Pharisaisme and Christianity compared and set forth in a sermon at Pauls Crosse, May 1. 1608. By I.H. Vpon Matth. 5.20.

PHARISAISME AND CHRISTIANITY : Compared and set forth in a Sermon at Pauls Crosse , May 1. 1608. By I. H. Vpon MATTH. 5.20 . Except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Phariseis , you shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen .

LONDON , Printed by Melchisedech Bradwood for Samuel Macham , and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Bul-head . ANNO 1608.

TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER in God , and my very good Lord , THOMAS Lord Bishop of LONDON , I. H. wisheth all grace and happinesse . RIGHT REVEREND and HONORABLE ,

I Know there is store of Sermons extant ; The pulpit scarce affordeth more than the Presse . I adde to the number , and complaine not : In all good things abundance is an easie burden . If the soule may feed it selfe with varietie , both by the eare , and by the eie , it hath no reason to finde fault with choice . But if any weaker stomack ( as in our bodily Tables ) shall feare to surfet at the sight of too much , it is easie for that man to looke off , and to confine his eies to some few : who cannot much sooner abate to himselfe , than multiplie to another ? Let not his nice sullennesse preiudice that delight and profit which may arise to others from this number . For mee , I dare not bee so enuious , as not to blesse God for this plentie , and seriously to reioice that Gods people may thus liberally feast themselues by both their senses : neither know I for whether more ; The sound of the word spoken pierceth more , the letter written endureth longer ; the eare is taught more suddenly , more stirringly : the eie with leasure and continuance . According to my poore ability I haue desired to doe good both waies , not so much fearing censures , as caring to edifie . This little labour submisselie offers it selfe to your Lordship , as iustlie yours : being both Preached at your call , and ( as it were ) in your charge , and by one vnder the charge of your fatherly iurisdiction , who vnfainedlie desires by all meanes to shew his true heart to Gods Church , together with his humble thankefulnesse to your Lordship ; and professeth still to continue

Your Lordships in all humble duty and obseruance IOS. HALL .

MATTH. chap. 5. vers. 20.

Except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Phariseis , yee shall not enter into the kingdome of Heauen .

THE curious Doctors

Petr. Galatin . de arcan . fidei Cath. ad finem .

Ex glos . Rab. Sh●lom●h .

of the Iews had reduced all Gods statute-law to sixe hundred and thirteene precepts ; so many as there are daies in the yeere , and members in the body . It was an honest & ( which were strange ) a Christian conceit of one of their Rabbins , that Dauid abridges all these to eleuen in his Psal. 15. Esay to sixe , in his 33.15 . Micha● yet lower to three , in his 6.8 . Esay yet againe to two , in his 56 1. Habacue to one , The iust man shal liue by faith . Lex est Euangelium praedictum : Euangelium lex completa . So yee see , the Law ends in the Gospell ; and that Father said not a misse , The Law is the Gospell foretold ▪ and the Gospell is the Law fulfilled . These two are the free-hold of a Christian ; and what but they ?

The Iewes of these times peruerted the Law , reiected the Gospell . Our Sauior therfore that great Prophet of the World ( as it was high time ) cleares the Law , deliuers and settles the Gospell : well approuing in both these , that hee came not to consume , but to consummate the Law . 1. Cor. 16.9 Wherein ( as Paul to his Corinths ) he had a great dore , but many aduersaries : Ioh. 3. Art thou a Master in Israel ? amongst these were the great masters of Israel ( so our Sauior termes the Phariseis ) and their fellowes , and yet their riuals , the Scribes : both so much harder to oppose , by how much their authority was greater .

Truth hath no roome till falshood bee remooued ; Our Sauior therefore ( as behoued ) first shewes the falshood of their Glosses , and the hollownesse of their profession ; and if both their life and Doctrine be naught ; what free part is there in them ? And loe both of these so faulty , that Except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Phariseis , yee shall not enter into the kingdome of Heauen .

What were the men ? What was their righteousnes ? What wanted it ? Follow mee , I beseech you , in these three , and if my discourse shall seeme for a while , more thornie and perplexed , remedie it with your attention .

Those things which are out of the ken of sense or memory , must bee fetch 't from Story . The Sect ( or order whether ) of the Phariseis ceassed with the Temple ; since that , no man reads of a Pharisie ; and now is growne so farre out of knowledge , that the moderne Iewes are more ready to learne of vs who they were : There is no point , wherein it is more difficult , to auoid variety , yea ostentation of reading ; without any curious trauersing of opinions , I study for simple truth , as one that will not lead you out of the rode-way to shew you the turnings . Scribes were ancient ; Esr. 6.7 . Esra is called ( Sopher mahir ) a prompt Scribe . As long before him , soeuer since they continued till Christs time ; but in two rankes ; some were 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : others 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : Some popular , others legall : Some the peoples , others , Gods : The one Secretaries , Recorders , Notaries , as 2. Chron. 24.11 . ( Sopher hamelec ) the Kings Scribe : The other Doctours of the Law of God : Ier. 8.8 . The Law of the Lord is with vs , in vaine made hee it , the pen of the Scribe is in vaine .

As the Phariseis were ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; ) Law-masters : so these are the same which Luc. 11.45 . are called ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) interpreters of the Law . Tho to some not meane Critickes , it seems these should be a third sort ; which consider not , that our Sauiour on purpose addressing his speech to the Phariseis , fell by the way vpon the Scribes , and being admonished by one of them , as of an ouer-sight , now auerres right downe of the Scribes , what before he had but indifferently glanced at . Neh. 8.4 . Matt. 23.2 . Cleric : Iudaeorum : saith Ierome . What they were , is plaine by Ezraes pulpit ; and Moses his chaire . These and Phariseis differed not much ; they agreed in some good , but in more euill . But the profession of Phariseis , because it is more obscure , you shall giue mee leaue to fetch somewhat further .

Euseb. eccl. hist. l. 4 c. 22 Erant in circumcisione diuersae sententiae qua maximè tribui Iudae aduersabantur , &c. There were , saith old Egesippus ( as Eusebius cites him ) diuers opinions in the Circumcision ; which all crossed the tribe of Iuda : Essens , Galileans , Emerobaptists , Masbutheans , Samaritans , Phariseis , Sadduces . It were easie to helpe him with more , Vid Ios. Scalig resp. ad Serarium . Sebuaeans , Cannaeans , Sampsaeans ; and if need were , yet more . Where are those wauerers , that stagger in their trust to the Church , because of different opinions , receiuing that rotten argument of profane Celsus against the Christians ? Orig. lib. 5. aduers . Cels . Christian●s non habere veram Religionem , quòd in varias sectas diuisi essent . Sayes the Papists , One saith I am Caluins , another , I am Luthers . We disclaime , we defie these titles , these diuisions : we are one in truth : would God we were yet more one : It is the lace and fringe of Christs garment , that is questioned amongst vs , the cloth is sound . But what ? Was the Iewish Church before Christ , Gods true Church , or not ? If it were not , which was it ? If it were : lo that heere rent in more than eight parts , Domus Sāmai & Hillel . Ar. Mont. in Euang. and one of them differing from it selfe in eighteene opinions ; and yet as Irenaeus well obserues , Ante aduentum Christi , non tot & tam blasphemae hareses ▪ Irem . lib. 5. before Christ , there were neither so many heresies , nor so blasphemous .

Shew me a Church on earth without these wrinkles of diuision , and I will neuer seeke for it in heauen : although to some Pharisaisme seemes rather a seuerall order , than a sect : but S. Luke that knew it better , hath ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) the Sect of the Phariseis . Act. 15.5 . When the profession began , no history recordeth . Some would faine fetch them from Esay 65.5 . Touch mee not , for I am holier than thou . But these straine too farre ; for in the verse before , the same men eat swines-flesh ; which to the Phariseis is more then piacular . Heare briefly , their name , their originall , their office . Their name ( tho it might admit of other probable deriuations , Jn eam consentiunt omnes Hebraei , teste Bahal Haruch , Pagnin . in 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet ) by consent of all Hebrew Doctors ( I haue a great Author for it ) is fetch 't from separation ; tho vpon what grounds , all agree not ; doubtlesse for the perfection of their doctrin , and austeritie of life . Their originall is more intricate ; which after some scanning , I haue thus learned of some great Masters of Iewish Antiquities . Ar. Montanus . Ios. Seal . I. Drus●● , &c. Before there was any open breach in the old Iewish Church ; there were two generall , and diuers conceits about Gods seruice : One , that tooke vp only with the Law of God ; and if they could keepe that , thought they needed no more ; neither would they sapere supra scriptum ; be wiser then their maker ; These were called ( Karraim ) of which sort there are diuers at this day in Constantinople , and other where , at deadly feode with the other Iewes , which they now call Rabbinistes .

The other , that thought it small thanks to doe only what they were bidden ; Gods Law was too strait for their holinesse : It was nothing , vnlesse they did more then content God , earne him ( for these were Popish Iewes ) and supererogate of him . These were therefore called ( Chasidim ) Holy : aboue the Law : they plied God with vnbidden oblations , gaue more then needed , did more then was commanded : Yet so , as both parts pleased themselues , resisted not the other : The more franke sort vpbraided not the other , with too much niggardlinesse ; neither did the straiter-handed enuie the other for too much lauishnesse . Would God we could doe thus ; They agreed tho they differ'd : But now , when these voluntary seruices began to be drawne into Canons , ( as Scaliger speaketh ) and that which was before but arbitrary , was imposed as necessarie , ( necessary for beleefe , necessary for action ) questions arose , and the rent began in the Iews : Those dogmaticall Doctors which stond for supererogation , and traditions aboue Law , were called ( Peruschim ) Phariseis ; separate from the other in strict iudgement , in superfluous holinesse : These as they were the broode of those ( Chasidim ) whom we finde first mentioned in the Machabees by the corrupt name of Asideans ; so from them againe , 1. Mac. 2.47 in a second succession proceeded ( as their more refined issue ) the Essens , both Collegiate and Eremiticall : These Phariseis then , were a fraternitie or Colledge of extraordinarie deuotion ; whose rule was Tradition , whose practise voluntarie austerenesse : To them the Scribes ioyned themselues , as the purer Iewes , Act. 26.5 . Eruditius caeteris legem 〈◊〉 Pher. Ios●● . ● de bello Iud. c. 4. for Paul cals them [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] the most exquisite sect ; yea , and ( as Iosephus ) the best expositors ; willingly expounding the Law according to their Traditions : and countenancing their Traditions by the forced senses of the Law . Both which professions were greatly inlarged and graced , by two famous Doctours Sammai and Hillel ( whom some , though falslie , would haue the founders of them ) not long before Christs time ; for old Hillel of 120. yeares , protracted his daies by likely computation , to ten yeares after Christs birth . How Hierome fetcheth their names with more wittinesse , An old saying , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Descipuli Sammai occidebant descipulos Hillel . than probabilitie , from Dissipating & Profaning the Law ; and what bickerings and deadly quarrels were euen amongst themselues in those two famous houses ; & what were the foure expositions of the Law which they followed , Epiphan. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 4. Jn nomen Mosi● , Aciba , Anna , Filiorum Assamonai . I list not now to discourse . Their imploiment was expounding the Law and vrging Traditions ; therefore their auditors had wont to say , when they called one another to Church ( as S. Hier Algasiae de 11. quaestionib . Hierome tels vs ) [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] The wise , that is , the Phariseis , expound to day . Whence perhaps , that may bee interpreted of S. 1. Cor. 1.20 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Paul to the Corinths , Where is the wise ? where is the Scribe ? So did the Scribes too ; Scriba lectionarij quasi Scripturarij vel Textuarij ; Pharisaei 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Drus . but the difference was , that the Scribes were more Textuall ; the Phariseis more Traditionall : therefore obserue , that the Scribe findes fault with the suspicion of blasphemie ; Matth. 9. the Pharise with vnwashen hands : the Scribes ( their Doctours ) exceld for learning , the Phariseis for piety . Their attire was the same , Eodem habitis cum Scribis muliebri passio , latis crepidis , & calceamentorum ligulis procedentes . Epiphan. and their fashions , but the Phariseis had [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] more sway ; and were more strict & Cappucine-like ; professed more yeeres continencie ; and in a word , tooke more pains to go to hell . These did so carie away the hearts of the Iewes , that there was no holy man , which was not termed a Pharise ; and therefore among the seuen kinds of Phariseis in their Talmud , they make Abraham a Pharisei of Loue ; Meahauah . Iob a Pharise of Feare . And if from the men you cast your eies vpon their righteousnesse , you cannot but wonder at the curiosity of their zeale . Wherein looke ( I beseech you ) first at their deuotion , then their holy carriage , lastly their strict obseruation of the Law .

Such was their deuotion that they praied [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] as a Father saith : Oft and long , Epiph. thrice a day was ordinarie : at nine , twelue , and three a clocke : Chasidim . yea their progenitors ( whom they would scorne not to match ) diuided the day into three parts : whereof one was bestowed on Praier , the next on the Law , the third on their worke : See heere : God had 2. parts of 3. themselus but one : besides at their meals what strictnes ? Prac. Mosaica cum ex pos . Rabbinorum à Munster . ed Their verie disciples were taught ( to shame vs Christians ) if they had forgotten to giue thanks , to return from the field to the boord to say grace . For diuine seruice ; the Decalogue must bee read once a day of euery man ; Ibid. the Scribes say the first watch , the Phariseis , any houre of the night : Others , twice ; without mouing eie , hand , foot ; in a cleane place , free from any excrement , & foure cubits distant from any sepulcher . For-fasting , they did it twice a weeke ; not Popishlie ( which Wickleffe iustlie calles Foole-fasting ) but in earnest ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Epiphan. on Munday & Thursday . Besides ( to omit their alms , which were euery way proportionable to the rest ) what miserable penance did they wilfullie ? they beat their heads against the wals , as they went , till blood came : whence one of their seuen Phariseis is called ( Kizai ) a Pharise drawblood : Hier. in Mat. 23. Acutissimas in eis spinas ligabant , vt amb●lantes & sedentes pungerentur & admonerentur officij . Josephus . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . &c. they put thornes in their skirts , to sting themselues ; they lay on planks , on stones , on thornes : and Banus that Heremiticall Pharise drencht himselfe oft , night and day in cold water [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] for chastity ; or ( if you read it without an aspiration ) it signifies for follie rather : what could that apish and stigmaticall Friar haue done either more or worse ● . This was their deuotion . The holinesse of their carriage was such , that they auoided euery thing that might carrie any doubt of pollution ; they would not therefore conuerse with any different religion ; and this law went currant amongst them : He that eats a Samaritans bread , Qui comedit panem samariticū a●st ●omederet sui●●am . P●aecept . Mos. cum expos. Rab. be as hee that eats swines-flesh : An Hebrew midwife might not help a Gentile ; not books , not wax , not incense might bee sold to them . Yea no familiaritie might bee suffered with their owne vulgar . For whereas there were three rankes among the Iewes ; the wise , ( those were the Phariseis ) their Disciples , and the ( populus terrae ) as they called them ,

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : in the new Testament , the common people .

