❧ The first Sermon .

BY the consent of the most of the auncient Fathers and late writers : this woman doth signifie the church or the people of God chosen to saluation . The greate red Dragon signifieth Sathan . Michaell signifieth Christ : and his Angels the true Christians .

This portion of Scripture is as it were a Picture of the people of God , fighting in the wildernesse of this world against Sathan and his limmes , vnder the Banner and guiding of Christ Iesus their grand captaine , and of that victorie whiche this Michael , this mightie and strong conquerer doth get vnto his people ouer their aforesaid enimies .

The principall points bée these . 1. The apparrel of the church 2. The condition of the church . 3. The victory of the church .

For the first generall point . The first particular lessō of that is the Sun , the apparel of the Church . The sunne Messias , the sun of righteousnes , Christ Iesus the righteous .

For like as the sun doth as it were cloth and kéepe warme : and comfort al the creatures of this world : so Christe the Sun of righteousnes , doth cloth , kéepe warme , & comfort the Saints of God vpon Earth . For to the sanctified and chosen Romaines & Galathians ( faith the Apostle ) Christum Ro . 13. 14. Bal . 3. 28. induistis , you haue put on Christ and clothed your selues with Christ . And to the same effect to the Ephesians to be sanctified . Eph. 5. 14. Awake thou that sleepest and rise from the dead , & Christ shal shine vnto thee . The beutie and blesse of this apparel wil the better appéere , if we behold our naked and ougly cursed state without Christ .

Man by nature is carnall , solde vnder sin , the bondman of sin : and the reward of sin is death . Man by nature is the childe of Gods wrath , the vessel of Gods wrath Remember ( saith the Apostle ) that you were Ro . 7. 14. Ro . 6. 2. Eph. 2. 3. Eph. 2. 12. without Christ , being aliants from the common welth of Israell , straungers from the testament of promise , hauing no hope , and being without God in this world .

S. Iohn setteth the cursed nakednesse & the blessed apparrell togither in the first Apo. 1. 5. chapter of the Reuelation . Grace and peace ( saith he ) be vnto you from Iesus Christ , who hath loued vs , and washed vs from our sins in his owne bloud , and made vs Kinges and Priests vnto God his Father .

Firste wée are to learne , what hath Eph. 2. 4. delyuered vs and clothed vs. The looue of GOD , the riche grace and mercie of GOD in Christe . For GOD which is greate in mercye , for his greate loue wherewith he loued vs , euen when wée were dead by sins , hath quickned vs togither with Christ .

Next we are to learne , from what wée are deliuered . From the bondage of sinne , from the terror of death , from the fearfulnes of gods wrath . That is from euerlasting damnation & torments vnspeakeable .

Thirdly we are to learne , to what we are deliuered . To be Kings and Priests vnto god , to kil our beastly affections with faith in the death and merits of Christ , to burne thē with the heat of loue , that is , to present both our bodies & soules , a quick , Ro . 12. 1. holy and swéet sacrifice vnto God , to liue before God in holines and righteousnes al the daies of our life .

Yee are ( saith S. Peter ) a spiritual house an holy priesthood for to offer vp spirituall sacrifices 1. Pet . 2 9. acceptable vnto God , throughe Christ . Yee are a chosen generation , ar●ial priesthood , a holy nation , a people which are won , that yee should show the vertues of him that called you out of darkenes into his maruailous light .

Thus saith the holy and true , whiche hath Apo 3. 7. the key of Dauid , which openeth and no man shutteth , which shutteth , and no man openeth : because thou sayest I am rich and full of goods Apo. 3. 17. & neede nothing , & knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable , and poore and naked : I councell thee to buy of me golde tried in the fire that thou maiest be rich , and white raiment that thy filthie nakednes do not appe●re , & annoint thine eies with eie salue that thou maist see .

The Christians be clothed with the bright Son Christ Iesus , and made a spirituall house & holy préesthood , not to defile their garments with sin , but to buy and receiue of Christ the Golde of liuely Faith , the white garment of righteousnes , and the ey salue of the knowledge of Gods word , that their light may shine before men , to win them to God , that they being the salt of the earth may season & edifie their brethren , that they testifie vnto the worlde , that they ●e the children of God & by good works may stop the mouthes of suche as would take any occasion to speake euil of the Gospell .

The next particular lesson is . That the Church ●eadeth the Moone vnder hir feet . The people of god do not care for the changeable & fading goods of this worlde , which eb and flow , increase and decrease , and change as the moone .

Exhort them ( saith Saint Paule vnto 1. Tim . 2. 17. Timothie ) that are rich in this worlde , that they be not high minded , nor trust in vncertain riches , but in the liuing God ( which giueth vs abundantly all things to enioy them ) that they doe good , that they be rich in good workes , that they be rady to giue and glad to distribute , layvp for themselues a good foundation against the day to come .

Birth , beautie , riches , renowne and glory of this world , be wel likened by a good father to an Auditors counters , which somtimes represent an hundred thousand pounds somtimes a thousand pounds , somtimes a shilling , somtimes a peny , somtimes they are laid aside for nothing . So the counters and houses , and rich persons of the world somtimes they excéede somtimes they bée lesse , somtimes not worth the ground that beareth them . And therfore that heathen Emperour Saladinus séemeth wiser than a great sort of Christians , which when he had gotten great victories ▪ and great spoiles ouer great cities and countries , and after fel sicke , & sawe that he must néedes dy , required that when he should be caried to his tumb : there should be caried before him a faire white shéete vpon the point of a speare , and proclamation to be made .

These are the rich spoiles which Saladinus carieth away of all his triumphes & victories .

And surely th● great men of this world shall one day become the Auditors Counters , and shal play Saladinus , they shal dy and cary away with thē nothing but a shrowding sheet : the wise men of this world shal one day become the Auditors Counters , and shall play Saladinus , they shall dye & carry away with them nothing but a shrowding shéete . The rich men of thys world shall one day become the Auditors Counters , and shal play Saladinus , they shall dye and carry away with them nothing but a shrowding shéet : and therfore the people of God doo treade these moones & vanities vnder their féete , vse these outward blessings of god to the glory of god , to the reliefe of the strangers , the widow the fatherlesse , the impotent , and such as cannot helpe themselues .

In this treading & vsing of these moones & transitory goods doth God delight , for Christ setteth it down so in the great and ▪ dreadfull last charge . You sawe mee hungry Mat . 25. 35 and gaue me meat ▪ you sawe me thirsty & gaue me drinke , you sawe me naked , and gaue mee clothing , you sawe me harbourlesse & gaue me lodging , you sawe me sicke and in prison & you ministred vnto me . And they shall say , Lord when did we feede thee , cloth thee or minister vnto thee ? And he shall say , when you did it to any of these little ones . you did it vnto mee . According to good Saint Hieroms saying : féede Christ in the hungry , cloth Christ in the naked , lodge Christ in the harbourlesse , minister vnto Christ in the stranger , in the widow , in the fatherlesse childe : and such as cannot helpe themselues .

