Ten sermons Preached by that eloquent divine of famous memorie, Th. Playfere Doctor in Divinitie Sermons. Selected sermons Playfere, Thomas, 1561?-1609. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A09745 of text S105170 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 20005). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 300 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 142 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A09745 STC 20005 ESTC S105170 99840900 99840900 5444 2240900488

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A09745) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 5444) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 932:02) Ten sermons Preached by that eloquent divine of famous memorie, Th. Playfere Doctor in Divinitie Sermons. Selected sermons Playfere, Thomas, 1561?-1609. D. C., fl. 1610-1612. [8], 270 p. Printed by Cantrell Legge, printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge, [Cambridge] : 1610. "To the reader" signed: D.C. Nine sermons only, of which 6, 7, 8, 5 are reprinted from STC 20026. Later editions entitled "Nine sermons". Print show-through. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Sermons, English -- 17th century. eebo Ten sermons preached by that eloquent divine of famous memorie, Th. Playfere Doctor in Divinitie. Playfere, Thomas, 1610 284 60406 1509 0 0 0 138 1 527.93 F The rate of 527.93 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2003-01 Assigned for keying and markup 2003-02 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-03 Sampled and proofread 2003-03 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-04 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

TEN SERMONS PREACHED

By that eloquent Divine of famous memorie , TH. PLAYFERE

Doctor in Divinitie .

Prov. 10. 7.

The memoriall of the 〈◊〉 shall be blessed : but the name of the w●…ked shallro●…te .

Printed by CANTRELL LEGGE , Printer to the Vniversitie of CAMBRIDGE . 1610.

To Sir Reynald Argal Knight .

RIght Worshipfull and my especiall good freind : How desirous I haue bin to answer som part of your worthy curtesies , at least by laying them open to the world , this small remembrance may testifie for me : and how vnable I am to equall deseruings , the same remembrance testifieth against me , whether I will or no ; be●…ing borrowed from the monuments of a dead man , the onely glorie of his times while he liued . But it was fit that a farre greater gift then mine owne should aspire to be the instrument of your honour : and the testimonie of the dead , I tooke to be meeter euen in this regard , because that is as vnsuspected , as your kindnesse toward my sel●…e hath beene euermore vncorrupted . And no further disturbing the harmonie of your best thoughts , or as you are wont to account it , dimini●…hing the reward which is laid vp for you in heauen , by vntimely blazing merits vpon earth , I commit this depositum to your fauour and Patronage , my selfe also , and my endeauours ; resting alwaies at

Your Worships disposition D. C.
To the Reader .

WHat a losse the Church of God had by the death of D. Playfere , I had rather the opinion of the world should determine , then my slender penne attempt to expresse . If euer those combinations of Vertue and Learning , of Knowledge and Vtterance , of Wit and Memorie , of Reading and Vse , of Holesome and Delightfull , of Schoole and P●…lpit , of Old and New , or in one word to say , of Nature and Ind●…strie , of hum●…ne felicite and heauenly grace , concurred to make a Scribe perfect and absolute to the kingdome of God ; we may not be so much our own back-friends ( though we detract not from the fortune os places further off ) nay w●… may not so impeach the honour of the gi●…er , nor disparage the worth of our friend departed , as to doubt but this was principally manifested in M. Playfere .

Who b●…cause he was but lent the world for a time , nay because he was redemaunded sooner then his time , ( if it were lawfull to controll the heauenly w●…sedome with that word Sooner , but I meane in regard of the Churches vse , and th●…t same propter vos , which Phil. 1. 24. made the Apostle to demur ) I say since he was to be returned back againe to his maker , and ouer-ripe perfection not to continue ouerlong , it had beene to be wished , he had left behind him some more monuments of his trauails , as wel comfortable to the suru●…uers , as honourable ●…o himselfe . Wh●…ch whether he in his discretion , and because he had so resolued , was nice to doe , after the example of them that would write nothing , though verie able , or was then a doing most when God cal'd him , I cannot say . This which the good Reader will be loath perhaps to heare , I may not conceale , that these are the last of all his labours which are like to be divulged . Into so small a compasse is that spirit now ranged , as to be as she sayes , 〈◊〉 a●…ud Proper . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 12.

En sum quod digitis quinque leuatur onus , or indeede not so much as a iust handfull , which lately was not confinable with●…n bounds too great for me to speake of .

But the summe is this : ( For I list not to defend his method of preach●…ng against the Method-masters of our age , who me thinkes should knowe either that of the Apostle , Diuersitas donorum est , sed vnus spiritus : or that of the Prophet , Laudate eum in tuba , laudate in cithara : or if nothing will please them but what they doe themselues , we must be faine to say as Crassus did to Scevola , O●…nium igitur conciones tu conficies vnus , omnes ad te sub tempus veniemus , &c. ) I say the summe is this : that as the Sun-light is pleasantest toward the set , & the skilfull eare finds most store os musike in the close : so this Sunne , this Swan , this sweet singer of Israel , ( for what lesser tearmes can our loue affoard him ? if any bring more we will not refuse them ) his last monuments , and his last labours , that the world may euer hope for , shall finde we trust the dearer intertainment .

A SERMON PREACHED AT WINSOR before the Kings Maiestie , the 11. day of September . 1604. Matth. 4. 4. Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

CHrist our Sauiour came into the world , to dissolue the workes of the Deuill . Now how thoroughly he would afterward destroy the deuill , and all his workes , he gaue a tast , as it were , in this his first encounter . Wherin we may note what great difference there is betweene the first Adam , and the second . The first Adam was in Paradise , a place of all abundance and pleasure : the second Adam in the desart , a place of all scarcitie and want . The first was full , and so the lesse needed to eat the forbidden fruit : the second fasting , and so the easilier drawne to make himselfe meate . Yet the first , though he were in Paradise , and full , when his wife intised him to eat the aple , tooke it and ate it : but the second , though he were in the desart , and fasting a long time , when the deuill inticed him to turne stones into bread , would not yeeld to him , but said , Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Howbeit as Christ herein was contrary to Adam ; so he agreeth verie well with Iob. Holy Iob was vpon a dunghill : Christ was in the desert . Iob had fasted seauen dayes , and seuen nights : Christ had fasted fortie dayes and for●…ie nights . Iob when his wife enticed him to curse God and die , would not , but said ; Thou speakest like a foolish woman : Christ when the tempter entised him , not to curse God and die , but to distrust God rather then he should die , would not , but said , Man liueth no●… by bread onely , but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Where , before we goe any further , it will not be amisse , to assoyle one question , Why our blessed Sa●…iour a●… his mothers request turned water into wine , and yet at the deuills request would not turne stones into bread . But the answer is easie inough . This begi●…ning of miracles , saies S. Iohn did Iesus at Cana in Galilie , and his Disciples beleeued in him . Two ends therefore did he propound to himselfe in working that miracle . The encrease of his owne glorie , and his disciples faith . Now here , neither of these two ends could be attained : For how should he not haue disgraced his glorie , if he had shewed any vaine glorie ? If thou be the sonne of God , saies the tempte●… , commaunde that these stones be made bread . So that his temptation tended onely to this ende , to make the sonne of God vain-glorious . Againe , how could we haue beene perswaded by him , if he had beene perswaded by the deuill ? For he might haue seemed to haue done this miracle not only by the deuills appointment , but by his power . The summe is this therefore , To conuert any poore soule vnto God , or to make a sonne of God , he would haue done it , vaine-gloriously to shewe himselfe the sonne of God he would not doe it ; but said , Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

The word man is verie materiall : As if he should haue said , Any ordinarie man liueth not by the bread ; but by the power , and strength , and as the Prophet calleth it , the staffe of bread , which God giueth it . Now if he that is but a bare man liueth rather by the blessing of God , then by the bread ; much lesse need I presume vpon vnlawful meanes , that am both man and God . Againe , we must obserue that by The word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God , we are not to vnderstand the written will or word of God , but the secret counsell and decree of God , in preseruing and sustaining his creatures : For example , if the word haue gone out of Gods mouth , and if God haue set it downe , and saide it , that I shall liue as well without bread as with bread , so it shall be . Or if God in his prouidence haue prouided that a stone shal nourish me as well as bread , then I shall not neede to distrust his goodnesse , or to vse vnlawfull means for my releefe . For , Man liueth not by bread onely , but by ●…ery word that proceedeh out of the ●…outh of God .

There are two places of Scripture , which are fit commentaries vpon this text . The first is written in Ecclesiastes : ca●… . 9. ●… . 11. I returned , saies Salomon , and I sawe vnder the sunne , that the race is not to the swift : nor the battell to the strong : nor yet bread to the wise : nor also riches to men of vnderstanding : neither yet fauour to men of knowledge .

First , saith the preacher , The race is not to the swift . Asahel was as swift of 2. 〈◊〉 . ●… . 1●… . foot as a roebuck , yet Abner met with him , smote him vnder the sift rib , & slew him . So that the swiftest that is may sometimes be ouertaken . It is not in him that willeth , or in him that runneth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. 16. but in God that sheweth mercie , Nec curentis , Ne●… volentis , saies S. Paul : but a noble man giues it for his word , Nec volentis , ne●… volantis : It is not in him ●…hat willeth , or in him that runneth , yea though he could runne as fast as a bird can flie ; but in God that sheweth mercie . Therefore man get●…eth not the race by swistnes onely , but by the mercie of God : Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Secondly , saith the Preacher , The battell is not to the strong . Golias was a mightie strong gyant : His height was sixe cubits , and a hand breadth : he had 1. S●… . 17. 5. an helmet of brasse vpon his head , and a brigandine vpon his bodie : and the weight of hi●… brigandine was fiue thous●…nd shekels o●… brasse . He had bootes of b●…asse vpon his legs : & a shield of brasse vpon his shoulders . And the shaft of his speare was like a weauers beame : and ●…is speare head weighed sixe hundred shekels of yro●… : & one bearing a shielde went before him . Wherefore thinke you is all this furniture so particularly set downe ? Wherefore , say you ? Marry to shewe , how great strength , the Lord if the word haue proceeded out of his mouth , can ouercome with weakenes . For so little Dauid confesseth : Thou commest to me , saith he , with a sword , v ▪ ●…5 . and with a speare , and with a sheild , but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts . This name of the Lord of hosts , this mightie word proceeding out of Gods mouth , stroke the stroke . Euen as holy Dauid humbly confesseth , saying , We got not the victorie by our owne sword , neither was it our arme that did saue vs : but thy right hand , O Psal. 44 7. Lord , and thine arme , and the light o●… thy countenance , because thou hadst a ●…uour vnto vs . So that man getteth not the battell by strength onely , but by the fauour of God : Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Thirdly , saith the preacher , Bread is not to the wise . One would thinke him but a simple wise man , that can not by his wisdome prouide himselfe bread , that is , sufficient maintenance for his estate . Yet thus it fallet●… out oftentimes . The prodigall child was wise enough . 〈◊〉 . 15. 17. Beeing but the yonger brother , he handled the matter so , as that he got of his father an equall portion of goods with his elder brother . But what came all his wisdome to in the ende ? Forsooth at length he was driuen to such shifts , that for want of bread he was faine to eate husks with the hogges . And then he saide , How many hired seruants in my fathers house haue bread enough , and I starue here for hunger ? Thus falleth it o●…t many times wi●…h them that are wise to follow their owne pleasures , and not to serue god . But with the seruants of god it is not so . Therefore saith the princely Prophet , I haue beene young , and now am old : yet did I neuer see the righteous forsake●… , nor their seede begging their bread . So that man getteth not bread by wisdome onely , and when he hath gotten bread , Man liueth not by bread onely , but by eue●…y word that proc●…edeth out of the mouth of god .

Fourthly , saith the preacher , Riches are not to men of vnderstanding . That rich man in the gospel wanted not Luk. 1●… . 2●… . greatly any vnderstanding . When he had so much riches , that he could not tell what to doe with them , he resolued to pull downe his olde barnes which were too little , and to build bigger . But what saide the answer of god ? Thou foole , this night shal they take away thy soule from thee , and then , whose shall thy goods be ? Wherfore he that thoght himselfe of great vnderstanding before , is here declared to be a foole , and a poore foole also , hauing not so much as his soule left to helpe him . The losse whereof can not be recompenced and counter●…ailed with winning the whole world . A mans life then doth not confist in the aboundance of those things which he possesseth . But the louingkindnes Psal. 63. 4. P●…ov . 10. of the Lord is better then riches , better then liuing , yea better then life it selfe . For in God onely we liue . And onely the blessing of god maketh a man rich . Whereupon we may conclude , that man getteth not riches by vndersta●…ding onely , but by the blessing of god : Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of god .

Lastly , saith the preacher , Fauour is not to men of knowledge . It seemeth that a man of knowledge and learning should obtaine fauour and acceptance , wheresoeuer he becommeth . But it is not so . Oftentimes , either he getteth none , or els he looseth that which he hath gotten . Haman a man of great 〈◊〉 . 7. 10. knowledge , and a●…thoritie , and fauour with his Prince . Yet because he abused this fa●…our to the oppression of gods people , and of true religion , therefore he lost it . And that mischiefe which he imagined against others , lighted vpon his own●… pa●…e . Indeede when god hath appointed any one to be a notable instr●…ment of his glorie , either in Church 〈◊〉 Common-●…ealth , then sodainly the Lord giueth him extraordinary fauour . So he gaue Ioseph fauour with king Pharao : so he gaue Mardocheus fauour wi●…h king Assuerus . For fauour and promo●…ion comme●…h neither from the East , nor from the West , nor from the North , nor from the South , but god it is which setteth vp one , and casteth downe an other . He , as the blessed Virgin singeth in her Magnisicat , casteth Luk. 1. 52. down the mightie from their seats , and exalteth the humble and me●…ke . Wherfore man getteth not fauour by knowledge onely , but by the fauour of god : Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of god .

This doctrine teacheth vs , that if we haue gotten the race , gotten the battel , gotten bread , gotten riches , gotten fauour , we should not ascribe these things to our owne sacrifices , to our owne strength , to our owne wisdome , to our owne vnderstanding , to our owne knowledge , but to the grace of god , and the blessed word proceeding out of his ●…outh . Thus the Prophet exhorteth , saying , Let not the wise man glorie in his wisdome , nor the strong man in his strength , but let him that gloried glorie in this , that he knoweth the Lord . Now no man knoweth the Lord , but he which knoweth that all good successe he hath in any thing , commeth of the Lord . And thus much for the first place of Scripture , which is a commentarie vpon this text . Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of god .

The second place of Scripture is written in the Prophet Hagge . Ye haue 〈◊〉 . 1. ●… . sowen much , and bring in little : ye eat , but you haue not enough : ye drinke , but ye are not filled : ye cloth you , but ye are not warme : and he that earneth wages , putteth the wages into a broken bagge .

First , s●…ith the Prophet , Ye haue sowed much , and bring in little . Almightie God for the sin of the people makes many times the heauens brasse , and the earth yron . So that neither the heauens droppeth downe seasonable showres , neither doth the earth bring forth her ●…ncrease . When one came to a heape of twentie measures , there were but ten , saith this our Prophet : when one came cap. ●… . 15. to the winepresse for to drawe out fiftie vessels out of the presse , there were but twentie . This is to sowe much , and bring in little , to looke for twentie measures , and finde but tenne : to looke for fiftie vessels , and finde but twentie . On the other side , holy Isaac sowing in the Gen. ●…6 . 12. land of king Abimeleck , gained euerie yeare an hundred fold : so mightily saith the Scripture , did the Lord blesse him . For except the Lord build the house , they labour but in vaine that build it : and except the Lord till the field and sowe the seede , they labour but in vain that sowe it . Paul planteth , Apollo watere●…h , but God giueth the encrease : which is true not onely in the spirituall wa●…ering of the word , but also in naturall planting and sowing seede . So that man bringeth not much in by sowing onely , but by the en●…ease which God giueth : Man li●…eth ●…ot by bread onely , but by euery word which poceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Secondly , saith the Prophet , Ye eate , but ye haue not inough . Many there are which want for no eating , but like that rich glutton fare deliciously euerie day : yet it is smally seene by them . But as Ge●… . 4●… . ●…1 . those seuen leane kine hauing deuoured the seuen fat , were neuer a whit the fuller ; so these . Wheras holy Daniel hauing nothing to eat but poore pulse , nothing to drinke but cold water , looked more cherefully and beautifully , then any of the children which did eat of the portion of the kings meate . And that the Eunuch saw well inough , and confessed D●…n. 1. 15. at the tenne dayes ende . Therefore a little thing which the righteous inioy●…th , ●…sal . 37. 1●… . is better then great riches of the wicked . Better is a little with the feare Prov. 15. 16. of the Lord , then great treasure & trouble therewith . Better is a dry morsell 〈◊〉 . ●…7 . 1. if peace be with it , then a house full of sacrifices with strife . Better is a dinner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●…7 . of greene hearbes were loue is , then a stawled oxe and hatred therewith . In conclusion then , Man hath not inough by eating onely , but by the peace and and loue of God . M●…n liueth not by breade onely , but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Thirdly saith the Prophet , Ye drink , but ye are not filled . Many consume , and as we say , drinke downe their whole patrimonie . Like the horseleach they euer say , Giue , giue : like the man in the gospell , that had the dropsie , they dri●…ke still , and the more they drinke the more they list . Committing in the meane season two sinnes , fors●…king God the fountaine of li●…ing waters , and digging ●…er . ●… . 1●… . to themselues pittes that can hold no waters . On the other side , Elias , when as the Angel brought him a cake bakt ' on the harth , and a pot of water , was so ●…ully satisfied with these , that he went in the strength of this meate and drinke 1. Reg. 1●… . ●… . fortie dayes vnto Oreb the mount of God . Could such a small pittance of bread and water of it selfe sustaine him so long ? No marrie . What was the matter then ? The word that proceeded out of Gods mouth had appointed so , that one cruse of water should suffice him all that time . Whereby we see , that man is not filled with drinking only : Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Fourthly , saith the Prophet , Yea cloth you but you are not wa●…me . Peter 〈◊〉 . i●… 1. ●…g . ●… . Martyr sheweth , that clothing doth keepe the bodie warme two wayes : By keeping in the naturall heat of the bodie : and by keeping out the accidentall cold of the ayre . Now though this be the property of cloathing , yet God as it pleaseth him , can suspend the effect of it . Whereupon he saith , I will take away my corne in the time thereof , and Ho●… . 1. 9. my wine in the season thereof , and I wil deliuer my wooll and my flaxe . Signifying that euen when the corne is come to the ripenesse , and the wine nowe readie to be drunken , God will depri●…e them of it . But especially we must marke that he sai's , I will deliuer my wooll and my ●…laxe . Whereby he 〈◊〉 la●… 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 m●… u●… . teacheth vs , that God hath as it were , if I may so say , bound all his creatures prentises to vs , to preser●…e vs , and serue vs , if we serue him . But in case we serue him ●…ot , then the creatures are deliuered , and are bound no more to serue vs . The wool and the flax contrary to their ●…ature will not serue our turne , if we contrary to grace rebell against God . Whereas Iohn Bap●…ist hauing a garment of Camels haire , and a girdle of leather abo●…t ●…is loynes , w●…s 〈◊〉 ●…nough . This leather serued him to as good vse as flaxe , and the Camels haire kept him as warme as wooll . Ma●… therfore is not warme by clothing onel●… , but by vertue of God annexed to t●…e clothing . Man li●…eth not by bread onely , but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Lastly , saith the Prophet , He that earneth wages putteth the wages into a broken bagge . We see in the world many men haue great fees , great offices , great reuenues , and yet can scarse keepe themselues out of debt . O●…her some , haue but verie s●…all wages , and yet maintaine themselues well inough , and helpe their poore friends also . Onely the word that proceedeth out of Gods mo●…th , makes this difference . As we may see in Iudas . Who indeede earned wages , b●…t seeing it was the wages of vnrighteousnesse , therefore it run out of the bagge as f●…st as it was put in : Fo●… first , when he ●…ad it he could not ●…old it in his hands , but brought it b●…cke againe , saying , I 〈◊〉 sinned in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 innocent blood . Then himselfe went and made away himselfe , and that which is fearefull but once to name or mention , all his bowels gushed out : There is a broken bagge . But the Patriarch Iacob , earning wages verie hardly , to wit , seruing fourteene yeares for his v●…cles daughters , and sixe years for his lambs , in all twentie yeares , in the ende filled his bagge full . And though Laban changed his wages ten tims , yet he could not one time change that blessing of God , which was alwaies vpon him . And though he allotted his nephew onely the spotted lambs , which commonly were verie fewe to his wages , yet the word proceeding so out of Gods mouth , this prooued an infinite gaine vnto him . Whereupon the blessed Patriarke humbleth himselfe in true 〈◊〉 ●…2 . 10. humilitie and thankfulnesse to God , and saith , O Lord , I am not worthie of the least of al thy mercies : for with my staffe came I ouer this Iordan , but now doe I ret●…e with two troups . O that we had such good soules , such thankefull hearts in vs , as that euerie one of vs would in like sort confesse and acknowledge his owne vnworthinesse , and the wonderfull worth and wealth of Gods mercie . O Lord , sai's he , I am not worthie of the least , or I am lesser then the least of all thy mercies . He makes no mention of his owne paines and trauailes , though they had beene verie great in that long seruice , but onely of the mercies of God . These were the only cause that his bagge was so full . Wherefore man filleth not his bagge by earning wages onely , but by the mercies of God . Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euery word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

This teacheth vs , that whether we sow , or eate , or drinke , or cloath vs , or earne wages , we must do all to the glorie of God . And all we doe to the glorie of God , when we referre the glorie of all we doe to God . Not sacrificing to our owne yarne , as the Prophet speaketh , or kissing our owne hand : but kissing the sonne , and offring vp to him onely the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiuing at whose hand we receiue all good things . For it is not our painefull sowing that giues vs a plentifull crop : not our eating that f●…edeth vs : not our drinking that satisfieth vs : not our clothes that warme vs : not out earning wages that filleth our bagge : but the good word that procedeth out of Gods mouth , which blessed all these things vnto vs . Therefore as we must not beginne any of these without grace-saying : so we must not ende any of them without thanksgiuing . And thus much for the second place of Scripture , which is a commentarie vpon this text ; Man liueth not by br●…ad on●…ly , but by euerie word which proc●…edeth out of the mouth of God .

To make good vse then of all that hath beene spoken , I shall desire you to obserue foure points . First , that God can worke great matters with small meanes . Thus saith our Lord ; When I brake the fiue loaues among fiue thousand , 〈◊〉 . 8. 19. how many baskets full of broken meate tooke ye vp ? they said v●…to him , Twelue . And when I brake seauen among fowre thousand , how many baskets of the leauings of broken meate tooke ye vp ? and they said , S●…auen . Certainely there is no reason in the world that seauen loa●…s sho●…ld satisfie fowre thousand , and much lesse , that fiue loaues fiue thousand . But Christ hauing giuen thanks and blessed the bread , did that by the might of the word proceeding out of his mouth , which by the naturall power and condition of the bread could neuer haue beene done . Therefore also he repeateth it , and questioneth with his disciples about it . That by their confession and report , all the Church afterwards might beleeue , that God can worke great matters with small meanes , and that Man liueth not by breade onely , but by euerie word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Secondly , that God can work strong matters with weake meanes . What a strong violent matter is it , to pull the soule of any one sinner out of the bottome of hell , and out of the iawes of destruction ? yet this God doth . But how doth he i●… ? This strong matter , howe doth he worke it ? By the weakest means that may be . We haue this treasure , saith the Apostle , in earthen vessels , 2. Cor. 6. 7. that the excellency of that power might be of God , and not of vs . O marueilous words , That the excellencie of that power might be of God , and not of vs . For if Angels were sent to preach vnto vs , it might be thought , that the conuersion of sinners consisted in the excellencie of the Angels ministrie , not in the power of Gods word . Now simple and sinneful men , such as our selues are , no better then earthen vessels , bringing such a ●…reasure vnto vs , the excellencie of this worke must needs be wholly ascribed to God . And as it is in spirituall foode , so it is in corporall . It is not the teacher , but the doctrine taught : or rather not the doctrine barely taught nei●…her , but the diuine operation of Gods spirit working with the word which conuerteth the soule . And so it is not the bread onely , but the blessing of Gods grace vpon the bread which sustaineth our li●…e . Thus God can worke strong matters with weake meanes ; and Man liueth no●… by breade onely , but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

Thirdly , that God can worke some matters with no meanes . When King Asa sawe himselfe ouerpressed with the 2. Chr. 14. 11. multitude of his enemies , he praied thus to God : O Lord , it is all one with thee , to saue with many , or with no power . If he had said with many , or with a small power , it would haue beene plaine . But with many , or with no power , is verie wonderfull . Or rather it is no wonder a●… all , seeing it is spoken of God , with whome it is a verie ordinarie matter to saue , not onely as well with a small or a weak power , as with a great or a strong power , but also as well with no power , as with some power . It is a good carpenter , who ha●…ing crooked and roug●… timber put into his hands , can h●…w it and make it fit for the building . Onely the creator of all it is which can worke , hauing no matter at all to worke vpon . The ordinarie meanes for plants and hearbs to growe by , is rai●…e : Yet God prouided for Adam plants and herbes Gen. 2. 5. 〈◊〉 e●…er it had rain●…d . The vsuall ●…eanes for light is the sunne . Howbeit 〈◊〉 . ●… . 3. ●…od 〈◊〉 light before he made the 〈◊〉 . Light the first day , the sunne the 〈◊〉 day . We see then that God is ti●… to no meanes . God can saue with no 〈◊〉 , as wel as with some power : God can gi●…e vs hearbs with no raine , as wel 〈◊〉 with some raine : God can giue vs light without any su●…ne , as well as with ●…he sun●…e : God can feede vs if it please him , as well with no bread as with bread . Therefore God can worke some mat●…rs with no meanes ; and so Man li●…eth not by bread onely , but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mou●…h of God .

Fourt●…ly , that God can worke others●…me 〈◊〉 wi●…h contrari●… meanes . ●…e c●…n no●… onely shewe vs light with●… any s●…nne , but also bring light out 〈◊〉 . Cor. ●… 6 of darkenesse . So our Sauiour , when ●…e went about to cure him that was 〈◊〉 blind , tempred spittle and clay , 〈◊〉 . ●… . ●… . 〈◊〉 put it vpon his ●…yes . This plaister 〈◊〉 more likely to put out his eyes 〈◊〉 sees ▪ then to cure his eyes who is blind . Yet this is the power of the word proceeding out of Gods mou●…h . So the Prophet Elizeus , when colloquintida 2. R●…g . 4. 40. was put into the pot , by casting in a little meal●… into it , made of ranke poison a wholesome brot●… . So , when the Israelits wanted bread in the desert , God sent them Manna from heauen ; and Moses said vnto them , This is the bread ●…xod . 1●… . 15. which the Lord hath giuen you to eat . Many things here were contrarie to nature . One thing especially , that the dew which made the manna , fell in the morning , whereas other dewe vseth to fall in the euening , and ascend in the morning . Therefore Moses putte●…h Israel in minde of this strange miracle afterward ; God made thee hungrie , and fed D●…ut . ●… . 3. thee with Manna , saith he , which ●…hou knewest not , neither did thy fathers knowe it , that he might teach them that man liueth not by bread only , but by euerie word that proceedeth ou●… of the mo●…th of the Lord , doth a man liue . Christs answer then to the tempter is , as if he should haue said ; I want nowe bread in the desert , as long ago the Israelites wanted it . But God by his word prouided for them . There●…ore I neede not incroach vpon vnlawfull meanes , but depending stil vpon his prouidence , I shall neuer want . For God can worke great matters with small meanes , strong matters with weake meanes , many matters with no meanes , and some matters with contrarie meanes . So that Man liueth not by bread onely , but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God .

And yet this is no doctrine of idlenesse and securitie neither . As we must not by diffidence or distrust in God , vse vnlawfull meanes : so we must not by presuming vpon God , neglect lawfull meanes . That we be not too distrustful we are sent to the lilly , and yet that we be not too negligent we are sent to the ant. S. Paul knewe right well , neither 〈◊〉 . 27. he nor any of his companie should be cast away in that shipwracke : yet for all that , he did not lay him downe vpon a pillowe and sleepe , but he vsed all good meanes for the safetie of the compa●…ie . He cast out the wheat and the tackling of the ship : he loosed the rudder bands , and hoysed vp the main saile . And when the ship was splitted , he perswaded some by bords , and other by other peices of the ship to swim safe to land . The more to blame were they The●… was a fire in Winsor to●…ne . yesternight , which when they might haue done good , stood by still and loo●…ed on . As though it were a disparagement , or rather it were not a verie honourable part for any to help in a common danger ? Or as though the fire which was kindled by negligence , should haue beene extinguished with negligence also . Yea rather the Lord did by this fire , chastice the negligence of some , that he might stirre vp the diligence of all . No lesse blame worthie was the whole towne , which standing so neere the royall presence of the kings maiestie and the Q●…eenes maiestie , yet was vtterly vnprouided of all helpe in this case . No buckets , no hookes , no ladders , no axes , could be gotten ; no carpenters could be heard of , which might haue done most good at such a time . So that if the mightie and mercifull word proceeding out of the mouth of God , had not helped in necessity and time of neede , suddainly caulming and stilling the wind , euen at that very instant , which had beene busie all the day before , no question it had growen to a farre greater dammage and danger . But I am ill aduised to meddle with these things . I make no doubt but order will be taken , though I hold my peace , that hereafter the ●…owne for all such casualties be better prouided . Therefore here I ende . God for his mercie sake grant that neither by too much presuming confidence we may neglect the lawfull meanes , nor yet by too much distrusting diffidence we may vse vnlawfull meanes ; but that depending vpon thy prouidence O Lord , we may diligently followe the works of our calling , and so continually receiue a blessing from thee , thorough Iesus Christ : to whom with the Father , and the holy Ghost , be all praise , and glorie , nowe and euermore . Amen .

FINIS .
A SERMON PREACHED AT HAMPTON Court before the Kings Maiestie , the 23. day of September . 1604. 2. Cor. 4. 17. The momentarie lightnes of our affliction , worketh vs a surpassing exceeding eternall weight of glorie .

SAint Peter foretelleth ●… . 〈◊〉 . ●… . that some should peruert S. Pauls epistles to their owne damnation . Such are they of the church of Rome . Among other places of S. Pauls epistles , they doe notably p●…ruert this . For out of that the Apostle saith , Affliction worketh glory ; they endeauour to conclude , that the patience of the Saints , and other their vertues , merit euerlasting life . But first the word , To worke , is verie generall and signifieth not onely causes properly so named , but also any antecedent , though it be but an adiunct or an accident . Againe , the Apostles words elsewhere are these . I suppose Rom. 8. 1●… . that the afflictions of this life , are not worthie os the glorie which shal be reuealed . Wherefore they might haue done well , to chuse some indifferet construction which would haue reconciled both these places together , rather then to imbrace such an exposition of the one , as doth iustle , nay quite thrust out the other . S. Bernard doth thus , saying , that good wor●…es , are not any . cause meriting a kingdome , but onely a way directing to a kingdome . For seeing they are no cause , neither haue any correspondence , or proportion in them in respect of the glorie to come , therefore the Apostle saith , The afflictions of this life are not worthie the glorie that shal be reueiled . And yet againe because the possessing of our soules in patience , is a way directly tending to the saluation both of our soules and bodies , therefore he saith , The momentarie ●…ightnesse of our affliction worketh vs ●… surpassing exceeding eternall weight of glorie . To which our Sauiour subscribeth in these words , The gate is straight , and the way narrowe which leadeth vnto life . This straightnesse therfore and narrownesse of affliction , is not a cause which deserueth , but a gate or a way , which leadeth vnto life . So in an other place we haue , that by many tribulations we must enter into the kingdome of heauen . Not by many tribulations , no not by any tribulations , we must merit heauen , but by many tribulations as by a gate or way , we must enter into the kingdome of heauen . And in this sense S. Paul saies , The momentarie lightnesse of our affliction worketh vs a surpassing exceeding eternall waight of glorie .

