All in all. ... By Samuell Ward

Colloss. 3. 11. Christ is All in All.

A Magnificent title , a most ample and stately Style , too transcendent and comprehensiue for any creature , Man or Angell , due and fit onely for him , vpon whose head it is heere set , by his elect vessell , chosen of purpose to bee the Ensigne-bearer of his Name among the Nations , worthily honoured by Augustine for the best childe of grace , and faithfullest seruant of the Lord , because in all his writings hee affects nothing more ; nothing else in a manner , then to aduance his name , as heere in the former part of the verse , to crie downe and nullifie all other excellencies whatsoeuer , that hee might in the latter , magnifie , or rather as you see omnifie his Lord and Master Christ , giuing the Collossians to vnderstand , that how euer there bee many things with men , of great and different esteeme , the aduantage of a Iew being much aboue a Gentile ; the dignitie of a Grecian , aboue a Scythian , or Barbarian , many the priuiledges of a freeman , aboue a bond-slaue ; yet all these with God , are nothing set by , who hath so set all his loue and good pleasure on his Sonne , that besides , or out of him , hee regards no person , respecteth no circumstance , but slights all as Ciphers of no value . Onely looke what there is of Christ in any man , either by imputation , or infusion , so much is hee in Gods Books , with whom Christ is All in All.

The extent of which praise , that wee may the fullier comprehend , we may not measure Pauls phrase by our owne ordinarie language , in which by common abuse of speech , wee lend it to euery thing wee meane to commend a little aboue the fellowes : As Salomon , speaking after the sense and fashion of worldlings , Bread ( sayes he ) nourisheth , Wine refresheth , but Money is all in all . Eccles. 10. It is not true of Christ onely , as a by-word , or prouerbiall commendation , but in the fullest racke , a Proposition can bee strained vnto in our apprehension : and that in a twofold relation of God and Man . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Looke what God can require for his satisfaction , or wee desire for our perfection , is so compleatly to be found in Christ , that it need not bee sought elsewhere .

With God , its true that worthy Patriarchs and Saints haue been some bodies ; Abraham his friend , Israel a potent Prince with him , Moses a faithfull Steward in his house , Noah , Samuel , and Daniel , preuailing fauourites , that could doe something with him , but all through , and for the sake of the Messias , the Heire , the sonne of his desires , and good pleasure , in whom hee hath heaped vp the fulnesse of grace and treasures of all perfection .

Vnto vs sundrie things bee of some stead and vse in some cases in their seuerall times , places , and respects , but vnto all intents and effects of Iustification , Sanctification , and Saluation , in prosperitie , in aduersitie , in life and death Christ only is All in All.

This All-sufficiencie of Christ as it cannot bee easily conceiued , nor possiblie at once expressed , so hath not the Spirit of God , thought fit in one or a few Texts , after one or a fewe wayes , but throughout the Bible , at sundrie times and manifold manners to set out the same vnto vs in types reall , in types personall , in prophesies , in plaine termes , in parables and similitudes , Philip Camerarius in vita Comitis Anb●ldini Pastoris & Principis , &c. in so much that Count Anhalt that Princely Preacher was wont to say , that the whole Scriptures , what were they els but swadling bands of the child Iesus ? hee beeing to bee found almost in euery Page , in euery verse , and line .

Many renowned persons , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ille qui in fronte libri cer●itur collectus est ex Cyrilli . Alexan. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 libris 5. ex prosperi praedictionibus , ex Eusebii 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , lib. 10. ex Andronici Constantini Dialogo contra Iudaeos . & ex Guill . Sc●●to . and things we reade Stories of , but the Spirit speaks not so much of them , as Allegorizeth of another , meaneth them on the by , and Christ on the maine , who is the Center , at which all of them , as seuerall lynes aime , and directly point at .

The tree of Life , the Arke of Noah , the Ladder of Iacob , and the rest of the like kind , what were they but Christ , whom because the world was not worthy so soone to see , nor God willing at once to shew so rich a Iewell : hee therefore inwrapped obscurely in these shaddowes , till in the fulnesse of time hee saw fit to reueale him in open Mirrour , directly by his Forerunner , pointing at him , Behold the Lambe of God , &c.