Histories make mention of a good duke of Subaudia called Amodeus , vnto whom certain Ambassadors from forraine princes resorted , and after their publique affaires doone : they asked him , if he had any hounds , for they were desirous to sée some hunting with hounds . Yea quoth Amodaeus I haue a kennel of as good hounds as any in Europe , if you come early in the morning you shal sée them . The Ambassadors came early in the morning , & Amodaeus led them to the backside of his house , and there shewed them a great sorte of poore folke at breakfast . Atque hi sunt ( inquit canes mei . These be my Houndes , with these doe I hunt . Amodoeus was a good hunts man , and hunted ful wel . Cornelius the Centurion hunted with these hounds , Act. 10. 4. and the Angel said vnto him , Thy praiers and thy almes haue climed vp to heauen , to the sight of God . He that giueth vnto the poore lendeth Pro . 19. 17 vnto the Lord , and looke what he layeth out shall be paide him againe . Blessed is he that considereth the poore and needy , the Lord will Psal . 41. 1 deliuer him in the time of trouble . Blessed , & a thousand times blessed is he that for gods sake helpeth them that be in misery .

There is now a necessary and a charitable prouision to erect houses in boroughs and market townes , for suche as woulde work if they had it but cannot be set a work Further that work and hunt with Amodeus his hounds . Make no more account of your auditors counters , your birth , wisdome , authoritie , riches , then Saladmus did : for they shal yéeld vp but a shrowding shéet . Hunt with Amodeus houndes , and remember that you can enioy but youre Ex. 16. 20. Ghomer . If you reserue any til the morning it will rot and be full of wormes .

When you haue prouided inoughe for your own family , bestow the rest of your Manna vpon hospitals , vpon poore schollers , vpon mending highwaies and suche good déedes . Bestowe it in the day of your life vpon some good woork or other . If you think to lay vp any part of your Manna & goods against to morrowe , againste an other day , it will rot and be ful of wormes . The moths wil eat it , or the théeues will steal it : your prodigal posterity wil make it away , or one bad person or other wyll Mat . 19. 6 haue it away . Therfore sée it wel bestowed before your eies , and tread the moone & glory of this world vnder your féete .

The third lesson is , That the Church is crowned with xij . starres . In the firste of the reuelation , the holy Ghost doth saye , that the Son of man had in his hande seuen Apo. 1. 16 Apo. 1. 20. starres . And after he saith the starres be the Angels of the seuen Churches . And so in this place the xij . starres be the Angels of the xii . Churches . And because the number 7. and twelue be perfect numbers : they signifie the Angels , Ambassadors or ministers of the vniuersal and catholick Church , according to the opnion of the most of the fathers both old and new . And to the same effect ( saith Saint Paule ) We are Ambassadors in the roume of Christ , 2. Co. 5. 20 euen as though God did beseech you through vs. So pray we you in Christes stead , that you would be reconciled vnto God . And the same Saint Paule . Let a man so esteeme 1. Cor . 4. 1 vs euen as the Ministers of Christ and stewardes of the mysteries of God . These starres , Ambassadours or Ministers bring to you the word of God , the way to your saluation . These starres . Ambassadors , or ministes , bring to you the holy and blessed sacraments , the pledges and pawns of your saluation . And therefore they shoulde bée moste welcome and déere vnto you . But euen as the clouds doe many times hide the Starres , whiche shyne moste brighte : So the Clowdes of malice , and Couetousnes , & Godlessenesse , doe hyde the Starres and ministers of the Gospel .

It is a world toe sée how welcome and déere the darke stars were which brought th● doctrine of men and deuises of men . No lands were too much for thē , no estimation too great , no treasure too much . And nowe when the bright starres of the Gospell , bring the sincere word of God , the heauenly Manna and bread of our soules , th● path to the ioyes of th● celestial paradise , which 1. Cor . 2. 9 neither eie hath séene , nor eare hath heard nor tong can expresse , nor hart conceiue : euery little is too much for them , euerye one doth pine and grudge at them , euery meane man may , and doth carry vp and downe sclanders of them , reuile them in euery alehouse and tauern . God grant that this contempt of Gods ministers be not a certaine token of the ripenes of sin , and a woful fall hard at hand .

But yet ministers must not be discomforted , Mat . 1. 19. for the scholler may not bée better than his maister . Our Sauiour Christe was called a glutton , a drunkard , a companion of publicans and sinners , a woorker by Belzebub : and yet he was moste Maht . 12. 24. godly and did most godly . Though they call you what they can call you : cry you out against vice , comdemne Epicures , Machiuils and godlesse persons . Tell them sin is sin , vanitie vanitie , trueth trueth , & vertue is vertue . Lifte vp youre voyces like trumpets , and shew the people their Esa . 58. 1. sinnes : shine like Starres in this darke world , & you shall shine with your great Apo. 22. 16. morning star Christ Iesus in the Kingdome of heauen .

The fourth particular lesson is , That the Church trauaileth & is pained to bee deliuered . The Church the spouse of Christe clothed with th● Sun of righteousnes ( treading vpon and neglecting the Moone , and chaunging ioyes of the worlde , crowned , with the starres and ministers of the saluation of man ) cannot be idle nor carelesse nor cold , but is made careful and warme , and zealous of Gods truth . The Prophet Dauid speaketh of this woman and people , which saith . I held my tongue and spake Psal . 39. 2. nothing , I kept silence euen from good wordes , but it was paine and griefe to me , my hart was hot within me , & w●tle I was thus musing , the fire kindled , at the lust I spake with my mouth . As also the Churche saith againe in the Psal . 119. 136. Psal . 119. 123. 139. person of Dauid . Mine eies gush out with water , because men keepe not thy law . My eies are wasted away with looking for thy health and for the word of thy righteousnes . My zeale hath euen consumed me , because mine enimies haue forgotten thy commandements . It greeueth me when I see the transgressors , because they keepe not thy lawe .

Our english Church ( God be blessed ) is clothed with the robe of Christ , professeth Christe truely , is crowned with infinite starres and good professors of his worde , and yet it is a wonder to sée howe colde the zeale of it is , how little hate of sinne it hath . In daies paste whosoeuer did trauell and was pained to bring forth the worde of God and vertue and truth , was liked and furthered of al men . Bad persons were generally hated and misliked . But now is the quite contrary . I meane not , nor I cannot say that there are so many or so great malefactors , as hath béene in other times : but this I may say and this I must say , that there is not the deuotion towards God , nor that loue of vertue , nor that hate of sin that was in the time of darkenes .

A man is not liked because he dooth wel , nor misliked because he dooth euill . But now there is an Art to heape and throng a sorte into one faction , and they bend them selues to speake , and doo all the euill they can deuise by such as they mislike , be they neuer so good , and to speake and doe al the good they can , for such as they like , be they neuer so bad , yea though their badnes be marked to the eye .

Remember therfore from whence you are fallen , and repent and doe the firste workes , or else , he that holdeth the seuen starres in his right hand , and walketh in Apo , 2. 5. the mids of the 7 golden candlesticks , wil come shortly & remooue your candlesticks out of their places . God grant vs al light and loue , one and other to repent . And as we would séeme to wear the rich apparell of the Gospell of Christ , and to be starres in this Church of Christ , that so we may trauel and be pained to be deliuered , that is , to be zelous and redy to set forth gods glory , and to tread downe and suppresse vice , Idolatrie , and vanitie .

The second part .

THe second principal point is , the condition of the Church to be maligned of Sathan , and protected by God . As the people of God be zealous and earnest to sow the word of God and plant religion : Gen. 3. 11. so the dragon and sathan be as watchfull and painefull to deuoure the frute . Mat . 4. 3.

Adam was no sooner borne , but Sathan assalted him , Christ was no sooner borne , but Sathan tempted him .

