DAVIDS Pastorall Poeme : OR Sheepeheards Song .

SEVEN SERmons , on the 23. Psalme of Dauid , whereof the last was preached at Ashford in Kent , the day whereon our gracious King was there proclaimed .

By THOMAS IACKSON Preacher of Gods word at Wie in Kent .

LONDON , Printed by Thomas Purfoot , and are to bee sold by Edmund Weauer at his shop at the great North doore of Paules Church . 1603.

SIr , it hath pleased God , that for some certaine yeares , there hath bin a Lecture holden by fiue others of my reuerend brethren , and my selfe , euerie Saturday , being the Market day at Ashford in Kent , where wee haue a worshipfull and Christian auditorie , where ( as my turne came about ) I haue handled diuerse portions of Scripture , and now lastly , in seuen Sermons , gone ouer the 23. Psalme of Dauid ; and by Gods prouidence it so came to passe , that my course was to teach on Saturday the 26. of March , 1603. for which I had also prepared my selfe ; but hauing certaine intelligence ouer night , both of the death of her Maiestie , and also that the high and mightie Prince , Iames , was proclaimed for our king , with generall applause in London , ( whom God in mercy long preserue . ) The consideration of these sudden and great accidents , and also hearing what a great auditorie there would be , , both of Knights and Gentlemen , to proclaime the king there , and also of others , desirous to heare and see , did somewhat astonish me . But considering first , gods merciful dealing towards this land in this euill day , which wee haue so long feared , making our comfort suddenly to appeare , as a flash of lightning , which breaketh out of a darke cloude , and secondly his prouidence towards me , who calling mee on the sudden , to so great and waightie a dutie , yet eased me of halfe the paines by fitting it so , as my ordinarie text and premeditations ( with some small chaunge of phrases or stile ) did better agree with the present occasion , then many others which might haue beene purposely and curiously chosen , I was much encouraged , and by Gods mercie ( to the comfort of my selfe and others ) discharged that dutie ( his name for euer bee praised , who is alwayes at the right hand of his vnworthie seruants , to helpe them in time of neede ) since which time , I haue beene very earnestly solicited by diuerse worshipfull and Christian good friends , to publish those my Lectures in print , that the benefite thereof redounding vnto many ; by many , thankes might bee giuen vnto God ; whose request for a time , I verie resolutely gainsayd , as meeting with many and those verie waightie discouragements : Solet acceptior esse sermo viuus , quam scriptus . Ber. epi. 66. first the great difference betwixt preaching and reading , euen the same matter , whereof one saith verie well , The liuely voyce is more acceptable , than written wordes . * * Habet nescio quid latentis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , viua vox . And another saith : Liuely voice hath a kinde of secret force , and powrefull sound : And Aschines when he had read the oration which Demosthenes had made against him , and perceiued the people to wonder at the excellencie of it , he answered : What would you haue thought , if you had heard him pronounce it himselfe ? Quid si ipsum audissetis sua verba resonantem . And therefore I was loath to chaunge my tongue into a penne , and laying aside the gesture and countenance of a liuing man , to burie my selfe in a dead letter , of farre lesse effectuall perswasion . Secondly , the wise Preacher hath long since said , There is none end of making of bookes , and much reading is a wearines of the flesh . Eccles. 12. 