The Proëme .

BLessed & beloued in the Lord JESUS . Mine enterance into this text I made at London before those of your most worthy companie , that are your carefull masters , Creditors of your trusts , & your louing brethren . Masters to seruants , creditors of trusts to factors , & brethren both of companie , & of communion . Of companie , as you are all marchants Adventurers , of communion as you are all orthodoxe Christians .

Mine enterance vnto you here , is , & was , both ciuill , & honest . First by free election of your owne fellowshipe . Secondly by approbation of the state whence I came . Thirdly by recommendation of his sacred majestie vnder his owne hand , who pleased to grace me his vnworthy seruant with his Royall letters , & of the most reuerend Archebishope of Canterbury , who patriarchally tendered your peace . Fourthly with attestation from the famous Vniversitie of Oxford vnder their seale , & from the Cathedrall Church , where I haue bene a member two & twenty yeares , & one of the masters seuenteene yeares . Thus from others had I enterance , of whose recommendations I acknowledge my selfe most vnworthy . Concerning my selfe I demurred after mine election a whole yeare , & halfe , & begged of god to resolue me touching my coming vnto you ; & nowe being come I doe protest in the sight of god , & his holy angells that I come not vnto you with any Italionated hart of implacabillity that cannot be appeased , nor with any Hispaniolized hart of Iesuited nouelty , nor with a Frenchified hart of singularitie , nor yet with a Dutchified hart of neutrality ( all which I speake not as of any nationall disgrace for the finest cambrick may haue many fretts , & frayes ) but I am come with a good , & an honest Englishe hart of Orrthodoxe , & Catholike syncerity . Of the professors whereof there are two mayne sorts , which I haue obserued in the Christian world , both of them striuing , & strugling for purity , but in a different , & dissonant manner . The one are seeming Puritans altogether led by faction . Puritans in Action Puritans in Faction The other are reall Puritans to whom all things are pure , altogether busie in honest Action . Puritans in faction are all Papists Anabaptists , Brownists , Separatists , & all singularists whatsoeuer , Tit. 1.15 . & sectaries whosoeuer , that are merely nominalls . Puritans in Action are all the pure in hart , Matth. 5.8 . who see god in his word , in his workes ( while they are in this world ) & shall see him in the other world in his displayed glory in the beatificall vision of Iesus Christ our blessed sauiour . Into this blessed vision doe I desire to bring you ( Masters , mortalls , & my louing countrymen ( blessed , & beloued in the lord Iesus . ) And this text doth seeme punctually , & praecisely to point you Marchants out . Wherein you may First see the Object of your pure faith , Diuision . which S. Peter Calls the end of faith , & the end of euery thinge wise men doe respect in all things , & this maine Obiect , or end is the Kingdome of heauen , euen euerlasting life the Catastrophe of your Apostolike Creede . Secondly the resemblance specified in the text is the Word of your pure faith , or the manner how you may be worded vnto this blessed end of your faith the Kingdome of heauen . It only remayneth both for you , & me to beg of our god the spirit of faith , which will lead vs to this end , & guid vs into all truth by this meanes to the atchiuement of our blessed end .

If therefore there be here amongst you any one present of a regall , & royall disposition , 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . here is a kingdome for him , or if there be any of a celestiall conceipte , here is the kingdome of heauen for him which is more . If any be curious to knowe what this kingdome is like , I will tell him , It is like ( saith my text to a Man . 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Indeed for man it was prepared by the merritts of the life , & death of a true man , although not a meere man Iesus Christ both god , & man . And it is like to a marchant man which word you ought to listen vnto , for albeit euery Marchant is a man yet euery man is not a Marchant . Howbeit reall Marchants principally in all their negotiations & affaires doe not only attend , but intend this , that so by any meanes they may attayne vnto it . 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And not only to a Marchant man is this kingdome resembled , but to a Marchant man that is a Ieweller . For it is the most pretious Marchant-dizing in the world to trade for this kingdome . Moreouer it is not resembled only to a Marchant-man that is a Ieweller , but to such a Marchant Ieweller that hath endowments of grace . As first dilligence to seeke , 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . secondly Iudgment to chose , thirdly Constancie to perseuere seeking vntill he find , fouerthly skil to knowe when he hath founde , & Lastly resolution , both of readines to prosecute , then contempt of the world to abandon , thirdly of full perswasion to settle his hart & Lastly of purchase to enioy that one , & only Iewell of peareles , & priceles worth to wit , Christ in heauen , & Charity on earth , the one apprehended by the acte of pure faith , the other comprehended by the pure effecte of the same . In comparison whereof ten thousand millions of worlds , & all the pearls that might be therein are not of any esteeme , or valuation in a reall , & religious Marchants accompt . These are the seuerall passages chouched in this text of the which seuerally , & in order .

