A very fruitfull Exposition of the Commaundements by way of Questions and Answeres for greater plainnesse :

Together with an application of euery one to the soule and conscience of man , profitable for all , and especially for them that ( beeing not otherwise furnished ) are yet desirous both to see themselues , and to deliuer to others some larger speech of euery point that is but briefly named in the shorter Catechismes :

By Geruase Babington .

AT LONDON Printed by Henry Midleton for Thoma Charde , 1583.

THe Lorde knoweth , who searcheth my heart and reines ( right Honorable and my verie singular good Lord ) that being placed in the Vniuersitie with so great content both for profit , pleasure , and the exercise of my ministerie in such place , as it pleased God most mercifully to blesse it in , to my great comfort , I had litle desire to make change of that estate so accompanied both with these and manie other speciall commodities , til it pleased him that hath his times and oportunities for all men , to direct me to your Lo. in such sort as he did , and there first of your selfe , and afterward of my ho. good Ladie to make mee heare so carefull , so Christian , and so zealous a regarde both of your selues , and your whole retinue to be directed in the course that became the professors of the Gospell , and the inioyers of these happie daies vnder so famous and renouned a gouernement of so worthy , blessed , and gracious a Princesse . And then I must needs confesse I felt a forcing resolution after I had a while striuen with the losse of these forenamed benefites , with the farre separation of my selfe from all my friendes , and with the discomforts incident nowe & then euen to the best seruices . So was it ( my good Lorde ) your zeale and affection to your God , that then first perswaded me . And truely euen the selfe same thing it was , that euer after retained me , more vnable than many , but as willing as euer was any to the vttermost both of power and life to doe your Lo. seruice . The verie selfe same thing it is also out of all question , that shall euer , aboue any worldly commoditie that may be offered them , procure vnto your Lo. both in one place and other , those that loue vertue and vpright dealing . For verie well with themselues will they euer imagine ( as indeede it should be ) that where the Lord is feared and honored as he ought to bee , there faithfull seruice will both be regarded , & conueniently rewarded , there men shall bee iudged according to proofe , and not according to pratles there heat of affections shall not stirre to souden & vndeserued displeasure , but conscience to giue euerie man his due triall , shall finde out the innocencie of the true dealer . And what should I say ? There they will assure themselues , euerie man shall bee vsed with conuenient incoragement , credit , & comfort , if his dealings doe deserue the same , beside many moe verie speciall vertues of a maister fearing God . Wherefore if I should wishe vnto your Lo. in a thousande tearmes many seueral and singular blessings , and afterward include them all in one , truely it must be this , that you may euer know the God of your father , and serue him with a perfect heart and a willing minde : Knowe him I say , by learning what he willeth , and serue him , by daily practising , as hee inableth , of that will . For thus to the Lorde you shall become obedient , to your Prince faithfull , for your countrey carefull , to your seruauntes , that breake both body and braines in your affaires , and beare the brunt of many an vnknowen toyle and hazarde , comfortable and beneficiall , to thousandes that liue vnder you , honorable and good , and to euerie man ( in a worde ) so affected and disposed , as they that are alreadie in all dutifull right your owne , may so remaine : and they that are not , by so cheerefull vsage and honorable vertue may daily be added and wonne vnto you . Wherefore ( my good Lorde ) with all christian care continue your happie course in the waies of the Lorde , and what Salomon saith , remember often : Heare counsell and receiue instruction ( meaning from the Lorde ) for they shall make a man wise in time . Yea they shall so establish a man in the eyes of the Lorde , as that his seede shall inherite the earth , & his name neuer be blotted out . Continue also that Christian care to other the desolat flocks of the Lords people , that with so great and iust praise your Honour hath shewed of late so many waies . And amongest all , or rather euen aboue them all ( as manie special