Vnum ex sex opprobrijs vitandis à discipulis sa●ientum , Comessatio cum populo terrae . Ar. Mont. in Euang. Epiphan.

this was one of the six reproches to a nouice of the Phariseis , To eat with the vulgar sort : and lest ( when they had beene abroad ) they should haue been toucht by any , contrarie to the warning of their phylacteries , they scoure themselues at their return ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Mar. 7.3 . and eat not vnlesse they haue washt [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] that is , accurately , as the Syriac ; oft , as Erasmus ; or with the grip't fist , as Beza following Hierome . Prae. Mos. cum expos. Rab. And not with euery water ( marke the nicenesse ) but with that onely which they had drawen vp with their owne labour : and to make vp the measure of their pretended sanctimonie , they vowed continencie , Epiphan. l. 1. not perpetuall ( as our Romanists vrge ) but for eight or ten yeers . Thus they did vnbidden ; how strictly did they perform what was enioined ? no men so exact in their tithes . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Epiph. Montan. in locum . I pay tithes of all , saith the boasting Pharise : Of all ( as a great Doctour noteth ) it was more than hee needed : God would haue a Sabbath kept ; they ouer-keep it . Prae. Mos. cum expos. They would not on that day stop a running vessell , not lay an apple to the fire , not quench a burning , not knocke on a Table to still a child ; what should I note more ? Vox Egypti●ca . Versus quidam ex lege Mosis in pergameno scripti . scz . 14. priores . 13 Exod. 4.5.6.7.8.9 . 6. Deut. Pag● . not rub or scratch in publike . God commands them to weare ( Totaphoth ) phylacteries : they doe ( which our Sauiour reprooues ) [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] enlarge them : and these must bee written with right lines in a whole parchment of the hide of a cleane beast ▪ God commands to celebrate and rost the Passeouer , they will haue it done ( in an excesse of care ) not with an iron but a woodden spit , Quòd ferrum vim assandi habet . Prat. Mos. cum Expos. and curiouslie choose the woode of Pomegranate : God commanded to auoid Idolatrie ; they taught their Disciples , Ibid. if an image were in the way , to fetch about some other ; if they must needs go that way to runne : and if a thorne should light in their foot ( neer the place ) not to kneele , but sit downe to pull it out , lest they should seeme to giue it reuerence . I weary you with these Iewish niceties . Consider then how deuout , how liberal , how continent , how true-dealing , how zealous , how scrupulous , how austere these men were , and see if it be not a woonder , that our Sauior thus brandeth them ; Except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnes of the Scribes and Phariseis , ye shall not enter into the kingdome of Heauen : That is , If your doctrine bee not more righteous , you shall not be entred of the Church : if your holinesse be not more perfect , you shal not enter into heauen : behold , Gods kingdome below and aboue is shut vpon them .

The poore Iews were so besotted with the admiration of these two , that they would haue thought if but two men must goe to heauen , the one should be a Scribe , the other a Pharise . What strange news was this from hm that kept the keies of Dauid , that neither of them should come there ? It was not the person of these men , not their learning , not wit , not eloquence , not honour they admired so much , but their righteousnesse : and lo nothing but their righteousnesse is censured ▪ Heerein they seemed to exceed all men : heerein al that would be saued must exceed them . Doe but thinke how the amazed multitude stared vpon our Sauiour , when they heard this Paradox . Exceed the Phariseis in righteousnesse ? It were much for an Angell from Heauen . What shal the poor sons of the earth doe if these woorthies be turned away with a repulse ? yea perhaps , your selues al that heare me this day , receiue this not without astonishment and feare , whiles your consciences secretly comparing your holines with theirs , find it to come as much short of theirs , as theirs of perfection . And would to God you could feare more , & bee more amazed with this comparison ; for ( to set you forward ) must we exceed them or else not bee saued ? if wee let them exceed vs , what hope , what possibility is there of our Saluation ? Ere wee therefore shew how farre wee must goe before them , looke backe with me ( I beseech you ) a little , and see how farre wee are behind them .

Mat. 23.3 . They taught diligently , and kept Moses his chaire warme : How many are there of vs , whom the great master of the Vineyard may finde loytering in this publike market-place , and shake vs by the shoulder with a Quid statis otiosi ? Why stand you heere idle ?

They compast sea and land ( Satans walke ) to make a proselyte : we sit still and freeze in our zeale , and lose proselytes with our dul and wilfull neglect . They spent one quarter of the day in praier : How many are there of vs that would not think this an vnreasonable seruice of God : we are so farre from this extreme deuotion of the old Euchitae , Correcti à Concilio Toletan . Bellar that we are rather worthy of a censure with those Spanish Priests for our negligence : how many of you citizens can get leaue of Mammon to bestow one houre of the day in a set course vpon God ? How many of you Lawyers , are first clients to God , ere you admit others , clients to you : how many of you haue your thoughts fixed in Heauen , ere they bee in Westminster ? Alas , what dulnesse is this ? what iniustice ; all thy houres are his , and thou wilt not lend him one of his owne for thine owne good . They read , they recited the Law , ( some ) twice a day ; neuer went without some parts of it about them ; Quilibet nostrûm de lege interr●gatus facilius quàm nomen suum respondet . Ios. contr. App. l. 2. But to what effect ? There is not one of our people ( saith Iosephus ) but answers to any question of the Law as readily as his own name ; how shall their diligence vpbraid yea condemne vs 〈◊〉 Alas how doe our Bibles gather dust for want of vse , while our Chronicle , or our Statute-booke , yea perhaps our idle and s●●rrilous play-bookes are worne with turning . Oh how happy were our fore-fathers , ( whose memory is blessed for euer ) if they could with much cost and more danger get but one of Pauls Epistles in their bosomes ; how did they hugge it in their armes , hide it in their chest , yea in their heart ! How did they eat , walke , sleepe , with that sweet companion , & in spight of all persecution neuer thought themselues wel , but when they conuersed with it in secret ! Lo now these shops are all open we buie them not ; these books are open wee read them not , and wee will bee ignorant because we will . The Sun shines and we shut our windowes . It is enough for the miserable Popish laity to be thus darke , that liue in the perpetual night of Inquisition ; shall this be the onely difference betwixt them and vs ; that they would read these holy leaues , and may not , we may and will not ? There is no ignorance to the wilfull . I stand not vpon a formall and verball knowledge , that was neuer more frequent , more flourishing . But if the maine grounds of Christianitie were thorowly setled in the hearts of the multitude , wee should not haue so much cause of shame and sorrow , nor our aduersaries of triumph and insultation : shew lesse therfore for Gods sake , and learne more ; & ballace your wauering harts with the sound truth of godlinesse , that you may flie steddilie thorow all the tempests of errors : Make Gods Law of your learned counsell with Dauid , and be happie . Else if you will needs loue darknesse , you shall haue enough of it : you haue heere inward darkenesse , there outward ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Mat. 8.12 . ) This is your owne darknesse , Choshec Aphelah : Tenebra cal●ginis . that his of whom the Psalmist ; He sent darknesse and it was darke : Darke indeed : A thicke and terrible darknesse , ioined with weeping and gnashing . I vrge not their awfull reuerence in their deuotion , our sleepie or wilde carelesnesse ; their austere and rough discipline of the body , our wanton pampering of the flesh ; tho who can abide to thinke of a chaste Pharise and a filithy Christian : a temperate Pharise , and a drunken Christian ? How shamefully is this latter vice ( especiallie ) growne vpon vs with time ? we knew it once in our ordinarie speech appropriated to beggars , now gallants fight for it . This beastlinesse had wont be bashfull , now it is impudent ; once children were wont to shout at a drunkard ( as some soule wonder ) now not to bee drunke is quarrell enough among men , among friends : Those knees that wee were woont to bow to the God of Heauen , are now bent to Bacchus in a Paganish , bestiall , diuellish deuotion . To leaue the title of Christians , for shame let vs be either men or beasts . My speech hastens to their holy and wise strictnesse of carriage ; wherin I can neuer complaine enough of our inequalitie : They hated the presence , the fire , the fashion , the bookes of a Gentile , In aquam se cum vestibus ●●mergunt ●hi contigerint auquem ●xa●ia gen●e : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. Epiph. of a Samaritane ; neither was there any hatred lost on the Samaritans part ; for if he had but toucht a Iew , hee would haue throwne himselfe into the water clothes and all : both of them equally sicke of a Noli me tangere : Touch me not , for I am holier . Esay 65.

Our Romish Samaritanes haunt our tables , our closets , our eares ; we frowne not , wee dislike not : We match , conuerse , conferre , consult with them carelesly , as if it were come to the old stay of that indifferent Appelles in Eusebius ; Sat est credere in crucifixum : but that which I most lament , and yee , Fathers and Brethren , if my voice may reach to any whom it concerneth , in the bowels of Christ let me boldly ( tho most vnworthy ) mooue your wisdomes , your care to redresse it . Our yong students ( the hope of posteritie ) newly crept out of the shell of Philosophie , spend their first houres in the great Doctours of Popish controuersies ; Bellarmine is next to Aristotle : yea our very vngrounded Artizans , yong Gentlemen , fraile Women , buie , read , trauerse promiscuously the dangerous Writings of our subtilest Iesuites . What is the issue ? Many of them haue taken poison , ere they know what milke is ▪ & when they haue once tasted this bane , they must drink and die . Oh what pity , what vexation is it to a true heart , to see us thus ●ob'd of our hopes ; them of their soules ! I haue heard , yea I haue seene and enuied the cautelous seuerity of our Aduersaries , which vpon tho deepest paines forbid the sale , yea the sight of those Authours , which they terme infectious ; where was euer Caluin publikely bought in one of their Church-yards ? Where euer read without licence , without securitie ? I censure not this as the peculiar fault of this place ; would God this open remisnesse were not a common euill , and had not spred it selfe wide thorow all those Churches that are gone out of Babylon . Let no man tel me of the distinction of that old Canonist : Barthol . ●fixiensis . Somethings ( saith he ) we read , lest they should bee neglected , as the Bible ; some lest they should bee vnknowen , as Arts and Philosophie ; some that they may bee reiected , as Hereticall bookes . T●ue ▪ But let them read that can 〈◊〉 , that can confute ; wee distrust not our cause , but their weake iudgements . A good Apothecarie 〈◊〉 make a good medicine of a strong poison ; must children therefore bee allowed that box ? I know how vnworthie I am to aduise ; only I throw downe my selfe at your feet and beseech you ; that our losses and their examples may make vs no lesse wise in our generation .

Mat. 23.23 . I follow the comparison ; They paid tithes of all they had , not a potherbe , but they tithed it . Heare this ye sacrilegious patrons , the merchants of soules , the pyrats of the Church , the enemies of religion ; they tithed all , you nothing ; they paid to their Leuites , your Leuites must pay to you : Your cures must bee purchased , your tithes abated or compounded for : O the shame of religion ! How too iustlie may I vsurpe of you that of Seneca : Pettie sacriledges are punished , while great ones ride in triumph ? Neuer excuse it with pretence of Ceremonie ; Moses neuer gaue so strict a charge for this as Paul ; Gal. 6.6 . [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] Communicate all thy goods with thy teacher ; All , with an emphasis . Welfare yet the honest Phariseis , whose rule was : ( Decima vt Diues fias ) Tithe and be rich : If euer thou be the fatter for this grauell , or the richer with that thou stealest from God , let me come to begge at thy doore .

Woe to you spirituall robbers . Our blinde forefathers clothed the Church , you despoile it : their ignorant deuotion shall rise in iudgement against your rauening couetousnesse . If robberie , simony , periury will not carrie you to hell : hope stil that you may be saued . They gaue plentifull alms to the poore we in stead of filling their bellies , grinde their faces . What excellent Lawes had wee lately enacted that there should bee no begger in Israel ? Let our streets , waies , hedges witnesse the execution . Thy liberality relieues some poore . It is well . But hath not thy oppression made more ? Thy vsurie , extorting , racking , inclosing , hath wounded whole Villages , and now thou befriendest two or three with the plaisters of thy bountie . The mercies of the wicked are cruell . They were precise in their Sabbath , we so loose in ours , as if God had no day : See whether our Tauernes , streetes , hy-waies descry anie great difference . These things I vowed in my selfe to reproue ; if too bitterly , ( as you thinke ) pardon ( I beseech you ) this holie impatience : and blame the foulenesse of these vices , not my iust vehemencie . And you ( Christian hearers ) than which no name can be dearer be perswaded to ransack your secure hearts ; and if there bee any of you whose awaked conscience strikes him for these sins , and places him below these Iews in this vnrighteousnesse , if you wish or care to bee saued , thinke it hie time , as you would euer hope for entrance into Gods kingdome , to strike your selues on the thigh , and with amazement and indignation to say , What haue I done ? to abandon your wicked courses ; to resolue , to vow , to striue vnto a Christian and conscionable reformation . Paul a Pharise was according to the righteousnesse of the Law vnreprooueable yet if Paul had not gone from Gamaliels feet , Phil. 3.6 . to Christs , he had neuer been saued : vnreprooueable and yet reiected ▪ Alas , my brethren , what shall become of our gluttony , drunkennesse , pride , oppression , bribing , cosenages , adulteries , blasphemies , and our selues for them ? God and men reprooue vs for these : what shall become of vs ? If the ciuillie righteous shall not bee saued , where shall the notorious sinner appeare ? A Christian below a Iew ? For shame , where are we ? where is our emulation ? Heauen is our gole , we all run ▪ loe the Scribes and Phariseis are before thee ; what safety can it be to come short of those that come short of heauen ? Except your righteousnes , &c.

You haue seene these Scribes and Phariseis ; their righteousnesse and our vnrighteousnesse . See now with like patience , their vnrighteousnesse that was , and our righteousnesse that must bee , wherein they failed , and wee must exceed . They failed then in their Traditions and Practise . May I say they failed , when they exceeded ? Their Traditions exceeded in number and prosecution , faultie in matter .