1. The first lesson .

Out of these premises you may in the generall obserue this point of learning . That It is the most prudent , the most pretious , & most gainfull Marchant-dizing in the world to resolue to performe our earthlie vocation with a heauenly mind .

Mat. 7.24 . Mat. 6.20 . Mat. 10.16 . Mat. 25.4 . Mat. 25.21 . This light appeareth from gods lampe . For wise men build vpon the rocke . Treasure vp for heauen , Expose their bodies to saue their heads , as doth the wise serpent , Haue alwaies this oyle in their lamps with the wise Virgins , Trade with the good , & faithfull seruant on this manner vntill Christ doth come , & soe these wise , Mat. 16.26 . & faithfull seruants enter into their masters ioy . This is this royall wisdome of this Marchant reall . It is also most gainfull Marchant-dizing Christ sayth soe , asking . What doth it aduantage a man to winn the whole world , & to lose his owne soule ? 1. Tim. 6.6 Paule preacheth soe . Godlines is the great riches both for the price thereof , rarenes , & continuance .

Insomuch that for the price thereof , Christ didnot only say , but pray , & pay ; Sayd when he spake vnto the people , prayed with teares , & strong cryes , & payed his dearest bloud .

The rarenes great for fewe find it , The continuance constant , & fixt , for once a Christian , & euer a Christian .

And also it is most pretious trading for the pretious stones in the breastplate of Aaron , & those many , Exod. 28.10 . & manifold iewells that the blessed deuine setts out the heauenly Ierusalem withal in the Reuelation , Apoc. 21.19.20 . Apoc. 2.17 & the whitestone which was promised to the church of Pergamus wherein was a newe name written ( which noe man knewe but he which receaued it ) may in some sort resemble , but in noe wise equalize any part , or parcell thereof noe not in the least .

The right of this appeares in reason , for it is the better part Maryes choyce , Luc. 10.42 Mat. 5.6 . Mat. 23.23 . And blest are they that thirst after this righteousnes . But woe belongs to them that tith mint , & commin , & annyse , & neglecte the principall parts of the lawe , as Iudgment , righteousnes , & mercie

Againe I shewe it further , That a kingdome deuided against it selfe cannot stand . A deuided hart . Hosh. 10.2 is not for god . To speake Ashdod , & Hebrwe is a harshe language in the eares of the lord , Iam. 1.8 . a man of two soules is vnconstant in all his wayes , a double tongued man is reproued , & a meere impossibility it is to serue two masters God , & Mammon . For soe the Philistimes had God , & Dagon , The Iewes had God , & Chemosh , Israell had God , & Baal , Solomon God , & Ashtaroth , Which sinne of theirs Philo a learned Iewe brandeth with the note of Double iniquitie . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Philo. Act. 4.32 . 1. Cor. 1.10 Matth. 13. Psal. 27.4 . Gods light doth punctually , require this of all his children , to haue one hart for one god , one tongue to speake in the name of one mediator , one principall master to serue in heauen , one spirit to giude vs , & one rule the word of god to lead vs . This was that one thing that Dauid required One thing haue I desired of the lord that will I seeke after : that I may dwel in in the house of the lord , all the daies of my life , to behold the beauty of the lord , & to enquire in his temple . Phil. 3.13.14 . This is that One thing that Paul pressed soe hard for . Brethren , I account not my selfe to haue apprehended : but this One thing I doe , forgetting those things which are behind , & reaching forth vnto those things which are before I presse toward the marke , for the price of the high calling of god in Christ Jesus .

Nowe tell me what good , what gaine , what price , what prudence is comparable to this heauenly trading , & reall Marchandizing .

