THE Childbirth or Woman's Lecture. That is: A Lecture upon Chap. 1. ver. 57, 58. of the holy Gospel according to Luke; very necessary to be read and known of all young married and teeming Women, and not unprofitable for men of all sorts. By Chr. H. Esay. 66.7. Before she travailed, she brought forth: and before her pain came she was delivered of a man Child. emblem with symbols of two entwined snakes, two cornucopias, and two hands shaking BY WISDOM PEACE BY PEACE PLENTY TO AT LONDON, Printed by Thomas Orwin, for Henry Hooke, and are to be sold in Paul's Churchyard, by Ralph jackson, at the sign of the Swan. 1590. To the right Worshipful, and virtuous Gentlewoman, Mistress Elizabeth Savel, grace, mercy, and peace, (from jesus Christ, the fountain of all heavenly graces) be multiplied. THis Lecture right (Worshipful) whereof I presume to make you the Patroness, is compact of the notes observed in my reading, at the births of your two most sweet jewels, Master Henry, and Master Edward Savels, and now published, as for the common good of all that please to read it; so to perform my promise made long since unto you, and to be a testimony of the godly care, which your Honourable Lady-mother, the Lady Paget & yourself had to show all thankfulness unto the Lord for his great mercy towards you. For no sooner were you through the goodness of God delivered, but that both the one time and the other, I was sent unto from her Ladyship and yourself, to give thanks unto the Lord on your behalf: so that the sun had not showed his beams before such time as the same mornings, wherein you received those blessings. We had the whole family together, the right Worshipful your Father, and your Husband, being also present; like as was her Ladyship herself, with your Worshipful sister Mistress Baeshe, performed this exercise, and sang Psalms of thanksgiving. I wish as I nothing doubt, of your good continuance in this so holy a course, that all others, who are partakers of the same mercies, would also imitate & follow your godly example and precedent herein: which they should the rather do, if they could or would consider aright, how many singular blessings in this one thing do concur, for nothing hindereth so much our thankfulness unto the Lod as the want of a right consideration of his great benefits, wherewith he ladeth us, which either for lack of insight into them; or for that they seem ordinary, and befall us every day, and others aswell as us are therefore the less of the greater sort regarded: but were we affected as we should, the more ordinary that they are, the more thankful we should be since our sins every day deserve to break the ordinary course of them; Dani. 4.24. for that we break not off our sins by righteousness, nor our iniquities by mercy toward the poor. And since we see daily, many to fail of them whom we may justify in respect of ourselves, for not to speak of holy Rahel and Ely his daughter in law; how many right godly and virtuous women, do daily in Childbed miscarry? They therefore who have the good success which you now thrice (the Lord be blessed for it) have had, & always may have; ought (with Elizabeth and you) acknowledge his great mercies to them. For though it were ordinary to all in safety to be delivered, which we see is not: yet therein they shall find many extraordinary blessings, as by this lecture they may partly conceive, but most plainly may understand of themselves, and by themselves, if themselves they will call to remembrance of their own deliverances, and not forget all their former distress (whereout, without the Lords hand, it had been impossible for them to have been delivered) through joy of a man child, whom they have brought into the world. Leaving therefore the further consideration hereof unto your Worship, and to all other godly and virtuous Matrons, that have tasted herein, how sweet and bountiful the Lord is. I end, beseeching you to accept of this my poor labour: and praying the Lord that it may be profitable unto all, in stirring them up to a greater thankfulness unto the Lord for his so great mercies bestowed upon them. Your Worships to God, for you and yours in his prayers. Chr. H. Luke: 1.57, 58. ¶ Now Elizabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered, and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and Cousins heard tell: how the Lord had showed his great mercy upon her, and they rejoiced with her. WHo this Elizabeth was, whom here we have mentioned, none I suppose to be so ignorant, Luk. 1.6, but that he knoweth. She was (saith this Evangelist) of the daughters of Aaron: her husband was Zacharias a Priest, and both he and she, just before GOD, walking in all his commandments and ordinances without reproof. A notable pattern and example, not only for ministers, and their wives, whose blameless conversation in all things, and at all times, aught to be a second instruction unto the people: but for all couples (as we term them) of what degree, or calling soever they be, that they themselves fearing the Lord, and walking in his ways: job. 1.5. Gen. 18.19. they may not only teach as did job, but command also as did Abraham, their sons, and their household, to know the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgement. For this the godly whom any care of religion hath touched, have always according to his commandment done, and this of his mercy towards them he hath not left unrewarded. Abraham his reward with God was exceeding great, being made for this, as it were, one of his privy council. For shall I conceal or keep any thing from Abraham (saith God) since he will teach his sons and his household. Gen. 18.17. job who used every day to sanctify his sons, that is to prepare them unto sanctification, by teaching them how; though for his trial & our example, in the chiefest of his prosperous felicity he was humbled & cast down; job. 42.12. yet the Lord restored him again and blessed his latter days, Psal. 101. josu 24.15. Gen. 