[A sermon at Marlborough on 1. Tim.iv.16.]

Take heede vnto thy selfe , & vnto doctrine : and continue therin : for in doing this thou shalt save thy selfe , and them that heare thee . 1. Tim. 4.16 .

THe Apostle in these wordes , instructing Timothie , setteth down these two pointes , a Precept , & a Promise , as a reason , the rather to induce him to the obedience of the commandement . The precept or commandement hath two parts , the first , that he enter into a godly care , and haue a serious respect , first , unto himselfe ; and next vnto his doctrine , in these words , Take heede vnto thy selfe , and vnto doctrine : the second , that hee cease not at any time , much lesse giue over , to embrace this dutie ; wherefore he saith , continue therein . The reason , containing a promise , is in these wordes , For in doing this thou shalt saue thy selfe , & them that heare thee . Thus , it bringeth salvation both to him , and to his hearers , to do , as is required . But of this , in place .

First therefore of the precept & matter thereof : which being such , as we see , namely , that Timothy must take heed to himselfe , and to his doctrine , importeth this much , that doubtlesse there is daunger vnto both . Else shoulde the Apostle bring them into a needelesse feare : which is neebles to refute , because we daily see , and feele to well , that the devill , and the world labour nothing more , then to remooue , or reprooue both the Minister , & his doctrine . The reason may be gathered out of the words of Peter , in the fifth of the first exhorting thus , Be sober , and watch : 1. Pet. 5.8 . for your adversary the devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour : whom resist stedfast in the faith . And out of these words of Paul the Apostle in the tenth to the Romans , Rom. 10.14 . How shall they beleeue in him , of whom they haue not heard ? and how shall they heare without a preacher ? Looke therefore how much our adversary the devil in the rage of his desire , and diligence to destroy , prevaileth against the preacher , that is , the Minister , and his doctrine , so much he prevaileth against our faith : and if he prevaile , as the stronger of the twaine , ( as we reade in the parable of the Gospell : Luk. 11.22 ) he taketh away our armour , wherein we trusted , and devideth the spoiles . And therefore here he fighteth , and striveth , and here he spendeth shot and powder , to make a breach , where most assuredly he may enter the fort of our soules ; and the malice which hee beareth vnto the Church , and the whole body of the people of God , here he vnladeth it to the full .

And the worlde is on his side , and worldly courses may beguile , even vs my brethren , called to be Timothies , as well as others . In the fourteenth of the fourth to the Colossians , Coloss. 4.14 . and in Philemon the foure and twentith , Demas , saluteth , Philem. 24. and is saluted , as a fellow-helper with the Apostles in the worke of the Lord . But in the seconde to Timothie the fourth , and tenth , the Apostle complaineth , thus , 2. Tim. 4.10 . Demas hath forsaken mee , and hath embraced this present world .

And for the flesh , my brethren , ( I speake nowe vnto Timothies ) are wee more mortified , then hee , who saith , I beate downe my body , and bring it into subiection , 1. Cor. 9.27 . least by some meane or other after that I haue preached vnto other I my selfe shoulde bee reiected . And , this diligence notwithstanding , in the seventh to the Romans ( so sore is the fight of the flesh with the spirite ) exclaimeth thus : Miserable man that I am , who shall deliver me from the body of this death ! Rom. 7.24 . thus , if we knowe our warfare , and the enimies , that are rounde about vs , the counsaile of the Apostle is more then necessary , by taking heede to prevent the evils , that may fal vpon vs , if we take not heede .

And heere it may seeme needeles in so plaine a worde , as this , to explaine the sense and meaning , I meane , of taking heede , what it should meane : saue that so little heede is taken by manie of vs , my brethren , pudet thou , pigetque , as if we never knewe what this dutie , a briefe summe of all dutie , meaneth 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , saith the Apostle , attend , as much as 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , extend , or bend thou all the power of thy minde , and will to take care of thy selfe , and of thy doctrine , that both bee found such , as they ought to be . And this care is grounded in a godly feare , which looketh partly to the severity , and to the perfect & impartiall righteousnesse of God himselfe ; of which Peter in the first of the first speaking exhorteth thus , 1. Pet. 1.17 . If yee call him father , which without respect of person iudgeth according to every mans workes , passe the time of your dwelling heare in feare . And partly to the power , and industrie of our enemies , as the same Apostle warneth in the place before alleadged , Be sober , ( saith hee ) and watch : ( and what is this watchfulnesse but an effect of this feare ? ) the reason : 1. Pet. 5.8 . for your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whome he may devoure . And partly to our owne infirmity , who , having nothing of our selues to will , or to doe well , receaue all of God . Vpon which ground S. Paul in the second to the Philippians exhorteth thus , Philip. 2.12.13 . Finish your salvation with feare and trembling . For it is God which worketh in you both to will , and to performe of his own good pleasure . And to shew what this feare is , and how it worketh , not only in the soule , but also in the body , David in the hundred and 19. Plalme , Psal. 119.120 . the hundred and 20. verse , saith , it had taken his flesh ▪ Horret pavore tui caro mea , My flesh quaketh for feare of thee . What feare ? surelie not a servile , but a filiall feare , ( for other feare in David there could be none ) a feare to offend , and so to provoke the iustice , and iudgments of God against him . For so it followeth , adeò a iudicijs tuis timeo : I stand in such awe of thy iudgments . And to this feare he also exhorteth others in the second Psalme , Psal. 2.11 . thus , Service Iehovae cum timore : Serue the Lord with feare .

