The care that Hezekiah had for the guides and principall Officers of the house of God .

First hee repayred the place , then he brought in the persons : imitating herein the Creator , who first made the Ayre for man to breath in , the Water to refresh him , the Earth to beare him , and the Heavens to cover him , and then he made Man . When his seat was prepared , then he sent Him : This was very good in God , not onely for the matter , Genes. 1.31 . but also for the maner ; for there was apta proportio & nexus ( saith Mercerus ) and it was good and orderly in Hezekiah , Mercerus in locum . first to provide the place , then the persons : First the place , here was Policie : yet not the place alone but persons also , here was Religion . Oh that in this and in all other actions , VSE . 1. wee would joyne Policie and Religion together , that they may kisse each other , Psalm . 85.10 . and be like the two Cherubins which looke one to another , and both towards the Mercie-seat ! Exod. 25.20 .

As for the place alone , let us not be transported with the beautie of it , least That be verified of us , Hilar. lib. contr. Auxentium . which Hilarie spake against Auxentius , Male vos parietum cepit amor : You doe ill to be in love with walls : but let us be in love with the persons , 1. Tim. 5.17 . especially with them that labour in the word and doctrine : Rom. 10.15 . Oh how beautifull are the feete of them that bring glad tidings of peace .

VSE . 2. Let all those whom this concernes , ( as Rulers , Patrons , Parochians ) thinke on this point ; when they have prepared the place , to prepare the persons : Provide them , provide for them : that with greater courage the Bels of Aaron may sound in the Temple of God .

Thus much for the Care had of them .

Now for the Title given them , ( by the holy Ghost , ) viz. Priests and Levites . Whereof , first I must speake in the generall .

It is certaine that there were Sacrifices , Oblations , Tiths , & Priests , even almost from the beginning : witnesse Moses in the 4. and 14. Chapters of Genesis : Adrichem . in Levi. Put the Priest-hood was extraordinarie , and used promiscuously by the first borne of sundrie Families : especially after the time of Noah ( saith Hierome ) for from thence , Hieronym . ad Evagrium . all the first borne were Priests to the time of Aaron .

Then was the Priest-hood restrained to the tribe of Levi , and setled in Aaron and his posteritie , who were consecrated Priests unto the Lord. Exod. 28 1. 2. Chron. 29 34 But because the Priests were too few for the service of the Tabernacle , therefore the Lord added all the tribe of Levi , Numb. 3.6.9 . and gave them to the Priests to serve them . Of both these , Priests and Levites doth the Text speake : and of them both I observe that which God himselfe observeth , viz.

The Priests are named first , then the Levites :

The Priests as chiefe , the Levites as inferior ,

The Priests for governement and ministration ,

Num. 4.16.27 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Num. 4.24.27 . The Levites for portation , custody , Gnavodath Gnavodah , the service of the service in the Congregation .

Now Aaron was the chiefe of all : Aaron as the head : the Priests as the hands : and the Levites as the feete , to goe and come , to serve and beare . It is Pauls rule , 1. Cor. 14.40 . 1. Cor. 12.17 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . For if the whole bodie were an eye where where were the hearing ?

Here then is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , order , VSE . nay 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it selfe

In nature , there is superior and inferior .

In the heavenly Hierarchy , there is Angell & Archangell .

In the celestiall Orbe , one Sphere is in the circumference of another .

In civill policie , there is supreme and subordinate : 1. Pet 2.13 . & difference is not unfitting in the Ecclesiasticall Policie : For God is not the Author of confusion but of peace . 1. Cor. 14.33 .

But in this Order let there be no disorder .

1 Aaron though he be the head of the Priests , yet hee must not be the head of the Church , for that office doth properly and solely belong unto CHRIST . Ephes. 1.22 .

2 Aaron though he be the head of the Priests , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , yet he must not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is to say , domineer over the Priests , Levites , & the rest of Gods inheritance .

And thus much for the Priests and Levites , in the generall .

But now I must intreat of them in particular : for the Text divides them , and therefore I must give them severall meditations .

And first for the Priests .

They were the most eminent in the tribe of Levi , Numb. 4.24 . Exod. 29.38 . Levit. ● . 6. Malach. 2.7 . and appointed by God to oversee the Tabernacle , to offer the daily sacrifice , to pray for the people , and to expound the Law unto them . Their manner of consecration , puritie of their garments , sounding of their bels , shining of their breast-plate with Vrim and Thummim , are described in the 28. and 29. Chapters of Exodus .

