GOD and Good .

LOe , I begin with him , that hath no Beginning , but is the Beginning of all other Beeinges , God : And would onely tell you ( for I must not loose my selfe in this Mysterie ) that this God is Good . In himselfe Goodnesse ; Psal. 100. 5. Good to vs . Psal. 100. The Lord is Good : his mercie is euerlasting . In Orat. Dom. He is True Life , saith August . A Quo aucrt●● , cadere : in Quem conuerti , resurgere : in Quo manere , vinere est . From Him to turne , is to fall : to Him to returne , is to rise : in Him to abide , is to liue for euer .

Dauid in the 59. Psal. 59. 10. Psalme calls him , his Mercie . Deus meus misericordia mea : my God , my Mercie . Whereupon Augustine sweetely discourses .

If thou hadst sayd my Health , Aug. in Psa. 58. Si dicas Salus mea , intelligo●quia Deus ●al salutem . &c. I know what thou hadst meant ; because God giues health . If thou hadst sayd my Refuge ▪ I vnderstand , because thou fliest vnto him If thou hadst said my strength , I conceaue thy meaning ; because he giues strength .

But Misericordiamea ; quid est ? Totum , quicquid sum , de misericordia tuá est . My Mercie , What is it ? I am by thy Mercie , whatsoeuer I am .

Bernard would haue vs speake of God in abstracto ; Serm. 80. in Cant. not onely to call him Wise , Mercifull , good : but Wisedome , Mercie , Goodnesse ; Because the Lord is without accidents at all : For as hee is most Great without quantitie ; Ardens . so he is most Good without qualitie : Nil habet in se , nisi se , He hath nothing in him , but himselfe .

God then being Good ; not onely formaliter , good in himselfe : but also effectiuè , good to vs ; teacheth vs to loue him . Wee should loue goodnesse for it owne sake : but when it reflects vpon vs , there is a new inuitation of our loue .

The LORD .

WEe haue heard his Goodnesse ; listen to his Greatnesse . In this Title we will consider his Maiestie , as wee did in the other his Mercie .

Lord implies a great State ● the Title is giuen to a great man vpon earth . But if an earthen Lord be great ; Quantus est Dominus , qui Dominos facit ? Aug. How great is the Lord which makes Lords ? yea , and vnmakes them two at his pleasure .

This is an absolute and independant Lord . 1. Cor. 8. There may be many Gods , and many Lords . But this is Ille Dominus . The Lord , or that Lord ; 1. Cor. 8. 5. that commaunds and controlls them all . They are Domini titulares ; this is Dominus tutelaris . They are in title and name , this in deed and power .

There are Many , saith St. Paul . Many in Title many in Opinion . Some are Lords and Gods ex authoritate ; so are Kings and Magistrates . Psal. 82. ● . God standeth in the congregation of Lords : he is Iudge among the Gods . Others will so stile themselues ex vsurpatione ; as the Canonists say of their Pope Dominus Deus noster Papa . Our Lord God the Pope . But he is but a Lord and God in a blind and tetrycall Opinion .

The Lord is onely Almighty ; able to doe more by his absolute power , then he will by his actuall . Able for potent , not impotent workes . He cannot lie , he cannot die . Aug. de Ciuit Dei . Lib. 5. Cap. 10. Diciter omnipotens faciendo quod vult , non patiendo quod non vult . He is called Almightie in doing what he pleaseth not in suffering what he pleaseth not .

This is his Greatnesse . As his Mercie directs vs to loue him , so let his Maiestie instruct vs to feare him . I will briefly touch both these affections ; but Loue shall goe formost .

LOVE .

OVr God is Good , and good to vs ; let vs therefore loue him . 1. It is an Affection , that God principally requires . 2. It is a Nature , wherein alone we can answere God .

For the former , God requires not thy Wisedome to direct him , nor thy Strength to assist him , nor thy Wealth to enrich him , nor thy Dignitie to aduance him ; but onely thy Loue . Loue him with all thy heart .