Practice . 1 The life of this Learning is manifold . First it teacheth us to practise a whole , & absolute resignation of our selues , Gen. 2.16 . & ours to god , I am my welbeloueds , & he is mine saith the spouse in the Canticles . Psa. 119.125 I am thine o lord hid not thy commandement from me saith Dauid in the psalmes . Gal. 2.20 . Nowe I liue not , but Christ liueth in me saith Paule the Apostle . Who is in there in heauen that I desire but thee ? Psal. 72. & who is there on earth that Irequire , but thee o lord saith the sweet finger of Israel ? All which oracles of gods saincts shewe that we should be wholy gods in all our businesses that we may attayne at the last , to be one with Christ , Ioh. 17.21.22 . as he is one with god .

Practice . 2 The second is of resolution not to be the worlds in any case , for Christ praied not for the world , Not to be our owne , for gods children haue bene prodigall of their bloud euen to the death , Nor to be quailed with feare of death , for we should rather suffer a thousānd deaths than to forsake Christ . Not to be vassalls either to profit , or pleasure , the two poles whereon the world is turned .

For pleasures are but bitter pills lapt in sugar , & gaines without this godly Marchan-dizing are but giules of Corban , & gieues of Sathan to manacle vs .

Practice . 3 Thirdly it is for answere to the curious , who demaund how they should obtayne this prudency . I tell them . By hauing an eare to all gods commandements . By listening to his counsels by yealding to his holy motions , by consecrating themselues Holocausts to god , as Mary Magdalen did whose eies , whose hands , whose teares , whose touch were wholy consecrated to CHRIST .

Practice . 4 Fouerthly of pacification for Sathan will trouble those who are troubled with the busines of the world with many temptations , & out cries of conscience . As with doubtings of their saluation , but you may answere him shall not he liue , for whom Christ died ? If Sathan accuse you that you haue greeuous sinns Answere him , but they are remitted , but they are couered , but they are not imputed for Christ his sake . Psal. 32.1 . If Sathan reply , & say thou hast fayled in keeping of gods lawes . Answere him All the lawe is kept , when that which is not kept , is forgiuen . If Sathan be instant , & reioyne with thee , & say an euill father hath sold thee ( Meaning Adam ) say thou againe , but the good sonne of god hath redeemed me . Thus shall a good man in the goodnes of his conscience taking care of all his waies pacifie , & appease the conflicts of his owne tempted conscience .

Practice . 5 Fiftly of preparation against the terrors of death . For death is swallowed vp in victory , & Christ is wholy in heauen as our head taking possession for vs Christians , we , as his members are there already in expectation , & conuersation . Which caused Monica the mother of S. Augustine often to say we haue seized vpon heauen let vs fly hence , let vs fly hence .

Practice . 6 Sixtly of Confidence against the terrors of iudgment for blessed is that seruant , whom the lord shall find whensoeuer , or howsoeuer he commeth thus trading . For if god loued vs when we were his enimies , & did beare vpon vs the image of the diuell howe much more shall he loue vs nowe being reconciled , & bearing the image of sanctification in Christ .

Practice . Last Lastly of Expostulation together with motion :

Can any one amongst you implead this Learning ? Is there a wise man amongst you ? I hope he is not wiser then Solomon yet he accounted all things in the world vexation , & vanitie when he had once learned this lesson . Is there any amongst you that makes an high accompt of himselfe , & his ? let not this stout hart of his stoope to vile , & vaine things of the world . Is there a frugall , & thrifty man amongst you ? that would enrich himselfe let him trad for this true gold of Ophir , & not with the shippers of king Ochasias trade for peacockes , parrats , parachitoes , & popiniayes for soe they may chance to haue their ships broken at Esiongeber , & all their proud peacokes be they wiues , or wantons , & all their paultrie popiniays be they giules , or practises may suffer a fearfull wrack with them .

In a word , all of you are men , ciuill men , & Marchant men , & that which is more then all Christian men . Will you knowe the best of all , & the only good for you , & yours ? then knowe that guiles are noe gaines for you to liue by in a godly conscience . Nor noe good ground-worke , for your posterity to liue on , when you are gone , for the goodnes of god is extended to the thousand generation of them that loue him , & endevoure to keepe his commandements . Thus much of the whole text in generall .

