THE whole booke of God written by his finger , deliuered by his power , inspired by his spirit , and revealed by his will , is as Cassiodore obserueth , Schola coelestis , eruditio vitalis , auditorium veritatis , disciplina singularis , profitable to teach , to instruct , to reproue , to correct , that the man of God may be perfect in al good works : whatsoeuer is contained in this booke , God hath reuealed to man , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , secretum , relatum , nay not only relatum but revelatum , The whole booke from Genesis to the Reuelation is the Genesis of a Revelation , here beginneth the Exodus the end , termination , complement , accomplishment of the Reuelation . Iob may conceaue Secreta Dei , Iob. 11.6 . Daniel may obserue abscondita Dei . Dan. 2.22 . The Apostle may discerne profunda Dei , 1. Cor. 2.10 . And Paule wrapped vp to the thirde heauens may heare arcana Dei , 2. Cor. 12.4 . But now secreta , profunda , arcana , abscondita , be revelata . The Aenigma is disclosed , the knot vnloosed , the mysteries interpreted , the vaile remoued , all things reuealed , & he that was vailed in the flesh is reuealed in the spirit , and in this booke , is the manifestation of our God & of his will , of the Lambe , and of his life , of the spirit , and of his truth , of his seales , trumpets , angels , viols , thunders , lightnings , threatnings , iudgements of heauen , hel , the earth , the sea , consumption , destruction , dissolution , desolation and final consumation of the world .

Jf the whole Scripture may bee called the Librarie of the holy Ghost , then this is the Closet of that librarie , if the Lanthorne of Jsrael , then this is the light of that Lanthorne , if the Alphabet of God , then this is then of that Alphabet , this is the ende of his booke , who is the beginning and the end , the last of his book , who is the first and the last , the Ω of his booke , who is α and Ω , the Amen of his booke , who is yea and Amen . The holyest place not more worthily called sanctum sanctorum , or the Iubile Sabbatum sabbatorum , or the Canticles Cantica Canticorum , or Empireum Coelum Coelorum , I say not more truely called so , then this Revelatio Revelationum , the Compendium and Epitome of all the works , wonders , secrets , depths , and misteries of God , so that as a father well speaketh of the whole scripture , Hugo . I may also in particular speake of this Apocalips , pascit miraculis , oraculis , figuris , verbis , mysterijs , Greg. Morall And as Manna as Gregory obserueth , habet omne delectamentum , & omnis saporis suauitatem , so I may speake of this booke of the Reuelation , ( which is the hid Manna , kept long in the Arke , inter arcana , and now manifested among Reuelata . ) O then come , and see , and see heare , and taste how good and sweete this Manna is , it wil giue to euerie man his gust & rellish , if yee be ignorant here yee may be instructed , if weak , heare yee may be strengthned , if feareful , here ye may be hartened , if fighting here yee may be comforted , if triumphing , here yee maie be crowned , and more than this , here is the greatest blessing pronounced that ever was to anie booke , Blessed is he that readeth , Revel 1. & he that heareth , and he that vnderstandeth , and hee that keepeth the words of this booke .

Out of this book & out of that Manna of this booke haue J chosen this portion of scripture , as a portion of meate in due season , which if you wil staye till J haue prepared it for you , J will present it to bee panem nostrum hodiernum , or rather , panem nostrum quotidianum . He that overcometh and keepeth my workes to the end to him wil I giue power ouer nations . what subiect more sit for Heroicall spirits then an encitement to chiualtrie , nay what subiect maie speake of a fitter subiect before a most royal King , then of a kingdome . Beholde both these in this Hee that ouercometh &c. Hee that ouercometh , here a christian is made a conquerour , and keepeth my woorks to the end , hereof a Conquerour he is made a Continuer , J wil giue him power ouer nations , hereof a Continuer he is made a king . He that ouercometh here hee is approued a Christian and keepeth my woorkes , here hee is a Catholike , I will giu● him power over nations , here he is Defender of the faith A Conquerour , a Continuer , a King , a Christian , Catholike , Defender of the faith . In a woorde in these woords ye shal finde , a Conflict , & a Conquest , Martyres miserie , Saints dignitie , the state of seruants , in this life laborious , the state of Saints in the life to come glorious , a precept to take vp the Crosse , a promise of the Crowne , an exhortation from God to man , a Compensation for man from God . All this in these wordes hee that ouercometh and keepeth my woorkes to the ende I will giue him power ouer nations .

