The first Chapter . Of the Argument Allegory , and manifolde vse of this principall parable .

THere are two sortes of persons who are the subiect , and Argument The argument . of this Parable . The one is the person of a renowned father : the other is of his children .

This worthy father as hee had but two sonnes , so were they deuided , and diuerslie disposed . The one of them was indifferentlie conformable to his father : but the other was out of course , and most vnnatural vnto his father .

This yonker , was the younger , not in yeares , ●ut manners : of so wilde , wilfull , and wicked in●lination : as all lewde conditions in him did seeme ●o striue which of them should exceed : all kind of mischiefe to grow vp to a heade : and the mysterie of sinne so to be compleat in him , as no vile quality could be found in any which did not redounde , and take deepe root in him . For being glutted with his fathers goodnesse , and surfeted with his bounty ; fulnesse bred fulsomnesse , prosperitie presumption , and familiarity contempt : So as both his eies of his vnderstanding being out , hee fell as Sampson into his enemies handes : 〈◊〉 similitude and as a hooded Hawke was caried to and fro , whither his lustes led him . In this sor●●anged hee about , and fetched a great compasse , and proceeded in his progresse : vntill by his chargeable trauailing by the way , hee had lauished out his substance , and had set out himselfe as a patterne of pity , in the theater of this world for all men to gaze vpon .

Saint Luke hath taken out his image very liuelie , and in a iust proportion hath painted him out vnto vs , in his orient colours . But first , as it is vsuall with Painters , and Lapidaries , hee shapeth him vnperfectlie , drawing out his lineaments , and portraiture with a coale : but afterwarde hee finisheth it , curiouslie comming ouer it with his pensill againe , polishing , and adorning it with siluer and golde , and with all kinde of beautifull , and costlie colours .

Wee will first view him in his deformed shape in the which we are to loath him : next we will reuiew him as he is reformed for the which we are to loue him .

His forme deformed , as hee is cast into a coale is described thus . First of all impatient to attende his fathers death , or to abide his good pleasure : he challengeth sawcily , and imperiouslie enough his portion of his father , not onely before hee could of right demaund it , but also before hee could rightlie gouerne it .

Secondlie , not contented therewith , his eyes were so euill , because hee was good , as hee woulde no longer tarrie in his sight : but whereas his two sons were the two crutches and supporters of his age to beare vp his body , he cruelly without pitty bereaueth him of one , by roauing abroade , and taking his vagaries , after his sinnefull pleasures .

Thirdlie like a wastgood , and ryotous Ruffian , hee so lasheth it on , as his goods melte like waxe , before the heate of the Sunne : hee bringeth his goods and substaunce to an ende , as a tale that is tolde .

Fourthlie , ietting and iogging vppe and downe , till hee tyred himselfe with riotous spending and running vppon the skoare : hee purchaseth at the last repentance of his pleasure at too deere a rate . A similitu● For the man and his money being once parted , hee was as the Asse trauailing in the daie time loden with golde , when the night came disburdened of his treasure , and turned into the stable with a galled backe . For throwing himselfe by his rechlesse prodigalitie , into all extremitie , his former prosperous , and honourable estate in his fathers house , was chaunged into the basest and vildest condition in his Maysters forme . For of a sonne he became a seruant , of free bonde , and in stead of former satietie and plentie , hee pined , and was almost consumed away with want and penury .

But this vexation was his reformation , and his good schoolemaister who gaue him best instruction : For it wrought in him a speedie alteration , and turned him to a godlie sorrowe to saluation . It did put a newe song into his mouth , euen a dutifull submission to his God . For whilest hee stoode by the waters of Babylon hee bitterly wept , when he remembred thee O Sion . ●al . 137 His regarde of the prosperitie of hyred seruantes in his fathers Sion , coulde not but make his eyes a fountayne of tears standing now by the waters of trouble , which were readie to runne ouer his soule in this worldlie Babylon .

