Scotlands welcome a sermon preached at Needham in the countie of Suff. on Tuesday, April 5, 1603, vpon Pro. 11. 10 : in the prosperitie of the righteous the citte reioyceth, and when the wicked perish, there is ioy / by Miles Mosse ... ; with some notes and allegations then omitted by reason of the time, and the capacitie of the audience.

A SERMON PREACHED at Needham in the Countie of Suffolke , on Tuesday , April . 5. 1603.

The Text. Pro. 11. 10.

In the prosperitie of the righteous , the citie reioyceth : and when the wicked perish , there is ioy .

THe booke whereof this Prolegomen●… . sentence is a member , may be called A fardel or beadroule of Prouerbs . Now Prouerbs are among vs , vulgar and triuiall sentences , which antiquitie raised vp , custome hath continued , and experience hath confirmed for trueth . The learned call Prouerbs , Parables , Adages , or Apophthegmes , a a Plutarch . Apoph . Scitè dicta , Wittie , pretie and wel-worded sayings : or b b Trem. in Pro. 1. 1. Graue and short contriued sentences . And such sayings or sentences the Hebrewes call c c La●…at , in Prouerb . Maschal , quod est , Dominari : because they domineer and glitter with a speciall d d Illyrricus . Clauis . Script . Prouerbium . excellencie in speech , as starres in the skie , or diamonds in a crowne of golde . So , Prouerbes are lumina or ationis : they put a grace , and beautie vpon speaking . The Graecians call them 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : and so the Septuaginta intitle this booke : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : that is , sentences as common in vse , as is the high way to all passengers . A Prouerbe is e e Basil. in princip. Prouerb . tom. 1. Verbumiuxta viam , ( saith Basile : ) A sentence common by euery waies side . The Latines call them Prouerbes , in the same sence , in which the Graecians terme them Parables : because f f Hieron . in Prouerb . 1. They are hidden and darke and g g Hilarius in Psal. 127. yeeld not their sence according to the sound of their words : but in them h h Origen . Prolog . in Cant. Cantic . tom. 1. One thing is spoken , and an other thing is intended . And this is true in the most of humane , yea and in very many of these Diuine Prouerbes . Now such vsuall , such beautifull , such significant sentences , as custome hath made common , and experience hath confirmed for truthes : are those which are collected and compiled together in this treatise . Therefore should we be earnestly prouoked often to reade , carefully to learne , and highly to esteeme this booke of the Prouerbes .

They are called Salomons Prouerbes . So the text it selfe witnesseth i i Pro. 1. 1. in the title of the booke : and so all k k Origen prol. in Cant. Cantic . Theodoret. praef. in Cantica . Epiphan. de mensuris & ponderibus . Athanas. orat . 2. contra Arrianos . August . de ciuit . Dei . lib. 17. cap. 20. antiquity hath receiued them without controuersie . And yet it is manifest that al the Prouerbs in this booke were not Salomons . For the 30. chapter conteineth l l Pro. 30. 1. The words of Agur , the sonne of Iaketh . But the whole booke taketh his title and denomination from the greater and more principall part : as doe also many other things both in ciuile and naturall knowledge . Neither are they called Salomons Prouerbes , because it is certaine that he himselfe with his owne penne compiled this booke . For m m R. Mose 〈◊〉 . some ascribe the penning of it to the Prophet Esaie : and n n Talm●…i in Baua bathira . Cap. 1. some others to king Hezechiah . But the likeliest opinion is theirs , who conceiue that o o Tremel . in Pro●… . 1. 1. the beginning of the booke was written by Salomon himselfe , vnto the 10. chapter : the residue were p p Liranus . M●…rcer in Pro. 1. 1. collected at diuers times by seuerall persons , partly from his mouth , and partly from his writings , vnto the 25. chapter : and from thence forward q q Pro. 25. 1. by the seruants of Hezechias : as the title of the chapter ( being a part of the Canonicall text ) doth plainly auouch . But whosoeuer were the writer of this booke , or the collector of these sentences ; it is manifest that Salomon himselfe was the authour of them : from his fountaine they sprang , and from his words or writings they were deduced . So the wise and holy Author commendeth also vnto vs , the worthinesse of this booke .

As touching the contents of this booke : some thinke that r r Gregor. Nissenus in Cant. the doctrine thereof is directed onely ( or specially ) vnto the yonger sort , s s Hieron ad Paulum & Eustochium . Comment. in Ecclesiast. because he often calleth him his sonne , to whom he maketh his speech . But who knoweth not , that it well enough becommeth the ancientest man , both to be , and to be called The sonne of wisdome ? And besides , he that studiously conuerseth in this booke , shall finde euere where in it , able instruction for the ancient . There be others that referre the argument of this booke almost wholy vnto manners . They say that t t Theodores . Praefat. in Cant. Canticorum . it containeth profitable doctrine of maners ; and that it is u u Basil. in princ . Prou. 1. An instructer of maners , and a corrector of corrupt affections : And Saint Augustine saith x x August in ficculo . ex Pron . Liber prouerbiorum ad mores pios informandos penè totus valebit : Almost all the whole booke of the prouerbs tendeth to the composing of godly maners . Now , trueth it is , that very many sentences in this treatise doe concerne maners , and outward cariage to men : but not all , nor almost all . For diuers there are tending to the feare of God , to the loue of God , to faith in God , to patience vnder the hand of God , to a religious worshipping of God : all which can hardly be said to be doctrines of manners , vnlesse you meane that they concerne our mannerly and holy cariage of our selues outwardly and inwardly towards the maiesty of God . Therefore may this booke be called A Christian Quodlibet : for it hath Prouerbes almost of euery argument : or A Synopsis Theologiae : for y y The english Praeface to the Prouerbes . the summe and effect of the whole Scriptures is heere set forth in briefe sentences . It is an hiue fraught with sweet hony gathered from all kinde o●… flowers . It is a rich Apothecaries shoppe , in which are all kinde of delicates for pleasure , and of confections for diseases . For in it are precepts and aduertisements : some concerning God , & some concerning men : some belonging to the church , some to the common wealth : some to priuate , some to publicke callings : some to the wise , some to the ignorant : some to the olde , some to the yong . In a word it is g g Euseb. Hist. Eccles. lib. 4. cap. 21. a booke in the iudgement of Ireneus and all the company of the ancients , full of worthy and excellent wisdome , necessary for all men , of all estates and degrees whatsoeuer . So that , the notable matter contained therein , is a third argument to stirre vs vp to diligent reading and meditation thereof .

This h h Pro. 11. 10. sentence Pro. 11. 10. is one of them which concerneth men , and the maners of men , and their affection and estimation which they carry , on the one side to godly and religious , on the other side to wicked The scope of the text : and prophane persons . The honour and reputation of an honest man , is such , and so great , as that euery one reioiceth at his prosperity and preferment . So saith the former part of the Text : In the prosperity of the righteous the city reioiceth . But a vilde The 〈◊〉 parts of the text . and bad man is so lothsome and despicable : that euerie man is glad to see him abased . So saith the latter part : But When the wicked perish , there is ioy . These are the two points of doctrine conteined in this Scripture .

THE FIRST PART . TEXT . In the prosperitie of the Righteous the citie reioiceth .

TO the end that we may the 1 The exposition or interpretation of the words . more soundly and euidently deriue Doctrine and Exhortation from this sentence : it is requisit , that first we duly examine the sence and interpretation of the words .