Thus , my brethren , if with reverence , and a religious feare in the whole man , through knowledge of our selues , how weake ; our adversaries , how strong they are , we serue the Lorde , and dread his iudgements ; if we set a watch vnto our selues , both soule , & body , that we sinne not , and abstains from worldlie lustes , which fight against the soule ; if in all sobrietie , puritie , integritie , we walke worthie of the Gospell , which we preach vnto others ; if we giue no occasion of offence in any thing , that our ministerie be not reprooved ; Tit. 2.9 . but rather ( as the Apostle requireth of servantes , much more then of vs ) adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things ; if , when others are weake , wee are strong ; when others fall , we stand vpright ; and being rooted in the faith , and walking in righteousnes and holines of the spirit through Christ , wee grow at the length to that , that wee may bee called and reported ( as in the threeskore and first of Esay the third verse ) quercus iustitiae ▪ Isa. 61.3 . oakes of righteousnes : not bowing at every blast , but bearing out the force of all temptations ; and so , proposing ourselues as ensamples to the flocke , ( not in a shew of painted holines , but in evidence of the trueth , approving our selues vnto every mans conscience in the sight of God ) may say with the Apostle , Brethren , Philip. 3.17 . be yee followers of vs , and looke on them which walke , so , as yee have vs for an ensample ; and so our liues also may teach religion : doubtlesse we haue obeyed the Apostolike precept in taking heede vnto our selues ; and for our selues haue done sufficient ; but not , for the malice of the world . For when al is done , yet ( as it is said ) Nobis non licet esse bonis : Wee shall haue no leaue to be that we be , nor none of ours , but must go for such , as men will make vs . We haue paied them the things we never tooke , Psal. 69.5 . God thou knowest our simplenesse , and our faultes are not hid from thee . What this meaneth , you knowe , my brethren of Marlbrough . I speake to the malicious minds , and mouthes amongst you . But what fruit had yee of that slaunder , whereof ye are now ashamed ? Or , if not ashamed , speake yet againe , and speake plainly , and make vs ashamed . Or , if you cannot , take the sinne , and shame vnto your selues . For we haue ruled , not only our selfe , but our houshold well ; and the filth of fornication is among your selues . I am a foole in this my great boasting ; and I charge you far . You wil say : yee haue compelled me . And I see this caution must be added to the counsaile of the Apostle , for the comfort of vs Ministers , that when wee haue taken heede to our selues , and ours , and both are blamelesse , yet we shal be blamed : as we know who saith , Ioh. 15.25 . Oderunt me gratis , They hated me without a cause . Except this bee a cause , as himselfe in the seventh of Iohn saith vnto his brethren , which were yet of the worlde , & beleeved not in him , The world , saith he , Iohn . 7.7 . cannot hate you : but me it hateth , because I testifie of it that the deedes thereof are evill . Thus , my brethren , because we testifie of the world , as needs we must , that the deedes thereof are evil , the world hateth vs ; and hating vs , speaketh evil of vs , without a cause ; that our deeds also vnto some at the least maie seeme to bee evill ; and so our liberty may be taken from vs to reprooue those deedes which are evill indeede . Which giveth vs this lesson in this pointe of exhortation now in hand , namely , that we walk more warelie , then any other , and cut of occasions from them that seeke occasions ; and never thinke we haue taken heed enough vnto our selves , vnlesse we avoid , not only evill it selfe , but ( if it were possible ) every shadow and shew of evill : as the Apostle exhorteth the Thessalonians , 1. Thes. 5.22 . Abstinete ab omni specie mali : Abstaine ye from all appearance of evill .

And lo , my brethren , yet more , besides our selues , even our ministerie , greater then our selues . This also we must take with vs , to looke vnto it ; else wee shall doe a sunder that which God hath ioyned together ; and the Proverbe will be vsed of vs . Bonus vir , malus magistratus : A good man , but an evil magistrate : good men , but evill Ministers ; as , alas , how many ? but , to the matter .

And vnto doctrine ] this then is the other point , which our care respecteth in the first part of the precept of the Apostle , namely , that we take heede , not only to our selues , but also to doctrine . And how , to doctrine ? first , that we deliver it : secondly , what doctrine we deliver : & thirdly , how . For the first , my brethren , if we consider Timothie as our selues , and our selues as Timothie , and both , as the Ministers , not only of Christ , but also of the salvation of the people ; as Paul in this very place , to goe no farther , noteth in the wordes following , For in doing this , saith he , thou shalt saue thy selfe , and them that heare thee : it is more then evident that no Timothie hath done sufficient in looking to his doctrine , if only he provide what , and how to preach , and the matter , and manner be laide vp at home , and he bring it not out vnto the people . For they are not saved , except they heare ; and heare they cannot , except we speake . This then is the first care in looking to doctrine , that we alwaies haue a bent and a ready will to deliver doctrine , and as neede requireth in deede deliver it . Therefore our Saviour Christ in the thirteenth of the Gospell by S. Matthew having taught his Disciples , whome he appointed stewardes over his household , many doctrines by parables , at last he saith , Mat. 13.51.52 . Vnderstand ye all these thinges ? and they said vnto him , yea , Lord . Then said he vnto them , therefore every Scribe which is taught vnto the kingdome of heaven is like vnto an householder , which bringeth forth out of his treasure thinges both new and old . Where we see , my brethren , that looke whatsoever we vnderstand by reading or hearing the word of God , and by study and medication haue laid vp either first , or last , ( as still I confesse we must be laying vp ) as faithfull and good stewardes of the household of God , as neede requireth , we must bring it out to the benefit of the houshold . And alas , that any Minister which hath learning and knowledge ( for I speake to the ignorant , which haue no knowledge : for who can drawe anie thinge out of an emptie vessell ? ) that any Minister , I say , who hath learning and knowledge , should neede to be remembred of this duetie , so to take heede vnto doctrine , that hee starue not the householde by keeping vppe that , which hee hath layed vppe not onelie for himselfe , but also for the householde . Yet these are the times , and the thing doeth speake it , that manye though they knowe this duty , and haue hearde the voyce of the Lorde in the sixth of Ieremie , Ier. 6.17 . Also I set watchmen over you saying , take heede to the sounde of the trumpet : yet their sloath , desidia , dulce malum , their leasure , and pleasure , and those Sirenes within , doe aunswere , as there wee reade , But they sayed , wee will not take heede . Where the Lord by the Prophet speaketh vnto the Priests , as watchmenne , which had taken the charge of sounding the trumpet vnto the people : as Saint Paule hereunto Timothie , and in him vnto vs , Take heede vnto doctrine . And our aunswere is theirs indeede , though not in wordes , for so wee doe , as if wee had sayed . We will not take heede . Else , what meaneth this great silence in many places , not only where is no trumpet , or voice to sounde it ; but even there also , where is breath , and voice enough : What meaneth it , I say , that wee take so little heede , but that a crooked will hath ruled the matter ; and saie the Prophete , and Apostle what they will , wee saie with the watchmen of the house of Iuda , Wee will not take heede . As if it were in our wils , to preath , or not to preach ; and no purse were broken , no danger woulde followe , to omitte doctrine . Amos had a greater feare , when he was sent to prophecie , Amos. 3.8 . The Lyon ( saieth hee ) hath roared ; who will not bee afraide ? The Lorde God hath spoken : who can but prophecie ? And the roaring of this Lyon to feared Paul in the ninth of the first to the Corinthians , that hee crieth out , 1. Cor. 9.16 . Vae mihi , nisi Evangelizem , Woe is mee , the Lyon will teare mee in peeces , if I preach not the Gospell , knowing therefore the terrour of the Lorde wee perswade men , yea Ministers ; and I woulde to God wee mighte perswade them for this first point of attendance or giving heed vnto doctrine , namely , that they deliver it vnto the people .

