The art or skil, well and fruitfullie to heare the holy sermons of the church written first in Latin, by a godly minister named Gulielmus Zepperus ; and now truly translated into English by T.W. ...

CHAP. 1 It is a matter of much skill , not onely to make , but to heare Sermons well .

NO man that will well consider of , and vprightly weigh , What great skill is requited to make Sermons . the thinges that hitherto haue been deliuered , will , or can doubt , but that it is a point of excellent skill , to preach with fruite in the publike assemblies of the Church : for a man to fetch out of that most large sea ( and which indeed can neuer be drawne dry ) of holy diuinitie , matters that may be fitly applied to the point and busines that is propounded ; and to take no more but such as are indeede profitable and necessarie for the true edification of the Church : and when he hath thus found them out in a sit & meet method , well and orderly to digest and dispose them , as may best serue for spirituall profit , and hauing disposed them well and readily out of the holy chaire or pulpit , to render them , and then and there , before a publike and solemne assembly of the Church with present courage , and a tongue that doth not stut or stammer , to speake & vtter them : and with such countenance , habite and action or gesture of the whole bodie , to cloath and decke his speech , and to cause it to become as it were liuely , that so , not onely delight , fit and conuenient for holy things and place , may be yeelded vnto all men , but also that all things may be performed , euen with a certaine demonstration and euidence of spiritual power : & that they may not be spoken only , but taught also : yea and not taught alone , but the hearers may be affected therwith , and their minds bowed to obedience : all these things ( I say ) a man cannot causelesly doubt of , whether they require more skill and cunning in the word of God , or more iudgement , wit , wisedom , eloquence , courage and aptnes , in them that shall teach and deliuer the same .

But yet withall we must know , that it is a point of no meane or common skill and paine also , It is no small cunning to heare them well . to heare holy Sermons well . Of which howsoeuer some men may doubt , and the thing it selfe may to many seeme very strange , specially at the first blush , and the rather because it is not vsually propounded or heard , yet will I assay to say somewhat , and to proue it also , because the order and course of this present worke and treatie craueth and calleth for the performance of it .

Now because to make Sermons , and to heare them , are ( as we say in schooles ) relatiues , that is , the one importing and implying the other : and because as all men know it is no easie matter to performe that high dutie well , heere being required to the doing of it before they come to it , preparation , reading , meditation , prayer and sundrie such like : and beside faithfull performance of it , with many other things when they haue accomplished that dutie , any man that hath but a crum of sound iudgement , may hereby plainelie perceiue , that many excellent duties are required also in hearing of Sermons , wherein me thinkes these three following , are principally to be respected , shewing indeed what he is to doe .

1 Before the Sermon . 2 Secondly in the verie Sermon time . The summe of this booke . 3 And lastly after he hath heard the Sermon .

CHAP. 2. Touching the dutie of the hearers before the Sermon .

Mens minds are with great religion to be framed and set to hearing of Sermons . THE verie heathen themselues , did in former time so reuerently and vncorruptedly esteeme of , come vnto , & performe their idolatrous seruices & worships , that they euer tooke it to be a very wicked thing , to touch them , as it were , or to handle them with vnwashen hands . Whereupon grew that prouerbe amongest them , with vnwashen hands , so often as they would signifie , that men repaired to , or dealt in some holy thing , or matter otherwise of great moment , irreligiously , negligently , or vnprouidedly , as we say . How much more then , both in hearing Sermons , & also in handling of the holy word of God , as likewise both in administring , and in vsing holy things , and Gods seruice especially ; shall we haue iust cause to thinke that we haue need of , as much religion , reuerence , and deuotion of minde , as we can attaine to , that so we may the better prepare and dispose our selues , to so holy and heauenvly things , in which consisteth the onely top , as I may say of our felicitie and chiefe good ; and the better take heed to , and keepe our foot , when we shall goe to the house of our God : as Salomon admonisheth vs in the booke of the Preacher , chap. 4. vers. 17. for in this case whether we consider that most holy and most excellent maiestie of almightie God , which treateth with vs , and speaketh vnto vs , Psal. 18.7 Ioh. 15.15 . at the presence whereof euen the mountaines tremble , and in whose sight not the heauens themselues verily , no nor the Angels indeed are cleane : or regard the height and the excellencie of those heauenly things , which in the holy assemblies and meetings of the Church are performed , and at which all our senses cannot but faile , and the very eies of our minds wax dim , which the Apostle meaneth ( as I take it ) in his first Epistle to the Corinthians : 1. Corin. 2.9 . or respect that exceeding great miserie corruption , yea nullitie , which through our nature cleaueth vnto vs , of which the Apostle saith : 2. Cor. 3.5 . Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues , but our sufficiencie is of God : or weigh the most high Gods vnmeasurable goodnesse , mercy , and gentlenesse , which openeth his most holy mouth vnto vs , Isay . 54.10 . and vouchsafeth to make with vs a couenant of grace and saluation , not disdaining that our exceeding miserie and vnworthinesse : or in a paire of iust scales vprightly ballance , how much it presently behoueth vs , and hereafter shall be beneficiall for vs , rightly to handle such great matters , and well to performe them for Gods glory , and the saluation of our soules , I say , all or any of these things well considered , it cannot otherwise be , ( sure I am it should not otherwise be ) but that we should goe to the holy assemblies and meetinges , not with snailes paces , that is , creepingly and slowly , but with wide and large steps , as those that goe vpon stilts , and to come to them , and to be present and conuersant in them : not hauing our hands and our garments washed only , but our minds & our hearts also , Iam. 4.8 . as Saint Iames saith : Clense your hands yee sinners , and purge your harts ye double minded men , and so draw neere to God , and he will draw neere to you ▪ Considering and remembring , that in this case especially , that common saying must be true : Touch not holy things with vnwashen handes . From whence also it commeth to passe ( as we see ) that so often as either prophets or godly kings among the people of God , did call together eyther their household seruants and families , or the priests , or the whole people , eyther to heare Gods word , or to offer vp sacrifices , or to intreat God , when common calamities were at hand , they exact , demaund and call for nothing more than sanctification , clensing and preparation thereto : Places prouing that preparation or sanctification should goe before the word . as in many places of the scriptures , examples touching this point present themselues vnto vs . Amongest others see , Gen. 35. vers. 2. Exod. 19.10 . 1. Sam. 16.5 . 2. Chro. 15.12 . 2. Chro. 29.5 . Ioel. 2.15.16 .

Heere we are to marke , that this one word of sanctifying , or sanctification comprehendeth vnder it all that dutie , which a godly hearer ( that should prepare and fit himself , to the sauing hearing of Gods word ) ought to bring with him : yet because that is very large , I will for more perspicuitie and plainnes sake , more straitly aime at those things , and more particularly put them down , which are comprehended vnder this terme of sanctification , as also what thinges are contrarie thereto , and indeed should be remoued and amended , For so by one and the selfe same labor , it shal manifestly appeare , that not only the very hearing of holy Sermons , but that preparation also , to that sauing & healthful healing is not some light labor , as sundrie suppose , but a matter of verie great skill , industrie & trauell .

For euen as in the brittle & fraile things of this world , there is almost nothing that is not stopped as it were , with certain his own lets & hinderances , for the remouing whereof men must especially labour and toile , least both the thing it selfe , and all the fruit and profit of it , euen whilest it is greene ( as we say ) perish and come to nothing : so to the hearing of Gods word , and to the performance of Gods worship , the most great , grieuous and hurtfull difficulties of all others are obiected and set against the same , yea shackles , and more than yron setters , which either altogether banish and withhold men from holy assemblies , or else verily so snare and keepe their heartes in thrall , that they make them that are present , absent , and rather shaddowes of men than men , & in the holy places of praierleaue them ( we may more truly say it ) liuing images , in stead of those deaf , dumb & dead pictures that were wont to be there before . But these lets & obstacles must first of all be remoued . And though by the things which haue alreadie bin spoken , a man may easily coniecture and conceiue that they are of two sorts : yet because for the most part they come together , as if it were in troupes , I will one after one rehearse them , & withall declare the remedies of them .

On the day therefore before the Sermons , as also at other times , Surfetting must be auoided . yea continually , men must abstaine from drunken feastes and gulling in of wine : likewise in the morning before the Sermons , they must abstain from burnt wine , which in some places a man may see readie to be sold eyther at the gates and entrances into the Church , or very nigh to Churches . On the other side , it is meete carefully to striue vnto sobrietie and temperance , which a man may not vnproperly call , the perpetuall fast or abstinence of Christians : for surfetting in meat , A reason . drinke or otherwise , as also the fulnesse of the former daies wine , eyther tieth men wholly to their beddes and chambers , and so draweth , yea driueth them away from holy assemblies : or else in them causeth them to do nothing but sinne . This we may assure our selues of , that drunkennes and surfetting take from men reason , and the vse of vnderstanding , in which consisteth the chiefest dutie of mans reasonable soule . Whereupon the prophet Hosea pronounceth : That wine & new wine or strong drinke take away the heart . Hose. 4.11 . Wherefore that vtterly taketh away the serious meditation and thought of Gods word , his works and iudgements , ( whether they be mercies or miseries and afflictions ) yea it remoueth the meditation of euerlasting life : which thing also Isaiah obserued , when vnto them that were giuen ouer , to continuall quaffing & drinking , and were mighty to drinke wine , and strong to mingle things which would make men drunk , he ascribeth this , that they regard not the Lords worke , nor consider or behold the worke of his hands , Esay . 11.24 but despise the law of the Lord of hostes , and contemne the word of the holy one of Israel . With which agreeth that which our Sauiour Christ telleth vs , Luke . 21.34 . when he affirmeth : That by surfetting and drunkennes , mens hearts are become heauie and oppressed : so that they are not able to rise vp to the contemplation and beholding of heauenly thinges , that so they might delight in God ( who is that chiefe and eternall good ) and in the sight and sense of his eternall saluation ; than which what can be spoken or thought more grieuous ; or that is or can be more hurtfull to mans saluation , or more estranged from the end , to which he was created ? Wherupon Saint Paul also dehorting Christians from drunkennes , doth by a certaine opposition set , as directly contrarie one of them to another : the spirit of wine , and the spirit of the Lord , as also the effectes of drunkennes , and of Gods spirit : and on the other side exhorting men to the effects , fruits , or works of the holy ghost , and euen vnto those exercises also , which should be performed in the holy assemblies of the Church , disswadeth them from drunkennes , Ephes. 5.17 18. as a most present infection and destruction of them all , saying : Be not vnwise , but vnderstand what the will of the Lord is . And be not drunke with wine wherein is excesse , but be fulfilled with the spirit , speaking mutually among your selues , in Psalmes & Hymnes & spirituall songs , singing and making melodie to the Lord in your harts , giuing thanks alwaies for all things vnto God the father , in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ .

It shall not therfore be besides the purpose , Remedies against the hinderance or let of surfetting . if , as at all times generally , so particularly the day before the Sermon , and chiefely before the Lords day , men do vtterly and altogether abstaine from more long , and intemperate feasts and bankets : yea if by some lawe and authoritie of the magistrate , wine-sellers and victuallers be forbidden , that the day before the Lords day , they shoulde but for a certaine time and space set them , sell wine or victuals to any : and the like to be laid vpon them also in the Sermon while except , An exception . notwithstanding it be to women in child-birth , and to sicke persons , for by this same very law , strangers and trauellers also should be bound & restrained : and so euery man might come soberly , and wel prepared to the sober meditation of Gods word , and the performance of the whole worship and seruice of God : euen as Saint Peter also will haue vs to be sober and watching vnto praier . 1. Peter . 4.7 .

Secondly men must before hand purge and emptie their hearts from cares , Too much care of present things . and from the vncertaine thinges of this world , that so they may be made able to receiue holy & heauenly things : and before they go out of their houses , they must as it were bind them together in a bundle , and if not altogether cast them away , yet for a time lay them aside , & leaue them at home . For in worldly affairs & indeuors , it continually almost fareth with vs , as one wel said : be that bendeth himself to many things shal haue his senses lesse busied about some one . And again Our hearts are such , as they cannot at one time admit two diuers cares . A double reason . Muchlesse can we handle wel , and as we should , worldly & heauenly things together , as well by reason of the excellencie of heauenly & holy things , and the basenes of earthly matters : as also because not onely of the great diuersitie , but also of the contrarietie and repugnancie , that is betwixt them : for cares , heuinesses , and the riches of this life , Luke . 8.14 . are those thornes which cheake vp the seed of Gods word , that it cannot bring forth his fruit . 〈◊〉 . 8.7 . And the wisedome of the flesh is enmitie against God , for it is not subiect to the law of God , neither indeed can be .

How much better therfore were it in this behalfe for Christians , Remedie against excessiue care . to imitate that same Crates of Thebes ? who cast his goods into the sea , because he supposed that by them he should be pulled back from the studie of philosophye , saying : I had rather lose them , than that they should destroy me , or cast me away : A reason . for howe great folly and blindnesse is it , so to imbrace and coll the mutable , vncertaine , and brittle things of this life , ( yea such as haue adioyned vnto them infinite vexations and troubles ) as that a man will preferre them before the hearing and studie of Gods word , yea & before such things , as are sure and stable , and doe bring with them , to them that haue them , perfect both pleasure and blessednes ? which what is it else , but after the example of our first parents , Gen. 2. & 3. Chap. for an apple , to leaue Paradise , and the same not earthly but heauenly ? and as Esau , to sell our birthright , & the priuiledge of the first borne for bread & pottage of lentils ? Gen. 25.34 . Num. 11.5 . and more highly with the Israelites to esteeme the garlike & onions of Egypt , than that holy land of Canaan ? And with the prodigall sonne , to chuse rather to feed with the shales and buskes for hogs , than in his fathers house , Luke . 15.16 plentifully and daintily to eate the meate of Angels ? And more eagerly to desire the filthie and infamous pleasures of the Sodomits , than leauing them to follow Gods holy calling , euen to euerlasting life ?

Thirdly there are some also found , when some singular ( I cannot say perswasion but ) imagination of learning and knowledge in Gods word , Singular conceit of knowledge . withholdeth from the boundes and borders of the Church , and from hearing of Gods word . And herein they do the more foster and feed themselues , because they haue the holy Bible at home in their houses , and some one or other postill , as also other profitable bookes , by the reading of which they can profit more ( as they suppose ) than by frequenting the Church : yea they feare not to boast , that they themselues better know and vnderstand the holy things of God , than the publike preacher or minister of Gods holy word .

But for the remouing of this obstacle or let , and for the right setling of a mans selfe , Remedies against conceit of knowledge . to the hearing of holy Sermons , men must again and againe , thinke vpon that speech of Christ , wherin he saith : That you ought to haue done , and not to haue omitted the ether : For both of them are enioyned and commanded vs from God . Math. 23.23 And how often are the holy assemblies of the Church commended vnto vs , both by Gods commaundement , and also by holy mens examples , which examples haue as it were the force of precepts ? As that in the Temple of the Lord , all his people speaketh of his glory : That they declare the Lords name in Sion , Sentences . Psalm. 29.9 . Psal. 102.21 ▪ 22. Psal. 149.1 . Math. 13.43 Reuel. 2.11 . Luke . 16.29 . Hebr. 10.25 and his praise in Ierusalem , when the people shall be gathered together , and the kingdomes to serue the Lord : That the Lords praise is in the congregation of saints : That hee that hath eares to heare , ought to heare : That men should heare Moses and the Prophets : And that we should not forsake , our assemblies & Churches , as the manner of some is . Examples . And with what great knowledge of heauenly matters and misteries was that kingly Prophet Dauid furnished ? Yet he affirmeth , Psal. 122.1 . that he reioyced when it was said vnto him , we will goe into the house of the Lord . And being driuen into banishment , he earnestly and hartily bewailed this , that he could not safely be present at the holy meetings and assemblies of the people . Priscilla indeed and Aquila beeing man and wife , Psal. 42.4 Psal. 84.4.5 . Acts. 18.36 made such good proceedings in the way of God , that they did more exactly instruct in the way of God , a man wel instructed before in the way of the Lord , and a very eloquent man , to whom also the Apostle beareth witnes , that he watered in the Church , Apollos by name : 1. Cor. 3.6 . and yet notwithstanding they heard him publikely speaking in the Synagogue . And how often both in the Acts of the Apostles , and in the first epistle to the Corinthians , is there mention made of the publike assemblies of the Church . A reason . For the publike preaching of Gods word hath many peculiar priuiledges and preheminences , that the priuat reading therof hath not , in regard of which , that in many respects , and by many degrees is worthily to be preferred before this . For in the ecclesiasticall assemblies & Sermons , through the gift of prophesie or interpretation , both common places of Christian doctrine , and also the articles of faith and religion , are discussed and compared one with an other : more darke and hard points , are made plaine , by more cleare and easie : Contrarieties , if there be any ( as somtimes in shew there be ) are reconciled ; obiections against the truth are confuted and answered : the doctrine of the holy scriptures is applied to the present places , times , persons , and condition of things , and that for the instruction of all & euerie one of them , in sound faith and holy life : which hardly the hundred person shall performe , though he can reade very well , or be indued with a perswasion of greater knowledge than others . Besides , the liuely voice of the teacher , is more effectuall and piercing than bookes , which are but as dumbe schoolemasters or teachers : as one Papias in Eusebius saith , Euseb. histo. eccle. lib. 3. cap. 36. & witnesseth of himselfe : I perswaded my selfe I could not get so much profit by bookes , as from the liuely voice : Lastly the publike assemblies of the Church , and the things that by calling vpon Christs name , or according to his will and power , are performed in them , haue singular promises of Gods presence , grace and blessing : For whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord , Ioel. 2.32 . Rom. 10.13.14.15 . shal be saued . But how shall they call vpon him , in whom they haue not beleeued : and how shall they beleeue in him , of whome they haue not heard ? and how shall they heare without a preacher ? therfore faith is by hearing , & hearing by the word of God , as the Apostle Paul testifieth , Rom. 10. vers. 17. And Christ himselfe saith : Mat. 18 , 19.20 . If two of you shall on earth agree vpon any thing , whatsoeuer they shall desire , it shal be giuen them of my father which is in heauen : for where two or three are gathered together in my name , there am I in the middest of them . And what meaneth Christ else , when he marketh his sheepe or his elect , with this note , that they heare his voice . Iohn . 10.27 .

