the Holy Ghost PAG. 373 CHAP. 97 Of Sundry other Gods Curses upon disobedient people PAG. 377 CHAP. 98 Of deferring Repentance untill likelyhood of bodily death PAG. 382 CHAP. 99 Of sundry of Gods blessings upon obedient people in this present life PAG. 386 CHAP. 100 Against separating from the Church of England by law established under the Kings Majesty in any manner PAG. 390 THE CHRISTIAN DIVINITY OVT OF the Divine Service CHAP. I. That there is a GOD. IN the third part of the * In the second Tome in folio page 228. Homily for Rogation Weeke it is sayd That faith is the first entry into the Christian life according as the Scripture deliuereth He a Heb. 11.6 that commeth to God must beleeue that he is and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him The * Heb. 4.2 Mal. â— â—4â— want of which beleefe is the cause that mâ—â— in these dayes are so negligent in seeking thâ—â—ord some being cold in Religion others 〈…〉 warme Some there are that say in thâ—â— b Psal 14. â— hearts there is no God through c Psal 10. â— their priâ—â— they will not seeke after him God is not in all their thoughts Sundry others there are which though they doe d Titus 1.16 with their mouthes professe to know God in their Workes they deny him being abhominable and disobedient and vnto euery good Worke * Or voyde of Iudgement as the Margent hath it Reprobate That there is a God it needeth no demonstration for euery e Psalme 19.3 Nation on the face of the whole Earth doth acknowledge it There was neuer any one borne into the world Rom. 10.18 Nulla est gens tam barbara quae non fateatur esse aliquem Deum adeò quidem vt homines falsum Deum haebere inalint quà m nulluâ— omnino tam alte nimiruÌ„ sensus divinitatis indit incordibus nostris Ciceâ—o which at one time or another if he or she liued vnto ripe yeares testified f Rom. 2.15 Act. 14.7 not vnto it It is a principle or g Iohn 1.9 light which God hath set in euery Humane soule That sayth the Apostle which h Rom. 1.19.20 is naturally knowne of God is manifest in mankinde for God hath shewed it vnto them For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearely seene being vnderstood by the things that are made euen his eternall power and Godhead so that they are without excuse The i Psal 9 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thâ—â—yâ—â—â—des iudgments which euen in all ages come vpon wilfull breakers of Gods Lawes as on Traytors on such as breake their lawfull oathes or take false oathes Also the iudgments on wilfull murderers who being apprehended and examined commonly cannot but confesse their deed also on Blasphemers and the k 〈◊〉 5 9. like declare plainely that there is a Righteous most mighty power though in his Essence or being he is l 〈◊〉 â—1 27 vnseene to al eyes of flesh on Earth Also the m Heb. 〈…〉 horrours and terrours which come into the hearts of such as liue wilfully disobedient to Gods Lawes and especially when as 〈◊〉 haue n Mat 27.37 〈…〉 10. committed some great Wickednesse The o Acts 2.37 heaâ—â— and â—â—ings and the p Wisd 17.11 Conscience remorses the inward q Gen. 3.10 Rom. 6.21 â—â—â—me which followeth after transgressing of Gods euerlasting Law and the like Effects shew the r Colos 1.29 Iob 33.14.15.16.17.18.29.30 working of the infinite Godhead in the minds of Mankind Vnto this God blessed for euer the Church sayth Å¿ In Saint Ambrose his song All the earth doth worship thee the Father euerlasting To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heauens and all the powers therein To theâ— Cherubin and Seraphin continually do cry Holy holy holy Lord God of * Or hosts See Rom. 9 29. with Isa 1.9 Sabaoth Heauen and earth is full of the Maiesty of thy glory CHAP. 2. That there is a Trinity in the Godhead In Hebraico Bibliorum exemplari non rarò Trinitatis mysterium significatur vti in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iob. 35.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 149.2 vide Isa 54.