I 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 

 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 % 
 
 Collection of Puritan Literature. 
 
 Division 
 
 Section 
 
 Number 
 
 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://archive.org/details/mastersermOObzet 
 
1 
 
0f,f»K« fipf-tme. oyrw" apr7r"v <wr7/"»i ovr'+t . r'-jf-^t 
 
 MASTER BEZAES SER- 
 MONS VPON THE THREE 
 
 FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE 
 
 CANTICLE OF CANTICLES: 
 
 WHEREIN ARE HANDLED THE 
 
 CHIEFEST POINTS OF RELIGION 
 CONTROFERSED AND DEBATED BE- 
 TfVEENE VS AND THE tADVERSA- 
 RIE AT THIS DAY, ESPECIALLY TOV- 
 CHITtG THE TRVE 1ESVS CHRIST jiT^D 
 THE TRVECHVRCH.AND THE CER- 
 TAINE & INFALLIBLE MARKS 
 BOTH OF THE one and 
 
 OF TKI OTKia. 
 
 TRANSLATED OFT OF FRENCH INTO 
 
 ENGLISH BY Iohn Harmar, HER HIGHNES 
 
 PROFESSOR lit THE GREEKE T Vl^G 
 
 IN THE VNIVERSITIE OF OXFORD, 
 
 AND F EL OWE OF THE NEWS 
 
 CO L18GB TKERI. 
 
 
 AT OXFORD, 
 
 PRINTED BY Ioseph Barnes, AND ARE 
 TO BE SOVLD IN TAVLS CHVRCH- 
 », /YARD AT THE TYGERS HEAD, i f 87,^ 
 

TO THE RIGHT EXCELLENT AND Ho- 
 norable Lord,thc Lord Robert Dudley, Earlc of Lecelter, 
 'Baron of Denbigh, height of the mofl noble order of the garter t 
 Mafter oftheQuecnesMaicftieshorfe, and one of her 
 
 graces mofi Honorable friuy Counfeli, IolmHarnuor 
 i\ifheth all godly fclicitie, continuauncc of 
 health, encreaic of Honor, & graces 
 cccrnall. 
 
 WAS REQVESTED, RIGHT HO- 
 norable , by manic of my friends , to emploie 
 the time of this laft vacation of mine from my 
 publique readinges in the Vniucrfitic , in the 
 tranflating of Mafter Bezaes Sermons vpon 
 the Canticle of Canticles , which I had a little 
 before receaued from the Francfurt Mart in 
 French , into our vulgarc and Mother tongue. 
 The defire I had of aduancing and promoting 
 the gloric of God, which is thenefpcciallv en- 
 creafed and farthered,when his word,the mirrour of his wil,is no longer a 
 fealed booke vnto the iîmple and ignorant,but a volume laid open in clear 
 and capital lctters,that he that runneth may read it:enforced mec princi- 
 pally to vndcrtake vpon my prcfent leafurc, this more painful,then happi- 
 lie thankful work of tranflating. 
 
 Wherein , for the vtiliry and profite of manic, as wel the learned as the 
 ynlettcred who haue not the vnderftandingof the French tongue , I did 
 the more willingly emploie both my leafure and my paine,becaufe I would 
 haue fomewhat to prefêntyour Lordfhippe withal for a token and monu- 
 ment of my thankful ducty , and dutifull thankfulnefle , vpon fo manie,(b 
 rnemorable,fb vtterly vndeferued benefits of your Honor,not fo much col- 
 lated, as congcfted,& heaped from time to time vpon mc.For extend I the 
 cogitation of my mind to the fartheft part of my infancy and childhoode, 
 and d rawc it foorth as in a continuall and euen threed vnto this prefene 
 time , what part of my age hath not becne honored with the patronage of 
 your Lordihips fauor and goodwil towardes me? The ground and founda- 
 tion of my firlt ftudics laid in Winchefter by your honours onely mcanes, 
 in obtaining her highnefte letters for my preferment vnto that fchoole; 
 the rearing of the farther frame of them in this Collcdgcwhercin placed 
 by your Lordflups fauor,I yet continu j my time fpent to my great defire & 
 contentment in the parts beyond the Seas by your Honours interccflion; 
 my roomc and degree I doc nowe enioie in the Vniucrfitic bceingonc of 
 her Maiefties publique profcflôr5,purchafed by your Lordflups fauourablc 
 mediation , doe cuerie of them in particular deferue a volume of acknow- 
 
 f » ledge- 
 
THE 'EPISTLE 
 lodgements in ai thanktulnes and humble deuotion towards your honour. 
 And therefore,that 1 might notfceme vnmindful of your Lordlhips graci- 
 ous refpeft and fauour towards me,or drownc fo manic benefkes receaued 
 in the flud of forgetfulncs and vctcr obliuion ,1 was bould to aduenture the 
 deliucne of chefe my fimple labours in this fofmal a woorkc of translation 
 vnto your Honors patronage. 
 
 What common profit & emolument the worke it felfe maie bring vnto 
 the Church of Go i among vs , mate be eafily eftcemed of them, who (hall 
 anghc confider both the argument ic felfe ded-^d m this prefent treatifc, 
 as like wife the autor whofe deduction and exposition ic is, and lafthe both 
 the manner hee hath vfed in the handling thereof, and the principall end 
 whereunto he hach directed it. 
 
 The Argument therefore or fubieét thereof , ImeanctheCancicleit 
 felfe, enciculed by an eminency of fpeach, che Song of Songes , that is the 
 oncly Song as ic were in the holy Scnpture,and of che moft heauenlieft & 
 exccllentelt ditty jconcluded in termes and phrafesof fpeach alrogether 
 cnigmaticall and allegoricall , and containingthe great myfterie as the 
 Apoltle calleth it of our faluation.the myftical coniunttion of Chnft with 
 the faichfull his members, and the whole order of the fpirituall fiaunfailes 
 and marnadge match it pleafeth Chrift to contract with his Chuich,bec- 
 ingalwaies reputed fo darke and obfcure,fo hard and difficult, that many 
 afwelloftheauncicnc as of the later Church haue thoughc this arme of 
 the maine Ocean of holy fcriptures, the wacers of life, ficcer for the Ele- 
 phant to fwimme,chen for che Lambe to wade in: that is, according to the 
 phrafeofthe Apoftle, rather ftrongmeate foifuchasaregrowenvntoa 
 perfect man in IcfusChri(t,thenmilke for fuch as are (till babes and in- 
 fanes in vnderftanding:ic can not be denied but that the found interpreta- 
 tion thereof according vnto the fenfe& meaning of the hoîyGhoft, the 
 vniformitie and confent of other fcriptures, the proportion and analogic 
 of chriftian faith,muft necdes bee profitable and auaileable to the edifica- 
 tion of the Church of God,the congregation of l'aimes. For what admira- 
 ble comfort,& confolation vtterly incomprchenfible, the reading of th» 
 part of Scripture may bring euery Chriftian, what peace and tranquillity 
 it may breede in the afflicted minde and confciencc , what incomparable 
 ioy it may worke in the harts of the beleeuing,it is eafie to confider by the 
 Ipoufe her felfe in this place reprefenting not onely the whole butcuerf 
 part & member of the Church of God. Mybeloucd, faith me, is mine, and 
 I am his. Loe the ground of our holy affuraunce of the fauour and loue of 
 God towardesvs.The which words making and plighting inrnoir forms! 
 fort a reciprocall d onarion of che Bride to her Bridegroome , of Chrift to 
 his Church, ferueth as it were for the burden of this holy & facred nuptial 
 fong.Now this ground being of ic felfe fo comfortable and fo plaine,dedu- 
 ced choroughout by the way of m Jtuall fpeach in many darke and allego- 
 ricall termes and fîmilitudes, implyeth a fingular degree of confolation ira 
 the reft being foundly and perfectly vndeiftoodc . 
 
 And 
 
 r^ 
 
DEDICATORY. 
 
 And albeit many haue crauailedin the expofition of this moft com- 
 fortable part of holy icripturc,among whom fornc of our own countrymen 
 haue well deferued of the Church of God for their painfull labours in this 
 behalfe.notwichftanding if I be not deccaued with the loue and affection 
 I beare the authour,in whofe tranflation 1 haue laboured ( a man to bee 
 embraced and loued of all who loue the Lord & embrace his truth, but m 
 particular to bee honoured and reuerenced of my feIfc,who found him no 
 JeiJe then a father vnto me m curtefie & good will, when 1 lmed as a itran- 
 gcrinGeneua,and cnioyed the benefice of hcanngofhim in lectures and 
 iermons) there is none that hath Co plainely,fo perficely,fo dittinctly fettc 
 downe and expounded it,ashee harh done. Wherein let Mounfier Genc- 
 brard himielfe be iudge, whether Matter Beza vnderftand this Canticle 
 or no, and leaue to accufe with fuch (hamelefle impudcncie his ignorance 
 andimpietie. 
 
 Nowe for the profite and benefite of the Church of God in common, 
 how could it be more plainly and familiarly, more largely and plentifully, 
 more distinctly and particularly handled, then by this way which he tooke 
 for the behoofe of his particular flocke and charge, the people of Gene- 
 ua,to expound the whole Canticle by particular fcrmons,and fo to drawc 
 from thence for inftruction and doctrine, rebuking and reproouing,war- 
 tiing and exhortation,com forcing and con(olation,what ground and pré- 
 ceptes foeucr might be offered;? Which howe aptly and fitly it is done by 
 Mafter Beza in thefe lermons,therc is no man fo ignoraunt which in rea- 
 ding iliall not percciue : cfpecially obferuing thofe fpeciall notes which 
 containethefummeof all that which in the fermons following he hath 
 particularly deduced and handled, eucry feftion aunfweringby the lixe fi- 
 gure vnto chat which» prcmictedmthofcfummarv contcntes,which may 
 (crue both in ftecde of marginal notes, and an exact table vnto the whole 
 worke.And in thefe who fo lift may fumm'arily and ihortly fee in what foi t 
 the Auchors whole difcourfes arc framed and directed,accordmg vnto the 
 naturall importance of the text it felfc,againft the aduerfarie. 
 
 And this is it whereat principally Mafter Beza hath in thefe fermons 
 of his aimed^iamcly ,to the conuincing of che aducrfary in the chiefeft & 
 moft fundamcntall pointes controuerfed betweenc the Papiftes Sc vs,and 
 cfpecially touching the principallpoints concerning the crue Iefiis Chrift 
 (for there are falfeChriftes gone out into the world,and many iay.here is 
 Chrift , and there is Chrift, but beleeuc them not) and the true Church 
 (for there is a falfe Catholique Church too, refcmbli ng the true onely in 
 name J and the certaine and infallible markes both of the one and the o- 
 thcr, which arc the queftions efpecially debated betwecne our aduerfarics 
 and vs at this day. As in deeie this is the pnncipall ends and fcopc which 
 Salomon himfelfe refpectcd in chis long of his,namely,co painc forth vnto 
 vs in moft liuely coloures , afwell the true and effentiall qnalities of this 
 Bridegrome, as alfo the natiuc and liuely portraice of this ipoufe,which is 
 his Church. And therefore fiue of the fe rmons of this volume, which goc 
 
 * 3 ao 
 
THE EPISTLE DEDICAT. 
 tic fst ther then the thirde Chapter of the Canticles ( for the reft Msftet 
 Beza hath premifed if Gcd wil hereafter, and my felfe hy the r flïflar ce of 
 the fame God will according to my lcafuiererforroethe tranflatienof 
 them vhenï (hall recejuethcm)concerning the defcriptien of Salomons 
 Coche, and the crowning of him with a crownc by his morhcr in the day 
 ofhis fiaunfailcs, atewjioly touching the vfwped tiranny of the Church 
 of Rome ouer all Chnftendcme, and the fabrication, which the headc 
 thereof, who naroeth himfelfc the Lieutcnaunt generall in earth vnto 
 this king which is here crowned,vfeth, in all the ordinaunces and Jawes of 
 God. And fii ft in the law moralJ,thrcughout cucry commande menr, fij ft, 
 fécond, third, fourth, fifr,ilxt,feuenth,cight,nimh,ûnd tenth: and then in 
 the law ceremoniall, thirdly in confounding thclaw with the GofpeU,and 
 caufing men,to fceke after their faluation in that which inditeth and con- 
 demned! t hem , (hewing and proouing after this howe Chrift is degraded 
 from all his eftatcs & offices by this Apoftaticali See. And firft of his dig- 
 nity royall,then his ftate propheticall, thirdly his Priefthood . 1 he fanic 
 both touching thefe and other points debated betwecne the Papiftes qnd 
 vs, is hkewife performed throughout his whole fermons, that the diligence 
 reading of them m ay furnidicuery one of the ampler and ignorauntiorr, 
 with ftore of weapon s defenfiuc & offenruie againittbc aduerfaric. 
 
 Some fewe thinge s, beeing perfonal mattei s,l muft confefle vnto your 
 L,ordfhip,l haue omitted in the printed tranflation, which are pointed vn- 
 to by a little ftar, that who fobft to fee them maie by that meanes con fuit 
 the autor himfclfe.I thought it for my owne part not conuenient,as many 
 good men alio with roe, to hinder the Church of fo great a commodities* 
 I doubt not this woorke will bring it, by occafioning anic offence through 
 fomc few wordes which might happily breedc fomc grieuance And herein 
 as I doubt not, but the autor himtelfe,for his loue towards me , wil pardoa 
 rnerlo 1 hope al the godly wil hold me excufed. 
 
 It remaineth 1 befeech your Lordfhip in all dutie and humility fauou- 
 rablie to accept of this fimple prcfentof mine ,nd requital or rccompcncc 
 of your Honors bountie and liberality alwaics exhibited vnto mc,but a tc- 
 {timonic and fignifi cation of my grateful and thankful mind moft aifc&io- 
 natclie deuoted Vnto al fcruiceable duty towardes your honour, 
 
 TH E Lord of lords and God almighty, guideyoueuer, anddsrcEtyouin alyou*. 
 honourable aff ions with his holiefpirite , and contint* you long in al honour 
 vnto his honour: for the welfare ofhis Church, thebencfite of our common 
 Wedt , the patronage of our Vniuerfitie , the ky ofaUfuçb atfrayforyvw 
 Lordfljipt hidth andfrofjprity t Jmen. 
 
f THE ARGVMENT OF THE XLV, 
 Pfalme, feruingforan Argument and pre- 
 
 face or abridgement of this booke of the Canticle of 
 Canticles or long otïonges 
 
 êfSafatoVh 
 
 ^ His Pfalme as the whole booke of the Canticle of 
 \ Canticles is to bee taken anàaltogethcr tobevnder- 
 ■flcsdinasjirittfallfenfe; and therefore there is no 
 abearance orfhewe ofreafen to take it as feme hahë 
 done , for a marriadge fong ofSalonm <md Pha? oes 
 daughter. Tor befidesjhat the tit le which ts m He* 
 hrewe otter many of the P faint es wontde haste made fc me mention ton* 
 thing this joint , wee fee howe this marriadge is condemned, and that 
 Worthily by the bolyghoft, I .Kings. 1 1 fo jarre it is from allreafon to 
 take that alhaunce& marriage of his to have Un a figure offo holy & 
 facreda one as that is which ts propo fed vnto vs in this Tfat . We have 
 therefore in this pfalme an excellent axdmoft dsuine treatie touching 
 the moft flra'tt and ffirituall bonde and alliamcc which ts betweene 
 JefusChrifl and his Cburch,euery point thereof beingprofecuted and 
 continuedvnder fuch formes andpbrafisoflpeach as are cujlcmari- 
 fy v fed in the treaty of the conditions ofanat wall marriadge bei weene 
 fuch per fins as or* of an high degree and qualitie: as the Prophet s alfa 
 houe in m#ny places ret awed the very fame termes ofBridegrome and 
 Jpottfe andofmarrtadgc freaking of lefts Cbrift andofhis Church, as 
 the dpoftle hath ^kpfifivfedtbefame^amefy^om^.t^iS^ox. 
 lx«WjEphf.?, . , - 
 
 We are therefore to note in the firfl place that as m the matter of 
 fnariadgethefiarfailes^or betrothings are frft folemniz^À ejr then af- 
 tenrardthc marriadge, fo Cbrifi alfo as the bridegrome of the (burcb 
 eight to bee infime fir t conftdered after two diuerft manners , fir ft 
 wording vntohis wfrmitxe .which ma) /bee comparedvntc the 'fan* 
 jai f es;andfecondly according vnto his glory which he obtainedafter bis 
 refarrsttton, beeing now e the true htsfbandof bis Church/eflemfhed 
 hmfelfc vtuhglorji though fige bee jet rcmajning in part vpon earth. 
 
 Nam 
 
THE ARGVMENT. 
 New as tpuching thispfalme Chrifl is therein propofeJvntû vs>*she* 
 ing already tn his glory y an das he who hath begonne already to accent- 
 fltjb in deede this holy marrtadge with his Church. 
 
 Chrtfi then efore as hufband is this true kwg of his Church, Jo per- 
 fite in refpeft ofhtmfelfe m allbeautte , that there is nothing wanting, 
 verf. z.^/is touching the good grace he hat h to wtnne all heart es vnte 
 btm/elfe , and euen to chaunge and turn them altogether ;the fame al- 
 fo appeareth m the preaching ofthegosjellacccmpaniedwithavertue 
 £r power of the fftrttewhtch cannot be expreffed.Htwfelfe in afmuch 
 as hee hath taken vpon htm the nature of man , hath receiuedin the 
 fame nature thefptrtte of God without meafure , in fuch abomdaunt 
 wife that he poured it as tt were ouer in all his faint es. 
 ■ He at gtrded alfo wtth afword y and that not in fbewe onely without 
 ejfetlybut whtch he draweth and vnjheatheth in deede, namelj then 
 when he makethhtswordetopearcevntothe dsuidtng of the foule & 
 efthejptrite: verf.%. 
 
 He ts beftdes defcribed to beefurnifhed and promded with or row es 
 wtth whtch hefbooteth thorough & transpearcethallhis enemies per. 
 $ .whtch rmketh alfo that alpraife ought principally grfiucrainly to be 
 ye elded vnto him, whejbeweth himfelfe of Jo ready and mighty a power 
 that hee is able id fuc cour and défende fuch as are his ,<*rtobreakeim 
 finder andouer-throw theflrength of fuch as rebellagairft htm. rver. . y . 
 To thispurpofe he is introduced as being trainedin his chariot by thefe 
 three horfes>Truth y Meekenes, and*Rjghteoufites/whichare condu- 
 cted by the word as hy htm thatgUtdeth this Chariot, verf.q. 
 
 Nowe to declare at large the fen fe andmeanmg ofeuery ofthefi 
 things here prqpofefyt vroaktrequtre agreat iwlume . Notwithftan- 
 ding we may as it were by the way ebjeruefemewhat vktbjthemjtfwe 
 make a comparifonon the- contrariefide of the tfaine they t>efe, and on 
 what charm they caufe ihem-felues tobe carried; I meanerhe kwges 
 Cfr Princes who feruetJwt ma/fer whtcbis4ppofè)l#ltogethcr vnto this 
 headof the Church , inwJtoJèwhoùfm&tiurè%*#pri>arfîon isnothing 
 but )AmIutiW)PTuletfnfolewnefo horrible 
 
 trapltng zwder& ^preffmg of them rthtcharc their fubiecls. Wemufl 
 alfo diligently mtùthm whtch is added , that albeit \theworlde will not 
 accept this moft ivftaxdmoft milde gouernement of his f hat notwith- 
 
 fianàng 
 
THE ARGVMENT. 
 
 /landing thisfo tuft a hinggcuerneth ah aies n eft typify) é that the 
 more men oppofe and Jet thtmfelues agairft htm .the more hee maketh 
 his pow er to appeal e, n hether it be tn that Jo ipft and affured defence 
 trhtch hee can jet h thrfe who are hid tofecle, cr n hether heftrtkc his e- 
 ttemics within vnto death by a me ft diutne power gamely when hee ca- 
 Jleth them into a reprobate fen fe to make them-Jclues the inftrtments 
 of their cwn ruine çj deftrutlion.Now albeit theft things ceme topaffc 
 cuery day y inafmuch as thisgoodkjng doth a/rraies deft nd all his ele #, 
 to the end that none ofthempenjh, efr inafmuch as he doth vengeance 
 vpon their enemies according as it plea f et h h, m to fhewe the market 
 t hereof: notwithftandwg this appeared meft expreflie in the ftrftbe* 
 ginning of this marriage , as itfet met h to be here tnftmeftrt touched* 
 when he Jbewcd fetch vergeaunce on that vngratefulfjnagogueofihe 
 J ewes obftinatly perfeuenng in her incredulity jn which pje continueth 
 njnto this date, referuingnotwithflandtngthe remnaunt of his eleB 
 according vnto his expreffe mercy which he premtfedvntothe race of 
 tsibrahtm , howe rebellious fo etter it dothfhewitftlfe. 
 
 Now after this king hath obtained fetch a vicloriejhee is here feat ed 
 en his feat ofluftice and Right eoufneffe, which is called eternal and e- 
 ucrlafling, ver,6,togme vs to vnderftandthat it is rot of this woorld % 
 and that not onely becaufe that Iufttceeftablfbeth the feat of the k^ng 
 in this world , as it is written y Prou. 27.28 . but especially bec au ft 
 here the queftion is of a king who is together both true God eternal^ana 
 true Son of^Dauid according vnto theftefhe, vnto whom a/ft in afmuch 
 as he is man isgiuen all power both in heauen and in earth , beeing ex* 
 altedaboueeuerie namejit this place is alleagedJieb.iS. info much 
 that the Church hath no more manie kinges> then one woman can haue 
 manie hufbandes; neither is he whom /he hath for her huftandfo God s 
 that he is not alfo man, feeing otherwife the marriage would not agree 
 betweene him ejr the Church which isgatheredfrom among men : ai 
 neither is hee man in fuch fort jhat hee is not God too , becaufe that o« 
 therwife the Church fhould not hauean head and hufband mighty c- 
 *§ugh to defend her. 
 
 zAfterwarde is declared the meft righteous gouernment of this 
 goodlte kingdom*, to wit, of the Chmrh, ver. J for there is nekiygdeme 
 butthe^burchwhich is gouernedby the true rule ofamoft tuft and 
 
 fff moderate 
 
THE ÀRGVMttfT. 
 
 modèïÂfê, Sfcrction , bee it mpubUclee charges or hfrlnflte luîtes ana 
 particular charges , becaufe it is in ft po per lie th:t the sf trite ofGid 
 doth ratgnjcvhichorderetb çjrdireïieth indeed thefenfesfjrgsuernztb 
 the off celions _ of the true faithful & bettering. *And the reafon of this 
 point which is adL'dis of g' eat waigbt, namely t becaufe that this king 
 if the Church both in resell dfbisperfon as.dfoofhis officers *mo;n- 
 ted abo^e his com? avions, that is to fate y we muflfet bint bj bimfelfe in 
 another order & degree then other kings are . Far euen in the mofl ex* 
 sellent kings, yea in Dauidbimfelfe there bane beene many de feci s and 
 imperfections , bat infuch ak»ig m tliis is there is nothing bat all per* 
 fed/on. 
 
 t/fs for that which U aideiof the tnofl exq-tiflte rob 2 s and vefti* 
 
 ment s of this king>verf%jthis is referred partly vnto thaï proper vole* 
 
 which the father cassfed to be beard when be was baptised, fay mg y Tbi$ 
 
 û my welbeJoued Sonne in whom I am wellplca/ed by which voice isgi* 
 
 Hen vs to vnderfiandthe fid and perfect reconcibaium with the father 
 
 by that moflfweet odor afwelofthe integrity and right eostfnejfe refiant 
 
 - in tbeparfon ofChrtfi our Immanuel, as alfo his obedience vntackatb 
 
 tuen the death of the croffe. The fe fame vsfliments alfo and robes of hi4 
 
 *re referred vnto that which the Apoftle faith, 2 .Cor. 2 . 1 5 .we are thé 
 
 faeet odor ofQbrifi as ofbimwloa hath beene made vnto vs JVifdome % 
 
 Righteoufnes 7 andSanclificatwn^ Red:mption y 1 . Cor. 1.3 Q, which 
 
 bleffiigs heepowreth downe vpon vsfrom tbofe pillaces of 7uory,whick 
 
 Are thofe heauenly places wbere hee is ^eated % andfrom whencebce loo- 
 
 keth vpon vs y <tndfrom whence alfabe caufeththefc blefsmgs & grace* 
 
 efbis,toflo*>dr.vne vpon vs y yea,bis xvnefelfefas we mayfofay)afterm 
 
 ffriritualmvier & fafhio, .^rfurhas is vtterly incopreh:nfible vnto vf+ 
 
 This ki»% andUndeçrom? being tiras defcribedvnto vsjhe condi* 
 
 t'tan andeflate of the Church bis ffoufe , and of their whole mxrsiagt 
 
 is mofl amply fet dorvne and bandied verfç. Nbwein the d'fcourfe ana 
 
 handling heereof there are adioyned vnto the Ifraeliies and faitbfidi 
 
 levés which properly reprefent thxsfiu/e, certaine others which art 
 
 the king's D* ighters alfo to be her companions : atxhich notwithfian~ 
 
 ding appertaining but to one hufbudreprefent vnto vs by ihismitnet 
 
 thsperfinofvts&tely Church trtsely C tth Aicks, that is ty fate vmue.'» 
 
 {tdjxttyet m fnchfm that they are at it were placed after this prince 
 
THE AfcÔVMENT. 
 
 fat Ifyufeofthe people oflfrael: bcciufiihe firjl right affrrtabteti 
 jirjt of d v~ to the bohcTrophets & Apoflles of the nation cfthe left et 
 ludtoaltbe other which the Apoflle calleth the natural branches >bj 
 vehofem'miflerU alfo we baa; been led andcomLVtcdinio the chamber 
 *ftbis&g , with whofe gold and glittering ihinwg we are maàe bright 
 tidfhining. Wee are farther to note teaching the ornament es of i be fi 
 Queens which are the body of the (fburch, that it is not faidthat they 
 took? them out of their owa cabinets aid ward-r obes, bat : hex rectified 
 tbëofthekwghimfelfejo theenditfhouldbe acknowledged that nhaf* 
 foeuer is faire & goodly proceedetb not t as it is mofl true, but from hit 
 jnerc grace & f<*wr whj hath couered our potter ty & nakednes.tvher* 
 ttpon ttfobweth that /he ought properly to be held & taken for thetruQ 
 Catbolicke Church whim wee fee to comcfoorih in this place with her 
 companions fa at humilitie with that rich crowne of the onely right e^ 
 -tuples ofChrifl her king andfauiour , embraced by fait h and freely im- 
 puted & allowed her: although togetherwith this righteoufnes of faith 
 there mufl appeare befides in the faith full an atluall righteoufnes, but 
 neusrperfciï and entire, but onely begun anddeltneated forth by little 
 and little ,by which notwithfia^dmg a man mate alwaies cbftingutfb the 
 children of light from the children ofdarkenes, as itfeemeth our Lord* 
 le fus (fhrifl had a/fi r effect thereunto, Math. 22.11. 
 
 •At thefi things being thus handled, in which almofl all the fecretes 
 fifour faluation are comprifedshe Prophet addreffeth his Ifeache vnt* 
 the (fhurch or rather vnto euery member thereof: ver. 1 o. 1 1 . exbor- 
 ting to fiudy to plea fe thisBridegroome who chertfheth andfajtouretb 
 her fo much Jfbewing withal how fhefhall doe itjiamsfy if m hearkening 
 diligently vnto him [according as fut h proceedeth of that which a man 
 bearethofGod kmfilfe , andwithout which a man cannot pleafi God) 
 and ordering herfelfe altogether vnto him ( which is done iffhse take 
 ^narrow heeds vnto his wil which tsfeene in thcglaffe of the Lave) fbee 
 éeginneth to rid her fil fe in the while traîne aid te nos f of her life from 
 td wicked s^ott and defilement s of 'corruption which fhe huh m herfelfe 
 imprinted inher both from the ovigmoUand beginning of her nature & 
 being, and from the nounture of her Parents ai alfb ofalfuch as after 
 by cujlome '& XVtvtHanç: are gro-vm according vnto the flefh& deep» 
 iymtsdiaher^ th.t;fofb:e maie leame the better to obey this one lie 
 
 ff*f % Bridegrom 
 
THE AKGVMENT. 
 
 T}ridegroeme of her s as her true head and Lard for ever. 
 
 tsîfterward there is adioined an ex hortaticn n hichis vfedin re* 
 Sfetlofthefmallbegtnnirgesofthc Ckrtfttan Church ft.ch as n v. at 
 pphen it began to take her fir ft beginning in IerufaUmper, 1 2 . 1 5 . 
 
 For it is eafie to bee (eene bj the cities of the çÂpeftles what the 
 Church might bee according vnto thefiefh when there were in the fr ft 
 affembly but threefcore perjons anàthojepoorepecple and of no comte* 
 nance or appearaunce 9 and therefore heeccmforteth her andforetelleth 
 that itfbatcome topaffejhat they euencf Tyre it (elfe, vr.derwhcm he 
 tomprehendeth the ftr ange nattons ey- the very mightieft of the world, 
 fhouldioine themfelues vnto her, Andy et for al this he warneth her in 
 good time that alt his goodly beutifulfhew and fitting for th whereof he 
 make t h mentï6j& which he faith is to be priced abotte al the gotdin the 
 World Without c opart fon & whatfoeuer ornament the great eft Queens 
 çfthis world might hauejught to be within cjr in the hart & not wtth- 
 eut to be apparant only vnto the eies according vnto thefafhton & ma~ 
 ner of the worlds ver. 13.14.15.^ that y et a date fhoulde come when 
 ' it fhoulde appear e fo high and magnificent m this Queene and in her 
 Daughters, that itfhould furmount andexceede all the magnificency 
 'themmdofman were able to concerne y namely then whenwe fhalmeet 
 Chnft 04 the ^époftle ffeaketh s and when bee'tng entredwith him into 
 hispallace wefhallbe and abide With him for euer. 
 
 Now to conclude if any man demandwhat this r Br'tdefhalàoe whilô 
 fhe waiteth & expefieth the laft aecoplifhment ofthUfouerain bliffe & 
 bappines which this blisfullBridegroomefhalin the end be flow vpon the 
 'church his true ffoufe:tt is pud that this fpoufe for the time Jhewaheth 
 for.fhalnot ceafe to bear or bringforth children vnto this hufbar.dver* 
 1 6yea & thofe excellent & good children, drfuch asjhafrefemble cJ* 
 proue like vnto their true once ft or s , Imcane the ancient 'Prcphets & 
 ' Patriarches: & fuch as fiat be kings to rule ouer ai the coafts & quar- 
 ters of the world Jhavirg therein by the vertueefthejpirit of this great 
 kingfubduedandouercomefatatifm y death ana themfelues, Whence it 
 folorreth that then herefhalbe in euery refteU a moftperfeft mariage 
 and fuch a one as fhal endure for euer. 
 
The First Sermon Vpon The ^Chapter; 
 
 It is written as followeth in the title of the third booke 
 ofSalomon. 
 
 The Canticle ofCanticles,or Song 
 ofSongSjofSalomon. 
 
 Thefrinctfd fointshandUàmthc frjl 
 Sermon. 
 
 I That this booke *f canonic ■all, but 
 ought tobered, and expounded in the 
 church with great difcretion. 
 1 That nothing conteyned in holy 
 writ ought to be concealed or hid m the 
 ehurch, andwherefore God hath not al- 
 way es frozen fo playnly at one time as 
 at an other. 
 
 3 Wherfore the holy ghoft hath cho- 
 Jen and profecutedfofarre the allegory 
 ofmariagejbott) in this Canticle or Sog y 
 tu alfo elfewhere. 
 
 4 Three manners of Cods Joining him 
 felfevcith hiscreature,the one general, 
 the other particular in the per {'on of 
 
 Chrift le fut :the third ofthefinne of 
 Cod with his church. 
 J Oftheperfonswhkh are introduced 
 and brought in in this Canticle 3 in maner 
 of a dialogue^ mtttualljpeach^with the 
 fumme and feepe thereof. 
 
 6 Wherefore this Canticle or SongS* 
 called the Canticle of Canticles or Song 
 offongs^and who was the penman there- 
 of- 
 
 7 ji fyeciall obferuation touching 
 the order of the three booths ofSalomon. 
 