35.2. Act. 10.2. more than his former. The like may be said of David, of josua, of jaacob, of Cornelius the Italian Captain, and such like; whose careful obedience to the commandments of the Lord, with the no less diligent information of their households therein, is set down; & their reward from the Lord by his singular blessings in great abundance bestowed upon them, is as it were particularly noted. Zacharias therefore and Elizabeth as no doubt they performed this duty, so they are not alone, neither is the reward of their holy conversation the least: for whereas Elizabeth was barren and long without a child, whereby she was a reproach among women, the Lord for a reward maketh her fruitful, and the mother, not of a mean babe, but of such a one as a greater before him of a woman was never borne. This blessing that the Lord bestowed upon Zacharias and Elizabeth his wife: Matt. 12.11 the Evangelist S. Luke here showeth in these two verses, and withal declareth how her neighbours and Cousins with her rejoiced thereat. The blessing is here amplified by three circumstances: First of the time, It was fulfilled: Secondly of the deliverance, for at her full time she was delivered: Thirdly of the fruit itself: which was a son. To accomplish, and fulfil the full, and the just time, before the deliverance, how exceeding great a blessing it is, may best be considered by the contrary, which is when women bring forth untimely fruit, such which as the Prophet saith never seethe the sun. Psal. 58.8. For this (besides that it is a great grief, to the mother, to have her womb to be her child's Grave, and withal bringeth her to exteame darnger of her own life, if not to death itself) is a curse which the Lord threateneth to punish them with who do rebelliously transgress against him. Hose. 9.11. Their glory (saith the Prophet Hoseah) that is their Children, which men accounted their glory shall fly away from the birth, from the womb, and from the concedtion: that is either being conceived, they shall not be quickened: or being quickened, they shall not in the womb accomplish the just time the birth, whereby for glory they receive a kind of dishonour, and for comfort and joy, sorrow and grief. Examples of this judgement among the jews, no doubt but there were many though they are not recorded: for that as now, so than children in such sort borne, were hid and not spoken of as appeareth by this, that job wished unto himself. job. 3.16. Why was I not hid as an untimely fruit either as infants which have not seen the light: which manner of secret, and close hiding of them, showeth also how fearful a curse it is, when as thereby it is signified that both the mother is ashamed of, and loatheth the fruit of her own body, & that the eyes of others are not able to endure the sight thereof. Now though the wicked are not always overtaken with this curse, but are made partakers of the contrary blessing in such great measure that not only themselves do accomplish the days of their deliverance, but their beasts also: job. 21.10.11, etc. according to that which job saith: Their bullock gendereth and faileth not; their Cow calveth and casteth not her calf: they send forth their children like sheep, signifying thereby the great number of their Children: Yet is this the special blessing, promised unto the children of God, to them that serve him and hearken to his laws, to hear and do them, according as we read: Exod. 23. If thou hearken to his voice and do all that I speak, Exo. 23, 26. there shall none cast their fruit or be barren in the land, the number of thy days will I fulfil. This promise than we see the Lord maketh unto his children, which he also performeth unto them; as here unto Elizabeth: unless their sins, as they hinder many other good things do also hinder it. jer. 5.25. And when he performeth it to them, it is a blessing from him, and a most sure token of his favour and loving kindness towards them: whereas to the wicked, though they commonly enjoy the commodity thereof, as they do of the sun and the rain which shineth and falleth upon the good and the bad, Mat. 5.45. the just and unjust: Yet it is to them as are all other things of this life which they usurp, but as a curse heaping coals upon their heads, and making their condemnation more grievous. The next circumstance whereby this blessing is amplified, is, that she was delivered: which of itself how great a mercy it is, may be considered also by the contrary, which is, when either a woman who hath fulfilled her time, cannot be delivered, or in such sort after long and gievous travail is delivered, as therewith in the anguish, and pangs thereof she endeth her life: This is (saith Hezechias) a day of tribulation: the Children are come to the birth, 2. Kin. 19.3. & there is no strength to bring forth: comparing the estate of jerusalem besieged by Zenacherib, and not able of itself to defend itself, to a woman travailing of Child at the full end of her term, and yet wanting strength to bring it forth as though he should say, if a woman in such a case is most miserable, then most miserable is our estate. This then sufficiently declareth the lamentable condition of a woman in such distress. But consider we it further by examples: what a day of tribulation was it to Rachel, when after many grievous pangs and great difficulty, being delivered, her sorrows decreased neither in hearing nor seeing that she had brought forth a man child into the world: but increased, to the taking away of her life, in so much that yielding up the ghost; she called her Child Ben-noni, Gen. 35.18 the son of my sorrow. In like manner what a day of tribulation was it to Phinehas wife, mentioned 1. Sam. 4.19. 