The picture of a true protestant: or, Gods house and husbandry wherein is declared the duty and dignitie of all Gods children, both minister and people. Written by Thomas Tuke.

THE PICTVRE OF a true Protestant : OR , Gods House and Husbandry : wherein is declared the duty and dignitie of all Gods children , both Ministers and People .

EPHES. 2.19.20 .

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forreiners , but Citizens with the Saints , and of the Houshold of God .

And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets , Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone .

Written by THOMAS TVKE .

LONDON , Printed by NICHOLAS OKES ; and are to be sold by Thomas Archer in Popes head Pallace , neere the Royall Exchange . 1609.

TO THE RIGHT worshipfull Maister Gabriel Armestrong Esquire , and to the vertuous gentlewoman Mistris Margaret Armestrong his louing Wife .

RIght worshipful , many , large and admirable are the benefits wherwith the Lord hath honoured vs these fifty by-past years together . He hath borne vs , as an Eagle doth her Birds vpon his wings , Deut. 32.11 and walled vs in with his loue . He hath giuen vs his Word , and his Sacraments of grace ; he hath sent vs his Prophets , and Embassadours : he hath compassed vs with peace and prosperity , making vs to eate the fruites of the fields , and causing vs to sucke hony out of the stone , Deut. 32.13 and oyle out of the rocke . He hath set most noble Gouernours ouer vs : he hath filled our hearts with the ioyes of victories , & hath put the songs of deliuerances into our mouthes .

But lamentable is the entertainement , which his loue hath found amongst vs , who ( like those ancient Israelites ) haue corrupted our selues towards him by our vice ; Deut. 32.5 15.21 . a peruerse and tortuous generation , who being laden with fatnes , haue spurned with our heeles , and prouoked his Highnesse with our vanities .

For first , if we consider the transcendent profanenes and affected ignorance of the multitude , & the flagitious irregularities of many desperate Atheists , Epicures , Nullifidians , as infestant as the frogs of Aegypt , Ex. 8 , 3.14 . which made the land to stink ; it may be truly said of them ( vngratefull wretches ) that they cast the filth of their feet in his face , they recompence his grace with gracelesnesse , and presse him with their sins as a Cart with sheues not Men , but Monsters , which ( like Moles ) digge groueling in wickednes ( as in the ground ) and ceasse not till they haue cast vp a Mountaine of hatefull enormities against the heauens .

Secondly , if we call to mind & seriously perpend that pestilent and prodigious Powder-plot , Nouem. 5. An. 1605. and some other execrable and vnnaturall attempts and machinations of some of our Italianated Catholiques in speciall , & the incorrigible obstinacie of them all in generall , ( like the Sycamore , which the more it is moistened , the drier it waxeth ) it wil appeare impossible for them to purge themselues of palpable ingratitude and disloyalty ; being aduersaries to his truth , setled vpon the lees of their owne feculent opinions , adoring the Idols of their owne distempered braines , polluting his worship with superstitious aditions , and bearing no good will vnto his people .

Thirdly , if we do well obserue the preposterous & disastrous studies of many schismaticall and refractarious spirits , their heate , their violence , and vncharitablenes , how vnnaturally they do reiect & reuile their Mother , how passionately they doe blaspheme the Church , which God hath planted with his owne hand , and with what morosity they haue ab-alienated themselues from their Bretheren ; they can by no pretext acquit themselues of great vndutifulnes vnto God , being so turbulent in his House , so disobedient to their Mother , & so farre exorbitant in all their courses ; not much vnlike to mothes , that fret the cloth , wherein they breed ; to water-boughes , which hurt the tree , from which they sprang .

And finally for the more hopeful and ingenuous , if we doe but consider the remisnesse of too-too many , the retraits , the standings , the distractions , the doubtes , that are too common , too conspicuous ( arising partly from the corrupted fountaine of our nature , which is not drained dry till death ; and partly proceeding of the vicious ensamples and scandalous d●meanure of hypocrites & profane extrauagants ; and partly also through the differences of opinions , and the vnbrotherlike hanging-off and flying off of many Romanists & other Separists , al Nouelists ) if these things ( I say ) be well considered , we cannot but confesse that we are behind in duty , and haue not made such vse of Gods mercies , as wee should haue done .

What remaineth for vs then to do ? Surely we should all repent , all , All without exception . We should examine our selues , rectify & settle our iudgements , and turne the current of our harts & liues , & sue for pardon , bewaring that we be not ( like Bowles ) ouerswaied with the wrydrawing Byas of our owne conceitednes and home-bred concupisence ; lest the Lord being exasperated against vs , our day be turned into darknesse , our light into night , our fame into shame , & so be made the spectacle of his wrath , and scorne of the world .

We are Gods House , 1. Cor. 3.16 . and the Receptacles of his Spirit , which is the author of holinesse , & the source of perfection : we are his Fleld , his Vineyard and Garden of delight ; our duty therefore is to cleanse & adorne our harts to be faire and fruitfull , pleasing and not offensiue . The Sunne of righteousnesse hath shone long amongst vs with exceeding brightnesse ( in the Gospell ) and with his heat hath moulten the Cloudes aboue vs , which haue emptied themselues like bottles vpon vs ; and therefore to testify our pleasantnesse and fertility for the remonstration of our gratitude , we should abound in grace , increase in knowledge , and perfume the aire about vs with our fragrant sauors , and not poison it with filthy fumes , like stinking dunghils .

To further this both deserued and desired duty , I haue penned , and now am bold to publish this Tractate folowing , which I haue presumed to dedicate and present vnto your Worships in this plight you see , ( partly for that great respect , which you haue euer had of Gods faithfull Ministers ) wishing it may find but quiet house-roome in your hearts , and so I shall enioy my wish , and it no meane reward .

Now the very God of peace sanctify you both throughout , 1 Thes. 5.23 and so honour you with his grace , that hauing finished your race in this world , you may rest and reigne for euer in the world to come .

London , October 28. 1609. Your Worships in Christ Iesus , THOMAS TVKE .

To the godly Reader .

THere are at this day nine sorts of book-readers to be found amongst vs , & but one of them to be commended .

The first and worst are they , that reade to see , and see to carpe and cauil ; like the Curre , that takes most delight in biting and in baulling ; or not vnlike the flesh-flie , that delighteth alwaies in sucking bloud , or sitting on the sore .

The second are they , that account more of smoake then fire , and of a foming wit , then of solide wisedome , affecting nothing in a manner but nouelties & new conceipts ; how rotten , vaine , idle & scurrilous they care not , so they feed their fancie , and procure meriment ; like the cow , that had rather drinke puddle then pure water .

The third are they , that will reade things indeed , which may stand them in some slead ▪ but they vse to reade by snatches , here and there , euery where and no where ; like the Dogges of Nilus , that dranke running , taking here and there a lap as they went : Or if they reade without skipping , it is then with such fury , like Iehues marching , as that they swallow downe their bookes without chewing , and so let their good digesting .

The fourth are they , that preferre the shell before the kernel , and the dish before the meat , regarding the sound rather then the sence , & the outward shape of the worke more then the inward substance ; as if a man should delight more in the colour then in the corps : and not much vnlike to children , that turne ouer their bookes , but please themselues best with the painted Babies in them .

A fift kind there are , that reade much , but practise nothing ; as if a man should take meat into his mouth to please his tast , but let none goe downe into his stomack to comfort nature . Or if they do practise any thing it is worse then nothing , base and sinfull ; like a filthy Chanell , that receiues the sweet light and heate of the Sunne , but affoords nothing but stinking fumes and infectious smels .

The sixt are they , that had rather reade naturall or humane and ciuill histories , and treatises of arts and sciences liberall and mechanicall , then Ecclesiasticall and diuine discourses ; it seemes esteeming more of the Maide then of the Mistris , of humanity more then of diuinity , & of the body more then of the soule ; like Aesops Cocke , that set more by a barly corne , than by all the gemmes and iewels in the world besides .

The seauenth are they , which reade to talke , and talke to shew themselues ( and yet we know that empty barrels and the hollow Drums do make the greatest sounds ) as if they read for nothing but to know to talke , and that by talking they might be knowne ; regarding more ( it seemes ) the floating knowledge of the braine , then the soundnesse of the heart and life , and affecting rather to seeme to be , then to be indeed ; vsually dealing with their bookes as ful-fed children do with their bread , which either play with it , or cast it to the Dogges . So all their religion is placed in their tong , and their substance is but shews and shadowes , like that counterfait of Samuel , and stuft vp with wind like a bladder . Though they deuoure whole bookes , yet are they ( like Pharoahs kine ) as ill fauoured , and as leane & lank for true grace ( as by their liues appeareth ) as they were before , and worse than many of the heathen , which neuer truly knew what Christian vertue meant .

There are others , that reade much and profit nothing , but cast vp their morsels like a crazy stomack . They come to the well without their pitchers , or else with riuen vessels , having their thoughts distracted , and ●heir head fraught with impertinent studies ; like Table-bookes , which ●eing written ful already , wil receiue ●o new letters , till the old be razed ●ut in whole , or in part . Or else it is because they run on , and neither looke backe , nor minde their way ( but onely labour to ridde ground ) nor ●hew their cadde , nor call on God for ●is benigne assistance ; which of all ●en ought in all holy enterprises to be desired with earnest suite vpon the ●●nces of their soules .

The ninth , which are the onely good , are they that reade attentiuely , throughly and discreetly , to reap some good , whereby they may do good to themselues and other also , as occasion & their calling serueth , and to these I do propose this booke .

If thou wouldest behold the office of Gods Workmen , & the honour which of duty ought to be performed to them : if thou wouldest know the resemblance betwixt the Church and a Field & House : if thou wouldest see the office and honour of all her children , or wouldest learne how thou maist be rich in the fruits of righteousnesse , & how to giue the Lord such entertainement , as is well pleasing to ●im ; thou maist , if it ple●se thee to reade , reuolue and ponder these few instructions , which were summarily not long since deliuered to a few by word , and now more largely published to the common view of all by writing Wherein I do professe plaine dealing and the profit of the simplest , rather then obscure and curious exactnesse ; euer iudging it better to walke in the open aire , then to run inuisibly in the clouds , & to leaue some milke in the brests , then to sucke them dry , or presse them till they bleed .

The God of heauen and earth make them profitable to th●e , that walking by them in this vale of misery , through the wildernesse of this wofull world , thou maist one day come , and that in season , into celestiall Canaan , the Land of promise , and rest vpon his holy mountaine . Amen ,

Amen . Thine in Christ , THOMAS TVKE .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ambrosij Fisheri . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

●allere narramus a a 2. Cor. 11.2 . Colubris , b b Chedia . 1● . seruare Ministrum : Autorum la●inus n●mpe minister agit . Findicat Aegypto Moses , dat clara c c 2. ●●g . 18. Mehushtan Iumina , sic anima● Iordanis vnda lauat . d d 2. Paulus ●nsif●r ipse serit , rigat & facundus Apollo , Quemlibet imbri-●oten sruge maritet agrum . Ne● vult ang●licis molem sibi surgere templi Malleolis : vafer hanc condit e e Iesse . 1. Salamo . Iesse satus . Ambrosius Fisher .

GODS HOVSE And Husbandry . 1. Cor 3.9 . For we together are Gods Laborers : ye are Gods Husbandry , ye are Gods Building .

CHAP. 1. The drift of the Apostle is declared : Gods mercy is exemplified : We must neither presume nor despaire : Our iudgement concerning sinners , must be very sparing .

THE Apostle hauing reprehended the foolish and factious estimation of Ministers ( a disease dangerous and not dead . ) hee doth in this verse shew what they are , & how they are to bee estemed , to wit , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , such as labor with God , for God , and vnder God , in the tilling and husbanding of his Ground , in the planting and dressing of his ●ineyard , and in the building & repairing of his House or Temple : And hauing briefly dispat●hed this , he doth also briefly shew what those Christians are , which be not of the Ministery ▪ and what they are to be reputed ; to wit the Field and House of God . And thus he hath shewed himselfe a faithfull Shepheard , and an honest Surgeon . Hee doth not onely seeke to preserue his Sheep from danger , but hee brings them into their walke and pasture . He doth not only let his Patients see their soare , but he giues them a salue . He doth not only taxe their fault , but he doth also teach them their duty . Thus we see the meaning of the text in generall ; it remaineth now to discusse it in the particulers : and first we will treat of the office and honor of Ministers , conteined in the former words ; We together are Gods Labourers ; And afterwards of the duty and dignity of the people inclosed in the words ensuing : Yee are Gods husbandry , yee are Gods building .

Doct. 1 ( We ) that is , I Paule for one , who sometimes persecuted the people of God , and like a wild Boare out of the Forrest made a a Acts. 8.3 . Hauocke in his Vineyard , annoying the Vines of his owne planting ; I , euen I , that persued the faithful , like a Partridge on the mountaines , as Saul did Dauid , and would haue pierced them through with the speare of persecution ; Euen I Saul , I Paul am a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an Adiutour , a Minister , & Laborer of the Lord , against whom I laboured with might and maine before . Whence we may , ( as in a mirrour ) behold Gods endlesse mercy to him , in making him of a persecutor a Preacher , of a Foe to become a Friend , of Sathans slaue , his owne b b 1. Tim. 1.12 . Seruant , a labourer in his haruest , a builder of his house , a rearer and repairer of his Temple , a planter and pruner in his Vineyard , which once hee thought to supplant and c c Gal. 1.13 . wast .

From hence we are first taught , not to despaire of Gods mercy , ( say not that thy sins are greater then can bee forgiuen , ) seeing so great a sinner obtained so great mercy : for Paul was not onely made a Conuert , but also a Conuerter : he was not onely called by Gods grace to bee a partaker of grace himselfe , but d d Gal. 1.15.16 . he was also called by his grace to be a Preacher of grace vnto others . He was not onely taken out of the wrong way , and set in the right , but he was also set as a Marke in the way to direct and giue ayme to others . Hee was not onely made a Sheep of Christ , but also a Sheepheard vnder Christ to feed and guide his sheepe . In a word , hee was made a Member and a Minister of the Church , not a Plant onely , but a Planter also ; a Vine and a Vine-dresser . Yet we must not presumptuously in hope of mercy , either persecute Gods people : ( for they that touch them , e e Zach. 2.8 . Touch the apple of his eye : ) or addict our selues vnto any other knowne enormity : For Paul persecuted but f f 1. Tim. 1.13 . Of ignorance , and not of malice , as Iulian : and Dauid ( a man of Gods owne moulding ) praied that GOD would g g Ps. 19.13 . Keepe him from presumptuous sinnes . And as wee reade in holy writ , of one notorious Persecutor , who was conuerted and greatly graced , that no man might despaire : so againe we reade but of one , that no man might presume . It is transcendent iniquity for any man to sin in hope of pardon .

Secondly , we learne to suspend our iudgements of those that now run the race of wickednes , & are led captiue of the Diuell to fulfill his will with greedines . When Paul i i 1. Tim. 13 Acts. 9.1 . blasphemed , persecuted and threatned , who could then haue saved : who would haue thought that he should euer haue bin so changed , as of a Lion to be made a Lambe , of a Scatterer a Gatherer , and of the Diuels limme , Gods faithfull labourer ? Quifecit reficere potest : He that made them can mend them . God that formed them , can reforme them . He can turne the streame of their sinfull affection : He can cleanse them with the purging water of his Spirit , and cast the mettall of their soules in a new mould . As by the strength of his arme hee brought his people out of Egypt , & set them in their way to Canaan : so he can as easily ( if he please ) bring these men forth of spirituall Egypt , from seruitude vnder sinne and Sathan , and set , yea and settle them in the kingdome of grace , the Suburbs & High-way to the kingdome of glory . And who knoweth the secret will of God ? His councell is vnsearchable and his k k Rom. 11.33.34 . Waies past finding out . Indeede we must : deplore their present condition ; but we may not despaire of their future conuersion . Wee may dislike and reproue them ; but we may not deeme them Reprob●●es : For Gods l l Is. 50 ▪ 2. arme is neuer so short that it cannot saue , neither can the fountaine of his grace be drained dry . His wil is all , which is constant as himselfe , & knowne only to himselfe .

CHAP. 2. Ministers must not contemne one another : seuen reasons are rendred why they should not behaue themselues proudly and scornfully one to another .

Doct. 2 WE ) Here we see that Paul makes Apollos one of Gods helpers or labourers as well as himselfe ; and yet no doubt there was great oddes betwixt them , not only in eminency of place , but also in excellency of grace . Paul was not called a a Gal. 1.1 . Of men , as false Apostles are , and vse to be : nor By men , as ordinary Ministers are , and ought to be ; but by Iesus Christ immediatly to be an Apostle , euen a Minister in the highest calling within the Church , to say nothing of his learning , wisdome , fortitude ; constancy and other notable endowments , wherein he did excel , as if he had bin the very Center of Gods graces . They therefore , that are any way qualified or aduanced aboue their brethren , must beware they do not di●daine & scorne them .

For first , b b 1. Cor. 4.7 What hast thou , that thou hast not receiued ? Promotion c c Psa. 75.6 . commeth neither from the East , nor from the West , nor from the South , but from God that deiecteth one , and erecteth another . Riches and d d 1. Chron 29.12 . Iob. 32.8 . Iam 1.5 . honour , wisdome , learning , and knowledge are of the Lord , who giues and takes according to his will .

Secondly , e e Prou. 29.23 . Mat. 23.12 Iames. 4.6 . the pride of man shall bring him low ; but the humble in spirit shall enioy glory . Whosoeuer will exalt himselfe , shall be brought low , and whosoeuer wil humble himselfe shal be exalted : for God resisteth the proud , and giueth grace to the humble . And as wee see the highest hils haue the shortest grasse : so we see that the haughtiest hearts are the most barren of sauing grace . Pride & piety cannot rule in one house , & reign in one kingdome . Neither is it Christian prudence to procure thine owne grace by the disgrace of thy brother .

Thirdly , his one talent may increase to ten , whereas ( it may be ) thy two shall not exceede foure , and perhaps wast away to one . And better is small wine that is fresh & liuely , then stronger which is become dead and musty . Thou maist stand at a stay , as the f f Iosh. 10.13 . Sun did in the daies of Ioshuah , or else goe backward as the shadow did in the g g Isay . 38.8 Dyall of Ahaz ; whereas he shall increase and proceede as the day doth in light and brightnes til it be noone ▪ And it is more honor to rise then fall , and to go on , then to stand still , or giue backe .

Fourthly , pride procures hatred , contention & schismes , and is an vtter enemy to fraternity , peace and vnity ; & he that scorns most , is scorned most : for h h Mat. 7.2 with what measure ye meate ▪ ( saith Christ ) it shal be measured to you againe .

Fifthly , God may blesse him in his poore place , and make his one talent more profitable to the Church then thy two : yea then thy ten : for it is i i 1. Cor. 3.7 God that giueth the increase .

Sixthly , humility , meeknesse and modesty , are comly & commendable in men of all other callings ; therefore the holy Ghost saith : k k 1. Pet. 5.5 Submit your selues euery man , one vnto another ▪ decke your selues inwardly with lowlinesse of minde . Much more then in Gods Ministers , who ought to be ( as Peter speaketh ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Patternes to the people ( not onely facienda docentes , but also docenda facientes ) & as bookes for them to read their lessons in ; like that starre which went before those l l Matth. 2. Wise men , and conducted them to the place where Christ was layed .

Lastly , they are the Ministers and Adiutors of God , as well as thou that hast greater ornaments , whether in respect of gifts or of glory . Siluer is mettall as well as gold : & the poore man may be as true a subiect as the rich : And if all good ministers haue one Lord , and work in one building , though they haue not one standing , and the same measure of skill , what reason is there that one should maligne and vilipend an other ? Paule forbade the m m 1. C●r. 16.10.11 . Corinthes to despise Timotheus , because hee wrought the worke of the Lord , as hee himselfe did . This reason therefore should sway with those that are Ministers themselues , and stay them from insulting ouer one onother , as if they were not fellow-labourers , and brethren in one office , because of some diuersity of place , or inequality of gifts . The Sunne excelleth the Moone in glory : yet both are starres , and one contemneth not another . The tallest Cedar will suffer the lowest Shrub to grow by it without disdaine . Hee that receiued n n Mat. 25. Fiue talents did not contemne him that had but two ▪ but one . The foot is a part of the body as well as the face , though not so faire : & the hands as well as the head , though not so comely , or as the heart , though not so worthy ; yet they haue their vse , & there is no contempt betwixt them . The eye is more excellent then the eare , and the eare more commodious them the eye , yet they stand both in one head without the least disdaine or enuy . And the strings of an Instrument , though differing in sound and quantity , are neuerthelesse all of them strings ▪ and can agree well together . So , euen so , though thou surpasse thy brother , yet despise him not , disdaine him not , prouoke him not , but rather o o Gal. 5.13.26 . serue him , by loue : for he is Gods labourer as well as thy selfe , hee workes vnder God , by God & for God , in his Field ●nd building as well as thou that art of parts more excellent , or in place more eminent .

CHAP. 3. God hath ordained that man should teach man , the reason hereof is fourefold .

Doct. 3 WE ) Euen we that are sinful men , not holy Angels ; yea we that are accounted the a a 1. Cor. 4.13 . Refuse & Of-scouring of the world , and reigne ●ot like Princes and Potentates euen wee men , wee despicable and poore men are Gods ministers : euen we despised wretches do labour with him i● his Temple . Vs hee hath selected and called to helpe forward his Haruest , and to serue him in the building , purging , polishing , and repairing of his house . Whence wee learne these two lessons . First ▪ wee see that it pleaseth GOD , that man should instruct man , and that his Church ( which is his Tabernacle , and Garden of delight ) should bee built and husbanded by men . As in the naturall body one member helpeth another : and as in the politicall body , one man ouerseeth and gouerneth an other : so in the spiritual & Ecclesiastical body , God hath wisely ordayned that some of the members should direct , relieue , instruct and nourish the rest , prouided alwayes , that they subiect themselues vnto their King Christ Iesus , that they gouerne by his Lawes , and by the Scepter of his word , and feede them with foode prepared out of it ; and not with the dregges and drugges of mans inuention , which may be sweete sometimes in the mouth , but are alwaies bitter in the maw , hurtfull vnto the soule , as pilles of poyson are vnto the body though drenched in sugar .

Now the Lord hath thus ordeyned : First because we are weake and timerous , vnable to beare the maiesty of his voyce , and the glory of his presence . When the Israelites had seene and heard those maiesticall things , ( but terrible to flesh & bloud ) which were shewed at the promulgation of the Law . b b Exod. 20.18.19 . They fled , & stood a farre off , and said vnto Moses : Speake thou to vs , and we will heare ; but let not God speake vnto vs least we dye . They were men as well as we , and we are the sonnes of men as wel as they . Some of them , as some of vs , were good , and some bad : yet all were afraid , all fled ; the good as well as the bad came to Moses , that God might speake no more vnto them .

Secondly , God hath appointed this order for the manifestation and tryall of our obedience , as hee proued the faith of c c Gen. 22.1 . Abraham , by commanding him to sacrifice his Sonne Isaack : so he proueth our obedience and humility in commanding vs to heare men like ourselues , ( or perhaps inferiour ) and to stoope vnto their ministery , as to himselfe . And as hee said vnto Abraham : d d Gen. 22.12 . Now I know that thou fearest God , seeing for my sake thou hast not spared thine onely sonne . So may he say to vs , if we shew our selues obedient to his ordinance ; Now I know that ye feare my name : yea rather we may assure our selues that wee doe t●uly feare and obey God , if we doe from our hearts submit our selues to this order , and listen to the voyce of his Prophets attentiuly , as e e Act. 16.14 . Lydia , and with that f f Luk. 8.15 . Honest and good heart , which none enioy , none can possesse but good Hearers , and Gods faithfull Obedientaries .

Thirdly , God hath thus disposed that he might testifie his Philanthropy and good will towards his Ministers , in consecrating their mouthes and tonges ( being but sinfull and silly wretches ) vnto himselfe , so as that his voice shall sound in them , and his Spirit worke by them to the founding and erecting of his owne kingdome , and to the confounding and ruinating of the Diuels .

Lastly , g g 2. Cor. 4.7 . We haue this treasure in earthen Vessels , that the excellency of that power might bee of God , and not of vs . Seeing we are called and conuerted by sinfull , mortall , and meane men , we are now stayed from ascribing the glory of our conuersion to man , and taught to confesse that the h h Rom. 1.16 Gospell is the power of God ( and not of man ) to saluation ; whom it hath pleased by the i i 1. Cor. 1.21 . foolishnes of preaching to saue them that beleeue Therefore we must not with the Swenchfeldians expect secret reuelations of the spirit : neither must we looke that either God or an Angell should preach vnto vs ; but we must be content to heare his voice in man , and to obey his Gospell sincerely preached by man ; which is so certaine as that we may not k k Gal. 1.8 . belieue an Angell preaching a Gospell diuerse or contrary to it .

Secondly , we see the wonderfull wisdome of God , who chooseth the l l 1. Cor. 1.21 . Foolish , weake and vile things of the world to confound the wise , mighty and magnificent : and we see plainely that God bestowes not his greatest offices alwaies vpon the greatest p●rsonages : neither doth he ( as worldly Princes vse to do ) appoint the mightiest & wisest men for worldly might and wisedome , to attempt & atchieue his hard and weighty workes . Hee tooke Dauid from the m m Ps. 68.70 sheepfold , and changed his shepheards staffe into a kingly Scepter . He tooke Amos from the n n Amos. 7.15 . flocke , and made him his Prophet . He made o o Mat 4 19. Peter and Andrew of Fishermen to become fishers of men . Paul saith that he and his p p 1. Cor. 4.9.13 . Fellow-Apostles were the gazing stocke of the world , and as Filth and Ofskouring ; yet were they the Lords q q 2. Cor. 5 20. Embassadours : God had chosen them to be his Labourers , and had set them about an honorable and weighty peece of seruice : he had r r 2. Cor. 5.18 . giuen them the word of Reconciliation , he set them to plant his Church , to supplant the Synagogue of Sathan , to collect the dispersed sheep of Christ , to dispell the Wolues which sought to kill them , and to saue them from the Foxes which did annoy them .

CHAP. 4. Gods Ministers should be able to say ; We do now labour for the Lord . Two sorts of Ministers are taxed .

