ISi^?^ C.7 • I /is* QyjCe-t^!^^^^-d LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY <^^ n PRINCETON, N.J. Purchased bt the Mary Cheves Dulles Fund m ^kwk^Wk^^^ Foure SERMONS OF zPi^aiUer lohn Caluin, Entreating of matters very profitable for our iime^ as may face : With a brief e expofition of the • LXXXf^ILPfalme. Tranflatcdout of Frencheinto EngUflie by lohn Fielde, ?rJ ^ fmprinted at London for Thomas Man,dwening in T utter Nofler Rawe^at the Signe of the Talbot. Totherigntliono- rahle andtnyverie good Lorde, Henry Earle of Huntington, Lor d Haftings^ Hiingerford, Botrcaux , Mullens and Moyles , of themofi Homrabie order of the Garter KKight,ci>id Lorde Prefident of the Queenes Maiefties Councell eftabli- fhed in the North partes, M«fi^/^tf wifliethen- aeafe of true faith tutd continuance in the\eale of bis iUjfedjreligiinfor euer Jimen. T may bec(right honoura- ble 5c myverygoodLord) that men will maruayle , wliye I (houldc publiftic thcfe foure excellence Ser- mons of Maiftcrlohn Cal- uincs , the Argumentcs whereof bee not fo fitte and agreeabk ( as they thinke ) to thefe times : feeing G O D in mercy hath gcuen vs pcace,and fee vs at libertie from that Romilh yoke,{uf iering the beamcs of his glorious Gofpcl to fprcad far and wide,to the great comfort of many,andhis ownc cuerlafting glory. Thefe benefits,as they are acknow- ledged By mc : {o I befeech God to make vs all more thankfuU then we hauc bcenc, that the litle fruicc they ' haue brought foorthamongeftvs, the common ignor rance chat is yet vpon the faceof the whole landc, the fmall preparation to the croffe and bending our backs too bcare ic with Icfus Chrifte our head, docnoc prouoke him too gcuc vs ouer coo followe our owne waycs,to hauc no confcience nor care of any religion: as I fearc rac the worldc is too to ful of fuch,thc more fi5"2. is TheEpifth is the pitic.For who fceth not,that the comon fort arc iofar from being inftru6tedjhauing plaidc the Tru- antes in Gods Scholc thefe twenty andodde yecrcs, that they hauenot yet taken oiit this one IcfTon, to bee of mindewhenGod iball triethcni,too Separate them fclucs fronj the curfcd fellowfliip of Antichrifle^ For they hauenot yet learned too make any difference of religion, but bendc them felues too ferueall times: come there falihood or trueth , lighter darkriefle, re- ligion or fupcrft ition,the Gofpcll or the MafTe, Tur- cifme or Chri/lianifme,al is one too them,ro that they may liue at eare,they are at a point : no Scripture lo ftrong,orteftimonie foeuident^ that can conuincc them, too make them (land faft too Gods enerlaftmg trueth,the feale of their adoption ♦ Though Chriftc haue •proaouQccd that whofoeuer denye him before iMttUio, meo, hec wy U dcnie him before his father which is in 3$.}*. i heauen : though he fay playncly that hee that will foi- lowehim muft take vphis croiTe and followe him, jifoe.is.4» and that he that is afliamed too confeffe him before - men,hewildenyhimbcforehisheauenlyfather;yca ^pc^ H'h although we bee commaunded too come out of Ba- — byloD^and it be plainelyfaidc that the red Dragon will powreouthiswatcrsasariuertooucrtakcrhe woma •with childe,anedtcatorie. men , if they may inioy him with their plcafurcs and proccedingon in finnc,thcywil be concent with Pha- lifecs a litlc to cntctramc him, that they make a mock of him.But if in the entertaining of him,he fhal neuer io lidc touch the ir botch and pinch iheyr pleafure : if bee /hall come nearc their purfc and endanger they r Icaft commoditie,if he fhal require mortificatio with obedience 3c fandification,thcn cither they wil come by night like Nicodcmusjorclfc they wilpray him to be packing with the Gergefites, or too conclude they wil lay violent hands vpon him, and naile him faft to JIJ*''^'^' the crofle with the proudcScribes and Pharifees . As jJ^J^' '^^' ^ for the common fort they thatycflerday receiued him /^y^^j ii.'^^ SiS a kingjwith ofanna inexcelfis^ihcy wil to morow cry Mdrkju.so, out Cr»r//^tf>with the high Priefls, that they mayliue M4rkfH,6/^ iofecuritie^Thefefermons thereforcas for their wor- if.x»; t'lincflc they hauc been tranflated long agoe into othcf tongues,and(as I vnderftoode,when 1 had almofl ii- nifhcd them)out of thcLatinc into ours alfo ; fo my labour beingpaft,thcy bcingalfo by authoritieallow- cd:and I cfpecially following maifter Caluinesownc french copie,6what diiFering fro the other: I thought they coulde not but be very profitablc,at the leafle toa prepare vsagainft the time to come. For God hath geucavslongpcacejand ourrell hauingbred rufl:,gro- wcnvp cue to the height of the conrept of hisgraces^ muftnecdesprouokchimto punifhthe wicked with wonted plagues &. tocorre£t vs with thcfire ofaducr- ; fitie,that we may be purged fro our foulc corruption. Our coldllaruedPapiftcsJ cannot tcl what warmeth hath draws the out of their holes,but now they begin a litlc to fhcvv thcfelucs, they loke big, Sc their haging looks flicw what malice lurketh in their cakred harts: G-l but TheEp'tfih Butoar God liueth and therefore wee will notfcarc; we know that all powers both inhcauen and in earth arcfubiedto himrand we nothing doubt though our (inncshaucftreDgthcnedthehandesofhisaduerfaries, that they flioulde be heauy vpon vs, yet our God will in our puniflimentes geue themancucrlafling ouer- throw and an vnrccouerablc confufion .Though there be many Newtcrs which haue made a couenant with their ownc heartes rather to be of all religions, and to ferae al timcs,thcn to endure the lead danger,yet there are an infinite number of true Chrifliansjthat by his grace to dicfor it, will neuerbow the Knee too BaalJ, E, Kingfs.i^. YviU neuerpertake with the table of God and the table of deuillcs,will neuer draw in that vnequall yoke tO' geather with fuch Infidelles . Thefefhal neither the lvvoordesofHazael,norof Iehu,or of Elifliaoncc touch,for they are marked of the Lotdc. And if the woorde of God be fare as him felfe,and hee haue ioy- ned himfelfe as head too vs his members,why flioulde we feare?If our head Hue we fliall liue^if he be afceu- dedjwe his members flialbe drawcn vp vnto him.Our blood flialbe of flrength too breake all their cheines. The fliame, flaundcrand reproche that they lay vpon vsjflialbe our grcateft glory , and our innocency^ laidc to they r cruekie, flialbe ftrong enough tofct thefcale of true happineffc vpon vs for (ufFeringfor righteouf- ncffe rake,and of wretched confufion vpon the, that;fb KMat% j.io. rage againfl: fuch as hauedonetheno harme,and who they ought too haue moftcfteemedof, as for whole fakes they haue Sc pofTclIeal thofe tcmporall bleffings that god in his mercy hath gcuen the. We wil there- fore in the name of our God,like wife M.irrincrs,tn diis calmc time prouidc againft flormci and tcmpcfts , V\'eare T)edtcatorie. Wc arc not ignornnt what the order of nature fctrcth beiore vs: there is no {ommcr but bnngeth a VV inter, no day but hath a night : nor any profcfTed trueth that bringcth not a tryall. Health is alwayes ioyned with fickneiTcj and the bodily life is fubied to death : fo the peaceof the Church is feldo me without aduerlitie: 8c GOD forbid that wefhoulde not preparCjCuen to the po wring foor ih of our blood j to ftriue for the trueth of ourGod,yeatoo death icfelfe,if Godfo appointc* If they bc(as Chryfoffora lairh)not oncly betraiers of the trueth that fpeake lyes in ffccdeofthc trueth, but alfo that doo not freely vtter the trueth : God forbid that wee (houlde not be ready in time and place when he willeth, both to vtter it freely, and to flandc too it valiauntly and conftantly for the glory of his name, i^nd one thing I docaflure the Papiftes of and all of Caynes progenie,that the more they kil and perfccutc the children of God,thc more wil Chrifl&his Gof- pcll floorifh» Our blood wilbe a fru£tifiyng 5c multi- pliyng reede,thcy hauefccne it and knowen it true by long experience,8c herein they be but the inftrumcnts of haflening vs too our happinefle. Not when thejr will/orwc arc not fubiedvnto them .The Deiiil him (clfe their Father and all helliftic furyes are fub- ie6}: too our God,and cannot touch one heare of our heades,tyll he haue gcuen them Icaue and that for our good and tryall» Letthefonnes therefore of fcruitudc in the pride of bondage ieareneuer fo muchcagainft thelonnesof libertic,yetaday fhallcomewhcn their righteoufnedefhaU breakc foorth and appeare more glorious then the Sunneandall the Starrcs : when as too them (what plcafuresfoeuer they Jhall vfurpc in this world ) Ihall belong nothing but pcrpctuall t5'4 fliamc. TheEpifik (hamcioyned with an euill name too z\\ poftcritfcs, andancucrlaftingdcathinthc cndc woride without cndc. Whcrefore(good my Lorde ) I am bold'c too ofFcr vp thcfc fcrmons vnto your honour,rudeIy tran- flatcdbymcjbcfecchingyour honour in the bchalfc of Gods Church to accept of them. I will fay nothing in their commendation, they are ableand of fufficient age to fpeake for thcmrclucs* Onely I thought good to fliew this humble duetic towards y ou,by this pub- liquc tcflimonic. And I beleech God the father of all mercies to ftrcngthcn you in that happy courfc of the Gofpel , wherinto of his finguler goodocfTc hec hath drawenyou : that you may be as abright ftarre in his Churchc comfortably fliining forth in conftancieand maintenance of the fame tructh,too the ilirr ing vp of many : that not onely it may be geuen you ( as the A- poftlefaieth) to beleeuc in him, but alfo too fufFer for him. For this is true honour too fuffer for righteout neffe : The caufc is it that muft comfort all that are af- fli£J cd , and herein we hauc wonderfully to reioyce , when it is for his name lake, hercvnto alfo , wee muft (as I hauefaid) prepare our (elues.For it is impolfible that Chriftc and his Croffe (hotildebee fundred. The worldcmuftclouc herowne,and in the woride wee flialbe troubled, Chrift in his members muft be cruci- iied til he come againe in his fecond & glorious com- mingto fubdue all his cnimics. The remainder of his affli^ions muft bee borne in our bodies, notbecaufe hcehath not faffcrcd fully, but bccaufc wee mufte bee made conformable vnto him, till wee bee fined from the droftethat is in vs , too detcft it and wholly too louc his righteoufiiefte^Whcrforewc mufte deteft all thole Libertines, who count thca^ielues th^ Fami- lic A Sermon wherein all Chriltians f arc exhorted to flic from outward Idolatric, vponthc4.vcrre of thci5» Pfaimc. / vfillttot commtinicAte with their fterifices oftrUod^ 4k4. their names pjallnotfajfe through m^ rncMb, Ehauehere to handle a do^ £trinc cleareand cafie inough, were it notthatthcmofl part of thofewhicfe call them felucs Chriftians,fought, I can not tell what mancr of fubtiltics, to cloke their cuiil withall, Thefiimme is, that after we knowc the liuing God to be our father, and lefus Chriftour redeemer, wee ought to dedicate both our body and foule vnto him, who by his infinit goodncs hath adopted vs for his children, and cndeuour to do homage vnto this fo good a Sauiour, for that it hath coft him fo dcare. And becaufe we arc bound not on- ly to renounce all infidel itie,but alfo too feparatc our fclues from all fupetllitions, which arc contrary as well to the (cruice of God,as to the honour of his Sonne, 8c which can not agree with the pure dodrinc of the Gofpel, and the true confellion of faith: I haue (aide that this do £lrinc is eafieynough of it felfc, and that there remsincth nothing but to put the fame well inpractife, fan ing that there arc a fort of peoplethac feelccccicaine'flartingholes and fubtillfhiftes,tothc cnde they may not fecmc culpable, in chat which is fo greatly condemned by Gods owne mouth ♦ This A cau& 1^ he frjl Sermon ofMJo.CaL canfe conftrainetli vs to dwcl longer in the declaration of this mattcr,tothe€nde that eueryoDc mayknowe what is his duetie, and that no.'man decciue him- felfe^ inaaginingthat hec is efcaped by couering him felfe,as the common faying is^ vnder a wette fackc, Batbccaufethatfome may thinkethat this is a fu- perfluous argument in refped of vs;who haue^by the. grace of God,oiir churches purged from the infe6li- onsandthe Idolatrycs of the Papacic : before wee pafTe any farther,it is good tofliewethat fuch people are foulcly deceiued . Forinthefirft place when it is fkowed vs, what an offence it is too defile our felues with Idolatries, fa igning to confent or tocleauc too their impieticsjweareputin mindtomournc for our former faukes> and to afkc pardon of God for them with all humilitic: andthcreypon too acknowledge the ineftimablcbenefite that he hath fhewed vnto vs, in pulling vs out from fuch filth wherein wee were plunged. For wee can not too much magnifie fuch an excellent gracc» And becaufe we knowe not what may happen vnto vs, nor to what end God dooth rc- fcruc vs , it is good that wee be al way es armed afore- handeandinareadincfTe, tothcendethat in what fo cucr place wccome,or with what temptation foeuer we be afTaultcdjWc neuer fwaruc from the pure word of God# It may fall our that many in this company which hauc to traucil into the countries of Papiftes: they bceing there in the combatc hauenecdc to bee ar- med aforehand.On the other fidc,if GOD giue vs at this day libcrtie to ferue him purely, wee knowe not how long it wil indure^Lct vs therefore take the time whc^invyebeinrefl, not as though it ihould alwaies. -^ laflr agatnjljciolattie* z laft vsrbntas a truce in which god giueth vs leafurc to fortifie our fclucstto the end iliat being called to make ■confeflion of our faith^we benot to fceke for not ha- iling thought vpon it ill time couenient. In the meanc while,wehauealfo to think vpon our pore brethren, which arc kept vnder the tyranny of Antichrifl-,to the end to hauc pittie vpon them,and to befecch God that he wil fortifie them with fuch conftancie,as he requi- rcth by his word^Furthcralfo we hauc to ftir them vp to the end that they flcepe not Sc flatter thcmfeluesjbuc rather that knowing their dutie,they inforce thefelues to giue glory to God,For it is not only for our felues that we are taught: but to th'end that euery one accor- ding to the meafure of his faith,impane to his neigh- bors of that which hath bin fliewed him in the fcholc of God .We fee therforethat it is very profitablc,yea nccefifary not only for vs,but forour brethren,that the memory of this do£fcrine be oftentimes renewed vmo vs,elpccially feeing the text which we haue to cxpoud Icadeth vs thereto . As in this place, Dauid maketh a great proteftation,and as it wereafolemnc vo we that he wil neuer be a partaker in the lacrifices of the Ido- laters efpccially to haue the Idolles in fuch hatred and deteftation , that he wil abftainetonamc them, as though he (houlde defile his mouth in naming them. This is not the particular fa£lc of any meaneman: but the example of DauidamoftexcellentKingand Prophet , which ought to bea generall rule to all the children of God. Notwithftandingto the end that this may be kno-- wen more clccrcly, Scthatwealfo may be better tou- Caicd thcrwith, let vs mark the reafonthathe addeth,, tlie which is,as it were the grou ad ofthe horror that A. 2. he 1 mnrjt lyermon oj ivi.ioxai. Iiee hath to mingle himfelfe amonge the idolaters, Ihe Lorde (&yeth hee) is mine MheriUKce, And is noE this common to all the faithful! ? At the leaft there is not ante one which dooth not rcioyce herein. And in izt(iz it is very certayne, that God being once giuen vnco vs in the pcrfon of his Sonncjdoeth day- ly iniiite vs, to the cnde that wre fhoiild pofTefle him: but there arc verief ewe which are fo affcded in this behalf as the matter deferueth^For we cannot poffede God but with this condition, that weealfo bealtogi- ther his» It is therefore for good caufe that Danid^ groundcth himfelfe vppon this theame, feeing that God is his inheritance that hee will abftayne from all pollutions of idolSjthewhichdoturKevs away and cftraimge vs from him . This is the caufc why theProphct Efaie when hee had vpbraided the lewcs, that they had giuen them- felucs to falfc and flraunge gods, whiche they had made vnto them felues, hee addcth, Loe theft, the fe ( I Uy) are thy ponton: ftgnifying by thcfewordes, that Goddenicthall couenauntandfelowlhip with idola- ters >and difheriteth and depriueth them of that fo infi- nite a benefite^which he would haue bellowed vppon them by giuing him felf vnto them . Some man will repliethatheentreateth thcrcjofthofe which put thciir truft in idols, and dcccyuc them felues through vn- bcleefe . I confcfle it : but contrariwife I aunfwcre^ that if they which wholic attribute, the honour of Godrnto idolles, are fully cut off frpm him r they^ alfoat the leaftftraye in part from him, who through fcare and infirmitie faigne thefclues to c5fcnt vnto fu- pcrftitions. Foritcauotbc,thatany main what forte focucr itbc^can draw ncrc vnto idols,cithcr in hart,io> gefturcj agatnfl fdolatrie. 5 gcfturc, in vvil, or m Ihcwc ,but he mufl: rccoylchim« fclfc fo much the farther from God. Wherefore let vs hold this article for rcfolute, that they VYhfch feekc truely and in puritic of heart to polTefTe God for their heritage, will haue no fcllowfliip. with Idolles, with whom they haue fuch a diuorce, that hce will that all chofe thatarchisjfliould proclaimeS: make continual and deadly warre againft them. And Dauid exprcffc- ly fetteth forth in this place, that hc.wil not be a parta- ker with their offi:ingcs,and that their names flial not paffc by his mouth* Hemighthaucfaid,! will nota- oufe my felfe with the foohfli deuotions of vnbelec- «crs, I will not put my confidence in fuch abufcs, I will not leauc the trueth of God to f ollowe fuch lies^ He fpeaketh not {o : but rather that he will haue no- thing to do with their ceremonies.Hcprotefteth thca that he will abide continually in thcpuritie both of body and foule, concerning the feruice of God . la the firft place we haue here to fee, if this be not idola- trie;to fhewe by outward fignes that a man agreeth to fupcrftitions, through which the feruice of God is corrupted and per uerted . They who fwimme (as they fay) betwecne two waters, alledge, that feeing God will be worfhippcd in {piritc, that one can not woorfliip idolles, without hauing his trufl in them. But the aunfwere is eafic : That God will not bee woorfliipped in fpirite in fuch forte, that hee forfai iccth the other parte to witte,the body, as though that pcrtayncd not vnto him. For hee hath fpokene- Hough thereof in other places, of bowmg the knees before him, and of lifting vp the handcs vnto hea* lien: whatthcn ? The principall feruice that hee dc- maundcth^ is in deedc fpirituall.: but. the open dcr A3 dacatioa TIjefirJl Sermon oj ^JMjo.C^l. claration which the faithful! make, that it is hconc- ly whomc they feme and lionour, folio wethimmc- diaily, andmufteftraightwayc bee ioynedvnto it^ But the obie6tion which they make,taking occafion of one woorde, one onely place (hall be fufficientto rcproouethem. It is written in the (econde Chaptci: of the Prophet Daniel, that Sidrach, Mifachand A- bedncgo, refufing too Nabuchodonofor once too feemc to confent to the fuperftition whiche hee had created J they plaincly declare , that they will not woorihip his gods. If thefe fubtil Sophifters had becne there , they ■woulde hauc laughed too skorne the flniplicitie of thefe three feruauntes of G OD. For they woulde hauc (aydc, Poorc foules , This is not too woor- ihippc them, feeing you put no affiance in them : thecrc is no idolatrie but where there is deuotion. But thefe holy pcrfonages followed better eounrcll. And in dcedc 9 this aunfwerc proceeded not from their owne brainc : but it was the holye Ghofte that enforced their tongues: againft which if we will notrefiftejitismeetewetakc out of this place a true rule and definition,that this is a true kinde of Idola- trie, when any outward a£tc is done that is contrary to the true feruiceof God,although that it be doneco- lourably and through hypocrifie. Thefe hypocrites cauill gaily, This no Idolatrie, (zcmg wcehaue no truft in them : yet (hall thefe mtn continually rc- mayne condemned by this fentenec, that the great iudgc hath pronounced therof . But fuch kinde of people flriue about a woorde, pretending onely in parte too lefTcn their faulte, whiche they can not aliogythcr excufc « They will cafily graunt and coafeiFc againjl fdolatrie. ^ coofeffe, that this is yll done : but they wouldc banc men too eftceme it as a vcniall finnc. But ii a man (houldc agree with them concerning tlic name and yeclde that which they dcmaunde, yet theyhauc gained nothing thereby « Letvs put the cafe J that it were not called Idolatrie , too faignc tooworlhippe IdolU : yet this cealeth not toobeca trayterous ade againft G O D, an ade repugnaunt to the confellion of Faith , a pollution and afacriledgc." I pray you,when the honour of God is violated, thac we falfifie the promife that wchauemade vntohim, that through cowardifc and fayntnefle of ftomakc wee crookedly renounce our Chriftian profeflfion, that wee arc fo double and defile our felues