A godly learned and fruitfull sermon Made vpon the fourteenth of Iohn in which is plainely set foorth the true looue of Christ, the markes whereby the children of God are knovven and the commodities vvhich that looue bringeth. By D. S. 1584.

The Sermon

THe mindes of Gods chosen people , haue neuer any peace or quietnes in the which they may stay them selues vntil they féel them selues vnited vnto Christ , by meanes of a perfit and stayed faith , with a ful confidence in him and a burning loue towardis him . Augustine therfore hath aptly said , Augustine . that loue is a certain coupling of that louer with the beloued , which saying of Augustine may be approued true , by the testimonie of S. Iohn in his first Epistle and 1. Iohn 4. fourth chapter where he saith . That God is charity , and he that dwelleth in charity dwelleth in God , and God in him . Betwéen the which words , charity and loue in this place , and many more of the holy scriptures , I take to be no difference .

Which loue of God is powred into the harts of Gods children , by the holy spirite of God , by the means of Christe , for the spirit of loue was louingly giuen vnto Christe vnto this end , that he shoulde powre it into his members .

And although the same loue , in the children of God is vnperfit during this theyr mortall life ( because of sinne ) yet is it acceptable vnto God , for that they by fayth are made members of Christe ▪

The manner and order of which loue , is explicated and set foorth , as wel by that seruant of God , Moyses in the Booke called Deutronomium , & sixt Chapter in these woords : Deu. 6. Thou shalt loue the Lorde thy God , with all thy hart , with all thy soule , and with all thy might : as also the very same woords , rehersed or rather confirmed by our sauiour Christe , in the 22. Chapter Math. 22 written by S. Mathewe .

To loue God with all thine hart , is to take dilligent héed , that thine hart hée not inclined to the looue of any thinge , more then to the loue of thy God : To loue him with all thy soule , is to stay the trust of thy saluation and safety of thy soule , onely on Jesus Christe the sonne of God To loue him with all thy might , is to apply all thy sences , to the setting foorth of his honour and glory . For séeing wée bée wholy his , he will haue vs holy to loue him .

I graunt there are things in this world that may kindle our minds and affections to looue them , for there be worldly honours , the glittering golde , she glistering precious stones ; the beuty of mankinde , the excellent colours of Mettalls and cloth , the swéet odors of hearbs and perfumes , the delectable harmony of Instruments and Musique , Besides , our wiues , children parents and freends . But if man set his loue & affection to any one of these things , eyther his minde will quickly be changed to delight in some other thing , either els the thing which he loued , will soone fade away , and come to nothing . And so in ouer much louing of any these thinges , make himselfe vnfit to be loued of God : according to the saying of our Sauiour Christ Qui amat Patrem aut matrem plusquam Math. 10. me , non est me dignus : et qui amat : silium aut filiam supra me , non est me dignus .

He that loueth father or mother ( sayth our Sauiour ) more then mée , is not woorthy of mée . And hee that loueth Sonne or daughtermore then mée , is not woorthy of mée .

If thou wilt therfore loue any of the creatures of GOD , O man loue them but as thinges subiecte vnto thée , as a gift of thy fréende , as a benefite of the LORD , as a pledge of thy spouse which spouse of thine hath the most benty of all things , thou séest not his face , but hée séeth thée continually and although he hath not presented himself vnto thée in visible forme , yet hath he sent thée sundrye gifts as pledges of his loue towards thée hée hath not onely graunted thée thy béeing , but to bée , after this life is ended .

Beholde also this whole world , and sée if there be any thing in it , that is not created for thine vse and seruice . The whole course of nature directeth it self to this end that thou maist haue profit therby . This heauen , this earth , this ayre , this sea with all that is therin , bend their force to thy commoditie . Wherof the Prophet Dauid witnessech , confessing vnto God what he hath doone for man , saying in the eyght Psalme . Thou madest him to haue dominion Psal. 8. of the workes of thy hands , and thou hast put all thinges in subiection vnder his féet .

