IN these foure Verses is contayned the conclusion of Christ's most notable Sermon vpon the Mount , which is faithfully recorded by this our Euangelist Saint Matthew , ( one of the Pen-men of the Holy Ghost ) in the fift , sixt , and seuenth Chapters of his holy Gospell . This worthy conclusion seemeth to be inferred vpon his doctrine going immediately before , concerning the dreadfull doome of all workers of iniquitie , pronounced in three seuerall sentences to this effect , Seeing a a Verse 19. euery tree that bringeth not forth good fruit , is hewen downe , and cast into the fire ; And againe , Seeing b b Verse 21. Not euery one , that saith vnto me , Lord , Lord , shall enter into the Kingdome of Heauen ; And lastly , Seeing c c Verse 23. I will then professe vnto many ( famously knowne , and taken forth , among men , for their eminent and extraordinary gifts ) I neuer knew you , Depart from mee yee workers of iniquitie ; THEREFORE whosoeuer heareth these sayings of mine , and doth them ( so d d 2. Tim. 2. 21. purging himselfe from these , as a vessell vnto honour sanctified , and meete for the Master's vse , and prepared vnto euery good worke ) I will liken him vnto a wiseman , &c. Contrariwise , Euery one that heareth these sayings of mine , and doth them not ( but e e Psal. 125. 5. turneth aside to his owne crooked wayes , with those workers of iniquitie ) he shall be likened to a foolish man , &c ,

His aime and scope heere , is , to set before our eyes the Image and picture of the good and euill hearer , expressed to the quicke , vnder the similitude of the wise builder , verse 24. 25. First , by his actions , truly religious ; hee ioyneth practise to his hearing , turning the word into worke , f f Rom. 6. 17. Obeying from the heart ( as the Apostle testifieth of the Romanes ) that forme of doctrine , whereunto he is deliuered , or whereby he is ( as it were ) new minted , or moulded . So farre forth that ( as the same Apostle teacheth in the same g g Rom. 12. 2. Epistle ) he is now no more conformed to this world , but transformed , by the renewing , not of his manners alone , but of his very minde , that hee may proue by his owne daily practise and experience ( which is the best Commentary , of all other . ) What is that good , that acceptable and perfect will of GOD , reueiled in his Word , and more particularly in this most wise and holy Sermon . This effectuall hearing and doing will cleerely demonstrate a man to bee that good ground , commended in the Parable of the Sower , because h h Luke 8. 15 : hauing heard the Word with an houest and good heart , hee keepeth it , and bringeth forth fruit with patience ; not suffering himselfe to bee beaten from it by any troubles or vexations , which accompany either mortification of sinne , or persecution for righteousnesse . And ( which is a most notable branch of practise , without which , all commeth to nothing ) hee is not ashamed , but counteth it his glorie , vpon iust rebukes , to suffer himselfe to bee reclaymed from whatsoeuer errour in his iudgement , or aberration in his life . i i Prou. 9. 8. Rebuke a wiseman , and he will loue thee ; giue admonition ( as our Lord Christ doth many in this Sermon ) to the wise , and he will be wiser , saith the most wise Teacher . And againe , k k Prou. 28 12. As an eare-ring of gold , and an ornament of fine gold , so is a wise reprouer vpon an obedient eare . He reioyceth no lesse in such reproofes , then people , especially children , doe in their earings , and rich ornaments . Yea , how weake soeuer the reproouer bee , and how great soeuer the partie reproued , yet hee will bee readie , with right noble Dauid , to breake forth and say , l l 1. Sam. 25. 32 : Blessed be the Lord God , which sent thee this day to me , and blessed bee thine aduice , and blessed bee thou . Giue me such an one , and I will say that hee is a good hearer indeed : of whom , that of the Psalmist may truly bee taken vp , m m Psal. 87. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee . For Christ Iesus , the onely begotten Sonne of God , and Lord of glory , pronounceth ( and that with great earnestnesse ) him to be n n Luke 8. 21. his brother , sister , and mother : to bee blessed , o o Ibid. 11. 28. rather then the wombe , that bare him , and the pappes which he sucked .