And then the nexte pointe is this , what doctrine we should deliver , which what shoulde it bee , but that which may make vnto salvation : For such doctrine the Apostle requireth of vs ; the matter whereof , if wee looke vnto it , wil saue both ourselues , & them that heare vs . And whence haue wee this , but from the most pure fountaines of the worde of God , which is the seede of our new-birth , as Iames saith , Of his owne will be gate he vs by the word of truth : and that to immortality ; Iam. 1.18 . even as this seede it selfe is immortall ; as Peter saith , that we are borne a newe , 1. Pet. 1.23 . nor of mortall seede , but of immortall , by the word of God , which liveth and lasteth for ever . And afterwards the same word he calleth the sincere milke , wherby also we grow vp after that we haue tasted how sweet the Lord is . 1. Pet. ● . 1.2.3 . Wherefore saith he laying aside all maliciousnes , & all guile , & dissimulation , & envie , & all evil speaking , as new-borne babes , desire ye the sincere milke of the worde ; forasmuch as yee haue tasted that the Lord is sweet and good . And in no other knowledge doubtles than of this word , as strong meats also , wherby we grow from faith to faith , from vertue to vertue , from strength to strength , vntill we attaine vnto a perfect man in Christ Iesus , the Apostle requireth vs to be of a ripe age , wher he thus exhorteth : Brethren , be not children in vnderstanding , but as concerning maliciousnes be children , 1. Cor. 14.20 . but in vnderstanding be of a ripe age . Onlie we must see to this , that this seede of our new birth be not corrupted ; this milke of our spiritual nourishment be not mingled , this foode of our foules be not infecred , but alwaies preserved in all integritie ; and so it will be able to saue our soules . Wherefore S. Peter ( as before we heard ) exhorceth not simplie to desire the milke , but , as there he calleth it , the sincere milke of the word . And Paul alluding vnto this sinceritie , and puritie of the word , which we must preach , calleth it faithful word ; wholsome word : Tit. 1.9 . Tit. 2.8 . 2. Tim. 4.3 Tit. 2.7 . wholsome doctrine ; vncorrupt doctrine : and oft , a earnestly comendeth it both to Tit & Tim ?

And least they might wander in seeking this word , he leadeth them to the Scriptures , & to the Scriptures only , as able to make them absolute , & perfectly to instruct them in every good duty if their ministery . Wherfore in the 3. of the 2. to Timothie he saich , The whole scripture is given by inspiration of God , & is profitable to teach , to convince , to correct , & to instruction righteousnes , that the 〈◊〉 of God , to wit , Tim. 1. Tim. 6.11 . so called in the 1 of Tim. the 6. & 11. & indeede every Minister : that this man of God , may be absolute , & perfectly instructed vnto everie good worke , to wit , of his ministerie committed to him . And in the same chap , also noting some deceivers , which should waxe worse , & worse , deceaving , & being deceaved , 2. Tim. 3 14. as if they had erred from the rule of the Scriptures ; by & by be addeth , But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned , & which are committed vnto thee , knowing of whom thou hast learned them ; and that of a childe thou hast knowne the holye Scriptures , which are able to make thee wise vnto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Iesus .

Here the church of Rome would chide , if wee had time to here her , for reiecting her vnwritten verities , indeede verie vanities ; and al that heape of extors , not only fathered vpon the Scriptures , by false interpretations of the Scriptures , but also brought in against the manifest light of the holy Scriptures . And such Pharistes , and blinde guides , deceiving , and being deceived , we had to leade us . Who as Iannes & Iambres resisted Moses , so did these also resist the truth . But the prophesie of the Apostle is fulfilled in them ; & they haue prevailed no longer : for their madnes is manifest to al men , 2. Tim. 3.8.9 . as theirs also was . And the whore of Babilon , with her cup of spirituall formicati●as is departed from vs ; the greatest blessing that ever came to this land .