causes bind me to wish ) I most humbly and hartily beg the same to your towne of Cardiffe , vnable peraduenture in manie thinges , but vnwilling I hope in nothing , to deserue both fauour and furtheraunce in al causes tending vnto good . Amongest whome your Lor. in zeale to their good hath left mee , and to whome for your L. sake I vow my selfe if I may doe them good . Yet not more to them , than to the whole countrie , and euen the verie meanest member therein , they being all in generall so deere vnto your Lo. as manie priuate speaches haue declared . what my power inableth mee vnto , both for duetie vnto your H. and affection to themselues , I trust they shall euer finde in mee , and as faithfull an heart withall as euer had straunger amongst them . And if your L. shal vouchsafe thereunto your Ho. and louing assistaunce in their worldlie causes when they haue neede , then may they say their affections are thrise well bestowed vpon your Ho. and their seruice due ten thousand times , if it were more . Presentlie I haue indeuored , both for them and others , to lay downe a briefe collection of such things concerning the commaundements of God , as in larger maner both before your Lo. and them were handled . And I presume to offer the same to your L. both for my priuate duetie , beeing bounde , if euer was anie , to bee thankefull , and that also it comming vnto them vnder the shadowe and shield of your Lo. protection , whome they so reuerence and honor , may be the more welcome & the better accepted of . For the Christian reader els where , that shall weigh my drift , and consider the place whereunto especiallie I intende it , I assure my heart of his godlie and louing acceptance , notwithstanding the matter hath bin handled by more able instrumentes by much , because it is not in the same manner , & the Lord may bee glorified in all mens gifts . Onely therefore of your Lo. I now most humbly begge , that with wonted fauour this small trauell may be accepted , and that vnder your Lo. name I may leaue it to the world , as a speaking witnesse ( when I am dead , ) of my thankefull heart for all your Honorable goodnesse to me , which hath beene such , as I wish may incourage vpon my speach any that euer shall bee thereunto requested to succeede him in his place , who nowe inioyeth it . So the Lorde of power and mercie multiplie his spirite vpon your Lo. with all the blessed fruites of the same , and graunt you euer that grace , that hath promise both of this life , and that which is to come , Amen . From London this 1. of December .

SO often as I consider ( Right worshipfull ) our happie daies vnder the blessed gouernement of a most gracious Princesse , & howe we are become euen a wonder as it were & an astonishment vnto many Nations , for the mercies that we enioy by her meanes : so often me thinke euen with melting hearts in a sweete conceite , we should cast our selues downe before the Lorde , and make a double vow vnto him . First that we wil with perfect hearts and most willing mindes knowe and serue such a gracious God , as amidst so manie dangerous deuises of intended ouerthrowe to her person , so mightily preserued her Maiestie , and so mercifully hath at this daie set her ouer vs , dailie still dealing both with her and vs according to his olde louing kindenesse and mercie , keeping her to vs in despite of all the caytifes on the earth . Secondly that with hand and with heart , with bodie and bowels , and with estate , whatsoeuer the Lorde shall giue vs within or without vs , wee wil honor and obey , pray for , & preserue to our powers amongst vs , so famous & renouned , yea so woonderfull an instrument of all comfort and good vnto vs , in respect of other Princes of the earth . But O the sinne of our soules , and the staines of our thankelesse heartes in both these duties so due ten thousande times of vs For whome we should knowe , we neglect to knowe , as his mercies binde vs , our mightie GOD and heauenlie father . And whome we should thus obey and honour , pray for , and praise God for day and night , with verie weeping and woe , that we can be no more thankefull vnto her , and for her our nurcing mother , and most gracious Queene , her we disobey in holes and in corners , ( to say no worse ) and dead without feeling , not considering the blessing of her , we prouoke both our God , and her gracious heart to displeasure with vs . What proofe this latter hath , and what vnwished matter to furnish out a larger complaynt , I spare to speake , I rewe to thinke it , there are witnesses moe , than I woulde there were , that knowe it . Those thinges which more beseeme my penne and paper , I presume vnto your worshippes to folowe a litle further , and first the neglect that aboundeth euerie where to furnishe the roomes alotted thereunto with sufficient men both for giftes and goodwill to discharge the duties of true ministers . A thing euer commanded , a thing euer needefull , & a thing in these daies of ours euen aboue all daies required , both in thankefulnes to the Lorde , and in care to haue her Highnesse obeyed , which ariseth with religion , and so both Gods mercie and her Maiestie still to remaine among vs . For him that serueth vs , and thus dealeth with vs from day to day , doth not verie sense instruct vs , we must serue againe , if we will inioy him ? And is this to serue him , to retaine vnto ourselues the wages , that hee hath prouided for sufficient men , and to thrust into his cloth we care not whom ? To furnish his haruest with idle loiterers , and neuer to looke after , no , nor accept beeing offered , most painefull laborers ? No , no , he knoweth it , that must iudge it , it is not . Yea men themselues knowe it , if the Lorde would giue feeling , and strength to defie that spirite of hauing , that crieth within and saieth , reserue it to thy selfe . Yet least anie should pretende the contrarie , where I wish them well resolued of this point , may it be lawefull for mee , with your louing leaues something to lay downe in this behalfe , that I would wishe him to consider , who is not perswaded of this dutie , if I were to speake with such an one ? First then I would haue him viewe the worde of God that shall stande and iudge vs all , when heauen and earth shall perish . Than the which woorde nothing can be more contrarie to this sinne , if either wee respect the time of the lawe , or of the Gospell . For in them both this is euer deliuered , and euer bet vpon , that the people of God should be taught , and men chosen out in abilitie such , as the people might require the lawe at their mouthes , though the measure and manner were diuerse as it pleased God to giue his giftes vnto them . Which thing euer drewe with it then , and at this day still truely doth inferre , a godly regarde , and euen a necessarie conscience , when anie place is voide , by the lawes wee liue vnder , alotted to that vse , to furnish it as sufficientlie as wee possiblie can and may for that vse . Otherwise by vs it commeth to passe that the people are not taught . Nowe this offence groweth either by negligence , or by couetousnesse . By negligence when ( not weighing or feeling the sinne of it ) we are drawen by affection , or kindred , or other mens sutes , to bestowe sufficient places vpon insufficient persons . By couetousnesse , when to reserue a portion to our selues , we doe the like . Both which are greuous offences both against God and our countrey , and in the word very plainely condemned . If the first be the cause , then craue I most heartily the consideration of these , and the like conclusions . The Lorde threatneth to the watchman death that warneth not his people , and saith he will haue their bloud at his hande , Ezek. 3. because hee did not crie . Nowe by me hath beene put in such an one verie carelesly and negligently for affection or such like , that though he would yet for want of ability can not cry , and alas how then can I want my portion in the wrath of the Lorde that is threatned against all such default ? Secondly it is loue in the minister to his God , to feede his sheepe . Iohn . 21.15 . So is it assuredly in the patrone to cause them to bee fed . Contrariwise it is want of loue in the minister , Tit. 2. if he do not feede , & is it not asmuch in the patrone , if by his default it come to passe ? Thirdly it is a great fault we think to giue the calling to an vnworthie one , and is it no fault to giue the liuing to such an one ? Thus then we see howe the word quickneth our consciences in this behalfe if we be not dead . And a number mo reasons might yet be brought , if I should make a treatise in a preface . Only this one mo I must needes remember which me thinke should awake anie man aliue in this matter . In the sixt of Marke it is said of Christ , that going out and seeing a great multitude of people gathered together , Mark . 