A SERMON PREACHED AT RICHMOND BEfore Queen Elizabeth of famous memory, upon the 28. of March, 1596. By the reverend father in God ANTHONY RUDD, Doctor in Divinity, and Lord Bishop of S. David's. Printed for Thomas man.. 1603. To all that fear God. THIS Sermon bred much speech long ago, and the sight of it was greatly desired by many. But it hath been concealed these seven years and more, by him that had the copy thereof. Howbeit, now at the last it is published, upon hope that it may with as good meaning be construed by the Reader, as it was formerly uttered by the Author. R. S. PSAL. 90. 12. Teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. THIS Psalm was indited by Moses the man of Num. 13. & 14. God: the occasion of the making of it grew thus. After that those which were sent to search the land of Canaan, were returned from the viewing or surveying of it: upon the report of some of them that the inhabitants were Giants in respect of the Israelites, who in comparison of them seemed but grasshoppers, and that their cities were walled up to heaven, and Deut. 9 1. so judged impregnable; the people murmured. Whereupon God sententiated, Num. 14. 29. that their carcases should fall in the wilderness, so many as were twenty years old and upward. Then, Moses penned this Psalm, that it might be a monument of their repentance, and a form of prayer for the obtaining of mercy. This text, I say, is a prayer. And whereas there be four sorts of prayer 1 Tim. 2. 1. mentioned by the Apostle: namely, first a petition for the obtaining of that good which we want & desire. Secondly deprecation, whereby we request the turning away of that evil from us, which we fear and have deserved. Thirdly intercession, when we entreat for others. Fourthly, thanksgiving for benefits received. Now this prayer is a petition: first for instruction, in these words, Teach us: secondly in this particular, to number our days: thirdly to this end, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. The request of teaching implieth ignorance in the petitioner, and the acknowledging thereof by consequence. For the sluggard which is Pro. 26. 16. wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that can render a reason; and all they that be wise in their own Isa. 5. 21. eyes & prudent in their own sight, contemn all doctrine and admonition, hating to be taught and reform. Therefore woe unto them, for there is more hope of fools then of Pro. 26. 12. them: for fools sin of ignorance, but these sin of malice. I have learned of Zophar the Naamathite, that vain man would job. 11. 12. be counted wise, though (indeed) man new borne, is like a wild Asse-colt; that is, without understanding. So that whatsoever good gifts he hath afterward, they come of God, and not of nature. Verily ignorance is the mother not only of admiration, while we wonder at those things whereof we know not the cause or reason: but also of error. Mat. 22. 29. For by it men speak good of evil, and evil of good; putting darkness Esai. 5. 20. for light, and light for darkness; bitter for sweet, and sweet for sour: being like the children of Nineveh, jonas 4. 11. who could not discern between their right hand and their left. Seeing then the natural man understandeth not the things that are of 1. Cor. 2. 14. the spirit of God (for they are foolishness unto him:) therefore Nicodemus though a master in Israel, john. 3. 1. 2. &. must be catechized before he be regenerated, and see the kingdom of God. If Saul hear not Ananias, the Act. 9 17. 18. &. scales will not fall from the eyes of his mind any more than from the eyes of his body. Cornelius the Captain of the Italian band, must hear Peter Act. 10. preach unto him, and his family, and his friends, before that he and they receive the holy Ghost. And how should the Eunuch of Aethiopia understand what he readeth in Esai, except Act. 8. 26. usque ad finem. Philip the Evangelist be joined to his chariot, and coming up to sit with him expound the Scriptures unto him? Assuredly the kingly Prophet himself, cannot see how the Psal. 73. 17. prosperity of the wicked may stand with God's providence, until he go into the sanctuary of God, there to learn by his word and holy spirit, that he ordereth all things most wisely and justly. And it is put down in the foot of one of the Psalms, that Psal. 49. 20. if man be in honour, and understand not, he is like to beasts that perish. Wherefore to prevent this danger, David had need to have Nathan 2. Sam. 12. & 24. and Gad to admonish and advise him. And if Ahab had not wanted grace, and abandoned the fear of God from before his eyes; yea and 1. Reg. 21. 20. sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord: he might have received great benefit by the godly lessons of Elias and Micheas. 1. Reg. 18. & 21 & 22. 2. Reg. 12. 2. King jehoash did that which was good in the sight of the Lord, all the time that jehoiada the Priest taught him. If the Ninevites had not heard jonas 3. & believed jonas, they had undoubtedly been destroyed in their sins. And to be short, where prophesying Pro. 29. 18. faileth, there both the Prince and the people must needs perish in the end. Wherefore Almighty God for the singular love which he beareth to mankind, hath furnished all ages with skilful and sound teachers. For example, before the flood, after Adam the monarch of the whole earth (by Gen. 4. 3. 4. whose instructions his sons sacrificed to the king of heaven) was Sheth: Ibid. 26. who taught the men of his time to call upon the name of God, restoring religion (which by the wicked had a long time been suppressed.) Henoch Gen. 5. 22. likewise, that walked with God. No also, whom the Apostle entitleth a 2. Pet. 2. 5: Preacher of righteousness. After the flood, till the giving of the law in mount Sinai, for the space of 857 years, the patriarchs were the world's instructors: whom in their perambulations from nation to nation, Psal. 105. 13. 14. 15. from one kingdom to another people, God suffered not to be wronged, but even reproved kings for their sakes, saying: Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm. At the giving of the law it was ordained, that the Priests lips Mal. 2. 