❧ A Godly learned and fruitful Sermon: Made upon the fourteenth of john in which is plainly set forth the true love of Christ, the marks whereby the Children of God are known and the commodity which that love bringeth By D. S. 1584. john, 15. 13. ¶ Christ so dearly loved us that he gave his life for us. AT LONDON ¶ Printed for Yarath james, and Thomas Law and, are to be sold in new gate market over against Christ Church gate. To the right Worship full Sir William Pelham Knight, Lieutenant of the Queen's majesties ordinance, your servant, john jordan wisheth in this life, health and prosperity with eternal felicity in Christ jesus▪ AS it pleaseth the Lord of his unsearchable wisdom to plant in you the glistering beams of his gospel, and so heaped upon you, as well his blessings for your body in this life, as also endued you with his fear and love, that your soul may attain to the everlasing life. So it hath pleased him also to ordain the means that the same may be continued in you to the end: namely by his secret gift of grace, by his love poured in your heart, and by the pure preaching of his word under so gracious a Prince, whose love hath a long time shined, in this realm of peace of plenty, to the terror of the blind thirsting Papists our daily adversaries. So that you may say with the children of God. Blessed are that people, which live in his fear: Yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lord and live in his love: Of which love this Sermon (here Dedicated to your worship) largely and learnedly entreateth, the Author not known unto me, only the excellency thereof caused me to put it in print, that all that live in the love of God, might be partakers of so good a work. Herein is set forth the fruits of true faith, the vanity of worldly wealth, the corruption of covetousness the greatness of our sins, the punishment due thereunto, and the means whereby we may be delivered from the some, being a loadstone to direct our doings, from the rancour of covetousness, to bring us to godliness. Wherefore Saint Paul, to withdraw us from it, saith, godliness is great riches, we brought nothing into this world, and certainly we shall carry nothing with us, wherefore while we have food and raiment let us be content therewith: and Saint Matthew writeth that if all men will seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, they shall not want, but shall have all things cast unto them from above. For if we have to maintain us in this life and cast care on heavenly things, we shall possess heaven, & reign with Christ forever. Wherefore Master Calvin, upon Paul to Timothy, saith. They that measure their religion by riches are here taught that only religion is the true riches. Whereby it appeareth that there is nothing more necessary and needful unto the Salvation of a Christian then the knowledge, zeal, and love of God and his religion. This bold attempt I do offer unto your worship as a true argument of my dutiful mind, & not as a mean to you (now earnest in religion,) but unto one of whose love and godly zeal, in that behalf I have all ready had sufficient trial. Beseeching therefore that by your worships well accepting it at my hand (though out of another man's cask) it may be the better, liked, accepted and followed, of them that endeavour themselves to live in the love of our only Saviour. In which love the Lord of his great mercy, côtinue your good worship, my very good Lady & your whole family: and that all which be partakers of his fear and love may be inheritors of his everlasting kingdom. Your worship's humble Servant always to command john jordan. If any man love me, he will keep my john. 14. word and my Father will love him, & we will come unto him, and will devil with him. john. 14. I have in this present text of holy Scripture, three necessary branches to entreat of offered unto me. First I mind (God permitting) to entreat of that love which the children of God dutifully owe unto Jesus Christ, their alone God and Saviour. 2 Secondly, my purpose is likewise to show how, and by what means, the said children of God may be known to love Christ Jesus, as they ought to do namely in keeping his word. 3 The third setteth forth the utility, profit and commodity, which happeneth unto that man which rightly loveth Christ and keepeth his word, namely, not only, that God the Father will love him, but also that the whole Trinity will come unto him, and dwell with him. The Sermon THe minds of Gods choose people, have never any peace or quietness in the which they may stay themselves until they feel themselves united unto Christ, by means of a perfect and stayed faith, with a full confidence in him and a burning love towards him. Augustine therefore hath aptly said, Augustine. that love is a certain coupling of that lover with the beloved, which saying of Augustine may be approved true, by the testimony of S. john in his first