And because these were but dead types , not resembling to the life , him that was the Life of the world , and Lord of life , therefore all the Prophets , Kings and Priests of note , and the redeemers and benefactors of the Iewes , what were they but Pictures sent before of this Prince of Glory to follow after in his due time , and as Starres extinguishing their borrowed light at the appearance of the Sunne of Righteousnesse , Glossa Hebr. in Easy 52. to whom Moses , and Elias , in the persons , and stead of the rest , Vide Pellicanum in Deut. 34. did their homage on Mount Tabor , as vnto the Sunne , and accomplishment of the Law , and Prophets .

To say nothing of the imaginary Gods , and proud Monarchs of the world , all whose swelling titles , which they vsurped in their coines Columnes , and Arches of Founders , Preseruers , Repayrers , Dictators , Consuls , &c. properly and of right belong to him , who alone is the Sauiour of his people , King of Kings , mightie Counsellor , Prince of Peace , Righteousnesse , Immortalitie , onely blessed for euer .

In a word , this whole Vniuerse , this same great All , and all the things of mark and vse in it , as they were made by , for , and through him , and but for him should not haue been , could not continue . So doe they all willingly tender their seruices to illustrate his worth , as so many Gemmes to adorne and embroyder his apparrell withall . The glorious Sunne , the bright morning Starre , bread the most necessary , wine the sweetest , water the most refreshing , the Rose of Sharon the fairest , all seruing in Scripture to adumbrate pieces and parcels of his infinite perfection ; and doe not all ioyntly compounded , make vp an Idea of him , that is light indeed , bread and water of life indeede , the onely good , the chiefe good , the Sunne , the Authour , and Perfectour , the Roote , and Branch , the A , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which two Letters , as they are the principall , initiall , and finall of the Alphabet , Vide Eglinum Iconium in Apocalysin . and comprehend in their Compasse all the residue , so are they Emblems of him that is eternitie it selfe , perfection it selfe , first and last , All in All.

Heare this , all you that worship the Beast and his image , and tell mee whether there can bee two Alls in all ; and if this be Christs iust and incommunicable Title ; what is to be thought of him that shall arrogate or assume it to himselfe ? what else can he be but that Man of Pride , Sonne of Perdition , euen that Antichrist . Vniuersalis Sacerdos . Epist. 30. ad Mourit . Regist. b. 6. The swelling Titles , whereby your Gregory fore-marked out the Successour , are but modest ones in comparison of this blasphemy .

Yea , but was there euer mouth so full of abomination , that durst belch out ; or eares so Herodian , that durst put vp such stuffe ? Search and peruse your owne Records , and tell vs to whom these acclamations were vsed by your Laterane Fathers . Vide orationem Gnat●onicam Episcopi Patris Vacensis ad Leonem X. in vltimo Concil. Later●nensi . To thee is giuen all power in heauen and earth , thou art all in all . Was it not your Lyon at his entrance into the Councell ? And did that Beast either rend his garment , or stop his eares ? at which its wonder the earth opened not to swallow quick both speaker and hearer , as the Chaire of Hildebrand rent asunder on a lesse occasion . Too little belike it was to be stiled by ordinarie Parrasites , the Shepheard of Shepheards , Bellar. de Pontifice Rom. lib. 2. cap. 31. Spouse , and head of the Church , Oecumenicall Bishop , Prince of Priests , vnlesse hee might bee aduanced aboue all Augusteitie and Deitie in this most Hyperbolicall manner . What neede wee any further euidence of an Antichrist ? shall there euer come a prouder monster out of the Tribe of Dan ? or can Lucifer himselfe be more Luciferian ? And yet forsooth this wretch to blind the eyes of such as will be deluded , will be called the Seruant of seruants , & al is made whole again , as if the Scriptures , & ancient moderne Writers had not forepainted out such an Antichrist , Aug. lib. contra aduersarios legis cap. 12. as should by all fraud of vnrighteousnes climbe into the Chaire of vniuersall pestilence , Hylarius contra Anxentium pa●eus in Apoc. Gratserus in regia plaga . vnder the colour and vizard of Christ , Faith and Pietie , ( without which the world would haue abhorred him , as the Deuill himselfe ) vndermine Christ , and subuert the Faith , and ouerthrow all Religion , vnder the names of Christs Vicar , & Vice-God , become in effect Antichrist , and Anti-God .