7. should preserve knowledge, and that men should seek the law at their mouths, because they are the messengers of the Lord of hosts. And when they failed in their ordinary duty, than God stirred up extraordinary 1. Sam. 9 8 9 10. teachers called Seers, men of God, and Prophets. So that at sundry times and in diverse manners God Heb. 1. 1. 2. spoke in the old time to our fathers by the Prophets: but in these last days he hath spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath made heir of all things. And when he ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, Eph 4. 8. 11. 12. 13. he gave gifts unto men; even some to be Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some pastors and teachers: for the gathering together of the Saints, for the work of the ministery, and for the edification of the body of Christ, till we all meet together in the unity of faith, and the knowledge of the son of God unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ. And out of this number, are we to expect from time to time, some to teach us rightly to number our days. Eliphaz the Temanite by long experience job. 4. 20. 21. discreetly noted, that men are destroyed from the morning to the evening without regard, and that men of dignity go to death without wisdom: meaning, that we do not commonly mark our own frailty pictured in other men's funerals, and that death seizeth upon many of us, before we do so much as think of it. And therefore we have need of faithful instructors to teach us to number our days. The ever living God (the number job. 36. 26. of whose years cannot be sought out) who doth great things and unsearchable job. 5. 9 & 9 10. : yea marvelous things without number: who counteth the Psal. 147. 4. number of the stars, and calleth them all by their names: neither is there any job. 25. 3. number to be found in his armies: who likewise in his just judgement Esai. 65. 12 numbered idolaters to the sword in Esaies' time: and numbered the kingdom of Belshazzar, and finished it Dan. 5. 26. in the days of Daniel: with whom job. 14. 5. the number of our months & days is determined, so that we cannot pass the bounds which he hath appointed: who also hath the just number of all the hairs of our head: and Mat. 10. 30. doth hide the number of years from job. 15. 20. tyrants: who (I say) sealeth in the forehead the full number of all that shall Apoc. 7. 4. Wis. 11. 17 be saved: and hath ordered all things in measure, number and weight: even he it is, of whom we desire to be taught to number our days. There is to be observed in reading of the Scriptures and ecclesiastical Histories, a divine Arithmetic, or arithmetical Divinity: whereby we may be the better armed in all encounters against the Romanist, the jew, the Atheist, and the temptations of the devil. Against the Romanist: because the man of sin is manifestly discovered, by the true understanding of the three numeral Characters mentioned in the book of of the Revelation. Apoc. 13. 18 For the number of the beast is the number of a man, and his number is χξς: that is, 666. which number is contained in the six Hebrew Characters, whereby the Latin word Romanus is expressed: Ro ר 200 M מ 40 A ע 70 N נ 50 V ו 6 S ש 300 And thereby it is implied, that Romanus, or a man of Rome, should be the name of Antichrist. Against the jew denying the Messias to be come as yet, we may be fortified by the right understanding of daniel's 70. weeks: that is, 490. years Dan. 9 24. 25. determined to seal up sins, to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to anoint the most holy; reckoning from the second year of Darius' Nothus the king of Persia, unto the destruction of jerusalem, made by Titus in the second year of his father Vespasian. Against the Atheist we are the better prepared, if we have at our fingers end an exact and perfect supputation of the number of the years of the world, from the beginning thereof until this present time. Namely, from the Creation to Noës' flood, 1656. years: from the flood till Abraham's departure out of Haran a city in Mesopotamia, 427. From thence to the giving of the Law in mount Sinai, 430. From that time to the building of salomon's temple, 480. thenceforth to the captivity of Babylon, 408. then to their return home again, 70. and from their return to the birth of Christ, 457. From the Nativity of our Saviour Christ until this present day, 1595. complete and upward. But that branch of Arithmetic, whereby we should make supputation of the years to come to the end of the world, is closed up in the breast or secret of the all-sufficient, and all-knowing God. For, of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the Angels Mar. 13. 32. which are in heaven, neither the Son of man himself, save the Father. And we shall be the better able to stand upright against the temptations of the devil, when we are painfully exercised in numbering of our days: I mean, not the bare numbering of the years of our life after the account of the Church book, be they 20, 40, 60, 70, more or less: but in deeply 1. Cor. 7. 29. 30. 31. 1. Pet. 2. 11. 1. joh. 2. 15. 16. 17. Ec. 7. 36. considering the shortness, frailty and uncertainty of this life which is lent unto us for the setting forth of God's glory in it; and withal, in daily meditating how and which way we may in every part of our life best profit the Church and Commonwealth wherein we live, showing ourselves throughout most zealous for the advancing of Religion and justice. Assuredly when I look back to the seven liberal sciences, and consider in them as in all other things else Eccl. 1. 14. under the Sun, vanity and vexation of the Spirit: then I conclude in my private meditation, that he is the best Grammarian, who committeth no incongruity in his life, against faith, and good manners, but frameth himself to serve God without fear all Luc. 1. 74. 75. the days of his life, in holiness and righteousness before him: imitating the example of Zacharie and Elizabet Ib. vers. 6. who were just before God, and walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord without reproof. I esteem him the best Logician, which bendeth the fist against impiety and iniquity: making strong Syllogisms against all temptations or assaults of the world with the pomp thereof, of the flesh with all her allurements, and of Satan with all his sleights; being armed with the shield Eph. 6. 16. 