■ „ » MM V PRINCETON, N. J. ^ Collection of Puritan Literature. Division- Sect j on Number Sccz JIL'X mn m i i ■ +* «— < v£>* — ^ CAA^ ^» w»i Uw«/ / *V//v5- Crunne, that ye may obtaine. O *?fcJ^Y^?W^ IghtWorfhipfulI, itisinfpired to - man by grace 3 to fetch the com- pafTe of this life within the reach of a fpannej and itis fuggefted topfai.^,jt him by nature to fpin out his web in many daies 3 though it bee with msmie dangers. Howbeit if the wings of pride did not tranfport vs to the height of worldlineffe, and the weight of opinion - did not beguile vsinthe tafte of happineffe, we might difcernein varietie ofdelightsbutfuperfluitieof defires, EccUio- in increafe of riches but exceiTe of forrowes, in length of yceresbut ftrength ofcarcs, and in the choifefl: footing that we take, but a changeable fleeting ofourcftate. For . if our affe&ions might alwaicsfeed on Manna3we Would N loath it; if 'our inheritance did flretch ro the plaines of* Iordan, wee would enlarge it ; and if our prehcminence f 3 might ^ c^K&runj/^s The Epttle Dedicatorie. might reach to heaucn, yet would we raifc vp our heads *««•$* higher. Thefe were the itching humors of Euab lineally defcended to vs 3 who thought not Paradife fpacious e- nough for her habitation, nor the dainties of Edenfwcct enough for her tafte, nor that prefence of God good e- noughforhercompanie. But where the fuperlcription £K-od.i8. 5<5. oi'HolineJJe to the Lordis engrauen on the head 3 and the i.iim.6.o. perfwa(]on 0f godlineffi to be game is engrafted in the heart , there the lull of the world , and the duft of the i.ioh.2.17. ^qjjd fha] t,c flmfHed together as paires and pearles ofe- quall account and continuance. For let the glorie of a Chriftian beneuerfo eminent , it is not greater then Sa- hut.6.1^. lomons \t nor yet Salomons fo great as the Lillies : let the arme of the wicked be neuer fo mightiest is not ftronger Exo.14 is. then Pharaohs ; and yet Pharaohs inferior to thecourfe of waters: let the power of his command beneuerfo abfb- Dan.j.ip. jutc^ jt js nQ£ ]arger tjlcn Kahuchadne&uirs, &yetftifned in pride, he. was ftreightned for 7. years within the walks of wild afTes Ji yea let the apparell he puts on be neuer fo royall,the place where he fits neuer fo iudicialljthe phrafe of his fpeech neuer fo plaufible 3 and the praife of his voice neuer fo popular, yet can he not be lifted vp abouc A&u.u. Herod, nor Herod by thefe defended from the wormesi Whether thenweperufethefteps of the Saints, or the ftate of vnrepentant finncrs, wee fee their Hues equally ECCI.3.2C bound vp with the cords of corruption, though vnequalf Jy matched in the ioy at their (eparatidn 5 the one falling away like a flower tranfplanted to a better foile : the other job 18. j;». rufliing vpon therocke of Gods wrath 3 either fhameful- ly deiedtcd with the terror of judgement while they Hue, or elfe fearefully entangled with the fenfe of. torment when they die. It is not therefore amifle, fincc an enter- ludcisas it were appointed to be plaied on this earth, which The Epijlle Dedicator}*. which is the ftage, bythefonncsofmen,whoarethc a* flors,in their feucrall callings3which are the parts, before God and Angels,who arc the beholdersrand fincc cuery mans part muft haue his period , yet no man knoweth where to end; it is not amifle we prepare with dexteritie toperformeit,that wee may tremble when the Lions i.Cor.14.8, roare, leape when the trumpet foundeth, ftoopewhen wearcftricken, runne on when we are bidden, recouer our felues when we fall, pawfe when we faint > and skippe like a young kid, when the ftarre of our faluation fhall ap- pcare. The way then to keepe the inftrument in tune, which is the heart; and our affediions in temper , which are the firings, is fanded out vnto vs,in that Chriftian an- fwer of Jacobs to the queftion of his age : Jn the numbring Gen.47.?, of our dates to be few, and the waighing of our deedes to be euill. Howbeittheflefhisinclofed with fo many fearcs, fubiect to fo many wants, forced to fo many helpes, and fb perplexed with it owne frailtie3 as the numbring ofIobg . our daies to be fhort is not fo difficult, being vnable whe- ther wee gaze abroad or lookeathomc, topromife our felues any long immunitie either from the decaies of na- ture^ the diflblution of nature. But to reckon our daies tobeeuil!,isthat whereto we are fb hardly haled : for the flefhis is enfnared with fuch idle hopes3blinded -with fuch wanton fhewes , bufied in fuchdeepe defignes, and fo benummed with fuch falfe delights,as we wafte our time and weigh it not,heape vp finne and feare it not, enflame Gods wrath and fcele it not, lie chained in death and wraftle not, flip into the graue and fee it not. Wherefore vnlefle we meafure our time as we doe our treafure , both by talc and by waight, and haue our perfwafion, that the flefhisvaine, coupled with an acknowledgement that ic is finfull, and in the reckoning of our iourney to be fnort, f 4 do The Efifile Dedicatmt. do not caft it vp likewifc to be wearifome,thc wicked doc number as well as we3 and draw vp their account as true Ex6d 12 - as we. For the Egyptians in a fright can fay, i)^/^, and >:>' yet purfue the Ifraclites to flay them : E/au inhishunger Gcn.ir.3 2. can eric , / am almojl dead* and yet in his heart thirft for $*7f4<* thc bloud of Jacob: the Iewes in their voluptuoufneffe Efa.ii.it. can ieft at theirdeath to morrow, and yet be drunke the day before. But our Arithmeticke that are Christians, Pial.^o.ia. nillft bee fetched from thepraier and pradfrfe of Mofesy who found the meditation of death a meanes and fpurre to wifedome. Wherein if ferioufly wee could taske our felues, wefhouldperceiue the plots and policies of the flefh laied vpon fuch vnfruitfull heapes fo foone fcat- Mat.7.26. tered, and the foundation and ground of our hopes heere onearthtobevnderpropped with fuch {lender helpes fo Phil.1.23, quickly weakened , as wee would eafily draw in our eies s.Cor.5.4. to attend our hearts defire to bee diflblued and to reft with Chrift. For whereas our affe&ion to this life, is en ■ flamed either bythofcflaiTiingsofvaine-glorie, that flic through the world like lightning, or by the freedorne and ilrengthof yeeres wrapped vp in the power ofprehemi- nence aboue others, the Sunnc as yet did neuer ihine vp- on that fonne of Adam 3 that faw not vexation the fore- runner 3 and ambition the betraier of honor, and that felt not fecretconfuming care the preferuer , and open andirkefomelabour> the dire&or of his command. Yea, fo long as we faile in this inferior fea, we lliall be fo boor- ded by fuch crofle encounters , and fo deluded by fucli falfe alarmes both at home and abroad,as if we rife, enuie lieth at the roote to hew vs downe i if we fall> pride ftan- loh.31.1j. deth at our feeteto prefTe vs lower *, ifwe rule, authoritie doth fo amaze vs.as we forget companion 5 if wee obey, infolencie doth Co befiege vs^as we negleft fubieclion$ if we 7 he IB fifth TcJicatorie. Vec abound, coucroufncfle crecpcthin fodofely, as it grudgcth the comfort of focicty , if we be fcantcd,impa- tiency brcaketh out fo fiercely , as it defpifcth the law of propertie ; if wc be prouokcd,wrath rosreth out fo bitter- lie for reuenge, as it is no manhood to fheath vp iniuries; if vvc bee pleafed, flatterie followcth on fo fhamcfully for reward, as it is no mafterie to obtaine victories 5 it we be weake, we blame the worke of nature , that we were not made of a firmer mettall ; if we be rtrong,wc blaze the art Iob *.x*. ofnatureasif wee were fteelc, that could notturncthc edge i if we be ficke, we plant our faith in the Phyfitian to i.Chr.i*.l:. cure vs , yet being found wee fhakc off temperance that might prcferuevs , when our leaues beegreene and our lob 5 2. 4. wits frefh , becaufe wee want the rcuerence of the aged, we crie that hoary haircs might quickly couer vs , and be- ing arriucd at age the doore of death' j wee wit h that flip- per youth might againe beguile vs : euer peruertingthe times and preuentingthc meanes that God hatli prefi- xed, and wearying and wafting our feluesfooneft in pof- feffing that we would enioy longeft. For though it be the pleaiureof theAlmightie, that wee fhouldcheiifh this lampeoflife, yet ought wee not to confumetheoylein prizing our delights at too high a rate, nor in fpending on lames 4. 3. our lufts in too large a meafure. And though like warie fhipmenweeprouide for this crazie barke, which is the bodie, yetmuft wee not permit immoderate carelikeaMat'^2?-< mercilefTe canker to eate through our bones. But the way toballanceour felueseucn, andnottoftray beyondour tether, istocaptiuateour thoughts thus farre, astorec- ken the world but as a cradle, wherein we are rocked, till weafpireto fomcageand growth in Chrift : ourdefires but as dreames wherewith we are deluded, till we attainc to fometalle of Gods loue in Chrifbthis life but as a race A w herein The Epifile Dedicatorie. wherein we are wearied and perplexed till wee can reco- ucr fomc fight of Chrift \ and this body butasaprifon, wherein ourfoules liefhakled vnder the hope of being blefied in the death of Chrift. To which affection and perfection wee ill all then afcend , when being taught by his word which is midland led by his fpirit which is life, we can fhake off felfc- will that runneth onfo fafttode- ftru&ion , andfvvaydowne felfe-Iouetbcitfwelkthvpfo high to preemption , and can walke in humilitie as in the fight of God , contenting our fellies with the portion affigned vsas his gift , and with the affliction fentvs as histriall, crucifying the fiefhas an enemy tothequick- ning of the foule , and trampling on this earth as an in- fnarer of our feete in vanitie , weighing fickeneffe but as the fore-runner of fleepe, and welcoming death but as the fickle of the Lords harueft , beholding the graueas the faithfull treafury of our bodies , and looking vpto heauenas thevndoubted Paradifeof our foules. Now there being but two impediments to this perfwafion &om.8.?.3?. and tranquillitie of fpirit , either the corruption thatre- fteth within vs , or the foirpwes brought vponvs while webreath heere : the firft cleauingand clafping fo clofea- bout our loynes ( finne being likealeprofie that hath couered the skinne) as wee feemeto (land but on one foote from flipping into hell : the other ftrikingfbdeepe into the ioyes of this life, that feeling as it were a quoti- dian ague ofdifcomforts hanging vpon vs , we can hard- ly weane our thoughts from listening to the knell of judgement founding in our eares ; it is fit we prouide for our inward peace, there being no outward balmeable toaflwagea raging confcience,nornoexternallPhyficke Ijiaesx.i. °^ ^orce t0 rclicue a diflrefled foule. We may not there- fore iudgc our felues fafeft , when wee are freed from the bufferings The EplftU DcdicAtcr't^ bufferings of Satan: for bearing in our bodies a dluidcd kingdom between the flefh & the /pirit, rcprefentcd vnto vs in the wreftlingof i^/>. oufnes :thc fweetnes we tafte in his word,thc vanity of our minds willendeuortoouercafl: with drowfines : the faith A^-i0-s>. which we ground on his promifes, thefubtiltyofthefer- Gcn pent will feeke to vndcrmine by doubtfulnes : the confei- ence we make to offend,the lulls of our flefh will contend for to couer with hypocrify: the detcftatio we haue offin, the concupifcence of our eics wil ftriue to out-reach with profaneneiTe:& the intercft we haue to heaucn , the pride ofour liues will perfwadevs to exchange for trifles.WithGcn which temptations wc may not bedifmaied, for where the fiegcis layd, there is watchfulnefle to withftand 5 but where no fearc of the enemy is3there the weapon rufteth: and feeling a continuance of this contention between the law of the flefh and the fpirit of life, wee may bee allured that the feed of grace giuen vsfrom aboue, which firft: drew vs into fight with ourvncleanne(!e,is well growen, and that imputing the firft thought of our peace to the loue of God,the full accomplifhmentof it to the death of iota $.i& Chriil,and the alone meflenger and pcrfwader of it to the holy G hofr 5 and knitting the whole power of the worke, the mercy in our prefcruation, & the glory in our viitorie to the arme and action of the almighty, we (It all haue ouc corruptions as it were clofed in our hands, andthepridt ofour refinance fo abated in our liues, asfinneilir.il but droupingly be fecne in vs , and mortality that cannot bee A 2 priuiledgcd ■The Epiftle Dedicator*?. ! priuifcdgcd with perfediion , iliall yet be beautified with ian£tification,in iuch meafure as we fhall walks heere but as difpatcht from heauen on our Lords meffage , to giiic Tit. 2.7, the Tonnes of men a paterne of good life, & to forewarne G-i. 2*. 20. them oftheir woes,by bounding our defires within Licobs compas,the pretence, of the Lord to guide vs that we doe not ft ray , his prouidence to feed vs that we do not ftarue> and his bounty to cloth vs that we do not perifh. On the oiheiiide yto tender are our thoughts, and fo fealous our Iefe^.4. meditations of the lone of God, as weareftrickenwitha trembling diftruft, to hatieicft the ftarrc of our direction and comfort in Chrift ? when wee fee our felues expofed to the fhame of the world 9 and the winds ft ill to beate on our rudders, wherethe wicked fade away proudly in a fet calme 5 our houfes to be indofed with fnaresywhen theirs are peaceable without feare ; and our hues to be bound lob 21.24. vp in forow,wfoen their brefts (as lab fpeaketh) are full of milke ,and their bones of marrow. , And when the appre- hension of this feare hath taken fitch hold of ourfteib, .as we thinke ourfelucs imitten in difpleafure, and the tree of our hope to bee torne downe in wrath, wee then wrallle with finnc as if the fteps of our ftrength were reftrained, and.looke vpon death as the laiier, that commits vs to the graue as a dungeon. Howbeit e.uen in this doth the Lord reach forth a mod approued cordiall torcrnoue thefaint- neiTc of our hearts; for hauing accefle into his (ancillary through the vnion& communion we hauc with Chrift, the vncieannes of our birth being wiped away in the fan- edification of his nature, our tranfgreflion remoued in his innocency,our rebellion difcharged in his obedience,and the vtmoft farthing paid in his fufferings , and hauing the image of God we loft in Adam not renewed onely, but* fairer and deeper ftamp thereof engrauen and fet vpon vs, it 7 he Epiftle Dedicdtorie. it being not now in our power to lilten anymore to the counfel ofthc flefh,Chri(t bearing our names before him as his brcft-plate , and our bodies with him as members whereof he is head ; and hauing this written in the tables of our heart by the finger of no forgcrer,but of that com- forter was fent from heaucn, and teitified by our fclues in the pietieofour religion and purity of conuerfation , fet- ting faluation before vs as a binding benefite, eucn to the lolfe of our fouls to venture for the Lords glory : we may Rom 8 inaChriftian refolution giuc challenge at the gates of hell, that nothing can be charged vpon vs as a debt, and therefore nothing can light vpon vs as a punilhmenr. Wherefore if the Lord doe cafthis cloudy countenance vpon vs, it is that we ihould watch againfl the weaknefle ofthc flefh, which is then readied to fleepe when tempta- Mat- x6-& tion is neareft : and yet if the ftreame of temptation cary vs into fome fin, & from thence we flip into fome fhame, in his compaflion hecureth vs , and yet in kindnefle doth correct vs. It he mingle our bread with care,and lodge vs in the bed of darknes & difcomforc, it is to weane vs from the flelh pots of Egypt , and to aduance vs in the way to Canaan ; yet being driuen to any (trait or exigent in this wildernes, rather then we fhall want it fhall raine Manna, Exod.i*.4, & rather then we fhall thirft the rocke fhalyeeld vs water: 8U7.*. yea though the wicked be like the bramble,who in confi- dence of their fhadow dare chalcnge to be kings ouer the g 9' 1 * trees of the forreft, and our felues like ihecpe,who in fim- plicity grazing vpon themountaines, are either fleeced of the 1 hearer when we are growne in wooIl,or fnatched vp by the butcher when we are growen in fleih: yet when death hath made vs both eucn with the earth , thegraue ihal be to vs a fold till our ihepheard come,and to them a fhambles till the deftroier of their foules fhali haue recei- A 3 ucd The EptftU VedicAtorie. tied an cndlcs commiffion to torment them. What caufe then hauc we to fhut our gates againft the gafps of death; or like trembling leaues to entertaine the galeorblaftof ficknes,which doth but prune our fethcrs,the moreeafily to flie toward our abiding citie ? For ifneithcr the weight of corruption, thoughitforelyprelfevs, nor the violence of affliftion ^though it foundly beat vsyoart ieparat vs from lob ?. aj. the loue of God3 nor the league with his creatures, nay if this mafle of fin, and (forme of forrow we foftaine., be the mod fenfible motiues to draw vs vnder Chrids couerings and liuingheere as finning faints though fandified .and as crucified fiints though beloued^we haue yet but our ioies ^Cof.i3.i». cchpfed, and that beauty of bkfTednedefet foorth vnto vs in a cotmrerfct, which fhall clearely heereafrer be difco- uered ; into what profound vanity arewefalneifwe wold dill be hedged in and inthralldd in this vale of mifcry and mortality, andnotdefiretoafcendon that ladder which Gen. 23.17. lacob\tflU DedicAtorie. whom chiefly I hauc let my byas, that yc will be plcafed to benofcuere examiners, but mild perufers of ihefepa- pers,and that arfcclion may fomewhat mediate with your judgements , to cenfurc not as ye fee , but as I mcanc ; I haue aducntured the hazard to be reproucd of others, vp- on allured' confidence to bee accepted of you. And though many may happeiy balkc the alley , and not lend their eye to behold theiarresbetweene the Belli and the ipirk , vpon opinion that my lelfe haue leaped beyond my laft, in ftriuing to bring this boat to land , which the owner neucr meant ihourd fee the fhore : yet when I confidered the word of God to be like the rainc , and the Hcb .6. 7. hearts of men like the earth, that ifthe tree anfwer not her Mark. ». 2*. fruite, her leaues will not proteft her from the fire : that hcfhallcomeihortin his account of faith , thatmakethRom tkat we are no longer within the compaffe of the Lprds prote&ion, then wee walkein feare within the bounds of his direction ; that if religion be not the com- mander in our callings 3 fcarcitieor difcontentwillbecas mothes in our bleffings i and that if preemption mifleade vs to pledge only a pang of dcuotion for a facrifice when thepleafure of ourdaies bepaft 3 iudgement fhall but re- quite vs,if either death do ftrangle vs before we fpeake,or the wrath of God rebound vpon vs when wee haue wepc our fill. For it ftandeth not with the Lords honour to be >lcr.^.3j. fhakenofffo oft when he would lodge with vs , nor with our duties to runne away Co faft, when wee lhouldturne to him ; but that at length iufticemuft arifeto preferue the maieltie of his mercy , Co much abafed 5 andfo long abufed, which we haue fenfibly felt, the (tapes being yec feene in our ftreets, and may feare hcereafter to bee more 2,Sam.i4.i4. fierce, by how much the fword of the enemiefharpencd to deftnfdtion , doth exceed thecorre&inghandofGod tempered withcompaffion. The Lord graunt this fhort feting of his face againft vs> may haftevs to haue peace with him, that hath che ends of the world fubied to his power, and the plagues of the world reftrainable at his will : fo fhall wee bee preferued frota the venime , and ranfomed from the violence of them that feekeourfoules, and either ftill praifehimin rial.5^ 13. the land of the liuing, or eternally dwell with him in the habitation of his Saints : -which God grant may bee your portions^ and the inheritance of your pofterity. ^Amen* Yours in all dutie. H. Jduerton. TO TO THE READER, 1 Hinke not (gentle Reader ) that the turn- ing b.i eke from the world is any locking Ufr.f.ti. Licke from the plough ; but by example iudge it f after to bend thine eie toward Zoar a place of reft, then towreft thy fight Gen>19 lu toward Sodome the citie ofwrath. ^And finccthe earth was curfedfor'thy finne in Adam , and thy Gcn.j.iz. ftelfe art faued by thy faith inC 'hrift , let the direction of thy r^2'1^ thi nghts to him be the mejfenger to thy heart that thou art Matt.5 to. in heauemfor thou art not placed that thouftjouldeft be plan- PllI,;3-~°- ted here , but be'mg bought from this earth by b-loud, clean fe thy felfem this earth by water ; that ftneefome inferior af- fections muft needs be fonle, the duft may onely clean e to thy I^.ij.8, feet, thy head and thy hands be lift zp to God. For if in the pride of thy fie (I) thou doft build thy neft neere him^ or in the profanenes ofthyheartdoeftflriueto be rich without him , ps.^j. r, the leaft breath of his mouth fl) 1 1 batter thy feat to be feene no G«u 1 .7. tnore& fcatter thy wealth as before the wind. Tea the Lord u 1 1< 10* hath choke d thy fields with thiftles, & wrapped vp thy trea> Gen. 5.^, fire in rufti that feeing the ground whereon thou ft an deft to lim>5-$. be out efParadife, and theftaffe whereon thou leaneft to bee but wood of the woorflfort, thou might eft pray to haue the (word put ip that flops thee from the tree of life ^ andthofe Gcn.3 -24." boughes cut off that (jjadow theep-om beholding thy fnnes borne in Chrifts body. Now the humour that hindreth thy 1 ■ Pet 2.24, hgbt , is the Cry fall ftjew of brittle honor , thatfets thine eies on fire to follow after it ', for if Adam may be as God^ Gen. 3.5-. there is no commandement Lan hedge h/m: //Efau may haue Gcn.y:... ' To the Reader. a triune of men at his heeles^ hee will fo one digeft the loffe of i.Tim.4-io. his birth right: &ifDtm*smay but win the worldjhe will I ti haftetojhake hands with the Saints of God. But remember how with the fruit e thy father /wallowed wrath, which to Malii .5 . this day hathfet thy teeth on edge, that the ioy the reprobate Mat.4. io. ytfo >Jn fojlcjlj ^ j; joined with the hatred of God vpon his foule^and that if the Tonnes of menfjall takethediuellat his word, as the Sonne of God did not , it is but a bitter recom- Mit.i5. i6. pence for the loffe of the better part , "when themfelues are compaffedwith confufion. Take the counters into thine owne hand, and fee what re- koningthoucanft make of life: what is pa ft fight eth thee with the remembrance of it, becaufefomuch of thy light is /pent : what isprefent/ourdeneth thee with the weight ofit> hecaufe infweate and for row thou doejl wajle thy time:what is to come troubleth thee with the incertainty of it , left the graue do fw allow thee before thou fee it.yea make thy account as thou ought and thou /halt find itjwifter then the weauers lobJV*. Jbittle, andfteedierthena P oft carifdvpon the wings of the wind \ for iftheLordfteppe notbetweene thee and deaths before thou canft lay one thy breath is gone. What booteth it then fo vnfeafonably to ripen thy cares for the tares of this Ufefforifthouheapevpfiluer as the ) and 3 and prepare rai- ment as the clay, yet building thy houfe as the moth , not in thine owne but in another s garment , when thou [halt make lob 18.13. thybedinthedarke, and the fir H borne of death /hall con- Iob 1 6. 1 5 . j-ume thyftrength, where then be the firings of thy hope, thy home beingthusabafedto theduft ? Ofthyfelfe thou art but a tree turned vpward,hauing no fap from the earth 5 and if thou b e eft not moiftened with the de aw from heauen, though by thefent of water thou maitst bud, yet (halt thou peri/h in the blade , becaufe thou halt no/pirit at the roote. Therefore if thou expeff in thy labour blefiwg , in thy peace continu- ance^ To the Reader. ance,in affliction comfort \ in thy de.it b triumph \ thou must re/ferf in thy calling honesty, in thy pleaftn cs incitement, in EccleC i r. 9, thy forrowes mercy, &* in thy life religion. For if God be not [ !:1,1 *" with thee to direct theeth.it thou fir ay not , to correct thee th.it thou (well not, to pre fence thee that thou f ami ft not, to p irdon thee that thou defpaire not , to curb thee that thou flumble not , to fir engt hen thee that thou fall not , to fan- clifie thee that thou finne not) and to glor'ifie thee that thou perifJj not : fo many he the errors of thy life as thou can ft not ™. Uf • 14. he ale them, and fo fife is thine iniquitie fealedvp, as thou canil not chufe but hauc chrnge of for r owes. lhaue therefore pre fume din x Chriflian loue ofthyfoule^ if not to cure thy lealofie of the world , yet to prefcribcthee rhyfickc to crucifie thyfelfe. It is a field fowne by the hand of another , though fome fell not run fruitfully I hope into my ground ; and albe.t many yccres haue now oucrgrowne my papers fince I fir ft plowed it, and that the feeds-man himfelfc (leepcth in the earth , yet fomewhit to awake the memory of the righteous ^ and to quicken and vine heart to the de fires cf the religions, lhaue f/jot fome few arr owes that I had of his, which if thou perufe with diligence, and lay zp with confei- ence, thou (halt find of greater force then thefafts of Iona- i.S^nio.zr, than; ft nee thefe forewarnc thee of the fury net ofSzu 1 , but of Satan, who re'toyceth more in thy damnation then he for- roweth for his owne. So hopin * thou wilt either looke vpon me in loue^ or lay me a fide without fljame , I commit thee to God , whogiue thee andforgiue thee much. Crayes Inne2 Decemb.iq. 1604. Thy friend, H. rduerton, TO To the Oiriftian Reader. HR IS TIA N Reader , when thou take/la view of the bookes already abroad, and daily increasing , as alfo ace or ding to thy meafure of grace receiued , doejl difcerne ofandcen- fure the weakneffe and infufficiency of too many : IJpeakenot now ofthofe idle and vaine, oh that I might not fay J ending to Atheifme and prophanenes\ which are rather to be bewailed in a Chriftian common-weale,than eenfured: but ofthofejwhofefubiecl is pro fit able, and work- men defirous to profs : Euen in too many of thefe thou hajl caufe iuflly to complain e , there is no end of making many books ,the reading offuch being but wearifomnes to the ft 'fh7 andfobreedeth adijlafofthenecejfaryvfeofreading. But when thou ft alt lift vp thine eies , andfpie out as in afoggie Ecclcn.io, mift^diuers alfo wherein is an vpright writing, the words oftruth, able to teach and to conuince , thou art now to be encouraged, and not to be wearie to exercife thyfelfe^ as thy calling and mean es willaffoord, in bookes that are neceffary^ pretiom and godly. Among thefe, if thou wilt take the pains to read, thou wilt eafily condefcend , that thefe Sermons de~ ferue, both for their matter and penning^ to bepreferuedfor the ufe of Gods Saints. Which will app care, if with mee thou wilt a little neerer obferue the frame and comelineffe of this work : namely, the doctrines naturally raifed.the reproofe of the aduerfary found ly concluded : and that in fuch apithie phrafe, and words favouring of grace } that thou canfnotbut with To the Chriftian Reader. with me acknowledge diuers excellent graces ofCod finning clear cl) in the (^Author , in the Penman. By the ^yluthjur the word is truly interpreted, and m a pwjl excellent m.tr c, brought home to thy confcience^othfor mollification <>, and quickening m hc.iucnly duties, as alfo for fet ling thee a- gaujjl tin! accurfed herejie of P opety ^tybjeh is too much ne- glected oft oo many able teachers- ffi the Pen -man obferue diligence, wife dome, go dlmcfje \ he tooke this pa •ns only for his owhe priuatevfc : for very hardly could hee bee draw en H E foure Euangelifts haue bcene re- x fembled by fome writers to the foure hearts ipokcn of E^ec.i.io. and Rett. 4. 7. Th'sEuangelifl: Mathew being compared to a man, becaufc he begins ;h the pedegrcc of our Sauiour Chrift: S.Marke to aIion,becaufe hec Tr^jS^jQ. begins with the preaching of John Bap- ///?, who roared like a lion in the wildernefle thedo&rineof Repentance: S,Lt*ke to an Oxe or BuIlock,bccaufe he begins with the (lory of Zac harytht Prieft, whole office was vnder the Law to offer facrifice : and S.Iohn to an Eagle,becaufc hee flicth aloft , and beginneth with the etcrnall generation of the Sonne of God according to his Diuinicic. It it is true indeed their beginnings are as before , but their comparifons are too curious 5 for as the finger of God directed them, fo did they wrice,and fuch was the Lords loue to his church, as not to fuf- fer vs to be vnfurmflicd of any thing that might further vs in thecourfe ofourfaluation, but from time to timetoraifevp inftruments and pen-men to Jet dovvne his will, that feeing the way wherein to walke, we need no: nor cannot pretend igno- rance. The whole chapter diuidcth it fclfe into two general parrs: firrtisfetdowne the lineall defecntof Chrilt : lecondly, the ' manerof his natiuitie,from the eighteenth ve rft to the end. IrTthe firft part note three members :firft, a generali com- t prehenfion of the matter in the firll verfe : fecondly, the large "d oarration of it , from the fecond to the icuenreenth verie : * B thirdly, z Math i. Vers. i. thirdlyjthe coticlufion, in the feuenteenth verfe. " In the firft of thefe obferue two parts : firtt, what matter he t will intreat of: fecondly,of whole pcdegree;namely of Chrilh the great King of immortality. { 3nthatitis(aid,thebookeoftheGeneration,irisnottobe taken as a title prefixed to the whole booke,but it is meant ac- cording to ihe Hebrew phrafe , that it is a Catalogue or reci- tall of inch a ftocke as our Sauiour Chrift came of. ^ For the fecond, which is the narration, it is d ftributed into three members,euery one by equal! proportion hauing foure- / teeneperfons : the firft, of thePatriarkes : thefecond,ofthe * Kings of Damd: the third, of theCaptaines and inferior Go- ucrnors which had onely fome fragments left of the roiall re- giment arte£thetranfportation andcarying them away into J3abylon.r^ow tbecaufe why the Euangeliit diuideth them thus into three foureteenes, is.not onely that the number and ' the (lory might the better be borne away, but principally be* * caufe he is to proue that Chrift came lineally from the Iewes, he ferceth downethe threefolde, eftate of the Iewes,and wher* unto they were fubiecl till Chrift came , who fhould raigne in the hearts of men : (hewing how at the firft the Tribe of Iuda increafed greatly till it was eftablifhed and fetled in the king- dome of David, then the greateft excellency thereof was in D.imds forme Salomon, and then the abatement and greateft diminution that could be which was in theircariageaway into Babylon, and that a Carpenter mould be right heire to the Crowne, flieweth the great eclipfe whereunto it was fallen ; (6 I as in thePatrjarkes it was like the Sunne dawning , in Salomon * liketheSunne inhis full glory, and afterward hke the Sunne ~ {ct and gone downe, leauing the right of the kingdome as in a darke place, namely in hfepb apoore Carpenrer^ofabafe trade and meane condition mottling at all relpec^edVNowTur- ther in the narration, the Euangebft (as we may fee in the old f Teftamcnt) reckoneth vpfome that lined before the going q, downe into Egypt , (ome that were borne and died in Egypt, 3 and lomo that returned out of Egypt, and were led as llaues into Babylon, In Math. i. Vers, i. 3 In that it is faid , Jud.u begat Phares and Zaraof Thamar, obferue that our Sauior Chritt did not difdatne to dcbaic and difparage himfclfe To farreas to come of the line of fuchas were borne of an incelhious generation, that we might be ra- uilhcdand altonifhed with his loue, who refuted not to come out of the family of grollejjrjners that he might faue the /in- full ibules of bclceuers. And whereas in the blazing of Chnfts armes by this Herauld the Euangelift, there are but foil re wo- men named, euery oneor them hath their feuerall blemifli and reproach left behind them in thebooke of God. The fiiif, Th.1m.1r incciluoully abufed by her father in law, Gen. 38. 1 8. 29. The CccondyRabstb, Icjb.z. 1. by nation a Cananite.as vile asrobcadogge,byprofefTionanidolater,bycityofIerichoa j0^ 6 place lo curfed, as that no fbulefhould efcape thence aliue, in trade a victualler, and in conuerfation a whore : yea the place file dwelt in lb curfed, that whofo fhould build it vpagaine (hould do it in the bloud of all his family : and yet this woman muft be put in the roiall defcent of Chrift. The third is Ruth> who came of that nation, that was begot in inceft, andcaufed the children of Ifrael to finne in fornication. Numb%z$% 1 : fo as it is faid for the Edomites , the Lord efteemed them no more thenasanoldfhooe , and Moab fliould be but as a chamber- pfal,£0>$, pot 5 and as appeareth in her owne booke, Ruth 2.3 . (lie was poore, gleaningafrer the reapers the eares of corne. Forthe • fourth , which is f riot wife, (he was the word of aIl,of her Salo^ mon\\asboxnz}z.Sam.iz. 24. whereby the holy Ghoft doth infinuatc the adultery committed before his birth , and confi- der Salomon borne of Inch an infamous woman,that he mould be heirc, and yet not the cldert fonne, it was meerely of Gods mercy and notofanymericjandbyreafonofthis woman, D*- wWnotonely committed adultery to haue madeaballard to hiuc inherited the Crowne,but to this added bloud,the death 2. Sam. if, of her husband and of many others, and fuch a deith,as to die 4- x7. by the Kvord of the vncircumcifed , which was mod reproch- full ["that nowthe holy Gholt fhould direct thepenoftheE- uangelill to draw Chrifts linage by name from thefe, & not to deriuc him from Sara & Re&ecca}that were excelleely famous, B 2 and 4 Math. i. Vers. i. and that Dauidthe type ©f the Meflias fhould be fuch ablou- dy man,may be a conlolation to al bleeding chridians,& may teach vs ,that though our fins be neuer To hamous in refpeft of the qualitie of them , or neuer fo many in refpeft of the mul- Matn 18. titudeofthem, yetifatanytimewebevveariewithafulldete- ftation of them,anda reiolnte purpofe to amend them, Chriit will refrefhvs, and will fcatter them before him, euenas the dud before the winde : and the greater is our condemnation, ifhauing fo much mercie we repent not. Secondly, obleruein that it is laid, lcjfe begat Danid, and Dattid S alamort, wheras David onely is named king,bcingthe lad of the firdfourteene, that the edateof thePatriarkes was now changed into kings find though Iudahadfome prehc- minence,before that the kingdome fell to them, yet this was the greated glorie, char it fhould be fuch a kingdome whereof the king that (hould be borne mould be God the Son: which may teach vs,that the highed honor that can befal a family ,or a cuntry,or a Chridian is,to haue the Lord to dwel with them: for all other titles are folded vp in time that perifheth,but the prefence of the Lotd bringeth comfort that decaieth not. Howbeit we mud note, that as this kingdome otluda was a 1 Sam if 18 type of the Meflias, it was begun in Dauid onely , for Saul ' though he was king before,yet was he no type of the Meflias. And for this fecond order which is all of Kings, we mail fee if we perufe the booke of God,that Chrid came of fome as wic- ked kings as euer were 5 for where from Salomon to the capti- mtie there were 19. kings, 1 3. of them were mod wicked, and fome of them had fuch fpeciall blemifhes & fpots vpon them, as it is doubted whether they be faued or no: Salomon had great enormities,but there is no doubt of his repentance, wit- nelTed by his booke of retractions called Ecclejiaftes. ^be- gan well , but in his old age he impiifbned the Prophet that told him of his finne , and in his ficknefle truded more to the PhyfitianthentoGod, 2. Chr.i6, 10. 12. Iebo/apbatdidihe woordac"t that could be(2.^T/>7^.8.i8,)to marriehis fonne Je- horam to Athaliah the daughter of lezabel, whereby manie prouocations were committed; and yet thefe were the bed. lehoram Ma t h. i. Vers. i. 5 lehoram he caufed all Iuda to commit ido!atry,fo as the Lord for- fookehim, and( 2. C^ro. 21. 15. )hediedamifcrabledeath,his guts falling out of his belly , not all at oncc,but day by day , which was more grieuous. ^a*/'*hislbnnewasilaine {z.Chro. 22.9.) by Iehu in the field, and neuer any reuenged his blood. Tosjh his fonne ( Z* Chron.2^. :;.) was mightily prcferued by Iehoiada the Prieit from the hands ot Athaliab. Yet when the Prieft was dead (2. Chron. 24.78.) when the Prophets came to tell him he was a build and milled by his Princes to idolatry , he caufed them to be thine in the temple, andhimfelfc ( Ftrf.iy ) was afterward killed by his owne feruants. Ama remc- 6iQ, but he was enforced to giue them to the bloud-thiiity Ba- bylonians, Wherein obferue , what a fearefull thing it is to fall into idolatrk i after our eies haue once bcene opened ; and how nothing prouokes tne Lord lb much, as the contempt of his em- baflage. For if hauing once feene the goodnefie and power of God, we decline from him, and lay holde on other helpes , and eontemne the face and fpeech of his Minifters , whom he hath made acquainted with his fecrets, and that wee waxe ftrongin ourfelueSjWedoebutas F^ziahdid (z.Chron. 26.16. ) life vp our hearts to deftruction , and force the Lord to take his cuppe ofindignationinhishand, and to holde it as well to the mouth of the king as to the people : for where all confpire to workemif- chiefe, all ihall beouerwhelmed with the fame madnelTe, as Ie- remy fpcakcthychap. 25. 18. For the fecond, which is the mife- rie they fuibincd being captiues, it is to be feene , firft , in their / vfage before they came to Babylon, fetdowne, z.Cbr. 30.17.- they tooke both young and old , men and women, and though they fled to the San6ruarie forfuccour, yet were they there tab- bed with daggers 5 they burnt the houfe of God , and tooke the precious veflcls of it , toabufe in their fuperftition when they come to Babel. Now to fee the temple on fire , and yong and old. •?- Math. i. Vi-rs. i. 7 old ll line wi.honc mercy , had beene enough toh-me r :nt their hearts in peeces , to fee the worfliip of God thus defaced , and themfelues referucd but as an after pray to the enemy. But now z. iccondlycomming thither, namely, to Babel, to behold lucli » grolle idolatry, and to heareluch high reproves, as no doubt were giuen againll the God of Ifrael , as , Come ling a long to pfai , . the God oMuda that hath forlaken you , and, Beholde, hcerc be the people whom the Lord hath fpued out ; befides thebon- dagc wherein themfclues were kept j how could they but ftrainc foorth tearcs of blmid^^jind lend foorth deepc fighes from a mournfull fpirit < Yea their cafe was lodefperare and miferablc, 2- as ( l:,^ch. 37.11.) their raifmg vp agame and reiLtunon was made of the Lord as great a matter, and as hard as ro put life in- to a company or dead bones : lor there the Lord faith : Thefc dric bones are the houfe of Ifrael, neither yet did this theircapn-3 uitylailbut a while, but they were wintred and fommcred there full 70. y eeres,as was foretold by the Prophet Ieremy,^/>. 2 5 . 11. that they fliould bean aftonifhrnent , and ferue the king of Babel lb many yeeres. For the third , which is the Lords mercy 3m in their delmerance, they be the words of his owne mouth. For thy fake ( O Ifrael ) I wili not doe ir, for thou art filthy , but for Ere c. 3 6. %i. my owne fake I will, that they may know I am. able to doe if, and for Dauid my feruants lake, I will not vrtcrly put out the light of I/rael. "Hence learnc generally, that there is no nation fofree , but ft- the Lord may captiuate, and if they decline and leaue their firft loue, the Lord may and will abandon them. For if any people might haueprefumed, it was this, whohadthepromifes, and a more peculiar prefence of God then any nation vnderheauen, yet were they vile, and did ltincke in his fight, forabufinghis kindeaefle, and letting at nought his Miniifcrs. Howbcit, ne- uerwere they more fcornedthenintheiedaies, wherein either men make themfclues deafc that they will not heare, orhcare, but there isanoife of vanity higher and louder in theit cares. Hccrethenis thefame caufcof captiuity, whyfhould wee not fearc the fameindgement < We fee it is our leluescan doe vs the greatefthurt : for when wee once giueourfclues ouertoloofe- B 4 nclie 8 Math. i. Vers. i. nefleof life , and to diftafte the word^theLord then di/armes vs both of policie and ftrength,that euen a weake enemy may foone furprizevs. Let therefore cucry man amend one , albeit thefe times bee fo mifchieuous , as it is to be feared left many of vs be as willing to rerurne to Babylon for religion, aseuer were the Is- raelites to come foorth. X i Secondly , obfeme the curfed and hard-harted difpofition of the enemies of God , that they thinke no torment nor cruelty too exquifite nor too (harpe for his people : for Z^. j i. which nothing diiagrecth from this of Saint Mmhexv, for he was but to (hew the Imc of the Kings, and not naturally of whom Chrift came , but whom hce (hould fuccced in the king- dome. Where note the wondcrfu 11 prouidcnceofGod,that<5Vj- lomon who had fo many wiucs and children , hath not now any left to i\: vpon the throne , to teach vs that Salomon was to bee punifliedfor his many wiues : (o as the Lord would nothaue * Chriil to come of him naturally , but of his yonger brother. Whereby all nobility may bee {wallowed vp in the glory of the Lords progeny and generation that drowneth all nobility : that fuKcSalcmou in all hisglorywanteth naturall heires , that they ftand not vpon thefe outward fhewes and dignities , butfeeke to continue their poilenry, by lining ma cleaneaftd holy courle of lire : for the Lord wnlwafh away thevnholyfeede , andferape out their names from vnder hcauen , that feeke to ertabhfti their boufein fi kkineffc, and to pollute the mariage bed. further, in that Chnitis laid to come o; Iofiph the poorc l *f'1m Carpenter : heereinaretheanaem Prophecies fulfilled, (Efaj 53. 2. ) thatChrill mould come and tl egard him, and that he (houldgrow vpasa roote out of the dne ground with- out forme or beauty , and as Efaj 1 1 . 