Other some there are , who are bewitched , by a certaine partiall , or rather schismaticall choice , Partiall , or rather schismaticall respect of ministers . which they make of ministers , and are not onely nice and coy , or wanton , as we would say , but fall to open contempt , or carelesnesse : which then falleth out , when sundry are established in the ministerie of some one certaine Church or Citie , and ariseth eyther from a certaine naughtie and corrupted affection , or from the difference , and diuersitie of Gods gifts , which appeare to be in them . Now if they know or learne , that such a one ordinarily doth preach , What manner of preachers men do for the most part like of . whom eyther they themselues doe not affect or fauour , or who will not flatter them , nor yeeld vnto their affections , nor cannot , he will not tickle their eares , with a certaine smoth kinde of speech , eyther by pleasant histories & tales , compiled and fetched from prophane authors , as if they were like tingling brasse and no better , then do they , euen as it were for the nonce , and of set purpose withdraw themselues from the holy assemblies , & withhold themselues from Sermons . But that shall befall such hearers , as fell vpon that wicked king of Israell , Ahab : of whom , when Iehoshaphat the godly king of Iudah demanded , whether there were not besides those foure hundred prophets of Baall , yet any other prophet of the Lord , of whom they might inquire and take counsel , touching their warre against Ramoth-Gilead , answered , 1. King . 22.7.8 . there is yet one man ( to wit Micaiah the prophet ) but I hate him , because he doth not prophesie good vnto me but euill : or else it shall betide them , as it did to Felix & his wife Drusilla , who desired to heare Paul a prisoner at Cesarea , to preach vnto them : Act. 24.25 . But when Paul disputed of righteousnes , and temperance , and of the iudgement to come , Felix being afraide and trembling , answered : now goe thy way for this time , and when I haue conuenient time , I will call for thee againe . For whereas Felix in the gouernment of that prouince , did many things tyrannously , & had greater regard to gain , than to iustice : and whereas Drusilla , who was a Iewesse , was contrarie to Gods law , maried to an vncircumcised man , and so became a filthy adulteresse : Paul in a certaine kind of graue wisedome , which yet had ioyned with it great libertie of speech , reasoneth & disputeth principally of such things , which he knew to be wanting in his hearers . But when this song pleased them not , they enioyne Paul to be silent , and send him packing from them , faining that some other time , if it shall be sit and seasonable for them , they will call him againe , and heare him more at large concerning those points . But as for them that in hearing of Sermons , & in choice of the ministers of the word , do by a certaine prophane and carnall leuitie seek nothing else , but eyther a certain pleasing of their eares , or a spending of them , they shal haue the same , that that Herod Antipas had , to whom when Pilate commanded Christ to be led captiue , Luke . 23.8 . he greatly reioyced , seeing that hauing a long season desired to see Christ , he thought now good occasion was giuen him , that he might both feede his eies , and delight his mind with certaine newe miracles , and such as before were neuer seene ; no otherwise , than if he had gotten some Iugler or Inchanter , that would shew him some pleasant sight . Which thing , when such Herodian , profane , curious , carelesse and idle hearers , cannot obtaine of Christ and his faithfull ministers , they nothing at all regard them , and doe not onely with most wicked scoffes & scorns deride them , but cloathing them with a certaine scornefull kind of attire or apparell , and loading them with all maner of scoffes , they openly produce and traduce them to be derided of all .

But Saint Paul ( which also is of great force , to breake & cut in sunder this Gordian knot , not with Alexanders sword , The remedie . but with the two edged sword of Gods word ) did in the Church of Corinth sharpely reproue this , Heb. 4.12 . that being led therunto by a certain lightnes of mind & carnal affection , some did hang vpon one doctor , some vpon another , & so enuiously preferring one before another , they brought in dissensions , 1. Cor. 3.3.4 . and schismes into that Church : not that they , whom he named , fostered & maintained dissensions among themselues , or taught contrary things one to another , but because the Corinthians themselues did consider of & esteeme , eyther certaine conditions of those their ministers or their vnequall gifts and graces , and so became diuersly affected one of them towards another . Which thing he declareth , is done vniustly & without cause , whilest amongst themselues , the teachers agreed in soundnes & puritie of doctrine : for it was an absurd thing to diuide , & as it were to cut in peeces Christ himself , A reason . who is our only master , as he himself saith , Mat. 23.8 & the only head of the church , & that by professing , Ephes. 1.22 . following & esteeming other masters & teachers besides Christ . Furthermore , it is conuenient , that from him alone we should both take our name & professe him , who hath purchased vs with his blood , & also hath Lordship , Act. 20.28 . power and authority ouer vs , into whose name likewise we haue bin baptised , & haue againe giuen him our names also . And because the false Apostles , as ambitious teachers did in the Church of Corinth , affect the commendation and praise of eloquence and wisedome : and on the other side traduced Paul , for vsing in his Sermons , a certaine base and contemptible kind of speech : he therefore sheweth that both the kind , and the stile of the doctrine of the gospell , 2. Cor. 2.1 . did much differ from philosophicall sort of speaking , and from the wisedome of the world . And this he doth least the power and worthines of the gospell , might by this means wax vile , & the glory of it be ascribed rather to the art , excellencie & eloquence of speech , than to the vertue & power of Christ , & whilest men rather giue eare to pleasant words , and attend the colours & paintings of speech more than the matters themselues , and seeke the tickling and delight of the eares the verie kernell and marrow ( as I may say ) of true doctrine should be neglected . The place it selfe lieth thus in the first Epistle to the Corinthians , It hath beene declared vnto me ( my brethren ) touching you , 1. Cor. 1.11.12 . &c. by them that are of the house of Cloe , that there are contentions among you . Now this I say , that euerie one of you saith , I am Paules , and I am Apollies , and I am Cephas , and I am Christs , Is Christ deuided ? was Paul crucified for you ? eyther were ye baptised into the name of Paul ? And a little after , Christ sent me not to baptise , 1. Cor. 1.17 . but to preach the gospell , and yet not with skill or wisedome of speech and words , least Christes crosse ( that is to say , the doctrine of the Gospell touching Christes crosse ) should be made of none effect : And so on forward , as followeth in the same place . And because he would haue them the more often and the better to thinke of this admonition , he repeateth it againe in the third Chapter . vers. 3.4 . &c.

As for the difference and inequalitie of the gifts which appeare to be in the ministers of the Church , Touching the inequalitie of gifts in the Church , & in the ministerie . as they should not rent the ministerie in peeces , or disgrace it , so should it not bring forth the one or the other , in the Church & hearers , but rather should ioyne them together , with the more strong giue of Christian charity , and be a greater ornament vnto them . A reason . For euen as the very ministers of the Church themselues , should not be proud , because they haue more excellent and greater gifts then other ( for what haue they that they haue not receiued ? And if they haue receiued it , why doe they beast of it , as if they had not receiued it ? 2. Cor. 4.7 ) neither contemne those that are inferiour vnto them , neither on the other side , those that are inferiours , and haue receiued meaner or fewer graces , should enuy them : euen so should the hearers or the Church , not so indeed admire , loue , reuerence , and extoll some to the skies , that they should contemne other some , A similitude and so despise their very ministerie , that they will withdraw themselues euen from their Sermons : for as there are in the one and the selfe same ground and garden , many and diuers kinds of herbes , which differ one from another in colour , sauour , sente , forme , greatnesse and excellency , and yet they are so far off from bringing forth any confusion & deformity , that with this trimme & fine varietie , as if it were with a garment of diuers colours , they either adorne , or else make more pleasant & sweet the said ground or garden . Again that diuerse difference that is betwixt musicall voices ; Another similitude . that manifolde varietie of strings , which is in instruments of musicke ; the great diuersitie that is in the sounds of pipes , flutes and trumpets : these very things I say , are they , which at the last beautifie and adorne musicke , whether it be by the voice , or vpon instrument , and by their wonderfull harmony singing together , concord and concent , doe both please mens eares and affect their hearts . There is therefore altogether the very same consideration of the diuersity of giftes in the A reason . ministers of the Church , & of the very Church it selfe : for it standeth vs not in hand so much to consider what is giuen either vnto him only , whom we so much admire & esteeme , 〈◊〉 . 1.17 . or to our selues , as to obserue also other mens gifts and graces : knowing this , that no man hath any thing of himselfe , but that God alone , 1. Cor. 14.26 is the author & giuer of all good things : and that the end of all his gifts , is the edification of the Church : for in this case God passeth by no man , Notable sentences . but though he disposeth of his own graces in an vnlike measure , some hauing more , some hauing lesse , yet he giueth to euery one so much as may suffice both to obtaine saluation , and exercise and execute his office and function . Wherfore , though one man haue many graces that another wanteth : yet that other hath some graces which he lacketh , and for which graces sake , his ministerie should not , Illustration by particulars . or cannot be contemned . One it may be hath pleasant speech , & tickleth the ears with a certain sweet falling or composition of words , yet perhaps he sticketh or else wandreth vp & downe , but in the barke or chippings as I may say ; not piersing to the kernell & marrow of those matters , which that other ( who pleaseth not mens eares ) well performeth . This man by grauitie waight and abundance of matter , supplieth want of smoth words : In which the other exceedeth and excelleth , by a certaine floud as it were of eloquence . This mans speech or sayings onely swimme as it were in the vpper part of the eares , but smite not or wound not the heart . The other on the other side , fasteneth darts & stings in mens harts , and leaueth them sticking there : one is powerfull in publishing the doctrine of the Gospell , in proclaiming the promises thereof for the raising vp of distressed consciences : another is mightie in thundering out the commaundements and threatnings of the law , to cause secure & carelesse men , to shake off that drowsines into which they are fallen . Some one is more liuely and forcible in publike Sermons and preaching : another hath more might & force in priuate conference , and the practise of ecclesiasticall discipline : And so on in the rest . Wherfore in euery one of them euen those which we account the meanest , we must acknowledge and reuerence the gifts of God . A conclusion . Luke . 10.16 . For the contempt of any minister , is the contempt of God himselfe . Neither should men stand vpon , or stay themselues in those outward pleasant inticements , The subiect of teaching & hearing . paintings , and colourable deceits of words , speech and gesture , but looke to the pith and substance of the matter it selfe , and in publike Sermons , to seeke or search after nothing saue Christ , and the matter of our saluation in him . And this besides the hearers should remember , that it may easily fall out , that in taking vpon them to iudge of the ministers of the word , they may quickly be deceiued , and that they are caried thereto , not so much by sound iudgement , as by carnall and fleshly affections , yea , and that so farre also , that he whom they smally esteeme , shall happily be much better , in doctrine , gifts and graces , that are very fit and necessarie for the edification of the Church . Hatred of the ministers & ministerie .

Furthermore many there be which boyle and burne with so great hatred against the ministers of the Church , that they cannot indure eyther to come to their Sermons , or else though they be at them , Act. 7 ▪ 55.58 . they heare and receiue al things with prouoked & vniust minds no otherwise certainly affected than were the Iewes at Steuens speech : they fret in their hearts , they gnash vpon them with their teeth , and stop their eares , and out of the holy assemblies , they barke at , and bite as it were with the very teeth of dogs , all that their ministers haue spoken in their Sermons , yea and many times , slaunder , and that with no lesse than diuelish malice ; all that the ministers say : yea and spread abroad such things touching their Sermons , as neuer came into the ministers minds , much lesse into their mournes .

But these men sin , and indeed are iniurious against , not the ministers onely and their persons , The remedies . which perhaps may be esteemed to be of no great regard , but against God himselfe the author of the ministerie , and in whose name they exercise and execute their embassage , yea , which is more , 2. Cor. 5.20 . they sinne against their owne saluation , not well weighing , what and how great and excellent graces God doth vouchsafe to bestow vpon them by the ministerie of the Church : for if they did so , they would in this behalfe sanctifie themselues , and would by Gods grace , vtterly pull vp out of their hearts , this fierie dart of Sathan , and so the better prepare themselues , Ephe. 6.16 . to the diligent and healthfull hearing of Gods holy word . For when the Israelites had forsaken Samuel , and desired to haue a king , as other nations , and Samuel was somewhat grieued and a little displeased , as in that behalfe , God assaying to comfort him against so great contempt and iniurie , saith vnto him : They haue not despised thee , 1 Sam. 8.7 . but they haue despised me , that I should not raigne ouer them : And Christ saith vnto his Apostles : He that heareth you , heareth me : and he that reiecteth you , reiecteth me , Luke . 10.16 Iohn . 13.22 . and he that reiecteth me , reiecteth him that sent me : with which things also consent Saint Paules wordes , who affirmeth , that the Apostles and all the lawfull ministers of Gods word , 2. Cor. 5.20 . doe exercise an embassage in Christes name , euen as if God did intreate men by them , and that whosoeuer reiecteth their doctrine , doth not reiect man , 1. Thes. 4.8 . but God himselfe . In our tongue we haue a common prouerbe , by which we are willed to bow our knees and to bend to that tree , that yeeldeth vs shaddow , what then should we as in this respect do to the Church ministerie , by which God dispenseth vnto vs , those most excellent misteries of eternall saluation , and yeeldeth vs shaddow and refreshing , yea a true and an assured hauen , against the heate and tempest of euerlasting damnation , and the fire of hell , and sheweth and setteth out vnto vs , all our distemperature of bodie and soule : so that if we would rightly esteeme and weigh well together , the graces which by the ministerie , are bestowed vpon vs from God , & compare them with all the carnall duties of this world , See . 1. Cor. 9.11 . Rom. 15.27 . Gal. 6.6 . & with the kindnesses & benefits which at any time can proceed from godly hearers , to their ministers , we shall find that they are of little or no account at all . In which respect also indeed it is , that the holy Ghost doth so often exhort the Church , to the loue , reuerence , honour , and all duties of kindnesse towards the ministerie , as we may see . 1. Tim. 5.17 . 1. Thess. 5.13 . Heb. 13.17 , Gal. 6.6 . And as concerning the Galatians , Gal. 4.14 . he doth indeed to their singular and immortall praise and glory , say of them , That they receiued him as an Angell of God , yea as Iesus Christ himselfe , and if it had beene possible , that hauing pulled out their eyes , they would haue giuen him them .

With how great hazard of eternall saluation , the contempt of the ministerie is ioyned . Wherfore certainly we must conclude thus , that that same cruell contempt and hatred of the ministery & ministers of the word ( which in very many places , is euen by children , sucked in , and instilled together with their mothers milke ) is not at any hand to be esteemed so small a matter , as it is at this day commonly accounted for plaie and sport : but rather that it is a notorious and cruell wily shift of Sathan , by which he setteth vpon , and annoyeth not so much the ministers , as the hearers . For because he seeth , like a false forgerer and accuser as he is , that this would be too grosse and palpable : and therefore frustrate and in vaine also , Sathans subteltie . if he should goe roundly and openly to worke and councell men to hate and contemne Gods word , and to neglect their owne saluation , he assayeth by vnderminngs , sleights and subtelties , as slie as Sinons were , to perform this matter , & therfore suggesteth vnto men the contempt & hatred of the Church & of the ministerie of the word , Fit similitudes . and of saluation , & laboureth to breath this as a certaine hellish poyson indeed into mens hearts , and here , as if he had alreadie gotten the victorie , triumpheth , as he that knoweth this well , that the very ministerie of reconciliation , 2. Cor. 5.19 . and eternall life , shall altogether be accounted of , according as the ministers themselues are esteemed : which stratageme or subtile practise of the diuell , if mens minds were well and throughly acquainted therewith , it is not to be doubted , but that many in this behalfe at the least would make warre with him , and against themselues , that so they might free themselues from so great hatred of their ministers : for though they , that in the ministerie of the word , are become ministers to some Church or congregation , should be ouertaken with some infirmities , yea vices , if you will , yet should the people be wise to distinguish betweene their persons , and that office which in the Lord is committed vnto them , Godly wisdome . and at the least should pursue that with due good will and reuerence . Or if , by reason of the ministers duty ( in which sometimes they more freely reproue peoples sinnes ) they should find some matter of a more bitter roote , rising vp in their hearts , or springing out therein , they should think , that the fault remaineth rather in themselues , than in their ministers , and should be displeased , rather with themselues than with their teachers . Yea , they should besides thinke with themselues , that such reproofes , though they be grieuous and tedious to the flesh , are yet notwithstanding healthfull medicines and strong defences , that they should not be ouertaken by Sathan , nor deceiued by the world , 1. Ioh. 5.1 . Gal. 6.8 . that wholly lieth in wickednes , and so of the flesh reape corruption , yea destruction : yea they should remember , that open rebuke is better than secret loue : and againe , that the words of a louer are faithful , and the kisses of an enemie are deceitfull , as the Lord saith by Salomon , Prou , 27. vers. 4.5 .

In greater parishes , and larger congregations , The greatnes or largenes of parish assemblies . both because such Churches are deuided and dispersed in many places , into many townes and villages , many on the Lords daies are hindred from hearing of the word of God : and also by reason of the badnes of the weather , the waies likewise vnto their parish Churches being sometimes troublesome and tedious ( the wearisomenesse whereof eyther they will not indure and swallow vp , or else sometimes cannot ) they are let therefrom , eyther by olde age , or by sicknesse , or by care of small children , and household busines &c. Verie aged people , and sicke persons respected . All which though I denie not , but that they are certaine impediments , yet are they not sufficient to excuse mens daily negligence , in hearing of Gods word , vnlesse it be for the most part in verie olde people , and in such as lie sicke , in and vpon their beddes .

In this case , how much more hard law , The remedies . did the Lord in times past lay vpon the people of the Iewes , Exod. 23.17 . Exod. 34.23 24. whom he would haue to appeare before the Lord , three times euery yeare , by far longer iourneyes , by much more vnseasonablenesse of weather , greater dangers & causes , and farre greater hazard of their worldly wealth , yea , Deut. 12.11 18. and euery one to bring their whole familie with them , and that in Ierusaelem , as if it were , in the chiefe or onely parish Church : and that not with emptie hands ( as perhaps couetous harts would perswade them ) but with the offerings of their hands , as God had blessed all or any of them ? And least to hinder them in this worke , they might pretend losse of their goods ( which to very many of them indeed , if men would speake according to flesh & blood , could not be little or small ) or specially the inuasions , & spoiles that their enemies might make , all the men meeting as it were in one place , and the land , left as it were naked of all helpe and defence , God meeteth with this colour or feare , or certaine danger if you will , promising that he will so worke , that not any of their enemies shall so much as couet their land , Exo. 34.34 . much lesse assault their emptie houses and countries , whilest they go vp , that they may appeare those three times in the yeare before the Lord . Yea so farre forth certainely , did God meane to teach and testifie vnto vs , that we should not neede to feare any disprofit or losse to come to our selues , families or substance , whilest for Gods seruice sake wee are constrained to be absent from our houses , or rather willingly leaue them for a time . As for the Iewes , they are such carefull obseruers of this law , that euen Ioseph and Marie with Iesus their sonne , Examples . of twelue yeares old , came vp to Ierusalem , Luke . 2.42 . according to the custome and manner of the feast . And the Iewes also , within their captiuities and sundrie exiles , remained dispersed farre and wide here and there in the lands of the heathen ; and they likewise which of the Gentiles , by their labour and trauaile , had imbraced the Iewish religion , did at Ierusalem frequent those feastes of the Iewes . As for example are those religious persons , Act. 2.5 . that came euery one of them out of the places where they dwelt , out of euery nation vnder heauen to Ierusalem , and abode there on the feast of Pentecost . And the Eunuch also , a chiefe gouernour vnder Candaces the Queene . Act. 8.27 . So certainely the Queene of Sheba came to Ierusalem with a very great companie and with Camels which bare sweet odours , and gold , 1. King . 10.1.2 . &c. exceeding much , and precious stones , to talke with that most wife king Salomon , and to heare his wisedome . Which example Christ himselfe alleageth against the contemners of Gods holy word saying : Mat. 12.42 . Luke . 11.31 The Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement with the men of this generation , and shall condemne them , because shee came from the vttermost partes of the earth , to heare the wisedome of Salomon , and behold a greater than Salomon is here . So a great troupe , Mat. 8.1 . Iohn . 6.1.2 &c. out of diuerse and sundrie places of Galilie , leauing all their businesses at home , flocke vnto Christ , and remaine with him full three daies together , Mat. 15.32 . induring also great hunger , eyther because all the thinges which they had brought with them from home , were consumed , or else because they brought no victuall with them , which falleth often forth in such sodaine and tumultuarie meetings . But Christ willingly , and of his owne accord regarded them , and miraculously , fedde them , least feeling want , and lacke of things necessarie , for the sustentation of the bodie , they might haue cause , or pretend color of fearing , euen from the very hearing of Gods word . Wherefore the better we would haue , eyther our houshold matters or priuate affaires prouided for , A conclusion we must so much the more diligently attend the studie and exercises of Gods word , and so much the more cheerefully prepare ourselues , to euerie iourney of our short life , that so we may haue the more libertie and freedome to heare Gods word . Al wee confesse , that our life is our pilgrimage , and that the daies of it are few and euill , Gen. 47.9 . and we haue not , we cannot attaine vnto the yeares of the life of nor fathers : And yet we laie vp for this brittle course , as if we had many yeares to runne . Whereas we know , that man liueth not by bread onely , Deu. 8.3 Mat. 4.4 . Pro. 10.22 . but by euery word that commeth out of the mouth of God : And againe , the blessing of the Lord maketh rich : Wherefore wee should first seeke the kingdome of God , and his righteousnes , & then all these things ( which we stand in need of for meat , drinke cloth , &c. Mat. 6.33 . Psal. 127.2 . ) should be giuen vnto vs : otherwise it is in vaine for vs , to rise vp earely , to sit , and to eate the bread of sorrowes .

