Text. Goe your waies .

God saith of the wicked ( viae meae , non sunt viae vestrae ) My waies are not your waies . But here the Angel saith , Go your waies . &c. which was a notable argument to these men that their authoritie was good . This must needs concerne vs of the Ministery verye neerelie , Psal. 39.1 that wee looke to our waies like Dauid , whether they bee such as may incourage vs to proceed therein with a safe conscience . For it is questionlesse , that because the spirites of the Prophets are subiect to the Prophets : 1 Cor. 14 , 32 therefore saint Iohn willeth vs to trie the spirites , teaching vs like wise to knowe , what spirits we must acknowledge for fit leaders of Gods people . Acts. 8.9 In Symon the Sorcerer was the spirite of inchauntment , wherewith he seduced the Samaritanes .

In Iason the highe priest , 2 Maca. 4 , 7 was the spirite of Briberie , whilest hee corrupted ( for that office of the priest hoode ) Antiochus , who was corrupted againe by Menelaus . Our sauiour Christ himselfe telleth vs , Iohn 10 , 1 That euery one that commeth not in by him the doore , Neh. 13 , 29 entereth in by a wrong way . And zealous Nehemia curseth such , as prophane polluters of Gods holie house , and defilers of his sacred Priesthood . And yet some haue taken this calling vppon them , before they coulde discharge it any better then Nicodemus could reason of regeneration : Iohn 3 , 9 and other haue gon the wrong waye to discharge theyr charge : Ionas . 1 , 3. as Ionas fled to Tarshish , when he should haue gone to Niniue . And the Grandbishop of our soules , 1 Pet. 2 , 25 hath ordained this for a perpetuall and an infallible note of a true minister of Iesus Christ : Iohn 10 , 9 By me if any man enter , he shall goe in and out , and shall find pasture , and shal bee safe : meaning , that they whose pastures are bare , like the mountaine of Gilboa , 2 Sam. 1.21 haue climed ouer the hurdles , or come in by some by-waie , and not by the right doore . And as no learning hath let them in , so a lawfull autoritie might shut them out , that they might returne to theyr olde occupations againe , whereof they haue more skil , 2 Tim. 4 , 10 and wherin they haue most delight ( as Demas in this Worlde ) whoe haue taken so large a leape , as it is from the shop boord , to the sheepefold . They only must build in Gods house , whom he hath commanded so to doe , and inabled thereunto , as when he said to the apostles : Math. 28 , 18 19 All power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth : Goe therefore and teache all Nations , &c. for God euer indueth them with a greater measure of his grace , then the common sorte of his people : ( As Iacob said of his elder sonne Ioseph , when hee blessed him : moreouer , Gen. 40 , 22 I giue to thee one portion aboue thy brethren , which I gate from the Amorites with my sword & bow ) That the minister may be a leg to the lame , an eie to the blinde , a staffe to the aged , a teacher of the ignoraunt , and a guide to the wandering : else , how shall he lifte my feete out of the mire that is as deepely plunged in it as I am ? What hope haue I to escape the pit , when my guide is as blinde as a beetle ? How shall he vpholde and strengthen my weaknesse , who is an vnstaid man himselfe ? how shal other be taught by him whom God himself vnder the person of Nicodemus reproued for his ignorance long since ? Iohn 3 , 10 Thus did the people wander in that maze of poperie , as in a midnight of ignorance in the daies past . But ( blessed be God ) we may now see howe truelie Paule said sometimes to the saintes at Ephesus , Ephes. 5 , 8 ye were darknes , but nowe are you light in the Lord , meaning that when they were gentiles they walked ignorantlie as they that were in darkenes , but it pleased God to giue them his sonne , who is the true light to inlighten euery one that commeth into the world .