1 . that he mould come as ^_ m a rod out of the ltocke of ifim the Yeoman, 1 .Sam, 1 6. 3 . where- by weoblcrue, that when things arc moll defperatc-, then the Lord rccouereth them :. and now when the kingdome was come to a poore Carpenter, then Chnlt was botne, to teach vs, that in the greateft exigents and extremities , wemuftneuerdiftruft, nor iecke to extricate our lelues out of any forrow the Lord hath bioughtvsto, butltill towaite-vponhim : foras David faith, Pfalm. . eLord is our fecret place, that is , he hath ma- ny priuiedeliuerances wee know not of : and (asP/alm.4. 3 .) ltrengthen vs vpon the bed of foirow, as he did David, who when Saul with hisarmie was euen at his hecles , and hee no doubt much anguifiied , yet the Lord had his fecret deliuerance for io • Math i. Vers. i. for him , and turned Saul on the fudden another way , i. Sam: a 3 .27. Euen fo heere, when it had beene night with the Ifraelites a long time,and that cheir enimies thought they mould neuerTc- couer their fight againe, then arifeth Chrift like they day-ftarre, and reftoreth the beauty of their kingdome to greater glory then before : let vs therefore waite with Simeon for the faluation that maJLcome. Now remainethto mew the difference in the recital of Chrifts pedegree by Saint Matthew, and that of Saint Luke chap. 3.22. andirftandethtn three points : flrft, Mather? doeth defcend from the flrft to the laft , from Abraham to hfeph $ Luke afcen- deth from the laft to the firrt,from lofeph to Abraham. Second- ly, Mathew was to fetch his pedegree fo as he might proue him tobetheMefTias ofthelewes, and to come direftly from the ieed of Abraham : Luke deriueth him not onely from Abraham, but from Adamy that he might mew him to be the Sauiour , not onely of the Iewes, butalfo of the Gentiles, and to be that feed of the woman promifed Gen. 3 . 1 5. Thirdly, S. Matherv fhew- eth his rcyall line, and that he was rightly interefled in the king- dome : *S\Z,#^fettehdowne the natural! line of him, of whom hecameaccordingtotheflefti: Sothatvnderftand, whereasall the light of Salomon was extinguiihedin lechonias,i\\ the reft that followed were not the naturall pcfterity of Salomon, but fuch as fuccecded him legally m the kingdome, fo as Saint Mat hew in following his purpofe could not fet downe his naturall defcenr : S.Luke brings him from Nathan.xo proue he came from Ad for that which is concerned in her is of the holy Ghcfi. And fh e/h all bring forth afonne, and thou /halt call his name 1 1 s v S , for he fh all fane his people from their fmncs* O W followeth the manner ofihe birth of our Sauiour Chritl:, wherein consider two parrs : rlrit, the matter generallie 1. propounded : fecondly, the large nar- 2; ration of the particular circumitances to the end of the Chapter, which bee three : Firft, what occafion was giuen x. to lofeph to fufpeft his wife , and how hee commanded his heart to thinkethc beft of it , becaufe it might bee (hee was with child before ma- nage , and then it was no adultery , k> as hee would not profe- cute the matter too farre to her infamy : Secondly, thefatisfa- 2. clion which lofeph rcceiueth , and the information giuen him extraordinarily by an Angcll of the whole matter how it was wrought : Thirdly is declared his obedience after the fatisfac"h- 3. on receiued, & after his iudgement was reformed in thefe words, He tookehcragaine. In the firil, confider firft of this point hcerc I . named, ,ofl \z Math.i. Vers. 18,19,20,21. named, that Mary was betrothed , whereby we may vnderftand that there be two degrees of mariage : thefirll, betrothing: the fecond , the perfecting and confirmation of it ; and thefe two we haue, commanded by the law of God , commended tovs by example, and iulliflcd by the law of nature. Fortheflrft, we may fee Den. 24. 5. that the man betrothed was priuiledged from war-fare the flrft yeere, that they might know one anothers conditions \ and Deu.22. 2 3 . 2 5. he was to be Honed that fliould force and abufe a betrothed woman. For example we haue this of Ch rill, which may feme for all, that he was borne of fucha woman as was betrothed before mariage : for the law of nature it may fuffi(e,in that all the heathen make mention of betrothing before mariage by way of commendation ; forllnce mariage is fuch an obligation as bindeth lb (Irongly, not to bee dilloU ued, it is rcalon and conuenient there fliould bee a time be- tweene the mentioning and the perfecting of the contract , that if any occafion fliould happen in the meane time, the bond might not be made. The equine alfo concerning Chnil-atiitie isgreat in this refpeel , to the end there might beeallay of im- moderate lull , which men would brutifhlie runneinto, ifpre- fently vponthe contracl made they might company together : therefore that there may bee as it were a bridle layed vponour lull, it is good wee rufh not fuddenly into the mariage bed , but by this dillanceot time betweene betrothing and marrying, that wee learne to tame and takeofTihe edge of our inordinate defires. Further obferue , that it is not lawful! for any man to vfe his wife "barely contracted , ioxlofeph and Mary came not together when they were onely betrothed : by which example wee haue thechadity of our vefTels recommended tovs, that wee inter- meddle not before the Lord hath layed open the bed vntovs, thatis, before flieebeegiuen vnto vsby Gods inilrument the Gen.t.iz. Miniller, euen asEtte wasgiuen by God himfelfe to Adam: fortheinftitution ofmariage being partlie tobegetfonnes and daughters for the Lord , wee mull not dare to venture or breake into any vnlan&ified courfe, becauie the Lord cannot blefle what his mouth hath curled. What fhall wee fay then to the flefhly M Math. i. Vers. i. 13 flcflily and brutifli generation of the world, who will be kept within no ltmits,but like bcafts doe range after their owne ap- peritcs,and as ir there were no diftin&ionor bodies, nor ex- pectation of bletling, norfearcofpunifhment, doe neither make the Lord acquainted with their match, nor reft them- felnes in his ordinance, but doe fcaleas it were the walks, and cut afunderthclilh wherein God hath let them , palling by their wiues to other women i Sui ely as Inch men can hope for nothing els but that their polterity (lull inhente the winde,as lob Ipeaketh : h may they looke for nothing furer , but that themfelues (hall fall in their owne vncleannefle without great repentance. Further, in that Chrilt was conceiued after efpoufals , but not borne till the manage was confummate ; we learne,that as God honored this eftare in Paradife with his owne prefence, fo hath the Lord Iefus lanctifled it with his owne birth : for howfoeuer a betrothed wife was not to be accompanied with, D cuter. 22. 2:?. yet Hie was a wife. We muft therefore correct ourfelues, not to thinke meanely or bafely of the eftateof mariage, there being no fuch fountaine of earthly comfort fet open vnto nun as thisis, whether we refpeft focietie or poite- ri tie , and therefore fitly hath the Apoitle to the Hebr. chap. 1 3. 1 . termed it honorable among all;as a bleding equally di- stributed vnto all. Againe obierue in that Mme\% faid to be with childe, that <» there was iultcaufe for Iofeph to fufpe6l her, yet marke what counieU he tooke to make the beft of the worft: he was loth to put herawav becaulehe wasiuft,&heisfaid tobciuft in two refpecb ; ri; it, becaufe he abhorred to take her to wife whom he luipected to be a whore : where we learne, that Iofephs iu- itice did not confilt in a bale reputation of this maner of fil- thinefle, but inadetcftationofit,for it is the bafeft mind that can be to marrie a woman that hath beene abufedj and by this example uappcareth, that he thar doth tolerate thevnchalti- tie of his wife, ishimfclfeheerein culpable of bawdery. Se- ~ condly, his iufticeregardeth this,that being doubtfull,beforc apparent proofc he conftrueth a doubtfull a&ion at the belt, namely 14 Math, i. Vers, 18,19,20,21. namely that (lie was gotten with childe before theefpoufals, and then he would not mary her,as by the law he might haue done1andarterhauepiithertodeath,'i)*7*.22.2i.if (lie could not haue (hewed the tokens of her virginity Jwt he would haue put her away priuily , and refigned his intereft to him who (as he fufpecled ) had abufed her. Wherein we learne, that iuft men are to take all things at the bed , and not to feeke occafi- ons of others hurt , or meanes to wreake their malice on them that haue in fort abufed them : for lone mull: couer,and religi- on muftpalfe by offences. UNabaibefo churlifhas todeny refrefhing to our feruants, i . Sam.i 5. lc.we may not be fo im- patient as Damd to vow their ddlruclion,but with themilde- nefleof^/^f/we rnulHeaue them to the Lord. 'A patterne of this alio we haue in lofeph of Egypt5who though he was (old by his brethren in the depth of their malice, yet neuer vpbrai- ded them with their faulc,but gently palled by ir,his thoughts^nd recommendethir to God,and fo this was of a matter altogether doubtfull,therefore not like to that wherev 2 '/he is publikely conuinced of fuch fharnelesfikhjnes. Againe, in Math. i. Vers. 18,19,20,21. 15 inthij I yW' the whole cafe was extraordinary , arid the Lordliadthefulircrokcinicforheruficred/^^tobeabiired by theerrour of his iudgment,and retrained Mary from fpea- kiogooe word to her hui band how all this matter was wroght; whereas he louing her (o entirely, and being fully periwaded of her piety, and thereby halfe induced not tomskefufpition pfherchaftity, he would haucrclkd contented with her rela- tion ,but the Lord Hopped her mouth ,that as this action pro- ceeded immediady from God Jo hfeph fiiould be fatisficd on- ly by the oracle of God:and therefore this is not to be match- ed & rcfe. 1 that where women (hamelefly breake their vow which they made to God and man, as we may fee i . Cor, 6. 15.&/I/ .7.2. 14. where the Prophet btingeth in the Lord as a witneflc betweene man and wire, and vrgcththisas a rca- fon why the one mould not trefpadeagainft the other,becaufe out of the abundance of his fpirit he hath made them one. Now for the fecond patt,which is the fatisfaftion lofeph re- . ceiued, and the meanes whereby his thoughts wereappeafed while heewas mufing of thiseuent, wemuft confider three points :firlt,whatmellenger God difpatcheih,nameIyanAn-* gell : fecondly, at what time, when he was euen vpon the refo- * lu.io tohaue put her away :thirdly,what meflage was brought > while he was thus rcalbning with himfelfe, andwasanguifhed with blinde dilcourfes ; which containeth feuerall parts : flrft, that which is let downe in the very flrlt words, as much as to \ fay, as , Thou haft not done amifletotake fuch a moderate courle in this matter, but feare not, Hie is a virgin : Secondly a » confirmation of this ; That which is in her is of the holy Ghofi ; Thirdly,hedeclareth thebleiled condition of the child,fore- 3 prophefyingof this name : Fourthly, a reafonofhis namejrT* 1 jbxllfti'te his people : Fiftly,becaufe the Angel knew lofeph pre- S poflelled with prejudice, and therefore yet there might teft feme fcruple in his n ,ind, he ailcgeth an ancient record of the Prophet £laj,c 7.14. written Soo.yeresbef ore^vhich expre£ fed as much as the Angel now told him ,& by this teitimonie concurring with hisfpeech he doth abfolutely refolue him:for an angel (peaking according to icripture is not to be doubted. For \6 Math. i. Vers. 18,19,20,21. For the firltjthe meflenger that is difpatched from thehea- uenty palace, being fo excellent as an Angcl,Ictvs learne tobe caried into an admiration of the Lords loue, that the Angels cleft fhal be meflengers & minifters for his chofen. Hereupon T>Auid(Pfa&.<\.) being confounded with the Lords goodnes breaketh forth laying, O Lord what is mm that thoujhouldeft be fo mindfullofhim.andjhoHldeft thm exalt h/m,for then haft made him little lower then God\ not that the Angels in themfelues are bafer in nature & condition then we: for as it is £/^-6,2.as they haue two wings to hide their face from the glorie of God, fo haue they two wings to hide their feet, becaufe we cannot be- hold them in their excellencie : for the feruice they do, is not to vs for our owne fakes, but they do it as to Chrifl their head, as is prefigured by Iacobshdder(Gen.2%. 1 3.) wheron the An* Ioh.1.51. gCjs afCended and defcended : this ladder being Chritt , and Chrift vouchfaffing vs this honour to fit with him at his table, the Angels minifter to vs as owing all dutie to him. Now this minifterie of Angels is fo deputed as euery particular member ele&,hath not one but many continually attendant on him,as PfaLg i .1 1 . Hee hath giuen his Angels charge to beare vs in their armes, left we mould da(h our feet to hurt them;not that theLordisvnabletorefcuevs, or infufficient to fupportvs from any danger, but he dothitonelyto prouide aremedie forourinfidelitie, whomuft euer bee held as it were by the Mat.14.20; hand,orelie wecrjewi^th Peter in the Jeaft temptation, Lord helpevstre perifb. Euenasaman defiringfafe conduct out of the realme, fliould receiue of thePrince not onely his lette> s, but his royall guard to wait vpon him.-which were a matte *x tbttndanti ,thatby thismeanes he could noway doubt of quiet paflage: fo left we (hould diftruft the Lord , orbeetoomuch confounded with his maieftie, heehafteneth tohelpe vs by more familiar meanes , and hath giuen vs as it were his royall name to guard vs, that we may be i'a re, as §a than hath manie waies,and laieth many fnares to entrap and to hurt vs, fo hath the Lord pitched his tents about vs , and compafled vs with fenced fouldiers topreferue vs fafe Heereupon it is, that the Angels are called fierie in two Fefpe£ts : Firft, becaufe they burne Math. i. Vers. iS, 19,20,21. iy burnewithazealcofthe Lords glory : Secondly, becaufethey * arc as quickcas fire, to execute fpeedily the Lords meilagc. For thefecond circumftance, of the time when thismeflen- ger was lent, it was euen while hee was in the depth of his )rfi*m thoughts, while after many wofull difcourfes and perplexed co- gitations, hee had rcfoluedtoput her away , thereby to fatisfie his owne conlcience , not to ioyne himlelfe with that woman < r V \ 3o& whofehoneltie might fo iuftlybefufpe&ed, andyetnotto_ex- pofe her to the extreameft infamy, minding to doe it primly. In this agony and in this aftoniflimentof hisfpirit, the Lord fen- deth a meflage to preucnt the ignorant from finne, the innocent from fliame, and the whole Church of God from dander. Where wee lcarne , that the wiidome of God is wonderfull, which (heweth himlelfe toworke beft at a dead lift and a defpe- rate cure, caufmg the Sunne to fhine at midnight , and when the Ship is ready to finke commanding a calme. For when wee are Mat. 14.30, infuch Labyrinths, as wee know neither where to feeke nor where to finde , and when Iacob ( Gen. 28. 1 1 .) had but a hard Exod.14. 11. pillow , and the Ifraelites no hope of paflage , then he fendeth to the one a fweet viiion of the ladder , and to the other a won- derfull diuifion of the (ea. And in fuch extremities he worketh gracioully, as Damd faith : He tooke mc!out of the horrible « m-x- deepe pit, and when I was cart into fuch a calamity, as I ftucke as it had beene in clay , the waues of water gufliing in vpon me rea- dy to drowne me, then the Lord heard me, and fet me where I might fee footing,and placed me on firme ground. Andasthis is true in doctrine, fo is it alfo in example. YoxEliah (i.King. 19.4.5. ) fearing /^^/would haue had his life, as flie had o- thersofthe Prophets, being euen fpentof forrowand vtterly out of heart, breakethfoorth, faying : Lord take mjfoule from me, lam no better then the reft of my fathers : and in this perturba- tion of fpirit giuing himfelfe to fleepe, as mattered and ouercome withheauinefle,lying thus vnder the Iuniper rree,then commcth an Angell to fcede him being ntere pined for wantofrood. But the famous example of all is that of Abraham, Gen. 22.11. who being commanded to kill his onely fonne, in the darke night, when no doubthe had greeuous and hideous cogitations, when C he 18 Math.i. Vers. 18,19,20,21. he had hope to ha tie no more fonnes , and this being the ionnc in whom both himfelfe and all the world mould be faued , and not to doe this vpon the prefent refolution,but to goe perplexed three daies iourney,i himfelfe to be the butcher , and not to giuc him a gentledeath but to burne him : hauing couched the wood, and blowcn the fire, and his foule no doubt bleeding within him when the child fpake I o wiiely , asking , where was the lacrifice , and yet hauing the knife ready in his hands to haue cut his throate, then the Angell bids him (lay, and then there comes a countermaund from heauen : to (hew and teach vs , that as in former times he was gracious to them that waited and walked in humility, fo he isalvvaies neere to the contrite hcarr, and com* Pfal 30. f. forteth theabieft : that though mourning be in the night , yet ioy fhall come in the morning, euen as after the lowed ebbes rife lob. j. 19. the higheft tides , and as lob fpeakcth : Out of fix troubles the Lord will deliuer me, but the feuenth fhall neuercome neere me , but out of this aftoniihment alio he will raife me. Which helpeoftheLord isforatime deferred, notonelytoconfirme our hope and quicken our praiers, our flefh being iluggifh , that heereby we may learneto depend vpon his prouidence : but that this comfort comming at fuch ftraits and exigents, when our * leafe feemeth euen to be fallen, we may praife and magnifie the Lord morethankfully.For we may allure our felues,that neither Pfal 91. $,6. the plague that walkes by night , nor the peftilence that flies by day,nor the fnare of the hunter fhall once endanger vs, the Lord watching ouer vs.But on the contrary,lay not thine hand to wic- kednelTe,for in one of thy two waies ( as /^fpeaketh ) the Lord will furprize thee. And howfoeucr the ele6t may bee in danger and not defpaire, perplexed andnotperifh, yet the Lord fhall raife terror before the face of the wicked , and the fhaking of a leafe fhall make their owne confeience purfue them to diftruft, as we may fee in Cai» Gcn%^. 14. For the third part, which is the particulars of the meflagc : ^s,^9y) <&*~ firfl^ jn tnat he calleth him thefonne oiDauid, the Lord renew- eththe remembrance of the ancient promifemade to Dan/d, that out of his loines mould the Meflias come. Iniinuating to lofeph, that the Lord is neuer forgetfull of his word paiTed,which may Math. i. Vers. 18, 19,20, 21. 19 may flay vs in all our weakened, and chenfh vs in all infirmities, toeftccmehimasourrocke, and the truth of his word as a molt ftable tower that cannot totter : hauingthis warrant from him- felfein this place to vrge him with his word and promifeof deli- uerance , who as he faithfully performed it to Dauid , (6 will he gratioully remember vs, euen when we arc mod tolled in tribu- lation, and in the leaft hope. Feare not to take Mary to thy wife. This is the firft part of the meffoge : where the Icfuitesob- ferue, that Mary was lofephs true wire, yet he knew her pot 5 To as ( fay they ) there may be truemariage,where notwithstanding the parties vow to Iiuc in continency. We anfwer, it was true in this example:but this particular is not to be giuen in precept,be- caufe though it be commanded m this lingular perfon of lofeph, yet we flndc no warrant for it in any general] place or comman- dement fet downe in the Scripture. Wee mull therefore know, tharthe Saints of God arc not to bee followed in two things. Firll , in their infirmities, as wee may not lie with Rabab , nor J?"1*1 *• dillemble with Rebecca. Secondly, in their perfonall and mira- &*n'2 '7* culous works, as Mo/es in farting forty daies, Peter in walk- Exod.j4z8. ing on the Sea, BHah in calling fire tromheauen, nor Iofepbheere Mat. 14. 29. in a parpetuall fep oration from his wife : rorthis example was *-Kmg.x.io# altogether extraoi dinary , and what rlcfh and blood durft touch that veflell the Lord by his fpirit had taken vp for himfelfet* CKherwife thatmariage cannOtbee lawfull, where the parties meane to feparatethemfelues continually ; foras bucwecin Chrillare abfolutely good, and as the ftouteft mountaines that cannot be liirred. For the third , wee haucChrifl by his pafLoii to deliuervsfrom condemnations C 3 cuen Lcuit.irf.lf. bur hee praied onely for beleeuers , and that they might be fanclified , that is , fer apart wholly for God* feruice,the word (fantttfied) being a metaphor orborowed fpeech taken form the Temple, wherein the firft fruites, the fiefti, the garments, the veflels and all tilings elle were holy , fo called becaufe none might vie them to worldly purpofes. So as if we will be his people, we mull keepe our ielucs onely for one husband the Lord lelus, andhkeaieuellpeerc* leiTe,asifwe were peculiarly laied vp for him , as S. Patiiipea* kcth 7*/. 2. 14. And he that cannot aflurt his fouleofthis, for him Chrift neuer died : fonfwebeTemples,Gnely to let vp in them the idols o^ ourafle&ions, Chrilt neuer d well erh 1 here. TsTow cuery man will aflume to himfelfe to beeaChnftian. If a woman that had two children mould fwearefhec were a maide, or he that had the plague mould fay and face vsdowne he were found, or one reeling in the chaneli that he were fober, would they not be (p*6tacles of (hameto all that law and heard them f" And for an vnfecmely and filthy liuer to challenge this ho nour to bee caned in Chrirtsbofome, and to be remembred to Math. i. Vers. iS\ 19,20,21. 25 to hi? Father \n his praiers , and to apportion part of Chrifb death to himlelfe, isasablurd as the other, and this his faincd repentance (hall leade him but into a fained hopcagainll the lat- terday which will deceiue him. Forfuch kindeor boaftersbee thcy,fpoken o^Prouerb. 30. 12. that are pure in their owneeies, and yet they be nenwafhed from their fihhineilc , that is, that areas filthy in their loules as is his body thatlicth in his owne excrement. Can ostor thomes come grapes K orcana finfull wretch be a fober liner < Jt is certainc, there is no laluation with- out rai;h , no faith without repentance , no repentance without amendment of life , nor any amendment without forfakingof finne : the condition whereof is , that no euill liuei hath part in Chnlhpailion , but themarkesof Gods vengance are yet vpon thee, and thou ventured thy laluation peremptorily by deferring thy repentance: for what knowell thou whether to morrow (hall euercome < Dally not therefore thus with God, tillthediucll take thee in the lurch :' for as Chnlt cametofaue vs from the damnation of (in , fo alio to free vs from the dominion of finne; and as to deftroy the diuell , fo Iikewile to deftroy the workesof r i0bn3.t. thediueii. And as none (hall be faued by the law , without ful- filling thelaw, fonone mall bee fauedbythe Gofpellbutfuch, who as God hath couenanted with them to remit their finnes, fo haue they couenanted with him to amend their Iiues. Itis thcrfore an intolerable abfurdiry for them 1 hat being llaues tofinne, doc notwithstanding V3untthemfelues to be theleruantsofGod,and who being as prophane as Efau , and haue folde their birth-right, Gen iu& will yet claime their birth-right, « Math. 15.^ when they haue no more interert then the dogges in the bread of Chil- dren. THE Math. chap. i. ^verf 22,25,24,25. 2 2 . ^«^ £»- ceiue, we muft beleeuc it was fo, and reft in this, nothingtobee c *k5+fo*fr£>*4 impoliiblc with God,.J/«*Mo. 26. For as it waspolTibleatthe firiho make a woman out of a man without thehelpe of a wo- man, as wee may fee in the fit if. creation, G^.2.22. (b was it pofliblefor him in this new creation tomakeaman out ofa woman without thehelpe ofa man. Which was done to this end , becaulc if there fhould hauebcene any corruption of the feed oi man in Chriit,he could not haue fan&jfied others. Con- cerning 26 Math. i. Vers, 22,25,24,25. cerning the perfon that mould be brought forth,it is Emmanuel, the lame that leftu^ and they both imply one thing : for he that is Emmanuel is God with vs,as le/w is God lauing vs.Now he is God with vs many waics : and albeit in the Arke vnder the law, the Lord was alway fpeaking through the Cherubins, infomuch as the very enemies of God, the Philiitims (1 . Sam. 4. 7, ) could fay when the Arke came, that the God of lfrael came : and therefore cried, woe vntovs; yet ishefarre neerer with vs,name- ly , infuchafpirituall manner as the Prophet fpeakes hecre , a God notonely prefentandfauourahleto vs, butconnaturallto vs, and vpon which did depend all the graces of God formerly giuento his Church. Therefore if Mofes did (ay in admiration of the Lords goodnefie : ( Deuter, 4. 7. ) Looke it euer the like came to pafTe,that God from heauen mould fpeake vnto his peo- ple, and mew his glory fo to appeare on earth : much more may webreake foorth into the like artonifhment , to whom God is come fo neere, as to be of the fame nature with vs, and to fpeake vntovs, not in the publication of the killing law, but in thema- ra'feftation of the quickening Gofpell , whereby we mayrcceiue comfort in the deepeft dangers, that gathering our felues vnder his wings, and feekingreft and refreming at his hands, he will 1 firilgiuevs a generall charter of grace for the pardon of our fins. And becaufe pardon ofourfinne will not fauevs from hell, but our iudgement mail beiuft , vnlcffc we yeeld full obedience to the law, hee will fecondly impute and lay all his obedience and righteoufnefTevpon vs , fo as in him we mall fulfill it. Andyet j becaufe we areftillfinners, as carying about vstheorignallvn- Ephef. $. 30. deaneneffe we brought with vs, the third red he will giuevs, is fo to (anclifle vs, as we (hall be bone of his bone,and flefh of his flefh 5 not that we are abfolutely fan&i fled in this life, bntthat that which thisour Chrift brings vs is al-fiiflFcient tofaluarion. And being Cure of this , we need not to be dilmaidc, for the wa- ters of trouble are but a bath to cleanfeand purge vs from thofe corruptions we gather by walking in this dirty world. Further, let vsconfiderheerc, why it wdsnecelfary , that he that mould be Iefm fhould alfo be Emmanue/:f\< ft,it was necefla- ry he (hould be the Emmanuei^i is,the llrong God : for when we Math. i. Vers. 22,25,24,15. 27 weewcrcallenwrapped infinne, andfhut vp vnder death, then was there neede of remedy . And what (hall that be t .Mercy i No, God is iuft,and we hauing fmitten his Maiefty by our finne, mud bee fmitten againe by his punifliment. Shall it then be iu- fticc^No : for we haue need or mercy. Hecrefotobcmercifull as not to dilanull hisiuftice , and fa to beiuft , as not tolorger his mercy, and to make away both toappeafe his wrath, that lus uiitice might be farisfied, and yet Co to appcaie it, as his mer- cie might be magnified in forgiuing , there mult needes come a mediation : and ifall the world mould be offered to God for fa- tisfa&ion, it is nothing: for it is his owne, the workeofhisowne hands. If Angels mould Hep in before the Lord, it were nothing, forthcyarc engaged to him for their creation ; andbemgbuc temporally good, they cannot latisfie for an infinite finne : how- beit, hethatmuftfatisfie mult bee infinit, to fufTer infinite pu- nilhment for an infinite finne,coramitted againft an infinite Ma- iefty, therefore hemuft be Godjhc mull be alio Emmawe/ with V9-- for how can there bee fatisfa&ion for our apolbfie , but by humility t nor procurement oflife, but by death i Now when God comes to obey , hee mult ncedes bee humbled, and when he comes to deferue, hee muil needes ierue , which God alone cannot doc and when hecomestodie, he muft needes be mor- tall, which God cannot be. Therefore hee was man to be him- felfcbond, God to free others ; man to become weake, and God to vanquifh ; man to become mortall, and God to triumph ouer death. The fituation alfo of the Ladder Ipoken oAfien.1%. 1 2. is an euident demonftration of the two natures of this Emma- nuel, for the word muft bee vnderftood ofthefecond perlonin the Trinity. 13y the foot to latisfie his Fathers wrath, as being of our nature,that he might ftand clofe to Ucobs loines and to his Church milrant \ and Dy the top to exprelle his dininity, which touchcth tke feate, and rcacheth to the boiome of God, that he might in time bring thither his Church triumphant. Now eueiy ladder is a wdintn or meaue , whereby wealcend to fome place that otherwile we could not reach vnto , which this Emm/MHelis to vs ? tor wee being euill defers , and God a leuere creditor, Colof. 2. 14 Chriftisthcmeanctocanctll thb debt, and to fet it on his owne icorej 1 iS Math I. Vers. 22,25,24,25. fcore : and we being ignoantclyents , and God a skilful] Iudge notable tovnderltand our tale, drift mult be our aduocate, (i.Ioh, 2. 1.) toplcadeourcaufeforvs. AndasbetweeneGod and vs,fo bctweenc the diuell and vs he is a mediator : for he ca- fteth fierie darts againft vs , which we onely drkie backe by the fliield of faith in Chrift, Ephef <5. i i . Further,in the word Em»kmet,oWer\ie three things : firit,the truth and verity of the fubfirtance of both thefe natures in Chrift: 7 fecondly, the reall diftiiiftion of them : thirdly, theperibnall ' vnion ofthem.'T^nctthcie three points wifely and foberly weigh- ed , doe confute thofe foure maine herefies nfen heeretofoie in the Church, concerning this great myftery. aL ir^o F°r the firft , that there be two natures in Chrift , is plaincly t?XirZi*y exprefied by Saint Paul, Rom. o. 5. Firft , he was according to the flefh of the fe?d of the Iewes : fecondly, heisGodouerall, blelTed for euer. And Efa.9.6. A child it borne , and his name Jhallbethe mighty God. Heere then firft is confuted the here fie of Afartian, whofaid, Chrift was Godbutnotman ; buthad one- ly an hcauenly body of an imaginary fubftance , and allcageth Phi/, z. 7. for his ground, whereitisfaid, he was made like vn- to men, and was fouud in fhape as a man ; therefore no man in- deed. By the fame realon he might haue conclude dafwell, nee had not beene God : for in the fame place Qvetf. 1 6 .) it is faid,he was tn forma Dei , in the forme of God. But the Apoftle there fully proueth his humanity (verf.%.) by his obedience to the death of the Crcffe : for if he had not taken true flcfli, he could not haue died, nor yet haue fatisfied for our finnes. And Ga/. 3, i(5. it is faid, thepromifes were made to Abraham and to his feed, which feed is Chrift : and G*L 4.4. When the fulneffeof time was come t Godfenthis Sonne mads of a woman ; which pro- ueth , that he was trucly man.' Secondly, heere is confuted the herefieof Arias , who denieththe diuinity ofChrilb, and faith, that onely in his humaine nature hee had participated vnto him fomediuinc thing, andfome heauenly vertue. For as wecke heere he muft be Iehouah , not an inferiour God , or a God by participation of fome diuine excellency, but he muft be Dew ex feipfo,filiHA i Patrt , a God of himfclfe , a Sonne by reference to bis Math. i. Vers. 22,25,24,15. 2p his Father. And fo much is expreffed by S.Pattl, Rom. o. y, for when he faith , hce was borne of the Iewes according to his flefh, heimplicth, he had lomewhat elfe he had not of them, let downe in the words following : fVho u God , bleffed for ettert which word (God) howfoeuenn the Scripture it be taken cflcn- tially and perfonally : eflentially when it fignifieth the whole Trinity ablolutely : as Thou /halt vrorfhip the Lord thy God one/y, and A'i. 4* 1 9. It is better to obey God then man : yet in this place itisfpoken perfonally of the Sonne , as it is alfo 1. Tim. 3. 161 Godts manifefied in thefie/h. Now there be foure arguments , to proueChrift Godequall to the Father and tobelchouahcoe- temalliii theGodhead astheFather : firft, by the property of of his perfon : fccondly,by the property ofhiselTencc : thirdly, bythepowerofhisdiuineworkes : and fourthly, bythediuine worfhipthatisduevntohim. Forthefirlt, heeisprouedtobe \ God by his generation, for he was begotten of God : whereby is vnderrtood, that he was of the fame fubftancc with God, euen as hee that is begotten of a man is a man : and therefore hce is called the proper Sonne of God, which he is not as he was con- ceiuedof the holy GJioft ) for then Mary hath a part as he was borne of her. And this is proued by the Scripture , that when we call him the Sonne of God, weevnderiland that he is God as his Father is, John 10.20. I And my Father are all one : and Ioh. 5. 17. I rvor^e the fame works and after the fame manner that my Father doeth : meaning that he was God as well as he. And fo the Iewes vnderftood him fpeaking in their language, which made them goe about to kil him. For the fecond , it is proued he is God by the property of his etfence, which ftandeth in thefe foure things : firft, eternity : fecondly,infinity to be in all places: thirdly, by his knowledge of all things : fourthly, by his omni- potency . For the flrft, that he is from al 1 times,is proued Ren.i; 17. lam thatfirfl and th at lafi, fpoken by Chrift himielfe: and left this (houldhauebeenevnderfloodof the father,he faith ,ver. 18. and am aliue, bat I was dead. For the fecond, which is his infinity, itisfaidin/^jwy. that God filleth all places : and Vfalm. 1 39. 7. fVhither fhAll Ifl/e from thyprefence f If [goe into heave* , thou art there, if into the deepe , thon art there alfo. And Chrift faith 30 Math. 1. Vers. 22,23,24,25. faith of himfelfe, John^.t^. heebeingontbeearthjiVflw^^ cendeth vp to heave* but he that came downefrom heauen, thatfonne of man which is inheauen : and in an other place he faith , where Math. 18.10. two or three be gathered, together in my name, Iwtllbemtbemidfl of them. For the third , which is his knowledge of all things, Ren. 2. 1 8. it is faid that the Sonne of God hath eies like a flame of Ioh.2.t4,if, fire ; and verfe23. All Churches/hall know that lam the [catcher Math. 9.4. of the remes and hearts : and in another place it is faid, hee durft not truft the Iewes becaufe hee knew their hearts. For the fourth, which ishis omnipotency , itis prouedby fundry examples in the Scripture, that hee was able to raife vp the dead by his ownevertue : and John 5»i7« he doeth the fame works which his Father doeth : and Phil. 2.21. Chrilt (hall raife vp our bodies by 7. the fame power whereby he fubdueth all things. Forthethird, which is the power of his diuine workes , as himfelfe faith , lohn 5.17. I doe thefame workes my Father doth:a\\ which are of three forts:, the firft, concerning the creation : rhefecond, of miracles extraordinary: the thirdjthat tend to the faluation of his church. For the flrft of thefe it is (aid, lohn 1 . 3 . by him all things were made and nothing was made without him: and Col.l .15.16. \j.heis the inuifible forme of the fat her , for whom and by whom aH things were created, andin him all things doe conffi And likewife for fuftaining them being made, wehaue Heb. 1.3. He bearethvf all things by his mighty word. For the fecond, that is for miracles, heraifed vp dead men, euen as his Father did,withc ut any inuocation to any other , which the Apoftles did not but by calling on his name, whether it were for raifing the dead or difpoffetiing the diuell, as, I command thee in the name of lefu to come forth, Acl. 16. 18. but Chrift faith of himlelfe. lohn 11.25. lam the refurrettion and the life : and lohn 1 0. 3 7. / doe the workes of my father. Now for the third, which are the works he did for the faluation of his church,they are principally fiue : fix&fi\e&\Qn>£pb.\.4,Godhath eletledvs in Chrifi \ and 1 . Cor, 1 ; 5 . In all things we are made rich ip Chrifi :and Uh.\.\ 7. through htmwe arefaued. and in another lohni*. 18. $**& hpiaith,/£wm whom lhaue e/etted.The fecond is vocation : now toenlighten the heatt of man mult needs bee the worke of Math, irf.17. God* as it is faid in Saint Mat. fle/h and blond hath not reuca- led Math. i. Vers. 22,23,24,25. 31 ledthUtothee, but God : and in another place it is (aid, when his Difciplcs were going to /• marts , he opened their hearts. And for the miniitery,which is a meanes to call men , i . Cor. 1 2. 6.8. it is (aid to be the worke of God .-and Eph. 4.1 i.i2.itisfaid,Chrilt gaue fome to be ApoltIes,fome Pailors,&c. for the workc of the mimltery, and the repairing of the Saints. Thirdly,remiflionof finnes and iuitirication is the worke of God : as it is faid, Efa. 40. 29. It is that holj one that giueth ftrength vnto him that faint eth, that is, it is God that forgiueth finnes : and Mat. 9. 6. thefonne of mm as ibnne of man hath this power to f or gtue finnes : and Stephen fjAB. 7.60. praieth , Lordlejlus lay not thisfinne to their charge* Fourthly, ten&ificationisonelytheworkeofGod. lohn 1.13. We are not borne of the n til of man but of God : and verf. 1 2. As ma- nj at receiue htm hegiues prerogatiue to bee the fonnes of God : and Mat. 3. II. Chrtft will baptise j oh with the holy Gboft : and a- game himfelfe faith, Without me you can doe nothing 5 which is trueonclyofGod : and Ephefi 5.26. Chriji gane himfelfe for hU Church , tofantlifieit : and Heb. 10. I o. We are fantttfied by the offcringof the body ofChrifi. FiftIy,to giueglory, is the worke of God ; and this doth Chrift, as appeareth by thefpeechofthe theefevpon the Crofle, Luke 23.41. Lord remember me when thou commeft into thy kjngdome : and lohn 10.28. / doegiste eter- nail life vnto my Sheepe. Now for the fourth, that he is knowen to be God by the diuine worfliip is to be ginen vnto him, and wor* fhipisdueonely tolehtuiah, Prou. 16. 4. the Lord hath made all things for hi* orvne fake. And for this worfliip, firft kisnotlaw- fullto ferueany fomuch as God : now Chrift is to beeferued only : for as himfelfe faith, / haste the keyes of life and of death. Se- condly , it is not lawfull to beleeue in any but God, and loh. c. 5 . tf*f .6.Chritt faith, He that beleeueth in me hath eternal life .Thirdly him whom we ought to loue aboue all things is God: & Chrift, Mat, i6.iahh^Loueme better then thine ownefoule. Fourthly, whom we ought to obey in all things is God : and Mat. 17.5. it is faid, This is my beloned Sonne, hear e him , fpcaking of Chrift. Fiftly, it is not lawfull to fweare by any but by God, and S. Paul Rom. 9. 1 . fweareth by Chrift,and faith, i fay the trueth in Chrift% Hit not. Sixthly, muocation or praier is for none but God* as 32 Math.i. Vers. 22,23,24,25. Pfal. f o. 1 y . as Dauid faith , CW/ v^tf me in the day of trouble , and I will heart you: and Stephen, Aft."]. 6o.when he was ftoned praied to Chrift, Lord leftu receive my joule , and with praier to Chrift end molt of S. Pauls Epiftlcs. Seuenthly, Iehouah onely muft be bleffed for cuer : and S. Paul Rom. 9. ?. faith, Chrift God,blejfedfor euer : and Rcuel. i?.7.intheReuelation itisfaid, Allpraifeandglorie betotheLambei and 2. Pet. 3. 18. Grow in the grace of Chrift, to whom be prat fc for euer. Eightly ,God onely is to be bowed vnto 5 and it is faid of Hcb. x . 6. Chrift, Let all the Angels in heauen adore him : a nd by S. Paul, He ' z' I0# hath a namegiuen him whereat euerj knee mujl bow. And thus by thefe many parts of Gods worftiip, it doth appeare that Chrift is God equall with the Father. .. • For the fecond point, which is the real! diftin&ion of thefe ^^^/^^^two natures, wee (ay they be not confounded, againft the third hcreile of Eutiches, who held that the pcrfon eternal! of the word of God was turned into flefh ; for by this it followeth , that ei- ther there muft bee an abolition of the Godhead, orapermix- tion of both the natures, both which were blafphemous : but wc fay according to thefcripture, Phil. 2. 6. that Chrift became that he was not before, namely man3and retained that he was before, namely God ; and he was man , not that it was transfufed into his Deity , or any property of the Deity transfufed into his hu- manity , but by a {Turning the flefli,and fo by perfonall vnion be- came both } and albeit the humanity of Chrift be much magnifi- ed by the Diuinitie, yetistheDiuinitie nothing altered by the humanity. !*v,v^v* For the third point, which is the perfonall vnion of both thefe ^Tj^ir^ v ' natures : from hence hath arifen that fourth herefie of Neftori- u$y who fayd, that F/liw Marti was not onely Aliudbut Alius, that is, that as there were two natures in Chrift diftinft , fo were there alio twoperfons. We fay , that the fame perfon that was the tonne of Mary , was the fonne of God : fo as the greateft matter hecrc, is, whether Chrift be one perfon jwherinlet vs vn- derftand thefe two things : firft,what a perfonal vnion is : fecond- ly, what is the fruit and effe6"t of this vnion. For the firft , what j is a perfon in Chrift : Isita thing compounded of Deity and humanity i God forbid. Nay Chrift by his humane nature pro- perl Math. i. Vers. 22,2^,24,25. 33 perly confidered, is not a perfon : but the Diuinity atfuming his tf cfh, his humanitiefubfiiteth and ftaieth it felfc in his Diuinity, f jr his humanity neuer vphcld itfwlfe till it was vnitcd to the Diuinity. Itwas a nature before, but no perfon ; hisDiuini- rie was both a nature and a perion before , i'o as out of them nei- ther compounded nor confounded doeth ariieChrift Iefusour Em***eL And as in the Trinity there be three pcrfons and but one nature, foinChrift there is but one perion and two natures, vnion of nature in the vnity of his Deity. For the fecond, which is the fruit and effect, of this vnion, itistwofolde : firlt,thc exaltation of his humane nature by being ioyncd tohisDeitle:- iccondly , the communication of h:s properties. ~For the flrit, that the Deity that vni ted therlefhdidloglorifie the flefh, that by vnlcarcbahle degrees it hath made it farre aboue all Angels, is proued by three priuiledges which it hath : firitby the dig- \ nicy of his perfonall vnion, as he was the fonneof man he was naturally the fonneof God , and he that was God was borne of the woman : forChrift is one fonneof God in tworefpecls: firrt, by generation etcrnall : fecondly, according to his hu- mane nature, not as man nor by adoption , for hee was neuer the fonneofwrath, but by perfonall vnion, for he was the fonneof God. The fecond pnuiledge, is,thatallgiftsthat canbeinany ^ of the creatures, arepowred without meaiure vpontheflemof Col. 1.9. Chrilt, namely all that can be giuen to any creature or to arity na- ture, that keepes it a nature ftill,and doth not derle the creature: for as hee is man heeknoweth nottheday ofiudgement, noris Mark. 13.31, not in euery place , for thefc bee eflentiall to the Godhead , but his humane nature was fo beautified by the Godhead dwelling in ir bodily, as that (Heb. 1 . 