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Eccles 12.1 IN the Athanasian Creed it is sayd The Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinitie and Trinitie in Vnitie Neither confounding the persons nor diuiding the substance For there is one person of the Father another of the Sonne and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost is all one * Ioh. 10.30 Ioh. 17.22 the glory equall the Maiestie co-eternall Saint Iohn sayth t 1. Ioh. 5.7 There are three which beare record in Heauen the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Saint Mathew sayth u Mat. 3.16.17 Tetragranimaton ut Author est Galatinus in Targum antiâ—â—itus scriptum erat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad Trinitatis divinae mysterium inunondum When Iesus was baptized of Iohn he went vp straight way out of the water And loe the Heauens were opened vnto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Doue and lighting vhon him And loe a voyce from Heauen saying This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased There was Iesus the Sonne in his humane nature baptized with water There was the Holy Ghost descending like a Doue and lighting vpon him There was the Father speaking from heauen and saying This is my beloued Sonne And in the name of each person of the Trinity Christ commaunded his Ministers to baptize saying * Mat. 28.19 Goe yee and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost The Church in the Preface to be read vpon the feast of the Trinity onely Singula sunt in singulis omnia in â—â—ngulis singula in omnibus omnia in omnibus unum omnia Qui videt hoc vel ex parte vel per speculum in aenigmate gaudeat cognoscens Deum sic ut Deum honoret gratias agat Qui autem non videt tendat per pietatem ad videndum non per caecitatem ad calumniandum quoniam unus est Deus sed tamen Trinitas nec confuse accipiendum est ex quo omnia per quem omnia in quo omnia nec dijs multis sed ipsi gloria in secula seculorum August lâ—bro sexto de Trinitate capite ultimo teacheth vs to say It is very meete right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places giue thankes to thee O Lord Almighty and euerlasting God which art one God one Lord not one onely Person but three Persons in one substance For that which we beleeue of the glory of the Father the same we beleeue of
or * Is 52.15 sprinkled with it in the w Mat. 28.19 name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost And that the inward and spirituall grace thereof is a death unto sinne and a new birth unto righteousnesse for being by nature x Ps 51.5 Iob 14.4 borne in sinne and the Children of y Eph. 2.3 wrath we are hereby made the z Gal. 3.26 27. Children of grace The necessity of this Sacrament is shewed in the beginning of the service thereof where it is said For as much as all men bee conceived and borne in sinne and that our Saviour Christ saith None can enter into the Kingdome of God except he be regenerate and borne anew of a Iohn 3.5 water and of the holy Ghost I beseech you to call upon God the Father through our Lord Iesus Christ that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to these children that thing which by nature they cannot have that they may be baptized with water and the holy b Mat. 3.11 Mar. 10.14 15 16. Ghost and received into Christs holy Church and be made lively members of the same The benefits of baptisme are in the Service thereof by many speeches signified It is said to be a Christning as in the Rubricke of private baptisme where it is said The Minister shall not Christen the child againe but c. In Baptisme a child receiveth Christendome and being baptized is pronounced to be a Christian as we are taught to say in our Catechisme In my baptisme wherein I was made a member of Christ the Child of God and an c Gal. 3.29 inheritour of the kingdome of heaven In the Service of private baptisme the Minister is to pronounce concerning a child lawfully and sufficiently baptized That he being borne in Originall sin and in the wrath of God is now by the d Tit. 3.9 Eph. 5.26 Laver of regeneration in baptisme received into the number of the children of GOD and heires of everlasting life And then afterward he is to say Doubt ye not therefore but earnestly beleeve that he that favourably received this present infant that he hath embraced him with the armes of his mercy that he hath given him the e Mar. 10.16 14. blessing of eternall life and made him partaker of his f Heb. 12.28 everlasting kingdome The Service saith of a Child baptized That he is regenerate by Gods holy Spirit and graffed into the g 1 Cor. 12.13 body of Christs congregation and received for Gods owne Childe by adoption In the first prayer of confirmation it is signified that in baptisme is received the h Col. 2.12 13 14. forgivenesse of all sinnes And in the Rubricke next afore the Catechisme it is said That it is certaine by Gods Word that children being baptized have all things necessary for their salvation and be undoubtedly i Rom. 8.1 Gal. 3.27 saved The first part of the Homily of