in thinges which G O Dhathaccurfcdiisthisfolightc a matter J that after wee hauedooncit, wee fhouMc onely wipe our mouth, andfaicthat we haue com- mitted fome little faultc ? Let vs th'erefore puta- waythefe (h if tes, feeing they ferue to no other pur- pofcbuttomake vs boulder in cuill, without leffc-] ning our faulte any whit. There are yctfome others which arc more im-' pudente; For noc oncly they labour too wrefte the >vorde, making men beleeue that it is not fo great 5C cnorinious afinne: but they moft plainely and flatly maintaine that it is no finne at all. It is fufficient, fay they, that GOD bee ferued with the hcarte: veric well, if the heart were not double « For where there, is an integritie and foundneflc, there the body flial nc- uerbe drawneinto a contrary parte.I would knowc of them what it is that carryech their fecte too the Church,when they goeto hcare MaiTe^ Their legges would neucr flurre of their ownc motion^ A.4.t They The firjl Sermon of (SKfJo.Qal. Thcymuft therefore necdcs Coufeffe that they haiie fomcmannerofaffediontoferuethcidoUcs : yea in that they defirc too bcholdc them with the cnimies ofthctrueth, and that their lifeis more precious vii- to them then the honour of God. But albeit their im- pudencic be coo too fliameful : in fuch forte, that I am afhamcd to difputeagainflit^as though they had (omc colour of rcafon : y ct neucrthclcffc i c bchoucth to doa it forafmuch as they plcafe them felues fo much therc- in,5careas it were (o drunken therwith. Itisinough as they thinkc, if God bee worfhipped in fpirite, Buc %JCorJ,20, whereto then fhal the body (crue? Saint Paulecxhor- teth vs to fcrue the Lord widi both : bccaufe they be* long vnto him.God hath created the body,and Dial it be permitted th erewith to do homage to the Diuell > It were much better that they fhewed them felues to? be flat Manichecs, denying that God were the creator of the whole man. If they had the leaft taftc in the "World of the Gofpcl, they would neuer burfl out inta fuch liccmious libertie: For they fhe w that they know notwhatitistohaucbinboughtby thcbloud of the fonne of God. And if it bcfo, howe ftiould wee hope for the rcfurredion of the flefhe, vnlefTc it were fop that Icfus Chrifl is the Redeemer both of our bodies, and foulcs. Saint Paule in the firfh Epiflle to the Co- rinthians,and thc7.Chapter, giueth vs warning, that wee ought not too bee the Icruauntes of men , fee- ing that wee were bought fo dearcly. Hee there- fore that giuffs himfelfc too the feruice of Idolles, treadethhcnotthebloodof lefus Chriftevndcr his fcrte, which is thepriceof the immortall glory that wc wait for in our bodycs? Andto what reafon is ir, that our body cs (hould b^ defy led and prophancd be* fore againfi fdolatrh^ y fore Idols, feeing that the crownc of life is pfomifcd vato the ill hcauea?Is this the mcAne to enter into the hcau^nlykingdomeof God,tovNallow ourfcluesin Sachans ftevves? Moreoucr it is not faid in vaine,thac our bodycs are the temples of the holy ghoft. Wher- f ore they who knowe not that they ought too kcepc them in all holyncs, they fufficiently declare that they neuer vndcrftoodcany thing of the Gofpeh they fticw alio that they knowe not what bclongeth too lefus Chrift nor to his grace«For when it is fayd, that wcc are bones of his bones,and flefli of his fleQi,this plain- ly fticwcth that wc arc ioyned to him, bothc in body and foule. And therefore a man can no (ooncr defile his body withanyfuperftition,buthc dcpriueth him- felfeot that holy voion through which we arc made members of the fonne of God •• Letthcfe fubtilc doc- tours anfwere mc if they hauc rccciucd baptifmc only in their foules, hath not God ordayned that this fignc (hould be ingrauen in our flcfhe? Should therefore the body in which the markeof IcfusChnfte is engra- ucn , be defiled with contrarie Abhominations. Is the Supper onely reccyued of the foule , and not alfo with the handes and with the mouth? GOD hath put the Armes and Badges of his Sonne vp6 our bodyes, and fhoulde wee beray them with durte and dounge? It is not lawefiilltoo imprince twoo Coynes vpon onepceccof Golde: or to fet two con- trarj'feales one vpon another to a publikcinflrumcnt and writing: andfhallamortall man take vpon him to falfifie baptifmc Si the holy Supper of lefus Chriftc and lay, there is no cuillin it ? Such men trucly arc worthy that their fcruants (hould make them bclccuc that they were well minded to feruc them, in flccping A.5* "" and Thefirjl SermonofaSM^Jo.CaL andrportingthcmfclues,andyct not mooning a fin- ger to docanything.If they alledge that it is not all pnc, for afmuch as wee hauc neede of their fernicc that are vndcr vs: lanfwerc, that Teeing God with- out hauing any neede, will imployvs to his honor, that it is a great fliame for vs, that in doing all things quite contrary to his wiI,wouldbc quite rid of him: and yet a greater (hamc thata wormc of the c^rth, &: a ftincking carrion would hauc more prcheminencc, then his creator. It behoueth a man yet too fpcake more grofcly to fuch beafts.They fay that it is lawfull forthemtodiflcmbleamongftPapiftcs, Who is ic then that giueth them the brcadc they catc therc> And who is it thatmakcth the earth to bring foorth fruite? If they cannot deny but that God nourifheth them as others „wherfore doc they homage to the de- uill wnh their body cs? If they were Chriflians, I would vfc more waightie rcafons, towittc, in de- maunding of them , to what end wc Hue hccte be- neath : but it is piticjthat they who wil through their fubtletiesfo dally and iefl: with God, (hould become fo brutilh that they muft be handled as men voyde of common fenfe. Itfeemeth to them that they haue faid fufficiendy to the mater, when they fay they doe no- nothing in this behalf but for fcare-But if this collouc may take place,then it muft be (aid that lofeph fhould haue don no euil,to haue committed whordom with his maiftrcffc,notfeeking the fulfilling of his pleafure: but only to yeelde to the violence which Ihee off red him .This had then bin folifhly donof him to fuffcr fo inuch,and to lay him felf open to fuch infamie, iQcing he had the meanc to efcape it. But it rather becomcth ys to hold vs to the tcftimonic of the holy ghofljwho > prayfcth againjl fdolatrie^ ' 6 praifech this conftancic of his. If men doe no cuill in playing the idolaters,to auoid the rage of Papifts: He that fhall bee his maiftcrsbaudc,(]iall not offende. A man fhalbcexcufed when hcpoyfoncth his neighbor, or when he comraitteth any trcafon for fcarc of offen- ding him to whom he is fubicfttThis article is much ftoodevpon,butasIhaue(aid,thcreisno hardnes or doubt in It: but it is good to fee into what confufion they fallow ho imagine by their cunning fleights to ef- cape the iudgemcnt of god. There are diucrs which ac thi s day vfe another flarting hole : for cof effing that it is a detcftable thing to mingle therafelues with thcl- doiatrics of the Painims, they wil not rhat this extend It fdfe to the fuperftitions of the Papaci€:as though all the impieties of the Panims had not bin the corrupti- ons of the true feruiceof God. Fr5 whence 1 pray you drew the Panims al their ccremonies,but from the ho- ly fathers? The mifchief was that they corrupted that which was wel inftitutcd of God. And yet all the ab- hominations that euer were in the worlde, had this goodly clokc of the name of God 8c of Religion: but this made them not therfore iuftifiable, neither might the faithful communicate with them. Let vs procedc farther.Although that I agre herein with the thatther was a difference betwixt the idolatrieof Papifts , and that of the Painims in times pafl:,yet they canot deny butthatGodasftraightlyforbadhis olde people the Idolatrieof Beth el jasiheldolarieofflraungccon- tries* When the Calues were fet vpin Dan and Be- thel, it was dooncvnder die name of God : yea,' of him which broughte his people out of Egypt* But, forafmuche as the Scruicc there eftablifhed , was contrarie too die do(3:rinc of tjic Lawe, God copdcm- ThefirjlSermonofoLMJo.Cal condcmacd all thofc that went thither to defile them felucs.Andtruely thefethinges , the Supper of lefus Chci(l,andthePopi(h MaflTc, arethingcsno IcITere: piignaiint and contrary one to the other, then the fa- crificcs of Moyfcs &: leroboham.Wherforeiwhcnce came thatdifpcnfation to goc to the Maire,vndcr coii- lour,that it is but an altering or difgaifing of the vSup- pcroflcfus Chrifte> Contrarywifc I fay , that they whichc truely fearc God oiightc too haue it in a dou- ble detcftation,forafmuch as it more manifcftly pro- phancth the holy ordinance of the fonnc of God, then if It had notbecne fo contrary and repugnant vnto ir» Let vs then briefely holdc this rule, that all the iuucn- tionsof menjwhicharcfet vpto corruptethe fimplc puriticofthewordof God, and to ouerthrowc the fcruicc which he demaundeth and alloweth, they are very facriledges,whcrcwith a Chriftian man may not communicate,withoutbla(phemingof God : that is to fay,without treading his honor vnder his fcctc. I knowcvcry wclthat this rigour wil fcemeharde and intollcrable to them that would hauc a man to handle them according to their appetite. But what wouldc they that I (hould doe hecrcin,kno wing them to be (o delicate? I would fparc them if it were pofiblc for mc# Butyetmuft bothc I and they fuffer condemnation, when God once fpeaketh : They fay they linde no man more feuere herein then I am.But I would them to vnderftand^that hitherto I hauc handled them but too gcntlcly,whichbceingfo, they cannot be exemp- ted from that which the Prophet lercmie requireth of the Icwes, who were Captiucs in Babylon . It was cotonely forbidden rhcm to goe to the abhominati- bdsof the ChaldsanSjor to make flicw to confent vnto '^ - ihcm, cgdwjl Idolatrie. y them : but: ,ar cxpreffc commaundcmcntc is giuca thcai,to ILewc thacthey (hould count it a moflc vile andfikhielauour , His words are thcfe: Iqh fijall f^ ■ v^its them . 7 he Gods which haue not mt^de Heauen and earthy flfAllpertMfrom the earth ^anA from vnder the Heanen, There is one circumftance woorthy to bcc well marked i that the Prophetc hauing written his Booke in He- brcwccouchcththis vcrfe in greatc Caldxy letters : as chough he hadpreffcdthc lewcsto chaunge their language, to theende to (hewe more play nly the dif- agremenc they had with the idolaters* Nowclet them-hardly goe and complayne of me, as though I were too excclliuc. And yet 1 neucr re- quired half fo much ofthcm as the Prophet doth.Buc whether Ifpcakeofit,orholdemypeace, wecccafe not to be all bound to that Law which GOD hath laid vpon vs. And indeed it is not without caufe, that God fpcakingynto his faithfulljhcfaycth vnto them. Tee aremymtneffeii andmy feruaumei whome Ihaue chofen^ ^/%^'44'2« Whofoeucr will approuehimfelfe to be a member of lefus Chrifte , muft fhewc that this title agrecth vnto him,(o t hat they that through their falfc diffembling and hypocrifie bury this tcftimonie of thejtrueth , can in no wife be excufcd* And what then (hall become of themjl prayyou,who all their lifclongfubuert it, as they do,who not only hid their ehriftian profefliOjto the end they may /hew no (ignc therof before men:but do commit a6ts altogither cotrary to it? There rcmai- ncth nothing then to the Children of God, that are in the midrt of fuch pollutions, but to afflid their foules by the example of good Lott : yea to fpeake againftc cuill,accordingasG O D fhallgiue them the meanc and opportunitic, Nowc let vscomc coo fpeake The firjt Sermon oj^yS/IJo^ id. of thofe Idolaters which at this day beare the fwayr I haue already fomewhat touched the Made • Now although this bee a blafphemia fo foulc and fliame- full, as nothing can bee more , yet notwithftanding there are yet found aduocates of fo ill a caufc, who in this behalfcflinkebacke: and yet will they nill they, they are conftrayned to confeffc that which I Tay: that is,that the Maflc in it fclfe is a renouncing of the death oflefusChriftjandafacriledgeforged by Sathan,vt- taiy to abolifli the Sacramenr of thcfupper^They can- not likcwifc denie but that the Prayers made vnto Saintcs^and fufftages that are made for the dcadc , arc wickcdabufes, whereby the inuocation of the name of God(whichaboue all others is mofte holy) is pro- phaned: notwithftanding medling them fclues with- fiich filthineflcs amongft the Papiffes, they think that they are not faultic. What fliould wc doe heercin fay they? It is not lawful! for ys to reforme thcfe thin- gcs which weknowc to be euill : For we are priuate meniand they who haue publique authoritie main- tainc them: wherefore itbchoueth vs to goe thorow that way: I grauntthem all that they fay : but this is nothing to thepurpofe.Itis not theirpartSjto reforme the common eftate of the people: and no manrequi- rethitofthem:butamanmayadmoni(h them tore- forme them felues: the which belongeth to their due- tie. It is not fayd vnto them,that they (hould purge the Churches or the flreeres: but that euerye one fhoulde kecpe his owne boJie and (oulein puririe, and labour by all meancs , that GOD may be ho- i>ouredinhis ownchoufe, Jhefc twoo things are diunf: enoug:-!, too abolifli agdinjl fdolatrie. 8 thcmifTcoutafany Countrie,arenoc to bee foundc there, when he cannot let the vfc of it. But yet they cfc- fooncs reciirne to the foote of their foiige : that is that they renounce not the death 5c paflion ot lefiis Chrift, bccAufc they haueno fiich intent* But I afke of them whatitisthata Chnflian man confcfleth^with his mouthc , but that fAme that hce belccueth with his heart? That the a£lc which they commit is altogither contrary tooChriftian profcllion, is notorious c- uoiighc , So that, ( afmuche as lycth in them ) they renounce and forfakc that which is of pure faith ♦ I will fpeakc yet more familiarly ♦The maffc isa la- crifice^whcrein thePapifls will offer vppeChrift, to bee reconciled too God. If this were true, lefus Chriftc by his death and paflion had not purchafcd rightcoufneflcnorcuerlafting faluation for vs, let a man go« aboutethc bufheas farreas hewill,yethec muflcomc tothispoynt. All they that goe to MafTc vndcr the title of deuotion , proteffe too confentc heerein ♦ So thap, afmuch as lyeth in them , they fhcwe that they holdc not their redemption pcrfedc by the death of lefus Chrifte^ And there bee fomc which bounde them felues a little more natrowlye: that is J that they referue but fome Parrifh or highe M afle, in which it feemeth to them that there is more conformitie with the flipper of lefus Chriffe. Andindeedca man might faye that the MafTes whiche are faide afwell by thofc hedge Prcifles as whiche by thofe Chanons and Chaplayncs , and all thofe are founded vppon fome particular dcuo-| lion , whiche ^they fette out eucry day to falc, arc as Harlotcs of the Stcwcs . The Parilhe Prieftes Mailc Thefirjl Sermon of^i^MCJo, CaL MafTcisasaftumpct, that fhroudeth her felfc vnder thenamcofherhufbandeitokcepeher felfeinthc re- putation of an honcft woman. Although thcfimili- tudebccnotaltogither fitte: For a married whorc> will alwayes yet haue fome fhamc from giuing oucr her felfe too all commcrs : but that famcParrifhc Prieftes Mafle , is the mofte common idolatrie of allothcrs.Sofarrcis it off^that they that paint her ouc with this coulourjkeepehere yet any trace of thefup- peroflefus Chrift: ycaasif a thcefc were eucr the better, whcnhce (hall be apparelled with the fpoyle of him, whofc throtc hee hath cutte , and Ihall bee mounted vp vpon hisHorfc. Wee feeke (fay they) thefupper of lefus Chrifte. Seeing we cannot haue it pure^in the tyranny in which we liue,wc mufl: con- tent our felucs too take that which is left c , way tinge when God will put to his hand, Forfooth a goodly cxcufc. Forafmuchas they haue no right and founds vfe of the Supper, by way of prouifion,they proteft, that they account not lefus Chrift for their onely e- iierlafting Sauiour ,and they feeke euery morning a newe facrificc to blot out their finncs. Forallthis is in the Parrifh Prieftes MalTe, afwellas in that of S* Nicholas,or in thofe that are faid for thedead. They faigneto worfhipan Idoll;^andyetboaftethcmreIucs to feeke lefus Chrift, And to the end, they may cot '£ghtagainft God without a fwoordeand a Buckler, they bring foorth the authofitie of this man here.and of that man thcre.As if the abfolution of a man could exempt ihcm,from bceing condemned of God. I fpare to fay that they notably bcliechemjwhom they bring for their aduocares. But admit it were fo, thara holy man for a time thought it not fofrrcate an cliilhoo againjlfdolatrie. !goc to an kigh MafTc : yet yf afterwardcs he knew ,tr>c ^crour wherein he was, his latter iudgement is fo much the more to bcbeJecucd,for thecondemnation thereof,fora(miich as men may fecjihat the power of ■God hath compelled him tberevntOjandhc is plainly found to be ouercomc in that thing , which before he better comparifon too painte them out liu<:ly in their colours, then that of Efau : For when he iawe that I- iaack his father fent Jacob into Mefopotamiatotake him awife,forafmuche as thofe of the Countrey of Canaan difpleafed both him and Rebecca his wifc> fo farre foortn as they hated them deadly, to fatiffie his parentcs in partejic tooke him a ncwc wife : but hcc f orfookc not her wh5 he had alredy . He kept the euil then whereof Ifaack complaynedtbut to botch vp the matter in fbme fort, he huddled vp a newc marriage* So, they who are fo wrapped in the world that they cannot follow that which GOD commaundeth,they make many medlayes, and hotchpotches of fundry fortcs,that in fome forte they mayc eouforme them- felucstooGoddeswyll : but they ceafc not for all that, alwayes too retainc fome corruption/o as all that they doo , is neither pure nor fincere . I know very well that there are many poore foules in great pcrplexitie ,who without hypocrijfie dcfireto walkc thcryght way , and yet notwithftanding they can ixotridde them fclues from many doubtes: wherat I doic againjl fdolatrie. \z Hoc not much woonder, coniddering the horrible confulion that is in the Papacy. In very decdel much pitiethcyr cafe, who fcckc the meancs that they may to (crue GOD, keeping them fclucs if ic werepolTiblc, amongeft the cnimicsof the faith , But what > I know not what clfc to do cither to the one or to the other^ but to fhcwe them wherein they hauc faulted, to theende they may amend it, Ifany will comeanddemaundc this or that parti- cularly,! will fendefuche enquirers to that gencrall rule of G O D whichl holde* I fpeake thiSjbecaufe there are fomc fo importune a thata man (hall neuer hauc doonCjif he would anfwere all theyr doubtes# Such pcop le may rightly be compared to them who after they hauehcardea Sermon,wherein they arc ex- horted without fupcrfluitie Si pompc foberly to hear- ken vnco it, would rather haue the preacher to make theyr Hofe and fcwe their fliooes, Well,what muftc wedoothen? wee haue in all this a certaine markc whereuntowemuftaime : that is, that the zealc of Gods houfe do euen cate vp our hcarte, and (o mouc vs that we take yppon our felucs all the diflionours and opprobrics which are doonc vntoo ys for his name. When fuch zcale fhall be well kindled in our heartcs, and fliall not be like ftubble fct on fyer, and quickly quenched, but (hall burne continually therewith : a man (hall bcefo farrc of, from n?a- kyngfhewetoo approuethe abhominations where- with G O D is diQionourcd, that it (hall bee im- pofTible for vs too holde our peace, andtoodi(rcmblc wlienwc Ice them. B4 And The fir Jl Sermon ofewc out their blafpemies, as Soueraigne andvn- reuocablcdetcrminationsandfcntenccs » Andfuchc manner of Idolles wyll bee fo prowde that when they hauc once fpoken a woorde , they cannot a- tide that reafon or trusth haue anye place * But ycr againjlfdolatrie^ yet this I flicw them by the way that it were much better forthcm to think what an horrible vengeance is prepared for all thofe that turnc the tructh of God intoalye.Lctnotthcfe chamber and carpet Doctors take heerc any higher eilate vponthcm then is fit for them .For this were to chatter againfte our heaucnly maifter,towhomeitis raeetethat all we giue audi^' cnce* Thefe goodly titles auailc nothing hccre too exempt any man from iudgement: except it bee that the Lord Abbots, Pryors, Deanes, and Archdeacons be conftrained to lead the dance in thi s greeuous con-f; demnation that God ihallpronounce^Now although my Lordes the Courtiers were woont too pleafc men with their holie Water, yet they fliall not fo pleafe God « To conclude, let all thefc trifling Spendthrifted lefters and Praters holdc their tongue, and not caftc foorth their accuftomcd cauills, vnlcffe they wil feeic his mightie handc y at whofc woorde they ought toa tremble. This is a foule errour to make men beleeue, that in taking me to be their aduerfarie they fhall not haue God any more to be their ludge* Let them then blot my name out of their papers in this matter,! prc- tcnde therein nothingbutthatGodmaybe heardeSC obay ed j and not to gouerne mens confciences accor- ding to my appetite, nor to lay any necclfitie or lawc vpon them. Concerning others,that rcied not Gods word in fuch pride and outrage, and yet notwithftan- dmg are fo weake and fluggifh, that one cannot make them once to wag,I cxhorte them that they take bet- ter heedeunto them relues,not to flatter themfelucs, as they haue doonehetherto . But that they open their cy es,8c awaken , to fee and to feclc their wretchedncs and miferie * I knowc the difficulties andftraights B.J, whcrpia TloefirjlSermonof(S\4^Jo£aL wherein .they arc, ncythcrdoelrpeakc vnto them of feruingG ODpurely among IdoIaccrs,as of an ea- fie matter : but if they want ftrength , let them flye vntoo GOD, toothcendc hee may forciiie them, and they may learne to prcfene his glory before all the thingcs in the worldc. I defire al the poore faith- full ones that arc in thiePapacic that they wyll mark this, as the Prophet leremie beyngin leruialem, fente the fame leiTon too the people that were kept in captiuitic at Babylon. If the tyrrannie of the Pope and of his becfo hardcand cruell, the Icwes of that time had their parte thereof : And yet notwithflan* dyng they were commaunded too detefland abhorrc the Idolatricof Chaldea, cucn intheverybofomeof the Coiintrcy : For it is no reafon that the ty rrannyc of menfliouldcempayrc ordiminifhthe duchonor that wee owe vnto GOD. There is here no excep- tion or priuiledgc,for greater fmall, rych or poore. Let all menthercbre bowedownc theyr neckes , let the poore fearc, Icaft he faying for fearc I knowe not what to do , G O D aunfweare, neyther knowe I what too make of thee. Let not the rychc be drun- ken with theyr cafe, as it werclying vppon theyr Bedde ? But rather let them learne by the Apofilc SaintcPauIe his example tooaccounteall but Dung and lofTe, which may turne orhynder them from Chriflian life* Inthemcatiet/mc,letnotvs forget for our parte, that which I touched in the bcginn ing : that is , too appliethis to our inilrudion , too beealwayes ready into what coafl: of the world foeucr wee fhall be car- ded, or what thing focuer happen vnto vs, too con- tinue againjl fdolatrie^ i^ tiniiefleJfaftctnthe finccre confcflion of our faith, dctcftyngall fuperflitions. and Idolatries andabu» fcs which arc contrary too the trueth of GOD , dar- ^^ ken his honour, and oucrthrowe his feruice. 