Somewhat more tollerable of the two , Tuspes certae ●●●serorune , Vere Mater Orp●ano ●um , Tu leuamen oppressorum , ●edic-men Iusi●norum , omnibus es omnia . 〈◊〉 Deut. and yet blasphemously enough , doe they giue it to the blessed Virgin , in the Closes of their riming Marials , of whom I doubt not with Caluin to say , That if one could spit in her face , drag her by the haire of her head , or trample her vnder feet , shee would count it a lesse iniury , then to haue ascribed vnto her the diuine attributes of her Lord and Sauiour , Ambros. de Isaak & anima , cap. 8. who alone is the Eye by which wee see the Father , the mouth by whom wee speake to him , the hand by which hee distributes all his treasures of grace vnto vs , from whom so much is sacrilegiously detracted , as is superstitiously giuen to Saint , Angel , Man , Worke , Merit , or Creature what euer . Mad and blinde Idolaters are they , wittingly ignorant , that Christ of purpose trode the Winepresse alone , F●xin Apee . shed his blood alone , shed his blood alone vpon the Crosse , implying to vs , that if wee shall mingle therewithall , his mothers milke , the blood of any Martyr , else it looseth its healing vertue , and turnes into bane and poyson to our soules . This Eagles feathers will not abide blending with others ; 〈…〉 this Soueraigntie will not endure either paritie or prioritie ; no Iupiter will Christ be , but a Iehouah ; no Helper , but Authour and finisher of our saluation . To all Hee Saints and Shee Saints , Merit and Freewill-mongers , shall hee not in his Iealousie breake out and say , What haue I to doe with you ? If you can doe all , Aesopus in vita . or ought at all without mee , then let mee alone , let mee either bee Sauiour alone , Mediator alone , All in all , or none at all .

But to leaue these selfe-cousned , and selfe-condemned Idolaters , whose whole Church and Religion holds more of her Ladie , then of our Lord ; leaues Christ the least of all to doe in matter of Merit and Saluation , well were it with many of vs , who professe and hold the precious faith of Christ aright in iudgement and doctrine , if in affection and practise hee were , I say , Erasmus in Euangelio . not All in all , but some body , and some thing . In our tongue , termes , and countenance , hee may be heard and seene , but in our liues and deedes , where is hee to bee found ? Sine Christa Christiani Bern. As a Sauiour and Benefactor , many will owne him , but as a Lord and Law giuer , few doe know him ; the prime of their loues , ioyes , seruices , their backe and belly , their Mammon , or any thing shall haue before him . Hee that should bee both Alpha and Omega , it s well if hee bee the Omega of their thoughts and cares . May it not be iustified of too too many , that an Hawke , or an Hound , a Dye , or Card , a Flowre in the Garden , a new Suite and fashion of apparell , and such other nifles and trifles are their All in All : with most and such as are of the wiser sort of this generation , that which Salomon iustly calls Nothing , ( for so hee peremptorily termes that , which miserable men of this world place all their confidence in ) call their Pandora , August . de Ciuit. Dei . their Iupiter , worship as the great Diana , Empresse , and goddesse of the whole world , take away that from them , and take away All : the hauing of it makes them , the loosing of it vndoes them . Great I confesse is the power , and ample the commaund that Mammon hath in this world for many purposes , and in many cases . But in the houre of sicknesse let Naball call and crie vnto it and see if it can deliuer him in the euill day , and in distresse of conscience . Let Iudas see what comfort his money will afford him ; in the day of Death and Iudgement , what does a penny and a pound , an emptie purse , and a full purse differ ? Does not too too late experience teach them to cry out , All is vanitie , and force them with the Emperour Seuerus to say , I haue been all things , and it auailes nothing ; if I had a thousand worlds , I would giue them to bee found of God in Christ . Worthily therefore did Charles the Great , Sie vetus illud , Nummus regnat , nummus vincit , nummus imperat , mutauit Carolus magnus apud Rensureum . change that old By-word of money into his Christian Symbole , Christ reignes , Christ ouercomes , Christ tryumphs , Christ is All in All.

