A Direction to the waters of life. Come and behold, How CHRIST shineth before the Law, in the Law, and in the Prophets: and withal the judgements of God upon all Nations for the neglect of his holy word, wherein they might have seen the same: Both which are laid before your eyes in this little discourse, by ROGER COTTON Draper. Imprinted at London, for Gabriel Simson and William White, and are to be sold at their house in Fleet lane. 1590. TO THE GODLY AND LEARNED MASTER HUGH BROUGHTON, TEACHER OF DIVINITY, GRACE. AND peace in Christ. FOR as much as it hath pleased the Lord (Right reverent) to make yourself unto me a most comfortable Father: in that you have begotten me unto Christ, even as Paul did Tymothie, nay rather as he did Onesimus, that is, much more than from a servant of Philemon, to be a brother of Pilemon, even from a servant of sin, to be a servant of jesus Christ. For as much I say, as it hath pleased the Lord you should beget me after this sort, I thought good to present unto your learned view some part of the fruits of your own labour in me begotten, not to the intent in any respect to benefit yourself therewith (saving that you will rejoice to see, that your labour on me bestowed is not altogether lost) but only to the intent to encourage others to the study of the most absolute & perfect word of God: because that Satan our old enemy striveth still most like a subtle Serpent, especially to persuade men to the contrary: Therefore so much as in me lieth, I labour to overthrow him therein, and to stir up others in like sort, to take up the weapon of their warfare the word of God against him, and to have them constantly to hold on in the meditation thereof, until such time as they sha●…l have skill to handle that sword of the spirit aright, and until such time as they shall attain unto the sound knowledge of every point of that heavenly mystery of our salvation: unto the which high mystery of salvation you have full often, as a most heavenly Orator, not only called me, but also many more, to their unspeakable comfort, ever warning us in like manner to give attendance for the furtherance thereof, unto the reading of the same most pure and holy word of God: Even for this cause only have I put forth this little and unlearned Treatise. Wherhfore, seeing the Lord hath made you a Paul (from the Apostle Paul, and other his fellows) to plant in me these things, and that it hath pleased his heavenly majesty to give the increase, I thought it meet to dedicate these some part of the fruits unto you a special means thereof: humbly beseeching you to shield them under your most grave & learned protection, that so the benefit thereof may redounded to them, for whose sakes I brought them forth. The sum whereof is, to show the brightness of our saviour Christ in all ages: according as it is said by the Apostle, Christ yesterday, and to day, and the same for ever: As also to what end the Lord hath created man: which is, to set forth his praise and glory above all the creatures that he hath made: and likewise, how that can not be done but by the knowledge and direction of his own most perfect word: and how that all nations and people that have delighted or not delighted herein, have found accordingly the loving kindness, or the severity of the Lord. And thus I cease, beseeching the Lord to bless you with a long and happy life even to the begetting of thousands more, unto the kingdom of the everliving God: that so yourself may shine as a most glorious star in the life to come. Amen. Yours begotten in the Lord, Roger Cotton. TO THE READER. I Find in the Book of GOD, (most gentle Reader) that a Mat. 10 32. 33 and Psal. 119. 46. man should not be ashamed to speak of the testimonies of the Lord, if it were before Kings: as also a charge given, 2. Tim. 2. 1. 2. that a man should not let to deliver those glorious things which he hath heard of by many witnesses, to just and faithful men: to the intent that they also might be able to teach, and to deliver the same unto others, according Deut. 4. 9 10. and. 6 6. to 10. and joel. 1. 3. as other Prophets' command, saying: Tell you your children of them, and let your children show to their children, and their children to an other generation. For as much then as I find such a charge there given, I think it no shame to speak thereof at this time unto you: but hold myself bound, according Math. 25. 15. to 31. and Deut. 6. 6. to 10. to that talon which God hath given me, to make a rehearsal of those glorious things which to me have been revealed: to the intent that you also may come to the Book of God, where you shallbe compassed with such a cloud of heavenly witnesses, both of perfect skill and also willingness, that if you will, you may be made able to describe at large unto others, both the wisdom, praise, power, glory, and state of that everlasting King and kingdom. Therefore as some have said unto me: Come and see the Book of God, for there shall you find the Messiah: yea there shall you find that glorious King, whose wisdom is so great, that it far exceedeth the wisdom 1. Kings 4. 29. to end, of all the sons of the East, or of Egypt: Nay, there shall you see him whose wisdom so much excelleth other men's, that it far surmounteth the wisdom either of Ethan, Heman Chalcole, or Derda. I say, as some have said unto me: Come and see the book of God, that so you may behold this glorious King, whose fame is spread throughout all the nations, even so throughout this little Discourse, say I unto you: Therefore if you will so do, I doubt not but that you will say the like unto others, and also say unto me, it was a true report indeed that we heard of by you, concerning 1. Kings 10. the wisdom of this King, and also the glory of his kingdom: how be it we scarce believed it, until we came, and that our own eyes had seen it. But now we perceive that you told us not the one half of the wisdom of this great King, nor yet of the glory of his kingdom: for indeed it far surmounteth the fame that we heard thereof by you. Therefore happy are those men that stand in the courts of this King: yea thrice happy are his servants, which always stand before his presence to hear his wisdom: I mean Math. 12. 42. & Luke 11. 31. in the presence of that heavenly King, who far excelleth Solomon, even Solomon, who so far surmounted those aforenamed, and in whose presence is the fullness of all joy and gladness. But if you will not come to hear the wisdom of this great King, nor yet to see the glory of his kingdom which so far excelleth salomon's, he hath pronounced with his own mouth, that the Queen of the South shall rise in judgement against you. And this is the sum of my little and unlearned Treatise. Therefore if you look unto the book of God, whether this my unskilful draft would draw you, I shall think my labour well bestowed, and you yourself shall remain no longer, as that little Sister which hath no breasts: but Can. 8. 8. Can. 4. 2. you shall be like that flock of Sheep, where not one is barren amongst them: and as that flourishing Tree fast planted by the River side, whose leaf shall ever show itself most fresh and green, even Psal. 1. 1. Kings 7. 21. & Apoc. 3. 12. Can. 4. 4. to the bringing forth of fruit in great abundance. And moreover you shall be then as a Pillar in the house of the Lord your God, and also as the Tower of David most strongly built for your own defence, and shall continually remain in the eyes of this Solomon as one that findeth peace. The which peace, the Lord grant you Can. 8. 10. may speedily enjoy. Amen. Yours in the Lord, R. C. The reason why all Creatures ought to praise the LORD, and why Man ought so to do above the rest. WHereas the holy Prophet provoketh the Heavens, and all things therein, the Earth and Sea also, Psalm. 148. 5. and. 33. 9 with all things therein, to praise the Lord: he yieldeth a reason why they ought so to do, and that is, for that he spoke the word, and they were created: he commanded, and they were made. And therefore, Acts. 17. 28. because that all creatures have their breath and being by him, (as the Apostle saith) the Prophet calleth them all, to sound forth the praise and glory of their Creator: but especially he urgeth Man to advance the same above the rest, because that he most chief above all others, was thereunto appointed. For, the Lord speaking of his chosen Israel, saith, This people have I form for myself, and therefore saith he, They shall show forth my praise and glory: as Esai. 43. 7. 21. Deutro. 7. 6. to. 11. also Moses taught them, that unto that end and purpose they were chosen. And likewise the Lord speaking of the calling of the Heathen, from all quarters of the earth, to be his Sons and Daughters in Christ: Them also, saith he, have Esai. 43. 6. 7. 8. Esai. 42. 10. 11. 12. Psalm. 100 and. 117. Rom. 15. 9 10. 1. 12. Psalm. 95. I created for my glory: and to none other end, but that they should show forth his praise amongst the rest, as in divers places of scripture may be seen. So that for this cause, were all the holy Prophets and Apostles so much moved to call upon Man, to set forth the praise and glory of God: and not only because he was thereunto appointed, but also so much the more, for that he hath done for him such wonderful and excellent things: as first, to elect him in Christ unto salvation Ephesi. 1. 4. 2. Thess. 2. 13. 1. Pet. 1. 2. Gen. 1. 26. 27. before the foundation of the world was laid. Secondly, to create him in so glorious an estate, even after his own image and likeness, and as Lord and King over all his creatures. Thirdly, to redeem his soul from the jaws of Satan 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19 Apo. 1. 5. 6. and. 5. 9 10. with the precious blood of Christ his Son, as of a Lamb without spot and undefiled. Fourthly, to exalt his horn on Ephe. 2. 6. 1. Thess. 4. 17. Apo. 3. 21. high, even to sit with his Son in the heavenly and highest places. Fifthly, to sanctify, and to endue him with his holy spirit, whereby he may be led into all truth. Sixthly, to john. 14. 26. and. 16. 13. lad him daily with his manifold and gracious benefits. And seventhly, to sanctify one day of seven for his own Psalm. 68 19 glory, and to the end, that man should rest from his own Gen. 2. 2. 3. Ebre. 4. 4. 10 1●… works, and be workefull unto God, in giving due praise and thanks unto him for the former benefits received. And therefore as the holy Prophet saith, Let all them that seek Psal. 40. 16. the Lord, rejoice and be glad in him: and let them that love his salvation always say, The Lord be praised. Man ought daily to consider for what cause the Lord should so bountifully deal with him: and beholding the Heavens, be driven thereby to confess his own duty. SEeing that the Lord hath created Man to none other end, but to show forth his praise and glory: and seeing that he ladeth him daily with his gracious benefits, to the end to induce him thereunto: O that men would therefore enter into deep meditation with the holy Prophet, and so consider with themselves, yea, and consider again, and again: that when they behold the Heavens, even the Psalm 8. 3. works of God's fingers, the Sun, the Moon, and Stars, which he hath ordained, what man should be, that he should be so mindful of him? yea, or what son of Adam he should be, that he should thus consider of? for he hath made some one to have dominion over the works of his hands, and hath put all things in subjection under his feet: Surely Hebrew. 2. 5. to the end. therefore I will seek him out, to whom this glory doth belong, and I will also seek the cause, why the Lord hath thus advanced me. For he hath given me the use of all these his goodly creatures: and therefore once again say I, What is man, O Lord, that thou shouldest deal in this sort with him? Surely thou hast thus advanced him for some great purpose: and I can see none other end, but to advance thy praise and glory, and that in the highest degree: for when as I behold the Heavens, I see that they have neither tongue nor Psalm. 19 voice, and yet I see that they declare thy glory, and the Firmament doth show forth the works of thy hands. Day unto day uttereth the same thing, and night unto night teacheth such knowledge, there is no speech nor language where their sound is not heard: and surely to none other intent, but that Roma. 1. 20. men should be without excuse. Wherefore, I for my part will daily say, as the holy Prophet did, My soul praise Psalm. 103. 1. 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. Yea, and I will also call and say, Let all the nations Psalm. 117. praise the Lord, and let all the people show forth the glory of God, even their salvation. If man be stirred up by all the works of God, to consider his own duty, which is, to praise the Lord: it must not be according to his own fantasy, but according to the rule of God's word. NOW we have considered, that all the works of God do set forth his praise and glory, and that man is bound thereunto above the rest, we must consider one thing farther with the holy Prophet, which is this: My lips, saith he, Psal. 119. 171. shall speak thy praise, when thou hast taught me thy Statutes. Therefore when you have learned them, then may you set forth the praise and glory of God in such sort, as he shall like of, but otherwise it is unpossible you should: for notwithstanding Moses was brought up in all the Acts. 7. 22. learning of the Egyptians, yet he confesseth himself to be ignorant Exod. 10. 26. concerning the worship of the Lord, until such time as he should be directed by his own most perfect word: How much more than ought we to confess great ignorance therein, until such time as we also shall be directed by the same. Moreover, for as much as no praise or worship is accepted in the sight of the Lord, but such as shallbe done according to the rule thereof, we must learn to worship him according to the same, & in no case to go one foot farther. For as Moses was not to do any thing about the Tabernacle, or for the giving of laws, statutes, ordinances, rites, ceremonies, or whatsoever, according to his own will or fantasy: but in all things Exodus. 25. 40 and Hebr. 8. 5. to do according to the pattern, and prescription showed him in the Mount, and elsewhere, by the Lord: no more must we in the very smallest thing we take in hand, concerning the worship of the Lord, but in all things therein must we also be directed by the most pure & perfect word of God. For as the Cloud was a direction to their jornies in the Wilderness, Numb. 9 15. to the end. and they not to step one foot forward or backward farther, then by it they were led: Even so the Laws there given by the Lord, are a most perfect rule for men to walk by while the world shall stand. For wherewithal (saith the Psalm. 119. 9 Prophet) shall a young man cleanse his way? The holy Ghost doth answer: Even in taking heed thereto, according to the word of God: and therefore did the holy Prophets and Apostles always pray, that it would please the Lord, to direct their steps according to the same. For in no case can the Lord abide any will worship, seem it never so holy: but in all john. 4. 22. 23. 24. things will he be worshipped according to his holy will, laid down in his holy word: for otherwise we worship him in vain, as our Saviour saith, If instead of the doctrine Matthe. 15. 9 of his holy word, we observe the precepts and foolish traditions of men: so that, To obey his holy word (as the Prophet Samuel saith) is better than all kind of sacrifice: and 1. Sam. 15. 22. to hearken thereunto, is better than the fat of Rams. Therefore let us pray with the holy Prophet, that it would please the Lord, to incline our hearts unto his law, & not unto covetousness, Psalm. 119. 36 and that we may esteem all his precepts most pure and just, & hate all false ways, and abhor all vain inventions. Psal. 119. 113. Seeing that every man is but as a beast by his own knowledge, we must learn to be made wise by the word of God. NOw that we know the Lord hath created us to none other end, but to set forth his praise & glory: and seeing we know also, that no praise or worship will please him, but that which shallbe done according to his holy word: let us pray unto him with the holy Prophet, that even as it hath pleased him to make us, and to fashion us, even Psalm. 119. 79 so it would please him therefore to give us understanding, that we may learn his commandments, and choose the way of truth. And again, seeing that every man is but as a Beast by his own knowledge, as the Prophet jeremy jeremy. 10. 14. doth say: and seeing also the Prophet David confessed him Psalm. 73. 22. 17. self so to be, until he went into the house of the Lord, and so through his holy word became wise: We ought therefore to pray unto the Lord to give us grace to leave of from leaning any longer unto our own wisdom, as the holy Pro. 3. 5. Ghost us warneth, and only to hearken withal the holy Psalm. 85. 8. Micah. 6. 1. Habakuk. 2. 1. Psal. 119. 105. Psalm. 73. 24. Prophets and Apostles, what the Lord will say unto us, that so his holy word may be a Lantern to our feet, and a light unto our paths: and that by his counsel alone, we may be guided, as the Prophet saith, even unto righteousness, judgement, equity, and to every good path: which thing being Pro. 2. 9 10. done, and precepts kept, it shallbe unto the Lord a sacrifice of a more sweet smelling scent, than the fat of thousands of Rams, and Goats, or rivers of Oil. Wherefore I beseech all you, that are as myself, even of the simpliest sort, unto whom only I direct my speeches, and such as fear the Lord, that you would cause your ears to hearken unto wisdom, and incline your hearts to understanding. But what am I, that I should so beseech you, since that Wisdom herself doth entreat you, and daily offereth Pro. 1. herself unto you? And yet because the holy Ghost commands that we should one exhort another, I can not choose Hebrew. 3. 13 1. Thessa. 5. 11 but with the holy Prophet, even desire you to taste and see how sweet the Lord is. Now if you ask me what this wisdom psalm. 34. 8. is, that you should hearken so unto her, and this understanding, that you should so incline your hearts thereto, the Lord himself doth tell you: Behold (saith he) the fear of job. 28. 28. the Lord is wisdom, and to departed from evil, is understanding. And in an other place, the Knowledge of holy things Pro. 9 10. is understanding: and the only way for you to find the fear of God, which is to have wisdom, and to find the knowledge of holy things, which is to have understanding, is, for to repair unto the word of God: for the Lord only pro. 2. 6. and james. 1. 5. giveth wisdom, and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. So that if you search and seek in the Book of God, you shall be sure to find the knowledge of the Lord, and then as he is known of you, even so shall you fear him, and also by your continual meditation therein, you shall be sure to be made wise unto salvation: for the word of God is fully able so to do, as saith the Apostle: and therefore in any wise, see that you always pray unto the Lord, that it 2. Timo. 3. 15. would please him to give you such a taste therein, as that it may be more sweeter unto your heart, than the Honey, or the Honey comb unto your mouth: yea, and more desired for your necessity, than gold, yea then much fine gold, or treasures for your plenty. The which the Lord for his mercy's sake grant unto us every one, whereby we may have such a feeling and knowledge therein, as that the brightness of the glorious Gospel, may shine most clearly in our minds, even to the utter abolishing of our former and most damnable darkness. Certain Objections upon the former exhortation, answered. Peradventure you will now say unto me, The first Objection. if it be so that we can not attain unto Wisdom, which is to understand holy things, and those holy things not to be found, unless we read and meditate in the Book of God: alas, that is so hard, that we cannot attain unto the understanding thereof: and again, it is for great Clerks, and not for us simple souls to meddle withal, for many times the unlearned pervert the Scriptures, even to their own 2. Peter. 3. 16. destruction, and so I have heard some say, that S. Peter saith they do so. But I may say unto you in the name of God, Be not deceived, for it is the subtlety of Satan that so persuadeth you: and not you only, but almost all men generally throughout the whole world. And wherefore trow you doth he so? Surely to none other end, but that his own kingdom may be the better thereby maintained: for even as the kingdom of God is daily enlarged where his word is continually taught, and sound understood: even so also, where that doth want, the kingdom of Satan is daily more and more increased. Hear therefore I beseech you, what the Lord doth speak unto us: He commandeth that we should joshua. 1. 8. Deu. 6. 6. to. 1●… not let his Book departed out of our mouths, but to meditate therein both day and night, and hath also told us that the Psal. 119. 130. very entrance thereunto, will show light, and give understanding to the simple, yea to the very simpliest sharpness of Pro. 1. 4. wit, and to the little child (even such a one as Timmothy 2. Timo. 3. 15. was) knowledge and discretion: yea and that a very wise man shall increase in learning there, and also a man of great Pro. 1. 5. understanding, shall attain unto wiser counsels. So that you may see that wisdom doth not only beseech you to hearken unto her, as before I told you: but also the Lord doth straightly command you, if you will obey him: and doth also tell you, if you will believe him: How chat his word will give you light, and show understanding in greater measure unto all sorts, whereby the simpliest should have no cause at all of discouragement, nor that the great wise men should loathe, or overreach. Therefore, whereas S. Peter saith, that the unlearned do pervert the Scriptures, you must learn to know who those unlearned be: not the simpliest Clerks (as you would think:) but even such as have not had their wits as yet exercised in the book of God. For be it that a man had all the learning in the world in human Hebr. 5. 13. 14 arts, yet if it be so that such a one be inexpert in the word of God, the holy Ghost doth count him as a Babe: but that simple man, which through long custom hath had his wits exercised therein, the holy Ghost doth count him to be of a most ripe age, and to be such a one, as is able to discern betwixt good and evil. Therefore, who so ever that he be, until he make the word of God his continual meditation, he may well be said to be unlearned, and unstable also: and no marvel is it, though by such the Scriptures be perverted, even to their own destruction. Yea, but you will say again, if the Lord have thus bound another Objection. us by commandment to read the Scriptures, we must needs then have a Philip to be a guide unto us, as the Eunuch Acts. 8. 27. to the end. had to him. True it is, that you must have a guide, but then your Philip must not be such a one, as when you shall ask him what is meant of this place, or that: or what way Sir, shall I take to find this Christ, of whom you speak, that so I may believe that he is the Son of God, and may have my conscience comforted in him, and also my faith so surely settled, as that if trial come, the very gates of Hell shall not prevail against me? I say, he must not be such a one, when as you shall ask him these things, that shall appoint you first to read this man's Book, and then that, upon such, and such places of Scripture: and when you have read them, then direct you to others, as such, and such great Uolumes, I know not what, but sure I am, far greater than the whole Bible, and so entangle your head a thousand ways, yea, and lead you to such intricate matter, and great time spending: that when you have all done, you shall be little, or nothing at all the wiser, but rather the conntrarie, even fraught with a thousand fond opinions, and blind conceits. For I pray you, what is the cause that there is such a coil amongst us now adays, as though there were no certainty of the truth, but such kind of dealing? And I pray you further, what is the cause that men's heads are filled so full of such fond, yea and also damnable opinions, but the like? For doth not our Math. 22. 29. and. 15. 9 Saviour say? Ye err, not knowing the Scriptures: but are entangled with the precepts and doctrines of men. Even so is the world now, for the Papist he is so persuaded of his Writers, that he thinks there is no other truth but what they writ, and upon them he only builds his Faith, and Flat against the commandment of God. leaves the Scripture altogether, and in no case may the simplier sort therein look, or read: and we also like wise men, deal in a manner after the same sort. For notwithstanding we make a great show that we love the Bible, and only build our faith by it, yet is there not one amongst ten thousand, that doth give himself to the reading thereof, as he ought to do: but rather to the contrary, even to the reading of the writings of men, although the Lord have given them no such commandment, and so delight themselves a great deal more in them, then in the word of God: which in deed should be unto them their only joy, and precious Pearl: and so every one is grounded upon him, whose Books they are affected to read, or whose fond conceits by them are fed: But your Philip and Guide must not be such a one. For I pray you, was Philip the Eunuch his guide such a one? I trow not: for he being demanded a resolution by that gracious Scholar (whose godly exercise was like to have good success) began, as the text saith, even at that same Scripture where he was then reading, and preached Acts. 8. 35. unto him JESUS. And again, did not the master teacher himself, even our Saviour jesus, deal in like sort Luke. 24. 13. to 36. with his two Scholars? yes for sooth: for, whereas they being weak in faith, and greatly troubled in conscience at the things then happened: and yet like good Christians conferring and talking together, with a desire to know the truth, as all men ought to do: I say our Saviour dealt in like sort with them. For S. Luke noteth, that he began at Moses, and Luke. 24. 27. at all the Prophets, and interpreted unto them in all the Scriptures the things which were written of him, with a great reproof unto them, that they for their parts were so slow, and dull of heart, as not to believe that Christ was to suffer all those things, and so to enter into his glory, seeing that all the Prophets had of those things so plainly spoken. And furthermore you see, that even that eloquent man Apollo's, Acts. 18. 24. the end. who had taught diligently the things of the Lord, in a kind not altogether unprofitable: yet was contented to be taught by a couple of mean persons, to come to a more perfect way of teaching, then before he had used: And that was, to prove and show mightily, as he did, by the Scriptures, that JESUS was the CHRIST. So that you see these Guides did not send their doubtful Scholars to this, or that man's book to find out Christ: but they found him out, and taught him by the Scriptures. Nay you see that Apollo's did not teach the right way to find him out, until he took that course to teach him by: and then S. Luke telleth you, that he mightily confuted all gayne-sayers. For so strong and mighty is the word of God in operation, that if it be rightly expounded, or propounded, it is sharper than any two edged sword, and entereth through, even to the dividing Hebrew. 4. 12. a sunder of the very heart and soul of the hearers thereof, as the Apostle saith. You see also by these former examples of Scholars, and Guides, what is both your duty, and also theirs. Yours, how diligent you ought to be in reading of the holy Scriptures, and also conferring of Christ, and his kingdom: And your Guides, what course they ought to take in teaching of you, when as you shall demand to be resolved of your doubts: and that is, to teach you Christ by the Scriptures, and thither to send you to find him out yourself, and not else where: for no where else is he rightly to be found. For, search the Scriptures, saith our Saviour, for they be john. 5. 39 they that testify of me. So that when you shall be thus instructed by your Guide, either privately at home, or publicly abroad, and that you have performed the one part of your duty: which is, to hear them with all diligence, and willingness: you must always remember with the Noble men of Berea, to perform the other part: which is, that having Acts. 17. 11. heard the word of God with all willingness, went and searched the Scriptures daily themselves, to see whether those things were so or no: whereby you may learn, that you are not only to believe that this is Christ, or that is Christ, or he is here, or there, in the wilderness, I know not where: because such, and such a man, telleth you so. Or if he do tell you aright which is he, you are not to believe him only because he telleth you so: for you see they of Berea went and searched the Scriptures themselves, to see whether it were so or no: Even so must you: for otherwise you disobey that which our Saviour Christ hath commanded you to do: for saith he, Search the Scriptures. Yea but you will say, he spoke that to such as would not another Objection. believe him: but we believe them that tell us. I think so in deed, for a great many believe too much them that tell them, unless they told them a more truth. But although they were unbelievers that our Saviour commanded to search the Scriptures: doth he therefore command you, that you shall not search them? Think not so in any wise: for doth Psalm. 1. not the holy Ghost pronounce a blessing on all those that read the word of God continually? And doth not S. Peter will 2. Peter. 1. 19 them, whom he had taught, that notwithstanding they had knowledge, and were established in the truth: yet to give more heed unto the Prophets, as unto a most sure word, and as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day did dawn, and the Daystarre shine more clear in their hearts. And likewise, doth not S. Paul commend those whom Acts. 20. 32. he had taught unto the word of God, as unto a Schoolmaster, which was able to build them further? yes forsooth: So that by these examples, you may see that you are not only bound to hear the word of God, but you are also bound to search and read the Scriptures daily yourself: for you see in giving credit only to the Teachers thereof, many thousand souls go to destruction, as specially amongst the Papists they do. Therefore if you love to keep yourself from destruction, you were best to bear in mind that which our Saviour hath given you in charge, that is, to take heed what you hear, as also to take heed of false Mark. 4. 24. Math. 24. 23. to. 27. Mark. 13. 5. 6. 21. 22. 23. Luke. 8. 