If he had doone no more for vs than these things , which I haue already spoken of , it were matter sufficient to moone the stoniest hart amongst vs to loue him : but hée hath doon more for vs , for when wée were his enemies , and wholy corrupted through sinne , yet béeing immortal , for vs became mortall , took vpon him his passion , redéemed vs from sinne , death and hel 1. Pet. 1. as testifieth S. Peter in his first Epistle , and first Chapter saying . Yée were not redéemed with corruptible things ( as siluer and golde ) but with the precious blood of Christe . With his blood we are clensed as witnesseth S. Iohn in the first of Thappocalips , Apoc. 1 , saying : He hath washed vs from our sinnes , in his owne blood . This was it that mooued S. Paule in the fourth Chapter Hebr. 4. to the Hebrewes to say . We haue not an high Préest which cannot haue compassion of our infirmities : But this is hée by whome and in whom we are adopted sonnes of God , and made heyres together with him of his glorius kingdome . Héerof S. Iohn speaketh in his first Epistle 1. Iohn , 3. and third Chapter , in these words . Behold what loue the father hath shewed vnto vs , that we should be called and bée indéed the sonnes of God , and of the ioyes that are layd vp in store for vs in his blessed kingdome . S. Paule teatheth in his 1. Cor. 2. first Epistle to the Corinthians and second Chapter after this manner . The eye hath not séen , neither the eare heard , neither haue entred into the hart of man ▪ 〈◊〉 things which God hath prepar●● 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that loue him .

And surely amongst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sundry benefits , which god ha●●●…ed vppon his people , wee for our partes within this little Realme of England , ought deeply to consider what hée hath doone for vs yea in these our dayes , consider it wel when we were ignorant , blinde and not knowing the light , did hée not teache vs ? and giue vs the light of his holy worde , which as the Prophet Dauid sayth : Is a Lantarn to our feet , and a light vnto our pathes , when wee sinned and woulde not embrace his word , nor regard his messengers the Preachers therof , did he not correct vs and sharply scourge vs ? when we fell from him and commited wicked Idolatry , did he not raise vs vp agayne ? when wee erred and strayed into the wildernes of mans doctrine , did he not reduce vs into the plaine high way of his holye Gospell ? Nowe wée goe on forwarde therin , dooth hée not lead vs ? When wée come vnto him lamenting our fall , dooth hée not receiue vs ?

And doutles this is also not to be reckoned amongst the least of all Gods benefits , which plentiously hée hath poured vppon this Realme : that he hath geuen vs such a vertuous and godly Quéen , Quéene Elizabeth , 〈◊〉 whose godly and peaceable gouerment , not onely wée that are now liuing haue felt and yet doo , but also all those that shall sucséede vs , shal be pertakers of this wonderfull mercy of God , God graunt her a godly , peaceable , and long life in this her realme .

Wherfore that saying of God , which hée spake by his Prophet Esay , and fift Chapter , Isai. 5. may wel be applyed vnto vs , what more coulde I haue doon for my vīniard of England , then I haue doon ? these thinges well considered , it may be said to England , as Moses sayde to the Isralites . Deut. 10.

And now England , what dooth the Lord thy God require of thée , but to feare the Lord thy God , and to walke in all his wayes , to loue him , and to serue the Lord thy God with all thy hart , and with all thy soule , it is to be wished that eache one of vs , euen from our harte rootes , woulde saye with the Prophette Dauid . Praise the Lord O my soule , and forget Psal 10. not his benefites , which forgetteth al thy sinne , and healeth all thīe infirmities .

Thus much touching the causes that ought to mooue vs to loue God , now ( God permitting me ) I will speake somewhat of the effect and force of this loue , which is of such effect , that it healeth the wounded conscience , it plucketh vp all vice by the root , it lightneth the minde , it ioyeth the hart , it is not exalted with pride , or wasted with enuye , nor ouerwhelmed . with sorrow , nor dryed vp with couetuousnes , nor enflāed with excesse , nor spotted with vncleannes : it causeth the possessor therof to be quiet in aduersitye , to be temperate in prosperitie . It passeth not for pouerty , it maketh no great acount of riches it glorieth not in honour , who so vnfaynedly loueth God , thinketh when he shal bée with God , when he shal leaue this wicked world , how he shall escape sinne , when he shall finde true and perfect peace , if hée walke if he sit , if he worke , if he rest , if hée speake , if hee helde his peace , his hart goeth not from the Lord .

