in our youthfull dayes to betake our selues vnto Gods seruice then to fast and pray then to curbe in their rebellious appetites how shall wee doe it in our olde doting yeeres when as our bodies shall haue more need of cherishing then of chastening more neede of feasts then of fasts if we find it vnpleasant now to grub vp the root of sinne after two or three yeeres groth how more hard and vnpleasant will it bee for vs when twentie yeers more shall be adioyned vnto them I it not a part of folly in that man who shall lead a score of lusti horses in his hand and ride him selfe on some poore thinne and carinous iade scarce able to vphold her selfe and yet suffer all those strong ones to go emptie and surely no lesse foolish and vnreasonable is hee who passeth ouer idly the lustie time of his life and reserueth all the labour for feeble old age yet this is the course and custome almost of all sorts of people to desire companie for to passe the time away when as there is nothing so sure as this that is how that wee must all answere for euerie moment of time which is vainly past what saith Gods book my soule is reserued for him who spends his daies idlely and doth not passe his time well Ecch. Hell SECT 36. A meditation on Christs miracle which he wrought in Cana of Galiley O Mercifull Lord and Sauiour vphold me that I fall not whose legges are as pillars of marble set vpon sockets of fine gold Cant. 5. whose countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars the first miracle which thou wroughtest was at a marriage in Cana of Galile Iohn 2. when thou there diddest turne sixe stone pots filled vp to the brim with vvater into vvine when the wine failed so vvotke in my heart O Lord that all my vveak and vvaterish prayers vvherein is no strength or force may by thy holy spirit be tourned into such as may pearse the cloudes and that the strong sauour therof may ascend vp into thy nostrils and be a svveete smelling sacrifice vnto thee O thou may strength and my redeemer And as Lord thou diddest keepe the best vvine vntill the last so grant that vve likevvise vvaxe better and better O that vve grovv vp from grace to grace and not wax worse and worse that wee liue not more ciuill and sober in our tender yeares then in our old age that wee keepe not the worst of our seruice vntill the last but still couet to please thee euerie day better and better euen from the day of our Birth vnto the houre of death SECT 37. To be content I See that the Diuell doth still follow his old trade of iuggling he hath cast a glozing figure to dazel our eyes and with hay pas and repas he hath deceiued vs all for hee is not a stout and valiant man who striketh first but rather he who when he is strooke striketh not againe takes all blowes patiently vntill iust occasion of reuenge shall be offered him Hee is not a wiseman whose mouth is filled with prittle prattele who rowles out reproachfull quips and iests but rather hee who loueth silence that pythy-pythigoricall and excellent institution and hee is not a rich and wealthie man whose trunkes are filled with golde whose grounds are stuft vp with cattell whose lands are laden with corne except he bee therewith content but rather he who liues all the weeke contentedly through meare pouertie with a messe of water-gruel a dinner of greene hearbs saith Salomon with content Pro. 15.17 is better then a stalled Oxe what shall riches profit a man August in 3. lib. de lib. Arbit nothing for therein hangs couetousnesse which is Insatiabilis cupido an vnsatiable lusting or an vnquenchable thirsting afterriches If this be so thē amongst al other men I solie wonder at the couetous yet not because they bee couetus not because they mē be but because they be monsters and why monsters for that they haue more then euer nature gaue them I see then that the Diuell will helpe nature at a pinch yea and pinch nature at a helpe too if at one time hee strokes thin head besure at some other time hee will strike thy backe what though hee seemes to play with thee now be bolde hee will pay thee home anon SECT 38. The couetousnesse of this age VVEE all play the Arithmeticians wee vse to set down the figure of one with three naughts and that say wee stands for a thousand if we doe one good deede with three bad nay with an hundred bad wee thinke we haue done a thousand good deeds and that wee haue deserued heauen with our good workes The couetous mans nature is such Seneca Epist 73. that when as God doth cast them downe a blessing from heauen they swallow it downe with open chaps without taking any delight or pleasure at all therewith and are as ready like greedie dogges to receiue a second morsell as if they had left the former Let me then giue them a little councell by the way that is to tell them this that he that eateth and drinketh too much and therewith surfeits sends to the Physitions with all speed asking them what disease it is what griefe it is and howe the paine may be mittigated the Phisition presently returneth backward and bids them vomit telling him that hee shall finde that to be the best and withall a verie present remedy and what would not the Physitian of the soule thinke yee in like manner giue the same Councell vnto that man who is sicke with couetousnesse by bidding him cast vp Eccle. 