But if mothers , wiues , or other of the household , What wiues mothers , & others of the familie that cannot come , must doe . cannot safely sometimes by reason of their houshold businesses , and attendance of infants vpon the Lords daies , come vnto their parish Churches , yet they must indeuour , that turne by turne , as it were , vpon the next Lords day , in greater companies , they be present at the Sermons , & must at home demaund repetitions of such Sermons , as they themselues were absent from , and yet some of the family heard the same . Besides , such as are of great age , and full of yeares , What old persons must doe . must very diligently repaire vnto such Sermons as in the weeke time are made , in the seueral villages or hamlets of their parishes . And as for those , that long and sore sicknesses tie as it were to their beds , or keepe in their houses , What sicke persons must doe . they must prouide to call home vnto them , so often as need shal require , the ministers of the Church , to instruct , & comfort them . They must also send out their children to be instructed in learning , at the least wise , to schooles of our mother tongue ( which are almost at euery mans dore ) that they may also vse their helpe , in reading ouer the blessed Bible , and other profitable bookes , if eyther grieuous diseases be vpon them , or extreame olde age approach vnto them . And whilest their yeares last , so to apply themselues to the hearing , learning , and speaking of Gods word , that from thence they may fetch aid , against old age shal come , and pleasant comfort to themselues , against all daies of danger or distresse .

But the greatest let of all , & which alone doth for the most part comprehend all the former : Carnall securitie . and by which men are eyther vtterly withheld from hearing Gods word , or certainely very many of them heare it with no fruit at all , is that same naturall or carnall man , 1. Cor. 2.14 . euen that same olde Adam , which lieth dead , and as it were buried in securitie , impenitencie , and the peruerse desires of this world , as if it were in a certaine most deepe and dead sleepe : for because that God ( who speaketh with vs by the preaching of his word ) is exceeding iustice , holinesse and puritie , and will at no hand communicate himself , & those his most excellent , and heauenly misteries of saluation , with the secure , impenitent , and hogges of Epicures heard , neither will manifest vnto them , or set before them to be tasted of , that hidden wisedome of his word , Rom. 1.28 . but giueth them vp rather into a reprobate mind , void of all iudgement blindeth their eyes , and hardeneth their hearts , Iohn . 12.40 Esay . 6.9 . least they should see with their eyes , or vnderstand with their hearts , and so might be conuerted and healed , as God in his word threatneth them . Againe , God himfelfe together with that healthfull wisedome of his word , Wisd. ● . 2.3 &c. is found of them that tempt him not , and discouereth himselfe vnto them that distrust him not , for peruerse thoughts separate from God , & his power , when it is tried , reproueth the vnwise , for wisedome shall not enter into a wicked soule , nor dwell in a bodie that is subiect vnto sinne . For the holy spirit of discipline flieth from that that is forged , & withdraweth it selfe from foolish thoughts , and then is knowne , when iniquitie commeth . Repentance what . Therefore in this true repentance ( which is busied in and manifested by hatred , and forsaking of sinne on the one side , and in earnest desire of godlinesse and righteousnesse on the other side , principally standeth that sanctification , vnto which God ( as in the beginning of this Chapter , we haue already declared ) by the prophets exhorteth his people , so often as he calleth them , to publike assemblies to heare his word and to worship him . To which also pertaineth that worthie precept of Salomon : Eccle. 4.17 . Take heede to thy foot , when thou shalt goe into the house of God , and be more readie to heare , than to giue the sacrifice of fooles , &c.

And thus farre touching the impediments and lets , in remouing of which ( as if it were in causes corrupting other ) it behooueth a Christian man , to stray & labour , least otherwise he be eyther altogether beaten backe from hearing of Gods word : or else in the holy assemblies of the Church , resemble at the best , a dease and dead image .

The father or master must come to the holy assemblies , accompanied with his household . Wherefore these impediments and hinderances being first remoued , a godly father of a familie , or master of a houshold , must not then thinke that he hath well discharged his dutie , if eyther himselfe come alone to heare Sermons , or send out into the Church from amongst his seruants , some youth or other , who is as yet of small proofe or iudgement , as we see it sometimes practised , whereby the magistrates ordinances and decrees , fathers and masters are commaunded to send at the least some one of their families , to the weekly Sermons , or those that are made vpon some daies in the weeke . Which , what is it else , than pleasantly as it were to scorne both God himselfe , & the godly lawes of Christian magistrates ? Nay rather good houshold gouernours , as fathers , masters &c. Haba . 2.4 should haue great care of the saluation of all & of euery one of their houshold : knowing that the iust must liue , not by another mans , but , Rom. 14.12 . by his owne faith : and that euery one of vs must yeeld an account to God him selfe , and the things that he hath done in the flesh . And therfore he must bring with him his family , to the Sermons or preachings of Gods holy word . And if any by reason of their domesticall affaires , or other vrgent businesses , cannot be present at a Sermon , they must indeuor , in greater troups and companies , to be present at the next Sermons . But what meane I , to speake of the familie or houshold onely ? The neighbour must inuite his neighbour to the publike assemblies of the Church . Euery faithfull man should both by his example and voice , inuite his neighbours and other men , to those spirituall tables , and heauenly bankets of Gods holy word . Euen as Isaiah , describing the desires of the people of God , which should be manifested vnder the kingdome of Christ , ascribeth this vnto them , both that they should in great troupes gather themselues to Christes kingdome , and also should mutually exhort and prouoke one another thereto , saying : Come ye and let vs goe vp vnto the mountaine of the Lord , Esay . 2.3 . vnto the house of the God of Iacob , and he shall teach vs his waies , and wee will walke in his pathes . The like studie , and the very selfe same zeale , both in flocking together , and also in inuiting one another vnto holy assemblies , did Zachariah foretel should be likewise in the new Testament : and he addeth withall , Zach. 8.21 . Iohn . 1.43.47 . that those that were inuited should answere , I will go also . And so did Philip and Andrew inuite Nathaniel , and Simon to come vnto Christ , whom they had found before . So Ioseph and Mary brought with them to Ierusalem , to the feast of the Passeouer there , Iesus their sonne , Luke . ● . 42 . when hee was twelue yeares olde . Church elders or officers . Specially this is the dutie of the elders of the Church , to prouoke their neighbours ( sith the ouerlooking and care of them is committed vnto them ) to diligent frequenting of holy assemblies . Which also the magistrate himselfe should do , Magistrats . & that not onely by publishing lawes and decrees , but chiefely aboue the rest , by his owne example . As Eusebius lib. 4. de vita Constans . Cap. 17. & 33. reporteth touching Constantine the Emperour , that in the Church when it was assembled , he euen taking the bookes into his handes , beganne the contemplation of the holy scriptures , made praiers with the whole assemblie of the Church , and being in the middest of the Sermons , admonished , exhorted , &c. he would not sit .

But if any Christian man be readie to goe to ecclesiasticall assemblies , Euery Christian man , as he goeth to the Temple , ought to be occupied with religious thoughts . hee must in the third place , euen againe and againe thinke vpon this , to what ende nowe hee would goe thither , and what thinges he is there to doe . For euen as the Kinges and Princes of this world , are by trumpets and drummes woont to giue signes , when and how often , they would haue their courtiers come together , to eate meate : So when we heare the belles ring , we should thinke , that a signe is giuen vs , 1. Tim. 6.15 by which the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords , calleth his familie and household , to his spirituall bankets and heauenlie table , beeing readie to satisfie and refresh their hungrie fainting and sicke soules , with that most sweete foode , and immortall drinke of his holy word . And therefore being quicke , 1. Pet. 3.4 . frequent , and cheerefull , and adorned with that inwarde man , and being washed and trimmed , wee should with as much delight at the least , if not more , come to these spirituall thinges , euen as courtiers cary with them , when they are to sit down and eate at their princes tables . We should therfore think , that we are about to goe to the house of the God of Iacob , that we might pray before the Lord , & seeke the Lord of hosts , euen as the faithfull do prouoke one another , Zach. 8.21 . in the prophet Zachariah : the meaning is , that we should set our selues , in the sight and presence of Gods most holy and excellent maiestie , and should heare this our God speaking with vs by the mouth of his minister and and embassadour , and that by his owne word , concerning his will both towards vs , and touching vs : and againe , that we our selues should speake with this great God , as with our most mercicifull father , and yeeld him thankes for the benefits that he hath bestowed vpon vs , and vnburthen and powre out our necessities into his bosome , and that we should not be in the temple , as it were certaine dumbe and deafe images or pictures . For as Augustine saith : Thy prayer is a familiar speech and talke with God , August . in Psal. 8 5. when thou readest ( or hearest ) Gods word , God speaketh vnto thee , when thou praiest , thou speakest with God : Yea we should think vpon the ends why God hath created & redeemed man , which is his own glory , and that we should set forth his praise , Esa. 43.7.21 1. Pet. 2.9 . who hath called vs out of darkenesse into his wonderfull light . And we should also thinke vpon and remember , the meanes , by which we may attaine and come to this end : namely , that according to Christs counsell , commandement and rule , we should first seeke the kingdome of God , and his righteousnesse , that is to say , the righteousnesse of faith , and of good works , Mat. 6.33 . which double righteousnesse is set out vnto vs in the Law and the Gospell : from whence also it is manifest , that for the seeking or searching after this , we had need also to search the scriptures , and to heare Moses and the prophets , Iohn . 5.39 . Luke . 16.29 2. Pet. 1.19 , and to attend that most sure word of the prophets : yea we must waie and consider throughly the causes , that should iustly prouoke and stirre vs vp to the diligent hearing of Gods holy word . Amongest which , Gods most sharpe and seuere commaundement , doth not without cause obtaine the first place , who himselfe from heauen crieth and saith touching Christ : This is my wel beloued sonne , Mat. 17.5 . Luke . 16.29 Coloss. 3.16 . 1. Pet. 1.19 . in whom I am well pleased , heare him : and will haue vs to heare Moses and the prophets , and to haue the word of Christ dwell in vs plenteously , with all wisedome , and to take heed to the most sure word of prophecie , as vnto a light or candle that shineth in a dark place , Iam. 1.21 . & with meeknes to receiue the word that is grafted in vs , which is able to saue our soules . Next , that this is the last end both of our creation & of our redemption to acknowledge God our creator and redeemer , according to his word manifested by the Prophets & Apostles , yea by his own sonne , & that we should glorifie him both in this , and the life to come , as hath beene alreadie said .

Thirdly , that our saluation , and indred our verie chiefe good and felicitie standeth principally in this , to obtaine the right knowledge of God out of his word , 1. Pet. 1.23 . and to be borne againe , not by mortall or corruptible seede , but by immortall , euen the word of God which endureth for euer . For in his word hath almightie God set out vnto vs remedies against our sinnes , and euerlasting condemnation , and that through his son manifested in the flesh . By the same word he worketh faith in vs , 1. Tim. 3.16 Heb. 11.6 . Rom. 14.17 . without which it is impossible to please God .

Fourthly , we haue not in this very valley of teares and miseries , and in the middest of so many and great , both spirituall and bodily enemies , any sure succour , and sounde or liuely comfort against distrust and desperation , but from Gods word . And this is it that Dauid saith , Except thy law had beene my delights , I should now haue perished in mine affliction : And againe : Psa. 119. ●● This is my comfort in mine affliction , that thy word hath quickned me . Psal 119.53 And Ieremiah the prophet speaking vnto God saith , know that for thy sake I suffer rebuke . Iere. 15.15 16. O Lord , thy words haue beene found , and I did eat them , and thy word was vnto me for ioy , euen for the ioy of my hart . Esay . 50 . 1● . Wherupon also it is that Isaiah saith : Who is he among you that feareth the Lod ? Let him heare the voice of his seruant . He that hath walked in darknes , & had not light , let him hope in the name of the Lord , & stay vpon his God . Fiftly , that Gods word is the only square & rule of all Gods worship , whether it be inward or outward . For in this case , it is not at any hand lawfull for vs , Num. 15 . 3● to looke after our owne heart and after our owne eies , that we should go a whoring after them : neither to do that which seemeth right in our own eies , neither to depart from all the words which the lord hath commanded vs either to the right hand or to the left , neither to adde any thing to that word , Deut. 12.8 . Deut. 28.14 Deut. 4.2 . nor to take any thing from it . Lastly , that we cannot in the whole course of our life & calling , be at any hand assured & certified of the presence , fauour , & blessing of God with vs & vpon vs , vnlesse his word be a lanterne vnto our feet , Psal. 119.105 . & a light vnto our paths , for it is not an idle or empty word , which God witnesseth vnto vs , but it is our life , and by this word we shall prolong our daies . These meditations ( I say ) and thoughts , while we heare the bels ring , while we prepare our selues to go on to holy assemblies , or else euen in those waies as we go , are that excellent preparation , and quickning or rousing vp of our selues , and sanctification , that so we should not come to the hearing of Gods shord with vnwashen hands , but our heartes should be disposed and fitted indeed to true reuerence and deuotion .

To the former three aboue mentioned , this must be added in the fourth place , Deut. 32.47 The Text that must be expounded in the Church , must first be read at home , and thought vpon there . namely , that he who taketh true delight and pleasure in Gods word , must ( if he be any whit learned ) before he come to the holy assembly , sundrie times reade , yea and reade ouer again and againe , eyther the Chapter or the Text of the Bible , which are to be expounded in the holy meeting ( which will easily appeare to euery one vpon the Sabboth daies , by the ordinarie Texts which then are commonly expounded , & in the Sermons , which are had and handled on the weeke daies , out of some whole booke of scripture , that is expounded in order , as it lieth ) yea and he must by himselfe assay what he can doe , in searching out the argument of that text , the parts , doctrines , vse , No man should be discouraged in his wants . and other things that are contained therein . Now these priuate meditations , though performed rudely and grossely ; if yet a diligent hearer will compare them with the publike preaching or Sermon , he shall with small adoe at the least find out , eyther in what things he did not sufficiently attaine vnto the purpose of the holy Ghost , or aimed not rightly at the drift thereof . And if in any thing he did sticke in his priuate meditation , he shal perceiue light communicated vnto him , and a hand raught out to leade him . And if by indeuour and earnestnes , he do once ouercome the first difficultie of this holy , godly , and wholesome exercise , he shall make such good proceedings in the skill , both of reading the holy Bible , and of hearing holy Sermons , that the matter it selfe wil make plaine proofe of this , A notable incouragement . that the fruit shall notablie answere the labour bestowed , and that he shall inwardly reioyce for so great good gotten thereby .

This very same counsel we reade , that Chrisostome also in former time , did giue vnto his Church at Constantinople : for thus he writeth vpon Iohn . One thing for the present , Chrysost. in euan . Iohan. hom. 10. before we come to the words of the Gospel , I would intreat you , yea I pray you despise it not , specially sith we desire nothing that is grieuous or hard to be done , neither profitable , but to him only that receiueth it , and yet farre more profitable to you that shew it forth . What is it then , that we require of you ? That vpon some one of the daies in the weeke , or vpon the Sabboth at the least , you would haue regard to reade such portions of the Gospell , The hearers duties . as are to be expounded , which you should haue in your hands before our preachings , and should often repeat in your houses , and should diligently search out the meaning therof , and marke what is cleare , and what is darke in them , as also what seemeth to be contrarie , when indeed it is not . And so hauing throughly examined and waighed all things , you should present your selues verie attentiue to these Sermons . The fruit that shall come therby . By this meanes no small fruit and profit should come to eyther of vs : For as touching our selues we should not need to vse much labour , to shew forth the power of the Gospell , when you your selues haue at home made familiar vnto you , the sense and meaning , specially as in respect of the words . And you shall be made more sharpe , and quicker conceited , not onely to heare and perceiue the doctrine , but euen to teach others also . A Christian mans dutie in reading of the Bible Thus farre he .

And indeed the dutie of a Christian man , doth not consist in hearing publike Sermons onely ; but requireth also priuate reading of Gods word at home : and that not only , when we are presently to goe vnto the Temple or Church , Psal. 1.2 . but we must meditate day and night in the law of the Lord , from which kind of studie and exercise a blessed man is described . Yea we must afford our selues some time and leasure from our affaires and cares of this life , that we may giue our selues to this heauenly and wholsome exercise , knowing that this one thing is very necessarie . Luke . 10.42 Neither must we stay onely in the reading of those Chapters or Textes , which are expounded in the assemblie and meeting of the Church : For the whole scripture is giuen by inspiration from God , & is profitable to teach , to conuince . 2. Tim. 3.16 &c. And therefore our Sauiour Christ commaundeth vs to search the scripture , Iohn . 5 39. or rather giueth this testimonie to the Iewes , that they did search them . And the Apostle Paul commaundeth , Col. 3.16 . that the word of Christ should plenteously in all wisdome dwell on vs , or in our houses , to wit , by daily reading and exercise thereof , we teaching & admonishing one of vs another out of it , or according thereto . Which studie and care indeed Luke doth highly set out and commend in the men of Berrhea . Act. 17.11 . And truly vpon the verie same place to the Colossians lately alledged , Chrysostome commenteth and writeth after this manner . Chrysost. in Epist. ad Coloss. hom. 9 Heare ( saith hee ) all you that are temporall men , and haue charge of wiues and children , how euen to you particulerly and principally he commaundeth this , that ye should reade the scriptures , and that not simply , or by the way as we say , but with great diligence . And a little after . O all ye secular men , Commendation of the scriptures . heare I beseech you : Get you Bibles : they are the medicines of your soules . If you will haue nothing else , yet get the newe Testament , the Acts of the Apostles , the Gospels , continuall and diligent teachers . If heauines betide you , come and sit downe heere , and take and taste these things , as a storehouse of soueraigne medicines . From hence take vnto thy selfe comfort against thine euill and afflicton ▪ whether dammage come vnto thee , or death , or the losse of thy houshold things . Yea sit not down here only , A notable sentence . but turn again & again ▪ yea trie all things , and containe them in thy mind . This certainely is the cause of all euill , that men are ignorant of the scriptures : we enter into the battell : without armour & weapons , & how can we then be kept safe ? Those that are armed , are commonly preserued and become conquerors , the vnarmed or naked are not so . And Saint Ierome in his epistle to Celantia ( which intreateth of the institution or instruction of the mother of a familie ) concerning this verie kind of exercise writeth thus : Hierom ad Celant . So thinke vpon the keeping of thy selfe at home within doores , that yet thou maiest giue some refreshing and libertie to thy soule . Chuse to thy selfe a fit place , and such a one as may be somewhat remoued from the noyse of the familie , into which , thou shalt doe well to withdrawe thy selfe , as into a hauen , from the manifold tempestes of worldly cares , and maist by the quietnesse and closenesse of the secrete place , still and pacifie such waues of thy thoughts , as from without are raised vp . Haue thou there such great studie and care to read Gods word , so many turnes and courses of praiers , and so firme & straight thought concerning things to come , that thou ma●st by this vacation and relaxation easily recompence all the businesses of the rest of the time . And touching this notable & incomparable profit , which men may get by priuate reading of the holy scriptures , very excellently doth Augustine dispute in a certain Sermon of his , where among other things he writeth thus . August . serde stud . sapien. & medit. legis Dei . He that will be alwaies with God , must pray , often and reade often : for when we pray we our selues talke with God ▪ but when we reade , God talketh or speaketh with vs . The reading of holy scripture , yeeldeth vs a double grace , both because it instructeth the vnderstanding of the mind , and also because man by that meanes , being drawne from the vanities of the world , it leadeth him to the loue of God . The labour of reading is honest , and profiteth much to the purging or cleansing of the heart . For euen as by fleshly food , the flesh is nourished : so by Gods word the inward man is nourished and fedde , to all good in this life which causeth the Psalmist to saie . Psal. 119.103 , Howe sweet are thy worde : vnto my mouth ? yea more sweet than the hony or hony combe .

