SUTTON'S SYNAGOGVE OR, THE ENGLISH CENTURJON: Showing the unparrallelled bounty of Protestant piety. BY PERCI. BURRELL, Preacher at King JAMES his Hospital in the Charterhouse. Euseb. lib. 8. c. 12. de Prae. Euan. Concurritur ad loca sacra, quae dicuntur Synagogae. PSAL. 112.6. The just shall be had in everlasting remembrance. Printed London, by T.C. for Ralph Mabb. To the most Reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace, To the Right Honourable, Right Reverend, and Right Worthy Governors of King JAMES his Hospital, my most freely noble, and ever honoured Patrons, Grace and Glory multiplied. MOst Reverend, and Right Honourable. As Temples are consecrated to the honour of our great God, so Books should be dedicated to good men, because both have Altars of intended service, and gratitude. To your wisdom did our Founder commend his state; at your Honour's feet I lay down these dress of his memory: Debui quod potu●, non potut quod ●ebu●. Aug. ep. 28. Hier. These fruits of a thankful soul, for my free admission into the Charterhouse, and my freely obtained presentation to a Benefice, may the Fonuders wealth overshadow his Preachers poverty. Certes the pious magnificence of famous Sutton, is a great ornament to our deceased King of blessed memory, a greater to this age, the greatest to Protestant religion. If I for his sake may hope for any favour, Turn in (my Lords) turn in, and let thousands follow, while your Lordships behold, and dispose That beautiful Chapel, those well furnished Chambers, those tables, those gowns, those books, our memorable Founder hath purchased, for such aged men, and hopeful children, whose duty it is to petition the Lord of Lords for the temporal, and eternal happiness of you our gracious & happy Governors, among those kneeleth, Your Honour's most humble, and devoted Servant in the Lord, PERCI. BURRELL. Suttons' Synagogue: OR, The English Centurion. LUKE. 7.5. He hath built us a Synagogue. Anniversarie Commemorations of Magnificent Founders, are as wch●●ned Instruments to sound the praises of the Deceased, and as goodly Monuments to commend ●nto Posterity the Gratitude of the Living. Exc●●len●● 〈◊〉 Father; a Monumenta mem●r●ar●m, 〈◊〉 ●●●is mo●●●●●●a. Aug de C. D. li. ● c 2●. Th●se Solemnities are not superstitions Sacrifices, but pious Records: b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 L●ctanus D●al. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. So that as Toxaris to Menippus concerning the Annual honours done to Pylades, I may preface to you of this first Stone, or unpolished Pillar, raised or intended to our SUTTONS' honour. We do by Statute celebrate the memory of our unparalleled Founder: Not to Canonize him for a Saint, but to invite an imitation of his blessed Magnificence. For as c S●● ptorum an●● ad Sanctorum imitationem ●●●endun ●r. Aug. ubi super. St Augustine hath observed, To commend the Bounty of the Dead, is to spur up the Liberality of the Suruiving. Wherefore at length, Awake Organ & Voice, Old-men and Children, Priest and People, Awake: Let us offer the sweet incense of zealous thankes unto that God who hath appointed his Steward Sutton to be a nursing Father to the aged, whose state, or bodies have been maimed by bearing Arms, and as a prudent Mother, to maintain youth in the acquiring of Arts: To this end are we assembled this day, to this end hath Sutton raised this Synagogue; I must have this day no other Theme, you shall hear no other note, but Sutton hath built us a Synagogue, He hath built us a Synagogue. d Difficile est abijs diligi, quos dignitate antecesserit. Higher ep. 9 It is a point of high difficulty, and therefore of greater honour, to purchase love of those who are out-shined by us in eminent dignity: yet, this can bounty and gentleness effect; for behold, our Centurion, (whose office it was, to bridle the insolences of the mutinous jews, and to rank them in obedience to the Roman State) even our Captain enjoyeth favour, and receiveth honour from a stifenecked, proud, and rebellious nation. The Elders express the reason in the former part of this verse; He loveth our Nation. Love can command love, and charity like fire can melt souls frozen in perverseness, or like the Adamamant can attract hard, and ferreous spirits: for see, the Reverend Fathers of Israel, tender to the well far of our Centurion's Groom, and those incredulous jews, who scorned to petition jesus for the salvation of their own souls, are zealous Advocates for the corporal health of the Centurion's Servant: the strongest motive they conceive for the reparation of the temple of the servant's body, is the commemoration of the Master's piety in erecting a Temple, or building a Synagogue to the honour of God: so my Text. He●h●th built us a Synagogue. Herein observe the 1. Noble Founder. 1. Office, or title, a Centurion, this an honourable title. 2. Work, a strange work, a Centurion, a Builder. 3. Expedition, He hath built. 2. Sacred foundation. 1. Temple, a Synagogue. 2. Templars, a whole Nation, for us. The founder, He. He, who? is the man of magnificent piety? a Nehemia with a sword in one hand, and a Synagogue in the other; he who hath merited the character, of f Possit hic est The man, the founder: He, a Centurion, a Captain of an hundred, but the chiefest among thousands: He, that Centaine whose honour it was to have his Garrison in Capern●●m, the metrapolis of Galilee, and which is more, the City of the great King: g Centurio Romanus, & ipse sructut ce●tesi● t●us Chrys st. ser. 102. He, that good Centurion, the ground of whose heart answered the labour of our heavenly husbandman, with the happy increase of an hundred fold; He, he was that Soldier, who did as well follow the Lord of Hosts, as command men: He, he who was valiant in the field, and devout in the Temple. h Quis non diligat eum, qui sub paludamento militari, opera agat prophtarum? Hiero. Oh let us admire, honour, and love that Captain, who in the habit of a Martial man, performed more than the office of a Prophet required: Here is a Captain worthy to lead the whole Christian world, for he loved the people of God, and built a Synagogue for the God of all people. i Altenigina generatione, demesticus operatione princep. militum, socius Angelorum. Orig. in Math He, a Roman