5*jThefcconde Scrmon^conteining an exhortation tofuferperfecution toofoUowc Icfus Chriftc and his Go- ipell, vppon that place which is i|a the shr/tcefJth chapter too the / ' Hebtcwes, / tct vt therefd^e ^oeoik^fotirtmiti^^tt CWifl ie'krfng bisrefrochc, LL thcexhortatiosthatcanbcmadf vnto vs to fuiFer patiently for.Ghirftc his name, and for the Gofpcls caufe, (hail hauc no place , if wee bee not wcHaflurcd of the caufc for whiehc wefyght . For when the (^ucftion is of forfaking our ly fe wee niufl be well refolued and certayne, wherefore it is . Andfuchconftanciecan not bee in vs 1 vnlelTe it bee grounded in the certain- tie of faith . It is true that ccrtaine wyll fooliihly and ra(hly venter too die, too vpholde certainc fooliihc opinions and dreamesjthattheyhaue conceyuedin theyrownebrainc^ Butfuch hcadinefTedeferueth ra^ ther to be holden for frenfie.then for Ch riftian zcalc* As alfo ia veryc dccdc there is no flaycdneflcnox fetlcd ^oefirjl Sermonof and wcchaiie him for our guidc.If it had beenefimplyfaidc vntovs, that to bee Chriftians wehaue to march thoroweallthe oppro- brycsoftheworldc,to come freely to death as often as it Aiould pleafc God, wc (hold haue had fomc coul- lor as it fliould (ecmc to reply c, that this were a very flrange thing and farrc from our nature, to wander fo without a guide ♦ But feeing wc arc commaunded to foUowc our Lordc lefus j his leading is more right and honourable^then for vs to rcfufe iu But to the cndcthat wee may bee better touched, it is not bnely fay de that lefus Chriftgoeth before vs as our Gaptaincibutlhat we are conformed to his image : as Jltm-^'^ S^Paulehath fpoken in the 8. to the Romaincs, that God hath ordcinedal thofc whom he hath adopted to be his Children, that they fhould be made conforma- ble to him who is the head and paterneof all. Are we fo nice anddayniic that wc w HI indure nothing? thea mufl wc renounce the grace of Godjwhereby he hath called vs to the hope of faluation* Forthcfcare two things,thatcannotbcfundreditoobeameberofIefus Chrift,Sito becxercifcd with manyafflidios. Surely ;wc ought a great dealc more to cflecmc fuch a confot- j»itic ofjuffermg Terfecution. 18 miry with the f5nc of God the wc do.It is true that in the world,to fuffcr for the Gofpcl is a thing condem- ucd:but feeing that wc know that Infidels arebiindct ought not we to haue clcrer & better eies the they ? It is alhamc to bcafflidcd of the which occupye the place of iiifl:icc:but S.Paul (hcwcth vs by his cxaplethat wc Iiaucgrctly to reioicc our felues in the wouds of lefiis chrifl:,as it were in certain imprinted marks,by which God acknowledgeth vs, and auo wcth vs for his. And we know what S. Luke rchcrfeth of S,Peter & lohn: AB^s^u to wit, that they rcioyccd, that they were accounted worthy too fuffcr infamy Si reprochc for the name of our Lord lefus.Loetwo things quite cotrary, igno- mj SC dignitic:yca inafmuch as the world being mad and outragious,iudgeth contrary to all reafon:and by this mcanes turneth the glory of God into difhonourr But for our part let vs not rcfufc,c5cerning the world to be dsfafcd and bafely cftcmed,that we may hereaf- ter be honored before god Sc his angels«We fee what pain ambitious men take to obteinc the order of fomc kingjSc what triiiphcs they make therof.The fonnc of god prcfetcth his order vnto vSySC euery one dcfpifeth it. I pray you in doing this arc wc worthy to hauc a- ny thing comon with him > Our voluptuoufneffe is here bitten and can perceiue nothingrfor thcfcarc the t-rucarmesofhcauenlynobilitie.Prifons^baninimets curfed fpskings^import nothing but altogether (hamc Sc reproch in the fatafie of membut what (bal let vs to look vp vnto that which God hath iudged SC pronoii- ced therof,vnles it be our own infidelitie? Wherefore let the namcjof the (one of god hiuc fuch credit amog vs as it defcrueth, to the end that we may learn to take it for ^ fingular honor^tliat he fcttcth his marks vpo vs Ql othcrwifc out ThejecondSermonojiyvlJo,Ut* our vnthankfulnefle is intollerable. If God handle vs according too our dcfcrtcs, hath hcc not iuft caufe, too chaftifc vs dayly a thoufafidekinde of wayesr yea which is more,a hundred thoufand dcathes^ were notfuffiicientforfomclitleportionofourmirdcedes* Bur by his infinitegoodneflTcheputtethallour faultcs vnder his feeteandaboliflieth them : and whereas he mightpuoiih vs as wchaucdcfcruedjheiindcth a w6- deufulmeanejtoeaufeourafflidionsto bcturncd toa our honor,5{: a ipeciaU priuiJedge : forafmuch as tho- rowe them,weare aflbciatedand knit into the felow- Ihyp of his tonne. And mufl we not fay that when wc i,Ptf7.4.i5» difdayncfuch a bleffed condition that we haueil pro- fited in the Chnftian dodrinc > And this is the rcafo» vvhy S. Peter,after that he hath exhorted vs,to walke^ holily in thefeare of god,that we fufFer not as thceucsj. Whoremaifters and Murderers,hce addeth by Si by, that if we fufFer as Chrifliansjthcrein we glonfie god with that benefitc which he hath bellowed vpponvs. Ic is not without caufe that he hath fpoken To ♦ For who are we I pray you,that we ftioulde beewitnefTcs ofthetrueth of GOD and procurers of the main tc- uancc of his caufe ? Loe wc bee poore wormes of the carthjcreaturcs ful of vanities and lyes : and-yet God wil that his trueth bedefedcd by vs: which is truly fo greate honour that it apperteincth not, no not too the angels of Paradife. Ought not thisconfideratio alone efficiently inflame vs to offer vp our felucs vntogod, feeing that it pleafeth him to iraploy vs to fo honora- ble a thing? Notwithffanding many cannot withold them felues from reafoning againfl GOD : or at the Icaftefrom making theyr complayntes for thac GOD doo th not better fupportc theyr wcakencfTe* offufertngperfecution. tp Itisamcrucilous matccr(ray they) feeing that GOD hath chofen vs tor his children,how he can fuffcr that wecfhoulde bee (o trodcn vnderfoote and tormen- ted of the wicked. I anfwere,althoiigh that it appearc not vnto vs wherefore he doth it,yet that he ought by good right to hauc this authoritie ouer vs to br i ng vs in to order according to his pleafure. Bur w hen wee fee that lelus Chriftc is ourpatterne,ought wenot too cfteeme it a great blcffingto be made like vnto him, w^ithout any further enquirie? Notwithftanding god (heweth vs moft cuident ciuks why hcc will hauc vs tobeperfecured ♦ When there (halbc no ctlicr thing but this admonition which S. Peter maketh, wee arc uPet.i.'j^ difdainfuli and fturdy enough, if wee doo notrefte our (clues vpon it , that is, that forafmuch as gold and filuer which ate but corruptible mettallcs, are purged and tried by the firc,it is good reafon that our faith, which cxcclleth al the riches of the worldc,(hould be Pf^^f**f*'*^i pr jucd. God couldc very well crownc vs at the firflc dafhc^without making vs too endure any combates: but as hzt woulde that lefus Chriftc (houlde raigne in the middcftofhisenimiesvntil the end of the world: fo likewile he would that webcing mingled amongft them,wee fhoulde (uffcr their wrongcsand oppreffiSs vntillthathefliouldedeliuervs from them. I know very well that the fleQie will fpurne when it mufte be brought to this pointe,but yet muft the wil of god haue the maifterie.If wefecleanycontradi6tion iti vs,wemufl:notwoonderatit.Forthisis very natu- rall,toof!iethecrofre : Notwichlbndingletvsnot ccafe to go forward knowing that god acceptcth our obedicnccjfo that we bring vnder and fubdue all our :•* "tcnfcs and defir:s,to the end to make them fubie£b vn- Cs to him ^efecond Sermon of;*B'o«^ <^7?«(7/.So whcnfuchfeares of death Ihallpricke vs: let V3 labour to haue the vpper hand,or rather let G od ouercomc forvs: andnotwithftanding letvs holdc our {elucsaflured,that this is an acceptable facrificcvn to him, that we refift & fight againft ouratFedions,to the endc wc may be wholy at his commaundemenr. And this is the principall warre , wherein God wyl haue thofcthat arc his to employ them fclucs : that is, that they enforce themfelues^to bring downc all that which exaltcth it felf in their minds Sc vndcrftadings, too turne them away from the path that is ihcwcd, vnto therajnthc meane time the confolations are fo ample, that wc may well fay that wee arc more then flouthfull,whcii we fa ile and waxe faint hearted * In oldc time a great number of people/or the defire of a filly Garland of leaues , ref ufcd no trauaile, no paine nor trouble: yea they made no accounte to die: Not- withftanding there was not any one oftliemjwhiche fought not at aduenture,bcing vn certaine whether hq Ihouldc winneorloofethcpnfe. God hath fctfoorth vnto vs an immortall cro wne,through which we are made partakers of his glory e» Hce mcaneth not chat wc fhouldc fight at aduenture : but he promifeth vnto vs all,fuch a reward as wee ought {pecially too defirc. What occafi5 then haue we>to fcekcany farthendoe wc think that it isfaid in vainc that if we die with le- iijs Chrifl we Oialalfo line with him? The triumph is %Ttf»'^* altogeathct like,&wc (hun to fight as much aslieth m ' y$t TThis ia the iudgemcnt of man is a dodrine quite coatrarj^ ofjuffermgperjecuttotu 2Z contrary.IconfcfTe it :and alfowhcnlcfusChriflpro- nouccth, that rhcy that differ perfccut io for righteouf- j^at.s,ul nes fake are blc(rccl,hc propoudeth a fcntcnce which is notcafily receiucdjin the worlJ.Cotrariwifcjhcwold that wc ftiold cileemc that to be our chief eft happines, whichourvndcrftandingwouldiudgetobcourgrca- teft mifery. It feemeth vnto vs that we arc miferablc, when God Icaucth vs to be troaden downc by the Ty- ranny and crucltic of our enimics : but the want is that we looke not vnto the promifes of G O D, the which ccrcific vs that all ihall turne to our good, Wc arcthrowcndowne, feeing the wicked ftrongcr then ' wc,andto fet their feetevpon our throtc : butfuchca confufion as S.Paulc faith, ought rather to liftvsvp oti high, Forafmuch as we are to to muche giuen, too imbuiic our fclucs,withchcprcfet things of the world,' God in fulFcring that the good are euill intreatcd,and that the wkkcdhauc their fway,flicweth vsbycuidec fignesjdiat aday Djal comc,wherin al that is now con- fufcd (halbe reformed. If the time fecme long vnto vs, let vs run to the rcmedie, and not flatter our felucs in our vicc:for it i^ certainc,that wchaue no faith at all, vnleffeweliftvptheeyes of our foules to the com- ming of our Sauiour Icfus Chrifle, Now God to the cndhemightleaue no meane vnattcmpted , whichc myghtbefyttodriue vs forwardc,hefetteth before vs the promifes on the one fide, and his threatningcs on the other * Doe we thinke that the promy fcs hauc not power enough m vs > let vs ioync the threatnings for too ftrcngthcn them. It is very true that wee muft bee fo muche the more pcruerfc and froward, not too adioync more fayth then wee doo too the promyfesof GOD, when the Lorde Icfus laycth^ C4 that 1: he fecond Sermon ofiy\d.Jo.QaL that hec will auowe and acknowledge vs before his M(tt,id,si. father/o that we conFefle him before men. And what is there that ought to let vs,that we Ihoulde not yecld %,uk$^i2,^, hiro that confemon that he requireth.When men flial haucdoone their vttecmof]:, they can doe no woorfe but murder vs, And what (hall eternal! life be in com- parifon thereof > I heapenot not vp hcercall the pro- mifes conteincd in the Scripturcs,which icnde to one and the fame ende: yctCforafmuch as they are fo ofte rimes repeated) we ought wholy to ffayvpponthema But if when the plague hang oucr our headcs, if three '* orfourebc not enough, one whole hundred wilnot feruetomakevstoouercomealladuerfitie and con- trary temptations. But if God can not drawe vs vnta him felfe through gentlenefrc,mufl wee not bee more then beetle blockifli headcs , when his feuere thrcat- %Hk{,^:l6, ninges can do no more therein ? lefus Chrifte citeth all thofe before his father , who (hall through fearc of bodyly death deny the truech : and faith that 'M^f'lO^St both the body and foulejfliall be throwen too perditi- on. And in an other place hee(ayth,that he will deny all thofe that Ih all deny him before men, vnleilc that wcebeetoomuche bcreaucd of all vnderftanding, thefe woordes ought to make our hear to ftinde vp- rightVppon our headcs, Howfoeuer it be^ when wee flial not bee moucd therewith as were mectCjthere re- mayneth nothing for vsbutan horrible conmfion: For in tha,tthat all the woordes of Itfus Cirifl do fo littleprofitevs,wearcconuioced of too to great infi-^ dclitie. Wee (hall haue alleadged coo godly purpofe that there is fome pitic in vs , forafmucheas our na- ^^b.ii iy turc is fo brittle: ForitisfaidcomrariwifethatMoi- fcs Iqoky ng viuo G Qp through faith, was flrength- ned ojfttjferingperfecuiion. ii neJ not to bow vndcr any tentation* W herforc when we aic fo (oft and flexible, yea, that there h no zealc andconftaitctc in v.^ it isa figne thatwee are vtterly ignoratint both of God and iiiskingdome, When ic is fhe wed vs that wee ought to be ioyncd t o our head, we thinkc that we haue a goodly coulour to exempte our (elucs from it , by laying that wee are men. Euc they which haue gone bctorevSjwho were they ? " Ic is true,that when we Ihall not haue die pure do6lrine, al the excufes that we can bring foorth Ihall be vaine : but hauingfo many examples which ought too ferue for the greater approbation/o much the more are wc to be condemned, Butheerc wchauetwoopoimes to be confidercd. The firft is, that all the body of the Church generally ,was and (halbealwayes fubied till theendcjtobcatflidedby the wicked: as it is f.^idc in the Pfalmc, They haue vexedme from my youth vptthey ^^^*^ ral^i29\ drarven the Plovevportme from one ende to an other. The holy j ^^ Ghoftebringeth in the olde Church (peaking , to the ende that we, after wee haue knowcn the atfli£tions thereof,wc fhould not finde i t ftraunge or troublefom if the like at this day be done vrjtovs,Saind Panic al- fo drawing this place from an other Pfalme where it Rom, s.sf. h faid, PVie haue beer.eas fheefe that are led to the flaaghter, fheweth thatthis was not for one age alone; but that ?fa,44>ii itisandlhal be ordinary and yfuall in the Church^So feeing the Church of God to beat this day troaden vnder,by the pride of worldelings,thatone batketh,. another by teih,that men torment it,andal waves mi(^ chieuouflydeuife againfl it, that without ce;.ring it is afTay led of madds Doggcs and fauage bcafles : let vs remember that this was doone vnto it of oldc time, C -^ Ic The fecond Sermon of(t%fJo. Qal. It isrruc that God may wel gene itfometimes ccrtaiii trufcs and iclcafements/And this is it that is fayde in the Pfalme before alicadgcd, hee cmteth afmderthecordes of the mcked. And in an other place,that he wyll breakc theyr ftuffc,for fcarc that the good doe not ouermuch vexc them felues,bceing too muchcoppreflfed. Buc God wouldc alwayes that his Churche fhouldc bee toflcd in this world, and be as it were in a continuall confli<3:c,rcfemyng reJftc for it abouc m the heauens. Notwithftanding that yet the iiTue of thefc afliflions was alwayes bleffed^and at theleaft GOD brought to palTe, thatbcing oppreffed with many euyls^it was neuer vtterly opprcfTcdjas it is fayde that the wicked ffalm/jj^, withal their forces ncucr attained to thatjwhich they immagined.'SaintPaule alfo reioyfeth him felfe of the like too flicw2 ^ that this is a continuall grace of t.Ct^n^*/!* God:^jgedvpltkeheilesaiidrAck?d.makiMg no account t9 he deltuered, to the ende they might rece'me 4 bttter refurreUion* Other i. were tryedby viockings andfcourgwgt:jeAhj bondes and frifonmenti others xvere fi one dor hew en asunder ; other wandred vp and dorvne hither and thither, in wildernejfes by mount aynet andCauet^ Let vs now enter to make comparifon of them with vs. If they fuffred for the trueth of God, which was yet fo darke at that time, what ought wee to doe in this great light that Ihineth no we? God hath fpokcn vnto vs as it were with full mouth : the grcate Gate of thekingdomc of Heaucn is opened , lefus Chrift hath called vs vnto him, beeing come downe vnto vs, to the ende that wee iLouldc haue him , as it were prefente before our eyes « And what a (hamc lliall it bee vnto vs too haueleffe zealc to fufef or the Gofpell , then they had which onely falutcd and behcldc the promifes of GOD, as it were a farre ofF> '"" - yVhicIi ^~ inoefecondSeYmonofit is not becaufc our lines arc not dearc vnto him5and in greater recommendation an hundred fold then it is worthie, feeing itisfo,that Pfal. ii(J.//» he hath pronoucedby the mouthof Dauid ,7"^^^ the Ef but that he will eafily oucrcom al mens cruelties .And heccofamongftoiKcrs wchad.an notable example ia our time not toobee forgotten* TiiisiscalUd A certain young man who dwelthcrewith vshce- af^D^ty^ ing taken in the Citic of Tournay was condemned to "^^v bee but beheaded if he recanted : and too bee burned aliucj yf he continued inhis opinion. When hce was .afkcd what he wouldc do,he aunfwercd iimply : Hee that Ihall geue me grace toa dye pacicntly for hts name, he wyll geucmeegtacc to endurcthefier, Wc ought too cftecmc this fentence not as the fentcnce of amortall man : but as a fentcnce of the holy Ghoft^to the cnde too allure our felucs that G O D is as able to ftrcngthen vs, and too make vs too ouercomeall tor- mentes as too moouc vs too take any other kinde of meeker death in good part^W hieh i^morcjwc fee of- ten tymes, what conftanciehegeucthto pooremale- fadours vvhofuffer for their offences, Ifpcakenotcf theobftinatc: but of thofe which comfort themfelues ^the grace of Icf us Chr ift,and by this mcanc receiuc offujferingT^erfecuticn. 