And as we must performe these duties because it is the spirit that speaketh , so because the ministers are the mouth by which he speaketh , in respect of them wee must take heede that on the one side we do not persecute , reuile , or thinke basely on them for their doctrine . If Haman abuseth Dauids messenger , hee abuseth Dauid , Sam. 10. They which contemne the Embassadors , despise those that sent them : if the dogge doth bite the stone , hee would bite him that threw it , and he that killes the dog meanes no good to the maister : if Satan stay Iobs seruant , his malice reacheth to Iob himselfe . And on the otherside we must take heede we think not better of the means then of the author of goodnesse . The corne is Pharaohs though Ioseph must deliuer it . Ge. 14. 55. Christ multiplieth the loaues , the disciples do but giue to them that sit down , Ioh. 6. 11. It was Christ who raised Lazarus , other did but loose him & let him go , Ioh. 11. 43. To blame are those men of Lystra to sacrifice vnto Paul , Acts 14. 13. and the men of Israel to gaze too much vppon Peter . Act. 3. 12. Paul may plant , and Apollo water , but God giueth increase : if Peter take a multitude of fishes , hee falles downe at Iesus feete : Luke 5 : 8. Sette not more by the seedleape then by the vertue of the seede , and loue of him that sowes it : prayse not : more the condite pipe then the spring head , from whence the Water floweth .

Lastly let the prognosticators and diuiners especially here learne to keepe silence : they must not enter vpon Gods freehold , the stars doo not prognosticate a true euent , what health , what wealth , what weather shall befall , it must bee Eliah that tels Ahab there shall be neither dewe nor raine these 3. yeeres & 6. months 1. Reg. 17. 2. & the same Eliah that foretelleth the time of much raine 1. Reg. 18. 41. if Hezechiah bee weakened and sore broken , if his health be past away as a cloude & his soule be powred out vpon him , it must bee an Esay that must tell him hee shall liue fifteene yeeres longer , Esay 38. 5. If there be marrow to the rich mans bones , health vnto his nauell , no feeblenesse to his flesh , none but GOD can say , This night will they fetch away thy soule from thee . Luke 12. 20. If at any time there be an extreame famin in Samaria , that the faire virgins & yong men do perish for thirst , and God will not helpe them with the barne or with the winepresse , that they eate the flesh of their sonnes , and the flesh of their daughters they deuoure : it must bee an Elish● that can prophesie plenty , to morrow this time a measure of fine flower shall be solde for a shekell , that is to say , twenty pence , and two measures of barly for a shekel in the gates of Samaria , 2. Reg. 7. 1 : If there bee plentie in the world that God doth blesse it with heauently blessings from aboue , with blessings of the deepe that lieth beneath , & men sit by the flesh pots and eate bread their belly full : i● God send them corne , and wine and oyle , and they are satisfie● therewith , then it must be an Agabus that signifieth by the spirit , the great famine that should bee thorowout all the world .

There stood vp one of them named Agabus . Many prophets came from Ierusalem , yet but one Agabus acquainted with this famine . The body is one , and hath many members , and euery member his seuerall office , that one may not say to another , I haue no neede of thee . So is it with the Church which is the body of Christ , who of euery Christian is a member , and these members haue their seuerall gifts , some of doctrine , some of exhortation , some of praier , and so forth : and God hath thus giuen his gifts by measure that one might haue need of another . Ioseph hath a great gift , that can expound the kings dreame assoone as hee heares it , Gene. 41. 51. But God hath giuen Daniel twice as much knowledge , for hee not only expoundeth Nebuchadnezzars dreame , but shews the king what the dreame was which the king himselfe hadde forgotten , Dan. ● . 28.