17 of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, whereby Satan may be both repelled and wounded, as appeareth by the conflict between him and our Saviour Mat. 4. 1. to the 12. Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. He is in mine opinion, the best Rhetorician, who if he be eloquent, is therewithal mighty in the Scriptures as Apollo's was: spending his eloquence Act. 18. 24. in Sermons of repentance as did Isay, and in penning of heavenly ditties as David did: employing all his elocution in uttering such words as be good to the use of edifying, that Eph. 4. 29. they may minister grace unto the hearers, because he desireth to profit 1. Cor. 2. 1. 4. 5. them rather than to delight them. Him do I judge the best Geometrician, who ordereth all his doings in measure, number and weight, by Wis. 11. 17 the example of God above: who maketh the word of God the rule Psal. 119. 9 105. and the squire, the line and the level of all his actions: who being rooted and grounded in love, is able to comprehend with all Saints what is the Eph. 3. 18. breadth and length, depth and height (that is, the excellency and perfection) of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge: being fully persuaded, that neither height nor Rom. 8. 38. 39 depth, nor far distance, nor any other creature shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ jesus our Lord. I count him the best Astronomer, who by the view of the host of heaven, can (God's spirit directing him) Rom. 1. 20. pick out the eternal power & Godhead of the Creator, or his majesty and glory, which resulteth of his power, wisdom and goodness; thereby taking occasion to glorify him accordingly. Who when he looketh up to the sky, not only acknowledgeth Psal. 19 1. that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork: but also concludeth in a good conscience, that as high as the Psal. 103. 11 heaven is above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. And casting in his mind the sundry Climates of the world, resolveth by assurance of faith, that as far as the East is from the West, so far hath God removed our sins Ib. vers. 12. from us. I reckon them the best musicans, which speak to themselves in Psalms Eph. 5. 19 and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making a melody to the Lord in their hearts: whose thoughts words and deeds are in tune with God's holy Scriptures, making a consort or harmony among themselves without any jar or discord, from Gammuth to Ela, that is, from the cradle to the grave. And undoubtedly they are the best Arithmeticians, whom God hath taught to number their days in such sort, that they may apply their hearts unto wisdom. The mind of man is the dwelling place of understanding: and the heart of man is the seat of the affections. Now it sufficeth not that the knowledge of goodness be swimming or floating in the brain, unless the affection of godliness be settled in the heart. For of the abundance of the Mat. 12. 34. heart the mouth speaketh, either words of edification, whereby thou mayest be justified: or evil words Ib. ver. 37. 1. Cor. 15. 33 corrupting good manners, whereby thou shalt deserve to be condemned. Out of the heart (I mean the corrupt Mat. 15. 19 affection of the heart) proceed those things which defile the man; as evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, slanders: and therefore no marvel if the flood drowned them of Gen. 6. 5. the old world, because all the imaginations of their hearts were only evil continually. Yea let Simon Magus Act. 8. 20. 21. with his money perish, having neither part nor fellowship in the Apostolical business, because his heart was not right in the sight of God. But on the other side, the end of the commandment is love out of 1. Tim. 1. 5. a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. Therefore blessed are the pure in heart, for they Mat. 5. 8. shall see God. The seed which fell in good ground, are they which with Luk. 8. 15. Act. 15. 9 an honest and good heart, purified by faith, hear the word and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Be glad than ye righteous, and rejoice Psal. 32. 11 in the Lord, and be joyful all ye that are upright in heart, applying it wholly unto wisdom. Now if it be demanded what true wisdom is, it may out of Moses be briefly defined, The understanding and observing of God's commandments. For these be the words of Moses in his exhortation Deu. 4. 5. 6. to the people: Behold I have taught you ordinances and laws, as the Lord my God commanded me. Keep them therefore and do them: for that is your wisdom, and your understanding in the sight of the people, which shall hear all these ordinances, and shall say: Only this people is wise, and of understanding: yea God himself uttereth in job, words of the same meaning, saying unto man: Behold, the fear of the job. 28. 28. Lord is wisdom; and to departed from evil, is understanding. Wherefore, though a man were as well experienced and worldly politic as Achitophel, whose advice 2. Sam. 16. 23. was like as one had asked counsel at the oracle of God; in civil policy matchable with the children of the East, the Priests of Egypt, the Philosophers of Greece; wiser than Ethan, 1. Reg. 4. 30. 31. Heman, Chalcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; excelling also in wisdom them of Tyrus, which deemed them Ezck. 28 3. selves wiser than Daniel: briefly, though a man were as wise as Salomo, to whom God gave prudence and knowledge exceeding much, and a large heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore; so that he could speak of beasts, fowls, creeping things, fishes, 1. Reg. 4. 29. etc. and of trees, from the Cedar in Lebanon, even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall, with the admiration of all that heard him, or heard of him uttering his proverbs and Songs by thousands: Yet shall he be counted but unwise in the sight of God, if against the rule of piety he admit in his heart a plurality of gods: Exod. 20. 