6. he had compassion on them , because they were like sheepe without a sheephearde , and hee went out and taught them many thinges . And in the Greeke it is more vehement , expressing as it were an aking of his heart , as we call it , or a yearning of his bowels , to see so pitifull a sight , as so manie people without a teacher . Vpon which notable place I haue vsed in my selfe to make two conclusions . First a comfort , then a feare . My comfort is this , that he which mourneth to see his people want the benefite of his worde , will giue his people his woorde if they seeke it and wish it , and where he hath vouchsafed it alreadie , there continue it , blesse it , and giue it power if we pray . For otherwise howe shoulde it paine him to see it wanting ? My feare is this , that if his heart ake to see his sheepe depriued of a shephearde , hee will assuredly bee reuenged euen in great wrath of them that are the causers of it . And for Christ his sake let it bee considered . For as wee liue , wee may not alwaies looke to laugh , if we make our God to mourne . Thus then if negligence be the cause that a countrey is not furnished with some able ministers , me thinke we may awake our heartes by the worde of the Lorde , and weying it well , receiue from him some better feeling in so great a matter . But if couetousnesse be the cause , and we greatly giuen to sequester that benefit to our selues , sauing onely some portion to one to beare the name , then marke we againe the witnesse also of the same scriptures against vs euen in this . And to saue mine owne labour , my iudgement being young , heare I beseeche you the proofes and reasons against this sinne , by a godly and graue Diuine intreating of this matter , laide downe vnto my ●ands . First he alleadgeth against it that de●cription of a wicked Prince in the booke of Samuel , amongst whose euils this is named one , 1. Sam. 8.15 . that he will take the tythes and giue ●hem to his seruantes . Concluding thereon that if the king might not take the tythes to himselfe , because then they were due to the priestes by Gods owne order and commandement for the mainteinance of his seruice : surelie no priuate man nowe may doe it , so long as by authoritie the same are established for the ministers mainteynance and support . Secondlie if in the law he was accursed that remoued the merestone of the field , Deut. 27.17 . because hee did wrong in succession to diuers : ten thousande times more is the remoouing of the ministers liuing subiect to the Lords wrath , because both presently , & successiuelie it is hurtfull to a number moe , and in a greater matter . Thirdlie by the Prophete Malachie the Lorde complayneth in expresse tearmes , Mala. 3.8 . that the taking away of the tythes and offerings from that ende , that they were appointed vnto , was a robbing and spoiling of him , yea euen such a spoyling , as he woulde visite with a great and greeuous curse . Now if it were so then , all the world must confesse , it is no lesse nowe , so long as authority ratifieth this means to maintaine the ministers : and therefore assuredlie will haue a sharpe reuenge . Fourthlie in the gospel the Iewes alledge it vnto Christ as an argument of loue to them and their Nation in the Centurion , that hee had built them a synagogue , Luk. 7.5 . plainely insinuating that they woulde haue iudged the contrarie , if hee had spoyled their Synagogue of his mainteynance . And Christ reprehendeth not this conclusion . Fiftly if David the king standing in so great distresse for water , 1. Chro. 11.16 . yet would not drinke of the water of Bethleem , because it was gotten with the daunger of some fewe mens temporal liues : should it not teach a great conscience to any man in the world , the tasteth of God & his truth , & hopeth for confort in anie other world , howe he ( not needing peraduenture , but abundantlie prouided for otherwise by the mercy of his God ) drinketh & eateth that which is gotten with apparant hazard of eternall life ●rom the bodies and soules , God knoweth , ●f how many ? Truely ( rightworshipful ) it ●hould , 1. Cor. 9. Gala. 6. &c. and the power of hell is not able ●o deny it . But such is the meat & drinke , or other mainteinance whatsoeuer , that we reape by the Church , when it is due ●o an other , for an other purpose , and ●herfore you know the conclusion . Sixt●y all those places in the scriptures commanding and inioyning the worlde to a maintainance , & sufficient mainteinance 〈◊〉 able teachers in it , doe plainly prooue 〈◊〉 sinne of this , to sequester to our selues ●he liuings allotted to them , vnles some o●her equiualent , or sufficient way be taken ●or them by authoritie . Againe , Possidon . in vita Aug. 10.24 . if the graue & learned father . S. Austen was so high●ie offended , and so sharpely