18. Prophets: and that you believe them not, no although their coming will be with such signs & wonders, as that (if it were possible) the very elect should be deceived thereby: Yet notwithstanding, I say, he commandeth you not to believe them, but to search the Scriptures, because in deed they are the true touchstone whereby you may easily try the true Christ from the false, as also the true Prophet from the false Prophet. Now it may be that you will ask me here again, whether A Question. you may read no other Book, but the Scriptures only? The answer is, that if you will you may: but if it be for matters of salvation, the Book of God is the only Apothecary's shop for you to resort unto, because there you may be sure to have a most precious medicine for every disease, or curing salve for every sore. And surely the Prophet David found it so to be: for saith he, I had even perished in the midst Psalm. 119. 92 of mine afflictions, had not the book of God been my delight: and therefore made he that his only meditation both day and night. So that when you have bestowed long time, with like delight and diligence therein, as he did, and that your wits thereby are quickened, so that you may be well able to discern of Spirits, that is, betwixt good and evil: then you may, if your leisure serve you, read other Books and catch no hurt. Or if it be so that you have not as yet heard of the Book of God, you may also read some books, and take no harm: for some Books there are which are good, and tend to very good purpose, because their drift is (as I suppose) to draw you to the Book of God, even to that fountain of all joy: but otherwise, if their drift be to draw your delight unto themselves, they can in no wise be good. For john the Baptist being told that more Disciples followed john. 3. 26. to the end. Christ, then followed him, he taketh themselves to witness that he had told them plainly, that himself was not the Christ, but that he was sent to show them which was he: and having once showed him unto them, that he himself was then to cease: and therefore when he heard that all men ran to Christ, he saith, that then was his only joy fulfilled, because in deed that was his only drift and purpose. So that if any man writ to that end, as of late most learnedly one hath done, in a little Book called a Consent of Scripture: you are to be thankful unto God for such a one, and when he, or any other, have by their writings, thus led you unto Christ, in saying, Come and see the Book of God: for there we have john. 1. 39 41 45. 46. john. 4. 41. 4●… found the Messiah: Then may you say also with the Samaritans when you have so done, Now we believe, not only for your sayings, but also much more because of his own word: for we have heard him speak ourselves now, whom before you told us of, and we know now by his own word, that this is in deed the very CHRIST, the only Saviour of the world. Again, some Books there are which in respect of the holy stories contained in the Book of God, we call profane Stories, as the Macchabees, josephus, and the Roman stories: the which profane stories if you read, you may learn thereby (if you know the Scriptures before) how just the Lord is in all his sayings, because that some Prophecies in the holy Scriptures there are, whose event is not altogether in Scripture showed, and yet by those Profane stories you may see they took effect: as namely the Prophet Daniel, and also the Revelation of S. john, the which by eye sight we are also able to witness, how that Book is fulfilled by the Popes in all their dealings. But if you think that you can not attain unto perfect wisdom, and knowledge of Christ, without the help of other Books, then are you greatly deceived: for the word of God is an absolute perfect rule, 2. Timo. 3. 15. 16. 17. saith the Apostle, and fully able to make you wise in Christ, and by it only may you attain to the perfect knowledge of Christ, without the help of any other, and is also plain and easy of itself for your understanding: if you will the Lord Psal. 119. 130. believe, as I said before, especially if you will come in simplicity of heart, and cast off your own wisdom: for in very deed, that is the only hindrance of the attaining thereunto. Again, some Books there are which take upon them to lay down precepts for your life & conversation, which books, if you think you are bound to read as well as the Scriptures, then are you also as greatly deceived: for the Lord hath commanded you upon pain of damnation, to read the joshua. 1. 8. john. 5. 39 and. 3. 36. Deutro. 32. 47. Scripture, because in deed it is the very life and nourishment of your soul: but as for the reading of such kind of Books, you have no such charge, neither was it needful for you so to have, because there is nothing that the heart of man can think on, either for virtue to embrace, or vice to eschew, but the Book of God doth contain a rule, and precept for it: and therefore, what need we the help of man to lay down precepts for our life, when as the Lord himself hath taken upon him to be our Guide, and Teacher. Therefore in the name of God, take heed of the subtlety of Satan, in this point above all others: that is, that he deceive you not so herein, as to make you believe that you shall attain unto as great wisdom or holiness, by the writings of men, as you shall do by the book of God: or that the book of God is not perfect of itself, to instruct you fully in all things touching your salvation: for than hath he you even as he would: therefore rather than he should make you so to think, better were it for you with them of Ephesus to Acts. 19 19 burn them all, yea though the price of all such Books were found to be in value worth fifty thousand pieces of silver. And God doth know, a most heinous sin it is, and reigneth most abundantly amongst us here in England, even this, that we esteem a great deal more of the precepts and doctrines of men, than we do of the Book of God: so that, as that hath been the very cause of the destruction of all the world, greatly it is to be feared, lest the like plague will befall us, and our Nation: for how few have we that doth take so great delight in the book of God, as to make it the chief joy, and reiocing of their hearts, as the Prophet jeremy jeremy. 15. 16. did make it unto his. Therefore much more few there be to be found, that do make so rare account thereof, as the holy man job did: that is, to esteem of the words of God, job. 23. 12. even much more than he did of his appointed food: but in the contrary, multitudes do take even that delight: therefore take heed of that in any wise. Now it may be that you will ask me again, What A Question. part of the Scripture it is, that you were best to read? The answer is, even all: for so you may learn by the last Commandment of our Saviour, that I spoke of: for be commandeth to search the Scriptures: so that all which is called Scripture you must search, for all that doth testify of him. And so you see S. Luke saith, he began at Moses and all the Luke. 24. 27. Prophets, that is, from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Malachi for the old Testament, which only then was written: and all that was nothing else, but to teach Christ: And now you have also the new Testament, which tendeth to none other end then the former did, and that is, to teach Christ. For so the Apostle saith, I taught nothing, but what Acts. 26. 22. Moses and the Prophets did say should come. And in an other place, I kept nothing back, but have showed you all Acts. 20. 27. the counsel of God: and what was that? To wit, that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should Acts. 26. 23. rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. So that you may see, that all the Scripture tendeth to none other purpose, but to teach you that: and therefore you must of necessity read all, that so you may, as S. Luke saith, Acknowledge the certainty of those things whereof you have been instructed, not only by the Evangelists, and the Apostles, who have declared unto you the things of Christ, from the day that Zacharias went into the Temple, and that the Angel told Marie concerning her conception: but also what you have been instructed by Moses and the Prophets, even from the day that he was first promised, that so you may be able to deliver the glory thereof from point to point, and to stand firm yourself, against all the assaults of the devil. Yea but you will say again, S. Paul, of whom you another Objection. spoke before, forbids us Genealogies, and commands that we shall give no heed unto them, because they are endless, 1. Timo. 1. 4. and breed questions, rather than godly edifying, which is by faith: And so in deed a great number of our Guides will tell us. For many times because we find them very hard, we go to them to ask the meaning thereof: then their answer is, that the Genealogies tend not to edification, but rather to strife and contention, and therefore is it that S. Paul forbids them. And so likewise for many other hard places in the Bible, when we go to ask them (whose Mala. 2. 7. lips should preserve knowledge) What is the meaning of such and such places? in stead of resolving us, they cast them off, as superfluous, & not tending to our salvation. Therefore why do you say, that all the Scripture testifieth of Christ, and is profitable for our salvation, and must of necessity of us be read, and learned? I will tell you why: no not I, Psalm. 12. 6. Pro. 30. 5. but the holy Ghost will tell you, how that all the Words of the Lord, are most pure words, yea more pure than gold which in the fire seven times is tried. And moreover, the same Apostle, that you say speaketh against them, will tell Roman. 15. 4. you the contrary: for saith he, What so ever things are written aforetime (meaning in the Scriptures) are written for our learning. Therefore, woe be unto those blind Guides, that would so lead you into the ditch, as to make you believe, that the Apostle meaneth the Genealogies contained in the holy Scriptures. In deed, he meaneth that endless Genealogies are unprofitable: but you must well know, that there is none such in the Scripture, neither any thing superfluous, or unprofitable for our salvation. Therefore who would think that men, who pretend to have great zeal and knowledge, should be so beastly and foolish, as to expound the Apostle in that meaning: as though the Apostle, who spoke by the spirit of God, would speak against the spirit of God. For I pray you, did not the same spirit set down them, that set down all the rest: and dare men be so bold then, as to speak against the wisdom of the holy Ghost: And I pray you, what part of the Bible is there, that doth not thereof consist? be not men the ground and cause of all the matter there? And how can we know the matter as we ought, unless we know the men of whom the matter speaketh? As for example, if the holy Ghost say, Sheba and Psalm. 72. 10. Seba shall bring gifts, or Nebaioh and Kedar shall come Esai. 60. 7. and serve: how can we know rightly what is meant hereby, unless we know the people of whom the holy Ghost doth speak, and also the cause why they were estranged from the Lord, and now should come again? Or if the Lord do tell you, how that he will subdue the Canaanites, Hevites, jebusites, Deutro. 7. 1. Gergesites, and the rest of those nations, to give unto Israel their possessions: must you not of necessity (if you will know the cause clearly) understand what these people are, and of whom they come, and also upon what former prophesy and promises these matters do depend? Yes you are bound to know them: for the holy Ghost commandeth you, and all the world to consider of it: even of this, how that when the most High God divided to the Nations their inheritance, he appointed Deutro. 32. 8. the borders of A people (meaning Canaan and his sons, according to the number of the sons of Israel) that in time they might have it: So that if you will know any thing in the Book of God clearly (as all things therein you are bound to know) you must of necessity know the persons that the holy Ghost doth entreat of. For when as the holy Ghost doth tell you of blessedness to befall Sem, and Gene. 9 26. 27. his posterity: and likewise the contrary unto Canaan and his posterity: and also of a reversion of Sems' blessedness to befall japheth in the end, and his posterity, and also how Canaan & his posterity shall be servants unto both them and theirs: how is it possible, I say, for you to understand any thing with judgement, unless you be able in some good sort to distinguish of these Families? For all the whole Bible from the ninth of Genesis to the end of the Revelation, dependeth upon this one prophesy: even on this, which by the spirit of God was uttered in the Chapter before cited. Or again, if the holy Ghost do tell you of Moab, Ammon, Psalm. 83. 6. to. 9 Edom, and divers more with them, to be joined in league against the people of God: must you not of necessity also, (if you will know the cause clearly herein) understand of what roots those wicked branches do also proceed: and likewise how, & for what cause they became such rotten ones as they were: and also how, & for what cause the other, the Israelites became the people of God, & of whom they also come? Yes in deed must you, or otherwise your heart shall remain Math. 13. 19 20. 23. Mark. 4. 3. ●…o 21. Luk. 8. 5. to. 16 that hard way, and stony ground unfallowed up, upon the which the seed of the word being cast, is not able to take root to the bringing forth of fruits. And why? because without the knowledge of these things, you are neither able to hear or read the word of God with understanding. Therefore in the name of God take heed, that you be not so persuaded by them, to believe that the Genealogies in the holy Scriptures be endless, or unprofitable, or superfluous: for if you so think, then do you nothing else, but take Revel. 22. 19 away from the Scripture, and so the curse of God will come upon you, even to your utter damnation. Therefore if it be so as Moses saith, that the things revealed in the holy Deutro. 29. 29. Scriptures, are for us, and our children for ever. And also that the same Apostle that you spoke of, doth tell you, that All Rom. 15. 4. things that are therein written, are written for our learning: You must in any wise take unto you, the whole armour and instruments that God hath you appointed, that so your building may be so coupled and knit together, in every joint of the furniture thereof, and so surely grounded upon that precious foundation of the Apostles, and Prophets, Christ himself being the chief corner stone, as that it may stand firm and sure against all the assaults of the devil, in the stormy and evil day. Wherefore seeing that these blind Guides, whose lips do not preserve knowledge, but would take away the key thereof, and neither enter in As those in Luke the. 11. 52. and Math. 25. 13. themselves, nor suffer you that would: Be you careful yourself, to lay your grounde-sieles so sure and fast upon the former Rock, as that your spiritual building may grow up as an holy Temple for the Lord: and in any wise give an entrance to the building thereof, by the holy word of God: and assure yourself, the Lord will give you light, yea such exceeding shining light, as that the hardest knot, and darkest place therein will seem most clear and bright, if you will the Lord believe. For you shall understand that he doth tell you, that if you would but seek after knowledge, Pro. 2. 3. 4. 5. as you would do after silver, and search after understanding, as you would do after treasures, than you should be sure, not only to find the knowledge of the hardest Genealogy in his Book contained, but also in them, and by them, the fear and knowledge of the Lord your God. Therefore leave of so much your seeking after trash, which perisheth, and seek for that true knowledge which neither Moth, nor Math. 6. 19 20 21. Canker, nor Thief decreaseth, as our 〈◊〉 you commandeth. Yea but you will say, that some of our guides do also tell us, another Objection. that if we should get this great knowledge & understanding that you speak of, it would be very hurtful unto us, for it would puff us up, & make us unreasonable proud: for so say they, the Apostle saith: and it is more meet (say they) that we should learn Mortification, & to do good works: and as for such great knowledge, it forceth not. It is true in deed, that the Apostle saith, that knowledge puffeth up: and it is most 1. Cor. 8. 1. meet also that you should learn Mortification, & also to glorify the Lord through your works. But you must know what knowledge it is that the Apostle speaketh of: a man would think not heavenly knowledge, for who knew more than he 2. Cor. 12. 11. himself: or who knew more than Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel, or any of the Prophets, or Apostles, and yet were they thereby puffed up with pride? I would think, and if they look well about them, they shall find the more knowledge they had of the heavenly majesty of God, the more base & vile they became in their own eyes. Alas how are they deceived, that think the Apostle meaneth, that true & heavenly knowledge puffeth up with pride? Why, how blind are men? can they not see that he commandeth the same Corinthians not to be children 1. Corin. 14. 20 in understanding: but as concerning maliciousness to be children, but in understanding to be of a ripe age? Nor can they not see that he telleth the Colossians, that he will not cease to pray unto the Lord, to fill them with all knowledge Colo. 1. 9 of his heavenly will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding? Nor can they not see, that he doth the like unto the Ephesians, and to all others, unto whom he writeth? Nor how Ephes. 1. 16. 17 Rom. 10. 1. 2, 3. 4. 5. Roma. 15. 14 1. Cor. 1. 5. and 10. 1. and. 12. 1. 31. and. 14. 1. 12. 15. 20. and 15. 34. Gala. 4. 19 Psalm. 119. 66. he telleth the Romans, that the jews had a zeal in deed, but not according to knowledge: and therefore nothing worth? Nor can they not see how the Prophet David in like sort prayeth unto the Lord, that it would please the Lord to teach him knowledge: and that not once nor twice, but many and many times? But what should I speak of one or two examples, when as all the Prophets and Apostles, and dear children of God, have ever most heartily desired it at the lords hands? Since it is so then, that they can not see that, I would they could see, & consider this: My people, saith the Lord, are spoiled for lack of knowledge: and because they have refused Hosea. 4. 6. knowledge, I will also refuse them. O most fearful sentence, and most true and terrible unto all those that have so done, as anonue you shall see at large. So that by this you may see the Apostle meaneth not, that heavenly knowledge doth puss up with pride: but he meaneth such like knowledge as some of the Corinthians seemed for to have, who in deed knew nothing at all, as they ought to know, because they wanted love: for though a man could speak 1. Cor. 13. 1. to the end. with the tongues of men and Angels, and had all knowledge, yet if he have not love, it profiteth nothing, but is even as a sounding Brass, or tinekeling simbal. Again he meaneth such like knowledge as the king of Tyrus had, whom the Lord doth flout (as he doth all others that are the like) Behold, saith he, thou art wiser than Daniel, there is Ezek. 28. 3. to. 8. no secret, that they can hide from thee: with thy wisdom and thy understanding hast thou increased thy riches, and so thine heart is lifted up, because of thy riches. And also such like knowledge as the king of Babel had, whose heart was lifted Esai. 14. 13. Dan. 4. 27. up so high therewith, as that nothing would serve his turn, but to exalt his throne above the clouds, and so to be Dani. 4 28. to the end. even like unto the most High: but full soon was he brought down full low, even to the eating of Grass with Ox and Ass. And likewise such knowledge and wisdom as 2. Sam. 17. 14. 23. had that wise Ahithophel, who was puffed up with such swelling pride thereby, that if good Hushai for wisdom and counsel be better thought of then he, he goeth and hangeth himself for very spite: and so the wise counseling Ahithophel showed himself to be, according to the nature of his name, that is, even the brother of a very fool. And such wisdom and knowledge the Apostle meaneth, as the Grecians, 1. Corin. 1. 17 to the end. and all other worldlings here amongst us seek after: who, as our Saviour saith, attain to wonderful great wisdom in their generation and kind, and are full of knowledge, and so puffed up with a proud conceit they have thereof, as that the word of God & preaching of the Gospel, 1. Cor. 1. 18. ●…3 as the Apostle saith, is but unto them even mere foolishness. 1. Tim. 6. 17. And therefore saith he unto Timothy, charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not so high minded, and that they trust not so much in uncertain riches, but in the living God. So that by this you see what kind of knowledge it is that the Apostle saith, will puff you up with pride: the which if any of you have, or seek after for to have, let him in any Pro. 23. 4. 1. Cor. 3. 18. wise cease from such wisdom, and let him become a fool, that so he may be made wise in deed, as the Apostle saith: Therefore once again I say, take heed, that Satan do not so deceive you, as to make you believe, that the knowledge of the word of God will puss you up with pride: No, if you refuse to increase your knowledge therein, you show yourself to be proud then in deed, and wicked also: for so speaketh the Prophet: The wicked is so proud, saith he, that he Psal. 10. 3. 4. 5. seeketh not for God, but contenmeth him. And God doth know, innumerable there are amongst us, that do even so. For who can number the troops of those most vile profane beasts, who notwithstanding do take the name of God in their mouths, yet do their deeds declare plainly that they say in their hearts, there is no God, as the Prophet speaketh P●…alm. 14. 1. and. 53. 1. of them. And again, who can number the troops of a second sort? Who notwithstanding their own hearts do tell them there is a God, and as the Apostle saith, they profess also that they know him: and yet by works they deny him: Titus. 1. 16. and also say unto him, as job saith they do, Even depart from job. 21. 14. us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Again, who can number the third sort? Which are those unto whom most chief I direct my speeches, who notwithstanding have wonderful great zeal, and also great care of the true worship of the Lord: yet are so grounded in a blind conceit they have of foolish zeal in mortification, and also in doing well towards men, thinking that that is the only thing the Lord requireth, as that it is greatly to be feared, least in the end they will fall into the like danger of our blind Papists, and also of the jews their predecessors in that point: whom the Apostle witnesseth of, to have a great zeal, but not Roma. 10. 2. 3. according to knowledge: and therefore being ignorant of the righteousness which is in Christ, went about to establish their own. I say it is greatly to be feared, lest this damnable error should befall this third sort: for truly for aught that I can perceive, they are come to the same pass of those in Esai already, that is, even to say unto other men, Stand farther from us, because we are holier than you. Esai. 65. 5. Even so foolish they are, according as the Apostle speaketh to the Galathians, that after they have begun in the spirit, Gala. 3. 3. they would now seem to be made perfect by the flesh. For truly I say, for aught that can be perceived, they make more account of a little show of humility and well doing (as they term it) than they do to have their minds renewed by sound knowledge, that so the darkness that is in them might Luk. 11. 35. 36 be turned into light, and that so they might be able, as the Apostle saith, even to comprehend with any, how exceeding Ephe. 3. 18. and 1. Timo. 3. 16. great that heavenly mystery of our salvation is. Therefore much like they are unto those blind zealous Scribes and Pharisees, who as our Saviour saith, made more account Math. 23. 23. 24. 25. 26. of tithing trifling toys, than they did of tithing judgement, and weightier matters: that is, they made more account of foolish zeal in outward shows and ceremonies of religion, Mark. 7. 1. to 15. and Luke. 11. 38. to. 43. than they did to have a sound knowledge of Christ the Son of God: Who was not only a bare son descended of David, and no more as they thought him, but also even Math. 22. 42. to the end. And Mark. 12. 35. 36. 37. and Psalm. 110. 1. David's Lord and God. So that notwithstanding all this their blind zeal, yet missing of a sound knowledge herein, ●…yght most woeful woes doth the Lord our Saviour pronounce against them. Therefore in the name of God (what Matthe. 23. 13. 14. 15. 16. 23. 25. 27. 29. soever such ignorant Guides do tell you) take heed how you despise to increase your knowledge of the Son of God, lest the like plague befall you, that befell them: and take heed also how you suffer such to bear rule over you, as the Apostle commandeth. For whatsoever show of humility Colo. 2. 18. such blind guides would seem to have: yet you shall find in the end, that they are such as the Apostle speaketh of to the Colossians, whom in flat words he termeth to be puffed up with a fleshly mind, and also to advance themselves in those things which they never saw: whose fault (as it seemeth by the Apostles exhortaion to the Colossians) was much in the same kind of theirs, who would have you to make no account of knowledge. For the Apostle greatly urgeth them, especially to be increasing therein, even so far, as to Colo. 2. 7. and 1. 9 and. 3. 16. be rooted, and built, and established, and still to be abounding in height, until they became as fit Temples for Christ to dwell in. Even so in the name of God do you, for you are so bound, as further you shall see a non: and assure yourself, the more knowledge you have in the word of God, the more shall you be humbled in your own eyes: for it is mighty through God to cast down all stro●…g holds, and to bring 2. Cor. 10. 4. 5. into captivity every high thought, to the obedience of our Saviour Christ. Now whereas they tell you, that of necessity you must The other part of the last Objection answered. learn to mortify yourself, and also that you must endeavour to do good works: it is meet you should so do in deed. For mortify your earthly members saith the Apostle Paul. Colo. 3. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 11. And again, Abstain from the lusts of the flesh, which fight against the soul, saith the Apostle Peter. And again, let your works so shine before men, that they seeing may glorify your Father which is in heaven, saith our Saviour: Math 5. 16. and reason good you should so do, for to that end tendeth all your knowledge. For if you have learned Christ, saith the Ephe. 4. 20. 21. to. 25. Apostle, and have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in him, than you must of necessity cast off the conversation in times past: for otherwise your knowledge is in vain, and you remain as yet the servants unto sin, Rom. 6. 16. to the end. whereunto you were bound, even as slaves, giving your members as servants to fulfil the will thereof. Wherefore if you will be freed by Christ, and be servants unto God, you must also give your members as servants unto righteousness, in obeying his will, unto whom you now stand bound. And for this cause the Apostle saith, cast off the old Ephe. 4. 22. 23. 24. man, which is corrupt through the deceivable lusts: and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, saith he: and then put on the new man, which after God is created in righteou●…nes, and true holiness. So that you see true mortification consisteth in casting off the old Adam, and putting on the new, which is Christ. Now if one should ask you what this old Adam is, the which we are so often commanded to cast off: how can it be answered, I pray you, but by the book of God? For by no writ else in all the world, can you describe him aright: unless it be so, as that they have learned thence: but there you may behold him as in a glass most clear, even to his very thoughts, and intentes of the heart, for the word of God Hebr●…. 4. 12. is a searcher and trier thereof. If then you can not discern thoroughly what this old man is which you are to cast off, but by the word of God: How much les than are you able to discern what this new man is, which you are to put on, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, but by the same? For if we be not able in this our corruption, to judge and discern thoroughly of our corruption: but that the Law came & showed it, that so it might appear plainly Rom 5. 20. and. 3. 20. and. 7. 13. to abound: How is it possible then (being altogether blind in judgement) that we should discern that exceeding righteousness of Christ, which we are to put on, but that the same hath also showed it? And therefore the Apostle telleth you, Ephe. 4. 23. 24 that you must be renewed in the spirit of your mind before he bid you put on the new man. For how can you put on Christ, unless you know him? and how can you know him, but by the book of God where he only is described? So that the first step you are to make to true mortification, is to mortify your folly: and that can not be done, but by the quickening of your wisdom: neither can that be done, but by the word of God. For by thy Statutes have I been Psalm. 19 93. quickened, saith the Prophet: therefore as the Apostle saith, Colo. 3. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you most plenteously, even in all wisdom, whereby you may be so changed by the renewing Rom. 12. 2. of your minds, as that you may be able to prove, what is the goodwill of God, and acceptable and perfect: and Rom. 12. 1. when you have so done, then in any wise give up your bodies as living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable unto God, by your obedience in seeking to fulfil the same: always provided, that the knowledge thereof must first go before: for so much may you also well perceive by the Apostle Peter his speeches, which are these: I will not be negligent, saith he, to put you 2. Pet. 1. 12. always in remembrance of these things, though that you have knowledge. Whereby you may learn that the Apostles did ever plant the knowledge of Christ in men's breasts, before they would command them to walk: because that otherwise their mortification, or walking had been in vain. For if an unbelieving jew, or a Turk, or a Papist, or any other what so ever, that knoweth not Christ aright, should do all the good works in the world, or mortify the flesh never so much, yet should none of all these things profit him any thing at all, unless he knew the virtue of Christ his resurrection, and also the righteousness which he should have by him: because it is not the works that maketh the man good, but the man that maketh the works good. For you must well know, that if Abraham had not believed the Lord, he had not been counted righteous: * The works which Abraham did, as the▪ offering of his Son made perfect to the sight of men that faith which he had before, and so the works being added, made the former faith to appear to be a lively faith, & no●… a dead faith, as S. james speaketh. for although he were justified by Gen. 15. 