 8 ^An enhortaticn for euery one f 
 mah^ h is profit by theexpoftionofthis 
 Canticle, 
 
 HIS booke albeit It hath bin as 
 well in the auncient church of the 
 Ifraelites, as alfo in the Chriftian 
 church by one common confenc 
 not only rcckned amongft the num- 
 ber of thofe which the holy Ghoft 
 hathfpoken andvtteredtothepen, 
 and which ought to be the rule and 
 canon ofourfayth:butalfoheld for one of the moft excel- 
 lent and fpirituall of all the reftryct hath it not bin handled 
 or red in the church as euery or the other, but referued to 
 bepropofed vnto them, who were farther aduaunced and 
 
 A grow en 
 
3 The First Sermon 
 
 grownevpinths knowledge of Goçl, apd.^cre of a more 
 liable and confiant mdgc ment. The caufes whereof were,firft 
 becaufe the ftilc and phrafe- thereof is altogether alleçoricall 
 and enigmatka),that istaf?.y,deiiucreth toourvnceritâding 
 thinges heaueniy and fpiriiuall, by a imiiiitudc and figure of 
 things naturall and corporal!, which, cuery man neycherof 
 himlelfc can,nor'by the help of an other îs able/o to conceiuc 
 and vnderihnd, as thereby throughly to be profited and in- 
 ftru&ed. Second'y becaufe this allegory is wholy grounded 
 vpon the conjunction and coupling of man and w ife in marri- 
 adge :in the which, being humanely and carnally confidered, 
 we fhall finde eucn from the beginning thereof vnto the end, 
 many great wantes and imperfections on mens behalfes, 
 which defaultes as they haue bene euer rife fince the entrance 
 of finnc into the worldilo we know how they haue bin dayly 
 encreafed fithencc men haue for fo long a time giuenthem- 
 felucs ouer to all this vncleannes and wantonnes, which is no 
 other thing then a polluting and defiling of the honelt and 
 chart careflès, dile&ions, andembrafementes inmarriadge. 
 The which notwithrtanding it hath in it many defeases and 
 blemiflies,vvhich the Lord of his great goodnes mu(t fupport 
 and couer, htndereth not but that according to the faying 
 oft he Aportle Heb. 15.4. Mirrhdge U honorable amongft all,ar:d 
 the beat hereof 'vndefttsd. And thus you fee how fome confide- 
 ringthe mifchieuouSman'ersofthis world,and becaule there 
 are in this Canticle many kinds oflpeaches 3 according to the 
 fimplicity of that time in which this booke was writte,w hich 
 the world «night eaiîly abufe,haue bene hardly induced to in- 
 terprète it in the church, fearing leait it fhould bring more 
 harmethercuntOjthen profit and edification. Others there 
 haue bene vs hich haue gone farthcr,arRl haue beene fo bold 
 and hardy, or rather fo ouerwecning and headdy , as to go a- 
 bout to rafe this booke out of the canonical! fcriptures, as be- 
 ing a writing altogcather profane, and compiledby Solo- 
 mon in the middeft of his wanton and licencious diflblutiôs» 
 As touching the firft fort of thefc men,they aie herein to beé 
 
 greatly 
 
VponThs First GhapTer. $ 
 
 greatly commended', that they thinke it not good that euery 
 one fhould rafhly & vnaduifcdly be carried or led to the hai- 
 ling of this booke : according vnto the faying of the Apo- 
 (tie i. Or. ^.ljliAt we muft begin with milk?, &jo proceed &cctne to 
 bard &foltd meat e. VI h\ch thing hath bin carefully & diligently 
 obferucd both in this church and in others by the fayihfull pa- 
 ftorsandminiitcrs. But as for thofe which prefume to con- 
 demne this booke, they are no more to bcharkencd vnto or 
 regarded then thofe,whodefperatIy and arrogantly sdereffe 
 andoppoiethemfelues agaynirthefpiritof God.Forbefidts 
 that the old and newe church hath- from all times judged the 
 contrary^'this booke being diligently expounded by the aun- 
 cient Doctors both greeke and latin, yea euen in monaflctics 
 amonglt the monkes vfed and handled, as a booke altogea- 
 thercontemplatiue more then any befides: albeit they then 
 made folcmne profeiîion of being farre from all thought of 
 women and marriagc^this very allegory of marriadge^is very 
 amplie to the fame end and purpoie profecutedin other 
 bookes, which by a perpetual and common conltnt haue bin 
 alw ayes held for holy & diuine> as in the P Jaime 45, w hich is 
 as ic were a fumme and abridgement of this whole Canticle, 
 and in Efay, 61. 1 . 6. Ierem. 3 ♦ Ezech. 1 6. and 2 3 . Ofeas 1.2. 
 Math, 25. /oh. 3. 29. Rom. 7. i.2«£Jr. 1 1. 2 . and efpccially 
 Ephe. 5. where the Apoftlevfeth the very fame words which 
 Adam vfed in the firft institution of marriadge, to wit, that the 
 shurch is made flejh ofthefejh oflefhs Chnfl, and bone ojhu bones, 
 which ùfoithle, agreat fecret^nd myftery ; to be fhort the holy 
 Ghoit in the *s4pocdL. 1 7. is the expounder and interpre ter of 
 the beginning of this booke* Neyther is that to be regarded 
 which fome bring for an argument why t his booke is not Ca» 
 nonicall^becaufethatnoplaceofit is alleaged in the new c 
 teftament. For firlt,befide that which I haue faydofthe 45-. 
 Yfi&ne ,th&i it is anrabridgment of this booke, the flmilitudes 
 which are taken from marriage in Saynt Paul, and in thclaft 
 chapter ofthc Apocalyps are drawen from hence: and by the 
 fame rcafon wc may condemne other bookes ofthc old tefta- 
 
 A 2 rncne 
 
4 THsFmSTSfiRMOK 
 
 ment, which arereceiued without contradiction orgaînfayîngé 
 2 Wc muft therfore vfe & obferue a mean in the expedition 
 or this bookc, handling it then an d in fuch wife as it appertai- 
 ned, in the church of God. For God will not that any thing 
 whichheteachethvsby his Prophets and Apoftles fhould be 
 hidden or kept fecret in fuch fort, as to content our feluesto 
 haueitenregiftred onelyin his word, without farther regar- 
 ding and considering what it is : as the Paynimes were woonc 
 to deal in their falfe religions &worfhips,who feared their a- 
 bufes fhouldbe difcouered, if their myfterieswereknowen: 
 or as we yet to this day fee it praétifed in the falfe church, 
 where the reading of the fcriptures in the vulgar and common 
 tong is forbidden: whereas the Apoltles and Prophets fince 
 the beginning haue fpoken and written in a common and in- 
 telligible language, to the end they might be vndcrftoode of 
 all men. And yet is it very true, that the holy Ghoit hath not 
 vied throughout the fame ftile and manner of writing, but 
 hath fpoken fomtimes very plainly, fometimes obfeurely, in 
 fuch fort notwithftanding,that( as one of the auncient fathers 
 hath heretofore well obferued)obfcurity and darknes is tem- 
 pered and mixed with plainnes and clcarnes, to the end to 
 iharpen and quicken our defire to fearch after that which wc 
 vnder(toodcnotatthefirft,and to caufe vs to efteememore 
 higher ofthe fecrets ofhis wifdom,after that he hath beftow- 
 cdon vsthe gift of knowledge and vnderftanding of them, 
 vponourcarefull diligence of reading and conferring toge- 
 ther the places of fcripture. And this is that which we hope to 
 doe, by Gods good aflîftauncc obtayned by your prayers , in 
 the expounding of this booke:fcing it is now about fifty years 
 that God hath let vp,as it were ane w,his holy Iubile amongft 
 vs,caufingthe holy light ofhis gofpcll to mine in fuch fort 
 in this plac e,that now nothing in this behalfc ought to feemc 
 new and ftrange vnto vs : as if wc were yet yong infantes and 
 babes in vndcrltanding : in fteede of being afhamed not to be 
 ofthe nomber of thofe , of whom it is fpoken in the fift to the 
 Hçbtuçsjhat thej be exertijedandpraftifed mdifcernmg between* 
 
 thai 
 
Vpôn TheFirttChaptsiù i 
 
 that which is good and that which is emll. 
 
 3 Now for the vnderftandingofthisbook,it is requifit we 
 learnc and knowe,whatmoued the holy Gboft to chufeand 
 profecute fofarre this fimilitude of marriadge: the which is 
 not, as I fayde before, if Go*d would deal with rigour in exa- 
 mining cuery poynt thereof, without many great wantcs 
 and imperfections. This was it therefore, to fpeak in few 
 wordes, becaufe there is not amongit men , eyther in refpeéfc 
 of the obligation , a more facrcd and diuine , or in regarde of 
 the effect , a more ftrait and firme bond to bee founde , then 
 this of marriadge . For in all other contracts and bargaines 
 wherein one man is obliged and bound vnto the other, the 
 queftion & poynt is only of the goods and poiTefllons of this 
 world, and of luch things as are without the perfons which 
 bargaine and contract together: or if the matter be touching 
 thcbody,yetisnot the obligation reciprocall,wherintheonc 
 party is as much interelTed as the other : but may happily bee 
 as far to the difaduantage of the one, as the aduantage of the 
 other : as for the contract of marriage , therein God himfelfc 
 as principall author fo dealeth , as that this bond continueth 
 indilToIuble, if himfelfc fay not the word to the contraband 
 breakethis bond either by death or by any other his ordi- 
 naunce. And agayne the obligation or bond of both parties 
 is fo mutuall and reciprocall,that neither of the parties is free 
 and at his owne choy fe , and both of them become as it were 
 oneperfon by the coniun&ion of marriage. Now, which is 
 more, the efrcet thereof is rather diuine then humane,to wit, 
 the generation and procreation of mankind. For God by this, 
 contract vfeth men as his inftruments to do that which is pro- 
 perly belonging to himfclfe,to wit, to the engendring of ma- 
 kindc,whereothis church is made and compofed . For albeit 
 thisordinaunceof God, Encreajeandmnhiplie , be extended 
 generally to all the creatures, comprifing man alfo in the 
 number of them : yet notwithftanding, as the creating of ma, 
 both touching the male and touching the female,is other and 
 different from that of the reft of the crcatures;eucn fo we muft 
 
 A3 conclude 
 
6 TheFirst Sermon 
 
 conclude that Gcd hath led and conducted the race arid fuc* 
 ceflion of mankinde from the father to the fonnc,:ohisehx:Cfc 
 byafpeciaUandpaiticularconiundionin wedlock/pecially 
 ordayned andbleifcd by the infpiration of his holy ipirit and 
 calling vpon of his name. 1 he hc!y Gholl therefore mind- 
 ing tort prefentvntovs, that which in it felfe isincompre- 
 henfible, & not to be conceiued, I mean that moll fheit lptri- 
 tuall bond of IefusChriit, with eucry faythfuJl foule, tothc 
 end to engender in the minds of the bclceuing (the aflembly 
 and congregation of whom is called the church) the know- 
 ledge of truth, together with all other holy motions and ope- 
 rations, thereby to quicken and giue life to euery ore of the 
 faithfullw holy and entirely, and confequently tohis whole 
 church and congregation in the true life which lalfcth fore- 
 uer, could not chufe a more proper fimilitude, nor a more 
 liuelypatterneand modell thereof then this comun&ion of 
 marriadge. 
 
 And this isalfotherearfon,whythew'ord of God, which 
 is receiued & fru&ifieth by fayth,is by Saynt Peter called The 
 incorrt^uble yWf.Hereunto alfo tendeth that fécond generation 
 drNew-hyrtb,w\\\c\\\s made by the fpirie, whereof our Lord 
 IefusChrift fo largely treatcth with Nicodemus lob.^ . which 
 I will therefore declare vnto you and handle more at large, 
 becaufe this fecrete, w hereof I now fpcakc,is the ground and 
 foundation ofour faluation. 
 
 4 Euery one ofvs then is coltrained to confeffe, that eue- 
 ry good thing cotnmeth from God, whether we confider the 
 cflence and being which all the creatures haue receiued of 
 God, orthediuerfe qualities whereby they aremayntained. 
 Which thing is fignified vnto vs by the Apoftlc Att.i y.when 
 he faieth, That in hint pre are y we Uueandhatte our wouwg^sxî 
 God the Creatour did, as I may fo fay, lniinuate hi;r>fclfe 
 within his creatures,to declare vnto vs the better, that diuine 
 cflficacie & woorking of his , which is in them opened & dis- 
 played, according to that meafure and durance it pleafeth 
 him: although to fpeake properly, his diuine efTcnce, bee 
 
 neither 
 
VpokT-H'E FïRST ClIAfctElU 7 
 
 neither within, nor! without the world, but comprehendeth 
 alJjitlcifc being incomprehensible-. But there are two other 
 maimer of coniunctions, yea ratixr vnions oi God with man, 
 much different ft om that whereof I lait fpake,and of an effç.6t 
 ofgieatçrconfcquence,to witjfidlot all the vniting of the 
 eternal! fonoe of God with a true body and true iiumane foul 
 in the wombe of the blefTed Virgin Mary, by a perfonall vm- 
 pn, which to the Angels themfelues is incomprehensible, by 
 which, the word, which is the fonne,eternali andcoefTenri- 
 all with the father, was'madcftefii/^.i. 14. in fuc h fort that 
 fînce,thi$ perfon, which is called leius Chrift, CM<tt. 1 . t 6. is 
 true God and true man, without any either feuering or con- 
 founding of the two natures : which is that great fecret wherof 
 the Apottle fpeaketh I.Tim. 3. And vpon this dependeth a 
 third coniun&ion ofour/*ww4*/*r/with the belceuingjby the 
 which euery faithful! perfon,and focanfequently the .whole 
 church which is compofed of them, is fpiritually as it were 
 married withlefus Ghrut, and made flefli of his fie fh, and 
 bone of his bones. Not that the body of Chrift is really with- 
 in our bodies,or his foule within our foule (which the truth 
 and.verityofhisbodyandofhis foulc cannot fufTcr, as nei- 
 ther any iuch conjunction appertainéth any whit at all to 
 thismy(lery r whichis altooether fpirituall and tending to a 
 fpirituall life) but becaufethatas in an humane body, the 
 foule.,being naturally ioynedthereunto,quickneth and liueth 
 all the members of the body, ifrfb they be knit and ioyne.d to- 
 gether according to the frame and building of the body : fo 
 Iefus Chrifr, as the fpiritual bridegrome of his church,by the 
 force & vertu of his holy fpirit,& by the means of his humane 
 naiure, bythe which, he fymboHzcthithat is,agreeth in onc| 
 part with vs, is foneare an dfo powerfully ioyned with vs, by 
 the roeanesûffayth which apprchendeth him, that he quick- 
 neth vs to life ctcrnah\working in our vnderftanding and wilj 
 to repaire in: vs by little atid little the image of God doone 
 forth and defaced by finne, to make vs in the end perfit par- 
 takers of his glorious immortality in the later day , vnto 
 
 which 
 
8 The First Sermo'm 
 
 which the confummation & perfiting of this holy & fpîrituall 
 marriage is referued. Hence it is that the Apoftle hath drawn 
 thefc m anners of fpeaking, which he learned of Chrift him- 
 felfe, w hen he faith, That we are in Jefiu Chrift. Rom. 8. i . and 
 that Ieftu fhrrft is in vs. R om . 8. 1 o. That he Uueth in vs, andrvec 
 inhim. Gal. 2. 20, and That he dtvellet h in his fayni es, ,Ioh. I 4. 23. 
 And Iefus Chrift himfelfc to this end compareth himfclfe to a 
 vme y and vs to the branches rrhichfrutlific and bear efrmte.loh. 1 5 • 
 and hii body is called our foode, and his blood our drink* -Ioh. 6. be- 
 caufc that as corporally by meate and drinkc this prefent life 
 is maintained in vsreue fo by Iefus Chrift incorporating him- 
 felf invSjin thatmanerlhauefaid,andbeingas I mayfo fay 
 rcceiued,caten,anddigefted by the inner man, we rcceiuc 
 and draw from him the true life euerlafting . In the expofiti- 
 on therefore of this booke, there is no queftion of bringing 
 withvs vntothevnderftanding thereof a fenfuallminde and 
 carnall, but our foule muft with Salomon concciue this huf- 
 band^this marriage, and whatfoeuer is fayd thereof, after a 
 fpirituallfafhion, farrc remoued from all carnall and filthy 
 cogitations, remembring the faying ofthe Apoftle, That hee 
 
 tvhich cUaneth vnto the JorAir nuiâc onejfirit with hint. I .Co. 6. 1 J 9 
 & that of Chrift, That he which is born ofthe (jtirit isfpir/r.lo. 3 .6. 
 5 Now to vnderftand more particularly the order of hand- 
 ling of this Canticle or fong,wc muft know,that it is written 
 in maner of a dialogue, many perfons being introduced in 
 a moft wonderfull and artificiall maner,fpeaking and anfwe- 
 ring one the other: to wit, a Bride addrerfîng her fpeach vnto 
 her maidens, and a Bridegroome in like fort accompanied 
 with his friends: according to the manner vfed in the cele- 
 bration of fuch fianfailes and efpoufalcs as arc honeftly 
 and orderly made.Thefpoufe or bride is the company of the 
 faithful land beleeuing,\vhich is called the Church,reprefen- 
 tcd as itwerc in one only perfo,(as it is alfo faid that the faith- 
 fuH haue but one hart, and one foule. Ati. 4.3 2)in the which 
 company notwithstanding Salomon bringeth one in fpea- 
 king as it were in the name of the reft ofthe train.But farther, 
 
 feeing 
 
VponThb First Chapter^ 9 
 
 feinghe maketh a diitin&ion between her,which fpeaketh as 
 the Queene&mirtre(Te,and the other daughters & maidens 
 of Ierufalem, (according to that which is written in the 45 
 Pfalme) we may vndeiltand by thefe other daughters, af- 
 wcllthofe, which are in the church rather in name then in 
 dcede, as thofe, which are the true faithfull,but are yet ne we, 
 and as it were litle children , w hich follow their mother, who 
 is as it were a Queene accompanied and waited on with her 
 damoyfels and maidens. On the other fide thebridegromeis 
 our Lord Iefus Chrift, by whofc fnendes, in the treatife of 
 this mariage, we vnderitad, firft the bleiTed fpirits,which haue 
 at all times ferued Iefus Chrift, and whofc mipiftery he victh 
 for the building ofhis church, as it is faidc in the 54T/&/. and 
 Heb. i.asalfothe whole fcripture ftieweth vs their efFe&es 
 & workings: fecondly thofe excellent archbuilders of the fpi- 
 rituail temple ofthe church, I meane, the Prophets and Apo- 
 (klcs^phefi 2. and ApocaL 2 1 . thirdly the paftors and teachers 
 who painefully and faithfully ttzuzic for the preparing thi* holy 
 Bride ,z$thz Apoitlc fpeaketh zfir.i 1.2. and gathcrtngtoge- 
 ther the company and aJJ'entbfy ofthe Sayntes,Ephc 4. 1 2. We mu(t 
 farther note, tnat as in mariage there be three degrees,wherof 
 the full is the ftipulation and contracting, which we call fi.an- 
 failcs or betroth in gs, during the which the parties are called 
 the fiancer & the fianced-. afterward the folemnc celebration of 
 the mariage, at which day they are called the Bridegrome & the 
 Bride: &laitlythe confummation ofthe mariage,afccr which 
 they are termed Man & lVife:cucn (o in this fpiritual mariage 
 he hath as it were fianced & betrothed to himfelf his church, 
 by that prornne ofhis made vnto Adam,conccrning the feede 
 ofthe woman, thewhich feedejhouldbmfe the headof the Serpent: 
 which he afterward reconfirmed to Abraham, Ifaac and la- 
 cob. But he hath parTed yet farther, when. by eftablifhingof 
 * Leuiticall prieithoode and other types and {hadowes ofthe 
 promifes ofthe gofpeil, (the body and .fubftance of which was in 
 thrift £,o\oÇ.i)\\t did as it wercefpoufe his Loue and fianced, 
 îxwbeit in abfcnce,and as it were by fubitituces . And this is 
 
 B tic 
 
ià The First Sermon 
 
 JjJccaUfcwhythcBridcisfirft brought in by Salomon raui- 
 mca wich the defirc& longing after of the reall & perfonali 
 preience of this Bridegrome, who hauing in diuers forts com- 
 iorted & lengthened her by molt certaine and aflured refti- 
 monjes of his lone and goodwill, doth in the end prefent and 
 yeelde himfclfe perfonally vnto her . Wherein Salomon doth 
 prophetically foretel the manifeftation of the fonne cfGod in 
 ûcih, and his real conuerfing among his owne : notwithstan- 
 ding but foralitle time, remitting the pcrfit and entire cele- 
 bration & confuuimation of this holy & more than holy con» 
 iun$ion,vntill the later day, in the hcauens , when Godfhallbee 
 all tn all. I. Cor. I 5. 28. zndwhen it fkall appear*, what the church 
 is } whtchjhallfeehimasheis. 1 .Ioh. 3. 2. This is it then where* 
 unto the Bride afpircth with a maruelous ardent deilre,to wit, 
 vnto the firft and fécond actual comming of the Bridegrome: 
 accordingly as it faide in S. LMath. 15.17. and by S. Peter of 
 the defireofthe ancient prophets .i.Trt. 1.10.& more plain- 
 ly & exprefly by S. Paul de firing to be dtflodged from this body, to be 
 longagoe with £hrift. Phil, i .2 3. as all the true faithfull doe like- 
 wife defire,& thttwith vnfpeakablefighings & gromngs, Rom. 8, 
 26\demanding in their ordinary yxiAexfht comming of his king- 
 dome. Neither doth Salomon in the mcane while forget to 
 fpeake of the perfections which fhould happen vnto the 
 Church, cucn by her owne , and the vocation of the gentiles, 
 together with the molt aflured and excellent promifes,with 
 which the Bridegrome entertaining his Bride comfortcth her 
 by the often reiteration & recitall of his moft afcertcined pro- 
 mifes, accompained with great fpirituall bleffing which arc 
 
 . no leflè than gages & pledges vnto the Church of his fécond 
 
 ' molt glorious and maiefticall comming . 
 
 6 This is then the fummc and fcope of this Canticle or 
 fong: which is therefore called the Canticle of Canticle s \or Song 
 of Songs either bee aufc of the excellcncie thereof aboue all ci- 
 ther Tongs conteined in the fcripturesf fo far is it,that it fhould 
 bereiecledjorforthat it iscompofed of many Canticles or 
 Songs,by rcafon of the pcrfons which a^lvvcre one the other. 
 
 And 
 
Vpon The First Chapter^ i« 
 
 Andbecaufcnoman mould doubt of the author or rather the 
 pen-man oi this treatifc,it is faid cxçtcffclytthatitùcompofedfa 
 Sa/omort.by Salomon,I fay,when he was filled and replenished 
 with the wifedome of God, and not then, when hee followed 
 after his wantonnefTe and folly. In whofe Aiding we mult as it 
 were in a looking-glafle beholdc our felues,deliring the Lord 
 to grant vs his grace,fo to profit in this Canticle, that we pafle 
 and furpafle herein Salomon himfelfe , keeping carefully in 
 our harts, that which Salomon let Aide out or his, except wee 
 will fay that in his olde age (which thing may in part be ga- 
 thered out of thebookcof the Preacher) hee had the gift of 
 repentance, although the Scripture make no cxprcfTc mentt* 
 on thereof, and that at the leait his Idolatries endured manie 
 y cares after him . 
 
 7 How euer it be,not to flay long on this point, côfidering 
 the order of the three bookes of Salomon, we may fay that in 
 his Pronerbshzz teacheth men the true guiding & direction of 
 this lifc,in fuch fort, and after fo familiar a maner , as if a ma- 
 tter were fpeaking to his fcholcrs in the fchoole : Afterwarde 
 in his EccUJiaftcSy or the booke of the "Treacher ,hee leadcth vs as it 
 were from chc plain and champion country ,vp to an high hill, 
 caufing vs thence, as from a more high and eminent place , to 
 bcholde the diners turnings and windings, by the which men 
 wander and goe aftray,fomc after one fafhion,others after an 
 other, declaring and flie wing himfelfe, amidft thefe waies & 
 laberinths, which is the true way,that we be not furprifed and 
 ouertaken with the vanitic of this worlde , but vfe and order 
 our life in fuch fort, that it bee vnto vs the way, which lea- 
 deth vnto the true & euer-during happines and felicity. Now 
 laftly in this Song or Canticle , thofe whome hee hath in fuch 
 double wife inftru&cd,he lifteth here aboue the cioudes , be- 
 ing as it were rauifhed with the confederation & contempla- 
 tion of thofe heauenly blelïings, as if they were already dwel- 
 ling in/and inhabiting the hcauens 3 or at the leaft,did alreadic 
 knocke at the gates thereof. The which order of his booke, is 
 by one of the auncient fathers refcmbled,by way of allegory, 
 
 B z to the 
 
*% ThbïFïrstîSêrmon, &c. 
 
 to the Temple of chc Lorde built by the fame Salomon: in the 
 which wasrirlt, the vtccr common court for the people,- vnto 
 which the booke of the Trotterbs may be compared: after that 
 was the inner place , prouided for the Priertes : and lartly the 
 San&uarie called the holy of Holies.Euen fo we may fay,that 
 the Church is as it were lead to enter into the Holy place by 
 thebofike of£eclefiaftes,calledthe c Preacher,&. from thence by this 
 Canticle or Song , brought euen to the entery in of the San- 
 ctuary, or Holy of Holies, after hirbridegromelefusChrilt, 
 who isfirfi entered™ thither, to dedicate vs the way, Heb.o.c^ there 
 toproufdevsaplaceofabode,loïui^.M 1 hcvQmto according to that 
 praierandrequeft which he hath made to God the Father tor 
 this his bride,fhe alfo might be receiucd in hir ûme.ioh. 1 7. 
 
 8 Itrcmainethnowthatwecometothetext of this Can- 
 ticle or Song, which we will not at this time beginne. Letvs 
 in the mean time fo heedefully confider of thefe things which 
 haue beene faid,that we make our profit by thcm 3 beieeching 
 him which hath fhewed vs fo great fauor, as to haue brought 
 vs into his Church,out of the filthy pollutions of this world & 
 fo many Idolatries and fuperftitions, that he will giuevshis 
 fpirite the better to confider of, and to vnderftartd his holie 
 Doétnne taught in his Church, that wee may profite thereby 
 more and more in the knowledge and true feare df him,con- 
 fidering thebottomles depthes of his great mercies in this, 
 that inlteede of reieéting and carting vs off, according to out 
 merits, it hath pleafed him to cleanfe vs from fo many filthes 
 and corruptions, to dedicate and confecratevs wholly vnto 
 himfelfe,as a chart & pure virgin. Wherefore let vs not grieue 
 or make fad the fpirit of Sanctification, but contrary- wife fuf- 
 ferhim to woorkc mightily and power-fully in vs, waiting 
 for his fecondcomming, which fliall be the accomplishment 
 of that which we muft prefently hope for* According to his 
 holy Doètrine , we will craue of him grâce and mercy as fol- 
 loweth. 
 
 cyilmighty Godmàhefiuenly Father, &c. 
 
 Thb 
 
*3 
 The Second Sermon Vpon The First Chap- 
 ter Of The Canticle Of Canticles. 
 Our helpc be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 It is written asfollorveth in the fir ft Chapter of the Canticle of 
 Canticles, the fécond verfe. 
 
 2 Lethimkifleme with thekiffes of his 
 mouth. 
 
 I j* briefe rechall of the principale by which the bridegroome hath 'contra- 
 
 J cope of "this Canticle. . Bed with his fpoufe from the beginning. 
 
 z Foure tilings to be cotifidered in this 6 Of tin two degrees of this fpirituall 
 
 tex t : and wiry and in what fort the bride marriage. 
 
 Ipeaketh'firji. 7 Of the three degrees difiinStly fette 
 
 3 That the loue of this bridegrome to- downe by the Jlpoftle,ofthis marriage, 
 wards his bride s and the loue of the bride 8 How thefpoufe kiffeth in being kif- 
 towards hir bridegrome is reciprocall & fed, and the difference between theft two 
 piiituall. kjffes* 
 
 4 Why the bride ftadcth fo much vp- 9 Where the huffing of thefpoufe mufi 
 en kijjing of the bridegrome, and the an- begin and end. 
 
 tient maner and fzfhion of fifing. 10 What the kiffes oftheffoufe mujl 
 
 5 Why the bride addeth theft words, bee , and who they are which indeed kijfi 
 .of his moutb,^ of the dinerfe fafhions chrifi^md are kfffed of him» 
 
 I 
 
 E haue before fummarily declared the 
 end & fcope whereunto we mult refer 
 the contents of this Canticle , & whac 
 Wee are to learn out of it, namely,that 
 fo we ought to be in this woorld , as if 
 we were not at al in it : but be inmtnd& 
 thought rauifhedinto heaue:Vh il. 3 . 2 o . v- 
 fing in fuch wife al thofe things which 
 prclent & offer themfelues here to our 
 fcnks y that we refer the vfageofthem to the glory of God.i.Coi.io. 
 3 1 .And to this thrife-happy coniun£tion,wherunto we daily 
 afpirc, which is the perfect and cnticrenioyingofour Lordc 
 Icfus Chrilt, which he hath requeued of his father for vs. John 
 IT.l^fVhereofwehaHçnowthc holie £f trite for agage and pledge. 
 
 B 3 itCor.j.jt 
 
14 The Second Sermon 
 
 a.Cor. f.f.Wdhmg vntklGodbedllinaUmhû children. I ;Cor.T el 
 28. This is hccrc reprcfcntcd vntovs in theperfon of the 
 Church compofed of al the faithfull , which although they be 
 here bclowe creeping as it were be groucling on the gcound, 
 arc notwithstanding already in a manerraui fried into hcaucn, 
 and as a betrothed damfell , or rather a bride, defireth the end 
 and confummation ofthe marriage: with which affection we 
 ought cuery day to be ttirred vp & moued, whereas aboue & 
 before al other things, we daily craue and defirc of our father, 
 That his name bee hallowed, That his kirtgdame came : feeing, thac 
 cuen our own faluation is not the fartheft end whercunto wee 
 ccnd,but the glory of our God therein . Whercunto the Apo* 
 flic doth alfo teach vs to refer all things, as being the laft end 
 and fcope of our election . And Salomon in the meane while 
 fbrgettcth not the manifold turmoiles,which the Church and 
 eucry member thereof mull fuffer , while (he waitcth & look- 
 cth for the accompliflimcnt of her defire: as neither the Com- 
 forts & confolations which Chrift hir bridegrome giuethhir 
 being in heauen,and reaching foorth his armes vnto hir, vnto 
 the end and confummation ofthe worldc, Mat. 28. 20. & /eh» 
 I4.i6\yeamouing& raifing in vs thefe vndeclareablc figh- 
 ings & gronings,which arc ncucr neglected ofGod/2^.8.26\ 
 2 Now in this beginning we are to confider fourc points. 
 The firft,who he is that fpcaketh: becaufc fas we fa id the laft 
 day) there be in this Canticle many perfons brought in. Se- 
 condly to whomjOr rather of whom it is hcere fpoken »For it is 
 not faid here t Kijfe mee, but Let hmkijfetnee. Thirdly we muft 
 confider what the demand is of her which fpeaketh:& fourth- 
 ly, after what fafhion this demaund is made. It is then the 
 Sponfi or Bride^hich fpeaketh to hir t Bridegrome.¥ov as touch- 
 ing the manner of fpeaking, whereas the fpoufe faith not, 
 JGffeme , but Let him kijfeme, this is according to the vfe and 
 cuftome of that tongue wherein Salomon wrote, & therefore 
 lettech not,bnt that the fpoufe addreffeth hirfpeachtohirbc-t 
 loued.But it may fee me ftrangc and litle feeming to this moft 
 chaft and pureVirginc, chat flicc in this fort beginneth flrft, 
 
 fith 
 
VponThb Fx rst Chapter.' t^ 
 
 fith honefty itfclfe prcfcribeth & commandeth in euerywel- 
 ordcred marriagc,that the firft words proceedc from the man, 
 and not from the maiden or woman which hee woeth. I aun- 
 fwcre that euen in deede io it is alio in the le i pi ritual fianfailcs 
 in refpect ofeuery faithfull foule . For albeit the fpoufe fpakc 
 firft in this place,as coueting & defiring hir be\oucd>euena4 the 
 hinde brayeth after jwddefireth the refrefhing of the riuers of water. 
 Pial. 42. 1 . notwithstanding wc muft take diligent heede how 
 wee thinke , that this deiire of hers which opened the mouth, 
 began from her. ItisthentheBridegromc which hathfpoken 
 firft vnto her , & prepared her within to feeke and fearch after 
 him as it is faid, Pfal. 1 1 6. 1 o. IhaHebeleetiedjfr therefore I hum 
 ffoken . And in an other place, With the heart a man beleeneth ta 
 rijrhteottfies,and afterward with the month he confeffeth tofalnation % 
 Rom. 1 0.1 o. And indeed Ezcchiel cap.i ^.declaring the begin- 
 ing of this contract of mariage,fheweth vs wel^that it procee- 
 ded not from the fpoufe, whom he compareth to a poore maiden 
 comming newly forth out of the wombe of hir mother altogether blotidie 
 ^polluted. Which S.Paul plainly & without figure expoudeth 
 vnto vs^phef 2. ^.calling vs poore 'andwretchedcarrio»s,cieadm fin» 
 And this is it which the iuftcft of vs al muft auouch & cofefTe, 
 that it is the hotde which hath lotted vs firft , and therefore hath 
 waJhedvs.A$oc.i.$. i.Iohn. 4. 10. and elected &chofenvs, 
 not in ottrfelues (no more than hee hath made vs by our felues) 
 ^PfaLc^bfttmhuwelbelottcd: not that we were already holy, 
 but that wepjdnldbe made W/*,Ephe£ 1 .4. Wil we haue exam- 
 ples hereof 1 Abraham followed the Lord, but it wasbecauie 
 he was then called , when he was a poore & mifcrable Idola- 
 ter among others, /of. 24. 2. Ifaacke was the child of promiic 
 apprehended by his father Abraham by fakh,& therefore was 
 He engendred beyond & aboue the order of nature.C?^. 1 8.1 $ 
 £tf*».4.foritis God which muft giue children vnto Abraham, 
 that is to fay,makc himfelfe a Church , it is not in Abraham to 
 giue a Church vnto God. Jacob inherited the blefïïng, be- 
 cause God louedhim,and not Efau: (?*//. 25.25. zndMttLi.2. 
 Xlofes is fent f o dcliucr the people , but it is as it vvcr« maw- 
 
t€ The Second Shrmok 
 
 ger h\m(c\k. Exotic. 1 1. The people is brought Into the land 
 of Chanaan , but it is being forced thither as it were by con- 
 ftraint.The prophets haue fpoken, but it was becaufe the fpi- 
 ricofGod was vpon them: the Apoftles folowed Iefus Chriit, 
 yea,but being then calledjwhen they thought on naught elfe 
 but their nets & their fifhing. Saint Paul was a chofen infini 
 ment ofGod , but by a fpecial & fingular gracc 3 then whe he 
 was a blafphemcr & persecutor. i .Ttm.i .Briefly ,to go no fur- 
 ther for exaples,ofeuery one of vs which are here aflembled, 
 as it were out of ai quarters of the world, euery man taking a 
 view of himfelf, is there any one to be found,who can rightly 
 and in confeience fay, that hee firit knewe God,and hath firit 
 fpokenvntohim? Nay let vs all on the contrary fide proteft 
 and confefle before the face of the Lord,that which is fpoken 
 by Ef aie,n amely, that hee hath made htmfclfe to bee found of them 
 which fought him not. Efoy. 6 <$.l .lAndwhoi* he which hathgiuen 
 himfirffrRom .11.5 .feetng we cannot ofourjelues , fo much as think 
 of the things ofGod2.Gov.$.e. To return therefore to our mat- 
 ter.the fpouie fpeaketh here,the Lordhauingtfirlt fpoken vn- 
 to hir in hir h art,ac cording to that which isfaid in the 5 1 ; Pf 
 Open thou my i/ps y and they fljalfluertv forth thy praife: to fpeake in a 
 woorà,fhc was drawen of God. Ioh .6.44. to the end that euerie 
 mouth fhould be fhut, to giue the gloryonly to God , as bce- 
 ing the beginning,midle,and end ofour faluation. For howe 
 could the (poufe flgh after hir beloued , if fhec wereinot affu- 
 red by faith of his loue towardes hir? Rom.x o.t 4 . Nowfatthi* 
 Tiôtofômfelues : Ephef . 2. 8 . but it muflheegiuen vsto"belecue* 
 Phil» 1.29. 
 
 3 But let vs on the other fide remember that which the 
 fpoufeteacheth vsby thefewords,namely, that-the free loue, 
 of the Lord towardes vs,engenderinvs that other loue y with 
 ,wfrich we loue God, and with which the faithfuil loue one a* 
 nother in the Lord,things*fo linked & knit togither,thatthey 
 xannot bee Separated. For as this is a fure teftHnony that weq 
 are the fonnes of God,ifwce loue himri . Ioh.7.10 . (o againe 
 the loue which we beare vnto Go.d is fhc wed herein, that we 
 
 loue 
 
Vpon TheFirst Chapter* ty 
 
 loue one another: i.M.4. 20. as the Lord himfelfe fo care- 
 fully aduertifeth and vvarneth vs in that excellent laft fermon 
 ofhis,which he made to hi* Difciples going to his death:and 
 which was afterward fo many tin)es reiterated by his welbe- 
 loued Difciple in his firft general Epiit.And the lord himfelfe 
 faith in S. Luke. 7. 47. or that poore woman which was fuch 
 a (inner, that floe louedmuch : whence he would haue them to 
 gather,/^* many jînnes were pardoned htr. We alio therefore on 
 whom the Lord hath beltowed fo many tokens of his fauour 
 and grace in this our time, letvs follow this aduertifement, 
 witnefïing by a true conuerf.cn vnto God , and as well by lo- 
 uingofhin^as mutual chanty one to another, that we are in 
 deed of the number of them whom he hath truly loued. 
 
