252. Crueltie Folio 496. 499. 784. Conference Folio 554. Sirituall Combate Folio 735. D. DEath of Christ Folio 164. 179. Directing Folio 1â—7 Doctrine Folio 215. 220. 231. 278. Fleshly Desires Folio 216. Deceites of the world Folio 216 Dissention Discord Folio 216. 232. Diseases of the mind Folio 216. Death Folio 217. 219. 232. 233. 241. 450. 721. 771. Decree of God Folio 217. Decrease of holinesse Folio 218. Displeasure of God Folio 219. Delight Folio 219. Discipline Folio 220. Drunkards Drunkennesse Folio 221. 222. Diet of the soule Folio 223. Desertion spirituall Folio 231. 331. 412. 848. Death of sinne Folio 231. Diuell Folio 232. Desires heauenly Folio 241. Dauncing Folio 242. Diuines Folio 244. Damnation Folio 558. 727 Prayer for the Dead Folio 581. Deferring of repentance Folio 631. Death in the Lord. Folio 731. Deliuerance from trouble Folio 763. E. EXamination Folio 245. 554. Election Folio 246. 253. 257. 258. Enemies Folio 247. 262. Enuie Folio 248. Enterludes Folio 252. Eyes Folio 252. Eares Folio 252. Example Folio 253. 517. 522. 735. Edifying of others Folio 255. Epicurisme Folio 255. Errour Folio 256. 707. Eloquence Folio 261. Excesse Folio 262. Euill Folio 313. F. FAith dead Folio 297. Faith Folio 73. 262. 270. 273. 274. 281. 282. 289. 290. 291. 335. 550. 739. 751. 557. Forgiuenesse of sinnes Folio 276. 282. 287. 300. 301. 656. 689 Feeling Folio 278. 279. 280. Friendship Folio 286. 293. 296. 299. Flatterie Folio 288. Folly Folio 288. Flesh and spirit Folio 289. Forgiuing of others Folio 290. 632. Feare of God Folio 292. 296. 393. Frailtie of nature Folio 293. Fauour of God Folio 294. 348. 349. Faithfull Folio 294. Fall of man Folio 295. Famine of the soule Folio 295. Face of God Folio 296. Fornication spirituall Folio 298. Fasting Folio 298. Forsaking the world Folio 303. 386. Fellow feeling Folio 305. Free will Folio 306. Finall falling Folio 479. 619. Fancies of men Folio 686. G. GLuttonie Folio 256. 305. 659. Godlinesse Folio 308. 315. 320. 324. 334. 345. 456. Grace Folio 309. 320. 335. Good turnes Folio 311. Goodwill Folio 312. 321. God Folio 316. 321. 329. 343. 345. 350. 351. 415. 518. Holy Ghost Folio 318. 320. 334. 343. All good things come from God Folio 321. Gentlenesse Folio 322. 395. Gospell Folio 322. Gifts and graces of God Folio 325. 327. 335. 336. 783. Glorie of God Folio 328. 349. Guiltinesse Folio 334. Glorie of the elect Folio 337. Generation spirituall Folio 344. Glorie and renoume Folio 347. Greatnesse in the world daungerous Folio 400. Grieuing of Gods spirit Folio 727. H. HYpocrites Folio 191. 370. 382. 388. 593. 849. Hearers Folio 242. 348. 351. 393. 394. 844. 848. 851 Hardnesse of heart Folio 257. 383. Hope Folio 290. 401. Hearing of the word Folio 364 Humilitie Folio 366. 393. 394. Heretickes Folio 382. 388 Hatred Folio 384. Husbands Folio 387. 388. 399. Heauen Folio 391. Houses of the wicked Folio 391. Hell Folio 391. Hoste of God Folio 392. Horrour of sinne Folio 392. Helpe of man Folio 392. Holy dayes Folio 392. Holinesse Folio 393. 651. Heires with Christ Folio 395. Heart of man Folio 396. Health Folio 399. Housholders Folio 509. Earthly Happinesse Folio 523. I. IVdgements of God Folio 61. 421. Impenitencie Folio 181. 596. 726. Iudgement day Folio 218. 412. 418. 500. Inuentions of men Folio 220. 231. 417. 494. 686. 783. Good Intents Folio 254. Idlenesse Folio 256. 407. 721. 732 Iustice of God Folio 333. 412. 414. 499. Ingratitude Folio 401. 414. 779. 781. Imperfections Folio 402. 412. 420. Infirmities Folio 703. 786. 793. 827. 841. 845. Iustice Folio 403. 415. Ignorance Folio 403. 410 Iniurie Folio 403. Instruction of children Folio 405. Inconstancie Folio 406. 417. Iudges Folio 407. Idolatrie Folio 413. Incorporation with Christ Folio 413. 790. Image of God Folio 414. Ioy of the elect Folio 417. 418. Illumination by Christ Folio 419. Iudgement Folio 419. Iournie to heauen Folio 419. Iewes Folio 420. Infidelitie Folio 421. K. KNowledge of God Folio 423. Knowledge Folio 424. 425. 427. King Folio 425. 429. Kingdome of heauen Folio 425. Knowledge of our selues Folio 428. L. VNknown Language in Gods seruice Folio 173. Christian Libertie Folio 178. 456. Loue of the world Folio 429. Loue of God to his children Folio 429. 438. 453. 456. Life variable Folio 430. 452. 495. 499. Learning Folio 431. 449. 452. 455. Lying Folio 432. 454. Loue to God Folio 501. Loue of our neighbour Folio 437. 453. Law of God Folio 442. 450. 455. 523. 667 Lawes of men Folio 452. 538. Labour Folio 452. 453. 587. 579. Lending Folio 456. Lust Folio 458. Liberalitie Folio 459. 771 Going to Law Folio 707. M. MInisters Folio 183. 241. 468. 484. 485. 489. 491. 493. 497. 498 502. 503. 584. Marriage Folio 255. 460. 463. 483. 496. Magistrates Folio 311. 467. 485. 503. 522. Man Folio 460. 495. Maisters Folio 463. Mercie to others Folio 464. 499. Miserie Folio 464. Mercie of God Folio 464. 488. Mortification Folio 465. 505. Mind Folio 479. 480. 551. Mind troubled Folio 466. 486. Meane estate Folio 400. 468. 497. Memorie Folio 480. Merite Folio 481. Murder Folio 488. Militarie discipline Folio 495 Meditation Folio 496. 554. Malice Folio 497. 498. Manners Folio 498. Masse Folio 501. Misteries of God Folio 502. Meanes to be vsed Folio 504. 654. 669. 762. N. NOnresidents Folio 483. 484. Nursing of children Folio 496. Nature of things Folio 508. Good Name Folio 508. Noblemen Folio 509. Names in baptisme Folio 511. Neighbours Folio 511. Nobilitie Folio 512. Newters Folio 721. O. ORiginall corruption Folio 65. 198. 385. 462. 496. 514. 516. Opinions diuers Folio 245 Obedience to God Folio 513. 553. Obedience of Christ Folio 514. Old age Folio 514. Order Folio 517. Office Folio 518. 519. Oppression Folio 518. Obedience to superiours Folio 518. Offence Folio 519. Obstinacie Folio 537. P. PRouidence and Prudence Folio 521. Persecution Folio 122. 566. 581. Persecutors Folio 125. 564. 581. Pope Folio 130. 571. Poperie Folio 557. Prouidence of God Folio 160. 555. Prayer Folio 176. 301. 351. 542. 551. 553. 554. 569. 580. 583. 591. Prishioners Folio 242. Promises Folio 569. 583. 598. Promises of God Folio 315. 554. 557. 594 Peace of conscience Folio 396. 534. Pride Folio 400. 532. 537. 568. 575. 599. Preaching Folio 422. 5â—â— 564. 577. 594. 653. 840. Pleasures Folio 458. 597. 548. Pluralitie of liuings Folio 484. Principles Folio 521 Persons not to be regarded Folio 521. 533. Princes Folio 422. 533. 535. 570. 601. Prosperitie Folio 523. 552. 558. 564. 570. 579. 580. 595. 631. Patience Folio 524. 572. 578. 765. 768. Preachers Folio 525. 565. 566. 718. 596. 774. Preparation before good exercises Folio 532. 554. Papists Folio 533. 558. 572. Precepts of godlinesse Folio 534. Plague or pestilence Folio 535. Praysing of God Folio 530. Pastors Folio 533 535. 584. Praise Folio 536. 539. Power Folio 536. Parents Folio 537. 557. Peruersnesse Folio 538. Popish priests Folio 538. Poyetrie Folio 538. Poyson Folio 538. Presumption Folio
A TREASVRIE OR STORE-HOVSE of Similies Both pleasaunt delightfull and profitable for all estates of men in generall Newly collected into Heades and Common places By Robert Cawdray LONDON Printed by Tho. Creede dwelling in the Old Chaunge at the Signe of the Eagle and Childe neare Old Fish-streete 1600. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVL and his singular benefactors Sir Iohn Harington Knight as also to the VVorshipfull Iames Harington Esquire his brother R. C. wisheth in this life the aboundant increase of all spirituall graces and in the world to come life euerlasting through Christ Iesus our alone Sauiour THis Booke Right Worshipfulls conteineth certain verie pleasant delightfull and profitable Similies that is when two things or moe then two are so compared resembled and conferred together that they in some one propertie seeme like Wherein not onely sundrie and very many most horrible and foule vices and daungerous sinnes of all sorts are so familiarly and so plainly laid open ripped vp and displayed in their kinds and so pointed at with the finger of God in his sacred and holy Scriptures to signifie his wrath and indignation belonging vnto them that such as are Christians in deed being seasoned and indued with the spirit of grace and hauing God before their eyes will bee verie feareful euen in loue that they beare to God to pollute and defile their hearts their minds their mouthes or hands with any such forbidden things as also many very notable vertues with their due commendations so liuely and truly expressed according to the plaine meaning of the word of God that the godly Reader being of a Christian inclination will be mightily inflamed with an earnest liking and a loue vnto them Ouer and besides it containeth the explayning and plaine opening of many grounds and principles of Christian Religion so manifestly decyphered out that euerie one euen the very simplest and ignorantest Reader may easily and plainely vnderstand the true and right meaning thereof as may bee for the increase of knowledge and godlinesse euen in all degrees of men and for their better vnderstanding therein For many times that thing which cannont bee perceiued or vnderstood of Readers of Bookes and hearers of Sermons by a simple precept may yet by a Similitude or plaine example bee attained vnto So that if any be desirous to compare a thing from the lesse to the greater Similitudes will helpe him greatly in this behalfe c. And that there is a necessarie and profitable vse of Similies we may easily gather for that the holy Ghost hath so often vsed them both in the old and new Testament as amongst many these few quotations doo shew 2. Sam. 12.1 2 3 4. 14.6 c. 23.4 Iudg. 9.8 c. Psal 103.12 123.2 Iob. 15.33 Prou. 27.8 9 10 21. Esay 5.7 24. 55.10 11. 61.10 11. Iere. 2.26 33.22 Math. 13.4 c. 18.23 c. Mark 4.29 c. Luk. 15.4 c. 17.7 c. Ioh. 3.14 15.1 c. Rom. 5.12 18 19. 6.4 7.2 c. 1. Cor. 12.12 14.11 12. 15.40 41 47. 2. Cor. 11.3 Gal. 4.1 Ephe. 5.25 So that this worke in my simple opinion for the choyse of the Argument rarietie of the matter profit of the circumstance deserueth to be aduisedly read attentiuely considered effectually ruminated and perfectly digested because that it will breede and increase in all degrees no small skill in knowledge wisedome and vertue For I know no estate of men for whome this Booke is not necessarie for Princes it is prettie for Preachers profitable for sage Counsellours it is singular meete for Magistrates lawdable for Lawyers a Iewell for Gentlemen a staffe to leane on for students good to further godlinesse and therefore apt and profitable for all men The Prophets of God were moued as their writings do manifestly prooue to fetch from plants hearbes and other naturall things many right apt and fine Similitudes and proper comparisons to adorne their Sermons garnish their speeches withall to make the same by such familiar meanes the easier to be conceiued and the readier to be belieued And although in euerie other kind of learning humaine discipline and Phylosophie there be many singular ornaments and peculiar garnishments effectually to delight the minde and to draw it by example and imitation to vertue and honestie yet for the true and perfect attaining and fuller bringing to passe of these things there bee none of greater nor yet of like force and efficacie to those that are vsed by the holy Prophets in their diuine writings and prophesies So that to him that is any whit reasonably seene either in the workes of nature or in heauenly contemplations it may easily appeare how that their writings and prophesies are not barren rude ignorant and vnartificiall but profitable fruitfull learned and eloquent For the holy Scripture being giuen by inspiration from God fully and sufficiently instructeth the minde and furnisheth the conscience and soule with most sweet foode wholsome nourishment Which thing the writings both of the Prophets in the old Testament and also of the Euangelists and Apostles in the new Testament do plentifully declare Now for that there be very fit Similitudes borrowed from many kindes and sundrie naturall things both in the olde and new Testament diligently noted and found out as well by ordinarie practise and course of life as also by obseruing of the nature effect and vertue of things I haue thought good at this time to take some paines and to bestow some labour in this Booke to set down the same with others vnto the view and consideration of the diligent and studious Reader Whereby he may see what a rich treasure of knowledge and wisedome there is laide vp in the holy Scriptures which affoordeth vnto the industrious and painfull Christian store enough of matter both pleasurable and profitable delightfull wholesome and comfortable Neither is it possible for a man to reape any the like benefit of plentiful knowledge and store of learning nor to taste such plentie of necessarie foode both for soule and conscience out of any workes written by Phylosophers Oratours or Poets as hee may out of the plentifull storehouse and aye lasting fountaine of Diuinitie and out of those Books which were indighted and penned by the holy Ghost and written by heauenly inspiration So that whosoeuer shall aduisedly consider and attentiuely discusse the deepe misteries profound knowledge laide vp in the Scriptures and therewithall also what surpassing wisedome lodged in their minds which left behinde them such diuine instructions and wholesome documents cannot choose but most plainely perceiue by how many degrees diuine learning and sacred studies doo incomperably surmount all prophane skill and humane knowledge and how farre things heauenly and eternall doo excell things earthly and transitorie That the holy Prophets were not onely most exactly seene in the peerelesse skill of Diuinitie but most exquisitely also furnished with the entire knowledge of all
mindes may bring forth her due fruite in feare and reuerence 3. Like as the Palme-tree Psal 92.12 whē there is a great waight laid on it spreadeth and florisheth the broader or as a Camomell with treading and walking on it waxes thicker euen so a faithfull Christian the more Afflliction and persecution he suffereth for his Christ the more is his faith increased 4. Like as the Schoolemaister corrects not his scholler nor the father his childe but for some fault and for their amendment euen so no more doth God send his plagues and chastisements vpon his children but to put them in remembrance of their disobedience towards him that they should turne to him But if the lewde scholler or vnthriftie sonne do not regard the correction laid vpon him nor consider the greatnes of his fault nor the displeasure of his father there is no goodnesse to be hoped for of him Euen so is it with such as lightly or else not at all consider their liues past God his dealing with them and how euill and vntowardly things haue prospered with them during the time that they haue displeased God and bene afflicted Agge 1.5.6 Pro. 16.7.17 Deut. 28.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. 5. As the ashes cast vpō the fire put it not out but is a mean to preserue the same in the night against the morning which otherwise would be consumed or as the barrennesse of the trees in winter are a mean to preserue the roote against sommer which then will ascend vp his iuyce into the body and braunches thereof whereby they are greatly enlarged and made farre more fruitful then euer they were before Euen so are Afflictions vnto the children of God which do not only keepe them from the barrennesse of sinne but also encrease and multiplie them in the life and fruitefulnesse of Cods holy spirit and exerciseth them in patience and hope Rom. 5.3 4 5. 