Obserue breefly these 2 parts praelium & pramium , Diuis . praelium admortem ; praemium advitam , a warre , and a rewa●d , warre to the end , the end of that end to be rewarded , In praelio , in the warrfare obserue , 1 that the true Christian must ouercome , Subdiuis . He that ouercometh , 2. that he must continue , and keepe my workes to the end , in praemio , the reward , obserue 1. the giuer promising . I will giue him . 2. the gift promised ▪ power ouer nations ●hus you see the body and soule , the heauen & earth of my Text , the parts and particular circumstance , thereof , of al which in their order , and first of the first . He that ouercometh .

Man the Modell of the worlde in respect of his miserie , 1. Obs. hath his life compared to things most momentary . by Eschilus to smoak , by Varro to a bubble , by Crates to hey , by Socrates to a Iourney , by Epictetus to a Torrent , by Pindarus to a shadowe , by Plutarch to a Flower by Petrarch to a feather , by Iacob to a Pilgrimage . Gen. 47.9 . wherin is casualtie by Dauid to a span . Psa. 39.5 . wherein is breuitie by Hosea , to a cloud , Hosea . 13.3 . wherein is mutabilitie , by Paul to a Race . 2. Tim. 4.7 . wherin is Celeritie , by Iames to a vapour . Iames 4.13 . wherin is inconstancie , & by Iob to a warfare . Iob. 7.7 . wherin is much conflicting miserie , God that is himselfe , a man of warre , Exod. 15.3 . made man also to bee a man of warre . Gen. 3.15 . put emnitie betweene the woman and the serpent , & betweene the seed of the woman and the feed of the serpent . In the 3. of Genesis you maie see the begining of this warre , there was the first quarrell about the first broken head , Genes. 3.15 . hee shall breake thine head ▪ and thou shalt bruise his heele . here vpon the challenge was proclaymed , the Campe pitched , the battell fought , and the hatred continued euen to this houre . Herevpon God prouided for man an armour , knighted him a Christian , prepared the Cross for his ensigne , blood for his Colours , Christ for his Captaine , and taught his hands to fight , & his fingers to battel , so that now Iob maie trulie speake Militia est vita hominis super terram , non super coelum qui super coelum triumphant , non sub terra qui sub terra quie scunt sed super terram quia qui super terram pugnant Tsaba as the Hebrews read a continuall dimication , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Greekes a Piracie by sea & a Conspiracie by land or a temptation , as the septuagint translate it , a Conflict , Combat , battel , a warring agonizing kinde of life , in which al quoad maius & minus haue their partes as Petrarch obserueth , Hic in castris , ille in Rostris , in scholis , in memore an agro , in pelago , in palat so : hic ferro corpus , ille animum dolis , hic argutijs linguam armat , hic pedibus , ille equo , hic currit , ille nauigat omnes militant . Many striue saith the Apostle but one receaueth the Crowne , so many sight but there is but one sort of souldiers that receaue the reward . Benaiah was honorable among thirtie but he attained not to the first 3 , And so many a Benatah may fight and yet in fighting not attaine to the holie warfare of the Trinitie , which is the first three . Therefore as there is a Soe runne that ye maie obtaine , so also is there soe fight that yee maie ouercome , Non pugnanti , sed vincenti , Not to him that fighteth , but to him that ouercommeth the aime , the marke , the scope , the end , the Cynosura the Causa Causae of our fighting to ouercome . To him that ouercommeth . But is man able to overcome , hath he power to wil , wil to desire , desire to effect , effect to continue . Hath he strength to stand that is so weake , force to fight , that is so wearie , meanes to ouercome , that is so vnworthie . The Pelagian and his heire apparant of that heresie Bellarmine in his 5. book de gratia & libero arbitrio , Bel ▪ lib. 5. de gra. & lib. arb. answere that man though he be feeble , weake , wearie , vnworthie , yet hath he liberty , and strength , and free wil to run , & to continue and perseuere , else were al precepts and exhortations and expositions and reproofes altogither in vaine . For as the Pedestri senatores among the Papists aske what follie were it to exhort , or commande vs , to doe that which is not within our power , or liberty to performe , it were as if a man should exhort one to runne , which were fast inclosed in a prison . For answere whereunto I saie Austine by anticipation in his booke de gratia & libero arbitrio , answereth Bell. argument in his booke de gratia & libero arbitrio . Ideo Deus , &c. Therefore God commaundeth somewhat that man cannot doe , that man maie learne to seeke abilitie of God to doe it , Fides enim impetrat quod lex imperat , for faith obtaines from God by praier , what God prescribeth to man by law . So that the Imperatiue in God begets an Optatiue in man , not an Operatiue : and therfore when in David in one verse , Psal. 119. we read Tu praecepisti , thou hast charged that we should keepe thy commandements , hee addeth vtinam sic vie meae parentur , O that my waies were made so direct , that I might keepe thy statures , his commande excitants gratia , his assistance operans gratiam . Commandement maie extende further then strength , but Gods assistance stretcheth as far as his commandement . He hath not only in an Actiue commanded Reuertere Returne , but also in a Passiue Convertere , be thou conuerted , and therefore mans power is neuer operant vnlesse God be Cooperant . We are al as spring lockes , shut wee can of our selues , not open , for our naturales Potentiae , Aquin. as the schooles speake , be become naturales impotentiae , and as S. Austine speaketh , Libero arbitrio male vtens homo & se perdidit & ip sum . So that whosoeuer will ascende Iacobs ladder must acknowledge still Dominus super scalam , and howsoeuer the sword of the Lord and the sword of Gedeon maie goe togither , yet the hand of Gedeon or the sword in his hand , or the edge on his sworde is not able to pierce vnlesse God giue power , Non enim tam agimus quam à Deo agimur , Zanch. saieth Zanchius , for man is not so properlie said to doe good , as to be compelled to doe it by the good spirit of God . And the Apostle teacheth , that it is not in him that willeth or in him that runneth , but in God which enableth vs , we can doe al things . Austen endeth al this in his 3. booke de lib. Arbit . 16. Esay . Deus & velle praecepit & posse praebuit et non impune nolle permisit . God commands all men to be willing , he giueth vnto some his grace to be able , he permitteth others to remaine vnwilling but neuer to remaine vnpunished . And therfore our prayer must be as the same fathers is , Da Domine quod iubes & iube quod vis , giue vs O Lord abilitie to doe what thou commandest , and commaunde what thou wilt , for without thee our knowledge is ignorance , our power is infirmitie , our sight is blindnes , our light is darknes , our strength is weaknesse . But J have founded a retrait too longe from my warfare , he that ouer commeth .