But now though this sentence doe not confirme any Popish error , yet it doth excellently comfort any distressed and afflicted . For it exhorteth vs to be patient in all afflictions , and that for foure reasons . The two first drawn from the nature of our affliction , the two last from the nature of that glory , which shal be the reward of our affliction . T●… first is , because our affliction is momentarie : the second , because our affliction is light : the third , because our glorie shal be eternall , yea surpassing eternall ▪ the fourth , because our glorie shall b●… weightie , exceeding weightie . And therefore he saith , The momentarie lightnesse of our affliction , worketh vs a surpassing exceeding eternall waight of glorie .

Ineede not here make any apologi●… for my selfe , nor yet render any reason , why I discourse of pouertie , before the rich , of affliction before those that are euere way flourishing . This point was . cleared so reuerently and so learnedly of late in this high presence , that I am sure it must needes be yet well remembred . Certainely though ye haue not beene afflicted heretofore , neither are at this time , yet beeing men , ye may be hereafter . Wherefore it is no●… 〈◊〉 , that we all learne the doctrine of patience in tribulation . Partly that we may be more thankfull to God , i●… hitherto we haue not beene afflicted and plagued like other men : Partly that if any time of affliction happen hereafter , as any griefe , any losse , any sickenes , or such like , we may be prepared aforehand , and as it were armed with patience to endure it . For the momentarie lightnesse of our affliction worketh vs a surpassing exceeding eternall waight of glorie .

First , our affliction is momentarie . Wel . sai's Eucherius , Nothing is of great importance , which is of small continuance . Now our whole life is very short . What . is our life , saith S. Iames ? It is a vapour which for a time appeareth , but anon after vanisheth away . Therefore saith the Prophet , O Lord , thou knowest my Ps●… . 56. ●… . life , as it is in the Sept●…agint : but as it is in the Hebrewe , Thou knowest my fli●…ting . And therefore seeing our whole life is but a vapour , or a flitting , certenly our afflictions which are all comprised within the compasse of this life , must needes be much more momentarie . All affliction , as the Apostle writeth , Heb. 12. 11. for the present seemeth not to be ioyous but grieuous ; but afterward it bringeth forth the quiet fruits of righteousnesse to them that are exercised thereby . He saith not that affliction is , but that it seemeth to be . So that affliction seemeth to be one thing , and is indeede an other . It seemeth to be grieuous , it is indeede ioyous : it seemeth to be troblesome , it is indeede comfortable : it seemeth to be long and tedious , it is indeede momentarie and short . Euen as God himselfe determineth this matter ; For a moment , saith he , in Esa. 54. 8. mine anger , for a little season haue I hid my face from you ; but in euerlasting mercie will I turne vnto you againe . That we should not doubt of this doctrine , he redoubles the promise , for a moment , for a little season . Therefore the Princely Prophet say's plainly . Heauinesse may endure for a night , but ioy ●… 〈◊〉 . 30. 6. commeth in the morning . As the two Angels then that came to Lot log'd with him for a night , and when they had dispach't their arrant , went away in Gen. 19 2. the morning : so afflictions , which are the Angels or the messengers of God . God sendeth afflictions to doe an arrant vnto vs , to tell vs , we forget God , we forget our selues , we are too proud , too selfe concei●…ed , and such like , and when they haue said as they were bad , then presently they are gone . Whereupon we read , that the spirit of life returned 〈◊〉 ●…1 11. into the two witnesses which had beene slaine by the beast , after three dayes and an halfe . Why after three dayes and an halfe ? To teach vs , that affliction and persecution may perhaps tyranize ouer vs three dayes and an halfe , but they shal not fill vp the whole fowre dayes . For the elects sake those Math. 24. 22. dayes shall be shortened . Agreeably to that which Iohn Baptist begun his preaching with , Repent ; for the kingdome Matth. 3. 2. of heauen is at hand . Repent , that 's a matter of mortification and affliction to the flesh . For the kindome of heauen is at hand , That 's a matter of comfort and ioy . So our Sauiour , Behold I come Reuel. 22. 12. quickly , and my reward with me : if Christ will come quickly , then affliction will be gone quickly . Thus momentarie is our affliction : For our whole life is short , much more then the afflictions of this life : affliction is grieuous but for the present : heauinesse endureth but for a night : persecution lasteth but three dayes and an halfe : the kingdome of heauen is at hand , therefore deliuerance is at hand : Christ will come quickly , therefore affliction will be gone quickly . Wheresore seeing our affliction is so momentarie , let vs be patient in affliction : For the momentarie lightnesse of our affliction worketh vs a surpassing exceeding eternall waight of glorie .

Secondly , our affliction is light . Almightie God setting forth his owne excellency , saith , Who hath measured the Es●… . 40. 1●… . heauens with his span , and the waters with his fist ? By the heauens are meant the diuine blessings of God ; by the waters , afflictions & woes . Those he measureth with his span , which is a longer measure : these with his fist , which is a shorter measure . So that the Lord is as I may say a rhetoritian , verie plentifull and copious in his blessings ; he measureth them with his spanne : but he is a logitian , more short and sparing in his afflictions , these he measureth with his fist . For in the hand of the Lord there Psal. 75. ●… . is a cuppe , the wine is redde , and full mixt , he powreth out of the same : as for the dregges thereof , the wicked of the earth doe drinke them vp . First , we drinke not this cup onely full of redde wine , that is , of the wrath and indignation of God , but mixt with diuerse comforts otherwise . Then besides we meddle not with the dregs . Vpon the vngodly he shall raine snares , sire & brimstone , storme , and tempest , this shall be their portion to drinke . We drinke only a little of the vppermost . And therefore he saith , God powreth out of the same . That after we haue suffered a modicum , as S. Peter speaketh , we may 1. Pat. 5. 10. then enter into glorie . According to king Dauid his prayer , Comfort vs , O Lord , now for the time wherein thou hast afflicted vs , and for the dayes wherin we haue seene euill . Hierome noteth that hauing first said wherein thou hast afflicted vs ; he expounds it after by these words , wherein we haue seene euill . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15. Therefore that which Acteon wished , that he might see only his hounds hunting , and not feele it , that happeneth indeede to vs . Our affliction is , not a feeling of euill neare at hand , but onely a feeling of it a farre off . As the Persian Kings children in their minoritie , if they had committed a fault , were not corrected themselues , but onely saw some of meaner birth chastised before them : so God teacheth vs to take heed , rather by other mens , then by our owne harmes . And looke how Abraham laid nothing but wood vpon his sonne Isaac , carrying the knife and the fire himselfe : after the s●…me sort dealeth our heauenly father with vs . He laieth vpon vs wood without ●… knife . The Phisitian 〈◊〉 , that is the best exercise which is ad ruborem , non ad sudorem , refreshing the spirits and stirring vp the blood a little , but not putting a man into any great sweat . But the diuine may say , that is the best affliction , which is ad sudorem , non ad sanguinem . Therfore God laieth vpon vs wood ad sudorem , to make vs sweat , In the sweat of thy browes Gen. 3. 19. shalt thou eat thy bread ; not a knife ad sanguinem , to make vs bleed , Ye haue Heb. 12. 4. not yet resisted vnto blood . God laieth vpon vs wood without fire . Now wood without fire , is not greatly dangerous . Or say he lay vpon vs both wood and fire : yet the voice of the Lord deuideth the flame of fire . For in the flame of fire naturally there is heat and light . But notwithstanding , the omnipotent voice of the Lord diuideth these , one from the other . As the cursed in hell shew , and the elect vpon earth . I am tormented in this flame , saith Dives . There s heat , but no light . Contrariwise the three children in the furnace shined as Angels for light , but were so farre from heat , that no one haire of their head , or of their apparell perished . When Moyses saw a bush burning and not consumed , he saide , I will goe , and see this great vision . A great vision indeede . There was a flame of fire . Els how was the bush burning ? There was light . Els how did Moses see it ? There was no hear . Els how was not the bush consumed ? 〈◊〉 3. ●… Yet in euery faithfull one afflicted you may see this great vision . The voice of the Lord in his affliction , as in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11. flame of fire , diuideth the heat from the light . So that he is not consumed by the heat , ( nay rather his infirmities and carnall concupiscences are consumed thereby ) but onely illuminated by the light . According to that , Onely vexation giueth vnderstanding . And in an other place , Light is sprung vp to the righteous , and ioy to them that are true of heart . Thus ye see how tenderly our deare fa●…her dealeth with vs . He laieth either no fire at all vpon vs , or els no burning fire for heat , but onely a blasing fire for light . To make short . Many hands ( as we say ) make light worke . Now wee haue many comparteners and fellowes which make the labour of our affliction light . First , all creatures sigh and grone with vs ; Then , 〈◊〉 ●… 1●… . all the faithfull beare one an others 〈◊〉 ●… . burdens , and so fulfill the lawe of God . Thirdly , the good angels haue a 〈◊〉 . ●…1 . ●…1 . ch●…ge giuen them of vs , that we hurt not our foot at any time against a stone . Next , God the father biddeth vs cast Psal. 55. 23. our burthen vpon him , and promiseth to nourish vs . Fiftly , the holy Ghost Rom. 8. 2●… . helpeth our infirmities , and helpeth them euen when we are readie to be oppressed by them . Lastly , God the Mat●… . 11. ●…0 . sonne setteth to his hand likewise , and saith , Come vnto me all yee that labour and are heauie loaden , and I will refresh you : take my yoke vpon you ; for my yoke is easie , and my burthen is light . As is he should haue said , To drawe in the yoake without me , would be a hard matter ; and to beare the burthen without me , would be aboue your strength : but if you come to me , if you drawe and beare with me , I will refresh you ; For my yoake is easie , and my burthen is light . Thus light is our affliction . For God measureth to vs the water with his fist , which is the shorter measure : he causeth vs to drink of the cup no otherwise but as it is mixt with many comforts : he maketh vs not swallow vp the lees of it , but onely a little modicum of the vppermost : he laieth affliction vpon vs , which is rather a seeing , then a feeling of euill : he laieth wood vpon vs to exercise vs , but neither a knife to cut vs , nor yet fire to burne vs . Lastly , we haue many fellowes in our affliction which make it light . All creatures : all the faithfull : all the good angels : God the father : God the holy Ghost : God the Sonne , who saith , My yoake is easie , and my burden is light . Wherefore seeing our affliction is so many waies light , we must be patient in all affliction ; For the momentarie lightnes of our affliction worketh vs a surpassing exceeding eternall waight of glorie .

Thirdly , our glorie is eternall , yea surpassing eternall . The glorie we looke for , is called a kingdome . Of which the princely Prophet saith thus ; Thy kingdome Psal. 145. 13. is an euerlasting kingdome , and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages . Whereupon Origen noteth , that . as there is a holy , and a holy of holies ; as a saboth , and a saboth of saboths ; as a heauen , and a heauen of heauens ; as a song , and a song of songs : so there is an age , and an age of ages . And againe , as that which is not onely a holy , but also a holy of holies , is the holiest place of all ; as that which is not onely a saboth , but also a saboth of saboths , is the perfectest rest of all ; as that which is not onely a heauen , but also a heauen of heauens , is the highest heauen of all ; as that which is not onely a song , but also a song of songs , is the excellentest song of all : so that which is not onely an age , but also an age of ages , and especially , as the Psalmist speaketh , an age of all ages , is the most infinite eternitie of all . Which seeing it is attributed to the kingdome of Christ , being likewise the kingdome of all true Christians , it followeth that our glorie is surpassing eternall . Whereupon Prosper noteth , De promiss●… & 〈◊〉 . that that which Virgil writeth of Augustus Cesar , He hath giuen vs an Empire Imperium sine sine ded●…t . without ende ; may much more fitly be applied to Christ . For though Augustus raigned very long , aboue fiftie yeares , yet at length his gouernment as all other earthly kingdomes , was determined . But of our heauenly king onely the angel Gabriel saide most truly , Of his kingdome there shall be no ende . Luk 1. 53. Now this glorie is as well called a crowne , as a kingdome . And this crowne , as S. Peter saith , is vndefield , ●… . Pet. 1. 14. which neuer fadeth away . The Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . words which S. Peter vseth , are Latine words also : and they are not onely appellatiues , beeing the epithites of this crowne , but also propers , the one the proper name of a stone , the other of a flower . For Isidore writeth there is a pretious . stone called Aniantus , which though it be neuer so much soyled , yet it can neuer at all be blemished . And beeing cast into the fire , it is taken out ▪ still more bright and cleane . Also Clemens . writeth , that there is a flower called A●…rantus , which beeing a long time hung vp in the house , yet still is fresh and greene . To both which , the stone and the flower , the Apostle , as I am verily perswaded , alludeth in this place . As if he should haue saide , The crowne which ye shall receiue , shall be studded with the stone Amiantus , which cannot be defiled ; and it shall be garnished with the flower Amarantus , which alwaies is fresh and neuer fades away : ye shall receiue a crowne vndefiled , and that neuer fades away . Which , as Beda noteth , was insinuated in the crowne round about the Arke of the Testament . For in a circle there is neither beginning nor ending . Or rather euery where there is a beginning , euery where an ending ; and so no where any beginning or ending . To shew that the patient also shal haue a crown set vpon their head per circuitum , running round in a circle & neuer comming to any end of eternitie . Well , our glorie is called also a treasure . Three kind of treasures there are . A treasure in hell : a treasure in earth : a treasure in heauen . That in hell is a treasure of torments ▪ that in earth is a treasure of snowe : that in heauen , is a treasure of eternitie . For the first , S. Iames sayes ; Go to nowe you rich men , weepe and . howle for the miseries that shall come vpon you : your riches are corrupt , and your garments are moth-eaten : your gold and siluer is cankred , and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you , and shall eat your flesh as it were fire : Ye haue heaped vp treasure for the last dayes . Here 's a treasure in hell . Which to be a treasure of torments the Apostle prooueth , saying , Thou after thy Rom. 2. 5. hardnesse , and heart that cannot repent , treasurest vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath . A treasure of wrath and of torments . ●…rom which God for the deare blood of his sonne sake deliuer vs euery one . The second , is a treasure in earth . O●… which our Sauiour saith ; Lay not vp treasures for your 〈◊〉 . 6. 1●… . selues vpon earth , where the moath and canker corrupt , and where the eues dig thorough and steale . And this is a treasure of snowe . For S. Gregorie vpon those words of Iob ; Who entreth into . the treasures of snowe ; sheweth that earthly treasures are treasures of snowe . You see little children what paines they take t●…●…ake and scrape snowe together to make a snowe-ball : right so , they that scrape together the treasure of this world , haue but a snowe-ball of it ; as soone as the sunne shineth , and God breatheth vpon it , and so entreth into it , by and by it comes to nothing . The third , is a treasure in heauen . Concerning which our Sauiour saith , Lay Ma●… . 10. ●…1 . vp for your selues treasures in heauen , where are bagges that neuer waxe old . Now this is a treasure of eternitie . And therefore the Christians of the primitiue Church , suffered with ioy the spoiling of their goods , knowing that they H●…b . 10. 24 had in heauen a better , and a more enduring substance . They contemned all treasures of snow in respect of this substance . For they haue no substance , neither are simply good , though they be called goods , but melt away as snow : this is a better , and a more enduring substance ; yea a most enduring , a surpassing eternall waight of glorie . Thus ye see how eternall our glo●…ie is . It is a kingdome : a crowne : a treasure . And this kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome : this crowne is an incorruptible crowne : this treasure is an eternal treasure . And therefore seeing our glorie is so surpassing eternall , we must be patient in all affliction . For the momentarie lightnes of our affliction worketh vs surpassing exceeding ●…ernall waight of glorie .

Fourthly , our glorie is weightie , yea exceeding waightie . ●…he glorie to come , by some resemblances is shewed to be eternall , by other to be weightie . First , to this purpose it is compared to wine . Touching which our Sauiour saith , Herea●…r will I not drinke with 〈◊〉 . 14. 〈◊〉 . you of the fr●…ite of the vine , till I drinke it newe with you in my fathers kingdome . Now how waightie this wine shal be , appeareth in that the spies bringing clusters of grapes out of Ca●… , 〈◊〉 them vpon a poal●… on their 〈◊〉 . 13. 2●… . 〈◊〉 . To shewe , in the celestiall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glorie there shal●… be . So when 〈◊〉 Lord turned water 〈◊〉 wine , h●…●…ommanded to ●…ll the vessels to the 〈◊〉 . These vessels top●…ll Io●… . ●…●… . of wine doe signifie at the mariage o●… the Lamb , that ●…e 〈◊〉 shall h●… a ●…ll reward : pressed downe , sh●…ken 2. Ioh. ●… . together , r●…g ouer . So that euery one of them m●…y say , M●… cuppe doth 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . ouerflowe . Againe , 〈◊〉 glorie is com●…d to a peny . Now in a peny we consider fowre things . The image : the superscription : the sound : the waight : So our Sauiour when they shewed him a peny , a●…ked whose image and superscription it was . First then for the image , Christ shall change our vile bodies , Philip. 3. 2●… that they may be like the glorious bodie of his sonne : that as we haue borne the image of the earthly , so we may beare the image of the heauenly . For the superscription our Sauiour saith , To him that ouercommeth will I giue a R●…l . 1 17. white stone , and in it a name written , which no man knoweth but he that receiueth it . As a Prince seeing his name vpon a peice of coine , knoweth it is of his owne mint : so euery patient Christian seeing his owne name in this white stone , which is a token of honour , knoweth it properly belongeth to himselfe . For the sound , the Psalmist saith , Blessed are they that dwell in thy house , they shall alwaies praise thee . This shall be the sound of the peny continually , the praise of God . As the foure and twentie elders , neuer ceased day , nor night , to sing , Holy , holy , holy ▪ to 〈◊〉 ●… ▪ ●… him that is , and was , and is to come . Fourthly , for the waight , the shekel of the Sanctuarie was twise as weightie as the common shekel : in like m●…ner our glorie shall be as the shekel of the Sanctuarie exceeding massie and waightie . But what speake I of wine ? What of a peny ? God himselfe shall be our glory . According to that ; Thou art my glorie Psal. 3. 3. and the lifter vp of my head . As if he should haue s●…id , as●…liction would make me cast downe my cou●…ance , and hold downe my head like a bulrush : but the rem●…brance of this that thou art my glory , 〈◊〉 me li●…t vp my head . So s●…i's God to Abraham ; F●…re not Abraham , I am thy bu●…ler , and thy exceeding 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . ●… . g●…at reward . I am thy bu●…kler to l●…ch th●… blowes which affliction 〈◊〉 lay vpon thee : and thy ex●…ding ●…reat 〈◊〉 ▪ blessing thee with ex●…eeding waightie glorie . For they that sh●…ll enioy this glorie , shall see God . Agreeably to that of our Lord ; Blessed are the pure in s●…irit for they shall see 〈◊〉 . ●…●… . God . And how shall they see God ? Not st●…nding behind th●… lattisse , or looking out of a window , that is darkly and obscurely , 1. Cor. 1●… . 12. but face to face , talking with him familiarly as one friend doth to an other . O ioy aboue all ioyes ! O glory that passeth all vnderstanding ! when we see the amiable and gracious countenance of our Lord reconciled to vs by Christ . Do●…btles if the Queene of Saba thought her selfe happy , for hearing the wisedome of Salomon , and seeing the riches of his house , and the order of his seruants : then much more shall we be happie , when we shall see the glorie and heare the wisedome of the Fa●…her , not as the preachers shewe it out of ●…he word , but as our owne ●…ies shall behold it in heauen . O how blessed shall we thinke our selues then , that by any paines , by any afflictions we haue at length attained to such waightie glorie . For this glorie is wine running ouer ; is a peny waightie according to the shekel of the Sanctuarie ; is the blessed sight and fruition of God himselfe . Wherefore considering how waighty our glorie is , we must be patient in all a●…liction . For the momentarie lightnes of our affliction , worketh vs a surpassing exceeding eternall waight of glorie .

Compare then th' affliction on th' one side , with the glorie on the other side : the shortnes of th' affliction , with th' eternitie of the glorie : the lightnesse of th' affliction , with the waightinesse of the glorie . And then be content for an eternall glorie to suffer momentarie affliction : for waightie glorie to suffer light affliction . The Stoickes , if their griefe were either momentary or light , cared for no more . For if it were short , they cared not how heauie it were : againe , if it were light , they cared not how long it were . Our affliction is both momentarie and light . One helpe was sufficient for them : we haue two for fayling . A starke shame therefore it would be for vs , if heathen and pagans , hauing fewer meanes then we haue , should shewe greater patience then we shewe . But the Scriptures affoard vs yet more forceable inducements . Iacob being in lo●…e with Rachell , serued for her first seauen yeares , and afterward seuen yeares more , in all fourteene ; and these many yeares seemed to him but a fewe dayes . O deere Lord , that we had thy grace to loue thy eternall waightie glorie , but as well as many a man hath done a mortall earthly crea●…ure . Then n●… doubt many yeares of affliction would seeme to vs but a fewe dayes : heauy burthens of affliction would seeme to vs very sweete and light . Christ Iesus for the ioy that was se●… before him , endured the crosse , and despised the sh●…me , and now 〈◊〉 a●… the right ha●…d of the throne of God . Questionles , beloued , th●… crosse of Christ was tedious and long ; the shame that he suffred was heauie and vntollerable ▪ Yet this crosse seemed but momentarie to him , and this sh●…me seemed but light vnto him , in comparison of the ioy that was set before him , and of the eternall waightie glorie which he ha●…h now attained , sitting at the right hand of the throne o●… God . To the which pl●…ce of honour and worship , we beseech thee , O louing Lord , to bring vs , a●…er all the afflictions of this wretched world ; not for our owne deserts or merits , but for the merit of that crosse which Christ endured , of that shame which Christ despised . To whom , for his crosse , be all praise , ●…or his shame , be all glorie ; together with the ●…ather , and the holy Ghost , now and e●…rmore , Amen .

FINIS .
A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE ▪ THE King●… Maiestie lying at the Lord SAY●… house , called Broughton , besides B●…c , the 2. day of 〈◊〉 . 1604. Rom. 8. 31. If God b●… with v●… , who can b●… against v●… ?

T●…ese words 〈◊〉 a most 〈◊〉 and triumphant conclusion arising o●… of the ●…ormer discourse . For the Apostle hauing be●…re prooue●… , th●…t man is iustified onely by the s●…e grace & mer●…ie of Christ 〈◊〉 any merit and desert of go●… workes , at length concludeth in the beginning of this chapter , Therfore there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Ies●…s : and so likewise here , If God be with vs , who can be against vs ?

Maximilian the Emperour so admired 〈◊〉 Ci●… in 〈◊〉 . this sentence , that he caused it to be set in lette●… of checker work vpon a table at which he vsed to dine and suppe , that hauing it so often in his eye , he might alwaies haue it in minde also : si Deus pro nobis , quis contra nos ? If God be with vs , who can be against vs ?

The truth of it is so apparant , that it hath beene made a common wat●…hword , not of Chris●…ns onely , but euen of heathenish souldiers . Our word is Immanuel , that ●…s , by interpretation , 〈◊〉 8. 3. God with vs . And some of the a●…ent Romanes vsed likewise i. their warres this watchword , Nobiscum D●… , 〈◊〉 l. 3. ●…●… . God with vs . ●…or indeede , if we be of the colledge and societie of Immanuel , and if God be on our side , we shall be sure to preuaile . If God be with vs , who can be ag●…inst vs ?

〈◊〉 saith well according to the Scripture , Our God is aboue all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Gods . And so likewise Cyrill , The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . power of our God is aboue all power . Therefore , if that power be on our side 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . which is aboue all power , and that God which is aboue all gods , nothing can hurt vs ; If God be with vs , who can be against vs ?

S. Austi●… shew●…th out of the verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apo●…li . ●…r. 16. immediately going before , that fowre especiall waies God is with vs . God is D●…s pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no●… . with vs , in that he hath predestinated vs : God is with vs , in that he hath called vs : God is with vs , in that he hath iustified vs : God is with vs , in that he hath glorified vs . Innocentius the t●…ird , sheweth out of the words consequently In 〈◊〉 . Apo●… . ●…m. 2. following aster , that fowre speciall enemies are against vs . The inferiour enemie Ho●…●…tra nos ●…rior homo . against vs , is man : the exteriour enemie against vs , is the world . the interiour enemie against vs , is the flesh : the superiour ●…emie against vs , is the deuill . So that whereas the Apostle s●…i's here , If God be with vs , who can be against vs ? It is all one , as if he should haue said ; If God haue predestinated v●… , what can man doe against vs ? If God haue called vs , what can the world doe against vs ? If God haue iustified vs , what can the flesh doe against vs ? If God haue glorified vs , what can the deuill doe against vs ? If God be with vs , who can be against vs ?

The first enemie against vs , is man . Homo homini lupus . And an other 〈◊〉 saith , Either a god or a deuill . . ●…or to say nothing , that no time is sreeed , no place priuiledged , no degree secured , no torment vnpractised , onely thi●… I will touch , that no age is exemp●…ed . But the cruelti●… of man rageth , not ●…y vpon ●…e old after they a●…e buried , but also vpon the young before they are b●…e . Thus saith the Lord , ●…or 〈◊〉 . ●… . 1. ●…ree transgressions and for fo●… , I will ●…ot turne vnto Moab , because they digged vp the bones of the king of ●…dom , and burnt them to li●… . The king of Edom was a wicked man , yet God de●…sted so thi●… vnnaturall and 〈◊〉 c●…uelty o●… the Moabits ●…ard the dead , that for this especially he would not be reconciled to them . Th●… like 〈◊〉 ha●…e not wanted in o●…r la●…d , a●…d almost in our time . Tr●…cie two yeares , & Wickliffe two and fortie yeares after he was buried , was digged vp . So euen of late they vsed Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius in Cambridge , and Peter Martyrs wife in Oxford . Such cruell men , if they had as great power ouer these holy Martyrs soules , as they had ouer their bodies , doubtles they would haue puld them out of heauen . For as long as they had a finger , or a foote , or a bone , or a piece of a bone in the gra●…e , they neuer left mining and digging , till they had rooted it out . So that at the least wise we may say of them with the Psalmist , The dead bodies of thy seruants , O Psal. 7●… . ●… . Lord , haue they giuen to be meate to the foules of the ayre , and the flesh of thy Saints to the beasts of the field . Now the crueltie of man against man , as it endeth not , when life endeth : so it beginneth before life beginneth . For not onely Esa●… that cruell and cursed reprobate , strugled and wrastled with his brother Iacob in their mothers wombe : but also the Ammonites ript vp the women of Gilead beeing gre●… A●… . 1. 13. with child , and the Babylonians cause●… La●… . 2. ●…0 . the women of Ierusalem to ●…ate their owne fruit , and their children of a spa●… long . And not long agoe in the Isle o●… Garnsey , when a faithful women , ( whos●… 〈◊〉 M●… . ●…ame neede not heare to be rehearsed while shee was burning at the stake , wa●… deliuered of a goodly man-child , som●… were so hard-hearted , to fling him bac●… againe into the fire , there to be murthe●… red , as they mean●… it , but indeede ma●…tyred with his mother . O blessed babe Because there is no roome for him 〈◊〉 ●…he inne , as soone as he is borne , he is laide in a manger . Nay , because there is no roome for him in an●… one corner of all the world , by and b●… he is baptized with the holy Ghost an●… with fire . O blessed , I say againe , blesse●… babe ! Before thou art lapped in swadli●…g clothes , thou art crowned wi●…●…tyrdome : & before thou fully br●…thest in the breath of life , thou happe●…●…est out thine innocent soule to God . But fie vpon such beastly and cruell murthers . Out vpon such deuilli●… ●…nd fiendish tormentors . These Saints ? ●…ese Catholiks ? who are Scythians , if ●…ese be Saints ? who are Canibals , if ●…ese be Catholiks ? which holding it as ●…n article of their faith , that all children ●…ying without baptisme , are damned , ●…et wittingly did put this innocent ●…hild to death before he was baptized . ●…nd therefore as they made the mo●…er suffer the most vntollerable ●…aines ●…f childbirth and martyrdome both to●…ether : so , as they verily thought and ●…eleeued , they slung the infant also ●…odie and soule into an earthly fire , and ●…to hell fire all at once . This is the ●…rueltie of man . He would , if he could , ●…ull some out of heauen after they are ●…uried , and thrust some into hell before ●…hey are borne .

But God hath predestinated vs . And 〈◊〉 . ●… 4. ●…ot onely before we were borne , but also before the world was created , hath ●…hosen vs in Christ . Euen as Christ shal ●…ay at the last day , Come ye blessed of 〈◊〉 . ●…5 . 〈◊〉 . ●…y father , inherit the kingdome of hea●…en prepared for you before the foun●…ations of the world . For looke how carefull parents prouide for their children , 〈◊〉 in 2. 〈◊〉 . c. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 se●…laria . and put them in their will before they are borne : so God giues vs the grace to liue with him , before he giue A●…or . vs time to liue ●…ere . Euen as the Sonne Dona 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . saith , Fe●…re not , little flock : for it is you●… fathers will to giue you a kingdome . And the father ●…imselfe , I , eue●… I am h●… that comfort you : who art thou the●… that searest a mortall man , who fadeth away as grasse ? Therefore euery couragio●…s Christian may comfort his hea●… in God , and say with the princely Prophet , The Lord is my light , and my saluation , whome then shall I feare ? th●… Lord is the strength o●… my life , of who●… then shall I be afraid ? when the wicked eu●… mine enemies and my foes , com●… vpon me to eat vp my flesh , they stūble●… and s●…ll . T●…ough an hoast of men we●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me , yet shall not my hea●… be afraid , and though there rose 〈◊〉 warre 〈◊〉 me , yet will I put my tru●… i●…●…im . I will ●…ot be afraid of ten thous●… of th●… people , that haue set themsel●… 〈◊〉 me round about . Ye●… 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 through the valley of ●…he shadow of death , yet will I fear●… no ●…uill : for thou , O Lord , art with me , thy ●…od and thy staffe they comfort me . So ●…hat I may boldly say , The Lord is my ●…elper , neither will I seare what man can doe vnto me . The Lord of hosts is with vs , the God of Iacob is our refuge . And if the Lord of hosts haue predesti●…ated vs vnto life , w●…at can man doe ag●…st vs ? what before we liue ? what while we liue ? what after we liue ? If God be with vs , who can be against vs ?

