A sermon preached at the Charterhouse before the Kings Maiestie, on Tuesday, the tenth of May. 1603. By D. Blague, Deane of Rochester, the Kings chaplaine.

A Sermon preached at the Charterhouse , before the Kings Maiesty , the tenth of May , 1602. by D. Blague , Deane of Rochester , the Kings Chaplayne . Psalm. 1.

1 Blessed is that man , which walketh not in the counsell of the vngodly , nor standeth in the way of sinners , nor sitteth in the chaire of scorners .

2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord , and in his Law wil meditate day & night .

THis Psalme hath no title , because ( as Basil sayth ) it is as the foundation to the house , the keele to the ship , and as the heart to euery liuing creature : so this is the key to all the rest . The matter of this Psalme , is , touching the blessednesse of the righteous . This blessednesse he proues ab Antithesi , negatively in three steps ; affirmatiuely in two poynts , &c.

ASHREI : that is , O the blessednesse of that man !

THe Prophet begins with an exclamation and sigh , sorrowing that so few do tread in the pathes of righteousnes . Ye know there is but one God , but many Legions of Deuils : and wee find , that the deuill hath more friends in the world , then God . For Christ our Sauiour had onely Pilats wife to entreat for him : But all the multitude cried out , Set Barrabas the murderer at liberty .

Likewise , the soule is but one ; yet doth an armie of lusts fight against it ; and who can tell how oft they preuayle ? When this Scripture is verified , that the single woman hath more children , then shee which hath an husband ; is that sinne barren ? Preciosa non sunt numerosa . Good men are odde men . Helpe , Lord , cries Dauid , for good men decay . The righteous perisheth , who layes it to heart ? Wasps and Hornets swarme : the Adders egges are many : there is an haruest of Vices crieth to the Lord for a sickle : Sinne ouerflowes like water , who seeks to stop the streame ? Aske the earth : it will say , I yeeld much matter to make pots of : but little dust , that Gold comes thereof . Aske the Gardiner : he will say , I haue more weedes then flowres , more nettles then Roses , more brambles then Vines . Aske thine owne conscience : and it will answere , There is great plenty of men , magna solitudo bonorum , which walke vndefiled in the way of the Lord . Cherish therefore such as feare God ; there are but fewe of them . Let a vile person bee despised in your eyes ; there are too many of them .

And this I take to be the reason why the Prophet doeth sigh , that so many seeme blessed in shew , and so fewe indeed .

HAISH : that is , that man .

IN the Scriptures , Man hath three names : Adam , in respect of his substance , Red earth : Aenosh , in respect of his fal , Wretched : for nothing makes the people wretched , but sinne . And here he is called , ISH ; a virtute , which is , Blessednesse . Hereof comes Ishah : virago , a woman of Vertue . Happy hee that meeteth with such a match ; Pearles and precious stones are not comparable to her .

ISH , is a man of Vertue and Wisedome . Wisedome is the gray haire ; the vndefiled life is the old age ; to depart from euil , this is vnderstanding . Ishachar , is a great boned Asse ; seldome lodgeth Wisdome there . Behold , the Bee is little , but his fruit is sweet . The Oke is great and tall , and his fruit is fit for hogs . The Peacock is fayre , but proud . The Vine is lowe , and creeps by ground : but it yeeldeth wine acceptable to God and man .

Ingenio pollet , cui vim natur a negauit .

The power of God is declared in weaknesse . Blessed therefore is that man of vertue and wisdome .

The first step to blessednes , negatiuely ; is , not to walke in the Counsell of the vngodly .

COunsell , as S. Basil saith , is Hieron ti , a diuine thing : like the water spring , the deeper ye draw it , the sweeter . Like a sweet perfume , comforting all the spirits . Where many are that can giue good counsell , there is safety . Blessed is he , that hath grace to follow it . Counsell in Hebrue , is Gnatsa , of the root Gnets , A tree . For as a good tree bringeth forth good fruit , and an euill tree bringeth forth euil fruite : so all men resemble the maners of their Counsellers . There is no sinne almost done without counsel .

Would Achab haue wrung by violence the Vineyard from Naboth , but for the wicked counsell of Iesabel ? Would Absolon haue continued his Rebellion against his father , but for the pestilent counsell of Achitophel ? Could Amnon haue compast his sister Thamar , but for the aduice of his Attendants , Make thy selfe to be sicke ? Such dead Flies corrupt sweet oyntments , infect many yong men and Maydens . Would God there were none such in Israel .

