BEtter a simple Cooke dresse the supper , then that the guestes go hungry to bed : better spread vp a Canuase sheete , then to be quite without a sayle , and make no way at all : better a small venture in a little Pynasse , then to sitte out for naught , and to be left quite without a share : and so I truste you will thinke , that sith this place can not now be so furnished as it should , yet better take that it may haue , then looke for that it cannot haue : assuring you that albeit my cookery bee simple , yet will I see that the meate shall bee good and wholsome ▪ and albeit , my Barke be not stored with shift of Tackell , yet shall it bring you to a safe Hauen : and albeit , the bottome be but small , and nothing deepely laden , yet shall it share to euery man at least one good lesson .

They that goe downe to the Sea in shippes , Psal. 107.23.24 . and occupy by the great waters , these see the workes of the Lorde , and his wonders in the deepe . For at his word the stormy winde ariseth , and troubleth the waues therof . In as much therefore as thys Towne is placed so nigh the maine , that it vseth the Ocean as an handmayde to bring in profit , whereby you become well acquainted with all the knackes & conditions of the salt Fome , how seruicable it is when it is well pleased , & what bedlam leges it will fetch , when it beginneth to be wanton : Therfore haue I chosen this text , euen from this Gospell , that you may confesse the might and meruailous power of Christe , by working such a miracle , and also he enstructed howe to order your selues that you may passe the waues without daunger of losse . If any man were able to vndertake ▪ the safe landing of all your commodities , and warrant euery voyage that you make , I doubt not but you wold gather about him in a throng , and listen to all his wordes and admonitions . If therefore the preacher will warrant the safetye of your soules , with al the heauenly fraught and spirituall marchandize thereof , be not slacke to heare him , for it is the better parte : it is ware that serueth in a deere yeere : yea it enricheth you and all your children .

Saint Mathewe hauing declared before the wonders that Christ wrought vpon the earth , not in the wildernes onely , where fewe perhaps might be to see them , but euen in the townes and Citties , where euery man might beholde them : and not in the Ualleys alone among the people , but in the tops of the mountaines among his Disciples , now he proceedeth to declare a miracle that Christ wrought vpon the water , that it might bee made manifest vnto them that Christes power was omnipotent , and that he was the very sonne of God , because all creatures were obedient and subiect vnto him .

In this Gospel therefore are three thinges especially to bee obserued , The diuision generall ( that is to say ) the person of the Disciples , and such as sayled : the person of Christe that sat at the sterne , the occasion of the miracle , and the working thereof . The Disciples were they , for whose cause this thing happened , Christ was he by whose power it was doon , the miracle was that which made them all to wonder .

Of these three thinges , that I may speake breefely , and yet so speake as Gods name may bee magnifyed , our vnderstanding lightened , and our liues altered , being tempered a fresh , by Gods handy worke , and renued inwardly with a right spirite , let vs desyre of God the giuer of all goodnes , who teacheth vs thinges profitable , and guideth vs in the way wherein we walke , that the church whom he hath sanctifyed in holines , purchased with his blood ▪ and clensed with the washing of water in the word of life , may bee a glorious congregation without spot or wrinkle , holy ▪ and vndefiled , and acceptable before God , and that it may so be strengthened by the power of the holy Ghost , that the gates of hell may neuer preuaile against it , especially let vs desyre God that the infant whom with paine of trauayle and displeasure of the great Dragon , shee hath heere childed in England and Ireland , may prooue a man of might & courage , boldly to fyght the Lordes battails , and that our Queenes Maiestie , Lady Elizabeth may marche with him in comforte and defence , as Debora marched with Baracke the sonne of Abinoa , against Sisera the cruell Cananite , & returne againe with like victory , and that she may stand vnto him as effectually as Hester stoode to Mardocheus against the prowde Ammon , & with as much reioycing of the people of God , ouercome in the end .

And for the more happye successe in this spirituall fight , and the more assured conquest , let vs pray that our Bishops and ministers , may 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 in their syluer Trumpets , that we may bee remembred before the Lord our God , and that they may hold vpp their handes in prayer as Moses did in the mountaine , when Iosua fought against Amelecke vtterly to destroy him .