In the prosperitie . ] The name of Prosperitie is of the common sort , applied to wealth and riches . Vulgare men hold no man prosperous , but him that floweth with worldly abundance . But the word comprehendeth more largely , all things which tend to the profit and comfort of a mans outward estate . As , Health , Peace , Libertie , Credit , Friends , Long life , cheerfulnesse of heart , good successe in businesse : but especially in this place , Dignitie , Honour , Office , and Praeferment : all these are comprehended vnder the name of Prosperity . So largely is it taken else where in this booke , i i Prou. 1. 32. The prosperity of fooles destroieth them : that is , ease , security , abundance and pleasure , doe so lull men on sleepe in their folly ; as they neuer thinke of seeking after wisedome , and so at last come to destruction . Againe , in that place of the Psalme k k Psa. 118. 25. O Lord saue now , O Lord now send Prosperity : Dauid praieth not only for the welth of the church , no nor for that especially , as for the greatest or onely happinesse . For wealth many times hindereth the Church , by l l Math. 13. 22. choaking the worde and making it vnprofitable . Whereof one of the Fathers pronounced , m m G. Nazianz. epist. 50. Calamitatem prosperitate meliorem esse : That calamitie was better then prosperity . But in those words of the Psalme , he praieth also for the peace of the Church , for the libertie of the Church , for the increase of the Church , for the good successe of the Churches affaires , for the continuance of the Church , for the beautie and honour of the Church , and such like : and all them he comprehendeth vnder the name of Prosperitie . So in this place : In the prosperity ] that is , in the health , peace , welfare , comfort , credit , successe , but specially in the dignity and preferment of a righteous man , the citie reioiceth . Therefore some of the Latine Interpreters , translate it here n n Vatablus Mercer . Foelicitas est bonum ex omni●…us bonis compositum . Plato . Philosoph . definit . In foelicitate instorum : In the felicity of the righteous . ( Now all good things must concurre to the constitution of Felicitie . ) The Septuaginta , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : and most of the Latines following them , o o Chald. paraphrast . ●…nterp . Hierommus . Pellican . La●…ater . Tremellius . Castalio . In bonis instorum : In the goods of the righteous . Not meaning onely thereby their goods and chattels , ( as wee speake at the common lawe , ) that is , their riches and moueables : but generally any good thing which betideth an honest man . In the good things : that is , in any good thing which befalleth a vertuous or religious man , those which are vertuous and religious will exult and reioice . So much for the name of Prosperity .

Of the Righteous . ] A righteous man is not heere taken for one perfectly righteous , or that hath no vnrighteousnesse in him . For in that sence p p Rom. 3. 10. There is none righteous , no not one . q q Iam. 3. 2. In many things we sinne all . No : r r August . Bonifacio . epist. 50. Iustus & iustificans non est nisi Deus : to speake exactly and properly , There is none that is iust himselfe , or is a Iustifier of others but onely God . But they are euery where in Scripture called Righteous men , which s s Caluin . in Psal. 5. 13. breathe after righteousnes : which t t Musculus in Gen. 6. 9. are studious of righteousnesse : which u u Cyrill . lib. 3. tom. 3. in Esai , 33. practise the workes of righteousnesse : which x x Bernhard . epist. 107. loue God the fountaine of righteousnesse : in a word y y August . de perfectione iustitiae . tom. 7. Qui perfectioni iustitiae plurimùm accessit : Which hath attained to some good measure of perfection in righteousnesse . So b b Caluin . Harmonia Luc. 1. 6. they are righteous men which frame their liues according to the commandements of the law of God . In this sence is it that c c 2. Pet. 2. 7. Lot is called a righteous man : and yet he is tainted with d d Gen. 19. 35. adultery , and incest . Iob was e e Iob. 1. 1. an vpright and iust man : yet he brake forth f f Iob. 3. 1. into tearmes of impatience . Zacharias and Elisabet g g Luc. 1. 6. 20. were both iust before God : yet the man was s●…itten with dumbnesse for his infidility . And so all are righteous men before God , that loue him and keepe his commandements : God accepting their good indeuours in Christ , and imputing vnto them for perfection , the perfect Righteousnesse of Christ : for h h Basil. lib. de poenit . tom. 1. Nos ex iustitiae participatione iusti sumus : We are not otherwise exactly iust before God , then by the participation of the exact iustice and obedience of the Lord Iesus Christ . Of such righteous men , Salomon speaketh heere : and saith , that in the welfare of one who walketh religiously to God , and honestly towards men , others that behold it are glad and reioice . So much for the title of a righteous man .

The city . ] The name of a city comprehendeth heere a double Rhetoricall Trope . 1. For first , the citty it selfe is taken for the people and inhabitants of the citty : as it is also else where in the scriptures . When tidings came to Shiloh , that Hophni and Phinehas were slaine , and the arke of God was taken of the Philistims , i i 1. Sam. 4. 13. all the citty ( that is , all the people of the citty ) cried out . Againe : k k Psal. 46. 4. There is a riuer whose streames shall make glad the citty of God : that is , the people or inhabitants of the city of God . 2. Secondly , the citty is heere specified by name for the whole body of the country . For Salomon intendeth to say , that all men , towne and country reioice in an honest mans preferment . When the Psalmist saith , l l Psal. 127. 1. Except the Lord keepe the citty , the keeper watcheth in vaine . There he speaketh m m Marl. in Psal. 127. 1. de reipublicae statu & politia : of the state and pollicie of the common wealth : and the name of a citty is taken n n Illiric . clauis Script . Ciuitas . Pro omni robore regiminis : for the whole strength of gouernment in a state or kingdome . So heere : when Salomon saith , The citty reioiceth : he meaneth that the whole body of the people is glad . But he specifieth the Citie by name ; first , because cities are the speciall parts of a countrey , and commonly conteine vnder their iurisdiction the neighbour villages . Secondly , because Cities are the seats of great men and great offices : so as if a good man be preferred to dignitie , they do soonest espie it , yea and soonest feele the benefit of it , and therefore haue the first and chiefest cause to reioice therein . Thirdly , Cities are the ciuillest and fullest of knowledge , and therefore doe not onely best discerne who is a Righteous man : but also are easiliest mooued to reioice in his Prosperitie . So , The Citie reioyceth : that is , euery man is well pleased with it .

Prouided alwaies , that this Citie and countrey be such an one as is it selfe a louer of Righteousnesse : such a Citie as Ierusalem was , and such a people as the kingdome of Israel was in the best times of Salomon : to the examplar whereof he hath speciall respect in this and diuers other of the Prouerbs . For if it be not such a Citte or people , they will hardly reioice in the prosperitie of the Righteous . It must not be such a Citie as Sodome was , where o o Gen. 13. 13. The men were wicked , and exceeding sinners before the Lord . For there , they p p Gen. 19. 9. disdained that Lot should aduise them , much more that he should be exalted among them . Neither must it be such a Citie as the yoong man in the Comoedie describeth Athens in that time :

q q Plaut. mercato 〈◊〉 . Vbi mores deteriores increbescunt indies :

Vbique amici qui infideles sunt , nequeas pernoscere :

Vbique eripiatur animo tuo quod placeat maximè .

That is : Where the people grow daily worse and worse : where a man cannot know his friend and his foe asunder : nor holde his owne with quietnesse . For in such a Citie there is little care to preferre the best , and little ioy in their preferment . But in a citie or countrey well framed , well gouerned , well affected to religion and honestie : In such a citie there is much ioy at the Prosperitie of the Righteous .