11.1 cast vpon the waters that money wherewith he did surfeit and take his sicknesse Ecch. Yes SECT 39. The reward of the couetous SVch men little regard to shorten their liues so that they may augment their riches but me thinks goods purchased with an euill name are great losse truely they are the bait of fin and the snare of the soule vnder these golden pilles is hid moste deadlye poyson though they perceiue it not Againe such men as these are good for no man and worse friends to themselues and why for that in stealing from others they robb themselues nay their owne soules of eternall happinesse SECT 40. The miserable estate of misers OFtentimes haue I seene a man wanting money yet neuer saw I money destitute of a master surely wee may not argue with the will of GOD for golde serueth sometimes to raise a man vp to honour and again sometimes to sinke down his soule in the bottomlesse pit of hell for if it may be lawful a little while to set Gods decree aside then according vnto mans reason riches are ill bestowed vpon a couetous minded man let him be a cold he is neuer the warmer cloathed if he be hungrie he is neither the better fed if he be harbourlesse he is neyther the better lodged nor yet in
their effect Tell me then my soule what that soule shall obteine in heauen which suffers crosses patiētly here on earth tell me my soule what shal there be cast vpon her Ecch. Honour SECT 120 The reward of such as are patient in troubles ANd what can bee a greater dignitie then to be cloathed with the brightnesse of GOD then to be indued with immortalitie and what can be a greater grace or an higher felicitie to any soule then to see God face to face for his face is the fulnesse of all beatitude to see him that made both heauen and earth to see him that made thy seife to see him that redeemed thee and glorified thee for in seeing him thou shalt possesse him in possessing him thou shalt loue him in louing him thou shalt praise him for hee is the inheritance of his people he is the possession of their felicitie their reward their crowne of glorie in him our soules shall finde all wisdome all beautie all riches all delight all goodnesse whatsoeuer whatsoeuer deserueth loue or admiration or worketh pleasure and contentation Briefly in this kingdome there shall bee ioy without sadnesse health without sicknesse life without labour light without darkenes felicity without abatement all goodnesse without any euill loe thus shal he be blessed that patiently indureth crosses troubles and afflictions their youth florisheth and neuer waxeth olde life that knoweth no end beautie that neuer fadeth loue that neuer cooleth health that neuer diminisheth ioy that neuer ceaseth a song of gladnesse that neuer endeth there shal we sing reioice for euer happie are they Psal 83. saith Dauid that liue in thy house for they shall praise thee eternally there shall we sing vnto that blessed Trinitie God the Father God the sonne and God the holy Ghost we shall sing and cry Aleiluia Aleiluiah world without end Awake now my soule rouse vp thy selfe and arise call to thy friends and companions that wee may all goe together and heare the spirituall talke betweene Christ and his poore afflicted members make hast my soule for I heare the comfortable speeches of my redeemer sounding in my eares alreadie A DIALOGVE BETWEENE CHRIST and his Church afflicted by which wee may easily see what Christ doth require of those that suffer persecution for his name-sake and how they ought to behaue themselues in afflictions Christus IN mee yee shall haue peace Iohn 16.33 in the world ye shal haue affliction but bee of good comfort I haue ouercome the world Ecclesia afflicta Lord increase our faith Luke 17.5 Chr. Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and laden Matt. 11.28 and I will ease you Eccl. Master to whom shall we goe to els Iohn 6.68 thou hast the words of eternall life Christ Follow me Mat. 4.19 Eccles Master I will follow thee whithersoeuer thou goest Mat. 8.19 Christ I am the good Shepheard Iohn 10.11 Eccles We were as the good sheep going astray 1 Pet. 2.25 but are now returned to the Shepheard and bishop of our soules Christ I am the light of the world Iohn 8.12 Eccles Lord lighten my eyes least they behold death Christ I am the way Iohn 14.6 Eccles Shew vs the way of thy truth Ps 119.33 teach mee O Lord the way of thy statutes and I will keepe it vnto the end Chr Blessed are ye that weep now Luke 6.21 Eccles The Lord shall wipe clean away all teares from our eyes Reuel 21. Christ Blessed are yee when men hate you Luke 6.22 Eccles If I should please men I were not the seruant of Christ Gal. 1.10 Christ Blessed are the pure in Mat. 5.8 heart for they shall see God Eccles Create in me a new heart O Lord. Psalme 50. Christ Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake Mat. 5.10 for theirs is the kingdome of heauen Eccles I suffer all thinges for the elects sake 2. Ti. 2.10 Christ Lay vp treasures for your selues in heauen Mat. 6.20 Eccl. Our conuersation is in heauē Phil. 3.20 Christ Wo