The heathens had sundrie times , at which they did especially practise militarie actions , and points of chiualtie , & had their Nemea , Istmia , Pythia , & Olympia , in which they did exercise striuing , wrestling , runing , fighting , and other feats of Martialisme . The verie same exercises hath God appointed for his seruants , he hath appointed them to runne , 1. Cor. 9.24 . per viam man datorum . Ps. 119.32 . per viam patientiae . Heb. 12.1 . he hath appointed them to resist . Eph. 6.13 . in fide . 1. Pet. 1.9 . In sanguine . Heb. 12.4 . hee hath appointed them to wrestle . Eph. 6.12 . vsque ad auroram . Gen. 32.35 . adversus principatus , adversus potestates , adversus mund d●minos . adversus spirituales astutias . Eph. 6.12 . hee hath appointed vs to fight . Iob. 14.14 . non secundum carnem . 2. Cor. 10.3 . sed bonam militiam militare 1. Tim. 1.18 . and in all these the life of a Christian is a busie , stirring , agonizing trade of life , a pressing to the marke a striuing to enter in at the narrowe gate , and a violent suprising of the kingdome of heauen . So the doctrine hence to be obserued is this , Doct. that Christianitie is not a licentious , or a libertine like securitie but an earnest , painful , watchful , Conflicting , Combating life .