Malach. 2 1. VSE . And now ô yee Priests this is for you .

Let us not care for the name so much as for the nature , yet the name it selfe is not to be dispised , for the Priest by an Anagramme signifieth Ripest . Let us then ( of the Ministery ) be ripe scholers in the schoole of CHRIST , riper then others ripest of all . Malach. 2.7 . 2. Cor. 3.20 . Revel. 1.16 . Let our lippes preserve knowledge , for we are the Embassadors of Christ : yea wee are starres in the right hand of God , though proud worldlings doe despise us .

Hebr. 5.4 . Onely in so great honour to which we are called , let not us our selves dishonour our calling : the more honourable , the more humble , the more great , the more good : And if we will reforme others , let us first reforme our selves , our workes will prevaile with many before our wordes , and they will be readie to say to us as the woman said to Christ , Iohn . 4.19 . Sir I see that thou art a Prophet .

Philip. 4.9 . It is Pauls example , as you have heard and seene in mee and the Heathen said in his Senary .

Menander . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Suadet loquentis vita non oratio .

In a word , remember the Bels , remember the Breast-plate , that we may both sound and shine , yea Shine as lights in the middest of a crooked generation . Philip. 1.15 .

Thus much for the Priests .

Now for the Levites .

E●●d . 12 29. In one night the Lord smote all the first borne in the land of Egipt , saving the first borne of Israel , which he spared and sanctified to himselfe . N●mb . 8. ●● . Now in stead of these , all the first borne , he tooke all the borne of the Tribe of Levi , Numb. 8.18 . & stileth them Levites .

Their ages , & offices , their charge and services in the Tabernacle are described by Moses , Numbers the 3. and renewed by David , 1. Chron. 23.

The summe of all is , they were the Lords portion , sanctified by himselfe , seperated to himselfe , for the worke of that Ministerie , Israels Liturgie . True it is , they were inferior unto Priests , yet especially regarded of the Lord : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Rom. 1.1 . a rad: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put a part ( like Paul ) from the world , and according to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of their name Levi , coupled unto God .

Oh that the Levites of our time , VSE . would consider of this point ! Seemeth it a small thing , Num. 16.9 . that God hath seperated you from the multitude , to take you neare to himselfe , saith Moses to the Levites of those times : Directed to the Colledge at Dublin . and I to my brethren , the Levites of these times , the younger sort of the Lords 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , lott and portion ? It is a great thing that the Lord hath thus seperated you , elêgit , selêgit , to traine you up in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and service . Oh! With what care and conscience ought you to prepare your hearts to stand before the Lord ? You walke in danger , Ezra . 7 . 1● . and had neede to be circumspect .

For your name of Levi , Levi ●il vile lun liue . by an Anagramme will easily turne to evil , and once turned to evil , it will by a second Anagramme , be as sudainely turned into vile : But if you turne and tune your hearts unto the Lord , then shall you be unto the people by a third Anagramme in lieu , or in stead of God : and so by a fourth conversion your soules shall live .

Oh! Marke , how God hath marked you : Yee are his lott , his seperate part and portion : Take heede to your selves , and beware of the profane : Nec tam juvant Athenae , quàm nocent voluptates . Let neyther sinne nor Sathan , nor any instrument of Sathan rob you of your heart , the Church of her hope , of God of his inheritance .

And thus much for the Titles of the Priests , and Levites .

Now followes in the third place , The paines , which Hezekiah tooke with these persons , viz.

What he did . What he said .

What he did : Two things .

And first the Text saith vers. 4.

He brought them in .

Hee brought them in , namely , into the Temple ; for his father Ahaz had shut up the doores of the Temple , 2. Chron. 28.24 . and so by a probable consequence , He had shut out the Priests .

Or , Hee brought them in , namely , into the Citie , ( which is most likely ) for the Text saith that they being brought in , Hezekiah assembled them into the East-streete viz , in Ierusalem .

VSE . Js● 1. ●● . 1 O Ierusalem , Ierusalem ! What a miserable Citie art thou become , which wast once accounted faithfull ? The Saints did once lodge in thy bosome , but now they are cast out : The Prophets are banished , and the Priests of Baal kept in .