It is no meruayle therfore that the auncient writers haue so greatly lawded this loue comparing it to golde , because it is tryed in the fornace of aduersitie : to the Arke of Noe , in the which who so is not found shall perish : to giue , because it ioyneth the hart of man vnto God : to a fountayne , for that it refreshed the minde to a precious stone , because it beautifieth the soule : to fire because it warmeth the affection : to a garment for that it couereth the turpitude of offences : to oyntment for that it supplieth the inward partes .

Experience of this loue hath béen seen in the death of many Marters , they dying for the zeale and loue which they did beare vnto God and his trueth : consider what they left , what way they went , and what they looked for , what they left wée sée what way they went wée haue heard , and perfectly séene , what they attayned vnto we sée not , but béeleue , they left things transitory and vayn , they passed through torments & paines , they attained no dout vnto that which was promised them of God , namely euerlasting ioy and endles felicitie .

Besides these there be many examples set foorth vnto vs in the holy Scriptures how ardently the holy men of God , haue from time to time looued the Lord. Abraham shewed the zeale of his looue towardes God , when hée was ready to offer his sonne Isaack in sacrifice , Iosua béeing olde Iosua . 23. called the people of Jerusalem vnto him : and warning them of many thinges , aboue all other thinges hée said take héede most diligently of this , that you loue your Lord God . It is written of Dauid that Ecclesia . 47. with his whole hart he did praise the Lord and looued God that made him . The Appostle Saint Peter , answered our sauiour earnestly , saying , Lord thou knowst I loue Iohn . 21. thée Saint Paule had such loue towardes God he that accounted all things vile , that he might winne Christ . Philip. 3. Again how earnestly dooth he encourage all men , to continue in this loue , saying : Who shall seperate vs from the loue of Christ , shal tribulation , or anguish , or persecution or famine or nakednes , or perill or sworde ? Roma. 8.

Thus I wil end this first braunche , with request which the said Saint Paule made to the Philippians ▪ saying : Philip. 2. if ther be therfore any consolation in Christ ▪ if any comfort of loue if any fellowship of the spirit , if any compassion and merry , fulfil my ioy that ye be like minded : hauing the same loue , béeing of one accord and of one iudgement , which thing if we doo not , wée shall shew our selues the vnthankfullest creatures that euer God created .

The second braunche setteth foorth how and by what meanes , our looue towards our sauiour Christe , may bee knowen , cheefly in keeping his word , for thus he saith if any man looue me , he will keep my word .

THe word of Christ in this place , is taken as well for the doctrine which he himselfe taught with his owne mouth , Viua voce , as also for that which his ministers haue set foorth , doo or shall teach , not only out of the newe : but also out of the olde Testament , as is manifestly shewed in the Luke . 16. xvi . Chapter , written by Saint Luke , in these woords . They haue Moyses and the Prophets , let them heare them , againe , Christe speaketh of the Scripturs of bothe Testaments , where he saith Iohn . 5. Scru Iohn . 5. tamini scripturas , search the Scriptures . And the rather to mooue all people to credit and embrace his word , he shewed that it is not his word , in respect that hee is man but in respect that he is God , for thus he saith Mea doctrina non est mea , sed eius qui Iohn , 7. misit me . My doctrine is not mine , but his that sent mée , again in the viij . of Iohn Iohn 8. he sayth , I doo nothing of my self , but as the father hath taught me , euen so I speake these things : which saying of Christ may not onely confirme the fayth of the godly knowing that the doctrine which is taught them is the woord of God , but also it is a lesson vnto all Preachers that they teach nothing to the people , but that which may be confirmed by Gods words : my doctrin is not mine , but his that sent me , for they are the messengers and Legats of the most high God , and of his sonne Christ Jesus not to teach the people what they lyst but that which is spyed within their commission of Gods worde , whosoeuer therfore cannot rightly say of the doctrine which he teacheth , my doctrine is not mine , but his that sent me , that man seduceth him selfe and the people which hée teacheth . But the Papists and other here tiques , cannot rightly say the said words , but they teach the doctrine of men , and not the pure woord of God , it followeth therfore that they seduce themselues and the people also .

