MOses , an holy man of God , speaking to the people of God , concerning the Institution of the Passe-ouer , to be kept at his appointed season , from yeare to yeare , saith : Exod. 13.14 . When thy Sonne shall aske thee , What is this ? Thou shalt say vnto him , With a mightie hand the Lord brought vs out of Egipt , out of the house of bondage : and in remembrance hereof , wee celebrate this Feast . In like manner , when your children ( right reuerend father , right worshipfull , and wel beloued brethren in Christ Iesus ) shall aske of you , what this our assemblie meaneth ; You shall answer , that it is , to giue God thankes for that great benefite , which wee receiued at his hands , as on this day , when in his mercie , hee saued our King after a miraculous manner , and deliuered him out of the hands of bloody and desperate traitors , who had vowed his death , to the hurt of vs all , and to the harme of Gods whole Church besides . This is the day , Psalm. 118.24 . which the Lord hath made , let vs reioice and be glad therin . Vpon this day God shewed vs the light of his gracious countenance , and had mercy vpon vs , in preseruing for vs so great a treasure , so good a gouernour , so learned a Maister , so worthie a King . The Lord graunt , that wee may enioy him many happie yeares , and become most thankfull vnto his Maiestie for him . But to draw to my text ; in it you shall finde two points , most worthy of your obseruation , and most correspondent vnto this our dayes celebration .

In the first , you shall see what entertainment you are to expect for heere in this world . In the second , you shall behold what fauour you are to look for , from the Lord your God out of this world . The first of these will shew you you troubles , the latter your deliuerance from your troubles ; and both of them ioyntlie together , will shew you both the hands of God : the one like a wound , maiming you , the other , a plaister healing you . Oh marke and consider things well . The righteous must looke for more troubles then others . And againe , they must hope for greater deliuerances then others . Their afflictions heere will bee many , like the Hoast of the Aramites : and their redemptions also will bee as many , like the Hoast of the Israelites . Dauid beeing a righteous man , and one according to Gods owne heart , found this most true by his own experience . He had many troubles , yet he was deliuered out of all his troubles . For this cause doth hee here ( measuring as it were , other men by his owne foote ) declare vnto vs , what is the estate or condition of all righteous persons . On the one side , hee doth tell vs , that they are subiect to manifold troubles and afflictions . On the other side , he doth assure vs , that they shall not continue in these their troubles and afflictions , but in time conuenient be deliuered out of them all ; and that , by the gracious hand of the Lord their God , who doth watch ouer them still for their good . So that the spirit of God directed him to those two chiefe things , which make men take their crosses grieuously . One , because they do not look for them before they come : another , because they do not behold their deliuerer from them , when they are come . The prophet doth preuent both these , and tell vs , that the righteous shall haue many troubles ; & that the Lord wil deliuer him out of all his troubles . I pray remember you both the sentences : how , to wit , you must goe through a Sea of troubles : And how then , you shall come to an hauen of rest ; that so , when any troubles do come on you , they may not trouble you , like other men , who looke not for their troubles , nor knowe not where to haue a remedie against their troubles . Thus you haue heard the Analysis ; now marke the sum & parts . The sum sets down the state or condition of the righteous . The parts are two . The first doth note out his miserie . The second , his deliuerance from his miserie . His miserie is described out two wayes . First , by the nature or quality of it . Then secondly , by the magnitude or quantitie of it . The nature , or qualitie , in this word , Troubles . The magnitude or quantity , in the other word , Many . Many are the troubles of the righteous . His deliuerance from his miserie , containes two branches vnder it . The first is the person , who doth deliuer him . The second is the thing , from which he is deliuered . The person that doth deliuer him , is the Lord . The thing from which hee is deliuered , are all his troubles : but the Lord deliuereth him out of all his troubles . Now of these in order .

