A sermon against selfe policy preached at White-Hall in Lent. By Isaac Bargrave ...

A SERMON AGAINST Selfe-Policy : Preached at WHITE-HALL . OSE 10. Verse 1. Israell is an empty Vine , he bringeth fruite to himselfe .

IT is the misery of man that since his first fal , no estate can free him from misery , being once touched with the venome of the tempter , he turnes all things into poyson which hee toucheth , the very apple of the Tree of Life , is made the ministration of death : all Gods appoyntments for his felicity prooue the meanes of his misery . To demonstate this in all mankind , would make too long a Syllogisme , see it here in one for all , Gods chosen inheritance the sonnes of Israell ; who though they had for many yeares bin the treasury of Gods blessings , and that the whole Series of the old Testament be little other then the sacred Register of his free mercies toward them : yet now especially in the time of Ose , vnder the raigne of Ieroboam they were in the height of their prosperity . Now were their garners laden with Corne , their bottles swelling with wine , their presses flowing with oyle , their Coffers burdned with the aboundance of siluer and gold ; and yet in this fulnesse of all temporall blessings , they prooue empty of all spirituall grace , they powre out their wine before Astaroth , and their oyle before Baall , they abuse all these fauours of their Maker , to the setting vp of Idolatry , or the satisfying of their owne Luxury . Israell is an empty Vine , he bringeth , &c.

The Text in the matter of it is an expression of one mayne sinne in Israel ; and this matter is Discouered in a most remarkable forme .

First , in a similitude or Allegory : In which wee haue the exemplar or patterne , a Vine : the Exemplatum or Paralell Israel , Israel is a Vine . Secondly , this Allegory containes a Riddle , and a Resolution . The Riddle set downe by way of Paradoxe , composed of two Contradictory Positions ,

Israel is an Empty Vine . Fruitfull Vine .

The Resolution is vnfolded in the last Word , Sibi , to himselfe ; This Reades the Ridle , and reconciles the Contradiction , for therefore Israel is an empty Vine , because he brings , &c.

Such is the monstrous nature of sinne , that direct simple notions are not able to expresse it . It must bee helpt out with oblique Similitudes and Allegories , what shall I liken to thee Oh Daughter of Ierusalem : Thy breach is great like the Sea , who can heale thee , Lam. 2. 3. Thy mother is like a Vine in the blood , Ezech. 39. Nay , such is the Prodigious forme of sinne , that similies and allegories cannot yet enough describe it , vnlesse they beheightned by Ridles and Paradoxes . Israel is an empty Vine , Israel is a fruitfull Vine . Loe this onely haue I found ( sayth the wise man ) Quod facit Deus hominem rectum , That God made man vpright ; but the praeuaricating quality of sinne hath perplexed him with many Ridles and Paradoxes , iust such as this in my text . Which in that regard if it may adde any life to your sacred attentions , ( as admiration is the mother of attention , sayth Aristotle . ) I may presume to stile it , Textus admirabilis , an admirable text , Metap● . ● . 1. for so Tully from the Stoicks , and the Schoole-men from Tully , call all Paradoxes , propositiones admirabiles . And that iustly too , for euery Paradoxe consists of two contradictory positions : Now the nature of contradictions being such , that if one be false another must needes be true , if one true , another must needs be false , if by discourse wee may reconcile these opposites , and prooue them both true , it may well bee called an admirable Text. And sinne with all the Paradoxiall qualities , and ridling intricacy thereof is not so suttle , but hee that searcheth the heart and the reynes , can discerne and discouer it , for the last word of the Text , resolues the Riddle , and makes that which is strange and admirable , familiar and easie to vs For therefore Israel was an empty Vine , not because she brought forth fruite , but because she brought forth , &c.