Epistle and 1. john 4. fourth chapter where he saith. That God is charity, and he that dwelleth in charity dwelleth in God, and God in him. Between the which words, charity and love in this place, and many more of the holy scriptures, I take to be no difference. Which love of God is powered into the hearts of God's children, by the holy spirit of God, by the means of Christ, for the spirit of love was lovingly given unto Christ unto this end, that he should power it into his members. And although the same love, in the children of God is unperfit during this their mortal life (because of sin) yet is it acceptable unto God, for that they by faith are made members of Christ▪ The manner and order of which love, is explicated and set forth, as well by that servant of God, Moses in the Book called Deutronomium, & sixth Chapter in these words: Deu. 6. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might: as also the very same words, rehearsed or rather confirmed by our saviour Christ, in the 22. Chapter Math. 22 written by S. matthew. To love God with all thine heart, is to take diligent heed, that thine heart he not inclined to the love of any thing, more than to the love of thy God: To love him with all thy soul, is to stay the trust of thy salvation and safety of thy soul, only on Jesus Christ the son of God To love him with all thy might, is to apply all thy senses, to the setting forth of his honour and glory. For seeing we be wholly his, he will have us holy to love him. I grant there are things in this world that may kindle our minds and affections to love them, for there be worldly honours, the glittering gold, she glistering precious stones; the beauty of mankind, the excellent colours of Metals and cloth, the sweet odours of herbs and perfumes, the delectable harmony of Instruments and Music, Besides, our wives, children parents and friends. But if man set his love & affection to any one of these things, either his mind will quickly be changed to delight in some other thing, either else the thing which he loved, will soon fade away, and come to nothing. And so in over much loving of any these things, make himself unfit to be loved of God: according to the saying of our Saviour Christ Qui amat Patrem aut matrem plusquam Math. 10. me, non est me dignus: et qui amat: silium aut filiam supra me, non est me dignus. He that loveth father or mother (saith our Saviour) more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that loveth Son or daughtermore then me, is not worthy of me. If thou wilt therefore love any of the creatures of GOD, O man love them but as things subject unto thee, as a gift of thy friend, as a benefit of the LORD, as a pledge of thy spouse which spouse of thine hath the most benty of all things, thou seest not his face, but he seeth thee continually and although he hath not presented himself unto thee in visible form, yet hath he sent thee sundry gifts as pledges of his love towards thee he hath not only granted thee thy being, but to be, after this life is ended. Behold also this whole world, and see if there be any thing in it, that is not created for thine use and service. The whole course of nature directeth itself to this end that thou mayst have profit thereby. This heaven, this earth, this air, this sea with all that is therein, bend their force to thy commodity. Whereof the Prophet David witnessech, confessing unto God what he hath done for man, saying in the eight Psalm. Thou madest him to have dominion Psal. 8. of the works of thy hands, and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. If he had done no more for us than these things, which I have already spoken of, it were matter sufficient to moon the stoniest heart amongst us to love him: but he hath done more for us, for when we were his enemies, and wholly corrupted through sin, yet being immortal, for us became mortal, took upon him his passion, redeemed us from sin, death and hell 1. Pet. 1. as testifieth S. Peter in his first Epistle, and first Chapter saying. ye were not redeemed with corruptible things (as silver and gold) but with the precious blood of Christ. With his blood we are cleansed as witnesseth S. john in the first of Thappocalips, Apoc. 1, saying: He hath washed us from our sins, in his own blood. This was it that moved S. Paul in the fourth Chapter Hebr. 4. to the Hebrews to say. We have not an high Priest which cannot have compassion of our infirmities: But this is he by whom and in whom we are adopted sons of God, and made heirs together with him of his glorius kingdom. hereof S. john speaketh in his first Epistle 1. john, 3. and third Chapter, in these words. Behold what love the father hath showed unto us, that we should be called and be indeed the sons of God, and of the joys that are laid up in store for us in his blessed kingdom. S. Paul teathe in his 1. Cor. 2. first Epistle to the Corinthians and second