THese wordes be part of an Exhortation begunne in the 12. verse of this chap. and made to the captiue Israelits in Assiria , in the 9. yere of Hoshea king of the ten tribes , as appeareth in 2. King . 17.6 . And it groweth vppon a complaint against Iuda , because that Iuda did not profit by the iugements of God vpon Israel : which complaint being ended , the Lord here commandeth the prophet to labor with the ten tribes that were in captiuitie , that they might profite better by those afflictions which were vpon them , and by timely and hearty repentance to turn vnto God , which if they would yeeld vnto , the Lord doth also promise for his part to forget all their sinnes past , and to place them in their former estate of libertie againe .

This Scripture hath two partes ; an Exhortation , and a Promise . In the Exhortation there are two circumstances to be considered of : the first is of the persons ; the second is of the matter subiect . The persons be two-folde , exhorted , and exhorting : the persons exhorted are the captiue Iewes described in the twoo first wordes , disobedient children . The persons exhorting are also double , the Lord by Ieremy , and Ieremy in the name of the Lord ; and that appeares in these wordes [ saith the Lord . ] The matter subiect is two-folde ; first , what it is that they are exhorted vnto , in these wordes , Turne againe : secondly , a reason why , in these wordes , For I am your Lord .

In the manner of speaking to the persons exhorted , doth notably appeare the singular wisedome , and vnspeakeable mercy of God . Gods wisedome appeareth in ripping vppe of their sinnes , before he exhorteth them to repentance : Yea that he may bring them to repentance for their sinnes ; he saith not simply , O my children , turne againe , lest they should take an action against Ieremy , for impeaching their credit : but he saith , O ye disobedient children , that so hee might conuince their consciences , stop their mouthes , and take away all occasion of boasting . From this wise course of wisedome it selfe , in calling men to God , both the minister of God , and euery christian brother may learne this profitable lesson ; that the readiest way to bring men from their profanenesse to true repentance , is first to conuince them of sinne , and then to exhort them to repentance . Many cry repent , and amend , thundering out the iudgements of God against the people : this ought to be done ; but if we do not first shew them what is amis , they wil say as the proud Iewes said to Malachie , What haue wee done ? Mal. 3.13 , 14 But let Malachie tell them what their words are , and then they wil blush for shame . Then will Felix tremble , Act. 24.26 . when Paul preacheth of righteousnes , temperance , and iudgement to come , all which do concerne him . Then will Dauid confes his sin , 2. Sam. 12.7 . when Nathan shall lay the parable close to his conscience . Then is Nabal striken as a stone , 1. Sam. 25 . 3● when Abigaile shal wisely watch hir time , and tell him of his churlishnes . Ioh. 4.19 . Then will the Samaritane woman leaue hir scoffing , when Christ shall come home to her conscience . Then wil the ten tribes returne ( if euer they will returne ) when Ieremy shal summon them before gods iudgement seat for disobedience . And then may the Preacher look to profit by his publike doctrine ; and the brother by his priuate counsell , when first they shal proue to their consciences , that of this and that sin they are guilty .

Secondly , from this wisedome of God , we learne that it is lawfull and necessary for the minister of god somtime to vse sharp words , if he meane to do any good , specially when he hath to deale with men whose faces are of brasse , whose necks are of yron , whose harts are offlint , and whose consciences are seared vp with an hote iron . And yet he is not alwayes to lay on loade , but sometime ( with Paule ) to doubt whether hee should come with a rod , or with the spirit of mildnesse ; & as he shall perceiue them either obstinate , or tractable , so to make the edge of his reprehension blunt , or sharp ; as he seeth his Stil to drop , so to quicken or slake his fire ; and so to straine , or let downe the strings , as that neither by too much straining , or too much loosening , they be brought more out of tune then they were before .

Againe he is not to handle all alike , but to remember that as all the strings , of an instrument are not alike placed , alike natured , alike sounded , nor all strained alike , nor all out of tune alike , and that according to their place , quantitie , and qualitie , euery one must more or lesse bee strained , so it must be among men . The magistrate is to be reproued , but with great reuerence , and singular modestie . The minister is to be reproued , 2. Tim. 5.1 . but as an Elder . The elder sort must be reprooued , but as fathers . The yoonger sort must be reprooued , but as children . And euery one according to his place and calling must be dealt withall .