The second lesson .

From the particular passages arise diverse lessons The first is drawen from the Object which is a kingdome . For from hence we learne , That it is the mind of Christ Iesus , that all his should be of a Royall mind , & therefore a kingdome is sett before them , as a reward of mercie for their seruice .

The light of this appeareth forasmuch as gods kingdome is three fold to witt of Power , of Grace , & of Glorie . Of Power for god is not a brasen wall , but a wall of fire to his chosen to surround , & encircle them . What euer pleaseth him that doth he in heauen , Psal. 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & in earth , & in the seas , & in all deepe places . And of him , Rom. 11.36 & through him , & to him , are all things . For the Lord is the Greatnes . The Power , & The Glory , & the victorie , & the maiestie , for all are his in heauen , & in earth , his is the Kingdome , & he is exalted as head ouer all soe preacheth Dauid in the booke of the Chronicles , 1. Ch. 29.11 Dan. 6.26 . and Darius the king of Babilon proclaymeth in his kingdome that all men should tremble , & feare before , the god of Daniell , for he is the liuing god , & steadfast foreuer & his kingdome That which shall not be destroyed , And his dominion shal be euen to the end . All his workes shewe this , for they all speake of his glory of his kingdome , & talke of his power . Thus you see here is a kingdome of Power that the weake may flie vnto it as vnto a city of refuge .

Secondly a kingdome of Grace soe CHRISTS forerunner saith Repent for the kingdome of god is at hand , Matth. 3.2 . & Christ him selfe tells his Apostles that it is giuen vnto them to knowe the mysteries of the kingdome of heauen , Luc. 8.10 . & Christs follower sayth , the kingdome of heauen , Rom. 14.17 is not meat , & drinke , but righteousnes , & peace , & ioy in the holy ghost .

Lastly he hath a kingdome of Glory For it is his pleasure to giue his children a kingdome , & it was prepared for them before the world was , Luc. 12.32 . Mat. 25.34 Mat. 13.43 . & they shal shine therein as the sunne in the firmament .

The right of this appeares in reason that Christ would haue Christians regally minded , because there is an opposition of kingdomes against this kingdome of Christ to wit , that of the kingdome of the beast , & of the whore , the kingdome of Sathan , & the kingdome of this world . Apo. 16.20 The kingdome of the beast the Reuelation mentioneth , Matth. 26. & against both by way of disclayme Christ saith directly , My kingdome is not of this world .

The might of this kingdome of Christ appeareth that he should rule ouer the house of Iacob for euer , Luc. 1.33 . & he should raigne till his enemies are put vnder his feete yea his very members by his grace shall raigne , 1. Co. 15.23 . For if by one mans offence death raigned , by one man much more they which receaue abundance of grace , Rom. 5.17 . & of the gifte of righteousnes shall raigne in life by one Iesus Christ , & he it is that hath made vs vnto our god kings , & Preests , & we shal reigne on the earth by santification . Apoc. 5.10 Yea we shal iudge the collapsed angels .

Thus much for the probat of the learning hereof . 1. Cor. 6.3 .

Practice . 1 The life of this appeares . First in the practise of the exaltation of our owne Christian spirits , for euery one hath euer naturally within himselfe a kingdome , wherein reason is the prince , the sences the gard , the vpper faculties of the soule the Peares , the inward sences the commons , the passions the rebbells . Nowe faith by grace ruleth ouer all these , & obtayneth the kingdome . For passion must subiect it self , to sence , Sence to reason , reason to faith , & faith to the spirit of god . Thus is a kingdome sett vp in vs that will neuer be cast downe , either by the plotte of Machiauell who imagined that religion did effeminate debase , & deiect the courages of Christians But the magnanimity of George Castriott prince of Epyrus , & of Iohannes Zisca Mirmidons of warre , of Martin Luther , & of Huldricus Zinglius , & of such like both Laiques , & Cleriques wortheis of the word doth vtterly confute that poore conceit of the secretary of Florence Machiauell . This exaltation also wil guide vs that we be not deceaued by Sathan , who offereth vs kingdomes to serue him , Nor yet to dreame of an earthly kingdome with the flattering Herodians , Matth. 4.8 misled Chyliasts , Origenists , or Millinaries ( for all these last three are one . )