But before I beginne with them , because the whole , Tsaddik . and euery part , doth concerne the Righteous : and whatsoeuer is now to be spoken , must haue a secret relation vnto them ; necessitie and opportunitie doe require of mee , that I should speake a fewe words concerning them . Yet speaking of the righteous , I will not speak of all the things which doe belong to the Righteous . There are foure questions , which may iustly be moued concerning them . The first is , whether there bee any righteous persons in all the world , yea or no : Seeing Iohn doth teach vs , that the whole worlde doth lye in wickednes . a a Iohn . 5.19 . The second is , that if there bee any , who they be : and what they are . The third is : How and by what meanes , they that bee , and are , are made Righteous , seeing all by nature are corrupt , and vnrighteous , according to Christes wordes , when hee saith : That which is borne of the flesh , is flesh . b b Iohn . 3.6 . The fourth and last is , by what tokens or signes , they that are , and are made righteous , may be knowne from other men , considering that they doe liue amongst others , like men . If I should be long in the opening of these things before you , I must haue a large time to open them vnto you . But now seeing that I must measure my speech , by the measure of the clock , in running his houre , you must giue mee leaue to runne ouer these pointes , and rather to point at them , then in any point to dwel vpon them . Wherfore referring all these matters rather vnto your owne priuate meditation , then pursuing any one of them , by any long declaration . Thus I shut vp all in a fewe words , as followeth .

1. Though the whole world doth lye in wickednes , yet there are righteous persons in the world : for as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or world , there , in that place of Iohn , doth not note out all men , which are in the world , but the wicked onely , who are the greatest part of the world , and who also are scattered ouer all the world , beeing as it were , a world of it selfe : So the scripture else-where doth witnes in many places , that the Lord hath some Righteous persons still here in this world , howsoeuer this world be not worthy of them .

c c Heb. 11.28 . Such an one was Noah , of whome it is said , That hee was a iust and vpright man ; and one that walked with GOD : d d Genes 6.9 . Such an one was Iob , of whom it is said , that hee was an vpright and iust man , one that feared GOD , and eschewed euill : e e Iob. ● . 1 . Such an one was Lot ; of whome it is said , That hee being righteous , and dwelling among the Sodomites , in seeing and hearing them , vexed his righteous soule from day to day , with their vnlawfull deedes . f f 2. Peter 2.8 . Such an one was Zacharie , and his wife Elizabeth : of whom it is said , that both were iust before GOD , and walked in all the commandements & admonitions of the Lord , without reproofe . g g Luke . 1.6 . Such an one lastly , is euery faithful man and woman , vpon the face of the earth : Of whome it is saide , The Righteous doe loue thee . h h Cant. 1.3 .

2. Those that are righteous , and such as are purged from their sinnes , wherewith they are naturally defiled , and are qualified also with new and heauenly graces , to doe such things as are well pleasing vnto the Lord : They are not only clensed from their filthinesse , but are renued also , according to the image of God , to walke in his commandements . Surely whosoeuer faileth in either of these , commeth too short of being righteous . For both must be ioyned together , in all those , that will be righteous . Agur speaketh of the former , when he saith , There is a generation , that are pure in their owne concey● , & yet are not washed from their filthinesse . i i Prou. 30.12 . And Iohn the Apostle doth make mention of the latter , in these words , Little children , let no man deceyue you , hee that doth righteousnesse , is righteous , as hee is righteous : hee that committeth sinne , is of the diuell , and so foorth . k k 1. Iohn . 3.7.8 .

3. The meanes whereby men are made righteous , is two-fold . The one is by Iustification , and the other by Sanctification . For there is a righteousnes of Iustification , and a righteousnes of sanctification : the one ( as it were ) to make vs righteous before God ; the other , to make vs righteous before men . The first of these is without vs : the second is within vs . That which is without vs , is from Christ ; and that which is within vs , is from the spirite . The former of these , which is the righteousnes of Christ , is apprehended of vs by faith , and made our owne by Imputation . The latter of these , which is the righteousnes of the spirit , is possessed of vs by loue , & made our owne by inhesion . Now both these righteousnesses must concurre to make a man truly righteous to saluation , as they did in the Corinthians : of whom we read thus ; And such were some of you , but yee are washed , but ye are sanctified , but ye are iustified , in the Name of the Lord Iesus , and by the spirit of our God . l l 1. Cor. 6.11 . And surely where both these are , there may men and women truely be called righteous , though that sinne doth stil remaine , and dwell within them . First , because one manner of righteousnes is in them , in a full perfection , euen the righteousnesse of Christ , which is imputed and applyed vnto them by their faith . Then secondly , because an other manner of righteousnes is in them , in the operatiue beginnings of it , euen the righteousnes of the spirit , who doth worke daily within them , and labour to renue them more and more , according to Gods image , wherein they were created at the first .