The root of all actions , is counsell in the heart . The heart is like a Mill , euer grinding good or ill thoughts . Necessary therefore is this prayer : Make me a cleane heart , O God , and renue a right spirit within me . Our Sauiour sayth , that from the heart , come the things that defyle a man . Once the Lord sent a floud to wash it : now there needes a fire to purge it . The first step to murder , is anger . Where lurketh anger ? In the heart . Christ saith , that to looke , and to lust after a woman , is adultery . Where resteth lust ? In the heart . If the Fountaine be thus corrupted , can the riuer be wholesome ? If the Conscience be polluted , no puddle , no sinke so vnsauory as it . Blessed is he , that resisteth the first motion and entisement to euill . The Poets counsell is , Venienti occurrite morbo : before sicknes , take Phisike : resist a mischiefe in the beginning . Would you haue instance hereof ? A sparke of fire in the end of a straw , is easily put out : but if it catch the trusse , it hazardeth the house . The seed of sedition and heresie being but in one , is easily supprest : but if it be spred , it wil require Hercules labour to roote it out . The heresy of Arrius was first asparke ; being neglected , it so spred , that as S. Ierome sayth , Totus orbis ingemuit , miratus sefactum Arrianum . Therefore little things are not to be despised . And though some say , De minimis non curat lex : yet a little pricke of a rapier , may make a deadly wound . A great tree groweth vp of the least graine of Mustard seed . A drop of water is a small thing , yet many drops wil sinke a ship . A haire is lesse , yet hath it choked a big man . So the lusts seeme trifles , but by continuance get dominion , to the danger of the soule , Go not therefore after thy lusts , for it will make thine enemies which hate thee , to laugh thee to scorne . Resist a mischiefe in the beginning ; admit of no ill counsell : and this is the first step to Blessednes .

Vngodly .

THe persons that giue counsell , are here called Reshangim , of Rashang , to be stirring , to compas their purpose by hooke , or by crooke . The counsell of busie-bodies is euer dangerous . Such in Law , are called Pettifoggers ; they breed multiplicity of suits and actions . In the Church , such are the sactious ; they break all good order . Order is called by Zachary , Beauty . Beauty in Greeke , is Kalon apo tou Kalein ; it allureth euery one to the gaze : and so doth good order . Disorder is like a blemish in the face . Cauendum ab his quos natur a consignauit : so , a quick eye must bee set on such as breake order , for they are dangerous . In a priuate house , what doth one repining seruant ? he sets all the rest in an vprore .

Such amongst neighbours are Carry-tales ; they lode and vnlode newes from table to table , and breed much heart-burning . These are Reshangim , Vngodly stirring heads : By nature , they are like the wind , vnquiet , euer in motion : if it bee inclosed , it will shake both sand and sea to breake out . The deuill eggs them on ; Cast thy selfe downe headlong , do somwhat to be famous . Esay compares them to the sea , euer working , foming out their owne shame , Chrisostome deriues ponaerian apo tou ponou . Vngodlines is euer full of toyle ; Vertue breeds quietnesse and rest vnto the soule . Rauening beasts , when their bellies are full , doe couch in their dennes : but these muse vpon mischiefe in their bed , and cannot be quiet , till they be made a gazing stocke to the world , to Angels , to all men . Blessed therfore is the man , which walketh not after the counsel of such pragmaticall and busie heads .

Walketh not .

TO walke , is to delight in : Looke what company we frequent , for such shall we be deemed and esteemed : for experience teacheth , that Birds of a feather doe flock together . Malt-wormes seeke out their like . Catholikes , such as seed their humours . Swine had rather wallow in the myre , then in cleane waters : and wantons rather dally with light huswiues , then be amongst graue Philosophers . What can be more dangerous to Gods children , then this ? Doe not euill words corrupt good maners ? Doth not a little leauen sowre the whole lumpe of dowe ? A little viniger will sowre a great vessell of wine . A little wormwood will make a great deale of hony bitter : but a great deale of hony cannot make a little wormewood sweet . Good men are corrupted by the society of the euill , and learne to sweare by the life of Pharao : but euill men are seldome amended by the conuersation of the good . For this cause was antiquity so seuere : for it was not lawfull for á Iewe to connerse with a Samaritane . If an Hebrue did eate with an Egyptian , it was counted abomination . Therefore hath the Church ordayned excommunication . If any that is called a brother , be a whore-master , a drunkard , or a couetous person : with such doe not eate or drinke , receiue him not into thy house , say not , God speed , Iend him no countenance . Canst thou not shun him with thy body ? yet be seuered from him in thy mind : for pure deuotion is this , to keepe our selues vndefiled from this wicked world . Wretched is that man , which delighteth in the counsell of the vngodly .