be to you when all men speake well of you Luke 6.26 Eccles Wee ought rather to obey God then men Act. 5.20 Christ Reioice and be glad for great is your reward in heauen Mat. 5.12 Eccl There is laid vp for mee the crown of righteousnes 2. Tim. 4.8 which the Lord shall giue me at that day Christ My sheepe heare my voice Iohn 10.27 Eccl If an angel of heauen preach vnto vs any other gospell Gal. 1.8 let him be accursed Christ I came not to cal the righteous but sinners to repentance Mat. 9.13 Eccles This is a true saving 1. Tim. 1.15 This is a true saving and by all means worthy to be receiued that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners of whome I am the chiefe Christ If any man will follow me Mat. 16.24 let him forsake himselfe and take vp his Crosse and follow me Eccles I am able to do all things through Christ Phil. 4.13 which strengthneth me Christ He that beleeueth in mee shall neuer die Ioh. 11.26 Eccles I beleeue that thou art Christ the sonne of the liuing God Iohn ib. Christ Whosoeuer shall humble himselfe as a little childe Mat. 18 4. the same is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen Eccles Wee are vnprofitable sernants Luke 17.10 wee haue done but that which was our duetie to doe Iohn 6.32 Christ My father giueth you the true bread from heauen Eccles Lord euermore giue vs this bread John 6.34 Christ Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him Iohn 4.14 shall neuer be more a thirst Eccles Sir giue me of that water that I may not thirst Iohn 4.15 Christ Feare not my little flocke Luke 12.32 Eccles O Lord in thee haue I trusted let me neuer bee confounded Christ Pray for them that hurt you and persecute you Mat. 5.44 Eccles Lord lay not this sinne to their charge Act. 7 60 Christ Hee that loueth father or Mother more then hee loueth me Mat. 7.37 is not worthy of me Eccles When my Father and my Mother forsooke me Psal 27.10 thou Lord tookest me vp Christ I came not to send peace but the sword Mat. 10.34 Eceles Who shal seperate vs from the loue of Christ Rom. 8.35 shall tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword c. Christ Ye shall weepe and mourn but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Iohn 16.20 Eccles I account that the afflictions of this present life are not worthy of the glorie Rom. 1.18 that shall bee shewed vnto vs. Christ Where I am John 12.26 there shall also my seruant be Eccles I desire to bee loosed Phil. 1.23 and to be with Christ Christ Hee that loueth his life shall loose
any shew the more wealthyer for them what then though thou hast much land and many Lordships yet we cannot say that thou hast riches no more then wee can say this man hath an ague for truely as the feuer is said to hold and rule that man who is therewith sicke so are riches saide to gouerne that man that possesseth them riches hath him he hath not them he is still a Subiect slaue to their becke SECT 41 The little respect that worldly gluttons haue to learning in these daies THus I see againe that wee are al of vs welwillers to Arithmetike in that we all desire to learne the golden number or rather I thinke to number gold but I tell you that before wee come to heare this rule perfect we must first learne Substraction and Diuision as wel as Addition and Multiplication for without them we cannot wel handle any question and especially this one which our Maister Christ Iesus shall propound vnto vs saying Oughtest not thou also to haue had pittie on thy fellowe Mat. 18.33 euen as I had pittie on thee But alas thogh wee bee expert and excellent in the latter two rules yet in the former we are very dunces for say now a poore man neuer so well beautified vvith good qualities and learning commeth vnto a gluttonous Diues gate hee shall finde it shut Luke 16. hee may knocke often though no man answere yet perhaps the dogs may faine vpon him and licke his sores bewaile his sorrows when as if Diues himselfe vvere there he would churlishly aske what art vvhat wouldest thou haue and if then this poore man should answere crums and that he is a poor Philosopher a welwiller to learning then would hee deride and laugh him to scorne and crie Ipse licet venias musis comitatus Homere cum nihil attuleris ibis c. A lacke poore Homer alacke poore distressed soule most inhuman and vnnatural are men in these daies when as they are seruants nay bondslaues vnto filthie durt and dung Phil. 3.8 for so the Apostle Paul thinkes and they are vnsauerie and most loathsom dunghils as I thinke whereupon the earths garbage is cast Tell mee then plainely O my soule what reward or dignitie what loue amitie can hee finde there or what is it else tell me in one word that he doth purchase at each curmuggins gate Ecch. Hate SECT 42. A comfort learning in that behalfe THerefore seeing that enuy alway associates vertue enuied shall bee the hauen wherein wee will ariue at ease and land at pleasure al their slanderous mockes and reproaches reproaches and mockes in this kinde are not so much as sparkels to the one but coales to the other for though they doe ill in mocking vs we may doe well in laughing them to scorne and though they onely thinke Schollers to be but fooles Schollers yet know them to be but asses their daies nay their yeares haue beene long in this land so that now they wink and kicke against their keepers against their Pastors and Preachers Act. 9.5 although it bee hard for them to kicke against the pricks what haue I spoke truth my soule yet me thinkes that they should not for shame despise an Artist or a Scholler surely they will bid such a one welcome what will they not tell mee then what they will say to one that is skilfull in each Art and Science Eccho Hence SECT 43. Worth is respected before worthinesse now adaies INdeed for Schollers to speak learnedly vnto such as are ignorant and illiterate 1. Cor. 1.20 and 3.18 Matth. 