GOD is a God of Order , against the Anabaptisticall doctrine of Anarchie ; and confusion : he hath made men on earth , as hee hath distinguished the starres in the firmament , one starre differing from another in glorie : hee hath taken the aduauncement of men into his owne hands : his wisedome saith , By me Princes reigne , Pro. 8. 15. and Dauid saith , Preferment commeth not from the Est , &c. he confesseth that Gods hand is in that work , as Paul in this chap. saith , the powers that be , are ordained of God . The Relatiue to these Powers , is Submission ; the Extent of this Submission , omnis anima , euery Soule . I thinke Saint Paul preuentingly , and by propheticall spirit , prouided in this caution against all Aequiuocators and Mentalists , who are ready to tender their Soueraignes some outward and formall Submission , without the Soule , and inward affection , therefore hee saith , Let euery soule submit .

The foundation of this Law of Loyaltie , is laid in the conscience of a Christian man , not because of wrath onely , but for conscience sake . The illation following on the premises , is my Text. The proposition wherof is indefinite , & equiualent to an vniuersal ; They that resist , all they shall receiue iudgement . If any aske , what is the Extent of this power , which God giueth to his annointed seruants the Kings & Princes of the earth ; let them learne of Israel , who tendred this Allegeance to Ioshua : All that thou hast commaunded vs , we will do , and whither-soeuer thou sendest vs , wee will goe : as wee obeyed Moses in all things , so will we obey thee : only the Lord thy God be with thee , as he was with Moses , Iosh. 1. 16. 17. So farre then , as GOD is with our Princes , and that their commaunds , bee no preiudice to the superior ordinances of God : euery soule doth owe them submission , and must sweare them their obedience : for whatsoeuer the person of the Prince is , the power is of God : euen Pilates power is of God , though hee armed it against Christ , by our Sauiours owne testimonie , Iohn 19. 11. saying , Thou couldst haue no power against mee , except it were giuen thee from aboue : therefore Christ submitted himselfe to that power ▪ euen hee that could say , To mee is giuen all power in heauen and in earth , Matt. 28. 18.

Our gratious soueraigne King , reading in the bloudy practises of his rebel-Popish-subiects , the danger of his owne royall person , & of his hopefull posteritie , hath with the most honourable Parliament deuised a Shiboleth , euen this oath of Allegeance ( which is now tendered to vs of his Cleargie of this Diocesse ) to distinguish betwixt his Israelites and his Ephraimites , betweene his faithfull , louing , and peaceable Protestants , and the tumultuous , factious , and Popish Incendiaries , who desire to see our Ierusalem turned to dust and ashes . This Oath wil shew him who hath most disciples in his kingdome : this Paul our Apostle that taught the Romans , omnis anima , let euery soule submit ; or Paul the fift that now teacheth the Romans , and all his Romish Catholiques , the Contradictorie to his doctrine . Non omnis anima , let not euery soule be so obliged . I wonder at Burgese of Rome , that being so opposite to Saint Paul , he would vsurpe his name , at his investiture in the Papacie , except hee meant to set Paul against Palu , Romans against Romans , his Breues against Saint Paules Epistles ; our Apostle cast off a name vpon his conuersion , that would become his Holinesse of Rome much better .

But concerning the power of Secular Princes , by this Paul the fift , and his vsurping Predecessors strangely restrained to make their peace with S. Paul , they doe thus vnderstand my Text ; They that resist ; that is , They of the Laity that resist : for saith their Glosse , Ecclesiasticall persons , and Ecclesiasticall causes are exempt .

The quarrell is wel knowne between the Pope , and the State of Venice , for their iudiciall processe pursued to the execution , and death of a fowle malefactor of their Cleargie , and the Pope ( if he had been strong enough to reuenge such a quarrell ) would haue made it knowne much better . Therefore it concerneth his most excellent Maiesty , to vnderstand how his Cleargie affect his gouernement , and what subiection and Allegeance they will performe to him : which shall discouer , whether we follow the example of the old Romans , who in their purer , and Primitiue times gaue vnto Caesar that which was Caesars , or whether we resist with the late Roman Catholiques , turning Caesar all into Name , and diuesting him of all his Roialties .