 4 But now to come to the third point,let vs confider what 
 this fpoufe demandeth.He vnto whom {he addreiTeth and cli- 
 redeth hir fpeccb,is exceeding rich,palTing bountifuil and li- 
 beral , hauing in his hand , al the goods and bleiTings both of 
 this life which is prefent^and ofthat which is to come. Yet 
 this fpoufe dcfireth and demandeth nothing elfe, but to be klf" 
 fedandktffedagaine wtth the month of hir beloued: neither mult 
 we woonder at this familiar demand of hirs. For the fpoufe, 
 which is the Church oïGoàJiathnot receiued the fpirtte 0} fear e 
 by the condemnation of "the Law ,Rom. 8.1 5. but the alTurance of 
 that holy hardines and boldnes which doth thrift vs forward c- 
 uento the throne of Grace ■, Heb.4.1 6. not for any opinio of our 
 felueSjbut by an holy alTurance grouded on him which is our 
 pezcc,Ephef m 2.i^..as hisfpirit bear et h vs w'ttnesin our hearts ,GaI. 
 4.6.yeafofaras tovcrinethat which isfaid, thatthekwgdome 
 is euen as it were frntched & caught away by violence ,Mat. 1 1 . 1 2. 
 the lord himfeife yet fufFering himfelfe to be as it were ouer- 
 come in plaine wvzùïmg ,by bis Ifracl , according as it is def- 
 cribedjC/ra. 3' 2 .Now touching thisk'Jfwg which is here fpo- 
 ken of, wee haue to note that men by a certaine addreiTe and 
 inftinctofnature,to declare their mutual loue & amity one 
 towards an other j haue ace uftomablyvfed certaine miners 
 ofoutwardaétions.hauinçfomeaçreeablenes with the fame 
 
 C thing 
 
i8 The Second Sermon 
 
 thing which they would witncs to be within them, fome after 
 onefafhion,others after another. As for exampIe,thiscuftome 
 ofputting orFthe cappe and vailing bonnet, this bending and 
 bo wing of the body, this killing, in witnesofloueandrcue- 
 rence one tov\ ards another, by which outward gefturc a man 
 maketh himfelfc inferiour to another to doe him curtefy.The 
 like is that of giuing the hand one to another,to witneflc that 
 a man is ready to make mutual deliuery of his hart and al that 
 he hath.But among all other geftures kitting hath I know not 
 howthemofteuident&expreiTereprefentatio of that which 
 is within. For whereas the life confifteth in refpirationand 
 breathing,and that our breathing is by the mouth, killing is a 
 fignc , that a man is ready to communicate and as it were to 
 jnrufe his own proper foul into his friend.And this hath beene 
 vfed to be doonc aboue all others amongft the people of the 
 Ealt,and efpecially amongthe people ofGod ,ycain the an- 
 cient Chriltian Church both Eaft and Weft: wicnefTe,thatof 
 Saint Paul, Rom. 1 6.1 6\and in many other his Epiftles,as alfo 
 in Saint Peter,i . /V/.j.i4.which thing as touching the cere- 
 mony is yet obferued among the Monkes , and in that which 
 they cal the Pax in their great &r folemne maflcs in the popifh 
 Church,where in the mean while notwithftandmg,thc com- 
 munion of the holy Supper, to the preparation whereof this 
 kiffing was vfed as a teftimony of all true concord and mutual 
 charity , is taken away and aboliftied.But it is come to pafTe in 
 this,as in many other auncient and laudable cuilome?, which 
 hauc becne fo villanoufly and filthily abufed , that it is a very 
 hard thing to vfe it holyly and flnccrely : for which caufe alfo 
 they may not be rafhly & lightly brought in vfe again. How- 
 beit notwithftanding this holy fpoufeirr this place fpeaketh 
 of an holy and facredkindc of kiffing and mor.ee h aft a great 
 deal without com pari fon,than any kiflè canbe between any 
 husband and wife,thechafteft that eueT-were^rpoffibly can 
 bervnderftanding^/^i^amoft certain andmofteuident 
 teftimony of hir hoped coniun&ion with hir beloued. 
 5 But wherefore mil/he be kijfeà with the mouth of hir hufbrnl, 
 
 iccing 
 
Vj>on TheFirst Chapter* 19 
 
 feeing properly to fpeakc , there is no kifling but with the 
 mouth ? Let vs note here firft of all , that hereby is fhewen vs 
 the ordinary meane by which God ioineth himfelfc vnto his 
 Church,and his Church vnto him:which is by the preaching 
 of his word accôpanied with the vertuc & working of his holy 
 fpirit: which woord of his . is here vnderltoode by the woordc 
 Mouth, which is the infiniment thereof: infomuch that this 
 word is called the power of Godto faluationto euery one that belee- 
 ucth: Rom. 1 . 1 6 uinâ the incorruptible feede of the Church. 1 ,Pet. T • 
 2 3, which is properly attributed vnto the holy ghoft,/^.} .1 8. 
 but this is not all. Forifweconfider very nearly of the whole 
 matter, we fhalfinde that whereas thefpoufe ncuer wanted 
 this word , without the which the church could be no church, 
 it is euident that in this place fhe demâdeth fome farther mat- 
 ter than this. Therefore fhe feemeth here thus to fay, you haue 
 falutcd me hitherunto,and ask were killed me with letters & 
 mefîages,but now I defirc and craue the prefence of yourfelfe 
 in proper perfon, otherwife I cannot bee fatisfied or conten- 
 ted. Although then the Lorde andSauiourof the woorld hath 
 from the beginning contracted himfelfe with his Church 
 in the perfons of Adam and Eue , of and from whom he would 
 haue it to be drawen and defcended,and albeit he hath after- 
 ward renewed his fianfailes by other his promifes reiterated, 
 with Abraham, Ifaack, and Iacob, as with the fathers oft he 
 bcleeuing ,ycc was this but a ftipulation and contract ofmar- 
 riage,by words of the futurerand although afterward the fian- 
 cer Chrift himfelfe, did as it w r ere reprefenc himfelfe in the 
 ceremonial Lawe, by which he approched more nearer vnto 
 his fianccd,his Church, & did as it were efpoufc and marrie 
 hir by words more plain and expreffe,yet was it done (as faith 
 the author of the Epittle to the Hebrues) but after an imper- 
 fect maner, Heb.i. 1 . & by fhado wes , the body and truth ofvphxh 
 is lefts Chrift himfelfe : Colof. i.i 7. And this was fufficient to 
 faluation for the auncicnt fathers,by mcanes of their faith,in- 
 fomuch that the place of the blefled , is called the bofome of A- 
 braham: Luke 1 6. zzwhofaw the day of the Lord& reioyced there- 
 
 C 2 at: 
 
If The Second SeKmon 
 
 rfr.-Ioh. 5. 5 ct.yet ncuerthcleiTe this did not altogither farisfy & 
 content thcm,knowing that their hope refpected that which 
 was to be accomplished and fulfilled in his time,namely,then 
 when the heire fhould; come himfelfe in per fon into his vmeyearde^ 
 Mar.2 1.3 8.And therefore our Lord IcfusChriit /"aid, Luk*\o 
 iq.Many k^gs and prophets have de fired to fee that which you haue 
 feene^andhaue not fee ne it, and to h care that which you heare,& haue 
 not heard it. The which thing is alio witneiTed by Saint Peter, 
 l.Pet.1.1 1 .This is it then which the fpoufe in this place mea- 
 neth, as if fhe fhould fay : O Lord my Sauiour & my beloued, 
 I haue receiued commendations inougt^meflTages inough,te- 
 frimonies inough,that thou wilt come in pcrfon , and accorn- 
 plifli thy marriage:but when, when wil this bleffed hour and 
 time come, in the which thou wilt ioyne thy felfe really vnto 
 me,with the chaft & holy kiffes ofthy own mouthPFor in very 
 truth it may and ought to be well faid , that the fonne ofGod 
 hath kifTed vs,yea more than killed vs , by joining himfclfe in 
 iuch wife and lo near vnto vs, that the man whom he hath ta- 
 ken vnto himfclfe, is not only the image of God his Creator, 
 as was the firft Adam, but is true God & true man in one on- 
 lieperfon : and that in fuch fort,that this ioining andvniting 
 himfclfe with our nature neither is nor fhali bee euer feuered 
 or broken: by this means his mouth hath euer, & doth yet rc- 
 main,as it were glued vpon ours,by this holy kiffe of his. 
 
 5 But yet this is notinough tovnderitand this holie kijfe 
 which the fpoufe doth fo ivifli for and defire . For albeit the 
 fon of God,which is this Bridegroome.hath taken vpon him- 
 fclfe this nature common to al mankinde, yet hath he not kif- 
 fed al men.Norbut his church only ,his only fpoufe. And ther- 
 fore as euery ma is not one flefli with euery woman,nor eue* 
 ry woman with euery man: but bciicesthe humane nature 
 which is in general commô to them both,there mutt be alfoa 
 fpeciall coniundion between them ofbodies, to haue one ma 
 made one flefh with one woman : fo to haue Iefus Chrift be- 
 come the Bridegrome of his Church, and i'otomakeherflefhof 
 kùfltfb^ndboneofhis bones ,as it is fyokcfyEph.y} o.thcre muft 
 
 be 
 
VponThe First Chapter* a» 
 
 be between him and hisChurch a matrimonial •conhinâion, 
 whcreofthe ipoulc ipeaketh in this place. 
 
 6 Now touching.this ipirituall contract, thcScripturea- 
 gaineteachethvs two degrees thereof. The firltin this pre- 
 terit lire , which is made by the promiie^of the Bridcgroome, 
 and reeeaued by faith ofthe ipoufc: theinftamient where- 
 ofis the Gofpcll j which is preached vntovs, thefcales are 
 Baptifme, and principally the Supper of the Lorde. The fé- 
 cond degree whereunto we afpire and contend, is this real & 
 entire adtual vnion,whercunto we fhai come in the later day, 
 .when that which we are already by hope neither vain nor vn- 
 certaine fhalbethen perfidy erTeétuated:then J lay, J^#»^ 
 fhallfee h'tm.as he is. i.Ioh.3.2. when Godfljalbc aiin al,i .Qo.i >$. 
 2 S.whcviwefballknowrw longer in p atJ ,1 Cor. 1 3. n*bxt fhalbc 
 ttewalfywtthhim>i.Thçft.q.iJ. 
 
 . Furthermore when theipoufefpeaketh here not fitnply of 
 one kiffe but ofthekiffesofhis mouth, (he declareth that fhee de- 
 fireth not thiscomming only or hisinflefh into the earth: 
 albeit fhee knewc that the bridcgroome fhould then come in 
 pcrfon , but wifheth and defireth kilTe vppon kifle , knowing 
 that this corpor^ll prefence ofhis here beiowe,iliould endure 
 but a fmali time., and that the place ofthe true oonfummation 
 of this marriage is not in earth , but in heaucn, in which this 
 king fhould crowne his fpoufe,rhaking hir partaker ofhis glo- 
 ry,according to that petition and requert,of his made vnto the 
 father: /a/;. I j,.2^jhat whither he went >t ht: her we might alfo come. 
 She knew,! fay ,t hat this her beloued fliould come downe to 
 thecarth^nottoftayhcrehimfelfe^butro drawvs after him'mto 
 beauen: /oh. 12.52. being gone htmfelfe before to prepare a place for 
 this wedding:/^. 1 4. 1 2. And therefore not content with one 
 kifl^fhe afpireth and haftethto this later day 3 (taying no w hit 
 in the mid-way: as the Lord himfelfc alio teacherh vs to pray 
 eucry hour,& euery mom,ent,r^/ his kingdom come y cû\\n g alfô 
 this day the day of our delmerance^t the approching & drawing 
 neare whereof, we are warned to lift vp our heades : L uk. 21. 28. 
 This is that defire which made the Apofllc to cry outjntferM 
 
 C 3 man 
 
is Thi SicondSermok 
 
 man that lam^hojbaldehuer mcfrcnj tkù body of death? Rom.% 
 24.8c in another place,/ dejire to be dtjjoluedandtobemth Cbrtft: 
 Pnil . 1.23. conk fling xhziheehad not yet obtained the prtce^but 
 that he jltiruneth after ;/,Pbil.2 . 1 3 .yea which mere is,the fame 
 Apoitlcis eliewhcrcaccufiomedto fetdowne three degrees, 
 before he come to the higheft of his defire, put offand delaied 
 to this latter azy,vntot^enhtch,(zhh hcjhecrmnofrtghtectifnes 
 Î6 kept and refer tied for me: 2.Tim.4.8. 1 he firlt degree is w hen 
 theBridegromechriilioyneth himfelfe vntovs inthislife by 
 his holy ipirit: /oh, 14.2 3. the fécond is at our departing out of 
 this world,waiting for the later day. For albeit at their depart- 
 ing out of this in orld the fpirits of the faithful are gathered vn* 
 to God,& as it were killed in perfon by the fonne of God their 
 beloued,according to the faying oflcfus to that poore theefc 
 on the crolTe,L«^.2 3 .43 .and the praier of Saint Stephen, Att. 
 7. 59-yet not wit hltanding one part of vs,to w itte,the body ly- 
 ing in the dud & ignominy of death, thefe ful kiites are refpe- 
 Cted & delayed vntil this later day,w hen we fhall meet him,& 
 he meet vs with this blefled fpeath , ComeyebteJJedofmyfather, 
 inhertt the ktngdeme prepared for you ft om the beginning oftbercorld* 
 For then ll.al ic be,-when the bridegroomccomming, the vir- 
 gins fhal go to meetc him >Af at. 25.6. 
 
 Farther,though wercfpccled onelythis prefentftate here 
 belovv,yct muft we obferue,thatthefpoufe,whcnfhedcrnan- 
 deth and craueth noioncklffebutmanykiffesofher be/oued,{hcc 
 denreth a cotinuance & encreafe of faith 3 hope & charity, & al 
 other graces neceflary to faluatiô. And for this caufe is the life 
 ofa chnttian compared to a racc,in which we mull run Itil on 
 forward to the end of the lilt where the crown is; as the Apo- 
 itle in many places warneth vs, as elle where he alio laith,that 
 lefns (fhrtftmuft çrw'wvs^andwe in /w»:Phil.3.i 2.Eph.4.i 3. 
 
 8 To go on, although the fpoufe fpeakc not here ofkj/fog, 
 hut o{ being krjfed ; notwithstanding, whereasthe onecannoc 
 be done v\ ithout the other, w c mult know that it is our duety 
 alfo to kifle the Bridcgroomerbut wee mull kitfe in being our 
 fclues kifled, otherwise our kittes would be foul and vncleane, 
 
 if 
 
VponThb First Chapter, .33 
 
 if they either fhould begin , or ende in our felucs , as are all the 
 worfhippings & feruiccs of God, which come out of the forge 
 of mens brayncs,£/*y 29. 13. yeaallthofe morall andphi- 
 loiophicall venues which proceede from elfc-wherc, than 
 from thefpiritofregcneratio.&wz.^.P^//. 3. 8.fecing,which 
 more is,euen the kiiks ofthe Bride, kiflcd by hirBridegromc, 
 though they be reciprocal, arc notwithstanding, very vncqual 
 in quality vntothofe ofhir Bridegrome. For the kiflcs ofthe 
 fpoufe are of no valewe in themfelues, and that it pleafcth the 
 Bridegrome to approue and like of them, proceedeth of his 
 oncly fauour and grace. 
 
 9 Now in kitting this bridegrome, to doc him. that fealty 
 & homage(which the greatcft monarcks ofthe worldc, as it is 
 in the Pfal.2* 1 2. owe him) we may not be fo prefumptuous & 
 malapert as to hoife our head vp at the firft to kifle his mouth, 
 but wee multbeginne athisfeete, after the example of that 
 poore finnefull woman,who wafhed thera w r ith her tearcs , & 
 wiped them with the haire of hir head, &. annointed thé with 
 hirfweeteoyntment,L^7.3 8. being hir felfe firft inwardly 
 annoyntedby him. We mult therefore begin our kiiTing with 
 a true acknowledgement of our fmnes , after the example of 
 the poore Publicane (daring not to approchât the fii it, but 
 standing a farreofFj Xȣ. 18. 1 3. and thence bringing that 
 contrtte hart which is neuer àejfifeà ofGod^bnt is afacrifice vnto him 
 ofafaeetfmell. Pfalme 5 1. 1 7«we muft fo come vnto his fecte, 
 and finally demaunde in faith with this fpoufc,that he will re- 
 ceiue vs to the killing of his holy mouth, from which we fhall 
 hearc this moit precious fpeach , Thy firmes are for -gitten thee , to 
 be brought in the end to the true confummation of this holy 
 coniun&ion. 
 
 10 Laftly, to come vnto the fourth poynt, wee muft ob- 
 feruc and note after what mancr of fafhionrheiekilTcs aredc- 
 fired, namely with a molt full and liucly affeéhon of a moft 
 afTured faith,and with fo ardent a zeale and dcfire,as none can 
 be greater.And this fheweth the fruit which the fpirit of God 
 bringeth forth in vs, by this repentance of which I fpake,I 
 
 mcanc 
 
mm 
 
 24 The Second Sermon 
 
 meanea true affurance of conscience throughly pacified and 
 qujetcd,then,when by the grace & fauor of god apprehended 
 by atrueandliuclyfaith, wearerefoluedor the loue of God, 
 by the teitimony and w itnes ot his ipirit of adcption,teaching 
 vs v\hat God hath determined ofvs,i.^er.2.i6.the which gifc 
 of God is iuch, that it is neuer altered or changed J?éw.i 1.22. 
 jo that wc can neuer be feparatcd or remooued from this loue, 
 Kow.S. 3 5 .And thence is framed in vs that ardent defirc,which 
 making vs to forget all other thinges, without looking backc 
 any whit at all behind vs, furnifhethvs with forces to iiriue& 
 gee on with all our power in this race,according to the exam- 
 ple of"theApoïUe,w ithout ikying any thing at all in the w ay, 
 vntill we come to the end of the hit , where the Bridegroom^ 
 waiteth for vs,faying with V>z\\\àfPjal.i6^.Thouart7ny lot and 
 mme inheritance :and not this woMjvherennto wemufkbcecrnci- 
 ^«^Gal.4.1 4.& againe/P/^/.i 7* 1 yiJftfaffl thy glvne -fiai 'œppeare> 
 then Jbali / be jatisfiedM/ 'ho is then this Bride which is killed of 
 theBridegrome.&thatkifieth'him againe reciprocally? Cer- 
 tainly not they who. looke behind them, & who fceke them- 
 felucs & the world.For the heaues are not in the earth;& none 
 hath part with this Budegraome,iaue he which fecketh after 
 him indeed^ aboue aithingSTenounceth himfelfcFor w hen 
 the fpoufe^ith,L^/7/^%/^^?f,ihcedeelareth that fheeexpe- 
 éteth ai things of him.ck that flic vtterly forgetteth hir felfc,to 
 fcek after him & to find him»Netber are thofe they whofe god 
 is their belly, & who defire nothing els but to be killing the 
 cupmeither the couctous*, which defire onely to be kitting of 
 their gold 3 & their Cih\er.¥orwe cannot ferue Gcd& Marxon^oh. 
 3 1 .24. Mat.6.24.To be fhort, whoibeuer he be that wii hauc 
 part in this coniûétiô which is here vnderftood by thefe kfjfet, 
 in which our allured &cuerlaitin g felicity confilteth, hemuft 
 c-leaue vnto the loiàto be one fptrit-whh him, i.Cor.6.1 7.renou- 
 cing the Prince of this world, &himfelfe ? & eucry other thing 
 whacfocucr, which may turn him neuer fo little Irom this holy 
 affc&ion.Which thing being true,& feeing how it is praétifed 
 among vs(among who there are yet to be found fo many mi£ 
 
 chieuous 
 
VponThb First Chapïeiù tj 
 
 cliieuous vices & diiTolutios,nctwithftanding the ordinary & 
 continual warnings here vied , accompanied with fo many of 
 Gods iudgementes before our eics)I know not what to fay or 
 thinke,butthat,ifwecchaunge not and returnc,and that be- 
 timcs,thcre will falon vs, without the lingular mercy of God, 
 that diuorce whereof there is mention in Ezsch. 23. if our c- 
 Hate and condition become not yet farre worfe , according to 
 that which the Lorde threatneth toChorazin, Bcthiaida ,and 
 Capernaunv^r . 1 1 .2 1 .Nether may we here allcagc that wc 
 haue renounced our idolatry to kiffe the Bridcgroome,for the 
 moft dangerous kind of Idolatry , which is inuifible, raigncth 
 yet in the midft of vs. Nowe it is nothing to haue renounced 
 Sathan & fuperitition,if wc put not on Ielus Chrift. We are a- 
 las a great part ofvs of the number of them,of whom the lord 
 fpczkcihby Efy >29 a 3. Thù people bonourethmetvtth their types È 
 bnt their hart ufarfromme. And this is called the kiffe of Ioab 
 when he killed Abner,2.<&?w. 3 .2y.and the kilTc of ludas , noc 
 the kiiTes which are here defired , and mutually giuen of the 
 fpouferagrecablc with that of Dauid,/ fat qi.uhat his foid.hke 
 •unto the poore hinde which pant eth after thereat er s t bngeth after the 
 htiing God. For,tô at t ai ne vnto this coniun&ion, we arc flot tO) 
 
 kcepe our felues from al fuch thoughts, words, and deedes,by* 
 the" which the holy fpirite, which teacheth vs to figh after this 
 Bridcgroome , is manifeftly made fad and grieued , and in the 
 end chafed and driucn out of the midft ofvs, whereby it com- 
 meth to paiTc,that the later cftate is made worfe than the firft, 
 Matth.11.45 . as alas wee fee too many examples thereof ac 
 this'day before our eics:but wee muft lland alfo diligently vp- 
 on our gard , to take heed that thefe kiiTes do follow one vpon 
 another in a côtinual tenour & train,after that god of his grace 
 hath begun once to be workinginvs: for our enemy is crafty 
 and fubtil , and can , to furprifc and fnarc vs, feruc his turne e- 
 uen with thofe graces and blcffinges which God beftoweth 
 on Wo make them fo many internments to our ruine and de* 
 ftru&ion.For who is hc,which hauing fayd or done any thing 
 butfôme. thing well, is not incontinently tempted with an 
 
 D . opinioa 
 
%6 The Second Sekmon 
 
 opinion ofhimfclfefYe fee then how foonc al is marred, if we 
 ftand not carefully vpon our gard. Abraham and Sara had a 
 lingular defire of feeing the race and fecde which was promi- 
 fed them, neither were they without a true and liuely faith, 
 without which they had not lb carefully looked tor it. But be- 
 hold Sathan in his icout watch,who beltirreth himfelfe lb wel, 
 that amidft this faith,he foweth fo great impatiéce, that there 
 is nothing wanting on the part of Abraham & Sara, that they 
 be not depriued of their longing, thorough their owne great 
 fault and iolly.For what doth Sara? Shec perfwadeth her hus- 
 band to take Agar the bond maid, to haue of her this iflue and 
 feede, of whom Ifmael is borne, the perlecutor oflfaackthc 
 child of promifc and only hcire thereof. Look we likewife on 
 Rebecca , who beleeucd that which was tolde her of her two 
 childrenjbeing yet in her wombjGw.25.23 . notwith (landing 
 being.narrowly watched & fnarcd by Sathan, when fhe faw 
 Ifaacks intent and purpofe was to bleffcEfau: it wanted not 
 through her impatience, that al was not ouerthrown & turned 
 vpfidc down , as it had indeed notorioufly come to paffe, had 
 not Godby his grace &holy fpirit goucrned Jiaakin the end 
 & iflue of this matter. And among other eaufes we muft prin- 
 cipally attribute the great afflictions, which after befell lacob 
 menaced by his brother,to this (lie touch of hets,though God 
 drew light out of darknes. Wee haue hereof alfo a notable ex- 
 ample in Martha the Sifter of Marie, who not knowing how 
 to goucrn and rule in good fort that good and holy denrc fhe 
 badofrcceiuing and well entertaining of Chrift inherhoufc, 
 chofe not the better part , but that, for which fhec was rcpre* 
 hended Luk^i o.42.Lct vs therefore all of vs little and great be 
 careful, not only to demand ofGod his graces and blefsinges, 
 but alfo that principall grace which gouerneth all the reft: as 
 we here fee that the fpoufe fpeaketh not (imply of one kifie, 
 but of kijfes in the plural number, and addeth moreouer ofhù 
 Mouth: to teach vs that to come vntothis fomuch defired 
 coniunâion wee muftdemaund of God grace vpon grace, 
 which graces doc truly part from his mouth, being not oncly 
 
 produced, 
 
VponThe Fx rst Chapter^ hj 
 
 produced , but alio entirely gouerned by His fpirit, without a* 
 nie mixture of our leauen. As for example, conformably to 
 that which I euen now alleadged of Martha, you the woor- 
 (hipful the magiilrates arc much bufied& encombred in the 
 difpatch of ciuii caufes and adminiitring of Iuftice vnto eucry 
 man(whichis an holy vocation and calling , with which the 
 Lord hath honoured you , wherein 1 befcech him to graunt 
 you his grace t© beare your fclucs wcl , & vprightly, and dili- 
 gently.)But ifyou fo imploy your felues herein,tha t the defire 
 you haue to doe iuftice in ciuill caufes , caufe thefe roomes to 
 be voide which ought to be filled with your pcrfons, to hearc 
 thcwoordofGod, which fhould rule anddire&youin your 
 charge: this is called vndcr the colour of doingwell , to forget 
 the c hicfc & principal bufines. Again,behold a preacher which 
 wil be diligent and painful at his (tudy , to prouidc wherewith 
 to fcede his fheepe. This is a moft holy & neceffary dcfire:but 
 if he giue himfclfe in fuch fort to his bookc, that while he is at 
 his ftudy,Satan catcheth one of his fliecp, this is not to do the 
 duty of a paltor or flieepheard,who ftiuld not only attend vn* 
 to rcading,according to the admonition of Saint Paul:2. Ttm. 
 I.I 5 .but aJfb to watching ouer his flock,both in general & itt 
 particular,according to the cxaple of our ApoftIe,y4#.20.2ô* # 
 Behold likewife an houfholder&houfwife,who is careful to 
 traucl according to the comandement of god for the mainte- 
 nâce ofhir family :look on anhoneft merchat,which endeuo- 
 reth to folow his calling in a good côfcience, for the profit of 
 the cômonweal (which is a thing very rare &feldom in this 
 world) thefe arc holy & honeft defires :but if to attëd on thefe 
 things,aman be then at his fhoppe,whenheëfhouldbeata 
 fermon,to doe better this is nothing elfe but to do euil, when 
 we think to do our duty. And therfore I fay again,that we muft 
 be watchfull & ftand vpon our gard,to defire abouc al t hings, 
 the kiffes of the month of the Lord: & that with â pure ) hoIy,& or* 
 dered afFeétion,after the example of this fpoufe, vnto who the 
 lord of his grace conformé vs: which thing wc wil dematind of 
 him faying, &4lmightjGod&c. 
 
 D 2 The 
 
The Third Sermc«; 
 
 OurhelpebeinthenameofGod,&<% 
 
 2 For thy dile&ions are better then wine. 
 
 1 That the whole contentment of the tied God. 
 
 fptufe or Bride proceeded from thtSjthot 9 Whether Aim and Eue had the 
 
 she Bridegroome hath lohedher firfi. knowledge of euil, thereby to haste hated 
 
 a The woor^of creation is the fir ft te- itjbeforethetrfal. 
 
 fiimony of Gods hue & dilecHon towards 10 Men before they be regenerate, can* 
 
 man. not , nor vil not learne to loue or hate Or 
 
 3 Thcvorkfofredeptionisamoread- right. 
 
 m'trable te fiimony ofthisdilecliony but is 1 1 The onlie/pirit of God, which créa» 
 particularly belongingvnto the ftoufe. ted vs, teacheth theftoufi this le /Ton, 
 
 4 The teflimony of this loue is decU- but yet not without refinance. 
 
 red vntovs in the holie Scriptures, n The marueilous combate of the 
 
 5 In what fenfe thefe dileclions are Bridegroome for his Bride, 
 preferred before wine^and why sheftoufe 13 The wane ofthe/pirite againfi the 
 -jfeth this word in the plural number. flejb is not by and by ended. 
 
 6 The mutual and enterchaungeable 14 How wee ought to loue one amther* 
 ■ tUlecfion or hue which is dewe vnto the and the other creatures. 
 
 %ridegroome,isthefumoftheLaw.And j* The hatred of vsagainjl the diueli 
 
 the principal! abufes which are commit- ought to be irréconciliable. 
 
 ted in dileEtion or hue^and in hatred. 1 6 How we ought to hate the -wicked. 
 
 7 That God alone ought prof erlie to 17 Abufe in haung the creatssri which 
 be lotted. are made for our vfe. 
 
 8 That knowledge mufi go before lone, 18 A conclu/ton of the treatïfe of order» 
 tmdhow man before his fal knew and h- lie dilecfion and hatred. 
 
 E E hauc h carde h owe the fpoufc for- 
 getting all other thinges whatfoe- 
 uer without exception, protefted that 
 fhee defircdno other thing than the 
 ktjjis of the month of her Brtàcgroomc . 
 Nowe to the ende that cuery one of 
 vsmayknowe that fhee fpeaketh not 
 asafondpaffionatebodie, but as one 
 which is indeed fage and fober, and which knoweth to make 
 good difference between that which fhe ought todefircand 
 that fhe ought to £hun, Qk addcth a peremptory rcafon ofher 
 
Vpon The First Chapter! 19 
 
 fo ardent de fire,to wit, th e dtlefticns of her Bridegroome . Which 
 thing bccauie it may be taken in two fortes, cither of the loue 
 ofthe Bridegroome towardes the Bride, or of the Bride to- 
 wards the Bndegrome,we muft firit of al vnderftand,that this 
 hcerc is meant ofche diledtion wherewith the Bridegroome 
 doth loue the Bride . For otherwife the Bride ihould brag and 
 boait of her fclfe , which the Saints of God arc ncuer wont to 
 doe.This therefore is the fenfe and meaning of this place, that 
 it is not,but vpon great ground and reafon,that the ipoufe for- 
 getting all other thinges,yca cucn her ovvne felfe, defireth no- 
 thing elfe than to be loued oflefus Chrift her Bridegrome, &: 
 to enioy her wel-bcloucd, feeing there is nothing to be com- 
 pared vnto the dileétion and loue ofGod towards vs: whence 
 it followeth reciprocally,that is, back againe,that there is no- 
 thing which we ought to loue befides him . But firft wee muft 
 begin with him which hath loued vs firft , becaufe that with- 
 out this, wee could ncuer knowc him aright vnto faluation, 
 nor loue him. 
 
 2 But who is able to found this bottomles depth, whercin- 
 to we now enter, I mean the fpecial diledtion of God towards 
 hischurch?TruJyourGodisinfinit 4 &incomprenablcinalhis 
 works,euen in the fmalleltof them,fith there is no proportion 
 at al,between that which is inflnit, & that, which is bouded & 
 limited, & we can go no farder in coprehending that which is 
 incoprenablc,than to know it to be incomprenable. But God 
 hauing made man,not to be coprchended of him,but yet to be 
 known notwithftanding & adored in the gouernment of this • 
 world,hath giué him a foul indued with vnderftanding,which 
 may attain as it were to the borders & skirts of his Maie(ty,ha- 
 uing for his obie& this goodly theatre ofthe worlde aboue Sc 
 beneath, witneflîng fenHbly(that is by a corporall obieét^and 
 fuch a one as may be perceiued by the corporal! fenfes)thc e- 
 ternity of the Creator,togcther with al his power, wifedome, 
 bounty and fauour in particular, towardes the flowar of all his 
 workcs,whichisman.?yà/.8.&ip.&23,^w.i.20. Andthis 
 was the foft Kfo?°ny ©fîhç '^^^ dileftioii of God to- 
 wards 
 
jo Thi Third Sermon 
 
 wards man,to wit,the creation of the worlde (which hee hath 
 made fubicét vnto man)a worke worthy of perpetual admira- 
 tion, as we are taught, Tfai. 8.3 . and which is called the wife- 
 dome of God, 1. Cora «2 1. and the mirrour of his eternity & 
 powcr.&w«-». 1 .20. 
 
 5 But what I Man hauing put out the cies ofhis vnderftan- 
 ding.not to fee,or know any more,fuch a fauor and exceeding 
 grace of his Creator in the woork of his creation , behold this 
 Bridcgroome which appeared with an infinitely more cleare 
 and euident teftimony ofhis loue and dile&ion in the woorke 
 of redemption,than he had done in the woork of the creation 
 of the world formaniyea without al comparifon, whether wc 
 confider the mancr he hath vfed to make this fécond woorke, 
 or whether wc haue regard vnto the worke it fclfe. For in the 
 creation, it was doutlcsan exceeding bounty & parting mca- 
 fure which moued him to makeman after his owne image: fo 
 excellent and ib perfeâhémadehim. But what is this vnto 
 this infinite loue and charity which moued himto make this 
 fécond work,by which he hath drawe,cuen out ofthe corrupt 
 mafle of mankind,fan6tified notwithstanding by his holy fpi- 
 
 rit,not oncly another man more holy , and more perfect with* 
 
 out comparifon than euer the firft was,buta Ma»-God}>y vni- 
 ting hisfonnc perfonally,and for euer with our flefh, yea with 
 al our infirmities for a time in the flefh , finne onely excepted, 
 and which is more,charging all our finnes vpon him f And for 
 whom? For vs his enemies,out of whom hee hath chofen,and 
 made to be borne this beloued fpoufe, to the end that becing 
 rauifhed with the Apoftlc,we fliould cry out at this moft high, 
 moft great , and moft profound fecrct of fecrets, Ephef. 3.18. 
 and 5 . 32.O thefrofomà riches ofthewtfedme andkgmleàgeof 
 God. 
 
 4 But beholdyet another kind of incomprehenfibie dile* 
 &ion and loue which manifefteth it felfe in this woorke of our 
 redemption. For becaule that this corporallprcfcncc ofhis iit 
 the world fliould not alwaies endure, the fonne ofGod being 
 not come into the world to confummate and end his mariage* 
 
 here 
 
Vpon The First Chapter. 51 
 
 here with his Church: but contrariwife tofecke after her, and 
 to drawe her vp on high , into that moll holy place whereinto 
 he is cntred firti : i/^.9.24. to prouide there for vs an eternal 
 habitatiô,/^. 1 4-2.2.£>. 5. 1 .To the end notwithltading, that 
 thisliucly image of the Sonne of God fhould not leaue there- 
 fore to bee alv\ aies before our eies: Gal, 2. 1 .he hath left vs his 
 liuely pourtrait in his doctrine written by the Apoitlcs, côpri- 
 fîng whatfoeucr is behoofull for vs to knowe, either touching 
 his pcrfon, or touching al the counfail of god his father coccr- 
 ning our faluation, AU.zo.\ 7.8c this after fo euident a maner, 
 as irjyca more fpiritually,than if we faw it with our carnal eies 
 on!y,hard it with our eares,toucbcd it with our hands,as many 
 did,which notwithstanding kne we him not, nor vnderftoode 
 him as they ought to know and vnder Itand to faluation.What 
 more?Bcholddilcdion vpon dileclion. For becaufe it were in 
 vaine to prcfent the fayreft thing in the world to thofe which 
 arc bl ind, behold wherefore togither with his woorde fo prca* 
 ched by himfelfc,& after written by his Apoftles, he hath fenc 
 in ful aboun dance (as much as was neceflary,to know and fol- 
 low this good way)his holy fpirit into his C hurch , according 
 to thofe promifcs of his made by his Prophets,and namelie by 
 Ioel as S. Peter expoundeth the fame: Aft.i. 1 7.to lead vs into* 
 al truth: lob.iô.i î.giuing vscies tofcc,and cares to hearerin a 
 word,to be and raigne himfelfe in our hearts vnto the endc of 
 the woorlde, which flial be the ful confummation of this holy 
 mzthgciAfar.iH.io. 
 