But yet , if wee take not heede my brethren , even wee of the Ministerie , unto doctrine , such as even now also is allowed vs to draw , & to deliver out of the most pure fountaines of the holy Scriptures , the Devill will creepe in another waie ; even as be hath alreadie beguiled the mindes of manie , by mulciplying a generation of hearers amongst vs ; of whom the Apostle in the fourth of the second to Timothie foretold , saying , The time wil come , when they will not suffer wholsome doctrine : but having their cares itching , shal after their owne lusts get them an heape of teachers , and shall turne their ears from the trueth , & shal be given vnto fables . The skum of Atheists , so sold vnto pleasure , and whose mindes are so beguiled with loue of themselues , & the lusts of their sin are so deare vnto them , that rather then they will indure wholsome doctrine , which hath salt in it to season their putrified soules , bring them what vntrueth , & fables , you will , a religion , I think , compact of Iudaisme , Gentilisme , Panisme , & any pelfe , most certaine poison of the soule , they will take it for the deliverye , if it bee fine enough , & you touch not their lustes , but leave them to them selues , to liue as they list . Provided , that they heare not one but once , if they may haue their willes ; their eares are so itching , & their taste but so be served with new teachers , till they haue even heaped them to themselues , & in their owne desire , though not in fact alwaies , as the Apostle saith of them , having itching eares shall heape vnto them selues teachers according to those their peculiar desires .

And because the times will not suffer that any tables , or vntruth shall now bee taught them , the truth it selfe must bee so attempered vnto the taste so delivered in Thesi , not medling with their manners , or matters , as they call it ; that if anie haue plaied the poet , and Oratour , and philosopher well ; and for a shew of divinitie , hath borrowed some morals of the fathers to hee is a Preacher , and the only fine fellow for ●●e or other , as the humour serveth : & so they divide vs , as the sectaries in the Church at Corinth ; and one saith I am Pauls ; another , I am Apollos ; and a third , I am Cephas ; & a fourth is a plaine fellow , and will none of them all , and hee is Christes .

And shall I saie it , because wee see it ? this kind of hearers hath begotten a kind of Preachers , which haue learned their lesson of the people ; touching whome the Lord in the thirteenth of Esaie commandeth the Prophet thus , Now goe , and write it before them in a table , and note it in a booke , Isa. 30.89 . & seq. that it may bee for the last day , for ever and ever ; that it is a rebellious people , lying children , children that would not heare the lawe of the Lorde . Which say vnto the feers , see not , and to the Prophets , prophecie not vnto vs right thinges , speake flattering things vnto vs , prophecie errors ; depart out of the waie , goe aside out of the path , muse the holy one of Israell to cease from vs . For either they preach 〈◊〉 at all , and play the good-fellows , and do as the people doth : or els they speake placeut●a , pleasing things vnto the people : as if Christ had not saied of vs , as he said indeede , ye are the salt of the earth , Mat. 5.13 . to season mens soules from the corruption of their sins ; but , lyee are the sugar of the worlde , to sooth men in their sinnes , to the destruction of their soules . Whereby it is come to passe , that , though the falles both of Church , and common-wealth are grievous , and their mounds , almost , deadlie ; yet the complaint in the Prophet Ieremie is true of vs my brethren , which looke no better vnto our doctrine , Curant cour it i●o●●●● filia popule me● secundum cura●●●●●● mali levi●ul● dicendo , Ier. 8.11 . pax , pax ; et si nulla est pax : They heale the bruze of the daughter of my people according to the cure of a light hurt , saying , peace , peace , though their be no peace . Where a similitude , is taken from litle children , which fall oft , and lightly , and take little harme ; and when the nurse taketh them vp , and ●loweth the hand , and saieth peace , peace , the hurt is healed . Thus the Prophets of that people , as some preachers now , stopped the crie of repentance in the harts of the people , and warranted they should take no harme , saying , peace , peace , though there was no peace , but famine , & pestilence , and the sword hanged over them ; even as over vs also this day , for the grievous falls , and deadly ●ure which we all haue taken , as Esaie deseri●e thin the 1. chapter , Isa. 1.6 . From the sole of the foote vnto the head● her is nothing whole therin , but wounds , and swellinges , and sores fall of corruption . And this will goeth on so fast , that we cannot but , exclaime with the Proph● Ieremie in the fifth 〈◊〉 peer , Res stupend● & h●rr●●●la ●i● in terra 〈◊〉 : Ier. 5.31 . A wonderfull , and horrible thing is , done in this land : The Prophets prophecie falsely , & the Priests be are rule by their meanes , 〈◊〉〈…〉 , and my people loue it well ▪ and what will yee doe at the last ? as if hee should say , wh●●er , will your sinnes goe , if you should 〈◊〉 bee bridl●● and those plagi●●s fall upon ? you which : I haue threatned ? Thus the outrage and licentiousnesse of wickednesse in the worlde , and this sea ( almost ) of sinne , which is fallen in vpon vs , will not bee stayed , but by the heavie hand of God , and his revenging power ▪ and all , because the people will bee flattered , and the Preachers will not reprooue , for feare of offending , and loosing their praise , and profite .