But this his heauinesse which endured but for a night , brought vnto him all ioy in the morning . For as much rayne and great showers , doe cause the enemy who assaulteth anie place , similitude to breake vp his siege , and giue ouer the place : so the showers of teares , which gushed from his soule , discomfited , and ●●attered his hoast of troubles , which compassed him about , and redeemed , & brought his soule out of aduersity . So as in him this prophecy is fulfilled . ●●l . 68 The Morians land shall soone stretch out hir hands vnto God . Hee that before by reason of his sinne , ●●l . 68 was black like a Morian , is now made white by his returne from sinne , as the snow in Salmon .

●●l . 68 Though he hath lyen among the pots , yet nowe he is as the wings of a Doue , that is couered with siluer wings , and her feathers of gold .

This we shall well see if wee shall reuise him in his renued holines , in his perfect forme , as he is absolutely shaped out vnto vs , and oriently trimmed and expressed in his colours . For in him wee may behold , the image of that man that pleaseth God , such a one that resigneth & renounceth the world , and is changed by the renewing of his minde , Rom 12 prouing what is the will of God acceptable and perfect . As before he had giuen vp his members , as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sinne : Rom. 6 so now giuing them vp as weapons of righteousnesse vnto God . He is no more proude in his own eyes , but his soule is humbled euen as a weaned child : Psal. 131 casting down himselfe before his mercie seate , and in feare worshipping towardes his holie Temple : comming with a rente heart , aswell as rente garmentes , Ioel. 2. Psal. 84 and turning vnto the Lorde his God : desirous to bee a doore keeper , or a hired seruant in the house of his God , rather then to conuerse in this miserable condition in the tents of the vngodly .

And this his sute hath speedy good successe , his father beholding him a farre off with the eye of mercie , and graciouslie embracing him when he was in presence with the armes of pittie . For hee did put off his sackcloth and girded him with gladnesse , hee adorned him with a ring , dignity and greate worshippe did hee laie vppon him , he richlie did decke a Table for him in despight of his enimies , he did finallie make him glad with the ioy of his countenance , and did wipe away al teares from his eyes .

The allegorie ●he allego●●● of this ●●rable . and morall application of this parable without constraining it seemeth to be this . The father is God : these his two sonnes , are two sortes of people in the Church of God : The one of them orderlie and of good gouernment contented to abide in his fathers house & liberties of this church : the other exorbitant , refractorie and disloyall , gadding abroad after his owne fancies , yet humbled by discipline , and by chastisement reformed . The far Country which he traced , was his far departure from his fathers Lawes , by his wicked lustes . The substance which he wasted , was the riches of his grace which he deuided to him . The famine hee sustained was the want of the breade of eternall life , and infinite other defectes and wants , vnto which a sinner is subiect when he is gone from God . The cruell tyrant whom hee serued was the Diuell whome he obayed : this farme of his which hee attended , was this present euill worlde , in the which the Diuell raigneth . The swine which he kept were vncleane spirits , vngodlie companions , the hearde into which the Deuils doe enter , and doe violentlie throwe into the sea of all euill . The huskes which rather burdened , then relieued his stomacke , were the light and idle vanities of this worlde . His sinnes wich hee did feede vppon , the alluring baites and inticementes of the Deuill . His returne home was his returne from sinne by speedy repentaunce : his welcome home was the gracious acceptance of this his repentaunce . His first roabe was his first royaltie which Adam lost , and Christ redeemed for vs . The seruaunts who did fetch it were the ministers of his holie worde , who bring his graces to vs . The ring was the seale of Gods holy spirit , and a token of his dignity : whereby he crieth Abba father , and is sealed vnto the day of redemption . The shooes of his feete were the preparation of the Gospell of peace . The fat Calfe that was killed , was Christ slaine from the beginning of the worlde , for him and vs all his prodigal children . The heauenly banket , mirth , and musicke is the ioy and happines which we shal bee partakers of in the kingdome of heauen , all which shall bee orderlie prooued vnto vs in their proper places .