This sacred Paradoxe , I haue chosen to present to your gracious attentions , as a subiect neither vnfit for wise , nor great ones . Diuine Plato , thought it no Oyle mispent , to discourse of that vulgar paradoxe , V●r , 〈◊〉 5 d. rep. non vir percussit auem , non auem , in arbore , non arbore , An Eunuch strooke a Flinder-mouse in an Elder Tree . Maria the Queene of Castile commended to the Interpretation of Tostatus 5 Diuine Paradoxes ; concerning the person of Christ and his blessed Mother . The first was , There was a Lyon who was seene and not seene , heard and not heard , taken and not taken , knowne and not knowne This and the three following he interpreted of Christ our Sauiour , who to dissolue the paradoxe of sinne ▪ was made not onely Scandalum but Paradoxon , Not only a stumbling blocke , but a Paradoxe to all humane reason , hee suffered , and suffered not , he dyed and dyed not , he was buried , and not buried , he rose againe , and rose not againe , sayth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sar. ● . Saint Ambrose . As he was man God dyed , as hee was God , man was 〈◊〉 c 1●● . raysed to life , saith S. Austin , All these are admirable yet true propositions , so many paralels to the Text , which as the sin of Israel , had now out growne the Common nature of sinne . So the Holy Ghost in no Common forme of stile blazons the sinne of Israel , by the patterne of a monstrous paradoxicall Vine , an empty , yet a fruitfull , a fruitfull yet an empty Vine .

Now because such parabolicall transumptions , are to be expounded to the sense not to the letter , and are then best expounded , when all the parts of the paralell agree with the patterne . Israel beeing the Center vpon which all the lines of similitude are proportionably to fall , we 'le first , as it were in Puncto , set downe what may be here meant by Israel , Israell is , &c.

Wee know that after the flesh there were Ismaelites as well as Israelits , the sonnes of Agar , as well as the sonnes of Sarah . But the sonnes of the Bond woman were cast out , Saint Paul only the free borne I●raelites became Gods proper Inheritance . That happinesse which Iacob fore-saw in his dreame , when hee beheld the Angels ascending , and descending from Heauen , while GOD stood vppon the Top of the Ladder , was but a shadow of that happinesse , which the Israelits for a long time enioyed . GOD their indulgent Father by the Ministration of the Angels , and the Creatures , powring downe the plenty of all both Temporall and Spirituall Blessings vppon them . For to omit their protections , their victories , their possessions in the land of Canaan , what higher priuiledge then that which was the proper right of the I●raelits , that to them should pertaine the Adoption , and the Glory , and the Couenants , the giuing of the Law ▪ the seruice of God and the promises , of whom are the Fathers , and of whom after the flesh Christ came , who is GOD over all blessed for euer Amen , Romans 9. vers. 3. Israel according to the flesh thus protected , thus priuiledged , This Israel so fild with Fruite , becomes an Empty Vine . So sounds the letter of the Text , but is there no spirit in this letter ? Are the sonnes of Abraham , onely the seede of Abraham ? No certainly , they are not all Israel which are of Israel ? Rom 9. 6. It is mirabile magnum , sayth Austi● , yet as true as wonderfull . Many which are not the sons of Israel , are Israel ; & many which are the sons of Israel , are not Israel . In the flesh the Ismalites pertayne to Agar , the Israelites to Sara , in the spirit the Iewes pertaine to Agar , w● Christians to Sara : had they retayned the faith and the works of Abraham , they had stil continued the ions of Abraha , but now they haue lost their progeny , and we haue found it . For of Israel came the Iewes , of them came Mary , of Mary Christ , in Christ we all liue and moue , and haue our being , and therefore all wee are the sonnes of Israel : Not by nature but by faith , not in the letter but the Spirit , not by the Law but by grace , not carnall , but spirituall Israel .

Would you see this yet clearer , looke in the glasse of this similitude , Israel is a Vine , There wee shall finde Tropum in Tropo , Israel vnder the Vine , and our selues vnder Israel . There we shall see that almost none of GODS peculiar mercies to Israel , but are become proper to vs . I pray GOD we may not likewise partake of their sins and punishments .

It is the Law of an Allegory , sayth Aristotle , that it haue a true proportion of similitude ; and if the words be not consonant to the matter , Error fit non metaphora , it is rather an Imposture then an Allegory , sayth the Schoole . To serueigh this Parable by this Rule .

