ALthough the Iewes , at such time as our Sauiour Christ came into the worlde , had the word of God among them : and had also the Temple and Synagogues where they heard the same read & expounded : yet their state was very miserable , for Christ saith , they were as sheep without a shepheard : because their teachers , the Scribes and Pharisies , being choaked with couetousnes , and puffed vp with vaine glory , were become stark naught , corrupt in maners , & corrupting the word with their fond gloses : their teaching also was so cold , and with so little power euen in that which they taught truly , that the people had no great list to heare them . But when Iohn Baptist the forerunner of Christ , was raised vp to publish the beginning of the Gospell , and to prepare the way for the Lord , hee like a sounding and shrill Trumpet , with the power of his word shooke their hearts , and rowsed their drowsinesse , so that from his time the kingdome of heauen suffered violence . When Christ Iesus himselfe vttered his voice in preaching , and his diuine power in working woonders , there appeared such a woonderfull maiestie in his person , as did amaze the hearers : wherupon his fame was noysed far and neer , so that they came running out of al quarters of the land by heaps , for to see and hear him : they seemed to forget themselues and their state , in leauing all worldly affaires , as the husbandmen their plough , the Artificers their craftes and sciences , following him into the wildernesse with their wiues and their children laggering at their heeles , so great was their zeale . So that , as before almost all did perish in the miserable state they were in : nowe it seemed that the greatest part , or at least an innumerable multitude did with such care imbrace the heauenly doctrine , as that they should be most happy and come to eternal life : but this was otherwise , for our Sauiour Christ sheweth heere , that of this great heap and rablement of people , that were so zealous , and trauelled so far to heare him , there were three partes which did not profite by his doctrine , but continued still damned and forlorne creatures , only one part of foure , are true schollers . And because we be rank hypocrits , prone & ready to deceiue our selues , Christ Iesus layeth open the matter so plainlie , & in so familiar a kind of teaching , that vnles we wilfully blind our selues we can not but see how the case standeth in euery of vs , ech man in himselfe : for he taketh a similitude from a Sower of corn , which going & casting his seed abroad , it lighteth vpon sundry kindes of ground , some falleth by the way side , where the path is trampled & beaten smooth & hard by mens feet , and is made like a pauement , & there it lyeth aboue the ground altogether vncouered , the Fouls come by & by & pick it vp . Some falleth into stony ground or rocky , or as S. Luke saith , vpon a rock : where there is a litle thin crust of earth in the top , & some moisture in which the seed is a little couered : and because the earth which doth couer it is but shallow , it springeth vp quicklie and brancheth , and is fresh and greene , and being so good , seemeth to be forward corne , and such as would yeeld to the husbandmen a plentifull haruest : but because the root cannot spread it selfe deepe ynough , to suck iuice out of the ground for the nourishment of the blade , when the parching heate of the Sun lighteth vpon it , then it is dryed vp , and scorched , and dyeth , & neuer bringeth forth fruit . Some other doth fall among thornes : there is depth of earth for the seed to grow , so that it springeth vp , and not onely a blade , but also a stalke , and commeth so far as to haue the eare : but the thornes grow vp with it , ouershadow and choak it , in so much that the corne in the eare , cannot haue the benefite of the Sun to make it ripe : therefore the fruite that it seemeth to bring forth commeth to naught . Some other seeds fall into good ground , and grow vp , & bring forth seasonable fruit , one kernell an hundreth , another sixty , another thirtie . This is the Parable . Now for the meaning of it , we are not to seek far , neither to goe by coniectures , for Christ himselfe doth expound and interpret euery part of it a little after in this chapter : I neede not but to lay open his exposition .