Chapter after this manner. The eye hath not seen, neither the ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man▪ 〈◊〉 things which God hath prepar●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that love him. And surely amongst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sundry benefits, which god ha●●●…ed upon his people, we for our parts within this little Realm of England, ought deeply to consider what he hath done for us yea in these our days, consider it well when we were ignorant, blind and not knowing the light, did he not teach us? and give us the light of his holy word, which as the Prophet David saith: Is a Lantarn to our feet, and a light unto our paths, when we sinned and would not embrace his word, nor regard his messengers the Preachers thereof, did he not correct us and sharply scourge us? when we fell from him and committed wicked Idolatry, did he not raise us up again? when we erred and strayed into the wilderness of man's doctrine, did he not reduce us into the plain high way of his holy Gospel? Now we go on forward therein, doth he not lead us? When we come unto him lamenting our fall, doth he not receive us? And doubtless this is also not to be reckoned amongst the least of all God's benefits, which plenteously he hath poured upon this Realm: that he hath given us such a virtuous and godly Queen, Queen Elizabeth, 〈◊〉 whose godly and peaceable government, not only we that are now living have felt and yet do, but also all those that shall sucséede us, shallbe partakers of this wonderful mercy of God, God grant her a godly, peaceable, and long life in this her realm. Wherefore that saying of God, which he spoke by his Prophet Esay, and fift Chapter, Isai. 5. may well be applied unto us, what more could I have done for my vinniard of England, than I have done? these things well considered, it may be said to England, as Moses said to the Isralites. Deut. 10. And now England, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, and to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, it is to be wished that each one of us, even from our heart roots, would say with the prophet David. Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget Psal 10. not his benefits, which forgetteth all thy sin, and healeth all thy infirmities. Thus much touching the causes that ought to move us to love God, now (God permitting me) I will speak somewhat of the effect and force of this love, which is of such effect, that it healeth the wounded conscience, it plucketh up all vice by the root, it lighteneth the mind, it joyeth the heart, it is not exalted with pride, or wasted with envy, nor overwhelmed. with sorrow, nor dried up with covetousness, nor enflaned with excess, nor spotted with uncleanness: it causeth the possessor thereof to be quiet in adversity, to be temperate in prosperity. It passeth not for poverty, it maketh no great account of riches it glorieth not in honour, who so unfeignedly loveth God, thinketh when he shall be with God, when he shall leave this wicked world, how he shall escape sin, when he shall find true and perfect peace, if he walk if he sit, if he work, if he rest, if he speak, if he held his peace, his heart goeth not from the Lord. It is no marvel therefore that the ancient writers have so greatly lauded this love comparing it to gold, because it is tried in the furnace of adversity: to the Ark of Noah, in the which who so is not found shall perish: to give, because it joineth the heart of man unto God: to a fountain, for that it refreshed the mind to a precious stone, because it beautifieth the soul: to fire because it warmeth the affection: to a garment for that it covereth the turpitude of offences: to ointment for that it supplieth the inward parts. Experience of this love hath been seen in the death of many martyrs, they dying for the zeal and love which they did bear unto God and his truth: consider what they left, what way they went, and what they looked for, what they left we see what way they went we have heard, and perfectly seen, what they attained unto we see not, but believe, they left things transitory and vain, they passed through torments & pains, they attained no doubt unto that which was promised them of God, namely everlasting joy and endless felicity. Besides these there be many examples set forth unto us in the holy Scriptures how ardently the holy men of God, have from time to time loved the lord Abraham showed the zeal of his love towards God, when he was ready to offer his son Isaac in sacrifice, josua being old josua. 23. called the people of Jerusalem unto him: and warning them of many things, above all other things he said take heed most diligently of this, that you love your Lord God. It is written of David that Ecclesia. 