Our sauiour Christ the foundation of foundations had the full aboundance of all grace , for God gaue him not the spirite by measure , Iohn 3. 34. & in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the godhead bodily , Collos. 2. 9. but to other is giuen grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ . Ephe. 4. 7 ▪ The 12. Apostles which were 12 foundations , might excell one another in gifts , as one stone migh● bee more precious then another Reue. 21. 19 : Bezaleel and Aholiab shall haue more skill in all workmanshippe then all other to make the tabernacle and the appurtenances thereof : Exo. 31. 3. He that contriues the House hath most cunning , though hee that cuts the Timber may bee a good carpenter : hee that drawes the knot hath most knowledge , though hee that digs the ground may be a good gardiner : the master of the worke is most expert , though hee which carrieth bricke and morter may bee a good Mason . Iethro may see more in some thing then Moses , and therfore giue him counsell to iudge himselfe in hard causes , which cannot be decided but by consulting with god , and for other matters to refer than ouer to the inferior officers . Exo. 18. 19. the Prophets heere which cam● from Ierusalem , were such as they were , which did behold as it were from an high tower , things vnknown to other , Esay 21. 6. & therfore might be called Sears as they were , 1. Sam. 9 , 9. yet amongst them but one Agabus seeth the famine that is to come . Let vs not enuie one another , but couet after the best gifts , and because in the same profession that may bee hidden from one , which is known to another , let not he which is able to teach other , disdaine that other should teach him . To harken is no let , but that a man may speake : to speake is no let but that a man may heare , therefore Iob ioyneth them together Chap. 34. 34. Let a man of vnderstanding tell mee , lette a wise man hearken to mee , let a man of vnderstanding tell mee , there he is ready to heare : let a wise man hearken to me , there he is ready to speake : speaking and hearing cannot bee preiudiciall one to another . The Apostles were shepheardes , and therefore hadde a charge of all , Mar. 16 , 15. they were sheepe , and therefore must bee looked to .

Paul chargeth the Elders : Act. 20. 28. with a care of themselues , therefore they must heare , and with a care of their flocks , therefore they must teach . The disciples may fall a sleepe , and therefore must bee awaked : Mat. 26. 40. The Cocke may awake Peter , and one Cocke may awake another , therefore lette Eliah bee Elishas head . 2. Reg. 2. 3. Let him that sate in Moses chaire sometime sit at Gamaliels feete . And thus much of the meanes by which this famine was made knowne vnto Agabus , and onely to Agabus .

The ende followeth , which was that hee might signifie the same vnto the people . The Prophets were as it were of Gods priuie counsaile . Amos 3. 7. The counsaile of earthly Princes must bee kept secrete : great affayres neuer haue good successe , when they are discouered before they take effect : therefore Alexander communicating a secrete to Ephestion , tooke his signet from his finger , and sealed therewith Ephestions lippes , shewing thereby what hee expected at his handes . The king , sayeth Dauid to Ahimelech , hath commaunded mee a certaine thing , and hath sayde vnto me , let no man knowe where about I sende thee , and what I haue commaunded thee : 1 , Sam. 21 : 2. But it is not thus with the counsell of God , the king of kings and Lord of Lordes . The Priest shall die if his sound bee not heard when he goeth into the holy place , Exod. 28. 35. As hee is a husbandman , because hee must dresse the Vineyarde of the Lorde , that it might bring forth fruit . Luke 20. 9 and a buylder , verse 17. because hee must make the bodie of the people a Temple fitte for God to dwell in : so is hee a messenger , Ioel 33. 23. because he must carie tydinges . Esay 52. chapt . verse 7. and he hath discharged his dutie , and done his message best , that can say with Paule , I haue kept nothing backe , but hath shewe● you all the counsaile of God . Act ▪ 20 , 27 : Let not Aarons oyle re● vpon his head , but runne downe on his beard , and go down to the verie skirts of his clothing . L● him that is a candle tinded afterwarde light an house . Let Go● without meanes beget Paul , Act ▪ 9 : But let Paul be a meanes to wi● other , and if he be a generall debter , Rom. 1 , 14 : let him bee readie to discharge his debt , ver: 15 , and desirous to preach the Gospel , because it is the honour of the Apostle , 2 , the power of God , 3 , the saluation of the people . Ver. 6 : Le● Stewardes dispose their maister● goods to their gaine , Let the seruant be blamed that hides his talent : Mat : 25 , 30 : Let the fierie piller go before the children of Israel to the promised land , Exod: 13 , 21 Let them preach which are bid to preach , when they see that they which are suspended , and put to silence , Mat : 7 , 37. Act: 5 , 40 , can not hold their peace .