There remaineth yet one point more , amongest such things as belong to preparation , The hearer must powre forth praiers . and is very fit to cause men profitably to heare sermons , which though it be kept to the last place , must yet notwithstanding principally here be stood vpon , and that is touching powring forth or making of praiers to almighty God : 1. Cor. 2.16 . The natural man indeed perceiueth not the things which belong to the spirit of God , for they are foolish vnto him , neither can be know them . Mat. 16.17 . Again , flesh and blood reuealeth not this vnto vs , that Christ is the sonne of the liuing God , Pro. 2.6 . but our heauenly father . He giueth wisedome , and out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstanding . Wherefore , heere men had neede to make praiers , both for the preacher himselfe , and also euery one of the hearers for themselues .

The Church is bound to pray vnto God , Praier for the ministers of the word . as on the behalfe of their preacher , that he by his grace and spirit would in such sorte gouerne his vnderstanding , memory , heart , mind and mouth , that he may be able to feede and refresh their hungry & sick soules , with the sound sincere , and vncorrupted food of the word , 1. Pet. 2.2 . and that he may deliuer the same , with such readinesse , cheerefulnesse , fitnesse , grauitie and grace , that all this his whole embassage may be indeed the ministerie of reconciliation and life , by which God may gaine them , 2. Cor. 5.18 . and many other to himselfe , euen to eternall life . So doth the Apostle Paul desire the praiers of the Ephesians for him : That vtterance might be giuen him , Ephes. 6.19 . to the opening of his month with liberty , that so he might make knowne the secret of the Gospell , whereof he was an embassadour in bonds , that thereof he might speake boldly as he ought to speake . And the same thing doth he request of the Church of the Colossians , namely , that they would pray for him , Coloss. 4.3 that God would open vnto him the doore of vtterance , that he might speake the mysterie of Christ .

And for himselfe euery one should pray , that God would more and more vouchsafe to inlighten his vnderstanding , Praier for the hearer . and to soften his will and heart , that so he may grow in the knowledge of his heauenly doctrine , may lay hold of it by a true faith , and may turne the same into the daily and wholsome exercises of praier and repentance . So doth Dauid pray : Psal. 25.4.5 Make me to know thy waies O Lord , teach me thy paths . Cause me to walke by thy truth , and teach thou me , for thou art the God of my saluation . And againe in another Psalme : Psal. 119.10 I haue sought thee with my whole heart , let me not straie from thy commaundements . Open thou mine eyes , and so I shall behold the wonderfull things of thy lawe . Make me to vnderstand the way of thy precepts , and I will meditate in thy wondrous workes . Teach me O Lord , the way of thy statutes , and I will keepe it vnto the end . Luke . 17.5 . So the Apostles praied , O Lord increase our faith . And Chrysostome putteth downe such a forme of praier , concerning this matter , when thou preparest thy selfe to sit ( saith hee ) or to reade , Chrysost. hom. de patien . & consum . huius saeculi . or to heare another man speake , first pray vnto God and say : Lord Iesus Christ open mine eyes , and the eares of my heart , that they may heare thy word , and vnderstand the same , and performe thy will . O Lord , because I am a straunger vpon this earth , Psal. 119.18.19 . hide not thy commaundementes from me : but open thou mine eies , and I shall consider the wonderfull things of thy law : for in thee haue I trusted O my God , that thou wouldest inlighten my heart .

CHAP. 3. Concerning the hearers dutie in the Sermon while , and in the holy assemblies of the Church .

THe things , that in the former chapter haue beene spoken , The summ . and scope of the former chapter . touching the hearers dutie before the Sermon , do all and euery one of them respect this point , that mens mindes may be sanctified & prepared to the right and wholsome hearing of Gods holy word , as likewise , that both snares & scruples , which hinder men in that behalfe might be taken away , and also that mens harts being furnished with necessary meditations & exercises before hand ( sorting in nature the rest that they are to be acquainted withal ) they might be brought into this wrestling place , & come to this exercise more prepared , and depart from it more profitably . But of all these things belonging to preparation , we may not without cause say , as we are wont to speake : He that beginneth well hath attained halfe the worke .

Now we will bring out hearer , as it were vpon the Theater , or into the open view & sight of the Church , and will furnish him with such lawes & instructions , as which if he bring with him and practise there , he shall neuer come thither , but he shall depart better learned , and more blessed , before God , & in himselfe also .

For first , let none that hath any learning , specially Citizens and townesmen , Such as can reade must alwaies haue their Bibles readie . enter into the holy place of praier and preaching , but besides the booke of Psalmes , which are sung in the Church , let them haue alwaies in a readinesse the holy Bible , that so they may with the whole Church , in their voices & singing , both praise God , Psal. 47.5.7 . Psal. 119.54.171 . Ephes. 5.19 . Col. 3.16 . and call vpon him ( which part of Gods worship indeed , the holy Ghost requireth of all the faithful , as appereth by the places quoted in the margine ) & also the better turne ouer & harken vnto that chapter or those chapters of the Bible , which vpon the Lords daies especially in the ordinary reading of the Bible are wont & ought to be read , as those textes likewise , which are expounded in the Sermons . Furthermore , they must at the least note with some marke , such testimonies & texts of scripture also , as in the Sermon time are alledged , and were either not known before , or not vnderstood , as they should haue been ; or else in which they marked some speciall point , that so they may more diligently meditate vpon them at home , & cause them to become more familiar to them . And that this was vsuall amongst Christians in the ancēit Church , may from hence plainely be gathered out of Augustine , who writing vnto Ierome , August . ad Hieron . epist. 19 telleth him of a certaine Bishop , who was almost cast or pulled out of the pulpit , because that in expounding a place of the prophet Ionas , he swarued somewhat from the words of the common translation . For from whence could the Church or people so quickly smell out this , vnlesse some of them at the least , if not very many had in their hands , and in a readinesse ( as we may say ) the blessed Bible booke , and had looked vpon the text , which was read and expounded vnto them ? And this custome of bringing their holy Bibles with them , Diuers vses of bringing Bibles to Church . will manifest in them no meane or common argument , both of excellent zeale towards the word of God , and also of a mind , that is very desirous to profit in that truth of God , which bringeth saluation . Neither can it but cause that to take deepe roote in them , which by one and the selfe same labour of two of our most noble senses , that is , by the helpe of hearing and seeing , is conueyed to the mind . Also by this meanes all suspicion , that men might conceiue of , or against their preachers and teachers , for or concerning the corrupting of the word ( whether it fal out in reading of it , or in alledging texts of scripture not rightly , or not dealing so faithfully with them , as were fit , adding at their pleasure something , or taking away , as they will , I say by this meanes all that shall vanish away . As we heare them that are vnlearned , and seldome or neuer vse the blessed Bible , somtimes to blatter out such bad matter , & to complaine without a cause , which also we read one Sabbatius , a Bishop of the Nouatian heretickes , in former time to haue practised , who reading this text of the Gospell : Luke . 22.1 . Now the feast of vnleauened bread ( which is called the Passeouer ) drew neere , addeth such things of his owne , as were neither euer any where written , or heard at any time , namely this : Cursed is euery one that keepeth the Passeouer without vnleauened bread : Socrat. lib. 7 hist. eccle. cap. 5. and that by this falsification , those more simple Nouatian heretickes , that were of the common people , were caried away from the faith . Socrates witnesseth it in his ecclesiasticall history . Such a like thing also doth Sozomenus rehearse in his ecclesiasticall historie touching one Tryphillus Bishop of Lodre , who in a solemne assembly of Bishops being to alledge that saying of our Sauiour Christ , Take vp thy bed and walke , he changed the word , Iohn . 5.8 . and vsed another that signified , a very low and base bed ; for which things sake , Sozom. lib. 1. hist. eccle. cap. 11. Spiridion did openly reproue him , as Sozomenus writeth . Wherefore the ministers of the Church , shall be made much more diligent & heedie also , in making of their Sermons , and in alledging textes and testimonies of scripture , if they know , that there are some that will tosse vp and downe , and bring to the skales such things as they shall vtter and deliuer to the people .

Secondly , men must striue , yea euerie one must striue , Eeuery man must be present at the whole Sermon . to be present at the whole Sermon , and all the parts & peeces of it . For we see a very wicked custome to haue preuailed very farre in many Churches , that in the Sermon while , the people doe continually gad in and out , and runne vp and downe , some packing away in the midst of the Sermons , or after the Gospell is read , as they vse to speake . But I would gladly know , what zeale there can be in such giantlike and barbarous confusion ? or what desire to learne and profit ? or what fruit can ensue therupon ? for how can it euer come to passe , that that doctrine should be vnderstood , A reason . which is not harkened vnto , or known from the beginning to the end , and that with as great attention of mind , and intention , as may be ? How shall any man attaine the drift of a Sermon , or keepe himselfe within any such bounds , as in hearing of Sermons he should obserue , which hath not heard the text , A caution or exception . ( that is to be publikely expounded ) attentiuely read , and hath not sundry times called backe his senses and thoughts thereto ? I cannot but confesse , that very olde people , and women great with child , whom sometimes swouning , or bad health doth vpon the sodain trouble , do iustly deserue as in this behalfe to be excused , as also other women , whom care for their yoong children , and some speciall regard of household businesse , may now and then eyther make more slow in comming , or call away before the time of the full finishing of the exercise . But these being excepted , I see that many Churches and congregations want that auncient discipline of the Church , whose ouerseers and watchmen , seniors or elders should be , whom also they should haue placed in euery seuerall congregation , and that not in name onely , but indeed to accomplish and performe the dutie also : for so we reade it decreed and prouided for by the 24 Canon of the fourth Councell of Carthage , which also is cited in the Canon law de consecrat . dist . 8. Concil. Cart. 4. Can. ●4 . de consec . Dist. 8. Concil. Age . Can. 32. Let him that goeth out of the auditorie , when the minister is speaking in the congregation , be excommunicated : and in the councell of Agathen it was decreed , that people should not presume to goout of the temples before priests or ministers had blessed the congregation . But what great zeale , yea what feruency Gods people had in former time , the examples following , will plainely declare and proue .

Thirdly , sleepe , talking and speech with other men , Sleepe , talke or speech , and curiositie must auant . curiositie or the reading of other bookes , must vtterly depart in the holy Sermon time , and the eyes and eares of euery one must be attent to the mouth of the minister , who in the name of God exerciseth an embassage , and all things there must be receiued with hungrie appetites , and as it were greedy minds . For so were the eares of all the people , attent and bent to the booke of the lawe , Examples . when Ezra from the very morning euen vntil noone , did in the presence of men and women , Nahem . 8.3 . and such as vnderstood , from a pulpit of wood reade the same . So great companies approched vnto Christ , with a desire to heare Gods word , Luke . 5.1 . Luke . 1 2.1 . in so much that they pressed one vpon an other , yea and trade one vpon another . So the multitude did with one accord giue heede vnto those things which Philip spake , Act. 8.6 . when he preached Christ in the Citie of Samaria . Cornelius the Centurion ( when being warned by Oracle from God , he called Peter vnto him , that from him he might heare such things , as by which he and all his houshold might be saued ) shewed forth a very earnest and readie mind both to heare and learne , saying vnto Peter : Act. 10.33 . Now therfore all we are here in the presence of God , that we may heare all thinges which are commaunded thee from God . 1. Pet. 2.2 . This indeed is that syncere milk of the word , which as new borne babes we should desire , that we might grow vp thereby . Where by a fit and fine similitude , the desire to heare Gods word , and to profit by it , is aptly compared with the desire of infants , by which they desire their mothers milke and breast , which in them we know certainly is very great . The exhortation also of Iesus the son of Syrach , serueth to this purpose , & is deliuered in these termes : Willingly harken to all godly speech , Eccle. 6.36.37 38 and let not the hidden speeches of wisedome escape thee . If thou seest a man of vnderstanding in the morning , make hast unto him , and let thy feet weare the steppes of his doores . Doe thou perfectly waigh the Lords precepts , and meditate his commaundements continually . He shall establish thy hart , and the desire of wisedome shall be giuen to thee . As for those drousie and dull hearers of Gods holy word , Against sleepie and drowsie hearers of the word . with which we see the holy places of praier and preaching for the most part to abound ( sorrow it is to say it ) the example of that young man Eutychus , should iustly strike terror into such , who while the Apostle Paul was preaching , falling into a dead sleepe , and yeelding so much thereto , Act. 20.9.10 . that he was more & more ouerwhelmed therwithall , fell downe from the window of the third loft in which he sat , and was taken vp dead . Now if this befell him , A heape of respects aggrauating the sinne of sleeping in the Sermon while . whose sleepe notwithstanding did in many respectes deserue excuse , if we throughly waigh the circumstances of the text , what shall we thinke may befall them , which in the day time , in a Sermon while , but of one hower long at the most , & that as if it were of set purpose , and without any shame at all , before the holy Angels , & the whole congregation , & so many reuerend & godly persons , men & women settle themselues to sleeping & snorting ? Surely these belong to the catalogue and number of these lukewarme persons , Reue. 3.16 . whom the Lord threatneth , that he wil spue out of his mouth .

Remedies against sleep in the holy Sermon time . I denie not indeed , but that vpon sundrie causes it may sometimes fall out , that in the Sermon while sleepe may come vpon a man , yea and the same both good and Godly ? Howbeit he should not so much yeeld therto , as to suffer himselfe to be oppressed therewithall , but should resist it , which may easily be atchieued , by rising vp , and by standing on his seete . Againe , the neighbour should not suffer his neighbour to sleepe , but priuily pulling them , 1. Thess. 5.7 and thrusting them , should awake them : They that sleepe ( saith Paul ) sleepe in the night , & they that are drunken , are drunken in the night . And what else is it I pray you , if in the temple you see such as are accustomed to giue themselues to sleepe & to talke , what is it I say ; but euen openly to mocke Gods maiestie to his face , and to scorne and contemne his most holy word ?

Against talking in the Sermon time . Origen writing vpon Exodus , and inueighing against sundrie disorders and faultes that were practised in the Church assemblies , amongst others , he doth bitterly speake against talking there , in such tearmes as these are . Some there are ( saith hee ) that know not whether readings are recited in the Church , Origen . in Exod. hom. 12 but getting themselues into the farthest places of the Lords house , busie themselues there with worldly tales . Of whom I dare boldly say , 2. Cor. 3.15 . that when Moses is read , there is not now a vaile put vpon their hearts , but a thicke and high wall . For if he that is present , and heareth , A very strong reason . and is attentiue , and handleth againe and fifteth the things that he heareth , and asketh after , and learneth also such things , as at the first he could not vnderstand , can yet for all this hardly attaine to the libertie of knowledge , how may he ( that stoppeth his eares , that he should not heare , and turneth his backe to the face of him that readeth ) be iustly said to haue a vaile put vpon his heart , vnto whom , not so much as the vaile of the letter , ( with which the sense is couered , and is no more but the sound of the voice ) hath approched or come ? And against such talkings in the holy places of praier and preaching , Saint Basil expounding these words of the Psalme : In his temple euerie man shall speake of his glorie , Psal. 20.9 . writeth thus : Let them that in the temple speake long and large speeches , Basil . in Psal. 29 heare ( saith hee ) the words of the Psalme . He that is in the temple of God ; should not speake vaine , filthie or slaunderous words , but all should speake glory . There are present the Angels , marking the wordes , yea the Lord himselfe is present , considering the affections of them that come in . Euerie mans praiers are manifest to God . And a little while after he saith : Miserable men leauing their owne howses , Things hindering men from profiting by holy exercises in the temple . make hast to the temple , that they may obtaine ayd and helpe for themselues : but tell me I pray you , with what reuerence ? with what humilitie ? They doe not indeed heare the word of God : they doe not well perceiue the meaning and nature thereof , being found in sinne , they are not grieued for the same : comming to remember sinnes that are past : they are not sorrwfull therefore : they feare not Gods fearefull iudgement , but they goe into the temple laughing : they ioyne their right handes together : they make Gods house a place of tedious and prophane speech , not regarding the Psalme that saith : Psal. 29.9 . In his temple euery man shall speake of his glory . But thou doest not onely not speake of it , but hinderest others from it , by thy vaine speech thou many times turnest away such as would worship God , and thou speakest euill of the holy scripture , and of the grace of the holy Ghost : Chrysostome complaineth , Against curiositie . that in the Church of his age , curiositie had growne so farre , and gotten such a head , that he affirmeth that many came to the Church , to looke vpon womens beautie ; and somewhat curiously to behold the comelinesse and fairenesse of the yonger sort , whom in a certaine place he pursueth with this inuectiue speech . Chrysost. in Math. hom. 74. What doest thou ( O man curiously in the Church prying into womens beautie , and tremblest not , slaundering Gods temple with so great contumelie and reproach ? what ? doest thou take the Church to be a brothell howse ? and more base than the market place ? For in such open assemblies and places , thou blushest , yea thou art afraid , least any man should further pursue a woman : but in the Church of God , when God himselfe speaketh vnto thee , and deterreth thee from such sinnes , euen at the verie same time , especially thou doest commit fornication and adulterie , in which God with a great and glorious voice , thundereth against thee , & enioyneth thee to flie from such things , and yet thou tremblest not , neither art amazed . And after a few words he saith againe : Certainely it is much better to be eyther blind , or otherwise very sicke , than so filthily to abuse our eies , we should rather by an inward and partition wall be separated from women . But because yee will not , our auncestours haue thought it necessarie to disioyne you by these woodden walles . And I haue hearde of our elders , that these partitions or walles were not from the beginning . For in Christ Iesus , there is neither male nor female : Gal. 3.28 . And in the Apostles times , men and women praied together : Act. 1.14 . and the women were then women indeede , and the men likewise were such manner of men as they should be . But now contrariwise , Iere. 5.8 . women verily haue taken vnto them harlots manners , and men imitate the furie and rage of horses . Thus farre Chrysostome , whose place I haue the more willingly put downe , because of the partition wall which he mentioneth to haue been at that time in his Church .