by generation, by regeneration a Saint; by nation an alien from the Commonwealth of Israel, by faith a Son of Abraham, a Captain over men, a Peer of Angels. The less his profession did promise, the greater is the honour of his devotion: the Soldiers ●●●e i● to spo ●●●en, and ruin Cities; but this Captain ●●richeth God, and buildeth Synagogues. The Church must be placed upon a high Mountain, that all nations may behold her glory and fly unto her, but in ●his holy march, Captains must bring up ●he Vanity, mi●●ary men must be leaders; nor may this ●c●m● st ange, 〈◊〉 ●e the ●athers, and they will inform ●●u, that a So●●●●er and a Saint may have but one 〈◊〉: so as not Abraham the father of the fa●●hf●ll, a military m●●? was not David a Soldier, b●fo●● a Prophet or a King? did not he raise that Temple in his heart, which was after finished by the 〈◊〉 o● Sol●●on? Heb. 1●. ●●, 3●, &, 4. ●hat shall I more say? For the time would fail me, 〈◊〉 ●ll you of joshua, of Gidion, and of Samso●, of Ah●z, and jehosaphat, who subdued Kingdoms, waxed ●th●● in fight, put to flight the armies of ●●iens, conquered themselves, and did not only ere●t Altars ●●o, but we e●●uing Temples of the Lord? If you look into the Gospel, Luke 3.14. you may observe the Soldier a more attentive ●●●itor of john the Baptist, then ●he R●bbie; after ●he ascension, you may behold a most ●minent Sa●● in C●●tain● Corneli●s, Acts 10.2. He was a devout man, and one tha●●●red God withal his house, he g●ue much alms to the people and prayed God always: if we 〈◊〉 Eccl●●●●●t●call Histories, we shall find the b● t●o ●●●●●s, the ●●st ●●n: julian's thundering ●●gion, Constanti●● 〈◊〉 Great, and the victorious as well as pi●●● Theod●●● 〈…〉 ●rne, ●he zeal and faith of our ●●●●ion 〈◊〉 ●ethe S●●ne of God with admiration, Math. ●. ●0. ●as St. A●●ustine ex●or●●eth, Christ did k ●ug●st ●p 4●. admire, ●hat is, com●●●nd the piet● of our Captain: thus we ●e a ●●●●di●● may ●a S●●nt. If r●●s●n m●ght ●e p●●m●●ted to discourse of the se●●et one ●ati●●● 〈…〉 should divine, hat●● or●● 〈…〉 cardinal virtue, but a principal, a fundamental grace; therefore Christ entitled a Captain, the strong man, in one word, he who was a Lamb for meekness, was also a L●●n for courage: but it may●● you are tired with following our Centurion, therefore I shall now entreat him to come home to you with an application. Here we learn, Saints may bear Arms, An observation concerning wars. and they who bear Arms may be Saints: war is not unlawful, where the cause of war is just: cowardly and cruel is that opinion of anabaptistical spirits, which condemneth war, and damneth the Soldier, for as l Christiana d●sciplin● bella n●● culpat om●●. ep. 5, Mer●●llino. St. A●gustine, Christian religion doth not prohibit all wars: elegantty m Nihi● militants nocet ba●theus. ep. St. Jerome, The Soldier's belt is no enemy to the sword of the Spirit; the coat of mail no super●●d●as to the breastplate of righteousness; nor the head-piece of steel, any obstacle to the helmet of salvation: hear n H●c reprehendere tit●●dorum est non religiosorum. contra Faust. Mani. c. 74. St. Augustine again, What is the crime? what is the greatest misery of war? by an honourable death in the field, to prevent a foul, at best a more painful death amidst personate mourners in a Chamber? Upon this ground to censure the military profession, is a character rather of a Coward, than a Saint. Take away the hunger of rapine, the thirst of revenge, and the boundless desire of enlarging dominions, A Christian may with as safe a conscience be a Soldier, as a Minister: Thus we see a Centurion ma● be a Saint. Again, Oh that all Soldiers, The application. did march under our Centurion's colours, for than shall Kingdoms be happy, and Martial affairs prosper, when devout men are Soldiers, or Soldiers are devout men; but alas what hopes of vi●tor●, when, as the Armies encounter an Enemy, so Soldier's war against God, and the crying and unrepented sins of the people fight against the Souldi●●●? All histories are plentiful in this point, and St. Ambrose maketh it a rule, Ep. 82. that the sin of the Soldier, sharpeneth the Sword of the Enemy: there was a time when the evening was a prophet to the following day, Harald's troops employed their last night in revel, and lasciviousness, but the companies of William of Normandy, did bless their designs with prayers and fasting, and so became conquerors, Hezekiah, Ahaz, and jehosaphat, went from the Temple to the field, or rather made the field as a Temple, wherein they proved triumphant, not so much by fight against Man, as by humbling their souls before the Lord of hosts: K. Charles. blessed be our jehosaphat, who hath commanded fasting and humiliation to be as the Heralds of his no less just, then necessary wars, this point shall end in a short ejaculation, O thou God of battles, arm our forces with truth, meekness, and righteousness, then shall their hands do terrible things, and their feet shall tread upon the necks, of thy Gospels, our gracious Kings, and these Kingdom's Enemies. The Centurion hath put off his Armour, and now beginneth to build, here is the second branch, building, He hath Built. p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrys. in 1. Cor. 3. Building must accompany faith, and in this one word of building, we shall find the several furnitures, rooms, and stoaries of all the duties of Christian religion, the Apostle is plain, Let all things be done to edification. q Caeleste adificium dispere gendo construitur. Gr. M. hom. 37. There is an evident difference, between celestial, and terrestrial buildings; terrene houses are raised by collecting, heavenly mansions are framed by distributing moneys, and we may conjecture that our incarnate Messiah, was pleased to be the putative Son of a Carpenter, that as Christ was, so each good Christian should endeavour to be an holy builder. In goodly buildings we must find. A foundation, This is Christ, the living, the life giving, the chief cornerstone, the foundation of foundations; here the builder upholdeth the work, or rather is the basis of his own structure: would you see how Christ was squared and adapted for this edifice? observe those no less busy, then cruel labourers, his stonyhearted tormentors; the rods were as the