IT is much controuersed betwixt vs and the Papists , whether Salomon were saued . The reasons on both sides , made Petrus Tenerius , Archbishop of Toledo , to cause his paynter , to picture in his Chappell , heauen and hell , and to place Salomon in the middest , one halfe in hell , the other halfe in heauen . For mine owne part , I had rather beleeue Saul is saued then Salomon damned : the Canon of charity will instruct mee for the one , and there is no Canon of certitude to warrant me for the other . But I meane to omit this , and all other things touching this Booke : and at this time onely to accommodate my selfe to this present occasion .

In these words therefore I note three things .

First , who this Preacher was , cap. 1.12 . I the Preacher was King ouer Israel : and hence I note the dignity and honour of the Priesthood .

Secondly , I note the labour and trauell appertaining to this calling in , did seeke out .

Thirdly , I note the wisedome and discretion should be in this calling , non magno conatu nugas peragere , like Mirmerides and Milesius in Aeliau , who made wagons for a Fly to draw : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . These things are nothing but losse of time . But my Preacher sought out pleasant words , that is , in the end of this verse , words of truth .

So these three things I purpose by Gods grace and your patience , to treate of at this time , namely , the Dignity Labour Wisedome of the Priest , and Priesthood .

For the dignity : I the Preacher was King ouer Israel ; and he calleth himselfe in this booke , seuen times by the name of Preacher . Wee are called in the Bible , Gods Ambassadours , shining starres , Reuel . 2.3 . wee are termed Angels , because as Gods Angels were wont to bring Gods messages to man : so the Ministers doe preach glad tydings of saluation in Christ . Hence the godly did alwaies giue all honourable titles to Gods Priests . Sara called Abraham Lord . Hannah call'd Ely Lord . The widdow called Elias Lord . The Iewes neuer almost spake vnto our Sauiour , but they cald him Lord , Master , or Rabbi . The costly garment appoynted by God himselfe , for Aaron to weare , Exod. 28. sheweth in what high esteeme the Priest should bee . Come we to the heathen men . The Phaenices allowed their Priest onely to weare Gold , and Purple robes , downe to the feete : and in token of a prerogatiue of greater honour , hee wore a Crowne of Gold and precious Stones . The Priest of Hercules was cloathed in Purple , wearing a Miter , and he was next in honour vnto the King . Among the Romanes , Kings were wont to vndergoe the Office of Priests : and when the Kings ceased , it was vnlawfull to create Priests of any which were not of the Senate House . Flamen Dialis , which was Iupiters High Priest , was arrayed with a costly garment , hee was to ride in his Chariot : if any had beene brought bound in his house , hee was to bee loosed , in honour of the Priest : if any had beene carried to punishment , and had fallen downe humbly at his feete , it had beene great sinne that day to strike him . The Tribe of Iudah was the Kingly Tribe , and none might marry into that Tribe but Leui. Hence came Iehoiada the High Priest to be of the Blood-royall , and Vncle to King Ioash . But the Priests greatest honour is in Iob 33. verse 23 , 24. If there be with him a Messenger an Interpreter , one of a thousand to declare vnto men his righteousnesse , Then will he haue mercy on him : and will say , Deliuer him , that he goe not downe into the pit , for I haue receiued a reconciliation . In which words we see , that authority is giuen to the Minister , to redeeme a penitent soule from hell and damnation : and this is the greatest honour that euer was giuen to any creature .

