse and brought vs out from thence restoring vs most wonderfully euen by his paineful death and blouddy passion Also he hath left vs pledges and pawnes of his loue and that he wil returne in his time to take vs home to his own heauēly pallace For his sacramentes are as rings and regal giftes tokens and remembraunces of his loue to bind vs to him againe who hath so dearely redeemed and purchased vs by a costly and bloody price so as he hath left worthy remembrances of his valiant acts and noble exploites yea his Royal Stratagemes and princely pollicies and skilfulnesse to shift off all the fiery dartes of the aduersary haue easely bewrayed them selues who in that spiritual battaile hath foyled nay cleane destroyed and triumphed ouer al his and our enemies hauing gotten a ful conquest and victory for his church and spouse Thus this noble and ventrous Knight hath dearely purchased a Spouse to him selfe O wonderful loue O mercy vnspeakable O inuincible courage of an Heroicall spirite But ah alas our wilful and damnable frowardnesse that yeeldeth not to this heauenly and louing Sutor If this wil not mooue vs what wil moue vs If this causeth not our heartes to melt nothing can Oh stony heartes harder then the flint that are not broken at this and colder then the stone Chalazias which the fier can not heat if this kindle not feruent loue in our heartes againe vnto Christ For who can deny loue to such a stedfast louer or can say nay to such a paineful Sutor Now therefore if there be anie Bowels of loue in vs deare Christians let vs bee mooued at this and sith he tooke such payne to winne vs most vyle and vnworthy of his loue what if it coste vs oure pleasures commodities our credite our friends yea or our lyfe it selfe to followe him Let vs not strayne courtesie at these thinges to loose so incomparable a Iewel It may be here wil be reply made the I spend many wordes in vaine sith no man denieth this suite but all men plaucibly entertaine Christ and come to the banquet of his word and Sacraments c. The worldly couetous man running headlong after his profites maketh great account of Christ that he shal stande him in steed the meere ciuill men also haue this hope they here his worde sometime at their leasure they looke for saluation in Christ onely and so they diet them selues with Christ thinking they make merrie with him So the adulterers murtherers deceiuers iesters swearers lyers railers contemners drunkerds proud men belly Gods Epicures Athists and such others they are content to aforde Christe a roome in their mouths and many admit of his word to lye on their deskes and scattered in their parlours desiring to be married and ioyned vnto him hoping to haue life with him So that there is no man but wil bid Christ welcome if it please him to math with them But I aunswere al that talke of Christe all that kisse him al that smile on him al that bid him welcome and wold haue a good tourne at his handes are not Christes For so long as we remaine worldlinges couetous méer ciuil men adulterers murtherers deceiuers iesters swearers liers raylers contemners drunkerds proud men belly Gods epicures Athists c. 1. Cor. 6.9.10 Ephe. 5.5 Gal. 5.19.20 We haue no inheritaunce in the kingdome of God and Christ And therfore nothing to do with him For what agreement hath righteousnes with vnrighteousnesse or what communion hath light with darknesse What concord hath Christ with Belial 2. Cor. 6.14.15 Or the beleeuer with the infidel c We must therfore flie from at appearaunce of euil If we wil haue felowship with Christ Iesus For so long as we are companions with euill men delighting in their cōpany suffering euil vnrebuked in others or nourishing euil in our selues we haue not truely yeelded vnto this suite Be not therefore companions with such Ephe. 5.6 vers 11. yea haue nothing to doe with the vnfruitfull workes of darknesse but euen reprooue them rather Let no man therefore deceaue him selfe with vayne hope and speeches for for such thinges commeth the wrath of God vppon the Children of disobedience Ephe. 5.6 Let vs then haue fellowship with Christe Iesus eating and drinking of his heauenly banquets and making merry with him that we may ioy in the strength of our saluation This we see two of the reasons which Solomon vseth both as arguments of perswasion and also as part of the suite which Christe maketh to his Spouse Now in this 2. verse before Solomon doth not set downe any more reasons or go on forward in the suite he interlaceth one circumstance of the lets which hindred the spouse in her comming on For I wil not precisely draw euery circumstance to his owne proper place in the diuision made but note them as the text most fitly giueth occasion and yet not altogether confusedly nor improper to the diuision it selfe which I set down before I sleepe saith she but my heart waketh c. As if she should say These amorous speeches and friendly offers of my loue do much
and loose ministery I say therefore againe intreat the ministers of your parrishes and call vppon them yea charge them but reuerently in the feare of God with an humble spirite that they haue care of you to fulfil the ministery inioyned them of the high God vpon paine of his displesure and as they wil aunswere before God for you and your families in the dreadful day of iudgement when they shall giue an account for your soules Heb. 13.17 Oh it shaketh my trembling ioyntes and dissolueth my sinnewes with feare to thinke what woofull euydence shall bee brought in againste the carelesse ministery by the Soules of their charge which perishe for want of instruction when they shall stande vp in plea againste them to testifie vppon their heads saying Ah alas we neuer receiued instruction by our Pastors we maye thanke them in part of our damnable destruction which haue not sought to bring vs vnto God nor taught vs the way of truth nor laboured to turne vs from our sinnes being without knowledg themselues kept vs in ignorance and blindnes flattering vs in our sins But now wo alas Hosh â— 6 we perish because we had not the knowledge of God Me thinkes I see the woeful wringing of handes the trickling teares distilling from their eyes the condemning of themselues by speechlesse silence their heads hanging downe and the diereful dent of doleful death to cease vpon them Yea me thinkes I heare their shiftles shifts their shouting shrames crying out of their damnable estate For what shiftes can they haue before the alseeing and iust iudge of all the world Shal pretence of lawes excuse them if they can say I haue read seruice to them and the common booke of Prayer and done al that law require For herewith they thinke they haue stopped mens mouthes But they slander the lawes of our Prince which require as I suppose most of those gifts in the ministers that should be admitted which Paule mentioneth to Titus Howsoeuer it be ouerseen of those that haue admitted such but lawes of men countenance of Magistrates nor the example of others shal not bear vs out in the glorious and fearefull presence of the great God who shal sit as sole iudge ouer al persons and causes But if thou hast not fedde the Lordes people and preached the Gospel thogh to read the worde is good to read the booke of common Prayer is good yet thou shalt not be excused sith it pleased the Lorde not simply by his word but Through preaching to saue them that beleeue As the publique ordinary means in his Church Yea and the lawes of the realme require such to be admitted as are able to teach 1. Cor. 1.21 2. Tim. 4.1.2 And Paule giueth a precise charge to Timothie to preach the word But some man wil say that I wander from my text to speak thus much of the dumbe and carelesse Ministers I swerue not from it at al. For if the Spouse straitely chargeth them of Ierusalem where God was to be inquired after in his worde to further her to her loue then is it necessarie that the neglect of this duetie in the Pastors which chiefly should helpe that way shoulde be found fault with al especially where their owne daunger is greatest for we know how the Lorde hath threatned such in the law I speake not this of the ministerie that men shoulde insult vppon the same with reproch for our owne loosenesse haue made vs reprochful ynough to the worlde but rather that men shoulde praye for the state hereof the more carefully beeing so deformed Neither doe I speake to whette the tongues of men for it is their glorie to deface the ministerie neyther yet of sinister affection againste anye as the Lorde knoweth But I speake from a heart pitying the estate therof That if it might please God the loose ministerie may see their danger and so be mooued to reforme them selues with grace God grant them Amen And I speake the more of that state now because many are here present of that calling This title of Daughters as it is a Metaphorical speech borrowed from the fellowship of Virgins before their marriage and in the time of their suit as Psalm 45.14 may appeare so also this name of Virgins in the ninth Chapter of the Prouerbes signifieth the Preachers of the worde Prou. 9.2 as Prophetes Apostles c. where wisedome sendeth out her Maidens to call men to her heauenly and riche banquet so the Daughters of Ierusalem may not improperly signifie the teachers in this place For their lips shoulde preserue knowledge and the people shoulde inquire the lawe at their mouthes as the prophet Malachi saith Mal. 2.7 adding also a strong reason to mooue the people to inquire and the pastor to teach because he is the mâ—ssenger of the Lord of Hosts Now shal we think that the Lorde will send vnfit messengers blind men and babes of his ambassage or errande that shall not speake foorth their message Will Princes wisely prouide to send wise and learned men on their ambassage And shal we deny the Lord his wisdome and foresight but we thinke anye good ynough for the Lords errand But al such as they run before they are sent so the Lorde sendeth them in his iustice to punishe the sins of men as we heard before Hosh 9.7.8 Now followeth If yee finde my welbeloued tell him I am sicke of loue The like diligent inquiry after Christ the Spouse maketh Canticles 3.1.2 Read it I pray you where she maketh streight search as for a thing of high price So that she desireth after Christ so much the more how much the more she was beaten backe of others yea she euer languisheth after Christ contemning all other things in respect of him As Paule counted all thinges vile dung in comparison of Christ Iesus These are all speeches of loue she woulde haue the Godly specially the teachers to commend her in their prayers vnto God This speech I am sicke of loue is to discouer the heart and loue of the faythfull towardes Christ that they cannot tell how to loue him ynough The worldly men neuer trouble themselues with this loue neither pine of this heauenlye and spirituall loue sicknesses It is rather sicknesse to the earthly minded men to hear of this loue or to be required to loue the Lord againe But they are meruellous fain of the worlde which is an euil sicknesse as Solomon sayth Well let vs my deare brethren laboure to affect our hearts more with Christ Iesus casting of al lets to studie of his loue and require of all the Godlye and of the faithfull Pastors that they woulde further vs in this loue The Spouse seemeth to be impudent here to spread abroade her loue towardes her Sutor For our louers are ashamed to haue it knowne that they are sicke of loue so also the worlde is ashamed to be sick of loue for Christ Iesus but the Spouse openly confesseth and bewrayeth
affect me so as I am forced to listen but yet as a far off as one in a dreame or drouzie hauing mine eyes heauy but my faith is not vtterly extinguished for that my heart is pricked and mooued at him but I am so fettred with the things of this life and my corrupt nature lingereth about these earthly vanities so that I am as in a sléepe and slumber when my loue speaketh For the spouse complayneth of her vntowardnes finding fault with her selfe and accusing her selfe of her flacknes Solomon therfore here in the person of the spouse discouereth the estate of the faithful noting how hardly they are throughly brought on vnto Christe and how long it is or euer we yéelde to his suite so as he hath much a do to get any aduauntage at our heartes they are so inuironed with the loue of the thinges of this life For the worlde holdeth her owne in vs so long as it can and we naturally wedded therevnto securely sléeping in the inticing deceiuable pleasures therof do suffer the vanities of this life to seke too too deeply into our bowels for horor promotions dignities titles credite riches possessions and the company of those that we haue pleasured in before our calling doe make sore assaults vpon men that the lord cannot easily vndermind them a long tyme. And what is the reason that men sleepe in these earthly pleasures and profites euen then when their heartes are by many priuie motions of the spirite affectioned or moued towards Christ after a sort Or why are men so hindred from yeelding wholy vnto christ by these transitory things For sooth because Sathan abuseth the lawfull thinges of this life to poyson man withall For vnder the title of lawfulnes sathan beguileth and bewitcheth the heartes of men to breake foorth into al intemperate vse of profites and pleasures as thus to eate drinke to bye sell to exchaunge to labour in a trade to marry to prouide necessaries of this life to be in honor to be rich to vse profits and pleasures to weare apparell and such like are thinges in themselues lawful now sathan inueigleeh men closely rounding them in the eare perswadeth them that sith they are lawful men may vse them at their pleasure and satisfy their destres in thē to the full thus he stealeth the greatest part of mens heartes to the world crouding vp the Lord but in a corner of their heartes yea thrusteth him altogeather out sometimes taking their pennyworthos of the worlde but letting the Lorde and his kingdome fal to the ground Howbeit Christe teacheth vs to take another course Math. 6.33 First to seeke the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof and then all other things shall be cast vnto vs. Also Paul teacheth vs to vse these thinges as though we vsed them not hauing our affections remoued and freed from them least they become incombrances to fetter and cloy vs that we fayle in heauenly duties Lo then how the saints of God also are many times holden a loufe from following of Christ and listening to the voyce of his worde euen then when their heartes linger after him Thus haue they lets in them selues and vntowardnes to keep them from a choerful following of Christ But we must valiantly striue against these lets and ouerstryde al stumbling blocks to hasten towards him whom we loue For we shal be sure to be holden backe ynough yea euen our selues finde delaies to driue off the time in following our God calling vs. For the pleasures and profites of this life do so ceaze vppon our affections to take them vp into the seruice of the world sathan and sinne that we haue smal lust to serue God as is required Any of all the saintes of God can easely testifie with me that euen when Christ hath by the preaching of his worde somewhat drawne our heartes towardes him yet we make stay at euery smal let vnlesse we are marueilous watchful ouer our selues For how hath the Lorde made suite to vs and presented it to our heartes by many priuy motions of his spirite which we quench againe sometimes hauing our heartes possessed againe with filthy lusts We make many beginninges and commings on But alas if sathan make neuer so little suit to vs in the behalfe of our own lustes pleasures or profits how soone are we a sleepe at Christes suit but marueilous waking vnto the suit of Sathan though sometime the heart goeth against it Some are loath to be weaned from their vaine companie when they haue yet some lingring in their hearts after Christe Some haue much a doe to renounce speciall sinnes that haue deepely rooted and strongly ruled in their nature afore their calling Othersome loath to yeelde vp their pleasures gaminges profites riches estimation honor promotions c. I meane not that they shoulde vtterly cast off their honor or calling but renounce the ouermuch loue of thē which holdeth them frō following of God sincerely or furthering of religiō carefully Othersome are holden a sléep in the cares of this life some ouercharged with the troubles of a family and crosse thinges in their housholde become drowzie and slacke to listen vnto Christe so as many step backe againe If God cal some ruffian or famous wicked man or one that hath beene a companion of vaine persons then this commeth into his head if I take this course and follow the hearing of his word and keepe company with the Godly sure the worlde wil point me out I shall be laughed at of my companions and so shall become a signe to nod the head at amongst men Thus shame disputeth with many men when God beginneth to turne their heartes and to worke in them a disliking of their former life so as men aunsweare their inward calling but as men in a sleepe and halfe amazed til God worke further in them Also when God beginneth to frame the heart of some honorable or worshipful man to the obedience of his Gospel to here it and preferre the preaching of it then these replies are made of the worlde which hold them in a slumber for the time Syr say they you shall loose your estimation in the court and among the great men you shall not be so regarded as you haue beene such grauitie and melancholike passions of sadnes as the Gospell bringeth beseemeth not your honorable and worshipful estate These are the engines of sathan yea these are his charmes wherby he laboureth to lull euen the Godly a sleepe that they might not cheerfully waight vppon their calling But the saints of God though in their beginninges these thinges may somewhat weigh with them for a time yet certainely if their heartes doe truely lye after Christe they striue exceedingly with them selues by prayer vnto God till they haue gotten the mastery in these things My selfe most miserable and wretched man that I am haue had good experience of the daungerous pulbackes and lets which lye hid in our nature to lull men a