Mason's brushes, the cross the form whereon they carve, and hue their stones, their hands the mallets, the nails the thorns, and spear, the several tools to polish, and fit this stone for a foundation unto our heavenly Mansion. The main Pillar, Hope, the Walls Charity, the Cement the Word preached, the Windows Knowledge, the Roof Faith. For the Furniture, the most convenient Hang, are meditations upon our Saviour's Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, and his glorious return to judgement: the Chairs and Beds, are Love; the several vtensiles, or other ornaments, are Meekness, Temperance, Patience, etc. There is a sentence no less famous than difficult concerning the materials of this building, 1 Cor. 3.13. the Fathers are divided in their dispute, whither this place concern the doctrine of the Preacher, or the conversation of the Auditor: r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. St. chrysostom is firm for the latter, him I follow, while he writeth, that this text doth point at the actions of Christians. now read the words. If any man build upon this foundation, 1 Cor. 3.12, 13. Gold, Silver, Precious stones, Wood, Hay, Stubble, every man's work shall be made manifest. Gold, Silver, Precious stones,] these are solid, s Caietane. in 1 Cor. 3. glorious, and high prized virtues. Gold, the love of God; Silver, charity to man; Precious stones, these are the several acts of piety toward God, and mercy toward man. Wood, Hay, Stubble,] by these are figured, dangerous sins; Wood is the worm's nest of corroding envy, or malice. Hay, is ambition; Stubble, this is the type of obstinate schismatics; verse 15. now followeth the knot, the main difficulty: if any man's work be burnt, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be Saved; but this saving is equal with damning, so t Ambr. in 1 Cor. 3 Chrysost. in eundem locum St Ambrose, he shall be saved by fire; his body and his soul shall not be wasted by the torments of hell; St. chrysostom proveth, what St. Ambrose affirmeth: That is said sometime, to be saved, which is not consumed, as gold in the fire, as the liver in the fable, this this indeed, is the hell of hells, death without death, and torments without consumption: lest this might seem strange, St. chrysostom reinforceth his argument, with an excellent observation from Scripture language: It is the elegance of sacred rhetoric, to give gentle names to severe punishments, as hell and the grave, are called the places where all things are forgotten, which at the first view may promise quiet and the oblivion of all calamities: thus the death of the wicked is termed a sleep, thus it is said of the wicked, job 21.33. That the clods of the earth shall be sweet unto him; here is most bitter and desperate sweetness: the same Father shall conclude x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. he that buildeth with Hay or Stubble, shall continue in endless torment. Apply. Application. y Re●ie ●●●ficare, est ti● embu●. ●re. Aug. He buildeth most fairly, who liveth most religiously: pluck therefore the hand out of the bosom, work and build: the best approbation of our faith, ariseth from the operation of the hand; as the curious Artizen, so the religious Christian, must be known by his handy worl e; divinely Irenaeus z Qu●d feris lucet, in●● s●t, & quod intus est fori● luceat. Irenaeus lib. 4. Let your charity burn within, and holiness shine without; by the former you shall avoid hypocrisy, by the latter idleness You must all be builders, God is the Master of the work, all the Sons of men, King, Priest, and People, must be labourers. Birds make their nests, b●asts ha●e ●●●ir d●●●s; let men build houses, let th●m ●●a●e ●u●r●asting habi●a●i●ns, Make you friends of the unrighteous Mammon, that ye may b● received into everlasting habitations: let us hear the Sermon ●f David to his Princes, Set your heart, 1. Cron. 22. 1● and your sou●● to seek the Lord your God, Ariosto e and build: As lively s● nes, come ●●e ●nto Christ th● living ston●, 1 Pet. 2.4.5. that (since you cannot build of yourse ve) you may be built up as a spiritual house accoptab●●● Go●●y Ie●us Christ. I sha●l end with t●e Apostle, Ephe. 2. 2●. T●e Lord Ie●us build us all together for an habitation of God through the spirit, We have already seen our ●ounder, as a Captain, and a B●i●der; now behold him like a Cherubin, ●ith wings over his hands; this you may find in his Expedition, he Hath. As the Eagle ha●●eth to the pr●y, or the greedy Soldier to the spoil, so our Centurion to the most noble acts 〈…〉 piety, a Plu●imum tu omni re celeri●as. Sene. B●●. ib. 2. sure our leader was one of the R●●● C●●●res: a●d it was his honour, for where the a●●●●●igious, there I●h● his march is most glorious, e●●●dition must b● comm●●●ab●●, b ●●●ncere, Vo en●●s & a●●●●●. umb. ●. N●●. 〈◊〉. in all commendable, action's, the reason is evident: Celerity is a fair character 〈◊〉 sincerity, and a quick hand is a promising sign of a willing heart. 〈◊〉 into the family of Abraham, you shall read heartiness in nimbleness: First Abraham runneth in per●●n to meet the Angels, Gen. 18.2, 6, & 7. than he charged S●●ah ●o make read quickly, than he runneth again to the ●●●rd, lastly the S●ruant is as quick 〈…〉 th●● dr●sse; thus we see, 〈…〉, Wi●e, S●ruant, a●● in Abra●●ms ●●nt are 〈…〉 in ●he performance of any service vn●● God: I will, is but a large compliment, and we know those to be most slow in performance, who are nimble in promise; sweet and honourable is the memory of this Founder, He did not frame a College in the paper model of a litigious will, but saw a Synagogue raised at his own proper charge to the glory of God: so the E●ders, he Hath. The innocent Dove hath a nimble wing, so those good souls which are quickened with that Spirit, who once appeared in the form of a Dove, flee speedily unto works of piety; the Sun cannot so much rejoice to run his course, as the faithful to consummate their race of Godliness; the elements, of fire, air, & water, are active and quick in their motions, so where soever the holy fire of zeal, the water of sanctification, or the breath of the Spirit are found, there is a speedy motion: nay even the dull & lazy earth is moved with an earthquake, Gen. 49.21. Act. 9.36. but no terror can stir the earthly minded man; the blessing of Nephthali was to have the swift feet of a Hind, Dorcas was as nimble as the Roe: c utinam precenta faminarum imitarentur viri. Hier. Oh that good men would imitate the speed of this woman: Solomon saith, Be not slack in thy business, I beseech you be not slow in the business of the Lord: Prou. 10.26. Levit. 