6. and Roman. 4. 3. Read the 〈◊〉 Chapter. works in the sight of men, and thereby had somewhat wherein to rejoice, yet had he not so in no respect with God. For what saith the Scripture: doth it not tell you how that Abraham believed the Lord, and he counted that unto him for righteousness? So that the works which he did, had been but as dead works and rotten in the sight of God, had he not believed the promise of God concerning the Seed that should come of him. Again, you must as well know that Israel obtained Rom. 11. 7. not that which they sought through works, but the election obtained it: neither were they elected unto salvation because of the works which in time they would do: but they were elected through the grace of God in Christ jesus, according as the Apostle also testeth the phesians they were, saying: Ephe. 2. 8. 9 By grace are ye also saved through faith in jesus Christ, and not of works (saith he) lest any man should boast himself: Rom. 3. 9 20. 23 &. Gala. 3. ●…0. 11. and therefore the Scrip●…ure hath concluded all under sin, that so men might see plainly how they are justified freely by the grace of God, and not through works: for if it were of works, than were it not of grace: but since it is of grace, Rom. 11. 6. it can not be of works, as saith the Apostle. Therefore we Rom. 3. 28. conclude (saith he) that a man is justified freely through faith in jesus Christ, and not through works: for to him that worketh, the wages is not counted by favour, but by debt: Rom. 4▪ 4. 5. 〈◊〉. 9 but to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness: even as David declareth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose Psalm. 32. 1. Rom. 4. 6. sins are covered: blessed is that man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin. And good cause the holy Prophet had so to say, f●…r if men should be rewarded according to their works or deserts, they should be rewarded with everlasting death, because the wages of sin is death, and there is no Rom. 6. 23. man but he hath sinned, and gone a stray: therefore no man, Rom. 3. 9 to 24▪ & 1. john. 1 8. 9 10. &. 1. King. 8. 46. & 2. Cro. 6. 36. & Dan. 9 4. to 20 〈◊〉. 6. 23. but he deserveth the wages of hell and death. But if men do look for eternal life, they must know it cometh as a free gift of God through faith in Christ, and not in any respect as a due debt unto them, because of their works. For as Abraham received not the promise concerning the heireship Rom. 4. 13. of the world, through the fulfilling of the Law, but through the righteousness of faith: no more doth any man receive the promise of the heireshyp of eternal life, through the works Rom. 4. 16▪ to the end. Gala. 3 & 1. john. 5. 11 which he can do, but through the faith which he hath in jesus Christ. What shall we say then concerning good works? Shall we utterly exclude them? No in no wise: for God hath ordained them also even to the end, that those whom he Ephe. 2. 10. hath elected in Christ, should walk in them: but not in any respect for men to think, that they should be the cause of their election, neither that they should think the free gift of eternal life cometh as a due debt for them. But in deed they are as most excellent fruits, which should always floorysh from those whom God hath elected, according as the Apostle saith: God hath chosen us in Christ before the Ephe. 1. 4. As it is unpossible for a good tree to be without good fruits, so is it for an elect vessel, or lively faith, to be without good works. foundation of the world, to the end that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. So than the fruits not being the cause of the goodness of the tree, but the tree the cause of the goodness of the fruits, it had been in vain I say, for the Apostles to look for good fruits to come from men, if they had not first taken care for the sound planting of the tree, that is: If they had not first taught men the sound knowledge of Christ, whereby they might see plainly wherein Men ought fyr●… to teach others the sound knowledge of Christ, that so their belief being surely grounded on him▪ they might be i●… deed trees of righteousness and the planting of the Lord, as it is in Esa●…. ●…1. 3. Pro. 19 2. their goodness stood, it had profited their hearers nothing at all: no although they should have done all the good works in the world, or have mortified themselves never so much in the sight of men: because without the sound knowledge of Christ, the soul can not be good. For I pray you, had not the Apostle Paul as great cause to rejoice in the flesh, as any man in the world, if by such things God would have been pleased? Yes in deed had he: for you see he was * Phil. 3. 3. 4. 5. 〈◊〉. to 11. and Acts. 26. 5. & Gala. 1. 13. 14 circumcised the eight day, & of the kindred of Israel, and of the tribe of Benjamin, and an Hebrew of Heber, and by the Law of the strictest sect, even a Pharisee: and also as concerning zeal, no man more fervent than he: yea and as touching the righteousness which is by the Law, even unrebukable: and yet you may see that he counteth all these things but as dung & dross, in respect of the excellent knowledge sake which he had found in Christ: by the which knowledge he Philip. 3. 9 10 Gala. 2. 14. to the end. and. 2. 10. 11. was made to see, that notwithstanding all his former righteousness by the Law, yet had he gone to eternal destruction, had he not found the righteousness which is through faith in Christ: and therefore no marvel was it, though he made small account of his former righteousness in respect of the knowledge he had now of Christ. Wherefore in any wise see that you always desire the same thing: for assure yourself that is more worth in the sight of God, than all the burnt offerings or sacrifices in the world, for so the Lord himself Hosea. 6. 6. doth tell you. Therefore blame me not, I beseech you, though somewhat longer I stand upon this point, even upon this, that the sound knowledge of Christ for us to have, is more accepted in the sight of God, than all the works which we call good in the world. For I pray you further, was not Cornelius the Captain that heathen man, a godly man as Act. 12. 1. 2. 3 4. 5. 36, to the ●…nde. well as Paul? Yes even one whom the holy ghost commendeth to be very devout, to have the fear of God before his eyes, to pray unto him continually, to have care to teach his whole household the like: and besides all this, to be one that gave much Alms unto the people: and yet you see he was not in that case as he ought to be, until such time as Peter had made known unto him the Lord JESUS, that so he might know that by his death and resurrection came remission of sins, and only unto those that would believe in his name: so that notwithstanding all his former righteousness, yet was he to be counted a most grievous sinner, until such time as he apprehended Christ by faith, and therefore is it that the Apostles say, so soon as they heard of this: We perceive Act. 11. 17. 18 now that▪ God hath also granted unto the Gentiles repentance unto life. So that the necessity of this point is far greater than I can well declare, because men are given generally to think, that if they can frame themselves to do well (as they term it) and to mortify the lusts of the flesh, jeremy. 7. 22. 23. 24. and. 9 3 24. that that is the only thing the Lord requireth and accepteth of: but they are marvelously deceived. For the Lord delighteth more that men should have the sound knowledge of him, than he doth in all the works which we call good, be they never so many by us performed: for if it stood only upon good works and mortification, wherewith the Lord would be pleased, I am sure you can not deny, but that all the people in the world were then in as good case one as an other. For who can deny, but that the very * As namely Festus for one example, for who could have behaved himself better than he in Paul his cause, and yet you may see how like a profane beast he speaketh, when as he talketh ●…f our Saviour Christ. Read for this Acts 25. 13. to. 22. and in the same manner spoke the stiff necked jews, as you may see Acts. 17. 7. john. 3. 36. and 17. 2. 3. Insidels for outward actions behave themselves as well as men can do, and yet notwithstanding they go to eternal destruction. And why? Because they know not God in Christ. For this is an eternal rule which you are bound to hold, that is, that who soever knoweth not the Son of God, nor believeth in him, shall never see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Therefore if you be one of those which love eternal life, you must have an earnest mind to know him aright, that so your belief in him may stand most firm and constant, and then assure yourself you have performed the chiefest work that God requireth at your hands. For when the people demand of our Saviour what they should do, whereby Therefore if F●…lix, or Festus, 〈◊〉 Agrippa, or any other such as they were should behave themselves a thousand thousand times better than they did, yet if they know not Christ no better then for 〈◊〉 warren●… we have they did, you may safely say they go to eternal destruction. they might work the works of God. His answer is, that they should Believe in him whom the Father had sent: for that in deed was the only work that God required at their hands, as he also telleth them. Again, when the keeper of the Prison demandeth of Paul and Silas what he should do whereby he might be saved. Their answer is in like manner, that if he would believe in the Lord jesus Christ, he should then be saved. Now it may be you will say unto me in this place, if that be all in all, to believe in him, what need you then to bestow such long speech in this point. For we believe in the Lord jesus, and know well enough that all the works in the world will not help us, unless we do so. Then must I say Read for these three Acts 24. and. 25. and 26. john. 6. 28. 29. Acts. 16. 30. 31. unto you again, if it be so that you do believe in him, as you say you do, it must follow then of necessity, that you have a mind to know him: for those that believe in Christ the Son of God, the Lord hath given a mind to know him, 2. john. 5. 20. & john. 8. 47. &. 10. 26 27. saith the Apostle john▪ therefore if you have an earnest mind to be increasing in the knowledge of the Son of God, then may you safely say, that you are one of those that do believe in him: and then again, if you be one of those that do steadfastly believe in him, you have then performed the chiefest john. 6. 29. work that God requireth at your hands: yea then have you also learned true mortification in deed, otherwise you have it not. For true mortification consisteth not only in humility, or in not sparing of the body, or in not satisfying of the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Neither do good works, as you Colo. 2. 18, to the end. see, only consist in the doing of that which is required unto men, for so the Papists, and many others, as the forenamed, would go before you in that kind: but they both consist chief in the soundness of your knowledge, which you ought to have of the Son of God. Therefore whereas the most part of people are brought to this pass, that is, even to think that if they can say they do believe in Christ, and learn withal to bring forth the fruits of a christian life, which is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, to relieve the prisoners, to do unto all men, as they would be done unto, and to mortify the lusts of the flesh: all which in deed are their duties concerning the second Table, and therefore worthy of commendation for so much. But whereas they are brought to this pass I say, which is to think, that if they can perform these things, that they have then performed the only thing the Lord requireth, they are greatly deceived: for the Lord requireth a great deal further matter at their hands then so. For know you not the answer of our Saviour unto the Ruler, who had asked what he might do to inherit eternal life? if you do not, this is it: Yet lackest thou one thing, saith our Saviour. Now what this one thing was that he then lacked, I will show you. First then the Ruler Math. 19 16. to 26. & Mark. 10 17. to. 25. and Luke. 18. 18. to. 26. demanding of our Saviour what he might do to inherit eternal life, and our Saviour reciting the duties of the second Table: and he replying, that he had kept them all, even from his very youth. Our Saviour trieth him then with a further and more chiefer point, that is, with his duty concerning the first Table, and telleth him plainly, that he lacked one thing yet, and that in deed the most chiefest thing of all, which was his love towards our Saviour Christ: and therefore saith our Saviour unto him: Sell all that thou hast, and come and follow me, thinking thereby to try his obedience towards the first Table, that is, to see whether he did so love the Lord in heart, mind, and soul, as that he could be contented to leave all that he had, and follow him, as Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, and divers others Matth. 4. 18. to ●…3. & Mark. 1. 16. to 21. and 10. 28. to 32. in the Gospel did: but when he came to that point, the case was altered: whereby you may plainly see that if men never so well perform their duties concerning the second Table, and yet miss therein as touching the chiefest point of the first, it profiteth them nothing at all. Therefore this is the mark the which most earnestly I do shoot at, even this, to have you and all men well to know, that the Lord requireth most chief your whole duty, as touching the first Table, which is not fulfilled only in saying there is but one God, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, nor in saying you believe to be saved by the second person in the trinity: but you must well know that the Lord doth also require a most entire love to be showed toward him, that is, he will have Deutro. 6. 5. 6. to the end. you to love him even with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, with all your strength, the which love can in no wise be so greatly expressed, as when you have a most earnest desire to hear his voice, and when as rather My sheep hear my voice, and I ●…nowe we them, and they follow me. john. 10. ●…7. than you would be hindered from the hearing thereof by worldly matters, you would rather be contented to forsake them all. Therefore it is not enough only to say you know this, or believe that, but you must show a willing mind to know & believe according to Scripture: for the Lord will in no case like that you should be troubled about many matters Luke. 10. 38. to the end. with Martha, but will have you without all excuse to choose the best part with Marry, because that in deed, is the most excellent thing you can desire: I mean, the hearing of his voice continually, as Marie did: that so you may have all his most gracious words printed in your heart, as Moses speaketh. And why so? Even to the intent you may be able to rehearse them continually unto your children, and that so you may be Deutro. 6. 4 to 10. and Mark. 12. 29. to. 35. able to teach them and yourself, to know aright how that he JEHOVAH your God is one, and that there is none Mark the conference 〈◊〉 our Saviour & the Scribe the●…. but he, according as he requireth in that first & great Commandment, saying: Hear O Israel, JEHOVAH, thy God JEHOVAH is one. Therefore if you hold them happy, as happy & blessed they are, whose God this jehovah Psalm. 33. 12. is, and that yourself would be of this happy sort, you must learn to know him aright: that is, you must learn to know according to the Scriptures, how that under this name and nature, there be three, the Father, the word, and the holy 2. john. 5. 7. Ghost, and that these three are but one God: for the word is john. 1. 1. 14. the Son, and yet he is JEHOVAH, as S. john in his twelfth teacheth you out of Esai the sixth. And the holy Ghost ●…ohn. 21. 41. & Esai. 6. is JEHOVAH, as S. Paul in the Acts. 28. teacheth you out of the same text of Esai. And how this name JEHOVAH Acts. 28. 25. to. 28. is opened, S. john in apocalypse the first showeth you in this sort: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, Revel. 1. 8. saith the Lord, even he who was, who is, and who will be. The knowing of this true God, who is but one: as also that john. 17. 3. the second person in this Trinity, was to take the nature of man, that so he might suffer, to the intent that in death he might destroy him that had the power thereof, and so give life unto the world. The knowing of this I say, according to the Scripture, the which in all ages most plainly hath been manifested, is the chiefest thing the Lord requireth at your hands: therefore you are to understand that the holy Prophets and Apostles did ever first and most chief labour to set forth this: and afterwards exhorted men to walk according to their duties laid down in the second Table. * Consider these scriptures. Act▪ 13. 24. to. 42. and 14. 15. 16. 17. and 16. 30. 31. and 20. 21. and. 26. 17. 18. Paul in this. 26. of the Acts shewe●…h the sum of all their doctrine, that is, even that both jews and Ge●…tiles were to turn from darkness unto light, ●… from the power of Satan unto God, that so they might receive forgiveness of sins, & inheritance amongst them which are sanctified by faith in Christ: and therefore the Apostle saith, that he witnessed both unto jews and Gentiles, that they should have repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord jesus Christ. Acts. 20. 20. 21. For you are not to think that when john the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness, that his only drift was to bring the people to a more perfection of works, although after their demand, he tell them, that thus and thus they were to do: but you are to understand, that most chief his drift was to Zacharias y father of john showeth what was the chief mark that john shot at, as you may see in Luke. 1. 76. 77. and john. 1 6. to. 9 and Luk. 5. 32. 33. Math. 3. 2. Mark. 1. 7 john. 1. 15. Luke. 3. 16. 17 Math. 3. 11. 12 bring them to a change of judgement, and to a more perfection of this knowledge, and to a repentance of their former ignorances, and a belief in jesus Christ. For you see he telleth them plainly, that the kingdom of God was even now at hand, and that a stronger than he came presently after him, who in deed was before him: and that himself was not worthy to stoop down and unlose the latchet of his Shoes: and that although he baptized but with water, yet he that came after him would baptize with the holy Ghost and with Fire: and that he would come with his Fan in his hand, to make clean his floor, and to gather his Wheat into his Garner, and to burn up the Chasse with unquenchable Fire: And therefore unless they did believe in him which should The sum of john his doctrine was that they should repent them of their former ignorances, and believe in Christ, as you may see Acts. 19 4. & Math. 21. 32. to the end. and that was the fruits in deed which the Husbandmen should have brought forth unto the Lord of the vineyard. Math. 3 9 Gene. 3. 15. & john. 8. 33. to the end. come after him, that is, in Christ jesus, they would prove to be this chasse. Wherefore he telleth his kinsmen the jews, that notwithstanding they for their parts began to say within themselves, We have Abraham to our Father, and therefore we are the only people, because the covenants and promises of God belong only unto us: and also for that the Oracles of God were committed chief unto us: and also because we are the Circumcision, whereby we are separated from the sinners of the Gentiles: I say notwithstanding they began to brag in this sort, of all these outward things, yet he telleth them, that unless they did believe in him of whom all the Prophets before had spoken, and was now come into the world, they should find themselves to be this Chasse here spoken of, and not the good Seed of the woman, and of faithful Abraham: but even the natural seed of that old Serpent, their father the Devil, and that God was able to raise up sons unto Abraham in stead of them, even of the very stones. Whereby is meant, that whereas the Gentiles unto that time had hearts as hard as stones, for as much as they regarded not to know the Lord aright, Rom. 1. 28. and therefore he regarded not the time of this their ignorance, Act. 17. 30. & Rom 1. 21. to 29. &. Act. 14 15. 16. 17. but suffered them to run on in the hardness of their hearts, even to their own destruction: Yet now he admonisheth all men e●…ery where to repent them of their former ignorance, and believe the Gospel. Yea now john telleth them, that the Math. 3. 10. axe is put even to the very root of the trees: and therefore if these Gentiles would repent them of their former ignorances, and believe in Christ, as faithful Abraham did, then should they be counted the sons of Abraham, and the other should be cut off even according, as the Apostle saith: Those As our saviour saith of Zacheus Luke. 19 9 & Gala. 3. 7. Rom. 2. 28. 29. which are of faith, are the children of Abraham. And again, He is not a jew, which is one outwardly: neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a right jew which is one within, and whose heart is filled so full with the knowledge of God, that he can always praise the Lord aright: and likewise that is true circumcision which is of the heart, and in the spirit, and not in the letter: and therefore if these Gentiles would be such, they should then be the Phil. 3. 3. john. 1. 11. 12. 13. true circumcision in deed: yea, they should then be the true seed of Abraham, and also the right jews: and so their praise Rom. 2. 29 and Psalm. 24. 6. Hebre. 6. 1. should be of God, and not of men. Again, whereas the Apostle urgeth the Hebrews to be led forward unto perfection: you are not to think he meaneth it of works (although no man will be so mad as to think otherwise, but that by those that have knowledge a perfection of works must also be practised, for otherwise (because you shall not mistake me) I tell you still, your knowledge is in vain: For what hast Psal. 50▪ 16▪ 17 thou to do with my covenant in thy mouth (saith the Lord) if thou hatest to be reform: And therefore as we are to grow Hebr. 6. 1. 2. Corin. 7. 1. up in knowledge, so are we also, as the Apostle saith, to grow up in holiness:) but in this place you are to understand that the Apostle meaneth it of the perfection of knowledge, which not only the Hebrews, but also all others ought to attain unto: that so they might see how Christ was answerable to all the former types, figures, shadows, and ceremonies in the Law: and how that at the very hour of his death, all those were Dan. 9, 24. to the end. Exod. 26, 31. 32. 33. and Matth. 27. 51. Hebr. 9 24. & 10. 20. to cease, according as Daniel long before had told. In token whereof the vail that separated the two holy places rend a sunder: because than Christ passed through the vail of his own flesh from the Cross, unto the holiest of all, even unto the very heaven itself. Wherefore they were to be led forward unto all such high points of knowledge, and to learn to know how that Christ entering into that holy place (which was not made with hands) made a more perfect reconciliation betwixt God and the people, than ever could Aaron do in the holy places made with hands. And also they were to know that Christ was a sacrificer after another manner of order Psalm. 110. 4. and Hebr. 5. 5. 6. & 7. to the end. than was Aaron, even one after the order of Melchizedek: the which Melchizedek is described in Scripture as though he were without father, and without mother: and as Gen. 14. 18. concerning that name, as though he had no beginning of days, nor end of life, but continuing a Sacrificer for ever. And yet notwithstanding though some would have him kept in obscurity, because their own wits * According as the Apostle saith, Hebr. 5. 11. to the end, & therefore he giveth men a sharp reproof, for that they continued still as babes, & not able to conceive of deeper matters. Hebr. 7. 4. are dull of conceit, and not exercised in the book of God: the Scripture is plain enough concerning the person who he was, and in what sense he is said to be without father, without mother, without beginning of days, without end of life: * Therefore what modesty count you that, to forbid where the holy Ghost hath commanded: Nay what boldness is there in you that are not afraid so to do. yea, and giveth a strait commandment to consider how great a man he was: that so the Hebrews, and all others might see how far he excelled Abraham, on whom the jews so much relied: and also how far his Priesthood excelled the Priesthood of Aaron, or any other of the sons of Levy. For whereas they had a commandment according to the Law, to take Tithes of the people their brethren, though they came out of the loins of Abraham: yet he whose kindred is not counted amongst them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And moreover here men that die, receive tithes: but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth for ever. And to say as the truth is, Levy also which receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham, for he was yet in the loins of his father Abraham when Num. 18▪ and Deutro. 18. Gen. 14. 18. 19 20. Melchizedek met him. After the order of this Melchizedek, I say, were the Hebrews and all others to know, that our Saviour Christ was made a Sacrificer, who as concerning Num. 20. 28. & Hebre. 7. 23. Gen. 14. 18. 19 20. &. Psalm 110. 4. his human nature, was without a father, and as concerning his divine nature, without a mother: and who also in proper signification, had no beginning of days, nor end of life: but continueth a Sacrifices for ever, and sitteth at the right hand H●…br 7. 24, 25. and. 10. 12. & Roman. 8. 24. of God, to make continual intercession for all those that will come unto God by him: and who also is able perfectly to save them that do so, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for Hebr. 7. 25. them. Unto these and such like high points of knowledge beseeming a Christian, doth the Apostle urge the Hebrews unto: of the which, two or three more I will note unto you, as to know how Christ had been proclaimed heir of all things Hebr. 1. 2. 3. even from the very day of Adam his creation: and how that by him the father made the world: and how that he being the brightness of his glory, and the engraved form of his person, Exod. 23. 20. 2●…, & Colo 2. 〈◊〉. beareth up all things by his mighty word: and how that he hath by himself and his own blood, purged our sins from dead works to serve the living God: and how that notwithstanding he was made a little inferior to the Angels, Hebr. ●…. 9 14. through the suffering of death, yet was he crowned with glory and honour, in that through death he destroyed him that had the power thereof, that is to say, the Devil. And is also Hebr. 1. 4. 6. 7. 13. made much more excellent than the Angels, inasmuch as he hath obtained a more excellent name then any of them: and in as much as they must all do worship unto him, and are but his messengers: And in as much as it was not said unto any of them, Sat at my right hand until I make thine enemies Psalm. 110▪ 1. thy footstool, but unto him it was, and so he doth, even at the right hand of God in the heavenly and highest places, Ephe. 1. 20. to the end. far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not in this world only, but also in that that is to come, and hath made all things subject under his feet. They were also to know how that he was worthy of much more glory than was Moses, in as much Hebr. 3. 3. to. 7. as he which hath builded the house hath more honour than the house: and in as much as he was as the son over his own house, and Moses but as a faithful servant in the house, even a servant to bear witness of those things which afterwards should be done by him. * As you may see in the whole 〈◊〉 to the Hebrews, as also i●… all other the Epistles of the Apostles. These, and thousands of such like heavenly points of knowledge were the Hebrews to be led forward unto: and not only they, but also you and all men in the world, that look to appear with Christ in glory, must set their chiefest affection on these Colo. 3. 1. 2. heavenly things. Therefore when you have subdued your affection from delighting in the things of this world, and brought it to delight only in the book of God, that so your heart may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all these heavenly points of wisdom, and spiritual understanding, Colo. 3. 16. then may you walk worthy of the Lord, and shall please him in all things, otherwise it is unpossible you should: neither will your mortification be accepted in the sight of God, no although you never so much pull down yourself: for God delighteth not in fools, but in those that love to hear Ecclesi. 5. 3. ●…eremy. 9 24. & john. 10. 27 his voice, and desire to know him aright, in them doth he delight. And therefore to conclude this speech, you must know that of necessity you are first bound to learn Christ, before you can know how to put him on: and then when you have by him found light, you must endeavour yourself to walk as children of the light, for otherwise the wrath of God will come upon you, as upon all the children of disobedience it hath: for God is holy, and therefore must we be holy, or else Levit. 20. 26. & 1. Pet. 1. 15. 16 be sure he will not spare our misse-deedes, as he speaketh unto Moses, but every transgression and disobedience shall be Exodu●…. 23. 2●… sure to find a just recompense of reward. So that the more knowledge you have in his holy word, wherein you shall understand, that not one jot of his justice passeth unperformed, the more, if any spark of grace you have, will you learn to mortify your earthly members, and also to do those works that God requireth: for as God is known, even so Psalm. 90. 11. is he feared, saith the Prophet. Therefore in any wise desire to be instructed in the word of God above all other things, and then no doubt but you will be ashamed, if any thing be done amiss, yea and often strike upon your thigh with sorrow of heart, as the Prophet jeremy also speaketh. ●…ere▪ 31. 19 Now it may be you will say again, Every one can not An either Objection. read, neither hath every one leisure to get such great and perfect knowledge as you speak of: And moreover many die before they come to years of discretion: as also many in their mother's womb: How then shall all these do▪ shall none be saved, but those that understand the whole Bible: Yes forsooth, for if they do in steadfast faith but touch the Math. 9 20. 21 12. & 14. 36. & Mark. 5. 27. to 35. &. 6. 56. & 12. 42. 43. 44. & Luke. 21. 1. to 5. hem of Christ his garment, they shallbe saved: for aswell doth he accept the poor Widows mite, as the rich man's great gift, especially if it come with such willingness of heart, that if they had, or could get more, more they would give. But seeing that faith is the gift of God: and seeing also 2. Cor. 8. 12. Ephe. 2. 8. Rom. 10. 17. 1. Pet. 2. 2. and 2. Pet. 3. 