RIght well is it said , that wher the treasure is , there will the harte bee also : Mat. 6.19 . which thing is seene in this seruant of the Lorde , who behaued him selfe worthelie in the Arke bringinge home . And as it was the Lordes worke , so did he carefullie acquite him selfet , hat the curse shoulde not laye holde on him , Iere. 48.10 . whiche belongeth to the working of the Lordes worke negligentlie . But that he did , hee did with all his power , and when hee had finished his ioyfull worke , his ioye was not ended , but rebowned agayne and agayne , with a sweete Echo in his soule . So as it was meate and drinke to him to doo the will of God : so was it also his pleasure to thinke and muse vpon the same , and he hath conceyued the grace of Gods spirite , and hath brought foorth this Psalme , as the fruite of so godlie a meditation , leauing vs a glasse and paterne wherein to see the spottes of our deformed and lothesome negligence , and a lanterne he hath set bright before vs , that wee may see to take our waye to goe and laye hande on the Lordes plought , to doo his acceptable worke . Out of whose example and wordes in this Psalme , wee minde , by the good furtherance of God , to gather some aduertisementes to stirre our selues vp , yet whyles it is called to day , Hebr. 3.13 . least we should be hardned through the deceitfulnes of sinne .

First we haue to speake of his ioye and the cause thereof , the remembrance of which , he doth now feede vpon , and chewe the cudd vpon this ioye of that happie daye , whiche hee thus remembreth . Psal. 78.71 . The Lorde chose Dauid from the sheepe folds to feede his people in Iacob and his inheritance in Israel . And as it is spoken of him that he fed them in the simplicitie of his harte , Ver. 72. so did it euen appeare in his first entrance of his kingdome . For nothinge helde him carefull in comparison of this , to haue the Lorde to vouchsafe to come home agayne vnto his people , and to be at peace with them , to loue them , & remoue shame and rebuke farre from them , by returninge his holie Arke , the token of his presence , and the liuelie image of his countenance vppon them , as the taking away thereof was the turning his backe vpon them , and turning awaye his face , as hee hadde threatned before for sinne . Deut. 31 . 1● And it was the reprochefull steyning of the glorie of Israel : as it sayde , The glorie is departed from Israel , 1. San. 4.22 . for the Arke of God is taken . Therfore was the care of Dauid , & his zeale set on fyre within his brest , which thing he mightely declared , and the ●●aine thereof appeared , when he sware vnto the Lord and vowed a vowe vnto the mightie God of Iacob , saying , Psal. 132. ● . I will not enter into the Tabernacle of mine house , nor come vpon my palet or bedde , nor suffer myne eyes to sleepe , nor mine eye-liddes to slumber , vntill I haue found out a place for the Lorde , an habitation for the mightie God of Iacob . Now although it be my purpose , and order requireth to hasten to the cause of Dauids ioye , which he heare mentioneth , yet it standeth with dewe order in this place , as it doeth with edifying to stande vppon his great care , in wayting for that thing , whiche being obteyned , this his ioye succeeded . For liuelie and sounde is that ioye which the harte feeleth , when it is refreshed from care & griefe going before .

When the Lorde had deliuered his soule out of all aduersities , which hee susteyned in the dayes of Saul , and had brought him to the glorie of his kinglie Throne : herein he shewed the simplicitie of a true harte , in that hee was not chaunged by the suddain alteration , nor his hart beguyled by those pleasures , to cause him to forget God . He was not highe minded , Psal. 131.1 . hee had no proude lookes . But he kept his soule , as a childe that is weyned from his mothers brest . Yea at this time he throughlie weined him self , from taking pleasure in anie thing , vntill the Arke of God should be brought home & placed in Israel , which hee calleth by the name of the Lorde , Psal. 13● . ● . and the mightie God of Iacob . Therevnto doth he sweare and vow , not to haue regard vnto his own tabernacle nor house , not to count it his home , or settle him selfe therein , neyther to take any sound rest vntil he had seene this busines of the Lord in dew forwardnes . Thus was hee thankfull vnto the Lorde , whiche had remembred him , and all his afflictions .

Let vs examine our selues & call to minde the yeeres that are past , when the fyrie sworde did hange ouer oure heades in the dayes of Queene Marie , & that by so weake a threede , that we looked euerie houre when it should fall vpon vs , when we being straungers from our own houses , walked from house to house , at suche time as the Owles and Backes looke foorth and flye : And thought it well if wee might liue so without house or land , or ought else saue bare breade for the life .