Now of this parable there is a manifold vse , The vse of this parab A similitud● whether we respect the matter , or maner of this history . It is like to a great peece of money which containeth in it the value of manie peeces . It is full of mysteries , and matters of much moment : albeit in our grosse , and carnall mindes we cannot conceiue them . It is often seene that thinges of great price of those that are ignoraunt of the vertue of them are vtterlie reiected : which by men of iudgement who doe know their nature are verie much accounted of . A similitu●● A base Countrey man passeth by a King and doth him no reuerence , because hee knoweth him not : A similitu●● A simple Pesant as he walketh in the fielde trampleth vnder foote many holsome simples , which the skilfull Apothecary carefullie gathereth vp and maketh of them many healthfull confections . In this fielde wherein we walke , many hearbes and flowers of forcible operations fit to bee applied to all wounded consciences may bee gathered of vs . There is no one bedde in the Lordes Eden , no place of holie Scripture in the whole Bible , which yeeldeth more sauory and comfortable doctrine then this place doeth . For first the manner and forme of this parable delighteth very much , as shrowding his matter vnder a parable and borrowed speech , and allegoricall discourse , and this is the common custome of Gods spirit for very good causes .

First it serueth to strengthen our weake memories , ●hy Christ ●ormeth by para●s . that thereby wee may better keepe in minde his holesome instructions . For euen as the stomacke vnlesse it hath a retentiue facultie , to retaine and digest the meate and nourishment that is put into it , 1. 〈◊〉 helpe 〈◊〉 weake ●mories . ●militude vntill it hath passage through the vaynes and partes of the whole bodie to cherish and to battle it , it receiueth no good : so vnlesse wee laie vp , and keepe in our hearts such needefull pointes of doctrine as are taught vs from the word , all preaching is in vaine , and our hearing is vnprofitable vnto vs .

●●●ilitude As precious pearles and iewels , are fastened vnto ribbandes that they might not bee lost : so Gods heauenlie worde an incomparable treasure , and a pearle of greatest price , is set out in parables , that it might not be lost of vs . You shall haue manie olde persons , that shall verie manie yeeres remember a familiar example , or similitude borrowed from such things , as we haue here common vse of , which they shal heare from a preacher : when as many other deepe poynts , and matters of more substance , then examined and discussed , shall be quite forgotten : and onelie because prouerbes and plausible similitudes , drawne from dayly prac●ize , do take deeper roote , and impression in their mindes . And for this cause God doth often open his mouth in parables , and declare vnto the people hard sentences of olde .

A second cause moouing him thereunto , 2 That wee may better vnderstand that which is taught vs . is to lay open and vnfolde more plainlie , that which is ●aught vs , that wee maie the better conceiue it and ●earne it . Aristotle the Philosopher prescribeth ●his course : Vt à notioribus ad minus nota procedamus : That in our way of teaching by plaine and ●nowne things we leade our schollers to the bet●er vnderstanding of those that are vnknowne : ●owe because things visible , obiect to our senses , ●re better knowne , then those that are inuisible , ●nd remooued from the same ; and those that are ●orporall are better conceyued then those that are ●pirituall : hence is it that parables and borrowed speeches from vulgar and knowne matters , serue as midwiues to further our trauaile in hea●enlie knowledge , and do helpe exceedingly , and serue our capacities .

And as this Argument is mouing in it selfe in ●espect of the forme and maner thereof : This parable is the abridgment of the Gospel . so doth it manie wayes instruct and comfort vs , in regarde of the subiect , and matter thereof . For I maie well tearme it the Epitome of the Gospell , the abstract and compendium of the whole woorke of our redemption . For these two poynts are the summe of our doctrine , and our preaching . The doctrine of Repentaunce : The forgiuenesse o● sinnes . The summe of the Gospel , Repentance and forgiuenesse of sinnes . Vnto Repentance properlie doe belong the whole bodie of sinne , and our entire conuersion from our sinnes to God . The forgiuenesse of our sinnes naturally compriseth the free grace of God , our iustification , and whatsoeuer else appertaine to our Redemption . Nowe these and each of these , liuelie are depainted , as it were in a Table in his fresh colours , in the image and counterfeit o● the prodigall sonne , the matter and argument o● this famous hystorie .

The second Chapter . Of the common condition of parents in their children vnder the person of the prodigall sonne his father : and therewithall of the estate of the militant Church .