Angels gaue the Law at Mount Sinai . Angels reuealed the birth of Christ . Angels haue often brought glad messages from God to man . But it was neuer sayd to Angell , Deliuer that man , that he goe not downe into the pit . To some callings God sayth , Worke thou for man , Build him houses , Prouide him sustenance . To the Physician , Heale the man . To the Lawyer , Pleade for the man . To the Souldier , Fight for the man . To the Magistrate , Defend him . To the King , Gouerne him . To none but to the Minister , Deliuer him , that he goe no downe into the pit . But , though this function bee so excellent , yet wee may not say , as it is in the Popes decrees : As the Sunne in glory exceedeth the Moone , so doth the Pope excell the Emperour . Nor as Bellarmine , that Kings are not onely subiect to Popes , to Bishops , to Priests , but euen to Deacons : that an Emperour must content himselfe not onely to drinke after a Bishop , but after a Bishops Chaplaine : if they are as they haue beene called diseased Priests , this were a slouenly and a hard penance for a King to performe . And againe , Bishops that are but Popes Vassals , may depose Kings , and abrogate their Lawes . These things proceede out of the mouth that speaketh blasphemy , and they sauour onely of that man of sinne , which doth sit in the Church of God , and exalt himselfe aboue God , and aboue all that is called Gods .

But we hold it for a truth vndeniable , that Kings may , as did Salomon , depose Abiathar the High Priest , and place Zadok in his roome . And therefore though the Priest bee so excellent , yet let euery soule bee subiect to the higher powers , and that for conscience sake : and if euery soule , then your soule . So sayth Bernard to Pope Eugenius .

This our calling so honorable , serueth , First , to instruct our selues .

Secondly , others .

For our selues .

Is this our calling so excellent ? Then know , Generatio optima , corruptio pessima , The best things corrupted , proue the worst : for Omnis corruptio est in contrarium , all corruption is into the contrary : See by the Angels , most glorious in their creation , most loathsome in their degeneration . As I hold none more to bee reuerenced , then a good Minister : so , none more base , then one deboshed in his life . Thus our Sauiour , Yee are the Salt of the earth , but if the Salt be vnsauoury , it is fit for nothing , but to be cast on the dunghill , and trod vnder foote . Then , as we are the light of the world : So , Our light must shine before others , that they seeing our good workes , may learne to glorifie our Father which is in Heauen . Ille granditer dicit , qui non contemptibiliter viuit , He preacheth well , that doth not liue contemptibly , sayth Augustine . Among Grammarians , he is excellent that can speak well : for Grammar is an art of speaking . But among Deuines , not onely words , but workes are required . Turpe est doctori , cum culpa redarguit ipsum : Men ( sayth Lactantius ) had rather haue good examples then good words , for it is easie to speake well , but hard to doe well . Priests must be verbarij , et operarij : preaching in doctrine and in life : for Ille solom praedicat viua voce , qui praedicat vita et voce : He only preacheth with a liuely voyce , which preacheth with his life and voyce . Omnia in sacerdote debent esse vocalia , sayth Saint Ierome , All things in a Diuine must preach , his apparrell must preach , his Diet must preach , his pleasures must preach , all his life must preach , 1. Tim. 4.12 . Hee must bee an ensample in word , in conuersation , in spirit , in fayth , in purenesse . Quid Antistes ad dominum , nisi pro delictis populi Intercessor eligitur , sayth Gregory ? Why is the Minister chosen , but to intercede for the people , and to reconcile the people to God ? And with what confidence dare hee presume to reconcile others to God , when himselfe is vnreconciled by his wickednesse ? Will one enemy reconcile a third person to his vtter enemy ? Sacerdotis Christios , mens , manusque concordent : The hands , the mouth , and the minde of the Minister of Christ must agree together , sayth Ierome , Sic oculos , sic ille manus , sic ora ferebat .

A learned Fryer , at a Councell , complayning of the abuse of the Clergy , preaching before the Emperour , wished him to begin reformation of the Clergy a minoribus , from the inferiour sort of Clergy . The Emperour thanked him for his Sermon , and sayd , He had rather begin a maioribus , from the better sort of Clergy . So , the more eminent a Clergy man , the more shining let him bee in vertuous liuing . Ministers are like great stones in a building : if one stone in the side of this Church fall , there will follow a Cart-load of rubbish after . So , one bad example of a Minister , especially of a great one , will cause thousands of poore sheepe to fall into the ditch : and we must redresse the smallest faults .

