Three sermons vpon speciall occasions preached by Iohn Donne ... Donne, John, 1572-1631. 1623 Approx. 193 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 90 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A20655 STC 7057 ESTC S350 22298132 ocm 22298132 25353 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A20655) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 25353) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1751:5) Three sermons vpon speciall occasions preached by Iohn Donne ... Donne, John, 1572-1631. [8], 68, [6], 49, [7], 41 p. Printed for Thomas Iones, and are to be sold at his shop in the Strand at the Blacke Rauen neere St. Clements Church, London : 1623. Each sermon has special t.p. and separate pagination. Signatures: A-I⁴ K², ²A-G⁴, ³A⁴(-A4) ³B- F⁴ ³G¹. Reproduction of original in the Trinity College (University of Cambridge). Library. A sermon vpon the XV. verse of the XX. chapter of the book of Iudges -- A sermon vpon the VIII. verse of the I. chapter of the Acts of the Apostles -- Encœnia, the feast of dedication. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2002-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-06 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-07 Olivia Bottum Sampled and proofread 2002-07 Olivia Bottum Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-08 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THREE SERMONS VPON SPECIALL OCCASIONS . Preached by IOHN DONNE Deane of St. Pauls London . LONDON , Printed for THOMAS IONES , and are to sold at his Shop in the Strand at the Blacke Rauen neere St. Clements Church . 1623. A SERMON VPON THE XV. VERSE OF THE XX. CHAPTER OF THE BOOKE OF IVDGES Wherein occasion was iustly taken for the Publication of some Reasons , which his Sacred MAIESTIE had beene pleased to giue , of those Directions for PREACHERS , which he had formerly sent forth . Preached at the CROSSE the 15 th . of September . 1622. By IOHN DONNE , Doctor of Diuinitie and Deane of Saint PAVLS , London . And now by commandement of his Majestie published , as it was then preached . LONDON Printed by William Stansby for Thomas Iones , and are to be sold at his shop in the Strand at the blacke Rauen , neere vnto Saint Clements Church . 1622. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE , GEORGE , Marquesse of Buckingham , High ADMIRALL of ENGLAND , &c. WHen I would speake to the KING , by your LORDSHIPS Meanes , I doe : Now , when I would speake to the Kingdom , I would do that by your Lordshippes Meanes to : and therefore I am bold to transfer this Sermon to the World , through your Lordships hands , and vnder your Name . For the first part of the Sermon , the Explication of the Text , my profession , and my Conscience is warant enough that I haue spoken as the Holy Ghost intended , For the second part , the Application of the Text , it wil be warrant enough , that I haue spoken as his Maiestie intended , that your Lordship admits it to issue in your Name . It is because Kings fauour the Church , that the Prophet sayes they are her Foster-Fathers ; and then , those persons , who haue also interest in the fauor of Kings , are her Foster-Brothers : and such vse to loue well . By that Title , ( as by many other also ) your Lordship loues the Church ; as you are her Foster-Brother : loued of him who loues her . And by that Title you loue all them in the Church , who endeuour to aduance both the vnity of our Church in it self , and the vnity of the Church , with the godly designes of our religious King. To which Seruice , I shall euer sacrifice all the labors of Your Lordships humblest and thankefullest Seruant in Christ Iesus : IOHN DONNE . IVDGES . 5. 20. De coelo dimicatum est contra eos : stellae manentes in Ordine , & cursu suo aduersus Siseram pugnauerunt . They fought from Heauen ; The stars in their courses fought against Sisera . ALl the words of God are alwayes sweete in themselues , sayes Dauid ; but sweeter in the mouth , and in the pen of some of the Prophets , and some of the Apostles , then of others , as they differed in their naturall gifts , or in their education : but sweetest of all , where the Holy Ghost hath beene pleased to set the word of God to Musique , and to conuay it into a Song ; and this Text is of that kind : part of the Song which Deborah & Barak sung after their great victory vpon Sisera ; Sisera who was Iabin the King of Canaans Generall against Israel . God himselfe made Moses a Song , and expressed his reason why ; The children of Israel , sayes God , will forget my Law ; but this song they will not forget ; and whensoeuer they sing this song , this song shall testifie against them , what I haue done for them , how they haue forsaken me . And to such a purpose hath God left this Song of Deborah and Barak in the Scriptures , that all Murmurers , and all that stray into a diffidence of Gods power , or of his purpose to sustaine his owne cause , and destroy his owne Enemies , might run and read , might read and sing , the wonderfull deliuerances that God hath giuen to his people , by weake and vnexpected meanes . This world begun with a Song , if the Chalde Paraphrasts , vpon Salomons Song of Songs haue taken a true tradition ; That assoone as Adams sinne was forgiuen him , he expressed ( as he cals it in that Song ) Sabbatum suum , his Sabboth , his peace of conscience , in a Song ; of which , we haue the entrance in that Paraphrase . This world begun so ; and so did the next world too , if wee count the beginning of that ( as it is a good computation to doe so ) from the comming of Christ Iesus : for that was expressed on Earth , in diuers Songs ; in the blessed Virgins Magnificat ; My soule doth magnifie the Lord : In Zacharies Benedictus ; Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ; and in Simeons , Nunc dimittis , Lord , now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace . This world began so , and the other ; and when both shall ioyne , and make vp one world without end , it shall continue so in heauen , in that Song of the Lamb , Great and marueilous are thy workes , Lord God Almighty , iust and true are thy wayes , thou King of Saints . And , to Tune vs , to Compose and giue vs a Harmonie and Concord of affections , in all perturbations and passions , and discords in the passages of this life , if we had no more of the same Musique in the Scriptures ( as we haue the Song of Moses at the Red Sea , and many Psalmes of Dauid to the same purpose ) this Song of Deborah were enough , abundantly enough , to slumber any storme , to becalme any tempest , to rectifie any scruple of Gods slacknesse in the defence of his cause , when in the History and occasion of this , Song , expressed in the Chapter before this , we see , That Israel had done euill in the fight of the Lord againe , and yet againe , God came to them : That God himselfe had sold Israel into the hands of Iabin King of Canaan , and yet he repented the bargaine , and came to them ; That in twenty yeeres oppression he came not , and yet he came . That When Sisera came against them , with nine hundred Chariots of Iron , and all preparations , proportionable to that , and God cald vp a woman , a Prophetesse , a Deborah against him , because Deborah had a zeale to the cause , and consequently an enmity to the enemie , God would effect his purpose by so weake an instrument , by a woman , but by a woman , which had no such interest , nor zeale to the cause ; by Iael : And in Iaels hand , by such an instrument , as with that , scarce any man could doe it , if it were to be done againe with a hammer she driues a nayle through his temples , and nayles him to the ground , as he lay sleeping in her tent : And then the end of all , was the end of all , not one man of his army left aliue . O my Soule , why , art thou so sad , why art thou so disquieted within me ? Sing vnto the Lord an old song , the song of Deborah and Barak , That God by weake meanes doth might workes , That all Gods creatures fight in his behalfe , They fought from beanen , the starres in their Order , fought against Sisera . You shal haue but two parts out of these words ; And to make these two parts , I consider the Text , as the two Hemispheres of the world , laid open in a flat , in a plaine Map. All those parts of the world , which the Ancients haue vsed to consider , are in one of those Hemispheres ; All Europe is in that , and in that is all Asia , and Afrike too : So that when we haue seene that Hemisphere , done with that , we might seeme to haue seene all , done with all the world ; but yet the other Hemisphere , that of America is as big as it ; though , but by occasion of new , and late discoueries , we had had nothing to say of America . So the first part of our Text , will bee as that first Hemisphere ; all which the ancient Expositors found occasion to note out of these words , will be in that : but by the new discoueries of some humors of men , and rumors of men , we shall haue occasion to say somewhat of a second part to . The parts are , first , the Literall , the Historicall sense of the words ; And then an emergent , a collaterall , an occasionall sense of them . The explication of the wordes , and the Application , Quid tunc , Quid nunc , How the words were spoken then , How they may be applied now , will be our two parts . And , in passing through our first , wee shall make these steps . First , God can , and sometimes doth effect his purposes by himselfe ; intirely , immediatly , extraordinarily , miraculously by himselfe : But yet , in a second place , we shall see , by this story , That he lookes for assistance , for concurrence of second causes , and subordinate meanes : And that therefore , God in this Song of Deborah , hath prouided an honourable commemoration of them , who did assist his cause ; for , the Princes haue their place , The Princes of Issachar were with her : And then , the Gouernours , The great Persons , the great Officers of the State , haue their place in this honour , That they offered themselues willingly to that seruice ; And after them , the Merchants , for those who are said there , to ride vpon white Asses , to be well mounted , according to the manner of those Nations , are , by Peter Martyr , amongst our Expositors , and by Serarius the Iesuite , amongst the others , fitly vnderstood , to be intended of Merchants ; And in the same verse , the Iudges are honorably remembred , Those that fit in Iudgement ; And a farre vnlikelier sort of people , then any of these , in the same verse too , Those that walked by the way ; Idle , and discoursing men , that were not much affected , how businesse went , so they might talke of them : And lastly , the whole people in generall , how poore soeuer , they haue euidence from this record , That they offered themselues ( and what will they denie , that offer themselues ) and willingly , to this imploiment . And then , God hauing here afforded this honourable mention of them , who did assist him , he layes also a heauy note vpon such , who for collaterall respects preuaricated , or withdraw themselues from his seruice : perticularly vpon Ruben , who was diuided by greatnesse of heart , And vpon Dan , who remained in his ships . And therefore to the encouragement of those who did assist him , in any proportion , though their assistance were no wayes competent against so potent an enemy , God fought for himselfe too , They sought from Heauen , The starres in their order fought against Sisera . And these will be the branches , or circumstances of our first part : for the particulars of the second , we shall open them more commodiously for your memory and vse , then , when we come to handle them , then now . Now we proceed to those of the first part . And into those I passe with this protestation , That in all which I shall say this day , beeing to speake often of God , in that Notion , as he is Lord of Hostes , and fights his owne battailes , I am farre from giuing fire to them that desire warre . Peace in this world , is a pretious Earnest , and a faire and louely Type of the euerlasting peace of the world to come : And warre in this world , is a shrewd and fearefull Embleme of the euerlasting discord and tumult , and torment of the world to come : And therefore , our Blessed God , blesse vs with this externall , and this internall , and make that lead vs to an eternall peace . But I speake of this subiect , especially to establish and settle them , that suspect Gods power , or Gods purpose , to succour those , who in forraine parts , grone vnder heauie pressures in matter of Religion , or to restore those , who in forraine parts , are deuested of their lawfull possessions , and inheritance ; and because God hath not done these great workes yet , nor yet raised vp meanes , in apparance , and in their apprehension , likely to effect it , That therefore God likes not the cause ; and therefore they begin to bee shaked in their owne Religion at home , since they thinke that God neglects it abroad . But , beloued , since God made all this world of nothing , cannot hee recouer any one peece thereof , or restore any one peece , with a little ? In the Creation , his production of specifique formes , and seuerall Creatures in the seuerall dayes , was much , very much ; but not very much , compared with that , which he had done immediatly before , when he made Heauen and Earth of nothing . For , for the particular Creatures , God had then Praeiacentem Materiam , he had stuffe before him ; enough to cut out Creatures of the largest sise , his Elephants of the Earth , his Whales and Leuiathans in the Sea. In that matter there was Semen Creaturarum , The Seed of all Creatures in that stuffe . But for the stuffe it selfe , the Heauen and Earth , God had not Semen Coeli , any such seed of Heauen as that he could say to it , doe thou hatch a Heauen ; he had not any such Semen terrae , as that hee could bid that grow vp into an Earth : There was nothing at all , and all , that is , was produced from that ; and then who shall doubt of his proceeding , if by a little he will doe much ? He suffered his greater works to be paraleld , or to be counterfeit by Pharaohs Magicians , but in his least , in the making of Lice , hee brought them to confesse Digitum Dei , the finger of God ; and that was enough ; The arme of God , the hand of God needs not ; where he will worke , his finger is enough , It was not that imagination , that dreame of the Rabbins , that hindered the Magicians , who say , that the Deuill cannot make any Creature , lesse then a Barley corne ; As it is with men , they misconceiue it to be with the Deuill too ; harder to make a little clocke , a little picture , any thing in a little , then in a larger forme . That was no part of the reason in that case : but since man ordinarily esteemes it so , and ordinarily admires great workes in little forme , why will he not be content to glorifie God that way , in a faithfull confidence , that hee can and will doe great workes by weake meanes . Should God haue stayd to leuie , and arme , and traine , and muster , and present men enow to discomfit Sennacherib ? Hee tooke a neerer way ; he slew almost two hundreth thousand of them , in one night by an Angell . Should God haue troubled an Angell to satisfie Elisha his seruant ? Onely by apparition in the cloudes , he brought him to acknowledge , that there were more with them , then with the Enemy , when there was none . He troubled not so much as a cloud , he imployed no Creature at all , against the Philistines , when they came vp with thirty thousand Chariots ; but hee breathed a dampe , an astonishment into them , he imprinted a diuine terror in their hearts , and they fought against one another . God foresaw a diminution of his honour , in the augmentation of Israels forces , and therfore he reduced Gideons thirty two thousand to three hundred persons . It was so in persons , God does much with few , and it was so in time , God does much , though late ; though God seeme a long time to haue forgot his people , yet in due time , that is , in his time , he returnes to them againe . S. Augustine makes a vsefull Historicall note , That that land to which God brought the Children of Israel , was their owne land before ; they were the right heires to it , lineally descended from him , who was the first possessor of it , after the floud : but they were so long out of possession of it , as that they were neuer able to set their title on foot ; nay , they did scarce know their own title , and yet God repossessed them of it , reinuested them in it . It is so for persons , and times in his wayes in this world , Much with few , much though late , and it is so in his wayes to the next world too : for persons , Elias knew of no more but himselfe , that serued the right God aright : God makes him know that there were seuen thousand more ; seuen thousand was much to one , but it was little to all the world : and yet these seuen thousand haue peopled heauen , and sent vp all those Colonies thither ; all those Armies of Martyrs , those flockes of Lambes , innocent children , those Fathers , the Fathers of the Church , and Mothers , holy Matrons , and daughters , blessed Virgines , and learned and laborious Doctors ; these seuen thousand haue filled vp the places of the fallen Angels , and repeopled that Kingdome : And wheresoeuer we thinke them most worne out , God at this time hath his remnant ( as the Apostle sayes ) and God is able to make vp the whole garment of that remnant . So he does much with few , in the wayes to heauen ; and that he does much though late , in that way too , thou mayest discerne in his working vpon thy selfe . How often hast thou suffered thy Soule , to grow cleane out of all reparations into ruine , by thine inconsiderate and habituall course of sinne , and neuer repaired it by any good vse of hearing the word , or receiuing the Sacrament in a long time , and when thou hast at any time , come to a suruey of thy conscience , how hast thou beene affected with an inordinate apprehension of Gods anger , and his inaccessiblenesse , his inexorablenesse towards thee , and sunke euen into the iawes of desperation ; And yet , Quia manet semen dei , because the seed of God hath remained in thee , Incubat Spiritus , the Holy Ghost hath sat vpon that seed , and hatched a new Creature in thee , a modest , but yet infallible assurance of the Mercy of thy God. Recollect all ; in raysing of sieges , and discomfiting of Armies , in restoring possessions , and reinuesting right heires , in repairing the ruines of the Kingdome of heauen , depopulated in the fall of Angels , in reestablishing peace of conscience ; in a presumptuous confidence , or ouer-timorous diffidence in God , God glorifies himselfe that way , to doe much with little . He does so ; but yet hee will haue something . God is a good Husband , a good Steward of Mans contributions , but contributions he will haue : hee will haue a concurrence , a cooperation of persons . Euen in that great worke , which wee spake of at first , the first creation , which was so absolutely of Nothing , yet there was a Faciamus , let vs , vs , make Man ; though but one God , yet more Persons in that worke . Christ had been able to haue done as the Deuill would haue had him doe , to haue made bread of stones , when hee had so great a number to feed in the Wildernesse ; but hee does not so : Hee askes his Disciples , Quot panes habetis ; How many loafes haue you ? and though they were but fiue , yet since they were some , he multiplies them , and feeds aboue fiue thousand with those fiue . Hee would haue a remnant of Gedeons Armie to fight his battailes : A remnant of Israels beleeuers to make vp his Kingdome ; A remnant of thy Soule , his seed wrapd vp somewhere , to saue thy Soule ; And a remnant of thy selfe , of thy Mind , of thy Purse , of thy Person , for thy temporall deliuerance . God goes lowe , and accepts small Sacrifices ; a Pigeon , a handfull of Flower , a few eares of Corne ; but a Sacrifice he will haue . The Christian Church implies a shrewd distresse , when shee prouides that reason , that clause in her prayer , Quia non est alius , Giue Peace in our time , O Lord , because there is no other that fighteth for vs : If the bowels of compassion bee eaten out , if the band of the Communion of Saints be dissolued , we fight for none , none fights for vs , at last ney ther we nor they shall fight for Christ , nor Christ for them nor vs , but all become a prey to the generall enemie of the name of Christ ; for God requires something , some assistance , some concurrence , some cooperation , though he can fight from heauen , and the Starres , in their order , can fight against Sisera . And therefore , though God giue his glorie to none , his glorie , that is to doe all with Nothing , yet he giues them their glorie , that doe any thing for him , or for themselues . And as hee hath laid vp a record , for their glorie and Memoriall , who were remarkeable for Faith ( for the eleuenth Chapter to the Hebrewes , is a Catalogue of them . ) So in this Song of Deborah and Barake , hee hath laide vp a Record for their glorie , who expressed their faith in Workes , and assisted his seruice . That which is said in generall , The Memorie of the iust is blessed , but the name of the wicked shall rot , That is applied and promised in particular , by him , who can performe it , by Christ , to that woman , who anointed him , That whersoeuer his Gospell should be Preached in the whole world , ther should also this that this woman had done , be told for a memoriall of her . Shee assisted at his Funerall ( as Christ himselfe interprets her action , That shee did it to burie him ) and hath her glorie : how shall he glorifie them , that aduance his glorie ? Shee hath her reward in his death ; what shall they haue , that keepe him , and his Gospell aliue ? Not a verse in Deborah and Baraks song , and yet that is honourable euidence : Not a commemoration at the Preaching of the Gospell ; and yet that is the honourable testimonie in this place , and at these Exercises , of such as haue contributed to the conueniencies of these Exercises , but they shall haue a place in the Booke of life ; indelibly in the Booke of life , if they proceede in that deuotion of assisting Gods cause , and doe not thinke , that they haue done all , or done enough , if they haue done something some one time . The Morall man hath said well , and well applied it ; A Ship is a Ship for euer , if you repaire it . So , sayes hee , Honour is Honour , and so say wee , A good Conscience is a good Conscience for euer , if you repaire it : But , sayes he well , Aliquid famae addendum , ne putrescat . Honour will putrifie , and so will a good Conscience too , if it be not repaired . He that hath done Nothing must begin , and hee that hath done something for Gods cause , must doe more , if hee will continue his name in the Booke of Life ; though God leaue no one particular action , done for his glorie , without glorie ; as those who assisted his glorie heere , haue a glorious Commemoration in this Song . In the fifteenth verse , Princes haue their place ; The Princes of Issachar , were with Deborah . when the King goes to the field , Many , who are in other cases Priuiledged , are by their Tenures bound to goe . It is a high Tenure to hold by a Crowne ; And when God , of whome , and whome onely they hold , that hold so , goes into the field , it becomes them to goe with him . But as God sits in Heauen , and yet goes into the field , so they of whome God hath said , Yee are Gods , the Kings of the Earth , may stay at home , and yet goe too . They goe in their assistance to the Warre ; They goe in their Mediation for Peace ; They goe in their Example , when from their sweetnesse , and moderation in their Gouernement at home , their flowes out an instruction , a perswasion to Princes abroad . Kings goe many times , and are not thanked , because their wayes are not seene : and Christ himselfe would not alwayes bee seene ; In the eight of Iohn , he would not be seene . When they tooke vp stones to stone him , he withdrew himselfe inuisibly , hee would not be seene : When Princes find that open actions exasperate , they doe best , if they be not seene . In the sixth of Iohn , Christ would not bee seene . When they would haue put vpon him , that which was not fit for him to take , when they would haue made him King , he withdrew himselfe , and was not seene . When Princes are tempted to take Territories , or possessions in to their hands , to which other Princes haue iust pretences , they doe best , if they withdrawe themselues from engagements in vnnecessarie Warres , for that , that onely was Iosiahs ruine . Kings cannot alwayes goe in the sight of Men , and so they lose their thankes ; but they cannot goe out of the sight of God , and there they neuer lose their reward : For the Lord that sees them in secret , shall reward them openly , with peace in their owne States , and Honour in their owne Chronicles , as here , for assisting his cause , hee gaue the Princes of Issachar a roome , a straine in Deborah and Barakes Song . And in the ninth verse , the Gouernors , the great Officers , haue their place , in this praise , My heart is towards the Gouernors of Israel that offered themselues willingly . It is not themselues in person ; Great Officers cannot doe so ; They are Intelligences that moue great Spheares , but they must not bee mou'd out of them . But their glorie here is their willingnesse . That before they were inquired into , how they carried themselues in their Offices , before they were intimidated , or soupled with fines and ransomes , voluntarily they assisted the cause of God. Some in the Romane Church write , that the Cardinalls of that Church , are so incorporated into the Pope , so much of his body , and so bloud of his bloud , that in a feuer they may not let bloud without his leaue . Truly , the great Persons and Gouernors in any state , are so noble and neere parts of the King , as that they may not bleed out in any subuentions and assistances of such causes vnder-hand , as are not auowd by the King ; for , it is not euident that that cause is Gods caufe ; at least not euident that that way is an assistance of Gods cause , But a good , and tractable , and ductile disposition , in all courses which shall lawfully bee declared to bee for Gods glorie , then , not Contra , but Praeter , not against , but besides , not in opposing , but in preuenting the Kings will , before hee vrge , before he presse , to be willing and forward in such assistances , this giues great Persons , Gouernors , and Officers , a verse in Baraks and Deborahs Song , and Deborah and Baraks Song is the Word of God. The Merchants haue their place in that verse too . For , ( as wee said before ) those who ride vpon white Asses , ( which was as honorable a transportation , as Coaches are now ) are by Peter Martyr amongst ours , and by Serarius the Iesuit amongst others , well vnderstood to be the Merchants . The greatnesse and the dignitie of the Merchants of the East is sufficiently expressed in those of Babylon , Thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth . And for the Merchants of the West , we know that in diuers forraine parts , their Nobilitie is in their Merchants , their Merchants are their Gentlemen . And certainly , no place of the world , for Commodities and Situation , better disposed then this Kingdome , to make Merchants great . You cannot shew your greatnesse more , then in seruing God , with part of it ; you did serue before you were free ; but here you do both at once , for his seruice is perfect freedome . I am not here to day , to beg a Beneuolence for any particular cause on foot now : there is none ; but my Errand in this first part is , first to remoue iealousies and suspitions of Gods neglecting his businesse , because he does it not at our appointment , and then to promoue and aduance a disposition , to assist his cause and his glory , in all wayes , which shall bee declar'd to conduce thereunto , whether in his body , by relieuing the poore , or in his house by repairing these walls , or in his honour in employments more publique : And to assure you that you cannot haue a better debter , a better pay-master then Christ Iesus : for all your Entayles , and all your perpetuities doe notso nayle , so hoope in , so riuet an estate in your posteritie , as to make the Sonne of God your Sonne too , and to giue Christ Iesus a Childes part , with the rest of your Children . It is noted ( perchaunce but out of leuity ) that your Children doe not keepe that which you get : It is but a calumny , or but a fascination of ill wishers . We haue many happy instances to the contrarie , many noble families deriued from you ; One , enough to enoble a World ; Queene ELIZABETH was the great granchild of a Lord Maior of London . Our blessed God blesse all your Estates , and blesse your posteritie in a blessed enioying therof ; But truly it is a good way to that , amongst all your purchases , to purchase a place in Barak and Deborahs Song , a testimonie of the Holy Ghost , that you were forward in all due times in the assistance of Gods cause . That testimonie , in this Seruice in our Text , haue the Iudges of the Land , in the verse too , ye that sit in Iudgement . Certainly , Men exercised in Iudgement , are likeliest to thinke of the last Iudgement . Men accustomed to giue Iudgement , likeliest to thinke of the Iudgement they are to receiue . And at that last Iudgement the Malediction of the left hand falls vpon them that haue not harbored Christ , not fed him , not clothed him , And when Christ comes to want those things in that degree , that his Kingdome , his Gospell , himselfe cannot subsist , where it did , without such a sustentation , an omission in such an assistance , is much more heauie . All Iudgements end in this , Suum cuique , to giue euery one his owne . Giue God his owne , and hee hath enough ; giue him his owne , in his owne place , and his cause will be preferred before any Ciuill or Naturall obligation . But God requires not that : pay euery other Man first , owe nothing to any Man ; pay your Children , apportion them conuenient portions . Pay your estimation , your reputation , liue in that good fashion which your ranke and calling calls for : when all this is done , of your superfluities beginne to pay God , and euen for that you shall haue your roome in Deborah , and Baraks Song , for Assistants , and Coadiutors to him . For a farre vnlikelier sort of people , then any of these , haue that in the same verse also , Ambulantes super viam , They that walke vp and downe idle , discourcing Men , Men of no Calling , of no Profession , of no sense of other Mens miseries , and yet they assist this cause . Men that sucke the sweet of the Earth , and the sweat of other Men : Men that pay the State nothing in doing the offices of mutuall societie , and embracing particular vocations ; Men that make themselues but pipes to receiue and conuay , and vent rumors , but spunges to sucke in , and powre out foule water ; Men that doe not spend time , but weare time , they trade not , they plough not , they preach not , they plead not , but walke , and walke vpon the way , till they haue walked out their sixe moneths for the renuing of bands , euen these had some remorse in Gods cause , euen these got into Deborah and Baraks Song for assisting there . And lesse ; that is , Poorer then these : for in the Second verse , the people are as forward as the Gouernors , in the Ninth , They offered themselues willingly . They might offer themselues , their persons . It is likely they did ; and likely that many of them had nothing to offer but themselues . And when Men of that pouertie offer , part easily with that which was hardly got , how acceptable to God , that Sacrifice is , we see in Christs testimonie of that Widdow , who amongst many great giuers gaue her Mite , That shee gaue more then all they , because shee gaue all : which testified not onely her Liberalitie to God , but her Confidence in God , that though shee left nothing , shee should not lacke : for that right vse doth Saint Augustine make of that example , Diuites largiuntur securi de diuitijs , pauper securus de Domino : A rich man giues , and feeles it not , feares no want , because hee is sure of a full chest at home ; A poore man giues , and feeles it as little , because hee is sure of a bountifull God in Heaven . God then can worke alone ; there wee set out : yet he does require assistance ; that way wee went : And to those that doe assist , hee giues glory here ; so farre we are gone : but yet this remaynes , that hee layes notes of blame , and reproach vpon them , whom collaterall respects withdrew from this assistance . For there is a kind of reproach and increpation laide vpon Reuben in that question , Why abodest thou amongst the sheepfolds ? The diuisions of REVBEN were great thoughts of heart . Ambition of precedencie in places of employment , greatnes of heart , and a lothnesse to be vnder the commaund of any other , and so an incoherence , not concurring in Counsailes and Executions , retard oftentimes euen the cause of God. So is there also a reproach and increpation vpon Dan , in that question , why did Dan remaine in his ships ; A confidence in their owne strength , a sacrificing to their owne Nets , an attributing of their securitie to their owne wisedome or power , may also retard the cause of God ; that stayed Dan behinde . Thus then they haue their thankes that doe , thus their markes that doe not assist in Gods cause : though God to encourage them that doe , accomplish his worke himselfe , They fought from heauen , The Starres in their order fought against Sisera . They fought , sayes the Text , but does not tell vs who ; least men should direct their thankes for that which is past , or their prayers for future benefits , to any other , euen in heauen , then to God himselfe . The stars are nam'd ; It could not be feared that Men would pray to them , sacrifice to them , Angels & Saints are not named ; Men might come to ascribe to them , that which appertained to God onely Now these Stars , sayes the text , fought in their courses , Manentes in Ordine , they fought not disorderly . It was no Enchantment , no Sorcery , no disordring of the frame , or the powers , or the influence of these heauenly bodies , in fauor of the Israelites ; God would not be beholden to the Deuill , or to Witches , for his best friends . It was no disorderly Enchantment , nor it was no Miracle , that disordered these Starres ; as in Iosuahs time , the Sunne and Moone were disordred in their Motions ; But as Iosephus , who relates this battaile more particularly , sayes , with whom all agree , The natur all Influence of these heauenly bodies , at this time , had created and gathered such stormes and hayles , as blowing vehemently in the Enemies face , was the cause of this defeate : for so wee might haue said , in that deliuerance , which God gaue vs at Sea , They fought from heauen , The Starres in their order fought against the Enemie . Without coniuring , without Miracle , from heauen , but yet by naturall meanes , God preserued vs. For that is the force of that phrase , and of that maner of expressing it , Manentes in Ordine , The Starres , containing themselues in their Order , fought . And that phrase induces our second part , the accommodation , the occasionall application of these words : God will not fight , nor be fought for disorderly ; And therefore in illustration , and confirmation of those words of the Apostle , Let all things be done decently , and in order , Aquinas , in his Commentaries vpon that place , cites , and applies this Text , as words to the same purpose , and of the same signification . You , sayes Saint Paul , you who are Stars in the Church , must proceede in your warfare , decently , and in order , for the stars of heauen , when they fight for the Lord , they doe their seruice , Manentes in Ordine , containing themselues in their Order . And so inour order , we are come to our second part . In which , we owe you by promise made at first , an Analysis , a distribution of the steps and branches of this part , now when wee are come to the handling thereof : And thus wee shall proceede ; first , the Warre , which wee are to speake of here , is not as before , a Worldly warre , it is a Spirituall War : And then the Munition , the prouision for this warre , is not as before , temporall assistance of Princes , Officers , Iudges , Merchants , all sorts of People , but it is the Gospell of Christ Iesus , and the preaching thereof . Preaching is Gods ordinance , with that Ordinance hee fights from heauen , and batters downe all errors . And thirdly , to maintain this War , he hath made Preachers Stars ; and vae si non , woe be vnto them , if they doe not fight , if they doe not preach : But yet in the last place , they must fight , as the Stars in heauen doe , In their order , in that Order , and according to those directions , which , they , to whom it appertaines , shall giue them : for that is to fight in Order . And in these foure branches , wee shall determine this second part . First then we are in Contemplation of a Spirituall warre ; now , though there be a Beatie Pacifici , a blessing reserued to Peace-makers , to the Peace-maker , our Peace-maker , who hath sometimes effected it in some places , and alwayes seriously and chargeably , and honourably endeuoured it in all places , yet there is a spirituall Warre , in which , Maledicti Pacifici ; Cursed bee they that goe about to make Peace , and to make all one , The warres betweene Christ and Beliall . Let no man seuer those whom God hath ioyned , but let no Man ioyne those whom God hath seuered neyther ; and God hath seuered Christ and Belial : and that was Gods action , Ponam inimicitias ; The seed of the woman , and the Seed of the Serpent , wee and the Deuill , should neuer haue fallen out ; wee agree but too well ; but God hath put an enmity betweene vs. God hath put Truth and Falshood , Idolatrie and Sinceritie so farre asunder , and infused such an incompatibilitie , and imprinted such an implacabilitie betweene them , as that they cannot flow into one another : And therefore , there , Maledicti Pacifici , It is an opposition against God , by any colourable Modifications , to reconcile opinions diametrally contrary to one another , in fundamentall things . Day and Night may ioyne and meet . In Diluculis and in Crepusculis , The dawning of the day , in the Morning , and the shutting in of the day in the Euening , make day and night so much one , as sometimes you cannot tell which to call them : but Lux & tenebrae , light and darknes , Midnight and Noone neuer met , neuer ioynd . There are points , which passions of men , and vehemence of disputation , haue carried farther a sunder then needed : and these indeed haue made the greatest noyse ; because vpon these , for the most part , depends the matter of profit : and Beati pacifics , blessed were that labour , and that labourer , that could reconcile those things ; and of that there might bee hope , because it is often but the Persons that fight , it is not the thing , the matters are not so different . But then there are matters so different , as that a Man may sit at home , and weepe , and wish , prayse God that hee is in the right , and pray to God for them that are in the wrong , but to thinke that they are indifferent , and all one , Maledicti Pacifici , hee that hath brought such a Peace , hath brought a curse vpon his owne Conscience , and layd , not a Satisfaction , but a Stupefaction vpon it . A Turke might perchance say , in scorne of vs both , They call you Heretiques , you call them Idolaters , why might not Idolaters , and Heretiques agree well enough together ? But a true Christian will neuer make Contrarieties in fundamentall things indifferent , neuer make foundations , and superedifications , the Word of God , and the Traditions of Men , all one . Euery man is a little world , sayes the Philosopher ; Euery man is a little Church too ; and in euery man , there are two sides , two armies : the flesh fights against the Spirit . This is but a Ciuill warre , nay it is but a Rebellion indeed ; and yet it can neuer be absolutely quenched . So euery Man is also a Souldier in that great and generall warre , betweene Christ , and Beliall , the word of God , and the will of man. Euery man is bound to hearken to a peace , in such things as may admit peace , in differences , where men differ from men ; but bound also to shut himselfe vp against all ouertures of peace , in such things , as are in their Nature irreconcileable , in differences where men differ from God. That warre God hath kindled , and that warre must bee maintained , and maintained by his way ; and his way , and his Ordinance in this warre , is Preaching . If God had not said to Noah , Fac tibi Arcam ; and when he had said so , if he had not giuen him a Deseigne , a Modell , a Platforme of that Arke , we may doubt credibly , whether euer man would haue thought of a Ship , or of any such way of trade & Commerce . Shipping was Gods owne Inuention , and therein Laetentur Insulae , as Dauid sayes , Let the Ilands reioyce . So also , if Christ had not said to his Apostles , Ite praedicate , Goe and preach : and when hee had said so , said thus much more , Qui non crediderit damnabitur , Hee that beleeues not your Preaching shall bee damned : certainly man would neuer haue thought of such a way of establishing a kingdome , as by Preaching . No other Nation had any such Institution , as Preaching . In the Romane State , there was a publique Officer , Conditor precum , who vpon great emergent occasions , deprecations of imminent dangers , or Gratulations for euident benefites , did make particular Collects answerable to those occasions : And some such occasionall Panegyriques , and gratulatory Orations for temporall benefites , they had in that state . But a fixt and constant course of