For the second ; Man cannot indeed answere God well in any other thing . When God iudgeth vs , wee must not iudge him againe : When hee reprooues vs , wee must not iustifie our selues . If he be angry , wee must answere him in patience ; if hee commaunde , in obedience : But when God loues vs , wee must answere him in the same nature , though not in the same measure ; and loue him againe . Wee may not giue God word for word : wee dare not offer him blow for blow : wee can not requite him good turne for good turne : yet wee may , can , must giue him Loue for Loue . Nam cum amat Deus , Bern. Serm. 83. in Cant. non aliud vult quàm amari ,

Now because euery man sets his foote vpon the freehold of Loue , and sayes , it is mine ; let vs aske for his Euidence whereby he holdes it ? We call an Euidence , a Deed ; and Deedes are the best demonstration of our right in Loue . If thou loue God for his owne sake , shew it by thy deedes of Pietie : If thou loue Man for Gods sake , shew it by thy deedes of Charitie . The roote of Loue is in the Heart ; but it sendes foorth Veines into the Hands , and giues them an actiue and nimble dexteritie to good Workes . Ioh. 14. 15. If you loue mee , sayth Christ , keepe my Commandements . 1. Ioh. 3. 17. If you loue man , shew your Compassion to him : Obedience to our Creator , Mercie to his Image , testifie our Loues . Hee that wants these Euidences , these Deedes ; when that busie Informer the Diuell sues him , will be vnhappily vanquished .

FEARE .

LEt vs pàsse from Loue to Feare . we must Loue our good God : we must Feare our great Lord . It is obiected against this passage of vnion , 1. Ioh. 4. 18. that perfect loue casteth out feare . It is answered , that feare brings in perfect loue ; as the Needle drawes in the Thread . And it is not possible , that true Loue should be without good Feare ; that is , a filiall Reuerence . For slauish feare , be it as farre from your hearts , as it shall be from my discourse .

Now this Feare is a most due and proper affection : and ( I may say ) the fittest of all to be towards God . Indeed God requires our Loue : but we must thinke , that then God stoupes low , and bowes himselfe downe to be loued of vs . For there is such an infinite inequalitie betwixt God and vs , that without his sweet dignation , and descending to vs , there could be no fitnesse of this affection . But looke we vp to that infinite glory of our great Lord : looke we downe on the vilenesse of our selues , sinfull dust : and we will say , that by reason of the disproportion betweene vs , nothing is so sutable for our basenesse to giue so high a God , Psal. 34. 11. as Feare . Therefore , Comeye Children hearken vnto me : I will teach you the feare of the Lord . Psal. 31. 23. Feare the Lord all ye his Seruants ; as well as Loue the Lord all ye his Saints .

Now this Feare hath as many Chalengers as Loue had . When this Booke is held out , euery mans lippes are readie to kisse it ; and to say and sweare , that they feare the Lord. Psal. 2. 11. Loue had the Testimonie , Charytie : and Feare , must haue his Seruice . Psal. 2. Serue the Lord with feare .

It is mans necessitated condition to be a Seruant . Happy they , 1. Ioh. 13. 13. that can truly call Christ Maister : Yee call mee Lord and Maister , and ye say well ; for so I am .

Hee that serues the Flesh , serues his fellow : And a Beggar mounted on the backe of Honour , rides post to the Diuell . This is a cholericke Maister ; so fickle , that at euery turne , he is ready to turne thee out of dores . Wee may say of him , as of the Spaniard , Hee is a bad Seruant , but a worse Maister .

Hee that serues the World , serues his Seruant ; as if Chams curse was lighted on him , Seruus seruorum ; a Drudge to Slaues , a Slaue to Drudges .

He that serues the Diuell , serues his Enemie ; and this is a miserable seruice . Sure it was a lamentable preposterous sight , Ec●l. 1● . 7. that Salomon saw . Eccle. 10. I haue seene Seruants vpon Horses , and Princes walking as Seruants vpon the Earth . And Agur numbers it among those foure things , Pro● . 30 , 22. whereby the World is disquieted : A Seruant when he raigneth , and a Foole when he is filled with Meate : an odious woman , when she is marryed , and a handmaid that is heire to her Mistres .

Iudge then how horryble it is , that men should set ( as the Sauages of Calecut ) the Diuell , or his two Ingles , the world and the flesh in the Throne ; whiles they place God in the foote-stoole . Or that in this Common-wealth of man , Reason which is the Queene , or the Princes the better powers & graces of the Soule , should stoupe to so base a Slaue , as sensuall lust . Delight is not seemely for a foole : Pro ▪ 19. 10. much lesse for a Seruant to haue rule ouer Princes .