Secondly , the good hearer is described by his propertie , which is wisdome ; hee likeneth him to a wiseman . This propertie euery one is most liquorish of , taking after their great grand-mother Eue ; who though she were made wise enough , if she could haue seene it , yet would needs sing a note aboue Ela , and bee made wiser by the counsell of the old Cheater , the Deuill , speaking in the Serpent : whereby it came to passe , that instead of attayning to an higher pitch of knowledge , to bee like vnto God , as hee bare her in hand , shee lost that which she had , and plunged herselfe , withall her miserable posteritie , into extreme folly and vanitie , ending in vtter perdition . Heere our Lord and Master ( being most wise , and euen wisdome it selfe , and p p Luke 19. 10. comming also to seeke and to saue that which was lost ) prescribeth vnto vs the onely antidote or souereigne remedie against this deadly poyson , to wit , the constant hearing and doing of these his fayings . So Moses , the seruant of the Lord , most diuinely taught the people of Israel , Heare ( saith hee ) q q Deut. 4. 6. and doe these statutes and indgements , which the Lord my God hath commanded , for this is your wisdome and vnderstanding . And Dauid found the truth hereof by most sweet and comfortable experience ( as euery one , that taketh his course , shall ) r r Psal. 119. ver. 98 , 99 , 100. Thou ( saith he ) through thy Commandements hast made me wiser then mine enemies , for they ( meaning those commandements ) are euer with me . I haue more vnderstanding , then all my Teachers : for thy testimonies are my meditation . I haue vnderstood more , then the ancients , because I kept thy precepts . Obserue in this worthy example , how they we●e alwayes with him ; hee set them before the eyes of his minde ; they were his meditation ; he kept them in practise , and so became passing wise : which he heere humbly acknowledgeth to the prayse and glorie of God , and for our instruction , and incitation to take the like course , in hope and certaine expectation of the like successe in a degree suitable to our holy endeuours .

But we are further to vnderstand , that by comparing this Text with Luke 6. 47. where our Sauiour Christ shutteth vp his Sermon with this very conclusion , we shall find , wherein the life and excellencie of his wisdome consisteth ; not in resting vpon the righteousnesse of the Law , or of workes ; much lesse vpon the traditions of men , or vpon morall and ciuill virtues : but in digging deepe , and laying the foundation on a rocke ; which is , when we labour with all our might to come to the true knowledge of our selues , how sinfull and damnable we are by nature , through the right vnderstanding of the Law of God : to come also to the sound and sauing knowledge of Iesus Christ , crucified for our sinnes , through the right vnde●standing of the Gospell . So farre forth , that being driuen by the Law , spiritually vnderstood to IESVS CHRIST , wee fall downe at his feet ( as it were ) and , from the very bottome of our hearts , cry with the poore Publican , s s Luke 18. 13. Lord be mercifull to me a sinner ; and withall , so receiue our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST in his holy Gospel , by a true and liuely faith , that wee can , and doe , in all truth , with Thomas the Apostle , breake forth and say , t t Ioh. 20 28. Thou art my Lord and my God . This is indeed to dig deepe , and to lay the foundation on a rocke . For u u 1. Cor. 3. 11. none other foundation can any man lay , saue Iesus Christ ; because x x Act. 13 38. 39 through him alone is preached the forgiuenesse of sins : and by him , all that beleeue , are iustified from all things , from which they could not bee iustified by the law of Moses ; much lesse then by any traditions or deuises of mans braine . The foundation being thus layed , there must follow a contibuilding vpon , vntil the house or Temple be perfected . Of the materiall Temple it was said , Fortie and sixe yeares was this Temple in building : but for vs , comming to Christ by faith , as y y 1. Pet 2. 4 , 5. to a liuing stone ; to be built vp a spiritual house , it requireth vnweariable labour & paines all our life long . That z z See for all this giuing 2. Pet. 1. 5 , 6 , 7. all diligence , we may ad to our faith ( whereby the fountion was layed ) vertue , or an honest and good heart and life ioyned with courage and resolution for the purpose ; and to vertue , knowledge ; meaning daily increase of knowledge , and carefull vse of all good meanes to that end ; and to knowledge , temperance , or Christian moderation and sobrietie in the vse of all outward things , as meate , drinke , apparell , riches , honour , and such like : not suffering our hearts to bee surcharged with surfeiting , drunkennesse , worldly cares , pride of life , or any thing of that nature : and to temperance , patience in bearing meekely whatsoeuer iniuries or insolencies of our aduersaries , or infirmities of our brethren , and fellow-Christians : and to patience , godlinesse , endeauouring vnfainedly to grow euery day more conscionable in all our dealings with men , and especially more deuout worshippers of God , then other : yea striuing , what in vs is , to double our deuotions in prayer , exercise of the word and Sacraments , due sanctification of the name of God , and of his holy Sabbaths , meditation , conference , and all such like duties : and to godlinesse , brotherly-kindnesse , being ( as the Apostle a a Rom. 12. 10. teacheth ) kindly or naturally affect●oned , to loue one another with brotherly loue ; In honour , preferring one another ; not slothfull to doe seruice ( mutually ) , distributing to the necessities of the Saints ; giuen to hospitalitie ; ready according to the will of God , b b 1. Iohn 3. 16. to lay downe our very liues for the brethren , after the example of Christ Iesus : And to brotherly kindnesse , charitie , extending it selfe to do good vnto all , friends , foes , Christians , aliens , being the Lady and Princesse of all those graces , whereby we doe seruice one to another , and ( as it were ) the mother of the maides , directing and moderating all the gifts of God , internall , or externall , to the best good of all , especially of the houshold of faith , all selfe-loue set apart . Thus to be exercised alwaies , vpon all occasions , is rightly to build vpon the foundation , to make our owne calling and election ( the highest fauours bestowed vpon mankinde ) sure , and to be indeed wise Christians .