Hitherto the meaning and exposition 2 Examples ▪ this doctrin of the words . Now , the doctrine it selfe which the words import , is a trueth warranted by all experience : and whereof both holy writ and humane histories yeeld infinite examples . But I must be contented with one or two of either sort , in stead of many that might be alledged . When Dauids gonernment was disturbed by Absaloms treason , and the king fledde out of Ierusalem for feare it should be sacked or fired , r r 2. Sam. 15. 30. all the people that was with him , had euery man his head couered , and wept as they went . So sory they were for Dauids affliction . But when Absolom was slaine , and his father was to returne againe with honour : then happy was he that could shew greatest forwardnesse in his conduction : yea , s s 2. Sam. 19. 41. the men of Israell chode and brauled with the men of Iudah for preuenting them secretly in the kings restitution . So ioifull they were in his new recouered prosperity . Againe . When Adoniah contrary to Dauids minde and promise , aspired to the kingdome of Israel : then Zadok , and Nathan , and Benaiah , and Shimei , and Rei , and the men of might t t 1. Reg. 1. 8. as they were excluded , so no doubt they hong their heads and sorrowed . But when Salomon was crowned at his fathers appointment , then not onely those good men u u 1. Reg. 1. 38. 40. accompanied him , but also All the people came vp after him , pipingand reioicing with great ioy , so that the earth rang with the sound of them . Salomon was a prince of incredible hope : and the land reioiced vnspeakably at his coronation . In humane histories the example is most famous of Numa Pompilius , the successor to Romulus in his kingdome . Because he was held a deuout and religious man ( though indeed the old fables make him but x x Arnobius cont. gentes lib. 5. a beguiler of the Gods , and all his deuotions were but deuises y y Tertul. Apoi cap. 25. of curious superstitions , as Tertullian speaketh : ) yea and besides his religion , for that he was z z Pistarch . Numa . naturally disposed to all vertuous manners , and discipline , and paines taking , and study of wisdome : therefore after long dissention betweene the Romanes and the Sabines about the election of a king , he was named of the one side , and receiued of the other side with generall approbation : The Senate and people going forth to meet him , the women applauding him with their acclamations , and also reioicing , tanquam non rex vrbi , sed regnum obtigisse●… ( saith Plutarch , ) as if they had that day gained not a new king , but an other kingdome to their citty . But why roue I so long and so farre from home ? who remembreth not the ioy and thanksgiuing of the good seruants of God in our daies , for the preseruing of some Christians ( though not many ) from that blody massacre in France : for the deliuery of Rochel from the Spaniard : for the reliefe of Geneua from the Sauoian : and infinite such examples to long to repeate ? One president there is tending directly to this purpose , which my duty to God and men will not suffer me to omit . Seneca saith : a a Sen. debeueficiis . Gratum hominem beneficium semper delectat , ingratum semel . If we English men be truely thankefull , we will remember this benefit and mercy of God for euer . Our late Soueraigne Lady Queene Elisabeth was so worthy an instrument vnto vs of such speciall benefits , as we were not onely bound to be infinitly thankefull vnto her while she liued : but also we are still bound to keepe an honorable remembrance of her and her gouernment for euer : b b Pro. 10. 7. The memoriall of the iust shall be blessed . Remember we now to her eternall fame what ioy all the citties , yea the whole realme of England shewed at her first entrie vpon that high Prosperity , the scepter and diademe of the kingdome which ioy arose from the hope and liking of her Righteousnesse . Her father ( King Henry the Eight ) had made some entrance to the Gospell , and wounded deepely the heary scalpe of Antichrist : and master Foxe recordeth it to posterity , c c Fo●… . Act. & Mon. infine . H. 8. that if he had liued , his purpose was wholly to haue purged the Church from idolatry . Her mother the Lady Ann●… Bulleine , was a woman d d Hollins●…ed in Ann. 28. H. 8. very religious , and vertuous , and full of good workes . According to the godlinesse of the Parents was the godly education of the child : for she was trained vp in the knowledge of tongues , and sciences , and ( that which was especiall ) in the doctrin●… of the Gospell . Answerable to her education was her profession and religion , euen from her youth : keeping godly Preachers about her , and suffering for the trueth in the daies of Queene Mary . So that in the opinion of all that saw and knew her , she had the estimation of a wise , learned , vertuous , and religious Princesse . Heere of it came to passe , that vpon her sisters decease , she was proclaimed successor to the crowne , not onely e e Caluin . epist. & resp. p. 214. summo consensu omnium ordinum , with a full consent of all estates ( as Peter Martyr wrote to Master Caluine , vpon the report of the Ambassadors that came to Tigure out of England : ) but also this consent was witnessed f f M. Fox . Act. & Mon. ●…nis . Reg. Elisab . with such shouting , such casting vp of caps , such ringing of belles , such kindling of bonfires , such discharging of ordinance , and other points of solemnity : as witnessed their hearty ioy for her comming to the crowne ; and exemplified notably this sentence of Salomon : In the prosperity of the righteous the citty reioiceth .

Now we may not holde it strange , 3 Reasons of this doctrine . to see this so often and vsually fall out in practise : for there are many reasons inducing thereunto . 1. As first , where good men prosper , there commonly good causes , they thriue and prosper also : the glory of God is aduanced , the law of God is obserued , the kingdome of God is inlarged . When Hezekiah came to the crown of Iudah , g g 2. Reg. 18. 4. He tooke away the high places , and brake the images , and cut downe the groues , and spoiled the brasen serpent : that is , He rooted out all idolatrous and superstitious worship . And the Ecclesiasticall Histories euerie where make relation , how when the holy Emperours Constantine , Theodosius , Iustinian and the rest of the same stampe sate in the throne of gouernment , then the true religion of Christ was authorised and dilated . Now , when others shall see that by the fauour , office , or abilitie of good men , God is honoured , righteousnesse is practised , Christ is enterteined : if they haue any loue of God or goodnesse in themselues , they can not but reioice at a good mans prosperitie . 2. Secondly , the aduancement of the Righteous is a publike benefit : for they know right well , that h h Plato . Non nobis solum nati . they are not borne only for themselues : and that i i Rom. 12. 10. brotherly loue is required of them : and that k k Arist. topic . a good thing , the commoner it is , the better it is . And therefore they striue to liue , not wholly to their owne priuate profit and pleasure , but to the common vse and benefit of others . When Salomon was newly inuested in the kingdome of Israel , and the Lord offered to giue whatsoeuer he would aske : l l 1. Reg. 3. 9. he asked not for himselfe long life , nor riches , nor auenge on his enemies ( which notwithstanding were things of great consequence to his owne estate : ) but he asked an vnderstanding heart , which might inable him to gouerne with peace and righteousnesse , to the publike good of the people of God . m m Gen. 47. 14. Ioseph being raised to authoritie in Aegypt , made not the peoples want a prey to gorge himselfe withall : but he applied himselfe to feed the Commons in the famine , and to enlarge the reuenues and soueraintie of the crowne . The Apostles in their office and function sought not their owne praise , nor ease , nor wealth : but the ioyning of others to Christ . n n 2. Cor. 12. 14. Non vestra , sed vos : I seeke not yours but you , saith S. Paul to the Corinthians . In a word : o o Menander . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : An honess man is helpefull at euery turne . Now therefore , when men shall feele by experience , that the aduancement of honest persons , is as the setting vp of a common light for euery man to walke by : or as the digging of a common well , at which euery man may draw water : haue they not great , and iust and daily cause to reioice in such mens Prosperitie ? 3. Thirdly , when good men flourish , the wicked are cut off . p p 1. Reg. 15. 12. 13. Asa tooke away the Sodomites out of the land : yea , he put downe Maacha his mother also from her estate , because she had made an idoll in a groue . Now the destruction of the euill , being a q q Apoc. 19. 17 rich banquet , yea a r r Isai. 34. 6. sweet sacrifice to God : it can not be but a ioy and gladnesse of heart to the children of God . 4. Lastly , when Righteous men are preferred , then others that loue Righteousnesse grow vp , by and vnder them : as when the Sunne riseth , the flowers open themselues . s s Ester 8. Mordecaes exaltation by Ahashuerosh , wrought the preseruation of the Iewes from a common slaughter . And the comming of our late Q. Elisabeth to the crowne , was the releasing of the Protestants out of prison , and the recalling home of learned men from beyond the seas , and the confirming of poore Christians in religion . So that ( to conclude this point ) when it shal be wayed and considered , that by the rising vp of godly and religious men , God is honored , the common good is furthered , the wicked are abased , and those that feare God are comforted : vnlesse a man be composed with Heraclytus onely to beholde what is amisse , that he may doe nothing but weepe ; or haue put vpon him the person of Enuie herselfe , t t Vixque tenet lachrymas , quia nil lachrymabile cernit . Ouid. Metam . 2. which weepeth for griefe when others haue no griefe to weepe for : he can not but confesse that there is euery way great cause , why in the prosperitie of the Righteous , the Citie should reioice .

Thus then examples doe teach vs 4 The vse of this doctrine . that alwaies it hath beene so : and manifolde reasons doe prooue that it ought to be so . Now let vs labour to draw home the benefit of this doctrine neerer to our selues by vse and application . And let vs consider what we can adde to our holy knowledge or practise by this : that there is , yea , and that there ought to be Ioy in the Prosperitie of the Righteous .