18. that the ordinary means that he hath appointed to come thereby, is the hearing and reading of his holy word, we must every one of us desire the sincere Milk thereof, as the Apostle Peter saith: that so we may grow thereby, both in faith, in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. And most meet and necessary it is that so we should do: for seeing that Satan goeth about like a roaring Lion, continually seeking whom he may devour: 1. Pet. 5. 8. How much more needful therefore is it, that we should continually be as careful, to get such skill in the handling of the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, Ephe. 6. 17. as that we may be able, not only to resist him, but also to wound him most deadly therewithal: for otherwise, if we shall be found ignorant in the use of our weapon, we shall be sure to receive most deadly wounds ourselves, because that ignorance therein shall not excuse any man. Therefore whether a man can read or no, that shall not excuse him: for if he can not, he must have the more care to be taught by others, that in any wise he may get some knowledge in this spiritual weapon offered for his help, lest when he should give the wounds, he receive them most deadly himself. And as for Children which die in their mother's womb, or before they come to be of discretion to use the ordinary means, we must commend them unto the Lord, who is able without the means to save whom pleaseth him, being elected in Christ before the world was made: the which Babes elected it pleaseth the Lord to enlighten their minds, by the working of his holy spirit, even in their mother's wombs: as well you may perceive by john the Baptist, who, when he heard but Luke. 1. 44. only the voice of the mother of our Lord, sprang for joy: as also by the Prophet jeremy, of whom the Lord saith, before jere. 1. 5. thou camest out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and so forth. Now as it pleaseth the Lord to enlighten such Infants, as are elected by such secret means as pleaseth him, so is he able to do the like unto all others of greater years. But since that he hath appointed an ordinary means for such to come by the knowledge of his Son, we must look to that, and desire of the Lord, that it would please him to enlighten our minds thereby. And whereas you say, that all men have not time and leisure to attain unto skill and knowledge in the book of God. That is not so: for if they would bestow but that one day of seven, which the Lord hath commanded them, either in hearing the word or reading therein themselves, they might attain unto very great knowledge: yea so great, as that they might be able at the least to give a sound reason of their faith: yea and to avoid the deadly blows of Satan, although not able to cast off all: especially if that one day were bestowed with like delight and desire of the attaining thereunto, as they would do if it were a worldly commodity, or vain desire they should seek after. How much more knowledge trow you, might then be attained unto, if men would bestow all the hours therein, the which they bestow Esai. 41. 21. in vain delights: as hunting, hawking, tabling, dicing, carding, bouling, shooting, or any such like: no doubt but to a wonderful great knowledge, even to so great, as that they should be able then, to bring forth (as the Lord speaketh) even their most strong reasons, * If men would exercise their wi●…s in the book of God, as Heb. 5. 14. they should then be able without premeditation before hand to put to silence any adversary whatsoever, according to Luke. 21. 14. 15. Examples you have of Steven in Acts. 7. & divers others Psalm. 90. 12. whereby they might so foil Satan and his ministers, as that they would be ashamed, and afraid to offer combat with them any more. So that if men would consider with themselves, how short the time of their abode is here, and also how uncertain: and so learn with Moses to pray unto the Lord, that it would please him to teach them to number these their few days aright, that so they might apply their hearts unto wisdom: No doubt but they should attain unto plenty thereof. For the Lord hath so promised. But the devil hath so bewitched men, and so blinded them, and beareth such sway with them, that they had rather spend a whole year, yea all their life time, in those vain things, which tend to none other end, then to draw them unto him, who seeketh for them, which is the devil: then they would bestow one hour, yea one minute of an hour, in those things that should tend to their salvation, and to the pleasing of their master and Saviour Christ: so that in them is fulfilled the saying of the Apostle: For in the last days saith he, Men shall be lovers of pleasures more 2. Tim. 3. 4. than lovers of God. And notwithstanding our Saviour doth daily call and seek for them, even to shroud them as the Hen would do her Chickens, yet will they not come under Math. 23. 37. the covert of his wings for aught that he can do: but think it is enough, if they can say (as commonly they do) I believe in Christ, and hope to be saved by him as well as you, although I take no such pains to get this great knowledge: for what need I so to do? For is it not said, He that believeth in him shall never perish, but have eternal life? Which is true in deed, if they knew what they spoke: but they must well know, it is not enough to speak the bare words, for so much one might make a Parrot to do: but their belief must be settled upon him, according to the testimony which Moses and the Prophets have given of him: that so they may say with Peter, We believe, and also know, john. 6. 69. that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God: therefore this speech of theirs doth import nothing else, but even to contemn Christ: so, for men to content themselves with slothfulness. And therefore the holy Ghost doth give unto such a marvelous great reproof, saying: O you foolish, Pro. 1. 22. how long will you love foolishness: and you scornful, how long will you hate knowledge? So that by this their hating of knowledge, it may well appear they are none of Christ's, but are of that wicked sort, who, according as the Prophet saith, have utterly left of to understand, and who in no wise Psalm. 36. 3. regard to have knowledge. Therefore in any case see that Pro. 29. 7. you for your parts always remember what the holy Ghost commandeth you to beware of: that is, That you be not like Psalm. 32. 9 the Horse and Mule, which have no understanding, whose mouths are bound up with bit and bridle: but that you be of that sort, whose mouths are always open to speak of Psalm. 37. 30. wisdom, and whose ●…oonges are ever ready to talk of judgement. So that by this it may well appear, that it is not enough for a true Christian to content himself with a few sentences of Christ, and so think he hath enough: but he that professeth himself to be a scholar in the school of Chris●…e, must have a wonderfully desire to learn Christ, even so far as that he may dwell in his heart most plenteously in all Colo. 3. 16. wisdom, whereby he may be able to admonish himself in all spiritual things, as the Apostle saith: yea he must desire and thirst after the word of God, even as the Hart doth after the water brooks: that when he cometh thereunto, he may so drink, as that he may be filled with all fullness Ephe. 3. 19 Colo. 1. 10. and Ephe. 4. 15. Ephe. 3. 18. 19 of God: Yea he must continually desire to be increasing in the knowledge of God, that if it be possible for him, he may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadeth, and length, and depth, and height of the glory that we shall receive by Christ: Yea and to know his love towards us, which in deed passeth all knowledge, as the Apostle saith. So that in no wise must we stand still, but every one must go on forward, either by hearing of others, or reading therein himself, even in the unity of faith, to the knowledge Ephe. 4. 13. of the Son of God, until he become a perfect man in jesus Christ. For we must not in any wise remain as Ephe. 4. 14. and Hebr. 13. 9 children, wavering and ready to be carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the deceit of men, as greatly it is to be lamented we are now adays: but we must follow Ephe. 4. 15. the truth in love, and in all things grow up unto him which is the head: that is Christ. For not to go on forward in religion, is to go backward, because Satan draweth most strongly jerem. 7. 24. & 9 3. that way, and so to remain in our former folly, and contemptuously to cast off the word of God: yea whatsoever he be, pretend he never so much zeal, and show of holiness: Yet if his chiefest care be not continually to be increasing in the knowledge of Christ, he doth nothing else but say in his As job speaketh of them. job. 2●…. 14. 15. heart unto God: Depart from me, for I desire not the knowledge of thy ways. For the which cause, as you shall see anon, the wrath of God hath been extended on all the world, even to the utter excluding of them from his presence, and casting off from their countries. For what thing can men do to please the Lord, when that his word of them shallbe rejected? It is not then an outward show of foolish zeal or mortification, Micah. 6. 6. 7. 8 that the Lord will like of. No, although the Papist do for his part in never so great zeal, afflict his body either by whipping, or launching the flesh with knives until the blood come forth, like unto Baal's Priests, or in fasting Esa. 29 9 to. 14 forty days together, like foolish Apes in imitation, or in dropping never so many prayers, according to the number of his Beads, or in vowing single life, or in running on pilgrimage, or in punishing the body in what sort so ever he will: which things in deed have a show of wisdom in them, as the Apostle saith, even in this their voluntary religion, and Colo. 2. 23. humbleness of mind, and in not sparing the body: but yet they shall find in the end, that all this is but as an abhomi●…ation to the Lord. And why? Because they have rejected Acoording as the Scribes & Pharisees had done, and therefore they are worthy of the like condemn●…tion that befell them, & also their foolish hearts to continue full of darkness, as theirs did and still doth. the word of God, and overthrown the principles thereof, and established in stead of it the doctrines & precepts of men. And so their fear towards God is taught by the precepts of men, according as the Prophet Esai speaketh: and also as those nations placed in Samaria, of whom it is said: They feared the Lord, but served their Images also: Even so, I say, do the Papists. And therefore notwithstanding all their blind zeal, it must be said of them as of the other, that is, they neither fear God, nor do any thing after his commandements: and therefore whatsoever they do, it must needs be an abomination Esai. 29. 13. 2. King. 17. 33 to the end. to the Lord. Or if the Protestant pretend never so great show of religion in his kind, or never so great a zeal: yet unless it be seasoned with the true knowledge of Christ, none of all this will the Lord regard, or therewithal be pleased. For when his word is not delighted and esteemed as it ought to be, although we now & then do the things that it requireth: yet are they not accepted, because his word was not our rule to square them by. For to what purpose, saith the Lord, do you bring unto me Incense from Sheba, jerem. 6. 20. and sweet Calamus from a far country? your burnt offerings are not pleasant in my sight, neither are your sacrifices sweet unto me, saith the Lord. And why? Because they had rejected the word of the Lord, therefore did these their holy ●…ere. 6. 10. 11. 19 ●…0. actions turn unto an abomination. So that you see that who so ever he be, read, or read not, have he time, or have he not, no excuse shall serve him, to be ignorant in the word Rom. 2. 12. of God, and so of Christ. For the Lord that knoweth best what is good and fit for man, knew well enough in the beginning, that when he appointed but one day of seven to be Gen. 2. 2 3. sauctified unto his glory, that that was enough to make man void of all excuse. And why? Because that if they would bestow but that one day of seven, according as he hath commanded, that is, not in any respect to do their own wills, Esai. 5 8. 13. & Exodus. 20. 8. 9 10. or to follow their own affairs, no nor so much as to speak one vain word: but to call the Sabbath a delight to consecrate it as glorious unto the Lord: They might I say, if they would bestow it in this sort, soon learn by his holy word to honour him with such worship as he requireth: and also to know a right how Christ is JEHOVAH their God, who Exod. 20. 1. 2. and. 1. john. 5. 20. and Leuit. 26. 4. 45. & Dani. 9 23. to the end. & Apoc. 5. 9 & Hebr. 2. 14. 1●… Ephe. 2. 3. john. 17. 3. brought them not only from the bondage & slavery of ●…gypt, Babel▪ or Rome, but also from the bondage and thraldom of hell and death. But since it is so, that all men as they are borne of Adam, are the children of wrath, and still remain in this captivity: and seeing there is no means neither in heaven nor earth, to redeem them thence but only by Christ: and he likewise not beneficial unto any, but such as know him aright by his holy word: And having most graciously bestowed this his holy word upon us, and we like most brutish beasts, having as yet refused the same, and taken no delight at all therein: let us hearken what he saith unto us. Unto jere. 6. 10. whom shall I speak and admonish, saith the Lord, that they may hear? Behold, their cares are uncircumcised, and they can not hearken: behold the word of the Lord is unto them as a reproach, and they have no delight at all therein. For the pastors, they are become as beasts, and have not sought the jeremy. 10. 21. Lord, therefore have they none understanding: And the wise jeremy. 8. 9 men of the world, they are ashamed of the word of God: Lo, saith the Lord. They have rejected the word of the Lord, and therefore what wisdom can there be in them: And the people Hosea. 4. 6. likewise, they are spoiled for lack of knowledge, and have also refused it. Therefore hear O earth, saith the Lord, jerem. 6. 19 & Hosea. 4. 6. I will cause a Plague to come upon this people, even the fruit of their own imaginations, and because they have refused knowledge, I will also refuse them: and as they have not taken heed unto my word, but cast it off, even so will I cast off them. Wherefore seeing that the Lord hath commanded the earth to hear, what a controversy he hath therewith, and ever more hath had, and only for the contempt and rejecting of his holy word: and we as full of impiety in that kind, as ever any Nation was: My purpose is to bring to your remembrance his judgements of old, and to lay them Psalm. 119. 30 52. before your eyes, as the Prophet saith he did before his: to the end that who so is wise amongst you (as saith the same Prophet) Psalm. 107. 43 may observe and understand these things: and also behold with the Apostle, both the loving kindness, and the severity Roman. 11. 22. of the Lord: His loving kindness towards all those that have delighted in his holy word, and by faith embraced his covenants therein contained, and with willingness obeyed his commandements: and his severity against all those that have rebelled against him, and the same. That so when you have heard & seen how severe a judge the Lord is, you may with all speed (even while it is called To day) get you to the Hebr. 3. 7. 8. & Esai. 55. 6. Book of God: that so you may hear his voice, and to plough up the fallow ground of your heart: that so that immortal jeremy. 4. 4. & Hosea 10. 12. 1. Pet. 1. 23. seed of the word of God may take such deep root therein, as that it may beget you anew even to the bringing forth of fruit, not only of thirty, or sixty fold, but also even Math. 13. 23. of a full hundredth. The which the Lord for his mercy's sake, grant unto us every one. Amen. The judgements of God upon the Angels that sinned, and likewise upon our first Parents, and the rest of the old world. SO far forth as the Scripture speaketh of Angels, or of other creatures, or of any other matter else whatsoever, so far may we be bold to speak, and not further: For the hid things belong Deutro. 29. 29. unto the Lord, but the revealed things belong unto us and our children for ever, saith Moses. First then for those Angels, which through rebellion against the Lord began to exalt themselves, not being contented with their first estate, but grudging thereat, jude. 6. and 1.▪ Pet. 24. & job. 4. 18. and also repining at the glorious estate of Mankind, and so leaving their own habitation and calling: them the Lord hath not spared, but cast them down even into the bottomless pit of Hell, and hath delivered them into chains of darkness to be kept unto damnation, even unto the judgement of the great and terrible day of the Lord. Again, our first Parents whom the Lord had created in so glorious an estate, Gene. 1. 26. 27. even after his own image and likeness, and given them rule over the works of his hands, and dominion and Lordship over all his creatures, yet full soon forgot they his precepts, and cast off his commandments: Wherefore he suffered not them to continue in this their first honour, but presently took he away even all their glory: and so they became like Psalm. 49. 12. 20 unto the Beasts that perish. And through that one offence Rom. 5. 12. to the end. of theirs sin entered into the world, and death by sin: which death went over all men, for as much as all men have sinned: for by that one offence the fault came on all men, to their utter condemnation. And Kain their eldest Son 1. john. 3. 12. who was of the wicked, even that seed of the Serpent, that Gen. 3. 15. should begin to bruise the heel of the seed of the woman, he I say, made plain their corruption: for he continued in striving against the Lord, and despised the covenant of salvation pronounced to his father Adam in Paradise: the which Gen. 3. 15. cou●…nant he was taught as well as his brother Abel, and yet would he not embrace the same by faith, as his brother did: but made a mock thereat, and trod under foot the Son of God: So that this his great wickedness by the event appeared, in that he murdered his own brother, whereby he Gen 4. 8. showed himself to be of his Father the Devil, who as our Saviour saith, was a murderer from the beginning: that is john. 8. 44. to say, from the very first day of Adam his creation: for the which cause this Ka●…n had an open curse, and was excommunicated Gen. 4. 11. to 15. from the presence of the Lord, even as a vagabond and a runagate given over to his own ways. His wicked posterity, as rotten branches of an evil ro●…te, hold on in the Gen. 4. 19 23. 24. like ungodly dealings and evil sayings: Unto whom Henoch the seventh from Adam prophesied, saying. Behold jude. 14. 15. you wicked ones, the Lord cometh with thousands of his Sainc●…s to give judgement against all men, and to rebuke all the ungodly amongst them of all their wicked deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their cruel speakings, which wicked sinners have spoken against the Lord. Now if you will know what they said, the holy Ghost doth tell you, how that they said unto God, Depart from us, for job. 22. 17. 18. we desire not the knowledge of thy ways: and likewise they asked what the almighty cold do for them, notwithstanding he had filled their houses with all good things. Yea and moreover, though No were a Preacher of righteousness 2. Pet. 2. 5. & Gene●…is. 6. 3. & Hebr. 11. 7. unto these wicked ones, by the space of six score years, all which time he prepared himself to the making of the Ark, through the which he condemned the whole world: yet notwithstanding they made but a flout of the threatenings of the Lord, saying: Where is the promise of his coming: for 2. Pet. 3. 4. 5. 6. ever since the fathers died, all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation. And moreover, tush say they, let us eat, and drink, and take our pleasure: Let us marry, Math. 24. 37. 38. 39 and give in marriage: Let us build our houses huge and high and so forth. And thus were these wicked wretches willingly ignorant, even unto the very day that Noah went into the Ark, and would not know how that the same word, 2. Pet. 3. 5. 6. & Gen. 1. 9 which in the begeinning caused the waters to uncover the earth, might command them to overflow the same again. But yet they found it most true: for in the seventh age of this Gen. 4. 1. 17. to. 23. wicked generation, the wrath of the Lord was well known amongst the sons of men: for they were cut down before job. 22. 16. the time, and their foundation was as a river that overflowed. 2. Pet. 2. 5. So that he spared not this old world, which now You may cast these years in Gen. 5. and 7. Chapters. had continued one thousand six hundred fifty and six years, but only saved Noah with seven more of his family, and brought in the flood upon the rest of the world of the ungodly: yea he commanded the fountains of the great deep to Gen. 7. 11. be broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened, so that all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered, because that the wickedness of man was Gen. 6. 5. great on earth, and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. And therefore did the Lord smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips did he destroy the wicked: Yea he made them to perish as though they had been dung: so that they which had seen them, might say, where are they now? But if you will know what is become of their souls, Saint ●…. Pet. 3. 19 20 Peter will tell you, how that they are now in prison, that is, in hell, for disobeying the spirit of Christ, who then preached unto them by the mouth of Noah, while the Ark was in making. Again, if you will know how they might know that the spirit of Christ did so: the answer is, that even the very same Gospel that was preached unto Adam and Eve in Paradise: and afterwards to Abel, to Seth, and the rest of the godly, was also preached unto them. And this preaching was, that the Seed of the woman should break Gen. 3. 15. the head of the Serpent: which notwithstanding being but a very short Sermon, yet was it so effectall, and so full of matter, as that all the whole book of God is no more than that. But as the preaching of this Gospel was a savour of life unto life, to all those that laid hold thereon, even so was it also a savour of death unto death, to all those that rejected the same. So that for this first age, you see both the loving kindness, and the seucritie of the Lord. The judgements of God on Cham's posterity, as also on their confederates until the giving of the Law. NOtwithstanding now the former desolation of all things breathing on earth, the which a man would think should have been a terror unto men for ever after, yet full soon do they forget it: For an As you may cast it in Gene. 11. 10. to. 20. and Gene. 10. 25. Gen. 10. 6. to 11. & Gen. 11. 1. to. 10. Micah. 5. 6. Gen. 9 8. to. 18 Gene. 9 26. Gen. ●…1. 1. to 10. hundredth and about some thirty years after the flood, in the days of Peleg, do the posterity of Cham with their adherents, revive the old impiety of Kain, and his wicked race, in that they also despise the covenants of God, and the blessing pronounced unto Sem: And so go about to build a City and a Tower, whose top (as they thought) should reach unto heaven, whereby they might get unto themselves a Sem, or name: But full soon was the holy Trinity aware of this their wicked intent, and so he came down from heaven in his fierce wrath, to confound their most foolish devices: and also to scatter them from thence over the whole earth. And therefore the name of it was called Babel, or Confusion, because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: so that they were not only cut from the holy Language of Sem, but also from the religion and true worship of the blessed God of Sem, the which continued in his tents. Again, in the * These. 10. you may reckon in Gene. 11. from the. 10. to. 27. tenth age after the flood, in the days of Abraham, the wickedness of those five Cities in Canaan (as Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, These five cities are cy●…ed together in Gen. 14. 2. Zeboiim, and Zoar) broke out into such filthiness, as that the stink thereof ascended up into heaven, and cried for vengeance to be powered upon them. And notwithstanding Gone 18. 17. to the end. the Lord being merciful, and was entreated to have spared them for ten●…e righteous men their sakes, yet could they not therein be found: so that their sins being so great and grievous in the sight of GOD, his great anger was so kindled against them, that in his fierce wrath he overthrew them, and turned four of them into ashes, and condemned Deutro. 29. 23. 2. Pet. 2. 6. them, and made them an e●…sample of eternal fire unto all ages that afterwards should live ungodly: So that here the curse of Noah upon Cham extending to Canaan, took Gen. 9 22. 24. 25. 27. effect on these some part of his wicked branches. Likewise in the seventh age from Abraham, in the days of Moses, These seven ages you shall find thus. Gen. 21. 5 & 25. 26. &. 29 34. &. 46. 11. & Exod. 6. 18. 20. the wrath of the Lord was manifested also in most vehement sort in Egypt even in that land of cursed Cham, upon that proud Pharaoh and his country: the which were other branches even of Cham himself that wicked root: I say the wrath of the Lord was manifested upon them in most vehement Exod. 3. Psal. 78. 51. & 105. 23. By these places you may see that Egypt was the land of Cham. Exod. 7. 19 & 8. 6. 16. 17. 24. & 9 3. 10. 23. & 10. 13. 22. &. 12. 29. and 14. ●…. 28. Exod. 5. 2. 9 Exo. 15. 6. 7. 8. sort, by ten several plague●… bestowed upon man and beast, and at last Pharaoh and all his host overwhelmed in the Red Sea. For saith he unto Moses concerning the Lord: Who is he that I should hear his voice, and let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go: neither do I regard his words by you spoken, for they are but vain. But the right hand of the glorious Lord overthrew these rebellious traitors, which in this sort rose against him, and sent forth his wrath, which consumed them as the stubble: and also by the blast of his Nostrils the waters were gathered, and the floods stood still as an heap: yea, the depths congealed together in the heart of the Sea, to entice them in: Exod. 15. 5. & Psal. 106. 11. but presently the waters covered them, and they sank to the bottom as a stone. And why so? because indeed they had forsaken the hope of Israel, even that most precious fountain ●…ere. 17. 1●…. of living waters. But he brought forth them his chosen Israel, through the midst of the Sea on dry ground, and Exod. 14. 19 made the waters unto them a wall both on the one side, and on the other. So that here you may see again, both the loving kindness, and the severity of the Lord: his loving kindness on Sem and his posterity, as also on all others that held the same faith: His most severe severity on Cham and his posterity, as also on all other their confederates. Now if you will know the chief cause why these horrible plagues befell them: the answer is, because they regarded not the preaching of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. For as he was made the author of eternal salvation unto all Hebr. 5. 9 them that did believe in him, and obey him, even so is it said, john. 3. 36. that he that believeth not in the Son of God, nor giveth due obedience unto him, shall never see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. But the very same Gospel that was preached unto Sem, ●…aphet, and their posterity, was also preached unto Cham and his posterity. Now if you will know again what this preaching was: it was no more but even this: Blessed be the Lord God of Sem. And ten ages after that, Gen. 9 26. an other, In thy seed O Abraham shall all the nations of Gen. 12. 3●…. the earth be blessed. Now out of all doubt two marvelous short Sermons as possible can be heard, and yet so full of virtue and grace, that whosoever wrong out the juice thereof, and applied it to his sores, found everlasting life thereby: but he that trod them under foot, a biting Serpent, whose sting was unto eternal death and destruction. The judgements of God upon the Israelits, in the time of their being in the wilderness, and also upon their successors, unto the time of Samuel and Saul. THus you see then the loving kindness of the Lord towards the Israelites, the seed of Abraham, the seed of Sem, in that he delivered jerem. 11. 4. Exodus. 20. 2. them from the Iron furnace, the land of Egypt, the house of bondage, according to his promise made unto Abram: which was, That they should Gen. 15. 13. 14 16. be strangers in a land that was not there is, where they should be afflicted and evil entreated for the space of four hundredth years: But in the end he would judge that nation, and bring them again to the land of Canaan in the * These 4. were Rohath, Amran, Aaron, & Eliazar, for Rohath was one of y●. 70. that went down unto Egypt, as you may see in Genesis. 46. and Elyazar is one that parted the land of Canaan, as you may see in joshua. 14. 1. fourth generation: even so it came to pass. For all the host of Israel came out of the land of Egypt by the blood of a Lamb, figuring the seed that was promised to Abraham, even the self same day four hundredth and thirty years before, by whose blood they were delivered from that spiritual Pharaoh the Devil. Yet notwithstanding all this, this grudging Israel the sons of jacob, the seed of Abraham, who had seen the marvelous works of God in the land of Exod. 12. Gen. 12. 3. Gala. 3. 16. 17. Psal. 78. 12. 43. Exod. 19 4. Exod. 13. 21. & Nehe. 9 12. Exod. 19 18. & Nehe. 9 13. to 16. Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: and how he had brought them thence, as upon the wings of an Eagle: and how he went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light: and how he came down upon mount Sina, and spoke unto them from heaven, and gave unto them right judgements, and true laws, ordinances, and good commandments, and declared unto them his holy Sabothes, Exo. 16. 15. & Nehe. 9 15. Exod. 17. 6. & Nehe. 9 15. and commanded them precepts, ordinances, and laws by the hand of Moses his servant: and how he gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst: and how he rained flesh Exod. 16. 13. 15. & Psal. 78. 27. upon them as dust, and feathered foul as the sand of the Sea: and how he suffered them to lack nothing, for their clothes Deut. 8. 4. and Nehe. 9 21. Deut. 8. 3. waxed not old, and their feet swollen not: And all this he did to teach them, that man liveth not by bread only, but by Psal. 78. 11. Psal. 78. 4. and Exo. 14. 11. 12 & 15. 23. 24. & 16. 2. 7. 8. &. 17 2. 6. & 32. 1. & Num. 11. 4. 5. 6 & 14. 2. & 16. 13. 14. 41. and 21. 5. every word that proceedeth from him. Yet notwithstanding I say, all these his great benefits bestowed upon them, full soon did they forget his noble acts, and the wonderful works that he had showed them, and still they rebelled against him: yea, full often did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the Desert: they made a Calf in Horeb, and woorshyped the molten Image: and thus they turned their glory into the similitude of a Calf that eateth Exod. 32. 