6.) all the Angels muft worfhip him, and yet as man, no cfTcntiallqualityof the Deity relied in him. The third priuiledge is this, that his Diuine nature hath giuen _' the participation of his off.ceto him as man ; thatas God is Mediator, foisman j asGocl hath clderucdfaluation, fohath man , and that hee ^s man fhal: judge the quickeand dead, not that he (halliudflc by his manhood , but Chrift man (hall Judge the woild.TKe fecond fruit cf this vnion ,is the communication of properties, not that the properties of liiconeare commnni- D cacc 34 Math. i. Vers, 22,23,24, 25. cate to the other, but that one may bee attributed to both : as Chrift God died , Chrift man is eternall j and this is either when wegiuethattochehumaniry which is proper to the diuinity, or giue that to the diuinity which is proper to the humanityjas God by his blond redeemed his Church, yet God had no bloud, but Chrift God had blond : fo this man Chrift forgiueth iinnes, not that this power is in his manhood , buthee doethitmeerelya3 God : f or thefe and fuch like fpeeches be true in Concreto^ not in abftratlo, as they be both ioyned together, and not as they be fe- pa rate one from the other. " Laftly in the word Godwith vs, obferue that Chrift is not only God with vs in nature,bu t in perfon 5 for the reprobate are of the fame nature with him and he with them , yet is he not God with E h f 20 them, but againft them : but we (as the Apoftlefpeaketh ) are ' ' fleft> of his flefo, and bone of h>s bones, eu en as man and wife, which are not onely one in nature as all other men and women are, but oneperffenbyfpeciallcouenant : and euenfo are wee one per- fon witrjChrift by the couenant of grace, & being one with him, we are alfo one with the whole Trinity , as himfelfe faith , / and my Father will come and fupwith htm : and according tohislaft praier, tohn 1 7. Father I befeech thee that ail am one with thee and thou with mef fo thefe ((peaking of the faithfull , and pointing at them) may be one with vs both : which bringeth great comfort to Gods children,that through Chrift we haue the whole Godhead reconciled to vs and dwelling in vs. And lofeph did ai the Angell had commanded him, - This is the third generall part fpoken of before,namely the o- bedience of 7^^,according to euery thing that was prefcribed: *Cs- \' out of which gather generally , that when we are acertained it is Gods pleafure wee mould doe fuch a thing , that wee ftand not ftill , confulting with our owne peruerfe natures , nor inclining tooimuch to tender our owne frailties , but that knowing it to be the voice of God we admit of no contradictions, but we are to conftrainc our affections to bee pacified and perfwaded ac- cording as the Lord hathdifpofed. This was the infirmity of Sara, Genef. 1 8. 1 2. who laughed when the Angels promifcd to comeagaine, according to the time of life; flie refpefting rather the v > Math. i. V ers. 22, 25, 24,25. 35 the order ofnature , thcnbelceuingthepromifeof God. And this hkewifc was Z,*// fault, Gen. 19. 1 6. who prolonged the time when the Angels bad himnrifcandbegone, for the which hec mighriurtly hauc beene dcilroied in the puniOimentofthc City. But tbecontrary to this we Ice in Abraham, Gen. 22.3 .who when he was commanded to facriticc his Tonne, than u hich what could be more contrary to nature, than for a father to bethe butcher tohisowneionnc, yet being allured that it was the voice of God [peaking by the Angell , he prciently commended his affection, and role vp early to execute that bitter meflagc. Wherein ob- fcruc , that all the children of Abraham muft be children of obe- dience,which mult be fhewed by walking in euery thing, accor- ding as it is written. For now feeing onely the voice of the Lord is the voice of the fenpture , which is as certaine as if (Thrill were Luke 1 6. :^. tofpcakeimmediarly fromheauen, fofarre as is commanded (o farre is to bee performed , howfoeuer itmay coll vs deareand crollevs much ; yea though it bee with Iofeph to embrace her forawifewhofehonefty we might iuftly fufpeft. And \{ Iofeph did this at the firlt word of the Angell , what fhall bee faid to vs, who haue heard the voice of God i'o often , beating vpon vs, that we fhould forfake our finncs, and yet we fpread curtaines o- uerthem t But that as his obedience is heere recorded for his praife, lo our Itubburnnelle and dilobedience be regeftred in our punifhrncnt, th3t it may beas a hilling and aftonifbment to other nations. Fui\her obferue hence, that the obedience of a Chriftian oCf-2.- (landeth not in a generall fubfenbing to the truth of that is taught them, no nor yet inaverball confeilion of it : but the commendation of a Chriftian relteth in his works ofobedience, as it is faid heere, Iofeph (did) as he was enioyned : fo that the i.Ioh.j.it. hand and the mouth muft goe together, as our SauiourChnft teacheth : Not euerj one that ( faith) Lord, Lord, but he that Ma'-7.n. ^doth) the will of the Lord fli all be an heire of heauen. Where* by wemuitleame , that the calling ofa Chriftian isnoidlebuta pa'nfull calling, wherein we muftltxiue daily to pluckevp lome wecdesor other that ouergrow our godlinelfe, and to liueas children in the fight of our Father, alwaies doing what heecom- D * mendeth %6 Mathj. Vers. 22,23,24,25. mendeth vnto vs. For \ihfeph after this time had no more fu£ peeled his wife , yet if hee had not taken her againe , and dwelt with her as his wife, he had failed in his obedience,and had been like Lot* wife, (Gen. ig. 22,26.) who beginning well in going outofSodomerandyet forgetting halfeher obedience to the cornmandemeiir, in looking backebthind her,isleft as a monu- ment to this day tor vs to take heed by. ui' hisconference with the Wife men being onely to been- formed when the ftarre appeared , that he might gueffe the birth j- of the child, to goe about his murther, in the 7, & 8. verfes. Fift- ly, what befell the/e Sages or Wifemen in the way, hauing re- Ceiued refolution from the Councell, and encouragement from the King : namely, the ftarre appeared againe, and led them di- rectly to the place where the babe was, and how they reioyced, & inthep. to.&nd 11. verfes. Sixtly,isfet downe an Oracle from God Math. 2. Vers. i,2. &c. 39 God giuen them, commanding them to goe another way, in the 12. verfe. Fortheflrft, which is the commingof thefe men to fee our Sauiour Chrift in his bafenefle, the Euangelift fctteth downe flue circumllances. Firlt,theperfons that came: they were Magi or I Wife men , liich as were reputed among the heathen moft lear- ned, but yet the prafr ifers ofthe Art or Balaam, that is, of con- iuring , and the very Chaplaines of the diuell. So as they were not Kings, as Ibmehaue taken it, abufingthe/yrf/w.72. 10. The K tngs ofSheba (hall come & offer gifts : for this ftandeth full Weft, and thefe men came from the Eaft. But thus hath the Lord infa- tuated them that would incline to their ownc (hallow brainc,that they mould fpeake things repugnant in themfelues. Others fee downe the number ofthem to bee three, becaufe they brought three gifts, which is notfo to be taken,but onely that they which camc,prefented vnto him the chiefeft commodity of their coun- try,The lecond circumftance noteth the time,fet downe doubly: - firft, that it was after his birth : fecondly, that Herod the fonne oiAntipater , who had got theKingdome by force and flattery, then raigned : but for the day when they came, wee know not: fome take it to be the fixth of Ianuary, which is a great deale too curious jhowbeit ofthe yecreand moneth fomewhat may bee gathered , and it is probable it was not long after his birth , and vndertwoyeeres. Thirdly, henoteththe circumftance ofthe 3 place, from whence , and whither they came , from the Eaft to Ierufalem. Fourthly , the queltion they demand, Where is the 4 King of the Icwes that is borne : not that fhould bee borne. Fiftly, left they mightfeeme to bee befotted with Aftrologicall S conie&ures , hce lets downe the direction they had to come thi- ther, namely, theftarre, and the end wherefore they came : to worfhiphim. Out ofthe circumftance of the perfonstharcame, obferue, how it pleafed God wfien the fulnefle of time was come, to manifeft the truth ofhispromife to the Gentiles, andtofalute themrlrftwith the comfortable newes ofChrifthis birth, who had beenefo long forfaken : for thefe Wife men were as it were the flrft fruites of the Gentiles, who before this time liued with- D 4 out 40 Math. 2. Vers. 1,2. &c> out God in the world. Hcereby teaching vs,firft, nottohaften but when the Lord doth call, and to wait his time and pleafure with patience : for though he hadfuffered the Gentiles by the fpace of foure thoufand yeeres, to follow the greedinelfe of their owne lulls, and to be drenched in the whirle pit of their vile af- fections, yetthefe at length in his due time, doth heevifitin great mercy , and flicweth them the light , firrt , that they may comeoutofdarkenefle 5 that though the Iewes had many priui- ledges , as elder brethren abouc them , yet at length the Lords mercy fhould make them eqnall, aswasprophefied, Ofi.z.zj, and isfctdowneby S. Peter, i.ch^p. 2. 10. yea and of the Gen- tiles, that his Church fliouldefpecially be gathered, that they which in times part were not vnder mercy , might now be feene to haue obtained mercy. Secondly , from hence note the riches of the Lords mercy, who to (hew the power and vertue that was in this Sauiour , be- gins to draw them and to open their hearts,who had runfurthert from him, and giuen themfelues moftouerto thediuell : for fuch were thefe Wife- men, who confulted with Sathanand pra- clifed the molt deteftable art of coniuring and witchcraft, which by the iudiciall law of God wasdeath > yet at the dooresof thefe men doth his fpirit knocke. From whence euery man may draw this particular comfort tohimfelfe, thatwharfoeuer his former conuerfation hath beene, though moft irreligious towards God, and vnrighteous to men , yet there may a power bee giuen him from aboue totrauell toward that heauenly Ierufalem the Citie of God,where he (hall not now fee Chrift in his bafenefTe as thefe Wife-men did, but in his abfolute and perfect glory. For if wee haue but faith tobeleeueGods promifes,and fhall fo far proceed in the worke of repentance , as being called to the light to walke in the Iight,and not to thinke much of our paines, though we go farre to worfhip Chrilt : but can walke on cheerefully after the example of thefe Wife- men , we fhall be fure with them to haue our ioves more increafed at our iourneys end, than they were at firfl. ' Now where they fhew they were directed byaftarre : firft5 vnderftand , that the Natiuity of Chrilt depended not vpon the ftarre, Math. 2. Vers. 1,2. See 41 ftarre, but theftarrevponhisNatiuity. Secondly, wcmuft not thinkethat thcWifcrmenhad this power to diuine by the Ihrre chat Chrilt was borne : forfirlt thcitarrewas notnaturall , for it kept nor a let courfe, but as we may fee in the texr, it did appcarc and not appcarc, neither could tlnsdiuinc light (peake that fuch a MelTias was borne, though it might porrend the birth of ionic great Monarch : but this light was purpolcly created_by_ God in heauen : ioxverf. 2. it is called Chntt his flarre, and there was a fecret impullion by Gods fpmt in the Uarts of theie men on earth, otherwifethey would not hauc toldefo dangerous a matter to Heroda king (b cruell,and an enemy to the king ot Perfia whence V they came: and though perhaps their Art might tell them fome- what, and that they had theprophefieof Balaam theconiurer, Num.24. 17. There Jhall come a ftarre of facoh , andafceptcr /hall rifeeflfrael. and though they had the prophefie of Damel,(chap. 9. 24.) of the 70. weekes in which this great king fliould come 5 yet by all this they gathered it nor, but by Gods owne opening it vnto them. Out of which we learne , that v/hen we haue any thing reuealed to vs from God , or that wee haue a commande- ment to doe a thing, that we caft ofTall doubts, and fhake ofTall feart euen of the greateii: tyrants : for let Herodbc neuer ib much perplexed at the name of the true and new-borne King of the Jewes, yet mull the Wile-men af ^y 4 in this bafeneile Irrookefuch terrors into the hearts of Kings, how much more fhail his iecond comming caufe the very moun- taines of the earth to t/embie , when hee fhall appeare in power, accompanied with hoailcs of Angels, and when heauenand earth (hallrlie before him t That therefore his prefence may bring vsioy, and that we may bee as mount Sionnotto befha* Pfal.ny.i. ken, let vslavafidetheleauenofthcrlefli , and put on this our Ch; hi, by whom wee haue redemption, euenthe forgiuenefTe cf our finnes , Sphef. i . 7. for fai:h in him fliall driue out all trem- bling otiltmltwhatlbeuer; & where his comming worketh feare, there the confcience threatneth deitru&ion,eIfe would the wick- ed neuer cry to the mounraines to fall on them,and to the hils to Luke. 23 30 couerthem. Obferue againe by this great perplexity that arofe both in Prince and people, thatitwas alwaies the deltiny of the Gol- pell to bring commorion to Scares , and alteration to King- domes : tor now befidesthe generall feare that fretted their hearts, the whole company or Dunnes are troubled toturne their bookes and to leeke out what fliall become of the matter. Th :s wasbut a beginning oftlutChriithimfelfefpake afterward, Jlfatrhwio. ^4. J cs.me not to brins peace , bnt aj^crd : not that the Gofpcll initfellecaufeth warres,but that the wrath and ven- geance 4^ Math.2. Vers, i, 2. &c. geanceof God might redound vpon the faces of his enemies, for it maketh peace betweenc men and men and God and men, that the loue of God boiling from him to vs through his grace in the word, might againe ifluc from vs to him through our obedi- ence to the word. Yet before the Gofpcll can enter to take roote andworke vponvs, itcaufeth hatred, euentothe effufionof bloud, this proceeding from the malice of Satan , who by the growth of the Gofpcll loieth his iurifdi&ion , and from our owne corruption that loue darknefle more then light, becaufe the Gofpell difcouereth our finnes as theSunne doth the rnotts, that otherwife lie hid. And againe, it is a caufe of war which the godly haue with the worldlings, tofhewthediuiiionbetweene the feed of the woman and theierpent , and to exercife the pati- ence and praicrs of Gods feruancs 5 for thefe ends the Go/peli breedeth commotion. Now for the etfecl of this feare, it makes the King to call a Synod of Diuines, and hegathereth the learned,andalithe lear- ned, omitting none,to thisend,not to fatisfie the queltion of the wifemen,Wherehewas that was borne , but to fati ate his owne bloudy purpofe, That he might know theplace where he mould o£j '-& be borne. Where welearne how Princes doc vfe religion , and to whatpurpofe they call for Diuines, not for confeience but for policy: for it was the matter of the crowne onely troubled Hercd, (bas he called them not for any reuerence hee bare to them , for he knew them to be miferable claw-backes,but to ferue his turne, and that they might releeue him in this his trouble and fcruple. Thus did BaUk^( Ntimb. 22. 5. ) fend for Balaam, onely to curfe the people : and Ahab (i.Kin. 22.8.) fent for Micah only that he might concurre in opinion with the foure hundred fallc Prophets. 7. For the third general! circumftance 3 namely the refolution -7 giuen by thefe Diuines , which is right and (incereout of the aj^f. Scripture ftne leiuites hereupon note, that thefe pnefts though their perfons were neuer fo wicked , yet God doth force them to Iohn n. 5:0. fpeake trueth by vertue of their vn&ion. So Caiaphxs onely as high Prieft (hall fay, and that truly, that one (hall die for the fins of the people, though he neither know what he fpeaketh , nor beleeue Math. 2. Vers. 1,2. &c. 47 beleeuewhat hefpeakcth. Wcanfwcr, thar if the priuilcdge o^ oile did vhis, then could he ncuer femencc any thins amitle : but it this vnction workebutby ri s likcSau/j frenfie, \.Sum.\6. 2j. then mult they feeke out fome other caufe of the vpnght judge- ment o( thefe Diuinesin this place. B«U#m(Num. 24. 1 7.) pro- phefied true, not becaule he was a Pncil,but he (pake cucn as his Alkfpake, God putting it into his heart to doeio. And it is ltrange that the Popes perfon may be an heretike , and yet the Pope himlelre as Pope be a Catholikc 5 and that though his per- fon be ouertfowen with wickednellc, yet that as fome grounds will beate no poifoned beafts, io his Connrtory will breed no er- rors. Wefay thefcateoM/0/r.rhad noiuchpriuiledge , much lcilc they : for though Caiapbat (pake true, thac one mould die, yet as high Prielt hee condemned the Lord Icfus that was inno- cent. So we mutt take it heere,that thefe Dunnes refolued Herod of the truth, not by enforcement, but voluntarily euenasthey thought, for their lips preferued lo much knowledge as to be ac- quainted with the Prophets, euen in thefe ipcciall andfecrec points ofthecommingofChrilt. Note further in the prophe(ieoftheMc:has hcerccitcd, the oCf- great mercy of God, that let downe particularly fo many things by iotnany lundry initrumcnts, and all fall out to bj 25 true as if the Prophets had then leenethcm.lt was firftprophefied Gen. :. he mould bee ihe feed of the woman $ then to what nation hee mould be giuen,to the Iewes : then to what Tribe \ to Iuda : Got, 49. 1 o. then to what houfe of this Tribe, to Damd: then at what timehe mould be borne, D*«. 9. z%.6z Genef.49. 10. when the Scepter (hall goe from Sbi/o, then (hall the Meliias come : then the perfon that mould bead him,a virgine : his name Emmanuel, E/4. 7.14. hi9 office, a Sauiour : the place where hee (hould bee borne, Betblem^MfCdb, 5. 2. the maner oi his life,to be poore,Zrf. 99. he (hall come riding on an a He : the maner of his death, E/a. ij J. 1 2. he mould be condemned with (inners : the price mould be giuen to betray him,and what fhould be done with it, to buy a field, Zacb. 1 1. 12. thathedio'jld be pierced, and yet that m his death not abone (hould be broken, Sxod. 12.46. that he (hould thirit,& vineger (hould be giuen him^/^.69. 21. that lots fliould be 4S Math. 2. Vers. i,2.&c. be cad vpon his garments, Pfal.iz. 1 8. Let vs therefore, feeirS thisfwcet harmony of the Prophets, and as perfwadedofthe verily of the whole fcripture , labour to Ieame all things that are written , and fo to learne them as to doc them , that we may be contrary minded to thefe Iewesjreioyce at his comming who will fill V5 with all ioy. Further, wee are to confider by what occafion the Lord ofy'l* wrought that the virginefhonld be brought to bed at Bethlem: Luke reciteth it chap, 2. 1 . that J^r^hauing purpofed to be deli- uered at Nazareth where fhee had conceiued , which had beene contrary to the fcripture, the Lord changah this de:erminar;en, and fendeth a thought into the heart of Auguftm the Emperour, toimpofea taxe vponall the world : Mary though grcatwith child and neereher traueil , yet is conftrained to go to Bethlem. Thus doeththe Lord turne the purpofes of wicked men toa blefled end, and makes all wind blew good for his children, and prouokes the Emperor to bee an executioner of the proprieties: not that he any whit regarded them in his heart, or did this vpon any voluntary obedience , for his end was to inrich his fift , and to (hew the Maiefty of his Empirc.that by this men might teftific their fubmiffion vnto him. Thus did the Lord turne (Gen.^. 7.) the mifchieuous m&Wccoilofephs brethren to anhonorablc end , that he might be a purueyor and a nurfe to his Church , as lofeph himiflfe reftifieth Gen. 50.20. fpeakingto his brethren, Te thought euillagainfl me , If tit the Lord turned tt vnto good, that I mtght prefeme the liuesofrmny. Note further in the refolution of thefe Diuines , that we arc *> to wonder how they could fo fincerely & willingly anfwer to the queftion propounded, whereas afterward they peruert all the fcripture, rather then they wilHubieft themfelues to this MezTi- as:!t is becaufe as yet the MefTias had not opened his mouth , to conuincc their finne and fhew their (hame,nor challenged them formurthering offoules ; but when he comes to difcouer their hypocrifie, and perfecution of the truth, then he is no more the King of the Iewes borne at Bethlem, but he is a Nazarean, and no good thing can come out of Galilc, hhny. ^.reprouingal- (oNtcodcmw, verfefi. that would nothaue him condemned before Math. 2. Vv.rs. 1,2. &c. ^ before he was heard, graunting the truth in the general!, tun de- nying it m the particular : which is the nature of all Atheifls and Non-refiden.s, which fubienbe to the generall places of Scrip- *.Tim. 4. - rure, that the word mult bee preached in leaf on and outoffca-Mat-15*14' inn , that if the blind Icadc the blind , both (hall fall into the pit of perdition, that where the vilion faileth the pcoplcpcnfli, and that the price or ionlesisbloud : but that heehirnfelfeisinthis danger, that caketh the fleece, yctfeedeth not the fheepe : or that he doth jeopard his owne foule, in fuffering thefoults of o- thers to fannili, hewillinflantiyand lliamclellydeny, their con- fcicnccs condemning them in the particular. So will the Atheift and prophane perfon confelfe in generall, that God is mil , that hehatcthfinne, yea and that he will bee auenged for finne : but that Gods hand lhalleucr come ncere him , or that the euillday (hall fall vpon him, though he wallow in his owne filthinellc, his fenllcfle foule will neuerallow of. Howbeit, let euery one of vs beware after the example of thefe great Scribes, who found that to bee true to their particular condemnation, which they onely held to be true in their owne generall opinion : namely, that the Meffias was borne > but that Chnlt was he , though he wrought with power , and taught with authority , they vitcrly denied it. For though in the whole booke of God , moftof thepiomiils and curlings be let downe in generall, yet they arc not effefr uall to comfoi t vs , norpowerfull to terrific vs , if our owne foules do not allume particularly to our felues: as.generally tobeleeue, thatwhofoeuer is weary fhailberefrefbed , yet (hah thou rtcuer find reit in thv foule, vnlellethou likewife beleeue, that (Thrift (hall euen be the water of life to thee. Lailly , in the refohuion of thefe Diuines , obferue how di- &tj- S- ueifcly men vie the Scripture, which are heerefet downe to bee of three forts. Firft, the Scribes they \(cd them foi Speculation onely, thinking it enough if they fo ftudied them, as they could know fuch a thing (hould bee, lengthening onely their iudge- ment , and neuer fingering it to finke into their affections. Se- condly , Herod heeinquirethofthe Scriptureto compaflemif- chiefe , that this babe might likewife haue fallen within his but- che y Thirdly, the graue wile men they enquire after them with E a 50 Math.2. Vers. 1,2. &c. afingleeie, and an honed heart, that being retained according to the truth, they may goetothe worfhip of the Me'Tas. So as euencfthofe that will bee accounted profdlors, we fee there is but one fort onely that brinn foorrh the fimpie fi nitcsofrighte- oufndTe. "AnAverable almoft. to thefe, rrray we fay we haue three Jorrs of congregations in this time. Thefirit, of them thatlouc the emll which they haue, contennngand pleafingthemfelues wirhadumbe Minifter , committing ihecure of their fbules to them that know noPbyficke. The fecond,ofthem that haue not the good they ioue, they wanting a good Minifter, and heartily ddiring him , that he might leade them foorth into the pleafant feedings of the Lord. The third,ot them that lone not the good they haue, enioyingagood Minifter and not regarding him. And all thefe may well be counted milerable, though the affe- ction of the fecond fort be moil: righteous. 4. The fourth general! circumihnce, hHerodr pretending of piety, and vfing of policy to deltroy the babe our Sauiour, fet downe by three circumrtances. Fir(t,how after the refolution de- iliuered, he calleth the Wile-men pnuily and in fecret, (for this newes came vpon him like the pangsof death) and commands themtoenquireofthe (babe,) not the (King,) fortius wasit zthatgauled him to the heart. Secondly, to returne what fuccefle j they had. Thirdly, he pretendcth a good end, namely, that he alfo would goe to worfhip as they had-done. oq ; t . In the firit of thefe note two things : firft,h is extreame fottifli- ^ nefle : fecondly, his extreame fury. His fotti(hnelTe,that hauing a remedy at hand, tohauebeene fure to haue caught the child, namely , to haue fentfomeof his Courtiers, vnder pretence of gratifying thefe Wife men , and then hee could not doubtbut haue grafoed him in his clawes : howbeit , though this was a matter touched the kingdomeand his crowne,yet the Wife-men goealone, and he fendeth not one with them. ThustheLord dehuereth his Church out of the pawes of the Lion , byflriking their enemies with the fpirit of giddinelTe and aftonifhment, that either they cannot fee the way to reuenge , or being in their ^•^ hands, they become foolifh. His extreame fury, impiety, and audacious hardaefle appeaieth in this, that hee knowing this babe, Math. 2. Vers. 1,2. &c. 51 babe, fpoken of by the Prophets, was to befctvpand aduan* ccd tor King , and that heauen and earth could not depofc him, whom God would haue lifted vp: and that considering the ihrre appeared, thntthde Wile-men came fo farrc to worfhiphim, whereby he couid not but know, that it was the ordinance of the mod high, yethecgoeth about to crofle the Lord , and to re- fill his prouidcnce : yea bee knew out of the Oracle eked by his owne Scribes , that fuch an one was to be borne , yet hee labou- rethtodifpofleflehim , when he might as ealilylay (iegeagainlt the feateof God , and feeke to batter heauen , or to flay the courfe of the Sunnc , or to hold the winds in his flit , as to keepc this babe from the kingdome. But thus doe the wicked make God an Idoll, and lb lightly regard him, as they dare fight hand to hand with him, faying as it is lob. 21.15. tvbe is the Almtgh- tjythdt rvcf»9Hld(erHc him? Thus did Pharaobcareohen plagues Exod.S.&j, fent by the immediate hand of God, before he would let the If- raclites depart , againft the exprerfc charge and commande- mentfentvntohimby the mouth of Mafes. And thus did Saul follow Datad at the heelcs, to haue had his life, though he knew i.Sam.ij.i*. he was fct vp of the Lord to fucceed him. Howbeit,we mud in- chnetothecounfellof/,'/fc7. 5. 35. ) tofay,thatifitbe of God it will preuaile : for how can the hand of the creature de- stroy that , which the breath of the Creator will haue prcferued f or how can the Lord giue bleffing to that courfe , which his hand hath curfed c'Nay, his decrees fhall flandvnchangeable (being farre more wife then the law of the JVledesand Perfians (D*n. 6. 8.) that altereth nor) how euer/foWand his brethren haue made a couenant with hell , that come what can come they feare it not : for vengeance is both aboue from heauen to fmirc them, and beneath on earth to fwallow them, and they cannomoreauoideit, then the old world could auoid the floud. Further obferue in this fpecch of Hi rod to the Wife-men: ctf$ that he alfo would goe to woi (hip the babe : that fome man may fpeakcthat in hypocrifie to the damnation of his owne foule, which another belceuingin fimplicity may heare with comfort. For no doubt the Wife-men heere were glad when they heard E 2 HcrtJ ... 52 Math. 2. Vers. 1,2. &c. Herod fay , he would alfoworfbip, though himielfe meant no- thing lefle. Which example, we char are Chriftians mull (till fol- low : for fo long as menbearc vp their heads in the Church of God , and ioyne with vs in his feruice, we muft leaue their hearts to him that made them , and reioycethat by the Ieaues of their profeffionjthey feeme to bg trees of the I. ords planting. The flic generall point is : what befell thefe Wife- men both in their iourney from Herods Court, and when they came to their i iourniestnd, iecdowneby fiue circumitances : Firft, that they x went when they were refolued : Secondly, thattheflarreappea- 2 reth againe, and goeth before them : 1 hirdly,tbar it ftands vpon A the particular place wherethe babe lay : Fourthly, their excee- ding ioy : Fiftly, how comming thither, they find the babe in a bale place, yet they are not difcouraged, butreuerencehimand giue him gifts. rc. j . For the firit it is fliewed , that they went alone , not one with them, though this was the King fpecially home for the faluation of the Iewes. Wherein wee may admire their ingratitude , and the impiety of the Scribes, that pointed the way to others , and yet vouchlafed not themielues to goe one foot to enquire after Chriil. Thus may Preachers be as Aicrcurialesjlatm ; fet vp as directors of others , (lie wing the way to heauen , and yet goe themielues to hell. Perhaps they feared the cruelty of the king; that if they mould haue beene caried with an affection of feeing him, it might haue cort them their liucs, or at leaft their honors. Though it were fo, yet doth it not excufe their vngodlinefle , to preferre the feareof a King that could but kill the body and c* '3 ' touch the goods, before the feareof the great King of the hea- uens, that can deftroy both body and foule. For though the dis- ciples and Apoftles ( Att.q* 18. ) bee commanded , that they fhould teach no more in the name of Iefus , yet if the burden of the Lord be vpon them, they may not but fpeake ( verf.zo.) the things which they haue feene and heard. And though Micaiah theProphet ( i.jKwg. 22.13. ) doe know what meflage will pleafe the King, yet though he be fmitten on the chceke and cart into prifon, hee mult deliuer the counfell of the Lord. For as Saint Paul faith , Gal. I . I o. If in thefe things I Jficwld pleafe mcny I Math. 2. Vers. 1,2. &c. 5^ 1 ■ nst the (em Ant of Chrisi. Id that none of the people accompanied rhefc Wife men ,ob- ° \ feme their dulncfte and Atheilmc,thatthcy all (by at homeland yet they kept an outward (hew and demotion \\\ feruing God, and offered [acrifices , which vnlcfle they knew that they prefigured the death ot Chrift, what made they of' their temple but a butch- ers (hamblei < Yet by their idleneile, that they would not fteppe one foot to lee him , rs percciued, that ofthcMefhasfpiritually they knew nothing. Which is hkcwi.'e to be feared of vs in thele daies , thatweonely rdlour felues within the reach of the Gof- pcll, tor that it hath brought vs peace, which pcacehath purcha- icd tor vs profit and promotion : butifthefta-.c might itand in quiet, though Chrilt were banflied from v5,orit we might gaine moieby DMw^oi'Ephelus , (Atl. 19.24.) t hen by the God of lfrael , it is to bee doubted Chrilf. might lodge long enough at Bethlem, before we would goe to vifit him. - Furtherobferue, ifthefe Wife-men had not left Herodio his canua'Iingof the matter, the Scribes to their fpeculation, the people to their trades , if they had refpedred the example of the mighty or of the learned , or considered the danger , that it was a matter of treafon,if it had lb beene taken, they had not had this glory and honour to hauefeene theMeilias , bur they are glad to goe alone though they would be defirous to haue company. Whereby we leaine, that to embrace religion , and to ioyneour ielues with the congregation ofthe Saints, it is good in going :f wee can get company , for the greater blefllng talsvpon a mul- titude : howbeit we muft haue this refolution, to go, what dan- ger foeuer may befall, and not to flay vnnll others goe : for thou ihaltneuerfec the Lordiefusif thou ftay till all Hierufalem doe goe with thee to Bethlem. Thele Wile-men might haue laid withthemfelues : Wherefore mould we goe fee him, fince his owne people will not t as fad.u asked Chriit : Why doesl rWlol1.i4.1t. Jbew thj/elfeto vs, and not to the world ? but they take no occafiun of ftay,butarerelblute to goe alone. Now if thefe heathen men were foearneil, a; to admit of nothing which might hinder them from beholding Chnft in the rlelh, how much more ought wee to bee eager to heare Chriit in his word , and to fee him in E 3 the 54 Math. 2. Vers. 1,2. Sec. the Sacrament i The Qucene of Saba fhall rife vp in Judgement againft vs , that came !o farretoheare the wifdome oi Salomon y 1 . Kings 1 c. 1 . and yet as Omit fpeaketh, \Mat. 12.42.3 grea- ter then Sdomon isheere, yet are we negligent in attending the voice of God. Now for the fecond circumftance, namely that the fhrre went d-'-y H before them : conlider the wonderfull wifdome ofGod, that he doeth fo qualifieand moderate the trials and afflictions ofhis feruants, that cuen to thegreareit temptations (if they miftrult not ) hegiucthamohVbletfediiTue j for it might haue ftricken thefe men with a ftrange altonifhment , and driuen them into great perplexity , thatthey beingof fpcciall repurationin their country, and commingthis tedious iourney, andhauingfuch coldeentertainmentboth in theKings court and of the meaner people,and hauing loft their direclion,theftarre being vaniflied, thefe things might greatly haue difmaied them not to haue gone any further , yet they proceeding forward in their obedience, the light that was quenched was againe of the Lord reuiued 5 and with this they were comforted greatly , feeing the refolution ofthePriefts concurring with thedumbe meflageof theftarre. Wherein alfo marke, that the ftarre guided them to the particu- lar place where the babe lay : for if they had come to Bethlem it ouy >'• is likely none there knew it , Chrift his birth being a thing not dreamt of, and he being a babe vnregarded 5 andfo much the more becaufe he comes of the houfeof Dauid. And if they bad enquired of wicked men forfucha thing, they would but haue fcornedthem,orelfe fought to haue intrapped them : if of good men, they had indangered themfelues by difcrying it. Thcrforc not to need any helpe , the Lord from heauen pointcth out the place vnto them : wherin for our further inftrucltion Iearne,that God in euerygood purpofe doth goe before vs by his grace, to Phil. 1.13. make vs willing, as Saint P^Wipdaketh, and with the fame grace f v- doth follow vs and confirme vs in the firft workc , that we (hall neuer wafh our hands in vaine,but that as we are by his direction cometolerufalem to fecke after Chrift, fo wee fhall by the fame dire£rion go ftrait to Bethlem, wher« we lhall fee him , as Dattid faith,P/rf//» 25.12. They that feare the Lord, lhall know how to <* choote Math. 2. Vers. i,2. Sec. 55 choofc the right way. For their reioycing at the fight of the ftarre appearing againc, 0 itimplxth they were itrangcly dilcomforted at the lode of it. Where note, that if the Lord doe at any time quench the light ofhis Ipirit in vs, or change thep!eafure,and eclipie the ioy of his countenance, ifibmctimes wee cannot apply to our foulesthe tweet comfort of the fcriptures , yet the Lord after he hath fuffi- ciently humbled vs, if we goeon with a fimple heart, and perfc- uere as thefe Wile- men did in their ionrney , in a time vnlooked for he will kindle in vs the former light, and take away that foggy mift that obfeured the Sunnc of righteoufnes, and it mall clcare- ly mine vpon vs , and our ioy in the holy Gholt fhall bee multi- plied , and the Lord will eafe that heart that was before troden do wne with the burden of fmne. Now in that it is faid , they found the babe lying in a crarch : o^f-7- wc may confider how (trangely and (trongly the Lord did exer- cife the faith and perfwafionof thefe Wife- men , thataftcrthe former difcouragements palled ouer3 they find the babe lying in this bafe place, which had beene enough to haue made them re- pent their long tranell, in the end to fee no other fight then this; but fuch was the quicke fight of the eye of faith, and the fpeciall mitigation of the holy Gholt , as they were not difmaicd with the bafenelle of this King. Heercthey find neither guard to de- rend him , nor refort of people to fee him , neither Crowneon his head, nor Scepter in his hand, but fuch a child, as for outward beauty they might haue feenemanyathoufandequallandfarrc beyond him in their owne countrey without this great trauell. Wherelearne, that for thcbeleeuingofthepromife , and to be rciblued ofcxhe truth, the Lord doethfo incline the heart and bend theconfciencc, that whatfoeucr doth feeme contrary doth nothing offend them : for thefe Wife-men doe beleeue that this bafechild , laied in this bafe manner is the King of heauen and earth. Hecreupon it is that Sara mult beleeue being a dea^ wo- man, that is , (pent by nature and ouergrowen with yecrcs , that ib many children mult come from her as there bee (tarresinthe firmament, Gcn.17.19, So Abraham (Gen. 15. 18.) mult beleeue that heaodhispoiterityfhali bee inhentours of the land of Ca- £ 4 naan> 56 Math. 2. Vers. i,2.&c naan , though they be not to haue aftuall poffeflp.on of it foure hundred yeeres after. So Damd (i .Sam.i7*i 5 .) commingfrom the fhcepe, mult belceue that he fhallbe a king, yet he feeth Saul fo furious againft hirn,(i . Sam.x 9 .1 .) as he proclaimed ir,faying, Let me fee if I hatteanj that rvillkillDautd. Heere is open conspi- racy, yea hee is driucn into caues and holes , he is as a ftone that euery man refuleth, yet his faith may not faile him , but he mult perfwadehimfelre hee (hall be crowned though ^w/beeeucnat his heeles to difpatch him, and it dial I be performed. Iofeph hee had a drearne that the Sunne and Moone and eleuen ftarres(G^». 37. io.)(hould [all downe and worftnphim : when he was in the pit ready to be llaine in the malice of lb me of hi? brethren , hee beleeucdthis : yea teingfold into Egypt, and after by the falfe accufationolhismiiTres (Genef, 59.20 ) caft into pnf on, where he could fee neither Sunne nor Moone, yet he fainteth not , but perfwadethhimfelfe of the truth of his drearne , and it fell out accordingly. So Ezechicl being brought into the field of the Lord, £^£.37.4. muff beleeue,that of a company of dead bones there fhall rife vp armed men ; for thole dead bones were the houfe of Kratl. Yea, faith muff be fo quicke fighted as to belceue that in prifon there is liberty , in perfecutiou comfort, in life death, in the Crofle a Crowne, and in a manger the Lord lei us. Heere alfo learne by the example of thefe Wife- men , not to aGfq. be offended at the bafenelfe of the Gofpell: for if they had beene offended at the bafenelfe olCHriff, in theflefh , they had not had the bleiTingoi feeing the MeiTias. Therefore hewfbeuer the di- uell in Chri its time broached ihis argument, to withdraw men Iohn7.^8. from the Gofpell : fee whether any of the Scribes or of the fa- mous learned men follow Chriit, onelyafew rufcall company flocke vntohim \ yet wee muff not thinke that the kingdome of Chnft it andeth in any outward pompe or glory, for fo much did Stmeon(L*l\.2. i4)infinuatc to his mother Mary, 'hat (he mould not expect any glorious acceptation of her fonne, no not in Ifra- el, confirmed by the Prophet Efay> cbap.S 14. 28. id. but that he (hould be as a white let vp in a but, whereat euery man would fhoot feme bolt. Such therefore (hall bee blefled; who (as him- felfc Math. 2. Vers. 1,2, Sec. 57 : fpcaketh)fhall not be offended at him;forwemuft obferue, Math. u.f. thatastbe proceeding of his kingdome is abouc nature, fothe perfwadingof vs to his kingdome is moff contrary to nature, and that either in a general! opposition of the world, which is caried away wuh the aff, clarion of honour, and an vttcrhatied of falling into the extremities of contempt, poucrty, and perfe- ct! ion, or clfe to euery mans particular heart,which is forcible to diiiwade him from (ulkrmgin rhcrlelh , or for carting the anker of his affections vpon the baleneileof Chriftandot hisCrofle. True it is, if an Orator ihould vie an argument contrary to art, he could not preuaile \ but if lice hVuld frame hi argument of that the people were moll in hatred of, it were a fruitlefTe labour anda vaint hope to expccl his purpole : foifaPhyfuian fliould apply a medicine contrary to the difcafe, he could neuer hope to cure if, but if the medicine were alio contrary to the complexion of the party, then were it moil vnlikJyto hauefuccellc. But fuch is the miraculous power of the Almighty ,. that as hce can make fomething of nothing , fo he can alio make of a thing con- trary fuch as hee would haueir : as hee hath vanqiufhed the crownes of Monarks by thcCrolTe, whole triumphant leates are . molt contrary to theCrofc : heharh ouercomethe pride of the world by poucrty , and the wiidomeof therlefhby thefoolifh- pefle of the fpint : yea he hath wrought fubmiffion in the hearts ofthe/e heathen men, that though Chnil lay in a cratch void of all dignity , yet they take no offence at it , which thing is ontly proper for the fpiritof God to performe, whohaih both the tongue, thehearr, and the knee in his power. In that thele Wife-men offered gold and other gifts vntoihe oif}* babe : obferue how gratioully the Lord prouided for the po- uerryof Ieflis parents, that euen now immcdiatly before thvj perlecution came, hee fends them gold from the Eartfor their feand comfort. And thus doth the Lord deale with all that depend vpon him, neuer fuffering them to fall into extremity, or tobetoomuchdiftrefTed Aith pouerty : as D^Wlaith, he neuer Pfal.37. ij. faw the righteous begging their bread , but the Lord fupported them by his power, and will make the ffones to yeeld bread , the rockes water, the heauens Manna, rather than his children (hall be 5S Math, 2. Vers. 1,2. &c. be vnprouided. For ifE/iah be forced to hide himfclfe from the knife oflefabel, i . King, \ 7. 