Iohn 1.9 Iohn the Baptist beeing asked of the priests & Leuites , what he was , Iohn 1.23 saide not I am a crier , but hee answered : I am the voice of a crier . Manye haue taken the title of the Lords criers vpon them , whose voices haue sildom been imployed in preparing the pathes of the Lorde . Whoe ( if they omitted their duety of ignorance ) might learne of Esay to inquire of the Lorde : What shall I crie ? Esay 40.6 And they which knowe it might imitate the same Prophetes example , who saide that For Sions sake hee woulde not bee silent , that Iacob may knowe Gods iudgementes , and Israel his Lawes . Rom. 10 , 14 15 For howe shall the people heare without a preacher , and how shall they preache except they bee sent ? Lorde , howe many were there possessed with dumbe Diuelles , whilest ignoraunce was the reputed mother of Deuotion ! but in this our soule sauing knowledge of Iesus CHRISTES Gospell , it hath pleased him to open the mouthes of such as soundlie teach vs , that to knowe the true God and Iesus Christ , whom he hath sent to saue vs , is eternal life . Wherfore we are as greatlie bound to praise God , Marke 7.31 for opening the mouths of such men , as those Galileans who saide : He hath done all things well , he hath made the deafe to heare , and the dumbe to speake . 2 Chr. 13 , 9 Blessed be God , the daies which Ahia the Prophet complained of , are worne out of date : whoe said , We haue such priests as the Nations that be Idolatrous round about vs , as though we should sacrifice with a bullock and seauen Rams , to them which are no Gods . Then coulde men bee contented to see and suffer Gods sanctuary to bee a stable for the ignorant asse . Surely it argueth that men could bee contented to profes wel , whatsoeuer they performed : and to haue all thinges well , so that it were not effected by their means . For had they regarded Gods true religion , then should not a company of vnworthy men , haue caried awaie the churches reuenues for an olde song , as Baals priestes consumed the kings cost , for saying O Ball heare vs : 1 Reg. 18 , 26 blind Prophets shuld not lead the blinded people ( hand in hand ) vnto hell , nor the Diuell lead captiue both the seducers , and the seduced , as the Philistines ruled Samson , Iudg. 16.21 hauing cut off his haire , and bored out his eies .

Text. And stand in the Temple .

This is added , to prooue that God hath appointed a setled and certaine place , wherein he will haue his name called vpon of his people : Deu. 12 , 5 , 6 and it hath beene so euer sithence that Temple at Ierusalem was first builded by king Salomon . 1 Reg. 6 As the Psalmist ment when he said : Thither the tribes go vp , Psal. 122 , 4 euen the tribes of the Lord , &c. And it seemeth , that in diuers ages , there were ordinary places of assemblie , as well to the sacriledge committed with Idols , as for the seruice of the true god . For as the woman of Samaria saith , that her predecessors worshipped vppon the mount of Samaria , Iohn 4 , 20 and Christe said , that Ierusalem was the ordinary place where Israell shoulde worship : 2 Reg. 5.18 So Naaman the Syrian , worshipped in the house of Rymmon , and Ieroboam sometimes at Bethel , 1 Reg. 12 and otherwhiles at Dan. But it is saide heere vnto the Apostles , stand in the Temple : for that the Christian Religion being an open faced Religion , doeth likewise require a publike profession . According as our Sauior Christ said to the Disciples , Math. 10.27 Quod dico vobis in tenebris , praedicate in luce . What I teach to you priuately , that preache you publikelie . For it is not enough , sayeth saint Paule , that your heart doeth beleeue vnto saluation , Rom. 10 , 10 but your mouth must also make confession to iustification . Ne coelico fallaci venerentur numina cultu , least all ( like Saule ) shoulde worshippe God for a fashion , and not of Deuotion . Supra Math. cap. 21 , 12

Saint Gregorie in his Morals vpon Christes going into the Temple , so soon as he came into the City saith , that this true reformer of his church , had two speciall respectes therein . The first , to shewe that the negligence of the people doeth much arise of the carelesnesse of the Pastor , who commeth not there so often as he ought . And therefore was it a part of Paules care to saie to the Colossians , Admonishe Archippus to looke to his charge . Colos. 4.17

Next , to aduertise all higher powers , to procure the good of GODS house by all the lawfull meanes they may : and in this sence Esay said , that Kinges shoulde bee nurcing fathers , Esay 49 , 23 and Queenes nurcing mothers vnto it .