Plutarke reporteth , Cymon a iust man was blemished , because he dranke wine . Pompey the great was esteemed effeminate , because he scratched his head with one finger . Worthy Scipio was checked , because hee was giuen to sleepe much . And so moates in Preachers will be iudged beames : For as Eccles. 10.1 . Dead Flies ( and a Fly is but a small creature ) cause to stinke , and putrifie the Oyntment of the Apothecary . So , a little folly , him that is in estimation for wisedome and glory . So , wee especially of all men , should make vse of the Italian Prouerbe , The want of a nayle , is the losse of a shoo : the losse of a shoo , the hurt of an horse : the hurt of an horse , the death of a Captaine : the death of a Captaine , the ouerthrow of an Army : the ouerthrow of an Army , the vtter ruine and desolation of a whole Kingdome . There is a Fable , That the Axe wanted an helue , and comming to a great Wood , begged onely so much wood as to make the helue : alledging that it would be no hurt to the Wood which was so great , and that parcell of wood so small : this being granted , no soone● was the helue fitted to the Axe , but presently the Axe did cut downe the whole Wood. And so take we heede , how wee harbour the smallest faults , and giue scandall in the least things : for time may come , that these in the end may grow so big , as That euill doome may befall the Church , which did in Henry the eyghth his time : which God in his mercy preuent . Nay , to auoyd from scandall , wee ought to abstaine euen a licitis , from things lawfull . For as Erasmus obserueth , That which is a vertue in God , is oftentimes a sinne in man . For example , it was infinite mercy in God , to forgiue Dauids murder and adultery : but it would be a blot in iustice , to a King to pardon such a double offence in any subiect . So , what is commendable in others , will be vicious in vs . Therefore Saint Pauls rule is true , Though all things are lawfull , yet all things are not expedient .

It was a foule sinne in Balaam , to bee both ambitious and auaricious : but it was more foule in him , so to perseuere that his Asse should bee wiser then himselfe , and able to proue him . So , it is euill in the Clergy to bee sinfull in their conuersation : but it is too bad , when they grow to such an height , as that the asses of this age , the simple Artificer , and plaine Countreyman shall be able to discerne and condemne him , and poynt with the finger , saying , Ditior hic est , there is one which is a lewd Minister , one which is scandalous in his conuersation .

Secondly , for the people .

Is our calling so honourable , as to be Gods Ambassadours ? Then ought yee to reuerence our persons , and honour our function : He which despiseth you , despiseth me : but he which receiueth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet , shall haue a Prophets reward . But alasse , our Gospellers are like the Romanes Saint Augustine speaketh of , l. 2. de ciu. Dei , cap. vlt. They could allow of Playes to be acted in honour of their gods , but they esteemed those which acted them , to bee most base . So , wee allow of Prayers , preaching , &c. but these which are set apart for such dueties , are esteemed men of the meanest ranke and condition . Vnder the Law , the Kings would be Prophets , and sonnes of Kings would serue at the Altar : Nay , Christ the Sonne of God tooke vpon him the Office of a Priest in the Church of Rome . Dukes , Earles , and Nobles desire admittance into holy orders . But among vs a Gentleman , an elder brother a Priest , were Rara auis in terris , nigroque simillima Cygno : you may as soone see a blacke Swan swim downe the riuer , nay but for necessity , none of a Gentle family : and yet were it not for the Priesthood , there would be many a hundred poore beggerly Gentlemen which now liue in good repute , and vphold the honour of the family with the Elder brother : and thus it commeth to passe oftentimes , that when learning and honesty abound , the Minister is contemned by reason of his birth .