To run well , but out of the way ( according to the Greeke prouerbe ) is not better than to stand still . Fire is an excellent thing , but if it be in the top of the chimney , it doth mischiefe rather . It is good to be zealous in spight of all scoffes , Gal. 4.18 . but ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) In a good thing . If they had beene as hot for God , as they were for themselues , it had beene happie : but now in vaine they worship mee ( saith our Sauiour ) teaching for doctrines the Traditions of men . Hence was that axiome receiued currantly amongst their Iewish followers : Pl●● est in verbis sapientum quam in verbis legis . Galatin . There is more in the words of the wise , than in the wordes of the law : More ; that is , more matter , more authority : and from this principally arises and continues that mortall quarrell betwixt them and their ( Karraim ) and ( Minim ) vnto this day . Serarius . A great Iesuite ( at lest that thinks himselfe so ) writes thus in great earnest : Non mali comparari Pharisaeos Catholicis . The Phariseis ( saith he ) may not vnfitly bee compared to our Catholikes . Some men speak truth ignorantly , some vnwillinglie ; Caiphas neuer spake truer , when hee meant it not : one egge is not liker to another , than the Tridentine fathers to these Phariseis in this point , besides that of free-will , merit , full performance of the Law , which they absolutely receiued from them : For marke ; With the same reuerence & deuotion do we receiue and respect Traditions , Pari pietatis affectu & reuerentia Traditiones vnà cum libris veteris & noui Testamenti sustipimus & veneramur : Decr. 1. Sess. 4. that we do the bookes of the Old and New Testament , say those fathers in their fourth session : Heare both of these speake and see neither , if thou canst discerne whether is the Pharise , refuse me in a greater truth . Not that we did euer say with that Arrian in Hilary : Nolo verba qu● scripta non sunt legi We debar all words that are not written ▪ or would thinke fit with those phanatical Anabaptists of Munster , that all bookes should be burnt besides the Bible : some Traditions must haue place in euery Church ; but their place : they may not take wall of Scripture : Substance may not in our valuation giue way to circumstance . God forbid . If any man expect that my speech on this opportunitie should descend to the discourse of our contradicted ceremonies , let him know that I had rather mourne for this breach than meddle with it . God knowes how willingly I would spend my selfe into perswasions if those would auaile any thing : but I well see that teares are fitter for this theme than words . The name of our Mother is sacred and her peace pretious . As it was a true speech cited from that father by Bellarmine : Bellum Haeresicorum pax est Ecclesiae ex Hilario Bellar The warre of Heretikes is the peace of the Church : so would God our experience did not inuert it vpon vs ▪ The warre of the Church is the peace of Heretikes . Our discord is their musicke ; our ruine their glory : Oh what a fight is this , Brethren striue while the enemie stands still , and laughs and triumphs . If wee desired the griefe of our common mother , the languishing of the Gospell , the extirpation of religion , the losse of posterity , the aduantage of our aduersaries , which way could these bee better effected than by our dissensions . Esconedo . That Spanish Prophet in our age ( for so I finde him stiled ) when King Philip asked him how he might become master of the Low-Countries , answered ; If he could diuide them from themselues . According to that old Machiauellian principle of our Iesuites , Diuide and Rule . Concordiâ res parua crescunt , &c. And indeed it is concord only ( as the Posie or Mot of the vnited States runnes ) which hath vpheld them in a rich and flourishing estate against so great and potent enemies . Our Aduersaries already bragge of their victories ; and what good heart can but bleed to see what they haue gained since wee dissented , to foresee what they will gaine ? Nostrâ miseriâ tu es magnus . de Pomp. mi●●● They are our mutuall spoiles that haue made them proud and rich . If you euer therfore look to see the good daies of the Gospell , the vnhorsing and confusion of that strumpet of Rome , for Gods sake , for the Churches sake , for our owne soules sake , let vs all compose our selues to peace and loue : Oh pray for the peace of Ierusalem ; that peace may be within her walles , and prosperitie within her palaces .

For the matter of their Traditions our Sauiour hath taxed them in many particulars ; about washings , oaths , offerings , retribution : whereof he hath said enough when he hath termed their doctrine , the Leauen of the Phariseis , that is , sowre and swelling . Jn Mar. 23. S. Hierome reduces them to two heads : They were Turpia , anilia ; some so shamefull that they might not be spoken ; others idle & dotish ; both so numerous that they cannot be reckned . Take a taste for all ; and to omit their reall traditions , heare some of their interpretatiue . The Law was , that no Leper might come into the Temple ; their Tradition was , that if he were let downe thorow the roofe , this were no irregularity . Prae. Mos. cum expos. Rab. The Law was , a man might not carry a burden on the Sabbath ; their Traditional glosse ; if he carried ought on one shoulder it was a burden ; Ibid. if on both , none . If shooes alone , no burden ; if with nails , not tolerable . Ibid. Their stint of a Sabbaths iourney was a thousand cubites ; their glosse was , That this is to bee vnderstood without the wals , but if a man should walke all day thorow a city as bigge as Nineuie , he offends not . The Church of Rome shall vie strange glossems and ceremonious obseruations with them , whether for number or for ridiculousnesse . The day would faile mee if I should either epitomize the volume of their holy rites , or gather vp those which it hath omitted . Sacrarum C●remoniarum lib. 1. accipit de gremi● Camerarij pecuniam , vbi nihil tamen est argenti ; spargensque in populo d●cit : Aurum & argentum non est mihi , quod antem habeo hoc tibido . Can●n . P●nitential . pag. 1. Num. 12 Ezec. 4. The new elected Pope in his solemne Lateran procession must take copper money out of his Chamberlaines lap , and scatter it among the people , and say ; Gold and siluer haue I none . Seuen yeares penance is inioined to a deadly sin ; because Miriam was separated seuen daies for her Leprosie ; and God saies to Ezekiel , I haue giuen thee a day for a yeere . Christ said to Peter , Lanch foorth into the deepe : Luc. 5. Otho Fristugensis in praf●● . therefore hee meant that Peters successour should catch the great fish of Constantines donation . But I fauour your eares . That one I may not omit , how S. Hierome , whom they fondly terme their Cardinall , compares some Popish fashions of his time with the Pharisaicall ; who when hee had spoken of their purple fringes in the foure corners of their ( Tallin ) and the thornes which these Rabbins tie in their skirts , for penance , and admonition of their duty : In Mat. 23. Hoc apud nos ( saith hee ) superstitiosae mulierculae in paruulis Euangelijs , in crucis ligno & istiusmodi rebus factitant : that is , Thus superstitious old wiues doe amongst vs with little Gospels of Iohn , with the wood of the Crosse , and the like . Thus that father directly taxeth this Romish vse , who if he were now aliue , and should heare their Church groning vnder the number of Ceremonies more then the Iewish , would ( besides holy Austens complaint ) redouble that censure of our Sauiour , Mat. 23.4 . Wo to you Scribes , Phariseis , hypocrites , for ye binde heauy burthens , and greeuous to bee borne , and lay them on mens shoulders . I forbeare to speake of the erroneous opinions of these Iewish masters concerning that Pythagorean Vide Drufinus de tribus sectis Jud. transanimation or passage of the soule from one body to another ( a point which the Iewes had learned from them : Mat. 16.14 . ) concerning the not-rising vp of the wicked Astronomicall destiny , free-will , merit of works , perfection of obedience ; in euery of which it were easie to lose my selfe and my speech . I haste to their maine vnrighteousnesse ; which was not so much the planting of these stocks , which God neuer set , as the graffing of all holinesse and Gods seruice vpon them ; Alia doctrina Pharisa●rum qua est nisi legis secundum carnem obseruatio ? Hier. in Gal. 1. a fashionable obseruation of the outward letter , with neglect of the true substance of the Law ; a vaine-glorious ostentation of piety and perfection ; and more care to be thought than to be good ; a greater desire to be great , than good ; cruelty and oppression coloured with deuotion . My speech now towards the closure shal draw it selfe vp within these two lists ; of their Hypocrisie , their Worldlines : Hypocrisie in Fashionablenesse and Ostentation ; Worldlinesse in Couetousnesse , Ambition . Onely stirre vp your selues a while and suffer not your Christian attention to faile in this last act .

Some of their Rabbins say well , that God requires two things concerning his Law , Custody and Worke . . Custody in the heart ; worke in the execution ; These vnsound and ouerly Phariseis did neither . It was enough if they kept the Law in their hands ; so they had a formall shew of godlinesse it was enough : 2. Tim. 3.5 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . if the outside of the platter were cleane they cared for no more . God had charged them to bind the Law to their hand , and before their eies , Deut. 6. wherein , as Ierome and Theophylact well interpret it , he meant the meditation and practise of his Law : they , like vnto the foolish patient , which when the physitian bids him take that prescript , eats vp the paper ; if they could get but a list of parchment vpon their left arme next their heart , and another scroll to tie vpon their fore-head , and foure corners of fringe , Si haec prohibea●tur , fil●● 〈◊〉 p●nent in man● . Praec . Mos. cum expos. or ( if these bee denied ) ●●●ved threed in their hand , thought they might ▪ say with Saul , Blessed be thou of the Lord , I haue done the commandement of the Lord . That Opus operatum of the Papists ( for I still parallele them ) is not more false Latin than false Diuinity ▪ it is not the out-side of thy obedience that God cares for , it neuer so holy , neuer so glorious ; it is enough that men are cosened with these flourishes : the heart and the reines are those that God lookes after what cares a good market-man how good the fleece be , when the liuer is rotten . God doth not regard fashion so much as stuffe . Thou deceiuest thy selfe if thou think those shewes that blear'd the eies of the world , can deceiue him . God shal smite thee thou whited wall , God shall smite thee . Doest thou thinke hee sees not how smoothly thou hast daubed on thine whorish complexion ? Hee sees thee a farre off , and hates thee while thy parasites applaud thy beauty . I speake not of this carrion-flesh which thou wantonlie infectest with the false colours of thy pride , which God shall once wash off with riuers of brimstone . I speake of thy painted soule , and thy counterfet obedience . Giue me leaue , ( yea let mee take it ) to complaine that wee are fallen into a cold and hollow age wherein the religion of manie is but fashion , and their pietie gilded superstition ; Men care onely to seeme Christians ; If they can get Gods liuery on their backes , and his name in their mouthes , they out-face all reproofes . How many are there which if they can keepe their Church , giue an almes , bow their knee , say their praiers , pay their tithes , and once a yeere receiue the Sacrament ( it matters not how corrupt hearts , how filthie tongues , how false hands they beare ) can say in their hearts with Esau , I haue enough my Brother ? As if God cared for this thy vaine formalitie ; as if hee hated thee not so much more than a Pagan , by how much thou wouldest seeme more good . Bee not deceiued ; If long deuotions , sad lookes , hard penances , bountifull almes would haue carried it ( without the solid substance of godlinesse ) these Scribes and Phariseis had neuer beene shut out of Heauen . Consider this therefore ( deare Brethren ) none but your owne eies can looke into your hearts : we see your faces , the world sees your liues , your selues see your soules : if your liues be not holie , your hearts sound , tho your faces were like Angels , you shall haue your portion with Diuels . Tell not me thou hearest , praiest , talkest , beleeuest : how liuest thou ? what doest thou ? Shew mee thy faith by thy workes , saith Iames. It was an excellent answer that good Moses gaue to Lucius in the Church-story : Socrates eccl. hist. The faith that is seene is better than the faith that is heard ; and that of Luther not inferiour , that faith doth pinguescere operibus ? grow fat and well liking with good workes : it is a leane starued carkase of faith thou pretendest without these . If profession be all , the Scribes and Phariseis are before thee ; ransacke thy heart , and finde sound affection to God , firme resolutions to goodnesse , true hatred of sin ; ransacke thy life , and finde the truth of workes , the life of obedience ; Then alone thy righteousnesse exceeds the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Phariseis , and thou shalt enter into Heauen . Their ostentation followes ; wherein it is strange to consider , how those that cared not to be good should desire yet to seeme good : so did these Phariseis : They would not fast without a smeared face ; not giue an alms without a trumpet ; not pray without witnesses , Scribes , Phariseis , hypocrites , they did act a religious part , but play deuotion . They were nothing beside the stage : all for sight , nothing for substance . Would God this vice of hypocrisy had either died with them , or had only hereditarily descended to their successours : Satan will not let vs be thus happie . I see no mans heart , but I dare boldly say the world is full of hypocrisie . By their fruits you shall know them ( saith our Sauiour : ) By their fruits ; not by the blossomes of good purposes , nor the leaues of good profession , but by the fruits of their actions . Not to speake , how our mint and ●ummin hath incroched vpon iudgement and iustice . Search your selues ( ye Citizens : ) Now , you draw neere to God with your lips , with your eares , where is your heart ? Heere your deuour attention seemes to crie , The Lord is God : how many are there of you , that haue any God at home ? how many that haue a false God ? God at Church : Mammon in your shops ? I speake not of all ; God forbid . This famous City hath in the darkest , in the wantonest times , affoorded ( and so doth ) many , that haue done God honour , honesty to the Gospell : but how many are there of you that vnder smooth faces haue foule consciences ? faire words , false measures , forsworne valuations , adulterate wares , griping vsuries haue fild many of your coffers , and festered your soules : you know this , & yet like Salomons curtizan you wipe your mouths , and it was not you : Your alms are written in Church-windowes , your defraudings in the sand ; all is good saue that which appeares not ; how many are there euery where , that shame religion by professing it ? whose beastly life makes Gods truth suspected ; for as , howsoeuer the Samaritan , not the Iew , releeued the distressed traueller , yet the Iews religion was true , not the Samaritans ; so in others , truth of causes must not bee iudged by acts of persons ; yet , as hee said , It must needes bee good that Nero persecutes ; so who is not ready to say ; It cannot bee good that such a mis-creant professes ? Woe to thee Hypocrite ; thou canst not touch , not name goodnesse , but thou defilest it ; God will plague thee for acting so hie a part : See what thou art , and hate thy selfe ; or ( if not that ) yet see how God hates thee ; hee that made the heart , saies thou art no better than an handsome tombe ; the house of death . Behold heere a green turfe or smooth marble , or ingrauen brasse , and a commending Epitaph ; all sightly : but what is within ? an vnsauorie , rotten carcase . Tho thou wert wrapt in gold and perfumed with neuer so loud praiers , holy semblances , honest protestations ; yet thou art but noisome carrion to God : Of all earthly things God cannot abide thee ; and if thou wouldest see how much lower yet his detestation reacheth , know that when hee would describe the torments of hell , hee cals them ( as their worst title ) but the portion of Hypocrites . Wherfore clense your hands yee sinners , and purge your hearts yee double-minded : Iam. 4.8 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . For vnlesse your righteousnesse exceed the hypocriticall righteousnes of the Scribes and Phariseis , ye shall not enter into the kingdome of Heauen .

My speech must end in their Couetousnesse and Ambition : A paire of hainous vices I ioine them together : for they are not only brethren , but twins ; yet so as the elder heere also serues the yonger . It is ambition that blowes the fire of Couetousnesse . Oppression gets wealth ; that wealth may procure honour . Why doe men labour to be rich , but that they may be great ? Their Couetousnesse was such , that their throte ( an open sepulchre ) swallowed vp whole houses of Widowes . Whence their goods are called by our Sauiour ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : Luc. 11.41 . as if they were already in their bowels : and which was worst of all , while their lips seemed to pray , they were but chewing of that morsell . Their Ambition such , that they womanishly brawled and shouldred for the best seat ; the highest piew : A title , a wall , a chaire , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Mat. 23.6 . a cap , a knee , these were goodly cares for them that professed grauitie , humilitie , mortification . Let me boldly say , Ierusalem neuer yeelded so verie Phariseis as Rome . These old disciples of Sammai and Hillel were not Phariseis in comparison of our Iesuits . From iudgement ( you see ) I am descended to practise , wherein it no lesse easily made good that these are more kindely Phariseis , than the ancient . A poore Widowes Cottage fild the panch of an old Pharise ; How many faire Patrimonies of deuout yong Gentlemen * *

A word which the Seminaries report ( in their Quodlibet ) vsuall amongst them , to signifie Beguiled & wip't of their inheritance ; from the example of M. Henry Drury of Law shall in Suffolke so defeated by the Iesuites .

As at Winno●-berg in Flanders neer Dunkerk , where a rich legacie giuen by a charitable Lady for the building of an Hospital , was cunningly turned to the maintenance of Iesuites .