Text. And speake vnto the people .

As the Apostles mightie deliuerance out of the common prison , was a demonstration of Zorobabels conclusion , 1 Esdr. 4 , 41 viz. that trueth is strongest : So this freshe charge and newe commission giuen to them , must teach vs , that we prise not the worde of God by that estimation that men of sinne do value it . Math. 7 , 6 Matt. 15.25 For as swine cannot prize pearles , so the crums of this foode , are sought for by such , as know what it is worth . When the Apostles aunswered the counsel at Ierusalem with , Acts. 4 , 19 Whether it is better to obey God or man , iudge you ; their speech hath relation to the commandement of God ( wee see ) as to a rule and compasse , whereby his ship the Church is safe conducted in the sea of this world . For right so as God said to Moses : Exod. 5 , 40 See that thou makest the Arke , according to the patterne that I shewed thee on the Mounte : In like maner , ought all the enterprises of a Christian life , to bee leuelled by the worde of Gods prescription . Christ saith , that when the shepherd is stricken , the flocke flyeth & is scattered . 1 Reg. 22 , 17 And so Micaia did prophecie against Ahab the wicked king of Israell . But Christ neuer saide : that the good shepheard doeth fly from the flocke , though himselfe be stricken : but that he ventureth his own life , Iohn . 10 , 11 to saue theirs , as appeareth by these apostles , whoe cease not to doe that which God commandeth , though it bee with daunger of life . As the two good midwiues of Egypt woulde not kill the infantes , because GOD hath said , Thou shalt do no murder . It was said to the sinfull man in the Gospell , Iohn 5 , 14 Goe thy waie and sinne no more , least a worse thing befal thee . But when the Apostles are inlarged by the Angel of the Lorde , they are bidden to doe againe as they did before . Then this is the cause whye GOD is so present a helpe in our troubles , Psal 46 , 1 Psal. 50 , 15 in deliuering vs when wee call vppon him , euen that wee might magnifie him the more . Acts. 4 , 18 We charge you that you speake no more in this name , saieth the counsell of Ierusalem to these Apostles : But I commaund you , that ye speake the more in this name , sayth the angell of the Lorde ( nowe yee are at libertie . ) Therefore is the zeale of GODS Saintes figured in the sacrificing fire , which might not goe out but must burne both daie and night ( by the Leuiticall Lawe ) and as our seruice of GOD must bee perpetuall , Leuit. 6 , 13 so muste it bee without feare or doubting .

Shoulde such a manne as I am fly ? Nehe. 6 , 11 ( said Nehemiah . ) If the husbandman shoulde waite vntill there were no winde , Eccles. 11.4 hee shoulde neuer sowe . Or if hee woulde not reape , till there be no clouds that threaten rain , he shoulde neuer haue haruest while he liueth . In that these Apostles are commanded to speake vnto the people ; occasion is offered to saie something of those simples whereof gods catholike church is compound : viz. of the people . New Ierusalem hadde twelue gates , not onely to signifie the xii . Tribes of Israell , Apoc. 21.12 . but further to teach that GOD woulde choose his church from all parts of the worlde . And this is that which our sauior said long sithence : I haue other sheep which are not of this folde , Iohn 10 , 16 them also muste I bring , and they shal heare my voice , and there shal be one sheepfold and one sheep heard . Whereby he meant , that hee would be one day as common to the Gentiles ( thorough the preaching of his gospell ) as then he was proper to the first elected Iewes . For S. Iohns vision must bee effected ( or else the scriptures are not fulfilled ) he saieth : he saw an angell flying thorough the Apoc. 14 , 6 middest of heauen , hauing an euerlasting gospell to preach to them that dwell on the earth , and to euery Nation , and kindred , and tongue , & people . So that howsoeuer that bee true , that the Israelites were the peculiar people of God , to whom only pertained the promise , the adoption , & the couenant of God ( as saint Paule sayeth ) yet now God vouchsafing a new couenant , Rom. 9 , 4 Iere. 5 , 31 hath comprehended all Nations therein , Acts. 2 , 39 as saint Peter saith , Vnto you is the promise made and vnto your seed , & vnto all that are yet a farre off , Ose. 2 , 23 euen so manie as God will call . And as Ose the Prophet said : god calleth them his people who were not his people heretofore , and they ( now ) do cal him their God , whose God hee was not in times past : For we were as sheep going astraie , 1 Pet. 2 , 25 but nowe returned to the sheepeheard and bishop of our soules , &c. Acts 10 , 15 So that Saint Peters vision being accomplished , that which God hath cleansed , manne may not count it vncleane : Actes 10 , 28 for ( now ) GOD hath shewed me that I shoulde not count any man polluted , or vncleane , saith hee .