All then let him bee in all our desires and wishes : Who is that wise Merchant , that hath heart large enough to conceiue and beleeue this ? let him goe sell all his nothing , that he may compasse this Pearle , barter his Bugles for this Diamond ; verily all the Haberdash stuffe the whole pack of the world hath , is not worthy to bee valued with this Iewell , worthy of him thou canst not bee , vnlesse thou counts all drosse and losse to gaine him , that is gaine in life and death , vnlesse thou canst as the Apostles , forsake all to follow him ; yea , as diuers of the common sort of his followers lay downe all at the Apostles feete for him , who layd downe himselfe for vs , emptying himselfe of his glorie , to fill vs with grace and glory : yea , vnlesse thou canst make nothing of thy selfe , and thine owne righteousnesse , which is the hardest thing in practice that may bee . Few or none I thinke there bee in the sound of the Gospell , but haue some faint and languide wishes , oh that Christ were mine . But would they know the reason why they attaine not the sweet fruition and rauishing possession of him , I am his , and hee is mine . The reason is because he will not bee found , and had of such as seeke but lasily , and coldly for him , that enquire not through the streetes , as vndone without him ; as had rather then want him , want all the world besides , and crying as the Spouse , Where art thou whom my soule loueth , whom haue I in heauen like vnto thee ? Men and brethren , what shall I doe that I may enioy him ? Giue me Christ , or I die , draw mee that I may run after thee .

These are the affections that befit them that are like to bee speeders . The sluggard lusteth , and wanteth . He that desires any thing aboue him , equally with him , or without him , shall neuer obtaine him ; he will bee wooed in the first place with all thy soule , strength , and might , with all that is within thee , or not at all of thee .

All let him bee in all thy loues , and aboue all other beloueds ; when thou hast gotten him , thinke not enough to make much of him , but remember hee well deserues to bee and must bee All in all . Take him not by the hand , but embrace him with both thine Armes of loue , and hold him with all thy might , loue him till thou be sicke of loue for him : such as will suffice any one ordinary obiect , wife , friend , health , or wealth , will not giue him content ; nay , not a compound of many , but a Catholicion of all ; as hee hath deserued , so he deseruedly challengeth . All thy weake Riuerets vnited , will scarce make one current strong enough for him . Hee that did all , suffered all , tooke all thine infirmities , finished all for thee , is it not reason he should be all in all , without any corriuall in all thy affections ? Such as entertaine Princes , can neuer thinke they shew loue enough vnto them , and shall any thing bee enough for this Prince of our peace and saluation ? I cannot but reuerence the memory of that reuerend Diuine , M. Welsh . who beeing in a deepe muse , after some discourse that had passed of Christ , and teares trickling abundantly from his eyes before hee was aware , being vrged for the cause thereof , confessed ingenuously it was because hee could not draw his dull heart to prise Christ aright : A rare minde in Christians , who thinke euery little enough , and too much for him .