The markes or signes , by the which the righteous may bee knowne from others , are chiefly foure . The first is , by the Generalitie of their obedience . For euery righteous man ( who is righteous indeed ) hath a care of the whole course of his life , and lookes respectiuely to all the commandements of God . He doth not take libertie in any one sinne , but striueth to auoyd all sinnes , nor omitteth one good duty , but endeuoureth to performe all good duties . He is not like to Naaman the Syrian , who professed the true God of Israel ; and promised to serue and worship him alone ; yet desired to be borne withall , for one speciall sinne : which was , to be in the house of Rimmon ; m m 2. King . 5. and there to vphold his Master , leaning on his hand , and to bowe before that Idoll , whome hee did worship . Neither is hee like to Herod , who feared Iohn the Baptist , reuerenced him , heard him gladly , and did many things after his teaching ; but yet hee kept still his brothers wife , and would not put her away , according to Gods commandement . n n Mat. 16.18 . But hee is like to Iosiah , who turned to the Lord with all his hart , and with all his soule , & with all his strength , according to all the law of Moses . o o 2. King 24.25 . And vnto Zacharie , and Elizabeth , who were iust before God , and walked in all the commaundements and ordinances of the Lord , without reproofe . p p Luk. 1.6 . And no maruell . For he doth know full well , that whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Lawe , and yet faileth in one point , hee is guiltie of all . q q ●●● 2.10 . That a shippe , though it be sound in all partes , saue one , and leaketh in no place saue onely one : yet it may be drowned by meanes of that one . That the walles of a Citie , though they be strong and well fortified in all places saue one , and haue no breaches in them , saue only one : yet they may be taken of the enemy by means of that one . That lastly , a bird , though it be free in all members saue one , and betyde in no member , saue onely one , whether legge , or wing , yet may be held fast , by meanes of that one . Hereof is it , that he doth labor to purge himselfe from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit , and to grow vp vnto full holinesse in the feare of God , according to Paules exhortation to the Corinthians . r r 2. Cor. 7.1 .

2. The second is , by the end wherevnto all their works or deeds do tend . For euery righteous man , ( who is righteous indeed ) hath a speciall eye vnto the praise and honour of his God , in all things which he doth take into his hands , according to our Sauiours saying ; Let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works , and glorifie your Father which is in heauen . s s Mat. 5.16 . And after the Apostles rule , when he saith , Whether yee eate or drinke , or whatsoeuer else ye doe , doe all to the gory of God . t t 1. Cor. 10.31

Surely , though men practise neuer so many good works , yet if in doing of them , they propound not this ende vnto themselues , they are not to be accounted righteous men : no more then he is to be esteemed a good Archer , which can draw a strong Bowe , hath a faire loose , and doth shoote farre , and yet alwayes shootes a great way off from the marke . In this regard , the Scribes and Pharisies in the dayes of our Sauiour , were not accounted by him in the number of righteous men , but stiled rather of him , by the name of Hypocrites , because all that good , which they did at any time , was not for Gods glory , but for their owne praise , that they might be seene of men . They did fast , and pray , and giue almes , but all was for to haue a name , & a commendation of the world . u u Mat. 6. ● . In like sort the Papists faile in this point , now in our dayes . For they doe all their good works in a manner to merite thereby , like to hyred seruants , and labourers , who worke for their wages , and would doe little or nothing for their Maisters , vnles they might be well paide for their paines . But Christians must acknowledge themselues not to bee seruants , but children , and not children of the bond-woman , but of the free-woman ; and that they ought of duety to serue the Lord , all the dayes of their liues , though they should receyue nothing for their labour . Doubtlesse in all our workes wee must seeke his glorie : and if he bestow any reward vpon vs , we may take it as an vndeserued gift of his bountifull goodnesse . For when wee haue done all that wee can doe , or which is enioyned vpon vs , we must confesse , that wee are vnprofitable seruants . x x Luke . 17.10 .