It séemed good to our God and heauenly father , that the holy scripturs should be sette foorth to men , chéefly for that cause which is set down in the twenty Chapter written by S. Iohn where it is sayd Iohn , 20. Haec scripta sunt vt creditis quia Iesus est filius Dei et vt credentes vitam habeatis in nomine eius . These things are written that ye might beléeue , that Jesus is the sonne of God , and that in beleeuing you might haue life through his name . Héere is plainly set downe the end why the holy Scriptures concerning Jesus was giuen , namely that we might haue fayth in the sonne of God , and the end of this fayth is to haue euerlasting life .

Sithence then that this woord is so profitable vnto vs , it behooneth vs to kéepe it not locked vp in chests and cloyesters , as the papists kéept it , not in woords onely as the Pharisies kept it , but in faithfully hearing it , beléeuing it , and practysing it , in our liues as the holy Virgin Mary kept it .

We haue many examples in the book of God , how from time to time the word of God hath béen regarded with Gods people , The people sayd vnto Moyses , all the wordes which the Lord hath said : wée wil doo . Exod. 24. Hely taught Samuel right wel , that he should say vnto the Lord that spake vn to him , speak on Lord for thy seruant hearreth . Reg. 3.

When Esdras redde the booke of the lawe from morning vnto midday , Esdra . 8. it followed that all the people wept for ioye , when they heard the wordes of the law of their God , when the word of God came from Ionas to the King of Niniuy without Ionas . 3. delay he rose out of his princely seate , did his apparell off , and sat him downe in asijes . After the lame man was healed which is spoken of in the thirde Chapter of the Act. 3. 4. Actes of the Apostles , and Peters sermon ended , many that heard his sermon beléeved , as is shewed in the fourth Chapter of the Actes , thus wée sée howe the word of God hath béen regarded in times past of Godlie people .

And what is the cause that the worde of God , is not more regarded and followed in these our dayes , sithence it is not so plentifully taught among vs , what bée the Bishoppes and Ministers onely in fault ? or are the Maiestrates and Rulers only to bée blamed ? or bée the common multitude alone culpable herein ? no surely in mine opinion , no one society of these are to be blamed alone , ( but eache of them in this degrée are to bée touched in this matter , if therfore the Eishoppes , Prechers and ministers of the word desire to haue the doctrine which they teach to profit amongst men .

It behoueth them to take héede , first that they take not the office vpon them for ambition , and couetuousnes sake , entring therfo at the windowe like a théefe and murderer , but in at the doore , which doore is Christe as hée him selfe testifieth in the tenth of Saint Iohn , saying : I am the doore , by mée if any man enter in he shall bée saued . iohn , 10. He rightly may be said to enter at the doore , that faithfully beleeueth in Christe , that feeleth in him selfe an aptnes and hability to teach Christs doctrine and is by Christes Church ( which is guided by the holy ghost ) lawfully and orderly elected into that function . For as Saint Paule sayeth , Hebru. 5. writing to the Hebrues & the fift Chapter . No man taketh this honour to himselfe but hée that is called of God , as was Aron , would God experienc had not taught vs in thes our days that too too many haue rushed into that spirituall function by sinister meanes and waies , some by freendship , some for hired sake , and some for money and gaine . The reformation wherof , with the déep consideration of the inconueniences that haue , doo , and are like to grow vnto the Church of Christe , by means héereof I reserue vn to you that be in authoritie .