51 Yf'wh peaceable heart thcmofl grieuoiis piiniflictneiic that can dc doonc vnto them : As wc may fee a no- table example thereof in the Theefe who was conuer ted at the death of our Lorde lefus Chriflc* GOD who fo mightily aiSfteth poorc oiFcndcrs , beeing worthily punilhcd for their mifdeedes , wyll he failc his who fight for his caufe, that he wil not geuc them an inuinciblcpower? The third point concerning the promifes that GOD hath made to his Martyrs,is of thefruttc that they ought too hope for of their fufFc- ringes : and in the endeifnccdcbcofdcathit felfc* Nowe this fruitc is after that hec hath glorified his namcj&c edified his Church through theyr coftancic, when they (halbc gathered with the Lord lefus Chrifl: into his immortal glory ♦ Buthccaufc that wee haue fpoken more fully of it before, itis enoughnowetoo bring it in our remembrance* W herfore let the faith- firll learne too lifte vp theyr headcs on high too this crown of immorulity &gl6ry,whervnto G06. doth call them : to the end that he do them n o hurce in ma- Jcingthem to forfakc theyr prcfent life for (uch a rc^ warde : and to be afiured of this inellimable bencfite,' let them alwayes haue before their eyes this confor- mitiewhich they haue widi otir Lorde lefus, too be- holdc life in the middeft of death,as heby the oppro- brye and Ihame of the croffe , came too that glori- ous refarredon in whiche.confiftech alour feliciti^ ioyc and triumphe, Dz H The 5^ The thirdbcrmon shewing how the FaithfuU ought too efteeme the bccynginthcChurcheof GOD, where the^ haue free lihertis purely to jvoorlh/p Godjgathcred vponthe theameofthe /hafff required 0»e thing of the Lprde.andthat Iml require: itiSythat I way dwell m the houfe of the Lord all the dates ef my lyfe^oo the end I may hehold the beatttie of the hard andmayvifte his holy Temple. I is woondcrfuU what a diucrfitica man fhall findc in mens dcfircs : and yet notwithftading there is one thing wherein all agree and iumpe togca- thcr, and that is to bee occupied here beneth in the worlde.Euery man may WcUhauc his marke and meane by hymfelfc : but this vaniticraignethouer all,notto feekc their good» and fclicincany where elfc but in this corruptible life. The which fhewcth that men arc wonderful bruti/h: Foe wee are created too an ende altogeather contrary and that is thathauing our conucrfatio in this worldc wee fhoulde afpyre to thatheaucnjy kingdome of G O D « And this is the cau{e,why this prcfent life is called a pilgrimage or a way. Wherefore whofo- cuer will not dcpriuc him felfc wittingly and wil* lingly of the euerlafting inhcritaunce of the kingdom of God, hee muft beginnc at this point too cut of all foolyflie defires and light thoughtes, whereby hec may bee occupied and wicholdcn in this worldes ofheeinginthe Church of (^od. jy fo as his principall dcfirc be to draw ncarc vnto God, and chat nothing at the Icaft hinder vs from making hade thither ♦ I fay at the leaft, forafmuch as it were very reqiiifite that all our eanhly affedions which do nothing but caufe vs to drawe backe from God, were fully rooted out of our heartes, to the ende wee mayc run ne through fw if tly in this voyage wee haue too perfourmc, Butbecaufewe arefo farrc of from ha- uing a minde that is pure and voyde from all afFedi- ons, it remayneth in the feconde place, that wee ouer- -come all the lettes that may hinder vs i and followc ourcourfehowfoeuerube*. Co as in the middeft of our infirmities,we doe neuerchelcfle prefcrre the hea- uenly life before all that is in this world,! t reraaineth no we, that we fee by what mcaneswcemay attaync thecreto* Nowe this is not in vs to deuifcjbut wc muft take thefe which God hath ordeincd : of which the moft pr in cipall are named heere by Dauid: to wit,thc order and pollicie,that God hath eftabliflied in his Churchc that wc be taught by his woorde, that wee woorfliip him all with one accorde,and cal vpon him;and hauc the vfe of the Sacramentes to ayde vs herevnto. And thus muft wee be exercifed, too the ende we way bee better & better confirmed in thefaith,in thefcare of God,inholynefre,in the contempt of this worlde and inthcloueoftheheauenlylife. And to this purpofc and none other ^tendeth this that Dauid proreftcth, tfiat he hath a defire aboue all to d we lin the teqiiple of God . For vnder this woorde of the Temple he com- prehendeththelibcrtieofhauingfrecdomc purely to worfhip God with thefaithful,to make confellion of Ills faith, to pray S^to be a partaker in the facraments^ Di For Tljeiii, Sermonof^M^Jo.Qal For God for this time had chofen a ceitainc placci in which he vvoulde that men Ihouldefacrifice vatoo him , Ihoulde doc him homage, protefting that they accounted him for theyr alone God^wcre inftru- £led in his Iawe,&: had the teftimonies of his prelece. And indccde he fufficiently exprefleth what regard he had, in defiring to dwell in the Temple , wheuhcc addethjthat he was m thebeautie of God. Wherein he fliewcth that the Temple of itfelfewas nothing: but that he rcfted him felfe in the vfe whereto it was confecrated and appointed* If we thinke that he was occupied with a materiall building of wood Sl ftonc wee fliouldedoo him great iniury and wrong: For this wercto charge him with fupcrftition, and not too attributcittohisvertue. Weought therefore to bee refoluedjthat heefettcth foorth howe honourably hee •cftccmed the outwarde order and regiment -whereby the faithfull are gouerned m the Church . To be (hort hcfignifieth that this is an ineftimablc benehte , and a clpciall priuiledgeto be in the Churche of God, to be a partaker of thofe meanes, that that good father hath geuen to his children thereby too draw them to him , Let vs mar ke well whoitisthac fpcaketb, Itisnota pooreldiotc without knowledge and expcrience:but a ProphetCias excellent and as greatly enlightncd by the holy Ghoft as eucr was any . Hee fpeafcethnot of a thing profitabl e and good in thepopulare opini- on: but he protcftethforhisowncparte, that he de- fired nothing more then that he might bee founde in theaflemblic of thepeopleof GOD, too the ende that declaring his faith heemyght alwayes bee more edified therein , through the doctrine of fahiatioa which is there prcachcd,and through the facranients: 'peithcr onely in tliis place makcth he thisprotcflatio, but of heeingin the Church of (^oct. ^6 but in many other places, as in the Ffalme before go- y ng, when hce faith, C> Lar^e I haUelonedthe hdttation of py-^,^ ^^^ ^. thme honfe & the f lace where thy glory hath his dxvellitig, Alfoin the 4z ./>/. Js the Han hrayethtoo bee refrePiedrnt hthe riuers of jVater,fo fayjtethmj fonle after thee O horde ', Myfoulebur- pf^j veth with thyrfi wfeeking after Cod : }Vhen fhallit bee that I "' * **'* Piall come a»dappeare before the face of the linyyig God} It had b:cnecnoughtohaucfpokcnthis : buthis vchememc affcftio carriethhim higher: for he addethimmediatly that teares were his meateduryng the time that hce wasdepri' uedfromcomming too theTemple.Ytl hcfayth yct further that his heartc was powrcd out like water , when face rcracmbrcd the time wherein he went to the Temple praifingG OD with the multitude of the faithfully Afterwardes hauing mourned his fill and powrcd foorth his complaintcs and gricfesjheefindeth no bet- ter confolation,then in thefaope that he had coceiued that God would reftorethatbenefiteagaine which he hadlofl:e.^i>A»''(faith hcc)»'^7 art thon vexed andvn. tjHtet wtthmme ?y^t [hall Ifynde againe theprefence of the Lord pf^i %^,t2 \ As alfo inthc43.Pfalmche repeateth againe the fame matter. And cfpecially in the 84. Plalrac,he dcclareth howe he was affe^ed towardcs it ♦ For after that hec hath cried OUt,0 Godofhoftes howe amiable are thy taberna- f/«!hee fayth that hts heart e and his body doe leape for the fer^ uefft dejtrethat he hath to enter into the courtes of the Lord, And hefcttethdownethereafon, that they whch dwell tn the hoHfeofGodarebleJfedbeca(ifetheyprAyfehim:\.hzt'n tO fay^ they acknowledge his graces with oneaccord,5i they reioyce in himjmakingcofclTio of theyr faith. Seeing the that dauidwho wasfomuchaduaced inalholincs» yea&: wasas anangelofhcauedweUuiginthe world acknowledged that hehadfo great nccdc to be aided andllirred vp by the mcanc s tliat god had giue to his £>4 people.! Theiii Semonof^5MiJo.(^aL I pray you what is too bee fuppofed of vs,who arcfb rude SC earthly ,whore faith js fo wcake,8c whofe reli- gion is fo colde andbarraine? Wee mud needes con- cludc,albeit thatDauid for the perfeaion that was m him might welhaue let flip fuchba(ehclps,yet they arc more then ncceffary for vs : confidcring the infirmity that is in vs. But what > Tliey who are the pcrfeftefl know much better what they lacke them fclues , then thofc which haue no pcrfc6ti6 at alU Wliat is Dauid foindued and adorned with angelical vertues "^Why, this is to make him better too vnderflad, howc meet it was for him to be more enflamed by the preach ing of the law,by the SacrameteSjand other like exercifes. ContrarywifethefegloriousvillainesthataE this day make no reckoning of all thcfc thinges,iliewe euidet- ly thereby, that they hauc not fo much as a droppe of of Chriiiianitic in them: I fpeake of our corner cree- ping and cafkatePhilofopherSjthat Hue in Paplftrie. O it is agoodly matter(fay they)and mucli to thepur- pofcjthat a man cannot be a Chriftia vnlefTe he trot ta Gencua,to hauehis cares filled with Sermons,and to vfcfuchc Ceremonies as arc obferued in that Citie* Can not we our felucs alone both reade Sc pray?Muil men yet goe to Church to be taught/eeing that euery one hath theScripturc in his houfc? I anfwcare here- to, thatweebindenoman to depart from that place where he dwelleth : yea when a man lines purely and feructhGodasheoughtamiddcftthePopestyrranny wee cftecme an hundred times better of him,thcn of ourfelues whoareinliberticand reft. But the qucfti- on IS heere of two poindesjto wit, whether they that feeling their ownc infirmitie,and commyng to fcekc in a Chriftian Churche/uch a confirmation as Dauid did ojheeing in the Church of God. 5 7 did at that time when the Temple was at Icrufalem, doc not well : Alfo whether all generally, and efpeci- ally thofc that are witholden by force ought not too figh, feeing them felues deftitute of the ordinary meanesjwhich were to bring them to GOD? The very beafts who haue no vnderftading nor reafo,they wilbray after their pafturcjandthofe who are called the children of God^ftal not they care for that which ferueth to nouryfli and mainteine their faith? And yet they are not contented thus proudly too treadc vnder footetheraoft precious graces of God, but they alfb fcorne them which flie into ft raunge countries to fcek them,8c to reioycein them, As touching their haw- tmefTcjwhereby they beare them felues in hande, that ^ermonSjCommon prayers,and the Sacramentes arc thinges fupcrfluous and vay ne, there necdc no other teftimony to excommunicate ^aud banifli them out of the Churche of God, And that it is eucnfo , Saintc Paule,fay th not that the order which God hath fet in his Churche^isonely for the rude and ignoraunt: but he maketh it Common for all,exempting none, Hee hath ordemedfiaixh hcc)^pofi^^^iP'*fiotirSyAmiDoHours,for Sphfif^J^ the ejtabltpjin^ of the Saint es, for the bmlciing vp of the bodye of Chrifie^vntt\lweegY9VPe allvp^into the vnnie offaith,if3to a per" fe^ man , into the meafure ofaperfeBe age in ChrifieJl^ci VS marke well that hee fayth not that God hath Icfte the Scripture to the end that euery one flioulde readc it alone: But hee hath inftituted a policie wherein certain are appointed to teache^S^ vnder this be com- prehendeth all other th ingcs which doeth, as it were depende thcrevpon, W herefore though euery one may reade it priuatly ^ this Ictteth not but that they Ihould heare it alfo publiqucly . And to who dircftcth D5 he Tlje Hi. Sermon of No furely he com- raandeth that this courfe be kept cusn vntil death: for this wasthctymcof ourperfcdion* They therefore which difdain to keep thcmfelues in this range to pro- fite in faith and al vertuc by the common order of the Chiirch^they can by nothing fo much cut thcmfelues of fr5 thefcilowlhip of the childreof God as by this. Let them excufc the matter as finely Siascraftely as theyliftryetthefenteccof S.Pauleis moftclcare, that none is neither aught to bee accomptcd of the body of chriftjvnlcs that hefubmit himfelf tothis general rule* Wherfore my brethren let vs humble our felues and let vs not tept god,thinking our felues able to fly wi>h outwings,ButComcma wil fay, it is pofsiblethat Da- ufd fpakc for the time of thofe figures: bicaufcthat the god gouerned his people as it were little childre,as al- fo S.Paulc faith: & thcrfore that thofe feruentlameta- ti5s 8c hearty rcquefles that he maketh coccrning the teplc are not fo fitt for vs,fcing that wc are copared to thofcjwho being paft our enfancie are come to a more ful age»To whom I anfwcrc firfl of al,that the ncceffi- tie of being taught by fermons, of being confirmed by the SacrametSjof being cxercifed in publike praiers ^ the cSfefsio of our faith,is comon to vs with the aun- ciet fathers .And here vnto ted afwcl the promifes e(J5e- cially thofe that arc in the Prophet Ef^y, whcrcGod faith that his Church (hal haue infinite childrc:&: that after fhe hath coceaucd 8c brought them forth, (lie (hall nurifh the vp»It canot be denied that this belogethalfo to the kingdom of chrifi 5c to this our time efpecially. Now Godexprcfly fendechhis children into the bo- fome ojheeing in the Church of God. 3 8 fomcand lap of his Church, And whcrfore is thfs,buc that an order and rule might be kept, which hcehath appointed, to the end to gather his own togcather as it were by flocks?The which is notably cxprcfled by an apt {imilitude,which the Prophet himfelf vfeth in the 60. Chapter jlaiyng that the ehtldren ofCocipjalhasDoiies gr^^ ^^ j Iff ho retire thefelftes bjifltght into the'tr Doftecctes.'And what I ' "''" pray you is that fame Douecotc thcrcjbut ciiery place where the worde of God ispreached,whcre the lacra- ments arc adnQiniflred,and where thcname of Godis called vpon $c praired?Indeede they which weenetoo bcfoftrogthattheyhaneno further need of this fame outward order and gouernment,thcy il confidcr their owneflateandcondition. For wherefore hath God ordeined his facraments. vnlefie becaufcthat we being clothed with our bodies ^we are too vile to lay holdc vpon fpiritual things,vnleffe we be aided by thcfc via- ble fignes^ The angels indecdchauc that tnieth of the Sacraments,8c thisfiiififcth them but God inuft come downelowcrvntovsjby reafonof ourrudcneflcand ignorance. Let thcfe fantaftical Chriflians flrip them- felues hardly of their bodies,Sc make thefelues angels of heaue,Sd then they may exempt thefelues fro thofc fmall helpcs wherof they make (o I ide account. But ic bchoucth al rhofe which acknowledge thefelues to be me that they paffethis way,to fubm it thefelues to the ordinary pollicy ,thar god hath comauded to all thofc that are his « It is true that the grace of God is not boud,nor the power of the holy ghofl: is not cnclofed cither in the (;icramet3 or in any other outward thingi that he fhold not be able to workc whefocucr it plea- fcth himwithoutany mcanc:butherc weintreat of the perpetual order that he hath fct in his church:&: not o£ that which he worketh extraordinaryly, as it were by myraclc,Ncu«- Tloe in. Sermon of (^I\fJoXaL Neucrthelcfic this is mofl true that they which arc dcpriued of the vfeof the facraments, Sc of libertie to call vpon his name, and yet feelcnot their wretched and miferable conditionyto the endc to bewaile it they are more blockifli then brute beads. I fay farther that if Dauid had iuft occafion in his time, to fay ♦O Lorde hoKV amiable is thy temfle ! blejfedare they thatdwelinthy honfe- Myfoulebttrnethfor very de fir e^ that it hath to enter into the CoHrtes of the Lord: thsit we ought to bec twifcasmuch mooued and inflamed vnto th is^at this day. For what were the bcnefitcs of the Temple, which Dauid io much lamentethjcnen chat he is weary of his life , fee- ing himfelfetobc dcpriued of them? It is true that in fubftauncc they were the fame thatwec hauc at this day : howbeit we knowe that the(e were but as darkcfliadowes, wherein GOD difplaiednothis grace fo largely as we hauc it at this prefent. For God hath declared himfclfc fo familiarly to vs in the order of the Church,that as a man would fay, the very hea- ucns are opened vnto vs^Thc Sacraments do not (hew Icfus Chrift fo farre of as vnder the lawc : but fetteth him liuely before our eyes, Wherfore we muft needs be very vnthankful, if weprefcrrcnot thefc blclfings farre before all that which Dauid might eucr finde in the temple of Syon.Wc are not any more in the vtter Courts, as Dauid hath fpoken.There is no more any vailc drawen,which might feparatevs from the fanc- tuary.To be ihortjthis is an cuil honouring of the in- finite greatneflc of the bcnefites which God hath be- flowed vpon vs, when our defireis not equall at the leaft with that of Dauids. I [peake this by a fimplc forme of fto£trine. For the exhortation fhall followc after in his place. It leraaineth then that wee fee next ofheeing in the Church of God 1 5 of all , what mancrof defirechis was,to the ende that we may conforme our felues vnto it,as vnto ouriulc, Ihane afkedyfaith he,a thing oj the Lord-By fpeaking of one thingcalonc,he{iguifieththathcwas{o mightily gi- ue vnto itjthat he call al other things behindc his back as if he hadquitcforgottenthe.Wasitfo thathcein- ioy ed all h is other dciires,in fuch fotte that there was nothing but this thing that fayled him? Contrary wife he was a fugititie from the land of his birth,yea bani- Ibed from the houfeofhis father, and from the com- panie of his Parents and friendes: he was fpoylcd of al his goods,and depriued of all his dignities Sc honours •which were very great,his wife was rauifhcd : to bee iliort, loe a man akogither defolate Sc quite forfakcn* Ncuertheles he laraenteth nothing but this one thing, that is to fay^to haue acccflc to the Temple, as alfo on the contrary parte,when he giueth thanks vnto God, for al the benefits which he had beftowcd vpon him, after he had made mention of drinking and eating,of reft and other commody ties of the body : hee fetteth do wnc for conclufion that he wil dwell in the church of God: whereby he pro teileth that beeing at his eafc and in all pleafure.notwithftanding he accounteth no- thing morepretious then to be in the C9mpany of the faithfull,ta be lead vnto that {ame foueraigne hap- P/a/m.^^,6 pineiTe, Let vs then diligcndy marke that Dauid af- wellin his aflFii£tions asinhisprofperities , hadal- waycs this fame courage to reioyce himfclfe in this li- bcrcie that God had giuen vnto the children of Ifrael: which cannot be accounted any (mall vcrtuc. Wee (hall finde many who beeing opprcffed with aducrfi- ties and affli6tions,dce remember God gladly : but as foonc as they are dcliucrcd from them^Sc that they findc ^Ihettu dennonojAd.Ioxal, find their eafe,thcn they caft of ail remebracc of him: ycijSc which is moft ihamcful they kick and fling a- gainfl:him,asrcfty lades that aretowcl fed. Others io vexcthefelucs Sc rage againft god inthcir aduerfity, that they canotabideto hearcanyfpcach of him.Was not Dauid throwe downe with fuchan hcapc of mi- fcricsjchathecfeemcdthc mofl: miferablc creature ia the world ? And yet is he Co far of fro being wounded with the grief of his mind to vcxe himfclf e,Sc difdain when god (peakcth vnto him, that c5trariwi{c it is the only way wherby he is cofoned:ycaalthogh he could not fo foonc t hinkc of G od,but he lamentct h that he is baniihed fro his teple,8c ibut outfrS the vfc of hisfacra mets 8C other excrcifes of faith,yet hath hcno greater plcafurc then to lamer fuch an euil. Now on the other, fide was not this his chiefeft labor?Had he oucrcomc his cnimies to be peaceable inhis rcalme Screnowmed amongft akhad he the mcane to pludgehimfelfe in all pleafurcs.'yct for al that he remained firme in this^that his true felicitie is to haue acce/Tc to the temple , to the end he might comunicat with the order of the church, Whcrfore we fee that he proteflethnotin vaine too haue af ked this oncthig?for it wasfo deare vnto him, that he did al waies let goe the refl for it . Let vs fee nowwhoitisamSgftvswhichhathfucha iudgemct as Dauid had.They who cotet thefclues with felicitie in ihofegoodes which they haue in their handes, do they eftecm the libcrtie of calling vpo the name of god purely ,hcaring his word preached, or vfing his Sacra- mets,morerhcn their domefiical refi? Thercare very few that do fo-*but rather their fames fMaketh them fo fluggifli that they care for nothing but for their pauch & to make good c hear c. To bcf3jort,the world is fuch that it fctteth more ftore by a trough wel /luiFcd with novate- of heeing in the Church of God z 5 mcate the for ihe cburch of God«If a ma fpcake of th e troubles which may comc,euerymi greatly feareth co befpoiled by warres,to fufferlofTesjgricfes 5c hatreds: but ihcy neucr make any recknig of lofing the prcchig of tbcdoftriueof their faluation>of the pure vie of the SacramecsjSC (uch like helpcs which feruc to draw the nearc vnto god : Sc alfo one (hal pcrcciue that they that aredepriued iherof are not greatly touched with it. If the reucncw come not io^at the ende of the ycere or at the quarter day,to the end they may keep fuch a trainc as t'leir ambitio drmeth the to dcfi.rc:if their gaioc and trades decay,if their credire bccloft, they continually tormecthefcluesrnotwithftadingtheordinariepafture ofthcehildreofgod (after which they ought greatly to hunger) is nothing vnto the.And yet this is it thac God (heweth very wcl by that threatning that he ma- keth,that there cannot a greater euil come vn too vs. I m/fePtd^{a,ithke)afdmi»e,f20tofi'ua£inorof7rAter:(2iSiihcc . ^ ftiold fay this is a fmal matter:) but of hearing my woorAe, ^^^{"^'^t W hcrforc my brcthre let vs take good hecde that wc ruffernotour felucs,to be made brutifh by theDeuil 3c by the world ^to the end that we haue not alwaies this bsnefic in eflIraatioabouealothcrs^that is to fay jto be mainteined in the flock of god,vnder the outward or- der 8c gouernment which he hath placed am on gfl his owncAndthisisyct better exp relied vntovsby thac which Dau id addech : that is, thac he w il rcqu ire again the thig which he before had afkcd, Whti by he fjgni- iicchthat he had not fbme fodain deuotio , which was quickly cooled,but that he was coilat 5c flil remained fcirching after this benefitc,wec (hall fee fbme which wilbecfo well affefted for a little time,that itfcemcih the ncxtday,they would forfak al thatcuer they hauc but this cofiacie wherof Dauid fpcaketh is a very rare tiling. Yea The in. Sermon of M.lo.Cal. yea the moft part in fteed of bio wing the fire to kindle the good zeale that God hath put in thcm,do witting- ly quench it* Wc hauc the like teftimony concerning Dauid in the Pfalmc which I hauc already rehearfed: forbecaufe that it might hauebeenc laydc before him that being driuenoutofthcCounrreyof Iudea,hec might haue gone here or there too fome other place: He crieth out Thj^ Altars O horde ofHoflcs^y godandmy Kifjg.