11.41. f●r snails, worms, and creeping creatures were banished from the Altar of God, to instruct us, that slow paced men can be no pleasing sacrifice for our God. To spur up our devotion, let us consider, that God is pleased to pay magnificently for the expedition of man: Man's expedition, and God's salvation embrace each other; for no sooner can the devout soul say, I have kept the faith, 2. Tim. 4.7. but he may read, Henceforth a crown of righteousness is laid up for thee; no sooner can our Saviour proclaim, I have fulfilled the will of God, but a voice is heard from heaven, This is my beloved Son: Luke 9.35. nor is God more indulgent to the natural Son of his bosom, then to the zealous, and his adopted sons among the children of men; for observe, Matth. 19.28 doth Peter come unto our Saviour and say, We have left all and followed thee? the blessing is annexed, You shall sit on thrones in the kingdom of heaven: Nay but impatient incredulity must have somewhat in hand, what would you expect? will you be content with a thousand for one hundred? this is more than extortion dare challenge, yet the speedy soul shall have more, even one hundred for one; Matth. 19. 2●. one hundred for one, not of corruptible gold, but in the incorruptible treasure of peace of conscience, and the sweet assurance of heavenly happiness: Remember Zacheus, Luke. 19.9. doth he come quickly to entertain the Son of God? the sequel is, This day is salvation come to his house: excellently St. Augustine, d Quam suaue mihi subito carere pe●cati sua● tatibus. Aug. Confess. Oh What a heaven of joy is it to be a penitent soul, hearty and speedily to loathe the poysonning sweet of bewitching sins? oh then all you who have that good ambition to be married unto the Lamb of God, take into your souls, the prayer of the Spouse, Draw us oh jesus and we shall run after thee. Cant. 1.4. Apply, When drunken Archias received intelligence, Plut. Pelopidas. of treason plotted against his Majesty by Pelopidas, be stammered forth this reply, Great matters to morrow, and so became a prophet of his own ruin: are not most of us of the Court of Archias? when the conscionable Minister informeth us of the damnable stratagems of Satan against our souls, we ordinarily conclude, Great matters to morrow, hereafter may be soon enough. When unhappy Faelix heard S. Paul's Sermon of temperance and judgement to come, Act. 24.25. he trembled indeed, but his conclusion was, Go thy ways for this time, I will hear thee at some more convenient leisure, thus while the preacher is in the pulpit, a fit of devotion may be raised in the soul of the Auditor, but resolutions of holiness must be put off to some other time: so that as cheating and bankrupt debtors answer their creditors, so most men reply unto the Spirit, Matth, 22.5. come to morrow, or some other time: I have bought a farm, I have married a wife; profit or pleasure must be observed, God must wait. Pro. 3.28. Solomon adviseth not to hold a friend in suspense till to morrow: Oh be not less respectful of thy God, than thou wouldst be of thy friend. That good God who hath promised salvation to him who shall repent at any time, hath bound himself to no time of ●ayting for thy repentance. We may read of an heretical brood, which were called Clinici, Centur. their devotions were like themselves bedrid; they would never think of a new life, before they were in the jaws of death. The whole world is of their faction, for scarce any think of being holy, or doing good, until there be no hope of being. Delay in matters of greater moment is accounted dangerous: in the assuring of our salvation, by the holiness of our conversation, procrastination may prove damnable; the feet and the heart were God's part of each sacrifice, the heart for sincerity, Levit. 1.9. and the feet for celerity. If you could consider the greatness of your journey, even from earth to heaven: and the shortness of your life, which is called a vapour, james. 4.14. that appeareth 〈◊〉 in for a moment, surely you would gird up the lo●●●s of your mind, and run with faith and patience the race that is set before you. Heb. 12.1. I beseech you mock not God, cheat not your own souls, with the hopes of a panegyrical, or commendatory Sermon over your hear●e, or with the legacy of an ambitious dole at your funeral, but while you read this poor meditation, pray that this may be the hour of your conversion, a living sacrifice, or the sacrifice of the living is most acceptable unto the lord jer. 13.17. Oh jerusalem wash thy heart from iniquity, when shall it once be? I have done with the Founder: now let us survey, the sacred foundation. The second general. A Synagogue] The Temper of the Founder is best discovered in the foundation: the ambition of Pompey, and the luxury of Lucullus, were presented to the view of all, by their stately buildings; but our good Centurion will have no other Monument of his glory, but a place where the honour of God may dwell, a Synagogue, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, is the mother and root of our Synagogue, and hath two daughters, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the former doth commend unto us either the assembly of men in the service of God, Casaubonus exercit. ad An. Bar. 16. or the union of the soul with God by the participation of the blessed Eucharist, thus the visible Church is styled, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Basil. M. in Psal. 28. a visible collection or congregation of men, thus also, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, is a conjunction of the soul unto God, as the members are to the head. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Synagogue was a place consecrated for the assembling of men to praise, and call upon the name of God. There were three especial places among the jews for the worship of God. 1 The Temple, here were prayers, sacrifices, and sermons. 