4. & Psal. 106. 10. 20 hay. Wherefore his wrath was so greatly kindled against Psalm. 106. 18. Deutr. 1. 32. & Num. 13. 32. 33 and. 14. 11. them, that the fire burned up the wicked: yea, they provoked him so grievously in misbelieving still his word, that he swore in his wrath, that only two of six Num. 14. 28. to 36. & Psal. 95. 8. to the end. hundredth thousand should enter into his rest, which by the time that forty years was expired in the Wilderness, their children whom they had said should be a pray for the Numb. 14. 3. enemy, they I say, saw the performance of this oath: For they saw this wicked company consumed, and their carcases Numb. 14. 35. & Io●…hua. 5. 6. overthrown in the Wilderness. So that not one of the Numb. 26. 65. six hundredth thousand was left, save Caleb the son of jephunneh and joshua the son of Nun. Here then might you pause a little, and consider with yourself of the ingratitude of man, and how that if the Lord should deal with us according to our deserts, we should be sure to find, that we should deserve no better than here you see: because as the Apostle saith, these men are even as very stamps of our own natures. But because I would not have you to tarry in this Book, I will proceed to the rest, that when you have heard all, you may consider the dryness of your own soul, and so get you with all speed to the fountain itself, wherein you may drink, if you will, even your fill of those waters of life, the which sprang out of the Rock that here followed 1. Cor. 10. 4. them: and also learn to avoid that unwholesome pit of mistrust, the which became unto them their only poison. joshua. 3. &. 4. Chap. & Act. 7. 45. Again then, when as now it had pleased the Lord to bring in the younger sort (as all under twenty by joshua or jesus) even into the borders of his Sanctuary, and to the holy Psal. 78. 54. 35 Mountain, which his right hand had purchased (that so he Gene. 12. 7. & 13. 14. 15. 16. & 26. 4. &. 28. 13. 14. might perform his promise made unto their fathers) and had cast out the Heathen before them, and given them their possessions: and likewise had filled them with all good Psal. 105. 44. Nehem. 9 25. Deutr. 9 4. to the end. things in great abundance, although not of their own deserts Iwis, but through his great goodness: Yet notwithstanding they also became disobedient, and rebelled against Nehe. 9 26. & judg. 2. 10. to 15. the Lord, and cast his heavenly Laws behind their backs: yea they tempted and provoked him, and kept not his testimonies, Psal. 78 56. 57 but turned back, and dealt falsely like unto their fathers: yea they turned even like unto a deceitful Bow: So that he gave them unto the hands of most cruel oppessours, judg. 2. 14. judg. 3. 8. 14. &. 4. 2. & 6. 1. & 10. 7. 8. &. 13. 1. that greatly vexed them, as unto the Aramites, Moabites, Canaanites, Midianites, Ammonites, and the Philistimes. Yea they provoked him to anger in such sort with their high places, and moved him to wrath with their graven P●…alm. 78. 58. Images, that in the end he greatly abhorred Israel, even so far, as that in the days of Ely he forsook the habitation 1. Sam. 4. 18. to the end. P●…alm. 78. 60. 61. 62. of Shilo, even the Tabernacle where he dwelled amongst them: and so he delivered his power (the Ark so called) into captivity, and his beauty into the enemies hands: Yea he gave up his people to the sword, and was marvelous angry with his own inheritance. For six times now since they came into the Land, had the Lord suffered them to be most cruelly oppressed by the a forenamed: So that here we may say again: O behold both the loving kindness, and the severity of the Lord. His loving kindness towards Israel, while they took good heed unto the covenant that he the Lord their God made with them: and his severity when so ever they began to tempt Christ, in not obeying his voice, according 1. Cor. 10. 9 Exod. 23. 20. 21. as the Lord had told them. Now if you will know in what sort Christ was preached unto them, that they were thus destroyed for not obeying his voice: The answer is, even in as plentiful sort as the Apostles, and the rest of the jews in our saviours time had, for so saith the Apostle in these words: As the Gospel was preached unto us, even so Hebre. 4. 2. was it also unto them. Now in this place he hath only relation unto the Hebrews, in the time of their being in the Wilderness: but in the same sort that he was preached unto them, who left their carcases there, was he also preached unto the younger sort that went into the Land: and in like manner to their successors for the first seven jubilees, or three hundredth and thirty years: the which I have here joined together as one speech. So that it will not be amiss, if we consider here in what sort Christ was preached unto these Hebrews or Israelites of both these times. first than they were to consider with themselves while they were in Egypt, Eze●…. 20. ●…. Gen 1. 2. 3 chap and there served Idols, that they were not bond slaves for a time only in body unto Pharaoh, but they were also to look back unto their first father Adam his story: that so they might see how they were bond slaves both in body and soul unto the spiritual Pharaoh the devil. Now if you ask how th●…y might know this, seeing those Books of Moses which should show it were not written, till they came into the Wilderness: The answer is: they might, and also did § As you may cast in Gen. 11. 10. to. 27. but when you come at the. 26. verse, where it is said, Terahat. 70. Y. begat Abram. you must cast Terah to be. 130 for so he was, as you may proveby these places. know it very will: for you shall understand, that Adam he liveth * As you may cast yourself in Gen. 5. two hundredth forty three years with Methusalah to teach him: Methusalah he liveth one hundredth wanting but two years with Sem to teach him: Sem he liveth unto the ‡ As you may cast yourself in Gen. 5. 25. 26. 27. 32. & 6. 6. & 11. 10. 11. hundredth and fifty year of Abraham's life to teach him: Abraham he liveth to teach his own son Isaak, and also jacob his graundchylde: jacob he liveth in Egypt seventeen years, and there dieth: and as he foretold his sons at his death of their redemption by Christ, & also of which of them Gen. 11. 32. and 12. 4. & Acts 7. 4. Christ should come: even so you may be sure he would, and also had taught them of the creation, and the story of their first † Abram was an. 100 y. old when Isaak was borne Gen. 21. 5 and liveth. 75. y. after. Gen. 25. 7 And Isaak at. 60 y. begat jacob Gen. 25. 26. so that Abram might teach jacob. 15. years. father Adam, and what intolerable bondage both of body and soul by his means they were brought unto: that so they might receive such comfort, as they ought, of their redemption by Christ. And to put you out of all doubt that they were thus taught before the law, you have job & those that dispute with him for an example: for those matters fell out before Moses wrote the law, and the story of the creation, and yet you see how plentiful they are in the handling of the creation, & likewise of the corruption which they had by Adam's fall: and ¶ For the time that jacob lived in Egypt you may read Gen 47. 28. also how job for his part saw Christ in most clear sort. For notwithstanding all the assaults of Satan, yet was he fully assured that his redeemer lived, and that he should see him with his own eyes, though worms destroyed that tabernacle Gen. 49. 8. to 13. which he then carried about him: so that by these men you may see how careful Abraham was (according as the Lord job. 4. 17. to the end, & 9 20. & 31. 33. &. 19 23. to. 28. Gnn. 18. 19 giveth commendation of him) to teach his sons the knowledge of the Lord. For of him by Keturah (as most like it is) cometh job: and as he was careful to teach his sons he had by her, both of their captivity by Adam, and redemption by Christ: so you may be sure he was as careful to teach his other sons by Sarah, which are those of whom we now speak. So then these Israelites being thus taught aswell of the captivity by Adam, as of the redemption by Christ, as of nec●…ssitie so it must be, they were I say to consider with themselves, that they were not only in bondage of body for a time unto Pharaoh: but also in most intolerable bondage of body and soul unto that spiritual Pharaoh the devil: & that not for four hundredth years, but eternally, unless they had some one to redeem them thence. So that having well considered with themselves of this double bondage and captivity, they were also as well to consider and know being come out of Egypt, that as they were delivered from that outward bondage and destroyer by the blood of a silly poor lamb, even so should Exod. 12. john. 1. 2●…. Heb. 2. 14. 15. & 9 13. 14. 15 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19 20. & reve. 1. 5 &. 5. 8 to the end. &. 1. Cor. 5. 7. they be delivered from that spiritual bondage, and destroying destroyer the devil, by the blood of jesus Christ, as of that immaculate lamb of God, which was slain from the beginning of the world: that is to say, from the very day of their father adam's his creation to recover then his fall. Now if you ask how they might know that this lamb did signify Christ: the answer is, very well: for many of them did know it, & all the rest might, and aught to have known as well: for if they had but thought upon one sermon made to their father Abraham, Gen. 12. 3. and Exod. 12. 40. 41. & Gal. 3. 16. 17. even the very self and same day four hundredth & thirty y●…eres before, they might have found therein a seed promised, in whom all the nations of the earth (if they would put their trust in him) should be blessed. And to make the matter more plain, that this lamb did signify Christ that seed then promised, saith Moses unto them: It is a day to be kept holy to Exod. 〈◊〉. 41. 42. the Lord, because he brought them out of the land of Egypt: This is that day of the Lord, saith he, Which all the children of Israel mu●…t keep throughout all their generations: And why▪ Even to put them still in remembrance not only of their outward, but also of their spiritual redemption: and for this Exod, 13. 1. to 17. cause were the fathers bound to teach their children the use hereof. For unless they saw the spiri●…uall meaning herein, as well as the outward, it profited nothing: because the vail that covered Moses face that they could not behold the brightness thereof, remained also over their hearts, and so they went to eternal destruction. But that Moses taught this matter plainly, that Christ that Lamb of God should suffer, it is manifest: for so saith the Apostle. Now it Act. 26. 22. 23 must needs be that herein it is to be considered, for you see he appointeth this day to be observed throughout their generations: and he also telleth them, that when they shall neglect their Sabaothes, and fall from the Lord, he will carry them into their enemy's Land, and they shall be there until their own Land have enjoyed her Sabaothes. But if there they be humbled, and turn unto the Lord their God, then will he remember his covenant of old made unto their father Abram: which is even this, by the which he brought them from the land of Egypt. So that if you cons●…r the ninth of Daniel with the twenty six of Leviticus, you shall see how Moses saw Christ plainly to be that Lamb of God that should be killed: that so he might confirm this covenant for Gen. 12. 3. & 17. 1. to the end. &. 26. 4. &. 28. 13. 14. the Many of all nations that would trust herein: even this covenant of old made unto Abraham, to Isaak, and to jacob, and there doth the Angel Gabriel tell Daniel, even the * From the time that the commandement came forth to return the jews from Babel, unto the hour of Christ his death is. 70. sevens, or four hundredth & ninety years. Danie. 9 21. to the end. U●…tyll whi●…he hour the jews could have no power to kill Christ, as y●…u may see in Luke 22. 53. 54. & john. 8. 20. & 11. 23. very year, week, day, and hour, of the day when Christ the King the most holy that Lamb of God should be killed: which was the end and sum of all Moses sactifices and ceremonies: and therefore they should cease, according as the Angel saith, when Christ should perform this: the which fell out according to God's decree upon the very same day that the Lamb we now speak of was killed. And likewise that the promise was made to Abram: and also that the commandment came forth for the jews to return from Babel: and therefore no marvel, though Moses tell them it is a wonderful day, yea such a day, as is to be obscru●…d throughout their generations. So that if they should have had no more teaching but only this, to ha●…e led them unto Christ, they might have seen him most clecrely herein, and had been enough to have made them void of all excuse. But many and manifold ways besides this, was Christ preached unto them, as in all other their bloody sacrifices: For Levit. 16. and Numb. 19 and Hebre. 9 they might well know, that notwithstanding the blood of bulls, and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer being sprinkled, sanctified, as touching the purifiing of the flesh: yet was it not able, be it never so often ●…princkled, to purge and make clean their consciences: and therefore they were driven to look for one to come, who through his eternal spirit would offer himself without spot to God: that so he might purge their consciences from dead works, to serve the living lord P●…al. 40. 6. to 11. & Heb. 10. 5. to. 11. Again, they might well know it was neither burnt offering, nor sin offering, that the Lord required or delighted in: For what great pleasure could it be unto the Lord to have the body of a poor beast wholly burnt: and therefore they were driven to look for one to come, who would fully do the will of God, and in whose heart his whole law should fully rest: and who by offering his own body once for all, should run through all the fire of afflictions and torments due unto man. Levit. 16. 5. 7. 8 9 10. 20. 21. 22 and Esai. 53. 4. 5. 6. 10. 11. 12. & Heb. 9 1. to the end. Again, he was preached unto them by the scape Goat, for they might well know it was not the back of a poor goat that could so carry away their sins, as never to be burdensome again upon their own backs: and therefore they were driven to look for one to come, who should be able, being cast down with the burden thereof, to raise himself up again, and to carry them so clean away upon his back, as that their Exod. 13. 21. john. 1. 8. 9 & Exod. 23. 20. to 24. own backs should never be troubled again with the weight thereof. Furthermore, he was preached unto them by the cloud and pillar of fire in the wilderness: for they might well know that he was that pillar that gave them the true light, & also that cloud that led them the right way. Again, Exod. 17. 6. & Num. 20. 8. to 12. & Exo. 16. 15. & 1. Cori. 10. 3. 4. and john. 6. 31. to the end, and ●…ohn. 4. 13. 14. he was preached unto them by the rock that followed them, and also by the Manna: for they might well know that he was that spiritual rock, from whom flow & gush out waters of life to all those that ask of him: and likewise they might as well know, that he was that true Manna which came down from heaven, of the which who so eateth spiritually, shall live for ever. Again, he was preached unto them by the brazen serpent, Num. 21. 6. to 10. and john. 3. 14. 15. for they might well know it was he that must so ●…e lifted up, as that he that believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Again, he was preached unto them by the high sacrificer his whole office, for they might well know Exod. 28. & 29 & Leuit. 16. & Hebr. 4. 14. to the end, & 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 & 10. chapters. that he was but a figure for the time present, because he was not suffered to endure, by reason of death: and therefore they were driven to look for one to come, which should not be made priest after the law of the carnal commandment, but after the power of the endless life: that is, one who should live for ever, after the order of Melchisedech, being made with an oath by him who will not repent. Again, seeing there came no such perfection by the gifts and sacrifices, which their high priest once a year offered, as to take away either his own sins, or the sins of the people: but that every year there must be a remembrance again: because of this imperfection, I say, they were driven to look for one to come, who should be able perfectly to save those that would come unto God by him, and who would in the end appear to take away their sins by the sacrifice of his own body once made: and so enter not into the holy places made with hands, but even into the very heaven itself, to appear in the sight of God, and there to sit for ever to make intereession for them: and by whose blood they might be bold to enter into that holy place themselves, even by that new and living way which he would prepare for them, not through the vail of silk, but even through the very vail of his own flesh. And thus was Christ preached unto them by all the sacrifices and ceremonies done according to the law: for they might well know, that they were all but as shadows of those good things which were to come. Again, he was preached unto them in most plain speeches, even in the first saying delivered on the mountain: for whereas the Lord saith unto them, I am jehovah thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: it must needs be in respect Exo. 20. ●…. of Christ, that he calleth himself their God: for otherwise Hebr. 12. 29. he is unto men even A consuming fire. Again, and so to conclude this speech, Christ was preached unto them in most comfortable, and also most terrible sort, as by the effect they found it. Behold, saith the Lord, I send an angel before thee, Exod. 23. 20. to the end. to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him (saith the Lord) and hear his voice, for I tell thee, he will not spare your misdeeds, because my name is in him. But if thou hearken unto his voice, and do all that I speak, than I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee: for mine angel shall go before thee, and bring thee into the land of the Ammorites, the Hethites, the Peresites, the Canaanites, the Hevites, and the jebuzites, and I will destroy them: but if ye turn from me, and serve their Gods, surely it shall be your destruction. Now here you see again in what plain words Christ was preached unto them, for they might well know that this Angel must needs be Christ the son of God: and so the 1. Corin. 10. 9 Apostle expoundeth it, even of this Angel of the covenant which Malachi also speaketh of. For who is the brightness Mala. 3. 1. of the glory, or them engraven form, or the very character of Hebr. 1. 3. the person of the father, but only Christ? In whom, as the Colo. 2. 9 Apostle saith, dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead even corporally. Who although he had not as yet taken the nature of man, yet he appeareth to joshua in the form of a man, to joshua. 5. 13. to the end. show that in time he so would be: and therefore doth joshua do worship unto him, as acknowledging him to be his only God & saviour Christ. So that by this they might well know, it was not jesus the captain son of Nun, that conquered the land for them: but jesus the son of God, even that noble captain of the Lords host, who not only settled them in the rest of that earthly Canaan, but also in the heavenly. So that if the six hundredth thousand in the wilderness, and all the other, for the space of three hundredth and fifty years in the land, had but considered well of these few sermons of Christ (which I have here laid down amongst many more) their carcases had escaped the wrath of God, and they had entered into the rest of Canaan, which through Hebr. 3. 19 unbelief they did not: and also the other in the land had remained as Lords over their enemies, where as now they Psalm. 106. 41. became Lords over them: and therefore in any wise see that you always remember the loving kindness and the severity of the Lord, and the chief cause of both. The judgements of God upon the house of Israel and juda for the time of seventy sevens of years, that is, from the time of Samuel and Saul, to the captivity of Babylon. THe Lord now being full of compassion, and not willing to hide the light of his countenance over long from his people, causeth such horrible plagues to befall 1. Sam. 5. &. 6. chapters. the Philistians while the Ark was amongst them, which was seven months, as that full glad are they to be rid thereof: For as there can be no agreement betwixt God and belial, no more 2. Corin. 6. 15. 16. could there be betwixt the Ark of God's presence and Dagon the God of the Philistians. So that home again do they send it by a couple of milk kine, who have more wit to show the cause of all those plagues that befell them, than all the priests of Dagon had: by these two kine then to Bethshemesh the Ark of God is brought. Where you have a most notable example of foolish zeal running before wit, punished: for there doth the Lord kill even of his own people fifty 1. Sam. 6. 19 thousand threescore and ten men, because they had looked into the Ark, which was not lawful for them to do. So that even Numb. 4. 15. 20. at this first entrance of God's presence again amongst them, they had a good warning (a man would think) to take better heed unto the book of God then before they had done: that so they might hear his voice, and in hearing learn thereby to do that which he commandeth, and no more: yet nevertheless they rebelled still against the Lord, even as they had done ever since he brought them from the land of Egypt. For notwithstanding all the great things the Lord had done for them, as still to raise up deliverers to deliver them from the cruelty of their oppressors, which through their own idolatry befell them: Notwithstanding all this I say, and many other his great benefits bestowed upon them, they continued still in that great sin of infidelity and mistrust of the Lord his goodness. Although he had often told them that so long as they did worship him according to his holy will laid down in his word, he would defend them from all their enemies round about: yet no sooner cometh Nahash the king of the children 1. Sam. 12. 12. of Ammon against them, but they cry out upon Samuel, that they might have a king forsooth, yea a king to reign over them, as all other nations had, when as yet the Lord jehovah of hosts was their king. So that their wickedness, as the holy ghost recordeth, was marvelous great herein, for they 1. Sam. 12. 17. cast not away only Samuel & such other judges or deliverers, 1. Sam. 8. 7. but also the Lord himself, that he should not reign over them: wherefore his wrath for this was so kindled against them, that he gave them a king indeed, even according to their 1. Sam. 8. 7. to the end. Hose. 13. 11. desire: but out of all doubt in his very great anger, and therefore took him away in his sore displeasure: and so establisheth his covenant with David, unto whom the crown and kingdom did belong, as being a figure of Christ their king even that true David, who should reign over them for evermore. Yet notwithstanding all this, and although rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and transgression is wickedness and idolatry, in the days of Rehoboam ten of the tribes despise this 1. King. 12. son of jeshai of the tribe of juda, from whence their glory Gen. 49. 8. to 13. was to arise: and so became children of fornication in following Hose. 1. 2. 1. King. 12. 25. to the end. the ways of jeroboam the son of Nebat, who erected two calves, and set the one in Dan, and the other in Bethel, and made the people to confess that those were their Gods that brought them out of the land of Egypt. And thus Ephraim under whom is named the ten tribes, joined themselves unto Hose. 4. 17. Idols, and so became children of fornication, even worse than an harlot, committing whoredom with all the chosen men of Ezek. 23. Ashur, and with all on whom they doted: neither left they their fornications learned of the Egyptians: for in their youth they lay with them, and they bruised the breasts of their virginity. Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was so greatly stirred up against them, that he gave them into the hands of the kings of Ashur, as unto Pull-ashur, Tiglath Pilesser and 2. King. 15. 19 29. & 17. 3. 6. Salmanesar, even into the hands I say, of the kings of Ashur, upon whom they doted: and they discovered their shame, and Ezek. 23. 9 10. took away their sons and daughters, and slew them with the sword: and why? because they would not obey the voice of 2. King. 18. 12. the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant: that is all that Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded them, and would neither obey them nor do them. And therefore Ephraim became unto the Lord as an abominable branch, and Hosea. 5. 12. & 13. 7. he unto them as a moth, and as a very Lion: yea they became Hose. 1. 9 unto him Loammy, that is, not his people, & therefore would not he be their God. For when he saw that this rebellious Israel, jerem. 3. 8. Ezek. 23. 4 5. even Aholah which is Samaria, had played the harlot when she was his, he cast her away, and gave her a bill of divorcement. And yet for all this was not her rebellious sister jere. 3. 8. judah afraid, but she went and played the harlot likewise, even jerusalem, which is a holy bath, the other two tribes, Ezek. 23. 4. juda and Beniamen, even they his pleasant plant defiled Esai. 5. 7. Ezek. 23. 11. themselves with inordinate love more than the other, and with their fornications more than the other with their fornications: for according to the number of their Cities were their Gods, jere. 11. 13. and according to the number of the streets of jerusalem did they set up altars of confusion, even altars to burn incense unto Baal: and also committed their abominations in the jere. 32. 34. & 2. Cron. 33. 3. 4. 5. house of the Lord, whereupon his name was called, to defile it. Being altogether disobedient to receive doctrine, though he taught them rising up yearly and instructed them continually, jere. 32. 33. yet would they not hear, neither would they remember jere. 7. 13. and 25. 3. 8. jere. 7. 12. 14. what he had done unto Shilo: but still provoked him unto the like anger with the works of their hands: for they jere. 32. 30. became such rebellious traitors, that the lords ministers jere. 6. 10. 28. the prophets knew not unto whom they should speak and admonish, because the word of the Lord was unto them, as a reproach, and they had no delight at all therein: neither would they take any heed thereto, nor to his laws: but cast them off, and rather inclined to the statutes of Omry, and kept all Micha. 6. 16. the manner of the house of Ahab. And therefore because they cast off the law of the Lord of hosts, and contemned the word Esai. 5. 24. 25. and jere. 6. 19 of the holy one of Israel, his wrath was so kindled against them, that as a flame of fire devoureth the stubble, and as the chaff is consumed of the flame, even so became their root as a rottenness, so that their land shook them clean off: for 1. King 24. 1. in the days of jehoiakim, jehoakin, & Zedekias, the wrath 10. &. 25. 1. of the Lord was so kindled, that he stirred up the spirit of the Haba. 1. 6. Chaldeans that bitter and furious nation against them, and gave them into the hands of Nebuchadnezar king of Babel, jere. 25. 9 Dan. 1. 2. & Gen. 11. who carried them into the land of Shinar, even to the place where the Hebrew tongue at the first was confounded by the foolish building of the seventy families, & so likewise at this time almost utterly lost: and the Lord caused them to remain Ezek. 37. 2. Cron. 36. 20▪ 21. & Levi. 26 33. 34. 35. and that whole chapter. there as dead bones for the space of seventy years, until their own land had paid her sabbaths, according as the Lord long before by Moses had told them. For saith he, If ye will not obey me; but walk stubbornly against me, and despise mine ordinances, and abhor my laws: then will I walk stubbornly against you, and I will scatter you amongst the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you, and your land shallbe waste, & your cities desolate: then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths as long as it lieth void, and ye shall be in your enemies land: that so your land may rest & enjoy her sabbaths, even all the days that it lieth void it shall rest▪ because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelled upon it: and even so it came to pass: for having neglected their sabbaths of every seventh year, they were carried unto their enemy's land, until their own land had her fill of her sabbaths: for all the days that she lay desolate, she kept sabbath to fulfil seventy years, according, as the prophet jeremy did likewise tell them: who for 2. Cro. 36. 21. &. jere. 25. 11. 12. the space of forty years laboured amongst them before he could make them believe that so it should be: but yet in the end they found it most true: for the Lord of hosts bend his bow Lament. 2. 4. as an utter enemy against them, and his right hand was Lamen. 2. 4. stretched out as an open adversary: so that he powered out his fierce wrath like fire, and consumed all his palaces, and destroyed Lamen. 1. 5. his strong holds, and made her adversaries the chief, and her enemies to prosper against her, even against jerusalem the perfection of beauty, did he cause the Chaldeans to prosper, who broke down the walls thereof, and burned the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all the great houses in jerusalem burned they with fire: and the holy vessels, and read. 2. King. 25. &. 2. Cron. 36. &. jere. 39 &. 52. &. Lam. all the instruments of the house of the Lord by these profane were carried to Babel. So that notwithstanding the kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world would not have believed (as the prophet saith) that ever the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of jerusalem: yet now did they enter even into the very sanctuary, and made a noise in the house of the Lord, as in the day of solemnity, and stretched out their hands upon all her pleasant things: and thus was this famous city made solitary, that was full of people: yea she that was great amongst the nations became now as a widow, and she that was as a princes amongst the provinces, was now made tributary, and the Lord caused her feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten: yea he utterly forsook his altar, and abhorred his sanctuary: so that the ways of Zion, as it were lamented, because no man came to her solemn feasts, but in stead thereof the enemies that passed by, clapped their hands at her, hissing and wagging their heads at the daughter of jerusalem: saying, Is this the city that men call the perfection of beauty, and the joy of the Lament. 2. 