displease him from his childehoode to sâ—y Why hast thou done so I remember one example in the Scripture of children carelesly euilly brought vp which may make all fathers tremble quake to heare the fearefull punishment thereof and may teach them by carefull and godly education of their children to preuent the like wrath iudgement of God for hee is the same in all ages both in iudgement and mercy When the Prophet of God Elisha was comming vp to Bethel there came out of the City certaine children and mocked him calling him Balde head balde head therefore God in his wrath sent out Beares out of the wildernesse at the Prophets desire and they tore rent 42. of these children in peeces a lamentable spectacle young children before their tender parents eies to be so deuoured and torne of wilde beastes But consider their carelesse and loose educatioÌ„ which deserued this they were not kept in at vertue or learning but suffered to runne abroad in the streetes idlie they were not brought vp in the reuerence neither of God his word or his Prophets but to mocke Gods seruants and scornefully to ieast at old age which they should rather beene taught to honour and reuerence in all dutie and in all persons therefore because their parents neglected to correct them in time and to take no more care for their instruction God sent wilde Beares out of the wildernes to teach them more humanitie and at the Prophets request whom they so mocked and contemned to bee their correctors to their destruction There are too many such carelesse and indulgent parents nowadaies which maketh so many proue wilde and vndutifull children both to God them and their owne wicked and vuruly affections oft times proueth these wilde beares which Sathan hunteth out and God suffereth to teare their soules more precious and lamentable to see and at last to bring body soule to a most miserable estate both here by pouerty dispaire hereafter by death endlesse condemnation The Lord auert such iudgments from many conuert their hearts to him againe that they may preuent his fierce wrath while the acceptable time is to day while we heare his voice and as yong men should not so neither let their pareÌ„ts think the faults of youth to be but small and rather to be imputed to the nature of the age the former searefull example teacheth the contrary they being but children and their fault mocking yet their punishment most greeuous that God inflicted vpon them as Dauid also calleth the sins of his youth not smal but rebellions which is highest treason against our God the King of Kings and Prince of all Princes Therefore let all parents be carefull in the good and godly education of their children Euery tree is knowne by his fruite the fruite of the parents is their Oliue branches their children Let them shew then their godlinesse and religion in the godly education of their children prouing thereby that themselues are the good tree by sending forth liuely branches to bee ingrafted as themselues are in the stocke Iesus Christ not being too indulgent to them nor wincking in a manner at their faultes neither with olde Eli saying onely My sonnes doe so no more but to shewe their loue to their children in correcting them for their faultes For whom the Father loueth him hee chastiseth and hee that spareth the rod hateth his sonne but hee that loueth him chasteneth him betâ—â—e Therefore as the Wiseman counselleth Correct thy sonne and hee will giue thee rest and will giue pleasures to thy soule And as the vessel which a man maketh most of and deareliest esteemeth that vseth he oftest to scoure and make cleane from the least spot or staine so a wise and louing father will not suffer his sonne to be polluted with the least spot of vice for chastising is the fathers honour and the life of the childe So that correction is like Ionathans arrowes not in anger but in loue not to harme but to warme not to put in perill but to preserue from perill not to deforme but to reforme like a good corrasiue to eate away the rottennesse of vice and a bitter potion to make their childreÌ„ vomit out from their soule heart the poison of sinne lest hauing taken deepe roote and growing vp with them they be so indured and hardned therein that they breake first by finall destruction before they will bow by timely instruction or holesome correction Therefore so plant them in vertue and vertue in them while they are tender and flexible in youth that in the haruest of age their tops may bow downe in Gods obedience loaden with the pleasant fruite of godlinesse and good workes Teach a childe in the trade of his way saith Salomon and when he is olde hee shall not depart from it Youth is the seede time in the spring wee must not sowe popple and in haruest looke for good wheate but as wee sowe so we shall reape The Nurse frameth the body while it is young tender so must parents their childrens minds while they are greene and flexible If we see a fault or euill manners in any man we iudge that he was euill brought vp and if he haue vertue we adiudge it to his good education yea in an old prouerbe we say that nurture changeth nature as Lycurgus proued before the Lacedemonians to be true by taking two young whelpes of a like nature and of one damme and bringing vp the one according to it owne nature in a kitchin and the other besides it proper nature to hunting so that at a certaine solemne assembly of the Lacedemonians Lycurgus brought forth his two dogges before them placing before the one who was brought vp to hunting a pot and before the kitchen dog a hare but the hunting dogge in sight of them all refused the pot and ranne after the hare where the other according to his education refused to follow the hare betaking himselfe to licke the pot Whereby it was shewed the altering power efficacy of educatioÌ„ which is a second nature as it were vnto a maÌ„ for by euil educatioÌ„ a good nature may be corrupted as by good an euill nature may be rectified a good grouÌ„d vnplanted with wholsome hearbs or vnsowed with good seed in time doth soonest bring forth vnprofitable and euill weedes where on the contrarie a barren ground wel laboured and sowed produceth pleasant flowers and sauorie fruits The right blessing which Parents should bestow vpon their childreÌ„ is when bringing them vp in the feare of GOD they make God blesse them also for if thou blesse thy child God curse him what auayleth thy blessing but if thou bring him vp in the true knowledge and obedience of Iesus Christ to thy blessing God and Angels shall say Amen and hee shall heape both vpon thee and thy seede after thee manifold and great blessings as hee blesseth all those who doe his will
Supper came to him to wash his feet he refused no Lord thou shalt neuer wash my feet but wheÌ„ Christ told him that otherwise he shold haue no portion with him and had washed his feet then Peter who refused before now beggeth Lord not onely my feet but my head and hands also so it is with vs before wee taste of the sweetnesse and refreshment of Gods word to our wearied soules and the ioy thereof to our wounded and sorrowful consciences we esteeme of it as Aesops Cocke did of the Iewell hee found in the doung-hill wee had rather haue a grayne of Barley or any thing that testeth to the flesh or is agreeable to please our affections Gods word is as it were pearles cast before swine wee are rather ready to turne backe and teare them in pieces that offered them vnto vs then to giue them any thanks we refuse then with Peter the water of life but as soone as it hath touched our hearts and our soules haue found the refreshing sweetnesse thereof then wee will begge and importunately intreat Lord not onely this measure but a greater dayly of the knowledge and comfort of thy word fill my whole soule with the power thereof and stuffe all the corners of my heart with the aboundance of the same let it not onely be in my head to talke of it but in my hands to doe it and in my feet also in thy way to walke according thereunto This should bee our desire and estimation of Gods word for if wee be sicke to death as it were wee would esteeme much of that Doctour that could tell and shew vs what and from what cause our sicknes came and could giue vs a present remedy to restore vs to the perfect health of our bodies that wee should liue long but wee haue the infectious and deadly sicknesse of sinne euery one of vs in our soules Gods holy Word doth shew vs what our sicknesse is and by what way or meanes we came by it it offereth to vs present remedie not to restore the bodie to a kind of health that it may liue a miserable momentaneall life for a while but to restore the soule to perfect and true health that it may liue a blessed ioyfull and eternall ioy in heauen with God and his blessed Angels how then should we esteeme of this Physition Physicke To such a Physition of the body wee would thinke that we did owe our life who restored vs to the same to such a Physition of the soule then how much more do we owe this teÌ„poral miserable life for the defence thereof and how can we sufficiently value or loue the same we wold account of him much who would giue vs such a right whereby we should possesse the whole kingdoms of the earth peaceably yea or to be heire to any one kingdom but so it is that Gods word if wee beleeue the same maketh vs heires to the eternall Kingdome of Heauen and giueth vs sufficient right and title that wee shal bee peaceable possessours thereof in euerlasting Ioy and Glory infinite In a darke perilous way wee esteeme much of a Lanterne such is Gods word to our wayes of this life in a dangeâ—ous long iourney wee would esteeme much of a faithfull skilfull vnburdenable and sufficient guide readie to ouercome and encounter all perils or enemies of ours such is Gods word in the long wearisome and dangerous iourney of this life where when we meet with any temptatioÌ„ if we answere It is written and firmely beleeue the same in so resisting Sathan we shal ouercome his temptations and at last make him depart at least for a while from vs by the strength of this our Guide In a great and doubtfull matter knowing our owne simplicitie and foolishnesse we would much esteeme of a faithfull and wise counseller two wayes are set before our eyes one leading to death another to life to the wrong we more naturally encline then to the other therefore in this great matter of life and death eternall and the doubtfulnesse of these two waies at one of which enter wee must wee haue most great neede of this wise and faithfull Counseller whom wee should much esteeme and follow in all things Moses sheweth Israel what the value of this worde of God is what value they should esteeme it of when hee saith It is your life and your wisedome whereby you excel all other Nations therefore hee exhorteth them neuer to let it depart out of their mouh nor heart but continually to talk of it going in and comming out at home and in the fields night and day to meditate thereon to make it a signet vpoÌ„ their finger a frontlet betweene their eyes and to esteeme nothing neere vnto it nothing equiualent to it nor nothing aboue it Of the great estimation of the word and trueth of God we haue one notable example in the Scripture of the good and godly king Iosiah who when the booke of the Law of God being found by Hilkiah the Priest and presented to the King by Shaphan the Chanceller hee hauing heard the words thereof rent his clothes and went to the house of God with all the people of Iudah Ierusalem small and great the Priests and Leuites and there in audience of the whole people did reade the law himselfe in their eares shewing what estimation and reuerence euery King and people shold haue to the word of God we must heare and reade it with great reuerence as becommeth the word of the King of all kings and Lord of all lords to bee heard with the hand of faith wee must receyue it and with all estimation wee must lay it vp in the chest and coffer of our hearts to bring forth the fruit of obedience thereunto as becommeth good subjects naturall children faithfull seruants in our life and conuersation It is the most precious Iewell that a yong man can weare the greatest riches that he can possesse a chayne of gold about his necke true wisedome to his heart the faithfullest tutor to direct and gouerne him and the most delightfull pleasure greatest profit that euer he could wish for godlines is profitable vnto all things and hath a promise of this life and of the life to come It is to the aged their greatest honour their truest wisedome and grauitie when sicknesse and age oppresseth them it is a comfortable salue to their soules and the best company they can seeke to or desire it is the skilfulest Doctor that can best ease theÌ„ and it is the strong hand that bringeth them safe and sound thorow all griefe dolours temptations sicknesses and the passeouer of death it selfe vnto the kingdom of God the eternal ioyes of heauen Therefore let yong and old esteeme of it greatly and of the bearers thereof highly as of the ambassage ambassadours of the Prince of all Princes and Lord eternall ouer all Lordes and Potentates in this temporall and momentaneall world that receiuing