St. Basil ( not without passion ) did enuie the Diuells happynesse : Who had neither Created vs , nor redeemed vs , nor preserueth vs ; but violently Labours our destruction ; that yet he should haue more seruants , then God , that made vs , then Iesus Christ that with his owne precious Blood , and grieuous sufferings bought vs . Psal. 116 16. Well , hee is happy , that can truly say with Dauid ; I am thy Seruant , O Lord , I am thy Seruant , and the Sonne of thy Handmayde . This Seruice is true Honour : for so Kings and Princes ; yea the blessed Angels of heauen are thy fellowes .

God is Good , that we may loue him : the Lord is Great that wee may Feare him . Wee haue heard , both seuerally ; let vs consider them ioyntly , and therein the securitie of our owne happinesse . It is a blessed confirmation , when both these , the Goodnesse and the Greatnesse of GOD meete vpon vs . His Greatnesse , that hee is able ▪ his Goodnesse , that he is willing to saue vs . Were hee neuer so Great , if not Good to vs , wee had litle helpe . Were hee neuer so Good , if not Great , and of abilitie to succour vs , wee had lesse comfort . Hee would stand vs in small stead , if either his Will or his Power was defectiue ; if either hee could not , or would not saue vs .

His Goodnesse without his Greatnesse , might fayle vs : His Greatnesse without his Goodnesse , would terrifie vs . It is a happy concurrence , Psal. 85. 10. when Mercie and Truth meet togeather : when Righteousnesse and Peace kisse each other . Psal. 116 5. So sweetly singes the Psalmist : Graciou● is the Lord , and righteous : yea our God is mercifull . Wherevpon S. Ambros. Orat. de ob●●● Theodo●●● . Bis misericordiam posuit , semel iustitiam . He is once sayd to be Righteous ; but twice in one verse , to be Gratious : It is sweete when both are conioyned , as in the first and last verse of this Psalme : O giue thaenkes to the Lord , for hee is good : for his Mercie endureth for euer . The Lord is Good ; though Great , yet also Good : and his Mercie ( so well as his Iustice ) endures for euer . Man hath no such assurance of comfort in God , as to meditate , that his great Power , and good Will ; his Glory and Grace , his Maiestie and Mercie met togeather .

These be Gods two Daughters ; Iustice and Mercie : Let vs honour them both ; but let vs kisse and imbrace Mercie . But alas , wee haue dealt vnkindly with them both . God hath two Daughters , and we haue rauished them .

There is a Storie of a man , that meeting in a Desart with two Virgin-sisters ; hee did rauish both of them : Afterwards on his apprehension , the former desired , that he might iustly die for it . The other did intreat as earnestly , that he might liue , and that she might enioy him for her Husband .

Man is that rauisher , and those two Virgins are the Iustice and Mercie of God . Against his Iustice we haue sinned , and prouoked his indignation to strike vs : yea , euen his Mercie we haue abused . For her sake we haue been spared , and a longer day of repentance giuen vs : yet we haue despised the riches of this Mercie ; and presuming on Mercie , haue dared to multiply our transgressions . Iustice pleades to God that we should die ; vrgeth his Law : Who so euer sinneth , shall die : And , Death is the wages of sinne . Mercie intreats beseecheth , that wee may liue ; and produceth the Gospell , Who so euer repents , shall be pardoned : Who so euer beleeues , shall be saued : And for further assurance , brings foorth that blessed Pardon , sealed in the Wounds and Blood of Iesus Christ . God hearkens to Mercie for his Sonnes sake : though wee haue rauished and wronged his Mercie ; yet for Mercies sake , we shall be forgiuen . But then we must be marryed to Mercie ; marryed in our Fayth , beleeuing on Christ : marryed in our good life , being merci●ull vnto men .

The Blessing .

WEe see the Author , let vs looke on his Blessing● Light . Hee hath-s●●wed vs Light . Wee are come into the Light , and therefore haue light enough of an ample Discourse . But my purpose is onely to shew you this Light , ( as the word is in my Text ) not to dwell on it ; though I pray , that all you and my selfe may for euer dwell in it .

LIGHT .

SVch as the Giuer is , 1. Ioh. 1. 5. lam . 1 ▪ 17. such is the Gift . 1. Ioh. ● . God is Light , and in him is no Darknesse at all . And S. Iames cals him the Father of Light . God is

So Glorious a Light , that as the Sunne dazeleth the eyes too stedfastly fixed on it : so his incomprehensible Maiestie confounds all those , that too curiously pry into it .