4. rather then he (hall want, the Ra- uens (hall feed him : yea hee will make the wicked an inftrument to prouide for his chofen , as Zedekjab to (command that leremy be fed in the prifon as long as there is any bread in the City, ler. 37.21. which oughtto teach vsnorto compatfeany thing vn* lawfully, ortodigvsciftemesout of the policy of the flefh , but to relie vpon the Lord, who can and will (end vs reliefe from the vttermoft parts of the earth , and when we lead looke for it, and when it (hall be moil welcome, as he did heere to the mother of Iefus. ^ • For the fixt generall circumftance,namcly for the oracle giuea thefc Wife-men to goe home another way : learne firft how the oCj 1- Lord difappoints the purpofes of tyrants and wicked men,which bend their bowes, whet their fwords, and make their arrowes Pfal.7.14. keeneto pierce the fides of the godly , thatitfals out they are butconceiued with vanity , and trauellof iniquity, and bring foorth a lie. For when Herod meant to haue glutted his bloudy minde vpon the report of thefe Wife-men , then are they of the Lord fent another way. And when (A3. 2$. 12.J the Iewes had bound themfelues with acurfe, that they would neither eate nor drinke till they had killed Paul 5 then the Lord fent into the heart of the chiefe Captaine, fo to intrench him about with foul- diers as he was kept fafe from their fury. So when Senaherib the King of Afliurhad thought to haue fwallowed vplerufalem, Efej 36.11- then the Lord faid and performed it,that he mould not io much as (hoot an arrow, nor caft a mount againft it. Thus doeth the Lord alwaies preuent the dangers intended againft his Pfal.9 !.?.*. children., that neither the plague that flies by day , nor the pe- itilencethat walkesby night, nor the fnare of the hunter can once intrap them, buthiseares are open euentothe praiersof Iomm, W according as they were commanded, that an oath or a vow taken and made agamtl the bond of charity , and ten- ding to the hurt of our brother , is not to be performed ; but be- ing vndertaken vpon wcakeneile , is to be discharged vpon con- Icicnce : and therefore ram was the vow of Iphtth , lud?. i i . 3 1. to promife to the Lord without limitation a facnrlce of that he fhould hrlt meet when he came home. For though the Apoitle Hcb. n. ^z. commendcth him for his worthy cnterprife in de- liuering the people, yet by this rafli vow and wicked perfor- mance ofthe lame, his viclory was much defaced. For we mull make no halle with our mouthes to pronounce any thing, but fee a warch before our lippes, that they may hedge in our tongues from {peaking cuill or our brethren ; and yet if we haptolhpin this, wee mult keepe in our hands from executing what vnadui- fedly we vttered. For firft, we are lb farre from being bound to ' deteel them when their hues or bodies are fought for, as wee are tocounfcll them to hide them, as E lUh (1. Kings 17. 3) was counlclled of the Lord to hide hirnfelfe.So did lonathan( i.Sam. 20. 42. J make his fathers fury knowen to Dautd that hee might hide himfelfc, and therfore curfed be the Ziphtms,i .Sam.*] .7 o. rhatpromifed j~4*/todeIiuer Dauidinto his hands, and curfed be Irrijth. Icr. 37. 13. that ltaid Jeremy, and brought him to the Princes asafugitiue when hee was going to the land of Benia- min. Secondly, if they cannot hide thcmfelues, wee muft doe it - for them. So did Obddtah (1 . Ktn. 1 8. 1 3 .) in the court oiAhub hide a hundred Prophets from the cruelty oi lefabel. So did R*- hab, lofh. 2.1 . in great zeale to God and loue to his feruants,hidc the fpics with the danger of her owne life. SodidtheDifciples, Al.9. 21. lctdowne Paul in a basket, when his life was fought for by the Inquifi:ion. Thirdly,ir they be apprehended we muft 3 be lb farre from accu ling them, as we mult countenance and de- fend them to ourpowers. So didtbedme/ech, ler. 28.9. when he came to the King in the gate,and told him leremy had wrong to beimpnibned : and fo did lotmthavi.i.SAm^o.^ 2.defcnd D*- 6o Math. 2. Vers, 13, 14, 15. »/<^againft his owne father, for it is not the commandement of a King that ought to make vs giue vp the (onnes of God into their hands : nay the Lord himfelfe in this place teacheth vs other- vvife,that would not fufTer thefe Wife- men to obey Herod, wher- by thebabe might hauc beeneexpofed to his butchery. Laftly,in the departure of thefe Wife- men, obferue that God both in the beginning and in the end will blefTeall courfesand actions enterpnfed and done in his feare and in a holy obedi- ence^ he did bleife and profper the iourney of thefe Wife-men, giuingthem both a direction which way to come to Ierulalem, and which way to goe from Bethlem : which mud make vs if we expect any blefled fuccefle of that we vndertake , not to begm but with the warrant of a good confeience , nor to proceed but with a reuerent and relolute obedience as to the commande- ment of God,and as aiming at the aduancement and promotion of his glory, and the furtherance of his feruice. Math. chap. 2. \r Ar«J^ uethand alio vet h no long time of peaceand truce to hisler- w- <™>prt uants, whom he will make mirrors of patience, buthcefendeth one trouble in the necke of another, that though thelife of man be but as a tale told , yet the clhteofaChnlban foule hath ma- ny fractions and intciruptions , before it can p.ifTe like the wea- , , ucrs fhuttle through the web : foas the breathing time which they haue had, is but to enable them to further If rcngth for that which fuccedeth ."Heeie being in this place fet denvne, how the Lord mingled the fweetneile of the gifts brought to this babe by the men of Perfia , with die bicterncfle of an immediate perle- cucion 6z Math. 2, Vers. 13, 14? i£» cutionby the hand of /7W the King , to teach Iofeph., and in him all ofvs, that when we haue had honour, together with the prorefnonoftheGofpell, we may not flatter and perfwade our feluesofthc continuance of this, but bee armed toltand to the truth , and to the acknowledgement of the Lord Iefus , both in honour and dishonour. For Mary as (he had this comfort to fee thebabe her fonne honoured and worfhipped of thefe Wife- men , fo had flie this for row and difcomfort mixed therewithal!, in the night to t ruffe vp her furniture and to rite. Thus fared it with her ionne at another time, who {Mat. 21.8.) comming ri- ding on the Sabboth to Hicrufalem, had acclamations and cries of the people , Hofimn.t to the Sonne of Dauid, blcjfedbe he that commeth in the nameof the Lord: yea had the greateft glory that euer happened to any earthly Prince, to haue garments ftrawed in the way for him to tread on, thereby the more royally toen- tertainehim : yet after all this within flue daies he isexclaimed on,and tumultuoully they eric *Cruct fie him.cructfie him,hU blond he vpon vs and our children* To teach vs , that neither profperity puffevsvp, nor aduerfity.caft vsdowne : knowing that it is the Lords willand pleafure, that there (hould be an interchangeable courfe of thefe things. ' As Simeon prophtfied ( Lttk^.i. 35.^ thatafword ihould pierce Afaritt ioulc ^ which euen now was fulfilled , being commanded to take her heeles : to teach her , that (he mould not expect any great ftate in this life , though fhe was the mother ofthe King of glory , but that euen fhee mould be falhioned after her owne Sonne, tocometoacrowneby the croffe. Heere then is condemned thedaintineffeofthofe profel- fbrs, that will waite no longer at the Lords table, then they may be fed from his trencher, and which doeloue the pra&ife of the Gofpellonely for the peace of the Gcfpell.j For Io/eph may no: beedifcouraged; though he bee driuen to flic with the Lord of life in his armes : but heereby may he be fecured of fafety , ha- uinghisSauiour with him. And on this may we all reft, that if wee bee driuen to flight for the caufe of Chrirt, our feet fliall but leadevstothewingsofChrift, where we (hall be cherifhed, e- uen in Egypt, apteceofdarkneffe; anddifdaine to the truth of God. For Math. 2. Vers. 15, 14, 15. 6?} Forthefeconddrcumftance, which is the place whi her they *• muftflie : itcannotbc thought, but hfipb was dilh-aftcd and \/r^ weaned with inndiy cogitations, yea and perplexed with decpe fcrroues, to fee that this Kingor glonc mult bee forced to flie from the cruelty of Herod, and to inch a place as wasalwaies aa ^ ~»* en my to theChurch o( God. Howbcit, heerein wee mayob- llrue, howfometimes the Lord (heycth btit a fparkle and por- tion of his power iirthe deliuery or his feruant*4 though mo- ther times hee opcnlv fheweth himfelfe for their protection in great gloric and maieity : as in the cafe ot FJiah fa. King, 1.9.) ( when the fouldiers came to him and icoffed him, faying : Mun i\ Gcd ccmc djxr.e : prelcntly thcarmcof Godj t» as made naked , and fire came downe and confumed them. So did the Lord 2, deal? with Sli/ba, f2.Kwg.6A 8.) who hailing difcouered the ie- crctsipoken in the King of Syrians chamber, the King in indig- nation lends toorth againit one man , hauing but Gchez,t to wait on him, an hoaitofarmed men to compafie the place where hee was, and when they came, thinking to haue caught him, they werefmitten with Hidden blindnelic , and E/rflja in a holy zeale of Gods glory, Ieadeth them roacity , where but for him they had bceneallllaine. So Darnel (£^.6.7.22.,) he is put into the 3 Lions dennc, ieaied with the Kings owne fignet , asefcapeouc hccouldnot : which finceit is lb, the mouths o_f the Lions are fhut that they cannot hurt him, hcere is maieity 7 butnowlelus hisownefonnehemuit flie, and (hall not berefcuedbyany irn^ mediate hand of his Father,hecre is a diucrfe difpenfarion. The^ children in the lire (Dan. 3.22.) though it coniumed them that call them in,yet doe not their cloaths fo much as frnell of it: and fliallwec thinkethat the hand of the Lord was now fliortned, or his power abated , that hee could not haue \vroughtaj_migh- tily for the fafety of his ownefonne i God forbid. Pewrwctce^f iscaltinto thegaole (jitt.iz. 8,) but the Angellof the Lord openeththedoorc, and bids hi.n preach with confidence : and when hee was condemned the next day to bee executed, lying bound with two great chaines, the Angell with one blowvnloo- feth them both, bnngeth him through the fouldicrs, and an iron ^ gate flicth open to giuehirnpafljgc/boi^/ (ui-h i6.z6.Jhe * is 64 Math. 2. Vers. 13, 14, 15. isdeliucred by an earth-quake that (hakes the prifbn, and the gouernoursarefainetointreathimtogo foonh. Thus can the praiers of Gods feruants obtaine the miniftery of Angels , to difarme riiejjower of Sathan , and to fruilrate the malice of the wicked. HowbeiFon the other fide, how the Lord fuffereth as . it were his power to bee blafted vndera wonderfull kind of inrlr- , mity , wee haueequall examples in the Scripture. We fee E /tab ( 1. King. 19. $.) that before could command fire from heauen, mud: now flie from the face of Iezabe/^ and is driuen to fuch an exigent , that hee cries out vnto the Lord eucn to take away his 1 life. So the fpies that came to fee Iericho, (Ivjh. 2 . 4.,) and were fent from lejhua the Lieutenant of God, to take poileilionof the land of Canaan, fo hardly efcape they with their Iiues, thata harlot isfaine to make a lye toiaue them, and to couerthem with the rtalkes of flaxe that they may not bee found. Paul that had before an earth-quake tovnlhackle him, hath at another 3 time ( Aft. 9. 25. ) no other way topreferue himfelfe, but by being let downe in a basket. So Jeremy to rlefh ancM^loud is 4 mod baieiy deliuered 5 for being caft into the dungeon, Ebed- me/ech (Ier. 38. 1 1.) obtainethof the King to bnnghirn out, and then with a company of ragges and old worne clouts bound together , as with a cord he draweth him foorth , and is glad to > fend him away. So fared it with Dopd, (1. Sam.19. 22. 1 3. J for Aficho/pcrcehmg he could hardly efcape the fury of Saul, flrft fhee lets him downe at a window , and then fheepurs an image in the bed,as if fome ficke man had beene tbererAncTthus did the Lordprouide for his fonne after the bafeft manner, that his pa- rents muft take their heeles to preferue his life:be could haue fent a kind of madnes on Herod,a$ he did on Nebuchadnezzar ,( Dan. 4.29.) and haue fpoiled him of all his kingly royalty ,and feuered him from the company of men, and made him feed with hearts : he could haue made his Angell haue ftrucke him, as hee did his nephew, (Att. 12. 23.) or haue railed vp hisfonnes to haue Ef3.97.jS, flainehim , as he did to Senaherib : or hauecaufed him to haue hanged himfelfe in a defperation of thekmgdome : hee could haue aftonifhed them when they had come to kill him, as hee did ( Ish. 18. 5.) whenthe^ came to take him , that they mould haue Math. 2. V ers. i}5 14, 15. 65 haue killed another, asdidthe Madianites, 7#dg. 7.21. But it pfjj.lt, . wasthcwiliand pLalureof the Father, that he mould beginne his life in miicry, as he (hould end it in ignominy, andheewor- kcth not by miracles for the ddiucryof his Sonne. Forfirftas \ yet there was no lime for the manifeftation of miracles, for then he (night ha ue bcene thought not to hauebcene true man. Se- condly, it was to hilfill a prophefie, that out of Egypt his Sonne 1 might be called , intending heerein a proportion betweenethc head and the members : that as the Ilraelitcswcrccaried out of Egypt 1 ( E\-o4. 12. 31.) (oalio mould Chrift the head of his Church be. Thirdly, in this was prefigured the cailingaway or. the Iewes , and the calling and cariageof theGofpcll among the Gentiles. Fourthly, that another prophefie might be fulfil- v * led , that for his fake lliould the children of Bethlem bee flaine. Fiftly , that the cruelty of Herod by this meanes might bee the-f more difappomted. Sixtly,to grae warrant to vs,that in the time6~ of danger andperfecution, wee may lawfully flic. Seuenthly,^ that we may not thinke the crofle too bale for vs, fincethe Lord of glory did thus beare it. Further , it is wonderfull to fee , that the Lord will haue his Sonne thruftout of luda, and from among the Iewes, to whom fpeciallyhee was promifed , and whom principally hee fliould fane j and to bee entertained in Egvpt, a place of all abominate ons, and which hated God. But thus did the Lord aduance lo- \ fepb\n Egypt, (Gen. 41.40.) when his brethren would haue killed him in Ifracl, and thus did he prouide for Dame/ in Baby- z. \o\\)(Dan.6. 3.) where diuels were worshipped, andaduanced hitntobcethc kcondperfon inthekingdome. Achis King of 5 the Ph ill' urns (i.Sam. 21.10) receiued Dauid when Sau/ per* fecutedhim. fW^whenhecouldnotbefedinlfrael, (i.King.4 17. 15.) ischenfhedbyapoore widow of Sarcptain Sydonan heathenilh country. And leremy the Prophet ( /cr.79. J-0 ,s bee cr entertained by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babel, then by Z dechia the PrieiL Thus can the Lord ftirre vp the hearts kj( the heathen, to bee better to hisferuants then their owne bre- thren , and that S*ul fliall prophefie when he mtendeth to per- fecute, ( i.irfw. 19.24,) to comfort vs, that euen our greatcft F enemies * > _ 66 Math* 2. Vers. 15, 14, 15. enemies mall nourifh vs, ifwebecaft our of our country for the profeffion of the Lord Iefus ; yea Egypt (hall be a reftmg place for hfeph if the babe be with him, thouph it be gneuous and te- dious to lojtph to want the facrifices , and to loie the comfort of hearing the law of God expounded. And when Ar^/canhaueno * preaching place at Hierufileinihe CitieotGod, then fhall hee preach two yeeres without contradiction in Rome, Aft* 28. 30. a place of all periecution. 3. For the third circumlVance, how long Chrift fliould ftay in Egypt : confider firit, that lo/epbis hcereby allured he fhall m>t itay euer , which doth fomewhat eafe and refrcfh his anguiflied £»'* 4- jbnle : for when he confidered rheiourney hee wastotakewas * tedious* the place whither he was to file barbarous , the tender- neileof the child he muft take with -him, that hee mnft beabient fromthe publike excrcifes of religion , that his difpatch was (6 fudden , as he had no time to take his leaueof the godly of Hie- rufaiem, no doubt his heart was much aftomfhed, and his fpirits of life much appalled : therefore to comfort him,the Lord bids him fhy till hecalleth him : implying, that there fliall bee a time wherein he (hall be deliuered^Tn"wEich we learne,thataffiiclion fhall not akvaylaft, and that the rod (ball not euer rtftvpon the backe of the godly, but we fhall haue beauty for allies, the oile of Pfal.x04.1y. gladneflc for the garment of heauineile, and ourcaptiuity fhall be like the Summer riuers, and they that goe foorth with a little feed fhall come home with full fheaues. TJeere alio note , that . by faying : hemnftnotcome, but abide there till the Lord doe #v •*' cali him, that it is as much as to haue faid : Come not of thy felfe, no not vpon any exigent or (heights whatfoeuer , though thou be neuer fo villanoully intreated : and by fetting downe the time of his abode indefinitely, he doth it to trie his obedience that he may with patience attend the Lords pleafure.Wherby we Itarne, tl .-at we mult not prefix any fct time vnto the Lord, how long he fhall cxercifc vs vnder the crofle : lofeph mult flay in Egypt til he be called foorth : and let this belo/phs hope , in Egypt hee fhall notalwaiesbe, but he fhall returne againeto Hierufalem, and thefcourgeofthe vngodly fhall not al way clafpe about the loinea of the righteous. Now Math. 2. Vers. i}, 14, 1^. 67 Now for the fourth circumfhncc , which is the rcaibn of the ot eommandement. Lcarnc firlt : how the Lord relecueth our weikcne(lc,and tendreth our infirmitiCjthnt though a barecon]- mandement had beene fufficicntfor fofepbto hauc addretled himfclfefor this journey : yet the Lord taketh pity vpoq him, and will not tempt hmaboue the meafure of his faith , but fully fatisfiethhim, not onely commanding by authority, buteuen perfwadmg by reafon, that he may obey with the greater cheere- t'ulneile : Far Herod ( faith hec ) goetb about to deftroy htm. Othcrwile did the Lord deale with Abraham , Gen. 22. 2. accor- ding to his hVong faith,commanding that which flefli and bloud moltabhorreth •, and giueth no reaion of it, namely, to bee the butcher to his owne fonne. But heerein (hall ourcondemnarion be the more iult, becaufe the Lord hathgiuenfo manycalles, and yeelded Co many reafons why we mould flic from fmnc> and why we mould turne to him;not for Icareof any bodily deftru&i- onby the hand of Herod , but for feare of that^fpirituall thral- domc, wherein Satan laboureth to kcepe our foules, the Lord hauing difcoucred vntovs early and late that hee is an old and a fubtillenemie, armed not onely with darts , but cuen with fiery dartsto fbng vs vnto damnation. Let vs therefore mzhlo/eph embrace the lwectkindnefleofthe Lord, who mildly exhortcth ▼stohaiteasitwereoutofSodome ; and let vs with him relblue without any Heflily difecurie with ourfeluesto bee gone at the firft call > for his word is truth, and the danger he foretelleth will follow. Secondly, heerein obferue,that the Lord knoweth thefecrets oCj of mens hearts : for /-fcW pretended adoring, but intended the murtheringof the Lord Iefus. And his crafty and concealed purpole is hecrc named by the Angcll,that we may feare to deale doubly with our owne foules, and may abhorreall hypoenfie, becaufethe Lord catteth his cie not only vpon our actions, but watcheth euenouer our very thoughts , and will intimedifco- uerthem to our great fhame. This is it Dauid praieth againtt, Pf*lm. 32. 3. that the Lord would free him from guile of Ipirit, nottodecciuehimfelfc,nortodiflemblehi$finne ; for his dea- ling doubly with God and his Joule , inthat his finne with B er- F a fheba, >.>*>* 68 Math. 2. Vers, 13, 14, 15. /&^4,hadfodiftempered hisconfcience, thatvntill he had fully maitered his hypocrifie, he coold finde no reil in his bones. Yet iuch is the Simplicity, or rather the frowardnelleofour harts, that though wee know all things to bee naked and open before God, we ihllrunne on in hiding andcloakingof ourfmnes, which is asauncientas our fir ft fathers fall } whoafrer theeatmgof the fruite forbidden, had his eies opened indeed : thatis, he then by experience pcrceiued , and by checkeofconfcienccfaw what eutll he came into, and what good he had loll 5 being conuinced ofhis owne mifery, he takes fig-lcancs to couer his fljame,a fmall cotier tohide it from the ties of God. Belide, marke his fottifh- nelle , heccuererhbuthisfhame, Whereas the piincipallinibu- rr.e^rsof his wickednefle were hiseies, hiseares, and his raile, and th »fe were more filthy , for the other part a6tua!Jyhad not finned. Now when he heard the voice of Gcd , the winde cary- i'lgrohisearefucha vo;ceas he had not heard before, thenhee rlieth among the trees, thinkingif fig-Jcaues would not feme, yet the fhadow of trees would liifRciently hide him j alwaies when the Lord lummonsvs, feeking flicker, that wee may noc come to reprehension. And when this voice of the Lord could nor bring himtoaconfefHonof his finne, nor pierce his heart enough, the Lord calleshim with his cwnemouih : Whydocft then hide thy f elf e ? Marke now his wonderfull hypocrifie crept in Co foone after his fall, sidamaftigneih twocauies of the hi- ding ofhimfelfe, both falfe; and omitteth the true caufe, thatis hisfinne : the one, becauie he heard Godipeake,whichismoft falfe 5 for he had heard him fpeake often before , and that mod comfortably. The iecondcaufe.becaufe he was naked : and yet thiswasnocaule, forit is faid in the text , they were both naked and were not allnmed. And by the malignity of his nature, in thisheefecretlychargeth God tobethecaufeofhisfinne, who in his oiiginall creation had made him naked , whereas heehim- felfe was the cauie of the fliameof his nakedneile. God goeth further with him : Haft then not eaten of the frfttt which 1 T forbad thee ? Now the Lord names the finne : and inhisanfwermarke hishypocrifie and guile of Ipiritworfe then before : Thewcman (faith he) which thou gave ft me , gane me of the tree , and I dideate. As Math.2. Vers. 13, 14, 15. 69 Asithcfliouldfay, it was thine ownc ordinance, fo as he impu- dently facech ouc the matter, and laies it vpon his wifc,whercas it was hisowncambitionandnother fuggeltiononly thatprouo- ked him to the finne : and in the whole itory yccfliallnotfinde one word or confelVion. So the woman (hee transfers from her fclfetothediuelltbecaufeofhtr fall ; the Serpent indeed blew the coles, but the fire was in her ownc heart, and fhc would not confefle that fliee abufed her lelre to bee feduced by the Serpent: fo as both of them felt the punifhment of their finne, but would notiudgcof thecaufc or it incating the forbidden fruit. By which examples, as by the naming of Herods finne concerned but iff heart , and by the traducing forth of Adamioi his finne that brake foorth into his hands , wemuft learne to hedge in our thoughts, that they harbour not fo much as an euill inclination : for finne is of a forward brood and will foone bee hatcht, and though as it is Pfdlm. 50.21. the Lord hold his peace , that is, forbearewith patience for a time, whereby wee thinke him like our felues jthat is as in the Hebrew,a good fellow like our felues, jet (faith the Lord) / rvtllUythj fmne before thee, that is, as it fig- nifieth in the Hebrew , either fet them in order before thee like difhes on the table , or write them in a role and make thee reade themin defpight. Thirdly, in that it is faied , Herod will feeke to deflroy him 5 it flieweth what hearts the wicked beare toward the godly, and what purpofe they haue, but that it (hall bee fruftratc : foritis (aid, He rodwou/dkj 11 him- not, he (ball kill him. Thus though we be affheepe appointed to the daughter in the malice of the ene- my, yet we arc not fo in the purpofe of God. Foi the Dragon Ren. 1 2 4. like a bloudy mid-wife itandeth ready to dcuoure the child, whereof the Church (hould bee deliuered , but the Lord profpereth her In her trauell,and aflumeth the child into hcauen, that he may be free from the cruelty of the bealL Whereby we aretaught euery day totake vpour erode : for if wee willliue godly in Chrift, there is a neceffity of perfection , aid we mud: all fuffer, either the fword of Efw , or the f lumping of Ifmad. Gen. 27. r. And this may be our comfort, Herod may trauell with mifchiefc, 9^1'21'9, but he fhall neuer bring it foorth : the Iewes may vow and fw eare c* 1^'^*%f "2- F 2 the jo Math. 2. Vers. 1 5,14, 15. ^xJ&ftg.^. the death of Paul, but they (hall be preuented. lefabelvnsy make 1 VvJW-rin hue and crie after Eliah , buttheLord himfelfe fliall hide him. What? did £te>Wthinke God robe an idoll, ortohauecaftoff all care of his Sonne t he knew by the Prophets that God had fet him vp to raigneouer his people , and yet he vainly thinkes that he is able by his power to difappoint the decree of God: which is the nature of all Atheifts to challenge ahfolute domi- nion vpon the earth, thinking God to be (hut vp in heauen : but hethatfitteth there laugherh them to fcorne; for Herod thought to hauehadthelifeofthcbabe, but the babe had his when the meafure of his finnes were fulfilled. *# - Fortheiecondgenerall point, which is the obedience of If- j*/>f is *&^*~ ^fipb, learne how willingly he takes vp his croife: hemighthaue r |. thought himfelfea miferable man to hauc maried fuch a wife as he might not accompanie with^and the babe which was borne to bethecaufeof thefe vnfeafonable troubles-, forthefe nodoubt were thefuggeltions of rlefh and bloud:but he laieth afide con- futing with the old man, and fixeth his eie vpon God, andca- fteth his care vpon the highell, that as hehadgiuenthe temp- tation, fo heknew he would likewife giuethe iflue ; like Abra- ham, (7£ is here commended by this,that he prefently difpatcheth , not (landing reafoning with the Angell, nor wai- ting for the comfort of the day ; for curfed is he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently. He knew this babe was the Lord of glory, and that all the world could not murder him as yet,be- caufe he had a worke to doe for the King of heauen ; yet feeing there is at this time no other doore of efcape but flying, hee is neither negligent nor carelefle, but he accountethallhailetoo little, and in the night trurTeth vp all he had: whereby we may thinke he was exceeding poore, and makerh no delay. Where d.v*'2"' we learne, that though webefure the Lord will defend vs, yet if we be in danger, and the Lord hath opened a window for our deliuerance,that we vie all poflible difpatch, Dauid was fure Saul Math. 2. Vers, 13,14,15. 71 Sau! could notfurprifc him,becau(e the Lord had promfed him the kmgdomc jyct i . Sam.iq. i .he hideth himfelfe in caues, and flicth fio one place to another to auoid his fury, becaufc though he had Gods orh that he fliould be king,yet he would not tempt God by cxpofing himfelfe to danger. So lofeph though he had the babe of life in his hands,yct fiies •, which is a matter of no di- ilruil but offingularobediencc,becaufeheiswilledfotodoe. Forthethird point , which is the fulfilling of the prophefie. 3. The Prophet C^*//?.ii.i. after he had let downe the finnes of r'> f&fi£*jyf* thelfraelites, and had brought in God threatning them with his Judgements , and with thisiudgemene as thegreateft, thac he would diilinguifb the light of lirael by taking away his fonnc which was their glory , thenhee is lent from God to comfort them againe after this fore, thac although they had beenc rebelli- ous whom the Lord had chofen inhiscouenant, though they had not profited by his corrections, and though it might agree wrth the Lords iullice to depriue them vtterly of his fonne, yet forafmuchas Ifraelishischilde, though he hath fent his fonne into Egypt , that thereby they might confider their owne vn- woorthineiie, yet for his meere mercy fake he will bring him forth againe,and reftore him vnto them. Wherevrelcarneflrft, aCf-i- that though we breake our couenant with God , yet hee is faith- full that hath promiied, and will neuer breake his couenant with vs; for his thoughts be not like our thoughts, but he is the fame foreuerrhowbeitifthcLorddobcarevsin hisarmes as he did Epbraim,Ofea 11. 3. and leade vs with the bands of loue, if he Iam.1.17. take the yoke from our iawes, and yet we will not acknowledge by whom wee are healed, and in whom we areeafed , we fliall wander in the defert of our owne lufts, and languifh as it were in torment of confeience before the Lord w ill vnfold the bright- nefleofhisSunne, and difcouerthelight of his countenance vn- to vs. For though Chrift fliall be called out of Egypt at the laft, yet many forrowes fhall runnc ouer the hearts ot the Ifraclites before they (ball fee him. Secondly, in this prophefie obferue , that there was neuer a- 06/- -i.- ny thing (hewed fhould come to Chriit which was bafe, but it was foretold before, that when it came it might not feemc F 4 ftrange, 72 Math. 2. Vers. i6> 17, 18. ftrangc,nor men might not be offended at it, as heere is foretold his flying into Egypt 5 and his bafencfle, that no man would vouchfafe to looke vpon him, was foretold by Efay, chap. 53.2. So was it foretold, that not many mighty or noble mould be cal- led : forasi\ Pan/faith, i.Cor. 2.8. none of the Princes of the world haueknowen the wifedorne of God , to the end we may not be offended with the bafe profeflbrs of the GofpelI,but may be as S. Paul calleth them 1 . Or.4. 1 o, fooles for Chrift his fake. So was it foretold, that in the latter daies there mould be icarfc faith found vpon the earth, as ^.P^/fpeaketh, 1 . Ttm. 4.1 , that wemaynotbedifcouragedwith the profanenefle of the world, but that wee may labour to bee of the number of thofe fooles to whom the riches of the Gofpell is reuealed, and in the company of thofe few whofe lampesmJl bee found burning, and whole faith fhall be found grounded vpon the perfwafion of Gods louc inhisfonne. Ma t h. chap. 2. With the ftoward the Lord willdcalefi-otvardlj. -,_ For the fecond point,which is the execution of this butchery, £*- f -^SS^ ^W€ ^ce ' t0 tne enc* r^at ^ " were P^ble nc might haue the bloudof the babeamong the multitude ,he fparechnone, and the ftories report , in this maflacre was killed his owne ionne ; g(. t . whereupon An^uflm the Emperour faid in detelbtion of his cru- elty,that he had rather be Herods hogge then his heire.By which we learne, that the diuell pofleffing the heart of a tyrant , makes him execute any thing tending to the maintenance of his ftate , though the nature of man abhorreit,as theefTufionofbloud, or though they be checked and amated by theirowne hearts : for # ifoWknew if Chr ill were borne he muftraigne, yetagainlt his owneconfcienceheendeuoursbycouniell(ifhebeable) to de- ceiue,orby crueltie(ifhe be abIe)tofupplant the decree of God. Thus did PhtraohtExod.S.q.fecke to croffe the commandement and purpofc of the Lord in the deliuery of his feruants , though by many immediate testimonies and wonders from heauen hee (aw it as it were written on the walles, that thelfraelites muft de- part. And thus did «S^#/feeke the lifeofDamd , though he was told by Samae/yi .Sam. 15.28. that the Lord the ftrength of Ifrael that could not lie, had rent the kingdome from him and giucn it to his neighbour. Secondly Math. 2 Ver s. 16.17.18. 75 Secondly obferuc hence, that when one way fucceedcth ,/ not rothelc Atheilb , then they ltraite attempt another. Pha- raoh at the full doth but exact, further and greater labour of the Israelites, bur after lie dealeth with the AJidwiues, Exed. 1. 1 c. to kill them that fliould be borne : and after his malice, breakcth foorth more fiercely into an edicl or proclamation, ver/! I2.that the male borne mould be call into the riucr.So Saul con felling that he knew the Lord would eftablifh the kingdome in the throne of David, yet firit he fought to mfnarchim by his daughter, i.Sam.tS.\7-0»elj (h\:h he) fight thou the battels of the Lord: and thou fl) alt hausmj daughter : but after his hypocrific is difcouercd, ) proreiteth Damds innocencie, though Saul pcri\vadccf him that D./«/^/gIorie could not bee without letatbam raf'ne,and would not bedrawne to doe it. And ifhce would not compafle fuch a mifchiefe at the commande- ment of i$Vc*/,whieh had a threefold force in it : firlt,as procec- J ding from his Father : iccondly, from his Soneraigne : thirdly, 3 being ioyned with the temptation of a kingdome : muchlelte ought we to gratifle the State with tbeafHicTtion of Gods Saints: for we mult 1 a. her (Aft. 4. 19.) obey God then man ; yctdifo- bcynotthe Prince : for his commandcmentltandethon thefe two feet , cither to doe the thing , or to fuftainc the punifliment for not doing it. Fourthly obferue, that afToone as Chrift is borne thefe if obf/L. trouble and commotion, ciuilljnd forren warrcs, yet is not Chi ill thecaufc of it, but the wickednelle and peruerfenefTeof Herods heart : for righteouihelfe mult not yeeld to iniquity, and Chnlt mult be borne, and being bornemuitraigne, though the diuellrage, and the world fwellnener fomuch. Certaineitis, no Gofpellte^chcthl0muchpc«iceasthisofChrilts : fonttea- cheth peace betweene Godandman. betweene manandman, yea betwecne man and his inward loule, and maketh the wolues to become lambes , and the Lyonto lodge with the Beare. But Her»d would haucthe Gofpeliabolifhed , andChriit murthe- red, which cannot be. Shall Dagr,n(\.S*rn. 5. 3 ) yceldtothe Arke,or the Arke to Dawn * Shall the ten Tribes go to Iuda,or ludatothem? fjhbcfcethzo David, (z.Sfm. 2. 16*. )ot David to him < //.^WloucsnotChrilt, therefore bee murthers the chil- dren, 78 Math. 2. Vers. 16,17,18. drcn, and D 15.) to declare the greatnelle of Gods mercy in the deliuery of the Iewes , (heweth them , that they were like to the Benia- mites or Ifraelites , thatis, vtterlydeftroyed and caried away, in- fomuch, that if Rabel the mother of Benjamin, could haue rifen againe to feeke for her children , fliee might haue wept for want of them, but fhe fhouldhauefound none remaining. This doth the holy Ghoft bring in heere as a butchery foretold , to the end that none might either wonder or be offended at it : for it ' / M A T H.2. V ER S. Ip, 20,2 1,22, 2£. Jy it might hauebcenefaid : Isthistheconfolationoflfraelc' nay, he is the dilcomfort and deiti uclion of Ifrael , his birth hauing kindled luch a fire as neuer was the like before, leaning fo many lad hearts for their loll children. And how may we hope he dial! be our Sauiour, when his beginning is with this bloud K And the n. ore to mcreafe the cruelty ot it , the holy Ghoft fpeaketh exjclisueiy, bringing in A'./r/Wdead many yeares be fore, how- ling and wringing her hands at the rurull fpe&acle of this bloudy tragedy , as if the calamitie or the liuing , might feeme to touch and aftecl che dead. That therefore this might not leeme ftrange, thefpirit of the Lord recorded it long before, that when it came to paile they might digelt it,as a thing forefecne in the wifedome of God necelTary to fail out. m Ma t h. chap. 2 . njirf 1 9, 2 : , 2 1 , zz , 2 3 . 1 9. tsindvehen Herod was dead, heboid , an Angellof the Lord appear eth in a dreame to lofeph tn Sgjpt : 20. Sajtng, Artfe, andtake the biibe andhx mother , a-id goe into the land of If rat I : for the j are dead which fought the babes life, 2 1 . Then he rofe vp and tooi^e the babe and his mother, and came into 1 he land of Ifrael, Z t . But when he hea^d that Archilaus didraigne in lndajnflead of his father Herod, beirat afratd togoe thither : yet af- ter he was warned of God in a dreame , he turned a fide in* to the parts ofGaltly, 2 3 . Andrvent anddwelt tn a citie called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled whtch was fpoken by the Prophets , which wkt\ that befiouldbe called a N*z**rite. NOW 80 Math.2. Vers. ip>2o,2i,22> 25 w*n 6(-v i.ThcCj. OW followeth the returnc of Iefus out ofE- gypc , after the cruelty executed by /toWvpon the children, and the Judgement or God mani- felled on Herod , (Inking him with deathT~In which words there bee fourc generall points to beconfidered S full, the command emeiit ol the Lord by the meflage of an Angeli vnto h/epb,z$ the foiter- father of this babe , whereby he is aduertifed to returne, hauing fecuvi- tiegiuen him that he need not doubt, namely that Herod and ihc reft were dead which fought the life of Chrift. Secondly, the o- bediencc of Iefeph , turning neither to the right hand nor to the left > but as he fhid till hee was called, io he ftaied not when hec was called. Thirdly , in what feare hftph flood , finding iuch troubles in Iudara, and into what perturbation ofminde he was caft when he heard that Archilaw raigned , knowing him to be a Cockatrice , hatched out of a Serpenrs egge, and how the Lord fent an Angeli to releeue him in this perplexity. Foui thly,how /£ minding no fuch matter by his turningintoGalile, there is an ancient Oracle fulfilled , that this babe fhouid bee called a Nazarit. Out of the firft learne the faithfulneiTeof Gods promiles, that he is a God of his word : for in this is his firft promife ac- complished, asappeareth now by the efTecl, that he would call hisfonneoutof Egypt, and that the fame Angeli that brought theheauy tidings vnto Icfeph of his flight from Bethlem into Egypt, the fame Angeli brings him this glad tidings of his rc- turnefrom thence into the land of Ifracl. And thus mud wee confider of all the promiles of God ; as of hiscoucnant with Noth, Genef. 9. 1 1 . that the world mail no more bee drowned \ hispromifetolfrael, that they fh ill be his chofen : forhowfo- cuer the Lord withdraweshis fauour from his faints for a time, yet at the lafl he will rcleafe them, and in compafTion will lookc vpon their afflictions. And well may the mountaines fall , and the courfe of nature change, but Gods promife fhall neuer faile : for as Dwid fo.tth, Pftlme 3^. though their tribu- lations bee many, yet tke Lord will deliuer them out of all, And Math.2. Vers.19, 20, 21,22,23. Si Andthoughthis pregnant fecurityof returningbc notexprdly gmen to eucry prifoncr as i t was heere to lo/eph, yet all that fearc ( ]od haue this to comfort them , that hee hath giuen his word hee will make thembleflcd (Mat. 5.4. ) and that as hee hath drawnc themtothe profelYionof his name, lohee will ncuer Jeauc them till hee haue brought them to thepoflefiionof his gl-irv : and that whether they die in Egypt vnder the fornace of affli&ion , or come forth of Egypt, all ihallworke for their fal- uation. And this his vvifedome hath not onely difpofed of the generall end which is his glory, butofthemeanesalfohowhcc will bring euery one of vs to his kingdome. And though it bee thorow the nuers of waters , what skilleth it if wee haue the crowneatlall < The fame hand that woundeth fliall bind vp the iob.f.iS. wound againe,and thefame hand that lmiteth /hall healc,and the fame God that layedvs before in the allies fliall giue vs oile to Pfal. 104.1^ make our faces cheerfull, & by a warrant from hcauen difcharge A<^ J 1,8« Peter of his chains, when in the eie of his enemies he ftands con- demned , and make lofeph returnc out of that barbarous nation Egypt wherein God was fo much diflionored , to exercifc him- felre in the feruice of God in Gahle. And though wee haue no certainepromife of this , yet let vs be affected like Dautd, who wandring(2 Sam.i^. 25.J through the mountainesin great di- ftreile, his gricfe being increafed becaulehee wasbanifliedby his ownc lonne, and fupplanred by thefubtilty of Achttophel\m chiefecounfcllor, when he law he could nothauethcArkewith him , bids it (hould becaried againc into Ierulalem , faying, If I haue found fauour in Gods fight he will bring me thither againe, but if hee haue no delight in me , let him doe as feerricth bed to him : for either in the time of our trouble we fliall be gathered to God in peace, or elic he will let vs fee his goodnefle in the light Pfal.jtf . 15. oftheJiuing. Now the caufe why it is fafe for Iofeph to returne, is, becaufe Herod, is dead : where we learne to our comfort,that tyrants dial not line euer, and when they perifh and fall away, then is the Church dcliuered and comforted ; for this death of his was no doubt as ch cere full to ^»* and^/^^watlerufalem, asto/*- feph and May in Egypt j and ii^/^/ that before was brought in G weeping 2z Math.2. Vers. 19,20,21,22,23. weeping ouer the innocent bloudof thepoore children, as if the grauehad felt fuch barbarous and beaftly cruelty , may now be thought to breake forth into exceeding ioy, that fuch a rake- hell was taken away as Herod was, that fought the life of Chrill. How we ought to bee arTe£ted at the fall ofthewicked, appea- reth Pfa/m.^2. where although Doeg had got great authority with«5W,fo asheboafted in his power, & trutted in the ftrength of his malice, his tongue being as the fharpe razor alwaies cut- ti;ig,or as the coales ot iuniper,alwaies raifing contention againft the Saints, yet the Lord (hall deftroy him : and though hee thought to haue built his neait in the heauens,yet fhall the Lord call: him downe , and the righteous (faith he) (hall fee it and re- ioyce,(the wicked being blind,neuer beholding the judgements of God) and they (hall laugh , not in reuenge , but to fee Gods mercy in taking part with the godly. And not onely the righte- ous fliallioy at this, but as Job. zo, 26 .tiithJTbe tongue of the vi- per /ball flay them , that is t the very wicked fhall curfe them : for Princes that want religion foone (lip into tyranny , and wanting confeience to moderate their defires, and afteclion to looke vp- on their fubiecls, they willfoone rzfemble Rehobeam, i. Kings 12.10. in making the yoake heauy , and correcting them with Scorpions. AC 3- Further from hence lcarne , that God doth often fo difap- point the plots and purpoles of cruell tyrants, that when they intend to execute others, they die flrit themfelues, andfome- time Ham an (EJlerj. i o. ) is hanged on his owne gallowes that he prepared for CMordecai. Herodh&d thought to haue killed Chriit, but he is faine to take the paines to die himfelfe. If Mo- fes come any more into Pharaohs fight he (hall fa rely die , Exod. 10.28. Well, Mofes will fee his face no more, but hee fhall be- hold his deihuftion (Exod. 14.28.J in the red fea. How oft did ♦SWthinkeandhowfore did he thirit for the life of Damd, yet he midech of his purpofe,and (laieth himfelfe (i.Sam.