 5 Maruailwethenifthisfpoufctowhom onelyitisgiuen 
 to fauour indeede fuch a fwectnes, becing altogither rauifhed 
 herewith, neither loucth , nor defireth any thing clfc,than tht 
 kljfes ofherBridegroome y izy'mgytbat the wine is Nothing in re/peft of 
 bis ÀU&ioHsïFor by this woord wine flic meancth not only that 
 creature ofGod of which it is fpecially faid, that it is made to 
 reioyce the heart of man, Pfii. 1 04. 1 $• but all delicacies , yea 
 without exception euery other creature in the which a man 
 may delight and take plcafurcAnd therefore this fpoufe fpea- 
 kethof tbccû/cftms ojher'Bridegrwnî in the plurall number: 
 
 not 
 
ji Thb Third Sermon 
 
 not that there bee many in the effence of God , in whome all 
 things are but one , as himfelfe is but one, but in refpe& of vs: 
 becaufe that not only in this worlde God beftoweth onvsan 
 infinit diuerfity of his graces, as wei in quality,as in quantity: 
 but abouc al,inrefpe& of that great treafure of felicity,which 
 he will heap vpon his Church, when Godjhalbe all in all, i « Cor, 
 15.28. giuing her thofe things which neuer eie bath feene y neuer 
 earebatb bard , neuer ban batb cone eauecùE fay 64.4.1 .Cor.2.p. 
 
 6 Lail of al,let vs lcarne of this fpoufc the true vfe of consi- 
 dering of thefe infinite dile&ions of this Bridegroome 3 name- 
 ly, to the end that as he hath loucd vs more than he needed,fo 
 that wee loue him becaufe hce is onely worthy to bee loued : 
 whereupon it is requifite and ncedcfull that we here treatc ac 
 large of true dileétion,and well ordered hatred,which are two 
 affections which rule, as I may fay, all the other. 
 
 Our Lord Iefus Chriiî Matb.22^ 6.being aflced his opinion 
 touching the greatettcommaundement, iendethvs back to 
 the firft table of the lawe,which he reduccth into this fumme : 
 Thoujhalt lone the Lord thy Godwith alt by hart, with alt by fouie \anà 
 with all thy thought: andindeede mutuall loue and amity, be ic 
 
 food or bad, leadcth vs thereto,thathe which loue th truly,fc- 
 eth after nothing fo diligently and io affe£ionatly , as to doc 
 thatwhichheknowethtobc agreeable and pleafingto him, 
 whom he loueth. And therfore the faithful foule which is here 
 brought in, to flic we vs what and how ardent the true affecti- 
 on of the faithful foule is towards God,began her fpcech with 
 the tcftimony of her extreme defirefhee hath to bee ioyned 
 moftnecrely with Iefus Chrift her Bridegroome, to wit, to 
 be vnitcd altogether vnto him,yea to be as it were with him,to 
 fcrue & to honor him with al her hart & al her might. And this 
 is alfo the true, the right and the laft end and fcope of not only 
 all our a&iôns , but alfo of our whole vnderftanding and will, 
 to the end that wc may fay with the Apoftle, that Iefus Chrifi 
 liuethin vs and we in him:Gz\.2. 20. So then as among all the reft 
 of the affections, loue is the moft ardent, fo are the effects 
 thereof moft vehement, according to the faying of Chrift r 
 
 Where 
 
VponThe Tirst'Chapter* m 5*5 
 Where the treafnre is, there is the hart alfiXuh 1 2. ; if.but al licth 
 in this poynt,that a man loue that which he ought to loue,and 
 io as he ought to loue .And this is it wherein men do ordinari- 
 ly decciue them felues, louing that which they fhould hate, & 
 hating that which they fhouldc loue : or if happily they loue 
 that which they fhould loue , or hate that whic h they fhoulde 
 hate , yet not louing nor hating in fuch fort and lb far as they 
 ought, but cuer either more or lelTe then they ought, or for 
 fbmc other end then they ought. 
 
 7 To correct therefore al thefe defaults. the fpoufe teacheth 
 vs here firlt by her own examplc 3 that it is God alone,to fpeak 
 properly, whom wee ought to loue , without giuing anie pare 
 of our hart to any other thing whatioeuer. Whic h thing rea- 
 fon it fclfe may in general teach vs, how corrupt and peruerfe 
 foeueritbe. For there are two things which naturally dravve 
 men to loue,to wit , beuty and vertue: which ifa man will not 
 bee deceiued,muft neuer bee feparated , witnes the common 
 proucrbjThatafayre feature with foule conditions is nothing 
 worth, beuty by it fclfe being nothing elfe , but a vaine baytc 
 and allurement/which draweth to an cuil end» Now wee muft 
 ofncceflityconfeiTe that God alone is properly beutifulland 
 good, yea beuty and vertue or goodnes it felfe in infinite per- 
 fection , feeing whatfoeuer is good andbeutifull among the 
 creatures,isbuta fmall glimmering beame of that which is 
 wholy entire and effential in the Creator. 
 
 8 But becaufe that God is incomprehenfible notonelyto 
 our outward fenfes,fo that we câ neither fee,nor hear,nor tail, 
 norfmell,nortouchhim,but alfotoourvnder(tanding:itfee- 
 rneth that it may be thence concluded,that therefore we can- 
 not anyway neither know,nor loue him,fcing we mult know 
 him before welouehim,nor by confequent fcrue him aright; 
 whence it would fbllow 3 that our faith and hope are thinges 
 vaine and friuolous, which would bee the ouerthrow ing of all 
 religion. You fee then why this matter is to be vnderftood yet 
 moreclearely. The Scripture therefore teacheth vs that the 
 Creator hauing created al things for his glory, "Vrouerb. 1 6.4. 
 
 E that 
 
34 The Third Sermon 
 
 chat is to fay, to be thereby glorified (which could not be ifhe 
 nude not himfelfe to bee in ibme fort knowen by them)hatb 
 not made notwithstanding al creatures capable of this know- 
 ledgebut only Angels and men. As for the Angels we wil not 
 ipcak of them in this place. But touching men,Mofes ftiewcth 
 vs by this word of image and likencs of God, according to the 
 which he faith that God created man, that the Lord creating 
 thefoul c ofthefirftmanengraucd togithcrin hisvnderitan- 
 ding a marueilous light and knowledge naturally infufed , to 
 know his Creator, and that in a very high degree of know- 
 ledge: and likewife a moil excellent vprightnes and integrity 
 in will, to haue no affection whatfoeuer which were not cor- 
 refpondent to the nature and will of God, perfectly iuftand 
 perfectly good. The which thing is expounded by the Apoftle 
 by the words of truth in vndcrftanding , and of righteoufnefle 
 in will , when hec declareth what was this image and refem- 
 blance of ood y Epbef.^.z^.èc al this that God might be known 
 and glorified by him.Beiide thefc two graces the Creator had 
 alfo cngraued in all his creatures innumerable teftimonics 
 both of his infinit wifedome and liberality , and of al other his 
 perfections, inyealdingthegoucrnmentofthemncxt vnder 
 himlelf vnto man,as hauing made them for his vfe, as is decla- 
 red among other places in the eight Pfalme : to the ende that 
 this knowledge ofGod, and vprightnes ofafTeétion might by 
 the obicdt of the creatures bee maintained and confirmed in 
 man,hauing al waies before his eies fo many mirrours or look- 
 ing-glafles tobehold the perfections in God.as were creatures 
 in the world : and fo many teftimonies of the goodnes of God 
 towardes him , as were creatures made for the vfe of man,and 
 fubie&ed tohisgoucrnment. And of this it followcth , that 
 man is not only bound to giue God thanks for that which he 
 hath recciued from him , in himfelfe, but alfo for all the giftcs 
 which God hath beftowed vpon all other creatures for man, 
 which are as it were preachers of the glory of God vnto men, 
 'Pfal. i o. and if they had vnderftanding and mouthcs,woulde 
 cry with a loud voiccjboth abouc and below faying ,Yce men, 
 
 for 
 
VponThs First Chapter* 3* 
 
 for whom we are made , thank God for vs, glorifi e him in vs: 
 Whereas fince the tal of man, by the finne of whom they haue 
 bcenc brought to this miferable eitate whercunto they haue 
 been fubiccX, Gen. 3. ij. they cryanddemaundvengeaunceof 
 god,&w».8.22.The creatures therefore being faire & good e- 
 ucrie one in his degree, as Mofes alfo diitinCtly fpecineththc 
 fame in the hiftory of the creation, and as I haue faid , beautie 
 and goodnes bceing the obiecb of diIc<5tion,it followeth that 
 man naturally before his fall(which was alfo requifite for the 
 right gouernment of ai thofc thinges which were committed 
 vntohim, feeing none takcth pleafureco maintaine and go- 
 uernc that which he hateth ) bare an affection vnto al the cre- 
 atures,but yet fo, that in the beuty and goodneiTc of them , he 
 did contemplate the author and giuer, and therefore by con- 
 fcquentlouednot,tofpeakc properly, thecreatures.but the 
 Creator in contemplating and beholding the creatures . 
 
 o Now feeing that loue and hatred are fo directly contra- 
 ry ,and that the one putteth forth the othcr,it muft needes bee 
 that man before his fall hated that which was foule and ill,fee- 
 ing hee loued that which was fayre and good. But, howc 
 can this be true, whereas before the fall of man all was faire 
 andgoodintheworlde ,as the Lord had made it? Gen. 1. 31. 
 laniwcrc, that truly feeing there was nothing foule or euill in 
 the worlde, man before his tall hated nothing, butloucdhis 
 Creator in all things.But feeing he was endewed with vnder- 
 ftanding to knowe wherein he ought to loue his Creator, hee 
 had alfo in himfelfe the mcane to know, that he ought to hate 
 the contrary ifhe fhould meete with it : as indecde alas he met 
 it with a mikhicfe, when Satan (which remaining not in his 
 firftcftate had made himfelfe moft fowleand moft wicked) 
 difcouered himfelfe inough vnto him for fuch a one as he was, 
 and moft worthy to be hated and reieéted, when in tempting 
 of him, heaccufedthe creator ofenuy and lying. And behold 
 here wherein Eue , and after her Adam did faile inexcufably, 
 to wit, that in (tccdeofvfmg that ackirefleandhclpewhkb 
 they had to know well enough and to hate this deceiuer, tfcey 
 
 E z fuffercd 
 
36 The Third Sermon 
 
 buffered themfelucs to beperiwadedofhim, &fo enthralled 
 
 and capciuatedthemfelu.es with all their pcfterity in this cor- 
 ruption:/^. 7, 1 4. which makech chat he is nowjnoii blinde 
 and molt bad together in iouing and in hating. 
 
 10 For if we examine the whole courfe and traine of the 
 wcrlde, what l'hall wee tip de els, but fome decerned in the 
 ciiiierencc betweene good and faire, and euill and fouler o- 
 thers wittingly Iouing that which is worthy of hatred, and ha- 
 ting that whi<. h they ought to ioue? For example, if the que- 
 stion bee touching that which directly concerneth the loue 
 and ieruiceofGod, behold the luperititious and Idolaters fo 
 bewitched,that not only they canot, nor w il not know & loue 
 the truth , but they {lop their cares that they may not hearc,8c 
 their eyes that they may not fee, and w hich more is, they per- 
 fecute it with fire and fword. Behold on the other iîde the A- 
 theifts and mockers of all religion, with which the whole 
 world at this day ilinketh, the earth it ielfedemaunding ven- 
 geance ofGod. If we fpeakeofchc life ofmentowardes men, 
 and conildcrwhereunto all apply and giue tbemfelues great 
 and fmall from morning to euening , we i"hall findc ch-at iomc 
 burft with the plenty and abundance they haue, and would 
 fel paradife out of hand for a lickerous model , others trauaile 
 not to ferue God by their life, but only to maintaine this life, 
 fearing they fhould die for famine, and will not ilick,fo they 
 may faue a farthing. to loofe their foulôc the word cf their fal- 
 uation: others poilefie not their goods,but are polTellèd of thé 
 in body & in foul,others welter and walowe like hogs in their 
 wanton luites, others are infatiablc in l\v allowing downe 
 of honour to fu thcmfelues w ith wind,others giue themfelues 
 to ten thoufand vanities, as this wife king Salomon himlelfc 
 f hath at large declared in his bookc of thePreacher.In a word, 
 fee how by not Iouing and hating as they ought, euery man 
 
 departethout of this life , without knowing, or without well 
 .thinking thereon,\vhat he came hither to do. 
 1 1 You fee thé what this euil is.& what is the original C2ufe 
 
 thcrof.ButwhattcirKdy is thcrei Tahaucrccourlevntohirn 
 
 vvhich 
 
Vpon TheFirst Chapter* 37 
 
 which hath made vs, & who alone can make vs anew, by the 
 fame povver,\vhich is his holy fpirite, enlightening the eies of a/tr 
 Vnder/landsrg.-EphcLi .1 S.Aét. 2<5. iS.framinga clean heart mtb- 
 itff/jPiai.ç 1.1 i.creatwg invsbothtomllandtodoe.Phù.2.1 3.1a 
 a woorde , making vs from the head to the feete new creatures , 
 2. Cor. 5. 1 7. that is to fay, fuch asthisfpoufeis fct before vs 
 here to bee, which is at large defcribed vntovs byEzechiel, 
 both in her firlt eftate and condition,and alfo in this whereunr 
 toiheisexalted,<?^^.icuniuch fort that rightly the Apoltle 
 calleth the Church the woorkemanjhippe of God.i .Côr.p.i. yea of 
 himaloncinrefpe&of theeftedt, i,Cor. s.y.and a woorkc fa 
 long,and fo hard and difficult, becaufc of our rebellion , thac 
 the fpirite of God cannot, as I may fofay, come to the end 
 thereof but with time , and by plucking vs vp as it were by a 
 pully. Which feeing it is fo,letvscon(ider what this perfect 
 loue and charitieof ours ought to be towardesGod and our 
 neighbour,the portraiture whereof, is fet down in the two ta- 
 bles ofthe Lawe, and hath too in fome fort beene knowen &c 
 marked by a Painim,faying,(in fpeaking ofthe mutuall frind- 
 fhip of menjthat true and perfe&loue and frindfhip is (hewri 
 in this,that the one deiireth that which the other de(ireth,and 
 wii not that which the other wil not, which is as much to fay, 
 that hce loueth that which the other loueth , and hateth thac 
 which the other hateth . This is an excellent rule to direct our 
 whole life by , if we take the Lawe of God for the ground and 
 foundation ofthat which wee ought to loue and to hate , and 
 byconfequent prcfuppofe, thatthe will ofthe Bridegroome 
 which is the head, whole wil is declared in his Lawe,giueth a 
 Law vnto the wil ofthe fpoufe,witnes that which we craue e- 
 uery day in our praier,faying, Thy mil be done, 
 
 i 2 And to (hew how necefTary this patern is, behold Iefus 
 Chrift,that is to fay the Bridcgromc himfelf,who being come 
 into the world to côquer & win this Bride,& to kiflfe hir,as hir 
 fclfe dcfired,with his own mouth , being in côbate with him, 
 which held her fro him , vttereth this Grange fpeech Notmth*. 
 flandtng not that which Iml^bm which thon mit. Mat. 2 6. 3 p. And 
 
 E 3 what 
 
38 Thi Third Sermon 
 
 what meanc th this? Was there a ftrifc and rebellion betwecne 
 the wil of Icfus Chrift and the wil of God his Father? None ac 
 all. For were it fo, hec couldc not haue becne cither God,or fo 
 much as a good man, much lefle our Sauiour , as indcede and 
 truth he is. For as much then as the perfon of the father and of 
 the holy Ghoft,and his,arc one and the fame God, his wil alfo 
 is one & the fame wil with the father & the holy ghoft. And in 
 •fmuch as he is man he had another wil,as it w ere another na- 
 ture,but without all repugnancy notwithftanding againft his 
 diuine wil. Who is it thé which ipcakcth thus?Iefus chrift,God 
 ex ma,but according to his humanity ragainft which diftinétly 
 this combat was addrcflcd,becaHfe it was in it, that he fhould 
 make his combat and ouercomc as it were himfelfe,in afmuch 
 as he is God the iudgc and reuenger of finne , in fuch fort that 
 in one perfon alone, he is a (Tailed and aflaultcd , and is alwaies 
 conquerour.And what caufed him fo to fpeak? Not any rebel- 
 lion of his humane wil againft his diuine wil, but only a diucr- 
 fity proceeding from the apprehenfion of that moft frightfuli 
 and moft horrible feeling of the curfe & malediction of God, 
 againft al the finncs of the cleft, which he had vpon himfelfe, 
 although he had no blemidi at al in himfelfe : an apprehenfi- 
 on nbtwithftanding entirely fubiecling it felfe vnto the will 
 of God,and in euery point wel ordered and gouerned . And if 
 the Bridcgroomc fpeake thus beeing altogither perfect, what 
 muft the Bride and fpoufe doe,in whom this orderlineffc and 
 good regiment of wil is fcarcely begun? 
 
 1 3 Behold thereforc,I fay, why this change,by which it is 
 giucn vnto this Bride to loue that which her Bridegroome Io- 
 ueth , and to hate that which he hatcth,is not a woorke of an 
 hour, not of a day, not ofa month,not ofa year,but a continu- 
 ait combat , fo long as life laftcth betweene the fpirit of the re- 
 generate man , and the flefhc of him which rcmaineth ftill ia 
 his old skin . And therefore this which the fpoufe here fpeak- 
 eth,and (hall tell vs heareafcer of the affecYion which fnc bea- 
 rcth vnto her Bridegroome, in whom fhee fceketh her whole 
 reft and contentment, is not faincdly fpoken or in hypocrifie, 
 
 for 
 
Vpon The First Chapter* 39 
 
 for the Church is not the fchoole of fainedneffe & hypocrific, 
 but of truth and fyncerity.But this ought to bee vnderitood,as 
 of her in whom finne raighncthnomore,fotf#.6\i4.andyct 
 lcaueth not to be in her not withftanding, Rom, 7,171 8.& to 
 right as much asic is able againftthefpirite,C7<*/.$.i7.the A- 
 poftle himfelfone ofthe molt perfeéteft mébers of this faith- 
 ful &cha(tfpoufe may be more than a fufficient witnes here- 
 of vnto vs, crying out that hee doth yet the cutlrvhich hee vpotddnot 
 doe y anddothnot that good which he would doe : and againe crying 
 îonh ytniferahle manthat lam^whofhaldelmermefromthis mortall 
 ^^y,Rom.7.ip.24.Let vs therefore confefTe,that through the 
 grace ofGod, this fpoufc, which is the company ofthe true 
 raithful,isreformed,bothin hervnder(tanding,to difcerncbe- 
 tweene that which is good and that which is euiii , and in her 
 affccltions to loue & folow after that which is good,& to hate 
 and fly that which is euil : but yet notwithstanding (hee mud 
 ftil growe both in this knowledge from faith to faith Colojf.i. 
 10.2. 7Vr. 3. 18. and in the praétife not oncly of louing 
 and of hating rightlie and foundlic , but alfo fo far and in fuch 
 meafure as fhe ought,thc which thing is efpecially hard to ob* 
 fcrue. 
 
 14 Yet is it an eafie matter to know it,to wit, that feeing a 
 man muft loue God with al his hart,hc may not diuide & pare 
 this dile&ion to other things:and touching the loue due vnto 
 a mans neighbour,being Ioued next after God , and for the o- 
 bedience we owe vnto God,this dile&ion is nothing elfe, but 
 a ftreame flowing from the fountainc of that loue due entirely 
 vnto God alone,and not,to (peak properly,another dile&ion, 
 for which our heart is parted and diuided into two . For God 
 which is icalousof his fpoufe and of his glory,wil haue cither 
 all or none. That which I fpeakc of our neighbour , yea of all 
 men,ought to be praétifed towards all the creatures made for 
 our vfc , vnto the which we muft take hecde we transferre not 
 ourloue,asthc couetous doc which make an idol of their fub- 
 fiance, Sphef. 5.5. The riotous and gluttons which haue 
 no other God but their belly, Philip* 3 . 1 p. and in gcnerall all 
 
 thofe 
 
4© The Third Sermon 
 
 thofe which make their foule & their body to feme any other 
 creature,accordingvnto their paflTions and lufts,inftcedeo/v- 
 ftng tbemvetth gtutr.g of thanks, praifîng and blefilng the Lord in 
 them : i . T/w.4.4.and keeping our ieiues from all cifordcr and 
 vnmeaiurablenes,be it in quantity.or in quality,or principally 
 in the end & fcope of the right viage of them, which is the dc- 
 yjofgodyi . Cor.i 0.3 i.as wee are warned by diuerfeaducrtiie- 
 ments lowed here and there, touching this point, throughout 
 the Scriptures. Thus ycu fee what this dileclicn is of the true 
 fpoufcjaddrefling and turning her hart thither, w here her trea- 
 sure is, according to that meafure of grace which is bellowed 
 vpon her. 
 
 15 But what fhal we fay ofthe hatred which is ioyntlyop- 
 pofed to loue & dileCtionf It is eafy to vnder(tand,that we mu(t 
 afmuch hate that which is euil,as leue that w hich is good.But 
 %\ hercas euil is not a creature ofGod, but a vitious quality fal- 
 len on that which was created gcod,we mult put a great diffe- 
 rence betweene the Creature and the vice . as much, I fay , as 
 may and can bee put . This I adde,becaufe ofone creature,the 
 which is fo corrupted,and fo far curled of God,becaufe it hath 
 beene the original and fpring of al vice and ofal euil, as welin 
 it felfe as in man, and confequently of hnne and of death: 
 that it is,and fhal euer be worthy of all hatred and execration, 
 I meane the Diuel and his Angels . And behold my brethren, 
 behold him which being perpetual enemy of this Bridegrome 
 who hath brttfed hi* head: Gen .13.15. and trodenit vnderhis 
 owne fecte and vnder the feete ofhis fpoufe, r Rgm.\ 6.20. and 
 feeking nothing elle but as* greedy Lion to deuourvsn. Pet, 
 5.8. this old red Dragon I fay,purfuing this fpoufe with al iiuaw 
 nerofra£e,*^/wr.i2.3.thisishewhom we mult hate with an 
 irréconciliable hatred, this ishee againft whom wee mult ar- 
 mour our felues with al the pieces of our armour : Ephef.6.1 3 . 
 and 1 . Thef.yS.m a word this is he whom wee mult perpetu- 
 ally deteft and abhor. 
 
 \6 As for the other creatures there is choyceto be made. 
 Forfirft becauie man alone amongeftall the creatures isinfe- 
 
 * Cted 
 
Vpon Th e First Chapter? 41 
 
 #ed with the poyfon and venem of this fcipcnt 5 yea 3rd that 
 W holy and entirely both within and withe ut ,v\c naft cor fi- 
 dcrof him alio diitinctly: and behold how wee buifl gouerne 
 our felues heiein . Itis true that mankind isakogithcr coarup- 
 tedand confequentlyeucrienian beeingfuch, eucnfrcmhis 
 conception, Fjal. 5 1. 7.is culpable cf the wrath ofGod: 6fk&\ 
 3 . It is alio true that the Law of frindfhip requireth,that a man 
 be a hind of his frinds frinds , and an enemy of his frindes en fir 
 mies.But becaufe that God of his infinit goodneiTe would not 
 adiudge euerie man particularly vnto euerlalting deltruttion, 
 ab he hath done Satan. & the Angels his coplices , but contra- 
 riwifc would draw hisipoufe &his Church out oh his corrupt 
 mailc^in fuch maner as 1 haue before ipoken:& thereupon wc 
 cannot (& therefore confequently we ought not) but by very 
 vncertain prefumptiôs difcern thofe,which he hath deiiinatecl 
 or not deftinated vnto this fauour: therefore leauing vnto God 
 his fecret iudgemets,w c mull indeed be frinds vnto the frinds, 
 & confequently enimies vnto the cnimies ofour beloued, buc 
 indefinitely: that is to fay , without giuing of fentencc of this 
 man, or that man to fct &fort him among the nomber of the 
 reprobat. On the contrary fide knowing by experience ofour 
 felues, that of being his enimies by KaturCyBphcCi.^ <he hath made 
 tfs his friends , Rom.5.8.Ephcf.2.i 1. wemuftirreco.nciliably 
 hate the euil,that is to fay,the corruption^ al the fruits there- 
 of,firft in our felues, then ineueryonebefidcSj&.yetnothatc 
 the perfons,but contrary w:ifefeek by al meancs to make thern 
 partakers of the fame grace,which is fhewed on vs by our c 6- 
 tinual praiers vnto god.befceching him/That his k&gfa* come.% 
 (which cofifreth in the accompiifhment of the number of hisi 
 cleét in the lait day,i .Cor. 1 5.24.) and by all duty of charity,e- 
 uen towards ftraungcrs themfciues , to force them to enter in 
 vnto the banquetX^i 2.1 4.towards the domefticajl, w hich 
 (hiitoutthemfeIues,totnecndtomakethemafli2inecito(lay 
 without, 2. Thef 2. 1 4. yea towards the perfec mors thé felues, 
 ^^5.14. being apparant by the fiiftfermon of Saint Peter, 
 &/<fff.2.37.thattneJLordepraied not in vaine indefinitely for 
 
 F them 
 
4* Thb Third Sermon 
 
 them which crucified hinvZ.ttk23.34.and by die conuetfior* 
 of Saint Paul,that Saint Stephen praiédnocin vaine for them 
 which ftoned him,«^tf.7.6o. And thus wee muft vnderftand 
 the faying ofDauid,to wit,indefinitely,that he hateth yea en- 
 tierly hateth thofe which hated Go^P/kl. 1 3 9.2 1 .and the im- 
 precatiôs which he vi'eth in many places of his Pialms,excep« 
 ting fuch as be prophetical!, of which fort there are alio ionic 
 in Saint Paul, Gal. 5. 1 2. & 2. Tim. 4. 1 4. which we muft take 
 good heed we draw not into confequence> according to that 
 aduertifement which lefuschrift gauehisdifciplesinthisbe- 
 halfe, when they would raftily imitate the zeal ofEliaSjL/^o. 
 5 5. And yet wearelikcwifecômmaunded toflie.yeatodeteft 
 the companies of che diffolute & wicked , 1 .Cor.yç. although 
 leiusChrifthinifelfetooke his repaft with finners and Pubh- 
 canes.whercof he yceldcth a reafon, Mat. 9.1 3 . 
 
 1 7 As for other creatures u hic h are made for our vfe^therc 
 is no queftiottof hating or flying ofthem in thcmfelue$,being 
 good creatures ofgod.ln the which point fomefantaitical mc 
 cio fail,of who the Apoftlc fpeaketh, 1 .Ttm.$ 3 .& fomc others, 
 which would bring vp^gain the legal diftinCtion & differéce 
 of meates, Co/off. 2. .2 r & yet to this day certaine fuperftttious 
 hipocrites,ofwhomitisfpoken: CMatb. 22. 24.makeaeon- 
 fcience of lmelling vnto a nofegay : whereas this fpoufe faide 
 not, that wine is naught, but that the dile&ions orhcrBride- 
 groome are a great deale better. Wc muft therefore loue them 
 lefle then to fet our whole hart vpon thcm,as hath bin handled 
 byvs alitle before. For rather wee muft fly all things which 
 eftrange & turne vs from the loue of God y without excepting 
 father or mother, wife or childre, which is meant by this word 
 of hating where mention is made of hating, that is to fay wc 
 muft fet all things without exception after the glory ofGod ÔC 
 ourvocation,D«/.3 3.9X^14. 26. In a word,it is this fpoufe 
 w ho in this refpeft, is cructfiedtothe world y arjd the world crucified 
 vnto her 9 Gal. 6. 1 4. vjing the world as tfjhe vfedie not, ac cordi ng 
 vnto the faying of the Apoftle, l. Cor. 7. 3 j.andhtrg fo m the 
 world that [be is not of the woorldc^ Ioh. x 7. 1 1 . 1 6» 
 
 18 Ye 
 
Vpon The First Ch a*teiu -4} 
 
 1 8 Ycc fee then my brethren what the loue and dile&ion 
 of the Bridegroome is towards his Bride, whence procecdeth 
 our faluatioryou fee on tke other fide howwc ought recipro- 
 cally to loue him which hath loued vs io much , w herein con- 
 fifteen the testimony of our election &faluation. 1. loh, 4. 12. 
 Laitly you fee how we ought in this world to order & rule 
 our loue and hatred,which is the fum of a Chiiflian mans life. 
 God ot his mercy giue vs grace throughly to knowc & to fol- 
 io we chis way,which we willdemaund of him together with 
 all other things necelTajry for vs,befecching him as followeth* 
 tAlmtghtie Godowr hewedy father, &c. 
 
 The Fovrth Sermon. 
 Our helpe be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 It is written asfofawethtnthc fir ft Chapter of the Cant tele of 
 Cgnvclesythe third verfe.. .; 
 
 ; Becaufe of the odor ofthy excellent pet*- 
 fumes, thy name is poured forth as aperfume, 
 and therefore the virgins loue thee . 
 
 1 The conflict- Atian of the excellency fhuld he poured forth ,fbrfl torpor •it gôd t k 
 of the Bridegrome, h that which engen- . àppcàfe him torrardivj by his fxvtetfmef. 
 dreth in the Bride a defîre of Rowing 8 Secondlie ijppon eucrie member in. 
 him , as thefauor of that which is odor*- the Church, reprefented by this (poufefê 
 feront, mah^th a man to couet after it. bee perfumed with the wifedome , obedi- 
 
 2 What the facramentall perfume ence> righteoufnejfe and puritie cfthk 
 tthich reprefented Chrift wax, whereunto Brideçrotme, by imputation, 
 the-tytufe haxfj rejpefr ih that place, ? jtoiother effeQ of this perfume in 
 and wherefore he Jfeakgth in the plural our fanciifkation,& how our good workg 
 number. are afweete fmeJl vnto the Lord , not for 
 
 3 Theft odours fauour not but to the their -value , but becaufe they are perfw 
 Jftoufe , and are considered in le fus Chrijl med there with. 
 
 mccording to both natures \ notwithftan- î o *An e x hortation to taj^e heede of all 
 dingin diuçrferefreÊhs. Jlin^ingfuthinesoppofitetoMfofrceef 
 
 4 Thefhr(irelation,4ndcQrrefj>ond* ( i t ce fmeding^erfume. 
 
 betweene that facrament ai perfume and 1 1 In xvhatfenfe it is recjuiftte that e- 
 
 the perfections oflefus Chrifl. uerie Chrifiian bee a Virgine. , and the 
 
 % The fecund correfpottdence, abufe committed of old in this point. 
 
 6 The thirdcorrefpondence. u The conclufçn and fummarJe con- 
 
 7 That it Uhoued thttt thk perfume tentes of ibis third verfe. 
 
 r 2 l THE 
 
Thh Fovrth Sermon 
 
 HE ende andfcope whereunto wee 
 outfit to refer this whole Cancicle ,is 
 inlumtofliewevs,thateueryfaithfîiIl 
 foule,yea al thetrue Church, is in fuch 
 fore in this world,that her whole heart 
 is rauifhed into heauen, tending onlie 
 to the ful and perfect coniunélion and 
 enioying of him, in whom Jieth al hir 
 trea hire, which is our Lord Iefus chrift herbeloued. And ther- 
 fore this holy fpoufehauing opened & declared hir fo ardent 
 affection,addeth now,that it is not without iuft caufethatfhe 
 maketh no reckoning of whattoeucrwithholdeth menheere 
 below,in companion of him , whom fhe defireth and longeth 
 after,becaufe faith rhe,thcre is nothingof fo good and fweetc 
 afmcllashee, whole perfume ilieeandhir companions fmel- 
 ied. 
 
 2 Whereupon we art before all other thinges to note that 
 .(he vfeth this woord of perfumes, hauingregard properly and 
 fpecially to the perfumes ordained and appointed in the Law. 
 For albeit the vfe-of ihefe precious perfumes were fro al times 
 vfualiand accuftomable among the people of the Eaft, v\ hich 
 is to be feen afvvcl by facred as profane hiftorics, notwithftan- 
 ding,the fpoufe had not properly refpect vnto this,but to that 
 facred perfume which was in fuch fort compofed ofearthlic 
 fweets,that notwithftanding the receit & compaction there- 
 ©fcamenot from man, but was exprellyprefcribed ofGod, 
 fxod.^o.z^ . withanexprelTeforbiddallofappIyingittoanie 
 vfe elle faue to the holy & 'facred femice of. God: Exod. 3 o. 3 2 .This 
 p>'fume therefore was a facrament and didinguiflied from o- 
 ther perfumes, as the water of Baptifme is diffinguiilied from 
 common water, and the Bread and Wine of the holy Supper 
 of the Lord from common bread and wine,I meane in refpect 
 of the vfe: the fignesalwaies remaining in refpeft of their na- 
 tural fubftance and matter entirely as before. This facramenr, 
 I fay , as al other facraments,was compofed of a figne and of a 
 thjngfignifkd/acramentalUc ioyned& yniced ? that k to fay, 
 
Vpon The First Crapteh. 47 
 
 bya lignification tending notonlieto reprefent and bring to 
 our minde the thing fîgnifïedjbutalfoto aflure vs, that that 
 which was fo fignihed to our external lenfes , was certainly ÔC 
 truly prefenced and giuen vnto eucry faithful foule. And this is 
 the caufe why the name &: effect of the thing fignifiedare of- 
 ten attributed vnto the figneias whë outward Bapttfmejs called 
 the wafbtng away of our fmnes , Aét.22.i6\which isproperly be- 
 longing vnto the imvayde wafking , yohic h v made by the holy Gboft, 
 I . Pet.2.2.and Mat.3.1 i.as alfo the names of the body giuen for 
 Vf^ndoftheb/oodefteddeforvs, are attributed to the bread and 
 wine of the holy Supper in the inftitutron thereof. Soalfoift 
 this place,he that was fignificd in Salomons time,by thefe ho- 
 ly perfumes y namely IefusChriit, is called by the name of 
 perfume and that intheplurallnumber y forthereafon which I 
 fhall rcll you anon. It is then the Bridcgroome ofthe Church 
 $nd ofeuery faithful foul ,ofwhofe perfumes it is here fpoken, 
 and not of any other: according to that which is faid ofthe A- 
 yoiWzjhat he is the body andfubjtance ofalthefliudowes ofthe JLaw m 
 Colof.2.1 7 . the perfections of whome beeing without mea- 
 fure,and moft excellent in the fouerajgne degree^ are ment by 
 thefe perfumes in the plural number. 
 