So Cleare a Light , that hee sees into all corners . The eyes of God are in euery place , P●o. 15. 3. beholding the euill and the good . Hee searcheth more narrowly then the beames of the Sunne : Hee sees Briberie in the Office , Adulterie in the Closs●t , Fraude in the Shoppe , though the Pent-house makes it as darke as a roome in Bedlam .

So Good a Light , that in him is no darknesse ; not so much as a shadow . There is none in him ; there comes none from him . Indeed hee made outward Darknesse of Hell , the wages of sinne : But he neuer made the inward Darknesse of the Soule , which is sinne .

So Constant a Light ; that though the Sunne be variable in his Course , somtimes shining bright , often Clouded : yet God is without change as the Moone , without Eclipsing as the Sunne , without Setting as the Starres .

So Spreading a Light , that he communicates it to vs . This is the true Light , Ioh. 1. 9. which Lighteth euery one that commeth into the world . Without whom we should haue beene wrapped in an eternall miserable Darkenesse : but that he sent one To giue Light to them that sate in Darkenesse , Luk. 7. 79. and in the shadow of Death , to guide their feete into the way of Peace .

And this is the Light , which he here sheweth vs . By the consent of all Expositors in this Psalme is Typed the comming of Christ , and his kingdome of the Gospell . This is manifested by an Exaltation , by an Exultation , by a Petition , by a Benediction .

The Exaltation . Ver. 22. The stone , which the builders refused , is become the head stone of the Corner . The Iewes refused this Stone , but God hath Built his Church vpon it .

The Exultation . Ver. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made : wee will reioyce and be glad in it . A more blessed Day , then that Day was , wherein hee made man , when he had done making the world , Reioyce we , and be glad in it .

The Petition . Ver. 25. Saue now I beseech thee , O Lord : O Lord , I beseech thee send now Prosperytie . Thy Iustice would not suffer thee to saue without the Messias : he is come , Saue Now , O Lord I beseech thee . Our Sauiour is come , let mercie and saluation come along with him .

The Benediction makes all cleare . ver. 25. Blessed be hee that commeth in the name of the Lord . For what Dauid here prophecied , Math. 21. 9. the people after accomplished . Math. 21. Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord .

The Corollary or Summe is in my Text. ver. 27. God is the Lord that hath shewed vs light : bind the Sacrifice with Cordes to the Hornes of the Altar .

It was truly sayd , Lex est Lux : the Law is Light . But vnable to light vs to Heauen ; not through it owne , but our deficiencie . Hereon it did not saue , but condemne vs . Lex non damnans est ficta et picta Lex : Luth in Galate . That Law that doth not condemne vs , is a faigned and painted Law . The Apostle calles it the Ministration of death .

Let then the lesse Light giue place to the greater . Legalia fuerunt ante passionem Domini vina , Aug. Statim post passionem mortua , hodie sepulta : The Legall rites were before the Passion of Christ aliue , straight after his Passion dead , now buried . Or as another ; The Ceremonies of the Law were in their prime Mortales , in Christes age Mortuae , in our time Mortiferae . They were at first Dying , in our Sauiours time Dead , in ours Deadly . The Law was giuen by Moses , Ioh. ▪ 1. 17. but Grace and Truth came by Iesus Christ .

We haue now found out the Light , and ( blessed be God ) aboue these fiftie yeares we haue found it : That if any should say ( as Philip to Christ . Ioh. 14. Lord shew vs the Father , Ioh. 14. 8. and it sufficeth vs . To whom Iesus answers . Haue I been so long with you , and yet hast thou not knowne mee ? Philip , hee that hath seene mee , hath seen the Father : So if any should say ) Shew vs the Light , and it sufficeth vs . I answere ; Hast thou been so long in the Light , and hast thou not knowne it ? Art thou one of that Country that , Appollonius writes of , that can see nothing in the day , but all in the night . Hath the Light made thee blind ? If no other , the vicissitude of this Exercise Shewes , that the Light is among vs .

I should tris●le time to prooue by arguments to the care , a thing so visible to the eye : and waste the Light of the day , to demonstrate the euidence of this Light being amongst vs . Meditation and Wonder better become this subiect , then discourse .