conteyning Subiects in their Religious and Ciuill duties , by preaching , onely God ordain'd , onely his Children enioy'd . Christ when he sent his Apostles , did not giue them a particular command , Ite orate , goe and pray in the publique Congregation ; All Nations were accustomed to that ; Christ made no doubt of any mans opposing , or questioning publique Prayer ; and therefore for that , he onely said , Sic orabitis , Not go , and pray , but , when you pray , pray thus , he instructed them in the forme ; the duty was well knowne to all before . But , for Preaching , He himselfe was anointed for that , The Spirit of the Lord is vpon me , because the Lord hath anointed mee to preach : His vnction was his function . Hee was anointed with that power , and hee hath anointed vs with part of his owne vnction : All power is giuen vnto me , sayes he , in Heauen and in Earth ; and therefore ( as he adds there ) Go ye , and preach : Because I haue all power , for preaching , take yee part of my power , and preach too . For , Preaching is the power of God vnto Saluation , and the sauor of life vnto life . When therefore the Apostle faies , Quench not the Spirit , Nec in te , nec in alio , sayes Aquinas ; Quench it not in your selfe , by forbearing to heare the Word preached , quench it not in others , by discouraging them that doe preach . For so Saint Chrysostome , ( and not he alone ) vnderstood that place , That they quench the spirit , who discountenance preaching , and dishearten Preachers . St. Chrysostome tooke his example from the Lampe that burnt by him , when hee was preaching ; ( It seemes therefore hee did preach in the afternoone ) and he sayes , you may quench this Lampe , by putting in water , and you may quench it by taking out the oyle . So a Man may quench the spirit in himselfe , if hee smother it , suffocate it , with worldly pleasures , or profits , and he may quench it in others , if he withdraw that fauour , or that helpe , which keepes that Man , who hath the spirit of Prophesie , the vnction of Preaching , in a cheerefull discharge of his duty . Preaching then being Gods Ordinance , to beget Faith , to take away preaching , were to disarme God , and to quench the spirit ; for by that Ordinance , he fights from heauen . And to maintaine that fight , hee hath made his Ministers Starrs ; as they are called , in the first of the Reuelation . And they fight against Sisera , that is , they preach against Error . They preach out of Necessitie ; Necessitie is laid vpon me to preach , saies the Apostle ; and vpon a heauy penalty , if they doe not ; Vaemihi si non , VVoe be vnto me if I doe not preach the Gospell . Neither is that spoak there with the case of a Future , as the Roman translation hath it , Si non Euangelizauero , If I do not hereafter preach ; If I preach not at one time or other ; If I preach not when I see how things wil go , what kind of preaching will be most acceptable : But it is Si non Euangelizem , If I preach not now ; now , though I had preached yesterday ; for so Saint Ambrose preached his Sermon de sancto Latrone , of the good Thiefe , Hesterno die , yesterday I told you &c. So Saint Augustin preached his Sermon vpon All Saints day : And so did Saint Bernard his twelfth Sermon vpon the Psalm : Qui habitat . Now , though I preachd but lately before ; and now , though I had but late warning to preach now ; So S. Basil preached his 2. Sermon vpon the Hexameron , the fixe daies worke , when he had but that Morning for Meditation : and more then so , in his 2. Sermon de Baptissimo ; for , it seemes he preached that without any premeditation Prout suggerit spiritus sanctus . Now , though I had not time to labour a Sermon , and now , though I preach in another mans place ; for so Saint Augustine preached his Sermon vpon the 95. Psalm : where he saies , Frater noster Seuerus , our brother Seuerus should by promise haue preached here , but since he comes not , I will. Now , that is whensoeuer Gods good people may be edified by my preaching : Vaesi non , wo be vnto me , if I doe not preach . The Dragon drew a third part of the starrs from heauen . Antichrist by his Persecutions , and Excommunications Silenc'd many ; all that would not Magnifie him . And many amongst vs , haue silenc'd themselues : Abundance silences some , and lazines and Ignorance some , and some their owne indiscretion , and then they lay that vpon the Magistrate . But God hath plac'd vs in a Church , and vnder a Head of the Church , where none are Silenc'd , nor discountenanc'd , if being starrs , called to the Ministery of the Gospell , and appointed to fight , to preach there , they fight within the discipline and limits of this Text , Manentes in Ordine , conteining themselues in Order . In this phrase , as we told you before , out of Aquinas , the same thing is intended , as in that place of Saint Paul , Let all things bee done decently , and in Order . That the vulgat edition reads , Fiant honeste ; and then saies Saint Ambrose , Honeste fit , quod cum pace fit , That is done honestly , and decently , which is done quietly , and peaceably . Not with a peace , and indifferencie to contrary Opinions in fundamentall doctrines , not to shuffle religions together , and make it all one which you chufe , but a peace with persons , an abstinence from contumelies , and reuilings . It is true that wee must hate Gods enemies with a perfect hatred , and it is true that Saint Chrysostome sayes , Odium perfectum est , odium consummatissimum , that is not a perfect hatred , that leaues out any of their Errors vnhated . But yet a perfect hatred is that too , which may consist with perfection , and Charitie is perfection : a perfect hatred is that which a perfect , that is , a charitable man may beare , which is still to hate Errors , not Persons . When their insolencies prouoke vs to speake of them , we shall doe no good therein , if therein we proceed not decently , and in order . Christ sayes of his Church : Terribilis vt Castrorum acies , It is powerfull as an Armie ; but it is vt acies ordinata , as an armie disciplin'd , and in order : for without order , an armie is but a great Ryot ; and without this decencie , this peaceablenesse , this discretion , this order , zeale is but fury , and such preaching is but to the obduration of ill , not to the edification of good Christians . Saint Paul in his absence from the Colossians , reioyces as much in beholding their Order , as in their stedfastnesse in the faith of Christ Iesus : Nay , if wee consider the wordes well , as Saint Chrysostome hath done , we shall see that it is onely their Order that he reioyces in : for Non dixit fidem , sed firmamentum fidei , sayes that Father , It was not their faith , but that which established their faith , that was their order , that occasioned his ioy . For when there is not an vniforme , a comely , an orderly presenting of matters of faith , faith it selfe growes loose , and loses her estimation ; and preaching in the Church comes to bee as pleading at the Barre , and not so well : there the Counsell speakes not himselfe , but him that sent him , here wee shall preach not him who sent vs , Christ Iesus , but our selues . Study to bee quiet , and to doe your owne busines , is the Apostles commandement to euery particular man amongst the Thessalonians . It seemes some amongst them disobeyd that : and therefore hee writes no more to particular persons , but to the whol Church , in his other Epistle , and with more vehemence , then a smal matter would haue required : Wee command you in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ , that you withdraw your selfe from all that walke Inordinate , as the vulgat reads that in one place , and Inquietè , as they translate the same word , in another , disorderly , vnquietly : from all such as preach suspiciously , and iealously ; and be the garden neuer so faire , wil make the world beleetie , there is a Snake vnder euery leafe , be the intention neuer so sincere , will presage , and prognosticate , and prediuine sinister and mischieuous effects from it . A troubled spirit is a sacrifice to God , but a troublesome spirit is farre from it . I am glad that our Ministery is called Orders , that when we take his calling , we are said to take Orders . Yours are called Trades , and Occupations , and Mysteries : Law and Phisicke are called Sciences , and Professions : many others haue many other names , ours is Orders . When by his Maiesties leaue we meet in our Conuocations , and being met haue his further leaue , to treat of remedies for any disorders in the Church , our Constitutions are Canons , Canons are Rules , Rules are Orders : Parliaments determine in Lawes , Iudges in Decrees , wee in Orders . And by our Seruice in this Mother Church , we are Canenici , Canons , Regular , Orderly men ; not Canonistae , men that know Orders , but Canonici , men that keepe them where wee are also called Prebendaries , rather a Praebendo , then a Praebenda , rather for giuing example of obedience to Orders , then for any other respect . In the Remane Church the most disorderly men , are their men in Orders . I speake not of the viciousnesse of their life , I am no Iudge of that , I know not that : but they are so out of all Order , that they are within Rule of no temporall Law , within jurisdiction of no Cuill Magistrate , no secular Iudge . They may kill Kings , and yet can be no Traytors ; they assigne their reason , Because they are no Subiects . He that kils one of them , shall be really hang'd ; and if one of them kill , hee shall be Metaphorically hang'd , he shall bee suspended . Wee enjoy gratefully , and we vse modestly the Priuiledges which godly Princes , out of their pietie haue affoorded vs , and which their godly Successors haue giuen vs againe by their gracious continuing of them to vs ; but our Profession of it selfe , naturally ( though the very nature of it dispose Princes to a gracious disposition to vs ) exempts vs not from the tye of their Laws . All men are in deed , we are in Deed and in name too , Men of Orders ; and therefore ought to be most ready of all others to obey . Now , beloued , Ordo semper dicitur ratione principij : Order alwayes presumes a head , it alwayes implyes some by whom wee are to be ordered , and it implyes our conformitie to him . Who is that ? God certainly , without all question , God. But between God , and Man , we consider a two-fold Order . One , as all creatures depend vpon God , as vpon their beginning , for their very Being ; and so euery creature is wrought vpon immediately by God , and whether hee discerne it or no , does obey Gods order , that is , that which God hath ordained , his purpose , his prouidence is executed vpon him , & accomplishd in him . But then the other Order is , not as man depends vpon God , as vpon his beginning , but as he is to be reduced and brought back to God , as to his end : & that is done by meanes in this world . What is that meanes ? for those things which wee haue now in consideration , the Church . But the body speaks not , the head does . It is the Head of the Church that declares to vs those things wherby we are to be ordered . This the Royall and religious Head of these Churches within his Dominions hath lately had occasion to do . And in doing this , doth he innouate any thing , ofter to doe any new thing ? Do we repent that Canon , & Constitution , in which at his Maiesties first comming we declar'd with so much alacrity , as that it was the second Canon we made , That the King had the same authoritie in causes Ecclesiasticall , that the godly Kings of Iudah , and the Christian Emperors in the primitiue Church had ? Or are we ignorant what those Kings of Iuda , and those Emperors did ? We are not , wee know them well . Take it where the power of the Empire may seem somwhat declin'd in Charls the great ; we see by those Capitularies of his , that remain yet , what orders he gaue in such causes ; there he saies in his entrance to them , Nemo praesumptuosum dicat ; Let no man call this that I doe an vsurpation , to prescribe Orders in these cases , Nam legimus quid Iosias fecerit , We haue read what Iosiah did , and we know that wee haue the same Authoritie that Iosiab had . But , that Emperor consulted with his Cleargie , before he published those Orders . It is true , he sayes he did . But he , from whom we haue receiued these Orders , did more then so ; His Maiesty forbore , till a representation of some incōueniences by disorderly preaching , was made to him , by those in the highest place in our Clergie , and other graue and reuerend Prelates of this Church ; they presented it to him , and thereupon he entred into the remedy . But that Emperour did but declare things constituted by other Counsells before : but yet the giuing the life of execution to those Constitutions in his Dominions , was introductory , and many of the things themselues were so . Amongst them , his 70. Capitularie is appliable to our present case ; there hee sayes , Episcopi videant , That the Bishops take care , that all Preachers preach to the people the Exposition of the Lords Prayer : and he enioynes them too , Ne quid nouum , ne quid non Canonicum , That no man preach any new opinion of his owne ; nay , though it bee the opinion of other learned men in other places , yet if it be Non Canonicum , not declared in the vniuersall Church , not declared in that Church , in which he hath his station , he may not preach it to the people : And so he proceeds there to Catechistical Doctrine . That is not new then , which the Kings of Iudah did , and which the Christian Emperours did . But it is new to vs , if the Kings of this kingdome haue not done it . Haue they not done it ? How little the Kings of this kingdome did in Ecclesiasticall causes then , when by their conniuence that power was deuold into a forraine Prelates hand , it is pitie to consider , pitie to remember , pitie to bring into Contemplation ; And yet truly euen then our Kings did exercise more of that power , then our aduersaries who oppose it , will confesse . But , since the true iurisdiction was vindicated , and reapplyed to the Crowne , in what iust heighth Henry the eight , and those who gouerned his Sonnes minoritie , Edward the sixt , exercised that iurisdiction in Ecclesiasticall causes , none , that knowes their story , knowes not . And , because ordinarily , we settle our selues best in the Actions , and Precedents of the late Queene of blessed and euerlasting memory , I may haue leaue to remember them that know , and to tell them that know not , one act of her power and her wisedome , to this purpose . When some Articles concerning the falling away from Iustifying grace , and other poynts that beat vpon that haunt , had been ventilated , in Conuenticles , and in Pulpits too , and Preaching on both sides past , and that some persons of great place and estimation in our Church , together with him who was the greatest of all , amongst our Clergy , had vpon mature deliberation established a resolution what should bee thought , and taught , held and preached in those poynts , and had thereupon sent down that resolution to be published in the Vniuersitie , not vulgarly neither , to the people , but in a Sermon , Ad Clerum onely , yet her Maiestie being informed thereof , declared her displeasure so , as that , scarse any houres before the Sermon was to haue been , there was a Countermaund , an Inhibition to the Preacher for medling with any of those poynts . Not that her Maiestie made her selfe Iudge of the Doctrines , but that nothing , not formerly declared to be so , ought to be declared to be the Tenet , and Doctrine of this Church , her Maiestie not being acquainted , nor supplicated to giue her gracious allowance for the publication thereof . His sacred Maiestie then , is herein vpon the steps of the Kings of Iudah , of the Christian Emperours , of the Kings of England , of all the Kings of England , that embraced the Reformation of Queene Elizabeth her selfe ; and he is vpon his owne steps too . For , it is a seditious calumny to apply this which is done now , to any occasion that rises but now : as though the King had done this now , for satisfaction of any persons at this time , for some yeares since , when hee was pleased to call the Heads of Houses from the Vniuersity , and intimate to them the inconueniences that arose from the Preaching of such men , as were not at all conuersant in the Fathers , in the Schoole , nor in the Ecclesiasticall Storie , but had shut vp themselues in a few later Writers ; and gaue order to those Gouernours for remedy herein . Then he began , then he laid the foundation for that , in which hee hath proceeded thus much further now , to reduce Preaching neerer to the manner of those Primitiue times , when God gaue so euident , and so remarkable blessings to mens Preaching . Consider more particularly that which hee hath done now ; His Maiestie hath accompanied his most gracious Letter to the most Reueuerend Father in God , my Lords Grace of Canterbury , with certaine Directions how Preachers ought to behaue themselues in the exercise of that part of their Ministerie . These being deriued from his Grace , in due course to his reuerend Brethren , the other Bishops , our Worthy Diocesan , euer vigilant for the Peace and vnitie of the Church , gaue a speedy , very speedy intimation thereof , to the Clergie of his Iurisdiction ; so did others , to whom it appertain'd so to doe in theirs . Since that , his Maiestie , who alwaies taking good workes in hand , loues to perfect his owne works , hath vouchsafed to giue some Reasons of this his proceeding ; which being signified by him to whome the State and Church owes much , The right Reuerend Father in God , the Bishop of Lincolne , Lord Keeper of the great Seale , and after by him also , who began at first , his Maiesties pleasure appearing thereby , ( as he is too Great , and too Good a King to seeke corners , or disguises , for his actions ) that these proceedings should be made publique , I was not willing only , but glad to haue my part therein , that as , in the feare of God , I haue alwayes preached to you the Gospell of Christ Iesus , who is the God of your Saluation ; So in the testimony of a good conscience , I might now preach to you , the Gospell of the Holy ghost , who is the God of peace , of vnitie , and concord . These Directions then , and the Reasons of them , by his Maiesties particular care , euery man in the Ministery may see & write out , in the seuerall Registers Offices , with his owne hand for nothing , and for very little , if hee vse the hand of another . Perchance you haue , at your conuenience , you may see them . When you do , you shall see , That his Maiesties generall intention therein is , to put a difference , between graue , and solid , from light and humerous preaching . Origen does so , when vpon the Epistle to the Romanes , he sayes , There is a great difference , Inter praedicare , & docere : A man may teach an Auditory , that is , make them know something that they knew not before , and yet not preach ; for Preaching is to make them knowthings appertaining to their saluation . But when men doe neither , neither Teach , nor Preach , but ( as his Maiestie obserues the manner to bee ) To soare in poynts too deepe , To muster vp their owne Reading , To display their owne Wit , or Ignorance in medling with Ciuill matters , or ( as his Maiestie addes ) in rude and vndecent reuiling of persons : this is that which hath drawen downe his Maiesties piercing Eye to see it , and his Royall care to correct it . Hee corrects it by Christs owne way , Quid ab initio , by considering how it was at first : for , ( as himselfe to right purpose cites Tertullian ) Id verum quod primum ; That is best , which was first . Hee would therefore haue vs conuersant in Antiquitie : For , Nazianzen askes that question with some scorne , Quis est qui veritatis prepugnatorem , vnius diei spatio , velut eluto statuam , fingit . Can any man hope to make a good Preacher , as soone as a good Picture ? In three or foure dayes , or with three or foure Books ? His Maiesty therfore cals vs to look , Quid primum , what was first in the whole Church ? And againe , Quid primum , when we receiued the Reformation in this Kingdom , by what meanes , ( as his Maiestie expresseth it ) Papistry was driuen out , and Puritanisme kept out , and wee deliuered from the Superstition of the Papist , and the madnesse of the Anabaptists , as before hee expresseth it : and his religious and iudicious eye sees clearly , That all that Doctrine , which wrought this great cure vpon vs , in the Reformation , is contained in the two Catechismes , in the 39. Articles , and in the 2. Bookes of Homilies . And to these , as to Heads , and Abunda●ies , from whence all knowledge necessary to saluation , may abundantly be deriu'd , hee directs the meditations of Preachers . Are these new wayes ? No way new : for they were our first way in receiuing Christianitie , and our first way in receiuing the