And whosoeuer wil vndergoe this & be contented to take presse mony in this warfaring life shal be sure to haue God stil helping strengthning , encouraging , Conforting , and assisting , so that what is faynedly reported of Pindarus to be continuallie assisted by Apollo , Lycurgus by Pithia , Numa by Aegeria , Socrates , by his Genius , Phiddias by his Iupiter , and Philemon by the Muses , may more truelie be said of the Lord our God , who doeth continuallie assist his seruants to the last of their life to ouercome .

Manie things are said to ouercome , the word of God to ouercome man , that word made man to ouercome for man , man himselfe by repentance and praier to ouercome God , by faith , hope , & charitie , to ouercome al spiritual aduersaries . The word of God powerful to ouercome strong holdes : and to cast downe and ouerthrow euerie high thing , 2. Cor. 10.5 . witnes Niniueh imperious , insolent , intollerable Niniueh , Niniueh , the imperial commander of the Easterne parts , prowde of her wals and bulwarks , Niniveh the mother Cittie of Assiria , the Metropolis of the Countrie , the golden head of the picture , the glorie of the earth , the seate of the Empire , the Ladie of the East , and the Queene of the Nations , so strong , so potent , ouercome with this word , yet fortie daies and Niniveh shal be destroied . The message ▪ of their ouerthrow , ouerthrew the messuage saith Chrysost. the prophecie fel , the Cittie fel not because her fal was prophecied , Vincit verbum . The word made man , ouercame for man . Christ saith , Ioh. 16. I haue ouercome the world , witnesse , that bloodie conflict , when Mount Calvary was the field , the Crosse the bloody banner , his blessed body the weapon of his warfare , his anguishes his armies , My God why haste thou forsaken me , the Trumpet , his death , the life , his miserie , the victorie , his crucifying , the conquest , his Tortours the Triumph , Vincit Christus . Repentance overcommeth . Affliction is said to ouercome man , and Repentance is somewaie said to ouercome God , for as Affliction causeth man to turne to God ; so repetance causeth God to turne to man . Apostrophe in man from God breeds Apostrophe in God , from man , Epistrophe in man to God begets Epistrophe in God to man . Repentance in man begets Repentance in God , non per naturam sed per effectum , though the heauens bee readie to plague vs , the sun & moone to raigne downe blood vpon vs , the fire hote burning coles , the aire I hunderbolts , the earth readie to swallow vs , the water to drowne vs , hel to deuour vs : nay , al the hosts of the God of hosts , to ouercome vs , yet by faithfull repentance wee ouercome them all . Vincit Penitentia . Praier doth ouercome . For it is not onlie Angelis solatium , Aug. Daemonibus flagellum , animae praesidium , as Austine speaketh . But it is more , it is Eliahs key , Moyses rod , Iacobs sword and bow , Davids shield and speare , the most powerful of al the weapons of a Christian . I wil fetch but one drop from the Ocean , to proue this . When Egypt was smitten , and Pharaoh plagued , and their waters , and riuers , and streames , and ponds , and pooles , and vessels of stone , were filled with blood , and frogs , and lice , and botches , and soares , and haile , and thunder , and lightning , and grashoppers , & morreine , and darknes , were sent vpon the Countrie , By Moyses praiet they were remoued , dispersed , scattered demolished , vtterlie dissipated as the dust before the winde . Vincit Oratio , Oratio paenetrat coelum . So might I speak of faith , hope , and charitie , which be most forcible , singuler , effectual , powerful , energeticallie potent , I had almost said omnipotent in the trials , trauils , battels , warfare , combates , conflicts , conquests , victories , triumphs , trophes of the Saints .