Saint Bernard epist. 42. to the Archbishop of Senona vrgeth that place of Saint Paul , omnis anima , Let euery soule be subiect : thus , Si omnis , & vestra , quis vos excipit ab vniuersitate ? Si quis tent at excipere , conatur decipere . If euery soule must bee subiect , then yours , that is , those persons who are Ecclesiasticall : who excepteth you when hee nameth All ? hee that assayes to except you ( of the Church ) goeth about to deceiue you .

Therefore to sort this Preface to the occasion , and to the present hearing more properly , I learne of S. Bernard thus to limit to my selfe ; they of the Cleargie , Ecclesiasticall persons , that resist , shal receiue to themselues damnation . And heerein wee haue our high Priest for an example , of whom S. Bernard saith , Conditor Caesaris non cunctatus est reddere censum Caesari , exemplum enim dedit vobis , vt & vos ita faciatis . He that made Caesar , payed tribute to Caesar , for therein he gaue ensample to you , ( to you of the Cleargie ) that you should also doe the like : thus did Saint Bernard teach , who flourished eleauen hundred yeares after Christ .

Origen interpreting this Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans , vpon this Chapter lib. 9. giueth a reason , why the Apostle in an Epistle to the Brethren in Antiochia , Syria , and Cilicia , Acts 15. 29. doth only admonish them to abstaine from things sacrificed to Idoles , from the strangled , and from bloud , not adding any prohibition of adulterie , murther , theft , &c. Superfluum videbatur , ea diuina lege prohibere , quae sufficienter humana lege plectuntur : It seemed to him more then needed by diuine decrees to inhibite those things which humane lawes did sufficiently punish . His collection from hence is very notable , and sorteth with my present Argument : Ex quo apparet , iudices mundi partem maximam Dei legis implere , omnia enim crimina quae vindicari vult Deus , non per antistites , & principes Ecclesiarum , sed per mundi iudices voluit vindicari . Hence it appeareth , that the Secular Iudges doe fulfill the greatest part of the Lawe of GOD ; for all crimes which GOD will haue punished , hee referreth to the vindication of these , and not of the Prelates , and chiefe Priests in his Church . And heerein he hath met with the Church of Rome , in an euasion learnd of the Donatists , and detected , and despised by Saint Augustine , contra Parmenianum Donatistam Episcopum . libr. 1. saying ; Nisi forte ( quemadmodum nonnulli eorum sane imperitissimi intelligere solent ) de honoribus Ecclesiasticis dictum esse velint , vt gladius intelligatur vindicta spiritualis : cùm prouidentissimus Apostolus satis aperiat , quid loquatur , dicens , propter hoc tributa praestatis . Vnlesse perchance ( as some most foolishly are wont to interprete these words ) they would vnderstand Saint Paul , as speaking of Ecclesiasticall powers , that by the Sword is meant Excommunication : whereas the Apostle wisely prouided , to preuent any such interpretation , and expresseth himselfe plainely , when hee sayth , For this cause pay you tribute , and Tribute is not due but to Secular powers .

And Saint Ambrose maketh good this interpretation Tom. 5. vpon this place , saying ; Principes hos reges dicit , qui propter corrigendam vitam , & prohibenda aduersa creantur , Dei habentes imaginem , vt sub vno sint caeteri . The Apostle Paul in this place meaneth Kings , who are created for the correction of mens liues , and the defending of them from aduersitie , bearing the Image of God , that one should sit aboue the rest .

And Theophilact ( as for the most part he doth ) followeth Saint Chrysostome , in the interpretation of this Text , saying ; Vniuersos erudit , siue Sacerdos sit ille , sine Monachus , siue Apostolus , vt se principibus subdant .

Hee teacheth all sorts of men , whether he be Priest , Monke , or Apostle , hee must submitte himselfe to his Soueraigne Prince . And the holie Apostle Saint Peter whom the Roman Vsurpers boast to succeede , taught the same generall doctrine , 1. Pet. 2. 13. &c. Submit yourselues to all maner ordinance of man , for the Lords sake , whether to the King as superiour , or vnto gouernours as sent of him , &c. for so is the will of God .