Text. All the wordes of this life .

This doth subscribe to the truth of him , whoe beeing the life it selfe , Iohn 14 , 6 Matth. 4 , 3 saide sometimes , that There is not one worde in the booke of God , but it hath his Emphasis , or powerfull effect vnto eternall life .

Therefore , as Saint Paule founde by his owne experience , Rom. 1 , 16 that the wordes of the Gospell tende all to the sauing of Faithfull beleeuers : so hee protesteth to the Church of Ephesus , that hee kept not backe anie part of the Counsell of GOD , that was fitte for theyr saluation , Acts. 20 , 20 but deliuered vnto them all that Counsell of GOD . Yet we , who are the Gentiles , must saie like Ieremy the prophet : Thy words were found by mee , Iere. 15 , 16 and I did eate them , and thy worde was vnto mee the ioy and reioicing of my hart . Or as Dauid said : Psal. 132.6 Loe wee heard of the same at Ephrata , and found it in the Wood. When we come to Gods house , wee must attende rather what is spoken , then who speaketh , because if we regard who teacheth , we shall oft hear the successors of the Scribes & Pharisies , who onlie would say well : and bicause they hold in capite ( so long as they teach the truth ) wee must heare them , Matth. 23 , 2 and hold with them in that . Ei parti fauendum est quae rectum sentit in veritate . We must leane to that side , which relieth vpon the truth : Therefore said Christ : Quod dicunt facite , You must doe as they saie . If you attend what they say , you shal find them like the Apostles , for they speak vnto you all the words of this life . And it is not only the word of life , because it is spoken as from the Author of life , or because it tendeth to eternall life , but ( quia creditur ) because it is beleeued . And therefore saieth Paule : Rom. 1 , 16 It is the power of God able to saue euery beleeuer And when Esay said , Esay 53 , 1 Lord who beleeueth our preaching ? hee meant , that the want of beliefe is want of life . The wordes of the Gospell are also called the words of life , Iohn 14 , 6 because they treate of Iesus Christ , who is the life of life : for in him we liue , moue , Actes 4 , 12 & haue our being . And not only Peter saith : Acts 10 , 43 Non est salus in vllo alio , but huic testantur omnes prophetae . To him doe all the Prophets beare witnesse , that through his name al that beleeue in him , shal receiue remission of sinnes . The wordes of the Gospell are called the wordes of life also , because the subiect of the gospel is to beget soules to euerlasting life : as our Sauiour himselfe saieth , Iohn 20 , 31 These things were written that you might beleeue , and in beleeuing yee might haue life through Christs name .

Text. So when they heard it , they entred into the temple early in the morning and taught .