7.6 though neuersomuch worldly wise is to cast pearles amongst swine and for Preachers to instruct those who regard it not is to giue holy things vnto dogs What hence with learning what hence with liberall Arts and Sciences why then belike they respect naught but money I hope my soule they will doe somewhat vpon fauour more then for lucre tell me for suppose a friend of myne do want a liuing what saith my soule vnto him shall not hee by fauour or friendship come by it Ecch. Buy it SECT 44. What the couetous most of all desire ALas poore Philosopher vvhat cannot thy pouertie moue them to pittie thee no nor yet thy complaints no me thinkes then that thy learning should much moue them no no must the scholler buy his liuing alas haue they no respect of him if hee be poore and in miserie tell the world then O my soule what these greedie men of the world most desire for what they holde vp their hand and still cry most vnsatiably come come againe come againe Ecch. Gaine SECT 45. God rewards the liberall giuer to the poore HE then who intends to giue must not be dismayed for the losse of one benefit but rather let him be like the Archer who when he hath lost one arrow sendeth forth another to finde the former but if this second will not preuaile he sendeth foorth a third still shooteth on vntill at length finding what hee sought retourneth home with ioy One good turne will not returne so soone into our bosome as we expect One good turne one benefite must bring in another and therfore if wee cast our bread vpon the waters with Solomon wee shall find it at length cast vp vpon the shore with him where euery man shall haue his share according to his workes in this life whether they be good or euill 2. Cor. 5. if good he shall finde them increased his bread shall be swollen thrice as bigge as it was when it was first cast on when a cup of cold water shall not loose his reward this then is the best vsurie of all SECT 46. The prayse of liberalitie VErely I haue thought with my selfe oftentimes that man hath beene far worse then the bruit beast or sencelesse creature for the moone giueth that light vnto the world which she receiueth of the Sunne yet men will not bestowe part of those blessings receiued of God vnto the benefit of their poore distressed brethren But alas they consider not that the deeds of the liberall doe more profit the giuer then benefit the receiuer he that receiueth receiueth only a temporall benefit when as he that giueth receiueth for his gift an eternall blessing to doe good vnto poore men is a threefold sacrifice the first to God the second to the man impouerished and the last and greatest vnto himselfe nay vnto his own soule if done with a true sincere affection of the heart and not meritoriously SECT 47. On the same with a meditation on the words of Christ where he saith It is easier for a cable rope to goe c. OVr Sauiour Christ saith that it is easier for a cable rope to goe through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heauen yet let no rich man dispaire for a cable may easily goe thorow the eye of a needle but then thus it must be worked
this rope must bee vnplatted vntwisted and deuided and thread must be drawen after thread vntill at length the whole rope bee brought through so likewise the rich man must diuide his subsubstance and giue it to the poore he must cast here a penny and there a pennie here a piece of bread and there a piece of bread here a loafe vpon this water and there a loase vpon that water for surely there is no vertue better then liberalitie vnto the setting forth of Gods glorie and vnto the purchasing of good will among all men praise and renowne doe alwaies abide in the porch of a cheereful giuer here the oppressed is comforted here the sicke is succoured here the wounded is salued here the hungry is fed nay in general tell me my soule how is hee here dealt withall that is any way pained or diseased Ecch. Eased SECT 48. We cannot serue God and riches IF wee cannot serue two maisters that are of a contrary nature and essence Matt. 6.24 then surely we cannot serue God Mammon God and riches and know we not that Arist Omne graue tendit deorsùm euery heauie bodie tendeth and bendeth downeward downe ward I meane to the center of the earth then surely if we intend to arise with Christ and not bee hindred in our aspiring vpward we must cast off from our heares the loue of those earthly bodies those lumpish earthie things and mortifie our members which are on the