In the third place , the good hearer is described by his outward condition : he is lyable to most grieuous afflictions and persecutions , which by diuine ordination , vsually follow the hearer and doer of these sayings , for his c c Hebr. 12. 5 , 6. correction , probation , and purgation from the most dangerous humour of pride and haughtinesse especially . As also that the Lord CHRIST his d d 2. Co. 12. 7 , 8 , 9 strength may be made perfect in the weaknesse of his Saints . This troublesome condition of the people of God is signified heere by the descending of the raine , swelling of the flouds , and blustering of the windes , whereof he afterwards gaue his disciples warning in plaine termes , In e e Ioh. 16. 33. the world ( saith he ) you shall haue affliction , but bee of good cheere , I haue ouercome the world . The experience of all ages maketh good that generall proposition of the Apostle , f f 2. Tim. 3. 12. yea , and all , that will liue godly in CHRIST IESVS , shall suffer persecution . The reason is apparant , and giuen by CHRIST himselfe , g g Ioh. 15. 19. If yee were of the world , the world would loue his owne , but because yee are not of the world , but I haue chosen you out of this world , therefore the world hateth you . Whosoeuer putteth not this into his accounts , when hee giueth his name vnto CHRIST , let him know that he taketh a wrong plough by the end ; as wee are plainly and peremptorily taught by our Lord , and blessed Sauiour himselfe , Luke 14. 27 , 28.