our estate in our selues howe wee are short of all duties vnfitte to serue our God in al true obedience finding many treasons and rebellions in our selues being ignorant in his truth also when we profite not by the word by praier neyther preuayle as we would agaynst our imperfections infirmities and corruptions then we doubt of the Lordes loue towards vs suspecting of his work in vs fearing least al our former profession be in vain and can see nothing that should giue vs comfort of the fauour of God towardes vs. Thus we suppose the loue of God and his fauour to be inconstant measuring them by our infirme and weake faith or by the scant measure of our obedience But what shoulde such a one doubt of the grace of God who seeing his wants loathing his sinnes stryuing against them louing the word vnfaynedly desiring to haue a heart to pray without hypocrisie labouring for a new life beeing angry with him selfe for sinne and that he can no more profite by the worde in knowledge true zeale humility loue patience and desiring hartely that he may neuer start from the obedience of God and his word Can it be that when the Lorde loued vs before we were ye when we were his enemies before our calling of his free mercye that he wil now loath vs leaue and forsake vs vtterly when he hath begun his owne worke in vs Could he loue vs when we were in our sinnes without remorse of conscience and can he now hate vs when we indeuour to leaue our sinnes and are vexed that we can no more grow in godlinesse and obedience Could he loue vs when we were voyde of his grace and vnsanctified and can hee abhorre vs when hee hath begun sanctification in vs by his worde and spirite shall wee measure the loue of God by our infyrmities or shall wee thinke that his loue lasteth no longer then wee stande in full obedience In deede wee must continue grounded in the trueth and Paule after the mention of the constant estate of the faythfull prayeth still for the increase of grace because wee can not bee perfecte in this earth But God who beginneth and calleth vs is faythfull The. 5.24 Thes 3.3 which will also doe it yea hee is faythfull whiche will stablishe vs and keepe vs from euill Furthermore what moued the Lord to beginne any beginning of grace in vs did not his owne free mercie and loue and the same cause also mooueth the Lorde to continue and holde out his mercies begunne to his saintes vnto the ende So Gen. 18. Gen. 18.18 God reasoneth and taketh occasion from his owne mercies to bee still mercifull vnto Abraham So that God doth not measure his mercy by our faith or obedience but by his owne loue and nature that as his loue is eternall so his mercyes haue no ende Oh dâ—uinity vnspeakable Oh infinite loue Oh gracious mercye Oh the wonderfull goodnesse constancye truth and faithfulnesse of so louing and kynde a God towardes vs poore miserable vyle wretches and crauling Wormes But as for the contemners of grace and they which herevpon shal presume of their good estate without good testimonye of the Lordes worke in them not louing his worde not hearing nor obeying the same nor beeing carefull to mortifie seuerall sinnes in them not caring but neglecting to refourme them selues and their familyes by the worde nor exercising Prayer a necessarye fruite of faith c. Let suche bee assured that the Lorde hath not begunne his woorke in them yet nor made them priuye to his eternall and free loue But they are voyde of the earnest peny of the spirite of God and in danger to be damned from the presence of God For he shall come in flaming fire â— The. 1.8.9 rendring vengeaunce to them that know not God nor obey vnto the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ which shal be punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power This might make the contemners and neglecters of the word to tremble if their heartes were not closed vp to destruction Therefore if we want the effectes a fore say e or haue them but in a shew or in hipâ—â—â—â—sie let vs feare for the hypocrites may goe very far so as in outward apperaunce there appeareth no difference betwéen them and the children of God Let vs then beware that our harts deceiue vs not For hypocrites may confesse their sinnes and that to the seruants of God may also craue forgiuenesse desiring the prayers of the Godly but more for the escaping of the punishment of sin Exo. 10.16.17 Acts. 8.24 then the hatred of the sinne it felfe as Pharao did and Simon Magus Hypocrites may seeme to haue a great tast and ioy in the happy estate of the righteous and a desire to haue part of their felicity as Balaam Num. 23. â— 24.4.5 excelling in some gifts of knowledge yea they are forced to blesse and fauour the righteous but al this as men in a traunce 1. Kin. 21.2 27. They may repent after a sorte with Achab who yet was solde to do wickedly and as Iudas who hung himselfe For the repentance of hypocrites is not ioyned with a hatred of their sinne nor a desire of change and amendment neither yet with the hope of Gods fauour but either they are ouercharged altogether with the horror of the punishment of sinne but not of the sinne it selfe and so dispayre or else they harden their heartes agayne in their sinnes and so purpose not vnfeyned amendment of life therefore though they seeme to rerepent often yet are neuer the better But the godly as they tremble shook at the horror of the punishment of sinne so they also hate sinne it selfe desiring and longing for a new change in them selues and a through amendment panting thirsting breathing and vnfaynedly longing to taste more and more of the fauour of God Furthermore hypocrites maye striue for the defence of religion inferre scriptures for their purpose may finde fault with the ignorant and dumbe ministery maye boast them selues to be of God as Abilah did Chr. 13.4 vers 9.10 Yea they may be hot against papistry and idolatry and yet faint from the true faith in God and bee hurtfull and mercilesse towardes the saintes of God as Asâ— the king was Chr 15 9.6 16.10.2 Yea hypocrites may after a sort reuerence the ministers of God and doe good thinges whilest the preachers are with them furthering religion and countenancing after a sort good things for the time â— Chro. 24. â— 6 Mark 6.20 as Ioash did in the dayes of Iehoiada the priest And as Herod in the dayes of Iohn the Baptist And yet in the ende turne againe to idolatry and slea those that rebuke them as Ioash did 2. Chr. 24.21 Hipocrites may assemble with the saints of God to holy exercises and frequent the same as Achitophell did with Dauid Psa 55.13.14 They
CERTAINE VErie worthie godly and profitable Sermons vpon the fifth Chapiter of the Songs of SOLOMON Preached by BARTIMEVS ANDREAS Minister of the word of God Published at the earnest and long request of sundrie well minded Christians ESAY 62.6.7 I haue set watchmen on thy walles O Ierusalem which all the day and all the night continually shall not cease yee that are mindfull of the Lord keepe not silence And giue him no rest till he repayre and vntill he set vp Ierusalem the praise of the worlde 2. TIM 2.19 But the foundation of God remayneth sure and hath this zeale The Lord knoweth who are his and let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie AT LONDON Printed by Robert Walde-graue for Thomas man 1583. TO THE RIGHT honorable and my very good Lorde Henrie Earle of Huntington Lorde Hastings Hungerforde Botreaux Mullens Moyles of the most honorable order of the garter Knight Lord president of the Queenes Maiesties councel established in the North parts Bartimeus Andrewes wisheth increase of all true honour and the fruition of all those blessed promises which concerne this life and the life to come Amen BEING at the last ouercome right honorable by the long and earnest request of diuers Godly and wel disposed christians to yeeld my consent to the publishing of this to homly and simple a worke I forthwith was resolued in my selfe to dedicate the first fruits of my labour in this kinde of wryting vnto your honour as to a most worthy MECOENAS and conuenient Patron both of all learning and good causes And albeit at the first blush it may seeme some what straunge vnto your honour that I should presume to present you with so simple a gift being vnworthy the view of so honorable a personage and wise Yet because I do it not as one expecting anye temporall benefite or preferment at your hand as the maner of the worlde for the most part in such matters is But as a token rather of my speciall good will and duety towards you and an argument of thankfulnesse vnto God for his graces in you as also to minister some occasion of increase and going forwarde with constancy and Heroicall spirite in so good gracious and Godly wayes as you haue turned your feete to steppe in already I perswade my selfe therefore of your facile and curteous nature and good will in accepting of the same And euen this small duety of wryting is one point of the honouring and gratifying of our betters and those to whom we stand charged from the Lorde to perfourme duties of reuerence and honour Especially when we see the Image of God by the seconde creation to shine in them as it doth breake forth in your honourable and vertuous brest by many worthy and commendable graces and vertues with the plausible approbation fame and report both of the wise and Godly I speake not this as one that would fill the trompe of flattery with the winde of vaine-glorious praise to seeme to speake for your honour to the worlde for that is not my maner sith your vertuous religious and Godlye wayes speake for them selues to your great commendation and your euerlasting praise in Christe Iesus But I speake of the worke of God in you right honorable that God might haue his iust glory in his owne worke and your selfe might also be incouraged with comfort to proceede and increase in that good course so as the worke of God which is begun might be perfited in you For sure it is my very good Lord that the enemy of mankind seeketh to beset as all men so specially those whome the Lorde beginneth to frame to him selfe but chieflyest those that are as it were ouer frayghted with the aboundaunce of the troublesome affayres of this present life by reason of their great calling For they whom God calleth to so great honour riches and dignity are as one wisely wryteth set vpon the mayne sea of occasions in daunger to bee drenched and swallowed vp of the tempestuous rages and surging waues of diuers temptations if the Lorde doe not mightely by his grace support and vnderstay them But when God standeth by them and frameth their heartes to the loue of his truth then doth he reape great honour and glory at their handes VVhich he highly priseth and reckoneth off insomuch that he hath honorably spoken of such by his Prophetes that they shoulde bring much glory to his Church Esay 49.23 60.16 and be nursing fathers and nursing mothers therevnto yea the glory of LEBANON euen of great personages shal come togeather to beautify the place of my sunctuary saith the Lorde for I will glorify the place of my feete Esay 60.13 For the seruice which such shoulde doe to his Church was not a seruile condition but a beautifying of his Church as it is there called and a glory euen vnto him selfe And vndoubtedly blessed are those Princes Nobles honourable and worshipfull who them selues imbracing and obeying the truth sincerely become presidentes and examples in their owne persons to allure others to the fellowship of the church to the loue of the worde and true religion For the fall or vprising of many after a sort dependeth vpon the publique persons whom God hath lift vp in high places ouer others Insomuch as the eyes of the multitude are bene vpon the examples of publique persons Furthermore wee see from time to time howe the Church of God not without great cause accounted highly of such personages as those by whom they receiued speciall blessings from the Lorde So the church of Israel Psal 21.6 made precious account of DAVID that worthy Prince as one that was set of God as blessings for euer Meaning as a benefite and testimony of Gods fauour vpon his people EZEKIAH NEHEMIAH Neh. 1. 2. Hag. 1.14 Ier. 40. 2. Chr. 35.25 ZERVBBABEL GEDALIAH c. were great blessings to the Church who greatly lamented the losse of thē Also IOSIAH his death was lamented with a doleful lamentation of al the church of IVDA And sure it is that our Church hath great cause to magnifie the mercies of God towards vs in trusting vs with so gracious a IOSIAH as our Soueraigne Princesse ELIZABETH as by whose gouerment the church hath receiued many blessings The losse of whome if our sinns should procure which the Lord keep far from vs would yeeld no lesse occasion for vs to complayne and say then the Churche of IVDA had Lamen 5.20 at the death of IOSIAH when they sayd Our life the breath of our nostrels the annoynted of the Lorde vvas taken in their nets of vvhome we sayd vnder his shadow vve shall be preserued aliue among the heathen Herevnto god hath added further matter of ioy and thankfulnes vnto his Churche in that many nobles worthy personages of this land both learned Godly and wise among whom your honour hath not the least roome are faythfull Patrons of the cause of