earth Collos 3.4.5 which hold and keepe vs from the true and liuely worshipping of God God in the beginning made vs sound and free putting nothing before our eyes which might intice vs vnto couetousnesse he put gold and siluer vnder our feet because we should loath kicke it and tread vpon it he put Iron amongst it because we should know that it breeds discord dissention and discontent who then would thinke that man should find it out that man should find out his owne destruction yea and goe so farre and seeke narrowly for it in the earth and thereon set his whole delight when as he knowes not how soone he shall depart from it or it bee tooke from him and seeing that Os homini sublime dedit c. he made mans face to looke vp towards heauen and only to haue his eyes fixed on celestial things SECT 49. We must leaue all behind vs. ME thinks I see here an vrchin or an hedgehog vnder a crab tree rowling his back full of crabs and yet is not therwith contented but for couetousnesse sake taketh one in his mouth too but now againe me thinkes seeing him running into his hole wipes them all off and carrieth only one with him and that is in his mouth I meane one poore and naked soule Naked saith Iob came I out of my mothers wombe and naked shall I returne againe what foolish asses then are they that will gaule their soules with the cariage of treasures when as in the end of their iourney it shall bee taken from them they themselues turned off into that colde stable where is nothing els but gnashing of teeth nothing shal be left behind with them there but their gald backs their wounded conscience which their heauie packes of gold and siluer haue made many yeeres before being carried about with them without euer any vnloading of them and resting or refreshing of their brused soules and what my soule is not this a great part of follies and of foolish madnes Ecch. Yes SECT 50. A meditation on Christs clensing of the leper O Pittifull Christ O sweet Sauiour cant 5. whose cheekes are as a bed of spices as sweet flowers whose lips are like lillies dropping downe pure mirrhe hee scorned not to take vpon him our infirmities and to beare our sicknesses he gaue sight to the blind Matth. 8. limbs to the lame and cleannesse to the leper hee loathed not to put forth his hand for to touch his leprosie and to tell him I will be thou cleane the Law my Lord forbids any one to touch the vncleane why diddest thou then O◠but thou wast aboue the law thou madest the Law therefore it was in thine owne power to obey it or not he touched not the leper for that hee could not without touching make him cleane but because wee faithlesse soules should see that he was not subiect to the Law and that hee did not feare the contagion as mortall men doe and that hee could not be stained there-with who healed others he touched the Leaper that thereby hee might teach vs humilitie and compassion not despise any not to abhorre any and not to hold any as contemptible for any disease of their bodies My sweete Lord when the Leapers cryed if thou wilt thou canst make mee cleane how ready wast thou to answere him I will bee thou cleane he returned him an answere before he had halfe vttered his sorrowfull request thou canst make me cleane he answered him like an Eccho bee thou cleane I will be thou clean thou beleeuest wel and therefore wel thou shalt be clensed thou puttest no doubt in thy beleefe and I will make no delay to heale thee thou sayest vnto mee if thou wilt behold I wil thou sayest thou canst make me cleane I say to thee bee thou cleane Oh heauenly answere an answere of admirable clemency an answere of wonderfull pittie and no lesse then of diuine vertue mercie that hee that was pure the fountaine of all purenesse nay puritie it selfe should thus touch the vncleane that hee which was omnipotent should thus touch the weake and impotent SECT 51. Another on the clensing of the ten Leapers and of their vnthankefulnesse AGaine we may read in the Gospel by saint Luke Luk 17.17 how that he healed tenne other Leapers whereof nine of them were as vnthankeful for their clensing as wee poore leprous soules are for any benefit that wee receiue at his hands which made our Sauiour Christ say thus there are ten clensed but where are the nine there are none found that returned to giue God praise saue onely this straunger Leuit. 13.2.3.45.46 giue mee leaue a little therfore to chide these nine for their vnthankefulnesse that so chiding them we our selues may be ashamed of our owne ingratitude O vnthankefull Leapers I tell you that before you came to Christ ye had a couering vppon your lips but now it being put away and hauing free libertie to speak me thinkes you should returne backe and glorifie the name of God before you came to Christ you were separated from the companie of all men but now hauing authoritie to goe where you list why do you not now go and fall downe at his feete and giue him thankes with that one Samaritan and before you came to Christ you were openly proclaimed vncleane you were vncleane but now being clensed me thinkes you should sing holy holy holy with a pure cleane and sanctified soule O yee vnthankefull Leapers had yee