^ 1. 4-Jto make way for Dauidio the kingdome. And fuch fhall be the (uc- ce(fe of al I that confpire againrt the Lord and his Chnft,to fall in- to the pi: which themfelues haue digged , and to make the wic- ked a ranfome for the godly. Foe Math. 2. Vifcs. 19,20,21,22,25. 85 Tor the maner of Hcrods death, though it be filenced by the Eu uigelilt, yet the Eccleliafticall ftorics make mention of it , as Jfifcpbw and Eufebuis , which though it command not the con- fciencctobeleeue, yetthemoretomagnifiethe Lord, it is not vntit to confident. He had a great fwellingin his legs, woon- dcrfull rottenncflein his whole fiefh, his breath didfolhnke as he could not be accompanied with , he had fnch a difeafe in his parts of (hame, as wormes did crawle about them , he was grec- dieof mcar, hauingthe appetite of adoggenotto be fatisfied: his whole race was accui fed after him, &hauing eight children, within an hundred yeeres there was not any of their loines left. ArchiUw heerefpokenof wasbaniflied to Vienna, and there died a beggar, tAntjpas that beheaded lohn Baptift, and whom Chrilt called Foxe Luke 13.32. was banifhed to Lions in France, and there died a mod miferableabieft. Agrippa the Ion of Ariftobulus the fonne of this Herod, an infolent and proud man, was eaten vp with lice moll fhamefully, Aft. i2;2^..The fonne ot this Agrippa that would haue put Peterto death,ljning till the deltruclion of Ierufalem, there had his end. Thus did the wrath of God reft vpon the familie of this cruell perfecutor of Gods Church, who was blafted in himfelfe and his pofteritie.' And thus did the Lord (1 .Kings 14. 1 o.)fweepe away the houfc of/rro^wasamanfweepethaway dung, till it bee all gone: and (i.Ktng. 21.21.) did cut off the poftcritie of ^*£, for their prouocations wherewith they had prouoked him ; to teach vs tofeareand tremble before his face: and if we will be blelled in ourfelues and in the fruit of our bodie, to looke vnto our paths, that we lay not our hands to wickednetfe. Notefurther, thatwearenotto feare what Princes can doc vnro vs, for they liue no longer then they haue fome fei uice to doe for Gods glorie , as it is laid Co/. 1 . 1 6. All things are in Chrifl and for Chrtfi. And Saul could not(Atts 9. 1 J) breath out threat- ningsagainft the Church of God, had not the Lord fomeipe- ciallpurpofe in it, either fortheexercifingofhis Saints, or the waiting tor his owne repentance. Neither could Pharaoh folong laie his rodde vpon the Ifraelites, were it not (as S. Pant faith, Rom.9.17.) that the Lord ftirred him vp to (hew his power 111 G 2 him. &4 Math.2. Vers. 19,20,21,22,2$. him. For now when Herod had executed the children , whereby God isglorifiedintheirinnocent death, and his ovvne malice fully manifefted, then he dieth himfelfe : which may teach vs pa- tience aga'inftthe time of trouble, knowing that the wicked are but as the weapons of the Lord, to fet an edge on our affections, which otherwife would creepe vpon the earth, and make vs for- get our maker 5 whereas by this meanes we oft times caft our eie on our deliuerer which is in heauen. Further learne, that though tyrants appoint vs as flieepeto the llaughter , and in the malice of their hearts doe purpofe to fleece vs , yet fometime the butcher wanteth his knite, and the fheepe in the fhambles do efcape \ therefore we need not to be afraid of them that hauenot ib much power as to kill the bo- die, vnfefle the Lordgiuevsvp into their hands^as^D^/Wiaith, Pfa/. 7. 1 2. (peaking of the wicked, hee hath bent his bow and fprcad his net, and hath concerned mifchiefe, but (hall bring foorth vanitie , and the euill intended (hall fall vpon his owne hairy fcalpe. For the diuell that is Wronger then man,yea that ar- meth the malice ofmen, cannot (tretch foorth his hand vpon the goods of lob, lob. 1 . 1 2; much leile touch his body , without the permiflion of the Almighty. Herod (hall die andChrift (ball efcape, if not, the word that rlefh and bloud can doe , is but to fend vs with the children of Bethlem into heauen : for the Lord is our (hield , and we are as neare & deare vnto him as the apple of his eie,yea he is our fecret place, and vnder his fhadow we can notbutbefafe. Forthe fecond point, containing the obedience of Iofeph: ^/^•rotfA^^^by his example we learne not to runne before Gods promifes, but patiently to waite vpon them : for as hee is alwaies a fure ,s ( deliuerer of his people, fo then efpecially when his mouth hath r fpokenitrand vpon this 7*/fy&relied,not ftirring till hewas cal- led. Mojes was fure to bring the people of Ifrael out of Egypt, Exod.$. 10. yet hee muftltaie for it fortiey ceres*, asiftheLord had forgotten to what purpofe hee had appointed him. Noah, at the Lords commandement entreth into the Arke,and commeth not foorth till by the fame commandement (Gen. 8.1 6. )he was called foorth, though by the not returning of the Doue he knew the Math.2. Vers. 19, 20,21, 21,23. 85 the watcrs were abared from the earth. Dauid was fure to be king after JTW.yer he waned lb long, asm hishallehefaid : Allmm V(i\m.i\6. Are tiers, thinking char Sarnie/had abuled him, totellhim hee n. lliould be K.ng ; which we mull beware of: for the caule why the Lord ihicth many times, is, becaufe his lernants crie not out vn- tohim, nor prelTe him with importunity, as ( Lu\^ 1 8. 5.) the widow did the Iudge : or for that our curit hearts will not come downe, fo as he is tame to vie the wicked as rods to chaftife and humble vs. HeerealfoIearne,thatasChrirtcommethoutofEgypt,fothe 0C.^ 2- Lord drawech the Gofpell out of the fire, andgiueth itfome Sun-lhineout of the darkeft periecution, yea and that as it is faid, AB. 12.34. in the time of the moft ambitious and Lordly ty- rants, it (hall grow and multiply exceedingly rforfo it hath plea- fed God, that the hoteft perfecutors ( as was S. Paul ) haue em- braced it,and that kings haueiubmitted their fcepters to thefoo- LmnelTe of preaching Which noteth vnto vs, that the ignominy that ligh teth vpon the cro(Te,is not nor ought to be any occafion to did wade vs from it : for the proceeding of Chriftskingdome isabouenature,and the perfwading to it is cleane contrary to the cuitome of the world. For faith Cjrw , ifa Lacedaemonian will feme mee , if hee bee a foot-man , I will make him an horfe- man ; lfahorfe-man, Iwillgiue him a Chariot ; ifheehauea Chariot,I will giue him a Caftle 5 ifa Caftle, a Citie s and he /hall receiue his gold not by tale, but by waitc. But now in the groweth and age ofa Chriftian it fareth otherwifc : for this is the condition of the Lords followers : to be betrayed of their owne fathers, and to be entangled with iundry afflictions, tobeeba- nifhedinto Egypt, and if thou beehY called backe againe, yet neuer to hauebut alteppe betweene thee and death, as Dantd faith, 1 . Sam. 20. 3 , But for all this , we may not be difmaied, for in allthefe wee fhall bee more then conqucrours through Chrift. The third point is , in what ftate lofepb found all things in Iu-r d*a *, not quiet , but tlill troublefome : where we fee how God excrcifeth the faith and patience of this his feruant, (hewing hecreinasinaglafle, theitate and condition of thegodJy, how '/• G 3 one 86 Math. 2. Vers. 19,20,21,22. 25. one trouble fucceedeth another, as if they were thornes folded one within the other. Iefeph long expe&ed his deliuerie out of Egypt,and now in his returne he is as much grieued at theraigne of ArchilaM) as he was comforted at the death of Herod \ wh ch the Lord doth not to prefle him downe, but to giue him the greatef occasion to praife his name in the experience of his ma- lob 5.19. nydeliuerances. As lob faith: Out of fix troubles the Lord will free me, and thefeuenth Jball neuercomeneere we. And this is the vfe which all Gods children ought to make of the vanetieof their dangers, themoretoftrengthenand confirme their hope, that Gods hands fhall cuer be ftretched foorth to fend them de- liuerance from his tabernacle, as they were to David, /yW.32.6. and as they be in this place to iofeph, whoriddeth him likewife out of thisfecond feare. mfm Heerealfo we learne, not to be negligent and fecure, when ° J' the Lord hath taken awaie one enemie of his Church, (for though theprincipall Doeg begone, that through flatterie abu- kdSau!) and that none is like to fucceed him that (hall haue fuch grace with the king 5 yet ftill to keepe vs awake,after Herods death comes Arehilam , that beareth the fame heart and the fame afFe&ion that Herod did, though he hath not the fame po- wer, and though this be fome comfort, that hee fhall neuer be crowned, Andthus did the Lord fubie6t hispeople itillvndec the hand of fomefucceedingf^r*^, that they might caft vp their hearts to him, and bewaile their wants, and powre foorth their foules viko the Almightie. And thus (hall the forreft ne- uer be without fome Bore or other that would deftroy the vine : but if we be rooted into Chrift, andmaybearehim about vs as Iofeph did,he will teach vs to watch, or at lead if we fleepe he will awake vs,as he did his drowfiexiifaplesf ykto.2 6wp.)when dan- ger was at hand. *f „ ^ For the fourth point : how in this perplexed feare an Angell fyfa*'/£i ' wasfentvntohim: we learne fir ft, wholly to depend on Gods prouidence, feeing that in the feuerall extremities of Iofeph, the *6/*v Lord fent him feuerall comforts, Forfirft in the fufpition and iealoufie of his wife, an Angell was difpatched from theheauen- ly palace te refolue him : then the fame meffenger warned him of Math.2. Vers. 19,20,21,22,23. 87 of the imminent perfecution , and now relccueth him in his di- itrefle. And thus will the Lorddeale with all his fcruants that walke aright, if they benot either too forward through hope, or too backward through fcare. Secondly , as this was one caufe of Iofephs turning into Gali- ley, namely, tobefuccoured inhisfeare, fo in this the Lord had another end vnknowen to lofeph , which was the fulfilling of a prophefie : that his fonne mould be called a Nazarite, that is, The voice of him tb,it crieth in the rvrfderneffe, prepare yeethewaj of the Lord, make hispathes firatt. 4. And this Iohn haci his garment of Camels haire , and a girdle of a skinne about his lotnes , his meate alfo was Locufts and mldhonj., ■ ■ I . QW rheEuangeliftgoeth forward, and pafleth from the infancy of Chrift vnto his manifeftation to the world, when hee was to be inueftedinto theoffice of his Prieft- hood , before whom as before a mighty Monarch, was to goe a harbinger to take vp lodging for his Lord in the hearts and conferences of men, which was this lohn Baptift. LntnTwordsconfidcr , flrrt , the time when this fore-runner ( did preach , which being by this Euangelift fet downe indefi- nitely, is precifely declared by Saint Luke, chap. 3.1. Secondly, * the place where hee exercifed his miniitery , in the wildernefle. 3 Thirdly, the fumme and effect of his Sermons : Repent and change your minds , and amend yourliues , forthe great King^ that (hall openthedooreof faluation vnto all, is now at hand. "Fourthly, by what commiffion he was warranted and authori- zed to doe this j namely, by Efay, chap. 40.3. who had prophefi- 1 ed this long before. Fiftly, isdcfcribedthewonderfullprecile- nefleandftriftnciTeofhisIife, by his garments and diet, where- by Math. 3. Vers. 1,2,3,4. $9 byalhhc people call their eics vponhim, admiring his aufte- ruie. For the firft circumthnce, which is the time, we mull not vn- , derftand an immediate luccefliuenclfe,that Iohnbcgan to preach as foonc as Chnft was brought to Nazareth, but thatit was while Chnil Iiucd there, which was fome 25. yeeres arter : for this John was ftirrcdvp, thatheeas theday-ftarre might goe before the Sonne of rightcoufnefle. Saint Luke letteth it downe to be in the fifteenth yeerc of Tiberius , and Chrift was borne in the fifteenth yeereof AHgaftus 1 Co as Chrift was about thirtie yeeres of age when he began to preach. Out of which learne generally, that ?fy wemuft belatisfied, and reft in fomuchasisreucalcd : foaswee arc not curioully to enquire what Chfift did while he liued a pri- uate man in Nazareth : for fmce the holy Ghoft hath not difclo- fed it, we muft be wife according to fobriety, as Saint Pau/ipez- Kom* X2 3- keth, and not leeke to iearne where the Lord hath not taught, or to open where he hath i"hut. Onely Saint Luke (chap. 2. 46.) re- ports, that about twelue yeeresof age, he difpnted with the Do- dors in the temple and confounded them, and aftonicd fuch as hcardhim. And this is enough to comfort vs, thatfomuchis recorded of him,as hath ranfomed vs from the indignation of his Father. Secondly, inrhatitisfaid : lohncame and preached, note, ~. that the firft miniftcry of the new Teftament was a preaching miniftery : foas whether we fpeake of menfenrmediatly orim- mediatly j from God alone,or from God by men.we (hall neuer flnde any miniftery commanded or pra&ifed , norany meften- ger fent, that was not qualified with gifts and graces from abouc to diuide the word : and this is impregnable not to be refilled, that no man ordinarily can hope or lookefor the power of fal- uation without preaching : which is euident (Rom. 10. 17.) Faith commeth by hearing , and hearing by the word preached, and this preaching cannot be ( as (ome would haue it ) bare rea- ding : as appeareth i.Ttm. 4. 2. Preach the word, bcinftant, tm~ proue, rebuke^ exhort : which importeth fome further matter thenliterallreading. Befides, if reading fliould be preaching, and furTicient to beget faith, then hath not the Lord forfaken the 90 Math.^ Vers, i, 2,5,4, thelewes northeTurkes , but they remaine ftill the Church of God : for they haue the Bible anddoereadeit, howbeitnone will fay,but thele are out of the Church. Againe,whcn Efay and the reft of the Prophets cried out againftblinde guides,did they i.Cor.9.16. meane they could not reader And Paul when hefaith : Woto me if I preach not the Gojpell : doth he meane, that this wo (hall light vpon him if hereadenot < No : for there be many weakc Chriftians that muft be fed with milke, others with ftrong meat : but the word read is of the fame found to all , and as bread fet before the hungry, but they want ftrength in their teeth to breake k : for it is fruitleile to reade if wee vnderftand not \ and the Eunuch (^.8. %%£) could liberally and religioully con- feffe hee could not doe it without a guide : whereupon, as^thc text (aith, (vcrf. 35.) Philip preachedvnto him leftu. $0 as it is a" mod determinate truth,that there is no man lawfully and rightly called to the minifteryjthat is not enabled with the grace of prea- ching and expounding the Scripture : and euery place muft la- bour to recouer if they haue loft, or to obtaine if they want, fucharnan asmaygoe before them in this wildernefleboth in Heb. 4. 1 1. ^fe and doctrine , and diuide the word aright vnto them , that they may be able to fpieout the armour of their aduerfary, and topreuent his affaults jfriot but that the Lord extraordinarily may faue by bare reading , yea and without reading, for hee can knocke when he lift, and open when he lift 5 he can make corne to grow without fowing , as he did in He^echtahs time, 2. King. 15?. 29. ^ For the fecond circumftance , which is the place where hee preached, namely, inthewilderne(Te,welearne,thatwherethe holy Ghoft placeth a man , there hee is to abide and to content himfelfe, not excepting againft the rudenefle of the people , as ro be too grofle and bafe for their excellencies to inftruft , or a- gainft the place, astobetoopriuate or too vnwholefome , and that their Pulpit muft onely ftand atHierufalem , and their au- ditorie muft be great men. John Baptifl we fee how hee was con- tent to exercife his meflagein a moft folitary place,] the Wilder- nefle : for this was by theaffignation and appointment of the Lord. True it is, Hierufalem had been more fit for ftate and ce- lebrities .*/ Math. 3 Vers.t, 2,3,4. 9* lebritic, and this might haue Teemed more plaufiblc to Iohn^% a meanes whereby hee might fooner haue beene more famous : but becaufe the Lord had tied him to this place, hce obediently kecpcthir. Much more arethey then to bee reprehended, that purchafeliLiings like farmes, one for Summer another for Win- ter j and not content with this, put ouer their people to milch- leflenurfes , (which as the Pope faith) is like a harlot that puts forth her childe,that Hie may the fooner returnc to her luft.How- bcit, by the wilderneflc he muft not vnderftand a place not to be inhabited, butonelyaplacenotio well frequented as the fruit- full valleis of Judaea. Hecre the Iefuites, becaufe (wilderneflc) in theGreekc is «P^«, note Iohn Baptifl to be the father of the Hermites, men whom they faine to bee deuoted to religion , to bee familiar with the Gods , and to haue the contemplation of heauenly things j hauing their foules freed from pafllons, and their bodies humbled in diuineleruice. To which wee anfwer: Fuft, \S Iohn preached in a wildernelTe, and in a bare folitarie place , as they * imagine , how is it that their hermitages are built neere great cities < Secondly, the calling of Iohn wasextraordinarie, being immediate from God , and his office extraordinarie, being to denounce the comming of Chrift. Admit he were an Hermite, yet when he had run his race, his office did ceafe. Thirdly ,of all liues, there is none focontrarie to the focietie of man, and to the communion of Saints, asthisofHermites iforfirftGod in AcUms integritie, favf(Gen.24iz.) he could not bee without a companion: much lefle can we now. And to this isanfwerable that of the Preacher : Wo to him that is done : and amongit the Ecclef.4.i». Philofophers,he that abandoned company,was efteemed either a god or abeaft. Secondly, if any be qualified and beautified with any fpeciall good grace and vcrtue, then ought hee to fup- ply the wants of others 5 and being fuch a candle as they would haue him ,he ought not to be hid vnder a bufhell: and if there be defect in him, then ought his want to be fupplied by the fulnelFe of others. Thirdly, if neither he need others, nor others want him, which cannot be in this life •, yet if there were nothing elfe then the beholding of the beautie of the houfc of God, and the comfort 2p Math.}. Vers. 1,2,3,4, Pial.84.3. comfort of the participation of the Sacraments : as Dauid faith, and wiflied rather to bee a fparrow that built her neft in the tem- ple,then to be bammed from the congregation of the Saints Jay- ing, (P/&/.42.1.) That as the Hart braied for water, fo did he for the contemplation of the Arke wherein the Lord did fit.This were fufficiently forcible to diflwade from this vnfociablelife : befides , that John liued not alwaies heere , but ftaied till he was called to the Court of Herodt where he loft his head for his bold- ne fie, Mat. 14. 10. 2 . Forthe third point, namely, the fumme of his Sermon , wee muft weigh and confider two parts : firft, the exhortation : Re- pent and change your mwds : Secondly, the reafonperfwadingto embrace this exhortation : For the Kingdome of heaUen u at . hand. For the firft , the word Repent , it fignifieth an alteration both of judgement and of affe&ion, not onely by a difpleafancc with ones fclfe, and a checkeof confeience for the euillhecom- mfcteth, which cannot bee ftaied , no more then the panting of the heart , or the beating of the pulfe , but alio an vtter loathing and deteftation of all manner of ilnne : fo as all repentance though it be proper to the minde, and the fountaineofitbein - the heart, yetit is both inward and outward : the vifible (hew of amendmentbeing a declaration ofthe inuifibie thought of for- row : for a thorne cannot grow vponafigge-leafe : and if any man williudge of his repentance, lethimmanifeftthe fruits of it. What can a curfed mouth mew, but that the heart is virulent and full of poifonc'or garifh attire,but that the minde is not hum- bled t for where there is no reformation of aclion, there is no al- teration of affe&ion. Secondly,repentance is noted to be either generallforallmen, forallilnnes, for all times : orfpecull,for ibme men , for fome flnnes , and for fomc times. For fpeciall men : that euery man repent him according to his difpofition and place, as Saint lehn (hewcth, Luke, 3 . 1 1. exhorting the rich men , if they haue two coates to giue one to thepoorc , the Ol- igomers to require but their due, the fbuidiers to bee content with their wages. For as euery man hath a feuerall calling, fohath heefpeciall finnes attending and waiting on his calling, which muft bee repented of. Now for our infirmities which hourely Math. 5- Vers, i, 2,3,4. y$ hoorely breake foorth of vs^generall repenrancc is required: but ifwe be Ibincd with any peculiar finne, thatmuft haue a repen- tance by it felfe. {Da uidP/al. 32.3. )cannot be healed of his ad- ultcrie by a gencrall confeiTion, but he muft peculiarly taske his foule for that finne : and lb much /^///cxpredeth, 2. Cor. 1 2.2 1. I fare { faith he) /eft when I come I pjall bewaile many of them which have finned , and haue not repented of the vncleaunejfe, forni- cation and wantonneffe which they [haue committed: for, forfuch finncs it is not fuiTlcientto findea remorfeof confeience, but for adulccrie, profaning of the Sabbaoth , oppre(fion ofthe poorc, and liich like, he muft haue afpeciall humiliation; and may not thinke to obtaine the comfortof Gods countenance by blurting out afhort praier, that palleth out of themouthlike gunfhot,as, Lord I haue finned ; which though the words be good, auaileth not, becaufe the heart is naught, fraught with hy- pocrifie. Such then as will be true repenrants, mult bee of the number of them Chriit Ipeaketh of Mat. 11.28. that are inwardly wearie ofthe burden of finne 5 which excludeth three forts of people: firit, fuch as be not wearie of their ownerighreoufnefle , bur de- fire to applie the plailter of their owne workes to cure their wound: fecondly, fuch as bee not weary of the pleafure of this life, which profane ienfual! men will neuer be, fuch as Paul fpea- keth of Philip. 3. 19. that make their belly their God, and with Efim, Gen. 2 5 . 3 o. wil 1 for a mefle of pottage fell their birthright : thirdly, fuch as be oncly calt downe with fome hard exigents in the world, for many be weary ofthe world that are not wearie of themlelues, or of themfelues that are not wearie of their finnes, wifhingtobe deliuercd from the burden of their diftretTe, but not with Paul, Phd.y from the body of finne , for none of thefe Rom.7.24, forts canthriueinthecourfeof repentance, butfuch onelyasbe tamed from their namrall rebellions by the afflictions of this life, that haue their fpirits broken to duft, and euen brought to confufion, that will confelTe no good thing dwelleth in their flefh, but ate oft as it were into a burning feuer of defperarion, and doe feele in amanerhellintheirfoules ; fuch will the Lord comfort, fuch do;h he call and enable to repent. For to whom is 94 Math. 3. Vers. 1,2,5,4. is the commiffion giuen (Efay 61.1.2) to preach good tidings, but to the poorejdeliuerancejbut to the captiues^ lo as heopen- eth noprifon except thou confefle thy felfe to bee chained in the irons of Satan ; neither canft thou repent except thou thinkc thou hart beene a runnagatefrom the Lord Iefus: and what need he to giue thee the water oflife except thou feele a drowth in thy foule like the drowth of Summer t True it is, the Lord comforts none but the abie&,feekes none but the loft, makes wife none but fooles, iultifies none but Tinners 5 fo as vnlefle we finde thefe wants in our felues, the Gofpel was neuer preached to our com* fort , and this exhortation is vainly deliuercd, that we fliould re- pent.Howbeitfince repentance and wearinefle is of fuch necef- (itieforChriftians, we muft enter into a three-fold examination of our felues : firft, of the knowledge of our finnes : fecondly,of the forrow for our finnes : thirdly, of the amendment of our fins. I Firft, for the knowing of thy finne, thou muft not examine it according to the law of thine owne heart, that will glorie in hanging vp the Lord Iefus, and in getting letters toDamafcus ^ff.rQ.2.toperfecutethe Church of God: for thine heart will make things lawfull by thy abufe vnlawfull, and things vnlawfull by the flattering of thy felfe in too much libertie lawfull : but it muft be done according tothecommandement of God , rai- iingvp histribunallin thy foule, and fettirg before thee the curfethat refteth on thee for thy finne. Neither mud this be a gcnerallacknowledgemenr,that thou art finfull, but rhou muft walke in the fteps of Dauid, in the bitternefle of the foule to (ay, OLord they are fo many as they run ouermy head. and fo heauy as they prefle me downe : and in the 2 : Sam. 24. 1 o . I haue not onely finned in numbring the people, but finned exceedingly; O Lord take away the trefpalfe of thy feruant , for I haue done Very fooliGily : fo as for particular fins thou muft keepe the cir- cumftance of time and place, and aggrauate the degrees of it to thy foule. And becaufe thou art notable to remember the whole catalogue of thy fins, and perhaps flattereft thy felfe in fome fin &$ Naantandid^.Kw*. 5.1$. who proteftedhec would feruethe Lord , and yet bowed himfelfe in the houfe of Rtmmon : thou muft craue pardon for thy fecret fins, and thofe which thou haft paffed Math. 5. Vers. 1,2,3,4. 95 palled ouer as no fmncs, and neuer reft thinking of them till they haue forced thee to Chrift, which is eucr accompanied with a periwalion that the finne is pardonable , which is no fmall com- fort.Then when thou art come to a fight of thy finne,the (econd point is forrow for thy finne, fuch a? is cxprcfled Zach. 12.10. as that when we coniider how wee haue pierced God with onr /ins, and that cucn my finncs were the nailes that faftned Chnft to the Croile , wee mutt weepe and cry as one mourneth for his onely fonne and foil borne , and there muft be fuch a compunction of thefpint, as to eric with the hearers of Peter, AB.i.^j .what JIjaIIwc doe ! and with Vfimd, P/a/. 6.6. to warn our bed with teares ; and lb to mourneasifwe heard the Lord fummoning vs to judgement: for our ilnnesare not lighter then Dautds , that our forrow (liould be lefle then his. And when we haue attained to this,to be pierced to the foule with forrow,not for any difcom- forts in this life , but for that we haue offended God , and haue cxercifedour feluesinthis, not as in a pang that fhall perplex vsfor the time , but that wee haue daily ripped and laied our hearts naked before the Lord : then from hence fpringeth forth the third fruit, amendment of our (nines , and repentance for them, which fhndeth intwoparts : firft,in theforfakingof the oldfinnc fecondly, in inclining to the contrary vertue \ for the repentance ofan vlurer is not rcftitution onIy,buc with ZaccUeiu Luke 19. 8. toreftore,andtobejnercifulltothepoore,as before hewasvnmercifnll : for drunkards not onely to leaue the com- bat of their cups, but to for fake that company, andtooblerue all kind of abftinence,whereby he may be more fit for his calling, and in judgement tocondemneit, and in affection to abhor it both in himfelfe and others :fo as briefly, to repent, is not to be as thou haft bene,but to be in Chriftian duties that thou haft not beene. For the fecond point, which is the reafon of the exhortation : by the word Kinvdomeofheauen , vnderftand the manifeftation of the MelTiaSjwhich asa ftately monarch (hall rule in the hearts of men , fuch as (liail bee gathered by the Gofpcll with a won- derfull fpirituall maiefty by his word and graces , firft leading them by the Gofpcll to haue their conuerfation in heauen while . p£ Math. 5. Vers. 1,2,3,4, while they liue heere : whereupon gather there is a double king- dome : firft of adminiftratoryprouidence, which is tharwherby theLordrulethoueralKeuenthediuels:fecondly,ofroynlIpre- heminence in his church, which is threefold : firftjin their begin- ning by imperfect fan&ification, when men trariJated & drawen from the power ofiin are brought to the obedience of the Lord Iefus:thefecond confirmed by perfect fan&ification in the foules of the faints already departed : the third fully to be accomplifhed when wee (hall bee crowned of the Lord both in foule and body with perfeft and perpctuall glory , when God fhall raigne in his Sonne,his Sonne in his Church,and his Church triumph in them both foreuer. Now this fpirituall maiefty of Chrift , ietling and inthronizing himfelfe in the hearts of men , is far more magnifi- cent thenany earthly throne,prefcribing vs lawes, within which we are to bound our felues j'forinakmgdome there are feure things requifite: firft,aKingrogouerne : iecondIy,fubieclsto obey : thirdly, lawes to keepe in awe : fourthIy,authority to exe- cute them. Nowinthiskingdomeof light, Chrift is the King, the faithfull be the fubie&s, the word of God the lawes,the pow- er of thefpirit the authority to execute them : fothat irbyour fubie&ion to the word the little rlocke of Chrift be increafed,the workes of thediuellbeedeftroied, the enemies of God be fub- uerted , and finne bee fubdued in the ftrength thereof, then wee being gathered into this firft kingdomc, which confiftcth in the regeneration of the fpirit , may ailuredly waite for the expecta- tion of the other kingdome, which ftandeth in the perfection of all glory. And we may the better vnderftand this, by weighing the diuerfity of Kmgdomes which the dmellhath, thefe being double : firft, on earth : fecondly, in hell. On earth the repro- bate being his fubie&s, their corrupt affections their lawes, and their being gruen ouer of God to follow thofe wicked waies be- ing the power to execute them. So as in a 11 thofe places, be they neuerfo wellpoliftiedtotheeye, which haue not fufficient power of the Gofpell tofauethem, or which haue it not at all, or which haue it in acounterfet manner and meafure , or which Mat.7.ff. hauingitfincerely,doe rliclikedogs to rend them inpeeces that bringic>inthcfeisthekingdomeofdarknelIeietvp;andfauing for Math. j. Vers, i, 2,5,4. 95 ieelc£b fakcwhich (hall bee taken outof them by the ma- non of Gods grace, it were but a cage of filthy birds, and the SvnagogueofS atan. Forthelecond , which is in hell, itis t. that wherein vnmercifull Dines now Iieth , Luk- 16.24. anc^ cannot haue lb. much refreshing as to code his tongue : and wherein arrcrthis lire thewicked and impenitent (hall bee tor- mented with cndleilcpaine. The confederation whereof may driuevstothe meditation of the Lords bounty, that hath pre- pared another place for vs if wc follow the counfell of IohnBap- ttfl , to amend our hues and toreforme our waies, euenfucha place wherein we fhall behold and enioy the beauty or his gloric for cucr. Further obferue , though John BaptiFl willeth them to repent * v ^« and amend , yet it proucth no ability or naturall inclination in a man to doe this, no more then when thrift (mh,Afat. 1 1. 28.29. Comevntome , and take vp mjyoake : itargucth no power of our fdues to come : for iomuch himfelfe fetteth downe in another place , where hee faith , No man can come vnleffe mj Father drove him. But the end of this is,not that the commandementisgiuen Iohn 6. 44. to meet with our power to performed, but (as Rom. 3. 20.) that thereby might come the knowledge of finne 5 for when wee fee our weakeneife that we cannot doe it,and our wretchedneffe that we haue done the contrary : as that where we mould haue repen- ted of o ur fins wc haue rather increafed them, it leads vs to feeke grace inChrift, pardon for the finne, and power ofhisfpirit to torfake it. So as in the commandement know, thou oughteft to doe it,in thecorre&ion of the Lord know,thoohaft not done it, in not doing it know thy condemnation , in praier and faith thouknoweft where to haue it, in thy conuerfion thouknoweft where thou haft receiuedit, and in thy perfeuerance know by whom thou doeft retaine it. And albeit all commandements are of three iorts : firft, fuch as command our flrftconuerfion : fecondlv, that command our obedienccto the Lord afterour conuerfion : thirdlv,that command our perfeuerance after wee haue begun obedience 5 yetweftiallfeetheftrength ofallthefe commeth horn the Lord. For the fit&,Zach, 1.3. there is a com- \ mandement giuento turneto the Lord, and Ioelz.n. this is H more c)6 Math. 5. Vers. 1,2,3,4* more particularly fet downe,that it muft be a turning with all the heart. But how (hall this be wrought:' Obferue Ephratms fpeech to the Lord , Ier. 31.18. Conuert then me and I/hall be conuert edz So ( Dent. 1 o. 1 6. ) Mofes commandeth that the people (hould circumcife the foreskin of their hearts, that is, that they (hould change their vile affections $ but how this muft be done , appea- reth, Dent. 30.6. The Lord thy God will circumcife thy heart : fo Dent. 39. 19. thereisacommandement tochufelife, Thatthou endthy feed may Hue : the performance whereof is, £-<^£. 1,6.16. Anew heart (faith the Lord) I will giueyou t and a new [pir it I will put into y oh , and 1 will take away theflonj heart out of thy body, and I willgme you a heart of fie (h : which place doeth fully anfwer all fuppofkions of our owne ability j tor if there bee any plia- bleneife in a (tone, then is there fo in man. For the fecond, we arc commanded to liue well and to worke, but whence this pro- ceeded , appearcth , Philip. 2.13. his God that worketh in you both the will and the deed : io 2. Cor. 7. 1. there is acommande- mentgiuen by S.Paul, that we mould cleanfeour (elues ; and 1 . John 3.5. Euery man that hath hope pur geth himfelfe : and 2 . Tim. 2.21. He that is a vejfellof honour pur geth himfelfe : but how this is done, is fet downe Ezech.^6.2^. I (faith the Lord) wdlpowre cleanc water vponyou , andyee fcallbe cleane : and as the Apoftle faith, Hebr. 9. 14. The blond 'of Chrift purgeth the conscience from dead worses. For the third,we are commanded to ftand faft,and to hold fait our profelTion : fo Alls 14. 22. Barnabas exhorteth to continue in the faith \ but from whence this commeth , Paul teacheth VS Ephefi 4.30. The Lord make you ftrong , for it is hee that hath fealedyou to the da&of 'redemption : and 2. The flat. 1. 1 1. The Lord make you woorthy of this calling , and fulfill all the good pleafureofhisgoojnejfe, and the workeof faith with power : and I. Theff. 5.24. Faifhfullis he which calleth you, which will alfo doe it. By which wee mayperceiue, that this exhortation to Repent, and other fuch like inferted in the Scripture, are but to whet vs on , and to fet an edge vpon our praiers and defires, that wee may fetch thefe graces out of the clofet and bo- fome of our Sauiour Chrift, whoisas ready to giue as wee to aske. Further Math. 3. Veks.t, 2,3,4. 97 Further learne hence , that forafmuch as the mod vehement £ft 1 and pithy exhortation to obedience is taken from the'manifella- tion orChrill , .that the Gofpelleuen as it is the Gofpellrequi- rcth reformation oflife,howlbeuerit bee charged cither to giuc too much occafionto fmne , as that being cleaniedin thebath ofChrillsbloud we may abandon our iclues tovndeannelle,or to make too much reitraint as it were from finne, as that wee mult ablhine from all apparence of euill : foriaith theGofpell, i. Theft?,: 2. I . Iohn ;. 8. Heethiit doe tb not labour to purge htmfelfe in euery ihinw, is of the diuett. Wherein we muft con lid er , that there is a double couenant : firlt, ofworkesby the law, which being ob- ferued giueth life,bu: bemgbroken but in cogitation onely,doth damneaman: iccondly, of grace, that all that beleeuefhall bee faued. Now in euery couenant there is a reftipulation or mutuall agreement of both parties : ours in the law was, that we would doe what was commanded ; in grace, that wee will beleeue that we may bee faued : for as no man can be faued by the law but by ablblute obedience, fo no man fhall be faued by the Gofpell but by faith and repentance 3 for this is that God requireth of vs,co beleeue and amend. Againe obferue, that when we preach repentance, we preach eCf-i.* not the law but the Gofpell, for the law admits of no repentance: for though wee could now obferue all that is written in the law, yet mould we be damned, vnlefle we could fatisfie for that was broken in our firit conception, we being borne in the filthinefle of nature. Now there is no way offaluationfor circumcifedor rnctrcomcifed , for lew nor Gentile , before the law nor arte:, either before our conuerfion in the time of our infidelity, or af- ter ourconucrfion in the time of repentance, butonely in the bloud uf '^iriil , whomby the power of the holy Gholtbythe inftrurnent ot the word, as the fecond caufe, we doe by faith ap- prehend viko our cuerlalling peace. Thus much is let roorth by Sumt Paul Rom, 8. 1. that there is nothing but condemnation to them that are without Chriit, and none areinChrift but they tharhauereceiued the ipirirof Chnft , and nonehath this fpirit but he that hath receiued the girt of faith , which doth ingraft vs intoChriit, and none hathruith buthee that hath repentance, H 2 and $>8 Math. 3. Vers. 1,2,^,4. and none hath repentance but he whofefoule is changed,clean- fed in his confeience, reformed in his affections 5 fothathow- (beuer he ilippeth through infirmity , yet his full endeuour isal- waies to pleafe the Lord : and no mans foule is changed whole life is not already amended. For this mult declare a purified confeience, and none hath amended his life who doth delibe- rately perfirt in any grolle finne , fo that whatfoeuer purpofelie grieueth thefpirit, andfmiteth God by his finne, hee is not in Chrilt, but confequently in the ftate of condemnation, except hee repent : for this that isfpokenof, 1 . M# 5 . 3 , Hee that is borne of God, kjepeth his commaxd?mcnts , and they bee not bur den- fometohim. For this is the new covenant (faith the Lord, Ier. 3 I, 31.) In- ill make with you , I tv til pardon your fmnes and write my Law in your hearts : that is, whomlbeuer I will pardon I will re- forme their hearts, both inward and outward mortification, that they (hall be obedient to my Law. So that whofoeuer hath notreceiued power to amend his life, heeneuer felt the power ofGodtothe pardoning of his finne, for he neuer giueth faith alone, but it is euer ioyned with an ability from the fame fpirit to amend the life 5 Co as vnlefle outwardly thou bee amended, that thy light doe fhine before men, both in thy conuerfation and in thy actions, for any peace the Gofpell can preach vnto thee, thou maieft fearethouartin theftate of condemnation. And if thou hardened thy heart againftthis fweet found of the Lords voice, hee will at the length Icorne thee, and thou maiefl crie and not be heard, for EJan may weepe too late, Gen. 27. 3 8. for we are therefore to repent becaufe by grace we are fure to bee fsmedyas Saint Peter faith, 1. Pet. 1.17. ifyee call God Father, that is, if ye will be his children, palTe your time in feare, becaufe Luke 1. 7 j. he hath redeemed you by his blond. So faith the Gofpell : Be Letlit il. A$.yee holy as jour heauenly father is holy, for children mult be of like difpofitionto their father , and he that -worheth eutll is ofthedtuel, asChriftfpeakethM«8.44. So Paul Rom. 12.1. dothbefeech them by the merits of Chrilt (a forcible argument to perfwade) that they offer vp their bodies a holy facrifice vnto God , (hew- ing that the greardt matter to infoice vs to reformation is taken from mercy. And 1. Cor* 6. 15. Tour bodies are the temples of the Math. 5- Vers. 1,2,3,4. 99 the holy Gbofl, andyee are bought with a price, therefore doe not proltitutethcm to vncleatinelVe , but let thcloueof God con- ilraine vs to loue him againe. Yet may wee not hcercupon ima- gine that we make the law of God of no effect through faith,nay slsS. /'.Wiaith , Rom. ;. 3 1, by this we rather eftabhlh the Law, and that two waies : firft, in theabfolutc obedience of Ch rift inherent in himfelfe, and imputed vntovs : fecondIy,by the Spi- rit of lanctihcation abiding in vs : lor the lame righteoufnefle the law commands, the very lame doth faith apprehend, for we doc challenge the promile of God to faue vs , by this , that Chrift in ourperlonhathabiolutely performed it ; foasthere is no diffe- rence in refpecr of the lubftance , but only in the maner of con- uciance,wherby we apply it vnto our foules.So doth the Gofpel command the fame works that the law exacleth, though there be arhreefolddifferencebetweenthem: for firft,the law commands f works to gaine faluation by them ; the Gofpell,becaule faluation is already gamed by the bloud of Chrift; for as S.Paul faith , rve l-Cor.6.2*. are bought with a price, therefore we are debtors : fecondly, the Jaw giueth no power to worke that it commandeth,for Adofes that was the gmer of it, could not frame his owne heart to do it,ther- fore it is called ade.\dletter, written in (tones, which prefigured 2>Coro-^7» the harts of men •, but the Gofpel in the eleft neuer comandeth but firft giueth grace and power to performe, as the Lord neuer pardoneth any mans fin , but he firft wnteth his law in his heart, as S. Iohn faith , I J oh. 3 ,%tGodfem his [on to deflroythe rvorkj of the diuclmvs:znc\ this is the argument of S.Paul, Rom. 6. 14. Let not (faith hc)f.n ro Math.j, V e r s. i , 2, 3 , 4. fpiricofthe Lord Iefus, remifTion of fins and reformation of life muft neuer be difioined. Now for that the Papifts fay, the expe- ctation of a reward would make vs worke,& that in vaine fliould the workebe,if there were no merit: Weeanfwer,thatif a man freely (hall gratifie his bondman with libertie , and he (hall after preferue his matters life : by this hee hath not deferued his free- dome, for if he had remained itili bond, he had beene bound to hauedoneit, andallhcecandoeafterisnotto recompence his freedome,but to tettifie his thankfulnefTe. So whatfoeuer we can do or deferue,we are bound to it by a double bond : firft, of our creation : fecondly, and much more by our redemption : and af- ter our faluation promifedand purchafed,todoe well is nothing > but dutie, for we were bound to doe ir before we were faued. So as this is the order of exhortation in the Scripture : All that haue kope(i.Cor.j.i )muft cleanfe thcwfelueswotiockniQihQxnkluzs that they may hope, but they haue hope;therfore they muft doc Mat.