A man sayth Aristotle , is a Tree turned vpward , hauing his head for the roote , the rest of his Lymmes for the branches . But among all Trees the Holy Spirit doth most often present the selected Israel of GOD His Church in the likenesse of a Vine , as the fittest embleme both of his bounty to them , and their duty to him . First , sayth Calvin , the Vine best In lo● speakes his bounty to his Church , because he giues vs not onely bread , ad vitam , but wine ad Hilaritatem , whereby we liue cheerefully , for wine glads the heart of man , Gal. 10. 4. Neuer was there Vine so planted , so bound , so spread , so pruned , so fenced by the prouidence of GOD. Iudge yee Oh inhabitants of Ierusalem , betwixt me and my Vineyard , what could I haue done more then I haue done to it . Esay 5. 4. Israel is a Vine , Ergo fratres forte vinea fuit domus Israel & nos non sumus vinea ? Hath Israel onely tasted of the bounty of Psal. 80. 8 10. God , and are not we also the Vine of the Lord of Hosts , hath hee not likewise brought our vine out of Idolatrous Egypt , hath h●● not cast out the He ●hen , an● planted i● , hath hee not caused it to take deepe 〈◊〉 , so that it filleth the Land . Nay w●ile Rebellious I●ra●l are rooted ●ut of the Vineyard , hauing no King , nor Priest , nor Law , being become Rebels to Heauen , and Vagabonds on earth , are not we in their roome grafted into the stocke Christ Iesus ? hath hee not giuen vs a most indulgent nursing Father to this prosperous Vine ? Hath he not planted vs in the Gospell , pruned vs by the Law , rooted vs in faith , bound vs vp in loue , solaced vs with peace , cherisht vs with plenty , fenced vs with his prouidence by rare and vnheard of protections ▪ But let your hearts reioyce in the memory of it ▪ Neuer any 〈◊〉 ▪ any Nation , no not Israel it 〈◊〉 hath beene blest with more arguments of Gods bounty , I pray GOD they may not one day prooue so many accusers of the neglect of our Dut● .

As the Vine cannot flourish without Gods bounty , so secondly , hee will not suffer it to flourish without our duty : He expects f●uite from his Vine . As the Vine excells not other Trees in shew or stature but in Fruite , so it is not the glorious shew of Temporall things , but the sauing fruites of the Spirit , with which God would haue his Vine flourish . But of this anon more properly .

In the meane time , while yee behold this Vine of Israel thus drest and blest by the hand of God : me thinkes like the Figge Tree which Iesus saw , it should moue your appetite to come and seeke for the Fruite . But alas ! when Christ came to it hee found nothing but leaues : iust so prooues this Vine here ; Vitis frondosa , as Ierome , vitis vacua , as Tremelius , and our Translation a leaffy , vnprofitable , empty Vine .

The comparison of Israel to a Vine , had beene rather honorable then odious , for a good Vine of all other Trees brings forth the best , and the most fruite , but see now this Allegory growes into a Paradoxe , this Vine into a Monster . An empty , yet a fruitefull , a fruitfull yet an emptie vine .

Now because a Paradoxe is neither true nor false till it be expounded . Wee must know that all sinne is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a direct Paradoxe , crossing the Common sentence both of the Law of GOD and Reason , and among all the Paradoxes of sinne : Hypocrisie is the most exact ; an Hypocrite and a Paradoxe haue both the same definition . Qui aliud verbis , aliud sensu ostendunt : They are both one thing in shew , and another in deede . And of all Hypocrites two of the most notable are descryed in this paradoxe , The first , Israel is an Emptie Vine . Here a pure Platonicall Hypocrite , Faith without workes , God in his mouth , the Diuell in his actions , They say and do not . Matth. 23. The second , I●rael brings forth , &c. Here 's a Popish ●hrasonicall Hypocrite , workes without Faith , false charity in their Workes , selfe vayneglory in their thoughts , They doe all their workes to bee seene of M●n . Matthew 23.