salvation addeth * â— 1. p. 13. And dying in their k Mar. 10.14 Act. 2.39 Gen. 17.7 infancy The Divine Service also delivereth That baptisme doth represent unto us our profession namely when we come to discretion which is to follow the l Pet. 2.21 Epâ— â— 1 2. Iohn 3.15 1 â—oâ— 11.1 example of our Saviour Christ and to be made m 〈◊〉 â— â— 29 like unto him that as he dyed and rose againe for u Roâ— 25. us so should we which are baptized o Rom. 6.3 4 5 6 7 8 11 13. die from sinne and rise againe unto righteousnesse continually p Col. 3.5 mortifying all our evill and corrupt affections and dayly q 2 Cor. 4.16 2 Thes 1.3 1 Pet. 1.15 proceeding in all vertue and godlinesse of living Saint Paul saith to the Romanes r Rom 6.3 c. Know yee not that so many of us as were baptized into Iesus Christ were baptized into his death Therefore we are buried with him by baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by glory of the Father even so wee also should walke in newnesse of life For if wee have beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall bee also in the likenesse of his resurrection And to the Galatians hee saith Å¿ Gal. 3.27 As many of you as have beene baptized into Christ have put on Christ Wherefore to the Romanes he saith t Rom 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit And to the baptized Corinthians hee saith u 1 Cor. 6.11 yee are washed yee are sanctified yee are justified in the Name of the Lord Iesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God Also to Titus hee saith w Tit. 3.5 Not by workes of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercie hee hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost And againe to the Corinthians he saith x 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit are wee all baptized into one body To the Colossians he saith y Col. 2.12 13 14. Ye are buried with Christ in Baptisme wherein also yee are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath he quickned together with him having forgiven you all trespasses CHAP. 52. Of Godfathers and Godmothers IN the most sacred Catechisme a question is Why are infants baptized when by reason of their tender age they cannot performe repentance and faith The answere is Yes they doe performe them by their sureties who promise and vow them both in their names which when they come to age themselves are bound to performe In the Service of publike Baptisme the Priest having signified to the Godfathers Godmothers what promise Christ for his part will most surely keepe and performe saith withall Wherefore after this promise made by Christ these infants must also faithfully for their part promise by you that bee their sureties that they will forsake the Devill and all his workes and constantly beleeve Gods holy Word and obediently keepe his Commandements In the Service of private Baptisme The Priest is to say unto the Sureties z Gen. 17.11 Gen. 18.19 Doest thou in the name of this Childe for sake the Devill and all his workes the vaine pompe and glory of the world with all the covetous desires of the same the carnall desires of the flesh and not to follow and be led by them And doest thou in the name of this child professe this faith to beleeve in God the Father Almighty c. And in the Exhortation to the sureties we may see most cleerely to what a godly purpose holy Church hath ordained them where it is said You must remember that it is your part and duty to see that this infant be taught so
as the Leviticall had t Heb. 8.5 and 10.1 shaddowes of the same Melchizedec Priest of the most high God bringing foorth bread and Wine vnto Abraham ministred vnto him therein u Pro. 9.5 bread and Wine euen the Body and Blood of Iesus Christ The mystery whereof Melchizedec knew and all Priests that were of his Order if there were any thereof afore or after him Saint Paul sayd to the Corinthians That w 1 Cor. 10.2 3.4 the Fathers were all Baptized vnto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea And did all eate the same Spiritual meat and did all drinke the same Spirituall drinke For they dranke of that Spirituall Rocke which followeth them and that Rocke was Christ Also all the people of God that liued after the fall vntill the Incarnation of our Lord Iesus Christ had their Faith in that Seed which was promised that it should bruise the Serpents head and x Rom. 16.20 bruise Sathan vnder their Feete y Heb. 13.8 Iesus Christ according to his eternall Divine nature the same yesterday and to day and for euer