rebuked a gentleman in his time , for taking away ●is owne gift , which before he had giuē●o the mainteinance of his Church : wold ●ee not haue bin a seuere censor against ●hē thinke we that should haue taken away what neither they nor any of theirs euer gaue ? If the stories so commend the noble Emperor Constantine for commanding goods ●aken from the Churches to be restored to them againe , woulde they not haue blotted him aswell , Euseb. lib. 10. cap. 5. Tit. Liuius , lib. 42. if hee himselfe had beene a spoiler of the same ? If the Romans so dealt with Q. Fuluius , for vncouering a part of Iunoes temple to couer an other temple in Rome with the sam● tiles , that they misliked him , condem●ned him , tolde him Pirrhus or Anniba● woulde not haue doone so , tolde him 〈◊〉 had beene too much to haue doone to priuate mans house , an inferiour plac● to a temple , and in conclusion force● him to sende home those tiles againe may not such as garnish either thēselue● or their houses with Church liuings , an leaue neither teacher nor almost tile● where both should be well , consider b● it , what this people would haue though● of them , if they had liued there ? An● what is the concept of a people pro●phane , in respect of theirs that know● and serue the Lord ? These then and d●●uers other reasons , which for feare 〈◊〉 length I pretermit , alledgeth hee the●● against this foule offence . Onelie o●● place more I must needs remember , an● it is a good one , to wit , howe Balthas● ●●ng of Babylon , himselfe , his Princes , ●●s wiues and concubines drinking and ●asting in the vessels of gold taken from ●●e Temple , euen then espied the fin●●rs of an hande writing vppon the ●●all before his face , that his kingdome ●●od had numbered and finished , weigh●● him in the balaunce , and founde him ●●o light , and therefore diuided & giuen ●●s gouernement awaie to the Meades ●●d Persians . At which sight his coun●●naunce chaunged , his thoughtes were ●●oubled , his loines loosed , and his knees ●●ote the one against the other . O Lord ●●at wee coulde thinke of this hande , ●●d feare the sentence of this writing as ●●t wee eate the corne of the barne , or ●●lace our selues with anie maintenance ●hatsoeuer taken of our selues with●ut authoritie from the Temple . But ●m too long . For mine owne part , I ●aue euer contented my selfe with this ●●ason , that that which is enioyed with●ut warrant either of Gods lawe or ●ans lawe , is vniustlie inioyed and will ●ssuredlie one way or other haue a ●●ourge : but such is the fruition of all ecclesiastical liuing , not altered from tha● vse by the magistrate , therefore vniustlie inioyed , and to our assured punishment Now that it hath neither warrant of God nor man , it appeareth . For the scripture you haue heard against it : and touching the lawes of men I haue had it also from the learned in them , that they condemne it For to begin with the common law of thi● land , first therein it is true , that an aduouso● in respect of the Patrone is accompted n● Assets to yeld a recompence , because it i● not valuable . Secondly the writ of qua●re impedit for the patrone hath these word in it : quod permittat presentari ad ecclesian quae vacat & ad indubitatam spectat dona●tionē , which word ( donation ) est libera di●spositio . Thirdly this law saith that the patron hath but Ius Donationis , and the ordinarie ius admissionis : and therefore cō●pelleth the patron to bestowe it in a time or else to loose it by lapse , apparantlie therein denying him any leaue to retaine it either in whole or part for euer to himselfe . Fourthlie it doth affirme verie pretelie and significantly that the true right & simple proprietie of the Church 〈◊〉 neither in patron , person , nor ordinary , ●ither in anie man liuing , but that the ●e simple of it is alwayes in suspence , & 〈◊〉 the verie words of law are ( in nubibus ) ●●ording thereby this good reason against ●●is sinne , that it is a great wrong for a ●an to make a commoditie to himselfe 〈◊〉 that which lawe cannot find he hath , 〈◊〉 is kept and preserued by law as farre ●●m mans possessing , as the cloudes are ●●stant from our handling . Fifthly this ●●we saith further , that in time of voca●●on both the fee and the freeholde of the ●hurch is in suspence , and in nubibus , and ●●at then though both patron and ordi●●rie with some consent will by their ●●ant charge the Church with any rent 〈◊〉 pension , that yet notwithstanding the ●●me charge is no otherwise of force a●●inst the Incumbent , but that hee ●ust perforce hold himselfe contented , ●●ee will haue it , seeing he cannot haue ●●e benefice otherwise than by the pre●●ntation of the one and admission of the ●●her : that is , in plaine words it alloweth ●●t the alienation of any profits from the in●●bent , though both of them consent . Sixtly when this common lawe , thus hating this euill wee speake of , was by the corruption of men abused in this point , and patrons vsurping vpon the Church be●gan to make gaine by Simonie of thei● aduousons and presentations , it was an● is prouided by statutes & positiue lawe with a paine and penaltie therin appoin●ted , that if anie incumbent come in b● Simonie , then ipso facto the Church i● voide , and all bils and bands and deed for the performance of anie such pens●●ons be also voyde . Much more could the learned yet alleadge euen out of th●● common law against this sin I know i● they were to handle it , but this may suf●fice in steede of more , where conscienc● is made of offending lawes and the god●lie gouernment of a Realme . Nowe fo● the Ecclesiasticall lawes , if I shall als● note a litle thence , manifest it is , & true●lie verie worthy marking howe strongl●● they also stande against this vice we speake of . For first by the verie name they giue to patrons they ouerthrow i● tearming them aduocatos ecclesiarum , v●●cedominos , Custodes , Gardianos , &c. a● being names of fidelitie , gouernement and carefull preseruation of the Church . For the worde Patronatus doth not signifie Dominium in Ecclesia , but as one noteth very wel , seruitii sollicitudinem . It is also called Gratia , quòd ex gratia vel gratis conferri debeant beneficia : also aduocatia , because they shoulde defend and tender the estate of the Churches where of they be Patrons , as aduocates doe the causes of their clientes , and so for the other names mentioned euen nowe before . And hereupon the lawe giueth them all due and possible reuerence euen as masters from their seruauntes , and Fathers from their children . It giueth them preheminence both in the Church and abroad , in sitting , standing , going and such like . It is prouided likewise that if these patrons or their children fall into decay , By right of patronage ariseth to the patron Honos Onus , and vtilitas , write the Canonists . What vtilitie , you s●● . they shal bee moderately maintained at the discretion of the Ordinarie by the Church goods , whereof they are patrons : and this is the onely profite they are to take of the Church . They may lay no seruice nor bondage vppon the Church . Tenetur etiam patronus protegere eccclesiam , & reparare , si minitetur ruinam , & de bono sacerdote prouidere : that is , the patrone also is bounde to protect the Church , and to repaire it , if it be like to fall to ruine , and carefully to prouide a good minister . Marke it . Nam tus patronatus , &c. For the patronage saith the law is suspended , if the patron present an vnworthie one , yea his right , for euer by that law , as some thinke , passeth to the Bishop , and hee shall neuer present more : but if not so , yet at the lest hee shall bee depriued of that turne if hee present an vnfit man , euen by the lawe in this lande in force . Furthermore in these lawes there are so manie notable rules and as it were axioms or principles touching the duetie of patrons , as might with great profit and pleasure be noted , if I had not already too much passed the bondes of a preface in a desire to preuaile something with some in this matter . As Patronus non potest presentare seipsum . A patron cannot present himselfe , as God knoweth now manie doe in effect . Againe debet presentare gratis , alias est Simonia . Hee must present freely , or else it is Simonie , and no excommunicate person or Simonist shall bee a patron to present . Patronus non est vere Dominus Ecclesiae &c. The Patron is not the Lorde of the Church , but as it were an aduocate and defender , neither may hee administer the goods of the Church . Ius patronatus nullum ius proprietatis patrono tribuit . The right of patronage giueth no proprietie to the patron . A notable saying . Againe patronus facere potest & debet , &c. the patron both may and ought to take heede that the fruites of the Church doe not goe to anie other vse . Also that permission of the Ordinarie by this lawe to take any oath if hee will of euerie incumbent for his cleere entrance , if there were nothing else in the worlde against it , doeth strike a blowe to the soules of them that so offende , and that a great one .

C. ex literis . C. de iure . C. cum saeculum .

Extra de iure Patronatus .