THe person of the father by due order being first intreated of : his pitifull estate in his children is remembred . For being the kindest and best father that might bee , ( as bearing the person of God the father ) hee is a spectacle of the vnhappiest father in one of his children .

He had but two sonnes : but this fewnesse I steeme no small part of parents happinesse . For ●hildren being so chargeable in their bringing vp , ●●e number of them howe so euer well inclined ●re mainlie burdensome vnto manie poore pa●●nts , and doe vtterlie vndoe them , as well in their ●ood intendements of their ciuill education , as of ●heir putting foorth to their godlie informati●●n . But heerein is all miserie , that out of ●wo there muste needes bee one in whome all ●ewdnesse , and vngraciousnesse should abide : of 〈◊〉 most rebellious , vnnaturall , and desperate dis●osition .

This mans estate is set out as a looking Glasse A Glasse for fathers . wherein many fathers may beholde themselues : ●r this is no rare or straunge example , but such a ●ne as is rife and common in these dayes , as in ●mes of olde . For ancient recordes of holie writte ●oe shewe , how pestilentlie , and that common●●e the holie fathers haue beene plagued , and tortu●ed with their children . Gen. 4. Of the first brace of sonnes which the worlds eie did see , was not Caine one of ●hem ? A branded runnagate from the face of the ●arth , vnnaturall to his father , vnmercifull to his ●rother , hereticall towards God ( as supposing his ●loudie fact could be hidde from God , ) flattering ●imselfe in his owne wickednesse , vntill his abhominable inuentions were found out : and last of all fulfilling the measure of his sinne , dreadfully dispai●ing of the mercie of his God ?

But from Adam to descende to Noah : was 〈◊〉 lucke more fortunate , or his comfort in his childr●● greater ? Of his lease of sonnes was there not Cham , Gen. 9. whome neither the good counsaile of 〈◊〉 tender father coulde keepe in compasse , nor t● fearefull example of Gods horrible vengeaunce● the raging floud could reduce to order , but t●king an aduantage of his fathers weakenesse ou●whelmed with wine , and throwne into a sleep blowed open his skirts , and discouered his nake●nesse , and made him the argument of his sport an● pastime , and a scorne and derision to those th● were about him ?

What shall we say of Abraham our father , o● whose heedefull care of the well nurturing , Gen. 18. an● training vp his children , God himselfe is witnesse If his lot did fall into a fairer ground he hath caus● to reioyce : but his eie was not so watchfull , an● iealous ouer them , but of his two sonnes the bas● begotten Ismael was a scoffing , eluish and inordinate companion .

To this calamitie was Isaac also subiect , wh● was heauilie vexed with his vnhappie Esau .

But a load of afflictions was laid vpon Iacob by his childrens misgouerment . Gen. 34. His onelye deare daughter and darling Dinah was rauished of Shechem . Gen. 35. Gen. 37. Gen. 38. Ruben his eldest son defiled his fathers bed . His Cockney Ioseph was solde as a bondslaue by his sons to the Ismaelites , and transported into Egypt . His sonne Iudah committed incest with his daughter in lawe Thamar . And thus was hee ●ade a myrrour of of miserie by his childrens in●icitie .

Of this matter we haue a cloude of witnesses : ●t it is needelesse to heape vp examples in a thing 〈◊〉 manifest . Helie his two sonnes Hophney and ●hinees . Dauid his two sonnes Ammon and Absa●● , do confirme the same .

Wherefore let the diligent regard of these and ●●ch like examples prepare vs vnto patience , when ●●euer it shall please God , to make the disobedi●●ce and rebellion of our children the chastisement ●f our sinnes .