12. which is most true in this bookish age , wherein as one saith , It would require a mans whole life , Vix tota vita indices . but to read ouer the titles or inscriptions : for now is the old Poets saying verified , Scribimus indocti doctique Poemata passim Learned and vnlearned , euerie one setteth pen to Paper : And hereby it commeth to passe , that the world is ouerladen , and the Presses oppressed with an innumerable companie of friuolous Pamphlets , the fruits of idle braines , sauouring of nothing but vngodlinesse , and carnall vanitie , and tend to none other end but the nourishment of all maner vice and prophanesse ; oh that there were amongst vs , some zealous Ephesians , that bookes of so great vanitie might be burned vp : Acts. 19 , 29. Yea , there are many verie excellent Bookes , Treatises , Sermons , and Catechismes , but if there wanted any , there are many , both in regard of their abilitie , and leasure , farre fitter to employ themselues this way then my selfe . Thirdly , I feared , both the graue and wise censure of the godly learned diuines , to whom my spirit is subiect . And also the curious reprehensions of those Momi , and malignant sinister spirits , who say they would haue nothing printed , ( if diuinitie , ) but that which wadeth into the depth thereof , and containeth the marrow and quintessence of learning , such as doe profoundly handle deepe poynts , and subtill quiddities of controuersies , publishing that which was neuer heard or knowne before . And ( if humanitie ) then nothing , but that which is excellent , for wit ; singular for learning ; rare for knowledge ; and pollished with all the ornaments of eloquence ; but in truth there can be nothing so well , learnedly , or godly done in either , but these men ( as it were pining away with enuie at other mens good ) doe either bitterly backebite , reproachfully slaunder , vndeseruedly reproue , or maliciously defame . What is it then to publish any thing in print , but for a man to make himselfe a common by-word , a But for euery man to shoot his arrow at , euen bitter words , yea to offer himselfe to bee stung and torne , with the sharpe and venemous teeth and tongue of euerie reproachfull slaunderer .

Lastly , it is no small discouragement , to consider the vanitie of Readers in these dayes ( which is not the least cause of so many idle and vaine bookes ) who as if they were possessed with the Athenian humour , Poscimus indocti doctique . to delight in nothing but either to tell , Act. 17. 21 Quid noui . or heare some newes : the first question at euery Stacioners shoppe is , what new thing ? and if it smell of the presse , and haue a goodly title ( be the matter neuer so base and vnprofitable ) it is a booke for the nonce ; but be it neuer so good , if once the Calender be chaunged , that it beare the date of the former yeare , it is neuer enquired after , it may serue for couers to euerie immodest Poeme , girding Satyre , or ridiculous fable : and thus most men esteem of vaine books , more then of those that are profitable , but none almost esteeme of the best , but as men doe of a flower , whilest it is newly gathered , but afterwards it is throwne in the window corner , M. Dearing in his Preface to his Catechisme . and regarded no more ; this vanitie a learned and zealous Diuine , long since lamented ; and surely it still encreaseth , and getteth ground , whereby many of Gods seruants , ( most dysirous euery way , that God hath enabled them to doe good to his Church ) are mightily discouraged from labouring in this kind : disgrace , pouertie , contempt and iniurie , being all the thankes , which many receyue for their paines , that if there were not other farre greater consideration , whereby these former are deuoured , and darkened as the light of a Candle by the Sunne at noone day ; O Lord , how many excellent bookes are there , which had perished amongst the Mothes and Wormes , and neuer seene the light of the Sunne . First it is the greatest comfort that many a poore soule hath ( next vnto preaching , Gods sanctified ordinance ) that at leisure-times they may read or heare , some plaine exposition or Sermon , penned to their capacitie , and wherein many take ixceeding comfort , delight , and profit . There are many who for their age , sickenesse , soulnesse of weather , or other vrgent occasions , cannot alwayes heare the word , where , and when they would , who yet hauing some godly mens labours , may by the reading of the Scriptures , and them , in some measure , supplie the want of better meanes , and increase in themselues the knowledge , feare and loue of God . Againe , though there be mo books , godly and learnedly written , then well read or vsed ; yet shall the Church of God , so long as it remaineth on earth , stand in need of new Tractates , Comments , Sermons , and Catechismes , as new reasons , illustrations , and methodes are inuented , as new doubts , controuersies , errours or heresies do arise , and as men do diuersly bend themselues , to the studying and handling of particular heads of doctrine , and parts of the word of God . Non omnia possumus omnes . Again , all is not expected at one mans hands , one may sleepe , where another waketh , two eies see more then one , Plus oculi , quam oculus . one may be darke and concise , where another is large and plain , yea in a word , as in diuerse speakers , so in diuers writers ( handling the same doctrine in generall ) we shall see the admirable varietie of spirituall gifts , each one differing from other , both in method , and maner , matter , & argument , whereby we may bee stirred vp to prayse the great bountie of God , and also . his wisedome towards his Church , that whome one booke sauoureth not , he may yet like the taste of another , the doctrine of godlines beeing as a large field , wherein manie thousands may labour , and yet all haue elbow roome ; and like a great fountaine or Well , whereout euery man may draw his Bucket-full , and yet neuer see bottome . Lastly , some men , through some respect of kindred , friendship , acquaintance , or others , may bee drawne to reade some booke , whereas they would not haue regarded any other ( though farre to be preferred ) on the same argument . The consideration whereof , hauing the publike profite of many , and the eternall glorie of God ( as the propounded scope and end of all my labours ) before mine eies , togither with the importunate perswasion of my deare and Christian friendes in the Lord , haue drawne mee into the violent current of this time , to cast my mite into the Lords treasurie , in publishing these my poore trauelles , At nunc etiam cilius vereor , quam henc . which long since had come abroad , if I could haue beene sooner thereunto perswaded . I haue not altered any thing of the matter which was deliuered ; or of the method which I obserued therein , onely I haue added the testimonies of certaine godly and reuerend men , whose wordes and sentences in teaching I reported ( in our owne naturall mothers tongue ) but concealed both names and places , and the rather I now set them downe , because many ( either simple deceiued , or maliciously froward ) condemne all such for meerely ignorant and vnlearned , whose Sermons are not stuffed full with sentences of a strange and vnknowne language , alas , who knoweth not that any man but merely qualified with gifts , and taking any commendable paines in his study , may plentifully alledge the testimonies of men , if they saw the same warrantable , or profitable ( and not rather hurtful ) to the edification of the Church of God ? But I haue placed them in the margent , as also the testimonies of Scripture , because I would not haue the simple reader any way interrupted , he may at his pleasure , hauing only the matter , make a pawse for the examination of any thing auerred by the testimonies alledged .

As for the matter , to commend it , I need not , for if it be the pure * * Ps. 12. 6. Reu. 3. 18. Psa. 19. 10. word of GOD , ( as I perswade my selfe it is ) then it is more precious , than fined gold , sweeter than honie , and cleerer than the light , if it bee as comfortable in reading , as those who haue enforced me to publish it , ( as they said ) found it in preaching , I doubt not , but God thereby shall bee glorified , his Saints comforted , and my soule reioyced , in the day of the Lord Iesus ; but as for the manner ; the stile may seem harsh and vnpleasant , handling a Shepheards song , after a Shepheardly and rude manner , for ( as your Worships know ) my maner is not at any time , to studie for words , but for matter , which so I deliuer in such words , as I may be vnderstood of the simplest hearer , I care for no more ; mine only desire , being to instruct Gods people , with the plaine euidencie of the spirit , and of power . And therefore as in the deliuering ; so also in the penning and setting downe thereof , I haue neither vsed curiositie of words ; eloquence of speech ; gloousnesse of stile , nor of obscuritie , and darkenesse of matter , to declare a deepe profoundnesse , but haue endeauoured in all simplicitie of spirit , sinceritie of heart , plainesse of phrase , and sensible maner , to deliuer the only truth , to the Saints of god .