The second step to blessednes , negatiuely , is , not to stand in the way of sinners .

THe Scripture sets downe a two-fold way . 1. The narrow way of Vertue , like litera Pithagorae , at the first , painfull : but when ye haue got the habit of it , it sets the heart at much liberty .

2. The broad way leads to hel directly . Therefore Pithagoras , in the light of nature , gaue this percept : per viam popularem ne gradere : which S. Ierome interprets , Follow not the errours of the multitude . S. Paul in the light of grace , teacheth : Fashion not your selues to this euill world . S. Iohn obserues the fashions of this world , to be , in the Iusts of the flesh , the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life .

Haec tria pro trino Numine mundus habet : This is the trinity , the world doth worship . No maruell then , though Cusais reason be so predominant : Where the multitude runnes , there wil I be . Hereby they verify the Posie of Aristotle : Plurima pessima : The most are the worst .

THe way of sinners , is the way of all flesh . All flesh is grasse , ful of frailties .

There is no corne , but may bee blasted : no soule , but may be corrupted .

In a red Rose it is not hard to finde a Canker . The holiest man hath his gifts with sundry imperfections . Marke the place ye stand on , it is slippery ; the stowtest may take a fall . The Iust man falls seuen times a day . Whosoeuer then amongst you is without sinne , let him cast the first stone at another .

There are two sorts of sinners ; the Penitent , and the Infamous : the one sins of Infirmity , the other of Maliciousnes : in the one , sinne remaynes ; in the other sinne doeth raigne .

The Penitent sinner cryes with Dauid , Heale my soule , for I haue sinned against thee . Humbles himselfe with the Prodigall child , I haue sinned against heauen , and in thy sight , and am vnworthy to be called thy sonne . Knocks his brest with the Publicane , and sighs , God be mercifull to me a sinner . Sic cum homo agnoscit , Deus ignoscit : Whensoeuer we doe vnfaynedly acknowledge our sinnes , GOD doeth presently blot them all out of his remembrance .

The Infamous sinner is he , which knoweth nothing but sinne . Such were those in the Gospell . Would God there were none amongst vs . Ieremy describes them thus , They blush at nothing ; they haue a harlots forhead . The booke of Wisdome thus ; They leaue tokens of their pleasure in euery place they come . S. Peter thus ; They wonder & ho wt , that you runne not at ryot as they do . Blessed is that man which standeth not in the way of such Infamous sinners .

Standeth .

TO stand , is to fall againe & againe to the same sin , being warned and punished , yet nothing to amend , that s an infamous sinner . The scripture exhorts thus : Hast thou sinned , my sonne ? Doe so no more . Bind not sin to sin : for one shal not escape vnpunished . Who wil returne to his enemies prison , whence he hath escaped ? such a one is worse then a brute beast : for if it stumble at a broken bridge , euer after it shunneth the place . The Bird escaping the fowlers gyn , flies aloofe . Piscator ictus sapit : Shall not the sinner take heed ? The counsell of our Sauiour to one and all is : Now thou art made whole , sinne no more , left a worse plague light vpon thee . Who scapeth shipwrack , and biddeth not both ship and sea adieu ? How often hath sinne brought vs to the shipwracke of a good conscience , and yet will wee not forsake it ? To this end Saint Paul moues : Yee that are dead vnto sinne , how can yee liue any longer therein ? Sirac presseth this point : He that washeth himselfe because of a dead body , and toucheth it againe , what auailes his washing ? If my sweete Sauiour Iesus say to me : All thy sinnes are forgiuen thee ; and I will not part with them , who is to blame ? Relapse into sicknes is dangerous , much more into sinne . Being deliuered from the hand of the diuell , and possessed againe ; the latter ende of that man is worse then the beginning . Therefore if yee haue bin seduced by euill counsell , yet stand not in the way of sinners . Wretched is hee that standeth .

The third step to blessednes , negatiuely , is , not to sit in the chayre of scorners .

THis is the highest degree of sinne . And to sit , doth note an obstinate contempt of all religion and honesty . Zacharie saith , Their heart is hard as the Adamant . The Adamant stone is dissolued in Goates blood : but neither the precious bloud of Christ , nor the vnquencheable fire of hell can make their heart to yeeld . The Gospell compares them to a common high way , where nothing wil grow : to vnsauory salt , nothing can season it . We know that wine being sowre makes viniger . A tree being rotten , becomes firewood : and of ragges is paper made : but vnsauory salt is good for nothing , but hurtful to all . Sweet words are lost to such , because they are resolute : ou peisaes can peithaes : thou shalt not perswade me , though thou do perswade me . This is the sin of presumption , against which Dauid prayes , Lord keepe thy seruant from presumptuous sinnes , that they neuer get dominion ouer me .