CHAP. 14. Of the Arke which Noah built and of other things in the Story of the olde Testament IN the first Prayer for publicke Baptisme the Church sayth Almighty and Euerlasting God which of thy great mercy diddest saue Noah and his Family in the * Genesis 7.23 Arke from perishing by Water and also diddest safely leade the children of Israel thy people through the red sea figuring thereby thy holy baptisme and by the baptisme of thy well beloued Sonne Iesus Christ diddest sanctifie the floud * Mar. 1.9 Iordan and all other waters to the mysticall washing away of sinne c. And in the first part of the * Tom. 1. p. 69. Homily concerning good order and obedience to Rulers and Magistrates it is sayd Where there is no right order there reigneth all abuse carnall liberty enormity sinne and Babylonicall confusion By which deliueries and sundry other of like nature in the Diuine Seruice Holy Church doth teach vs not onely to beleeue the truth of the histories in holy Writ but also to learne that spirituall matters were figured forth by them Saint Paul hauing mentioned to the Corinthians the Israelites Fathers passing through the sea out of Egypt into the Wildernesse towards the land of Chanaan and what befell sundry in the wildernesse addeth z 1. Cor. 10.11 Now all these things happened vnto them for * Or Types as in the margent In 1. Cor. 10.6 it is sayd Now these thinges were our examples or figures as in the margent ensamples and they are written for our admonition vpon whom the ends of the world are come Likewise he writing to the Galatians concerning Abraham Sarah Isaac Hagar and Ismael sayth a Gal. 4.24 Which things are an Allegory or whereby other things are also meant for these are the two * Or the two Testamenâ—s as it is read in the margent Couenants c. Saint Peter sayth b 1. Pet. 3.20.21 The long suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah while the Arke was a preparing wherein a few that is eight soules were saued by water The like figure whereunto euen Baptisme doth also now saue vs not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answere of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ Saint Iohn sayd also of Gods two witnesses slaine That their c Reuel 11.8 dead bodies should lye in the streetes of the great Citty which spiritually is called Sodome and Egypt where also our Lord was crucified Yea and sundry of Moses Lawes besides the Leuiticall ceremonies had a further meaning than the grammaticall or literall sense onely as Paul sayd It is written in the law of Moses Thou shalt not d 1. Cor. 9.9.10.11 muzzle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne Doth God take care for Oxen Or saith he it altogether for our sakes For our sakes no doubt this is written That he which ploweth should plow in hope and that he which thresheth in hope should be partaker of the hope If wee haue sowen vnto you spirituall things is it a great thing if we shall reape your carnall things In the aforesayd Prayer and Homily The words Arke Babylonicall Red sea sloud Iordan and Land are intimated to haue a spirituall signification Dauid in the Psalmes and euen all the Prophets doe in their writings often vse Moses his words in a mysticall sense as e Psal 143.10 Leade mee into the land of vprightnesse And f Psal 116.9 I will walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing And g Psal 89.15 With Num. 10.6 Whitherto the marginall quotation referreth See Num. 23.21 Blessed is the people that knoweth the ioyfull sound They shall walke O Lord in the light of thy countenance CHAP. 15. Of Circumcision IN the * T. 2. p. 134. Homily concerning Common Prayer and Sacraments it is sayd Circumcision was a Sacrament which preached vnto the outward senses the inward cutting away of the fore-skinne of the heart and sealed and made sure in the hearts of the circumcised the promise of God touching the promised seed that they looked for It was first prescribed vnto Abraham as it is written h Gen. 17.11.13 Ye shall circumcise the flesh of your fore-skinne and it shall be a token of the couenant betwixt you and me And my couenant shall be in your flesh for an euerlasting couenant The which Sacraments signification Moses taught the Iewes exhorting them saying i Deut. 10.16 Circumcise the fore-skinne of your heart and be no more stiffe necked Saint Paul sayth to the Romanes k Rom. 4.11 Abraham receiued the signe of circumcision a seale of the righteousnes of the faith which he had yet being vncircumcised Also he saith l Rom. 15.8 That Iesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirme the promise made vnto the Fathers And to the Colossians the Apostle further sayth m Col. 2.11 In Christ yee are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sinnes of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ To the Romans he declareth n Rom. 2.28 29 That he is not a Iew which is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outwardly in the flesh but he is a Iew which is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God There is a memorable sentence concerning circumcision in an ancient booke of the Iewes called Zohar wherein it is sayd * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We haue learned that at what time soeuer when any one shall be marked with this holy sealing or signing of this signe of circumcision from that time he hath a sight of God and the holy soule is vnited with him This
the likenesse of fiery k Acts 2.2.3.4 tongues lighting vpon the Apostles to teach them and to leade them to all l Ioh. 16.13 Truth giuing them both the gift of diuerse Languages and also boldnesse with feruent Zeale constantly to preach the Gospell vnto all m Mar. 16.15 Nations whereby wee are brought out of darknesse and errour into the cleere n 1. Pet. 2 9. Math. 4.16 light and true knowledge of God the Father and his Sonne Iesus Christ It is sayd in the first part of the * Tom. 2. p. 208.209 Homily for Whitsunday As there are three seuerall and sundry persons in the Deity so haue they three seuerall and sundry offices proper vnto each of them The Father to create the Sonne to redeeme the Holy Ghost to sanctifie and regenerate Whereof the last the more it is o Ioh. 3 4. hidde from our vnderstanding the more it ought to moue all men to wonder at the secret and mighty working of Gods Holy Spirit which is within vs. For it is the Holy Ghost and no other thing that doth p Ioh. 6.63 quicken the mindes of men stirring vp good and godly motions in their heartes which are agreeable to the will and Commaundement of God such as otherwise of their owne crooked and peruerse nature they should neuer haue The power of the Holy Ghost is to regenerate men and as it were to bring them foorth anewe so that they shall bee q 2. Cor. 5.17 nothing like the men that they were before Neither doth hee thinke it sufficient inwardly to worke the spirituall and new birth of man vnlesse hee doe also dwell and abide in him r 1. Cor. 3.16 and 6.19 Knowe yee not sayth Saint Paul that yee are the Temple of God and that his Spirit dwelleth in you Knowe yee not that your bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost which is within you Againe he sayth Å¿ Rom. 8.9 You are not in the flesh but in the spirite For why The Spirite of God dwelleth in you To this agreeth the Doctrine of Saint Iohn writing in this wise The t 1. Ioh. 2.27 Annoynting which yee haue receiued hee meaneth the Holy Ghost dwelleth in you And the Doctrine of Saint Peter sayth the same who hath these wordes The Spirite u 1. Pet. 4.14 of glory and of God resteth vpon you O what comfort is this to the heart of a true Christian to thinke that the Holy Ghost w Rom. 8.9.10 11. dwelleth within him In the second part of the aforesayd * P. 212. Homily it is also sayd That our Sauiour Iesus Christ departing out of the world vnto his Father promised his Disciples to send downe x Ioh. 14.16 another Comforter which should continue with them for euer and direct them into all truth Neither must we thinke that this Comforter was either promised or else giuen only to the Apostles but also to the * 1. Cor. 12.3.13 Vniuersall Church of Christ dispersed through the world for vnles the Holy Ghost had bin alwayes present gouerning and preseruing the Church from the beginning it could neuer haue sustained so many and so great brunts of affliction and persecution with so little damage and harme as it hath Saint Paul sayth y Rom. 8.9 If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ the same is none of his Hereby then it is euident and plaine to all men that the Holy Ghost was giuen not onely to the Apostles but also to the whole body of Christs Congregation although not in like forme and Maiestie as he came downe at the Feast of Pentecost The Lord hath sayd by his Prophet Isaiah z Isa 59.20.21 The Redeemer shall come to Sion and vnto them that turne from transgression in Iacob As for me this is my couenant with them sayth the Lord My Spirit that is vpon thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seede