THESE words be part of an exhortation be gun in the 12 ve . of this chapter , which was made to the children of Israel , beeing captiues in Assiria in the yeare of Hoshea king of the ten tribes , as appeareth in the second of the kings , the 17. chapter , the 6 verse . And it did grow vpon a complaint against Iuda because that Iuda did not profite by the iudgementes of God vpon Israel : which being ended , God here commandeth him to exhort the 10. tribes in captiuitie to profite better by those afflictions which wer vppon them , & to returne to God by true and timely repentance . Which if they did , then God doth also promise ( for his part ) to forget all their sinnes past , and to place them in their former estate againe . In this exhortation we are to consider of two circumstances . The first is of the persons : the second is of the matter subiect . The persons be twoo fold . First , exhorted : Secondly exhorting . The persons exhorted are the captiue Iewes , described in the two first wordes : the first is , disobedient , the second is , children . The persons exhorting , are two fold . The Lord by Ieremie : and Ieremie in the name of the Lord , & that appereth in these words : sayth the Lord . The matter subiect , is two fold . First , what they are exhorted vnto , in these wordes : turne againe . Secondly , a reason why , in these wordes : for I am your Lord .

In the names giuen to the persons exhorted , appeare first , the wisedome of God . Secondly his mercie . His wisedome appereth in ripping vp of their sins before hee exhorteth them to repentance . Hee saith not simply , O my children , turne againe : least they shoulde plead , not guiltie , & take an action of the case against Ieremy for impeaching their credit . But he saith , O ye disobedient children , that so he might conuince persons , with whom he hath to deale , and according to the quality & quantitie of the sinne against which he dealeth : examples hereof wee haue not a few in the scriptures .

Christ will not breake the bruised reede , Matt. 12. 20. nor quench the smoking flaxe , Psal. 2. 9. but the rebelles wil he batter in pieces like a potters vessel . Moses was the mekest man vpon the earth , Num. 12. 3. yet none more angrie with Aaron then he , Deur 32. 6. neyther more seuere against Idolaters then he . Paul will perswade Foelix to become a christian , Actes . 2. 6 28. 29. and will conuey himselfe into the bowels of the Galathians , Gal. 4. 19. to winne them vnto Christ , Gal. 2. 11. 14. but hee meaneth to take vp Peter for halting , Actes 13. 10. and to pronounce Elimas the verie child of the deuill .

As this doctrine was alwaies profitable , so neuer more needefull then in these our times : when there be quot homines tot opiniones . How many men , so many mindes . Some would haue the preacher to speak alwaies alike , & that of nothing but of mercy & saluation by Christ , to speak placentia , & to prophecy of new wine & strong drinke , but in no case to awaken them out of their dead sleep of sinne and transgression . Some would haue the preacher neuer to alter his tune , but alwaies to be thundring out the iudgements of God , & to minister nothing but bitter purgations , as though all men were sicke at once , of one disease & of one cause . Some again , can abide neither piping nor mourning , but wil take exceptions against the charmer , charme hee neuer so wisely . If the minister reproue their sinnes , they call hym a busie controller : If hee shall apply the scripture to his conscience , then who made him a iudge : If the preacher shal tel them of Gods iudgementes , then hee speaketh , as though he would fraie his audience : If hee standeth neuer so little aboue his houre , then he doth not edifie but tedifie : If hee intreateth them friendly and priuately , then they say hee is glad to currie fauour , and they will aske him for his commission : If he be sparing in his speach , then he is afraide to displease : If he speake learnedly , then he is proude : If plainly , them he is no scholler : If often , then they are glutted : But if he wil sooth them vp in their sins with an omne bene , or a nihil dicit , he is the best preacher that euer they heard .