to be saued And Christ Iesus the way it self teacheth vs the same duty wheÌ„ he coÌ„maÌ„deth Search the Scriptures for it is they that testifie of me Let all young men therefore who desire to bee esteemed true Christians and hauing a name to be alive in Christ not to bee dead inquire of their owne waies carefully narrowly vnpartially acknowledging truely and in most submissiue manner confessing before the throne of almighiy God their errors and manifold enormities with an earnest and hearty desire to know and practise wherewith they may redresse and purge their waies and walke in the immaculate and holy waies of God and his commandements and for all propone and set before their eyes the example of that forenamed young man onely in the Gospel that imitating him they may addresse themselues in prayer and meditation to Iesus Christ and his word making it their chiefe care and inquirie to know and practise how they may attaine vnto eternall life Blessed is the condition of such a young man who doth so and who in all humilitie doth daily prostrate himselfe vpon the knees of his heart before the throne of the maiestie of God earnestly desiring and wishing with the same Prophet in the 5. verse O that my waies were directed to keepe thy statutes O Lord. Happy is the estate of such a young man and farre happy shal it be hereafter whose delight is in Gods word care to reforme and conform his waies according thervnto As woful dangerous is the conditioÌ„ of the contrary of all such who like vnbridled horses vntamed colts swine wallowing in the mire puddle of vncleannes onely rauished in the hote furie of the lustes of their affections and led by the fearefull hand of sinne and vaine pleasures of the flesh vntill blindlings as the Oxe is led to the slaughter or the foole to the blocke they bee drawne downe the staires of perdition and headlongs precepitat in the deepe gulfe and pâ—t of vtter destruction because in time of their youth they neither enquired obserued nor examined their wayes nor by Gods word sought to redresse and purge the same Now concerning the first thing particularly to bee considered in the question or first part of this Verse which is the person concerning whom the same is mooued He is set downe to be a Yong man so described by the adiunct of age albeit some others as Augustine meaneth a newe or regenerate man hereby albeit decrepite in age as Aristotle in his Ethicks distinguisheth betwixt Iuuenis etate Iuuenis moribâ—â— Disputing de Idonco auditore Ethices Generally therefore indefinitely without limitation or exemption of any that the person concerning whom this question is propounded is saide to bee a yong man whither poore or rich noble or ignoble mightie or impotent the princes or the beggers sonne or what soeuer he be we learne First that this exhortation as al Gods word is indifferently spoken to all yong men For with God there is no respect of persons and therefore that all yong men great or smal should hearken thereunto and apply the same particularly to their owne consciences For from the kings sonne to the poore beggers all are his creatures alike and God their only Creator their beginning is all one for out of the dust were they taken and their end equally shal be al one for to dust they shall returne all came equally naked out of the wombe and all shall goe the same way to the graue and corruption Sickenes coÌ„meth alike Deaths Sythe cutteth downe both as grasse equally all liue one naturall life vpon the earth and draw their breath equally and all liue one supernaturall life in Iesus Christ equally the naturall food of the mortall bodies of both is the same to wit meate and drinke the supernaturall food of the immortall soules of both is likewise the same euen the body and blood of Iesus Christ who hath redeemed both alike by his death and sanctifieth both alike by his viuificating spirit vnto the life of righteousnesse one Iudgement abideth both without respect and one reward is to both the pledges of the kingdome of God which are his Word and Sacraments are alike offered and should be alike administrated to both the mightiest Monarch as the poorest begger boh are equally the sonnes of the first Adam the poorest begger aswell as the mightiest Monarch is equally the sonne and member of the second Adam Iesus Christ if in him he obey Gods wil and apply to his soule his promises by faith as in the first Adam he disobeyed Gods wil by misbeleeuing of his threatnings yea as Lazarus was preferred before Diues so are many outcasts of the world before the mightiest Powers and Princes thereof Gods law equally bindeth both great small his threatnings for sin appertaine equally to both and are alike executed vpon them without any exception or exemption of persons as his sweet promises of mercy belongeth also and are equally offered to both All are alike admonished in his woorde taught and rebuked by the same and before all mens eies indifferently is set downe therein life and death to choose Therefore let no man rich or poore exempt himself from the exhortations admonitions reprehensions or any part of the word of God but as they are spoken to all so particularly let euery one apply them to his owne soule and conscience they are the King of kings statutes binding and pertaining to all his subiects as well of highest as of lowest place and degre and especially let euery yong man whatsoeuer he be hearken to this Exhortation of Gods word and spirit in this place and learne Whereby to redresse his wayes The second obseruation and Lesson here-upon which the Prophet would haue euery one to marke and consider is this That in our youth and first age we must begin then to serue God in vprightnes and holines of life without any further delay or procrastination of time not sacrificing our childehood or youth to the idoll of our owne affections and the deuill as these Idolaters did their children to Molech and thinking that God will accept of our decrepite cold old age when coldly we shall offer the same vnto him but as hee will haue the euening sacrifice of age so wil he haue the morning oblation of youth as he hath giuen life to al ages so by all ages he wil be serued and being all to all by all in all he wil be worshipped The Lord is Alpha and Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end he will be honored therfore as well in the Alpha or the beginning of our youth and first age as hee will in the Omega or end of our last olde age hee is strength and giueth strength to all in this our strength then of youth we must not rise against God and runne with the diuill but as Gideon in his strength was commanded by Gods angel to rise against the
drop of the riuer at such a time or houre shal returne into the Ocean or the returning of such a man vnto the earth shal be at such a determinate speciall time or age No our returning is vncertaine onely then being as a drop of a great Riuer let euery man commit the same to God and endeuour as he came salt with originall corruption from the earth or Ocean so to walke in Gods wayes and the way of this life that hee may returne fresh and purged by Christs blood to the Ocean of the graue and so drinke of that fresh springing riuer which proceedeth from the midst of the throne of God in that heauenly new Ierusalem for euer Our whole life is limitted but to 80. yeares and in one of these as in a poisonable cup or dish of meate death surely lurketh of all then if thou shouldest taste and drinke knowing this wouldst thou not suspect euery one diuide againe euery yeare in 12. moneths thou knowest not in what month or parcell of meate the poison of death lieth euery moneth againe in so many weekes and euery weeke in so many daies yea euery day also in so many houres in which houre or moment thereof sleeping or waking canst thou secure thy selfe from this secret vncertaine poyson suspect then all and liue so alwaies as to die alwaies night or day being prouided and being neuer so yong remember thou knowest not but the poison may bee in the first drop of the cup and yeare of thy youth as well as in the dreg or last dish of olde age when thou art first set at the table of the carefull banquet of life the sword of death is so soone hanged in a small haire aboue thy neck suspect then the same at euery morsell that it fall not heauily vnawares vpon thee but euer haue an eye vpwards thou knowest not if it will fall at thy first sitting downe more then at thy last rising vp as it euer threatneth then so bee thou euer prepared and in time seeke to redresse thy waies Mans breath is in his nosthrels which is the life or combination of soule and body whose dissolution is death Be thou neuer so young then nor so strong when thou letteth out the same thou knowest not certainely if euer thou shalt draw it in againe Let therfore thy soule breath vnto God and thy desire be to walke in his waies and to redresse thine owne All flesh is as the grasse of the field now greene and presently blasted whilest thou art then as the greene plant in thy tender youth expect euer and suspect this withering blast of Death whose sythe shall send thee with withered age alike to the graue and in the short inconstant way of this life walke in his way who is true and eternall life This life is a swift post running fast vnto death whose certaine steps thou canst not marke nor obserue Let thy soule then begin with him in thy first youth and of the contrary run swiftly vnto life and in the way of life which is Iesus Christ. Our life is a dreame now present and presently gone wherein who lieth longest and is most pleased commonly being awaked riseth faintest and most sorrowful Doe not assure thy selfe therefore of the length thereof but suspect the shortnesse in it there is no solide trueth nor rest apprehend therefore in the beginning thereof and in thy youth let thy soule wake and walke in the way of trueth Iesus Christ in whom true rest is onely to be found Pythagoras the Philosopher did set out the double course of this our life by the letter Y. expressing thereby with Christ the double way thereof the one whereof hath a straight passage narrow gate at the first and fewe they are that enter in thereat but in the end there is great comfort and rest for it leadeth vnto eternall happinesse and saluation The other wide large at the beginning whereat many doe enter but in the end they finde great trouble and straightnesse for it leadeth vnto eternall miserie and destruction Both these waies are set before the eyes of euery young man as Biuium Herculis or as life and death to choose This narrow way which leadeth vnto eternall life and saluation in the which euery yong man should walke in the pilgrimage of this life redresse his own waies of youth according therunto is Iesus Christ himselfe I am the way the veritie and life aad no man commeth to the Father but by me Our walking in him and with him must be in righteousnesse and holinesse of life being holy as he is holy The gate of this way is narrow and the passage straight for the liberties of flesh and blood must bee restrained our affections bridled and the whole man captiuated vnder the yoake of the obedience of Iesus Christ. And as through many tentations hee entred into the kingdome of heauen so wee must the same way follow him denying our selues with our crosses taken vp till wee come to the end of our way which is true life and eternall saluation The other broad way which leadeth to destruction and whereat many doe enter is sinne and Satan who is that deceiuing way vnto eternall death which euery yong man should abhorre and flie to enter thereat neuer so little or walke therein neuer so few footesteps in youth The walking in him and with him as hee is an vncleane spirit must be in the impurity and impietie of all sinne and filthinesse The gate of this damnable way in the beginning is broad the passage easie but the end is vtter perdition and straightnesse Where in following Christ wee must subiect the flesh vnto the Spirit they who follow him must abandon subiect and banish Gods cleane Spirit out of their hearts and be subiects and slaues themselues to the libertine concupiscence of the flesh and the vncleane licentious lusts and affections thereof They must refuse the light yoake of the obedience of Iesus Christ to follow him to life take on the heauy yoake of al kind of sinne that may presse downe their soules to the lowest hells and follow Sathan their way and guide vnto eternall torments of fire and brimstone for as hee is a condemned spirit himselfe so the end of the way wherein he leadeth captiuated soules vnder his heauy yoake of slauerie and sinne is death and eternal condemnation for the reward of sinne is death Therefore let euery young man beholding these two waies choose that which leadeth vnto a glorified eternall life in heauen by a sanctified life for a time on earth and walke with and in him who is the resurrection and the life to all them that are saued If thy walking heretofore hath beene in the by-waies of sinne and that broad way of Sathan giuing liberty and full head to thy youthly affections and lusts of the flesh Seeke how to redresse these thy waies hereafter striue violently to enter in at that straight way