First of the first . When God the Husband man went downe to see how the Vine Flourisht , Canticl. 6. 11. Ecce vitis vacua , Behold , hee found Israel an Emptie Vine . Emptie , sayth Ierome ; mispending that fat moisture which it should haue conuerted into Grapes , vppon the vaine ambition of Flowers , and Leaues : mis-employing those eminent graces which GOD had giuen them aboue other Nations , vppon their owne lust , and vayneglory . The Adoption , the Law , the promises , their peace , their plenty , with all these , they were full and fat Full of blessing , but empty of thanksgiuing . I●s●r●● waxed fat and kicked , he forsooke GOD which made him , and lightly esteemed the Rocke of his saluation , Deuter. 23. 15. They gloried to sit in Moses Chayre , and interpret the Law , but they sayd and did not , Matth. 32. 3. They made long prayers , but it was to deuoure widdowes houses , vers. 14. They payde tyth of mint , anise and cummin , but omitted Iudgement , mercy and faith , the weightier matters of the Law , vers. 23. In a word , this Vine bare leaues and flowers enough , but no fruite , no grapes ; it was an empty Vine .

And I would this Prophecy had ended onely in Israel ; but this is seconded with another of Saint Paul , that falls neere our times . In the last perillous dayes , men shall bee louers of themselues , hauing a ●●rme of godlinesse , but denying the power thereof , 2. Tim. 3. Why here 's a true empty Vine , the shaddow of a Christian , the pure Hypocrite of our Church , Moses Chayre , long prayers , the tything of mint and cummin ; all forme but no power of godlinesse ; all leaues no fruite , all faith , no workes , all profession , no demonstration . Saint Basil in his time found out the progenitors of these Bastard plants . Vidi ego orantes , iejunantes , praeteritorum paenitentia suspirantes , omne denique fine sumptu pietatem ostendentes , egentibus vero ne obolum quidem praebentes . Our times will well Translate him . Wee may see many among vs , men demure in their lookes , thinne in their apparell , long in their prayers , deepe in their sighes , most deuout in all cheape duties of a Christian , but in the Workes of Charity , to bee deuout in them it is meere Popery .

CHRIST himselfe may hunger , but the Fig Tree will yeelde no Figges . Those little ones of Christ the poore may thirst , but this Vine giues no Grapes , it is an emptie Vine .

The Church is a Theater , vppon which some act their owne parts , being alwayes the same that they seeme , and these are all good men , but bad Actors . Others on the contrary do meerely personate , seeming perpetually what they are not , and these are all bad m●n , but good Actors : notorious Hypocrites , like Monkies , who imitate humane actions , but remayne Monkies still . Like complementall Courtiers , all curtesie in promise , no honesty in performance . They haue the voyce of Jacob , and the hands of Esau . Like the Apples of Sodom , they are fayre to the sight , but if you touch them , they turne to fume and ashes . They are such eminent Histrionicall Mimickes , that in Greeke all Stage-Players are called by their names 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hypocrites . They forme a Plato●call kinde of Diuinity , an abstracted sanctity , that diuides Faith from Charity . In a word , they are nothing else , but a meere paradoxe in our Church and Common-wealth . Vir non vir , arbor no● arbor : A Vine and no Vine , a Christian and no Christian , a meere emptie Vine . And as their way , so is their end , their whole Course ; as when a Hungrie man Dreames , and behold hee eates , but when he awakes hee is faint , and his soule is Empty , Esay 29. 8.

It is the Fruite that denominates the Tree , thy Fayth makes thee a true Christian , thy workes make thee knowne to bee a true Christian . As in a Logician , so in a Christian giue mee Demonstration , thou must Demonstrate thy Fayth by thy Workes . There was no Honey vsed in GODS Sacrifice , Leuiticu● the 2. Chap. and the ●1 . verse . Sayth Theodoret , because it was made of Leaues and Flowers onely , and not of Fruite .

Herodotus tells vs that the gods went to chose their Trees Iupiter chose the Oke , because it was strong ; Neptune the Cedar , because it was long ; but Pallas the Vine , because it was fruitfull .

When our GOD , the GOD of all power and Wisedome , calles Israel a Vine , hee calls for fruite , and if wee looke vpon the letter of the Text , hee can but call and haue , for see the next words , this empty vine brings forth fruite .

What an empty , and yet a fruitfull Vine ? This will bee worth the examining , sayth the Hebrew paraphrase .