2 There was a second Citie , like unto the first , lesse in quantitie , but as bad in qualitie , it was Bethlehem the Citie of David , Luke . ● . ● . where many a rich and churlish Nabal lodged in the Inne , Luke 2.7 . when poore and meeke Christ lay in the Cratch .

3 But is there not a third Citie in the world , as bad as these ? It is the Citie of Rome , where the lewd strumpets , ( saith their owne Cardinall ) did at their owne pleasure , Baron . in an. 912. art. 8. thrust in their ( amasios ) lovers , false Popes , into Peters seate .

O Rome ! thou makest no roome for those that are good . Or if thou bringest them in , thou pervertest them ? and Bernard Bernard . de confid . ad Lugen . wittily speaketh of thee , bonos recipit non facit .

4 I would to God this fourth Citie wherein we stand , Dublin . deserved not to bee added to the rest , to make up the square : But ; Though Israel play the harlot , Hos. 4.15 . let not Iudah sinne .

When Christ came to the house of Iairus , Math. 9.23.25 . hee thrust the Minstrels out of dores : And the Scripture saith , Put out the bondwoman & her sonne : So , put out the profane , Galat. 4.30 . the blasphemer , the fornicator , and the harlot too , the Idolater , and everie unreformed Papist ; ( though they bring you in never so much profit ) and in stead of them , bring in the Prophets , the Preachers of the word , the servants of God , and his Saints . Let such dwell in your house , Psalm . 10● . 6 . in your heart . Oh! Shut not them out , neyther in your action , nor in your affection , least that you your selves one day bee shut out of dores . Luke ●● . 28 .

Thus much for Hezekiah , his bringing in of the Priests and Levites . Now for the next .

He gathered them into the East streete .

Caietane saith , it was atrium templi ex Oriente , Caietan . in loc● but the word will not beare it , for it is not Chatzer , but Rechob , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which latter word is directly used for a common streete , Esth. 4.6 . & so generaly all expound it , of some street on the East part of Ierusalem . Yet we may not thinke , that this gathering into the East was for superstition , like those twentie five Idolaters in Ezechiel , for it is not probable , Ezech. 8.16 . that the King would nourish that superstition which hee went about to abolish , but certainely it was some streete , of spatiousnesse , a rad: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and roomth , as the word Rechob , doth import . Hither did Hezekias gather them .

Colligo , is one of the workes of corporall mercie , but here it is spirituall , Colligere dispersos , for a spirituall end , to gather together those which were dispersed . It was the right of Hezekiah so to doe . Thus God commanded Moses the Civill Magistrate , Numb. 10.2 . to make to himselfe two Trumpets for his assembling of the Congregation . So Iosiah the King , 2. King 13.1.4 . assembled the Priests and the Prophets , and commanded them .

So Christian Kings & Princes in the Primitive Church assembled the Councells of those times ; as to insist upon the foure first generall Councells , viz.

See . lib. 1. cap. 8. Nice the first assembled by Constantine Mag. Id. libr. 5. cap. 8. Constantinople first . assembled by Theodosius . 1. Evag libr. 1. c. 3. Ephesus first . assembled by Theodosius Iunior . Id. lib. 2. cap. 2. Chalcedon . assembled by Martian .

Let our Masters of Rome looke unto this , who by Papall authoritie have assembled in former times so many Councells at Rome it selfe , and of late that Conventicle of Trent , of all which , a man may say as Hierome said in the like case , Hieron . libr 2. Apolog. contra Ruffinum . in his Apologie against Ruffinus : Dic , quis Imperator jusserit hanc Synodum convocari ? But enough of this ; for no doubt the Princes of the earth will maintaine their owne right , plucke the plumes of the Babylonish strumpet , Revelat 17.16 . and leave her naked .

For our parts , let us obey , when such occasion of assemblies are offered , and in the meane time , let us be gathered into the assemblies of the righteous , Psalm . 1.5 . and that with profit , not with hurt ; and continue therein , 1. Cor. 11.17 . untill we meete with , Numb. 10.25 . That gathering hoste of Dan ( even with death ) who shall gather us , as scattered members unto our head : For , Luke 17.37 . where the dead bodie is , thither shall the Eagles resort .

And hitherto what Hezekiah did to the Priests and Levites .

Now , What he said .

And first , By the way of preparation .

Heare yee mee yee Levites , vers. 5.

Where I pray you to marke , Three Things .

WHY , HOW , WHAT .