1. to the 18. or bow down his body to the worship of Imagery: or take the name of the lord his God in vain: or profane the Lords day: or if contrary to the rule of charity contained in the second Table of the Decalogue, he dishonour the parents of his life by procreation, or the parents of his country by office, against the first Commandment: or if he do wrong to his neighbour in his own person, breaking the sixth Commandment; Thou shalt not kill: or in the persons of those of his family, transgressing the seventh Commandment; Thou shalt not commit adultery: or in his goods, violating the eighth Commandment; Thou shalt not steal: or in his good name, prejudicing the ninth Commandment; Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour: or if he have in his mind any lewd cogitation or wandering conceit, offending against the tenth Commandment; Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbours. Saul may think himself politic and wise in making supplication to the Lord, by offering a offering in Gilgal, when he seethe the people scattered from him before the battle against the Philistims: but then he must hear Samuel to take him up 1. Sam. 13. 13. roundly, saying: Thou hast done foolishly, thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee. And although the Galathians ween well of their own wisdom, yet Saint Paul telleth them flatly, that they Gal. 3. 1. 3. are foolish, for that after they had begun in the Spirit (or the doctrine of the Gospel) they would now be made perfect in the flesh (or the ceremonies of the Law.) But David being a man after Gods 1. Sa. 13. 14. own heart, was heavenly wise, who could truly make this protestation by an Apostrophe to God, saying: Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage Psal. 119. 111. 112. for ever: for they are the very joy of mine heart. I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes always even unto the end. The law of thy Ib. vers. 72. mouth is better unto me, than thousands of gold and silver. Thy statutes Ib. vers. 54. have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. I have seen an end Ib. ver. 96. to the 107. of all perfection, but thy commandment is exceeding large: oh, how love I thy law? it is my meditation continually. By thy commandments thou hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have had more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understood more than the ancient, because I kept thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not declined from thy judgements: for thou didst teach me. How sweet are thy promises unto my mouth? yea more than honey unto my mouth. By thy precepts I have gotten understanding, therefore I hate all the ways of falsehood. Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn and will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements. Thus we ought by David's example to apply our hearts unto wisdom. Howbeit hearkening what is done abroad in the world, I hear of many which badly number their years that they may apply their hearts unto folly, as they did in Esaies' time. For when the Prophets put men in mind of their mortality, threatening them with hasty destruction, except they would bring forth speedy repentance, than the sensual and licentious Esa. 22. 13. & 1. Cor. 15. 32. persons of that age encouraged one another in wickedness, saying: Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die. Tell me ye whose eyes be open to see and mark, how many men do fashion themselves & walk Eph. 2. 2. according to the course of this world, and after the Prince that ruleth in the air, even the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; whether there be any difference at all between the manner of this age, and his time who penned the book of Wisdom, wherein the ungodly reason thus: Our life is Wis. 2. short and tedious, the breath is a smoke in our nostrils: our time is as the trace of a cloud driven away with the whirling wind, as a mist dried up with the heat of the day, and as a vanishing shadow; neither is there in death any recovery, nor doth any return from the grave. Come therefore and let us enjoy the pleasures that are present: let not the flower of our youth pass by us; let us crown ourselves with Rosebuds afore they be withered: let us leave some token of our pleasure in every place, for that is our portion, and this is our lot: Let us oppress the poor which is just, especially if he check us for transgressing the law of God: let us examine him with rebukes and torments, that we may know his meekness and prove his patience: In a word, let our strength be the law of unrighteousness. Such things do the ungodly imagine, and go astray: for their own wickedness hath blinded them, and they do not understand the mysteries of God, neither hope for the reward of righteousness, nor can discern the honour of the souls that are faultless. Of the crew of such ill numberers of their years was the rich Glutton, who applied Luk. 16. 19 his heart wholly to intemperancy, labouring all for the back and the belly: and Potiphars' wife, who applied Gen. 39 7. her heart only to incontinency, for the satisfying of her lusts: and churlish Nabal, who applied his heart 1. Sam. 25. 3. 10. 11. to nought saving avarice, for the filling of his coffers: and vainglorious Absalon, who applied his heart continually to ambition by seeking honour 2. Sam. 15. 1. to the 13. through unlawful means; so that though Absaloms' body stand at the lower end of the presence, yet his heart sitteth just under the cloth of estate. And likewise malicious Haman, who applied his heart day and Esther 3. 6. night to be cruelly revenged of the whole nation of the jews, for the hatred which he bore to one only good man, namely Mordecai. Yea, even job, though otherwise an upright job. 1. 1. and just man, one that feared God and eschewed evil, in his imperfection numbered his years naughtily, while in regard of the shortness, infirmities, uncertainty, job. 7. & 10. & 14. and miseries of his life he proved impatient, expostulating with God, and grudging at the greatness of the afflictions which were laid upon him. And I observe that David also upon the like accident, was overtaken with Psal. 39 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. the same infirmity, in the 39 Psalm. For perceiving the wicked advanced, and himself with other godly persons suppressed (happily during the conspiracy of Absalon and his adherents) he grudged against God, considering the greatness of his sorrows, and the shortness of his life, rashly reasoning with God as though he were too severe toward his weak creature. And somewhat the like observation Psal. 119. 