which leadeth to saluation presse hardly to thrust in at that narrow gate lay off and cast away far from thee all the impediments of sinne and the intising vanities and pleasures of youth and let thy onely care be with thee first to see thy Sauiour the way is narrow that leadeth to him delay not then till it be full but striue to be foremost the way is narrow that leadeth to life therefore not soone found in the beginning thē of thy life timely begin and search carefully and narrowly for it the true way is narrow and straight therefore thy steppes therein when thou hast found it must be strait and narrow thou must make a couenant with thy eye that it behold no vanitie thou must shut the gates of thy eares that thou heare no vaine prophane or idle speeches offensiue to God thou must not harken to them but let the sound of Gods word and healthfull admonitions be pleasant only vnto thy hearing thou must haue a watch-man before thy lips and Gods feare a bar vnto thy heart tongue that thou vtter nothing but may be to Gods glorie thy owne comfort and the edification of those that doe heare thee abstaining from swearing cursing lying backebiting slandering iudgeing idle or corrupt speaking and from all things that hath but the appearance of euill thou must exercise thy handes to doe good only thy feet to prosecute the same thy will must be made cōformable to thy Sauiours thy vnderstanding to perceiue and apprehend vertue and Gods mercy towards thee thy memorie to thinke vpon his iudgements to thine amendement vpon his mercy to thy comfort and his manifolde blessings and vndeserued benefites for encrease of thankfulnesse in thee Thy whole body and all the members thereof which is a member of Iesus Christ must no wise be made a member of Sathan by sinne or polluted to bee the member of an harlot thy soule and heart with all the powers and faculties thereof must be the temple and tabernacle of Gods sanctifying and holy spirit not a lodge for that vncleane spirit of sinne and his fellowes of thy filthy lusts and carnall affections in body and soule thou must walke so warily and narrowly in feare and trembling working out thy saluation The way is narrow feare then neuer so little to depart from the paths of the Lord this straight passage and path to saluation is soone lost by negligence but not so easily found out againe without great diligence care not for the scornefull and diuelish slander of the world to bee called precise but daily more and more labour so to be indeede striue to liue a pure and vnspotted life without an hypocriticall and externall shew onely thereof It is saide in a diuelish prouerbe A young Saint an olde diuell but endeuour thou being young to be a Saint of God and to dedicate thy youth to him and his seruice onely walking in this strict and narrow path the same God who hath giuen thee beginning shall also giue thee constancie and a ioyfull end that thou maiest liue an old Saint also as well as young on earth and in heauen he shal glorifie thee a blessed Saint for euer with himselfe It is saide and that most truely Temporis praeteriti bene impensi suauis est memoria The memorie of time by-past which was well bestowed is sweete and ioyfull to the minde of man And let any young man consider with himselfe if God bring him to age what greater ioy and comfort hee can haue then to remember that hee hath borne the yoake in his youth as the Prophet saith that hee entred and walked then in the narrow straight way and now is come to the easie passage and out-going thereof to receiue that promised reward of eternall ioyes and euerlasting life where hee seeth others who then entred a contrarie course giuing loose liberty to their flesh fulfilling their lusts and neuer caring to redresse their waies in their olde age to bee punished with pouertie punished with infamie and disgrace ouercome with sicknesse humbled greatly despised expelled out of all good companie a patterne of all miserie in great straightnesse the end of the way and compelled with the prodigall Sonne after they haue spent all abused Gods gifts to liue in a lamentable estate and to flie from Citie to City from Countrey to countrey wrestling if they may to come out of their straightnes but falling from pit to pit from Scylla to Charybdis And except God their father giue them a minde at last to returne to him aright and halfe way run and meete them that is to be feared they bee cast into an euerlasting straightnes of eternall death and condemnation which by their walking in that broad way of carnall libertie they iustly haue promerited What ioy I say shall this be to an aged man to remember his happy estate he is in And this wofull condition hee hath by Gods grace escaped when for age hee cannot so well eate his meate this remembrance that hee remembred his Creatour in the daies of his youth and redressed his waies according to his word shall be a continuall banquet vnto him this peace of a good conscience and ioy of an vpright heart shal be a staffe to vphold his soule when hee beholdeth the greene field and pleasant fruites and flowers of his well spent youth greater solace shall bee to his minde then the pleasure of the finest decked garden of the world could bee to the eye his soule shall flow with comfort and his heart pant and leape with ioy an infinite treasure shall he possesse see continually which shall neuer make him carefull or the feare of the losing thereof put sleepe from his eyes but from death to life it shall passe with him and leaue a perpetuall fame thereof in the world when he shall die in the Lord his works shall follow him Let euery yong man then spend and bestow his youth so in walking in this narrowe way and straight passage circumspectly precisely and as purely as hee can redressing his waies according to Gods word that in the haruest of old age he may pull and eate of the fruit of his youth and find refreshment after wearinesse rest after labour victorie after the battel easinesse after straightnesse and infinit eternall ioy after momentaneall mourning and teares for a season assuring himselfe that his fasting from sinne in youth shall be a feasting of comfort in age his sowing in teares shall bee a reaping of ioy And Christ the way the truth and the life who hath promised the reward is faithfull willing and sufficient to performe hee saith To him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God He that ouercommeth shall not bee hurt of the second death to him that ouercommeth will I giue of the Manna that is hid and I will giue him a white stone and in the stone a new
his fellowes Therefore in our youth tender yeares if we would bee accounted or any way esteemed to bee the children of God to be the members of Iesus Christ to be temples of Gods Spirit to haue our names written in that booke of life or euer to exspect participation or enioying of the endlesse and infinite ioyes of heauen then let vs by the assistance and strength of that stronger man Iesus Christ who hath ouercome and subdued all and by the speciall grace of his blessed and powerfull spirit striue to binde expel that vsurping tyrant out of the precious house of our soule and to shut him out of the gates and doores of our hearts that we be none of his possessions or vessells in his house and with all our strength diligence and power seeke to redresse our soule and heart againe and make it fit and meete for the habitation abiding place of that cleane and holy spirit of Iesus Christ onely being sanctified by his grace in all the members of our body faculties of our soule that the Lord of rest may giue rest to our cesciences rest by his cōfortable presence in our harts cōtinually let vs lift vp the celestiall and euerlasting gates of our soules and let the king of glory enter in walke in his waies and redresse by his grace our vncleane and enormous waies of sinne and vnrighteousnes The second word to wit cleansing according to the original word in the Hebrew text which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mundabit is taken likewise by a metaphore chiefly from vessells which vseth to bee made cleane and purged when they are foule or polluted with any thing according to Christs words Matth. 23. 25. in reprehending of the hypocriticall Scribes Pharises who did make cleane the outter side of the cup platter but within were full of hypocrisie and iniquitie So indeede all men young and olde wee are Gods vessells either of honour or dishonour appointed either continually to remaine in his sight or eternally to bee reiected and banished from his glorious presence there is no day also but we are polluted chiefly in youth and desiled with some vncleannes of sinne and our filthy lusts and affections euer doth infect vs therefore continually wee must endeuour and seeke with earnest praiers that wee may cleanse and purge according to Christs commandement first the inside of the cup and platter that the outside of them may be cleane also In our youth wee are as new vessells in Gods house if at any time a vessell be esteemed of or be cleane it is when it is new therefore in our youth let vs chiefly trie and know if wee be vessells of honour if we be surely then we must bee most cleanest for a precious vessell of honour ordained to be in the presence of the Prince is neuer defiled with filthines nor suffered to be put to an vncleane vse chiefly being as yet new but if we finde our selues polluted with filthines in our youth and newnes our soule made the receptacle of stincking lustes and of all impuritie of sinne let vs feare and suspect that except God of his free mercy and grace create and frame vs of a new againe and purge vs from all our iniquities that wee can iudge our selues to be no other but vessells of reiection impurity and dishonour Therefore in youth while the filth of sin sticketh not so fast vpon the vessels of our souls nor the old mā of iniquitie hath not taken so long strong possessiō of the house of our heart as he may plead long custome or defend it let vs purge by the teares of true repētance our filthy blots vncleannes of sin and desire that vnspotted Lambe by his precious bloodshed to purge vs likewise from the guilt thereof let vs by the strength of his gracious Spirit expell that vncleane spirit of sinne and pleasures of the flesh and redresse the roome and house of our soule with open gates to receiue retaine and entertaine with ioy that spirit of all cleannes of ioy and endlesse comfort As Iesus Christ our Sauiour hath commanded let vs first purge make clean the inside of the cup platter that the outside may be cleane also that is let vs begin purge the worme of sinne and corruption from the roote of our hearts and the branches with the fruite of word and deede shall prosper the better begin and purifie the spring and the streames that runneth therefrom shall be the clearer Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and according as the affection of the heart is so the workes proceed and the members executeth their command This purifying is by true repentance with Marie Magdalen in sorrowing truly for our sinnes and in all humilitie washing his feete with the teares of deepe remorse constantly endeauouring neuer to sinne no more and by a liuely faith in the armes of our soule embracing and apprehending the blood of Iesus Christ and his death as our onely righteousnes obedience and propitiatorie sacrifice before the Father and by good workes and a sanctified holy life shewing our faith and Gods mercy manifested in vs to our liues end to the good example of others and our owne soules saluation This action of cleansing or redressing is set downe in the future time Qui nam mundabit c. Wherewith shal a young man cleanse his way Noting thereby the present estate thereof to bee vnredressed and vncleane Whereby wee learne and may obserue first that howsoeuer we flatter or excuse our selues in any age but chiefly in our youth that our waies nor course of life is not so vncleane nor worthy of reproofe but may be easily borne with soone redressed oramended yet the spirit of God in this place of his sacred word dooth by the mouth of his holy Prophet shew vnto vs that our waies are so vncleane and filthy that it is a very hard difficult thing to redresse or cleanse them their pollutiō being so great which he would signifie by asking interrogatiuely how they shall bee redressed And therefore that in all humilitie and lowest submission of heart in our youth and in all ages wee should acknowledge the infinite greatnes of our transgressions and filthy vncleannesse of sinne which cannot bee cleansed but by an infinite purgation euen by the blood of Iesus Christ in his infinite and vnsearcheable mercy shed for mankinde which wee should daily begge and continually thirst after the same greedily walking worthy hereafter as those who are redeemed with so precious a price Secondly wee may obserue here the markes and difference betwixt a godly and vngodly young man the one consulteth and asketh at God Whereby he may redresse and purge his waies the other consulteth with flesh and blood and asketh counsell at Sathan and his owne filthy lusts and affections whereby hee may defile and pollute his waies The onely care and vigilant studie of the one