as they can not discrye the brightnesse thereof at times when they couet moste to feele it Yea when they groane in the secretes of their heartes for it vnto God calling after him by Prayer beeing Sutors for it a long time betweene hope and dispayre not feelinge the comforte of his fauoure but suspecting rather vvhen yet they are in best state yea in best assuraunce of his grace though they feele it not for the time Sith they retayne a true heartye and vnfeyned desire to taste of that fauoure which for the time they can not feele For tâ—at desire after his fauoure vvith a loathing of oure selues for sinne is an infallible argument of the interest which the Spirite of God hath in the beleeuers Especially when that desire inforceth them to vse the meanes wherebye God offereth himselfe vnto vs. Namely to heare the word preached vvhere God is residente vvith his perver and to praye often and heartilye Math. 18. â—0 for to suche God promiseth him se fe to bee presente Thus it pleaseth the Lorde to exercise his Sayntes by holding aloofe from them sometime that they mighte bee made priuye to their ovvne infirmityes and mighte see the lettes that lye hidde in them selues which hinder them and so laboure to shunne them VVhich things the second Sermon cheefly doth handle The thirde Sermon spendeth it selfe partly in laying foorth the lette 2. Le ts abroaâ—e in others vvhich the faythfull finde abroade in others vvhereby sathan seeketh to discourage them by the reproche of the vvicked by the contempte of the vvorlde and enuye of the malicious and spightfull aduersaries VVhich albeit they shrewdly dismay the Saintes of God for a time yet in the end they shal see by the example of the spouse how to ouerstride all stumbling blocks For God causeth the fayth of his children to breake out so much the more how much the more it is impugned A second circumstance of the maner of the comming on of the faâ—thful is also ther noted namely how they recouer their zeal and stir vp themselues to a more diligent inquiring after Christ wheÌ„ they see what lets ther are in themselues in other 2. The recouering of the zeal of the faythfull notwithstanding lets which would defeat them of the benefit of Christe Iesus their eternall louer VVherby they break out into a famous descrâ—ption of Christ Iesus alluring others thereby to h ue part with them in him And in the fourth sermon is set down the great fruit and Senesit that commeth to the church faithfull by the mutuall profession conference and commending of the graces of God one to another How other by that meanes are dravvne on to the Lorde Zac. 8.22.23 as vvas prophesied of the Churche of the Gentiles that they shoulde flocke to the Iewes and associate themselues to the Church when they shoulde here that God was with them The fifth and last sermon sheweth the conclusion of the whole hovve the church spouse of Christ Iesus namely the true beleeuers doth assure her selfe of the loue of Christe tovvardes her 3. The conclusion of the match 1. The vnity between Christ the faithful when thee feeleth the Testimonies of his residence in her in which conclusion is matter of moste singuler comfort First the vnity wherby Christ and the faythfull become one so as they can neuer be seuered is comfortably I hope though plainly handled where the godly may see how to be assured that they are one with Christ euen in this life so coÌ„sequeÌ„tly after a sort one with God himself that the faithful caÌ„nnot be cut of or vtterly seuered froÌ„ him so long as God himself Christ remaineth Secondly the certainty of perseuerance 2. The certainty of the saluation of the beleeuers and their perseuerance of the saluatioÌ„ of the saints of God wherby they may in som measure assure theÌ„selues of their saluation euen in this life is at large proued against the assertioÌ„ of the Papistes against al the replies that our nature maketh to desâ—aâ—â—â—s of the comfort of that assurance VVhâ—ch last sermon let me desire thee to read good christian with the spirit of sobernes and iudgement VVhich I haue only written for the comfort of the afflicted conscience Yet so that the enemies of grace the Libertines I hope shal haue smal aduauntage therby to soâ—th them selues in their loose Libertye but rather matter to humble them selues yea euen to condemne themselues if God smyte them with the Spirite of iudgement Thus haue I breefly giuen thee a taste christian reader of the pryncipal matters handled in larger circumstances in this litle volume perswading my selfe both of thy diligence in perusing them to the end and of thy accepting in good worth and fauourable construing of this worke as also of thy moderation equity of mind in casting away all sinister affections in reading thereof fith I commit my selfe to the iudgement of those that are neyther ignorant nor malitious And now to conclude commending thee vnto God and to the worde of his grace which is able to build further and to giue thee an inheritance among all them that are sanctified I humbly beseech the Lorde our God euen the God of peace that hee will make thee perfect in all good works to do his will working in thee that which is pleasant in his sight through Iesus Christe To whome be prayse for euer and euer Amen Thine in the Lorde B. Andrewes Certaine very worthy Godly and profitable Sermons vpon the songs of Solomon FOR somuch as right dearely beloued in the Lorde Iesus Christ by the prouidence of God I am come among you at this time where I am likely to stay a few dayes I thought good as my maner is to spend the time in bestowing on you some portion of such Talentes as the Lorde in some measure hath enriched me with all My purpose is therfore the Lord ayding me with his holy spirite in this so holy and weighty a worke as the preaching of his sacred worde is to handle vnto you for some good considerations the fifth Chapter of the excellent songs of Solomon with the two firste verses of the sixth Chapter as it is read in the common translation but I reade them with the fifth chapter for the causes that shall be alleaged when I come to the handling of them the Chapter followeth to this effect Canticles 5. 1 I Am come into my garden my Sister my spouse I gathered my myrrhe with my spice I ate mine honye combe with mine bony I dranke my wine with my milke eate O friendes drinke and make you mery O welbeloued 2 I sleep but mine heart waketh it is the voyce of my welbeloued that knocketh saying Open vnto mee my sister my loue my doue my vndefiled for mine head is full of dewe and my locks with the droppes of the night 3 I haue put of my coate how shall I put it on I haue
the daughter of Pharaoh as Psal 45. Now the true husband of the Churche is Christ Iesus and none other for he is that Bridegroome that hath the bride Iohn 3.29 Whosoeuer therfore vsurpeth the head ship of the Church besides Christe the true husbande is a theefe and enemy to the spouse The Pope therefore is a false husband and wrongfully layeth claime to the Church and all his children are but bastardes But Solomon here figuratiuely describing Christ to enter into his garden vnderstandeth both that hee hath taken possession of his heauenlye Kingdome and riches wher he prepareth heauenly and eternal banquets for his saintes and elect also that he is come into his Church and inheritaunce vpon earth to make proffer of al these his riches and royal treasures to his saints that they may participate with him in his glory To this end Solomon putteth vpon Christe the person of a Sutor or woer and describeth the Church vnder the person of a maiden or virgine longing after her loue This 1. vers and the 2. containeth the first part of the Chapter the first part of the chapter standing in two pointes which concerneth the suite of Christe whereby hee calleth his Churche and faithfull This suite I wil giue vnto you after this manner First the reasons which he vseth in his suite The reasons which are 4. These shal be considered in their place Secondly the suite it selfe or calling of his spouse The suite it selfe which because it is intermedled between the reasons I wil note them to you as they lye for I will not tye my selfe to any prezise order but note the matter it self as may be most forcible to mooue vs and moste fit for the sense of the place and edifying of you The first reason He first beginneth with reasons which he propoundeth as matter to mooue his Spouse withall and to make a more easie way to his suite The firste reason hee setteth downe in the forme of a preface or narration which is drawne from his excellent dignitie prerogatiue and eternal riches which hee hath already receiued I am come into my Garden I gathered my Myrrh c. He propoundeth as I say his reasons and first that he hath fair possessions and a rich princely kingdome furnished with al heauenly and spiritual commodities and he offereth the pleasures of this his kindome vnto his Church on earth which he after againe calleth his garden For I cannot vnderstand this entrance into his garden onely of Christes heauenly residence in glory whither he is ascended and hath taken possession of life but euen of his kingdome also which he exerciseth ouer his saints on earth Because it is an answere and graunt to the former suite of the Church that he woulde come to his garden euen to his Church on earth by his word and spirite Hitherto tendeth the Metaphor of descending chapter 6. ver 2.10 So that albeit Christe bee resident in the heauens enriched and dignified with all power of thinges in heauen and earth yet is hee present with his Church on earth in spirit and in the ministery of his worde and Sacraments as the printes of the soals of his feete Ezech. 42.7 And so doth set abroach all his heauenly riches to vs by the preaching of his Gospell intreating vs to receiue them Also we see that vsually Christes kingdome and Church on earth is figured by a Garden fielde or yarde and not his heauenly kingdome of glory so as the Metaphors or similies vsed of the holy Ghost els where make plaine this matter For the Church is compared to a vineyarde Isai 5.1 Iere. 2.21 Math. 21.33 Mar. 12.1 By which places we find that the church of God which is on the earth is compared oft to a garden or yard So as I conclude by these borrowed speeches of the scripture that the garden doth not onely import the possession of his heauenly kingdome but euen also his church on earth which God gaue his sonne an inheritance euen to the vtmost partes thereof both Iews and Gentiles to whom he offereth his riches and communicateth his heauenly inheritaunce to the faithfull which they apprehend here by faith and after shall fully possesse in heauen with Christ Christ here protesteth himselfe to haue all true felicitie and therefore perswadeth his Spouse to open vnto him participate his graces and sure it is this cannot but be a great reason to moue vs to embrace him sith he is cheefe heire of al things it is a reason which earthly woers vse much if they can report of their greate reuenewes riches possessions rich friendes especially if they are already in possession and their inheritaunce come to them already then it carrieth some sway withall to mooue their louers to cast some liking on them So Christe is here discribed vnto vs as a Sutor which standeth not at the courtesy of his freendes but is already inuested and installed into his roiall kingdom and his inheritance is already deliuered into his hands by his heauenlye father This reason me thinks should waigh very much with vs for it is forcible if we haue any hearts to bee mooued This reason is amplified by particulars afterward whē he saith I haue gathered my myrrh with my spice I baue ate my bony comb with my hony c There is interlaced certaine titles of loue as my sister my doue which include part of another reason which titles we will consider of afterward when we come to the mention of many titles giuen to the spouse in the 2 verse by myrrh spice hony wine and mylke Solomon figureth and importeth vnto vs heauenly spirituall riches For as these things are delicate nourishable to the body so the word the sweet promises of life are meat drink and all necessaries to the soule Therefore the spirite of God vnder these earthly benefits commendeth the heauenly and spirituall As Esay 55.1.2 The graces of the spirit of god brought to vs by Iesus Christe and conuaied into the faithfull by the preaching of the Gospell are called waters wine hony bread And Prouerb 9.1 Wisdome is compared to a Queene keping open house opening all her Treasures drawing her wines preparing her table bringing foorth her treasures and calling all to participate with her Also Christ himself Iohn 7.37 offereth to the thirstie to drink euen of the waters of life which after is interpreted Iohn 7. ver 39. to be ment of the graces of the spirite of God Thus we plainly see by the borrowed speeches of the scriptures that by these earthly benefites and commodities are figured heauenly and spirituall graces For the same that meat drinke and other pleasures is to the body the same is the worde and the riches thereof to the soule Christ is els where compared to a Kinges sonne that married and biddeth guesse to his wedding Math. 22.2 See then the force of this reason I pray you that Christ intreateth to be
sleepe and make them drouzie For when my heart in the beginning of my calling began to yeelde towards the Lord and to be somewhat wakened then the pleasures of sinnes past the shame of reproches which I saw to be vttered of the world against the Godly the basenes of the Gospell the daungers of trials in the professing of christ Iesus the glittering and deceiuable pleasures of this life the holding of friendship with the worlde and worldly friends but especially the manifolde daungers and intollerable waightines of this high calling of the preaching of the word to deale with it purely and sincerely as in the sight of God from God through Christ these thinges helde tacke with me a long time and a thousand other thinges amazed me so as I aunsweared my calling at the first but as one a stammed or in a sleepe or dreame Let euery man therefore among you in good earnest deale with his owne heart for it is full of deceitfulnesse Euery moouing of the hearte and hopping for ioye after Christ is not a right moouing For so he that receiued the seede with ioye Math. 13.20 might haue beene in Christ who yet vannished againe Thou mayest thinke that thy heart is maruailous affectioned after Christe and that thou ioyest in him when as thy affection truely tryed is altogeather carnal and filthy Yea many no doubt perswade them selues that they haue Christ sure in their heartes that they are in his fauour that they are euen hugged in his armes and that they shall bee saued by him as well as the best which yet neuer so much as truely knew Christ nor tasted of him and are furthest off from being saued by him A man would think beloued that there could not be any such deceitfulnsse in mans hearte that when they are most sure they should be most deceiued The reason is because they perswade themselues to be of Christ if they do but speak of him though the fruictes and effectes of Christs residence are not to be seen in them For when Christ truely taketh possession of men occupieth the roome of their harts there his death is strōg to expell Sathan the worlde sinne euil thoughtes yea to destroy and pull downe sathans kingdome Also his resurrection is not idle in his saints but sanctifieth the heart thoughts minde will affections and vnderstanding yea reformeth the whole man within and without that he is chaunged and becommeth a new creature his words lookes gestures and all his members bewray a holy and spiritual chaunge which although it be not wrought all at once but by degrees yet men must not loyter and flacke their pace to aspire to perfection I haue marked by experience within these fewe yeares that many whom the Lord hath called to the loue of his Gospell from their former euil and ciuill life that they haue bene very diligent and painefull in hearing the worde at the first neglecting their callings and trades yea more then was expedient sometimes yet after a while when they had somewhat waded in the worde that they haue come to some knowledge or some other gift haue againe much neglected the worde prayer and other holy exercises both in publick and also in their priuate families and so againe somewhat sleeping in their pleasures and profites Thus men sleepe and are easly drawne to it but let them take héed that their hearts sleepe not It standeth Christians in hand to looke to them selues sith they haue so daungerous a nature and deceauable as also so hurtful enemies of Sathan and the world Many a man and woman when God calleth them and their hearts begin to ayme after the Lorde and they are forced to acknowledge the power of his word and to condemne and find fault with their corruptions yet they sleepe One deferreth of the Lord with this excuse Oh I haue a trade and I must follow it I could find in my hart to heare the worde and to doe as other do but I must liue and I please God as wel sayth another in my trade c. as in going to Sermons Here is a sleepe that falleth vpon men that they might not wake at the Lords call and suit Why God promiseth not to blesse any man in his calling though he prospereth the contemners to their condemnation somtime to make them inexcusable vnlesse they are carefull to obey his word and wil. And it is a greater worke to worship God and to heare his worde is a part of his worship then to labour in our trade I bind no man from following his calling but to bee diligent in it yet so that the Lorde haue his part at our handes and that wee serue not oure owne turnes and the worlds and so neglect the Lordes worship yea and our owne saluation which is brought vnto vs by the preaching of the gospell Others there are whose heartes somewhat melt at the word praier and good things would fain haue part in thē but eyther some seueral sinnes which they do not thoroughly set them selues against and vse means to mortify but they breake forth at euery occasion so as they are a sléep againe and yet the heart may haue some waking after Christ These do hinder them make their heart almost a sléep and faint vnto any duties or els wanting the means to stir them vp being of themselues lubbrish to seek the means hauing their minds too much occupied in the world or els shame deteining them or feare of laws taking holde of them of the wicked spying them out c. they neglect all good meanes that may do them good Thus euery man may complain and say I am asleepe but few see the daunger of their sleepe and so labor to stirre vp themselues from sleep as the spouse doth here but it is to be feared that many men are a sleepe euen in their hearts which hope better of themselues and that is a dangerous sleepe Awake therfore truely out of sleeep and sinne not Let vs therfore good christians in the loue of Christ Iesus and of our own soules searche and suruey all the corners of our harts that there lie hid nothing in vs that may holde vs back frō following of Christ yea let euery one of vs say here Lord we are at hād to wait vpon thée our souls body doth delight in the liuing God That we may thus shake of al sleepy drowzy worldly cares affections and watch to wayt vpon the Lordes call that we may be ready willingly at a beck to imbrace him heartely in our soules which grace God graunt vs. Amen Thus we see in this circumstance of the lets that is interlaced here in a word what lets are with in vs which make our hearts heauy to looke vp to Christ Iesus Yet we must note that the spouse laboured to waken herself and giueth not place to sleeping but museth and calleth to minde her louers voyce making suit to be intertained Oh sayth shee This is