^s if he (houldehaucfaid that hee could not find a deledablc place>although that he poflcfl: all the pala- ces in the worlde,when he had no entraunce into the Temple of GOD4 Hccomplaincth that the Spar- rowcs and the Swallo wes found a place there to make their Nefles,and that his condition was woorfc. And why was this> Was it becaufe he had neither cham- ber nor Kitchin? Hefaithnotfo but becaufe he found no good nor mcetc place ^ forafmucha?hewaslhuc out and driuen away from the Aultars of G O D, Ic is very ccrtainc that if this dodrinc were entred in- to our heartcs,wc fhoulde not be fo,ncither one forte loo hindred^nor the other fo quite turned away from cxercifing our felucs in the meanes that God hath put into our handc, to helpe vs forwarde in the path of e- uerlafling lifc^But what is the caufctherof? Ambition holdcth back the one fort with dignities or high pro- motions, and entifeth others to purchafe and to fcekc themXouctoufneffc enflameth and carrieth awaye o- thers : many haue nothing m their hcarte but they r vainc pleafures and wanton delightes . Yea , all lan- guiflie and wallowe in their luftes? fo as none crye OUX^T^^y Atilters O Lorde^rvhere are thy Aultars' my God my kt^g> And indeede the vanities of thcworlderaignc to muche in thcm^to fufe God too bee obeyed. This woordc offpffcringTerfecuttGn. 55 This woordc alfo is of great imporraunce, w hen Da- uidfaithjthathehathdemaiindcd of God the thingc whereof he fpcakcth : for it (hail be an cafie matter to make fuch a goodly flicw before men, that me would ve haue to change the name of the Tcmple,beciureweare no longer tied too anye one certayne place: Nocwithftanding the thing which Dauid chiefly regarded,touchcth vs no lellc the hifclf^ It is very true that hawtie and proude men make no great matter, that men aflcmblcthemfclucs to heaic El Sermons ^ho tlL Sermon of ^SS/IJo, Cal. Sermonsjto make publiquc prayers and coo adminii ftcr the Sacramentes : but this is the want that they doo not examine their, confciencc. For our partes fee- ing it is none other but Gods ordinaunce,let vs con- tent our felues,in that it hath pleafed him by fuchc nieancs,too chcryftic and fufteine our faith in fuche weaknefTe : Butyet(as vvc haue before declared) wee f celc the profitc which commeth thereof, Howfoeuer it be^fceing Sain tPaule hath declared that the way to pcrfedion, istokecpcthe order of the church which Chrifle hath in{lituted,w hen hegauc Paflors*. accur- fed be the arrogancy of them,that will flye vp into the aire,Sc pretend to mount vp into heauen by their fpe- culations,indefpifingboth preaching and the vfeof the Sacraments : as though thefc were outward things and not fo much requi(itc»Marke well my brethrenot what maner of people I fpeakcj confelTc that GOD keepeth thofc that arc his vndcr the captiuitte of An- tichriftc, albeit that they be deflicuce of thofe helpes which we cnioy with great liberty ♦The word of god is not preached vn to them,neither haue chcy any place wherein it is lawful for them too' make confeffion of thcyr faith,yca,the Sacramentes are taken from them: but forafmuch as in feparating thsfclucs fro the abho- minatios of Antichrift,they figh &: lament for not ha- uing that which were more profitable for them, God workethin them by thcpower of his holy Tpirite,and fupplicth that which is wating vnto the, Buc there arc others who for the mofl part being in fuch dcfolatio, do yet neuerthelelTc pleafe thefelues :and being hunger bitten and flarued,haue no luft at all too cate. Thefc are they whichc countcrfayte them fclues to be great Philofophers , contenting them felucs too haue read ofbecing in the Church of, (jod. ^ j oucr a Icafc or two,as a man would (ay, and then they thinkc they know what focucr is nccedary for them. Thefemcn thinke they haiic no ncedeof any preach- yng . And as concerning the Supper they make no accountc whether cucr they come tco it or no* And as concernyng the outward order of the Church they Icaue that vnto little children, as though it were too bafc for them . I pray you may we not thinke fuch people too bee more then blinde? Notwithftanding they can accufc vs becaufc that wee exhorte them too whom our Lorde lefus Chrifle hath declared his truethjto vfe the meanes that God hath ordeined for the encreafing preferuation and continuance of our faith.And wherefore is this,vnlc(Ie it be bccaufe they ilarckle,S£ can not abide to be awakened by vs,to the cndetoo make them feelc theyr cuill ? I put the cafe that they did not commit Idolatry with the Papiftes: yet can they not deny bat that this is a miferable and curfed bondage, that they cannot be fufeed too call vppon the name of God and too confcde Icfus Chriftc. The holy Ghofte when hec woulde peercc the heartes of the faithfull who w^re captiuc in Baby- lon, puttcth this fentCHce into their mouth,^^»'A^^^7^/../37.^ "Pfee fing the frayfet of the Lorde inaftranngeUnde^ \ con- feiTe that the kingdome of God is at this day through- out all the worldc,and that there is now no difference betwccne ludeaand other Countrcis : But I (ay not- withftanJing that the Countrey where the feruice of God is abohlhcd, and true rel igion caft of, it well de- feructh to be accounted for a ftrange and prophanc Coun trey. It mufl: necdes bee then, that they whichc haucnorcmorfe,noctoodaretomakeprotefl;ationof their faith'.nor to celebrate or fct foorth the name of Ei God Theiii, Sermon of df^ Jo. (^ah God,that they be altogeather blockiflic : Now Jet the children of God takcheedeby this admonition not to become blockifti with them» Cocerning chofe which babble, (corning and deridmgvs in this,asking whe- ther no man can goe to heauenjbiit by Gcneua : wold toG O D that they had the heart and care to aflemblc thefelues together in the name of lefus Chi ift, in what part (oeuer they becom,Si that they would erc6b fomc formeof aChiirchjafwelintheyr owne houfes as in their neighboursjto do for their part that which wee doe here in our Churches, But what? in difdainins to vfc the meancs that GOD hath gcuen vnto thcm,they will be counted religious and fo befaued ^ This were cuen afmuch as if they Ihold aike whether they might not ariue at thcHauen going quite cotrary ; and whe- ther they might not by tempting God boaft of his fa- uour.ButletthcmbcasboIdeand braggeas they lift 'too brcakc the yoke : yet let all the faithful take hcedc .how they lyft vp thefclues with them : Sc who foeuer hath not the meane to be in a Chriflian Church,wher god ispurely worftipped^at the leaft let them n^ourn dayand night, with Dauid, Thine Altars O Lorde there is nothing that I defire but thine A I tars my pod and my king. And Jet this fire remaine al w ayes kind- led in all good heartes, too the ende that whatfocucc ciayfalout, that they think it not paineful tocrdure any thing, that the length of time coole them not from feeking alway eS to purchafe to be gathered into aflockcjandto come to Chriftes fold. Moreouer that cuery one aduife well with him felfe howe hee may mofle fpecdily gette him felfe too the ftandarde:-fo foQOcasour L orde Hall gcuc him the meancs . For this ofhecing in the Church ofCjod. 5 ^ this is the way too witncfTe , that a man doothnoc faintlyc mak^ this requeflc too dwell in chchoufic of God. N owe too conclude, icreraaineththat wcc markc well that which Dauid addcth: that iSyThxthefhalfinde the hamie ofthe L9rde,andmUcoMjider hif Temple: For this is not all to cxercifc our (clues with the faithfull in all the outward order of the Church,vnlcfle we Iiauc ouc eyes hen tc to this cndc, to knowc GOD better and better. Hccre there arc two things requisite : one is that we be diligent to frequent rermons,and publiquc prai- crs^ The feconde is, that we knowe wherefore wcc frcqucntc tlicra • For nianye come thither with z foolifhedeiiotiony imagining that they haue well ac- quitted thcmfclucsjwhe they haue fliewcd thcmfclucs at Church* Let vs thercforc'my brethren take good hcedc^For it is to be feared ,lefte the mofl parte finde thcmfelues condemned either in the one or in the other* Howe many be there that flee Sermons,and think thcmfelues bcftat cafe if they neuerhearc anyfpcaking thereof > But I leaue them there, as thofc that fully fhew them fclues too bee contemners of God, Onely I fpeakc of the contempt or coldencs that is in many, who nc- uer remember to come to the SermoHjVnleflc that the Sunday put them in minde thereof : and yet they ima- gincthey haue doonc well , as though they wouldc makcvppc anumbcrtogichcrof many running too God* The Bell mayc well ringc dayly, but it is cnoughc if they flicwc thcmfelues at the ende of the wccke,They Arc called foure times cucry funday: but tlTicycomcvcrynotably,if they be found there once^ E.44 For The Hi Sermon of z!M'Jo.Qal. For thcrearc that can fufficicntly di{pcnce,withthem- fclucs for coming once in xv^dayes- Tobefliortthc grcatcfl fort of the mulcitude verifie the oldcProucrb: The nearer the Churche the farther from God. Yea and fome be of the number of thofe whoe hauc forfakcn their coutrey to come here to feriie God, there are who yet in this behalf behaue themlelucs negligently enough* What is too be doone then? forafmucheas God hath fhcwedhimfelfc veto vs, let vs beholde his bcaurie, Butwcemuftnotcaftbehindeour backcthe manner ofbcholdingit: andthatis, that wee bee rauifhcd in. >. 18 ^^^ ^^"^ thcreof,and chaunged into h is likencUcjas S * If'C :S* 'paulcfayth. And that wee may the better doe this, it is meet that we be more attentiue then we are,or hauc been accuftomcd too be, too marke that which God fettcth f oorth vnto vs in his Temple : For what is the caufe that we reapc fo littlcfruitCs but that we doe not more diligently apply our ftudy to thatwhich is there (aide and doone? Thus we haue our earcs beaten with continuall do^rine, whereas our heartes are no whit touched. Morcoucr there arc a great many which nc- uerhearcSi vnderftand a whole fermon thorow, but here and therca woordc or halfe a worde rather with out regarde* Wherefore it is not without caufe that Dauidfpcakcth of viTicing the temple of the Lordcfo diligently. And in very deede the great treafures of the wifedomcof God which are there fetoutvntoovst worthily defetue that a man IhouJde fettle himfelfc carefully to markcthcm. But as I haue already ton- €hcd,God wouldc not that we fliouldefo marke ihcm thatwefliouldc returne cmptic and without proiitc fromthem. Let vs knowe therefore that thedodrinc hath profited and jQiewcd her fruite in vs , when wee arc ojheeing in the Church of(jod. ^ 9 arc dcwly reformed to fcruc God : and this is it that Dauid meaneth in the 84,Pfalmc, which wcc haueal- 1 edged hzioit{rhatthej that dvfeltn the houfc ofG O DfhaU pra/fehtm-To what end therefore doc weailcmblcour fciues? Wherefore is the Gofpell preached vntovs? Wherefore hauc we Bapcifmeand the Lords Supper-, vnlefle it be that God may be magnified in vs? Nowc this prai(e confifteth not onely in the tip of the tongue orthclippes,butitflretcheth out it felferhorowc ouc whole life, And therefore it is faidc in another place. / rfill rvmfh my handes 6 Lorde w innocencie, and then I rvill enter ^ . - «■«/(? /^y^«/Mr.Wc fee nowe what the true vfe of the ^ ' *" whole order of the Church is,to wit, that we fhouldc fcruc God purely. In the time of the lawc they whicli came to worfhip in the temple , cfpecially the Priefts entering into it to doe their office waflicd themfcluesj This cercmonic is paftc, but wee ought too keepc the trucihof it:thatis,forafmuchaswchaue the meancs to leadc vs to the feruicc of God, we ought to walkc in greater integritie then the other: For in afmuch as God hathgiucn vs the meancs, fo much the Icffc are we to becxcufed;if wc make them of no effedjf wee jn:umble5ic is not bccaufe we fee not the pathbcforc our feetcjf itfallout^thatwegoeoutof the way it is not b icaufe god hath not more (hincd vnto vs the vnto the* If we be forgetful to do our dutie,it is not for want of bceingprouoked andflirredvpvntoit. To be ihort God hath omitted no mcane to further and aduaunce our faluation. Let vs fcare then that rebuke and rc- proch that he makcth by his Prophet Efayjin the ^5. Chapter. / hauejiretched out my hande all the day long^ to a rr- Ep^*€sJ^ helltoH! andJlifneckedpeopfeMthcy w hich flay in the wil- dcrneiTes of rhe Papacic (hall not be (pared, whe they Tloe Hi. Sermon of too the end that our Lorde lefus Chnftmay allowc and account vs in the number of thofe whichchauc cal led vppon his name without all hypocrifie in that great day. I[ The four th Sermon shewing what paine v^ee ought to tak^ytoo pur chafe libsrtic to feruc GOD purely in a Chri- flian Chiirche, vponaThcame omofthe 27.Plalme, My hem Uth fayde oftheejeehe Wffact : I wj/llfeeke thy face O Lorie, S men throw thcmfclucs in- to a woondetful confufion, in letting the bridle loofc to theyr appetites and dcfircs:fo alfo is it a great wifcdomc ia them that fccke after that that God hath comaundcd them, to the ende to follow it. And of this thingwechauehcerc a goodly cxaple. Dauid was a ma much fubie£t to the lame paflions, which torment and tofle vs hythcr and thither : aud there is no doubt but that he was prouo- kedwith many temptations which might welihaue lhakenhisminde,andhauecau{cdhimto ftray from God.Howbeic to remedy all occafions of falling and tohaucacertaine and furepath,heconely regardeth that which God ihewed him: he meditateth and conti* flually thinketh vp it. The fume is that God biddcth SCcxhorteh al the faithfuho fccke his face^Dauid pro- teftcthto haue applied al hisftudy to this comaiide- met: in fuch fort that there was as it were a goodly me- lody, 8c agremet bet wcenc god who fpcaketh faying, fekcme 8c him who anrwcreth,yeamy god I wil fcekc thee. But here we mud coiider wherfore God cxprefly memio- of feruingGod purely. ^9 mentioncch this woordc/'<^')For if hehauc not fomc face, wherein he (hcwcth himfclfc^hcfhoulde deceiue vs in comraaunding vs too (ccke it J know that ma- ny men who are full of fubcilties make no more of it^ then if hehadfaidcfeckcmeibutthcy which arc wcl cxcrcifcd in the Seripture^knowe very well that God would rpecifie,that manner of fliewing and declaring himfelfe familiarly too mcrt, which he hath kept m at times , And indeede this is an often and vfuall fpcach© in theScnpture,to call the fanduaty and the arkc of the couenauntthefaceof God. Aridwhctforc is this? It is bccaufc God who js incoraprtfhdiirible in hi* Eflcncc and Maiefl:ie,vreth fuch tatitiz§ 4§htt kttdw-' cth cobc meetcfor mens rudenefTeand ihfirttiltii , too thecndetodrawe them vntohimfelfe.lt is true thai tB'Cl^Ttjtld forgcth alwaycs falfe and Vainc Ibapes of God^r'but all that' we itnagifie of 6ut dwne brainc, arc nochin^ clfcbdr falfe vifeyrl whctcby G OD is dtf- giufed^: or too fpeaTccmorc plaintly j when men forge^ fomc forme or remembraunce to hauc GOD vifiblc withthcm,thcyhaucnothingbutan IdoU. But when GOD reprefcnteth himfelfe according too his ownc plcafurCjand geuech vs cuiderttfigrics and rokens to be knowenofvs, thcnhctakcthasit were a face. And hereupon it is,that he comaudcth that euery one of v$' doturnc ourfightthither,Sithatwtbe diligcnttobe- hold it. For it is alfo ouc foueraignc good,and where- with wee ought to be fully fatilfied , to reioyce in the countenance of our God as it is (aide in the i^.Pfalm. ?^/. iS^ii Now bccaule we cannot climbe vp fo high without a Laddcr,the fcconde benefitethat he can beftow vpon vs,is too geue vs the meane to attaine too that princi- • palScchicfegoodncs.Wherforclctvs note thatthis fcntcncc V- Hoe iii'h Sermon of M.IoXaL l^r^^cc w.heri Go^ 6ycb :y^4?/W?'/^f«, is as much as -^^ lie flii]iul;ti'«'^p?a thj2gcU/2fiO make vs to .enter mu) e? uerlaRitlg liffii ; lltfeelpahct-hatics^as not fogieata piatcer in thecimje ot Dauid ^ooxjOiractp tlie Temple, to fee fochaijcape of;.C?rcmonies,as they obfcrue4 there ; but if \v^cpnfi4c^ wclUhatfpirituall patCGrae yfhichjVva'slipwedtaMayrqsinthe mountainc, wee Ihall ncK thinkcit ftrafigeihacGod fayth it is his face^ Andindccdcfeciflg chacJcfu$,ChriIie was thccc rc-r i^icalcd jw hatlliai 1 wc fay cKc but that God was flicvv^ cdjthei^ Nq«vi Icdy s ice if God hat h ordjcined any:put yiaixia n^ieanq yotp vs,tO;()c,rcene pfivs. It h true; that; 'h^ hath appeared.Vuto v^h^ his fonne, who is his liue ijr image ,and in whole pcrfon he woulde be knowea in al perfedion: but SaiatPaiil dcclajeth.fpoithvvith, in the-^.of the ^«;50 thcG^rinthian^ tii^t^ isxhac looking g!^c yyheccin Ictus Ch^iftcJi^all; bec> KJecne and confidered> The Sacracncimcs, haue one and. t|ic feme nature: 8c to be fliorc,the orderof the cliurch, Imeane inch as God hath cftabliflied in it^docth (hew .thetamcvnto vs. Thcrforc.iccchefc proudcgallantes of thcwotldc mockcas much as they lift : buc foraf- much as God hath flicwed this bcnefitctoo ftoupc fo Ipwc vnco vsjlet vs not be aftiamed to geue this honor viJtP his wpprdcand tP his Sacramcntcs : in them to behpld as it were his face: not tp the ende tp be hplde* here bcnfcth in the cprruptible Eleracntes pf the wprld asthcPapifteswhpmakcIdplspf allthc figncs that Gpdhath gcuen vs cop Icade vs toplcfus Chtifte: but ncucrthelcffc too the ende wc may fully reipycc inthcprefenccpf GOD, wemuft gocvntop him by tlicfe inferiour mcancs^ It is true that this whiche I % mttftpotbc tp ftricktly taken^as chpugh the faith- ful of JeruingGod purely. a,o fall ncucr drew ncare to God,but when they come to Church :For this (houlde beatouIcfnperftition.But I meane that we rmift not place God fo high aboiic the cloudes : as fome fautafticall hcadcs do, & imagin of his high maieflie as fcemcth good vmo vs,ncgle6lin'g and carting bchinde our baekes ^rwcli the preaching of the gofpcUjas other fuch likcineanes and helpeS: as though men coulde fee when they ihut their eyes* For in very trueth they vvhodefpife as I fay^ not oncly thc' vfc of thefacramcncs.as atfo al the order of the churcll' they difdaynetolookevponGod when he appcarctli' vnto them* Let vs markc now6 howc fiecefTary it it^> for vs.that God ftirre vS vp toconw vntO-him, Wed bauc already fayde what faiioiirand honour he Ihew-' ech vnto vsjwhc he calJcth vs fo gently vnto him tofct forwardc ourialuationjandtooleadcvs too the true pcrfedfelicitiefromvvhichwcarefar enough of in. refped of our felues. But we haue alfo too note tbarit i^ not without great necelTitic,that God prickcth and prouoketh vs too takehecdc that we fall not in tomi- fcry, Andfirftof all,wehaucfo wanton and wandring cyes,that it feemcth a very miferablc cafe.For nothing occcupie all our fenfes but the vanities aft his worlde, and Satan hath infinite illufions to deceiuc vs , It is true that all his fubtilties are nothing clfc but ccrtainc mumerics and trifling ftiewcs to occupicfoolcx : but experience fheweth what fooles or rather midbraines we arejinfuffcringourfelucs to be too too cafily delu- ded and dcceiucd. Wherefore if wee were wife and well aduifcd this voyceof god woukiealwayesfoud in our eares,'S'tf^i^»?r/4tv.But what? Forafmuch as god is circful for his part,wcare die more caiclcs & flow* The Hiu Sermon ofM. lo.CaL And wQuldc to God we yyer^. not like kicking and refty ladcs that in ftcedcpf going Cprwardes draw backwardcs . Neucrthejeffe this example is not fet; foorthvntovs invaine : For theproteftation whiche Dauidmaketh , of meditating this doftrioe in his ^c^rtjthat he and all the faithfuU ought too feeke the iice of God,(hewcth, vs whetto we ought to employ, Quriludy,that God loofe not his labour in calling vs too hiraiclfe » Nowehe loyucth here twopointes* , which arc woorthy too be marked » The finl is that when God hath fpqkenA^i'w;'/''*?