Herodotus reporteth , that in the temple of Apollo were vessels of gold and siluer , wherein they sacrificed to their gods : and other vessels of pewter and tinne , which serued for other vses : in processe of time , the temple being robbed of the richer vessels , they were constrayned to vse the meaner , which though in themselues but meane , yet they were esteemed of highly , because they were ordayned for holy vses . So , admit the birth of many be meane and obscure , yet if they bee set apart to preach the Gospell , esteeme them not as they are in birth , sonnes of obscure parents : but as they are in Office , Priests of the most high God : Knowing , that none dare to resist a poore Bozholder , the meanest officer , but his contempt is to the King himselfe . And I could wish , that our contempt did not oftentimes arise from our owne Coate . Which of our great Prophets will make his sonne a Prophet , and match into the houses of other Prophets ? Nay , as many Lay Gentlemen obserue , They which should vphold the honour of our Coate , bring the disdayne , in regard the Great personages in the Church , disdayne to countenance the poore Clergy . We poore country Ministers are the legges and feete , whereon the shoulders and armes of the great Churchmen stand . But I wish these to remember , that if a man catch cold in the feete , it will quickly strike vp into the head , and so , if contempt light on vs the Feete , it will soone possesse the Heads , and great Ones too : so here , 1 Cor. 4.1 . Let men so esteeme of vs , as of the Ministers of Christ , and disposers of the secrets of God . For , art thou beholding to him , who when thou hast lost a Iewell of much valew , findeth it for thee ? To a Lawyer , for pleading thy cause ? To a Physician , for recouering thy health ? Then much more esteeme of him , who when thy soule is lost in Adam , doth redeeme it out of the pit , and hell of damnation .

The second thing I obserued in this text , is , The Preachers labour and trauaile , he did seeke out .

Was not my Preacher a King , and so , higher then a Pope ? Had hee not learning and wisedome in abundant manner ? He did swim in wealth : and then , what madnesse was it in him to bee laborious and painefull ? I , but my Preacher esteemed no wisedome , nor learning comparable , to winne soules , and instruct Gods people . And therefore , verse 9. The more wise the Preacher was , the more hee taught the people knowledge , and caused them to heare , and searched forth , and prepared many parables . 1 Tim. 3. If any desire the Office of a Bishop , he desireth a worthy worke . The name Bishop , putteth vs in minde of the great labour and trauell belongeth to that Function . Episcopus est speculator , obseruator , et custos , et praefectus : A Bishop is a Watchman , an Ouerseer , a Superintendent : all which words import a labour and trauaile , pertayning to the Function . Thus Tully ad Atticum , Vult me Pompeius esse , quem tota haec Campania , et maritima ora habeant , Episcopum ad quem delectus et negotij summa referatur . Pompey would haue mee him , whom this region and the Seacoasts should haue their Bishop , to whom the choyce and chiefe businesse should be committed . Thus the Athenians called them whom they sent to view the disorders of their Cities , Bishops . Hence Saint Augustine lib. de ciuit . Dei , cap. 19. Episcopus nomen est operis , non honoris , vt intelligat non se esse Episcopum , qui praeesse dilexerit , et non prodesse . A Bishops name , is a name of labour , not of honour . To teach vs , that hee is not a Bishop , which striueth to rule in the Church , and not to profit the Church by his labour and preaching . For as Prosper sayth , Nihil Sacerdoti prodest , etiamsi bene vixerit , modo male viuentes tacendo non arguit . It doth not profit a Priest to liue well , vnlesse , withall hee reproue euill liuers by his doctrine . Our Sauiours Commission was , Math. 28. Goe teach and baptize all Nations , teaching them to obserue all things I haue commanded you . Hence Saint Paul , Woe is me , if I preach not the Gospell . And Acts 20. When Paul sent for the Elders of Ephesus , he first related his owne paines , That he was free from the blood of all men , and had kept nothing backe , which was necessary for their saluation . And then vers. 28. he gaue them this great charge , Take heede vnto your selues , and to all the Flocke , whereof the Holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers , to feed the Church of God , which hee hath purchased with his owne blood . And 2 Timothy 4. I charge thee before God , and before the Lord Iesus , preach the Word in season , and out of season , reprooue , exhort , rebuke , with all long sufferance , and doctrine .

I but how often ? Salomon sayth , Pauci sint sermones tu● , Let thy Sermons be few : quarter Sermons , monthly Sermons ? No , Be instant in season , and out of season . We are labourers in Gods Vineyard . Take heed we heare not one day , Why stand you heere idle all the day long ?