Againe , if two be fallen into one and the same sinne , he is wisely to obserue how they came down , & warily to put a difference betweene the one and the other . The one may fall by weakenesse , the other of wilfulnes , the one of ignorance , the other of mallice : the one therfore with lenity , the other with seueritie must be proceeded against , alwaies tempering his speeches according to the nature and dispositions of persons with whom he hath to deale , and according to the qualitie and quantitie of the sinne against which he dealeth : examples hereof we haue not a few in the scripture . Mat. 12.20 . Psa. 2 9. Christ will not breake the brused reede , nor quench the smoking flaxe , but the rebellious hee will batter in peeces , like a potters vessell . Num. 12.3 . Moses was the meekest man on earth , yet none more angry with Aaron , Deut. 32.6 . nor more seuere against Idolators then he . 〈◊〉 26.28 . Paul will perswade Felix to become a christian , 〈◊〉 4 , 19. 〈◊〉 . 2.11.14 . and will conuey himselfe into the bowels of the Gallatians to winne them to Christ , but hee meaneth to take vp Peter for halting , 〈◊〉 . 113.10 . and to pronounce Elimas the verie child of the deuill .

As this doctrine was alwayes profitable , so neuer more needefull then now , when there be quot homines tot sententiae , how many men , so many minds . Some would haue the preacher speake alwaies alike , and that of nothing but of mercy and saluation , to prophesie of new wine and strong drinke , but in no case to awake them out of their sins . Som would haue him alwaies to bee thundering out the iudgements of God , and to minister nothing but bitter purgations , as though ●ll men were sicke at once , or of one disease , or of one cause . Some againe can abide neither piping , nor mourning . If the minister reproue their sinnes , they call him a busie controlour : If he shall applie the word to the conscience , then , who made him a iudge ? If he denounce the iudgements of god , then he fraieth his audience . If he standeth aboue his houre , them he is tedious . If he entreat friendly , then he is glad to curry fauor . If he be sparing in reprofe , them he is afraid to displease . If he speake learnedly , then he is too deepe . If plainely , then he is no scholler , but if he will sooth them vp with an Omne bene , or a nihil dicit , then he is the best church man that euer they knew .

Thirdly the Prophet telleth the Iewes of their disobedience , that so hee might make them more fit to returne vnto God , being first humbled with the sight of their sinnes , to teach vs , that in all our reprehensions or admonitions , we must seek the good of our brother , and the glory of God ; as Iohn the Baptist called the Pharises and Sadduces a generation of vipers , Mat. 3.7 not to make them desperate , but fruitful in the workes of repentance . And surely ( good brethren ) then is there hope of doing good by sharpe censures , when men may see that they are not censured of malice , or to make them odious , or for some other sinister respect , but of conscience and loue , seeking therby the good amendement of our brother , and that we are no whit glad for their faults , but rather grieued at their falles . And if this rule were alwaies obserued , amongst all those to whome the censures of the church are committed , I doe not doubt but that much more good might be done , then is done ; but if men shall see that their censures ( whatsoeuer they are ) proceede not from a hatred of sinne , nor a conscience and care to amend their brethren , but either of stomack to reuenge their own quarrelles , or from a couetous affection , to maintaine their own gaines ; alas , how should they be regarded as they ought ? Nay , howe shoulde the kingdome of Sathan bee ouerthrowen , when the golden iudge giueth sentence ? Howe can the right marke bee hit , when a wrong marke is set vppe to bee shot at ? 〈◊〉 6.9 . and howe can the Church bee terrible as an armie with banners , when the leaders of the army shall turne their swords points against their owne souldiers but this may suffise for the wisedone of God in mentioning their sinnes , before hee calleth them to repentance , in this first word disobedient .