To end this point God hath made man a Christian , and dubd euerie Christian a knight , Eph. 6. prouided him the armor of God , nay God for his armor , giuen spirite to his sword , for it is the sword of the spirit , giuen safety to his helmet , for it is the helmet of saluation , righteousnesse for his brestplate , for it is the brest plate of righteousnesse , faith for his shield , for it is the shield of faith , veritie for his girdle , for it is the girdle of veritie , giuen him the Gospel of Peace for his feet , for his feet bee shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace . This is now that Complete knight , Hauing on his feet spurs guilt with his blood , who tooke awaie the guilt of the law , on his head , a helmet saluation , on his hart , a brest plate righteousnesse , on his loines , a girdle veritie , in his hand , a sword the spirit , on his whole bodie a robe , the seamelesse garment the Lord Iesus Christ , and vpon this garment putting on an armour , Armaturam Dei . naie more , Armaturam Deum , the whole armour of God , naie whole God for his Armour . Euerie man is this Christian , euerie true Christian must thus arme , watch , stand , run , wrestle , resist , striue , fight and ouercome .

The vse of the doctrine is to encite al the seruants of the Lord to be Martialists to be souldiers in this wicked world . Our life is militia , Vse . we haue an oath sacramentum militiae , we haue an armour Armaturam militiae we haue a place locum militiae , we haue a combat luctam militiae , we haue a reward coronam militiae , our dangers diuerse , our conflicts mightie , our adversaries many , Cic. pro Arch Poet. Nihil horum ora vultus mouerunt ? within vs guilty consciences oppressing vs , before vs trapps for our destruction to ensnare vs , behind vs memorie of sinns past to torture vs , ouer our heads , the wrath of God to terrifie vs , vnder our feet the dungeon of damnation , to entrappe vs , the flesh insulting , the world triumphing , the deuil tempting , sinne slinging , Nihil horum ora vultusque mouerunt ? Wel my beloued at the length Arise , arme your selues fight the Lords battels . Alexander the yonge Prince did more earnestly desire to learn , because Arist. the Prince of Philosophers taught him , And the souldiers did more streniously fight because that the renowned Alexander did lead them Beloued your Arist. is Alexander , your Alexander is Christ , hee doth teach you to fight and doth fight to teach you , In him yee are Conquerours , by him yee are more then Conquerours . Neuer did any Conquerour so victoriously , if you fight as ye haue him for an example . The Philistin with his speare , the Israelite with his slinge , the Indian with his darre , the Persian with his bow , the Schithian with his launce , the Mirmadon with his strength was neuer able to be so powerfull in conflict as thou mayst bee , And as the conflict is victorious so the victorie is as glorious , neuer had Moses such a victorie ouer the Caananits , Ioshua ouer 31. kingly Captaines , Israel ouer the Philistins , Dauid ouer the Amalekits , Alex. ouer the Barbarians , Themistocles ouer the Persians , Aemilius ouer the Macedonians , Marcellus ouer the Sithians , or Scipio ouer the Carthaginians , as thou maist thy selfe obtaine by thy Christ . O then who would not in a spiritual ambition desier so to triumph , so to Celebrat his Trophies . But yet if any wil desire this , let him remember the tenour of his knights seruice is the Crosse , and as the Romans coulde not come to the temple of honour , but by the Temple of vertue , so hee by noe meanes can come to the Crowne but by the Crosse . Hee must come to fight before hee fight to ouercome . He must ouercome the world , the deuil , the flesh , in the world , he must ouercome himselfe a little world , in himselfe he must ouercome his tongue a world of wickednes , himselfe a little world in the great worlde , his tongue a great worlde in that little world , a world of wickednesse . Iames 3.6 . If he can ouercome the world and himselfe , he shal be able to ouercome tribulation , anguish , persecution , famine , nakednesse , perill , sword , life , death , angels , principalities , powers , things present , or things to come , height or depth , or any other creature especially if he be able to ouercome & to hold fast til C. come . For the promise is made to him that ouercometh and keepeth my workes to the end , and so J end this point & come to shew that wee must ouercome to the end .