I , but all preaching ? no praying ? Indeede there are extremes : for some would haue all praying , no preaching : others would haue all preaching , no praying : where the meane should be obserued : For God forbid , these two sisters should bee like the two brothers , Aeteocles , and Polynices , which deadly hated one another . Nay , I would not haue these two like Castor and Pollux , two louing brothers , yet , one must not liue , but the other must dye . But I wish from mine heart , that preaching and praying , might bee like Hypocrates two twinnes , liue arme in arme together . For when Castor and Pollux appeared single to the Mariners , they prefigured shipwracke , or stormes : but if they both appeared , it noted prosperous weather . So , praying , and no preaching , would not so well edifie the Church : because where visions fayle , the people waxe naked : and preaching without praying , doth not well beseeme Gods Church , whose house is the house of prayer : but both together : the one will teach vs how to pray , the other will fit vs how to heare . If one fagot will warme me , I hope , an hundred will more ; so , if the Prayer of one iust man preuayle much with God , then the Prayers of an whole parish together will be more forcible . I , but all preachings ? no reading of Psalmes , Chapters , Epistles , Gospels ? Surely reading of Scriptures is a most blessed thing : yea to a large sence it may bee termed preaching , as it is an open publication of GODS will : but for any man to say , that reading is so excellent , as that preaching Saint Paul commandeth : which is , to diuide Gods Word aright , by enterperting it , and applying it to the hearers soules : is , I hold , most inconuenient : for then what neede we be at charge , to get men of gifts , and to send them to the Vniuersities ? A child often , or twelue yeeres old may read distinctly , to the edification of the hearer . Therefore as spice whole , smelleth sweetely : but bruised by an Apothecary , it is more pleasant : so Gods Word read , is as sweete as Hony : but preached , it is more comfortable . If the loafe of bread be whole and crusty , the children can hardly bite it : but cut it into slices , and euery infant can eate it : So it is betwixt reading and preaching . See this in the two Disciples going to Emaus , Luke 24.27 . How did their hearts burne within them , when our Sauiour was preaching to them the Scriptures ! See by the Eunuch reading , but not vnderstanding , yet at Philips preaching a true Christian , Act. 8.

This doctrine concerneth our selues , and the people : for our selues , Must wee bee labourers , and not loyterers ? Must wee preach in season and out of season ? Then , woe worth that man which taketh this sacred Function on him , without gifts furnished for the Calling .

Sacerdos si sit praedicationis nescius , quam clamoris vooem daturus ? est praeco mutus , sayth Gregory : How can he giue or send Gods Word into the peoples eares and hearts , when he cannot preach ? Will any be so idle , as to sue to be Cryer of a Citty , when he hath no tongue in his head to speake ? Excuse not thy selfe , because the Bishop hath consecrated thee a Priest : For , as Gregory reporteth , An Emperour commanded an Ape should be turned into a Lyon : Et quidem prouisione illius vocari Leo potest , fieri autem non potest . The Emperour might cause the Ape to be called a Lyon , but he could not cause him to be made a true Lyon . So , the Bishop may call , and cause thee to be called a Preacher : but surely , he cannot furnish thee with learning , to make thee a Preacher . These the holy Scriptures call dumbe dogs . But there are others of our Coate , whom God hath enabled with gifts sufficient , and the Church with honour and wealth in an high degree : yet these will beare no heate nor burden of the day , in Gods Orchard . Nay , they doe often hate such as doe take paines , eo nomine , onely because they doe take paines , and brand them with the odious name of Puritant . These are not dumbe dogs : but as I may say , malicious dogs . Like Lucians dogge in the manger , which will neyther eate Hay himselfe nor let the Oxe eate any . Nay , they are not dumbe and malicious dogges : but as one sayth , dumbe diuels .