Druryed by them ( pardon the word , it is their own ; the thing I know and can witnesse ) haue gone down the throte of these Loyolists , let their owne Quodlibet & Catechisme report . What speak I of secular inheritances ? these eies haue seene no meane houses of deuotion and charity swallowed vp by them . As for their ambitious insinuations , not only all their own religious enuiously crie downe , but the whole world sees and rings of . What oare of State can stir without their rowing ? What kingdome either stands or fals without their intermedling ? What noble family complains not of their proling and stealth ? And all this with a face of sad piety and sterne mortification . Yea what other is their great Master but the king of Phariseis ? who vnder a pretence of simple piety , challenges without shame to haue deuoured the whole Christian world , the naturall inheritances of secular Princes , by the foisted name of Peters Patrimonie , and now in most infamous and shamelesse ambition calles great Emperours to his stirrup , Sacr. cerem l. 1. de Conse Benedict . & Coron Pontif. Postea imperator s● praesaeus est stapha● equi Papalis tenet , & dein ducit equum per fraenum aliquantuium . And afterward : Dum Imperator haec officia prastat , debet Papa modesté recusare , tandem cum aliquibus bonis verbis recipiendo permittit , aliquantul●●● progredi , &c. That is , while the Emperour doth these seruices to the Pope of holding his stirrup , and leading his horse by the bridle the Pope ought modestly to refuse , but at last with some good words , hee suffers him to goe on a while ; and then at last staies himselfe , &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Act. 8.9 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . yea to his foot-stoole . But what wander wee so farre from home ? Vae nobis miseris ( saith S. Hierome ) ad quos Pharisaeorum vitia tranfierunt ; ( Wo to vs wretched men to whom the Phariseis vices are deriued . ) The great Doctor of the Gentiles long ago said , All seeke their owne , and not the things of God ; and is the world mended with age ? would God wee did not find it a sure rule ; that ( as it is in this little world ) the older it growes , the more diseased , the more couetous : we are all too much the true sons of our great Grandmother ; and haue each of vs an Eues sweet tooth in our heads , we would be more than we are ; and euery man would be either ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) or ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : ) either the man , or some-body . If a number of your consciences were rip 't , o ye that would be Christian Gentlemen , Lawyers , Citizens , what doe wee thinke would be found in your maws ? Heere the deuoured patrimonie of poore Orphans ; there the Commons of whole Townships : heere the impropriate goods of the Church ; there piles of vsurie : heere bribes , and vnlawfull fees ; there the raw and indigested gobbets of simonie : yea would God I might not say , but I must say it with feare , with sorrow , euen of our sacred and diuine profession , that which our Sauior of his twelue , Yee are cleane , but not all . The multitude of our vnregarded charges , and souls dying and starued , for want of spiritual prouision , ( while they giue vs bodily ) would condemne my silence for too partiall . In all conditions of men ( for particulars are subiect to enuie & exception ) the daughters of the horse-leech had neuer such a fruitfull generation : They crie still , Giue , Giue : Not giue alone , that is , the bread of sufficiencie , but giue , giue ; that is , more than enough . But what is more than enough ? What is but enough ? What is not too little for the insatiable gulfe of humane desires ? Euery man wold ingrosse the whole world to himselfe , and with that ambitious conqueror feares it will be too little : Giue me not pouerty nor riches . Prou. 30.8 . and how few Agurs are there , that pray against too much ? From hence it is , that yee Courtiers grate vpon poore trades with hard Monopolies . Hence ye Merchants lode them with deep and vnreasonable prices , and make them pay deare for daies . Hence ye great men wring the poore sponges of the Commonaltie into your priuate purses ; for the maintenance of pride and excesse . Hence ye cormorant corne-mongers hatch vp a dearth in the time of plenty . God sends graine , but many times the Diuell sends garners . The earth hath beene no niggard in yeelding : but you haue beene lauish in transporting , and close in concealing . Neuer talke of our extreame frosts : we see Gods hand , and kisse the rod ; but if your hearts , your charity were not more frozen than euer the earth was , meane house-keepers should not need to beg , nor the meanest to starue for want of bread . Hence lastly , our loud oppressions of all sorts cry to heauen , and are answered with threats , yea with variety of vengeances . Take this with thee yet , o thou worldling , which hast the greedy-worm vnder thy tong with Esaies dogs , and neuer hast enough . Thou shalt meet with two things as vnsatiable as thy selfe ; the Graue and Hell ; and thou , whom all the world could not satisfie , there be two things wherof thou shalt haue enough : Enough mold in the graue , enough fire in hell .

I loue not to end with a iudgement ; and as it were to let my Sun set in a cloud . We are all Christians , wee should know the World , what it is , how vaine , how transitory , how worthlesse . Wee know where there are better things , which wee professe our selues made for , and aspiring to : Let vs vse the world like it selfe , and leaue this importunate wooing of it to Heathens and Infidels , that knew no other heauen , no other God ; Or if you like that counsell better ; Bee Couetous : Be Ambitious . Couet spirituall gifts . 1. Cor. 14.1 . Neuer thinke you haue grace enough ; desire more , seeke for more : this alone is worth your affections , worth your cares : Be still poore in this , that you may bee rich ; be rich that you may be ful ; be ful that you may be glorious . Be Ambitious , of fauour , of honour , of a kingdome ; of Gods fauour , of the honour of Saints , of the Kingdome of glory . Whither , hee that hath bought it for vs , and redeemed vs to it , in his good time , safely and happily bring vs . To that blessed Sauiour of ours , together with the Father , and his good Spirit : the God of all the world , our Father , Redeemer , and Comforter , be giuen all praise , honour and glorie now and for euer . Amen .

THE PASSION-SERMON , PREACHED AT PAVLES-CROSSE , on Good-friday . Apr. 14. 1609.

By I. H.

AT LONDON Printed by H. I. for Eleanor Edgar , and Samuell Macham : and are to bee solde at the shops in Paules-Churchyard . ANNO 1609.

Errata . Page 17. li: 8. Christian Read Christians Page 42. li: 1. life Read light Page 47. li: 5. in agonie Read in agone . Latine . Page 50. li: 6. suffer , so long Read suffer : so long P : 74. l : 9. forbeareth to be short Read forbeareth : To be sho●● Page 92 li: 18 my men . Read by men .

TO THE ONLY HONOVR AND GLORY OF GOD MY DEAR AND BLESSED SAVIOVR ( WHICH HATH DONE AND SVFFERED ALL THESE THINGS FOR MY SOVLE ) HIS WEAKE AND VNWORTHY SERVANT HVMBLIE DESIRES TO CONSECRATE HIMSELFE AND HIS POOR LABOVRS : BESEECHING HIM TO ACCEPT AND BLESSE THEM TO THE PVBLIQVE good ; and to the praise of his owne glorious NAME .

To the READER .

I Desire not to make any Apologie for the edition of this my Sermon : It is motiue enough , that herein I affect a more publike , and more induring good , Spirituall niceness is the next degree to vnfaithfullness : This point cannot be too much vrged , either by the tongue , or presse . Religion and our soules depend vpon it ; yet are our thoughts too much beside it . The Church of Rome so fixes her-selfe ( in her adoration ) vpon the crosse of Christ , as if shee forgat his glorie : Many of vs so conceiue of 〈◊〉 glorious , that wee neglect the meditation of his Crosse , the way to his glory , and ours . If wee would proceede aright , we must passe from his Golgotha , to the mount of Oliues , and from thence to heauen ; and there seeke and settle our rest . According to my weake abilitie , I haue led this way in my speech ; beseeching my Readers to follow mee with their hearts , that wee may ouer-take him which is entred into the true sanctuarie , euen the highest heauens , to appeare now in the sight of God for vs .

IOHN . 19. verse 30.

When Iesus therefore had receiued the Vineger , he said ; It is finished : and bowing the head , hee gaue vp the ghost .

THE bitter and yet victorious passion of the sonne of GOD ( right honourable and beloued Christians ) as it was the strangest thing that euer befell the Earth : So , is both of most soueraigne vse , & looks for the most frequent & careful meditation . It is one of those thinges which was once done , that it might be thought of for euer . Euery day therfore must be the Good-friday of a Christian : who , with that great Doctor of the Gentiles , must desire to know nothing but Iesus Christ , and him crucified .

There is no branch or circumstance in this wonderfull businesse , which yieldes not infinite matter of discourse . Acc●●ding to the solemnity of this 〈◊〉 & place , I haue chosen to commend vnto your Christian attention , our Sauiours Farewell to Nature ( for his reuiuing was aboue it ) in his last word , in his last act . His last word , Jt is finished ; his last act , Hee gaue vp the ghost : That which hee said , hee did . If there be any Theme that may challenge and commaund our eares & harts , this is it : for , behold ; the sweetest word that euer Christ spake , and the most ●●●●●ious act that euer hee 〈◊〉 met together in this his last breath . In the one , yee shall see him triumphing ; yielding in the other , yet so as hee ouerco●●● Imagine therefore , that 〈◊〉 Christ Iesus , in this day of his passion ( who is euery day heere crucified before your eyes ) aduaunced vpon the chariot of his Crosse ; and now , after a weary conflict , cheerefully ouer-looking the despight and shame of men , the wrath of his Father , the law , sin , death , hell ; which all lie gasping at his foot : & then you shall conceiue with what spirit hee faith Consummatumest ; It is finished . What is finished ? Shortly ; All the prophecies that were of 〈…〉 legall obseruations , that pre●●●gured him ; His owne sufferings ; Our saluation . The prophecies are accomplisht ; The ceremonies abolisht ; His sufferings ended ; Our sal●●tion wrought . These foure heads shall limit this first part of my speech : onely let them find & leaue you attentiue .

Euen this very word is prophecied of : All things that are written of me , haue an end , saith Christ . What end ? this , Jt is finished : This very end hath his end heere . What therefore is finished ? Not this prediction onely of his last draught ; as Augustine : that were too particular . Let our Sauiour himselfe say ; All things that are written of me by the Prophets . It is a sure and conuertible rule ; Nothing was done by Christ which was not foretold ; nothing was euer fore-told by the Prophets of Christ , which was not done . It wold take vp a life , to compare the Prophets and Euangelists ; the predictions and the history ; & largely to discourse , how the one fore-tells , and the other answers : let it suffice to looke at them , running . Of all the Euangelists , S. Mathew hath bin most studious , in making these references and correspondences : with whom , the burden or vndersong of euerie euent , is still ( vt impleretur . ) That it might be fulfilled . Thus hath he noted ( if I haue reckoned them aright ) two and thirty seueral prophecies concerning Christ ; fulfilled in his birth , life , death :

☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ Esay 7.14 . Mat. 1.23 . Zach. 9.9 . Mat. Ibid. Mic. 5.2 . Mat. 2.6 . Iere. 7.11 . Mat. 21.13 . Esay 11.1 . Mat. 2.25 . Psalm. 8.2 . Mat. 21.16 . Ier. 31.15 . Mat. 2.18 . Esay 5.8 . Mat. 21.33 . Iudg. 13.5 . Mat. 2. vlt. Psa. 118.22 . Mat. 21.44 . Esa. 40.3 . Mat. 3.2 . Psal. 110.1 . Mat. 22.44 . Esay 9.1 . Mat. 4.15 Esay 8.14 . Mat. 21.44 . Leu. 14.4 . Mat. 8.4 . Psal. 41.9 . Mat. 26.31 . Esay 53.4 . Mat. 8.17 Esa. 53.10 Mat. 26.54 . Esay 61.1 . Mat. 11.4 Zach. 13.7 . Mat. 26.31 . Esay 42.1 . Mat. 12.17 . Lam. 4.20 . Mat. 26.56 . Iona 1.17 . Mat. 12.40 . Esay . 50.6 Mat. 26.67 . Esay 6.9 . Mat. 13.14 Zac. 11.13 . Mat. 27.9 . Psal. 78.2 . Mat. 13.35 Psal. 22.18 . Mat. 27.35 . Es. 35.5.6 . Mat. 15.30 . Psal. 22.2 . Mat. 27.46 . Es. 62.11 . Mat. 21.5 . Psal. 69.22 . Mat. 27.48 .

To which , S. Iohn adds many more . Our speech must bee directed to his Passion : omitting the rest , let vs insist in those . He must be apprehended : it was fore-prophecied ; The Anointed of the Lord was taken in their nets , saith Ieremy : But how ? He must be sold ; for what ? thirtie siluer peeces : and what must those do ? Buy a field : all foretold ; And they tooke thirty siluer peeces , the price of him that was valued , & gaue them for the Potters field , saith Zachary ( miswritten Ieremy ; by one letter mistaken in the abbreuiation ) . By whom ? that child of perdition , that the Scripture might bee fulfilled . Which was hee ? It is fore-told ; He that eateth bread with me , saith the Psalmist . And what shall his disciples do ? Run away ; so saith the prophecie : J will smite the Shepheard , and the sheepe shall be scattered , saith Zachary . What shall bee done to him ? He must be scourged and spit vpon : behold , not those filthy excrements could haue light vpon his sacred face without a prophecie ; J hid not my face from shame and spitting , saith Esay . What shal be the issue ? In short ; he shall be led to death : it is the prophecie ; The Messias shal be slaine , saith Daniel . What death ? He must be lift vp ; Like as Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse : so shall the sonne of man bee lift vp . Chrysostome saith well , that some actions are parables ; so may I say , some actions are prophecies : such are all types of Christ : & this with the formost . Lift vp ? Whither ? To the Crosse : it is the prophecie ; Hanging vpon a tree , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . saith Moses . How lift vp ? Nayled to it : so is the prophecie ; Foderunt manus , they haue pierced my hands and my feet , saith the Psalmist . with what company ? two thieues ; With the wicked was hee numbred , saith Esay : Where ? without the gates , saith the prophecie . What becomes of his garments ? they cannot so much as cast the dice for his coate , but it is prophecied ; They diuided my garments , and on my vestures cast lots , saith the Psalmist . He must die then on the Crosse : but how ? voluntarilie . Not a bone of him shall be broken . What hinders it ? lo , there he hangs , as it were neglected , & at mercy ; yet all the raging Iewes , no , all the deuils in hell , cannot stirre one bone in his blessed body : It was prophecied in the Easter-Lambe , and it must be fulfilled in him that is the true Passeouer , in spight of fiends and men . How then ? hee must bee thrust in the side : behold , not the very speare could touch his precious side beeing dead , but it must be guided by a prophecie ; They shall see him whom they haue thrust-thorough , saith Zacharie . What shal he say the while ? Not his very words but are forespoken : his complaint , Eli Eli lamma sabactani , as the Chalde ; or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the Hebrew , Psalme 22 , 2. His resignation ; In manus tuas , Juto thy hands J commend my spirit ; Psalm 31 , 5. His request ; Father , forgiue them : Hee prayed for the transgressours , saith Esay . And now , when he saw all these prophecies were fulfilled ; knowing that one remained , hee said , J thirst . Domine , quid satis ? faith one ; O LORD , what thirstest thou for ? A strange hearing ; that a man , yea , that GOD and MAN , dying , should complaine of thirst .

Could hee indure the scorching flames of the wrath of his Father , the curse of our sinnes , those tortures of body , those horrours of soule ; and doth he shrinke at his thirst ? No , no : he could haue borne his drought ; hee could not beare the Scripture not fulfilled . It was not necessity of Nature , but the necessity of his Fathers decree , that drew foorth this word , I thirst . They offered it before : hee refused it . Whether it were an ordinary potion for the condemned , to hasten death ( as in the story of M. Antony ) which is the most receiued construction : or whether it were that Iewish potion , wherof the Rabbines speake ; whose tradition was , that the malefactor to be executed , should after some good counsell from two of their Teachers , be taught to say ; Sit mors mea in remissionem omnium iniquitatum mearum . Let my death be to the remission of all my sinnes ; and then , that hee should haue giuen him a boule of mixt wine , Vt vs●● rationis tollatur . with a graine of Frankincense , to bereaue him both of reason and paine .