Thirdly , the prophet telleth them of their disobedience , that so he might make them more fit to returne vnto God : wherein we learne this lesson , that in all our reprehensions and admonitions , we must seeke the good of our brother , and the glorie of God : and therefore sharpe sentences in the scripture are verie profitable , not to driue men from God , but from their sinnes . Mat. 3. ● If Iohn Baptist call the scribes and pharisees a generation of vipers , it is not to make them desperate but fruitfull in the workes of repentance . And truely beloued , then is the● c●hope of doing good by sharpe censures , when men may see that wee doe not censure them of malice , or to make them odious , or to get our selues a name , or for some other sinister respect , but of conscience and of loue , seeking thereby the good amendement of our brother , and that we are no whit glad for their faultes , but rather grieued at their falles . And if this rule were obserued among those , to whome the censures of the church be committed , I doe not doubt but that more good should be done , then now is done . But when men shall perceiue that all their citations , admonitions , suspensions , excommunications , and other censures whatsoeuer doe not proceede from a hatred of sinne , nor a conscience and care to amend their brethren , but either of a stomack to reuenge their owne quarrels , or else from a couetous affection , to mayntaine their owne gaines : alas , who will greatly care for them ? And when al men shal perceiue that they are no whit grieued at the sinnes of men , but the more presentmentes , the more their gaines , and the gladder to restore him again . And good reason : for if we be bound by the law of God to help a beast vnder his burben , much more our brother . But alas this is a meere stranger among vs . Homo homin● non Deus , sed lupus . man is a woolfe to man . If a mans foot hath slipped neuer so little , especially , if he be a good man ( as who can say hys heart is clean ) prophane men are readie to exclaime of him , but neuer labour to reclaime him , and if a brother be once down in anie sinne , euery one will be readie to throwe his verdit and cast a stone at him , neuer remembring what our sauiour Christ saide when he wrote vpon the ground , Iohn 8. 7. but forgetting themselues to bee loaden both with motes and beames , they do as dogs doe , which when one poore curre is in disgrace , all the rest runne after him with open mouth and full crie . Alas if God should thus hotly pursue our sinnes as we do persecute our brethren , Psal. 130. 3. and if God should be so inexorable as we , Psal. 143. 2. alas I say what should become of vs ?

Fourthly , this gratious example of our heauenly father , dealing so mer● cifully with his disobedient childrēcondemneth the vncharitable practises of three sortes of men . First , of the Papistes , Whose fingers are dyed of a sanguine colour in the bloude of those men , which haue but transgressed the dyrtie decre●s of an Italian Priest and deuilish ordinances of hel itselfe : and yet these Gnat-strainers and Camelswallowers bewaile the want of loue among vs . Secondly , it meeteth with an abuse in our Church-gouernours , who vse ( for the most parte ) to make excommunication ●acken about the country for fees , for trifles & matters of no moment , as though that the greatest censure of the Churche , and the greatest iudgement next to the generall iudgement may be plaied withall and so farre abused as thereby to cut off , and cast out members of the Churche to the deuill at our pleasure . What seruant will care for that maister , which will be fighting for euerie trifle ? And who will not abhorre that chirurgion that for euery litle wheale or bone ache , will cut of a member , and yet take money for his painfull paines ? Our good God doeth not caste off his people , no , not for disobedience , but stil admonisheth them , and taketh them for his children , so long as there is any hope of returning . Thirdly , of our Brownists , who cast of the whole Church of Englande for no apparant Church of God , which is more then they ought to doe for two causes : first , though disobedience be ( as it is in deede ) as the sinne of witchcraft , and who is not disobedient in many things ? yet so long as they cannot chalenge vs for apostacie , as wee may some of them , and so long as there is any life at all in her , shee is not to be layd out vpon the colde ground . But soft a while : though she hath not all her ornaments according to the worde of God , yet she doeth not refuse them , if she might lawfully come by them , but is ready to receiue them when so euer they shal be offered vnto her . In the meane time she mourneth for her wants , and seeketh a redresse as she may , Ex●ch . 9. 4. and sueth as she ought , and therefore no doubt is marked on the forhead for the deare spouse of Iesus Christ , so long as shee doeth hold the foundation in him . But let it be granted that the church of England were proued as the church of Rome , a very harlot , and were iudged for her contumacie worthy to be put into the black booke of excommunication ( which God forbid ) yet for them to be their owne caruers and bailiffes , is more then they ought to doe , for they be but priuate men : and this is certaine , 1. Cor. 5. 4. that no particular congregation , much lesse a priuate person may excommunicate a whole church .