Moisture in spring remaines not still in the place where it breedes , but hasteneth to the watering of drier soiles . The running riuers fill vp the emptie places , as they passe by them . The Moone lendes her light vnto the worlde , which she hath borrowed of the Sunne . A good stomacke receyuing in the meate , sendeth out nourishment with verie good proportion , to euerie member of the bodie , and Agabus receyuing from God more knowledge then other , imparts it to other . Thus you see the ende why the Lorde makes knowne to Agabus th● which hee purposeth to bring ● passe : see also a litle the end whic● Agabus hath in opening to t● people the counsell of God .

Ministers are fishers of men . M● 4. 19. to drawe them out of thes● of this worlde , wherein they ● drowned , & as the fishers are w●shing their nets , Luk. 5. 2 : so shou● they cleanse their wordes fro● temporall gaine , from vainglori● and from flatterie , as Paule di● 1. Thess. 2. 5 , 6. concerning gain● ( saith he ) we neuer vsed colour● couetousnesse , God is record : co●cerning glorie , wee sought n● praise of men , neither of you n● of others : concerning flattery , ● speake not as they that please me● but God which trieth our hear● neither yet did we euer vse flatt●●ing words : but is it thus with our ●ishers ? God forbid but that there ●hould be some , whose drist is to ●atch men , as it is , Luk. 5 , 10. who ●bor with Andrew , Iohn . 1. 41. to ●raw their brethren to see the Mes●as , and to beat downe the wals of ●n , like the showte which beate ●owne the walles of Iericho , Ios. 6 , ●0 . but hee which onely leuels at ●his marke , is a rare man , a verie Phaenix , & flies alone , so few there ●e that seeke to beare him compa●ie : but to speake more generallie , ●ome fish for gaine , to see if they ●an take a Parsonage , a Prebend , ● Deanerie , a Bishoprike , and when they haue caught the fish , ●r so many fishes as they can hold , ●hey lay away their net , & wil fish ●o longer : which pope Iulius 2. ob●erued , & therfore being requested to make one Gylos a learned Frier Cardinall , to which intent when it was alleaged that , the man hadde learning and preached dilligently . Nay quoth the Pope , that is the onely reason why I cannot make him Cardinall , that hee maye continue preaching still , which hee would not if hee were Cardinall , being farre from that dignitie and custome of the estate . The naming of a Frier brings to my remembrance the story of a monke to beare him company , not much vnlike this , alwaies casting his eies to the ground , at last for his great humilitie was made Abbot , being Abbot he looked aloft , saving hee looked downeward before , to see if he could find the keyes of the Abby gate , nowe hee had founde them hee would looke no longer , but carry his countenance according to his calling . It is not thus with Agabus , he gropeth not for gaine , for hee telleth them of a generall want shall come vppon themselues . Other hunt after praise , these vse colours of vaine affectation , braue their speech , & set it out with far sought words , allegoricall matters , with which common vse is not acquainted , prune their sillables , mince their phrases : giue these men a plaudite as the people do to Herod , saying : The voice of God and not of man , Act , 12. 22. you are for their tooth : let them not haue this , you shall haue no more of them , they are Chameleons alwaies gaping because they liue by the aire , vessels with two handles , you may carrie them by the eares , whither you list . Windmils that make no meal● but according as the blast endureth : it is not thus with Agabus hee tels then plainely of that which might breede in them a genera● dislike .

Other vse flattering words , and when they know that the peopl● like the Prophet which will prophesie to them of wine & stron● drinke . Micah . 2. 11. tel them pleasant talke and speake of their commodities , and that Ieremie becau● he doth otherwise , shall be threatened : Ier. 11. 21. & railed at , as Ie● 43. 2. When they consider this say , they follow the counsel of th● people , Psal. 30. 10. speake flattering things vnto vs , prophesie e●rors , threaten vs not by the wo● of God , tell vs not of iudgeme● and with the false prophts . 2. Cr● 18. 11. They declare good with one accord and a generall consent , & with Balaam would faine speak that which might bee pleasant to Balacke , who therefore changed his standing twice . Num. 23. Agabus doth not thus , who prophesies but twice in all the Scripture , and both times of iudgements , once vppon one man , hee taketh Pauls girdle , and bindeth his own hands and feete , saying . So shall the lewes binde this man that oweth this girdle , Acts 21. 11. and this place telleth aforehande of a generall plague that shall heereafter ouerrun all the Nations of the world . Thus the holy ghost acquainteth Agabus with the purpose of God , that hee might acquaint the people with it , & he signifieth the same not for profite or glory or such like , but fore sheweth the punishment ( which other prophets also haue obserued , in setting downe Gods iudgement to come ) fo● these reasons hereafter following .