Practice . 2 Secondly the life of this learning confuteth those that are of a base , & abjecte condition , that either with the proud man sells their clayme for ayre as did Absolon for honor , or with the couetous man for earth , as did Demas for this present world , or with the Letcher for puddle , as did Ammon for Thamar , or else pawne it as did Dauid , Noah , & Peter , or lose their clayme to this kingdome by neglecte , contempt , or carelesnes , 3. Ioh. 1.9 . Lucae 16. or giue it away as Diotrephes did for preheminence , as the Glutton for delight , as the wanton for pleasure , as the envious for nothing , but for vexation of mind , & as the desperate only for horror of conscience , who destroy their bodies that the deuill may haue their soules .

Practice . 3 Thirdly this teacheth vs not to be rebells in this kingdome not to partake with the beast who disposeth of kingdomes at his pleasure , nor with the deuill who seekes to ruinate the states of kingdoms , Rom. 6.12 . but that finally we resolue that sinne may not raigne in our mortal bodies as in a kingdome , that we should obey it in the lust thereof , Rom. 5.21 . but that as sinne hath raigned vnto death , euen soe grace might raigne through righteousnes vnto eternall life by IESUS CHRIST our lord .

The third lesson .

The former was a kingdome , but nowe a kingdome of heauen is sett before vs wherein we may learne That God hath prepared a kingdome of heauen for those that in hope thereof purge themselues in the kingdome of grace .

By heauen we vnderstand not that place betwixt the earth , Gen. 1.28 . & the Moone , for that s the heauen of fowles for they are called the foules heauen , Genes. 1. nor yet the firmament wherein are placed the sunne , the moone , 2. Cor. 12.2 & starres , but that third heauen into which Paule was taken vp , where Christ sitteth at the right hand of god the father , where the soules departed are in rest , where all the elect in the end of the world shal be as the angels , & shal shine as the sunne in brightnes , & glorie of god the father . Of which kingdome of heauen if you aske me what it is I answere it is a creature made of god in the begining when he created the earth . Gen. 1.1 . If you aske me where it is , I answere it is aboue these visible heauens . If you aske me why god made it ? I answere for to shewe his glorie vnto his saincts , & therefore it is called a paradise of all delectable , & desireable things in the presence of god . The house of god wherein all the elect are gathered . A kingdome wherein god is king , & Christ is the prince , & the church the queene , & the subjects all the angells , & saincts . Luc. 6.38 . And it is called the kingdome of glorie wherein not only we receaue glory in good measure , but pressed downe , & heaped vp , & running ouer . In hope whereof all gods children purge , & prune themselues that they may bring forth much fruite . 1. Ioh. 2.3 . For what will not a Christian soule doe , & labour , & striue , & struggle while he is here , that here after he may sitt in heauenly places with Christ Iesus . Eph. 2.6 .

The right of this learning the reason of scripture shewes . Apoc. 21.8 . For noe vncleane thing entereth into this holy city , nor any abhomination . The meanes is therefore offered , 1. Ioh. 1.7 . euen the bloud of Iesus Christ whereby we may be purged from all our sinnes , that we may be cleane . And gratious is the conversation of all gods children , for their conuersation is in heauen allbeit they be in earth . Phil. 1.20 . First by liuing in christian charity . For he that liueth in charity liueth in god .

Matt. 6.21 . Secondly in affection for their hart is in heauen where their treasure is .

Thirdly by right of inheritance for where the head is there must the members be Christ our head is in heauen , & christians the members clayme their interest in him , Gorranus in locum . Or as our contryman sayth the conuersation of Christians on earth is in heauen , 1. By meditation in the strength whereof they fly daily into heauen , 2. By daily conference for they speake continually of those things that belong to the kingdome of heauen , 3. By holy admiration for who knoweth the order of the visible heauens , therefore much lesse can we vnderstand the glory of the invisible . 4. By speaking to our soules in holy soliloquies saying . Who is , or what is there in heauen , or in earth that we desire , but thee o , lord god . Lastly by attending gods leasure , & as the Patriarches did , Gen. 49.18 soe doe they daily waite for their saluation .