 3 Now Iefus Cbriit being true God and true man, this is a 
 thing without all doubt, that in refpeét of his diuinity he is the 
 fountaine of all goodnefTe, and ofwhatfoeuer we can imagin 
 perfect and complet,wherewith all his creatures at the begin- 
 ning were perfumed, inafmuch ashecngrauedinthemfuch 
 teftimonies of his goodnes and beuty.But the queltion is here 
 cfaperfume communicated vnto hisfpoufe by this fvveetco- 
 dour and fmell , and not vn to the worlde remaining in his vn- 
 cleannelTe and filthineffe.And therefore wee will confiderof 
 thefe perfumes ot Iefus Chrift both in his diuinity and in his 
 humanity iointly confidercd, that we feparate not and diuidc 
 his two natures (as certaine heretikes called Neflorianshauc 
 raught)but in fuc h fort notwithftanding 3 that wee knowe that 
 thefe excellent fmcls proceeding fro the diuinity & godhead, 
 are powrcd into the humanity and manhoode by which he is 
 
 F 3 vnited 
 
^ The Fovrth Seemom 
 
 vnitcd & îoyncd vnto his church, to make her as wel partaker 
 :of his gifts and graces,as pfhis glory and life euerlafting. And 
 this is alfo the caufê why the Apoltlc faid not (imply , that le» 
 fus Chriftis the oncly médiat our between Godandman^ but alio ex- 
 preflely named him <JMan\ not that he is not a mediarour alio 
 ^etweenethe father and vs according to his diuine nature, a- 
 greeable withthat,which was wel faid by an auncicnt father, 
 that/?/* dimmtie is not a mediatrix rvtthout hi* humamtie y tior his 
 hnmonttit without his diuimtie.but becaufe it is by the intcruen- 
 tion of his humanity by the which hec ioyneth himielfe with 
 vs>that weafcend vp vntoGod,and to ctcrnalUifc.t .Tim^.z. 
 ^.Heb.2.1^. The fame then which is called by Saint Iohnthe 
 ipirit which the fonnc hath receiued without mcafure, foh.3. 
 34-and which was reprefented by the doue in his Baptifme,is 
 that very, fame which thjefpoufe incaneth hereby thefcTV- 
 fumesps alfo Efay hath thereof fpoken, vfing ihe very (am^ 
 figure, beeing asit were a commentator vpon this place^ 
 
 4 Now in all facraments there muft neceflarily bee fomc 
 conucnicnceandcorrefpondence betwixt the figne and the 
 thing fignifiedifor which caufe vnderthe newe couenantthe 
 Lorde minding to lignifie the fpirituall wafliing ofourfinnes 
 and blots, tooke the ligne of Water: and minding to fliewe 
 from whom we drawe eternal hfe,chofi bread andwine to ligni- 
 fie it. The fame mult therefore bee found in this facrament of 
 Perfume. Therefore wee muft note firft ofall,thatas the rcceic 
 and compolltion of this Perfume proceeded from God and 
 not from men: fo the graccsof which it is here fpoken, are in 
 the humanity of Iefus Chrift , in afmuch as the fonne ofGod 
 hath taken on him this humane nature ofthc fubttance ofthc 
 virgin defcended from Dauid, and confequently from Adam, 
 in whom this nature of man wasdepriuedofthe image of god 
 andmadethebondflaueoffimie^w. 7*14. but heels borne 
 according to t4ie flcfh without any finne, with his grace^in as 
 much as the corporal maffc of his body was Co taken from the 
 fubitauncc iffued from Adam, that notwithilandingit w« 
 
 through 
 
VponThe First Chapter. 4> 
 
 through the vcrtuc of the holy Ghoft , that the body of Chrift 
 was formed i\\tizoïjheïowerofthehtgheft(ù\zt is to lay the ho- 
 ly Ghoft; hailing fully fan&ified it , to bee a moft holy and fa- 
 ded pallace and perpetual! dwelling place of his moft holic 
 foul, endowed aboue euery other creature with al integrity &- 
 perfection: & cfpccially that this humanitie fhould become 
 the true and perpetual temple of the pcrfon of the eternal and 
 onely ionne ofGod his father/rom the time it was concerned 
 in the womb of the Virgin , to the end that Icfus Chrift mighc 
 become true God and true man,man 1 fay moft rightcous,and 
 iuft,and the holy of holies. 
 
 5 Secondly as the mixtures of the diuine receit of this le- 
 gal perfume were earthly creatures of themfelues,fo bythele 
 gifts and graces, of which the humanity is the fubieét,and 
 w hereof the fpoufe fpeakcth in this place,we muft vnderftand 
 not that which is eflentiall inthediuinityof Iefus Chrift, irt 
 which thing the Eutychians abufc and decciue thunfelues, 
 but the qualities created by this diuinitic in the humanitie of 
 lefus Chri(t,ofwhom wee which arc his members coulde not 
 otherwife draw them by any maner of participation, Spbef.i. 
 2 i.Thefe things arc verie high IconfefTe and furpafleal natu- 
 ralknowledge: Sphefc.% 2.buthauing heard God fpoken of 
 fb long in this Church , we fhould and ought to haue our fen- 
 fesvfed &pra&ifed in them, //*£. 5.14. When wc fay thcrfore 
 that God is wife,righteous,good , wee fpeake according vnto 
 the capacity and conceit of our vndcrftanding : but to fpeake 
 more properly and to come more nearer his nature,wee muft 
 faie that he is wifedome^ightcoufnelTe , goodnes it felfe, yea 
 cfTentially,thatistofay, confidered inhisowne eiTenceand 
 being, and not that he is fo or fo affe<Sted 3 to be fuch or fuch, as 
 k is faid of the creatures. But by thefe perfumes wee wil vnder- 
 ftand the cfTeCtcs and operations , of ihefc perfections of the 
 diuinity .poured vpon the head o( our great & perpétuait Aaton^ 
 according as it is fpokcn,P/*/.f 3 3. 
 
 6 Thirdly the better to vnderftand the conuenience and 
 correfpondence of thefigne and of this thing fignificd, we 
 
 muft 
 
4$ - The Fovrth Sermon 
 
 muft confider wherefore thefc graces, with which the diumi« 
 ty perfumed his humanity, are called perfumes. It is therefore 
 to fhe w vs firit of ai, that as a good pcriume hindereth & cha- 
 feth away the ilench of any thing that is itincking & infeéteth: 
 fothe foueraigne perfection which is in the humanity of our 
 mediatour mortifieth and pucteth awaie frcm Gcd all the 
 flench of our corruption, andofwhatfoeuer arifeth thence, 
 in fuch fort that in him,w ho is by good right mod acceptable 
 vnto him,A/<fr.?,i 7.we be alfo acceptable vnto him, Ephft.i. 
 6\Farder as the odoriferous fume mounteth vp on I : ^h, albcic 
 it be powred forth,andpcrfumeth ail which come neare it: io 
 the graces of Iefus Chrift which arc pov\ ted forth vpon vs to 
 pertume vs , as they came from aboue,fo tend they vpward 6c 
 icruc not to holdevsheere below e : for which cauic alfo Iefus 
 Chrift,for cither of thefe reafons,is called the manfrcmheauem 
 I . Cor. 1 5^.8.and wee arc taught by him when wee praie and 
 fay Our father y to ad, which art in heaven, w hithc r we lift vp our 
 fèlues , as beeing already by God fitting w ith him in the hea- 
 tienly places,w hither this fpoufe afpireth and contendeth,and 
 we with her if wee bee his true children,^/ 2. 6. Ye fee then 
 what wee arc to gather vpon thefe three points, I meane,tou- 
 ching this ligne , figured in the Lawe by thole corporall and 
 feafible holy perfumes , & the thing hgnified by them , name- 
 ly the perfections with which Iefus (Thrift is endowed in all 
 perfection, (in as much as he is our elder brother) and thirdlie 
 touching the correfpondence, which is between this ligne & 
 the thing fignified. 
 
 7 Iefus Chrilt therefore is the only vclTel in which all thefc 
 molt excellent and molt perfect odors & fmels are contained: 
 but this were but in vaine in refpeel: of the fpoule,if they were 
 £o encloied and iliut vp there, that the velTell only were perftw 
 med with them.And this is the caufe that the fpoufe faith not f 
 TSecaufeofthy excellent perfumes , but becaufe of the odor of thy mofl. 
 excellent perfume s : & not thy name is as it were aperfrme : but thy 
 name is as it were a perfume powredottt. We are therefore n o w to 
 ccnfiderofthe fweete odour of this perfume, andtowardes 
 
 whom 
 
Vpon Th e First Chapter* 49 
 
 whom it is po vvred forth. And that was,as we hauc abouc tou- 
 ched, firft to wards God the father of our Lord Iefus Chrift, 
 who hath taken fuch a pleafure in the fmell thereof, that he is 
 lor euer appealed towards vs,ror whom(faith the Apoltle Eph. 
 5 .2.)the welbeloued fonne hath offeredvp himfelfe afacrifice of a 
 freete (mclUngfauottrvnto God. Fot albeit in infinite many pla- 
 ces this very lame thing is attributed by Mofes to the facrifices 
 of the la we : yet notwithstanding this mult bee fo taken, in as 
 much as they were the true figure bereof,& not that the blood 
 ofbulles and ofgoateshad any fuch force atal in themfelues, 
 eyther in whole, orinpart,//^. 10. 4. And this is the caufc 
 why Saint John calleth him the lambenhich takethaway the fins 
 •f the veer ld y \o\\.\ . 3d. and Saint Peter faith that he hath borne 
 our fins in his body vpon the tree,i .Tet. 2.24.10 the end (faith 
 the Apoftle,&?;#.5. iç.)û\ztasbjtheâifobedienceofonemanfinnt 
 tntredinto the world and by firme death : fo by the obedience of an other 
 man righteoufnes andhfe vceregiuen v$> this obedience ftretching 
 it felfc vnto death, cucn the death of the croiTc, Philip. 2.8. 
 
 8 Secondly this odour was powred, and is powred forth 
 from day to day,vpon euery member of his church,as al things 
 were fprinkled with blood vnder the lawe, Heb. 9, 1 8. which 
 is expounded of the blood ofChrift,by S.Peter,i .Pet.i .2. And 
 this is the caufe why the Angels announcing vnto the fheep- 
 beards his birth, & the reall and a&uall powring forth of this 
 perfume, whereunto this fpoufe euen in the time of Salomon 
 afpired, faith not only a Sauiour is borne to day -, butaSauiottris 
 borne vntoyou to day, & confequently the Angels in that excel- 
 lent fong, fung not only Glory to God on high , but added W*« 
 earth peace goodwill towards men, Luk.2. 1 1 . 1 4. This is then thac 
 fweet odour , which only bringeth vs that vnfpeakable peace 
 vnto our confcienccs,which the world cannot giue/<?£. 1 4.27. 
 Rom. 5.1. ScPhikp. 4. 7. & that not without caufe, feeing Iefus 
 Chrift is made vnto vs wifdome, righteoufnes, fan&ifkation, 
 and redemption, 1 . (for. 1.30. taking away by this meancs all 
 that which maketh vs (tinking before God j andinfteedeof 
 that vncleannes, perfuming vs withal that which may make 
 
 G vs 
 
jô The Fovrth Sermon 
 
 vs acceptable vnto the father. For firft of all, the whole and 
 entire pure wifdome of him, in rvhorru are enclofed all the trea- 
 fares of wtfedome and vnder /landings Colo(T.2*3 . bceing commu- 
 nicated vnto vs and allowed vs by faith, our ignorance and 
 blindenes,which infcéted our whole mind,are coliered there- 
 with: moreouer all our finnes being blotted cleane out by the 
 fatisfa&ion of him,who à\zd,theIuftforthe vnwft, i.Pet.3.1 8. 
 and which is more, the full and perfect accomplishment ofall 
 the commaundements of God being found in him, which 
 made himfelfe fubieét vnto the law,(W. 4.4. to the end to ac- 
 complifh for vs al righteoufnes: Mat» 3 . 1 5. all this being rec- 
 koned and allowed vs,and applied vnto vsby the inftrument 
 of faith, we are not one ly deliuered from the itench of our vn- 
 righteoufneiTe , but alio clothed with the odoriferous fmell of 
 the entire obedience of our elder brother, not onely to efcape 
 death, but which is more, to enter into life. Befides this, this 
 - perfect reftauration of our nature in his perfon, being alfo al- 
 lowed vs,and becaufc it cannot bee, that he which hath giuen 
 vs him,fhuld not giue vs alfo al other things with him, Rom.S. 
 5 2. it followeth , that initeede of many moft infeéted and fil- 
 thy foylings,which the Lord being altogither holie, and alto- 
 githerpurc,cannot fuffer, hecfindeth vsin the perfon of his 
 ibnne,altogithcr pure and cleane without fpot or blame , and 
 confequently of a moft fweete fauor 3 as it is he in whom alone 
 we are made acceptable, Epbef.i .4. 6. 
 
 o Whatmore?Befidcsthis,thisveryfamepowerwhichis 
 the holy Ghoit,by whom wee were in the beginning created 
 vnto the image and likenes ofGod,and which hath afterward 
 fully fan&ified our nature in Jefus Chrift our brother: byrea- 
 fon whereof hee is alfo called our annoyntment,! . /oh.i.iy. 
 powreth forththc erTeétes ofthe fame holineflc and vpright- 
 nelTe into the hearts ofthe belceuing,abolifhing by little and 
 little that olde moft (linking nature , and making on the con- 
 trary fide a new & altogither another nature to be born m .Pet. 
 1 . 2 5 .to wil & to do according vnto our meafure,thofc things 
 which are acceptable vnto God,Pbtl.2.i 3 .befides the fpeciall 
 
Vpok TheFirst Chapter* 5* 
 
 and particular giftcs which the fame fpirite diftributeth vnto 
 vs, drawing them from him which is the fountaine of them, 
 Ioh.16.1 5.1 .Cor. 1 2.1 1 .as al the fcripture witnefleth fpeaking 
 ofour fécond creatiô or regeneratiô. And this is alfo thc.cauie 
 why the woorkesofChriftians beeing perfumed by our Lord 
 IefusChriflywboworkcth in our harts by his fpirit,/?ow.8.i4. 
 are acceptable vnto god,Rom. 1 2.1. among the which the prin- 
 cipal is the inuocation of his name,of which the prophet fpea- 
 king and hauingrefpeft vnto this facramental perfume, laid, 
 'Pfal. 1 41. 2. Let my crater appear e before thee, a* the perfume, and 
 the Itfting vp of my hands m the eneningfacrifce : as it is alfo faide 
 tsfpoc.S.q. The works of chanty towards our neighbor come 
 after in the fécond place,afcending vp alfo euen vnto the lord 
 bythisperfume^è.io^.^T^/.^iS.byrcafonwhereofthc 
 fpoufe alfocomparethhisnametoa perfume poured foorth. 
 For for this cauie is he called Chrifl , that is to fay the annojmed 
 of the Lord, and we alfo are named Chriflians, that is to fay an- 
 noynt eâ or perfumed > with this his perfume, which bringethvs 
 faiuation.This is the caufe alfo why hec is named lefiu , that is 
 to fay Jhe which hath deltueredvs from all mort all vncleannes andfil- 
 thines which wa* in vs: Matth.121. Butlet vs take heedein the 
 meane time that wee attribute no worthincs of mérite or dé- 
 fère vnto our woorkes, neither in quality of fatisfa£Hon, nor of 
 any righteoufnes which deferueth any wages or reward : for 
 this were nothing elfe , but to marre and pollute this perfume 
 with the vileft ft ench that may bee . But let the woorthineffc 
 & perfume of Icfus chrift alone fuffice vs,in whom we arc fully 
 complet: Cp/^.io.althoughofmere grace & mercie it plea- 
 fcth him to accept of & to crowne the fruités of his fpirit in vs. 
 1 o What arc we then to dofEucn this in a word,that accor- 
 ding vnto the example of this fpoufe, nothing fauor vs but Ie- 
 fus Chrift,holding the reft , as being infeéfed by vs, for doung 
 andfilthinesjlfayasbeing infected and polluted by vs, and 
 byreafonofvs. For when Mofes faieth that God curfed the 
 earth becaufe ofthe flnne of man , as hee had before made and 
 bleued it for mvafien.-^qho. teacheth vs in general,that there 
 
 G 2 is 
 
5* ThïFovrth Sermon 
 
 is nothing hi this world which hath not fame fpot of the ciirfc 
 ofGod,as experienceitfelfe doth alfofliewevs the fame «But 
 this is efpccially declared by that pollution which confifteth 
 in this,that men pollute and defile both themfelues and al the 
 creatures of God,when neither they ean,nor they wil , fo long 
 as they remainc in their ovvne nature , vfe them as it appertain 
 neth,chat is to fay , in good mea/ure , with an vpright confei* 
 ence,and to the honour of the Creator.I fpeak ofthofe which 
 arc otherwife lawfully to bee vfed , and of which the vfe were 
 pure,if we vied them welhas for example,trauail for to get our 
 lyuing,eating,drmking,clothingJouingoffather, of mother, 
 ofcountry,& of other things ,in which we fhal euer find fome 
 default or excefle .-and aboueal, this moft infectious vice, of 
 not referring al vnto the glory of God. And what fhal wee fay 
 ofthofe things which are directly contrarie to the wil of God, 
 with which the world is wholy infected both within & with- 
 out? The Lord of his mercy giue vs grace to know throughlic 
 indeede fuch our filthy & linking vncleannes,& contrariwifc 
 to feeke after thisfo precious and fweetc odour, with which 
 this fpoufe is faid to be perfumed , running dmme from the Iuoric 
 fakces y o( which mention is made T/^/^ 5. 8. Learn e therefore 
 ye couetous,how infected anditinking this filthines ofyours 
 is before God:andinftccdeoffceking after your pleafure, and 
 putting your tru(t in vncertaine and tranfitorie riches > i.T//#.6'. 
 1 7«haue your hart & your treafure in the true and pure & not 
 perifliing riches.Ye ambitious, learn,what the vanity ofthofe 
 honors & falfe great (rates^is , with which you are bewitched, 
 Yee drunkards and gluttons, to whom nothing fauoureth but 
 wine and meates, the end whereof is (tench and rottennefTe, 
 learne to feek after the liuing water which refrefheth to eter- 
 nal life, and that true bread of Jife,and that wine which reioy- 
 ceth the hart of man,wkh a true and perfect ioy.Ye adulterers 
 and vile vncleane perfons , very hogs and fwine with two 
 feete, how long wil you wallow in your abominable and fil- 
 thy infections? Contrariwife my brethren let vs harken, (ifwc 
 Wil haue any part in the true life and in thefe fwectcs whereof 
 
 it 
 
VponThb First Chapter, 53 
 
 k is fpoken ; Pfit.2$And 1 3 S.and 3 6.9. oppofed to vaine and 
 corruptible dcliteSjofwhichitisfpokem'P/d/.i 7. 14.& to thac 
 which hath been taught throughout the booke of Salomon in 
 the Preacher) 
 
 1 1 Lctvsharken I faic,tothat which the fpoufe faith here 
 in thefe woprdes, Andtherefore the virgins lone thee . Let vs bee 
 therefore,bcnh men and woroenjyoung and old,thefe virgins, 
 of vvhomitisherefpoken,andinthe ^pocal. 14. 4. or rather 
 let al ofvs be this pure fpoufe as fhe is nam ed by the Apoftle: 
 2./V. 11 . 2 . which fpeakcthhere,and warneihvs with her 
 felfc.For concerning corporal virginity,therc is no fuch.mat* 
 ter heere meant or imported.'ihthe which iimplie the king- 
 dome ofGod doth no more conflit , then in eating and drink- 
 ing: 1 . Qor.j. 3 6. and Rom, 14.17.as alfono man is theholycr 
 becaufejhe is marriedrbut al çôfîiteth in behauing a mans felfe 
 holily,be hec married or vnmarned. This pertaineth then no- 
 thing at al,as I haue faid,vnto corporal virginity,oppofed both 
 to mariage and other vndeannes forbidden by God: butfig- 
 nifieth here that chaftitie and fpirituall purity , oppofed to all 
 vncleane affections and actions of the flefh , which the Scrip- 
 ture calleth the old hiamwhich if wee renounce not, & which 
 if we fuffer not the fpirit of god to dettroy by litle & Jitle in vs, 
 but remaine in our old skin,we haue no part with Iefus Chrill, 
 nor confequently with the kingdome of God: 1 .fir.6.9. Rem. 
 8.9. They thcrforewho haue lo highly praifed & cômended 
 virginity, as to make it the fum of Chriltian perfection, haue 
 gone too far & exceeded in this poynt . Wherewith Sathan % 
 contrary to their intent , hath fo wcl ferued his turn,that bind- 
 ing at the la(t their poore confeiences with the vow thereof a- 
 gainit the meaning of the Apoltle, i.Cor.j. 3 5. he hath in the 
 end made the worldaSodo&Gomorrha,both by the clergy 
 ofRome to this day & many ages heretofore, and fpecially by 
 thefe finks of ftewes , & brothelhoufes ofmen & women , the 
 flench & infe&iô of which,afcendeth vp into heaué.And that 
 this is here very much befide the purpofe alleadged for virgi- 
 nity, it appearethat leaf! by this, that in the time of Salomon 
 
 G 3 there 
 
54 The Fovrth Sermon 
 
 there was no metier* at all effuch virginity amengthe people 
 otGod, but he which married not his daughter, was thought 
 to co wrong and iniuiy to his tribe & family. But bchdes this, 
 it wee fhould take the nan.e of virgins thus in this place, wee 
 muit exclude out ofthis company, the chiefe & principal men 
 of it: 1 meanc, Abraham 3 Haac, lacob, the Patriarckes, and al- 
 moii all other the renoumed Godly before the ccmmir.g of 
 Chrilt. Nay which more is, Saint Peter himfelfe, whom they 
 make the head oftheirChurch,muftbe ftiutout, A/d/.8. 14.& 
 the other Apottles, and the brethren of the Lordc,i . Cor. 9. 5. 
 yea SaintPaul himfelfe alio, if a man will beleeuemoifofihe 
 ancient and renoumed expofitors, vpon the place of the Pbr~ 
 lip. 2. 20.T0 returne to our purpofe,the fpoufe teachcth vs here 
 three moft neceffarie pointes: the firtt that to bee partakers of 
 this coniunction with Iefus Chrift , we mutt be virgins jhzt is 
 to fay,//» mtift not raignein vs any more, but ai our God is holy.fi wee 
 mujl giue our felues vnto all holmes , mortifying our members wh/ch 
 are vppon earth , beeing followers offchrift , andwalkmg as he e hath 
 walked, Colof. 3.5. Ephef. 5.i.and i.Iohn2.6.Secondlieby 
 what meaneswee paiïefrom ourvncleanneiTctothispuritie, 
 to wit, beeing perfumed with the graces of the Bridegroome, 
 byrvbomeit is giuen vs tobeleeue: Philip. I. 2p. Ephc(.2.S.anéi 
 towtl and to doe, according to his freegooàvdll ' : Philip. 2. 13 . And 
 thirdlie what is the principal! effect ofthis perfume , powred 
 into our heartes, namelie, the loue of Godoppofed to the 
 loue of the worlde,and which loue is as it were the light of the 
 lamp of thole wife virgins, of whom mention is made, Matt. 
 2 5.asalfoitisexpreflie reiterated by Iefus Chrift, in that ex- 
 cellent and laft fermon which he made vnto his Difciples go- 
 ing to his death, and by Saint Iohn almoft throughout his hrft 
 canonical Epiftle. 
 
 12 Wee haue therefore in this third verfe an excellent ab- 
 bridgement ofal true Chriftianity to difcern it from the falfe, 
 which leancth to it felf in w hole or in part,&likew ife the moft 
 certain & perpetual mark of true Chriftians: to be ofthc num- 
 ber ofw hie h, it fufficeth not that the perfume ofthc gofpell 
 
 be 
 
VponThe First Chapter* 5$ 
 
 bee powred vpon vs , but wc muft bee fprinckled within with 
 the blood of the Bridcgroome, and with the power of the fpi- 
 rit of fandtification,i .Pet . 1.2. being teceiued by a true & liuè- 
 ly faith, and witnefled truely by good workes: to the end thac 
 that being accomplifhedinvs which is written in the 133. 
 T/^/.namely,that this precious perfume with which our true 
 headlefusChriit was annointcd defcending down vnto vs, 
 lo to loue him as hcehath louedvs, £pbef.$. 25* wee may 
 be in the later day really and fully perfumed and filled with 
 his ecernall glory in heauenly places, to whom in the vnityof 
 the father and of the holy fpirite, be all glory for euer. Amen. 
 
 The Fifth Sermon. 
 
 Our helpe be in the name of God,&c. 
 
 // it written atfolloweth in the fir ft Chapter of the Canticle of 
 
 (fanucleS) the fourth ver fe, 
 
 4 Drawe me,we will runne after thee: when 
 the king (hall haue brought mee into his priuy 
 chambers ? we wilbe merry and reioice in thee, 
 and wil celebrate thy diledions which are bet- 
 ter then wine. 
 
 I Howe much this woorde o/Drawing Ugent, as thofe which drawe back* and 
 
 irnporteth,CT how greatlie repugnant the turne ajide, 
 
 nature of man is to God and his truth. 8 This is not all, to runne: but wee 
 
 1 Two moft pernicious errors againft muft runne after the Bridegrome , and of 
 
 this doSfrine. what turnings we muft take heed in this 
 
 3 Wee had nee de to be drawen during race. 
 
 the courfe of our whole life. y What haue bin,& *re,& fhal be the 
 
 4 The imperfcilion of man appe'areth fecret chambers wee are admitted into, 
 both in the vniuerfalbody of the churchy there to be merrie. 
 
 & in euerie member thereof. i o How we muft mahg more reckoning of 
 
 5 With what coord the Bridegroome the dile&ion of this Bridegroome, then of 
 draweth his Bride vnto him. al things els without execution. 
 
 6 We muft one drawe the other to run 1 1 Wherefore fteciall mention is made 
 al together. of wine, and how deteftahle a thing drun- 
 
 7 An application of this doShine at kgnnefjeis. 
 
 wel againft thofe which are idle and neg- i z The conclufon of this doctrine. 
 
 HITHER- 
 
The Fifth -Sermon 
 
 ITHERVNTO wee haucvndei* 
 Rood what hath bin the moll ardent 
 délire of the fpoufe,rauiilied with the 
 confederation of the excellency ofhir 
 Bridegrome,w ith w horn Die wifheth 
 and delireth to bee entierly and hap- 
 pily ioyncd and vnited. All which 
 may feemenot to accord and agree 
 with that which fhe now addeth,demaunding to be drawen by 
 ^/iw, whereas they which march forward ofthemfelues with ai 
 diligence,as this fpoufe doth,which fee met h rather to flje thé 
 to runne, need not be drawen , no more then a free horie nee- 
 deth the fpurre,but they which are flow and heauy, and they 
 much more which are altogether reftirTe . And therefore wee 
 muftwey well this worde of Drawing, to make our profite the 
 better by it. We muft therefore firft of all eonfciîe,thatifwee 
 haue in vs any good motion at al,that is to fay, tending in fuch 
 fort as it ought,to the glory of god,be the fame neuer lb fmall, 
 it proceedeth not from our nature , either in whole, cr in 
 part. For contrariwife there is in our nature nothing but mcfl: 
 defperate & mofî obftinate rebellion , vntil the fpinte of God 
 doe driue away, firft thedarckenefTeof our vndcrftanding, 
 which canot,norwil not of itfelfe, fomuchasthinkevpô the 
 things of God,2. Cor. 3 .5. and that lecondly it correct the fro- 
 wardnelTe of our wii,which is an enimy ofGod.ôc of whatfo- 
 euer is truly good^Rom. 5 . 1 o.& 8.7 . And this is the caufe why 
 the Apo(tle,£p^/.2.i .faith not fimply , that we are wounded, 
 but that we are naturaily âeadw ow 'fnr.es and offences, 
 
 2 We muft therefore in this place take heede of two moft 
 falfe doctrine s,whereofthe one is ofthofe, whobeing igno- 
 rant ofthe effect of the fall ot the fini man in his w hole pofte- 
 rity,euen vnto the litle children which are yet in the womb of 
 their mother,haue thought that man being prouided of fome 
 naturall vnderiianding and )udçemcnt 3 haà no farther need of 
 the law of God then to bee better and perfectiier informed of 
 the will of God his Creatonas a childe that hath a good witte, 
 
 neede 
 
Vpon The FittsT C*A>TtlU 57 
 
 needenomorcthenagoodmafler,or asafaitevvhitc paper, 
 w hich is fit to receiuc all chat a man will w rue in it. The oihcr 
 oftheiefalic doctrines is of them, which compare our nature 
 vnto a lame man, that hath no need but of ont to itaichimvp, 
 to go vpright.And this is the opinion of thole Sopbiits,whieh 
 confefk indeed that we haue need or the grace oi God to prê- 
 tent vs,and accompany vs,by realon or that natural infirmitie 
 w -hich is befallen vs by the hereditary corruption which wtc 
 drawe from our firft father: but they wiil haue the gract cf 
 God to icrue vs but for a payre of crutches, hcrt by attcrw ard 
 to eftablilïi their owne merits .The fnttthe.teforevttcrly take 
 aw ay the lupernaturall grace of Gcd,which is the h*ift ground 
 and foundation of our faluation : & therefore haue they beene 
 heretofore rightly condemned and detcikd:but the other,de- 
 finng to part iiakes bet w cere that which iru y.call/rr*-n///& 
 the grace ofGod,fall by an other w ay into the fair e inconue- 
 nienceandmifchiefe.FortowardesGod, the former of thefe 
 doctrines is as good as the later,* r eieas v\ c etc ht tr auouch 
 & confefle , that it is the mere & only grace & meicy of God, 
 not w hich aidcth our nature being weak r ed 5 but w hich chan- 
 geth it altogether in quality , bringing \scnt of àarckenefje irto 
 light. Aéi.26.i8.&Ephef.5.8.&from^/^^/.rtf///«r,I phef. 2. 
 1.5. &Ke which know cth not this grace & that fotar too as 
 this point reachcth, knoweth not what the gofpel n eaneth, 
 or the words of the Lord, loh.ô.q 4. No man ccmn.cthvntcmc ex* 
 aft the father drawe htm.Jhcy reply hereupon that v\ee then 
 transforme men into blocks & (tones, depnuing them vtter- 
 lv ofvnderftanding & will: which conclu(îon they faifly draw 
 worn our doétrine. For wee know well enough, God be than- 
 kc d, that the fall of the firrt man hath not depi iued him of vn- 
 der(landir.gandwiJJ,bythe which faculties,mancoth yet t if- 
 fer from bruit bcaltcs: fofarre wee are from transforming t f 
 him into wood or (tonc,although the fenpture e all the hart of 
 the man vnregenerate,* hart of j? one, op y o\cd 10 an Lrt ofpJh y 
 that is to laic, made foft and tender by the grace of "God,£*fr . 
 1 6. 26. But we Uy, that in that which concerncih the know-. 
 
 H ledge 
 
58 The Fifth Sermon 
 
 ledge of the true God vntofaluation, that is to fay, touching 
 the doctrine of the golpell , which \% the power of Godtofaluattoit 
 to all that bsleeue y Rom. 1 . 1 6. flefh andbloodreueïle tt not vnto vs, 
 neither in whole nor in part, Mat. \6. 17. but the fonne of 
 God mutt reueile it vnto vsjok 1 .1 8.not as if we had eyes and 
 there needed nothing els but to préfet the truth vnto them to 
 make vsto fee, but giuing vs firft eyes, that is to fay in the Ian* 
 guage of the Apoftle Ephef.i . I Z.enltghtning the eyes of our mind, 
 to wit, which were before cleane put out in refpeét ofthis 
 knowledge of our faluation.The like is to be faide of the will 
 vcterly out of rule, and repugnant to that ofGod. Our vncler- 
 ltanding therfore remained vnto vs, but filled with ignorance 
 and vncapable of knowledge: yea an enemie to the truth of 
 Goà,Rom. 8.7. We haue alfo a will, but rcplenifhed and filled 
 with all wickednes and vanitie, by reafon whereof the Lorde 
 fpeaking ofthis firft grace vfeth the word of New~birth,\o\\^. 
 5 .which declareth the firft originall and beginning of our fpi- 
 rituall life and being, I meane touching thefe new qualities of 
 both parts ofthe foul, & not in refpedfc of the eflence of them. 
 To conclude therfore that which. the Apoftle faith,that ma be- 
 fore this firrt grace, \% folâvnderfmfkiix is ro fay, is made a flaue 
 of fin: Rom.j.i^. and that the not tirait man ,that is to fay,that the 
 ma which is not otherwifc quickned & made aliue in his foul, 
 thé now it is naturally in h\m,canot conccauethe things of the fyirt 
 vfGodjs molt true of man entirely côfiderediri his own nature 
 without any mancr of exception,or qualification whatfoeuer. 
 3 And yet all this notwithstanding, this manner of drawing 
 cannot be applied to this (poufe, as appeareth by the wordes 
 which went before, by which fhee mod plainly and vnfai- 
 n edly declareth, that ihee was already drawne, yea and as it 
 were rauifhed aboue the cloudes by this grace, wit ne fled by a 
 moftvehementdefire of hersof paffing yet farther.And there- 
 fore we muft adde vnto that which we haue already faid, that 
 ifthc firit grace be altogether neceffary for vs, eucn fo is the 
 fécond, and after the féconda third, and fo on, infuchwife, 
 that euen to his laft breathing,eucry faithful! foule rauft euery 
 
 minute 
 
VpowThi First Chapter. $9 
 
 minute and moment cry out .Draw me, draw me: fuch repug- 
 nancy & retirante there is yet remaining in thole, which are 
 inoit obedient, fiichheauinesand lumpiinnes in thole which 
 arc molt ready and diligent : and all thefe graces w hich come 
 pne on the head of anothcr,mull proceed from the fame foun- 
 tain* from w hich thcfirii c^çj, Jw«nc fronuhemcreand on- 
 ly free bounty and liberality of our God, which moueth hina 
 to perfect his. work e begunne in vs; and that not to crowne a- 
 ny merits of our workes,but to keepe his pomifc as freely with 
 vs,as he made it at the lirlt.rSo>çh»tthis, di(tin6tion of worlds go* 
 ïng before fait h and.aniy f repay afoij^,^ the Sophilis fpeake , from 
 xhzmrkeswhtch follow andecme after fatth y of which they make 
 their mérita of candfgnitte y w ere vcrilie forged in the fhop of Sa- 
 tan , who could by no better and readier meanesleade men 
 vntodellruclion, then hy periwadi.ng them , that tbeybeç of 
 "feme pnce,and defesueibme thing before God. The Apottle 
 fpeaketh far another language: J^om.-j. 24.2 5. who feeling in 
 himfcifethereiidue& remnant of the corruption which was 
 yet in him, howregenerate foeuer he was,and crying out mife- 
 rable rmw that J am jrbofhal deliver we from this body of death • , go? 
 eth notto vaunt himlelfeof his trauailes, butgiueth God thanks, 
 through le fits Chnfl our Lord , proteftmg elfe where , (albeit he 
 was wel allured ofthe crowne promifed vnto them which run 
 wehand to loyal and faithful feruants:2.T//».4 $.]that hewdbe 
 foHnàyhamng^ziùiht^tJoi 'my ownertghteoufneffevehtch is of the law % 
 butthatwhtchisbyfaithtn Chrtfl y Philip. 3. 9. in fuch fort as that 
 faying of Leo an auncient Bifhop of Rome,ouerthrowing the 
 indulgences and pardons forged by his wicked fuccciTours,is 
 moft true t namely , that the righteous gaue not crownes , but rccet* 
 tted crovrnes , axdxhatftom the cinflancte ofthe faithful! are procee- 
 ded examples ofpattençe and not the gift es ofrtghteoufieffe . 1 1 i s n oc 
 therefore inough that God forme in vsadefirc to know him, 
 and to feruc and walke after him , but he muft fuccour, main- 
 tainc , & giue continual forces to this délire, which otherwife 
 would fudcainriy die and come to nothing^ndourjatter c- 
 ftace and condition become worfe then the fir it. Alas yvee ice 
 
 H 2 *ac 
 
6b V* The Fifth Sermon 
 
 at this daie but too manie examples ofthat which is written: 
 Mat. 1 2.45. and i.Pet.i.io . Our fpoufe therefore whcnihec 
 faith Waw mecji is as much as if ihe laid, Alas my beloued,aI- 
 thoughIcry,yedfcenot that thou commeitany thing the 
 nearer vnto me.This,this is the extreme defire the fathers had, 
 whereof Iefus Chriit fpake AfM.13.1y.znd 1./V/.1 .1 1 . 1 muft 
 thercforc(faith the fpoufe) app roc h nearer thee. But alas al- 
 though I doe that which thou giuclt mee power to doc , mec 
 thinkes I haue no legs,fo heauie, lb benummcd,and fo aflccp 
 they are. I would gladly flic vnto thcc,buc I trayle the wing,& 
 theteforç draw mt . The like oughc wee to fay euerydaie, al- 
 though we may faie,that this Bndegromc or beloued,is come 
 nearer vnto vs now , then hee was in Salomons time,and thac 
 he is as it were painted out before our eies, 
 
 4 And wee muit note here that this prayer pertaineth not 
 onely toeuerie member of the Church in the feeblençfTe of 
 his fpirit and wil, but to the whole body of cueric Church yea 
 ofthe whole Church,Catholickly,that is vniuerfally confide- 
 Ted,fo vexed and troubled as al auncicnt hiltories do witneflfe, 
 both by hérétiques in matter of do&rine, and fo defaced and 
 disfigured with infinite fcandales and offences in the difci- 
 pline and gouernment thereof: which thing Jhould bee well 
 confidered, both of them which feekc here belowe a perfecti- 
 on in euerie member ofthe Church , as the Cathariltcs of old, 
 and in our time the Anabaptifts , and of them which forge vn- 
 to themfelues an Idea of a Catholique Church, which fhould 
 be without fpotte or wrihkle,which they afterwardc apply to 
 their phantafme ofthe Sea of Rome,without any either fcrip- 
 turc or reafon . And yet for all this the true Church leaucth nor 
 to be the receptacle & gardien ofthe truth ofGodwvho neuer 
 fufTereth that this foundation ihould not rcmaine and abide 
 firme and fure. 
 