Saint Gregory the great who sate Bishop of Rome sixe hundred yeares after our Lord and Sauiour Christ , knew no other , nor taught none other doctrine : for hereof , his Epistles giue good witnesse .

Mauritius the Emperour had made a Decree , That no olde Souldiers should be admitted or receiued into anie of the Monasteries , because hee perceiued that many of them vsed this as a shift to shunne and escape from going to the warres , and hee was thereby likely to bee the worse serued : such power had that Christian Emperour to decree in matters concerning the Church , and Gregorie then Bishoppe of Rome , grieued at this constitution of the Emperor , did not conuent the Emperour to his Consistorie , drew not out against him the sword of Excommunication , did not menace him with interdiction , depriuation , or any other shew of Papall iurisdiction , but as an humble and duetifull ▪ subiect , addressed to him his earnest petition , by an Epistle , wherein he pleadeth for the Church , and as if it became him ill to contest with his Soueraigne , hee bringeth in Christ Iesus , thus expostulating with him . Ego te de notario comitem excubitorum , de comite Caesarem de Caesare imperatorem , & patrem imperatorum feci : In a word , I haue aduaunced thee from lowe to high degree ; Sacerdotes meos tuae manui commisi . I haue giuen thee charge and gouernement of my Priests , Registr. lib. 3. epist. 61.

And to make his suite more possible , he wrote an earnest Letter to Theodorus the Emperours Physician , to intreate him , who might best chuse an opportune time , to sollicite this request , in which he complayneth , saying ; Epist. 64. Valde mihi durum videtur , vt ab eius seruitio milites prohibeat , qui dominari illum , non solum militibus , sed etiam Sacerdotibus concessit . It seemeth hard to mee , that hee whom God hath made to rule , not only Souldiers , but Priests also , should restraine Souldiers from doing seruice to that GOD : So making Theodorus his competitor to the Emperour , for repeale of that Law.

But this Gregorie the first of that name , was so farre from the present Antichristian pride of his successor , as that he would not suffer the Title of Oecumenicall Bishop to be put vpon him ; herein following Pelagius his most worthy predecessour . He writ an angry reprehension to Eulogius , Patriarch of Alexandria , for stiling him Vniuersall Bishop , in an Epistle sent to him : And when Iohn Patriarch of Constantinople , had vsurped that title , he wrot to him to rebuke him for it . And to Mauritius the Emperour , whose loue to him and the Church could haue affoorded him so honorable a title , he said , whosoeuer assumeth to himselfe , or admitteth of any such title , Elatione sua Antichristum praecurrit , he doth fore-runne Antichrist in his pride . He calleth that title , Nefandum , stultum , superbum vocabulum , a wicked , foolish , and proud title . He saith that the counsell of Calcedon offered it to his predecessors , to bee so stiled , sed tamen nullus sibi hoc temerarium nomen arripuit : none of them took this rash and in considerate name vpon him .

He would haue staid the pride of that Roman See at the first : for when in respect of the Empire seated at Rome , the chamber of that great Monarchie , there was giuen the first place in Councels to the Bishop of Rome : the next ambition was to be chiefe Bishop : and then to be vniuersall ouer all the Church , as Hart saith , the Pope cannot be non resident , for all the world is his Diocesse ▪ and what was then left , but to intrude vpon the rights of temporall Princes , as in succeeding times they did , and at this day doe ? But we heare God promising , Kings shall be thy nursing fathers , and Queenes thy nurces ; not Bishops , not Popes , and Prelates , Esay 49. 23. Two proofes let mee but name , because we haue them fully pressed by most learned and iudicious Diuines , which expresse the power of Princes ouer the Church .