47. with his whole heart he did praise the Lord and loved God that made him. The Apostle Saint Peter, answered our saviour earnestly, saying, Lord thou know'st I love john. 21. thee Saint Paul had such love towards God he that accounted all things vile, that he might win Christ. Philip. 3. Again how earnestly doth he encourage all men, to continue in this love, saying: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution or famine or nakedness, or peril or sword? Roma. 8. Thus I will end this first branch, with request which the said Saint Paul made to the Philippians▪ saying: Philip. 2. if therebe therefore any consolation in Christ▪ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit, if any compassion and merry, fulfil my joy that ye be like minded: having the same love, being of one accord and of one judgement, which thing if we do not, we shall show ourselves the unthankfullest creatures that ever God created. The second branch setteth forth how and by what means, our love towards our saviour Christ, may be known, chiefly in keeping his word, for thus he saith if any man love me, he will keep my word. THe word of Christ in this place, is taken as well for the doctrine which he himself taught with his own mouth, Viva voce, as also for that which his ministers have set forth, do or shall teach, not only out of the new: but also out of the old Testament, as is manifestly showed in the Luke. 16. xvi. Chapter, written by Saint Luke, in these words. They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them, again, Christ speaketh of the Scriptures of both Testaments, where he saith john. 5. Scru john. 5. tamini scripturas, search the Scriptures. And the rather to move all people to credit and embrace his word, he showed that it is not his word, in respect that he is man but in respect that he is God, for thus he saith Mea doctrina non est mea, sed eius qui john, 7. misit me. My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me, again in the viii. of john john 8. he saith, I do nothing of myself, but as the father hath taught me, even so I speak these things: which saying of Christ may not only confirm the faith of the godly knowing that the doctrine which is taught them is the word of God, but also it is a lesson unto all Preachers that they teach nothing to the people, but that which may be confirmed by God's words: my doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me, for they are the messengers and Legates of the most high God, and of his son Christ Jesus not to teach the people what they list but that which is spied within their commission of God's word, whosoever therefore cannot rightly say of the doctrine which he teacheth, my doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me, that man seduceth himself and the people which he teacheth. But the Papists and other here tiques, cannot rightly say the said words, but they teach the doctrine of men, and not the pure word of God, it followeth therefore that they seduce themselves and the people also. It seemed good to our God and heavenly father, that the holy scriptures should be set forth to men, chiefly for that cause which is set down in the twenty Chapter written by S. john where it is said john, 20. Haec scripta sunt ut creditis quia jesus est filius Dei et ut credentes vitam habeatis in nomine eius. These things are written that ye might believe, that Jesus is the son of God, and that in believing you might have life through his name. Here is plainly set down the end why the holy Scriptures concerning Jesus was given, namely that we might have faith in the son of God, and the end of this faith is to have everlasting life. Sithence then that this word is so profitable unto us, it behooneth us to keep it not locked up in chests and cloyesters, as the papists kept it, not in words only as the pharisees kept it, but in faithfully hearing it, believing it, and practising it, in our lives as the holy Virgin Mary kept it. We have many examples in the book of God, how from time to time the word of God hath been regarded with God's people, The people said unto Moses, all the words which the Lord hath said: we will do. Exod. 24. Hely taught Samuel right well, that he should say unto the Lord that spoke unto him, speak on Lord for thy servant hearreth. Reg. 3. When Esdras red the book of the law from morning unto midday, Esdra. 8. it followed that all the people wept for joy, when they heard the words of the law of their God, when the word of God came from jonas to the King of Ninivy without jonas. 3. delay he rose out of his princely seat, did his apparel off, and sat him down in asijes. After the lame man was healed which is spoken of in the third Chapter of the Act. 3. 