The life of this learning consists in practise . Practice . 1 First of greuance for it is a thousand greeuances to see the madnes of the world , that when as god hath prepared vs a kingdome , & this kingdome is preached daiely vnto vs , yet it is sleigthed , & neglected as if we told them tales of Virginia , Iob. 4.19 . 2. Pet. 1.14 . 1. Pet. 2.11 . or of the Bermuthaes where they neuer meane to goe . And for asmuch as we knowe , that we dwel here in houses of clay , & in tabernacles of earth , & are but strangers , & pilgrimes , yet that we should haue noe more desire to goe to our mansions , to repaire to our tabernacle made without hands , & to reside in our owne country is a straine of extreame madnes . Practice . 2 Secondly of contentation in what estate , or condition soeuer we are either with Abraham dwelling in tents , Heb. 9.10 . yet still to haue an eie to the land of promise or with Paule not to looke on the things that are seene , 2. Co. 5.1.2 but to knowe that if this earthly tabernacle be destroyed , we shal be sure of a better made without hands .

Practice . 3 Thirdly of confutation of those hellish spirits that make hast vnto the kingdome of darknes , For say , & preach what the lord Iesus will in his holy Testament that they should purge , and purifie themselues for the hope of this kingdome , Hosh. 5.4 . yea if Hoshea preach neuer soe earnestly , yet the Spirit of whordome wil be in the middest of some . Exod. 16.5 .

If Moses , & Aaron preach of this kingdome , & shewe . Signes & wonders , 2. Ti. 4.10 . yet the spirit of gluttony will desire the flesh potts of Egipte , & if Paule preach neuer soe powerfully , yet the spirit of coueteousnes will cause Demas to forsake him , Matt. 5.22 . & imbrace this present world & the spirit of wrath will call his brother Racha though he be in dainger of a counsell , Eph. 4.29.30 . the spirit of enuie will sell innocent Ioseph , & the spirit of lying , of peruersnes , & peeuishnes will greeue the spirit of god with rebellion what soeuer can be sayd to the contrary . Practise . 4 The fourth is of purgation which directeth vs howe we may be cleansed laying downe this first as a ground , that noe man shall see god without a purgatory , but this is noe popish , foolish conceite of purging after this life without ground , or warrant of the word , but our inward , & effectuall purging by baptisme , the lavacre of regeneration , the washing of the newe birth by Christs passion where in he hath washed vs in his bloud , by the word which maketh vs cleane , Aquinas . by grace which purgeth vs from all our sinne , & by doctrine which cleereth vs from ignorance .

Practice . 5 Fiftly of eleuation to bestowe our whole man in searching , & seeking to lift vp our selues both outwardly , & inwardly to this kingdome , our eies to waite , & watch for it , our eares to listen to gods counsells , our hands to be lift vp in pure prayer , our feete to stand in the gates of the lords house , our soules to thirst after the the righteousnes of this kingdome , for all christian soules doe soe , whose minds are illuminated with this knowledge , whose wills the holy ghost hath moued whose desires are thereto sanctified . Lilia terrae Ilia terrae . Ludibria venti . Yea those soules ouerlooke , Baca , & Basan that is all crosses , & losses accompting the pleasures thereof to be but the lillies of the earth , & gold , & siluer but the garbage of the earth , & the fauors of great ones to be but as the turnings of the vnconstant weather cockes .

Practice . 6 Lastly the practise of this tends to motion , that we should vse the meanes to fitt our selues for this kingdome of heauen .

The first is our readines to be with our loynes girt , our hart allwaies vpon our treasure in heauen , & our earnest desire to be dissolued .

Psal. 84.10 Secondly to loue the congregation of gods people , & to chose rather to be a dore keeper with Dauid , then to be out of the congregation with Miriam the sister of Moses , or to complayne in the great misery of Cain that we are cast out from the face , & fauour of god . Gen. 4.14 .

Thirdly to weane our selues from the world , that our soules may be humbled as a weaned child .

And lastly to dispose our selues for death , that when the lord calleth we may say as Samuel sayd here I am lord , & as the spouse sayth Come lord Iesus Come quickly , & being thus disposed , & fitted , & made meete for this kingdome of heauen we shall neither much feare our owne death , whensoeuer it commeth , or wheresoeuer , nor ouermuch lament the death of others , for we shal meete in this kingdome of heauen , & be blessed for euer in Christ our lord .