the voyce of my beloued knocking c. We should thus learne to rouze vp our selues from worldly sleepes by musing of that which we haue heard out of the word and when sathan would bring vs a sléep in these sweete pleasures of this life and profites we shoulde thus make vse of this doctrine and reply vpon all temptations saying Oh I heare the voice of my beloued Christ Iesus by the preaching of his worde calling out vpon me that I should beware of such sleepes I may not be wooed from him In euery tentation a man maye make vse of this reply Let not sathan or sinne or the world so soone whisper in our ears to allure vs to any vncleannes but let vs straight way answere Oh I heare the voice of Christe calling me another way I must waight vppon him and obey his word c. But I cannot go forward with this matter any further at this time because the time cutteth me off you shal heare the rest of the suite and reasons in the after noone by the grace of God And the Lord our God giue vs al the true vse of this doctrin that we may make gaine of it in our hearts to the Lord so as these reasons of our heauenly suter Christe Iesus may mooue vs in truth that we seeing his greate riches and spirituall treasures with the eyes of faith and also hauing the offer of them made vnto vs by the preaching of his word may cast off al lets and incumbraÌ„ces what so euer and willingly imbrace Christ with all his riches that we may communicate with him and may be fruitfull in all obedience towardes him all our life Which grace God graunt for Iesus Christe his sake both to vs and to all Nations and his whole church c. Amen To the which Christ with the Father and the holye Ghost be all honor glory maiesty dominion and power now and for euer Amen Let vs pray c. The second Sermon After Prayer as is before mentioned following thus IN the former part of this day beloued in the Lorde we haue hearde of two reasons which were vsed of the husband to mooue his spouse to participate with him in his riches and to imbrace him The one drawne from his excellent dignitie and eternall riches and possessions which he had already receiued The other taken of his kindnesse and liberall offers to participate the same his riches to his Spouse which as I sayde included in it a part of the suite it selfe Also we haue hearde of one circumstaunce of the second part of the chapiter concerning the maner of the spouses comming on and namely of the lets in her selfe which somewhat tyed her at the firste Yet so as she stirreth vp her selfe notwithstanding with the meditation of the suite and voyce of her husband or sutor All these circumstances with the vse of them we haue already handled Now it followeth in the 2. verse wherein the suit is stil continued Open vnto me my sister my loue my doue my vndefiled c. This second suite as it were is noted by Solomon to be mentioned by the spouse her selfe making report of the exceding loue of her sutor Christ Iesus who spak to her so amiably gratiously honorably ye so carefully as he was loath for her owne good to lose his labor Therfore christ is brought in as one renuing his suite again again and continuing it as hee doth euen to this day by the preachers of his word Yea he hath long come a wooing vnto vs. Wherefore I pray you my brethren let him now come a speeding open your heartes vnto him enlarge your bowels towardes him imbrace and hugge him thorough faith yea set your whole loue on him The like speeche of knocking and opening we haue in other places as namely in the 3. chapter of the Reuelation verse 20. Behold I stand at the doore and knocke if any man heare my voyce and open the doore I wil come in vnto him and wil sup with him c. Which speeches import the Christ is alwayes calling vpon meÌ„ and vouchsafeth to come to them by the preaching of his word crauing entertainment God â—â—ocketh diuers wayes Yea he knocketh aloud at euery mans hearte and that sundry wayes First by his word First by his word as by an ordinary meanes to awaken men And howe long hath the Lorde continued knocking to vs by his word And yet alas few open vnto him None can deny but the Lordes voyce hath shaken euen the foundation of their heartes ye euen the most vngodly ones though they refuse to heare the voyce of the charmer charme hee neuer so wisely So he knocked earely and late to the people of Israel by his Prophetes but because they refused to heare his voice the Lord forsooke them gaue them ouer in the end to be a dispersed people Secondly Secondly by his spirite the lord knocketh by his spirit for meÌ„ caÌ„not deny but many instincts motions of Gods spirite haue knocked at their heartes though they haue rebounded again men haue queÌ„ched the spirit so as the Lord hath punished them with the spirite of slumber that they shoulde haue eares to heare and should not vnderstand eyes to see and not perceiue hearts to know should not beleeue least they shold be conuerted I should heal them saith Christ Math. 13.15 Thirdly Thirdly by his iudgementes Christ knocketh by his iudgements works by signes in the heauens aboue tokens in th earth beneath The constellations of the heauens threaten strange alterations exchaÌ„ges great calamities the strange wonders haue their lowd voices as vntimely thuÌ„ders fiery appearances vnknown commets Also beneath vniuersal earthquaks practised conspiracies reports of warrs the Romish Antichrist seeking to subuert the trueth dangers at home daÌ„gers abroad Which al are forewarnings knocking 's for our good to waken vs cause vs to trim vp our selues for our bridegroms comming to entertaine him in our hearts here below that we may be entertained with him at his comming into the heaueÌ„s Fourthly Fourthly by his mercies he knocketh by his mercies benefits as a most gentle and friendly knocking so that the heauens the earth sonne moone starres foules beasts fishes fruits the daily kindnes of God are arguments of his suite to mooue vs to open vnto Christ But of al these the knocking of his word is vehement and mighty for our good if wee can sée it or had hearts to open vnto it Open vnto me c. When such speeches exhortatioÌ„s ar vsed in the scripture that is not left to the power wil of maÌ„ to open as els where 2. Tim. 2.21 If any man purge him self froÌ„ these he shal be a vessel of the Lorde vnto honor sanctified and prepared to euery good worke So Heb. 4.7 To day if you wil hear his voice c. Also Io. 3.3 He that hath this hope in himselfe purgeth himselfe euen
either of sicknesse pouerty reproch losse of friends losse of goods crosses in wise in Children in families in affaires hauing enemies stirred vp againste vs and such like that his worde and admonitions might sincke the more deepely into our heartes Which fruite Dauid felt by afflictions when he sayd Before I was afflicted I went wrong but nowe I keepe thy word Psal 119.67 So then the Lorde is fayne to vrge vs to obey often times Furthermore some sinnes which wee see not a long time in oure selues by the worde yet thorough our owne blindenesse the Lorde by some rod traceth out in vs and haleth vs foorth before his iudgement seat causing vs to bring in euidence againste our selues that conuicted in our owne conscience at the bar of his iudgement seat we might confesse our selues and humbly sue for pardon And this fruit we haue not simply by the affliction it self in so much as the wicked also are afflicted oftentimes and yet profit not by it but being taught the vse of it by the word the doctrine of the word sincketh the deeper when some triall is annexed as the souls that are truly humbled can beare good witnesse with me by their owne experience but if wee are still blockish and sullen that wee murmure and bristle vp oure affections against Gods corrections secretly in our hearts though our mouthes are silent and so not stirred vp to profite in repentaunce by them then wée loose the vse of them But the Spouse she trembled at the Lordes hande and rose to open It is a good signe when with reuerence men tremble at the word ioining with that fear a purpose to keepe the woorde and obey it in our heart Otherwise the wicked are forced spite of their teeth sometime to tremble at the worde as Foelix did Act. 24.25 but they seeke shiftes to cast of the handes of the Lords obedience without purposing to obey But as I saide this place may be vnderstood of the louing iesture of Christ who by his worde allureth the godly so as the spouse testifieth she was affectioned towardes him For this effect the worde worketh in the faythfull that their heartes doe melt at Gods threates 2. Kin. 22.11 19. repenting them of their backwardnesse as Iosiah did and ioy in the sweete comfort of his worde and promises reckoning of them aboue all riches and pleasures as Dauid did Psal 119.111 and else where Other some vnderstand this place as though Christ left off knocking and departed when hee had receiued so churlish an aunswere of his Spouse whereby her hearte was smitten with sorrowe repenting her of her slacknesse which may well agree to that which followeth where shee findeth her loue departed when shee had opened The Doctrine of which sense wee shall haue fitter occasion to note afterwarde verse 5. I rose vp to open to my welbeloued and my handes did drop down myrrh and my fingers pure myrrh vppon the handles of the barre Here the spouse beginneth somewhat to rowze vp her selfe seeking at the call of Christe to be reconciled vnto him And first shee sheweth that all her purest naturalities or ciuil sobernes which she highly thought of at the first or her good workes or whatsoeuer shee coulde present Christe with all of her owne were nothing to procure his fauour or draw his loue towardes her For he is not to be founde by them neither needeth he oure Myrrh to annointe him withall So then we must not come in our owne garmentes but away with al beauty of nature and flesh and blood and on with a pure fayth and a good conscience in which Christe hath delight The Romish Church therefore and al the iustitiaries they preparing themselues with their owne workes annoyntinge and trimming themselues with their owne ciuility naturalities and morall coniectures are but as painted Harlottes that driue Christe farre from them though they seeme to carry him in their bosomes But he wil not be takē in their beauty for it is but as a menstruous cloth vnto him It may also be that the Myrrb may be vnderstood of the blessing sweet sauour of the gospel which Christ powreth by the preaching therof into the harts of the faythfull so as they are annointed with it and made swéete yea are also brought to repentance and to seck after God in his word As the spouse heere perfumed with the sweet odours and moistened with the smelling ointment which is spiritually to bee vnderstood of the graces of Gods spirite which her loue had left behinde him she ariseth to open and séeke after him ver 6. I opened to my beloued but hee was gone and past my heart was gone when he did speake I sought him but I coulde not finde him I called but be aunswered mee not Secondly lets without Here the spouse beginneth to complaine of the lets she founde without and first the absence of her husbande whereby after she found some discommoditie in that others afflicted her vers 7. For she sheweth that shee got some courage and gathered vp her spirites so as she openeth vnto him desyring to imbrace him yet she found le ts abroade also which partly dismayed her as the absence of her louer and partly tyed or hindred her though in the end she preuayleth For finding her loue slipt aside shee fainted and hearing his voyce which so affected her and wroght vpon her that she swounded for sorrow and her heart failed her Which yet caused her to seeke the more earnestly after him but he wōld not be found nor answere So that Solomon inferreth Christ taking displeasure that he was not graunted vnto at the first and therfore turneth a side also the faithful mourning after him and repenting that they imbraced him not at the first Wherin we sée the state of a fainting soule that longeth sore after Christe such a one as Dauid bewrayeth in him selfe Psalm 42.1 whose heart thirsted after God as the weary and chased heart doth after the water brooks And after he sayth verse 6. Why hast thou forgotten me Why go I mourning so heauily c. For the thirstie soule that longeth after Christe Iesus in trueth and would fayne yeelde obedience vnto him and haue assuraunce and full pledge of his loue making haste to Christe inquyring after him in his worde groning sighing and calling after him by Prayer Sathan the enuious and malicious man enemie of our soules seeketh to stirre vp our incredulity to steppe betweene vs and Christe presenting to our eies oure sinnes past oure present infirmites our sinnes before oure calling and since our calling oure wantes lacke of zeale our litle profiting by the woord and a thousande other bye thoughtes that wee should seeme not to bee neere Christe but as though hee had turned his backe vppon vs had cast vs of agayne and helde scorne of vs and as though all our former beginnings had beene in vayne So we wee beginne to languish the Lorde also sometime leaueth vs in oure