Secondly if they desire to haue the woord of God to bring forth frute , they must not liue in the ministery as ydle Drones ; but execute their office in labouring and teaching of Gods trueth : for as God saith by his Prophet Malachie the second Chapter Malachi . 2. The Priests lips , should haue suer knowledge that the people might vnderstand the lawe from their mouth , for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hostes , vnto such idle loyterers , which will not teach Gods woord God speaketh by his Prophet Ezechiel the xxxiiij . chapter saying : Woe vnto the shepherds of Israell , that féed themselues , should not the shepherds feed the flockes ? ye eat the fat , and ye cloth you with wull , Ezechi. 33. yée kill them that are fed , but you féede not the shéep . Again by his sayd Prophet he threatneth vnpreaching prelats on this manner . When I shall say vnto the wicked , O wicked man thou shalt dye the death if thou doost not speak and admonish the wicked of his way , that wicked man shal dye for his iniquitie , but his blood wil I require at thy hands . Neuerthelesse if thou warn the wicked of his way , to turn from it , if he doo not turn from his way he shall dye for his iniquitie , but thou hast deliuered thy soule .

Thirdly , if the Prechers of the woord of God be desirous to haue woord to take déep root in the harts of the hearers , they must neither preach the word for aduantage , lucre , or gaine , neither to vtter their eloquence , neither yet to obtain the praise Peter . 3. of men . S , Peter in his first Epistle , and thyrd chapter straightly , exhorteth them saying : Féed yée the flok of Christ , as much as lieth in you , taking the ouersight of them not as compelled ther vnto , but willingly after a godly sorte , not for the desire of filthie lucre . but of a good mind : not as though yée were Lords of Gods heritage , but that yée may bée examples vnto the flocke : again S. Paule in his first Epistle to Timothie , and first Chapter saith : Timothi , 1. That a Bishop should not be giuen to filthy lucre and as hée would not haue them to bée couetuous , so he also would haue them in their teachings , to vse a playne and orderly kinde of doctrine : In his first Epistle to the Corinthians and first Chapter 1 Cor. 1. hée saith , Christ sent mée not to Preache the Gospell with wisedome of wordes , least the crosse of Christe should haue been made of none effect : for God sayth I wil destroy the wisdome of the wise . Againe in the sayd Epistle and second Chapter 1. Cor. 2. he sayth , my words and my preachinges was not in enticing words of mans wisdome , but in playne euidence of the spirite and of power , that your fayth should not bée in the wisdome of men , but in the power of God .

And as hée came not with intycing words of mans wisdome , so did hée not preach to please men , for thus hée saith in the first Galath. 1. Chapter to the Galathians , doo I séek to please men ? If I had hetherto studied to please men , I were not the seruant of Christe .

Fourthly if the Preachers of the woord of God desire to haue the Doctrine which they teach to be accepted of men , they must frome their liues according to their doctrine , which thing if they doo not , their hearers may say vnto them as Isaack sayd vnto Iacob . Thy voice is Iacobs voice Genesis . 27. but thy handes , are the handes of Esau : Of such dissemblers our Sauiour Christ speaketh in the twenty thrée Chapter of Saint Mathew : They ( sayth hée ) saye but doo not : Such builde the Temple of God with the right hand of good doctrine , but put it downe agayne with the lefte hande of their euill liues , well , hée that knoweth the Fathers will and dooth it not , is worthy to be beaten with many stripes ▪

So if the Ministers and Preachers of the worde of God enter into that function by sinister and corrupt meanes , as by fréendship , kinred or for money , if they sléep & loyter in their office , if they preache for promotions and liuings , or to vtter their eloquence or to please men rather then to edefie the Church of Christ , or if they teach well and liue euill , they hinder the frée passage of the Gospell , and shall make accounte therof before the Lorde God .