1. First it teacheth vs to be well assured , that the Righteous , that is , men which feare God and walke vprightly , haue due right and interest in Prosperitie : that is , in the helpes , comforts , and dignities of this life . For else , how could any good citizen of a well affected citie , reioice with a good conscience to behold his Prosperitie ? Indeed if we will speake exactly and properly , the outward blessings of this world belong solely and onely of right to the children of God . For u u Heb. 1. 2. Christ is made the heire of all things : and therefore no man can haue interest in any thing : who is not a Coheire and Fellow heire with Christ . Insomuch that when any branch of Prosperitie betideth a Righteous man , there befalleth nothing to him but his due . x x Tertul. de resurrect. carnis . Beneficus enim debet : The good God of his promise oweth it vnto him . y y Lactantius . Bonis quod benefit , debetur : We owe a good man all the good that we doe to him . But when a wicked man enioieth health , or libertie , or riches , or credit , or preferment , or any outward benefit : he is but an vsurper of it , and an intruder into it , and shall answere for the vniust possession of it in the day of iudgement . And therefore if common-wealths and churches were so conscionably and religiously carefull as they ought to be in bestowing their dignities and offices vpon those to whom onely by right they belong and appertaine , then should none atteine vnto them , but such as gaue testimonie of their Righteousnesse beforemen . And if the Persian monarch could say , that z z Cyrus : Plutarch . Apoph . No man was worthy to be a magistrate , qui non sit melior subditis , which did not in good parts excell his subiects : then in a Christian gouernment , no man should be admitted to exceed the common sort in credite and authoritie , who shewed not himselfe more then a common person , in honestie and religion : yea , if Christian families were duly reformed and conformed according to the will of God , then that childe or seruant in the house , should be most countenanced and best preferred , who approoued himselfe best to be the child of God , and the seruant of the Lord great Master of the world . And this is an obseruation of much vse vnto diuers sorts of men . 1. For first , it prescribeth a rule to those , that haue power in their hands to raise vp others to Prosperitie . Namely , that a a Psal. 101. 6. their eies should be ( with Dauid ) vnto the faithfull of the land , to honour those with dignitie , whom God hath most honoured with grace : that so right going to the owners , all men of wisdome might reioice . And if among the nations of old , those proued the great and mightie men of the world , b b Iustin hist. lib. 1. quos ad fastigium honoris non ambitio popularis , sed spectata inter bonos moderatio prouehebat ; Who raised not themselues by popular ambition , but by their approoued moderation : then in these latter times , Christian Princes and Nobles , should haue speciall care to aduance them to preferment , not which aspire vnto it by popularitie , or flatterie , or briberie ; but which shew themselues woorthy of it by their godlinesse and vertue .

2. Secondly , this detecteth the hypocrisie of the Friers and Monkes in Poperie , who when they assume their orders , reiect their patrimonie : as if wealth and religion , Prosperitie and Righteousnesse could not stand together . Much like are they to Aristippus , who in his trauell commanded his followers to cast away their treasure , — c c Horat. lib. 2. sat. 3. Quòd tardiùs irent , Propter onus segnes : As if their patrimonie hindered their passage to heauen . But to these a man may say , as Plato said to Diogenes : They despise the pride of the world alio fastu maiori , with a greater pride of their owne hearts : supposing merite in the worke , and affecting the applause of men . Therefore is that saying of Augustine notable against them d d August . epist. 34. Vtiliùs terrena opulentia tenetur humiliter , quàm superbè relinquitur . Earthly abundance is better held with humilitie , then relinquished of arrogancy . For a lowly man may doe much good with his riches : but a proud man is neuer the nearer to heauen for his pouerty . But let those slowe bellied Cretians goe .

3. There be some , who of very tendernesse of conscience , and for feare to displease God , dare not raise vp their outward estate , no not when meanes are put into their hands ; nor assume any office , no not when they are lawfully called thereunto : as supposing , that because their chiefe aime is to grow Spirituall men , therefore temporall Prosperity doth not belong vnto them . Now these men must remember that e e 1. Tim 4. 8. Godlinesse hath the promises of the life present : and that f f Deut. 28. 1. all outward felicity is prefixed for a reward to the keeping of Gods commandements . It holdeth not for a rule in the church , which Plato imagined to hold in the common wealth : g g Plato de leg . lib. 5. Diuites vehementer , & bonos fieri impossible est : it is impossible to be very rich and very vertuous . No : the examples of Abraham , and Lot , and Iob , and Dauid , and a thousand others are pregnant instances to the contrary . And our sauiour Christ doth not say , It is the prosperity of the world : but it is h h Matth. 13. 22. the care of this world that choketh the word . i i Theoph. in Luc. 8. 14. Non enim diuitiae nocent , sed sollicitudines earum : Riches are not the things that hurt aman of themselues , but the immoderate and mistrustfull care taken about them . It is a notable exhortation which the Psalmist maketh : k k Psal. 62. 10. If riches increase , set not your hearts vpon them . He saith not , Refuse them , or reiect them : but set not your hearts vpon them . That is : l l August . in Psal. 61. Noli ibi te figere ; make not them thy rest : or , m m Basil. in Psal. 61. Nolite illis vestram mentem submittere ; subiect not your thoughts and affections vnto them . n n Chrysost. in Iohan. Vse riches as thy seruant , not as thy master : possesse them , and be not possessed of them : so maist thou glorifie God much , and exceedingly benefit the Church by thy aboundance .

4. This also serueth to reforme the corrupt iudgement of those , who if they see a religious gentleman to enlarge his reuenues by purchase , or a zealous painfull Minister to thriue and grow rich , or an honest minded Commoner to attaine some office or preferment : by and by their friends feare their falling away from the Gospell ; and their enemies the exclaime : See : heere is their religion , heere is the depth of their deuotion , &c. I warrant you these men that make so great profession , are as hungry of wealth , and as thirsty after preferment , as are the prophanest persons in the country . Nay , stay there ▪ not so hungry , nor so thirsty by a great deale . For a worldly man maketh these things his God , and o o Ephes. 5. 5. Coloss. 3. 5. committeth idolatry with them , bestowing vpon them the chiefe loue , and ioy and confidence of his heart : whereas a godly man knoweth that he must p p 1. Cor. 7. 31. vse this world , as though he vsed it not ; and that he must q q Matth. 6. 33. first seeke the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof ; and taketh these outward things as they are ministred vnto him . Againe a worldly man hungreth and thirsteth so deepely after worldly things , as he will not sticke to attaine them perfas & nefas , by any vnlawfull meanes whatsoeuer : by stealth , robbery , oppression , extortion , vsury , bribery , flattery , periury , cousenage , and what not ? Wheras a godly man feareth to touch such pitch , and holdeth onely that gained , which is lawfully gotten : and accounting r r 1. Tim. 6. 6. godlinesse great gaine , is contented with that he hath . So there is a great difference betweene a godly and vngodly mans course in the pursuite of worldly prosperity . But if God offer these things by lawfull meanes , they despise them not , nor they cast them not away : as did s s Hieronimus ad Paulinum epist. 13. Crates the Thebane , because non putauit seposse & vertutes & diuitias simul possidere : as if Righteousnesse and prosperity , wealth and godlinesse could not stand together . No : they reiect them not , no more then Abraham or Lot cast away their cattell , or siluer , or gold , or seruants , or tents ; in which t t Gen. 13. 2 , 5 , 9. notwithstanding they so abounded as the land could not beare them to dwell together : nor , no more then u u Gen. 41. 40. Ioseph refused his preferment in Aegypt , or x x Psal. 78. 70. Dauid to be called from a shepheard vnto the kingdome and throne of Israel . And indeed why should they ? For y y Ambros. lib. ●…n Luc. 18. Diuitiae vt impedimenta sunt reprobis , ita bonis sunt adiument a virtutis : Riches to bad men are lets and hinderances ; but to good men they are furtherers to vertue . Therefore they receiue them as things good in themselues , and giuen of the good God , and labour to imploie them to good vse : yea and knowing their interest in them by Christ , they reioice in them as in their lawfull inheritance : yea , lastly , other men knowing how due they are to the godly , how woorthy they are of them , and how profitably they will bestow them , they also ( as Salomon heere speaketh ) reioice in the prosperitie of the righteous . So , let that be the first note .