84. may be drawn out of the 119 Psalm, the 84 verse. But the same Princely Prophet upon sounder advise, at another time played the part of a better Arithmetitian in this point of numbering his days. For considering that he and 1. Chro. 29. 12. 14. 15. his Princes were strangers before God, and sojourners like their fathers, and that their days were like the shadow upon the earth, where there is no long abiding: hereupon he concludeth in his confession before the people, that whatsoever he and his Princes had offered toward the future building of the temple, it was but a portion restored to God of that which was his own: and that whatsoever riches or honour they enjoyed, they had but the use and occupation thereof for a time as tenants at will; for the which they ought to be thankful during life, and should be answerable for the present stewardship or disposing thereof, after their death. jacob also rightly numbered the Gen. 47. 9 4. 6. days of his pilgrimage to be few and evil, while he sequestered himself and his offspring in the land of Goshen from the company and customs of the superstitious Egyptians. Samuel likewise cast a right account 1. Sam. 8. 1. of his years, who when he was become old, made his sons judges of Israel, because he was not able to bear the charge. Semblably, Eleazarus one of the principal 2. Mach. 6. 23. 24. 25. Scribes in jury, would not under the persecution of Antiochus for the safety of his life, dissemble in a point of Religion, to the hazard of others by his bad example, because it became not his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honour of his grey hairs being ninety years old. Moreover Polycarpus the Bishop Euseb. lib. 4. cap. 15. of Smirna, being persecuted under the Emperor Verus about the year of our Lord 170, made a good audite of his years to move himself to constancy. For when the Proconsul of Asia said unto him, Spare thine age, I will let thee go if thou wilt swear by the fortune of Caesar, and rail upon Christ: he made answer thus, These 86 years have I served him, and he never did me any hurt at all; how then can I revile, or speak ill of my Saviour? And the golden mouthed Doctor advised the flock committed to his charge, to Chrysost. tom. 3. in serm. de Euchar. reckon how many hours they found in a week, namely 168, that they might out of that number take some few at the least to be employed in public prayer, and hearing the word preached. Beside this, in civil policy the Lacedæmonians Plut. in Lacon. institut. renowned for martial men, were accustomed to decline themselves through three tenses of the Indicative mood. For in their solemn assemblies, the first Chorus was of old men, saying: We were once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. renowned in the wars. In the second rank marched their lusty gallants, braving it, and saying: We are such men, make trial if you dare. And in the third Pageant came the boys with great sign of military towardness, saying: We shall be one day far more strong and valiant. And surely considering the terms wherein we stand at this time, it is meet for every man to fall a numbering his years, that he may exactly know what place of service is assigned unto him for the defence of the Realm, according to the Greek verse: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristoph. Gram. Which by some hath been Latined backward thus: Vota senum, consulta virorum, & facta iwentae. As if I should say in plain English, Let young men be valiant in action, let men of middle age be wise in consultation, and let old men be devout in prayer, for the good success of the wars either defensive or offensive against the common enemies of this Church, and common wealth. But commending the war-causes to God's providence, the wisdom of the Council board, and the valour of them that profess Arms, and to speak of manners meet to be exercised in the times both of war and peace; regarding aswell the number of our years past, as also the brevity, frailty, and uncertainty of the years to come: let us consider one Heb. 10. 24. another to provoke unto love, and to good works. We must do the works of God, while it is day (that is, while joh. 9 4. opportunity and the season serveth:) the night cometh when no man can work. And till the long night of sleep do come, from the which there shall be no awaking of the body before the trumpet shall sound at the day of judgement; in the mean while (dearly beloved) I beseech you 1. Pet. 2. 11. as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which fight against the soul. Yea whiles we have time, let us do good to all men, but especially Gal. 6. 10. unto them which are of the household of faith. And this I say (brethren) because the time is short hereafter, that both they which have wives, be as though they had none: 1. Cor 7. 29. 30. 31. and they that weep, as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not: and they that buy, as though they possessed not: and they that use this world, as though they used it not: for the fashion of this world goeth away. Wherefore love not the world, neither 1. joh. 2. 15. 16. 17. the things that are in the world: as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not of the father, but of the world. And surely the world passeth away together with the lusts thereof. Also considering the season, it is now time that we should arise from sleep: for Rom. 13. 11. 12. now is our salvation nearer, than when we first began to believe. The night (of ignorance) is passed, and the day (of the knowledge of God) is come: let us therefore cast away the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light (that is, godly and honest manners.) God heareth men in a 2. Cor. 6. 2. time accepted, in the day of salvation doth he secure them: behold now the accepted time, behold now the day of salvation. The holy Ghost saith: To day if you will hear his Heb. 3. 7. 8. voice harden not your hearts as in the provocation, according to the day of tentation in the wilderness. Exhort one another while it is called Ib. vers. 13. to day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Boast not thyself of to morrow: for Pro. 27. 1. thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Remember that the rich Luk. 16. Glutton once might and would not hear Moses and the Prophets: afterward he would and could not. The foolish virgins which wanted oil in Mat. 25. 1: to the 14. their lamps at the entrance of the bridegroom into the wedding room, could never after that obtain favour to have the doors opened unto them. And when as Esau Gen. 25. 29. to the end. had once sold his birthright for a mess of red pottage, and a morsel of bread; ye know how that afterward also when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: For he found no place to repentance, though Heb. 12. 16. 17. he sought the blessing with tears. Wherefore o Lord, who art the ordainer and governor of all times and seasons, vouchsafe to teach us in fit and due time to number our days, so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Children upon this point of numbering their years, may enter into meditation thus: This age of ours is meetest to be catechized: that which is now taught, is soon received and longest kept. We know what we are to learn by that which is enjoined others to teach us: for Moses requireth the Deut. 6. 7. Israelites, to whet the commandments of the Lord upon their children (that they might imprint them more deeply in memory.) And Saint Paul commandeth parents to bring Eph. 6. 4. up their children in the instruction and information of the Lord. Daniel made show in his childhood what Dan. 1. he was like to prove in his age, for zeal in religion, honesty of life, and wisdom in government. As john the Baptist being a child, grew Luk. 1. 80. in body, so he waxed strong in spirit. Timothy knew the holy Scriptures of 2. Tim. 3. 15. a child, and was thereby made wise unto salvation. We must be dedicated to the Lord from our tender age, 1. Sam. 1. 28. as Samuel was. If our sanctification went before our birth, as in jeremy: jer. 1. 5. our duty is to serve God, from the first breath to the last gasp. Yea we are the Seminary and nursery of the Church and common wealth, even the hope of the future stay of them both in time to come. Wherefore (good Lord) teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. The young man which is in the prime of his age, and the vigour of his strength, may (in the numbering of his days) discourse thus with himself: Though I be now young and lively, fresh and gallant; yet I have often heard it uttered out of the pulpit, and I believe it to be true, That all Isa. 40. 6. 7. flesh is grass which withereth, and all the grace thereof is as the flower of the field which fadeth. This life of mine what is it but an hand breadth, Psal. 39 5. job. 7. 7. 9 6. or a span long? or like the puffed of a wind, that passeth and cometh not again? or as a cloud that vanisheth and goeth away? My days are swifter Psal. 73. 20. than a weavers shuttle: they are as a tale that is told: as a dream when one awaketh. We are but of yesterday, Job 8. 9 and therefore ignorant in many things: howbeit, for certainty knowing this, that our days upon earth are but a shadow, or rather as the dream of a shadow. Though looking in the glass, I see much that delighteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pind. Pyt. Od. 8. me, yet I consider that favour is deceitful, and beauty is vanity. I think myself now quick witted: but I may live till the years of dotage, Pro 31. 30. 2. Sam. 19 35. wherein I shall not be able to discern between good and evil. Though I were deemed now as valorous as any of David's Worthies, yet 2. Sam. 23. the time will come (if I live to it) that fear shall be in the way. Be it I were Eccl. 12. 5. jud. 15. 15. as strong as Samson, who slew a thousand men with the jaw bone of an ass; and carried away the gates of Azzah upon his shoulders, with the jud. 16. 3. posts and bars thereof; and by main strength pulled down a great and strongly built house standing upon Ib. vers. 29. 30. pillars, in the overthrow whereof there perished the Princes of the Philistims, and others of that uncircumcised race to the number of three thousand: yet the brawn of these my puissant arms will one day fall away, and the keepers of the house Eccl. 12. 3. (that is, the hands which keep the body) shall tremble: and more than that, it must cost me my life; or else, at length (ere I die) the grasshopper Ib. vers. ●. shall be a burden. What if I be now sharp sighted as an eagle? certainly hereafter they that look out by the windows (that is, the eyes) will wax dark, and call for help of the spectacles. And if I were as speedy on foot as Asahel, who was as swift as 2. Sa. 2. 18. a wild Roe, yet in the end the strong Eccl. 12. 3. men (that is, the legs) will bow, & either leave to execute their function at all, or else be able to perform but a snails pace. Though I now eat & drink with delight, yet in time to come, the grinders (that is, the teeth) shall cease: and the door (that is, the Ib. vers. 4. lips or mouth) shall be shut without by the base sound of the grinding, when the jaws shall scarce open, and not be able to chew any more. The use of music seemeth now very pleasant, but one day shall all the daughters of singing be abased: that is, the windpipes shall not be able to do their office, nor the ears be apt to hear the sound either of voice or of instrument: witness the example of Barzillai the Gileadite, who 2. Sam. 19 32. 33. 34. 35. being very aged, did for these defects refuse to feed with king David at the Court in jerusalem. Be it far from me to let mine heart cheer me in Eccl. 11. 9 10. the days of my youth, and to walk in the ways of mine heart, and in the sight of mine eyes, seeing that childhood and youth are vanity: neither ought I to be ignorant, that for all these things God will bring me to judgement. Suppose I do now excel in the well proportioned lineaments of the body, and rare qualities of the mind: even therefore I must bestow these excellencies on him who gave them, glorifying God in my body and my spirit, because they 1. Cor. 6. 20. are Gods by a triple right, of Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification. Assuredly, if I know not God in my youth, he will not acknowledge me in mine age. If I do not consecrate to God the flower of my young years, he will scorn the dregs of mine elder years. How should I think to bestow upon Satan the beauty, strength and nimbleness of my youth, in hope that God will be pleased with the wrinkles, infirmities and feebleness of my latter age? Wherefore I will now remember my Creator in the days of my youth, Eccl. 12. 