Our vnnaturall children bee giuen vs as specta●●es to helpe our blinde eyes , A similitude that will not see our selues . By seeing their vndutifulnesse vnto vs their ●●thers , wee may see our owne vndutifulnesse vnto ●od our Father . Isay . 1. For he hath nourished and brought 〈◊〉 children , but they haue rebelled agaynst him . It is ●●erefore a iust punishment laid vpon vs , that they ●hould forget vs , because we doe forget God . Aug. li. 5 cont. Iulian. cap. 2. It is Gods common course to punish sinne by sinne , ●nd one sinne ( as Augustine sayth ) is the punish●ent of an other , and God permitteth one sinne 〈◊〉 take vengeance of another , as afterwardes shall ●ee prooued more at large in his due place . But ●hat ende soeuer the Lord aymeth at by this kind ●f iudgement , it is no straunge thing for which we ●hould be wondred at , or bee a Prouerbe , or by worde in mens mouthes , because of our euill qua●●fied , and disposed children . Parents must not ●eare the iniquitie of their children , and their dissolute liues must not bee simplie laid vnto their ch●●ges . For their eies wil be euill though they be goo● an habit and custome , which is got of sinne is an●ther nature , and cannot be forsaken .

Furthermore in the estate of this father in 〈◊〉 children , we may perfectly behold the conditio● of the Church , We are not to feuer our selues from the Church because of the wicked which are in the church . thereby not obscurely shadow and prefigured . For his two sonnes are two kind of people , good and badde , mingled here togith● and resorting to the Church . It is not to bee look● for , that the militant Church should be witho●● blemish and corruption in this world . For it is t● Lords field wherein the tares do grow vp with t●● wheate , Matth. 13 Matth. 3 and the Lords f●●●re wherein the chaffe mingled with the wheate , Matth. 13 and the draw not wh●● gathereth togither al kinds of fish , and other thin● both good and bad . In Dauids Court there w●● a wicked Absalon : in Christ his schoole there w● the traitor Iudas : among the companie of the de●cons , there was the crew of the Nicolaitans . The● is in euerie thing , as Chrysostome Chrysost. dooth obseru● which doth consume a thing , as out of wood the commeth a worme , Similitudes from a garment a Moth , fro● a greene hearbe a canker , by which the woodde 〈◊〉 corrupted , the garment fretted , the flower cons●med . The wicked will here bee among the godl●● as Saule among the Prophets . 1. Sam. But there will b● a time when they shall bee separated : the whea● from the chaffe , Matth. 3 Mat. 13 Mat. 25 the seede from the Tares , th● Cockle from the Darnell , the Sheepe from th● Goates , and the intruder without a wedding ga●ment , shall bee culled out from the rest of the ●ompanie . Gen. 4. Gen. 21. Gen. 25. 1. Sam. 15 Ierem. 20 Amos 7 Mat. 25 A partition shall be made betweene Caine and Abel , Isaac and Ismael , Esau and Iacob , ●aul and Dauid , Ieremia and Pashur , Amos and Amasiah , Iudas and the Apostles , the fiue foolish ●irgins and the wise , the citizens of the saints and ●he outcasts of Israel .

In the meane while wee must in no case forsake ●he church , because of the wicked which are in the Church . For did Noah forsake the Arke because of Cham ? Or Peter the Apostles ship because of Iudas ? If there were not in the Church sinnes , what neede the Church pray for remission of sinnes ? A similitude He that leaueth the Church because of the bad , is like to him that leaueth a delightfull garden full of pleasant flowers , because of bad weedes that do grow among them .

The third Chapter . The badges and tokens of vndutiful children , shewed in the example of the prodigall childe .

THe lamentable condition of the father in the sonne , being thus premissed , and intreated of in generall : the history leadeth vs to a due regard of his grieuances in particular . And here beginneth the formall description of the sonne , his first image , rude , and vnperfect , and drawne out with a coale .