Fourthly , and lastly , the good hearer is described by the fruit , euent , or successe , which is his stabilitie and perseuerance in the greatest stormes , when the Deuill and World haue done their worst ; It fell not ( saith the Text ) for it was founded vpon the rocke . The good hearer is ( as wee heard ) founded vpon CHRIST IESVS , and the promises of God ( which all h h 2. Cor. 1 20. in him are yea , and in him Amen ) apprehended by Faith , and confessed with the mouth , so that the gates of Hell cannot preuaile against him , as we see , Matth. 16. 16 , 17 , 18. Rom. 10. 9 , 10 , 11. This is therefore iustly placed among Salomon's prouerbiall speeches , i i Prou. 10. 28. As the whirlewind passeth , so is the wicked no more : but the righteous is an euerlasting foundation . Questionlesse , nothing is more sickle and vanishing , then the irreligious rout , seeme they neuer so well rooted and flourishing ; I haue ( saith k k Psal. 37 , 35. 37. 39. the Psalmist ) seene the wicked in great power , and spreading himselfe like a greene Bay-tree , yet he passed away and loe he was not . But marke the perfect man , and behold the vpright , for ( howsoeuer he seeme to bee exposed to all dangers and miseries ) the end of that man is peace , or happinesse : And no maruell , since their saluation is of the Lord ; he is their strength in the time of trouble ; They l l Prou. 14. 32. haue also hope , and a sure refuge , euen in their death . To conclude this point concerning the good hearer ; As a house , well built vpon a rocke , may bee , and is commonly shaken , but falleth not : so the hearer and doer of these sayings , well built vpon the rocke CHRIST IESVS , through m m Gal. 5. 6. faith , that worketh by loue , may bee , and is diuers times fearefully shaken , by reason of hard persecution and temptations , but fall he cannot fully and finally .

The euill hearer is described , Verse 26. 27. by the contraries to all the former : First , he ioyneth not practise to his hearing , but is like vnto him , n n James 1. 24. that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse , and going away straight-way forgetteth what manner of man he was . As if it were all Religion , and not rather the greatest irreligion , to heare and not to doe . To simple ignorance this barren hearing addeth grosse contempt of the diuine Maiestie , whose sacred sayings a●e by this meanes set at nought , and cast behind men , as altogether vnworthy to be followed .

Secondly , the euill hearer is described by his propertie : for he ranketh all such among starke Fooles , who heare , and doe not what they heare ; how sharpe-sighted , and politicke soeuer they be in worldly things . For whereunto may they be better compared then to patients , dangerously and ( with out the Physicians helpe ) desperately sicke , that make none other vse of their learned , and well experienced Physicians counsell , but onely to heare it , letting the practise goe , at their vttermost perill ? Or according to this present similit●de , what can be deuised more foolish , then for a man to lay out his whole estate , and time , vpon a building without a foundation , which cannot but proue a castle of come-downe , before it be long ? Not without cause doth the Prophet Ieremy breake forth into this vehement exclamation . o o Ier. 8 8. 9. How say yee , that we are wise , and the Law of the Lord is with vs ? Loe , they hauereiected the Law of the Lord ( in respect of hearing and doing ) and what wisedome is in them ? meaning , no wisdome at all in Gods account , what reckoning soeuer vaine men make of it .

Thirdly , the euill hearer is described by that , which outwardly befalleth him , what turnings of deuices soeuer he vseth , howsoeuer hee would bee content ▪ to fell away CHRIST IESVS , his Lord , that bought him , together with his Kingdome ( as Esau did his birth-right ) to purchase his worldly peace , and further his owne ends : yet is hee to expect , that God at one time , or other , will , by strong and strange trials , bring him also to the Touch-stone , and make it appeare , That all is not gold that shineth . Hee will winnow and weigh him to make his lightnesse manifest to all the World . Thus much hee would haue vs to vnderstand by the comming of the raine , flouds , winds , and beating vpon that house .