15 whole earth? yea all her enemies opened their mouths against her in the day of her destruction: saying, Let us devour her, for certainly this is the day that we looked for, we have Psal. 137. 7. & Amos. 1. 11. & Obad. 10. to. 15 Zechar. 1. 15. Ezek. 25. 6. 8. 12. 15 & 26. 1 & 28. 21. to 25 & 29. 2. 6. 7. & 35. 5. 15. &. 36. 2. ●…. found it, & seen it: therefore down with her say the sons of Edom, and raze her walls, yea race the●… even to the very foundation thereof. And thus most despitefully did all her enemies help forward her affliction, and rejoice over her in this her visitation: and those that were the tail, are now become the head, and advance themselves as Lords over them: but from the daughter of Zion is all beauty departed, and her princes are now become as hearts that find no pasture, yea all the noble princes of Zion, which were comparable to fine gold are now esteemed but as earthen pitchers: and all those that were brought up in scarlet are now driven to embrace the dung, and those that fed most delicately, perish now in the streets: yea the tongue of the suckling child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst, and the young children ask bread, but no man breaketh it unto them: but rather the hands of the pitiful women are upon their own children to seethe ●…em to be their meat, even upon the fruit of their own bo●… children of a span long. So that here we may say again, 〈◊〉 behold both the loving kindness and the severity of the Lord: his loving kindness towards the house of Israel and juda, so long as they delighted to hear his voice, and were willing to obey his commandements: and his severity, so soon as they rejected the same: according as by all his prophets Dan. 9 11. 13. 14. & Levi. 26 & Deut. 27. he had told them, even so came the curse upon them, as it is written in the law of Moses. The judgements of God upon the jews, after their return from Babel unto our saviour Christ his birth, and also of their utter rejection within seventy years after, for not receiving him. THe prophet Daniel, being carried into Babylon in the third year of jehoiakim The end of jehoiakims third year, and the beginning of his fourth, maketh Nebuchadnezer his first, as you may see in Dan. 1. 1. and jere. 25. 1. and 2. King. 24. 1. king of juda, and continuing there unto the first year of Cyrus' king of Persia, and understanding also by the scriptures, the number of years whereof the Lord had spoken unto the prophet jeremy, how that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolation of jerusalem: knew very well, that in the first year of Darius of the jere. 25. 11. 12. & 27. 6. 7. seed of the Medes, as also of Cyrus' king of Persia, these * Both of the Empire of Babel, & to that desolation which 〈◊〉 wrought in his first year. Dan. 1. 2. seventy years were expired: Whereupon he turneth himself unto the Lord with fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes, making his confession, and praying: ‡ This is it. Dan. 9 4. to. 20 O Lord God which art great and fearful, and keepest covenant and mercy toward all them which love thee, and toward them which keep thy commandements: but we have sinned, and have His whole prayer will be no small ornament to my Book, and light to my Discourse. committed iniquity and have done wickedly: yea, we have rebelled, and have departed from thy precepts and from thy judgements. For we would not obey thy servants the prophets, which speak in thy name to our kings, to our princes, to our fathers, and to all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, & to us open shame, as appeareth this day unto every man of juda, and to the inhabitants of jerusalem: yea unto all Israel, both near and far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their offences that they have committed against thee: O Lord, unto us appertaineth open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Yet compassion and forgiveness is in the Lord our God, albeit we have rebelled against him. For we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he had laid before us, by the ministery of his servants the prophets. Yea all Israel have transgressed thy law, and are turned back, and have not heard thy voice: therefore the curse is powered upon us, and the oath which is Mark well that Daniel confesseth here that the cause of all these plagues that befell them, was for that they understood not the truth, the word of God. written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him, and he hath confirmed his words which he spoke against us, & against our judges that judged us, by bringing on us a great plague: for under the whole heaven hath not been the like, as hath been brought upon jerusalem. All this plague is come upon us, as it is written in the law of Moses: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth, therefore hath the Lord made ready the plague, and brought it upon us. For the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth: for we would not hear his voice. And now O Lord our God that hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as appeareth this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly: yet O Lord according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy wrath be turned away from thy city Jerusalem thine holy mountain, for because of our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, jerusalem and thy people are a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore O Lord our God hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that lieth waste: for the Lord's sake, O my God, incline thine care, and hear: open thine eyes and behold our desolations, and the city whereupon thy name is called: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our own righteousness; but for thy great tender mercies. O Lord hear, O Lord forgive, O Lord consider and do it, defer not for thine own sake, O my God: for thy name is called upon thy city and upon thy people. So here you see a prayer framed upon a sound ground, Levit. 26. 40. to the end, and 1. King. 8. 46. to. 54. and squared by that just rule of Moses, and according to the form of that by Solomon, with full assurance (being done according to that rule) that the Lord would show himself a righteous judge: and therefore whiles he was speaking and praying, and confessing his own sins, and the sins of his people Israel, and presenting his supplications before the Lord his God for the holy mountain of his God: even while he was thus praying (which was about the time of the evening Dani. 9 21. 22. 23. 24. oblation) came the Angel Gabriel unto him to give knowledge and understanding of their deliverance: and not only, how that at the very beginning of his supplications, the commandment came forth to return them from Babylon: but also that from that very hour, the former seventy years were to be multiplied by seven, and then should Christ the king the most holy be killed: and not for himself, but to confirm Gen. 12. 3. and 17. 7. to 〈◊〉 Esai. 56. ●…. 1●…. & Rom. 4. 〈◊〉. 12. 16. 17. 23. 2●…. the covenant of old, made for the many of all nations that would embrace the same. By the blood of which covenant, they should be freed from confusion, and redeemed not only from the bondage of the outward, but also of the spiritual Egypt and Babel: and which blood being shed for the Math. 26. 28. remission of sins, and for a reconciliation of all their iniquities, should cause all sacrifice and oblation to cease. So that Dan. 9 27. & Hebr. 10. here this well-beloved prophet, who always abode constant in the true worship of his God, notwithstanding the rage of the Dan. 1. 8. to end & 6. 1. to end. The sum of Mos●…s doctrine was to show that Christ was to su●…fer, and being risen from the dead, should geue life to the people and to the Gentiles, as you may see in Acts. 26. 22. 23. enemy, was showed the sum and effect of all Moses: and was also heard in that which he required: for the Lord ever in wrath remembering mercy, doth also at this time remember his mercy, and promise of old, made unto their fathers: and so bringeth them to the holy hill of Zion again, even to that fresh springing mountain, from whence such gracious streams of doctrine continually issued as were sufficient (if rightly used) to cool the intolerable heat of all the souls that ever were, or shallbe in the world: thither I say, were these jews the people of God again brought. And from whence? Even from a most filthy pit, & that without any such water: Zacha. 9 11. which deliverance was so great and miraculous, as that from this time forward they were not to say any more, the Lord liveth, that brought the Children of Israel out of the ●…ere. 16. 14. 15 land of Egypt: but the Lord liveth, that brought them out of the land of the North, and from all the lands where he had scattered them: yea it was so strange, and so far beyond their expectation, as that when it came to pass, they were even like unto men that dreamt, or as men amazed at so sudden Psal. 126. a decree, and their mouths were then filled with laughter, and their tongues with joy: yea they confessed that the Lord had done great and wonderful things for them. But full soon do they forget it, for notwithstanding all this his great mercy and judgements showed unto them: yet still they rebelled against him, profaning his holy Sabbaothes again, Nehe. 13. 15. to. 22. and making them days of ambergris: and also joined themselves with strange women of the land, contrary to Ez●…a. 10, 10. to end●…. the law: yea they greatly neglected the work of his holy temple and city, saying: The time is not yet come, that the lords Hagg. 1. & 2. chapters. house should be built: but they thought it was high time to build for themselves: that so they might be settled again in their sieled houses, though the lords house lay waste. Wherefore he was again so displeased with them, notwithstanding all their pretence of zeal, and show of holiness, that they were but as a polluted & an uncleave people in his sight: yea Hagg. 2. 15. all the works of their hands, and that which they offered, was unclean in the sight of the Lord: so that he caused the Hag. 1. 6. to. 12 heaven over them to stay itself from dew, and the earth stayed her fruit: for when they had sown much, they brought little in: yea, and when they came to their heaps of twenty measures, they found but ten: and to their wine presses, thinking to draw out fifty vessels, they found but twenty: and thus the Lord smote them with blasting, with Meldewe, and with Hail, in all the labours of their hands, and only to teach them to look better unto his holy word, that so they might obey his will. And yet for all this, would they not try thereby wherein they had done amiss, but think they should well Zacha. 7. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. please the Lord, if they wept and fasted, in the first and seventh month, as they had done the scutcheon years before, which was a thing that the Lord had not, neither would now approve: but telleth them, they should rather give care unto his word, which by the ministery of his Prophets he had delivered unto them. But in stead thereof they harden their hearts, and give stout words against the Lord, saying: It Mala. 3. 13. 14. 15. is in vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his commandements, and walked humbly before him? Do we not see that the proud are blessed, and that even they that work wickedness, are set up over us, and how they that tempt God are delivered? As if they should have said, Do we not see that the Babylonians reigned over us for seventy years, and then we were delivered? But what are we the better for that? for all the time since, the Medes and Persians reign and rule over us. And likewise we are cursed in all the labours of our hands. But whereas they should have looked into the book of God, to see the cause of all this, they are as men blind: Yea, and although the Lord give them a special commandment, even in the last elause of the old Mala. 4. 4. Testament, to remember the law of Moses, which should lead them as it were by the hand unto Christ, even to that Angel of the covenant whom they desired to behold: yet Mala. 1. 1. most rebelliously do they reject the same, and so grow worse According to D●…n. 2. 31. to 46. & 7. 1. to the end, & 8. 1 to the end, & 11. 1. to the end, & 12. and worse, even till at length they become Pharisees, Sadduces, and such like beasts: wherefore the Lord suffereth most vile beasts, like unto themselves to reign still over them, even until the coming of his son our Saviour into the world. And than who so blind (as the Prophet speaketh) as they? for whereas he that word, which in the beginning Esa●…. 42. 19 20 21. commanded all things to have a being, was now Gen. 1. & john 1. become Flesh, and dwelled amongst them, whose glory they might have beheld, as the glory of the only begotten Son john. 1. 11. Luke. 1. 78. of the father, full of grace and truth: yet would they not receive him, no although he were the day spring which was john. 1. 9 now come from on high to visit them, and the true light john. 3. 19 which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world: jere. 30. 9 10. & Ezek. 37. 22 24. 25. & jere. 23. 5. 6. & Psal. 132. 11. to the end, & Luk. 1 68 to the end. & Hose. 13. 14 & john. 1. 49. Hebre. 5. 16. 26 Hebr. 9 9 10. 11. 12. 24. yet loved they darkness more than light, and to walk in the shadow of death, rather than in the way of life: yea and although he were that true King of Israel, by whom they should have had deliverance, not only from their mortal enemies, but also from their spiritual, even hell and death: and also that high Sacrificer, whose priesthood was not made after the law of the carnal commandment, but after the power of the endless life, even that most holy and just one: which was separate from sinners, and was now come to enter Math. 27. 28. to. 32. Mark. 6. 3. according to Isai. 53. for them, not into the holy places made with hands, but into the true Sanctuary, even the very Heaven itself, and there to appear in the sight of God, to make intercession for Math. 2. 7. & 23. 33. them: yet would they not acknowledge him so to be, but Math. 27. & Mark. 15. & Luk. 23. & john. 18. & 19 & Acts 3. 13. 14. 15. & Mar. 10. 33. 34. & Luk. 23. & Act. 4. 25. to. 30. despised him, and most shamefully rejected him, counting him most base and vile, and had no desire at all unto him, but drew away their shoulders, and became stiffnecked, and of uncircumcised hearts and ears: yea a generation of very Uypers, still stopping their ears like deaf Adders, and hardening their hearts against him, until at length they utterly denied him to be their king, in the presence of pilate the Roman Luk. 23. 4. 13. 14. 15. & john 19 14. 15. 21. governor, saying, We have no king but Caesar. And so join with the Romans to crucify the king of Glory, even the Lord of life, whom pilate, as bad as he was, could not choose but confess him to be their king, and also to pronounce him guiltless, and to say he could find no cause at all of death in him: yea and although the devils themselves, could not choose but confess him to be that holy one of God, yet desired Mark. 1. 24. & 3. 11. & 5. 2. to 18. & Luke. 4. 34. they rather to have Barrabas a murderer given them, than the Lord of life: saying. Let him be crucified, let him be crucified, and let his blood be upon us, and upon our children for ever. Luke. 23. 21. Math. 23. 13. to the end. 1. Thess. 2. 16. And so according to their own wish it befell them: for most woeful curses hath the Lord pronounced against them, and his wrath (as the Apostle saith) is come on them, even to the very uttermost, and hath scattered them as vagabonds detested Math. 24. 34. over the whole earth: for before that generation passed, they fell on the sword of the Romans', who as with a flood wrought a final consummation of them, their city, and sanctuary, even to utter desolation, according as our Saviour standing on mount Olivet had told them, and referred them Math. 24. 15. & Dan. 9 27. to Daniel the ninth: saying, When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Luke. 21. 20. holy place: Let them that read it, consider of it: that is, when you see jerusalem besieged by the abominable camp of the Roman infidels, then know that your destruction is near: which before that age passed came to pass, even those days of vengeance, of wrath, and of great distress to that land and people. So that here we may say, especially with the Apostle, Rom. 11. 22. O behold both the loving kindness and the severity of the Lord: his loving kindness towards the sons of Abraham, so long as they continued in the faith of Abraham: his severe severity so soon as they became bastards, revolting from the faith of Abraham: for as our saviour cold them, if they john. 8. 39 had been the sons of Abraham, they ●…ould have done the works of Abraham, that is, they would have believed in him, Gene. 12. 3. & 15. 6. as Abraham did: but saith he, you go about to kill me, and john. 8. 40. 56. so did not Abraham: but contrariwise he saw my days, and Math. 13. 17. & Luk. 10. 24. greatly rejoiced: yea and many others desired greatly to have seen these days that you see, and would also have rejoiced: but you seeing will not see, and hearing so many testimonies given of me, ye●… will you not understand that the sayings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Now if you ask me in what sort the prophets before time had testified of Christ, whereby they might have known him to be that Messiah that should come into the world: the answer is very plentiful, and very plain, and many of them did know that then was the time that the kingdom of God Mark. 15. 43. & Luk. 23. 51. & Luk. 2. 25. 38. was to appear, and all the sort of them might have known as well, if they had considered well of the ninth of Daniel: for there doth the angel Gabriel tell Daniel when Christ the Dan. 9 21. to end. king should be killed, even to the very hour of the day wherein he died. Likewise they had Moses and all the prophets Math. 11. 13. 14. 0 20. and Acts. 3. 24. Hebr. 1. 1. even unto john, to lead them as it were by the hand unto Christ, and that at sundry times, and in divers manners: so that it will not be amiss to run briefly them over, to show you in what sort as I near as I can, he was described unto them. First then, where as Adam by his disobedience brought not Gen. 2. 16. 17. & 3. 1. to end. only death upon himself, but also upon all his posterity, and withal lost that dominion and Lordship he had over the creatures of God, even the very day of his creation, the very and Rom. 5. 12 to end. same day was Christ proclaimed heir of the world, and a full conqueror of Satan, in these words: I will put enmity Gen. 3. 15. & Revel. 12. 7. to 11. & john. 16 33. & Rom. 16 20. & Colo. 2. 15 (saith the Lord unto Satan) between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: thy seed shall bruise the heel of the seed of the woman: but her seed, even he that special seed, meaning Christ, shall break thy head: the which came so to pass, when as the fullness of time was come: that is, when as our saviour took the nature of man upon him, Hebr. 2. 14. 15. & 12. 31. and so through death destroyed him who had the power thereof, Gen. 9 26. and Rom. 9 5. that is to say, the devil this old serpent. The which seed of the woman was also said by Noah, to be the blessed God of Gen. 12. 3. and 26. 4. & 28. 14. & Acts. 3. 25. & Luk. 19 9 Sem, whom also Sem resembled. He was also said by the Lord himself, to be that special one seed of Abraham, Isaake and jacob, in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed. Likewise he was spoken of by jacob to be that special Gen. 49. 10. & reve. 5. 5. and Ma●…h 5. 1. and john. 6. 5. 10. child Shillo, the Lion of the tribe of juda, who if he did but lie down and couch, none durst stir him up, and that unto him job. 19 25. 26. 27. &. 1. Cor. 15. 12. to end. Exod. 23. 20. & Heb. 8. 6. & 13. 20. the people should be gathered: the which Lion of the tribe of juda, that holy man job saw to be his redeemer, and was most assured to see him one day with his own eyes, and none other for him, although worms should destroy that body. He Num. 24. 17. & Math. 2. 2. was also said by the Lord himself, to be that angel of the covenant that kept their fathers in the way, and brought them Deu. 18. 15. 18 19 & Acts. 3. 22. 23. & john 12. 47. 48. and Math. 17. 5. 2. 2. Sa. 7. 13. 14. & Luk. 1. 32. 33. & Heb. 1. 5. into the land of Canaan, as also that star of jacob, whom Balam, prophet false though he were, saw to strike the costs of Moab, and to subdue all the sons of Seth. He was also said by Moses to be that great prophet, whom the Lord would raise like unto him, unto whom all the world should hearken: as also by the Lord himself, that he should build an house unto Psalm. 2. 7. & Heb. 1. 5. Acts 13. 32. 33. his name, and that he would establish the throne of his kingdom for ever, and that he would say unto him, I will be thy Psal. 40. 6. 7. 8. to 12. & Hebr. 10. 5. to 10. father, and thou shalt be my son. Likewise it was said of Christ by the prophet David, that the Lord said unto him: Psal. 22. 22. & Hebr. 2. 12. and john. 17. 26. Thou art my son, this day begat I thee: & that forasmuch as the Lord delighted not in sacrifices, he should come to do the will of God: That in his heart his whole law should fully Psal. 2. & Acts 4. 25. & Revel. 2. 27. and Luk 23. 6. to 13. & Acts, 4. 25. to 29. rest: That he would not conceal the righteousness thereof, but declare it in the great congregation, even in the midst of the congregation would he declare the name of the Lord amongst his brethren, and how that notwithstanding, that, yet Psal. 22. 6. 7. 8. 12. 16. ●…8. and Math. 27. &. 9 24. and 26. 66. 67▪ 68 & Mar. 15. and Luke 22. and, 23. would the kings and princes of the earth assemble themselves together against him: That they would make him the contempt of the people, have him in derision, mock him and nod their heads at him. That they would hit him in the teeth with the trust he had in the Lord, as though his hope therein Math. 12. 14. and Mark. 11. 18. and. 14. 1. john. 19 34. & Exo. 12. 46. & Zach. 12. 10. had been frustrate: That they would like bulls of Bashan, nay like dogs compass him about, pierce his hands and feet, give him vinegar to drink, cast lots upon his garments, and part them amongst them: and yet notwithstanding all this their spite, the Prophet showeth that the Lord Luk. 23. 34. 36 and john. 19 23. 24. would laugh them to scorn, and break them to pieces like a potter's vessel. That he would set Christ as king upon the holy Psal. 2. 6. 8. 12 and 18. 43▪ and reve. 14. 1. hill of Zion, and deliver him from the contentions of the people: That he would grant him the heathen for his inheritance, Psal. 2. 8. Psa. 72. 10. 11. and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession: Math. 2. 1. 2. 10 Psal. ●… 8. 44. That he should be the head thereof, and that a people whom he had not known, should serve him, even such as were the Math. 8. 5. to 14. and. 9 18. kings of Tarshish, and of the Isles, who should bring him presents, and also such as were the kings of Sheba and Seba, who should bring him gifts: yea and that all kings upon earth should worship him, and all nations serve him: and that as soon as they should hear him, they should obey him, and be in subjection to him: and that whosoever would not * Psa. 2. 12 But not with an hypocritical kiss, as judas, Mark 14. 44. but with such a one as was Maries in Luke 7. 45. and john II. 2. kiss the son should be sure to perish: but those that would put their trust in him, should be blessed for evermore. Psal. 45. 7. Again, it was said of him by the same prophet, that he Psal. 69. 9 Math. 21. 12. 13. & Mark 11. 15. 16. 17. would so love righteousness and hate iniquity, and be so careful for the house of the Lord, that the zeal he would have thereof would even eat him up: and that the Lord would Psal. 45. 7. and john. 3. 34. therefore anoint him with the oil of gladness above his Psal. 45. 17. & 17. 18. 19 fellows: That he would cause his name to be remembered throughout all generations, even his glorious name for ever Psalm. 91. 11. 12. Math. 4. 6. and ever: And that all nations should bless him, and be blessed Psal. 118. 22. & Acts. 4. 10. 11 Psal. 16. 10. & Acts. 2. 22. to 37. & 13. 35. to 40. in him, and give thanks unto him world without end. And that notwithstanding all the r●…ge of the devil and his ministers, yet should none evil come near unto him, for the Lord would give his Angels charge over him, to keep him in all his ways, that he should not hurt his foot against a Psal. 8. & Hebr. 2. 6. to end. stone. And that notwithstanding himself should be that stone Psal. 68 18. & Ephe. 4. 8. and Acts. 1. 9 10. 11. and▪ 2. 34. 35. 36. which the builders would refuse, yet should he be made the head of the corner. Moreover this holy Prophet showeth, that the Lord would not leave the soul of Christ in grave, neither suffer him his holy one to see corruption: That he Psal. 110. 1. & Math 22. 42. to end, & Luk. 22 69. 70. & Acts 7. 56. would raise him up from death to life, and crown him with glory and honour: That he should ascend on high, and lead captivity captive: That he should sit at the right hand of God, until he had made his enemies his footstool: And lastly, Psal. 110. 4. & Heb. 5. 6. and. 6 20. and. 7. 1. to end, and. 10. 12. 13. that he should continue there a Sacrificer for ever after the order of Melchisedech. And therefore not only this prophet, but also the whole church desired him whom their soul most Cant. 1. 6. dearly loved, that it would please him to show them where Cant. 1. 3. his abiding was, and to draw them after him, that so they might run and behold king Solomon, even run and behold Cant. 3. 11. him with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his marriage, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. Again, it was said of Christ by the prophet Esaiah, that Esai. 11. 1. 2. & Rom. 15. 12. there should come a rod forth of the stock of Ishai, and a graff should grow out of his roots, upon whom the spirit of the Lord should rest, even the spirit of wisdom and understanding, Esai. 7. 14. and Math. 1. 22. 23 the spirit of counsel and courage, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. That a virgin should conceive and bring him forth: That they should call his name Esai. 9 6. and Luk. 1. 31. to 34. Emmanuel, that is, even God with us: That they should call his name wonderful, councillor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace. And that whereas the faithful Esai. 1. 21. Esai. 9 7. and Luk. 1. 32. 33. city had lost both judgement and justice, Christ should come and sit upon the throne of David to order it, and to establish Esai. 40. 3. 5. & Math. 3. 1. 2. 3. & Mark. 1. 3. & Luk. 3. 4. both judgement and justice thereon for ever. Moreover, it was said by the same prophet, that a voice should go before him in the wilderness: That it should cry, prepare the Esai. 42. 1. and 61. 1. 2. 3. and john. 1. 33. way of the Lord, make strait in the desert a path for our God: That the glory of the Lord should be revealed by him, and Math. 3. 16. 17 & Mark. 1. 10. 11. and Act. 10 38. that all flesh should see it together. That the Lord would say of him, Behold my servant, upon whom I will stay, mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth: That the Lord would Math. 9 35. & 11. 1. & Mark. 1. 38. 39 Esai. 35. 5. & Math. 15. 30. 31. anoint him with his holy spirit, and send him to preach good tidings to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, to preach liberty to the captives, and to them that were bound the opening of the prison: That by him the eyes of the blind Esai. 61. 1. 2. 3. and Luk. 4. 17. to 24. should be lightened, & the ears of the deaf be opened: That the lame man should leap as an heart, and the dumb man's tongue should sing for toy. That he should preach that most acceptable year of the Lord, even that great jubilee, whereby they might enjoy beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of gladness in stead of the spirit of Esai. 25. 6. 7. heaviness. And moreover, that he should make unto all people a feast of fat things, even a feast of fined wines, and of Math. 26. 26. to 31. & Mark. 14▪ 22. to 27. and Luk. 22. 14. to 22. & Math. 22 2. to 15. and reve. 19 9 fat things, full of marrow, and of wines, fined and purified. And that he should destroy the covering that covered all nations, that so the people that walked in darkness might see great light, and that they that dwelled in the land of the shadow of death, might say, that upon them great light had shined. Esai. 9 2 and Math. 4. 13. to 18. And that not only should he be given for a light of the Gentiles, but also for a covenant of the people, even to be the Esai. 42. 6. and 49 6. 8. full glory of them, & the joy of the whole earth: because that like sheep they had all gone astray, and for that they had turned Luk. 2. 32. Esai. 53. 6. every one unto their own ways: Therefore the prophet Esai. ●…3 and ●… Pet. 2. 24. 25. Acts. 8. 26. to 40. showeth, that Christ should be wounded for all their transgressions, and broken for their iniquities. That the chastisement of their peace should be upon him, and that with his Esai. 50. 6. 7. 8. and Math. 26. 66. 67. and Mark. 15. 18. 19 stripes should they be all healed. That he should be oppressed, afflicted, brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and yet would he not open his mouth against them. That his back should meet with smiters, his cheeks with nippers, his face with Esai. 53. and Math. 8. 17. and Mar. 9 12. shame and spitting, and yet would he not hide it from them, but put it forward as a flint. That notwithstanding Christ would pour out his soul unto death as an offering for their sins, * A far greater & more grievous burden to be 〈◊〉, than ever bore the escape Goat in Leu●…t. the. 16. 21. 〈◊〉. bear all their infirmities, carry all their iniquities and sorrows on his back: yet would they judge him as one plagued and smitten of God: yea the prophet showeth that they would condemn him amongst the transgressors, and make his grave with the wicked. That they would despise Esai. 53. 12. & Mark. 15. 28. and Luke. 22. 37. him, reject him, and account him as one without form or beauty: yea and although he should be as a sanctuary, yet would they make him as a * But who so ever stumbleth thereat, as they did, it grindeth him to powder, as you may see in Luk. 20. 18. Act. 4. 10. 11. 12. Esai. 11. 10. to end. stone to stumble at, and as a rock Mark. 6. 3. to fall upon, even to both the houses of Israel should he become Esai. 8. 14. as a snare, and as a net. Again, the prophet showeth, that notwithstanding they for their parts would forsake him, yet should he the root of Ishai stand up for a sign unto the people, to the intent that all nations should seek unto him, because his rest should be glorious. And that the Lord would stretch out his hand again the second time, that so he might possess the remnant of his people, even of his people which should be left of Ashur, of Egypt, of Pathros, of Ethyopia, of Elam, of Shinar, of Hamah, and of the Isles of the sea, and that he would destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea, and with his mighty wind lift up his hand over the river, & smit him in his seven streams, and cause men to walk therein with shoes: that so there might be a path to the remnant of his people which should be left of Ashur, even a path to seek unto this sign that should be set up, not only for the natural Israel dispersed, but also for all Esai. 56. 