There are many which speake much against Puritants : and for my part , such as are factious , I wish them at Amsterdam : but I am verily perswaded , that none make more Puritants in the Church , and Common-wealth , then they that most speake against them . For the people cannot diue into our controuerted opinions , but they can iudge our outward actions . Now then , when they see men of much meanes & honour in the Church , to liue idly : and meane persons in place and Liuing , to preach much : this maketh the people to iudge : Surely these men doe best , and therefore they are in the right : whereas consider , we which stand for the Churches discipline , are as well bred as the other : we haue Arts , and Sciences , and Bookes , natural parts and ability of body . Now then , if wee would but labour in preaching , I am perswaded , it would put downe presently all factious Schismatickes , and Separatists , which by our idlenesse doe much abound : but let these which sheare the Sheepe , and not feede the flocke , thinke what will become of them at the last day , when Saint Peter shall appeare with three thousand conuerted at one Sermon : when Saint Paul , Saint Matthew , Saint Iames , Saint Iohn , shall appeare with whole Nations conuerted at their preaching , and these shall stand single with the vnprofitable seruant , hiding his talent in a napkin , and cannot shew one soule , that he hath wonne , or endeauoured to winne to God . There is a story how a learned Fryer in Italy , famous for his learning and preaching , was commanded to preach before the Pope at a yeere of Iubile : and to bee the better furnished , he repayred thither a good while before to Rome , to see the fashion of the Conclaue , to accommodate his Sermon the better , when the day came , he was to preach , hauing ended his prayer , he looking along time about , at last he cryed with a loud voyce three times , Saint Peter was a foole , Saint Peter was a foole , Saint Peter was a foole . Which words ended , he came out of the Pullpet . Being after conuented before the Pope , and asked why he so carryed himselfe ? Hee answered , Surely holy Father , if a Priest may goe to Heauen abounding in wealth , honour , and preferment , and liue at ease , neuer , or seldome to preach , then surely Saint Peter was a foole , which tooke such an hard way , in trauelling , in fasting , in preaching , to goe thither : and so surely if to haue many liuings and much honour in the Church , and possessed of them , to take our fill of pleasures , to heape vp wealth , and to liue at ease , seldome or neuer to preach Gods Word , be the way to Heauen , then surely we poore country Ministers are very fooles , to toyle our bodies , and to beate our braynes with preaching and studying to goe that hard way , when we may with more ease goe to Heauen in a feather-bed . But let these remember , that Praesbyteri , non sanatis magis quam sanandis hominibus praesunt , sayth Austine , Preachers are placed ouer men which are not perfectly sound , but are to be made more sound dayly , by their preaching and instructions .

For the people .

Are we Gods laborers ? Then he which serueth at the Altar , must liue by the Altar . Hee that preacheth the Gospell , must liue by the Gospell . For the labourer is worthy of his hyer . Heretofore no sinne to great , as sacriledge , no gift so good as to the Church : now no sinne so small , as to rob Peter , and not to pay Paul , but themselues : and no gifts extracted so hardly , as the Ministers due , the Shepherds were woont to liue by the flocke , but now the Minister can hardly get wooll to cloath him , or Milke to feed him because they challenge , customes and sue out prohibi , tions , where the Iudge a Lay man , the Iury Laymen the witnesses Laymen , the Lawiers Laymen : all Lay-men interest in the cause : our case is like to a poore sheepe , which in the time of storme , runneth vnder an hedge for shelter , when shee goeth away , shee leaueth some of her wooll behind her . I , but what say the people ? Stand to our beneuolence and courtesie , for we will deale well with you : I , and then men of the best gifts shall be sure to bee preferred , and neuer to want .

My beloued , woe worth our ancestors , that founded Schooles and Vniuersities : woe worth our parents which brought vs vp at such charge , and at the Vniuersities , and woe worth our owne selues to take such paynes , in studying arts , and reading of authors , finding out tongues , and then to come into the Townes and Villages to be iudged , if we haue learning and gifts : And by whom ? By good man the Cobler : By Master the Mercer , by clowted shooes and tusset coates . Thinke in your owne soules , is this fitting ?