The seed is the word of God : the sower of it is the Preacher and publisher of the same : for as the Sower doth fil his hand and so casteth it abroad vpon the ground , not setting it seed by seed , or choosing a place for euery seed , but where it lighteth : euen so the preacher doth cast foorth the worde among the people , and look how the ground is into which it falleth , so doth it prosper ; for your hearts are the ground vpon which it is cast : you that are the hearers & among whom the seed is sown , haue euery one a hart which is one of these four sorts of ground , vpon which the seed falleth : and because the seede hath beene and is still daylie sowne among yee , I thinke this parcell of scripture is vey fit and agreeable , euen as a touchstone for euery one to try him selfe withall , whether hee haue rightlie embraced the Gospell , and to his saluation : for what a sottishnes were this , when we haue so iust and plaine a rule , not to measure our selues with it ? But going on , on , nothing consider whether we be not one of those three euill sorts of ground , which receiue the seed , but bring forth no fruite , thinking we be wel if we professe the Gospel or heare it , after any sort . Let vs go forward : those which receiue the seede by the way side , are they which heare the worde and doe not vnderstand it , then commeth the euill one , or as S. Luke saith , the Diuell , and taketh it away from their heart . In these first kind of hearers , we haue to obserue , how that their heartes being hard and smooth like a path that is trampled and beaten with mens feet , the word hath no entrance , but lieth aboue vncouered : for like as when a man casteth an handfull of corne vpon a very harde and smooth path , it is all one as if it were cast vpon a pauement : so also through the custome and deceitfulnesse of sinning , the Diuell hath made the hearts of these vnmeete to receiue the heauenly seed of the word : and looke how ye see Crowes & other Fowles followe the heeles of the Sower , to picke vp and deuoure such kernels as do lie vncouered ; in like maner do the diuels come like greedy foules into the assemblies , where the word of God is preached , to take it away from the harts of the people , that it may not growe there . This peraduenture will seeme strange to some , that Sathan should haue any entrance into the Church among Gods people , especially when they bee about the best and most holy exercises of hearing the word & of praier . How strange soeuer it may seeme , and how many soeuer haue been , or bee of that fond and doltish opinion , to think that the diuell hath nothing to do with them , or commeth not neere them , when they bee about these holie things : we are to beleeue Christ who telleth vs the contrary : and we are wisely to consider , that when we are nighest that which shoulde doe our soules good , then is this enemie readiest at hand , & doth most busilie bestirre him . If this were not vttered by our Sauiour Christ himselfe , we might woonder , & for mine own part I would not cease wondring to see many hearers which cary away almost nothing , which is to any purpose : let a man tell a long storie in a worldly matter , they haue wit inough to recite it in order again , & to keep it in remembrance a long time after : but let the preacher speak neuer so plain , although they sit & look him in that face , yet if ye enquire of them so soon as they be out at the church doors , ye shal easily perceiue that ( as the common saying is ) it went in at the one eare , and out at the other . They will say peraduenture , after this maner , it was a good sermon , I wold we could follow it , he said very wel : he is a perfect ready man in the pulpit . But ask , what doctrine did he handle . Then are they at a pause , and set at a dead lift . They will make this answere : we are not able to carrie away so much as other can ; neuertheles we hope that we be as good toward God , as they that carie away most . They will also confesse that the worde of God is good , and that wee should be ruled by it . Let vs therefore dearly beloued ( if we desire not to be of the number of these ) marke well the subtill sleights and pollicie of the diuell , how he handleth and conueyeth the matter with this kind of people . There is no doubt of this , but that if he can he will drawe away the minde from comming to the Sermon , one pelting let or other must come in the way : if there be no worldly businesse to be done , then a paire of cards , or tables , or some honest recreation , it should be nowe no good ciuility to part companie when friends are met togither , this is the surest way if it may be obtained : but what if he faile heerin ? They come to the place where the seed shal be sowne , sit down , and mind to heare : then the next way is to come with them , and to attend at their elbowe , seeking how to depriue them of the word . Now his best way is to bring them asleepe because they were then as good bee absent : or into a slumber , that they may heare only a sound and a confused humming , without any perseuerance of the things vttered : or els when they heare any perfect