We were as the Iewes which by Hamans meanes were solde to bee slaine , Ester . 3.13 . and destinate to a day of death . And we were as humble Hester , whiche would make no request but for life onelie . Ester . 7.3 . Nowe when wee sighed and cried for the bondage , and the crie for our bondage came vp vnto God , Exod. 3.33 . and God hearde our mone , & remembred his couenant : Then hee brought agayne our captiuitie , Psal. 126.1 as hee did of Iacob : then were we like vnto them that dreamed . Euen for sodeine ioye , doubting whither we dremed those happie tydinges , or no. Then was our mouth filled with laughter , & our tongue with ioy . Then the Nations about vs said , that the lord had don great things for vs . And we sang thervnto , the Lord haue done great things for vs , whereof wee reioyce . Christ Iesus seemed then to vs as a shining and burning Lampe , and we seemed for that time to reioyce in the light thereof . But our giuinge of thankes and singing prayse vnto god , was skarse so good as that of the people of Israel , mentioned in the fourth Chapter of Exodus , Exod. 4.31 . who when they hearde that the Lord had visited them , and had looked vpon their tribulation , they bowed downe and worshipped . But when tribulation was increased vppon them , Exod. 16.2 . they murmured against God and his seruaunt Moyses . So could we bowe downe and worshippe in the day of our deliuerance , but since that time , not through bitter affliction as did they , but through too much pampering with more fleshe , then the pottes of Egypt haue , we haue waxen fatte , and haue forgotten the day of our penurie and hunger . Yea wee haue forgotten , and forsaken the Lorde the holie one of Israel , in that wee are gone backewarde . And better hath the Oxe knowne his owner , Esa. 1.3 . and the Asse his maisters cribbe , then we haue known him that saued vs . For if wee knewe him , we would also surelie know , that he redeemed vs from that firie fornace that we should burne with more zeale of furthering his kingdome vpon earth to the aduauncing of his glorie . But the people of Englande in that daye when the Lorde did lift vp their heads , were farre from the zeale and practise of Dauid , who beinge aduaunced to his kingdome , had not yet the thinge he would haue , and gaue him selfe no rest , vntill he had done dewe homage vnto the Lordes kingdome , by furthering , procuring , and labouringe about those things whiche appertayned vnto the true worshippe of God , vntill he did see them at a good staye . But our Cleargie firste , which should with great affliction haue laboured about the Lords worke , to haue seene that firste finished , before they hadde instauled them selues into their owne rowmes : they contrariewise layde holde on the great liuings , catch who catche might the riche Bishoprikes and fatte Benefices .

And as Achsaph the daughter of Caleb , Iosua . 15.19 when her father hadde giuen her a portion of highe grounde , desired still more , namelie , places with springes of water : so was their desiring , and desiring agayne . For those whiche were serued with Benefices where corne grounde was most , they must haue an other , wher good store of pasture lie . And when they were serued with that , they muste long for one where store of sheepe are kept , and then they thinke they should be well . But would to god , it had bin no worse affection & desire , then that of Achsaph , which desired the increase of her portion of that lande , which the Lorde had giuen and blessed vnto her people : but these men haue bene greedie of the fatte spoyle , and haue not bene aware that it was the spoyle of Iericho , which ought not to haue bene medled withall , but to haue bene execrable thinges vnto vs . I meane not as though that wealthful spoile might not haue bin taken vse of , Iosua . 6.17 . by conuerting it another waye . But those things holding still their nature & strength which thei receiued of the Cananitish Roman , ought to haue bin to vs execrable things . And euen as the lord gaue vnto the children of Israel the first conquest in the land of Canaan , namely , ouer Iericho , without bowe or sword , horse , Iosu. 6. horseman , or anie battle , or anie hande mouing of theirs , in token that he would alwayes stande on their right hand , and their victories should proceede from him , if they would goe forwarde to fight the Lordes battell : so the Lorde gaue vs this victorie , not with noise of battle , or tumblinge of garmentes in bloude , but by his own hande alone from heauen , the thing to vs vnlooked for , thereby incouraging vs to marche forwarde vnder his banner , and vnder the good lucke of this watcheword : The Lord liueth , which brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and out of Babel , & the Lorde liueth which haue brought agayne the captiuitie of his poore suppliantes , from the yron yoke of Antichrist : and the Lorde also giuing vs the earnest of assured victorie in those battels which were to insue in the behalfe of his sonnes kingdome , against his professed enimie Antichrist , if we would haue bene so gracious , as once to haue taken them in hande . But we refused to goe to the battle anie more , though the Cananite dwelled still in the lande , and bare the sworde to slaye euerie true Israelite therewith . I meane that man of Rome , who by his Cananitishe offices , and Canons of his lawes , standing still in their strengthe , beareth the scepter right vp , euen a rodde for the righteous . Thus haue we behaued our selues , not as faithful Iosua , and his souldiours , whiche from Iericho ceassed not to goe forward to more battels , and therein sawe the great saluation of God fightinge for them , when the Sunne and Moone stoode still in heauen , Ioshua . 1● . 13 . and hasted not to goe downe for a season . But we haue done more like the Amalekites , whiche inuaded Zicklag , which did eate , drinke , and daunce manie dayes , 1. San. 30.16 . because of the great spoyle they had taken , vntill suddaine slaughter & vengeance came vpon them in the middest of their mirth . So let vs take heed , that wee do not so long eate and drinke of the spoyle , and daunce in securitie , vntill that Dauid Christ Iesus come at vnawares , and take awaye all , and our liues therewith also in most iust iudgement .