will which is in heauen Many will say vnto me in that day Lord Lord haue we not by thy name prophesied and by thy name cast out diuells and by thy name done many great workes And then will I professe to them I neuer knew you depart from mee yee that worke iniquitie Whosoeuer then heareth my words and doth the same is like the wise man that buildeth his house vpon a rocke c. Seeing God soweth the seede of his word in our hearts hee looketh for a ripe haruest of good works if he hath planted vs as vines in his vineâ— yard or oliue branches in the stock Christ he looketh that in him wee should bring forth sweete grapes and shew that wee liue in him by bringing forth good and pleasant fruit in him Gal. 5. 25. If we liue in the spirit let vs walke also in the spirit Wee must not like that barren and vnprofitable fig-tree Luk. 13. 7. delay to giue fruite to our Maister from yeare to yeare lest we be cut down and throwne ouer the hedge for euer in his fierce wrath but in our youth and tender age we must bud and bring forth sweete pleasant fruits such as he expecteth Christ Iesus abolished the curse of the Law by his comming but hee came not to take away the Law it selfe and the Prophets but to fulfill them As hee therefore perfitly obeyed Gods Lawe so that there was no sinne at all found in him so must his members here on earth striue in some measure to obey Gods Lawe and to come to that perfection that is here permitted by Gods Spirit to the elect to attaine vnto and that there be no sin found raigning in them For there is none no not one man in this world but sinne is found in him neither was there euer any other waies except Iesus Christ God and man but wee must striue and endeuour by the powerfull operation of Gods sanctifying Spirit assisting vs euery one of vs that if sinne abide in vs and the law of sin bee in our flesh yet that it beare not dominion or ouer-rule ouer vs but that in the spirit wee may haue the law of righteousnesse subiugating and weakening the other daily more and more till at the last by grace both soule and body bee captiuated vnto Christs obedience and take on his yoake that both likewise hereafter may bee in and with Christ victorious and triumphant in glory Amongst Pastours Whosoeuer shall obserue and teach Gods Commandements their reward shall be great they shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen so amongst the hearers and flocke Blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it The true Pastour maketh his voice sound like Arons bells before his flocke And the sheepe heare his voyce and hee calleth his owne sheepe by name and leadeth them out And when hee hath sent forth his owne sheepe hee goeth before them and the sheepe follow him for they know his voyce Where to see the necessity of good works doing of Gods word therin we may consider the dutie both of the true Pastours of Christ and of the true sheepe of Christ with both their markes whereby so they may bee easily knowne the one not to bee Woolues in Lambs skins theeues robbers and hirelings the other not to bee sheepe of another Pastour or pasture True Pastours here then must goe before their sheepe first by an incorrupt doctrine or voyce and secondly by the footesteps of an incorrupt conuersation and life Concerning the first Christs charge to Peter is Louest thou me tâ—en feede my flocke So that Pastours loue to Christ is approued before God to their owne conscience and before men by feeding only his flocke the woe of the contrary whereof is set downe plainely Ezek. 24. 2. Wo â—ee to the shepheards of Israel that feede themselues should not the sheepheards feed the flockes Also 2. Tim. 4. 1. Pauls charge to Timothie I charge thee therefore before God and before the Lord Iesus Christ which shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing and in his kingdome Preacâ— the word be instant in season and out of season improue rebuke exhort with all long suffering doctrine So here is Christs charge and the Apostle of Christs charge the one to Peter the other to Timothy and so to all Ministers that they should make their flockes heare their voice and sound the same before them For as Iohn was a voice in the wildernesse to prepare the way of the Lord at his first comming in humilitie so they must bee now voices crying in the desart of this world to prepare the way against the Lords second comming in glorie by Repent bringing low euerie high vnhumbled hill and by Beleeue exalting and comforting againe euery low valley and humbled soule in Gods presence so they must loose and binde open and shut set life and death before euery one and Wâ—e bee to them if they preach not the Gospell or therein loue their owne glory and praise of men more then the glory of God seeing the King hath sent them out to call all men to his banquet to eate of the fat calfe God hath made them Angells to cry before that last day Rise dead folke in sinne prepare to come to Iudgement cast off the corruption of the lustes of the flesh put on renouation of the spirit be sanctified in body and soule that in both hereafter you may be also glorified they haue concredit to them the trumpet of Gods voice at whose sound the high and proud walles of the Iericho of euery mans heart must fall and therefore must compasse them blow the trumpets diligently and often They are sent that they should preach the Gospell to the poore heale the â—roken hearted preach deliuerance to the captiues and recouering of sight to the blind that they should set at libertie them that are bruised and that they should preach the acceptable yeare of the Lord. This then is the voyce that they should vtter and this is the voyce the true sheepe should follow and know Concerning the second marke of true Pastours to wit their going also before their flocke in good example and holy life according to their owne voyce doing the same Christs charge likewise to his Apostles is Matt. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen The neglect and transgression whereof hee sheweth in the Scribes and Pharisies whose righteousnesse except theirs exceeded hee telleth his Disciples they should neuer enter in the kingdome of heauen Matt. 23. 2. in these wordes saying The Scrbes and Pharisies sit in Moses seate and therefore whatsoeuer they bid you obserue that obserue and doâ— but after their workes doe not for they say and doe not as alas too many such in these our daies doe The Apostlte Paul also Rom. 2. 21. to this effect saith
whosoeuer hath time meanes and opportunitie as few are but hath in some measure to doe good workes whereby their election may be confirmed to their owne conscience their faith in Christ shewed and testified before the world God their heauenly Father thereby glorified and his children their brethren therby strengthened and yet notwithstanding doth not verily howsoeuer they say that they haue faith Gods Spirit word testifieth the contrarie and that it is a dead faith they brag of which Sathan himselfe hath and trembleth verse 19. which being dead in it selfe can neuer apprehend nor apply that true life of the soule Iesus Christ and his righteousnesse the godlies onely comfort for faith worketâ— with by works as the fire doth by heate through workes is faith made perfit as the Apostle testifieth and as hee reasoneth Iames 2. 14. What auâ—â—leth it my brethren though a man saith hee hath faith when he hath no workes can the faith saue him For if a brother or a sister be naked and destitute of daily foode and one of you say vnto them depart in peace warme your selues and fâ—ll your bellies notwithstanding you giue them not those thinges which are needefull to the body what helpeth it Euen so the faith if it haue no workes is dead in it selfe And after confirmation of this by the example of Abraham Rachab he concludeth For as the body without the spirit is dead euen so the faith without workes is dead Wee see then that as workes without faith iustifieth not For whatsoeuer is done without faith is sinne euen so faith without workes being dead iustifieth no maÌ„ before God and that it is neither sufficient to Pastour to preach and know Gods word except in practising it he go before his flocke by good workes nor that it is sufficient to the people or sheepe who would bee accounted of Christs sheep-folde to heare or know Gods voyce except they also follow and practise the same by good workes following the holy and vnspotted life of Iesus Christ the Lambe in whom they hope to bee saued Let therefore Pastor and people old and yong from the highest to the lowest striue by a holy life and fruitfull of good workes to shew themselues to bee true branches in Iesus Christ the vine and liuely members of his blessed body and as he who hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all manner of conuersation as becommeth the Gospel of Christ zealous of good workes Not hearing or knowing our Masters will onely but in taking heed to our wayes to redresse the same according to his word and will reuealed therein executing and doing the same and when we haue done all that we can doe confessing and acknowledging our selues to be vnprofitable seruants so shall we be assured in our owne consciences by Gods spirit that we are sheepe of his pasture and children of his inheritance so shall wee bee knowne by the world by our confession and profession of Christ in an holy and christian life to be members of his Church and Kingdome also and so at last we shall be found worthy in Christ to walk with the Lambe when he who gaue his life for vs here shall giue vs eternall life with himselfe for euer hereafter According to thy word that is making thy holy word O Lord the rule and square according vnto the which we may take heed vnto our wayes and redresse the same We see then here first the excellencie and great vertue and vse of the word of God It is a rule according vnto the which wee may and should redresse purge and rectifie our sinfull vncleane and erronious wayes It is that breath of God which breatheth life in the face of the soule of man as by the word of God in the first creation was man raysed out of the earth and placed in the garden of Paradise so by this word of God which is neere vs in our mouth and heart is the new creation and regeneration of the heart of man whereby his soule is raysed from earthly and carnall affections and placed in the pleasant garden of Christs church to eate of the tree of life and liue with him for euer It is the voyce of God that is dayly heard in the garden of his Church not onely asking euery Adamite and sinner but shewing him also where and in what estate he is by sinne and Sathan calling him not to a curse for sinne but a blessing and inuiting him to come to the seed of the woman to that tree of life and second Adam Father and Sauiour of our spirits Gods word is a Lampe that shineth euer in the candlesticke of his true Church to direct our footsteps in the path to life euerlasting with himselfe It is that two-edged Sword that powerfully proceedeth out of his owne mouth which pierceth thorow the inward cogitations of the heart to redresse the same and diuideth the marrow of the bones to giue fatnesse to the soule It is that seed which beeing sowed and layd vp in a good and honest heart maketh euery Christian to bring foorth acceptable fruit vnto Gods glory and their owne soules comfort It is the Power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue the same It is that Instrument or Spade which diggeth about the rootes of our hearts to make vs sweet and fruitfull to our long suffering and patient Master lest we should be pulled vp by the rootes ere the axe of Gods wrath should bee put to our rootes and wee be cut downe and throwen ouer the hedge of the vineyard into vnquenchable fire Gods word is that Snedding knife which cutteth away the rancke leaues of sinne which with their darkenesse doe ouer-shadow our soules and keepe away that comfortable ripening sunne of Gods fauour to shine vpon vs that our sowre grapes may become sweet It is a Hammer to beat downe euery high exalted hill or proud cogitation of the heart that as Gyants would rebell and fight against God It exalteth euer the low valley or humbled dejected soule euen to the throne of God in confidence boldnesse It is that sâ—â—ngstone of the sonne of Dauid whereby euerie Christian and souldier of Israel must kill that mighty Gyant the reuiler of God and enemie of his seruants who seeketh not to giue their bodies to the fowles of the ayre but their precious soules to the hell-crowes of sinne and the deuouring vultures of eternall torments It is the knife whereby the fore-skin of euery Christians heart is circumcised and cut away before hee can be in the new couenant of grace or be counted a true Israelite in spirit it is the gladdest tidings that euer came to the soule and the true testimony or witnesse-bearer of Iesus Christ search the Scriptures for they testifie of him it is a Christians life My words are life saith light and life and without the comfort of the same our life is death and our light Cimerian darknesse