sentence , or a few sentences , they know not why they bee vttered , because they heard not that which went before . Such as are not so drowsie headed , being wakefull , he seeketh stil to conuey some thoughts into their minds , whereabouts they may be occupied , and their vnderstanding drawne away : the mind of a man being light and inconstant , if hee can put in but one motion , it oftentimes draweth with it so many linkes as make vp a whole chaine , in the meane time the Preacher goeth on , and he vnderstandeth not what was said , and so when his mind returneth he can haue no sound knowledge of the things vttered , but a confused opinion : into these by thoughtes men are oftentimes brought , euen by occasion of some word or sentence which they heard vttered , and are carried so far , that they cannot of long time recouer their mind to bring it again to the matter . Seeing this great danger , we ought when we come to hear Gods word taught , to make account that wee goe about a verie hard worke , that we go to encounter with Sathan hand to hand , who seeketh then most busilie to steale away our heart , that he may make that word fruitlesse in vs , and cause vs to sinne grieuously against God . There is no one man which maketh conscience of hearing the word rightly , which setting these thinges togither , the reuerence we owe vnto it , the stedinesse of our minde , which should be vpon it , and the care to keepe it , but will easilie grant that it is as hard and painfull a trauell to doe this , as for the man that worketh in the sorest bodilie labor . Heer is therfore a lesson for euery man to apply to himself when he is going to heare the word , to think I am now going about a gret work I shall be too weak if the Lord God do not mightilie assist me : for I am not to sit downe there at ease , but to wrastle and struggle with the Diuell , and with all the corruptions of mine owne flesh , and hardnesse of my heart : that my mind may bee kept stedfast vpon the worde , that I may receiue it with al reuerence & feare , as the word of the great & glorious God : not to iudge of it at mine own pleasure , but to craue wisedome from the Lord : not to heare it and to let it goe , but to keep it as a most precious iewell locked vp in my heart , that I may guide my selfe thereby . And wee shall be a great deale the rather mooued to this diligence , if we consider what a companion wee carie about with vs , and what a guest wee lodge withall , when we be such as heare the word , and doe not keep it . For Christ telleth vs that it is the Diuell which doth this : which as a greedy Fowle deuoureth the seed which was sowne in our heart : if any make none account to haue him possessing their mind , & hardening their hearts against the word : then let them continue in their sloth to heare with drowsie minds , to heare and not to vnderstand : to regard the holy word , but as the word of a man : to make little account to keep it . But if he thinke it a most miserable thing , to haue so filthy a beast , & so soule a spirit to lodge in his breast : if he thinke it to be a most vile slauery , to be vanquished and ouercome of so horrible an enemie , to bee led captiue and kept thrall vnder such a tyrant : then let him thinke also how miserable a thing it is to bee such a kind of ground as doth receiue the seede by the way side . For vndoubtedly , how soeuer men seeme to defie the deuill , and curse him , as though he should not come nigh them , yet seeing it is no mortall man , but the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe , who telleth vs heer that the diuell is not only nigh but in these kind of hearers , euen hardening their heartes , and blinding their eies , wee ought most constantlie to beleeue it . Hee that shall deeply weigh the estate of our Church at this day , will soone be brought to confesse , that there be many of this first sort of hearers , they shall perceiue it right wil by this , that they are not able in any wise to iudge or put difference betweene sound & syncere preaching and vaine pratling : they know not when the preacher doth minister vnto them wholsome food , and when there is nothing but chaffe and wind : ye shal heare them highly commende some Sermon , as a matter worthy to be written in letters of gold , when as in deed it deserueth not so much as to be noted with a coale . I speake not of those silly wretches , which were neuer as yet acquainted with preaching , for it is no great maruel , though they bee not able to discerne chalke from cheese : or being blind for to iudge of colours , but to such as of long time haue been hearers , and yet neuer the wiser , because they are not able to iudge when sound and necessary conclusions are drawne out of the word ; but all is one with them , whether the reason that is made be good or bad , strong or weake : yea , further ye shall perceiue that euen a litle shew of a reason although neuer so doltish , being against true godlines , doth more preuaile with than , then a multitude of infallible proofs although they be neuer so sure : and that which is so grosse and absurd that a child may laugh at , seemeth to