8. nations and strangers that would cleave unto the Lord: as for them of median, of Ephah, of Sheba, of Nebaioh, and Keder, Esai. ●…1 1. to end. and that all these would bring gifts of gold, of incense, Math. 2. 1. ●…. 10. 11. and 8. 10. 11. and of all their riches to the house of the Lord, and set forth his praises therein, to the intent they might be accepted upon Mark. 11. 17. him the holy altar, and that by them the house of the Lord might be beautified. That they should say of him, Lo this Esai. 25. 8. 9 and reve. 7. 17 and Luke. 2. 26. to. 33. is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: Lo, this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will rejoice and be joyful in his salvation, because as saith this Prophet, he should destroy death for ever, and wipe away tears from all faces, & because he would take away the rebuks of his people from all the earth. And moreover, for that he should Esai. 22. 2o. to end, and R●…ue. 3. 7. have the key of the house of David committed to his charge, and power given him to shut, and no man to open, and to open, and no man to shut against him: and for that in mercy should his throne be prepared, and for that he should sit Esai. 16. 3. upon it in steadfastness in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgement and hasting justice: and for that he would not be discouraged, until he had brought forth judgement in truth, and until he had established both judgement Esai. 42. ●…. 4. and Math. 1●…. 17. to 22. and justice in the earth, that so the Isles might wait for his law, though Israel would not so: and therefore saith this Prophet: Though Israel would not be gathered by him, yet should he be most glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and Esai. 40. 5 6. and Acts. 1●…. 46. 47. be given as a light of the Gentiles, that so he might be their salvation unto the end of the world. Lastly, Christ was seen by this euangel●… call Prophet, sitting upon his glorious and high throne, and the Seraphims Esai. 6. john. 12. 41. standing before him, and crying holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of hosts, the whole world is full of thy glory. And therefore the Prophet maketh a proclamation, saying: Behold Esai. 62. 11. thou daughter Zion thy Saviour cometh unto thee: behold his wages is with him, and his work before him. Arise therefore O jerusalem, and be bright, for thy light is Esai. 60. 1. come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Again, it was said of Christ by the Prophet Micheas, Mich. 5. ●…. and Math 2 5 6. & john. 7▪ 41. 42. that notwithstanding Bethlehem were but little amongst the thousands of juda, yet should there come one thence who should rule in Israel: even one, whose goings forth had been from the beginning, and from everlasting. And by the Prophet Hose. 3. 5. Hosea to be that king David, unto whom the Israelites should seek, & of whom the Lord would say, Out of Egypt Hose. 11. 1. & Math. 2. 14. 15 jere. 30. 21. have I called thee my Son. The which Son by the Prophet jeremy, was said to be that noble Ruler that should jere. 23. 5. and 3●…. 14. 15. and Rom. 1. 3. 4. & Luke. 2. 68 to 76. arise from amongst themselves: as also that righteous branch which should grow up unto the house of David, to perform those good things promised to the house of Israel and juda. And by the Prophet ●…zekiel, to be that one * He came not only to feed their bodies, but also their souls with the true bread of life, which was himself. joh. 6. Ezek. 21. 26. 27 Dan. 12. 1. Shepherd, which should be set over them to feed them, Ezech. 34. 23. 24. 29. and Mark. 6. 34. to 45. and to be a Prince amongst them, and to be that plant of renown, unto whom the crown and diadem did specially belong: as being that Michael their chiefest Prince (as saith the Prophet Daniel) who would stand up for their defence, and so deliver them, not only from those beastly kingdoms that long time overruled them here on earth: but also as the Prophet Hosea saith, even from the kingdom of hell and death. Moreover, it was said of Christ again by the Prophet Dan. 7. 17. 22. 26. 27. Daniel, that notwithstanding Nabuchadnezzer saw him to be but as a base stone in his base eyes, yet such a stone he was Hose. 13. 14. Dan. 2. 34. to 46. in the eyes of Daniel, as should dash those beastly kingdoms all to powder. That he should become a great mountain, and that the whole earth should be filled with his glory: That Dan. 7. 13. he should come in the clouds of heaven, and approach again unto the Ancient of days: That the Lord God would give Dan. 2. 44. 45. & 7. 14. & Luk. 1. 33. him dominion, honour, and a kingdom, that should never be destroyed, and that all people, nations, and languages should serve him. Again, it was said of Christ by the prophet Amos, that he Amos. 9 11. & Acts. 15. 15. 16. 17. should raise up the tabernacle of David that was fallen down, That he should raise up the ruins thereof, as in the days of Aggi. 2. 5. 6. 7. old. And therefore saith the prophet Aggai unto the people, be not discouraged, but have patience yet a little, and you shall see, that even he the glory and desire of all nations, will speedily come: Wherefore rejoice greatly O daughter Zion, Zach. 9 9 saith the prophet Zachary: shout for joy O daughter jerusalem, because thy king cometh unto thee: even he doth come to thee, whose name is called the branch, & he by whom Zach. 6. 12. 13. thy temple shall be built: even one that shall bear the glory of the Lord, that shall sit and rule upon his throne, and be a priest thereon for ever: even one, who notwithstanding will Zach. 9 9 & Math. 21. & Mark. 11. come but poorly, as riding on an Ass, yet shall all mountains be made as plains, that against him will stand up: one that shall be able to bring forth the head stone of thy temple, and Zach. 4. 7. that with shouting, and crying grace, grace unto it: one that Zach. 9 9 11. & john. 10. 17 18. &. Act. 5. 31. shall be able to save not only himself, but jerusalem also: even to save jerusalem, saith this prophet, should Christ be able through the blood of his everlasting covenant. Moreover, it was said of Christ by the prophet jeremy, jere. 23. 6. & 33. 16. that in his days juda should be saved, and Israel should dwell safely: That they should be no more divided into two kingdoms, Ezech. 37. 15. to end. as saith the prophet Ezechiel, but that they should be as one people, and have one king to reign over them, even jere. 23. 6. & 33. 16. one king whose name, as saith the prophet jeremy, they should call the Lord our righteousness. And therefore saith the prophet Mich. 4. & 5. chapters. Micheas, why dost thou cry out with lamentation, O daughter Zion, as though there were no king in thee? Be not afraid, for one shall reign in thee forever: even one that shall ●…nd yet would they not know him that was their peace, as you may see in Luke. ●…9. 42. stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, and in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God: even one, who shall be thy peace, when Ashur, or any such like cometh against thee. And yet for all this would they value him for nought, saith the Zach. 10. 12. 13. 16. 17. & Math. 26. 15. & 27. 9 prophet Zachary, even value him for thirty small pieces of silver. And that because they would so do, he showeth that the Lord would raise up a shepherd, even a shepherd that would not look the thing was lost, neither would he heal the thing But the true shepherd would do both, and came ●…o that end, as y●…u may see in Luk. 19 10. & john. 10. 11. was hurt: that would not feed the thing that would stand up, but eat the fat, & leave the flock: even one that would in no wise lay down his life for his sheep. And therefore it was said by the prophet Daniel, that when Christ the true shepherd should come: That he would lay down his life for john. 10. 12. 13. Dan. 9 24. to end, & Math. 20. 28. & Mark 10. 45. & john 10. 15. 17. 18. and Rom. 5. 8. his sheep, and not for himself: That he would confirm the covenant for them, and seal it with his blood: That he would cause all sacrifice and oblation to cease: That he would consume wickedness, and abolish sins: That he would make reconciliation for iniquities, and bring in everlasting righteousness: That he would seal up vision & prophecy. And lastly, that the whole common weal of judea should be consumed, by that abominable camp of the Roman infidels, even consumed and washed away as with a flood, if they would not regard this true king, priest, and shepherd. And therefore it Mala. 3. 1. 2. 3. & Mar. 1. 1. 2. was said by the prophet Malachi that the Lord would send his messenger before him to prepare his way, and that the Lord whom they sought, should speedily come to his temple: even that messenger of the covenant whom they desired to behold. But yet saith the prophet, like a purging fire, and like fullers soap, that so he might try them even as silver is tried. And therefore the Lord gave them a special commandment Mala. 4. 4. even in the last clause of the old testament to remember the law of Moses his servant, which he commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with all his statutes and judgements: all which should lead them (if they would) unto Christ this Angel of the everlasting covenant. And thus you see in part, after what sort the prophets did paint out Christ unto them, who when he came, did all things that before were written of him, that so all these sayings of Luk. 24. 25. 26 27. 44. 46. & Acts. 13. 29. john. 12. 37. the prophets might be fulfilled: and yet believed they not in him, no although he had done so many great works and miracles before them, but still despised the council of God Luke. 7. 30. 31. against themselves, and would not dance nor leap for joy, no although the prophet's, as you see, had continually piped unto them. Now if you marvel how they could be so blind as not Read Acts. 7. 51. 42. to see, since the light was so bright, and Christ so plainly manifested unto them: I will show you why in few words: that is, because they knew not the scriptures: for so our saviour Math. 22. 29. & Mark. 12. 17 Math. 15. 6. 7. 8. 9 & Mar. 7. 7. 8. 9 to 14. doth tell them, saying: Ye err not knowing the scriptures. For whereas they should have made the word of God their only meditation, they had established in stead thereof the precepts and doctrines of men, and so made the word of God of no authority, as our saviour also telleth them. Besides, it was so far from their delight, as that they had scarce read so much thereof, as that one part which told them that the stone which Mark. 12. 10. they would refuse, should be made the head of the corner. And therefore because they had thus cast off the law of the Lord of hosts, and would not believe the writings of Moses and the john. 5. 45. 46. 47. prophets, all which would have lead them unto Christ: No marvel was it though he cast off them: neither that he should take from them, that little understanding which they seemed to have, according as he telleth his Disciples: saying, To him that hath, shall be given in more abundance, and to him Math. 13. 12. 13. 14. 23. and Mark. 4. 23. 24 25. that hath not, shall be taken away even that little which he seemeth to have. So that to those that had a desire to know the book of God, which painted them out the Messiah, to them it was given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven: but to all those that cast it off, to them it was not given. So that in them was fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which prophesy saith, Esai. 6. 9 10. & Math. 13. 14. 15. & Mark. 4. 11. 12. by hearing they should hear, but not understand, and seeing they should see, but not perceive. And the reason was, for that their hearts were waxen fat, and their ears were dull of hearing: & also with their eyes they winked, lest they should see, and stopped their ears, lest they should hear, and so understand with their hearts, & should have returned, that he might Rom. 1. 28. have healed them. And therefore as the apostle saith, when men regard Psal. 81. 11. 12. Pro. 1. 29. 30. 31. not to know the Lord aright by his holy word, no more doth he regard to know them, but giveth them up into reprobate minds, and also to follow their own inventions in all things, and so to run to their own destruction, for not obeying the son of God. For as it is eternal life to know one true and john. 17. 3. everliving God, and to believe in his son whom he the father would, or now hath sent: so he that believeth not in the john. 3. 36. son, nor obeyeth his voice shall never see life, but the wrath Deu. 6. 6. to 10 and 11. 18. 19 20. & josh. 1. 8 & Deut. 32. 46 47. & Psal. 1. & Mala. 4. 4. of God abideth on him. Now his voice was, that they should continually meditate in his law, the which should lead them unto Christ: but they did not, and therefore well worthy to be blinded as you see: for men must learn to hear the voice of the Lord, while it is called to day, and to take heed how Psal. 95. 7. 8. & Hebr. 3. 7. 8. they harden their hearts when the voice of God doth call, lest when they would they shall often call themselves, and Esai. 55. 6. Pro. 1. 28. 29. not be hard. Now if judgement began at the house of the Lord in this sort as you see, what shall we think befell the rest of the nations before the coming of our saviour into the world? Surely they escaped not: for the Lord hath rendered vengeance unto all those that have not known him, & which have not obeyed unto the Gospel of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ: not only unto the jews and the city jersusalem where his name should have been called on, who most of all deserved it, because most graces were offered unto them: jere. 25. 12. to end. but also unto all nations in the world hath he sent the cup of the wine of the greatness of his indignation, and hath entered into judgement with all flesh: forasmuch as they have not desired the knowledge of his holy laws: and for as much as he Act. 14. 16. 17 left not himself without witness to any nation, in as much as he gave them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled them with all good things in great abundance. Therefore all those nations or people that have refused the knowledge Rom. 1. 18. to end. of him, he hath also refused them. And as they regarded not to know him a right by his holy word, neither had any delight at all therein, but cast it off: even so hath he cast off them, and given them up into reprobate minds, as the apostle saith. And thus having laid his judgements before our eyes hitherto, Psal. 119. 30. 52. we see what is become of all those that have said unto God, depart from us, & have not desired (above gold) the knowledge job. 21. 14. 15. of his holy laws, the which laws should have been esteemed of them above gold, yea above much fine gold: and also have been more sweeter unto their hearts then the honey or the honey comb unto their mouths: and look how precious it should have been unto the jews, so ought it to have been to all other nations in the world, for all nations heard thereof, Rom. 10. 18. or at leastwise might have done: and thus much of the judgements of God from the beginning of the world, to the utter casting off of the jews. The judgements of God upon the Roman Emperors the first beast, Apoc. 13. as also upon the Popes their successors the latter beast, and on all them that receive the beasts mark. SInce we have seen the judgements of God from the beginning of the world hitherto, and also the cause why, which was the neglect of his holy word, in the which word they might have seen his will, and so have known his true worship: let us proceed in brief sort, and lay the like before our eyes even from our saviour his time unto the end of the same. First then we are to remember, that after the destruction of y● low jerusalem was that to be fulfilled which was spoken of by the prophets, that is. That a jerusalem Ezek. 48. 35. should be built, the name whereof should be called, The Lord is there: and that this city should be lifted up above all mountains: Esai. 2. 2. 3. & Mich. 4. 1. 2. and that from the Sanctuary thereof should go waters Ezek. 47. & Zach. 14. 8. of life, which should run to the east sea, and to the west sea: and that there should be plenty thereof both in summer and winter: and that whatsoever tree should be planted by the river of waters which should run out of the sanctuary of this Ezek. 47. 12. city, the leaf thereof should never fade, neither should the fruit thereof at any time fail: and that the waters of this river Ezek. 47. 8. 9 should be so wholesome, that whither soever they should run, the fi●…h that should be nourished therewith should live thereby: whereby is meant, that whosoever were a tree planted Esai. 61. 3. & 55. 1. 2. 3. and Apo. 22. 17. & Psal. 1. 2. 3. and 1. Corin. 3. 6. 7 Math. 4. 19 & john. 4. 10. by the doctrine of the prophets and Apostles, and watered with the graces of the holy spirit, should be a fruitful tree indeed, and whosoever were a fish nourished by the same waters of the holy spirit, should be sure to live for ever. And likewise it was further said, That whosoever they were of all the families of the earth, that would not go up to this city to Zach. 14. 17. 18. 19 worship the king jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles, that upon them should come no rain: whereby is also meant, that upon them that would not worship the Lord according to the rule of his own most perfect word (as the faithful company of christians ought to do) upon them I say, that would not so do, should fall no part of that gracious Deut. 32. 1. 2. & Esay. 55. 10. 11. rain the doctrine of the prophets and apostles. And moreover it was further said, That whosoever they were that should be found fighters against this city and the king thereof, Zacha. 14. 12. should be smitten with a very great plague, even with so great a plague, as that it should consume both their flesh, eyes, reve. 1. 2. 3. & 21. chapters. and tongues: and therefore according to these prophesies it was revealed unto john presently upon the destruction of the low jerusalem, in what sort the heavenly should be built, and who they were that fought, and still would fight against the reve. 12. 13. chapters. same: which were the Roman Emperors, and the pope's 2. Thess. 2. and reve. 17. their successors, which pope's most vehemently should continue afflicters of the high jerusalem, as the former had begun with Dan. 9 27. and Math. 24. 1. 2. 15. 16. 34. and Luk. 21. 20. 21 reve. ●…3. 5. the low: and likewise a certain time should continue it against the high. Therefore we are here to consider the state of Rome, and to mark how the Lord hath reserved them as a corporation of most filthy beasts, and as a cage of unleane reve. 18. 2. kites for his wrath to aim at while the world shall stand. And why so? Even because that by their policy was the king of this high jerusalem the Lord of life crucified, and because that this his city the company of faithful Christians, by them should continually be persecuted: & likewise for that they would refuse to be nourished by those waters of life, even the most pure doctrine of the holy prophets & apostles: and for that by them the brightness thereof should be continually darkened, even darkened by the smoke that should arise from that bottomless * It is said in Apoc. the 8. that out of the pit came a smoke that darkened the sun & the air: whereby is meant that all brightness of Scripture should be darkeaed by the precepts and doctrines of men, which the rabbiement of Popes would urge upon the Church. reve. 18. 4. and 14. 9 10. 11. 12. pit of their own doctrines, precepts, and foolish traditions: and so by that means turn those lively fountains the doctrines and precepts of the holy prophets and apostles from waters of life into waters of bitter gall and wormwood, yea even unto filthy salt pits of eternal death and destruction. For these and such like causes, I say, hath the Lord set that cage of Roman infidels, as a mark for his wrath to aim at while the world shall stand, and hath also described them and their villainies, by the most horrible villainies of all ages throughout the old testament, and only to the intent to give us warning to avoid them, as also their manners and their condemnation. First then I will show you in what sort saint john describeth the Roman Emperors, and afterwards in what sort the corporation of filthy pope's. The Emperors he describeth in this sort. I saw a beast, saith he, arise out of the sea, having reve. 13. 1. 2. the mouth of a Lion, the feet of a Bear, the colour of a Leopard, seven heads also and ten horns. As if he should have said, I saw even one most ugly and monstrous beast Dan. 7. Ashur doth here signify the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians: but you are not to think they came of Ashur, for the Babylonians came of Nimrod of Chush of Cham: and the Medes of Madai of japhet: and the Persians of Elam of Sem: but here these three nations are called Ashur in respect that they overcame the Assyrians who are properly of Ashur. compounded of those four, the which my fellow servant the prophet Daniel saw in the seventh of his book: the which beast hath not only borrowed from Ashur, that is, from the Babylonians, Medes & Persians, the lions mouth and bears feet, nor from Kittim all ready dead, that is, from the Grecians, the Leopard's colour, nor from Gog & Magog, that is, from Syria and Egypt the ten horns and teeth: but hath also the Dragon that old serpent ready, even to give him his whole throne, power, and authority likewise: and only to the intent he might be the more able to make war against this city of faithful Christians, and that so he might be able to overcome them, and to force them to forsake the word of god, and the testimony which the maintained: & so to have them to do worship unto him, and to the Dragon who gave him his power: but yet notwithstanding all this his strength he could not overcome them, no although he persecuted them daily, even to the loss of their goods, lands, life, and all: for the which cause the wrath of God, and of the lamb, was so stirred up against these profane Emperors, as that they were forced in these days to wish the mountains to fall upon Apoc. 6. 14. to end. them, and to desire the hills to cover them, even to cover them from the presence of him that sat upon the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb: for the great day of his wrath was come, and therefore they were not able to stand before him. For as the Lord jesus was that Michael, that stood up Dan. 10. 13. 21 and. 12. 1. for the defence of his people against those tyrants in Daniel, even so was he in like manner in the days of these profane Emperors: for he fought against them as riding upon a reve. 6. 2. and Psal. 45. 5. white horse, & as having a bow in his hand with sharp arrows, to pierce the hearts of them his enemies. And moreover, as he was a judge sitting upon a fiery throne, from Dan. 7. 9 to 15 whose presence rivers of fire issued to consume those beasts Apoc. 4. 2. 3. & 1. 14. & 6. 16. 17. in Daniel: even so was he in like manner in the days of this beast the Roman Emperors: for he sent his threefold judgements upon them, as sword, famine and death altogether: the Apo. 6. 4. 5. 8. which plagues were expressed by three horses, red, black, and pale. So that like as these profane Emperors had shed the Apo. 6. 9 10. and. 16. 5. 6. 7. blood of his servants the holy martyrs, even so the holy and just Lord was stirred up with revenge to spill and shed their blood, and to give it them in great abundance to drink: and in the end utterly to root them out. So then this beast having now the wound of a sword, & one head cut off, & Satan not Apo. 13. 3. able by him to prevail against the Church: you are to look for that other instrument of his to appear in his likeness, that is, you are to look for a description of that corporation of beastly pope's, who are not less in strength and mischief, than the former were, but rather far exceeding them in both: and therefore most fitly is their power described by a beast of the same form of the other. But before I come to saint john to show you that, I will give you a note or two from the Apostle Paul, that so you may see how fitly they agree in the discovery of this latter beast, & that so you may the better hereafter beware and take heed lest you be deceived by them. Saint Paul telleth the Thessalonians, who had been put in mind that the last day of judgement was at hand, that, that 2. Thess. 2. day should not come until there came a departing from the faith, and until that man of sin the son of perdition should be disclosed: the which, saith he, shall come to pass, when the withholder (meaning the Roman Empire) shall be taken away: even then, saith he, shall this man of sin appear, whose coming shall be by the power and working of Satan as the formers was, yea and in a far more dangerous sort then the former did, because he will come with lying signs and great wonders, yea and with all sleights of deceit and guile, even with such as, if it were possible, the ver, elect should be deceived therewith: yet notwithstanding mark you well what followeth, and then if you will not take heed of them, well worthy are you to be deceived by them. He telleth them further then, that this man of sin or company of beastly pope's would set themselves as adversaries to the truth ●…. Thessa. 2. 4. the word of God, and that they would set themselves in the temple of God as if they were God, and that they would forbid 1. Tim. 4. 1. 2. 3 marriages and the eating of meats, which things God had commanded to be done: even thus, saith the Apostle, will they teach the doctrine of that old serpent their father the devil: therefore if you should have had no more marks given you to know than by then these, they had been sufficient for you: but since it hath pleased the holy ghost to give you more, you were best to take notice of them all. Hear you therefore in what sort saint john hath described them: he telleth you, that he saw another beast of the same form of the Empire beast, Apo. 17. that is, with seven heads and ten horns, and with some addition more, to betoken further cruelty: that is, he saw this beast to be of a scarlet colour, & to have a woman sitting upon him full of names of blasphemy: which woman was arrayed also in purple and scarlet, and a cup of gold in her hand, full of abominations and filthiness of her fornications: and beside in her forehead was a name written, a mystery, great Babylon the mother of whoredoms, and abominations of the earth: and that with her should the kings of the earth commit fornication, and that the inhabitants of the earth should be drunken with the wine of the same. And moreover that this whore herself should be drunken with the blood of saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of jesus: so that here you have a description of the Empire beast again revived by the pope's, yea and that in so plain a manner, that every little child may know who is meant hereby. For the angel expoundeth it in this sort: The seven heads of the beast, which thou hast seen (saith the angel unto john) are seven. kings, You may see in Dan. 7. ver. 17 that by a king is meant any political government. And so here of Rome as first they had Kings. 2. Consuls. 3. Decemuires. 4. Dictator's. 5. Triumuiris. 6. Caesar's. Popes and Emperors make the 7. which after a sort are the 8. whereof five are fallen, and one is, and another is not yet come, and when he cometh, he must continue but a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, is even the eight, and yet is one of the seven: the which beast shall go into destruction with the former: so that all the world whose names were not written in the book of life, wondered at this mystery, that is, they wondered to see the beast that was, and afterward was not, and yet now to be again. For indeed here is the mind, as saint john saith, that hath wisdom, which to him that can dig out the meaning thereof, and beware of the policy here described, it shallbe far more worth than the gold which he can dig, either out of the East or West Indies. Thus it is, you are to understand that Rome had her policy, or government altered five times before the Caesars, and they made the sixth, which was the government when john had this revelation showed him. The which Caesar's or part of Kittim was the son of janan, of whom came the Grecians & Italians, but the Italians are they who here are meant. Kittim began to afflict the chiefest of the sons of Heber our saviour Christ, and continued it upon his sons by faith the Christians, about the time of three hundredth years, the which three hundredth years was noted by two and forty months by an allusion to the time of our saviour his affliction, the which was also two and forty months, Apoc. 13. 5. Dan. 9 27. or three years and an half, being the full time of his preaching and public life: so that all ages after that half seven wherein our Lord finished all ceremonies, and all Apo. 12. 14. & 13. 5. & 11. 2. 3. things touching our salvation, and wherein he suffered intolerable affliction, are called by an allusion unto that time, either a time, two times and half, or months two and forty, or days a thousand two hundredth and sixty: the first for Satan The third num●…er signifieth the time of the 〈◊〉 of the Gospel, by an allusien also to our savieur his tyme. his whole rage, the second for the Roman Empire, and the pope's: for it is said, that both of them had power given them to do hurt unto the holy city two and forty months. So that as our saviour the head of the Church, was himself most cruelly afflicted by the Dragon, and also by his ministers, for these three years and a half, the which began at his baptism, and ended at his death: even so should his members be after the same manner while the world should stand. For whereas this sixth government these profane. Emperors were rooted out, as if the beast had had the wound of a sword, & one head cut off, or as if he had been dead for a long time by means first of Constantinus that good christian Emperor, and afterwards of other nations who greatly spoiled Rome: yet now by these pope's is he revived again. For they setting themselves in the temple of God, as if they were God, and causing all nations to worship them in the same manner that they had done the former beast, and ruling themselves over the Empire, are said here to make the seventh policy in Rome, and likewise after a sort to be an eight: the which policy is said to have the whole power of Satan, as the former had, even to have the strength as it were of warlike horses, to make battle against the city of Saints. Now if you think that the former exposition by the angel concerning the seven heads of the beast be not plain inought, he will let you have it yet more plain: for he telleth you further, that the seven heads are also seven hills, whereon the woman sitteth: and Apoc. 17. 