Forturne the edge of the sword , and beade the power of that rodde against the worlde , which God gaue vnto Christ , and Christ vnto vs , saying . As my father sent mee , Ioan. 20.21 . so sende I you : and the prophecie of Esaias shall bee fulfilled , Hee shall smite the earth with the rodde of his mouth , and with the breath of his lippes shall hee ssaye the ungodlye . Isa. 11.4 . For the hearts of men shall melte with repentaunce for their sinnes , or their thoughtes shall accuse them , and their condemnation shall bee sealed within themselues : the lust shall bee guided in the wayes of righteousnesse , and ●he wicked shall not make vs stumble , because the shame and reproofe , and the chastisemente of their sinne shall bee vppon them : noe mourning soule in Syon , but shall bee comforted ; no Dake so stronge in Basan , no Cedar so ●aule in Libanus ; noe hearte so harde , and stonye ; no minde so high and haughtye of anie mightie Potentate , but shall bee humbled before the Lorde ? For what sayeth the Lorde by the Prophete Ieremie in the three and twentith Chapter , Ierem. 23.29 . Is not my woorde like fire , sayeth the Lorde ▪ and like the hammer , that breaketh the stone ? And in the same Chapter speaking of the Prophets , whom hee reproued before , he saith , If they had stand in my counsell , and had declared my words to my people , Vers. 22. and had declared my words to my people , then they should haue turned them from their evil way , & from the wickednes of their inventions . And Paul in the seconde of the second to the Corinthians speaking of the power of this pure & sincere handling of the word of God , saith : Now thanks be be vnto God , which alwaies maketh vs to triumph in Christ ; 2. Cor. 2.14 . & seq. and maketh manifest the savor of this knowledge by vs in every place . For we are vnto God the sweete savour of Christ , in them that are saved , and in them that perish●●d the one we are the savour of death vnto death ; & to the other the savour of life vnto life : and who is sufficient for these things ? For we are not as many , which make marchandize of the worde of God : but as of sinceritie , but as of God , in the sighte of God speake wee of Christ . And in the fourth of the same Epistle , Therefore , faith he , seeing that we haue this Ministerie , 2 Cor. 4.1 . & seq. as we haue received mercy , we faint not : but haue cast from vs the cloakes of vnhonesty , and walke not in craftines , neither handle wee the worde of God deceitfully ; but in declaration of the truth we approoue our selues to every mans conscience in the sight of God . From whence he gathereth this conclusion : If then our Gospell be hidde , it is hid in them that are lost , in whom the God of this worlde hath blinded the mindes , to wit , of the vnbeleevers , that the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ , which is the image of God should not shine vnto them . As if not by a fine , or fraudulent , but by a full , and an honest handling of the worde of God , he had done sufficient to convince the vnbeleevers , to reveale their reprobation , and to cast their condemnation vpon them selues . And the same minde hee also testifieth in the first to the Galathians : For nowe ( saith he ) preach I más doctrine or Gods ? or go I about to please men ? for if I should yet please men , I were not the servant of Christ .

Thus the Prophets , Esaie , and Ieremie , & Paul the Apostle , for this point of syncerity , looked to their doctrine . And what do we ? Tell it not in Gath , and publish it not in the streetes of Ashkelon , 2. Sam. 1.20 . least the daughters of the Philistins reioyce , least the daughters of the vncircumcised triumph . Yes , tell it to the very skorners , and to the greatest amongst them , that never ( almost ) such vowing to the sinnes of men , by them , that should make all the world to bend . But tel them withal what Ieremie saieth , populus meus it a amant : My people love it well , they will haue it so . Thus , this disease in you my brethren of the Laitie , to loue your sinnes so well , that they must not bee reproved , hath infected , and bread this weakenes in many of vs Ministers , to let them alone , & not reproove them . And when the Sermon , or cold Collation is ended , the pride , and self-loue , the tyrannies , cruelties , and oppressions of men ; their greate & open adulteries in the sight of the sunne , their riot and wantonnesse , covetousnesse , briberies , blasphemies , what shall I saie ? the heape of all their sinnes together are fast a sleepe for vs , wee wake them not ; and they fester in the soule , and are now so strong , that they will not obey the bridle ▪ they say with the rebels , in the second Psalme , Psal. 2.3 . Let vs breake their bands asunder , and cast awaie their cordes from vs . And according to their power so is their pride ; and the power of manie , yea all ( almost ) so greate ( the staffe of discipline beeing fallen downe ▪ ) that they said it not only , but do it in deede .

This bringeth mee , my brethren , vnto the third and last point to bee regarded mattending our doctrine ; name lie , the Manner : in which first is required a spirituall , ●●●dnesse , such , as was in the Prophets , and Apostles of Iesus Christ ; & ▪ without the which thee shall even feare the fares of men . For so did Ieremie at the first , vntill the Lorde which sent him ▪ thrust him forward , thus , Trusse vp thy lo●nes , and arise , & speake vnto them all that I commaund three : bee not afraide of their faces , Ierem. 1.17 . least I destroie thee before them . And so did Ezechiel , vntil the Lord in the third chapter made him a promise thus , Behold I haue made thy face strong against their faces , Ezech. 3. and thy forehead hard against their foreheads . I haue made thy forehead as the adamant , & harder then the flint : feare them not therfore , neither bee afraide of their looked , because they are a 〈◊〉 house . And least me may thin●● that this was the maiestie of the Prophets onlie , and that the Gospell must treepe lower to the becks of men ; the Apostle in the fourth in the Colostians praieth the saithfull to praie for him , that God ( saieth he ) may open vnto vs the doore of vtterance , Coloss. 4.3 . to speake the mysterie of Christ . And then he addeth , that I may 〈…〉 , as it becommeth mee to speake . And how that is , hee sheweth in the si●●h to the Ephesians ; where making the same request to them to praie for him , Ephes. 6.18 . & seq. hee saieth . Pray alwaies with all manner prayer and supplication in the sphrite : and watch thervnto with all perseverance & supplication for all Saintes ; and for mee , that vtteraunce may bee given mee , that I may open my mouth boldlie to publish the secret of the Gospell ; whereof I am the embasse dour in bondes , that therein I may speake boldly , as I ought to speake . As I ought to speake , saith Paul : for such speech both becommeth the maiestie of the Gospell ; and armeth vs against their lookes , which 〈…〉 are so bent against us , 〈◊〉 when wee pr●●th vnto them ; as if wee were 〈◊〉 ●●rthy to looke vpon them ▪ And this 〈…〉 make as lowde . and lift vp our voices , as Esai● is : commounded in 〈◊〉 eight 〈◊〉 fifteth chapter , thus , Crie as the ●h●oa●e ▪ and cease not ▪ lift vp thy voice like a ●●umpe●● and shew my people ther transgresson ; & the house of I ●●ob their sinces . Euen as th●br●w 〈…〉 hattes all ●●lleepe in their 〈…〉 this 〈◊〉 halfe , 〈…〉 and extent of 〈…〉 I 〈…〉 ●●●the 〈…〉 is so spiri●●●●● , and 〈…〉 all 〈…〉 which fa●●●● vnto verie trembling . Example of Paul himselfe , so greate an Apostle , in the second of the first to the Cor●●thians : 1. Cor. 2.3 . And I ( saith hee ) was among lyon in weakenesse , & in fear , and in much trembling . Why Paul● : euen because ●●●h was 〈◊〉 wea●● 〈…〉 , that ●●thing 〈…〉 him , ( 〈…〉 in ●s ) 〈…〉 w●rdes should 〈◊〉 in 〈…〉 mindes of 〈◊〉 as : himselfe ●●●where confesse●● of this effect of his Min●●ter●● , And such trust , 2. Cor. 3.4.5 . saith hee , haue ●●ves through Christ to God . Not that wee are sufficient of our selues to think ●●●ny thing a● of our selues , but out suff●ciencie is o●● God . And the●●●●● 〈◊〉 reno●●●ce●h all him 〈…〉 had 〈…〉 Law , or Philosophie ; or had 〈…〉 t●ught ●●●h● 〈…〉 I ( saith he● ) 〈…〉 not to ●●●●●ni●●● thing , 1. Cor. 2.2 . that is , I 〈…〉 my 〈◊〉 in the 〈…〉 thing 〈…〉 you , so 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 Christ , and him 〈◊〉 effect ▪ Ye● , and his 〈…〉 so liked him 〈…〉 hee faith , And I 〈…〉 I 〈…〉 car●● not 〈…〉 of wordes or of wisedome , 1. Cor. 2.1 . she●●ing 〈…〉 the testimonie 〈…〉 speaking of the thinges of God , which 〈…〉 revealed vnto vs by the spirit● ▪ he saieth , which thinges also we speake , Vers. 13. not in the wordes which mans wisdom teacheth , but which the holy ghost teacheth , matching spirituall thinges with spiritual things . He therefore who in preaching must be so spirituall , to speake only the things of God only with the wordes of God ; & ●eelling that , which we al feele , our nature inclined vnto pride & vanitie , which so far as it prevaileth , so far it hu●●eth and hindereth all holy doctrine ; must needes hee in weakenesse , and in feare , and in much trembling .