them a very strong piller to leane to . There needeth no more when a man preacheth vnto them , but a glorious shew of learning , a sweet ringing voice , and matters so strange and strangely handeled , that they may be brought into a woonderment of that they know not . And Satan hath many chaplaines fit for this turne , to serue the vaine humor of such people , and to set foorth themselues after a pompous sort : more seeking their owne vaine glory , then the glorie of the Gospel , in the conuersion of the people . The seconde kind of ground are they which receiue the seede vpon the hard rock , where there is some entrance , and the word hath a shallow root in them , for as it were the top of their heart is soft after a sort , and there it is couered a little , and it groweth vp quicklie , and springeth fresh , they seeme to be stout and excellent professours , they brag of great zeale : a man would take them to be syncere , and so they take themselues : but when the Sun ariseth that is , the fiery triall or parching heate of persecution , they stumble and fall away and because the word had no deep root in them , it withereth and bringeth forth no fruite : these also are not profited by the word of grace , but are stil castawayes & damned creatures . In this kind of ground , or in these hearers , if we note well , we shall see that which is strange and woonderfull : when Christ saith and testifieth of them , that they receiue the word with ioy : these be not blasphemers or persecutors of the word : they be not contemners which regard not at all to heare it : they come not vnder a shewe or pretence as to a thing which otherwise they haue no care nor feeling of , or which they delight not for to heare , but how ? They receiue it with ioy , and take such pleasure therin , that returning they can say , surely this was a very notable peece of worke , and wel handeled , I am glad that I heard it , it doth me euen as much good as my meate , I would goe a mile to heare the like againe . Is not this then marueilous and fearfull , that a man may goe thus far & yet be a castaway , and a forlorne wretch ? It is not a thing to be woondered at , when the holie scriptures giue sentence against those traiterous villaines , which set themselues against God , and tread downe his lawes ; but when God vttereth this sharpe sentence against this zealous kind of men , if it cause vs not to wonder , yet it may make vs to tremble , when we see that a man may proceed thus far in religion and yet be damned . When we vnderstand that a man may bee zealous , and ready to heare preaching , vnderstandeth , carieth away , letteth it grow in his heart , hath some ioy in it , and yet neuer the better , abiding still vnder the curse . But there be some which will obiect against me and say , this is no good manner of teaching , for the vse of true teaching , is to builde vp and edifie the faith : but this seemeth to take away the certainty of faith from all , so that no man can tell whether he shall be saued : For by what means can a man make a better triall and proofe of his faith then this , that he giueth eare to Gods word , vnderstandeth it , carieth it away , and ioyeth in it ? If such a man may be damned , who may not dispaire ? I answere with S. Paul , 1. Cor. 10.12 . He that thinketh he standeth , let him take heed he do not fall . If the admonition were necessary to the Corinthes , it is necessarie for vs all . One of the principall endes and vses of preaching , is to giue men warning that they do not deceiue themselues with euery kind of faith or ioy in the word : but to looke for good and sound triall in themselues : which is not the way to bring men to despaire , but to bring them to true godlinesse : to cause them to shake off securitie and loosnesse in the seruice of God : to beware least their heartes bee hard still within : it causeth men to trie themselues least they should be deceiued by a vaine shadowe of a dead and fruitlesse faith : for Christ saith , that these beleeue ( for so it is expressed by S. Luke the 8.13 . ) and ioy in the worde , and yet are damned . Then let vs come to the particular applying of this point : to see howe wee are to deale with our selues , when ye receiue the word take heed that ye giue it depth of earth enough , look that your hart be not soft & pliable enough a little aboue , and a hard rocke of stone within , but see that it bee digged and softened to the bottome , that the worde may take deep roote enough . Alas , what a miserable thing is it , when Christ hath giuen vs warning here so plainly , for a man to be a zealous gospeller , not only willing to heare , but hath an earnest desire , & trauelleth to heare , taketh pleasure & delight when he heareth , yet neuertheles , because he taketh no heede thereto , his heart within is so stonie , that he heareth but to his further increase of damnation . Manie thinke it goeth wel with them when as they receiue this testimonie from men : he is a sound Protestant he fauoureth and delighteth in the truth , these indeed be great tokens of the fear of God , but yet we are not to rest in them : our chief dealing is