1 First , Why doth the King speake to the Levites alone ? The Answere is threefold .

First , vnder the name of Levites ( which did beare the name of their Tribe ) the priests also were comprehended , who were of the same Tribe : The Prophet Malachy doth make this plaine , Malach. 2.1 . for he begins with a commandement for the Priests , Malach. 2.4 . but concludes with the covenant of Levi , and Chapt. 3. vers. 3. Purifie the sonnes of Levi. Yet wee may not thinke , but that the Priests had neede of purifying aswell as they . But the 16. vers . after my Text cleares this point , where both Priests , 2. Chron 20.16 and Levites are named in this clensing of the Temple , yea our verie Text it selfe : Lahem , to them , viz. Whom hee had brought in , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and gathered together : vers. 5. and they were Priests and Levites .

Secondly , 2. Chron. 23.28 . it was the proper office of the Levites to clense , therefore hee names them a-part .

Thirdly , 2. Chron 29.34 . the Levites were more zealous in setting forwards religion then the elder sort of Priests : & therefore happily he directs his speech to them . And encouragement to young Daniel and young Timothy , and to every Neophyte , 1. Tim 3.8 . Act 18.25 . Eccles. 12.1 . ● . Pet. 3.18 . and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the schoole of Christ , that they may the better Remember their Creator in the daies of their youth : Growing in grace , and in the knowledge of Iesus Christ , and endevouring to say with David , I have more understanding then the ancient , Psalm . 119.103 because I have kept thy precepts .

2 Secondly , How , speakes hee unto them ? Lovingly ; marke the wordes , Heare yee mee , yee Levites , nay in the eleventh verse , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he calls them sonnes , yea Banai , My sonnes ; Isa. 49.23 . and no marvaile , for Kings are nursing Fathers to the Church .

VSE . Euod. 20.12 . Are wee their Children ? Let us bee obedient to them : Pray for them : Beare with them : Depend on them : and Allow them a great part of that honour & love enioyned in the fift Commaundement , as if they were our naturall parents .

3 Thirdly , What is That , the King saith unto them ?

Heare yee mee yee Levites .

He exhorteth them to Heare : They which should exhort others , are exhorted by others . True it is , admonition doth alwayes profit , and oftimes from those that are our inferiors , or have lesse knowledge then our selves , thus Iob Iob. 31.13 . did not contemne the judgement of his servant , or of his maide : and Paul directs the auditory at Colosse , Coloss 4.17 . to say to Archippus ( their Pastour ) Take heed to the Ministery . And Athenaeus Athenaeus . speakes aptly in the Proverbe .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

The Gardiner sometimes speakes opportune things .

But admonition doth more profit when it proceeds from our Superiors , Imperator est à Dei secundus . Tert. ad Scap. especially from Kings and Princes , who by a divine influence doe participate with that supernaturall wisedome from above , even of him to whom they are next , and with whom they doe so nearely converse .

But beware ( my brethren of the Cleargie ) that we be not prevented in our owne element , no , VSE . not by our Superiors , much lesse to be discovered in our follies by our inferiors , or through neglect of our calling , or scandall of our life , be justly disgraced by them , Numb. 2● . 28 . as Baalam was by his Asse .

Thus much for the Preparation .

Now for the Matter it selfe , which containes a threefold commaund of Hezekiah to the Priests and Levites .

The first Commaund . Sanctifie now your selves .

Herein I propose foure considerations . viz. An Action . A Limitation . A Question . A Correction .

1 The first Consideration is the Action . Sanctifie your selves , or be you your selves sanctified : For , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word Hithkaddeshu is in Hithpael , reciprocall in Conjugation , & immanent in signification , and the order and meaning of the word is , that first we must sanctifie our selves , before we can sanctifie others .

And good reason ; Simil. for if you would have water to ascend to the top of a mountaine , you must bring it from another mount as high as it . VSE . That which we teach others , let us first teach our selves : we are the Lords Seers , 1. Sam. 9. ● . and tasters for the people . Seers , least they fall , tasters , least they be poysoned . Oh! How many are like the Architects of Noah his Arke , they built the Arke and were drownd themselves . Take heede ( my beloved brethren ) least when we have preached to others , 1. Cor. 9.27 . we our selves be cast-awayes .

2 The second is , the Limitation . Now , not put expletivè , Psalm . 118 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like the Hebrewe Na , but emphati●è , Gnattah . Now , even at this time whatsoever yee did before .

It teacheth Two things .