As the first word is a most euident testimonie of Gods wisedome , so is the second of his mercie ; for lo , he calleth them still by the names of children . Oh loue vnspeakeable , that cannot so forget the workemanship of his owne hands , but albeit they had most shamefully abused his maiestie , yet still offereth to be their father . He ceaseth not to try them by afflictions , to call them by his prophets , to draw them by his spirit , to wooe them by his benefits , to pardon them in his mercie , 〈◊〉 103.9 . and to receiue them into his wonted fauour againe . Thus wee see that our God will not alwaies be chiding , neither will hee keepe his anger for euer , but as a father pittieth his children , so hath the Lord compassion on all those of whose returne there is any hope . Applicat . This doctrine will stand vs in stead many waies ; first the papist may learne from hence , that the Lord doth not deale with vs , according to our deserts , but according to his merits in Iesus Christ . Secondly from hence the afflicted conscience ( that groneth vnder the burden of his sinnes ) may fetch comfort against al the firy darts of Sathan , when hee shal be surely perswaded that in Iesus Christ the partition wall is broken downe , and the hand-writing fastened vnto his crosse , and therefore , that al his sinnes shall not be able to ramper vp the gate of Gods mercie against him . Thirdly this teacheth vs , that if any be fallen by infirmitie , wee shoulde doe what wee can ( with the spirit of brotherly loue , & long suffering ) to restore him again . And good reason , for if we be bound by the law of God to helpe vp a beast vnder his burden , much more our brother ; but alas , how strange is this amongst vs ? If a mans foote hath slipped neuer so little , especially if hee be a good man ( and who can say his heart is cleane ? ) profane men are ready to exclaime of him , but neuer labor to reclaim him ; neuer remembring what our sauiour Christ said when he wrote vpon the ground , Iob. 8.7 but forgetting themselues to be laden both with moats , and beames , they do as dogs do , which ( when one is in disgrace ) run al together after him with open mouth and ful cry . Now if the Lord shuld thus hotly pursue vs , as we do our brethren , what should become of vs ? Fourthly , this gracious example of our heauenly father , dealing so mercifully with his disobedient children , condemneth the vncharitable practises of three sorts of men : the first sort is the Papists , whose fingers are dyed of a sanguine colour in the bloud of those men , which haue but transgressed the dirtie decrees of an Italian priest ; & yet these gnat-strainers , and camel swalowers , bewaile the want of loue among vs : secondly it meeteth with an abuse in church gouernours , who vse sometime to make out excommunications for fees , for trifles , and matters of small importance , as though the greatest censure of the church and the greatest iudgement next to the generall iudgement may be dallied withal , and so farre abused , as thereby to cut off , & cast out members of the church , to sathan at mens pleasures . Our good God casteth not off his people , no not for disobedience , but still admonisheth them , and taketh them for his children , so long as there is any hope of returning : thirdly it meeteth with the rash & furious dealing of Brownists , who ( for som defects and blemishes ) cast off the whole church of God in England for no apparant church of God , which is more then they ought to do for two causes . First , thogh disobedience be ( as it is indeed ) as the sin of wichcraft , and who is not disobedient in many things ? yet so long as they cannot chalenge vs , for apostacy , as we may some of them , and so long as there is any life of the spirit at all in her , she is not to be laied out vpon the colde ground . But soft a while : though shee hath not all her ornaments according to the word of God , yet she doth not refuse them , if she might lawfully come by them ; but is readie to receiue them whensoeuer shee may lawfully obtaine them . Ezech. 9.4 In the meane time shee mourneth for her wantes , and seeketh a redresse as she may , and sueth as she ought , and therefore no doubt is marked on the forehead for the deare spouse of Iesus Christ , so long as shee holdeth the foundation in him . But suppose that the church of England were proued as the church of Rome , a very harlot , and were adiudged for her continuance worthy to be put into the black book of excommunication , ( which God forbid ) yet for them to be their owne caruers and bailifes , is more then they ought , 1 Cor. 5.4 being but priuate men : and this is certaine , that no particular congregation , much lesse a priuate person may excommunicate a whole church .