I durst bee confident in this later ; the rather , for that Saint Marke calls this draught 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : Myrrhe-wine ; mingled ( as is like ) with other ingredients . And Montanus agrees with me in the end , ad stuporem & mentis alienationem ▪ A fashion which Galatine obserues out of the Sanhedrim , to bee grounded vpon Prouerbs 31 , 6. Giue strong drinke to him that is readie to perish . I leaue it modestly in the midst ; let the learneder iudge . What-soeuer it were , hee would not die till he had complained of thirst , and in his thirst tasted it : Neither wold he haue thirsted for , or tasted any but this bitter draught ; that the Scripture might bee fulfilled ; They gaue mee Vineger to drinke : And loe , now , Consummatum est ; All is finished .

If there be any Iew amongst you , that like one of Iohns vnseasonable Disciples , shal aske , Art thou he , or shall we looke for another ? hee hath his answere ; Yee men of Israell , why stand you gazing and gaping for another Messias ? In this alone , all the prophecies are finished ; & of him alone , all was prophecied that was finished . Paul's old rule holds still , To the Jewes a stumbling blocke ; and that more ancient curse of Dauid , Let their table be made a snare ; And Steuens two brands sticke still in the fleshe of these wretched men : One in their neck ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . stiffe-necked : the other in their hart ; vncircumcised : the one , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Obstinacie ; the other , Vnbeliefe : stiffenecks indeede , that will not stoop and relent with the yoke of sixteen hundred yeers iudgement and seruilitie : vncircumcised harts , the filme of whose vnbeliefe , would not be cut off with so infinite conuictions . Oh mad & miserable Nation ! Let them shew vs one prophecie that is not fulfilled ; let them shew vs one other , in whom all the prophecies can be fulfilled , & we wil mix pitty with our hate : If they cannot , and yet resist ; their doome is past ; Those mine enemies , that would not haue me to raigne ouer them , bring them hither , and slay them before mee . So let thine enemies perish , O Lord .

But what goe I so farre ? euen amongst vs ( to our shame ) this riotous age hath bred a monstrous generation ; Aug. ad Hier Dum volunt & Iudaei esse & Christiani , nec Iudaei sunt , ne● Christiani . ( I pray God I bee not now in some of your bosomes that heare mee this day ) compounded , much like to the Turkish religion ; of one part , Christian ; another , Iew ; a third , worldling ; a fourth , Atheist : a Christian face , a Iewes hart , a worldlings life , & therefore Atheous in the whole ; that acknowledge a God , & knowe him not ; that professe a Christ , but doubt of him ; yea , belieue him not : The foole hath said in his hart there is no Christ . What shall I say of the semen ? they are worse then deuils ▪ that yielding euill spirit , could say , Iesus I know ; and these miscreants are stil in the old tune of that tempting deuill ; Si tu es filius Dei , if thou be the Christ . Oh God , that after so cleer a Gospell , so many miraculous confirmations , so many thousand martyrdōs , so many glorious victories of truth , so many open confessions of Angels , men , diuells , friends ; enemies ; such conspirations of heauen & earth , such vniuersall contestations of all ages and people ; there should be left any sparke of this damnable infidelitie in the false harts of men ! Behold then , yee despisers , and wonder , and vanish away : whom haue all the Prophets fore-told ? or what haue the prophecies of so many hundreds , yea , thousands of yeers fore-said , that is not with this word finished ? Who could fore-tell these things , but the spirit of God ? Who could accomplish them , but the sonne of God ? Hee spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets , saith Zacharie : he hath spoken , & hee hath done ; one true GOD in both . No other spirit could fore-say these things should bee done ; none other power could doe these things , thus fore-shewed : this word therfore , can fit none but the mouth of God our Sauiour , It is finished . Wee knowe whom we haue belieued ; Thou art the Christ , the sonne of the liuing GOD . Let him that loues not the Lord Iesus , be accursed to the death .

Thus the prophecies are finished : Of the legall Obseruations , with more breuity ▪ Christ is the end of the law : What law ? Ceremoniall ; Morall . Of the morall ; it was kept perfectly by himselfe , satisfied fully for vs : of the ceremoniall ; it was referred to him , obserued of him , fulfilled in him , abolisht by him . There were nothing more easie then to shew you how all those Iewish ceremonies lookt at Christ : how Circumcision , Passouer , the Tabernacle , both outer and inner , the Temple , the Lauer , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . both the Altars , the Tables of Shew-breade , the candlesticks , the Vaile , the Holy of holies , the Arke , the Propitiatory , the pot of Manna , Aarons rodde , the high Priest , his order and line , his habites , his inaugurations , his washings , annointings , sprinklings , offerings , the sacrifices 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and what euer Iewish rite ; had their vertue from Christ , relation to him , and their end in him . This was then their last gaspe ; for , now straight they died with Christ : now the vaile of the Temple rent : Ex quo apparet , tunc scissum esse cùm Christus emisit spiritum . As Austen well notes , out of Mathew's order ; It tore then , when Christs last breath passed . That conceit of Theophylact is witty ; that as the Iewes were wont to rend their garments when they heard blasphemy : so the Temple , not induring these execrable blasphemies against the Sonne of God , tore his vaile in peeces . But that is not all : the vaile rent , is the obligation of the rituall lawe cancelled ; the way into the heauenly Sanctuarie opened ; the shadow giuing roome to the substance : in a word , it dooth that which Christ saith ; Consummatum est . Euen now then the law of ceremonies died : Ceremoniae sicut defuncta corpora a necessariorum officijs deducenda erant ad sepulturam , non simulatè , sed religiosè , nec deserenda continuò . Augustin . It had a long and solemne buriall , as Augustine saith wel ; perhaps figured in Moses , who died not lingringly , but was thirty daies mourned for . What meanes the Church of Rome , to dig them vp , now rotten in their graues ? and that , not as if they had been buried , but sowen , with a plentifull increase : yea , with the inuerted vsury of too many of you Cittizens ; ten for one . It is a graue and deepe censure of that resolute Hierome ; Ego è contrario loquar , &c. J say , Ego è contrario loquar , & reclamante mundo liberâ voce pro nuncien , ceremonias Iudaeorum perniciosas esse , et mortiferas , & quicunque eas obseruauerit siue ex Iudaeis , siue ex Gentibus , in barathrum diaboli deuolutum . Hier. saith he , and in spight of all the world dare maintain , that now the Iewish ceremonies are pernicious , and deadly : & whosoeuer shal obserue them , whether he be Jew or Gentile , in barathrum diaboli deuolutum ; shall fry in hell for it . Still Altars ? still Priests ? sacrifices still ? still washings ? still vnctions ? sprinkling , shauing , purifying ? still all , and more then all ? Let them heare but Augustines censure ; Quisquis nunc ea celebrare voluerit , tanquam sopitos cineres eruens , non erit pius &c. Quisquis nunc , &c. Whosoeuer shall now vse them , as it were raking them vp out of their dust ; he shall not be pius deductor corporis , sed impius sepulturae violator : an impious & sacrilegious wretch , that ransacks the quiet tombes of the dead .

I say not that all ceremonies are dead ; but the Law of ceremonies , and of Iewish . It is a sound distinction of them , that profound Peter Martyr hath in his Epistle , to that worthy Martyr , Father , Bishoppe , Hooper : Some are typicall , fore-signifying Christ to come : some , of order and decencie . Those are abrogated , not these . The Iewes had a fashion of prophecying in the Churches ; so the Christians from them , as Ambrose : the Iewes had an eminent pulpit of wood ; so wee : they gaue names at their circumcision ; so we at Baptisme : they sung psalmes melodiously in Churches ; so do we : they paid & receiued tithes ; so do we : they wrapt their dead in linnen , with odors ; so wee : the Iewes had sureties at their admission into the church ; so we . These instances might be infinite , the Spouse of Christ cannot be without her laces , & chaines , and borders . Christ came not to dissolue order . But thou Lorde , how long ? how long shall thy poore Church find her ornaments , her sorowes ? and see the deare sonnes of her wombe , bleeding about these apples of strife ? let me so name them , not for their value ( euen smal things , when they are commaunded , looke for no smal respect ) but for their euent : the enemy is at the gates of our Syracuse ; how long will we suffer our selues , taken vp with angles and circles in the dust ▪ Yemen , brethren , fathers , helpe ; for Gods sake put to your hands , to the quenching of this common flame : The one side by humilitie , and obedience ; the other , by compassion ; both by prayers and teares . Who am I , that I should reuiue to you the sweet spirit of that diuine Augustine ? who , when hee heard & saw the bitter contentions betwixt two graue and famous Diuines , Ierome , and Ruffine ; Heu mihi , saith he , qui vos alicubi simul inuenire non possum ! Alas , that J shall neuer find you two together ! how J would fall at your feet , how J would imbrace them , and weepe vpon them , and beseech you ; either of you for other , and each for himself ; both of you for the church of GOD ; but especially , for the weake , for whom Christ died : who , not without their own great danger , see you two fighting in this Theater of the world . Yet let me doe , what he said he would do ; begge for peace , as for life : by your filiall pietie to the Church of GOD , whose ruines follow vpon our diuisions ; by your loue of Gods truth ; by the graces of that one blessed Spirit , whereby we are all informed & quickened ▪ by the precious blood of that sonne of GOD , which this day , and this howre , was shed for our redemption , be inclined to peace and loue : & tho our braines be different , yet let our harts be one . It was , as I heard , the dying speech of our late reuerend , worthy , and gracious Diocesan , Modò me moriente viuat ac floreat Ecclesia ; Oh! yet if , when J am dead , the Church may liue and flourish .

What a spirit was heere ? what a speech ? how worthy neuer to die ? how worthy of a soule so neere to his heauen ? how worthy of so happy a succession ? Ye whom God hath made inheritors of this blessed care , which do no lesse long for the prosperitie of Sion , liue you to effect , what he did but liue to wish ▪ all peace with our selues , and war with none but Rome and Hell . And if there bee any weyward Separatist , whose soule professeth to hate peace ; I feare to tell him Paules message , yet I must : Would to God those were out off that trouble you . How cut off ? As good Theodosius said to Demophilus , a contentious Prelate ; Situ pacem fugis , &c. Si tu pacem fugis , ego te ab Ecclesia fuger●mando . of thou flie peace , I wil make thee flie the Church . Alas ! they doe flie it : that which should bee their punishment , they make their contentment : how are they worthy of pitty ? As Optatus , of his Donatists , they are brethren , might be companions , and will not . Oh wilfull men ! whither doe they run ? from one Christ to another ? Is Christ diuided ? We haue him ; thanks be to our good God : and wee heare him daily ; and whither shall we goe from thee ? thou hast the words of eternall life .

Thus the Ceremonies are finished : Now heare the end of his sufferings , with like patience and deuotion . His death is heere included ; it was so neere , that hee spake of it as done ; and when it was done , all was done . How easie is it to lose our selues in this discourse ▪ how hard , not to be ouer-whelmed with matter of wonder ; and to find either beginning , or end ! His sufferings found an end ; our thoughts cannot . Lo ; with this word , he is happilie waded out of those deepes of sorowes , wherof our conceits can find no bottome : yet let vs , with Peter , gird our coa●e , and cast our selues a little into this sea .