Doct. 4 WE are ) He saith not , wee Haue beene : nor , We shall or Will be , but we Are. It is good for all men , for all Ministers , especially in good things , to be alwaies in the Present tense . The loue of our calling must not vanish like a leame of lightning , Our zeale of Gods House must not bee like the Morning deaw . It is no praise to say wee haue beene Gods Labourers , and not to be so now , through the peruersenes of our spirits , or the witching inticements of the world . The world must not draw vs from our calling , as it did a a 2. Tim. 4.10 . Demas from Paul . The footstoole must not be set vpon the head . We may not worship Mammon , and bend our knees vnto the world . Gods Temple may not be forsaken for her Tent , neither must we be so wedded to our wils , and so farre in loue with our luxurious humours , as that wee will rather go out of the field , and leaue our colours , and forsake our warfare , then we will endure to be let bloud , & tied to good orders . It is an excellent thing to be able to say with Paul truly ; We are Gods Adiutors : We are now Gods Workemen : we are in Gods seruice : we labour for him in his field and Temple . He therefore is to bee condemned , whosoeuer he be , that shall forsake this so holy and so worthy a calling , for the painefulnesse of it , or for that it is not in this base age of the world so duly regarded , as in conscience and common reason it ought to be : or for that the world with her amorous dart , hath strucke through his liuer , & wounded him with her loue ; what pretext soeuer he shall make for himselfe . In like maner also those are to be reproued , that shall suffer themselues to be transported with the impostures of hereticall and schismaticall Spirits , or shall sooth vp themselues in their own conceits so , as that rather than they wil alter their courses , and be diuorced from them , they will leaue Gods field , and forsake his plough they held , & giue ouer building in his House , to which they were called by him . Lamentable is the practise of too many , that hauing bin entertained into GODS House for workmen , do lay downe their tooles , and fall to play , to pleasure , and ayme at nothing more , then at their priuate profits . There are many that will labour hard , till they haue hit the mark they shot at ; but then they lift vp the heele , they tread the furrowes at their leysures , and giue themselues to ease and idlenesse . Others there are , that either through discontentednesse by reason of their contempt and pouerty , or through their ambition and arrogant ouerweening of themselues , or else by reason of their spiritual lunacy and affectation of innouation , or through want of fortitude and discretion to confront with , and to stand vndaunted at the scandales , and enormities of the time , or else by reason of their preposterous zeale , irresolute disposion , coueteous inclination , or vngrounded deuotion , doe leaue the scaffold , forsake their station , cast off their burthen , giue ouer their charge , and either follow that Babilonish harlot , or worship the fansies of their owne conceiuing . Me thinks it is strange that a man should leaue the seruice of a Virgin , to serue an Harlot , and change Ierusalem for Babilon , Canaan for Aegipt : or that any man should forsake a Vineyard planted with noble Vines , because many noysome weeds do grow , too boldly with them . But the horse doth often cast the rider . The sun is darke to a blinde man . Some make their lust the rule of reason . And some for want of iudgement , can put no difference betwixt place and person , betwixt an whorish garment , and a garment as an Whore hath vsurped or got on ; as if a Virgin should therefore cast her coate away , because a Strumpet hath got the like . But wisdome will be iustified of her children . The wise will discerne betweene a disease and death , betweene a bleare eye and a blind , betweene a Citty and her walles , a face and her freckles . It is a leaud sonne that wil deny his mother for her clothes , and an ill seruant that will forsake the loyall and chast wife of his maister , to follow one that is diuorced from him for adultery . It is no wisedome for thee to contemn the house in which thou first drew breath because it is not couered or glazed to thy minde , and no good dealing for thee to discharge thy selfe of that charge , which God hath charged thee withall ; to neglect or leaue thy place , thy calling , whether it bee through the loue of the world , the drowsinesse of thy sluggish nature , or the pertinacious entertainement of thine owne nouell conceits . If thou hast euer beene Gods workman , be so still , and that not in title onely , but in truth : let all be able to say with S. Paul : we are Gods Adiutors . Better it is , not to haue beene such , but now to be , then to haue beene , but not now to be , through our owne default .

CHAP. 5. The Office of a Minister is painefull .

Doct. 5 WE are Labourers together ) If Laborers together , then Labourers : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , then 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , if coworkers , then workers . But what ? not imperant , but obsequent : not maisters simply , but simply ministers , not equal to God , but seruants of God . God is the only absolute Architect , and they are his selected instruments ; not physicall & life-lesse , but vocal , voluntary , & liuing . Hence we learne that Gods faithfull Ministers are Labourers not Loyterers . The calling of a Minister , is a calling of labour , and not of lazinesse ; therefore the Apostle saith a a 1. Tim. 3.1 . He that desireth the office of a Bishop , desireth a worthy work . The office of a Minister is ( Tam onus , quam honos ) not more honorable then painefull , exacting diligence as well as affoording dignity . Beneficium postulat officium , a benefice requires a duty . He that hath his liuing from the Church , & labors not for the Church , is a robber of the Church . The property of a workman is ( operari , non ociari ) to labour , and not to loyter . The Minister is a workman , God hath hired him to worke in his Vineyard . He must hold the keyes of his kingdome in one hand , & the b b Eph. 6.17 sword of the spirit , ( which is the word of God ) in the other hand ; and all are heauy , all are weighty , and hard to weild aright . He must help to beare the Church , as the c c 1. Chron. 15.2 . Leuites did the Arke . Gouernement is laid vpon his shoulders , and the soules of men are committed to his charge . If any vnder him do d d Ezeck. 3.20 . perish by him , God will require their bloud at his hands .

CHAP. 6. Ministers must haue a warrantable calling .

NOw in a Labourer , these seuen things are required . First , a Lawfull calling : for it is against all right and reason , that any man should gather his neighbors grapes , or thrust his sickle into his corne without his leaue : and so it is as vniust for any man to presume to labour in Gods Vineyard , to build in his Temple , or to worke in his Haruest , without his leaue and liking . Who dare draw his sword and smite , who dare meddle with his keyes , to open or shut ministerially without his licence ? Who dare sit in Moses his chaire , vnlesse he haue set him in it , and put his Law-booke into his hands to vnclaspe and explicate it vnto his people ? The labourers in the parable wrought not in the a a Mat. 20. Vineyard till the Lord thereof had set them on worke . ᵇ Vzzah was slaine because he laid his hand vpon the Arke without a calling . Noah medled not in the building of the Arke , till God had giuen him direction : neither did the Carpenters enter vpon that worke without vocation and approbation from Noah : & they which built the Temple , had licence & command first from Salomon , who had his warrant also from aboue . Wherefore then should any meddle with the building of the Church , which is Gods Arke and Temple , without sufficient authority , either immediately from God , or mediatly from those that haue commission from him to proue and admit men to labour for him ? c c Heb. 5.4 . No man taketh this honour vpon him , but he that is called of God , as Aaron was . Christ sheweth that it of right belongeth to the Lord of the Haruest , to chuse and appoint Labourers , in that he bids his Disciples d d Luk. 10.2 . pray the Lord of the haruest , to send forth Laborers into his Haruest . For how dare men cut downe , or bind vp , & bring in without his bidding and authorizing ? e e Rom. 10.15 . How shall they preach except they be sent ? The Lord complaineth of some Prophets , that f f Ier. 23.21 ran vnsent , & prophecied vnspoken to by him . Aaron , and his sonnes , were ordayned by God to assigne the g g Num. 4.19 . Koathites euery one to his office & to his charge : so God hath ordained the Gouernors of the Church to cal & consecrate Ministers , and to set them to their worke . It is an Anabaptistique conceit to think that any man of learning may preach without Ecclesiasticall ordination , vpon his owne priuate motion or voluntary pleasure . The glory of God , the honour of the Ministery , the security and solace of their consciences , and that the people may know that they haue lawfull Ministers , & may thereby be moued to obay their ministery : all these claime a calling , & argue the necessity of lawfull ordination .

CHAP. 7. Ministers must be wise : their doctrine pure , and their life vpright .

SEcondly , a workeman must bee wise , that he may behaue himselfe without offence . Ministers must 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Discretion is required in a Minister , that hee may please his maister , that he may be an example to his fellowes , that he may leade his life without offence to any , and so gaine credit to his place and person . It is meete therefore , that his doctrine should be pure , and not parti-coloured , and that his conuersation be correspondent : & so he shall shew himselfe truly wise , euen godly wise . Paul writing to Timothie , saith : a a 2. Tim. 2.15 . Study to shew thy selfe approued vnto God , a workman that need not be ashamed , diuiding the word of God aright . And to the Corinthians , he saith of himselfe and of his fellowes , We b b 2. Cor. 4.2 . haue cast from vs the cloakes of shame , and walke not in craftines , neither handle we the word of God deceiptfully ; but in declaration of the truth , we approue our selues to euery mans conscience in the sight of God . c c 2. Cor. 1.12 . Our reioycing is this : the testimony of our conscience , that in simplicity and godly purenes , & not in fleshly wisedome , but by the grace of God we haue had our conuersation in the world , & most of all to you-wards . d d 2. Cor. 2.17 . For we are not as many , which make merchandise of the word of God : but as of sincerity , but as of God in the sight of God speake we in Christ . e e 2. Cor. 6.3 . We giue no occasion of offence in any thing , that our Ministery should not be reprehended : but in all things we approue our selues as the ministers of God , In like manner , he willeth his sonne Timothy to keep the f f 2. Tim. 1.13 . true patterne of the wholesome words which he had heard of him , and to flye from the lusts of youth , g g 2. Tim. 2.22 . and follow after righteousnes , faith , loue , and peace : & sheweth that euery Bishop must be h h 1. Tim. 3.2.3 . vnreproueable , temperate and modest . Ministers ( saith Prosper ) must not onely instruct the people with the example of a good life , but should also shew them by preaching boldly , both the penalty which abides the rebellious , and the glory which belongs to the obedient . The Doctor of the Church ( saith Chryostome ) by teaching and liuing well , In Mat. 25. teacheth the people how to liue well : but by liuing wickedly , teacheth God how to condemne him . Aaron was appointed to weare Thummim on his brest-plate vpon his heart , and i i Exod. 28.30.36 . a plate of pure gold vpon his forehead , whereon was grauen , Holinesse to the Lord . So euery Minister should haue the Thummim of an vpright heart , & carry the golden plate before him of an holy life .

The Arke was commaunded to be k k Gen. 6.14 pitched within and without with pitch : so should euery minister be pitched with grace on the inside of his heart , and on the outside of his life ; and so he shal be better armed , against wind and water . The Snuffers of the candlestick for the l l Exod. 35.38 . Tabernacle , were commaunded to be made of pure gold : those that snuffe others should be pure themselues . Turpe est doctori , cum culpa redarguit ipsum : It is a shame for a man to correct another , and not to direct himselfe , or to weed his neighbours corne , and to suffer the weeds to choke his owne . It is a shame for a Phisitian , to proffer Phisick to others , and yet to see and suffer himselfe to rot with diseases . Phisitian first cure thy selfe . Pluck m m Mat. 7.5 forth thine Owne moat , thine Owne beame first . He that admonisheth another of that , wherein himselfe remaineth wilfully faulty , doth giue him the cleare wine , and keepeth the dregs to himselfe ; resembling a Diall or Watch , which profit others by shewing how the day passeth , but themselues nothing at all . They which teach wel , and liue wickedly , confute their doctrine with their deedes , and condemne their practise by their preaching , and so make them selues abhominable to God and man . For vnto the wicked God saith : n n Ps. 50.16.17 . What hast thou to doe to declare mine ordinances , that thou shouldest take my couenant into thy mouth , seeing thou hatest to be reformed , and hast cast my words behind thee ? And speaking to some corrupt and vngodly Priests , he saith ; Therefore o o Mal. 2.9 . haue I also made you to be despised , and vile before all the people , because yee kept not my waies , but haue been partiall in the Law . A good p p Reu. 3.1 . preacher liuing lewdly , may haue the name of life , as the Angel of the church at Sardis had , yet he is dead in himselfe . He may by Gods blessing benefite another , but he is his owne bane ; like a post set in the way , which rots it selfe , whiles it stands to direct others . Let vs therefore looke well to our selues .

The q q Exod. 27.20 . lamps of the Tabernacle were to burne alwaies , and therefore God commaunded , that their oyle should be pure oliue beaten . Ministers are , or ought to be Lamps to the people ; therefore that they may shine alway to giue them light , their oile must bee pure , they must striue to be perfect . r r Ps. 93.5 . Isay . 52.11 . Holinesse becommeth Gods House for euer . Be ye cleane , that beare the vessels of the Lord . Be holy like your Maister . s s Ps. 25.14 For he reuealeth his secrets to them that feare him , and walke before him . The weights and measures of the Sanctuary were twise as big as the other : so the vertues of the Ministers of the Santuary , should much exceed other mens . They ought to be Glasses , to admit and transmit the Sun-beames of Gods graces ; therefore they should be bright and cleere . The Stars are free from elementary corruption . Ministers are as Stars to giue light vnto the sons of men ; let them therefore be free from worldly pollution . They labour to present the Church a pure Virgine vnto Christ her Husband : let them therefore labour against impurity in themselues . Gregory Bishop of Nisse saith of Basill the great , that he desired ▪ ( Per puritatem appropinquare Deo ) to draw neare to God by purity . It is sayd of Bucer that he brought all men into such admiration of him , that neither his friends could sufficiently praise him , nor his enemies in any point , find fault with his singular life and sincere doctrine . A godly life and good doctrine , should be wedded , without diuorce in euery minister . u u Mar. 10. ● . Leuit. 6.13 . That which God will haue coupled , let no man put asunder . The Priests kept the fire burning vpon the x x Mat. 5.16 . Altar continually , and neuer let it goe cut . So we that are Ministers , should keepe the fire of Gods graces , continually burning vpon the Altar of our hearts within vs , and the lamp of a vertuous life shining alway without vs , that men may see our good workes , and glorifie our father in heauen . A licentious life robs the tongue of her liberty , and disgraceth the Teacher ; but an honest hart accompanied with a religious life doth commend the owner , and makes him bold , as a Lion , and vndanted in deliuering the tru●h . Ministers are the y y Mat. 5.13.14 . Salt of the earth ; therefore they must be both sauoury t●emselues , and also season others with the salt of wholsome doctrine and of an holy life . They are the Light of the World to giue light vnto others by their life & learning They are called Presbyters ( Priests ) or Elders ; therefore they should cast off all youthfull lightnesse , lusts , and i●constancy , and attire themselues with such sanctimony and Christian grauity , as may procure them reuerence and authority with the people ; like the highest Planets , Saturne , Iupiter , Mars , that are of the slowest and most regular motion . Ministers should be like z z Eccl. 5● . 6.7.10 . Simon the sonne of Onias , who was as the morning starre , and as the Moone at her full , as the bright beames of the Sun , & as a faire and fruitfull Oliue tree . They should shine and glister in Gods Temple , and shew themselues liue oliues , fruitfull in good workes , & godly exhortations . Sincere doctrine and vertuous conuersation are as two shoulders or Pillars ▪ whereby they are to beare vp Gods Church , Gods Arke . He which preacheth soundly , and conuerseth loosely ( coetum aedificat voc● , infernum vita ) edifieth Church by his doctrine , but Hell by his deeds . An euill Pastor ( saith Augustine ) destroyeth as much with his wicked conuersation , as he buildeth with his doctrine . On the contrary , a godly life is a good sermon , though not vocall , yet visible and reall . Herod reuerenced Iohn Baptist , because he was a a a Mar. 6.20 . good man , not because hee was a good Minister . The people respect the life more than preaching : & thinke it better to do & say not , then to say and do not . Therfore the Apostle wisely exhorteth Timothy to shew himselfe b b 1. Tim. 4 . 1● . a● example in word , in conuersation , in loue , faith , and purity . Charitas a seipso : Loue begins at home . He that neglecteth himselfe is not fit to take care of others . An euill seruant seldom proues a good maister . A bad Disciple seldome makes a good Doctor . He that doth not instruct himselfe is vnmeete and vnworthy to instruct others . Therefore Paul aduiseth the Ephesian Elders to looke to themselues first ; c c Act. 20 28. Looke to your selues , and to the whole flocke And to the d d 1. Cor. 9 27. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Corinths he saith ; I beate downe my body and bring it into serui●ude , ( for the body , like fire and water , is but a naughty master ) lest by any meanes after that I haue preached to others , I my selfe should be reproued . To say well ( saith ●eda ) and to liue badly , is nothing els then for a man to damne himselfe with his owne voyce , in Ps. 18. Thou art ( thou sayest ) a guide of the blind , a teacher of the vnlearned , and a light to them which sit in darknesse . It is well : e e Rom. 2 . 2● . Thou therefore which teachest another , teachest thou not thy selfe ? Thou that preachest a man should not steale , dost thou steale ? Thou that sayest a man not kill , wilt thou starue the soule by with-holding the food , that is conuenient for it ? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adulterie , doest thou commit adultery ? Thou that abhorrest Idols , dost thou commit sacriledge ? D●rest thou practise that thy selfe , which thou preachest against in others ? Thy state is lamentable . f f Lu. 12.47 . He that knowes his masters will and doth it not , shall be beaten with many stripes : and g g Iam. 4.17 to him , that knoweth how to do well , & doth it not , to him it is a sinne . And thy condition without repentance is like a Candlesticke , that sees nothing it selfe , but caries a candle for others to see by . Thou mayst be a meanes of grace vnto others , and perish for lacke of grace thy selfe . Thou mayest helpe to build others , and rot in thine owne ruines ; like the Carpenters , that built Noahs Arke , which saued him and others , and were drowned themselues in the floud . And besides , thy wicked life is very scandalous and hurtfull vnto many , that make examples their lawes , and the practise of their Superiours to be as precept● and patterns for them to follow . An● if the roote be rotten , what may be thought of the branches ? If Ministers be profane themselues , who like rootes should conuey piet● to the people , what can bee exspected at their hands besides profanenesse and Atheisme , vnlesse God in mercy do restraine , and guide them ? For the wickednesse of Ministers ( is serpens malum ) doth creepe like Iuy , and spread like a leprosie , and is as pestilent and infectious as the Plague . Therefore the Lord saith ; h h Ier. 23.15 . From the Prophets of Ierusalem is wickednes gone forth into all the land . Wherefore let euery Minister behaue himselfe in Gods house discreetly . i i Ier. 23 ▪ 28. He that h●th his word , let him speake it faithfully , let him handle it sincerely : and withall let his life be honest . For other wise ( as Nazianz●ne teacheth , ) He reacheth that with one hand , which he raketh away with the other : he both abuseth his place , and dishonoreth his Maister . If euer he meane to doe good , let him be good . As the fire must be hot , before it can he●te the stander by : so if thou desirest to make other men religious , be religious thy selfe : be first hot thy selfe , and thou are likely to make thy neighbour , that stands by thee , and lookes vpon thee , feruent and hot also .

CHAP. 8. Ministers must haue skill , as well as will , to discharge their office .

THirdly , a Workeman must haue skill to performe his worke . So should a Minister . For what should hee do with Gods sword , tha● knowes not how to vse it ? It is a a Heb. 4 . 1● sharpe and piercing ; it is fit therefore that he which is to handle it , should haue skill to vse it ▪ that he may know when to shake it , and when to sheath it ; when , whom ▪ where , and how deepe to strike with it .

Ministers are to we●re the ke●es o● Gods kingdom at their girdles . Les● therefore they should locke , when they ought to loose , and open ; whe● they ought indeed to shut , they mus● be men of knowledge , and not nou●ces , voyd of good vnderstanding an● dexterity to performe their duty b b 1. Tim 3.2 . Paul requires that a Minister should be apt to teach . If he be not ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) able and apt to teach , 2. Tim. 2.24 . how shall he b● ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) a teacher , as euery ministe● ought to be ? If he be , ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) vnlearned , how shall he be ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) a scribe able to interpret the Oracles of God learnedly ? The c c 2. Tim. 2 Minister of God must ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) diuide and cut out the worde of trueth aright vnto the people . But how shall he be able to diuide it rightly , when he cannot ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) diuide at all , because he wants the knife of knowledge , wherewith he should diuide it ? What though a man haue a plough , if he know not how to plow ? What if he haue a net , & know not how to cast it ? What though he haue a salue , if he knowe not how to apply it ? And what though a man haue an axe , if he haue no skill to vse it ? So what can that man do , that hath the word of God , which is as a plow , a net , an angle , a salue , and an axe , if he haue no abilit● , no actiuenesse and skill to vse and handle it ?

The d d Math. 6.22 . eye is the light of the body : if it be blind , how darke is that body ? Mat. 5.14 . Ministers are the light of the world , and as the Eyes of the Church . Now , if they be destitute of light and sight , the world must needs be darke , and that Church must needs be blind : or else God the e e Iam. 1.1 . Father of lights must conferre sight and light , and illuminate them extraordinarily . f f Isay . 50.4 . Esay saith that the Lord gaue him the tongue of the learned , that hee might knowe to minister a word in due season to him , that is weary . Good shepheards and thriuing merchants had need to haue knowledge and experience . Ministers are the Shepheards & Merchants of Almighty God ; therefore they should haue skill ( as well as will ) to keepe his sheepe , and husband his wares , that his gaine may be the greater , and his fold the fuller . This is the note ( saith that holy Martyr of God , Bishop Hooper ) to know the Bishops and Ministers of God from the Ministers of the Diuell , by the preaching tongue of the Gospell . The g g Mal. 2.7 . Priests lippes shall preserue knowledge , saith the Lord . It is a precept , and not a promise . And the people were inioyned to seeke the law at his mouth . Therefore in reason he should be skilfull in the law . It is labour lost to seeke a thing , where it is not . In vaine do men g● to a Well , that hath no water in it . Now if the Priests in the time of the Law were by Gods appointment to be men of knowledge , is it fit that the Ministers of the Gospell should be ignorant ; especially there being so much knowledge in the world , as there is at this day ? Ministers are Gods Nurses : but if their breasts bee drie , how shall his children thriue , that are committed to them : Ieremy writeth of a calamity , which befell the Israelites , wherein the h h Lam 4.4 . Lam. 2.11 . 12.19 tongue of the sucking childe did cleaue to the roofe of his mouth for thirst , and in which the children and sucklings did swoone in the streetes , and for hunger died in their mothers bosome . A very pitifull and sore distresse . Verily , as lamentable is their condition , which i i Pro. 29 . 1● neuer haue the bread of Gods word broken vnto them , and the sweete milke of wholsome exhortations and instructions powred out before them to feede vpon . Ministers are Gods k k Mal. 2.7 . Messengers ; therefore they should haue knowledge to deliuer their message discreetly . They are seers and ouer-seers ; therefore they should haue eyes to see and ouer-see . They should be able to discerne betweene vice and vertue , betweene light and darknesse , betweene truth and falshood , betweene Sarah and Hagar , betweene a Iudas and a Ionathan , lest they take the one for the other , as Ixion did the cloude for Iuno . And if the l l Mat. 15.14 . blinde doe leade the blinde , both of them are like to fall into the ditch . Those ministers then that cannot teach the people in some competent manner , are too defectiue ; not much vnlike a cypher , which fils a place , and increaseth the number , but signifies nothing : and something like to Players , which do sometimes represent the persons of Princes , but are not so themselues . Xanchius saith , that they only are called of God vnto the Ministery , which besides their godly conuersation , are able to deliuer wholsome doctrine vnto the people . Quos enim eligit , ac vocat ▪ for those whom God doth elect and call to any function , he doth also endow them with such necessary gifts , as are meet for that function .

CHAP. 9. Ministers must be faithfull and painfull

FOurthly , a labourer must be diligent , faithfull , and industrious . And such a one must euery Minister shew himself to be . It is required in the a a 1. Cor. 4.2 . disposers of Gods secrets ( as Ministers are , that a man be found faithfull . Preach the word ( saith the holy Ghost , ) b b 2. Tim. 4.2 . be in stant , in season and out of season ▪ Cursed is he , c c Ier. 48.10 . that doth the worke of the Lord negligently . If we be diligent in our owne affaires , how much more diligent should we be in Gods ? d d Pro. 27.23 . Be diligent ( saith Salomon ) to know the state of thy flocke , and take heed to the heards . Must men looke to their cattell with diligence , & shall not Ministers look diligently to the soules of men ? Idlenesse for a time may be pleasing , but in the end thereof it will bite like a Cockatrice , and hurt like a Serpent . If men bee carefull to saue their sheepe from dogges , wolues an● foxes , if they be diligent to preserue their corne from being cropt and wasted with birds and beasts , and to keepe their houses from being burnt with fire , or beate downe with tempests ; how faithfull and laborious should all the Lords Ministers bee to preserue his corne from being eaten vp or troden downe ? How carefull should they be to defend his house from the fire of contention and schisme ? And if fire haue taken hold on it ▪ how painfull ought they to be in ●●aking of it , and hindering it from proceeding further ? If the Diuell e e Iob. 1.7 . compasse the earth to and fro , and like a ramping and roaring f f 1. P●t. 5.8 . Lyon seeke whom hee may deuoure ; If the g g Mat. 23.15 . Pharisees would compasse sea and land to make one Proselyte , one of their faith and faction ; And if Popish priests ( whose faith and alleagiance is pinned , vpon Antichrists backe ) doe venture life and liberty to subuert the true faith , and to increase the number of Romish Catholickes ; what paines should the Ministers of Christ Iesus take ? what labour should they refuse to maintaine the faith , to saue the soules of men , and to increase the number of true Beleeuers , true Catholikes , orthodoxall Christians ? They looke for hire , therefore they ought to labour : no worke , no wages . h h Pro. 27.18 . Indeed he that keepeth the fig-tree , shall eate of the fruite thereof : and he , that waiteth vpon his office , is worthy maintenance : but he which i i 2. Thes. 3.10 . will not labour ( and can labour ) must not eate , though hee would eate . Possidonius writeth of Augustine Bishop of Hippo , that he taught and preached priuatly and publickly , in the house and in the Church ; resembling the practise of Paul , who ( like a faithfull Teacher ) k k Act. 20.20.27.31 . kept backe nothing , that was profitable , and in three yeares space reuealed all the counsell of God ( behold his diligence ) teaching openly , and throughout euery house , and by the space of three yeares ceased not to warne euery one both night and day with teares : behold his fidelity , industry , and compassionate affection . Chrysostome saith , that the Minister of the word ought to be diligent as an Husbandman , and carefull as a shepheard . As diligently ( sayth Latimer ) as the husbandman plougheth for the sustentation of his body , so diligently must Prelates and Ministers labour for the feeding of the soule : both the ●loughes must be st●●l going , ● most necessary for man . And againe : The Scripture calleth it ( the preaching of the word ) meate , and not Strawberries that come but once a yeare , and ●●r● not long , but are soone gone . But ●t ●● meate , it is no dainties . The people must haue meate that must be familiar , con●inuall , and daily giuen then to feed vpon This was the iudgement of that ho●● Martyr : and his practise was not different . For ( as M. Fox saith ) he preached for the most part euery Sunday twise , yea when he was 67. yeares o● age , and had receiued a bruise by the fall of a tree . Like was the practise o● Ambrose Bishop of Millain , who● Augustine heard ( as he doth report ) preach the word of truth soundly ( Omni Dominico ) euery Lords day . This was the practise of tho●e blessed Saints . This is the will of God , and the duty of al godly Ministers ; as doth euidently appeare by the consideration of Pauls exhortation to the Elders ( or Ministers ) of the Church o● Ephesus . l l Act. 20.28 . Take heed ( saith he ) to all the flocke , whereof the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers , to feed the Church of God , which he hath purchased with that his bloud .