Lastly , in ioyning these two words together , wee are taught to censure sinne in all men , but yet to iudge charitably of all . And on the other side to iudge charitably of all , but so as we winke not at sin in any , 〈…〉 . 19.17 . for that were to hate our brother . And this are wee taught here , while God calleth them disobedient ; yet still children : and children , but yet disobedient . Many thinke that wee hate them if we tell them of their sinnes , taking those for their best friends , which do alwaies sooth them vp in their sinnes , but these men are much deceiued ; 〈◊〉 7.6 . for the reproofe of a friend is better then the kisse of a flatterer ; yea , if Shimei an enemie shall raile vpon Dauid , though that bee Shimei his sinne , yet it may be and ought to be Dauids benefit . Againe , the sweetest words to the eare , are not alwaies the wholesomest to the heart : no , the bitter pill is better to purge , then the sweete perfume . The boisterous wind will make a man hold his garment fast about him , when the gleaming sunne will make him put off al to his shirt . The thunder and lightning doe more purifie the aire , then the calmest day in summer . The greenest herbe doth often couer the foulest toad , where the water is stillest , there is it deepest ; the fairest garment doth often couer the filthiest carkas ; when the baite is most in sight , the hooke is least suspected ; the friendliest kisse in shew , is sometime but treason in substance ; the Bee hath hir honey , so hath she a sting , and the one shal wound more then the other shall heale ; when Herodes courtiers shal crie to Herod , Oh the voice of God , not of man , then must Herod come downe with a mischiefe ; when 400. false prophets shall say to Achab , go and prosper , then must Achab looke least to thriue , neither shal he returne in peace : and so much for the persons exhorted , in these words , O ye disobedient children .

The persons exhorting are , God by Ieremy , and the prophet in the name of the Lord , and this is of force also to enforce the exhortation : as if he should say , I doe not of my selfe thus reproue you , for then you might thinke me too busie , but the Lord set me aworke , whose will I must obey , and therfore you must heare me with patience . Thus Ieremy pleadeth his commission , partly for his owne discharge , and partly to make his message of more credit and force with them . And thus might Ieremy reason . He that is but a seruant , must do his masters message : I am but a seruant , therefore I must do my masters message . And againe , he that doth but his masters message , ought not therfore to be blamed ; I do that , and no more , and therefore I ought not for that to be blamed . And againe , whatsoeuer the Lord by his messenger saith , that must be beleeued : but the Lord ( by me his messenger ) saith that you are disobedient , & promiseth that if you wil turne againe , and obey him , he wil be your Lord , therefore you must beleeue it . And againe , whatsoeuer the Lord by his messengers doth command , that must be obeied ; but the Lord by me doth commaund you to turne againe , therefore see that you obey his commandement as you will answere at your vtmost perill . Here then we haue three things to consider of in the ministers of God : First their authoritie , secondly their dignitie , thirdly their dutie .

Their authoritie is very great , 〈…〉 their au●●titie . and their commission is very large ; for behold ( saith the Lord to Ieremy ) I haue set thee ouer nations and kingdomes , 〈◊〉 . 11.10 . to plucke vp , and to root out , to destroy , and to throw downe to build and to plant . 〈…〉 . 2 But how ? Exechiel sheweth how ; Thou sonne of man , feare them not , nor their wordes , although thou remaine among scorpions , feare not their lookes , for they are a rebellious house ; verse 7. Therefore thou shalt speake my words vnto them : so that it must be done without feare , and by speaking the word of God without ceasing . The minister of the word therefore hath authoritie to reproue princes , 〈◊〉 . 36.15 27.2 . as the prophet saith , but not by the sword to remoue princes as the pope saith . Iob. 20.23 . He hath authoritie in Christs stead to pronounce forgiuenesse of sinnes to the faithful as the Euangelist saith , but not to absolue whom he list as the pope saith . He hath authoritie to reproue things amisse in the church , or the common weale by doctrine as the word saith , but not of himselfe to re●orme by practise , as Brownists saie , for deposition of Princes belongs to God only : forgiuenesse of sinnes , belongeth to God only : reformation of churches and common weales belongeth to Princes onely , but the reprouing of sin in prince , church , or common wealth belongeth to ministers also . And this in wisedome and discretion , they may & ought to do . Nay bloud for bloud , if they do lesse then this , if they do more then this , and if they do not all this ; Why then should Moses be murmured at ? why shuld Michea be smitten ? or why should Ieremy be imprisoned ? and al thus troubled for executing their commission ? haue they not authoritie to speake ? Nay we say to you , ( if you be angrie with vs for this ) as your seruants will say for themselues . We are but seruants , it is nothing to vs , agree with our master and wee shall be content , wee may speake what his word speaketh , for we haue authoritie , and so much we must speake , for there fore are we put in authoritie . And so much briefly for the authoritie of Gods ministers .