6. As Frankencense when it is put into the fire giueth the greater perfume or as Spice if it be pounned and beaten smelleth the sweeter as the Earth when it is torne vp with the plough becommeth more fruitefull the Seed in the ground after Frost and Snowe and winter stormes springeth the rancker the nigher the Vine is pruned to the stock the greater grape it yeeldeth the Grape when it is most pressed and beaten maketh the sweetest Wine c. Linnen when it is buckt and washt and wroong and beaten is so made fairer and whiter Euen so the children of God receiue great benefite by persecution for by it God washeth and scowreth schooleth and nourtereth them that so through many tribulations they may enter to their rest Pro. 3.11.12 Reue. 3.19 7. Like as they that go about to make Lyons tame do vse to beate little whelpes before them and to make them to couch that so the Lyons seeing they may do so also Euen so oftentimes God chasteneth and correcteth his deare seruants that those that be stifnecked and rebellious should by their example learne subiection and obedience 8. Like as a Phisition who goeth about to cure his sicke Patient doth first promise him health by the assistance helpe of God whereby he putteth him in great hope and comfort afterwards he beginneth to purge to cleanse and strengthen and such like things which make to the recouering of his health Euen so our good God also when he hath remitted and pardoned our sinnes and receiued vs into the bosome of grace and promised vs life which were before sicke to death in our sinnes doth lay on vs Afflictions and so doth scoure and renue vs from day to day in the knowledge and loue of him vntil we become safe pure and renued which then at the last commeth to passe when this mortall body dieth 9. As the precious stone called Amianthon being cast into the fire is made more clearer and purer So the children of God being cast in the fire of troubles and Afflictions do shine more clearer and beautifull 10. As the Gold-smith putteth his Gold into the fire not to marre it but to purge the drosse out of it or as the Husbandman who when his corn is somewhat too ranck either moweth it downe or else eateth it with his sheepe and so he doth prune his Vines not to destroy them but to make them bring more aboundant fruite Euen so the Lord doth trie his children by laying his crosse vpon their necks and purgeth them like Gold in the fire he cutteth from them many occasions of euill that he may bring them to the bearing of greater and more plentifull fruite Ioh. 16.20 Act. 14.23 2. Timo. 3.12 1. Pet. 4.12.13 11. It fareth with Gods children as it happeneth to the children of the houshold All the while they are yoong and little they are as the Apostle saith subiect and vnder Tutors and Gouernours and many times the seruants beate them as though they were their maisters and that the children were their subiects because that the time is not yet come that the Seigniorie of the children ought to bee manifested But when the children are great they abide heires of the house and the varlets and seruants depart and all the labour of the seruants and that which they haue gotten shall continue and abide with them Euen so we all the while we are in this world are in this state for that it doth not yet appeare what wee shall bee But it is with vs as it was with Dauid before the death of Saule Dauid was annointed and ordained of God King of Israell yet neuerthelesse he could not enioy peaceably his Kingdome till after the death of Saule but hee was as the most miserablest which was in Israel chased and persecuted on euerie side But yet in the ende he raigned King maugre his enemies and all that which Saule and his adherents did vnto Dauid was turned to the good and profit of Dauid 1. King 2.1 c. Psal 7.1 1. Sam. 26.1 c. 12. As a peece of Brasse being stricken with a hammer vpon the Anuile or stythie breaketh and withall maketh a sharpe and irksome noise So when an Hypocrite commeth betwixt the Anuile and the hammer of troubles and Affliction he breaketh with impatiencie hee murmureth crieth out and lamenteth in blasphemies against God 13. As a peece of Gold being smitten with the hāmer on the stithie soundeth sweetly and is pliable and may be beaten out in breadth and length as a man would haue it Euen so the childe of God in time of persecution giueth him thankes and submitteth himselfe laying out his owne heart willingly vnder the Lords hand that striketh him 14. As the Sea if it were not tost with the windes would stinke Euen so the godly man if hee were not exercised with troubles and Afflictions would bee the worse 15. As the Mosse called Ros-solis though the heate of the Sunne lye vpon it all the day yet the hotter the Sunne is vpon it the moyster it is So the godly
in Affliction c. 16. As the father doth improperly punish his childe for his fault but properly and chiefly he respecteth his amendment and to haue him to leaue his former leaude wayes and to take a better course hereafter but the childe for his part when he is beaten must first consider his fault in saying This correction is for my lewde behauiour and so endeuour to amend and to doe better afterwards Euen so God in correcting vs doth not properly respect our sinnes but our reformation but wee our selues must find out a proper cause that is our sinnes For although that sinne is the beginning euen of all bodily diseases and chastisements yet it doth not follow that God alway respecteth their sinnes whom hee most sharpely punisheth as may appeare by the answere of Christ to his Disciples c. Iohn 9.1 2. 17 As a painefull and carefull Husbandman looketh diligently to all points of his businesse and bestoweth his industrie and labour in each respect as the time and season affoordeth and as the nature and qualitie of euery graine requireth in hope thereby to receiue a good encrease and plentifull crop Euen so God trieth each way by Afflictions to draw and bring al men of all sorts and conditions in this Theatre of the world to acknowledgement of their duties and desire of their saluation 18 Like as the Husbandman after hee hath plowed vp his land sowed it doth afterward harrow it and breake the hard clods thereof and after this reapeth thrasheth fanneth and searceth the chaffe from the corne and as he cutteth pruneth and loppeth his trees and keepeth them vnder least they should grow rugged or spread their boughs too farre out of course and order and finally as he graffeth planteth and teacheth his young Sients to be naturalized in another stocke then their owne So likewise doth God deale with men in this world punishing and afflicting some with losses hinderances and other tokens of his hidden iudgement for the better trial of their patience and constancie some though euill and wicked persons he tollerateth spareth and as it were winketh at in hope of their conuersion and amendment Deut. 8.2 3. Iudg. 10.13 15 16. 11.31 Heb. 12 5 6 7 8 9 10. 19 As children take patiently correction at their fathers hand though sometime it be preposterous and otherwise then it should be Euen so wee ought to take that crosse and Affliction patiently which God layeth vpon vs knowing that hee alwayes doth it for our good and comfort 1. Pet. 4.12 13. 20 As it is a common thing to trie golde and siluer by fire Euen so it should not seeme strange to the children of God to be tried by Afflictions 21 Like as there is nothing in heauen that pleaseth God so well as that honourable obedience that his Saintes do giue him in heauen So there is nothing vpon the earth so acceptable vnto him as when his Saintes vpon earth are readie to suffer for his sake Phil. 4.5 2. Tim. 2.3 Mar. 15.21 22 As the Iewes led our Sauiour Christ to be crucified they mette one Symon of Cyren the father of Alexander and Rufus and vpon him they layd the Crosse So likewise if any Affliction be layde vpon vs for Iesus Christ his sake wee must be well contented to carrie the same as Symon of Cyren was to beare the Crosse Matthew 16.24 Mat. 26 37 38 67. 27.46.50 Iob. 2.7 8 9. 23 As there were two Crosses prepared for our Sauiour Christ the one of passion as that woodden and materiall Crosse whereon his bodie suffered outwardly the other of compassion whereby his soule suffered inwardly So there is prepared a double crosse for euerie faithfull Christian the one of the soule the other of the bodie 24 As good Iesus was crucified by the bad Iewes so also hath God decreed that his children shal be afflicted in this world least they should be damned with this world 1. Cor. 11.32 25 As the Arke of Noah rose higher and higher by the swelling of the waters of the floud Gen. 7.17 Euen so the mindes of the righteous are brought neerer and neerer to God by persecution and Affliction 26 As blowing seemeth to disperse the flames and trouble them but yet maketh them burne more cleare Euen so Affliction though it be grieuous to the flesh yet it purgeth it of many sinnes and maketh the godly farre more excellent 27 As there is no comparison of one little water-drop to the whole huge Sea or of one small grayne of dust to the mountaine Imaus Euen so the light and short afflictions and troubles of this most short race are not worthy to be compared with the great and eternall glory of the life to come 2. Cor. 4.17.18 Rom. 8.18 28 As in the fining pot the goldsmith tryeth the siluer Pro. 17.3 27.21 So likewise doth God by troubles and affliction trie the hearts of men 29 As a seruant woorking abroad in the hotte Sunne Iob. 7.2 longeth for and is gladde of the coole shade So men in Affliction and miserie are glad of a litle ease 30 Like as if two children should fight and a man comming by should parte them and after beate the one and let the other go free euery man that seeth this will say that that child which he beats is his owne sonne Euen so when God chastiseth vs Heb. 12.7 hee sheweth himselfe vnto vs as a father if we submit our selues 31 As great and mightie fishes are not bred and fedde in small riuers and sweete waters but in the salt and bitter waters of the Seas So men that are excellent very famous by reason of the notable and manifold vertues wherewith they bee indued are not delighted in the false and deceitfull pleasures of this world but are nourished and as it were sweetly cherished and brought vp in Christ with very sowre sorrowes and bitter calamities which they endure most patiently beare for Gods sake 32 As to a valiant Souldiour nothing is more noble and worthy praise then to carrie the Armour and armes of his Prince So a true Christian man esteemeth nothing of greater valure and more honourable then to beare the armes and badges of Christ his Captaine that is to be throughly touched with great crosses many Afflictions and to be well armed with godly patience Gal. 6.17 2. Tim. 3.12 33 As a Phisitiō doth minister to his sick patients sowre and bitter potions to drinke that some hurtfull humor of their bodies may be expelled So God our heauenly father and Physition willing to cure the maladies and to salue the sores of our soules doth reach vnto vs many times the cup of Afflictions troubles and miseries that our sinnes and iniquities being taken away we may be restored to the former saluation of our soules 34 As he that would mortifie his greatest sinnes must beginne to do it with small sinnes which when they are once reformed a man shall
be able more easily to ouercome his master sinnes So likewise he that would be able to beare afflictions and the crosse of all crosses namely death it selfe must first of all learne to beare small crosses as sicknesses in body and troubles in mind with losses of goods and of friends and of good name which may fitly be tearmed little deaths and the beginnings of death it selfe so he must first of all acquaint himselfe with these little deaths before he can well be able to beare the great Death of all 35 Euen as he that hath a Sonne which is in good and perfect health and a seruant that is exceeding sicke dealeth more roughly and seuerely with his sonne then with his seruant not because hee loueth his seruant more then his sonne but because he would if it might be restore his sicke seruant to his former health but his sonne whom he loueth most dearely he reproueth checketh taunteth and correcteth Euen so our louing God sometimes afflicteth his deare children whome hee most tenderly loueth Heb. 12.6 7 Gal. 6.14 2. Tim. 3.12 Rom. 5.3 Mat. 5.10 and doth suffer them to be exercised with wants with hunger and cold with weepings and wailings with sighs and sorrowfull sobs with nakednesse and want of harbour with heauinesse of heart vexation of soule with sicknesse of bodie and want of libertie and with a thousand other calamities and cares and in the meane time suffereth the wicked and vngodly ones of the world to want nothing hee giueth them health wealth and libertie worldly honour and dignitie and what not meaning and purposing by these meanes if the fault be not in themselues to bring them to know to feare to honour and to serue him by whose prouidence and appointment they haue and enioy all those good blessings and so be cured and healed of the sores and sicknesse of their soules 36 As the skilfull pearle seller and cunning lapidarie doth willingly suffer the Indian diamond or adamant to be smitten and strooken with great and weightie blowes because he knoweth well that the hammer and anuill will sooner be bruised then the diamond or adamant will be broken So likewise our most wise God yea onely wisedome it selfe suffereth men of excellent vertues of vnquenchable loue and charitie and inuincible constancie to fall into diuers temptations and great afflictions and to be plunged deepe into manifold miseries because he will haue their inward graces to breake out and so shine before men that they seeing the constancie of his Saints may glorifie God which is in heauen 37 As a Mother that waines her childe layeth wormewood or some other bitter thing vpon her breast to make the childe loathe the milke So likewise God makes vs often feele the miseries and crosses of this life that our loue and liking might bee turned from this world and fixed in heauen 38 As rawe flesh is loathsome to the stomacke so is euerie sinner and vnmortified man loathsome vnto God till the Lord by Afflictions mortifie in him the corruptions of his nature and specially the loue of this world 39 As Horses that are headstrong and either keepe not their right pace or turne out of the way be rained and kept in with the bridle So the Lord bringeth vs backe from our headinesse by one Affliction calamitie or other 1. Cor. 11.32.2 Cor. 1.4 40 Like as if any shrewde childe purpose to flie from his schoole-maister or refuseth to keepe the schoole diligently there are messengers straightway sent for him to bring him backe So likewise God dealeth with vs who sendeth his messengers to wit troubles the pestilence and other diseases to bring vs backe to himselfe Heb. 12.6 41 As a Maister can in no wise be said to hate his scholler when he fetcheth him into the schoole with his rodde from playing the treuant euen so no more doth God hate vs when he calleth vs backe from our leaude wayes by his correction Psal 5.4.5 42 As in a house where there are many children the rod is necessarie or as in a Citie subiect to diuers diseases and where there is an euell ayre Phisitions are needfull So likewise in the house of God where there are many childrē enclined to euil the rod of Affliction is many times more necessarie then bread Psal 119.67.71 43 As a mad man is angrie with the Phisition chaseth him away and throweth away the medicine but a wise man that is sicke of a corporall disease sendeth for the Phisition taketh drinke at his hand thanketh him yea and giueth him a reward So when God the soueraigne Phisition of our soules visiteth vs with Afflictions and giueth vs wholesome medicines we must not be like mad men reiecting the hand of God but receiuing the medicine wee must giue him thankes and blesse him after the example of Iob. Iob. 1.21.22 44 As corne that is shut vp and closed in the huske and the chaffe commeth not forth if the eare be not beaten and so tarrieth still in the chaffe if it be not fanned Euen so the like hapneth to the children of God if they bee not beaten and fanned by tribulations to be seperated from the chaffe of the world and the pleasures and impediments that be in it 45 As the beasts that go by the way and see on the side of them faire fields assaying to go to them running vpon the hedges of thornes if they feele the sharpe pricks they go backe and returne into the way So likewise whē the children of God go out of the right way to heauen to go to the fields of this world and of the flesh God maketh them to come vpon the thornes of Afflictions to the ende that by their prickings they may turne backe againe Hose 2.6 46 As golde by fire is seuered and parted from drosse so singlenesse of heart and true Christian simplicitie is best seene and made most euident in troubles and Afflictions In prosperitie euery man will seeme godly but Afflictions do drawe out of the heart whatsoeuer is there whether it be good or badde Psal 26.2 47 As the obedience of Christ in the crosse was a gratefull sacrifice to God So our obedience in al Afflictions and troubles pleaseth God not for it selfe but in respect of faith whereby it is seuered from the punishments of the vngodly is layde vpon the altar of Christ through touching of whom it is sanctified and accepted of God Iob. 19.25 48 As myrrhe notwithstanding it be sharpe and bitter yet it healeth wounds and preserueth from putrifaction So the crosse and troubles of the Saints though it be irkesome to the flesh and grieuous yet it destroyeth not but healeth rather 49 Like as when a mother willing to weane her child shall say vnto him night and day My child it is time to weane thee thou art growne great inough and I am with child my milke is corrupt it will make thee sicke yet he is so fond of the breast that he can not forsake