The second e●…emie against vs is ●…he world . Which ass●…ileth vs as well ●…y aduersitie , 〈◊〉 by prosperitie . What is the world , saith S. Ambrose , but a race or 〈◊〉 ●…st 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pl●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a course full of trialls and troubles ? It is a fi●…ld , wherein is little corne , but much cockle . It i●… a garden , wherein are fewe roses , but many thornes . Yet these thornes of aduersitie doe not so much . oftentimes 〈◊〉 vs , as the baites of prosperitie . The world is more dangerous , saith S. Austin , when it flattereth , then when it threatneth : and is more to be feared , when it allureth v●… t●… loue it , then when it enforceth vs to contemne it . For euen as Iudas by a kisse betraied his master : so the world is a very Iudas . It meaneth most falsly , when it imbraceth most friendly . Wherefore the Apostle saith thus of Demas ; Demas hath forsaken vs , and imbraced this present world . So that the immoderate embracing of this world , is a flat forsaking o●… Christ and his gospell . Vnskilfull swimmers , when they begin to sinke , if they catch hold of weedes in the bottome , the faster they hold , the surer they are . drowned : and in like sort they that shake hands with the world , and embrace the pleasures and prosperitie thereof most greedily , plung themselues most deeply into destruction .

But God hath called vs . And therefore neither aduersitie nor prosperiti●… can hurt vs . Maruell not saith our Sauiour , thogh the world hate you . It hate●… me before it hated you . If you were of the world , the world would loue you , but because you are not of the world , but I haue chosen you out of the world , therefore doth the world hate you . Well , as the world hateth vs : so we must hate it againe . As it contemneth vs , so we must contemne it againe . According to that of S. Paul , The world is crucified to me , and I vnto the world . I am crucified to the world , that is , The world contemnes me : the world is crucified to me , that is , I contemne the world . The world contemnes me , and I contemne it . For as Gregorie saies , He Moral . ser. 10 c. 12. that hath nothing that he loues in the Qui nil habet in mundo quod ap●…etat , nihil est quod de 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . world , hath nothing to feare of the world . And Cyprian , What neede he to feare of the world , who hath God his protectour , his tutor , his defendour in Cyprian . Qui , ci d●… seculo metus est , c●…i in seculo d●…us tutor 〈◊〉 the world ? He that is of God , ouercommeth the world . And this is our victorie whereby we ouercome the world , euen our ●…aith . Whereupon our Sauiour saies , Be of good comfort , I haue ouercome the world : and behold I am with you euen vnto the ende of the world . So that the world , and the trouble we shall haue in the world , shall haue an ende : but the comfort we haue in God , shall haue no end . Behold , I am with you , saith he . And if God be with vs , and haue called vs out of the world , what can the world doe against vs ? If God be with vs , who can be against vs ?

The third enemie against vs , is the flesh . Salomon saith this is one thing Prouerb . ●…0 . 22. which maketh the earth euen tremble , when a seruant beginneth to beare rule . The flesh is , and ought to be a seruant . Yet it beareth rule in the vnregenerate . Yea it striueth to beare rule , and beginneth to beare rule , euen in the godly . A mans enemies are they of his own house . It is mine owne familiar friend , that listeth vp his heele against me . This familiar friend was Paul much troubled withall , when he said ; I see an other law in my members , rebelling against my 〈◊〉 . 7. minde , and leading me captiue vnto death . And Lot , who beeing a iust man , that could not be ouercome with all th●… sinnes of Sodom , by immoderate drinking of wine fell to ●…llie . And Sampson , who otherwise impregnable , yet yeelded to Dalila . Therefore in the bosome it lieth , which striueth to lay our honour in the dust .

But God hath iustified vs . And hauing iustified vs , in some measure also hath begunne to sanctisie vs . So that the flesh lusteth against the spirit , and the spirit against the flesh , in so much as we cannot doe as we would . Not onely the flesh against the spirit , but also the spirit against the flesh . So that we cannot doe as we would . For if we would serue god so holily as the angels , we can not , because the flesh lusteth against the spirit : againe , if we would sinne with full consent of wil so brutishly as the wicked doe , we cannot , because the spirit lusteth against the flesh . But euen as Castor and Pollux liue by turnes , one one day , an other an other : so the flesh and the spirit preuailing , sometimes one , sometimes an other , make mixt actions . So that neither can our good actions iustifie vs , because in them the flesh lusteth against the spirit : nor yet can our ill actions condemne vs , because in them the spirit lusteth against the slesh . For now that Sara is mortified , her wombe is dead , and it ceaseth to be with her after the manner of women . Now that Iacob hath wrestled with God , his thigh is shrunke vp . Now that Paul is conuerted , he chastiseth his bodie , and bringeth it into subiection . Now that the blessed virgin is freely beloued , she keepeth her selfe within , and knoweth no man . And therefore sa●… the Angel , Haile Mary freely beloued , the Lord is with thee . But the blessed Virgin fearing , the Angel added ; Feare not Mary , for thou hast found fauour with God . As if he should haue said ; Feare not the angel of the Lord , seeing the Lord of the angel is with thee . Thou hast found fauour with God , to haue the fruit of thy slesh , the sauiour of thy foule . So that if God haue a fauour vnto vs , and haue iustified vs in Christ , what can the flesh doe against vs ? The spirit will not let it doe as it would . For If God be with vs , who can be against vs ?

The fourth enemie against vs is the deuill . And he is the worst enemie of al●… Therefore sai's the Apostle , we hau●… not to fight with flesh and blood , but with principalities and powers , and with the Prince of darknesse that ruleth in the aver . This Prince warreth against ●…s two waies . By persecutions , and per●…wasions . For the first , he is described ●…n the Reuelation to ride vpon a blacke and a redde horse . The blacknesse of the horse sneweth how terrible the deuil is , the reddenesse , how bloodie . Neither doth he come single , but seauen of 〈◊〉 8. ●… . them at once possesse Mary Magdalen . Neither doe they onely sight against vs beeing aliue , but the deuill fought with Michael th' arkeangel for the bodie 〈◊〉 ●… . of Moses when he was dead . Neither doe they terribly set vpon vs to get our bodies onely , but our soules also . Especialy , they do this at the day of death , and will doe more diligently at the day of iudgement . Now their perswasions are yet more dangerous then their threatnings . When they come to vs in the shape not of an vncleane spirit , but of an angel of light . Thus Satan did set vpon the first Adam , Hath God indeed Gen. 3. commanded you not to eate of the tree ? He makes a question of it . And ; if ye eat , you shall be as Gods knowing good & euill . A faire promise , but a contrarie performance . So he did set vpon the 〈◊〉 . ●… . second Adam ; All these things will ●… giue thee , if thou wilt fall downe and worship me . He would hire Christ , and giue him good wagesto serue him ▪ which would haue depriued our Sauiour of all his eternall glorie .

But God hath glorisied vs . It is not now to be doubted whether Satan shall preuaile against vs or not , but it is most sure he shall not . He hath glorified vs . saith S. Paul . Though the possession of it be to come , yet the assurance of it is past . Euen as our Lord auoucheth is an other place , He that beleeueth in me , hath passed from death to life . Not shall passe , but hath passed . So S. Paul , He hath made vs to sit with himselfe in heauenly places aboue . No●… he will make , but he hath . Therefore Chrysostome writeth verie resolutely . Onely in one point I am proud , and very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proud , namely in renouncing , an●… denying the deuill . He is indeede a strong man . But yet a stronger then he hath thrust him out , and spoiled him of all his goods . He is a roaring lyon . But the lyon of the tribe of Iud●… hath ouercome him . He is an old serpent , almost of sixe thousand yeares standing and experience . But Christ the new serpent , prefigured in the brasen serpent , hath bin too cunning for him . Therefore though he seeke to winnow Peter as corne is sifted , yet no daunger ; Christ hath praised for Peter , that his faith should not faile . Where by the way , we may marke the difference between Christ and the tempter . Christ hath his fanne in his hand , and fanneth vs ; the tempter hath his siue in his hand , and sifteth vs . Now a fanne casteth out the worst , and keepeth in the best : a siue keepeth in the worst , and casteth out the best . Right so Christ in his trialls purgeth chaffe and corruption out of vs , nourisheth and increaseth his graces in vs . Contrariwise the deuill , is there be any ilthing in vs , that he confirmeth , if faith or any good thing els , that he weakneth . But Christ hath prayed for vs , yea doth still at the right hand of the father make intercession and request for vs , that our faith should not saile . So that all Sathans power , yea the gates of hell shall neuer preuaile against vs . In like manner S. Paul beeing buffeted by the angel of Sathan , prayed that he might be deliuered . The answer of God was , My grace is sufficient for thee . Whether Satan buffet vs , or not buffet vs , still the grace of God shal suffice vs . Much more his glorie , who hath glorified vs . For God doth giue both grace and glory , & no good thing wil he withhold from them that liue a godly li●…e . Therefore euerie child of God may triumph with Iob , . saying , Stand thou beside me , and let any mans hand fight against me . For if God be on our side , what can the deuill doe against vs ? if God be with vs who can be against vs ?

N●…ianzen makes a good conclusion , This onely is a fearefull thing to feare any thing more then God . Feare God , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and seare nothing else : feare no●… God , and feare euery thing . For in the feare of the Lord is the confidence of courage . Because sai's Gregory , he that in a chast and fili●…ll feare , is subiected to God , by a hopesull kind of boldnesse is aboue all saue God . But he that feareth not the Lord may be annoyed by any thing . Mice were too strong for the Philistims , and lice for the Egyptians . So that if God be against vs , who can be with vs ? But if God be with vs , who can be against vs ? Now certainely God is with vs . Doe you doubt of this ? Then consider how that all great Potentates os the world , who of late were some of them scarse our good friends , doe now earnestly desire to be made partakers of our peace . What doe I speake of men ? The very heauen , & the elements , and this so seasonable haruest , such as A●… . 〈◊〉 . hath not beene known , if one may take any gesse by these outward things , doe plainely declare that God is now with vs , and purposeth to powre out his blessings and benefits most abundantly vpon vs . Nothing then remaineth , but that as God is with vs , so we labour to be with God . And as S. Peter admonisheth vs , make our election sure by faith and good workes , liuing soberly , vprightly , & godlily in this present world . That so we may feare no cruelty of man , no miserie of the world , no entisements of the flesh , no terrors of the deuill , but in all these things may be more then conquerours , assuring our selues , that if God be with vs , nothing can be against vs . Which that it may be so , God graunt for Iesus Christs sake , to whome with the Father , and the holy Ghost , be all honour and glorie , now and euermore , Amen .

Blessed are they that heare the word of God , and keepe it .

The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ , and the loue of God , and the fellowship of the Holy ghost , be with vs , that nothing may be against vs , this day and euermore , Amen .

FINIS .
A SERMON PREACHED AT THE Court at Whitehall . March 10. 1598. Iohn 20. 27. After saide he to Thomas , Put thy finger here , and see my hands , and put forth thy hand , and put it into my side , and be not faithlesse , but faithfull .

OVr blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ hath his wounds yet to be seene in his bodie for foure causes . First , to approoue his resurrection : secondly , to appease his father : thirdly , to confound his enemies : fourthly , to comfort his friends . After , said he to Thomas , Put thy finger here , and see my hands , and put forth thy hand , and put it into my side , and be not faithlesse , but faithfull .

The first cause , why Christ hath his wounds yet to be seene in his bodie , is to approoue his resurrection . When Iacobs children told him , saying , Ioseph is yet aliue , his heart failed , and he beleeued them not , but as soone as he saw the chariots , which were sent for him , by and by his spirit reuined , and he said , I haue inough , Ioseph my sonne is yet Gen. 45 28. aliue . In like manner , when the dis●…iples said to Thomas , we haue seene the Lord , he beleeued them not ; but now that he beholdeth Christs glorious wounds , the triumphant tokens o●… his victorie , and the chariots , as I may say , whereby we are with Elias carried vp into heauen , he confesseth indeede that Christ is risen againe ; and that the true Ioseph is ye●… aliue . Euen as Anna seeing that spaniell comming homeward , which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . went forth with her sonne at the first , knewe certainely that her sonne Tobias himselfe was not farre off , but followed immediately after : so Thomas , seeing those wounds in Christ which accom●…anied him to his graue , knew assuredly that no other bodie was risen again , but onely the very selfe same bodie of Christ , which was buried . S. Peter , being brought out of prison by an Angel , went forth with to the house of Marie , where kno●…king and calling to get in , a Act. 12. 14. maiden named Rhode , before euer she sawe him , knewe him by his voice . And although they that were within told her she wist not what she said , yet shee still constantly affirmed it was none other but he . Christs rising out of the graue was as strange , as Peters deliuerance out of prison : the rowling away of the stone as strange , as the opening of the yron gate . And albeit Thomas was not so forward as Rhode to know Christ by his voice , when he said , Peace be vnto you , yet as soone as Christ tooke him by the hand , and shew ▪ d him his side , he made no more doubts , but presently beleeued . For if Protogenes 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 35. 〈◊〉 10. seeing but a little line drawne in a table , knew straightwaies it was Apelles doing whome he had neuer seene : how much more easily then might Thomas know Christ , seeing not onely one line , but very many lines , yea whole pictures of his passion , and of his resurrection , in his head , in his hands , in his side , in his ●…eete ? When king Arthurs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . bodie was taken vp somewhat more then sixe hundred yeares after his death , it was knowne to be his , by nothing so much , as by the prints of ten seuerall wounds which appeared in his skull . Christ our king , who did ouercome death , could likewise , if it had pleased him , haue quite and cleane defaced and abolished all the markes of death . Neuerthelesse as at his transfiguration he shewed Peter , Iames , and Iohn , the signes of immortality in his body , which was then mortall : so here contrariwise at his resurrection , he sheweth Thomas the signes of mortalitie in his bodie , which is nowe immortall . That he and all we might vndoubtedly con●…sse , that though they perhaps might be deceiued in King Arthurs bodie , yet we can neuer be deceiued , so long as we beleeue , that the verie same bodie of Christ , which in Golgotha the place of dead mens skuls was wounded from top to toe , and put to death for vs , is now risen again from death to life . Euen as king Alexanders 〈◊〉 . l. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . stagges were knowne a hundred yeares together by those golden collars which by the kings commandement were put about their necks : so , much more might Thomas know Christ by his woundes , which were as a comly ornament to his head , and as chaines vnto his necke , we also when we preach the resurrection of Christ , preach no other thing , but that which we haue heard , which we haue seene with our eies , which we haue looked vpon , and our hands haue handled of the word of life . Socrates in his Ecclesiasticall historie writeth , that Athanasius being accused by one Iannes , to haue killed Arsenius , and after to haue cut off his hand , that he might vse it to magick and ●…orcerie , cleared himselfe notably of this slander . Hauing by good happe found out Arsenius who lay hid for the nonce , he brought him before the Counsell of Tyrus , and there asked his accuser , whether he euer knew Arsenius or no ? He answered , yes ▪ Then Athanasius called him forth , with his hands couered vnder his cloake , and turning vp the one side of his cloake , shewed them one of his hands . And when most men surmised , that th●… other lib. 1. cap. 21. hand ●…t leastwise was cur o●…f , Athanasius without any more adoe casteth vp the other side of his cloake , and sheweth the second hand , saying , you see Arsenius hath two hands , now let mine accuser shewe you the place where the third hand was cut off . Christs case was euen almost the same . He was thought by some to be quite dead and gone . Bu●… Thomas , seeing those very hands of his which were n●…iled to the crosse , acknowledgeth , that this our brother was dead , and is aliue againe , was lost an●… is found . For if the spies that were se●… to viewe Iericho , knew Rahabs hou●… 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 13. from all the rest , by a red thread , which hung out of the windowe : how much more easily then might Thomas know Christ , especialy seeing Rahabs house was a figure of Christs body , the windowe a signe of the wound in his side , the red thread a figure of the streame of blood issuing out of that wound ? When Vlysses had beene long from home , no man almost at his returne knew him , yet Euriclea his nurce espying by chance the mark of a wound in his foote , which he got by hunting the wild boare , by and by made him known 〈◊〉 . O●…y . 9 to his friends . In like manner Thomas , beholding the wounds not of Christs feete onely , but also of his whole bodie , beleeueth verily , though the wild boare out of the wood stroake sore at him that he might fall , yet that he hath now recouered him selfe , and is risen and returned home againe . Euen as the wise men knewe Christ was borne , by the starre which appeared in the East , Ma●… . 2. 〈◊〉 . and knewe also where he lay when he was borne , by the standing of that star directly ouer against him : so Thomas , not by one starre , but by many starres , which notwithstanding are more beautifull and bright then all the starres of heauen , knoweth and confesseth that the true sunne of righteousnesse is now risen , and shineth ouer all the earth . Thus these blessed wounds witnesse and my hands , and put forth thy hand , and put it into my side , and be not faithlesse , but faithfull . So much for the first cause , which is to approoue his resurrection .

The second caus●… why Christ hath his wounds yet to be seene in his body , is to appease his father . Almightie God was once readie to haue destroied the Israelites , had not Moyses his chosen Psal. 100. 23. stood before him in the gap . Moyses as he was a mediator betweene God and the people , was a singulur type of the Messias to come . And standing in the gap , he did as it were point to Christ . For when our Sauiours side was woūded , then indeede there was a great gap , and a great breach made , by which all we that beleeue in him may escape . Therefore Moyses his standing before the Lord in the gap did signifie , as S. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 ▪ Ca●… . Barnard noteth , that Christ making intercession before his father for vs , shold alwaies stand in the gap , and shew how he himself was broken vpon the crosse , and , as I may say , troden downe for our redemption . That poore creeple also which begged at the beautifull gate of Ac●… 3. ●… . the temple , teacheth vs what he continually doth , who when he was rich , became poore for our sakes . The temple is his bodie , which after it had been destroied , was built vp againe in three daies . The beautifull gate of this temple , is the pretious wound in his side , of which the Psalmist saies , This is the gate of the righteous , the iust shall enter in by it . Therefore as that poore creeple , lying at the beautifull gate of the temple , was healed by S. Peter ; so Christ , lying a●… the beautifull gate of his owne body , shewing his most grieuo●…s , b●…t yet most glorious susferings and torments , appeaseth his fathers wrath , and obtaineth whatsoeuer he intreateth of him . King Ezekias hauing receiued ●…sa . 37 14. rayling letters from Senacherib , went vp to the temple , and spread the letters before the Lord , and praied , saying , Open thine eyes , O Lord , and see and heare all the words of Senacherib , who hath sent to blaspheme the liuing God . No Ezekias was euer more taunted and reuiled , more scorned and reproched , then he who was counted the shame of men , and the outcast of the people . Wherefore now he spreadeth forth , and laieth open , not onely the blasphemous words , which were v●…tred against him , but also the dolorous wounds and gashes which were giuen him , that so he may put out the hand-writing that was against vs , and appease his father , and throughly reconcile him to vs . And looke how king Salomon , when he 1. Reg. 8. 22. praied for the people , stood before the altar , and stretched out his hands toward heauen : in semblable wise Christ , who is farre greater then Salomon , standeth euermore beside the altar o●… his crosse , and stretcheth out his beskarred and wounded hands toward the throne of his heauenly father , that he may mooue him to haue pitie and compassion of his people . Pelopidas a noble Grecian , ●…irmished with the Lacedemonians against the Arcadian●… , vntill such time as beeing hurt in seauen places , he fell downe at last for dead . Then p●…esently Epaminondas stepping forth bestrid him , and 〈◊〉 to defend his bodie , he alone against many , till beeing sore cut on his arme with a sword , and thrust into the b●…east with a ●…ike , he was euen readie to giue ouer . But at that very instant , Agesipolis king of the Lacedemonians came with the . other point of the battell in a happie howre , and saued both their liues when they were past all hope . If we would applie this sto●…ie to our purpose now in hand , we must make , man like Pelopid●…s , Christ like Epaminondas , God like Agesipolis . Since the ouerthrow of Adam , who went downe from 〈◊〉 to Ierico , how euery man hath beene wounded , not onely with Pelopidas in seanen pla●…es of his bodie , but euen in all the par●…s and powers of his soule ▪ each one knoweth best by experience in himselfe . But Christ hath sheilded vs with his grace , and fought for vs , no●… till he was with E●…aminondas cut o●… his arme with a sword , and trust int●…●…he breast with a pi●…e , but that which is in a manner all one , till his h●…nds were goared with nayles , and his side thrust ●…orough with a 〈◊〉 . Wherefore God the father with Agesipolis seeing him in the work of his mediation , s●…ght still for vs , clothed euen now in heauen with a garment dip●… in blood , can not be angrie either with him , or with vs , but when we are dead in sinne , quic●…neth vs together in him by whose grace we are saued , and raiseth vs vp , and ma●…eth vs for his sake sit in the heauenly places aboue . Marcus Servilius a valiant Romane , who had sought three and ●…wentie combates os life and death in his owne person , and had alwaies s●…ine as many of his enemies as chaleng'd him man to man , when as the people of Rome resisted Paulus Emilius ●…iumph , . stood vp and made an oration in his behalfe . In the midst whereof he cast open his gowne , and s●…ewed befo●…e them the ins●…ite skarres and cuts he had receiued vpon his brest . The sight of which so preuailed with the people , that they all agreed in one , and graunted Emilius triumph . After the same fashion , Christ hath spoiled principalities and powers , and hath made a shew os them openly , and hath trium●… ouer them in his erosse , yea and yet now beareth about in his bodie the markes and tokens of this triumph , that a finall agreement and attonement being made betweene God and vs by his onely mediation and meanes , we also may be more then conquerours in him that loueth vs , and may euerie one of vs say with Saint Paul , Now thankes be vnto God , which alwaies maketh vs to triumph in Christ . Among other ornaments of the Sanctuarie there was a golden censer sull of holes , by which the sweete odours fumed forth , when Aaron once a yeare burnt incense therin . No other high Priest doe we acknowledge . but Christ the true Aaron , who hath entred , not into any Sanctuarie made with hands , but into heauen it selfe . And his golden censer is his ●…wne body which through the wounds 〈◊〉 are in it as through chinks or holes , fu●…eth for●…h alwaies a pleasing and a sweete sauour in the nosthrils of his father . The signe of the coueant which God made wi●…h Noah was a rainebowe in the 〈◊〉 . And indeede that is a sure token vnto vs , that the world shall neuer Gen. 9. 16. be drowned againe with a generall slood of water , as it was in Noahs time . But the rainebowe which assureth vs we shall neuer be drowned in the pit of euerlasting perdition , is no such thing . Why may some man say , what is it ? Marie it is the blood of Christ , which maketh as it were , a rainebowe in his side . For the other rainebow is but a transitorie signe , which shall passe away with the cloudes and with the world . But this rainebowe , whereof the other is but a shadowe , shall continue for euer in the sight of God , as the author to the Hebrewes sai's , that Christ is entred into heauen , vt appareat nunc vultui Dei pro nobis , to appeare now in the sight of God for vs . Therefore S. Iohn in the Reuelation witnesseth , that he sawe a doore open in heauen , and a rainebow round about the throne of God . He sawe a doore open in heauen , to teach vs that we can haue no accesse vnto the father , but by Christ , neither yet by Christ simply , but as he is crucified , and hath set open a doore in his side for vs to enter by him . He sawe a rainebowe round about the throne of God , to teach vs that the throne of God would be altogether a throne of iustice , a throne of wrath , a throne of anger and indignation , were it not that the blood of Christ , spinning out as I may say still liuely and freshly in the sight of his father , maketh a rainebowe round about his throne , putteth him in mind of his couenant , appeaseth his displeasure , and Gen. 30. 37. so maketh his throne to all vs that loue him , a throne of grace , a throne of compassion , a throne of fauour and mercie in Christ . We read that Iacob ●…illed certaine rods , which beeing laid in the watering troughes before the sheepe , made them bring forth such lambes , as afterward fell to his own share . So likewise if we sinne , we haue an aduocate with the father Iesus Christ the righteous , and he is the propitiation for our sinnes . The marke of the roddes in his woundes laid open in the sight of God , ingendreth and breedeth in him a loue and a liking towards vs , so that he conceiueth well of vs , and seuereth vs as good sheepe from the goates , and in the blood of the lamb is pleased and appeased , and satissied for our sinnes . This blood is the blood of sprinkling , which Heb. 12. 24. speaketh bet●…er things then that os Abel . For Abels blood vpon earth cried our once for vengeance , but Christs blood in heauen cries continually for mercie . One deepe calleth another , because of the noise of the water pipes . Christs wounds are the watering troughs and the water-pipes , by which all graces flowe vnto vs . So that one deepe calleth an other , because of the noise of the water pipes ; because the wounds of Christ make a continuall noise in the eares of his father , and the depth of the extreame miserie which he was in vpon earth , calleth for the depth of Gods bottomlesse and insinite mercie in heauen . Thus these holy wounds of Christ pacisie and appease his father . For now Moyses standing in the gap sues sor pardon : the poore creple lying at the beautifull gate begg's an almes : Ezechias spreading open his letters , makes his supplication : Salomon streatching out his hands offers vp his prayer : Epaminondas being wounded , moues Agesipolis to saue Pelopidas : Seruilius discouering his wounds , perswades the people to grant Emilius triumph . Aaron burning incense in his golden censer , perfumeth the whole sanctuarie : Noah pointing to his rainebowe putteth God in minde of his promise : Iaacob laying forth his roddes make most of the lambs his owne : Abel holding vp his blood , cals and cries for mercie : Christ shewing his hands and his side appeaseth his father . As if our Sauiour should say thus vnto his father , O my louing father , looke vpon the face of thine annointed , looke vpon the hands , looke vpon the side of thine annointed . The hands of thine annointed , how cruelly they are mangled , the side of thine annointed , how wofully it is wounded . Behold and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow . These hands can signifie what exceeding sorrow I haue suffered : this side can shew that I haue humbled my selfe , and haue beene obedient vnto death , euen vnto the death of the crosse . Therefore , O my deare father , Put thy finger here , and see my hands , and put forth thy hand , and put it ●…nto my side , and as thou art not faithlesse , but faithfull , so be not mercilesse , but mercifull for my sake , and pitifull to thy people . So much for the second cause , which is to appease his father .

The third cause , why Christ hath his wounds yet to be seene in his bodie , is to confound his enemies . When Saint Paul the Apostle before his conuersion persecuted the Church of God , Christ called to him from heauen , and said , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou me ? Who art thou , Lord , saies Saul ? I am , saies Christ , Iesus of Nazareth , whome thou persecutest . Alluding to the title of his crosse , which was , Iesus of Nazareth , King of the Iewes . At which words Saul both trembling and astonished , said , Lord , what wil●… thou haue me 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . doe ? Now if Saul , who repen●…d him afterward of his pers●…cuting C●…st , stood so astonished , when he 〈◊〉 but a peice of the title vpon his cross●… , 〈◊〉 then shall all they be astonished , how shall they be confounded , which without any repentance or remorse of cons●…ience , persecute Christ continually , whe●… at the latter day , not onely the title written ouer his head , but euen the very print of the wounds in his hands and side , shall rise vp in iudgement to condemne them ? When like as Ioseph saide to his brethren , I am Ioseph your brother , whome you sold into Egypt : so Christ shall say vnto them , I am Iesus of Nazareth , whome you persecuted and put to death ? Wonderfull indeede is the feare and confusion of a wicked conscience . A●…ter that Herod had beheaded Iohn Baptist , he imagined still he saw and heard that holy head , showting & crying out against him . Whereupon hearing the same of Iesus , he said Mar. 〈◊〉 . 16. not as others said , It is Elias , or , It is one of the Prophets : but , It is Iohn , saies he , whome I beheaded , he is risen from the dead . Saying , whome I beheaded , he confesseth not his fault in true repentance , but onely with his owne mouth beareth witnesse o●… his owne wickednesse . In so much as that may be said to him , which Dauid said to the Amalakite , who brought him newes of Sauls death , Thine owne mouth testifieth against thee , saying , I haue slaine the Lords annointed . Now if the remembrance of this cruell act , so vexed and disquieted Herod day and night , that he could take no rest for it , but still , thought waking , and dream'd sleeping , Iohn Baptist was risen againe , to be reuenged of him , how then shall they be affrighted , how shall they be confounded , which haue not beheaded Iohn , but crucified Christ , yea and crucisie him continually with their sinnes , when at the resurrection of all slesh , they shall see him whome they haue pierced , and wring their hands , and weepe & waile before him ? Scipio appointed his sepul●…hre to be so placed , as his image standing vpon it , might looke directly toward Africa , that beeing dead he might still be a terror to the Carthaginians : after the same sort , the Prophet Et erat sepulc●…m ●…-cius gloriosum . Esai prophesying of Christ , saith , In that day the roote of Iesse shall stand vp for a signe vnto the people , and euen his sepul●…hre shall be glorious . So that as the bodie of Cadwallo an auntient king of the Brittayns , being embalmed 〈◊〉 . and dressed with swete confections , was put into a brasen image , and set vpon a brasen horse ouer Ludgate , for a terrour to the Saxons : in semblable sort he that is called Faithfull and true shall sit vpon a white horse , and out of his mouth shall proceede a sharpe sword , wherewith he shall smite and slay the heathen . The sword wherewith Dauid hackt off Golias head , after he had wrested ●… . Sa●… . 21 9. it out of his hand , was kept in the Tabernacle , wrapt in a cloath behind the Ephod . Which when Abimilech the Priest brought forth , Dauid said , There is none to that , giue it me . Christ also did conquer death euen with those weapons and armour wherewith death assaulted him . And he keepeth still a memorial of this conquest in the tabernacle of his body . That as the Philistims were afraid , when they sawe Dauid fighting in the ●…ield with that sword : so all Christs enemies may be confounded , when they shall see the signe of the sonne of man appearing in the clouds with power and great glorie . It was a strange miracle that of Aarons rodde which budded . Therefore the Lord said vnto Moyses , Bring Aarons rod againe Num. 7 10. before the testimonie to be kept for a token to the rebellious children . The bodie of Christ was a greene tree before it was crucified . After beeing dead , it was clung and dry like Aarons rodde . But it budded , when as the third day it rose againe . Therefore it is kept still for a token to the rebellious children . That as Aaron conuinced the murmuring Israelites , and confirmed the authoritie of his priesthood by the budding of his rod , which otherwise was but a dead and a drie thing : so Ch●…ist may con●…ound his enemies , when he shall shewe such flourishing glorie , such excellent maiestie in his bodie , which hath yet in it the tokens and the markes of death . It is reported that Zisca the valiant captaine of the Bohemians , commanded that after his discease his skinne should be fleed from his body to make a drume which they should vse in their battels , affirming that as soone as the Hungarians , Fox . Act. or any other their enemies should heare the sound of that drume , they would not abide , but take their flight . And surely euery battell of the warriour is with noise and with tumbling of garments in blood , but this battell , wherein Christ shall tread Satan and all his enemies vnder his feete , shall be with burning and consuming of fire . So that no drum can be more terrible then the last trumpet shal be , when the Lord Iesus shall shewe himselfe from heauen with his mightie angels , and shall so come downe with the very same marks and scars in his skin as the men of Galile sawe him ascending vp . They which dispatched noble Iulius Caesar in the senate house , did set a good face of the matter a while , till Antonius the next 〈◊〉 . ●…4 . day shew'd his robe in the market place , all bloody cut and full of holes , as his enemies had left it . Then the people were so incensed and enraged against them , that they made the best of them all glad to hide their heads . The Romanes said , we haue no king , and therefore they slewe Caesar : the Iewes said , we haue no king but Caesar , and therefore they slewe Christ . But at the day of iudgement , what shall Christ say ? Those mine enemies , which would not that I should raigne ouer them , bring hi●…her , and slay them before me . Then not only the angels , but all creatures shall be readie to execute vengeance on these murtherers , when they shall see the robe of Christ washt in wine , and his garment in the blood of grapes . When Thamar Gen. 38. 26. Iudas daughter in law was accused for committing folly in Israel , she sent to her father in lawe saying , Looke I pray thee whose these are , the signet and the staffe . Iuda by and by knewe them , and said , She is more righteous then I. And so shall Christs enemies be enforced to confesse him more righteous then themselues , yea they shal be quite confounded , when they shall see how they haue abused him , when they shall see the markes , which their signet & staffe haue made , their signet in his hands , and their staffe in his side . The Prophet Daniel recordeth , ●…hat while Da●… . 5. 6. Balthazar was drinking wine in the golden vessels , which hee had taken out of the temple , there appeared fingers of a mans hand that wrote vpon the wall , and the king saw the palme of the hand that wrote . Then his countenance was changed , and his thoughts troubled him , so that the ioynts of his loynes were loosed , and his knees smote one against an other . In this case of Balthazar we may consider the state of the wicked , what it shall be at the last day . When they shall see the fingers and the palmes of Christs hands , which they haue so pitifully wounded , writing downe their doome , they shal tremble euery ioynt of them , & be at their wits endes , and they shall say to the mountaines , Fall on vs , and to the rocks , Couer vs , and hide vs from the presence of him that sitteth on the throne , and f●…om the wrath of the lamb . Thus these victorious wounds of Christ shal confront & confound his enemies . As Saul was astonished , when be heard Iesus of Nazareth calling to him : as Herod was affrighted , when he thought Iohn Baptist was risen againe : as the Carthagineans were troubled , when they sawe Scipio's sepulchre : as the Saxons were terrified , when they sawe Cadwallo's image : as the Philistims were afraid when they sawe Dauids sword : as the Israelits were appaled , when they saw Aarons rodde : as the Hungarians were d●…unted , when they sawe 〈◊〉 as drum : as the Romanes were dasht when they sawe Caesars robe : as I●…da was ashamed when he sawe Thamars signet and stasfe : as Balthazar was amazed , when he sawe the hand wtiting vpon the wall . So shall Christs enemies be confounded , when they shall see his hands and his side . As if our Sauiour should say thus to euery one of his enemies , Thou enemie of all righteousnesse , Many things many times hast thou done against me , and hitherto haue I held my tongue , but now will I reprooue thee , and set before thee the things that thou hast done . Thou art the man , thou art the man , that didst murther me , and put me to a most shamefull death . Deny it if tho●… darst . Denie it if thou canst . These . are thy marks which are yet to be seene in my hands . This deadly wound is thy doing , which is yet to be seene in my side . Therefore thine owne eyes shall giue euidence , and thine owne conscience shall giue sentence against thee . See now whether I say true or no. Look what thou hast done . Put thy finger here , and see my hands , and put forth thy hand , and put it into my side , and as thou art not faithfull , but faithlesse , so looke sor no mercie at my hands , but for shame and euerlasting confusion . So much for the third cause , which is to confound his enemies .