Fourthly , the contrarie euent of hearing , and not doing , is propounded and aggrauated , The House fell , and the fall was great . Destruction shall bee to all workers of iniquitie , yea ( as wee heard before ) euery tree that beareth not good fruit , shall bee hewen downe , and cast into the sire ; though they neuer heard any one syllable of the Word of God : but it shall come with a witnesse , in a most high and fearefull degree , vpon all reiecters , or neglecters of holy doctrine , especially of the most glorious Gospell of IESVS CHRIST , How p p Heb. 2. 3. shall they escape ( saith the Apostle ) if they neglect so great saluation ? which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord , and was confirmed to vs , by them that heard him ; God also bearing witnes with signes , & wonders , and diuers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost . Ouer such neglecters are the woes pronounced , and iudgements denounced , q q Matth. 11. 21 , 23. Woe be to thee Chorazin ; Woe be to thee , Bethsaida , &c. And thou Capernaum , which art exalted vnto Heauen , shalt be brought downe vnto Hell : It shal bee more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon , and the Land of Sodome , at the last day , then for you . So Wisdome ( euen the essentiall wisdome of God , CHRIST IESVS ) is most earnest , ample , and admirable in this subiect , r r Prou. 1. 24. Because I haue called , and yee refused ; I haue stretched out my hand , and no man regarded : but haue set at nought all my counsell , and would none of my reproofe ; I will also laugh at your calamitie , and mocke when your feare commeth : when your feare commeth as desolation , and your destruction , as a whirlewind , when distresse and anguish come vpon you ; then shall they call vpon me , but I will not answere ; they shall seeke mee early , but they shall not find mee : for that they hated knowledge , and did not chuse the feare of the Lord : they would none of my counsell , they despised all my reproofe . Therefore shall they eate of the fruit of their owne way , and bee filled with their owne deuices . So fearefull is the estate of him , that heareth and doth not , euen by the testimony of the diuine wisdome and truth it selfe , deliuered with such vehemencie , as if he would shake Heauen and Earth .

Thus much of these foure Verses , contayning the conclusion of Christs Sermon : wherein because hee layeth all vpon the doing , or not doing of these his sayings , comprehending a short summary of his heauenly doctrine , especially of that part , which concerneth a right Christian conuersation , it will be worth the while to take a view of them , as they lie in order , and to compare our liues to them . For certainly of most it may too truly be spoken , as Linacre , that famous Physician , is reported to haue said to King Henrie the Eight ; Either these sayings are not CHRISTS , or we are not Christians . And wee are the rather to lay our liues to these rules , because ( as wee may perceiue by that which hath beene alreadie said ) in the keeping heereof consisteth our wisdome , and safetie , amidst the greatest differences , dangers , and vexations , that can befall in this life ; and in the neglecting , most certaine , ineuitable , and intolerable ruine , though all both men and Angels should lay their heads and hands together to hold vs vp ; s s Isai. 58. 14 : For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it .

To make the better way heereunto , let vs first take in the summe of our Lord CHRISTS foregoing doctrine : which we may doe the more easily because it is summed vp by this our Euangelist , Chap. 4. 17. in one onely word , REPENT ; that none should pleade the slipperinesse of his memorie , for who cannot ( if he set his mind vpon it ) remember that one word ? And further to admonish vs , that there is none obedience at all yeelded to CHRISTS sayings , by them , that repent not of their sinnes : and when men doe once vnfainedly repent , all obedience will follow . Yet must we not imagine , that our Lord CHRIST went vp and downe , repeating this bare word alone , but rather insisting vpon the doctrine and necessitie of repentance , did explane , dilate , and vrge it euery where , vpon euery occasion . This would be knowne before we goe any further , what is meant by repentance . This word is either taken in the large sence , as heere ; or in the strict sence , as elsewhere commonly . In the large sence he preached that men should repent , that is , ( as we learne by the originall tongues ) come to themselues , or to their right mindes , out of the spirituall phrensie , which naturally possesseth all flesh , and returne vnto God their heauenly t t Luke 15. 17. Father , and souereigne King , humbly confessing and bewayling their sinnes , beleeuing the Gospell , or glad-tidings of free pardon and reconciliation with God through him , and of all blessings spirituall and corporall to euery penitent petitioner : and lastly leading a life worthy of God , and of his glorious Gospell , by an vtter deniall u u Titus 2. 1● of vngodlinesse and worldly lusts , and liuing soberly and righteously , and godly in this present world . In which deniall and manner of liuing consisteth our repentance in the strict sence , being caused by that godly sorrow for sinne , and beliefe in the Gospell before mentioned . For godly sorrow , or sorrowing for sinne , as it is sinne and offence against the diuine Maiestie ( which cannot be without hope of pardon ) x x 2. Cor. 7 10. worketh repentance vnto saluation , not to be repented of .