It is the Blessing of Gods Right hand . Prou. 3. 16. Prou. 3. Length of dayes is in her Right hand ; and in her Left hand Riches and Honour ; sayth Salomon of Wisedome , he meant it of Christ . This Light shall procure to a man blessed eternitie . All those blessings of the Left hand , as Riches and Honour , are frayle and mortall : Nothing lastes long in this World , except a sute at Law . But this Light , if our selues fault not , shall out-shine for countenance , and out-last for continuance , the Sunne in the Firmament . Therefore our Psalmographer . ver. 15. hauing shewed , that The voyce of reioycing and saluation is in the Tabernacles of the righteous hee addes , The Right hand of the Lord hath done valiantly . yea he doubles and trebbles it . ver. 16. The Right hand of the Lord is exalted : the right hand of the Lord hath done valiantly . This is the God of Lights , Reue ▪ 1. 16. That had the seuen Starres in his Right hand . This Light must enlighten vs to some dueties .

1. Reioyce in this Light , ver 24. This is the Light-day that the Lord hath made : let vs Reioyce and be glad in it : Not for a spurt , Iath 13. 20. as the Stony ground ▪ Math. 13. that with Ioy receiues the Sermon ; but goes home as stony-hearted , as Iudas after the Soppe . Nor as the Iewes , to whom Iohn Baptist was a burning and a shining Lampe : Ioh. 5. 35. and they for a season , reioyced in his light : But afterwards neuer rested , till they had eclipsed the Sunne on the Crosse , and slaine his Morning-starre in the Prison . Nor as Children , that come abroad to play in the Sunshine , and make no more account of it . Nor as a people , that neuer saw the Sunne , steppe out of their doores to gaze vpon it , and then turne their backes on it . But Reioyce with a solid ioy , as they whom God hath brought out of darknesse , into his marueylous light .

2. Walke worthy of this Light . This was St. Pauls request to his Ephesians , Ephe. 41. that they would Walke worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called . Rom ▪ 13. 12. The Night is past , the Light is come : let vs therefore cast off the workes of darknesse , and put on the armour of Light . Be children of the Light . As the Light shines on thee , let it shine in thee . Thou hast small comfort to be in the Light , vnlesse the Light be in thee . Saith the Prophet to the Church ; Esa. 60. 1. Arise , shine : for thy light commeth , and the glory of the Lord is risen vpon th●e ▪ As God hath shewed his Light to you : So let your Light shine before men ; Math. 5. 16. that they may see your good workes , and gloryfie your Father , which is in Heauen . There are some that boast their Communion with God : against S : ▪ Iohn reasons Anatura Dei . 1. Ioh. 1. 5. 6. God is Light : if we say we haue fellowship with him , and walke in darknesse , we lye & doe not the truth St. Pauls argument is of the same fashion , what Communion hath Light with darknesse ? The holy writte calls all sinnes . Opera tencbrarum , the workes of darknesse . Because ,

1. They are perpetrated against God , who is the Father of Lights . Iam. 1. 17.

2. They are suggested by the Deuill , who is the Prince of darknesse Eph. 6. 12.

3. They are most vsually committed in the da●ke Male agens odit Lucem . They that sleepe , sleepe in the night : and they that be Drunken , be Drunken in the night . 1. Thess 5. 7.

4. They are the effects of blindnesse of minde : and Ignorance is a greeuous inward Darknesse . Their fool sh heart was Darkned : and hence issued those deadly sinnes Rom. 1. 21.

5. Their reward shall be vtter Darknesse . Cast that vnprofitable seruant into vtter Darknesse . Mat. 25. 30. And Iud. ▪ Ver. 13. To them is reserued the blacknesse of darknesse for euer

If then God hath shewed thee Light ; shew not thou the deeds of Darknesse : but walke honestly as in the day Rom. 13. 13.

3 Take heed of sore eyes . Pleasures , lusts , and vanities , make the eyes sore that are dotingly fastned on them . The Vsurer with telling his Gold : the haughti● with contemplating his greatnesse : the Drunkard with looking at the Wine laughing in the Cup : the lustfull with Gazing on his Painted damnations ; make their eyes so sore , that they cannot looke vp , and behold this Light .

4. Take benefite of this Light , whiles it shines . It may be clouded , as it was in the dayes of Poperie . Either this Light may be set to thee , or thou be set to it . That to thee by Remouing the Candlesticke : thou to that by the hand of Death , which shall send thee to the Land of forgetfull Darknesse . Our Sauiour taught vs this ( not onely in precept , but ) in practise . I●hn . 9. 4. I must worke the work of him that sent me , whiles it is day : for the night commeth wherein no man can worke . Let vs not doe like some Courtiers , that hauing Light allowed them , Play it out at Cardes , and goe to Bed darkling .