The mind of this man is known by his words , A man is knowen by his wordes . Iud. 12. Matt. 26. his mouth bewraieth what maner of man he is . As the Ephramites were knowne to bee Ephramites by their kinde of speech , being not able to pronounce Shibboleth : as the Damsell that kept the doore knewe Peter by his voyce , that hee was a man o● Galilee : so commonlie mens workes are knowne by their wordes to be good or euill . If his hear● be indighting of good matters , Psal. 45. his tongue will bee the penne of a readie writer . The words are properlie the sounde of the minde , and therefore as golde that hath not a good sound may be thought to be counterfeit : A similitude so the man that hath not a good sound cannot be perfect . He that is of the earth speaketh earthlie : Iohn 3. and the mouth of a foole ( sayeth the wisdome of Salomon ) blurteth out foolishnesse . Prou. 15. As a man by his blistered and exulcerate lippes is knowne to haue an Ague : A similitude so by our swelling and corrupt wordes we are knowne to haue an inward and spirituall Ague . A similitude If the Bell soundeth not orderlie without , the wheeles of the clocke are distempered within : our inwarde partes are out of frame , if our tongue runne riot and iarreth out of tune . A Brasen vessell that is emptie yeeldeth a cleare sounde , 〈◊〉 similitude if thou beest emptie of vngodlie thoughts , thy voyce will not bee hoarse , but the Eccho will bee loude . Wherefore if thou wilt set a doore before thy deedes , set a watch before thy wordes , and doe not let open the doores of thy lippes , before thou knowest what words will enter out . A worde once out cannot bee called in , it is good therefore to weigh out wordes . To rappe out foolish wordes , and to excuse them thus : I thought not of them : is the propertie of a foole . Wherefore seeing wee iudge of a man by h●s wordes as of a Lion by his pawe , geste we with our selues of this mans affection by his tearmes of presumption . For by his owne mouth wee will condemne him , as Christ did the bad seruant in the Gospell . He pleadeth lawe , and imperiously claimeth his portion as a debt which was due vnto him . Father giue mee ( saith he the portion of the goods , that falleth vnto me A verie impudent and saucie sute , and therewithall vnre●●onable . For what doth this motion insinuate else , but that hee is highlie conceited of himselfe , to bee of able gouernment to dispose his owne goods , to go at his libertie , and to doe what him ●●st ?

In this mans behauiour the guise and practise of vnruly children is plainlie to b●e seene , such as this declining and almost consumed age plentifullie bringeth forth : for the name beeing chaunged , they so imitate his nature , as this argument seemeth properlie to bee made for them : Hee that is beere called the younger , is nowe a graue elder , and hath beene the father of innumerable children like vnto himselfe . As this boy choppeth Logicke , and peartlie communeth with his father for his share : so too manie wicked wagst●ings will parley with their parents , and ●owdlie and lewdlie debate theyr matters with ●hem , saying with the ryotous rout in Dauids time : Our tongues are our owne , wee ought to speake , Psa. 12 who is Lord ouer vs ? But the Lorde hath his iudgements in store for such , and their damnation sleepeth not .

The scope they driue at in all their expostulatorie and discontented tearmes , is the same which is the substance of this mans cauillation , his fathers inheritance . They are greedie of their golde , as a Crowe is of a Carrion , and in their immoderate luste thereof , they can neither wayte their fathers death , or staie his good leysure : but they must needes inioy it out of hande , or else they are greatlie sicke of the father , and doe long for his death , verifying and fulfilling this saying of the Poet.

Filius ante diem patrios inquirit in annos .

The sonne would haue the father dead , that he might haue his golde .

Such iniquitie in the hearts of children in all degrees of people generallie preuaileth , such corruption ruleth their affections , as verie fewe are found ( howsoeuer they can dissemble it for ciuill fashion sake , ) that are not reasonablie pleased in themselues with their parents death : whether they bee rich to possesse their riches , or of poore estate , therby to be eased of their charge .

2. Sam. 18 What incited Absalon to that furie against his father , but his ambitious desire of his fathers crown and dignitie ? But his desperate designement escaped not due punishment : for the reuenging God snared him , and strangled him with his own pride the righteous God that by no meanes suffereth the disobedience of children A dreadfu●● example for disobedient children . to their parents vnpunished , made his knotted curled haire , the knots of death , and to stand in stead of halters to choake him vp . And so hanging by the hairie scalpe betweene heauen and earth , vntill he was smitten vnto the ground by Ioab , and miserablie finished his accursed life , he is left as an example to rebellious children of feare & trembling . I pray God this example may warne such children : that those who tread in the selfe same steps , may in time take heed , least iustly they bee whipped with the selfe same stripes : And if it may be as well remembred , as it is ill forgotten , it will curble their wilde and wicked affections , and keepe them in obedience .