All his life was but a perpetuall Passion : In that he becam man , he suffered more then we can doe , either while wee are men , or when wee cease to be men : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . he humbled , yea , he emptied himselfe . Wee , when wee cease to be heere , are clothed vpon . 2. Cor. 5 ▪ Wee both win by our beeing , & gaine by our lesse ; hee lost , by taking our more or lesse to himselfe , that is , manhood . For , tho euer as God , I and my Father are one ; yet as man , My Father is greater then J. That man should be turned into a beast , into a worme , into dust , into nothing ; is not so great a disparagement , as that GOD should become man ▪ and yet it is not finished ; it is but begun . But what man ? If , as the absolute Monarch of the world , he had commanded the vassalage of all Emperours and Princes , & had trod on nothing but Crownes and Scepters , and the necks of Kings , and bidden all the Potentates of the earth to attend his train ; this had caried some port with it , sutable to the heroicall maiestie of Gods Sonne . No such matter : heere is neither forme nor beautie ; vnlesse perhaps ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) the forme of a seruaunt : you haue made mee to serue , with your sinnes . Behold ▪ he is a man to God ; a seruaunt to man ; and , be it spoken with holy reuerence , a drudge to his seruants . He is despised and reiected of men ; yea ( as himself , of himselfe ) a worme , and no man , the shame of men , & contempt of the people . Who is the King of glory ? Psal. 24 , 10 the Lord of hostes hee is the King of glory . Set these two together ; the King of glory ; the shame of men : the more honour , the more abasement . Looke back to his cradle ; there you find him reiected of the Bethlemites ; borne & laid alas how homely , how vnworthily : sought for by Herod , exiled to Egypt , obscurely brought vp in the cottage of a poore foster-father , transported & tempted by Satan , derided of his kindred , blasphemously traduced by the Iewes , pinched with hunger , restlesse , harbourlesse , sorrowfull , persecuted , by the Elders and Pharisees , sold by his owne seruant , apprehended , arraigned , scourged , condemned ; & yet it is not finished . Let vs , with that Disciple , follow him a farre off ; & passing ouer all his contemptuous vsage in the way , see him brought to his Crosse . Still the further wee looke , the more wonder ; euery thing ads to this ignominy of suffering , and triumph of ouercomming . Where was it ? not in a corner , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Acts. 26.27 . as Paule saith to Festus : but in Ierusalem ; the eye , the hart of the world . Obscuritie abateth shame ; publique notice heightens it : Before all Israell , & before this sun , saith GOD to Dauid , when he would throughlie shame him : In Ierusalem , which hee had honoured with his presence , taught with his preachings , astonisht with his miracles , bewailed with his teares ; O Jerusalem , Jerusalem , how oft would J , and thou wouldest not ! O yet if in this thy daie ! Crueltie and vnkindnesse , after good desert , afflict so much more , as our merit hath beene greater . Where-abouts ? without the gates : in Caluary ; among the stinking bones of execrable malefactors . Before , the glory of the place bred shame ; now , the vileness of it . When ? but in the Passeouer ; a time of greatest frequence , and concourse of all Iewes and proselites : An holy time : when they should receiue the figure , they reiect the substance : when they should kil & eate the sacramental Lambe , in faith , in thankfulnes , they kill the Lambe of GOD , our true Passeouer , in crueltie and contempt . With whom ? & In medio latronum tanquam latronum imma●issimus . Luther . The qualitie of our company , either increases or lessens shame . In the midst of thieues ( saith one ) as the Prince of thieues . There was no guile in his mouth , much lesse in his hands : Yet behold , he that thought it no robberie to bee equall with Go● , is made equall to robbers and murderers ; yea , superiour in euill . What suffered hee ? As all liues are not alike pleasant : so al deathes are not equally fearfull : there is not more difference betwixt some life & death , then betwixt one death & another . See the Apostles gradation : He was made obedient to the death , euen the death of the Crosse . The Crosse , a lingering , tormenting , ignominious death . The Iewes had foure kindes of death for malefactors ; the towell , the sword , fire , stones ; each of these aboue other in extreamitie . Strangling with the towell , they accounted easiest : the sword worse then the towel : the fire worse then the sword : stoning worse then the fire : but this Romaine death was worst of all . Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree . Yet ( as Ierome well ) he is not therefore accursed , because hee hangeth ; but therfore he hangeth , because he is accursed . He was made ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) a curse for vs . The curse was more then the shame : yet the shame is vnspeakeable ; and yet not more then the paine . Yet all that die the same death , are not equally miserable : the very Thieues fared better in their death , then he . I heare of no irrision , no inscription , no taunts , no insultation on them : they had nothing but paine to incounter ; hee , paine and scorne . An ingenuous & noble nature , can worse brooke this than the other ; any thing rather then disdainefulnesse , and derision : especially , from a base enemy . I remember , that learned Father begins Israels affliction , with Ismaels persecuting laughter . The Iews , the souldiours , yea , the very thieues flouted him , and triumpht ouer his miserie : his blood cannot satisfie them , without his reproach . Which of his senses now was not a window to let in sorrow ? His eyes saw the teares of his Mother and friends , the vnthankful demeanure of mankind , the cruell despight of his enemies : his eares heard the reuilings & blasphemies of the multitude : & ( whether the place were noisome to his sent ) his touch felt the nailes ; his taste , the gall . Looke vp , O all yee beholders , looke vpon this precious body , & see what part ye can find free ? Caput angelicis spiritibus tremebūdū spinis coronatur . &c. Bernard . That head which is adored , and trembled at by the Angelicall spirits , is all raked , & harrowed with thorns : that face , of whom is said , Thou art fa●rer then the children of men , is all besmeared with the filthy spettle of the Iewes , and furrowed with his teares : those eyes , clearer then the sun , are darkened with the shadow of death : those eares , that hear the heauenly consorts of Angels , now are filled with the cursed speakings and scoffes of wretched men : those lips that spake as neuer man spake , that commaund the spirits both of life & darknesse , are scornfully wet with vineger & gall : those feet that trample on all the powers of hell ( his enemies are made his footstoole ) are now nailed to the footstoole of the Crosse : those hands that freely sway the scepter of the Heauens , now carrie the reed of reproach , and are nailed to the tree of reproach : that whole body , which was conceiued by the holy Ghost , was all scourged , wounded , mangled : This is the out-side of his sufferings . Was his heart free ? Oh no : the inner part , or soule of this pain , which was vnseen , is as far beyond these outward and sensible , as the soule is beyond the body ; Gods wrath beyond the malice of men : these were but lo●e ●ticks to what his soule indured ! O all ye that passe by the way , behold and see , if there bee any sorrow like to my sorrow : Alas ! Lord , what can we see of thy sorrowes ? we cannot conceiue so much as the ●ainousnesse and desert of one of those sinnes which thou barest : wee can no more see thy paine , then wee could vnder-goe it , onely this wee see , that what the infinite sins of almost infinite men , committed against an infinite Maiestie , deserued in infinite continuance ; all this thou in the short time of thy Passion hast sustained . We may behold and see ; but all the glorious spirits in heauen cannot looke into the depth of this suffering . Do but looke yet a little into the passions of this his Passion : for , by the manner of his sufferings , we shall best see what hee suffered . Wise and resolute men , do not complaine of a little : holy Martyrs haue bin racked , & would not be loosed ; what shall we say if the Author of their strength , God and man , be wray passions ? what wold haue ouerwhelmed men , wold not haue made him shrinke ; and what made him complaine , could neuer haue been sustained by men . What shal we then think , if he were affrighted with terrors , perplexed with sorrowes , and distracted with both these ? And lo , he was all these : for , first , heere was an amazed feare ; for millions of men to despaire , was not so much as for him to feare : and yet it was no slight feare ; hee began 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be astonished with terrour● Which in the daies of his flesh , offered vp prayers , & supplications , with strong cries and teares , to him that was able to helpe him ; and was heard in that hee feared . Neuer man was so afraid of the torments of hell , as Christ ( standing in our roome ) of his Fathers wrath . Feare is still sutable to apprehension : Neuer man could so perfectlie apprehende this cause of feare . He felt the chastisements of our peace : yea , the curse of our sinnes ; & therfore might well say with Dauid ; J suffer thy terrors with a troubled mind : yea , with Iob , The arrowes of God are in me ; & the terrors of God fight against mee . With feare ; there was a deiecting sorow 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ My soule is on all sides heauy to the death . His strong cries , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . his many tears , are witnesses of this Passion . He had formerly shed teares of pitie , and teares of loue ; but now of anguish : he had before sent forth cries of mercie ; neuer of complaint till now . When the sonne of God weeps and cries , what shall we say or thinke ? yet further , betwixt both these and his loue , what a conflict was there ? It is not amisse distinguished , that hee was alwaies in agonie ; but now in 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , in a struggling passion of mixed griefe . Behold : this field was not without sweat and blood ; yea , a sweat of blood ▪ O what man or Angell , can conceiue the taking of that heart , that without all outward violence , meerely , out of the extreamity of his owne Passion , bled ( thorough the flesh and skinne ) not som faint deaw , but solid drops of blood ? No thornes , no nailes fetcht blood from him , with so much pain as his own thoughts . Hee saw the fierce wrath of his Father , and therfore feared ▪ he sawe the heauie burden of our sinnes to bee vndertaken ; and therevpon , besides feare , iustlie grieued : he saw the necessity of our eternall damnation , if hee suffered not ; if he did suffer , of our redemption : and therfore his loue incountred both griefe and feare . In it selfe , he would not drinke of that cuppe : in respect of our good , and his decree , hee would and did ; and while he thus striueth , he sweats and bleedes . There was neuer such a combatte , neuer such a bloodshed ; and yet it is not finished . I dare not say with some Schoolemen ▪ that the sorrow of his Passion , was not so great as the sorow of his compassion : yet that was surely exceeding great . To see the vngracious carelesnesse of mankind , the slender fruite of his sufferings , the sorrowes of his mother , disciples , friends ; to fore-see from this watch-towre of his Crosse , the future temptations of his children , desolations of his Church ; all these must needs strike deepe into a tender hart . These he still sees & pitties , but without passion ; then , he suffered , in seeing them .

Can wee yet say any more ? Lo , all these sufferings are aggrauated by his fulnes of knowledge , & want of comfort : for , he did not shut his eyes , as one saith , when hee drunk this cup he saw how dreggish , and knew how bitter it was . Sodaine euils afflict , if not lesse , shorter . He fore-saw and fore-said euerie particular he should suffer , so long as he fore-saw he suffered : the expectation of euill , is not lesse then the sense ▪ to looke long for good , is a punishment ; but for euill , is a torment . No passion works vpon an vnknown obiect : as no loue , so no fear is of what we know not ▪ Hence men fear not hell , because they fore-see it not : if we could see that pit open before wee come at it , it would make vs tremble at our sinnes , and our knees to knock together , as Baltasars ; & perhaps , without faith , to run mad at the horror of iudgement . He saw the burden of all particular sins to be laid vpon him : euery dram of his fathers wrath , was measured out to him , ere he touch● this potion : this cup was full ; & he knew that it must be wringd , not a drop left : it must be finished . O yet , if as he fore-saw all his sorrowes , so he could haue seene some mixture of refreshing ! But J found none to comfort me ; no , none to pitie me . And yet , it is a poore confort that arises from pittie . Euen so , O Lord , thou treadest this wine-presse alone ; none to accompany , none to assist thee . I remember , Ruffinus in his Ecclesiasticall storie reports , that one Theodorus , a Martyr , told him , that when he was hanging ten houres vpon the rack , for religion , vnder Iulians persecution , his ioynts distended and distorted , his body exquisitelie tortured with change of executioners ; so as neuer age , saith he , Vt nulla vnquam aetas similem memi●erit . could remember the like : he felt no paine at all , but continued indeed all the while in the sight of all men , singing & smiling . For , there stood a comlie young man by him on his Iibbet ( an Angell rather , in forme of a man ) which with a cleane towel , still wip't off his sweat , & poured coole water vpon his racked limbs : wherwith he was so refreshed , that it grieued him to be let downe . Euen the greatest torments are easie , when they ●●ue aunswerable conforts : but a wounded & comfortlesse spirit , who can beare ? If yet but the same messenger of GOD , might haue attended his Cross , that appeared in his agonie ; & might haue giuen ease to their Lord , as he did to his seruant ! And yet , what can the Angels help , where God will smite ? Against the violence of men , against the furie of Satan , they haue preuailed in the Cause of GOD , for men : they dare not , they cannot confort where God will afflict . When our Sauiour had been wrestling with Satan , in the end of his Lent , then they appeared to him , and serued ▪ but now , while about the same time , hee is wrestling with the wrath of his Father for vs , not an Angell dare bee seene , to looke out of the windowes of heauen to relieue him : for men ; much lesse could they if they would ; but what did they ? Miserable comforters are yee all ; the souldiours ; they stript him , scorned him with his purple , crown , reed ; spat on him , smote him : the passengers ; they reuiled him ; and insulting , wagg'd their heads and hands at him ; Hey , thou that destroiest the temple , come downe , &c. The Elders and Scribes alas ! they haue bought his blood , suborned witnesses , incensed Pilate , preferred Barabbas , vndertook the guilt of his death , cri'd out , Crucifie , crucifie ; Ho! thou that sauedst others . His disciples ; alas ! they forsooke him : one of them forsweares him ; another runs away naked , rather then he will stay and confesse him . His mother , and other friends : they looke on indeede , and sorrow with him ; but , to his discomfort . Where the griefe is extreame , and respects neere , partnership doth but increase sorrow . Paul chides this loue : What doe you weeping , and breaking my heart ? The teares of those we loue , do either slacken our hearts , or wound them . Who then shall comfort him ? Himselfe ? Somtimes our own thoughts find a way to succour vs , vnknown to others : no , not himself . Doubtlesse ( as Aquinas ) the influence of the higher part of the soule , was restrained from the aide of the inferiour ; My soule is filled with euills . Psalm. 87 , 4. Who then ? his Father ? Heere , heere was his hope : Jf the Lord had not holpen me , Psalm 94.17 . my soule had almost dwelt in silence ▪ J and my Father are one . But now ( alas ! ) he , euen he , deliuers him into the hands of his enemies ; when hee hath done , turnes his back vpon him as a stranger ; yea , he woundeth him as an enemy . The Lord wold breake him . Esay , 53 , 10. Yet any thing is light to the soule , whiles the comforts of God sustaine it : who can dismay , where God will relieue ? But here , My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken mee ? What a word was heere , to come from the mouth of the Sonne of GOD ? My disciples are men , weak & fearefull ; no maruell if they forsake me . The Iewes are themselues , cruell and obstinate . Men are men , gracelesse , and vnthankfull . Diuels are , according to their nature , spightful and malicious . All these doe but their kind , and let them doe it : but thou , O Father , thou that hast said ; This is my wel-beloued son , in whom J am well pleased : thou of whom I haue said , Jt is my Father that glorifies me : what ? forsaken mee ? Not onely brought me to this shame , smitten mee , vnregarded me ; but , as it were , forgotten , yea , forsaken mee ? What , euen mee , my Father ? How many of thy constant seruaunts haue suffered heauie things ! yet in the multitudes of the sorrowes of their harts , thy presence and comforts haue refreshed their soule . Hast thou relieued them , and doost thou forsake mee ▪ mee , thine onelie , deere , naturall , eternall sonne ! O yee heauens & earth , how could you stand , whiles the Maker of you thus complained ! Yee stood ; but , partaking after a sort of his Passion : the earth trembled & shooke , her rocks tore , her graues opened , the heauens withdrew their light ; as not daring to behold this sad and fearefull spectacle .

Oh deere Christians ! how should these earthen and rocky harts of ours shake , and re●d in peeces at this meditation ? how should our faces bee couered with darknesse , and our ioy be turned into heauiness ? Al these voices , and teares , and sweats , and pangs , are for vs ; yea , from vs . Shall the Sonne of God thus smart for our sinnes , yea , with our sinnes ; and shall not wee grieue for our owne ? shall ●ee weepe to vs in this Market-place , and shal not we mourne ? Nay , shall hee sweat and bleed for vs , and shall not wee weepe for our selues ? Shall he thus lamentably shrieke-out , vnder his Fathers wrath , and shall not we tremble ? Shall the heauens and earth suffer with him , & we suffer nothing ? I call you not to a weake & idle pitty of our glorious Sauior : to what purpose ? His iniury , was our glory . No , no ; Ye daughters of Jerusalem , weepe not for mee : but weepe for your selues : For our sinnes , that haue done this ; not for his sorrow that suffered it : not for his pangs , that were ; but for our owne that should haue been , & ( if we repent not ) shall be . Oh how grieuous , how deadly are our sinnes , that cost the sonne of God ( besides blood ) so much torment ? How far are our soules gone , that could not be ransomed with any easier price ? That that tooke so much of this infinite Redeemer of men , God & man , how can it chuse but swallow vp & confound thy soule , which is but finite and sinfull ? If thy soule had been in his soules stead , what had become of it : it shal be , if his were not in stead of thine . This weight , that lies thus heauy on the Son of God , & wrung from him these teares , sweat , blood , and these vnconceiueable grones of his afflicted spirit , how shall it chuse but presse downe thy soule to the bottom of hell ? & so it will do : if hee haue not suffered it for thee , thou must and shalt suffer it for thy selfe . Goe now thou leud man , and make thy selfe merry with thy sinnes ; laugh at the vncleanenesses , or bloodinesse of thy youth : thou little knowest the price of a sin : thy soule shall do ; thy Sauiour did , when he cried out , to the amazement of Angels , and horror of men ; My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken mee . But now no more of this ; It is finished : the greater conflict , the more happy victory . Well doth hee find and feele of his Father , what his type said before , Hee will not chide alwaies , nor keepe his anger for euer . It is fearefull ; but in him , short : eternall to sinners ; short to his Sonne , in whom the God-head dwelt bodily . Behold : this storme , where-with al the powers of the world were shaken , is now ouer . The Elders , Pharisees , Iudas , the souldiers , priests , witnesses , Iudges , thieues , executioners , diuells , haue al tired themselues in vaine , with their owne malice ; and he triumphs ouer them all , vpon this throne of his Crosse : His enemies are vanquisht , his Father satisfied , his soule with this word , at rest and glory ; Jt is finished . Now there is no more betraying , agonies , arraignments , scourgings , scoffing , crucifying , conflicts , terrors , all is finished . Alas beloued , and will we not yet let the Son of God be at rest ? doe wee now againe goe about to fetch him out of his glorie , to scorne and crucifie him ? I feare to say it : Gods spirit dare , and doth ; They crucifie againe to themselues the Son of God , and make a mock of him . To themselues ; not in himself : that they cannot , it is no thanke to them ; they would doe it . See and consider : the notoriously-sinfull conuersations of those that should be Christians , offer violence vnto our glorified Sauiour : they stretch their hands to heauen , and pull him downe from his Throne , to his Crosse : they teare him with thornes , pearce him with nailes , loade him with reproaches . Thou hatest the Iewes , spettest at the name of Iudas , railest on Pilate , condemnest the cruel butchers of Christ : yet , thou canst blaspheme , & sweare him quite ouer ; curse , swagger , lie , oppresse , boile with lust , scoffe , riot , and liuest like a debauched man ; yea , like an humane beast ; yea , like an vncleane diuel . Cry Hosanna as long as thou wilt ; thou art a Pilate , a Iew , a Iudas , an executioner of the Lord of life : and so much greater shall thy iudgement be , by how much thy light , & his glory , is more . Oh , beloued , is it not enough that he died once for vs ? Were those paines so light , that we should euery day redouble them ? Is this the entertainement , that so gracious a Sauiour hath deserued of vs by dying ? Is this the recompence of that infinite loue of his , that thou shouldest thus cruelly vexe and wound him with thy sinnes ? Euerie of our sins is a thorne , and naile , and speare to him . While thou pourest down thy drunken carowses , thou giuest thy Sauiour a potion of gall : while thou despisest his poore seruants , thou spett'st in his face : while thou puttest on thy proud dresses , & liftest vp thy vaine heart with high conceits , thou settest a Crowne of thornes on his head : while thou wringest and oppressest his poore children , thou whippest him , & drawest blood of his hands and feet . Thou hypocrite , how darest thou offer to receiue the Sacrament of God , with that hand , which is thus imbrued with the bloud of him whom thou receiuest ? In euery Ordinary , thy profane tong walkes , in the disgrace of the religious & conscionable . Thou makest no scruple of thine own sinnes , and scornest those that doe : Not to be wicked , is crime enough . Heare him that saith , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou mee ? Saul strikes , at Damascus : Christ suffers in heauen . Thou strikest : Christ Iesus smarteth , & will reuenge . These are the ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) af●erings of Christs sufferings : in himselfe it is finished ; in his members it is not , till the world be finished . We must toile , and grone , and bleed ; that wee may raigne : if he had not done so , It had not been finished . This is our warfare : this is the region of our sorrow and death . Now are we set vpon the sandy pauement of our Theater , and are matched with all sorts of euills ; euill men , euill spirits , euill accidents ; & ( which are worst ) our owne euill hearts : tentations , crosses , persecutions , sicknesses , wants , infamies ; death ; all these must , in our courses , be incountred by the law of our profession . What should we do but striue and suffer , as our Generall hath done , that wee may raigne as he doth , and once triumph in our Consummatum est ? God & his Angels sit vpon the Scaffolds of Heauen , & behold vs : our Crowne is ready ; our day of deliuerance shall come ; yea , our redemption is neere ▪ when all teares shall bee wip't from our eyes ; & wee that haue sowen in teares , shall reape in ioy . In the meane time , let vs possesse our soules , not in patience onely , but in comfort : let vs adore and magnifie our Sauiour in his sufferings , and imitate him in our owne ▪ our sorrowes shall haue an end ; our ioyes shall not : our paines shall soone be finished ; our glory shal be finished , but neuer ended .