*?. 34. it. And not becaufe we releeue the poore, therefore weefliallbe faued: but becaufe in mercy a kingdomeis prepared for vs,ther- fore as members of one bodie we releeue the poore. And Abra- Gen. 12.8. ham did not therefore offer vp his fonne that he might be iuftifi- Gen. 1 j. 6. ed , but becaufe he was iuftified before, therefore he thought nothing too deare to gratifie the Lord with , though it were with the fonne of the promife. So heere we doe not therefore re- pent, that the kingdome of heauen may come , but wee muft a- mendourliues, and change our minds, becaufe the MeflTias is already come that will faueourfoules. Againe obferue, he faith, it is at hand , noting a neere mani- feftation of him, which was more then any of the Prophets could fay : whereupon Chrift faith , that there was neuer any Mat. 11. xi. prophet fo great zshhn Baptitt , yet the leaft in the kingdome ofheauen is greater then he : not comparing their perfons, for there were diuers of the Prophets as excellently qualified as Iohn S nor that a Minifter of the Gofpell now fhould be greater then hee, but that the miniftery of John was plainer then that of the Prophets,they but foretelling indefinitely that Chrift fhould cQmtylohn pointing at him with hisfinger,thathewas nowcom- ming : and the miniftery now being more excellent then lobns, becaufe Math. 3. Vers. 1,2,3,4. IQI becaufe he preached but of the Meffias at hand,wheras we hauc feene the ringers of this hand , Chrifl: to hauc come with po- wer, to haue died with triumph, and to hauc alcended with glo- ric .-therefore let himrhat hath an eareheare, and hee that hath hope let him arile, for the kingdomc is now come, not at hand, lohn 14.12. A game , note the excellent Harmonie betweene lohn the *C(. fore-runner, and Chrift the after-commer:for Matt. 4. 1 y.Chrift vleth the very lame words to perfwade to amendement of life, becaufe the kingdome of heauen is at hand. Which fheweth, the agreement ought to be among Minifters, and how wee may difcerne whether they be of God or no:for then as they all worke vponone foundation, fofliallthey allfpeakeby onefpirit, and the voice of the herbinger agree with Chrift, and Chrift with him , prcflfing no other doctrine then that lohn preached be* fore. For the fourth circumftance, which is the warrant whereby 4* lohn was authorized to preach, wee note , that all callings in the Church of God muft bee warranted exprelly in the booke of God. For if any were to bee exempted, itwasthisof/tf/wbeing extraordinarie, but he is enforced to prooue it, as if hee (hould fay: Though I am not Chrift, nor EUas'm perfon, howbeitin poweroffpiritlam, yetlookein E{ay,qo. 3. my authoritie re- corded: for the place of a JVliniftcrisnot like rhe power of the Magiftrate, which though it be Gods ordinance in generall , yet is 'it not in particular, as that there fhould be this or that Ma- giftrate, as an Emperour,Duke, Chancellor, and fuch like: for this is humane, and God hath giuen man this freedome , by the remnantand portion of reafon abiding in him, to deuife what maybefafeftfortheftate. And thefe offices as they be by man cre&ed, fo may they be by him abolifhed. But for the officers of the Church and the miniftcrie, it is not onely ordained of God in generall, but euery particular place and euery kind of office isfetdowne,the Church being his ownehouie, which he meant tobeautifie with all neceirarie furniture, and none of this can be put downe, neither may others be added, 1. Cor. 12. 28. and Ephef. 4. 11. For the Paftor may bee put downe by the H 4, Prince, 102 Math. 3. Vers. 1,2,5,4. Prince , but not the Paftorfhip without maiming the bodie of Chrift : for then were it an humane conltitution as is the other of Magiilrates: And therefore mcftgrolTe is it,that women fhould be licenced to baptize, which pertainethondy to the office of a Miniiter; and it is an idle anfwerto (tie \ Quod fieri non debet, fait urn valet : that which fhould not be done, is yet effecluall when iris done: for this is a fealeputintoa wrong hand. And if fi&tiab (2. Sam.6.7) being no Leuite , was ftriken with fudderi death for but touching the Arke of God which was readie to fall3 though his intent was good rand \(V*,xaab (z,Chro. 2 6. 20.) was fmitten with leprofie 5 which he could neuer claw off to his death, for burning incenie to the Lord, which onely pertained to the Prieih to doe , then may thefe intruders vpon the Lords- pofledions, feare fome plague to lighton them for intermed- ling with thefe holy things : and as well may they adminifter the Supper, asBaptifme; for they be feales of equall dignitie. How- " bcit, if thou wilt be lohn Bafitifi, fhew me thefe two things : firft, a commidion of thy calling : fecondly , befides that thou muft proue thy calling warranted, fhew me that thou commeft rightly by it, and that thoucanft lawfully conuey it vnto thyfelfe,as (LnkjX. 1 .) the (pirit of the Lord came vpon lohn. For to haue thisfecuritieisgoodintwo refpecls: firft,for the lafety of thine owne confciencean the day of affliction : for thou knoweft the Ioh.10.1. iudgementcf Chrift, concerning fuch as creepe in at the win- dow, they haue neither loue nor care of the flocke. Therefore Ieremie(chap.t .6\j cried : O Lord, I neuer thru ft my felfe into this vnthanhe full office, but thou fentefi me, and thy rvordwas as afire [hut vp in my bones. Secondly, it is good to retaine the people ino- bedience, when they fhall fee the Patent of thy calling, where- as otherwife they willeftecme thee but as offering thy felfe vn- called, and then thou maieft labour among them vnthanked. For that Efay fpake,faying,7ltf voice of a crier : in thefe words o&y~& is fet do wne the execution of his office. Where we learne, that there are no names giuen to Minifters , but they are words of cmploiment and of labour. For Preaching comes of Pr/;« as the fore-runner, and Timothiezsau Euangelilt, were to preach with vehemencie, fo areweeasPaltors, to crie the lame crie: foritneuer yet pier- ced deepe enough , nor entred far enough to make men watch- full ouer their hues. Now fome are vnwoorthie the name of cri- ers, being Icarce able to fpeake ; others are able, but not wil- ling to be criers, bringing others a lleepe with their floth,vpon whom without repentance rclteth a woe intolerable to beare, and impoffible to auea^. Secondly, oblerue heere the agreement bctweene the Pro- phet E fay 2nd John B 'apt ifl : lohn making that plaine was fpaken obfcurely by the Prophet: Prepareyee thexvates: What is that C" Repent : Let the highmountaines be brought low . that is, let pride of life be abated. Let the low veilets be filled , that is, let defpaire be reie&ed : Let crocked things be made fir atght: thatis,Iettheiudge- ment be rectified : Let the rourhnwesbe made fmooth: that is, let thy fuelling arTeclionsbe changed. Now this Allegorie vied by the Prophet, is borrowed from entertaining of Princes at their ficlfc coronation : at which time all ordures bee clenfed, bridges repaired, the ilreets paued, herbingers goe before to 104 Math. 5- Vers. 1,2,5,4. to take vp Iodging,the trumpets found, the volley of (hot goeth ofT,and euery man is arraied in his belt robes : not that the Lord ofgloncexpeðfuch a tranfitcne triumph : for heerequireth but this , amend thy life, and a cleane heart is his belt harbour, a fpirituall entertainment being fitted for a fpirituall king. Laftiy,in thiscrie of Iohra, obferuehisfaithfulndle :hepre- pareth a way for the Lord, not for himfelfe : he might haue liued farre better in refpec~l of the world,then in this bale oflfice,and in this bafe place : for his prieftly birth being the fonne oiZachary, (Lttk. 1.1 3.) would haue afYoorded him a richer portion \ yea loh.3.28. he was offered to be Chrill, but he would none of it, contenting himfelfe with that (hare the Lord had allotted him, and atten- ding on that dutiethe Lord had enioined him. And thus ought alltheMiniftersofthe word to doe, not to preach for reward, nor to crie for ambition, though the herbinger mult not lie without doores: but they muft looke for a recompence from the higheft, for the world is vnthankfull. And it is not enough to preach, but they mult preach to theconfeiencesof men, that the Lord Iefus may enter in 5 and not to gratifie the affections of men with the eloquence of the flefh, and in fwelling words, that themfelues may enter in. For if they crie to get a name or re- nowne, or preach in contention, they may crie long enough, they haue all th£y (hall haue, hauing that they fought for, to bee caned in the mouthes, and to bee had in admiration of the people. 5. For the fift circumftance, which is , hisextraordinarieaufte- ritie : his attire and girdle was fuch as Eliab did weare, 2. King. i.8.thewildhoniewasfuchas Jonathan found in the wood, 1. S*m. 14. 25. The meaning whereof is, that his apparell was very bale, and his diet fuch as grew of themfelues. Where ob- feruc, that this was no fancie of felfe-conceitin John, to bindc and banim himfelfe from the comforts of this life, but it was the appointment of the Lord, that he might be conformable to S/iahy whom as hee was to fucceed in his fpirit , fo likewife in his apparell. Againe,he did it by the Lords will formerly reuea- Num.f.i, led:foritwasprophe(ied,(L»^.i.i5.)thathefliouldbe a Na- zaritCj & foretold his parents he fhould drinke no ftrong drinke: wherein Math. 5. Vers. 1,2,5,4. 105 wherein was implied , thathisfarcftiouldbeofthcmeancft ; fo as this mult not be ti:d and prefenbed tothcMiniftersofthefe daies, as if their cup might neuer ouerrlow, but that their houfes and prouilion mull be as the heath and barren ground : for(i. Tim. 5.23.) Ttmothic may drinke wine for his ftomackes fake, as/Wbid; him. And if after the example of the Apoftlcs the world will haue men preach for nothing, then muft they doe as it was then , call fuch as neuer ftudied •, and then mult they like- wife haue both afliirance of Gods prouidence to fuftaine, and of his graces to enable them , as the Apoftles had. Lookehow theLeuites were prouidedfor, {Numb. 18. 21. ) the tenth in llrael wasgiucn them for an inheritance , yeaeuen lolm Baptisls father had liberally whereon to liue : for they that feme at the al- tar mult Iiue of the altar ; notasofalmes , but of duty : as Gat. xq 6. 5. them that teach you in the word, make them partakers of all your goods : and Rem. 15.27. if the Gentiles be made par- takers of their fpirituall things, their dutie isalfo to minifter vn- to them in carnal! things : and 1 . Tim. 5. 1 7. The Elder that rules VPeHy i* worthy of double honour : but now they giue them double reuerence&but fingle maintenance, which fheweth how lightly men efteeme of the gaine of godlinefle,when theEphod feemcth fo vile and bale in their eies. For Balaam fhall neuer bee called, vnlcfletheKing (Numb. 22.6.) hauefome fpeciall workefor him to doe, and if he follow not his humor when he comes, hec may goe home againe without his charges. And few there bee can boalt at this day of the bencuolence of their people, as Paul didoftheCorinths, 2. Cor. 9.2. who according to theirpower abounded in rich liberality towards him , and would euen haue pulled out their eies to haue done him good. HowbeitasIVlini- rters may not go in facke-cloth like beggerly Friars, fo muft they notbearraiedi-nfilkes and fine linnen, like pompous prelatesas many be,which win more credit for their garment«,then for their graces: but there mult beea moderation andfobrietyobfetued, and Btruch mult bee humbled more in his perfecution , then o- therwife,/v when he faw many oft he Phartfes and of the S adduces come to hi>< baptijme, hefaid vnto them : O generation of vipers , who hath forewarned you to fie from the anger to come 8. 9- 10. Bring foorth therefore fruit worthy amendement of life : And thtnke not to fay with your [elues : We haue Abraham to our father: for I Jay vnto you, that God u able euen ofthefe ft ones to raife vp children vnto Abraham. And norvalfo is the axe put to the root of the trees: therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruit , u htwen dotvne and cafl into the fire. ERE followeth a fixt circumftance, wherein i$ 2i fee downe the frequent concourle of the auditory * and people that came to heare this extraordi- narie Prieft John Bapttsl ,who was of the tribe of Aaron : and how hee entertained them, firn> receiving fo many as would fubferibe in judge- ment, tobeleeue their faluationin the bloud of the JMeflias. Secondly, for them that came as led with emulation, hearing his fame , and were induced to come by reafonof the ftrange report went of him , and not for zealeand confeienceto profit by his mimilery , the fpirit reuealing to John their hypocrifie, fwelling with their ownerighteoufneffe, and bragging that they were of the naturallfeed of Abraham, as men not yet fit to bee baptized,. 108 Math. 5. Vers. 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10. baptized, he takes them vp roughly as euill egges of euill birds, comming of them that persecuted the Gofpell , that hee might the deeper pierce into their confciences, loas they might fee their owne vilenefle : as if he mould fay, is it portable that you can come to heare the word of God with a right hearr,when there lurkethio muchpoifon inyourbreaits, when all your deuotion ftandeth in open oftentation < Euen as Peter challenged Simon Magus Acts 8.23. 24. faying , Thou art m the gall of bttterneffe, repent if it bepojftble , and pray , that the thought ofthtne heart may beforgiuen thee, Iohn denouncing alfo their fearefull eftate , ns that the axe was now laied to the roote or the tree , that faith in Chrift and not the glory of comming of Abrahams race , fhould faue them from hell fire. In the words obferuc two parts : firftj how great the auditory was : Secondly, how he applied himfelfediuerily according to the diners forts of hearers which he had , baptizing fome confef- iing their finnes > and for the other,flrft he fets downe a bitter re- I prehenfion, calling them abroodof Serpents, full of poifon againft the truth, andframethhisfpeechas wondring how they durft come : the Sadduces beleeuing no wrath to come>the Pha- rifes thinking by their merits to auoide it. Secondly followeth, agraueexhortation,remouingaway manyblockes and hindran- ces wherwith they wete blinded that they could not fee the truth in Chrift.Thirdly,heconcludeth with a commination and threat- ning,thatthey were to bee cut downe : flrft, becaufe they were wicked in themfelues : fecondly, that there mould double dam- nation fall vpon them if they refufed Chrift, as the Prophet Ma* lachy had foretold. For the flrft, obfe-ue three caufes of their concourfe and fre- quent comming to lohns minifte ry : firft, becaufe there had been ' along furceafing of Prophefie , Malachy being the Jaft that fpakeby that extraordinary fpirit \ and hearing rhis great newes and fame oilohn , they thought fome great Prophet had beene ... raifed vp , and fo were defirous to heare him. Secondly , they were moued to frequent him by the ftrangeneffe of his teaching, not teaching coldelyand without power, as the Pharifcs did, butinvehemency of fpirit , and great teruency and earneftnefTe to Math. j. Vers. 5,6,7, cS, 9, 10. 109 toperfwadeto amendment of life. Thirdly, they reforted the rather vnto him as pricked forward by the extraordinary aufteri- tyot his lire and diet. Where Iearne, that when God fumifheth a man withacommifiion, and fealeth him a warrant of his cal- ling , and giueth himabooke, ashec did to E<.echid, which Ezech 3.1.3, hee mult ea:e : when che word of the Lord is as fire in the heart oilercmy , and when thepurpole or the Lord is that it fliallpre- uaile, itcannot bee eroded by any wit or policy of man. For greir exceptions might haucbecne taken againfl lobn : flrit, preaching there was aKmgdomc at hand, it might haue come neereto trcafon, founding in theearesof Herod to thedifpof- A him : and Princes are eafilyiealous of their greatnelfe, and will not haue any of their priuiledges called into qucttion. Secondly, the Pharifes knew they fhould be controuled and cal- ^2. Jed into qiiertionfor miileadingand abufingthe people, foas no doubt they fuggefted to the King , that it was dangerous for the State and touched the Crowne, that he mould whifper into the peoples eares of the comming of a new King, labouring heereby to haue their flocking (hied by Proclamation or other flu'pecommandement ; as that alio, if this man were tolerated and winked at, the great Fathers of the Church might bee ex- poled to great Hume and obloquy, as keeping the keyes of Math, 23.13, heauen , and neither entering themfelues norfuffering others to enter. And againe, it might be thought fantarticall, that the people would leaue their trades to goelb farre toheare John. And for the Pharifes themfelues, they (as Luke J- 30. ) delpifed the counfell of God,and were not baptized of him: and Mar.21 . zj, Chrift telleth them;they would neuer beleeue that lobn came from heauen, but laboured by all meanestofupplanthim 5 yet obferuc , that before he had executed and flnimedhismeiTage, - neither the power of Herod, nor the craft of the Pharifes could fupprellehim. Howbeitaswe hcare in this place of great floc- king, io lob. 5. 35.1'tisfaid that he was at firit as a burning lamp, and the people for a feafon reioy ced in this light, but after they grew fecure and careleiTe.' Where further note, that in depofing idolatry and in the reititution ofthe Gofpell how eamelt, men haue bcene j and the kingdome of God hath euen iuffered vio- lence no Math. 3. Vers. 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10. lence for a time, the people running in great multitudes to wel- comed? but after it is once eftablifhed, they grow to a Laodi- cean luke-warmth, Reuel. 3. neither hote nor cold , as if it were hony that could cloy the ftomackc : therfore we muft fufpe& the pregnancy and eager fits of them that runne fo fpeedily at firft to the Gofpell , for lohn foone lofeth many of his hearers , fome comming onely to behold him, fome to intrap him, fome to fee what was in him that was fo much renowmed , and fome to (hake off the yoake of the law , thinking to get greater liberty by the Gofpell, and few ( as Chrift faith) came of a good purpofe and with honeft hearts. . Further learne, that this baptizing heere fpoken of, was of fuch as were of age , for they were not receiued before they con- felled their finnes. For this Sacrament being a feale of finnes par- doned, there muft fir ft be a confeffion of finnes commited,heerc being a double couenant : firft , God fealing vs a Charter of for- giuenefle in the bloud of Chrift through the fanclification of his lpirit : fecondly, God requiring ofvs,fii ft a confeffion, for who hath hope to haue his debt releafed before it bee acknowledged, or to be infranchifed before hee thinkes himfelfe bond, or to bee warned before hee feeth himfelfe vncleane < fecondfy , a beleefc that the bloud of Chrift is of force and able to purge vs of all our finnes : and thirdly, a dedication ofourfelues to ferue the Lord in newnefle of life, as teftifying our thankefulnefle for fo graci- ous a pardon. Heere thelefuits like Spiders that fucke yp poifon, gather vp- on this confeffion of the people,a confeffion of fhrift,that eucry onefhould whifper his finnes into the eares of the Prieft before he can be pardoned, which is moftabfurd : for firft, the word heere vfedbeares not any fecret confeffion, being anfwerable to that, Leu. j 6.i 1 . where the Prieft was to confefTe all the peoples fins, and to put them vpon the icape Goate, which prefigured Chrift : fecondly , this ollohns was a publike action , and fo no place for priuatewhifpering : thirdly, the facrament of Baptifme which he miniftred required this confeffion : fortheprofeffion of faith is requifitein them that are of yeares and baptized , for wearenotthen firft ingrafted into Chnft when we are baptized, but Math. 3. Vers. 5,6,7, 8,9, 10. in rig already ingrafted we ate then confirmed, and there- fore ?7- the Eunuchfirftconfefled is faith, arid then wat rized by Pbi/tp. And /Wwr.i 6. 1 6. /7c that (ball ' belecne and be ti*edfi>allbej*ticd : So as it was Johns dutie as the miniftcr of ( rod , that inch as recciued this fealc, fliouldgiucrcilimony of their faith. Fourthly, /o'^ugiuingofgcncrall plaiikrs argueth, that theyconfefled not each one their particular priuntc ilippcs and infi : then he would haue giucn them fpcciall reme- dies: whereas | Lu\^ $m 13.J4J heelaboreth topreucnt oncly theabufes in their generall calling 5 as for ibuldiersto askeno more then their due, aid to offer no violence, nor to accufc anic fa!lly,& Inch like as followeth in that place.Fifthly, if /z*b (2. Sam. 6. 7.) was itricken with death , for laying but his hand to the Arketo fuftaineit : and in this place, thatthePharifees are but vipers, that would eate vp and deuoure their motherrthis being a particular reprehenfion to them, wherewith the multi- tude were not blemilliedj for the hypocrifieof the Pharifees touched not them. Secondly, obferue heere, as Johns wifdome ablctodifcernebetweencthecharle and the come, fo his god- ly refolntion whereby he durlt challenge thefe great men which were reputed moft holy, and the ipeciall leaders and gouei nors I of ii2 Math.$. Vers. 5,6,7,8,9,10. of the people : for this he was enioy ned to doe of the Lord, as it was (aid to Ieremy : Spare them not : and to E^echtel: l will make thy face as brajfe , that thou {halt not be afraid. And as it is faid in Sfay : Speaks what etier it cofi thee, he not afhamed to tell them, thai be Jhamelefje of their faults. Whereupon Efay 50 <5. faith: lhauc gitten my backe to the [miters , an&my cheeses to the nippers , and hatte not htdmy face as being afraid of theirs. And this appeareth by John in this place by hisftiarpe reproofe, not mildely per- fvvading them , but eagerly and bitterly rebuking them , giuing them their moft iuft titles, as, brood of vipers, not fathers of the Church, or leaders of the people ; knowing Elihu his fpeech in lob 3 ». 21. I°b t0 De m°ft true> tnat man could giue no titles, that is, ought nottpjcaliajpoleawife-man , nor a Sadduce other then a Ser- pent. Thirdly note, he reproueth them, becaufe it was profita- ble for the people , to vnderftand what grofle abufers they were oiMoJes chaire, caryingagreat and goodly fhew of externall fan6timonyandholinefle among the people : fo as it was good and neceflarie to difcouer their peflilent hypocrifie. Heereupon Chrift was enforced to doe the like, {Mat. 23.) calling them painted tombes , faire to fight , but their hearts were full of ex- tortiomfo that vnlefle they were difgraced among the people,the people could notturne their hearts and arTe&ions from them : therefore that they might not any longer blearc their eies, he is faine to vfe thefe words of difgrace and difparagement of them. A gaine, in that hecalleth them generation of vipers , obferue that heeexcepteth not onely againrt thefe that came to heare him, but againfi: the whole order of them : and of thofe two or- ders heercnamedjthough they difagree iniudgement, thePha- rifees holding that there is a refurre6tion 5 the Sadduces, that af- j?fthvlV3' ter tn,s^e tRere*s an vtter extinguiftiment of the foule: yet both S13* agree in this, to be viperouily minded againfttheGofpe]l,euen as the Atheifts and Papifts in thefe daies haue the fame poifon oftheir hearts common againft the true profeflbrs, howfoeuer they bee diuerily diftra&ed in faclions. And fuch hath alwaies beene the condition of the Gofpell, that euen the Princes of the earth , though othervvife diuided among thenjfelues , will yet ioyne hands againft the Lord. Which may notdifcourage vs, both Math.j. Vers. 5, £,7,8,9,10. 115 both becaufc the Lord(as he did hecre) will by his wifedome diC- coucr their poilbn before they call it : and Iikewifc as Afa faith, ( 2 . Ckron. 1 4 . 1 1 )It ts nothing rvith the Lord to helpe with manic or wuh no power, if we reft or, him, for hu trueth ftallpr entitle. Againe , in that John BaptiTi fo fharply takes them vp, lcarnc, - ' that there is nothing fo fcnllefle as hypoenfic: for it was hard to peri wade a Pharifeehewasnotasgoodamanas lined, for thus they lied to their ownefoules! They made raire monuments of the Patriarchs, as pretending to reuerence their remembrance: butChrirt {'jMAtth.z^.^^.) tels them they wereonely monu- ments of their fathers cruehie,in putting them to death. So fear- full a thing is it to accuftomeourfelues to an outward fhew of religion without finceritie, thinking that Gods thoughts be like ours, as to bepleafedwith that poflefleth and dazeleth the bo- dily eie : whereas he pondereth the fteps of the heart, thatone- ly maketh the actions pure orvncleane. Therefore Saint John knowing it to bee fo difficult to found the vaft bottomc of their filthiefoules, they were fo hardened and ouergrowne in hypo- crifie, hee breaketh out into admiration , that their hearts being fraught with fuch vncleannefle, they fliould thinke it pofTible to fliefrom the vengeance that would at thelaft purfuethem. Let vs therefore keepe the confeience tender , and apply our hearts to entertaine the feruice and worfhip of God in puritie and fim- plicitic,aflurin^ our felues it is not our outward pretence of ho- linefle, nor cutting of the rlefh with the Priefts of Baal, that i.Kin 18.2$ (hall goe for currant with the Lord , and protect vs from the wrath tocome: butit is the plainnefie of the heart, and thefln- gleneile of the eie in the true feruice of that one God, that mall Ioh.4.24, beaccepted. Further learne hence, what an abhominable thing finnc is, c,Cf f and among the rclt hypocrilie, thatitisablc to transformemen into beafts , as rclemblmg them in their qualities. And thus Da- uid'Pf.i 2.)to make the finneof rebellion more odious,he com- pareth men to horfes and mules : the mule if he be not well wat- ched, will take his rider in his teeth and lay him in the manger: and the horle if he can ca(t his rider, will giue him a kinde fare- well with his heelc. And if euer there might be lull complaint I 2 of u4 Math. 5. Vers. 5, 6,7, §,9, 10. of this it is now, when men bee fo full of iacjfh qualities that hardly can the Minifter fit in hisfaddle. Sometimes men are *fl % € compared to Lions, as the proud enemies of the Church : fome- times(as/7^/.22.i(5.)todoggesJandP/^/.59.6. So/Wcalleth falle teachers doggeSjinarlingagainft the preaching of the truth: fometime they are called iwine, to difgrace the rilthinelle of mans nature : fometime for their cruelty to Beares robbed of their whelpes : iometime for their boldnelfeto Wolues , as (Mat. 10.) Chrift faith : I fendyon at free pe among Welxes, which (verf.\6.) he expounds to be among men : fometime to Buls, Pfalm.2Z. The fat Buls ofBafanfeek? to demure me : fometime pr, , g to wild Boares , as Damd praieth : O Lord fet a hedge before thy vineyard for feare of 'wild Bo ares, they are [of nil of rage : fometime for their iubtilty they are tearmed Foxes, as Chrift faith : Go tell Luk.12.22. that Fox (fpeakingofH^r^) that J will pr 'each to [day andto mor- row . fometime to horfe-leaches , {Prou. 30.15.) which hauc two daughters that crie bring , bring, they are fo full ofcruelty : fo Pfal. 22. thofe that perfecute and affiicl: theChurch arc called Vnicornes : and heerethe Pharifees are named Vipers, that would eate and deuoure the Church , and yet they would come to heare *, which made their finnefo much the heauier, that they wouldcometofoholy a place with fovnholy harts. Thus doth iinne ftrangely change vs, and thus are men when the Lord hath giuenthern ouer, that they haue not the property of one beaft, butofallbeafts : for they are as malicious as Apes, asenuicus as Serpents, and as venimous as Adders, and yet they dare come and ftare the Lord in the face in his congregation , hauing neuer communed with their hearts before. This is that the Lord complaineth of, ler. 7. 9. Wtllyonfteale ,and commit adultery, and burne incenfe vnto Baal , and come and ft and before me in this houfe vpheremy nameis calledvpon ? Nay, the Lord abhorreth allfuch manner of worfhip and facrifice, as himfelfe proteft eth, Ufa. 66* Thefacrifi:e of a (heepe in this fort Iefteeme as the blond of a man. For though the meanes to auoid the wrath to come, be by com- ming to Gods ordinance of preaching ; yet to come with a pha- rifaicall heart, doth but increafe the vengeance, andhaftenrhy deftruction. Now Math. 5. Vers. 5,6,7,8,9,10. 115 Now for the inftruftion : Bring foorih therefore fruit s,&t. Marke how plainly and precisely lohn doth Hand vponano- pen declaration of repentance by amendement of life : for eticry one may fay he mcaneth well, which if he doc, he will not be a- flumed tobnngitfoorth. So as if we will be trees ofrighteouf- nefle engrafted into Chrilt, wemultfliew foorththefruits and not the leaues of rightcouihelle by the operation of his fpirit : forthoucanilnocbeonerl.nl with a hat lot, andonefpiric with the Lord Ieius, i .Cor. 6. and charitie ought not to make mee be* JeeiTehim tobeChrifts fbeepcrhat hcarethnot his voice. So as marke that the Lord meafurcth the rlowrcof our hearts by the fruitof our hps ; ior Out of the abundance of the heart ,the mouth •h, and men may lee our hearts through our hands. Since then the Lord reqmreth, that wee (houldapprooue cur faith to mtrn,and mamfeft our reconciliation with God in heauen by the works of loue flic-wed to men on earth, let vs weigh ourfteppes that they may be ilraight , watch ouer our words that they may be gracious, palle nothing through our ringers that fhall be en- tangled with the hurt of our neighbour, bucmeafureoutour actions by the rule and fquare of religious loue. A~d ftj not with jour [clues, &c. This is the lecond point before deliuered, namely, the god- lie and graue exhortation lohn wade vnto thefe falfe hearted Phanfecsand Sadduces, containing two parts : full, what they fliould do, Amend their liues : Secondly, what they fliould not - doe ; that they fliould notprefumevpon theexternallpriuiledge they had, of being circumcifed as the children of Abraham. For this was the error of their iudgement,that the whole feed of A* brahs.m by generation of the rlcfli, were within the couenant of grace to be iaued. A nd this is the obie£tion implied and anlwe- redby S.Pattt, Rom. 9. 6.7. namely, that if thelewes were caft away , then the word of the Lord was fallen away, becaufe it is faid ; / mil be thy God, and the God of thy feed for euer , wnich is confuted there by the Apoitle by a diltmction of a double feed: There is an Ifrael in the couenant , and an Ifrael out of the couenant. So as thcreis a double election in the houfe of Ilrael, firrt ge- neral!, that all that came of the bind or Abraham fliould haue I 3 this u6 Math. 5. Ver s. 5,6,7,8,9, 10. this dignity, to be accounted within the couenant, to partake of the word and fealeof circumcilion. Thefecond isalpeciall ele£tion out of the former , that out of the feed of Abraham,one feed onely fhould be faued : as it is Malacb. 1.2. Is not Efan Ja- cobs brother ?jet haue I bated EjaH and loued Jacob. Whereby ap- pes»reth thereisafpeciall election out of chegenerall , foasthe grace of the couenant was offered to all Ifrael , and all Ifrael dif- fered from the vncircumcifed nations , yet the promife wasef- fe&uall onely in the elecl. Whereupon gather , that if thefe Phanfeeshad notbeene blinded and bereaued of thefpirit of truth, they would neuer haue flood vpon any external} priui- ledge : for the promife being made indefinitely, had beene fulfil- led if ten onely had beenefaued : for the Scripture goeth onely thusfarre : J vo til be the God of thy fee A , not of all thy iced. And this the Apoille prouech in the place before, thus : If all the Ieweswcre within the compaffe of the promife, andthe coue- nant Gf grace by vertue of the outward ieale of cutting the fore- skin of the flefh , then it was necefTary the firft borne fhould bee, and that he might challenge this aflbone as any,to be faued. But this was not fo : for in Ifmxel the eldelt was not the promife , but in Jfiac (hall thy leed be called : foasGod declared bis purpofe bydiltingmfhing them atfirff , whenthecouenant wasbutnew made, while ^r^-whimfelfe Iiued , and when he had but two fonnes. And left this particular example might bee excepted agaiftft , byreafon of the difparagement in their birth, Ifmael being borne of the bond woman : Take(faith the ApoftIe)£y*# borne ot the fame wombe , begot of the fame father , yea borne at the fame time almoft, and if there were any prerogative it was Elans, for he was eldeft , both of them circumcifed, yet did not the promife pertaine to Efau, as is proued by two teftimonies ot Scripture , Gen. 25,25. The elder (hall feme the yonger : and Mai. 1.2. 1 haue lotted Jacob and hated E fan. hisferuitudc in the flefli being ioyned with the hatred of God vpon his foule. So as the difference betweene the children of Abraham according to the flefii onely, and according totheflemand fpiritalfo, ftan- deth in thefe two things : firft, in Gods fecret purpofe , whom togloririe and whom to reieel : fecondly , in the effects of faith and Math. 5. Ver s. 5, 6,7, 8,9, 10. 117 andlancrificarion, For he is a true childe of .:/'>-../:. w,ihat walk- crh i-i the faith and iteppes of Abraham, Roman ^i 2. and they that doc other wife, (as Chrirl faith, /o/>.8 ^4.) are the ch.ldren of th:irfarher.To which thePha-ifeesin gre.it indignation ex- cepting, Wh.jt (fay they) dolt thou account vsbaftardsc' Aha* bum tVoar father : No, faith Chrill, foastrueth and meeknefle it (elfcfpakeit, yee are the children of ihediuell. For vnder this prcrenceof ifluingfrom Abrahams Ioincs, they would delpifc thatibnne, and abandon that MclTias in whom Abraham and the relt o\ the fathers looked and milled to be faued. Howbcit, if wc come to this, why doth //w^/perfecutc iheprofeilion of ffaMC, and Efan fell his birth-right, and lacob embrace it as a pledge of the inheritance ot heauen i This commeth from the e- lechjnofGod,whohad purpofed to giue this grace to the one, and to denic it to the other , thecaufeofhisinfidelitie refh'ngin hisownefoule. Arditwas not an vniueilall promife plight to Abraham, that h^ would be the God of euery particular lingular man that fhould come from his line , but it was giuen indefinite- ly without limitation (tothyfeed) asofone: which is that Paul proouethjG1 ./. 2, . 1 6.namely , that there could be no reconciliati- on betweenethe Iewes and the Gentiles, but by that one feed which was Chrilt. ~"Now the Cuiife Saint hhn giueth : and the reafon heeallea- geth why they fliould not thus flatter and deceiue themfelues in the name of Abrahams feed, :s , becaufe God is able euen of ftonesto raife vp children vnto Abraham. And at the flrtt Abra- ham indeed was dead inrefpedt of that Itrength of nature to be- get a childc,C?*> God is omnipotent, not oncly todowhathewilI,butalfoto do more then euer yet he hach purpofed to doe : a^ heere he i> able of llones to raife vp men,but he neuer did it. Anfwerable to that fpecch of Chrilt in the Gofpell : f I would I could command (M*t.z6. oro- nipoccncic:asfirlt;,hecannotdoecon:rarietothe p-opcrtie of 1 a his u8 MATH.5. Vers. 5,6,7,8,9, 10. hispcrfbn, as God cannot be begotten, nor the Sonne of God cannot beget : fccondly,that is contrarie to the eflenriall proper- Icr.1.17. ties of his Godhead, as he cannot repent, nor change, nor lie, nor be finite, forallthefcare fignesofvveaknefle and imperfecti- on : thirdly ,he cannot doe that which implies a contradiclion,as that a itone beinga ftone fhould be a man j but of a itone he can make a man, and of a man a Hone: as Lots wiCc was turned {Gen. 19,26.) into a pillar of {alt , but when Hie ceafed to be a woman. Soagainll: the Lutherans, that held, they eate the vcryflcfliof Chrilt in the Sacrament , wee acknowledge that God i3 able ro tume bread intofldli , but then he mull: change the lubftance; for I will neuer beleeue , that that which I fee andtalte, and touch as bread can being bread be fiefii alio. So for the huma- nitieofChrilt, as it is hisbodieitcannocbeeuery where, for a bodie mull hauc his dimenfities,a$ height, breadth,and length, ana mull be limited and circumfenbed in a place certaine. And it abridgeth nothing from his aH-fufficiencie : for iris contrarie to the nature of a fubilance to be cuery where, remaining a fub- ftance. True it is, the Lord can make the lea to (land vpas wals, (£.\W.i4. 21.) on both fides, for thepaiTageof theliraeliteSjbut it was a lea itill : (0 he can make the Sunne againft the courfe of nature(/*y£. 1 o. i2)to ftand (till and ftay his courfe,but it was the Sunne itill; but he cannot make a body to be cucry where, for that doth abolifh the nature of it. Now is the Axciaied to the root, &c. 2; This is the third point was deliuered , namely,the commi- nation which John vied , mixing and interlacing his iermon with the judgements of God, wherein he threatneth them wirh_eterr^ nail damnation, except they repent and become new men. The whole fpeech is allegoricalland a continued borrowed fpeech, which may be thus reiolued: God is compared to a husband- man, for he had planted a vineyard in luda, namely ,his church: the people are compared to trees , the roiniilerie of hhn to an axe, that will cut quickly, either to haften to damnationor to faiuarion. AseiieVneieuiscomparedtoa Fannethat feparates the chafle from the wheat , and. in lercrnie to a hammer, either to brufe a broken heart^or to beat it downe to hell. The roots of < I Math. 5. Vers. 5, £,7,8,9, 10. 129 of the trees are compared to the foules of men, the forme of the fpcech prefigureth the finall fentence that (hall bee giuen at the tatter day, the hewing downe fignificth the (eparation of the ba- Itardly Iewes from the communion and fellow (hip of the true Ilraelires j and calling into the fire (ettcth foorih their eternal! damnation in hell : fo as it is t!insrr.uchinerTecl:You Phaniees prefume not any louge. vpon Gods patience, for ycecannot now pretend ignorance as yce might haue done ; and for that time (as ACls 17.-0.) God will not call you toanyheauie recko- ning^ hath bene careful] to drclTc his garden , he hath lctfered you: rthe people by your gouernment in the Church,bur now I iroyoiiffelues,fornowfli3lIniy miniitcrie cut into your foules, a id fl II (hew whether yee be battards or no , and no vi. care who is the child of Abraham by recJuing Chrittthatcommcth. In that it is laid now ,and that chei'xe is laid not to !op but to cut downe : lcarne, that when the Gofpeil is preached, then the Lord comes to make a leparation betweene the c\$& and the reprobate, which could not before be difecrned, ai it is in the Gofpeil ; there (hall be two in one bed, one (lull be receir.cd and the other reie&ed : for when this raine fa'.leth, then the Lord T , meaneth to trie who is truely planted and hath taken root in Lis ' *** fonne,and if (as//^.6.7.)itbringeth foorthherbes meet for the dre'Ier, then recciueth it a blefhng -. but if the heart bring foorth thornes, then is ineere vnto curfing: Co as if any oblhnarely per- mit in the earth, drinkingin the moiiture apd yet increafeth not, his damnation (hall be the more iuit, becaufc there isnow no place for excufelefr. And to applic this more neerely to our lelucs,if the Sodomites (ip.q .to preach mercieand judgement, both which he performed in this ore ferine n.Hecre the lefuitstakc occafion to fay,that we Ihould dehort men from euill for fearc of hel!,and exhort them to doe well in hope of hcauen. We fay wuh Pap I, who u our patrerne and forerunner,that we haue weapons for all thofethat fhall defpaire a?ter the obedience of Gods Saints ful- filledjbut we preach norcnely to woke well in hope of heauen, for as we are feruanrs we deftrue nothing, but as children wee are receiued to an inheritance bought for vs before we were . fowe ftriuc not that men fhould keepe thcmfelues from finonely for feare ofbell> for the Lord will neucr account of luch a foule as willdoe nothingbut for feare of the whip , for heeloueth a free giuer,and hateth contained fubie&ion: and it is not the horror of damnation but the commemoration of the Lords mercie (hewed toward vs in giuing his owne Sonne to fo ignomini- ous a death, toranfome vsfrom thatcurfe wee had incurred. This is that containes vs within the bounds of obedience : for if the heart bloud of the Lord Iefus will not make thy heart to re- lenr,and thy hands to tremble to put them forth to wickedncfle, thenartthouinadefperatecafe. Shall the feare of the gibbet, or the ghaftly ihew of death, make one that was a traitor , and now pardoned andaduanced vntohigh place bythemeere mercie ofhisSoueraigne, fhall this make him afraid to commit treaion agatne, and nothing elfe:' nay the grace of his Prince fhall reit al waies before his eies, and (hall moil forcibly peri wade him to Math. 3. Vers, 5, £,7, 8,9,10. 