Let vs 〈◊〉 God also to directe the Lordes of the 〈◊〉 with his wisdome , that they may be such to vs , as Obed was to the Ephrami●es , and Ieh●ida the Priest to 〈◊〉 and his people , because all warre ( as sayth Salomon ) is to bee enterprised by counsell , and in the multitude of them that can giue good aduise , is safety and health .

Let vs pray for all Schooles and Uniuersities , Oxforde and Cambridge , that as they are like mount Eph●aim , where the Children of the Prophets be 〈◊〉 , so they may bee like Mount Syon , where the Lord is truely worshipped for euer , and that therein God of his mercy , wil beautify with vertue and learning the Colledge of Allsoules .

Let vs not forget to 〈◊〉 vnto God , the protection and defence of all Citties , Magistrates and Iustices , the Mayor of this Towne , and Bayliffes , the Customer , Con●●●●●● , Sercher , and such what euer , beseeching of God , that both them and we , and all the Commons may enrowle to God , such an account of our liues in loue , and charitye , that he which searcheth the harts and the reines , may finde vs free from all gawle and bitternes , beeing full fraught with humility , bound for the lande of promise , hauing our sayles of heauenlie hope , fylled with the winde of Gods spirite , being dyrected by the compasse of his worde , and gouerned by the roother of wisedome , with the ancker of faith , and the maine-mast of an vpright conscience and smothe conuersation in Christ Iesu .

For these thinges and all other whereof our blessed Father knoweth vs to haue neede , let vs with one hart and voice , powre out vnto him , that prayer which Christe Iesu his fyrst begotten and best beloued sonne , hath taught vs saying . Our Father which art in heauen . &c.

An other note may you learne by these Disciples , that those whome GOD dooth most entyrelie loue , them dooth he exercise in most troubles and feares , tossing them from rocke to rocke , and from daunger to daunger , knowing that tribulation bringeth foorth patience , and patience experience , experience hope , and hope maketh not ashamed , because the loue of God is shedde abroade in our hearts by the holie Ghost , and knowing that the man is blessed , whome the Lorde dooth chastice : for though he be sore thrust at , yet falleth he not , because the Lorde is his helpe : In two perrils shall he delyuer vs , and in the thirde , shall he quite set vs frée : heauines may endure for a night , but ioye commeth in the morning : Blessed be the Lorde that suffereth no man to be tempted aboue his strength . And therefore ( my brethren ) if it please God to laye the burthen of his Crosse vppon any , eyther through sicknesse , or shypwracke , or pyracie , or broken detters , or otherwayes , let him not therefore dispayre of Gods loue , but rather let him be glad , that it pleaseth him to picke him out as one from the people , in whome the might of his Maiestie might be glorified . For you may reade in the former Chapters , that so long as Christe was among the multitude , there fell no daunger or temptation , but all was quiet and peaceable , without trouble , without feare : but so soone as hée meant to make a tryall of theyr faith , hée calleth onelie the Captaines , euen his déerest Disciples ▪ and suffereth none else to come with him in the Shippe , that they alone might be brought into feare . This is to vs no small comfort , that those he so well loued , he was content to haue them so much endaungered , but yet all for the best . Syluer is not Syluer , tyll it bee blowne and purged in the fyre : Golde commeth to no honour , tyll by long hammering and chasing , it be forged into a vessell méete for the Kinges seruice : The corne is grounde on a rough myll , and baked in an hoate ouen , before it become good bread . The Lord make vs pure siluer , and fine golde , and wholsome breade to be serued on the table at the marriage feast of the Lambe , for his names sake ▪ Amen . And thus much of the fyrst considederation , which is the personne of the Disciples .