For your dealing well and bountifully with vs : call to minde I pray , how the Woolues and the Sheepe made a League ; for certaynety they gaue hostages ; the Sheepe gaue their dogges , which defended them : the Woolues , their young ones , but after the Sheepes dogges were fast tyed : the young Woolues crying , the old did presently run and fetch away their young ones , and killed the Sheepe . Euen so part with our free-hold , and stand to your loue : then in stead of our fee simple , you will giue vs a simple fee . The Eagle stole flesh from the Altar , but she carryed away a coale , which set her nest and young on fire . And wee all know , whose fathers were enriched by Church goods , their posterity were beggers at the third generation . I haue obserued it in my experience , in this Country , and I could instance in many Gentlemen , and other persons , which haue been most bitter against tithes , and stood to customes : that eyther they were men of no religion , or if they made shew of any , yet God hath sent vpon them , or their posterity , some fearefull iudgement , and therefore take heede , if we giue vnto you Panem Sanctuarij , the bread of Life , deny not vnto vs Panem promptuarij , the bread of Wheat for our bodies : For thou must not muzzle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the Corne. And Saint Paul doth tell you , if you dare beleeue him , that if we sow to you Spirituall things , what is it if we reape Temporall ? It is nothing in comparison .

The third thing that was obserued , is the Preachers Wisedome : Pleasant words . There are some . I confesse , are very laborious in their Preaching , but yet Mulier formosa superne , Turpiter atrum desinit in piscem : Tincta Lycambao sanguine tela dabunt . They must kicke and spurne at their Mother , and at her discipline , and so breed faction . 1 King . 5. All the Stones of the Temple were smooth , hewed and fitted , and then brought into the Temple and layd : For in the Temple was heard no noyse nor Hammer . To teach vs , that in Gods Church there should bee no Schisme , nor rent , but all peace and quiet . These men are lights in the Church , but like the flashing of a candles snuffe , which going out , leaueth a bad noysome sauour behind it . Surely these doe not seeke out pleasing words : Therefore into their secrets let not my soule come . But if any will labour to seeke out pleasant words , the Words of truth , and will speake to their Mother in vnity of doctrine , and in vniformity of discipline : Let Gods blessings be multiplied vpon him in as ample a manner , as the bright Starres are fixed in the glorious Firmament of Heauen .

Pleasant words . Esay 58. Cry , and cease not , cry aloud . Praeconis officium in se suscipit , quicunque ad sacerdotium ascendit , sayth Gregory : A Priest taketh on him the Office of a Cryer : therefore wee must be like Iohn Baptist , loud cryers in the wildernesse , to bid the people repent . We must be Boanarges , sonnes of thunder , to awaken men out of their dead sleepe of sinne and security . What if men bee so nice as the Sybarites , which could not endure a Cocke in their City , for feare of too timely awaking in the morning ? Yet , we must be like the Cock which crowed to Saint Peter , he crew once , and he heard him not : twice , and hee was deafe : the third time , Then Peter went out and wept bitterly . Yet this our crying , this our thundering , this our crowing , must bee like the busling of a Gnat , which wakened the shepherd , when hee saw the Serpent comming . All must be done in wisedome to warne them of the old Serpent : not in hatred , to exclaime against them , but in care to preuent their danger : not in stomacke , to breake our anger , but in loue , to awaken them : not in reuenge , to wrong them . The Preacher must seeke out pleasant words .

Wee are the Salt of the earth , therefore wee must be applyed to the vlcerous soares of their soules , to keepe them from festring in their sinnes . And we must remember to be Salt , in another sence , as it was Amoris monumentum , The embleme of loue : it is not to bee done in hatred to fret them , but in loue to season them : The Preacher must seeke out pleasant words . Wee must take into our hands the sword of the Spirit , which is GODS Word , and this must cut and pierce them to the marrow and the bone . But these wounds must bee like the lancing of a Chyrurgion , In curam , non in cruo●atum , dum producis verbera , extende vbera , sayth Bernard : Wee must bee like the Mother , which hath a rodde to whippe the childe : and withall , a dugge , full of sweete Milke , to nourish , and feede the childe . The Preacher must seeke out pleasant words .

This doctrine concernes both Priests and people .