 5 But in fayin g DtawmefNt muft withal take the cord in our 
 
 hand by which we are craned vp and drawn vnto him: for to 
 
 fpeakthus,&inthemcaneti'netorefufethe meane which is 
 
 ftckmed vb to draw Y3,wcre but to mock God, That which I 
 
 •? call 
 
VponThë FiKrr CHA>Ttt. et 
 
 call the corde is the preaching ofthcGofpelI,the ordinary in. 
 ftrumentofchefpiritofGod, to open our heart, to the end to 
 make it heedful and attentiue.and to pcarce our eares to hear, 
 & to giue vs eies to l*ee,in a word to lead vs into al truth,and to 
 confirme and comfort vs vnto the endc: and this is it in whic h 
 theordinarieexercifeofailChriftians conflltcth. It is but in 
 vaine therefore for fuch as are ordinaric and common con- 
 temners ofGods word to fay DrawMee.Foi it is no more then 
 if i hey (hould faie vnto God, make me to liue without a foule, 
 make me to fee w ithout lighc. 
 
 6 But to go on: a man maie demaund why the fpoufe faith 
 in the lingular number Draw me and not Drawvs, feeing that 
 •non after fhc fpeakcth alfoof her companions And me will 
 run after thee. Let vs therefore vndcrftand that this fpoufe here 
 reprefenteth not one onlie perfon,but the whole company &: 
 affemblyofthc true faithful already inftruétxd, and bringing 
 forth eucne day as a fruitful mother children vnto God:which 
 are here vnderlt oode by the companions of this fpoufe . Shcc 
 ment not therefore to forget her companie in fpeaking parti- 
 culate of her fclfe, but to fhe w by her owne example the reft 
 of her traine what they ought to doe. And thus mutt they doc 
 which haue profited more then others in the Church of God, 
 they muft bee inftruments of grace towardes others, andfo 
 take one another by the hand, andafcendvp togithcr to this 
 holy houle of God whereunto we afpire:£/^ 2. g .which thing 
 is. principally required in the paftors and teachers which are 
 fent to this effect and purpofe. 
 
 The fpoufe therefore addeth , ioyning her felfe with her 
 companie, v4»i/»vB7/r/«w7tf after tbee.By which words is fhew- 
 en vs the effect of that which (lie required, when {lie defired 
 tobe drawne,to wit,to the end that fhe might not only march 
 forward and goon with more courage,but rather runne. And 
 this is oppofed to that negligence and flownes which is in the 
 greateft part of them which arc of others moftenabled,and ai 
 for want oftaking courage to themfelues and making the gra- 
 ces of God to bee powcrfuli in them, profiting from faith to 
 ' H i feitb 
 
6% The F ifth Sermon 
 
 faiths from good to h ettcr, as it is faid, T/S/.84. 7. w ithout 
 fainting and being w eary in running w c\\,Heè.i 2.1 2.Where- 
 tore the Aportle exhorting vs, and propofwg himlelre tor an 
 txample> ia'nh,Tbat we muft forget thcjetbirgs wbwb ate behtnde % 
 **d follow hard aft crtbofe things ubtcb are bejore.and draw to the 
 *M>ke y tbat vtotbeprtceof the btgh calling of GodwCbrtft lefw. 
 Philip, g. 1 3. 1 4. the life ot man being eii'e where compared 
 vntoa race, in the which, faith he, many àormnejeut one only re* 
 cetuetb tbepr/ce^zmcly he which runneth to the litres end, & 
 feafeth vpô the price, 1 .Cor. p. 24. And if they be to be reprehé- 
 ded, which runne not fwiftenough, they are much lefTe to be 
 excufed which go not but pace by pace.But what fhal become 
 ot them who recoile and go backv\ ard in iteede of going for* 
 ward ? what Iriall become of ihem which not only draw back 
 but flatly turne the back, returning as fwine vnto their mire, 
 and as dogges vnto their vomit? lTct. 2. 22. 
 
 7 And what may Lfay hereupon? euen thus much in fewe 
 words, that albeit the Lord by a more then admirable conti- 
 nuing of his graces and finguler patience to inuke, to drawc, 
 to fummon vs, vs , I fay, of this Citty, yea crying fo loude and 
 fo fhril, that chis voice ofhis hath beene hard in al corners and 
 quarters ofthe world : yet notwithstanding I dare not fay that 
 there are found any tuners amongft vs.but too many idle, too 
 many deaffe, too many lame , too many cold , yea roo many 
 Which draw back. 1 fpeake it to my great regret & griefe , co- 
 paring the time whichlhauefeen,inthewhuh there was fo 
 great zeale to the word ofGod, that the paftors and teachers 
 Were not fufric icnt to furnifh men therewith,& that not with- 
 out goodly and great fruits , both in refpcét of the good order 
 obferued in the fiate publ;ck,& in priuate families , which did 
 nngofPfalmesandpraiicsofGod: one neighbour warned & 
 inltruCted another, open fcandalsand offences were not hid- 
 den anddilTembled,the (traungers forgate their othes,and o- 
 ther their euil markers ,afToone as they entered but the gates of 
 Geneuarco be fhort in cdparifon ofthe time wherein wenow 
 •arc^mendidnotgOjbatdidrunyntoGodjandGQddkdbieJc 
 
 them 
 
Vpow The First Chapter. tf$ 
 
 them,withholding & flaying the furic & rage oftheir greateft 
 encmîë s, during their greatelt fiery zeal & courage. And now 
 what?Hardly doe we retaine the name of that,of which before 
 wee had che true iubitance,and our fire is a fire of chaffe. And 
 therefore it is vntovs , that that reprchenfion made by the A- 
 poltlc to the Gal athianspertaineth, that £*#/»£ begun w the $i- 
 m,rve ertdintheflijh: Galat.3.3 . Eucrie one is giucn vnto him- 
 felfe,couctoufnes and diltruft hauc polTefied euerie mans hare, 
 there are no lawes which can bridle our pompes and fupcrflu- 
 itics, in fuc h a time , when wee fhould bee rather clad in iack- 
 cloth and afries,as neither the gammings,fornications, and a- 
 dulteries of fome amongft vs. In a word in fteed of going for- 
 ward wee goe backeward, euerie man doing fo,as if a man to 
 runne would charge himfelfe with a furred and heauie coate, 
 infteed of putting himfelfe into his dublet, yea into hisfhirtif 
 our clothes did hinder vs.Euery man foldeth & wrappeth him 
 fclfe in the cares and thoughts of this woorld, inftcede of me- 
 ditating and putting that in vre , which retireth and plucketh 
 vs from the world,thac we perifli not with it . Euery ma is cold 
 intteedeof bceing hoteand feruent in zealc of knowledge* 
 To be fhort,euerie man fatteth himfelfe fo grofTc,that it wilbc 
 impofliblc hereafter to pafle through the lirait gate: athin£ 
 lamentablcjand whereof I warne you in the name of God: 
 while hee yet faith Come vntonte 3 and whiles the dore is yet o- 
 pen,or at the leaft onlie halfe fhut.If we wil not,God wil fhew 
 vs to our coft (and we are verie blinde if wee perceiue not that 
 he doth alreadie prepare himfelfe thereunto) that if we thinke 
 not on rt,he wil think on it,and when wee {hall crie, it /hall be 
 aunfwered vs , as it was them which were inuited to the ban- 
 quet, Matth.i2.%.z$ the workers of iniquity,/^/.7.2 3 .as the 
 foohfhVirgins:/W^.2 5.i2.from thenuberofwhich the Lord 
 keepe vs. In fummc therefore thefaithfull asftraungcrs and 
 wayfarers in the woorlde doe proteft in this place , that they 
 labour to come vnto that Cittie whereof God is the maker 
 andbuilder,/7<r£. 11. 10. not onelie to walkc thither, but al- 
 io to runne thither with all their forces they hauc rccciued 
 
 of 
 
^4 The Fifth Sermom 
 
 of him which draweth them thither. 
 
 8 But we may not forget thcfe woords fc/^jforf£<?.Foritis 
 not enough to tun, but w ee mult fii ll ttn in ihc right w ay,and 
 fecondlie w ec mult runnc right,v\ ithcui iuay ;ng either v> the 
 right or to the left hand, andthirdliewe multuiui & go for-, 
 wardc vntothc matkvntowhich we ought to tend, it we will 
 *iot haue ourpaines to be fruttrate and Jott.Al theie things are 
 giuen vs in Ieius Chnlt iblely and alone. For nrit^bcildes thac 
 it is or his ipirit that we recciueas v\ell the dehre of running, 
 as thepov\ertorunne,P^//.2.i 3 . Ht hthen-ate jbt truth andtbc 
 Itfaznd for to follow him w ithout Graying, ana to obtaine the 
 price at the end of our race, he mult aiw aies run before and we 
 muftrunne after him. I hey therefore, w ho to goe toeternall 
 lifedeuiie vnto thêUlues new waics,thatiStolay any ferumg 
 of God according to their ow ne pleaiure, or happihe follow e 
 the inuentions and deuiies of other mt n w hatioeutr,although 
 chele w aies be neuerfo common and frecjuentid,and asoldc 
 and ancient as a man can wiflirhow euer they rephe that theie 
 are not other waies , but onely certaine pathes ^ which bring 
 them into the high way, as thole men dreame which make 
 thcmfclues beleeue , that the merits of woiks af rce verie w ell 
 f< ith grace.and the inuocation of holy men departed w ith the 
 office of mediation of Iefus Chrift alone: and his corporal and 
 eflcntial prefence in the maile with the verity and truth of the 
 bodie of Iefus Chrifx,and with the afcenfion and fécond com- 
 mingofhim, and other luchconclufions neceffanhe contra- 
 diétorie: yet notwithstanding not holding the right way af- 
 ter him,they mal not find him at their iourneyes e nd,and con- 
 £equentlie the) (hall haue no other fruit of their trauaile. then 
 that which Efiiy fpeaketh of 29.1 3-and the Apofrlci£û/i?/~.2.i 8. 
 Ycc fee then al falfe worfhippes and religions condemned in 
 one word,of which the Apolrlc in that place of the (olcj.i. 1 8. 
 handling this very matter lerteth down three kindes . 1 he fuit 
 isofthofe which are grounded vpon certaine vainc Ipccuiau- 
 ons,hauinganappearâceo' fon egrest wifccm.Aswl é at this 
 daysmen ground the bétcrc^iQ of$<uM4 vj:cnthis,ihai n.cr f o 
 
 not 
 
VponTh* PlUfT Chaptiiu <J 
 
 nottokîngs&princes,but by mediators./^*» that ifhofyper- 
 (onages hauc had credit with God being in this woorld, they 
 haue a great deale more becing receiued with him into para- 
 dik.Item that we mult fatisfic God in this wootlde,or in the o- 
 ther. Item that bccaufe the perfection ofeuerie eltate confi- 
 fteth in vnicy, there mult bee one generall head in the admini- 
 ftration and gouernment of the catholique Church , or other 
 like concluions of theirs who forge and deuife a religion af. 
 tertheir own fanfie,taking their humane difcourfe(a vety bad 
 rule and fquire,' to rule and fquireout their building by. The . 
 fécond kind confifteth in grolTe fupcrftitions , and iuch as arc 
 manifeft vnto all, except it bee to them , which are altogither 
 blinde and fo will bee. Suc b haue beene from all time infinite 
 maners of fancied things & doings, by which men haue drea- 
 medjfidt that their mines were thereby done forth,and finally 
 thatGod himfelfe was endebted vnto them for them, as are at 
 this daie in the C hurch ofRome holy water,ho!y waxe,pater- 
 noltcrs or beades,going on pilgrimage, certaine fignes of the 
 crofle, certaine kinds of weeds & attires & other fuc h babies, 
 in which there is neither fenfenorreafon, neither with God 
 nor with men. 
 
 The third fort was in the Apôftles time of them, which yet 
 held and retained the Iudaical ceremonies, willing to mingle 
 them with Iefus Chrift. Inthcroumeof this haue fuccecded 
 at this day the traditions of men,and an infinit number of de- 
 uotions,by which not only the commaundements ofGod arc 
 taken away and aboliihed,and Chriftians brought into a mod 
 miferable feruitudc and bondage: but the grace alfo of lefus 
 Chrift himfelfe is vtterly made voyde and of none erTeCt, and 
 there is nether doétrine nor facramet remaining vncorrupted. 
 Now al this is nothing els but to runnc in vaine after ftraun^e 
 Gods,although a man giue them rot this name.but that al this 
 is difguifed vnder thele faire woords offeruirgofGod, of the au- 
 thoritte of the QoHrch, of tsfMicjuitte , and of good Cfrleanng. 
 But in lieu of all this we are fent here vnto Iefus Chrift alone, 
 and confequendy to his holy and only woordc preached,and 
 
 I wholy 
 
66 The Fifth -Sermon 
 
 wholly put in writing, firltby the Prophets according to the 
 mealure anddilpeniation of the times, & finally by hisApo- 
 ftles, without being lawruli euen to the Angels themfelucs,to 
 chaunge any thing therein,to ad or diminifh, the Church be- 
 ing founded and grounded vpon this ground-plat & founda- 
 tion,and no other whatfoeuer, Ephef.2.20. lÂpoc. 21 .14. the 
 whole Scripture alfo giuing vs molt certaine witnes hereof: 
 which without this would not be fuffieient for the barring and 
 /hutting out of all falfe doétrines and heiefies: which thing 
 cannot be faide without great blafphemy. Ye fee then whac 
 are our lilies, what is our race and courfe j and what the price 
 is which is fet for vs auhe end thereof.Neither doth this point 
 concerne only the doctrine which is common to the whole 
 true church,but this aduertifemét mud alfo guide vs in al our 
 particular thoughts,dcliberations and praébfes, in which wee 
 muftalwaiesdemaundofGodtheaddrefle and direction of 
 his holy fpirit,that we neuer go beyond him,but alwaies walk 
 after him, hauinghim and his commaundements before our 
 eyes, as we are taught at large in that excellent Pfal. 115?. and 
 Pfal. 1.2. And herein committed Saint Peter a very great 
 faultjby and by after he had made that excellent confclTron of 
 faith,by reafon whereof he was called Cepbatjhat is a Hone or 
 rock: when hee would needes bee medling in counfaihng his 
 maifter,for which caufe hee was calledSatan, and had it 
 faid vnto him, Goe behtndmc, thou vnderflandefl not thethinges of 
 Godjbut the thwgs which are of men . Afcerwarde Iefus Chnlt ad- 
 dcth, If anie man wtlcome after me Jet htm renounce himfelfe.ejr take 
 vp his croffe and follow me . And therefore to conclude, if we wil 
 be Chriltians we may not go before lefus Chrift,but we muft 
 follow. 
 
 o Thefpoufeaddeth The king h auing brought vs into his pr'tuy 
 chambers, we wil be cheerful ^-w^r/<f Declaring by thefc words 
 that fhe is indeed the true Church,cheering her felfe fo great- 
 ly with that which notwithstanding yet fhee fawe not butin 
 parc, 1 . for. 1 3. 1 2. but holding herfelfe fo alTured of the reft, 
 fbrwhich(liehathlofureplcadges;2.^.i.22.thatitfeemeth 
 
 her 
 
Vpon TheFxrst Chapter* 6j 
 
 her.fhc is ai it were already placed in heauenly places lEph.i. 
 6. according to the example of the Prophet crying oui l J jal. 
 84 . O eternal God of hoftes, how are thy tabernacles 10 be dejired, as 
 he alio wiflieth and longeth after them molt rcruently/Py^. 
 ami rcioyceth himfelfe herein : Pfal. 1 5 3 .fpeaktng ot ilie iha- 
 dowes ,-thebodic and fubitauncc of which are in lclus Chnir. 
 7 he fecret chambers therefore of him who is here called the 
 lung,and is fo indeede, according to the ordinauncc ot the to - 
 thcr which no man can breake or infringe, Tfal.z.ô.ztQ firiiof 
 all the reuelations of the fecrets of God touc hing our laluati- 
 oninlefusChnft ,by the mouth of his Prophets: which wee 
 may call the porch or fore-chamber vnto the pallace of hea- 
 uen,into the which the Saintes and holy men beeing brought 
 before the manifclling of the Lorde in flefhe , haueleene 
 and as it were falutcd the promifes a farre off: Hebr. 1 1 i 
 1 3 . looking in into the holie court thorough the vaile , tor 
 the which vifion and fight, it is faid by the Lord,that Abra- 
 ham re icy fed, /^. 8. 5 6. So doth the fpoufealfoin this place, 
 declaring notwithstanding that fhee looketh for tome 
 better thing, namely that which is called The great fecret ofpt~ 
 ety a;;d GoSnes, that herbcloued would make himfelfe to bee 
 feenernflc/b^ould bewfltfiedin the ftirit Je ene of Angels, preached 
 vnto the Gentiles, beleeuedon in thevorlde, and received into glory. 
 I Tim. 3. i<5. This was then the time when this-fpoufe was 
 brought in into the Cabinet s and [ecr et chambers of her bcloued^ 
 meaning thereby the more neere and plain opening of all the 
 will of his heauenly father ,loh. 1 5. 1 5. and himfelfe being re- 
 ally exhibit cà, In whom are ratified all the promifes offaluatwn. 2. 
 Cor. 1 . 20. For which reafon Efay calleth the Gofpel the arme 
 of Çod. Efay 53.1 .and Saint Paul faith that it is the power of God 
 to Jalnation u all that beleeae.Rom.i. 1 6. And therefore it is not 
 without caufe that Simeon holding our Sauiour in his armes 
 rcceaued a moit lingular and vnipeakable contentment, Uuk. 
 2. 20 . and that our Lord faid vnto the Apoftles that they had 
 agreataduantageabouetheauncientiulrmen and Prophets. 
 Mvh-ii.ij. But yetnotwitManding wee fee yet but as it 
 
 I 2 were 
 
69 The Fifth Sermon 
 
 were through a dcuàc ,2nd know not but in portai Cor.f 3. ttl 
 not appearing aty et what we are, which is difrerred vnto his later 
 con.ming: 1 . Ioh. :. 2. We arc therefore entred inio the fecret 
 chambers, but beholding as it were from behind the dore the 
 glory of the Lord, as it were in a glafîe, 2. Cor. 2.28. looking 
 till hec bring vs into the innermolt of theîc Jecret chambers, 
 v hic h he is gone to prepare for \sjeh. 1 4. 5 . to lee him as hee 
 is in his true kingdome , and to bee eternally with htm, 1. ThelT. 
 3. 17. tojec that which eye neuer [owe, to heare thatwhtchearene* 
 Her bard, and to know t hat which neuer afc ended mto the hart of man. 
 I .Cor.2 a. And thus you fee what the cabtnets & jeer et chambers 
 are, and the true place called the holteofholtes , not earthly but 
 heaucnly,vnto w hich euery faithful foule afpireth,as vnto the 
 place of their true & eucrlalting reftj, and their vnfpeakablc 
 joy, euen to the Lord, as here it is faide: not only becaufe that 
 all this glory proceedeth of his onely grace , but alio becaufe 
 he is the lali end therof:the faithful defiring to be faued for no 
 other caufe,butto glorifie him, (not flaying fo much on thac 
 which ftiall betide thcmfelues N tofing that goodly long vnto 
 God with ful and perfect \oy >Not vntovs O Lor à^not vnto vs, but 
 vnto thy namegiuc the glory for thy goodnes and fatthfulnes fake % 
 Pfal.155. 
 
 10 It is not then without iuft and great caufe(the which 
 notwithstanding no man vnderrtandeth but he which is born 
 ofthefpirite, and which hath his lenfes fafhioned thereunto 
 and purified, to difcerne rightly betwixt that which is good 
 and that which is il iHcb. 5.1 4»}that this bleflcd company pro- 
 mifeth that Jhewil forget thewine , that is to fay,al the mort allu- 
 ring delicacies of this life ,to take her whole pleafure in the 
 meditation ofthcdile&ions of this her beloued, vfingagaine 
 a woorde of the plurall numberto fignifie more expreflie the 
 plenty and aboundance of that which God hathreferued in 
 rtore for his , as alio before fhe made mention not of one cabi- 
 net and ficret chamber, but of fecret chambers, according to that 
 which the beloued afterward faid , that there are many todgirges 
 
 nnd chambers of abode for the cleft W ht^ fathers houfe : loh . 1 4.2 « 
 
 and 
 
Vpon ThîFirst Chaptiju 6$ 
 
 and we maie not doubt but that by this word of Delicacies wee 
 are to vnder(tand,not onelic that which is befides the neccffi- 
 tie , which is required to the entertainment of this life , accor- 
 ding to the faying of the Apoi\\c,thzt hamngfoode &raimentwe 
 be therewith content, feeing we brought nothing tnto this world nor fkal 
 came ante thtng out oftt: i Tim. 6. 7«but alfo that wee muft goe 
 fo farre,if we be true Chri(tians,that nothing,bc it of the high- 
 er! , middle or loweft quality , no not our owne felucs , which 
 we {hould not caft far from vs,and to which we fhould not fay 
 J know thee not: Deut.3 3.9/0 farrc as it (hould turne vs neuerfo 
 little from chatdutic which we owe vntoGod.And this is thac 
 which IefusChrilt figniflethbythofe formes of fpeaking , of 
 bating of father and mother for the Ioueofhim:Luk, 1 4.26.0/ Cutting 
 eJfthehandandthefoote t andptittingout theeies: Matth.i 8.8. and 
 vot fetking tofaneoftr Itfei Mat. 1 6. 2 5 . For we may not vndcr- 
 (tandtheiefpecches according to the letter after the manner 
 of certain fantaftical men, fo to become a murderer of a mans 
 felfcmor after the maner ofhipocriticall monks, as if it were % 
 woorkc of perfection to forfake father and mother to retire a 
 mans f elfe into a defert for contemplations fake,vnprofitablc 
 both to ones (clfc and to others : but according as the flrft ta- 
 ble of the Law, which rulcth the fccond,teacheth vs,when we 
 are commanded to loue God withal our heart: which cannot 
 be done, if the things of this woorld hauc neuer fo little a pare 
 of itrfor it is another thing fo to vfe this world , as to rcferre all 
 things thereof to the glone of the Creator without feeking af- 
 ter anie thing elfe in it but the vfe, with giuing ofGod thanks. 
 And this is that which Salomon himfelfe hath taught vs at 
 large in that excellent booke ofthe Preacher , in the which he 
 hath walked vs through the whole labyrinth & mizmazcof 
 this life, fhewing vs the knowledge of vfîng it wcl without a- 
 bufing ofit.according as the Apoftle doth alfo warn & aduer- 
 tifevs:i.Cor.7.^.andi. Ttm^.i y.and the pfalmift mort am- 
 plie T^faL 49. Therefore although it be here faid , that a man 
 muft think more vpon the dxlett ions ofthe be/ouedthc vpon wtne, 
 xvec maic not fo take it , as if wee might giue our heart ouer to 
 
 I 3 them 
 
7<* The Fifth Sermon 
 
 them both, but more vntothe one then vnto the other: but 
 this mull be taken to figmfie chat neither the prefent life, nor 
 ought at al in it, (liquid poifeffe the affection and mind of the 
 fpouie.So whé it isiaid/y.5 2.5 jhouloueft thatwhtchi* eutlbttter 
 then that which u good , and loh. 3, iç.that thewor/dloued dracoes 
 batter then the hght, we.muft vndcdiâd hereby that that which 
 was euil was Joiied, as .alio darkenefle, & not ihat the good & 
 light were lqiTelouedithacjs, loucd indeed, but not fo much 
 loucd as euill and darkenefle. 
 
 1 1 Neither muft v\ee marueile that this word oÇfVweisxz^ 
 ken here ge.nerally^atber then any other word,to fignify vnto 
 vs the abuie of the good creatures of God. For if there bee any 
 thing in the world \\ hic h the world bath for- all tinte and in all 
 places abufed, it is wine* in fuch fort that for one murderer,one 
 couetous perfon,one adulterer,or fuch other like vitious man^ 
 yea for one glutton, there fhalbe found a thoufand drunkards, 
 or abufers otherwifc of wine, beit of the vine , or of other na* 
 tural orartifkialldrinke : a thing To much accunomed,that 
 men haue along time made it a common trade , yea avenue, 
 as Efay hereof bcarethvswitnes,£/^5. 1 1.& 2 2.fincewhich 
 time we fe to our.great griefe how the moii part of the world 
 isgrowentobeeworfe andworfeiai'this poynr , tbeApoftlc 
 nothauing fpokenin vaine JEfhef 5; 18. That therein uexcefle, 
 and that which an auncient writer, who neuer hardlefus 
 Chriit fpoken of, faith, Thatdrurk^meswas the Metropolitan or 
 capitall C\tty of allthe whole province of vices. In fteede ofthis, 
 theApofUein the place aboue allea'gcd .warneth vs to be filed 
 with the holy C?£<?/?*a s before him t! e Lordhiimfelfdoth,crying 
 fo \ouazky Efay.^j. \. Come takevwewitheutmony or nwny worth* 
 How euer it be, the fenterice giuenby the Lord fhalbe execu- 
 ted,to wit , That druK^ardes jhall haue no part.'inthe^wgdome of 
 hcauen , 1 . Cor. 6. 1 o. Be fide s the horrible iudgements which 
 God cxecutethdayly vpon^hejbwdies of drunkards wknefled 
 by that common prouerb being merit true, The potifleyeiWrmr^ 
 men then the fword.To returne to our purpofe&fo to conclude, 
 this holy Queene and her companions, acknowledging that 
 
 I all 
 
VpoNT*i»PftuT CftApâiu 71 
 
 al go&dnes commcth from the mere grace of god, drawing vs 
 vnto himielfe, proteft in this place, that being once admitted 
 and let in into thefecret chambers oi the king, they w iJl forget 
 whacfocuer they haue had and receiued without him,that is to 
 fay, they vvil not looke back,to forrowc for thisor for that 3 nor 
 haue their minds & arTeétion any where elle, then On the glo- 
 ry and praife of this king, whom they /hall then cnioie:v\ hich 
 fhal be truly and fully accomplished in the later daie,but mutt 
 be happily begun & coitantly purfued after of vs here below, 
 not following the example pi Lots wife : Luk^ 1 7-5 2. but ma- 
 king in veritie andtruth the fame protection which Dauid 
 maketh: Pfai . i6.$.andthe Apclllc Galat . 2.20 and 6. 14^0 
 wit ,that God ù our true foundation y znd thatweltuenotinourfelues, 
 but that le fin Chrifl liueth in vs, and that the world is crucified vnto 
 vs, and wee crucified v»to the world . According to this hohe do- 
 ctrine, &c. 
 
 The Sixth Sermon. 
 Our helpe be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 
 // U written asfolloweth in the fir ft Chapter of the Canticle of Canti- 
 cle tjhc fourth and fifth ver fcs. 
 
 4 The vp right loue thee. 
 
 5 I am black but comely ye daughters of Te- 
 çufalë (I am) fuch as the tabernacles ofKedar, 
 & the pauillions of Salomon . 
 
 
 . 
 
 1 
 
 X ^ jifummaric reherfal of the fermons are things infeparablie Uncked tcgither. 
 going before t and wherefore the ffoufe ? Thù'ffoufe is act chanted with three 
 changeth herfteech, cafting her eitsvp* ' fortes of maidens , whereof fome cfthem 
 on the comfanie tohtch followed her. arfindeedher companions , others her e? 
 
 * The fmali number is on the Chur~. nethies , others are at it were betwixt 
 chesfde. fah. 
 
 3 Euerie fmall number or great num-_ 6 Why thefe here are called daugh- 
 ter is not the Church,but that of the -up- tersoflcrufalem,and,the n, cane to bring 
 tl V 1t ' them totheirtrUemctJcr. ■ 
 
 4 True vpr'/ghtnes and the loxtif god 7 In what ftnfe th~k fftufi faith, that 
 
 when 
 
7* Tifi Sixth Sêkmô* 
 
 fhee u bUch{ , that (he is of that cornette 10 Examples eftht fame m the Chri. 
 
 hew which u contrary to the tanned and ftian Church, 
 
 parched colour. 1 1 This Jpoufe is fame times fo disfgu. 
 
 S The inward beuty ofthefroufe is ne- redjhat (he is not kpoven of men. 
 
 tter takçnfrom her , but (he may wel bee I z Butyet fhee is alwaies faire and (hi* 
 
 ftoiled of her outward ornaments for a ning before God , and fuch as are t>f4 
 
 time, whenitpleafeth her Eridegroome. clear e fight. 
 
 9 Examples of this pooreefiateofthe 13 That this doChine is of all others 
 
 ftoufe in the auncient Church. mofl neceffary in this our time. 
 
 E haue hitherto vnderftoode the ear- 
 ner* and ardent deiîre of the fpoufe, 
 thinking on no other thing, then on 
 this real coniunétion with hir beloued, 
 in which confifteth her whole felicitie, 
 and for this caufe defiring him,that ei- 
 ther hee would come vnto her , or elfc 
 (beeing forced as it were to make this 
 requcft by an holy impatiency)defiringthatfhe maybedra- 
 wen vnto him. We haue examples of either of thefe defires in 
 the holie Scriptures,being a thing moft ccrtaine,that the aun- 
 cient fathers from the beginning of the Church, wifhedfor 
 nothing more then the comming of their deliuercr, as Jeius 
 Chrift witneiTeth,ykfor. 1 3. 1 7-and Saint Peter in his firlt chap- 
 ter verfe 1 1 .and Dauid in many Pfalmes ringing & reioycing, 
 as if he faw already this foueraigne king before his c'ics/Pfçé 
 07. and in others following. Whereunto belonged» that alfo 
 which the Lordehimfelfe faith of Abraham, that feeing the 
 daic of the Lorde hecreioyced : fob, 8. $6. But whereas the 
 fathers faw him not but afar offin the promifes and fhadowes 
 oftheLawe: ffrAi 1.13.1ns no maruaile if they defired fome 
 thing more(for which Simeon giucth God thanks in his fong) 
 feeing the Saints at this daie, fine e his firit comming, inltecde 
 of beeing fatisfied therewith,defire yet more feruentlie his re- 
 turne, aswitneffeth that demaund of ours eueric daie in our 
 praier,TW^ kingdom* come: or elfe wifhingto bee diflodged 
 quickly from below as the Apoftle crieth out,Rom .7. 24. and 
 TM. 1.23 .which is nothing cl(c but to bee drawen vnto him, 
 
 leauing 
 
Vpon Thé Fi* st Chapter. 7; 
 
 leauîng here below,the old caft garment of this bcdic/vntill ic 
 be chaunged & taken againe in incorrupticn,2. Cor.j. 5.N0W 
 the fpoule hauing ended her former fpe ech,by the w hich fhec 
 was raifed as it were abouc the cloudes,by the winges of faith 
 and hope,fhee entereth here now into another, as hauing caft 
 her eies both vpon her companie and traine,and vpon hir felfc 
 and others which beheld hir. And this hath Salomon here fee 
 downc not without great reafon,asfhal appeare,by the hand- 
 Jingofthis matter . For it cannot bee but iuch confutations 
 wil often arife in the mindes and thoughts of fuch as arc moft 
 perfect : for which caufc it is more then neceflarie we prouidc 
 before hand that wee be nothing fhaken by thcm,as manie in 
 ourdaiesarc. This Quce ne therefore hauing bolted her felfe, 
 that if ftiee were drawen by the king her beloued, free w culd 
 come running vnto him with agoodlie and triumphant com- 
 panie, and hereupon beginning toeonftder what this troupe 
 and trainc ofhers could be in cemparifon ofthem,w horn fbec 
 calleth htit .Daughters oflerufalem^nd of thofe of whom fhec 
 afterwards complaincth,flic becommeth at the firft as it w ere 
 afhamed. But afterwards conftdering the quality and not the 
 quantity thcreofifriee pronotinceth cncerefully thefe wordes, 
 The vpr/ght hue thee ,as if {he fhould hauc faid,wee are indeede 
 a fmall companic»but fayre and good.for I bring thee nothing 
 which is not entire and vpright , and which beareth thee not a 
 true and fincere affection. And a little ardgcçdù better then a 
 great àeale and naught. 
 