The fourth cause , why Christ hath his wounds yet to be seene in his body , is to comfort his friends . Almightie God in the old law appointed cities of refuge , whither they which had sinned Num. ●…5 ●…5 . vnwillingly might slie and be safe , if they staied in any os them till the death of the high Priest . Our high Priest can yet plainly prooue by his hands & side , that once he died for vs . Whither then should we flie sinnefull soules , whither should we flie for succour and comfort but to Christ ? His wounds onely are the cities of refuge●… , wherein we are safe and secure , according to that of the Psalmist , The high hills are a refuge for the wilde goates , and so are the stonie rocks for the conies . O blessed be these high hills , blessed be these stonie rocks , which protect & defend vs , yea though we haue willingly sinned , not onely against the furie of man , and the rage of the world , but also against the terrible and dreadsull displeasure of almightie God . Therefore our Sauiour speakes to his Spouse in this sort , My doue thou Ca●… . 2. 14. art in the holes of the rocke , in the secret places of the staires , shew me thy sight , let me heare thy voice . Insinuating , that the Church dares neither be seene nor heard of God , except shee be in the holes of the rocke , and in the secret places os the staires . The rocke , is Christ . The staires also and the ladder , whereby Iacob climb's vp to heauen is Christ . So that the doue , which is the Church , lying hid in the holes of this rocke , and in the secret places of these staires , dreadeth nothing , but with great boldnes , why doe I say boldnes ? yea with great ioy , with great comfort , sheweth her selfe to God , and speaketh vnto him . Here the sparrow findeth her a house , and the swallow a nest , where shee may lay her young , euen thine altar , that is thy wounds , whereby thou didst offer vp thy selfe , as a sacrifice for our sinnes , euen thine altars , O Lord of hosts , my King , and my God . When Elias flying from Achab came to Beersheba , he sate downe vnder a iuniper tree , and desired that he might die . A iuniper tree maketh the hoatest coale , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 15. and the coolest shadow of any tree . The coale is so hot , that if it be rackt vp in ashes of the same , it continueth vnextinguished by the space of a whole yeare . Therefore whereas we read in the hundred and twentieth P●…alme , With hot bur●…ing coales , it is in the Hebrew , as S. Hierom noteth , with Iuniper coales . Which prooueth that iuniper coales be the most hot burning coales that are . Now the coale is not so hot , but the ●…dowe is as coole . Insomuch as the onely shadow of the iuniper tree fleeth and killeth serpents . Therefore Elias seeking to rest himselfe where he might be safest from serpents , and other daungers , sat down vnder a iuniper tree , and desired that he might die : For he thought he could neuer with the sparrow finde him a house , and with the swallow make him a nest , in a better place , than where he was ouershadowed with that Iuniper tree , which shadowed out the tree of the crosse of Christ . Of which the Church say's , Vnder his shadow had I delight , and sat downe , and his fruite was sweete vnto my mouth . So that if Simeon holding the child in his armes , desired to die , how much more blessedly then might Elias haue departed now in peace , when as beeing wearied with the world , he was shadowed with the tree of life , and not onely held the child in his armes , but also was held himselfe as a child in the wounded and naken armes of Christ . Notably also doth the storie of Noah declare what singular comfort the faith full finde in Christs woundes . For onely Noah saued all : onely Christ redeemeth G●…n. 6. 16. all . Noah signified rest : Christis our rest and peace . Noah saued all by the wood of the arke : Christ redeemeth all by the tree of the crosse . Noah was tossed vp and downe vpon the waters : Christ saith to his father , Thou hast brought all thy waues vpon me . Noah saued all by the doore in the side of the arke : Christ redeemeth all by the doore in the side of his bodie . Noah the fortieth day after the decreasing of the flood opened the windowe : Christ the fortieth day afer his r●…surrection ascendeth vp and openeth heauen . Lo ye , how all things agree together . None but Noah , none but Christ : Noahs rest , Christs peace : Noahs arke , Christs crosse : Noahs water , Christs woe : Noahs doore , Christs side : Noahs windowe , Christs kingdome . The Prophet Hose foretelleth that Ephraim shall flie away like a bird . This is fulfilled not only in Ephraim , but euen in all mankind . All haue gone astray , all haue flowen away from God : as a hauke which takes a check and giues ouer her pray : wherefore Christ holding out his wounded , and bloody hands , as meate to reclaime vs , calleth vs as it were , and saith , Re●…urne , Can 6. 12. returne , O Shulamite , returne ; returne , that we may behold thee . Prudentius writeth , that when Asclepiades commanded the tormentors to strike Romanus on the mouth , the meeke martyr answered , I thanke thee , O captaine , that thou hast opened vnto me many mouthes , whereby I may preach my Lord and Sauiour : Tot ecce laudant ora , quot sunt vulnera , Looke howe many wounds I haue , so many mouthes I haue , to praise and laud the Lord . And looke how many wounds Christ hath , so many mouthes he hath to call vs to himselfe , so many lures he hath to make our soule flie for comfort onely vnto him . Manna was a most comfortable meate , which God gaue the Israelites . It was like to coriander seede , and the Exod. 16. 32. tast of it was like vnto wafers made with honey . This our holy Saniour applieth to himselfe . For when the Capernites said , Our fathers did eat Manna in the desert , Iesus answered , Your fathers did eate Manna in the wildernesse , and are dead . I am the liuing bread , which came downe from heauen . Therefore as then there was a golden pot of Manna kept in the Tabernacle , that the posteritie might see the bread wherewhith the Lord fed them : so there is yet a golden pot of Manna Berna●…d . de 〈◊〉 . de●…. c. 2. kept in heauen , that the faithfull in allages may tast and see how sweete the Lord is , which feedeth them with his owne bodie and blood , the least droppe whereof , though it be as small as a coriander seede , yet it is as sweete as a wafer made with honie . Hard it is to giue a reason wherefore Christ , when he came to the citie of Sichar in Samaria , where was Iacobs well , sat downe vpon the well about the sixt houre . But certainely he did this not so much for himselfe as for vs . That hereby we might learne when the sunne is hotest about the sixt houre of the day , when we are most exercised with afflictions , when we are sorest grieued for our sinnes , alwaies to haue recourse vnto Christ , alwaies to goe with the king into the wineseller , alwaies to sit downe vpon Iacobs well . Ioh. 4 6. Of which the Prophet Zacharie sai's , In that day there shall be a fountaine opened to the house of Dauid , and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleanenesse . Whereupon S. Austin In omnibus 〈◊〉 bus non in 〈◊〉 tam efficax remedin●… quam vulnera Christi . saith verie diuinely , In all aduersities , sai's he , I could neuer yet sind any remedie so confortable and so effectuall as the wounds of Christ . Christ is not vnlike to the poole in Ierusalem , called Bethesda , hauing fiue porches , which Ioh. 5. 2. beeing troubled by an angell , healed any man , that went first into it , whatsoeuer disease he had . Bethesda signifieth the house of effusion or powring out , in which house Christ dwelt when he powred out his blood and his soule for our saluation . Therefore hee alone is the angell , which came downe at a certaine season into the poole , and troubled the water , because when the fulnes of time was come , he came into the world to be troubled himselfe , and to be crucified , that he might heale not onely that one man which had bin diseased eight and thirtie yeares , but euen all mankinde with the troubled water and blood which issued out of his side . So that there is nothing so comfortable for sicke and sinnefull men , as to sit in the seats and porches of this poole . Wonderfull are the words of the Prophet concerning Christ , He shall feede his flocke like a shepheard , he shall gather Es. 40. 11. the lambs with his armes , and carie them in his bosom . Which was prefigured in the high Priest , who did beare vp with his shoulders a breast-plate , wherin were the names of the twelue tribes written in twelue precious stones . That which the shepheard doth with his armes and bosom : that which the high Priest doth with his shoulders & breast : that doth Christ with his hands and side . He is the good shepheard , which bringeth home the lost sheepe vpon his shoulders . Yea he writeth the names of all his sheepe in his pretious wounds , which are the pretious stones vpon his breast-plate , that both declare his loue to vs , & also allure vs to loue him . This makes Dauid say in great deuotion , The Lord is my shepheard , therefore can I lacke nothing . He shall feede me in a greene pasture , and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort . For as the henne gathereth her brood vnder her wings : so God gathereth his children together . And as an eagle stirreth vp Deut. 3●… 1●… . her nest , flo●…ereth ouer her birds , taketh them , and beareth them on her wings : so Christ , carrieth vs vp in his hands to the high places of the earth , and causeth vs to sucke honie out of the stone , and oyle out of the hard rocke . Butheius an excellent painter , painted an eagle carrying Ganymedes into heauen , so nicely and tenderly , that her talents did not hurt him , but onely beare him vp . And in like sort Christ beareth vs vp in his hands , that we dash not our foot against a stone , yea his right hand is vnder our quia Domi nus supponit m●…num suam . head , and his left hand doth embrace vs , so that though we should fall , yet we can not be hurt , because the Lord stayeth and supporteth vs with his hand . Therefore S. Chrysostome giues vs good counsell , not to haue iayes eyes , but eagles eyes , that we may behold these hands of Christ , and see his side in the sacrament . For indeede as o●…ten as we celebrate the memorie of our Lords death , Christ our Sauiour , deliuering the bread and the cuppe by his minister , saith in a sort to euery faithfull receiuer , Put thy finger here , and see my hands , and put forth thy hand , and put it into my side , and be not faithlesse , but faithfull . But yet we shall not alwaies drinke of this fruit of the vine . The time will come , when we shall drinke a new kinde of wine in Christs kingdome . Wherefore he saies , As often as ye shal eate this bread , and drinke this cup , you shall shew the Lords death til he come . Till he come . Declaring hereby , that when he is come , his death shall be shewed an other way . Namely by his wounds , which alwaies he sheweth to his Saints . Euen as we sing in that heauenly Hymne or Psalme , The humble suit of a sinner ; Whose bloody wounds are yet to see , though not with mortall eye , yet doe thy Saints behold them all , and so I trust shall I. O how vnspeakeably doe the Saints reioyce , how glori●… also shall we triumph ! when we shall see Christ in his kingdome , and behold those blessed wounds of his , whereby he hath purchased so many , and so great good things for vs ? This is the new wine , which we shall drinke . This is the Eucharist of the Angels : the food of the Elect : the spirituall banket of the Saints . For wheresoeuer the dead bodie is , thither fhall the eagles resort . And we that with eagles wings flie vp by faith into heauen , shall euer resort to this dead bodie , and we shall vnsatiably desite to feede our eyes and our soules with the sight of Christ , who was once dead , and euen now hath in his bodie those skarres which continue the memorie of his death , that in all eternitie it may neuer be forgotten . Thus these heauenly wounds of Christ delight and comfort his friends . As the cities of refuge , which saue the sinner : as the holes of the rock , which defend the doue : as the shadow of the iuniper tree , which reuiueth the wearied : as the doore of the Arke , which preserueth the world : as the lure of the soule , which calleth home the Shulamite : as the pot of Manna , which nourisheth the Israelite : as the well of Iacob , which refresheth the ●…hirstie : as the poole of Bethesda , which ●…ealeth the sicke : as the armes of the shepheard , which gather his lambs : as the wings of the eagle , which beare vp her birds . So doe the hands and side of Christ comfort his friends . As if our Sauiour should say thus to euery one of his friends , Can a woman forget her child , and not haue compassion on the son of her wombe ? though they should forget , yet would not I forget thee . Behold I haue grauen thee vpon the palmes of my hands . Here I haue still in my hands that price of thy redemption , which I paid for thee , so that no man can take thee out of my hands . Yea I haue written and sealed thy saluation in my side . A speare is the penne : my blood is the inke : my bodie is the paper . Here thou maist see the bowels of my compassion , thorough the wounds of my passion . Assure thy selfe therfore , assure thy selse of my loue , of my good will , of my fauour for euer . Make no doubt of it . If thou doubt any thing , Put thy finger here , and see my hands , and put forth thy hand , and put it into my side , and be not faithlesse , but faithful . So much for the fourth cause , which is to comfort his friends .

You see then , blessed Christians , you see how these causes of Christs wounds differ one from an other . The first cause , to approoue his resurrection , was , but neither is , nor shall be . The second cause , to appease his father , was , and is , but shall not be . The third cause , to confound his enemies , neither was , nor is , but shall be . The fourth cause , to comfort his friends , both was , and is , and shall be . So that Christs wounds , did serue , to approoue his resurrection , onely between his resurrection , and his ascension : doe serue , to appease his father , onely between his ascension , & his second comming : shal serue , to confound his enemies , onely at the day of iudgement : did , doe , and shall serue , to comfort his friends , for euer . Wherefore though we be neuer so great sinners , yet let vs neuer despaire of the grace and mercie of Christ . His hands are still stretched out to embrace vs , his side is alwaies open to receiue vs . Therefore let vs creepe low , and come humbly to him , that we may with the woman in the Gospel , touch but the hemme of his garment , nay that we may with S. Iohn , leane vpon his blessed bosome , yea that we may with S. Thomas in this place , put our fingers into his hands , and our hands into his side . And euen as Constantine the great vsed to kisse that eye of Paphnutius which was boared out in Maximinus time , and the Iayler in the Acts washed S. Pauls stripes & wounds : so let vs kisse the Sonne least he be angrie , & honour his holy wounds , which are the pretious balme wherewith he hath healed vs and restored vs to euerlasting life . To the which we beseech thee , O good Lord to bring vs , not for our owne deserts or merits , but for the tender bowels of Christ Iesus loue and mercie toward vs , to whome with the Father , and the holy Ghost , be all honour and praise both now and for euermore , Amen .

FINIS .
Matth. 5. v. 19. He that both doeth and teacheth , the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen .

BEloued in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ , It is a verie monstrous thing , that any man should haue more tongues then hands . For God hath giuen vs two hands , and but one tongue , that we might doe much , and say but little . Yet many say so much and doe so little , as though they had two tongues , and but one hand : nay , three tongues and neuer a hand . In so much as that may be aptly applied to them , which Pandulphus said to some in his time : You say much , but you do litle ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . you say well , but you doe ill : againe , you doe little , but you say much : you doe ill , but you say well . Such as these ( which do either worse than they teach , or else lesse then they teach : teaching others to doe well , and to doe much , but doing no whit themselues ) may be resembled to diuerse things . To a whet stone , which being blunt it selfe , makes a knife sharpe . To a painter , which beeing deformed himselfe , makes a picture faire . To a signe , which beeing weather-beaten and hanging without it selfe , directs passengers into the Inne . To a bell , which beeing deafe and hearing not it selfe , calls the people into the Church to heare . To a nightingale , which beeing restles and sitting vpon a thorne her selfe , brings others by her singing into a sweet sleepe . To a goldsmith , which beeing beggerly and hauing not one peice of pla●…e to vse himselfe , hath store for othe●…s which he ●…hewes and sels in his shoppe . Lastly , to a ridiculous actor in the citie of Smyrna , which pronouncing , ô coelum , O hea●…en , pointed with his finger toward the ground : which when Polemo the chiefest man in the place sawe , he could abide to stay no longer , but went from the companie in a chafe , saying , This foole hath made a solecisme with his hand : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . he hath spoken false Latine with his hand . Such are all they , which teach one thing , and do another : which teach well , and doe ill . They are like a blunt whetstone : a deformed painter : a weather-beaten signe : a deafe bell : a restles nightingale : a beggerly goldsmith : a ridiculous actor , which pronounceth the heauen , and pointeth to the earth . But ●…e that sitteth in the heauen , shall laugh ●…ll such to scorne , the Lord shall haue ●…em in derision , and hisse them off from the stage . Because howsoeuer they haue the heauen commonly at their tongues ende , yet they haue the earth continually at their fingers end . So that they speake false Latine with their hand , nay that which is worse , they speake false Diuinitie with their hand . Whereas we might easily auoide all such irregularitie , and make true congruitie betweene the tongue and the ●…and , if we would make this text of holy scripture , the rule of our whole life . For then , I assure you , we should euery one of vs play our parts so well , that in th●… ende , the tragedie of this wofull life being on●…e finished , we should haue an applause and a plaudite of the whole theatre , not onely of men and Angels , but euen of God himselfe , who doth alwaies behold vs . Wherefore out of these fewe words , let vs obserue these two parts . The first negatiue , what must 〈◊〉 . not be : neither Pastor nor people must teach one thing and doe another . That must not be . The second affirmatiue , what must be : both Pastor and people must doe that themselues , which they teach others to doe . That must be . For He that both doth and teacheth , the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen .

First , that the Pastor must not teach one thing and doe another , appeareth in the fourth of Leuiticus . Where almightie 〈◊〉 . 4. ●…0 . God appointeth the selfe same sacrifice should be offred for the sinne of the Priest , which is offred for the sinne of the whole people . So that all the people may better sinne , though it be a thousand times , them the Priest may sinne though it be but once . For the people sinning , offend onely by their sinne : but the Priest sinning offendeth Exod. ●… . more by his example then by his sinne . Therefore Moses beeing commanded by throwing downe his rod , to worke Exod. 7. miracles , deliuered it to Aaron . To signifie , that especially it belongeth to him to doe somewhat himselfe , whose dutie is to teach others . Whereupon also our Sauiour giues vs a caueat , to beware of false Prophets , because they say and do not . They say one thing , and doe another . Matth. 23. 3. They bind heauie burthens which Luk. 11. 46. they tie vpon other mens backes , but touch not these burthens themselues , so much as with the least of their fingers . So that that which was fondly and falsly said of Christ , He saued others , himselfe Matth. 27. 42. he cannot saue : may be fitly & truly said of these . They saue others , themselues they cannot saue . Whereas the Apostle making Timothy an example for all Ministers to followe , writeth thus to him ; Take heed to thy selfe , and to doctrine : 1. 〈◊〉 . ●… 16. for in doing so , thou shalt both saue thy selfe , and them that heare thee . By taking heede to thy doctrine , thou shalt saue them that heare thee : by taking heede to thy selfe , thou shalt saue thy selfe . Otherwise if thou take heede to thy doctrine , and not to thy selfe , thou maiest well saue others that heare thee , but thy selfe thou canst not saue . Thou maiest well preach to others , but thou shalt be sure to prooue a cast-away thy 1. ●…or . 9. ●…7 . selfe . For when two pray , if the one blesse , and the other curse , whose prayer will God heare ? And is it not then much more dangerous , when out of one and the selfe same mouth commeth both blessing and cursing ? When one ●…am . 3. 10. and the selfe same Minister , teacheth well , whereby the people are blessed , and yet doth ill , whereby he himselfe is accursed ? Is it not likely that God will rather respect his cursed doing to punish it , then regard his blessed teaching to praise it ? Certainely the Psalmist puts the matter out of all doubt , where he saies , That God will surely cast away , P●…l . 8. ●… . God will reiect , God will destroy the enemie and the auenger . The enemie and the auenger : Who is he ? He that is an enemie to Gods glorie in that he doth ill , and yet would seeme to be an auenger , to be a maintainer , to be a defender of Gods glorie , in that he teacheth well , he is the enemie and the auenger . And such an one as this , which is indeede an enemie , and yet would seeme to be an auenger , which is indeede a foe , and yet would seeme to be ●… friend , which doth indeede ill , and yet would seeme to teach well , such an one I say , will God destroy . To the wicked thus saith the Lord , Why doest thou Psal. 50. 16. ●…reach my lawes , and take my statutes in thy mouth , whereas thou hatest to be thy selfe reformed by them , and hast ●…st my words behind thee ? By thine Luk. 19. 22. owne mouth , by thine owne confession I will condemne thee , thou naughtie , thou lewd seruant . Thine owne words Iob 15. 6. shall accuse thee , and not I , yea thine owne lips shall beare witnesse against thee . For why goest thou about to take a little moate out of thy brothers eye , Matth. ●… . 5. and doest not first cast out that great beame which is in thine owne eye ? Why goest thou to other mens houses , Mark . 5. 10. and pryest into other mens matters , and doest not first goe to thine owne house , and see that all be well in thy owne heart ? What meanest thou to doe ? Thou that teachest others , doest thou not teach thy selfe ? Thou that preachest 〈◊〉 . 2. 21. a man should not steale , dost thou steale ? If thou be a Preacher , then preach to thy selfe as well as others . If thou be a Phisitian , then cure thy selfe as well as 〈◊〉 . 4. 13. others . Seeing indeed as Hierome writeth , . he is too nice and too dai●…tie a Physitian , either for the body or els for the soule , which prescribeth fasting to others , and is sicke of a surset himselfe . Wherefore the godly Pastor must not prescribe fasting to others and be sicke of a surfet himselfe , he must not teach one thing and doe an other . For not he that onely teacheth , but He that both doth and teacheth , the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen .

Now the people also are forbidden to teach one thing and doe another , ●…s well as the pastor . For all Christians 〈◊〉 imitate the example of Christ . And f●…r Christ S. Iohn tells vs , that he was full of grace and truth . The fulnesse Ioh. 1. 14. of his truth , made him teach well : of his grace , doe well . Saint Peter likewise , 1. Pet. 2. 22. that he did no sinne , neither was there guile found in his mouth . Many haue no guile found in their mouthes , which notwithstanding doe sinne . But euen as Christ had neither guile in his teaching , nor yet sinne in his doing : so we that are Christians must neither deceiue others by teaching guilefully , nor yet deceiue our selues by doing sinnefully . For we know that not euery one that saith , Lord , Matth. 7. 21. Lord , shall be saued . Neither yet euery one that saith , The Temple of the Lord , the Temple of the Lord , shal be I●…r. 7. 4. blessed . Seeing oftentimes a man , the nearer he is to the Temple of the Lord , the further he is from the Lord of the Temple . Therefore as that figtree was accursed , which did beare leaues , and no M●… . 1●… . 14. fruit : so shall euerie man be accursed which beareth leaues without fruit . I meane , a flourish of teaching , without any fruit of doing . Yea such a man being once accursed , shall be euer tormented . For knowing his masters wil , nay knowing Luk. 12. 47. it so wel , that he is able to teach it others also , & yet doing it not himself , he shal be beaten with many stripes . Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . saith , that drunken men haue both strings wherewith their tongues are tied , so that they can teach nothing well ; and also strings wherewith their hands are tied , so that they can doe nothing well . They are both tongueti'de , and handti'de . But such as know their masters will , and doe it not , are worse then Mark . 7. 35. drunken men . For though the string of their tongue be loose , as that stammerers in the Gospel was , so that they can teach well enough : yet the string of their hand is not loose , their hand is still bound vp in their bosome , as that loyterers in the Prouerbs is , so that they Pro. 26. ●…5 . can doe nothing well . Therefore they draw neere to God with their tongues , I●…r. 12. 1. but are farre from him with their rains . Yea they are so farre from comming to him with their hearts , that they neuer come neere him so much as with their hands . But though they haue the smooth tongue of Iacob , which teacheth . well ; yet they haue the rough hand of Esau , which doeth ill . Such doe not touch Christ , but throng Christ . They touch Christ , as that good woman did , Luk. 8. 45. which follow him , and come neere vnto him by well doing . They throng Christ , as the rest of the people did , which oppresse and ouerwhelme him with a multitude of words , without any matter or manner of doing ; which are as wells without water , or as clouds 1. Pet. 2. 17. without raine . Such , as the Prophet Ie●…emie Fur●…ntur verba . speaketh , doe steale Gods word . I●…r. 23. 30. They haue not onely false and lying tongues , but also filching and stealing tongues . For teaching well , and doing ill , their teaching doth not become them , it doth not beseeme them , it doth not belong vnto them . It is strange that a man should steale with his tongue : euen as it is strange also , that a man should speake with his hand . Yet as I noted before , that these speake false construction with their hand : so now I note that these steale true construction with their tongue . They steale their words I say , howsoeuer otherwise they be most true , who as Austin writeth , would Qui boni vo lunt vide●…i loquendo quae dei sunt , cum mali si●…t , ●…ciendo qu●… 〈◊〉 . August . seeme to be righteous in that they teach the words of God , whereas indeed they are vnrighteous , in that they doe the workes of the deuill Wherefore we that are a holy people , must not teach the words of God , and doe the workes of the deuill ; we must not teach one thing , and doe an other . For not he that onely teacheth , but He that both doeth and teacheth , the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen .

Thus much for the first part negatiue , what must not be . Neither pastor nor people must teach one thing and doe an other . That must not be .

The second part affirmatiue followeth , what must be . Both pastor and people must doe that themselues which they reach others to doe . That must be . First for the pastor he hath two kind of garments . A brestplate , and an Ephod . 〈◊〉 . 28. 4. The breast-plate shewes that he must haue science to teach : the Ephod shews that he must haue conscience to doe that which he teacheth . And in the very brestplate it selfe is written , not onely Vrim , but also Thummim . Vrim signifies 〈◊〉 . 28 ●…0 light . Thummim signifies perfection . To prooue that the pastor , must not onely be the light of the world , but also the salt of the earth : not only a light of direction in his teaching , but also a patterne of perfection in his doing . For euen as the snuffers of the 〈◊〉 . 25. 30. tabernacle were made of pure golde : so preachers which should purge and dresse , and cleare others that they may burne-out brightly , must be made of pure gold , that by doing well they may also shine themselues . Hence it is that the Priest hath out of the sacrifices for 〈◊〉 . 18. 18. his share , the shake breast and the right shoulder . The shake-breast puts him in minde of teaching well : the right shoulder puts him in minde of doing well . That great Prophet Elias is called , The horseman and the Chariot of Israel . A 〈◊〉 . ●… . 1●… . horseman directs the chariot , and keeps it in the right way : a chariot goes in the right way it selfe . And so a minister must not onely as a horseman direct others , and set them in the right way , but also as a chariot , he must followe a good course , and walke in the right way himselfe . He must be both the horseman that teacheth , & the chariot that doth , both the horseman and the chariot of Israel . Therefore he hath vpon the fringes Exod. 39. 25. of his vesture pomgranats and bells . Many preachers are full of bells which make a great ringing and gingling , but because they haue not pomgranats as well as bels , therefore all the noise that they make is but as sounding brasse , or as a tinckling cymball . For the godly pastor must not only say well , and sound out the word of the Lord to others clearely as a bell , but also he must doe well . and as a pomegranate be fruitfull himselfe and full of good workes . Euen as the pillars of the tabernacle were Exod. 26. 37 made of Shittim wood , and ouerlaid with pure gold : so preachers ( which are called in the Epistle to the Galatians the pillars of the Church ) must not onely be ouerlaid outwardly with pure gold , te●…ching the word of God purely , but also they must doe as they say , and inwardly be made of Shitrim woode , which neuer corrupteth , neuer rotteth , hauing no corruption , no rottennes in their liues . Hereupon our Lord , speaking to his Prophet saies , Lift vp thy voice as a trumpet . Diuers things there are which sound louder then a trumpet , The sea , the thunder , or such like . Yet he saies not , Lift vp thy voice as the sea , or lift vp thy voice as the thunder , but lift vp thy voice as a trumpet . Because Esa. 58. 1. a trumpeter when he sounds his trumpet , he winds it with his mouth , and holds it vp with his hands : and so a Preacher which is a spirituall trumpeter , must not onely by teaching wel , sound forth the word of life with his mouth , but also by doing well he must support it , and hold it vp with his hands . And then doth he lift vp his voice as a trumpet . Those mysticall beasts in Ezekiel , Ezek. 1. 8. which S. Gregorie vnderstandeth to be the ministers of the Church , had hands vnder their wings . Many preachers are full of feathers , and can soare aloft in a speculatiue kind of discoursing : but if you should search for hands vnder their wings , perhaps you should scarse find many times so much as halfe a hand amongst them . But the godly pastor must haue not onely wings of high wisedome and knowledge , but also hands vnder his wings to doe that which he knoweth . For as the Prophet Malachie witnesseth , The Priests lips Mal 2. 7. should keepe knowledge . He saies not , they should babble or vtter knowledge to others , and haue no care to keepe it themselues . But hauing deliuered it to others , they must as well as others obserue and doe it themselues . And then indeede may their lips rightly be said to keepe knowledge . For euen as they which repaired the walls of Ierusalem , held a sword in one hand and wrought N●…h . 4. 17. with the other : so Preachers which by winning soules repaire and build vp the walls of the heauenly Ierusalem , must not onely hold the sword of the spirit , which is the word of God in one hand , but also they must labour with the other hand . Els they shall pull downe and destroy rather then build vp . But if they doe as fast as they say , then they shall build apaee , and edifie verie much . Therefore Saint Paul exhorteth Timothie to shew himselfe a workeman , 2. Tim. 2. 25. which needeth not to be ashamed , diuiding the word of God aright . He must not onely be a word-man , but also a work-man . He must not onely hold a sword in one hand , to diuide the word of God aright , but also labour with the other hand , and 〈◊〉 his best to shewe himselfe a workeman which neede not be asham'd . And the same Apostle exhorteth the same Timothy againe , to 2. Tim. 1. 13. shewe the true patterne of holesome words . Holsome words is sound teaching : the true patterne of holsome words , is well doing . So that he shewes the true patterne of holsome words , which patternes & samples his teaching by doing , making them both matches & paires , so that ( as Marke the Eremite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speaketh ) a man may easily read all his sermons , and all his exhortations to others , written downe as it were , and expressed in the lines of his own life . And thus must euery faithfull preacher doe . He must haue not only a brest-plate , but also an Ephod : he must haue written in this brest-plate , not onely Vrim , but also Thummim : he must be like the snuffers of the tabernacle , not only purging others , but also made of pure gold himselfe : he must haue for his share of the sacrifices not onely the shake-brest , but also the right shoulder : he must be as Elias was , not onely the horseman , but also the chariot of Israel : he must haue vpon the fringes of his vesture , not onely bells , but also pomgranats ▪ he must be like the pillars of the tabernacle , not onely ouerlai'd outwardly with gold , but also inwardly made of Shittim woode : he must not onely lift vp his voice , but also lift it vp as a trumpet : he must not onely haue wings , but also hands vnder his wings : he must not onely with his lippes vtter knowledge to others , but also keepe knowledge himsel●…e : he must not onely hold a sword in one hand , but also labour with the other hand : he must not onely deuide the word of God aright , but also shewe himselfe a workeman which neede not be ashamed : he must not onely deliuer holesome words , but also shewe the true patterne of holesome words , which is a godly life . The sum is this : The faithfull Pastor must not onely teach well , but also DOE well . For He that both doth and teacheth , the same shal be called great in the kingdom of heauen .