First , let vs consider that wee are the Ministers , not of man , but of God omnipotent , who will kindly reward all that come vnto him , and labour for him with an honest heart , & a good intention , 1. Pet. 5.4 .

Secondly , let vs also remember that we did not thrust our selues into his seruice , but that he chose and called vs ; and therefore our labours are not arbitrary , but at his disposement and dispensation . Thirdly , we are not called to liue in idlenesse , but to attend , to ouersee and feed .

Fourthly , our labours are not spent vpon beasts , but vpon men like our selues , and not about earthly things , but heauenly . Fiftly , our paines belong properly & principally to Gods m m Ephes. 4 12. owne people , euen vnto such as his Sonne hath redeemed with his owne bloud , his best bloud , his hart-bloud . 1. Pet. 5.2 . If Iacob was consumed in the day with heat , n n Gen. 31.40 . & with frost in the night ; if hee endured such hardnesse for Sheepe , for beasts , yea for his Father in lawes sheepe ; shall wee take no paines for men ? Shall we neglect the Sheepe of Christ Iesus ? Shall we bestow no paines vpon the people of God , who is our most gracious father , and more tender hearted then our naturall fathers are , or can be to vs ?

Sixtly , we should consider , that these about whome we labour , are subiect to many dangers . Satan & his Angels , the world & their owne corruptions are all of them mortall and most pernicious enemies vnto their soules . And our labours are through the operation of the Spirit very helpfull and commodious both to preserue them from euill , and to conserue and strengthen them in that which is good , yea and to pull them out of the iawes of the Diuell , and out of the briars of wickednesse . And therefore we should take the greater paines , and thinke no time nor trauell mispent , which we shall spend this wa● .

Seauenthly , we preach against the idlenesse of men in all other callings , and that not without good cause : for it was o o Ezek. 16.49 . one of the sinnes of Sodome , & is vnprofitable to all states . Wherefore we ought in no case addict our selues to so base a sinne . For otherwise we shall weaken our owne credits , and expose our selues to shame and obloquy . A blacke spot is soone espied in white paper : Ministers are much marked : and few trauellers there are , if any at all , which would not haue their waies as faire as their Neighbors . Moreouer , the Scripture calleth vs Pastors . But Pastors must p p Pastoris est pascere , n●n deglubere . feed their sheepe , and not forsake , nor flea them , nor starue them through indiligence and oscitancy . The flocke must be more regarded then the fleece . Paule sought q q 2. Cor. 12 14. them , and not theirs : the men , and not the money . And , r r 1 Cor. 9.17 Woe vnto me ( saith he ) if I preach not the Gospell . He was exceeding s s 2. Cor. 11.23 . toylesome in his Ministery , in labours abundant . Iude saith , that he gaue t t Iude. 3. All diligence to write of the commune saluation . The u u Reu. 2.2 . Angell of the Church of Ephesus was by Christ commended for his workes and labour . The ancient Prophets , & those worthy men of God , which he raised vp for the reuealing of that man of sinne , and the restoration of the truth , as Luther , Zuinglius , Oecolampadius , Bucer , Caluin , Martyr , Iewell , &c. were exceeding diligent and laborious . It is sayd of that blessed Martyr of God Maister Bradford , that he preached the time , that he remained prisoner in the Counter twise a day continually , except sicknesse hindered him .

Being therefore compassed and couered with such a cloude of painefull Ministers , let vs breake through all obstacles , and runne the race of our glorious calling , performing whatsoeuer doth appertaine vnto vs with all patience , diligence , and fidelity . All , euen all is little inough , and too little . Honor is set before vs : the Speare of vengeance is shaken at vs : the Cannon of Gods wrath is planted against vs : the Constitutions of the Church doe call vpon vs : the Commandement of the great God doth vrge vs : and the holy Scriptures do spurre vs to the quicke , and affoord many firme and inuincible arguments to prouoke and perswade vs to the vigilant , faithfull , and laborious execution of our office ; Let vs therefore respect and tend it , and behaue our selues like Labourers , that need not be ashamed .

Salomon saith , He that withdraweth the u u Pro. 11. ●6 . corne ( which is the foode of the body ) the people will curse him ; and shall we thinke that he can escape a curse , which refuseth to preach , and so with-holdeth the corne and the foode , wherewith the soule should be sed ? But as blessing shall be vpon his head , that selleth corne : so he that preacheth the word of trueth , and bringeth foorth like a good Steward , both new and olde out of his treasure vnto the people , and breaketh vnto them that bread , that doth relieue the hungry soule ( if he do it with care and conscience , and with a purpose to glorifie God and to benefit his Church ) he shall without doubt receiue a blessing both from God and Man . The Lord from heauen shall blesse him , and his people shall applaude and laud him . And as x x Pro. 27.18 . Salomon saith that the seruant which waiteth vpon his Maister , shall come to honour : euen so surely they , which attend vpon their Ministery , shall be aduanced . They shall haue honour in the hearts of the people . And if God see them fit for further honour , they shall not want it . Let them therefore be watchfull and industrious . And indeed , there is no time since the light of the Gospell brake out vnto vs , wherein greater diligence and fidelity is required at the hands of all Gods Ministers , then now . For Probitas laudatur , & alget : vertue is commended in word , but contemned in deed . Learning is little respected : Vice flourisheth , wickednesse increaseth : Papisme sprouteth afresh : Atheists and Epicures swarme like the y y Exod. 8.24 . flies of Egypt : and of z z Act. 20.30 . our owne selues do many men arise speaking peruerse things , to drawe disciples after them ; being ready to say with those in Esay ; a a Isa. 65.5 . Stand aloofe , come not neare me : for I am more holie then thou ; being selfe-conceited , and distracted with phantastick questions , and impertinent affaires , and possest with an erroneous , turbulent , vnstable and blind spirit ; leauing Ierusalem in stead of Babel , euen their mother that brought them forth & bare them ; because , they say , she is clad with a Babylonish garment , and not with one of their spinning . Wherefore greater diligence and attendance should bee giuen , least Gods house be fired ouer our heads , least his plants be spoyled , least his vines be broken downe , least his flowers be rooted vp , and his garden be defaced and ouergrowne with weedes . For howsoeuer Atheists , Papists , and Schismatiques be loose in their heads , yet are they tied fast together by the tailes ( like b b Iudg. 15 4. Samsons foxes ) with a fire-brand of mischiefe in the middest to spoile and burne vp Gods corne , and to set fire on his rickes , if they be not with great care and labour preuented .

Note . But yet , though euery Pastor must be painefull , it doth not therefore follow that they should all be equall in paines . For there are diuersity of gifts , variety of ages , distinction of places , and difference of strength and ablenesse . But if they doe that , which is fit for them , and which God claimes of them ; if there be c c 2. Cor. 8.12 . a willing mind to performe that , which they can , it is accepted with him , who accounteth the good wil for the worke it selfe . Neither is all labour the same labour . There is hand-labour as well as lip-labour . And he , that sitteth at the helme , may labour as wel● as he that is vpon the hatches . But let no man flatter himselfe . For d d Gal. 6.7 . God is not ( neither wil be ) mocked . He e e Ier. 17.10 . searcheth the heart , and recompenseth euery man according to his workes . Thou dost but dance in a net , and delude thy selfe . His eyes are neuer shut , and f f Heb. 4.13 all things are naked before them . There is not a g g Iob 42.2 , thought hid from his knowledge . Fig-leaues , friuolous & feigned excuses , subtill and sophisticall euasions cannot serue thy turne , they cannot couer thee . He will find thee out : and h h Heb. 10.31 . it is a fearfull thing to fall into his hands .

CHAP. 10. Ministers must be cheerfull in discharging their office .

FIftly , a Labourer should be cheerefull and alacrious in his businesse , delighting to see his worke go forward . And this alacrity must be in all Gods Ministers . a a 2. Cor. 9.7 . God loueth a cheerefull giuer : euen so likewise he loueth a cheerefull workman . Men must not giue their almes grudgingly or of necessity : so Ministers shold not grudge the Lord of their labours , but be free of them . Christ dyed freely for his sheep , without the least constraint ; why then should not his Ministers feede them freely without compulsion or grudging ? To feede them is farre lesse then to dye for them . Dauid and his subiects offered b b 1 Chron. 29.6.9 . willingly to the building of a materiall Temple for the Lord ; why then should not we labour willingly , that he may haue a spirituall Temple to dwell in ? yea by how much the spirituall is more excellent than the material , euen so much more willingly we ought to labor that the building therof may go forward . Euery man is willing to receiue wages , then let him be willing to worke . Paul saith , that c c 1 Cor. 9.17 . hee hath a reward if he preach the Gospell willingly . Men are vsually very cheerefull about their owne affaires , as in seking worldly promotion , profites & pleasures ; and is it seemely for Ministers to be liue-lesse and leaden-spirited about spirituall and celestiall labours , as in building Gods Temple , and in bringing men to promotion in heauen and to the perpetuall pleasures of that blis-full paradice ? Shall the Diuell labour alacriously to seduce and peruert men , and shall not they striue as stoutly and as cheerefully to conuert and saue men ? The wicked are very forward to commit the works of wickednesse ; and shall they be backward to sm●te down wickednesse , and to practise the workes of godlinesse ? Shall wickednesse be d d Iob. 20.12 Prou. 4.16 sweete to the wicked ? Can they not sleepe , except they haue done euill ? Doth their sleepe leaue them , except they cause some to fall by them ? Are they so cheerefull in euill ? And shall not we be as cheerefull in the workes of our calling , that we may make some to rise from sinne , and surcease from wickednesse , and come out of the pit-fall , and snare of Sathan ? Why should not our labours be sweete and pleasing to vs , seeing they be commodious , commendable , and commanded ? A man will gladly saue his Oxen from perishing , and his sheepe from rotting ; and shall not we labour as gladly to saue men from destruction , and to keepe the sheepe of Christ Iesus from rotting in their sins ? Wilt thou willingly helpe thy sheep out of the ditch , and saue her from drowning ; and wilt thou not as willingly labour to drawe forth one of Christs sheepe out of the ditch of iniquity , that it be not drowned with the waters of wickednesse , and be stifled with the mudde of sinfulnesse ? A man is very nimble and ready to preserue his fields from spoyling , his house from burning , and his children from pining ; and shall not we be as nimble , as alacrious , and as ready to preserue Gods field from being wasted , his house from being burnt , and his children from perishing and pining away for want of food to comfort and vphold them ? Willingly will euery faithfull shepheard feede and gouerne his flocke , which is committed to him . And so Peter speaking to the shepheards of that Arch-pastor Christ Iesus , exhorteth them to performe their duty with alacrity . f f 1. Pet. 5 2 Feed the flocke of God , which dependeth on you , caring for it not by constraint , but Willingly : not for filthy lucre , but as of a Ready Minde . g g Act. 2● . 24 . I passe not at all , ( saith Paul ) neither is my life deere vnto me , so that I may fulfill my course with ioy .

CHAP. II. Ministers must be valorus , not timerous .

SIxtly , a labourer ought to be couragious and hardy . No discouragement , nothing at all must daunt him , nothing must fray him from his worke , and put him out of his right byas . And they , that are to contend and encounter with that roaring Lyon , had neede to be Lyon-like , valorous and vndauntable . The a a Neh. 4.17 . Builders of the ruined walles of Ierusalem did their worke with one hand , and with the other held a sword . Euen so those , whom God hath called to repaire Ierusalem the praise of the world , should builde with the armour of the Spirit about them , being full of Christian zeale and fortitude , and wise to preuent the stratagems and assaults of all Sanballates , Arabians and Ammonites . They were not cowards that built those walles : neither should they be cowards that work in this building . For here want no enemies : here is both fraud and force . b b Eph. 6.12 We wrestle not against flesh & bloud , but against Principalities , against powers , against worldly Gouernors , the Princes of the darknesse of this world , against spiritual wickednesses which are in high places ; euen against Sathan & all the Yeomen of the black Guard . And therefore we had neede to be full of spirit , and spirituall valour . Ieremy was forbidden vnder the paine of death to c c Ier. 1.17 . feare their faces , to whom he was to Prophecy . And the Lord speaking to Ezekiel saith ; I haue made thy forehead as the d d Ez. 3.9 . Adamant , and harder then the flint . Feare them not therfore , neither be afraid of their looks . By which we see that God would not haue his messengers out-faced , but that they should boldly deliuer their message to his people . He which winketh at false doctrine , and reprehendeth not the sins of the time and place wherein he liueth , and dares not for feare of contempt or disgrace admonish the persons that offend , is vnworthy and vnfit to be a Minister : who ought to be zealous and couragious , dreading e e Ier. ● . 8 . no mans face , but should speake , exhort , and f f Tit. 2.15 . conuince in all authority , and shew the people their g g Isai. 58.1 . enormities without feare or partiality . Yea hee , that wincketh at wickednesse , and hereticall doctrine , and doth not oppose himselfe vnto it , is guilty of it : and is in minde a Fugitiue , though he moue not from his charge in person . Quia tacuisti , fugisti : tacuisti , quia timuisti : Thou hast fled ( saith Austen ) because thou hast held thy tongue . Veritatem negat , qui eam non libere praedicat : He denieth the truth ( saith Chrysostome ) which doth not preach it boldly . Although ( saith Austen ) he liue well , and yet be either ashamed or afrayed to reproue them , that liue ill ( cum omnibus , qui eo tacente pereunt , perit . ) He perisheth with all those , which perish whiles he sees and sayes nothing . Aug. grad. 1. Abus . I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord ( saith Micah ) h h Mich. 3 ▪ 8. and of iudgement and of strength , to declare vnto Iacob his transgression , and to Israel his sinne . Eliiah told Ahab to his i i Kin. 18.18 . face , that it was he , and his fathers house , that troubled Israel . Michaiah likewise boldly told him , that he should not returne in peace from fighting against the Syrians , though his speech vexed him . k k 2. Sam. 2.9 . Nathan told Dauid plainely of his vncleannes and murther , & that without feare . Isaiah saith , that he had l l Isay 50.7 set his face as a flint . And so it seemeth : for he payd them home , he feared no colours , but was as bold in taxing , as they were in offending , m m Isay 50.6 . He gaue his backe to the smiters , and his cheekes to the nippers , and hid nor his face from shame and spitting ; reprouing ( notwithstanding all disgraces ) both the Princes and the People with great feruency and boldnesse of speech . This was the practise of Iohn Baptist : Christ ▪ Paul , and of all the holy Prophets , and ought as occasion serueth , to be imitated n n For sheep ma● be driuen to the ●acks : but Lions must be fed at the staues end , lest ●hey feed on them , that would ●●ed them wisely of all the Ministers of God .

This serueth to condemne the coldnesse and fearfulnesse of those face-fearers , that dare not rebuke sinne , especially in the audience of the sinner : and which teacheth the truth through feare ( as it were ) in riddles , ambiguously and in the cloudes , running ( as I may say ) betweene the skin and the flesh . But such feare is not the feare of God , but the feare of Man . And ( as Bishop Iewel speaketh ) accursed be that modesty , that drowneth or hideth the truth of God . And accursed ( I say ) be that feare , which makes a man silent , when he ought to speake : and dumme , when he should o o Isa. 58.1 lift vp his voyce , like a trumpet , and shew the people their sinnes . Yet here we must all remember that our zeale be directed by knowledge , which should alway go before and make way , and that wisedome and pity go with our valour , that all our reproofes and admonitions be performed in loue and in the p p Gal. 6.1 . 2 Tim. 2.25 . spirit of meeknesse , with long suffering and patience , without rage and rankor . Esay might cry , but not roare . We our selues are men , and may erre . And if we stand , when others fall , it is by Gods grace , and not through our owne goodnesse . Neither is it lawfull to rebuke sinne with sinne , and to make our selues sinners by disorderly taxing of sinners .

CHAP. 12. Ministers must perseuere in the faithfull execution of their function .

SEuenthly , a labourer must be constant , and not giue ouer , till his taske inioyned him be fully finished . So the Minister of God shold continue constant in his labours for God . The loue of the world must not make him leaue his labours . He must not leaue without the leaue and liking of his Lord , that called him . His owne conceipts must yeelde vnto his calling : and his fancies must not make him craze his faith . It is better to beate them , as Abraham beat the a a Gen. 15.11 . Birds , that hindred him , then by bending to them , to breake lose from his calling , or to be beat from his businesse , as being vnworthy of it , or vnfit for it . And in a word no feare must fray him : no terror must amaze him : nothing must make him flie oft of the hookes . Shall the obstinacy of the people ? Although ( saith Chrysostome ) I be not ignorant that I speake in vaine , yet will I not giue ouer : for so doing I shall be excused before God , although no body would heare me , in 3. Chap. Ioh. And it may be with continual shewring vpon them , their harts will at length relent and waxe soft . Shall their rage , their choler ? The frantique ( saith Augustine ) will not be bound , neither would such , as are troubled with a lethargie , be roused : but charity perseuereth to castigate the frantique , to stirre vp the lethargique , to loue them both . Both are offended , but both are loued . Both of them being molested , so long as their disease continueth , doth take it ill that you shold so trouble them : but both of them being cured they do reioyce . Shall threats & disgraces ? Shall the malice & enuy of the wicked ? was not Christ disgraced , maligned , calumnized , & euill in●reated ? Were not all his Apostles hated & persecuted ? Shall pouerty driue thee from thy calling , or make thee to faint in thy calling ? Was not Christ poore to Man , that he might make thee rich to God ? And were not his Apostles poore ? Gloriosa in sacerdotibus Domini paupertas : Pouerty ( saith Ambros● ) is glorious in the Priestes of God . A crosse it may be to them , but not a curse . Paul was a man of much affliction , yet saith he , b b 2. Cor 4 ▪ 1. Seeing we haue this ministery , as we haue receiued mercy , we faint not . Non fecisse , sed perfecisse virtutis est : To worke is not so commendable , as to continue constant in working , till the work be brought to perfection . Ministers must be like the salt waters , which hauing once begun to flow , continue flowing , till they come to their full sloud . A candle being once lighted , burneth on so long as it lasteth , except it be put out with violence . Euen so they ( as candles ) being once lighted , & set in the church , as in a candle-sticke , to giue light vnto the people , by holding out the lampe of light , that is , c c Psa. 119.105 . the word of God , they shold burne bright continually ; Aliis inseruientes , semet●psos consumentes , spending themselues , like lamps or torches , in seruing & shining vnto others . Salomon left not building of a temple for the Lord made of lifelesse stones , vntill it was built vp . So should they continue constant in building his temple made of d d 1. Pet. 2.5 liuing stones , till it be brought to perfection , if in this life it were possible . They should do their best indeauour , and languish not . e e Ouid. Vt desint vires , tamen est laudanda voluntas . Paul laboured constantly in his calling , till God cald him away by death . Possidonius saith that Augustine preached the word of God constantly ( Vsque ad ipsam suam extremam aegritudinem ) vnto the extremity of his sicknes . Fox saith of Bradford that preaching , reading and prayer was his whole life . These are good patternes , and worthy imitation . Peter saith that he ought in equity f f 2. Pet. 1.13 . to put them in mind of their duty , whiles he continueth in his earthy tabernacle . The Minister and his Ministery should cease together , and not one before another . Paul commandeth g g 1. Tim 4 13.15.16 . Timothy to exercise himselfe in , and to ad●i●● himselfe vnto reading , exhortation and doctrine , and to continue in learning . If wee would duly consider that by preaching the couenant of grace is reuealed , that Gods oracles are explained , and his dispersed sheepe brought home and nourished , that faith is thereby wrought and confirmed , and the children of God begotten and conserued , that his house is builded , his field is eared , his scepter erected , his throne established , his kingdome augmented and Sathan eiected ; vndoubtedly it would moue vs to a continuall and constant execution of our office , without either fainting in it , or forsaking of it . The Sun ( we see ) neuer ceaseth moueing all the while his course is vnfinished . The Laborers in the parable wrought vnto the h h Mat. 20.8 . euening , euen till their Lord set and sent his Steward to call them from their worke . So we , that are the Lords labourers appointed by him to worke in his vineyard , and set in the Church , as the Sunne in the heauens , to giue light vnto his people , must labour constantly and moue continually till our course be finished , and our taske be ended ; we must not giue ouer till our houre-glasse be runne out , till our Sunne be set , and the Euening of our life be shut in , or vntill our Lord and Maister shall call vs from our worke , or send a Messenger to fetch vs . Salomon saith ; In the morning I i i Eccl. 11.6 . sowe thy seede , and in the euening let not thine hand rest . All men ought to be constant in their labou●s , and neuer be k k Gal. 6.9 weary of well doing ; much more therefore Ministers , whose labours are most excellent & commodious , & who ought to be to al other men , as that cloudy l l Nehe. 9 12. and fiery pillar was vnto the Israelites , which led them , and let them see their way to Canaan God commaunded that there should be m m Ex● 27.20 . Light alway shining in the Tabernacle .

The Church militant is Gods spirituall n n Psal. 15. Tabernacle . Ministers are the Light , that must shine vnto all the members of the Church , yea to those , that yet sit in darknesse & in the shadow of death ; and that constantly , alwaies and without intermission . The Lord required a sacrifice of 2 Lambes to be offered day by day o o Ex. 29.38 . continually And it were not vnfitting , if ministers did daily in their prayers present and consecrate their people ( like those Lambes ) vnto the Lord . Their duty consisteth not wholy in preaching to them , but also in praying for them , & for the prosperous estate of the whole Church . p p Isa. 62.6 7. I haue set watchmen vpon thy walles , O Ierusalem ( saith the Lord ) which all the day and all the night continually shall not ce●se . Ye tha● are mindfull of the Lord keepe not silence , & giue him no rest , till he repaire and set vp Ierusalem the praise of the world . q q Luk. 9 ▪ 62. No man ( saith Christ ) that putteth his hand to the Plough , and looketh backe , is apt to the kingdome of God . He is in truth neither a fit man for the kingdome of grace , nor a fit Minister for the Gospell of the kingdome . The Lord hath put the sword of his Spirit into our hands . He will haue vs to hold it constantly , and to shake and brandish it continually neuer ceasing to kill the sins of the people with it , and causing them continually to die an euerlasting death to sin in this world , that they may liue an euelasting life from sin in the world to come ; and that being couered with the Canopy of Gods grace in this life , they may be clothed with the robes of his glory in the life to come . Finally , the Lord hath put his Booke into our handes . Wee must vpon all iust occasions open and expound it . We must constantly hold it vp , and out vnto his People . We must not lay it aside , nor cast it into corners . Our hands in holding it must neuer faint , least the enemies of God and his Church should preuaile and conquer . And so much for the properties of a good workeman .

CHAP. 13. Ministers ought to be peaceable and louing to each other : but yet the refractarie must be bridled .