her languishing after him This sicknes of loue many sweet souls labour of some that long after the worde hauing it not at home doe mourne for it and are faine to seeke els where for it If many were sick of that disease there were exceeding hope of happy health for such Some poore soules lye panting after Christ and pine for his comfort and residence in them who beeing ouercharged with the sight of their infirmities and seeing them selues so farre behind hand to some worthy persons of the saintes of God also so vnapt to duties and are so feareful of the euidence of their owne sinnes desiring to grow in holinesse and obedience that they thinke euery hower manye dayes till they haue more fully tasted of Christ But to these Christe commeth willinglye and amiablye as one that will not breake a bruised reed nor quench the the smooking flaxe Now followeth vpon this charge a a conference betweene the spouse and the maidens of Ierusalem standing in two questions with their aunswears The conference in two questions with their aunsweres to the 18. verse And secondly the fruites of this conference is noted in the 17. verse as we shal see afterward The first question First questiō verse 9. O thou fayrest among women what is thy welbeloued more then other welbeloued what is thy welbeloued more then an other louer that thou doest so charge vs. Here they of Ierusalem inquire the cause why shee maketh more account of her welbeloued then of any other and what singuler thing shee saw in him more then in other For her zeale had kindled the loue of the Godly And Solomon purposely noteth herein how the Godly seeke to edyfie one the other by religious conference When they adde That thou so chargest vs or causest vs to sweare or takest an oth of vs for so the Hebrew word importeth as else where so in the 13. Chapiter of Exodus verse 19. Where Moses sayth that Ioseph had made the Children of Israel swear that they would cary his bones with thē out of Egypt For this spéeche is of great emphasis and force binding all men by a pryuye othe to helpe forwarde and edifie one another but as I haue noted afore especially the Ministers of the woorde are bounde by a solemne and doubble Othe as it were to expresse their care this way These speeches therefore are to discribe the vehemencye of loue which shoulde bee in the Sayntes towardes Christe that they shoulde neuer bee satisfied with his loue Wee therefore shoulde be still inquiring after Christe in his Church of his Seruauntes especiallye of his ministers who shoulde bee the mouth of God vnto vs till wee encrease and come to a full and perfect age in Christe Iesus Ephe. 4. And truely it can not bee but where the heart is truelye taken vp with the loue of Christe there will bee an excéeding ioye in his word and a desire to enquire of him more and more in the same The wiseman noteth the effect of the word when it is truely resident in the heart Pro 6.22 If my word be in thy hearte it shall leade thee when thou walkest it shall watch for thee when thou sleepest and when thou wakest it shall talk with thee Meaning that when the hearte is possessed with the word then the mind thoughts tongue and members are in some practise of it So Dauid Psa 37.31 The mouth of the righteous wil speak of wisedome and his tongue wil talk of iudgement for the loue of God is in his hart and his goings shal not slide So that the slack hearing of the word the smal longing after it the little ioy to talke of it is a token of very litle loue or none at al towards Christ and they are enemies to the Spouse which being watchmen doe not comfort her shewing her the way to Christe in his word but rather discourage hold her back But let them the truly loue Christ be euer inquiring after him cōforting one another conferring meditating praying stirring vp one another so that by these meanes as the Spouse doth here with the Godlye wee may growe on in knowledge and obedience The minister shoulde alwayes bee Catechising his people inquiring what Christ is what cause they haue to loue and make much of him aboue all other where he is how he is to be found and labour to make them pryuie to all the counsel of God as Paule did Acts. 20. and that from house to house Also th◠husband shoulde be examining and furthering his wife the wife inquyring of the husband I pray you husband sith you should be the mouth of God to me at home helpe me in knowledge let vs often pray togeather let vs read the worde and heare it comforting one an other by it The parents shoulde be trayning vp their Children to know Christ the Masters the Seruauntes For such charge is giuen in diuers places Read I pray you Deut. 4.9 6.7 and 11.19 So that we shoulde by all meanes draw other on by our example And sure it is who so euer doth not helpe to further the kingdome of Christe and the saluation of men after a sort is against him And they are vnworthy to be counted in the flocke of Christe which bestow not their care on him and labour not to gather togeather For our sluggishenesse suffereth the kingdome of God to fall when yet we are all called to further the same He that is not with me is agaynst me sayth Christe and he that gathereth not scattereth abroade Mat. 12.30 But manye which wil seem to offer curtesie to the Lorde bear him good wil in worde yet neuer mooue foote nor bestowe coste nor seeke any way to preferre Gods glory or the preaching of his Gospell neither yet to redresse sinne neither loue those vnfaynedly that feare God And truely I know not howe a man can haue any true perswasion of faith in God and true loue to his neighbour or anye comforte that hee shall perseuere to the ende when hee is not prepared in some measure to suffer with Christe euen in trouble and to further him in Peace countenauncing his Saints to the vttermoste of his power and to succour them when they are any wayes molested and afflicted And when he laboureth not to stand by the ministers of the worde in the defence and confirmation of the gospel which were the effectes and fruites which caused Paul to be so well perswaded of the Philippians Phil. 17. For whē a man steppeth backe from the defence of the gospell for feare of trouble or for losse of his credite goods estimation c. and neglecteth the seruauntes of God in their distresse not vpholding to their power their credite and good estate it is a harde signe of starting aside from God to this present worlde as Demas did I speake this by occasion of the Spouse which stirreth vp other by her zeale séeking help and furtherance of the
come to the light because their works are euill But it will be obiected of the contemners I loue the word the sweet things of Christes doctrine are pleasant vnto me But the preachers they are verye harshe and collericke others are too too Melancholick vrging heauinesse mourning and solitarines beeing too precise they will abide no pastime c. tell vs of pleasaunt things of wine c. Isai 30.10 Micah 2.7 Surely I aunswere them as before are not the Lord his wordes good to him that walketh vprightly but you are risen vp against the Lorde he that walketh in the spirite would prophesy of new wine he shal be a prophet for this people Thus these men wold separate the word from the ministry and preaching of it or else would haue the worde limitted by their owne affections and liking to serue their owne turne and their filthy lustes But wee speake as we are taught of God 1. Iohn 4.6 Hee that knoweth God heareth vs hee that is not of God beareth vs not Also he that despiseth the ministers of God despiseth God that sent vs As for our partes we haue the euidence of our owne conscience to stand for vs that we seeke to do nothing against the truethe but with the trueth we haue the Lorde also to witnes on the one side yea our labours and the poure of our doctrine speak for vs in the hearts of those that are conuerted nay euen the conscience of the wicked themselues do afford vs som euidence insomuch as they tremble at the worde though they spurne against it being disobedient So that we stand confidentlye perswaded in oure selues through the Lord that our ministery is the ministery of the spirit of God the sweete words of Christe Iesus euen then whē we do by thretning iudgments seek to conuert the wicked to repentaunce as also to further and increase the same already begun in the godly for we are a swéet sauour of Christ vnto God in thē which are saued and in them that perish 2. Cor. 2.15 So that they which will seeme to count of the worde in it selfe as they imagine and yet contemne it and parbreake it vp as a bitter or loathsom thing when it is preached certainly they neuer tasted in truethe of the worde but remayne deadly diseased in their soules of spirituall Hellishe and damnable agues Well after this woorthye description of her Louer the Spouse vauntingly tryumpheth saying He is wholy delectable this is my beeloued this is my loue O daughters of Ierusalem This emphaticall repetition poyntinge him oute so often is forcible to mooue those whome shee talked with to the liking and allowing of her Louer Thus shee concludeth in one worde that her loue was wholye delectable wanting nothing to comlinesse and perfection For not being able by any figures metaphors or similies to discribe him fully shee in a worde shutteth vp al that hee is altogether amiable When she calleth him her welbeloued she noteth that as her Sutor bore good will to her so she also helde him as her dereling and best beloued on whome onelye shee coulde finde in her hearte to bestowe her whole loue in calling him louer Solomon noteth that Christe loued his Churche and Spouse first so as in louing of him wee shall loue suche a one as loued vs first In this conferrence of the Spouse with them of Ierusalem Solomon woulde insinuate vnto vs howe the Faythfull should often be talking of their loue Christ Iesus confessinge his Inestimable kindnesse towardes them to allure others It is one cheefe effect or token of a true calling when a man syncerely delighteth in Wisedome to bee talking of the woorde to commende the Loue of God in Christe as Dauid saythe My mouth shall bee alwayes telling of the louinge kindenesse of the Lorde and I will also tell of thy greatnesse So also the Woman of Samaria Ioh. 4. After shee was wonne by Christes Sermon contented not her selfe to bee acquaynted with Christ her selfe alone but leauing her Water pot and other necessaryes in all haste made report of the Messiah to her Neighboures to toule on them also And certaynlye when a man is truelye called his desire is kindled to make others partakers of those ioyes of the worde which himselfe dothe feele He is also greeued and sorrowfull when hee seeth it to bee contemned of men Especiallye suche couet to acquaynte theire Wife Children Seruauntes and Neyghboures or those which haue beene partners with them in the dayes of their vanities with that Heauenlye message of life For wee shoulde bee careful that whomsoeuer wee haue offended or hurte by oure example afore or they with whome wee haue had fellowshippe in euill mighte by our meanes bee broughte to a taste of Christe that wee commending the grace of God in Christe to them might by some meanes draw them if it may bee from their vanities to Christe Saying Oh that you felte the good that I feele by the woorde for where I loued sinne before now I hate that and Christ Iesus is my loue Yea let euerye one say to other it pityeth my soule and I am couered with shame blushing to thinke how I haue before times liued in vanitie when I knew not Christ aright But now Oh happy I I see the loue of Christe towardes me in his worde and I can not but loue him againe Thus we should be reporting the good that we haue by Christe seeke to make others partners with vs. If it be a duety of one Christian to another much more shoulde ministers towle on their people the husbands their wiues the parentes their children the masters their seruants c. Then who soeuer delight not to talke of God in his worde but rather enuie the forwardnes of others it is a manifest taken that they belong not to Christe What shall we saye then of them which wil not commend Christ to their people nor draw them on but rather discourage and pull back how can they haue any true loue to Christ them selues when they are afrayde men should come too neare him Thus Solomon hath allegorically set before our eyes a description of Christe Iesus Sith then we haue presented before our eyes so honorable a state so gracious a personage so peereles a Prince so worthy a Moschel wise and rich in al pretious iewels as Solomon victorious as Dauid finally who is all in all why shoulde we not highly account of him honorably entertaine him and with all submission subiect our selues vnto him as our onely head and guid who shineth in passing beauty surpasseth in al victorious courage in princely dignity in perfect purenes his habite is most seemly his comely lookes most gracious and amiable in the eies of his saints his face wholy glorious of perfect hue sweete with heauenly perfumes odoriferous with spirituall spice and ointment his garments and attire most costly and orderly man garments of vnspotted righteousnesse and most perfect holinesse whereby he
seeke after God and to praye to him inticing also others by their example of the which sort there are very few Yet certainely we ought to labour as I sayde that where we haue before our calling done hurt by our example in deed or worde to our Wife children seruauntes or our companions we should now redeeme that occasion by a Godly sobernes and holines of life They also which haue beene partakers with vs in corruption and sinne should by our meanes if it may bee euen be made partakers with vs of grace For this is one thing which vndoubtedly we doe not for the most part make conscience of He that hath beene a companion with drunkards or ruffians swearers or vaine ciuil men before his calling he shoulde labour when him selfe is called and séeth the damnable estate of such men to make his companions priuy to the damnable estate that they are in and shewe them what happinesse it is to leaue those wayes of vanity to feare God aright and that if they were out of that hellish estate and saw the mirye of it they woulde not for a thousand worldes be in it again how so euer it seemeth to the fleshe pleasant for the time Oh the Lord giue vs eyes to see this matter and heartes to practize it But now let vs see further what this gracious example of forwardnes in religion worketh in the godly euen that they are made desirous to bee coopartners with the church in the graces of Christe Iesus Wherefore the maydens they seeing the Churche so wonderfullye rauished with the loue of Christ would needes know where he was become that they may seeke him with her The like fruite altogeather Zachary chapter 8. verse 23. noteth shoulde breake foorth in the Church of the Gentiles for sayth he Ten men of the nations should take holde of the skirt of him that is a Iew and say we will goo with you for we haue hearde that God is with you So then it is a special propertie incident to the children of God to be humble lowly and willing to learn of others casting away pride scornefulnes and shame for many are too modest or rather squaymishe in that point If this readines should be in the Saints to catch one another making offer of themselues to accompanie the godly vnto God and all godly exercises then what shall be sayed of those which not onely are not willing to ioyne with the children of God but euen rushe vpon them thrusting them away from them as most noysome hurtful pulling others back what they can sure they bewray that as yet they haue no fellowshippe in this holy and precious societie with Christe Iesus Againe they which are forward and excell others in graces must take heed that vayneglorie vndermind not their heartes or that contempt and scornefulnesse do not set them afloate to dispise or neglecte their brethren or to condemne those that are not so far forwarde as themselues but with all amiable modestie labour to incourage and drawe them on O that we could striue with a godly enuie one to out-goe another in godlinesse yet so that by our godly counsell and holy life we might bee meanes to stirre vp others procuring them to a holy emulation It is reported in the fourth chapiter of Iohn his Gospell what good the report and example of the woman of Samaria did in that citie where shee dwelled to allure many of that place to beleeue in Christ which were after more confirmed in fayth by Christ himselfe So we should labour that not onely they of our owne houshold parishe or countrey shoulde bee occasioned by vs to seeke after God but it were to bee wished that the state of the Church of our lande were such thorowout as that wee beeing gouerned all according to godly Discipline in moste happie and religious manner the worde of GOD hauinge preheminence in all places personnes and causes euen other Nations yea the Iewes them selues might bee prouoked to emulation by vs. Saint Paule I remember in his epistle to the Romans the eleuenth chapiter verse 11. Speaketh that the Gentiles should draw on the Iewes by emulation to follow the true God by their faith I demand then sayth he haue the Iewes stumbled that they shoulde vtterly fall God forbid but through their fall saluation commeth to the Gentiles to prouoke the Iewes to emulation or to follow the Gentiles For to this ende God adopteth the Gentiles into the place of the Iewes that they séeing the Gentiles ioyned vnto God perceiuing also the fruit of their faith they might be set on fire to be reconciled vnto God againe repenting them of their falling from him that so with the Gentiles they might againe bee flocked into the fellowship of the church And certainely we al incurre a great and blameable fault that we are no more touched with pitty ouer the nation of the Iewes by whose fal we were lift vp into the Church whose diminishing is our riches that we pitty no more their estate and blindnes nor praying for their vprising conuersion and restoring whose receiuing again what is it but life to vs from the dead For I see not the contrary but that the Lord will yet bring backe again some of the Iewes to his trueth that they may be turned to their God though the most of the nation perish in blindnesse Let vs then bestow vppon them this curtesie to pray for their conuersion and to liue so in holinesse and righteousnesse our selues that the Iewes and all other may see that we feare and serue the true and liuing God That so they may be mooued by our meanes to seeke Christe Iesus with vs beeing parteners with vs of that health the foundation whereof sprong to vs from the Iewes For the redeemer shal come vnto Sion and to them that turne from iniquity in Iacob Esay 59.20 We are therefore sore to be blamed when we so scornefully reproch the Nation of the Iewes that when we woulde speake disdainefully of any man we thinke we can not speake more haynously of him then to cal him a Iewe also any deceitfull false spitefull or vnkinde touche that is serued vs of any man wee saye he hath serued me a Iewishe tricke and such like rayling speaches we throwe out against that miserable dispersed nation whom all the worlde haue cause most to pittie and praye for their turning vnto God But this is a token of vncharitable vnreligious and vnchristian heartes Let vs therefore offer them this kindenesse to wishe well to them and all others to labour to towle on others as the Spouse doeth in this place that they may with vs goe to seeke the Lorde of hostes and our Sauiour Christe Iesus Thus shoulde wee further one another to Christe for wee are exceeding negligent this waye to redeeme our former times of vanitye spente with our brethren As for my selfe myserable man that I am vnworthy to doe any good in the Churche of God or to