ALL let him bee in all our references and respects to others , yea in all our elections and valuations of wife , friends , companions , seruants , onely to prize Christ , and his Image , his Faith , and Graces , not kindred , not wealth , not greatnesse , not other parts , but onely the whole of a man , which is his Christianity ; dare not to yoke thy selfe vnequally with any vntamed heyfer , that beares not his yoke : Spouse not but in the Lord ; call none Father , Mother , or Brother , but such as hee did , that is , such as doe his Fathers will : set not poore Lazarus at the footestoole of thy heart , and Diues with his Gold Ring , and his Purple , in the throne of esteeme , lest Christ bee offended for hauing his glorious Gospell in respect of persons . Oh what a difficult vertue is this when it commeth to the practising , to ouersee and neglect all glistering lures , and stales of the flesh , and to know no man for any such carnall Caparisons , but to consider him as a new creature in Christ , and delight thy selfe in them as the most excellent of the earth , the onely true Gentile , Noble , Worthies of the World . How royall and memorable was that practise of Ingo , an ancient King of the Draues and Veneds , who making a stately feast , not as Ahasuerosh , to shew the bountie of his owne , but the glory of Christes Kingdome , set all his Nobles , which were at that time Pagans , and vnconuerted to the Christian faith , in his Hall below , and certaine poore Christians in his Presence Chamber with himselfe , with kingly cheare and attendance ; at which they wondring , hee told them this , hee did not as King of the Draues , but as King of another world , wherein these were his consorts and fellow-Princes : these hee saw with a spirituall eye , clad in white Robes , and worthy his company , to them he would giue Ciuill due in the regiment of the Common-wealth , but those he must loue and honour in his heart as beloued , and honored of God . Aeneas Syluius cap. 20. Europ● Auentinus , lib. 3. Annalium Bauarie , G●u● . A rare and noble Art recorded by three Historians worthy to be read , to the shame of our times , wherin men of meane greatnesse , know not how to shew the least respect to a Christian , or a Minister in the name of Christ , to account them worthy their company , whom they ought to haue in singular respect , and to accompt their very feete beautifull , for their Lord and Embassage sake , onely with this Prouiso , that diuine and nimious adoration be not giuen , a fault on the other hand , common in Poperie , to their spirituall Fathers and Founders of orders and rules whom they obey and reuerence aboue Christ , Gualtan 1. Cor. as Gualter giues instance in a doating Abbot of Germany , who snibbed a Nouice , for talking of Christ , and the Gospell , and nor of the Rules of Saint Francis , and his owne Order ; a common fault among Sectaries , who hold , vaunt and denominate themselues of this or that Man , of this or that Faction , whereas with God I dare boldly say , there is neither Caluenist nor Lutherane , Protestant nor Puritane , Conformitane , or Non-Conformitane , but faith and loue in Christ is All in All.

All let him be in all our ioyes , in stead of all other contents vnto vs ; good reason is it , that he should fill our hearts , that filleth All in all things : If hee bee ours . Apollo is ours , Cephas is ours , Life and Death , things present , and to come , the world and all is ours , we Christs , and Christ Gods . In him let our soules rest and reioyce ; Pau●inus Nola capta à Barbaris pre●abatur ad dommum ne ex●●●eier ob aurum & argentum , tu enim es mihi omnia . I say againe reioyce alwaies in him . If hee bee our Shepheard , what can wee want ? If hee bee our Host , shall not our Table be furnished , and Cup ouerflow ? If wee erre , is not hee our Way ? If we doubt , is not hee the Truth ? If wee faint , August . de Ciuit. Ve● lib. 1. c. 1. Fas tibi non est saluo Caesare de fortuna quert . Hoc incolani nihil perdid●sti non tantum siccos oculos , sed & laeto esse oportet . In hoc tibi omnia bie pro omnibus est . Seneca in consolatione ad Polybi●m , qua●to aptius de Christo ad Christiam m , &c. is not hee the Life ? What losse should disturbe vs , what want distemper vs , so long as wee loose not Christ ? What if God take away all , and giue vs his Sonne , how shall he not with him giue vs all things requisite ? What other mysterie enabled Paul to want and abound , but the fruition of him , whose goodnes and greatnesse is such , that all accessions adde nothing , all defects detract nothing to the happinesse of him that enioyes him , who is All in All.