Doct. 6 LAbourers together . ) Seeing that wee worke together with and for the Lord : seeing all faithful Ministers are the Lords Labourers , appointed by God to husband his field , and to repaire and build vp his House , we should all agree and loue one another entirely , that our worke may go the faster forward , and that so we may receiue greater comfort and ioy . The Psalmist describing the wicked , saith , that a a Psal. 94.4.5 . they smite downe Gods people , and trouble his heritage . b b Psal. 5.9 . Psal. 10.7 . Their throat ( saith Dauid ) is an open sepulchre , and their mouth is full of cursing . c c Is. 59.8 . Destruction ( saith Esay ) is in their pathes , and they know not the way of peace . But these things do nothing beseeme the Ministers of God , who are , or ought to be ( Praecones pietatis ) the preachers of peace and piety , and not d d 1. Tim. 3.2 fighters and strikers , but meeke , gentle , and studious of concord and amity . Tit. 1.7 . The Word , and not the sword is committed by the Lord vnto them ▪ the word of grace , the word of reconcilement , the sword of the Spirit , and not the sword of Reuenge . If his workmen fall to wrangling , how shal his worke go forward ? God hath hired vs to worke , and not to wrangle , praedicare , non praeliari . If any man lust to be e e 1. Cor. 11.16 . contentious , we haue no such custome ( saith Paul ) neither the Churches of God . It is mery with wolues and foxes when the shepheards are together by the eates one with another . Lamentable are those flockes , miserable are those sheepe . We should rather bend then band , and bowe rather then breake , Ferentes non ferientes , bearing one with another , and not biting or beating one another , lest we be deuoured one of another . If the builders and plowmen quarrell one with another , their worke must needs be hindred . If a kingdome ( saith Christ ) f f Mar. 3. 24 ▪ 25 . be deuided against it selfe , that kingdome cannot stand : or if an house be deuided against it selfe , that house cannot continue . Euen so Gods kingdome vpon earth cannot but be much weakened , and the rearing of his house much hindred , if Ministers ( which either are , or ought to be his chiefest instruments to build his house , and to propagate and vphold his kingdome ( be deuided one against another in factions and hostile manner . Diuide , et regna : Deuide and reigne is no rule for vs to practise amongst our selues . It was not the true , but the counterfeit mother of the child , that said , g g 1. king 3.26 Let it be neither thine , nor mine , but diuide it . If the builders of old Ierusalem in the daies of h h Nehe. 4. Nehemiah had contended one against another , it had bene easiy for their enimies to haue destroyed both them and their building . So if the Builders of new Ierusalem , of spirituall and mysticall Ierulem , do fight and biker one with another , they do without doubt expose themselues and their building to the danger of the enimie , that taketh all oportunity to worke a mischiefe . Diuide a ship , and how shall it saile ? Diuide the Church , and how shall she hold out vpon the waters , and not be drowned ? There is little got , but much lost by contention . Nimium altercando veritas amittitur : Ouer-hot contention loseth the truth ; and ouer-great dissention amongst the sheepheards scattereth and disquieteth the sheepe . The dissention of the i i Iosephus captaines was the destruction of Ierusalem . But ( pace florent omnia ) true peace ( like Aprill shewers ) makes all thinges flourish . Vires vnitae sunt fortiores . A three-fold cord is hardly crackt asunder . A sheafe of arrowes is hardly broken . Thorefore as Labourers of one Lord , as Builders of one House , as plowers of one fielde , as shepheards of one fold , as keepers of one garden , as dressers of one vineyard , as workemen in one haruest , as watchmen of one city , as souldiers of one captaine , as seruants of one maister , and as sonnes of one father , let vs all agree one with another , being coupled fast together by one spirit , like linkes of one chaine , and as if there were but one temperature of all our bodies , and but one soule within them all . And accordingly let vs ( vnitis viribus , ac toto conatu ) ioyntly labour with might & maine , that Gods worke may goe forward , that the powers of darknesse may be shaken , that the gates of Hell may be flung from their hinges , and that ( sin and sathan beeing dismounted from their thrones ) the scepter of Christ Iesus may be set vp in the hearts of his people ? If we must loue k k 2. Tim. 3.24 . all men , and if we must be gentle towards all men , is it seemely for vs to hate one another ? Shall we be spitefull and crabbed one vnto another ? God is l l 1. Ioh. 4.8 . ● . Thes. 5.22 . loue , and the well-spring of true peace : and the Diuell is the father of hatred and enmity ; therefore it behoueth all the Ministers of God to be peaceable and louing , that so they may be like the Lord , & vnlike the Diuell . If we should labor to m m Rom. 12 18. haue peace with all men , how earnestly should we striue to haue it amongst our selues : n n Ouid. Nec minor est virtus , quam quaerere , parta tueri . Are all men bound to o o Rom. 12.16 . be of the like affection one towards another , and is it fit for vs , that are , or ought to be lights and guides vnto others , to be of a contrary affection one to another : Ought not the p p Rom. 15.1 . strong to beare the infirmities of the weake , and not to please themselues : Wisedome and lenitie will say so . And ought not the weake labour to see their infirmity , and to waxe weary of their weaknesse , that so there may be a simpathy , and no antipathy , peace and not passions , concord and not hostility ? It is one thing to be weake , and another thing to affect weaknesse . It is one thing to shew weaknesse , and another thing to shroud and shield it . It is good to confesse it , but bad to professe it . There is a strong weakenesse , and there is a weaknesse , that is weake indeed . All weaknesse is vncomme●dable , but affected and sturdy weaknesse is vntollerable . This is the peace-breaker , and he must be bridled . Easie salues are for easie soares : b●t gangrenes must be pared off , and fisiulaes must be bitten . The Leper mus● keepe his house . And he , that hath the plague about him , must not come abroad . Melius est vt pereat vnus , quam vnitas . It is better to want one , then lose all . It is better to cut off a finger , then to lose the hand . And an honorable warre is better then a seruile peace . We must defend our heads , and maintaine our free-holds . q q 1 kings 21.3 . Naboth would not part from his vineyard . He is another Esau that will part with his birth-right for a messe of pottage . As we must be r r Mat. 10.16 . Tit. 1.8 . innocent as Doues , so we must be wise as Serpents , and stout as Lyons , and beware that too much patience make not the enemy proud and raging . But to returne from whence we haue digressed , shall Paul pray for the Romanes , for other men , that GOD would s s Rom. 15 ▪ 5. make them to be like-minded one towards another , and shal not we pray for our selues , and labour by all good meanes , that we may our selues bee so affected one with another ? Members of one body are at peace with themselues . The Church of God is a t t Eph. 5.23 Body , euen the mysticall body of his sonne Christ Iesus . Now faithfull Ministers are Members of this body ; therefore they ought like fellow-members to embrace and agree with one another , u u Eph. 4.3 . Gal. 5 ▪ 26. Eph 5.27 endeuouring to keepe the vnity of the Spirit , in the bond of peace , not prouoking and enuying one another , but being subiect to one another in the feare of Christ . It were a prodigious sight to see the Pillars of a Temple remoue , and rush one against another . The Church is Gods spirituall Temple : and godly Ministers are as Pillars to beare it vp . Therefore they should stand peaceably one by another , and not iustle one with another . The ministers and instruments of Sathan can conspire together against God . Wherefore then should not the Ministers of God concord & agree together for God ? w w Luk. 23.12 . Act. 4.27 . Herod & Pilate , the Iewes & the Romanes , could ioyne against Christ : why should not we then consent and labour together for Christ , that the Gospell might flourish in the Christian world , and that Christian religion might spreade throughout the whole world ? As x x Rom. 15.6 . Paul wished the Romanes one heart , that they might with one minde and one mouth praise GOD : euen so should we that are Ministers , tune all the strings of our sinfull soules , and labour for the sweet concent and harmony of all the affections of our hearts , that with one mind & mouth wee may celebrate and preach the Lord , and proclaime the glad tidings of saluation to the sonnes of men by Iesus Christ . Neither is it enough if some of vs be thus affected : but wee must all ( all without exception ) put on this minde . In an Instrument wee see that one or two strings out of tune marre all the musicke : and that in a Quire of voyces one or two being out of order , doe spoyle the melody : One iangling bell marres the whole ring . Euen so a few factious , turbulent and combustiue spirites , that ( like Salamanders or Fire-flies ) delight in the firy flames of contention , and are in trauell with their home-bred conceits , till they haue thrust them out ( which are somthing like thornes in a dogges foot , which neuer leaues licking till hee haue got them out ) I say , a few such disorderly & vnquiet spirits , are able & apt ( if they be not turned or taken quite away ) to marre the musicke of the Church , and to kindle a fire in it . For by nature we are too like to Gun-powder or Tinder ; a few sparkes are able , and would set vs all on fire , if neither Gods grace , nor seuere lawes and strength of authority did preuent & hinder vs . And that I may conclude this point , if tenne men did carry a great and weighty burthen , & if some of them should kicke or buffet one another , their pace would be slakened , their businesse hindred , & their burthen endangered to fall vnto the ground . The Church of God is a weighty burthen , and Ministers are appointed by God , to beare it vpon their backes . Now if they beate and spurne at one another : or if some of them shall contemne kicke or buffet one another , though others behaue themselues discreetly and orderly : their businesse must needes be hindered , the Chu●ch is like rot onely to shake and totter , but in danger also to fall and breake . y y Morbida s●la ●ecus totum ●orrumpit oui●e . One scabbed sheepe may infect a flocke , a little fire may make a great flame , a little leauen doth leauen a whole lump of dough , and one Fox may marre a fold . Either therefore let all agree , let all that beare the burthen , con●aine themselues in order , or let them that trouble the rest , bee thrust out by order . Better it were that nine did beare it alone in peace , th●n with a ten●h , ( though his shoulders were as good as Miloes , as strong as Sam●ons ) that were quarrelous , tr●ublesom● and vnquiet .

As we therefore desire the peace of Sion , and the we●fare and prosperity of Ierusalem : as we would that the workes of the diuell should be dissolued , his power weakned , and his kingdome lessened : as we loue to see Gods corne to thriue , his vines to flourish , and his building to go forward ; let vs z z Mark . 9.10 . haue peace amongst our selues , and let vs tye our hea●ts fast together with the linkes of loue . It is an a a Psa. 133.1 . amiable thing for brethren to dwell together in vnity . It is a louely sight to see Ministers ( br●th●en by adoption , and brethren by offi●e : brethren in regard of Gods grace and place ) to liue together in loue , as it were in a wedlock of loue . Then should they be known to be b b Ioh. 13.35 . Christs disciples , then should God be glorified , his people more aboundantly edified , his kingdome enlarged , his enemies scattered , and their owne ioyes increased . We conclude therefore , c c Virg. Nulla salus bello , pacem te poscimus omnes .

CHAP. 14. God is the Architect , Ministers are inferiour Agents .

OF God ) For as much as Ministers are the Lords Synergi , his Coworkers , his Helpers , or helping instruments , elected by him , not for any necessity ( as if he were not able of himselfe to saue men without their assistance ) but of his free pleasure , for the manifestation of his wisedome , power , grace and authority , and for the triall of our obedience , faith & humility , from hence we learne these lessons .

Doct. 7 First ; that God alone is the principall Husbander of his field , and the onely Architect of his building . My a a Iohn . 15.1 . Father ( saith C●rist ) is the Husbandman . And he that buildeth b b Heb. 3.4 all things is God . Paul planteth , and Apollos watereth , but God c c 1 Cor. 3.6 . giueth the increase . It is the Lord that calleth men to his worke , and directeth them in his work , and giueth good successe vnto their worke . d d Psal. 127. ●1. Except the Lord build the house , they labour but in vaine that build it . e e 1 Cor. 15.10 . I laboured ( saith Paul ) more then they all : yet not I , but the grace of God , which is with me . Hence it is that f f 1 Pet. 5.10 Peter commends the founding and establishing of the faithfull vnto GOD . And looke what GOD founds , Sathan shall neuer confound . The Word preached sincerely is not like a physicke medicine , which hath vertue in it by nature to cure a disease : but is as a Conduit-pipe , by which God the fountaine of grace conueieth his grace into the cisterne of our hearts , when as he pleaseth . Neither are Ministers to be reputed as principall Agents , or authors of mans saluation , but as the liuely instruments of God , to whom he hath committed the g g 2 Cor. 5.19 . word of reconciliation , & the sword of his spirit , to cut downe the sinnes of his children , and to slaughter their carnall lusts and corrupt affections through the mighty working of his spirit , accompanying their ministery . And though Paul take vnto him the name of an h h 2 Cor. 2 15.16 . Architect or master work man : yet he doth not meane that he is so indeed simply & without comparison . But he was an Architect in regard of inferiour Ministers : or because he layed the first stone amongst the Corinths , and planted Christian religion amongst them , as there hee sheweth .

CHAP. 15. Godly Ministers may assure themselues of Gods protection .

Doct. 8 SEcondly , seeing Ministers worke for God ( as Factors vnder a Merchant ) they may well expect his diuine protection in the faithfull performance of their office . A Lord will maintaine the lawfull quarrel of his Labourers ; specially if it arise of the diligent and honest execution of their duty , by him enioyned . A puissant and magnanimious Prince will defend his Embassadour so long as he carrieth his message discreetly . And shall we thinke that the Lord of Lords , & Prince of all Princes will not defend & protect his faithful seruants & Embassadours ? Yea he will both protect their persons ( as the eye of his wisdome shal see fit ) & prosper their message in the thing , that a a Isa. 55.11 . pleaseth him , either to the mollifying of mens minds , as the fire doth wax , or to the hardening of their hearts , as the Sun doth clay ; so as that they are vnto him the sweet sauour of Christ , b b 2. Cor. 2.15.16 . in them that are saued , & in them that perish : vnto these the sauour of death vnto death , and vnto the other the sauour of life vnto life . And this protection & blessing of God his faithful Ministers in all ages haue euer receiued according to his benigne admeasurement , who aymeth alwaies at his own glory which is the vtmost marke of all his thoghts . Esay being assured of diuine protection saith ; c c Isa. 50.7 . The Lord will helpe me ; therefore shall I not be confounded : therefore haue I set my face as a flint , & I know that I shal not be ashamed . And the Lord encouraging Ieremy to speake his word boldly , saith , d d Ier. 1.8.18.19 . I am with thee to deliuer thee . This day haue I made thee a defenced city , and an iron pillar , and walles of brasse against the whole Land . They shall fight against thee , but they shall not preuaile against thee . Behold ( saith the Lord to e e Eze. 2.3 . ● . Acts 18 , 9.10 . Ezekiel ) I haue made thy face strong against their faces , & thy forehead hard against their foreheads . The Lord hath promised that he will not leaue vs , f f Iosh. 1.5 . Heb 13 ▪ 7. nor forsake vs : so that we may boldly say ; The Lord is mine h●lper , neither will I feare what man can do vnto me . If wee did seriously consider the vndaunted courage of Paul and Luther , their great dangers and deliuerances , and the admirable good successe of their labours , we may see sufficiently , how the Lord graced and guarded their persons , and watered their Labours with a floud of blessings . Now the Lord is the h h Heb. 1.12 . same , that euer he was ; as potent , and as gratious . For i i ●am 1.17 . Isa. 46.10.11 . with him there is no change . His counsel shall stand : and whatsoeuer he hath determined , it shall be done : his purpose cannot but be performed . Therefore we must not be fainted-hearted , but confident in his mercy . He will couer vs with the wings of his grace , and cary vs vpon the back of his power ouer all our enimies . He is our Buckler , and Shield of defence ; why should we feare ? What need we dread ? If God be on our side , who can , or who dare be against vs ? k k Psa. 84.12 O Lord of Hostes , blessed is the man that trusteth in thee .

CHAP. 16 Faithful Ministers shall be well rewarded

Doct. 9 THirdly , we must not onely looke for his assistance and protection : but we may also assure our selues of a Reward from him , if we discharge our office with care and conscience as in his sight . A good king will reward and honour a good Embassadour : and a kind Maister will not be vnkind vnto his fairhfull seruant . Euen so vndoubtedly , the Lord ( that hath both heauen and earth at command ) will honour , countenance and kindly reward all his seruants , all his Embassadours , that execute their office , and carry their message wisely , sincerely , and in loue vnto his Maiesty . Their reward is with God , they shall want no recompence . a a 1. Cor. 3 8 Euery one of them sha shall receiue his wages according to his labour . They that turne many vnto righteousnesse shall shine as the stars for euer and euer . b b Dan. 12.3 . I haue fought a good fight ( saith Paul ) I haue finished my course , c c 2. Tim. 4.7.8 from henceforth is laid vp ( in store for me ) the crowne of righteousnesse : not a crowne of gold , but of glory , of immortall glo●y , and of glorious immortality , purchased by the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ , and promised by the righteous God in mercy , but performed in iustice , hauing past his word to giue it . Peter saith that good Ministers shall receiue ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) an incorruptible crowne of glory : h h Pet. 5.4 a Garland that shall neuer wither , a Crowne that shall neuer be corrupted . He that e e Mat. 10 ●1. receiueth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet , shall receiue a Prophets reward . By which it is euident that faithfull Prophets shall not goe vnrewarded . And if they that entertaine a Prophet , because he is a Prophet , shall not misse a reward , then there is little reason to thinke that the Prophet himselfe ( behauing himselfe as a Prophet of God ought to do ) shal not be rewarded . The Labourers in the parable receiued their f f Mat. 20.8 wages of the Lord of the vineyard , wherein they wrought , so soone as the euening came , and were called from their worke by the steward . In like manner so soone as the Lord doth send his Messenger ●eath to fetch vs out of his vineyard , and to cal vs away from our worke , he will faithfully pay vs our wages ; I say not , which we haue deserued ( for merita nostra , misericordia Domini ) but which he of his meere benignity hath from all eternity decreed to bestow vpon vs .

The consideration hereof teacheth vs to be diligent , and chearefull in our calling . Our labour is not lost : a reward will come : we shall haue wages for our worke : we shall haue pleasures for our paines . All our water shall be turned into wine : and our sorrowes into solace . Our Lord is louing , and wil not forget the labours of our loue , and the toyle which we take for him . We haue his fauour , and wee shall see his face : we do now enioy his grace , and wee shall one day be pertakers of his glory .

CHAP. 17. Ministers are greatly obliged vnto God : and therfore they should be thankefull vnto him .

Doct. 10 FOurthly , seeing God hath made vs his Ministers ( of the a a 2 Cor. 3 9. new Testament ) & hath giuen vnto vs the b b 2 Cor. 5.2 18. Act. 20.28 . 1 Cor. 12.28 Ministery of Reconciliation : seeing ( I say ) that God hath made vs Instruments for him to labour for him in his House and Vineyard : seeing we are become his labourers , his seruants that is the Lord of all creatures , both Men and Angels ; we are euery one taught , ingenuously to confesse our selues to be greatly indebted to him . It is no small fauour that an earthly king sheweth , when out of his whole kingdome he chuseth some few to be his principall Officers : or shal take one out of many , & make him his Embassadour . And shall we thinke it a smal honor , when God that heauenly Monarch and King of all Kings , shall elect vs ( c c Iob 25.6 Wormes in respect of himselfe ) and make vs his chiefe Officers in his Church , and his Embassadours to carry the ioyfull message of redemption by Iesus Christ vnto his people ? Is it not exceeding great fauour , when he that d d Isa. 57.15 inhabiteth the eternity , swayeth the scepter of the whole world , shall make e e Iob 33.23 . one of a thousand his Messenger and Interpreter , to declare vnto man his righteousnesse , and to the sonnes of men their happinesse , to call them out of the kingdome of darknesse , & to leade them the way into heauenly Canaan , a land that floweth with milk and hony , with ioyes vnspeakeable ▪ with pleasures innumerable , yea with all the good things , and with greater then any man doth comprehend .

●his his kindnesse vnto vs , vndeseruing it , deserues the gratitude o● our hearts demonstrated to him both in word and worke . f f Psal. 116.12.17 . What sh●● I render vnto the Lord ( saith Dauid ) for all his benefits towards me ? I will offer a sacrifice of praise , and will call vpon the name of the Lord . I g g Psa. 145.2 . will blesse thee dayly , and praise thy Name for euer and euer . h h Ps● . 4.3.8 . Teach me to do thy will : for thou art my God : let thy good Spirit leade me into the land of righteousnesse . So should we meditate : so should wee purpose : and so we ought to pray . God hath honoured vs : let not vs dishonour him , but in all things let vs seeke his honour , and set forth his praise ; neither committing , nor admitting anything which we know to be derogatory to his glory , and disgracefull to our glorious calling . i i 1. Sam. 2.30 . Those that honour me ( saith the Lord ) I will honour , and they that despise me , shall be despised . If we will not feare to dishonor God , we may iustly feare that he will honour himselfe by vs , although it be to our great dishonour . For as Moses said to Aaron , vpon the death of his two sonnes for offending God ; k k Leuit. 10.3 . This is it , that the Lord spake , saying : I will be sanctified in them that come neare me , and before all the people I will be glorified . And who come so neare to GOD as Ministers , who are his Watchmen , his Stewards , his Nurses , his Obstetrices , the wayting-men , and dressers of his dearest Spouse ; vnto whom he hath committed the keyes of his treasure , the dispensation of his secrets , the promulgation of his promise , the interpretation of his Oracles , & the administration of his Sacraments ? They therefore of all other should be most carefull to honour him , and most fearefull to dishonour and offend him .

CHAP. 18. Ministers should be like the Lord their Maister .

Doct. 11 FIftly , seeing wee are the Lords Labourers , working together with him , and vnder him in his Field & Palace of delight , he himselfe being our Maister and director , and the onely absolute Architect of that sumptuous building : we are all put in minde to striue to resemble him . For amongst workmen the meanest ( if honestly wise ) will endeauour to be like the chiefest , not in skill onely , but in sober and good conditions , if they see any in him : that so they may win his loue , and procure the countenance and approbation of all men , with whom they do conuerse . And indeed it is no credit for a good maister to entertaine or haue bad men , vnlike him in his vertues , though they be ●●ke him in skill . The child labours to be like his father : the hand-mayd striues to be like her Mistresse : the seruant will follow his Maister as soone as any man : and the Scholler studies to imitate his Teacher : yea and the Instruments of the Diuell are very like him : wherefore then should not all Gods Ministers labour to be like him ? He is their Father , their Lord , their teacher , and their Maister . It is no shame to resemble him : it is no disgrace at all ( but glory rather ) to be sayed to be like him . He is ouer all and vnder none ; his perfection is absolute : his skill is admirable , and the depth of his wisedome cannot be sounded .

All Christians are bound to a a Eph 5.1 . follow God : therefore much more all Christian Ministers , who in all things ought to shew themselues b b Tit. 2.7 8. Examples of good workes , with vncorrupt doctrine , with grauity , integrity , and with the wholesome word , which cannot be condemned , that he which withstandeth may be ashamed , hauing nothing concerning them to speake euill of .

Do we not see how the world is followed of the men of this world ? Do we not see many men imitate great persons in their vanities ? Do we not see how one country followes another in foolish and new-fangled fashions ? Why then should not we that come neare to God by ●ur office , striue to draw neare vnto him by goodnesse and ve●tuous moralities ? Why should we flye farre from him this way , that come so neare to him that way ?

The Ministers of Sathan are farre differing from the Lord our Maister : therefore if wee will not be like them , we must striue to be like him . And vndoubtedly , if Ministers wold carefully labor to resemble their maister in patience , pitty , charity , truth , righteousnesse , holinesse , gentlenesse , goodnesse , and in such like properties , they should not onely please him , and feele comfort in their consciences , but also win greater estimation to their calling , and lessen their contempt in the world .

CHAP. 19. The chiefest care of a Minister ought to be , to study how to please the Lord .

Doct. 12 SIxtly , seeing that we are Gods Workemen , we must beware that wee p●each not our selues , nor the fantastike adinuentions of men , but in a a 1 Thes. 2.2.3.4 . all things we must approue our selues vnto God : and our onely care must be to please his Maiesty ( who hath entertained vs into his speciall seruice ) contending by all possible meanes within the lists and limits of our calling , that his affaires committed to our faith , may aboue all earthly and outward things whatsoeuer , proceed and prosper . Pastoris est pascere , non piscari : a sheepheard should not be fishing , when he ought to be feeding his sheepe . Hired Laborers must not hinder their maisters businesse to further their owne . He that vndertakes to helpe a man , must not absent himselfe when hee should be present : and when he is present , he ought to mind that chiefly , for which his presence is required . b b 2 Tim. 24 No man ( saith Paul ) that warreth , entangleth him●elfe with the aff●ires of this life , because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a Souldier . An honest and discreet Souldier will not cumber himselfe with those things which may make him vnseruiceable to his Capt●ine , & vnfit for military labours . Ministers are Souldiers : God is their grand Captaine : his Coates they weare , and vnder his Banner they fight against the blacke Prince c c Eph. 6.2 ▪ & 2.2 that ruleth in the ayre , and against all his troupe . The weapons of their warfare are not carnall , but d d 2 Cor. 10 4. mighty through God to deturbe the fortress●s of the diuell , and to ruinate the Castles of iniquity , and the Turrets of all sublimious and transcendent imaginations . Therefore they ought to liue like Souldiers , minding their warfare ( for their enemy is very puissant and politike , full of stratagems and wiles ) and aboue all things labouring to please their Generall , that great Commander of the world , intangling themselues with nothing , which may let their faithfull seruice to him . The Apostles thought it not meet to leaue the word of God e e Act. 6.2 to serue the tables . Maister Tindall saith , that to preach Gods word is too much for halfe a man : it requireth a whole man . Age quod tui muneris est : Do that ( saith Valentinian to Ambrose ) which belongs to thy office . Verbi es Minister , hoc age : thou art a Minister , minde that : let thy principall care be fixed vpon thine owne calling . If many yrons be in the fire at once , some are in danger to be burnt . A calling that is so high , cannot endure that he which is called to it , should ( like an Earth-worme ) carry his nose vnto the ground , and addict himselfe to the things that are so lowe . For f f Aug. Amor rerum terrenarum viscus est spiritualium pennarum : the too much minding and the loue of worldly things , are as Bird-lime to the wings of the soule , that a man cannot mount vp to heauen , and execute the workes of this heauenly office , as he ought to do . Let vs heare , what Musculus saith . Vis cognoscere verum Christi Ministrum : Wilt thou ( saith he ) know a true Minister of Christ ? Then see if he be so vtterly seuered from all other businesse , that he doth meditate , work , or liue in none other thing whatsoeuer , but in preaching and making manifest & plaine the Gospel of Christ , and serue therein by all strength and power whatsoeuer , that is in him .

Note . But yet no man must from hence conclude , that all ca●e and gouerment of secular affaires is vtterly forbidden vnto Ministers . Indeed they may not vsurpe authority : neither may they be carefull , and yet they must not be carelesse . They must care , but they may not carke . Onely it is required that their secular affaires hinder not their constant care of the Church , & the faithfull & alacrious performance of their office . For g g 1. Tim. 5.8 . if their be any that prouideth not for his owne , and especially for them that are of his owne family , he denieth the faith , and is worse then an infidell . The h h Ioh. 21.3 . Disciples vsed their nets sometimes , after that Christ had entertained them to be his followers . And did not Christ himselfe somtimes handle the i i Mark . 6.3 . Axe ? Paul forgot not his k k 2. Tim 4.13 . cloake , which he left at Troas : and as necessity vrged , sometimes l l Act. 20.34 . wrought with his owne hands . It is required in a Bishop , that he do not onely care for the Church of God , but also that he be able m m 1. Tim. 3.4.5 . To rule his owne house honestly . Ministers are men : they haue not only soules , but bodies . Samuel was a faithfull Prophet , and yet was able besides his prophecying to do somethings else without impeachment of his credit , or disgrace vnto his calling . Yet let vs alwaies remember that the edification of the Church by our Ministery ( whether gubernatiue or operatiue ) is the principall worke , which we ought all to follow , the hiest mark , at which we ought to leuell .

CHAP. 20 Sundry reasons are alledged against the peoples factious and irregular conceipts and fancying of their Ministers , in diuerse places .

Doct. 13 SEuenthly , considering that all faithful Ministers do labour for the Lord , it is a thing both vnequal and vnconuenient that the people should contemne or neglect any of them through their preposterous & vngrounded conceipts , and so addict themselues to some , as that they nothing or little respect others , though their doctrine be found and their conuersation blamelesse . This was one of the faults , for which the Corinthians were reprehended Secondly , this sin is a make-bate : it causeth contention , and stirreth vp strife among brethren . The fire is great inough without this brand , these bellowes . It were better to cast on water , then to poure in oyle . Thirdly , this sin is an enemy to Christ , and his Gospell , and argueth selfe-loue , & weaknesse of iudgment . Fourthly , it giues the Diuell aduantage , who is very vigilant and industrious to worke a mischiefe , and is glad of the smallest opportunity : euer ready to take an Ell , when ●n Inch is but giuen him . Fiftly , it scandalizeth many weake ones , and increaseth the number of Mocke-gods . Sixtly , it is a meanes to make those to faint , which are contemned , vnlesse their courage be the greater : and an ocasion to puffe vp the other , if their humility and wisedome be no better then their factious and vnorderly followers . And lastly our sin will be the rather increased , if we wil be tainted with it , seeing we know that it was taxed as a weakenesse in the Corinthians . Let vs therefore be wise , and wisely beware of all preposterous and vnequal opinions of the Ministers of God . They do all of them work vnder him in his haruest , there is no reason therfore that any of them should be despised . Amongst many builders , sowers and reapers , none that are discreet and diligent , are contemned or basely reckoned of , though there be greater dexterity , skill , and hability in some then in others . Candles that giue good light are not cast away , though they be not so great , and cast not so much light , as some others do . A Lamp is seruiceable , though it blaze not so much as a Torch : neither is there any mettall contemned , though all mettall be not gold .

CHAP. 21. The people should loue , honour , and pray for their Ministers .