1. Sa. 4.19. when not answering the women that stood about her, who bade her not fear, for that she had borne a son: nor regarding at all the fruit of her womb, she named him Icabod, saying, The glory of GOD is departed from Israel: and so with grief of heart, repeating the words again: The glory is departed from Israel, she departed also & left her life; giving the women standing by to understand, that the glory of God being gone out of the land, which is, when his true religion and service is taken away, as it was then from them, the Ark being taken by the Philistines: that there can no comfort be received, by Children, nor by life itself. A notable example for the women to make them careful of the true religion of God, who now together with their husbands are so careless thereof, that whether it depart from them or tarry with them, they make no reckoning, for they account not the gospel the glory of England, as Phinehas wife accounted the Ark the glory of Israel: to the therefore we must preach, Esay. 32.9. as Esay preached to the women of his time: Rise up ye women that are at ease, hear my voice ye careless daughters, hearken unto my words: For assure yourselves that what day the gospel (which now ye neglect, and do not regard, respecting only your pride, pleasure, and profit) be taken from you, the fame day shall be taken from you the ornaments of your pride: as your high corked slippers, your golden Calls, etc. yea your husbands, who have cherished you, and your Children; whom in great sorrow ye have brought forth: Esay. 3.24. and the Lord shall give you for husband's widowhood, for children disolutenes, for sweet savour stink, for a girdle a rent, for dressing of the hair baldness, for a fine stomacher sackcloth, and for beauty burning. Thus it befell to the women of Siloh: and thus the Lord threateneth to do, as he did unto them, and to all other that are careless of his service, and rebellious against him. And therefore he sendeth us to Siloh, saying: Go ye now to my place which was in Siloh, jerem. 7.12 where I set my name at the beginning: and behold what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. But to return from this digression unto Phinehas wife, she is a pattern as I said, in whom we may see the great distress and misery of a woman lying in such plight, that though at length she be delivered of her child, yet she is not delivered from her pains, until she be delivered of her life: Yet this case in comparison of theirs, who having accomplished their full time and cannot be delivered at all, seemeth somewhat tolerable. And of such, histories record some, and women no doubt, are privy to many more: from these perils and dangers, when the Lord delivereth a woman, that not only she bringeth forth with the safeguard of her life, but that before the travail she bringeth forth, and before her pain come she be delivered of her Child: how great mercy doth the Lord show unto that woman? Esay. 66.7. This the Lord speaketh of the sudden restawration of the Church: Before she travailed she brought forth, and before her pains came she was delivered of a man Child: declaring thereby that as he pleaseth to give such a speedy and easy deliverance to some, whom it pleaseth him, that as it were before their pains come they are delivered; so he can and will when his Church is by all likelihood in greatest danger, even as a woman is when she boweth herself to travail of Child, upon the sudden, deliver it without pain and trouble, in the turning of an hand. This is more manifestly showed in the Revela, Apoc. 12.2. 12. where the great danger of the Church of God, and the miraculous deliverance thereof, is set forth under the similitude of a woman travailing in birth ready to be delivered. Let women therefore, who are partakers of this mercy, as was Elizabeth: namely, to be both delivered, and that without the doleful continuing in labour and travail many days, as many do acknowledge that the Lord bestoweth upon them an extraordinary blessing to be wondered at; as it is in the former place of Esay: Who hath heard such a thing? Esay. 66.8. Who hath seen such things? assoon as Zion travailed she brought forth her children. For what is one woman in comparison of the whole Church of God, men and women; and what greater mercy doth or can the Lord in this life bestow upon them, than speedily (in such distress) when they call to hear and deliver to them: The last circumstance in this first verse observed is, that she brought forth a Son: divers we know bring forth monsters, Luk. 16, ● which can have the name neither of sons nor of daughters. In that therefore the Lord fréeeth Elizabeth from this curse, and granteth her to bring forth a child, and he a man child, and such a child who should be filled with the holy ghost, even from his mother's womb, to be the Prophet of the most high, and to go before him in the spirit and power of Elias; it is the sum and the perfection of the former benefits: and that which maketh ordinarily, even in ordinary births, the sorrows in travail to be forgotten. This women know to be true by their own experience: joh. 16.21. And our Saviour Christ (from whom nothing is hid) teacheth us also the same, saying; A woman when she travaileth hath sorrow because her hour is come: but so soon as she is delivered of her Child, she remembreth no more the anguish: for joy that a man is borne into the world. Where by Man he meaneth aswell the woman Child as the man Child, both being the great blessings of the Lord, though in some respects: the man child is preferred to the woman, as by whom the name, which men and godly men most of all earthly blessings do desire, is the longest in remembrance continued. And therefore the Godly men and women in the Scripture who have been barren have especially asked of the Lord a son: Gen. 15.2. so Abraham desired a son, that Eliezer the steward of his house might not be his heir. 1. Sa. 1.11. And Anna prayed for a man child that she might dedicate him to the service of the Lord in his Temple: In which respect also it appeareth that the godly than desired rather sons than daughters; howsoever to serve the Lord in that office, seemeth now a thing so contemptible; though the ministry of the gospel be far more glorious, as the Apostle notably showeth to the Corinth. 