Now the people likewise are commanded to DOE that themselues , which they teach others to doe , as well as the Pastor . We read that Abraham buried Gen. 23. 19. Sarah in the ca●…e of Macpelah , that is in a double sepulchre . He that burieth his minde in knowledge onely , without any care of practise , he buries Sarah in a single fepulchre : but he that buries his minde as well in the practise and feeling of religion ( which is all in all ) as in the knowledge and vnderstanding of it , he buries Sarah in a double sepulch●…e . And so must all we doe which are the true childr●…n of Abraham . For then with Abraham burying our spirit in a double sepulchre , we shall with Elizeus haue a double spirit . A spirit that as well doeth , as teacheth . God appointed Moses to make a lauer with a base 〈◊〉 30. 〈◊〉 or a foote . Now the word 〈◊〉 , signisies as well a lippe , as a la●…er . So that the la●…er which washeth must haue a base , and the lippe which teacheth must haue a foote . Otherwise if teaching doe not stand vpon doing as vpon a foote , then surely it is footelesse , and so consequently it is bootelesse , and altogether vnprofitable . Holy Iob saies 〈◊〉 . 31. 36. thus , Though mine aduersarie should writ a booke against me , would not I take it vpon my shoulder , and bind it as a crowne vnto me ? That which he saith of his aduersaries booke , may not altogether unfitly bee applied to Gods booke which we must studie , not so much that we may bind it to our head , or beare it in our memorie to teach it , as that we may beare it vpon our shoulders to DOE it . Then shall it be euerie way a crowne vnto vs . Simeon the ●…nne of Onias was as a saire Oliue tree 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 that is ●…uitfull , and as a Cypres tree , which groweth vp to the clouds . A Cypres tree is high but barren : an Oliue tree is fruitfull but lowe . So a christian must , not only as a cypres tree 〈◊〉 vp to the clouds , by a high gif●… in teaching , but also he must as an oliue tree bring forth the oyle of mercie , and be euery way fruitfull in doing . Then he shall be like Simeon , neither low nor barren . But though he be an oliue , yet he shall be as high as the cypres tree : and though he be a cypres , yet he shall be as fruitfull as the oliue tree . Noah is 〈◊〉 . ●… . 16. appointed to make a window in the toppe of the Arke , and a doore in the side of it ; A windowe is for the eye onely to looke out ; a doore is for the whole bodie to goe out . And in like manner a godly man , must not haue a window for contemplation as Daniel had , who saide his praiers thrice a day looking out of his chamber window ; but also he must haue a dore for action as Abraham had , who entertained his guests about the heat of the day , sitting in his tent doore . At the window of contemplation he must meditate and looke to his teaching ; at the doore of action he must goe forth to his doing . Therefore by the olde law all those 〈◊〉 . 11. ●… . beasts are accounted vnclean that chew the cud , but diuide not the 〈◊〉 ; which law was not made for beasts , but for men . To admonish vs , that all they are vncleane in the sight of God , which chew the cudde by meditating of his word to teach it , and yet diuide not the hoofe by following the same to doe it . When Gedion went to warre against 〈◊〉 . 6. the Madianites , he sent home againe those fouldiers which kneeled down to lap water , and tooke those onely with him , which lapt out of their hands . Because indeede they are not fit to be soldiours in Christs campe , which haue mouthes to say somewhat , but no hands to doe any thing . For if they haue no hands to helpe themselues , much lesse to hurt their enemies . And looke how these Souldiers did put their hands to their mouth ; in like sort the wise woman putteth her fingers to the distaffe . Now there is a great resemblance betweene the distaffe and the tongue . For as a thread either longer or shorter is spun off from the distaffe ; so from the tongue a speach . Therefore he may be said to put his fingers to the distaffe , which puts his doing to his 〈◊〉 . 31 ●…9 . teaching , and doeth that which he teacheth . Our Sauiour speaking to his Spouse , saies thus , Let me see thy fight , let me heare thy voice . As if he should say , Let me not onely heare a voice of thy teaching , but also see a sight of thy doing . Let me see thy sight , let me heare thy voice . Whereupon Seneca ●…um 〈◊〉 magistrum quem magis admire●… cum videas , quam cum audias . saies fitly , Be sure thou imitate him aboue all other , whome thou maist admire more when thou seest his sight , then when thou hearest his voice . So Paul wisheth the Philippians to follow Phil. 4. 9. those things which they had heard of him , and seene in him . His teaching they had heard of him : his doing they had seene in him . So Moses was mightie Act. 7. ●… . in words , and in deedes : Not mightie in words , and weake , or no bodie in deedes : but mightie in both , in words and in deedes , in teaching , and in doing . So Aarons rod brought forth blossomes , Numb. 17. 8. and almonds . Now as almonds are the fruit of blossomes : in like sort doing is the fruit of teaching . So the Baptist was a shining , and a burning Ioh. 5. ●…5 . light . He shined in knowledge , which made him able to teach well , he burned in zeale , which made him willing to doe well . So Dauid saies , Establish 〈◊〉 . 51. 12. me with thy free spirit , then shall ●… teach thy way vnto the wicked . He did not onely teach others the way of God , but also he was established with the free spirit of God to doe well himselfe . So Titus was an example of good 〈◊〉 . 2. ●… . workes , and vncorrupt doctrine . Vncorrupt doctrine is teaching well : good workes is doing well . How then was he an example of good workes , and vncorrupt doctrine ? Clemens Alexandrinus makes the answer . Teaching as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he did , and doing as he taught , he was an example of good workes and vncorrupt doctrine . And so must euery one be which is the sincere seruant of God . He must with Abraham burie Sarah not onely in a sepulchre , but also in a double sepulchre : he must with Moses make him , not onely a lauer but also a base : he must with Iob , not onely bind the book to his head , but also beare it vpon his shoulders : he must with Simeon , not onely be a cvpres tree , but also an oliue tree : he must with Noa make him not only a window , but also a dore : he must with those cleane beasts , not onely chew the cudde , but also diuide the hoofe : he must with those valiant Soldiers , not only bow down his knees , but also lift vp his hands to lap water : he must with the wise woman , not onely haue a distaffe , but also put his singers to it : he must with the Church , not only let Christ heare his voice , but also let him see his sight : euen as Pauls excellent vertues were not only heard of him , but also seen in him : euen as Moses was mightie , not only in words , but also in deeds ▪ euen as Aarons rod did beare not onely blossoms , but also almonds ▪ euen as Io●… Hiptist was a light , not only shining , but also burning : euen as king Dauid was a prophet , not onely teaching others , but also established with grace himself : euen as Titus was an example , not onely of vncorrupt doctrine , but also of good workes . The summe of all is this : The syncere setuant of God , must not onely teach well , but also 〈◊〉 well . For He that both doeth and teacheth , the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen .

Now then , beloued , let vs blush and be ashamed , that euen the verie Gentiles should goe before vs in this point . Sosiades a heathen man could say thus much , Better done then said . A good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thing if thou knowe it , doe it . It is written of Iulius Caesar , that he neuer said to his souldiers , Ite . but Venite : he neuer said , Goe ye yonder , but Come ye hither : I will goe with you ; nay I will goe before you . And so saies our heauenly Captaine and conquerour Iesus Christ , not Ite , but Venite , Come vnto me all ye that labour , and learne of me , because I am meeke and humble in heart . He saies not , because I talke of my humilitie , but because I am humble , because I shewe the practise of it continually in my selfe . I ( saies he ) came downe from heauen to earth , I left my fathers bosome , and tooke a traytours kisse , to teach all men true humilitie . Therefore there is no teacher to me , there is no master to me : Learne of me , because I am mecke and humble in heart . This kind of instruction both by teaching and by doing , is that two-edged sword , which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lambe . For tell me I pray you ( if it be no trouble to you ) tell me , what is the reason thinke you , why so many Preachers in their Churches , so many masters in their families , secke to redresse abuses , striue against sinnes , and yet preuaile so little , but onely because they fight not with this two-edged sword , but with a backsword . The sword which they fight with all is very sharpe , and cuts deepe on the teaching-side , but it is blunt and hath no edge at all on the doing-side . Wheras if we would fight against vngodlines with this two-edged sword , both by teaching and doing , we should soone cut downe sinne in such sort , as it should neuer be able to stand out against vs . Therefore Dauid beeing readie to reforme many things among his people , saies in one of the Bonitatem & sci●…ntiam doc●… me . Psalmes , O Lord giue me goodnes and knowledge . Goodnes , that I may doe well , and Knowledge , that I may teach well . For I am sure ( saies he ) that all my teaching without doing , all my knowledge without goodnes , is to no purpose . Theresore O Lord giue me goodnes and knowledge . But first goodnes , and then knowledge . Because indeede , one heartfull of goodnesse , is worth a hundred headfulls of knowledge : one handfull of doing , is worth a hundred tongue-fulls of teaching . For what is the hand else , but the very seale of the tongue ? So that as a writing is not pleadable by the law of man without seales ; no more is a word warrantable by the law of God , without works . And therefore if they which serue the beast , receiue the marke os the beast , not onely in their foreheads , but also in their ha●…ds : how much more the●… ought we which serue the huing God , to receiue the marke of God , not onely in our foreheads by open professing of him but also in our hands by faithfull ●…sing that which we professe . Therefore it is a vsuall phrase well-nigh in all the Prophets to say , The word of the Lord by the hand of Amos , by the hand os Zacharie , or such like : I know indeede it is an Hebrewe phrase , where the hand of the Prophet signifieth the ministerie of the Prophet . But yet this phrase may giue vs thus much to vnderstand , that if the Prophets dealt so , as euery word of God passed not only thorough their mouthes , but also through their hands , that then we also must so deale in hearing & handling the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of God , as we may bring vnto God saies Agapetus , not onely a profering of words , but also an offring of works . Wherefore deare brethren , let your light so shine before men , that they not onely hearing your good words , but also seeing your good works , may glorifie your father which is in heauen . For then I assure you , if we glorifie our father which is in heauen , he will glorifie vs his children which are vpon earth , and in the ende make vs great in the kingdome of heauen . O remember therefore that golden saying in the Scripture , The seare of the Lord is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . the beginning of wisedome , a good vnderstanding haue all they that doe thereafter , the praise of it endureth for euer . A good vnderstanding haue all they that doe thereafter ? Why so ? Because an ill vnderstanding haue all they that doe not thereafter . They that haue vnderstanding , and doe not thereafter , that is , according to it , haue an ill vnderstanding . But they that haue vnderstanding , and doe thereafter according to it , haue a good vnderstanding . A good vnderstanding haue all they that doe thereafter : the praise of it endureth for euer . It shall be eternally rewarded . O how richly are the Apostles rewarded , how highly are they nowe honoured in heauen , because when they were vpon earth , they had a good vnderstanding . They had clouen tongues . Clouen tongues ? What 's that ? Act. 1●… . I 'le tell you . Doe you not see how our hands are cloauen and diuided into fingers ; So were the Apostles tongues . They ( in a manner if I may so say ) had fingers vpon their tongues , as well as we haue vpon our hands . It was but a word and a worke with them . They had no sooner taught others any good thing ( as O Lord what good thing did they not teach vs all ) but by and by they were readie to practise it and to performe it themselues . Therefore they are alreadie great in the kingdome of heauen , yea and much more shall be . The twelue Apostles shall sit vpon twelue thrones , iudging the twelue tribes of Israel . And if we can happely obtaine so much grace and goodnes of God , as that we may haue a care and a conscience as well to doe as to teach , then as sure as God's in heauen , we likewise shall be great in the kingdome of heauen . We shall be enstalled with Christ and his Apostles , in the throne of glorie , when we shall heare him say vnto vs , Come ye blessed of my Father , inherite the kingdome of heauen prepared for you . For ye haue not onely professed , but practised : ye haue not onely taught well , but wrought well : ye haue not onely said well , but done well : therefore now you shall be great in the kingdome of heauen . To the which kingdom of heauen , we beseech thee , O Lord , to bring vs , euen for Iesus Christs sake .

Amen .
A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE the Kings Maiestie at Drayton in Northhamptonshire . August . 6. 1605. Psal. 132. 18. As for his enemies I shall cloath them with shame ; but vpon himselfe shall his Crowne flourish .

THe Royall Prophet hauing setled himselfe in his kingdom according to his owne desire ; and besides hauing after many wandrings to and fro , at length brought backe the Arke againe to Ierusalem ; maketh here his most zealous and deuout praier to God for the continuance of his fauour both to the Church and Common-wealth committed to his gouernement . Returne , O Lord , to thy resting place , sai's he , a a v. 8. & deinceps . thou and the Arke of thy strength . Let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousnesse , and let thy Saints sing with ioyfulnesse . For thy seruant Dauids sake turne not away the face of thine anointed . Now that he might apparantly see how neere the Lord is to all them that call vpon him in faithfulnesse and truth , he waiteth not long for an answer , but carries it away with him before he depart . For to Dauids petition , Returne O Lord , vnto thy resting place , thou , and the arke of thy strength ; Gods answer is this , b b v 1●… . & de 〈◊〉 . This shall be my resting place , here will I dwell , for I haue a delight therein . I will blesse her victualls with increase , and will satisfie her poore with breade . To Dauids petition , Let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousnesse , and let thy Saints sing with ioyfulnesse ; Gods answer is this , I will cloath her Priests with saluation , and her Saints shall reioyce and sing . Lastly , to Dauids petition ; For thy seruant Dauids sake turne not away the face of thine anointed : Gods answer is this ; There shall I make the horne of Dauid to flourish , I , I haue ordained a light for mine anointed . As for his enemies , I shall cloath them with shame ; but vpon himself shal his crown slorish . As if he should haue said ; Turne away the face of mine anointed ? Nay , that will I neuer doe , I will indeede turne away the face of the enemies of mine anointed . Their face shall be couered with confusion , and cloathed with shame : But contrariwise , I haue ordained a light for mine anointed . He euer shall haue a light in his face , and a crowne vpon his head . As for his enemies , I shall cloth them with shame ; but vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish .

These words are principally to be vnderstood of Christ . For neuer were any so cloathed with shame as his enemies the cursed Iewes which murthered him . There citie was sacked , not one stone of it beeing left vpon another , and they themselues as stubble or chaffe were scattered ouer the face of the earth . So that they are the very shame of men , and the out-cast of all people . Insomuch as when we would signifie we hate a man deadly , indeede we commonly vse to say , we hate them worse then a Iewe. On the other side Christ is so exalted now , that all power is giuen him in heauen and earth , yea God hath giuen him a name aboue al names , that at the most sweete and most excellent name of Iesus , euerie knee and euerie heart also might doe obeysance . And as the Apostle prooueth out of the eight Psalme , The Lord now after all his dolorous paines and torments , hath crowned him with honour and glorie . Neuerthelesse in a secondarie sort this promise may be applyed also to Dauid , who was a notable type of Christ ; and so consequently to euerie faithfull successor of Dauid , which is Christs vicegerent and liefienant vpon earth . For yee knowe what was the ende of all Dauids enemies : Absolom his disobedient sonne hung vp by the goldylockes of pride . Achitophel his travterous Counsellor made away himselfe . Shemei a reuiler of him , and a de●…ractor from him , in his gray haires put to a shamefull death . The same may be saide of the rest . But holy Dauid himselfe could neuer be ouercome . For though many enemies , specially Autiochus Epiphanes , bent all their force , to the very vttermost , to roote out Dauids posteritie , and to destroy Gods people ; yet maugre their heads and their he●…ts , Dauids crowne yet flourished and continued in his stocke , till at the length the sonne of Dauid came into the world ; of whome the Angel Gabriel spake to the blessed virgin Marie in this sort ; d d 〈◊〉 . 1. 32. He shall be great , and shall be called the sonne of the most High ; and the Lord God shall giue him the throne of his Father Dauid , and he shall be ruler ouer the house o●… Iacob , and of his kingdome shall be no ende . Now if this Scripture be so notably verified in Dauid , he hauing faithfully serued in his time , and bee●…g now by the will of God dead ; no reason but that we may vnderstand it also generally of euery holy one of God , which treadeth in Dauids steps , going in and out before Gods people . As for his enemies , I shall cloath them with shame ; but vpon himselse shal his crowne flourish .

Here are two parts . His enemies ; himselfe . His enemies , first shall haue shame ; secondly shall be cloathed with shame . Himselfe , first shal haue a crown : secondly shal haue a flourishing crown . As for his enemies I shall cloth them with shame ; but vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish .

The shame which the Lord God assureth Dauid shall light vpon his enemies , is a veri●… dreadfull iudgement against them . Nicetas saies plainely ; No punishment so grieuous as shame . And Nazianzene yet more expressely ; Better were a man die right out , then still liue in reproach and shame . This , diuerse valiant worthies haue shewed to be true , ridding themselues voluntarily of their life , that so they might be rid of their shame . Aiax beeing readie to dispatch himselfe , vsed these as his last words ; No greife doth so cut the very heart of a generous and magnanimous man , as shame and reproach . What should I speake of any more Grecians , or Romanes , as of Brutus , Cassius , Antonius , Cato Vticensis , and such others ? In Scripture we haue a plaine proofe . Mightie Sampson , beeing I●…g . 16. 28. about to pull the whole house vpon his owne head , saide thus : O Lord God I pray thee strengthen me at this time onely , that I may be at once auenged of the Philistims , for my two eyes . He desired rather once to die valiantly , then long to liue wretchedly . For as Saint Ambrose writing of Samson , saith , h h 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . For a man to liue , or die , is naturall : but for a man to liue in shame and contempt , and to be made a laughing stocke of his Enemies , is such a matter , as no well bred and noble minded man that hath any courage , or stomacke in him , can euer digest it . Yet the Lord God promiseth Dauid his anointed that shame shall be the reward of all his enemies ; shame I say , which is a great deale worse then death it selfe . As for his enemies , saies he , I ●…hall cloath them with shame .

Secondly , they shall be clothed with ●…hame . To be clothed is an Hebrew phrase , signifying to haue any thing vnseparably cast vpon one . And it is taken both in the better and in the worser part . As a little before ; I cloath her Preists with saluation : that is , I will furnish Syons Priests with such indowments and graces from aboue , which they shall be as it were inuested into ; that both by their life and doctrine , they shall still further the saluation both of themselues , and of them which heare them . Contrariwise , in this place , I will cloath them with shame ; That is , shame shall so vnseparably accompanie them , that as wheresoeuer a man goeth , he carrieth his cloathes with him ; so wheresoeuer they goe , they shall carrie their shame with them . And that which is strangest of all ; they which are ashamed vse to cloath or couer their shame , and then thinke themselues well enough . But Dauids enemies shall be so shamed , that euen the very couering of their shame shall be a discouering of it ; and the clothing or cloking of their ignominie , shall be nothing else but a girding of it more closely and more vnseparably vnto them . So the Prophet speaketh elsewher●… , i i 〈◊〉 . 35 〈◊〉 . Let them be put to confusion and shame together , that reioyce at mine hurt . Let them be clothed with rebuke and dishonour , that lift vp themselues against me . O Lord God , say Amen to it ; let it be euen so , O Lord , Let them be clothed with rebuke and dishonour that lift vp themselues against thine anointed . And againe , k k 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 19. Let shame be vnto him as a cloake that he hath vpon him , and as the girdle that he is alwaies girded with all . And yet againe , l l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Let mine aduersaries be clothed with shame , and let them couer themselues with their owne confusion as with a cloake .

But to leaue the word , and come to the matter . The enemies of Dauid shall be clothed with shame three waies : In their owne conscience ; In the world ; In the day of Iudgement .

Touching their owne conscience , S. Austin saies well , m m Omnis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p●…a . All vnordinate desires , as none are more vnordinate then trayterous and rebellious enterprises , carrie in themselues that bane which poysons and punishes them at the last . Whereupon the Prophet saies , n n Psal. 57. 〈◊〉 . Hide me , O Lord , vnder the shadow of thy wings , vntill iniquitie be ouerpast , as the Septuagint translate it . But we read it , Vntill this Tyrannie be ouerpast . And others translate it , Vntill this Calamitie , or this Miserie be ouerpast . Which indifferent acceptation of the Hebrew word , sheweth that nothing doth so tyrannize ouer the conscience , nothing is such a calamitie and miserie to the minde , as iniquitie and sinne . Iudas after he had betraied his Lord and Master , was so confounded in his owne conscien●…e , that he cried out , and said , o o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I haue sinned , in betraying innocent blood . Proditor Cas●…a , vile traytour : if his blood be innocent , then thy conscience is guiltie . And if thou ca●…st confesse thou hast sinned , when it is too late , why diddest thou 〈◊〉 take heede of sinning when 〈◊〉 time ? I haue sinned saies he , sinned in betraying innocent blood . A thousand hells could not haue more tormented him , then this desperate sorrowe and extreame shame wherewith his conscience was cloathed , tearing his bowells whilst he was aliue , and powring them out when he died .

Now as for shame in the world , we reade p p Gen. 4. 5. that God did set a marke vpon Cain the murtherer of iust Habel ; and so consequently the ring-leader of all Dauids enemies . Therefore as when men see a wolfe or a foxe , or any such hurtfull beast in the forest , they set all their dogges vpon him ; so the enemies of the Lords anoynted , beeing burnt as it were and branded with the markes of shame , are howted and hunted wheresoeuer they goe . One example at this time shall suffice . Maxentius a wicked rebell against his owne Lord the famous Emperour Constantine the great , deuised to haue a bridge made with cock-boats chained together ouer a riuer neere Rome , thinking to traine the Emperour that way , and there to ●…hem in the riuer . But God so wrought for his chosen seruant , that the enemie himselfe beeing compelled to flie that way , was taken in that pit which he digged for others . And so as Pharaoh was cloathed with shame in the open view and sight of all the world , when he and all his host were drowned in the redde sea , after the same fashion Maxentius was drest .

Lastly , touching shame in the day of iudgement , Dauids enemies at that day , shall stand before the tribunall seat of Christ , beeing naked in all respects else , but onely couered with their owne shame . Then they shall be vexed with horrible feare r r S●…pien . 5. 2. , and cloathed with confusion ; whereas the righteous shall be cloathed with incorruption ; yea though 1. Cor. ●…5 . in this life with the rich glutton , s s 〈◊〉 . 16. 19. they haue beene cloathed with purple and fine linnen , yet then their attire shall be dishonour , and their garment shall be shame . Thus will the Lord cloath the enemies of his anointed with shame ; cloath them in their owne conscienc●… ; cloath them in the world ; cloath them in the day of iudgement . As for his enemies I shall cloath them with shame ; But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish .

The one halfe of this Sermon is now past , the other shal be as soone dispatcht . But vpon him shall his crowne flourish .

First himselfe shall haue a crowne . Tertullian t t In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . reporteth out of Diodorus Siculus , that the first that euer ware a crowne was Iupiter . The souldiers gaue him a royall crowne for a reward of his victorie and triumph ouer the Titans ▪ Hereupon Iupiters priest t t 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . brought 〈◊〉 and crownes to the gates of Listra , and would there haue sacrificed to Paul . Afterward , when Gods people the Israe●… would needs haue a King , as other nations had round about them ; then their Kings would needs haue crownes also , as other Kings had round about them . Hence we read that Dauid hauing vanquished the king of Rabbath , u u ●… . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . ●… . tooke the crowne from off his head , and found it the weight of a talent of gold , with pretious stones in it ; and set it vpon his owne head . Though indeed long before that y y 2. 〈◊〉 . 1. 10 the Amalakite brought him a crowne , which he took from Sauls head when he slewe him .

So that the thing God promiseth is this ; that any crowne which king Dauid should get , either by conquest , or by succession , or by any other iust title , should still flourish more and more . Some there are in the world which to be sure of outward ornaments inough , will needes weare a triple crowne . Others haue beene vnwilling to weare that one which they might . Canutus , that was absolute king almost of fiue kingdomes somewhat before the conquest , vpon a time in his progresse riding neere the Thames , lighted and sat downe besides the shoare . Then , as it were to trie a conclusion , he commanded the water beeing now readie to arise againe and to slow , not to come any neerer him . But the water keeping his naturall course , came still vp higher and higher , till it beganne to wette him . Whereupon turning to his Nobles , which were about him , Ye call me ( ●…aies he ) your king and Master , & so indeede I am ; and yet loe yee , I cannot command so much as this little streame , but doe what I can , that will still doe as it list . Whereupon presently he posted to Westminster , and resigned his crown to the crucifixe there ; neither could he euer after this be perswaded to weare it any more . Now as the pride of that man of sinne , which sits vnder the signe of the triple crowne , is too intolerable : so on the contrarie part this was too much nicenesse in Canutus . Seeing , it followeth not , because he could not command the sea and the waters , as Christ did , that therefore he might not weare a crowne . For , neither doth Christ himselfe in heauen weare such a crowne , as kings of the earth doe . But the truth is this , that royaltie and maiestie , which is essentiall to God , he is content to communicate to his holy ones , and to his anointed , by participation and grace . Therefore the Lords anointed , which is as it were his fauourite , may verie well doe all these three things at once ; weare the crowne which God giueth ; and yet detest the pride which God abhorreth ; and still admire the Maiestie , which God enioyeth : So that the Lord promising his seruant Dauid a crowne , promiseth him wealth , wisedome , renowne , dignitie , prosperitie ; in one word , all royalties belonging to a crowne . But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish .

Secondly , he shall haue a flourishing crowne . Flourishing is metaphorically attributed to a crowne . As in the next verse before . There shall I make the horne of Dauid to ●…lourish . A metaphor taken from those goodly creatures , as stagges , and such like ; whose chiefest beautie and strengh consisteth in their hornes , especially when they bud and branch abroad . So in these words , But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish . A plaine allusion to those slowres which either continually , or els a verie long time , keepe fresh and greene . Besids at the first , kings crowns were not made of gold and pearles , as I told you of Dauids crowne , but onely of greene oken leaues , as that of Iupiters , or else of some other branches or flowres , as others . The Lord then meaning that Dauids kingdome should be established for euer , and that his lasting glorie should still growe greene , he maketh this louing promise vnto him ; But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish . How flourishing beautifull flowers are , consider but the Lillie , and you shall soone perceiue . Marke ( saies our Sauiour ) z z Ma●… ▪ 6. 24 how the lillies of the field doe growe , they labour not , neither doe they spinne , yet doe I say vnto you , that euen Salomon in all his royaltie was not cloathed like one of these . Now if God so cloath the flowers of the sield , which growe to day , and to morrowe are cast into the ouen ▪ how much more shall he cloath Dauid●… enemies with shame ; but vpon himsel●…e make his crowne flourish ? For euen as in Salomons Temple , fiue candlesticks at the right side , and fiue at the left standing before the Oracle , and being made for matter of pure gold , for forme with branches and flowers , did well nigh dazill the eyes of any that entered into the Temple a a 1. Reg. 7. 49. ; so the Lord here giues his word , that the kings crowne shall euer flourish in the house of our God , disparkling and displaying those rayes of Maiestie ; those beames of beautie , which shall amaze the world , and be a wonder as well to Angels as to men : Wherefore , as I said euen nowe of his enemies shame , that it shall be threefold ; so here I repeat the same againe of his crownes flourishing ; His crowne shall flourish in his owne conscience : in the world : in the day of iudgement . Touching his owne conscience the blessed Apostle calleth the Philippians his ioy and a crowne b b 〈◊〉 . 4 1. . And to the Thessalonians he writeth thus , What is our hope , or ioy , or crowne of reioycing ? Are not euen you it , in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his comming ? yes , ye are our glorie and ioy c c Now , if this precious vessell of honour reioyced in nothing so much , as in the testimonie of his conscience , that in simplicitie and godly purenesse , and not in fleshly wisedome , but by the grace of God , he had his conueration in the world , the power of Gods spirit working still most mightily by his ministerie to the conuersion of the world to Christ : how much more shall the Lords anoynted haue his conscience crowned with flourishing ioy , with comfort , with content , with heauenly peace , when he shall remember , that not onely for matters of religion and Gods true seruice , he hath beene and still is with Saint Paul prositable to the Church ; but also is a strong bulwarke and a tower of defence to maintaine euen the outward 〈◊〉 and prosperitie of Gods people ; yea the verie particular tight , wealth , life of euery one of them ; all this I say , and a 100. 〈◊〉 more , 〈◊〉 he considereth , what a great and a glorious instrument be 〈◊〉 beene euerie way of Gods glorie ▪ O Lord God what a heauen shall he haue in his heart ? what a sweet paradise 〈◊〉 pleasure in his soule ? what securitie ▪ ●…hat assurance of Christ●… loue ? what a 〈◊〉 and vndaunted hope of eter●… glorie ? what a slourishing crowne 〈◊〉 re●…oycing shall he haue euen in his very conscience ? vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish . Touching the world , our holy Prophet speaking to God , though in the third person , yet of himselfe saies , Thou hast preuented him with liberall blessings , and hast set a crowne of pure gold vpon his head . His honour is great in thy saluation ; glorie and great worship hast thou 〈◊〉 vpon him . Nowe that crowne which is of gold , yea of pure gold , must needes be verie flourishing euen in the viewe and face of the world . Neither is this to be vnderstood of Dauids person onely , but euen of his posteritie in all ages to come . How was he himselfe crowned with conquests and victories ouer his enemies ? How was his ●…onne Salomon crowned with riches , with wisedome , with fame and glorie in the whole world ? which ●…lourishing of his sonne , as of a noble branch , graced in a manner the verie roo●…e of Dauid himselfe . For , as his worthie sonne teacheth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 Childrens children are the crowne of the elders , and the glorie of the children are their fathers . Therefore , as children may iustly glorie of the renowne of their fathers vertue and honour : so the excellent father is in a sort crowned with happinesse in this world , when he sees his childrens children like to grow vp and flourish after him . But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish . Lastly , touching the day of iudgement ; then , then shall all the righteous flourish , when as hauing beene faithfull vnto the death , they shall receiue the crowne of life . A crowne as S. Peter calleth it immortall and vndefiled , and that fadeth not away 〈◊〉 . Denying that eeuer it fadeth away , he affirmeth that it euer 〈◊〉 . I would here be bold , 〈◊〉 I might doe it without offence , as I hope I may , to shewe you one goodly 〈◊〉 of grapes of the land of Canaan , a land flowing with milke and honie , whether you are now going , before you enter into it . A worthie and vertuous gentleman , whom I neede not name in this place , because , no doubt many ages ●…il name him , and renowne him hereafter , giueth for his armes three crownes with this posey , Quarta perennis erit . As if he should say , these three crownes , which I beare in my coate , are but the difference of my house and gentry , but Quarta perennis erit : the fourth crowne which I looke for in heauen shall be euerlasting and immortall . That fourth , though it be but one crowne , yet shall be worth all those three crowns , yea three thousand more such as these are ; The fourth shall be eternall . Now , if he , and we that are , such as he no question is , faithfull to God , and loyall to the chosen seruant of God , may well hope for a most flourishing incorruptible crowne of glorie , then much more may Dauid himself reioyce in God his Sa●…iour , and say , Quinta , aut sexta perennis erit : The fift , or the sixt shall be eternall . This crowne which God of his grace with his own right hand and his holy arme hath set vpon mine head , is indeede ( thanks and praise be giuen vnto the same God ) a verie flourishing crowne ; flourishing in mine owne conscience : flourishing in the world , both for my person , and for my posteritie ; But it is nothing , in respect of that flourishing crowne which I shall receiue at the day of iudgement . For the g g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 12. iust shall flourish like a palme tree , and shal grow like a Cedar in Lebanon . Such as be planted in the house of the Lord , shall flourish in the courts of our God . And then indeede shall this bountifull promise of God be most fully performed , But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish . As for his enemies , I shall cloath them with shame ; but vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish .

To draw then to an ende ; it may seeme very strange , that Dauid had any enemies . Yet , out of these words , As for his enemies , I shall cloath them with shame ; it may well be gathered , that some he had . What ? had Dauid ? meeke Dauid ? Lord remember Dauid , and all his meeke●…esse , saies he , in the beginning of this Psalme . He was the kindest , and the meekest man aliue . When he had his mortall foe at a vantage , and at a dead lift , as we say , and might haue na●…led him fast to the ground with his speare ; he onely did cut off a lappe of his garment , to shew , that when he might haue hurt him , he would not . Posse , & nolle , nob●…le . Yet this meeke Dauid , patient Dauid , mercifull Dauid , valiant and victorious Dauid , holy Dauid , had enemies . Wherefore you most honourable and blessed seruants of God , you that excell in vertue , if you haue some enemies , thinke not strange of it . For , if you had nothing in you : no feare of God , no reuerence towards his word , no loue and loyaltie towards your Soueraigne , no fortitude , no temperance , no good thing in you ; you might perhaps walke on long enough , and no man enuie you , no man maligne you , or malice you . But because God hath inspired you with his principall spirit , and endewed you with speciall great graces aboue your fellowes : therefore doth your aduersarie the Deuill the old enemie of all goodnes and vertue , who is readie to burst to see you doe so well : he , I say , doth bestirre himselfe , and raise vp enemies against you . But ( O blessed be our good Lord ) what a wonderfull comfort and incouragement ha●…e all you ; what a horrible terrour & affrightment haue all your enemies , in this text ? For the holy Ghost saies not , They shall be clothed , or you shall cloth them : but I , euen I shal cloth them with shame . It is impossible , saies he , that you should alwaies be armed at all points , circumspect at all places , vigilant at all times , prouided at all occasions , to preuent the mischieuous practises of your deuillish enemies . No counsell of man , no policie , no wisdome , no wit , can foresee all their barbarous vndertakings and complottes , to escape them . But in heauen , in heauen there is an eye , an hand there is in heauen : an eye to descrie them , and a hand to persecute and punish them : both an eye and an hand to deliuer you from daunger , and to cloath them with shame . Therefore , saith he , Cast your care vpon me : let me alone with them , your perill is my perill , your case my case : I le pay them that they haue deserued : He take the quarrell into mine owne ●…ands : I le trimme them well enough . As for your enemies , I shall cloath them with shame . Remember I pray you , beloued , though indeede , they haue made themselues worthie neuer to be remembred , or once to be mentioned in our mouthes any more ; yet remember , I say , to their egregious dishonour & reproch , how those are now clothed with shame , who were the first cause of the solemnizing , or as I may say , of the sanctifying of this present day for the day of the weeke , and of yesterday for the day of the moneth , & of the twelue moneth , with so holy an exercise ? How odious ? how execrable is their very name vnto vs ? what true hearted loyall subiect , such as I am sure all are here , doth not detest them , hate them , loath them , as a toad , or as a viper , or as some hidious mishapen monster ; and curse the very day wherein such a rebellious generation , and such a trayterous brood were borne ? Certainly , my good brethren , if the mercie of God , which is incomprehensible , did not giue them grace , at the last gaspe to repent and crie to God for pardon : as they are cloathed with shame in this world , so shall they be much more in the world to come . And as we hold them for no better then cursed creatures , so shall the Lord at last , say vnto them , Goe ye cursed into euerlasting fire . So let it be , o Lord , euen so to all the enemies of thine a●…ointed , either open or secret , so let it be to them : As for his enemies , doe thou , thou , O Lord , thine owne selfe , doe thou cloath them with shame .

But vpon himselfe shall his Crowne flourish .

These words , vpon himselfe , either are altogether impertinent and superfluous , or else they are very important and materiall . For , it had beene sufficient to haue saide ; As for his enemies I shall cloath them with shame : but as for himselfe , his ●…rowne shall ●…lourish . It is not greatly necessarie , as it should seeme , to 〈◊〉 , his crowne shall ●…lourish vpon himselfe . Yet the Lord in his gratious answer vnto Dauids praier , thought good to put in this as a supernumerarie word , ouer and besides the necessitie of the sentence : to teach the good King , and vs all likewise , a very notable lesson . Namely , that he would blesse the crowne , the dignitie , the flourishing estate of his louing seruant , not onely in his owne person , and his posteritie ; in this world , and in the world to come , as I haue shewed alreadie , but also from a lesser weight of glory , still to a greater and greater . Vpon himselfe , saies he , shall his crowne flourish . For not onely it shall be as flourishing , as Dauid left it , at the day of his departure to God ; but after his dissolution and death : as fa●…t as his bodie corrupteth in the earth , so fast shall his crowne encrease still in heauen . Trust me , truly , I speake it before the liuing Lord , and this high presence , all the whole Church which shall be edified to saluation , by Dauids blessed and godly gouernement , euen after his death , shal yet suffer his crown neuer to die , but shall continually keepe it fresh and greene . Ye●… , as euery one brought to the building of the tabernacle , and to the reedifying of the temple , such as they were able : so I assure you , I speake now a great word , euery particular subiect , that is saithfull to God , and to his Prince ; as he goeth on forward to God , by the peace , and by the religion which he hath enioyed vnder his Prince ; so he shall still beautifie and decke Dauids crowne ; & one shall bring a white rose , another shall bring a red rose , and adde it to the crowne : that so vpon himselfe still his crowne may flourish , the white rose and the redde rose , that are in the crowne alreadie , beeing euer made more and more fragrant and slourishing . O Christ , what a crowne is this ? And what will it growe to much more in the ende ? You that are mighty Kings and Potentates vpon earth , haue indeede great cares and continuall businesse in your heads ; but yet vouchsafe I pray you to hearken a little , what I shal say vnto you . You watch oftentimes ouer vs , when we are asleepe our selues . You care for our peace , when it is not in our power to further it ; you procuring good to Sion , and prosperitie to Ierusalem , yet many times enioy the least part of it your selues . But no force . Take this still for your comfort . We that cannot all our liues long doe the hundreth part of that good which you doe euery houre , shall haue nothing so flourishing a crowne as you shall haue . Vpon you , vpon you shall euerlasting peace rest , vpon you shall the glorie of Gods Maiestie shine , vpon you , vpon you shall your crowne flourish . Which the Lord of his mercie graunt , I most humbly beseech him for Iesus Christs sake : that as Dauids crowne euer slourished , till the first comming of Christ : so our gratious Kings crowne may euer flourish , till the second comming of Christ : and then , that afterward for euer his royall Maiestie , may be roy ally crowned with eternall life : thorough the same our deare Sauiour Iesus Christ : to whom with the father and the holy Ghost , be all honour and glorie , power and praise , dignitie and dominion , now and euermore . Amen .

FINIS .
A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE the Kings Maiestie that day he entred into Oxford , at Woodstocke , August 27. 1065. Luk. 8. 15. But that which fell in good ground , are they which with a good , and a very good heart , heare the word , and keepe it , and bring forth fruit with patience .

IN this parable of the sower , are 4. grounds mentioned . Whereof three are bad , and onely one good . Namely , they which with a good , and a very good heart , heare the word , and keepe it , and bring forth fruite with patience . Almightie God powreth out his benefits no lesse plentiously then continually vpon vs : yet we can make no requitall : our goodnes cannot reach to God . The onely thing that we can doe for him , is to loue and honour his word . Whereupon king Dauid Psal. 132. thought it a death vnto him , that beeing banished from his people , he could not goe vp to the house of the Lord with the voice of ioy and gladnes among such as keepe holy-day . And on the other side he said ; I reioyced when they said vnto me , We will goe vp into the house of the Lord . The Prophet Esay ●…a . 2. 3. likewise , foretelling what alacritie and good will should be in the Gentils after they were conuerted to Christ , saith thus ; It shall be in the last daies that many people shall goe and say ; Come , and let vs goe vp to the mountaine of the Lord , to the house of the God of Iacob , and he will teach vs his wayes , and we will walke in his pathes . Looke how it is in the health of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hom. 4. 〈◊〉 Gen. bodie , and so it is in the state of the soule . If a man haue a good appetite , and a stomacke to his meate , t' is a signe he is well in health : in like sort , if a man be content to followe Christ for the loaues to fill his bellie , and care not for the food of his soule ; questionles all is not well betweene God and him ; but if he haue a longing and a hungring desire of the word , then indeede his heart is vpright in the sight of God . For as S. . Austen noteth well ; if the word of God be taken by vs , it will take vs . Seeing the word of God so is , and so ought to be , vnto the faithfull , as a hooke is to fish . Then it takes , when it is taken . Neither are they which are taken hurt by it . For they are not caught to be kild , but to be drawne out of the damnation of this world , a●…d to be translated to the libertie and glorie of the children of God . Wherefore as fishers take most delight in angling when they see the fish bite Heb. 13. 17. quickly and greadily : so if you would put life into your Preachers which are called fishers of men , that they may preach the word with ioy , not with griefe , you must shewe , by your countenance , by your attention , by your reuerence , by all your outward behauiour , that you desire nothing so much as 〈◊〉 bite at this s●…eete baite , that so you may be drawne by the father to Christ . For they onely are good ground as we haue it here , which with a good , and a very good heart , heare the word , and keepe it , and bring forth fruit with patience .

Here are three properties of good ground set downe . All opposite to the three bad grounds mentioned before . First , they that are good ground , heare the word with a good h●…rt ; contrarie to the ground on the high waies side , which when they haue heard , let the deuill take the word out of their hearts , & so they heare not with a good heart . Secondly , they keepe the word with a verie good heart ; contrarie to the stony ground , which for a while receiue the word with ioy , but in time of temptation they fall away , and so they keepe not the word with a verie good heart . Thirdly , they bringe foorth fruit with patience ; contrary to the thornie ground , which after their departure are choaked with cares , and bring no fruit , and so doe not ( as it is said here that the good ground doth ) bring forth fruit with patience . But that which fell in good ground are they , which with a good , and a very good heart , heare the word , and keepe it , and bring forth fruit with patience .

The first propertie of the good ground is this , that they heare the word with a good heart . The two disciples going to Emans , when Christ ●…uk . 2●… . was departed from them , said thus one to another ; Did not our hearts burne within vs when he talked with vs by the way , and opened to vs the Scripture ? O Beloued , nowe you are busied in hearing the word , Christ talketh to you , and you are in the right way to heauen . Therefore that we may heare with a good heart , we must feele in our hearts that burning of which the disciples say ; Did not our hearts burne within vs when he talked with vs by the way ? For so the Spirituall spouse confesseth of her selfe , My beloued put his hand to the hole of the doore , and my heart was affectioned towards him . And againe : My soule melted when my beloued spake . Now Christ puts his hand to the hole of the doore , desiring himselfe to enter , and vs to repent : now our beloued speaketh to vs out of his word . So that we cannot be good ground , except our heart be affectioned , and our soule melt towards him . When the blessed Lu●… . 1 〈◊〉 . Virgin saluted her cousin Elizabeth , she felt the babe spring in her wombe for ioy . Certainely Beloued , you haue euery one of you a babe in your hearts , euen the child Iesus , which is formed and fashioned in you . This babe we must feele euen to skip & spring in our hearts for ioy , if we would assure our selues that we be good ground , and heare with a good heart . Neither must we onely reioyce , but also feare . Serue the Lord with gladnesse , and reioyce before him with trembling , saies the Psalmist . We Psal. 2. read that when the Almightie vttered 〈◊〉 1. 24. his voice , the foure beasts , whereby are meant the Angels , let fall their wings . Where are then our plumes of pride , our feathers whereby wee flie so high in an opinion of our owne knowledge and wisdome ? why are they not all let downe , that we may wholly submit our selues to the Lord , to be taught and directed by his word ? Remember I pray you what good Cornelius said . I knowe well there was neuer more reuerent hearing of the word in the Court , then at this day , yet that which is verie well alreadie must so be commended , as that which may be bet-●…ter and better , be euermore enforced . Therefore as I was about to say , remember what the Captaine Cornelius said to S. Peter , when he was readie to preach vnto him ; Now , saies he , are we 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 33. all here present before the Lord , to heare all things that are commanded thee of God : O that we had this good heart to consider , when we heare a sermon , that we stand not before a man , but coram domino , before the Lord . Then we should heare the word , not as the word of man , but as it is indeede the word of God . Then , we should put a difference between other things which perhaps shortly we shall heare , either to recreate the mind or sharpen the wit . or for state and maiestie , or for some other earthly purpose , and betweene this engrafted word , which is able to saue our soules . It is strange , what is reported D●… 〈◊〉 of Constantine the great in this kinde . . Eusebius writeth of him that when di●…ine seruice was said , he would helpe the minister to begin the praiers , and to read the verses of the Psalmes ●…changeably . And when there was a Sermon , if any place of speciall importance were alleadged , that he would turne his Bible , to imprint the place in his minde the better both by hearing & seeing it . He addeth besides , that the Emperour many times beeing as it were rauished with those things which he heard , rose vp sodainely out of his throne & chaire of estate , and would stand a long while to heare more diligently , and though they which were next him did put him in minde to remember himselfe , yet he heard the word so attentiuely , that he would not heare them . How wonder●…ully do's this confound vs , that are sarre inferiour euery way , when we heare and see that Emperours , and mightie Kings and Potentates of the world , shew such a good heart in hearing the word , & we in the meane time haue lumpish and dul spirits and affections , and are neuer a whit mooued ? Certainly ye honourable children of God , now Christ talketh with vs by the way , therefore let our hearts burne within vs : now Christ putteth his hand to the hole of the doore , therefore let our hearts be affectioned towards him : now our welbeloued speaketh , therefore let our soules melt : now the blessed virgin , yea a greater then the virgin , euen the virgins Sonne , saluteth vs , and wisheth vs all haile out of his word , therefore let the babe spring in our hearts for ioy : now the Almightie vttereth his voice , therefore let our wings fall downe , and let vs wholly submit our selues to be taught of God . Euen as Cornelius the Centurion thought when he heard Peter preach , that he stood not before a man , but before the Lord : and Constantine the Emperour could neuer satisfie himselfe with reuerent attention of his good heart to the word . Then indeede shall we be good ground as all they are which with a good , and a very good heart heare the word , and keepe it , and bring forth fruit with patience .

The second propertie of the good ground is this , that they keepe the word with a very good heart . In our English Corde bono & optimo . Vulga . translation it is read thus , with a good and an honest heart . But I follow the vulgar Latin , which readeth thus ; With a good and a very good heart . And I referre the good heart to hearing , the very good heart to keeping : As if the words stood thus ; Which with a good heart , heare the word , and with a very good heart keepe it , and bring forth fruit with patience . To the matter then : It is to no purpose that the seede be sowne , except it be couered in the earth . Neither that the word be heard , except it be kept . Therefore saith the Prophet , In my heart haue I hidde thy Psal. 119. word , that I may not sinne against thee . So that to keepe the word with a very good heart , is to hide and couer this holy seede in the fallow grounds of our heart , beeing plowed vp by the preaching of the Gospel . Whereupon the kingdom of heauen is likened to a tre●… sure hid in a field . And this very field i●… a faithfull heart , which keepeth and hideth in it selfe the word , which is the direct way to the kingdome of heauen . According to that of our Sauiour , Th●… kingdome of heauen is within you . Ye●… Matth. 13. 52. a faithfull heart , not onely is a sield wherein is a treasure , but also is it selfe a treasure , wherein are both old and new things . For euery Scribe which is taught vnto the kingdome of heauen , is like vnto a housholder , which bringeth forth out of his treasure things both new and old . His heart is filled with a treasure of comforts , gathered out of the olde and new Testament . The wise woman , by whome is meant the spouse Prov. 13. 52. of Christ , keepes her candle a light all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the night long . Clemens vnderstandeth this light to be the heart , and he calleth the meditations of holy men , candles . that neuer goe out . S. Austin writeth among the Pagans in the temple of Venus , there was a candle which was called , vnextinguishable : whether this be true or no of Venus temple it is vncerten , onely Austi●…s report we haue ●…or it : but without all doubt in euery faithfull hearer and keeper of the word , who is the temple of the holy Ghost , there is this candle or light that neuer goes out . For so we read , that the word Psal. 19. of the Lord illuminate●…h the heart : there 's the light . And that this light goes not out at any time , appeareth by that which is written else-where : O Psal. 119. Lord , how doe I loue thy statutes , they are my meditation continually ? In the old law those creatures onely were accompted cleane , which did chew the ●…ud . No otherwise shall we be accompted vncleane in the sight of God , if we chew not the cud as it were , and ruminate , and meditate of those things which we haue heard out of the word . For euen as it is not auaileable to eate , except the meate be inwardly digested and diuided to all the parts of the bodie : so hearing is vnprofitable , vnlesse the word heard be kept in minde and memorie , and shewed and set forth in all the parts of our life . Therefore they of Berraea were esteemed more noble Act. 17. 11. then they of Thessalonica , because they after Paul had preached to them , conferred among themselues , and searched the Scriptures , not onely to see whether the Apostles doctrine were warrantable by the word , but also to confirme their owne memorie , and to exercise their meditation in the Law of God . Now then ye holy ones of God , if we would be good ground indeede , as the Patriarch Iacob noted his sonne Iosephs Gen. 37. 11. dreames ; so let vs not onely heare , but also note the word . For this is proper to the child of God , to haue the law of his God in his heart . Not noted in writing tables , or written in tables of stone , but noted & written in the fleshie tables of the heart . And euen as the holy virgin kept all those sayings , and pondered Luk. 2. 19. them in her heart , which were by the Shepheards reported and published abroad concerning her sonne Iesus : in like manner they that are wise will heare , nay they will ponder and keepe those things which they haue heard , that so they may the better vnderstand the louing kindnesse of the Lord . Especially seeing those things which we heare are no dreames , but vnsearchable mysteries of our saluation : neither are we that publish and preach them , such shepheards as the Angel spake vnto , but we are appointed to watch ouer the flocke which Christ hath bought with his blood . Therefore if you would shew your selues to be good ground , your very good heart must be as a field that hath a treasure hid in it : yea it must be as a treasure it selfe that hath old and new things hid in it : it must be as a candle that neuer goes out : and as a cleane creature that neuer leaues chewing the cudde : euen as Iacob noted his sonnes dreames , and the blessed virgin kept the shepheards sayings and pondered them in her heart . For they onely are good ground which with a good , and a very good heart , heare the word , and keepe it , and bring forth fruit with patience .

The third propertie of the good ground is this , that they bring forth fruit with patience . Good ground is like a good tree . For indeede good ground will make a good tree . Now a good tree bringeth forth good fruit . And the blessed man which meditateth day and night in Gods law , is like a tree ●…sal 1. planted by the waters side , which bringeth forth his fruit in due season . So that it is not enough for the word to goe in at one eare , and out at the other , but it must goe in at both eares by reuerent and religious hearing , and settle deepely into the heart by faithfull and diligent keeping , and lastly goe out at both hands , by bringing forth fruit with patience . Simeon the son of Onias 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 1●… . was as a faire Oliue tree , that is fruitfull , and as a Cypres tree which groweth vp to the cloudes . A cypres tree is high , but barren : an oliue is fruitfull but low ▪ So a Christian , must not onely as a cypres tree , reach vp to the clouds by meditation of high mysteries in the word , but also he must as an oliue tree bring forth fruit with patience . Then he shal be like Simeon , neither low , nor barren . But though he be an oliue , yet he shall be as high as the cvpres tree : and though he be a cypresse yet he shall be as fruitfull as the oliue tree . Noah Gen. ●… . 16. is commanded to make a windowe in the toppe of the arke , and a doore in the side of it . A windowe is for the eie to look out , a doore is for the whole bodie to goe out . And in like manner he that would be good ground , must not onely make him a window for contemplation , as Daniel did , at which he prayed thrise a day , but also a doore for action , as Abraham did , at which he sate once a day . At the windowe of contemplation he must meditate , with a very good heart to keepe the word : at the doore of action he must go out to bring forth fruit with patience . The Lord also commanded Moses to make a lauer with 〈◊〉 3●… 18. a base or with a foote . Now the Latine word Labium signifies as well a lip , as a lauer . So that the lauer which washeth must haue a base : and the lip which vttereth great knowledge must haue a foote to walke according to it . Otherwise if knowledge doe not stand vpon doing and vpon fructifying as vpon a foot , then questioules it is footelesse , and so consequently it is bootelesse , and the lauer wanting a base is altogether vnprofitable . The Prophet Isaiah is willed to lift Esai . 58. 1. vp his voice like a trumpet . Many things sound lowder then a trumpet , as the sea , the thunder , and such like . Yet he saies not ; List vp thy voice as the sea , or lift vp thy voice as the thunder ; but lift vp thy voice as a trumpet . Why so ? Because a trumpeter when he sounds his trumpet , he windes it with his mouth , and holds it vp with his hand . And so euery faithfull heart , which is as it were a spirituall trumpet to sound out the praises of God ; must not onely report them with his mouth , but also support them with his hand . And then indeede holding vp the word of life with his hand , and bringing forth the fruit therof with patience , he shall lift vp his voice like a trumpet . The Patriarch Abraham buried Sarah in the caue of Ge●… . 23. 19. Macpelah , that is in a double sepulchre . He that buries his mind in knowledge onely , without any care of bringing forth fruit , he buries Sarah in a single sepulchre , as Philo Iudaeus doth allegorize vpon this storie ; but he that burieth his minde as well in the performance and practise of religion ( which is all in all ) as in the knowledge and vnderstanding of it , he buries Sarah in a double sepulchre . And so must all we doe , which are the true children of Abraham . For then with Abraham burying our spirit in a double sepulchre , we shal with Elizeus haue a double spirit . A spirit that heareth the word with a verie good heart , and with patience bringeth forth fruite . Neither is this addition ( with patience ) altogether to be omitted . For though a man cannot heare the word without patience , nor keepe the word without patience , yet patience is neuer so requisite , as in bringing forth fruit according to the word which we haue heard , and kept . Wherefore the holy Ghost saith ; Ye haue neede of Heb. 10. 36. patience , that after ye haue done the will of God , ye may receiue the promise . He saies not , After ye haue heard it with your eare , or kept it with your memorie : but after ye haue done the will of God , and brought forth the fruit thereof , yee may receiue the promise . For wherefore did not the stonie ground bring forth fruite , but onely for want of patience . They receiued the word with ioy , and seemed to haue verie good hearts for a time : but in time of temptation for want of patience they fell away . Wherefore did not the thorny ground bring forth fruit , but onely for want of patience ? After their departure wanting patience to digest their griefes they were choked with cares , and so brought forth no fruit . Therefore as a good field must endure many a cold frost & snow , and hard weather in the winter time ; before it can yeeld a fruitfull croppe in Summer : semblably ●…e that would be good ground , must possesse his soule in much patience and continually endure , yea euen manfully reiect all the motions of his flesh , all the allurements of the world , all the temptations of the deuill , whereby he may be hindred from bringing forth the fruit of good life , according to the holy will and word of God . He must like a good tree , bring forth good fruite he must with Simeon be not onely high as the cypresse , but also fruitfull as the oliue : he must with Noah make him , not only a windowe for contemplation , but also a doore for action : he must with Moses , make him a lauer with a base : he must with Esay lift vp his voice like a trumpet ; he must with Abraham bury Sarah in a double sepulchre : in one word he must alwaies bring forth fruit with patience . For they onely are good ground which with a good , and a verie good heart heare the word , and keep it , and bring forth fruit with patience .

To conclude then , It is not greatly needefull to exhort you with a good heart to heare the word . Neuer heretofore such diligent hearing in the Court , as now a dayes . I dare be bold to say it ; All the preachers in England , in verie many yeares by all their exhortations , could neuer haue done halfe so much good in this kind , as the one onely , holy , and happy example hath done , which we see euery day before our eies . Neither need ye be greatly put in mind to keepe in mind the word heard . Memorie ye haue enough , vnderstanding enough , knowledge enough , learning enough : When you haue heard a Sermon , you can remember and repeat , and carrie away , and keepe much of it . But this , this is the thing which I must ●…all vpon my selfe , and vpon all you to thinke of , to wit , that we bring forth the fruit of the word in patience , in temperance , and in all other vertues of a sanctified life . For that Samaritan Woman did not fill her pitcher at the well , ●…o spill it by the way , but to carrie it home full of water , and there to vse it as occasion seru'd . Here where the word is preached , is the well of liuing water , flowing forth to eternall life . But this water we must carrie away with vs , and keepe it to wash and purge our consciences , to clense our wayes , to water the roots of Gods graces in vs continually , that we may bring forth fruit with patience . Rachel also , that other holy woman , did not desire the mandrakes so much to hold it in her hand , or to smell ●…o it , as to be made apt thereby 〈◊〉 bring forth the fruite of her wombe . To teach vs , that we must not labour so much to knowe the word , that we may subtilly dispute or discourse of it , as to practise it that we may shewe the fruite of it in the amendment of our liues . Therefore king Dauid beeing readie to redresse diuers things among his people , saith in one of the Psalmes ; O Lord , teach me goodnesse , and knowledge : knowledge , that I may keepe thy word ; and goodnesse that I may shewe the fruit of it . For I am sure , saies he , that al my keeping without fructifying , all my knowledge without goodnesse , is to no purpose . Wherefore , ó Lord , giue me goodnesse and knowledge . But first goodnesse , and then knowledge . Because indeede a little goodnesse , though it be neuer so small , is better then all knowledge , though neuer so great . One handfull of goodnesse is worth an hundred headfulls of knowledge . For the feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome , a good vnderstanding haue all they that doe thereafter , the praise of it 〈◊〉 sor euer . A good vnderstand●…ng 〈◊〉 all they that doe thereafter . Why so ? Because an ill vnderstanding haue all they that doe not thereafter . They that haue vnderstanding , and doe not thereafter , that is , bring not forth fruit according to it , they haue an ill vnderstanding . But they that haue vnderstanding , and do therafter , & lead their lise according to it , such haue a good vnderstanding . The praise of these shal endure for euer . O how highly shall Christ praise you , how richly shall he reward you , if you haue a conscionable care to expresse his vertues , & to be transformed as it were into the obedience of his word ? Then he shall say vnto you ; Come ye blessed of my Father , inherit the kingdome of heauen . For ye haue not onely heard my word , and kept it as farre as knowledge goes , but also ye haue practised it , and fructified thereby . I was in prison , and ye visited me ; I was harbourlesse , and ye lodged me ; I was hungry , and ye gaue me meate . These and such other haue beene the good fruites , which haue followed your hearing and keeping of my word . Therefore now ye shall be praised for your weldoing , and for euer ye shall be blessed for your fruit-bearing . Which God graunt to vs all for Iesus Christ his sake , to whom with the Father , and the holy Ghost , be all honour and glorie , power and praise , dignitie and dominion , now and euermore . Amen .

FINIS .
A FVNERALL SERMON PREACHED in S. Maries . May 10. 1605. Psal. 32. 6. Surely in the flood of many waters they shall not come neere him .

THe principall scope os the Prophet in this place is to prooue , that the righteousnesse , and so the blessednesse of man , consisteth onely in the free forgiuenes of his sinnes , and gratious imputation of Christs merits . His argument may be framed thus ; That which the whole Church and euery godly man therein hath euer especially praied for in all afflictions and troubles , that is happinesse : But for remission of sinnes euery godly man will ●…ray in time of tribulation : Therefore this is the felicitie of the faithfull . To confirme this reason more fully he setteth downe , first , the circumstances going before the prayer ; For this shall euery one that is godly make his prayer vnto thee in a time when thou maist be found . Then , the forme of the prayer it selfe ; Thou art a place to hide me in , thou shalt preserue me from trouble , thou shalt compasse me about with ●…ongs of deliuerance . Lastly , the effect following the prayer ; Surely in the flood of many waters they shall not come neere him .

Prayer is the true sacrifice of faith . The efficacie whereof is briefly , but pithily set downe to the Hebrewes . And I haue spoken els-where somewhat largely of this point . Now but a word onely to make a fit entrance into this sermon . Take it therefore thus . The effocts of prayer heretofore haue beene wonderfull . Prayer hath fet down hailestones from heauen , to ouercome fiue Kings with their armies . Prayer hath shut vp the windowes of heauen that it should not raine , and againe hath opened them that the earth might giue her encrease . Prayer hath staied the swist course of the sunne , and caused it to go backward fifteene degrees . Prayer hath held Gods hands that he could not strike when he was readie to plague his people . Prayer without any other helpe or meanes hath throwne downe the strong walls of Iericho . Prayer hath deuided the sea , that the floods thereof could not come neere the Israelites . In this place it deliuereth the faithful man from all the dangers of this world . Surely in the flood of many waters they shall not come neere him .

The summe is this ; That no calamities of this world , no troubles of this life , no terrours of death , no guiltines of sinne , can be so great , but that a godly man by meanes of his faith and felicitie in Christ , shall wade out of them well inough . For howsoeuer other things goe , still he shall haue such a solace in his soule , such a comfort in his conscience , such a heauen in his heart , knowing himselfe reconciled to God , and iustified by faith , that Surely in the flood of many waters they shall not come neere him .