Midianites fight against his enemies so by Gods owne word and the holy messenger of his spirit euery yong man is commanded in the strength of his youth to rise against fight and subdue his owne corrupt affections which are enemies to God and his own saluation so that in our youth we must begin and serue God amend and redresse our waies according to his word not excluding but in euery age wee haue neede and must doe so and the rather seeing a maiori ad minus if Gods word serue to redresse a yong mans way who burneth in his lusts and affections much more serueth it to redresse a man in ripe age his affections being theÌ„ more cooled but chiefly in youth we haue most neede by Gods word to cleanse and redresse our waies for sundry reasons First because our nature then which contraries grace is strongest and so wee are more apt and readie to bee led away by our lustes and to bee drawne in the chaine of our affections by Sathan into a farre countrie of sinne from our owne fathers house with that prodigall sonne to abuse and riotously to consume Gods liberall giftes and manifolde graces bestowed vppon vs in pouertie nakednesse and famine of all goodnesse feeding our filthy vncleane lustes of the flesh and greedily feeding and eating with them Therefore in most dangerous estate wee must take the best and straitest heede when our enemie is within walls then most strongly and couragiously must hee bee resisted when wee finde our nature most inclining to obey sinne then must wee striue and wrestle with GOD in most earnest prayers and hold him fast vntill hee giue vs his blessing and the strength of his Spirite to striue also and preuaile with sinne that our nature by his grace may bee reformed our will made conformable and inclining to his and that in soule and bodie wee may bow in obeying his Commaundements Secondly our youth is the beginning of our pilgrimage and in it we must enter in either at the broad way which leadeth vnto euerlasting destruction or at the narrow way which leadeth vnto euerlasting ioy and saluation The true way is Iesus Christ and his righteousnes I am the way the veritie and life who as he is the way so he is the end of the way eternall saluation as he is God so he leadeth vnto God and to the kingdome of God his father and is the ease and rest of all that commeth loaden or wearie vnto him Therefore in thy youth and entring in thy pilgrimage see thou enter in this way and if thou wouldst finde this way to walke therein desire God to opeÌ„ thy eies that thou mayst see this narrow way Search the Scriptures saith the way it selfe for they are that testifie of me When thou hast found him in his word and known him by his word as the sheepe doth the true sheep-heard apply him then by a liuely faith to thy soule and take hold of the way and hauing found knowne applied and taken hold of him then apply thy whole course of life in thought word and deede vnto this way euer walking therin Be you holy as I am holy saith he Learne of me for I am humble and meeke Moses was commanded to pull off his shooes because the ground hee did stand vpon was holy If thou stand tâ—â—n vpon that holy ground ground-stone Iesus Christ walke in that sacred pure way thou must seperate and cast from thee all filthinesse of sinne and corruption If thou wouldst walke with that vnspotted Lambe thou must walke clothed with that white long robe of sanctitie righteousnesse purchased and washed in his blood beleeue Christ Iesus in thy heart confesse Christ Iesus with thy mouth and shew Christ Iesus and him image in thy life and conuersation so hast thou enterd so doost thou walke so shalt thou attaine to the end of this true and ioyfull way All other waies are by-waies the leader and ladder Sathan a manslaier a lyer from the beginning and the end of al such is Gods fierce wrath and eternall perdition hee leadeth thee from the true Citie of Ierusalem in his deceitfull by-waies to rob thee of the good gifts of God bestowed vpon thee and to kill body soule and cast it into vtter darkenesse like a wise Vlisses harken not to this Syren who would allure and draw thee so to no sweete harmony but to destroy the ship of the body and precious loading of thy soule for which christ shed his precious blood vpoÌ„ the rocks of eternal destruction to be his pray Auoide this Scylla and Carybdis and hold constantly forward in the true way Christ enter and perseuere in it in thy youth when thou art aged thou shalt bee at the end thereof that thou maiest see with the holy Apostle when the time of thy departing is at hand I haue sought a good fight and haue finished my course I haue kept the faith for henceforth is laid vp for mee the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue mee at that day and not vnto me onely but vnto aâ—l them that loue his appearing Lorde grant that euery one of vs may in our youth enter in this course constantly continue therein tâ—ll our â—â—ues end and at our last dissolution we may haue this sure and comfortable perswasion Thirdly we should serue God in our youth chiefly obeying his wil and abstaining from sinne because our youth is as the fat most pleasant vnto God not sinning in it when we may sinne and therefore let vs sacrifice the same vnto him not offering vp the fat morning sacrifice of our youth to Molech the diuell and our sinfull corrupt affections and thinking that the God of Israel wil accept of our leane and lame colde euening sacrifice of weake olde age and so bee serued with the worst after his enemie Sathan In our youth wee must not runne with the diuell and in age thinke to returne vnto God neuer forsaking our lusts nor ceasing to fulfill them in our youth till then in age they forsake vs with the strength to accomplish them wheÌ„ we are strongest wee are weake enough to follow Christ much more vnable when wee are weakest Therefore as Dauid killed Goliah in his youth so let vs seeke to slay that manslayer Sathan in resisting him and kill that Goliah of sin and our corrupt affections which hee vseth as weapons against vs putting off all fleshly armour and arming body and soule with the strength of Gods Spirit putting our trust and sure confidence in Iesus Christ who as by former experience he did ouercome his tentations in his owne person and in the persons of all the Saints his elect members so likewise of his constant loue vnfallible trueth and vnfaileable strength hee will assist and persist with vs vntill wee haue likewise troden him vnder foote As Dauid being young did pull out a Lambe out of the mouth of the Lyon and the Beare so
they should as it were reward God by giuing and dedicating them againe with Hannah vnto his seruice and pleasing of him by an immaculate and pure life as a token and testimony of their loue to God againe And thirdly Children are compared to arrowes in the hand of the strong man who if they bee well and godly brought vp framed they wil shoot at their parents enemies and be a griefe to their heart to see them prosper so in the feare of God by his blessings and blessed is the man that hath his quiuer full of them but if they be carelesly and too indulgently broght vp as Elies sonnes and Absolon they will be the darts to pearce their fathers heart with griefe and bitter sorrow to them In Latine Children are called pignoâ—a and pueri the one because they are the pledges of Gods fauour to the parents as also naturall pledges of the mutuall loue of the parents betwixt themselues beeing the surest bond in marriage to knit and continue the loue of man and wife betwixt theÌ„selues which Leah well did know when beeing conceyued shee said Now my husband will loue me If therefore they be the pledges of Gods loue to their parents in giuing them of his grace for their worldly pleasure then by their good education let them be the pledges of the parents loue to God likewise in giuing and dedicating them againe vnto his heauenly pleasure and seruice as an vnspotted and cleane sacrifice being puri sicut pueros decâ—t and in the meane time let parents be aware to esteeme or loue the pledge or gift more then God the giuer thereof for if they loue their children too much dallying and delighting onely with the gift God the giuer will eyther make them of a blessing in his loue turne to a curse in his anger or else separate them one from another in making eyther the father childlesse shortly or the child fatherlesse which experience oftentimes proueth manifestly let children therfore be only as cords to draw the parents hearts more and neerer vnto God in increase of loue and thankefulnesse to him and God wil heape his blessings more abundantly on them both also let their parents chiefe care bee to trim and adorne their hearts and minds so with pietie and vertue as becommeth a gift or reward which is to bee presented to the King of al kings before whose eyes no vncleane thing can stand therefore Christ once beeing to shewe who should inherite the kingdome of heauen tooke for example a little childe and set him in the middest of his disciples saying Whosoeuer receyueth not the kingdome of heauen as a child he shal not enter therein thereby shewing that our children should be so innocent so humble and voyd of all euill that they may be takeÌ„ for example of the sonnes and heires of God not as many are now wofull to see made proud in their cradle learned to curse and sweare before they can well speak or aske their parents blessing and full of euill before they haue reason to discerne good or euill therefore set tender and wise parents not excuse their childreÌ„ in their faults saying They are tender or haue no wit to doe otherwise if they bee tender let not the worme of sinne so sticke vpon them for the danger is the greater lest the sooner it eate thorow their heart and it is fearefull when they haue wit to doe or speake euill and goe in the wrong way before they haue wit or are taught to speake or doe well and enter in the right way As they were before compared to arrowes we know as the arrow is directed at the first so it flyeth all the way ouer or vnder or beside but it neuer commeth vnto the right marke or butte vnlesse it be directed right at the first in the letting foorth out of the Bow so it is that except froÌ„ the first comming forth out of the wombe children be directed in the right way they shall hardly or neuer attayne to the end of the way which is true happinesse in Iesus Christ we know also if our children bee deformed in their youth we neuer expect that they will bee well fauoured in their age and when a yong Plant sprouteth vp if there bee a worme that lyeth at the roote thereof we know except we remoue and kill the same the tender Plant will neuer thriue nor grow forward doe we know and beleeue so in respect of our childrens bodies plants of our gardens then let vs know and beleeue the same in respect of their minds if sin grow beâ—ore pietie the weed will smother the good corne if vice be sowen and appeare before vertue in youth no appearance of a good or ioyfull haruest in age remoue and kill the worme of sinne from the tender plant of childhood lest it gnaw out the life thereof ere thou be aware kill the serpent in the egge lest wheÌ„ he is hatched hee kill thee who is the parent with griefe and thy child with his poyson yea we teach a dogge while hee is a whelpe wee tame a bird while it is yong wee breake a horse while he is a colt and bow the tree while it is a twig so with wise Salomon Teach thy child in his youth that he may remeÌ„ber it when hee is olde the birdes of the ayre teach parents their dutie they flie before their yong ones to teach them to follow as parents should by good example and godly education teach their children to flie to God also by faith and holinesse of life wee haue a care to feede our beasts see their education carefully who if they starue or die we haue onely lost a carkas but when carefully we ouersee not the education of our owne children and seed the feeding of their soules by instruction curing of their sores of vice by correction wee loose their bodies and soules which is more precious then all the worlde and their blood shall be required at our handes and of this vice complayneth Isaiab 1. 3. that the oxe the asse were taught to know their masters but his people did not know him as Gods Ministers may now also iustly complayne of the same Wee haue three notable examples of parents for good education in the Scriptures 1. King 2. wee haue Dauid instructing his sonne Gen. 34. Iacob reproouing and correcting his sonnes and Iob. 1. Iob praying for his sonnes put these three together instructing correcting praying they will make blessed children and thrice happy parents and as it was a sweete and comfortable thing to see children goe before Christ to the Temple of Ierusalem singing Hosanna to the most highest that it might be fulfilled that out of the mouthes of babes and sucklings Gods prayses should sound so it shall be to the great ioy and comfort of their parents hearts when in the temple and congregation of the faithfull they shall see their childreÌ„ beeing well brought vp singing prayses to