Now as it is the office of the Bishops and Ministers to Preache the woorde : So it is the office of the Magistrats , Rulers and gouernours of this Realm to maintaine the same with the sword , and to correct the offendor . For they rightly cannot be said to be rulers , which rule not , which speak of the Law but vse it not . Such may be likened to S. George fighting with the Dragon , but striketh not , to a man painted on a wall , drawing a bow , with an arrow but shooteth not , such haue the work of the Lord in hand but execute it not : considering not what the Lord hath said by his Prophet Ieremy , Cursed bée hée that dooth the worke of the Lord negligently . Ieremi , 48.

The Rulers therfore ought not onely to make good Lawes for the setting forth of gods worde , but also diligently to see , that such holesome Lawes be obserued , & kept , as did good Ezechias , Iosias & others we haue in this land a law made , that euerie subiect that is able , should come vnto the Church to hear Gods word read and preached , and to haue the Sacraments ministred vnto them , but how it is kept of some people in some cûtries it is known . You wil peraduenture say , that the bishops be in fault , if this law be not kept , I grant there may bée some fault found in them , touching this matter : but what and the party be to mightye , for the bishop to deale with , it séemeth that the papists wexe very bold wel it were good that the Magistrate and those the bée in authoritie , shold command such yea , if it were a noble man , vpon his alegeance to the Prince , to come to the Church . Augustine doth testifie that through the straight commandement of Theodosius the Emperor , his church of Hippo was deliuered from the Donatists , & were brought vnto the trueth by the preching of the word of God , for as S. Paule saith , Roma. 10. faith commeth by hearing : & surely this is not only a gret hindrance of the frée passage of the Gospel , when men sée the magistrats negligent in punishing of such transgressors of Gods lawes , & the princes , but also if they sée & vnderstand that the rulers themselues , their familie , and houshold regard litle the word of God .

The third sorte of people that are to bée blamed , for that the word of God is no more regarded in these our daies , be the common multitude . In the which number I may include , euen the most excellent sort of men vntil such time as they faithfully embrace the word of God , and so be graffed into the body of the Church .