It is the first thing of mine , that euer passed the Presse , and therefore great reason , that I should dedicate it , to the first friends , that euer I had in this Countrey , who first wonne mine affection by courtesie , and since many waies confirmed it , by desert ; it was long since planted , and being plentifully watered , Amor verus , non nouit finem . it still groweth , and shall , till in the next life it be perfected . Vnder your roofe I found a happie rest , when I left your brothers house , a Gentleman truely religious , Mr. woodward of Buckingham-shire . and worshipfull , by whose louing Sonnes meanes , I was first drawne into these Southerne parts : by your Christian example , and religious exercises in your familie , I was awakened forth of that spirituall slumber , into which I fell , so soone as I left the Vniuersitie , Mr. Perkins . and the ordinarie hearing of a most zealous man of God , who spent himselfe as the lampe , to giue light to the Church , whose soule is now at rest with God , and who first turned my feet towards Gods Kingdome . Your Worships were my first encouragement to the study of Diuinitie , ( and that with no small hindrance to your childrens proceeding in learning , whom I taught : ) by your meanes did I first enter into this office , and was called vnto this place , where I do now exercise , and from you and yours , haue I receiued manifold encouragements in my ministrie , the Lord register them in his Booke , that they may be remembred , and come in your good accounts , at the glorious day of his sonne , and be requited seauen-fold into your bosomes ; wherefore ( hauing none other thing ) that I may not be vnthankfull , In gratum si dixeris , omnia dixeric . which of all other sinnes ( euen amongst the heathen ) hath euer been reputed most vile , & odious ; whatsoeuer respects others haue , onely to avoide the note of ingratitude , doe I prefume to dedicate to your Worships , these first fruits of my labours in this kind ; that as you heard the first Sermon that euer I preached , your Sonne , was the first child that euer I baptised , & your daughter , the first that euer I maried , so you would vouchsafe to patronize these few Sermons , being the first that euer I published : let then this poore Infant , which knoweth not whither to flie , but vnto you ( as you haue giuen confort vnto his Father ) find some shadow vnder your roofe , till the stormes of virulent tongues bee ouerpast . Accept of this small testimonie of my great good will , according to your wonted curtesie ; and surely , if I shall heare that it is fauourably entertained of you , and curteously accepted of the brethren , I shall not onely greatly reioyce , but also shall hereby be stirred vp , and pricked forward to the publishing hereafter of other things , with more time , better aduice , exacter diligence , mature deliberation , and sounder iudgement , Non in principiis perficta quaeruntur , sed de paruis principiis , ad ea quae perfecta sunt perueniture . Ambros . thorough the grace of God , increasing his guifts in me . The Lord for his mercies sake , graunt that these my first labours , may bee accepted of the Saints , and tend to the glorie of God . And I hartely beseech the Lord God of all grace , the Fountaine of all goodnesse , and giuer of all spirituall blessings both for your selues , your sonnes daughters , brethren , sisters , and kinsfolks , and your whole religious Stocke , and Familie , and specially for that reuerent religious Matron , your deere mother , whom God hath many waies honoured , and after many great storms , sweetly refreshed , to her euerlasting consolation in Christ , to endue all your foules , with heauenly knowledge , faith , zeale , and loue to God his truth , and Saints , and bestowed great worldly blessings of wealth , wisedome , and reputatation : so it would please him to preserue and keepe you all , in pure Religion , perfect peace , feruent loue , vnfayned faith , reuerent feare , and true holynesse , all the daies of your liues , that the course of this miserable wretchednesse finished , you may receiue the happie fruit , of the glorious Gospell , with all the Saints , and bee crowned with immortall glorie , in his purchased Kingdome , wherevnto he speedily bring vs , for his mercies sake in Christ , Amen .