Thus faithfulnesse and synceritie , for the matter ; and boldnesse , with reverence & humilitie , for the maner , maketh vp the whole harmony of a lawful deliverie of the word of God . And here we haue the rule : which if wee coulde followe ( to say no more of this ) doub●les it would fil our harts with reioycing , & our mouthes with the praise of God , who hath given such a treasure vnto his church : it would make vs leape for ioy , & sing in our beds a● the Psalmist exhorteth in the hundred fourtie and ninth Psalme ▪ I 〈…〉 Saintes , Psal. 149.5.6 . & seq. saieth hee , bee ioyfull for the●● glorie , let them sing in their beds : let the praises of God be in their mouthes for all where with hee doth exalt them ; and namely , for this , that a two edged swoorde is given to their hand to bee avenged of the heathen , and to rebuke the people ; to binde their kinges in chaines , & their honorables with links of iron ; to exercise over them 〈◊〉 scriptum , the written Lawe which is the honour of all his Saintes . As Moses also saith in the fourth of Deuteronomie vnto the people , Deut. 4.6 . This is your wisdome & your vnderstanding in the sight of the people , which shall heare all these Ordinaunces , and shall say , surely this people is wise , and of vnderstanding , and a greate nation . And what : the Prophets were not yet . But wee haue Moses and the prophets ; yea , Christ , & his Apostles , the whole Scriptures of both Covenantes , this is our 〈◊〉 scriptum , our written Lawe , this our honour , our ornament ; and let us honour it .

And thus much of the first part of the Apostolique Precept vnto Timothie in these wordes ▪ Take heede vnto thy selfe , and vnto doctrine . The second followeth in these wordes , and continue therein . Wherein to speake a little I may begin , but not continue , least the time take mee vp . Wherefore onely as Paul biddeth the brethren at Colosse thus , Saie to Archippus , Coloss. 4.17 . take heede to the Ministerie , that thou hast received in the Lord , that thou fulfill it : Euen so say I vnto you my brethren , and to my selfe , Let vs take heede vnto our Ministerie , which wee haue received in the Lord , that wee fulfill it : let vs take heede vnto our selues , and vnto doctrine , and continue therein . For it is a small thing to begin , except thou persevere , yea , it were better , as Peter saith , 2. Pet. 2.21 . never to haue knowen the waie of righteousnesse , then after wee haue knowen it to turne from the holie commandement . And nothing more dolefull , then this inuersion , which is our subversion , ye were light in the Lorde , but are now darknesse 〈◊〉 yet were starres of heavens but the Dragons taile hath cast you vnto the earth . Revel. 12.4 . 2. Tim. 4.10 . As Demas : Demas hath forsaken mee , and hath embraced this present worlde . Lo , a starre fallen vnto the earth . And so , as manie , as once shined in life , and learning , as heaven lye lights , Philip. 2.21 . but now are earthlye minded , seeking ( as the Apostle saith ) their owne thinges , and not the thinges of Iesus Christ . And I would this cuntrie aire , yea the aire ( almost ) of England all abroade , had no such Cometes ; which gaue a flash at the first in the Universities , and places , to which they first went ; but , the earthly matter , whereof they consist , inflamed with the fire of I know not what zeale at the first , consumed , to darkenesse , and the desolation of their flockes , portended , as it were , before , and imported by these false , and fatall Lightes . Which if they gather not th●●● strength againe , and shine , as they begaune , vnto the end ; the mist of darkenesse for ever , as the punishment of their darkenesse , andithe darkenesse , 〈◊〉 haue brought vpon others . I feare ●●ll fall vpon them . And this , of those , whose candle is quite put out , & which veterly cease in their Ministery to do any good , I not withstanding their good beginninges of whome wee may say n●●e . Eceboliue Socrat. Hist. Eccle siast . l. 3. c. 11. I would them selues would saie , but to repentance as hee saide of himselfe , without repentance , Calcate●ma ●●spidum , salom : Tread vpon mee vnsavourie salt : if woorthie to lie anie where , to bee trodden vpon . For salt is good : Luke . 14.34.35 . but if salt h●ue lost hi● savour , wherewith shall it bee sea seued ? it is neither meete for the lande nor yet for the dunghill , but men cast it out . Hee that hath eares to heare le● him heare .