5 Lastly , helpe to maintaine this Light , that it goe not out . If you would haue the Lampes of the Sanctuary shine , powre in your Oyle . Grudge not a litle cost , to keeke this Light cleare . The Papists haue their Candlemasse : they bestow great cost in Lights about a Seruice of Darkenesse . Repine not you then at a litle Charges , for the euerlasting Lampe of the Gospell : Some of you I beare you witnesse , doe not Grudge it . Goe on and prosper : and whiles you make the Church happy , make your selues so .

Wherewith .

I must now steppe from Heauen to Earth : I passe from the For what , to the With what God is to be praysed .

He hath shewed you his Light : shew him yours . He hath giuen vs an inestimable blessing , what shall we returne him ? What ? Bind the Sacrifice with Cordes euen to the Hornes of the Alter .

This is mans Thankfulnesse , for Gods Bountifulnesse . We will first cast ouer the particulars , and then summe them .

1. Here is Sacrifice to be offered . 2. This Sacrifice must be bound . Bind the Sacrifice . 3. This Sacrifice must be bound with Cordes Bind the Sacrifice with Cordes . 4. This Sacrifice must be bound with Cordes to the Alter . Bind the Sacrifice with Cordes to the Alter . 5. This Sacrifice must be . 1. Bound . 2. With Cordes . 3. To the Altar . 4. Yea euen to the Hornes of the Alter , you see the Totum is Thankefullnesse ; and the Bill hath fiue particulars . 1. The Sacrifice is Deuotion . 2. Binding the Sacrifice , constant Deuotion . 3. With Cordes , seruent Deuotion . 4. To the Altar , rectified Deuotion . 5. To the Hornes of the Altar , confident Deuotion . Deuotion is the Mother and she hath foure Daughters . 1. Constancie , Binde the Sacrifice . 2. Feruencie . Binde it with Cordes . 3. Wisdome . Binde it to the Altar . 4. Confidence . Euen to the Hornes of the Altar .

Sacrifice .

Is the act of our Deuote Thankefulnesse . I might here ( to no great purpose ) trauell a large field of discourse for Sacrifices . But it were no other , but where the Scripture offereth vs the companie a Myle , to compell it to goe with vs twaine .

All Sacrifices are either Expiatorie , or Gratulatorie . Expiatory for the condonation of sinnes ; Gratulatory for the Donation of graces . So in a word , they were either Sin-offerings , or Peace-offrings .

The Sin-offrings of the Iewes had two maine ends .

1. To acknowledge Peecat● stipendium mortem ; that Death was the wages of sinne due to the Sacrificers , layd on the Sacrificed .

2. Mystically & simbolically to prefigure the killing of the Lambe of God , that taketh away the sinnes of the world . So Caluin . Semperillis ante oculos simbola proponi oportu●t . They had euer neede of signes , and types , and figuratiue demonstrations before their eyes .

But those Saecrifices are abolished in Christ who offered one Sacrifice for sinnes for euer ; H●b ▪ 10. 12. and that such a one , as was a sweete smelling Sauour to God . Ephe. 5. 2. It was a prettie obseruation , that the last Character of the Hebrew Alphabet , was a plaine Figure of Christs Crosse ; to shew that his Sacrifice ended all theirs .

Ours is the second kind ; a Gratulatorie Sacrifice . Our Prophet heere speaking of the dayes of the Gospell . Then , Bind this Sacrifice with Cordes , &c. Christ is our Altar , let our selues be the Sacrifice : the Fire that kindles it , the Loue of God ; the Smoake that goes vp , the consumption of our sinnes .

That this Sacrifice may be acceptable , I will shew you how it must be done , how it must not be done .

1. What is to be excluded . 2. How it ought to be qualified .

Exclusiuely .

IT must be sine Pelle , sine Melle , sine Felle , sine Macula .

1. Sine Pelle , without the Skinne of Ostentation ; which indeed makes them not Sacrificia , but Sacrilegia , Not Sacrifices , but Sacriledges : They are so Opera muta , Dumbe deedes : nay , rather Opera mendacij , Loude lying workes ; as if they told God a good tale how they loued him , when they meant to deceiue him . God will require all vntruthes betweene man and man ; but fallacies and falsehoods done betweene the Porch and the Altar , in the shadow of the Church , and vnder the pretence of his seruice , he will sorely reuenge .