Nay I will say more than this , namely , that in the Sermon while it is not meete for men to giue themselues ouer , or to spend the time in reading bookes of diuinitie , or the very Bible it selfe . For this is not to giue attendance to the things that are spoken , as we haue heard alreadie the Samaritanes did . Act. 8.6 . For in the holy assemblies of the Church , and in the Sermon time , that ought to beare sway , doe this , or attend this , by which our auncestors , did as it were by a prouerbiall sentence commaund them , to be attentiue onely to the present matter that was in hand , & not to busie themselues about other things : for what do these kind of readings shew forth els , but contempt of the minister that is preaching , and a perswasion in a mans selfe , Two very badde fruits of priuate reading in publike exercise time . that he hath greater learning and knowledge than the teacher ? And it is one thing , according to the present occasion , and as it were by the way , to seeke out and to marke , by turning the holy Bible onely some one testimonie or other , which was alledged in the Sermon , that we may the more diligently meditate of it at home ( of which also we haue spoken heretofore ) and another thing for a man wholly to giue himselfe , and that of set purpose , in publike place to his owne priuate reading .

Fourthly , all the frame of the whole Sermon , the knitting of it together , The whole body of the Sermon , & the knitting of it together must be obserued . and the bodie , must verie attentiuely be harkened vnto and obserued , if a man will obtaine any sound vnderstanding of the pointes , or sound edification . A man may find many , who as if they were certaine pilgrimes and strangers , doe by the way , and of a certaine kind of flying deuotion , heare and there harken vnto , only certaine parts or words of the Sermon : and that either after they are awaked from their sleepe ; or cease from their talking : or very hardly gather themselues from other worldly and fleshly thoughts of their owne : The faults of them that heare Sermons . or came in the middest of the sermon : or went away when it was halfe done . In comparatiue speeches , similitudes , & such like , one snatcheth the first proposition thereof , but the reddition ( in which principally is the force of the point it selfe ) he carelesly neglecteth and passeth by it . Two bad fruits of bad hearing . But what else can be gotten by this , but this , that the Sermons shall remaine couered with a certaine continuall obscuritie and darknesse , & that such hearers shall neuer come vnto any fruit ? Many times many things are spoken comparatiuely , Three good causes why men should be attentiue . or in a certaine respect , which if they be taken simply , or vnderstood generally , will ingender wicked opinions & corrupted iudgements . Now such things may be restrained , eyther in the premisses , or in the words following , and so be more rightly expounded and applied . Againe , sometimes some things worke scruple or doubt in the hearers , which are , and may be referred and put off till the time and place of refuting and obiecting . To be short , all things cannot at any hand be spoken together , What a profitable hearer should looke to . and as it were with one breath . Wherefore it is meet that a profitable hearer should alwaies be of a readie , laborious , and very attentiue mind , that his attention and heed taking may not waxe cold , but according to the present occasion , may ( as if it were by certaine interupted spaces and times ) returne againe . For vnto this techlesnesse of ours , we should ascribe this , that we do with great impietie heare such things , as were well produced and alledged in the holy Sermons , not onely to be diuersly tossed too and fro , but to be torne & rent in peeces , with scoffes , scorns , and slaunders . And yet sith it sundrie times falleth out , that some things spoken in one place are left imperfect : or else are vttered in a certaine respect , or may breed some scruples and doubtings , or offend some other way beside ( of which eyther the more full explication , or the limitation , or the solution , is of purpose reserued to their own peculiar , and more commodious places ) therefore that the Church also in this respect , may in better season be prouided , and no occasion giuen to the godly and simple hearers , to goe backe , or secretly to whisper , or to snatch a cause of some offence , a wise preacher or minister of Gods word , will in one or two words , What a wise and carefull minister should performe , in doubtfull speeches . & as it were by a parenthesis , yeeld & minister them hope , either of a more large explication of those points , or of the answere of those doubts and obiections , & will promise them aboundantly and sufficiently to satisfie them , & wil intreat them to remaine attentiue , and a little to support him , by patient hearing of him .

Mens minds must be free from preiudice , or foreconceiued opinion . Fiftly , mens minds , whilest they are hearing Gods word especially , must be free and set at libertie from the inchantment of all preiudice and foreconceiued opinions whatsoeuer , which either others haue proposed and broached vnto vs , or we haue drunke in and forged to our selues . For as they that haue bleare eies , The proposition of a fit similitude . or else see something by the meane of a coloured or dyed glasse , are not able to behold any thing well , nor to iudge rightly of diuers colours , but all seeme to be of that colour which the glasse is of , which they vse in steed of spectacles : The reddition of it . so the same thing falleth out vnto them , that are before hand possessed with the inchanting of preiudice , that they are not able rightly to vnderstand any thing in Gods word , or in the holy sermons , though otherwise it be neuer so easy , plaine , and familiar , but doe as it were violently snatch and drawe all things vnto the maintenance of those opinions which they haue sucked in . How familiar , plaine , and altogether without any ambiguitie or darkenesse , is that which Christ foretelleth his disciples , Luke . 18.31 32. saying : Behold we go vp to Ierusalem , and all things shall be fulfilled to the sonne of man , which are written by the Prophets . For he shall be deliuered to the Gentiles , and shall be mocked , and shall be spitefully intreated , and shall be spitted on . And after they haue scourged him , they shall kil him , but the third day he shall rise againe ? But what cause was there , that they vnderstoode none of these things , that these sayings were hidden from them , neither perceiued they the things that were spoken ? Verily because they were bewitched and besotted with preiudicate and foreconceiued opinions , touching the carnall & worldly kingdome of Christ : This vaile was laid ouer their hearts : And therefore they were not able to make these things agree betwixt themselues , namely , how Christ should suffer that infamous death of the crosse , and withall , how according to their preconceiued opinion , he should raigne as a most mighty worldly king . Wherfore in this case , men must according to Gods commaundement : 1. Iohn . 4.1 . 1. Thess. 5.21 . Trie the spirits whether they be of God or no : and trying all things , yet retaine and hold that only which is good . Surely it is a very wicked thing , euen in the outward matters of this life , to giue place to preiudgement , and to giue a sentence on either side , the cause not being on both sides sufficiently knowne and searched out . But the hearers of Gods holy word are here occupied , about a much more great & excellent subiect . Wherfore they must so much the more carefully indeuour and take heed , The more excellent the matter is , the more heedily it must be regarded . that they doe not so stiffely cleaue to the opinion which they haue once imbraced , that they will altogether stop their eares against them that think otherwise , or are not of the same mind with them , and so hinder themselues from hearing better , more wholsome also , and sound matters : neither yet that we be as ready to shake off the things that we haue receiued , The inconueniences of preiudicate and forestalled opinions . being sound and good , as we were readie to catch them , and to snatch them when they were offered , least through a false shew of truth , we may be deceiued , and least we striue & fight rather for our own opinions , than the sentence of the scriptures , or take that for the sentence of the scripture , which is our owne deuise and dreame , and ( which is farre more haynous ) blaspheame , slaunder , & condemne God himselfe and his truth , whilest we do more sharply & toughly than is meet , contend for our own preconceiued opinions . Eccle. 4.17 . Wherfore when we go vnto the house of God , we must well looke to , & keepe our feete : that is to say , our wicked affections , yea & such preiudicate opinions & conceits of our own : & with Mary to sit rather at Iesus feet , Luke . 10.39 that so in a certaine true kind of humilitie and lowlinesse of heart , we may shew our selues to be his obedient schollers & disciples . For if when we heare things contrarie to our opinions , or such as are not pleasant to our palate & taste , we will presently eyther harden our eares and our hearts , or brawne and benumme them , or in the middest of the Sermons , will get vs out of the Church , and from those good exercises ( which sundrie vse as we see , not onely if such false doctrines and opinions , as to which they haue inured themselues , be confuted , but also if they heare such faults & offences somewhat more sharpely rebuked , as in which they haue been nourished , and vnto which they are giuen ) then I say , The euils that insue going from Sermons . we do not so much ill indeed to the minister and preacher of the Church ( though such departing imagine that they hurt them ) as we doe vnto our selues , and depart and flie , not so much from the minister of Gods word , as from God himselfe , and our owne saluation : and bewraie a heart addicted not to God , and our owne saluation , Men must be present at publike assemblies & exercises , not with a mind of sifting too much , but of learning well . but to the world , and to our selues , and verie much differing from that denial of our selues , which Christ requireth to be in his very naturall and true disciples .

Sixtly , it behooueth those that come to places of praier & preaching to be present there , not with a mind peremptorily to determine of matters according to our fantasies , or to tosse and sift points , too and fro as we list , but with a mind to heare & to learne . As we shall find some , who either as it were of a certaine supersticious mallice of the mind ; or else of some contempt and hatred against the ministers of the word : or vpon perswasion of some singular and rare knowledge that they haue in Gods matters : or else for glory and ostentation sake ; or else because they esteeme nothing right and good , but that which themselues say or doe : or because with Phocion they think it a goodly thing alwaies to dissent from other men , will take vpon them to be iudges rather than hearers , masters rather than schollers to learne at holy Sermons , and censors of others , rather than such as will be censured . What cannot malice , contempt , and other vices performe ? Here nothing can be spoken so sound or so true , but that in it , they will giue triall touching the strength and force of their wit , by improuing of it , by bespotting of it , yea , by traducing & slandring of it . That therfore betideth them , which in former time fel vpon the Pharises , Luke . 14.1 . who watched Christ , that so from his doctrine & actions , they might take some occasion , to accuse and destroie him , if it might be .

Saint Paul willeth indeed , yea and commaundeth also , 1. Cor. 14.19 that the Church should iudge of those things which the Prophetes speake . And Saint Iohn will haue vs , Iohn . 4.1 . to trie the spirits , of the teachers , yea and their doctrines also . How & how farre the Church should iudge touching Sermons . And yet neither the one or the other of them , will haue this iudgement to be vndertaken , with a wicked and euill mind , but with a good and godly heart , yea and will haue the same to be restrained and subsist within these bounds , namely , to consider whether the things which the prophets & interpreters deliuer , doe consent with the rule of Gods word , & the soundnesse of Christian faith , and not by any such meane to make holy sermons subiect to mans iudgement , curiositie , or lightnesse , or to bring all things in them in awe , to wicked , vngodly , wanton , or proude wits , and to their determination & pleasure : or that the minister of the word , should be slauishly tyed & bound to other mens words , phrases , method , and order or rule of speaking : or that wise men should speake , Truth being once discouered , all things must giue place . and fooles should be made iudges of such thinges as are spoken , which thing Anacharsis the Sythian did in former time condemne , in the assemblies and Orations of the Athenians . For so soone as it shall appeare , that the things which are spoken are agreeable to Gods word , then presently all censure must cease , neither is there any thing else remaining , but that through the obedience of faith , we submit our selues to such matters , though all the senses both of our reason , and of our affections doe neuer so much stand vp against them , or the things themselues are not laid out in that methode , or with that course of speech , or with such additions &c. as happily we our selues gladly would . A reason . For here we may assure our selues of this , that looke how many formes of bodies there are , so many formes of wittes and dispositions , neither should we tie other men to our likings , or to our lawes , nay , indeed we may not , besides that we cannot , restraine the power and the graces of the holy Ghost in others , or cause it to become subiect to certaine rules of ours . Who they are , that must iudge of , or censure Sermons . But if so it be ( as it sometimes falleth out ) that sundrie matters would haue some censure , yet we must know that this is not the part of fooles and vnlearned folke ( as was vsed in the assemblies & Orations of the Athenians ) but of wise men , and such as were indued with singular knowledge of Gods matters , The place where . or greater skill than others : and this must be done , not at tables & feasts , or freely before euery one , The manner how . but priuately and secretly : neither with the affections of choller and anger , but must be vndertaken , with the spirit of meekenesse , that so nothing of the reuerence due to the ministerie may be taken from it , and the grace of God in it , And the end of censuring must be regarded . may be humbly acknowledged and reuerently esteemed , if he haue indued vs with a more excellent measure of discerning , and spirituall wisedome .

Seuenthly , if now and then difficile and hard points offer themselues in the Sermons , Hard things should not breed continuall lothsomenesse , but a desire more and more to find than out . which the hearer cannot presently , and vpon the first propounding of them vnderstand , he must not be ouertaken with tediousnesse and lothsomenesse to heare them , and more diligently to thinke vpon them , but with Augustine he must more and more admire them , and labour by searching to find them out . For those difficile , hard and high points , which here and there we meet with , both in the holy scriptures , and also in the Sermons of the Church , as they are a great argument , that no small portion of a reasonable and naturall man , who cannot conceiue heauenly things , 1. Cor. 2.14 . doth as yet cling and cleaue vnto vs : so they informe and teach vs , in the true knowledge of our selues , and in sound humilitie , that so laying aside the ambicious perswasion of some certaine singular and notable knowledge in vs , and casting off other cares and affaires of this life and world , we might the better attend , and dwell vpon the reading , heating , meditation , and searching out of heauenly things , and besides might the more diligently by praier stirre vp the Lord more and more to open and inlighten the eyes of our minds : and might seeke after many Philips , Ananiasses , and Peters , Act. 8.34 . Act. 10.5 . Act. 9.17 . that is , might aske councell of such as are better exercised in Gods matters than we . For the more free and noble mind or disposition any man is of , so much the more hardly can he indure to beare vncertaintie and doubting . An example whereof we may see in the Eunuch , who touched , yea and moued much with the difficultie of a place of the Prophet Isaiah , Esay . 53.7 . was not yet notwithstanding all that through any bashfulnesse ( which yet in this case is wont to hinder many ) any whit at all afraid , but humblie demaundeth of Philip , Act. 8.31.34 . how or of whom the Prophets words should be vnderstood . Likewise the Thessalonians also , heard Paul teaching in the synagogue , and when any doubt did arise , they did daily at home search the scriptures , Act. 17.11 . whether those things were so , which they had heard , taught and preached . Besides all this God mindeth by such difficultie and hight of some points , to get maiestie , authoritie , and credit to his word , yea and to the holy Sermons also . A similitude . For as those things easily grow into contempt , which presentlie , and at the first shew or setting forth are familiar to euery one of the meane people : so euerie man almost marueileth at , reuerenceth and highly esteemeth such things , as cannot be attained vnto , but by great studie , labour , and paines taking . So much the more also by the like reason , doth God mind to commend vnto vs , Publike & priuate vse of the misterie . the ecclesiasticall ministerie , that so we might not onely publikely , with greater diligence heare it , but might priuately repaire vnto , and take councell of them that be in it , and so might testifie that we haue not by the way & superficially , but soundly & thorowly care concerning the knowledge of holy & heauenly things . For if all men did know all things , Chrysost. hom ●4 . in Math. a teacher should not be needfull , and so the order of things should be confounded . For vnto them indeed whom he would haue to be teachers , thus speaketh God himselfe by Isaiah the Prophet , Esay . 40.1.2 speake ( O ye priests ) vnto the harts of the people . But vnto those whom by learning he would haue to know the mysteries of truth , thus he saith in the song of Moses : Deut. 32.7 . Aske thy father , & he wil tell thee , thine elders , & they wil declare vnto thee , saith Chrysostome . And touching the courses and considerations of the darkenesse of some things in the holy scriptures thus writeth Augustine : August . lib. 2. de doct. christ . cap. 6. That some things which are darkely deliuered in the scriptures , haue in them , or bring with them a most thicke darkenesse or dimnesse : that all this was foreseene and performed by God himselfe I doubt not of it , and this to be done that he might as well by labour tame and take down mans pride , as reuoke and call backe mans vnderstanding from lothsomenesse , we knowing that this is naturall in man , that such things as are easily found out and attained , do for the most part waxe vile . And after a few other words he saith thus . They that doe not altogether find that they seeke for , are still an hungred : But as for those that seeke not , because they find things readie and easie , Excellent sentences , and counsell therupon . they waxe feeble and vnlustie through lothsomenesse . But in both or either of them , men must beware of languishing . Nobly therefore , and verie healthfully also , hath the holy Ghost so tempered the holy scriptures , that in and by the more plaine places , he might meete with , and prouide for hunger , and in the more obscure and darke places , he might take away lothsomenesse . For nothing almost is , or can be fet out of the more darke places , which is not elsewhere found to be spoken verie plainely and as openlie as can bee .

Othersome there are , which flie from and auoid , yea turne away their eares and their heart from searching out of holy things , and from inquirie after truth , specially in the points of doctrine which are now in controuersie , and haue some difficulty and doubt in them , specially if they heare any of them touched in the Sermons : A grosse errour . wherein they doe vnder this false perswasion deceiue themselues , that the knowledge and iudgement of these matters , doth nothing at all belong vnto them , The same confuted . but concerneth learned men onely and preachers . As though it were not said to all , how many soeuer they be that professe Christes name , Mat. 7.15 . 1. Thess. 5.21 1. Iohn . 4.1 . 2. Pet. 3.17.18 . and haue been baptised into him : Beware of false Prophets : trie all things , retaine that which is good : trie the spirits whether they be of God or no. Beware least ye be plucked away with the errour of the wicked , and fall from your owne stedfastnesse , but grow in grace , & in the knowledge and acknowledging of our Lord & Sauiour Iesus Christ .

Eightly , euerie one must know how they ought to dispose and fit themselues , to the good and profitable hearing of Gods word , that so the things that are spoken , may not onely flow in at the eares , but may also be vnderstood with the heart , yea and not vnderstood only , but may be treasured vp in mindfull minds and memories . For as in the beginning we said , great art and skill was required not onely to the making , but also to the hearing of Sermons : Hearers must know and well obserue , the method ministers vse , and their kind of preaching . so not onely the minister or preacher of the Church had need of an assured method , by the benefit whereof he may readily minister and lay out all things , but the diligent hearer also had need thereof , that by the benefit & helpe of method , such things as are well propounded & laid open by the preacher , may as if it were , by the benefit and aide of a faithfull keeper be retained still by the hearer . For vnles the hearer be able to discern & iudge which in a Sermon is the narration , or elsewhē the summe & argument of the present text is vnfolded : What things the hearers of Sermons must respect . when from the narration there is raised vp a generall proposition or diuision , that is too say , in what heads or points it is shewed that the whole speech is to be occupied and consumed : what doctrines are gathered from the seuerall parts thereof : and withall it be declared what is the vse of those doctrines , and the application likewise of the same vse : when the preacher is occupied in the first , second , or third part of his Sermon : when he is in hand with confutation , or obiections are answered : to what part of the Catechisme the whole sermon it selfe , Mens memories many times hurt , by the want of method in the preachers . and the seuerall parts thereof are to be referred : but that all things confusedly , and as it were on heapes , shal be thrust into mens eares , then I say , there neuer was , or euer can be so happy , holy , or heauenly a memorie , that is able to remember & keepe fast all such things , as in an houers space , and a continuall course of speech were deliuered . So the hearer should be able to know and discerne the seuerall sorts of sermons , as whether the present text and sermon belong , or is to be referred to doctrine , to confutation , to instruction , to correction , or exhortation , or to speak somwhat more grossely perhaps in mens conceits , but more familiarly and truly as in regard of the matter it selfe , whether it appertain to faith or good manners . And if it belong to faith , All that is deliuered respecteth faith , or good manners . he must know whether any true doctrine be deliuered & confirmed , and any false doctrine or some errour be confuted . And if it concerne life , whether it beare vpon and commaund pietie towardes God , or some other certaine vertues belonging more properly to men . Also he must well regard to what states or sortes of life , yea and vnto what duties of euerie state and sort of life , all the things spoken are directed , as for example , whether they concerne the state of household gouernment , The parts of an household . and in that againe , whether they respect either maried folkes , as the husband and the wife , or the parents and their children , or the menseruants or the maidseruants , or the hired seruants and workemen . And so likewise touching the other kindes of life : also they must consider which condition of men or states of men , as their prosperitie or aduersitie the things propounded do concerne . A similitude . For as vnlesse the mariner wel behold , the Beare or Charles waine , as we call it , in the firmament , he will take or make but an vncertaine course in the sea : so except the hearer in hearing of Sermons , vse such a method , digesting of matters , and order , all the things that he heareth shall indeed be and remaine indigested , raw , vanishing , and not at all vnderstood , euen as if it were a confused Chaos or heape . No profitable hearing without obseruation of a good course . Wherefore a profitable hearer must vse this course , euen as if it were Ariadnes line or threed , if he will deliuer himselfe out of the Labyrinth , or maze as I may say , of Sermons , and finde a sure way out of them . It is no maruell then , that sith in this case so few are instructed , and do come vnto the holy assemblies , and doe heare Sermons , without iudgement and spirituall wisedome , there are so few found that profit by hearing of Gods word , yea though they haue verie excellent and worthie teachers .