True it is , that righteous persons haue some hypocrisie and vaine glorie mingled with sinceritie in their best actions , and doe some things as wel for their own praise , as Gods glory : yet if their sinceritie preuaile ouer their hypocrisie , they lose not the name & dignitie of righteous persons . For as the philosopher teacheth , concerning elementarie bodies , that they are not made of one element onely , but of all foure , yet haue their names of the predominant element : And as the physitions say , of the humors in mans body , that although they be not pure , but mixed one with another , yet euery one doth carrie the name of that humor , which doth most abound : So may we say ( and that truely too ) of the generall conuersation and the particular actions of men , that if in them they seeke more the glorie of God , then their owne praise , pleasure or profit , they are truely righteous ; though imperfectly righteous . The third is by their perseuerance in righteousnes . For euery righteous man ( who is righteous indeed ) will continue in his righteousnes vnto the end . Hee will not begin onely well , but he wil end also wel . He is not like vnto the snaile , that pusheth out a long paire of hornes , which being touched neuer so little , goe in againe . Neither is his righteousnes like a morning cloud , or as a morning deaw , which is dryed vp quickly , and vanisheth away , so soone as the Sunne ascendeth on high . But hee is rather like vnto the tree , that neuer fadeth , but beareth fruite still . And his righteousnes is like to the Iuie , that is alwayes greene , though the Sunne parch it : to the Diamond , that is alwayes hard , though the hammer beat it : & to the good vine , that is always growing , thogh the knife cut it . Whosoeuer is borne of God ( saith S. Iohn ) sinneth not , for his seede remaineth in him : neither can he sinne , because he is borne of God . x x 1. Ioh. 3.9 . And surely , true and sauing righteousnesse is one of those gifts of God , which are without repentance . y y Rom. 11.29 . It cannot be lost fully & finally : Those which turne from their righteousnes , & commit iniquitie , shall not liue : their former righteousnes shal be forgotten , and they shall dye in their sinnes , which they haue committed . z z Ezek. 18.24 . He onely , which continueth righteous to the end , shall be saued . a a Mat. 10.22 Wherfore as God neuer ceaseth to bestow blessings vpon vs , so let vs neuer cease to doe seruice vnto him : for proemium aeternum , aeternam requirit seruitutem : a continuall reward , doth require a continuall seruice . Doubtlesse the Heauens aboue vs , the earth vnder vs , the beasts about vs , and our people with vs , doe daily crie vpon vs , for the performance of this dutie by vs ; for they all serue vs euermore , and howsoeuer we doe abuse them often in their seruice , yet they do continue therin still , and neuer giue it ouer . Let this then bee the conclusion of this point , that howsoeuer wee hire seruants but for a yeare , and take Apprentices but for seuen or eight yeares , yet must wee our selues serue the Lord our God , for all our yeares , and that in holines and righteousnes , all the dayes of our liues , b b Luk. 1.17 . doing as Paul did , when he said , Brethren , I count not my selfe , that I haue attained vnto it , but one thing I doe , I forget that which is behinde , and endeuour my selfe vnto that which is before , and follow hard towards the marke , for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus . c c Phil. 3.13.14 .

The fourth and last is , by their affection to righteousnes in others . For euery righteous man ( who is righteous indeed ) will loue righteousnes as well in others , as in himselfe : yea , hee will loue all others in whom he beholdeth any seeds of righteousnes . His delight will be in the Saints , that are on the earth , and in the excellent , according to Dauids example , in these words : My well-doing extendeth not to thee ( ô Lord ) but to the Saints that are in earth , and to the excellent , all my delight is in them . d d 〈…〉 . It is well obserued by the Prophet in the fifteenth psalme , and the fourth verse thereof : That those that shall dwell in Gods Tabernacle , and rest in his holy mountaine , doe honour all such as feare the Lord . You know , that he which loueth a childe for his fathers sake ( as Dauid loued Mephibosheth , for Ionathans sake , ) loueth the father himselfe better : So hee which loueth righteousnes , for righteousnes sake , declareth thereby , that hee loueth righteousnes it selfe farre better . Besides this , a righteous man loueth righteousnes so well , that hee will labour to make others as righteous as himselfe . Dauid promised , that if the Lord would create in him a cleane heart , and renew a right spirit within him , and so referre him to the ioy of his saluation : hee would then teach his way vnto the wicked , and vse means to conuert sinners vnto him . e e Psalm 51.13 . And Peter , when he is conuerted , must strengthen his brethren . f f Luke 22.32 . Doubtlesse as euery thing seeketh to beget his like : so a righteous person seeketh to make an other righteous . And as fire cannot be smoothered , when once it hath taken holde in any place , and findeth matter sufficient to worke vpon , but will burne further and further , till it hath consumed all before it : So true righteousnes , wrought in the soule of one , cannot there bee suppressed , but will spread it selfe abroad , and worke vpon others for their conuersion . In one word then , hee which would be reputed righteous , and yet keepeth in all his righteousnes to himselfe , and doth not impart it vnto others , may iustly bee suspected to haue little or no sound righteousnesse at all within him .