First , their inuention of generall Counsells , so Pighius himselfe confesseth , Constantinus primus auth●r fuit conuocandi generalia consilia : Constantine was the first who deuised to assemble generall Counsells , but the power heereof was by GOD himselfe giuen to Moses , to whom hee committed the making and vsing of the two siluer Trumpets , and from him deriued to all Princes and States imperiall . And the Church storie since Christ maketh it plaine , how Emperours and Kings in their seuerall dominions , haue both called Counsells , and sate Presidents , to order the meeting , to censure and punish offendours , to keepe them to the point that would digresse , and in their absence to depute secular Iudges in their places , and at last to dissolue their meeting at their pleasure . Yea sometimes the great Bishop of Rome hath made request to the Emperour , as Leo for example , for the calling a Counsell in Italie , and preuailed not . And lastly , the Canons of Counsells were by the imperiall power ratified , and without that soueraigne approbation had no strength .

Secondly , for Appeales , the Princes haue bin in the Church , the end of them all , euen in causes Ecclesiasticall . More , Socrates reporteth libr. 5. cap. 10. That many Bishops differing in iudgement , concerning the Doctrine of the Trinitie , Theodosius the Emperour conuented them before himselfe , hee tooke the seuerall Coppies of their Doctrines ; and praying first to God to assist him , in that holy businesse , that he might choose and maintaine his truth against all heretical opinions : after mature aduice , hee resolued vpon the truth of Doctrine , and in the presence of all the Assembly , hee tore in peeces all the rest : and this truth he did not measure by the depth of his own iudgement , but by comparison with that Canon of Faith , which both holy Scriptures , and former Counsells had sufficiently maintained . And this was in a matter meerely Ecclesiasticall . And for Ecclesiasticall persons ; the law of Appeales in our Land , when Popery passed for true religion , in the reigne of King Henry the second , had this Processe , from the Archdeacon , to the Bishop of the Diocesse , from the Bishop of the Diocesse to the Archbishoppe of the Prouince , and from him to the King , which was the finall hearing and determination , beyond which there was no further prouocation , but to leaue all to God . Therefore we determine , that our Causes and our Persons are all vassalles , and subiect to our Soueraignes ; and the immunities and liberties which wee possesse , wee holde them of the indulgence , and gracious fauour of our most worthie , and louing Princes , and our Salomon , our Ecclesiastes requireth of his Cleargie , no vndue obedience , that the iudgement remaineth most iust . They that resist ( euen of the Cleargie ) shall receiue vnto themselues damnation .

They resist this power , who refuse this Oath of Loyaltie to his most excellent Maiestie , as all Popish Recusants do , who set vp a demy-god , as Bellarmine his Parasite fawneth , and faineth , De Pontif. 5. 6. qui potest mutare , conferre , & auferre principibus regna : who hath power to change , to giue , and take away Kingdomes from Princes .

Our Soueraigne doth not set vp an Inquisition , to finde out Papists , as Rome doth to discouer Protestants : hee doth not make bare suspition quarrell enough to apprehend , conuent , imprison , racke , and torture men , to force them to selfe-accusation : hee onely deuiseth to know sheepe from goates , loyall subiects from hereticall rebells ; he is the Image of that King of whom wee reade , Matt. 21. 5. Ecce , rex tuus venit tibi mansuetus : Thy King commeth to thee meeke , and gracious . It is the glorie of a King to passe by an offence . How many Princes of the earth would haue put vp such an attempt as the Gun-powder treason was , with such patience ? Might not Christian Princes haue thought his anger iust , if it had drawne his Sword against all of that Religion , till none of them had beene left , and it had beene no more then the equitie of my Text , for they that resist must receiue iudgement heere , by iust Magistrates , who beare not the Sword in vaine , and heereafter damnation , by the Sentence of the great Iudge of Quicke and Dead . The Israelites thought this Sentence iust ; for thus they say to Ioshua ; Whosoeuer will rebell against thy Commaundements , Ioshua 1. 18. let him be put to death : And God gaue a fearefull example hereof in the rebellion of Corah . The reason is giuen by the Almightie himselfe in this case of opposition to soueraigne dominion , why he taketh it so to heart : For hee said to Samuel , They haue not cast thee away , but they 1. Sam. 8. 7. haue cast me away , that I should not raigne ouer them .