must passe and ouercome many temptations of Sathan the flesh likewise walke in the strait and narrow way of holinesse sanctification before thou come to the easie and spacious end of thy way to the full possession of that heauenly kingdome and eternall glorification through Christ Iesus thou must bee in labours before thou rest from labours thou must liue in the Lord before thou canst die in the Lord thou must liue the life of the righteous if thou wouldest wish to die the death of the righteous and thy last end to bee like theirs All the holy Patriarks Prophets Saints and Martyrs of God haue trode this narrow way before they obtayned the recompence of their reward vnto which they had respect if therefore thou haue any respect vnto the same and by hope looke for that which they fully now possesse follow and insist in their footsteps if thou wouldest tryumph and glory with them thou must also couragiously fight with them against the diuell and thine owne corrupt affectionâ— and concupiscence of the flesh which fayne would haue libertie and draw thee in that broad way of destruction but assure thy selfe in thy youth and in the way thereof that the greater liberty of thy flesh and affections here maketh the most strait incarceration and feareful plunging of soule and body in endlesse and easelesse torments of hell hereafter which thou mayest plainely behold and learne by the example of Diues Lazarus whereof the one in the broad way had his pleasures in this life but not a drop of water to coole his tongue after death the strait ende of his way the other had his miseries here without necessaries scarce for the flesh but after death which opened the large end of his way he was carried into Abrahams bosome in eternall ioyes for euer to remaine in their life Lazarus was compelled to beg from Diues crumbes of his bread at their death Diues was compelled to beg from Lazarus a drop of cold water there did straitnesse follow after ease and ease after straitnesse in their seuerall wayes Albeit the rich man in the Gospell walking in the broad way did bid his soule Eate drinke and take it ease for it had much laid vp for many yeeres yet God from heauen had decreed that the strait end of his way shold be neerer then he thought they should fetch his soule froÌ„ him that same night Albeit Nebuchad-nezzar walking in the broad way also in the pride of his heart said Is not this great Babel that I haue built for the house of my kingdome by the might of my power and for the honour of my Maiestie glorying so in the flesh yet he was cast into a great and wonderfull straitnesse while the word was in his mouth and driuen from men as a beast to eate the grasse of the fields Albeit Belâ—hazzar likewise walking in the same large way in the exaltation of his heart against God proclaimed a banquet sitting with his Princes wiues and concubines pampring giuing all pleasure to the flesh drinking wine in the vessels consecrated onely to Gods seruice which were brought out of Ierusalem not glorifying GOD but praysing his Idols of gold siluer and stone yet the end of his way was this the Hand declared on the wall that hee was weighed and found too light his kingdome was ended and giuen to others and that same night he was slayne presently so when he was highest vpon the top of his reioycing hill most suddenly he did fall lowest in the valley of mourning and pit of teares by lamentable destruction the vnexpected strait end of his broad former way The Sodomites knew little how neere fire and brimstone was neere them the primitiue world how neere them was the Deluge and all such that walke in this way of libertie of the flesh how neere subuersion of soule and bodie is at hand Therefore let vs walke in the right way if wee would sitte at Christs right hand let vs be sanctified here if we would be glorified hereafter let vs walke in the true path if we would attaine to the true end thereof and subdue the slesh with the affections thereof to the spirit and yoake of Christs obedience if in body and spirit for euer wee would raigne with him Let vs redresse our owne wayes and let euery one that calleth on the name of the Lord depart from iniquitie as the Apostle commandeth Timothie and in his person all yong men Flie from the lusts of youth follow after righteousnesse faith loue and peace with them that call on the name of the Lord for if any man purge himselfe from these hee shall bee a vessell vnto honour sanctified and meet for the Lord prepared vnto euery good worke Seeing also our course of life here is compared to a Way which wee must redresse according to Gods word therefore let vs walke in this life as in a way warily and working out our saluation in feare and trembling Considering with ourselues 1. First as in a way or iourney no rest is to be expected that is permanent vntill wee come to the end thereof so neither must wee looke for any permanent citie or solide rest in the way or course of this life vntill we come to Iesus Christ being dissolued to be with him who is the true end and rest of the true and narrow way the temple of that spirituall Ierusalem and Citie of all perfect light and ioy For the estate of his Church here is as the Boat wherein vpon the sea hee was with his Disciples euer tossed vp and downe in continuall labour so that except hee were our stay our rest and refuge wee should surely perish Our life here is a Warfare our enemie is euer pursuing as a raging Lyon seeking to deuoure vs therefore wee must be in continual defence of the life of our soules by his strength being armed who gaue his life for our soules vntill vnder his defence hauing fought a good fight and finished our course we be victorious and tryumph with him hauing receyued that immortall and incorruptible crowne of glory which is layd vp for vs and for all them that loue the comming of the Lord Iesus in glorie to glorifie vs with himselfe 2. Secondly in a way we euer goe forward and one step followeth another sicut vnda impelli tur vnda as one waue is enforced by another so also in the way of this our life wee poast to our end and our dayes passe more swiftly then a weauers shittle our life is as a flower that now springeth vp and with a blast fadeth as a water bubble now vp and now downe with an aire of wind as a smoake seene and gone presently as the fat of Lambes which suddenly is dropped away so that whether wee sleepe or wake whether we eate or drinke whether we go or sit still as in a ship wee are caried speedily with full sailes thorow the sea of this
turbulent world to the port and hauen of our graue and our refluxe is to that Ocean Let vs watch then carefully and haue the houre-glasse of the number of our dayes euer before our eies that we may apply our hearts to wisedom let vs looke diligently to the precious and most deere loading of our soules once purchased by Christs blood suspect our weake vessels and clay tabernacles acknowledge that we are euer in danger of death and that there is little betwixt vs and him foresee carefully the rockes and daungers before vs haue euer the Compasse of Gods word before our eyes to direct our course and way according thereunto Behold still the Mappe and Carde of that heauenly coast of Canaan towards the which wee intend and attend our course try and spy out the markes whereby wee may know that wee are neere the same or in the right way thereto forget the things that are behinde and haue our eyes forward still on the further banke and by continuall and earnest praiers desire almightie God to saue vs lest we perish to giue vs his spirit to bee our guide and pilot and by his infinite mercy grace to bring vs at last to that wished Land of our blessed Canaan with Ioshua our Iudge and Captaine through all the perills and daungers of this darke desart And chiefly let vs daily striue as in the way of our naturall life so likewise that in the way of our supernatural true life Iesus Christ and his righteousnes we may make some progresse so step forward frō life to life forgetting the world and her whorish intisements behinde vs and bending our forces directly to follow him onely Thirdly in a way also we haue euer certaine limitted bounds which wee must not transgresse nor goe ouer In the way of this life likewise wee haue Gods word and Commaundements as walles on each side to enclose vs which wee must striue to containe our selues within and to redresse our waies according therevnto Christs voice is the walls hedge of his sheepfold ouer which whosoeuer passeth wandreth astray in the fearefull and darke desart of sinne a readie prey to that cruell deuouring beare and raging Lyon Sathan for God as hee is iust and mercifull so hee hath declared and manifested the same plainely in his sacred word his iustice chiefly in the olde testament his mercy in the new his iustice he hath set vp as a wall on our right hand that wee may feare to sinne his mercy as a wall on our left hand that if wee sinne we may know that wee haue a Mediatour Sauiour euen Iesus Christ the man therefore seeing we are set betwixt these two walls let vs walke warily that on the one side beholding Gods iustice wee despaire not nor on the other beholding his mercy wee presume not but with an equall eye beholding both and with an equall pace walking betwixt both in feare and loue of him wee may goe on our way to our iournies end and so worke out the great worke of our saluation Fourthly in a iourney way or race to bee runne euery man who desireth to bee at the end thereof soonest wil make himselfe lightest and not take vp heauie burdens to hinder and wearie him So in this way and race of our life if we haue eyes to see the reward being a crowne of immortall glory if wee haue hearts to consider or vnderstand the preciousnes thereof or a desire to attaine or obtaine the same we must not take on the heauie and hindering burdens of this world and the wearisome vanities thereof to bee impediments in our course but cast off and disburden our selues of these dangerous loadings vsing the thinges of this world as though wee vsed them not and in our youth begin take vp the light and easie yoake of Christs obediēce with our crosses follow him in our hand wee must take the staffe of his worde wee must gird our loynes with his sanctitie and righteousnes and in the footesteps of pure vnspotted innocencie must wee follow him being holy as hee is holy this is the way Sic itur ad astra Fiftly no pilgrime also will desire his way to be long and wearisome but the sooner he may come to the end of his iourney the more he will reioyce In this way and pilgrimage likewise of our life let vs not desire so much to liue long till age that our way may be prolonged but to liue well while wee are young that we may insist constantly in the true way and desire with the Apostle rather to bee dissolued and be with Christ and with olde Simeon after our eyes by faith haue seene our saluation in the armes of our heart wee haue embraced him to desire to departe in his peace and enioy the reward fulnes of our hope And in the meane time seeing in our way chiefly of youth wee haue many impediments cast before vs many fetters and nets for our feete laide to insnare vs manie outward and inward enemies seeking to destroy vs and no wisedome nor strength in our selues to preuent or auoid them therefore let our continuall and humble petition bee to that Lord of strength and wisedome of the Father Leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euill and so in a way of this life let vs walke as in the way according to the word and way of Iesus Christ redressing our bywaies And hauing these considerations before our eyes vntill by that true and liuely way Christ wee attaine to the end thereof eternall life and endlesse rest for euer The action set downe in this question is Whereby shall a young man redresse his way according to the vulgar translation but according to the originall and Hebrew text it is Whereby shall a young man cleanse or purge his way The first to wit redressing is a metaphore taken from a house which being vncleane or out of order vseth to bee redressed and trimmed vp for the guests it should receiue according vnto the Parable and wordes of Christ concerning the vncleane spirit who departed out of the man whom he possessed and wandred in dry places seeking rest and finding none therefore he decreed with himselfe to returne backe againe to his former lodging and tooke with him other seauen vncleane spirits worse then himselfe who returning found the house dressed and wel garnished for them and there they aboade so that the last conditio◠of that man was worse then the first And so truely it is in all ages but chiefly in youth that our soules and bodies which should be the temple and tabernacle of Gods holy and cleane Spirit who can abide no impuritie is polluted daily with the vncleannes of sinne and defiled with the filthie Harpies of our lusts and carnall affections and so we harbour in our heart as it were that vncleane spirit and dresseth vp the same as a house or chamber for him to rest in with