2. Cor. 3.8. than was the ministry of the law: That every man (be he never so mean) disdaineth; save that necessity for want of other maintenance constraineth him, to train up his Son as Anna did her Samuel, to serve the Lord in that vocation: No marvel therefore though the Lord disdain to give them sons, who do disdain to consecrate them unto him; or if he give such sons, no marvel though as commonly we see his blessing be not upon them, since of many they will not spare him one, but if all other mean fail they will rather bestow them upon * 〈…〉 at is to 〈◊〉 Phisiti●●s, civil or ●●mmon ●●wyers ●●rchants, etc. Hose. 9.14. Galen justinian & Littleton, and commit them to the winds and the Seas, to adventure thereupon their wits, their goods, and their lives, and to other handiecraftes, than that they should serve him to his glory in his Church. But to leave complaining of such to whom the Lord for this cause I doubt not giveth oftentimes barren wombs and dry breasts. The issue whether it be of Sons or daughters, it is a singular blessing, and the chief blessing of this life: for to be blessed in the fruit of the womb, excelleth the blessing in the fruit of the ground; 〈◊〉 128.3. the wife to be as the fruitful Vine, judg. 9.9. & 13. and the Children to be as the Olive branches round about the table, surmounteth the fatness of the olive, wherewith are honoured, and the red blood of the Grape, whereby are cheered both God and men; for sons are more pleasing than pleasant plants, & daughters are more lovely and glorious in parents' eyes, than are the polished corners of a temple. The Prophet David in the 127. Psalm, Psal. 127.4. compareth Children to arrows in the hand of a strong man, and pronounceth him blessed, that hath his quiver full of them: showing also, wherein that blessedness doth consist, namely in this, that they whom the Lord hath thus blessed shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate: 1. Sam. 1.6. for whereas their enemies would have upbraided them as accursed, by reason of their barrenness, like as Peninnah did Anna, 1. Sam. 2.1. this their opprobry by their having of Children, is taken away according to that with Elizabeth here saith of herself: and their mouths as Anna saith, enlarged over their enemies. Thus than we see what a blessing this was to Elizabeth, that she was made fruitful, and brought forth a son, and how generally the fruit of the womb, Psal. 127.3. is an inheritance and blessing that cometh of the Lord. And this that it is so, is a most necessary doctrine in these days to be taught, in respect of two sorts of people; the one who thinketh Children to be a charge: and therefore if they might have their choice, had rather to be without them than have them. Prou. 17.6, How far are such from the knowledge of God's truth in this behalf, which teacheth us, that Children are a blessing, an inheritance, a reward, and a crown unto us from the Lord: this if such would duly consider, it would both reform their corrupt, and wicked judgement in this behalf, and it would also comfort them in their distress, being overcharged in their own eyes, with a charge of Children: for what greater comfort can there be, than with our eyes, sensibly to see the lords blessings and signs of his favour before us, which because many in their Children cannot see, by reason of their ignorant hearts, which never were instructed in God's school, they take more comfort in the increase of their swine, than they do in the increase of sons and of daughters. The other sort, for whom the knowledge of this doctrine is necessary, are they who taking delight, and that great as great may be in their Children, they yet sound not to the depth of this blessing; they perceive it not to be a blessing from the Lord, but do take it to be a natural and ordinary work of nature, whereby they both rob the Lord of that honour, and thanks which is due unto him, and deprive themselves also of that inward joy: which in the consideration thereof the godly do coonceive, who thereby perceive the Lord, to have a special regard unto them, according as Elizabeth did, as it is manifest by these her own words: Luke. 1.25. Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days that he looked upon me. Where we see that by her son that she had conceived, & afterwards brought forth: she maketh an argument unto herself, that the Lord looked down upon her; or as the Virgin Marie saith: Luke. 1.48. regarded her estate: than which assuredly to know, as she knew it perfectly hereby, what greater joy could her heart conceive? But least by this general speech, it should be thought, that children are unto all a token of God his favour, and that from them they may reason as did Elizabeth: Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the days that he looked upon me. It must be understood, as partly in the beginning I signified, that these temporal things which the Lord bestoweth indifferently, both upon the good and the bad; are then unto us blessings and signs, and assurances of the lords favour and loving kindness towards us: when as we, upon whom they are bestowed are such, who do from our hearts, love, serve, and fear him? For otherwise, if he who receiveth them from the Lord is wicked and ungodly, and do continue therein without repentance, they are not unto him blessings, but cursings, not pledges of his salvation through the grace and favour of God in Christ: but heavy tokens, and certain of his more grievous condemnation. The Scripture therefore to put a difference, it thus speaketh: Blessed is every one, that serveth the Lord, Psal. 128. and walketh in his ways. And thereupon reckoning God his blessings upon such, in respect of the labours of their hands, in respect of the fruitfulness of their Wives, in respect of the towardliness of their Children: it thus concludeth: Lo thus shall the man be blessed, that feareth the Lord. The fear therefore of the Lord, which is