9 18 he also telleth you, that the woman is the great city that reigneth over the kings of the earth. If this be true as most true it is, then can you not doubt of the plainness hereof: for you are to understand that Rome standeth upon seven hills: and you are to understand also, that when saint john had this revelation showed him, that Rome was then the great city that reigned over the kings of the earth: and likewise that now it is: and therefore most fitly was it said, that the latter beast had ten horns, as well as the former: forasmuch as the pope's had ten nations or kingdoms to yield obedience unto their power as the former had to theirs. And to make the matter more plain, that Idolatrous Rome was revived again by these pope's: saint john hath another vision showed him, which is this: He seethe a beast arise out of the earth, having Apoc. 13. 11. two horns like unto the lamb. Meaning thereby, that these pope's would come as pretending great show of religion, and as if they were the vicars of Christ that lamb of God, but he telleth you that he spoke like the Dragon, and that he did all that the first beast could do that was before him: yea and that he caused the image of the former beast to be made, and gave him spirit and life, and made all the earth to worship him, whose deadly wound by them was healed. And furthermore Apoc. 13. 13. 14. for their help therein, saint john showeth you that this lamb should work great signs and wonders, even so great as if it were to bring fire from heaven, as Elyas did: 1. Kings 18. 21. to 41. to the end that as he thereby caused all Israel to turn from the worship of jeroboams calves unto the Lord to worship him, even so in a contrary sort would this lamb seek with the signs which were permitted him to do, to turn all men both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, from the worship of the Lord, to the worship of the beast, and to force them thereby to receive his mark, either in their right hands or in that foreheads, or at leastwise to bear his name, or the number of his name: for unless they would so do, they should Apoc. 13. 15. 16. 17. neither buy nor sell, but be killed. So that here you see, how fitly this agreeth with the other vision for the pope's to be revivors of the former beast, and also how fitly it falleth out according to that which our saviour and saint Paul before had told you, that is: that there should come false prophets which Math. 7. 15. & 1. Thess. 2. 9 10. would come in sheeps clothing but inwardly be ravening Wolves, and that they would come with all lying signs, wonders and sleights of deceice, and therefore is it that our saviour giveth us so great charge to take heed of them. And moreover therefore is it, that it pleaseth him to paint them out so plain unto us: for although they would seem never so much to bear the horns of a lamb, or never so much to pretend religion, or show of holiness, yet the Lord hath so plainly noted them by one especial mark above the rest, as that every simple man may know them, howsoever Revel. 13. 11. Gen. 3. & Revel. 13. they would seem to change their shape: & that is, their voice: the which you see, saint john saith, is all one with the Dragons. 2. Cor. 11. 13. 14. 15. And therefore although Satan come not now as unto Gen. 3. Adam and Eva, nor as in the days of the primitive Church: Revel. 13. That is, although he come not now in the carcase of a luttle serpent, Exod. 20. 4 & Deut 5. 8. & 4 15. to ●…0. nor yet in the form of a seven headed beast: but contrariwise even in the skin of a poor and simple lamb, yet the Psal 50. 15. & 1. Kings. 8. 22. to 55. & 2. voice being the self and same, you may know him howsoever he transformeth himself. It is good for you here then to Chro. 6. 13. to end, and D●…. 9 3. to 20. and 2. Kings. 19 15. to 20. and 2. Chro. 14. 11 & Esay 63. 16. and Psal. 65. 2. consider the voice both of the one and of the other: The voice of the serpent and of the beast commandeth that which God forbiddeth, and forbiddeth that which God commandeth: even so doth the voice of this counterfeit lamb. as for example, The voice of God forbiddeth the making of graven images to bow down unto them: but the voice of this counterfeit Note well the two last and Math. 6. 6. to 14. lamb commandeth the making of them and the bowing unto them. The voice of God commandeth prayer to be made unto him alone, and not unto any other: but the voice of this john 3. 16. 17. 18. and Math. 26. 28. and Acts 10. 43. and 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19 counterfeit lamb forbiddeth prayer to be made unto God alone, and commandeth it to be made unto saints withal. The voice of God saith, that whosoever he be that believeth in Christ his son shall be sure to have pardon of his sins through the shedding of his most precious bloudbut 1. Cor. 14. For when the word of God is brought in a language that the people understand not, it is a sign of the wrath of God upon that people as you may see in this 14. of the first of Cor. 21. 22. verse. the voice of this counterfeit lamb saith, that whosoever he be that will believe him, he shall be sure to have pardon for his sins through the blood of the leaden bulls, which for his money he will send him. The voice of God saith, that better were it for his ministers to speak five words in the church to the understanding of his people, that so they might say Amen thereunto, then to speak ten thousand in a strange tongue, unto the which the people cannot say, Amen: but the voice of this counterfeit lamb saith, better is it for his ministers to speak ten hundredth thousand in a strange language Esay. 58. and Math. 15. 11. 17. 18. 19 unto the which the people cannot say Amen, then to speak one word to their understanding, lest so they should spy out their knavery. Again, the voice of God commandeth Esai. 58. and Math. 15. 11. 17. 18. 19 us not to abstain from meats, but to abstain from sin, and celleth us that it is not the meat which a man eateth that can defile him, but the sin that resteth in his heart: and yet dare the voice of this counterfeit lamb command men to abstain 1. Tim. 4. 3. 4. from meats: and to make them believe that unless they do so upon such days as he appointeth, they shall not only be defiled therewith, but also be damned for evermore thereby, especially if they eat but a bit upon good Friday. Furthermore the voice of God commandeth marriage as a most Gen. 2, 24. lawful thing unto all men: but the voice of this counterfeit 1. Tim. 4. 3. lamb forbiddeth it as an unlawful thing unto some men. The Math. 20. 26. & ●…3. 11. 12. and Mark. 9 34. 35 & 10, 42, 43. 44. voice of God forbiddeth his ministers the exalting of themselves above their brethren, but the voice of this counterfeit lamb exalteth himself not only above his brethren, but also above all that are called Gods, and most presumptuously setteth ●…. Thess. 2. 4. That is, above ●…ll Kings and Lords, and other magistrates which are called Gods, as you may see, 1. Cor. ●…. 5. 0. himself in the temple of the Lord God, as if he were God, commanding what him liketh, and forbidding what him li●…teth: as most like a subtle serpent in one thing, which is to be noted above all others, that is, whereas the voice of the Lord God commandeth all men to read and meditate in his holy word, that so they might wear his cognisance, and be retainers unto his kingdom: the voice of this counterfeit josha. 1. 8. and Deu. 6. 6. to 10 &. 11. 18. and john. 5. 39 and Psal. 1. 2. lamb forbiddeth it, that so they might wear his mark & be retainers unto his kingdom. And therefore is it that he dealeth most impudently, as followeth, that is, whereas the voice of the Lord God commandeth us to worship & fear him that reve. 14. 7. made heaven and earth, the sea and all fountains of water: and that we should give glory to him, and to the Lamb that reve. 1●…. ●…. & 5. 9 standeth on mount Zion, because he only was worthy, forasmuch as he hath redeemed us unto God by his blood: I say, whereas the voice of the Lord God commandeth us thus to do, and contrariwise forbiddeth us the worship of the Beast or Reue, 14▪ 9▪ to 10. his image, threatening withal, that if any man do worship the beast or his image, or receive his mark, either in his hand or in his forehead, yea or so much as the print of his name in any part, they should then drink of the pure wine of the wrath of God, and should have no rest neither day nor night, but be tormented in fire & brimstone before the holy Angels, and before the lamb of God for ever and ever. And yet dare the voice of this counterfeit Lamb command and forbid the reve. 13. 11. to end. contrary, saying unto all men: See that you worship the beast and the image of the beast, and that you receive his mark either in your right hand or in your foreheads, or at leastwise bear his name or the number of his name: for as many as will not thus do, shall neither buy nor sell, no nor live upon the earth. And thus you see how plainly God hath noted unto you, the marks not only of the first beast, but also of this counterfeit reve. 13. Lamb the second, whose voice is all one with the third that Gen. 3. reve. 12. 3. 9 and 20. 2. deceived Adam, & all three speak the words of the Dragon, that is, of the very devil himself, whose rage notwithstanding reve. 4. 7. and 6. 9 was most fiercely exercised in the first beast the Roman reve. 20. 2. Emperors for the space of three hundredth years: yet could reve. 13. 11. to end. & 2. Thes. 2. 4. to 13. he not so prevail by them, but that many stood as courageous Lions most manfully to the truth. But after that he had reve. 14. 8. and 17. 2. been thus tied by good christians for the space of a thousand years from the days of our Lord, so that he could not have reve. 17. 12. 13. 16. 17. his full sway, yet then doth he so prevail by the second beast Numb. 24. 24. this lamb the pope's, whose come were as you see, with Kittim doth contain the Grecians & Italians. Now as the first part the Grecians perished before the first coming of Christ, being one part of the afflicters of his people in Dan. 7. so shall this latter part the Italians by his second coming being the only afflicters of the high jerusalem, as you may see Reu. 11. 2. & Luke 21. 24. all lying signs and wonders, and under the pretence of religion, that all the world was made drunken with the wine of their fornication, and deceived with their inchantmentes. But as kings than gave their power and authority unto this second beast, so God hath told us that in the end he will put into the heart of kings to hate the beast, and to eat her flesh, and to make her desolate, naked and bare. The which we give him thanks for, we see begun in divers countries, and I trust we daily more and more shall see for notwithstanding all their strength hitherto, yet know you that they are but that Kittim that shall perish in the end, even as Moses the servant of the Lord from Baalam doth tell you, who although he were but a false prophet like unto these we now speak of, yet the Lord made him to speak the truth herein in spite of his heart. Know you again, that the Lord will consume them 2. Thes. 2. 8. with the spirit of his mouth, as that holy Apostle saint Paul doth also tell you: yea and know you once again, that the holy Ghost doth assure you, that he will give unto them and their mountain, the discomfiture of Sisera at Magedon: yea Revel. 16. 16. 19 21. and judge. 4. 17. to end. and 5. 19 20. 21. and that he will give unto them the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath, and that the devil which deceived them, I mean the Romans' the first beast, as also the false prophets the second beast with all that have received the beasts Revel. 14. 8. to 12 and 18. to end. mark, I say, all these with their author the devil shall be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, where they shallbe tormented Revel. 20. 10. and 19 19 20. even day and night for evermore. So that here we may say again with the holy Apostle: O let us often behold, and behold Rom. 11. 22. again the loving kindness, and the severity of the Lord: his loving kindness towards us in that it hath pleased him so graciously and lovingly to give us his most holy word, by the which we may see as by a glass the spots of this most filthy state of Rome: And his severe severity towards all those that are deprived of the same. Now if you will know the cause here, why the Lord doth so deal, as to take his holy word from so many thousands of people, and so by that means to suffer them to run headlong to eternal destruction. The answer is: because they themselves have not a love of the truth, for so speaketh 2. Thess. 2. 10. 11. 12. and john. 17. 17. the Apostle, when men have not a love to the truth (saith he) which is the word of God, by the which word they might be saved, it pleaseth the Lord to send them strong delusions, that so they should believe lies: and also to suffer them to give 1. Tim. 4. 1. heed unto the spirits of error and doctrines of devils: and so by that means to deprive themselves of the true light which should give them life: whereby in the end they might be damned: and only because they would neither receive nor believe the truth, but rather delighted in the precepts and doctrines of men: and as concerning the doctrine of life had no courage to go on forward, but rather delighted to remain therein, as children ever ready to wavour, and to be carried about with every wind of strange doctrine, and to be as wandering stars who easily fall from their standing. And therefore well worthy is the blackness of darkness reserved to such for ever. Wherefore let us that account ourselves Christians be thankful unto the Lord, that it hath pleased him to call us from the power of this damnable darkness, even to the most clear light of the glorious Gospel, and let us not only be thankful unto the Lord, for that it hath pleased him to call us out of this mystical Babylon: but let us also be much more Apoc. 18. 4. careful than heretofore we have been, to let the heavenly lerusalem come into our minds: and let us in any wise give an entrance to the building of this spiritual work by the most Ephes. 6. 17. holy word of God, and evermore hold fast that sword of the spirit in the one hand, while we work with the other: that so we may put in fear all such enemies as would hinder or keep back this spiritual building. And let us also give more diligent heed, as the Apostle commandeth us, unto the things Heb. 2. 1. 2. 3. which we have heard, least at any time we should let them slip: for if the words spoken by Angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, as before we have seen, how then shall we Heb. 1. 1. 2. & 2. 3. 4. escape, if we neglect so great salvation, since the Lord hath spoken unto us in these last days by the son himself, whose doctrine was further confirmed unto us by them that heard him: Therefore let us in any wise, I say, give more abundant heed unto the things which we have heard of him, lest we also be plucked away with the error of the wicked, and so ●…. Pet. 3. 17. fall from our own steadfastness: for assuredly in the same condemnation are all they, who live in ignorance of his truth, and despise the knowledge of his holy word. Therefore it is meet you learn to redeem the time, even this very hour, and not to move the patience of God any longer: for assure yourself, if he spared not the jews, which were the natural Rom. 11. branches, but hath cut them off even from their natural root, from whence they should have had their life, and that through their unbelief, which unbelief befell them through the hardness of their own hearts, and the hardness of their hearts through the contempt of the word of God: much more than will he not spare us, if we harden our hearts against the delight we should take therein, because that we by nature are but as a wild Olive tree, and are but grafted upon their stock: and therefore let us take heed in what case we stand, for fear lest we also fall by the like example of disobedience, and so bring the wrath of God upon us, as the former have done upon them. For you must not be ignorant of this one thing in any wise, that is, that the Lord will be slack concerning his threatenings (as some men count slackness) but that he is patiented toward us, and would have no man to perish, but would that all men should come to repentance, because he is a merciful God, and full of compassion. And to assure men that he is so, he hath given his most holy word unto them, Psa. 147. 19 20 Deut. 32. 47. & john. 5. 39 whereby they may perceive that he greatly loveth them, because thereby he offereth eternal life unto them: so that if they will embrace that, they may find eternal life: but if not, they shall be sure to find eternal death, because they can not see without that in what sort to walk, as to please the Lord therewith: neither can they without that see the love wherewith the Lord loveth them: that is, without that they cannot see how that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten so●… to suffer for their sins: To the intent, that if they would john. 3. 16. believe in him they should not perish, but have eternal life. Therefore all those that have delighted in his most holy word, and laid hold on his promises therein contained, and by faith embraced his covenants concerning Christ, and thought upon his commandments to endeavour to do them, he hath never failed to thousands of generations. For when as our first parents had brought upon themselves swift damnation by reason of their own disobedience, yet nevertheless Gen. 3. 15. embracing the holy word of covenant, wherein all grace consisted, by faith received life again. In this faith Gen. 4. 4. and Hebr. 11. 4. Abel offered unto God a greater sacrifice than Kaine, by the which he obtained witness that he was righeous, God testifying of his gifts: by the which faith also he being dead yet speaketh. In this faith was Enoch taken away that he should not see death, being a figure of the resurrection, by the which faith Gen. 5. 21. 22. 23. 24. and Hebr. 11. 5. he was reported of to have pleased God. In this faith Noah being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seen, Gen. 6. 13. 14. to end. and Heb. 11. 7. being moved with reverence, prepared the Ark to the saving of his household: through the which Ark he condemned the world, and was made heir of the righteousness which is by faith. In this faith Abram when he was called obeyed God, Gen. 12. 1. 4. and Heb. 11. ●…. to go into a place which afterwards he should receive for inheritance, and he went out not knowing whether he went, and in this faith he abode in the land of promise as in a strange country, as one that dwelled in tents with Isaak and ●…acob heirs with him of the same promise, and looked for a City having a foundation, whose builder and maker is God. In this faith also Sara received strength to conceive seed, and Gen. 17. 19 & 18. 10. &. 21. 2 to 8. and Hebr. 11. 11. was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful which had promised, & therefore sprang thereof one, even of one which was dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand of the sea shore which Gen. 22. and Heb. 11. 17. & Gen. 17. 19 20 is innumerable. In this faith Abraham offered up Isaak when he was tried, and he that had received the promise offered his only begotten son, to whom it was said, in Isaak Shall thy seed be called: for he considered that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, from whence also after a sort he had received him. In this faith Isaak blessed jacob & Gen. 27. and Heb. 11. 20. Esau concerning things to come. In this faith jacob when he was a dying blessed both the sons of joseph. In this faith joseph Gen. 48. and Hebr. 11. 21. when he died, made mention of the departing of the children Gen. 50. 24. to end, & Heb. 11 12. of Israel out of the land of Egypt. In this faith Moses when he came to age, refused to be called the son of Pharaohes' Exod. 2. 2. 3. & Acts. 7. 20. 21. & Heb. 11. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. daughter, and chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the rebukes of Christ greater riches than all the creatures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. And in this faith he forsook Egypt, and feared not Exod. 2. 11. to end, & Acts. 7 23. to 31. and Hebr. 11. the king's fierceness, for he endured as he that saw him which is invisible: and in this faith he ordained the passover and the effusion of blood, lest he that destroyed the first borne Exod. 12. and Heb. 11. 20. should touch them. In this faith they passed through the red Sea as on dry land, which when the Egyptians assayed to Exod. 14. and Hebr. 11 29. do, they were drowned. In this faith joshua or jesus 〈◊〉. 1. 1. 2. & 3 &. 〈◊〉. chapped. & Acts. 7. 45. I sh 1. 12. 24. Iosh 1. 6. and H●…br 11. 30. soshu. 2. and Hebr. 11. ●…1. judg. 6. 11. and 〈◊〉 8 chap. & 〈◊〉. & 11. & 13. & 14. & 15. & 16. chapters. Dan. 3. 25. and Esai. 43. 2. brought in the people of God into the land of promise, and in this faith he conquered one and thirty kings. In this faith the walls of jericho being compassed about seven days fell down. In this faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them which obeyed not, when she had received the spies peaceably. In this faith Gedeon, Barac, Samp●…on, jephte, David, Samuel, and all the prophets subdued kindgdomes, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, and stopped the mouths of Lions. In this faith Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego quenched the heat of fire. And in this faith Daniel refused the glory of Babel and Paras, by the which faith he abode constant in the true worship of his God, though Dan. 6. amongst the Lions he should be cast. In this faith many that were weak in the days of Antiochus were made strong Dan. 8. 9 to 〈◊〉 & H●…br. 1. 35. and waxed valiant in battle, and turned to flight the armies of the allients. In this faith women received their dead raised to life, and others also were racked, and would not be delivered, because they looked for a better resurrection. In this jeb. 11. 36. 37. to end. faith o●…hers have been tried by mockings and scourgings: yea moreover by bonds and imprisonments, they were staned and hewn asunder, and were tempted and slain with the sword, and wandered up and down in sheeps skins, and in goat skins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented, whom the world was not worthy of, they wandered in wilderness, & mountains and dens, and caves of the earth. And these all through faith obtained good report, and received not the promise, God providing a better thing for us, that they without us should not be perfect. Yet all these died in faith, and saw Heb. 11. 13. 14 15. 16. the promises a far off, and received them thankfully, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth, for they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country not hereupon earth, but the desire a better, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God, and hath prepared for them an heavenly city. Now then, seeing that faith is the ground of things hoped Hebr. 11. 1. for, and the evidence of things which are not seen: Let us in any wise use the means that God hath appointed to come thereby. And seeing we are compassed with so great a cloud of Heb. 12. 1. 2. witnesses, Let us also cast away every thing that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth on so fast: and let us run the race with patience that is set before us: still looking unto our Lord and Soviour jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. And let us above all things take heed that we despise not him that speaketh: For if all these which before I spoke of, and many more escaped not which refused those that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. And seeing we know that the judgements of God are according to truth against all them that have so lightly regarded to hear and know, and have counted them worthy of death which have done so: let us not think if we do the same, that we shall escape the judgements of God: but that the like famine will befall us and our nation that hath befallen others: I do not Amos. 8. 11. 12 mean a famine of bread, as made of corn, but of that heavenly bread the word of God. Therefore seeing his word is no vain word (as Moses saith) Deut. 32. 47. concerning men, but is even their very life: Let us (as the Apostle saith) as new borne babes desire the sincere milk thereof, 1. Pet. 2. 2. and 2. Pet. 3. 18. that so we may grow thereby, both in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ, especially forasmuch as that in the knowledge of him standeth our eternal life: & no where else is he to be found, but in the holy scriptures, for so he himself hath said in these words: Search the scriptures, for in them ye think to have eternal life: & so you john. 5. 39 shall, for they are they that testify of me, by whom you have your life, breath & being, and that eternally: but you will not come Acts. 17. 28. john. 5. 40. john. 3. 36. unto me (saith he) that ye might have life: Therefore hath the holy Ghost said in another place, he that obeyeth not the son of God shall never see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Seeing therefore that the son hath given john. 5. 39 joshua. 1. 8. commandment to search the Scriptures, and the father that we should not let them departed out of our mouths, and the holy Ghost hath pronounced a blessing only on them which Psal. 1. do therein delight: Let us in any wise take unto us (as the Apostle commandeth) even the whole armour thereof, and Ephe. 6. 10. to 19 with the holy Prophet make it our only meditation continually, then shall we be sure to prosper and to have good success: Ioshu. 1. 8. for so the Lord himself hath told us: yea then shall we be like a tree that flourisheth being planted by the river side, Psal. 1. which bringeth forth her fruit in due season: yea then shall our prosperity be as a flood, and our righteousness as the waves Esai 48. 18. of the sea, for than will the son of righteousness himself overshadow us, under whose wings we shall be sure to find Psal. 91. 4. everlasting health and safety, whereas otherwise we see that God is a consuming fire, and hath trodden down the wicked Deut 4. 4. and Heb●…. 12. 29. that would not delight herein, as we have seen in all ages. Therefore most hearty I beseech you, yea and beseech you again and again, that you will always remember that great commandment of the Lord our God, which is this: Even to remember the law of Moses his servant, the which he Mala. 4. 4. hath commanded, with all his statutes and judgements: and also that most sure word of the holy prophets with the commandements 2. Pet. 1. 19 & 3. 2. of the apostles of our Lord and saviour: and to labour therein both day and night: that so you may remain no longer as children without understanding, but to be of a most ripe age therein, and that so it may be said of you, This Deut. 4. 6. 7. 8. people is only wise, and of an understanding heart: For they have known the holy scriptures from their childhood, which 2. Timo. 3. 1t. are only able to make them so to be. Come therefore I beseech you, and let us with the holy prophet confess before all men & say, Oh how love we the law of the Lord: It is our Psal. 119. 97. only meditation continually: we have had as great delight in Psal. 119. 14. the way of his testimonies as in all manner of riches. Therefore shall our eyes prevent the night watches to meditate in Psal. 119. 148. his word, because the law of his mouth is better unto us then Psal. 119. 72. thousands of gold & silver: yea we his servants will continually meditate in his statutes, and his testimonies shall be our Psal. 19 23. 117. delight, and our only councillors. And because that by his Psal. 119. 24. precepts he hath quickened us, we will never forget his Psal. 119. 93. word: but we will still hearken unto his voice, that so we Psal. 119. 16. Deut. 26. 17. may learn to fear it, and diligently to obey it all the days of our life. And we will also set up the Lord this day to be our God, & we will walk in his ways, and keep his ordinances, his commandments and his laws for ever, and his voice Ioshu. 24. 24. alone will we obey. And so doing the Lord our God will set Deu. 26. 18. 19 up us to be a precious people unto himself, as he hath promised: yea so shall we be set on high above all nations of the earth in praise, in name, and in glory: yea so shall we be counted an holy people unto the Lord, which in time past were not a people: so shall our enemies that daily rise against us Deut. 28. 7. fall before our faces: yea where as they come out one way against us, they shall fly before us seven ways: yea so shall five of us chase an hundredth of them, and an hundredth of us put Levit. 26. 8. ten thousand of them to flight, as in good part, of late we have Deut. 28. 12. seen: yea so will the Lord open unto us his heavenly treasure Levi. 26. 45. 6. and give us rain in due season, whereby our land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit: yea so shall our thressing reach unto the vintage, & the vintage shall reach unto sowing time: yea so shall we eat our bread in great plenteousness, and dwell in our land in safety: yea so shall we have peace in our land, and our sleep be in quiet, and none shall make us afraid: yea so shall all the Deut. 28. blessings contained in the whole book of God come upon us and overtake us, if we shall hearken unto the voice of the Lord our God, and obey it, and delight in his holy word as in the chiefest treasure, and in delighting therein learn thereby to keep his commandments, and endeavour to do them. Then blessed shall we be in the City, and blessed in the field, blessed shall be the fruit of our body, and the fruit of our ground, the fruit of our cattle, the increase of our kine and flocks of our sheep. Yea so shall we find blessedness in all things we set our hands unto: And above all other blessings, reve. 2. 7. and 22. 2. 7. our right shallbe in the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God, & we shall enter in through the gates into the City. Ther●…fore this one thing I wish you to understand, and always to bear it mind, that is, that even jesus our saviour, who is the root and the generation of David, and Reu. 22. 16. 17 & Esay. 55. the bright morning star hath sent his Angel to testify unto you, and to all men, that who so thirsteth, and will come, he may be bold to come, and drink of the waters of life freely. And thus I end at this time my direction unto them: beseeching the Lord jesus Christ, that his grace may be with you, Apo. 22. 21. and to direct you thither, who is the only guide thereunto. Apo. 7. 17. Amen. FINIS. Yours in the Lord, Roger Cotton. Imprinted at London, for Gabriel Simson and William White. 1590.