it but if the mother put wormewood or mustard vpon the breast the child sucking it and feeling the bitternesse he quite forsaketh it without sucking any more Euen so though Gods Preachers preach vnto vs and exhort vs to forsake the corrupt milke of the world and of the flesh yet we seeme deafe still and are alwayes backward vntill God put vpon these cursed teates the mustard and worme-wood of afflictions to weane vs. 50 Like as when we see the Carpenters strike with their axes vpon pieces of wood to square it or plane it and Masons to polish stones with the strokes of an hammer wee gather that these are stones and timber which the maister would imploy to some building Euen so let vs conclude of our selues that if God list vp vpon vs the axes and hammers of Afflictions to polish vs it is a manifest and sure testimonie that he hath chosen vs to put in the building of his temple and that so we are his children both well beloued and happie Heb. 12.6 1. Pet. 4.17 51 As he that despiseth the word and Sacraments despiseth them not onely but the Lord who is the author of them Euen so he that cannot away with Afflictions and temptations eyther of body or minde but counteth them miserable and not to be suffered despiseth them not only but the Lord himself who hath appointed them as means to work in vs that excellent vertue of patience Iam. 11.2.3 52 As the Goldsmith knoweth how much drosse hee hath and how much cleane and fine gold by the trying of it in the fire Euen so we shall know what portion of faith the Lorde hath giuen to vs by Afflictions and troubles and what drosse and imperfections remaine in vs as infidelitie which when we know perfectly we must learn by the word of God and so heartily and earnestly pray him to redresse it 53 As Myrrhe doth keepe mens bodies from corrupting and preserueth them from putrifaction and rottennesse Euen so it is most true in the children of God that Afflictions and calamities taken borne patiently do profit preuaile much to keepe their soules from the corruption and canker of greeuous euils Iohn 16.20.21 2. Cor. 1.8 Reue. 7.14 54 Euen as a bitter potion is not said to be vnprofitable nor without hope when health soundnes doth follow althogh it be exceeding bitter to him that taketh it so sharp and pinching Afflictions troubles and calamities wherewith the Lord doth exercise his children now and then are not to be counted idle and in vaine when some peace of conscience and comfort vnto our soules do follow that when the iustice of God is seene many may be amended and the faith and patience of many may be tried For nothing is more auaileable for the aduancing of the praise and commendation of true vertue then calamitie it selfe taken and borne patiently for Christs sake 55 As the intangled bird cannot escape out of the net that coÌ„passeth her eueÌ„ so no more can we wind our selues out of those Afflictions that God layeth vpon vs. Lament 1.13 56 Like as a man that hath two sonnes the one an earnest louer of vertue strong in body and of a mightie courage the other depraued and of crooked disposition enclined to effeminate pleasures wanton delights weak in body and of litle or no courage the first he sendeth out to wars and doth aduenture him in perils and dangers of all sorts that he may exercise acquaint him with the labors troubles toiles of the world the other he cockereth and maketh too much of him hee suffereth him to haue all things at his will he is kept at home and as it were dandled vpon his mothers lap but at the last he that in all his affaires and dangerous aduentures did in euerie point quite himselfe like a man of great valor and noble courage receiued togither with great praise and deserued honour a most high and noble reward but hee that was pampered and cockered at home had neither praise reward nor honor Euen so our heauenly father doth lead men that are stroÌ„g and constant in faith through diuers and sundrie perils and dangers doth draw them as it were with his owne hand throgh bitter anguishes great perplexities and narrow sleights of calamities miseries and temptations and doth continually exercise them with fearefull combats against the enemies of their soules and through many and great labours infinite sturdie stormes and bitter blasts doth strengthen and confirme them in vertue and godlynesse but the fraile and wicked men of the world such as are meere naturall without any delight or comfort in his word and are no whit seasoned nor cheared with the dewes of his grace and his most blessed spirit he permitteth them to be in great prosperitie and to haue all things at their will and pleasure without smarting sighing sobing and groning for want or lack of any thing that their hearts can deuise or desire but at the length in the end of the day they that haue striuen hard and fought manfully and haue in battell ouercome the flesh the world and the diuell shall be receiued into endlesse saluation euerlasting life eternal glorie they which haue laid downe their heads and slept in the bosomes of worldly pleasures and haue slumbred in foule and filthy idlenesse neuer caring nor thinking what will follow nor remembring the dreadfull day of iudgement when the wicked shall heare their damnation denounced by Christ they then shall bee vtterly condemned reprobated and cast into euerlasting and endlesse miseries Then shall most plainely bee seene and felt the losse that fleshly pleasures bring and the profit of Afflictions and crosses carried and borne for our Sauiour Christ his sake 57 As Wheate or other corne and graine laid vp and kept in a garner seller or chamber if it be not stirred and dressed with a shouel or fan will be full of corruption lose the sweete sauour wax vnwholesome for mans body and will be consumed of weeuelles Or as apparell orgarments being laid close vp in a presse or other place if they bee not much shaken beaten and tossed will be eaten and spoyled with moathes Euen so Christians if they be not tried with temptatious throghly exercised with calamities miseries wil be very quickly moÌ„strously corrupted and wil grow to be so rotten in all maner of sin and iniquitie that they will shrinke fall quite from the Lord but being wel proued canuased and throghly tried with many crosses afflictions troubles one following in the necke of an other they become the firmer stronger and more constant in the faith fear and loue of â—od and so manfully fighting couragiously ouercomming the aduersaries and enemies of their soules they shall at the length be crowned with an euerlasting crowne of eternall glorie 2. Timo. 2.3.5 1. Cor. 10.13 58 As a father giueth vnto his sonne whom hee loueth dearely a breast-plate or stomacher verie costly and
nature requireth are fruitfull in yeelding both bigger and sweeter Grapes so godly Christians the braunches of Christ the true Vine so long as they abide in him shall be manured by God the Father that carefull Husbandman that their fruite shal be both in quantitie more aboundant and in qualitie more pleasant vnto him 20 Like as euery man that trieth maistries whether it be in running wrestling or buffeting doth with great warinesse and diligence forbeare the meates pleasures and all other things that weaken the powers of the body or which may abate their nimblenesse and either hinder or disappoint them of the victorie Euen so euerie Christian sustaining a continuall encounter and wrestling with the diuell and their owne sinfull lusts and outward enticements must throughout the whole race of their life abstain from all things that offend either God or godly and weake persons 21 As the Householder that feareth theeues will cause his house to be diligently watched and looked vnto least the theefe come vpon him at vnawares So likewise Christians should be warie and watchful and be prepared for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour who will come in an houre wherin we least look for him Mat. 24.43 Iames. 5.7 8. 22 As bones in mens body being the stronger beare vp the skinne and flesh which is the weaker So likewise Christians whom God hath endued with greater streÌ„gth should learne to beare with many infirmities in others Rom. 15.1 23 As a tree bringeth forth first leaues then blossomes and then fruite So a good Christian ought first to bring forth good thoughts then good speeches and after a godly life to the honour of God the good of his children and the saluation of his owne soule 24 As our Sauiour Christ did not breake the brused reede nor quench the smoaking slaxe that is did beare with many infirmities in those which were his Disciples least he should breake off or quench those good things which began to appeare in them Euen so such as are sound and strong Christians ought also to beare and forbeare to cherish and foster such good things as they shall perceiue to beginne to liue and growe in their weake bretheren Rom. 15.1 1. Cor. 9.22 Gal. 6.1 2. 25 Like as men-seruants and maid-seruants attend vpon their maister and mistresse and yeelde their duties vnto them vpon hope of finding helpe and friendship at their hands euen so euery good Christian ought to be diligent and careful to please God and to be well content to tarrie his leisure for those graces and mercies which he looketh for at his hands Psal 123.2 Math. 8.9 26 As the child which as yet can vse no reason is for all that a reasonable creature and the man in a sowne feeles no power of life and yet he is not dead So likewise the Christian man hath many quames come ouer his heart and hee falles into many a sowne that none almost would looke for any more life of Christ in him yet for all that he may be a true Christian 27 As straungers and trauellers abstaine in Countreys where they are straungers from many things which which would hinder them in their voyage So good Christians in their passage through this world should abstaine from the lusts of the flesh which hinder their soules from life euerlasting 1. Pet. 2.11 28 As that vnprofitable seruant was greeuously punished who had receiued a talent of his maister and went and digged it in the earth and hid it Euen so such Christians as haue receiued any gifts of God and doo not employ them to the common vse benefite and profit of the Church and people of God shall receiue heauie and grieuous iudgements of God for so doing Math. 25.30 29 As Theeues and such other malefactors are executed and suffer due punishment according to their deseruings So all Christians are to take heede that they deserue not to suffer as murtherers theeues euill dooers oâ— busie bodyes but if they suffer for a good Conscience then they are not to be ashamed 1. Pet. 4.15.16 30 As braunches cannot bring forth fruite except they abide in the Vine So likewise Christians cannot bring forth fruites of Righteousnesse except they abide in Christ Iohn 15.1 2 3 4 5 6. 31 Like as they which runne or wrestle for the best game do of their owne accord abstaine from all things which may either make them short winded or hinder their lightnesse strength or nimblenesse Euen so much more then ought Christians cast off and abstaine from all those things which may hinder them in the way course of euerlasting life 1. Cor. 9.25 32 As an Owle peepes at the Sunne out of a barne but dares not come neare it So likewise some Christians peepe at Religion and will not come to it but stand aloofe pinking and winking as though they were more afraid of God then the diuell 33 Euen as a candle that it may giue light vnto others it selfe is burned and consumed or as salt it selfe is brused and molten that it may giue good season and a sweete sauour vnto meate So a true Christian especially one aduanced to dignitie and placed in authoritie should spare no labour but euen breake himselfe with studie and care and vndergo any paines to do good to profit many and to win some soules to God Math 5.13.14 34 Like as in great and sore diseases all the best remedies that can be deuised are wont to be applied with all speede Euen so the more that Christians see wickednesse â—nd vngodlinesse to abound the more ought they to conâ—ider by what meanes they may be remedied that some may be saued among so many thousands which are â—ard-hearted and enemies to all good warnings 35 Euen as the children of this world do witnesse â—hemselues themselues to be all one with the world by â—ollowing their worldly lusts ambition couetousnesse and pleasures So in like case Christians shew themselues to be made one with Christ by his holy spirit when they follow Christ steppe by steppe and make his life to serue them as a most perfect rule to leade theyr life by 36 Euen as the Saylers Gnomon or rule which is commonly called the Marriners Needle doth alwayes looke towards the North-poole and will euer turne towards the same howsoeuer it bee placed which is maruellous in that instrument and Needle whereby the Marriners doo knowe the course of the windes Euen so euery Christian man ought to direct the eyes of his minde and the wayes of his heart to Christ who is our North-poole and that fixed and constant North-Starre whereby wee ought all to bee gouerned for hee is our hope and our trust hee is all our strength wherevpon we must still relie 37 Like as the Gnomon dooth euer behold the North-starre whether it bee closed and shut vppe in a Coffer of Golde Siluer or Woodde neuer loosing his nature So a faithfull Christian man whether hee abound in wealth or bee pinched with pouertie whether hee bee
with pernitious and wicked counsels 2 As he ought to suffer the greater punishment which throweth poyson not into one Cuppe but into the whole vessell whereof euerie one should drinke So offend they the most and are therfore with all extremitie to be tormented which do corrupt the nature and disposition of Princes Comforts for the afflicted 1 LIke as a Father hauing a young Infant sicke of some sore disease though the childe can speake neuer a word is readie to helpe it and if it can speake yet being full of paine cannot call for things as it ought yet if the mother can but by any signes gesse at the meaning of it shee will accept as much of it as if it had spoken verie plentifully yea though it should say one thing meane an other shee would giue it according to the meaning of it Euen so the Lord that is filled with the bowels of compassion towards vs in Christ farre aboue any father or mother though hee delighteth to heare vs pray vnto him yet when as by the extremitie of our miseries wee are oppressed or distracted so that wee cannot in any orderly maner pray vnto him as we ought hee alloweth of the sighes and sobbes that we offer vp vnto him and graunteth not so much our words which are none or fewe as the meaning of his spirit which is plentifull in vs. Psal 103.8 9 10 11 12 13 14. Rom. 8.26 2. Cor. 1.3 4 5. Isa 38.14 2 Like as if one in a burning Feauer should in the midst of his sit aske colde water and his friend the Phisition should in stead of that giue him a wholesome medicine should in denying that particular thing demaunded graunt vnto his generall meaning which was that hee might haue that which might do him most good though now beeing distempered hee was not able to iudge of it but did take one thing for an other So whatsoeuer wee aske in our distresse our meaning must needes be if it be ruled by Gods spirit that wee would haue that which might procure our best good therefore if the Lord turne our crosses to our good though we prayed for the cleane taking away of them hee fulfilleth both these promises at once Rom. 8.28 2. Cor. 12.8 9. 3 Like as if the Phisition through his skill can cure a man by taking away his bloud and humours by cutting and searing his flesh which of themselues are hurtfull if he can by art so temper that which is poyson as the vipers flesh temper it with other wholesome things and correct it with those that be cordiall that of it he will make a soueraigne Treacle euen that which shall expell poyson and so make that which could cause death to be a preseruer of life Euen so shal not the Lord by his infinit wisdome and almightie power who bringeth light out of darkenesse and good out of euill and calleth the things that be not as though they were shall not he be much more able by the most greeuous crosses that can befall vs work the greatest good for vs that may be so that when we would hope for good by our afflictions and so be comforted in them wee are not so much to looke to the things themselues how they are like to worke vpon vs as the promise which the Lord hath made vnto vs concerning this matter and so to be sure that the Lord himselfe will worke our good hereby because he hath said it 4 As it is all one if the fearefull Patient should haue not one but a whole company of Phisitions saying vnto him that vndoubtedly this medicine is like to do you good we know the working of it well and haue hadde great experience of it in many you need not to feare it take it vpon our credit this would much moue him So no doubt this should correct the too much feare that is in vs of being hurt by the crosse that wee heare so many excellent and famous men very skilfull therein to speake so boldly vnto vs of the benefite of it Euen those whom weare most ready to beleeue in all other things why then should we not do so in this 5 As the Mother by some vnpleasant thing weaneth the childe from the breast vpon which it would otherwise alwayes linger to the hurt of it now when stronger meate is more fit for it Euen so the Lord weaneth vs by affliction from the loue of this world and thus turneth it vnto our good 6 As the fire doth not hurt the Gold in consuming the drosse and the file in taking away the rust and the purgation in expelling ill humours So afflictions causing vs to abhorre and leaue some sinne or other which if wee continued in would destroy vs may truly be said to work our good 7 As Phisicke serueth not onely to cure vs of the diseases we are fallen into but to preserue vs from them in some tollerable health Euen so the crosse both recouereth vs out of sinne when we are fallen into it and preuenteth many that otherwise might creepe vpon vs. 8 As some sickly bodies are driuen to diet themselues and are in continuall Phisicke to preuent that which their corrupt estate would otherwise necessarily pull vppon them So likewise some are alwayes or the greatest part of their liues in the diet of affliction not so much to bring them from grosse and grieuous sinnes which they are not yet fallen into as to keepe them from falling which the Lord knoweth they are readie to doo in respect of their ages callings and places that they liue in 9. As vntamed Heyfers which are kept from straying out of their pastures with hedges and ditches Euen so the Lord puts thornes and bryars in our wayes as Hoseah saith 2.6 that is layeth affliction vpon vs and so as it it were stoppeth the way that we might not breake forth by disobedience to our hurt Psal 119.67.71 10 As a father spareth not the rodde till his childe be thereby humbled to the confession and amendment of his fault because his purpose is to doo him good when as notwithstanding he letteth his seruant go when hee seeth that he will not profit by words or a fewe stripes as not caring for him So the Lord when hee spareth the wicked in their sinnes and reserueth them to further iudgement correcting his owne children againe and againe sheweth that his purpose is to doo him good 11 As a wise and carefull Phisition who purposing not so much to giue Phisicke vnto his sicke Patient as to cure him thereby if the first medicine will doo it there he leaues him if not he applieth one medicine after an other because he hath a diligent care of him and if at any time he maketh intermission it is because the Patients weaknesse whom he would by that meanes to gather some strength not that hee meaneth to leaue him Euen so the Lord purposing according to his word by affliction to do vs good when by the first