First that wee may know that the punishments that befall vs , come not by chaunce or haphazard , bu● because they are foretold by God ▪ they come from God as a rod fo● our offences , and a scourge for ou● sinnes . The Lorde is the Bishop . 1. Pet. 2. 25. which goeth his visitation , sometime in mercie , and then he saith , I wil come in vnt● him : Reu. 3. 20 : sometime in iustice , and then he saith , I will come against him . Reu. 2. 5. 19.

Secondly to teach vs patience if the Dice bee already thrown , and the chaunce giuen , the gamester is content to take the poyn● thed dice affordeth : if we know the miserie that will befall , wee must arme our selues with patience against they fall , not so much grudging that our case is no better , as comforting our selues it is no worse . One reason of Iobs great impatience , was the sodaine rushing in of afflictions , I was in wealth ( saith hee ) Iob 16. 12 , and by and by God turned the Wheele , and brought all my buildings of much ioy , to a castle of com down : hee presently set mee as a marke to shoote at , his arrowes compassed me about , the arrowes of the almightie were in me , and the venom therof did drinke vp my spirits .

Thirdly , God will haue his iudgements fore shewed , to shew his patience before hee punish , that wee might haue space and time to repent : I reade of a Captaine , who alwaies when he laide siege to any citie , would the first day set vp a white tent in token of mercy , the second day a black ten● in token of seueritie , the third day a red tent in token of bloud , to shewe if the inhabitants would not yeeld , hee would vtterly destroy them : Theodosius the Emperour suffered not his men to assault any towne before ten daye● were past , causing this proclamation to bee made vnto them , tha● he graunted these ten daies to th● end they might accept the taste ● his clemencie , before they had experience of his power . God is man of warre , the Lord of hosts his name , he can besiege our Cities , scale our wals , sacke our bu● warks , set all his creatures in battaile aray to charge vppon vs , and scatter the wings of all the battels we are able to make against him : but first he causeth a trumpet to be blowne to giue warning , sets vp his seuerall tents , giues many daies respit , sendes his heraldes with wordes of defiance , to proclaime open war against vs , and this hee doth that wee might followe the practise of the weaker King : Luke 14. 31. While wee know he is yet a great way off , send embassadors vnto him , and desire conditions of peace .

When Iacob Gen. 33. seeth his brother Esau come against him with foure thousand men , a greater power then hee is able to resist , hee prouideth to meete him , and to appease Esaus wrath , takes a present with him and deliuers it : Esau seeing the great humilitie of his brother , is not now the same man he was , but altered as much as the flesh of Naaman , when hee hadde washed in Iordane : 2. Reg. 5. for whereas before hee did disgrace him , Gene. 27. 36. nowe hee doth embrace him : wheras before he purposed to take him by the throat & kill him , now he falleth vpon his necke and kisseth him . The Scripture wisheth vs to take that course with our god as Iacob doth with his brother , first to meete God , and this is Amos counsell , chap. 4. 12. for whereas hee had said God had burnt them with hunger smit them with blasting and mildew , with pestilence , & so forth , thus wil I do vnto thee saith he O Israel : because I will do this vnto thee , prepare to meete thy God , O Israel . And then do we prepare to meete God , when we gird our selues , and lament , as it is , Ioel 1 , 13 : when wee go to acquaint our selues with God , as it is , Iob 22 21. Then do wee carry a present with vs , when we take vnto our selues wordes , and turne to the lord , as it is , Hos. 14. 3. when with the Israelites . 1. Sam: 7. 6. We draw water out of our hearts , & powre it out before the Lord , when with Marie , Luke 7. 38 : wee stande weeping , and be desirous that our eies which haue been as windows to let sinne in , should be as doores to let sinne out : then do wee offer it vp , when we kisse the Sonne , as it is , Psal. 2 , 12. and render vnto him the fruit of the lips , as it is , Heb: 13 , 15. Thus doing , when the Lorde seeth our great humilitie , our tean which he put into his bottel , when our hearts do melt , hee ceaseth with Esau from the fiercenesse of his wrath , and will not suffer his whole displeasure to arise : but i● wee abuse his patience , and take thereby occasion to sinne , we sha● know that his iudgments , which haue feet of wooll , & come slowly , haue armes of brasse , and strik● surely . If faults be suffered in hope of amendmente , yet after , ● hope bee none , howe shall there bee sufferance ? forbearance is no quittance , though God take daye● for a time , yet he payth truly at the length , the longer the wicked ru● on the score , the harder will be the reckoning when the payment come : they long swimme● their sinne , but it is to make the sinking more sorrowfull : all the while God is pacient , and puts vp our sinnes , hee is lifting vppe his blowe , and a stroke or blowe , the higher it is lifted the heauyer it falleth , and when God hath tried vs a while with mercie , seeking our good and cannot bowe vs , hee will vse seueritie , and breake vs in peeces like a Potters vessell .