Wee also haue done as that other generation of the Iewes which arose vp after Iosua , which regarded their owne ease more then the Lords commaundement , and his glorie , which stoode vpon the rootinge out of those wicked ones , whose sinne was ripe & their daie was come : those Cananites Perezites , and Iebuzits suffered they to dwell still amonge them . Therefore the Lorde saide , that they shoulde be thornes to their sides , Iudg. 2.3 . and their Gods should be their destruction , as it came to passe . Euen so haue we tenne times more made couenant with that cursed broode of Antichrists birdes , not only entring into neare familiaritie with the men , but also borowing manie of their ceremonies , intertaining their forme of seruice for the most part , being turned but from Latin to English : and yet which is worse , holding our neckes vnder their gyrdles , by making our selues willing slaues to their Ecclesiasticall sworde . And because this practise could sonest be atchiued , and this vngracious work could most spedelie be iumbled vp : then was it counted Pollicie , to wipe mens noses with , and to giue them amocke . But be not deceiued , God is non mocked , who redemed you from aduersitie to this ende , that you should deale wisely and faithfullie in all his house . Therefore it did stand you vpon to haue taken better aduisement in the reforming of religion , and matters about Gods worshippe , knowinge that aboue all thinges it is a matter most curious . And you shoulde with feare and much trembling , setting apart your owne effaires for a season , as Dauid did here and that with a solemne vow making , that you would first seeke the building of Gods kingdome : you should thus , I say , haue bene conuersant in this busines , knowing that then all things wold haue prospered with you . You shoulde also haue known that the lord in his worship might not admit ani strang deuise vnder pretense of pleasing some , nor might admit anie mingling of his wisedome with mennes wisedome , anie tolerations of vanities with a smoothe and fayned promise to take them away in time to come . Why did the Lorde shewe such a terrible and fearefull example vpon the two sonnes of Aaron , Nadab & Abihu , Leui. 10.1 . as to skortche them with fire from heauen ? Because they tooke fire for their censeres , from the hearth , whiche they should haue taken from the Altar . And they were but yong schollers in those ceremonies , & the obseruations were manie , and it was at the firste beginninge of their trayning to practise : yet the Lordes ielousie burned with fire . And why ? Had the Lord so great regarde , for a coale of fire ? was it not to leaue a fearfull monument for all men to beholde , that they might take heed least in matters pertaining to the worshippe of God , they alter and chaunge euen the least thinge ? If any man want skill , let him withdrawe himselfe . For it is written : Take heed to thy foote when thou entrest into the house of God , Ecclesiastes 4.17 . & be more neare to heare , then to giue the sacrifice of fooles , for they knowe not that they doo euill . Beholde , howe manie in the Realme of England haue done and dailie doo presume to set in their feete into Gods house , and haue not learned how to sacrifize aright . Offer not they the sacrifice of fooles ? And they will not knowe that they do euill .