But first the preachers of the Church , Helpes for the hearers wherby they may attaine the method of Sermons and ministers themselues , may be no small furtherance to this good method or manner of hearing Sermons , if in a word or two , after the beginning of their Sermon , and at the ende thereof , they will declare the kind of it : or shew vnto what part of the Catechisme it doth appertaine : as also , when , and where they beginne , or finish and shut vp the seuerall parts of their speech , and the seuerall parts also of their diuision . The masters also , as wel in common schooles , and such as teach but the mother tongue , as also in schooles of greater learning , and that not onely in places where men children , but women children also are taught , must inure and bring their schollers to this method and manner of hearing , writing , remembring , and rehearsing Sermons : which also they may performe with little or no adoe in a manner .

Ninthly , euery one of them must apply vnto themselues all the things they haue heard , The things that are heard , must be turned to wholesome vses . and turne them to the wholesome exercise of faith , prayer , and repentance . And this they must doe , whether they perceiue themselues strong in faith , or weake therein , or beholde themselues subiect , either to certaine temptations of conscience , or to some sinnes , vices , and infirmities , and be either in aduersitie , or in prosperitie , and be in this or in that state of life , and setled in some certaine dutie belonging thereto . A strong reason . For the doctrine of Gods word consisteth not so much in vnderstanding and knowing , as in doing , and in the true exercises of faith and godlines : Rom. 2.13 . Because not they who heare the law are iust before God , but they that performe the law , they shall be iustified : as he also that shall looke into that perfect law of libertie and shall abide therein , Iam. 2.25 . euen he , if he be not a forgetful hearer , but a doer of the word , shall be blessed in his deed . A worthie inference . Wherefore the doctrine of Gods holy word , must not onely be put into our eares , but into our head , and not into our brain or head only , but into our harts also , yea , and not into our heart only , but into our hands also , that the more sound fruit of it , may appeare in vs . Whereupon it is that our sauiour Christ also saith : Iohn 13.7 . If ye know these things , blessed are ye if ye doe them . And on the other side affirmeth , Luke 12.47 . That that seruant which knew the will of his master , or Lord , and prepared not himselfe , neither did according to his will , shall be beaten with many stripes : yea hath long ago foretold vs ; Matth. 7.21 . that euery one that shall say vnto him Lord Lord shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen , but he that shall doe the will of my father which is in heauen .

To this healthfull practise and obedience of Gods word heard , Councell profitable for practise of such things , as are deliuered in preaching . and that the same may indeed affect vs & thrust vs forward , this shall bring no small ayde and assistance , if the ministers in preaching of Gods word , doe not vse speech onely , but practise also a certaine demonstration of spiritual might and power ; yea and be indeed , truely , Good things which the hearers must vse . and from the heart affected therewithall : and that the hearers againe , can thorough Gods grace put on the preachers mind and affections , and by a certaine kind of spiritual alteration & change , be transformed into them , & follow both in the learning , and in the practising of Gods word , the very selfe same order and course , that they perceiue their faithfull preachers to vse and practise in teaching of it : Which thing ( that I may shortly vnfold my selfe , August . lib. 4 , de doct. christ . cap. 12 and vse Augustines words ) shall easily be brought to passe , if the learner loue that that the Preacher promiseth : if he feare that which he threatneth : if he hate that which he rebuketh : If he imbrace that which he commendeth , if he lament that which he aggrauateth , and sheweth is worthie to be lamented : and if he set any thing out that is worthie to be reioyced at , reioyceth therein : and taketh pitie of them , whom by speaking he placeth before their eies , as meet to be pitied : and flieth from them , whom by terrifying he setteth before them to be auoided , &c. So we read of the Elders of Ephesus , that when they heard Paul , with a verie patheticall , and yet lamentable speech , to commend that Church vnto them , Act. 20.31.37 . and to rehearse his teares , by which he had admonished euery one of them day and night , three yeares together , there was also a great weeping and mourning among them all . Iohn . 7.45.46 . And when Christ spake so as neuer any man , those officers that the Pharises sent out to take or to trippe Christ , were so transformed , and had put vpon them such other affections and mindes , that they did not onely not bring Christ bound ( a matter that was giuen them in charge to doe ) but they did commend and imbrace both him and his doctrine . An excellent sentence . To be short , it can hardly be vttered , how much good it doth , when the hearers affections and indeuours , do answere the affections and indeuours of their teachers . For where there shall be found the like will and mind both in the hearers , and in the teachers , it cannot be but that there shall follow thereupon very excellent fruits of Sermons .

Tenthly , godly hearers must not thinke the minister tedious , or be wearie , Men must not waxe weary with long Sermons . or fret in themselues , much lesse trudge and packe out of the Church , if the Sermon be sometimes more long , or grow greater than at other . The ministers and preachers of Gods holy word , must carefully indeuour to auoid that . But perhaps the doctrine that is presently to be treated of , is more plentifull and fruitfull than that it can be comprehended and concluded in a few words . It may be also , In what cases the minister may now & then be somewhat more long and large . that there was not in former time any fit opportunitie offered to propound it , or may in short space after to be offered . Perhaps also the present state of things requireth men againe and againe , to lay vppon the same anuile . The hearers sometimes are present , which perhaps at another time haue not leaue or leasure to be there , and for whose sake the ministers must stand vpon the present points and doctrines , eyther of faith or of pietie . In these cases therefore godly hearers must patiently beare some protracting of time , and not be wearie , A very strong reason , and fit comparison . but waite as it were , the deliuerie of many good things : we do easilie and without any loathsomenes passe away the time , if that idle speeches and talkings together , or disorderly and drunken , or riotous feasts be deferred and put of many houres , yea euen to midnight , Iob. 17.12 . And the day be turned into night , as it is in Iob. Wherefore if in the holy assemblies and exercises of the Church , we be so quickly wearie , or fret and fume , it is sure a signe of such a minde as is ill affected , and doth not hunger and thirst after ( as it should ) the righteousnes of Gods word , Matth. 5.6 . Psalm. 1.2 . Chrysost. hom. 3. in Genes. and hath not his delight in the law or testimonies of the Lord . On the other side , as to be an hungrie is a token of bodilie health : so with a great & earnest desire to heare Gods holy word , is a most assured argument of the good health and welfare of the soule , so saith Chrysostome . Surely that must needs be a long Sermon , when Iehoshua read in the presence and hearing of all Israel all the words of the lawe : Iehosh . 8.34 , 35. in so much as there was not a word of all things which Moses had commanded , which Iehoshua read not before all the congregation of Israel . The like consideration was there also of the ecclesiasticall assemblie , when Iosias the King , 2. Chron. 34.30 . in the hearing of all the people , and that from the greatest to the smallest , read all the words of the booke of the couenant , which was found in the house of the Lord . The same booke of Moses law Ezra did reade from the morning vntill the mid daye , before men and women , Ezra . 8.3 . and them that vnderstoode it , and yet notwithstanding the eares of all the people were in so long a Sermon directed , and hearkened vnto the booke of the law . Afterwards the children of Israel read in the booke of the law of their God foure times a day . Ezra . 9 3. How long was that Sermon of Christs , which is set out in the fift , sixt , and seuenth chapters of the Gospell according to S. Matthew , specially if we regard this , that the Euangelists doe propound vnto vs onely the bare heads , points , or summes , as I may say , of Christs Sermons ? S. Paul being to depart from Troas the day following his speech , Act. 20.7.11 continued his words and preaching euen vntill midnight , and speaking long vnto them , euen vntill the dawning of the day , at the last he so departed . Therefore it is not any new , or vnaccustomed thing , though sometimes for sundry causes it so fal out , that Sermons be somewhat prolonged , and yet the hearers be held , and remaine with continuance ( and that also without loathing or stomacke , and chasing ) in good and continuall attention .

Eleuenthly , parents , masters , and elders , must in the Sermon while obserue and looke to their children , Euerie one should look to his own in the Sermon time . schollers , and flocke , least either by sleeping , or talking together , or committing some light and vnseemely things , or else gadding out of the Church in the Sermon time , they commit something that is vnseemely or vnworthie of the holy assemblies of the Church . And if perhaps any such thing should be performed , they must either by and by , or at home , or in the schooles , or vpon euerie first occasion so falling out , admonish & correct them as in this behalfe . For in the holy assemblies of the Church , one must haue speciall regard of reuerence , comelines , and modestie , and if as in this behalfe there be any offence committed , 1. Cor. 11.4.5 . 1. Cor. 14.34.40 . it must be corrected and censured , and that according both to the doctrine , and the example of Saint Paul the Apostle in his epistle to the Corinthians .

Schollers must write Sermons . Commodities insuing that exercise . Particularly schollers must be accustomed , to take Sermons in writing : which kind of holy exercise hath many commodities , and the same of great moment also . For whilest they must attend diligent hearing , and ordinarie writing of Sermons continually , they cannot haue leisure to giue themselues to wantonnesse and lightnesse , which otherwise they do without measure exercise and practise , if this or some other good matter be not laid vpon them . By this meanes also men shall meet with that offence , which verie easily , and sometimes also not without iust cause the Church conceiueth , aswell by the vnbridled and corrupted manners of children , as of their masters , One foule fault in schoolemasters , manfesting it self in the neglect of schoole discipline . For many iudge verie hardly , if not vniustly ; concerning schooles and schollers , whilest amongest children brought vp at schoole , and others ( who were neuer so much as at the schoole doores threshold ) they do as in regard of honesty , and pietie see no difference at all . Thirdly , they shall not a little profit by this kind of exercise in Christian religion , and in the true vnderstanding of the Catechisme which is taught them in the schooles , specially if the Preachers in the Church striue vnto this , to bring their Sermons vnto some heads or points of the Catechisme , and the master in demaunding repetition of those things diligently and carefully referre and bring all and euerie one of them to that point , I meane of the Catechisme . Yea we may assure our selues of this , that as if it were by plaie and by doing some other thing , they may euen from their young yeares get vnto themselues so great knowledge in the blessed Bible booke , specially if they accustome themselues to the reading of the Bible , both in the schooles ( which thing certainely should be practised in all Christian schooles ) and also at home , at certaine spare howres , that at the last they shall both reioice for so great riches & spiritual treasure obtained and shall leaue behind them many of full and ripe years , who perhaps in this respect tooke themselues not to be the last or behind others . To this we may adde that they are therby moued to write fast and speedily ; whilest they are constrained to indeuour by writing , to keepe tacke with the preacher , before the things that were spoken slip out of their memorie : and so become not so much painters , as good and cunning writers indeed , which thing also hath a verie apparant vse , not onely in publike schooles , but in euerie sort of a more learned and ciuill life whatsoeuer , whether in the Church , or in the ciuill estate men shall applie their minds . And by this kind of writing , both the memorie and the iudgement of youthes is marueilously sharpened . The memorie holpen . The memorie certainely , while it suffereth not those things to flote and vanish away , which the penne must spedilie receiue and take : and the iudgement , The iudgement also . whilest men discerne betwixt things spoken besides the purpose , and such as in the Sermons are deliuered to the point indeed , that so omitting the former , they may imbrace and receiue these . And though it may so fall out that one and the selfe same thing , not onely as in regard of some particular words , but as in respect also of the whole sentences , be now and then repeated and beaten vpon by the preacher ( which Augustine in some place of his bookes touching Christian doctrine , August . de doct. Psa. 10 sometimes perswadeth the minister and preacher of the Church to do , namely , so long to pursue and stand vpon the beating and repeating of one and the same point , vntill by the gesture and countenance of the hearers , he perceiue that they vnderstand it ) that yet they should know , that to note it once onely will be sufficient , yet so as they doe preferre that before the rest , Many things required in a diligent hearer or writer of Sermons . which both in words and sentences doth excell the rest . Also they must know , when the seuerall partes of the speech or method of the Sermon beginneth or endeth : that is to say , which is the beginning or ending ; which is the narration or discourse , which is the proposition or diuision , which is the confirmation , which is the confutation , which is the conclusion , and when some of the parts of the speech are omitted ; which thing is sometimes performed , either about the beginning , or else in the confutation , or towards the conclusion ( or perhapps in some other part of the speech ) as we haue declared in his proper place .

CHAP. 4. Touching the duties that the hearers are to performe , when the Sermon is done .

A corrupt opinion . THere is scarse the hundreth man , that doth not fully perswade himselfe that he hath well and exactly done his dutie in and about the matter of hearing Sermons , if with a sertaine kind of attention & diligent meditation of the things propounded , he hath heard the Sermon from the beginning to the ending : and haue also felt some certaine motions of the mind , and deuotion of the heart , as it were by the way , and vpon the present occasion in the Sermon while stirred vp in him . Mo things required than diligent attention at Sermons &c. And to say the truth , these exercises and offices of a Christian man are not to be contemned or neglected . But yet the last labour , ending and finishing as they saie , are not yet so added vnto this holy worke , but sundrie things yet remaine , which directly concerne the liuely and healthfull practise of the doctrine heard , yea doe so turne the doctrine we haue heard , into moisture & blood , that the fruit thereof doth by many meanes and waies also redound to our selues and others : Rom. 2.13 . which yet are of so much the greater moment and weight , because not the hearers , but the doers of the law shal be iustified , as the scripture affirmeth . And Christ himselfe saith : If ye know these things , Iohn . 13.17 . blessed shall ye be if ye do them . Wherfore touching some things concerning this point , and such as shal be thought necessary , we will now put men in mind .

For first , an vngodly , lewde and shamefull custome of many Churches doth beare this , Men ought not to go out of the Church , so soone as the Sermon is ended . that such as hardly indured and held out to the end of the Sermons , so soone as they are done , shall in such a number and heape , and with such violence also , get them out of the temples , that few are found that tarie the publike praiers of the Church : fewer that are partakers of the holy sacraments ( which are the seales of Gods couenant ) and specially that stay the administration of holy baptisme : and fewest of all which waite and looke for the blessing of the Church , with which the holy assemblies and exercises should be shut vp and finished . Inconueniences that follow going out of the Church before all be finished . But in the meane season , remaining in the Church yards as they call them commonly , or in the Church porches , they treat of ( & that with no small profanation of the Lords day , and the taint or spot of Christian profession ) worldy and prophane busines , yea in some places certaine buyings and sellings , yea & that with such vncomely , rude , & filthy outcries , yea somtimes railings , yea & tumults also , as is pitifull to see or heare : whereas it is a godly hearers dutie , not so much as to remone his foot out of the holy assembly , til such time as the publike praiers be made , the Sacraments administred , and the blessing of the Church be pronounced and giuen .

Why the whole Church should be present at publike praiers . For concerning publike praiers , this is it we must hold : seeing there are two principal actions & parts of the holy assemblies , one , by which God speaketh with vs , both in his word & sacramentall signes , as if it were by visible words : the other , by which we againe do by our praiers as it were talke with God , we may see that they perform but one halfe of Gods worship & seruice , that withdraw themselues from the praiers of the Church , and not without notorious vnthankfulnesse against God , do bewray a retchlesse and detestable impietie , Many euils insue our departing out of the Church before publike praiers be finished . securitie , and slouthfulnesse of their minds : by which they declare that they are not touched with any care either of themselues , or of the Church , which is the communion and fellowship of saints , or haue any consideration of all or any of Gods iudgements , whether they be benefis and fauours , or punishments present or to come . For what execrable and accursed vnkindnesse or vnthankfulnes were this , The proposition of a similitude . if thou shouldest heare some worldly king or prince ( whose fauour and bountie thou and all thine do enioy , and liue thereby ) speaking with thee , and offering vnto thee not onely the continuance of his former fauour , but more bountifull and plentifull benefits , thou after this his most gracious speech were ended , shouldest either stand before him without all motion of body or mind , like vnto a dumbe and dead image , or presently turne thy backe vpon him , The re●●●tion . that I may not speake more hardly ? But how much more grieuously and filthily do they sin , who not staying for the Churches publike praiers vnto God , and not ioyning their owne praiers with the same , gadde and trudge out of the holy assemblies ? doe wee thinke that we haue not receiued any benefits from God , which deserue praise and thankesgiuig ? Interrogations full of force and might . Are we ignorant of this , that God for those his diuers & innumerable , yea truly infinite benefits towards vs , doth require and demaund nothing at our hands , but praise and thankesgiuing ? Or do we not know , that thankesgiuing is a prouoking of God to bestow more ? and on the other side , that he is not worthie to receiue more fauors , that hath not yeelded thankes for such as he hath alreadie receiued ? what ? do we not feele out selues subiect to any miseries , wretchednesses or necessities , both of soule and bodie , against which we haue need of Gods grace and aide ? Are we ignorant of this that we are men , and that no humane thing is , or ought to be straunge vnto vs ? Or know we not that , Herodo . lib. 1 which that rich king Cresus said to Cyrus , sometimes the Persian monarch ( as Herodotus witnesseth ) that there was a round place for men & matters , which turning about as a wheele , did not suffer the same people alwaies to be fortunate ? Or are we so farre separated from the communion of saints , yea from the fellowship of him that is their and our heard , to wit Christ himselfe , that in our praiers we will nothing at all communicate with their necessities , Rom. 12.13 . Amos. 6.6 . Rom. 12.15 . that we will nothing morne for the affliction and sorrow of Ioseph , that no pitie shall touch vs , and cause vs to weepe with them that weepe , which thing also the holy Ghost doth so often vrge , and presse vpon vs , euen in so many words ? Are we ignorant what great efficacie there is of the publike prayers of the Church , See for this purpose . Act. 12.5 . &c. in which so many faithfull soules , doe in a certaine holy agreement , consent , and as it were conspire together : Tertul. Apolo . cap. 39. and that they are ( as Tertullian speaketh ) a certaine violence acceptable to God , if some certaine assemblie and congregation , as if it were made with one hand , come vnto God , and humblie sue vnto him by prayer .