Euery Riddle or Paradoxe consists of Contradictions , and it is the rule of Contraries , that Circa idem praedicantur , they both belong to the same subiect , empty or fruitfull , here is the same Israel , the same Hypocrite still . There is two kinds of hypocrisie , saith Nauarrus , in words and in works . Faith without workes , and workes without faith , hypocrisie is the ground of all . Our Sauiour in the 23. of Matthew , as hee found some all-sayers and no doers , so others that would out-doe all faith . This emptie Vine will bring forth fructum aceruatum , as the Chalde beares it , whole heapes of fruit . This was and is the Iewes Tenet , that they were able to fulfill the whole Law , and so to worke out their owne saluation . And to this end they spare no labour , they compasse Sea and Land to make a Proselyte . v. 15. they pinch at no cost , they build the Tombes of the Prophets , v. 29. with the Israelites in this Verse , they build many Altars , goodly Images . They doe as much to seeme , as others to be good . Yet all this in the end proues nothing but a morning cloud , and as the earely dew it goes away , Ose 6. for all this fruit , the Verse 4. Vine is but an emptie vine .

But doe these bastard-plants grow onely in Iury ? are there no such Iewes to be found among Christians ? Yes certainely , there be those that can out-doe the Iewes , do more than Gods law requires , they can supererrogate , as much as will saue other men as well as themselues . As for their cost , it is they that sumptuously garnish the sepulchres of the righteous . Old Rome it selfe was neuer so glorious with rich shrines and Altars . And for their labour , t is they that compasse Sea and Land to make a Proselyte , that sayle with the foure windes , vltra Garamantas & Indos : Southward to call home Heretiques , Westward to conuert Pagans , and when they haue conuerted them , they make them two-fold more the children of Hell than they themselues , Matthew 23. 15. compassing the whole world , they disgrace and scandall the Gospell of Christ , throughout the whole world , dum exigunt sumptus lucrosae egestatis , aut simulatae pretium sanctitatis , while vnder the veyle of religion , they bring forth fruit to themselues .

The all-searching Spirit of GOD , makes all good Christians see and know , that all 's not gold that glisters , that all this faire shew of workes , is but to be seene of men , Matt. 23. all but so many mists to delude the spirituall eyes of the people , and to catch them as cobwebs catch flyes . These painted sepulchres so faire without , within are full of dead mens bones , a generation of Serpents and vipers , who make vse of the workes of Christ , onely to betray the cause of Christ . As the former are so nice in the poynt of Faith , that they are afraid S. Iames comes too neere Popery , so these so iealous in the poynt of workes , that S. Paul himselfe hath runne the censure of being too much a Lutheran . Workes without faith are dead workes , saith Paul . And faith without workes is a dead faith , saith Iames. And the Heathen could teach vs that dead wine was 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnfit to be offered to the God of life . Medium tenuêre beati . Most happy is the temper of our Church , who as in the rest , so in this , is medium Contradictionis , partaking no more of either extreme , then conduceth to perfect verity . Words are women , deedes are men , say the Italians , wee marry them both together . Prayers and almes , profession and demonstration , Saint Pauls faith , and Saint Iames workes , we ioyne them both together ; and this coniunction is like the sacred vnion of the houses of Yorke and Lancaster : so long as these were diuided , our fruitfull vine became empty , and no sooner were they vnited , but instantly our empty vine became fruitfull . The blessed dew of Heauen fall plentifully vpon that royall Plant , in whom both those stockes continue vnited , that vnder the gracious shaddow of him and his , our Vine may flourish to all eternity . In the meane time , let vs indeuour with words and workes , with heart and hand , to take these Foxes that destroy the vine , these contradictory combining hypocrites , who , though their heads are asunder like Samsons Foxes , with malicious fire-brands they are tied by the tayles , they take seuerall paths , but both meet in the end . Here s one word yet in the Text , sibi , to himselfe . This makes the Paradoxe to be Orthodoxe , it reades the Riddle , and discouers their hypocrisie . Israel emptie , or Israel fruitfull , they are neyther for God nor his Church , for the King nor the Kingdome . Israel is all for himselfe , and Therefore Israel is an empty , &c.