between God & our hart , & that in this thing whether our heart bee not hard and rockie . Those are a thousande times happy , which feele melting heartes and soft affections , so that Gods word doth pearce into them , & causeth them to tremble at the maiesty & power of the fame : their tender heart doth sigh and mourn for their iniquitie . As on the contrary part , they which make no conscience of sin , but are hardened in their affections , although they seem to be in good case , yet are they cursed & miserable . Let euery man therefore that goeth from the sermon , carie this with him : I heare by Christs owne words , that there is a stonie ground where the seed falleth , where it groweth , but not deep enough , it springeth vp , but doth not bring forth fruit , this is a wofull case , if I should be in the number of these , for then al my labor is lost which I bestow in frequenting Sermons , yea it were much better that I had neuer heard : I feele that I ioy in it , I would not for any thing but I had heard it : but Christ saith that the reprobate some of them do heare the word with ioy , so that if I looke not narrowly to mine owne heart , I may for all this be damned : therefore I must not satisfie my selfe with this , but see that I couer the word deep enough , that my heart be softened in such sort , that I feele the roote goeth deepe , yea so deepe , that it can neuer be rooted out : And therefore let him continuallie crie vnto God and say : O Lord make soft my harde and stony heart , let it bee a melting heart , that thy holie worde may growe in it for euer . I would to God this doctrine of our Sauiour Christ might make euerie of vs to tremble & shake ( as indeed if it were well weighed , it is so fearfull , that it might cause the haire of our heads to stand vp , ) for then would we not so loosely & securely walk in the hardnesse of our heartes , there would not be so many backsliders in time of persecution : there would not be so many braue boasters and praters of Religion , who are readie to pull in their hornes , and to hide their heades , so soone as there is anie feare of daunger , or likelihood of persecution : neither would men bear themselues in hand , that they be iolly professours when they haue but a little tasted of the word , & are no more but empty barrelles , which giue a great sound . Heere then wee be set a worke with great toyle , to haue this same hard stonie ground made softe , and fit to receiue this heauenly seed . And hee which is not carefull in this point , to take paines , yee shall see him waxe so hard , that euen as a continuall raine dropping vpon a rocke of stone maketh it neuer the softer , so nothing can make his heart to relent . This may teach vs then to cease marueiling , when wee see so manie which willinglie giue themselues to be taught , & haue still little remorse of sinne . The Lorde for his mercie sake make vs wise and sharpe sighted to iudge of our selues : not to be lead on forward in a carnall profession , but to giue credit to our heauenly teacher , who hath heere opened his holie mouth to instruct vs so plainely , and before hand to warne vs of the great danger : that we may stir vp ourselues , and be quickened in our dull spirits , with all humble submission , and bowing downe our neckes , to receiue the doctrine of our Lord , & to open our hearts in such sort , that he may digge in them , and thrust in his spade to the bottome : for otherwise , it cannot go wel with vs . If this were practised among vs , wee should not haue so many old rusty Protestants : which if a man talk with them from morning to night , they are able to continue speech in reciting stories and places of Scripture , and will vtter matter against the doctrine of the Pope : but let a man vrge them with the doctrine of regeneration , and stand vpon the necessitie of sincere repentance , shewing them that they must be truly humbled vnder the burthen of their sinnes , that they must mortifie and subdue their carnall lustes : this is too hard a crust for their old teeth . This matter doth marre all : this doth rob them of their glorie : and therefore they can not wilinglie abide to heare of it . Let vs come now to the third kind of ground , which receiueth the seed among the thornes : here is depth enough of earth : so that as the second sort of hearers seemed to goe far beyond the first , so these seeme to goe far beyond them , and to come nigher to eternall life , for heere the worde doth grow & hath root so deep , that it springeth foorth so farre that Christ faith , it groweth vp , and the thornes growe vp with it , the stalke doth shoot foorth the eare , and lacketh but riping . For this may bee prooued by Saint Luke , who saith that they bee not ( Telesphorountes ) that is , such as beare ripe and timely fruit : for these professors doe manie good workes , and seeme to bring foorth the fruites of the Gospel , and that in such wise that men cannot alwayes discerne them , but thinke their deeds to be notable : but Christ Iesus doth shew that their workes before God , ( who only cannot bee deceiued ) are as corne which lacketh riping , which being