Aboue all , All let him bee with vs in the maine of All , that is in the poynt of Iustification ; there ( bee sure ) we repose all our confidence in him alone , bewaring least wee share and part stakes with any act of our owne , yea , with any grace or worke of his in vs , lest hee bee in vaine and of none effect vnto vs . This glorie will hee by no meanes endure , should bee diuided with any coadiutor , concause , or copartner what euer : nay , he takes it ill and indignely at our hands , if hauing him , we hold not our selues compleatly righteous in Gods sight , if for want of this or that grace wee mourne ouermuch , hang downe our head , and will not bee comforted , as if his grace were not sufficient for vs , as if he were not better then tenne , yea , then tenne thousand graces vnto vs , if wee stand vpon this or that measure of grace , twenty to one if we had that wee desire , wee would be full and rich , and stand in no need of him , who is the giuer of all grace , or that wee would be prouder of the gift , then of the Author of euery good gift , and not rest in him that is our wisdome , our righteousnesse , and redemption .

All let him be in all the graces of Sanctification , who onely indeed is the very life and soule of them all . What is knowledge but Heathenish science , if hee bee not the obiect , whom to know is eternall life ? What is faith , and trust , and hope in God ? if not in & through Christ , but a Iewish wild vngrounded confidence ? Patience , but a Stoicall blockishnesse ? Temperance , and all the whole beauty of vertues , but either naturall qualities , or morall habits vnacceptable to God , vnprofitable to our selues , soure Grapes , glistring vices , if Christ bee not the forme of them , without whom there is no qualitie that God relisheth in vs , whereof Christ is not the roote : wherefore as Apothecaries sweeten all their Confections with Sugar , and perfume their Cordials with Muske ; so let vs grace all our graces in Christ , without whom , fooles wee are to pride our selues in any thing that Nature . Custome , or Education hath done for vs , in comparison o● that influence wee receiue , and of those rayes that come from this Sun of Righteousnesse . Fooles are wee , when wanting grace , power , or strength to ouercome ill , or doe well ; to seeke supply any where else , saue of him , of whose fulnes all the Saints that euer were receiued grace for grace . Who would goe to the Packe , when hee may goe to the Warehouse , who would fetch water at the Cestern , when he may haue it at the Spring head better cheape .

All let him be in all our deeds , whether we eat or drinke , whether wee pray , read , or meditate , giue Almes , or worke in our callings , let all bee done in the name of our Lord Iesus , begun with his leaue , performed with his aide , and concluded to his glory , without whom wee can doe nothing , Macarius . no more then the bird can flye without wings , the Ship saile without wind or tyde , the body mooue without the soule : what euer good workes we doe with an eye from his , and a skew vnto our owne names ; the more paine wee take , the more penaltie of pride belongs vnto vs , the more cost , the more losse ; wee and our moneys shall perish together , whereas the least Cup of cold water giuen for his take , who knowes our workes , and the intent of our workes , shall not loose the reward : Verely , who would be so foolish as to doe any worke to any other pay-master , or who so vngratfull , that would not doe any worke that he should require that hath so well deserued to command more then all wee are , or can doe . Is he All in All with vs , If we dare deny him any thing . I commend not the discretion , but admire the fidelitie and zeale of that renowned Foxe , who neuer would deny Beggar that asked in his Name : Then are works good works , When the loue of Christ constraines vs to them , and when Christs eye is more then all the world besides ; especially , If when all is done , all the thankes and praise of the Deed redound to him . That pollicie is remarkable in the Apostles cure of the Creeple , and in Saint Paul , in that he would neuer suffer any part of the repute or honor of any his acts or labours , rest vpon his owne head , but repells it forcibly from himselfe , and reflects it carefully vpon his Lord Christ : Not I , not I , but the grace of Christ in mee , I liue not but Christ in me . In which Not , sayes Bradwardine , there lies a great deale of subtiltie , like that of Ioab , that when hee had fought the Field , and gotten the vpper hand , sent for Dauid to carry away the credit of the Victory . Oh how difficult is this for vs , not to lurch some part of the praise , and suffer peeces of the Sacrifice to cleaue to our owne nets and yarne . Whereas in truth , our deepest wisdome and strongest policie lay in this , not to glorie in our wisdome or strength , but to glory in the Lord , who worketh All in All things .