For vs , wee must seeke out pleasant words . Then as Gregory sayth , See the Minister obserue Quid ●ui Quando Qualiter Quamdiu loquatur . What to speake To whom When How How long .

First , Quid , What hee may speake . Col. 4.6 . Let our speech bee gracious and powdered with Salt : that as Salt doth extract hurtfull humors from the meat , and expell all corruption from it , so the grace of heauenly wisedome should represse all idle and vnprofitable talke , and renounce all wicked and filthy communication , Genealogies , and foolish questions auoyde , which doe breede rather contention and strife , then godly edifying which is by fayth . And as Salt doth dry vp the superfluous humours of meats , and maketh meat fit to bee digested , and wholesome to nourish : So , the Salt of Wisedome should make the Preachers words , not onely not hurtfull , but fit and profitable to edifie the hearers .

Secondly , ●ui , Note to whom we speake , not to all alike , 1. Timothy 5. Rebuke not an Elder , but exhort him as a Father : the younger men as brethren . Nay , that which is fitting to bee spoken at one time , is vnfitting to bee spoken to the same person at another time . When Dauid had sinned foulely , Nathan sayd in an hye straine , Thou art the man . But when he came to Dauid about Salomon , he bowed himselfe in an humble manner , and spake mildly .

Thirdly , Quando , When to speake . A word in due season , is like Apples of gold , with pictures of siluer : speake nothing but truth . Yet all truth is not at all times to be vttred , but marke opportunity , learne wisedome in this poynt , of a woman , 1. Sam. 25. Abigal , when Nabal was in his cups , let him alone : after hee had slept , shee spied occasion to lay open his fault .

Fourthly , Qualiter . Note , after what manner to speake . For as some Physicke cureth one , and killeth another . Nay , what Physicke doth cure the body at one time , doth hurt the same body at another time . So , the same doctrine which comforteth one , woundeth another . Therefore , as the Chyrurgion , if hee see dead flesh in the wound , applyeth not Balsome and healing salues : but red powders and corrosiues , to eate the flesh to the bones : and after powreth in Balme , and layeth on saluing playsters . So , Preachers must not lull dead consciences into dead sleepe of security , with the comfortable promises of the Gospell , vnlesse they bee first humbled by the terror of GODS Law . Therefore , first preach the Law , then the Gospell . Thus did God to Adam in Paradise : saying , Adam , where art thou ? Who told thee thou wert naked ? Hast thou eaten of the forbidden tree ? And then Adam conuicted in his conscience , was comforted by the Gospell , that The seede of the Woman should bruise the head of the Serpent . Thus did Nathan to Dauid , Thou art the man ; thou hast killed Vriah the Hittite , and taken Bershaba his wife . And Dauid being humbled by the sight of his sinne : crying , I haue sinned , was then lifted vp by the Gospell , Thou shalt not dye , for the Lord hath taken away thy sinne . Thus did Peter the 2. of the Acts , hee told the Iewes they had killed the Lord of life : and then pricked in their consciences , they cryed , Men and brethren , what shall wee doe ? Then Peter comforted them with the Gospell , saying : Repent , and amend your liues , and bee baptized in the Name of the Lord Iesus for the remission of sinnes .

Lastly , Quamdiu . Note heere . How long to speake . We must not vnder zeale make Religion tedious , but as in the Hebrue , I haue written vnto you in few words , so , Quicquid percipias , breuis esto : be short , especially if you come to visit a weake and sicke person .

For the people .

If wee must preach , and our preaching must bee pleasing : yea it will bee so to the spirituall , though not carnall man : then yee must heare with obedience . Yee must not bee like a galled Horse , to kicke and fling when his strayne is searched .

If a Mayden tell her Mistris , shee hath spots of durt in her face , and bring her a Glasse to see them , will shee breake the Glasse , and chide the Maide ? Will shee not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water and a towell to wipe them away 〈◊〉 So , if wee tell you your soules sinnes , and lay them open out of GODS Word , as a Glasse to conuince your consciences , shall yee bee offended at vs , or should you not striue to wash your soules cleare by teares of repentance , and amendment of life ?