Not the hearers but the the doers of the lawe are iustified . Rom. 2.13 . 2. Obs. 1. part . Not the doers for a time but the continuers , beyond time , the faithful vnto the death , Reu. 2.10 Many herd C who vnderstood him not , so the vulgar Iewes , many vnderstood him who beleued him not so the Scribes & Pharises , many beleeued him who profest him not so the Hypocrite , many professed him for a time , but after fel away so the Apostats . This answereth al Iewes-Scribes Pharisais Hypocrits & Apostates , hee that keepeth my workes to the end . Not heareth but keepeth , not words , but workes not for a time but to the ende , hee that keepeth my woorkes to the end to him and to none but to him .

It was a brutish speach of Brutus , Liuy Te colui virtus vt rem ast tu nomen inane es , that Pietie , Honestie , Religion , bee but names , for Christ here makes a sufficient explication of his will in these words , Hee that keepeth my workes vnto the ende , giueth the name , and nature , the words , and workes , affections , and actions , al that is to be performed . The in vndation of hipocrisie hath almost drowned the world how many good woordes , in the world , how sewe good workes , how many bee like Christians , yet noe Christians , like Professours yet no Professors of whom the obseruation of Guicciardine maie be true Caesar Borgia and his father Pope Alexander the 6 had a prouerb fastened on them by the Italians of that time , Guicc . lib. 5. that the one of them neuer thought as he spake , and the other neuer spake as hee thought . Many are like to Panarches aenigma , to the Poets Hermaphrodites , Athaen . Dipnosoph . to the Grammarians Participles , to Banacles which are fish and noe fish , foule and noe foule : many are outward not inward Christians , extra mittendo , non intramittendo , by profession not by practise by sight not by faith .

God requireth the externe and interne , soule & bodie , hart and face , words and works , hee requireth that his seruaunt shoulde not onlie keepe the waies of the Lord , Gen. 18.19 . and the couenants of the Lorde , 1. Kings . 11.11 . and the commandements of the Lorde , Neh. 1.5 . and the Sabaoths of the Lord , Levit. 26.2 . and the ceremonies of the Lord , 1. Kings . 2.3 . and the iudgements of the Lord , Esec . 18.19 . the statuts of the Lord , Ps. 119.5 . and the words of the Lord , Rev. 22.7 . but here the works of the Lord which Hugo expresseth to be mandata the precepts , or as he expresseth himselfe the practise of the precepts of the Lord .

In which words , to keepe my works , hee ioineth faith & works togither , to keepe credendo my works . faciendo , to keep by beleeuing , to expresse by practising . For the Gospel is not a doctrine of libertie , Epicurisme or sensualitie , but a Gospel of exact action & perfection , not a gospel of beleeuing only , but of liuing , not of Theorie onlie , but of practique , consisting not in hearing , but doing , not in affecting , but an effecting faith So that hence J obserue this doctrine that true Christianitie must be manifested in a liuely , effectual , Doct. powerful practise , otherwise our faith is no faith , our faith must differ from the only knowing faith of the Deuils , for that is Historical , from the bragging faith of the Iewes for that is Pharisaicall , from the bare faith of Hypocrits , for that is vneffectuall , from the fained faith of the Apostates , for that is but Temporall , from the false faith of the Papists , for that is phantasticall .

A doctrine verie needful in these our times where in works are changed into words , walking into talking hands into tongues , harts into eares , which hath caused the Romaine faction to traduce vs for a solyfidian profession , as if we did pluck vp good works as weeds , and cast them out of dores : which how much contrarie to our profession it is , anie iudicious & ingenuous maie vnderstand . So we that hold this against men & Angels , that a true , effectual , liuely faith doth onlie iustifie , so that we remoue not works from faith , but works from iustifying . We grant works to bee vta regni non causa regnandi , Aug. Aquin. Hil. Origen . as Austine speaketh , and to be required , necessitate praesentiae , non necessitate efficientiae , for as Hilary in his Comment vpon Math. teacheth , Fides sola iustificat , and S. Austen on the 4. of the Rom. fides sola mundat , and as Origen on the same Chapter , fides sola sufficit . But then they replie out of S. Iames , yee see saith the Apostle , that of works a man is iustified and not of faith onlie . Yea but saith S. Paule , we conclude that a man is iustified by faith , without the worke of the Lawe . To reconcile both which places I saie , that as we are iustified by faith without the works of the Law , so by the works of the Law must our faith be iustified . So that there is one righteousnesse imputed , another righteousnesse excercised , there is a iustice of iustification , and a iustice of testification , the one acquiteth before God , the other approueth before men . Paule speaketh of the former of these two , Iames of the later . The one establishing a real , Christian , iustifying faith , Aquin. the other confuting a false , fained , divelish faith , Aquinas in this one distinction ending this Christus iustificat effectiue , fides iustificat apprehensiue , opera iustificant declaratiue , our works by faith , & faith by Christ doth iustifie vs . Our workes maie claime a part in our faith , but not in our iustifying , for in that great act of Canceling the handwriting , acquiting the conscience , pacifying Gods anger , and presenting vs blamelesse before Gods holy eies , faith is wholie and solely imploied , and our works not claiming anie part therein .