Lastly , in ioyning these two wordes together , we learne to censure sinne in all , but to iudge and hope charitably of all , to spare sinne in none , so to condemne none , Mat. 7. 1. for that is Gods office . And on the other side , to hope the best , and to loue thy brother , but so as we winke not at sinne in any , Leuit. 19. 17. for that were indeede to hate our brother . And this are we taught here , while God calleth them disobedient , yet still children : children , but yet disobedient . Many thinke that we hate them if we tell them of their sinnes , and many take those men for their best frends , which doe alwaies sooth them vp in their sinnes , and neuer reprooue them : but both these sorts of men are greatlie deceiued . The first must know that the reproofe of a friend is better then the kisse of a flatterer . Pro. 27. 6. Yea , 1. Sam. 16. 11. 12 if Shimei an enemie shall rayle vpon Dau●d , though it be Shimei his sinne , yet it may & ought to be Dauids benefite . The second sort must also vnderstand , that the sweetest doctrine to the eare is not alwayes the wholsomest to the heart : but the bitter pill is better to purge then the sweete perfume . The winde is boysterous , but it will make a man holde his garment fast about him , when the gleaming Sun wil make him put of al to his shirt . And though the thunder be terrible to the eare , and the lightning a dazzler of the eye , and both an astonishment to the heart , yet doe they more purifie th● ayre then the calmest day in summer . And are the golden mouthed flatterers alwaies the best frends ? No , no beloued , Latet anguis sub herba , the greenest herbe doeth often couer the fowlest toade , where the water is stillest , there is it deepest , the fayrest garment doeth often couer the fi●thiest carkas , when the baite is most in sight the hooke is least suspected , the friendliest kisse in shewe , is sometimes but treason in trueth . The Bee hath her honie , so hath she a sting , & the one wil wound more then the other will heale . When Herodes Courtiers crie , Act. 12. 21. 22. O vox non hominis , sed dei . O the voice not of a man but of a God , then must Herod come downe with a mischiefe : when the foure hundred false Prophets shall say to Achab , 1. King . 22. 12. 28. goe and prosper , then must Acha● looke least to thriue , neither shall be return in peace . And yet beholde , vnwise men content themselues with the names of Christians , Protestants , and the children of God , when disobedience to God hath robbed them of the nature of Gods children . Oh vnwise indeed , that care more for the shels then for the kernell , which set more by the badge on the sleue , then by the wages in the purse , which take more delight in the name then in the nature of a true Christian man . Malunt baberi quam esse . They had rather be so accounted , then be so indeed : but beloued , howsoeuer God in mercie calles them children , yet is it not because they are disobedient , but in hope of their amendment , and as he calleth them children that he might encourage them to returne , so also doeth he call them disobedient children , to put them in minde wherin they degenerated from the nature of children indeede . And so much for the persons exhorted , in these words O ye disobedient children .

The persons exhorting are , God by Ieremie , and the Prophet in the name of the Lord . And this is of force to enforce the exhortation : as if he shoulde say , I doe not of my selfe thus reproue you , for then you might thinke me too busie , but the Lord set me a work , whose will I must obey , and therfore you must heare me with patience . Thus Ieremie pleadeth his commission , partly for his owne discharge , and partly to make his message of more credite and force vnto them . And thus might Ieremie reason : He that is but a seruant , must do his masters message : I am but a seruant , therefore I must doe my masters message . Againe , he that doeth but his masters message , is not therfore to be blamed : I doe that and no more , and therfore I am not to be blamed . Againe , whatsoeuer the Lord saith , that must be beleeued : but the Lord saith you are disobedient , and if you will obey him hee will bee your Lord , therfore you must beleeue it . Againe , whatsoeuer the Lord by his messengers doth command , that must be obeyed : but the Lord by me doeth commaund you to turne againe , therfore see that you doe obey as you wil answere at your vttermost perill .