2. Secondly , this Scripture may teach vs what a profitable and comfortable thing it is , to be a vertuous and religious man . Euery honest person will loue him , and like him , and wish him well , and ioy in his prosperitie . And no maruell : for , a good man is the image of God , who is most louely in himselfe , and most to be beloued of vs . One of the Heathen could say , that there was z z Cicer. de nat. deorum . lib. 1. Nihil amabilius virtute : Nothing more amiable or louely than vertue . Another , that a a Plato de leg . lib. 4. All the golde which is aboue the earth and vnder the earth , deserueth not to be compared with vertue . Another , that b b Plutarch . de cupiditate diuitiarum . tom. 2. all the beautie of Riches are but Phalarae , & bullae , ac puerilia spectacula : Vaine shewes and childish delights , vnwoorthy to be compared with vertue . Another , that whereas the best things else in the world do want their ornaments ; gold and siluer , their refiner ; and precious stones , their polisher : c c Seneca lib. 9. epist. 67. Virtus nullo honest ●…mento eget : Vertue needeth no thing to adorne it . Ipsa & magnum sui decus est , & corpus suum consecrat : Shee herselfe is her owne glorious beautie , and honoureth the body which shee inhabiteth . Now , if the heathen men spake thus of their morall vertues , which caried but a shadow of goodnesse , and were in trueth but splendida peccata , beautifull sinnes ( as Saint Augustine called them : ) then Christians which haue the light of the worde , to reueale vnto them the true nature and dignitie of Spirituall graces , can not but account a vertuous and religious man very beautifull and honourable : and so of meere loue reioice in his Prosperitie . Therefore may an honest man be well resembled to a Light . Saint Paule saith d d Phil. 2. 15. the Philippians did shine as lights in the world . And Iohn Baptist e e Ioh. 1. 7. is called A light . And f f Theophilact . in Ioh. 1. We may call eueryone of the Saints A light : though not lucem illam , g g Ioh. 1. 9. That light , which lighteneth euery man that commeth into the world : But pettie Lights they are , and rightly so accounted . For euen as the Lights because they are glittering and comfortable , therefore euery man is pleased to haue them set vp : so Righteous men , because they are beautifull and louely , therefore euery honest man is pleased to behold them lifted vp , and aduanced to preferment . Our Sauiour Christ resembleth his Spouse vnto a thicke h h Cant. 3. 6. pillar of smoke perfumed with myrrh and incense , and with all the spices of the merchant . These sweet perfumes are the graces of Gods spirit , wherewith the members of Christ are poudered and embalmed . And therefore euen as i i Plutarch . de virtute & ●…itio . aromata gratum odorem etiam lacernis & centonibus conciliant ; Sweet odours make the most vile and stinking things sauorte : so the gifts of regeneration & sanctification lighting vpon a man defiled by nature and corrupted by his former sinnes , doe notwithstanding make him smell sweet , and seeme beautifull in the nostrels and eies of all that are neere vnto him . And euen as euery man draweth neere to him , and delighteth in his companie , that carieth sweet odours about him : so wheresoeuer a man liueth , that is endued with the graces of God , euery wise man will like his fellowship , and draw neere vnto him in affection ; and of loue and liking reioice in his Prosperitie .

Heereby therefore all men should be prouoked : that as they couet Prosperitie , so they should striue vnto Righteousnesse . Which if they laboured for , then they should not onely the sooner 〈◊〉 outward blessings , ( for they doe belong to those k k Psal. 128. 1. that 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 his waies : ) but 〈◊〉 ●…ed them , they 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 with peace and comfort on 〈◊〉 side : not being ●…ed o●… 〈◊〉 of others for their Prospherity , but loued and honored of others for their Righteousnesse . True it is , that when an euill man is exalted , the wise 〈◊〉 their heads aside , as loathing to behold so vnseemely a sight : for l l Pro. 19. 10. Pleasure is not comely for a foole . Yea , the best men of God haue their Nemesis , they m m Psal. 37. 1 ▪ Psal. 73. 3. maligne now and then the Prosperity of the wicked : neither can mans corruption so containe it selfe , but that from emulation it groweth vnto enuie . And in this case most easily : n n Sophoc . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , saith Sophocles : E●…y aimeth at him that hath somewhat . Now how slippery and perilous is that mans estate which falleth into the enuy and malignation of others ? o o Pro. 27. 4. Anger is cruell , and wrath is raging : but who can stand before enuy ? p p Gen. 4. 5 , 6. Caines enuy murdered Abell . r r 1. Sam. 18. 8 , 9. Saules enuy pursued Dauid . r r Dan. 6. 4. The enuy of the nobles cast Daniell to the lions . s s Matt. 27. 18. The enuy of the Iewes nailed Christ to the crosse . And ô that , ô that our times had wanted examples of some , who for their good parts growing into fauour with God and men , were not able to support their estate against the bloody dint of enuy ! Well : wouldst thou fare better ? wouldst thou both prosper , and be safe in thy Prosperity ? Then to the desire of it , ioine the desire also of Righteousnesse . For t t 1. Pet. 3. 13. who is it , that will harme you , if yee follow that which is good ? Feare God , worship him zealously and aright , walke lowly , honestly , iustly , and louingly towards men : this is the readiest way to secure thine estate . For if thou be a Righteous man , the City will reioice in thy prosperity . Sometimes God turneth it otherwise , for he will be tied to no rule : but that it is commonly so , this Prouerbe of Salomon iustifieth in this place .

3. This sentence admonisheth vs of a speciall duty , of Brotherly loue : which each Christian man oweth to another . Christians must be Inquisitors after their neighbours religion , and Surueiers of their neighbours waies . Not as busy-bodies , medling with that which belongeth not vnto them : but as men , imagining that they haue their part in any Prosperity Homo sum : humani ni●… à me alienum poto . Terent. Heau●… . Act. 1. S●…e . 1. or aduersity that betideth to their bretheren . They must cast their eies about them and obserue , who in that corner or country feareth God , and loueth Righteousnesse : and then withall they must make surueie , how 〈◊〉 a man prospereth in the world , and how he fareth in his outward 〈◊〉 . And both these must they doe to th●… end : that when they finde any child of God , that washeth his pathes 〈◊〉 butter , and whose rocke poureth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 uers of oile ( as u u Iob. 29. 6. Iob speaketh of 〈◊〉 Prosperity : ) then with him and 〈◊〉 him they may reioice and be 〈◊〉 : And when they shall see an h●…st man humbled and labourin●… 〈◊〉 the crosse , then with him and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to mourne & lament . 〈◊〉 how shall we practise that precept of the Apostle : x x Rom. 11. 15. Reioice with them that reioice and mourne with them that mourne ? Or how shall we shew our selues liuely members of the same body , y y 1. Cor. 12. 26 if when one member suffereth , we suffer not with it ? and if when one of our members is had in honor , we reioice not with it ? We read of Nehemiah ( that holy Reedifier of the holy city , ) that howsoeuer himselfe were at ease , yea 〈◊〉 in office at court , ( z z Nehe. 1. 11. & 2. 1. for he was the kings cup bearer ) and so might haue liued voluptuously to himselfe alter the maner of our Sole-self-louing ●…iers : yet his thoughts were occupied about his bretheren the Iewes , and his city Ierusalem , and therefore inquireth earnestly of them and their 〈◊〉 . And hearing of the affliction of the people , and desolation of the citie , he a a Nehe. 1. 4. mourned , and wept , and fa●…ed , and praied : as if himselfe had beene plunged in the same calamity . And verily if the spirit of Nehemiah did breathe in our brests , we would not be so wholly giuen vp to Selfe 〈◊〉 ( b b Clemens Alex . Strom. lib. 6. the cause of all sinne , ) as we would altogether neglect what betideth our bretheren : but we would be euer inquiring what good men liued about vs , and how they fared ? what Churches God had planted abroad , and how they thriued ? how the Churches of Christ flourished in France , Germany , Scotland , Denmarke , Sweeueland , and else where ? And when we shall vpon due inquisition or suruey , be giuen to vnderstand , that God prospereth any one good man particularly , or any company of good men generally : then not to enuy or maligne them , as c c Ester . 6. 12. Haman enuied Mordecaies fauour with the king , or as d d 1. Sam. 18. 8. Saule maligned Dauids reputation with the people , or as some in our time haue belched out reproches against the neighbour Churches and the worthy men that liued in them : but we should reioice with them , as affected with their good , and ioifully wish the continuance and increase of their Prosperity . If we know but one Gaius in a country , which is e e Rom. 16. 23. Paules host and the host of the church , we should wish to him as Saint Iohn wisheth to his Gaius : f f 3. Ioh. 2. Beloued , I wish chiefely that thou prosperedst and faredst wel . If we see about vs an vpright minded man , which serueth not the time nor professeth religion onely for shew ; but feareth God inwardly , and walketh in the honesty of his conscience : we should pray for him with the Psalmist : g g Psal. 125. 4. Doe well ( ô Lord ) to those that be good and true in their hearts . If we see any Church striuing to cast out Popery and to intertaine sincerity , we should pray for it and the fauourers of it : h h Psal. 122. 6. O pray for the peace of Ierusalem : let them prosper that loue thee . And certainly if we be true hearted Citizens of the holy city , new Ierusalem ; we will not onely pray for it , and for all that doe belong vnto it : but also when any good betideth it or them which they needed and we praied for , we will be ready to reioice with them , and to praise God for them , according to this sentence of Solomon : In the prosperity of the righteous the city reioiceth .

And heere now is sit place and iust occasion offered to stirre vs vp , with thankfulnesse to be ioyfull , and with ioifulnesse to be thankfull vnto God for all those holy and gracious persons by whole rising vp and Prosperity so much good hath beene done in our time and country . Among all which we are bound in the first place to performe high and honorable Obsequies to her , who while she liued , 〈◊〉 the first and highest place in the kingdome : I meane , The high and migh●… Princesse , our late most renouned and soueraigne Lady Q. Elisabeth : i i ●…ram in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 ●…88 . Mundi tot●… vna decus ; The glory of the world , as master Beza called her : and of whom that may be said as truly , as it was of Luther in his time :

Rome ruentis 〈◊〉 maximus .