2 The Synagogue, here were prayers, & sermons, but no sacrifice. 3 The Schools, here neither prayers, nor sacrifices, but lectures and disputations. The glorious Temple was the Cathedral or mother Church, the Synagogue as the Chapel of ease: it is observed that for one Temple, there were 480 Synagogues in jerusalem; I guess one reason may be, that prayers and sermons were more acceptable than sacrifices. The especial offices performed in the Synagogue, were these. Man was instructed. God was honoured. Instruction of men. Arts and Arms are the equal supporters of great and good Kingdoms, and the one profession cannot be more dangerous, than the other is laborious. Plutarch cannot resolve whether flourishing Rome did owe more to the Forts & Walls of Romulus, or the Schools and Temples of Publicola: surely Athens was more famous for being the nursery of good letters, than the Metropolis of all Greece. One special act of renown was performed by Nero, Tacit. he dedicated a school as Tacitus noteth, hoping thereby to raise a monument of immortal honour to his own name, and no marvel, for what tongue of the eloquent can sufficiently express the merits of such Heroes who have been Founders of Schools, 2 Reg. ●0. 20. and Patrons of good letters? beasts may beget beasts, a rural Pagan may be the father of a man, but to beget, or enlighten a soul, is a work only for God, Malms. or a learned professor. Henry Beuclarke was bold to tell William the Conqueror, that a man without learning, was but a silly beast in a rich caparison. The memory of good Hezekiah continued among posterities as a sweet ointment poured forth, for conveying common waters into the City of jerusalem: with what honour shall we crown their names, who have like Caleb blessed this Island with the upper springs of sacred knowledge in our Universities, judges. 1.15. & with the lower of humane and politer learning, in our free schools throughout the kingdom? So long as there shall be one leaf in any Library, so long as a stone shall remain upon a stone in our Colleges, so long as there shall be one man upon the earth, let the memory of our Founders, be as a banquet among posterities. I am not besides the cushion while in the Synagogue, I honour Arts, for whatsoever was in the School, was after a most eminent manner in the Synagogue, but I have stayed too long among the lower forms: Now we may hear a divinity lecture or a sermon. Cices. As the Orator did desire another Crassus to decipher to the life, the excellent worth of Oratory, so I confess ingeniously, that I hearty wish some powerful and eloquent Apollo, would lend me a tongue to speak the admirable, and soul saving excellency of learned and devout sermons. As every thing of price, so the knowledge of divine mysteries doth require travail. Prayer, meditation, and song study, are expected in the preacher; memory, devotion, and attention in the hearer; Hocker. l. 5. Ecc. Pol. it is well observed by that Oracle of our Church, that we bring not knowledge with us into the world, and therefore the less opportunities or abilities the people have in themselves, the more they need the help, and should be thankful for the labours of learned ministers. Christ was not only the word, but a Preacher, nor did he only merit the crown, but direct his Auditors in the way of everlasting salvation. I may compare good sermons, to Moses and Aaron conducting the Israel of Christians, to the Canaan of heaven, to the keys of David, to the salt whereby conversation is seasoned, M●th. ●. 1●.14. 1. Cor 1● or to light whereby the soul is guided: the Apostle hath all, It pleased God by preaching to save them that believe. God hath given the heart, and great is the number of our Synagogues; God hath given the word, and greater is the number of Preachers; but where is the army of conscionable hearers? Chrysost. the obedient son doth often visit the house of his father; so the Saint doth frequent the earthly Mansion of his heavenly God: Saluianus. l. 5. Spernitur Dei templum ut con●urra tur ad theatrum. but may not the complaint of Saluianus be revived? The Temple of God is despised, and the stage more honoured, Churches are empty but Taverns, and Brothelhouses are throngued. A Recusant can have no apology; art thou a sinner? in the Temple thou shalt find a Saviour; hast thou a bleeding conscience? here shalt thou find the Balm of Gilead; art thou a Saint? here shalt thou find God ready to establish thee, Psal 122.1. Oh for the spirit of David, He was glad when they said unto him, they would go up to the house of God. The way to the Church triumphant in heaven, lieth through the Church militant on earth. I will conclude this meditation with the word of jacob which was usually engraven upon the frontispiece of ancient Synagogues, The Temple is the house of God, and the gate of heaven, the Righteous will enter in and hear what the Lord will say unto him, and meditate what he shall say unto the Lord; and that is the second benefit of the Synagogue, To honour God. In vain shall the most cloquent Apollo's touch the care of man by Sermons, unless the ear of God be m●●●d for a b●●ssing by prayers. Prayers are the Alpha and Omega ●f all religious exercises: in sermons God vouchsafeth to sp●a●● to man, in prayers man is admitted to speak to God; in sermons God descendeth unto man, in prayers man ascendeth unto God Sermons are the seed from whence g●od prayers spring, prayers are the dew which make sermons flourish: wherefore as the two Tables, and the po● of Manna were in the Ark; so the Tables of sermons, and the Manna of prayers, are conserved in our Synagogue: I dare not adventure upon the copious division of the Apostle, and show unto you the difference and the excellencies, 1 Tim. 2.1 of prayers, intercession, supplication, and thanksgiving: only thus. Prayers 1 Supplicat●rie, for blessings to be obtained. 