This obstinacy makes men scorners , Laetsim . Scorning is bewrayed 3. wayes , gestu , verbo , actu .

1. By gesture .

BY scornful behauiour , as girning , giering , spitting , poynting & wagging the head . With the flatterers are busie mockers , the very abiects made mowes and ceased not . Christ forbiddeth Racha : that is , a gesture of the nose . This seemes a small matter , but in Gods sight it is murther . How scornes haue bene reuenged , wofull examples haue declared it .

2. By vnciuill words .

SO was Ioseph nicknamed a Dreamer : Paul a Babler , and Christ a Carpenter . Libanius the Sophister thought to break a iest vpon a Christian : Sirra , what is Christ the Carpenter now doing ? He answered , He is making a coffin for Iulian thy master , and so it fell out in deed . Lucian scoft , that hee had got nothing by his Christendome , but a sillable to his name : For before , he was called Lucius , and now Lucianus . Marke his end : hee was torne in peeces with dogges . Ismael scoft at Isaac : Saint Paul cals it Persecution . These are Flabellum Diaboli . The diuels bellowes : And Flagellum Iustorum , the scourge of the righteous . From such scourges good Lord deliuer vs . The toung in Hebrew is Kaeuod : that is , glory : because it alwaies ought to be an instrument to set forth Gods glory . But these scorners , with their tongue doe rent & teare the holy Scriptures , and call Genesis an allegory . Epiphanique in Ancorata answereth all such thus : If there be no Paradise , but in an allegory , then there are no trees , but in an allegory : if no trees , then no eating : if no eating , then no Adam : if no Adam , then no men : then all is allegories , & the trueth is a tale of a tub . Thus sayd the foole once in his heart ; but these dayly bray it out with their toungs : ought such be tollerated amongst vs ?

3. By vnlawfull act .

WHat is more precious then a good name ? all the treasure & gold of Arabia is not comparable to it . Look what ornament hayre is to the head , sight to the eye , & green leaues to a tree : the same is a good name to euery Christian . Of this thing so precious , drunkards make rimes , reprobates cast Libels , to trample vnder foote the honour of the Best .

I hope the last Sundayes motion is so well remembred , that I neede not harpe on that string .

THese skorners haue their chayre : for they wil be Apes of God & good men , to couer their hypocrisy . There is a three fold chaire : magisterij , iustitiae , & pestilentiae .

The first , is the Doctors chaire . The ancient custome was , that Doctors did preach sitting . Our Sauiour in Nazareth after the Lecture of Esay , sate downe and taught . The Scribes and Pharises did sit in Moses chaire . Hereof Cathedrall churches haue their name , where there is ordinary teaching . GOD . forbid that any chaire should be without a teacher , or any Bishops seat long voyd ; for then the people will mourne .

THe second is the seat of Iustice , to defend the good , to punish the wrong doer . Sweet is that melody consisting of these 2. poynts , mercy & iudgement : for summum Ius is summa iniuria : extremity of law , is open iniustice . He that blowes his nose too hard , wrings out blood . As Gregory sayd in another place may be applied to this : Mammillam Scripturae duriùs premitis : ye wrest the Scripture & Iustice too violently , & so instead of milke and succour , ye wring out blood & oppression . So , too much pity spilles a city . There is misericordia puniens , & crudelitas parcens . He that spares a woolfe , & pardons a wilfull murderer , doth hazzard the whole flocke . Aurea mediocritas . It is an honor to the seat of Iustice , to minister it without respect of persons .

THe third is the seate of pestilence : so the Greeke text enforceth , which is , Loimoon . In the time of pest , we follow the Physicians rule : Citò , longè , tardè : God forbid that any should embrace or countenance a pestilent fellow . Can there be any greater glory to a King , then with the testimony of a good conscience to say , All my delight is in the Saynts that are in the Land , and such as excell in vertue ? I am a friend to all such as imbrace the Gospell of Christ Iesus . Whoso is faythfull , and feareth God , he shall be my seruant . As for pestilent fellowes , I hate and abhorre : such bring a Realme into thraldome . Therefore if you will be partakers of true blessednes , beware of busy heads , infamous sinners , but specially of skorners : delight not in their counsell , stand not in their wayes ; least of all be resolute in their desperate courses : Hàc itur ad Inferos : this is the high way to hell .