All , let him bee in all our thoughts and speeches , how happy were it if he were neuer out of our sight and minds , but that our soules were directed towards him , and fixed on him , as the Sunne-flowre towards the Sunne , the Iron to the Load-stone , the Load-stone to the Pole-starre . Hath he not for that purpose resembled himselfe to all familiar and obuious obiects ; Musculus & Brentius in Iohannens . to the Light , that so often as wee open our eyes wee might behold him ; to Bread , Water and Wine , that in all our repasts wee might feed on him ; to the Doore , that in all our out and ingoing , Bernard . wee might haue him in remembrance ; how happy if our tongues would euer runne vpon that name , which is Hony in the mouth , melodie in the eare , Iubilee in the heart . Let the Marriner prate of the windes , the Merchant of his gaine , the Husbandman of his Oxen. Bee thou a Pithagorean to al the world , Nolanus . and a Peripatecian to Christ , mute to all vanities , and eloquent onely to Christ , that gaue man his tongue and his speech ? How doth Paul delight to record it and harpe vpon it eleuen times in tenne verses , which Chrysostome first tooke notice off , 1. Corinth. 1. 10. And how doth worthy Foxe grieue to foresee and foretell that , I● prafated con●ionem de Christo crucifixo . which wee heare and see come to passe , that mens discourses would bee taken vp about trifles and nifles , as if all Religion lay in the flight and pursuit of one circumstance or opinion ; how heartely doth hee pray , and vehemently wish that men would leaue iangling about Ceremonies , and spend their talke vpon him that is the Substance ; that learned men would write of Christ , vnlearned men study of him , Preachers make him the Scope and Subiect of all their preaching . And what else indeed is our Office , but to eleuate , not a piece of Bread , as the Romish Priests , but Christ in our Doctrine ; to trauell in birth till hee bee formed in a people , to crucifie him in their eyes by liuely preaching his Death , Philip Melan●● . in Rhetor. and Passion . The old Embleme of Saint Christopher , intending nothing else but a Preacher wading through the sea of this world , staying on the Staffe of Faith , and lifting vp CHRIST aloft to bee seene of men . What else gained Iohn , the name of the Diuine , and Paul of a wise Master Builder , but that hee regarded not as the fashion is now adayes , to haue his Reading , Memory , or Eloquution , but Christ knowne , and him crucified , and to build the Church skilfully , laying the foundation vpon this Rock of which if we hold our peace , Lutherus . the rocks themselues will cry . This being the summe of our Art & tasks , by the helpe of Christ , Perkins . in Prophetica . to preach the Gospel of Christ , to the praise of Christ , without whom a Sermon is no Sermon , Preaching no preaching .

The summe of the summe of All is , that the whole dutie of all men is , to giue themselues wholly to Christ , Nagie●ze●●● de Spiritis . to sacrifice , not a legge , or an arme , or any other piece , but soule , spirit , and bodie , and all that is within vs ; the fat , the inwards , the head and hoofe , and all as an holocaust to him dedicating deuoting our selues to his seruice all the dayes and houres of our liues , that all our dayes may bee Lords dayes . To whom when wee haue so done , yet must wee know we haue giuen him so much lesse then his due , as wee wormes and wretched sinners are lesse then the Sonne of God , who knew no sinne . To him therefore let vs liue , to him therefore let vs die . So let vs liue to him , that wee may dye in him , & breathe out our soules most willingly into his hands , with the like affection that Iohn of Alexandria , surnamed the Almoner , for his bountie is reported to haue done , who wher hee had distributed all hee had to the poore , and made euen with his reuenues , as his fashion was yeerely to doe in his best health , thanked God hee had now nothing left but his Lord and Master Christ , whom he longed to bee with , and would now with vnlymed , and vnentangled wings flie vnto : or as in fewer words Peter of old , and Lambert of later times ; Nothing but Christ , nothing but Christ .