But to returne to those which haue bene chiefe maister workemen in the reformation of religion at the f●rste : Can they not beholde , howe that for wante of this faythefull zeale , whiche was in this seruaunt of God Dauid : For want of dewe feare & trembling , carefull crying for the spirite of wisedome , and whole attending vppon the Lordes worke , with hartes free from worldlie intanglings : And for want of that intier loue and charitie , 1. Cor. 13. which seketh not her owne thinges , but those which are Christes , and her poore brethrens : I say , for want of these things , and being drunken with that new vessell of wine of worldlie concupiscence then set abroche : Can they not espie howe they haue drawne their liues so farre wrong , that skilfull workemen , yea nowe euery bungler can not but wonder to see suche worke . For they haue framed their timber , some toe longe , and some toe short , in such sort , that the buildinge hangeth all on the one side , tottering and reeling with euerie wind , and waiteth but for a blast from the Lorde to cause it to fall , and to slaie all those , which haue committed themselues to such a false building . And as for the forme & fashion of the house , where was the paterne which God shewed Moses in the mount ? Exo. 26.30 . It was to be found , but it was not sought , the hast was so great to other things . Therefore because the Lords paterne was refused : no maruaile thowgh hee refused to send his spirit of wisedome vnto those , which stood in stead of Bezaleel , Exod. 36.1 . and Aholiab , and the rest of the workmen . For veiwe and trie out this reformation . Looke vnto your brethren of other nations rounde about which haue reformed , if they haue admitted such thinges as you , who yet notwithstanding come short eno●gh 〈…〉 duetie . But looke vnto the worde of God , and espie out there , how manie coales of fire , you haue taken , not from the altar Christ Iesus , but from the smoking chimneis of the Cananites which dwelt in the land , the Papists I meane . Therefore repent and returne , or else take heede of the Lords fire from heauen , who although he vse more patience and longe sufferaunce towardes you , then he did towardes Nadab and Abihu : yet be you assured that he hath not nowe lesse regard and ielousie for the bodie , then he had then for the shadowe .