121 roperfcucreinhisloialtic. For this is the moftefiecluall of all others,tomooue vs in the bowels of the mercies of Chrilfc , to kcepe ourftlues clcane and waflied , becaufe wee are already punried in his blond , and not for feareof falling into the pit againe. Thirdly note, that if any man will cfcape and auoide dam- <>Gf •$. nation,hcmultof nccelfitieliue weI,for hemuftbe a tree bring- ing foorth r;ood fruit. Where hrltconfider what is good fruit, which is implied in the text j it cannot bee good except the tree be good : as Chnfl faith, If the caslingout of a dwell be a good Matt. 12.18. vorkc, why am not lagwdmanrSo as firil the perfon muft be ac- I0h7.11. ccptcd before the woike be accepted, and no perfon can pleafe without faith that punfleth the heart , and there is no fuch heart ^ where religion dependeth not vpon the true worfhip of the law of God j and by confequent there is no good faith where the heart is not cleanfed by the fphk of God. Since then a man muft rlrll be good before he can doe good, it is impoiTible thatanic man errunious in religion fliould produce a good worke. Exter- nall rightcouiViellc and the morall vermes of the Papifts is a vizard that blearcsmanie mens eics, and wee fay that they are honelt *, as well may we fay it of them that hanged vp the Lord Iefus, thinking he had fpoken blafpherruc, becaufe being but a poore wretch to fee to, he challenged himfelfe to be the Sonne of God, and m this doing they thought chey had done God an excellent pec ce offeruice. And for Paul before his conucrfion p, ... who could except againft hislife^nay as he teltifieth of himfelfe, *™* hee walked according to all the ordinances the law piefcri- bedj yet after hee was called, he accounted all his morall nghtc- oufnellebutas the excrement of a dogge. And if religion do not diitinguifh betweene men , the heathen (hall condtmne both vs and them, who by themeere inflintt of nature lined in the hatred ofgrotfe fumes , and walked ioberly without exception, and yet are they already damned. For firft, we mult be good by grace, and being adopted m*o Chrilt then we doe good : and of all the trees of the foreit(as E^ec. 15.3*) there is none but is bet- ter then the vine if it beare not grapes , for the oake is good for timber, and cuerie tree may lerue for fome good vie, but the 122 Math.$. Vers.5,6,7,8,9,10. the farments of the vine if it be not cluttered is fit for nothing but for the fire. The Papifts are good arokes to build monaitc- ries and to fet vp honfes and places of religion ; but an vnfaith-* full and vnfrmtfull Proteftant and Profcflbr is good for nothing, (being butarottenbough or branch of a fruitltfic and barren vine) but to be burned. Sothattoiudgeaworke tobegocd, ic mil ft bee good both quo ad fontem & quo ad finem, proceeding from an honeft heart, and driuing to aright end, the glory of God,to whom I owe honor. Further,to come to the true know- ledge of good fruit, let vs know what bad fruit is, which is dou- ble, firit , finnesin fubftancc, fuchas arecontrarie totheex- preflecommandement of God, as aduherie isabfolutelya fmne in Dauid as wel as in any other: fecondi y ,finnes by circumftance, Matt.z?.?. as giuingof almes, onely when the trumpet founds , to be feene of men ; or to come into theian<5luarie wiih a purpofe to pray, andprefentlytorecurnetohis vomit againe : for the Lord ab- horrethwhathimfelfecommandeth(£/^66,,} ifitbenotdor.e with that heart he commandeth. The. faenfice of a (heepe is in his fight as the bloud of a man, not that he hateth the aftion, butthehypocrifie intheaftion which ftainerh the whole : as H*gg* 2.1 3 .tfanvncleaneperfon touch the holypfh, theflejh it/elfe isvncleanc\ but holie flefli maketh not other fkfh holy which was not fo before. Further obferue, where it is faid, Euery tree that fa ingeth rot good fruit. For it is not enough for Zachem (Luk. ig ) after hisconuerfiontobeno poller or robber of thepoore, but his confeience cannot be allured of) his pardon before he hath fa- tisiied thepoore for that he had got ami (Tc: fecondly,hee muft bring foorth another fruit of repentance, not onely to reftore, but to giue liberally, and to be companionate toward the affli- ftcd Saints 5 not by thistofatisfic the Lord, bur to allure his owne foule that the Lord is fatisfled in the dearh of Chrift; Mfttt.xf.34. ^nc* ** 1S not ^a'^> Cor*eJee Metfedybcaiufe yee haue not perlecu- ted the truch,nor fcorned theprofeflors thereofjfor not the emll they Math.$. Vbrs^,^, 7,8^^10. 123 they haue not done, but the good they haue done, asrelecuing thepoore,vi(itingtheiickc, andfuch like, (hall come to iudge- metlC. And for the damned, it is not laid to them,Go and depart, for ye haue put to death, & by all vniuit waies vexed and abufed my children ; for thele are i'o grofle as their owne ioules crie out tgainlt them : but the forme of the (entence il, Ye hauc dcfpilcd me, and would not be of my liucry, but difdained to be found in the company of piofcflors : for curfed be A'/eroz , ludg. 5. 23 I that helped not inthedayofbattell, not that euerihe fought a- gainit the Lords caufe, or once drew weapon againit Chrift, but becaufe (he came not fboith armed to aflifl the Lords caufe. So this mull be the fruit of Peters repentance, not onely not to deny his matter any more, but (M*:b. 26. 35.) roftandto him to the dea:h : neither is it enough for periecutors of the Gofpel to lcaue or! to p«;rfccutc,but they mult with /**/// learnc to be peiiecuted for the Gofpeil: and fo for parents to take hetd to iheii children not to be ganlli m their* you th,lell by this their hearts may be ad- iudgedjo^be proud in their age. 'Now if that tree be neare vnto burning that brings not foorth good fruit, what lhall wee fay ofthofe trees that from the root of a filthy and rl.lhly heart bring forth vnfauory and itinking fruit t If Diuft be damned />«^. 1 6.22. that gaue not breadand refrefh- fagto Lmzatm*, what (hall becomeofchem that takeaway bread, and doe grind the faces of the poore t If he were bound hand and foot (AfaMS.^.) that profecuted his right fo extremely againit his fellow feruant , whither (hall they be call that labour the vniult vexation of men, pretending title to that coat they ne- ucr bought i tf OfaMab (hall hardly anlwer it, 1 . Kt». 1 8.4. before God that hid the Prophets by fifty in a caue , and fed them with bread and water, becaufe he durit not profeffe his religious heart openly, being in the time of/#%4li/a Queene and a queanejhow ihalltheybeeabletoexculethemfelues which in the timeofthis gracious and good harted Prince libel againit them by falfefug- gdtions, and labour the vtter vndoing or them, themfelues pro- feil"ingnothingforfeareoffuccell:on^ And if they that did but build and planr,and mary,and giue in mariage,all which in them- felues were lawrull, were fwept and cariedaway (Gcn.j.) with the il4 Math.:;. Vers. 5, 6,7,8,9, io. the vniuerfallrloud, whither (hall the tempeft of the Lords fury cary them that blafpheme againft his name,fnarie againft his mefc fengers, and like (wine doe wallow in their ownefilthineflejall which are (imply abhominable in themfelues i IfthePharifees that were carefull to heare lohn with fome good minde , were lb fharpely reproued is to be termed vipers ,what title may be giuen to them that refufe altogether to come f If they that heare not lohn 10.3 . the voice of Chrift bee not his fheepe, what be they that turne a- Mat. 7. 6. gainft him to rend him t Or that come to the Temple to no o- therendthento intrap him C* If of three forts of feeds and hea- rers, whereof the one takes the feed, thefecondreceiuesitwith Mark.4.4. fome good heart, the third cherifheth it fo well as it growes to a blade, and yet all of them be damned : where (hall they reft that neuer vouchfafed with any religious eares to heare the melfageoffaluation brought them t If many bee (hut out that preached the Gofpell, and many that ftriue to enter in (hall not, what place (hall bee prepared for them that thinke themfelues too fine to binde vp the wounds of the broken hearted, and that hauc euery ftep fince their firft birth directly failed toward hell, difauowing allmeanes whereby they might bee reduced to the right way t If the fig-tree was accurfed becaufe it had no fruit, though (JMarkfW. 13.) it was fullofleaues, what curfe (hall light vpon thofe trees that are ful of poifoned and corrupt fruit:1 Note alfo Saint lohn faith e fiery tree, not excepting any, but what euer he be , lew or Gentile , from the Prince to the bafeft of the people, they muft be fruitfull : for being all equally corrupted, we ought all equally to be cleanfed,and the Princes foulc needes as much wafhing as the fubie&s. Againe, obferue a confequence of great comfort , that euery tree thatbnngs foorth good fruit muft needs be faued,and this is a wonderfull confolation to all Gods children 5 for all that are in Chrift, Rom. S.i, are out of condemnation, andhehathChrift that hath his fpirit 5 he hath his fpirit that ftriueth againft his cor- ruptions, he doth this that crucifieth hisfiefli, and hecrucifieth his flefh that ceafeth from finne,and he doeth this,that amendeth his life and repenteth. Laftly, learne hence that the tree and the fruit muft goe toge, ther- Math. 3. Vers. 11. 125 ther 5 for though faith alone doth iuftifie, yerfaith that is alone doth neuer iuftifie, but if dead without workes : like that charity James z. 16. which onely bids a man warmehim, butdothnot giue him wherewithal] to refrefh him. The eye alone of all the parts of the body doth fee.but the eye that is alone feparate from the body doth not fee 5 fo the feet alone doe cary the body, but if they be cut oft and feuered from the body they doe not ftirre. True it is, no tree fhallefcape the cutting vnlcfle it be good, but noneflialltherforcefcapeitbecaufeitisgood : for none (hall be faued without mortification , but none for their mortification (hall be l'aued : therefore let vs beware left wee difioynethatin our lines which is alwaies conioyned in do&rine, the faith of PauUnd the workes of lames. Math. chap. 3 . 3- «• nilterie oi the fpirit: yet when the fcripturc will fhew what either the men or the mcanes feparately and apart can do in their owne nature, and that all is the woike of God onely, then cither the meanesarenotat all mentioned, orelfe they are woonderfully debafed ; as, Paulczn but plant , tsfpoflo can but water, but it is God that giueth the increafe.Heerc Pan/ is nothing,for the blcf- i.Cor.3.^. fmg is onely from the Lord, the internali being oppofed to the external .-for whenfoeuerthefe be either oppofed by comparing, or compared by oppofing, then all is in God; for God dcaleth otherwife in dilpofing of things that nourifli to eternall life, then ofthofe that helpc to the conferuation of this prefent life. As there is iome power and as it were an inherent vertue in bread to nourifh in it owne nature , and there is power of gene- ration in man to beget ; but to awake the confcience and to clenfe the heart , there is no power that remaines in the Mini- iters perfon, or in the feales of Baptifme and the Lords Supper : the Alinifter feparately heefpeakes, and iris but a perifhable breath, as the voice of another man, though they be the words K of 128 Math. $. Vers. ii. A& 16. 14. of God : for otherwife , why fliould Lydiaes heart bee opened more then any of the reft of the hearers < there was the fame voice of man founding into the fame eares of men by nature. AndinBaptifme forhimfelfe the Miniiter can dee nothing but powreon water, and the water is butnaturall , which can but wet the body, and there h no power appropriate to it that of it felfe it is able to conuey any fecurity totheconfcicnce. But doc not the words of inib'rution worke fomething , and bee they not operatorious to worke fomc change ? As the wordsbee pro- nounced with the organ and inilrument of the mouth, it cannot make the bread to alter theiuhitance ; but the words hauethis power to declare what the Lord will worke, firit for ourfelues that we muft breake bread ; for the people that they muit eate it: This u my body , (hewing what the Lord will doe , that wee muft not be amazed in beholding the fignes , but lift vp our eyes vn- tothe Lord thatgiueth Chriftsbloud to the heart of euery be- keuer : for there isnoflefh in the bread, norvnder the bread, norwith thebread. Thefe therefore haueno power toconuey any grace to the foulc , for ifthey had , then were all regenerate that receiue them : and fometime regeneration preceeds and goeth before baptifme, as in Cornehiu, Atts 10. fometime it fblloweth baptifme,as in children. And againe if there were any power in water of it felfe, or by the words of inllitution, then af- ter the facrament the water mould euer remaine fan&ified, which we fee contrary , £orit dothputrifle like common water. Andnomoredoeth the Sacrament depend vponthe intention of thegiuer and confecratour , then it doth vpon the intention of thereceiuer : fork was as true a facrament and as erTeclually of- fered to Simon Magus and to Ittdas as to the other of the Diici- ples : for the fame Sunne (bineth to all , though fome doeihut . their eies. Further , obferue and beware that we doe not make duos totos bapifmos, two whole baptifmes,oneof/^»i another of Chrifts, but onely of one whole baptifme two parts, as of one whole man we make two parts,body and lbule : one is as in the law,a circum- cifionwiih the hand cutting therlem, the other cleanfingthe confeienceby faith in Chrtit. Neitherdo we make them two that God M A T H. ^ . V E R S. 1 1. 1 2 C) God feparates, for it is the fame word of life in it felfe,but not to them that eate it not : to the elegit is effectually conueied j to the reprobate it is trtiely offered by God , but feparate by their vnbeleefe. Therefore let vs confider the analogy and narurall relation in baptifme : the externall thing is water, fuch as is com- mon : the thing inward is the very bloud of Chriflanfwered by the f ignc. The application of water to the clenfing of the body, isanlwcrcd by the applying of the holy Ghoft : the effect of wa- ter is to purifie trom tilth , lb is it of the bloud of Chrift to purge fromfmne : and this two waies, by killing and renewing, by mortifying and quickning : by the dipping in the water is repre- fented the death of Chrift , and his refurre&ion fignifled by pul- ling out of the water, that as we are buried with him in Baptifme, Jo we (hall rife with him by hisfpirit. VVhvjbut hath loin no power but to put on water? euery man Joe lb : and how is ir then that (2. Cor, 3. 6.) Pau/foithyGod ham made vs miniftersof thefpirit and not of the letter ; for there hecompareth the Law to the GofpcMj UWofes to the Apo- ftlcs < Mofts gauevnto the people thetwo tables, which was onelyacommandement external!, for he could notchangehis ownehea:t, nor apply his ownefooleto the performance of the law •, but it wasonelv as n a man mould wriretoablmdmanto bid him rcade,or to a deaie man to bid him heare. And can Paul doe any more to conuerc the Corinths K No : but this is the diffe- rence^ the preaching of the Gofpell which is the miniftery of the (pirit, doth not onely require faith, but giueth faith to be faued : iorofitfelfeit isaseafieto keepethe law as tobeleeue. Why, but Paul faith to Timothy , i.Ttm. 4. 6. Attend on the worke of freachtngto fane thy felfcandothers : and /^w/ofhimfelfe faith, / begat you : and MaL 4. 6. it was propheiied of this lohn , that he (hould conuert the hearts of men.This is mod true when the ex- ternall and internall doe ioyne and iumpc together and when they are not compared by oppofition , but are comprehenfiuely taken together, then we can bind andloofefinnes : and as Le- nit. 16.16. then the Prieft fhall make thy foule cleanc. But as itwasfaidthat there wasinpundife (Genef. 3.22.) the tree of life, not that it had any hie in :;, bar that theythac mould eate K 2 of 130 Math. 3. Vers. ii. or it mould liuc for euer ) and fo of the tree of knowledge, which was fo called by the effect it wrought, making vs to know what good we loft, and what nakednefle we fell into : fo it is faid, that weforgiuefinnes, lohmo. 23. becaule the word of reconciliati- on is put into our mouthes,not that we doe it by any abfolute au- thority, but neceflarily, becaufe our comrnifiion extendeth to it by God. Andfo allmorall matters vnder the law were but a meere pageant,fauing that they fealed to them the inward , which was the blood of Chrift : and where fuch efficacy wasgiuento theiacrifkes, there the inward thing was attributed tothe out- ward, (o as we muft ftill hold that all power and fufficiency is of God, 2. Or. 2.5. Further obferue, that John of ncceduie muft giue water, or elfe Chrift can giue no bloud 5 and except there be planting and watering nothing can grow. So as we muft learne to fubmit our feiues to the miniftery, elfecanwee not ordinarily expecHor any grace at Gods hands , for hegiues butincreafeand blefllng to his worke-mens labour, and though the voice of the Preacher be butavanifhing voice, wanting power to afTecl the confeience, andverrue to illuminate the eies, for the voice cannot pierce theibule, yet wee muft humble our feiues to lohns miniftery: for by this voice doth the Lord giue life, and as hee cannot^ hope for fruit that neuerfo wed, norexpeft for wine that neuer planted, no more can heelooke for life that neuer heard, for faith commeth by hearing, Rom. 1 o. 17. and without faith there is no faluation. So as vnlefle we doe embrace this ordinance of God, to follow them whom hee hath made his armes to reach forth vnto vs the bread of life we can neuer beleeue 5 and except weyefire tobeiealedwith the great feale of heauen committed vnto them, wee (hall neuer be faued : for as it is laid Gen. 17; 14. eueryfoule contemptuoully refufingcircumcifionftiallbe.e cutoff :aod he thatdefpifeth thebread,doth betray and crucirle the Lord Iefusasthe Iewesdid, that bad away with him. Iohn muft be regarded becaufe he puts on water , for who is not glad toreceiue hi: pardon by theperfon of any ft and why fhould their feet bee contemptible that bring vsfuch newes from rhe mouthofGod 1 And if wee dare not in paine of damnation but thinke M a th. £. Vers. ii. 131 thinkereueremlyofthefeales, thatis3 of water and bread in the Sacraments, how much more mull wee reuerencc the doctrine, that is of far greater maiclty f for the Sacraments are but blankes without the word. Further conlider hcerein lchns baptizing to amendment of life : that as all Sacraments arc couenants,and in couenants there jsalway fomcthing agreed on betwecne both parties : foinBa* ptifmcGod promifcth to rccciue , Chriittoredeeme, the holy Ghoft. to lanetifie : and on the other fide, we promife to beleeuc this, and to repent vs ofourtranfgrcflions. For as Baptiimefea- leth vntovs remitlion of finne, lb alio doth itfeale as it were from vs amendment of life: andtowhomfoeucrtheLordfealeth this allurance that he will fane him , to him allbhefealeth rege- neration and newneffe of life. And as /W/faith, Rom. 2. 26. if vncircumcifion beleeuewell, it fliall bee faued rather thencir- cumcifion : that is, if the outward ligne bee feparated from the inward, and not accompanied with cleannefle of heart , and o- bedience to the commandement, heethat wants the outward feale , and yet is circumcifed in heart , is more to bee accounted of then the other. Therefore let vs looke and take heed we per- forme the vow wee made before God and his Angels in our ba- ptifme, namely, as to beieeue the promifes, fo to repent and re- formeourliues : forhethatwill allure himfelfe orthebenefite of Baptilme , mult fee what power he hath to fubdue his corrup- tions. He will baptize you *>itb the holy Ghoft and with fire. That is,by the holy Ghoft Chrift will feale the pardon of their fmnes, who hath the fame power that fire hath, asfirlt, toburnc vpalltrafhandftubble : fecondly,topunrle things that are to be purged : thirdly, to giue light in darkenefle : fourthly, to quic- ken things that are benummed andltirTe wi:hcold. So as let vs examine our fclucs whether wee hauefelt thefe effects of this fpirit:forif he filthinelle and frowardneiie of our naturebe burnt vpandconlumed : ifour harts be ftvept and clcanfed from vile andloofe affections : ifour vnderltandings be iiluminaredand lightened with the lampe of the Goipcll : it" we be inflamed and fet on fire with the zeale of Godi glory , and well hearted to- ft 3 ward 1^2 Math. j. Vers. 12. ward his children , then may wee hope to haue bcene bapt ized truely : for the holy Ghort worketh thefe things in beleeuers.But he that is drolTieor luke-warmein his profelfion, that is hard hearted to the Saints , that followeth the fent of his affeclions, and that is weary of the candle of truth , hathcaufe tofufpe6t that he is not yet baptized with the holy Ghoft. In lob. 3,5, this fpirtr is compared co water cleaning the ionic inwardly, which hath three properties : firft,towafh away flit hineile : fecondly, to moiiten that which is drie, and to quench thirft, and allay the icorching heate : thirdly, to fru6hfie : asPfa/m. i.willowesare faid to bee fruitfull planted by the water fide : euen lb the holy Ghoft doth purifie and wafli the foulc, refrefheth the confciencc fcorched with the feareof Gods vengeance, and giueth power to make our drie and barren hearts to profper in eueiy good worke. Mat u. chap. 3. njzrf. 12. 12; Which hath his fan m his hand, and will make cleane hU floor e, and gather his wheat into his garner, but willburne vp the chaff e with vnquenchablefire. Ecaufe icfalleth out in great auditories and af- femblies , that there bee many wilfull and per- uerfe perfbns , which doe not elteeme of the Lords rich bounty, but doe fcorne and tread vnder foote the mercy offered : Uhn Baptifi doth heere denounce peremptory vengeance andintollerable torment againft all thole that mall not iubmit themielues to the miniftery of the MetTias , and that they which will not bee baptized with the fire of the holy Ghoft and of Chrift, \ Math. 3. Vhhs. 12. x^j Chri(l,thatis, with his bloud and with his fpirit, fhailbc bapti- zed with the fire ot hell. The words doe conrainean Allegorieor continued Borrow- ed fpecch, which may be thus refoiued. Firlt, by the Fannevn- derltandtheminiitcrie of iheGolpcll, whicli (hould begin at the preaching ot Icius,andfhould winnow the people to make a reparation bctweene the bafturdly brood of Abraham , and the true Nathaniels, Ioh. i. chap. 47. Ifraclites in whom is no guile, bet wcenc them that had oncly themarkeof circumcifion in the flcfli, and them whohrhearta and vile atftclions wcrcin- warcily circumcifed. 13y that it is ih: d, In bis band, isment, that itisprJently to be manifested. By flow, vnderthnd all places wheica Church may be gathered , ormore fpecially for a visi- ble Church alrcadic gathered , /tf/^addreflmghis fpecch heerc to the Iewes, which were at this time the Church of God. By wkf4te, isment all that mould belecue, either Iewes or Gen- tiles. By the Gamer, isment the kingdome of heauen. By chaffe> is ment hypocrites and vnbcleeuers, mif liuers, or the children of perdition, thatrefufe to bee fanned by the Lords voice. By clcmfmg, i3 ment that fcparation the Gofpell fhouldmakebe- tweene thcapoltatelew, andthebelccuinglew. By v>ic]uencb- tblefire , is ment the torment of hell prouided for vnbeleeuers. Out or* this fir i\ generally obferue, that where the Gofpell oGfit. comes and is preached with power, and with a good confei- ence, and nothuckiterednor merchandized as men doe their wares : but that they fo labour as not to be afbamed of that they doe, preaching theirdoclnnenottotheeare, but to the doors oftheconfeience, that there it makes a manif ell difference bc- tweene true and falfe children, whereas before all was fliurflcd together: for though before this time the Pharilecs and all 0% thers were as one, bearing the fame title of Abrahams feed, yet (aim lohn , afterward fliall come the venting of the Gofpell, which with thepowerfullblatl thereof, (hallfcattcr the hypo- crites, and makeknowne the faithfulncfle of them that withho- nelt hearts embrace and cherifli it. After this mancr is the word in the Epiftle to the Hebrewes, compared to a fword with Heb.4 it. two edges, that cutteth two waies, either to conuer/ion ir ic ' K4 be 134 Math. 3. Vers. 12. be beleeued, or to confufion ifitbedefpifed. Hereupon it is, that Simeon did prophefie to Mary(Luk^2.?^.) to preuentany conceit might rile in her minde of her dignitie and glory , being the mother of the eternall Lord , heereby thinking that all the world (hould applaud her for her Sonne , telling her , that this child mould be fee vp for the rifing and mine of many; amarke that euery man fhould (hoot at , and by his comming fhould the hearts of many be difcouered : F or the foundof hU mouth (Heb. 4. 12. ) decides betveeene the ioynts and the (mew eiy avd the marrow andthebi-nes : anatomizing the hearts of men, tofee whether they be found or rotten. And they that before Teemed to bee all one, (hall when ihe fan comes differ : then the poifon thatbe- ♦ fore lurked , (hall bee laved foorth, and the hidden gall (hall be difplaied. Heereupon alfo the word is compared to fire, which hath a double effect, to waft ftubble and drolTe, andtopurifie thatis refinable,as fiber and gold. For the Gofpell hath this ver- tue, to inflame fome mens hearts with a zealous loue of God and his glory : fetting others on rlreropedecuteit, to quench and to impugne it. This effect had it in Johns time, fome (aying,that he was an honeft man 5 fome, that he was Chrift ; others, that he Luk. 5. \6. was a Galilean, whence could come no good thing •, and others Mat. 11. 16. more plainely, thathee wasadiuell, all before being as they thought well circumcifed and the children of Abraham. So when Chrift (pake in his owne perfon, the chafTe flew away, and then waseafily knowen who was an hypocrite , hee comming to fome place where they had rather haue their hogges (Mark* 5. Luk.4.29. 17.) then their foulesfaued ; and to others where they brought him to the fide of a hill of purpofe to haue throwne him downe : and to Jairttshoufe , where fome ( Mark- ?• 4°* ) laugh him to fcornefor hisfpeech. Thisfanne by Chrift was committed to hrsApoftlcs, that they likewife fhould make a feparation where they came. Paul Preaching at Antioch , the Jewes railed a- gainft him , when the Gentiles defired him to preach the fame fermon the next Sabbath. And by the power ofthisFanne (Aft. 22.23.) thelewescaftvpduftintheaire, andcrie, that Paul is vnworthy to line. And Aft.2 5.12. certaine doe bind themfelues by oath g tto eate nor drinke till they had killed him : when as others Math. $. Vers. n. 1^ others in Iuda?a did fubmit themfclucs and became the true dif- ciplcs ofChriit. Yea (Luk^ 12.53.) it appeareth that there is no bondfoftreight nor fo well knit, but religion will violate, and caufe the father with the fonnc,the mother with the daughter, to impuget the Golpell with holtility : not that iris the property of theGofpellto breed dilfention, but it is the malice of Sathan to enrage mens hearts , that they fliould not receiucit, that his barnes might be" full. And then mull Abtb ( 1. King.zi. io. ) yceld to EiUb , and not E/ub to Ahxb. There is execrable cru- elty committed on the infants of Bethlcm : who is the caufe ofitc" not Chrift, but Herod ; and Chrift may not giuc place to Herod, though it colt neuer lb much bloud. Secondly , obferue where it is laid , hee will make his floorc oCf- -a . cleane, that all that refufe the Golpell, whatfoeuer they pretend, they are but chaffe. For the Phanfees heere which had the chie- fell places in the Church , they pretend to haue the Oracles and the temple, to bee defcended horn the Patriarks , and to line af- ter the law o£Mof:st : yet they are but chaffe which fill the rloore, being onely puffed vp with pride, and hauingno found graine in them : for when Chrift is offered they perfecute him, and crie : Hang him, as an enemy to the law of Mofesfo as their intention M^.27-"- W3Sgood, yet was that no excufe : for then they that perfecuted the Prophets, and crucified the Lord of glory fhould be blame- lefl'e > for they hadazeale, but not according to knowledge. Now if they that ftand onely in defence of that God himlelfe or- dained, and like not that any of that fliould be abrogated by the Gofpel!,arebutchaffe,\vhat (liall they be that feeke to maintain their owne traditions againftboth law and Gofpell , and ftand in defence of many corruptions in the Church of God,and yet per- fwade the Prince that all is well, what can they beebutchafteof the worn: fort? And \rillpfir>?e bisfloorey &c. Here maybe demanded , what thecaufeis, whythereisfo much chaffe in our Church, andfo little good graine : for it is ftrangeto lee with what belli- gods it is fluffed, howdifguifed men be in pride , and how excel hue in vfury : which bee not as »y.P the vnlea- uened, to the children of God : foas they multfcparateall that areleauened in malice or wickcdnefle , that not onelyeuery pe- culiar man may be blameleiTe, but all the Church may be cleane comming to fo holy a place. For fince we are all partakers of that immaculate Lambe that is llaineChriftlefus, we mult caft both out of our felues, and out of our houfesand congregations all impurity. Wherefore let not thy hand bee in facriledge to per- mit fuch a one : it is in thy power to giue,andanfwer the church atthyperill thoumuft : (whatfoeuer the law of the Magiftrate is) for no man may command thee to finne, bur according to the rule giuen to 'Timothy , fpeaking of vnable men to goe before the people in life and doctrine, i.Tm. 5. 22. Lay not thou (faith Paul) thy hands on him. It will be laid , this was an cafie matter in the Apoftles time, when they had thekeyes of the Church, and the power in their hands, to cut off the inceftuousperfon, and when the Gofpell was Math. £ Vers. 12. i^p was but newly cntrcd , and but iteptasit were within thethrc- fhould : but now men are not Co eaflly corrigible as they were then* being now more growen and fturdy in finnerhei before. \Vcanfwer,that if the ccnlurcsofthe church were lo duly execu- ted when there wasnoChriltian magiltratcto countenance and prorect them , much more might they bee lb now when they might hauc the (word alio to all ill them. And it they had fewer orknees when they hadlefle mcanes to purge them, for they could but ieparate from the congregation only, and then if they would they might haue returned againe to the infidels, far grea- ter beuty might be looked for now, tfthegouernors of the church had not fome great milt before them. And it the churches of Iu- d«eaand Gah!e(as we may fee j0t2i& ?.; did multiply excee- dingly , hauing the magiilrate not agauilt them,though not with them 5 much more might they rlourifli now,hr.uingtheChnitian law of the Magiftrate binding their bodies whole confeiences fliould be bound by the cenfures of rheChurch. But is it no true Church where this exact cleanling is not ^And is it not the table ofthe Lord becaufe fome Grangers befides children are recei- ued K and is the whole lumpeinfe&ed byalittleleauenc' God forbid : onely we (ay theleauen oughttobefeparate, and the inceltuous man ought to be call out •, for they that eate the PaHeouer mult haue none come to it that hath eaten leauen: and if wee ought not to eate wi th him , that is , haue no familia- rity with him, much leileoughtheto bee admitted by the Mini- fter ; but if he be, yet to thy confeience that art a worthy receiuer itisafacrament. ViS.wl be in the Tabernacle, I little doubt but Datud will with all his heart w.fli to pray with him. And was Ztcharte any whit polluted by praying and fcriricing with the filthy Phanies : orjtf^^f/praiers Ielfeauailahle, becaule many fwinc ent.ed into the Temple < The church (faith ?auI) hath no fuchcuitometobecomentiouSjj.CV.ij 1 6, but lfit be, yet it remains a Church itil. And toiefoluethispQjm,tQwhcmfpakc John in this place but ro the Church of God^Tfioj'as>yet there was no reparation or the wheate from the charie , but afterward they prooued fworne enemies to Chnlt, and it was Alofcs chaire though they late in it, and the people were commanded to heare 140 Math. 3. Vers. 12. heare them. Was not the church of Iuda the floore of thetord, Mat.*.*:, though the Pharifes taught falfeand corrupt doftrine, that Gods name was not taken in vaine vnleife men were openly f orfworne, and though the high Priefts were aduanced by fimony f Chrift himfelfe faith it was, and laboreth onely to remoue thefe errors, and to reduce euery thing to the purity of his Fathers inftittition. But now with vs (ince this long venting of the word of God hath . beene with fo litle profit , and that the Pharifes (land fo clofe a- bout the Princes mouth,as that (he can hardly breath in the who!- fome aire of the truth , what hope is there of a better (eparation but the fanne of fiery triall, that if wind will not doe it, perfecti- on may doe it : for the drofTe that cannot be fcattered by blafts, muftbeconfumed with burning. Now when the floore is cleane and fwept within the Church, then is there another cleanfing out of the Church, which is either particular or vniucrfall : particular, when good or bad men die, and fuch as they die fuchthey (hall continue, for the tree that is fallen there it lieth. Vniuerfall at the laft day , when all things (hall be complete and perfect > when not onely thechaffe (hall bee blowne away,buteuen the tares,that is,fecret hypocrites (hal be cut vp by the Angels; for open offenders (houIdbecutorTheere by the word and difcipline. Further, in that it is faid , Some/haUbe gathered tnto the Lords garner : obferue, that it is a mod deteftable opinion , tothinke that all (hall be (aued , and that damnation is preached but for fa- fliion to containe men in fome obedience. For let the fcripture be burnt if this be true, and let Belzehnb bee faued if all (hall bee faucd, and let Iudas come foorth of hell if none (hall goe thither. Nay our owne confcienccsdoe adiorneand fummon vs to thinke of a general! iudgement, and Indus owne heart condemning him cau(ed him to hanghimfelfe,ifc&/. 27. 5 . The Lords houfe mud be fully furnifhed , and in all fuch houfes fas S. /^/(peaketh^) t. Tim.x.20. t^cre mu£ ke ygflgfe 0f honour and diflionor, (bme prepared to glory, (bme to deftru&ion : for in that hee is willing to (hew his wrath , Rom, 9. 23 .appeareth thatirishis will fome (hould bee damned. Neither is this contrary to that , God willeth not the death of a (inner : for the difference is this ; God willeth not the d , confufion Math. 3. Vhrs. 12. 141 confnfionfimplyofanyman , as a thing wherein hedelighreth, but he u jllcch ic as it ishis iuilicc ; and whar greater or better iu- free can there be, then to bee glorified in the condemnation of Tome that haue defer ucd it i and he muit be no more vnwillingly lull then vnwillinglv merciful!. Further learnc, that cuen in this life the godly arc gathered to heaucn : and lb of the wicked, that though they liue yet they are in hell. So SJoln faith 3he that belceueth is already paflcd to life: John j. 24. and He b. 12.22. we are gnhered already to the Patriarks and to Kf the foulcs of suit and perfect men through hope, and wee are as .-;, e* ^ fure to haue that we hope for, as we are of this we haue already, ?w~~j^ namely the pledge of Gods fpirit : and Epbef.i. vs he hath ga- thered to the ccleiticall places vnder hope, fpeakingasifit were already done,though the rcall gathering fhalbeat the latter day. On the other fide , of the wicked it is faid by the lame fpirit , He that bclettetb mt is already damned : the words are fearefull , but it islblltdownc toexprclTe the certainty of it : not but thathee that ;s not beloued (Gfe. 2 . 2 3 . ) maybebeloued : and he that is not vnder mercy (i.Pet. 2. 10. ) may obtaine mercy. But lookein what ttate a man is in the Church , in the fame mall hec be after this life : for whatfoeuer is bound on earth, is bound in hciuen, and they that bee not bound heere being priuy hypo- crites , are notwithstanding bound in heauen , and ihall be lb in hell alio. For the laft, which is vnquenchable fire? thereby is meant the condemnation prepared for the reprobate , not that wee mult imagine there is any naturalLiire there : for firlt this fire can not pierce thefonles of men nor the (pints of diuels, and the paine mull extend both to ibule and body. Secondly, it is no morenatiKall fire then it is a bodily worme fpoken of in the Gofpell, which (hall gnaw the hearts and coniciences of the dam -Mark. 9. 44 ned. Thirdly , in Efay 3 o. 3 3 . it is laid , there was a great lake prepared for kings with fire oi much wood , and it is abfurd to thinkethere isany wood there 5 andariuer of brimltone bur- ning by the breath of the Lord , which is not to bee intended of material brimltone, but it is let out byfuch termcstoexprelle the vnfpeakable torment of it, not to be comprehended, much leife i^z Math.^. Vers. 12. lefle to be endured ; for the tormencof fire and brimftone, eucn to flefh and bloud are ftrange and terrible , therefore thefe fpee- ches are vfed to conuey to our vnderftanchng what we could not before conceiue. So it isfujdinthe Gofpell, that they (hall bee Mat. 22. 13. bound hand and foot, not that there be any bonds or chaincs there j but the meaning-only is,that they are the prifoners of the Lord for euer, neuer to be releafed, but to be retrained From all libertie, wherby they might in any fort be eafed. Againe,hell fire is called Gehenna or Topheth , which was a litle place where the Ifraelires did facriflce their children in fire to the Diuels 5 this being taken for the torment of the reprobate. Now this torment isexprefled twowaies : firft, intheextre- mitieof it : fecondiy, in the permanencieofit. The rlrft two waies. Firit, by that they fhallfeele both in ibule and body : fe- condiy ,by that they mall lole 5 both of them exprelLd z.Thcff. 1. 9. they mall be (eparated from the power of his prefence, and bound in chaines in euerlafting darknefle. The great nefle of this torment isexprelTed two waies : firft it (ball be vniuerfall , in all parts ;and 1 1 is moft fearfull in this life, to be pained in euery part of the body at one time. Secondly, the particular torment that euery one in hell fhallfeele, as that Princes (hall be tormented like Princes, euery one according to the finnes that he wrought Mauo.if. in his body, asitisfaid in the Gofpell, ltfli.zllbeeeafier for So- dome then for them, and yet they be in hell already : for the dam- nation of Be/zebub (hall I be the greatelt , and then of them that finned againft the holy Ghoft, and none of the(e (hall haue fo much as a drop of water to coole their toongues, but they (hall continually bee blalphemingofGod, for the which they (hall continually be tormented. And though this (liall be great and grieuous,fuch asthey cannot yet they muft abide, yet (hall it be a farre greater hell vnto them , to thmke they haue loft heauen, feeing Gods children toreioice that their perfecutors be now plagued , and that God is loauengedof them for their fakes. Forthefecond, whichistheendlefneileof this torment, it is a fire that (hall neuer go out,nor the flames wherof can neuer be a- baced. If there were but as manyyeeres to endure it as there be grade piles on earth or ftarres in heauen ? the confeience might fomewhat Math.}. Vers. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. 145 fomewhat through hope bceeafed, bccaufe at length it fhould ceafe ; but the end thereof cannot be imagined , and this word neuer is fearcful!. Let this therefore teach vs rightly to embrace thcGofpell, that we may be wheatcin this earthly rloore of the Lord , to the end we may be gathered into his hcauenly garner. Math.c/a^.j. *> and this was his figne, that when he had done it he mould lacrifice to God in the mount, that is,it mould further confirme him,for heknew it before when he went forth of Egypt with the people. Where we may learne, that ifwewalke (imply as in the fight of God, and make a confeience of our calling,wee (hall haue(if need require)an extraordinary prefence and help of God to inllrucl vs, and we ihall be taught of him the fecrets and wonders of theLord. aC(* Further learne in this refufall of loknto baptifeChrift, that although a man may be an excellent Minifter , yet hee may erre concerning fomechiefe point of his office ; andxhis to bee no diiparage- Math.j. Vers. 13, 14, 15,16,17. 147 difparagement to him, euen as lohn failed in this duty. So as we draw out of th^paiticularexample this generallinrtru&ion , a- g.nnil Inch as except againft JVhnirters being of another iudge- ment then others be : for if he be faithfull in the greateft duty of his calling, and his end be to feme the people, not for ambition, butofconlcicnce, if he be found in the principally and hold the foundation, though perhaps he be in ibmeerrourotherwife,yet it is no reafbn to call his miniftery intoquefhon. For wee mud qualifie and coned our feIues,from iudging hardly of them that differ from other Minifters in fbme points, vfing the moderation ot A. /V/// to the Philtppiansy like brethren fiipporting their infir- Phil.i. 3. mities. Not but that Paul may withstand Peter to his faccy(Gal. z. 11.) in that wherein he is iuitly to be condemned : as if for a few I ewes lakes hee will feparate himfelfe from the Gentiles, with whom hee had before conuerfed : for this was offenfiue to the Church of God j otherwife Paul and Bamako* ought not ( A&. 15. 39. ) to part afunder and breake company about final] matters, but one (hould appeafe the other in meckenefle of fpint. 5. Nowfortheanfwer ofChrift,itftandethontwoparts : firft, ^^^/W^^fy^ requiring him to do it : fecondIy,a realon. Let alone for this time.^j\^ t^y^j Where learne, there is a kind of modclty vnfeafonable, (though all arc to thinke humbly of themfelucs) which is that that hin- dereth a man from the execution of his calling : and it is as if 0Cf.\- Chrill lliould fay : VVhatfoeuer I be , ftand thou vpon thy com- mifnon from God, And if / «cVs^ ^ \m that wee fulfill whadbeuens commanded , and the lead being 71 - commanded with lingular wilvdomeoftheLord muit bee obey- ed. SoTtmotbie is commanded by Paul ( \.Tim. j.21. ) to keepeallthtngs, not preferring one before another. Wemuft notmakeaconfcicncc of the lealtand neglect the greateit , or L 4 itand 150MATH.3. Vers. 15, 14, 15, 16, 17. ftand amazed with the excellency of the higheft, fo as we looke not downeto things inferiour commanded by the lame God. Itisthecommiflion(A£**. 28.19.