2 gratulatory, for blessings received. First of Supplication: Supplications are the Iacobs ●ather, where by the soul mounteth up to heaven, they are the delight of God, and the happiness of man: zealously to ●eseech, is powerfully to command; thus did jacob wr●s●le with the Lord, and triumph, nay the kingdom of heaven inviteth, and suffereth violence, the pleasing violence of importunate, and strong supplications. The omnipotent Majesty, whose title is invincible, loves t●●●e ever come by an Army of humble suppliance. Would you ●●e victorious o●er your insolent enemies? prayers are the most prosperous Soldiers: While Moses holdeth up his hand, the troops of Amalecke fall to the ground: let us therefore furrow our cheeks with an inundation of tears, and beleaguer the Lord of Hosts with our continual prayers, let our devoutest supplications, sharpen the swords of our Soldiers, prosper the designs of our Commanders, beautify the Crown of our religious Sovereign, and continue a room for every man of this Island to sit under his own vine: Cry mightily unto God, and pray instantly for the well fair of jerusalem. Would you be blessed with the pardon of your sins, with the hidden Manna of a peaceful conscience, with a crown of eternal glory, or with what ever the magnificent hand of God can confer? Prayer is the price, and the Temple the house of prayer. Psal. 48.9. We will pray and wait for the loving kindness of our God in the midst of his Temple. Now of Thanksgiving: in the Temple every man speaketh of the praise of God, and no marvel, for as St. Augustine largely, No pen, Aug. ep. 32. it. ep 77. no tongue can be better employed, then in expressing, no heart, no soul then in conceiving, the great debt of our thankfulness unto God: such and so infinite is the bounty of our God, that night and day with bended knees, inflamed hearts, and well tuned tongues, Arnob. l. 1. we ought to pay the hourly tribute of our devoutest praises: What can God do more, than crown man with loving kindness? what can man do less, then exalt God with thankfulness? no man so poor but he may, no man so great but he should offer this cheap, yet precious incense. To this end Altars, Temples, Synagogues, Churches are raised; to this end man and Angels created, that God may receive the glory of praises: In all things give thankes, for, 1 Thess. ●. 18 therefore was our Synagogue builded. Apply. The building is a Synagogue. It is not only lawful, but commendable, to call upon and praise the name of God in our private families, and secret closerts; but the greatest blessings do accompany the sacrifices of a Synagogue, that is a Congregation. The Lord is in his glory when he is enclosed with the greatest multitude of petitioners, Oh that men would praise the Lord in the assembly of the Elders, Psal. 107.32. in the midst of the Synagogue. Again, each soul should be a living, & a holy Temple: God indeed is the Lord of heaven and earth, and needeth not to borrow a Synagogue or house made with hands, Act. 17.24, 35. his chief delight is to keep his Court with those, the Chapels of whose souls are best adorned with charity and holiness, Know you not that your bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost? 1 Cor. 6. 1●. It is the scandal of our times, that some Churches have been turned into stables, this gangrene is enlarged, and the Temples of our souls are become the Augean stables of all sinful filthiness; the drunkard translateth his temple into a swine-styve, the wanton his into a stew, the covetous his into a den of thiefs, the profane swearer his into an ordinary or dycing Room, where you shall hear no other language but h●●● oaths; every notorious sinner is a sacrilegious po●●tor, or destroyer of this spiritual Synagogue, fra●●d by the founder of heaven and earth. I conclude, Ye are the temple of the living God, 2 Cor. 6.16. I shall pray that God may please to dwell with you, to walk in you, that he may be our God, and we his people. Now behold the Templar, for Us. For the hungerpined only to behold plentiful and delicately furnished tables, or for the extremely indigent only to gaze upon huge masses of treasure, might rather prove a torment, than a comfort: come therefore now and let us behold, the blessed union of the Centurion's magnificence, and our happiness. We, we are the heirs of this sacred and ample bounty, He hath built Us a Synagogue. Us.] The end giveth glory to the action, and bringeth happiness to the agent: lavish expenses cannot entitle a man liberal, nor rash boldness style any man valiant; for inconsiderate rushing into dangers is a frenzy, and profuse casting away of treasures, is frantic prodigality: that bounty is most honourable, which hath the largest, and most religious object. He showeth his bounty to man, and his piety towards God most happily, who doth erect a Synagogue for the people of God. Us hath a fourfold relation. 1 Us Enemies. 2 Us Captives. 3 Us Strangers. 4 Us Of the True Church. Us Enemies. Who was not a voluntary vassal, was reputed an enemy to the Roman State, the greater fare the sweetness of our Centurion, to so perverse, so jewish an adversary: friendship and kindred make too straight a sphere for charity to move in; Omnes odit, qui malos odit. Aug. ep. for he sha●● scarcely affect any, ●ho embraceth only those to whom he is obliged by merit or by blood: let the memory of this Captain be as an ointment poured forth, he knew as well how to ●●ercome in love, as to conquer with the sword. Math. 5.43. The jews esteemed it lawful policy to hate their Enemies, but our Centurion was not soured with this leaven of their doctrine, nor infected with their practice; it may be he had observed, that the charitable sun did impart her cherishing beams unto the good and bad, and that light he would follow; he is an Angel rather than a man, that can overcome evil with good; it was an act (I had almost said) able to make, surely to snew a God, To love an enemy, so the Apostle of our God of love, Math. 5.44. He loved us when we were enemies: imitate the Lord jesus, Bless them that curse you, Love them that hate you, for this is to be a Son of God, and a follower of our Centurion. Us Captives. Misery and infamy are linked together in the Captives chain; nor is it so much pity, as pride or covetousness, that doth continue life unto the conquered; it was the barbarous c●stome of the insulting Romans, to drive those who their sword had subdued, by herds through their City as the sport, and scorn of women and children, then to sell them as beasts, or which was the greater courtesy, because the shorter tragedy, to cast them to the beasts, tumble them into the sea, or set them at liberty by some other death: but it seemeth our