confusion 2 As the sonnes of Princes are in great account with men in this world Euen so the Children of God are in greater account with God and all godly men both in this world and in the world to come 3 As the Children of Kings are attended vpon by Noble men and guarded with strong men yet both but men whose breath is in their nosthrils and their hands cannot accomplish the deuice of their heart Euen so the Children of God are attended vpon by God himselfe whose eye is alwayes ouer the righteous they are guarded by the Angels of God who for their swiftnes are said to haue wings for their readinesse they are said to stand in the presence of God and for their strength incomperable 2. Kin. 19.35 Psal 34.15 4 As the pleasures of the sonnes of men are such as the world doth affoord carnall securitie worldly prosperitie fleshy delights beastly sensualitie with pride and ease wealth fulnesse of bread and such like Euen so the pleasures of the Children of God are such as the world can neither giue nor take as the loue of righteousnesse delight in the law of God patience in affliction loue of the Saints which excell in vertue and such like Psal 1.2 16.3 1. Cor. 2.9 5 Like as the riches and treasures of the sonnes of men are gold and siluer houses and lands Lorships and manners rents and reuenues and such like which theeues may steale or moathes may eate or rust may freate or fire may consume or water may ouerflowe or time may weare or death may end So likewise the riches and treasures of Gods Children are the word of GOD Gods fauour forgiuenesse of sinnes freedome from hell and the diuell libertie with the Saints the spirit of contentation peace of conscience continuall ioy in the holy Ghost and a Kingdome of glorie in heauen with such like which no theefe can steale no rust can freat no fire can burne or consume no water can drowne no plague can infect no time can weare nor death can end 2. Cor. 3 17. Gal. 5.22 Esa 11.2 6 As those are in most honour with Princes which are said to stand in their presence and attend vpon them in their Courts as Daniel did So Gods Children shall stand in the Courts of God and haue the full fruition of his comfortable presence and therefore on the contrarie side the vngodly are herein accursed in that they are shut from the presence of God to wit his gracious presence for otherwise all things whatsoeuer are in his presence The Children of God 1 LIke as a heathen man beeing asked why hee did weare such a long bushie beard answered that so often as he beheld it he might commit nothing vnworthy the grauitie of the same hee would not be like a Tauerne with a bush at the doore and no wine within So likewise if any man shall aske the Children of God why they are called Christians the Church of God the spouse of Christ Citizens of heauen and by such like names of loue and honour they are to answere that so often as they remember these names and titles they ought not to commit any thing vnworthy the grauitie and maiestie of the same 2 As many Papists and some Protestants too who be superstitious and Popishly affected doo not remember what titles they haue nor by what names they be called and therefore they must haue puppets and images in their Churches and houses to put them in minde of their dutie to God Euen so some mens Religion and holinesse is all in their titles of Gods Children and in naked names of Christians which onely they hold when indeed all Christianitie is banished from them 3 Like as it is counted a shame for a Citizen to go like a Courtier or for a man to put on womans apparell or a woman to weare on mans apparell which is an abhomination to the Lord Euen so it is a greater shame for the Children of God who are Cittizens of heauen to go after the fashion of the Courtiers of hell or after the manner of the world Rom. 12.2 4 As when Christ the Lord of life was put to death there was darknesse vpon the face of the earth the vaile of the Temple rent the graues opened and the dead arose c. at the sight whereof the very enemies of Christ which watched him were afraide for that they had done vnto him yea they were constrained to confesse and say Doubtlesse this man was the sonne of God Math. 27.54 So likewise the Children of God that be or ought to be dead with Christ their head vnto sinne as he died for our sinnes then there will follow a wonderfull alteration in their liues there will appeare such zeale in professing of the Gospell such pittie in relieuing the poore such patience in bearing the crosse such faithfulnesse in performing of promises such charitie in iudging their brethren such mercie in forgiuing offences such sinceritie in worshipping of GOD such constancie in defending of the truth such watching ouer all their wayes and such wisedome in winning men â—o God that their very enemies which before did mocke â—hem hate them and persecute them shall be constrained with shame to say These are no doubt the Children of God these are good men these are true professors inâ—eed c. Rom. 6.4 5. c. 5 Like as worldly men in their houses in their apparell 〈◊〉 their feastings in their furniture and in euerie thing â—hey striue to haue matches all their things sutable So â—â—kewise the ChildreÌ„ of God must striue to haue their titles â—nd names their liues and qualities their profession and practise sutable and answerable the one to the other and so to depart from iniquitie 2. Tim. 2.19 6 As carnall men desire to be gorgeously apparelled Euen so the Children of God desire to be cloathed with their house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 3 4. 7 Euen as plants trees do spread abroad their rootes in the earth from whence they haue their nourishment So likewise the Children of God because they be fedde with delicates and dainties from heauen and are norished with the grace fauour of God they hold vp their hands they turne vp their eyes they lift vp their hearts mindes to God that is in heaueÌ„ from whence their soules receiue comfort ioy saluation and euerlasting life Saluation onely to be had in Christ if men know how to finde him 1 LIke as if a man knew certainly that in such a wood an infinite masse of money were hid if the owner thereof would giue it vnto him yet if by no meanes hee could finde the same what should the gift of such a treasure profit him thogh it were of value to purchase a kingdome nothing at all Euen so standeth the case betweene Christ and vs though we know neuer so well and certainly that saluation and all kinde of treasure is permanent and to be found in him and do belong
12 As when the bodies of men or rather of children do not grow vp to their full and naturall stature it argueth some secret distemperature and some naturall infirmitie in them So when Christians doo not grow on from one measure of grace to a greater it doth of necessitie infer an euil Diet and constitution of the Soule Ephe. 4.15 2. Pet. 3.18 13 As the holinesse of the Soule is nourished by the same thing by the which it is begotten So it is encreased by the same Diet by the which it is nourished 14 As there is required a greater verture and force both of nature and of Diet to augment the bodie in stature then to keepe and continue it in life and healthe So hee that desireth not onelye to continue but also to goe on in grace must indeed vse this conseruatiue Diet of spirituall foode and exercise that is to cleaue to God to his seruice and to all spirituall exercises without seperation or intermission to wit to the hearing reading and studying of the word of God to the considering of his workes and obseruing of his actions to prayer singing of Psalmes to the exhorting and instructing of others in the wayes of godlinesse And lastly and summarily to the daily performance of all Christian duties and the exercising of all those graces which he hath receiued 15 As we know by daily experience that many notable Physitians haue fallen into daungerous and mortall sicknesses and by them be brought to vntimely Death So it is not sufficient for our spirituall welfare that wee know how to Diet and order our soules as long as they are in health and strength it being also required that we know how by a conuenient and meete Diet to recouer them out of sicknesses and to heale all the maladies happening vnto them Deferring of Repentance 1 LIke as we would esteeme and iudge a man not to be wise or well in his wittes that trauelling on the way and hauing great choyse of lustie strong Horses should let them all go emptie and lay all the carriage vppon some one poore beast that could scarce beare it selfe or much lesse stand vnder so great a waight laide vpon it Euen so surely no lesse vnreasonable is that man who passing oueridlie and carelesly the lustie dayes and times of this life without amendment and reformation of his wicked life reserueth and deferreth the same vnto feeble olde age 2 Like as the holy Ghost accounteth them accursed who hauing whole and sound Cattell doo yet offer to God the lame the blind the sicke and that which they would be ashamed to giue to a mortall man Euen so how much more are they accursed before God that hauing so may dayes of youth strength and health doo yet dedicate and appoint vnto his seruice onely their limping old age allotting to God a little short maymed and vncertain time and vnto his enemie the greatest the fairest and the surest part thereof Mal. 1.8 Leuit. 3.1 6. Numb 18.12 Eccle. 12.2 3 Like as if a Captaine accompanied with other Souldiers did enter into a rich Citie to take the spoyle thereof and one Souldier should say I will stay and come in the next day after when all the spoyle is gone Might not hee be well reckoned to be both a coward and vnwise Euen so is it not great folly and peruersenesse in some men that passe ouer their youthfull daies in not seruing of God but liuing dissolutely and will not take time whilst time is Seeing that now is the time of fight for the obtaining of our Crowne Now is the day of spoyle to seaze on our bootie Now is the market to buy the kingdome of heauen Now is the time of running to get the game price Now is the day of sowing to prouide vs corne Pro. 20.4 4 Like as a Prince sometime pardoneth a malefactor when he is come to the verie place of execution yet were it not for euery malefactor to trust thereupon for that this is but an extraordinarie act of the Prince his fauour and neither shewed nor promised to all men Euen so no man ought to flatter and deceiue himselfe in Deferring his conuersion and reforming his life by alleadging the example of the good theefe saued euen at the last houre vpon the Crosse and carried to Paradise that same day with Christ for this act was a speciall Miracle reserued for the manifestation of Christ his power glorie at that houre vpon the Crosse and besides this act was vpon a most rare confession made by the theefe in that instant when almost all the world forsooke Christ Luk. 23.40 41 42 43. 5 As before the destruction of Ierusalem for that God desired to spare his people and the place of his habitation he sent his messengers betimes in the morning which ceased not to call them backe saying Returne yee wandring children confesse your iniquitie and your starting aside will I heale againe Euen so did the godly Preachers in the last yeare of King Edward the sixt before their sodaine chaunge of state neuer more often more earnestly more boldly and vehemently crie out and Preach Repentance then then fearing the people from their sinnes But neuerthelesse for all their threatning they could not make their stonie hearts to relent They would not turne to the Lord with all their hearts with weeping fasting and lamenting But being past shame with stiffe neckes and vncircumcised harts and eares continued still in their sinnes till desolation and confusion fell vppon them 2. King 21.12.13.14.15 23.27 Eze. 21.2.2 Chro. 36.6.19 Math. 24.16 c. Luk. 13.34.35 6 Like as the Iewes who scorned the messengers of God mocked his Prophets and derided their Sermons vntill such time as the wrath of God was kindled against them and no redresse or amendement could be had So likewise a great number with vs in England doo most shamefully scoffe and deride the word of God despise the ministers of Christ and account of them as mad men and most wickedly esteeme their preaching beeing the true Oracles of God to bee but vaine fables and lyes 2. Chro. 36.15.16 Desertion of Gods spirit LIke as God did not leade the Children of Israel the directest way into the promised land of Canaan So likewise we goe not directly to heauen but are carried about by the wildernesse of this world for the trying of our patience and exercising of other graces giuen vs of God Numb 33.1 c. Sound Doctrine doth cheare the spirits AS ripe Grapes doo relish sauourly and with their pleasant and toothsome iuce doo singularly refresh the palate and delight the throate Euen so sound Doctrine wholesome admonition and gracious speeches do cheare the spirites and comfort the mindes of Christians Esay 24.7 13. Dead in sinne 1 AS Dead men can do nothing that liuing men should doo So when we are Dead in sinne wee can doo none of those things which declare and shew foorth our life in Christ Ephe. 2.1 Col. 2.13