^0 preach and baptife,as that the word in the ordinance of God mould goe before the feale } and in thisrefpeft itisneceflary : yetis itaSacramenr , though there be no preaching, and the want of the word doth notabo- lifh the nature of the action. Sowemurt labour, that all things thatfauour of corruption, may be remoued; yetnottofeuerour feluesfrom the Church by reafon offomeabufes. Andheere thofe are confuted, that will ilibmit themfelues to fome com- Hiandements, and not to others. Wethinke no man can be fa- uedwjthxu Buprifrne if hee conrcmne ity and why doetl thou not afwcil labour to haue. thy child nurtured vp in faith and reli- gion *f No man will come to the Sacrament without exam inati- on*, for if he do we account it damnable : or who is he that taking the bread in the Suppery would befoundaileepe tf yetwethrull our (clues irit© tbeaemple^oheare the Lord fpeakevntovs, not communing with our hearts before we come , and fuflering our felues to be caught with tleepe when we arc come. And whence proceedeth this , but that we doe not eftceme it as righteous an ordinance ot God tocometo the doclnnc with preparation , as to the Sacrament cVGertaineitis, many may bee faued without Bprjfme : but beingbaptizedijnddefpvring preaching if hec may haue it,he is fure to be damned: for what is the feale vnlefle there beagraunt precedent < Butwe, are al moll like vntothePhari- fees, that thought it no finne to fweare by the altar, but to fweare by the oblation on the altar wasauhainous matter : fo to fweare Math. 23.18 by the Temple it was nothings but otherwife to fweare by the gold in the Temple : which i si m oil lira nge, fince the gold is no- thing vnlelTe it bee fan£t ified by theTemple. So the Word doth feparate and fan&ifie the water and the bread, and not they the Word j for it hath life without them,and who taught them to di- ftinguifh thus £ For if we will all go to lahn to be baptized of him, fo mull wee alfoto hearehim preach. -Let/vs beware thencfore Ioh.13.8. howweeleapeataGnatandfwallowaCamell. Peter would as fainebe cleanfed as the reil of the ApotUes,then muft he not be foniceasto deny this mercy to himfelfe, to haue Chnit wafh his Math. 3 . Vers. 15, 14,15,16, 17. 151 his feet. Bur as we mult meifureeuery thing by the commande- menc,fo mult we likewife dkemethem according to the dignity and order that God hath commanded, for this (hall bee the belt fulfilling of righteoufnefle. zStad lefus when he was baptifed, tfrc. Heere the Euangehft latcthdownewhat followed immedi- atly a fterChnthba puling, namely, theordainingofhimby an heauenly Oracle, ro be the great Doctor or the Church. 1 here were many glorious lights and apparitions , whereby was telti fl- ed to lob* said the people , that this was an extraordinary man. By opening the hcauens mull beevnderifood , that they were asuvvc.-ecutafiinder : that thereby they might know, that this man was not to be conlideredas in theinfirmitie of man, butas >me from beau en. Further, John and the pcoplefaw with >odily eyes the bodily (liapc of a doue.by which was repre- fented Sacramentally an extraordinary prefence of the holy Ghohowh.ch though it be euery where, and fo cannot be limi- ted anywhere, yet war it neuerfomuchprcfentany whereas in this place ; whereby was fignified theperfufing andpowringof all gifts and graces vpon the humane nature of the Lord lefus. And after their light had becne thus confirmed , yet was there a more excellent ligne *, a voice from theliuingGod , that this nianand thispeilon thatltood before them, aggregating and gathering himfelre among the company of Tinners, thispoore man appearing but in the bafenelle ot this flefli, was the very na- turall Sonne ot God, begot by anincomprehenfiblegeneration, in whom hibfoule delighted. Soasthefumme is this: There are tetbmoniesgiuen from heauen to /; and the people, by fight and by hearing, that this man that was but newly baptized was theonelyand alone peace- maker ot the Church. Theteftimo- nies be three : riril, theopenwgoftheheauens : fecondly, the defcending of the doue : thirdly, the voice from heauen,and the Bttttoroftbe voice. Forthehrlt vnderftand , that albeit Chrifthad theheauens opened, in part fur the confirmation or his owne foulc , tha: hee appototcd co bee the great ruler of the Church . who in his huiiiaiiit) had n*cdoriuch a confirmation , and that in patt they were i'5^Math.^. Vers, 15, 14, 15,1^,17. were opened to giue him fectirity to vndergoerhis great office: yet it was done especially for the confirming of lohn and the peo- ple, as Lb. 12. A voice came from heauen laying, I haue glori- fied him, which came (faith Chrilt verf. 3 o.) not for me, but for „ your fakes." So as heereby generally oblerue,in that the heauens J are opened to authorize him to be the great Teacher, that our duty is to heare him, and the greater (hall our condemnation be, if we doe it not. For though others fpeake by commifTion from God, as John and the Prophets , yet this is true fpoken of in the Hebrewes : that if they went not vnpumfhed that defpifed them that fpakefrom the earth, thatis,beingbu: men,much lefieftiali theyefcape that defpife him whofpeaketh from heauen. And fince the Prophets,( LuJ^. i6.2Q.)aretobeheard,andM»fpea- king in the authority of God , much more are we to take hecde, that we negleft not the words of this great Teacher, that ipe.ikcs from heauen, being God in flefli. 2. For the fecond teftimony : firft, maybedemandedwhether Iefus was deftitute of this fpirit before < And if not, why it is Colof.i p. laid (»l».i 5.20. and hath not depofed nor laid afide his companion. Now if neither the voice of Aiofes can 3 *. terrifiCj nor the voice of Chrift allure vs , if piping will not make vs dance, nor weeping will make vs repent, then this is our con- demnation,that this mecke doue is not embraced, and that wee beleeue not the Gofpell,whereby we may haueaccefle to Chrift, andfobefaued. Thirdly , heereis to beconfidered , how John could call the doue the holy Ghoft, fincetheellenceofthisfpiritisnotdifcer- nable, nor the power infufed into Chrift to be feene. Againe, he thatiseuery where, and in noplace circumfcribed, cannot be difcerned : how is it faid then, Jih^Iohn fawhim t Weemuft vnderftand they are both figuratiueand borrowed Ipeeches, hee faw not the Eflence of the holy Ghoft , nor the power infufed into Chrift is not to be difcerned : for this was to be feene onely with the eyeof thefoule : butthe fight ofthedoue perlwaded him the fpiric was there after a fpeciali manner, fingualrand ex- traordinary. Againe, heefaw notthe 'pint defcend , butthe doue, which didreally fignifie, that as -verily and truly the /pi- rit Math. 5. Vers. 13, 14,15, 16, 17. 155 rit was light vpon him. Bur is the holy Gholt that Doue, as lob. : . ibcheil tb.it Qririt com? d.Avnefro?n heauen like a Doue, afid.it abode o» him. Tiiisis to be vnderllood , not that the holy Ghofl u^ inclo!edintheDoue,orpciibnaIly vnited to the Douc,but it lsaiacramentallJpeech , whereby that which is proper to the figne is giuen and attributed to the thing (ignifled ; as we fay, the i isthebody of'Chnil : butif fubitantially the holy Ghoit beprefcntinthe Done, thenib is the body ofChnltin the Sup- per. Not like : for the holy Gholl is euery where,becaufc he is a fpirit but the body of Chnil is circumfcribed and bounded in a place ccrtaine, and lb they be no: of the lame nature. Againc,we 00 not lay the Doue was a type of the fubltantiall prelence of the holy Ghoft,for it was then euery where;and it was not there pre- fentas in cilence , but it was a type to ngmfiethat he was fo there as in no place lb much : and it mult be intended of a facramentall andofnoenentiallprefcnce , as if he were no where elfe, butof the prelence of his cilence in a fpeciallmaner. A gainc , it is abfurd to aske how there can be a true giuing of the thing vnLlfe the thing be there > as that Chrilt cannot be gi- uen by the bread, vnlclle he be in, or with, or vnder the bread:for it is not the locall prcllncc or ablcnce that makes the truth of gi- uing it, but it the verity of the thing be there, it is enough ; tor Godcangiueman leauetoeatehis rkfh being in heauen. Th» fathers did eate it , o:herwife they could nothaue beenefaued, Joh»6. ;i.and then ChrHt wasnotonely norprefent, but not atallastouchinghishumanity : fo as Ch rift began not onely to beflemwhenhe wasmanifcitcd, but they did eate Manna, and in that by faith they did eate Chnft. So in the water the confei- ence is warned, and yet is there no bloud transfufed with the wa- ter, but it isas truly there , as this Doue did teftifie Chrill to be tilled with all graces : and lb trucly is it fealedvnto our foules that wee eate Chriit, though not corporally. By the word w e eate the rl. (hot Chriit continually by faith, and in the Sacra- ment tt is only more plainc :hat wc care it, becaufe two ienlcs are fanned by it j thceare hearir.gthc word, and rheeie feeing the bre.id. For the third tcftimony , There comes a voice from heauen : by i$6 Math, j. Vers. 15,14,15,16,17. by the former miracles the Lord onely prouided for the wirnefle of the eye , but now hee prouides for the eare alfo. Where wee Jearne, thewonderfull wifedome and Joueof God to exercife aliourfenfes, that thereby we mightj^sbr ought toacertaine perfwafion of thele mylteries. TVmong the Philofophers is a great queftion, whether the fenie of fight or of hearing bee bet- ter in it felfe. True it is,that fight in nature is more txcel!ent,as for celerity and quickenefTe,fo for peripicuity and (harpnetfe: buc if the doubt bee made of the profit of thefetwo, then hearing excclleth 5 for we can fee nothing but that is vifible , but many more things are to be heard of, which thereby may be conutied to the heart to iudgeof : fothe largenellc of hearing is greater in the profit. Befides, nomanprofitethby fight, vnltflehevn- derftand it by hearing 5 for which caufe it plealed God to apply both in the myftery offaluation,that thereby we might be (lire of it, we neuer doubting of that we both fee and heare. Faith com- methby hearing, Rom. 10.17. and the holy Ghoii bores »he care, Pfa/.Ao. and leades theeyetofatisfieit, fett.ng before inn Baptifme water, and in theSupper bread and wine,(o as it is pro- uided that the hearing might haue the word, and the eye the fa- craments. Now in the voice confider what it doth expi e(Te, namely that that flefh which ftood there before them was the natural! fonue of God ; and this he is two waies : firit,as he is the fonne of God by nature, of the eternal! Jubilance of his Father 5 howbeit let no man thinke flefhly of the matter , for hee departed with no fub- ftance, nor had any manner of change : fecondly, as he was the fonne of Mury , not by nature or adoption, for then there had beene a time when he was not the Sonne of God,but by perfonall vnion>the man Chrift being neuer a perfon by it ielre vntill it was perfonally vnited to the Godhead ; fo as he was borne the fonne of God not by nature, for he was of the nature of his mother : & fo Mary is /aid to bee the mother of God, not that (he bi ought forth God, but brought foorth that man that W3S God,and this in refpeel onely of the perfonall vnion. In that it is (aid, my xvclbclotted Sonne ; vnderftand that all louc comes from him that comes to vs , and wee arc bcloued only for Chriiti Math.}. Vers. 13, 14, 15, ir5, 17. 157 Chnttsfakc : asChrift himfclfcpraieth , lohi\j. ibtfeechthee i Father , th.it .is thou haft lotted me, fo thou rvtlt tone them, and >n the iame glory ihougiueft me. This is God required to djcb) his owne Sonne , vvhocanaskc nothing fhallbe denied him : YVith the lame loue loue thou them : as lam in them , fo are they in me. And this miniltreth Imgular confblation , thai wh( n we confidcr Chnil to be bcloued, wc may withall remem- ber, that with the lame loue the Lord loueth his natural Ton, with the lame dorh he loue vs that are adoptcd:fo as when he beholds the beauty or his lonne, in whole fore-head as in a golden plate are written all our names, hce turnerh from our filrhmeflc , and embraceth vsashis owne lonne, and the Father and lonnearc all one in dclire. 1 he Lord grant we may be able to comprehend 11, and be Willing to entertaine it, that this loue may conlbaine vs to loue him againe , oihenviie it brings loorth no eiiecluall fruit in vs. Ag4ine,(lncc the Father tooke all delight in this Sonne Chrifl Iellis,and that the wholeTrinity was hcereat his baptizing , and that the father laith in another place, Sonne I mil olonfie thee fltll : I°taxi. »*- let vs learne tomagnifiethcLord Icfus, lethimbeeourioy , for who is there in hcauen or earth in whom wee can let our delighr, better then on him which thus pledeth the father ? Let vs loue him that God loueth, he is the only Pnellto ficrificefor vs, the only Aduocjte to plead for vs, the onely Prophet to inftruft vs, the only King to gouerne vs, the onely fhield to defend vs : we (hall be made rich through his grace on!y,righteous through his obedience onely, fafe through his protection onely, andlaued through his mediation only. He that glorifies i he Sonne glori- fies God,andhethatrelleth vndcr the wings of theSonne,fhroti- dcth himlelle vnder the (hadow of the molt high rthenaccurled be that man, orthatreligion, that holds Chritl butasthcchiefe Sauior, and would haue other helpesioyned to him: tor we mull onlyhaueChnft, and wholly Chrilt, andaflureourfeluesrobee -^ faued onely in him, our praiers to bee heard onely through him, and our wounds to be healed onely by the fight of him ; and co jprhat end Ih mid we ioyne others with him, fincc all are beloued onely tor nun? That 158 Mat.h.j. Vers, 13, 14, 15, i£, 17. That there is a Trinity, appeareth further in this place ; as namely the fathers voice,the holy Ghofts prcfence in the Doue, and Chriftmanifefted and magnified in the rle(h : andthefebee feuerall, yetbut onelehouah , andallandeueryor them isle- houah. Itisamyltery only to be adored , yetinlomemeaUire is it to be knowen, that they (liould be three perlons yet but one God : as for example , take three men, Paul, lames and fohn, heere be three perfonsand three men , butitisnot foinGci : for in things that bee created , wee muft consider they are onely limited, therefore the fame nature in lohn is not the fame nature fingular and in ffecie that is in Paul, becaufe they bee not onely twoperfons, butdiuidedin quantity ; and that particular na-, turc in particular that is \nIohn cannot be in Paul. So for An- gels , take Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael, fuppofing him to bee a created Angell, the fame particular angelicall nature chat is in one is not in another 5 for they be not onely two perfons ot An- gels, but two natures, not diftinft but feparate. Now in God we make a common eflence,whichisIehouah, wherein doth confift three Elohims, yetarethey notthreelehouahs, bccaufehis na- ture is fimple, and the felfe fame is in them all , and the fame be- ing is in Gcd the Father that is in the Sonne, and \stotatotaliter in euery one and the fame in Vnity. And if wee will haue three Gods,then muft we make a fubflance diuided,which cannot be, but there is onely a diftihetion. Angels are feparate one from another, and are one without another, but in the Trinity it is o- therwife. The Sonne is in the Father , the holy Ghoft in them both, and they are all one., The Sunne begets beames, from the Sunne and the beames proceeds light : the beames cannot bee without the Sunne, nor the light without them both. So from the fpring rifeth the well head , yet is not the fpring without the well headland theftreame proceeds from them both. Thefe be fteps and traces as it were to conceiuefbmwhat of this myftery ofmyftcries. Laitly obferue, as the whole Trinity was prefent at Ch rifts baptifme, the Father to iuftifie his Sonne, the Spirit to finclifle him , and Chrifl to be fanftified : (0 are they alio prefent at our baptifme, God the Father to receiue vs, Chnrt to purcbafe hea- uen Math. 4. Vers. 1,2,3,4. &rc. 159 tun forvSj& the holy Ghoft to purge ourconfciences,yea and the heauensare open, that is, we area* fure to come thither as we arc furcChriiV is there. Therefore is the whole congregation bound to (by the fet ting on of this fealc , and to fee the child re- ceiued into the chmch:fince there is fuch a glorious prefence at ir, and it ought to be meditated vpon , when it is applied to others. Math. chap. 4 . <~uerf. 1,2,3,4. &c* I . Then w^ lefu led afide ofihejpirit into the wtlderneffe to bee tempted nfthe dttieli z . A*d when he bad fa/led forty dates and forty nights, he rvae afterward hungry. 3 . Then came to htm t he Tempter andfatd: If thou he the Sonne of God command that thefeftones be made bread. A. But he anfwermgfatd- It ts wr ttten,man Jhal 'not hue by bread onelyjom by cttery vtordthat proceedeth out of the month of God. 5 . Then the diuell toohe him vp into the holy C:ty>andfct him on a pinacle of the temple ■, 6. jindfatdvnto htm : If thou be the Sonne of Gcd,cafi thy felfe downeifor it is written, that he wtllgiue hi* An^is charge oner thee, and wit hi heir hands they fl) all lift thee vpjefl at any time thou/houldejldajh thy foot ao^ainfl aflone. 7. lefpufaid vnto htmjt u tvrttienagawe : Than /halt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8. jtocvne, the dwell toofa htm vp into an exceeding high mo'm- taineyand Jherved htm all the kjngdomes of the world }and the glory of them y 9. And I aid vnto him: A]lthefewtll I gtue tkee,if thou w tit {aR dovrne and worflstp me. X O. Then leftu (aid vnto him^uoid Satan : for it is writtemThoH fbJt rrorfivp the Lord thy God,& him onlyfoalt thou jet ne* M ii. Then 160 MATH.4. Vers. 1,2,^, 4,&c. II. Then the Dwell left him, And behold the Angels came And mmtflredvmo html OW theEuangeJift further fheweth, thatbe- caufe the timenvas neare when our Savior Chri ft was to enter into his office, to which heewas before confecrated, that it was ordained by God and the holy Ghoft immediatly berore , ihat he ftiould fubmk himfelfe to bee exercifcd in a hot conflict, challenging Sarhan hand to hand : thatcuercomming in this firl^ and great combate, hee himfelfe might bee confir- med, and othersmight know, that he came to deftroy the works ofthediuell. 'And to the end that Sathan might haue the grea- ter power and fuller blow at him , hee was led into a folitary and defert place, where the diuell might be in his rufle 5 andtofuch a place wherein men poflefled were Specially tormented, and there Chrift liued among wild beaft:, Bl^fj^S ^tn c^aP* IX 3* thatSathan might doe hisvttermoft. And forafrruich as Mofes t inthedeliuery of the Law, ( Exod. 54. 28. J was taken vp in- to a mount to God , and was taken from men, where fueab- ftained from meate fourty daies and fourty nights , that the excellency of his doctrine might receiue the greater grace , and - might further be anthonfed : and forafmuch as Etiah ( 1 . King. 19. 8. j in the reftoring of the Law defaced in the idolatrous raigneof Ahab , didgoein theftrength of one cake and a pot of water fourty daies and foume nights fSolieere before the doctrine of the Gofpell was to beeprUifhed , it was meet that Chriil fhould doe no lelle, left there might be thought ibme dis- paragement done , and leffe glory to haue beene in the Goipell, that the law being written but in (konc^ and to endure but a time, mould bee adorned and beautified with a greater miracle then the GofpeILuwh[ch fliould bee written in the lining ftones of mens hearts. Hovvbeitin this, Chriftgiueth vs no example ofabftinence : forheefaftedbecaufehcehadno manner of fto- mackeall that while 5 which was to confirmevs, that hee wasa manmeerelyfupernaturall, being able to forbeare without-any appetite forty daies. During which time , the DiucJl fct vpon him 1 Math.^. Vers. 1,2,^,4, &c. lf>1 him , and he was not Free from this encounter any while , but af" tcr beginning to be hungry, then the diucl more funouily allaul" tcth him, hoping to worke and preuaiL fomewhat vpon this oc" c.ilion of his infirmity : whereupon follow three ieuerall tempta- tions, which in their place (hall be fpoken of. In the words ate lit downe three points : iirlt, $4iM Mathm diligently delitiereth alliuch circumflancesas went before his temptanon:fecondly,whatthefe temptations were,both in num- ber and in kinde after he grew hungrie,from the third to the end of the tenth verlc : thirdly, the euent and iffuc of this aflault, that whenhehadrcpulied the rage, and driuen backe the darts of his enemy , the Angels came to doe him homage , as to a great and mighty conquerour. For the circumihnces before the combat,they be flue : fir(t,fs noted the time (then:) that is, immediatly after he had receiued i tertimony from heauen, that hec was the great Doctor of the x church : fecondly, the place where this was, inthewiIdernefTe, a place molt for the aduamage of Sathan : thirdly,by what motion ' he was caried thither^by the direction of that fpirit which before | delcended on him : fourthly, to what end he wentmamelvjto be ■ tempted : fifthly, the occafion Sathan tooke more fpecially ta af- iault him,which was his fafting and hunger. For thefirft : when he was folcmnely pronounced to bee the ' Sonne of God, and that he was full of the holy Ghott, then the diuellfetteth vpon him. Whileheliuedapriuatelife, andkept himfelfe dole and within hiscompafle , hec allaied not to aflaulc him : but when he is to execute a matter and worke of his office concerning the faluation of mankind, and that this is now to bee accompliiiied by the preaching of the Gofpell and by mira- cles, and that the power of the diuell is to be extinguifhed , and that he is to becaftout ofmensconfeiences, now he begins to challenge him. Where leame, that ihe fame which befel! to the » ; head, the members be not exempted from, elpecially (bch as b e ordainedtobee inftruments for theferringvp ofthe Goipell. WhenAfofesliued priuateand (hewed not himll're to the world , there was no caufe ofquarrell : but when he law one of his bre- thren iuffe: wrong, and defended him, and auenged his quarrel! M 2 that \6i MATH.4. Ve*s. 1,2,3,4, &c. thathad theharme done to him, and fmote the Egyptian : Att. 7.25. then they began to difgrace him,and he was fame to flie to 7 preferuehis life,£*W.2.i 5. So Paul when he was a Phanfie,no man in greater credit nor more commended for be ing zealous in their religiombut when he began to preach Chrift crucified,then was there none more buffeted by Sathan , nor more expofed to contumelies, nor in greater perill of his life then he^fo as once he wasfainetobeepriuily conueiedaway , bybeinglet downeina basket,^?c7.Q,25.and afecond time to be refcued from thclewes malice by a Centurion, Att. 23. 25 7Kn Jthis policy and ftrata- geme of the Diuell is confirmed to vs by our owne experience : for when a Minifter beginneth to make a confcience,and ro Hand foundlyin thedo&ritieof Chrift, and the holy life of his Apo- ftles, then Sathan ltirreth vpinifrumentsto bring his namein queftion, andkindlethfuchcoales, asm the end he is either re- moued, or by the niultitude of difgraces made weary of well do- ing. ThecaufeoF this in Sathan is two fold : firft, his malice a- gainfttheMaieltyofGod :fecondly,hisenuieagainft thefalua- | tion of man. For being adiudged to torment5he laboureth to be auenged on Qod his iultice , and (inneth againft the holy Ghoft ofpurpoietodefpiteGodjandfeekestodiigloriflehimDyleek* ing to deitroy the Teed of the woman . Hereupon it is noted,thac Angels finning were neuer reftored , becaufethey finned with- out temptation meerely of malice, being created excellent and purefpints. But yet howfoeuer Sathan beftirreth himtoheape vp the difpleafure of the world vpon vs, and is euer at our heeles with fome floud of waters or other, let vs not be difcoursged,but proceed on in that fanclifled courfe we haue begun :tbr the Lord will either ftirre vp the earth to drinke vp our affliction , or elfe our faces (hall fhine notwithstanding his temptations. For Chrift till he began to exercife his office was quiet, and though he was thus troubled , yet ceafecihe not to pcrforme his worke. , r 0L***? For the fecond, which is the place : he went into the wilder- j ne(Ie,partly to imitate that Utah had done,(i . King- 19. 8.)be- inginthemountofHoreb inthewildernefle , and faffing there 2 forty daies : but efpecially to prouoke Sathan the more, and to giuc him all aduantage that might be , that in the end he might (hew Math. 4. Vr. its. 1, 2,5,4,^0. 16$ flic vhimlllfc the I tourer champion. And for this cm fe they that werepoflefled with diucls were cart into folitarv places, that the fpirus might h.nic ihc greater power oner them. Now, hetrcin Chriitfhewctn hisgrcatercourage\giuingSai:hana<;uwcrcleaue to appoint the iieid,and to fecdownchis weapon: like them that ig determined and relolute to fight , and to trie their man- hoods, go apart by thcmlelues, where they may hauc no coinpa- nieto part them HuenfoChnft,as a victorious Captainc,dealeth, where lathanhimfelfc will chuLyhathcouercomming as it were atvneucn weapons;ic might bean incouragement and confirma- tion to vs , that this was lice who was lent or God to brtake the Serpen's hed , and that hath the power to dilaime him. Where i.idingobleme,rhar though Chrilt who was indeed the itronger,did lay himlclfe thus open to his enemy, yet that this is .rnple tor vs to imagine that we can follow,who are lighter vanity , but thatwemultauoidfolitarinefTeasmuchascari be, except we willp'ouokethediuell : tor this is the humor that Iteth rittelt for his temptation , w hen we are dellirute of the com- fort ot company , tow »rkethc more violently vpon our arre&i- ons. \ I M piloiophers are wont to fay,and that truly, that he which lined alone, was either a Godoradiucll. For the third , the guide by which heewas directed thither, I °u,\£,: was the holy Gru it : where we learne this comfort , that feeing the diuell could not haue tempted Chrid , but that God by the lome or his Ipint had lo appointed both the time, the place, and the occaiion , wee may heereby h;.ue geodfecmity gin en viuo v s, that iince Sachans power is limi:cd.,and he dtales. hut by commiilion, and all temptations outward and inward are lb tent from God, thatheintermedleth but as aninftrumuit for the hardening of the reprobate, 3nd for the mail of the elcC/t; ancl I hath no^btolute power to cxercilehis tyranny, but ikeadogge that is churned by the arrneor the Lord, we may returnethisioy to our loules, thar though we be com- palled wuh clouds of calamities , yet wee (hall new. ip- edaboueour mealure, for hee cannot do it but by permiilion. And finceGod isthemaifter or the prize, toiudge who figh- tethmoft valiantly, ifweefeare and tremble before him, and M j walke + <*?> \6\ Math.4^ Veks. i, 2,2,4,&c walke according to the dire&ion ofhisfpirit ( prouided alwaies that wc tempt him pot to trie his goodnclle ) wee may afliire our felues, thatasheenathbegunncagoodworkein vs, foheewill end it to the praife of his glory : andas-E/4749.24. theiuitcap- tiuity (hall be deliuered, and the pray (hall be taken from the ty- rant : for the Lord is ftronger then he,and therefore is able, and hath better title then he , both in creating vs when we were not, and in redeeming vs being loft 5 and therefore we (hall be viftors in this ftrong man Chrift. ^Sy > For the fourth , the end why hee was tempted : which was to fuftaine the vttermoft aflaults Sathan could make by fuggeftion to feduce him. Heere it may feeme ftrange at firft , that our Sauiour Chrift (houldbeefo farreabafed, tobeefubieft to the temptations of the diuell , and to bee directed to it by the fpirit of God . True it is, there was no matter in Chrift to worke vpon, his nature being fully fanftified from his conception, free from all corruption, yet hee was apt and capable to be tempred : that is, it might glaunce as a thought thorough him, but it was pre- fently repuiied. Forfuch was theftate of Adam at firft, that though he had no inward concupifcence, yet hee was (uch a one as might be tempted toheareand to fee, if he would : but this is the difference , itclafped about Adams vnderftanding, but it could not poflibly lodge with Chrift : and it is no more difpa- ragement to him thus to be tempted, then it was for him to take and afliime our flefli. Heereupon confider , that there be three lands ofmotionsm the minde of man. Thefirft, which glaun- ceth and pafleth thorough the minde without any troubling of it at all. The fecond more permanent, whenfomewhat aflaults I the minde,andyet withoutany confent of the minde. The third, { is that kinde of motion to which the heart confenteth . The firft ! ofthefeisagainft nocommandement, thefecond isagainftthe ^tenth commandement , *he third againft the other nine com- mandements. A nd this is (ingular comfort and confolation to vs, that Chrift was tempted 5 for now we may bee bold to aflure our felues, that we may powre foorth our foules vnto him , and may approach to him in all our agonies , not doubting but hee will compaflionatly refpect vs , becaufc hee in this flefti of ours, knew Math. 4- Vers. 1,2,2,4. &c. 165 knew and felt the hard encounter ; according to that is faid of- ten in the old Lawto the Ilraehtcs : RememUerthou wertoncea jeruunt w Egypt : experience of afflictions making men more mcrcifulhandasir islaid,//^. 5.2. he is meet to hatie compaf- fion on vs that arc out of the way , beca..fe that he alio was corn- palled with infirmity : and Hcb. 12.3. the Apoftle draweth his argument thus : that the consideration of the fufrerings of Chnft fhould perfwade vs not to bee wearied nor to faint in our minds, bothbecanle hceby hisfufferings learned obedience, andalfo becaufc hee in our furTer ings will bee a bearer of the weight left it ouerprellevs, thatwe alio might be confecrated through affli- ctions. And this alio is a fecond comfort to vs, that as Chnft o- uercame by fkfh, fo (hall wee alio vi&orioully conquer through him,ifwith patience we pcrfeuere : for heerein hath Chnft reco- uered what Adam loft, whoreceiued concupifcenceby Sathans temptationsjbut Chrift hath ouercome the diuell in as great tern* ptations as cuer Adam was ouercome. Further, in that Chrift is led by thefprit, and the diuell tem- v»^t-^ > ptt h him : conlider what thepurpofe of them both are, fince • being oppolite one to the other, they both ioynein this one acti- on. We miift learne, that temptations are diuerlly fpoken ofin the Scripture : firft , the diuell tempteth 3 therefore when we are l moucd to anger,gnienot place (faith the Apoftle) to the diuell) Epbef 4. 17. Torheblowerhchecoalcs to kindle thy wrath, which is murder twowaies : firft, either in the vniuft matter of it : fecondly, or in the immoderate meafureofit, and in all things hee as an ex- ternall inftrumenr worketh vpon the corruption of our hearts. Secondly, one wicked man tempteth another, asitisfaid in the - Prouerbes : Come, lay thy lot with vs, and we will take a pnrfe, Prou.r.14. alluring others by their example to the participaiion of the lame linne : and chefe are two caufes of temptations without our hearts. But Saint fames ( chap. 1.14.^ goeth to a third caufe : \ Every on! (fai th he) is tempted of lots oivne concuptfcence, as fpea- king of the inward caufe that another prouoketh vsby andSa- than worketh vpon , mmely, our owne proneneile and preg- nancy to tinnc , and the fire that burneth in our brcafts , fo as e- uer we muft charge and challenge our felucs for our finnes, and M 4 eucry 166 Math, 4. Vers. 1,2, $,4, 8cc. euery temptation is either from an o utward prouocation , or in- f ward inftigation, or both. Fourthly, God tempteth not oneiy to trie what ftrength we haue to vie profperity with fobricty , and aduerfity with patience : tor this is not enough , though by this hedothmanifeit what is hidden in the inward minde : butthefe other inward folicitations come not without God , yet doth hee not tempt (lames i. \\.) asit iseuill, butvieth the minjfterie ofSathan twowaies : firil, toward theelect : then toward the ( reprobate : toward ihele, togiuethem vp intoaneuilimmde, that finnes pall may bee the punifhmentsoi Tinn.es to come, and the defertsof pumfhments that are to come ; which the Lord doth, asaiuilreuenger, and not as any euill author : fortopu- nifh finne by finne , is but iuilice with God. As God willed** 1. Sam. 16. that ^Abfolon fliall plague his Father by committing inceit , to w« bring Dauid to repentancefor his adultery 5 notthathcwilieth itasadulrery,butasaiuft plague to him that did it, and to con- cert hisferuantD^i^. Now tor the e!e£r, the Lord letteth the raines loofe, that therebyhe may manifeit their ilrength, and his owne power intheit weakenefTe. And by this was madeknowen Ipb 2.10. what excellent graces lob had receiued, when by his extremities and anguifhes hee was not confumed, but refined, which other- wife had beene hid \ euenasthe Pilot cannot (hew his cunning but in a ftorme, nor a man his valour but in a combat. So Pfal.32.3. Dauid was by affliction brought low , that the Lord might fhew the richer mercie in his recouery : that all his children might bee afTured to flnde the fame mercy, though they fall in- to the fame finne , if they follow his fteppes of repentance. So as temptations are fent of the Lord to difcouer his graces in them, or their owne wants if they relent, partly to heale their pride , partly to teach them to repent of fome finnes which be- fore were not thought of : and that the Church of God might bee comforted, knowing that in the extremity of a bleeding heart the Lord fendeth compaffion. Sathan tempteth Adam to proue God a Iyer , and to bring him to difhonour, and to bee the initrument of mans damnation . Adam tempted himlelfe :o taft of that which as hee thought (hould make him God : God trieshimby this meanesco makeaway for his iuitice in there- prQbatc Math. 4. Vers. 1, 2,3,4, &c. i6y probate, sad fori. is mercy on the ekef : for if there had bcenc 60 fall , God had beenc n I condemning fomc, nor mercisuJ in . idingothers.Soheere Chrillis carted tobetempted. cpurpofeofGod in this is t teicvotoChrift, that he iliould bcofpower todjilroy andcxtingu llithe power ortlie ditieil, but Sat h an fully intended ro haue dellroied the head, by this meaiies to iu ; I ion oithc numbers. i:or the tilt circumthr.ee, uhxh is theaduantagefathan tookc S- f oc:<~ 'r bvCn.iit.tatin^ivnderll.ndri.iljihatitwasnotthcpurpofeof *-****• >d nor ot Quill himfehc to commend vnto vjhjsabllincnce: emendation to forbears when he hath no appetite to rateable it was to commend his miraculous power, for he was qnalirie • hdiuineycrtue, as lice was for the rime like an Anjell, not fubiect, to humane delires. s Papitts from hence doc draw the inftitution of Lent, faying, thatallthingsare written torour iniliuclion : therefore as Chrifl failed fortie daies, lb mull we. It is true, that all things are written forourinllruchon, but not forcur imitation : for he was borne of a Virgin >concei a eod v may be crucified and the minde humbled , that thus it might bee as a grindftonetofetan edge on their Implications; therefore theirs 1 is no faft. Thirdly, all fafting is for the obtaining of fome grace, or preucnting of fome danger : but they haueiniuyntd and ap- pointed let daies to faft on : as if the Phy fition fliould fay , luch a day he would Ietbloud , not regarding the prefentftate of the patient, wherein hee (hould rather (hew himlelfe a Prophet then aPhy/ition : euen fo doe the Papifts deale in their rafts,either ve- * rie ignorantly or prophetically. Fourthly , where fafting is ap- pointed to humble vs, and to confeffeour vilenefleby feeling our wants,and to powre foorth ourfoulesvnto Godrthey thinke that hauing pleafed him by the bare aclion of abftinence, they may doe what they lift, or elfe puffed vp with a Pharifaicall pride of merit , thinking they haue deferued at Gods hand , they will snatch theiralmes with the very bloud of Chrift, whichismoft facrilegious. Math. 4- Vers. 1,2,3,4,80:. 169 facrilcgious. Of thefc the Apoftle Ipeaketh , i.Tim.q. 3. than In the Utter times there Py all come men which jh all forbid marriage and mates , (peaking in hypocrifte , eye. Yea ( fay they ) this is meant of groile hcretikes , which mould condemne manage and meatcs altogether, as the Marcionifts , that laid, men and wo- men were coupled for generation ofthcdiuell. Thisisabfurd, for thefe men lpeakc it not in hypocrifie but in open blafphcmy. Yea ( fay they ) but we doe not hold that meates are vncleane in thcmfelucs. And yet they forbid it to all men at fome times, and to loine men at all times. Againe, a Doctor of theirs in ap- probation of their Lent3faith, thatrlefh wasaccurfed intherloud of Noah, but lb was not fifli. Yea but God forbad the tree in Pa- radife and certaine meates vnderthe Law, yet were they not vnlceane. VVeanfwer, that which God hath made lawfull what man can interdict < And as it is Antichriltian to command what God forbids, fo is it to forbid what God commands. The meates in the Law were forbidden for fignifications , and they ceafe : lb for meates offered to Idols,fbr they areaboliflied : and a man may now eate meare offered to the diuell, for hee cannot pollute it ; for euery creature of God is good, and nothing ought to be refufed it it be receiued with thankfgiuing, ( 1 . Tim. 4.4. ) Againe, if they fpeake of the quantitie and qualitieic were fome what, but they doe not lb, but all fifh and no rlefli is lawfull. Then came to htm the tempter, &c. Thisisthefirflfpecialltem- ,v ~^„sy>U^o»f ptation wherewith Chrift wasallaulted f as [f Satan fhould haue faid,there hath been a voice heard from the aire,that thou art the ^C«*v fonofGod,and there hath beene a vifible cutting afunder of the hcauens by a miracle , and by this thou perfwadeft thy felfe that thou art fo •, and thou hall faffed heere forty daies which makes thee higly conceited of thy felf,y et is it not poff lble thou fliouldft be Gods Sonne, for thou wanteft not onely the hoaft of heauen to wait vpon thee , which were worthy the glory of the Sonne of God , but thou art fo diftrefled as thou wanteft a peece of bread for the ftrength of thy body, therefore it is vnlike thou moulded be Gods child , for then hee would more refpecfc thee then now 'ac doth , to leaue thee thus deftitute of comfort. Well I know thine 17° Math. 4. Vers. 1,2, ^,4, Sec. thine infirmity to bee luch as bread thou mufthaue, and being heerewhere is none butwildbeafts , and where no prefentfrp- ply can be made, beftirre thy ielre and be thine owne purueior ; andbecaufe without bread thou canft notliue bee thou Gods Sonne or no, Iooke how thou canft furnifti thy iHfe, whether by miracle or without miracle. Nowheere in this defert there is nothing but ftones , which if thou beeft fuch a one as thou wol- deft be thought to be, thou canft change their naturall hardnetfe and make them fit for nourimment. Therefore to fatisfieme, and for thine owne g^od, let me fee at thy commanjJenTent their nature to bee altered and tranlubftantiate. TJurSauiour Chrift being well fumilhed and appointed, notonely with the graces oftbefpirit but with the word of God , doth notanfwer whetherhebeGodsSonneorno, orwhether he can turnethefe ftones into bread or no , but hee ouerthrowe:h the ground of his reafon, that it is notimpolTible man fhould liuc without bread : as if he mould (ay, Thou giueft the power offuftenance to a pcece of bread, but my Father is able by his power and prouidenceto fuftaine me though I haue no bread : and notonely myfelreani thus perfwaded being Godsfonne,bureuenrkfh and bloud may be able to Hue without food iff'o be it be Gods pleafure 5 thete- fore there is no caufe why I mould worke a miracle, fmce not on- ly I but many other may bee reheued without thefe ordinary meanes.'SnJTFatthou maieft know I haue truth on my fide, I fpeakc nothing but fcripture, fot Dent. 8.3. iris laid, Therefore hee humbled thee and made thee hungry \ that hee might t each thee that man liueth not by bread one ly , but by euery word that proceedetk out of the mouth of the Lord doeth a mar. line. And as for thee, thou goeft about to tempt me to haue me vie my liberty in this place $ butldifcernethy fuhtilcy,and to doe this thou required fhouldbe noglory to my Father, nor any confirmation of do- &nne heereafter, therefore twill not caft pearles before Sa- than. t ""Thc^vords containe two parts $ firft, the fuggeftion or temp- station : fecondiy, the beating backe ofthe temptation. In the a ^.*-/Jw^c nor beggers to purchaie, becaufe they wantjnorpriuatcmen toperuert iuftice, becaufe they fit not in place : but there bee fome temptations on the right hand and ibme on the left, lome are tempted by fickenefTe to impatience, by health to forget God , by youth to embrace liberty , and by age to lone riches, by fulneflc to lift vp their heele againft God ; fome by penury to diftrufthim, asifheehadcaft offall care of them : lome are moued to reuenge by being di(graced,and fome to worke mifchiefe by being Battered ; therefore we mu ft correct fuch imperfections whereunto by nature wee are moll: inclined, and not to glue the leaft aduantagevnto Sathan, left vpon our vnwatchfulneile webeiurprized, foreuery one fhall finde, that in fomething hce is not left vntempted > and fince temptations come on both fides , wee muft arme our felues with weapons on each fide. For the fecond,which is the matter of the temptation : we ob- fcrue a double dnrt in Sathan : firft,todriueChnft to doubt that he is not Gods child becauleofhis prelent exigent and want : fe- condly, vpon this to driue him to vfcaprepofterous miracle a- gainft Gods glory, and whereby hee mould haue grauntedthe diuell that he could not haue liued without bread , and by this mcanes to haue loft the glory of the triumph . For the firft ofthele, leauing the particular ofChrift the head, I t let vs fee whether the members bee not afflicled with the fame temptations. Thegreateft man the Prophet David was migh- Pfal.73.1j. tily fhaken with ^his, whenhefaw Gods children line lb mifera- M1** blie, and the wicked fo prof per ov lly. The Prophet Iercmy(ch. 1 2. 1 . ) defireth to realbn with the Lord about this matter , and burfteth forth with wonder •, fVhydoeth the way of the jvickjd/o pro (per, why arc aU they in wealth that rebelltoajly tran'grefte? They are planted and they %ro