manifested, by a careful watching in his ways: is it that sanctifieth to us the fruit of the womb, & the fruit of the ground, which halloweth our basket and our store; and which blesseth our doings out, and our come in: and maketh what ever we have, be it small or great, to be an exceeding blessing unto us. But with the wicked it is nothing so, job. 21.7. etc. for though to use again the words of holy job; They live, wax old, and grow in wealth, though their seed be established in their sight with them, and their generation before their eyes: though their houses be peaceable and without fear, and the rod of God be not upon them: though their Bullock gendereth and falleth not, their cow calveth and casteth not her calf: though they send forth their Children like sheep, and their sons dance: though they take the Tabret and harp, and rejoice in the sound of the Organs: though they want nothing that their heart wisheth, or their eye lusteth after. In which case, thus laded with the things of this life, we (like as did job) do often see the most ungodly men, according to that the Psalmist saith. Lo these are the wicked, they prosper & increase in riches, their eyes stand out for fatness. Though I say all these things, and all other good things of this life befall them, according to their own hearts desire: yet neither Children nor any other thing else, though they have gathered gold as dust, and silver as the stones of the street, is, or can be a crown, or a blessing unto them. For notwithstanding all those things, the increase of their house saith job, job. 20.7. shall go away, it shall flow away, in the day of the Lords wrath, they shall perish for ever, like their dung, and they that have seen them, shall see them no more. Thus it is apparent, how that to the godly only, Children and all things are a blessing: as was this Son to Elizabeth, which she brought forth, for that she together with her husband feared the Lord: walking in all his ways and ordinances without reproof. So that to conclude this first part, we see, how in every circumstance, which the Evangelist here noteth, the Lord his mercy towards her appeareth: ●uke. 1 as it doth also to all them, to whom he showeth the like favour to conceive, to fulfil their time, to be delivered, and to bring forth their issue, whether it be Son or Daughter. Now followeth the second part, which showeth how her Neighbours, ●uke. 1 and Cousins rejoiced thereat. And herein these circumstances are to be observed, first, who they were that rejoiced, secondly how, and thirdly for what. They that rejoiced were her Neighbours, and Cousins that is kinsfolk in general. And here in part began to be fulfilled, that which the Angel foreshowed to Zacharias himself, Luke. 1.14 to wit, that many should rejoice at his birth. Which they did as in respect of Elizabeth, whose reproach hereby they saw to be done away, whereof they could not, but be right glad: so especially in regard of that hope, which they had conceived of the Child, by the relation of the Angel unto Zacharias: both therefore for the benefit, as it respected Elizabeth and her Husband particularly, and for the blessing: which hereby the Church of GOD should receive generally, did they thus at this birth rejoice. In the former they performed the duty of kind Neighbours and kindred; and in the latter the part of good and godly Christians. For to speak of the former, it is the duty of good Neighbours and kinsfolk to be glad, and to rejoice at the good of their Kindred, and Neighbours. So did (as the last year upon like occasion I showed) the Neighbours of Naomie in the book of Ruth: for when Ruth her Daughter in Law, was delivered of a Child by Obed, Ruth. 4.14. The Women her Neighbours (saith the text) said unto her in rejoicing manner. Blessed be God which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman: this shall bring thy life again, and cherish thine old age, for thy daughter in law which loveth thee, hath borne unto him, etc. Thus also did job his brethren, friends and acquaintance, job. 42.11. for they after the Lord had turned the captivity of job, came unto him, and brought presents with them, to comfort him over the evil that the Lord had brought upon him, and to rejoice with him for his recovery there from. Rom. 12.15. This is to Rejoice with them that rejoice, and to weep with them that weep: like as the Apostle commandeth: whereby it appeareth that such good neighbourhood was then, and that it ought to be also now: for which cause, their example, and this commandment is left unto us. But good neighbourhood is now gone, the common complaint in every place is: and Cousins kindness is such, that even the name itself through Cousins that are Cousiners, is grown to be odious, and a name of reproach: for so far are men in these days from rejoicing at the good of each others, though they be Neighbours the next door together, or kinsmen of the nearest blood, that they rather repine and grudge, that any fat should fall beside their own beards: and as for the weeping with them that are in affliction, thereby to comfort them, it may be said, as job said of his friends in the same respect: that in his behalf men have forsaken the fear of the Almighty; job. 6.14. for whereas, He that is in misery should be comforted of his Neighbour, all his friends and neighbours (as Solomon saith of the brethren of the poor) do hate him, if not revile him, as jobs friends did him. This is a complaint more fit for another place, Prou. 19.7. yet not amiss here, for that by the churlishness, and unnaturalness of men in these days, the love of these Neighbours & Kinsfolks may the better appear. For how ever men in these days, malice and grudge, they rejoiced and were glad at the great blessing of the Lord bestowed upon Zacharias and Elizabeth, and would no doubt, if occasion had been, have also comforted them, as many of the jews did comfort Marie & Martha for the death of their brother Lazarus. joh. 11.19. But as men