She was the very terror of that declining Popedome .

No honest man doubteth ( I trow ) to number her with the Righteous , who planted the word of Righteousnesse among vs , and susteined the intolerable malice of all Papists ( enemies vnto Righteousnesse ) & gouerned by Righteous lawes , and ministred right to men : yea lastly , was an harbour to all distressed Christians that fled hither from diuers places for Righteousnesse sake . I trust God hath heard the millions of holy praiers made for her while she liued , and hath giuen her a rich inheritance with the Righteous , and a large portion in that Christ , whose Gospell by her means had so free passage in the lande , and was glorified by the conuersion and saluation of so many thousands . But to the purpose . How Prosperous this Queene was in all her waies , the Papistes obserue with grinding their teeth : but we should applaud with clapping of hands . Farre vnlike was her state to her sister Q. Marie : for of her M. Foxe recordeth , that k k Act. & Mon. in fine . R. M. nothing euer succeeded well which she tooke in hand . But of this we may auouch that Prosperitie of Iob : l l Iob. 29. 3. Gods light shined vpon her head , and Gods prouidence was vpon her tabernacle . 4. She was renowmed at home and abroad . Euery eare that heard her , blessed 11. her ; and euery eye that saw her , gaue testimony vnto her . From her youth she was reserued ( as it were ) to the Crowne , by want of issue in her brother and sister . All Queene Maries daies she was woonderfully preserued , euen by the meanes ( as was thought ) of that Philip of Spaine , who afterwards became her deadly enemie . Shee that then was ledde homely , tanquamouis , as a sheepe to the prison ; was not long after attended magnificently , as a princely Lionesse to the scepter : and when shee was once setled in the throne , what Prosperitie euer betided a Prince , wherewith her cup did not abundantly ouerflow ? Tertullian describing the praiers which the old Christians of their loiall affections made for their heathen Gouernours , ( wherein they were farre vnlike to the Popes and Papists of this time , which m m Bulla P ij . 5. Geneb . chron. proscribe kingdomes , and discarge subiectes of alleageance to their Soueraine Princes , and n n Defence of English Catholiques . cap. 5. hold it lawfull for the subiect to take vp armes against the king ) saith on this wise in his Apologie : o o Tertull. Apol. cap. 30. We prate alwaies for all Emperours , that God would bestow vpon them a long life , a peaceable gouernment , a safe pallace ; strong armies , faithfull counsailours , obedient subiects , a quiet world , and whatsoeuer else any man , yea Caesar himselfe can wish or desire . And is not this the Prosperity which by our praiers ( as by one speciall meanes ) God gaue and continued to Queene Elisabeth ? For first , shee attained a long life , euen within a yeere of that which p p Psal. 90. 10. Moses in his age pitched for the ordinarie time of man . Shee was with her mother q q Gen. 18. 11. Sara●… . striken in age ; and yet with her father Abraham , r r Gen. 25. 8. she died in a good age : and when she died , in despite of all the attempted po●…sonings , and stabbings , and rebellions of the Papists , her grey haires went downe with peace vnto the graue . Secondly , her Gouernment was peaceable . 〈◊〉 was inclined to 〈◊〉 : all the forainers writing ●…o 〈◊〉 ▪ o●… of her , termed her s s Caluin . epist. G. 〈◊〉 . secret . & epist. ante Com. in Isai●…m . Be●…a . 〈◊〉 ▪ ●…n N●… Test. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Elisa●…etham , The calme Qu●… of England . Her lawes were 〈◊〉 with Peace , no man dar●…g 〈◊〉 l●…ft vp his hand against the 〈◊〉 Iustice of Peace in the king●… . Her people were prese●…ued 〈◊〉 P●…ace . All her time , we were in 〈◊〉 blessed case whereof the Psalmist ●…eaketh : there was t t Psal. 144. 14. no in●…asion , 〈◊〉 going out , no complaining in our si●…ts . Thirdly , Her house was alwaies her castle : other castle of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…as neuer compelled to 〈◊〉 during all her raigne . Into 〈◊〉 , though some 〈◊〉 ●…omtimes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , u u D. P●… . 〈◊〉 i●…o her 〈◊〉 , x x Cap●… 〈◊〉 . another into the ●…obbey : ye●… euen then and 〈◊〉 y y Psal. 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 . G●… was also her c●…stle , a●…d th●… 〈◊〉 of her salua●… . Fourthly , her armes were strong 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ witnesse the manifolde expeditions made in her time to Ire●…nd , to the low Countries , to Cales , to countries vncou●…h and vnknowen : from whence like z z S●… . 〈◊〉 . Ionathans bowe , they neuer turned backe ; and like Sauls 〈◊〉 , they neuer returned empty from the bloud of the s●…aine , and from the fat of the ●…ighty . F●…tly , her Councell was alwaies deepe , trustie , and iudicious . The body wherof , though the Papists accuse of a a Defence of English Catholiques . cap. 8. pag. 177. ignominious practises , plaguy iniustice piracies , proditions , spiertes ●…nd foule artes to ●…osen the world round about vs : yet wee who could neuer iudge of their Counsell but by the effects , found alwaies the consequences thereof to be safety to her Maiesties person , peace to the realme , continuance to religion , and helpe to the neighbour Churches round about vs . Sixtly , her people were so obedient , as they were ready to goe whether soeuer shee sent them , and ready to disburse whatsoeuer sums her extraordinary charges caused her to demaund . Her Proclamations were as strong as enacted lawes : and her Priuate letters as forceable as Publike proclamations . Seuenthly , the world was so quiet in her time , as England for 45. yeeres neuer knew by feeling , what belonged to the warres . And now her winding vp was in so quiet a season , as not onely her owne kingdomes were in a generall peace ; but all the countries of Christiandome , in a calme vnity and concord .

O quam te memorem , virgo ?

Then to descend from her owne personall Prosperitie , and to speake of that happinesse which we enioyed by her gouernment : who knoweth not , that she was ( vnder God ) our Moses , b b Exod. 12. to deliuer vs out of the bondage and darknesse of the Romish Aegypt ? Our c c Iud. 4. Dehora , that brought downe the Spanish Iabin ? Our d d Iud. 14. &c. Sampson , to auenge vs againe and againe of the Popish Philistims ? Our e e 2. Sam. 6. Dauid , to fetch home the Arke of God , euen the Gospel from other countries ; and f f 1. Chro. 16. to appoint Leuites , euen godly Pastors to do seruice about it ? g g 1. Reg. 10. 27 Our Salomon , to giue vs siluer as common as stones , and cedars as the wilde figge trees in the plaine ? Our Asa , h h 1. Reg. 15. 12. to put downe idols , rood-lofts , crosses , crucifixes , altars , holy water , holy waxe , holy candle , and such like filthy trumperie ? Our Iehu , i i 2. Reg. 10. 25. to destroy Baals Prophets the Iesuites and Seminary Priests , and other k k Apoc. 1●… . ●…3 . frogs that come out of the mouth of the ●…gon ? Out l l 1. C●… 〈◊〉 27. Hezekiah , to build vp treasuries for golde , and siluer , and pretious stones , and 〈◊〉 odours ; and armories for munition , and store-houses for wheat , wine and ●…ile ; and stalles for beasts , and stables for horses : that is , euery way to strengthen the kingdome , with money , victuals and defence ? Lastly , our m m . Iosiah , to restore the booke of the Law and holy Scriptures ; abolishing Romish traditions , vnwritten ●…erisies , Popes decrees and d●…cretals : and so one way and other to lade vs with all temporall and spirituall Prosperitie ? Now her gouernment prouing so abundantly Prosperous to her , and to the land : haue not we great cause to reioice , that euer God aduanced her to so high an estate of dignitie ?