is how to redresse vice and ouercome sinne in his mortal members that Gods free Spirit may make his aboad and comfortable habitation in his soule The diligent care of the other is how to represse and oppresse vertue and godlines that it take no roote in his soule nor bring forth no acceptable pleasant fruit before God but that as a sinke of iniquitie it may abound and yeelde forth out of the aboundance thereof rotten and vnsauorie smells in thought word and action The one seeketh to purge himselfe from the least spot of sin that might make him displeasing in his fathers sight yea hee abhorreth from the very appearance of euill or the least meane that might draw or perswade him any way thereunto The other seeketh the foulest puddle or mire of sin wholy in body and soule not caring to tuÌ„ble pollute himselfe as a filthy swine thereinto and as a dogge deuouring sinne griedily which deuoureth his soule and returning euer to his vomit he embraceth all occasions of sinne hee headlong runneth vnto the brinke of destruction as it were with cart-ropes of iniquitie he is swiftly carried as the oxe to the slaughter or the foole to the blocke vnto the bottomles pit of perdition The one for the least sinne he committeth that stayneth his soule hee heapeth and powreth out tears vpon tears as a treasure to be laid vp in a bottel before God that thereafter hee may reape the fruite of his seed sowed in tears in the ioyful and plentifull haruest of the Lord when he shall find true rest and comfort to his soule The other in his greatest sinnes hee most reioyceth and with Lamech vaunteth of his vngodly furie and crueltie of impietie inferred to his owne soule hee heapeth sinne vpon sinne vntill the day of wrath as a treasure and with all griedines filleth the cup of iniquitie to the full til God in his iust iugment giue to him also the full cup of his fierce wrath and indignation and make him drinke out the very dregs thereof for as he soweth so he shall reape The one sort being the children of the light and the day they walke in the light and doe the workes thereof therfore they shall enioy the cleare and endlesse light of that heauenly new Ierusalem which is the bright countenance of the Lambe The other being the children of darkenesse and the night they delight to walke in the wayes of darknes and to doe the workes thereof therefore with the prince of darkenesse they shall bee at last cast into vtmost darkenesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth Finally as euerie tree is knowne by his fruite so by their works you shal know and discerne betwixt godly and vngodly yong men as a good yong tree bringeth foorth best fruite in the spring while it is yong so a godly yong man bringeth forth best fruits of vertue and pietie in his tender yeeres and spring of his youth not delaying till the cold winter of old age come wherein eyther no fruit at all or if any nothing but sowre grapes are to be expected but as no man can gather figs of thornes nor seeke for honie out of the viper so from those that consume their best age and prime of youth in all lustfull licentiousnesse outlaw liuing in sinne and slauish libertie of iniquitie nothing can be expected but that the haruest shall be like the spring wherin they shal reape the fruit of their labours and their seed time of wickednes shall bee rewarded with the measure of bitter seuere punishment when the axe shall bee put to the root of the tree and euery tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall bee cut downe cast into vnquenchable fire The examples of both these sorts of yong men we haue in the Scripture set before the eyes of all youthes in this age to learne by and behold Of the one whom they should follow the examples of yong Abel vprightly sacrificing vnto God the first fruits and fat of the flocke as they should the first fruits and fat of their youth in vprightnesse and holinesse of life of yong Isaac exercising himselfe in prayer alone in the field of yong Iacob in suffering many wrongs obeying the good counsell of his parents fearing their displeasure dealing faithfully in an holy and humble mind with all men of yong Ioseph refusing the way of sinne and adulterous lust suffering patiently rewarding good for euill and being a comfort and reliefe to his old father and his whole family of Moses refusing to bee counted the sonne of Pharaohs daughter to bee esteemed the sonne of God and a faithful seruant in his whole house of yong Dauid in trusting euer stedfastly and beleeuing in Gods mercy towards him suffring much aduersitie and still sticking fast vnto the Lord who deliuered his enemies so oftentimes in his handes and his life out of theirs of yong Salomon in seeking the true wisedome of God before honour or riches of yong Samuel zealous and faithfull in Gods sanctuarie in his youth there seruing him of yong Daniel in walking with an holy and vpright heart before the almighty of yong Timothie brought vp froÌ„ an infantin the true knowledg feare of God a glorious starre painfull instrument in his Church of the children of the elect Ladie 2. epist. Ioh. 1. 4. whoÌ„ the beloued Apostle of Iesus Christ found walking in the trueth as God had commanded and therefore reioyced with such like examples which are set before the eyes of all youth according thereunto to reforme and coÌ„forme themselues in all things that they may obtaine that rich reward of eternall life whereof they are already in possession Of the other sort which wee should eschue and abhorre is malicious murdering and hypocriticall Cain who was accursed of God vaunting Lamech bragging of his strength furie to commit sinne in his youth Ham dishonouring contemning Noah his father Esau in being a griefe to his parents heart a profane A theist and persecutor of his godly brother Absolon a bloodie vnnaturall proud wicked sonne to his father Dauid whose end was a shamefull and sudden death Elies two sonnes who oppressed Gods people committed most vile filthinesse in Israel and were at last the death and heart-break of their old father and their owne destruction Ammon incestuous with his sister whose reward was cruel death and sudden destruction the young men of Sodome who in their filthinesse were consumed with fire brimstone Zimri and Cozbi in their burning lust thrust thorow by zealous Phineas with many other such examples of those who in the time of their youth fulfilled their owne lusts and wicked affections til they tasted of the full cup of Gods fierce wrath to their vtter destruction which was their sâ—al end lameÌ„table conditioÌ„ such therfore let vs abhor with their course of wicked life as we would eschue their feareful end most cursed death Râ—hoboam by his yong counsellers in obeying
Gods word is a looking-glasse wherein we may see all our spots from the greatest to the least where they are and how they may bee wiped away with the blood of Iesus Christ and teares of true repentance It is the sweet Manna and foode of our soules Milke to the weaker and stronger meat for those who are more confirmed A Directer in prosperity an vpholder in aduersitie and aboundant comfort in both It is a Fire to purge our wayes to burne vp the earthly or rather hellish drosse of sinne and stubble of iniquitie to refine vs as pure gold to bee vessells of honour in Gods house before our heauenly Father It is that Raine or Dew that descended from Heauen and neuer returneth vndone that for which it was sent it fructifieth eyther the heart to bring forth pleasant fruit and softneth it to repentance or as water cast vpon Iron or Steele hardeneth the same so it indureth the obstinate and reprobate hearts of them who are inflamed and burned in their owne sinfull lusts Our soules and hearts are made sauoury Sacrifices with all that proceedeth therefrom to present before the nosthrills of God our heauenly Father by this preseruing Salt of his word whereby no stincking corruption of the flesh and of sinne taketh hold vpon vs but thereby we are made sauourie meat to bee presented and accepted before our heauenly Father such as he euer loueth It is that Water of life wherof whosoeuer drinketh in his belly shall spring riuers thereof aboundantly It is a Cloud to refresh vs in our iourney in the day a firie Pillar in the night time to direct our wayes by the light thereof in the darke desart of this world and to consume all our enemies to theÌ„ it shall bee darkenesse but light to the hoste of Israel it shall bee hid and is so onely to them that perish It is that bright Light that shall euer shine in the little Gâ—shan of Gods Church when all the Egypt beside of this world with the Pharao thereof shall be ouerwhelmed with thicke darkenesse It is the Rudder of our Ship which must direct vs aright thorow the raging beating waues of worldly persecutions and our Compasse to keepe our course by vntill wee come to the hauen of heauen and port of that new Ierusalem It is that Rod which must diuide the redde sea of temptations thorow which narrowly we must passe to the spirituall land of Canaan when in them we shall see the worldlings wicked ouerwhelmed and altogether drowned It is the Arke and couenaÌ„t of God at which we only must aske counsell and it must diuide the Iorden of death to vs making a way whereby wee must follow our Ioshua Iesus to the land of rest and our promised inheritance It is true Riches and seuen times more pure then the refined gold of Ophir It cannot corrupt for heauen and earth shall perish before one iotte of Gods worde perish It is the Keyes of the kingdome of Heauen whereby the gates thereof are opened to euery penitent and beleeuing soule and shut to euery obstinate and indured wicked heart It is the Sauour of life vnto all those that are appointed for life and hath the life of Iesus Christ to righteousnesse in them It is the chiefe Shepheards Hooke that pulleth backe our straying soules in the by-wayes of iniquitie and bringeth vs in the right way again subjecting vs to the obedience and light yoake of Iesus Christ in the sheepefold of his Church By it wee are fished and drawne out of the salt and stincking sea of this world to Iesus Christ. It is the Sword wherewith wee must fight valiantly the Lordes battels A Trumpet to encourage vs thereto at whose sound the walls of euery proud Iericho shall fall and which subdueth powers and scepters to it selfe It is our Pilgrims staffe which must vphold and defend vs in our iourney It is a most bright Starre which leadeth not onely wise men but fooles also to Christ where now he lyeth not in a kribbe but sitteth on a Throne and happy are those starres or Ministers whom Christ holdeth in his right hand whose onely care is by preaching and practising this Star to shine before the flocke And finally the Word of God is the sound of that Trumpet blowen by the Angels of his Church which giueth vertue and power quickening and resurrection to euery dead soule in sinne to rise out of the graue of securitie put on a sanctified bodie that in bodie and soule at the last resurrection of all flesh to iudgement they may passe with Christ to eternall glory It is that Finger which pointeth out the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world and as Andrew brought Simon his brother Philip Nathaniel to Christ so the word of God bringeth and leadeth vs by the hand to him on earth and shall bring vs to eternal glory with him in heauen for euer if we beleeue the same and according thereunto take heede to redresse our wayes Secondly seeing the excellencie of Gods Word is such of it selfe wee may learne what great estimation and value it should bee of with euery Christian as we see the value thereof in it selfe so our estimation should bee corespondent wee should desire nothing so much esteeme nothing so much loue nothing so much nor hunger or thirst after nothing so much This estimation we may see in Dauid to haue been great and his loue â—eruent he saith I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies as in all riches Also thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellers Behold how I desire thy commandâ—ments The law of thy â—â—uth is better to me thâ—â— thousands of gold and siluer I will neuer forget thy precepts for by them thou hast quickned me O how I loue thy law it is my meditatioÌ„ continually How sweet are thy promises vnto my mouth yea more then honie vnto my mouth The Marchant in the Gospell when he had found the Iewell in the field he went and sold all that he had that hee might buy that piece of ground wherein that Iewell was Of all Iewels that euer man could thinke vpon this of Gods word is the most precious in it is eternall light euerlasting life continuall ioy comfortable contentment infinite true riches Let vs therefore follow the example of this wise Marchant so that we may haue it and enioy the comfort therein contayned care not what wee loose if wee haue it we haue all things if wee haue all things and want it wee haue nothing It is not like other Iewels for coÌ„monly a man that possesseth them not can oftentimes know the value of theÌ„ better then they who possesse them but with this Iewell it is not so the Marchant was neuer in loue with it vntill hee found it wee can neuer nor will euer know the estimation of it vntil we haue it in our hearts Peter when Christ before his last