As their authoritie is great , so is their calling excellent , and honourable , in respect of their office , and of his person , whose mouth they are . We can thinke as basely of our selues , as any can either think or speak of vs , but if it be an excellent thing to bee a kings ambassadour , howe much more then to be embassadour to the king of heauen & earth ? Therfore are they called in the scripture by names of great account ; 〈◊〉 . 12.1 . 〈◊〉 . 2.12 . 〈◊〉 . 4.15.18 . 〈◊〉 . 4.12 . as Angels , Stars , Fathers , Horsemen , and Chariots of Israel , wherof some be old as Heli was , some be young as Timothie was , yet all the messengers of the Lord Iesus . 〈◊〉 . 22.3 . 〈◊〉 . 4.13 . 〈◊〉 . 25.15 . 〈◊〉 . 20.2 . 〈◊〉 . 9.17 Some haue tenne talents , some haue but one , yet all must occupie for their Lords aduantage . Some come at the first houre , some at the last , yet all sent of God . Some are like Iames and Iohn the sonnes of thunder , 〈◊〉 . 4.36 . 〈◊〉 . 4.7 . Cor. 4.1 . some like Barnabas the sonne of consolation , yet all the messengers of God . Some haue receiued a greater measure of g●fts , some a lesse , yet all according to the measure of the gift of Christ . And therfore let vs esteeme of them as of the ministers of Christ , and the disposers of the secrets of God . Men they are as we are , that is our benefite , for if God himselfe should send forth his voice , we must yeeld vp our liues . Sinfull they are as others , 〈…〉 that is , because they are men , mortall they are as others are , and that is because they are sinfull ; yet still the messengers of God , and beseech vs in Christ his stead to be reconciled vnto God . 2. Cor. 5 . 2● If this were regarded , then Gods ministers shoulde be more regarded , and lesse despised , more beleeued , lesse disgraced , better prouided for , lesse pinched , and not so shamefully slandered and abused of so many as now they are . But alas , it is not once thought vpon of many , and therefore euerie churlish Nabal denieth them maintenaunce , euerie couetous Achab is sicke for their liuings , 1. King . 21. ● . euery proud minion , and minsiing damsell longeth for their heads in a platter , Mat. 26.15 . 1. King . 22.4 euerie Iudas is ready to betray them Zidkijah the kings claw backe will not sticke to take his fist from their cheekes , Act. 24.4 , 5. Tertullus the oratour dareth call them pestilent fellowes , and troublers of the state , if any man of his courtesie will giue them the hearing . Festus in his mad mood , Act. 26.24 . will call them mad men , and lay the fault ( if there be any ) vpon their learning too . 2. Tim 4.10 . Demas the wordling will giue them the slip , 1 King . 17 9. onely the poore widdow of Sarepta is founde releeuing poore banished Eliah . And some ( thanks be to God ) but not many in respect of the multitude , haue the ambassadours of the Lord Iesus , in that good account which they should , especially for their works sake , for do not many grudge our meate , number our morsels , and reckon our liuings to euery farthing ? Christ commanded his to carry neither bread nor money , 1● . nor to put on two coates : he is a rich man nowadayes that hath two coates to put on , except some that haue twoo or three benefices , for many in the world are turned out of all , and yet ( God be thanked ) they are deliuered . We may say as Paul saide , we are afflicted on euery side , in pouerty , 〈◊〉 4.8 . yet not ouercome of pouerty ; as dead , yet aliue ; as sorrowing , yet reioycing ; as possessing nothing , yet hauing all things . In the time of popery one congregation did maintaine many masse-priests , now many congregations will hardely maintaine one good preacher of the gospel : and no maruell , for then there were too many foolish Bees that brought all their honny into the popes hiue , and nowe wee haue too many droanes that sucke all the hony out of the churches hiue ; yea too many horse-leaches , which alwaies cry , 〈◊〉 30.15 . Giue , giue , but neuer say , Ho. One crieth , giue me the college landes , another crieth , and mee the landes of cathedrall churches ; another longeth for the impropriations ; the fourth must haue an other benefice