Here s all contradiction , all admiration taken away . The vine of Israel did not want fruit in the kind thereof , they enioyd the blessing of peace , that with which the Vine is so much delighted . Suidas . Their Land was filled with plentie , with the multiplication of Wine , Oyle , Siluer , Gold , Ose 2. But all this abundance of fruit doth but serue to bring forth the abundance of sinne : for as they had the fruit , so now as if they had had the raine and the dew in their owne power , they contemne God that gaue it them , they turne all the loue of GOD into selfe-loue , all their deuotion and Religion ends in sibi . Euen God and his blessings are made but the instruments of their base lusts , they presently fall to building of Altars ; to making of Images . They bring forth , &c.

So sweete and so secure is that dependance which wee haue vpon God the first of being , that when wee fall from him , wee fall to nothing , or to that which is worse than nothing , a trust in our selues . Verily all things are vanity alone without him who is vertue alone , no mans thoughts or actions good , whose end is himselfe , and not the chiefe Good . But giue mee leaue with this Prophet to strike at the roote of all euill selfe-loue and couetousnesse . For either I am deceiued , or else this one word sibi , reads the riddle , and discouers the mystery of the whole Worlds iniquity .

Verum illud verbum est vulgò quod dici s●let , Omnes sibi ma●le melius esse quàm alteri . Plautas .

In the corruption of nature , wee are all borne with this contractiue quality of selfe-loue and interest . T was that which made Plato banish meum and M●r. 2. tuum out of his Common-wealth . And Aristotle could tell vs that onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that the wicked man doth all things 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : hee makes himselfe the end of all his actions , whereas the good man doth all things 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 not for his owne but vertues sake , and therefore is rather 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a louer of goodnesse then of himselfe . To loue vertue it selfe , not for vertue , but thy selfe , is the staine of vertue . If wee loue goodnesse for profits sake , wee may be crafty men , but neuer good men , saith Tully : wee may be as 1. De L●g . these men in my Text ; perfit Hypocrites , but neuer good Christians . Such a one as these may maske vnder the name of Christ , and plead very passionately for faith or for ▪ workes ; but the truth is , hee hath no faith but in his owne proiects : & esteemes no works but such as worke his owne commodity . Oh this wicked sibi , this selfedoctrine , the mother of Hypocrisie , and the nurse of Apostacie ! There are some Court-Doctors who teach , that the finis Architectonicus of a Courtier , is this sibi , neither the glory of God , nor the honour of his master , but his fortune , his own commoditie : t is true , hee may couer his owne proiects vnder either of these , but hee should serue neither of them , no farther then hee serues himselfe . My noble Auditors , I must hope better things of you , for you haue bin instructed in the knowledge of the Spirit of life . Farre be such Amnous and Absaloms from the house 2 Sam. 13. 10 , 28. of our Dauid . Yee haue the high calling of Christians , that which must command and actuate the calling of a Courtier , that which teacheth thee to deny thy selfe , while thou followest Christ , and not in compliment alone , but indeed to lay down thy goods , nay thy life for the seruice of the King . But it were some comfort , if this selfe-accusation lay vpon the Court alone . There , are some , as Posse●ine and Ribadeyneir● that make it fall as heauily vpon our Church and State , as if our ministry aimed no farther then our own commodity , and our Religion had no other ambition , but to bring forth fruit to our selues . But if any such Foxes as these be crept into our Vineyard , the fearefull curse of Hypocrisie light vpon them to their amendment or confusion . But as for the generall ayme of our Church , I appeale to this Auditory , if euer we aymed at other ends than the glory of GOD , the peace of His Church , and the safety of our Soueraigne : if with true exultation of spirit , we doe not dayly reioyce in the forme of our ciuill gouernement , that after the patterne of Gods vniuersall prouidence , we liue in the best of all formes of policy , a Monarchy , and in that piously and peaceably vnder a most religious King . In poynt of Doctrine , we haue the pure word of God for our Iudge , in matter of discipline , Gods immediate Deputie for our Commander , vnder this vnparalel'd gouernement hath our Vine flourished , to the irreconcileable hatred of those our accusers , and vnder the same may it still gaine vigour and strength , donec