ouershadowed with bushes , withereth in the eare and commeth to naught : this is a dangerous case if wee looke not to it : That a man may heare the Gospell preached , carie it away , be moued thereby to doe many good workes , and yet be damned . Hee is a thousand folde mad therefore , which doth not looke to himselfe in this point : to trie what soundnesse there is in the fruites of his faith , and how sincerely hee doth imbrace Gods worde . As before I saide , that some would obiect & say , this will destroy the faith , so am I sure that heer it will be said much more : because this seemeth to take away the surest tryall of faith : if a man may not by and by say , I haue good works , therfore I haue the true and liuely faith : I answere , that whosoeuer hath any good worke in him , the same hath the true faith , which hath brought foorth that good worke , because it is impossible without faith to do any good thing , or to haue any good motion or intent : but withall I say , that it is one thing to seem good before men : and another thing for to be good indeed before God . In outward appearance , there is little difference between the good deeds of them which feare god sincerely , & the vntimely fruite of worldlings : but God whose eie doth not look vpon the outward shew but the inward affection , seeth which proceedeth of faith , and which doth proceed of vaine glorie , or some other sinister respect , and putteth as great difference between them , as he did between the sacrifices of Caine and Abel . Wee must take heed then , that the fruits of our faith be ripe & timely , otherwise they be good but in shew . We must come then to see first what these thornes are : in S. Matt. they are called , the cares of this world , & the deceitfulnes of riches : in S. Luk. the cares of riches , & pleasures of this life . And in very deed these thornes do growe togither . For were it not for the pleasures of this life , there would bee no cares of riches : hee which doth seek greedily for welth , it is either because he would be able to haue wherwithal to fill the lustes of the flesh , and to pamper his body delicately : or els to setforth himself in pride , & to climb ambitiously vnto honour . For so long as a man doth take pleasure in any of these , so long he is couetous , & raketh together so much , that as the common saiing is , he raketh vp the diuel & all . What must we do then ? Our hearts are as a ground that is rank , & bringeth forth many weedes : we are set a work as God speaks by his prophet Ieremy , chap 4.4 . Plow vp your fallow , & sow not among the thorns : we must put al diligence & care that our hearts may be rid of such noisom weeds as wil choke the word of God , & make that it shall not bring foorth fruit in vs . So long as we suffer any of these in vs , either to loue dainty & delicate feeding of our flesh , & to fil our selues with the lusts therof , or to be gallant in the eies of men , & hautily to lift vp our selues in our vain glorious minds , & for the maintenance of these delightes bend our care to the world : so long shall we be vnprofitable schollers in the school of christ Alas poor men which wold fain come to God , & yet are glued to the worlde they offer one hand to Christ , & the other to the diuel : they can talk of the spirit , and yet are led by the flesh : the gospel is in their mouth , and couetousnesse lodgeth in their hearts : their works glister & are green before men & are withered before God : they seem to be faithful & are faithlesse : to be heires of glory , & yet are the children of confusion : there are gret plenty of these hearers , & specially in such places , where there is welth & honors : how many fal away choked with the world ? and yet we are not afraid of ourselues to take heede that we stand fast . A great mercy of God it is that we haue not only the doctrine laide before vs , but also fearefull examples : so that we may buy our wit with other mens cost . For when wee see the world with delightes and pleasures , with couetousnesse and ambition , to carrie away those which professe the Gospell , is not our owne matter in hand , are not we made of the same mettall they are , doth not the world assault vs as it doth them ? Yes , and we shall be ouercome also , if the Lord haue not mercie vpon vs . The hardnes of this worke , ought not to discourage or make vs slack , but hearing what Christ saith , whome wee ought to beleeue , the more harde , the more we are to stirre vp our selues , vnles we make small reckoning of the saluation of our soules . Hee that shall yeeld & giue ouer the digging vp of these thornes , because hee perceiueth they grow deepe in his heart , and spring as fast as he can cut them : is not worthie to enter into life : he which will not continually till and weede this ground , may well haue the Gospell in some sorte for to grow in him , but not to saue him Dearely beloued we must be surely perswaded of this , that as there be many godly men , so they haue attained it with great labour and toile , yea , they are still set a worke & cannot come to an ende , because these thornes cannot be vtterly rooted out .