In these cases of resisting , GOD is most sensible , for his owne Scepter of Rule is touched in them : For by mee Princes raigne , saith his Wisedome . Therefore the vsurping pride of Rome , struggling and wrastling with the Holy one of Israel for the Scepter of Regiment , may now looke , that the censure of Saint Gregorie the Great then Bishop , giuen vpon the Patriarch of Constantinoples ambition of the name of Oecumenicall , may turne into a prophesie of these times , and then Elatio tanto citius rumpitur , quanto magis inflatur . And we may all expect the breaking of the head of Leuiathan in the great waters . Dauid said , they that hate thee haue lifted vp the head . Saint Augustine vpon that place saith , Nec capita , sed caput quando eo peruenturi sunt , vt etiam illud caput habeant , quod extollitur super omne quod dicitur Deus , & quod colitur , quod Deus interficiet spirituoris sui : that is , he saith not their heads , but they shall lift vp the head , seeing they shall come to that passe , that they shall haue that head which is lifted vp aboue all that is called God , or is worshipped , which GOD shall destroy with the breath of his mouth .

The time of my warning to this place , and the time limited to this short Preface to a long businesse , are both impatient of prolixitie . Let mee therfore addresse my speech to you my reuerend Brethren , in the holy Ministery of the word of God , to stirre you vp , not onely to expresse and approoue your owne vndoubted loyalty to your Soueraigne , by your oath publiquely giuen for the same , but further , to employ the vttermost of your wittes , and tongues , and pennes , to recouer so many of our recusant brethren , as are not frozen in their dregges of superstition , but led in blindenesse , for want of light , to the vnitie of our Church , and the obedience of our Soueraigne : and withall , to stirre vp the Magistrate to zeale and feruour in the cause of God , to detect , and pursue recusant Papists , and to lay them at the foote of our gracious Lord the King : For Salomon saith right well ; A King that sitteth in the throne of Iudgement , chaseth away all euill with his eye , Prou. 20. 8. or if they be so grounded in their disloyalty , that they dread not the power of that Sword which hee beareth , and not in vaine : if they be so blinded with superstition , that they cannot see in the Maiestie of Soueraigne gouernment , the ordinance , and Vicegerencie of God . A wise King ( as a wise King saith ) scattereth the wicked , and maketh the wheele to turne ouer them : verse 26. Our King hath Wisedome like an Angell of God , to dispute with them , and confute them : Euen a diuine Sentence is in the mouth of our King , Prouer. 16. 19. He hath Iustice like the Deputy of of the most High , to punish them that are obstinate , hee hath mercy like the Sonne of God , to manage Iustice , with moderation , and to pardon those that offend , not of malitious and precipitate rebellion , but of ignorant and mis-led ouersight . And his search tending to the detection of Gods enemies , I wish my Text written by the finger of Gods spirit , in the royall heart and hand of our most gracious Lord the King , that all his faithfull subiects may reade it in his practise ; They which resist , shall receiue to themselues iudgement .

For , what greater discouragement to our Ministery , then this , to see the bold freedome of recusant Papists , daring to affront our Church , to impugne our doctrine , to despise our Bishops , to scorne our Ministery , and to pronounce vs all damned to the second death without hope of redemption ; and all this with such assurance , as if they had no law to contradict them , or no Magistrate to see the lawe executed vpon them . God himselfe hath written a law against such , in their bloud , and let Gods subordinate Deputies on earth from the King that sitteth vpon the throne , to the lowest Magistrate trusted with the Sword of Iustice , lay to heart the speech of God by his Prophet to Ahab , 1. Reg. 20. 42. Because thou hast let goe out of thy hand , a man whom I appointed to die , thy life shall goe for his life . Let this sentence fall vpon the Kings enemies , and rather then one haire should fall from the head of the Lords annoynted for his remissenes herein to those whom God hath appoynted to die : let his milke-white mercy be dyed into a crimosin tincture of iudgement . Exurgat Deus , dissipentur inimici . Let God arise , let his enemies be scattered . What their mercy is , the day shall declare it , the fift of Nouember shall declare it to posteritie , their vault , their powder , their barres of yron , their logges , and billets of wood , euen all their instruments of sodaine and cruell death , which if men should forget , God would remember , for though men winke and sleepe , the holy one of Israel seeth , and God the auenger will arise , and They that resist shal receiue to themselues condemnation . The Pope that absolueth others , herein cannot be absolued . Saint Paul hath sealed Paul the fift , now liuing & dying in his present Religion , to condemnation : and my Text is sufficient proofe , that no Romish Catholique , liuing and dying in the obedience of the Bishop of Rome , and in difloyal rebellion , and resistance to their lawfull Soueraignes , can hope by the reuealed will of God to bee saued : for his sinne is resistance to Gods ordinance , which is flatte Th●omachie .