 2 This is the comfort & confolation which hath bcen,& yet 
 is moft neceflary vntothcchurch,accordingto thefe words 
 of the Lord : Luk. 12.3 2. Fearenot litlefiock^forit ù your fathers 
 pleafitre tobeftowonyouaktngdcme.Thexc are then no greater dc- 
 ceiuers, to terme them in moft courteous manner, then they, 
 who to difecrne the true church(to the which wee muft ofne- 
 ceflîty ioyne our felues if we v\ ilbc faued' from the falfc (frcm 
 w hich we muft of neceiïîty fcparat cur feiucs if we w il not pe- 
 rifli} ftand w holy vpon a multitude. For fnft of al,euety one is 
 conftrained to conft fte,that euen in the affaires & dealings of 
 
 K this 
 
74 T HE Sixth Sermok 
 
 this world,there arc alwayes to be found more fools then wife 
 men. How is it then when the point concerncth fupernaturali 
 wifdome and goodnesfifwee will not beleeue that which the 
 Lord himft'fe hath iaidc in exprciTe termes, fpeakingoff£tf 
 broaàegate rrhtch leadeth to âtfbrttftton , & through which many doe 
 pajfe, ana ofth:ftrelt and narowgate leading vntohfe } andvchtcbfewè 
 doefinde, Mat. 7. 1 3 . let vs at leait beleeue that perpetual expe- 
 rience which wee haue hereof. ForwhatwasI praicyouthc 
 number and multitude ofthe true children of God, when the 
 deluge came vpon the world, in the which only eight perfons 
 were ipared which perifhed not by the watersfAnd afterward 
 what was Abrahams houfe , in refpeft ofthe Cananits onely? 
 Yea what was the whole people of Ifraell,to'comprife therein 
 the hipocrites and faite Ifraelites, in comparifon of all the na- 
 tions ofthe world, flint out ofthe couenantof faluation? Epb. 
 2. 1 2. Yea and then efpecially when the Bridegroome came 
 into the earth in perfon,to gather and to vifice his church,who 
 reiec^ed him but the builders? who cried waymibhim, away 
 with him ^crucifie him, crucifie bim,but the multitude? what mul- 
 titude was that firft number of fixfeore perfons, by which the 
 the Chriftian church began in Ierufalem? To bee fliort when 
 our aduerfarics at this day, who oppofe their great number to 
 our fmall companie, fhali hauc wel counted, what are they all 
 together in comparifô ofthe reft ofthe world which acknow- 
 ledge not Iefus Chrilt? The multitude therefore is fo far from 
 beeing a true marke ofthe Church of God,that on the contra- 
 rie fide the greateft number ought rather to bee fufpe&ed of 
 vs. 
 
 3 Notwithstanding we fay not that euery fmall companie 
 ought alwaies to be followed : but it muft be withall qualified 
 with this name which is here giucn vnto it, to wit,the name of 
 vprigkt: which wee ought well to waigh, toknownotonlie 
 where the true church is,but alio thofc which arc the true me- 
 bers thereof. The true church therefore is that where the vp- 
 right and true veritie ofGod touching our faluation is purely 
 taught^and^arcindccdeV";^ cbmeh, who embrace it in 
 — ~ " theii 
 
Vpon The First Chapter. 7$ 
 
 theirmindc and hart, and by erïcét dp declare the fame. And 
 what is thisvprightntf, but the will of our God w itneffed in all 
 perfection by. the writings of his prophets & A pottles? I meai\ 
 in his Jaw, in refpe£ of our applying our felues to perfourme" 
 ^according to the mcafure of his gracc,and in his gofpell ia 
 refpeâ of that our bcleeuing vnto faluation. Euery afîemblie 
 thcrefore,be it great or litle, which holdeth not it lelfe to this 
 vprightnef) cannot bee the church of God, nor he a member of 
 theituc church, whobeleeucth or doth othcrwife. 
 4 And we mull note vvel that this tru vprightnes & the loue 
 of God,are things altogether ioyncd each to other, & infepa- 
 rable:vvhece it foloweth that what doctrine foeuer withdraw- 
 cth vs ncucr fo litle from the loue of God(a$ all falfe religions 
 haue this in cornon , that they ftay men either on thefelues, oc 
 vpon otbercreatures in whole or in part)cannot he the true & 
 right way, wherof métionis here made: & likew ife,that who* 
 ibeucr witncfTeth not by his lifc,that heloueth & feareth god, 
 is no true vpright man nor a Chriliian, though he haue all the 
 knowledge of truth in his hcad.And becaufe the loue of God 
 is declared by the loue of our neighbour y whofeeuer louethnot his 
 neighbour , ùalyar, if he joue that-heloueth God, Ioh. 1 3.3 5. and 
 I. Job. 4.20* 
 
 y There follow now after this,the words of the fpoufc tur- 
 ning her ielfe to the daughters of Ief ufalem : which wee muft 
 by name difecrne & diltinguifh as wel from thofe which fhee 
 called the vpright y to wit,the ladies of her traîne ; as from them 
 of whom flic complaineth afterward, and c all eth the ftwnes of 
 her mother. Seeing then that wee vndcrftand by this ffoufe the 
 true Church of the Lord, and by theVtrgins which follow her, 
 thofe which from day to daie are borne and bred vp in her in 
 the Lord, and by the fonnes oj 'her mother the domestical enimies 
 of the Church,abufing their authoritic to the ruining and de- 
 stroying of herrit follow eth that in this place by the Daughters 
 9f Ierufalem, wee muft vnderftand the common fort , namelie 
 them i which are in fuch fort in the Church , that notwithstan- 
 ding they care not greatlie for it , and referring themfelues to 
 
 K a the 
 
j6 .. The Sixth Sermon 
 
 the prefect eftate of religion,fuch asitfallethouttobe/ollow 
 the courfe and race ofihc market, as wee fay,yeaand willing, 
 iieadioynethemiclues rather ta the perfecutots then other- 
 wife. 
 
 6 The fpoufe therefore fpeaidng vnto thcfe,and calling 
 them Daughters of Jerufalempz^WiÇ that lerulalem fhould be 
 especially mo Cuie ofGod.lctteth before them, firit orall,the 
 grace that God bellowed on them,if they could vie it w el,and 
 lecondly vpbraideth them, and that worthilie with their care- 
 lcfntiTe,as iffhc fhoulJ fare: Andyouthereit which 1 fee here 
 about me,and yet are not of my trame^ot whom is it long,that 
 you are not , haumg receiued thib grace of God to be bom not 
 Ph»liltines,norEdomites,bni citizens otthis city orGoorl fee 
 what the matter is. You chinke me not fayre,becaule my hew 
 is Sun-bi'rned and blackc, in companion ofyou who haue fo 
 frefh & (o fair an hew. Now 1 conkfle chat I am indeed black, 
 bu: yet notwithitanding J I haue a faire and pleafaunc beuty, 
 which you fee not.For as.if you behold me outv\ zfèhejamaé 
 blackjk as tanned , as if I had been brought vp vndet thcsïmnes 
 anâCabbms of the fe Moor es and Arabians: foifyou confiderof 
 my beuty through this blackncs , there is no fantllionortenteof 
 Salomon that rich & mighrie king fo faire , and fo glittering at 
 my felfe. Afterward me addeth,that this tanned hew ofhers is 
 not natural, but that it hath happened vnco her,as vnio a yong 
 maiden driuen by her naughty and wicked brethren out ofher 
 fathers houfe, where fhee mould haue liued and continued ac 
 her eafe,driuen I fay,far and wideband made to endure abroad 
 the parching of the Sunnc and other injuries of the weather. 
 Now for the vnderltanding of this fpeech which is altogether 
 allegorical,as alfo this whole Canticle or Song, wee mult firti 
 of al note,that whereas ordinarilie by the colour of blacks vn* 
 derftoode euerie fad and vnpleafant thing , as contrariwife by 
 whtte'xoy and pleafure is fignifiedmotwithitanding by èlack»es 
 in this place , which the fpoufe confeffeth to bee in her , is not 
 meanc our natural fouines & blacknes, whkh is indeed more 
 then filthy & dctdtablc,in which this fpoufe was found at the 
 
 beginning 
 
VponThb First Ghaftir. 77 
 
 beginning as Ezechu-lhtrcoffpcakcth£^£.l6'. Fojr,** tou- 
 ching trmvndeannes the Bndegioome had alreadie waflicd 
 thislpouie ot h\s>vt>ithbidniojlf>torcarJcU<inei»atcrshizy.l.<)$. 
 namclic by his bloode , and his fpirit which maketh that eucr 
 rnhence,thc Church,in as much as it is clcanfed by faith ,and 
 coniiucrcd fuch a> it is in her Bridcgioomeher beloued, is 
 without fpot or blcmifh,£/>^.i .4 zndCo/cfi ,22.& as touching 
 her peribn within, fliee is alreadie fo clenied,that fin raignetii 
 no more in hcr,but decreafcth by little and little,wayting ltill 
 for that later daic, in which beting clothed anew with incor- 
 ruption , and made conformable to the glorious bodie other 
 Bridegroome:/ > W/p.^. ioihefhalbee tiuelie rvnhout ffottc or 
 jrr/wt^,Ephef.5.27.The fpoute therefore fpeakethnotin this 
 place of this naturallinfeétion, neither in whole nor in part, 
 but mcaneth by this word the poore & miferable cftate^ her- 
 unto the Church is fometimes brought in two fortes. 1 he firtt 
 in refpeit of her natiuebeutie, which isgiuen her in proper: 
 the fécond in regard of many and ciuerlc calamities of this 
 lifcjby which her beloued doth fometimes proue her } & ibme- 
 timeschatticeher. Which thing requirethamore large and 
 ample declaration. 1 cal therefore the proper benty ofthù fjwufc, 
 and that whereby her Bridegroome maketh her indcedc 
 gracious and commendable, and caufeth her to be know n vn- 
 10 al thofc,which are not vttcrîie blindc,by her admirable fhi- 
 ning beuty : firlt, this inettimable brightnes of the clearnes of 
 truth,and of the fauour and good will of him, who hath endu- 
 ed his fpoufe thcrew ith : the nhtchbeuyù truely within,as it is 
 faid in thcqt.F/a/^verJ. 1 3. & in the inward and fptritnali man. 
 Secondly by the proper bsittie of the Churchy wecmuit vnder- 
 ftand that goodlie order of the miniftcrie^nd outw ard fcruicc 
 ofGod,which was trucliehetetofore,fuch as might rauifli the 
 whole world in admiration by the magnificencie and fump- 
 teoufncs,firft of the Tabernacle, aftc rwardes of the Temple of 
 Salomon , and ofall that which was therein done by the ordi- 
 nance and appointment of God • All this notwithflanding,as 
 the Apofllc tcacheth \$:Colof.i. 1 7. & the whole Epirtle to the 
 5 K 3 Hebrues 
 
jt The Sixth Sermon 
 
 Hebrues, was nothing but the figure and (hadow,as wel of the 
 f crfon of Iefus Chrift, as alio of the excellencieof the minilte- 
 rie of the Gofpell , fo much the more precious and glorious to 
 the eies ofiuch as fee clearlie,the more fimple and leflc earth- 
 ly it is.For euen that outwarde Leuitical pomp , how glorious 
 and excellent foeuer it were, had it not bee ne referred vnto> 
 this cnd,wherefore it was ordained, would haue been not on- 
 ly no faire or beutifukhing in the eies of the Lord; but contra- 
 riwifc,as he declareth by the mouth of al his prophets , all of ic 
 whatfoeuer would haue beene vntohim in this refpedr mod 
 llincking > foule,& inferred. Yee fee then that the Church hatln 
 a double ornament,and that a molt precious one, with which, 
 being clothed and decked, fliefheweth paflîng faire & good- 
 lie,as on the contrarie (îde,beingfpoilcdthercof,i"he is in fucK 
 fbrt disfigured and growcth out of fauour, that he mult haue 
 very good eies which wil know her. 
 
 8 But we are to note that of thefe two ornamentcs r the in* 
 ward is neuer taken from this fpoufe, being as it were a coftly 
 ie wel which he neuer loofeth, and without the which alfo flic 
 fliould bee no more taken and acknowledged for the fpoufev 
 But as for the outwarde decking, togither with other markes 
 which are like wife vifiblc, when it pleafeth God, his poore 
 Church is for a time as it were Itript out of it, either becaufe 
 the world is not worthic to haue in the midft ofit fuch a beuty 
 i/vhich it contemneth , or happily becaufe it is expedient and 
 ncceiTarie,that flic be for fome fault of hcrs,depriued of it for a 
 time,to wit, vntil the time of reconciliation, as Efay hereof fpea- 
 keth:54.6".and y.Forthattime tlvereforefliec is in forrow and 
 heauines,and without her glolTe and glittering, which may be 
 perceiuedifaire flil notwithstanding and beutiful in the eies of 
 her beloucd^who hath alwaics an eie vpon her , not to forfakc 
 her. 
 
 9 For example and proofe hereof let vs compare the time 
 ofthecaptiuityof£gypt,ofthegreate(t partvnderthelud- 
 gcs,vnderSaul,vnder the ten tribes afcertheir reuolt, vndera 
 great pare of the kings of Iuda, vnder the captiuity of Babylon 
 
 (vndcr 
 
VponThb First Chapter* 79 
 
 (vnder which there was noapparantform ofltate,eithcr tem- 
 poral or ecclefiafticall) the time of the mifeiies and horrible 
 disorders and confufions which happened vnder the empire 
 of the Greekes 3 and vnder the Romans,vntill the totall deitru- 
 dion of the Temple,and of the nation of the Iewcs;lct vs,I fay 
 but côpare thefe times with the outward eftate of the Church 
 vnder Mofes,Aaron,Iofua,Dauid,Salomon,fo long as he con- 
 tinued wife, Afa,Iofaphat , Ezcchias,Iofias,Nehemias , and o- 
 therlike kings,and gouerncrs , when there were any fuch,and 
 we fhal neede no farther proofe of this which 1 haue faid.And 
 therefore they are themielucs deceiued, and doe decehieo* 
 thers, which iudge of the church according vnto this outward * 
 and vifible markers if it were effential and perpetual , beeing 
 mod commonly fpoiled thcrcoÇand yet not lcauing therefore 
 to be knowen by them, who haue had good eies to marke her 
 natiue,and eflbn tial infe parable beutie. 
 
 1 o Now to come to the chriftian Church,this point is efpe- 
 cially to be noted,to wit,that whereas the auncient church for 
 the obfeurity ofthepromifes , which were as it were the con- 
 tract ofthis marriage, waiting forthevifiblecommingofthe 
 Bridegroome ,. had need of thefe earthly & material le wcls,a« 
 being pledges & witneiTcs of his coming:fo the Bridegroome 
 being come, as this marriage alfo is fpintual and tendeth vnto 
 a fpirituall life , bath made an ende of all this: eftabli/hing the 
 charges and callings of the officers of his houfc, and of all his 
 outward feruice,after a moftfimplc manner and fafhion, farre 
 different from the former. Retaining therefore the foucraign 
 and etemall Priefthood vnto himfelre , and likewife the rega* 
 Jityinlicuofall the Leuitical Priefthood and other charges & 
 offices feruing thereunto: he hath firft of all fetvp his lpiritual 
 Temple throughout the world,which is the Christian church, 
 by his matter builders, I meane,by his Apoftles,Prophets, and • 
 Euangelifts: which being done, he hath withal eltabliflicd for * 
 gouernoursofthisbuilding,vntothecnd and confummation 
 of the world,Paftours and Doétours for the administration of 
 the woorde and of the Sacraments: like wife Elders for the in- 
 
 ipe&ion 
 
Ça The Sixth Sermon 
 
 fpeétion and ouer-flght of manners and other Ecclefiafticall 
 ccnfures : and finally Deacons fbrthe adminiflring & difpen- 
 fing of the Church-almcs,and other reliefes of the poore: and 
 hathalfo ordained but two Sacramentes, common vnto the 
 whole Church and perpetual,the moft fimplelt, that pciîîblic 
 might be,whether w e confider the matte^or whether we rei- 
 pect the forme &adminiftringofthem:& al this/earing leaft 
 wee fliould ftay our felues on earthly things.to feck after our 
 faluatiô in thcm,or any holines befidcs.And thcrforc was the 
 Chriitian Church then in hir glofle and beutifull hew , w hen 
 this fimplicitic was diligently obferued therein and maintai- 
 ned, as it was in the time of the Apoftles, vndcr w horn verilie 
 flie florrfhed in this natiue and ingenuous beuty, both inward 
 and outward, which Efaydefcribcth vntovs, 54.and60.But 
 alas,we may well fay that this glittering glofle ot hirs,was but 
 as a lightening which palTeth from Eaft to Welt , and is fcone 
 vanished away and gone , as the Lordehimfelfcforctoldcit 
 would be, cMat.14.2j. and Luk.1 j.i^. For behold alrcadic 
 euen in the Apoftles time,thcy of the Circumcifion could not 
 abide the taking awaic of the Iudaicall Ceremonies, which 
 had bin fometime the decking & fetting forth of this fpoufe, 
 but had an end at the comming of the bridegroome in perfon. 
 Others began then to mingle, vndcr the Jnadowofdeuoti- 
 on,thcir goodly friuolous and altogither fuperftitious inuenti- 
 ons:others,not considering that they went about to bee more 
 wife then god himfclfe,inftced of contenting themfelucs with 
 this natiue and ingenuous bcutic , added thereunto the paint- 
 ing of their owne goodly humane wifedome. And albeit/the 
 Apoftlc hath fo often and fo diuerfly cried out againft all fuch 
 inucntions, and namely by a molt lingular diuinc and clearc 
 diftinét fetting downe of all thefc abuies , Colojf. 2. 1 6\and the 
 verfes following,yct could he not hinder that this ftiould not 
 come to paflè . Hereupon is entered into the Church the mcit 
 part of Ceremonies manifeftly and nctorioufly taken from Ju- 
 daifme,as namely holy water, prieflly vcflment$,lights, deck- 
 ing of matcriall templcs ; fhining and glittering with gold and 
 
 filucr 
 
Vpon ThbFimt ChaptiRi Si 
 
 (iluerand precious ftones, without fparing of all mancr coftly 
 ipparell, & braucric that might be. Afterwards the fimplicity 
 of adminiftring the Sacraments feemed ouer light, & therfore 
 there muft be added to the confecration of the water,chriime, 
 fait, fpcttle , chrême, &c. As for the facrament of the Supper, 
 it was in the end cleane taken away & abolifliedbyTranUub- 
 ftantiation, &by a rcall and expiatory offering and oblation 
 which men hauc inuented.Befides al this,this goodly humane 
 wifedome hath had that credit a long time to modell and pa- 
 terne forth ecclefiaftical charges after the Romane policy,' to 
 the endc to fulfill and accomplifh that which was foretold by 
 Saint Iohn,in the Apocalyps,of the Image of the beaft. From 
 hence infteedcofanAriftocraticall order of Bifhoppcs,that is 
 tofayPa(tours,arecome * the dignities of Patriarcks and o- 
 thers,andlaftofalltwo Popes or Oecumctoicall Bifhops,thc 
 one in the Eaft, whofc wings Mahomet hath clipped,and the 
 other in the Weft: feated the one and the other vpon the fe- 
 uenhils, and efpcciallyheeoftheWeft, who doth yet make 
 dronke the Kings and Nations of theearch, afïifîed with his 
 brcethren, officers ofthe lateft and newcit forge , called Car- 
 dinals. I let paffe fo many fupcrthtions,at which,a man may 
 prefuppofethatSathanhimfelfclaugheth. Allthis notwith- 
 itanding,if a man wil belccue our aduerfaries,behold the beu- 
 tie of the Chriftian Church : yea verily, if a fhamelerTe thing, 
 painted and diapred by her loucrs , may be this chaft and mo- 
 deft fpoufe of Iefus Chrift , which hath neither within her nor 
 vpon her any thing fauc that which it hath plcafed hir Bride- 
 grometogiue hir,& which côtentethhirfelfealtogither with 
 the garmentcs, which the true and faithful woorkmen of the 
 Lorde, I meanc his Apoitles,haue cut forth and fitted for her. 
 The more then the Church is decked after the Apoftolicke 
 fafliion, the more faire (h ce is, whatfoeuerthe miniansand 
 ba w des of thefalfe painted Church fay to the contrary. And 
 if the poore auncient Church brought in here by the holy 
 ghoft,hath had iuft occaficn of complaining , that fliee was as 
 it were disfigured by them,either which plucked from her the 
 
 L out* 
 
8i The Sixth Sermon 
 
 outward ornaments (hee receiued ofhir Bridegroome, or 
 which loaded and difguifedhirwith prophane trimmings & 
 tifflmgs vp cf her , which darckened and obfeured hir fhining 
 beuty,according as the Prophets in many places fpeake there- 
 of: alas vpon how much more iultoccarion, maie and ought 
 the Chriiiian Church to complaine of them , who vnder con- 
 tour that they would deck and trimme her,and make hir more 
 faire and bcutifull then her fpoufe had made hir, haue arrayed 
 her fo ill? And fohath fhee indeede already made hir com- 
 plaint hereof vnto her Bridegroome , who hath begun in our 
 time to heare hir, and bath put it into the mindes of good 
 Chriltian Princes and Magiftrates to disburden her ofthofe 
 ftincking and defiled gawdes,to rcftore her vnto her natiue 
 beuty: in which thing,God of his goodnefle infpire them far- 
 ther,and guide them with his fauour more and more, to the 
 ende that wee maiefoone fee the accompli (riment of that 
 which hach bcene hereof foretold, sApocaLii . Itremaineth 
 we now fpeak of the fécond kinde oïbUcknejfe , proceeding as 
 hath been faid from the afflictions and incommoditics w hich 
 concerne the ftateof this prefentlife. l\\\s btackneffe happe- 
 neth vnto the Church,according vnto the prouidence of God 
 for diuerfe rcafons: namely, fometimes tor the chaftening 
 or rather awaking of her , when fheeisasit were afleepe,and 
 fometimes for the proouing of her, andfortheglorifiengof 
 God in the patience and conftancy which hee giueth her : all 
 this notwithstanding, bee it hee chaltife her , bee it hee ex- 
 ercife or prooue her (as it is fayd Tfalme 44.)rmallie tur- 
 ning to an happie and good ende for her. %pmans-%*i%. But 
 amongeft allthefe afflictions, thofc which are vnderftoode 
 by the name of Crojfe in the Scripture,to witte,the furTeringes 
 for the name of the Bridegroome, and for righteoufnefie, 
 whether they procecde from within by domefticall enemies, 
 or whether they come from without by the perfecutions 
 of the open enemies of the Church , arc marked foorth vn- 
 to vs throughout the whole Scripture as lingular deckings 
 vp and excellent ornamentes of the Church of God , and the 
 
Vpon TheFirst Chapter* 8$ 
 
 mo(! glittering Icwcls hec giueth his fpoufe togither with 
 fayth,according to that which is faid by the Apoftle: Thiltf.i. 
 1 4.10 fuch fort as this is the true reioycing of the fpoufe: Rom. 
 5.3. Cj^^.5 # i2.(j^r.6.i4.andellevvhcre in infinite manie 
 places of the Scripture. And indcede the Church was neuer 
 niorebeutifull and fhining then vndcr the CroJJe, the faying 
 ot the Apoftle being verified by experience , That the power 
 of the Lord is made -perfect in our infirmitie and wcakeneiîe: 
 2. Cor. 1 2.9. 
 
 1 1 But this letteth not but that fometimes the Church 
 in refpe$ of the vifible markes thcreoÇand the eyes of men, 
 is as it were darckened , and that fo farre , that it is not kno- 
 wen to the moft part of the woorlde fora time, as if it were 
 no more at all m the world : whether a man regard the appa- 
 rant beauty ofit , w hich is the publique cxercile ofpreaching 
 the woorde and of adminiftring the Sacramentes: or whe- 
 ther a man confider this goodlie order of callinges, and of 
 the difcipline of the Church hindered and as it were broken 
 off for a time by the violence of perfections, bee it within 
 by the fwayof herefies, or without by the open enemies of 
 the Church , when boththefe kindes oî black» ejfe of which 
 wee haue fpoken mcete together . Such was the eftatc of the 
 Church, both by them within it,andby them without, vn- 
 der the horrible perfecution of Pharao, then when Mofes 
 was fo ill know en of his owne : and afterward vndcr a great 
 part of the ludges, & namely at the time of the warre àgainft 
 the tribe ofBeniamin, whé (as the Scripture hithjtberewasne 
 goucrnor nor king in Ifraeljbttt ener'te ma didwhat feemed htm good m 
 his owne eta. Iudg.21 .25.3s alfo vnderEly thewordof God being 
 étvery precious & dainty thing at that time: I . Sam. 3 . 1 . In the later 
 time alfo of Saul.and after his death , vntil the fécond election 
 of Dauid,a man might fee a terrible obfeuring & darkening of 
 the true vifible markes of the Church : yea as it were atotall 
 defacing of them in the kingdomc of Ifrael vndcr the per- 
 fecution of Icfabel , fo farre that Elias was entered into this 
 opinion i that hee was left alone to feme God,i . King. 1 o, 1 o. 
 
 L z And 
 
£f Thh SixthSermon 
 
 And as for thckingdomeofIuda,the ftate ofthe Church was 
 brought there to that point , that euen Iuda iuftified Ifrael , as 
 Ezechiel vpbraideth her therewith,£*^. 1 6. 5 1 . And what 
 could the ieruice and woriliippe of God bee vndcr Achaz? 
 z.Chro». 2 8.&vndcrManaffes:2. King. 21. and 2. Chronical* 
 Finallie during the feuentic years of the captiuitie of Baby- 
 lon , v\ hereunto was the name ofthe people of God brought? 
 And vnder the pcrfecution of Antiochus, vntil the purging 
 again ofthe Temple ? And as for the Chriftian Church, what 
 was the defolation thereof in the moft part ofthe world , then 
 when the Arrians for certain hundreds ofyeares were a-flote 
 & bare fway ? But e/pecially & aboue the reft , that defolation 
 is to be marked/which happened after the Emperors Maurice 
 andPhocas, both in the Ea(t, where Mahomet and his fuc- 
 ceflburs haue fo disfigured this fpoufc , that yet to this prefent 
 daiccan (bee with much adoebeeknowen,andinthc Weft, 
 by the Childc of perdition, feated in the Temple of God, 
 beeing by thismeancs verified and yet dailie prooued true, 
 that which the Lordc himfelfc hereof hath fore toi de,L*/£. 
 1 8. 8. and the Apoftle after him.2. Timot^ i.and 2 . TheJ[al m 
 a.j.and yet more clearly o/fpoc.i 2.14. 
 
 22 But notwithstanding it is to bee noted, that as the 
 Sunne, beeing by the interpolation of the Moone ecclipfed 
 and darckened, or rather hindered tocaft his cleare beames 
 Vpon the earth by fome miftes ofcloudesforatime, inref- 
 peôofmen,leaucth not for all this to remaine in hisowne 
 nature full of light , and of brightnes : yea and it maie bee that 
 fome fliarpc and cleare eies maie acknowledge and perceiue 
 bis beutie and brightnes amidft thefc miftsreuen fo this fpoufc 
 although fuch perfecutions doc darken, and as I may fo fay, 
 doe vtterly take away her natiue and ingenuous beautie , yea 
 make her to lookc like a Moore or Arabian,inrefpeét of men, 
 who by this meancs know her not: fo is it notwithstanding 
 that thorough this hlackeneffe of hers remayne certaine tra- 
 ces of beautie: naic farther, as white Ihewcth more white, 
 being laide ncarc vnto blacke; fo affli&idns, which are meant 
 
 r _ by 
 
VponThe Fikst Chanter* Sy 
 
 by this blackneflc, caufe her to fhcwe more bewtifull and 
 faire, both to her Bridegroomc , as wee fhall fee it in the 
 verfes following, and vnto them which knowc her well, as 
 Saint Paul, 2.Cor. 1 1 . 3 o. and Galat. 6. 1 4. and 17. And this 
 is the reafon which mooued the fpoufc to fay, That JJ?eeis 
 bLtcke and y et verie faire voit hall , and that on one &dc 3 fiee is 
 blacke as the Tabernacles of the ^Arabians , and on the other 
 fide, thatfbee is white Oftdjhmmg as the Tentes and Pauilltons 
 of Salomon . Neither is it without great caufe , that fhee 
 fpeaketh in this place of Salomon oppofed and contrarie 
 matched with them of Kedar . For all the fhining bright- 
 neffe of thisipoufc, commcth vnto her from the true Salo- 
 mon, which is that true king of peace, on whome depen- 
 deth all her beeing and brightneffc , as the moone hath 
 no light but of the funne. This bewtie is alfo wel fet forth and 
 defenbed in the 45. TfaL verfix. vnto which the Kedarits 
 are here oppofed, I meane the children of darckencfle, 
 who appertaine not at all to this King of light , nor vn- 
 to thisQucene, amongeft which alfo, Dauid complaincth 
 that heehad dwelt and beene held cantine too long ; Pfalme 1 20. 
 verf.5. 
 
 1 3 Now by thefe matters which wee hauc abouc decla- 
 rcd,and the times wherein we are, the Lord maketh vs to fee 
 ifwc haue any cies , and caufcth vs feele and percciue if we be 
 not more then bereauedof fenfe, how not onely expedient, 
 buthowealtogetherneceflarieitis that wee bee well inftru- 
 credit! the knowledge of the true markes of the Church, be- 
 ing in fo manie places as yet wholly defaced , and in other 
 places fo counterfeited, that it is hard for a man not to bee 
 deceaued among them, ifhec looke not the nearer vnto 
 them, & examine all by this touebftone , which is the worde 
 of the Lorde enregiftred by the Prophets and Apoltles , the 
 fumme whereof wee haue in our Chriftian Creede. Aboue 
 all let thefe temporizers, and irrefolute, and politique fcU 
 lowes of our time, vnto whomc propcrlie this fpoufc here 
 ipcaketh, lookc vnto themfeues , and inftecde of beeing 
 
 L 5 fcanda* 
 
V 
 
 $6 The Seventh Sermon 
 
 icandali7cd and offended with the poore eflatcof this fpcirfc 
 according vnto the v^crlde, prouide for their cw ne confei- 
 ence vpon paine of euerlafting death : feeing that without 
 the church there is no faluaticn, and hearing the reprehen- 
 fion which Elias makethagainft them which knowc not oa 
 which dec to turncthemfelues, 1. Kings. 18.21. let them take 
 piety on themfelues,and ioine themieliies vnto this fpcufe, to 
 the end all may come togither w ith hir vnto eternal and euer- 
 lalting blilTe and felicity, through our Lorde lefus Chrift, 
 t/fmen. 
 
 The Seventh Sermon. 
 
 Our helpe be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 
 It ù written, *s follow eth in the fir ft Chapter of the Canticle ef 
 Canticles > thefixth verfe. 
 
 6 Regard me not that I am browne, for the 
 fun hath looked vpon me. The fonnes ofmy 
 mother w ere angry againfl mee, they fetmee 
 to keepe the viney ard>but I kept not my owne 
 vineyard. 
 
 1 J. briefe rehear fall of the Sermon hate happened by the principals of them 
 goingbefore. within it. 
 
 2 The Church leaueth not to bee a 5 Wherefore the fyoufe fteakçth here 
 Church far fame defects efhers, bee it in of a virte. 
 
 manner z or in dochine. Hex we ought to 6 In what fen fe the Church calUth hir 
 heart ourfelues in fuck a cafe . The diffe- perfecutours the fonnes of hir mother, 
 tence betwixt a bodie which hath Jem* 7 W hence the anger and defpite of ba~ 
 fauli cjT de fed , & a bodie "jtterlie rot- Bard brethren proccedeth againfl their 
 ten in the mofi noble and chief e paru. innocent ffter , euen to f w her f*mt- 
 
 3 The crofe oHght not to bring the times out of the hcufe. 
 
 Church out cfkntwlicge.but is c&rm art- 8 The application efilisDochinef 
 wife an exf rep dcir.u.frAtion thereof. the tfiate of the Churchjto many ages, 
 
 4 The great defclaticns <fthe Church vnto this which is now. 
 
 ^ y J Wcc 
 
VponThb First Chapter, 87 
 
 EE haue vndcrftood the woordesof 
 the fpoufe turning her fpcech vnto 
 the daughters of krufale m , that is to 
 fay, vnto them who according to the 
 diuerfuie of times which went be- 
 fore Salomon , & folowed afterwards, 
 beeing Ifraelites by name, made fmall 
 reckoning notwithstanding or know- 
 ing either what religion was famidft 
 the confliéts and ftrifes they had with the nations bordering 
 about them,) or what this fpoufe meant, or els applied them- 
 felues to the greatelt and mightiett, defpifing the poore eftate 
 and condition of the fmall number of the children ofGod,as 
 appeared by the writings of the Prophets, and as it happened 
 vnto Iefus Chrilt himfcifc,Mat. 1 i.and Mar. 6.7, .Whereupon 
 the fpoufe warned them,that for all this fhee leaueth not to 
 haue her true beuty,to be knowen thereby and followed. But 
 now fhee addeth a Singular exhortation , which confifteth in 
 three points: thefirrt, that it is not the outward hew which 
 men mult itandvpon toiudgeofherbewty:the fécond, that 
 men make her blacker then indeed me is: the third, that this 
 bUckeneffe of hers is not naturall,and therefore by confequent 
 will not alwaies continue to be fuch,adding withall, through 
 whofe fault it is that fhee is in this cafe. 
 