I speake not this to stoppe the blessed fountaine of good works , I know that he that hath proclaimed of Mary Magdalen wheresoeuer this Gospel shal be preached , mention shal be made of this woman , he hath also promised that hee that shall giue to one of the lest the verie least gifte , a Cup of cold water in his name shal not want their reward . And therefore if any haue beene to busie in this kinde , I say to such , why cause ye the people to staie from their workes , get ye to your burdens , laie vpon the people the number of workes which they did in the beginning diminish nothing thereof , for they be idle , let them worke and worke , & continue in working , that when Christ commeth to iudgment he maie finde them working , and saie , good servants and faithful yee haue beene faithfull in a little , I will make you rulers over much , enter into your masters ioy .

Let the vse of this doctrine mooue you al to consecrate your external , and internal , Vse . inward & outwarde actions , vnto God , that ye maie shew forth the vertue of him that hath called you , if yee haue onlie outwarde sanctity ye deceiue others , if only inward , you deceiue your selues : if neither inward , nor outward , ye deceiue God . But be ye not deceiued , God is not mocked . S. Peter proueth , that if temperance , patience , godlinesse , brotherly kindnesse and loue be in you , you shall neither be idle nor vnfruitfull in the knowledge of Christ . 2. Pet. 1.8 . Amor Dei saith Gregorie , otiosus non est , operatur magna , si est , si operari renuerit amor non est , where the loue of God is , it is not idle , and where it is idle it is not . Be earnest , zealous , religious , and be ye so religiouslie zealous , that you maie continue to the end , for Nemini palma datur priusquam cursus conficiatur , & therefore God required not a working only , but a continuing perseuering , keeping to the end . For the end of that shal be rewarded . O beloued shal not wee continue , Tantum boni in bono quantum mali in malo ? shall the drunkard continue so long as his longues last , the adulterer so long as his loines last , the glutton while his skin , the prowd man while his purse , the wicked man while his life , and shal not we continue ? To the ende that you maie continue to the ende , Remember that God in his Arithmetique requireth Multiplication , not Substraction , in his iournies progreds not regredi , in his Philosophie motum velociorem in fine quam in principio . Mistake me not , I saie he requireth motum velociorem , not violentiorem , for I know violent motions be vnnatural , and yet there haue beene latelie so many violent motions in our Church , that had not the diuine gubernation of our primum movens restrained the heat of inferiour Spheres , our Church had beene on fire & the Clerolaicall presbiterie had brought among vs a Cyclopical anarchy . But I need not to bring these in publicke . Theophilact vpon Luke , obserueth that Lady Philautia , Lady selfe loue was maried to the Pharisie in the Gospel . Theoph. in Luk. The Pharisie I am sure is dead , shee was then left a widdow . The Anabaptists , Brownists , Barronists , and Humorists , are in competition yet for her , The Presbiterie is corriual with them , they much torture themselues in the suit , we are not much troubled with them , and I hope , we shal be lesse . I come not hither to trample them , if there be anie thing good in them I honor it , the exorbitancie I pitty , I would they would remember that as knowledge without zeale is not religion , so zeale without knowledge is not discretion . They would not then be so violent and virulent .