Here we haue three things to consider of . First , of the authoritie , Secondly , of the dignitie . Thirdly , of the duetie of Gods Ministers .

Their authoritie is very great , Of their ●A●thority and their commission is very large . For behold ( saith the Lord to Ieremie ) I ha●e set thee ouer Nations and kingdomes , Ier. 11. 10 to plucke vp , and to roote out , to destroy and throwe downe , to buylde and to plant . But how ? Ezechiel sheweth how . Thou son of man ▪ feare not them , Ezec. 2. nor their words , although thou remaine among scorpions , feare not their lookes , for they are a rebellious house . vers. 7. Therefore thou shalt speake my words vnto them . So that it must be done without fear , and by speaking the word of God without ceasing . The Minister of God therfore hath authoritie by the word to reprooue Princes , 2. Chro. 36. 15. as the proph●t saith , Ie● . 2● . 2. but not by the sword to remoue princes , as the Pope saith : Hee hath authoritie in Christ his steade to proclaime forgiuenes of sinnes to the penitent beleuers , Ioh. 20. 23. as the Euangelist saith , but not to absolue them whom he list , as the pope saith : He hath authoritie to reproue thinges amisse in the Church or commonwealth by doctrine , as the word saith , but not of himselfe to reforme by practise , as the Brownist saith . For d●position of Princes belongeth to God onely : 1. Sam. 15. 28. & 24. 6. 7. 8. 13 Luk. 5. 20. 21. forgeuenes of sinnes belongeth to God onely : reformation of Churches and Commonweales belongeth to Princes onely : but the reproouing of sinne in Prince , Church or commonwealth , belongeth to Ministers also . And this they ●ay doe , this they ought to doe , yet with wisdome & discretion . Nay , bloud for bloud if they doe lesse then this , if they do more then this , and if they doe not all this . Why then should Moses bee murmured at ? why should Micbea be smitten ? or why should Ieremie be imprisoned for executing their commission ? Haue they not authoritie to speake ? Nay we say to you ( if you be ang●y with vs for this ) as your seruants will say for themselues : Wee are but seruants , it is nothing to vs , agree with our master & we shall be content . We may speak what his word speketh , for we haue authoritie , and wee must speake so much , for therefore are wee put in authoritie . And so much brieflie for the authoritie of Gods ministers .

As their authoritie is great , so is their calling excellent and honourable in respect of their office , Of their dignitie . and of his person , whose mouth they are . We can think as basely of our selues , as any can either thinke or speake of vs : but if it be an excellent thing to be a kings Ambassador , how much more then to bee Ambassadour to the king of heauen and earth ? Therfore are they called in Scripture by names of great account , Ap●c . 12. 1. as Angels , Stars , Fathers , 2. Kin. 2. 12. Horsmen and Chariots of Israel . 1. S●m 4. 15. 18 Of these some be old , 1. Tim. 4. 12 as Hely was ▪ some be young , as Timothy : and yet all , the messengers of the Lord Iesus . Some bee learned , as Paul was : some be vnlearned , Actes 22. 3 as Peter and Iohn were : Actes 4. 13 yet all the messengers of the Lord Iesus . Some haue tenne talents , some haue but one , Mat. 25. 15 yet all must occupie for their Lordes aduauntage . Some come at the first houre , Mat. 20. 2 some at the last : yet all sent of God . Some are like Iames and Iohn , Marke 3. 17 the sonnes of thunder , some like Barnabas , Actes 4. 36 the sonne of consolation : yet all the messengers of God . Some haue receiued a greater measure of gifts , Ephe. 4. 7 some a lesse : yet all according to the measure of the gifte of Christ . And therefore let vs esteeme of them as of the ministers of Christ , and the disposers of the secrets of God . Men they are as we are , 1. Cor. 4. 1 that is our benefite , for if God himselfe should send forth his voice , we must yeelde vp our liues . Sinfull they are as we are , that is , because they are men , born of the seed of Adam . Mortall they are as we are , that is , because they are sinfull , for the rewarde of sinne is death : yet still the messengers of God , 2. Cor. 5 , 20 and doe beseech vs in Christ his steade to bee reconc●led vnto God . If this were regarded , then Gods ministers should be more regarded , lesse despised , more beleeued , lesse disgraced , better prouided for , lesse pinched , and not so villanously entreated , shamefully slandered , and euery way abused of so many as now they are . But alas , it is not greatly regarded , no not at all of many , and therefore euery churlish Nabal denieth them maintenance , 1. Kings 21. 