Doct. 14 FInally , forsomuch as good Ministers are Gods labourers , and Adiutors ( for so the a a Con●er the 1. Cor 3.6 : with Phil. 2. 25 & 4.3 . Greek word signifieth , as the learned know ) all men are taught to loue them , to pray for them , and to honour them . We beseech you ( brethren ) b b 1. Thes 5 12.13 . to know them , which labour among you , & haue the ouer sight of you in the Lord , and admonish you , that ye haue them in high reputation , in loue for their worke . The Apostle hauing commended his brother Epaphroditus to the Philippians , he commanded them by his Apostolical authority , to c c Phi. 2.29 . receiue him in the Lord with all gladnesse , and to make much of ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) or honour and highly to prize such as he was . The Minister of the Church ( saith Chrysostome ) ought to be honoured of thee , because he praieth for thee , because he ministreth spiritually vnto thee , visiteth thee , exhorteth and admonisheth thee , and commeth to thee , if thou call him , at midnight . d d Ex. 20.12 Honour thy father , saith the commandement . Ministers are our spiritual fathers . They do e e 1 Cor. 4.15 . Philem. 10. beget vs to God in Christ by the preaching of the Gospell . They are our Priests . For by the word of God , as by a sacrifising knife , they kill our sins , and offer vs vp to God ( vpon that their high Altar Iesus ) as a sacrifice of sweet sauour , and acceptable to him . They are Gods mouth to vs : and our mouth to God . They pray for vs ; wherefore then should not we pray for them ? Paul requesteth the Romans to striue wi●h him f f Rom. 15.31 . by praier to God for him , that he might be deliuered from the vnbeleeuing Iewes , and that his seruice might be accepted of the Saints . And he willeth the g g Eph. 6.19 . Ephesians to be instant in their praiers , that he may open his mouth freely to vtter the secrets ●f the Gospell . Col. 4.3 . They are our Pastours apointed by God to feed vs with the word of truth , our heauenly Manna , & to refresh our thirsty soules with the sweet and cleare waters of the gospell of life .

They are our h h Isa 62.2 . Watchmen and i i Act. 20. ●8 Heb. 13.17 Ouerseers , ordained to watch ouer vs , to view vs , and to care for vs . They are the Lords Trumpeters , sounding in our eares continually the two Trumpets of his Law and Gospell ▪ and a warlike Defiance vnto all our spiritual enemies . They are his Champions : they fight his battels for vs against Sathan and Sinne , two mighty Princes , and too potent for vs . They are his k k Mal 3.1 . Reu. 1.20 2. Cor. 5.20 . Angels and Embassadors to declare his will vnto vs . Worthy therfore are they in these regards to be respected and highly honored of vs . If the Embassador of an earthly Prince , be worthy honour ; how much more honorable then are they , that are the faithfull Embassadors of Iesus Christ , that heauenly Prince l l Reu ▪ 1.5 . and King of all Kings of the earth ?

The Elders that rule well ( saith Paul ) m m 1. Tim 5.17 . let them be had in double honour : especially they which labour in the word and doctrine . The Galathians did so entirely honour and affect Paul , as that they receiued him as an n n Gal. 4 , 14.15 . Angell of God , yea as Christ himselfe , and would haue plucked out their eyes , if it might haue bene , and haue giuen them vnto him . Eusebius writeth , that Constantine iudged the Ministers which he called to him ( semper honore praecipuo dignos : ) worthy alwaies of singular honor , and that hee did reuerence them ( Omni officio ) with all dutifulnesse , and omitted no point of kindnesse or courtesie ( nihil benignitatis aut humanitatis ) towards those that were deuout & godly . Syracides would haue vs to o o Ecclus. 38.1 . honour the Physitian of the body : much more therefore should we honour the Physitians and Chirourgians of our soules . And we shall leese nothing by our loue . For ( as our Sauiour saith ) He which p p Math. 10.41 . receiueth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet , shall receiue the reward of a Prophet , Now looke what Christ ( who is q q Ioh. 14 ▪ 6 truth it selfe ) doth affirme in word , he will also ( being r r Tit. 2.13 . Might it selfe ) confirme in deed . Heauen and Earth shall rather faile , then his word shall fall , and not be fulfilled .

Now this honour , which is due to Gods Ministers ( of what place or stile soeuer ) may be performed six sundry waies . First , by reuerencing their persons : secondly , by obeying their Ministery : thirdly , by imitating their vertues : fourthly , by concealing their infirmites : fiftly , by countenancing and backing them : and sixtly by maintaining their estates . And of all these we will briefly speake , and in order , as they lye .

CHAP. 22. Ministers must be reuerenced of the people .

FIrst then , it is fit that Ministers should haue all seemly reuerence due by desert to so sublimious and reuerend a calling . And it must begin in the hart , and be testified in the life by reuerent behauiour , by comely gestures , and by temperate & good language both of them & to them . Men must a a Tit. 3.2 . speake euill of no man , but must be moderate , and shew all meekenesse towards all men ; therfore they should in no case speak ill of Gods Ministers , but vse them kindly , & with al courtesie . Courtesie shewed to a Minister , as he is a Minister , is shewed euen to Christ himselfe , whose Minister he is ; & it is so reputed . Ieremy accompteth it one of their plagues , that their b b Lam. 4.16 enemies reuerenced not the face of their Priests . The Lord esteemeth a disgrace done vnto his faithfull Ministers , as done vnto himselfe . Princes , we see , take to themselues those words , or workes of dishonor , which are spoken or done despightfully to their Agents & Embassadours , for deliuering their message truly , as it was giuen them in charge . When Dauids Messengers which he sent in courtesie to Hanun King of Ammon , were dishonorably intreated , and misused of him and his people ; the story saith , that c c 2 Sam. 10 they stanke in the sight of Dauid for abusing them so vilely . Euen so do they stinke ( as loathsome carrions ) in the nosthrils of the Lord , ( be they what they will be ) that disgrace and abuse his Ministers whom he kindly sendeth to them to preach his will , and to proclaime his Son to be their king . God tooke the reprochfull and rayling language of Senacherib against d d Isay . 37.22.23 . Ierusalem and Hezekiah , as spoken against himselfe . They which misuse a seruant of a noble man , as he is his seruant , dishonour the noble man himselfe . Christ maketh the e e Math. 23.37 . killing and contemning of Gods Prophets , the highest staire of rebellion . And vndoubtedly God will be reuenged on those that disgrace and abuse his Ministers ( vnlesse they do repent maturely ) as Dauid was of the Ammonites for disgracing his Messengers . We know how by two f f 2 King . 2.24 . Beares he did destroy two and forty children ▪ for mis-calling the Prophet Elishah : and he is as iust and terrible now , and as ready to punish sin as euer he was . For with him there is no g g Iam. 1.17 Psa. 68.21 . variablene●s ; he wil wound the head of his enemies , h h Psa. 58.10 . & will wash his feet in the bloud of the wicked .

CHAP. 23. The people must obey the ministery of their Ministers .

SEcondly , the people honor their Ministers when they submit themselues vnto their Ministery . Reuerence without obedience , is a ceremony without substance , a body without a soule ; a stick without strength ; and not vnlike the common complements of this age . a a Heb 13 17. Obey them ( saith the Holy Ghost ) that haue the ouersight of you , and submit your selues . Paul looked that the b b 2. Cor. 2.9 . Corinthians should be obedient to him in all things . And in truth men cannot better commend their Ministers , then when by being obedient vnto their Ministery , they liue religously , and are fruitfull in good works . When a child doth thriue well , and is strong and lusty , the praise redounds to the nurse : and it is a reall commendation of a Sheepheard , when his sheep are fat and sound . Euen so shall wee greatly commend & honour our Ministers , if we shall submit our selues vnto their voyce , and shall by that means grow in grace , abound in knowledge & true zeale , & shine by our vertuous liues among men .

But this our obedience and submission must be in the Lord ; to wit , so long as they keepe themselues to the Law and to the Testimony , to the word of God : which is the Touch-stone of truth , the rule of teligion , the squire of faith , the line of loue , the Met-wand of obedience , & as a Salomons sword to decide a controuersie . For to Gods word alone were the c c Ier. 1.17 . Ez. 33.7 . Mat. 28.20 Prophets and Apostles tyed by their commission . What I shall command thee , that shalt thou speake . Ye shall teach whatsoeuer I haue commanded you . He which then heareth them , heareth God and he which dispiseth & disobeyeth them , despiseth and disobeyeth God that sent them , & d d Act. 7.52 resisteth his Spirit speaking by them . The Lord reckoneth this among the e e Ez. 33 3● sins of the Israelites , that they sate before his Prophet , & heard his words , but would not do them . f f Zach. 7.12 13. Pro. 1.28 . Zachary saith , that because they would not heare the voyce of God in his Prophets , therefore he would not heare them , when they cried to him . And because the Israelits mocked Gods g g 2. Chron. 36. messengers & despised his words deliuered by them , & misused them , he brought vpon them the Caldean king , by whom he scourged their contempt and rebellion with fowre fearefull iudgements . First , hee permitted him to kill both old and yong without pitty . Secondly , he let him rob them of their goods , and cary away their treasure . Thirdly , he suffered him to burne their Temple , and to breake downe the walles of Ierusalem , and to fire her Palaces . Fourthly , he was content that he should make slaues of them in his owne country , that had escaped his sword . As we therefore h h Ier. 6.19 Ier. 7.13.15 dread the iudgements of God , and would not haue him count vs misusers of his Ministers , and despisers of his message , let vs reuerence their persons and regard their Ministery .

Obiect. 1. Yea but will some say ; I would willingly heare my Minister , but that he is prophan● and vitious , and so pulleth that downe with the left hand of his bad life , which he set's vp with the right hand of his good doctrine .

Sol. The more lamentable is his ease , and the greater is his sinne , if this be true thou speakest ; like the Cow that spils the milk , that before shee gaue : and like a Mule , that carrieth costly things for others , and none for her selfe .

But what is this to thee ? i i Gal. 6.5 . Euery man shall beare his owne burthen : and that k k Ez. 18.4 soule shall dy , that sinneth . Shall l l Kin. 17.6 Elijah refuse his meate because a Rauen brought it ? Shall Sampson m m Iudg. 13. refuse his drinke , because it came out of the Iaw-bone of an Asse ? And wilt thou refuse the Nectar and Ambrosia o● thy soule , thy spirituall food , thy celestiall Manna , because it is brought vnto thee by Iudas , or by one that is of wicked conuersation ? He surely is not very hungry that re●useth his meat , because an vncleanly Seruitor brings it to him . That thy Minister teacheth well , it is of God : that he liueth ill , it is of the ●iuell , & of his owne corruption ; therfore embrace his doctrine , but eschew his deeds : follow his preaching , but auoide his practise , and pray for his amendment . Insult not ouer him : be not high minded but feare : God may conuert him , and he may stand , when thou thy selfe shalt fall . For thy nature is as ill , as his : it is grace alone , that makes the difference , This was our Sauiours counsell to his disciples . n n Mat. 23.2.3 . The Scribes and Pharises sit ( saith he ) in Moses chaire : all therfore , whatsoeuer they bid you obserue ( out of Moses ) that obserue and do , but after their works do not ; for they say , and do not . So long as they teach the truth , they must be heard . Thy Ministers wickednesse must not make thee wilfull : his folly may not make thee froward . Balaam must heare his Asse speake , because God ruled her tongue , and made her speake vnto him .

Obiect. 3. Why , but if his conuersation be profane , it is in vaine to heare him , because it pleaseth not God to worke effectually the graces of his Spirit by the Ministery of wicked men .

Sol. Not so : for then Iudas , who was a wicked wretch , should not haue ben heard . Water , which comes through a woodden pipe , may moysten the ground as well as that which runs through a pipe of lead , or siluer . A seale of brasle or yron will make the same impression vpon waxe , that a seale of gold will , if the mark be alike . Not the honesty , but the skill of the Physitian cureth the Patient . It is not so much , the vertue as the Iudgement and cunning of the Counsellour , which relieues the perplexed Client . The grace of God ( saith Chrysostome ) worketh by the vnworthy , not for them , but for those who are to be holpen . And againe ; God worketh ( per omnes ) by all ( salutem populi moliens ) seeking the saluation of the people , ( non illorum intuens merita ) not regarding their desarts . Euen as light ( saith Augustine ) is not defiled though it passe by filthy places , and men enioy it voide of all defilement : so it is in the Ministery . Men may receiue benefite by the pure word of God , though it come out of an vnpure mouth . Neither is good doctrine defiled by bad manners : neither doth God conferre grace , because the Minister is a godly man : nor disdaine to giue it , because he is profaine . It were indeed to be wished , that all Ministers were holy , as their Maister : but neuerthelesse we know , that it was not the holinesse of those shipwrights which built Noahs Arke , nor the good life of a Surgean that heales a wound .

Obiect . 3 Yea , but he teacheth false doctrine oftentimes , and is full of foolish and friuolous fables .

Sol. What then ? We are not Apostles now , that we cannot erre . The best are but men , and subiect vnto erour . Humanum est errare : indeed , Belluinum est perseuerare : Gods word ought ( I confesse to be preached truly without errour , and purely without mixture . o o Iul. Scal. ( Nam purum est , quod nihil habet alieni : ) and it is their sin , that do corrupt it , or handle it vnseemely . But if some tares or cockle , some dust or darnell come with the good seed , thou must let them go ( like things vnprofitable & fit for the fire ) but thou maist not contemne & cast away the good for the euill . Thou must not refuse the corne for the chaffe , but rather sift and winnow them . A wise man will not cast away good meate for a few moats . Thou wilt not cast away good siluer , because there is some drosse in it , or some copper peeces amongst it . Thou wilt not contemne a bag of gold , because there is some counters in it ; wherefore then shouldst thou reiect profitable instructions , and wholesome doctrines and admonitions , because they come with some vnsauory stuffe , and are mixed with some vanity ? Hearken to the counsel of Saint Paul , whose pen was guided by Gods owne hand : p p 1. Thes. 5 20.21 . Despise not prophecying , saith he . Now because some might say , that the Prophet may mixe some of his owne leauen with Gods dough , and so make soure bread , & preach linsi-wolsy sermons ; he doth therefore immediately adde : Try all things , & keepe that which is good . Wee must not be like a bottom-lesse bagge , that holds nothing : nor like the scuttle , that holds both the wheat & the chaffe together : nor like the Cernicle , or Boulter , that lets the fine flower go , and keepes in the branne : but we should bee like the Skrie , that seuereth the good from the badde . We should bee wise to discerne betwixt true doctrine and errours : and we should haue our wits exercised to iudge betwixt good and euill : and when we see the difference betweene them being both obiected to vs , we should wisely elect the good , and reiect the bad .

CHAP. 24. The people ought to imitate the godly vertues of their Ministers .

THirdly , honour is exhibited to Gods Ministers by imitating their Christian vertues , which doe shine within them as the Lampes did in the Tabernacle , and do ( as the candle out of the lant-horne ) giue light to those that loue the light . It is one way , whereby we honour those that are departed in the faith , when we resemble them in those heauenly graces , ( which like the starres of heauen ) did shine within them , while they were aliue . And indeed we do performe an act of honour vnto any man , when we striue to imitate his good conditions , and to walke exactly in his foot-steps . This honour the holy Ghost giueth to all godly Ministers , when he exhorteth vs saying : a a Hebr. 13.8 . Remember them that haue the ouersight ouer you , which haue declared vnto you the word of God : whose faith follow . And Saint Paul claimeth it of the b b 1 Cor. 11.1 . Phil. 3.17 . 1 Thes 1.6 . 2 Thes. 3.5 1. Pet. 5.3 . Corinthians , where he saith : Be ye followers of me , euen as I am of Christ . Ministers ought to make themselues Ensamples for vs to follow : and when they do so , we shall both dishonour them , and displease the Lord , if we do not labour to be like them . Their good examples should be as spurres in our sides to make vs run more liuely in our Christian race : and they should be as sauce to make vs affect and digest our meate the better . And if we will not study to resemble them , we shall both manifest a peruerse and illiberall disposition , and make our selues the more vnexcusable when God shall iudge vs . Therefore as the Painter doth draw an image in his head first , and then with his hand according to the patterne set before him , and conceiued in his mind : so should we set the vertues of godly Ministers before our eyes , as patternes for to follow ; and hauing conceiued and entertained them in our heades and hearts , wee should expresse them in our liues by the actions of our hands , and in the continuall current of our conuersations . And so shall we commend our selues without one word of commendation : so shall we honour and animate them : so shall we dignifie our profession , and glorifie him that ordained c c Pro. 16.4 all things for his glory .

CHAP 25. Men should wisely conceale the infirmities of their Ministers , and not blaze them abroade .

FOurthly , Ministers are honored , when their infirmities are not published ( in Gath ) to their dishonour , but buried by loue in the graue of silence and obliuion . a a Iam. 3.2 . In many things ( saith Iames ) we sinne all . The purest gold hath some drosse within it . Nulla facies sine ruga : The fairest face is not without a wrinckle , a mole or freckle . The clearest glasse is subiect vnto soyling . There is no soule without some sinne , b b Eccles. 7.22 . no man without a fault . And therefore as we ought to beare with one another , and patiently pardon all slips of weaknesse ( c c Pro. 10.12 . for loue couereth a multitude of trespasses ) so especially ought we to conceale & forgiue the infirmities of Ministers , in their words , workes and gestures . And so we shall shew our selues the children of wisedome , the followers of peace and amity , true louers of God and his children , faithfull and good schollers , and vnlike many wretches , that are euen heart-merry when they can spy a moate in a Misters eye , or an hole in his coate , at which they may mocke and iest : vngodly d d Gen. 9.22 . Chams ; that discouer and sport at their fathers nakednesse .

CHAP. 26. Ministers are to be countenanced and maintained .

FIftly , men do honor the Ministers of Christ , when they countenance them , and take part with them against their malitious and wicked enemies , and when they labour to defend their credits and good name against all their back-biters , traducers and maligners , and are not ashamed to acknowledge and assist them , notwithstanding the greatnesse or the multitude of their vngodly aduersaries which set themselues against God & all goodnes . And this all men ought to do for their Ministers ( euer remembring that they passe not the precincts of their calling , and be not transported with a preposterous zeale , and a vaine conceit of enmity and hostile persecution , when there is no such matter ) that so they may confirme their loue vnto them , which they do in shew professe , and encourage them to go on constantly in their ministery , that they may be faithfull in Gods house , as a a Heb. 3. ● Moses was : and finally , that they may manifest their zeale to God house , and their loue of his worship , and might shew themselues enemies to the Diuell and his wicked Instruments , which coniure and band themselues against Christ and his kingdome .

Sixtly , honour ( and true loue the scaturidge thereof ) is shewed to godly Ministers , when their estates ( in respect of their places , persons , and dependants ) are well maintained . They are the b b 2 King . ● 12 . Chariots & Horse-men of Israel ▪ therefore are they worthy to be maintained . They are the Lords warriours , and standard-bearers . They fight for the Church , they bestow themselues vpon the Church ; therefore it is very fit , that the Church should keepe them . It is a thing honest and acceptable before God , for children to c c 1. Tim. 5 4. recompence their fathers and progenitors . Ministers are our spiritual fathers ; In Christ d d 1 Cor. 4.15 . Iesus saith Paul , I haue begotten you ( to God ) through the Gospell . In which respect we owe euen our selues vnto them : as Paul sheweth in a speach to e e ●hilem . 19. Philemon his spirituall sonne . How much more then owe we them our worldly pelfe to maintaine & relieue them ? Haue they by their ministery procured our spirituall life , and shall not we prouide for their naturall life ? Religion , right and reason claime it , and require it of vs . The Lord hath ordained that they f f 1 Cor. 9 13.14 . which preach the Gospel , should liue of the Gospell . They which wait at the altar , are partakers with the Altar : & they which minister about holy things , eate of the things of the Temple . g g Luk 10.7 Mat. 10.10 The Labourer is worthy of his wages : The workman is worthy of his meate . The Oxes mouth that h h Deut. 25 4. treadeth out the corne , must not be muzled . He that planteth a Vine-yard , is worthy to eate of the grapes : he that keepeth the Vine , may drinke of the wine : i i 1. Cor. 9.7 . and he that keepeth the stock , may drinke of the milke . k k Deut. 12 19. Beware ( saith God ) that thou forsake not the Leuite so long as thou shalt liue on the earth . Much lesse then are the Ministers of the Gospell to be forsaken . For their ministery is farre more excellent . l l Gal. 6.6 . Let him ( saith Paul ) that is taught in the word , make him that hath taught him , partaker of all his goods . It is a precept and not a bare permission . If they haue sowne to vs m m 1. Cor. 9 spirituall things , is it a great matter if they reape our carnall things ? If they bring vs to the pleasures of heauen , is it much for vs to bring them of the profits of the earth ? If they leade vs the way into Canaan , and conduct vs into the land of promise , the land of the liuing , a paradice of perpetuall pleasures , & pleasing perpetuity , what a matter is it , if we maintaine them , whi●es we walk and wander with them in the wildernesse ? If they prouide for our soules , why should not we prouide for their bodies ? If we must n n Gal. 6 . 1● do good to all men , how much more to our Ministers , by whom we are brought o o 1. Cor 3.5 . to beleeue , by whom we haue bene conuerted from our sins to serue that God that made vs , that Lord that saued vs , & that spirit which doth reuiue and fine vs ? Chrysostome would that Ministers should haue necessary maintenance , Iu. ▪ 1. ad Fin. that they might worke spirituall things , and haue no ( distractiue ) regard of secular affaires . And he saith also : A necess●ry liuing ought plentifully to be ministered vnto the Teachers , lest they should be discomfited , and that they might not depriue themselues and others of great things by being busied about the smallest . They haue great labours ( saith Latimer ) and therefore they ought to hauge good liuings . Paul p p 1. Tim. 3.2 . would haue them hospitall and harborous : and therefore it is fit that they should haue good maintenance , whereby they may shew hospitality , and procure the loue of the poore by almes deedes , and courteous entertainement . Here then two sorts of men are to be reproued . First , they that will q q Tenaces . part from little or nothing towards the maintenance of the ministery . Foure hundred false r r 1. K●ng . 18.19 . Prophets were prouided for at Iezebels table . And the age before vs could maintaine many Monkes and Friers , and other superstitious persons , which preached and prophesied hereticall and hellish doctrine , proceeding wholly from the forge of mans braine , and coined vpon the anuill of their own inuention ▪ yet the most in these dayes can with patience endure the learned & faithful Ministers of Christ Iesus to want sufficient maintenance . The very slaues of Antichrist fared , and yet fare in some countries , farre better then the most faithfull seruants of Christ do amongst vs in many places of this Iland . Yea that may be as truly saied in this present case , of many thousands in this Nation , which s s Iob. 24.11 . Iob speaketh of some in his time : that they which make oyle between their walles , and treade their wine-presses , do suffer thirst . Lamentable is the pouerty of many painfull & godly Ministers that tread the wine-presse of Gods word vnto the people continually , & affoord them the oyly drops of the Gospell , and the wine of diuine instructions , counsels , comforts and exhortations . I say , lamentable is their want and without compassion beheld of many . But their reward is with God , their labours shall retire into their owne bosomes , God will shew the greater mercy to them in the end . Many men are franke and lauish in keeping t t Vt nil asperius nddam Haukes , Houndes , Horses , and in maintaining Players , and making belly-cheere , and vaine attire , but as sordide and illiberall , when they shold impart any thing towards the maintenance of their Pastors and Preachers . Which argueth their base , thanklesse , and earthly disposition : If the law ( for the Lord they regard not ) did not constraine many men to giue , their deuotion is so cold , & their ingratitude so great , as that they would contribute nothing at al this way , except it were for very shame , or for some by-respect . So hard frozen are their hearts , and so fast wedged into the earth . Whereas common reason sheweth , that they which spend themselues like lampes to giue light to others , and labour for the common good of all , should be maintained of the common stock by all . Ministers are commanded to u u 1. Tim. ● . 13.15 . giue attendance to reading , teaching , and exhorting , and to addict themselues vnto them ; therefore it is conuenient , yea and necessarie that all ( which are able ) doe giue towards their competent and all-sufficient maintenance , that so they may employ themselues in their calling without distraction , and husband their talents to the greatest aduantage of their Maister .

Secondly , those are to be condemded , which do w w Rapapes . rob the Church of her right , and do sacrilegiously ( whether it be by fraud or by force ) deteine from , or depriue their Ministers of that , which in all equity is due vnto them , euen by the Law . There are too many ready now to say with those in the Psalme ; x x Psa. 8● . 12 . Come , and let vs take the houses of God in possession . Men were not of old so ready to giue to the Church , but they are as ready now to ake away .

The Israelites were so liberall in contributing towards the Sanctuary , as that y y Ex. 36.9 Moses caused a Proclamation to be made to stay the people from offering .

But now men are so forward to defraud their Ministers , and to strip them of their due , and so backward to contribute vnto the maintenance of the worship of God , as that there had need be more then a proclamation to stay the forwardnesse of the one , & to remoue the backwardnesse of the other . And many neuer recken of it , if they can sl●●y beguile them of their tithes , and n●● be perceiued ; forgetting that God z z Hebr. 4. P●o. 15 1● 2 Cor. 5 10. Pro. 21.15 beholds them , and seeth whatsoeuer is done in corners , and will bring them to an account , and render vnto them according to their deeds .

But destruction shall be vnto the workers of iniquity , how cunningly soeuer they carry the matter before men . The good a a Cal. 4.15 . Galatians could haue found in their hearts to haue plucked their very eyes out of their heads , & to haue giuen them to Paul , if they would haue done him any good . But alas , alas , the deuotion and loue of this age is so extreeme cold , as that we will hardly part with that , which we are tyed to part with ; yea a many of vs are ready to pull from them , what we can pull by hooke or by crooke . It is written of Hanun that he tooke b b 2. Sam. 10.4 . Dauids Messengers , and shaued off halfe their beardes , and cut off their garments in the middle .

So their are a number of sacrilegious wretches in this rotten age of the world , which pill the Church , and curtaile the maintenance of their Ministers , and are euen heart-glad , when they can proue a custome , how corrupt and senselesse soeuer it be , to hold back their tithes . Which argues a spirituall dropsy , or else a basenesse of minde , and intollerable vnthankfulnesse for the Gospell . The Lord by Malachy told the Israelites , that they c c Mal. 3.8.9 . spoiled him , because they payed not their tithes truly : yea he told them further , that they were cursed with a curse for so doing . Are not the faithful Ministers of the Gospell as worthy to be maintained , as the Priests were vnder the Law ? Are they not as worthy of plentifull prouision , as they were ? Yea no doubt in many respects . How then do they spoile and rob the Lord , that do not pay theis tithes and offerings truly vnto his Ministers , but deceiptfully and vntruly ? Let them looke vnto it , and that before it be too late . Let them either forsake their sacriledge , or expect his curse . For without doubt the Lord doth abhorre such wickednesse : and he will not alwaies winke at it . The Lord is not so slow , but he is as sure . Lento gradu ad vindictam ira diuina procedit , sed tarditatem supplicij grauitate iudicii compensat . Though it be long before he strike , yet he striketh home , when he doth strike , and recompenseth his slacknesse with his sharpnesse It will not serue their turnes , when they haue committed sacriledge , to wipe their mouthes with the adulterous woman , and to say ; d d Pro. 30.20 . Wee haue not committed iniquity : or to thinke with those in the e e Psal. 10 11 Psalme ; God hideth away his face and will neuer see . For the Lord regardeth all that is done . f f Pro. 5.21 . His eyes are vpon all the waies of men . g g Psal. 11.4.5 His throne ( saith Dauid ) is in the heauen : his eies will consider : his eie-liddes will try the children of men . The wicked , and him that loueth iniquity doth his soule abhorre . Wherefore ( brethren ) be now admonished with all lowlinesse and truth of heart to reuerence your Ministers , to obey their Ministery , to imitate their vertues , to countenance them , and pray for them . And robbe them not of that , which in conscience is their right : but rather straine your selues that they may not lacke , but haue sufficient maintenance to mainetaine their estates , to the credit of their calling , which is most honorable and holy . And so doing you shall animate and incite them to walke diligently in their office : you shall remoue m●ny troubles & impediments from them : you shall adorne your high calling : you shall declare your loue to the Gospell , & your subiection to the Word : you shall stop the mouthes of the wicked , and shew your selues vnlike to them , and like to the godly deuout of former ages : you shall demonstrate your honour & honorable conceipts of Gods honorable & holy Embassadours : finally , you shall draw others on to do their duty by your Christian ensample ; and so glorifying God , you shall be glorified of God with that glory , which of his grace in Christ he hath from all eternity prepared for his Saints .