The fourth lesson .

If you aske me where vnto this kingdome may be resembled my text tels you It is like vnto a man , A kingdome resembled to a man . There is reason for both , A man is a little kingdome , yea a little world , and the kingdome of heauen is prepared for man through the mercies of god , & by the merritts of the life , & death of one that was truly man , albeit not a meere man euen by Iesus Christ both god , and man who is blessed for euer . This very resemblance that the kingdome of heauen should be resembled to a man shewes me this light . That man , in his Creation of God , & regeneration by the grace of God is the most perfecte modle of all Creatures , but in his degeneration , and falling from God is a most prodigious , & portentous monster and euen as hell it selfe . Eccles. 7.31 The preacher preacheth soe , & sheweth it in one vewe saying God made man righteous but he hath sought out many inventions . The creation of man sheweth it . For he was created in the image of god , both in the dignity of his soueraingty , in the proprieties of his person , and also in the entitie of his subsistence . Genes. 1. In his soueraingty . For as god is lord of all whatsoeuer , so god made man the souerainge of all corporall things . And as God is wholy in the vniuerse and in euery part thereof , so mans soule quickneth , guideth , moueth the whole body and euery part & parcell thereof . Man indede is the Epitome , and sume of all things , hauing being , life , sence , and intellectuall faculties . To noe other creature all those but to him only . In the proprieties of personage a very resemblance of the diety . For man is spirituall as he is a regenerate person . The spirituall man discerneth all things saith Paule . Invisible in his soule , and impassible in the same by any outward things . In a word there are three men in one man , a carnall man , a naturall man , a spirituall man , and all trulie one man . In his entitie a very perfect resemblance of the trinity . The trinity is three persons in one essence . Mans cheefe entity hath three faculties in one soule Memory , Vnderstanding , Will . In which we may take a vewe of this perfecte modle in his state of regeneration , In the Memory dwells god the father . Psal. 100.3 . Psa. 104.27 For we record him to haue giuen vs our first being Indeede he made vs , and not we our selues . Secondly he giues vs temporallties to maintayne our being . He giues vs our meate in due season . Thirdlie he giues vs his sonne for our better being . In whom we haue measures of grace , in this life , and assurances of glory in the other life for our best being . God the sonne dwelleth in our vnderstanding by the knowledge of our god , and of our selues . Psal. 9. Of our god his majesty to feare , of god his mercie to adore , of our selues that we might knowe our selues to be but men , fraile men , euery day ready to be dissolued , vaine men lighter then vanity it selfe , vile men worthy to be abhorred , wretched men euery way despicable , wicked men euery day to become penetentiaries . God the holy ghost dwells in the Will , by bowing it to the obedience of god lawes soe affecting , and cleansing it by the word , that a regenerate man doth not only contemne all earthly things which are combersome , but also all delectable things , yea and a mans owne selfe that he may enioy god . The priuiledges of this regenerat man who can declare ? Doth he beleeue ? he hath eternall life . Is he mercifull ? he is gods deare sonne . Doth he heare the word ? he is the cozen , the sister , the mother of Christ . Doth he pray ? he surpriseth gods maiesty as did Moses . Ioh. 5.24 . Matth. 5.7 . Matth. 12.49.50 . Doth he giue a cup of cold water ? he shal not lose his reward . In a word all other creatures move in a right line , but a man moveth in a circular . Mat. 10.42 . Other creatures haue taken that perfection they haue in themselues , man hath his perfection in god , he came of one , in that one he hath his being , and to that one he must returne in his best , and most happie being for euer . Act. 17.22 . Thus haue we all this while bene ioyous in vewing the delectable things of paradise , in seing the light of the land of Goshen in telling the bulwarkes , the cittadles , & towers of the heauenly Ierusalem , in arriuing at the faire hauens , and considering man in his perfection , but nowe we must descend in to the vally of the children of hinnon to consider , the darknes of Egipte to looke on the ruines of the holy citie , and to see our weather beaten barke shaken , and ready to sinke with the boysterous blasts of Furoclydon , yea nowe we must consider man in his degeneration , as he is become a prodigious , and portentous monster even as hell it selfe .