with others would easily shew their nature against the people of God if they had oportunitie and yet they are hatched oh pitiful danger and nouâ—ished euen in the lap of the church Thus many Cankers breede in the bowels of the church heresies fonde opinions familists Brounists and such other Thus by such meanes as lamentable it is to see the graft of godlinesse and zeale is hindred And through the neglect of officers magistrates rather then laws these beastes swarme in our Church Also drunkards swearers whores adulterers proude pecockes raylers contemners of God and his word prophanations of the Sabboth and an innumerable kindes both of sinners and sinnes which ouergrow the church as a wildernesse which because magistrates doe not laboure to roote out so carefully as they ought the Lord doth strangely consume som sinners by the fire of his wrath froÌ„ heauen Which al shold be cut off by discipline or at least way bee forced to some reformation Can it be that the Lord wil trust vs any longer with a Lease of his garden we abusing him in such maner so as we greeue the Lords soul with our vnfaithfulnes and cause his soule to hate vs. Esay 1.14 Who bestoweth such cost on vs we prosper so little as hee can gather very few Lillies amongst vs he wanteth the fruit of our hearts and lippes as faith loue feare obedience charity thankesgiuing prayse inuocation hearing his word professing his name c. But some perhaps wil say why it is in as good case as we found it the same discipline laws and doctrine are stil which was in the beginning of her maiesties raign so the Lords garden and church is not impaired and it shal bee left in as good case as it was found and better then heretofore Sure the Lorde doth not plaÌ„t a vineyard let it out to stand or be kept alwaies at a stay but to bee tilled and dressed that it maye grow and prosper to bring foorth more fruite For hee requireth that men bestowe their care labour wisedome and trauail vpon it that hee maye haue it more furnished and fenced For hee tataketh payne him selfe aboute his Churche to that ende that sinne may bee suppressed and Godlinesse aduanced But the Lorde make vs truely thankfull in Christ Iesus for those beginninges and proceedinges of his church which we haue that he hath planted his worde true religion amongst vs countenancing the same his truth with the authoritye and sworde of our gratious Princesse Elizabeth as also with many worthy learned godly and noble Councellers as also other learned Patrons of his Church without whom we should find to our great misery and the spoyle of religion howe hardly the Lordes garden should be at al kept without them But our sinnes yea our contempt and neglect of the word of God and his glory doe hinder the Lorde from blessing vs with that encrease which otherwise wee mighte enioy yea our sinnes betraye the state of our Churche and lande and deserue the losse of so Princely a Deborah and other woorthye personnages wherewith our Church is inriched yea that the Lorde shoulde take away all the walles and defences of our church and land giue vs ouer to the spoile Let vs therefore if we beare any good will to our Church or Countrye labour to purge oure selues from al corruption and to repent vs of oure sinnes that we may bring foorth good fruits such as the lord may haue pleasure in that hee may haue a delight to abide among vs. For it is the sinnes of a land that causeth the Lordes wrath to smoke against the same but our land I suppose haue exceeded the old world Sodom and Gomorrha Israell Iehuda and al landes in straunge sinnes so that if in comparison Ezec. 16.51 Iudah and the inhabitants thereof iustified Sodom for that their sinnes exceeded the sinnes of the Sodomits Then we haue iustified al Nations in comparison of our sins and therefore are in daunger to al the feareful plagues that are mentioned in the booke of God vnlesse we speedely therfore repent I feare we shal tast of such iudgementes as that the stranger that shal come from a farre land Deut. 29.22 shal saye when they see the plagues of this land and the diseases therof wherwith the Lord shal smite it because it shal be fearefully destroyed except they repent Oh wherefore hath the Lorde done thus vnto this lande and ver 24. and ver 25. how feirce is this great wrath And it shal be answered because they haue forsaken the couenant of the Lord God of their Fathers and haue sinned againste the Lorde Let vs al then my deare brethren be humbled with Godly sorrow that may cause repentaunce vnto saluation not to be repented of Being offended with our selues that we haue not sooner and more earnestly inquyred after Christ praying the Lorde to beautifie his Garden and Churche of this land with such sweet flowers as he may please him selfe in vs and we may grow and prosper in al fruites of the spirit I can not finish this chapiter to daye because of time and the matter of the conclusion though in few words yet includeth very comfortable and heuenly matter which cannot in a few words be vttered I wil therfore defer it til to morrow when by Gods grace I shal finish the whole Now the Lord our good God sanctifie our hearts to conceiue the excellencye and féele the sweetnesse of the wordes of the mouth of Christ Iesus that we being our selues purged and sanctified by his word and truth may carefully labour that others with vs may truely be affected towards him that we may ioyn togeather in seeking of Christ so as in the ende finding him in his worde and Sacramentes and feeling of him by his spirite our soules and bodies may become cleane and well tilled Gardens beautified with al heaueÌ„ly fruits of his spirite as that Christ may haue pleasure to walke in vs to dwell and make his abode in vs vnto the ende and in the ende we also may be receiued with him into his heauenly Garden of eternal ioye to dwell continue and abide with him in the company of al the glorious Angels and fellowship of the heauenly saintes in the presence of God his Father for euer and euer Amen Let vs pray c. The fift Sermon or lecture YEsterday we heard beloued a part of the description of Christ concerning his spéech and swéet thing of his mouth with the excellency of his doctrine also the second question of the maydens concerning the place where he vsed with the aunswere betweene which was interlined what fruit came by this conference and how the Godly at Ierusalem were kyndled with loue to Christ by the example of the Spouse whereby she answereth to her companions making them priuy to the place of his abode shewing how the church is his Garden and that he delighteth to be conuersant there yea the soule of euerye
faithfull man is a Garden inclosed where Christ looketh for fruite and commeth down thither by his spirite gathering the fruites of obedience sanctimony praise thanks giuing Nowe wee haue the conclusion of the whole remayning to bee spoken of verse 19. I am my beloueds and my beloued is mine who feedeth among the Lillies Thirdly the conclusion This is the thirde parte in generall of the maner of the comming on of the spouse or of her obeying of her calling and admitting of the suit of her louer which I noted to be the second part of the chapiter For after the suit of her husband wherof you haue heard verse 1. and 2. her manner of comming on in beeing incumbred with lets at the first yet ouer striding them and recouering her zeal breaking foorth into a noble and famous description of her louer wherby she affecteth her companions greatly towardes him now in a triumphing maner incouraging others by her example she concludeth with an Epiphonema and finitiue sentence or determination assuring her selfe to bee one with her loue and maketh vp the match in her hearte with Christ Iesus purposing to holde out in faithfull loue to the ende towardes him Perswading also her owne hearte of his faithfull permanent and eternal loue towardes her So that we will consider in this laste clause and sentence as the vpshot of the whole matter Two things in the conclusion First the holye societie communion coniunction and vnitie that is betweene Christ and his Church ioyned with an indissoluble bande and knot Secondly the perseueraunce also the constant permanent and certaine estate of the Godlye and elect whereby they stand assured of the eternal loue of Christe Iesus towardes them First the vnitye between christ and his Church and of their owne saluation in him First therefore concerning the comfortable vnitie and coniunction of Christ with his Church We see that it is described vnto vs by many similitudes in the scriptures wherein most liuely effectually and coÌ„fortably that holy spiritual and sacred society wherby we are incorporate into Christe is discouered As in the 15. Chapiter of the Euangelist Saint Iohn our sauiour Christe vnder the parable of a Vine and the branches sheweth the mutual loue betweene him and his members as also the sweet coniunction whereby they are necessarily ioyned togeather that the life of the one standeth not without the life of the other and the perfection of the one is not without the perfection of the other For Christe hath inseperably ioyned all the faithful vnto him selfe so as without them hee counteth him selfe as it were vnperfect Therefore Paul Ephes 1.23 after hee had magnified the grace of God towarde the elect and highly commended the excellency of Christe Iesus whome God had made the head of his Church he concludeth that the Church as it is the body of Christ so it is his fulnesse As if he should say in that God the Father hath ordayned his Sonne to bee the heade of his Church euen as the head without the body is not full but vnperfect and the body wanting any member is not in al parts complete so with out the number of his saintes which shold fulfil the mistical body of Christ euen Christe him selfe is after a sort vnperfect Not that hee is so in him selfe for he is in his owne nature full infinite and perfect admitting neither maius nor minus But this is the riches of his grace that he â—ath so vnited euery one of his saints and elect vnto him as he can not want any one of them The force of this speech is wonderful to him that hath the eyes of faith and exceedingly comfortable to the troubled conscience which hath once in trueth tasted of the mercies and grace of God in whome also the worke of faith hath béen truely begun though it be sometime in a dampe and as it were smoothered vp yea it can not but rauishe them to see that Christ cannot want nor cut of any member that hee hath once begun to graft into him self But as the Vines and such like plantes euery braunch thereof receiueth iuyce moysture life and nourishment from the stocke and root hath also a necessary communitie with the stocke in all thinges so as from the stocke or root is conueyed life and nourishment to euery braunch so euery faithful person which is in Christ receiue from him al necessary iuyce and supplement to the nourishing and preseruing of a spiritual life in them Though sometime some of the braunches hang the head but yet they which are planted of the heauenly Father shal neuer be cut off but shal haue life eternal with Christ Iesus This thing also is set foorth vnto vs in the simile of a body euen of the head and the members Therefore as I sayd Christ is called the head of the Churche Ephes 1.22 Col. 1.18 For there is a mutual analogie and proportion betwetne the head and the members and Christ his Church Wherfore the whole Churche considered in Christ and his members is called not only a body but also it is called by the name of Christ 1. Cor. 12.12 So as there is a necessary vnitie betweene Christ and his members wherby they are made one therefore followeth in the 13. verse of that Chapter that by one spirite we are al baptized into one bodye whether Iewes or Gentiles bonde or free Wherein the holye and swéete Communion betweene Christe and his members is layde foorth so as verse 27. hee concludeth nowe you are the body of Christ members for your part noting that they alone without other churches were not the bodye of Christ but they with al other shold be associate to the church in al times and places Furthermore certain it is that as the body can not bee absolutely perfect if it want any euen the least member so Christe counteth not himselfe perfect til he hath euery one of his meÌ„bers namely the beléeuers vnited vnto him And this body of Christ which is the Church receiueth life from him yea euery meÌ„ber is nourished kept maintained by one the same spirit which being derided from Christ spreadeth it selfe by equall measure according to the proportion of fayth into euery beleeuer So as the spirite of God is as it were the soule of the Church whereby euery member receiueth of the fulnes of Christ being quickened by him liuing by a common life with Christ whereby they are assured that they are one with him and haue life in him So as Paul Gal. 2.20 testifieth that when he was in Christe he liued not but Christ liued in him And albeit the members of Christ haue not alwayes a like feeling of life in them selues but somtime they seeme to be benumbed and a colde as it were hauinge no nimblenesse or agilitye in them selues yea as it were a sleepe and voyd of feeling so as they scantly can haue comfort that they are of the body of Christ