To repentance in the large sence , consisting of due contrition for sinne , true Faith in God , through CHRIST IESVS , and new obedience to all his Commandements , he exhorteth all people by this maine reason , y y Mat. 4. 17. The Kingdome of Heauen is at hand ; meaning that promised , and long expected Kingdome of the Messiah , by whom they looked for a restoring of all things . This is called the Kingdome of Heauen , because his comming into the World was not to set vp a worldly z z Heb. 9. 1. sanctuary , or politie , as was formerly vnder the Law ( comparatiuely : ) but an heauenly regiment , worship , and seruice to bee performed in spirit and truth , according to the tenour of the Gospell . This a a Heb. 9. 10. time of reformation ( as the Apostle calleth it ) now approached , yea , then was , as he testified elsewhere to the woman of Samaria , b b Iohn 4. 23. The houre commeth , and now is , when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth . So , in like manner to the Pharisees , c c Luke 17. 21. Behold , the Kingdome of God is in or among you already ; meaning , that the Messiah , whom they so much enquired after , was alreadie come , euen then present before them . But it is said to draw neere in respect of the fuller accomplishment of all things , that were written of him , and further manifestation of his Glory , by his meritorious Passion , victorious Resurrection , triumphant Ascension , royall installment , or sitting at the right hand of the Maiestie , in the highest Heanens ; magnificent gifts , which he d d Acts 2. 33. ( hauing receiued of his Father the promise of the Holy Ghost ) shed forth abundantly vpon his Church ; and finally , his most illustrious conquest , when , to the amazement of all , both men and Angels , by the simple preaching of the Gospell ( as the World accounteth it ) he fetcht in both Iewes and Gentiles , farre and neere , in great abundance , to the obedience of Faith . The heauenly Kingdome , thus approching , required a heauenly preparation for it , by that repentance , before called for ; without the which , they were vtterly vncapable of it , and so , as chaffe to bee winnowed , or fanned out of God's floore , or visible Church , and to be burned with fire vnquenchable , as his fore-runner ( Iohn e e Matth. 3. 12. the Baptist ) threatned his vnfruitfull hearers . This also is further to be considered , that if the approach of this heauenly Kingdome required of euery one such carefull preparation , by turning instantly to God with all their hearts , and with all their soules ; what doth the presence of it require of vs , who now liue in the time of reformation , and see , or may see , cleerely the accomplishment of all those high mysteries before mentioned , concerning Christ's Death , Resurrection , Ascension into Heauen , sitting at the right hand of his Father , the powring forth of the Holy Ghost , and calling of the Gentiles . To vs especially is that notable exhortation directed , f f Psal. 24. 7 , 9. Lift vp your heads , O yee gates , and be yee lifted vp , yee euerlasting doores , and the King of glory shall come in : for we especially are , by calling and profession , a spirituall House or Temple , and our hearts , gates ; or doores for IESVS CHRIST , the King of glory , to enter in by : wherefore we , aboue all others , are to lift vp our heads on high , by raysing vp our mindes aboue the leuell of this World , and aboue all the things of this World , though neuer so pleasurable and glorious in appearance . That so beeing g g Col. 3. 1 , 2. risen againe with CHRIST , wee may seeke those things , which are aboue , where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God , we may set our affections on things aboue , and not on things on the earth .

And this also iustly calleth for another deepe consideration , That if the neere approach of the Kingdome of Heauen , by his appearing in grace to his people , lay such a necessitie vpon them to turne ( euery mothers childe ) from their euill wayes , no beleeue in him , and , as becommeth his Disciples and followers , to bring forth fruit , worthy of so high and honourable a calling : what doth then the neerer approach of his appearance in glory and maiestie , at the last day ( which now cannot be farre off ) when the Lord IESVS shall be reuealed from Heauen , with his mightie Angels in h h 2. Thess. 1. 8. flaming fire , to take vengeance on them that know not GOD , and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord IESVS CHRIST . A man , liuing in the bosome of the Church , and being put in minde hereof from time to time , as occasion is offered , had need to haue his conscience seared with a hot Iron , and his heart ( as the i i Zech. 7. 12. Prophet complayneth ) made hard as an Adamant-stone , if this most weightie consideration doe not awaken him to liue k k 1. Cor. 15. 34. righteously , and not to sinne , as the Apostle speaketh . But if neither the presence of the Kingdome of grace , nor the expectation of the Kingdome of glorie , will doe it , what remayneth , but that terrible sentence , which the Sonne of God , the Lord and Iudge of all , hath denounced long agoe , and will pronounce on his tribunall seate in due time ? l l Luke 19. 27. Those mine enemies , which would not , that I should reigne ouer them , bring hither , and slay them before me . Let this suffice for Christ's foregoing doctrine .