or two for to buy him bookes withall ; one is sicke for a deanry ; and some are sicke of a consumption , and a bishoprike or twoo would restore them againe , or some other thing that should go to the church , and some will not leaue till they haue the deuill and all , or till the deuill haue them . If men take paines , some will rewarde them with a thistle the reward of an Asse : others would send away their pastours in worse case then the basest officer in their kitchin , without either warning or wages . I blame not all , but all such . Why , say some of these men , can you not liue as the apostles liued ? Why , say I againe , Act. 4.35 . Act. 4.2 . let them lay downe their goods at the Apostles feete , and then let them aske that question . Truely many dee as Ananias did , if they giue one groat , they will brag of two . Many aske , from whence commeth the fall of the church ? Indeede it is a question to be moued , though the disease wil hardly or neuer be remoued : It is said that seuen ilfauoured leane kine deuoured seuen fatte kine , and this was Pharaoes dreame ; Gen. 41.10 . but now seuenty times seuen ilfauoured leane kine haue deuoured seauen hundred fatte kine ; and this is no dreame , but a very troth : but wherefore I pray you are Gods messengers thus handled ? Doe they demaunde their dueties ? No they dare not ; for the earthen potte dareth not striue against the brasen vessell , and menne are nowe like drunken guests , which hauing filled their bellies are loath to pay their reckoning . What is the cause ? Any cause will serue the turne in this point . Facile inuenias baculum , quo canem cedas . It is an easie matter to find a staffe to beate a dogge withall . When the Pharisies could not abide the doctrine of Christ nor his disciples , 〈◊〉 24. they quickly found a iust defence of their quarrell . They do that on the sabboth daie which is not lawfull . And wot you what that was ; they plucked the eares of corne . Our Pharises also haue taken vp the same accusation against vs , for ( say they ) we do that on the saboth day that is not lawful . And first to begin withal , they crie , out vpon him rebell , he wil not weare the surplis euerie sunday and holy day . Againe , he will not reade all seruice at all times , and therefore ( whether lawe dispence with him or no for his preaching we haue found sufficient cause to denie him his dutie . Againe , he will not reade diuine seruice to the walles and the windowes : to the stooles and the stones , & is not this cause sufficient to denie him his dutie ? Againe , they preach against papists , Atheists . vsurers , drunkards , swearers , lords of missc-rule , abuse of apparrell , and other profanings of the sabboth day , and such like comendable , and common excercises of good neighbourhood , and is not this a sufficient cause also ? Lastly , if they should pay the minister his dutie , the lone of so much money were lost , which in many yeares would amount to some round summe , and are not all these , or any of these sufficient causes thinke you , to handle Gods poore ministers and seruaunts as hath beene shewed before ? But what hath good queene Elizabeth done , that she can get nothing of some of them , I hope it is not because she hath banished idolatrie and brought in the gospel . Some can rob Peter to pay Paul , ( they say ) but these men can cunningly rob both Peter and Paul too , and pay neither of both . Well , we haue beene all this while but among the eares of corne : but what ? Are wee sharpe in reproouing their sinne ? No , wee dare not say to Herod , thou must not haue thy brothers wife , wee may not say , that a right papist is a ranke traitour , lest wee should be told , that when we are in our priuileged places , wee prate what we list , as once I was tolde . Nehem. 