This sequele sheweth how faithfully the Apostles did execute the Angels commandement ; First they doe heare it , Ezec. 33 , 7 then they teach it : like that rule of God to Ezechiel , Sonne of man thou shalt heare the word at my mouth , and thou shalt giue the people warning from me . 1 Pet. 4 , 11 Or that of S. Peter , If anie man minister , let him do it as of the abilitie that God ministreth to him . For our sauiour saith , Math. 13.52 Euery Scribe learned in the kingdome of God , is like a good housholder that bringeth out of his treasure , things both new and old . Thus the meanes are directed to the ende , as Moses receiued the lawe , to deliuer it to the people . The eare to heare , and the eie to see , the Lorde hath made them both saith the Wise man . Prou. 20 , 12 Salomon teacheth vs both the vse and the author of our senses : by both the which he affirmeth that we are gods factors vpon earth , and that the gifts of God are talents committed to vs , to trade them ouer in our life , to the honor of the right owner of them . Luke 4 , 16 The Euangelist Luke saith , that when our Lord came into the synagogue of Nazareth , ( according to his custome ) hee gaue them a sermon : And so doeth hee saie likewise of the Apostles , Luke 24 , 53 that they were vsuallie conuersing in the Temple , in the time of their libertie , and nowe also after their imprisonment . This is one great comfort to the man of god , that howsoeuer men may be bounde for the worde of God , 2 Tim. 2 , 9 yet the worde of God it selfe is not bound .

And let them further vnderstande , that as Gods iudgments are compared to a great deep , Psal. 36 , 6 so he wil not make it known vnto vs , why he suffereth men to ride ouer our heads , but only thus far forth , that we may finde him most helpefull , when we feele our selues to be most helplesse , Psal. 37 , 25 and say like Dauid , I neuer sawe the righteous forsaken . And thereby learne , that bicause God is mercifull , therefore he ought to be feared more then men , who are for the most part cruell .

When it is said , that the Apostles Entred earlie into the temple and taught . This is spoken for the imitation of their successors : for euen as the sun imparteth his light vnto the moone and starres , so these moouing candlesticks bee not put vnder a bushell , but set in an open place , to inlighten all that are in Gods house . Iohn 5.35 According as the scripture saith of S. Iohn , That hee was a burning and a shining light : meaning that he consumed himselfe to giue light to other . In some place the minister earlie is vp , but the people neuer the nearer : yet these apostles enter betimes into the temple , & doe teach . Iesus Christ is called the day spring , or the breake of the daie . Luke 1 , 78 And so is his worde comparable to the star that conducted the wise men vnto him . Math. 2 , 9 Cant. 3 , 1 The church wanted this light in Salomons time , 1 Sam. 3 , 1 but specially in the daies of Samuel . Miserable is their state who liue in ignorance , for the blinde eateth many a flie , as the Pharisies are saide to swallowe whole Camels . Mat. 23 , 24 Wherfore we are very happy men , 2 Titus 21 to whome the grace of GOD hath appeared .

Text. And taught .

Bicause the word of God hath parted the whole worlde into a vineyarde of worke , and a market place of Idlenes , Mat. 20.1 , 3 and God hath aswell forbid loytering as commanded labouring : 2 Thes. 3 , 10 therefore he taketh men from Idlenes , Math. 20 , 7 and sendeth them to their occupation , to teach that they onely are worthie of their calling which walke according to the same : as Esay saide , Esay 50 , 4 The Lorde hath giuen me a tongue of the learned , that I shuld kno how to minister a word in due season to him that is weary . And as Paule commanded that he which wil drinke wine , should help to plant the vine , 2 Cor. 9 and him that liueth of the altar , to minister at the altar : and him that wil eate the milke , to feede the flock . I alledge not this , as though I thoght them to bee ignorant of this point of Discipline , to whom it specially pertaineth , but as knowing that they which shoulde speciallie remember it , doe chiefely forgette it .