This shal suffice for the office and honour of Ministers . It remaineth now to speake of the office and honour of the People , contained in the words ensuing .

Trin-vni Deo gloria .

1. COR. 3.9 . Ye are Gods Husbandry : ye are Gods Building .

CHAP. 1. The words are explained : and their sense declared .

THE Apostle hauing shewed the Corinthians what he was , with the rest of his fellow-ministers , he doth in these words shew them also what they themselues are . Now before we weigh anchor , and launch forward with our vessels into the deepe , it wil be first conuenient for vs to break the ice & by the explication of the words to prepare a way for the collection & application of the doctrines .

Ye ) Euen ye Corinthians , ye that are not Iewes , but Gentiles ; yea ye that are ouer-carnall , and something factious ; of what sex or sort soeuer .

Are ) Ye are now Gods Husbandry , and Building , notwithstanding those infirmities which I reprehend and dislike in you .

Gods ) The word ( God ) vsed properly , is sometimes taken personally ; as in Iohn 3.16 . for God the Father : in the Acts 20.28 . for God the Sonne : and in the Acts. 5.3.4 . for God the holy Ghost . Which three , are a a 1. Ioh. 5.7 . not three seuerall Gods , but three distinct persons subsisting in the Godhead . For b b Deut. 6.4 . 1. Cor. 8.4 there is but one God in number . And sometimes also this word is taken essentially : as in Iohn . 4.24 . And so it may be very fitly taken ( as I thinke ) in this text . And so by God , we may vnderstand all the three persons , to whom the Godhead doth in c c Vt res suis modis , qui sunt in re . common without inequality , diuision , and transmutation , appertaine . For the Scriptures plainly teach , that we are an house belonging to them all . We are the Fathers house , Ephes. 2.22 . And the Sonnes house , Eph. 3.17 . Heb. 3.6 . And the holy Ghosts . 1. Cor. 3.16 . and 6.19 . All things whatsoeuer ( that are not meerely wicked ) belong vnto them equally , by vertue of their absolute Lordship and dominion ouer all .

Husbandry ) The originall word ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) translated hu●bandry , doth properly signify a field , or peece of ground tilled , husbanded , and wrought vpon : or a field , on which the husband-man bestowes his worke and labour . Building ) the Greeke word ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) translated Building hath three distinct significations in the new Testament . First , it signifieth the action of building in a metaphoricall signification , as in the 2. Cor. 10.8 . And in Ephes. 4.12 . Secondly , it signifieth the things which do build , or edify spiritually , as in the 1. Cor. 14.3 . Thirdly , it signifieth a thing builded , or an house : as in Mat. 24.1 . And in the 2. Cor. 5.1 . And so the word is vsed in this text .

Now the Church of God ( for this speech of Paul is not exclusiue , but includeth all faithfull Christians in all other Churches besides , as appeareth by comparing this place with Ephes. 2.21 . and 1. Tim. 3.15 . and 1. Pet. 2.5 . ) I say the Church of God may be compared to a field and H●use , for the proportion & congruity that is betwixt them ; which is manifold .

First , fields haue their boundes , and houses haue their compasse or limits , which they cannot passe : and so hath Gods Church .

Secondly , euery field is layed and limited by some man : & euery house hath her compasse set her by some man or other : so it is with Gods Church . The Lord hath appointed her bounds , & hath giuen her a compasse , which she shall not transcend and passe .

Thirdly , euery field is taken in ou● of the open champion or common by some man . For no field can make it selfe ; especially no plowed-field There must needs be a man to make it , and to appoint it to such an vse . And as d d Hebr. 3.4 . euery house is built by some body ; so is the Church . God hath taken her in out of the vast wildernesse of this wicked world , he hath imparked her with the pales of his mercy , he doth fence her in with the quickset hedge of his gracious protection , he doth separate her from al other grounds and make her the field and garden of his owne delight . And the same God also doth build and reare her vp to be an house or temple . The e e Psal. 147.2.3 . Lord ( saith the Psalmist ) doth build vp Ierusalem , and gather together the dispersed of Israel He healeth those that are broken in heart , and bindeth vp their sores . As by him we receiue the life of nature : so likewise by him we do receiue the life of grace . He breatheth into vs the breath of life corporal and spirituall . He is the fountaine of all liuing waters , & the root , from which the iuce of true Christian life doth issue , and proceed vnto vs . And as we are made men by him : so are we also made new men ; and therefore Paul cals vs his f f Ephe. 2.10 . workmanship . For he doth hew vs out of the rocke Christ Iesus . He cuts vs and squares vs out . He reares vs vp , and ioynes vs together by the bond of his Spirit , and by the links of true loue , as it were with pins and with lime , & soulder . And whosoeuer builds , if he prosper not their building with the presence & proppe of his grace , their building is in vaine . Nothing can stand : all will fall , and tumble downe againe like the stone of Sisyphus , or like a wall that is dawbed with vntempered mortar . Therefore we pray with g g 1. Pet. 5 10. Peter , that he would make you perfect , confirme , strengthen , stablish , and ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) found you ,

Fourthly , as fields are vsually laid and inclosed and wrought in by diuerse labourers : & as houses are commonly reared , repaired and wrought in by sundry workmen : one perhaps being the ringleader , the commaunder of the rest . Euen so the Church is husbanded , builded & kept by many .

Many labour within her and about her . God is the principal Agent . He cals the rest : he directs and rules them . He puts his word into their mouths , and prospers it , as it pleaseth him . It is his Arme , whereby he doth translate men out of the kingdome of sathan into the kingdome of his Son , out of darknesse into light , out of Aegipt into Canaan , out of hell into heauen . It is his Hammer whereby he doth beate down our pride : it is as a Wedge , whereby he doth cleaue vs : his Axe , which hewes vs : & his Rule , which measures vs . It is also his Plough , which breakes vs vp : it is his Cylinder , which smoothes vs , and the seed which he sowes in vs . And all the good successe proceeds from him . Not vnto vs , not vnto vs , but vnto God belongs this honour . It is he that h h Phil. 2.13 worketh both the will and the deed : it is he that i i 1. Cor. 3.6 . Phil. 1.6 . giues the increase : it is he that begins and makes an end .

The Ministers of the Word & Sacraments , are his Instruments or seruants , k k Eph 4.11.12 . ordained for the reparation of the Sancts , and for the edification of Christs body : that is to say , to worke in Gods house and vineyard , to labour in his Church , that his people may be conuerted , comforted , confirmed & instructed , till they attaine to the perfection of grace , & fulnesse of glory with their Head & Husband Christ Iesus in the heauens . In which respect the Apostle tels the Corinthians , that they are l l 1. Cor. 9.2 . his work in the Lord .

Fiftly , euery house is founded vpon some foundation : so is the Church of God . And her foundation is twofold : principall , & ministeriall . The principall m m 1. Cor. 3.11 . foundation is Christ : and therefore he is called ( Lapis fundamenti ) the n n Isa. 28.16 foundation stone , and ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) the o o 1. Pet. 2.6 Bottom-corner stone . He is that p p Mat. 16 18. Rocke , whereupon the Church is built . He is the author of our goodnesse , and the procurer of all our glory . He hath merited for vs the pardon of sin , the perfection of happinesse , and the perpetuity of all our welfare . And as God did create vs q q Ioh. 1.3 . by him in regard of nature , so he doth create vs againe r r Eph. 2.10 in him in regard of grace , and will one day finish vs fully for him in regard of glory . Here is a good foundation ; a foundation that is firme and and not false , sound and not sandy . Whatsoeuer is built vpon this foundation firmely , shall neuer be cast downe wholy . The top shall fare the better for the bottome .

The Ministeriall foundation is the preaching of the doctrine of saluation , contained in the writings of the Prophets & Apostles . Therfore Paul saith that we are built s s Eph. 2.20 vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets . And Saint Ambrose saith accordingly , that the Old and New Testament is the foundation of the Church . And hence it is that the citty of God is said to haue t t Reu. 21.14 . twelue foundations , in which were written the twelue names of the Apostles of the Lambe . And thus Peter , Iames and Iohn , and all faithfull Pastors may be called Pillars of the Church , to wit , so farrre forth as by their Ministery they do susteine and maintaine the Church of God , & the true profession of the true faith : Christ Iesus onely being the u u Eph. 2.22 chiefe corner stone , who onely doth properly and energetically support and hold vp all the building .

Sixtly , euery field and house is seated in some place : so is the Church of God . And if we regard her military condition , she is seated vpon the earth , euen in the middest of her enemies , which swarme like Bees about her . And as we see chaffe and wheat mingled together in one heape , and both fish and frogges inclosed in one net : so shall her members be mingled together with the wicked so long as she makes her aboade on the earth , so long as she liues in the Wildernesse , and vntill she receiue her inheritance in celestiall Canaan .

Seuenthly , fields serue for tillage and husbandry , and for his vse that occupies and orders them . Euery field hath an owner , and euery house hath an inhabitant , and one to who● she doth belong , and for whose vse she serues . So the Church hath her vse , owner , and inhabitant . w w 1. Cor. 3 16. Kno● ye not ( saith Paul ) that ye are the Temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? Yea x x 2. Cor. 6.16 . you are the Temple of the liuing God ; as God sayd ; I will dwell in them , and walke in them . The Lord is her owner and inhabitant : he hath ordained her for his owne glory : and for his vse shee serues .

Eightly , as euery field hath a gate or way to come into it : and as euery house hath a doore for men to enter in at : so hath the Church . Christ is the gate and the doore , by whom wee enter into the Church : and if we do not enter in by him , we shall neuer enter so into it , as to be truly of it . The Gospell of Christ is an ordinary outward meanes or way , by which we are brought into the Church and made her members : and Baptisme is a signe of our entrance and admission into it .

Ninthly , as a field ha●h diuers parcels and corners in it : and as a faire and goodly building hath many roomes parts , & chambers in it . So the Church of God hath many parts or parcels , as subiects of one kingdome , as members of one body , as parts of one field , as beds of one garden , and chambers of one house .

Tenthly , as there is no field , which hath not in it some difference of the mowle or earth , or some diuersity of the plants and hearbs which it beareth . And as houses vsually receiue into them diuers persons , which keepe in them , & belong vnto them . And as ( for the most pa●t ) euery house consisteth of sundry sorts of matter , as wood , stone , lime , clay , &c. Euen so the Church of God ( as a spacious and fruitfull field is full of variety of plants , ( as it were ) and hearbs . Many and diuers are her fruits . And some part of her , some persons that belong vnto her , are more fruitfull and excellent then other , according to the difference of their mowle , or of the cost & labour which is spent vpon them . There is not the same influence of heauenly graces descending from aboue , vpon them all alike . The Sunne of righteousnes doth not send downe the beams of his effectuall operation equally vpon them . And the great Husbandman bestoweth not his paines alike vpon them all . In like manner the Church of God as a sumptuous and stately building , receiueth and entertaineth many into her . God is the principall and commander of all the rest . And all the faithfull ( which being simply by themselues considered are exceeding many ) are his houshold y y Ephe. 2.19 . seruants , which abide and liue in her , and are all maintained & prouided for by the Lord that great house-holder . And as houses are ordinarily made of diuers things : or if there be an house built all of stones , yet one stone differeth from another , either in quantity or in quality , colour or scituation . So in Gods house which is made of z z 1 Pet. 2.5 liuing stones , one stone one part , differeth from another . There is a fundamentall and chiefe corner stone , which is Iesus Christ , that a a 1 Pet. 2.4 Liuing stone ; euen Life it selfe , and the Wel-spring of all our life : and there are also vpper stones , which are of lesse importance . And of these some are better coloured then others : some are larger , and some are lesser : some exceed others in grace , and shal excell them also in glory . Againe , some are cut out of the Rocke before others , and put into the building first : and many which the builder medleth with last , may be made more comly & glorious , then some others which were hewed out , and set in the building before them . For all their preferment , all their comlinesse is at the free disposement of their Architect .

Furthermore , as diuers things must be prepared before a field can be taken in and seuered from other groundes : before it will bee fit for seede and plants , some labour must be spent about it : so before the Lord doth call & take vs to be a field vnto himselfe , out of the barren heath , and wide wildernesse of this sinfull world ; & before he sowes the seeds of his graces , & sets the pleasant plants of true christian vertues in our hearts , he prepares and fits vs ordinarily by the ministery of his word , ioyning therewith sometimes also crosses and aflictions , and some other things , which he hath prouidently prepared and wisely directeth for our good . And euen as wood , stone , brick , lime , and such like things ▪ as concurre to the making of an house , must be fitted and layed together , before the house can be made : so the Lord doth prepare and vnite the faithfull together , that they may be one indiuidual and entire building . And vntill they be all collected & compacted fast together , Gods house shall not be fully finished . And as stones in an house cannot without mortar be layed fast and firme : neither can the posts , the beames , and spires be well and surely ioyned without pinnes , nailes , or barres of yron : euen so the liuing stones of Gods house , the true members of his Church , cannot be closely coupled , and strongly knit together without true Christian charity , and his most holy Spirit . Againe , as all things concurring to the building of an house , being well composed , do make much for the beauty of that house : so all the faithfull being cunningly compact and laid together of God ( as it were by line & leuell ) do make for the statelinesse and glory of his house , which consisteth onely of Beleeuers . And as all the parts of a field , the variety of hearbes , the diuersity of fruits , and the comly orders and rankes of plants , do greatly commend and set forth the field in which they are : euen so the Church which is Gods field , is greatly beautified and adorned through the multitude & great diuersity of her members , which are ( as it were ) sundry sorts of sets or hearbs ; as also by reason of that comly order , which he ( the Husbandman ) hath set among them .

Moreouer , fields are not in their perfect glory so soone as they be taken in : and the plantes and seedes that are set and sowne in them , come not presently , but by degrees to their full perfection , and growth . So the Church is pe●fited by degrees : her plantes grow vp by little and little : and the seedes of Gods graces , which are sowen in our hearts spring vp , grow , and multiply by degrees , and not all at once . The flints , the stones , and stinking weedes , are not all remoued and gathered out of vs at the first . The hardnesse of our hearts , the flintinesse of our affections , and the weeds of wickednesse are not at one instant , but by degrees remoued and taken away . And as no field is inclosed and taken out of the heath or common in one moment of time , but one part after another . So God doth not take in the whole Church , and by effectuall vocation seuer her , and call her out of the world , and inuiron her with his fauour reuealed to her at one point of time ; but he doth it by degrees at seueral times , in that order and maner , which in his wisedome he seeth most beseeming , and which before all time hee did with himselfe decree . In like maner also , as no house is built vp all at once , but by degrees : so is the Church in generall , and we that are her particular members , erected and perfited by peecemeale , and in processe of time . And we do not attaine to our ful perfection whiles we liue heere . b b Eccles. 7.22 . For there is no man iust in the earth , that doth good , and sinneth not . The clearest riuer hath some mudde in the bottome , and the healthiest body hath some corruption in it . So the purest soule is notwithout some sin . Regeneration doth not in this life wholly extirp originall corruption , but onely weaken , abate , and wast it by degrees . For while we liue , sinne shall not dy : but death that receiued life from sin , must be the death of sinne . Our sins and we shall dye together . And when the threed of this momentany life is cut asunder by death , and a dissolution or diuorcement made betwixt those two parts of man , which God did at the first vnite and wedde , to make a perfect man ; the one must for a time returne vnto the earth , and the other shall be taken vp into heauen , thereto receiue both perfect grace & perfect glory : & when God shal after a time repeale & end the separation , & reunite them , then they shal iointly receiue both holines & happines in al perfection without future alteration , in the paradise of God , c c Psa. 16.11 In whose presence there is fulnesse of ioy , and at whose right hand are pleasures for euermore .

It is true indeed that we are perfect in this life in two respects . First , in regard of the perfection of parts , because ( like in●ants ) we haue all the parts of a christian : God hath giuen vs all his graces : though we haue them not in their full perfection . And secondly wee are reputed perfect in Christ our head , being clothed with his perfect righteousnesse . And for this cause the d d Cant. 4.1 Cant. 6.3.8 9. Church is sayed to be faire , beautifull , comly , vndefiled , and pure ; to wit , because she is inuested in the spotlesse and pure robes of Christs absolute & most meritorious holinesse and obedience , which is imputed to her , and accepted as her owne . But if we speake of the perfection of sanctification or of inherent holinesse , we must needes confesse that we are not perfect , but that we arise like a house by degrees , and do e e Ephes. 2 21. grow till we be compleat . Which shall not be till death , which endeth the battell betwixt the flesh and the spirit , vtterly consuming all the corruptions of our corrupted nature .

Againe , as fields are subiect to be annoyed and wasted : and as there is no field without some hurtfull or improfitable thing in it , as stones , weeds and such like : so Gods field is subiect to be wasted and infested . Therefore the f f Psa. 94.5 Psalmist saith , that the wicked smite downe Gods people , and trouble his heritage . And Saul g g Act 8 , 3. before his conuersion is sayed to waste the Church of God . And there is in ou● hearts ( that are her children ) many sinnes , which are not as yet exi●e● , being noysome vnto vs , as weede and stones are to a corne field . And againe , as there is no house , that is not obnoxious to some danger , either by violence of fire , or by the inundati●n of waters , or through inflammation by lightning , or else by reason of impetuous windes & stormy tempests , besides the subiection , wherein it is of it selfe to fall to ruine , being composed of things that are corruptible . Euen so Gods Church on earth , is subiect in herselfe ( being h h Cant. 1.4 black with sinne , and vnmundified here in part ) to ruines and rotten errours , both mentall and morall . Besides , shee is subiect to many perils from without . Sathan with his instruments play their parts against her continually . Sometimes hee sallies vpon her by force like a Lion , raising vp cruell tyrants to persecute & vex her . Sometimes he sets vpon her by fraud like a Leopard , approching to her either with his Syrenian songs , or with his Crocodilian teares , or with a treacherous kisse , as Iudas did vnto his Maister ; assaulting her with the subtill and sophisticall inuentions & engines of Heretikes , and attempting to violate her chastity by the pleasing allurements , and witching enchantments of the world ; who with her whorish eye , and two naked painted breasts of pleasures and profits , doth seeke to inueigle our hearts and make vs yeeld vnto her .

Thus Sathan meetes her vpon the stage of this world , and enters combat with her , vsing all meanes to preuaile against her ; sometimes pursuing her with the flouds of persecution , sometimes kindling in her the coales of contention , sometimes seeking to ouercome her with secret machinations , and with faire speeches , & fraudulent perswasions , and somtimes also striuing to daunt her with the dreadfull menacies of the great men of the world , and neuer ceaseth practising against her ; but all in vaine . For i i Mat. 16 , 18 the gates of hell ( saith Christ ) euen sathan and all his strength and stratagems shall not preuaile against her to vanquish and subdue her .

Finally , some things may be in a field which are not of the field , as toades , frogges and such like : a wolfe may bee in the same field and fold wherein a company of sheepe are : the enemy with his ●ares may be in a field as well as the right owner of it , and his good seed , and good sets . Euen so if we regard the visible and externall face of the Church , prophane persons & very reprobats may be in her , albeit they be not of her . They are but as frogges , toades , nettles , bryars , and crowes in a corne-field : or as Wolues and Foxes and madde dogges in a fold or flocke of sheepe : or else as stones and weeds , which trouble and hinder the good corne .

And againe , as in a field we see sets , hearbs and seeds oftentimes brought into a field , & set & sown in it , which do not naturally come vp of themselues in it : euen so God doth set the plants of his Spirit , and sow the seeds of his sanctifying graces in our hearts which otherwise would neuer spring vp within vs of themselues , and by the vertue of our nature .

And as euery field stands in neede of dressing and keeping , and requires wholesome aire , sweete shewers , and the comfortable heate of the Sunne . Euen so the Church stands in need of husbanding : she hath neede of the heauenly dewe of Gods graces , and of the sweet light and heate of the Sunne of righteousnesse , and that the Northerne and Southerne windes of Gods Spirit should k k Cant. 4.16 blow vpon her , that her spices and her fruits might flow out and come forth abundantly . In like manner also , as euery house stands in need of some shilter and reparation , so doth Gods house . For we lye open to wind and water , and haue the ruines of our depraued nature still remaining in vs . And as the Housholder brings many thing into his house which he finds not in it : euen so the Lord inspireth many good things into our hearts , which he finds not in vs , and which we want by nature . And as some things may be in the house which are not of the house , as rats , mise , weasils , yea and treacherous and theeuish persons . Euen so ( if wee consider the outward appearance and name of the Church , which is Gods house ) some may be in it , which belong not to it , and are not truly of it . Therefore l l Ioh. 2 . 1● . Iohn saith ; they went out of vs , but they were not of vs . Antichrist that man of sinne and sonne of perdition , sits in the Temple of God , but not as a member of it , but as a cruell and proud Tyrant , tyrannizing in it ; as a Theefe in a true mans house , as a Pyrate in a Merchants ship , or as a Wolfe and Fox in a sheepfold . And in a word , as some things may be brought into a field , and planted in it , which as yet are not : & as some may be brought into an house and made seruants in it , which for the present are not : euen so some may be brought into Gods Church , which is his pleasant field and the palace of his pleasure , and may bee made her true members and faithful houshold-seruants , which as yet wander abroad and are not effectually called home . And thus wee see the resemblance , that is betwixt a field or house , and the Church of God . Now she is called Gods Husbandry and Gods building , because hee hath taken her to himselfe and inclosed her , hee doth husband and order her : he doth build and repaire her : he doth possesse & keepe her : and because he doth inhabite and worke within her . And albeit she may be fitly compared to a field and house in the forenamed respects , yet in other regards she is vnlike vnto them . For God is her only Lord & owner , & for his honour only he hath ordained her . And whereas houses and fields are bought with money , she was purchased neither by gold nor siluer , but by the m m Act. 20.28 . 1 Pet. 1.18 19. bloud of God , euen by the precious heart-bloud of that immaculate Lambe Christ Iesus , who is true n n Rom 9.5 . God & true o o 1 Tim. 2.5 Man in one perfect person . Thirdly , all houses and fields are subiect to vtter and finall desolation . And the day shall come , wherein the p p 2 , Pet. 3.10 . earth , and all the workes therein shall be consumed with fire . But the Church of GOD shall stand for euer . And when all the glory of the world shall vanish quite away , like a flash of fire : and when all her desperate , malicious and irreconciliable enemies shall vtterly be destroyed , then shall she shine as the Sunne , and obtaine her perfect glory , and liue for euer with the Lord in all ease and happinesse , free from all sinfull and earthly miseries whatsoeuer . Fourthly , wheras all other fields and houses are materiall , outward and earthly : this field and this house is mysticall , celestiall and q q 1 Pet 2 , 5 , spirituall : and may bee so called in all these regards ensuing . First because the Spirit of God doth husband her and dwell in her . Secondly , because her whole frame is spirituall , & her chiefest ornaments are inward and inuisible . r r Psa 45.13 The kings daughter is all glorious within , saith the Psalm .

Thirdly , the meanes which God vseth for her building , repairing , trimming , flourishing and c●●tinuing , are not earthly but spirituall , and of a nature far differing from worldly helps , and humane inuentions . Fourthly , the seruice and worship , which ought to be performed in her , is spirituall . And lastly all the good workes , which she doth , are spirituall . All the good workes , which we , or any of her faithfull members do performe , are meerely good so far forth as they do proceed from the Spirit of God , who is goodnesse it selfe , and the author of all our goodnesse . And the euill which is in them commeth from our owne home-bred corruptition , which is not in this life cleansed cleane away , vnlesse it be because it is forgiuen vs , and not imputed to vs .

And to conclude ; the Church is said to be a field & an house , not fields and houses . For the Church is but one body , one perfect house , and one entire and absolute field . She hath but one Lord , one Architect , one Redeemer , one absolute Husbandman and Inhabitant , one common saluation , one religion , one Head , one Husband , one way to heauen ; according to that of S Ephes. 4.4 . Paul , There is one body , one Spirit , one faith , one Lord , one baptisme , one God and father . And this hath also been the doctrine of former ages .

Theodoretus saith ( quest. 44. in Num. ) As the Vnicorne hath one horne , so the people truly religious adoreth one onely God . And for the vnity of her head , In Ps. paeni● Gregory saith , that The whole holy vniuersal Church is on Body , set vnder Christ Iesus as her Head . For Christ with his whole Church , both militant & triumphant , is one person . Nazianzene saith ; Orat. in d. Eu , Vbi supra . There is one Christ , one head of the Church . Thirdly , concerning the vnity of the Spirit , Gregory saith that , As there is one soule , which doth quicken the diuerse members of the body , so one Holy Spirit doth quicken and illustrate the whole Church . Fourthly for the vnity of faith and outward confession , Eucherius saith that , In l. Reg. As a bundle is bound with bands , so all the company of the Saints are bound together with one and the same faith , hope and charity , & compassed with one muniment of diuine protection .

And as Leo teacheth , Serm. 3. de ●●iun. 7. ●ens . there is one orison , and one confession of the whole Church . Finally touching the vnity of Baptisme ; There is one faith ( saith Hierome ) & one Baptisme . And so withall for the vnitie of her God , Iustinus saith , There is one true God of all , which is acknowledged in the Father , Sonne , and holy Spirit . Our faith ( saith Cyril ) receiueth no number of Gods , ●n cap. 4. ad Ephe. but there is one God the Father , and to the same vnitie pertaineth the Sonne and the Holy Ghost .

Hauing now opened the words , and giuen the sense , let vs see what lessons we may learne out of them .