Rumpatur quis quis rumpitur inuidia . But if wee would haue past the Alpes for our Diuinity , wee might haue learned , not from hellish Machiauel alone , for priuate interest to doe things against faith , charity , and Religion , but euen those our very accusers , Posseuine and Ribadeynira in their Antimachiuels , would haue taught vs ; that it is a poynt of conscience to equiuocate in a poynt of State , and that as against the sting of Vipers we may vse Triacle ; which is made of Vipers flesh : so 't is Religion , against dissemblers to vse dissimulation . And thus Boterus , that common brander of our English and Scottish Nations , and for that happely so much esteemed among the Romanists , he hath it among his Capi di Prudenza for a resolute Principle , that l. Interesse é quel lo che vince Ogni partito , that all friendship , leagues , affinitie , all bands of communion whatsoeuer , are to be measured by this Sibi , by the line of our owne Interest and commodity . And what is this , but an absolute forsaking of GOD , to sacrifice in the house of Mammon ? This was an excellent Rule for Iudas , who rather than suffer with his Master , to prouide for himselfe , he must betray his Master . These had beene choyse Tutors for Lodwicke the Eleuenth , King of France , who desired his Son Charles the Eighth might learne no more Latine than this , Nescit regnare , qui nescit simulare . What a rare Disciple in this cursed schoole was Eccbolius , Iulians Gouernour , who with the Emperour Constantius was a Christian ? and because his Master was so , an Arian , with false Iulian who succeeded , he turned Gentill , and with pious Iouinian who followed , he returned Christian , and begg'd pardon at the Church-doore . Heere was one of the Diuels precious Agents of those , qui non Deum , sed purpuram colunt , saith Socrates , who are so wise that they knowe not God , 1 Cor. 1. Oh the powerfull effects of this hellish doctrine , the sinfull omnipotency of this wicked sibi ! Hence it is , that a good Christian is now no more esteemed but a great Politician , the rule of State hath banished the rule of Charity , euery Mechanicke is become a Machiauill , Gods Word is forbidden , and Tacitus is become their Bible , more Commenters vpon him than vpon Saint Paul . Eight Hierol●mo da Ro●●●e . thousand Maximes of State in one Volume , and all these squared by the master-rule of selfe-Interest . This is become the maine Canon of all their holy Orders : for though the Iesuites bee the best Capreoli ; the most winding branches of this incroching Vine ▪ yet as the Heauens , though all carried about by their first mouer the Pope , yet euery Planet , euery peculiar Order haue their proper motions for their owne Interest and perfection . This is that makes Infants Cardines Ecclesiae , the pillars of the Church . This is that makes the Head of the Church , the Pope . I haue their published Conclaues to auow it , that Interest of gain , of affection , of reuenge , of faction , are the 4. prime Electors in the Popedome . Nay the top of Iniquity , this Sibi , is able to make gods : for so Ieroboam , lest the peoples hearts should turne against him , sets vp one Calfe at Dan , and another at Bethauen , and cryes to the people , Behold thy gods , O Israel , 1 Kin. 12. Heere was worldly policy the ground of foule Idolatry ; for verily desire of gaine , deuised the image , Wisdome Verse 16. 14. This made the Israelites here build so many goodly Altars , & Images . And thus our friend Boterus aduiseth all Catholique Princes , that no meanes is so prompt to enrich & people a Countrey , as to get the fame of some holy Relique , some miraculous Shrine or Altar . Such as Loretta in Italy , Saint Michael in France , Guadalupo , Montserrata , and Compostella , in Spaine . Here s excellent doctrine for the Deuils Court . They must play with the poore peoples Conscience , to fauour their affaires ; and GOD the highest Obiect , with Religion the chiefest act of man , must serue to no other end , but to vsher in wordly policy and ambition . Notorious Antichristian Mountebankes , who haue Christ in their fore-heads ; and Mammon in their hearts . The sonnes of the Sorcerers , and the seede of falshood , Esa 57. Such as haue Religion for the murder of Kings , and the Interest of the Church , for the dethroning of Gods Anoynted . Oh let not this extraction of hypocrites , these Dogges and Foxes , come neere the Court of Dauid , nor harbour in the Vine of Iudah . These bastard-plants , that make no vse of Religion but for their owne ends , they may haue the name of a Vine , and beare leaues like it , but are indeed pura labrusca , in stead of grapes , they bring forth wilde grapes , euen those goordes of the sauage Vine that poysoned the broth , 4. King . 4. They Verse 40. are worse than the Vine of Sodom , and the fields of Gomorrah , their grapes are grapes of Gall , and their clusters bitter , Deut. 32. One word in the eare of Verse 33 these glorious worldlings , and I haue done . Let not him that is deceiued , trust in vanity : for vanity shall be his recompence . When the euill houre approcheth , wherein thou must enter into the chambers of death , now when thy soule body , and polluted soule are ready to be distracted , when thy trembling pu●●e shall strike the Alarum to death , when thy spirits shall faint , thy nerues faile , thy bones anguish , thy limbes sinke vnder thee , and thy heart be forced to resigne the power of life to him that gaue it ; now shall thy conscience turne thy inside outward , and with horrour thou shalt plainely see the fruits of thy former proiects , that they are all miserable vanity . Now shalt thou shake off thy vnripe grapes as the Vine , for the Congregation of Hypocrites shall be dessolate , Iob 15. And at the length , when the son of man with his sharpe sickle shall gather together the clusters of the Vine of the earth , then shall hee cast them into the great Wine-presse of the wrath of God , and the Presse shall bee trodden , and bloud shall come out thereof , euen to the Horses bridles , Re● . 14. Euen thus shall it be with al those , who abuse the name of God , to bring forth fruit &c.