it and them with reuerent and dutifull estimation laying it vp in their hearts practising the same in their life and conuersation by redressing their wais according therunto they may be crowned immortall and glorious Kings in the world to come and raigne with Christ Iesus eternally world without end For who esteemeth of it esteemeth of God his worde and himselfe being all one as who contemneth it to heare or doe the same contemneth God to heare or obey him who receiueth it and the Preachers thereof receiueth Christ as himselfe testifieth and who reiecteth it or them reiecteth Iesus Christ and the mercy benefites and loue of the Father offered in him willingly and wilfully giuing ouer themselues to darkenes to the Prince of darknes and to the condemnation of and with the Prince of darkenesse for euer Finally to conclude seeing the excellencie of Gods word is such and the estimation thereof and reuerence in our hearts should bee such wee may perceiue the great iniquity and fearefull offence of all those who keepe the same secret and hide from Gods people lest they finding this iewel with the wise merchant should onely cleaue vnto it and hide it vp in their hearts and soules it is life therefore they from whom it is hid walke in the shadow of death it is light therefore they to whom it shineth not walke in feareful darknesse it is the foode phisicke of the sicke soule of a sinner onely therefore they who know it not nor wil not know it must starue and die eternally it is our directer and counseller to whom then it is hid they wander astray in the paths of foolishnesse Except this seede be sowen how can we bring forth good fruit in a true faith to a ioyfull haruest it is the power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue and by faith wee are made members of Iesus Christ but how can wee beleeue except wee heare for faith commeth by hearing and how can we heare it except it bee preached Therefore who taketh away diligent preaching they take away carefull hearing and who taketh away hearing they take away the faith in so farre as in them lieth and so sheweth themselues plainely to bee enemies of Iesus Christ and of his crosse By it wee are digged about the rootes planted and watered and made fruitfull vines and sweete fig-trees in Gods garden and vineyard therefore who taketh away the same maketh God in his wrath to put to the axe to the roote of the tree to cut it down and cast it being barren and vnfruitfull into eternall fire being so slow and backward when wee are often inuited to come to Gods house banquet how much slower shall wee be without the hearing of the inuitation of Gods worde Wee are too barren ground euen when that raine and dew falleth vpon our soules but how much barrenner shall wee be and lesse fructifie when it doeth not fall Happy for euer is that Kingdome or Citie that retaineth the same in the pure sinceritie thereof without addition diminution mixture or amission as thrise woful is the same that retaineth not the same so The most fearefull threatning wherewith Christ Iesus that Alpha and Omega threatneth any of the seauen Churches is that of the Church of Ephesus I will come against thee shortly and will remooue thy Candlesticke out of his place except thou amend The most fearefull famine that euer came vpon any Land Kingdome Citie or soule is the famine of the word of God when the staffe of the heauenly bread thereof is broken This plague or the report thereof may make euery eare to tingle for where it is it is neuer alone but with it is the infectious plague of the pestilence of sinne suffocating euery soule vnto death eternall not taking men out of worldly miserie to eternall ioy as the bodily plague doth many but from their temporall ioy in sinne vnto eternall miserie of punishment And euer with it or after also followeth the sharp and seuere deuouring sworde of Gods fierce wrath and consuming hoat displeasure It is a fearefull thing when the watch or watchman of Gods word in the head of the Tower is dumbe when there is no barking about the sheepe how can the sheepe be safe It is a wofull thing to see godly Samuel remoued from Saul that he dares not speake Gods word plainely but must tarie at home all his life and mourne onely for Saul and his doings when hee is compelled to answere God how can I goe for if Saul heare he will kill me It is wofull to see Ieroboam the King put out his hand and bid take holde of the Prophet of God because at the commandement of the Lord hee cried against the Altar of Bethel It is fearefull to heare that the Lords true Prophets must be hid in caues and feede on bread and water being dumbe when Eliah knoweth none but himselfe left alone to plead Gods cause boldly and must bee faine to flee from place to place in great necessitie from the presence of Ahab and his false Prophets because he spake Gods word truely therefore hee must bee called a troubler of Israel and the estate It is lamentable to see that Michaiah for not speaking of pleasant things as the false Prophets of Ahab did shall bee beaten by Zidkiiah a false deceiuing and flattering spirit and sent to the prison house by the King to eate and drinke the bread and water of affliction to see bloody Iehoram send for the head of Elisha in his wrath or Herod for the head of Iohn the Baptist for speaking the word of God freely because Vriiah prophecied the trueth in the name of the Lord to be sent for by Iâ—hoiakim the King and beheaded likewise Ieremiah for speaking of that whereof God commanded him not to keepe a word backe to bee apprehended by the Priests and people and to be censured worthy to die the death to see Daniel cast in the Lions den and the three children in the fierie furnace for professing the seruice of the Lord their God is it not a woful thing to see Iesus Christ persecuted daily for proclaiming the will of his Father and that ioyfull yeare of Iubile for the freedome of mens soules to see Steuen stoned to death for the testimony of Iesus Peter and Iohn imprisoned for the preaching of the Gospel freely and with threatning commanded that they preach no more to see the Apostles beaten and oftentimes incarcerated Paul stoned smitten apprehended bound c. The beloued Apostle of Iesus Christ exiled to an I le Patmos and Gods seruants the bearers of this glorious iewell of his word by manifolde waies to be troubled onely for the testimonie of the trueth and of a good conscience which the itching eares of these last times cannot abide to heare albeit they shoulde most desire the same For where Gods word is not preached the people perisheth as testifieth the Preacher And the chiefe cause that Gods word
is so restrained in many places the mouths of Gods seruants so shut vp and the veritie repressed and bound as it were is Alexander the Copper-smiths profite will cease if Paul preach where Gods Arke commeth in place Dagon must fall and if Iesus Christ in such humilitie be suffered to bee acknowledged the Sauiour the Hie Priests honour iurisdiction and profit must cease if Daniel be suffered hee will discouer the Priests knaueries and Elias will shew that Baal is no God nor heareth not when Moses commeth with the Tables of the Law from the mount the golden calfe must downe if when Michaiah commeth to speake the truth freely he beleeued Zidkiiah the falsflattering Prophets with their hornes of yron should be put out of credit fauour and authoritie if Iohn the Baptist should be obeyed then Herod must put away his Herodias And where Gods sincere and pure word only getteh place and libertie downe must goe idolatrie and not a relict or hoofe thereof remaine tyrannicall authoritie of these who with Diotrephes loueth the preheminence and to rule as lords ouer the Lords inheritance must bee trod downe vnder the humble feete of Iesus Christ and of his word who pratleth against Gods true seruants with malitious words not therewith content neither they themselues receiue the brethren but forbiddeth them that would and thusteth them out of the Church The triple crowne must yeelde to the crown of thornes al popish ethnish apish ceremonies must fall downe before this Arke of Gods pure worde where the worde of Christ who came to serue getteth right place gracious Lord must cease Caeser must haue that which belongeth to him and all pastours with Paul must graunt themselues to bee seruants onely to Christs flocke for his cause their right title is the most honorable that they can haue euen the title which Iesus Christ is called by to bee Sheepheards of soules where Gods word shineth their shining before the flock must not be in gold silkes but in good workes where Gods word ruleth their rule and gouernement must be onely by Gods word their scepter that scepter which subiects scepters to it selfe their crowne their flocke you are my crowne saith Paul their sword not temporal nor Caesars but that two-edged sword that is in Christs mouth Gods and all their authority from Christs commission onely As my Father sent me so I send you where Gods sacred Law commeth there they must not worship the golden calfe of profit onely neither can Alexanders Diana bee so fat vnto him but with Moses they must looke onely for the reward of God Christs kingdome is not of this worlde in it then they must not looke for any recompeÌ„ce Paul saith I haue fought a good fight c. from henceforth is laid vp for me a crowne c. there is the reward hee looked for I goe saith Christ to my Father to prepare a place for you this is Christs promise For in the world you shall haue affliction and if you were of the world the world should loue you but because you are not as I am not therefore it hateth you In it then nor of it Pastours must not thinke their reward to bee and if in the world of the same they haue here their reward it is to bee feard that they shal neuer haue any other but as the world loueth theÌ„ they the world again that their coÌ„demnation is like to bee with the world also Therfore where Christs word taketh place worldly profite and full bagges must depart and albeit the Minister must liue of the Altar to supply necessitie yet Christ for Christ and his glorie onely must bee preached pride in the hie Priests and auarice in Iudas was the first betraier of Christ pride and auarice now is and euer shall be the only betraier of Christ and his cause and they know little the power of Christ in their heart or soule as they preach his name with their mouth who with Zebedeus sonnes here seeketh onely for their prefermeÌ„t because they haue followed him but they who truely follow him must denie here se suos sua take vp their crosse and follow him The same is his answere to all Ministers as it was to Peter who when hee asked what they should haue because they followed him he answered that they should sit on twelue seates with him and iudge the twelue Tribes of Israel so he saith to euery Minister that followeth him truely as they did not that hee shall be so or so powerfull in the world for hee hath chosen the weake ones of the world but that hee shall sit at his right hand with him in his kingdome when he shall iudge all the Tribes and Nations of the world they then who pertaine vnto that kingdome will desire that great reward honour only more then all the honour and kingdoms of the world with their glory esteeming all as dung to win Christ many soules vnto Christ to know the power of his death resurrection in themselues and see it in their flockes But who pertain not to this kingdome they wil preferre their owne profite before all things if the preaching of Gods word hinder or take away their profit with Alexander that Diana goe not downe they will stirre vp kings kingdoms cities rulers and people against Paul and his preaching and if thirtie pennies may be had Christ Iesus shall be betrayed with a kisse If this light and fire of Gods word should come in place it would consume like Moses rod or serpent the serpentine and profitable fire of purgatorie If it were preached plainely vnto Gods people and to the soules of men that we must come onely to Christ who callâ—th and commandeth vs aske of the Father who can denie vs nothing through him according to his will and that the King against whom wee commit the offence onely can forgiue the same Where should the golden pardons of the Pope goe or the profit of the confessors if it bee preached that Christ the Master had not a hole to repose his head in nor so much mony as could pay tribute for him and â—or Peter And if it be reported how Peter Acts. 3. said Siluer or golde haue I none where shall the princely pallaces of the seruants goe the great treasured heapes of golde they lay vp Paul soiourned in a poore Tanners house that dressed leather and when hee sent for his cloake and his scrolles he maketh no mention of any great treasure but hee laid vp his treasure in heauen where the moath the canker nor the theefe coulde not come gaining and treasuring by his Talent many soules to God Peter got a great treasure and conquesed much when at his Sermon so many soules were conuerted to Christ ioyned to the Church But these fat woolues and dumbe dogges they care not for such a treasure or conquest woe be to them for they doe not the worke of the Lorde at all