4. Acts of the Apostles, and Peter's sermon ended, many that heard his sermon believed, as is showed in the fourth Chapter of the Acts, thus we see how the word of God hath been regarded in times passed of Godly people. And what is the cause that the word of God, is not more regarded and followed in these our days, sithence it is not so plentifully taught among us, what be the Bishops and Ministers only in fault? or are the Magistrates and Rulers only to be blamed? or be the common multitude alone culpable herein? no surely in mine opinion, no one society of these are to be blamed alone, (but each of them in this degree are to be touched in this matter, if therefore the Eishoppes, preachers and ministers of the word desire to have the doctrine which they teach to profit amongst men. It behoveth them to take heed, first that they take not the office upon them for ambition, and covetousness sake, entering therfo at the window like a thief and murderer, but in at the door, which door is Christ as he himself testifieth in the tenth of Saint john, saying: I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved. iohn, 10. He rightly may be said to enter at the door, that faithfully believeth in Christ, that feeleth in himself an aptness and ability to teach Christ's doctrine and is by Christ's Church (which is guided by the holy ghost) lawfully and orderly elected into that function. For as Saint Paul sayeth, Hebru. 5. writing to the hebrews & the fift Chapter. No man taketh this honour to himself but he that is called of God, as was Aron, would God experienc had not taught us in thes our days that too too many have rushed into that spiritual function by sinister means and ways, some by friendship, some for hired sake, and some for money and gain. The reformation whereof, with the deep consideration of the inconveniences that have, do, and are like to grow unto the Church of Christ, by means hereof I reserve unto you that be in authority. Secondly if they desire to have the word of God to bring forth fruit, they must not live in the ministry as idle Drones; but execute their office in labouring and teaching of God's truth: for as God saith by his Prophet Malachi the second Chapter Malachi. 2. The Priest's lips, should have sure knowledge that the people might understand the law from their mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts, unto such idle loiterers, which will not teach God's word God speaketh by his Prophet Ezechiel the xxxiiij. chapter saying: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel, that feed themselves, should not the shepherds feed the flocks? ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with wool, Ezechi. 33. ye kill them that are fed, but you feed not the sheep. Again by his said Prophet he threateneth unpreaching prelates on this manner. When I shall say unto the wicked, O wicked man thou shalt die the death if thou dost not speak and admonish the wicked of his way, that wicked man shall die for his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hands. Nevertheless if thou warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it, if he do not turn from his way he shall die for his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. Thirdly, if the preachers of the word of God be desirous to have word to take deep root in the hearts of the hearers, they must neither preach the word for advantage, lucre, or gain, neither to utter their eloquence, neither yet to obtain the praise Peter. 3. of men. S, Peter in his first Epistle, and third chapter straightly, exhorteth them saying: Feed ye the flock of Christ, as much as lieth in you, taking the oversight of them not as compelled there unto, but willingly after a godly sort, not for the desire of filthy lucre. but of a good mind: not as though ye were Lords of God's heritage, but that ye may be examples unto the flock: again S. Paul in his first Epistle to Timothy, and first Chapter saith: Timothi, 1. That a Bishop should not be given to filthy lucre and as he would not have them to be covetous, so he also would have them in their teachings, to use a plain and orderly kind of doctrine: In his first Epistle to the Corinthians and first Chapter 1 Cor. 1. he saith, Christ sent me not to Preach the Gospel with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should have been made of none effect: for God saith I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. Again in the said Epistle and second Chapter 1. Cor. 2. he saith, my words and my preachings was not in enticing words of man's wisdom, but in plain evidence of the spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. And as he came not with enticing words of man's wisdom, so did he not preach to please men, for thus he saith in the first Galath. 1. Chapter to the Galathians, do I seek to please men? If I had hitherto studied to please men, I were not the servant of Christ. Fourthly if the Preachers of the word of God desire to have the Doctrine which they teach to be accepted of men, they must from their lives according to their doctrine, which thing if they do not, their hearers may say unto them as Isaac said unto jacob. Thy voice is jacobs' voice Genesis. 