Thus shall it bee with the emptie Vine of Israel . But though Israel play the Harlot , yet let not Iudah offend . The very Vine it selfe doth teach vs better things . Video vites , quantum velis prem●s , stati● ad superna conari , saith Tertullian . Behold the Vine , presse it as much as thou wilt , yet naturally it climbes vpward , and seemes ambitious of Heauen : And wilt thou , O Christian , the proper motion of whose soule is an ascension to God that made it , wilt thou lye groueling in the Serpents way , feeding vpon thine owne earthly proiects , the corrupt dregges of the flesh ? Let Pagans pant after the world , and the Iewes still hang in the expectation of their temporall prosperity , shall wee Christians make the world our end , when Christ our Sauiour hath pronounced the poore so blessed ? See , the good Vine brings not forth fruit for himselfe , but for vs . Sic vos non vobis . Let this likewise bee our care to bring forth fruit to God , and not to our selues . God , who hath giuen the meanes , hath not l●ft thee destitute of ends , whereon thou art to employ the fruits of his grace . The first and chiefe is the maintenance of true Religion : the second subordinate to this end , is the good of thy Common-wealth : the third , as the band of all Societies , is charity to our Neighbours , that in the pride and prime of our Vine , wee forget not the afflictions of our brethren abroad ; but freely , with heart and hand assist them : for , alas , if wee suffer the deuourer to destroy them , then in the time of thy neede , who shall pray for thee , or who shall haue pitty vpon thee , O Ierusalem , Ier. 15 ? In a word , let this Trinity of religious obiects , be the ends of all thy pious endeuours , and then the sinne of Israel shall light onely vpon the head of Israel , but all the fruits of thy labours shall reflect vpon thy selfe , and thine owne eternall happinesse . Say yee to the Righteous , that it shal be well with them , for they shall eat the fruit of their labours , Esa 3. The Vine shall giue her fruit , the ground ▪ shall giue her increase ▪ the Heauens shall giue their dew , and the people shall possesse the Land , Zach. 8. Their happinesse , who onely aymed at themselues , shall end in themselues : but as in no Tree nature lasts longer than the Vine ; the Vine of the Lord of Hosts shal flourish to al eternity . In the path of that eternall happinesse , conduct vs , O Shepheard of Israel , thou that leadest Ioseph as a Flocke , thou that dwellest betweene the Cherubims , shine forth . Looke down , O God of Hosts , from Heauen , behold and visit our Vine , the Vine which thine owne right hand hath planted , & the branch which thou hast made so strong for thy selfe : Let not the Bore of the wood waste it , nor the Beast of the field deuoure it . Keepe thou still the Keeper thereof : vpon the head of him and his , let his Crowne for euer flourish : so shall Sion be glad , and Ierusalem reioyce in thy Saluation ; Euer attributing to thee , O FATHER , with the blessed So●●e , and holy Spirit , all power , praise , &c.

FINIS .