that the young chicken may slip out of it Euen so none otherwise doth Death dissolue and breake vp our body but to the intent that we may attaine vnto the life of heauen 26 As the mothers wombe carrieth the child seuen or nine moneths and prepareth it not for it selfe but for the world wherein wee are borne Euen so this present time ouer all vpon earth serueth not to this end that wee must euer be here but that we should bee brought foorth and borne out of the body of this world by Death into another and euerlasting life Ioh. 16.21 27 Like as a childe out of the small habitation of his mothers wombe with daunger and anguish is borne into this wide world Euen so goeth a man thorow the narrow gate of Death with distresse and trouble out of the earth into the heauenly life For to die is not to perish but to be first of all borne aright 28 As the brazen Serpent which hauing the forme and proportion of a Serpent was yet without byting without mouing without poysoning Euen so though Death be not vtterly taken away yet thorow the grace of God it is so weakned and made voide that the onely bare proportion remaineth 29 Euen as when the maister of the Shippe perceiueth that he is not wide from the hauen place where he must land and discharge he sayleth on forth the more chearfully and gladly So likewise the nearer we draw vnto Death where we must land the more stoutly ought wee to fight and withstand our ghostly enemies 30 Like as he that goeth a far iourney hath vncertaine lodging trauaile and labour desireth to return home to his owne country to his father and mother wife children and friends among whom he is surest and at most quiet by meanes wherof he forceth the lesse for any rough carefull path or way homeward Euen so all we are straungers and pilgrimes vpon earth Our home is Paradise in heauen our heauenly Father is God the earthly father of all men is Adam our spirituall Fathers are the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles which altogether waite and long for vs. Psal 39.5 6. 1. Pet. 2.11 2. Cor. 5.1.2 Phil. 3 2â— Heb. 13.14 31 Like as when a man liue in a darke miserable prison with this condition that he should not come forth till the walles of the Tower were fallen downe vndoubtedly he would be right glad to see the walles begin to fall Euen so our soule is kept in within the bodie vpon earth as in captiuitie and bonds now assoone as the bodie is at a point that it must needs fall we ought not to be sory therefore for by this approacheth our deliuerance when we out of the prison of miserie shal be brought before the most amiable countenance of God into the ioyfull freedome of heauen Psal 142.7 32 Like as it is no grief for a man to go sleep nor when he seeth his parents and friendes lay them downe to rest for he knoweth that such as are a sleepe do soone awake and rise againe So when we or our friends depart away by Death we ought to erect and comfort ourselues with the resurrection 33 As a good Housholder maketh prouision for himselfe and his familie and buyeth afore-hand fewell victualls and such things as he hath need of for a moneth or for a whole yeare c. according as hee is able Euen so much more ought a ChristiaÌ„ to prouide before his Death that which concerneth not onely one moneth or one yeare but an eternitie that hath no ende 34 Like as faithfull seruants waite for their maister So in like manner wee ought to looke for the comming of Christ when hee shall call vs out of this wretched world by Death Luk. 12.36 37 38 39 40. Math. 24.42 c. The time of our Death vnknowne LIke as Christ wold haue his last coÌ„ming to be hidden from men So also hee would haue the time of their Death for the very same cause to be vnknown vnto them vnlesse that he openeth the same vnto some either by particular reuelation or by probable coniectures Mat. 24.36 How to Draw neare vnto God LIke as hee is said to depart from God which doth abandon and giue himselfe to the lustes of the world by which he Draweth neare vnto the diuell So likewise he which departeth from these is said to Draw neare vnto God and so cleaueth vnto him by faith and true obedience Iam. 4.8 No Diuinitie except it be against God is prescribed to the Minister AS there is no Lawe by the which a Preacher for his doctrine may be punished if he speake not against the Prince So there is no Diuinitie by the which a Preacher is particularly prescribed or generally ordered if he speak not against God the mightie prince of peace Desires of heauen AS they that are straungers in a forraine countrie and haue parents and great wealth in their natiue soyle being hardly entreated where they soiourne and vppon the point to returne home into their countrie are vndoubtedly very glad thereof euen already they seeme to see their houses lands and possessions and in their conceites doo talke with their parents and feele a feruent Desire to be soone there Euen so we if wee remember that we haue treasures of eternall riches an vndefiled inheritance immortall incorruptible which is reserued for vs a heauenly Father that loueth vs in his welbeloued sonne our elder brother Iesus Christ in glory the Angels and holy Spirits inioy and that we their felow Burgesses haue our portion in al these goods and are euen vpon the point to be really in heauen with them we ought then to be rauished with a feruent desire to be lifted vp thither Phil. 1.23 Rom. 7.24 Daunces AS Apothecaries do couer their bitter Pilles with some sweete substance whereby to make them goe downe the easier So the Diuel vnder the sport and pleasure of Daunces maketh men to swallow lustfull desires and albeit they proceed to no greater iniquitie yet is this a mortall wounde to the soule considering that we knowe that such lusts are accursed in the sight of God Exod. 32.6 18.19 1. Cor. 10.7 1. Pet. 4.3.4 5.8 Rom. 12.2 2. Tim. 2.22 Iudg. 21.21 Ephe. 5.3 4 16.18 The Dutie of Parishioners to their Ministers 1 AS they that sit at a Table do eate chewe and digest their foode So they that be Parishioners and heare the word of God ought to listen vnto it meditate vpon it and print it in their hearts that so they may receiue the nourishment signified by the word and dutie to feede commended to the shepheards of Christs flock 1. Thes 5.12 Phil. 2.29 2. Cor. 7.15 Hebr. 13.17 2 As in meate we are not so much to seek licorousnesse as health So must it be in the preaching of the word for Ecclesiasticall assemblies be not lâ—ke to common Playes whereto men resort for pleasure but in Sermons we are to looke for that which is health
that we are the children of God true belieuers and members of the Church of Christ and that so we seperate our selues from the prophane worldly and vicious people and do purpose to liue holily righteously and religiously as it beseemeth the children of God and faithfull members of the Church Such therefore as communicating in the holy supper doo not neuerthelesse amend their liues but walking after the world the flesh are giuen to swearing whordome drunkennesse gluttonie couetousnesse deceit fraud ambition pride enuie hatred backbiting with other like vices and corruptions doo shew themselues counterfeits and hypocrites doo eate and drinke their owne damnation and doo horribly scandalize and offend the Church whereof they should be members together with the doctrine that they doo professe 13 As Loue is the fulfilling of the Law and the marke of Gods children So is there nothing that can more mightily induce vs thereto then the vse of this holy Supper 14 As the bread made of many kernels is but one bread So wee that communicate in the bread and Wine of the holy supper are one body vnder one head Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10.17 12.12 15 As bread hath this propertie through Gods blessing giuen it to feede and strengthen our naturall bodies in this life So likewise the body of Christ beeing represented effectually vnto vs in the Lords supper by that bread hath the selfe same propertie touching our soules to strengthen and to nourish them spiritually 16 As Wine doth comfort and make mans heart glad So our full ioy and spirituall comfort is to bee found in Christ alone 17 As our diet is then full whole and perfect as it were when it consisteth of these two things Bread and Wine or Drinke So we must know that the fulnesse and perfection of all spirituall nourishment is to bee found in Christ alone and no where else whilst that he is become as well the drinke as the meate of our soule not onely in this double signe helping our infirmitie as it were but also teaching vs to seeke the heauenly refection and nourishment of our soules fully and wholly in Christ and no where else 18 As the Bread is made of many graines and the Wine of sundrie and seuerall Grapes and yet all make but one Bread and one Wine So al the faithful should be instructed thereby that though they bee seuerall and distinct persons one of them from an other as the members in the body are yet they al compacted together make but one body Rom. 12.4 5. 1. Cor. 10.16 17. 19 Like as when drie Waxe is put into that which is melted it is presently mingled and vnited with it So we are vnited to Christ by faith in worthily receiuing the mysteries of his body and bloud in the Sacrament 20 Euen as wee are by the bloud of Christ cleansed and by the holy Ghost in Baptisme regenerated So wee beeing cleansed and regenerated are spiritually fed and nourished by the benefite of the body and bloud of Christ rightly vsing the Lords supper according to his owne institution 21 Euen as there is no liberall hearted Gentleman that maketh a feast but hee is desirous that his gestes should haue a lusting greedie and hungrie stomacke Euen so our heauenly Father is desirous that all men that are bidden to this heauenly feast should bee partaker of the mysteries of his body and bloud should haue hungring and thristing stomackes which hunger and thurst must be of the soule and not of the body Loue of our neighbour AS hee that Loueth the Lord dooth altogether surely and thorowly depend vppon him in firme faith and cleare conscience and therfore dooth neither admit any other Gods nor serue Idols nor dishonour his name nor prophane his Saboths Euen so he that Loueth his neighbour as well as himselfe will neither contemne his parents nor hurt or harme his neighbours nor defile his wife with Adulterie nor steale his goods nor falsely witnesse of him neither yet couet any iot of all that is his but will hartily seeke his commoditie as his owne Deut. 6.5 Math. 22.37 Mar. 12.30 Luk. 10.27 God Loueth his children 1 AS we will take any thing well at his hands of whom we are perswaded that hee Loueth vs for the assurance of his Loue swalloweth vp and sweetely sendeth downe all the rest if he teach vs we take it if he admonish vs we are contented if hee reprooueth vs we put it vp if he iest with vs we are not grieued yea if he smite vs wee are not offended all is taken in good part because they come from Loue who neuer did hurt his beloued So likewise God dealeth with his children hee teacheth them when they are ignorant hee correcteth them when they goe astray he admonisheth them when they are vnruly he reprooueth them when they transgresse he threatneth them when they are stubborne and hee smiteth them when there is no remedie But yet in his fauour and mercie hee teacheth correcteth reprooueth threatneth and smiteth his children that they might not be damned with the world If hee woundeth vs his fauour is Oyle to cure our wounds if he sendeth flouds and Seas of troubles the assurance of his fauour is like Noahs Arke to beare vs vp from drowning If his wrath shall burne like fire his fauour is water to coole the heate whereof Diues in hell could not get a drop If he send sicknesse either of body or mind the assurāce of his fauor is a present remedy like the brazen Serpent if he send sorrow ouer night his Louing fauour shall bring ioy in the Morning and a ioyful tidings like Sonne bee of good cheare thy sinnes are forgiuen thee If he chide vs his fauour that he beareth vnto vs wil not suffer him to chide for euer If his wrath be kindled against his children his fauour puts out all againe if he sets vs vp as markes to be shot at hee sets his fauour before vs with the assurance whereof wee are defended as with a shield Psal 5.12 103.13 2 As a Fathers anger is rather Loue then anger and his correction is to bee counted rather a Loue token then a punishment So in like manner is Gods anger towards his children which feare him and keepe his couenants and therfore his correction is a Loue token no punishment 2. Sam. 7.14 15. Psal 118.18 3 Euen as when Iesus wept ouer Lazarus the Iewes said Behold how hee Loueth him Yea though hee suffered death to cast him into his graue the common bed of all flesh yet behold how he Loued him So in like maner may Gods children say when the Lord correcteth or reproueth or afflicteth them yet marke how he Loueth vs entreateth vs and wooeth vs and when we see this wee must needs say Behold how he Loueth vs. Ioh. 11.35 4 As Sechem deferred not to doo all that was required of him for the obtayning of Dinah because hee Loued her So also when we stand in need of
the Lords helpe he deferreth not to helpe vs because hee Loueth vs. Gene. 34.19 5 Like as when Iosephs brethren came to Egypt to buy Corne Ioseph knew them and spake roughly vnto them and bare them in hand that they came as spies So the Lord dealeth with his children many times when they come to him for such things as they want hee knoweth them well but maketh himselfe straunge vnto them and speaketh roughly vnto them by seeming to denie their request yea sometimes by increasing their sorrow and affliction as Iacob striuing with the Angell for a blessing receiued a blow on his thigh more then he looked for Gene. 42.7 Gene. 32.24 25.32 6 Euen as it was said of Ioseph that he tooke Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes now all this while Ioseph knew his brethren but they knewe not him for if they had knowne it had beene their brother Ioseph which Loued him no doubt they would haue borne any thing at his hands So likewise if we knew our troubles to come from our Father which Loueth vs wee would willingly beare any thing at his hands Gene. 42.8 7 Like as when Beniamin must goe then Iacob thought he had beene robbed of all his children but hee found Ioseph Simeon and Beniamin and all againe at the last So Gods children in the end find all when they thinke they haue lost all 8 As they went home hue and crie came after them for Iosephs cup which was in pollicie conueyed into their brother Beniamins sacke search was made they thought themselues cleare But when it was found in Beniamins sacke they were worse appaide then they were before whereupon Beniamin must stay by the reckoning and answere the matter this passed all the rest Euen so doth the Lord many times find out sinne by vs when we thinke all is well and then things goe worse and worse with vs as wee thinke and yet still the feare is greater then the hurt for God Loueth vs. Gene. 44.1 c. 9 Like as Iudah hereupon drew neare to Ioseph and said Let me speake but one word in the eares of my Lord and so tels him a long storie of the whole matter from the beginning to the ending as though Ioseph all this while had knowne nothing of the matter So wee oftentimes in the griefe of our hearts powre foorth many things and great complaints which the Lord knoweth well enough 10 Euen as after many trials it is said that Ioseph could no longer refraine before all that stood by but cried Haue foorth euery man from me Which being done he wept and cried so that all heard him both of the Egyptians and Pharaohs house and at last his Loue brake foorth like the morning light ouerfloweth after long restraint as a streame whose course is stopped ouerfloweth the bankes and so he vttereth himselfe asking if his Father were aliue But his brethren could not answere him for they were astonished at his presence Full little did they thinke that Ioseph had beene so heare them they did not once dreame of any such matter or of any such man Euen so the hand of God is many times in tempering of afflictions to the godly in Loue for their good when they thinke full little vppon it Gene. 45.1 c. 11 As Ioseph said to his brethren I am your brother whom yee sold into Egypt come neare I pray you vnto me be not sad nor grieued with your selues that you sold me for it was Gods dooing for your preseruation Afterward they and their Father and all his house came vp and had Egypt to inhabite Euen so after the like manner after many trials God dealeth with his children hee vttereth himselfe vnto them and puts them in good remembrance of their iniuries done to his Maiestie hee freely forgiueth them and giueth them the inheritance at the last which is more then they deserue and more then they desired and more then they looked for by which they are assured of Gods great Loue and fauour vnto them Therfore let vs be content with patience to beare what triall so euer our louing God and mercifull Father shall thinke good to lay vpon vs. 12 As Iehoram said to Iehu when he marched in his furie Commest thou peaceably As if hee should say if thou commest peaceably march as furiously as thou wilt So let vs say to our God O Lord commest thou fauourably and in Loue against vs Then come as terribly as thou wilt Shoote thine arrowes and spend them all vpon vs beate vs to pouder take all away and in this life doo with vs what thou wilt so thou doest assure vs of thy fauour 2. King 9.20 22. 13 As the birth of the child into the world swalloweth vp all the pangs and paines of the Mother in forgetfulnesse which went before the birth So likewise we if after our manifold afflictions and sorrowes for Christ his sake we bring foorth the assurance of Gods fauour here and of eternal life hereafter being dead let forgetfulnesse deuour and consume all the rest Law of God 1 AS some marke by the way side may well direct vs and shew vs which way to take So the Law of God may well leade vs and not teach vs the way that wee must take and walke in but it cannot giue vs strength and courage to goe through if we be wearie neither enable vs to come to the place whither we would goe 2 As a Physition and Surgeon comming to a sick man to heale him openeth the veine and taketh away bloud from him not to the ende to make him to die but as a remedie appointed for the recouerie of his health and safetie Euen so the Law pearceth our Impostume and sometimes maketh a great hole in it but neither to the ende to kill vs nor to hurt vs but to bring vs into a good order to the end we may bee the more easily healed Rom. 10.4 Gal. 3.24 3 As a chaste Virgine soiourning and dwelling with harlots in the stewes who although shee be chast her selfe yet can shee not win those to chastitie with whom shee is conuersant but preuaileth nothing and so is weake Euen so the Law although of it selfe it bee good holy and iust yet in carnall men it dooth nothing lesse then make them good and so it is weake and feeble And so likewise the Gospell as it is written in Paper and Parchment and is preached by mans voice is weake in those that be void of Gods spirit but it is the power of God to saluation onely to those that beleeue Rom. 7.12 Rom. 8.3 Rom. 1.16 4 As a pleasure or good turne may bee said to be the cause of ingratitude and prosperitie the cause of enuie but yet improperly Euen so the Law because it bringeth transgression and wrong doing and that not of it selfe but by our fault for it requireth obedience but it findeth vs doing amisse and so it is the cause of transgression but improperly Rom.