faithful thē selues can not cut off them selues from their owne saluation nor forfait it because it is not layde vp in them selues but in God in whose custody it is True it is we giue God cause in our selues to frustrate all his graces towardes vs But God will accomplishe his worke and finishe it in his seruaunts Neither let any Libertine hereof conclude that he will liue he careth not how because if I beleeue I am sure al my sinnes cannot loose my saluation I answere faith is neuer seuered from obedience nor from a good conscience 1. Tim. 1.5 and a pure heart which spring from faith which is careful to please God so as such haue no fayth but an opinion of fayth Neuertheles I affirm it to be true that the sinns infirmities and falles of the Saintes of God can not frustrate their saluation because God looketh not on them but in Christe Shall this therefore ad courage vnto men to sinne God forbid nay they which are truelye humbled as they know that God wil not for their sins cast them away So they dare not for their liues to sinne vpon hope though they are manye times foyled sore of their infirmities So that although I herein minister comfort to the troubled soule so I must say to those that presume vpon these great and eternal riches of Gods grace making his mercies a bawde for their sinnes certainly they are without all true loue to God and must not once looke for any comfort but be assured that as yet they are voyde of the benefite of saluation and are in a damnable and Hellishe estate For beeing without the Church in that they shew foorth no fruites of obedience to the worde c. they can not looke for saluation sith without the Church there is no saluation Without Noahs Arke was no life All perished in Iericho that were not in Rachabs house so in the Church onely is saluation without nothing but hell and damnation Euery man therefore must labour to be a member of the church of Christ yeelding obedience to the calling of God by the preaching of his word that they maye bee flocked into his folde and Church For men must know that election must not be seuered from an effectuall calling which worketh in time in the true beleeuers It is a blessednesse in deed that we are elected but if our election be not ratified by the spirite of sanctification and that we haue not good euidence of it in our owne conscience what shal it boot vs Therefore the Psalme 65.4 After they of the Church had complayned of their sinnes as le ts to their Prayers before God so as they beganne to suspect their owne estate because of sinne they conclude to the comforte of their conscience that their blessednesse stood not in them selues but in the election of God Blessed is be whom thou choosest and causest to come vnto thee So as these two are ioyned togeather namely election and calling or vocation in the passiue sense that is that God causeth his to come for none come of them selues Now therefore it is expedient that we make our election sure by good workes 2. Pet. 1.10 Yet muste we not measure our election by our good workes or the perfection of them For we see when the seruants of God suruey their hearts to gather comfort by their calling or by those graces which they haue tasted off to looke on their faith hope obedience loue towards God or their neighbours alasse when they ouerlook al their best works that they can reckon vp yet they can not haue comfort in them if they shall onely stay in them but they must from the effectes of theire calling which if they be in trueth are good euidences and argumentes of comfort looke into this originall of their happinesse Blessed is be whom thou chusest c. For this is the fountaine of blessed es vnto vs. Then in the second place we may say blessed is hee whome God causeth to come to him and he the feareth God louing and obeying his worde carefully and vnfeinedly c. Which al fruits of our calling are not causes of oure happinesse but testimonies and warrantes through the earnest of the spirite that we are happy But it may seeme somewhat nakedly affirmed of the Spouse without proofe when she professeth her selfe to be her beloueds and that her beloued is hers when she addeth no reason of it For albeit many grant that they which are truely in Christ and in the fauour of God they are happy they can not but doe wel and are of the sure grounde But here standeth the question and difficulty of the cause howe euery man may knowe that hee hath part in that vnity of Christe and how a man maye bee sure of saluation in this life To come to this point wee must first consider that that which is spoken in the scriptures concerning the saluation of the Church or elect in general with the causes effects therof is spoken also of euery member of the Church and is true in both As for example if it bee true that the Churche or Elect were loued and elected of God before the beginninges of the Worlde then this is true euerye faythfull beleeuer was elected before al times Agayne if the Churche bee called to the participation of the graces of God then euery faithful beleeuer is Also if the Churche bee holye then euery one of the Churche is also in time called to bee holy If the church be redeemed and the sinnes therof pardoned that it be sanctified iustified saued and glorified in the ende then euerye beleeuer which is of the church is redeemed his sinnes pardoned is iustified sanctified in time saued and glorified in the ende If the Church or elect in general can not perish but is permanent induring and sure of saluation then neither any one member of the church can perish nor be lost but is permanent and sure of saluation Nowe this wee must consider when I speake of the assurance of the Children of God I vnderstande not such a certantye as is not mingled at all with any doubtfulnesse For the best assured is not alwayes alyke perswaded of his saluation neyther haue all men a like feeling of the comfort and assurance of eternall health For sometime it is in the Ecclipse and the comfort of Gods fauour is intercepted from vs by the cloudes of our infirmities so as the eyes of our faith are dazeled But at sometimes at least the Children of God haue some good assuraunce of their saluation though for the most part they seeme to hang in a mammering Also othersome haue not so full a sight of it as others haue Partly because of manye corruptions in their nature which they labour not so earnestly to purge as they ought Partly also because the proportion of faith or the knowledge of God is not a like in al but some more some lesse But we shall in vayne speake of
latter daye hauing assuraunce that we shal dye happely and well yea that we may haue the eyes of faith to looke into our saluation so farre as wee maye saye with Simeon Lorde now lettest thou thy seruaunt depart in peace according to thy worde â—uk 2.29.30 for myne eyes haue seene thy saluation Also that we may with Iob stand perswaded through saith that our redeemer lyueth and that we shall See God not with other but with these same eyes â—ob 19.25.27 In the meane time let vs labour to glorifie oure God by oure obedience fayth loue and newnesse of life that we maye shewe how we are one with Christe by this that he maye liue in vs and we maye dye so our selues that so we may in this lyfe bee sure of saluation afterwarde For what myserye is it to lyue and in the ende not to bee sure of saluation To this purpose Iohn in his first Epistle chapiter 3. verse 2. sheweth that the loue of God is great in that he hath admitted vs to be his sons after he addeth That we are euen now the sonnes of God but it doth not appeare what we shal be that is we see not now fully what glory the Lord hath layd vp for vs. But we are assured that we shal be like to the sonne of God So then the faithfull haue their comfort and assuraunce in this lyfe of obtayning life after Also Paule affirmeth vnto Timothy 2. Tim. â— That he was sure from hence forth there was layd vp for him the crowne of righteousnesse which the lord the righteous iudge should giue him at the last day And because we shoulde not make exception and saye yea Paule was a notable instrument of God I easly beléeue he might be sure of life but I am nothing to Paule c. therefore he addeth That crowne is not layd vp onely for me but for al them also that loue his comming or appearing For sure it is God hath committed vs to the custody of him that wil neuer see vs perish and he againe moste carefully committeth vs to his father Ouerlooke I pray you with all diligence that heauenly prayer of our Sauiour Iesus Christe in the 17. Chapiter of Iohn especially from the sixth verse to the ende Which is full of moste Heauenlye and wonderful comfort if the Lorde giue vs eyes and hearts to see and vnderstand it aright Christe there noteth these qualities chiefly in his saints After the fountayn of their election discouered which issueth out of the free loue of God he saith of them that they kéep his worde 2. They acknowledge all good thinges to come from God thorough Christ receiuing them thankfully as from him also they receiue his wordes and are assured that hee came from God And because he was to leaue his Disciples and to departe concerning his corporal presence hee therfore committeth them in this sort to his father saying Verse 11. I am now no more in the worlde these are in the world and I come to thee O holy father keepe them in thy name euen them whom thou hast giuen me that they may be one as we are This vnitie he prayeth for in al that shold after beleeue that they may be one in God and Christ as be and his Father was one O wonderfull care of so gracious a Patron In these wordes Christe sheweth that as the father and the somâ— are one so as they can not be seuered so also they which are in Christ in whome these foresayde effectes are to bee founde in trueth in some measure are one with God and Christ so as nothing can deuide nor seperate them asuÌ„der Which is a wonderful comfort to the Saints of God that their happy life and eternal being is necessarilye after a sorte ioined with the life and eternal being of God and Christe He meaneth not that the saints are so one with God as he shoulde bee hominified with man and man deified with God For this foolish and doltishe blasphemye of the Family of loue is so absurd as it were a folly to spende any speech in the confutation thereof But as the godly are in Christe and so sure of saluation so they must not loyter in hope and neglect their calling now because men are subiect to this sliding our Sauioure Christ in that 17. of Ioh. Iohn 17. ver 15. prayeth that his father woulde keepe them from euil sanctifying them in his trueth which is his worde For that is the ordinary means and instrument whereby God vpholdeth his children and we abide in him and hee in vs so long as we abide in his doctrin 2. Iohn 9. which is easily seene in this that Sathan séeketh nothing more then to weaken our fayth in the worde raysing vp so many opinions sects and heresies therefore this should stirre vs vp to watchfulnesse Thus we see the Spouse might lawfully conclude of the certaintie of her vnity and perseuerance with her husbande Yea al of vs by her example should labour to haue the like perswasion of our selues affiancing our selues also vnto Christ praying for the fruits of the spirit of adoption in vs that we being careful to keepe the word to beleeue and receiue it that being assured that Christ was sent of God a sauiour vnto vs maye imbrace him heartely with al his heauenly riches stryuing to ouerstride al lets that might hinder vs from coÌ„ming to him being zealous of his glory truth stirring vp others by our example professing his name boldly exercising all godly exercises hearing his word praying oft heartly vnto him ioyning in the company of the godly beeing humbly thankfull vnto God for his greate mercyes in Christe so as euery one of vs may be bolde in truth and feeling to say I am Christs and Christ is mine O let vs indeuour our selues my deare brethren that we may haue a liuely tast assurance of this heauenly and spirituall communion vnity coniunction society and felowship with Christ Iesus that we may stande perswaded of his eternal loue towards vs and of our owne saluation in him For alas it maketh me tremble to think what a miserable state the doubtful vnbeléeuers which labour not to haue any assuraunce of life shall come vnto Who as they neuer were in Christ nor tasted not in truth of the effects before mentioned so shall they be without christ in eternal paine banished from the presence of God of his glorious angels without the fauor of God without life it selfe But let not those be dismaied which doubting sometime yet in the middest of their doubt desire to be sure of Gods fauour for the vnbeleeuing doubters haue no suche desire in truth resting vpon the word and waiting for further grace and assurance I know our nature wil neuer make an end of replying against the certainty of our saluation because of the imperfections and infirmities of the Children of God beeing ful of distrust many times For when we consider
may receiue the word with ioye and bring forth some kind of fruit for a season Math. 13 2◠they may refourme them selues in their outwarde maners and in their speeches Finally hypocrites some of them may come to these pointes to be lightened with knowledge to tast of the heauenly gift to be partakers of the holy Ghost concerning the giftes thereof though not of the spirite of sanctification in them selues to tast of the good word of God for the time and of the powers of the world to come Thus farre may hypocrites goe which yet because they are not refourmed vnto the image of God and tast not in truth of the spirit of regeneration they are but as vanitye and shall perish as the smoke Those points I note to the end that the wicked hypocrites might not presume vppon this doctrine of comfort for the saints of God that truely begin to tast of regeneration that the godly also might bee humbled to examine their heartes that they maye bee sure that though the measure of grace in them be scant yet that it be sound and in truth in them I can not stande to set downe the Antithesies and oppositions of the qualities of the hypocrites and of the Godly to shewe in particulers wherin these things differ yet I know if time woulde serue it were profitable for the children of God Neither can I stand to shew of the other side how far the Godly may slyde and yet be recouered and the difference of the fals of the hypocrites and of the righteous and beleeuers For true it is that the saints of God though they can not vtterly fal away from God or from grace as we haue already prooued Yet some of them some times fal very far yea and that not only before their calling but also after they haue truely tasted of grace If I should recken vp the fal of Noah after the flood the fall of Lot the fall of Dauid Solomon Peter which fel into grosse sinnes after their calling For as for the example of Paule Magdalen Mathew Zacheus who were notoryous sinners afore their calling and were truly conuerted these examples stand not so fitly to this point which I speake of but the other sinning after their calling for these after sinnes be they that wound some of the saints of God so déepely if I say I should mention the example of them sinning after their calling no man must be so bolde to presume to extenuate their sinnes by them or boulster their fals by their slydings as the hypocrites doe against whome the wrath of God shall smoke But the children of God they may sée somwhat hereby how farre some of the Godly slide sometime and are recouered But these sinned not vpon presumptiō but of infirmitie So that the corruption of nature preuailing Gods spirit was buried as it were for the time But if men by their slidinges are not warned to stande the surer after hauing their heartes more kindled with the hatred of sinne and are not made more watchfull ouer their infirmities praying more against them purposing againste them fasting and mourning for them so as they gather the more strength thereby to withstande the stronglier after then let them beware least their estate indéede be most daungerous and miserable but thus much in a word of this thing for I mencion these circumstances because of the certeintie which the saints of God haue in this life that none might deceiue them selues vnder a coulour of hope vnles they féele the true work of sanctification in them though but begun not yet perfited which cānot be til the comming of Iesus Christ Let vs all therefore labour my déere brethren to increase in all true holynes sanctimony after the reuealed wil of God that wee may resemble the Image of our heauenly father prsented vnto vs in a manifest pattern euen in Christ That by the worde we may growe to more perfection dayly praying for the graces of Gods spirite to be encreased in vs that ouerstriding al lets and incumbrances which might fetter or insnarle vs tasting of all former vanities filthy lusts the loue of this world selfe loue pride vainglory hypocrisie feare of daungers not hauing our eies fixed on the hate of the world to bee so tied to our owne credite estimation commodities profites or eaze as wee should feare any hatred of the wicked scornfulnesse and reproches of the vngodly or be loth to vndergo any shame for the supporting of Gods glory that all these being set apart of vs we may cheerfully with the spouse euen when others set against vs and forsake vs presse foorth to the discouering of oure zeale seruing God in shame and honor in good reporte and ill reporte in peace and trouble yea in life and in death alwayes preferring the Lordes cause and his glory which shoulde bee more precious in our eies then a thousand worlds or our own life it self yea let vs labour to drawe on others to followe Christ with vs that the Lord may ceaze vpon our hearts taking them vp into his seruice That so we glorifying God in our calling both generall and particular furthering others also wee may ioyfully behold the fruits of our obedience and profession that we may with the spouse conclude affirmatiuely confidently and boldly in full assurance by the testimony of Gos spirit that we are Christs and Christ is ours affiancing our selues vnto him so that nothing may seperate vs from the loue of God which is in Iesus Christ our Lord but that we shall take possession with him of his glory in the heauens which grace God graunt to euery one of vs and to all his people for Iesus Christ his sake To whome with the father and the holy ghost be al glory honor praise and dominion for euer and euer Amen Let vs pray c.