And whereas some saye , what ? It is a house , though it be a downegate thinge , though it want roufe , though some walles , though it want this and that . Manie such songes the babes in the cradle heare , to rocke them a sleape . But by their own words I will iudge them . For suppose that some noble man mindeth to builde a house , he hireth workmen and manie seruauntes : part of their wages he paieth , for the rest hee appointeth dewe order , and make with his workemen streight couenaunt in all thinges , hastening the worke . Since he goeth into an other countrie , and returne fiue and twentie yeeres after : if he then finde his house halfe vnbuilded , and the tymber which is layde , rotten for default of couering in dewe time , and likewise the morter crumbled away , & the stones some fallen and some readie to fall : the workemen they take their wages , and spende it euerie daye at the alehouses and tauernes , eating , drinking , and playing , when they shoulde be at worke : will not that Noble man at his comming cast in prison those workemen and seruauntes , and giue his stewarde also a great rebuke , and put out his house to other workemen ? And yet these chief builders of whom I haue spoken , manie of them , yea most of them haue confessed and doo confesse vntill this daye , that manie thinges are amisse in the Church , and yet we must be content and beare them . And in deede are there manie thinges wanting and missing to the finishing of the Lordes house , and can they sitt still and eate and drinke , and not buckle them selues to their busines ? Or may the Lordes worke aboue other things suffer delaye , and waite oure good leysure ? Or are they the Lords remembrauncers , which can giue him rest , and them selues also , Esai . 62.7 . before they see Ierusalem , the prayse of the worlde , redeemed and reedified from the ruin therof ? Can they so long time vse the tabernacles of their houses hanged & decked with Arres , and Tapestrie , and fare deliciouslie euerie daye ? Can they so long goe to their palet & bedd , and suffer their eyes to slumber and sleepe , before they haue founde out a place for the Scepter of Christe , his lawful gouernement , and made readie a Throne for him to sitte and rule , and treade Antichriste vnder foote ? This is counted but a small want . O deepe securitie ! This wee must beare : and we are content so to doo , as longe as the Lorde hath made anie promise to beare with wickednes . But he is mercifull , and long sufferinge : but so , as he will not holde the sinner innocent . Exod. 34.7 . And if he spake by his Prophete , saying , Esa. 1.14 . that the Sabothes and solemne feastes of the Iewes ( which notwithstanding were after his lawe ) were a burden vnto him , and hee was wearie to heare them : Howe thinke we is he wearie to beare so manie Sabothes , which hee neuer made , and so manie ceremonies & other deuises & strange Church gouuernement , which neuer entred into his minde : whither are these thinges a burden or no vnto him thinke we ? Yea such a burden , that as he hath spoken concerninge them , so hath he concerning vs also : Ah , I will ease me of mine aduersaries . Yea hee must needes skoure our drosse . Esai . 1.24 . For in deede our siluer is become drosse , and our wine is mixt with water , farre otherwise than it was among them . But they saye , wee must beare nowe , for the time is past , when the matters of reforminge the Churches were chieflie handled , and we must tarie vntill a fitte time come agayne . In deede , there was a time careleslie slipped at the beginninge , when the yron was whote , but the workemen were lasie , and neglected to frame and fashion the work , before the yron was colde . What gracious libertie might not haue bin obteyned , if they , of whom I haue spoken , had bin as carefull and sorowfull for these things , as Nehemiah , who fasted and prayed certayn dayes , Nehem. 2.2 and mourned so much because the Wall of Ierusalem was not yet builded , that the King coulde easelie discerne his sorow by his countenance , and was moued with compassion , to bidde him aske what hee would haue , before Nehemiah durst mention his sute vnto him . And there is no doubt , but like sorowe and care shoulde haue founde like compassion to haue bin refreshed with , and no lesse furtherance to euerie godlie enterprise . For the Lorde would surelie haue done it , who haue the hartes of Kinges and Princes in his hande . And as wee haue hearde , there wanted not some gracious offer concerning these thinges . But the Lorde lay not to our charge , that which is past . If occasion offered by him , be not taken , our care , feare , and griefe in repenting , ought to bee the greater , & our indeuour the more vehement to recouer our losses . Seeke the Lord then , whyle he may be found ▪ Labour better then before . Disburden you of al , either offices or liuings , which hange on and presse downe , Heb. 12.1 . to hinder you in the worke . Giue glorie to God and his sonne Christ Iesus , by setting vp his royall Throne amonge vs , which is that you call Church gouernement , whiche many thousande tongues haue confessed and complayned to be wanting . Once agayne , remember I saye the Lordes deliuerance , h●we he saued vs as hee did Israel from Pharao in the redde Sea . Lette vs singe as Moses did at the shoare : He is my God , and I will prepare him a Tabernacle . Exod. 15.2 . Therefore are we escaped the drowning , that we should make the Lorde a Tabernacle . Lette vs not onelie promise it in singing or sayinge , but perfourme oure vowes vnto the Lorde , whiche wee made in the daye of our distresse : and let this Tabernacle be so made , that being viewed in the ende by our Moyses Christe Iesus , Exo. 39.43 . the worke and the workemen , may receyue a blessinge . This let vs doe , and goe on , and prosper , and liue in the Lorde : if not , lette vs be sure , the consumption & plague determined , shal ouerspread and ouerwhelme vs by gods righteous iudgement , 2. Cor. 10.6 who haue vengeance readie for all disobedience .

Thus haue I shewed , howe especiallie the Cleargie haue acquite themselues in the day of the Lords visiting of vs , if it had not ben hidden from our eyes .