4 euery couetous Achab is sick for their liuings , euery proud minion , and minsing damsell longeth for their heads in a platter , euery Iudas is ready to sell them to euery one that will geue but thirty pence , Mat. 26. 15 or thirty half pence , or three farthings , or iust nothing or rather for vniust nothing , and at the day appointed a kisse shall make deliuerie . 48 Zidkijah the kings clawback will not sticke to take his 〈◊〉 from their cheekes : 1 Kings 22. 24 Tertullus the Orator dare●h cal them pestilent felowes , and troublers of the state , Acte 8 24. 4. 5 if any man of his courtesie will geue him the hearing . Actes 26. 24 Festus in his mad mood wil call them mad men , and laye the fault ( if there be any ) vpon their learning too . Demas the worldling wil giue them the sl●p , 3. Tim 4. 10 1. onely the poore widow of Sarepta is found relieuing poore banished Elias . Kin 17 : 9 : 15 Some ( thankes be to God ) but not many in respect of the multitude , haue the ambassadors of the Lord Iesus in that good accounte which they should , especially for their works sake . For , doe not many grudge our meate , number our morsels , and reckon our liuings to euery farthing ? Christ commanded his to car●ie neither bread nor money , Marke 6. 8 nor to put on two coates . Hee is a rich man now a dayes that hath 2. coates to put on , except some that haue two or three benefices , for many in the worlde are turned out of all , & yet God be thanked he doeth deliuer vs . We may say as Paul said , we are afflicted on euery side . in pouerty , 2. Cor: 4. 8 yet not ouercome of pouerty : as dead , yet aliue : as sorrowing , yet reioysing : as possessing nothing , yet hauing all things . But what is this to the ingratefull company of worldlinges ? In the time of poperie one congregation did maintaine many mas-priests : now many congregations will hardly maintaine one good preacher of the gospell . And no maruail , for then there were too many foolish bees that brought al their hony into the popes hiue : and now we haue too many d●ones that sucke all the hony out of the churches hiue : nay now we haue too many horseleeches , Pro: 30 : 1● which alwayes crie , geue , geue , but neuer say ho , nor haue . One crieth geue mee the Colledge lands : another crieth , and me the lands of cathedrall churches : another crieth , giue me the impropriations : the fourth must haue another benefice or two to buy him bookes withall : one is sicke for a deanrie , and ( they say ) that some about the court , and I know not where , are sicke of a consumption , and nothing wil restore them but a Bishoppricke , or some other thing that should go to the church , and that they would haue as soone for their minstrels as the ministers maintenance , & some I thinke wil neuer leaue til they haue the deuill and all . And wot you what they say ? if our most gratious soueraign were as ready to geue and graunt , as some are to beg and craue , Mark . 6. Iohn Baptists head had beene in a platter ere this time . But thanks be to God she is not so readie to geue , though she be most liberal , & too bountiful to some , except they deserued it better , and therefore God make her dayes as the dayes of heauen , Psal 89. 29. that Ionas may neuer want a shadow to sit vnder after his weary iornie . Iohn 4. 6. If men take pains , some wil rewarde them with a thistle , the rewarde of an asse : others ( if they might haue their willes ) would sende away their pastors in worse case then the basest officers in their kitchen , without either lawfull warning , or due deserued wages . I blame not all , God forbid , for God knoweth who are his ▪ Why ? saye some of these men , can you not liue as the Apostles liued ? Why ? say I againe , let them lay downe their goods at the Apostles feete , Actes 4. 35. and then let them aske that question . Truely , many doe as Ananias did , Actes 5. 