Lastly , God wil haue Agabus reueale the iudgements he mindeth to send vpon the worlde , to take from the worlde all excuse of ignoraunce , as if the Lorde should say , come hither Agabus , thou seest the sinne wherevnto the worlde is inclining , men begin to giue themselues to all kind of ryot and excesse , the drunkard makes in his body a sink , the glutton a dunghill , I will deale with them as a mother doth with her childe , when once he beginneth to play with his meate , shee takes his meat from him . I wil call a famin on the land , and break the staffe of bread , men shall bee hungrie , and thirstie , their soule shall faint in them , the people shall crie for bread , and all plentie shall bee forgotten , and because the● shall not say , had we knowne that thou didst mind in such grieuous sort to afflict vs , we would haue stricken our hearts with the rod of repentance , beaten downe the pleasures we delighted in , rased euill actions , corrected vntamed desires , and beene enemies to the disordred will of the soule , the amendment of our liues shoulde haue beene as Moses , and stande in the gap to turne away the wrath from vs : because , I say , they shal be without excuse , stand vp Agabus , and signifie to them from me , the famine that is to come , tell them I wil send not a dearth , when some men may haue plentie , if they will pay deare for it , but a famine , and a great famine , like the famine of Samaria , 2. Reg. 6. when they shall not get meate for money : not in one Countrey alone , for then the plentie of one might supplie the penurie of another , but the famine shall bee generall in euerie quarter : stande vp Agabus and ●ell them this : let thy words be as ● lightning and go before , and my ●udgement as a thunder clap shall follow . And Agabus stoode vp and ●ignified by the spirit , that there should ●e a great famine ouer all the worlde . If God in this sort open his mouth to speake , before hee lift vp his hand to strike , let none plead ignoraunce , nor yet blame God though his iudgements fall vpo● them : Let not the standers b● blame the Archer , though the arrow hurt them , when he that shooteth cries , away , away , before th● arrow commes : for the careful for● warning should haue made the● preuent the daunger that was hand , which also came to pa● vnder Claudius Caesar . Mans wra● may be escaped by seeking refug● or flying from it : but if gods wra● be kindled , whither shall we fli● he will find vs out in the top of ● highest , or bottom of the deep● places in the world : Psal. 139 , o● whom shall we run for refuge ? the woman , when the famine extreame , shall run vnto the king , saying , Help me , O Lord the king , the king himself must answere , Seeing the Lord doth not succour thee , howe should I helpe thee ? 2. Reg. 27. Gods threatnings therefore must not be thought as scarcrowes , or bulbeggers , to fray children withall : for God is a sowler , and if hee settes a snare , he will not take it vp before hee takes vs in it . Amos ●3 . 5. If a Trumpet be blowne in the Citie , shal not the people tremble ? If the Lion roare , who will not bee afrayde ? But because a Lion roareth not in the Forrest , when hee hath no prey , nor a Lions Whelpe crie out of his denne , if hee haue taken nothing , nor Agabus threaten , except there be some great occasion , nor the famin come , as it doth in the time of Claudius except it bee sent for . ● vs a little see , what sinne especia● it was , that went to call for it : ● was truly said of Claudius , whi● was vntruly spoken of Christ . M● 11. 19. Behold a glutton and drinker ● wine . If Ieroboam sinne , he make● Israel to sin : if the squared ston● slip downe , a number of litle on● follow after . The life of the kin● is a white for the Court , and nob●lity is an aime for the people . Lo● degrees leuell at markes of high● perfection : whereupon I inferr● that gluttonie and drunkennes● reigned at this time . Gut was th● god , the paunche was a powdrin● tub , the bellie a coupe , a Poulte● coupe , or rather a Noahs arke , vi● tailed with I know not how manie kinde of creatures : wherevpo● I note that to bee true , which i● ●Vis . 11. 