Centurion was truly valiant, who never knew enemy but in the field, nor used other bonds in the City, but love, nor other prison, but a Synagogue. Proper is the doctrine of St. Augustine, We are all members of that large body of mankind, these lovely titles of neighbour or brother, are not built so much upon consanguinity, or similitude of shape, as upon the image of God engraven in our reasonable soul: Have pity upon those who are in bonds. Be kindly affectionated one towards an other. Rom. 12.10. Us Strangers. True charity scarce knoweth the name of stranger; all are brothers, all children or fellow members in her register: Inuisum hominum genus Tacit. she doth guide the eye, and temper the heart of our Centurion. The jews are deservedly called, a Nation hated by all, because spiteful to all; they esteemed all other people as bastards, and others reputed them as rebels: but see, no perverseness of nature, no jealousy of rebellion, no nor that exasperating name of jew, can abate the edge of truly compassionate love; Parity in condition should raise a mutual tenderness in affection, we are all strangers, and without treason it may be printed, Emperors and Kings are but sojourners even in their own dominions: Let not our love be estranged from them, who are of a strange Nation. entertain strangers. Hebr. 13.2. Us the people of God. As yet the jewish Synagogue, was a true Church, and the sons of jacob, the royal Priesthood; happy therefore that zeal, which did express piety toward God, in magnificent favours upon God's people. Religion hath her name for uniting men's consciences & affections; nor can there be a fairer evidence of true religion, then love to the Church. Psal. 16.3. All my delight is upon the Saints, was David's note, and his temples could take no rest, until a place was found for the habitation of God. Brethren, love you God? honour his servants, repair and beautify his temples: the farewell of our Centurion, reviveth that of the Apostle, Do good to all, Gal. 6.10. but especially to the house, and household of faith: for this is to love the people of God, and to build a Synagogue. The Roman Captain is now discharged, and if ever he had a parallel, he must be raised from our English Centurion, from THOMAS SVITON, our magnificent, and sole founder. Thankfully to commend unto posterity, Commemoration. the famous acts of deceased Worthies, is an office, of as true gratitude, as great and venerable antiquity: Come therefore now, & let us triumph over those common enemies of eminent goodness, Ignorance, and Envy: Were it a point of the same facility, to bury in oblivion, as to lock up in silence, the ineffable magnificence of our SUTTON, the Auditor or Reader should have had no subject of his critics from my tongue or pen. but to forget SUTTON totally, is as impossible as to express him fully; you shall therefore censure me, so you will honour him: my never yet practised Panygyricall vein, is more poor in relation to his worth, than my eleemosinary state in comparison of his wealth. Tacitus shall be my pleader in his prologue to Agricola, Tacit. Commend and admire others, Pardon me, while I endeavour to awake our blessed Founder, and lead him through the five rooms of my text; first you shall discover, Who and what our Founder is. He] The builder of the Synagogue a Centurion, our Founder more, a Mr. of the Ordnance, a Gentleman of Ancient descent, of liberal education, a man rich in Arts, & famous in Arms; for the former, he was so advanced in good letters, that he appeared the most complete man of his times, for discharging the office of a learned, wise, and able Secretary to the most Honourable Peers of this Nation; and what ability he had sucked from the University in speculation, he did with credit practise under famous Warwick, and great Leicester. These were the first paths that lead to Suttons' greatness, and our happiness: for his other honours from Arms, if you observe the time of our Centurion's employment in the field, you may know, there was a time when foreign religion was the patroness of domestic rebellion; when two Northern and superstitious Earls durst display the Romish ensign against invincible Elizabeth: then, then was this famous son of Pallas advanced to the command of the Ordnance, and gave a happy probatum of his loyalty, valour, and wisdom; here I suppose he learned to honour, and resolved to cherish Military men; but you will inquire from what mine his infinite treasures did arise: I can inform you, from prosperous merchandizing, from the great farm of all the mines about Newcastle, and from the wisdom of his virtuous frugality: of his person I will conclude, in the encomium of Pammachius framed by St. Jerome: E●eemosynis diues humi●itate sub●mis. Ier ad Pammachium de obitu vxer●. Sutton was gentile by birth, high by humility and which is greatest honour, Rich by charitable b●unty: Now to his building, He built. He was a great and good builder, not so much for his own private, as for the public; his treasures were not lavished in raising a Tower to his own name, or erecting stately Palaces for his own pomp and pleasure: the sustaining of living temples, the endowing of Colleges, the enriching of Corporations, the building Causwayes, and repairing of highways; Above all, the foundation of King james his Hospital at his sole and proper charge, were the happy monuments of his architecture, surely this was to be a Mogarensis in the best sense, that is to build for ever. He did fulfil the letter of the Apostle in building Gold, Silver, Peruse our Founder's Testament. and Precious stones; for he commanded Plate and jewels to be sold, and converted into money for the expediting of our Hospital. I shall not mention thousands conferred upon friends, and servants; but these legacies ensuing merit a lasting memory: in the renowned University of Camb. to jesus College 500 Marks, to Magdalen 500 pound, for the redemption of prisoners in London 200 pound, for the encouragement of Merchants 1000 pound to be lent gratis unto ten beginners; nor was his charity confined within these seas, but that Western Troy, stout Ostend shall receive 100 pound for the relief of the poor from his fountain; To trust the Minister is to honour him. in all these his piety was very laudable, for