There is one lesson in the scripture that manie one in the ministerie remembreth one halfe of it , and forgetteth the other halfe : and it was spoken by our Sauiour to his Disciples , immediatly after that he heard of the death of Iohn the Baptist . The wordes are Come aside , Mark . 6 , 31 and reste a while . Euery one vpon the least occasion , very readily commeth apart from labor to loiter , and is prest to take his rest : but they either forget that it is said , Rest a while , or else think a whole yeares ease to be but a while . But they should rest as Christ did , Iohn 4 , 6 sitting vpon Iacobs well : viz. vntill they are refreshed , Iohn 5 , 17 and then to it againe by Christs example : for my father worketh hitherto and I worke , saith hee . And by Iacobs sleeping in the land of Haran : for he laide a stone vnder his head , in steed of a soft pillow , Gen. 28 , 11 & in the next morning was packing on toward Bethel : teaching men to measure their ease , as well as their paines . So God alloweth intermission , for hee will haue line after line , Esay 28 , 10 and precept after precept , but alloweth no Idlenesse : and therefore hee saide to those loyterers in the market place : Math. 20 , 6 Why stande yee idle ? And therefore Paule calleth the Office of a bishop a good worke , 1 Tim. 3 , 1 in that they taught the people . It maketh as much to our folkes condemnation , as for their peoples commendation , euen as Christ saieth that Sabaes comming to hear Salomons wisdom shall condemn the Iewes in the iudgment daye . Math. 12 , 42 Our Sauiour hath also taught , what is the cause of our slow assemblies , Luke 12 , 34 when he telleth that mens harts are only there , where their treasure is . But yet euen in pollicie , wee know that wise marchants wil traffike into diuers countries , yea and sende their chiefest wares into those partes where there is like to be longest peace and safest trauaile : Why then should not the spirituall marchant laye vppe treasure in heauen , where is all good hope of endles happines , seeing the scripture saith ( and therefore the trueth saieth ) that there theeues cannot break through and steale , Matth. 6 , 19 20 & by stealing make vs bankerout of euerlasting blessednes ?

Text. Then the chiefe priest came , & they that were with him , and called the councell together , and all the Elders of the children of Israel , and sent to the prison to cause them to be brought .