*: that hcanlwereth tpo this voyce with an carnefl: affedion of the hcarte. The feconde is, that after he hath confented and iayd, yea : he fayth that he wil employ him lelfe indeed e, to (cckethcfaceof Gpd , And in deedc this is the order according too which we haue to proceedc : that is,to gcue entrance and acceffe to that which God faith vn- to vs,8c according to which hcc hath alfo (hewed vs P/»/..95»S, in the Pfalmc : T'A// daj if yen heare his voice harden not pur heartes:)^ut there arc foiid very few that do it, A great uuberwillaywel todifchargc the(clues,yeajitis rea- foa; It is not lawfull too reply againft him : but they ihouldc fufler that too enter into theyr heart,that they confeiTcwith their mouth . Therefore lee vs learnc to bcginne at this pointe,that we anfwere GOD tru- ly and vnfeignedly,that we doe fully vndcrflande the beneflte that he hath bellowed vpon vs^in bidding vs tobeholdehisface^Ifthisoncebedoone, it cannot bee but the refte (hall folio we : that is too (aye, ftrengthtoo perfourmc that which we knowetobe iuftlycommaundcdvs,andforour lingular bencfitc. For Dauid (hewed that hee hadnotacoldeor dead meditation without ftirring either armcs or legges: but of fermng God purely, ^ i but hailing concluded that he mufl feeke God, he fct- tethhimfclfem the path, and protcftcth that he will purfue if. Now it is a great ftiamc too them who call themfelucs Chriftians, To yll too put in pradtice both the one and the other. Some wyllalleadgc that it is. not lawful! for :hcm too forfakc the Countrey where they werebornCjalbeittheybedeftitute there of the foodcof I ife,and that they haue nothing but defoiati- on,conccrn ing the order of the C hu rch : Why fo? Bc" caufeof the duety they beareto theyr naturall prince. To which I will make no longe reply, onely I af kc of them^if they had nothing to cate and too drinke in theyr owne houfe, whether they woulde be To fcrupu- lous to tarry there flill. There is none that would noc boldly aduenturc too forfakc his Countrey , that hec might not flarue for hunger ♦ I put a cafe which is not yetfo priuiledged : that is, if a man /houlde gcuc them fixe times as much fubftaunce as they haue, in a ftrange countrey ;whether they wold make any great curteiie, too goe quickly 8c takepoffcflion ? To what purpofc ferueth it them to pretend thcfe colours, feeing that may appeare to be f arre from their hcartc which they fpeakc? There is no queflion here of going into their enimies lande,where they (hall be conflrai- ned to bearc armes againll their princc,to make warrc with their naturall Countrey : but onely of fcckinga placepeaceably to ferueGod^where nothing fiiallJet but they may praye for their Prince and for all his fubie6les« Too bee fhortc fuche a iourncy is none other, but fuche as they make d.iyly forfome earthly commodities , whichc is dcuoyde of fall crime and offence. But ycc let vs fee wliecher neceffity doo not fufficientlycxcufe them that goe, Loc God F who The iiiu Sermon of M.loi'aL who i2Cfih.,Seik€myface'. Thcprinccs of the woldc, biutcagainfl: him,and turne their backs towards him: or rather they robbe the poore foulcs of their com- mon foode : and in ftecde of Gods face ^ they fet be- foretheyrcyes the mafkesof fnperftitions.Mnft they be preferred before the lining God? If GOD be to be heard,vvc mufl go rather a thoufand miles of to fee his face,whereitis(hewed,thetolienefllinginoiirncfls. So thenasoftenasPrinccswil attempt any thing, in prciudiceofhimwho hath all fbueraigne authoritie aboue them, men do them no wrong in obeiyng him» Albeit, befides that which I haue faidcj fuchc kinde of men fhewc fufficiently , that they ncuer greatly wayed nor confidered theyr owneflate and conditi- on* And what a mifcrable captiuitie is it,in whiche they arc holden? Onlcile their cofcicncc were too too fluggiflie , it were impoflible but that they (hoiilde be in contiimal anguifhc and diftrefTc , as though they were tormented in Hell , And howe is it permitted vnto them, too honour G O D in their houfcs ? W e neede notgofarrefor an example , If any of them haueachildeborncvntoohim, his duetieis too of- fer him vp too GOD with prayers and geuing of thankcs , requiring the Scale of Taluation through, Baptifme to be imprinted into his body* Now we knowe chat Baptifme is Too corrupted in thePopcdome, and fo defiled with fuperftitions and filth ineffes, that a childe cannot receiue it, but hcmufle out of hande be defiled with it» So a father cannot baptife his childe w^ithout {inning • And if hcabfteincyct he is in the fame tran igrt{Iion,yf there were no more but the offence which hegiuethtoo men Of I eruing God purely. ^z menjin refufiug the Sacramentjthat the fonne of God hath inititutcd. And vvhataperplcxitie is this, that a man can neither donor leauc vndoonc (nche a thing, bnt he miift geeuoufly offende GOD ? I omit the rciljbecaufe that this one example alone is more then enough . But when a man fliall fo miferably languifti all thedayesof his life, not knowing which way too turnc him ,yct in death great alTaultes fhall aflaile him and then wyll the Diuel haue his whole armie in a re- dyneflcagainfthim. If themiferablcCaptiuc were in time too fore let fro mferuing of G O D, in refpede ofhis wife and family,cheri he fliall be in woorfccafc then euer before. They therefore who doubt whether it bee lawfull for the to ridthemfelues foorth of (uchfilthiemud^ or rather from fuch an helhfh gulfe,vnder the colour of fubiedion they owe to their earthly Princes,certaine- ly they oucrthrow the wholeordcr of naturejt is ve- ry ccrtaine that the prayer that God woulde haue vs too make to him for our princes j is agreeable too the auchoritie that he hath geuen them oner vs,and alfo to that duetie,wherewith he hath bound vsvntothem. t,Ttm.i.2 No we Saint Paule exhortcth vs,that men /hould pray vntoGodfor Kinges and Magiftrates, tootheendc that we might leade a peaceable and quiet lifc^ with al honcftie and feare of God, This fubie£tion and obe- dience therefore, which wee owe vntoo our earthly Princes,is ouermuch ftrctched out,whcn they would haue the feruicc and honour of the king of heauen to geueplacc vnto it»Itis verye truethat thofe poorc lewcs mufl: tarry in budage at Baby 16, vntil that time was fulfilled that god had appoiccd vnto the^But thcfc ms with wh5 1 cotcndjlet the (hew that we areboudc Fi too Ihe un. dermonojMJoXal, too depriiic our fellies of our owncaccorde of thofe fame rpirituall benefices which God hath bountifully beftowed vpon his children,They feele the nccellitie ■wherewith they arc grccuoufly opprefled, their io- lirmitieprouokeththem, andGodfticweth them the remedy? What reafon then is there^that they fhouldc not dare too helpe thcmfclues to the end to complain ofthofc, who fnatch thebreadoutof theyrhandes? There is alfo another reafon of the hufbande towards the wife,and of the wife towards the hulband.Foraf- mucheas God hath knit them togeathcr as it were in- to one fleflie,the one (hould not doo well too forfake the other vnder colour of feeking God . Not for that they /hould depart fro him to maintayne thefclues to- geathcr : but becaufe that ech one ought diligently to labourthat he might alfo draw his companion with him. Loe then what they ought to doo rthatisjthat the huCband doo fhew the wyfcj howe miferable and vnhappy they are,that are feparated from the Com- munion and fello wfliip of the Faithfull^that arc Acdi- tute of the woord and Sacraments, which are the vn • doubted pledges,too make vs aflurcd chat God d wel- leth with vs : And that therefore he exhort her not to diftruftjbut coo be of good comfort, and y f fo be that he cannot win her/o (ooneas he would,that he there- fore leaue not of vntill he haue obtcinedhlspurpofe* Although that the wife be vtterly againil: it, yet that helcanc not of to deale importunatly with her,vntyll that Ihe ihew herfdf altogether obflinat and wilful* If after he haucdoneal that which he (halbe able 5c can no longer rcmaine there, he is altogether free &: at li- bertie: for he hath performed his duety tothe vtter- mpil;8C for any thing that was in him,his wife might haU^ offer uing (jod purely. ij.j haiic followed him as flic wa? boud & ought to hauc cioo;ic,Ahhough that fiich a kinde of departure from the wife IS no dcLiorfc: but the hufbandegocth before to leade his wife the way. Now concern mg the wife inarmucha>ftieisnotihehcad>fhei<; bounde with a more ftraightbonde. Therefore flic is bounde too la- bour by al I maner of meanes (afmuch as ffialbe podi- ble for her)too perfwade her huf bande, to the fetting of both them two at 1 ibertie, W hen flic fliall haue di- Jigendy pcrfourmed all this afmuch as flie flialbeablc, yet is (he no t therefore at Iibertic,to Icauc her hufband too whom flic is {\ibicCty vnlefTe that fomc pcifecuti- onbe rayfed,and that her many feft daungcrbcin it: andfpeciaDy ifhcr hufband be as it were a prouoker too perfccute her to death* Now then fliee forfakcth not her hu(band, but flic flycth the cuill which is pre- pared for hcr,and the rage of her enimies as it is per- mitted and graunted vnto her of god ^To be fliort,thc conftraint and force which is doonc vnto her , freeth and fctteth her at libcrtic : notwithftandingc note- fpcdoftheworldeoughtto witholdethc hufbandc or the wife one from the other,but onely the mutuall louc which they owe one to the other in God,for the procuring of cch others faluation. For if the hufband mufl: forget him fclfe concerning that which belong- geth to this earthly life and to the body, he mufl: hauc no regards too any thing that any whit belongeth to him felfe , Lctvs rcturne therefore too this cfl:i- mation which Dauid maketh of feeking the face of God, as aUo he fpeaketh thereof in the 84.Pralme, ?fal.'^J{, 1 1. fay in'^ . f^^^ '^ '^ better to Ime one day in the court es oj the Lord thfnathoufitnde too bee f^rre from it. \'\/hercmhcC\gni^Cih that the ly fc of the faithfuil cannot bee too fliorcc, foo F3 that The iiiKSermon ofzy\dJo.(^aL that G O D Ibew them this gracc,that liuing in this woilde>they cxercire themfclucs in feming and hono- ryng him,confirmingthem fclues in his piromifcs, 8C making conteffion oi his name ♦ If any man obiedc that this might well be doone in fome wildernc{Te,or amongeft thcenimies of the faith : I snfwcre that it is not without caufe, that Dauid cxprefly mentioncth: the coHrtes oftheTem^le :For he confidcred howencccfla- ry thcordcroftheChurchcis too all mortallmenc- fpeciallyknowyngthebluntnelTeand infirmitie that isinthcm, Ifthis admonition were well imprinted in the heartes of allpllat the leaftc woulde come into fome Chriftian Churche where they might dye qui- edy and peaceably , and there would not bee any one that would not quickly truflevphispackandbe irud ging.Butwhatfeeke we? Alldefirctoo Hue, and that at their eafc, 5c euery one according to theluft whcr- with he is led . And this is the caufe why the temple of G O D at this day is negle6led and contemned. Yea which is morejthcrcare very many fubtill ones, toofetbeforc menseies euyllallurementes and ilum- blingblockestoo turnevsawayefrom thatfiudyof godlineffethat was in Dauid. They allcage what ihal it pifofite vs to chaunge the place:w hether foeucr wee goe, wefliall findcthc worldethere afwellasin ouc Countrey : all at this day is corrupted, there are like ofFenccs in all places ^ and temptations too make men fall fromGod, Igrauntthemal this* Butif theque- Hion were of their bodies, and that they were admo- niflicdthat in fome place they might fynde good phi- (itionsjfit remedies and other helpes for they r health, woulde they fay, that they cared notforthem,bec- cauf^ offeruing (jodpurely. ^^ canfe that men mighte beeficke in any place of the worlcle? I confelTe that where roeiierwcbccomc,that we (hall finde many occafions to do o euill,and many occafions of falling away: but there is a great diffc- rencc,whetherwehaue thofe helpes which GOD hath giuen vnto vstokeepe vs indooingour dcwtic and reforming vSfOr to be quite deftitutc thercof.Lec vs put the cafe that all vices doe equally reigne in the worldc ,'fo that the very ayrc is infe^ed therewith. asitwerewithaPeftilence: Is irnotagreateadaan- tagc tohauetheprelcruatiucs that God hath orday- ned for his Children? to haue thofe purgatioas and med icines, whereby hee wouldc healcvs? Nowc I meanc alwayes the dodrine of the Gofpell when it is purely preached: as alfo the Sacramentcs when they are rightly miniftred as it becorameth : then alfo publique prayers and other meanes which feruetoo thcflirringof vsvp,and awakening of vs , that wee fljouldnotbepoyfoDcd with the temptations of the world.Now cuery manknoweth that nothing of all this is found in the papacie,but rather altogithcr con- trary* Lctvs therefore take good heedc j leafi: that in fuch neccffitie, wherein wee haue needc to bee fuc- coured , we reie£tnot the helpes that G O D in mer- cic hath o£fred vnto vs.Therc are others, whiche yet more playnely , vomite out the filth and difcafe of their flomack. Shall wegoe (raythey)toaChurchc, wherein to our greate offence, wee (hall fee troubles and flumblinge blockcs whiche are altogither vn- knowcn vnto vs> If in thofe places where the Got pell is preached , there were fuch goucrnmcnt and polycie , as were moilc requifite too cdyfye vs, F.4» ^ The iiii. Sermon of^^yvijo. Qal. if we were (ure that we fhouldc hnde none but angels there that ihouldleadevs into Paradife, wcewoulde rurine thither moft fpeedily , But when we fhall come thither we fhal iieare many thinges, and peraduenture more then were meete that Chall doo nothing but of- fend vs : Yea and there (halbe people geuen too all kindeofiniquiticjwho through they r lewd anddil^ folute life defame the Gofpcl ♦ Befides thar,vanitics, pompesjdrunkenncfle and fuch like thinges Ihal there bcare to much fway.And whichis worfeto be borne, many (hal (hew them felues fuch obflinate and vnruly contemners of God,that more vngodlincfle fhall bee foundamongft them,thenamongcfi: thePapifts. Fur- thermore am ongeft the Magiftratcsandthofe that fit atthehelue of iuflice, there flialbefoundcnoleflca- bufeand corruption then in other places : yea men ihall findc many amongeft the preachers that might be amended. Some wyi be founde negligent in their mi- nifterie,or rather they wil be fo geuen to fecke their owncprofite,that they wilhaueno great care of their office. And which is worfl of all, there are amongeft thefefome iefters and belly Gods which defire no- thing but too make good cheare, and too make them felues companions of the wickeddeft forte, that they mayhauelibertietoo liueastheylifte* But let vs put the cafe thar it were ten times as yll as they fay: yet notwithftanding their excufe is alwayes friuolous who fct fuch barrcs vnto them felues, leaft they fhould draw neare and come too the Chur che of God . Butlctvsmdeede fixe our eyes vpon the example of Dauid # I befeechyou, was therefuch vprightnes mtheefhtcof iudice inSaulcs time,ashadbecnetoo be of feruingC^od purely. ^^ be wiflied? Nay contrarivvife we hear the complaints which they often times made afwcU of the mahcc dc cciptcsjcrucltic, and pride of thckiiig,asof hisoffi- cers» Furthermore the Priefts & the Leuites,did they behauethemfcluesfoholylyasmen had occafionto be contented therewith? Nay rather wc mayc gather that the gteateft parte of them cleaned vnto euill and nouriflied thcyr iniquities flattering 'them felues in them. And as concerning the common people, there was amongefl them great hypocrifjCjand many mani- fefl: vices and wickednefTes . Loc then the Churche of God full of many corruptions , and yet notwith- ftand ing Dau id lotheth not to enter therin,and the dc- fire that he had waxed not cold. This is a merueilous hard temp tatio : I confefle it: For the more that any is touched with the zcale and honour of God, fo much the more luft caufe.hc hath of greening and vexing himfe]fc,whcnby the corruption of the Churche hec ieeth the (hamcful things which are doone vnto him* Butthercmedieto ouercomc aUthis,is(hewcdvsby Dauid:thatistofay,thatwefeckcthe face of God&j: fo cotcnt our felues m the only beholding of him,that in dcfpitc of al the troubles which Satan ray feth vp a- gaynfi vs,we on the contrary part fetdownc this con- clufion.that there is notliing more pleafant and beau* t ifuU, then to dwell in the Temple of God, where wc may behold his prefence. So,as often as fnch offences Ihalbc fei before vs, let vs rcmebcr that it is Satan that woorketh, according to his accuftomedcraftjthat he may trouble our fightJ and therfore let vs be wife and wary that we bencucr led away from beholding the faceof God,too thcende wc may more fully reioyce our felues, in the beholding thereof . Let vs be alha- F5 mcd TToe iiii. Sermon of(S\d^Jo£aL medof thofc miferable Idolaters: for if any of them, after he hath ill fpcnt his man£y,and wafted his body with trauaile, too goeon feme foolyjQic pilgrimage, w hen he is corac vnto that fame place whither he de- termined, he find forac Hofte which dcaleth hardly with him, or fomc boifteons knaues , which offer him violence, or fome prieftes which decciue him, tobefliort,he findcth nothing there but confnfion: yet for all this he defifteth not fro his deuotion : For hewill fay, that he went thither for this caufe,that he might fee and woorihip,eythcr the body of fomc bleffcd Saint,or fomc image of onr Lady , or els fomc fochrelique:fliall the onely beholding of fomc dead carrion or fome apifh Idol haue more power to har- den the vnbeleeuers in their fuperftitions , then the face and prefencc of God fhall haue towardes vs, in geuing vs conftancictoo follow that which is good? Wefee thisthingand that thing which doth vexcvs: God calleth vs vnto himfelfe and wouldc haue vs,in beholding his face and countenauncc too take fuchc pleafurc and delighr,as wee might patiently beare all the reft^ Wherfore let this be the buckler and oncJy refuge of all the faithful 5c godly to hold themfelues faftc,in thecontinuall contemplation of the face of Godjhowfoeuer Satan craftcly goc about to turnc vs from iu And in very decde when we (hal fp cfteemc it as it deferucth,wc flial fuffcrno damage in the loffe of any other thinges whatfoeuer *. albeit to fay the tructh the grcateft partof the,J>clet and hindred not fo much in the difficultieand difcommoditieof thofc things which conccrnethcbody. Notbut that the children cfGod hrtuc very great and hardc combatesin the?c cdjifcicnces when they finde in the Churches whiche are offeruing (^od purely. ^6 arc faide to be refourmcd, thofc offences whereof wc banc [poke before. And thcrforc they that aduife with thenifckies to withdraw thcmfelues, into thofe places where the Gofpel is preachcd,mLift be warned too rc- fift grceuoufe aflaultes Sc too prepare them (elues to withltande them. And they alfo which hane had ex- perience already, mull fortific themfelues , and in dc- (pitcoftheDeuiil,conftantIy continue toofcekethc face of God. Bu t when all Chalbcwel way ed, there is nothing but very diftruft,which flacketh and holdeth backthegreateftmultitudrg^ as men are very cunning to deuifcexcufes, fo thcrichehauc theirs on the one fidc,5t the pore haue theirs on the other. But how can itbe,wil fbmc great rich landed man {ay,that 1 fhould {poylc my felfc of al that I haue? Shal I fo go and ftrip my fclfeof al my goodes and poffeflions? I haue wife and children : and we haue been brought vp and nou- rifhed without any trauaylc : and what (hall wc do in a ftraungc country where we (halneyther haue rests nor reueriewcs? And againe the poore man he wil al- ledgCjindeede I haue but a little hecrc : but I haue friends who relicuc me through their liberaliticj am called to line by my labor: what fhal I do in a ftrangc countrey without peny or halpenybeiiig akogcathcr vnknowen.hauing no fauour nor maintenance ? And it may be that theleexcufes may be in parte true '• and without any further inquirie I graunt vnto all , that it is avery bktcr Sl troublefome ihing,notonely to for- fake the countrey where we were borne, but any place wherin wc haucdwclt.Notwithflanding, al theledc- uife ho we they may fct lets and flops before thefelues that they comenot too GOD : that is to fay,although they find,not onely things fo hard as they make them: yet Theiiii. Sermon o f(S\d^ Jo £aL yet they willingly Qiroudcthcm (elues vndcrany pre- text or colour whatrocuer. Which IS more, when chcy haue made their s^oodly compl aynts,ihey thiuke that they hauc flopt Gods mouth , Si ifthat he would preflethem any farther , that hec dooth them greate wrong,as though he compelled them to an impoffibie matter. To this I haue no other aunfwerc, but that which is written in the 84. Pfalmjto witiThat the faith. fHllgooing by the dry v alley es and de[ertes, togoe vmo the Ttm* fieofGodyfhalldigvntothentfeli^espittesorceflerfjes. And I bcleeuc that this isfufficieotinoughtotamealthofe, who will not through obftinAte mallice refill God- Wherefore let thofc which fee them (eles to be fo befet with difficulties, that they can fee no way to ef- cape out,rcmeber that euen the dcfcrt places in which there is not to be foundc one drop of water, ought not to flop their palTagc. And too the endetbat wee may more fully vnderftande this matter , let vs markc that God caufeth his children to