2 if they geue one groate , they wil brag of two . Many aske whence commeth the fall of the church ? Indeede it is a question to be moued , though the disease wil hardly or neuer be remo●ed . It is said that seuen ill fauoured lean kine deuoured seuen fat kine , and this was Pharaos dreame : Gen. 41. 20. but now seuenty times seuen il fauoured lean kine haue deuoured seuen hundred fat kine : and this is no dreame , but a trueth . But why are they thus handled ? doe they aske their dueties ? No , they dare not , for the earthen potte dares not striue against the brasen vessel : and men are now like drunken guests , which hauing filled their bellies are loath to pay the reckoning . What is the cause ? Any cause will serue the turne in this point . Facile inuenies baculum , quo canem cedas . When the Pharisies could not abide the doctrine of Christes disciples , they found quickly a iust defence of their quarrel . Marke 2. 24. They doe that on the sabboth day which is not lawfull . And wot you what that was ? They plucke the eares of corne . Our Pharisies also haue taken vp the same accusation against vs . For ( say they ) we doe that on the sabboth day which is not lawfull . And first to begin withal , they crie out vpon him rebell , he wil not weare the surplice euery sunday & holy day , which he must doe whether hee hath any or no : And is not this a sufficient cause to deny the minister of his maintenance ? Againe , they say we will not reade all seruice at all times , and therfore ( whether the law dispense with him or no if he preach ) we haue found sufficient cause to deny him his duetie . Again , they say we wil not read euery Collect , say gloria patri at the end of euery Psalme , nor make a leg at the name of Iesus : and is not this a sufficient cause to denie him his duetie ? Againe , they say we are angry when women of their good deuotion doe take vpon them the ministers office , and reade prayers publiquely to a congregation , and yet , say they , we haue no reason for it : for wil you haue a womanlie in a whole moneth , and come to church for so little as the Queenes booke doeth allow her ? And is not this a sufficient cause to deny him his duety ? Againe , they say we wil not bury the dead , which we ought to doe if it bee brought to the graue , whether wee know of it or no : And is not this cause sufficient . Againe , they say we wil not visite the sick of the plague , & although we offer to doe it with consent of the whole , and so as it may not be preiudiciall to our publique ministerie : yet this is cause sufficient to deny their duetie . Againe they say , we wil not reade seruice euery day forenoone and afternoone , to the walles and the windows , to the stooles and the stones : and is not this cause sufficient to denie vs our duetie ? Againe , they say wee wil not bid Imber dayes , according to their Almanacke , a booke of great authoritie and very autenticall , for it shewes vs this yeare what we shal haue the next : and is not this a sufficient cause ? Item , they say we sing psalmes in time of the communion , which were foysted in by the Geneua puritans : and is not this cause sufficient ? Againe , they say wee preach against Papists , Atheists , Vsurers , Drunkards , Swearers , Lords of misrule , abuse of apparrel , gaming , & working on the sabboth day , and such like commendable and common exercises of good neighborhood : & is not this a sufficient cause ? Item , they say we preach so plainly , & stand so long , that they fal either ●o napping , or els to prating when we begin , & commonly they leaue when we ende : and is not this a sufficient cause ? Lastly , if they should pay the minister his duetie , the loane of so much money were lost , which in many yeares woulde amount to some round summe : and are not all these , or any of these , sufficient causes thinke you , to handle Gods pore ministers and seruants , as you haue heard before ? And if wee say , Currat lex : let the law be iudge , then say they we dance in a net . But I would aske of these our heauie masters but two questions . First , whether I were sufficiently discharged or no , if I shoulde refuse to administer the Lords supper , because some Church papist in my parrish will neuer receiue the communion .