If wee regard the outward persons in this assemblie , it may seeme that it was very lawful : but if we consider the condition of their comming togither , we shall finde it most vngodlie : for it is a consummation of king Dauids prophesie , Psalm. 2 , 2 who saide that mightie men should assemble themselues againste the Lord , and his annointed , which is his Christ . The scripture giueth instance of diuers assemblies , whereof some haue come together for good endes , and some haue mustered for bad intents . The godly assemblies are expressed in that of Cornelius and his companye , Acts. 10.33 Acts 2 , 1 and in that cloude of witnesses , the apostles assemble at Ierusalem , being al together with one accord , in one place . Vnhallowed assemblies , are such as those in the booke of Numbers , when Korah Leuies son , Num. 16 , 1 conspired with Dathan and Abiram , the sonnes of Eliab , against Moses and Aaron . Numb. 14 , 2 And when the whole congregation of Israell assembled againste these two at another time . Fiue kings againste Captaine Iosuah , Iosua 10 and these counsellers at Ierusalem against the men of God . Then out of this place wee are aduertised , howe little hope there is of concluding any good , when the assemblie hath neither feare nor knowledge of God . For as menne in chiefest seats do commit the chiefest sinnes , so may wee thinke that Commonwealth to bee in the afternoone of her age , viz. in a declining state where iudgement is committed vnto such , as should rather bee iudged . It is neither heere nor there , Psal. 58 , 1 whoe are assembled , except their mindes are sette vppon righteousnesse , to iudge the thinge that is equall . The greatnesse of the assemblie prooueth not the goodnesse of it , for then the fiue kinges hadde foyled Iosuah , Iosuah 10 and the Councell of Ierusalem muste needes haue swallowed vppe these sillie Apostles . But it is true , that thorough Gods permission , the mightie often times surprise the meaner sort : and that made the Philosopher laughe in his sleeue , to see great theeues leade little theeues to prison . Christ muste be crucified to the worlds end , Amos 2.13 euen as cartes are pressed with sheaues so long as there is any haruest . Aske the shower of the Saints bloud els , Mat. 23 , 35 which began with the bloud of Abell , and helde on to the bloud of Zacharias the sonne of Barachias . Aske the riuer of bloud , which the enemies of Gods truth haue shed in warre . And aske the worde of trueth , Matth. 2 , 16 howe much innocent bloud hypocrisie hath broached , and it will aunswere you like Saule : Act 22 , 4 I persecuted this way vnto the death , &c. Howbeit , whensoeuer ( thorough GODS grace ) we change our nature , hee also vouchsafeth vs a new name , as he did turne Saule into Paule , Abram into Abraham , & Iacob into Israell . But that which is here said , That the chiefe priest came and they that were with him , ❀ giueth vs warning , how we come in companie with euill associates , like Peter with the high priests seruants . Luke 22 , 55 But speciallie that we consent not to their euils , as accessaries thereto , as Saule did to Stephens death , Acts 8 , 1 Luke 22 , 4 and Iudas to that treason against Christs person , and Herod with Pilate to his arraignment . Luke 23 , 12 If we haue intent to doe it , it is euen as bad as if we had done it . Christ sayth , that whoe so lusteth after a woman hath sinned in his hart . And hee calleth the Pharisies murderers , Iohn 8 , 44 when they only intended his death ( & had not crucified him ) because although their power coulde not performe his death assoone as they would , yet their will was not wanting : and so are all they no lesse guiltie of euill , who willinglie giue consent to it , although they act it not in their owne persons . When olde Iacob blessed his sonnes he saide of Simeon & Leuie : Gen. 49 , 6 Acts. 8 , 1 Into their counsel come not my soule . Paule cast not one stone at Stephen : but yet in consenting to his death , he sinned as greeuously . Ahab stoned not Naboth , but yet hee consented thereto , and sealed the proclamation of his death , which was as bad . So the carpenters made the Crosse , the Iewes receiued it , Simon bare it , but Christ was crucified vppon it , and so they made an end of him , and them . Magnis magni malis , sunt obnoxii great men do offend in great matters . Therfore be wise O Kinges , Psal. 2 , 10 and learned yee iudges of the earth , saith the wise kings father . God refuseth zeale without knowledge , al your good intents are but as blinde men , that will venter to goe without a guide . Rom. 10 , 2 If you set good meaning before knowledge ; you set the blinde to lead the seeing , or the cart to draw the horse . These magistrates consult againe and againe , against the messengers of GOD , for wickednes laboureth the downfall of goodnesse , as the Iewes hacked at the greene tree . Luke 23 , 31 The scripture auoucheth , that a mannes death may bee sought sixe waies . First by deceiuing him in a case concerning his life , as the diuel did Adam . Secondly , by offering violence to himselfe , Gen. 3 , 1 as Saule and Iudas did . Thirdly , by denying nourishment , to hold life and soule together , as the rich man did to Lazarus . 4. By forbearing to comfort the weake , as the Leuite did not regarde the wounded Samaritane . 5. By commanding , as Iesabel to put Naboth to death for his Vineyard . And lastly , by giuing counsell , as Herodias daughter being aduised by her mother , begged Iohn the Baptistes head : and as the high priest and Saduces held a councell against the Apostles . The prouerbe saieth , that the fiercest lightenings do beat vpon the loftiest towers . And the author to the Hebrues , Heb. 1 , 7 Actes 5 , 19 That God maketh his Angels spirites : as is prooued by the spirituall deliuerance of these men of god , by the angell of God . And further , that God maketh his ministers a flame of fire , and it is dangerous to deale with fire : Yet these magistrates muster togither , as to the putting out of a daungerous fire : and are as much troubled in resisting the truth , Math. 2.3 as Herod was to hear of Christes kingdome and all Ierusalem with him . Wel , they were deceiued : for this fire is none other but that which was figured in the Leuitical law , and must burne vnquenched . Leuit. 6 , 13 For so Christ saith : Luke 12 , 49 I am come to set fire on the earth , and what is my desire , but that it should burne . As the emptiest vessels make the loudest lumbring , so the most irreligious are euer most officious : but as it is errour to affirme an vntruth , and heresie to vphold it : so is it cruelty to imprison without iust cause , and tyrannie to prosecute that sute : and as Thornes were the matter whereof Christes crowne was platted , Math. 23 , 29 so affliction is the crowne wherewith our mother the church honoreth vs her children . Spina Christi corona nostri , Cant. 3 , 11 Christes thorne is our Crowne .