Next , commeth the consideration of Christes owne person , of whome we may reade , that for this cause was he borne , and for this cause came be into the world , to saue sinners . And because those that had long laboured without reléefe , vnder the burthen of the Lawe , not finding therein any saluation , might sette theyr eyes on him , which is the Lawe of righteousnesse , and well perceyue that he was the true Messias : he therefore dyd not onely preach vnto them a newe Doctrine of the Gospell , and gaue them a newe commaundement of loue , but also to their great comfort , and no lesse woonder , hée confyrmed all his doctrine by Myracles , healing all diseases , bothe of body and minde , euer applying the Myracle to make proofe of that which hee then preached vnto them . As when hee woulde shewe that mans sinnes were so fowlie enfected with the contagion of leprosie , as that no workes of the Lawe could cleanse the same , but that it must be purified by his Merites , he letteth them héereof sée an outwarde signe , by healing that leaprous body with a touch of his finger , whome no Phisicke before could cure . When hee would haue vs to vnderstande howe shrewdlie we are all shaken with a burning feauer , that distempereth the liuelie blood of our soules ▪ and maketh our taste so bitter , that we cannot sauour the swéetnesse of his doctrine in our selues without him , nor serue to minister in any necessarie vse : hée dooth héereof make euident demonstration , by curing of Peters mother in lawe that was sicke of an Ague . And héere lykewise because hee woulde haue vs to consider , that in our selues there is no habilitie to resist the stormes and tempestes of this worlde , the rage of the fleshe , and the deuill , without his helpe : hée therefore bringeth his Disciples into this perrill , and then delyuereth them when they call vppon him , that they may knowe where to séeke helpe for theyr soules in tyme of affliction , by finding such ready helpe for theyr bodies in tyme of distresse .

Yea , but Christe was a sléepe at the stearne , yea , but let Christe be awaked : if he heare not at the fyrst , call to him the second tyme : if not the second tyme , crie vppon him the thyrde tyme : yea , call and ceasse not , tyll ye haue awaked him : be sure , he wyll both heare and helpe at the last . Christe is not lyke one of these testie squiers , or those nice Dames that can abyde no noyse in the house , for breaking theyr morning sleepe : no , Christe would be awaked with our early prayer , yea , with our earlie and earnest calling vpon him . Would he be glad to be awaked ? Yea surely , and more glad to be kept waking styll . But howe shall we kéepe him waking that he sléepe not ? Giue him leaue to talke vnto vs , and let vs dilligentlie hearken and lysten vnto him : for hee is willing to talke and tell vs of our saluation . But howe shall we set him a worke to talke ? I will tell you . When wee praye ( sayth Augustin ) then doo wée talke with God : but when wee heare the Scripture read , then GOD talketh vnto vs : for the Scripture is the voyce and the woordes of GOD pearcing the eares of our heartes by the vertue of the holie Ghoste . If therefore you wyll heare Christe , talke and so kéepe him awake : Let the Bible be read vnto you , whether it bée on Shipboorde or on shoare , so oft as you can , hearken vnto it , and kéepe Christ waking : for it is daunger to let him fall a sléepe , because whyle he slept , the Saylers were in ieopardie to bée drowned : Whyle the good man of the house slepte , the enuious man sowed tares among his wheate : whyle Ionas slepte vnder hatches , the tempest and storme with raging encreased . Let vs watche him well to kéepe him awake , naye , let vs set him to watch , and wake , and kéepe vs , and then will he not once so much as nodde : For he that keepeth Israell , shall neyther sleepe nor slumber .

Another good note in the consideration of the person of Christ , is this , that Christ is a verie good Maister to gouerne the Helme , and take him into the Shippe with you , and let him be Loades man , let him come who euer styres his course , whyle Christ is Maister , although the tide set on the weather bowe , yet the boate shall neuer by sincking to léewarde , fall on a wrong coast . And whyle Christe is Pilote , it shall neyther runne vppon the flattes by mistaking of the channell , nor make in against the current by misreckoning of the tydes , and therefore be sure to take Christ aboorde with you .