Reformation . Take a short view of them all : as it is in the Catechismes , as it is in the Articles , as it is in the Homilies . First you are called backe to the practise of Catechising : Remember what Catechising is ; it is Institutio viua voce . And in the Primitiue Church , when those persons , who comming from the Gentiles to the Christian Religion , might haue beene scandalized with the outward Ceremoniall , and Rituall worship of God in the Church , ( for Ceremonies are stumbling blockes to them who looke vpon them without their Signification , and without the reason of their Institution ) to auoyd that daunger , though they were not admitted to fee the Sacraments administred , nor the other Seruice of God performed in the Church , yet in the Church , they receiued Instruction , Institution , by word of mouth , in the fundamentall Articles of the Christian Religion , and that was Catechising . The Christians had it from the beginning , and the Iewes had it too : for their word Chanach , is of that signification , Initiare , to enter . Traine vp a child in the way he should goe , and when he is olde , hee will not depart from it . Traine vp , say our Translation in the Text ; Catechise , say our Translators in the Margin , according to the naturall force of the Hebrew word . And Sepher Chinnuch , which is Liber Institutionum , that is , of Catechisme , is a Book well knowne amongst the Iewes , euery where , where they are now : Their Institution is their Catechisme . And if wee should tell some men , that Caluins Institutions were a Catechisme , would they not loue Catechising the better for that name ? And would they not loue it the better , if they gaue mee leaue to tell them that of which I had the experience . An Artificer of this Citie brought his Childe to mee , to admire ( as truly there was much reason ) the capacitie , the memory , especially of the child . It was but a Girle , and not aboue nine yeares of age , her parents said lesse , some yeares lesse ; wee could scarse propose any Verse of any Booke , or Chapter of the Bible , but that that childe would goe forward without Booke . I began to Catechise this childe ; and truly , shee vnderstood nothing of the Trinitie , nothing of any of those fundamentall poynts which must saue vs : and the wonder was doubled , how she knew so much , how so little . The Primitiue Church discerned this necessitie of Catechising : And therefore they instituted a particular Office , a Calling in the Church of Catechisers . Which Office , as we see in Saint Cyprians 42. Epistle , that great man Optatus exercised at Carthage , and Origen at Alexandria . When St. Augustine tooke the Epistle , and the Gospell , and the Psalme of the day , for his Text to one Sermon , did he , think you , much more then paraphrase , then Catechise ? When Athanasius makes one Sermon , and , God knowes , a very short one too , Contra omnes Haereses , To ouerthrow all Heresies in one Sermon ; did he , think you , any more then propose fundamentall Doctrines , which is truly the way to ouerthrow all Heresies ? When Saint Chrysostom enters into his Sermon vpon the 3. Chapter to the Galatians , with that preparation , Attendite diligenter , non enim rem vulgarem pollicemur , Now hearken diligently , sayes he , for it is no ordinary matter that I propose . There he proposes Catechisticall Doctrine of faith and works . Come to lower times , when Chrysologus makes sixe or seuen Sermons vpon the Creed , and not a seuerall Sermon vpon euery seuerall Article , but takes the whole Creed for his Text , in euery Sermon , and scarse any of those Sermons a quarter of an houre long , will you not allowe this manner of Preaching to bee Catechising ? Goe as lowe as can bee gone , to the Iesuites ; and that great Catechizer amongst them , Canisius sayes , Nos hoc munus suscipimus : Wee , wee Iesuites make Catechising our Profession . I doubt not but they doe recreate themselues sometimes in other matters too , but that they glory in , that they are Catechisers . And in that Profession , sayes hee , wee haue Saint Basil , Saint Augustine , Saint Ambrose , Saint Cyrill , in our Societie ; and truly as Catechizers , they haue ; as State-Friers , as Iesuits , they haue not . And in the first Capacitie they haue him , who is more then all ; for as hee sayes rightly , Ipse Christus Catechista , Christs owne Preaching was a Catechising . I pray God that Iesuites conclusion of that Epistle of his , be true still ; There he sayes , Sinihil aliud , If nothing else , yet this alone should prouoke vs to a greater diligence in Catechising ; Improbus labor , & indefessa cura , That our Aduersaries , the Protestants doe spend so much time , as he sayes , day and night in catechizing . Now , if it were so then , when he writ , and bee not so still amongst vs , wee haue intermitted one of our best aduantages : and therefore God hath graciously raised a blessed and a Royall Instrument , to call vs back to that , which aduantaged vs , and so much offended the Enemy . That man may sleepe with a good Conscience , of hauing discharged his dutie in his Ministery , that hath preached in the forenoone , and Catechised after . Quaere , sayes Tertullian , ( and he sayes that with indignation ) an Idolatriam committat , qui de Idolis catechizat : Will any man doubt , sayes he , whether that man be an Idolatrer , that catechises Children , and Seruants in Idolatry ? Will any man doubt , whether hee bee painfull in his Ministerie , that catechises children , and seruants in the sincere Religion of Christ Iesus . The Roman Church hath still made her vse of vs ; of our fortunes , when she gouernd here , and of our example , since she did not : They did , as they saw vs doe ; And thereupon they came to that order , in the Councell of Trent , That vpon Sundayes and Holydayes , they should Preach in the forenoone , and Catechise in the afternoone ; till we did both , they did neither . Except yee become as little Children , yee shall not enter into the Kingdome of Heauen , sayes Christ. Except yee , yee the people bee content at first to feed on the milke of the Gospell , and not presently to fall to gnawing of bones , of Controuersies , and vnreuealed Misteries , And except yee , the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell , descend and apply your selues to the Capacitie of little Children , and become as they , and build not your estimation onely vpon the satisfaction of the expectation of great and curious Auditories , you stopp theirs , you loose your owne way to the kingdome of Heauen . Not that wee are to shut vp , and determine our selues , in the knowledge of Catechisticall rudiments , but to bee sure to know them first . The Apostle puts vs vpon that progresse , Let vs learne the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ , and goe on to perfection . Not leaue at them ; but yet not leaue them out : endeauour to encrease in knowledge , but first make sure of the foundation . And that increase of knowledge , is royally , and fatherly presented to vs , in that , which is another limne of his Maiesties directions , the 39. Articles . The Foundation of nceessary knowledge , is in our Catechismes ; the Superedification , the extention in these Articles . For they carry the vnderstanding , and the zeale of the ablest Man ; high inough , & deepe inough . In the third Article there is an Orthodoxe assertion of Christs descent into Hell ; who can go deeper ? In the 17. Article there is a Modest declaration of the Doctrine of Predestination ; who can go higher ? neither doe these Articles onely build vp Positiue Doctrine ; If the Church had no aduersaries , that were ynough ; but they imbrace Controuersies too , in poynts that are necessarie . As in the two and twentieth Article of Purgatorie , of Pardons , of Images , of Inuocations : and these not in generall onely , but against the Romish Doctrine of Pardons , of Images , of Inuocation . And in the eight and twentieth Article against Transubstantiation , and in such tearmes , as admit no meeting , no reconciliation ; but that it is repugnant to the plaine wordes of Scripture , and hath giuen occasion to many Superstitions . And in one word , we may see the purpose and scope of these Articles , as they were intended against the Romane Church , in that Title which they had in one Edition ( in which though there were some other things , that iustly gaue offence , yet none was giuen nor taken in this ) That these Articles were conceiued and published , to condemne the Heresies of the Manichees , of the Arrians , of the Nestorians , of the Papistes , and others . And therefore in these reasons , which his Maiestie hath descended to giue of his Directions , himselfe is pleased to assigne this , That the people might bee seasoned in all the Heads of the Protestant Religion . Not onely of the Christian against Iewes , Turkes , and Infidels , but of the Protestant against the Romane Church . The Foundation is in the Catechisme ; the growth and extention in the Articles , and then the Application of all to particular Auditories in the Homilies : which , if his Maiestie had not named , yet had beene implyed in his recommendation of the Articles . For the fiue and thirtieth Article appoynts the reading of them : both those , which were published in the time of Edward the sixth , and those which after . In the first Booke , the very first Homilies are , of the Sufficiencie of Scriptures , and of the absolute necessitie of Reading them ; sufficiently opposed against that which hath been sayd in that Church , both of the impertinencie , of Scriptures , as not absolutely necessarie , and of the insufficiencie of these Scriptures , if Scriptures were necessarie . And in the second Booke , the second Homily is against Idolatrie ; and so farre against all approaches towards it , by hauing any Images in Churches , as that perchance Moderat Men , would rather thinke that Homilie to seuere in that kind , then suspect the Homilies of declination towards Papistrie . Is it the name of Homelies that Scandalizes them ? would they haue none ? Saint Cyrills 30. Paschall Sermons , which he preached in so many seuerall Easter daies , at his Arch-bishoprike of Alexandria , and his Christmas dayes Sermons too , were ordinarily exscrib'd , and rehearsed ouer againe , by the most part of the Clergie of those parts : and in their Mouthes they were but Homilies . And Caluins Homilies vpon Iob ( as Beza in his Preface before them , calls them ) were ordinarily repeated ouer againe in many places of Fraunce : and in their mouthes they were but Homilies . It is but the name , that scandalizes ; and yet the name of Homilia and Concio , a Homily and a Sermon , is all one . And if some of these were spoken , and not reade , and so exhibited in the name of a Sermon , they would like them well inough . Certainely his Maiestie mistooke it not , that in our Catechismes , In our Articles , in our Homilies , there is inough for Posttiue , inough for Controuerted Diuinitie ; For that Iesuit , that intended to bring in the whole body of Controuerted Diuinitie into his booke , ( whom we named before ) desired no other Subiect , no other occasion to doe that , but the Catechisme of that Church ; neither need any sober Man , that intends to handle Controuersies aske more , or go further . His Maiestie therefore , who as he vnderstands his duty to God , so doth he his Subiects duties to him , might iustly thinke , That these so well grounded Directions , might , ( as himselfe sayes ) bee receiu'd vpon implicite obedience . Yet hee vouchsafes to communicate to all , who desire satisfaction , the Reasons that mou'd him . Some of which I haue related , and all which , all may , when they will see , and haue . Of all which the Summ is , His Royall and his Pastorall care , that by that Primitiue way of Preaching , his Subiects might be arm'd against all kind of Aduersaries , in fundamentall truthes . And when he takes knowledge , That some few Church-men , but many of the people , haue made sinister constructions of his sincere intentions , As hee is grieued at the heart , ( to giue you his owne wordes ) to see euery day so many d fections from our religion to Popery and Anabaptisme ; So without doubt he is grieued with much bitternes , that any should so peruert his meaning , as to thinke , that these Directions either restraind the Exercise of Preaching , or abated the number of Sermons , or made a breach to Ignorance and Superstition , of which three scandals he hath been pleased to take knowledge . What could any Calumniator , any Libeller on the other side , haue imagin'd more opposit , more contrary to him , then approaches towards Ignorance , or Superstition ? Let vs say for him , Can so learned , so abundantly learned a prince be suspected to plot for Ignorance ? And let vs blesse God , that we heare him say now , That he doth constantly professe himselfe an open aduersary to the Superstition of the Papist ( without any milder Modification ) and to the madnesse of the Anabaptist : And that the preaching against either of their Doctrines is not only approued , but much commended by his royall Maiestie , if it bee done without rude and vndecent reuiling . If he had affected Ignorance in himselfe , he would neuer haue read so much ; and if he had affected Ignorance in vs , hee would neuer haue writ so much , and made vs so much the more learned by his Books . And if hee had had any declination towards Superstition , he would not haue gone so much farther , then his rank and qualitie pressed him to doe , in declaring his opinion concerning Antichrist , as out of Zeale , and zeale with knowledge hee hath done . We haue him now , ( and long , long , O eternall God , continue him to vs , ) we haue him now for a father of the Church , a Foster-father ; such a father as Constantine , as Theodosius was ; our posterity shall haue him for a Father , a Classique father ; such a father as Ambrose , as Austin was . And when his works shall stand in the Libraries of our Posteritie , amongst the Fathers , euen these Papers , these Directions , & these Reasons shal be pregnant euidences for his cōstant zeale to Gods truth , and in the meane time , as arrowes shot in their eyes , that imagine so vaine a thing , as a defection in him , to their superstition . Thus far he is from admitting Ignorance , and from Superstition thus far , which seemes to be one of their feares . And for the other two , ( which concurre in one ) That these Directions should restraine the Exercise of Preaching , or abate the number of Sermons , his Maiestie hath declar'd himselfe to those Reuerend Fathers , To be so far from giuing the least discouragement to solid Preaching , or to discreet and religious Preachers , or from abating the number of Sermons , that hee expects at their hands , that this should increase their number , by renuing vpon euery Sunday in the afternoon , in all Parish Churches throughout the kingdome , that primitiue , and most profitable exposition of the Catechisme . So that heere is no abating of Sermons , but a direction of the Preacher to preach vsefully , and to edification . And therfore , to end all , you , you whom God hath made Starres in this Firmament , Preachers in this Church , deliuer your selues from that imputation , The Starres were not pure in his sight ; The Preachers were not obedient to him in the voice of his Lieutenant . And you , you who are Gods holy people , and zealous of his glory , as you know from St. Paul , that Stars differ from Stars in glory , but all conduce to the benefit of man : So , when you see these Stars , Preachers to differ in gifts ; yet , since all their ends are to aduance your saluation , encourage the Catechizer , as well as the curious Preacher . Looke so farre towards your way to Heauen , as to the Firmament , and consider there , that that starre by which wee saile , and make great voyages , is none of the starres of the greatest magnitude ; but yet it is none of the least neither ; but a middle starre . Those Preachers which must saue your soules , are not ignorant , vnlearned , extemporall men ; but they are not ouer curious men neither . Your children are you , and your seruants are you ; and you doe not prouide for your saluation , if you prouide not for them , who are so much yours , as that they are you . No man is sau'd as a good man , if he be not sau'd as a good Father , and as a good Master too , if God haue giuen him a family . That so , Priest and people , the whole Congregation , may by their religious obedience , and fighting in this spirituall warfare in their Order , minister occasion of ioy to that heart , which hath beene grieued ; in that fulnesse of ioy , Which Dauid expresseth . The King shall reioyce in thy strength , O Lord , and in thy saluation how greatly shall hee reioyce ? Thou hast giuen him his hearts desire , and thou hast not withholden the request of his lipps : for the King trusteth in the Lord , and by the mercy of the most High , he shall not bee mooued . And with that Psalme , a Psalme of Confidence in a good King , and a Psalme of Thanksgiuing for that blessing , I desire that this Congregation may be dissolued ; for this is all that I intended for the Explication , which was our first , and for the Application , which was the other part proposed in these wordes . FINIS . A SERMON VPON THE VIII . VERSE OF THE I. CHAPTER OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES . Preach'd To the Honourable Company of the VIRGINIAN PLANTATION . 13o. Nouemb. 1622. BY IOHN DONNE Deane of St. Pauls , London . LONDON . Printed by A. MAT : for THOMAS IONES and are to sold at his Shop in the Strand , at the blacke Rauen , neere vnto Saint Clements Church . 1622. TO THE HONORABLE COMPANY OF THE VIRGINIAN Plantation . BY your fauours , I had some place amongst you , before : but now I am an Aduenturer ; if not to VIRGINIA , yet for VIRGINIA ; for , euery man , that Prints , Aduentures . for the Preaching of this Sermon , I was but vnder your Inuitation ; my Time was mine owne , and my Medtations mine owne : and I had beene excusable towards you , if I had turnd that Time , and those Meditations , to GOD's seruice , in any other place . But for the Printing of this Sermon , I am not onely vnder your Inuitation , but vnder your Commandement ; for , after it was preach'd , it was not mine , but yours , : And therefore , if I gaue it at first , I doe but restore it now . The first was an act of Loue ; this , of Iustice ; both which Vertues , Almighty God euermore promoue , and exalt in all your proceedings . Amen . Your humble Seruant in Christ Iesus IOHN DONNE ACTS 1. 