And now concerning the rest of the people ( I meane those which had som knowledge and zeale ) they also haue bene well agreed with their guids in their necligence . For they hauing once obtained a seruice in the English tongue , thought it so great a matter , that they myght lawfullie be holden excused though they sought no further : and hauing gotten a shadow , wherein they might coole them selues in the heat of the daie , and rest a litle from their wearines : They haue giuen them selues to eating , drinking , and sleaping vnder that shadowe , and forgett the rest of their iournie , vntil darcke night come wherein no man can walke . Iohn . 9.4 . Neyther haue they knowne , that as the Lorde gaue to the children of Israel a clowde by day to shadow them from the heat , Exod. 13.21 to this ende , that they should iournie forward to their resting place : So also the Lord gaue them a defence from that present heate , to the intent that they goinge throughe the vallie of teares , Psal. 84.6 . should iournie forward , and goe from strength to strengthe , vntil vnto euery one of them , God had appeared shining out of Sion the perfection of bewtie . Psal. 50.2 . No , but the people haue bene as a strong asse couching downe betwixt diuers burdens of spirituall bondage . Gene 49.14 And they haue sene that rest is good , and that the lande is pleasaunt , therefore they haue bowed their shoulder to heare , and haue bene subiect vnto that yoke , which is contrarie to the libertie , Galat. 5.1 . wherein Christ haue sett vs free . Euen so it is certainly . For the pleasures of this world haue stolen away the harts of many , and haue caused zeale and religiousnes to be frosen vp : so true is it that one can not serue both God and Mammon , but eyther he must loue the one and hate the other , Luk. 16.13 . or at the least in leaning to the one , he must neclect and despise the other . For the people of England , I meane those which eyther at that time , or since , haue felte some motions of Gods spirit vnto godlines : the most part of them , I say , whiles they haue applied them selues to eate and drinke largely , as in the daies of rest , to buie and selle , and to smile merelie vpon gaine coming in , and to welcome it with giuing it the hand , their hartes haue bene stolen before they haue bene aware : so that they being once deliuered from the filthines of the worlde , 2. Pet. 2.20 . through the knowledge of the Lord , haue againe intangled them selues therewith , and haue returned as the dogge to his vomit , & as the sow that is washed , to the walowing in the mire . For vpon this taking a smatch and tast of worldly ease & welth , wherof I spake , the stomach haue become gredie , & there haue ben no ende of seeking gaine , laiyng vp in store , makinge the barnes wider , ioyning house to house , Esai . 5.8 . & land to land . So that nowe if one come and tell them of further seeking the face of God , & building his kingdome : hee speaketh to the bellie which hath none eares , & his speach is like vnto his , which speaketh with a straunge language , and he speaketh to them which fare as if they were in a dreame . For the wine of the fornication of this worlde haue cast them into a sleape , and they haue not knowne , neither will knowe till it be to late to recouer it , that they haue solde their birth right for a mease of potage : Heb. 12.16 . And haue not followed the counsell of him which saieth : When thou eatest honie , take heede thou eate not too much , Prou. 25.16 lest it hurt thee . Neyther haue they boughte the precious Pearle of Gods Kingdome : Mat. 13.45 . but they haue solde it for that which glistereth , and yet is no gould .

But we ought to haue taken heede of all such worldlie things , especially vntill we had further finished our worke and labour in the lorde : herein folowing the example of those men , which deferre their euentide meele , vntill they haue ended their worke , thoughe in such time of the yeare , as part of the night do ouertake them . For their experience doo teach them , that whilest their hande is nowe in woorke , it is not greatly greuous , though they abide some wearines and colde : But when they haue with eating and drinking bene satisfied , and haue basted themselues well by a good fire , then it is death to goe to worke againe : but forthwith the fealing of that ease craueth more , vntil the time of sleape .

Therefore ought wee to haue holden ease and rest , and worldlie commodities , euen at the swordes point , as enemies to those which fight the Lordes battels , by denying them selues and all things , and taking vp the crosse , and also as clogges & weightes to them which haue a race to runne , except that they were vsed , as though they were not vsed , and let passe as straungers , not entertayned , and welcomed as beloued friends .

Yet notwithstandinge this people haue in the middest of their carelesnes , an answere readie as good as an aperne of figge leaues . For say they , we must abyde a time , and the time is not yet come , and they are not ashamed to call it , the Lords leysure , whiche is their owne leysure , seeing the Lorde haue compleined a longe while since , as being wearie of their lasines , saying : Howe long will it be yer this people will goe vp ? And concerning not being yet time , the Prophet Agge answereth them : The Lorde of hostes speaketh : thus sayeth this people : Agge . 1.2 . The time is not yet come , that the Lordes house should be buylded . Is it time for your selues to dwell in your sieled houses , & this house lieth waste ? And with what courage can this people buylde , yea and that gorgeouslie , siele , hang with clothes , & plant : & se● the stones of the Lordes house lyinge stil in the dust ? Alas that care is wanting which wee haue mencioned here to be in Dauid , who sware and vowed not to take as it were , the possession of his house , the Arke of God beeing from home .