nor out of the mouth of thy seedes seede sayth the Lord from henceforth and for euer The need we haue of Gods holy Spirit is signified in the Collect to be read on the fift Sunday after Easter where it is sayd Lord from whom all good things doe come graunt vs thy humble seruants that by thy holy inspiration we may a â—hil 2.13 thinke those things which be good and by thy mercifull b Psal 143.10 Psal 25.5.9 guiding may performe the same through Iesus Christ our Lord. Likewise in the Collect to bee read afore the ten Commandements Almighty God vnto whom all hearts be c Acts 1.24 open all desires knowne and from whom no secrets are hid cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy holy Spirit that we may perfectly loue thee and worthily magnifie thy holy Name through Christ our Lord. The holy Ghost commeth downe into the spirite of Gods people in sundry measures and degrees It is in some measure receiued in Baptisme and therefore in the Seruice for Baptisme it is prayed that the party to be baptized may be baptized with water and the d Mat. 3 11. Holy Ghost c. It is also receiued in e Acts 8.15.16.17 Bishopping or Confirmation And therefore in the seruice thereof it is prayed Strengthen them we beseech thee O Lord with the Holy Ghost the comforter And in the act of Confirmation when the Bishop layeth his hand on the party to bee Confirmed it is sayd Defend O Lord this child with thy heauenly grace that hee may continue thine for euer and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more vntill he come to thine euerlasting Kingdome It is also receiued in the Communion as sayth the * Tom. 2. p. 192 Homily of the Resurrection Thou hast receiued Christs body to haue within thee the Father Sonne and Holy f 1. Cor. 12.13 Ghost for to dwell with thee and to endow thee with grace to strengthen thee against thine enemies and to comfort thee with their presence And in the same * Pag. 193. Homily it is sayd How can we find in our harts to shew such extreame vnkindnesse to Christ who hath now so gently called vs to mercy and offered himselfe vnto vs and he now g Ioh. 6.56 entred within vs Yea how dare we be so bold to renounce the presence of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost For where one is there is God all whole in Maiesty together with all his power wisedome and goodnesse By other ordinances of God the holy Ghost is more and more receiued as by Prayer c. according as Christ saith h Luke 11.13 Your heauenly Father will giue the Holy Spirit to them that aske him And likewise S. Peter with the other Holy Apostles hath declared to what conditioned people God doth send downe his Holy Spirit more and more where hee sayth i Acts 5.32
is said While wee have time as Saint Paul exhorteth let us doe good unto y Gal. 6.10 all men and not z Mat 6.19 lay up our treasures in earth where rust and mothes corrupt it which rust as Saint Iames saith shall beare a Iam. 5.3 witnesse against us at the great day condemne us and shall like most burning fire torment our flesh Let us beware therefore as we tender our owne wealth that we be not in the number of those miserable covetous and wretched men which Saint Iames biddeth b Iam. 5.1 mourne and lament for their greedy gathering and ungodly keeping of goods Let us be wise in time and learne to follow the wise c Luke 16.8 example of the wicked Steward Let us study daily and diligently to shew our selves to be the true honourers and lovers of God by d Ioh. 14.15.21.23.24 keeping of his Commandements by doing of e 1 Thes 5.15 good deeds unto our needy neighbours f Rom. 12.13 Relieving by all meanes that we can their poverty with our abundance and plenty their g 1 Pet. 4.10 Iam. 5.19.20 Isa 30.4 Ignorance with our wisedome and learning and h 1 Thes 5.14 Isa 1.17 comfort their weakenesse with our strength and authority calling all men backe from evill doing by i Lev. 19.17 godly counsell and good k Phil. 2.15.16 Mat. 5.16 1 Tim. 4.12 example l Gal. 6.9 Rev. 2.10 persevering still in well doing so long as we live In the fourth part of the * T. 2. p. 237. Homily for Rogation weeke it is said Love equitie and m Prov. 15.9 Ier. 8.24 Wis 1.1 Micah 6.8 Mat. 23.23 righteousnesse ensue mercie and charity which God most n Lev. 19.9.10 Lev. 23.22 Dout. 24.19.20.21.22 requireth at our hands Which Almighty God respecting chiefly in making his Civill Lawes for his people the Israelites in charging the owners not to gather up their Corne too nigh at harvest season nor the Grapes and Olives in