But howe shall we be sure to haue him with vs ? Surelie , where two or three be gathered togeather in my name , there will I be also , sayth Christe . If therefore you would haue him in your company , then gather your selues in his name , take your voiage in hand in his feare : let the cheefe purpose , be first his honour , and then a profitable seruice of your Countrey in your calling , and then no doubt God will be with you : Let your talke be of him and of his woonderfull workes , by telling of his saluation from daye to daye : Let the elder sort shewe vnto the younger , the corners of the world , the North and the South , and prayse his name that layde the foundations thereof : Let them shew the pointes of the Compasse , and the store-house of the windes , and glorifie him which bringeth them in and out at pleasure : Let him take his Starre with the Ballastéelie , and shewe howe the howres of the night are descried by the guardes : Let him shewe , howe the current followeth the fyrst mouing Heauen , and howe the tydes be attempered by the Epicicle of the Moone , and in euerie thing let him prayse the GOD of heauen , which hath created all this for the vse of man . To conclude , let no filthinesse , nor euyll speaking , nor backbyting , nor blasphemie , nor corrupt communication procéede out of your mouthes , but that which is good to the vse of edifying , that it maye minister grace vnto the hearers , and then be sure , Christe will be with you , as he was with the two Disciples that talked on him in theyr trauaile towarde E●●aus . And thus much for the seconde consideration in this Gospell , which is the person of Christe , whose company bot●e at Sea and at lande , wée must chéefelie desyre .

The last note that I promised , was a viewe and consideration of the Myracle , wherin I cal you my brethren to witnes , which haue béen in some desperate plunges on the water , whether it be not a work only appropriate to God , that when the stormy winde ariseth , and lifteth vp the waues of the Sea , when they mount vp to heauen , and descend againe into the déepe , and heare the horrible rage and rushinges of the byllowes , when the vehemencie of the flawe , renteth downe the tackle , and washeth awaye the labourers from the hatches , when they reele too and fro , and stagger lyke dronken men , and theyr cunning is windie to seeke . I report mée then to you , whether it bee not a worke bothe of mercie and might , to make glad on a suddayne the distressed Soule , by turning the storme vnto a caulme , and making the waues to bee still , by rebuking the winds and the Sea , to make all thinges so temperate and so quiet , that the Shippe shall slide towarde harborowe as yare as a Pyke .

Kinges maye boast in the multitude of theyr people , and Merchauntes reioyce in theyr ware and theyr money : hée thinkes himselfe some body that can commaunde a whole Cittie : and hée that hath but a boye to carrie his Swoord and Targette , would take skorne to be estéemed of small reckoning . The Captaine in a Shippe of warre , is a iollie fellowe , and thinketh himselfe a lyttle God , because hee speaketh prowdlie to the Souldiors , and maketh them quayle at the shaking of his lockes : because at his woorde the Cannons rattle , and the wylde fyre fléeeth through the stifeling smoake , the gunnes thunder and spewe out theyr pellettes , and the Souldiors muster themselues on the hatches : If any be vnrulie , hee casteth him ouerboorde , or if any be fearefull , hee bindes him to the Maste : if hée crie aloofe , the Helmes man dares not goe roomer : and if hée bidde shoote , the gunner dares not but giue fyre . But let the Prince or the Potentate , the King or the Captaine , the Merchaunt or the money man , saye to the South winde , ceasse thy blowing , or to the Clowdes , holde your selues drie : let him bidde the Sunne shyne in a gloomie day , and let him shew mée the Starres in a tempestuous night ▪ let him commaunde the tyde , to staye tyll hée be readie , and charge the waters of the Sea to looke smoothlie , and then I will saye , hée is a Captaine in déede , and wyll confesse that hée is woorthy to be honoured and followed . And therefore if our Sauiour Christe , haue doone , and can doo it , and dooth it daylie , what is hée that wyll grudge to follow so good a Captaine : but take héede , if wée will followe him , wee must fyght vnder him : for wée cannot serue bothe God and Mammon .