That care , zeale , and indeuour is wanting , which was in Nehemiah , & those which were with him , which in the speedie buylding of the Wall , Nehe. 4.23 . did not put off their clothes but onely for wasshinge , vntill the worke was finished , which indeuour the Lord blessed with mightie successe .

They moreouer in their answering pretende that we must be thankfull to god for that we haue , and charge them with vnthankfulnes , who with griefe and great mourning bewayle that is wanting , and bende vnto it : But what vnthankfulnes was in Hanani , one of the Israelits which came to Nehemiah , and being demaunded concerning the state of the Iewes , he sayde , they were in affliction and great reproche , Nehem. 1.3 because the wall of Ierusalem was not buylded vp . Was he vnthankfull to God which had returned their captiuitie , graunted them his true worshippe in their owne lande , with reedifying the Temple ? And was the materiall Wall suche a matter , to complayne of ? And what vnthankfulnes was in Nehemiah , to conceyue great griefe therevppon , Nehem. 1.4 . and to faste and mourne certayne dayes ? It shoulde seeme that they were streight in their owne bowels , when as the Lorde was liberall and bountifull towards them . But they knew , that the full building of Ierusalem was the Lordes prayse , and the honour of his people , and euerie ruine which was to be beholden theare , was to all nations and people which should see it , a witnes of their shame : In as much as it was a monument of the Lords anger , which had dishonoured them , who by their transgressions had dishonoured him .

And if in those materiall things , & figures , the case standeth so : What reprochfull people are we , and what blind , dissolute , and miserable men , which see not our reproche and miserie , neyther doo we feele anie burthen thereof , as striuing to be eased of the same . But rather we bost thereof , and glorie in our shame , and say , thankes be to God , we are well , and haue religion reformed better than manie other countries : And such like smoth speaches and sweet words , which we haue bene taught of diuers of our teachers to heale our deadlie hurt . Iere. 6.14 . For that which we want is more then a thousand citie walles : and all the cities in the worlde are not worthe one liuelie church which is Gods Kingdome , wherein the throne of Christ is onlie exalted , and the throne of Antichrist is laide for his footstoole .

And vntil you see this thing brought to passe , O yee people , and see your selues also the liuing stones of this liuing buildinge : mourne and lament bitterlie . Fast and praye . Bidde farewell to pleasures , and to the daye of mirth . Let the Bridegrome come out of his chamber , & the bride out of her closet Weepe vpon your faire seeled houses your inlarged pastures and fieldes , your sweet gardens , pleasant arbours and bowling allis . Know your selues to be in more greeuous bondage of soule , by being holden from Christ his trewe gouernment : then the people of Israel were in bondage of their bodies , when they walking forth by the riuers of Babel , Psal. 137.1 . could not be refreshed from their woo , but they sate downe and wept , when they remembred Sion . It was not the pleasant walkinge by the riuers of waters , that could entice them to be merie , and forget their griefe , and forget their countrey , from which they had nowe longe time bene absent . Seuentie yeares coulde not instraunge them , nor weane them from the remembraunce of Iurie , and Ierusalem , and mount Sion : Not so muche because there was their dwelling , as because they dwelt there togither with the Lorde , giuing there outwarde tokens of his presence . Therefore they vowed , and wished harde thinges vnto them selues , Vers. 6. if they preferred not Ierusalem before all ioy 〈◊〉 if they shoulde be ioyfull , before they should see Ierusalēs full deliueraunce .