we should set so light by it Is it because hee commeth no more in his owne person vnto vs Why the Heauens must containe him til he come to iudgement Acts. 3.21 What is it because he is poore of low degree or meane personage his riches are without price his parentage is of God his person is moste amiable What then is it because hee speaketh by others as his spokesmen and those men thraught with infirmities as our selues In deede this sticketh in the stomack of many for they contemne the word which is the suit of Christ because it is spoken by men so they esteem the sacred word as of men and not of God Surely he could haue sent the troup of his mighty glorious Angels to make his matche but he hath himselfe spoke in his owne person first nowe continueth his suite to vs in his behalfe by his ministers and faithfull seruantes For he hath put his treasure in earthy vessels that the excellencye of that power might be of God not of vs. 2. Cor. 4.7 Also We are ambassadors in Christs steed as though God did beseech you through vs so we pray you in Christes steede to be reconciled vnto God 2 Cor. 5.20 So as the Lorde hath ordeined Pastors and teachers in his church euen of men in his own name Paul he likewise labored to present the people a pure virgine vnto God 2. Cor. 11.2 Let vs not therefore my brethren despise the meanes which God hath ordeined to saue vs by and to make vp the match betweene his sonne and vs in our heartes least wee prouoke the Lords displesure If some great Prince should send of his nobles as ambassadors vnto any of vs or to a man of poors estate to beg his daughter for his onely sonne meaning to preferre her so honourably and his sonne louing her entirely were it not great discourtesye to refuse and woulde he not easily graunt to it so sith God sendeth oute his ministers to beg our soules for his deare sonne and requireth that we wil bestow our selues vppon him were it not a great contempt againste God and a worse daunger to our owne soules if wee shal refuse so gratious an offer Now as God vouchsafeth this honour to his ministers as to bee Suters for his sonne to his Church to call them to the heauenly banquet So they must not labour to winne the Church to them selues and to prefer their owne glory As the Pope which woulde haue the Church at his commaundement and so commit whooredome against Christe Or as many vaine glorious teachers which preach them selues not Christe Also seducers sectuaries c. They all play as the fals harted man which beeing put in trust to speake to a mayden for another doe wooe and make suite for them selues to tourne the liking of the mayden to their owne persons Thus many teachers playe the wantons with the Spouse of Christ Iesus when they should learne of Paul to present her perfect vnto Christe Howbeit the church of our times hath many wanton Sutors that wooe for them selues and not for Christe It is requisite that sith the ministers of the worde are to speake for so noble and heauenly a personage who is a rare Phoenix and the onely Sonne of the liuing God sent to his chosen Spouse vpon earth to offer the match of life to vnfould and discouer all the secretes of his heauenly and eternall loue spirituall and princely riches of his grace that they deale in these waightie matters moste reuerently wisely religiously carefully and faithfully to speak the Gospell and message of Christ as they ought to speake it and not to vtter themselues in preaching of Christ For many which preach the trueth after a sort yet ah alas nothing regarde the weight of this so honorable and holy ambassage For there are some which thinke Christe too base to bee preached simply in him selfe and therfore mingle with him too too much the wisedome of mans eloquence and thinke that Christe commeth nakedly vnlesse cloathed with vaine ostentaion of wordes Others esteeme him too homely simple and vnlearned vnlesse he bee beautified and blazed ouer with store of Gréeke or Laten sentences in the pulpits some recken of him as solitarie or as a priuate person with out honor and pompe vnlesse he bée brought foorth of them very solemnly accompaned and countenaunced with the auncient Garde of the fathers and Doctors of the Churche to speake for him or els he must be glosed out and painted with the frooth of Philosophi Poetry or such like And so regard not to preach Christ crucified to the Iewes A stumbling blocke to the Grecians folishnes but to them which are called both Iews Grecians Christ is the power of God and the wisedome of God 1. Cor. 1.23.24 I do not speake against learning wisedome the knowledge of tongues or the fathers abolishing all vse of them but highly esteming of the firste as the Lordes giftes and graces and reuerencing the Fathers as worthy instruments which the Lord vsed for their time And all these are necessary tyme person place and fit occasion seruing But I wold gladly Christ might appeare in his power by the pure handling of the Gospel though it be counted foolishe preaching of the world 1. Cor. 1.21 Yet it is the ordinary meanes appointed to saue them that beleeue And sure I cannot otherwise thinke of many which study to preach them selues and to haue their giftes yea some times those giftes which they haue not to be knowne rather then the power of God in his Gospel then of Babes and yong children which hauing any gay thing about them that they themselues think highly on thinke all men should delight in their gayes therefore they are alwayes pointing at their gay brooches pointes laces c. shewing euery one where they are gay So these men which preach them selues are alwayes poyncting at their gaye eloquence or giftes which they set more by then the pure handling of the worde But we are in Christes stéede to make suite for him to the soules of men wherefore we must deale faithfully with him For a wicked messenger faelleth into euill but a faythfull ambassadour is preseruation Prouerb 13.17 I therefore beloued though moste vnworthy to open my mouth in Christes behalf vnto you yet as one apoynted a sutor in the Lords cause and his Churches doe beseech you in the bowels of Iesus Christ that you woulde be wonne vnto him espousing both body and soule to be at his heauenly pleasure O despise not so gracious offers Let it not be your pride to say often nay to the Lordes suite it is more curtesie to let him speede at the first And though we haue heretofore listened to the suite of Sathan and he hath had his pleasure at our handes which might giue the Lorde iust cause to cast vs off and not to continue anie more his suite to vs yet if we will returne from our sinfull loue of
yet this hindreth not but that they are ioined still to theire heade sith it is as impossible that any member that is truelye grafted into Christe shoulde perishe bee cut or wante lyfe as it is impossible that Christe him selfe shoulde wante life I speake this in the respecte of the free grace of God communicating lyfe vnto vs in Christe also for the comfort of such poore soules as beeing graffed into Christe by faith hauing also felt of the power of his death and resurrection in truth in that they are refourmed from their former wayes and desire to please God in holinesse yet in the present feeling of their miseries and imperfections can not haue comfort but lye as poore members wounded and panting for life for the time when yet life is not vtterly out of them As for the bold and presumptuous sinner or libertine as he neuer tasted of the life which is in Christ by mortification and sanctification so he hath no warrant yet that hee is of Christ and therefore I can not assure any such of the certainty of that life This vnity and coniunction is also figured vnto vs in the simile of a building or house For we are all lyuely stones of a spiritual building couched and layd vpon Christ Iesus the foundation and corner stone of the building As 1. Pet. 2.4.5 So that as many stones couched and placed together in order do make one building euen so Christ and his members become one spiritual house Also as as the breade and wine receiued into our bodies become one with our nature and substaunce so Christe and his members become one and are as it were incorporate togeather They therfore which by faith receiue Christe Iesus in the Sacramentes applying him with all his riches and mercies vnto them selues may conclude with the spouse I am my beloueds and my beloued is mine c. But this spirituall societie and coniunction is most liuely naturally and comfortably portraitured out vnto vs in the vnion and fellowshippe which is betweene man and wife as the Apostle Paule doth worthely mention in the fift chapiter of his Epistle to the Ephesians verse 30. affirming that we are members of Christes body of his fleshe and of his bones And what more nearer societie of life is there then that which is betweene man and wife who of two are made one fleshe haue al thinges common are a like intiteled to all commoidties and riches the one hath a right vnto the other that they are sequestred from all other to haue and retayne a perfect and continuall society in them selues The societye of Parentes and children is great of masters and seruaunts as part of a houshold the society also of brethren and kindred But this exceedeth all other yea it is preferred aboue all other Societyes as moste comfortable neere secrete and continuall But such is the infinite loue of God towards vs that he hath not onely affianced vs to his Sonne as friendes and brethren but euen made vs one with him and he with vs. Oh Heauenly holye comfortable and moste sweet fellowship No maruell then though the Spouse here so cheerefullye and confidentlye affirmeth that shee is her beloueds and her beloued is hers wherein shee doth not onely ioy that she is one with her beloued but also aduoucheth her faith to him warranting her selfe of all his rich Heauenlye and incomparable dowrye Thus all the beleeuers shoulde labour to assure them selues of this holye vnion and society with Christ being perswaded that not only the heauenly Saints or the excellent seruants of God which exceed others in holines knowledge and godlines or the Apostles Pastors Preachers or suche like are one in Christ and so happy but euery faithfull man and woman must be assured in some measure by the spirite of adoption that they are one with him For sometime Satan would vndermind the poore afflicted souls which are snarled in the cōscience of their own infirmityes corruptions perswading them that though the Church be one in Christ neither can be seperate frō him also the prophets apostles godly learned men or suche in whome they see greater graces far way then in them selues they easily grāt such are happy may be sure of saluation in Christe But I miserable wretch that I am saith the poore afflicted conscience humbled in the sight loathing of the corruptions remnants of sinne I am not like to them I cānot haue that ioy in Christ and in his worde which I see others haue neither can I profite in knowledge by the worde I can not pray so zealously as others doe neither can I haue that assuraunce of Gods fauour and of saluation which me thinkes other seem to haue my sinnes are greater then theirs Also I haue such vile damnable and hellishe thoughts come vpon me sometime as I thinke it is impossible the children of God shoulde be troubled with especially when I woulde ratherest prepare my selfe to heare the word reuerently or to pray faythfully Therefore I can not perswade my selfe that I am one with Christe and shal neuer be cut off from him Many such like thinges I know arise in the heartes of the Godly sometime and many such replies dispute in their thoughtes and mindes oftentimes whereby Sathan woulde faine make them weary of the meanes of their saluation and because they can not profit by them as they would and when they would therefore they suspect them selues calling their owne estate into question not hauing for the time anye comforte in this holy and comfortable societie whiche is in Christe Thus poore soules they many times are troubled with their owne shadow euen then when they striue to come neare to Christe and are in deed nearest to him some time when they thinke them selues furthest off But such is the loue of our God that he hideth it from vs that we may after be the surer of it Howbeit certaine it is if I may speake from experience in my selfe and some others whose state I haue been priuy vnto that many times such replyes afore mentioned namely that we are inferiours to other in knowledge in zeal in praier c. whereby we faint and suspect our selues and such like motions as rise vp in our selues spring partly from a secreat enuye sometime in our nature which is not seene to our selues partly of our incredulitie and of other infirmities in vs as also partly of Sathans mallice which wold discourage the godly from vsing the means wherby we may goe forward and perseuer But howsoeuer it be these motions spring of our nature the roote wherof is incredulity and want of faith yet so that such motions as hurtfull as they are yet are they not vtterly voyd of faith For a certaine sound sead of faith remayneth in the saints of God euen in these tumults and vprores of of the minde in so much as there remayneth a certaine earnest lingring in their hearts towardes Christ coueting to be assured of the truth
of Gods promise in them selues which concerne euerlasting life yea and desiring to feele that comfort of his loue which for the time they can not feele Which I dare warrant to that soule that feeleth these in truth that they are sure arguments certain and infallible tokens that he is one with Christ For as that member which is a sléepe benoumed brused or hurt do not cease to be a mēber of the body though it looseth some strength for the time but is after recouered to strength and féeling again so euery hurt or wound which the saints of God haue of their infirmities is not by and by a cutting off from Christe For this continual societie or vnity of Christ with his Church is not for a time but for euer not onely in the whole Church but also in euery particuler member thereof Rom. 8.35.38.39 Paule triumpheth in the person of the beleeuers that nothing coulde seperate them from the loue of God which is in Iesus Christ our Lord. Though therfore many od thoughtes or surmises may incumber vs for a time so long as we dislike them in our selues stryuing against them groning for grace of God to suppresse them yet we may boldely saye with the spouse I am Christes and Christ is mine for so long as we hold him ours hauing a true hearty and longing desire after him so long wee are his Of this vnitye commeth necessarily that certainty of perseueraunce and of saluation 2. The certeinety of perseuerance and saluation of the saints which the Saintes of God haue in this life which is the second thing that I noted vnto you out of this conclusion of the Spouse For looke of what condition the roote and stock is concerning the vnity and abiding of the same condition and nature are the braunches but Christ the true root and Vine is eternal therfore his Church or company of the beleeuers which are the braunches of that Vine are eternal The head is eternal therfore the body and members are eternal The foundation of that spiritual house neuer decayeth therfore neyther the building The husband of the Church is euerlasting and can not perishe therefore the company of the beleeuers which are his wife can neuer perishe For the reason of the consequence of these argumētes standeth in the nature of those qualities that are in God and not in the nature of the things them selues For as Christ can not cease to be eternal no more then his father can so the state of the godly can not cease to be eternal vnles God and Christ shoulde cease from their eternity For whatsoeuer quality is resident in the nature of God is alwais the same because the Godhead is not mutable nor contrary in it selfe but alway like it selfe Wherefore vnlesse God and Christ shold cease to be them selues the Church or beleeuers which were elect before al time can not cease to be eternal in so much as the loue wherewith he loueth his eternal and chāgeth not For Io. 13.1 Those whom he loueth to the ende he loueth them So that the Godly which haue once in truth tasted of the loue of God can no more perishe then the loue of God it selfe can perish or his mercy come to an end This causeth the spouse in the confidence of Gods fauor to assure her selfe that Christ is hers Now as this is true in the whole Church that it is permanent and can not perishe but be saued So is it true in euery member wherby they may be assured of saluation in them selues and of their perserance How soeuer the Papists would hold soules in vnstablenes in suspence and doubt of their saluation alway Certaine it is that in some measure the children of God haue assuraunce of their saluation in this life though not at al times alike nor al men alike assurance That the Church or elect in general can not but be saued there is no man I suppose that doubteth But if any doubt I wil set down such proofs as come into my mind wherin the perseuerance of the elect shal easily appear but we must looke into thē with the eyes of faith for the eies of reason are not able once to looke vp into these misteries of faith psa 125.1.2 They that trust in the lord are as mount Sion which standeth fast for euer can not be remoued Also psa 89.30 God promiseth his mercies shal be eternal to Dauid after hee addeth that if his children sin Then I wil visit their transgressiō with the rod their iniquity with strokes Yet my louing kindnes wil I neuer take from him nor falsify my truth This being true in Dauid is also true in euery beléeuer Esa 43.4.7 he sheweth that as God maketh a precious account of his people loue them so they should be called by his name intitled to his inheritance he could not neglect their saluatiō but he must also neglect his own glory Likewise in his 49. chap he inferreth the church Esai 49.14 and verse 15 cōplaining that the lord had forsaken thē but the lord answereth that his loue surpasseth the dearest loue of mothers towards their children so as he can not forget them vnles he forget him self In so much as He hath grauen them in the palme of his hands and they are euer in his sight and verse 1◠The Lord Christ affirmeth Math. 16.18 That as the church is founded in him self So it should neuer perishe neither the gates of hel should preuail against it The like certainty of the saluation of the beléeuers our sauiour Christ auoucheth Ioh. 10. ver 28.29 That they which are his sheepe obey the voice of his worde shal neuer perish but haue euerlasting life Confirming his assertion by a reason drawn frō the nature of God his father that it was as impossible for any which truly beléeued in christ Iesus obeyed his voice to perish as it was for God his father him selfe to be ouercome which cā neuer be therfore nether can the beleeuers be frustrate of life saluation For he reasoneth that because his father he is one his father was of al power absolut that none cold euer master him or preuaile against him therefore none could euer master him or preuail against him therefore none could preuail against Christ him selfe being equal with his father in infinit power Therefore also consequently none can preuaile against the saluation of his elect which are in Christ Iesus So that God hath layde vp the saluation of euery beleeuer in him selfe in the heauens 1. Pet. 1.4.5 without the reach of Sathan hel the Pope and sinne so as we can not be defeated of it Yea none can depriue any of the Godly and faithful of their saluation vnlesse they first robbe God of his infinite power set Christ a side from that glory wherewith his father hath glorified him Yea shal I speake further But in reuerence of Gods frée grace the