IT hath pleased God ( good Reader ) to vse my ministerie , not in one , but in moe places in this manner , still to succeede the author of this treatise , to water what hee hath planted , to labour in the ●aruest , whereof he cast the seede , to seede , and ●urther to bring on those , of whom he was the spirituall father , and by the immortall seede of gods word first begat them ; and still to enter vpon his ●abours , and goe forwarde with his beginninges : Alwaies to my great helpe , and comfort ( God ●nowing otherwise my wantes and weakenesse ) ●he easilier to wade there , where he had broken ●he yee , the plainlier to goe on , and leade others , where he had beaten the path , and more readilie ●o builde vpon , and reare vp , where he had layed ●he foundation , and squared the frame , and with lesse paines to keepe agoing that which hee had moued , and set agoing . God hauing dealt thus mercifully with me in my ministerie , and by the hande of this author thus holpen me ; I thought my selfe in duetie bound , in respect of this course which God hath taken with me , ( and especially by his meanes ) to giue to thee some testimonie of this his worke , for thy further profit , & withall to him some witnesse of my good will . Supposing my selfe in respect of the former cause , as fitte to doe this as another , & knowing the effect & hauing reaped the profit of these his labors , and daily reaping it , being , and abiding in the place where this seed was cast , I thought I ought to doe as willingly and as readily as anie other . If for no other cause , yet to commende this especially to them , to bring foorth further fruite among whome it was first sowen , and in whose heartes I doubt not , but it tooke roote nowe long since . An especiall commendation of this worke , if I would take that way , might be drawen from the workeman of it most plentifully , from his stocke , and kindred , education and such like ; which because it is rare fruite on such trees , to some may make it seeme the better : but I passe ouer these shewes and outwarde leafes to decke it with , it hauing ynough in it selfe to commend it , least if I should long speake of this colour , and grace , I should speake the lesse of him , or of the thing it selfe , minding not to speake much of either , & but litle in all . And as I passe the stocke from whence this graft was taken , so will I not stand to shewe you where it was ingrafted & planted , in what vniuersitie , in what Colledge , what roote he toke , what sufficient time he grew , howe he spred there , and with what liking , which would make this fruite to many not without cause to realish the better . But to come to that which commeth nearer to the bringing forth , and producing of this worke , when hee was first planted by a fellowshippe in that famous Colledge of the holy , and vndiuided Trinitie , in Cambridge , wholly , or most especially consecrated to the studie of him , and his knowledge , whose name it beareth : so straight he toke himselfe to that studie whereby he might be most seruiceable to gods Church , and some triall first had of his guiftes , as it were aduowed himselfe a man to the Lord , to serue in his tabernacle : Not long after , that betimes he might begin to be profitable & be profitable long ; God touching his heart , he toke on him the ministerie & so mercifully God dealt with him , that with all he placed him in one certaine Charge , not far from his Colledge ; that he might haue where to sowe , be still at hande to sowe , and knowe both what , and how to sowe , and to his comfort see the growing vp , and fruit of it . Nowe hauing there painefully laboured by the space almost of two yeares , and seene the effect of that promise , with what measure ye mete , 4. Mark . 24. shall be measured to you againe , and vnto them that haue shall more bee giuen , that though he cast in with full hande , and euer a zelous heart to doe good , in a continued course ; yet God so blessed , that the haruest ouer-abounded his labour , and exceeded his hope ; and that litle towne was a candle light , set on a candlesticke , and a tower vpon the toppe of a hill . When God to his comfort had thus encouraged him in his lawe , he by great meanes calleth him from this litle towne ( where he had no pastorall charge ) to a greater charge , and in respect of the change , and dignitie of the place whither he was called , it was as it were from Tecon to Bethel , from preaching in some vplandish , and countery towne ●n the wildernesse of Iudea , to Herods court , or as ●ndeede in many respectes , it well may be sayde , by a Sergius Paulus vnto his house . When he had there continued nowe a whole yeare and more , to the good reformation , and great benefitte of that most honorable familie ; it pleased God , that his Sergius Paulus leauing as it were Nazareth , went and dwelt for a time in Capernaum , Math. 4.13.14 . which