fail in this duty, so do they no less in that other, which is, to rejoice for the good which generally befalleth the Church of God, for so careless are they of such spiritual things, that for the most part, they see them not, or seeing them, they regard them not, for though an hundredth John Baptists were borne, that is, though an hundredth, or a thousand such, who were able to preach unto us the Gospel of Christ, for the remission of sins, were sent forth by the Lord of the harvest to furnish our own Churches, & such other as want their ministery: yet far would many be from rejoicing thereat, and from praising and blessing the Lord for so visiting of his people, which also they would be, as they are in respect of sundry other good blessings, as for the blessing of good Magistrates, of peace, of plenty, etc. whereby the Church of God is made to flourish. For though these things done, they do well like, and chiefly desire: yet it is only in respect of their owns private commodity, and for the body sake, for that they thereby also receive benefit and pleasure: for otherwise, they would not respect them, in regard of the good that cometh thereby, either to their own souls, or to the Church of GOD, for whose cause yet, and not for their own, they do enjoy them. This their corruption appeareth manifestly hereby, for that though they hear of never so great distress of the Church of God beyond the Seas, they are thereby no more affected to weep quam si dura silex, aut stet marpesia mutis: than is the hardest flint, nor though they hear of never so good the success thereof, are they at all more affected to rejoice, than was Timon of Athens: whereby they show themselves not to be of the communion of Saints, nor members of the mystical body of Christ: betwixt whom is the like or greater Sympathy, than is betwixt the members of this our natural body, wherein if one member suffer, all suffer with it, and if one member be had in honour, 1. Cor. 1 26. all the other members rejoice with it. This fellow feeling of the good of the church of God in general, by the birth of john Baptist, had these neighbours and Cousins of Elizabeth, for which cause at her deliverance of him, they rejoiced. And the like have all they that are in deed of the communion of Saints, neither can any truly say, that he is a member of the body of Christ, until in some measure, he be partaker of the same: And this may suffice for the parties that rejoiced. The manner of their rejoicing followeth to be considered, which though here it be not expressed: yet in what sort, the Godly have used to rejoice, we cannot be ignorant, since elsewhere it is often and at large declared. Simeon rejoiced in singing, Luke. 2.29 Lord now lettest thou thy servant departed in peace. Marry in singing, My soul doth magnify the Lord. Luk. 1.46 This Zacharias in singing, Luk. 1.64. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath visited and redeemed his people. And the women that were at ruth's labour in saying, Ruth. 4.14. Blessed be God, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman. By these and sundry others, as by that song of Anna, 1. Sam. 2, 1, 2. etc. we may gather, 1. Sa. 2.1.2 etc. that the spiritual manner of rejoicing either for this, or any other benefit, is, in yielding thanks unto the Lord, and praise unto his name. For this the Lord requireth of us, and this the Godly hath bound themselves, (as it were by solemn promise) to perform unto him. Psa. 116.12 13 What shall I render unto the Lord (saith the Prophet David,) for all his benefits towards me? 〈◊〉. 118. I will take the Cup of salvation and call upon or praise the name of the Lord. And again, Open ye unto me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter in and praise the Lord. And why? because though he hath chastened me sore, (as justly I have deserved) yet hath he not delivered me to death (as in justice he might.) Lea, when she had conceived, & borne her fourth son, she said, Now will I praise the Lord: And that she might the better be put in mind of her promise in this behalf, she called his name judah, that is in English, 〈◊〉. 29.35. praise. Thus to allege no more examples, we see how our manner of rejoicing, as for other benefits, so namely for this great blessing of God, in giving unto us an happy increase of Children, consisteth in rendering praise and thanks unto him. This if it goeth before, not in hypocrisy for a fashion and show, but in the sincerity of heart, and simplicity of mind, then may other rejoicings follow after, Gen. 21.8 then may we which Abraham make a feast, and use such other semblances of joy which the Godly in the fear of God have used, for by that, these are sanctified and made holy unto us, and without that, these are very profane and heathenish, how glittering a show soever they make in the eyes of the world. Our first care therefore must be, if we be true neighbours and kindred, to give thanks unto the Lord, to bless his name, to yield praises unto him for his benefits and blessings bestowed upon him, or them, by whom we dwell, and with whom we are allied, for in such sort no doubt, as all the Godly have used to do, so the Godly neighbours, & Cousins of Elizabeth rejoiced, and were glad; wherein they showed themselves rightly religious towards God; and hearty (not feigned neighbours and friends) to their good neighbour and Cousin Elizabeth. But not only they, as I should have noted in the former part, rejoiced, but she also: for it is here said, that they rejoiced with her. Elizabeth herself, as she was the chief upon whom this mercy was bestowed, so was she the chief, and as it were the ring leader, in giving of thanks; for she both stirred up herself in thankfulness to rejoice, and also used means to declare unto her neighbours, & her Cousins, what the Lord had done for her, that they also for it, with her might rejoice. For thus much do these words declare, wherein it is said, that her neighbours and Cousins heard tell, how