13.17 . We may not say the magistrates are profaners of the sabboth day , if they suffer it to bee profaned , though the word saith so . And to meddle with any abuses or corruptions in the church , is Auribus canem , to pull a dogge by the eares , and to put our hande into a hornets nest . A learned father ( who belike had experience of such things ) said once ( if not often ) Tutior est discentis , quàm docentis ratio : It is better to ●earne then to teach : but wee may say nowadayes , Tutior est peccantis , quàm arguen●is conditio , It is more daungerous to reprooue sinne , then to commit sinne . And if euer it were true , it is now true , that Lepores concionantur leonibus , we must preach in fear as poore hates before proude lions : for if we please them not , 〈◊〉 22.8 . they will say as Achab said , Hee doth not prophecie good vnto me , but euill , and therefore my soule doth hate him . We reade that Pharao cried against the Israelites as appeareth in Exod. 5.8 . Giue them no more straw but let them gather it themselues , and get it where they can , and yet we will haue our whole tale of bricke ; And why so ? for they be idle and crie , Let vs go three daies iourny into the wildernesse and offer sacrifice vnto God . So play many with vs , for they crie , let our pastors and preachers haue no more liberty giuen them let them gather their straw themselues , that is , let them preach as much as they will ( for they account of preaching but as offstraw ; ) but in the meaue time we wil haue our whole tale of bricke , that is , all our old customes and ceremonies kept whatsoeuer they be : and albeit we haue no lawe for them , yet will wee haue them to doe as wee will . And why so ? Because for sooth ( as they say ) we be idle , and crie , let vs go offer sacrifice ; that is ( say they ) they neuer leaue calling to church , and to the sermon euery day , and there wee must be reprooued for euerie fault , and this diet is not for our humors ; and they were as good be idle as thus occupied . And as Pharao vrged those things at Israels hands , which hee would not touch himselfe with his least finger : so these Pharaos would lay heauier burthens vppon the ministers backes , then either prince , or lawe , or conscience will warrant . Againe , because the Egyptian taske was not done , the Israelites , and their officers were beaten . Euen so , because their taske ( I meane not the taske of the lawe , for that haue wee borne , and are ready most willingly to vnder go it ) but the vnstinted taske of mens vnbrideled affections , whose behauiour sauoureth of the discipline of an alehouse , because their taske is not done : we are beaten with the slaunderous tongues of vngodly men , with the reproch of the world , with the disgrace of our ministery , with the bitings of pouertie ; and if some might preuaile , with the losse of libertie , liuing , and life it selfe ; for they crie Crucifige already , the Lord ( if it be his will ) turne such Pharaoes hearts . But , will not the Lord be reuenged of his seruants wrong and oppression ? Yes no doubt ; for if Princes take that contempt to themselues which is offered to their ambassadours , much more will God . 10.19.4 . If Haman and Ammon stincke in the nostrels of Israel , for their villanie offered to Dauids messengers , much more shall these stinke before God . And if God made Ierusalem , yea euen famous Ierusalem a heape of stones , and the shame of the world , for mocking , despising , & misusing of Gods messengers , how shall God suffer these oppressing Pharaoes , whether they be papists , or atheists , or libertines , or neuters , or Machiauils , whether in city or country , whether in village or in cotage , or whersoeuer or who soeuer they be , how shal God suffer them at last thogh he suffer them long to escape his heauy wrath ? Therefore I would wish that this contempt and neglect of Gods ministers might be banished from amongst vs ; for although in respect of humane infirmities , they are but as other men are ; although the messenger of Sathan bee sent to buffet them ; and though there bee a lawe in their members , rebelling against the law of their minds , whereby many times they are led ( against their wils captiues to the law of sinne , oh wretched men that we are : yet in respect of their office which is honourable and excellent in respect of him whose message they bring ; and in respect of the message it selfe which they bring , they are to be regarded and reuerenced : and so much for the dignitie of Gods ministers .