The Dragon is great and red , & hath many heds , & many hornes , and many crownes , full of deceit , craft malice , poyson , pride , power , might and fiercenesse , and by worldly promotion , luker , fauor & other flattering fancies , he entangleth many wise men , and casteth many Starres downe to the ground , and plucketh them clean from Christ and maketh them carnal and vngodly in al their wisdome , study and workes . And he standeth euer before the woman traueling , euermore wayting his pray , where the gospel is sincerly taught . The children of God be no sooner born again and renewed by the spirit of god , but he séeketh to deuoure the fruit of grace sowne in their hartes . He vseth all crafts , policies , and engines to take the word from the hart , lest the people beléeuing it would be saued .

If the woman : if the people of God sléep but a little or giue themselues to carelesnes , the enuious man commeth , this Dragon Ma. 13. 25 commeth and soweth the tares of Sin to choke the séed of religion , which the workman of God had sowed before . He goeth Iob . 1. 7. about the land and walketh through it . He is a painful visitor , he visiteth & searcheth euery corner of his circuit : he sifteth al the people , euen as wheat is sifted , & goeth Luc . 22. 31 about to turne al to chaffe of vanity & pleasure . This watchfulnes and craftynes of the dragon should teach vs also to be watchful : for so reasoneth saint Peter . Bee sober and watch , for your aduersary the 1. Pet . 5. 8. deuil goeth about like a roring Lyon , seeking whome he may deuoure .

Watche we should to continencie , for such as will be drunken either with the pomp , or port , or pleasure of the world : are sure to be deuoured of the dragon , Watch Mat . 1426 we should to praier , lest we fal into temptation . For those that forbeare fasting & praier are easily tempted of the Dragon . Watch we should al in our calling that Ma. 25. 45 Luc . 16. 2. we may be found good stuards and giue a good account , when we shal leaue the stuardship of this life .

Ministers ought to watch and to crye out zealously and boldly against all kind of sin , in al kind of persons without respect

Magistrates ought to watch & to beate down al kind of sin & punish al kind of sin in al kind of persons without respect . Euery householder ought to watch to sée th● not only himself , his wife and Children , but also his seruants , yea the least boy & girle that is in his house be brought vp in the knowledge & feare of God : for if any of them perish for lacke of instruction , that housholder shall answere for their bloud , and be deuoured of the Dragon . Watch ye nobles to the defence of religion , trueth , and Iustice . Watche ye Ministers to the teaching of religion , trueth and Iustice . Watch ye Iudges , Iustices , and Magistrates , to the execution of religion , trueth and Iustice : watch England , watch London to thankfulnes to God . least the blessed Child of the faithfull woman ( Gods holy word ) be once again deuoured of the dragon . And to comfort you against this watchfulnes and cruelnesse of the Dragon , is the goodnes of God , a fortresse and bulwark . For first notwithstandyng the dragon be so watchful , and cruel and ready to deuoure : God againe is ready , yea a thousand times more redy to preserue : he defendeth his , blesseth and preserueth his for the woman brought forth hir Childe and it was taken vp to god & to his throne God brought the woman his Churche of Exo . 14. Israel , great with child out of Egipt . The dragon stood ready by the Amalekits , Midiants , Moabites , & such other to deuoure the Child . But the Childe , Gods lawe was brought forth : for the heathen were Psa . 80. 3. cast out , & Gods vine planted , God made rowme for it and it filled the lande . The hils were couered with the shadowes of it , and the boughes thereof were like the goodly Ceder trées : she stretched forth hir branches vnto th● sea and hir boughs vnto the riuer , that is , god tooke it to his throne and protection .

The woman the primatiue churche trauailed , and was pained to bring forth hir child the Gospell of Christ Iesus . The Dragon stood still by Annas and Caiphas by Pilate and Herode , by Simon Magus Mat . 20. 7. the sorcerer , Alexander the coppersmith , Act. 8. 9. 2. Tim . 4. 12. Act. 10. 24 Act. 2. 47. and Demetrius the siluer smith to deuour the Child . But the word of God increased , and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly , and the Lord added to the congregation dayly such as should be saued , & tooke the Gospell to his throne and protection . The Germain church trauailed and pained to bring forth hir Childe the Gospel of Christ . The Churches of Poleland , Denmark , Sueueland , England and Scotland haue trauailed & bin pained to bring forth the Childe , the Gospell of Christ Iesus . The dragon hath stood ready by the Italian Caiphas , the Romish scribes and pharyses , their Pilates : their Herods , their Simons ▪ their Alexanders and Demetriusses to deuoure the Child . But the Gospell doth flourish and prosper in these lands , and god hath taken it to hys throne and protection . The Churches of France & Flanders doo trauell and are pained to bring forth their Child the gospel of Christ Iesus . The great red Dragon doth bestur himself with al his heds , hornes and crownes , powers and crafts , limmes and partakers , to deuoure their Childe the Gospell of Christ Iesus . But ●● . 2. 10 it shal be borne and prosper , and god shal take it to his throne & protection . For the deuill may imprison them & trouble them ten daies , but in the end the faithful shal 3. Esdr. 4. haue the crowne of life , and trueth shall preuaile .

The next step of Gods goodnes , is the rod of Discipline , for the direction of his Church and people . For as he begetteth his Children with the preaching of the word : so he appointeth a rod & Discipline Pro . 22. 15 for the direction of his people . When folly is tied to the Childes hart : the rod of correction must take it away . Children of the best nature wil leaue their bookes & play and fal togither by the eares , if the rod of correction be not shewed to thē . And the people of the best nature wil leaue th● book of Religion and spend their time in idle play and pastime , or fall togither by the eares , and to contention if the rod of correction doe not stay such folly . The wise man curseth that wood of the which Images Sap . 14. 7. be made to draw men from the creator to the creature : but blesseth that wood by the which Iustice is done , and men be drawne from folly to the feare of God .

Gods people be shéepe : the shepeheard néedeth a whistle , and he néedeth a Dog Psa . 79. 13 and a hooke , that such shéepe as will not come in with whistling , may be either baited in with a Dog , or drawne in with a hooke . The preaching of the word of God is the whistling . such as wil not come into the fold of saluation by the whistle of the word , must be compelled to come in by the Dog and hooke of discipline . The ministers doo sing & play vnto the people with the harp of the word . But the people wil Ma. 11. 17 not daunce after the mesures of the word .

The ministers mourn vnto the people mooued with the iudgements of gods Iustice : but the people wéep not for their sin and for the wrath of God comming : when neither the blessings of God nor the cursings of God wil preuaile : the iron rod of discipline is requisite to bruse the stonye Ose 2. 6. hartes , and cause them to wéepe and to daunce after the measures of the worde . When the railes of the law woulde not hold the straying shéepe of Israell in the pasture of the word : God himself appointed for thē the hedge of thorny discipline . The guests would not come to the kings feast by bidding , and therefore the King Luc . 14. 23 took order with his seruants to compel them The feast is Religion , the hearing of the word , the receiuing of the sacrament . Bidding , is exhortation out of the word of god . Compulsion , is the iron rod of discipline which must then be vsed when exhortation wil not serue . Miriam , Moises sister was bidden to the Kings feast , by many Nu . 12. 10. blessings of God . But she rose from the table , & therfore the rod of leprosie compelled hir to come in again . The lost son left Luc . 15. 12 the kings feast , th● church of god , but the rod of pouerty compelled him to come in again

Our maister Christe ioyned the worde Ma. 21. 13. & discipline togither . My house ( quoth he ) shal be called the house of praier , but you haue made it a d●n of theeues . And he made a whip Ion . 2. 15 & whipped the buiers & sellers out of the temple . The great King and God Christ Iesus , hath bidden al Englishmen to the feast of his word and sacraments by his Seruants helth , welth , concord , his ministers & preachers . But some will not come to the feast , some sit downe & tast not of the meat , some snatch a little , and by and by run away : the ministers doo whistle vnto thē , pipe to them , sing to them , mourne to them , pitch the railes of God his lawe , and preach the word and Gospel to them . But they will neither daunce or mourne folly is tied to the childrens harts : therefore it is now requisite that Iudges and nobles , and counsellers , whiche haue in this common welth the authority & countenance , should draw out the rod of discipline and take folly from these childrens harts . It is now requisite for councellors for Iudges and nobles , to vse the word of Iustice the hooke of discipline , the thorns of punishment , the iron rod of correction , & the whip of seueritie to drawe in these vnthankful guests , and to kéep them into this most blessed feast , to cause high and low to come into Gods house , to heare the word of God , and to receiue his holy sacraments , the pawnes and pledges of our redemption , and more worth than al the treasures of the world .