gathering time but to leave behind some eares of Corne for the n Lev. 19.9.10 Lev. 23.22 Dout. 24.19.20.21.22 poore Gleaners By this hee meant to induce them to pitty the Poore to relieve the needy to shew mercie and kindnesse It cannot bee o Prov. 19.17 lost which for his sake is distributed to the Poore For hee which p 2 Cor. 9.10 ministreth seed to the sower and bread to the hungry which sendeth downe the early and latter q Iam. 5.7 raine upon your fields so to r Prov. 3.10 fill up the Barnes with Corne and the Wine-presses with Wine and Oyle he I say who ſ Luk. 14.13.14 recompenceth all kinde of benefits in the resurrection of the just he will assuredly recompence t Mat. 10.42 all mercifull deeds shewed to the needy howsoever unable the poore is upon whom it is bestowed Iesus Christ said to the Pharises But rather give u Luke 11.41 Almes of such things as you have And behold all things are cleane unto you The Prophet Daniel said unto Nebuchadnezzar Breake off thy sinnes by righteousnesse and thine iniquities by w Dan. 4.27 shewing mercy to the poore if it may be a lengthning of thy tranquillity The Church hath gathered most memorable sentences out of the Scripture concerning Almes-giving and inserted them betweene the Nicene Creed the prayer for the whole estate of Christs Church Militant here on earth and in the rubricke immediately following it addeth Thē shall the Church-wardens or some other by them appointed gather the devotion of the people and put the same into the Poore mans Boxe c. Where Almes-giving is said to bee devotion because it is a maine duty in the Christian Religion as S. Iames saith Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this To x Iam. 1.27 visit the Fatherlesse and Widows in their affliction and to keepe ones selfe unspotted from the world The praise of Cornelius is That he was a devout man and one that feared God with all his house which gave much y Acts. 10.24 Almes to the people and prayed to God alway The praise of Dorcas is that shee was full of good workes and z Acts 9.36 Almes deeds which shee did Cast thy a Eccles. 11.12 bread saith Salomon upon the waters For after many dayes thou shalt finde it A good man saith David hath dispersed hee hath given to the poore his righteousnesse endureth for ever Saint Iohn saith c 1 Ioh. 3 17. Whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother hath need shutteth up his bowles of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Tobias saith Give d Tob. 4.7.8 c. Almes of thy substance and when thou givest Almes let not thine eyes be envious neither turne thy face from any poore and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee If thou hast abundance give Almes accordingly if thou have but a little bee not afraid to give according to that little c. For the farthing which the poore widdow gave was greatly e Mark 12.42.43.44 accepted as testifieth Iesus Christ the truth eternall Let every true Christian diligently often reade through the whole Homily of Almes-deeds CHAP. 77. Of Fasting IN the first part of the * T. 2 p 81. Homily of Fasting it is said The life which we live in this world is of the free benefit of God f Rev. 2 2◠2 Cor. 5.15 lent us yet not to use it at our pleasure after our owne fleshly will but to trade over the same in those workes which are beseeming them that are become g 2 Cor. 5.17 new creatures in Christ And * P. 82. There are two sorts so Fasting afterward it is said Fasting which is found in the Scriptures is of two sorts The one outward pertaining to the body the other inward in the heart and minde This outward Fast is an abstinence from meate drinke and all naturall b Ps 112.6 2 Cor. 9.9 food yea from all delitious h Isa 58.3 pleasures and * Leu. 23.29 delectations worldly When this outward Fast pertaineth to one particular man or to a few and not the whole number of the people for causes which hereafter shall be declared then it is called a private Fast But when the whole multitude of men women and children in a towne-ship City yea though a whole country do fast it is called a publike Fast Such was that Fast which the whole Multitude of the children of Israel were cōmanded to keep the i Leu. 23.27.28.29.30.31.32 tenth day of the seventh moneth because Almighty God appointed that day to be a cleansing day a day of atonement a time of reconciliation a day wherein people were cleansed from their sinnes The order and manner how it was done is written in 16. and 23 Chapters of Leviticus That day the people did lament