27. but thy hands, are the hands of Esau: Of such dissemblers our Saviour Christ speaketh in the twenty three Chapter of Saint Matthew: They (saith he) say but do not: Such build the Temple of God with the right hand of good doctrine, but put it down again with the left hand of their evil lives, well, he that knoweth the Father's will and doth it not, is worthy to be beaten with many stripes▪ So if the Ministers and Preachers of the word of God enter into that function by sinister and corrupt means, as by friendship, kindred or for money, if they sleep & loiter in their office, if they preach for promotions and livings, or to utter their eloquence or to please men rather than to edify the Church of Christ, or if they teach well and live evil, they hinder the free passage of the Gospel, and shall make account thereof before the Lord God. Now as it is the office of the Bishops and Ministers to Preach the word: So it is the office of the Magistrates, Rulers and governors of this Realm to maintain the same with the sword, and to correct the offendor. For they rightly cannot be said to be rulers, which rule not, which speak of the Law but use it not. Such may be likened to S. George fight with the Dragon, but striketh not, to a man painted on a wall, drawing a bow, with an arrow but shooteth not, such have the work of the Lord in hand but execute it not: considering not what the Lord hath said by his Prophet jeremy, Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord negligently. jeremis, 48. The Rulers therefore ought not only to make good Laws for the setting forth of god's word, but also diligently to see, that such wholesome Laws be observed, & kept, as did good Ezechias, josias & others we have in this land a law made, that every subject that is able, should come unto the Church to hear God's word read and preached, and to have the Sacraments ministered unto them, but how it is kept of some people in some cûtries it is known. You will peradventure say, that the bishops be in fault, if this law be not kept, I grant there may be some fault found in them, touching this matter: but what and the party be to mighty, for the bishop to deal which, it seemeth that the papists wax very bold well it were good that the Magistrate and those the be in authority, should command such yea, if it were a noble man, upon his allegiance to the Prince, to come to the Church. Augustine doth testify that through the strait commandment of Theodosius the Emperor, his church of Hippo was delivered from the Donatists, & were brought unto the truth by the preaching of the word of God, for as S. Paul saith, Roma. 10. faith cometh by hearing: & surely this is not only a great hindrance of the free passage of the Gospel, when men see the magistrates negligent in punishing of such transgressors of God's laws, & the princes, but also if they see & understand that the rulers themselves, their family, and household regard little the word of God. The third sort of people that are to be blamed, for that the word of God is no more regarded in these our days, be the common multitude. In the which number I may include, even the most excellent sort of men until such time as they faithfully embrace the word of God, and so be graffed into the body of the Church. Of all the creatures that God hath created, man against his maker hath been found most unthankful, obstinate, rebellions and disobedient, which hath been seen not only by the disobedience of our first parents, but also in us, so that we hearing as it were God's voice by his word, yet harden our hearts, cast of his yoke, from us, and forget the benefits that he hath bestowed upon us: of the which grievous offence, I mean of the contempt of his word, the messengers of God patriarchs, Prophets, Enangelists, apostles and ministers have from time to time complained. Moses' the servant of God speaking of the perverse nature of the people of his time, saith unto God. Exod. 4. Lord they will not believe nor hearken to my voice and that which they did suspect would come to pass others by experience found most true, for Isai. 25. Esay sayeth: Lord who hath given credence unto the things that we have hard. Elyas complaineth unto God that the children of Israel had not only forsaken his covenant but also killed his Prophets, and that he only was left alive▪ the Prophet jeremy jeremis, 25. saith that he taught the people of juda the word of the Lord twenty-three, years & that with great pains and travel, for thus he saith unto them, I have risen up early, I have given you warning in season, but you would not hear me. And again he saith though the Lord hath sent his servants all the prophets unto you: yet would you not obey, you would not incline your ears to hear. After the prophet's God sent his only some in to the world: who was contemned of the rich hated of the mighty, & scorned of the learned notwithstanding he gathered together the