Those are greatly ouerseene which thinke it to be an easie thing to professe Christ vnto saluation : and make no further account but to bee Gospellers , at ease : if they can vanquish in disputation , to thinke they haue wonne the fielde : no , no , they haue a heart , which is harde to ouercome : they haue thornes which will not easely be destroyed : here lieth the victorie and getting of the spurs : this man shall be crowned because hee hath willingly giuen vp himselfe to the power of Gods grace to purge his heart , and to make roome for the holy worde , that it may grow there alone , and not bee ouershadowed and choaked .

Now let vs marke well that which is saide here , both of the stonie and also of the thornie grounde ; how farre they proceede in professing Christ , and imbracing his Gospell : and we shall plainely see , how greatly those carnall Gospellers which will not haue Faith to be tryed by the fruites , are deceiued : Faith , faith , ( say they ) is that which doth iustifie , it is true indeede , but not a fruitlesse faith : whosoeuer beleeueth shall be saued : it is euen so , but not after euery kinde of beleefe : for then why should not these two sorts of hearers be saued ? It is marueilons when the Scripture is so euident , and our Sauiour Christ speaketh so plainely , that this grosse and doltish error should possesse the minds of so many . But indeede it is a sweete doctrine , when a man may let loose the raines to all the lusts of the flesh , at the least thus farre , not to vexe and torment himselfe in subduing them , and yet by faith to be saued . When Heauen and Hell meete together , and God and the diuell be reconciled , then shal these flesh lie Epicures , and vaine proude men come to their happinesse . When Christ shall denye that which hee hath here vttered , then shall these be true beleeuers .

Let men therfore take heed that they be not deceiued , nor made slacke in looking to the fruites of their faith and mortification of vaine fleshly lusts , through the prophane pratling of such worldly belly Gods : beleeue not them , but beleeue Iesus Christ , who telleth you that it is not enough to heare the word , & to receiue it with ioy , & to let it grow in vs , vnles it bring forth reasonable & timely fruit in vs .

Againe , let vs marke how strong and inuincible an Argument may be gathered out of this text against all contemners and despisers of the word , such as care not for hearing : these three sortes of hearers are before them , and neerer to Christianitie then they , & yet come short : therefore it must needes follow , that such ignorant Atheistes , as neither knowe , nor desire to knowe any thing aboue this world , are very farre from God , although they would seeme with their mouth and lippes to draw neere vnto him . For if this matter were well obserued , men would not regard nor haue those men in estimation to be good and honest , who are very dogs or swine , not regarding the precious pearle of the Gospel , but ready to barke and bite at those which bring it . Let a man inquire thus , not of a few , but of the greatest part of men , how say ye to such a man , what thinke ye of him ? he is ( say they ) a very good man , a good natured man , a gentle person , trusty to his friend , sure of his word , and doth keepe as good an house as any man of his calling in all this shire . But how is he affected vnto Gods word : is he zealous in religion ? Nay surely , I did neuer heare that he did deale that way , he is a very quiet man , no medler at all . O notable honest man , as deuout in the lawes of God as the horse which hee rideth vpon , as carefull to haue Gods glorie aduaunced , as the swine in the stie , a great deale behinde these vnprofitable hearers , which are castawaies : and yet forsooth being very bruit beastes before God ( in the state they bee in yet , vnlesse the Lord call them to be zealous of his glorie ) they must bee reputed for the best men . Our fieldes are full of such cattell as these , & if the Lord doe not put to his helping hand , our case is very miserable . If any of those which were so zealous to heare , that they would to their hinderance in worldly matters leaue on their businesse , & followe preaching , as these which flocked to heare Christ , were yet neuertheles reiected , because they did not sincerely as they should : what shal we say of those which will not step out at their doores , euen when they haue nothing to doe , vnles it be to sit at cards or tables ? If such a man may bee damned , as is moued with some delight , when he heareth the worde preached : what shall we iudge of those woodden blockes & sottish men , who feele no more ioy in it then a post , when it is vttered vnto them ? If there be some goe to destruction , which conforme themselues & haue a shew of fruite by the worde : where shall those wretches appeare , whom the holie word of God cannot mooue one whit , to reforme their disordered and beastly behauiours . Ineede not stand to inueigh out of this place against those hellish helhounds , which dare open their mouthes to reproch and slander the setting forth of the Gospell . The Lord diminish the number of them .