Thus farre for the person , of whome the Prophet doth speake . Now let vs come to the things , whereof hee doth speake . The troubles ( saith hee ) of the righteous are many . By the word Troubles , you must vnderstand , all such things , as doe molest or disquiet him . The Hebrew word is Ranghoth in the plurall number , Ranghoth . of Raughah , in the singular . And howsoeuer it be taken now and then , Adiectiuely , for that which is sinfull or painefull , yet here it is put substantiuely , and doth note out Euils , or afflictions ; not euils , as they are sinnes , but as they are chastisements . For euill is of 2. sorts , the one is Malum Culpae , and the other is malum paenae ; the one the euill of sinne , the other is the euill of punishment . And well may euils or afflictions be called Troubles , euen of the effects of them , because they are wont to trouble such as haue them . You see now the meaning of the words , the doctrine arising from them is this . That good men and good women shall haue troubles heere in this world . Looke how many will truely feare the Lord , and taking hold of Christ Iesus by a liuely faith , will carefully endeuour to walke in Gods commandements ; to the ende of their dayes , they shall haue crosses and troubles , there afflictions & tribulations do belong to them , and they shall be sure to haue their portion therein . So much may we gather out of Esayes words , when hee saith , Behold , I and the children ( meaning the true members of Christ , that were willing to heare & obey the words of God , wherof he spake before ) whome the Lord hath giuen me , are as signes and wonders in Israel , by the Lord of Host , which dwelleth in mount Sion . g g Esay , 8.18 . So much we may gather out of Ieremies words , when hee saith , Heare I pray you , all people , and behold my sorrow , ( speaking of the church of God vnder his owne person ) My Virgines and my young men are gone into captiuitie . I called for my Louers but they deceiued mee , my Priests and mine elders perished in the city , while they sought their meate to refresh their soules . Behold ô Lord , how I am troubled : my bowels swell , mine heart is turned within me , for I am full of heauines , the sword spoyleth abroad , as death doth at home . They haue heard , that I mourn , but there is none to comfort me ; all mine enemies haue heard of my trouble , & are glad , that thou hast done it . h h Lament. 1.18.19 20 21. So much we may gather out of Zacharies words , when he saith , Arise ô sword vpon my Shepheard , and vpon the man that is my fellow , saith the Lord of Hoasts , smite the shepheard , and the sheepe shal be scattered , & I will turne mine hand vpon the lettle ones . And in all the Land , saith the Lord , two parts therein shall bee cut off , & dye : but the third shall be left therein : And I will bring that third part through the fire , and will fine them , as the siluer is fined : and will trie them , as the gold is tryed . They shall call on my Name , and I will heare them : I will say , It is my people , and they shall say , the Lord is my God . i i Zach. 13.7.8.9 . So much we may gather out of Christs words , when he saith : Behold ( speaking to his disciples ) I send you as sheepe in the mids of wolues . Beware of men , for they will deliuer you vp to the councels : & will scourge you in their Synagogues : And the brother shall betray the brother to death ; and the Father the Sonne ; and the Children shall rise against their Parents , and shall cause them to die . And yee shall be hated of all men for my Name . k k Mat. 10.16.17.18.21.22 . So much wee may gather out of Paules wordes , when hee saith , For wee are made a gazing stocke vnto the world , and to the Angels , and to men , vnto this houre , we both hunger and thirst , and are naked , and are buffeted , and haue no certaine dwelling place , and labour , working with our own hands : we are reuiled , and yet we blesse : wee are persecuted , and suffer it : wee are euill spoken of , and we pray : wee are made as the filth of the world , 1. Cor. 4.9.1 . the off-scowring of all things vnto this time . So much lastly may wee gather , ( to