13.25 14.2 Hos 13.3 Iam. 4.13 Esay 40.6 Iam. 1.10 1. Pet. 1.24 2 As the Birdes when they flie doo guide themselues with their tailes and the Ship is guided by the sterne So we should looke to our taile namely that we are but dust and ashes Men knowne by their doings 1 AS the goodnesse and badnesse of trees are discerned by the goodnesse and badnesse of their fruites Euen so Men especially such as take vpon them to bee teachers of others are discouered by their well or euill doings Math. 7.16 Moderation in millitarie discipline LIke as in Vintage time the Grape gathering cannot be so cleane but that some bee left behind nor the shaking off of Oliues so precisely done but that some Berries remaine either among the leaues or in the top of the tree Euen so in the dolefull massacre and lamenâ—ble destruction of the people there should not bee made such a generall sweepe-stake but that some should â—ee left and reserued vnder hope of mercie Esay 17.4 5.6 10. Iere. 49.9 Men by nature cruell LIke as wilde and fierce beastes are often by industrie of man tamed and loose their desire to hurt Euen so Men by nature are glad and desirous one of an others hurt till God worke an alteration in them by his holy spirite and so reforme them Iere. 10.14 Esay 11.6 7 8. 65.25 Mothers ought to nurse their owne children AS euerie Tree dooth nourish that which it bringeth foorth So likewise it becommeth naturall Mothers to nourish their children with their owne milke Math. 2.14 Gene. 21.7 Exod. 2.8 9. Iud. 13.4 24. 1. Sam. 1. 23. 1. Timo. 5.10 Men meere naturall AS the Moone decreasing hath her open side hanging downeward but increasing and gathering light hath her opening vp towards heauen So likewise Men meere naturall haue their hearts set onely vpon earth and earthly things but men regenerate haue the open side of their hearts euer towardes God heauen and heauenly things Godly Meditations AS a flint smitten against yron or steele doth driue out sparks of fire Euen so godly Meditations of heauenly things drawe out of hard hearts some warmenesse and as it were fire of the loue of God Psal 39.3 Marriage of it selfe is good AS drunkennesse is not to be referred to Wine which is the good and wholesome creature of God but the fault is to be imputed to the excessiue bibbing and ouer great greedinesse of man who abuseth Gods good creature Euen so Marriage of it selfe is good but many vse not well the thing that is good and therefore they feelâ— the smart of their foule abuse worthily Malicious AS the Spider weaueth her webbe of that which shee hath within her selfe So the Malicious can frame flaunders of their owne braines though they haue no matter to worke vpon Meane estate of life is safest LIke as they that dwell in vallies and in deepe and low habitations are not lightly hurt by any lightning Euen so that state of life that is lowe and Meane keepeth and maintaineth it selfe most sure and with least daunger against all manner of stormes Ministers that saue others are often reprobates themselues 1 AS they that builded the Arke for Noahs safegard were yet drowned themselues Or as they that were curious workers of the Sanctuarie for the Lord to dwell in were yet shut out themselues Or as they that made the Arke the Tabernacle and the mercie seate vppon it to shaddow and to defend other and yet not themselues shadowed or defended therewith Or as the Iewes who cried The temple of the Lord this is the Temple of the Lord when they most of all prophaned and defiled the Temple of the Lord Euen so such are those Ministers who teach others the right way to heauen but wanting the graces of Gods spirit yet cannot find the good and perfect way for themselues to bee saued Gene. 7.1 Exod. 25.8 10 11. Nehe. 3.1 c. Iere. 7.4 5. Rom. 2.17 18. to 24. 1. Cor. 9.27 2 As fire-brands and wood beeing kindled and set on fire doo giue light and warmth vnto others which are cold and in darknesse but are wasted and consumed them selues so that others receiue the benefite and they the losse and spoyle of themselues So an vnlearned and vngodly Minister whiles without repentance or remorse of conscience he deliuereth the word ministreth the Sacraments vnto others which are prepared knowe what they doo and doo reuerently heare the word and worthily receiue the Sacraments dooth onely hurt himselfe the rest receiue comfort by the word and are edified by the Sacraments they are saued though he perish 3 As the whetstone doth good and sharpeneth many Instruments but yet coÌ„sumeth it selfe Euen so many Ministers saue others and condemne themselues through want of faith and Christian behauiour 4 As a deformed Painter may make a faire picture So an euill Minister may saue others though he condemne himselfe Ministers must Preach according to the state of their people AS he is said to bee an vnskilfull Physition that ministreth a Purgation to clense idle humors when hee should minister a potion or oyntment to strengthen and comfort them Euen so is hee said to be an vnskilfull and an vndiscreet Preacher that takes in hand to comfort and strengthen his auditorie when they should be sharply reprooued and corrected Malice AS the hearbe Mint dooth much hinder and let milke to bee turned into cheese Euen so the Malice of the heart doth let beneuolence to encrease and grow Good Manners in the Church AS the materiall Sanctuarie had his outwarde ornaments as Gold and Siluer precious stones silke purple fine linnen and such like So the spirituall Sanctuarie which now consisteth not of wood and stone but of the soules of Christians besides religion which is the inward beautie it must haue also the outward ornaments which are good Manners comely behauior that nothing may be wanting vnto the due honour and dignitie thereof Man may not accuse God of vnrighteousnesse LIke as if a child of eight or tenne yeares old hearing a Phylosopher discourse of the greatnesse and course of the Sunne should argue against him and maintaine that the same were no greater then a Platter neither of any swifter pace then a Snayle the Phylosopher would not stand vpon the deliuerie of the reason of his discourse vnto him because the child could not be capable to conceiue it but he would tell him thou art yet a child Euen so is Man in comparison of God infinitly lesse in knowledge then is a child in comparison of the most excellent Phylosopher in the world and therefore hee ought not to reason striue or dispute with God why hee either electeth some to saluation or reprobateth othersome to damnation Rom. 9.19 c. Iob. 9.3 32. 38.2 3. Mans estate in this life LIke as it cannot bee that they which sayle on the Sea should bee void of all care So it is impossible in this life but a Man should be
Isarel that were their brethren and gaue an outward profession of the name of God with them were the greatest and most daungerous So likewise among the enemies that Syon Gods Church hath the most vehement and bitter are the false hearted and counterfeited Israelites carnall Protestants Papists heretickes and other prophane men 2 As one enemie within the Citie is more daungerous then ten without Euen so carelesse Professors and prophane men as they haue most power to hurt so are they furiously enraged against the truth of the wayes of God and being set on fire to remaine in their sinne euen sell themselues to worke wickednesse Persecutors are often giuen ouer themselues AS God in great mercie stayeth the rage of our enemies that they cannot so spoyle and make waste of the bodies and liues of the godly minded and such as daily labour and profit in true feare of God as is like they would So yet they remaine themselues euen men vowed and giuen ouer to the wil of Sathan hauing their harts set on those things that are euill and their feete swiftest to commit sinne Prou. 1.16 The three Persons coequall in eternitie AS fire is not before heate and light no more is the Father before the Sonne and the holy Ghost Against Prayer for the dead AS they that are departed out of this life bee past our Prayers being either in ioy or misery Euen so we hauing no word of God whereupon faith leaneth to Pray for the dead cannot but sinne in doing it and that we do it not of faith Rom. 14.23 2. Cor. 5.10 Ioh. 3.18 The godly profit much by cruell Persecutions AS a man much mooued with anger and through indignation and wrath intending to kill his brother should throw at him precious stones goodly Pearles and rich Iewels should not damnifie nor hurt his brother because hee would gather them vp keepe them and inrich himselfe with them Euen so tyrants disposed to kill and with fire and sword to put to death the Saints and true seruants of God which doo excell in true pietie and vnfained loue to God and man doo Persecute and torment them with diuers sorts and sundrie kindes of true martyrdome of which things the children of God are glad and doo reioyce and grow stronger and richer in Christ and being throughly armed with a godly patience they doo take and beare Persecutions most quietly for Gods sake without murmuring or grudging euen as their crosse wherwith most willingly they follow their Lord and Sauiour Christ and doo account such tortures inestimable riches and themselues happie that they be thought worthie to suffer such things for the truth sake and in the Lords quarrell Act. 5.41 Peace and vnitie of the Church AS in a true perfect and certaine Clocke the wheeles beeing tempered and in equall and due proportion diuided do performe their courses and doo keepe their seuerall compasses without iarring or differing one from an other euenly and alike so that one mouing the others are mooued and one standing the rest are still and stirre not so that though they bee many in number in forme fashion and agreement they are but one Euen so in a Christian Common-wealth and Church there ought to be one and the selfesame will and so great a concord and likenesse of minds reconciled and drawne together with the infringible band of sincere loue in Christ that though in bodies they be infinite innumerable yet in vnanimitie consent and good agreement in the Lord Iesu they should be all as one man Psal 133.1 Luk. 1.79 Ephe. 4.3 Rom. 14.17 Promises made to particular persons appertaine to their successors LIke as what league truth or Promises of fauour soeuer is made to any King in the same is his kingdome contained and his subiects are also partakers of the same So the Promises made to Abraham Isaac Iacob and Dauid belong not to them onely but to their children also their successors heires people and subiects Amo. 9. Physicke commendable 1 AS pure Corral will receiue no colouring Or as pure Ciuet will neuer leese his fauour Euen so Physicke is so exquisitely excellent that it need not haue any counterfeit helpe and the Physitions haue their commission so lawfull that they cannot bee condemned nor iustly disdained 2 As it is to bee prooued by Gods word damnable sinne for a man to kill himselfe with fire water sword or such like So likewise it is sinne for a man to destroy himselfe in not seeking after Physitions and Chirurgions when time and opportunitie is offered for recouerie It is our dutie to be present at publike Prayer LIke as when a whole Burgesses of a Citie doo come before their Prince and with one voice craue pardon for some offence or beg some grace or fauour the Prince will bee more mooued then if they being absent some one man should speake for the whole Euen so when the whole Church assemble together dooth with heart and mind in presence of God accompanie the Prayers which the Preacher as the mouth of the congregation powreth foorth let them be assured that those Prayers doo penetrate the heauens and that God is mooued to heare them Matth. 18.19.20 Act. 16.13 21.5 Zacha. 8.21 Psal 65.2 Ioel 2.15 The dutie of the Poore AS the prodigall childe hauing goods in the wasting of them gaue himselfe to the worlde and the flesh but hauing fallen into pouertie thought vpon his fathers house and returned thereto So should the discommodities and wants which the Poore doo finde in their estates loosen their harts from the earth and cause them to aspire to the house of their heauenly Father where they shal enioy all spirituall and euerlasting treasures Luk. 15.12 c. Iam. 2.5 1. Cor. 4.11 Hebr. 11.24 25. The dutie of Pastors and Ministers 1 AS they which shall be saued by the Ministerie of Pastors shall be their crowne and ioy in the day of the Lord and they which shall win most to righteousnesse shall shine as the starres for euer So contrariwise the bloud of such as shall perish through the negligence of Pastors shall be required at their hands Phil. 4.1 Dan. 13.3 Ezech. 3.17 Hebr. 13.17 2 As he is knowne to be a Taylor that cutteth out and soweth garments he a Shoe-maker that maketh shoes he a Phisition that imployeth himselfe in curing of sicknesses and so of others Euen so likewise is a Pastor and a Minister knowne in that he preacheth and teacheth the word of God 1. Tim. 4.16 1. Pet. 5.2 Mar. 16.15 2. Tim. 4.1 1. Cor. 9.6 Math. 28.19 20. Ier. 1.6 c. 3.15 3 As the Phisition who ordeineth a potion which in stead of health procureth death is not a Phisition but a murtherer Euen so is it with the Pastors that do preach lyes in stead of truth Ezech. 22.27 28. Iere. 25. toto 4 As a Housholder cutteth out bread at meale times to his children So in like manner a faithfull Pastor must be apt and fit to teach and
so is the Resurrection Remitting of trespasses LIke as if we see one eate or drinke a great deale we say he was hungrie or thirstie because we see him eate oâ— drinke so much or so greedily So doo we say that one is hotte because we see him sweate yet do we not say 〈◊〉 his eating or drinking is the conditionall cause of his hunger or thirst nor yet the sweate the cause of his heate but contrariwise we say hunger thirst and heate are the causes of eating drinking and sweate Euen so the turning from iniquitie and Remitting of trespasses are not the causes of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes but the fruits thereof and tryall of our estate Ezech. 18.21 Math. 6.24 Reading of Authours 1 EVen as amongst healthfull and medicinable hearbs there springeth forth some weedes vnprofitable and venemous but the hearbes meete for medicines the wise Physition onely doth gather So in Reading of Authors although there be some things contained being not only vnprofitable but also wicked yet it is the part of good students not to neglect them but rather to collect such sentences and doctrine as may be profitable for them 2 As dastard and cowardly Dogs doo barke at home at the skin of the wilde beast but in hunting they will not come neare the same So some student will piuishly prate of things vaine and foolish leauing the effect of learning vnlaboured for Reprobate 1 LIke as a man vpon a Racke crieth and roreth out for very paine yet cannot desire his tormentor to ease him of his paine Euen so the Reprobate when he repenteth he cannot come vnto God and seeke vnto him hee hath no power no not so much as once to desire to giue one little sob for the remission of his sinnes if hee would giue all the world hee cannot so much as giue one rap at Gods mercie gate that hee may open to him Math. 7.7 Gene. 4.4 1. Sam. 31. 4. Math. 27.5 2 Like as if a man that hauing made to himselfe a great burden to carrie should assay it on his backe and for that it sat and lay vneasily and pressed him much should cast it downe againe and put a great deale more vnto it and then beginne to lift it againe but when hee felt it more heauie then before hee should fall into a great rage and adde twise as much more to it thereby to make it lighter Euen so doo the children of this world who finding it somewhat loathsome and vnpleasant to resist one or two vices in the beginning doo deferre their conuersion and Repentance and doo adde twentie or fortie moe vnto them thinking to find the matter more easie afterward 3 Like as a man hauing tasted a good peece of Wine making shew as if hee would buy it vnderstanding the price and not willing to giue so much leaueth if there without buying or drinking of it any more Euen so the Reprobate hauing tasted the heauenly good things finding them good and praysing them exceedingly after they vnderstand the price that is that they must renounce themselues and beare the Crosse of Christ to goe to take possession of the kingdome of heauen which hath purchased for them with his precious bloud they will none of it at this price and so renounce these good things without drinking or enioying them Hebr. 6.4 4 As those that haue their stomackes charged with euill humours cease not to eate sometimes for all that yea and to finde taste in some good meates but are constrained after through the euill disposition of their stomacke to cast it vp againe and to vomit So some Reprobates hauing with in them an euill conscience may well taste the good heauenly giftes but this euill conscience not being able to agree with the true and sure faith of the heart stoppeth that these giftes take no roote to fructifie to saluation so that finally they cast it off or let it wither and come to nothing On the contrary those who haue faith are assured that though the graces of the holy Ghost are often weake in them and like fire couered with ashes and trees in the Winter yet can it neuer come to nought nor die but rather they recouer strength at the last whereby they are certaine to bee and to continue the children of God and heyres of euerlasting life 5 As those whome God hath chosen before all times in time hee calleth and that of purpose to Christ Iesus his Sonne and whome thus hee calleth he iustifieth and that more and more vntill that flesh and the corrupt affections thereof beeing mortified they attaine to their glorie So by the contrarie bee the Reprobate either left altogether in blindnesse neuer called to the light and knowledge of Gods free mercie or if they be called they either doo condemne it or else suddenly fall from the same and so abiding in their corruption do still heape sinne vppon sinne till at the last their measure being full God executeth his most iust iudgement against their continuall rebellion 6 Like as the assured trust of the mercie of God promised for Christes sake which followeth straightway the hatred of vice and sinne with full intent and purpose to liue after the will of God whâ—rein so long as a man dooth remaine and continue hee may bee sure that hee is the elect childe of God Euen so the loue to liue vngodly to wallow in all kinde of vice and to lie still in impuritie of life declareth to him that is such a one for that same season that hee is nothing else then a Reprobate the child of wrath cursed of God hardned as was Pharao Reading of Scripture or word AS hee which knoweth his letters perfectly and can spell cannot but Read if he be diligent and as hee which hath cleare eyes without impediment or let and walketh thereto in the light and open day cannot but see if he attend and take heed Euen so a man hauing the profession of his Baptisme onely written in his heart and feeling it sealed vp in his conscience by the holy Ghost cannot but vnderstand the Reading of the Scripture because hee exerciseth himselfe therein comparing one place with an other and marking the manner of speech and asking heere and there the meaning of a sentence of them that be better exercised then himselfe for he feeleth in his hart and hath a sensible experience of that inwardly which the spirit of God hath deliuered in the Scriptures So that he findeth his owne feeling as a good commentarie vnto him Resurrection 1 AS a cunning Gold smith knoweth what difference is betwixt a peece of earth digged out of a Golde myne and other common earth but aske an ignoraunt man and hee will say there is no difference at all betwixt them Euen so at the day of iudgement God will knowe the dust of mens bodies from common dust which men cannot discerne 2 Like as if a Gardiner mingle diuers seedes together and cast them into the ground yet they will