CHAP. 2. The Church of God is Gods house and husbandry .

Doct. 1 THESE wordes do naturally without wresting affoord vs two notable doctrins . The former is that the true church of God ( which is the company of Beleeuers ) is Gods House and Husbandry . This is plaine by the text , as also by other like places of Scripture . a a 1 Cor. 3.16 . Know ye not ( saith Paul ) that ye are the Temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? And speaking to Timothy he saith ; b b 1 Tim. 3 14.15 . These things I write , that thou maist know how to behaue thy sefe in Gods House , which is the Church of the liuing God . And plaine reason sheweth as much . For it is not her owne : she is not the Lady of her selfe . c c 1 Cor. 6 19. Ye are not your owne ( saith Paul ) for ye are bought for a price . Neither is the Church a tenement or possession belonging to any Angell , or to any Man , excepting onely the man Christ who is the d d Mal. 3.1 . Ephes. 5.23 Iude. 4 , Angell of the couenant and her only Lord & Head . She is not the field of the sluggard , which e e Pro. 24.30 . Salomon speaks of . She is not the house of wickednesse and sinne . For f f Ephes. 5.26 . Reu. 1.5 . Christ gaue himselfe for her , that hee might make her holy , and purge her from her sinnes with his bloud . Therefore he saith vnto her ; g g Cant , 4.7 . Thou art all faire , my loue , and there is no spot in thee . Neither is shee the house and field of the Diuell . For Christ hath purchased her h h Ephes , 5.27 . vnto himselfe . Therefore she saith ; My i i Cant , 2 , 16 , and 7 , 10 , welbeloued ( meaning Christ ) is mine , and I am his . I am my welbeloueds , and his desire is towards me . And Christ speaking vnto her ▪ cals her his k k Cant , 4 , 1 9 , loue , his sister ▪ & his spouse ; therefore surely the Liuell hath no interest in her , and no title to her . The conclusion then remaineth firme , that as the Temple of Ierusalem was dedicated to be an house vnto the Lord alone , euen so the Church is built and consecrated vnto him only , that she may be his House to dwel in , & as a field to husband & dispose of , as he in his wisedome seeth most conuenient . Thus much for the doctrine , let vs now se how we may apply it for our benefite and edification .

CHAP. 3. Sundry vses are made of the consideration of these two titles together .

THe vses , which we ought to make of the former doctrine are of two sorts Some arise from the consideration of these 2 titles ( giuen to the Church ) together : & some from them being considered apart by themselues . Vse . 1. Of the former company are these that follow .

First , we haue here one of the roialties and royall priuiledges of the faithfull . For they , and they onely ( to speake properly ) are Gods house & husbandry . For the Father hath elected them only : the Son hath redeemed them onely : the holy Ghost doth regenerate them onely . God ( the Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost ) doth dwell in them onely , in regard of the presence of his speciall grace , and efficatious operation vnto eternall life . For as concerning the Reprobates , they are the very sinks of sin , the dennes of the Diuell , and the quagmyres of iniquity , a a Pro. 16.4 predestinated to eternall distruction . Some of them ( I confesse ) may thinke themselues to be of Gods house , and to belong vnto his field : but their imagination is like the fond and false conceipt of some Melancholique persons , that haue thought their bodies to haue beene made of glasse , and that euery faire house was theirs , which they passed by . Yea they may perswade themselues so thereof , as that they may conceiue a kind of ioy therefore in their hearts , and yet for all they are deceiued . Some that haue suddenly fallen into a swoone haue imagined that they saw goodly sights : and many frantick persons will sing and hallo , as if they were in a very good condition whereas indeed their case is pittifull . Euen so some of the Reprobate may fall into such a fit of spirituall swoone and phantastick phrensie of the mind , as that they may both think better of their estates then they are indeed , and reioyce also within themselues , as if they were right good men and happy ; being neuerthelesse in truth the very Refuse of mankind , the Obiects of Gods wrath , and ( as it were ) the Center of his iudgements . Yea further they may so carry themselues outwardly , as that they may seeme vnto men ( that doe not see the heart ) the true members of the Church , and as plants in Gods fi●ld . But blazing starres are not true starres , but fading meteores : a foot of wood is not a foot indeed : and painted fire is not fire . Euen so what shew soeuer they make , yet are they not indeede her members , they are not GODS plants indeed . They may be in Gods house , but they are not of Gods house : they may be in his field , but they are not of his field . Goates and sheepe may be together in one fold , though they be not of one flocke . Cockle & good come may bee in one Barne ; Theeues and True men may be in one field : strangers and seruants , guests and children in one house . And all is not that which it seemes to be . All is not grasse that looketh greene , nor all bloud that is red . Sathan can transforme himselfe into an Angel of light : 2 Cor. 11.14 all is not gold that glisters : hypocrites may seeme religious , and men of woluish dispositions can for need walke like sheepe , in sheepe-skins . When the great Gold-smith shal come to try them with his Touch-stone , hee will finde them copper , and not good gold . When the windes shall blow hard against them , when the flouds shall come and dash against them , they shall fall flatte downe to the ground , because they are not as liuing stones founded vpon the rock Christ , but weakly built vpon a weake and sandy foundation . And a day will come when the Husbandman will view his field , and will separate the corne of his owne sowing ( and carry it home into his barne ) from the tares of the enemy , how faire and fresh soeuer they seeme to be , and will binde them in a bundle , and cast them into the fire .

Now this prerogatiue is not meerly tit●lar and ve●ball , but very commodious , comfortable and excellent . For Christ b b Cant. 8.13 . dwelleth in this field : the Spirit of God dwelleth in this house c c Isa ▪ 33.24 and they that dwell therein shal haue their iniquity forgiuen . And whosoeuer are of this house , of this field , shall continue so for euer . For the d d Ier. 32.4 couenant of God made with them is euerlasting . The e e Rom. 11 29. gifts and the calling of God are giuen without repentance : and he wil f f 1 Pe● . 1.5 preserue and guard them by his power through faith vnto saluation . And their mother also , g g Gal. 4 , 2● which is the Church , shall alwaies be the palace and paradise of his delight . He will carry her vpon his backe like an Eagle , he will shadow her with the wings of his grace , and will continue constant in his loue for euer . For his h h Ier. 31.3 Psa. 136.1 , loue vnto her is euerlasting , and his mercy endureth for euer .

Secondly , Vse 2. seeing the Church is Gods House and Husbandry , shee must acknowledge no Lord , no Head , no King but God . Her obedience , her homage , her loyalty , her virginity belongs to him , as to her soueraigne Lord and onely absolute Husband . She is not her owne ; therefore shee must glorifie God , to whom of right she doth pertaine .

Thirdly , Vse 3. Ministers ought to be the more diligent , faithfull and alacrious in the execution of their function . For the labour which they take , and the paines they do bestow , are bestowed vpon Gods House , vpon Gods plowed-field . They labour not in mens fields , not in the house of men , but in the house and field of almighty God ( who is able to recompence the faithfull , and to punish the vnfaithfull : ) therefore they should be the more carefull , circumspect & laborious in their calling , taking heed what seede they sow , what plants they set , and both what , and how they build .

Vse 4. Fourthly , seeing the Church of God is his field & house , we ought all to labour to be assured that we are of it . For out of it there is no saluation . And when we are in it , we must keep our selues in it , and not straggle out and leaue it . Men take grear delight to dwell in faire houses , and to walke in pleasant fields . The Church of God is a goodly house , and a pleasant and greene field . i i Cant. 1.15 My welbeloued , behold , thou art faire and pleasant : also our bed is greene : the beames of our house are cedars . k k Cant. 4.10 . & 8.13 Christ delighteth and dwelleth in her . Let vs therefore like her , and loue to liue within her . They that leaue her , leaue him . For he is her Husband and Inhabitant : therefore she cals him her l l Can● . 7.11 Welbeloved : and he cals her his Spouse : m m Cant. 4.12 . My spouse is a garden inclosed . And she crying out vnto him saith thus : n n Cant. 8.13 . Cant. 4.15 O thou that dwellest in the gardens . O fountain of the gardens , O well of liuing waters ! So then he which forsakes her , forsakes him , He which leaues her , leaues his garden : and he which leaues him , leaues her fountaine : euen the welspring of her life , and the scaturidge of all true comfort . Let vs therfore keepe our selues within the borders of the Church , lest we walke in the valley of death . We must needes be either in Gods Temple , or in the diuels Synagogue : either in Gods field or in the diuels field . And whensoeuer wee see the face of a true Church in any place , let vs take heed that we do rend not our selus from her , and leape out . For this were ( so much as lay in vs ) to runne out of Gods field , and to runne away from Christ , who frequenteth the o o Cant. 1.6.7 . flockes of his sheep , and delighteth to be in the assemblies of his people . Let vs therefore be wise , and not forsake the fellowship ( or p p Heb 10.25 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . aggregation ) that we haue among our selues , as the manner of some is : but let vs exhort one another , & that so much the more , because ye see that the day ( of Christs second coming ) draweth neare . Iude makes it a property of those that were fleshly & had not the Spirit ( what shew soeuer they made ) to be q q Iude , 19. makers of sects ; men of a schismaticall and contradictorious spirit , that like not the beaten way , but loue to walke in a way by themselues , though it be full of mud and mire .

Vse 5. Considering also that the Church is Gods house & husbandry , it were a worke beseeming the honour of Princes and all Potentates , in all their territories and dominions to defend and foster her : that so they may verifie that ancient prophec● recorded by the prophet Esay , that r r Isa. 49.23 kings should be her nursing fathers , and that queenes should be her nurces . Yea it beseemes vs all to be kinde vnto her , and to honour her . For she is our mother . She is the house in which we are bred , and borne , and brought vp . She is the field in which we are planted and receiue our growth . Men loue the house wherein they were borne , and trained first vp , and the place in which they drew their first breath , and led the beginning of their life . Let vs therefore loue the Church of God : let vs desire and seeke her welfare . s s Psa , 122 , 6 7. Pray for the peace of Ierusalem : let them prosper that loue thee . Peace be within thy walles , and prosperity within thy palaces . t t Isa , 62 , 7. Giue the Lord no rest till he repaire Ierusalem the praise of the world . For my brethren & neighbours sakes ( saith u u Psa. 122. ● 9. Dauid ) I will wish thee now prosperity . Because of the house of the Lord our God , I will procure thy wealth . w w Isa. 49.22.23 Behold ( saith the Lord ) I will lift vp mine hand to the Gentiles , and set vp my standard to the people ; and they shall bring thy sons in their armes , and thy daughters shall be carried vpon the●r shoulders : kings and queenes sha●l worship thee , with their faces towards the earth , and licke vp the dust of thy feete . But we are of the G●ntiles : let vs therefore in our seueral places labour to make good this prophecy . We are all carefull to keepe our owne fields and houses in good case , and shall we neglect the Church , which is the Lords ? Shall we dwell in our seeled houses , and see his house lye wast without griefe of heart ? We looke to our owne gardens and orchards ; let vs not therfore cast off al care of Gods , but let vs rather labour to the vtmost of our power ( keeping vs within the precinct of our calling ) that they may flourish & prosper in the world . And so doing we shall testify our loue to God and his Church : we shall shew our selues to be true natural sons and not bastards : seruants and not slaues : faithfull friends , and not fawning flatterers and false-hearted foes .

Vse 6. Sixtly , seeing the Church is Gods field and house , we may be sure that God will husband and repaire her . He will till and dresse her : he will pluck out her weeds & make her fertile : he will manure , and water her with the first and latter raine of his gracious benediction . He will cause the North-wind to blow vpon her , which shall purify the aire about her , & pinch the luxuorious humors within her , & coole the pride of her hart , & the excessiue heat of her spirit . He will also send out the South-wind to confort her with his warme blasts , and to water her with his sweet shewers , that she may be fresh and fruitfull . x x Psa 147.8 The Lord ( saith the Psalmist ) couereth the heauen with clouds , and prepareth raine for the earth , and maketh the grasse to grow vpon the mountaines . Euen so the Lord couereth the Church with his loue , he causeth the clouds to breake , he powreth downe the raine of his blessing vpon her ; he moystens her with the dew of heauen , and maketh his graces to sprout vp and flourish within her . Yea he maketh her ( like dry ground ) to thirst after the waters of life : and teacheth her to cry out and say ; y y Cant. 4.19 . Arise O North , and come O South , and blow vpon my garden , that the spices thereof may flow out . And forsomuch as she is his house , we may know for certaine , that he will in time remoue in-bred ruines and rottennesse , and wil repaire and polish her , til he haue made her perfect & glorious in all respects . And albeit he do often suffer her faithfull and true members to bring forth the weedes of sin , and to fall into the ruines of wickednesse ; yet it is not through his negligence & obliuion , or bcause he hath cast them off : but it is to teach them to distast their pride , and to confesse that they can easily fall of themselues , but are vnable to stand , or rise vp without him . The husbandman sometimes lets his ground lie as if he had forsaken it , and can be for a time content to see it growne with weeds . But he hath a purpose to breake it vp with his plough , and to bestow more cost vpon it , that it may be more fruitfull , then before . He will not see it ouer-grown with weeds : he wil not permit them to suck out the heart , & to make it altogether barren ▪ & good for nothing . So likewise we see many men suffer their houses to decay , & for a while to fall to ruine : but their intent is to build them fairer , and to make them stronger then they were before . And thus God sometimes dealeth with his faithfull seruants , as with David , Hezekiah , Peter and others . For he is tied by no law to preserue any man longer then he list . And so great is his grace vnto vs , as that if he suffer vs to fall , yet he will not let vs fall quite a way , but will in due season restore and lift vs vp againe . For Semel et semper , Once and euer are all one with God : whom he hath embraced once , he will embrace z z Ier 32.40 for euer .

Moreouer , Vse 7. considering that the Church is Gods house & husbandry , we may be sure that he will patronize and protect her against heritiques , tyrants , and all that by fraud or force do labour to subuert and wast her . a a Zeph. 3.17 The Lord thy God ( saith Zephany ) in the middest of thee is mighty : he will saue , he will reioyce ouer thee with ioy : he will quiet himselfe in his loue . b b Isa. 49.36 He will feed them that spoile thee , with their owne flesh , and they shall be drunken with their owne bloud . For the Lord is c c Ier. 3● . 19 great in counsell , and mighty in worke . His eyes are open vpon all the waies of the sons of men , to giue to euery one according to his waies , and according to the fruit of his workes . And d d Psa. 129.5 they that hate Sion , shall be all ashamed , and turned backward . But as the mountains are about Ierusalem , e e ●sa . 125.2 so the Lord is about his people from henceforth and for euer . Whom shall wee then need to feare ? What danger neede we dread ? For God f f Ioh. 10.29 . that is greater then all , is on our side : he is our shield and tower of defence : & his al-seeing eye doth watch continually for vs . For he g g Psa. 121.4 that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleepe . Are our enemies great and mighty ? The Lord is high h h Psa. 113.4 Psa. 147.5 . Psa. 115.3 . aboue all nations , & his glory is aboue the heauens . Great is our Lord , ; and great is his power and he doth whatsoeuer he will . Are they politique and subtle ? Feare not . God i i Iob. 5.13 , taketh the wise in their craftinesse , and the counsell of the wicked is made foolish . Their mischiefe shall returne vpon their owne heads , and their cruelty shall fall vpon their owne pates . For the Lord is omnipotent and his k k Psa. 147.5 . wisdome is infinite . He hath pleasure in his people , and he will make the meeke l l Psa. 149.4 . glorious by deliuerance . Are they watchful and laborious to work thy ruine ? Be not dismaid . For the Lord , that guardeth thee , will not slumber . The m m Psa. 121.3.5 . Lord is thy keeper : he is thy shadow at thy right hand . Do they menace and trouble thee ? Be not discouraged ; for n n Psa. 34.15 the eyes of the Lord are vpon thee . Great are the troubles of the righteous : but the Lord diliuereth him out of al. 19. But malice shall slay they wicked : and they that hate the righteous , shall perish . 21. Do they traduce and disgrace thee ? Hearken vnto me ( saith the Lord ) ye o o Isa. 51.7.8 11. that know righteousnesse , and in whose heart is my law . Feare ye not the reproch of men : neither be ye afraid of their rebukes . For the moth shall eate them vp like a garment , & the worme shal eat them like wool●l I , euen I am he that comfort you . Who art thou , that thou shouldest feare a mortall man , and the sonne of man , which shall be made as grasse ? Yea but sathan that roaring and hungry Lion doth assault thee , and seeke to deuoure thee . Be nothing daunted , for Christ Iesus , the Lion of the tribe of Iudah , is stronger then he . p p Reu. 1.14 15. His eyes are as a flame of fire , able to discerne his stratagems : his feet are like vnto brasse , able to tread him downe and tame him : and his good will is so great vnto vs , as that q q Ioh. 10.28 . none shall plucke vs from him , and destroy vs . Are we disturbed with temptations ? Doth the flesh contend against vs ? Do false teachers labour to peruert vs ? Yet let vs not leaue our order , and leese our courage . For these may warre against vs , but they shall not win : they may contend , but they shall not conquer : they may disturbe vs , but they shall not de●urbe vs . For God will r r Cor. 1.8 confirme vs vnto the end : he will not suffer vs to be s s Mat. 24.24 . seduced : he will not permit vs to be tempted t t 1. Cor. 10 ●1. aboue our power . Howsoeuer we may be weakened , yet he will not suffer vs to be wholy wasted , but with the temptation he will vouchsafe to giue vs an happy issue . Premip●t●st Ecclesia , non opprimi : oppugnari potest , expugnari non potest . The Church of God may be pressed , but it cannot be oppressed . Sathan may besiege her ▪ but he cannot batter her to the ground , and sack her . He may fight against her , but he cannot u u Mat. 16.18 . vanquish her . For the Lord will defend and guard her . He will neuer x x Heb. 13.5 leaue her , nor forget her . Can a y y Isa 49.15.16 . woman forget her child , and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe ? Though they should forget , yet will not I forget thee . Behold I haue grauen thee vpon the palme of mine handes . z z I●● . 31.3 Isa. 49.8 . I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue , and I will preserue thee . a a Psa 146 . 1● . The Lord shall reigne for euer for the preseruation of his Church . He hath laid her vpon a firme foundation , and b b Psa. 14 ▪ 1● . hath made the barres of her gates strong . Carefull and good husbands haue a speciall regard of their grounds and houses . We are Gods ground , we are his house ; and therefore we may perswade our selues that he hath a very singular care ouer vs to preserue and saue vs . He is the c c 1 Tim. 4.10 Sauiour of all men ▪ but especially of those that beleeue . He forsaketh not his Saints ( saith Dauid ) they d d Psa. 37.24.28 . shall be preserued for euermore . Though they fall , yet shall they not be cast off , for the Lord putteth vnder his hand to lift them vp againe . Men , when they see their houses weake , & exposed to wind and weather , do vse to vnderprop them , & to plant trees about them to defend them . Euen so vndoubtedly the Lord being priuy to our weakenesse doth support vs with the props of his grace , and doth enuiron vs with the tall and strong Cedars of his power . For e e Psa. 147.11 . he taketh delight in them that feare him , and attend vppon his mercy . He will neuer turne from them to do them good . f f Ier. 33.11 . Yea ( saith the Lord ) I will delight in them to do them good . We may not thinke that God will bee carelesse of his house , if forgetfull man be carefull of his . In like manner also wise & thrifty husbands seeing their fields subiect to be wasted with cattell , and their corne to be troden downe and eaten vp , do vse to compasse them with pales or other fences , & to ouersee them . Euen so the Lord doth inclose his Church , and ouersee her for her good , and is exceeding viligant ouer her . He taketh the Foxes , which marre his vines : he killeth the Boares : he driueth out the beasts : he mendeth her hedges : he repaireth her ditches . and hath a speciall care that his corne , his vines , and plants be not tooted vp & spoiled . If men respect their fields so diligently , it were horrible wickednesse for any man to imagine that God will neglect his ; especially considering that he payd so deerely for it as he did , & considering also he is able to keepe it safe without toile or wearinesse , and is not subiect to forgetfulnesse .

Eightly , Vse . 8. seeing the Church is Gods field and house , we ought in no case to wrong her nor any of her members . For the iniury that is offered vnto her , doth redound vnto him , and he accounteth all the wronges as done vnto himselfe , which are done by their enimies vnto them . g g Isa. 63.9 . In all their troubles he is troubled : and h h Zach. 2.8 they that touch them ( to do them harme ) do touch the very apple of his eye . It were a dishonest and wicked part in any man to spoile his neighbours field , or to pull downe or set fire on his house ; what horrible wickednesse then is it for any man to fire Gods house , & to waste and make hauock in his field ? If i i 1. Cor. 3.17 . any man shall destroy the Temple of God , him shal God destroy . For the Temple of God ( saith Paul ) is holy , which ye are . The Church of GOD is a citty k k Isa. 62.12 . sought out , and not forsaken of the Lord . He hath clothed her with the garments of saluation , he hath couered her with the robe of righteousnesse ; and as a bride doth tire her selfe with her iewels , so doth the Lord adorne her with his graces , and put the golden chaine of immortality about her necke . Now darest thou oppose thy selfe against her , on whom God hath bestowed so great cost ? Wilt thou maligne her whom he doth loue , and in his loue hath chosen to himselfe ? Wil the l l Isa. 60.16 . Lord make his Church an eternal glory , and shall she sucke the breasts of Princes ; and ●ilt thou hate and disgrace her or any of her children ? Did Paul persecute Christ m m Act. 9.4 . himselfe , because he persecuted his members ? So Christ from heauen told him . Now wilt thou be reputed a persecutor of Christ Iesus ? Hast thou none to persecute , none to maligne , none to trouble but him , that dyed that thou mightest liue & not dye ? What none ? If thou wilt needs persecute & spoile , then persecute thine owne corruptions , spoile them , make hauocke of thy lusts , n n 1. Pet. 2.11 . which fight against thy soule , and labour to subdue thee . Trouble not the Church of God , do not persecute his people , touch not his annointed , & do his Prophets no harme . Indeed o o Psa. 37.12 the wicked practiseth against the iust , and gnasheth his teeth against him ; but wilt thou be so wicked ? Look well to thy selfe . For p p Psa. 75.8 . in the hand of the Lord is a cup , and the wine is red : it is ful mixt , and he powreth out the same : surely all the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drinke the dregs therof . q q Pro. 29.27 . He that is vpright in his way , is indeed ( as Salomon teacheth ) an abomination to the wicked ; but shal he be abominable vnto thee ? Wilt thou be that wicked man that will detest and abhorre him ? Looke well about thee . For r r Psa. 7.10 . Psa. 145.20 the Lord presert●● vpright in heart : but he will destroy all the wicked : Psa. 11.5 . the wicked , and him that loueth iniquity doth his soule h●te . Indeed the wicked trouble Gods heritage , and s s Psa. 94 . 5.2● . smite downe his people with the fist of wickednesse . But he will recompence , them their wickednesse , and destroy them in their owne malice , t t Iob. 21.17.18 . How oft shall the candle of the wicked be put out ? They shall be as stubble before the wind , & as chaffe that the storme carrieth away . Therefore partake not with them in their sins ▪ lest thou be partaker of their punishments . Trouble not Gods people , do not annoy his field , take heed thou persecute not his Church . For shee shall be a cup of poison vnto all that hate her ▪ and an heauy stone to all her enimes . All that lift it vp shall be torne ; though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it , God will not suffer his Turtle doue to be taken , his Church to be destroyed . Therefore as u u Mat. 27 19. Pilats wife sent word vnto him concerning Christ , saying ; Haue thou nothing to do with that iust man : so say I to thee concerning Christ his Church , and , all her members ; Haue nothing to do with them to persecute and wrong them . For she is Gods field , and they are his seed & his sets she is GODS house , and they are his houshold seruants and his children . He loues them deerely , & keeps them very carefully . It were a bold part in a meane person to make spoile in a kings house , and to waste his grounds , and to pull vp his plants , and to treade downe his grasse and corne . What boldnesse were it then for vs , that are but w w Iob. 25. wormes & wretches , to make spoile in Gods house , & to sp●ile or annoy the plants of GODS owne planting , who is the king of all kings , who hath laid the foundation of the earth . and spanneth the heauens with his hand ? Many men in pitty will not spoile a ground or garden for the plants that are in it , because of their goodnesse and comely order . The Church of God is as a field or garden . Her plants are as an x x Cant. 4 12.13 . Orchard of Fomegranats with sweet fruits , as Camphire , Spikenard , Saffran , Calamus , and Cinamon Cinamon with all the trees of incense , Myrre & Aloes , with all the chiefe spices . God hath greatly graced al her members , & hath set al her plants in a comly order ; let vs therefore spare them , & not spoile them : let vs not harme and annoy them . The Church is a faire and sumptuous building : yea she is a y y Isa. 62.3 . crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord , and a royall diademe in the hand of her God . And dare man maligne her ? Shall the sonne of man whose breath is in his nostrils , seeke to fire her , or pull her downe ? Let them beware they do not . For otherwise the Lord will fan them , the wind shal carry them away , and the whirlewind of his wrath shall scatter them : they shall be burnt with the flames of their owne fire , and compassed about with their owne sparkles . If a man should breake into thy fields , and make spoile amongst thy corne : or if he should beat downe thy house , or fire it ouer thine head , maist thou not iustly be offended , & sue him at the law for his iniury done vnto thee ? There is no question to be made : the case is cleare . And shal we thinke that God will be silent and say nothing to those , that would spoile his field , that treade downe his corne , that cut downe his plants , that breake open his hedges , that annoy his house , and feeke to fire it ouer his head ? Vndoubtedly except they repent and alter their course in time , the Lord will arrest them , he will arraine them at the barre of his iustice , he will pleade against them , and condemne them . For if the sentence of death shal be pronounced against them z z Mat. 25. that shewed no kindnesse to his seruants ; what can we thinke shall be the end of those but death ineuitable , which haue bene malicious , cruell and iniurious vnto them ? Let vs therfore take heed that we do not hate & persecute the Church of God , nor any of her children . She is Gods field : she is Gods house : this is reason sufficient to disswade vs from all secret and open machinations against her , though we had no other reason in the world besides .