And as concerning the administration of Baptisme , many perswade themselues , Why they should be present at the administration of Baptisme . that it is in vaine for them to be present thereat , and that they haue no profit by it . But besides that , God himselfe will at no hand haue the Sacraments of his Church to be taken as certaine ceremonies , appointed for that heathen idoll Ceres , which were done in corners closely , and as it were by stealth , but hath appoynted for them , the publike and solemne assemblies of his people , as we may perceiue by many places in the new Testament , Matth. 3.5 . Iohn 3.23 . Act. 20.7 . and particularly those that are quoted in the margine : we must know that God requireth euen the praiers of the Church for those infants , 1. Cor. 11.20 which by baptisme are presented and offered to Christ : which praiers indeed , neither the zeale of Christes house or of the Church , nor Christian charitie will suffer vs to detaine or withhold from them . And because the vertue and efficacie of our baptisme , or rather indeed of the spirit of Christ by it , is not so vnconstant and momentarie , but that the outward action of it is spread abroad ouer the whole life of a Christian man , Rom. 6.3.4 . &c. & that euen to his graue , so often as it is ministred in the Church , we haue therein a manifest occasion offered vs to call to our remebrance that heauenly couenant , by which God hath promised , and that as it were by an oth interposed , that he will be our God for euer : yea euen of that couenant that is to be renued with vs , the heauenly both signe and seale whereof is our baptisme : and that both for the strengthening of our faith in vs touching the fauour of God towards vs in Christ ( who is as true in the signes of his grace as in the word of his grace ) as also for the refreshing and stirring vp of our memories , Two ends of our baptisme . The vse of the former speech . in that mutuall couenant on our part with the same our God , which is made with vs by the solemne testimonie of our baptisme . Which thing will notably stirre vs vp to the acknowledging , faith , and obedience of God , and strengthen vs through his grace , more and more to renounce Sathan , the world , and our own flesh , & altogether bid them farewel . 2. Sam. 17.26 . No doubt Dauid when he was yet but a weake youth , might promisse vnto himselfe victory against that huge & terrible giant Goliah , & that God would stand on his side against him , because he himselfe was circumcised , and the other not . How much more assured hope ( & that euen from the baptisme which we haue receiued ) may we conceiue , that we shall triumph against this infernall Goliah , the diuell I meane , and be assured of Gods grace toward vs ? So farre of is it that wee are present at the publike administration of baptisme , eyther vnprofitablie , or with the losse and mispending of our time .

And as touching the Lords supper , if it were rightly , and as it should be vsed in the Church , no man , so often as it is administred , should withdraw himselfe from the participation thereof : Why they should be present at the celebration of the holy supper . much lesse should any that were come to the yeares of discretion depart out of the temple whilest it is administred . For sith Christ himselfe in the institution of his supper so often repeateth this : Matth. 26.26.27 . Luke 22.19 . 1. Cor. 11.26 . Take yee , eate yee , drinke yee all of this , doe yee this in remembrance of me : shew out the Lords death , &c. And the minister according to the dutie of his message , doth in Christs name inuite and call the whole Church : with what face or forehead can any man of the Church , both heare these things in it , and yet abstaine from the same ? For is there not great reproach and contumely cast vpon Christ , whilest we repell so many excellent commaundements of his , and reiect him that so earnestlie inuiteth vs ? And what is it to neglect , contemne , and skorne Christs Testament , if this be not ? What is this else I pray you , but to turne our backs to God , to Christ , to the Church , to the brethren ; yea , for men to despise their owne saluation ? The auncient Church had respect of these considerations , Anacletus . sith Anacletus the second Romaine Bishop is affirmed to haue decreed , That after the consecration was ended , all should communicate that would not want entrance into the Church and assemblies thereof : Conc. Antio . can. 2. Sith also the Councell of Antioch decreed , That such as come into the Church , and heare the holy Scriptures , and doe not communicate , but do of a certaine intemperancy , turne themselues away from the receiuing of the holy Communion , should be remoued out of the Church , till they had amended this fault . Which though in the first Councell of Toledo it were mitigated , or at the least propounded with some more milde words : yet there also it was decreed , Concil. Tolita . 1. can . 13 That they that come into the Church , and are found seldome or neuer to communicate , should be admonished . And if they doe abstaine after admonition giuen , let them be separated from the fellowship of the Church . And what meaneth this , that euen yet to this daye in the reformed Churches , such as yeeld not to the ministers and elders a iust cause of their absence , and doe rashlie withdraw themselues from the vse of the holy Supper are therefore admonished , and for the same , ecclesiastically reproued ? Metaphrastes writing the life of one Iohn Eleemosynar , Metaphra . in vit. Iohn . Eleemosy . or almes giuer , as we would say , reporteth , that seeing all his hearers , whilest the Supper was in celebrating , to depart out of the Church , hee also leauing the action , went his way , speaking thus , That he had no neede of that labour , but that hee administred the Supper for the benefit and profit of the people . And that therefore seeing they would not voutchsafe to bee present , hee went about a needeles worke .

Why they should be present at the catechising of children . Furthermore , if men dealt well , and christians had that zeale they should , none of them that were of the yeares of discretion , or parents , should depart out of the Church , no not when the nouices were to be examined & instructed . For the holy Scripture is wont to call such children , not only as are so in yeares , but such rather as are so in vnderstanding , and in the knowledge of Gods word , and of the way of trueth . But how many are there ( the greater is our griefe ) that euen amongst them that are of the yeares of discretion , yea , that are of great yeares , and haue hoare haires , are not at this day found infants and children as in this behalfe ? These interrogations can hardly be answered . Why therfore should not such suffer themselues to be catechised ? and though they would refuse to be examined , & to yeeld confession of their faith ( as commonly they do ) why do they not yet by their hearing and presence , indure at the least wise that instruction which is bestowed vpon children ? For those catechisings of children , because they are performed by continuall course of questions & answers , and in the same al things be childishly and rudely handled , & in a shorter maner dispatched , may more easily be comprehended in memorie , than Sermons that are made in a continual tenor & course of speech , and are with greater labour beautified and adorned . Parents duetie . And to prouoke the greater & better attention to all the things that in this behalfe shall bee performed , there must bee no small care and regard in parents for their children which are to be instructed , that they may satisfie the questions demaunded , and may proceede in the course of faith , godlines , and saluation , & that they themselues might not be constrained to blush & to be ashamed if their children be silent at the demaunds , and fowly giue ouer . And because this is the chiefest part of the dutie of parents towards their children , to bring them vp in the instruction and information of the Lord , Ephes. 6.4 . a double care and respect should in this behalfe stay & hold them fast , not to depart from the catechisings or instructions of youth . The one is , Two excellent respects . that they might publikely heate & iudge , with what faithfulnes the Ministers of the church do their duty in instructing their children , that so if they perceiue any thing to be wanting in them , they might think vpon , and prouide some other way & course , that their childrens saluation might not be neglected , and troden vnder foote . The other , that if they themselues be not so well instructed in the points , which they shuld powre into their children , & as it were beat vpon at home ( as I feare me certainely , A lamentable thing . very many parents , the more is the pitie , and with griefe wee may speake it , are as yet very rude and ignorant of heauenly things concerning their owne saluation ) they notwithstanding might yet learne such things as are needefull for them , both for the better doing of their dutie towards their children , and also more fitly belong to their owne saluation , A very strong reason , & forcible to perswade . An argument from profit to the people , to the Ministers . which also by the benefit of these catechisings , almost without any labor , ( sure I am , without any shame or confusion of them themselues ) they may attaine vnto . And vnles my iudgement vtterly faile me , youths , such as are of the yeres of discretion , and parents also , may in some manner profit more by these catechisings , than by Sermons ; in so much that the Ministers of the Church , should at no hand loose their labour , if in the summer season , and in the assemblies that are made vpon the Lords daies in the afternoone ( in which many men , as we well perceiue , The good vse of catechising . are so farre from fitting themselues to good exercises , that they doe of purpose giue themselues ouer to sleeping and snorting ) they would sometimes omit Sermons of instruction , and giue themselues onely to the catechising of children , and vse withall , some more plentifull exposition of the Booke of the Catechisme , which might euidently stand in steed of the Sermons omitted , and satisfie such as were of the yeares of discretion , and had made further proceedings than other .

And so the Church might at the last , Why men should stay the blessing of the Church . vpon good ground receiue and be partaker of the blessing of the Church , before the congregation were dissolued . In the olde Testament God himselfe ordained that all holy exercises and duties being done , the assemblie should not be dimissed , till it had receiued a solemne blessing from the priestes : whereof also God himselfe put downe a solemne forme for the priests to vse , as may appeare by these words , where he saith : Thus shall ye blesse the children of Israell , and say vnto them ; Num. 6.23.24 . The Lord blesse thee and keepe thee : the Lord make his face to shine vpon thee , and giue thee peace . To which ordinaunce and commaundement of God , the Psalmist doubtlesse alludeth in one of his Psalmes , where the priestes say vnto the people : Psal. 118.26 . We blesse you of the house of the Lord : that is to say , either we that are of the Lords house , and haue the care of the Lords house committed vnto vs , vnderstanding so these words of the priests : or else you that are of the Lords house , and indeed of the true Church of God , referring the words vnto the people , to whom this blessing belonged . And this custome of blessing the congregation , was obserued and continued euen in the Church of the new Testament : Concil. Agath. can . 31 In so much that in the councell of Agathon it was decreed , that the people should not presume to go out of the temples before that blessing was pronounced . Neither is the ceremonie of this blessing toyish as some suppose , or superficiall , but graue & good indeed . For euen as it is Gods pleasure by the ministerie of his Church to be effectuall , & hath established in his Church the ministerie of reconciliation & life , so euen in this very blessing also , 2. Cor. 5.19 . the ministers are witnesses and preachers of Gods grace towards his owne people , in so much that this verie rite and order , is an effectuall testimonie of Gods grace , blessing , inlightning , and mercie towards them .

Secondly , such things as haue been diligently heard in the Sermons of the Church , 2 The Sermons must be diligently called to remembrance , and well considered of . must , and that with no lesse diligence , and that also out of the holy Bible be looked into , turned ouer againe , and as it were chawed at home , that by this comparing of them , & as it were weighing of them in an equall balance , both our iudgement concerning Gods matters may be sharpened and quickned , Foure good effects of that dutie . and the things we haue heard may sinke more deeply into our memory , sticking fast there , & our consent more & more strengthned , & our faith & pietie established . And of this Christian care and indeuour , Saint Luke setteth before vs a notable and excellent example in those noble men of Berrhea . Act. 17.10.11 . For when as Paul & Silus preached there in the Synagogue , they receiued their word with all readines . And least they might be ouertaken with too much readines to beleeue , receiuing euery thing for Gods word , when they came home out of the Synagogue , they searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so which Paul & Silus deliuered , A good example is of great force . and so by reading of the holy scriptures , did as it were by an exact touchstone to trie & examine those things . Wherby it came to passe , that not onely a great multitude of them bleeued , but by their example also , not a few of the Grecians & heathen , both men and women , were brought to the faith of Christ . Origen vpon Leuiticus affirmeth , that they offer to God an acceptable sacrifice and remembrance , Orig. hom. 4. in Leuit. that day and night meditate in the lawe of the Lord , and keepe fast in memorie all the scriptures : or if they cannot do that , do at the least commit to memorie such things as are taught or rehearsed in the Church , and who after they depart out of the Church , doe as if they were cleane creatures , chawing the same things againe , call them to memorie , and to be short , indeauour to accomplish Gods commaundements .

Thirdly , fathers of families and household gouernours , 3 Fathers & teachers must demaund of their people an account of the Sermons . must as they sit at table , or else where , repeat at home the Sermons which they haue heard with their family and household : and the like must the schoolemasters doe with their schollers in the schooles , and likewise euery one with those that belong vnto them , yet so as the schoolemasters carefully looke vpon the bookes , in which their schollers haue taken and written the Sermons , and correct the scapes of their writings , or the faults and errours therein , whether it be as in regard of the manner of writing , or the matter written . And this dutie doth God himselfe prescribe vnto , and presse vpon fathers of families , yea and schoolemasters also , who are or should be parents of soules to their schollers , for thus he saith : These words which I command thee , Deut. 6.6.7 . &c. this daie shalt thou repeat and rehearse vnto thy sonnes , and thou shalt speake or talke of them , when thou sittest in thy house , and when thou shalt walke by the way , and when thou shalt lie in thy bed , and when thou shalt rise vp . And a little after in the same Chapter : Deut. 6.20.21 . When thy sonne in time to come shall aske thee , saying , what meane these testimonies , and ordinances , and iudgemets , which the Lord our God hath commanded you : then shalt thou say vnto thy son , we were Pharaohs bond men , &c. And the like you may see in other places quoted in the margine , Exod. 12.26 Iosh. 4.6 . Psal. 7● . 3.4 which for shortnesse sake I doe not put downe . And Chrysostome doth diligently and carefully exhort fathers and household gouernours to this dutie , and indeuour , of remembring Sermons at home , and of repeating them together with those of their households , saying : Those that depart from the assemblie of the Church must not be intangled with businesses , Chrysost. hom. 5. in Math. contrarie to that studie and indeuour which they had whilest they were there , but returning presently home , they must lay open the holy bookes , and call their wife with them , and their children also , to conferre vpon those things which were spoken : and these things being more deeply and throughly setled in their hearts , then afterwards to goe vnto , and to prouide for such things as are necessarie for this present life . And in another part of his works , namely vpon Iohn , he saith thus : This I iudge very necessary to admonish you of , Chrysost. in Ioh. hom. 2. and to exhort you to , that looke what mind ye are of now , yee would perseuer and continue therein , and that not onely whilest you are in this assemblie , but at home also let the husband speake often of these things together with his wife , the father with the sonne , and let them on both sides deliuer their opinion , and inquire other mens , and let them striue to bring in this most approued and godly custome . An obiection . Neither let any man say vnto me , Children must not be busied or occupied about this . For I say that it is not onely needfull they should giue ouer themselues to these admonitions , The anwere . but that they should follow them onely . Yet hauing some respect to our weaknes I say not so : neither do we mind hereby to lead them from worldly and earthly affaires , no more than we doe our selues from ciuill businesses . But of these seuen daies which God hath allowed vs , we rightly iudge that one should be imployed to the worship and seruice of him , that is the common Lord of vs all . Is not this a foolish thing , A familiar , but yet a pithie speech . Psal. 16.2 . that we would haue our seruants alwaies occupied in our businesses , and yet we will performe no seruice to God ? specially sith all our seruice and labour doth nothing at all profit him ? For God wanteth nothing , Psal. 50.12 . but that which we doe to him redoundeth wholly to our owne profit . As for you , when ye bring your children to shewes and plaies , yee will prouoke them , but neuer exhort them to doctrine , learning , or any profitable thing . Nay rather , if any holy thing be to be atchieued , The speech of our time . or any spiritual matter to be obtained , yee call that needlesse and superfluous care . Doe ye not iustly prouoke Gods wrath against you , when for the attaining of other things , yee set a certaine time , and vse all diligent care , but yet thinke it tedious and vnseasonable to haue your children exercised in the doctrine of holy things ? It should not be so , yea dearely beloued brethren , I tell you it should not be so . Young age , and the disposition of it . Certainely this age needeth these admonitions especially . It is tender , and quickelie comprehendeth and learneth the thinges that are propounded or instilled into it , and receiueth the thinges it heareth , as it were by a seale set vppon the waxe of hearing , that is , it easilie entreth into the minds and hearts of children . Besides both the life of youth is in hearing , If men will be won to godlines , we must begin with them betime . and in them otherwise almost it is without vse , so that they may easily be bowed eyther to vertue or to vice . If therefore any man will euen from their cradels , and as it were from their first entrance into vice , draw them to the way of vertue , he must settle them in a certaine habit as it were , and nature , to liue well and rightly , neither suffer them of their own accord to runne quickly into worse matters , sith such accustoming of them vnto vertue from their tender years , cannot but allure them thereto . And by this meanes they shall both so much the more diligently obserue and reuerence their elders , Two good ends of bringing vp youth religiously . and shall be found more profitably to be imployed in ciuill matters , because they shall , and that euen from their verie youth , be taught , and haue learned the manners of their auncients . The same Chrysostome in an other place reproueth husbands and maried folke , for that they did cast the whole burthen and weight of bringing vp others vpon the ministers backe and shoulders onely : you onely ( saith he ) should be instructed of vs : Chrysost. hom. 9. ad Coloss. and your wiues and children by you your selues : But ye leaue all things to vs to performe . And therefore we are constrained to indure great labour and griefe .

Fourthly , 4 Men must Godlilie conferre of the Sermons by the way , & in their talkes , and at their tables or feastes . euen in the way also as men come from the Church homeward ( as we see those that dwel in villages , & abroad in the country , haue for the most part verie long waies from the Church home ) and in their feastes , and in all other their commings or meetings together , the hearers must talke of the Sermons they haue heard , and conferre one of them with another : that so they may cause them to sticke faster in their mind , and may more and more build vp one another . But a most wicked custome hath in this behalfe mightily preuailed amongst Christians , namely , that so soone as their foot is out of the Temples or Churches , many of them are as it were with a certaine kind of violence caried & fall into , and that euen in the verie Churchyardes and porches thereof , worldly and prophane businesses and speeches , A wicked custome amongst Christians . and consume and spend the best part of the Lords day , not onely in worldly affaires , but in wicked , dishonest , and filthie speeches , and the accusing of their neighbours , or else , in vniust , vngodly , and scoffing speeches ( more vile than that of Lucian ) both against the Sermons made , and also against the preachers themselues . Which indeed is rather to keepe a feast to Sathan , than to Christ . Those disciples certainely that went towards Emmaus , Luke . 24.13 14.27 . did on the day of the Passeouer talke touching Christ , and concerning all other things which in those daies fell out vnto him at Ierusalem : and Christ walking with them in a shape not know vnto them , began at Moses and all the Prophets , Act. 8.27.28 . &c. and interpreted vnto them all the scriptures that were written touching him . That Eunuch of Ethiopia , returning from the temple of Ierusalem homeward , fitting in his chariot , read the Prophet Isaiah , and conferred with Philip touching that place which he had then in hand , desiring him to expound it vnto him . So Tatianus saith , Tatianus . that euerie age and order also among the Christians , were Christian Phylosophers : yea , that the verie virgins and maids as they sate at their worke in wooll , were wont to speake of Gods word . Niceph. lib. 3. hist. eccles. cap. 37. And Nicephorus writeth , that the Christians euen as they trauailed and iournied , were wont to sing Psalmes , and that by this singing of Psalmes , there was at a certaine time a Iewe conuerted .

The profits of such speeches . By such speeches & communication , Christ is inuited , & commeth vnto vs , he promising that he wil be in the middest , Mat. 18.20 . where two or three are gathered together in his name , which also he did indeed performe , when drawing nigh to those disciples that were going towards Emmaus , and did talke of him , he trauailed together with them , Luke . 24.15 32. Philip. 4.9 Ephe. 4.29.30 . 1. Cor. 15.33 opened the scriptures vnto them , & caused their harts to burne within them . God , euen the God of peace is present with them that speake such things . Whereas on the other side , by corrupt communication the holy Ghost is grieued , & good manners are marred & corrupted . And indeed it cannot be , but that notable fruits and proceedings shall be made , Esay . 55.11 . 1. Cor. 15.57 & come of these godlie speeches & conferences , according to Gods owne promises in his word .