The third step of Gods goodnes is the prouidence of god , which prepareth a place for his church in the wildernesse , and féedeth his people in the wide world , a thousand , two hundred and thrée score dayes .

God fed the Children of Israell fortie yéeres in the wildernes , with bread from Exo . 1. 61. Exo . 17. 6 heauen and water out of the Rocke . God fed the children of his primatiue Church in the wildernes of this world in th● daies of Nero , Dioclesian , Iulianus and others , with the water and bread of his mightie power , a thousand , two hundred and thrée score daies . God fed the widow of Sareptha with a little meale in a barel and a little oyle in a cruse , till there fell raine vpon the earth . God fed the widdow his church of Europe , with a litle meale , and a litle oile of his word , from the Empire of Phocas to the Empire of Sigismonde , til the raine of his grace fel vpon Bohemia , Germany , England and other .

There was in Iewry a prophet called Abacuck , Da . 14. 33. which had made potage , & broken bread in a deepe platter , and was going into the feeld for to bring meat to the reapers . But the Angel of the Lord said vnto Abacuck . Go carry the meat that thou hast vnto Daniel , which is in the Lyons den , and the Angel of the Lorde tooke him by the haire of his head , & through a mightie winde set him in Babilon vpon the den . And Abacuck cried saying : O Daniell thou seruant of God , haue , take the breakefast that God hath sent thee . And Daniel said : O God , hast thou thought vpon mee ? Well thou neuer failest them that looue thee .

God hath fed his Daniels , Luther zuinglius , Caluin , and infinite such others in the Lions den of persecution and trouble he hath sent vnto them many Abacucks to bring to them the potage and comforte of God his goodnes prepared for the reapers and worldlings , for God neuer faileth those that looue him . Thoughe the Water and Manna of the Gospell bée not so plentifull . Though the meale and Oyle of Religion be not so abundant .

Though Daniels and preachers be not so wel fed and comforted in the wildernes of this world , as good and zelous men doo wish , let them be content and take patience , and relye vpon this . God must féede his Church in the wildernes , a thousand , two hundred and thrée score daies . Let them remember the answere that was giuen to the soules of those which were killed , and the testimony which they had , which cried with a loud voice , and saide : How long Lord thou holy & true wil it be ere thou reuenge the bloud of thy Saintes vppon those that dwel vpon the earth ? & they were bidden to be quiet a while , vntill the number of their fellow seruantes were full , which must be killed as they be .

God hath a number of children that must be killed , and a number of daies in the which his children must beare his Crosse & féede in the wildernes of this worlde : & til the number both of the Children and daies be ful : the godly neither can haue or shal haue their ful of the heauenly Manna , and bread of the blessed meale & oyle of sincere religion , which they so greatly desire : but so soone as the number of the saints and daies be ful , so soone shall they be made pillers in the church of god , and haue their ioies perfected God defend vs against the malice of sathan , and send vs his profitable rod of discipline , & féede vs by his prouidence in this wildernes one thousand two hundred & 3 score dayes .

The third part .

THe third general point , is the victory of the Church . The first particular lesson of that is the warfare . The life of man vpon earth is a warfare : and herevpon Iob . 7. 1. we call the Churche of God vppon earth , the Church militant , the fightyng and warfaring Church . In war we first Gal. 5. 17. looke to the manner of the fight , which is here of the spirit and of the flesh , for the flesh fighteth againste the spirit and the spirit against the flesh .

These two doo contrary one to the other . The workes of the flesh are manifeste , Gal. 5. 19. which are these , fornication , vncleannes , incontinency , Idolatry , witchcraft , mallice , contention , enuy , heresies , drunkennes , gluttony and such like . The fruites of the spirit be ioy , peace , patience , liberalitie , long suffering , mildnes , faith , modestie , continency and chastitie .

Next we looke vnto the captaines , and the first captaine in this war is Michaell the strong and mightie , the Lyon of the tribe of Iudah , Emanu●l , the great councellor , the prince of peace , the aduocate of Apo. 5. 5. Ma. . 1. 13. Esa . 9. 6. 1. Ioh . 2. 1. the faithful , the Angel of the testament , the head of the Church , the Conquerer of death hel & sin . The Iudge of the quicke Mala 3 1. Col. 1. 18. Act. 1. 42. and the dead Christ Iesus , God eternal , God almightie . The Captaine of the other armie , is the great red Dragon , the old Serpent , the deceiuer of the whole Apo. 12. 10 Eph. 6. 12. world , the accuser of our brethren day and night , the worldly ruler , the gouernour of darkenes in this world , which is the Deuil and Sathan .

Michaels souldiers be the ministers of Eph. 6. 4. Christ , the elect , the Children of light , the blessed of the Father . The Dragons Souldiers , be the ministers of Sathan , the wicked , the Children of darkenes , the curssed .

The armoure of the Christian Souldiers , is the girdle of trueth , the brestplate of righteousnes , the shooes of peace , the shéeld of Faith , the sword of the Spirit , which is the word of God . The Helmet of saluation , the darts of Praier , fasting and almes . Then the armour of the contrary souldiers must needs be , the Girdle of Falshood , the brestplate of Iniury , the shooes of discord , the sheeld of infidelitie , the sword of the flesh , which is the doctrine & wisedome of man , the helmet of mistrust the darts of deuoutlesnesse , epicurisme , and vnmercifulnesse . It is a good rule in Logick , that of contraries there is the same knowledge , as white and blacke , good and bad . Then he that shall knowe the bad weapons , shall also knowe the good , which I will brieflie run ouer .

The first is , the Girdle of Falsehood , which containeth all lying , sophistrie , and hipocrisie . So the children of darkenesse gird themselues , first with false spéeches , false rumours , false surmises , sclanderous bookes , and infamous libels , false othes , protestations and execrations , false accusers , and false witnesses .

Next , with Sophistrie and doubling , vsing words and sentences of double sence , to the contrarie of the meaning , ioining words togither that are disioyning ▪ or disioining words and sentences which should be red whole : by wrong pointing and pronouncing , by changing the substance into the accident , or the accident into the substance , making the cause thee not cause : or the not cause the cause , reporting things done or spoken simply , which be done or spoken in part . That is , in respect of some time , or some place , or some person , or to alledge things done or spoken in part , to be done simply , in telling of a déed , to leaue out the principall matters , and to vtter the rest as a full troth .