Our motions beloued , they must not bee violent as these but natural , it must bee a perpetual motion to the end , we maie stretch out our selues but not out stretch our selues , runne but not ouerrunne , wee must continue in a ciuil , sober , sanctified course , runing our race , fighting our fight , til wee haue finished our course , & we shal be sure to finde help in running , comfort in continuing , ioye in obtaineing , a reward in triumphing , though al the world bee against vs , yet wee shal bee as Mount Syon that shal not bee remoued , as Socrates whoe neuer changed countenance , or as the Cypresse tree which neuer changeth colour . Troubles maie assault the godly , but neuer insult ouer them , they shall haue a refection in their affliction , and Consolation after desolation post praelium praemium , and so J come from praelium to praemium , my second part .

I will giue him power ouer nations , were there not greater reward for delightinging in the Lord then the delight of that delight , the ioie of that ioie , ● . Pars. the plesure of that pleasure it were sufficient dilectionis nulla maior expetenda est remuneratio quam ipsa dilectio saieth leo . But behold the bountifulnesse , mercy , liberalitie , munificens of our good god , hee inciteth , and allureth , and heareth , and promiseth wages , yea promiseth to reward his owne merits in vs , by his owne mercy on vs . So true is hee in his word , so faithfull in his promises , man cannot obiect against God , Ouid. Met. as the Poet doth against man Mobilis Aesonide vernaque incertior aura curtua policiti pondere verba carent , He deserueth not to bee called Doso as Antigonus was who promised much and performed little , hee wil not equiuocate with man , as hee did that promised centum oues & brought but centum oua , Austine witnesseth Deum fecisse Chirographum promissorum suorum , Austin . non debendo sed promittendo . Hee oweth vs nothing , because he neuer receaued anie thing , and yet he maketh his promise his debt , his deed , his word , his worke , & his mercy a merit , yet not our merit , for St-Paul - Paul anticipateth the doctrine of merits in the 2. Eph. 8. wee are saued not of our selues , not of our workes , least any man shold boast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but it is the gift of god whervpon Bernard concludeth demeritis sufficit scire quod non sufficiant merita . Bern. So that againe I saie he promiseth to reward his owne merits by his owne mercies , he promiseth this and hee performeth this , his worde , his deed , his promises , his reward , be not as the worlds bee . In the world some promise what they cannot doe as Sathan to Christ Math. 4.9 . some what they can doe but meane not , as the sonns of Iacob to the sonnes of Sichem Gen 34 16. Some what they meene for a time but afterwards deny it , as Laban did to Iacob , Gen. 29.23 . Some what they promise willinglie , but giue vnwillinglie , as Herod Io. Baptists head . Mark . 6.16 . Some what they giue willingly but afterwards repent , as Ioshua his graunt to the Gibeonits . Ios. 9.23 . But Gods promises bee performances , and therfore bee to bee beleeued , In spe , extra spem-supra spem , contra spem .

And in this God hath done with man as the rulers of states , and makers of statutes , who haue sought not only to punish the bad , and to prouide some sharpe & fearful tortors for them , but haue euer a regard to encorage and reward the vertuous office of the God . So did Zoroaster among the Persians , Trismegistus among the Aegyptians , Charondas among the Carthaginians , Minos among the Cretians , & Solon among the Athemans , that as in Hercul . Biuium they were 2 waies , the on via virtutis Non est ad astra mollis è terris via , the other via voluptatis , facilis descen sus Auerni . So there should bee also diuerse respects had for the followers of these two diuerse waies , as Antishenes the Philosopher in Laertius and Achilles , that valiant martialist in Homer doe testifie . So God the life giuer of all , these law-giuers , hath prouided the one and the other for the wicked whoe wil bee warned by noe warning , feared by noe threatning , affrighted by noe terrifying admonished by noe exhorting , he hath prouide fearful , and horrid and eternal paines , tumultuous horrour , firie Chaines , flamming whipps , schorching darknesse , tormenting Deuills , vpon whom houling , roaring , lamenting , blaspheming , and eternal death gnawing on them , shal be powred out , the ful flood of Gods wrath and the dreggs of the vnsauorie composition of the cup of Gods displesure .