8. But yee shall receiue power , after that the Holy Ghost is come vpon you , and yee shall be witnesses vnto me both in Ierusalem , and in all Iudea , and in Samaria , and vnto the vttermost part of the Earth . THere are reckoned in this booke , 22. Sermons of the Apostles ; and yet the booke is not called the Preaching , but the Practise , not the VVords , but the Acts of the Apostles : and the Acts of the Apostles were to conuay that name of Christ Iesus , and to propagate his Gospell , ouer all the world : Beloued you are Actors vpon the same Stage too : the vttermonst part of the Earth are your Scene : act ouer the acts of the Apostles ; bee you a light to the Gentiles , that sit in darkenesse ; be you content to carry him ouer these Seas , who dryed vp one red Sea , for his first people , and hath powred out another red Sea , his owne bloud , for them and vs. When man was fallen , God clothed him ; made him a Leather Garment ; there God descended to one occupation ; when the time of mans redemption was come , then God , as it were , to house him , became a Carpenters Sonne ; there God descended to another occupation . Naturally , without doubt , man would haue beene his own Taylor , and his owne Carpenter ; something in these two kinds man would haue done of himselfe , though hee had had no patterne from God : but in preseruing man who was fallen , to this redemption , by which he was to be raisd , in preseruing man from perishing , in the Flood , God descended to a third occupation , to be his Shipwright to giue him the modell of a ship , an Arke , and so to be the author of that , which man himselfe in likelihood , would neuer haue thought of , a means to passe from Nation to Nation . Now , as GOD taught vs to make cloathes , not onely to cloath our selues , but to cloath him in his poore and naked members heere ; as God taught vs to build houses , not to house ourselues , but to house him , in erecting Churches , to his glory : So God taught vs to make Ships , not to transport ourselues , but to transport him , That when wee haue receiued power , after that the Holy Ghost is come vpon vs , we might be witnesses vnto him , both in Ierusalem , and in all Iudaea , and in Samaria , and vnto the vttermost parts of the Earth . As I speake now principally to them who are concernd in this Plantation of Virginia , yet there may be diuers in this Congregation , who , though they haue no interest in this Plantation , yet they may haue benefit and edification , by that which they heare me say , so Christ spoke the words of this Text , principally to the Apostles , who were present and questioned him at his Ascention , but they are in their iust extention , and due accomodation , appliable to our present occation of meeting heere : As Christ himselfe is Alpha , and Omega , so first , as that hee is last too , so these words which he spoke in the East , belong to vs , who are to glorifie him in the VVest ; That we hauing receiued power , after that the Holy Ghost is come vpon vs , might be witnesses vnto him , both in Ierusalem , and in all Iudea , and in Samaria , and vnto the vttermost parts of the Earth . The first word of the Text is the Cardinall word , the word the hinge vpon which the whole Text turnes ; The first word , But , is the But , that all the rest shoots at . First it is an exclusiue word ; something the Apostles had required , which might not bee had ; not that ; And it is an inclusiue word ; something Christ was pleasd to affoord to the Apostles , which they thought not of ; not that , not that which you beat vpon , But , but yet , something else , something better then that , you shall haue . That which this but , excludes , is that which the Apostles expresse in the Verse immediatly before the Text , a Temporall Kingdome ; VVilt thou restore againe the kingdome of Israel ? No ; not a temporall Kingdome ; let not the riches and commodities of this World , be in your contemplation in your aduentures . Or , because they aske more , VVilt thou now restore that ? not yet : If I will giue you riches , and commodities of this world , yet if I doe it not at first , if I doe it not yet , be not you discouraged ; you shall not haue that , that is not Gods first intention ; and though that be in Gods intention , to giue it you hereafter , you shall not haue it yet ; that 's the exclusiue part ; But ; there enters the inclusiue , You shall receiue power , after that the Holy Ghost is come vpon you , and you shall bee witnesses vnto mee , both in Ierusalem , and in all Iudaea , and in Samaria , and vnto the vttermost parts of the Earth . In which second part , we shall passe by these steps ; Superueniet Spiritus , The holy Ghost shall come vpon you , The Spirit shall witnesse to your Spirit , and rectifie your Conscience ; And then , by that , you shall receiue power ; A new power besides the power you haue from the State , and that power shall enable you , to be witnesses of Christ , that is ; to make his doctrine the more credible , by your testimony , when you conforme you selnes to him , and doe as hee did ; and this witnesse you shall beare , this conformity you shall declare , first in Ierusalem , in this Citie ; And in Iudaea , in all the parts of the Kingdome ; and in Samaria , euen amongst them who are departed from the true worship of God , the Papists ; and to the vttermost part of the Earth , to those poore Soules , to whom you are continually sending . Summarily , If from the Holy Ghost you haue a good testimony in your owne Conscience , you shall be witnesses for Christ , that is ; as he did , you shall giue satisfaction to all , to the Citie , to the Countrey , to the Calumniating Aduersary , and the Naturals of the place , to whom you shall present both Spirituall and Temporall benefit to . And so you haue the Modell of the whole frame , and of the partitions ; we proceede now to the furnishing of the particular roomes . 1. Part. FIrst then , this first word , But , excludes a temporall Kingdome ; the Apostles had filld themselues with an expectation , with an ambition of it ; but that was not intended them . It was no wonder , that a woman could conceiue such an expectation , and such an ambition , as to haue her two sonnes sit at Christs right hand , and at his left , in his Kingdome , when the Apostles expected such a Kingdome , as might affoord them honours and preferment vpon Earth . More then once they were in that disputation , in which Christ deprehended them , Which of them should bee the greatest in his Kingdome . Neither hath the Bishop of Rome , any thing , wherein he may so properly call himselfe Apostolicall , as this error of the Apostles , this their infirmitie , that he is euermore to conuersant vpon the contemplation of temporall Kingdomes . They did it all the way , when Christ was with them , and now at his last step , Cum actu ascendisset , when Christ was not Ascending , but in part ascended , when one foot was vpon the Earth , and the other in the cloud that tooke him vp , they aske him now , wilt thou at this time , restore the Kingdome ? so women put their husbands , and men their fathers , and friends , vpon their torture , at their last gaspe , and make their death-bed a racke to make them stretch and encrease ioyntures , and portions , and legacies , and signe Scedules and Codicils , with their hand , when his hand that presents them , is ready to close his eyes , that should signe them : And when they are vpon the wing for heauen , men tye lead to their feet , and when they are laying hand-fast vpon Abrahams bosome , they must pull their hand out of his bosome againe , to obey importunities of men , and signe their papers : so vnderminable is the loue of this World , which determines euery minute . GOD , as hee is three persons , hath three Kingdomes ; There is Regnum potentiae , The Kingdome of power ; and this wee attribute to the Father ; it is power and prouidence : There is Regnum gloriae , the Kingdome of glorie ; this we attribute to the Sonn and to his purchase ; for he is the King that shall say , Come ye blessed of my Father , inherit the Kingdome prepared for you , from the foundation of the VVorld . And then betweene these three is Regnum gratiae , The kingdome of Grace , and this we attribute to the Holy Ghost ; he takes them , whom the king of power , Almighty God hath rescued from the Gentiles , and as the king of grace , Hee giues them the knowledge of the misterie of the kingdome of GOD , that is , of future glory , by sactifying them with his grace , in his Church . The two first kingdomes are in this world , but yet neither of them , are of this world ; because both they referre co the kingdome of glory . The kingdome of the Father , which is the prouidence of God , does but preserue vs ; The kingdome of the Holy Ghost which is the grace of God , does but prepare vs to the kingdome of the Sonne , which is the glory of GOD ; and that 's in heauen . And therefore , though to good men , this world be the way to that kingdome , yet this kingdome is not of this world , sayes Christ himselfe : Though the Apostles themselues , as good a Schoole as they were bred in , could neuer take out that lesson , yet that lesson Christ giues , and repeates to all , you seeke a Temporall kingdome , But , sayes the Text , stop there , A kingdome you must not haue . Beloued in him , whose kingdome , and Ghospell you seeke to aduance , in this Plantation , our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus , if you seeke to establish a temporall kingdome there , you are not rectified , if you seeke to bee Kings in either acceptation of the word ; To be a King signifies Libertie and indepency , and Supremacie , to bee vnder no man , and to be a King signifies Abundance , and Omnisufficiencie , to neede no man. If those that gouerne there , would establish such a gouernment , as should not depend vpon this , or if those that goe thither , propose to themselues an exemption from Lawes , to liue at their libertie , this is to be Kings , to deuest Allegeance , to bee vnder no man : and if those that aduenture thither , propose to themselues present benefit , and profit , a sodaine way to bee rich , and an aboundance of all desirable commodities from thence , this is to be sufficient of themselues , and to need no man : and to bee vnder no man and to need no man , are the two acceptations of being Kings . Whom liberty drawes to goe , or present profit drawes to aduenture , are not yet in the right way . O , if you could once bring a Catechisme to bee as good ware amongst them as a Bugle , as a knife , as a hatchet : O , if you would be as ready to hearken at the returne of a Ship , how many Indians were conuerted to Christ Iesus , as what Trees , or druggs , or Dyes that Ship had brought , then you were in your right way , and not till then ; Libertie and Abundance , are Characters of kingdomes , and a kingdome is excluded in the Text ; The Apostles were not to looke for it , in their employment , nor you in this your Plantation . At least CHRIST expresses himselfe thus farre , in this answer , that if he would giue them a kingdome , hee would not giue it them yet . They aske him , VVilt thou at this time , restore the kingdome ? and hee answers , It is not for you to know the times : whatsoeuer God will doe , Man must not appoint him his time . The Apostles thought of a kingdome presently after Christs departure ; the comming of the Holy Ghost , who ledd them into all truthes , soone deliuer'd them of that error . Other men in fauour of the Iewes , interpreting all the prophesies , which are of a Spirituall kingdome , the kingdome of the Gospell , ( into which , the Iewes shall be admitted ) in a literall sense , haue thought that the Iewes shall haue , not onely a temporall kingdome in the same place , in Ierusalem againe , but because they find that kingdome which is promised , ( that is the kingdome of the Gospell ) to bee expressed in large phrases , and in an abundant manner , applying all that largenesse to a temporall kingdome , they thinke , that the Iewes shall haue such a kingdome , as shall swallowe and annihilate all other kingdomes , and bee the sole Empire and Monarchy of the world . After this , very great men in the Church vpon these words , of One thousand yeares after the Resurrection , haue immagin'd a Temporall Kingdome of the Saints of God heere vpon Earth , before they entred the ioyes of Heauen : and Saint Augustine himselfe , had at first some declinations towards that opinion , though he dispute powerfully against it , after : That there should bee Sabatismus in terris ; that as the world was to last Sixe thousand yeares in troubles , there should be a Seuenth thousand , in such ioyes as this world could giue . And some others , who haue auoided both the Temporall kingdome imagin'd by the Apostles , presently after the Ascention , And the Emperiall kingdome of the Iewes , before the Refurrection , And the Carnall kingdome of the Chiliasts , the Millenarians , after the Refurrection , though they speake of no kingdome , but the true kingdome , the kingdome of glory , yet they erre as much in assigning a certaine time when that kingdome shall beginne , when the ende of this world , when the Refurrection , when the Iudgement shall be . Non est vestrum nosse tempora , sayes Christ to his Apostles then ; and lest it might be thought , that they might know these things , when the Holy Ghost came vpon them , Christ denies that he himselfe knew that , as Man ; and as Man , Christ knew more , then euer the Apostles knew . Whatsoeuer therefore Christ intended to his Apostles heere , hee would not giue it presently , non adhuc , hee would not binde himselfe to a certaine time , Non est vestrum nosse tempora , It belongs not to vs to know Gods times . Beloued , vse goly meanes , and giue God his leisure . You cannot beget a Sonne , and tell the Mother , I will haue this Sonne born within fiue Moneths ; nor , when he is borne , say , you will haue him past daunger of VVardship within fiue yeares . You cannot sow your Corne to day , and say it shall bee aboue ground to morrow , and in my Barne next weeke . Howe soone the best Husbandman , sow'd the best Seede , in the best ground ? GOD cast the promise of a Messias , as the seede of all , in Paradise ; In Semine Mulieris ; The Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpents head ; and yet this Plant was Foure thousand yeares after before it appeared ; this Messias Foure thousand yeares before he came . GOD shew'd the ground where that should growe , Two thousand yeares after the Promise ; in Abrahams Family ; In semine tuo , In thy Seed all Nations shall be blessed . God hedgd in this Ground almost One thousand yeares after that ; In Micheas time , Et tu Bethlem , Thou Bethlem shalt bee the place ; and God watered that , and weeded that , refreshed that dry expectation , with a Succession of Prophets ; and yet it was so long before this expectation of Nations , this Messias came . So GOD promised the Iewes a Kingdome , in Iacobs Prophecie to Iuda , That the Scepter should not depart from his Tribe . In Two hundred yeares more , he saies no more of it ; then he ordaines some institutions for their King , when they should haue one . And then it was Foure hundred yeares after that , before they had a King. GOD ment from the first howre , to people the whole earth ; and God could haue made men of clay , as fast as they made Brickes of Clay in Egypt ; but he began vpon two , and when they had beene mulplying and replenishing the Earth One thousand sixe hundred yeares , the Flood washed all that away , and GOD was almost to begin againe vpon eight persons ; and they haue seru'd to people Earth and Heauen too ; Bee not you discouraged , if the Promises which you haue made to your selues , or to others , be not so soone discharg'd ; though you see not your money , though you see not your men , though a Flood , a Flood of bloud haue broken in vpon them , be not discouraged . Great Creatures ly long in the wombe ; Lyons are litterd perfit , but Bearewhelps lick'd vnto their shape ; actions which Kings vndertake , are cast in a mould ; they haue their perfection quickly ; actions of priuate men , and priuate purses , require more hammering , and more filing to their perfection . Onely let your principall ende , bee the propagation of the glorious Gospell , and though there bee an Exclusiue in the Text , GOD does not promise you a Kingdome , ease , and abundance in all things , and that which he does intend to you , he does not promise presently , yet there is an Inclusiue too ; not that , But , but something equiuolent at least , But yee shall receiue power , after that the Holy Ghost is come vpon you , and yee shall be witnesses vnto me , both in Ierusalem , and in all Iudaea , and in Samaria , and vnto the vttermost parts of the Earth . 2. Part. NOw our Sauiour Christ does not say to these men , since you are so importunate you shall haue no Kingdome ; now nor neuer ; t is , not yet ? But , he does not say , you shall haue no kingdome , nor any thing else ; t is not that ; But ; the importunitie of beggers , sometimes drawes vs to such a froward answer , for this importunitie , I will neuer giue you any thing . Our patterne was not so froward ; hee gaue them not that , but as good as that . Samuel was sent to superinduct a King vpon Saul , to annoint a new King. Hee thought his Commission had bene determined in Eliab , Surely this is the Lords Annointed . But the Lord said , not he ; nor the next , Aminadab ; nor the next , Shamah ; nor none of the next seuen ; But ; but yet there is one in the field , keeping sheepe , annoint him ; Dauid is he . Saint Paul prayed earnestly , and frequently , to be discharged of that Stimulus Carnis : God saies no ; not that ; but Gratia measufficit , Thou shalt haue grace to ouercome the tentation , though the tentation remaine . God sayes to you , No Kingdome , not ease , not abundance ; nay nothing at all yet ; the Plantation shall not discharge the Charges , not defray it selfe yet ; but yet already , now at first , it shall conduce to great vses ; It shall redeeme many a wretch from the Iawes of death , from the hands of the Executioner , vpon whom , perchauuce a small fault , or perchance a first fault , or perchance a fault heartily and sincerely repented , perchance no fault , but malice , had otherwise cast a present , and ignominious death . It shall sweep your streets , and wash your dores , from idle persons , and the children of idle persons , and imploy them : and truely , if the whole Countrey were but such a Bridewell , to force idle persons to work , it had a good vse . But it is already , not onely a Spleene , to draine the ill humors of the body , but a Liuer , to breed good bloud ; already the imployment breeds Marriners ; already the place giues essayes , nay Fraytes of Marchantable commodities ; already it is a marke for the Enuy , and for the ambition of our Enemies ; I speake but of our Doctrinall , not Nationall Enemies ; as they are Papists , they are sory we haue this Countrey ; and surely , twenty Lectures in matter of Controuersie , doe not so much vexe them , as one Ship that goes , & strengthens that Plantation . Neither can I recommend it to you , by any better Retorique then their malice . They would gladly haue it , and therefore let vs bee glad to hold it . Thus then this Text proceedes , and gathers vpon you . All that you would haue by this Plantation , you shall not haue ; GOD bindes not himselfe to measures ; All that you shall haue , you haue not yet ; GOD bindes not himselfe to times , but something you shall haue ; nay , you haue already , some great things ; and of those that in the Text is , The Holy Ghost shall come vpon you . we find the Holy Ghost to haue come vpon men , foure times in this Booke . First , vpon the Apostles at Pentecost . Then , when the whole Congregation was in prayer for the imprisonment of Peter and Iohn . Againe , when Peter preached in Cornelius his house , the Holy Ghost fell vpon all them that heard him . And fourthly , when Saint Paul laid his hands vpon them , who had beene formerly baptized at Ephesus . At the three latter times , it is euident that the Holy Ghost fell vpon whole and promiscuous Congregations , and not vpon the Apostles onely : and in the first , at Pentecost , the contrary is not euident ; nay , the Fathers , for the most part , that handle that , concurre in that , that the Holy Ghost fell then vpon the whole Congregation , men and women . The Holy Ghost fell vpon Peter before hee preach'd , and it fell vpon the hearers when he preach'd , and it hath fallen vpon euery one of them , who haue found motions in themselnes , to propagate the Gospell of Christ Iesus by this meanes . The Sonne of GOD did not abhorre the Virgins wombe , when hee would be made man ; when he was man , he did not disdaine to ride vpon an Asse into Ierusalem : the third person of the Trinity , the Holy Ghost is as humble as the second , hee refuses Nullum vehiculum , no conueyance , no doore of entrance into you ; whether the example and precedent of other good men , or a probable imagination of future profit , or a willingnes to concurre to the vexation of the Enemie , what collaterall respect soeuer drew thee in , if now thou art in , thy principall respect be the glory of God , that occasion , whatsoeur it was , was vehiculum Spiritus Sancti , that was the Petard , that broke open thy Iron gate , that was the Chariot , by which he entred into thee , and now hee is fallen vpon thee , if thou do not Depose , ( lay aside all consideration of profit for euer , neuer to looke for returne ) No not Sepose , ( leaue out the consideration of profit for a time ) ( for that , and Religion may well consist together , ) but if thou doe but Post-pose the consideration of temporall gaine , and study first the aduancement of the Gospell of Christ Iesus , the Holy Ghost is fallen vpon you , for by that , you receiue power , sayes the Text. There is a Power rooted in Nature , and a Power rooted in Grace ; a power yssuing from the Law of Nacions , and a power growing out of the Gospell . In the Law of Nature and Nations , A Land neuer inhabited , by any , or vtterly derelicted and immemorially abandoned by the former Inhabitants , becomes theirs that wil possesse it . So also is it , if the inhabitants doe not in some measure fill the Land , so as the Land may bring foorth her increase for the vse of men : for as a man does not become proprietary of the Sea , because hee hath two or three Boats , fishing in it , so neither does a a man become Lord of a maine Continent , because hee hath two or three Cottages in the Skirts thereof . That rule which passes through all Municipal lawes in particular States , Interest reipublic & vt quis re sua bene vtatur , The State must take order , that euery man improoue that which he hath , for the best aduantage of that State , passes also through the Law of Nations , which is to all the world , as the Municipall Law is to a particular State , Interest mundo , The whole world , all Mankinde must take care , that all places be emprou'd , as farre as may be , to the best aduantage of Mankinde in generall . Againe if the Land be peopled , and cultiuated by the people , and that Land produce in abundance such things , for want whereof their neghbours , or others ( being not enemies ) perish , the Law of Nations