Chrysostome in a certaine homilie of his , Chrysost. hom. habenda cura salutis praeximi . to which also he gaue this title , touching the care that is to be had for our neighbours saluation , exhorteth men to communicate the Sermons heard , to such as were not present at them . I ( saith he ) vse not such long and large Sermons for my selfe , but for your sakes . Therfore ye also should heare , not for your selues , but for others that must be instructed by you , because the body of the church is nourished & preserued by the agreement of the members , & by such mutual aides as they performe one to another . And as that member that keepeth all the food to it self , An apt similitude . The proposition , with the reason of it . & imparteth it not vnto the neighbour member , both hurteth it selfe , & corrupteth the rest of the bodie , as we may easily see in the stomacke ( for if it alone keepe the food to it selfe , it both killeth the rest of the bodie with famine , and destroieth it selfe with it owne neuer satisfied corruption : whereas on the other side , if it receiue that which is sufficient for the satisfying thereof , and sendeth the rest to the other members , it preserueth both it selfe , and the rest of the bodie in good state and health ) euen so thou also , if thou keepe to thy selfe the things which thou hearest from vs , The reddition with the reason of it . and doest not communicate the same vnto others , thou both hurtest them , and also corruptest thy selfe , because thou dost foster within thee these two sore diseases of slothfulnesse and enuie : for it will suffice for thy destruction , either through wickednesse or enuie , or if ye will , through sloth , not to communicate them to others . Thus farre Chrysostome .

Fiftly , men after the Sermons which they haue heard vpon the Lords daie , 5 Vpon the Lords daies after the Sermons are done , men must not meddle with any profane businesses . must not vndertake or treat of worldly and profane affaires belonging to this life , as vpon markets , mariage feasts , dancings , pressing or swearing of souldiours ( vnlesse the enemies power and presence , and as we may say , assault , vrge , and presse the same ) bargaines of buying and selling , diuiding of inheritances , casting of accounts about money matters or other things , and such as be like to these , by which the Lords Sabbath is profaned , and the Lords day is not dedicated to God as it should be , but to our selues and to the world . No these things must be left , and the Sermons which we haue heard must at home be repeated and rehearsed againe and againe , Priuate exercises on the Sabbath . and we must read the holy Bible and other profitable bookes touching Christian religion , we must exercise holy singing of Psalmes , and parents must vndertake to repeat with their children the points of the Catechisme , and these things must be performed in euerie house and familie . The preuention of an obiection . But if in some houses there be not any that be learned , or can read , some of the neighbour families which can doe that dutie , shall meet there , and lend them their labour and aide , as in this behalfe . For as we take vnto our selues , and imploy about our owne businesses , A iust and a verie weightie reason . all the rest of the sixe daies of the weeke , and that many times from daie peepe as we say , till it be verie late in the night : so surely it behoueth vs , no lesse to dedicate and consecrate the Lords daie wholly to God himselfe , to holy actions , and such exercises as are good for the health of our soules . For what if God had claimed to himselfe , and to his holy seruice sixe daies , and had left vs only one for our vse , and the affaires of this life ? what would we haue done then ? A worthie inference vpon the premisses . As therfore this is a great argument of his singular goodnesse and mercie , that here yeelding much of his owne right and authoritie , he hath appointed but one day only for himselfe : so of what great ingratitude , vngodlinesse , and of neuer satisfied couetousnes , is this a testimonie , that we will not or can not leaue , no not the seuenth part of our whole life to God and our owne soules , vntouched and vndefiled ? For ( good Lord ) with what deceits , crafts , vsuries , lyings , A vement exclamation . thefts , bankettings , drunkennesses , wanton songs , blaspemies , cursings by the holy name of God , braulings , blowes , fightings , whordomes , adulteries , wantonnesses , vanities , murthers , and ten thousands besides of most grieuous wickednesses , doe faires , mariages , markets , dancings , and the other things aboue rehearsed , pollute and defile the Lords daies , in so much as we may say , that they are rather consecrated to Venus and Bacchus , yea to the diuell himselfe than to God .

God verily will haue his people on the Sabbath day to cease and rest from earing & from haruest worke . Exod. 34.21 August . in Psal. 91. August . lib. 10. de chordis . And yet Augustine vpon the Psalmes , and in an other peece of his workes , affirmeth that it is better to goe to plow on the Sabbath day , than to daunce , & that it is more meete for women to spinne then , than that whole day to daunce vnchastly : Yea God would haue the Sabbath vnder the old Testament to be sanctified with so great religion , that he would not haue the Jewes so much as to kindle fire thoroughout all their habitations . Exod. 35.3 . And vpon paine of their soules , or as they loue them , he commaundeth them to take heed of this , Iere. 17.21.27 . that vpon the Sabbath day they neither bring in , nor bring out any burthen by the gates of Ierusalem . But notwithstanding this , if they will do otherwise , he threatneth that he wil kindle a fire in their gates , that shall deuoure the houses of Ierusalem , & it shall not be quenched . Nehem. 13.15.16.17 . Wherefore Nehemiah seeing certaine men of Tyrus , that in Ierusalem did buy and sell vpon the Sabbath day , he reproued the rulers of Iudah , and calling to their memorie this threatning of God , denounced by Ieremiah , he prouided that the gates of Ierusalem should be shut vpon the Sabbath day , and set some of his seruants at the gates to watch that there should no burthen be brought in on the Sabbath day . Nahum . 13.21 . Yea , he was so zealous in this behalfe , that he would not suffer chapmen and merchants , no not without the walles of the Citie , but protested amongest them , that if they did so once againe , he would lay handes vpon them . There is a notable law of Leo and Antonius the Emperours , touching the Lords day , In Cod. lib. 3 tit . de Feriis . and it is this , We will not haue holy daies dedicated to the most high maiestie of almightie God , to be spent in any pleasures , or to be profaned with any troubles of exactions : wherefore we decree that the Lords day shal be alwaies so honoured and regarded , that it shall be exempted from all executions , A worthie and verie religious law . no summons shal vrge any man then , no demaund shall be made of suretiship , all appearance shall be silent , all pleading shall be hushed , that day shall be farre from taking knowledge of causes : the rough voice of the crier shall be silent : the parties contending shall cease from their controuersies , and haue a space of agreement : the aduersaries may come together not fearing one another , &c: An excellent caution . And yet giuing libertie to the ease and rest of this religious daie , we doe not or will not , for all that , suffer any man to be detained with filthie pleasures . Stage plaies , and Theater sighes shall chalenge nothing that day : feates of wrastling ; running , &c. as also the pitifull spectacle of wilde beastes , yea though the solemnitie thereof should fall to be kept for our birth or birth day , it shall be deferred . He shall be degraded , and neuer haue to deale with war , The punishment . yea he shall indure the open sale of his patrimonie , whosoeuer he be , that shall vpon any time of the festiuall day be present at shewes & spectacles . And the same punishment shal the apparitour or summoner of euery iudge indure , if vnder the pretext of publike or priuate busines , he thinke that the things which are established by this law may be violated . By such a like constitution did Constantinus the great decree , Const. magn. that all iudges and assemblies of Cities and townes , and the seruice of all artes should cease or rest vpon the reuerend Sonday , as wee call it , or vpon the Lords daie .

Wherefore such in this behalfe offend , that on the Lords day will not haue so much as a foot in the holy places of praier ; Profaners of the Sabbath . or thinke that they haue well discharged and done their dutie , if happily they doe superficially heare the forenoones Sermon , or perhaps the halfe of it , but spend the rest of the time of that daie , in or about profane things only . They also offend , that supersticiously perswade themselues that the sanctification of the Lords day standeth in idlenesse onely , and in doing of nothing , and yet passe the same away in diuers follies , vanities , dansings , drinkings , and pleasures . As indeed it cannot otherwise be , An olde and true saying . but that whilest men doe nothing , they learne to doe ill . But betwixt these two blameworthie extremities , this is the meane , namely , to consecrate and to spend that day in those exercises which we haue spoken of alreadie ; and that not onely in the publike assemblies of the Church , but at home in euerie seuerall familie , priuately and aparte .

What worldly 〈…〉 . Nay we say further , let no worldly businesses or labours be taken in hand , but such as necessitie it selfe doth force vs vnto : that is , such things as pertaine to our owne health , welfare , and defence , or to the health , welfare , and defence of our neighbours : and yet so to , and in such things as could not either be taken in hand , or dispatched the daie before , or will not indure a delaie till the day after . For in or vnder the commaundement touching the Sabbath , such good works from God are not forbidden , as the intermission thereof hath both ioyned with them the assured death and destruction of man , and also is contrarie to charitie . For in that case the sonne of man also is Lord euen of the Sabbath : and the Sabbath was made for man , Mat. 12.8 . Marke . 2.27 and not man for the Sabbath . Wherefore the Macchabees did in this behalf through superstition offend , 1. Macch. 2.34.35 . &c. that vpon the Sabbath day would not fight against Antiochus , nor cast a stone at their aduersaries : by meanes whereof they indured the slaughter of a thousand men or there about . Wherupon after they had well weighed this errour , and that by this meanes they might be rooted out of the land , 1. Maccha . 2.40.41 . they decreed to fight against all that euen on the Sabbath day should set vpon them by battaile . So doth our-Sauiour Christ defend , & that against the calumnies & slaunders of the Pharisees , his own disciples , who for the beating backe of the necessitie of famine , did pull the eares of corne and gather them on the Sabbath day . Mat. 12.1.5 . And further addeth : haue yee not read in the law , that on the Sabbath daies the priestes in the temple profane and breake ( but this he speaketh vpon supposition of the opinion of his aduersaries ) the Sabbath , and yet are blamelesse : where no doubt he alludeth to those holy workes and labours of the priestes , who were constrained on the Sabbath day to slay sacrifices , Num. 28.9 . to bake the shew bread , to set them in rowes before the Lord , also to prepare incense , Leuit. 24.5.8 to kindle the fire for the sacrifices , to seeth the flesh of the sacrifice at the doore of the tabernacle , Leuit. 8.31 . and to dispose and set in order those seuerall instruments and vessels of the seruice and worship , Exod. 26.33 . which was prescribed vnder Moses : all which surely required no small labour and businesse . So if all the haruest time together , the skie were rainie , and onely the Lords day faire , no man that is of sound iudgement could doubt , but that the graine might without sinne both be cut downe , and caried into the barnes .

Sixtly , if we haue heard in the Sermons some certaine points which are dark , 6 We must aske councell of the ministerie touching such things as are darke , and we do not well vnderstand . or which we our selues could not sufficiently attaine vnto , we must not at any hand loath or neglect them vnder the pretext of this prophane speech , things that are aboue vs doe not belong vnto vs : but either we must aske councell concerning them of the ministers of the Church , or if in this case reuerence of them , or shamefastnesse in our selues ( which yet should not be ) doe hinder vs ; we ought to goe to them that are more familiar to vs , and are indued with greater knowledge of Gods word and holy things . For if we doe this in other things of this world , and concerning our owne life : how much more must we performe it in these diuine and heauenly things , the right knowledge whereof is necessary for vs vnto saluation , & in the knowledge and iudgment wherof we should more and more abound , that we may knew the things that differ , Phil. 1.9.10 and that we may be syncere or pure . And in this behalfe , it is the duty of the ministers of the word , not onely to teach euerie one in the publike assemblies of the Church , but pruately also to instruct and teach . As on the other side , it is the dutie of faithfull hearers , not to be content onely with the publike hearing of Sermons , but priuately to lay open , and poure out as it were into their ministers bosomes , their ignoraunces , doubts , and scruples of consciences . For the priestes lippes preserue knowledge , Malach. 2.7 and the people must require the law at his mouth , because he is the messenger of the Lord of hostes . And Christ being exalted to the right hand of his Father , doth not for any other respect vphold and preserue the ministerie of the Church than this , Ephes. 4.13 . that we might all meet together into the vnitie of faith , & the acknowledging of the son of God , that we henceforth be no more children , or so should remaine alwaies in Gods matters , wauering and caried about with euerie wind of doctrine , but following the truth , should grow vp , &c. So that Eunuch which was chamberlaine to the Queene of Ethiopia , was not ashamed , neither thought he it any whit hurtfull to his credit , to lay open his ignorance to Philip , Act. 8.34 . and to intreat him to open vnto him that place of Isaiah which he was reading . So the Apostles doe beseech Christ to open vnto them the parable of the tares of the field . Mat. 13.36 . So when they were ignorant what this meant , that Christ said it should come to passe , that after a while they should not see him , &c. Christ knew that both they inquired concerning this amongst themselues , Iohn . 16.19 . &c. and also were desirous to aske him thereof . And how often do we read that Moses , Aaron , Saul , Dauid , and all the people of Israel , did in hard and doubfull things aske councell at the mouth of the Lord ?

Seuenthly , godly hearers must verie diligently search and sound their owne hearts , 7 We must vse a certaine censuring , and sentencing of our selues , according to the Sermons we haue heard . whether , yea and how farre forth they doe in their life and actions expresse the doctrine they haue heard . And in this behalfe they must make a certaine sperituall anatomie of themselues , to wit , how their hearts , affections , thoughts , eyes , eares , countenances , hands , feet , & the actions of all and euery one of these members doe agree with the Sermons heard , and the doctrine of Gods word , yea they must search and sift all the nookes and corners of their hearts . And if in this case we find a certaine sweet harmonie & consent betweene Gods word , and the will that is in vs , What the sifting of our heartes must bring forth in vs . there will flow and follow from the ioy of our consciences , thankesgiuing vnto God , whose free fauour and gift this wholly is . But if we find in our selues contrary affections , or haue other desires or opinions in our selues , we must at no hand smooth , or flatter our selues , 2. Cor. 7.10.11 . but through a certaine sorrow , which is according to God and godlinesse , we must accuse our selues , that so God may absolue vs , and we call vpon God for the forgiuenes of our sins , and by praier intreat his sauour , that so the olde leauen , 1. Cor. 5.7 . and the superfluous filthinesse of sinne , being more and more purged and cast out , we may be sweet bread to the Lord , and be renewed in our inward man . For indeed so great is , partly our blindnesse , partly our security and carelesnesse , and partly selfeloue also , through the corruption of nature , Three nenecessarie things . that without such censuring and anatomizing of our selues , we cannot easily be brought , eyther to the right acknowledgement of our selues , and of our sinnes , or to the true and serious exercises of godlinesse , or to faithfulnesse in our calling . And what should not we Christians as in this case do , and that againe & againe throughout euerie weeke , so oft as we haue heard holy Sermons : seeing that the verie heathen themselues , notwithstanding their blindnesse , haue as it were by a certaine law , laid vpon themselues such a daily censure of all their actions . For Virgils verse touching a good man , is verie well known , which because it is famous , & worthy to be remembred , I haue thought good here to put downe . For thus he admonisheth and painteth out a man euen ciuilly good , and hardly giuing place to any impietie . He doth not giue his eies ouer to sweet sleepe , Virgil. before he hath deepely thought vpon all the actes of the day past . As also what is past , what was done in time , what not ? why comelines was wanting in such a deed ? or reason in another ? what escaped my selfe ? why that opinion stood , which it had been better for him to chaunge ? pitying one , why I felt some griefe in a broken heart ? why I willed somewhat which was not good to will ? why my selfe being euill , I preferred profit before honestie . Whether any man were hurt by word or by countenaunce ? why nature more draweth me , than correction or education ? Thus walking as it were through all his wordes and workes , and beginning at the euening , and reuoluing all things , is offended with the euill , and ascribeth praise , and promiseth and giueth rewards to things well done .

Eightly , parents , schoolemasters , Inferiour persons offences , must be corrected by the Sermons . and elders , yea all Christians indifferently , if they see or certainely know , that either their children , or schollers , or people , or neighbours and fellow brethren , haue offended , this they must assaie to correct and redresse , by alleadging and calling to remembrance the Sermons that were made touching these sins , yea by more speciall and strict applying of them to the present transgression . For so they indeed shall performe their dutie , A double profit . while they exercise discipline , and vse brotherly admonitions and corrections , to which all the faithfull are mutually bound one to another , and amongest themselues : and the other shall be well inured to beare the censure that is giuen of them , by and from occasion of the Sermons heard , and shall more deepely thinke vpon the Sermons themselues , and treasure them vp better in their hearts .

These things haue I obserued partly out of the speeches and conferences of excellent diuines , The conclusion of this whole treatie . and such other skilfull men in the matters of the Church ministerie , as I could indeed see and heare : and partly from the proper course and experience of mine owne ministerie , and from the Sermons of my fellow ministers , and others that I could heare , marking such things in them as I tooke to be worthy either praise , or obseruation , or else were to be imitated , or auoided : and lastly , from the writings of other men , touching the making or hearing of Sermons , putting down such things as I thought worthy & meet , both to appoint and take to mine owne priuate vse , and also publikely to communicate and impart to and with other of my brethren , that runne with me in the selfe same race . By which things if they shall be as much furthered and holpen in their ministerie , What fruits his labours shal bring forth , if others profit by it . and in this their heauie and hard charge of preaching , as I perceiue I haue receiued profit thereby , then I shall haue cause therein to thanke God , and in respect of my selfe to reioyce and to be glad also for their sakes . And surely he must be more than blind , that perceiueth not by these things , how excellent , difficile , and hard a skill and charge it is , both to make & to heare Sermons : as on the other side , how much they are out of the way that perswade themselues that they haue in this behalfe excellently , yea sufficiently done their duties , if either for an howrs space , obseruing as it were some custome , they coldly deliuer some certaine speech to the congregation out of the pulpit ; or being hearers , go vnto the holy assemblies , either to spend the time as we say , or vpon some hypocriticall custome . How much rather , through the grace of almightie God , doth it behoue all the labouring ministers in the Lords vineyerd , carefully to apply themselues , What faithfull ministers should doe . and to striue vnto this , namely , verie holily to handle this dutie of preaching , verie diligently meditating vpon their Sermons at home , deliuering them in the Church with greater zeale and demonstration of spirituall power , and with exceeding great care , euerie one of them watching for the profit of their doctrine and Sermons , both in faith and in conuersation , and that as wel in themselues , as in their congregations ? What good people should doe . And how much more doth it concerne the people or hearers with great religion , to dispose and prepare them to the hearing of Gods word , but yet with greater to heare the Sermons , and with greatest of all , in the whole course of their liues to expresse the same , through the obedience of faith . Prouocations to well doing . To which worthie works these things following shall adde no small edge , and not a little sharpen & prouoke them on . In the ministers verilie those glorious promises and great praises which God hath vouchsafed vnto them , 2. Tim. 4.7.8 namely , that if they shall well performe and finish their course in this holy race , there is laid vp for them the crowne of righteousnesse : Daniel . 12.3 and that the wise or teachers of others , shall shine as the brightnes of the firmament , and they that iustifie or instruct many vnto righteousnes , shall shine as the starres for euer and euer . And in the hearers , this should prouoke , yea preuaile verie farre , that the word which is grafted in them , Iam. 1.21 . being receiued with meekenesse , is able to saue their soules . And that our Sauiour Christ himselfe pronounceth them blessed , Luke . 11.28 that heare Gods word and keepe the same . Which that we might be the better and more assuredly perswaded of , the Lord hath repeated it againe and againe in his holy word .

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