And then by the way , haue we not all ( I beseech you ) very great cause to mourne for so heauy a losse betided to vs all ? Verily , if Dauid would haue the daughters of Israel to weepe for the death of Saul , because n n 2. Sam. 1. 24. he clothed them in scarlet with pleasures , and hanged ornaments of golde vpon their appare●… then how are ye ( ô ye daughters of England ) to mourne for the death of Q. Elisabeth ; who not only gaue you these outward things in such abundance , as our plaine Ancesters , if they now rose from the dead , would hardly acknowledge vs to be their posteritie : but gaue vs righteousnesse and peace for clothing , and the way to heauen for pleasure , and the Gospel for a most precious treasure , which all the Spanish Indians are not able to counterpoise ? But what do I ( most noble Queene ) preuenting , nay with my meannesse abasing the solemnities of thy roiall funerals ? Or why do I so digresse from my ioyfull Text , to tune dolefull Elegies of sorrow ? Or why do I by weeping o o 2. S●… . 〈◊〉 . 1 , 2. with Dauid , prouoke the people to turne the saluation of this present day into mourning ? Why rather go I not on to shew how Gods mercie hath mitigated the depth of this sorrow , with a new occasion of ioy ? and calleth vs anew at this time also , to reioice in the prosperitie of the Righteous ?

We reade in the holy Scripture , that when p p Iosh. 1. 2. Moses the seruant of the Lord was dead , who brought Israel out of Aegypt , God raised vp Ioshuah to carry them ouer Iorden , and to put them in possession of the promised land of Canaan . Queene Elisabeth , that good seruant of the Lord , is dead , which brought the people of this land out of the bondage and darkenesse of Poperie : God is now raising vp a Ioshuah , by whom we conceiue great hope to enioy the perfect beautie and complements of the Gospell . Wherein not to stand vpon this , that he is a Man , & so of more power and courage to all parts of gouernment ( for q q Ci●…r . Tus●… . quest. lib. 2. of Vir commeth Virtus ( saith Tullie : ) Viri autem propria ma●…mè est fortitudo : And fortitude is the vertue most proper to amam ▪ ) neither yet to speake of this , that he is no meere aliant vnto vs , but one descended of English blood , longo de stemmate Regum , from the ancient line of the Kings and Queenes of this land , and so the liker to carry a naturall affection to this nation : not ( I say ) to stand on these things , there are three especiall points which may excite vs to a consident expectation of much good to be done in our Church and Common-wealth by his Maiesties gracious gouernment .

1. One is , his holy and vertuous education , which the common Prouerbe calleth , An other nature . r r Eurip. Iphigenia in A●…lide . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Learned education is a great furtherance to vertue ; yea , it is s s Plutarch . de Iiberis educandis . Primum , medium , & vltimum caput ( as Plutarch speaketh : ) as touching the neather meanes , it is all in all , to the leading of a godly and vertuous life . Therefore haue we great hope , that the sweet liquor wherewith he was seasoned in youth , will yeeld him an healthsome and sauourie relish all the dayes of his life .

2. A second is , the experience of his peaceable and mercifull gouernment in his owne countrey . Neither hath he shewed himselfe a disturber of other Princes , like the Spaniard that will haue an oare in euery mans boat , and pretend a title to euerie crowne . Neither hath he beene a plotter of bloudie stratagemes , like to that late horrible Massacre in France : neither haue we euer heard , that he hath beene couetous in exacting , or cruell in oppressing his owne countrey people , as was our Richard the third , of odious memorie . But he hath ( according to Salomons aduice ) established his throne t t Pro. 20. 28. by mercie and trueth : accounting Clemencie ( with Lactantius ) u u Lactant. diuin. instit. lib. 6. the next duetie to Religion : and with Seneca , x x Senec. Octauia . Act. 2. See . 2. Consulere patriae , to doe good to his countrey , the speciall vertue belonging to a soueraine Prince . So that his former practise in Scotland , giueth great hope of a mercifull gouernment vnto this realme of England .

3. The last ( but not the least ) thing , is his Religion and Profession . Religion hath his name of y y Isidor . Etimol . lib. 8. vniting and knitting our soules vnto God : and therefore is the true fountaine of goodnesse , and bridle of euill . Ioseph would not harme his bretheren : for z z Gen. 42. 18. he feared God . But Abraham doubted hard measure at Gerar , a a Gen. 20. 11. because The feare of God ( as he thought ) was not in the place . If this man were a Papist , we could expect no thing but blood , and fire , and f●…got : for they are their sole arguments to maintaine their religion . But thanked be God he is a professed Protestant , a supporter of the Gospell , an enemy to Popery : and therefore what cause is there to vs of feare ? nay what cause is there not of ioy in this his Maiesties new Prosperity ? To descend from the king to his nobles : among them diuers ( of my knowledge ) haue beene ( and I hope still are ) verie Religious . It was my happe through their honorable fauour often to be present with some of them , while they lay in the city of Norwich . There they many times partaked my publique Ministery , and I their priuate exercises . I saw their cariage so graue , their speeches so seasonable , their praiers so deuout , their preaching and preacher so sincere and zealous : as euer since that time ( which is now about twentie yeeres agoe ) I haue caried a reuerent remembrance , & honorable estimation of them and their profession . Let me proceed yet one degree further for the comforting of such as are wholly ignorant of that country and people . The holie example of the King and his nobles , hath conformed vnto it the body of that kingdome . Bishop I●…el thirty yeeres agoe b b Defence of the Apologie . part. 1. cap. 5. diuis. 3. marshalled Scotland with the formost among the Protestant Churches . And master Caluine aboue forty yeeres agoe , congratulated to master knoxe c c Caluin . Ep. Ioh. Knoxo . pag. 241. tam faelices laet ósque progressus : so happy and ioifull successe of the Gospell in that Realme . Since those daies , it hath had many meanes of growth and increase , not many of declining or falling backe : so that we are to conceiue of the King , Nobles and People together , as of a beautifull Church , and holy Spouse of Iesus Christ .

Heereupon therefore dependeth the maine occasion of our ioy in our new kings Prosperity : that first his Education , secondly his Gouernment , thirdly his Religion ; doe so aboundantly promise vnto vs in this land the continuance of our liberty and peace , but especially the enioying of the Gospell , and a deliuery from the superstition and tyranny of Antichrist and Popery .

The Papists these twenty yeeres and more haue beene continually calling , and looking for A DA●… : and this Day was , The death and dissolution of her maiesty . They were euer menacing of vs , as Esau threatned his brother : d d Gen. 27. 41. The daies of mourning for my father , will come shortly : then will I slea my brother Iacob . So whispered they longagoe , not obscurely : The daies of mourning for Queen Elisabeth , will come shortly : the Queene will not , and if we can , she shall not liue long : then 〈◊〉 we pelt these pratling Protestants , vp shall our stakes goe , off shall their heads go : e e Tertull. 〈◊〉 . pol. cap. 39. Christianos ad leonem , to the fire with them , to the gallowes , to the Clinke , to the Lollards tower . I thinke they did nothing for the space of many yeeres but with the Duke f f Ann. 1588. in expedit . Hispanica . of Medina , barrell vp ropes to execute the Protestants . The common peace of the land since the death of the Queene , and the generall consent in this new proclamation , may rightly be called in respect of the Papists hope & purpose , A very miracle seene in our time . For full confidently did they expect , that so soone as euer the breath was knowen to be out of the Queenes bellie , they should haue beene ringing auke , and fiering of houses , and spoiling of goods , and leuying of armies , and bringing in of sorraine power from beyond the seas : yea cutting of our throates , and burying of vs in the dust . Now what shall we say , or what can we say ( my good bretheren ) to these vnexpected and comfortable euents ? verily in generall we may and must say with the Psalmist : g g . This was the Lords doing , and it is maruellous in our eies . For the defeating of our enimies : let vs h h Psal. 124. 6. Praise the Lord that hath not giuen vs a prey vnto their teeth . For raising vp this Iehoshua vnto vs : let vs say with the people of God , i i Psal. 11●… . 〈◊〉 . Blessed be he that commeth in the name of the Lord : that is , k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 118. 〈◊〉 . Acceptus , foelix , & gratiosus sit iste , quem dominus nob●… regem dedit : Welcome , happy , and acceptable might he be , whom God hath raised vp to be King ouer vs . For the Papists , because like Esaues brood they haue wished and compassed Iacobs destruction : let them feare that prophecie of Obadiah , against the Edomites : l l Obad. 1. 10. For thy cruelty against thy brother Iacob shame shal couer thee , and thou shalt be cut off for euer . For our selues : let vs on the one side like good Citizens reioice in the Prosperity of this religious Prince : & on the other side , let vs pray to God both to affect his heart with large purposes of our common good , and to prepare our hearts to intertaine the good which his comming to the Crowne seemeth to promise vnto vs ; lest we stand in our owne light , by our owne vnto wardnesse , & it be said of vs as it is of the Isrealites in the daies of Iehoshaphat : m m 2. Chron. 20. 33. The high places were not taken away ( the king could not doe the good that he would haue done in the land ) for the people had not yet prepared their hearts vnto the God of their fathers .