Which , that it may the better appeare , I shall desire you to obserue two things . The danger : the deliuerance . The danger is in these words ; In the flood of many waters . Where the tribulations that the godly man is subiect to in this life , are likened , First to waters : then to many waters : thirdly , to a flood of many waters ; In the flood of many waters . The deliuerance is in these words ; Surely they shall not come neare him . Where the deliuerance of the godly man hath three degrees also . First they shall not come neare : secondly him , they shall not come neare him : then Surely , surely they shall not come neere him . Surely in the flood of many waters , they shall not come neere him .

First , the asflictions of the faithful are likened to waters . Fire and water haue no mercy we say . But of the two water is the worst . For any fire may be quenched with water , but the force of water , if it begins to be violent , can not by any power of man be resisted . Canutus who was King of England , Scotland , Denmarke , 〈◊〉 lib. 7. Norway , and a great part of Suevia all at once , sitting at a low water vpon the Thames shoare , commanded the water not to come neare him . But notwithstanding his commandement , the water returning and flowing againe , as that in Ezekiel which came to the ankles , ●…zek . ●…7 . 2. then to the knees , and yet higher to the necke , so neuer left rising till it came vp neere him and wet him . Then turning about to his noble men that were there attendant on him , he said , You call me your Soueraigne Lord and Master , and yet I can not command this little channell of water , to keepe aloose osf from me . Whereupon he went immediatly to Westminster , and with his owne hands s●…t his Crowne vpon the Crucifix there , and could neuer be perswaded after to weare i●… vpon his owne head . This experience that Canutus so mightie a King made , doth directly prooue , that no man but God onely can set barres and doores against the water , Iob. 38. ●…1 . and say ; Hitherto shalt thou come , but no further , and here shalt thou stay thy proud waues . The afslictions of the righteous therefore beeing here compared to waters , must needes be very violent . For thus the Psalmist saith , Psal. 88. 8. Thine indignation lieth hard on me , and thou hast vexed me with all thy waues . And God himselfe ; I will powre out my wrath vpon thee , as water . So that the securitie and selicitie of the faithfull man is inuincible . He may be often in daunger of tribulations as of 〈◊〉 . 5. 10. great waues or waters , but they shall neuer ouerwhelme him ; Surely in the flood os many waters they shall not come neere him .

But these our tribulations which are waters , are also many waters . Our common prouerb is , Seldome comes sorrow alone . But as waters come rouling and wauing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ther : so the miseries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prophet Ezekiel saw the roul●… 〈◊〉 written with in and withou●… , and there was written therein , Lamentations , and singing , and woe . This booke is written within and without , to shew that many are the troubles of the righteous , both outward and inward . And it is two to one if any thing befall vs , it is rather an ill happe , then a good happe . Seeing for one singing , there is in the booke a double sorrowing , lamentations , and woe . Or if it be read as some translate it ; Lamentations , Et scriptur●… in eo erat lamentationum , 〈◊〉 carminis , & 〈◊〉 . Trem●…ll . and mourning , and woe , then it is yet more plaine , that in this world many troubles as many waters come one in the necke of an other , no earthly ioy or comfort comming betweene . This the good King greatly complaineth Psal. 42. 7. of , One deepe calleth an other because of the noise of the water pipes , all thy floods and stormes haue gone ouer me . And Iob , He hath giuen me one Iob. 16. 14. wound vpon another , and he hath runne vpon me as a gyant . And Saint Paul though in one place he write God Philip. 2. 37. shewed mercie 〈◊〉 him , that he should not haue 〈◊〉 vpon sorow , yet oftentimes els●… 〈◊〉 speaketh of his owne manifo●…d daungers . I soffered ●… . 〈◊〉 . 1●… . 26 thrice shipwracke , saies he : night and day haue I bin in the deepe sea . In iourneying I was often , in perills of waters in perills of robbers , in perills of mine owne nation , in perills among the Gentiles , in perills in the citie , in perills in the wildernesse , in perills in the sea , in perills among false brethren . Thus we see how many waters the godly man is subiect to in this life . For one ioy he hath at the least two sorowes , if he haue no more : one deepe calleth an other : one wound bringeth another : he hath sorow vpon sorow : perills vpon perills , Many waters : many dangers . Neuerthelesse , Surely in the flood of many waters , they shall not come neare him .

Thirdly , the dangers of this life , are as a ●…lood . The very naming and mentioning of a flood must needes be very terrible , euer since Noahs flood destroyed the whole world . For euen as a horse or a mule of whom the Prophet a little after speaketh in this Psalm . hauing beene once well lashed with a whippe , doth euer after feare if he heare but the bell which is tied to the 〈◊〉 so man since the world was so well scoured and scourged with a flood , could neuer almost abide either to talke or thinke of it . Now though our whole life be nothing else but a flood of many waters , yet nothing in the world may more fitly be so called , then our going out of the world . This indeede bringeth with it a ●…lood of many waters , and an Ocean sea of infinite cares . Aristotle writeth that nothing is so terrible as death , which Antiochus feeling sensibly in himselfe , crieth out thus , Oh into 1. Mat. ●… . 11. what aduersitie am I come , and into what floods of miserie am I now fallen ? He addeth the reason anon after ; For I must die with great sorrow in a strange land . What speake I of a wicked tyrant ? Holy men often are in great perplexitie at the time of their departure . S. Hieron 〈◊〉 . in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . writeth of Hilarion , that being ready to giue vp the ghost , he said thus to his soule ; Go forth my soule , why fearest thou ? go forth , why tremblest thou ? Thou hast serued Christ almost these threescore and ten yeares , and dost thou now feare death ? Christ himselfe also feeling that he was compassed about with the sorrowes of death , beganne to be afraid , and to be in great heauinesse , and he said moreouer , My soule is very Mark . 14. 33. heauie euen to the death . I know well Christ was afraid without sinne , nay with great comfort . For he prayeth thus , Not as I will , but as thou wil●… . And againe , Into thy hands I commit my spirit . This then was his comfort , that the Iewes could do nothing in putting him to death , but as S. Peter testifieth , that onely which his father both by his counsell and will had decreed , and by his hand had ordained . Hilarion also that holy antient Father comforteth himselfe with this , that he had serued Christ almost seauentie yeares . Other children of God haue had other comforts , and all haue this , that both in life and in death they are happie in Christ . Howbeit seeing many holy Christians , and euen Christ himselfe feared death , it remaineth that death simply and in it selfe considered , is a flood of many waters . But yet the faithfull man euen in death is out of all danger . Surely in the floods of many waters , they shall not come neere him .

Thus much for the first part which is the danger ; In the flood of many waters . The second part followeth , which is the deliuerance ; Surely , they shall not come neere him .

First , they shall not come neere . They , that is , The waters shal not come neere . The holy Church and euery member thereof is likened to a house built vpon a rocke . Vpon which though the winds blow , and the floods Matth. 7. 25. beate , yet it can not be throwne down , because it is built vpon a rocke . So that the floods which shake it , can neuer come neere it to ouerthrowe it . The same may be said of the ship couered with waters . It might well floate , but it could neuer be drowned . For as soone as the Disciples cryed vpon Christ to Matth. 8. 24. saue them , presently there followed a great calme . Therefore Luther when his life was sought of all the world in a manner , translated the Psalme Deus noster refugium , into dumb meerer , and Psal. 46. 1. caused it to be sung in all the reformed churches . God is our hope a●…d strength a very present helpe in trouble . Therefore will we not feare though the earth be mooned , and though the hills be●… caried into the midst of the sea . Though the waues thereo●… rage and s●…ell : and though the mountaines shake at the tempest of the same . ●… . Peter the Apostle began to sincke , but he sunke not right downe . Christ was readie at hand to helpe him . For as soone as he sawe himselfe in present perill and danger , forth with he cryed , Master saue me . Saue me O God : for the waters are com ●… . 〈◊〉 1. a●…d 1●… . in euen vnto my soule . I sti●…ke ●…ast in the deepe mire where no ground i●… ; I am come into deepe waters , so that the floods runne ouer me . Take me out of the mire that I sinke not , and out of the deepe waters . Let not the water flood drown me , neither let the deep swall●…w me vp : & let not the pit th●…t her mouth vpon me . S. Paul likewise suffered shipwrack , A 〈◊〉 . but lost not by it one haire of his head . Wherby we may s●…e the abs●…rdity of the Papists . They would prooue that iustifying grace may be lost , because some haue made shipwracke of faith . But if we should graunt them that the Apostle speaketh of iustifying not of 1. Tim. ●… . 19. historical faith , yet we haue the helpe of a second answer . To wit , that shipwrack is one thing , and drowning an other . Therefore faith which is wrackt is not by and by drowned . For it may happen to suffer shipwracke as S. Paul did , and swimme out safe to the shore . But this is but a touch by the way . Meane season we see how safe and secure the faithfull man is in Christ . He is a house to which the floods may come neere to shake it , but neuer to throwe it downe , he is a ship , which the waues may come neere to tosse it , but neuer to turne it ouer : euen as Saint Peter began to sinke , but still kept vp his head : and Saint Paul suffred shippewracke , but was not a haire the worse for it . Surly in the flood of many waters , they shall not come neere him .

Secondly , him . They shall not come neere him . This word must in no case be omitted . It helpeth vs to answer a verie strong obiection . For it may be said , Many holy men haue lost their goods , haue suffered great torments in their bodie , haue beene troubled also in minde ; how then did not the floods of many waters come neere them ? The word Him helpes vs to answer . The verie Philosophers themselues reckoned their goods pertained no more to them , then be it spoken with reuerence and regard , the parings of their nailes . Zenon hearing newes he had lost all he had by sea , said onely thus ; Thou hast 〈◊〉 facis 〈◊〉 cum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 compel●… . done very well Fortune to leaue me nothing but my cloake . An other called Anaxarchus , when as Nicocreon the tyrant commanded he should be beaten to death in a mortar , spake thus to the executioner ; Beate and bray as long as thou wilt Anaxarchus his bagge or sachell ( so he called his owne bodie ) but Anaxarchus thou canst not touch . Yet these making so smal reckoning of their goods and bodie , set their minde notwithstanding at a high rate . The minde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est 〈◊〉 . of a man , is himselfe , say they . Hence it is that Iulius Caesar , when Amyclas the Pilot was greatly afraid of the tempest , spake to him thus , What meanest thou to feare base fellow , dost thou not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . k●…ow thou cariest Caesar with thee ? As if he should say , Caesars bodie may well be drowned , as any other mans may , but his minde , his magnanimitie , his valour , his fortitude , can neuer be 〈◊〉 . Thus farre went Philosophie : But Diuinitie goeth a degree further . For Philosophie defineth Him , that is a man , by his reason and the morall 〈◊〉 of the minde ; But Diuinitie desineth a Christian man by his faith and his coniunction thereby with Christ . Excellently saith Saint Austin : 〈◊〉 . 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . When e com's it that the soule dieth ? Because faith is not in it . Whence that the bodie dieth ? Because a soule is not in it . Therefore the soale of thy soule is faith . So that if we would knowe what is a faithfull man , we must define Him , not by his naturall soule , as he is resonable , but by the soule of his soule , which i●… his ●…aith . And then we easily answer the 〈◊〉 , that a 〈◊〉 may come ●…eere a faithfull mans goods , neere his 〈◊〉 , neere his reasonable soule , but ●…o his saith , that is to Him , it can neuer come neere . For if you speake of the life and essence of him , that it is faith , the Prophet also witnesseth , The iust Abacu●…k . shall liue by faith . And the Apostle , Gal. 2. 20. Now I liue not , but Christ liueth in me , but that I liue , I liue by faith in the sonne of God , who loued me ; and gaue himselfe for me . And he that was wiser then all the Philosophers determineth this doubt thus ; The summe of the matter when you haue heard all is 〈◊〉 . 12. 23. this : ●…eare God , and keepe his commandements ; for this is all of man . All of man , what 's that . All of man which will hold out against all floods of many waters . For the goods of man may be gotten away by ●…orged cauillation : the bodie of man may be weakened by sickenesse : the soule of man and the fae●…lties thereof , as memorie , witte , and such like , may be impaired by age , but saith in Christ , the feare of God , a care to keepe his commaundements , is all of man , which no 〈◊〉 , either in life or in death can ouer whelme . All of man wherein man ought to imploy himselfe while he is aliue , and without which , man is but vanitie when he is dead , but with which , man both in life and death is most blessed . For if this be the summe of all , then of any thing but this there is no reckoning at all to be made . I haue praied for thee , saith our Sauiour , that Matth. 16. 〈◊〉 . thy faith should not faile , and the gates of hell shall not preuaile against thee . For loue is strong as death : iealously is 〈◊〉 . 8. 7. cruell as the graue : the coales thereof are fierie coales , and a vehement flame . Much water cannot quench loue , neither can the floods drowne it . Euen as Paul also glorieth , that nothing can separate 〈◊〉 . 8. him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus . Wherefore seeing the godly man is so inuincible , that neither the gates of hell , nor the flood-gates of many waters , can preuaile against him ; Surely in the flood of many waters , they shall not come neere him .

In the last place must be considered the asseueration , Surely . For if both liuing and dying my 〈◊〉 be most certai●…e in Christ , and yet I know not so much , what comfort can I gather thereby ? Now in all aduersities this is my greatest ioy , that the fauour of God which is most constant in it selfe , is fully assured also to me . For , I know that my redeemer liueth . And if I be iudged , I know I shall be found righteous . And I know whome I haue beleeued , and I am sure . In one word , I am Surely perswaded , that neither life nor death , nor any thing els can separate vs from Christ . Rom. 8. 37. Nay in all the flood of waters we shall be more then conquerours . They shall not come neere to conquer vs . But rather we shall conquer them . Yea that which is strangest of all , Surely we shall be more then conquerers ouer them . Though an hoast of men were laid against me , yet shall not my heart be afraid : and though there rose vp warre Psal. 27. 3. against me , yet will I put my trust in it . Not in him , as it is ill translated in the English , but in it ; that is , In the very warre it selfe . I will not feare . Nay I will be of good hope . Yea Surely in the very warre will I hope and trust . For euen as a building made arch-wise , the more waight is laide vpon it , the more strong still it is : so the more force and strength is brought against me , the greater triumph & victorie I shall haue . Therefore I will not be afraid of tenne Psal. 3. 7. thousand of the people , that haue se●… themselues against me round about . For a thousand of them shall 〈◊〉 at my side , and ten thousand at my right hand , but they shall not come neere me . The Arke in the 〈◊〉 was not drow●…ed , as Gen. 7. 18. other things were , but floated vpon the waters . Yea the higher the waters encreased , the higher Surely for that did the Arke still arise . Likewise the redde ●…ea did not hinder the Israelites passage , 〈◊〉 . 1●… 22. but opened an easie way to them . Yea Surely it was morcouer as a wall to backe them against all their enemies . The wordes o Saint Iames are ver●…e 〈◊〉 . 1. 2. plaine , My brethren , count it exceeding ●…oy when you fall into diuers temptations . Tenta●…ion of it selfe doth vexe and disquiet a man . But to the godly it is a ioy . As we read els where , That they ●…vhich are iustisied by 〈◊〉 haue peace , nay , haue easie accesse to God , and great ioy in tribulations . But the Apostle adding , that this ioy is not common Ro●… . 5. or ordinarie , but Surely exceeding ioy , raiseth vp the ampli●…ication as high as may be . Whereunto . S. Paul also accordeth ; 2. Cor. 4. 9. We are af●…licted on euery side , yet we are not in distresse : in pouertie , but not ouercome of pouertie , we are persecuted , but not forsaken ; cast down , but we perish not . Here he prooueth directly , that the flood commeth not neere the faithfull . But where is the Surely ? It followeth in the same epistle ; As dying , and behold we liue : as chastened , and yet not killed : as sorrowing , and yet alwaies re●…oycing ▪ as poore , and 2. 〈◊〉 . 6. 1●… . yet making many rich : as hauing nothing , and yet possessing all things . O the securi●…ie and felici●…ie of the faithfull ! For his faith maketh life of death : ioy of sorrowe : riches of pouertie . What shall I say more ? or what would you haue me say more , then as the Apostle saies ? It makes all things of nothing . As hauing nothing saies he , and yet p●…ss ssi g all thing●… . But the special thing to be noted in this sentence is , As dying , and Behold we liue . For they import , that death is no death , but As it were death , an image , or a shadowe of death : beeing indeede life , and Surely a better life and more immortall then we had here . Therefore he saies , Behold we liue , to shewe that by death the faithfull liue a life wherein there is some great specialty and excellency worthy indeed to be beholded & regarded . As if he should say ; Behold we liue , Behold we liue a more happy life , then euer we liued in our life . S. Augustin often commendeth the saying Non ita ●…ixi inter vo●… , vt ●…e pudeat viuere : nec mori ti●…eo , quia bonum dominum habemus . Pontius in fine vitae ●…ius of his master S. Ambrose when he was readie to die . Speaking to Stilico and others about his bed ; I haue not liued so among you , saith he , that I am ashamed to liue longer if it please God : and yet again I am not afraid to die , because we haue a good Lord . He doth not say , Mine owne goodnesse puts me out of feare , but Gods goodnesse . This goodnesse of God makes me quiet in my conscience , and secure in soule , readie to embrace death whensoeuer it commeth . Wherefore Surely is fitly added . For afflictions as waters doe not ouercome the faithfull . Nay they come not neere him . But contrariwise the faithfull conquereth afflictions . Yea Surely he is in them all more then a conquerour . In warre he is not afraid . Rather he greatly hopeth . And Surely euen in the verie warre he hopeth . The flood of waters commeth not neere to drowne the Arke , but lift it vp . And so much the higher Surely the arke still riseth , as the flood riseth . The sea staieth not the Israelites passage . It is a dry land for them to march on . As a wall moreouer to backe them Surely against all their enemies . Tentation not onely is no matter of sorrowe , but also on the other side of ioy , & Surely of great ioy . Death is no death , but a life , and Surely such a life , as onely of it we may say , Behold we liue . So happie both in life and death is the faithfull man ; Surely in the flood of many waters , they shall not come neere him .

To conclude then ; No calamitie or aduersitie can possibly disseuer that coniunction which faith maketh of euery godly man with Christ . For feeling the remission of his sinnes assured and sealed vnto him , he contemneth not onely the works of the world , and dismaiments of his conscience , but euen the very feares and terrours of death . This our deare brother M. Edward Liuely , who now resteth in the Lord , lead a life which in a manner was nothing els but a continuall flood of many waters . Neuer out os suits of law , neuer-ceasing disquieters of his studie . His goods distrained , and his ca●…tell driuen off his ground , as Iobs was . His deare wife beeing not so well able to beare so great a flood as he , euen for very sorrow presently died . A lamentable and ruefull case . So many children to hang vpon his hand , for which he had neuer main●…enance , neither yet now had stay , his wife beeing gone . Well , but that sorrowfull time was blowne ouer . He was appointed to be one of the chiefest translators . And as soone as it was knowne how farre in this trauaile he did more then any of the rest , he was ver●…e well prouided for in respect of liuing . For which my L. his Grace of Canterbury now liuing , is much to b●… reuerenced and honoured . But beeins so well to passe both for himselfe an●… for his children , sodainely he fell sicke . He was taken with an ague & a squinsey both together . And the more vsuall that was , the lesse dangerous was this accompted , but the euent shewes the contrarie . For the squinsey beeing both by himselfe and his friends no greatly regarded , within foure dayes tooke away his life . These were many waters and diuerse tribulatio●…s . Besides a thousand more , which I cannot now stand to repeate . Ye●… he carried himselfe so in life and death , as these waters seemed not once to come neere him . He was professour of the Hebrewe tongue in this Vniuersitie thirty yeares . ( As his father in law D. Larkyn bad beene professour of Phisick siue or sixe and thirty yeares . ) Which tongue , howsoeuer some account of it , yet ought to bee preferred before all the rest . For it is the antienst , the shortest , the plainest of all . A great part of wisdome , as Plato sheweth , is in the knowledge In Cratylo . of true Etymologies . These in other tongues are vncertaine , in this taken out of the naturall qualities of euery thing that is named . In so much as when any man hath found the Hebrewe Etymologie , then he neede seeke no forther . Besides , all the Scripture written before the birth of Christ , except a fewe chapters of Daniel and Ezra , were written in Hebrewe . And the Rabbins themselues , though they haue no small number of fables and lies in them , yet diuerse things they haue notwithstanding fit for the opening of the old Testament . Therefore though a man cannot reade the Rabbins , yet vnlesse he can vnderstand handsomely well the Hebrew text , he is compted but a maimed , or as it were but halfe a Diuine , especially in this learned age . Lastly , diuerse learned men are of opinion , to whome I very willingly assent , that the holy tongue which was spoken in paradise , shal be eternally vsed in the heauenly paradise , where the Saints shall euer extoll and praise God . But this worthy professour deceased , got him great credit , as well by the continuance , as by the holinesse of his profession . For he was not a professour for one or two yeares , as others are , but full thirtie In ●…tio pag. 444. yeares together . Nathan Cytraeus writeth , that in Prage an Vniuersitie of Bohemia , where Iohn Hus and Hicrome of Prage professed , that they that haue continued professours for the space of 20. yeares together , are created Earles and Dukes both together . And therefore their style is to be called Illustres , whereas they which are singly and simply but onely either Earles or Dukes are called Spectabiles . Neither maketh it any matter that they haue no reuenewes , to maintaine Earldomes or Dukedomes . For they haue the title notwithstanding euen as Suffragans haue of Bishops . Our good brother hauing no such profit or dignitie propounded vnto him , but contenting himselfe with his stipend , spent halfe his life in this place . For he was vpon threescore yeares old when he died . He wrote a book of Annotations vpon the first fiue small Prophets , dedicated to that great pa●…ron of learning and learned men , Sir Francis Walsingham . Wherein diuers speeches and phrases of the Prophets are compared with the like in Poets and Oratours both Greek and Latin , and many notes neither vnpleasant nor vnprofitable to be read , are set out of the Rabbins . But in mine opinion he took greatest pains in his Chronologie , which he dedicated to Doctor Iohn Whitgift the reuerend late Archbishop of Canterbury . This booke indeede is full of hidden learning , and sheweth infinite reading in stories . I asked him within this little while , whether he had written no more bookes . He tould me he had , but printed no more , because he had no time to peruse and per 〈◊〉 them for other businesse . Now by busines he meant , I weene especially his studie & care to performe well his taske in the translation . Wherin how excellently he was imploved , all they can witnes who were ioyned with him in that labour . For though they be the very slower of the Vniuersitie for knowledge of the tongues , yet they will not be ashamed to confesse , that no one man of their companie , if not by other respects , yet at leastwise for long experience and exercise in this kind , was to be compared with him . For indeede he was so desirous that this busines begunne by the commandement of our most gratious Soueraigne King Iames , should be brought to a happie ende , that oftentimes in many mens hearings , he protested he had rather die , then be any way negligent herein . Which as some thinke by all likelihood came indeede so to passe . To wit , that too earnest studie and paines about the translation , hastened his death , and brought it on sooner . Now as he liued so , in his profession , in his writings , in his translating , as though all the floods of many waters had neuer comn' neare him : euen so also he died . During the short time of his sicknes , he caried himselfe , as alwaies before , humbly , mildly , quietly , constantly . One of his louing friends standing by his bed , and saying ; M. Liuely , I pray God you may haue patience , and hope , and especially faith vnto the ende . He lifting vp his hands said heartily and cheerefully , Amen . Little he vsed to speake , and more he could not say , for the paine and impediment of his squinsey . Which though it made a speedie ende of him , as the apoplexie did of the good Emperour Valentinian , yet how could any death be sodaine to him , whose whole life was nothing els but a meditation of death , and whome the Lord whensoeuer he came , might finde doing his dutie ? Wherefore no reason we should lament his departure out of this world . He liued blessedly , he died blessedly in the Lord . Rather , you Reuerend and learned Vniuersitie-men , lament for this , that you haue lost so famous a Professour , and so worthie a writer . Lament you translatours , beeing now depriued of him , who no lesse by his owne merit and desert , then by the priuiledge of his place , was to order and ouersee all your trauailes . Lament you poore orphans , eleuen poore children of you , which he left behind him , as Christ ascending left eleuen Disciples , bereaued of your kinde and deare Father , destitute of necessaries for your maintenance , to seeke of all helpe and meanes , but onely ( as poore folkes vse to speake ) such as God and good friends shall prouide . Lament , lament all of you , of the towne as well as of the Vniversitie , because our Schoole hath lost such a singular ornament of this age , because our Churches haue lost such a faithfull and syncere s●…ruant of Christ . Questionlesse , as it should seeme by the taking away of this man , almightie God is greatly angrie with vs all for our sinnes . Christ Iesus our Master as though he meant no more to care for vs , seemeth to lie fast asleepe in the ship , while we most miserably in the flood of many waters are turmoiled and tossed . Wherfore let vs in time crie aloud , and awake him with our praiers . Or rather indeede he is not asleepe , but awake alreadie . We haue awaked him , not with our praiers , but with our sinnes . Our sinnes haue cried vp to heauen . And the Lord beeing awaked , as a gyant comes forth against vs , and as a mighty man refreshed with wine . For not onely those are waters which are in the chanell , or in the sea , but as waters are here vnderstood , euen those fires are waters , those fires I say , which very lately awaked vs at midnight , & affrighted vs at noone day : which raged on the South side , and anon after on the North side o●… the towne . It was but a fewe mens losse , but it was all mens The plagu●… , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 warning . And what ? shall we make nothing of this , that one kind of disease deuoureth vp the townesmen , an other the schollers ? This is now the tenth course of schollers , which within this moneth hath beene brought forth to buriall , not one of them dying of the plague , whereas heretofore if one or two scholers haue died in a whole yeare out of all Colledges , it hath beene accompted a great matter . This and such like grieuous iudgements , beloued , doe plainely declare , that the Lord beeing awaked with the cry of our sinnes , is grieuously displeased and offended at vs . Wherefore let vs yet now at the length in the name of God , rowfe vp our selues , and awake out of our deadly sinnes . Let this that our holy brother did so sodainly in a manner , fall asleepe , be a loud O yes , as it were to awake vs all . Let euery one of vs , amend one , iudge one , accuse one , condemne one , that we be not all condemned of the Lord . Let euery one of vs I beseech you crie vp to heauen for mercie , and say with Dauid , I haue sinned and done wickedly . Or with Ionas ; Take me , for I knowe that for my sake this great tempest is vpon you . Then our most mercifull father shall blesse vs all , as he hath done this holy Saint , both in our life and in our death , by the pardoning of our offences , & couering all our sinnes , with the bowells and blood of Christ . And though in this world we be euer subiect to a flood of many waters , yet he shall drawe vs still out of many waters , as hee did Moses . Surely in the floode of many waters , no more then they did to Ionas , they shall not come neare vs . Neither onely shall we be safe in the flood of death , but also in the flood of the day of iudgement . For that also is a flood , and a terrible fearefull one too . To wit , not of water , but of fire . As it was in the dayes of Noah : so shall it be at the comming of the sonne of man . In the first flood they which had not an arke , ranne vp to the toppes of houses , to the tops of trees , to the toppes of mountaines ; because they desired to hold vp their heads aboue the still rising raging water . In the second , they which are not found in Christ , shall say to the mountaines , Fall vpon vs : and to the caues , Couer vs , and hide vs from the wrath of the Lambe . Then they shall be glad to creepe into euery hold and corner , that they may auoide the burning of fire . But we that confesse our sinnes , and forsake the fame , shall lift our heads to no other mountain , but tò Christ from whome commeth our saluation : we shall desire to be couered with no other rocke , but onely with that out of which came the blood and water of life . For neuer did Noahs flood so cleane wash away all wicked men from the face of the earth , as the blood of Christ shall purge vs from all our sinnes , and present vs blamelesse before the face of our father , onely if we be faithfull vnto death . For then the next thing is felicitie , and the crowne of life . Which God for his mercie sake graunt vs all , that as we make no doubt , but this our holy brother now triumpheth with Christ , so all and euery one of vs , after we haue waded through this world as a flood of many waters , may inherit that kingdome of glorie , which our louing Lord Iesus hath purchased for vs with his deare blood : to whom with the Father , and the Holy Ghost , be all honour and glorie , now and euermore : Amen .

FINIS .
A SERMON PREACHED AT WHITEhall before the King on tewsday after Lo Sunday . 1604. 2. Cor. 3. 18. But all we , with open face , behold as in a glasse the glorie of the Lord , and are transformed into the same image , from glorie to glorie , as by the spirit of the Lord .

THe old Testament , and the new Testament , in summe and substance , are all one . Christ Iesus the very summe & substance of them both in himselfe is one and the same , yesterday , Heb. 13. 8. and to day , and for euer . Those mysticall wheeles , which Ezekiel a a Ezeck. 1. 16. sees in a vision : are one within an other . After the same sort , there is gospell in the lawe , and there is lawe in the gospell . One wheele is within another : one testament is within another . For neither is the lawe so full of threatenings , but that it hath some comforts in it : neither is the gospell so full of comforts , but that it hath some threatenings in it . So that the lawe , is nothing else but a threatning gospell ; and the gospel , is nothing els , but a comfortable lawe . The two cherubims b b Exo. 25. 20. , which shadowe the merey-seat , haue their faces one toward another . In like manner , the two testaments which shadowe out Christ the true mercy-seat vnto vs , haue their faces one toward another . For the old testament looketh forward toward the newe , which is come : and the newe testament looketh backeward , toward the old , which is past . Those glorious seraphims c c 〈◊〉 . 6. 3. which sing , Holy , Holy Holy , do call to one another . So the lawe and the gospell , lauding him alone , which is the holy one of God , doe call to one another . Behold the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world . There , the lawe calls to the gospell , when Iohn commends Christ . Among them that haue beene borne of women , there hath not risen a greater , then the Baptist. Here on th' other side , the gospell calls to the lawe , when Christ commends Iohn . Whereupon also commending his spouse d d Cant. 4. 5. , he saies , Thy two breasts are like two young roes , that are twins , feeding among the lillies . The two breasts of the church are the two testaments ; out of which we that are the children of the church , suck the pure milke of the word of God . These testaments feede among the lillies . Because they treate and discourse especially of Christ , who saies , I am the lilly of the valleyes . These testaments also are like two young roes , that are twins . Because twins , ( as we reade of Hippocrates t●…ins ) when they goe , they goe together , when they feede , they feede together . And after the same fashion , the two testaments , beeing the two breasts of the church , go together , and feede together , like two young roes that are twins , feeding among the lillies . The Prophet Zacharie e e 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 11. sees in a vision , two oliue trees , which thorough two golden pipes , emptie themselues into the golden candlesticke . This golden candlesticke , shining continually , and giuing light to uery one that came into the tabernacle , was a figure of that light , which lighteneth euery one that commeth into the world . And euen as the light of that candlesticke , was alwaies maintained onely with the oyle , which dropping from the oliue trees , and distilling thorough the golden pipes , was conueyed into it : so Christ shineth in our hearts , onely by the light of his word , and the two testaments , are , as it were , two golden pipes , slowing-forth , and streaming both together , whereby the oyle of all gladnesse and goodnesse is powred into vs . Wherefore , it is manifest , that the old testament and the newe testament , as Ezechiels wheeles , are one within another . Yea moreouer , as those ch●…rubins , they looke one toward an other : as those seraphims , they sing one to an other : as those young roes , they feede both together : as those golden pipes , they flowe forth both together . And therefore , as there are two cherubims , and yet but one obiect that they both looke vpon , which is the mercy-seate ; as there are two seraphims , and yet but one song that they both sing , which is the Holy ; as there are two roes , and yet but one food that they both feede vpon , which is the lilly : as there are two pipes , and yet but one vessell that they both flow into , which is the golden candlesticke ; so , there are two testaments , and yet but one summe and substance of them both , which is Christ . Christ the onely Mercy-seat ; the onely Holy ; the onely Lillie ; the onely golden Candlesticke .