Their authoritie is great , Of their dueti●● honourable is their office , and great is their dignity ; their duety therefore must needes be very great , but which is the greatest I know not . They are messengers of Gods counselles , Act. 20.27 . 1. Cor. 4.15 . therefore they must be trusty ; they are fathers vnto Gods children , therefore they must be louing and tender ; 1. Cor. 3.10 . 1. Cor. 4.2 . they are builders of Gods church , stewards of Gods housholde , shepeheards of Gods flocke , therefore they must be skilfull , faithfull , and watchfull ; they are captaines ouer Gods church , Cant. ● . which is terrible as an army with banners , therefore they must not be feareful and faint-hearted ; Mat. 5.14 . they are the lightes of the world , and the salt of the earth , and therefore they must neither stand vnder a bushel , nor be vnsauoury ; they are nurses of gods tender ones , therfore their breasts should neuer be without milke ; they are to heale with old and yong , with learned and vnlearned , with strong and weake , with wilful and ignorant , and with all sorts , therefore they must be wise . In the time of peace , and in the time of warre , in time of prosperity , and in time of aduersity , in season , and out of season , and at all times ; Ephes. 6.12 . therfore they must be no time-seruers : Against principallities and powers , against holds mighty and strong against flesh and bloud the world & worldlings , the deuill and hell , presumption and despaire , and against all sin in others and in themselues : before princes and subtects , before angels & men , before heauen and earth , and before God himselfe , & therefore their garners must be stored with al kind of grain , both old and new , their lips must alwaies preserue knowledge . 〈◊〉 . 13.52 . 〈◊〉 2.7 . 〈◊〉 17.12 . Their hands must be holden vp , & their armes vnderset when they faint in prayer , their eies should dazle with waiting for the hope of their praier , their cheekes shuld be watered with teares , when they pray for the sins of the people , 〈◊〉 1. & when they can pray and preach no longer , let than chatter like a swallow , mourne like a doue und grone in their spirites : for oportet Episcopum mori concionantem & orantem , saith a godly father . A good Bishop must die preaching , and praying , & must pray and preach till he die . What should I say more , he is the minister of God , therefore of God hee must learne his duty , and vnto God he must performe his dutie . Hee is to speake in the name of god , therefore he must speake both what , & when , & to whom , & in that maner that God will . If therefore we speake mens inuentions in painted eloquence to set forth our selues , to some & not to all , faintly and coldly , to Tharsis for Niniuy , if we condemne the good , and commend the bad , encourage the wicked , and discourage the godly , if we speake but ance a yeare , once a quarter , or when we list , or not at all , and at all times as occasion serueth , both instantly and earnestly , we doe not the dutie of good messengers . But if wee speake Gods glorious will , without adding or diminishing , in the euidence of the spirit , to the conscience as wel as to the eare , to the courtier and countrieman , with courage and boldnesse , with wisedome and discretion , with a zeale of Gods glorie , a loue of Gods people , and a desire of their good , and that continually , constantly , and faithfully , then wee doe the dutie of Gods ministers , If therefore any man shal send for Gods minister , to schoole him before hande , and to teach him either what to speake , as generall doctrine without application , or howe to speake , as in fine tearmes , and filed phrases , to please all , and to displease none ( as the manner of some is , and who is not cunning in the ministers office , and in euerie mans office sauing his owne ) wee are to signifie thus much vnto him , that wee are not ministers of mens vnbrideled affections , but of the Lordes most holie will , and therefore wee must not speake either what they will , or how they list , but all must bee both for matter , and maner as God wil ; so said Michaiah the tru prophet to the kings eunuch ; ●●m. 23.3 . so said Balaam the false prophet to the King himselfe ; and so say we to euery one . And good reason ; for if the Lawyer wil scorne to learne of the Diuine to pleade at the barre , why should the Lawyer take vppon him to teach the Diuine how to speake in the pulpit ? And if our seruants are not to doe our busines by other mens directions ; if the steward must not dispose of his masters goodes at another mans appointment ; if the captain must not fight when the meane souldier wil appoint him ; and if the souldier must not fight with such weapons as his ennemie will appoint him , why then should Gods minister ( who is to pleade Gods matters , to doe Gods busines , to dispose of Gods treasures , and to fight the Lords battels ) become a slaue and a seruant to mens affections ? If he should ( which God forbid ) hurt he may do much ; but God he shal do none . And yet I deny not , ●●em . 23.32 . ●●● . 4.17 . but that the minister is to receiue good counsel of any man . And the Colossians may say to Archippus , looke to thy ministery . And so much for the authoritie , dignitie , and duetie of Gods ministers . And thus much both for the persons exhorted , and exhorting .