Secondly , what hath good Queen Elizabeth done , that she can get nothing of some of them . I hope it is not because she hath banished idolatrie , & brought in the gospel . Some cārob Peter to pay Paul , but these men can cunningly rob both Peter and Paul , and pay neither of both , and all to saue stakes . O auri sacra fames , quid 〈◊〉 ? What wil not some do for money ? Well , we haue not yet found the true cause , for we haue been all this while among the eares of corne , and therfore the writ must be returned with non est inuenta : but we wil haue another ad melius inquirendum , to make a newe search . What , are we sharpe in reproouing their sinne ? No , we dare not say to Herod , thou must not haue thy brothers Mark● 6. wife . Wee dare not say that a right papist is a ranke traytor , least we shoulde be tolde that when wee are in our priuiledged places we prate what we list , as once I was told . We dare not say that the magistrates are breakers of the Sabboth day , if they suffer it to be broken , least we shoulde be called coram vobis for it , and heare of it againe 2. yeres after in the pulpit . And to meddle with any abuses or corruptions of the church is auribus canem vellere , to pul a dog by the eares , & to put our hands into a hornets nest . A learned father ( who belike had experience of these things ) said once ( if not often ) Tutior est d●scentis , quam docentis ratio . It is better to learne then to teach . But we may say , Tutior est peccantis , quam arguentis conditio . It is more dangerous now adaies to reproue sinne , them to commit sinne . And if euer it were true , it is now too true , that Lepores concionantur leonibus . Let mens words be neuer so well ordered , neuer so comely , so gracious , they must preache with feare and trembling , as poor hares before the stout lions . For if wee please 1. Kin. 22. 8. them not they will say as Achab saide , he doeth not prophecie good vnto me , but euill , and therefore my soule doeth hate him . But will you knowe the true cause indeede ? Wel , now we haue found Exod. 5. 8. it ▪ wee read that Pharao cried against the Israelites as appeareth , Geue them no more straw , but let them gather it them selues , and get it where they can , and yet we will haue our whole tale of bricke , for they be idle , and crie , Let vs goe 3●dayes iorney into the wildernes , and offer sacrifice vnto God . So play our Pharisees with vs , for they crie , Let our pastors & preachers haue no more libertie geuen than , let them gather their straw themselues : that is , let them preach their belly full , and keepe all our exercises ( for they account of preaching as of strawe . ) But in the mean time we wil haue our whole tale of bricke , that is , all our old customs and ceremonies kept , whatsoeuer they be : and albeit we haue no law for them , we wil make them do as we wil haue them to doe , or els they shal know the price of it . And why so ? because ( as they say ) we be idle , & crie , let vs go offer sacrifice : that is ( say they ) they neuer leaue calling to church & to the sermon euery morning , and there we must be reproued for euery fault , and this diet is not for our humors , & they had as good bee idle as thus occupied , yet seeing as they wil needes be so holy , let them : but we wil set them to their task , and see whether that wil wearie them or no. And as Pharao vrged those thinges at Israels hands , which he would not touch with his least finger : so these our Pharaos lay heauier burthens vpon our backs , then either prince , or law , or conscience wil warrant . But when they vrge that which law it selfe doeth iustly require , it is not of any conscience ( for then woulde they come themselues and see it done ) but of malice , & therfore very seldome or neuer shall wee see some of them at sermons . But what say they ? Let the minister goe to church and pray for vs , wee wil be at home and worke for him : or els let the minister go to church & pray , and we wil goe to the alehouse & play . Againe , because the Egyptian task was not done , Israel and their officers were beaten . Euen so , because their taske ( I meane not the taske of the law , for that haue we borne , and most willingly wil we vndergoe it ) but the vnstinted task of mens affections , whose behauiour sauoureth of the discipline of an alehouse , because their taske is not done , wee are complayned of by them , their accusations take place against vs , we are condemned for disobedient persons , and away we must pack . Thus are we beaten with the slanderous tongues of vngodly men with the reproach of the world , with the disgr●ce of our ministerie , with them disdame of our persons , with the bitings of pouer●ie , and if some may preuaile , with the losse of libertie , liuing , and life it selfe . For they crie crucifige already , & so long as these people find such fauour at some mens hands as they doe , it will not be better , but rather worse with Gods seruants , and therfore God ( if it be his wil ) turne these Pharaos he arts . But at the last Israel cried to the Lord , & the Lord hearde them , Pharao was plagued , and Israel was released . And will not God now bee reuerged of his seruantes wrong and oppression ? Yes no doubt : For if princes take that contempt to them selues which is offered to their messengers , much more wil God . If Hanun and Ammon stinke in the nostrels of Israel , for their villanie offered to Dauids messengers , 1 Chro. 19. 