Of all the creatures that God hath created , man against his maker hath béene found most vnthankfull , obstinate , rebellions and disobedient , which hath béene séene not onely by the disobedience of our first parents , but also in vs , so that wée hearing as it were Gods voyce by his woorde , yet harden our harts , cast of his yoke , from vs , and forget the benefits that hée hath bestowed vpon vs : of the which greeuous offence , I mean of the contempt of his worde , the messengers of God Patriarches , Prophets , Enangelists , apostles and ministers haue from time to time complained . Moyses the seruant of God speking of the peruerse nature of the people of his time , sayth vnto God . Exod. 4. Lord they wil not beléeue nor harken to my voyce and that which they did suspect would come to passe others by experience found most true , for Isai. 25. Esay sayeth : Lord who hath giuen credence vnto the things that we haue hard . Elyas complaineth vnto God that the children of Israell had not onely forsaken his couenant but also killed his Prophets , and that hée onely was left aliue ▪ the Prophet Ieremy Ieremi , 25. saith that he taught the people of Iuda the worde of the Lord xxiij , yéers & that with great paines and trauel , for thus he saith vnto them , I haue risen vp early , I haue giuen you warning in season , but you would not hear me . And againe he saith though the Lord hath sent his seruants al the prophets vnto you : yet would you not obay , you would not incline your eares to hear . After the prophets God sent his only son in to the world : who was contemned of the ritch hated of the mighty , & scorned of the lerned notwithstanding he gathered together the poore , refused not the blind , dispised not the lame , forsaketh not the sinners , he abhorreth not the penitent théefe , reiecteth not the mourning adulter esse dispised not the humble Cananite , refused not the custōer , lothed not the Disciple that denied him : let therfor the miserable wretch flée vnto the merciful the guilty to the fauorable the vnclean to the fountain , the wanderer to the way the sick to the phisticiō , the lost sheep to the shepherd the sinner to Jesus , which saueth people from their sins , which Jesus although in corporal presence he is absent from vs , yet hath hée not left vs destitute of prechers & techers which cal his people to embrace , kéep , & obay his word , wherby they may be knowen in loue him as is said in our text , if any man loue me , he wil kéep my word . But why do not these cormorants say to themselues for whom doo I prepare these buildings lands and farmes , with the losse of mine own soul . I dout whether I shal possesse or they enioy them to whom I bequeth them , or not & the rather may I so think , for that my conscience beareth me witnesse , that they haue béen euil gotten and euil kept , and therefore it is very likly they shal be euil spent . I know not whether mine heir wil be a wise man for a foole , whether he wil spend that riotously , which I haue gotten wickedly Why do they not acknowledg them selues to be but men : and man is as grasse , & as a flower of the field , the grasse shal wither & the flower decay , to beshort , you that be godly minded pray you with the prophet Dauid and say , Encline my hart O Lord vnto thy testimonies & not vnto couetuosnes . And surely this vice not onely draweth men from the loue of Christ , and obedience to his word in these dayes , but there is ioyned with it , carnall plesure , and fleshly delights , which is such a snare chat it holdeth men that ( delight therin ) so with captiuitie that their harts are with drawne from all the seruice of God , and obedience of his word , and only set there vpon . These vices are such hurtful harmes & miserable mischeefes , to those that lewdly loue them , & plesantly practise them , that they drawe them into damnation , except bothe spéedely and earnestly they repent . Will God think you suffer these vices long vnpunished ? no , let vs thinke therfore that God speaketh vnto vs after this manner and faith . O you vnthankful sonnes of Adam , how many things haue I to speak & iudge of you ? how often would I haue holpen you and you would not ? you haue dispised all my counsels and broken all my commandements , I haue therfore iust cause to be angry with you , and to condemne you , but I haue had compassion vpon you I haue séen your misery and decréed to help your I saw you wander in exile far from your owne countrey , and therfore I came in mine owne person from heauen to guide you into the right way . I saw you scattered in mountains , and lye in hedges , yet I sent my seruants to gather you together who haue shewed you that all things are prepared and made ready for you . This my goodnes and loue towards you ought to alure you to come vnto mée & loue mée But héerin I haue to burden and accuse you namely for your ingratitude , rebelion and contempt of my woord , you wey not the benefits that I haue bestowed vppon you , you kéep not my commaundementis you regard not my word , nor my Sacraments , how you receue them , nor feare not my wrath , you euill entreat my messengers , you stifnecked & vncircūsised harts and eares , ye haue alwaies resisted the holy ghost , as your fathers did so doo you .

Thus we may sée that there is nothing that either sooner moueth Gods wrath or draweth vs into damnation , then contempt of gods grace offered vnto vs by his holy word . We find in the holy scripturs , that when the Jews did forsake & contemne the grace of the Gospel first offred vnto them by Christe , God powred out his indignation vpon them , saying vnto them ▪ O Serpents , Math. 23. ye generation of Vipers , how shall ye escape the damnation of hel , again , our sauiour biddeth his Disciples shake their dust of their féet as a witnesse against them it shal be easier for than of the land of Sodom & Gomora , in the day of iudgment then for them . Math. 10. After the same maner he speketh in other places , threatnig the Jewish people generally , & other Cities specially for the sayde offence , The men of Niniuie saith he shall rise in iudgment with this generation & condemne it , for they repented at the preaching of Ionas , and beholde a greater then Ionas is héere . The Queene of the South shall rise in iudgment with this generation & shall condemn it , for she came from the vttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisdome of Salomon , and behold a greater then Salamon is héere . Againe in another place he saith . woe bée to thee , Chorasin , woe be to thee Bethsaida , for if the works which haue béen doone in you , had béen doone in Tirus and Sydon , they had repented long agoe , in sackcloth and ashes . Neuerthelesse I say vnto you , it shal be easier for Tyre and Sidon at the day of iudgment then for you .