feckehim, not in the goodly medowcsjor in thofe fame pleafant and beau- tiful IhadowcSjbut euen by fharp & roughe pathes,by rocky and ftony places , through wafte and hidious regions,andallthishc dooth too cxcrcifc their faith, and to try their zcalc and defirc which they haue too come vntohim.Although then that wc cannot come vnto God,but wc mufl pafife by fome defert and waffcc way,yetletvsknowe5 that this is not the firflc time that God hath fo delt with his faithful! ones, and Jet vs be of good courage to follow e thofe which hauc gonclongtimcbcforevs^ The fccond poynt is>that there ought to bee fuch a great and feruent defire in the Children of God , that nothing fliould let them from comming to woorfhip him of feruing (joci purely. /^y him.Thc which thing at this day is to be fcenc in very fcwe,al in a manner ate as it were become fo delicate and fo nice,thac there needs not(as a man woiildc fay) but the wagging of a flrawe too ftop them and altogi- thcr to ftay thera,They w il fay wc can goc no farther. And why fo?Becaufethcy wilnot vouchfafetoo take the payoc, to leape oner theleafl block. It muft needs befaid,thatthatzealeis very wcakethatisdifcoura- gedforfofmalathing. But wcemiiftnot onelybee aftonifhed fo eafilyjbut we mtift be armed agaioft the greateft lets and hindcrances in the world* And that this may be brought about^letvs remember this Icflo that God atknowledgcth none for his children, but they that fcekc by dry and barren places , and whichc diggc ceflernes where there w as not any drop of wa- ter.Nowvnderthiswoorde hec fignifiethvntoovs, that there is no labour or trouble fo grcate that is not mecte for vs to endure,to the cndc we may enioyc the face of God Js the queflio therfore of feeking a place, where a man may hauelibertie of feruing of God and worfhipping him purely?howcuilfocuerthc pafTagc be,beit as they fay betwixt fire or water, let not a man leaueoftogoeonforewarde* Is any maningooing, pinched with famine or thirfl:>yct therefore muft hec not faint. Neither let any manfothinke as though I fpake thereof at myne owne eafe for it is the fpirite of God,which teacheth vs,that rather thecarth is too be fcratched with our naylcsjthen wee too bee turned,or driuenbacke from comming too the Temple of God. Now if they which d wel in farre countries,and in the iudgement of men arc dcflitute an d fhut from al thofc meancs, of drawing themfelues intoo the Countrie where the Gofpel is preached haue nocxcufc, what con' Theini.Sermon of \5M[Jo^ Cal condemnation I pray you,ought they too looke for, which haiie thcgofpd at their doore, 8c yet vouchfafc not to moue one footc that they may enter intoo the temple of God?Therc are fermos had euery day .pub- like praiers areconccaucd,thatthey might come too Church,and there is but the ftcpping ouer of one little brooke,to come thither, and yet euery one pretedcth that he hath fome bufines in his houlc.To bee fhort it fecmcth that men place their fclicitie in this too turnc away from God.For it fecmcth vntoo them that they hauc gotten al,whcn they haue founde but one (hifte, though it bee the raoftfriuolous andlighteft in the world^Butfcingthatit is fo that wcarefo enclined by nature to runne from God,yca to parte our felues fr5 him when he draweth neercft vnto vs,let vs pray that hcwil fo flregthen vs that wc may goe couragioufl y forcward,vntil that wee hauc founde liuely foun- taines where there was nothing but drought before. And although that thatfhould faile vs,yet let vs diggc cefterns, way ting for rain e fromHeaucn, And if it pleafe God that wc feele not his helpe fo qu ickly ,that yet wee giue not ouer too goe on forcwarde.I doubt not but that this w il bee founde darke too many peo- ple: but wherefore is it,but euen for wantofpradife? wee may preach a hundred thoufande yeeres andnc- uer vnderftande a worde thereof, vntil that wc learnc by expcriencc,what it is too goe by a dric and thirftic way, when wee muft come vnto God. But yet ought this doctrine too bee familiar too all thefaithful,too wit,that they prepare and armcthemfcluesagainft all the temptations that Sathan can deuife againfi: them, too breakeof this path whereby they are brought vn- too offeruing (jodpurely. 48 too God. And in very dccdcal they which faithfully employ them felues too feeke God, although they goc nocout of their placcjye: they finde many lettes and incombrauncesjwhich might eafily turncthem away if they hadnotafecled courage too refill: them. But it is great pitic , that the greateft parte of them (as I haue ahead iefaid31ie downcvndcr thofe difficulties which offer themlelues vnto them. They will graunt that they ought too doo fojand wil feeme too be very well appointedjbut when neede is their heartc failcth them : and they which arc well entred, forthcmoffc part lye downe for wearincflein the middeft of the way. This leflon therefore of digging pittcs , is fo much the more to beremembrcd of vs : that is to fay, that we feeke themeanes which arc yet hidden from vs^that we may goc on forwardes. Let vs I fay en- force our felues and ffriueaboue all humane flrength. If thinges fall not out to our defire, let vs not thertorc gcue ouer,to follow with pacience^that happie courfc wherein God hathfet vs. It is certaine that when wee Ihall cal vpon the name of God in true faith > that hec can eafily turne thefe dry defertes, intoo running wa- ters : but in the meane time it is mcetc that wee accar- ding to our dueticj put our handcs as they fay too the worke ♦ For God woulde not that wee fhoulde rc- maineblockiftieandflouthful, without remoouitig cither hand or footCi Rather he com maundethvs too diggc pittes « Let vs thcrf ore trauaile too digge vntill that wee hauc accoplifhedouriourney.Lct vsfet be- fore our eyes the poore miferablc Sonldicrs,who cue iiemoncth fel their life for a ccrtayn price as forthcir wagesJf theybe inthccampewbatpoucrty do they endure? If T^heiuiSermon of *SM^Jo, Cal If they bcbefiegcd in any place^ they yet indiire much more grecuous thiiigesrlf chey yndertakc any voyage, there is neichcrcoldnorhcat,wind nor rainc^diatmay let them of , fro the cnterprifc they haue take in hand. Andfomctimes they are brought to fucheexremitie, thatvnleffe they digge too finde water^they haue not a droppe to drinke . Thcrcis no labour diilrefTe or miferie , which they will not fuffer for the perfour- inaunce of that which they haue vnderrakcn .And yet when they haue doone all, whether they efcape orno, they haue but loiftheyrlabourjbecaufe they haue but yrlloode ^^^"^^ Satan* The fonneof God through his infinite Ifet^l&^ic S^^^^ ^^^^ chofen vs to be his fouldiers : &; we kno w kedfoHlMeru ^^^^ reward he hath prepared for vs . How muchc that httuenot morccouragious then ought we to bee in his feruicc > the fear e of the chofcmiferableSc defperatemen,thatdobutpur- GO"B before chafe their own dcftrudion? Neither is this metioned thstreyes. hcercthat any roanlhould reckon how many miles there is fro his houfcto the place where he may freel/ worIhipGod,makeconfeflion of his faith, andhcare thcpurcdoiarincof thcGofpell: We haue yet to goc a farre longer iourney which lafteth allour lyfelong^ Haue we haunted the Church of G ODa yeere or more? If we continue,we itall dayly finde new cares « For fometimes wefiialbevifited with fickncfle/ome- times with pouertie, cyther our wiues or children, fliaUdie,oreirethcmeanes weehauctoo feme God flialbe taken away as before time,Sc we Ihall be toiTed with difquietnefle and fundry troubles ♦ W hcreforc it isveryrequifitethateuenvntothcendwehaue our handcs ready too diggc Pittcs, and our nayles too , fcratch the earth,if neccfiitie io require. If any mnn al\ leadgCjhow then? arc we not in the Temple of God? ; I an- of feruing (jod purely. 4 9 HUiifwcarc that wcarefo in it, as wcmufl comeeucty •day nearer & nearer vnto it,5c enter into it. True ii is t\vix wee daylyc beholdcthc face of God, but wee arc not yet fo fully fatiffied therewith, as wee fhall bcc whe we (halbc gathered vnto him^Wherfore it beho- ueth that all generally apply this to their vfejSc becaufc Satan ccafeth not to hinder al thofe that go vnto God, \tt euery one enforce him{elfe,too continue conftant- ly too doo that too morrow which he hath doone to day* For if the cnimie ceafe not too endcuour to driuc vsbacke from our courfe towardes G O D,muchc Icffe ought we too loofc our courage to fct our (elucs forwardjand continually withoutceafing gather new flrength.But to the end we may do this ching,itbcho« «eth that wc hauefuch an afFedion wcl printed in our heartesasDauidhad: Ihadrather ({m\i[ic) dwell at the thrcfholdeofGodshoHfe,the>t'tn the Tentesdrtd Tabernacles 4>f ihewickfd: Wherein he plainely declarcth that to pur* chafe this benefit, to dwel in the houfe of God, he will ^ccountc it no euili too be abafed and made the moflc defpifed in the worlde. Let vs confider I bcfeech you, whathiseftatewas,Hewasthekingcs fonnein lawc and one of the chiefe Princes in the Countrey ,and yet notwithftanding heeis content too bee fetbehindc, and put among the bafcft fort of the common people, vppon condition too haue fome litdc corner in the Churche of God* If this defirc raigned in all, they wouldc not make fo much adoetoo nddethcm (clues and fpende fo long time in bargcning for exchaungc they haue too make , in forfaking their houfes and Countrey t© come to the Church of God , But there are very fcwe founde, whichecantakeinhandeand willingly beare the diminiftincr of their fublbunce, G cucry 7 he m /, Sermon oj^yVlJo. Cal. cuery man doth greatly defirc^nicely tobccariedina horlclitter where he may worfliip god at libcrtie,and he would haueboth lads Sc poflcfsios, trading of mcr^ chandife,credite,kinrcd and friendefliip,and all other comoditics of this life,by Sc by to follow, Bnt whiles they arc at this point, I pray you how cfteeme they le- ' fus Chiifl?For all that euer they wil dojat his defire is butasicwereby way ofpaftimc: which isbuta very poore 5c fcelyconfideration.For albeit wcbe nothing woorth indecdc,yet hath he of his infinite goodncs io greatly eftcmed vsjchat hehath notfpared him for our laiuation: yeal fay him in whom confifteth the pcr- feftion of all our fclicitie* And (hall we in the meanc time grudge SC repine to forgo fome trafitoric things^ and to account our cftate &: condition worfc,ff we be not fo wel handled SC entreated Sc hauc our pleafurcs as beforc>.This is vcrie far fro following that which S.Paulc hath (hewed vs by his cxaplc *• that is^that we ihould count all things as filth Scdung that doth hin- der vs fr5 poffefling of Icfus Chrift^Se that we (hould forfake it as a hurtful thing^knowingthat whatfoeuee leparatethvs from the true life muftneedesdrawe vs Vnto death.This alfo is far of from folowing that ex- hortation which is made vnto vs by Icfus Clinftjthat wc fliould fel 5c forfake al that we hauc in this world forthekmgdomcofhcaucn,knowing that this is that .precious ftonc,that is a hundredthoufand times more worth tlicnalthofc things that men fomuch defire S£ fo gpcatly cftcemc. If any man w il obied that a man may come to the kingdomc of hcaucn^w Jthout forla- king of his houfe : lanfwerethat k is Hot without caufe that our Sauior Chrift doth thus name the pr ca^ chingof chcgofpeU They therefore thac arcdcflitutc thcc- of ferimg(jo({ purely. 50 thcrof S^makcnot accept afmuch as i$ pofsible to (eke thofc m canes wherby they may cnioy ir,fnfficietly de- clare that they are too carnally affc£} cd to the pelfe of this world 58c are not yet difpofed to exchange thcni with the kingdom of heaue.Biu if they might poflefTc both togither,! would not cnuie thc:but if they canot hold their poireino,8c ncftle ftil in their ncaftes,vnles they wil dcfraude thefclues of thefodc of the children of Godryca if they cannot maintaine thefclues in the ilatc wherin they are,withouc cutting thefclues of fr5 the churchc, it is mcete for them to regard that neccfli ty which god hath laid vpo the. They may eafily bring forth fuch excufcsas thefCjbutal thcfe (halftand the in noftced, whe that great ludgcflial thunder vpo thofc with his terrible voice that fcrmore (lore by that earthly life that is commo vnto vs with brute beaftcs, then by the cuerlafting iohcritaunce which hec hath appointed for his child re. And it is a very ftragc thing that many imagine to ftop our mouth,vnleifc wedo afligncthefome raeanesSc ftatc wherby they may liuc infcruiQggod,Myconditio,(thcywiI(ay) is thus ia my conntrieiif I forfakc it,what(hal become of mec» or how (hall liue? As though god had appointed the that preach the Gofpeltobcftewardes&ouerfeers, to appoint euery man his ftate & his ordinarie,and to giuc euerie one according to h is worthincire&: digni- tiehis certain penci5 &: wagcsf Ifwccanhelpetheni by coufcl or d ire6bi6 we are bound to do it,yea thogh they do not rcqucd it:but if wc be not ablcjflial our li- bcrtic therforc be loft to tcache euery man that which God hath commadcd him? But if they' had wcl lear- ned and rcoicmbred this do£trincof Dauid,toolouc better a lictlc corner in the porch of the temple of god tlien the hia;hefl: and mofte honourable pl.iccs that they might cho^fc amongcd: the vnfaithful! ^ i!v.:y G 2 wouldc T^heiiiiSermon of iS'yfJoX^l woiildc ncncr tliinkc fo harde, and ftand fo doubtf till what waic werebeft too be taken. But this is the mif- chicfeth.uthey would holdeall,andflccpe in whole ikinnes not fuflering they r riches or honours too bee dimini(hcdinanypoint,nor forgoing their cafe and dclightcs»that is too fay , they cannot bow their necks nor bend their backes too bearc Icfus Chrift . Let the plcade and contende about the matter,afn[vuch as they lifte,yet muft they needes in the cndc be condempned. Concerning fuch as hauealredy forfakentheyr coun- trey , that they might come too a place, where they might freely ferue God , and where the tructh of the Gofpell might be faithfully preached vnto them, it is very neceffary that they oftentimes call this {cnrencc to their remembrauce^to the ende they may from day too day exerciCe them fclues in the pradice thereof^ that tlicy may be hartened in the continual vfe and cu- ftoc of it , For many thigs may come to pafle with the timc^and daily do,which may difcourage the chat had agreatzcale . They that ioynethemfelues to the chur- ches of God?arenotalwayes fo receiued as they arc ■woorthic. Order many times is fo perucrted,that the worthieft too befet forwarde^are fct behindc. Suchc temptation might indeedc turnc them backe from their faluation, caufing them too kaue of the good courfe whcrunto they were entred, were it not that they rcfted contented rather too bee in thelaft, and jnofte defpifed in the boufc of G O D then too bee ^itefhutout« ' Thus the good faiihfull men indeede , not hauing all that they might well dcfire, but contrariwife fee- ling a great many troubles in forfaking thcyr coun- trey Icarnc to cpfo rte thefcli^es with thisoncly wordy ' yet offertiing (jodpurely. ^zj. yctareweinthehoureof God. Noweletthc world- lings deride afmuch as they liftj&i blafe vs out in their pride as abiedes and outcaftcs : ic is enough that God doth vs this honour^tooaccountysofhisPallace and of his fanduary.We fee what paine ambitious fooles take that they may bee counted and reckoned of the familieandhoufeoffomePrince : and iio we happy they reckon thcmlelues, iftheymaybut come into the kitchin or Hall. Now when wc Hial be t he vcrieffc abiedes in the \vorlde,yet fo that we bcof the churchc ofGodjheleadeth vs toothemoft high and meniei- lousfecretes of his wifedomc withruchefamiliaritic as if a father fhouldecommunicateand open himfelfc too his children. Aud furc we were very vnthankeful if this recompence fliould not fatiffie vs. It is very true that the faichfull may well be tempted and prouoked when their affaires (hall goe backwarde 9 and that the wicked fhall triumphe in all profperitie. But when they (hal cofider on the other fide,that God hath cho- fen them too bcof his houfe,and that hecentertaineth them there as his children, this confolation fhall bee woorthlitle, ifitbcnot fufficicnt toappcafc all the griefes and enimities wherewith they may bee trou- bled. And certainly they that murmureand vcxe them felues,becaufe they arc not entreated of God as they defire, orrepentethemfeluesforhauing begun wel, fhew plainely that they haue not followed the coun- failc of our lord Ierus,which is,that they fhould haue made theyr thoroweaccountCjwhcn they begin their building ,what it will coft them to make an end of it: to the endc: they vexe not thcmfclucs for hauing fpenc too much, and fo by this mcancs leauc the woike im- perfect. Which is worftthe moftpart of thofe which Gj fq T'hemiSermon of^PvIJoCal fo fayncin themiclc!eIl:oftheway,doleauc of with- ouc any caiife: wherin they lliew themlehies moil: im- pudent« For they which had neither iioufc nor landc, and wi th whom it was all one^eiihcr to dwel m their own Countrey ,or m the fartheft part of the world^yec they are not aftamed to vpbraid God , that they haiic left this and that for hisfake.Butyetletvs put the cafe that they had loft much of their fubftance for the Gof- pelles fake : yet notwithftanding ir is a very mockery, more to cfteeme a dandiprat them a golde noble. In the meane fcafon nothing is hearde but thefe murraii- rings and complaintes : and would to God that fuchc people were farre away from vSjat they r owne cafe « And yet notwithftanding there are neither poore nor rich thathaue any iuftcxcufetoofallaway fortheaf- fiidions whichehappenvntoothcm . by following God3atbecanre this is a very hard thing,the remedy is ihewed vnto vs in the 84»PfalmjVvherc Daiiid5aftcr lP[dnt*%i»b, he had faide,f^^^ the mm it bleJfedthathp^ethinGod^^^^ dcth by and byj^» vfkofe heart are his wajes:- As if he w old fay,he that hath his minde wholy bent too waikc as God hath comauded him. Loe therefore two thinges which cannot be feparated the one fro the other : that we haue our hope in godySC that we walk in the right path.Whereforcasourinfirmitiedothlctvsjornja- keth vs {o laficjihat wc could be content at al affaics to tiirne another way,letvs fortiHe ourfeluesjnfaith,Si hopejpray ing our good God,that hee will make vs fo to looke vnto him, that nothing trouble vs, whileft wee traftein hispromifes, whereby hee hath affu- red vs that he will be with vs for cuer both in life and in death. '^^ ^■^v J^^'Ci^ f\ i^# ^te VVA^P lyf "VTfl v/w P^ ^Mfe ^^ //^ exjpojttionypon the Z-j.Tfalme. TheArgumen% f * ?/;^f K"^rackes,yea which is more^is oftentimes feene as it Trfrejrva* lorvedvpxaltogeather like as a 'Boatenvhtch iseuenreadytoobec drowned : the feltcft'te thereof con ffieth principally tn that CHer* lafling eflate whteh God hath laid vpfor it in his kingdome . "T he circumflance of the time wherein this Ffalmewas made ferueth vs very much^the better too make vs too vnderflande tt» For although the people were thenreturnedfrom Babylon,xphere it had been longtime holden Capti/ie, although that the Church f^ lap ere gathered as it were into one bodyejtoo bee no more fo fcatte* red as it had bcene: although that the temple were builded and the Altar fct vp, there t^pon to offer vp facr/fices, an^ all the wor- fhip ofGodrejlored : Neuerthcleffe becaufe there was but one handful of people returnedinto iheholy landeyin refpeEiofthe great multitude that went out of it -.and of that thatremainedyWas dayly dsmintpjed through the violences and outrages of the enimt- mies.'in fuch fort that the Jl ate of the people was very com eptible: andalfo becaufe the temple had no fuch maiefiie as it had before*. uill this maketh that the faithfull cotddc haue no great hope, for the time is come , And furely it feemeth impoffible that euerthey fhoulde be refiored too theyr former^ ate from whence they were fallen, wherefore it was very daungerous^ leafl in calling too re^ membrane e theyr difcomfiture and ouerthrewy and thinkingalfo ^ffo many euilles wherwith they ceafednot too bee oppreffed^that they hadffot beenepjaken/mdtn the ends hadnot fallen too vtter defpair^^ The Argument, 4tf Aefpajrft The ende therefore of this Pfalme is too comfort them, that they might not be dtfcouragedm theyrmiferies . Andthebet^ ter to bring this tofa^e^Godfromtfeth the, that they pjal not onely recofier that which they had lo^fbutalfo Itfteth the vp into a bet' ter hope jt JO veit^of an incomparable glory ^as a! fo tt had beene pro- ntifedvnto thsnt by their Prophet ^ggeusy thatthemaieflteof j^^^^j^^ the feconde Temple jhonlde bee greater then that ofthefirfi^ ^^ It remayneth n owe that rve applie this Pfalme to ottr vfe^ God wotflde that this confolatton, fljoulde be of fach power Andimpor- taunce towardes thefanhfulloft hat time^ that not onely it might re for me them^ to the ende they might not be oppreffed withfo ma* t^eHilles.