Vse . 9. Ninthly , seeing that the Church is Gods house and husbandry , we need not maruell that the diuell doth so maligne and molest her . For because he doth hate the husbandman and the housekeeper , therefore he doth also hate and persecute with mortall hatred and hostility his seruants and all ●hat belong vnto him , to whom he doth in speciall manner confer and manifest his grace . And hence it is also that she hath in all ages receiued hard measure of the world , & that the wicked of the world do persecute & storme against her members ; euen because she is Gods field & habitation , and therefore is not of the world , but a stranger in the world , belonging to another kingdome and common-wealth . It is the fashion of Dogges to barke at strangers ; it is no wonder then that the Dogges of this world do barke at her and fly in her face : it is no maruell though they bite her children , and baulle at them . For they are strangers to them . They are not of them , but among them . They are not cast in one mould together , nor made of one mettall . Foxes are by nature giuen to murder Lambs : and Boares are naturally carried to make hauocke in a vineyard , and to spoile the vines . The wicked through the peruersnesse of their corrupted nature are violently bent against the godly . Beasts are giuen to breake hedges , to leape ouer ditches , and to spoile yong plants , & to treade downe corne . Euen so these ( like vnruly beasts ) are carried hedlong by their drouer , and through the strong streame of their in-bred ma●ice to breake into Gods field , to knopp● his tender plants , and to make wast amongst his corne . Yea they maligne & spite them , because God doth countenance and grace them , because he doth repaire & husband them , & because they see that they are not so ful of weeds and ruines , as they themselues are , a a Isa. 41.14 . But feare not , thou worme Iacob , and ye men of Israel . I will helpe thee , saith the Lord . b b Psa 55.22 Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord , and he shall nourish thee . The wicked that are strangers and enimies vnto his Church from the wombe , c c Psa. 58.23 he will surely punish . He will breake their teeth , and crack their iawes . They shall melt like ice , and cons●me like snailes . He will carry them away , as with a whirlewind in his wrath . d d Psa. 55.23 Thou , O God , shalt bring them downe into the pit of corruption : the bloody and deceiptfull men shall not liue out halfe their daies .

Vse 10. Finally , seeing we are Gods field & building , we are al taught to loue one another . We are not two houses , but one : we are not two fields , but one . And therfore as one , we ought to loue and embrace one another . It were a prodigious sight to see one stone in a building to iustle with another . We are as e e 1 Pet ▪ 2.5 Liuing stones in Gods spirituall building : let vs therefore by loue lie close by one another : let vs not iustle one another . If an house be deuided against it selfe , how shall it stand ? We are Gods house & houshold-seruants : therefore we must not be diuided against our selues , lest his house fall downe vpon our heads . Diuision is a forerunner of destruction . Therefore as one stone in a building beareth vp another , somtimes a little one bearing a greater , and sometime the greater bearing a lesser : euen so let vs beare vp and beare with one another : let vs not fly out of the wall : let vs not stomacke & enuy one another , alwaies remembring that we are the stones of one building , and all laid by one Maister-mason . Corne in one field , plants in one Orchard , trees in one wood , flowers in one garden , and vines in one vineyard , do grow together without molesting and hindring one another . They stand together without discontentment : they shroud and harbour one another . We are the corne of Gods field , the plants of his orchard , the trees of his wood , the flowers of his garden , and the vines of his vineyard : and therefore we should stand together without contempt & discontentment : & we ought to shroud and shilter one another . Now f f Col. ● . 8.12 . therefore as the elect of God , holy and beloued , put on the bowels of mercy , kindnesse , humility , meekenesse , long suffering . Put away wrath , anger , malice , cursing : and hate not one another . g g 1 Ioh. 7 11. For he that hateth his brother , is in darkenes . But let vs loue one another , for h h 1 Ioh. 4.7 . loue commeth of God , and euery , one that loueth , is borne of God . Wouldest thou know that thou art in the state of life ? Then loue thy brethren . We know ( saith i i Ioh. 3.14 Iohn ) that we are translated from death to life , because we loue the brethren : he that loueth not his brother , abideth in death . Wouldest thou know that thou louest God ? Then loue the children of God . For k k 1 Io● . 5.1 euery one which loueth him , that did beget , loueth him also , which is begotten of him . Wouldest thou abide in the true light ? Then loue thy brother . For l l 1 Ioh. 2.10 he that loueth his brother , abideth in the light , & there is none occasion of euill in him . Wouldest thou be like the Lord that did beget thee ? Then loue ; for m m 1 Ioh. 4.8 . God is loue : Wouldest thou be obedient vnto God ? Then loue thy neighbour ; for his n n Mat. 22.39 . commandement is , that thou shouldest loue thy neighbor as thy selfe . Finally , wouldest thou shew thy selfe a true disciple of Christ thy Sauiour ? Then loue thy fellowes For o o Ioh. 13.35 . by this shall all men know ( saith Christ ) that ye are my disciples , if ye haue loue one vnto another . Let vs therefore affect one another with true loue . We are the sons of one father , the children of one mother , the temple of one God , the field of one husbandman , the house of one inhabitant , the branches of one vine , the stones of one bilding , and the plants of one field ; let vs therfore keepe peace with our selues , & embrace one another in the armes of amity . So shall Gods house continue , his throne shall endure , his field shall prosper , we our selues shall flourish , our ioys shall be increased , and our enimies shall be defeated of much aduantage .

Thus much concerning the instructions which arise out of the consideration of these two titles together . It remaineth now to set downe those that may be gathered from them , being distinctly considered by themselues . And of the former first .

CHAP. 4. We must keepe our selues wholly for God . We must be content with his husbanding . We must striue to be fruitfull in good things . They are to be dispraised that are barren .

FIrst , forsomuch as we are GODS field , Vse 1. we must beware that we giue not our selues to any from him , We are not our own to dispose of as we list our selues , but his that hath bought vs , and taken vs in for himselfe . Let vs therefore take heed that we suffer not our selues to be sowne with corrupt seed , & to be set with the plants of wickednesse . Let not the diuell sow the tares of wicked errours and filthy sinnes within thee . Thou art Gods , keepe thy selfe cleane and pure for God .

Vse 2. Secondly , seeing we are Gods field , let vs be content with his husbandnig of vs . The ground doth patiently beare the Plowman and his Plow , the sower and his seed without the least resistance . So let vs be content to beare with meekenesse , Gods plough and his ploughmen , his seed and sowers . Let vs endure all things , which he hath in his wisdome ordained to breake vs vp , & to make vs faire and fertile ; his Word , his Sacraments , his Ministers , his Orders . Let vs not repine and storme against them , but subiect our selues , and beare them meekely without resisstance . Vse . 3.

Thirdly , we are taught to be fruitful vnto God in faith , loue , repentance , and obedience . The good ground , which receiueth good seed , is very profitable to the owner , sending forth plenty of fruit . Euen so we being sowen with the good and wholesome seed of Gods word , we ought to bring forth fruit aboundantly , that our owner may haue a plentiful crop . It is a cursed ground that receiues seed , & yet affoordeth either nothing or nought but weedes . We are Gods field , a●d therefore we should not be like the field of the a a Pro. 24.31 . sluggard , that is ouergrowne with thornes & nettles . If a field be broken vp with the plough , and if good seed be not sowen therein , it will bring forth more store of weeds , then if it had laine vnplowed . So if the seeds of Christian vertues be not sowne in our heartes , and fructify in our liues now that we haue ben broken vp with the plough of Gods word , we shall more abound with the stinking weedes of wickednesse , then if we had neuer felt that plough . Let vs therefore looke to our selues , and labour to be fruitfull in good thing , b b Pro. 23.12 . Apply thine heart to instruction , and thine eares to the words of knowledge . c c Pro. 21.21 . He that followeth after righteousnesse and mercy , shall find life , righteousnesse , and glory . Now that we may be fruitfull , we must performe these duties following .

First , we must roote those sinfull weedes out of our hearts , which oppresse and choke them . d d Ier. 4.4 Breake vp your fallow ground , and sow not among the thornes , Be circumcised to the Lord , and take away the foreskin of your hearts .

Secondly , we must labour to be partakers of Gods word , hungring and thirsting after it , as after food . It is the Plough , that must breake vs vp : it is the beetle that doth beat our clotty hearts : it is the seed that must be scattered vpon them : and it is the raine also , that makes the seed spring vp and grow : It is the meanes ; indeed the blessing is from the Lord. e e Pet. 2.1.2 . Wherefore laying aside all maliciousnes , all guile , simulation , enuy , and all euill speaking , as new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the word , that ye may grow thereby .

Thirdly , when the seed is sowne , let it find roome within vs . Let vs giue it liberty to roote and spread it selfe in our heartes . As a ship cannot saile without sea-roome : so the seed cannot grow without earth-roome . We must therefore giue the seed of Gods word roome in our heartes : we must yeeld vnto it , we must giue it passage in vs , we must locke it vp in the closet of a faithfull heart , and beleeue it . The word hath bene f f Heb. 4.2 . vnprofitable to many , because it was not mixed in them with faith .

Fourthly , we must not only heare the word , but we must let it worke in our liues , we must expresse it in our conuersations . Be ye doers of the word , g g Iam. 1.22 and not hearers onely only ( saith Saint Iames ) deceiuing your owne selues . For if any man heare the word , & do it not , he is like vnto a man , that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse . For when he hath considered himselfe , he goeth his way , and forgetteth immediately what manner of one he was . He that heares & does not , is like him , that eates and thriues not .

Fiftly , because the blessing commeth from aboue , we ought therefore earnestly to begge a blessing of God vpon the knees of our soules , that his word may take deepe roote in our hearts downewards , and bring forth fruit plentifully in our liues vpwards ; and that as the Sunne doth whiten cloth , resolue the snow , melt the hardest yee , and giue light vnto the world , so his word may melt our hearts , and whiten them ; and so dispell the darkenesse of our mindes , as that we may repent of all our sins , and see the riches of his grace , and may haue light to come out of the waies of darkenesse , and to walke before him in the wayes of life .

Sixtly , we should set before our eyes that great reward , which God will bestow vpon all such as are fruitfull in good workes , and abound in the fruites of the Spirit . They shall haue heauen , & earth , and all things whatsoeuer are needfull and fitting for them . And the more they doe exceed in grace , the more they shall excell in glory .

Seuenthly , we ought to consider diligently the examples of Gods children , dead and aliue , that haue bene & are full of good fruits , good deeds , and who shine in Christian graces before all other men : and hauing their patterns set before vs ( as scholers haue their copies ) we should stir vp ourselues and study to resemble them , yea & go before them . Many men thinke skorn that any should go beyond them in foolish fashions , and vaine attire ; wherefore then should we be content through our dronish & heauy disposition that any should strip vs in the race of Christianity , and be more plentiful and ranke in bearing the fruits of righteousnes , then we our selues are ? especially considering that we haue the plough of Gods word , the seed of wholesome doctrine , & the sweet shewers of heauenly counsels , exhortations , admonitions , and dehortations , as plentifully among vs , as they haue amongst them , and more plentifully too it may be . One man striues to haue as good corne as another : why then should not we labour to be as rich in grace as our brethren ?

Lastly , if we would be fruitfull , we must beware of the cares of the world , that they do not like thornes choke the seed that is sowen in vs , & ouershadow it . We must also take heed that it be not washt away with the waters of afflictions , & skorched with the burning heat of persecutions . And finally we must take heed of the examples of the wicked , and that sathan & the birds of hel do not steale it from vs , & pick it out of our hearts .

Fourthly , those are to be condemned , Vse . 4. that take vpon them the name of Gods field or husbandry , and will needs be reputed his seruants ; and yet are either barren as an heath , or fruitfull in nothing , but in the vnfruitful works of darknes ; as drunkennesse , ignorance , couetousnesse , malice , enuy , swearing , pride , idlenesse , and vncleannesse . h h Heb. 6.7 8. The field that receiueth the raine , that fals often on it , and brings forth herbes fit for the husbandman , receiueth a blessing of God : but that which bringeth forth thornes & thistles , is reproued , and is neere a curse : and the end of that field is burning . We are Gods field : his plough hath bene amongst vs fifty yeares together , alwaies going vpon vs . His seed hath bene continually scattered vpon vs all this time . He hath watered vs richly with the raine of heauenly instructions , and the Sunne of righteousnesse hath all this time shone vpon vs with his most glorious Gospell . Now if we shall bring forth nothing ( as too many do ) but the thornes of iniquity , the thistles of vngodlinesse , the nettles of fleshly lusts , and the noisome weeds of wickednesse , what can we looke for but a curse ? What do we else deserue , but that he should make vs desolate as a desert , and burne vs vp with the fire of his wrath ? The Lord said concerning his vineyard in Iudea , that because he bestowed much cost vpon it , & it brought forth nothing but wild & sowre grapes , i i Isa. 5.5.6 . he would take away the hedge thereof , and breake downe the wall . Yea , saith the Lord , I will lay it wast : briars and thornes shall grow vp : it shall not be cut nor digged : I will also command the cloudes that they raine no raine vpon it . Wee are Gods Vineyard here in England : he hath hedged vs about : he hath built a tower , & made a wine-presse amongst vs : he hath sent his workemen among vs : he hath enuironed vs with many outward blessings : he hath set watchmen to keepe vs : and he hath long expected good grapes , and a fruitfull vinetage . But alas , our grapes are generally sowre and wild : our grapes are the grapes of gall , & our clusters are bitter : our wine is the poison of Dragons , and the cruell gall of aspes . Our ingratitude is great , our enormities are horrible , our wickednesse is abominable . We walke according to the stubbornenesse of our harts : we haue made our browes of brasse , and our foreheads of marble . We draw on sin as it were with cart-ropes , & adde drunkennes vnto thirst . Our dealings do testify as much to our faces . All the toile that hath bene taken with vs , doth seeme to be euen lost in the most . The bellowes are burnt : the lead is consumed in the fire : the founder melteth in vaine . The word of the Prophets is not regarded : the raine of their exhortations runs by vs ▪ and is not receiued . And although we be continually dressed , & daily pruned by the word of God as by a sprittle or pruning knife , yet are we full of superfluous branches , & our fruit is rotten , sowre , vnwholesome , & vnpleasant . What may we now expect of God , if he shall deale with vs , as we haue dealt with him , but that he should pull downe his hedge , breake downe his wal , and lay this vineyard waste , and bestow his paines vpon a people , that will bring forth better fruites ? Let vs therefore repent before it bee too late : let vs labour against our barrennesse vnto good , & against our vnfruitfull ▪ fruitfulnesse in that which is euill . Shall we labour that our soile may be good and fertile , and shall we with patience see our soules sterile & vnfruitfull ? Can we not endure our gardens to be ouergrowne with weedes , and shall we suffer our heartes to be defaced with sin , which is more stinking and infestant then any weed is , or can be ? Shall we desire God to giue vs the first and the latter raine to water our grounds , and shall we not pray him also to water the dry ground of our hearts with the sweet shewers of his graces , and to moisten and soke vs with the water of his Spirit ? Shal we desire God to shew kindnesse vnto vs in giuing vs the timely fruites of the yeare , and shall we be vnkind vnto him in keeping from him the timely fruits of our hearts ? Do we dislike slerility in our groundes , & barrennesse in our sheep and kine , & shall we not as wel dislike the barrennesse of our hearts , and the spirituall sterility of our soules ? If we would shew our selues to be indeed the field of God , and would not shame his husbandmen , let vs striue against our barrennesse : let vs lay aside all the vnfruitfull works of darkenesse : and let vs labour to bring forth fruits in aboundance beseeming repentance , and those that professe themselues to be the field of the liuing God . And thus much for the first title .

CHAP. 5. We ought to trim vp our selues . We may be sure that God will keepe house within vs .

THE vses , which we ought to make of the consideration of the second title , are especially two . Vse . 1.

First , considering that we are Gods house , we are taught so to dresse vp our selues , as that we may be pleasing to him , and not offensiue . To this end we must remoue those things which are displeasing , and deck our selues with such things as he doth delight in . We must therfore tune the disordered strings of our sinfull soules , & labour for a sweet concent in all our affections , that they may be iointly fixed vpon good and not on euill , & that there may be as li●tle discord & iarring in them as is possible , whiles we continue in these houses of clay . We must yet proceed a little further , labouring with all our power to cleanse our soules & bodies of all filthinesse of sin . We must kill the spiders of a poisonfull and rancorous spirit . We must brush downe the cobwebs of proud and haughty imaginations , which are mounted vp into the turrets of the head , and cleaue ( as it were ) to the seeling of the braine . We must by true repentance sweep out of our hearts the dust of wickednesse , as couetousnesse , worldly cares , and such like , and cleanse out all vncleanenesse of fornication and fleshly desires . We must let out the smoake of iniquity , and purge our selues of al our sins by true remorse , by godly sorrow , and vnfeigned mortification . a a Ier. 4.14 O Ierusalem wash thine heart from wickednesse , that thou maist be saued ! How long shall thy wicked thoughts remaine within thee ? Wash you , b b Isa. 1.16 make you cleane ( saith the Lord : ) take away the euill of your works from before mine eyes , We must not make our selues , who are Gods house , to be the dennes of sins , which like Theeues rob him of that honour which is due vnto him . Therfore as good c c 2 Chron 34.33 . Iosiah , tooke away all the abominations out of all his countries : so let vs by true repentance remoue al our sins , which are al abominable , out of all the corners of our hearts . And as the d d 2 Chron 29.16.18 . Priests and Leuits cleansed all the House of God , and brought out all the vncleanenesse , & threw it into Kidron : so let vs which are spirituall e e Reu. 1.6 . Priests in Gods spirituall Temple , cleanse the houses of our hearts of all vncleanenesse of our sins , and condemne and cast them into the pit of hell , that sulphirie lake , from whence they came ; that so the workes of the diuell being dissolued & himselfe eiected , he may be past all hope of future entrance and recouery of his former hold ; that howsoeuer he may looke in at the doore , or peep in at the window by his tentations , and dart in a wicked thought , yet he may find no roome swept vp and furnished for him to rest in , and make his mansion . Neither is it sufficient for vs to clense our selues of that which doth defile vs : but we must : also decke and adorne our selues with those things , which are neat and comly ▪ We should therfore strew our hearts with the fresh flowers of Gods graces . We f f 1 Pet. 5.5 . should decke our selues inwardly with the lowlinesse of mind . We should hang our soules with the rich arras and costly tapestry of holinesse , innocency and sinceritie . We should perfume our hearts with coales of Iuniper and with the frankincense of Gods Spirit . We should set open our windowes , that the blessed Sunne of righteousnesse may shine into vs , to warme and enlighten vs . We should set open the gates of our hearts that the king of glory may come in . And finally we should present our selues vnto him , as a liuing and holy sacrifice . We should prepare the banquet of an honest heart and a good conscience for him . And we should giue him the best entertainement , that we are able , in all respect . And so doing we shall be pleasing to him , and shall reape exceeding comfort to our selues . And therfore al those are to be reproued , which professe themselues to be the houses of the liuing God , and yet wallow in their sins , as hogges in the mire , & are full of the dust of wickednesse , giuing themselues ouer to ignorance , profanenes , worldlinesse , drunkennes , epicurisme , & all vncleanenes . These are not the Temples of the Spirit but the tents of the diuell . These are not the houses of God , but the tabernacles of wickednesse , the sinks of sin , & the cabbins of vncleane spirits ; hauing not onely the fire of sin within them , but beeing indeed also compassed about with the flames thereof on euery side . And let them in time take heed and come forth . For sin is a fire that burneth to destruction . It worketh both a confusion in the soule , & the confusion of the soule . The wages thereof is the eternall death both of soule and body . Rom. 6 23.

Vse . 2. Secondly , seeing we are GODS house , we may assure our selues that he will reside and dwell within vs . The Lord will be in his temple for euer . Now what a singular comfort should this be to vs alway , in that we haue the great God of heauen and earth residing in vs ? What an honour is it to vs that the king of kings should keepe his court continually in vs ? Let vs be thankfull to him for this fauour . Be not like the thanklesse swine , that swallowes downe the fruit , but lookes not to the treee from whence it fell . And so much for the first doctrine .

CHAP. 6. Men may be Gods House & Husbandry , though they be not so holy as is meet .

Doct. 2 SEcondly , in that the Apostle cals the Corinthians ( who were factious , fleshly , litigious , and somthing too disorderly ) Gods field & building ; I conclude that men professing Christ , as they did , must not for some enormities be by & by reputed abiects , or men , that are not in grace with God , or as men , that are fallen from God , and cut off from Christ . Dauid , Salomon , Hezekiah and Peter sinned grieuously , but yet they were neuer wholly forsaken of God , nor voyde of true grace ; though for a time it was cast as it were into a swoone , and lay obscure , as fire in ashes , or as the act of reason in a man that is starke drunke , or fast asleepe . Though thou fauour of the smoake of sin , and be vp to the wayst in iniquitie , yet if thou labor to come forth , and dost purge thy selfe by penitency , thy case is not desperate , it is not damnable . If thou beest weake and fleshly , as these Corinthiant were ; yet if thou wilt warre with thy flesh , and contend against thy weaknesse , if thou doest labour constantly to subdue thy lusts , and doest truly repent of thy sinne so soone as thou dost espie it , then despaire not , but assure thy selfe that thou art in Gods fauour , and that thou art one of his plants , & a liuing stone of his spirituall building : and enioying his fauor in this life , thou shalt also see his face to the solace of thy soule in the life to come . Amen .

Morning prayer for the Family .

O Eternal Lord God , who art great and fearefull , and shewest mercy to them that loue thee , and keep thy commandements : we haue committed iniquity , and haue done wickedly before thine eyes , we haue rebelled against thy Maiesty , & haue transgressed against thy lawes , we haue bin vnmindful of thy mercies , & do continually sin against thee , so that to vs appertaineth open shame , and confusion of face for euer : yet compassion and forgiuenes is in thee , there is mercy with thee that thou maist be feared . Haue mercy therfore vpon vs , we humbly pray thee , and according to the multitude of thy compassions put away our transgressions . Encline thine eare , O Lord , and heare . Looke vpon vs in thy Sonne Christ Iesus , and in him be reconciled to vs . Giue vs the feeling of thy grace , and an assurance of thy princely pardon . Put thy Spirit into our hearts ( wee beseech thee ) and cause vs to walke in thy waies . Breake our marble hearts asunder , take away their stoninesse , and mollify them with the oile of thy grace . Cause vs to hate & leaue our sinnes , and to warre with all our lusts . Draw vs ; and we will run after thee : conuert vs , & we shall be conuerted . Incline our hearts vnto thy testimonies , and keepe vs in thy feare . Teach vs , O Lord , to number our daies , that we may apply our hearts vnto wisedom . Thou art our creatour , forsake not the worke of thine hands . Cause the light of thy countenance to shine vpon vs , and let thy tender mercies come vnto vs . Direct our steps in thy word : stay vs , and we shall be safe . Leaue vs not vnto our selues , but susteine vs by thy grace . Prosper the works of our hands , and giue successe vnto our labours . Let our going out and coming in be blessed , and cause thine Angels to protect vs . Thou art our Father , prouide thou for vs , and preserue vs . Thou hast wedded vs vnto thy selfe as an Husband , suffer vs not to goe an whoring from thee . Thou hast bene beneficial to vs , thou hast giuen vs thy Gospell , thou hast sent vs thy Prophets , thou hast honored vs with peace and prosperity , and hast giuen vs great deliuerances : our health , our friends , our liberty , all our being and well being , all that we haue , euen all is of thee : thou giuest vs our rest in the night , thou makest vs sleepe in safety , and renewest thy mercies to vs in the morning : infinite is thy loue , innumerable are thy fauours toward vs : we beseech thee therefore , O Lord , giue vs thankfull hearts vnto thy Maiesty . Open thou our lips , that our mouths may shew forth thy praise : & grant vs grace to dedicate our selues vnto thee . Blesse ( we pray thee ) thy holy Church , and be good vnto thy people . Giue not the soule of thy Turtle done vnto the Beast . Be fauourable vnto Sion , and build the wals of Ierusalem . Increase thy kingdome , & destroy thine enimes . Blesse thy seruant Iames our noble king : find out his enimies , set thy selfe against them , and make his crowne to flourish on his head . Be mercifull ( we beseech thee ) to all other States amongst vs : giue eare to the cry of thy Saints , & not to the cry of our sins . Grant , O Lord , that we may all of vs serue thee in the vnity of faith with vnanimity of spirit , that so glorifying thy name in this world , we may be glorified of thee for euer in the world to come . Heare vs , O Lord , we beseech thee , and grant vs these our requests for the merits of Iesus Christ alone ; vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be rendred all honour , praise , and power this day and for euer .

Euening prayer for the Family .

GRatious God and mercifull Father in Iesus Christ , we do here bow downe the knees of our soules and bodies in thy presence , offering vp this our Euening sacrifice of praise & praier vnto thee , giuing thee vnfeigned thanks , for all thy fauours towards vs , for electing vs vnto eternall life , for creating vs according to thine image , for redeeming vs by the bloud of thy Son , for sanctifying vs by thine holy Spirit , for our health , peace , and liberty , for clothing and feeding vs , for protecting and prospering of vs this present day , Nouem. 5 Anno. 1605. and for that great and admirable deliuerance vouchsafed to this whole State and kingdom from that barbarous and bloudy confusion , plotted & almost performed by the wicked , the children of Babel : thy name ( O Lord ) be praised for these and all other thy mercies . Forgiue vs , we beseech thee , our great vnthankfulnesse and all the rest of our sins , our ignorances , wilfulnesses , negligences , presumptions , & all other our transgressions , & rebellions : O Lord , forgiue them all vnto vs for Iesus Christ his sake . Wash them al away in his bloud , naile them fast vnto his crosse , & bury them in his graue . Cloth vs ( we pray thee ) with his robes , and honour vs with thy Spirit . Worke in vs godly sorrow and remorsefull spirits . Mortify our sinfull lusts , and adorne vs with all thy graces . Open our eyes , that we may see thy will , and incline our hearts to follow it . Direct vs in thy waies , and keepe vs from declining from thee . Teach vs so to frame our liues before thee in this word , that we may liue for euer with thee in the world to come . Be merciful ( O Lord , we beseech thee ) to thy Church , and to all her faithfull members : comfort them with thy comforts , and inrich them with thy graces . Blesse this kingdome , wherein we liue , pardon the sins of all estates amongst vs , and continue thy Gospell to vs , and to our posterity , to the end of the world . Looke vpon thine annointed Iames our souereigne Lord & king : adorne his heart with all regall and Christian vertues , vphold his scepter , prolong his reigne , & laugh his foes to skorne . Blesse our gracious queene Anne , Prince Henry , and the rest of their princely progeny . Be mercifull to all other orders amongst vs , aswell Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill : and as thou aboundest in thy mercies towards vs , so grant that we may striue to abound in all thankfulnesse towards thee . Finally , O Lord , for our selues ; we beseech thee to take vs to thy fatherly protection : pardon the weakenesse of our praiers , watch thou ouer vs to our good , & giue vs such rest & sleep that we may be the fitter enabled to serue thee the next day in our general and speciall callings . Heare ( holy Father ) from the heauens , and grant vs all these our requests for Iesus Christ his sake , thine onely Sonne , and our onely Sauiour : to whom with thee and thine holy Spirit , one most wise , glorious and eternall God , be rendred all power , praise , & glory this night & for euer . Amen .

Trin-vni Deo gloria . FINIS .

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