1. while the evil days come not, nor the years approach wherein I shall say: I have no pleasure in them. And I am not the first that shall begin this course: for many have trodden the same path before me: namely, Moses, who from his youth (after Heb. 11. 25. 26. that he came to the years of discretion) abandoned the moment any pleasures of sin, because he had respect to the recompense of an eternal reward. joseph also was in his flourishing Gen. 39 12. years when he left his upper garment in the hands of his master's wife, who laboured to allure him unto lewdness. Likewise josiah entering into the kingdom in the eighth 2. Chr. 34. 1. 3. 8. 14. 31. 33. year of his reign, began at 16. years old to seek after the God of his fathers, & in the twentieh year of his age he reformed Religion, and in the 26. thereof he repaired the temple: by which occasion, the book of the law, even the copy that Moses left, was found in the ruins of it. Whereupon followed a general repentance, and a covenant with the Lord of all hands, and the celebrating of a Passeover with such solemnity, as the like had not been kept in Israel from the 2. Chr. 35. 18 days of Samuel the Prophet. Moreover, Daniel and his companions Dan. 1. 4. 5. 8. were both young and passing well-favoured without all blemish, when they would not defile themselves with the diet which the Babylonian Emperor had assigned unto them; fearing lest by that large and dainty fare (as by a sweet poison) they might have been drawn to forget their religion, the misery of their native country, and their accustomed temperance. In like sort Timothy kept 1. Tim. 6. 20 that which was committed unto him, and stirred up the gift of God that 2. Tim. 1. 6. was in him, in such sort, that no man could despise his youth, because he 1. Tim. 4. 12 was unto them that believed, an ensample in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, in pureness. Now if I get nothing in my youth Eccl. 25. 3. (be it in matters spiritual or temporal) what shall I find in mine age? Some tell me I am termed juvenis à iwando, because I should help the Church and weal-public to the uttermost of my power: therefore good Lord, to enable me hereunto, teach me to number my days, so that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. They that are past their full growth and are come to the standing state of their age, may in numbering their years which be spent, and considering their condition present, reason thus if it please them: Howsoever we forgot ourselves in the ignorance of our childhood, and the vanity of our youth; yet this age of ours requireth other manners. It is sufficient that we have bestowed the time passed of the 1. Pet 4. 3. life, after the fashion of this world: now it is high time for us to be changed by the renewing of our minds, Rom. 12. 2. that we may prove what is the good will of God, and acceptable and perfect. It was a shame for the Corinthians, that Paul could not speak 1. Cor. 3. 1. unto them as unto spiritual men, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. It was in like manner, a great reproach unto the Hebrews, for that when as concerning the time they ought to have been teachers, yet had they need again that the author of that Epistle should teach them the Heb. 5. 1●. 13. 14. first principles of the word of God: and were become such, as had need of milk, and not of strong meat belonging to them that are of age, which through long custom have their wits exercised to discern both good and evil. When Paul was a child, 1. Cor. 13. 11. he spoke as a child, he understood as a child, he thought as a child: but when he became a man, he put away childish things. Of us chief it is expected, that we be already grown up into him which is the head (that Eph. 4. 15. 13 is, Christ) unto a perfect man, & unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ. Of us I say it is required, that aiming at perfection, we should forget that which is behind, Phil. 3. 13. 14. and endeavour ourselves unto that which is before, following hard toward the mark, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ jesus. It is looked for at our hands, that we be deservedly termed Viri à virtute. So that we should be manful (when need is) for the defence of our country, wise in consulting, virtuous in example of life, and every way the men of God, being absolute and 2. Tim. 3. 17. made perfect unto all good works which God hath ordained, that we Eph. 2. 10. should walk in them: not only denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; but also living soberly and righteously, Tit. 2. 12. 13 and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the mighty God, & of our Saviour jesus Christ. And in the mean time it appertaineth unto us, as well as unto others, or rather above others, to watch, to 1. Cor. 16. 13. stand fast in the faith, to quite us like men, and to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might: having long since put on the whole armour Eph. 6 10. 11. etc. of God, that we may be able to stand fast against all the assaults of the devil; having our loins girded about with verity, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and our feet being shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, etc. praying unto God for grace, that we may always put our trust in him, being strong and constant in our vocation; and that he will vouchsafe to 'stablish Psal. 31. 24 our hearts, and confirm us with heavenly strength unto the end. Thus good Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Let me now come to the most reverend age of my most dear and dread Sovereign, who hath (I doubt not) learned to number her years, that she may apply her heart unto wisdom. And therefore I conceive in mind, that in her soliloquia or private meditations, she frameth her speech in this wise: Remember not the sins of my Psal. 25. 7. youth, nor my transgressions: but according to thy kindness remember me, even for thy goodness sake, o Lord. Behold, I was borne in iniquity, Psal. 51. 