4. There is yet a fourth Obseruation to be made from these words of Salomon : In the prosperity of the Righteous the citie reioiceth . For , it teacheth vs , what account we are to make of those whose affections are moued with no ioy to see good men grow vp , and Righteous men to Prosper vpon earth . Verily it argueth that they are such as haue euill will at Sion : and n n Matt. 20. 15. Their eie being euill because God is good , it sheweth that they are an enuious and malicious generation . Either they are no Citizens , or no sound hearted Citizens , to the city of God . For Enuy hateth that which it maligneth : o o 〈◊〉 . Epigr. deliuore . Sudat frigidus intuens quod odir . When Nehemiah reedified the walles of Ierusalem , the true hearted and naturall Iewes ioined with him , and p p Nehe. 2. 18. strengthened their hands to good . But q q Nehe. 4. 1 , 8. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked them , and conspired together to hinder them . And no maruell : for they were no Iewes . The one was an Horonite , r r ●…rem . in Neh. 2. 10. that is , a Moabite , and the other was an Ammonite : both of which nations were olde professed enemies to the people of God . Againe : when Paule came to Paphus , s s Act. 13. 7. 8. Sergius Paulus desired to heare the word of God . But Elimas withstood them , and sought to turne away the Deputy from the faith . No maruell . For he was a Iewe and a Sorcerer : and therefore could neither beare the trueth , nor the holinesse of Christian Religion . So hath it alwaies beene in the world . Ammonites and Moabites , Iewes and Sorcerers , men of corrupt life and religion , could neuer take pleasure in the building of Ierusalem , nor in the propagating of the Gospell . Whereof it is that they haue alwaies maligned the rising vp of the Righteous , for feare that the worke of God should prosper in their hands .

Heere therefore learne we to iudge of what sort and qualitie those are among vs , which grinde their teeth , and hang their heads at this new day of Englands Prosperitie . Of which ranke and company are the ding-thrifts of the lande : who hauing wasted their owne goods with riotous liuing , hoped now to haue parted other mens stakes in the time of ciuill dissention : Those also which raised not themselues by their Righteousnesse , but climbed on high by symonie , by briberie , by flattery ; abusing the gracious time and speciall ministers of the state , by corrupting and peruerting inferior officers : Those againe , which assumed the Magistracie , not to doe iustice , but to gaine reputation ; and entered the ministerie , not to labour but to liue at ease ; not to feed the flocke , but to feed vpon the flocke . These and diuerse others fearing lest in an alteratino their euill might come to light : as when a man remooueth his house , many a thing is pulled out , that laie hid , while he was setled , in some dark corner : they can not but in apparance onely reioice at this prosperitie . But to omit these and some others : there are now two especiall sorts of male-contents in the land , that sigh at the heart , though they smile with their countenance at this common peace and ioy in the kingdome . The Lord giue his Maiestie grace prudently to discerne them , and puissantly to suppresse them , as enemies to God , and chiefe hinderances to the Gospell .

1. The one sort are the Atheists , I meane the Mocke-gods of our time , which make a scorne of all religion : and saie with the t t Psal. 53. 1. Foole in their hearts , There is no God . Of such grosse and senselesse Atheists I speake : not of such as the Papists make of the Protestants . For with them u u Laurent . de la Barre . in Tertul. de resar . 〈◊〉 . Erasmus is an Atheist , because I now he imitated Lucians stile in deriding their absurdities . With them x x Idem in Tert. contra Valent. Caluine is an Atheist , because he maketh God the authour of all things . Not being able ( seely schollers ) to distinguish , between the actition which is euer y y Act. 17. 28. of God , and the euill of the action , which is euer of man himselfe . Againe , they say of z z Genebrard . Chron. p. 1171. Bukchennane that he was Atheus Poëta , a godlesse or Athetsticall Poet : because ( perhaps ) he compiled Dauids Psalmes in Poeticall verses . Yea in their esteeme , all of vs are little better then Atheists , because we acknowledge not euery seuerall Saint , for a petie God in religion . As the a a Cicer. de nat. Deorum . lib. 1. Athenians condemned Protagoras for an Atheist , b b Arnob. contra Ge●…es . lib. 8. consultè potius quàm prophanè disputantem : Who disputed rather aduisedly ( like a Christian ) than prophanely ( like an Atheist . ) So Arnobius iudgeth ; and so I doe conceine him . For certainly his purpose was neuer to say , There was no God : but that those were no gods which the Athenians worshipped : But of that by the way . Such fatte Atheists made the Gentiles of the Philosophers : and such Atheists make the Papists of vs : but of such I speake not in this place . The Atheists which I intend are those , to whom Religion is nothing but Policie , and the Scriptures are but Quaint deuices : and Moses his leading of the people through the red sea , was but his wisdome to finde the chanell , and to take the time when the tide was out : and such like odious blasphemies . These persons no man ( I trow ) can call Christians : and yet of themselues and their followers they are reputed deepely wise and learned . Let vs grant them therefore ( if we grant them any thing ) to be Heathen Philosophers : but then the question is , of what sort or sect they might take their denomination . Verely Epicures they are , for they hunt after pleasure as after their chiefest good . Their Mote is like to Sardanapalus Epitaph : Ede , lude , bibe , charum praesentibus exple Deliciis animum : post mortem nulla voluptas . Stoikes they are : for c c Plutarch . de repugnantijs Stoicorum . though they loue to dispute of Action and Practise , yet themselues couet to sit in ease and quietnesse . Yea in d d Plato de republicadial . 5. their affectation of Communitie , they are Academikes : for by their good willes no mans wife should be proper to her husband . But with the Peripatetians to enquire after e e Arist. Ethic. felicitie , or vertue ; or to account the gifts of the mind , their most excellent parts ; or the seeking of common good , their greatest glorie : these are tunes that sound harsh in their eares , because they sauour somewhat of Righteousnesse , Prosperitie , and pleasure , and ease , and abundance , are things which they affect : but Vertue and Righteousnesse they affect not . These men seeing now a change euen in the Head ; ( for f f 1. Sam. 15. 17. 2. Chro. 20. 27 Princes are the heads of the people ) and knowing that g g Arist. Physic . 5. Mutation is an alteration in the same kinde into more or lesse ( as the great Philosopher speaketh ; ) and discerning by all likelihood , that our Religion ( through Gods infinite mercy ) is not like to change to the lesse , but rather to the greater : they feare lest that which they concealed before , should now be discouered ; and whereas they were noted in former time to haue but little Religion , now it will manifestly appeare that they haue none at all : therefore doe they but poorely and seelily ( God knoweth ) giue some single tokens of ioying in this our late Prosperitie .

2. The second sort of Malecontented mates , are our mutinous and seditious Papists ; which neuer were , nor neuer will be true to Princes crownes . For they hold it for a Maxime , that h h Ioh. de Parisiis de potest . Regia & Papali . cap. 5. Papa est verus Dominus temporalium : The Pope is the right Lord of Temporalities ; so as he may take from any man , that which is his owne . By which conclusion , no Prince shall euer be sure in his throne , but at the becke and good pleasure of the Pope of Rome . A notable seditious and rebellious doctrine . Now these men which hang on this string , shewed slender tokens of ioy when Queene Elisabeth came to the crowne : but lesser a great deale now at this late Proclamation . Some newe deuised Title which might haue interessed the Spaniard to our Dominions , would haue pleased them a great deale better : or some diuision among the Nobles and Commons of this land , would haue wrought them better aduantage . For their practise was alwaies to fish in troubled waters : and to that end to raise vp diuision betweene Prince and people . But that all the estates of the land should conioine as one person , and set their faces all to the right : is a thing which they neuer expected , much lesse did wish to haue betided . But of them enough at this time . I trust that the Kings Maiestie who now is , knowing how dangerous their doctrine is to the estate of Magistracie , how they brought the late French King to his end , how many assaults and attempts they made vpon the kingdomes and person of the Queene his predecessor ; and lastly , how they haue slandered his natiue realme of Scotland , auouching , that the i i Defence of English Catholiques . cap. 3. & 4. Treacheries , treasons , murders and villainies practised in that kingdome , arose from the Protestants : will in his princely wisdome take them as they are , and vse them as they deserue : causing all the Saints of God to reioice , if not in their conuersion which were of vs to be wished , yet in their destruction which themselues will procure . Of which destruction of them , and other wicked persons , the latter pan of this Text ministreth due occasion to intreat : but time ●…ing preuented me , it must be referred to further oportunity . The Lord of heauen and earth , &c.