Thirdly with hipocrisie and dissimulation , in pretending loue of Religion , deuotion , friendship and faith , & vnder the colour of those to hide superstition , deuoutlesnes , guile and vntroth . Examples of these in the world there be too many , but I will by a few giue you to ame at the rest : and for these false spéeches & sclanderous reports , I will leaue you to the common tables , where either at dinner or at supper , you may heare too manie after they are warme with wine . There is nothing more necessarie now adaies , then some good order against table talke .

Mens tungs now be so frée & so licentious , that they will spare none , not Iustice , not Iudge , not Shirif , not Maior , not Preacher , not Bishop , not gentleman , not noble man , not Councellor , not Prince . And surely this libertie is as it were the séed and spring of rebellion : for when they haue reuealed euery state their fill : then they begin to agrée togither , to publish infamous bookes , to set robberies , rebellions , and insurrections , and to frame new common wealthes .

Sophisters were wont to be only in th● scholes , but now they be euery where . The farmer and grasier can play the sophister , in hiding in their corne and cattell till the price be raised . The artificer can play the Sophister , in making his wares shew better then they be . Petifoggers at the law can play the sophisters , in setting a good face , and applying good words to a bad matter , in pretending truth & iustice , when they séeke to ouerthrow truth & iustice . Officers can play the sophisters , and pretend Iustice , and yet séeke gaine and luker . In Religion , men can play the sophisters , and talke of the catholicke church , when they meane the church of Roome . And talke of good works : when they meane dead works . Talke of faith and conscience : when they meane opinion and fancie . Men can talke of the reformation of the Church : and meane the spoile of the goods and lands of the Church . All these be Sophisters , and gird themselues with falshood .

The next is the brestplate of iniurie , which containeth wrongfull déeds , when by authoritie and might , mens goods bée taken away or holden back . And to leaue the common wrongs , there be sproong vp new kinds much to be bewailed . The one be sea théeues , suche as lie in the straights and corners of the fea , and take other mens goodes from them by force , and make them often times water spaniels , or send them to féed Haddocks , as they call it . And among the greatest offenders in this kind , some Englishmen be thought to be . There will lie togither either men of diuers nacions , or such as can speake diuers languages , so that whatsoeuer nation the Merchant be of , the pirats will be of another and of another language . Poore men lose their liues , and true men their goodes . Before God I speake it , I thinke the sea be curssed for these murthers and robberies . And I am sure God will curse this land , for nurssing and fostering them without repentance and iustice done vpon the offenders . Let men pretend what they will , God is the God of iustice . They giue them this od name or that . If they were Turkes , or Iewes , or Infidels , wrong ought not to be done to them . Nay rather we ought to deale so iustlie , and so vprightlie with them , that they séeing our good works , might be won to honour our God , & professe our Gospell .

Another be land théeues , such as get fatherlesse childrens goodes into theyr hands , and either defraude them of the whole , or else of the greater part . And if they will not be content with a little péece , do driue them to the lawe , and so make them spend more then their legacies or portions commeth to , before they obtaine it .

A third of such as be in the commission for the peace , or for the Subsidies , or for musters , which vse those commissions to gaine by . Such as will bring them rewards , and passe at Sises and Sessions in Iewries , as they would haue them , shall be little or nothing in the subsidies booke : they shall be charged with little or no armour : shall not be appointed to the warres , nor looked to in the musters . But such as can not , or will not reward priuatly , nor pin their consciences to his sléeue , or his stéeue : they pay for all . So that the payments now adaies in manie places , rest vpon the thrée pound men , or foure pound men , or fiue pound men : which God knoweth néeds more to haue giuen them then to pay oftentimes . And the great rich men , which be worth a thousand , fiue-thousand , nay ten thousand pounds , scape for ten pounds , twentie , thirtie , fortie , fiftie pounds at the most . The next point of Armour , be the shooes of discord , of enuie , hatred and malice , wherewith the souldiers of darkenes be shod , whereof our daies are too full , and the daies whereof it was said , Frigebit charitas muliorum . The loue of manie Matth . 24. 12. shall warkey cold . And yet we are full of one kind of charitie : but it is but a blind charitie , and vncharitable charity . This must néeds be a point of charitie to further your neighbour to heauen . And surely there be many that had leuer haue their neighbour go to heauen rather then themselues . For one good helpe to heauen it is , for a man to be told his faults . And many be ready not only to tell , but to write and print their neighbours faults : their coldnesse in religion , their slacke faith , their want of hospitalitie , their dooing of this euill déed and that euill déede , they leaue nothing foorth , nay they will ad and deuise . This is a kind of charitie , for it maketh good Christians more ware and circumspect in their déedes , and maketh them call to remenbrance , whether they haue offended God or their neighbours in that sort . But this is vncharitable charitie , for it groweth not of hate of vice , or loue of vertue : but of enuy , malice and contention , to deface their neighbour .

The next point of armour is the shéeld of infidelitie , whereof I am verie loth to speake , & loth to suppose that any should be faultie . I trust there bée none that doubt either of God or of the Diuell , or of heauen or of hell , or of the resurrection of the dead , or of the life to come . Though some liue so , and speake so , as they gyue great occasion to many to suspect that they looke for no life after this life .

The Papists were wont to say , that this religion would bring in infidelitie , but most falsely and most vntruly : marrie , what want of discipline hath done and may do , that is another point . Neither hath there beene , nor is , nor can bée any fault in the religion , for it is the sincere Religion that Christ Iesus left to his Church . But surely the remisnes of Magistrates either hath done or may doo much harme . Many there be that make little account of common praier , and as little of the word or of the Sacraments . Not surely , bicause they want zeale and religion altogither , but either they beare themselues of the losenesse of the time , or of the countenance of some great persons vpon whome they depend . In that case there be diuers partlie irreligious , and partlie Papists and spies to , that few or none dare or may controll them , without greater danger to the controller , then to the controlled . These talke their pleasures of Christian preachers and ministers , and iest at common praier and at Sermons , and at euery good thing . But this is the fault of man and time , not the fault of ▪ Religion . And therefore it is to be said , Qui sordescit sordescat adhuc , they Apoc . 22. verse . 81. that will néeds bée naught , let them bée naught .

Men may not cut downe Vines , bicause ▪ bad men be drunken with wine . Neither take away mariage bicause bad men breake wedlocke . Neither take away the law , bicause bad petifoggers abuse the lawe to quarrell and trouble poore men . Neither may we take away the word of God and the Sacraments bicause bad men abuse them , and contemne them to their owne destruction . We preach Christ crucified , to the Iews 1. Cor . 1. verse . 25. a stumbling blocke , to the Gentiles foolishnesse . But to those that be called both of the Iewes and Gréekes , Christ the power of God , and the wisedome of God . For the word of the crosse is foolishnesse 1. Cor . 2. verse . 18. to them that perish : but to those that bée saued it is the power of God . Preachers be the swéet sauour vnto God , both in 2. Cor . 2. verse . 15. those that be saued and in those that perish , to the one the sauour of death vnto death , and to the other the sauour of life vnto life .

The next point of this armour is , the sword of the flesh , which is the doctrine of man and the wisedome of man . It is ingraffed in the corrupt nature of man to loue the works of his owne hands , to séeke to be as wise as God . God appointed Noah to make an Arke to saue ▪ him Gen. 6. 14 Gen. 11. 4 & his . And Nimbrod would néeds build a tower to re●●h to heauen . The Angell of God appointed Lot to go to the mountaine Gen. 19. verse . 17. Gen. 19. verse . 20. to saue himselfe : and he néedes would go to Soar , where he fell into incest . God made the children of Israel two tables of stone : and they made themselues Exo . 31. 18 Exo . 32. 4. Iud. 8. 27. Iud. 11. 39. 1. Sam . 15 verse . 9. two golden calues . Gedeon would néeds make himselfe an Ephod : and Iephthah sacrifice his daughter , and Saule saue the faire oxen and shéepe to sacrifice .