13. Wherby a man sin●eth , by the same also he shall bee ●unished . In Iewry was God knowne , ● name was great in Israel , hee gaue ●s law vnto Iacob , his statutes and or●nances vnto Israel . He had not dealt ● with other nations , neither had the ●athen knowledge of his law . But ●hen they despised his word , and ●f those that brought it beate one , ●illed another , stoned another , ●od threatned that the Kingdome ●f God shuld be taken from them , ● giuen to a nation which should ●ring foorth the fruits thereof . ●at. 21. 43. which came to passe ●hen the word of god was remo●ed from them to the Gentils . As ●od did deale in the olde Church ●ith the Iewes , so in the newe ●hurch with the Ephesians , vpon ●hom God did shine by the light of his Gospell , and they were ● first glad , that the light did spri● vp to them which before did siti● darknesse and in the shadowe ● death , but when they forsoo● their first loue , God threatened ● remoue the candlesticke out of hi● place , Reue. 2. 5. & was as good ● his word , when hee put out the● candle , which done , they fell ● sleep , falling sicke of sundry heresies , died at last of the plague ● Mahomet . As God brings a famine of his word , when men are as i● were ouergorged with it : so he● brings a famin of bread , when men prepare bread for laughter , Ec. 10. 19. when their sacietie wil not suffer them to sleepe . Ecl. 5. 11. Whe● they eate the Lambes out of the flocke , and calues out of the stall , Amos 6. 4. eate vntil it come ou● at their nostrils , and bee lothsome vnto them , as it is Num. 11. 20. When men which shuld be sober are become trencher-men , not tarrying till hunger ouertake them , but preuenting it by an artificial appetite , so sawcing their meates , that they turne substance into accident , and nature into art : when men I say are come to this passe that their greedines knoweth no measure , and variety exceedeth all the bounds thereof , then God in token of reuenge , sends a scarcitie , that men shal be glad to eate in time for strength , & not for drunkennes , as it is Ecl. 10. 17 , & do what they can their mouths shall not make their flesh to sin , as it is Eccle. 5. 5 : thus was it with the prodigal child , Luke 15. And thus with Claudius who was made Emperour of Rome , An. 42. and raigned 13. yeeres and nine moneths : of this famin speaketh Suetonius in Claud. Oros. 7. cap. 6. Thus was it with the world at this time , but the punishment being generall , I marke thy iudgements O Iudea , more then the calamitie that befalleth other nations , because as it appeareth ver. 7. you being before more blessed than other , are now more distressed then other : if thou didst sow , thou didst find the same yere an hundred fold in estimation , if thou sowed ▪ a little seed , but an handful of corn ▪ and that on the mountaines , nay , on the top of the mountaines , th● fruite thereof did shake like th● trees of Libanon , thy threshing d● last vnto the vintage , and the vintage to the sowing time , the plowman did touch the mower , & the treader of grapes him that sowed the seed . When one kind of fruit was ripe another followed , and euery one in course : thou didst eate thy bread in plenteousnes , eate the old store , and carry out the old because of the new , & so didst laugh at death , because thy greatest want was store . But see an alteration , thy land , this thy most fruitfull land is made barren , the meate is cut off before thine eies , ten women doo bake their bread at one Ouen , and deliuer thy bread by weight : if thou sowest the seede of an Homer , which is 100. pottles , it yeelds but an Epha , which is but 10. pottles , thou hast but 10. of the 100. & loose the principall , thou dost gage out thy lands , thy vineyards , thy houses because of the famine , & dost howle for the wheate and the barly , because the haruest of the fielde i● perished : but let me tarry a little it our own land , & leaue Iudea till I come to it in the verse following : God embraced our land so kindly , that we suckt the sap of wealth from branche and roote . The fruit of our ground was blessed , for God crowned the yeere with his goodnesse , the Lord did heare the heauens when they desired raine for the earth , the heauens did heare the earth , the earth did heare the corne , & the corn did heare man , and that same blessing did come vpon vs which god promised to Israel , Thou shalt lend to other nations ▪ but shalt not borrow of any . Deu. 28. 