5. and in sin hath my mother conceived me. I know mine iniquity, and my sins are ever before me. Ib. ver. 3. Wherefore lest the Zion and jerusalem, 18. that is, the Church and Commonwealth of England, should be in danger of thy wrath, through my former sins: Wash me thoroughly 2. from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin: purge me, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be 7. whiter than snow. Lord I know and confess, that in my predecessors days, and in the 37 years passed of my reign, thou hast delivered me as wonderfully from all my malicious and dangerous enemies, as thou didst deliver thy servant David from the tyranny of Saul 1. Sam. 18. etc. and his adherents: from the invasion of foreign adversaries, as the Philistims, 2. Sam. 8. & 10. & 11. Ammonites, Moabites, Idumaeans, Syrians, etc. and from the inward insurrections, first of Absalon, Ib. 15. etc. and then of Sheba the son of Bichri; Ib. 20. besides many other traiterours complots and treacherous conspiracies. Therefore I will alway give Psal. 34. 1. thanks unto thee o Lord; thy praise shall be in my mouth continually. My Psal. 103. 1. 2. soul praise thou the Lord, and all that is within me praise his holy name: my soul praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits. O Lord, I am now entered a good way into the Climacterical year of mine age, which mine enemies wish & hope to be fatal unto me. But thou Lord, which by thy Prophet jeremy jer. 10. 2. commandedst the house of Israel not to learn the way of the heathen, nor to be afraid of the signs of heaven; and who by thy mighty hand and outstretched arm madest the year of the greatest expectation, even 88 marvelous by the overthrow of thine and mine enemies: Now for thy Gospel's sake, which hath long had a sanctuary in this Island, make likewise 96. as prosperous unto me and my loyal subjects: that by the happy bringing about of this year, I may still set up the banner in thy Psal. 20. 5. name, which art my strength, my Psal. 18. 1. 2 rock, my fortress, my deliverer, the lifter up of mine head, my shield, the horn also of my salvation, & my refuge. Thou art my hope, o Lord God, Psal. 71. 5. 6. even my trust from my youth: upon thee have I been stayed from the womb: thou art he that took me Ib. 9 out of my mother's bowels: cast me not off in the time of age, forsake me not when my strength faileth. O forsake Psal. 138. 8. not me the work of thine hands, until I have declared thine arm to Psal. 71. 18. this generation, and thy power to all them that shall come. Lord, I have now put foot within the doors of that age, in the which the Almond tree flourisheth: wherein Eccles. 12. 1 men begin to carry a Calendar in their bones, the senses begin to fail, the strength to diminish, yea all the powers of the body daily to decay: Now therefore grant grace, that though mine outward man thus perish: 2. Cor. 4. 16. yet mine inward man may be renewed daily. So direct me with thine holy spirit, that I may daily wax elder in godliness; wisdom Wis. 4. 9 being my grey hairs, and an undefiled life mine old age. Let thy statutes Psal. 119. 54. be my songs in the house of my pilgrimage: Sweeter unto me then honey Psal. 19 10. & the honeycomb unto my mouth; and more desired by me then thousands Psal. 1 19 22. of silver, or the gold of Ophir, yea then the pearl or precious stones. Pro. 8. 11. 19 For though I have outlived almost all the Nobles of this Realm whom I found possessed of Dukedom, Marquisats, earldoms & Barronries at mine entering into the Kingdom: and likewise all the judges of the land, and all the Bishops set up by me after my coming to the Crown: And although I have seen an end of sundry of these once or twice over: yet what availeth this my long temporal life in surviving others, unless I myself lead always a spiritual life while I continued upon earth, in hope to enjoy an eternal life when I am dead? And though (Lord) I have lived in respect of myself long enough in this valley of misery; so that in regard of troubles past, and dangers future, I see some reason to say with Elias: It is 1. Reg. 19 4 enough, o Lord, take my soul, for I am no better than my fathers; and with Paul: I desire to be loosed, and Phil. 1. 23. to be with Christ: yet because this people reckon of me, as David's subjects did of him, whom they termed 2. Sam. 21. 17. the light of Israel; and for that they esteem of me, as the jews did of josias, whom they called the breath of Lam. 4. 20. their nostrils: Therefore for their sakes (if it be thy pleasure in thine heavenly providence) let me their candle burn yet a while longer; and let me breath still among them, until I have met with dangers present, or imminent, and established the state for the time to come: so that not only peace and 2. Reg. 20. 19 truth may be in my days; but also that after my departure out of this life, they may in the future age, live in peace and plenty in every quarter and corner of the Realm, from Berwick to Porchmouth, and from the Marget's to the Mount; like as Israel and judah dwelled without fear, every 1. Reg. 4. 25. man under his vine, and under his figtree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. And if Lord, for the effecting thereof thou meanest to deal with me as with Hezekiah, by adding to the former 2. Reg. 20. 6 part of my life the term of 15. years more (or rather two fifteens if it be thy will:) then assist me ever with thy grace, that during all that time I may know how to go out and 1. Reg. 3. 7. in: feeding this people according to the simplicity of mine heart, and guiding Psal. 78. 72. them by the discretion of my hands: That so at length I may go to the sepulchres of my fathers in a good time, as a rick of corn that is ripe job. 5. 26. carried into the barn; yielding the spirit like David in a good age full of 1. Chro. 29. 28. days, riches and honour. And so the dust of this body returning to the Eccles. 12. 7. earth as it was, my spirit may return to thee that gave it: to enjoy always Psal. 16. 11. thy presence, in the which there is fullness of joy, and to be always at thy right hand, where be pleasures for ever more; purchased and prepared for all them that fear thee, by the mediation of our Lord and Saviour Christ jesus. To whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, both now and for ever. FINIS. Erratum. Pag. 21. lin. 23. for first read fift.