poor, refused not the blind, despised not the lame, forsaketh not the sinners, he abhorreth not the penitent thief, rejecteth not the mourning adulter esse despised not the humble Cananite, refused not the custoner, loathed not the Disciple that denied him: let therefore the miserable wretch flee unto the merciful the guilty to the favourable the unclean to the fountain, the wanderer to the way the sick to the phistition, the lost sheep to the shepherd the sinner to Jesus, which saveth people from their sins, which Jesus although in corporal presence he is absent from us, yet hath he not left us destitute of preachers & teachers which call his people to embrace, keep, & obey his word, whereby they may be known in love him as is said in our text, if any man love me, he will keep my word. But why do not these cormorants say to themselves for whom do I prepare these buildings lands and farms, with the loss of mine own soul. I doubt whether I shall possess or they enjoy them to whom I bequeath them, or not & the rather may I so think, for that my conscience beareth me witness, that they have been evil gotten and evil kept, and therefore it is very likely they shallbe evil spent. I know not whether mine heir willbe a wise man for a fool, whether he will spend that riotously, which I have gotten wickedly Why do they not acknowledge themselves to be but men: and man is as grass, & as a flower of the field, the grass shall whither & the flower decay, to beshort, you that be godly minded pray you with the prophet David and say, Incline my heart O Lord unto thy testimonies & not unto covetuosnes. And surely this vice not only draweth men from the love of Christ, and obedience to his word in these days, but there is joined with it, carnal pleasure, and fleshly delights, which is such a snare chat it holdeth men that (delight therein) so with captivity that their hearts are with drawn from all the service of God, and obedience of his word, and only set there upon. These vices are such hurtful harms & miserable mischiefs, to those that lewdly love them, & pleasantly practise them, that they draw them into damnation, except both speedily and earnestly they repent. Will God think you suffer these vices long unpunished? no, let us think therefore that God speaketh unto us after this manner and faith. O you unthankful sons of Adam, how many things have I to speak & judge of you? how often would I have helped you and you would not? you have despised all my counsels and broken all my commandments, I have therefore just cause to be angry with you, and to condemn you, but I have had compassion upon you I have seen your misery and decreed to help your I saw you wander in exile far from your own country, and therefore I came in mine own person from heaven to guide you into the right way. I saw you scattered in mountains, and lie in hedges, yet I sent my servants to gather you together who have showed you that all things are prepared and made ready for you. This my goodness and love towards you ought to allure you to come unto me & love me But herein I have to burden and accuse you namely for your ingratitude, rebellion and contempt of my word, you weigh not the benefits that I have bestowed upon you, you keep not my commandments you regard not my word, nor my Sacraments, how you receive them, nor fear not my wrath, you evil entreat my messengers, you stiff-necked & uncircumsised hearts and ears, ye have always resisted the holy ghost, as your fathers did so do you. Thus we may see that there is nothing that either sooner moveth God's wrath or draweth us into damnation, than contempt of gods grace offered unto us by his holy word. We find in the holy scriptures, that when the Jews did forsake & contemn the grace of the Gospel first offered unto them by Christ, God powered out his indignation upon them, saying unto them▪ O Serpents, Math. 23. ye generation of Vipers, how shall ye escape the damnation of hell, again, our saviour biddeth his Disciples shake their dust of their feet as a witness against them it shallbe easier for than of the land of Sodom & Gomorrah, in the day of judgement then for them. Math. 10. After the same manner he speaketh in other places, threatnig the Jewish people generally, & other Cities specially for the said offence, The men of Niniveh saith he shall rise in judgement with this generation & condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of jonas, and behold a greater than jonas is here. The Queen of the South shall rise in judgement with this generation & shall condemn it, for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here. Again in another place he saith. woe be to thee, Chorasin, woe be to thee Bethsaida, for if the works which have been done in you, had been done in Tirus and Sydon, they had repent long ago, in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say unto you, it shallbe easier for tire and