Thus his sufferings are finished ; now together with them , Mans saluation . Who knowes not , that man had made himself a deepe debter , a bankrupt , an out-law to GOD ? Our sins are our debts ; and by sins , death . Now , in this word and act , our sinnes are discharged , death indured , and therefore wee cleared . The debt is paid , the score is crossed , the Creditor satisfied , the Debters acquitted ; and , since there was no other quarrell , saued . We are all sick , and that mortally : Sin is the disease of the soule . Quot vitia , tot febres , faith Chrysostome ; so many sinnes , so many Feauers , & those pestilent . What wonder is it that we haue so much plague , while we haue so much sin ? Our Sauiour is the Physician ; The whole neede not the Physician , but the sicke . Wherein ? He healeth all our infirmities : hee healeth them after a miraculous maner ; not by giuing vs receits , but by taking our receits for vs . A wonderfull Physician ; a wonderful course of cure . One while he would cure vs by abstinence ; our superfluity , by his forty daies emptinesse : according to that old rule ▪ Hunger cures the diseases of Gluttony . Another while , by exercise : He went vp and downe from Citty to Cittie ; and in the day was preaching in the Temple ; in the night , praying in the Mount . Then , by diet ; Take , eate , this is my body : and , Let this cup passe . After that yet , by sweat : such a sweat as neuer was a bloudy one : yet more by incision ; they pearced his hands , feet , side : and yet againe by potion ; a bitter potion , of vineger and gall . And lastly , which is both the strangest and strongest receit of all , by dying ; Which died for vs ; that whether we wake or sleep , we should liue together with him . 1. Thes. 5.10 . We need no more , wee can goe no further ; there can bee no more physick of this kind : there are cordialls after these , of his Resurrection and Ascension ; no more penall receits . By this bloud wee haue Redemption , Ephes. 1 , 7. Iustification , Rom. 3 , 24. Reconciliation , Colos. 1 , 20. Sanctification , 1. Pet. 1 , 2. Entrance into glory , Hebr. 10 , 19. Is it not now finished● Wo were vs , if he had left but one mite of satisfaction vpon our score , to bee discharged by our soules : and wo bee to them that derogate from Christ , that they may charge themselues ; that botch vp these alsufficiently meritorious sufferings of Christ , as imperfect , with the superfluities of flesh and bloud . Maledictus homo , qui spem ponit in homine ▪ We may not with patience see Christ wrongd by his false friends : As that heroicall Luther said in the like ▪ Maledictum silentium , quod hîc conniuet . Cursed bee the silence that heer forbeareth to be free & short . Heere be two iniuries intolerable ; both giue Christ the lye vpon his Crosse : Jt is finished . No ; somewhat remaines : the fault is discharged , not the punishment . Of punishments , the eternall is quit , not the temporall ▪ It is finished by Christ : No , there wants yet much ; the satisfactions of Saints applied by his Vicar : adde mens sufferings to Christs , them the treasure is ful ; till then it is not finished .

Two qualities striue for the first place in these two opinions ; Impietie , and Absurditie : I know not whether to prefer . For Impietie ; heere is GOD taxed of iniustice , vnmercifulnesse , insufficiencie , falshood . Of iniustice ; that he forgiues a sin , and yet punishes for that which he hath forgiuen : vnmercifulnesse ; that he forgiues not while hee forgiues , but doth it by halues : insufficiencie ; that his raunsome must be supplied by men : falshood ; in that hee saith , Jt is finished , when it is not . For Absurdity ; how grosse & monstrous are these Positions ? that at once the same sin should bee remitted & retained ; that there should be a punishment , where there is no fault ; that what could strike off our eternall punishment , did not wipe off the temporall ; that hee which paid our pounds , sticks at our far things ; that GOD will retaine what man may discharge ; that it is , and is not finished .

If there bee anie opinions whose mention confutes them , these are they . None can bee more vaine ; none had more neede of soliditie : for , this proppe beares-vp alone , the weight of all those millions of Indulgences which Rome creates and sells to the world . That Strumpet would well-neere goe naked , if this were not . These spirituall treasures , fetch in the temporall : which yet our reuerend and learned Fulke , iustlie calls a most blasphemous and beggerly principle : it brings in whole Chests , yea Mines of Golde ( like the Popes Indies ) ; and hath not so much as a ragge of proofe to couer it ; whether of Antiquitie , of Reason , of Scripture . Not of Antiquitie ; for , these Iubilie Proclamations beganne but about three hundred yeers agoe . Not of Reason : how should one meere man pay for another , dispense with another , to another , by another ? Not of Scripture : which hath flatly said ; The bloud of Jesus Christ , his son , purgeth vs from all sin : and yet I remember , that acute Sadeel hath taught mee , that this practice is according to Scripture : What Scripture ? He cast the money-changers out of the Temple , and said ; Negotiatores terrae sunt ipsi Sacerdotes , qui vendunt orationes & missas pro denarijs : ●acientes domum orationis , apothecam negotiationis . In Reuel . l. 10. p. 5. Ye haue made my house a denne of thieues . Which also Ioachim , their propheticall Abbot , well applies to this purpose . Some modest Doctors of Louan , wold faine haue minced this Antichristian blasphemie : who began to teach , that the passions of the Saints are not so by Indulgences applied , that they become true satisfactions ; but that they onely serue to moue God , by the sight of them , to apply vnto vs Christs satisfaction . But these meal-mouthed Diuines , were soone charmed ; foure seuerall Popes ( as their Cardinall confesseth ) fell vpon the neck of them , Bellar. l. 1. d● Indulgent . and their opinion ; Leo the tenth , Pius the fift , Gregory the thirteenth , and Clemens the sixt : & with their furious Bulles , bellow out threats against them , and tosse them in the ayre for hereticks ; and teach them , vpon paine of a curse , to speake home with Bellarmine ; Passionibus sanctorum expiari delicta : and straight , Applicari nobis sanctorum passiones ad redimendas poenas , quas pro peccatis Deo debemus : that by the sufferings of Saints , our sinnes are expiate ; and that , by them applied , wee are redeemed from those punishments which we yet owe to GOD . Blasphemy , worthie the tearing of garments : how is it finished by Christ , if men must supply ? Oh blessed Sauiour ! was euery droppe of thy bloud enough to redeeme a world , and doe we yet need the help of men ? How art thou a perfect Sauiour , if our brethren also must bee our redeemers ? Oh ye blessed Saints , how wold you abhorre this sacrilegious glory ! and with those holie Apostles , yea , that glorious Angell , say ; Vide ne seceris ; and with those wise Virgins ; Least there will not be enough for vs & you got to them that sell , and buy for your selues . For vs , w● enu●e not their multitude ; Let them h●ue as many Sauiors as Saints , and as many Saints us men● we kno●e with Ambrose ; Christ● press●●●tore non eguit ; Christs passion needs no helper : & therefore , with that worthy Martyr , dare say ; None but Christ ; ●one but Christ● Let our Toules die , if hee cannot saue them ; let them not fear their 〈…〉 or 〈◊〉 , if he haue finished ▪ He● 〈…〉 , thou languishing and afflicted so●●e to There is 〈◊〉 one of thy sinne● but it is paid for ; not one o●● thy debt● in the 〈◊〉 of God but it had ●ffect ; not one farthing of all thine infinite ra●some is vnpaid● Alas ! thy sinnes ( thou sai'st ) are euer before thee , and Gods indignation goes still ouer thee ; & thou goest mourning all the day long ▪ and with that patterne of distresse , criest out in the bitternesse of thy soule , I haue sinned , what shall J doe to thee● O ▪ thou preseruer of men ? What should'st thou doe ? Turne , and belieue . Now thou art stung in thy conscience with this fierie serpent , looke vp with the eyes of 〈◊〉 to this b●azen serpent , Christ Iesus , & behealed . Behold , his head is humbly bowed downe in a gracious respect to thee , his a●ms are stretched out louingly to imbrace thee ▪ yea , o● precious side is open to receiue● thee , and his tongue interpre●● all these to thee for thine endlesse confort ; Jt is finished . There is no more accusation , iudgement , death , hell for thee : all these are no more to thee , then if they were not . Who shall condemne ? it is Christ which is de●d . I knowe , how ready euery man is to reach foorth his hand to this d●le of grace , and how angry to ●e beaten from this doo● of mercy . We are all easily persu●ded to hope well , because we loue our selues well ▪ Which of all vs in this gr●●t congregation take● exceptions to himselfe , and think● ▪ I knowe there 〈◊〉 want in my Sauiour , there is want in me ▪ He hath finished ; but I belieue not , I repent not . Euery presumptuous and hard 〈◊〉 , so 〈◊〉 at Christ , as if he had finish for 〈◊〉 , as if hee had broken downe the gates of hel , and loosed the bands of death , and had made forgiuenesse as 〈◊〉 as life ; Prosper●●● 〈…〉 saith wise Salomon , East 〈◊〉 the foolish , and the prosperitie , of fooles 〈◊〉 them , you , 〈…〉 prosperitie . Thou sa●'st , God 〈◊〉 mercifull , thy 〈…〉 b●ous , 〈◊〉 Passion absolute ▪ All these , & ye● thou maist be condemned . Mercifull , not ●ni●s● ; bountifull , not lauish , absolutely sufficient for all , not effe●●●all to all . Whatsoeuer God is , what are 〈◊〉 i Hee 〈◊〉 i● the doubts 〈◊〉 fa●st-well ; Christ is 〈◊〉 good Shepheard ; Wherein ▪ H●● giues his l●fe ; but fo● whom ? 〈◊〉 his sheepe . What is this to 〈…〉 while thou ar● secure , profane , impe●itent ▪ th● a● 〈…〉 a 〈◊〉 My sheep he●re my voice ; What is his voice but his p●ecep●●● where is thine obedience to his commaundements ▪ If t● wilt not heard his Law , n● not ●arken ●o his Gospell 〈…〉 no more mercy for thee , ●he● i● there were no Sauior . He ha●● finished ; for those in 〈…〉 hath begun . If thou haue to beginnings of gra●● as yet , hope not for euer finishing of saluation ; Come to me , all yee that are he●uie lade●● , saith Christ ●hou shalt get nothing , if thou come when he calls thee not . Thou art not called , and canst not bee refreshed , vnlesse thou bee laden : not with sinne ( this alone keepes thee away from God ) but with conscience of sinnes ▪ A broken and a co●●rite hear● , O God , thou wilt not despise . Is thy heart wounded with thy sinne ▪ doth griefe and hatred striue within thee , whether shall bee more ? are the desires of thy soule with God ? dost thou long for holinesse , complaine of thy imperfections , struggle against thy corruptions ▪ Thou art the man , feare not . Jt is finished . That law which thou wouldest haue kept , & couldest not ; thy Sauiour could , and did keepe for thee : that saluation which thou couldest neuer work-out alone ( alas poore impotent creatures ▪ what can we doe towards heauen without him , which cannot mooue on earth but in him ? ) hee alone for thee hath finished . Looke vp therefore boldly to the throne of GOD ; and , vpon the truth of thy repentance & faith , knows , that there is no quarrel against thee in heauen ▪ nothing but peace and ioy ; All is finished . He would be spetted on , that he might wash thee ; hee would be couered with scornfull robes , that thy sinnes might be couered ; he would be whipped , that thy soule might not bee scourged eternally ; he would thirst , that thy soule might be satisfied ; hee would beare all his Fathers wrath , that thou might'st beate none ; he would yield to death , that thou might'st neuer taste of it ; he would be in sense for a time as forsaken of his Father , that thou might'st bee receiued for euer .

Now bid thy soule returne to her rest ; and inioyne it ▪ Dauids taske ; Praise the Lord , O my soule● , and , What shall J render to the Lord for all his benefites ? J will take the Cup of saluation , and call vpon the name of the Lord . And , as rauishe from thy selfe with the sweet apprehension of this mercy , cal al the other creatures to the fellowship of this ioy , with that diuine Esay ; Reioyce , O ye● heauens , for the Lord hath done it ; shout yea lower 〈◊〉 of the ea●th , 〈…〉 into praises ye● mountaines , for the Lord hath 〈…〉 Jacob , and will be glorified in Jsraell . And , euen now beginne that heauenly song , which shall neuer e●d , with those glorified Saints ; Praise , and 〈◊〉 , and glory , and power , Reuel. 5. bee to him that s●●eth vpon the throne , 〈◊〉 the Lambe for euermore .

Thus , our speech of Christs last words , is finished . His last act accompanied his words ; our speech must follow it : let it not want your deuout and carefull attention ; Hee bowed , and gaue vp the Ghost .