are sooner forsaken of God then others Rom. 9.22 Eccles. 9.1 5 As that is not alwayes a good horse which hath his bridle and Sadle adorned with gold So also may not that Rich man be accoūted blessed who hath rich atire sumptuous buildings and costly moueables 6 Euen as a Flie comming to a platterfull of sweete and pleasant honie if shee thrust not her selfe altogether into it but onely touch and taste it with her mouth and take no more then is necessarie and needfull shee may safely goe away and flie to an other place but if shee wallow and tumble in the Honie then is shee limed and taken in it and whiles shee is not able to flie away she doth there loose her life Euen so if a man of all his Riches take onely so much as may sustaine him and honestly maintaine his estate bestowing the rest well and Christianly his Riches then cannot hold him backe nor barre him out of the kingdome of heauen but if couetousnesse shall bewitch him and still pricke him forward to scrape together more and more and shall make him euen vnsatiable then they take him and holde him and so belime the wings of his mind that he cannot once in all his life haue one flight towards the kingdome of heauen and thus being in thraldome and bondage to wicked Mammon the ende of his pleasures in this world is the beginning of his sorrowes in the world to come 7 As Aesopes Dogge who hauing a peece of meate in his mouth and espying the shaddow therof in the water thinking it had beene an other peece of flesh snatched at it and through his greedie desire lost that which before hee had Euen so Rich men who might peaceably and quietly enioy the goods they haue and with pleasure the fruites of their labours by their couetous humour they depriue themselues wholly thereof and setting before their eyes a fraudulent and deceitfull hope of things that seeme to bee good forget for the most part those things that are good indeed 8 Like as when we see a man that drinketh continually yet cannot slake his thirst we coniecture forthwith that he is distempered that he hath more need to be purged and his body to be cleansed from corrupt humours then to giue him more drinke Euen so the great desire of Rich men which alwayes eateth which hath so monstrous a bellie and vnsatiable like vnto the graue doth euidently declare that the mind is very sicke and therefore to recouer it selfe it must be first purged and cleansed of the passion that tormenteth it this being done the disease would continually cease 9 As it is hard for a Periwincle in the Sea to swimme or for a Snayle vpon the land to creepe while they beare their houses vppon their backes Euen so it is hard for a Rich man that trusteth in his Riches with all his bigge bunches of wealth vppon his backe to goe through the needles eye and to enter into the kingdome of heauen Mark 10.25 10 As the Moone when shee is at the full is farthest from the Sunne of whom shee hath her light So likewise many Rich men who doo flowe on euery side with the goods and Riches of this world do euen then in the middest of their wealth withdrawe themselues farthest from God from whom themselues and all their treasures and whatsoeuer haue their being Luk. 8.14 Act. 17.28 11 As the Moone is not eclipsed nor looseth any light but when it is at the ful Euen so some Rich men are wont then thiefly to bee eclipsed and darkned concerning the loue of God and their neighbours when they be full of Riches and abound with worldly wealth A Remnant reserued AS in the time of gathering of Oliues a few berries escape here and there vngathered So when God doth bring generall destruction vpon any land for the impietie of the people therein and for the contempt of his word and ordinances a fewe here and there shall escape Esay 17.6 24.13 Reprobate are in perpetuall remembrance AS the letters carued in stone or other hard mettalles with tooles of yron and steele are wont to be set vp for a perpetuall memorie of that which men will haue remembred So God neuer putteth out of memorie the froward sinnes of obstinate and wicked men Iere. 17.1 The Register of our saluation AS the Penne of man serueth to commit to writing those things whereof hee would haue the remembrance continued So the holy Ghost Registreth in the hearts of the children of God those things which God seeth necessarie for their saluation to bee recorded of them 2. Cor. 3.3 Renued holinesse AS in the natural birth of man his body commeth into the world not so great and strong as afterward it becōmeth but litle weake and impotent So in the spirituall birth of Regeneration the soule of man is not in the first momēt indued with perfection but with a smal measure of Renued holinesse from the which it is to grow and go on forward to a perfect estate The Renued happinesse of man EVen as when Saule turned his backe to goe awaye from Samuel God chaunged him and gaue him an other hart and made him an other man 1. Sam. 10.9 Euen so doth God by changing the minds wills of his elect so secretly as that they themselues know not which way it is done make them new men and prepare them for his euerlasting kingdome A Remnant saued 1 AS a number of things should yearely decay come to nought except seeds of them were saued whereof they are by sowing renued Euen so the people that beare Gods name vpon earth should in the day of visitation of their sinnes be cleane and vtterly destroyed as Sodom and Gomorrah but that God spareth some Remnant to bee as it were a seed for the encreasing of his Church and people againe Rom. 9.29 2 As great and mightie vapors with the force and power of the Sunne are taken and lifted vp from the earth and do seeke after the Sunne by whose strength and vertue they are carried vp on high and growing into clouds doo euen follow the Sunne So there is a Remnant and a little flocke of Christes that in a true and vnfained and sincere loue of God are lifted vp from the loue of the world and from all earthly and fleshly affections so far as is possible for a man in this life to bee and doo seeke the Lord and his kingdome in the singlenesse of their hearts and thinking the time of their abode heere in this vale of all miseries too too long they dayly sigh and grone for a dissolution the comming of Christ to iudge the quick and the dead Esa 60.8 9. The portion of Reprobates LIke as of the shreddings of the Vine cōmeth no profit neither can they serue for any other vse but for the fire So those whome God cutteth and casteth off from his Church can serue for no other end but for Hell fire Ezech.
he both can and will helpe him after this he comes to his former health againe So in like manner euerie man is wounded with the deadly wound of Sinne at the very heart and he that would be saued and escape damnation must see his Sinne be sorrowfull for it and vtterly dispaire of his owne strength to attaine saluation thereby Furthermore hee must see himselfe to stand in neede of Christ the good Phisitian of his soule and long after him and crie vnto him with deepe sighes and grones for mercie after this Christ Iesus wil come with a plaister of his own heart blood which being applied he shall finde himselfe reuiued and shall come to the assuraunce of the forgiuenesse of all his sinnes Psal 51.1 3 8 12 17. 10 As a man that hath lost wife goods and children should be much grieued So hee that hath committed great Sinnes ought to bee as a man brused betweene the wall and the doore 11 Like as a man is more to bee blamed which goeth out of his way in the cleare Sunne at nonetide then hee that misseth his way by night with a candle Euen so are men more to be punished for such foule Sinnes as they commit in the cleare light of the Gospell then in the time of the Law 12 As of clouds when they be vanished away there is nothing seene Euen so the Sinnes of God people when hee forgiueth them are clearely put both out of sight and remembrance Esay 44.22 13 As Opium Hennebane and other things extreamely cold hide not paine but make the body so astonied for a time that he feeleth not the paine but afterward when it commeth to it feeling the disease and paine is commonly more grieuous then before So Sinne and want of zeale c. hide not from torment of conscience but make the soule so astonied for a time that it feeleth not the torment yet afterward when it commeth to his feeling againe the torment is more desperate then before 14 As it would not auaile or profit a Citie diligently to watch at one gate and keepe it shut against the enemie if in the meane while al the rest stood wide open to him So likewise it is to no purpose to keepe ourselues from one Sinne or vice vnlesse we make account and conscience to abandon our selues from all other vices 15 Like as Surgions when they must cut off any part of the body vse to lay playsters to it to mortifie it that being without sense and feeling it may bee cut off with lesse paine Euen so in like manner we are to vse all helpes and remedies prescribed in the word which serue to weaken or kil Sinne that in death it may be abolished 1. Cor. 9.27 Gal. 5.24 Col. 3.5 2. Timo. 2.21 16 As a debt doth binde a man either to make satisfaction or else to goe to prison So likewise our Sinnes binds vs either to satisfie Gods iustice or else to suffer eternall damnation 17 As we see by experience that a ship which leaketh is more easily emptied at the beginning then afterward Or as a ruinous house the longer it is let runne the more charge and labour will it require in the repairing Or as we see that if a man driue a naile with a hammer the moe blowes hee giueth to it the more hard it is to plucke it out againe Euen so that man that committeth Sinne vppon Sinne and by perseuerance therein thinketh to finde the redresse thereof more easie hereafter then now is greatly deceiued 18 As a riuer that glideth and runneth very swiftly vntill there bee a damme or beame put ouertwhart then it makes a swelling and a roaring neither by any meanes will be quiet So mans Sinfull life doth passe quietly without any noyse till the beame of Gods iustice ouertwhat him 19 As a round bowle throwne downe a steepe hil neuer ceaseth or stayeth till it come to the foote bottome thereof So likewise mans corruption of it selfe as prone to Sinne as a bowle to runne downe a hill neuer ceaseth to sinne till it receiue the reward thereof which is death Rom. 6.23 20 As Gun-powder and a rotten tree fired at the roote neuer ceaseth burning till they bee all consumed So the wicked will neuer giue ouer their Sinning till all hope of eternall life be vtterly taken away 21 As Tinder catcheth the least sparke and is kindled thereby So likwise out corrupt nature is easily prouoked and drawne to Sinne. 22 As the Viper conceaueth her young to her owne death So also man admitteth Sinne into his heart but to his owne great hurt 23 Like as the Midwife is busie about a woman in trauaile to bring forth the child into the world So busie also is Sathan vntil he hath brought forth the monstrous birth of Sinne in mens conuersations 24. As huge as the Sea is yet one may taste the faltnesse of it in a drop So likewise in one Sinne we may see how ill fauoured the rest be Rom. 13.13 25 As the forbidden nee when it promised our parents knowledge tooke their knowledge from them So euerie Sinne giueth other wages then it promiseth Gene. 3.6 26 Like as if a man passe by some high daungerous place in the night when he cannot see hee is not afraid but if yee bring him backe againe in the day and let him see what a steepe and daungerous way he came hee will not bee brought the same way againe for any thing So it is in Sinning for men liuing in ignoraunce and blindnesse practise any wickednesse and doo not care for Gods iudgements but when God of his goodnesse bringeth them backe and openeth their eyes to see the downfall to the pit of Hell and the iudgements of God due to their Sinnes then say they they will neuer Sinne as they haue done but become new men and walke in the way to eternall life 27 As it is the nature of a Canker or Gangreene to runne from one ioynt to an other from toe to the foote from the foote to the legge from the legge to the thigh till it haue wasted and destroyed the life of the body Euen so we giue Sinne but an entrance it will soone ouer if spread the whole man and if the diuell may bee suffered but to put one talent in our hearts he will presently wind himselfe into vs his head his body and all 28 As men which worke in mynes and coale-pits vnder the earth are troubled with nothing so much as with dampes which make their candle burne darke and somtimes put it quite out Euen so euerie mans Sinnes are the dampes of his heart which when they take place doo dimme the light of his iudgment and cast a myst ouer his mind and darken his vnderstanding and reason 29 Like as if a man should commit such an heinous offence as that he could no other way escape death but by the Princes pardon he neither would nor could be at rest til by one meanes or other