Sidon at the day of judgement then for you. By the which testimonies of holy scriptures and many others, we may not only perceive God's wrath against the contemners of his word, but also that he keepeth our sins still in remembrance, if we will not embrace and obey the same word in due season, which if we embrace worthily, and keep obediently, we shall declare ourselves according to our text, lovers of Christ, if not, we shall show ourselves to be but dissembling Christians, & so move him to take his precious Jewel of his holy word away from us again, & give it to a nation which will bring forth fruit. God grant that our sins deserve not any such plague to fall upon England. The third branch setteth forth the utility profit and commodity which happeneth unto them that rightly love Christ and keep his word, namely, not only that God the Father will love him. But also that the whole trinity will come unto him and will dwell with him. WHat thing more happy, what thing more pleasant, what thing more beautiful can happen unto us miserable men then to be so much in the favour of God, that we may be beloved of him which thing is not only promised unto us if we love him and keep his word, but he also further promiseth, saying: and we will come unto him, in which words he speaketh after the manner of men, he cometh unto us when he declareth and offereth his grace and favour unto us, and he may be said to go from us when he taketh his grace and favour from us, so that it may be rightly said, that God is with his people by power, by grace and by his holy spirit, by means whereof his people be not only in safety, from their bodily & ghostly enemies, but also are led daily forward towards his everlasting kingdom. Lastly he addeth these words, and we will dwell with him, in which words he promiseth a continuance of his grace, so that those that are faithful, may rightly be said to be the Temple of God, according that saying of S. Paul, speaking to the Godly, ye are the temple of the living God, what good thing can be wanting to them that have God always present with them, and as it were to be their gift: for as S. Paul saith Rom. 8. if God be with us, who shall be against us there we need not fear the new devices and practices of the Romanists and that rabble which they daily devise against England. O how do men rejoice when it pleaseth the prince or governor of the country to come unto them, to give them good countenance, and to speak cheerfully unto them? And contrariwise, how pensive and sorry are they when the Prince frowneth on them, than they go like as they were half dead, but what is this joy of the receiving of a mortal Prince to be compared with the receiving of the immortal God? Or what is the frownig of such a Prince to be compared with the anger of the Prince of princes. Let us therefore prepare and make ready our minds and inward parts with all kind of spiritual furniture to the receiving of this guest, he is received by faith, he is received & kept by obedience to his word by mortification of the flesh and by virtuous living. But where shall we have such to receive and entertain such a worthy presonage, where is that noble man obedient unto God's word become where is that Lady mortefication of the flesh to be found? where is that worthy Gentleman usher, virtuous living to be sought? what, be their none of all these to be found? yes, or else God forbidden, but they are to few God he knoweth but think you that this Prince will tarry in that place, or with that people or country where instead of obedience, he findeth does obedience, instead of mortification of the flesh he findeth carnal concupiscence. & instead of virtuous living, he findeth vice and wickedness, no, he will away thence he will not tarry there, search & examine yourselves inwardly, you that fear God, when there your inward parts be swept & cleansed from sin and wickedness, fit to receive the holy ghost, for the spirit is the seal where with God marketh them that be his, this is the comforter which shall teach us all things that Christ hath said unto us, this is that spirit by the which we are addopted into the inheritance of the eternal life which certifieth our spirits that we are the sons of God. This is the joyful comforter of our hearts and minds, whereby we may cry Abba father, this is he that descended upon Christ in likeness of a dove this is he by whom our minds are stirred up to holy meditations, our bodies made the Temple of God, and our tongues fit instruments to set forth his praise, finally this is that spirit whereby we are moved to love Christ, to forsake this world to embrace and keep God's word, and to crave to be in the everlasting kingdom of god purchased for us by the only blood of christ to the which Jesus Christ with the father and the said holy spirit, be all love, praise, honour, and glory for ever & ever. Amen. FINIS. Virtus spirat in altum.