By the which testimonies of holy scriptures and many others , we may not only perceiue Gods wrath against the contemners of his word , but also that he kéepeth our sinnes stil in remembrance , if wée will not embrace and obey the same word in due season , which if wée embrace worthely , and kéep obediently , we shall declare our selues according to our text , louers of Christe , if not , we shal shew our selues to be but dissembling Christians , & so mooue him to take his precious Jewel of his holy word away from vs againe , & giue it to a nation which wil bring forth frute . God graunt that our sinnes deserue not any such plague to fall vpon England .

The third braunche setteth forth the vtility profit and commoditye which hapneth vnto them that rightly loue Christe and keep his word , namely , not onely that God the Father will loue him . But also that the whole Trinitye wil come vnto him and wyll dwell with him .

WHat thing more happy , what thing more plesant , what thing more beautifull can happen vnto vs miserable men then to bée so much in the fauour of God , that we may be beloued of him which thing is not onely promised vnto vs if we loue him and kéep his word , but he also further promiseth , saying : and we will come vnto him , in which words he speaketh after the manner of men , he commeth vnto vs when he declareth and offreth his grace and fauour vnto vs , and he may be sayd to goe from vs when he taketh his grace and fauour from vs , so that it may be rightly said , that God is with his people by power , by grace and by his holy spirit , by meanes wherof his people be not only in safety , from their bodely & ghostely enemies , but also are led dayly forwarde towards his euerlasting kingdome . Lastly he addeth these words , and we will dwell with him , in which words he promiseth a continuance of his grace , so that those that are faithfull , may rightly be said to be the Temple of God , according that saying of S. Paule , speaking to the Godly , ye are the temple of the liuing God , what good thing can be wanting to them that haue God alwaies present with them , and as it were to be their gift : for as S. Paule saith Rom. 8. if God be with vs , who shall be against vs there we néed not feare the newe deuises and practises of the Romanists and that rabble which they dayly deuise againste England . O how do men reioyce when it pleaseth the prince or gouernor of the countrey to come vnto them , to giue them good countenance , and to speake cherefully vnto them ? And contrariwise , how pensiue and sorye are they when the Prince frowneth on them , then they goe like as they were halfe dead , but what is this ioy of the receiuing of a mortall Prince to be compared with the receiuing of the imortall God ? Or what is the frownig of such a Prince to be compared with the anger of the Prince of princes . Let vs therfore prepare and make ready our mindes and inward parts with all kinde of spirituall furniture to the receiuing of this guest , he is receiued by faith , he is receiued & kept by obedience to his word by mortification of the flesh and by vertuous liuing . But where shall wée haue such to receiue and entertaīe such a worthy presonage , where is that noble man obedient vnto Gods word become wher is that Lady mortefication of the flesh to be found ? where is that woorthy Gentleman vsher , vertuous liuing to be sought ? what , be their none of all these to be found ? yes , or els God forbid , but they are to fewe God he knoweth but think you that this Prince wil tarry in that place , or with that people or country where instéed of obedience , he findeth dis obedience , instéed of mortification of the flesh he findeth carnal concupisence . & instéed of vertuous liuing , hée findeth vice and wickednes , no , he wil away thence he wil not tary there , searche & examin your selues inwardly , you that feare God , whe ther your inward parts be swept & clensed from sin and wickednes , fit to receiue the holy ghost , for the spirit is the seale wher with God marketh them that be his , this is the comforter which shall teache vs all things that Christ hath said vnto vs , this is that spirit by the which we are addopted into the inheritance of the eternal life which certifieth our spirites that we are the sones of God . This is the ioyful comforter of our harts and mindes , wherby we may cry Abba father , this is he that discended vpon Christ in liknes of a doue this is he by whom our minds are stirred vp to holy meditations , our bodies made the Temple of God , and our tungues fit instruments to set forth his praise , finally this is that spirit wherby we are mooued to loue Christ , to forsake this world to embrace and kéep Gods woord , and to craue to be in the euerlasting kingdome of god purchased for vs by the only blood of christ to the which Jesus Christ with the father and the said holy spirit , be all loue , praise , honor , and glory for euer & euer . Amen .

FINIS . Virtus spirat in altum .