-butthatitlJjouldeasa manwoulde faye haue drawen them out ofthegraue , to hane lifted them vppe^ euen to Heauen, NoweforAfmuchaswehnow^thatthe thinges rvhich were fore* tolde of that time were rxcompliflied^ we are more then vnthanke- fttil^ifthe experience which our auncient Fathers had, beyng ioy^ tjedwiththepromtfesofGod^doenotfufifeto confrme our f ait b fo much the more. For it cannot be fufficiently exprsjfedin wordes, howe lefus Chrifi with his comming hath adorned and magnified his Churchy For then the true religion^ which waspiut vp^tilthat time inthe countrie of I ewrte,was fpread abroade througkeeut the whole worlde : and God which before was onely knowen of one onely race, began nowe to be called vpon in all tongues and thoro-» out all nations. 7 hentheworldewhich bejore hadbeene fo mife- rably difhaEledc^ as it were tome inpeeces wtthfo manyfeUsyCr- rors ^Cfr f»perfiitids,-was vnitedcfrk^i' i^^-o one holy cocord of faith » Then all people acquainted them fehes of very feruent defre, "with the lewes , whom before they greatly abhorred anddete- fied Alfo htr.ges andpeople^oftheyr owne accord, nillingly yeelded themfelues toobe fuhtecl tolefus Qhrife.lVolues and Lions were ehaungedtnto lambes. God powredout vpon the faithfulthe gifts of the holy Ghojle.yxhich excelledall the glory of the worlde. And this was a thiKg fo much the more wonder full /hat the body of the Church which was gathered together and compounded oj fo many dtuers members tand which werefeparated the one from the other, hyfarre dtflaunt Countreis that yet notwithflandingthat hee fa ettcreafed & mamtetned thtwherefore it mufi needes be alfo that 6' 5 Gfd The Argument. ■Godvfirought mightily , in miihtplying the preaching of the Go- fpel in foipjort a time, and in maktng ttfo wonder [filly to fruHtfie andto profite^JVherefore although that thenobilUie and dignity of the Church, had neuef htnfetjoorth in this prefent Pfalme, yet votxvtthfianding the incomparable graces which GOD difplayed foon h at the commmg of his Sonne, fhetveth that the Church e is truely^an heauenly y<¬ an earthly htngdome. Morecuer it mufi fieedes be that this be that prefent ttme,wherem ^odfo magnified and made theflate of his Church too (hine^ that thefaithfull, the Better to ejieeme the worthinejfe ofttjooke more high then mans reafon and vnderflanding can attayn vnto. For fro the time that it [ofiomjhedasxveehaue fayde^ ithadnopompe neither of Golde^ fior filuer, norpretiousflones : but rather her triumph es were in. the bio od of Martyr es: and as^e rvas rtche in fp trite sfofhee was naked and poor e concerning the mucke of the worlde : as fhee was frecioHsandbeaHtifull in holineffe, before God and his Angelles, fojhe was contempttbls tntheworlde. Shehadmany outrvardand epe enemies who cruelly perfecHtedher : or rather did mifcheueuf. iydeuifeto cafiher headlodg vnder the earth. There were wanytraynesandplatformeslayed : astheDiuell willneuer veafeto molefi to entrappe her by Hypocrites, lo be ^ort the dig* ^itie thereof was tuermore hidden vnder the C^'ojfe of Chrifl. On the other [idea man mtght eafly i:idge^ that all the woorthmes fvhichpjee hathy isfptrituallafo as pje cannot befeene with car^ Tialleye, wherefore the confoUtion which is contayned here cea^ feth not to be very meete and fafonable for this time : to the ende the faithfuUmay be warned^to thinhs vppona more per feUs Jlate cfthe Churche, then that which is apparaunt vnto them^ *But this is veryenecejfaryeforvs at this day . It is hngefithcns that fortheflnmsofour Father s, G O D fufferedthis noble and ex- cellent flate whiche hee had ereBed in his Chttrche , too beg diffigured, and placed in fieade the^-eof an horrible defolation. \Andysteuen at this time , the poor e (Jnirche is woonderful- iy oppnjTed by our tranfgrejfons , and mourneth vnder the cruell Tyranny of the aduerfaries of his trueth , vnder the flaunders a^d reproches of her eniwies^ and vnder the moc- i^rtss of the Deutl, andofwtcked men : in fuche forte that there The Argument, 5z there is nothing that their orUlwges^ivho defreto heat their ea[e dogmorePjUnneithentoheeholdenandaccompted of the nnmhr and companje oj the Faith full : rpherfofit commeth that the mofle^artefeparate themftlues from the Churche, asthougho mencoHlienotbeeoftt ^'nleffe they were mcjl vnh.^ppie and aC'^ Cfirftci, ivheretiponttts e/jie for vs too gather hQWC troftahle the doBrine of this prefente Pfalme is vnto vs'tot he ende wee might without cenffmg wf- ditatevppontt% Pfalme87« YeTA' To thefonnes ofChorah,4 Tfalme and a SonguetThefoHtn dmons thereof are laide amongefithe Mount apei ofhif holwejfe, ■«»■ HE naming of the Tonnes of Cliorah,clo not fo much (hewe that they were the authours of this Pfalme > as that they were fpeciall Muficions appointed too fing in the Temple, How- .bcit it might bee faide al{b> "*that fome or this familie, was the Auchour thereof ^ Conccrci.iv^theTexte where it is (a.id^hatthefou»dathnsth^.'.i>farclajfd amongji f^tf^i^/yMff; :this muftbeeapplied vntooGod. Fox itisacommon manner of fpcachc amongcfttheHe- brues too put the Relatiue before the Name of hirp of who mction is made.The meaning therfore is this. That he hath laid his fudation amog thofc holy hilles. An Expofition of (i^M^Jo.Cal. Many hauevnderftood this of the Temple:but this a- grecthnot. Others vndcrflandc it of the Pfalmc as- thoughitwcrefaide that the argument or matter of this Pfalme is too entreatc of thofe holy mountayncs where the Temple was builded : but this is no more agreeable then the formcr.But as I hauc alreadic (aide the purpofe of the Prophet is to fhowe that God hath chofen thcholy mountaines,to the ende he may there build his royal Cittic lerufalera and his Temple, For it folio wcth a litde after in the text that the wofi htghefl (haleflabltfhitAi is very certaine that God i% the true Si principal! founder of all the Cities in the world : but this fo excellent a title is not attributed too any other Citie but to lerufale, that it Ihould be the euerlafting reftingplaceofGod,and that hew il dwel there, bc- ffoLiu-i. caufe that he hath chofen it. We miifle alwayes note this differenccjthat other Cities were not builded by the power and authoritie of God,vnleffc it were for their earthly poliicie:butthat lerufalem was hisfanc- tuary, and that he had fpecially chofen it as it were the fcate of his maieftie. And fo alfo doth the Prophet E- fay fpeake thereof; fVhat fhaU the mejffngersofthe people fay f Efajf'iA'l^»\ it is,that the Lord hath fomdedSpn, Which is more, al- though that al the Countrie of ludea was dedicated vnto him,yet it is faidc that cafling al other afide, hec hath referued this Citieof lerufalem to himfelfethac he may raigne thereiand this is that whiche foloweth inthefecondverfe, yerfe.t, 7 he Lordloueth the gates ofSyon done 'althe ta&er* naclesof lacoh. Too which agrecth that which is faide in the 78* TfiU7%,6o. p(^iuje^ that God hath reieded Siloh the try be of E- phraim. phraim, the tabcrnaclc,of lofeph that he m ight dwell in Syon which bchadloucd. Let vs markc well ilfo the caufc which the Prophet mentioneth here, why God hath preferred orie certaine place , before all o- thers : to wit,not for the woorthineflc of the placej but for the mecrclouc which he barcvnto it, where- fore if any man afke, whence this excellent priuiledgc that Hietufalcm had came,that it (houlde be called the holy Citicof God,andhis royall Paliace : the aim- fwere is cafie and (hort, and that is becaufe it hath foo pleafcd God, Thispleafureis as it were, thefountain and rooteofhis louc,Theendasheflicwethwas,bc^ caiifehe would hauc there feme place,wherin his reli* gi5 (hold haue dwelling to norifh an affured vnitie o£ faith amongcft the Iewcs,vntil the commmg of oue Lordlefus : and that in the end thcGolpellfhould fprmgfromthenceatoobe publiftied throughout the whole worlde. And thus the Prophet to magnificthc Citic of lerufalcm {aith,that God is th e found crther^ of,and that he there ruleth as the gouernour.But to the cnde that men (houldc not take occafion too be proud ' of fuchanhonour,headdethandflieweth, that all the cxccllcncic which Icrufalem hath, mufl be attributed too the mcere grace and adoption of God , in that hec putteth Syon for the whole Citie,and the gates for the whole wal and Co mpaffe of the Citie, it is by taking a 'part for the whole»By thcmountaines^whcrof he fpca keth in the plural number, they vndcrftand common- ly Syon ^and Motiah,butted either vpon other* Now although I doo not vtterlyreied this cxpofition, yet me thinkes one might extend this worde further : too witjto the whole region. For lerufalcm was fituated among raountaincs. pynmltrfHi An expolttion of M. h, Cal, Ver^ 5 . Wonder fttU tbingcs 4re ffok£» ofthee, thft Cttie of God.SeUh. W orde for wordc it is, that that which is faide in thcc,arc wonderfull thinges»But wehaue to marke the purpofc of the Prophet, or rather that which the holy Ghoft would here fpcake by the Prophet » The condi- tion of the people of the lewes , was at this time very conteptible^fo as there was fmal account made of the* They had many great and grecuous enimieson euery fidewhichvcxcdthem,andbutfew had the courage to put backc oficnces* Euery day there fell out , newc alterations beyond all hope of men : in fuch forte that it fecmed,that after thinges went fo to wracke 8c waxed worfe and woorfe, that all in the ende Ihouldc come to vtter ruine, in fuche fort that any man couldc hardly hope that cucr the Citieof lerulalem Ihouldc bercftored againe* Now to the ende that the hcartes of the faithfuU (houlde not bee vtterly fwalowed vp with hcauineiTe and difpaire,thcy are hereby the Pro- phetc,fet to leanevpon that woorde which God had pronounced of the eflate of his Church to come : for there is no doubt but that the holy Ghoftc withdraw- cththe faithful! in this place from the beholding of things prefentjto the ende he might bring them vntoo, ihcpromifes, which did allure them of an incredible glory that God woulde (hortly geue too h is Churcli* So then ho wfoeuer the thing that appcareth jfcrue not to make the children of God reioicc,yctnotwithftan- dmg the Prophet c5maundeth the to lift vp their fen-. les on high, by the vertue of that worde the which is gcucnvntothcm : too the ende they might patiently waytevntil thofe thinges which had beencpromifed. ynto yponthe^-j.Tfalme. yrf vnro tficm fbould be executed and perfournicd. Oh this minner they were admoniftcd and exhorted too reade diligently and to meditate day and night, thofc auncicntprophelics which concerned the reSoring of the Churchrand {pecially thofe which wereconteined in the booke of Efay from the 40 .chap, vnto the ende of the booke. Further that they fhould reach out their eare and d iligently hearkcn,geuing faith and credit to theProphctSjwhich were fent at that time to comfort them and to preache vnto them thekingdomeof Ic- fus Chrifte which was neare : wherevpon it folowctb that wee can not iudge aright of the felicitie of the Churche j vnleffewce iudgeofitbyihewooideof God, Verji. / rviltrehearfe Rahah 4ndBahjl(tn amofigefl them that kriowe mee .* hcholde Palijiinc and TjtHtt with u£thtopia^ hewasbornethert^ The name of Rahab is put afwell in other places of tlie Scripture for Egypt : and here it very well agre- ech to this fcntence : For the Prophetes mindc is too defcfibe the excellente and glorious eftate of the Churche whiehe then was hid . Hec fay th therefore that they who before had beene deadly cnimies, or were altogeather ftraungers vnto it,(houlde not oncly bee her familiar frccndes but as it were engraffed into one body,too the ende too bee accounted for Ci- tizens of Hierufalcm . I will put (fayth hec) intoa myne accounte , or I will cnrotvle Egypt awd Baby- lon, amongert: my famy liars or hou(holdeones» Fur- ther heeaddeth that the Philiftines diey of Tyreand Ethy: Jnexpojition of M.loXal, Ethiopia,who hithertoo had had great difcordc with the people of God,(hoiilde bcevncoo him as good ffiendc$jas if they were the naturall borne of lewry. Now in (peaking fo therof he fpecifieth a fingular dig- niticoftheChurchcofGOD : and chat is that they which did defpiTc it, and did wifhe it too bee vtterly fa(ed and deflroied,0ioulde gather themfelues round about vntoo it, yea , and fliould account it for a great feonour too be enrouled and acknowledged amongcft dispeople. For the Prophet fignificth that all of rheir ownc accorde, (houldc renounce heir ownc natu- all Countrcycsjwherein toforcthey put all their glo- ty«This is therefore afmuch as if he (houldc fay , that from what quarter foeuer men wercborne, were it in ^Paleftine,ia Tyre or Ethiopia,they (houlde be gladdc andwcllapaidetoobe numbred with the people of God and acknowledged for Citizens of lerufalemj The Rabbines of the lewes 9 make a crooked glofc of this place,that is 9 that from other nations of the worldc jthcre fhall come very fewe excellent men , in wittc or vertue : but that in their race there fliall be a great number. As though it were faide that there wil- behardly found a man woorthy of praife in any coun^ trey. So as they may bee pointed at which are fuchc with the finger : But that in Sion there (halbe great abundauncc ♦ The Chriftian Dodours with one confent apply this to our Lordelefus jand they think that thereafonis here remedied, why the ftraungcrs yea the cnimies of the Churche fliall defite too be in- grafKed and inrowlcd therein, too wit jbccaufc the (onncof God (haIbebornethcrc,whofe office it is too gather men which wcredilpcrfed into an holy vnitie pf faith, 8i to hcape the fcatiered mcn^bcrs togcather to vpon the 87. Tfalme. 57 too make one whole bodie thereof. Nowc this fen- tence indeede is very true in it felfc : but it agreeth not vnto the place. And wc muft alwaies diligently take hccdc that the Scripture vndcr colour of (ubtiltie bee not racked too any other fenfe then it ought . Let it fuffifc vs therefore too haue the plaine and fimplcex- pofition thereof, that euerye one may defircitfor a great benefit, to bcrecefued a Citizen of the Church. The which is yet more fully confirmed by that which- followeth« Ver f . And of Sy on 'ti fhdbe fai^e^this Andthat mtM isBornem it I andthfmofihighefjhallefiahiiib it. As I haue faidc already the Prophet eontinuah his fcntence minding to fjgnifiejchat God fhal gather peo pie togeatherafall Countries of the worlde, too in- corporate them into hk Churchc^ as neweburgefles andCitizens* Albeit thathcvfe an other manner of fpeakingjit is bccanfe Grangers fhalbc reputed among the holy people of G O D, as if they weredefcended of theflockeof Abraham. He hadfaideinthsformer verfcjthat the Chaldeans and Egyptians fhould yeeldc themfelues to become ofthehoufhold of the church- that the Ethyo plans ,Philiftines,&: the men of Tyre, fliouldedefire too bee enrowled in the number of his Children: nowehec addeth for confirmation of his fcntence that the troupe fhalbe great and infinite, too replcniHitheCitieof Herufalcm, whichefora time was derolate,and to make it moll populous : or rather which had been inhabited but eucn of an handfull of men m comparifon of the people which fliould arriue therc.That which IS hecrcbriefely prom ifcd is dccla- H red An Expoftion of/^/»«45.n . P^^g^^^*^^^ ^^^ marrieth himfelfe with the Faithful vp- CalJ^^i^' ' pon this condition, that they Ibouldc f orgette, their ' ' owne people, and the houfe of their Father, And this is the caufe why Saint Paulc faycththat wee be- ginne too bee the Children of G O D and of the Churche, when wee are borne anewc , of incor- ruptible Seedc, and are made ncwe Creatures, And furcly wee are not otherwife regenerate into the hca- ueiily life then by the Minifterie of the Churche. Jflthemeane time let vs call too remembrauncethe " - '" diiFe- vpon the Sj. Tfalme, 58 c^ifFcrcx^cechatSaintePalJleplKtcthI^e^c betwixt the earthly Hieruralcm , which as it is a feruaimt, cannot but bring foorth children into bondage : and the hea- uenly,which conceaucth and bringeth forth children into libertie through the GofpcU Iti the endc of the verfe, there is a promife of the long continuance of the Church : for oftentimes it commeth to pails that Cities,the fooner they creepevppc, into fuddainc ri- ches and greatnelTejthe /hotter while they continue in their profpcritie . To the ende therefore that men thmkc not the felicitfc of the Churchc too bee fo tranntorie,theProphetc declarcth that ftiec ihal hauc ,her fiabilitie in G O D , and that therefore flieefhall continue • As though he (houldcfay, it is no maruaile though other Cities be al wayes fhaken, and fubie£t to many alterations : bccaufe they arc tofled with the worlde, and hauc not cuerlalling keepers. But the condition of this newc Hierufalcm fli^Jbe othcrwife: forherperpetuitie being founded in God, fliallfland lure, though Heauen and Earth (houldefall^ rl;;.'::. Ver.6, The LerdefhatlenfoivU hisffofU by TtfTitwg: he wat borne there* ScUb, The Prophcte meaneth that the nanac of Syop, fiiall bee fo Noble and Honourable j that cuerie one (hall defirc too bee receaucd there for a Citi- 7en ♦ For hee fpeakcth of the principal! bcncfite, and of a thing the moftetoo bee wiftied for that cucc coulde happen ♦ The meaning diereforc is thus: H2 whcQ An Expo/idon of(tyvLjo.CaL when God Ihall take accountc of his people, or fiiall cnrow le them , the greateft benefice and honour that he can doe vntohisbeft beloued, fhalbe too accountc them for Citizens of Syon, rather then of any other Citie^ For this flialbc a greater dignitic, to hauc fomc corner among the common people of the Churche, then to be greately cfleemed or too rule in any other place. Notwithftanding the Prophetc admoniflieth vs, from whence it is that fuchc a benefite proceedcth| that they which wercftraungcrs flioiild fo fodenly be brought into the Church : to wit of the free gifte of God. And in deed they which are the flaues of Sathan andoffinnecanneucrgetteby their owne diligence any fuch titleand right to be Citizensofheauen.lt is therefore God onely which difkibuteth according to his owne good pleafure, peoples in their orders, 5c feuereth them one from the other , as it feemcth good vnto him: forafrouch as the condition is cquall and alike in all by nature. The cnroulement whereof he fpeaketh here^ is too bee vndcrftood of the calling whereby God dcclarethwfao arethofe that heehath chofen* Ror although that hec hath written his chil- dren in the bookc of life , before the creation of the worlde , yet notwithftanding hee folempnly fet- teth them downe in hisrcgitter, when hce gcueth themthemarkeofhis adoption, callingthem to his trueth and renuing them by his fpirite* verf,7* As well the fngers as the PUyers on inflrumentes^all tnjf^YVtges ar-e in thee<. Partly the fliortnes of this fentence, caufeth it to be doiibcful, & partly the doubtfull fignification of the word. iDpon the 8 7. Tfalme. yp word;:^ ^11 cxpofitors agree very well in this, tPvAttbc wordc rpring or foutaiucis taken liercby a Metaphor or fimilitude* But one fort apply it to the affe£lion of the heart,otherfonic to the inward thoughtes . There arc alfo whichc tranflate it Veines or Melodies, whofe opinion I would wel allow of,if the propriety oftheHebrwe tongue wouldefufeit : but becaufe that this is fomewhat wrcflcd, I tye my felfc to that which is more proper and naturall : and that is , that the Prophet by this woordefignifieth the eyes or the lookc. As if he fliould fayj hauealwayes my fight fix- ed and faftened vpon thee • For the loote of the He- brew word fignifieth an eye. It reraaineth therforc to fee , what that other member fignifieth aj\veUthe fingen Ai thcpl*j/ers oninfruments^ This is a very abrupt fen tcce, but this letteth not but that men may eafily gather the meaning therof :to wit,that there fhalbeio largcaa argumet of ioy in the church,after that it flialbe refto- Tcdjthat the prayfes of God, (hall (oiinde foorth,thcrc withouticeafing,a{welofthevoyceas of the infiru- mentes of mufick«Hc cofirmcth therefore that which he had faide before of that glorious repay ring of Sion and'ofHierufalem : thereby (hewing that for the great felicitic which (halbe there, men (hal haueoccafion to reioyfe.too fing,and too prayfe God for euer , In the meaue feafonhe fhcweth alfo to what end and purpofc God fo liberally enricheth his Church with his giftcs and graces : to wit,that the faithful! might fliew forth by hymncs and prayfes and fonges, that they are not vnthankcful towardes him : On the other fidewcc banc to note the ze-ile, the loue,and carefuincfle , and afFc£tion of the Prophet towardes the Chnrthe« For lie gcucth tcdimony thereof , too the end to exhort vs ^3 ahoo JnexpoJitmof(^f.foXaL ' aUtoofollo\vehisexanQple,as itis(ayde in an otiicr \ placcjUc my right lunde be forgotten if Hierufakm ; be not the chiete of my ioy , N-.nv then all our (enfes ffalm,w*6, and afFedions rcfl: them felues in the Church ^whcn as wc labour too withdigweihem frcm the vanities of this world,wbich caufethem to wander and flray* '} Thewhichthing;i,y 1/«'V»/ /Vr^ J X- ..^i : ^ « r-^ ^ b ■J o ^ y — • ^ o «5 2 . o '-' •- CO cS - 5 =S C X^ § "^-^ ^« ft C ""5 «4-l -S o^ ►-5 ^ .- = .tc| o- c| C t^*:. S'^'^- ^ 5^ .2^ " •- o » oi ** S .2 "* C