may iustifie some force ; in seeking , by permutation of other commodities which they neede , to come to some of theirs . Many cases may be put , when not onely Comerce , and Trade , but Plantations in lands , not formerly , our owne , may be lawfull . And for that , Accepistis potestatem , you haue your Commission , your Patents , your Charters , your Seales from him , vpon whose acts , any priuate Subiect , in Ciuill matters , may safely rely . But then , Accipietis potestatem , You shall receiue power , sayes the text ; you shall , when the Holy Ghost is come vpon you ; that is , when the instinct , the influence , the motions of the Holy Ghost enables your Conscience to say , that your principall ende is not gaine , nor glory , but to gaine Soules to the glory of GOD , this Seales the great Seale , this iustifies Iustice it selfe , this authorises Authoritie , and giues power to strength it selfe . Let the Conscience bee vpright , and then Seales , and Patents , and Commissions are wings ; they assist him to flye the faster ; let the Conscience be lame , and distorted , and he that goes vpon Seales , and Patents , and Commissions , goes vpon weake and feeble crouches . When the Holy Ghost is come vpon you , your Conscience rectified , you shall haue Power , a new power out of that ; what to doe ? that followes , to bee witnesses vnto Christ. Infamy is one of the highest punishments that the Law inflicts vpon man ; for it lyes vpon him euen after death : Infamy is the worst punishment , and Intestabilitie , ( to be made intestable ) is one of the deepest wounds of infamy ; and then the worst degree of intestabilitie , is not to bee beleeued , not to bee admitted to be a witnesse of any other : he is Intestable that cannot make a Testament , not giue his owne goods ; and hee Intestable that can receiue nothing by the Testament of another ; hee is Intestable , in whose behalfe no testimony may be accepted ; but he is the most miserably Intestable of all , the most detestably intestable , that discredits another man by speaking well of him , and makes him the more suspitious , by his commendations . A Christian in profession , that is not a Christian in life , is so intestable so , hee discredits Christ , and hardens others against him . Iohn Baptist was more then a Prophet , because he was a Witnesse of Christ ; and he was a Witnesse , becaue hee was like him , he did as hee did , he lead a holy and a religious life ; so he was a Witnesse . That great and glorious name of Martyr , is but a Witnesse . Saint Stephen was Proto-martyr , Christs first VVitnesse , because hee was the first that did as he did , that put on his colours , that drunke of his Cup , that was baptised with his Baptisme , with his owne bloud : so hee was a VVitnesse . To be Witnesses for Christ , is to be like Christ ; to conforme your selues to Christ ; and they in the Text , & you , are to be witnesses of Christ in Ierusalem , and in all Iudaea , and in Samaria , and vnto the vttermost parts of the Earth . Saint Hierome notes that Iohn Baptist was not bid to beare witnesse in Ierusalem , in the Citie , but in the Wildernesse ; he , and none but he : there were but few men to witnes to there ; & those few that were , came thither with a good disposition to be wrought vpon there ; and there there were fewe witnesses to oppose Iohns Testimony , few tentations , few worldly alluremēts , few worldly businesses . One was enough for the Wildernesse ; but for Ierusalem , for the Citie , where all the excuses in the Gospell doe alwaies meete , they haue bought commodities , and they must vtter them , they haue purchased Lands , & they must state them , they haue maried Wiues , and they must study them , to the Citie , to Ierusalem , Christ sends all his Apostles , and all little inough . Hee hath sent a great many Apostles , Preachers , to this Citie ; more then to any other , that I know . Religious persons as they call them , Cloistered Friars are not sent to the Citie ; by their first Canons , they should not preach abroad : but for those who are to doe that seruice , there are more in this Citie , then in others , for there are more Parish Churches heere then in others . Now , beloued , if in this Citie , you haue taken away a great part of the reuenue of the Preacher , to your selues , take thus much of his labour vpon your selues to , as to preach to one another by a holy and exemplar life , and a religious conuersation . Let those of the Citie , who haue interest in the Gouernment of this Plantation , be Witnesses of Christ who is Truth it selfe , to all other Gouernours of Companies , in all true and iust proceedings : that as CHRIST said to them who thought themselues greatest , Except you become as this little Childe , so we may say to the Gouenours of the grearest Companies , Except you proceed with the integrity , with the iustice , with the clearenesse , of your little Sister , this Plantation , you doe not take , you doe not follow a good example . This is to beare witnesse of Christ in Ierusalem , in the Citie , to bee examples of Truth , and Iustice , and Clearenesse , to others , in , and of this Citie . The Apostles were to do this in Iudaea too , their seruice lay in the Countrey as well as in the Citie . Birds that are kept in cages may learne some Notes , which they should neuer haue sung in the Woods or Fields ; but yet they may forget their naturall Notes too . Preachers that binde themselues alwaies to Cities and Courts , and great Auditories , may learne new Notes ; they may become occasionall Preachers , and make the emergent affaires of the time , their Text , and the humors of the hearers their Bible ; but they may loose their Naturall Notes , both the simplicitie , and the boldnesse that belongs to the Preaching of the Gospell : both their power vpon lowe vnderstandings to raise them , and vpon high affection to humble them . They may thinke that their errand is but to knocke at the doore , to delight the eare , and not to search the House , to ransacke the conscience . Christ left the Ninteie and nine for one Sheepe ; populous Cities are for the most part best prouided ; remoter parts need our labour more , and we should not make such differences . Yeoman , and Labourer , and Spinster , are distinctions vpon Earth ; in the Earth , in the graue there is no distinction . The Angell that shall call vs out of that dust , will not stand to suruay , who lyes naked , who in a Coffin , who in Wood , who in Lead , who in a fine , who in a courser Sheet ; In that one day of the Resurrection , there is not a forenoone for Lords to rise first , and an afternoone for meaner persons to rise after . Christ was not whip'd to saue Beggars , and crown'd with Thornes to saue Kings : he dyed , he suffered all , for all ; and we whose bearing witnesse of him , is to doe , as hee did , must conferre our labours vpon all , vpon Ierusalem , and vpon Iudaea too , vpon the Citie , and vpon the Country too . You , who are his witnesses too , must doe so too ; preach in your iust actions , as to the Citie , to the Countrey too . Not to Seale vp the secrets , and the misteries of your businesse within the bosome of Merchants , and exclude all others who nourish an incompatibility betweene Merchants & Gentlemen ; that Merchants shall say to them in reproach , you haue plaid the Gentlemen , and they in equall reproach , you haue playd the Merchant ; but as Merchants growe vp into worshipfull Families , and worshipfull Families let fall branches amongst Merchants againe , so for this particular Plantation , you may consider Citie and Countrey to bee one body , and as you giue example of a iust gouernment to other companies in the Citie , ( that 's your bearing witnesse in Ierusalem , ) so you may be content to giue reasons of your proceedings , and account of moneyes leuied , ouer the Countrey , for that 's your bearing witnes in Iudaea . But the Apostles Dioces is enlarged , farther then Ierusalem , farther the Iudaea , they are carried into Samaria ; you must beare witnesse of me in Samaria . Beloued , when I haue remembred you , who the Samaritans were , Men that had not renounced GOD , but mingled other Gods with him , Men that had not burnt the Law of GOD , but made Traditions of Men equall to it , you will easily guesse to whom I apply the name of Samaritans now . A Iesuit hath told vs ( an ill Intelligencer I confesse , but euen his Intelligencer , the Deuill himselfe , sayes true sometimes ) Maldonate sayes , the Samaritans were odious to the Iewes , vpon the same grounds as Heretiques and Scismatiques to vs ; and they , we know were odious to them for mingling false Gods , and false worships with the true . And if that be the Caracter of a Samaritan , wee knowe who are the Samaritans , who the Heretiques , who the Scismatiques of our times . In the highest approach to Christ , the Iewes said , Samaritanus es & Daemonium habes , Thou art a Samaritan & hast a Deuill . In our iust detestation of these Men , we iustly fasten both those vpon them . For as they delight in lyes and fill the world with weekely rumors , Daemonium habit , they haue a Deuill , quia mendax est & pater eius . As they multiply assassinats vpon Princes , and Massacres vpon people , Daemonium habent , they haue a Deuill , quia 〈◊〉 ab initio : as they tosse , and tumble , and dispose kingdomes , Daemonium habent , they haue a Deuill , Omina haec dabo was the Deuils complement : but as they mingle truthes and falshoods together in Religion , as they carry the word of GOD , and the Traditions of Men , in an euen balance , Samaritani sunt , they are Samaritanes . At first Christ forbad his Apostles , to goe into any Citie of the Samaritans : after , they did preach in many of them . Beare witnesse first in Ierusalē ; & in Iudaea ; giue good satisfaction especially to those of the houshold of the faithfull , in the Citie & Countrey , but yet satisfie euē those Samaritans too . They would be satisfied , what Miracles you work in Virginia ; & what people you haue conuerted to the Christian Faith , there . If we could as easily cal naturall effects Miracles , or casuall accidents miracles , or Magical illusions , miracles , as they do , to make a miraculous drawing of a tooth , a miraculous cutting of a corn , or , as Iustus Baronius saies , when he was conuerted to them ; that he was miraculously cur'd of the Cholique , by stooping to kisse the Popes foot , If we would pile vp Miracles so fast , as Pope Iohn 22. did in the Canonization of Aquinas , Tot Miracula confecit , quot determinauit questiones , he wrought as many miracles , as he resolu'd questions , we might find Miracles too . In truth , their greatest Miracle to me , is , that they find men to beleeue their miracles . If they rely vpon miracles , they imply a confession that they induce new doctrines ; that that is old & receiu'd , needs no miracles ; If they require miracles , because , though that be ancient Doctrine , it is newlybroght into those parts , we haue the confession of their Iesuit , Acosta , that they doe no miracle in those Indies , and he assignes very good reasons , why they are not necessary , nor to bee expected there . But yet , yet beare witnesse to these Samaritans , in the other point ; labour to giue them satisfaction in the other point of their chardge , What Heathens you haue conuerted to the Faith , which is that which is intended in the next , which is the last branch , You are to be witnesses vnto me both in Ierusalem , & in all Iudaea , & in Samaria , and vnto the vttermost parts of the Earth . Litterally , the Apostles were to bee such witnesses for Christ : were they so ? did the Apostles in person , preach the Gospell , ouer all the World ? I know that it is not hard to multiply places of the Fathers , in confirmation of that opinion , that the Apostles did actually , and personally preach the Gospell in all Nations , in their life . Christ saies , the Gospell of the Kingdome shall be preach'd in all the World ; and there hee tels the Apostles , that they shall see something done , after that ; Therefore they shall liue to it . So he saies to them , You shal be brought before Rulers and Kings for my sake ; but the Gospell must first be published among all Nations : In one Euangelist there is the Commission ; Preach in my name to all Nations . And in another , the Execution of this Commission , And they went and preach'd euery where . And after the Apostle certifies , and returnes the execution of this Commission , The Gospell is come and bringeth forth fruit to all the world : and vpon those , and such places , haue some of the Fathers beene pleasd , to ground their literall exposition , of an actuall and personall preaching of the Apostles ouer all the world . But had they dream'd of this world which hath been discouer'd since , into which , wee dispute with perplexitie , and intricacy enough , how any men came at first , or how any beastes , especially such beastes as men were not likely to carry , they would neuer haue doubted to haue admitted a Figure , in that , The Gospell was preached to all the world ; for when Augustus his Decree went out , That all the World should bee taxed , the Decree and the Taxe went not certainly into the West Indies ; when Saint Paul sayes , That their Faith was spoken of throughout the whole world , and that their obedience was come abroad vnto all men , surely the West Indies had not heard of the faith and the obedience of the Romanes . But as in Moses time , they call'd the Mediterranean Sea , the great Sea , because it was the greatest that those men had then seene , so in the Apostles time , they call'd that all the world , which was knowne and traded in then ; and in all that , they preach'd the Gospell . So that as Christ when he said to the Apostles ; I am with you , vnto the end of the World , could not intend that of them in person , because they did not last to the ende of the world , but in a succession of Apostolike men , so when he sayes , the Apostles should preach him to all the world , it is of the Succession too . Those of our profession that goe , you , that send them who goe , doe all an Apostolicall function . What action soeuer , hath in the first intention thereof , a purpose to propagate the Gospell of Christ Iesus , that is an Apostolicall action , Before the ende of the world come , before this mortality shall put on immortalitie , before the Creature shal be deliuered of the bondage of corruption vnder which it groanes , before the Martyrs vnder the Altar shal be silenc'd , before al thing 's shal be subdued to Christ , his kingdome perfited , & the last Enemy Death destroied , the Gospell must be preached to those men to whom ye send ; to all men ; furder aud hasten you this blessed , this ioyfull , this glorious consummation of all , and happie revnion of all bodies to their Soules , by preaching the Gospell to those men . Preach to them Doctrinally , preach to thē Practically ; Enamore them with your Iustice , and , ( as farre as may consist with your security ) your Ciuilitie ; but inflame them with your godlinesse , and your Religion . Bring them to loue and Reuerence the name of that King , that sends men to teach them the wayes of Ciuilitie in this world , but to feare and adore the Name of that King of Kings , that sends men to teach them the waies of Religion , for the next world . Those amongst you , that are old now , shall passe out of this world with this great comfort , that you contributed to the beginning of that Common Wealth , and of that Church , though they liue not to see the groath thereof to perfection : Apollos watred , but Paul planted ; hee that begun the worke , was the greater man. And you that are young now , may liue to see the Enemy as much empeach'd by that place , and your friends , yea Children , aswell accō modated in that place , as any other . You shall haue made this Iland , which is but as the Suburbs of the old world , a Bridge , a Gallery to the new ; to ioyne all to that world that shall neuer grow old , the Kingdome of heauen , You shall add persons to this Kingdome , and to the Kingdome of heauen , and adde names to the Bookes of our Chonicles , and to the Booke of Life . To end all , as the Orators which declaimd in the presence of the Roman Emperors , in their Panegyriques , tooke that way to make those Emperours see , what they were bound to doe , to say in those publique Orations , that those Emporors had done so , ( for that increased the loue of the Subiect to the Prince , to bee so tolde , that hee had done those great things , and then it conuayd a Counsell into the Prince to doe them after . ) As their way was to procure things to bee done , by saying they were done , so beloued I haue taken a contrary way : for when I , by way of exhortation , all this while haue seem'd to tell you what should be done by you , I haue , indeed , but told the Congregation , what hath beene done already : neither do I speake to moue a wheele that stood still , but to keepe the wheele in due motion ; nor perswade you to begin , but to continue a good worke , nor propose forreigne , but your own Examples , to do still , as you haue done hitherto . For , for that , that which is especially in my contemplation , the conuersion of the people , as I haue receiu'd , so I can giue this Testimony , that of those persons , who haue sent in moneys , and conceal'd their names , the greatest part , almost all , haue limited their deuotion , and contribution vpon that point , the propagation of Religion , and the conuersion of the people ; for the building and beautifying of the house of GOD , and for the instruction and education of their young Children . Christ Iesus himselfe is yesterday , and to day , and the same for euer . In the aduancing of his glory , be you so to , yesterday , and to day , and the same for euer ; here ; and hereafter , when time shall be no more , no more yesterday , no more to day , yet for euer and euer , you shall enioy that ioy , and that glorie , which no ill accident can attaine to diminish , or Eclipse it . Prayer . VVE returne to thee againe , O GOD , with praise and prayer ; as for all thy mercies from before minutes began , to this minute , from our Election to this present beame of Sanctification which thou hast shed vpon vs now . And more particularly , that thou hast afforded vs that great dignity , to be , this way , witnesses of thy Sonne Christ Iesus , and instruments of his glory . Looke gratiously , and looke powerfully vpon this body , which thou hast bene now some yeares in building and compacting together , this Plantation . Looke gratiously vpon the Head of this Body , our Soueraigne and blesse him with a good disposion to this work , and blesse him for that disposition : Looke gratiously vpon them , who are as the braine of this body , those who by his power . counsell , and aduise , and assist in the Gouernment thereof : blesse them with disposition to vnity and concord , and blesse them for that disposition : Looke gratiously vpon them who are as Eyes of this Body , those of the Clergy , who haue any interest therein : blesse them with a disposition to preach there , to pray heere , to exhort euery where for the aduancement thereof , & bless them for that disposition . Blesse them who are the Feete of this body , who goe thither , and the Hands of this body , who labour there , and them who are the Heart of this bodie , all that are heartily affected , and declare actually that heartinesse to this action , blesse them all with a cheerefull disposition to that , and bless them for that disposition . Bless it so in this calme , that when the tempest comes , it may ride it out safely ; blesse it so with friends now , that it may stand against Enemies hereafter ; prepare thy selfe a glorious haruest there , and giue vs leaue to be thy Labourers , That so the number of thy Saints being fulfilled , wee may with better assurance ioyne in that prayer , Come Lord Iesus come quickly , & so meet all in that kingdome which the Sonne of GOD hath purchased for vs , with the inestimable price of his incorruptible bloud . To which glorious Sonne of GOD , &c. Amen . FINIS . Errata . Page 10. line 14 for Three , read There , 2 l. 2 for Co read To. 20 l. 7 Dele Interrogat . ? 29 l. 20 Dele So. 39 l. 13 Dele Yet . Other errors there are , in mis-printing , or in transposing letters , or in misplacing Citations in the Margin , which will not ( I thinke ) hinder any willling Reader . Encaenia . THE FEAST OF DEDICATION . CELEBRATED AT LINCOLNES INNE , in a Sermon there vpon Ascension day , 1623. At the Dedication of a new Chappell there , Consecrated by the Right Reuerend Father in God , the Bishop of LONDON . Preached by IOHN DONNE , Deane of St. PAVLS . LONDON , Printed by AVG. MAT. for THOMAS IONES , and are to bee sold at his Shop in the Strand , at the blacke Rauen , neere vnto Saint Clements Church . 