the Lord had showed his great mercy upon her. For by whom should they hear it, (especially her husband being dumb) but by her, or her means, who had received it, and therefore could best tell how to express it: For not only outwardly as others, but inwardly also did she see, ca●● and feel, this great mercy of the Lord bestowed vp●● her. According therefore to that which in every respect, more than others she knew, could she, (as no doubt she did) express each thing more fully to the glory of God. And this hath been the practice of the godly, always in this behalf to be blabs as we say, to blab forth and declare, what mercies the Lord hath powered forth upon them. Come unto me, saith the Prophet: and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my Soul. Psal. 66.16. So Peter, when by the Angel of the Lord he was delivered out of prison: he told the manner thereof to them that were gathered together at Mary's house, Act. 12.17. and willed them to show the same things unto james, and other the brethren: The like at our Saviour Christ his commandment, did the man out of whom the devil was cast: Luk. 8.27. He went and preached (saith the Evangelist) verse, 39 throughout all the City what great things jesus had done unto him. Luke. 8.27. For this, even as by this one example it is manifest, the Lord requireth of us, that we should do both concerning private and public benefits: to rehearse and to show them forth unto others; lest the remembrance of them should die, and be forgotten: and so the Lord lose his honour due unto him for them. This was most carefully observed by the Israelites, so long as among them remained any, either care or conscience of the true service of God, Psal 78 2.3. etc. as is manifest by the 78. Psalm: wherein is showed both how the Lord commanded, and they performed unto him this duty, by showing forth his praises, his power, and wonderful works unto their Children, according as he established it for a testimony in jaacob, and ordained it for a law in Israel. But when they began to be careless of his service, and to wax weary of his religion; then decayed likewise in them, this duty of remembering each other of the benefits of God towards them: insomuch that it is said in the 2. of judges: judg. 2.10. that josuah being dead and that generation: there followed a generation, which neither knew the Lord nor the works which he had done for Israel: yea even that miraculous work of bringing them forth of Egypt was quite buried in oblivion, as if it had never been. And thus it is to be doubted, it will far or ere it be long with us: for whereas the Lord hath bestowed upon every one of us particularly, and upon this land generally, as great blessings, in respect both of the things of this life, & of the things concerning the life to come; as ever he bestowed upon that people of Israel: yet so careless is both preacher and people, one and other, that I fear me shortly all will be forgotten, and not so much as that our miraculous deliverance from the Spanish invasion be kept in remembrance: we can talk and prate fast enough of vanity, and of the idle conceits of our own heart and brain: Yea we can readily blab, and tell forth what may injury one another in his goods or good name, for to one of these ends tendeth most of our communication in these dayos, save that much of it also is wanton and unbeseeming Christians, such as corrupteth good manners, and grieveth the holy spirit of God by whom we are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephe. 4.39. But to tell forth what the Lord hath done for our souls, as did David, Psal. 66.16. what great things jesus hath done for us, as did the possessed; what great mercies he hath showed upon us, Luke. 8.39. as Elizabeth here did: or what deliverances, benefits, and blessings he hath, and still daily doth bestow upon us, and our land, that thereby we might the rather stir up ourselves and others to praise the Lord, to pray for the continuance of his loving kindness towards us: in these cases, and such like, we are mute as a fish, or as the dumb, that openeth not his mouth. This corruption howsoever it hath overtaken us: yet now let us be schooled by this virtuous woman, and learn of her for our amendment in this behalf these two lessons: namely ourselves upon whom God hath powered forth his blessings; first to rejoice in thankfulness and praise to his name: and then to communicate and declare it to others, that they with us, and we with them may do the same. For thus we see Elizabeth did, herself she rejoiced, and certified her neighbours and Cousins how great mercy the Lord had showed upon ner: for which cause they also (when they heard tell thereof) rejoiced with her. What this great mercy was which the Lord had showed upon Elizabeth, may be understood by that which hath been said: to wit, that whereas she had been a long time barren, and thereby a reproach among women; now the Lord had given her to conceive, to accomplish her full time, to be delivered, and to bring forth a Son. Every one of these is a great mercy, as severally it hath been showed, how much more then, when they come all together in their full perfection, as a reek of Corn cometh in due season into the Barn. This teacheth women especially, and so all other generally, what account they have to make of the conception and bearing of their Children, and from whence it doth proceed: namely that they have to account of it as of a great mercy, and as proceeding from the great mercy of God. Wretched therefore are they that account it as an ordinary thing, proceeding only from the mutual conjunction of man and woman: for who hath so bewitched them, that they see not many to want this blessing? to die without an heir, and to leave their possession to strangers, if not to enemies; though a long time begininng in the flower of their age: they have lived a married life? Gen. 30.1.2 This opinion it seemeth Rahel had conceived, when she said to jaacob, give me Children