God hath appointed his Noahs , the arke faith in the death and merits of Christ to be saued by . But the Nimbrodes of this world , build towers of the merits of saints , of their owne merits , of the worthinesse of the worke , and the worthines of the worker , of Congruum & Condignum , of supererogation and ceremonies , and rites and outward shewes , and thinke that these towers will reach vp to heauen . But they build Babel and confusion . There is no other name giuen vnder heauen , Act. 4. 12. whereby we may be saued , but only in the name of Christ Iesus .

The word of God appointed all Lots to run out of Sodome of darkenes & ignorance , to the mountaine Moses , to the mountains the Prophets , the mountains the Euangelists , & the scriptures of God in th● which life is . But blind zealous Lots Ioh . 5. 39. like not th● mountains liked of a few , and frequented of a few . But they desire to go to the citie & Segor , they must haue a visible church and a visible hed , & al things visible . God gaue to his primatiue church the old Testament and the new , the law and the Gospell . But the blinde zealous Israelites afterwards made vnto themselues the golden calues of gallant copes , & crosses , and Ceremonies , and Candlesticks and Schoolemen , and Sophisters , and Doctors , and Legends , and Glosers . Gedeons will haue their owne deuises , their owne fancies . The publique order of praier cannot please them , the common order of ministration of Sacraments can not content them . But euery Gedeon must haue his owne Ephod . Euerie one his owne maner and forme , except he first find that way , it is not worth a strawe . Iephtha will serue God after his owne fancie , or hee will sacrifice his daughter . Superstitious Iephthas sacrifice both their sonnes and their daughters , and themselues : they destroy all vppon a blind zeale , which they haue vowed and professed , and their forefathers before them . They will not learne with good king Dauid to teach their children Psa . 78. 8. the law of God , that they should not bee as their forefathers were , a faithles and stubborne generation , a generation that set not their harts aright .

Saules must sacrifice faire shéepe and faire oxen , they must haue euery thing goodly and gay to the eye , and thinke whatsoeuer séemeth goodly and gaie in their owne eies : must néedes séeme so in Gods eie , although he hath taught the contrarie .

The next point of this armour is the helmet of mistrust . The children of Israell fondlie armed themselues with this helmet of mistrust , when they sayd vnto Moses and Aaron . Would to God we had dyed by the hands of Pharao in the land of Egypt , when we sate by the pots of flesh , and had bread inough . Why haue you brought vs into the wildernesse , to kill all the people with hunger ?

And they arme themselues with the helmet of mistrust , which say , now haue we the fleshpots of peace , and the bread of wealth , and all things as we would . What should we make any stur , or vse discipline against the stubborne ? so may we raise trouble , and heape coales vpon our owne heads . The word of God is to be preached , and the children of Israell must be brought out of Egypt , and discipline is to be ministred . And for the sequell we should rely vpon the prouidence and maiestie of God .

The children of Israell againe armed themselues with this helmet of mistrust , saying : Would to God we might die , and that God would not bring vs into this land , least Num . 14. verse . 2. we should die with the sword , and our wiues and our children be led away captiues , is it not better to returne into Egipt ? And they againe arme themselues with the helmet of mistrust , which say , we will not venture too far , we will not shew our selues too zealous , least we héereafter die with the sword , and our wiues and children loose our lands and goods . It is good for vs for to make faire weather before hand , that if occasion serue , we may returne into Egypt . This gracelesse mistrust , and this causelesse mistrust , is the greatest hinderance of religion and vertue now adaies . For there be a great sort that will not bind and tie themselues to religion and the prouidence of God : because they feare th● mooneshine in the water , & doubt that that may come , which either will neuer come , or it is like inough that they shall neuer liue to sée it come . Or if our sinnes be so great that God will send it , their mistrust is but lost , it will neuer serue their turnes . Let them looke to the Admirall Herne & Egmount , and others that haue trusted Papists , and behold their owne destinie .

Rasin of Siria , and Pecath the sonne of 2. Reg . 16. verse . 5. Romelia , went to Ierusalem to fight against it . And assoone as Ahas and hys people heard thereof , they put on the helmet of mistrust , and their harts quaked as the leaues of a trée shooke with the wind . But God by his Prophet Esay said vnto them . Feare not , nor be faint harted for these two tailes , and for these two smoking firebrands . If you beléeue not : it commeth of this , that you are vnfaithfull to God .

And they arme themselues with the helmet of mistrust , whose harts tremble at the comming of Rasin and Pecath , nay vpon the report of their comming . When God doth plainelie showe that they bée but two tailes , two smoking firebrands , two that cannot helpe themselues , nay that néed helpe themselueo . Two whose fathers being x . times more mightie then they , could not ouerthrow the Gospell in their own countries : whosoeuer doth not beléeue this , it commeth of this , that they doo not depend vpon Gods maiestie and prouidence , but be vnfaithfull to God .

The last point of this armoure be the darts of deuoutlesnes , vnmercifulnes & epicurisme , which flie abrode in euerie place , for few or none there be that serue God deuoutlie . Some there be that come to common praier , and heare Sermons as it were for a fashion . Good Lord , what deuotion was there and zeale in the children of darkenesse ? They would go a foote many an hundred miles to a dum Image . They would rise by midnight , and tarrie all the morning in the Church cold and hungrie , to heare that that they vnderstood not , they gaue away their goods and their lands to cloth Images , they would eate nothing but bread and water full many a time , and spare from their owne bellie to bestowe it as their zeale led them . I leaue them to God , I hope the best .

But we that haue the light of the Gospell , that knowe true religion and true faith and true praier , and true almes , haue little deuotion , either to fast or to doo the works of true mercie .

We will scarce rise at seuen a clocke , nay ▪ at nine a clocke to heare the word of God , and to serue God , we will not go a mile , nay we will scarce go out of our chambers and houses to heare Christ preached , and to honour God in his congregation . Neuer so little businesse staieth vs from sermons and praier .

We thinke we may pray when we list , but we are to to much deceiued . For faithfull praier is the gift of God , and the gifts of God haue their times . And be well likened to the little boy , which the Poets call Occasion , which is painted with a bald head , sauing that he had in his forehead a little locke of haire and with wings , and a sythe in his hand , meaning that he did flie apace , and cut away all things with him : meaning that if a man did not take hold of the little locke when it was before him : he co●ld not take hold of the bald part .

The daies were when manie of vs would haue giuen all the goods we had and the lands to , that we might without bodely danger haue serued God in such sort as now we may . And yet we will not take hold of the little locke of grace when we may , but féed our selues with securitie and carelesnesse , and vaine fancies . We do not onlie not works of mercie in maintaining preachers and reléeuing the poore : but our most studie is to take away that little that is left to preachers , and to pull downe Hospitalles , or to take away the lands , or kéepe away the rents from the poore . Abstinence to make our bodies the more fit to serue God , is so far from vs , as many mens chiefe studie is to deuise new pleasures and new deuises to delight the carcasses too much pampered .