1623. TO THE MASTERS OF THE BENCH , AND the rest of the Honourable Societie of LINCOLNES INNE . IT pleased you to exercise your interest in me , and to expresse your fauour to mee , in inuiting mee to preach this Sermon : and it hath pleased you to doe both ouer againe , in inuiting me to publish it . To this latter seruice I was the more inclinable , because , though in it I had no occasion to handle any matter of Controuersie betweene vs , and those of the Romane Perswasion , yet the whole body and frame of the Sermon , is opposed against one pestilent calumny of theirs , that wee haue cast off all distinction of places , and of dayes , and all outward meanes of assisting the deuotion of the Congregation . For this vse , I am not sorry that it is made publique , for I shall neuer bee sorry to appeare plainly , and openly , and directly , without disguise or modification , in the vindicating of our Church from the imputations and calumnies of that Aduersary . If it had no publique vse , yet I should satisfie my selfe in this , that it is done in obedience to that , which you may call your Request , but I shall call your Commandement vpon Your very humble Seruant in Christ Iesus . IOHN DONNE . The Prayer before the Sermon . OEternall , and most gracious God , Father of our Lord Iesus Christ ; and in him , of all those that are his , As thou diddest make him so much ours , as that he became like vs , in all things , sinne onely excepted , make vs so much his , as that we may be like him , euen without the exception of sinne , that all our sinnes may bee buryed in his wounds , and drowned in his Blood. And as this day wee celebrate his Ascension to thee , bee pleased to accept our endeauour of conforming our selues to his patterne , in raysing this place for our Ascension to him . Leane vpon these Pinnacles , O Lord , as thou diddist vpon Iacobs Ladder , and hearken after vs. Bee this thine Arke , and let thy Doue , thy blessed Spirit , come in and out , at these Windowes : and let a full pot of thy Manna , a good measure of thy Word , and an effectuall preaching thereof , bee euermore preserued , and euermore bee distributed in this place . Let the Leprosie of Superstition neuer enter within these Walles , nor the hand of Sacriledge euer fall vpon them . And in these walles , to them that loue Profit and Gaine , manifest thou thy selfe as a Treasure , and fill them so ; To them that loue Pleasure , manifest thy selfe , as Marrow and Fatnesse , and fill them so ; And to them that loue Preferment , manifest thy selfe , as a Kingdome , and fill them so ; that so thou mayest bee all vnto all ; giue thy selfe wholly to vs all , and make vs all wholly thine . Accept our humble thanks for all , &c. IOHN 10. 22. And it was at Ierusalem , the Feast of the Dedication ; and it was Winter ; and Iesus walked in the Temple in Salomons Porch . SAint Basill in a Sermon vpon the 114. Psalme ; vpon the like occasion as drawes vs together now , The consecration of a Church , makes this the reason and the excuse of his late comming thither to doe that Seruice , that he stayd by the way , to consecrate another Church : I hope euery person heere hath done so ; consecrated himselfe , who is a Temple of the Holy Ghost ; before hee came to assist , or to testifie the consecration of this place of the Seruice of God. Nostra festiuitas hec est , quia de Ecclesia nostra ; sayes Saint Bernard . This Festiuall belongs to vs , because it is the consecration of that place , which is ours , Magis autem nostra , quia de nobis ipsis : But it is more properly our Festiuall , because it is the consecration of our selues to Gods seruice . For , Sanctae Animae propter inhabitantem Spiritum ; your Soules are holy , by the inhabitation of Gods holy spirit , who dwells in them . Sancta corpor a propter inhabitantem animam ; Your Bodies are holy , by the inhabitation of those sanctified Soules . Sancti parietes , propter Corpora Sanctorum . These walles are holy , because the Saints of God meet here within these walls to glorifie him . But yet these places are not onely consecrated & sanctified by your comming ; but to bee sanctified also for your comming ; that so , as the Congregation sanctifies the place , the place may sanctifie the Congregation too . They must accompany one another ; holy persons and holy places ; If men would wash sheep in the Baptisterie , in the Font , those sheep were not christned . If prophane men , or idolatrous men , pray here after their way , their prayers are not sanctified by the place . Neither if it be after polluted , doth the place retain that sanctitie , which is this day to be deriued vpon it , and to bee imprinted in it . Our Text settles vs vpon both these considerations , The holy place , and the holy person . It was the Feast of the Dedication : there 's the holinesse of the place ; And the holy person , was holinesse it selfe in the person of Christ Iesus , who walked in the Temple in Salomons Porch . These two will bee our two parts : And the first of these wee shall make vp of these pieces . First , we shall see a lawfull vse of Feasts , of Festiuall dayes . And then of other Feasts , then were instituted by God himselfe ; diuers were so ; this was not . And thirdly , not only a festiuall solemnizing of some one thing , at some one time , for the present , but an Anniuersary returning to that folemnitie euery yeare ; And lastly , in that first part , this Festiuall in particular , The Feast of the Dedication of the Temple : that fanctified the place , that shall determine that part . In the second part , The holinesse of the person , we shall carry your thoughts no farther , but vpon this , That euen this holy person Iesus himselfe , would haue recourse to this place , thus dedicated , thus sanctified : And vpon this , that hee would doe that especially at such times , as hee might countenance and authorise the Ordinances and Institutions of the Church , which had appointed this Festiuall . And this , sayes the Text , he did in the Winter : First , Etsi Hiems , though it were Winter , hee came , and walked in the Porch , a little inconuenience kept him not off : And , Quia Hiems , because it was Winter , he walked in the Porch which was couered , not in the Temple which was open . So that heere with modestie , and without scandall he condemned not the fauouring of a mans health , euen in the Temple , And it was at Ierusalem , the Feast of the Dedication ; and it was Winter ; and Iesus walked in the Temple in Salomons Porch . In our first part , Holy places , wee looke first vpon the times of our meeting there , Holy dayes . The root of all those is the Sabboth , that God planted himselfe , euen in himselfe , in his owne rest , from the Creation . But the root , and those branches which grow from that root , are of the same nature , and the same name : And therefore as well of the flower , as of the root of a Rose , or of a Violet , we would say , This is a Violet , this is a Rose , so as well to other Feasts of Gods institution , as to the first Sabboth , God giues that name ; hee cals those seuerall Feasts which he instituted , Sabboths ; enioynes the same things to be done vpon them , inflicts the same punishments vpon them that breake them . So that there is one Moralitie , that is the soule of all Sabboths , of all Festiualls ; howsoeuer all Sabboths haue a ceremoniall part in them , yet there is a Morall part that inanimates them all ; they are elemented of Ceremonie , but they animated with Moralitie . And that Moralitie is in them all , Rest : for if Adam could name creatures according to their nature , God could name his Sabboth according to the nature of it , and Sabboth is Rest. It is a Rest of two kindes ; our rest , and Gods rest . Our rest is the cessation from labour on those dayes ; Gods rest , is our sanctifying of the day : for so in the religious sacrifice of Noah , when hee was come out of the Arke , God is said to haue smelt , Odorem quietis , the sauour of rest : vpon those dayes we rest from seruing the world , and God rests in our seruing of him . And as God takes a tenth part of our goods , in Tythes , but yet he takes more too , he takes Sacrifices , so though he take a seuenth part of our time in the Sabboth , yet he takes more too , he appoints other Sabboths , other Festiualls , that he may haue more glory , and we more Rest : for all wherin those two concurre , are Sabboths Vacate & videte quoniam ego sum Dominus sayes God. First vacate , rest from your bodily labours , distinguish the day , and then videte , come hither into the Lords presence , and worship the Lord your God , sanctifie the day : And in all the Sabboths there is still a Cessate , and a Humiliate animas , bodily rest , and spirituall sanctifying of the day . Holy dayes then , that is , dayes seposed for holy vses , and for the outward & publike seruice of God , are in Nature , and in that Morall Law which is written in the heart of man. That such dayes there must be is Morall ; and this is Morall too , that all things in the seruice of God bee done in order ; and this also , that obedience be giuen to Superiours , in those things wherein they are Superiors . And therfore it was to the Iewes , as well Morall , to obserue the certaine dayes which God had determined , as to obserue any at all . Not that Gods commandement limitting the dayes , infused a Moralitie into those particular dayes : for Moralitie is perpetuall ; and if that had been Morall , it must haue been so before , and it must bee so still ; Gods determining the dayes did not infuse , not induce a Moralitie there , but it awakened a former Moralitie , that is , an obedience to the commandement , for that time , which God had appoynted that for them ; for this Obedience , and Order is perpetuall , and so , Morall . We depart therfore from that error , which those ancient Heretiques , the Ebionites begun , and some laboured to refresh in Saint Gregories time , and which continues in practise in some places of the world still ; To obserue both the Iewes Sabbath , and the Christians , Satterday , and Sunday too ; because the Sabboth is called Pactum sempiternum : for to that any of Saint Augustines Answeres will serue ; either that it is called euerlasting , because it signified an euerlasting rest ; ( where be pleased to note by the way , that Holy dayes , Sabbaths , are not onely instituted for Order , but they haue their Mystery , and their Signification ; for Holy dayes , ( as the Text calls them there ) and New Moones , and the Sabboth , were but shadowes of things to come : ) or else the Sabboth was called euerlasting to them , because it bound them euerlastingly , and they might neuer intermit it , as some other ceremonies they might . But their Sabboths bind not vs ; we depart from them who thinke so ; and so we doe from them , who think we are bound to no Festiualls at all , or at least to none but the Sabboth . For God requires as much seruice from vs , as from the Iewes , and to them hee enlarged his Sabboths , and made them diuers . But those were of Gods immediat institution : but all that the Iewes obserued were not so ; and that 's our next consideration , Festiualls instituted by the Church . At first , when God was alone , it is but Faciamus , let vs , vs the Trinity make man. This was , when God was , as we may say , in Coelibatu . But after God hath taken his spouse , maried the Church , then it is Capite nobis vulpes , doe you take the little Foxes , you the Church ; for our vines haue grapes ; the vines are ours ; yours and mine sayes Christ to the Church : and therfore do you looke to them , as well as I. The Tables of the law God himselfe writ , and gaue them written to Moses : he left none of that to him ; not a power to make other Lawes like those lawes : but for the Tabernacle , which concern'd the outward worship of God , that was to be made by Moses , Iuxta similitudinem , according to the paterne which God had shewed him . God hath giuen the Church a paterne of Holy dayes , in those Sabboths which hee himselfe instituted , and according to the paterne , the Church hath instituted more : and Recte festa Ecclesiae colunt quise Ecclesiae filios recognoscunt : They who disdaine not the name of sonnes of the Church , refuse not to celebrate the daies which are of the Churches institution . There was no immediate commandement of God for that Holy day , which Mor dechai , by his letters establish'd ; but yet the Iewes vndertooke to do as Mordechai had written to them . There was no such commandement for this Holy day , in the Text ; and yet that was obferued , as long as they had any beeing . And where the reason remaines , the practise may ; The Iewes did , we may institute new Holy dayes . And not onely transitory daies , for a present thanks giuing for a present benefit , but Anniuersaries , perpetuall memorials of Gods deliuerances . And that 's our next step . Both the Holy dayes , which we named before , which were instituted with out speciall Commaundement from God , were so . That of Mordechai , he commanded to be kept euery yeare for two dayes , and this in the Text , Iudas Maccabeus commanded to be kept yearely for eight dayes , which was more then was appoynted to any of the Holy dayes , instituted by God himselfe , for the Festiuall alone . According to which paterne , one Bishop of Rome , ordained that the Festiuals of the Dedication of Churches should bee yearely celebrated in those places ; and another extended the Festiuall to eight dayes ; at least at the first dedication thereof , if not euery yeare : that God might not onely be put into the possession of the place , but setled in it . God by Moses made the children of Israel a Song , because , as hee sayes , howsoeuer they did by the Law , they would neuer forget that Song , & that Song should be his witnesse against them . Therefore would God haue vs institute solemne memorialls of his great deliuerances , that if when those dayes come about , we doe not glorifie him , that might aggrauate our condemnation . Euery fift of August , the Lord rises vp , to hearken whether we meet to glorifie him , for his great deliuerance of his Maiesty , before the blest vs with his presence in this Kingdome : and when he finds vs zealous in our thankes for that , he giues vs farther blessings . Certainly he is vp as early euery fift of Nouember , to hearken if we meet to glorifie him for that deliuerance still ; and if hee should finde our zeale lesse then heretofore , hee would wonder why . Gods principall , his radicall Holy day , the Sabbath , had a weekly returne ; his other Sabbaths , instituted by himselfe , and those which were instituted by those paternes , that of Mordechai , that of the Maccabees , & those of the Christian Church , They all return once a yeare . God would keepe his Courts once a yeare , and see whether wee make our apparances as heeretofore ; that if not , hee may know it . Feastes in generall , Feastes instituted by the Church alone , Feasts in their yearely returne and obseruation , haue their vse , and particularly those Feasts of the Dedication of Churches , which was properly and literally the Feast of this Text. It was the Feast of Dedication . As it diminishes not , preiudices not Gods Eternitie , that wee giue him his Quando , certaine times of Inuocation , God is not the lesse yesterday , and to day , and the same for euer , because wee meet here to day , and not yesterday , so it diminishes not , preiudices not Gods Vbiquitie and Omnipresence , that wee giue him his Vbi , certaine places for Inuocation . That 's not the lesse true , that the most High dwells not in Temples made with handes , though God accept at our hands our dedication of certaine places to his seruice , & manifest his working more effectually , more energetically in those places , then in any other . for when we pray , Our Father which art in Heauen , It is not ( sayes Saint Chrysostome ) that wee deny him to bee heere , where wee kneele when we say that Prayer , but it is that we acknowledge him to be there , where he can graunt , and accomplish our prayer . It is as Origen hath very well expressed it , Vt in melioribus mundi requiramus Deum : That still wee looke for God in the best places ; looke for him , as he heares our petitions , here , in the best places of this world , in his House , in the Church ; looke for him as he graunts our petition , on , in the best place of the next world , at the right hand , and in the bosome of the Father . When Moses sayes that the word of God is not beyond Sea , he addes , It is not so beyond Sea , as that thou must not haue it without sending thither . When he sayes there , it is not in heauen , he adds , not so in heauen , as that one must goe vp , before hee can haue it . The word of God , is beyond Sea , the true word , truly preached in many true Churches there , but yet we haue it here , within these Seas too ; God is in Heauen , but yet hee is here , within these walles too . And therefore the impietie of the Manicheans exceeded all the Gentiles , who concluded the God of the Old Testament to be an impotent , an vnperfect God , because hee commaunded Moses first to make him a Tabernacle , and then Salomon to make him a Temple , as though he needed a House . God does not need a house , but man does need , that God should haue a House . And therefore the first question , that Christs first Disciples asked of him , was Magister , vbi habitas , they would know his standing house , where he hath promised to bee alwaies within , and where at the ringing of the Bell , some body comes to answere you , to take your errand , to offer your Prayers to God , to returne his pleasure in the preaching of his Word to you . The many and heauy Lawes , with which sacred and secular stories abound , against the prophanation of places , appropriated to Gods seruice , and that religious custome , that passed almost through all ciuill Nations , that an oath , which was the bond between man , and man , had the stronger Obligation , if that were taken in the Church , in the presence of God , ( for such was the practise of Rome towards her enemies , Tango ar as inediosqueignes , to make their vowes of hostility in the Church , and at time of diuine Seruice , ( and such is their practise still , they seale their Treasons in the Sacrament ) such was Romes practise towards others , and such was the practise of others towards Rome , ( for so Anniball sayes , that his father Amilcar swore him at the Altar , that he should neuer bee reconciled to Rome , ( And such is your practise still , as often as you meet here , you renew your band to God , that you will neuer bee reconciled to the Superstitions of Rome ) all these , and all such as these , and such as these are infinite , heap vp testimonies , that euen in Nature there is a disposition to apply , and appropriate certaine places to Gods seruice . And this impression in nature is illustrated in the Law , as the time , so the place is distinguished , Yee shall keepe my Sabboths , there is the time , and you shall reuerence my Sanctuary , there is the place . But that they may be reuerenced , that they may bee Sanctuaries , they are to be sanctified ; and that 's the Encaenia , the Dedication . Euen in those things which accrue vnto God , and become his , by another title , then as he is Lord of all , by Creation , that is , by appropriation , by dedication to his vse and Seruice , There is a Lay Dedication , and an Ecclesiasticall Dedication . I hope the distinction of Laytie , and Clergie , the words , scandalize no man. Luther , and Caluin too might haue iust cause to decline the words , as they did ; when so much was ouer-attributed to that Clergie which they intend , as that they were so Sors Domini , the Lords portion , as that the world had no portion in them , and yet they had the greatest portion of the world ; and howe little soeuer they had to doe with God , yet no State , no King might haue any thing to doe with them . But , as long as we declare , that by the Layetie we intend the people glorifying God in their secular callings , and by the Clergie , persons seposed by his ordinance , for spirituall functions , The Layetie no farther remoou'd then the Clergie , The Clergie no farther entitled then the Layetie , in the blood of Christ Iesus , neither in the effusion of that blood vpon the Crosse , nor in the participation of that blood in the Sacrament , and that an equall care in Clergie , and Layetie , of doing the duties of their seuerall callings , giues them an equall interest in the ioyes , and glory of heauen , I hope no man is scandaliz'd with the names . The Lay Dedication then is , the voluntary surrendring of this piece of ground thus built , to God. For we must say , as Saint Peter said to Ananias , Whiles it remain'd , was that not your owne ? and now , when that is raised ( sauing that there was Dedicatio Intentionalis , a purpose from the beginning to appropriate it , to this holy vse ) might you not , till this houre , haue made this roome your Hall , if you would ? But this is your Dedication , that you haue cheerfully pursued your first holy purposes , and deliuer now into the hands