But now , though these two testaments agree together thus in Christ , whom S. Paul calleth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the recapitulation , ●…ph. 1. 10. or the abridgment of them both ; yet , if it will please you to consider the diuerse dispensation of ●…hem , you shall in this whole verse obserue six differences betweene them . And euery difference , is a dignitie . Euery difference of the gospel from the law , is a dignitie of the Gospel aboue the l●…we .

The first difference is in these words , But all we . In the time of the old testament very fewe did behold the glorie of the Lord . When the law was giuen , only Moses might come vp to the top of the mount , all the people stood below . Which custome continued euen vntill the comming of Christ . For when incense was offred , a a Luk. 1. 10. onely Zacharie went into the temple , all the multitude stood without . But suppose more men then Moyses or Zacharie did at that time behold the glorie of the Lord , yet certainly more nations then the Iewes did not behold it . The Iewes onely were Gods peculiar people . As for the Gentiles they were suffred to walke in their own wayes . The Lord shewed his word vnto Iacob , his statutes and ordinances vnto Israel . He dealt not so with any other nation , neither had the heathen knowledge of his lawe : which likewise continued euen vntill the comming of Christ . For when a woman of Canaan cryed to our Sauiour , saying , Haue mercy on me ; he answered her , I am not sent but to the lost sheepe of the house of Israel . Yea , not onely he himselfe denied mercie to the Gentils , but also he charged his disciples for a time to shewe no mercie vnto them . Goe not into the way of the Gentiles , saies he , b b Mart. 10. 5. and into the cities of the Samaritans enter ye not . But go rather to the lost sheepe of the house of Israel . So that it was but one man onely among all the people , namely Moses , or Zacharie : or , to take it at the verie highest , it was but one people onely among all nations , namely the Iewes , or the Israelites , which did in the time of the old testament behold the glorie of the Lord .

But all we , now all we , with open face behold as in a glasse the glorie of the Lord . Then , they did sing c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Notus in Iudaea deus , In Iewrie is God knowne , his name is great in Israel . But now we sing , d d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . laudate dominum omnes gentes , O praise the Lord all ye heathen , praise him all ye nations . Then , no vncircumcised stranger might eat the passeouer , e e 〈◊〉 . 12. 〈◊〉 . onely those might eate it , which were borne in the land . But now , all we that are otherwise strangers from the common-wealth of Israel haue an altar f f H●…b . 13. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 od . qu●…t . 24. , and beeing circumcised with circumcision made without hands , we may all of vs eate the Easter-lamb , which hath bin slaine for vs . Then , the name of Christ was as an oyntment kept close in an alabaster-box , the sauour whereof perfumed onely a part of the house . But now , it is as an Vnguentum 〈◊〉 oyntment powred out g g 〈◊〉 . 1. 2. Christi no men ante eius aduentum in Israel populo 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 aliquo 〈◊〉 batur , 〈◊〉 . the sweet smell wherof perfumeth all the house of God . Then , the doctrine of saluation was preached onely in the secret places of Palestina , which was but a corner of the world . But now , it is , as it were , proclaimed vpon the tops of houses h h Luk. 12 3. , and published ouer all the whole earth . Then , onely the asse vsed to the yoke , the Iew vsed to the yoke of the law , was brought vnto Christ . But now , he hath ridden into Ierusalem , vpon the asses foale i i . and he hath made all the Gentiles , which were before like vntamed colts , tractable & obedient and seruiceable to himselfe . Then , on●…ly naturall branches , which were the Iewes , did by faith take roote downward , and by charitie beare fruit vpward . But now , wild branches are grafted into the right oliue tree k k Ro. 11. 17. , and all the Gentiles are incorporated into the bodie of Christ .

Therefore that is now most true which our Sauiour saies concerning his Church , l l ●…an . 6. 8. The Queenes and the concubines haue praised her . The Queenes are the Iewes , whome Christ of old had espoused to himselfe . The concubines are the Gentiles : which though heretofore they haue runne a whoring after strange gods , as the Prophet speaketh , yet now they are faithfull vnto Christ . So that , not onely the Queenes , but also the concubines praise the Church , yea all generations doe call her blessed . Which is the cause , why Salomon also had three hundred queenes , and seauen hundred concubines m m 1. Reg. 11. 3. . Not so much to satisfie his owne fancy , as to signifi●… Gods pleasure . Namely , that there should be seauen in the time of the Gospell , to three in the time of the Law , seauen to three , which should loue the true Salomon Christ Iesus . And that , not only three hundred persons among the Iewes , but also seauen hundred nations among the Gentiles , yea all the nations of the earth , should at length be ioyned to Christ . Now Salomon , not onely by the multitude of his concubines ( and likewise by marrying Pharaohs daughter ) did foreshewe the calling of the Gentiles ; but much more n n 1. Reg. 5. 1. by requesting Hiram king of Tyrus , to helpe him build the temple . For none but Israelites did meddle with building the tabernacle ; whereas Sidonians , and diuerse other Gentiles , did helpe to build the temple . Which did mystically insinuate a further thing . To wit , that though the Synagogue of the Iewes did consist onely of Israelites , yet the Sidonians , and all other nations , should one day come together , and put-too their helping hand , to edisie and build vp the Church of Christ . Euen as the father of Salomon prophesied of it long before , o o lib. 8. The kings of Tarsis and the Isles shall giue 〈◊〉 , the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts . Al people shall fall downe before him , all nations shall doe him seruice . We read p p Num. 33. 9. that the Israelites remooued their tents from Marah , and came to Elim , where they found twelue fountaines of water , and seauentie palme trees . All the while they were in Marah , which signifieth bitternes , they saw no fountaine , no palme tree . But when they came to Elim , which signifieth ra●…s , then they found twelue fountaines , and seauentie palme trees . This iourney of the Israelites did intimate thus much . That the Church of Christ , should neuer leaue iourneying on forward , till it came from Marah to Elim . That is , from the Iewes , whose mouthes are full of cursing and bitternes , to the Gentiles , which are the true flocke and sheepfold of Christ . Here , the Church findeth twelue fountaines , and seauentie palme trees , q q twelue Apostles and seauentie Dis●…iples . Which twelue Apostles , as ●…welue fountaines , haue flo●…ed more gene●…ally o●…er the face of all the earth to renew it , the●… Noahs slood did to de●… it . And th●… 〈◊〉 Disciples , as seauentie palme trees , haue flourished and spread themselues ouer all the world , so that , as the Psalmist speaketh , r r Psal. 80 10. The hills are couered with the shadow of them , and the boughs thereof are like the goodly Cedar trees . Almightie God commanded Moyses to make 12. cakes , which should be set continually vpon the table of shewbread , yet so as they should be changed euery Sabba●…h d●…y s s . . These twelue cakes did presigure the twelue Apostles t t cap 7. , and all those disciples of Christ , which continually shew to his people the bread of life , that is , the word of God . Now these twelue cakes are changed , when as the twelue fount●…ines , and the seauentie palme trees , are changed into twelue Apostles and seauentie disciples . That so , Gods promise to his Church may be fulfilled , which is this , u u In steed of thy fathers thou shalt haue children , whome thou maist make Princes in all lands . As if in other words he should haue saide , Thy shewbread shall be changed . For in steed of thy twelue fountaines , and thy seauentie palme trees , thou shalt haue twelue Apostles and seauenty disciples , whome thou maist make Princes in all lands . To this mysterie of the twelue fountaines , is answerable that which is written of the twelue oxen x x ●… . Chr. ●… 4. . The molren sea did stand vpon twelue oxen , whereof three looked towarde the North , and three looked toward the West , and three looked toward the South , and three looked toward the East . The great caldron was called a molten sea , because it did foreshew the depth of the twelue Apostles doctrine , which flowing from them , as from twelue fountaines , did make , as it were , a maine sea . This sea did stand vpon twelue oxen , that is , as Saint Paul doth interpret it y y . , vpon twelue Apostles . Which in that they looked fowre wayes , East , West , North , and South , they did teach all nations . z z . And in that they looked three and three together , they did represent the blessed Trinitie . Not only teaching all nations , but also in that sea of water baptizing them , in the name of the Father , and of the Sonne , and of the holy Ghost . Wherefore , though the two kine which carried the Arke , wherein were the tables of the Law , went straight and kept one path , turning neither to the right hand nor to the left a a 1. Sam. 6. 1●… . : Yet these twelue oxen which caried the molten sea , signifying the doctrine of the Gospel , went not straight , neither kept one path , but turned into the way of the Gentiles , ●…ea they looked all manner of waies , East , West , North , and South . And those two kyne stood still and lowed no more , when they came to the feild of Iosua , dwelling in Bethshemesh , that is , in the house of the sunne . To note , that all the kine , and calues , and sacrifices , and ceremonies of the old law , weare to cease and stand still , when they came to Iesus , which is the true Iosua , dwelling in heauen , which is the true Bethshemesh . But these twelue oxen , weare so farre from leauing off , either to goe , or to low , when they came to Christ , that euen then , they went much faster , and lowed much lowder , so that now their sound is gone out into all lands , and their words into the ends of the world , and in them hath god set Bethshemesh , that is , a house or a tabernacle for the sunne . Therefore as the materiall sunne , thorough the twelue sig●…es in the Zodiake , goeth forth from the v●…termost parts of the heauen , and runneth about to the end of it againe a a Psal. 19. 6. : in like sort , the spirituall Sonne of righteousnesse , by the twelue Apostles , as by twelue signes , hath beene borne round about the world , that he might be not onely the glorie of his people Israel , but also a light to lighten the Gentiles , and that al , al the ends of the earth might see the saluation of our God . Truth it is , touching the Synagoge of the Iewes , Christ saith , b b 〈◊〉 . 4. 12. My sister , my spouse , is as a garden enclosed , and as a fountaine sealed vp . For as Saint Ierome writeth c c . , the whole countrie of Iewrie where the Iewes dwelt , lying betweene Dan and Beersabee , was scarce a hundred and three score mile long . So that , it might well be likened , to a garden enclosed , and to a fountaine sealed vp . But now , this sealed fountaine hath beene turned into a springing well , since the twelue fountaines haue flowed ouer all the earth : and , this enclosed garden hath beene turned into an open feild , since the twelue oxen haue plowed the feild of all the whole world . Therefore now Christ saith of himselfe , d d 〈◊〉 . 2. 1. ●…go 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . I am a flower of the feild . And so likewise to his spouse ; e e Cant 7. 11. Come my welbeloued , let vs go forth into the feild , let vs remaine in the villages . For though before his passion he was apprehended in a garden , yet at his passion he was crucisied without the gate f f Heb. 13. 1●… . . To signisie , that he would be , not onely a garden-flower , but also ●… feild-flower ; & that he would remaine , not onely for the saluation of the Iewes within the city of Ierusalem , but also for the saluation of the Gentils without the gate of the citie , in all the villages round about . Nabuchadnezar g g Da●… . 2. 35. saw in a vision a stone cut without hands , which became a great mountaine , and filled all the whole earth . This stone cut without hands , is Christ begotten of a pure Virgin , without the companie of man . Who was indeede a very little stone or , as I may say , but a sparke at the first . Wherefore , the Iewes for his pouertie and humilitie despised and refused him . But now this poore little stone which the builders refused , is become the head-stone in the corner , and it is made a great mountaine , which filleth all the whole earth . According to the prophesie of Esay ; h h cap. 2. v. 2. It shal be in the last dayes , that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be prepared in the top of the mountaines , and shall be exalted aboue the hills , and all nations shall flow vnto it . So that now Christ , which is the head-corner-stone , may be fitly called the second Adam . The Greeke letters of which name , as S. Cyprian i i writeth , do seuerally signifie all the quarters of the earth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the East : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the West : ●… . againe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the North : M. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the South . According to the promise of God vnto Abraham , k k 〈◊〉 . Thy ●…eed shal be as the dust of the earth : ( that is , As the first Adam was made of the dust of the earth : so thy seede , which is Christ the second Adam , shall be dispersed as dust ouer all the earth . ) Thy seede shall be as the dust of the earth ; and thou shall spread abroad , ( as a great mountaine , ) to the East , and to the West , and to the North , and to the South ; and in thee , and in thy seed , shall all the familes of the earth be blessed . The lewish Synagogue speaketh in this sort , l l 〈◊〉 ●… . 1●… . A●…a ●…a conturbau●…t me , propter 〈◊〉 Ami●…adab . My soule troubleth me , for the chariots of Amminadab . Amminadab signifieth a willing or an obedient people . Such are the faithfull Gentiles . Of whom God saith , m m Ps. 1●… . ●…4 . A people which I haue not knowne shall serue me . As soone as they heare of me they shall obey me . But the strange children shall dissemble with me . The strange children shall faile , and be afraid out of their prisons . Though God haue beene a louing father to the Iewes , yet they dissemble , and are strange children to him . Contrariwise though God haue not knowne the Gentiles , yet they doe knowe and serue him . Therefore the obstinate Iewes repining and grudging that the Gentiles are called , say euery one of them , Anima mea conturbauit me , My soule troubleth me , thorough enuie , malice , blindnes , and disobedience . Because they faile , and are afraid out of their prisons . On the other side , the obedient Gentiles , beeing called to this libertie of the sonnes of God , lie not in any prisons , but ride in the chariots of Amminadab . Because , as soone as they heare of God , they willingly obey him . Which is implied , in that a man of Cyrene , named Simon n n Mat. 27. 32. Vt tali facto 〈◊〉 gentium sides . ●… . 〈◊〉 de Pas. do . s. 8. , did carie the crosse of Christ . A man of Cyrene , is a Gentile : Simon signifieth hearing and obeying . Therefore , a man of Cyrene named Simon , carying the crosse , is a faithfull Gentile , which as soone as he heareth of God , doth willingly obey him . For now God hath perswaded Iapheth to dwel in the tents of Shem o o Gen ●… 27. . That is , he hath perswaded the Gentiles comming of Iapheth , to embrace that obedience vnto Christ , which the Iewes comming of Shem haue refused . This is the reason , why the Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greeke , and Latin , and all other languages . To shew , that Iapheth doth now dwell in the tents of Shem. And that those oracles , which before were appropriated to the Iewes p p Rom. 3. 2. , are now imparted vnto all the Gentiles . So that the prophecie of the Patriarke Iacob is now also fulfilled , who saith , q q Gen. 40. 21. Nepthalie shal be as a Hind let loose , giuing goodly words . For Christ did first preach in the land of Nepthaly among the Iews r r Math. 4. 13. . But seeing the Iewes would not obey him , therefore he hath turned to the Gentiles s s Act. 13. 46. . And so Nepthalie is as a hind let loose , giuing goodly words . Because Christ , who first preached in Nepthalie , is not now any longer in prison among the Iewes ; but , as a hind let loose , leaping by the mountaines , and skipping by the hills t t Cant. 2. ●… . , so he hath run swiftly o●…er all the world u u Ps. 147. 15. ; and with his goodly words , with his gratious words , he hath perswaded Iapheth , and all the Gentiles , to dwell in the tents of Shem , and to ride in the chariots of Amminadab . These chariots of Amminadab are called in Latine , Qu●…drigae , because each of them is drawne with foure horses . Which very aptly befitteth the doctrine of the Gospel . For , as Cal●… 〈◊〉 in the Epistle before his Harmonie , God hath of set purpose orda●…ed that the Gospel shold be written by foure Euangelists , that so he might make a triumphant chariot for his sonne x x Videtur . . Which beeing drawne with fowre horses , and running vpon fowre wheels , might quickly passe ouer all the earth , and so shew the glorie of the Lord , vnto all his Church . Wherefore , the Church is like a graine of mustard-seede y y Mat 13. 31. , which is indeede the least of all seeds , but when it is grown , it is the greatest among herbs , and it is a tree , so that the birds of the aire come and build in the branches thereof . Thus the congregation of Christ riseth , from small beginnings , to great proceedings . A●…d though at the first , it was but aseed , yea but a graine , yet now it is growne to be an hearb , yea to be a tree ; wherein all the birds of the ayre z z ●… 〈◊〉 . 1●… . 〈◊〉 . , all the faithfull in the world , doe make their nests .

Therefore the church of Christ may be compared also to the Samaritans inne a a ●… . 10. 3●… . . For that inne is called in greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it receiueth and lodgeth all strangers that come : So the church lodgeth all pilgrims vpon earth . b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Synogogue there was not lodging for all . For then it was said , c c 〈◊〉 . ●… . 268 The Ammonites and the Moabites shall not enter into the congregation of the Stabulum ecclesia est ; v●…de 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do●… natus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Do. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Lord : But now , Christ is borne in an inne d d . To signifie , that in the Church there is lodging for all . For Christ is the host : the Church the inne : the crosse is the signe . Harken to the Host which is Christ , and you shall heare him say , Come vnto me all you that labour and trauaile , and I will refresh you : I will bring you into the wineseller e e , yea I will suppe with you , and you with me f f 〈◊〉 ●… . 1●… . ▪ Go into the inne which is the Church , and there you shall finde Parthians , and Medes , and Elamites , and all nations vnder heauen , staied with flagons , and comforted with apples g g 〈◊〉 . 5. ; yea refreshed and filled with newe wine h h Act. 1. 5. . Looke vp to the signe , which is the crosse , and you sh●…ll see diuerse things . First , you shall see one crowne of thornes . To shew , that the earth is the Lords , and all that therein is , the round world , and they that dwell therein . For the roundnes of the crowne doth declare the large dominion o●… him that is crowned . Namely , that his dominion is from the one sea to the other , and from the flood vnto the worlds end i i Psy 2. 8. . Secondly , you shall see two hands . To shew , that God is , not the God of the Iewes only , but of the Gentiles also k k Rom. 3 29. . For not only one hand , but both his hands , are fast-nayled and stretched-out . The one to the one theefe , the other to the other theif ; the one to the Iewes , the other to the Gentiles , that he may embrace all that loue him . Thirdly , you shall see three tongues . To shew , that Christ , is not the king of the Hebrewes only , but of the Grecians , and the Latins also . For his title , Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iewes , is written in Hebrew , Greeke , and Latine . That at the most sweet and most excellent name of Iesus euery knee may bow , and all tongues may confesse , that Iesus Christ is the Lord l l Pi●…l . 2. 11. . Fourthly , you shall see fowre quarters os the crosse . To shew , by the fowre quarters of the crosse , the fowre quarters of the world . For God is no accepter of persons , but in euery quarter and countrey , he that feareth him , is accepted with him . Therefore also Christs garments n n Ioh. 1●… . 23 were deuided into fowre parts . Because , out of what quarter or part soeuer we come of all the fowre parts of the world , if we be naked , Christ hath garments to cloath vs , if we be harbourles , Christ hath room to lodge vs . Euen as he himsel●…e saies , All that the Father giueth mee , shall come to mee , and whosoeuer commeth to mee , Non eijciam for●…s , I will not turne him out of doores . Wherefore whether we respect the host ; or the hosts inne ; or the innes signe ; and about the signe it selfe , whether we respect , one crown ; or two hauds ; or three tongues ; or fower quarters ; euery of these doth plainly shew , that now in the Church there is lodging for all , and so consequently ●…hat the Church may be compared to the Samaritans in●…e . It may be compared likewise to Salomons troupe of horse●… o o C●… . 〈◊〉 . . For Salomons troupe of horses was kept in fowre thousand stables , ten and ten in a stable p p 2. Chro. 9. 21. ; so that he had in his whole troupe fourtie thousand horses q q 1. Reg. 4. 26. ; which were either bought by him r r 1. Reg 10. 28. , or else brought to him s s ●… . Chr. 9. 24. out of all countries . So the Apostles , as we may read in th' Acts , brought by one sermon three thousand soules t t Act. 2 41. , brought by an other sermon fiue thousand soules to Christ u u Act. 4. 4. ; and so euerie day , out of all countreys and kindreds x x Reue. 7. 9 , there are added to the church by infinite and innumerable multitudes y y Dan. 7. 14. , such as shall be saued . It may be compared to S. Peters sheete z z Act. 10. 12. ▪ For in Peters sheete , were all sort of beasts , fowre footed beasts of the earth , and wild beasts , creeping things , and foules of the heauen . So , in the Church there are all manner of men , Circumcised and vncircumcised , Barbarians and Sythians a a Coil oss . 3. 11. . It may be compared to Noahs Arke b b Gen 7. 1●… . . For there came to Noah into his Arke all kind of creatures , cleane and vncleane , male and female . So there commeth to Christ into his Church , all manner of men , Iewes and Grecians , bond and free c c ●… . 〈◊〉 12. 〈◊〉 . . It may be compared to S. Iames his net d d Luk. 5. 10. . For that net had corke aboue to make it swimme , and lead belowe to make it sinke , that it might ●…ake all sorts of fiishes . So , the Church hath diuerse fishers of men , some that teach slightly and superficially , some againe that teach more deeply and profoundly , that all manner of men may be taught e e Ioh. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . , and caught f f Matt●… . 13. 17. , and drawne vnto Christ . Lastly , it may be compared to king Assuerus his feast g g Lst. 1. 5. . For that feast entertained all kind of guests , seuen dayes together , in the court of the garden of the kings pallace . So , in the church , the Lord of hosts hath made vnto all manner of men , a feast of fat things , euen a feast of fined wines , ( to vse the Prophet Esais h h Esay 25 ●… . words ) and fat things full of marrow , of wines fined and purified . Before that this feast was prepared , the oxen and fatlings killed , and euery thing els prouided , all men were not bidden . But now that Christ hath bin killed , he keepeth , as I may say , open house i i Pro●… . 9. 2. , and sendeth his seruants into the high waies k k 〈◊〉 14. 23 , to gather together all that euer they finde . Yea his seruants haue not only bidden all that they could sind in the hie-waies , but also they haue crost the seas , and called the very further most m m Es. 60 9. Ilands of all the world , to behold the glorie of the Lord . Blessed , O blessed be the Lord for his vnspeakable mercies towards this Iland , now farre more slourishing then euer it was , in which we liue . For , alas , in the time of the olde Testament , who was there , I pray you , in this whole Monarchie , at least wise that euer we could read or heare of , which had any true knowledge of God ? S. Ierom , in th' end of his dialogue against the Pelagians , writeth thus , n n Vsque ad , . Vntill the very comming of Christ , saies he , the Prouince of Brittain , which hath bin oftentimes gouerned by tyrants , and the Scottish people , and all the nations round about the Ocean sea , were vtterly ignorant of Moyses and the Prophets . So that then , by the testimonie of S. Ierom , all our religion was superstition : all our church-seruice , was idolatri●… : all our Priests , were Paynims : all our gods , were idols . Then there was in Scotland , the temple of Mars : in Cornewall , the temple of Mercurie : in Bangor in Wales , the temple of Minerva o o Sto●… An nal . in 〈◊〉 Morgani . : in Malden in Essex , the temple of Victoria p p . : in Bath , the temple of Appollo : in Leycester , the temple of Ianus : in Yorke , where Peters is now , the temple of Bellona q q 〈◊〉 A●… . : in London , where Pauls is now , the temple of Diana r r 12●… . . Therefore it is very likely , that they esteemed as highly then of the goddesse Diana in London , as they did in Ephesus s s Act. 19. 2●… . . And that , as they cried there , Great is Diana of the Ephesians : so they cried here , Great is Diana of the Londoners . Euen no more then three and fiftie yeares before the incarnation of Christ , when Iulius Caesar came out of Frauce into England , so absurd and senslesse were the people of this land , that in stead of the true and euerliuing God , they serued these heathenish and abominable idols , Mars , Mercurie , Minerva , Victoria , Apollo , Ianus , Bellona , Diana , & such like . And not long after , to wit , an . Christ . 180. King Lucius being first christened himselfe , forth with established religion , in this whol kingdom . But thanks , thā●…s be to God , in the time of the new Testame●…t , three and fiftie yeares after the in●…arnation of Christ , when Ioseph of Arimathea came out of France into England , many in this Realme os blind and ignorant Pagans , became very zealo●…s and sincere Christians . For Saint Philip the Apostle , after hee had preached the Gospell through-out all France , at length sent Ioseph of Arimathea hither into England . Who when he had conuerted very many to the faith , died in this Land , and he that had buried the bodie of Christ , was bu●…ied in Glasce●…burie himselfe t t Gildas . lib. le 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Am. . Also Simon Zelotes an other Apostle , after he had preached the Gospell throughout all Mauritania , at length came ouer into England . Who when he had declared likewise to vs the doctrine of Christ crucified , was in the end crucified himselfe , and buried here in Brittaine u u . . Ab●…t this time 〈◊〉 one of the sea●…ntie Disciples x x . , wh●…m Sain●… Paul mentioneth in 〈◊〉 Epistle to the Romans v v R●… . 16. 10. , was a 〈◊〉 and a renowned Bishop in this L●…d . Also , 〈◊〉 a noble English Ladie z z Martial . Epigrāmat . lib. 4. , whom Saint Paul mentioneth in his second Epistle to Timothie a a 2. Tim. 4. 21. , was here amongst vs a famous professor of the faith . Since which time , though the ciuil state hath bin often turn'd vpside downe , by the Romans , by the Saxons , by the Danes , by the Normans , yet the Gospel of Christ , hath neuer vtterly failed , or bin taken from vs . This the holy Fathers of the church , which haue liued in the ages next ensuing , doe declare . Tertullian , who liued Ann. 200. writeth thus , b b Adue●… . Iudae . c. 3. 〈◊〉 om●…es termini , & Galliarum 〈◊〉 natione●… , & 〈◊〉 inaccessa Romanis loca Christo vero 〈◊〉 . All the costs of Spaine , and diuers parts of France , and many places of Brittaine , which the Romanes could neuer subdue with their sword , Christ hath subdued with his word . Origen , who liued Ann. 260. writeth thus , c c Hom. 4. in Eze. Quando terra Britanniae ante a 〈◊〉 Christi in v●…i is dei 〈◊〉 religione●… Nunc ●…ero vniuersa te●…ra cum lae●…itia cla●…at ad 〈◊〉 . Did the I le of Brittaine before the comming of Christ , euer acknowledge the saith of one God ? No. But yet now , all that countrey singeth ioyfully vnto the Lord . Constantine the great , the glory of all the Emperours , borne here in England , & of English blood , who liued Ann. 306. writeth in an epistle thus , d d 〈◊〉 . l. 1. c. 9. Whatsoeuer custome is of force in all the churches of Egypt , Spaine , France , and Brittaine , look●… that the same be likewise ratified among you . S. Chrysostome , who lined ▪ An. 405. writeth thus , c c Hom. 28. in 2. C●…r . In all places wheresoeuer you go into any church , whether it be of the Mores , or of the Persians ▪ or euen of the very Iles of Britta●…ne , you ▪ may heare Iohn B●…ptist preaching . S. Hierom , who liued Ann. 420. writeth thus , f f Ep●…st ad 〈◊〉 . The Frenchmen , the Englishmen , they of Africa , they A●…o 500. Columban●… in A●…glia , Pall●…as in ●…cotia : Patricius i●… 〈◊〉 flo●… . of Pers●…a , and all barbarous nations , worship one Christ , and obserue one rule of religion . Theodoret , who liued Ann. 450. writeth thus , g g Aduer●… . Gr●… . lib. 9. The blessed Apostles haue indu●…ed the Englishmen , the Danes , the Saxons , in one word , all people and countries , to embrace the doct●…e of Christ . Gregorie the great , who 〈◊〉 An. 605. writeth thu●… , h h ●…ist . lib. ●… . c. 58. Who can sufficiently expresse , how glad all the faithfull are , ●…or that the Englishmen , ha●…e fo●… saken the darknes of their errors , and haue againe recei●…ed the light of the Gospel . Beda , who liued Ann. 730. wri●…th thus , i i England at this present , is inhabited by Englishmen , Brittains , Scots , Picts , and Romanes , all which , though they speak ●…iue tongues , yet they professe but one faith . Thus you see , how the Gospel of Christ , hauing bin first planted in this land , by Ioseph of Arimathea , and Simon Zelotes , ( in whose time Aristobulus and Claudia , and not long after King Lucius also liued ) hath euer since continued amongst vs ; as testifieth , Tertullian , Origen , Constantine the great , Athanasius , Chrysostome , Hierome , Theodoret , Gregorie , Beda , and many more , which might here haue bin alleadged k k Vide 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 Beina●…di . lib. 2. cap. 7. & Bei nard . d●… 〈◊〉 . lib. 3. .

Lo yee then , ye blessed and beloued of the Lord . Lo ye●… , and marke it well I bes●…ech you , how farre the new Testament , excelleth the old . In the time of the old Testament , they did sing onely , Notus in Iudaea deus : but now , we sing also , Laudate dominum omnes gentes . Then they that were borne in the land onely , might eate the passeouer : but now , we that are strangers also , may eate the Easter-lambe . Then the name of Christ was only , as an ointment kept in an alabaster box : but now , it is also , as an oyntment powred out . Then the doctrine of Saluation , was onely preached in secret places : but now , it is also preached vpon the tops of houses . Then , the old asse only , was brought vnto Christ : but now , the young foale also , is obedient vnto him . Then , naturall branches only , did prosper and flourish : but now , wild branches also , are grafted into the oliue tree . Then , the Queenes onely , did praise the Church : but now , the concubines also , do call her blessed . Then , Israelites only , did build the tabernacle : but now , Sidonians also , doe helpe to build the Temple . Then , they pitched their tents onely in Marah , where was neither fountaine , nor palm-tree : but now , we pitch in Elim , where there are twelue fountains , and seauentie palme trees . Then , the two kine which carried the Arke , looked onely one way : but now , the twelue oxen which carrie the molten sea , looke euery way , East , West , North , and South . Then , Christ was a flower , growing onely in the little garden of Iudea : but now , he is a flower , flourishing in the wide field of all the world . Then , Christ was onely a little stone , cut without hands : but now , he is a great huge mountaine , which filleth all the earth . Then , the Church of Christ was , as it were , in prison , beeing tied and bound onely to one place : but now , it posteth ouer all places riding and triumphing in the chariots of Amminadab . Then , the Church of Christ was only a small graine of mustard-seede , which is lesser then any other seede : but now , it spreadeth abroad as a mightie bigge ●…ree , wherein all the birds of the aire do make their nests . So that , the Church of Christ , now in the time of the new Testament , is like the Samaritans i●…ne , which lodgeth all passengers . It is like Salomons trou●… of hourses , which commeth out of all countries . It is like Saint Peters sheete , which infouldeth , all sort of beasts . It is like Noahs arke , which receiueth all kind of creatures . It is like Saint Iames his net , which catcheth all sort of fishes . All 's fish , that comes to this net . It is like king Assuerus feast , which entertaineth all kind of guests . To this feast all we , that wil come , are well-come . Not some fewe Iewes only , But all we : euen all we Brittaines , all we I say , with open face , behold as in a glasse the glorie of the Lord . This is the first difference , betweene the Law and the Gospel , in these words , But all we .

FINIS .
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