Thus shoulde it fare with vs . And euen as a woman which full dearelie haue loued her husbande being nowe deceassed this life , can take no pleasure in beholding his garmentes : but rather renue the remembraunce of her losse , and increase her woo and greefe : So shoulde houses , fieldes , pastures , pleasaunt gardens , orchyards , golde , siluer , yea wife & children , and whatsoeuer else of outwarde thinges : wee should inioie them , & looke vpon them , shasting the head , with wailing and wrinking the hands , crying , alas for our husband Christ Iesus , which haue left vs all these good thinges , and he is not with vs : But our sinnes haue caused him to depart a side , seyng he haue bene so despightfullie vsed amongst vs , by exalting the sworde of his enemie , and treading his sworde vnder foot . And lest any shoulde think me to ouerreach , in saing we are in greuouser bondage then were the Iewes in Babilon , though to speake of it wil be thought of some , straying from my matter , yet I must regarde edifying more then anie other order . Therfore I demaunde of those which haue anie eyes to see , whither they can beholde their soules to be solde for handefulles of Barlie , and morselles of bread , euen for tithe sheaues ( wheras if we had bene solde for slaues , appointed to bodilie toyle , wee might haue helde our peace ) For doeth not he which haue monie , or the letter of some great man , or fauoure by other meanes , doeth he not gette the gift of a Benefice of some Patrone , and being presented to the Bishoppe , hee is forthwith sent to be instauled ? and so the guydes of our soules , ar appointed vnto vs without our aduice and counsell , whose life and death of soule it standeth vpon to trie our guydes , that after they haue bene founde able to cutt and deuide our portion of the bread of life in dewe season , they might bee approued of vs , & receyued . But that whiche is more greeuous , when a blinde leader is come to take vs by the hande , wee haue no authoritie as the Church of God , to refuse him , or to complayne for redresse , or to remoue him , after wee haue tried his inabilitie . Are not then our soules in bondage ? Furthermore , we haue no authoritie to complaine of that , or anie other mischiefe , in our owne congregation , 1. Cor. 5.4 . that by the power of our Lord Iesus , whiche there ought to florishe and beare the swaye , euen in euerie Church of his , that mischiefe might be remedied : but other Lords besides Christ doo rule ouer vs , Esai . 26.13 . and ouer the whole Church , yea ouer manie hundred churches : and them we must seek vp through the prouince , them must wee daunce great attendance , and to them we must complaine : and if our complaint be of anie thinge done against the honour of Christ , or against our libertie which hee haue giuen vs , oure mouth shall be stopped , and we shal be cutt shorter . But if it bee a matter against their owne honour , touchinge their iniunctions , as of the garment of obedience , and the cappe of maintenance , or for takinge downe the imagerie worke about the Fonte , or suche thing , then we are good parishioners , they will visite vs , and redresse those thinges well ynough . Are not nowe our soules in bondage ? Furthermore , we can not serue God , or worshippe him publikelie in spirite , as we ought to doo , for wee are tyed to the dead letter , and stinted out our measure , that we must giue God this day , euen as muche , and the selfe same , whiche we gaue him the last daye , that muste we also giue him euerie daye in the yeare , all the time of our lyfe . Whither he be pleased or no , that is his stinte and his fee , hee maye no more haue . And though he be wearie of that and lothed with it , because it is all one disse of meate continuallie , ( and that would lothe any mans stomache ) yet he must haue it all , and neuer a whit lesse . He is a cruell maister , whiche will vrge his bonde slaue to eate vppe three or foure meases of potage , when his stomache will not beare one , without regorginge . But the Lorde is worse serued at our handes . And we are forced to mocke the lord : after this manner , in bringinge him such a worshippe , as hee spueth out of his mouth , & that to the endlesse hurte of our owne soules . Are not then oure soules in bondage ? Moreouer , if half a dozen , or halfe a skore , doo consent and agree togither , and chuse a man sitte to guyde them : can they bringe him in ? or for want of him , or anie other man sufficient , maye they freelie go to another place , to heare the word and receyue the Sacramentes ? No , there is a lawe , and by that law , they must come home to their own Parish , there must they feede vpon the rockes and stones , or else starue . Will anie vnmercifull manne deale so with his beaste , as to tye him where there growe not one spire of grasse ? And release canne the poore soules haue none , vntill there maye come newe lawes , whiche maye bringe redresse and graunt further libertie , although they neuer come , but still streighter & streighter . Euen as the Israelites were more hardlie dealt with , after they had motioned their sute of going into the wildernes to sacrifize & worshippe God as he commaunded . Exod. 5.17 . Are not then our soules in bondage ? That I speake nothing of our subiection to the iurisdiction of that court , which our owne conscience , and the voyce almost of all the people in the lande , crye out that it is popishe and Antichristian , and yet not one man among a thousand haue spirit and courage to withdrawe him selfe from it , neyther will they knowe it to bee a sacriledge , and treason against Christe , to goe and bowe before the scepter of Antichriste : and flatter them selues , saying , that Christ rule in their harts inwardlie , & thei serue him inwardlie , and outwardlie they serue that idoll , which the Deuill haue set vpp , worse farre awaye then the idoll which Nebuchadnessar set vpp in the plaine of Dura . Dan. 3.1 .