GRace , mercie , and peace , with increase of all godlinesse and pietie , from God the Father of all mercie , thorough the inualluable merites of Iesus Christ , our onely all-sufficient Redeemer , by the working of the most mightie , and liuely spirit , the elects comforter , for euer be multiplyed , Amen . Although it hath pleased God , who hath the starres ( euen all the Angels , or Ministers of the Churches ) in his right hand a a Reu 1. 16 , to fixe me in these Southerne parts , to giue light vnto his people b b Mat 5. 14 , and not suffer me ( according to my hearts desire ) to fasten the cords of my remoouing Tabernacle among est you , yet no distance of place , or continuance of time , can alienate or estrange mine affections from you ; S. Paule wished himselfe accursed , and seperate from Christ , for the good of them that were his kinsfolkes , according to the flesh c c Rom. 9. 3. . And surely , my heart were harder that flint , if I should not haue speciall affection , to my natiue soyle , where I haue so many louing brethren , and a sister , deere kinsfolkes , and faithfull friends : yea , my heartie desire , and prayer vnto God , is , that you may come to the knowledge of the trueth , and be saued d d Ro. 10. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 7 2. Pet. 3. 9 , that as nature hath bound vs together , wee my also be tyed in a straiter , and neerer bond of Religion , being borne againe , after a spirituall birth e e Gal. 4. 19. Iam. 1. 18. 1. Pet. 1. 28 Iohn . 1. 13. , speaking all the language of Canaan f f Esay 19. 18 . For your sakes therefore , deere Countreymen , kinsfolkes , and friends , ( and specially so many as loue the Lord Iesus Christ , and his Gospell , dwelling in Bromley , Colne , Mersden , or thereabouts ) haue I specially beene drawne to the penning of these few Lectures , and to you do I commend them , as all equitie and reason would , that I should returne the first fruits of my labours , thither , from whence I came , and where I had my first being and bringing vp ; accept therefore at my hands this poore mite , as a token and pledge , of one , that loueth you vnfainedly in the Lord , that whereas , ( by the far distance of place , and the great charge committed vnto me , to bee attended vppon ) I am letted from comming vnto you , in regard of bodily presence , that I might be comforted together with you , thorough our mutuall faith , both yours , and mine g g ●o. 1. 12. : Yet by this means the same might be in some measure supplyed , on my behalfe , & I hope you will acknowlede it , as a flower of your owne Garden , that with greater delight , you may smell vnto it , and the fruit of your owne field , and euen in that respect more willingly eat of it , & cheerefully digest it , to the increase of that stature , and strength , whereunto you haue alreadie attained in Christ ; Oh what a ioy it was , the last time that I was amongest you , to obserue euen a generall , and most blessed change , that whereas heretofore , nothing , but blind and superstitious deuotion raigned , men , generally being like old vessels , which could not bee seasoned , from retayning the sent of their first liquor , whereof many dregs remained , that so they might be fit to receiue the pure liquor of the Gospell h h Mat. 9. 17. . Nay alas , where were they that should haue seasoned them ? the word of God , being much more precious , than in the daies of Elie i i 1. Sa. 3. 1. , scarce one Sermon within many miles , once a yeere to bee heard : Now it hath pleased God to send vnto you , many most godly and learned Preachers . Againe , in the people , what a loue doth there beginne to spring towards the trueth ? How cheerefully doe they by great companies flocke , to the hearing of the word ? with what earnestnesse doe they thereunto attend ? with what reuerence doe they by the way , and at home talke and conferre thereof ? how beautifull are the feet of Gods Messengers , that bring glad tidings of peace vnto them , when they come into the Countrey ? how importunately doe they require to haue the word of God preached ? how diligently doe they employ , and exercise their Children , and seruants in the priuate reading of the Scriptures ? Bibles , being to be found in most mens houses , whereas heretofore ( for the most part ) no other Bookes regarded , but such as nusled them vp in superstition , or prohanesse , ( wherein I desire the Lord to forgiue the vanitie of my youth ) yea , in euerie companie ; some are found , that are readie in the Scriptures , and can speake with a grace of the word of God k k Eph. 4. 29. . Which when I considered , me thought , in you was fulfilled , that which Christ once said , Lift vp your eies , and looke vppon the Regions , for they are white alreadie to the Haruest l l Ioh. 4. 35. : yea doubtlesse , the Haruest is verie great , and the Labourers few m m Mat. 9. 37. .