in many of these acts of bounty, his prime repose was in the conscionable integrity of the Priest, in those places where he sowed his benefits, certes this was to build as high as heaven: now observe his expedition. He Hath built. Expedition is commendable in laudable erterprises, and even in this our Founder had his honour: While his Wife lived, his house was an open Hospital, and when she expired, he was frugal in his own family, that he might prove the more magnificent to many. Origen persuadeth that our Saviour's advice, to leave all, had not so full an aim at the effect, as the affection; and herein our Founder merited ample honour, for if any questionod him, where he would employ his great estate, his divine and constant reply was, that his bread must be cast upon the waters. i. upon the watery cheeks of the neglected poor: Moreover he procured an Act of parliament for a Mortmain, for the establshing of an intended Hospital in Halling-bury in the County of Essex; but a more noble Spirit prompting him to restore that Charterhouse to true religion, which was formerly sacrificed to superstition, Suttons' case by Sir Ed. he became an humble suitor to King james of blessed memory, to vouchsafe to be the Royal Godfather of this royal foundation; whereunto that learned, letters, and Scholar loving King, Cook. Founder's wil did graciously condescend, and confirmed our Founder's bounty upon us by his Letters Patent, and the broad Seal, this being done, memorable Sutton chargeth, nay adjureth his Executors and overseers, as they shall answer before the tribunal of jesus Christ, that they employ their best endeavours, in hastening, and reducing into act his intended charity; would you hear more? I have it from honourable authority, that if the thread of our Founder's life had been continued somewhat longer, his vote and purpose was, to have been the good Master, of our great Society. So much for expedition: Now view the Synagogue. Our Foundation may be esteemed rather a glorious Temple them a Synagogue, and rather a City then a Temple; but I will not step beyond my bounds: in a Synagogue we found formerly, Instruction, and Devotion: for devotion, those reverend heirs of our Founder's magnificence twice every day visit our Synagogue, and ascend in soul to heaven by zealous prayers, and unfeigned thanksgiuings; such is our strict observance of the daily service, that we may seem nearer unto the Cathedral, than the parochial congregation; on the Lord's day, jesus is faithfully, though plainly preached in our Synagogue. For instruction, here ingenuous children do daily sit at the feet of their learned teachers; but of these hereafter: We find in the sacred Oracles a frequent mention of Masters of Synagogues. The great Master of our Synagogue is fixed upon the most honoured grandees of our State, and the most reverend Prelates of our Church, they who sit at the Helm of our kingdom, are graciously pleased to steer & guide the goodly Ship of renowned Suttons charity; and here we may note the wisdom of our Founder, who made choice of such honourable and powerful governors, who were able and ready to maintain his bequest, and honour his foundation: it is the glory of our noble governors, and the happiness of our Society, that no cunning advocate, no greedy Lord, could undermine our foundation; and what was nobly begun, is honourably continued by them, for fatherly, and merciful justice, let no Court, no state compare with our government. All, all deserve our thankes to them, & our hearty prayers for them, the poor shepherd shall, and the religious flock must importune God for a blessing upon them, Great Manors & good manners confirmed. by whose wisdom and goodness, many blessings are conveyed unto us: the Vicegerent of this grand Master, is the right Worshipful Sir R, D. Knight, whose providence hath adorned our Chapel with Organs, and beautified the walks and several rooms of our ample foundation. Relinquet marmoriam. Now observe the Members of this Synagogue. For Us. Our body hath one Master Several Officers, as Preacher, etc. of whose institution you may read at large, in Suttons' Case, Suttons' Case. Published by one of our Governors, Sir Edward Cook. Several cohabiting members, Aged men who have hazarded their blood, or impaired their state by wars, or suffered loss by Sea, fourscore. Several cohabiting members. Hopeful children carefully instructed in the learned tongues, and humane Arts, lecently clothed, plentifully dieted, & connueniently lodged, 40 Besides these, The faithful providence of Sir Rich. Sutton Knight, hath purchased lands from whence twenty four Academians receive annual pensions in both our renowned Universities. Here is a Protestant. Briefly— very nigh two hundred daily feed upon our Suttons' bounty. I shall conclude with the charge of Darius, Day by Day we have our portion without fail, E●ra 6.9. that we may offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of our religious Prince and Patron King Charles: and thus do we pray, O thou King of Kings, cloth all our Sovereign's enemies with shame, but upon his head let the Crown flourish; mak● his reign prosperous on earth, and glorious in heaven; make this foundation a synagogue of devout men, serving thee in all peace and holiness so long as the Sun and Moon shall endure, through jesus Christ our Lord, To whom with the Father and the holy Spirit, all power, majesty, mercy, wisdom, and blessing be ascribed for ever and for ever, Amen. FINIS. A Catalogue of the names of the Right Honourable, Right Reverend, and Right Worthy Governors of King James his Hospitoll, founded by Thomas Sutton Esquire. The most Reverend Father in God, the Lord Arch Bishop of Canterbury his Grace, Suruiving overseer. The Right Honourable Lord Coventrie, Lord Keeper. Lord Privy Seal, Earl of Manchester. Lord Steward, Earl of Penbroke. Ld. Chamberlain, Earl of Mongomery The Right Reverend Lord Bishop of London. Lord Bishop of Ely. Lord Bishop of Lincoln. The Right Worshipful Sir Edward Coke. Sir Randolph Crew. Sir Robert Heath, his Majesty's Attorney general. Sir Henry Martin, Deane of the Arches, and ●udge of the Admiralty. Doctor Donne, Deane of Paul's. Sir Richard Sutton, Suruiving Executor. Sir Robert Dallington, Master. Mr. Thomas Browne Esquire.