〈◊〉 . much more shall these before God . If Iudas took his peniwoorthes of himself for betraying of innocent bloud , much more shall God of these . And if God made Ierusalem , yea euen famous 2. Chro. 36. Ierusalem a heap of stones , & the shame of the world , for mo●king , despising , & misusing of Gods messengers , How shal God suffer these oppressing Pharaos , whether they ●e Papists , A the●sts , or Libertines , or neuters , or Machiuels , of any religion , or of no religion , whether in citie or in countrey , whether in village or in cottage , or whersoeuer they be : how shal God I say suffer them at last ( though he suffer them long ) to escape his heauy Ezec. 33. 31. wrath ? And knowe you of Norwich , whose hearts runne after couetousnes , who sitte and heare the preacher for a fashion , which goe home & iest at him your bellyes full , which censure him at your pleasure , which eate him at your feastes , which buy and sel him in your shops , which recreate your selues with their faults , which make them your marks to shoote at , and your fields to walk in , ( I speake of no more but these , for I am sure that many , and all that feare God truely , doe take another course ) let these men ( I say ) know now if they will , that one day wil come when they shal know that prophets haue been amongst them , & that their discourteous dealing hath been offered to the ambassadors of the most high , which men might wel haue seene by the last plague that was amongst vs : which God would also teach vs by the st●uings of Iacob and Esan , in their mothers be●●ie , I meane by the stirres of Cen. 25. 22. the church . For though it be granted of many , both godly , wise & learned , that in mans iudgement it was not the best course that might be taken , for any man in writing for reformation , to publishe the ouerthrow of the mightie in Gath , 2. Sam. 1. 19. 20 or to tell the faultes of Bishoppes in the streetes of Askalon , that the daughters of the Philistins might reioyce , and the vncircumcised might triumph : yet can not this be denied , that the Lord , whose prouidence is ouer and in al things , had and hath also a stroke in this . And it is to be feared , that the same God in his ius●e iudgement , hath brought these feares & stirres vpon them , because some of them ( not all , God forbid ) haue had the poor ministers of Iesus Christ in so ill account , that the most disgraceing tearmes haue beene thought good inough for them , and some in their houses haue taken libertie to abuse them for their pleasure , and to pray vpon them for their profit , and when they best of all did speed , they should haue mountaines promised them , and that in hast , and be paid home with mollhils , and that at leysure . And thus Iere. 20. 1. 3 did God in Ieremies dayes , when Pashur the priest and gouernour of the Lordes house , smote Ieremy , and lodged him in the stocks for speaking the trueth , the Lord changed his name from Pashur to Magor-missabib , that is , a terror on euery side . For this is a ruled case in the 2. of Iames 2. 13 Iames , the 13. verse , there shal be iudgement merciles to him that s●hweth no mercie : therfore I would wish that this contempt & neglect of Gods ministers might be taken away from amongst vs , and that they might be more regarded : for though ( in respect of humain infirmities ) they are but as other men , & though 2. Cor: 12 ▪ 7 the messenger of Sathan be sent to buffet them , and though there be a law in Rom. 7 their members rebelling against the law of their mindes , whereby many times they are led ( against their wils ) captiues to the law of sinne , Oh wretched men 25 that we are●vet in respect of their office which is honorable and excellent in respect of him whose message they bring , and in respect● of the message it selfe which they bring , they are to be regarded . And God geue vs al grace so to behaue our selues both in life & doctrine , as we may be regarded , and not iustly be despised , for we are the ministers and messengers of the Lord of hostes , who with Ieremie may and ought to say vnto you when occasion serueth , O ye disobedient children turn again , for thus saith the Lord . And so much for the dignitie of Gods ministers .