That which remayneth now , is to take a view of his whole m m Mat. 5. 1 , 2. Sermon ; the occasion whereof was offered by the maruellous concourse of people , assembling vnto him from all parts , as is shewed , Chap 4. 25. as also by the forwardnesse of his owne Disciples , flocking about him to heare his doctrine , and gaping , as it were for his instructions , none otherwise then the dry and thirstie ground doth for raine . This made our Lord and blessed Sauiour ( who alwayes lay in wait to catch men , and was in this kind , a mightier hunter , without comparison , then euer n n Gen. 10. 9. Nimrod was in his ) to spread the Net of his Euangelicall and most powerfull doctrine vpon the Mountaine , ( whither hee had ascended , both to auoide the throng , and to be the better heard . ) Neither is it to be neglected , that hee is said to haue sit downe , as the manner of Teachers then was , and to open his mouth , or addresse himselfe to vtter his heauenly message , not lightly , or slightly ( as too-many doe ) but most grauely and graciously , as beseemed his person , and the maiestie of the diuine Oracles , which were to come from him . For this Teacher-like sitting downe , and opening of his mouth , may serue to admonish euery one of vs , that wee are altogether forgetfull of our dutie , and extremely vnthankfull , if with o o Luke 10. 39. Mary , in the Gospell , wee sit not assiduously and vnmoueably at the feete of this great Prophet , and open not our cares with due reuerence and deuotion , to heare his Word . The rather , because such vnmatchable treasures of spirituall wisdome and vnderstanding are heerein contayned , that this Sermon may truly be said to bee the Master-piece of all his workes , which are extant of this nature .

It may be reduced to these three heads ; first , he instructeth vs more fully , who are capable of that Kingdome , either of grace or glory , and so to be accounted truly blessed : secondly , by what meanes , this great dignitie is to bee attayned vnto : thirdly , what their conuersation is , and ought to bee , who are of that ranke .

Concerning the subiect of blessednes , it hath beene much canuassed by the great Philosophers , and wisemen of the world , placing it , some in one thing , some in another : but in fine , after all disputes , leauing the matter as vncertaine as they found it . But this our heauenly teacher , without any going about the bush , or intricate discourse , in very few words setteth downe most plainely and pithily , who are indeed blessed ; euen such as naturall men iudge of all other , to be most wretched and miserable ; whom he describeth together with their blessednesse . Cap. 5. vers. 3. to 13. First by their preparation to the kingdome of heauen , and so to true blessednesse . They are poore in spirit , they mourne , they hunger and thirst after righteousnesse . Secondly , by their inward disposition , they are meeke , mercifull , pure in heart , peace-makers . Thirdly , by their outward condition ; they are so farre from ciuill and worldly happinesse , that they are forced to vndergoe many & manifold crosses , eue● for their righteousnesse sake .

To take these things in order , as they are layed before vs ; in the p p Verse 3. text , first hee pronounceth them blessed ( what frailties or calamities soeuer they labour vnder ) who are poore , not so much in purse , as in spirit , being of a broken and contrite heart , trembling at the word of God , whose displeasure they feare ( not with seruile , but reuerentiall feare ) aboue all dreadfull things , and whose mercy , through CHRIST IESVS , they make their onely refuge , disclaiming all affiance in themselues or any creature . And being conscious of their owne wants and weaknesses , they are much more vile in their owne eyes , then they are , or can be in other folkes , as wee see plainely q q Luke 18. 13. in the poore Publican . The very heathen receiued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , know thy selfe , as a diuine oracle , and layed it downe , as the foundation of true wisdome and happinesse , as our Lord and Master here doth .