How they do walke in this mans path & imitate his lewdnes if they do not surpasse it , it is easie to be seene if you suruay the trickes , and fetches which they vse to serue their owne turnes , to get to their possession the inheritance , and right and substance of their fathers . Some are taught to chalenge with boldnes inough their legacie and portion that was left them by their mother . Othersome do sue to be ouerseers of their fathers , & to be tutors ouer them , charging them with dotage with the sonnes of Sophocles , that they are vnable to manage their matters , & therfore they do craue the gouernment of their goods , and ouersight of their persons .

Othersome do flatly charge them with iniustice , and vnnaturall partialitie , that they worke not by a rule , leuel & proportion in the course of their affections , in heaping vpon one more than on another without iust occasion : as if it were vnlawfull for Iacob to loue Ioseph more then al his brethren , or for Christ to loue his disciple Iohn more then the other of his fellow disciples .

But as they are with this prodigall companion troubled and tormented with a greedie worme , Disobedient children are great ●●●ders . which maketh them to gape with mouths so wide for their parents substance , buzzing like the flies that pestered Pharao his Court , and could not bee driuen away but they will still returne , seaze , and prey vppon them : so are they alway of a gadding spirit , they are neuer well , but when they are ranging and their feet stand vpon thornes vntil they be gone out of their parents house . They had rather be companions with vaine and lewd persons , who may flatter them in their fondnesse , then to be in presence of their carefull parents , who may traine them vp in goodnesse . They haue lost that eare with Malcus that should heare good counsell , and they followe with Absalon , such kinde of counsellors , as leade them to destruction .

A similitude Herein they doo resemble the birds of the ayre , who , albeit they bee neuer so well tended in the cage , yet couet they to bee out , and to flie abroad , skipping too and fro , from one twigge vnto another . But the birds herein , do folow but the instinct of their naturall inclination which God hath giuen vnto them , whose naturall habitation is in the aire , neuer vsing to light vppon the ground , but when hunger and needfull prouision of foode and other necessities driue them thereunto , and therefore are excused : but lewd children like monsters do putte off nature , coursing abroad , when nature teacheth them to abide at home , and therefore iustly and condignely are accused .

Doth not nature teach them there to abide most , where they haue most cause ? there to liue , where they find greatest loue ? and not to bereaue them of their comfort and solace in the ende of their life , who haue beene vnto them by such infinite troubles and vnspeakeable charges , the bginners , authors , & maintainers of their liues ? A similitude See we not how Spani●ls waite diligently vpon their maisters , who do vse to feede them , and shall sonnes giue no attendance vpon their deare parents , who not onely feede them , but do take such cares for them ?

If the loue of parents , with all the loue againe that children can shew , can neuer be requited , take wee heede we turne not thankfulnesse into sinfulnesse , and obedience into stubburnnesse , and naturall loue into all vngodlie lust . He that rendereth ●ill for good euill shall neuer ( saith the wise man ) depart out of his house . Prou. 15.

Christ that desired that the fragments of the ●aues wherewith the people were sufficed in the wildernes , should be kept as a grateful remembrance ●f that kindnes : no doubt would haue such maine ●●d vnspeakable benefits which wee receiue from ●r parents to be in no wise forgotten . The sorrows ●hich parents do sustaine for their children , be side ●●e many cares of their well doing , as exceeding 〈◊〉 number are not to be rehearsed , which no doubt as sharp arrowes would stick sore vnto their side● and would soone ouercome them , were there not a● inward loue which ouerruled all , making them patient and willing to endure them . 1. Kin. 4 The tender lo●● seated and rooted in their hearts , is like the mea● that Elisha the man of God did cast into the pott● whereby the sowernes & bitternes of death , whic● was in the pot was taken away , and their mea● made sauorie and sweete vnto them . The rega● whereof if children were not gracelesse might r●uish their affections , & retaine them in obedien●● and keepe them at home , and weane them fro● their wilde and wanton vagaries , ietting and ia●●ting like a Post to & fro , who staieth not in a plac● alwayes turning vp and downe like an hour-gla●● that is turned euerie houre .