omit many other places ) out of Dauids words , when he saith , haue mercy vpon meô Lord for I am in trouble , mine eye , my soule & my belly , are consumed with griefe . For my life is wasted with heauinesse , & my yeares with mourning ; my strength faileth for my paines , and my bones are consumed . I was a reproach among all mine enemies , but especially among my neighbours , and a feare to mine acquaintance , who seeing mee in the streete fledde from mee , I am forgotten , as a dead man out of minde . I am like a broken vessell : for I haue heard the rayling of great men : feare was on euery side , while they conspired together against me , and consulted to take my life . m m Psalm. 31.9.10.11 . Obiect . But what may the causes heereof bee ? Is it because they are more base then others , by their stocke and parentage ? Answ. No : For in that respect , they are the honourablest persons in all the world : as beeing begotten and borne , not of mortall , but of immortall seed , euen of GOD himselfe : n n Ioh. 1.13 . Is it , because they are more wicked then others , by their workes , and wayes ? No : for in that respect , they are the holiest persons in all the world : as beeing washed from their sinnes , o o Reu. 1.5 . and as hauing their conuersation aboue in the heauens themselues . p p Phil. 3.20 Is it , because they are more detestable in the eyes of God then others , by their estate and condition ? No : for in that respect they are the dearest q q Prou: 15.9 . Acts 10 ●5 . Ioh. 14.23 . persons vnto him in all the world : as being incorporated into the body of his Sonne , and made his children by adoption . r r Ephes. 1.4.5 . Is it because they are more beggarly then others by their portion of goods and inheritance here below ? No : for in that respect they are the richest persons in all the world , if not by profession , yet by right , as beeing the heires of all things ; yea , coheyres with Christ , of euery thing . s s Rom. 8.17 . So that a man may say to them , as Paul did to the Corinthians , in these words , Let no man reioyce in men : for all things are yours : whether it be Paul , or Apollos , or Cephas , or the world , or life , or death , whether they bee things present , or things to come , euen all are yours . t t 1. Cor. 3.21.22 It is , because they are more troublesome then others , by their quarrelsome contentions and brawlings ? No : for in that respect they are the quietest persons in all the world : as turning their speares and swords into mattocks and sythes , v v Esal . 2.4 . and as going like sheepe to the slaughter-house , to bee slaine of others themselues . w w Rom. 8.36 . So that a man may say most truely , as Esay hath-it in his prophesie , that in the mount of the Lord , there is no hurt done . x x Esay . 11.9 Is it , because they are more carelesly attended vpon for defence , then others by their place and calling ? No : for in that respect they are the safest persons in all the world : as hauing the Angels of heauen aboue them for their guard , y y Psalm. 91.11 . and the almighty himselfe for their protection . z z Palm . 125.2 . Is it lastly , because they are more fruitles then others by their idlenes and want of care to doe men good ? No : for in that respect they are the profitablest persons in all the world : as being full of good workes , and doing good vnto all men . a a Iob 29.120 . Acts. 9.39 . Acts , 10.2 . So that many doe fare the better for their sakes . As Laban did for Iacobs sake . b b Genes. 30.27 . Potiphar for Iosephs sake : c c Gen. 39 5. the Israelites for Moses sake . Zoar d d Exod. 32.14 . for Lot sake : e e Gen 19.21 . & the marriners for Pauls sake . f f Acts. 17.24 . You see then , that it is not for any of these causes : nay , for these causes a man may wonder , why they haue any troubles at all : seeing thus that they are the honourablest , the holiest ; to God , the dearest : in right to all things the richest ; by a sweete courage , the quietest ; through angels protection the safest ; and to men of the world , the profitablest persons that are in the world : a wonder I say may be made , why they should haue any troubles at all .