The Crosse was a slowe death , and had more paine than speed ; whence , a second violence must dispatch the crucified ; their bones must be broken , that their hearts might break . Our Sauiour staies not Deaths leisure , but willingly and couragiouslie meets him in the way : and like a Champion that scornes to be ouercome , yea , knowes he cannot be , yieldeth in the midst of his strength , that hee might by dying vanquish death . He bowed , and gaue vp ▪ Not bowing , because hee had giuen vp , but because he would . He cried with a loud voice , saith Matthew . Nature was strong , he might haue liued ; but he gaue vp the Ghost , and would die , to shew himselfe . Lord of Life and Death . Oh wondrous example ! hee that gaue life to his enemies , gaue vp his owne : he giues them to liue , that persecute and hate him ; and himselfe will die the whiles , for those that hate him . He bowed , & gaue vp : not they . They might crowne his head ; they could not bow it : they might vex his spirit ; not take it away : they could not doe that without leaue ; this they could not doe , because they had no lea●e . He alone would bow his head , and giue vp his Ghost ; 〈◊〉 haue power to lay downe my life : Man gaue him not his life , man could not bereaue it : No man takes it from me . Alas who could ? The High-priests forces , when they came against him armed ; he said but I am he● ; they st● ▪ fall backward ▪ How easie 〈◊〉 breath disperst his enemies ! whom he might as easily haue bidden the earth , yea , hell to swallow , or fire from heauen to deuoure . Who commanded the diuels , & they obei'd ; could not haue bin attached my men . He must giue not onely leaue , but power to apprehend himselfe ; else they had not liu'd to take him . Hee is laid hold of ; Peter ●ight St Pu●●● ; saith Christ , Thinkest thou that J cannot pray to my Father , and hee will giue mee more then 12 legions of Angels ? What an Army were heer ? more than three-score & twelue thousand Angels ; and euery Angel able to subdue a world of men . Hee could , but would not bee rescued , hee is ledde by his owne power , not by his enemies : and stands now before Pilate , like the scorne of men , crowned , robbed , scourged , with an Ec●e Homo : Yet thou couldest haue no power against mee , 〈◊〉 i● were giuen thee from aboue .

Behold ; he himselfe must giue Pilate power against himselfe ; else hee could not be condemned . Hee will be condemned , lifted vp , nailed ; yet no death without himselfe . Hee shall giue his soule an offering for sinne● Esay ▪ Quod emitti●ur voluntarium est : quod amit●itur necessarium . Ambro. 53 , 10. No action , that fauours of constraint , can be meritorious : hee would deserue , therefore he would suffer and die . He bowed his head , and gaue vp the Ghost , O gracious and bountifull Sauiour ! hee might haue kept his soule within his ●eeth , in spight of all the world ; the weakeness of God , is stronger then men : and if he had but spoken the word , the heauens and earth should haue vanisht away before him ; but , he wold not . Behold ; when he saw , that impotent man could not take away his soule , he gaue it vp , 〈◊〉 would die , that wee might liue . See heere a Sauiour , that can contemne his owne life for ours , and cares not to bee dissolued in himself ▪ that we might be vnited to his Father . Ski●●e for ski●●e , saith the diuell , 〈◊〉 all that he hath , a man will giue for his life . Lo , heere , to proue Satan a lyer , skin , and life ▪ and all , hath Christ Iesus giuen for vs . We are besotted with the earth . & make base shifts to liue ; one with a mai●ed bodie , another with a perfu●●d soule , a third with a rotten name : and how many had 〈…〉 neglect their soul● then their life and 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 ▪ then die● ▪ It is a shame it● tells many of vs Christians 〈◊〉 op●n life , and ●●●●●ble and ●a●h ▪ and she 〈◊〉 solue so 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 excesse of loue , ●o●ard● 〈◊〉〈…〉 as Peter denies Christ ●i● , & forsweares him 〈…〉 graines of incense ●nto the Idols ●ire E●ius , 〈…〉 thrice ; Spir● 〈…〉 , a● despa●●es ; ●de● me liue ●aith the 〈…〉 Whith●● d●st thou 〈◊〉 ●hy selfe 〈…〉 and ●do● us 〈…〉 w●ld'st thou 〈◊〉 with thy selfe 〈◊〉 ▪ Thou hast not thus learned Christ● 〈…〉 voluntarilie for thee , thou wilt not bee forced to die for him : hee gaue vp the Ghost for thee ; thou wilt not let others take it from thee for him : thou wilt not let him take it for himselfe .

When I looke back to the first Christians , and compare their zealous contempt of death , with our backwardness ; I am at once amazed & ashamed : I see there euen women ( the feebler sex ) running with their little ones in their armes , for the preferment of martyrdome ; and ambitiouslie striuing for the next blowe . I see holy & tender virgins , chusing rather a sore and shamefull death , then honourable espousalls . I hear the blessed Martyrs , intreating their Tyrants and tormentors for the honour of dying : Quod si venire noluerint , ego vim faciam vt deuorer . Ignatius , amongst the rest , fearing least the beasts wil not deuoure him , and vowing the first violence to them , that he might be dispatched . And , what lesse courage was there , in our memorable & glorious fore-fathers of the last , of this age ? and doe wee , their cold and feeble ofspring , looke pale at the face of a faire and naturall death ; abhor the violent , tho for Christ ? Alas ! how haue we gathered rust with our long peace ? Our vnwillingnesse , is from inconsideration , from distrust . Looke but vp to Christ Iesus vpon his Crosse , and see him bowing his head , and breathing out his soule ; and these feares shall vanish . He died , & wouldest thou liue ? He gaue vp the ghost , and wouldest thou keep it ? Whom wouldest thou follow , if not thy Redeemer ▪ If thou die not , if not willingly , thou goest contrarie to him , Si per singulos dies pro eo moreremur qui nos dilexit , non sic debitum exolueremus . Chrysost. and shalt neuer meet him . Tho thou shouldest euery day die a death for him , thou couldest neuer requite his one death : and doost thou sticke at one ? Euery word hath his force , both to him and thee . He died , which is Lord of Life , and commaunder of Death ; thou art but a tenant of life , a subiect of death . And yet it was not a dying , but a giuing vp ; not of a vanishing and aery breath , but of a spirituall soule , which after separation , hath an entire life in it selfe . He gaue vp the Ghost . Hee died , that hath both ouercome and sanctified , and sweetned death . What fearest thou ? he hath puld out the sting and malignity of death 〈◊〉 thou bee a Christian , cary it in thy bosome , it hurts thee not Dar'st thou not trust thy Redeemer ? If hee had not died , death had been a Tyrant ; now he is a slaue . O Death , where is thy sting ? O Graue , where is thy victorie ? Yet the Spirit of God saith not hee died , but gaue vp the Ghost . The very heathen Poet saith ; He durst not say that a good man dies . It is worth the noting ( me thinks ) that when S. Luke would describe to vs the death of Ananias and Sapphira , Acts. 5.5 . he saith ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) hee expired : but when S. Iohn would describe Christs death , he saith ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) he gaue vp the Ghost . How gaue he it vp and whither ? How ? so as after a sort he retained it : his soule parted from his body ; his Godhead was neuer distracted , either from soule or body . This vnion is not in nature ; but in person . If the natures of Christ could be diuided each would haue his subsistence ; so there should bee more persons . God forbid : one of the natures therefore , may haue a separation in it selfe ; the soule from the body : one nature cannot bee separate from other , or either nature from the person . If you cannot conceiue , wonder : the Sonne of GOD hath wedded vnto himselfe our humanitie , without all possibilitie of diuorce ; the body hangs on the Crosse , the soule is yielded ; the Godhead is euiternally vnited to them both ; acknowledges , sustaines them both . The soule in his agony feeles not the presence of the Godhead ▪ the body , vpon the Crosse , feeles not the presence of the soule . Yet , as the Fathers of Chalcedon say truly ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) indiuisibly , inseparably is the Godhead , with both of these , still and euer , one and the same person . The Passion of Christ ( as Augustine ) was the sleep of his Diuinitie : so , I may say ; The death of Christ , was the sleep of his Humanitie . Jf hee sleepe , hee shall doe well ; said that disciple , of Lazarus . Death was too weake to dissolue the eternall bonds of this heauenly coniunction . Let not vs Christians goe too much by sense ; we may be firmely knit to God , & not feele it . Thou canst not hope to be so neer to thy God as Christ was , vnited personally : Quantumcumque deieceris , humilior non eris Christ . Hieron . thou canst not fear , that God should seeme more absent from thee , then he did from his own Son ; yet was hee still one with both body & soule , when they were diuided from themselues . When he was absent to sense , hee was present to faith ▪ when absent in vision , yet in vnion one and the same : so will he be to thy soule when it is at worst . Hee is thine , and thou art his : if thy hold seeme loosened , his is not ▪ When temptations will not let thee see him , hee sees thee , and possesses thee ; onely belieue thou against sense , aboue hope : and tho he kil thee , yet trust in him . Whither gaue hee it vp ? Himselfe expresses ; Father , into thy hands : and , This day thou shalt be with mee in Paradise . It is iustice to restore whence wee receiue ; Jnto thy hands . He knew where it should be both safe & happie : true ; he might be bold ( thou saist ) as the Son with the Father . The seruants haue done so ; Dauid before him , Steuen after him . And least we should not think it our common right , Father , saith hee , J will that those thou hast giuen mee , may be with me , euen where I am : hee willes it ; therefore it must be . It is not presumption , but faith to charge God with thy spirit , neither can there euer be any belieuing soule so meane , that he should refuse it : all the feare is in thy self ; how canst thou trust thy iewell with a stranger ? What suddaine familiaritie is this ? God hath been with thee , and gone by thee ; thou hast not saluted him : and now in all the hast thou bequeathest thy soule to him . On what acquaintance ? How desperate is this carelesnesse ▪

If thou haue but a little money , whether thou keepe it , thou lay'st it vp in the Temple of Trust ; or whether thou let it ; thou art sure of good assurance , sound bonds . If but a little land , how carefully doost thou make firme conueyances to thy desired heires ? If goods , thy wil hath taken secure order who shall enioy them ; we need not teach you Cittizens to make sure worke for your estates ▪ If children , thou disposest of them in trades , with portions : onelie of thy soule ( which is thy selfe ) thou knowest not what shal become . The world must haue it no more ; thy self would'st keep it , but thou know'st thou canst not : Satan would haue it ; and thou know'st not whether hee shall : thou wouldest haue God haue it ; and thou knowest not whether hee will : yea , thy hart is now ready with Pharaoh , to say ; Who is the Lorde ? O the fearefull and miserable estate of that man , that must part with his soule , hee knowes not whither ! Which , if thou wouldest auoide ( as this very warning shall iudge thee if thou do not ) bee acquainted with GOD in thy life , that thou maist make him the Gardian of thy soule , in thy death . Giuen vp it must needs be ; but to him that hath gouern'd it if thou haue giuen it to Satan in thy life ; how canst thou hope God will in thy death entertaine it ? Did you not hate me , and expell mee out of my fathers house ; how then come ye to me now in this time of your tribulation ; said Ieptha , to the men of Gilead . No , no : either giue vp thy soule to God while he calls for it in his word , in the prouocations of his loue , in his afflictions , in the holy motions of his spirit to thine : or else when thou wouldest giue it , hee will none of it , but as a Iudge , to deliuer it to the Tormentor .

What should God do , with an vncleane , drunken , profane , proud , couetous soule ? Without holinesse , it is no seeing of GOD : Depart from me , yee wicked ; J know yee not ; goe to the Gods you haue serued . See how GOD is euen with men : they had in the time of the Gospell , said to the holy one of Israell ; Depart from vs : now in the time of iudgement , he saith to them ; Depart from me . They would not knowe God when they might ; now God will not knowe them when they would . Now therefore ( beloued ) if thou would'st not haue GOD scorne the offer of thy death-bed , fit thy soule for him in thy health ; furnish it with grace ; inure it to a sweet conuersation with the God of heauen : then maist thou boldly giue it vp ; & he shall as graciously receiue it , yea , fetch it by his Angels to his glory .

Hee gaue vp the Ghost . Wee must doe as hee did ; not all with the same successe . Giuing vp , supposes a receiuing , a returning . This in-mate that we haue in our bosome , is sent to lodge heer for a time ; may not dwell heere alwaies . The right of this tenure , is the Lords , not ours . As hee said of the hatchet ; It is but lent , it must be restored : It is ours to keepe ; his to dispose and require . See and consider both our priuiledge and charge ; It is not with vs as with brute Creatures : wee haue a liuing Ghost to informe vs , which yet is not ours , ( and , alas , what is ours , if our soules be not ? ) but must bee giuen vp ; to him that gaue it .

Why doe wee liue , as those that tooke no keepe of so glorious a guest ? as those that should neuer part with it ; as those that thinke it giuen them to spend ; not to returne with a reckoning ?

If thou hadst no soule , if a mortall one , if thine owne , if neuer to bee required , how couldest thou liue but sensuallie ? Oh remember but who thou art , what thou hast , and whither thou must ; and thou shalt liue like thy selfe while thou art , and giue vp thy Ghost confidently when thou shalt cease to bee ▪ Neither is there heere more certaintie of our departure then comfort . Carie this with thee to thy death-bed ; and see if it can refresh thee , when all the world cannot giue thee one dramme of comfort . Our spirit is our deerest riches : if wee should lose it , here were iust cause of griefe . Howle and lament , if thou thinkest thy soule perisheth : it is not forfeited , but surrendred . How safely doth our soule passe through the gates of death , without any impeachment , while it is in the hands of the Almightie ? Woe were vs , if he did not keep it while we haue it ; much more when we restore it . Wee giue it vp to the same hands that created , infused , redeemed , renewed , that doe protect , preserue , establish , and will crowne it : J knowe whom J haue belieued ; and J am perswaded , that he is able to keepe that which J haue committed to him against that day . O secure and happy estate of the godly ! O blessed exchange of our condition : while our soule dwells in our breast , how is it subiect to infinite miseries ? distempred with passions , charged with sinnes , vexed with tentations ; aboue , none of these : how should it bee otherwise ? This is our pilgrimage , that our home : this our wildernesse , that our land of promise : this our bondage , that our kingdom . Our impotency causeth this our sorrow .

When our soule is once giuen vppe , what euill shall reach vnto heauen , and wrestle with the Almightie ? Our loathnesse to giue vp , comes from our ignorance and infidelitie . No man goes vnwillinglie to a certaine preferment ; J defute to be dissolued , saith Paule : J haue serued thee , J haue beleeued thee , and now : J come to thee , saith Luther : The voices of Saints , not of men . If thine heart can say thus , thou shalt not need to intreat with old Hilarion , Egredere me● anima , egredere ; quid ●i●as ? Go thy waies forth my soule , goe forth : what fearest thou ▪ but it shall flie vp alone cheerefully from thee ; and giue vp it selfe , into the armes of GOD , as a faithfull Creator and Redeemer . This earth is not the element of thy soule ; it is not where it should be : It shal be no lesse thine , when it is more the owners . Thinke now seriouslie of this point ; Gods Angell is abroad , and strikes on all sides , wee knowe not which of ●urtur●●es shall be the next : we are sure wee carie deathes en●v● ▪ within vs . If wee be readie , our day cannot come too soone . Stir vp thy soule to an heauenlie cheerfulnesse , like thy Sauiour : Know but whither thou art going ; and thou canst not but with diuine Paule , say from our Sauiours mouth , euen in this sense ; Jt is a more blessed thing to giue , Vt contra : Nullam animam recipio , quae 〈◊〉 nolente separatur à corpore . Hieron . then to receiue . GOD cannot abide an vnwilling guest . Giue vp that spirit to him , which hee hath giuen thee ; and hee will both receiue what thou giuest , and giue it thee againe , with that glorie and happinesse which can neuer bee conceiued , and shall neuer bee ended . Euen so , Lord IESVS , Come quicklie .

Gloria in excelsis Deo .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A02571-e240

Notes for div A02571-e4820