Christians obey sinne they are the Seruants of sin whose wages is death Rom. 6.16 22 23. Gods Spirit purified 1 AS cleane water washeth and maketh cleane our bodies So the Spirit of God maketh our hearts and soules cleane in the eyes and sight of God Ezech. 36.25 2 As no man that hath the Spirit of God can blaspheme Christ and worship Idols So none can acknowledge Christ for Lord and God without the same Spirit 1. Cor. 12.3 3 As Iohn by the fire and Spirit meaneth nothing but the Spirit of God which purgeth and purifieth as the fire doth Math. 3.11 Euen so our Sauiour by Water and the Spirite meaning nothing else but the Spirit of God which cleanseth the filth of sinne and cooleth the boyling heate of an vnquiet conscience as water washeth the thing which is foule and quencheth the heate of the fire Iohn 3.5 Sinne maketh our bodies the Diuels dungeon LIke as if a man had a faire house wherein he must entertaine a King and should make thereof a Swinstie or a stable all men would say that hee did greatly abuse both the house and the King Euen so mans body being at the first made a Pallace for the euerliuing God if a man shal abuse it by drunkennesse swearing lying fornication or any vncleannesse he doth make it in stead of a Temple for the holy Ghost to be a stie or stable for the Diuell For the more filthie a mans body is the more fit it is to bee a dwelling place for Sinne and Sathan 1. Cor. 6.15 Sathans subtiltie 1 AS Naab the Ammonite warring against the men of Iabes Gilead would not raise his siege but vpon condition that hee might thrust out all their right eyes So Sathan the enemie of our soules who seeketh by all meanes possible our destruction neuer ceaseth to assault vs vntill hee haue depriued vs of the eye of right iudgement that wee may not see our saluation in Christ Iesus onely 1. Sam. 11.2 1. Pet. 5.8 2 Like as if men by long experience and obseruation of the naturall causes can attaine vnto such great knowledge of things to come that they can tell twelue yeares before the change of the Moone the Eclips of the Sunne what day hower and minute it shall bee Euen so much more Sathan who is a more excellent nature then man and greater experience hath knowledge of things to come for that he hath beene practised therein from the beginning of the world and is also more circumspect in obseruing of causes because thereby he deceiueth man a poore simple soule 3 As Amalek resisted the children of Israel that they might not enter into the land of Promise So dooth the Diuell with Christians that they should not enter into heauen Deut. 25.17 Exod. 17.8 9. Spirituall man AS a man sore wounded and diseased may for a time or season bee depriued almost of all operations of the naturall life to the outward shewe of his owne indument and feeling Euen so may a Spirituall man be soare wounded by Sathan and diseased by the present sight and feeling of his sinfull corruption specially in temptation that he may thinke yea appeare to others that the life of the spirit is not in him Impenitent Sinners LIke as a Captain that hath taken some hold or Sconse doth rule and gouerne all therein and disposeth it at his wil and pleasure Euen so it is with all blind ignorant and impenitent Sinners not one Diuel alone but euen legions of Diuels possesse them and rule their hearts and therfore how soeuer they may sooth themselues and say all is well for God is mercifull yet their case is far worse then Mary Magdalens was who had bene possessed with seuen Diuels Mar. 16.9 Preuenting of Sinne. 1 EVuen as a Father when hee sees his childe too bolde and venterous about Fire Water takes and holds it ouer the fire or ouer the water as though hee would burn or drowne it wheras his purpose indeed is nothing else but to preuent daunger for the time to come So in like maner Christs subiects are bolde to sinne by nature and therfore to preuent a mischief he doth exercise them with affliction and seemes for a season as thogh he wold quite forsake his Church but his meaning is only to preuent offences in times to come Hosea 2.6 2 As Beasts which going in the way see green pastures and desire to enter in and therefore go to the hedge but feeling the sharpenesse of the thornes dare not venture to go in So likewise Gods people like vnto wilde beasts in respect of sinne viewing the green pastures of this world which are the pleasures therof are greatly affected therewith and if it were not for the sharpenesse of crosses and temptations which are Gods spirituall hedge by which he keepeth them in they would raunge out of the way and rush into Sinne as the Horse into the battell Sentence of condemnation why set downe AS a wise Father of a family will check his seruant and if the cause require correct him in his childes presence and that the child it selfe may learn therby to feare and stand in awe of his father So likewise Christ the most carefull and wise gouernor of his Church hath set downe the Sentence of condemnation against the wicked that the children of God in this world when soeuer they shall heare or read the same might be moued thereby to stand in great feare of God and more dutifully performe obedience to his commaundements Mat. 25.41 The holy Spirite regenerateth not all AS the Sun doth not warme euery thing that it lighteneth So neither doth the Spirit regenerate nor draw to the loue of wisedome all which it illuminateth and to whom he giueth the knowledge of his doctrine but onely the godly and the faithfull Math. 24.46 Mot to grieue the Spirit of God 1 AS men vse their guests friendly curteously shewing vnto them all seruice dutie So likewise must we do to Gods Spirit which is to come to dwell abide in vs dooing nothing in any case which may disquiet or molest him Ephe. 4.30 2 Like as when the Arke of the couenant which was a signe of the presence of God was in the house of O bed Edom then the Lord blessed him and all his house Euen so much more when the holy Ghost dwelles in any mans heart there is more then the Arke of the Lord present euen God himselfe and therfore such an one may looke for a greater blessing if he grieue not him by sinning 2. Sam. 6.11 1 Thes 5.19 The vse of all prescribed meanes to Saluation is necessary 1 IF a King should giue vnto one of his subiects a Princely Pallace vpon condition that he shall goe vnto it in the way which hee shall prescribe hee would no doubt take what pains he could to know the way and afterward endeuour to keep continue in it So likewise the kingdome of heauen is the most glorious and royall Pallace
or perfume in the ayre which in some mens nosthrils is sauorie and pleasant and doth reuiue them and others it striketh starke dead Euen so the Word preached by Gods Ministers lawfully called by him therunto hath the same power and force in it which Christ himselfe shewed when he spake on earth for it is the sauour of life vnto life to saue those that heare it Or it is the sauour of death vnto death to those that contemne it Ioh. 18.4 5 6. 2. Cor. 2.16 75 As it is the vse of Physicke to cure men of diseases when they are falne into them so also to preserue them from sicknesse before it haue taken hold of them Euen so it is the power of the Word to asswage the trouble of conscience when it dooth once presse vs as also to preuent it before it hath ouertaken vs. 76 As it profiteth nothing to graffe a plant if with a whirle wind or storme it bee pulled vp by the rootes before it beare fruit So the Word of God being preached heard and laide vp in our minds shall doo vs no good if before it bring forth fruit with some blustering blasts and sturdie storme of temptations it shall be rooted out of our hearts Psal 1.2 77 Euen as a twig or braunch taken from a very good and fruitfull tree and graffed into the trunke or stocke of some wilde tree as a Crab Thorne or such like dooth drawe the stocke or trunke to the nature of the twig or braunch that now it beareth other leaues and other fruit then it was wont to doo So the Word of God wel planted and surely graffed in our barren hearts by preaching and Catechising doth draw vs and conuert vs vnto and into it self and causeth vs to beare other goodly leaues of holy and godly Words and other most pleasaunt and wholesome fruits of vnfained vertues and graces but by the way we must needes crop and cut off the boughes of our olde sinnes that Christ may be graffed in vs and then no doubt our fruit shall bee such as God for his Sonnes sake wil accept and take in good part at our hands 78 As men are wont accustomed to make account of precious things and not to cast them at randome but to keepe them safe vnder locke and key Euen thus safely and surely must the Word of God when it is heard and preached bee kept in our hearts if we will euer come by true wisedome Psal 119.11 Luk. 2.19 Heb. 2.1 Iam. 1.21 79 Euen as we cannot feele the fauour and taste of any meate vnlesse we chaw the same So also wee neuer feele any fruit of Gods Word vnlesse the same abide in vs and we doo as it were chaw and ruminate the same 79 As the Sun at sometime of the yeare in some place dooth afford his shine and light vnto the people and yet dooth little or nothing warme them So the knowledge and vnderstanding of the Word and will of God preached dooth not by and by worke an hungring and thirsting to lead a vertuous and godly life in all those whom it hath instructed and most perfectly taught what they should doo and how they ought to liue They receiue knowledge and vnderstanding from it but they refuse the grace and denie the power of it 80 As the Iewes which crucified the Sonne of God euen Iesus Christ were conuerted by hearing Peter preach but one Sermon But we are worse then they who haue heard many hundreds of Sermons and yet are many of vs neuer touched with any remorse of conscience nor moued to any serious or true repentance Act. 2.37 38 39. 81 Like as we see Crowes and other foules follow the heeles of the sower to picke vp and deuour such graine and Corne as doo lie vncouered So in like manner doo the Diuels come like greedie foules into the assemblies wher the Word of God is preached to take it away from the hearts of the people that it may not growe there Math. 13.4 82 As a Purgation made for the body many times worketh not his operation by reason of the ill temperature of the body or else of the region that too much by reason of her draweth humours of man into the exteriour parts of the body So likewise the Word of God powred into the eares and vnderstanding of man worketh not many times his operation in cleansing the soule from the humours and corruption of sinne by reason of the ill temperature and disposition of the persons that vseth to read and heare the Scripture 83 As the child before he is borne into the world abideth in the Mothers wombe and taketh all nourishment of her So we must learn what God is within the bounds of his Word not at rouers vntill he mercifully deliuered vs from this bondage and out of the dungeon of the body and graunt vs to behold him face to face 84 As playsters except they bee applied in order and time and be laid vpon the wound though they be neuer so good yet they cannot heale Euen so it is with the Word of God and the parts of it which except they bee vsed in order and time conuenient will not humble and receiue vs as their vertue is 85 Like as the red Sea was a safe passage for the Israelites comming out of Egypt and a drowning to the Egyptians Or as the fire of Babylon hurt not the three children cast into the Ouen but yet burnt the Ministers which cast them in Or as the Lyon saued Daniell aliue but quickly did deuour his accusers Euen so such is the nature of the VVord of God that as it is a condemnation to the wicked so it is the power of God vnto saluation to all those which beleeue the same Exod. 14. toto Dan. 3.21 25. Dan. 6.22 24. Rom. 6.16 86 As there was in the Arke the tables of the Law the pot of Manna and Aarons rod So in the Word of God there are Commandements mercies for the faithfull and iudgements for the impenitent and vnfaithfull 87 Euen as salt is good both for the keeping of dead flesh from corruption and for the healing and purging of that which is aliue So the Word is profitable for them that be dead in trespasses and sinnes to make them aliue and for them that bee aliue in Christ to heale and purge them of sinne 88 Like as the Sunne shining on the earth is not polluted or hurt thereby but rather cleanseth all things So the holy Word of God is not polluted by a sinfull body but purifieth it 89 As Honie through the sicknesse and heate of a Feuer dooth make the bitter things that are taken into the mouth to seeme straunge and worse then they are indeed So Gods VVord beeing digested and receiued into our soules dooth make vs more abhorre the bitternesse of sinne lust vanities c. 90 As we make great account of our Charters whereby we hold our earthly liberties yea we gladly read them and acquaint our selues
charge of vs or to doo any thing at all for vs and so leaueth vs to our selues we then languish and so faint fall downe to our vtter vndoing yet wee perceiue not this vntil we be exercised with affliction 2. Sam. 24.17 Vngodly Warriours 1 AS they that powre on Oyle and cast on dry straw vpon a fire do not quench the flame but minister matter for it to burne more ragingly So likewise sinnes being the cause of warres and inflaming the wrath of God the vngodly Warriours doo euen increase continue them and make them more fierce and raging For where the Captaines in warre be irreligious giuen to drunkennesse whoredomes riot and horrible swearing it is wonderfull to behold the soule enormities and monstrous abhominations which the common Souldiers commit 2 As the King and the kingdome are not beholden to those men which liue in vngodly wayes although they seeme to doo great seruice to the Common-wealth in as much as they be of those that prouoke the wrath of God and thereby put the state euen of both King and kingdome in hazard So are they not the safer but in more daunger through those hardie Warriours which sinne so grieuously The World 1 AS a wrastler imbracing him whom he striueth in the wrastling place for victorie lifteth him vp the higher that with the greater force hee may hurle him against the ground So this World dooth extoll vs that with throwing vs downe headlong it may hurt vs and that we may fall from the top of deceitfull and transitorie glorie downe to the bottome of most certaine and perpetuall ignominie 2 As the Sea floweth and ebbeth and all the waues thereof at the length fall into the earth So the World is neuer quiet it extolleth some and casteth downe others but all the vanities of it are ended in the graue 1. Ioh. 5.19 3 As the Sea doth cast to shore shell fishes of all sortes weedes and many other things and not long after dooth sup vp receiue and deuour cast into the depth the same againe Euen so this World doth now thrust vs out of fauour and by and by receiueth vs againe and when wee thinke our selues to be vpon a very safe shore and that we haue leisure and time to rest vs and to meditate vppon some worthie and excellent things euen then wee finde our selues deceiued and are tossed among the waues of infinite troubles and are swallowed vp of innumerable calamities because many things that we neuer thought of haue preuented vs and the flickerings false promises of this cousoning Worlde haue deceiued our hope and disappointed our expectation 33 As a Childe will loue his Nurse for the Dugs sake though she be an whore Euen so many men loue this present World for the vain pleasures and carnal delights of the same though indeed the World be a verie strumpet 34 Euen as the Eagle is carried vp on high and falleth not vpon the ground but to seek his necessary foode and hauing caught his praie by and by flieth vp againe and maketh no abode below on the earth So we ought to haue our mindes occupied in heauen and all superfluous care of worldly things laide apart with the eyes of our mindes faith to behold our God and in the quietnesse and staidnesse of our soules rest our selues vpon his grace without hauing more to do with this VVorld then in our seuerall callings to seeke lawfully those necessaries onely which may serue for the presentation of life 35 As a Staffe made of a Reede is hollow and emptie So the confidence trust which we put in the VVorld is vaine and will deceiue vs. Esa 31.1 36.6 35 As we see sometimes in the aire a Cloude hauing the figure and likenesse of a tall and mightie man which by and by is spred abroad and representeth huge high Towers but in the turning of an hand being taken with a blast of winde it is dissolued and vanisheth away Euen such is the trust that we put in this transitorie VVorld it setteth before vs in the conceit of our imagination that we shall be great men and that we shall be very famous and attaine to great dignitie it dooth promise vnto vs mountains of Gold and huge loftie Towers of honor and renowme but all these things are Towers builded in the aire and Castles made of winde and grounded vpon vanitie which are dissolued and dispearsed most sodainly 1. Ioh. 2.15 1. Cor. 7.31 Iam. 4.14 The Word of God the onely weapon to ouercome the world c. AS that man that will giue an onset encounter with an enemie or wil defend and keep himself vnwounded at his handes hath neede of a sword in his hand to smite the enemie withall and to repell his violence So who soeuer will tryumph and carrie away the victorie ouer this world flesh diuel must hold fast in his hand that is in his maners conuersation and the whole course of his life the Word of God which is called the sword of the spirit and is sharper then any two edged sword Ephe. 6.17 Deut. 6.1 2. c. Prou. 6.20 21. It is in the Will of God to forsake his creature LIke as it is in the power and libertie of a man to kill an Oxe or a Sheepe for his vse to hunt and kill the Hare and Partrige for his pleasure Euen so much more without iniustice may it be in the Will and libertie of God the Creator to refuse forsake his creature for his glorie Mot inough to know Gods Word but we must be doers of it EVen as a Bird doth not flie with one wing alone but with twaine So it is not inough that we know much of the Lordes Word and will but we must doo it also It will not suffice vs at the latter day that we haue bene great professors of the Gospell and are deeply learned if also we haue not bin inflamed with a loue to God aboue all things and haue not loued our brethren as our selues Iam. 1. 22. Psal 128.1 Not to be wearie of Well doing 1 AS the Sunne dooth not leaue shining and sending forth his bright beames although a cloud will somtimes darken his light Euen so we must not giue ouer to exercise godlinesse and to doo Well euen towards them that bee our enemies and will hate and persecute vs and the better we doo the worse they will deale with vs. Gal. 6.9 Math. 5.44 2 As the Nut and Oliue trees although they be beaten with rods yet bring foorth most plentifull fruites So we must not bee wearie of Well doing nor cast the exercise and practise of godlinesse behind vs but rather more willingly and feruently proceed and goe on in the same although the friends of this world shal braule and rate at vs. Workes of hypocrites 1 AS in a Glasse although there appeare a certaine similitude yet it is false in as much as those things are represented in the Glasse