1● but of late , specially this last yeere ▪ the ground hath not yeelded vnto vs her strength , Bashan is wasted and Carmell and the flower of L●banon is wasted , Gods creature haue bin deafe , because God himselfe hath bin as one that heareth not , so the we haue bin constrained to borrow of other nations , but are not able to lende any . Thus God hath punished the seed of our soile for the sin of our soule , & because our folly hath bin in the blossom , our fruit hath not budded out of the earth . Sodome was destroied , but fulnes of bread a sin of Sodom , still continued , men haue farced their bodies & starued their souls : nature is not the Cater , frugalitie the pursebearer , not hunger the cooke to assigne the diet . There was but one Bel God but many belly gods , which haue said in effect with the Epicures , Let vs eate and drink , for to morrow we must die . Quaffing hath bin the only grace : men haue misspent their time in bibing & shaking hands ouer their licour profoundly , carowsed ● hunters hope , drowned th● soules in a gallon pot , made th● bellies quagmires , & their brea● to smell like brewers aprons , th● haue loued the wine bottels , a● is Hos. 3. 1. made themselues sic● with flagons . Hos. 7. 5. drinke wi● in bowles , Amos 6. 6. & transgre● by it . Hab. 2. 5. In Assuerus time the● chaunged vessell after vessell an● dranke wine in aboundance . H● 19. but they dranke by an order● none might compell : but sinc● they drink without order , enforc● one another , giue their neighbo● drinke , and make him dronke also , as Hab. 2. 15. Sette thy foote to mine and drinke to the soule of such a body , and the health of my lord or Lady , and by drinking to healths they drink themselues out ●f health , they doo carrowse it , ●hich they say is a Dutch worde , ●nd the English of it may be this , ● drinke all the drinke out of the ●ot , al the money out of his purse , ●l the wit out of the head , and all ●e honestie out of the bodie , and ●at is a clean carrowse . These fel●wes if they may haue the but●er , care not though ( as it falleth ●ut , Gen. 40. 22. ) the baker be han●ed vp . Thus because men , as ●hough they had the ear-marke of ●eprobates follow the same sinnes with full saile , to which Claudius ●nd other in the world had bound ●hemselues apprentises , no maruel ●hough now also the Lord dooth vse the like corection . Miserie commeth not forth of the dust , neither doth affliction spring out of the earth . Iob. 5. 6. but our fruitful land is made barren for the wickedne● of them that dwell therein . Ps. 10 ▪ 34. The earth our mother is out of heart , dead and barren as the wombe of Sarah , & God hath so rotted the seed , pinched the blade , shaken the eare , that it hath not answered our expectation , neither vnder the flaile , in the mill , in the dough , or in the ouen , & that curse is come vpon vs , which Iob speaketh of cap. 31. 40 : for thistles grow in stead of wheate , and cocle in stead of barley . In the ninth of Matt. ver . 37. The haruest is great , but the labourers are fewe , the Lorde there speaketh by way of comparison , comparing the number of the elect to a plentifull haruest . But to speake simply of our tyme , the haruest is small , and the labourers are many : small , I say , for though the mower hath filled his armes , & he that bound vp the sheaues his bosome , yet the yeelding hath not bin like the increase of other yeares . Speake by way of comparison , and pray the Lord of the haruest to send forth labourers into haruest . Matt. 9. 38. but speake simply , and pray the Lord of the haruest to sende forth a plentifull haruest for the labourers to bring into the barne : and if we see that our praier goeth vp , & Gods mercy commeth downe , that our land bring forth her wonted increase , then sinne no more , least a worse thing happen vnto thee . Iohn : 5. 14 Let vs hereafter vse sobrietie , not liue to eate , but eate to liue , and taking our portion fitte for nourishment , content our selues with it : since Iob speaketh of appointed food , Iob. 23. 12. and since natu● is content with litle , & grace wi●lesse , let vs bee measurable of fe●ding , measurable in drinking , r●ther of too sparing , then of too l●berall a diet : and thus much of th● famin fore shewed to Agabus , b● means of the spirit , to the end th● hee might signifie the same vn● the people , & brought in the dai● of Claudius , because of exces● The effects follow .