Practice . 1 First by way of Demonstration . For an vnregenerate man hath sought out many inventions .

First the way of invention of disobedience he had rather be at his owne direction then at gods , and so is become a monstrous rebbel like Chore , Dathan , and Abyram vnworthey to breath vpon the earth .

Secondly the invention of doubting by putting in ( Paraduentures ) into the word as Euah did , Genes. 3. which god neuer spoke .

Thirdly the invention of Presumption in plowing vpon gods backe , and making long furrowes saying let him that made me saue me .

Fouerthly the invention of sleighting god euen in discourse of reason , as the Iewes did in chosing Barrabas and refusing Christ .

Fiftly the invention of Dissimulation resembling the generation of those , that are pure in their owne conceipte , and are not cleansed from their wickednes .

Sixtly the invention of Perswasion of euill to others , as if they had not sinne enough of their owne to answere for but they must entice others also .

Lastly by the invention of shutting their eares and hardening their harts against what soeuer they should heare from god or be perswaded by good men for their good , & resoluing desperatly to liue in the world with an iorn arme to doe any violence for aduantage , with an ants belly to liue neuer so basely for their profitt , and with a dogs souls to doe any exployt neuer soe deuelishly soe they may haue their owne will .

Practice . 2 The second passage is of Lamentation . For is it not a thousand pitties , to see him that was a man of god should become a man of bloud to invent gunns , and torments to destroy his Species as did Bertholdus Schuuartz the Franciscan Frier , Genes. 4.8 To become a man of death to cause his owne hands to murther his owne brother , as did Cain , to become a sonne of Belial to sel himselfe to doe euill as did Ahab , and to become a man of sinne as that great Archimandrites the Pope of Rome is .

Practice . 3 The third passage is of Deiection . Psal. 49.12 . Psal. 59.20 For twice in one Psalme it is sayd Man being in honor vnderstood it not , & is compared vnto the beasts that perish . To beasts in generall . Paule fought with beasts at Ephesus , Iere. 51.17 . and Ieremy saith that euery man in his owne knowledge is a veary beast . To beasts in particular as to vipers , Maith. 3.7 . Matt. 10.16 Luc. 13.32 . Marc. 7.27 Matt. 16.12 Act. 13.10 . 1. Tim. 4.1 . wolues , foxes , hogs , doggs . Yea compared to devills . Haue not I chosen you twelue , & one of you is a deuill , sayth Christ , And Paule tells Elimas the sorcerer , that he was the child of the deuill , yea & we read of doctrines of deuills , & deepenes of Sathan . The fathers haue resembled men to beasts . A man of goodlie parts without discretion to the Estridge , that hath goodlie feathers , and canot flie as Job speaketh , a man of enuy , and despight studying reueng to a camell , that forgetteth all things sauing a shrewd turne , a man that is apte for euill to a Dromedary that is swift to batell . Oh howe lamentable a thing it is to consider , that a man that was made in the image of god , should nowe be worse then the men with whom he liueth running to that excesse of royot which other men doe not . Worse then bird which praise their creator in their kind , worse then beasts which wil drinke no more , but what sufficeth , worse then deuills that beleeue and tremble .

Practice 4 Lastly of Erection , For my desire is that this sunneshine should not sett in so darke a cloud , seing god hath sayd to man , which he sayd not to the angells that fell . Shall man fall , and shall not he rise ? shall man turne away & shall nothe returne againe ? Lett vs , therefore as the Apostell sayth quitt our selues like men , we are all of vs Ishbosheths sonns of shame . When we come into the world our frends couer our shame with raggs , and in the end when we goe out of the world they doe the like . All of vs , are Mephibosheths , lame on both leggs both in our loue to god , and in our charity one to another . We are all Lazarusses full of sores , and lie begging at the gate of gods rich mercie . Lett vs therefore remember our creator , that as we are men soe by gods grace we may become ciuill men , & Christian men , and the men of god by the mediation of the man IESUS CHRIST our lord god blessed for euer , and by his , merritts may obtaine this kingdome which is resembled to man , prepared for man , merited by that man , which kingdome he shal render vp in the end of all ( when there shal be noe man lyving on the earth ) to god the father that god may be all in all . Euen so lord Iesus .