It is written of Edgar , a King of the Englishe Saxons , that walking on the stronde for his recreation at an ebbe , so soone as the floodde beganne , and he lothe to leave walking , hée setteth downe his foote by the water syde , and thus began to speake : I charge thée thou Sea , to staye thy selfe , and you byllowes , that ye recoyle backe , touche not my foote , least I be angrie , and so thou perishe ( for the displeasure of the King is death to the Subiect . ) I am thy Soueraigne , and Lorde of thy streames , and vnder mée thou holdest thy water channell . What ? Dyd the Sea , thinke you tremble at his voice , or was the floodde quailed to heare him speake ? no hardelie . For had hée not saued himselfe by flight , the salte foome would haue washed his tynsell Gowne . Which when the King had well espied , turning to his Bishops and Nobles that stoode by , hée charged them all straightlie , not to flatter him thencefoorth , with any loftie tytle of power or puissaunce , because there was in him no might at all .

Cyrus King of Persia , thought so much of himselfe , that , because one of his great Horsses was drowned in the ryuer Oetis , hée swore in his rage hée would drie it quite vp , but yet could not . Well , the time weareth , and I wyll not holde you long ▪ . The marke that I shoote at , is the greatnesse of Christes miracle , which not without cause made the Saylers to woonder , and to saye among themselues , Who is this , that both the winde and the Sea obey him .

But nowe to turne this Myracle vnto our profite . The Shippe maye well be resembled to a Cittie or common wealth : the Windes , be those whisperers that styrre vp stryfe , and spreade debate betwéene man and man : the waues be such ambicious desyres , as doo trouble the peace of the Cittie , and make mennes mindes inordinatelie to swell in pride , in vaineglorie , in emulation , in debate : so wrastling and strugling togeather , as one byllowe dasheth against an other : which all doo fyll the Cittie with the water of theyr garreboyles , shaking it so sore , tyll it be readie to sincke againe : Surelie , where these things doo happen , eyther Christ is not at all in that Cittie , or else they haue let him fall a sléepe : wake him for Gods sake , that hee maye styll the tempest , or else the whole towne will be in daunger to perishe . You knowe the Shyppe maye hull for a whyle in fowle weather , and brooke the rough Sea for a season : but if the tempest of rage continew without ceasing , what hope is there other , then either to be supped vp of the wide yeaning waues , or to bee carried against a Rocke , and so spléeted in sunder . Dissention in a Towne is a sore tempest , take héede , vnlesse Christe caulme it with loue , and styll it with agréement , what hope remayneth but a pittifull wracke . Yea , but why should the tyde yéelde ought to the winde : or why should not the winds so long strogle for the preheminence , tyll the tytle of Soueraigntie be alotted to some one of them ? God dooth knowe , and not I , which winde hath most right to blowe : and I coulde wishe , there were no more bickering , tyll that were honestlie tryed . I meane , I coulde so wishe , and so I request , euen in Christe , that the Shippe bée not troubled with surges of debate , whyle the Marriners striue , who shall sitte at the Helme . If other meanes cannot bée founde ( which Iwis might , if men would bée men ) yet let the lawe trie the right of the quarell : and yet let the Gospell establish the quiet of your hearts . Let the controuersie in Gods name , be decided by the Lawe , but let your conuersation be approued by loue : and let that loue be without dissimulation . For I can tell you one thing , except wée loue one an other , wée cannot loue GOD : and if wée loue not him , howe shall wée looke , that he will loue vs .

More yet I maye saye somewhat , and more particularlie . This body of ours is lyke vnto a Shippe , wherein the reasonable soule , lyke a marriner sayleth : this world is naught else but a sea of wickednesse : and the prouokementes of the fleshe are tempestuous windes , which of our selues wee are not able to asswage : which if they be not in tyme appeased , will bring vs in daunger to be eaten vp of the Sea , and so to make a myserable shipwracke . Let vs therefore be sure , that Christe be in our shippes , yea , let his feare be euer before our eyes . If that through negligence wee haue let him sléepe , yet in tyme I praye you heartelie let vs awake him : naye , let vs awake him whyle tyme serueth , and that with fasting , with wéeping , with praying , and he shall surelie heare vs : For he is our fortresse and delyuerer : our God shall make caulme all the vnrulie motions of the fleshe , that striue against the spirite , whether pride or couetousnesse , or lust , or enuie , or whatsoeuer , and shall supple vs with the Oyle of his loue and heauenlie grace , to him therefore be prayse for euer and euer . Amen .