is neare the sea , in the borders of Zabulon , and Nepthalin , beyond Iordan , in Gallilie of the Gentilles , out of the borders of Palestina . I hope I may without offence allude vnto that place , in all pointes it so fitly answereth : where a while abiding , by his meanes , God wrought , that the people which before in comparison sate in darkenesse sawe great light , and to them which sate in the region & shadowe of death , light was risen vp . Of this place , and this people , he hauing yet further compassion , they beeing as sheepe without a shepheard , wandring in the mountaines , and the haruest there great , and the labourers fewe ; the Lorde moued his heart , to remaine there , and wrought this in the heart of his most honorable Lorde ; himselfe to forgoe him , and leaue him there , for the further increase of God his Church , and for the tender loue he bare , and good he would to this people ; where what paines hath beene taken , & good hath beene done , it is by more witnessed than 〈◊〉 neede to make relation ▪ and this worke , and some others of this authors , since that time come forth giue open testimony , though I hould my tongue I would not haue saide thus much of the man , 〈◊〉 the places themselues , of which I haue spoke● were not readie to say and set downe more tha● I haue saide ; and this haue I saide that God in him may be glorified , they among whom he liueth fo● ●im thankefull : and to admonish him what pro●eedinges these beginninges require . The worke 〈◊〉 selfe , might manie waies beside be commended , ●he matter , and principall grounde of it is the ●awe of God , brought from the highest heauen , giuen by God himselfe to his seruant Moses , with ●hunders and lightninges , 19. Exod. 16. &c. 18. &c. and the sounde of the ●rumpe exceeding loude , on mount Sinay , the mountaine all on smoke ; the Lorde discending vpon it in fire &c. and all the mount trembling exceedingly , giuen to all the Israell of God , aper●ayning to all men , conteining infinite blessinges ●or the hearers , and doers of it , and innumerable & intollerable curses , & plagues , for the breaker ●hereof , either by negligence or contempt . This principall , not laide vpon with any borrowed col●ours to hide the grounde : but the workemanship and ingrauing of it , is out of the matter it selfe , so that still the grounde , and marble thereof may appeare , and dealt with all in this manner fitlie answering to the subiect matter , deliuered as it were in thunder , with a spirite as hotte as fire , zealous with iudgment , setting an edge by receiued strength euen vpon this rasier . The place also , and persons , where , and for whome , this worke was both made , and vttered , may adde much grace , and strength vnto it . In a most honourable familie , and for it , and with good liking , and profitte there : and commonly men like that the better , which liketh them well , and that which profiteth such profiteth manie . If it wette the mountaines , it will water the vallies : and if it bee sweete oyntment for the heade , it cannot be but acceptable to the re●● of the partes , and to the borders of the garment . The dewe from Hermon , and the mountaines of Sion , trickleth downe sweeteli● vppon the vallies about . And if this make i● profitable to others , because deliuered heere ▪ then must it be most profitable to this family it selfe , for which it was made , and first for it alone , and nowe is by me especially to it commended . It is fruite of your owne grounde , the voice of your owne sheephearde , the sounde of your proper trumpet , and therefore you must both knowe it , and like it the better , and thereby be warned the sooner . It is a lesson , which alreadie you haue learned , and therefore in it may and must be more readie than others . It is not nowe first commended to you , but againe recommended to your eyes , which heeretofore hath beene sent by your eares , to your mindes , and to your heartes , by a great vehemencie , and zeale of spirite , wherewith this author aboundeth . Which although so much , and with such life , and mouing , will not nowe altogether appeare in this writing , as when it was with the liuely voyce , and earnest spirite deliuered , because that GOD promiseth to that , the more especiall blessing , yet shall you easily see , that it is a worke comming out of the same shoppe ; a streame flowing from the same fountaine ; a print stamped , with the same seale ; and sparckles flying out of the same flame . Which the more they shall inflame you , which ought most to inflame you , you hauing beene ●●readie with them set on fire , the more they ●●all heate others , and by your example be ●●ofitable to all , which is that the author wisheth , ●●d I his welwiller heartily pray for , to him who 〈◊〉 the able worker of it : to whose especiall grace 〈◊〉 good reader ) in reading this worke , to direct ●●ee , I commende thee .