1 Now , in relation to the time past , as if hee should have said : My Father Ahaz silenced you , disturbed you in your calling , & you gave your selves to other affaires , and were polluted : But Now , returne and sanctifie your selves againe .

VSE . And truely while wee attend not our calling wee are unsanctified , peradventure there is an unwilling desertion ; How much more blame-worthy are we , if willingly we forsake our calling , and blot out the character which God imprinted ? This deserta militia without just ground drawes on the censure of man , and the vengeance of God .

2 Now , in relation to the time to come , as if he should have said , VSE Now , ô Now , and deferre it not , even now be sanctified while it is called Today . Delay brings danger as in other affaires , so especially in the matters of God : To morrow , Cra● , Cra●●●rvus ●●t . A●g . confess . lib. 8. cap 12. is not the voyce of the Dove : To morrow ? ( saith Augustine ) and , Why not now ô Lord ? Why should not my uncleanenesse have an end this verie houre ?

3 The third Consideration is a Question , Whether Priests and Levites can sanctifie themselves as here they are commaunded ? I answere , They cannot ; for it is the Lord that must purifie the sonnes of Levi : Mala●h . 3.3 . yet to encourage us he gives us the honour of the worke . 1. Io. 3.3 . We have no freewill unto good , 2. Corinth 3.5 . for wee are not able of our selves to thinke a good thought , much lesse to doe a good worke . It is Christ that is made unto us , 1. Cor. 1.10 . 1. Thes. 4.3 . 1 Pet. 1.15 . Marke 9.50 . not only Iustification but Sanctification ; yet wee are still called unto holinesse and sanctification . Have salt in your selves saith Christ , alas : Have wee in our nature any seasoning , or savour of spirituall wisedome at all ? No but when he said Have , then hee Gave : that when wee feele our wants , we may crie with that good Father , Domine da quod jubes , & jube quod vis : Aug. conf. li. 10 Give us O Lord what thou commandest , and then command what thou wilt .

4 The last Consideration , is matter of Correction , Priests and Levites are here called to sanctification : yet , What grievous complaints were made against them ? viz.

Isaiah Isa. 56.10.11.12 saith , they were blind watchmen , dumbe dogges , greedie and given to wine .

Hosea Hos. 6.9 . saith , they murder in the way by consent and worke mischiefe .

Zephany Zeph. 3.4 . saith , they are light and wicked persons , and have wrested the Law .

Malachy Malach 2.8 . saith , They are gone out of the way , and have broken the Covenant of Levi.

I wish that these and the like sinnes may not be found in the heritage of Iacob . VSE . Ecclesiast . 23.15

If ever there were neede of sanctified Priests , it is now : Oh! How many are there , who by a dissolute life doe make religion to be made a scorne ? I have spoken but one word , and that somewhat secretly , because I like not to discover the nakednesse of Noah , and I feare that some Church-papist did over-heare me to tell it in the streetes of Azkelon . But if so , I will then crie aloud and say , 2. Sam. 1.20 . Psalm . 75.5 . Set not up your horne on high ▪ for if you doe , I will plucke you downe againe with the hands of Ten of your owne approved Authors , viz: Aventine , Albertus Magnus , Holcot , Platina , Clemangis , Genebrard , Staphilus , Iansenius , Cornelius Agrippa , and Cornelius Mus : all which ( take them joyntly together ) doe speake such shamefull and vile things of the Popes and Cleargie of Rome , that they make them the beastliest monsters that ever trod upon Gods earth . And in particular thus .

A vent . annal. libr 8. in ●nit . pag 481. The Pope ( saith Aventine ) sets over the flocke of Christ Goates , Woolves , adulterers , ravishers , usurers , cookes , muletors , perfidious , perjured , ignorant Asses ; nay he setteth boyes & wantons to rule the Lambes : I am ashamed to say what manner of Bishops we have .

Albert. Magn in Evang. Io● . c. 10 Those ( saith Albertus Magnus ) which rule in the Church , be for the most part Theeves , and Murtherers : rather Oppressors , then Pastors : Perverters , then Teachers : Seducers , then Guides : These be the messengers of Antichrist , and such as supplant the flocke of Christ .