The affirmatiue part is , But his delight is in the Law of the Lord , & in his Law will meditate day and night .

THe Lord is here called Iehoua , the King of Kings , & Lord of all Lords , to whom all the Kings of the earth must bow their scepters , and do homage ; for of him they hold in chiefe . This name the Iewes hold to be vnvtterable : that is , true in respect of the essence : for the nature of GOD is infinite , therefore they exprest it by Tetragrammaton . Superstitious this was , yet it condemneth our lacke of reuerence vnto it : For Princes and Magistrates we remember with their stile and titles of honour , but the name of God passeth with contempt , and too often with blasphemy : Call ye this Religion ?

THis Lord hath his Law , in which he will haue no competitors , aut solus , aut nullus . S. Peter calles it Gala adolon : pure milke , without any mingle-mangle . It is called Thora , of Iara , to teach : because it instructeth euery one what to chuse , what to refuse . Hony is sweet to a sound taste : but the Law of God to a sound Professor is sweeter then the hony and honycombe . Gold is precious : but to me , the law of my God is dearer , then thousands of gold and siluer .

Life is sweet : yet the Martyrs of Christ respected not their liues , to keepe the testimony of a good conscience . Therefore that which is sweeter then hony , more precious then gold , and dearer then life , that ought all men to delight in : But such is the law of the Lord .

Blessed is the man whose delight is in it : that is the first step to blessednesse affirmatiuely .

YOu know there is no life withoutsom delight , the error is in the choyse : but where delight is , there is cherefulnes : so the Hebrew word Chephets enforceth , a readinesse , a willingnesse to all good .

Amor meus , pondus meum : Where loue doeth leane , both wit and will doe bend themselues . A little plucking drawes a man , whither he willingly goes . A little wind driues a great ship with the stream . Where God writes his Law in any mans heart , there is cherefulnesse . This made Dauid to runne in the way of Gods commaundements : and when his footesteps fayled , he wished , O that I had wings like a Doue to performe it ! Gods seruants must be like to Angels , most swift in their seruice . To a willing minde nothing is hard or heauy : for loue makes all things light . To such Christs yoke is sweete ; his commandements are not grieuous ; because their delight is in them .

FRom this delight proceedes Meditation , the second step to Blessednes affirmatiuely . This Meditation is like to digestion : for vnlesse the meate digest in the stomake , it nourisheth not the body . vnlesse the wheate corne dye in the ground , it springeth not vp againe : so , vnlesse the Word take roote in your hearts by meditation , it profiteth not .

S. Iames compares an idle hearer , to a man that looks his bodily face in a glasse , and with the turning of a hand forgets it . Which of you walketh through a greene meddow , and gathereth not a flowre ? Who comes into an Orchard , & tasteth not the fruite thereof ? So , bring home somewhat from a Sermon , that ye may be the better for it .

THis delight and meditation must not be for a spurt , but day and night : for godlines is a iourny , wherein must be no faynting . It is not sufficient to begin wel , but ye must continue in well doing . In Christianis non initia , sed fines petuntur : With what earnestnes doe men run in a race ? yet but one receyues the price . In the spirituall race , runne all , that all may obtayne : for in heauen is roome enough .

Hence may the Preacher learne this : Attende lectioni : for cursed is hee , which doeth the Lords worke negligently . Capite h●s praedones , sayd Eschines the Orator , qui nauigant in mari verborum . Katch me these Pirats , which sayle in a sea of words , and run a sentence out of breath .

Hence may the King gather a sweete meditation , that so long as the Law of God is his Counseller , all things shall prosper with him : God will be his Lord Protector , and keeper , whithersoeuer hee goeth . He wil keepe all his bones , so that not one of them shall be broken . He wil preserue his going out , and his comming in , from this time forth for euermore .

Generally , God hath promised to all the faithfull , I will giue my holy feare into your hearts , that ye shall neuer depart from me . And I doe assure you with the Apostle : That God , which hath begun this good worke in you , will perfit it , euen to the day of Christ . Hac itur adsuperos : This is the high way to Heauen .

God for his mercies sake write these lessons in our hearts , and teach vs to frame our liues thereafter , that in the end wee may obtayne that Kingdome , which he hath prepared for all his elect people , through Iesus Christ our alone Sauiour . To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost , be all honour and glory both now and euer . Amen .

FINIS .