There is yet one other point of contradiction vnto Continuance ; which is incermission ; not all , and ●veris intermission , but that , which will not stand in anie good construction with that instanes required by the Apostle in the fourth of of the second to Timothi● . 2. Tim. 4.2 . Preach ( saith bee ) the worde . There is the charge in generall . But howe bee instane , in season , out of season . Here is the kind and quantitie : such , and so much , as some men will thinke , and saie , as they saie too often , it is out of season ; & much preaching ( as Pestus saied of Paul much learning had made him madde ) so much preaching ( almost ) hath made vs madde . Act. 26.24 . But the madnesse is theirs indeede , being drunken with this opinion , that Quarter Sermons are sufficient . And yet the quarter watch will not awake the straw verie Preachers , as a godlie father calleth them : for they come onlie once a yeare , Latimer . & tarrie a while , and then awaie , this is to much intermission , & far from continuance : much like the service of those , whome wee call Retainers which see their Masters once a yeare ; & weare their liveries for a countenaunce ; but do their owne worke , and make their titles serue their turnes . For when a fat morsell is falling from their masters table , then they waite , and holde the treancher ; and then , if you watch the time , you may heare a sermon : But in their parishes : where they should preach indeede from Saba●th , to Sabaoth , all the yeare , ●ltum silei●ium greate , & continuall silence . And it a continuall Preacher meate anie of these ( as wee meete but to often , because they are manie : ) as if wee were the ●●●●ui●als , they squine ; and hang the lippe ; yea , they are so wicked ( as the servant saied of Nabal ) that a man cannot speake to them : no , 1. Sam. 25.17 . not their owne wiues : A meane , the people of the Parish , ( if anie haue that Zeales as manie , no doubt , haue ) maie not saie ●o ●nie of them ; sin , whie do you sol I pray preach ofter . For then they shall hee presenced for Puricanes . And this I hope the Court will loohe vnto , and take order for it , if anie bee so busie with their bus bandes . But rather indeede I would they would herken ; or , ( because wee would some out seede in the best ground ) do you harken my brethren , which yee continue , to this counsail of continuance ing●●d life ; and Iearning , that so you may continue vnto the ●●d . For he that cōtus●●●● vnto the end shall be saved , and saue other a a●so , 〈◊〉 in the promis●● following : and without commi●●●ance is will not bee ; because our adversaries , the devill ▪ ●he worlde , and the flesh , are continuall in their worke , to come vp our planning ; to blot out our writinge , to breake downe our building before our eies , so soone as wee plucke our hande from the worke , as too often is seene . And the importunitie of sinne , is greate , and rusheth in in hast , so soone as it ge●teth the least advantage : and afterwards ge●teth strength , and will not bee tamed , but by that instant preaching , which the Apostle before requireth ; and it is the reason , wherefore hee requireth it . As nothing indeene but this assiduitie can make Archippus fulfill his Minis●●●ie . Besides that it wil be our great rebuke to ●u● discontinuance to haue i● saied , as Paul saieth to the Galathiane , Gal. 5.7 . Yee did runne well : who , or what did 〈◊〉 you ?

Yet manie lets , I confesse , ( if wee leap not over them ) to breake vs of ●●●owne proclivitie , as hee sa●●th , 〈…〉 ad libidnum , from labou●●●●●s● , or leasure : the vngracefullnesse ; yea , the stubb●rnesse & rebellion of our he ar●●● . Come , le● vs conspire against Ieremie ; Ierem. 18.18 . let vs s●●●te him with the tongue , and let vs not giue heede vnto anie of his woordes . But ●●ne 〈◊〉 this ▪ the cold comfort , that wee haue of those which raig●● over 〈◊〉 , and are as the Apostles in 〈◊〉 and office , to see h●● onlye to them selues , but also to others , as Paul 〈◊〉 vnto 〈◊〉 . These shoulde bee called , as the prophet before saith , Quercia ●●stu●a oakes of righteousnesse and parternes of al diligence in their doctrine : Isa. 61.3 . that for ( if need required ) as children we might go by their hands , & light our candles at their to the●● . But what are they ? what do they ? I need not tel ▪ psares 〈◊〉 ●●ter ▪ the thing doth speake . Yet I must say nothing ; and you must see nothing : but we al must heare what they say ; as those in Ieremie , the three and ●●●●eth , Who hath stand in the counsell of the Lord , that hee hath perceived and heard his woordes who hath marked his word , Ierem. 23.18 . and heard 〈◊〉 ●s if they should say , who , but , Ierem. 18.18 . wee ? For the Lawe shall not perish from the priest , nor counsell from the wise , no● the worde from the prophet . But , by their leaves , I will say , as Christ in the sixteenth of S. Luke saieth where having preached against covetousnesse , Luke . 16.13.14.15 . and concluded thus saying . Yee cannot serue God and riches : it is added by the Evangelist , All these things heard the Pharisies also , which were covetous , and they mocked him . 〈◊〉 hee saied vnto them , yee are they that iustifie your selues ; but God knoweth your hartes . Yea men know your harts , by the briberies , open briberies ; and corruptions of your handes . They eate ( saieth the Lord by the prophet Osea ) The sinne of my people , Hosea . 4.8 . that is , the sacrifices for sinne ; therefore everye one lifteth vp his minde to their iniquitie . And wee now also haue sacrifices for sin , and sinne offeringes . For they commute Penances ; & the paine is past , when the pennie is paide ; and so they eate the sinne of the people : they feede , and are fat , and in good liking , and so are theirs : for Of a prince that harkeneth , Proverb. 29 12. vnto lies , saith Salomon , all his servants are wicked . Therefore ( as Ose saieth ) everie one lifteth vp his minde to their iniquitie . For sinne bringeth sacrifice ; and sacrifice is sweete : and hence is this wincking at , yea this warming of sinne & iniquitie . And how shall wee continue to beate downe sinne , which they set vp ? yet these are the onlie Timothies in the world , and who , but these ? but , as our Saviour addeth in the place before alleged , Luk. 16.15 . That which is high and loftye with men , is abhomination in the sight of God . Yea , and damnation too , if they take not heede betime . For salvation is for them that doe take heede .