Let vs all therefore be instant and earnest in the maintenance of this truth : our tepidity and luke-warmenesse in religion maketh vs iustly tataxed to resemble the church of Laodicea , which is threatned to be cast out of Gods mouth . It is the cause of God , it is the cause of Iesus Christ , the cause of the Church , the cause of the Common-wealth . It is the cause of the supreame head of the Church and Common-wealth next vnder Iesus Christ , our wise , learned , gracious , and peaceable Salomon . He is neither good Christian , nor good subiect , that is not stowe , and confident , in so religious , and loyall a quarrell .

I presume I haue but spoken the thoughts and affections of all my reuerend and learned brethren in the holie Ministerie ; and I say no more but Amen . Let God ratifie and confirme it : euen so be it for Iesus Christ his sake : to whom with the Father and the holie Spirit , be giuen all glorie , and power , and dominion , now and euermore .

In the beginning of this chapter , Wisedome buildth her an house , that is , Christ , a church , and it is not like to our great houses , without hospitalitie : here are three rooms expressed in it : a Slaughter-house : For she hath killed her beasts : Matth. 22. 4. the Oxen and Fatlings in the Parable : heere is her Wine-presse : for shee hath mingled her Wine , saith the new translation , it is the phrase of Scripture , to expresse the making of wine of the iuice of many grapes commixed : or it is her cellar , for the olde reading was , that shee hath drawne the wine . Heere is also her dining roome , or place to eate in , which is not some close , thriftie parlour neere the kitchin , but a very spacious roome , where the table is prouided : the largenesse of the roome is easily gathered , and guessed by the inuitation .

Wisedome sendeth forth her Maidens : that is , Iesus Christ his Ministers : so called , not in respect of the virginity of Priests , so much vrged in the Church of Rome , so little practised ; for Dauid doth not alwayes esteeme that happy : the fire consumed their yong men , and their maydens were Psal. 78. 63. not giuen in marriage : but in respect of their modesty , and curteous affabilitie , louingly bearing themselues in the businesse of this inuitation .

The Commission is large : for all that are simple and want vnderstanding , are inuited , so the house had neede to bee of good receipt , and the Table both large and well furnished , to entertaine so many guests .

All sinne is folly , and all sinners are fooles , these doth Christ our Wisedome inuite : For hee came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance : but they must be such , as will forsake their folly , and embrace vnderstanding , that is , penitents .

Wee will examine the Inuitation to a word , there must not a crumme of this bread fall beside the Table ; and the best Methode , to handle these words in , is , to imitate and follow the order , in which they are set downe to vs , by Wisedome .

The parts of this Text be as many ( almost ) as the wordes thereof .

1 Come . Wee must come to Wisedomes house , that is , to the Church of God . He that bids vs , seemes not to come home to our houses . Behold , I Reuelat. 3. 20. stand at the doore and knock , and if any man open vnto mee , I will come in to him , and suppe with him . Hee now desireth the like good fellowship from vs , that wee would come to his house : he will be our guest vnbidden : let vs be his . Dauid was glad when they said vnto him ; Come let vs goe vp to the house of the Lord , Psalme 122. 1. And when he was hindered in that liberty , his soule longed yea and fainted for the Courts of the Lords house . Psalme 84. 2.

It is a pleasing resort to Gods house , for there the Lord sitteth betweene the Cherubins : Psal. 99. 1. 77. 13. 96. 6. Gods way is in his Sanctuarie : yea ,