The casting vp of the Eyes , the bowing downe of the Knees , the vncouering the Head , moouing the Lippes , knocking the Brest , sighing and crying , what meane they ? are they not symptomes and demonstratiue witnesses of an inward compunction ? Are they not a protestation , that the Soule is speaking to God ? If there be not an honest Heart within , this is but the Skinne of a Sacrifice : And they that giue God the Skinne for the Bodie , God will giue them the Skinne for the Body ; the shadow of Blessings for the substance .

It is storied of one that solde his wife Glasses for Pearles : Imposturam faecit , et passus est , Hee cossened , and was cossened . They that sell the Lord of Heauen ( how so euer they may deceiue his Spouse , the Church on earth ) Glasses for Pearles , Shelles for Kernels , Copper for Gold , Barke for Bulke , Shew for Substa●nce , Fansie for Conscience ; God will be euen with them , and giue them Stones for Bread , Images of Delight for substantiall Ioyes : Imposturam faci●●t ●t patienter , They deceiue , and shall be deceiued .

2. Sine Melle : There must be no Honey of selfe-complacencie in this Sacrifice . Psal. 51. 17. Psal. 51. The Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit : a broken and contrite Heart , O God , thou wilt not despise . A true Sacrifice consistes not onely ( Faciendo , but Patiendo , ) in doing , but in dying , or suffering for Christ .

In the Law , Beastes appoynted for Sacrifice , were first slaine , and so offred . In the Gospell , Christians must first mortifie their earthly members , and crucifie their carnall lustes , and then offer vp themselues . As Death takes away the Naturall lif● ; so Mortification must take away the Sensuall life . Aug. Serm. 141. de Temp. Moriatur ergo homo , ne moriatur : Mutetur ne damnetur : Let a man die , that he may not die : let him be changed , that he be not damned . Onely the mortified man is the true liuing Sacrifice . It must not then be Honey to our Palates ; but bitter : euen so bitter , as Abnegare suos , sua , se : to deny our Friendes , to deny our Goods , to deny our selues , for Christ his cause .

3. Sine Felle : There must be no Amarulentia , no Gall of bitternesse in this Sacrifice . Math. 5. If thou bring thy gift to the Altar , Math. 5. 23. and remembrest that thy Brother hath ought against thee ; leaue there thy gift , and goe thy way : first be reconciled to thy Brother , and then offer it . If thy Brother hath ought against thee , God hath more . If thou haue somewhat against thy Brother , God hath somewhat against thee . Math. 9. 13. Goe ye and learne what that meaneth ; I will haue Mercie , and not Sacrifice .

Whiles you trippe vp mens heeles with Fraudes . lay them along with Sutes , tread on them with Oppressions , blow them vp with Vsuries , Iniuries : Your Sacrifice is full of Gall. It was said in wonder ; Is Saul among the Prophets ? So , what makes a Slaunderer , a Defrauder , an Vsurer , an Oppressor , at Church ? They come not sine Felle , without the Gall of Vncharitablenesse : they shall returne siue Melle , without the Honey of Gods Mercies . Heb. 13. 16. To doe good , and to communicate , forget not , for with such sacrifices God is well pleased : Mercifull workes are Pro sacrificijs , imo prae sacrificijs : Equall to Sacrifices , aboue Sacrifices in Gods acceptance .

4. Sine Macula . Leuit. 22. God commaunds , that his Sacrifice be without Blemish ; Leuit , 22. 20. &c. nor blinde , nor broken , nor maymed , nor infected , &c. Therefore a Lambe without spotte was offered for a morning and an euening Sacrifice . And the Lambe of God in an antitypicall relation , is truly sayd , 1. Pet. 1. 19. Immaculatus , a Lambe without spotte , without blemish .

The Drunkard is without a head , the Swearer hath a Garget in his throat , the Couetous hath a lame hand , hee cannot giue to the poore : the Epicure hath a gorbelly , the Adulterer is a scabbed Goate , the Worldling wants an eye , the Ruffian an eare , the Coward a heart : these are Mutila Sacrificia , lame , defectiue , luxate , vnperfect Sacrifices .

The Prophet Esay begins and endes his Prophecie with a denuntiation of Gods contempt , and refusall of such Oblations ; Who will forget those to be the sonnes of grace , that forget his Sacrifices to be the Sacrifices of a God . Esa. 66. 3. Hee that sacrificeth a Lambe , is as if hee cut off a Dogs necke .