Platin in vita Marcellim . Sed quid futurum ( saith Platina ) nostra aetate arbitramur ? qua vitia nostra eò crevêre , ut vix apud Deum misericordiae locum reliquerint . Quanta sit avaritia sacerdotum , & eorum maximè qui rerum potiuntur , quanta libido , ambitio , pompa , superbia , desidia , quanta ignoratio tùm suiipsius tum doctrinae Christianae ? Quam parva religio , quam corrupti mores , ( vel in hominibus secularibus detestandi ) non attinet dicere , cùm ipsi ita apertè & palam peccent , ac si inde laudem quaererent .

〈…〉 Sapient . se●l . 182 The Priests of our age ( saith Holcot ) be like the Priests of Baal , Dagon , Priapus , wicked Angels , Angels of Hell .

〈◊〉 ang● de sta●● Ecclesiae , pag. ●7 . ●● . 5● . &c. Concerning Monkes , Clemangis saith , they are slipperie , indisciplinated , dissolute , running up and downe into dishonest places , & hating nothing so much , as their reading and praying , rule and religion . The Friars are worse then the Pharisees , making shew of Austeritie , chastitie , humilitie , but secretly they goe beyond the luxuriousnesse of all worldly men : And like Bels Priests devoure with their brats the oblations of the people . And what are Nunneries now a dayes , but the execrable brothel houses of Venus ? that now the veyling of a Nunne , is all one , as if you prostituted her openly to be a whore .

Pontifices ( saith Genebrard ) circiter quinquaginta , Genebrar . Chronolog. lib. 4. seculo . 10. pro spatio ferè 150. annorum , a Ioan. 8. ad Leonen 9. recesserunt totaliter à virtute praedecessorum suorum , & fuerunt Apotactici , Apostatici vè potius , quam Apostolici .

It is much to be lamented ( saith Staphilus Staphilus Apol. part. 1. ) that the life & behaviour of the reverend Priest-hood answers not their godly and high Profession , but is very scandalous to the world . Can this be denied ? It is ( alas ) too true .

Truely ( saith Iansenius Iansen . concord . pag. 270. ) the greater part of Bishops & Pastors , are so infatuated , that they bewray themselves to have no corne of Salt in their life and doctrine : There is no hope , when they themselves are irrecoverably corrupted , by whose health others should be holpen .

There be ( saith Agrippa Corn. Agrippa de vanitate scient. cap. 62. ) in the Church , Monckes , Fryars , and Anchorites , but few among them are good : For hither come flocking , they which have spent their substance upon whores , dice and surfetting . This crew hath dissembled holinesse : From hence start out so many Stoicall apes , patched rogues , cowled monsters : who having no credit left in things humane , yet for their monstrous habit sake are put in trust with the things of God : whose life being most lewd , and filled with all villanie , is yet left unpunished , thorow pretence of Religion .

And lastly ( Cornelius Mus Corn. Mus Conc. Evang. & de festis tom. 1. ser. 4 saith ) O my beloved Rome , Thou art wholy turned away , overthrowen , and perverted : Thou art become a stewes , a fornace , an hell : Every order is departed from God , Religious men are become dissolute , Virgins have cast off shame , Priests their Gownes , Monkes their cowles .

Elus . l. orat in Conc. Trid. in 3. Dom. Advens . With what monsters of filthinesse is not both Priest and People defiled ? Begin at the Sanctuary of God , & see if there be any hope , or helpe for honest life . Would God they were not fallen , with one consent from Religion to superstition : from Faith to Infidelitie : from Christ to Antichrist . The sacred name of Iesus , is made a jest and fable , among the Iewes and Pagans , by reason of us ; whose wickednesse with a shamefull report is bruted over all the world . Ser. 33. in Cant. or in Conc. Rhemens . Yea , S. Bernard himselfe saith of them in his time : Many Devils are chosen to be Bishops , they are the ministers of Christ and they serve Antichrist .

Rom. 14.4 . Ephes. 4.20 . Basil . But let them stand or fall to their owne Master . We have not so learned Christ . Basil saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; not with words , but deedes , that is , not with wordes alone , least we nourish with a word , and kill with a worke . Oh!

VSE . Exod. 28.37 . Let the name of Holinesse be upon us , as it was upon the forehead of Aaron , & let the Nature of it be within us and without us too , like that Vrim & Thummim upon the heart and breast-plate of Aaron : and let all pray with David : Exod. 28.30 . O Lord let thy Priests be clothed with righteousnesse . Psal● . 132 9.

And thus much of the Kings first command ,

Sanctifie your selves .

Now for the second command .