of this seruant of God , the Right Reuerend Father the Bishop of this See , a place to be presented to God for you , by him , not misbecomming the Maiestie of the great God , who is pleased to dwell thus amongst vs. What was spent in Salomons Temple is not told vs. What was prepared , before it was begun , is such a summe , as certainly , if all the Christian Kings that are , would send in all that they haue , at once , to any one seruice , all would not equall that summe . They gaue there , till they who had the ouerseeing therof , complain'd of the abundance , and proclaim'd an abstinence . Yet there was one , who gaue more then all they ; for Christ sayes the poore widdow gaue more then all the rest , because she gaue all she had . There is a way of giuing more then she gaue ; & I , who by your fauours was no strāger to the beginning of this work , and an often refresher of it to your memories , and a poore assistant in laying the first stone , the materiall stone , as I am now , a poore assistant again in this laying of this first formall Stone , the Word & Sacrament , and shall euer desire to be so in the seruice of this place , I , I say , can truly testifie , that you ( speaking of the whole Societie together of the publike stock , the publike treasury , the publike reuenue ) you gaue more then the widow , who gaue all , for you gaue more then all . A stranger shall not entermeddle with our ioy , as Salomon saies : strangers shall not know , how ill we were prouided for such a work , when we begun it , nor with what difficulties we haue wrastled in the way ; but strangers shall know to Gods glory , that you haue perfected a work of full three times as much charge , as you proposed for it at beginning : so bountifully doth God blesse , and prosper intentions to his glory , with enlarging your hearts within , and opening the hearts of others , abroad . And this is your Dedication , and that which without preiudice , and for distinction , wee call a Lay Dedication , though from religious hearts , and hands . There is another Dedication ; that we haue call'd Ecclesiasticall , appointed by God , so as God speaks in the ordinances , and in the practise of his Church . Haereditary Kings are begotten & conceiu'd the naturall way ; but that body which is so begotten of the blood of Kings , is not a King , no nor a man , till there bee a Soule infused by God. Here is a House , a Child conceiu'd ( wee may say borne ) of Christian parents , of persons religiously disposed to Gods glory ; but yet , that was to receiue another influence , an inanimation , a quickening , by another Consecration . Oportet denuo nasci , holds euen in the children of Christian parents ; when they are borne , they must be borne again by Baptisme : when this place is thus giuen by you , for God , oportet denuo dari , it must be giuen againe to God , by him , who receiues it of you . It must ; there seems a necessitie to be implied , because euen in Nature , there was a consecration of holy places ; Iacob in his iourney , before the Law , consecrated euen that stone , which he set vp , in intention to build God a House there . In the time of the Law , this Feast of Dedication , was in practise ; first in the Tabernacle ; that and all that appertain'd to it , was annointed , and sanctified : So was Salomons Temple after ; so was that which was reedified after their return from Babylon , and so was this in the Text , after the Heathen had defiled and profan'd the Altar thereof , and a new one was erected by Iudas Maccabeus . Thus in Nature , thus in Law , and thus far thus in the Gospell too : that as sure as wee are that the people of God had materiall Churches in the Apostles first times , so sure we are , that those places had a Sanctitie in them . If that place of Saint Paul , Despise yee the Church of God ? be to be vnderstood of the locall , of the materiall Church , and not of the Congregation , you see there is a rebuke for the prophanation of the place , and consequently a sanctity in the place . But assoone as the Church came euidently by the fauour of Princes , to haue liberty to make lawes , and power to see them practised , it was neuer pretermitted to consecrate the places . Before that , we find an ordinance by Pope Hyginus ( he was within 150. after Christ , and the eighth Bishop of that See after Saint Peter ) euen of particulars in the Consecrations . But after , Athanasius in his Apologie to Constantius , makes that protestation for all Christians , That they neuer meet in any Church , till it bee consecrated : And Constantine the Emperour least hee should be at any time vnprouided of such a place , ( as we read in the Ecclesiasticall story ) in all his warres , carried about bout with him a Tabernacle which was consecrated : In Nature , in the Law , in the Gospell , in Precept , in Practise , these Consecrations are established . This they did . But to what vse did they consecrate them ? not to one vse only ; and therefore it is a friuolous contention , whether Churches be for preaching , or for praying . But if Consecration be a king of Christning of the Church , & that at the Christning it haue a name , wee know what name God hath appoynted for his House , Domus mea , Domus orationis vocabitur . My House shall bee called the House of Prayer . And how impudent and inexcusable a falshood is that in Bellarmine , That the Lutherans and Caluinistes doe admit Churches for Sermons and Sacraments , Sed reprehendunt quod fiant ad orandum , They dislike that they should be for Prayer : when as Caluin himselfe , ( who may seeme to bee more subiect to this reprehension then Luther ) ( for there is no such Liturgie in the Caluinists Churches , as in the Lutheran ) yet in that very place which Bellarmine cites , sayes Conceptae preces in Ecclesia Deo gratae ; and for singing in Churches , ( which in that place of Caluin cannot be only meant of Psalmes , for it was of that manner of singing , which being formerly in vse in the Easterne churches , S. Ambrose , in his time , brought into the Church of Millan , and so it was deriud ouer the Western churches , which was the modulation and singing of Versicles and Antiphons and the like ) this singing , sayes Caluin , was in vse amongst the Apostles themselues , Et sanctissimum & saluberimum est institutum . It was a most holy and most profitable Institution . Still consider Consecration to be a Christning of the place ; and though we find them often called Templa propter Sacrificia , for our sacrifices of praier , and of praise , & of the merits of Christ , and often called Ecclesiae ad conciones , Churches , in respect of congregations , for preaching , and often call'd Martyria , for preseruing with respect , and honor the bodies of Martyrs , and other Saints of God , there buried , & often , often , by other names , Dominica , Basilica , and the like , yet the name that God gaue to his house , is not Concionatorium , nor Sacramentarium , but Oratorium , the House of Prayer . And therefore without preiudice to the other functions too , ( for as there is a vae vpon me , Si non Euangelizauero , If I preach not my selfe , so may that vae be multiplied vpon any , who would draw that holy ordinance of God into a dis-estimatiō , or into a slacknesse , ) let vs neuer intermit that dutie , to present our selues to God in these places , though in these places there bee then , no other Seruice , but Common prayer . For then doth the House answere to that name , which God hath giuen it , if it be a house of Prayer . Thus then were these places to receiue a double Dedication ; a Dedication , which was a Donation from the Patron , a Dedication which was a consecration from the Bishop , for to his person , and to that ranke in the Hierarchy of the Church , the most ancient Canons limited it ; and to those purposes , which wee haue spoken of ; of which , Prayer is so farre from being none , as that there is none aboue it . A little should be said , ( before wee shut vp this part ) of the manner , the forme of Consecrations . In which , in the Primitiue Church , assoone as Consecrations came into free vse , they were full of Ceremonies . And many of those Ceremonies deriu'd from the Iewes : and not vnlawfull , for that . The Ceremonies of the Iewes , which had their foundation in the prefiguration of Christ , and were types of him , were vnlawfull after Christ was come ; because the vse of them , then , implyed a deniall or a doubt of his being come . But those Ceremonies , which , though the Iewes vsed them , had their foundation in Nature , as bowing of the knee , lifting vp the eyes , and hands , and many , very many others , which either testified their deuotion that did them , or exalted their deuotion that sawe them done , are not therefore excluded the Church , because they were in vse amongst the Iewes . That Pope whom we named before , Hyginus , the eighth after Saint Peter , he instituted , Ne Basilica sine Missa consecretur . That no Church bee consecrated without a Masse . If this must binde vs , to a Masse of the present Romane Church , it were hard ; and yet not very hard truely ; for they are easily had . But that word , Masse , is in Saint Ambrose , in Saint Augustine in some very ancient Councels ; and surely intends nothing , to this purpose , but the Seruice , the Common Prayer of the Church , then in vse , there . And when the Bishop Panigarola sayes in his Sermon vpon Whitsunday , that the Holy Ghost found the blessed Virgin and the Apostles at Masse , I presume hee meanes no more , then that they were mett at such publique Prayer , as at those times they might make . Sure Pope Clemens , and Pope Hyginus meane the same thing , when one sayes Missa consecretur , and the other Diuinis Precibus : One sayes , Let the Consecration bee with a Masse , the other , with Diuine Seruice ; the Liturgie , the Diuine Seruice was then the Masse . In a word , a constant forme of Consecrations , wee finde none that goes through our Ritualls : the Ceremonies were still more or lesse , as they were more or lesse obnoxious , or might bee subiect to scandalize , or to be mis-interpreted . And therefore I am not heere either to direct , or so much as to remember , that which appertaines to the manner of these Consecrations ; onely in concurring in that , which is the Soule of all , humble and heartie prayer , that God will heare his Seruants in this place , I shall not offend to say , that I am sure my zeale is inferiour to none . And more I say not of the first Part , The Holy place ; and but a little more , of the other ; though at first it were proposed for an equall part , The Holy Person , That at the Feast of the Dedication , Iesus walked in the Temple in Salomons Porch . In this second part , wee did not spread the words , not shed our considerations vpon many particulars : the first was , that euen Iesus himselfe had recourse to this Holy place . In the new Ierusalem , in Heauen , there is no Temple . I saw no Temple there sayes Saint Iohn : for the Lord God Almightie , and the Lambe are the Temple of it . In Heauen , where there is no danger of falling , there is no need of assistance . Heere the Temple is called Gnazar , that is Auxilium : A Helper : the strongest that is , needs the helpe of the Church : And it is called Sanctificium , by Saint Hierom , a place that is not onely made holy by Consecration , but that makes others holy by GOD in it . And therefore Christ himselfe , whose person and presence might consecrate the Sanctum Sanctorum , would yet make his often repayre to this Holy place ; not that hee needed this subsidie of Locall holinesse in himselfe , but that his example might bring others who did neede it ; and those who did not ; and , that euen his owne Preaching might haue the benefite and the blessing of Gods Ordinance in that place , hee sayes of himselfe , Quotidie apud vos sedebam docens in Templo , and Semper docui in Synagoga , & in Templo ; as in the Actes , the Angell that had deliuered the Apostles out of prison , sends them to Church , Stantes in Templo loquimini plebi . The Apostles were sent to preach , but to preach in the Temple , in the place appropriated and consecrated for that holy vse and employment . He came to this place , and he came at those times , which no immediate command of God , but the Church had instituted . Facta sunt Encaenia , sayes the Text ; It was the Feast of the Dedication . Wee know what Dedication this was ; That of Salomon was much greater ; A Temple built where none was before ; That of Esdras at the returne was much greater then this , An intire reedification of that demolished Temple , where it was before . This was but a zealous restoring of an Altar in the Temple : which hauing beene prophaned by the Gentiles , the Iewes themselues threw downe , and erected a new , and dedicated that . Salomons Dedication is called a Feast , a Holy day : by the very same name that the Feast of vnleauened bread , and the Feast of the Tabernacle is called so often in Scripture , which is Kag . The Dedication of Ezra is sufficiently declared to bee a solemne Feast too . But neither of these Feastes , though of farre greater Dedications , were Anniuersarie ; neither commanded to be kept euery yeare ; and yet this , which was so much lesser then the others , the Church had put vnder that Obligation , to bee kept euery yeare ; and Christ himselfe contemnes not , condemnes not , disputes not the institution of the Church . But as for matter of doctrine hee sends euen his owne Disciples , to them who sate in Moses Chayre , so for matter of Ceremony , he brings euen his owne person , to the celebrating , to the authorizing , to the countenancing of the Institutions of the Church , and rests in that . Now it was Winter , sayes the Text : Christ came etsi Hyems , though it were Winter ; so small an inconuenience kept him not off . Beloued , it is not alway colder vpon Sunday , then vpon Satterday ; nor at any time colder in the Chappell ; then in Westminster Hall. A thrust keepes some off in Summer ; and colde in Winter : and there are more of both these in other places , where for all that , they are more content to be . Remember that Peter was warming himselfe , and hee denyed Christ. They who loue a warme bed , let it bee a warme Studie , let it bee a warme profit , better then this place , they deny CHRIST in his Institution . That therefore which CHRIST sayes , Pray that your flight bee not in the Winter , nor vpon the Sabboth ; we may apply thus , Pray that vpon the Sabboth ( I tolde you at first , what were Sabboths , ) the Winter make you not flie , not abstaine from this place . Put off thy shooes , sayes God to Moses , for the place is holy ground . When Gods ordinance by his Church call you to this holy place , put off those shoes , all those earthly respects , of ease or profit , Christ came , Etsi Hyems . But then , Quia Hyems , Because it was Winter , Hee did walke in Salomons Porch , which was couered , not in Atrio , in that part of the Temple , which was open , and expos'd to the weather . We doe not say , that infirme and weak men , may not fauour themselues , in a due care of their health , in these places . That he who is not able to raise himselfe , must alwayes stand at the Gospell , or bow the knee at the name of Iesus , or stay some whole houres , altogether vncouered heere , if that increase infirmities of that kinde . And yet Courts of Princes , are strange Bethesdaes ; how quickly they recouer any man that is brought into that Poole ? How much a little change of ayre does ? and how well they can stand , and stand bare many houres , in the Priuy Chamber , that would melt and flowe out into Rhumes , and Catarrs , in a long Gospell heere ? But , Citra Scandalum , a man may fauour himselfe in these places : but yet this excuses not the irreuerent manner which hath ouertaken vs in all these places ; That any Master may thinke himselfe to haue the same libertie heere , as in his owne house , or that that Seruant , that neuer puts on his hat in his Masters presence all the weeke , on Sunday , when hee and his Master are in Gods presence , should haue his hat on perchance before his Masters . Christ shall make Master and Seruant equall ; but not yet ; not heere ; nor euer , equall to himselfe , how euer they become equall to one another . Gods seruice is not a continuall Martyrdome , that a man must bee heere , and here in such a posture , and such a manner , though hee dye for it ; but Gods House is no Ordinary neither ; where any man may pretend to doe what he will , and euery man may doe , what any man does . Christ slept in a storme ; I dare not make that generall ; let all doe so . Christ fauoured himselfe in the Church ; I dare not make that generall neither : to make all places equall , or all persons equall in any place . T is time to end . Saint Basill himselfe , as acceptable as hee was to his Auditory , in his second Sermon vpon the 14. Psalme , takes knowledge that hee had preached an houre , and therefore broke off : I see it is a Compasse , that all Ages haue thought sufficient . But as we haue contracted the consideration of great Temples , to this lesser Chappell , so let vs contract the Chappell to our selues : Et facta sint Encaenia nostra , let this be the Feast of the Dedication of our selues to God. Christ calls himselfe a Temple , Soluite templum hoc : Destroy this Temple . And Saint Paul calls vs so twice ; Know ye not that ye are the Temples of the Holy Ghost ? Facta sint Encaenia nostra : Encaenia signifies Renouationem , a renewing : and Saint Augustine sayes that in his time , Si quis noua tunica indueretur , Encaeniare diceretur . If any man put on a new garment , hee called it by that name , Encaenia sua . Much more is it so , if wee renew in our selues the Image of God , and put off the Olde man , and put on the Lord Iesus Christ. This is truly Encaeniare , to dedicate , to renew our selues : and so Nazian . in a Sermon , or Oration , vpon the like occasion as this , calls , Conuersionem nostram , Encaenia , our turning to God , in a true repentance , or renewing , our dedication . Let mee charge your memories , but with this note more , That when God forbad Dauid the building of an House , Because hee was a man of blood , at that time Dauid had not embrued his hands in Vriahs blood ; nor shed any blood , but lawfully in iust warres ; yet euen that made him vncapable of this fauour to prouide God a house . Some callings are in their nature more obnoxious , and more exposed to sinne , then others are : accompanied with more tentations ; & so retard vs more in holy duties . And therefore as there are particular sinnes that attend certaine places , certaine ages , certaine complexions , and certaine vocations , let vs watch our selues in all those , and remember that not only the highest degrees of those sinns , but any thing that conduces therunto , prophanes the Consecration , and Dedication of this Temple , our selues , to the seruice of God ; it annihilates our repentance , and frustrates our former reconciliations to him . Almighty God worke in you a perfit dedication of your selues at this time ; that so , receiuing it from hands dedicated to God , hee whose holy Office this is , may present acceptably this House to God in your behalfes , and establish an assurance to you , that God will be alwayes present with you and your Succession in this place . Amen . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A20655-e620 Deut. 31. 19. Apoc. 15. 3. Diuision . Verse 15 , Verse 9. Verse 10 , Verse 2. Verse 16. Verse 17. Part 1. Esa. 37. 3 2. Reg. 5. 1. 1. Sam. 23 lud . 6. Rom. 11. 5. 1. 10. 3. 4. Matt. 43. Prou. 13. 7. Mat. 26. 13 Plutar. Verse 16. Verse 17. Verse 16. Verse 17. Esa. 61. 1 Math. 28. 19. I. Thes. 5. 19. 1 Cor. 9. 16. Apoc. 12. 3. Cant. 6. 3. Col. 2. 5. I Thes. 4. 11. 2 Thes. 3. 6. Psal. 51 Aquin. Pro. 22. 6 Mat. 18. 3 Heb. 6. 1. Iob 25. 5 1 Cor. 15 14. Psal 21. Notes for div A20655-e11530 Mat. 20. 20 Mat. 1. 81. Athanaz . Mat. 25. 34 Mar. 4. 11. Ioh 18. 36. Non adbuc . Apo. 20 , De Ciuitat . Dei 20. 7. Gen. 49. Deu. 17. 14. Sed. 1 Sam. 16 Spiritus Sanctus . Acts 2 , 1. 4. 31. 10. 44. 19. 6. Potestatem . Testes . Ierusalem . Iudaea . Samaria . Iohn 8. 44. Mat. 4. 10. 10. 5. Acts 8. 25. Fines terrae . Mat. 24 14 Mark. 13. 9. Luk 24. 47 Mar. 16. 20 Col. 1. 5. Luc. 1. 1. Rom. 1. 8. 16. 19. Mar. vlt. vlt Rom. 8. 1 Cor. 3. 6. Notes for div A20655-e18850 Basil. Bern. Ser. 1. Diuisie . 1. Part. Festa . Leuit. 23. Genes . 8. Psal. 46. 10 Leuit. 23. Exod. 31. Col. 2. 16. Sine Mandato . Cant. 2. 15 Exod. 25. 9. Aug. Ester 9. 23 Anniuersaria . Felix . Greg. Deut. 31. 19 〈◊〉 Temple . Acts 7. 48. Chrysostome . Origen . Deut. 30. 13 Levi. 19. 30 Encaenia . Acts 5. 4. Ecclesiastica Gen. 28. 20. Num. 7. 1. 1 Cor. 11. 22 Athanas. Vsus . l. 3. 20. § 32. Modus . 2. Part. Iesus in Templo . Apo. 21. 22 2. Paral. 4. 9 Psal. 78. 69. Math. 26. Actes 5. Tempus . 2 Chr. 5. 3. Ezra 6. 16. Etsi Hyems Mat. 24. 20. Exod. 35. Quia Hyems Basil. Iohn 2. 19. 1 Cor. 3. 16. & 6. 19. Aug. Nazian .