The next particular lesson , is the ouerthrow of the Dragon and his souldiers , they preuailed not , they were cast downe to the ground , they were vtterlie ouerthrowen . Death is swallowed vp in 1. Cor . 15. 55. victorie , death where is thy sting ? hell where is thy victorie ? The sting of death is sin , and the strength of sin is the law , but thanks be vnto God which hath giuen vnto vs ▪ victorie thorough our Lord Iesus Christ . All that is borne of God ouercommeth the world , and this is the 1. Ioh . 1. 4. victorie that ouercommeth the world euen our faith . Who is he that ouercommeth the world , but he that beleeueth that Iesus is the sonne of God ▪ So neither the captaines nor souldiers can stand or preuaile . And no maruell , for their armour is of Cheuerel lether , & the nature of Cheuerel lether is , that if a man take it by the sides & pull it in breadth , he may make a little point as brode as both his hands . If he take it by the ends & pull it in length , he may make it as small as a thréed . Most men now adaies haue Cheuerel consciences , if the matter touch their owne profit or pleasure : they make their consciences wide inough , & large inough . If it touch another mans profit , they make them as small as a thréed . Much like as the report of a Lawyer or some other , to whome a man came & said . Sir my cattell haue destroied your corne , what is to be done in the matter ▪ Marrie ( quoth he ) you must pay me for my corne : Nay ( quoth the folllow ) my toong slipt , it is your cattell haue destroied my corne . That altereth the case ( quoth he ) we will talke of that more another time . This Cheuerel conscience is brode inough to looke to his owne profit , but narrow inough to looke to his neighbours profit . The world is full of Cheuerel consciences , & ful of Dionisians .

Dionisius came into a temple where Images were clothed with golden cotes , and siluerne cotes . And Dionisius tooke pitie on them and said , these golden and siluerne cotes be to heauie for sommer , and to cold for winter , and therefore for pitie sake he tooke away their golden and siluerne cotes , and gaue them cotes of linsey wolsey , for said he , that is good and warme for winter , and good and light for sommer .

Dionisius Cheuerel conscience and pittie is too common . What ( say they ) should these Preachers doo with Lordships and manours and tithes . They hinder them from their bookes and studie . It were better for them to haue a pension quietlie paid them , and then they might go quietlie to their bookes and to their preaching . The Dionisians take away their golden gotes and siluer cotes , and giue them linsey wolsey cotes , for they be good and warme for winter , and good and light for sommer .

Rich men can say to poore men , or such as be behind hand , what should you doo with such an hold , or with such a greate occupying ? you can not stocke it , sell it me and I will helpe you to a lesse and money to stocke it . Dionisians take aaway their golden cotes , and giue them linsey wolsey , bicause it is warme and light . Such as haue store of money , can say to others , you haue such a little péece of land , you are in debt . It doth you little good or none , I will let you haue so much money vpon the morgage or sale of your land . And you may furnish your selfe and your houshold and prouide to liue vpon that , first they get away his golden cote and after his linsey wolsey , for the vse of his money in time doth eate vp both his land and his stocke , and bring him to our Ladies bands , and teach him to sing by beggerie .

And héere may the bad well learne a good lesson , to cast away the girdle of falshood and the brestplate of wrong , and all other their bad armour , for good they can doo them none , and hurt they shall doo themselues much . They that trust in those , build vppon the sand , when the wind of Gods truth shall blowe : their buildings shall be ouerthrowne . Truth is like a cole of fire , which couered with ashes , séemeth quite out , but when the bellowes hath blowen the ashes away , the cole is brighter than it was before . So the ashes of malice and craft may hinder the cole of truth for a while , but so soone as the bellewes of Gods spirit shall blowe vpon the ashes , the ashes will flie awaie , and truth will appeare more brighter then before .

The ashes of craft and malice did hide the innocencie of Ioseph , whose féete they Gen. 39. 20. hurt in the Stocks , the iron entred into his soule . The bellowes of Gods truth blew abrode the ashes , the time came , that his cause was knowne , the King sent and deliuered him , he made him Lord of his house , and ruler of all his substance . So he did shine more bright then euer before .

The ashes of craft and malice did hide for a while the innocencie of Daniel , and cast him into the Lions den . But the bellowes of Gods spirit blew away the ashes , and the angell of God shut the Lyons mouthes that they might not hurt him . And the King fetched Daniel out of the den , and he did shine brighter then before .

The malice and craft of the noughty , may bring and do bring Iosephs and Daniels into much trouble . But Gods spirit doth blowe and shall blowe away all their malice and craft , and make their innocencie brighter then before . Well Psal . 62. 10 said good King Dauid . Trust not in wrong and craft , for craft and wrong are pitfalles to take them in , that dig them .

The inhabitants of Gibeon thought Iosu . 9. 4. they wrought wisely , who made themselues Ambassadours , and tooke to them victuals and bottels , old and rent , and torne , and old clouted shooes vpon their feet , and their raiment was old , and all their prouision of bread was dried vp and hored . And they came vnto Iosuah into the hoste , and said vnto him and vnto all the men of Israel . We be come from a far countrie , this our foode of bread we tooke with vs out of our houses hote , the day we departed to come to you . But now behold it is dried vp and hore , and these bottels of wine which we filled were new and see they be rent . And these our garments and shooes are worne for verie oldnesse , by reason of the exceeding long iorney But within thrée daies after they were found to dwell hard by .

The fautors of the Romish Church , tell of their excéeding long iorney , and antiquitie of fiftéene hundred yeares and great continuance . But Iosuah hath found , and God hath showed that they dwell hard by . That their doctrine and religion is new , their greatest points of their doctrine , transubstantiation , and the Bishops primacie ouer the councell , not holden foure hundred yeares ago . And as for their horie bread of inuocation of Saints , their sowre wine of Purgatorie , their broken bottles of sacrificing for the quicke and the dead , their clouted shooes of pilgrimages , pardons , palmes , ashes , holy bread , holy water , and infinite such like , they were old and venued , and hory and rotten , euen when they tooke them first from home , as grounded not so much as of one sentence or president of canonicall scripture : yea being méere dreames and deuises of the Poets . As Purgatorie , in the sixt booke of Virgilles Aenaeidos . Inuocation of Saints in Ouid de tristibus . Holy water in the first booke of Ouids Metamorphosis , and so foorth .

Haman thought he had wrought wisely Hest . 3. 10 against Mardocheus , when he had gotten a bill signed , by the King for his death . But Haman fell into the pit that he digged for Mardocheus , and was ●uerthrowne himselfe .

Proude Hamans , ambicious Hamans , craftie and malicious Hamans , may dig pits , and doo dig pits , for poore and simple well meaning Mardocheus , but they fall into the pits themselues , and are ouerthrowen . For the Dragon and his Angels may fight and doo fight , but they can not stand nor preuaile , but are cast down to the ground .

The next lesson containeth the meanes by the which they ouercame . The first meane is the bloud of the Lamb , the cause efficient and working this victorie . We are not bought with corruptible gold and siluer , but with the bloud of the 1. Pet . 1. verse . 18. vnspotted Lamb Christ Iesus . If gold or siluer could haue ransomed vs , or if anie thing that could haue béene bought for siluer or gold , could saue and iustifie vs , then easie were the way to heauen for rich men . For it were but an easie matter for him that hath ten thousand pounds , to bestowe one hundred . For him that may spend an hundred pounds by the yeare , to bestowe ten pounds by the yéere to come to heauen thereby .

But our maister Christ telleth vs that the way to heauen for rich men is too too Matth . 26. verse . 39. hard . And therefore they be enemies to the death and crosse of Christ , that deuise any other cause of saluation , then the blood of the Lamb . If all the powers and vertues of all the creatures in heauen and earth and vnder the earth , had béene able to haue satisfied the wrath of God , the sonne of God should neuer haue died , for that cup should haue passed from him , Matth . 26. verse . 39. if it had béene possible .