or else I die; but jaacob corrected her fondness saying: am I in God's steed that I should give thee Children. Children therefore again we see come of God; without whose blessing a woman remaineth barren, not able to conceive: or conceiving, without strength to bring forth her fruit. Look therefore, and account how many Children you have borne, and reckon that so many mercies, yea great mercies, (whereof every one containeth a number of mercies) ye have received from the Lord. That whereas others have remained as dry Chips, you have been as fruitful olives in your husband's houses. And this, as you must account a mercy, so you must acknowledge it to proceed from the free mercy of God; without any desert or merit of yours, it is from his mercy that you conceive, that you fulfil your time, that you are delivered of Children, not of Monsters. Were it not for his mercy, your sins (even the best of the whole Sex) deserve, that in some of these, if not in all of these you should miscarry. Gen. 3.16. The multiplying of your pains in the conception & bringing forth, it proceeded of the curse of God, the deliverance from those pains, that therein you perish not, it is of the great mercy of God. This Elizabeth and her Cousins here confess, & and this no doubt, all such women as fear God, do with thanksgiving acknowledge. And this cannot be, but a great comfort unto you, to consider when as in other things, so in your children especially, you have such notable pledges of the Lord his mercy towards you; for thus may you say, if the Lord in this and this child, and so in all the rest had not showed me contrary to my deserts great mercy, the curse of sorrows (which justly I deserve) had overwhelmed me, that I should never have lived to have praised the Lord in the Land of the living. As therefore (to conclude) you have the greatest tokens of God his mercy towards you, so you must labour, that in you may appear the greatest signs of all dutiful obedience unto the Lord: otherwise the Lord for your unthankfulness will cut off his mercies from you, whereby you shall die, not only in your sorrows, to the loss of your lives, but in your sins, to the loss of your souls. But if according to the example of all holy Matrons, and especially of this our Elizabeth, you render thanks unfeignedly, & cause thanks by many to be rendered unto the Lord for his great mercies upon you, then be you assured, that his mercies shall never cease from following you in this life, till you have received the sum of all mercies in life everlasting. Thus we have heard what blessings the Lord bestowed upon Elizabeth, and how she, her neighbours and Cousins rejoiced thereat, in rendering praise and thanks for the same unto the Lord. Now let us pray unto our good God, and loving father in jesus Christ, yielding unto him all praises and thanks for his great mercy already showed, as generally upon us all, so particularly for his great mercies towards her, for whose cause especially we are assembled, to rejoice in thankfulness unto him. FINIS. Errata In the 4 Pag. lin. 1. for Lod read Lord. Pag. 11. lin. 15. for deliver to read to deliver. Pag. 15. lin. 9 for serveth, read feareth, & li. 16. for watching, walking. & lin. 28 for falleth, faileth. Pag. 18. li. 6 for his, this. Pag. 19 lin. 14. for mutis, cautes. Pag. 20. lin. 9 for spiritual, special. The thanksgiving. O Lord our God most gracious and most merciful father in jesus Christ, we thine humble servants do yield unto thy divine Majesty through him, (in whom only thou art well pleased;) all possible thanks from the bottom of our hearts, for all thy benefits and blessings, both public and private of body and of soul, which from thy bountiful hands in great mercy we have received. And especially O Lord we praise and magnify thy glorious name, for thy great mercies bestowed upon thine handmaid, in giving her to conceive, to accomplish her full time, and to bring forth a manchild into the world. This mercy thou hast revealed unto us out of thine holy word, to be a great mercy, and from thy great mercy only to proceed: so O Lord we do acknowledge it, so we accept it; confessing no power to be in any creature in Heaven or in earth to bring the same to pass, nor worthiness, or merit to bind thee thereunto. For this thy great mercy therefore towards her; we extol and laud thy name, rejoicing with her in all thankfulness and reverence (on her behalf,) unto thy majesty: and we further in jesus Christ his name, most humbly beseech thy fatherly goodness, as thou hast thus mercifully begun so to continue on thy loving favour and kindness towards her, and the sweet infant which she hath brought forth into the world. O Lord strengthen her by thy power, comfort her by thy spirit, that howsoever now she be brought into a low and a weak estate, that yet in due time, she may recover her former strength, and be able to come to give thee praise for her gracious deliverance, and for all other thy blessings, with the rest of thy Saints in the great congregation. Bless also O Lord her infant, that as she hath sustained sorrow and pain in bearing it in her womb, and in bringing it forth, so by thy blessings upon it, she may receive comfort and juice; when not only she may see it to have received the Sacrament of new birth, but when coming to age of discretion, it shall manifest, by a godly and an holy life: that it is borne a new and regenerate in spirit, and is of the number of them, with whom thou hast made this precious covenant, I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed. For these graces, O Lord our God as we pray thus particularly, (in regard of this present occasion) so we beseech thee to enlarge thyself in all other necessary mercies to us, and to thy whole Church generally, especially in the pardoning, & forgiving of our sins, according to thy promise in jesus Christ, in whose name (with the same words which he hath taught us,) we pray further unto thee, saying, Our Father, etc. FINIS.