Oh then deere Countrey-men , follow Christ his counsell , pray the Lord of the Haruest to thrust forth labourers into his Haruest : Mr. Iohn Bradford , Martyr . Nowell , Deane of Paules , London . Dr. Whitakers , Reg. profess . Cantab. Angliae , lux , Romae , mastix . that as your soyle , hath yeelded as many glorious lights , and worthy instruments , in the Church , as any other Countrey in the Realme besides * , Yea , furnished most places of the Land , with men quallified with exellent gifts , for the worke of the ministry . So it would please God , either to raise vp amongst you , or ( because a Prophet is not esteemed in his countrey n n Mat. 23. 57. ) to send some from elsewhere , that may be a light vnto you , to direct your feet out of darkenesse , and shadow of death o o Mat. 4. 16 , into the way of righteousnesse and life , by Iesus Christ , and to this end that hee would mooue the heart of our gratious King , and all godly Rulers vnder him , with a tender commisseration , of the lamentable estate of so good a people , who haue so many yeeres wandred like sheep , for want of a Shepheard , and therby made the more subiect to be drawne away , by the subtill and damnable flatteries , of roaging and vagabond Iesuites and priests . And heerein I most instantly entreat you , in the bowels of Christ , that you bee not wanting to your selues , but with all care , and conscience ; zeale , and diligence ; seeke the meanes whereby you may be edified to eternall life , whilst this happie time of grace and mercie lasteth ; that so all of you may haue hope ; sinne , may bee abolished ; idolatrie rooted out , Antichrist ouerthrowne , Sathan trodden downe , Hell confounded , the Gospell increase , and righteousnesse flourish , to the glorie of God , and ioy , of our godly King . Oh my deere Countrey-men , kinsfolkes and friendes , walke no longer in the ignorant , superstitious , and sinfull waies of our fore-fathers , but turne to the Lord , and declare repentance , by the fruites thereof , come to the Lord whilst his armes are stretched out to embrace you , seeke him whilst he may be found , call on him , whilst the time is conuenient , and forsake all euill , both in Religion , and conuersation , so shall God bee glorified , your soules saued , and all that loue you in the Lord , exceedingly comforted . For the stirring of you vp whereunto , I am bold to commend this my first trauell vnto you : vouchsafe therefore , with a louing mind , to accept my faithfull meaning towards you , open the Booke , and read it with a desire to profite by it , it containeth not any thing , to delight the vaine eare , or content the curious mind , but that which may instruct the ignorant , confort and strengthen the weake and feeble conscience : wherin , if I can promise nothing else , yet this one thing may I assure thee , that thou hast this whole Psalme , more amply , & orderly handled , than ( to my knowledge ) by any heretofore ; I craue therefore , that if this Booke shall fall into the hands of such , as ( either because they heard these Lectures , or are otherwise so full of knowledge ) can gather no sweete , from this withered flower , that yet they would fauourably let it passe , to such as it is sent , remembring S. Augustins counsaile , let those that know it alreadie , pardon me , least I offend them , that know it not ; for it is better , to giue to him that hath , than to turne away him that hath not * * Ignoscant scientes , ne offendantur nescientes ; satius est enim offerre habenti , quam disferre non habentem . 2 de Bapt. Cont. Donat. 1. . And if it come into the handes of such , who take a speciall felicitie , to carpe at other mens doings , this is mine onely comfort , that no man euer pleased all parties : and therefore , seeking the profit of many , I contemne the carping reproofe of some , and applying my selfe onely to please God , and the godly , I waigh not at a strawe , the censure of the wicked . Farewell , courteous Reader , and if thou findest any thing comfortable heerein , giue God his due for it , and as I shall pray for thee , that thy labours herein , and all other thy godly exercises , may bee blessed with a fruitfull increase , of all spirituall graces ; so I intreat thee , to beare with such escapes and faultes , as shall happen in the printing , ( if there bee any ) and especially to helpe me with thy faithfull prayer vnto God , for the increase of his graces in me , that the Church in Christ , may more , and more bee profited by me .