For so it follweth in the second & last generall part of this Text , which is the Promise , in these wordes : For by doing this thou shalt saue thy selfe , and them that heare thee . A greate Promise , and a high speech of the Apostle , to saue our selues , and them that heare . But hee meaneth it passiuelie , that wee shall bee saved . and it is resolved into the actiue , t●●s , that , because the Gospell i● called the Gospell of our salvation , Ephes. 1.13 . in the first to the Ephesians ; and in the first to the Romans , Rom. 1.16 . the power of God which bringeth salvation to everye one that beleeveth , and the preaching of this Gospell is committed to vs , 2. Co. 5.19 and so is ours , as Ministers ; and so called by the Apostle in the second to the Romans , where speaking of God he saieth , who shall iudge the secretes of men by Iesus Christ according to my Gospell ; Rom. 2.16 . and in the fourth of the second to the Corinthians , 2. Cor. 4.3 If our Gospell bee hidde , it is hidde in them that are lost : therefore the Ministers of the Gospell , of salvations are here saied to saue themselues , and others . And so the Apostle speaketh of himselfe in the eleventh to the Romans and fourteenth verse , Ro. 11.14 . 1. Cor. 9.22 and in the first to the Corinthians , the ninth chapter , and two and twentieh verse● which places for brevitie I n●ow omit .

But this I cannot omited : shall wee in deede bee saved , and saue others also , by doing this , and doing it vnto the end ? Then faint not thou faithfull , and painefull labourer in the woorde of God : for loe , thy labours , as the seales of a double salvacion , thine owne , and others ; and a greate crowne of righteousnesse remaineth for both . And shall wee noe bee saved , nor none of ours , if wee do it not , or lightlye , and without continuance , as a flourish , and no more ? Then loe Hel-fire alreadye kindled , and a double damnation prepared alreadie , for al ignorantes , which cannot ; all ●arelesse Ministers , will not , and doe not fulfill their Ministerie . For they are guilty not onlie of their owne sinnes and damnation , but of the sinnes and damnation of then people also . Wherefore , to daye if yee will heare his voice , my brethren , harden not your hartes : that you and your people , and we with you , may bee all as wee desire , populus salutis , the saved of the Lorde .

The last point , with which I end , is this , touching the people : whome here , in the mention of their salvation , hee calleth hearers . And why ? For whosoever calleth vpon the name of the Lorde ( saieth the Prophet Ioel ) shal be saved . Ioel. 1.38 . Rom. 10.14 . But how ( saieth the Apostle ) shal they call on him , in whome they haue not beleeved ? and how shal they beleeue in him , of whome they haue not harde ? heare therefore , good people , and so bee saved harken , and your soules shall liue . But take heede , Isa. 55.3 . Mark . 4.24 . as Christ warneth , what you heare , that is , how you heare , and profit in that you heare : and beware of those hearers in the three and thirteeth of Ezechiel ; whome the Lord describeth to the Prophet , thus , Also thou sonne of man , Ezech. 33.30 . et seq. the children of thy people , that talke of thee by the walkes , and in the doores of houses ; and speake one to another , every man to his brother , saying , come , I pray you , and heare what is the word that commeth from the Lord : they come vnto thee , as the people vseth to come ; and as my people sit before thee , and heare thy wordes , but doe them not : though with their mouth they make them most sweete , their hart goeth after their covetousnesse . And lo thou art vnto them as a plesaunt song of one that hath a sweete voice , and can sing well : for they heare thy wordes , but doe them not : Such hearing is heere condemned , contemned of all men , and hath no promise of blessing from God ; but that , which is ioyned with peace , with puritie , with reverence and humilitie , and with true obedience of that we heare : Iam. 1.19 . et seq. as Iames most amply ehorting , saith , Wherefore , my deare brethren , let every man bee swift to heare , slowe to speake , and slowe to wrath . For the wrath of ●an doth not accomplish the righteousnesse of God . Wherefore laye apart all filthinesse , and superfluitye of malitiousnesse , and receiue with meekenesse the woorde that is graffed in you , which is able to saue your souls . And bee yee doers of the woorde & not hearers onlye , deceiving your owne selues . For if anie heare the woorde , and doe it not , hee is like vnto a man , that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse , for when hee hath considered himselfe , hee goeth , his waie and for getteth immediatlie what manner of one hee was . But who so looketh in the perfect Lawe of liberty , and continueth therein , hee not beeing a forgetfull hearer , but a doer of the woorke , shall bee blessed in his deede . Thus , blessed are they , and saved shall they bee , and onlye they , which heare the woorde of God , Luk. 11.28 . and keepe it . And as manye as walke according to this rule , Gal. 6.16 , peace bee upon them , and mercie , & vpon the Israel of God . To god , even the father , and to Iesus Christ , with the Holy Spirit , one , immortall , invisible , and onelie wise , God , bee rendred all glorie , and praise , dominion , and maiestie both now , and ever . Amen .