The second meane was the word of their testimonie , their beléefe in hart and confession ▪ in mouth of Christes merits . For euen as the medicine , be it neuer so good , doth not help the patient , except he take the medicine and apply it to his gréefe : so the blood of the Lamb , though it be the most soueraine medicine in the world , yet can it not helpe the sicke soule except it be taken by the mouth of faith , Act. 15. 9. and applied to the comfort of the soule . The harts be made cleane ▪ by faith . Faith is that hand that taketh hold of the grace and mercie of God in the blood of the Lamb , and lodgeth the same in the hart of man ▪ which being so lodged , doth wash the hart , and expulse all the filth of sinne . The beginning and the founda●ion of Cicil . in Iohn . li . 2. cap . 52. our holinesse and righteousnes is Christ ; by faith and not otherwise , for by that meane Christ doth dwell in vs. This is Fulgē ▪ ad memim . lib . 1. the order of Gods redemption and rewarding man , that now ma● to be iustified doth beléeue that , which to be glorified he shall receiue .

The third meane is the not louing of their liues vnto death . Their constancie in faith , in loue , in pitie , in truth , in the patience and kingdome of Christ . For of the good trée of grace planted in the hart by the hand of faith , must néedes spring foorth the fruites of constancie and patience , and other good workes . And these exclusiue or barring words ( onlie faith , faith alone , faith without works ) doo not exclude and barre good workes from a man iustified , but exclude and bar good works to be only fruts and tokens of iustification , and not causes .

And it is necessary to consider the concourse of the graces of God in man iustified . The principall cause is the grace and mercie of God in Christ , the hand or instrument by the which that grace is taken hold of , and applied to the health of man , is faith in the death and merits of Christ .

The third be good works , the fruites and tokens of grace and faith , not the causes . As it is said to the woman in the Gospell . Many sinnes are forgiuen hir , Luke . 7. verse . 47. bicause she loued much . Hir loue is not set downe as the cause that wrought the forgiuenesse of hir sinnes : but as the frute , token and effect . For hir sinnes were not forgiuen hir bicause she loued Christ much . But she loued Christ much bicause he had forgiuen hir many sinnes . And this doth Saint Iohn more plainelie set foorth in his first Epistle . By this we 1. Iohn . 3. verse . 14. knowe that we are translated from death to life , bicause we loue the brethren .

The loue of our brethren is a token vnto vs that God hath loued vs and saued vs. For none can loue his brother except God hath first loued him . And thus you sée how the Saints of God get the victorie and saluation by the blood of th● Lamb , as the cause : by faith , as the instrument , by constancie , and patience , & good works as the effects . And all these be the blessings of God , concurring in men iustified , and ouerthrowing their enemies .

The last particular lesson is the song of the victorie . The Saints vpon this victorie sing this song : N●w is made saluation and strength , and the kingdome of our God , and the power of his Christ .

And againe this song . Saluation be ascribed Apo. 7. 10. to him that sitteth vpon the seate of our God and to the Lamb . And thirdlie this song . Blessing and glorie , and wisedome , and Apo. 7. 12. thanks , and honour , and power , and might , be vnto our God for euermore . Amen .

When God had ouerthrowen Pharao and his hoste in the red sea . Then Moses sang this song . The Lord hath triumphed Exo . 15. 1. gloriouslie , the horse and him that rode vpon him hath he ouerthrowne in the Sea . The Lord is my strength and praise , and he is become my saluation . He is my God , and I will glorifie him , my fathers God , and I will exalt him ▪ God hath cast downe the altu●er of our breethren , and the oppressour of our bréethren . God hath cast to the ground the dragon of hell . God hath drowned Pharao of Roome and all his horsemen in the sea . God hath set vs frée from hell and Rome , superstition and vi●● .

There is no nation vnder the heauen that hath better cause to praise God , then this of England . For remember first that God hath blessed vs with 〈◇〉 health , and wealth , and peace , and quietnes , whereas all nations round about vs , haue béene long troubled : Where they haue had sicknes we haue had none to speake of . Where they haue had hunger & dearth , we haue had plentie and abundance , not only for our selues , but for a great many besides . We haue had concord and vnitie : where they be continually vexed with ciuill warres , neighbour against neighbour , kinsman against kinsman , brother against brother , father against his sonne , the wife against hir husband , the sonne against his mother , th● seruant against his maister , contrarie to all the principles of fe●ce , nature , and reason ▪ Thinke that you sée with your eies some starued with hunger , 〈…〉 s murdred in their beds , some slain in their féeld , some hanged , some drowned , some quartered , euery one looking euery houre for death ▪ Churches burned , houses spoyled , childrens braines 〈◇〉 out , ma●dens and matrons defloured . And then , then you will thinke how great a blessing of God this ciuill concord is .

Go a little further , and consider what a gracious & mercifull Prince God hath set ouer vs , vnder whome euerie one inioieth his goods , his lands , his wife , his children , and hath and may haue the benefit of th● law , wheras you may remember , that men were put to death without law , their goods taken from them contrarie to all law . A word hastely spoken , or rather plainely mistaken , was present death . Their wiues and their children cast out of the dores a begging . If yong men aske of their old men , they shall not find it in the memorie of the oldest men ▪ so manie yeares frée from paiments and contributions , as haue béene in this our most gratious soueraines time .

God hath giuen to this land , so manie graue , and wise , and godly Councellors , and Nobles , and gentlemen , and ministers , & of all other sorts as neither this land , nor any other haue euer or seldome séene before . Euen little children can better & more perfectly declare the principles of religion and faith : then those that were reckoned great men & pillers of th● church an hundred yeares ago . Ouer and besides that , God hath lent vnto vs his holy and blessed word in our natiue tong , and his holy Sacraments in such sort as Christ deliuered vnto his Apostles , and his Apostles vnto his Church , the greatest treasures th● can happen to any christian . And for the quiet enioying wherof , you your selues would once haue giuen all the good and lands in the world , if you had had them . And yet if you continue still true christian merchants , you will giue all that euer you haue for these pearles .

These so great benefits of God should Math . 13. verse . 45. mooue vs with the Saints , with Moses , with all the holy ones , to praise God and blesse his holie name . To bée thankefull to God who hath delt so wonderfully for vs , and so graciously . But we lothe the heauenly Manna , we be weary of our owne ease and good , and spend our daies in sclandring , backebiting , quarreling , wringing , and wronging one of another . We leaue the substance of religion and let that sléepe , and vexe and trouble our selues about the accidents and beggerly elements of the world . The feare of God & the loue of our neighbour is too to cold , Infidelitie and vncharitablenesse beare the bel .

Repent England repent , repent London repent , repent old and yong , rich & poore , for he hath whet his sword , and bent hys bo●●e , and prepared in it the arrowes of death .

Wash you and make you cleane , put away your euill intents out of his sight . Leaue to doe euill , learne to doe well , deliuer the oppressed , helpe the fatherlesse to his right , let the Widowes complaint come before you .

Amend your waies & councels , iudge right betwixt a man and his neighbour , oppresse not the stranger , the the fatherlesse , nor the widow , cleaue not to strange Gods and fond fancies to your owne destruction .

Turne you to the Lord your God with all Ioel . 2. 12. your hartes with fasting , weeping , & mourning . Rent your hartes and not your garments . Turne you vnto the Lord your God : for he is gracious and merciful , long suffering and of great compassion , and readye to pardon wickednesse .