Text. And sent to the prison , to cause them to be brought , &c.

The voice which stroke Saule to , the ground , Acts. 9 , 3 , 1 came not vntill hee was neere to Damascus , where hee meant to make hauocke of the church . And the wordes were , verse 4 , 5 Saule , Saule , whie persecutest thou me , &c. First to signifie , that there is no more honourable victorie , then to vanquish when men are in the very pitch of their purpose : and secondly , to signifie how bootles that battaile is , that is waged against God . Quid me persequeris ? Why persecutest thou me ? Is as much as God had saide : That there is no reason to be angry with God , the author of our good . It is hard for thee to kick against the prickes : signifieth , the meere follie of such , as enterprise so bootelesse attempts , as doe hurt themselues more then harme them whom they resist . For he that kicketh against a pricke , hurteth himselfe , and not the goade : Like the mad man that did cut himselfe with flintes . Exo. 14 , 27 While Pharao pursueth Israel , he perisheth . Absolon hunting after his father , 2 Sam. 18 , 9 is hanged vp in an Oake . Arams hoast labouring to get Elisha the prophet , are led into Samaria by Elisha himselfe , 2 Reg. 6. where ( of al the places of the world ) they would not be . Prou. 21 , 30 There is no consulting against God , saith the wise man , for he ouercommeth the wise in his owne witte . Therefore saith Salomon , Pro. 26 , 27 He that diggeth a pit shal fall therein .

1 Esd. 14 , 16 Wee see , that it is true that Esdras hath said , That the world will increase in euil as it groweth in age . Susan . 52 Like the Iudge to whom Daniel said : So thou that art olde in euil . The councell had first imprisoned these Apostles , and then they proceede to iudge them , that they may growe from one wickednes into another . Gen. 19 , 33 Like Antiochus Elephants , Maca. 6 , 34 that at the sight of bloud were mooued to seeke bloud : Or as Herod , who seeing that the death of Iames delighted the Iewes , proceeded to serue Peter so to : Or like the Foxes , Acts 12 , 3 which for desire of bloud , kill more carcases then they can deuour . The scripture mentioneth three Herods , and they were al murderers . For the first killed the infantes at the birth of Christ , the second ( in his cups ) beheaded Iohn the Baptist , and the third ( to curry fauour with the Iewes ) slue Iames with the sword , and intended the death of Peter to , but God did preuent him therein , as hee did these in their purpose . There bee too many such Herods , who hadde rather pleasure men by committing euil , than please God by doing good .

I speake it not to declaime against impiety , for that ( I feare ) were bootlesse , but to reclaime al to pitty . God grant it may not bee fruitlesse . Wee haue many demonstrations of Gods snaky pace to reuenge , who suffereth his owne to be ( as Dauid saieth ) euill intreated of Tyrantes , and yet that God that threw downe the Angels when they abused their good state , Iude 6 as saint Iude witnesseth , is patient with men , whetting his sword as threatning to strike vs , and bending his bow , Psal. 64.7 as intending to shoote at vs with a very swift arrow , so that we shal be wounded , if we returne not in time . He seeeth Saule while hee is not contented to persecute at Ierusalem , Acts. 9.1 but proceedeth to Damascus too . This , I saie , God seeth , & yet he suffereth it . But a● the scripture saith of Saule , first that Seruauit vestes , he held their clothes who were the tormentors , meaning that hee woulde playe small game , rather then want a part in such actions . Secondlie , that hee consented to Steeuens death : signifying , that then hee came to sinne in a second degree against the Saintes : and thirdlie , that he made hauocke of the Church of God . Acts 9 , 4 Thus shewing how hee sinned by degrees . So when God called him , he fell downe in hast , Luke 19 , 6 as Zacheus posted downe from the wild Figge tree .