 2 Now r touching the full of thefe points, me warneth and 
 aduertifeth them, not to ftand fomuchvponconfideringof 
 her in this hew, how fun-burnt foeuer it be : a warning & ad- 
 uertifmentofal others moftneceffarie,feeing there is nothing 
 fo faire and perfect in nature, whereof a man groweth not out 
 oftaftand liking, if letting paiTc to confider the be wty and 
 goodnesthereof,he fettle his minde wholy to take a view of 
 euery defect & imperfection which may be found in itrwhere- 
 as rightly to iudgcofathing,and to make our profit thereby, 
 we murt equally confiderofit, and vprightly ballance eueric 
 thing in it. And as this meafurc is to be held in eiteeming al o- 
 thcr things, fo is it efpccially and aboue all to bee obferued in 
 
 this 
 
88 Ttoi Sevekt'k $fftM*>K 
 
 this matter,wherof vvc here fpeak. They whom they called in 
 ancient time Catharifts, as alio the Donatifts, and of cur time 
 a certain iort of Anabaptifts make good proofe hereof : w ho 
 imagining a perfect beuty of a church in this world, iciier thé- 
 ielues from all others (as if in their particular afTemblies this 
 perfection were to be found) w herein they doe greatlie abufe 
 and deceiue themfelues .Firft in this.that they ftand only \ pon 
 the defects of the Church, thinking that therefore the Church 
 is no Church . Secondly in this , that they efpy a mote in the 
 eie of an othcr,& will not fee the beame which is in their own 
 eies.We are therefore to note,that there is a diucrfity & diffe- 
 rence ofdefectes and imperfections uhich are found in the 
 Church.The firft arc touching manners, w hich how e wicked 
 and corrupt foeuer they bee,cither in the paftours and fheep- 
 beards,or in the fheep, ought not to caft vs into fuch a rage as 
 therefore to thinke, that there is no Church in thofe places 
 where fuch corruptions are found . I fay folong as the truth is 
 there taught,according to that which the Lord laid fpeaking 
 to the Scribes and Pharifîes,/o long at they fete m the chaire of 
 Mofes ,that is to hyjolorg as they taught the doilrine of Ado fe s : doc 
 yee 3 faith he, that ïrhtch they fate, but doe not that nbich they do: Mat. 
 23 .2. Although this hinder not,but that a man may well wiih- 
 drawe himfelfe from the company of fuch men,following the 
 Apoftles admonition^ .0.5. 1 1 . & as the Prophet protelteth. 
 himfelfe à\à 3 Pfe/. 1 7. 4-andwarneth vstodothclike 3 P/Ti.i. 
 nay letteth not , but that aman may retire himfelfe into purer 
 and cleaner flocks (if there be any fuch) and where he may be 
 in lcfTe danger ofbeing corrupted by the contagion and infe- 
 ction ofothers.The other imperfection confifteth in doctrine. 
 In which againe there are many circumltances to be conside- 
 red before we depriue any alTembly.be it great or fmall,of the 
 name ofthc Church. And that this fhould be io , we fee by the 
 firft epiftle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, that in the church 
 of Corinth, not only touching manners, the difcipline ofthc 
 church was very loofly obferued, and the manner of teaching^ 
 the word greatly prophar.ed by a yainc and affected kinde or 
 
 bablins 
 
Vpom The First Chapter. &p 
 
 babling : but which more is that the pro and the con touching 
 the article of the rcfurrc&ion of the dead was itoutly and itifly 
 difputed, an article notwiththnding of fuch ground & foun- 
 dation in the Church,that without it the preaching of the gof- 
 pcl would become vaine: i .Cor.i j.t 7 . And yet notwithstan- 
 ding it was fo called and hclde of the Apoftle for the true 
 and holy Church of God. Among the Galathians it was yet 
 worlc,bceing for the moft part of them turned afidc, by the 
 falic Apo(tlcs,from the principal ground-plat and foundation 
 of che (Ihriftian Churcr^namely/rom the free iuftih"cation,by 
 theonlyfatisfa&ionofonc onely IefusChri(t:andyet all this 
 r.otwkh(tanding,Saint Paul giueth them the name of Church. 
 The reafon is , as touching the Corinthians,bccaufe they (he- 
 wed not thcmfelues incorrigible and part amendment, and 
 that, though there were fome but badlie inftru£ted in the arti- 
 cle ofthe refurre&ion ofthe dead, notwithstanding the bodic 
 of the Church did fHl retaine and hold the truth.The Galathi- 
 ans alfo had not banded thcmfelues againft the doétrin ofthe 
 Apo(tle,but were only turned fomewhat afidc by a light head- 
 dines,and yet notai of them , as is to be prefuppofed. 
 
 The like is alfo to bee feene by that which the Apoftlc wri- 
 teth vnto Timothy, and likewile by the fécond ofSaint Peter, 
 1 and that of Saint Iude , that there were already falfc teachers, 
 and wicked Difcipleseuenin the bofome of the Churches, 
 which notwithstanding for all thefeimperfcétions,left not to 
 be called true Churches: as a manleaueth not to bee a man, 
 though he haue fome wert or fome vlcers & biles in one pare 
 of his body, But the cafe is othcrw ife of a body altogether rot- 
 ten and corrupted in the nobleft and principalieit partes: 
 whereunto the Synagogues ofthe Iewesmaybee compared, 
 after that they ltubburncly refitted the preaching ofthe Apo- 
 Itlcfrom which, for this caufe,hee vtterly diuided and disioy- 
 ned the Church ofEphefus , tAll.i ç.ç . and 28. 28.and him- 
 fclfe alio hath giuen vs a rule hereof,/' Wp.2.2.Neither arc wc 
 Othcrwiie to bcleeue or to doc , touching fuch aiTcmblies and 
 congregations(be they great or little^ which notorioufly and 
 
 M itubburnly 
 
oo Ttff Seventh Sermon 
 
 ftubburnly oppofe themfelues againft the principall and fun- 
 damental articles ofChriftian Religion,as thatalfembly doth 
 at this daie which fitteth vpon theleauen hils,and oppofcth it 
 -felfe-dircc-'tlic againit the kingdome of lefus Chritt* whofe 
 name notwithstanding it falfeiy borroweth, and therefore we 
 haue it iultly in execration and hold it accurfed/ollowing the 
 do&rine of the Apoltle: Galat.iJè, To come therefore to our 
 purpofe,we mult take heede in this cafe,how we ftand in fuch 
 fore vpon the defedks and imperfections of one Church or 
 more as therefore not to take them for Churches:but we muft 
 vfe thofe ordmarie means which God hath appointed, to bear 
 with that which is to be borne withal, to remédie that which 
 may be remedied , and to take heede to our élues we bee not 
 fmutted,asthey faie, among colliers : applying all our (tudie 
 and endeuour to mutual edification , as the Prophets and A- 
 poftles reach vs, both by their doârine and by their exam- 
 ple. 
 
 3 It is verie true notwithstanding that the fpoufe fpeaketh 
 here of another kind oïblacknejfe y \o wit , of the outward oucr- 
 throweand diflipation ofthe Church by the vehemencie of 
 perfccutions.whichisthecaufe that many making no diffe- 
 rence betweene the glittering beuty ofthe kingdomes of this 
 world,and the fpirituall beuty of that kingdome, which is not 
 ofthisworId:andfuffering themfelues to be dazlcd and blin- 
 ded with that which hath oncly a certaine outward glolTe: ey. 
 ther enter not at al into the Church, or if happily they bee en- 
 tered,retire themfelucs afterward out of it, toreturne againc 
 to their vomit,2. Pet.z. 22. For fault of hearkening vnto this 
 warning and aduertifement,not to rely or ftand vpon this out- 
 ward black and hideous appearance ofthe crone ; but contra- 
 riwife to waigh and confiner well the true and natiue bcutic 
 oftheChurch,inthemiddcftofhergreatett afflictions. Ac- 
 cording hereunto the Lord hauing warned vsthac hiskgigàom 
 €ommeihnotvetthfuchobfermtion\AUL. 1 7.20.hath faid o\\o,Tha$ 
 hejhalbe happy which fbalnot be offended at him y x xho not w ic h flan- 
 ding is called 4 man offorrowes andgriefesj andfo disfigured, 
 
VpohThb Fikst Chapter. 9 i 
 
 Eftse j 5 .3 . that hcc is compared vnto a wormeofthe ëm&&Ûè. 
 2 2.6.to whom notwichftâding the church mult be made con- 
 formablc to bee the true church,itow.8.20. in fuch fort,that lo 
 far it is that the crofle makcth the Church not to be knowen, 
 that on the contrarie it is the true mark thercofbeing giucn to 
 none but tothetruebelecucrs, tofufferforthenameofGod, 
 the Apoftle crying out ,That this ù it whereof he wilboafl himfclfe: 
 Gal.6\i4.Mat.$.io.PhiI.i.ip.andelfcwhere throughout the 
 Scripture. Hereunto is referred the fécond point which I haue 
 touched,being contained in this , that theChurch which cal- 
 led her felfc black, faith thatflie is Browne^ if fhe fliould faie 
 to theie Daughters of Ierufalem , Comparing my felfe With 
 you,who are fo frefli and fo faire,it feemeth indeed that there 
 is nothing more black then I:but yet if your eies be good,you 
 dial find that albeit I be browne andfunneburnt by the parching 
 of the iunne,yet am I not for al my tanned hew, an Arabian or 
 Acthiopian. For ouer and befides that which hathbeenefaid 
 of the happie end & ilTuc of the afflictions of the Chureh.there 
 isan exceeding difference, between the moft miferable cftate 
 •f thofc who are blatchcd before God,by his iuft vengeances, 
 or which are left remaining in their naturall blacknes: and be- 
 twecne the confidences and afiuranccs of the children of god 
 affli&ed for righteoufncs,and for the glory of the Lorde, who 
 beltoweth this great fauorand grace vpon them to be glorifia 
 çd in them. Farther if we confider of the cftate of the church in 
 her greateft afflictions, it is not fo miferable as men think it is. 
 For as the Apofile teach cth vsfiodisfaithffil,andnenerfu)fereth 
 fitch as are his to bee tryed aboue that which they are able to beare, 1 . 
 Cor. 1 0.1 3 . And therefore verie true it is that weearepreffed m 
 euerie fort Jbut not crafed or broken y beetngtnwant and pénurie wee 
 are not deflitute anddifirejfed, beeing perfecuted we are notforfaken y 
 being beaten downe we perifh not ,2. Cor .4.8 .In a word if we ought 
 to iudge of the nature of thinges, according to their laft effect 
 and working, this browne or tannedcolour is themcanes to come 
 vnto our true and perfect whirencs,the fufTcrings of this w orld 
 beeing in no. point comparable vnto the glory which way- 
 
 M 2 teth 
 
pt T«b Seventh Sikmon 
 
 tethforvs,*. CV.4.i7.the waievnto which is the croffe, or 
 fufFcrings,I mcane forrightcoufnes and for kfus chrift: Matt. 
 5.11. This is the côfort which we ought at this day to oppofc 
 againftthefe Daughters oftheterrettriallandearthlie Icrufa- 
 jem, who chink vs To poore and mifcrable , not knowing what 
 our riches are, & how yet a t this day it is in Aegypt that there 
 is darcknes,and light in the land of Gofen onelie . Let vs giue 
 them leauc therefore to iudge ofour couleur blackw browner 
 they li(t;it iufficeth vs that the fpirit ofGod iudgeth ahogither 
 otherwife,to whofe iudgement we appeale , being aflured wc 
 fhal get and win our cauie. 
 
 4 The third point of this aduertifement or letton , namely, 
 that which the fpoufc addcth , That this brorvne colour of hers is 
 hapned her not from her birch,but by the means of the fonnef 
 of her Mother, w ho droue her out of doores, and fet her in the 
 parchingofthefunne, be ring conft rained to keepe her felfe among 
 fir ange vineyards , whereas [hee ought tohauekept her oxvne vine- 
 yard: this I faie , containeth alfo an excellent doctrine and in-* 
 ttruCtion. For the vnderttanding whercof,wee mutt firtt of all 
 note,that by this natural beutie andfairenet, with which thisac- 
 cident funne-burning is contrary matchcd,is not vnderttoode or 
 meant the qualitie or condition of the children of God in their 
 firtt generation and birth, according to the which they arc 
 borne in themfelues the children of wrath as arc othcrs,£ph.z. 
 3 .and confequentlieare mott foule, vile, and filthy : by reafoa 
 whereof,the Church,which is the aflemblic of the faithfull , is 
 compared , inrcfpecT of her firtt cftate,vnto a foule and filthie 
 maide child comming out of the womb of her mother, Ez,ech. 
 1 5.6.but we mutt refer the original and beginning of this beu- 
 tie, vnto her free vocation and calling or fpiritual newe-birth, 
 Ioh, 3 .cnand to that which foloweth in Ez,ech.i 6, ^..and the o- 
 therverfes following. Hereunto accordeth that which is faid 
 of Abraham himfcltejofoa 24. 2.to that bcuty,that is to fay,to 
 that happicettate compared to the marriage of the Lord and 
 of his church,(of the fianfailcs whereof the contract is already 
 made & patted in mott excellent magnificencic in the mount 
 
 of 
 
VpwtTiîb First Chapter. 9\ 
 
 of Sinai, then when the tabernacle with ail the Yeruice thereof 
 was e(tabiifhed,f^ bodievphereof u our Lord lefns Chrtft, Col.2. 
 1 7.Hcb.p.)to that beauty,l fay , and brightnes \ which againc 
 fhevved ic felfe yet greater, in the time of Dauid and Salomon, 
 (fo long as hec continued wile) this funnc-burnt hewothers > 
 which is here fpokenof, is oppofed: which may bee vnder- 
 itoode after two forts : namely , referring it either to the great 
 and horrible confufion, which hapned more then once after 
 the death of Iofua,vntil the time of Dauidfasis tobee fecne in 
 the hiitory of the Iudgcs}or els fpeaking of other moll Étrange 
 defolations,which happened both in Iuda,vnder the molt part 
 of the kings which were of the race ofDauid, as alfo eipecial- 
 lieinthekingdomcof Ifrael , vntill the time that the poorc 
 Church was exiled and banilhed among the barbarous and 
 fauadge nations,yea and after the rcturne from out of the cap- 
 tiuity of Babylon ,afwel vnder the empire of the Grcekes as 
 alfo the Romans,euen to the comming and departure of Ici us 
 Chrirt, which confufions and dcfolations of the church wee 
 maie fay to haue beene in this place prophetically foretold by 
 Salomon . And as for that which might hecre bee replied, that 
 mention is hecre by name made of that banifhment and 
 driuing forth of hers which befel her,not by frraungcrs,but by 
 fuch as were within, whom the fpoufe caileth thefonncsofher 
 «wrW.-Iaunfwercfirftjthatthc moi! notorious defolations 
 of the church , are not thofe which hapned vnto the church of 
 the Iewes , both by the people bordering about the ; & fowed 
 andfeattered among them (whom they fhould haue rooted 
 out and exterminated) and by thofe which were farther remo- 
 ued, I meane,the Aflyrians, Chalda?ans,Aegyptians & others, 
 of whom the holy & facred hiftories make mention :but thofe 
 which hapned by the negligence &wickednes of the gouer- 
 ners & rulers, as is in the hiftoric of the Iudgcs expreflie to be 
 feen,andintheciuilwar, Chap.i 2.y ca vnder Samp fon him fel£ 
 whofe life doth veric well declare, the little regard which the 
 Lcuits then had of their duty.But this is efpecially to be feene 
 in the ftoric of the ciuil war againlt the Bcniamites. As for the 
 
 M 3 hiftory 
 
94 The Sevînth Sêrmoh 
 
 hiftory ofthe wicked kings,thisis yet more notably to be fee» 
 
 afwcl in the kingdome of Ilracl , where the whole publick fer- 
 uiceofGod was ouerthrowen and ruined r and the Leuites 
 thcmfclues driuen fonh and expulfed,ib far that the reit ofthe 
 poore Prophets were confrxainedto bee hidden in holes and 
 dennes , and that by the finguiar bountic and goodncs ofonc 
 man^thcre to be norifhed and luftained with bread and water: 
 i. Ktxg.i 8.1 j.asalfoin the kingdome of Iuda, in which the 
 faithful ieruants of God had no worfe nor no crueller enimies 
 then the Kings andthcPncttes 5 namelyvnder Achaz*. i.Kirtg. 
 id.i2.and YQderManan r es:2JCw£.ii.$>. Secondly it is to bec 
 noted that when the Lord exercifed his iutt iudgements vpon 
 his people by ftraunge nations ncare or far orf , it w as in man- 
 ner alwaies becauie ofthe outragesand enormities commit- 
 ted within, both by theprieits,andby other the gouernours 
 and officers , fo that this poore dcfolate fpouie doth iuftly and 
 by good right impute al this mifchiefe and mifery which hath 
 fo disfigured and marred her tauour ,10 1 be fames of her Afethtr, 
 who draue her forth out of her cme zweyard, andfetherfoorch 
 to the open parching ofthe funne, that is to al the injuries and 
 contumelies which might happen to a poore vagabound fub- 
 ieclcdandmadcaflaue to Grangers her enemies. 
 
 5" To go on , we arc to obferue that it is not in this place a- 
 lone that the heritage and poiîefïîon aligned and allotted 
 to the Church ofthe lewesf I meane the land ofChanaan)is 
 compared to a vineyard well planted, wellhushanded^enui- 
 roned and compared about with good ditches for her de- 
 fence and fafegard, and bleiTed molt plentifully with al man- 
 ner of ble{fings:but alio <Pfil£o . by Afaph in the time of Da- 
 uid and Salomon,and afterward by Efzy 5.1 . Ier.2.2 1 .Ezs.i 7.' 
 which was afterward mofthrgely and amply expounded by 
 the Lord WimCclf: Mat. 2 1.7 3. Neither is it without moft great 
 and waighty reaiou that the holy Ghoftvfeth thisfiroilitude 
 as being marueilous apt & conuenicnt, feeing there is no kind 
 ofpoiTelfionmore profitable and fruitfuU,crwhichrequh-eth 
 more care and diligence to bee husbanded and trimmed. And. 
 
 " becaufc 
 
Vpon The First Chap tfcR. ?f 
 
 becaufe that as there is but one god,fo there is but one faith & 
 one Church , as alio at that time there was but one onely land 
 confecratcd and halowed vnto God , one onely people.com- 
 prifed in the couenant,one onely place eltablifhed and confc- 
 crated in lerufalem for the outwardc ordinaric feruice of the 
 Lord: therefore the fpouie fpeakcth here but of one vineyard 
 in the lingular number, to the which the ikaunge vineyards 
 arc contrary onpofed in the plural number, becaufe faite wor- 
 {hippesand religions, and falfc Churches are without num- 
 ber. 
 
 6 Shee complaineth therefore that the fonnes of her mother, 
 fufrercd her not to bee maintained in the poiTefîion of her owne 
 vineyard where (nee might liaue beenc well brought vpand 
 prclcruedvndcrcouert,in herbewty. And if a man demaund 
 the qudtion wherefore fhee called not rather them of whom 
 ihee complaineth, Tonnes of her father or her bretheren, then 
 fames of her mother; 1 anfwere* that this was therefore, becauie 
 Ù\q meant by this meanes fo to fpare her mother and her halfe 
 brethren, by a modcityverie fitting and befceming the per* 
 fonvnderwhichthetrueChurchisherereprefented vnto vs, 
 that notwithstanding fliee would not keepe it iîlent, that her 
 mother had forgotten herlelfe,I mean this very fame Church 
 confidered as it were in an other pcrfon, the mother of her, 
 which here complaineth,to wit, in afmuch as flic ordered and 
 ruled herlelfc wellat thebeginning, but aftcrthatfhee had 
 brought forth this we here fpeake of vnto the Lorde,fhee wat 
 turned afîde afterwardes after ftraunge gods in all manner of 
 outragious diflblution , as the Prophets fo oft and in fo manic 
 places vpbraide hrr. She confeiTeth thcrforc that thoic of wh6 
 fliee complaineth , that is to fay, the wicked gouernoursand 
 falfe paftours , arc indeede iflbed and defcended from her 
 mother , but not in true and iawfull wedlocke, as is at large 
 handled by Ezcchiel in his 16. Chapter aboue alleadgcd, 
 and vider the names of two fifters representing the two 
 Inngdometofifraell and of Iuda, Chapter 2?. and by the 
 iKbcr Prophètes. This is then as much >as if Ihee called 
 
 them 
 
$6 Thb Seventh Sermoh 
 
 them in plaine termes baftardes , as in the Tfaimei 44. î 1 . but 
 
 chat, as I {aide before ,ithis manner of fpeaking is more milde 
 
 and mode ft, which Dauid alio in the perfon of Chrift vfeth, 
 
 Pfalmcôç.K. 
 
 7 And we mult note well thefe woordes, That the firmes of 
 her mother were angrie againft this ffoufe.Thc caufe hereof is elk 
 where declared to be> becaufe hervhtch doth cmlhateth theltght % 
 for that his workes arc by it reprooued,/^. 3.1p. and becaufe 
 aifo the Church is not of the vjoildcjheamttiewherofù enmitie 
 rotth Godylzmcs 4.4. Behold then how the world vfeth it felfe, 
 which becing in themiddeftof the church of God hateth it 
 without caufe; who is angry alfo, but after an other fafhior». 
 For the Church is not angry with the pcrfons, but with the 
 finnesofthem who feekc their ownedeftruétion, whom fhe 
 alfo feeketh to dravve thence by all meancs , requiting them 
 with good for their euill. Betides, it is well to bee noted , that 
 thefe baftard brethren vfe not onhc mifchieuous counfaile 
 againft their (îfter, but when it fo plcafeth God , difpoffdîè 
 her for a time, and enioy the vineyarde themfelucs vntill the 
 Lord rcftoreagainc the heritage to the right owner and pof- 
 feffor 9 PfaI. 8o.and CMath. 20. 
 
 . 8 This place therefore containeth a mott excellent do- 
 ctrine, and fuch, as is of all other moft nccefTaric for vs in thefe 
 daies, to bee a warning vnto them, who in our time think it fo 
 ftrange a point of doctrine which we teach,and which is moft 
 clearc and euident,namcly that the dcfolation of the chriftian 
 church is proceeded from thofe wicked vinekeepcrs , who 
 haue laide it fo waft, that fcarcely there remained any appea- 
 rance ol the vineyarde within thefe fcuency ycars.This fecmeth 
 1 1 ay fo ftrange a matter vnto them -, that this is at this day the 
 j>oint,w hereon many doe efpecially ftand,and will not them* 
 telues acknowledge, or abide that others {hould confefle the 
 poorc church was cuerfo black* burnt , which rccouereth not- 
 withstanding by litle andlitle herbewtifullhewjand derlreth 
 *obe repoifcflcd in her viixyardf which iswot acthisdayone 
 enely remodiandebuttoie^conc onlyciry , butthe.whok v- 
 
 niuerfall 
 
VponThe First CtfAPïmu ^7 
 
 nmerfaHworidc which ought to acknowledge his Lordeand 
 redeemer,theionneofGod)ofall which countric fhee hath 
 been by htle & title difpoflefTedjby thofc two Sees oppofed to 
 that of Ielus Clirilt, the one in the Eaft, the other in the Welt. 
 Wee fee howe the fame happened fo oft in the church of the 
 lew cs,that it may be faid that amongit al thofe \\ hic h ruled & 
 gouerned ic,we fhall hardly find a douzen w hich were not ra- 
 ther dcltrcyers then builders (as the facred hiltoriescanwit- 
 nehYJthat being in the later times accomplifricd,efpeCially a- 
 gainitthe proper pcrfon of the Lorde, which was foretolde 
 7 , ftJ.ii8.22.Ej r aj.2$.6.Ul / f*ttk2'$.3i.the city ofHierufalem 
 being fpecially called the murdering citie,Af^r/^.2 3.5 7-They 
 mud therefore now bring vs forth fome prophefie or pomifc, 
 by which the priuilege may appear» which they fay is granted 
 vnto the city and Sec ofRome 3 to be net only the mother city 
 of the vniucrfal! Church, as fhee was of the auncient Romane 
 empire, but alfo to haue this prerogatiue , that fhee can neuer 
 erre . But fo farflie is from being fuch,that contrary wife fhe is 
 pointed out as it were by the finger to be the See of Apoflafie, 
 both by Saint Paul^. Tbef.2. 3 . and by Saint John in the Apo- 
 calyps, 3nd by many auncient fathers both CJreeke and Latin, 
 although they in their time fawe not that which was alreadie 
 before their eies. Neither is this come topaffe onely in this 
 See which is the Image ofthebcaft, namely ofthc Romane 
 Empire which it fucceeded, but alfo in other Churches of 
 alt the foure corners and quarters of the worlde, being a thing 
 eafictobcfliewen, that according to that which S.Paul fore- 
 told, s^;7,2o. 3 o.thcrc is fcant any herefie rifen in the church, 
 fince the time ofthe ApofUes, which was not either firftfor- 
 ged,or afterward fet fcrvarde and coloured,by fa lfc Bifhops, 
 Pricits,or Monckes.And yet in our time beholde thole which 
 hinder the work of the Lord , arid will not furTer that the vine- 
 yarde, which they haue fo vnhappily and pittifully handeled, 
 and as much as lay in them vtterly deltroied and laid wait, be 
 reiiablidiedinthehandesoffaithfulpaftour^.whichnotwith- 
 tfanding the Lorde ofthe vineyards will doe in his good time, 
 
 N hauing 
 
c8 Thi Eighth Sermoh 
 
 hauing heard thefighes and lamentations of his pooredefo* 
 late fpoufe,a$ it hath pleafed him alrcadic to beginnc to do in 
 fome places ofhis great grace and mercy. Amen. 
 According to this do^irtne^c. 
 
 The Eighth Sermon, 
 Our helpc be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 It is written asfollorveth in the fir ft Chaffer of the Canticle of • 
 Canticles } thefeuenth vcrfe. 
 
 7 O thou whom my foule loueth, fhewe me 
 where thou feedeft and caufeft (thy f locke) to 
 reftatnoone. 
 
 1 Whence the reformation of the felues into thefea. 
 church is to be drawen : and the fouîtes 7 This rcpofe &refl it not found jbu% 
 which haut beenc^xndyet are committed in the companie which is fed by him,who 
 in this behalfe . is the true (he f heard in name & in deed. 
 
 z This reformation proceeding from 8 The marcks offalfe fheepheards & 
 the foie and onlic grace of God, ought to flockgi which a man muji tal^e heed of. 
 be fought after and de fired with a fingu. 9 The Vhibfophers haue in vaine 
 1er and upright affection. f Gt4 ght after rcfoft and trantjuilliiie in 
 
 3 The Bridegrome compared to a (hep- their Vhiiofophy. 
 
 heard,& the Bride orfpoufe to a flock*. I o There is a falfe chrifiianifnte >& 4 
 
 4 The fhcepe which are feared muif falfe lefus Chriji. 
 
 feehf after the flocke. 1 1 Who is the trn lefus Chriïî,& how 
 
 J Where there is reft to be found a- we fonde in him alone >truertcofe& reft 
 
 midfi the mofi violent tempe [is. in ur foules. 
 
 6 J great fault of them who get them iz What the parching of nooncw, 
 
 forth out of the place ofrefo t to cajl them- which is hire mentioned, 
 
 HE ftate and condition in which the 
 Church is rcprcfented in the verfe go- 
 ing before , tcacheth vs what that is 
 (he meaneth heere to faie s turning her 
 Ipecch vntoher Bridegroome : w hich 
 isthisinfumme,thatbeeingfodriucn 
 from polt to piller , fo tired & tormen- 
 _ tedbyherbaltardanddcgcnerat bre* 
 thrcn,and affuring her fcifc of the dileftion of her fpoufc, how 
 
Vpon TheFirst Chapter^ 99 
 
 Hacktnàftm-bHtnt focucr ftie be through this hard and il vfagc 
 and cntcrtaincmcnt fhe hath had,fhe now bcfccchcth him to 
 tel hcrjvherejbemdy find him, to bee not onelic reeftabliflied in 
 her former e(tate,buc which is more, to come nearer vnto him 
 then euer fhe was,to the end flic may be the more adorned & 
 beutified by hrm.This is the fummc of that which is taught vs 
 in this vcrfc, containing a molt excellent and molt ncceflarie 
 doctrine, cfpeciallie tor this time wherein wee nowliue, in 
 which thcqueftionofthereltablifhmet & reformatio of this 
 poore fpoufe fo miferablie disfigured by her paftors^is of all o- 
 thcrs molt debated and handled. Now there is not a woord in 
 this place which hath not in it a marucilous waight. Let vs 
 therefore notc,fir(t of al,to whom fhe fpeakcth, and then with 
 what a vehement affection (he fpeaketh,and thirdly what flic 
 meaneth whë fhe faith,0 thou who my joule loueth &c .She fpea- 
 kcth vnto her Bridegrome,her beloucd,our Lord Iefus Chrift, 
 fhe protelteth that Ac fpeaketh vnfainedly and without hipo- 
 crifie,euen with the whole affection of her hart: and to induce 
 him to aunfwer her, (he maketh mentio of her entire amity & 
 loue which flic beareth him. Firftofall therefore let vslcarne 
 hcere this leflbn, that when the queftion is of returning and 
 bringing back againe the Church of God after thefe deflati- 
 ons, to hir true bcuty & brightnes,we may not talk of feeking 
 the manner and means to doe this in our owne braine,but we 
 mult haue an eic vnto God,to whom alone it appcrtaineth,to 
 cloth and trimmevp his fpoufe after his owne liking: and if 
 we doe othcrwifc , wee goe about nothing elfe but to difguife 
 and disfigure hcr,fometime after one fafliion,fometimcs after 
 another, as wee fee it hath hapned heretofore in the Christian 
 church,and is much to be feared Iealt it alfo happen and come 
 to parte in our time . For from whence came this transforma- 
 tion ofthe chriltian church, but from this,that the fucceflburs 
 of the firft pallors eftabliflicd by the Apo(tlcs,in (teed ofkee- 
 ping thcmfelues to thefe fimple and natiue ornaments , whic h 
 the true Apottles had cut out , & prouided & fitted this fpoufe 
 withal, would needes fet vp a feruice of their owne , with fuch 
 
 N 2 fafhions 
 
loo ThbEigmth Sermon 
 
 fifhions and manners of doing, as^rc (orné of them manifcit- 
 hç borrowed from Iudaifme , others taken from Paganifme it 
 fclfe/xhers forged and inuented according to the lull & fancy 
 of certain bilhops: & as (ome churches had authority & credic 
 aboue others, fo theie ceremonies were accordingly recciucd 
 either more or leiTe,vntil at the jail they became Caihokç^thzt 
 n to fay \vniHsrfiL I ipeake of nothing here which may not be 
 ihswn.irvp.articulat,& that by euidenttcilrmoniesyif the time 
 would lufrcr me. And how camerhcfevprVndera fhadoweÔÉ 
 colour of deuotion forfooth, & of making the feruicc of Chri- 
 fliaos more goodly & cômendable. And v\ hat is come of this* 
 Mary this, that our Crafty & kittle enimy feruing himielfe by 
 litle & litle, cuen by them who thought to doc the clean con- 
 trary, is at length comevnto that he alwaies aimed &fhocar, 
 which is to transforme & change the pure and chad l pouie of 
 the Lord into a painted & diapred harlot . So fell it out in the 
 church of the Ifraelites,when in lieu of confidering v\ hat Mo- 
 fes had faid & taught them, & what himfclfe had diligently & 
 exactly obferued,//^.^.5.namely/to he dtd all things accordirg 
 to the wode/rfr pattern which he hadfeen m the mount , E xod . 2 5 ,40. 
 with an expre{fc commandement vnto the Ifraelits, hot loader 
 dsmintfh any thing font thatjvbtch the Lord had exprejly ordained by 
 his Bw^Deut.4. 2 they prefumed to mingle with it their tradi- 
 tions & inuentions/uch as were not only vaine & fruilratory, 
 as the lord fpeaketh ofthé\£/*/.2û.i 3 .but finally fuch as were 
 abominable &direétly oppofed againft the commandement 
 of God,/î/*M ç.6\ Behold how men turning themfcluesafide 
 by litle ôdkle frô the word of god.dofirft build hay & Hubble, 
 holding notw ithdanding the foundation, as the Apoftle fore- 
 fawe & foretold, 1. Cor. 7. 1 2.& from thence, proceede to pre- 
 fenbe God himfclfe a law,notwithltading the admonitions 6c 
 aduertifements of the Apoftle, z.Ttm. $ .1 ♦& Colojjlz. 1 8.& the 
 verfes following. The quettion therefore being at this day of 
 reforming the church, the day of the Lord being appeared a£ 
 well to confumc & deftroy this (rubble & hay by that fiery fia- 
 nùng two edgedfword; Apoc. 1 .1 6, as alio to dellroy by fpirituall 
 
 armes 
 
VponThe FntsT Chapter» tot, 
 
 armes & weapons euery high thing which lifteth it felfc vp a- 
 gainll god.s.O.io^.Wc are taught m this place to haue ou r 
 recourie to the only wifedome ofGod (which is lb exactly le c 
 do vvne & enregiltced in his word) doing nothing of our owne 
 tiead/oricareour (clues orrend in that which we would a- 
 m 2d. And would co god many had had more regard hereunto 
 at chc beginning cneii they haue had,whercas in many places 
 iomc would necdes moderate that which they fhould vtterly 
 haue rooted our,retaining in churches & holy places made for 
 deuotiôjimageSjCroiTeSjalbes^opcs/with like trumpery, cal- 
 ling althefc tin ngSjthings indirTerent,not regarding the decU 
 fion which chrdt hach to the contrary in this behaltc,fpeaking 
 ofthe wafhing of the hâds of the Phariries,yî/^.7.2. although 
 wafhing ofthe hands be a thing in ic felfc not only indifferent, 
 but fuch as might wcl couer it lelfe with the cloake of honelty 
 & cleanlinefic . Others in lieu of contenting themfelues with 
 the vocations and callings ordained by the holy ghoft for the 
 gouernment & a Jminiltration ofthe church of god, folowing 
 hcerein thofe among the kings of Iuda , haue fo reformed the 
 churchjthat notwithstanding they haue left the high places to 
 ftandvpftdl : in fuch fort that in the end if Godprouidenot 
 the better againlt it , they fhal find they are fallen out of a cold 
 ague into an hot fcuer .The lord of his mercy remedy it accor- 
 ding as this fpoufe heere teacheth vs,& the aunfwerc which is 
 made her afterwards byherbridegroome. 
 
 2 Itpertaineththerforetogodaloncto reach vs the forme 
 of reforming his building, which is for this caufc called the 
 budding of Cody i Cor.} .p. wherunto wc arc yet farderto addc, 
 that it is belonging to him alone, cucn then when he hath ad- 
 orned her,to giue vs eies to know her to be fuch asfhee is,thac 
 fo we may adioin our felues vnto her. For otherwifc,the ghof- 
 pel,which is the ornament ofthe church which beutifieth ir,& 
 difcerneth & feucreth it fro the world (the apparancc & fhev* 
 whereof doth deceiue vs) î .O.7.3 1 . wil be vnto vs either an 
 offence, or a mockery, i.^r.1.23. Hemuftthercfore^//*?*// 
 tics /*/k,Pfal. 1 46.8, cares vnto our htrt to hcarc ; Pfal. 40.8. in a 
 
 N 3 word 
 
IQ t Ihb Eighth Sermon 
 
 wotdpewuft be taught of him : Efay 54. 13. 0/600. 1 fay, *>Wa*» 
 detbvs into al truth: Jon. 16.1 3.which the Ipoufe in this place 
 defireth,in this dcfolation of hers , wherein we fee her to be ac 
 this daic . For if this light is not then knowen of men, when it 
 ftiincth moft clearly, 2.C*r.4.4.what might it be when God fo 
 long a time withdrew this light from the w orldPIt is therefore 
 to God that we rnuft fay,(berv me where thou feedeflth) flocks But 
 this is not yet enough to defire to learne this of him , but wee 
 mult demaund with a true & ardent defîre , not bringing anie 
 thing eli'e but a true and vpright affection and defire of the ad- 
 uauncing of the glorie ofGod. And this is it which this fpcufc 
 teftifieth by thele words , O thouvfhom my foule fouet h ,that is to 
 fay, O my Bridcgroome and Sauiour,vnto whom I haue dedi- 
 cated and yecldcd vp my whole affection . It is no maruaile 
 therefore, if we fee at this daie the woorkc of God , infteede of 
 going forward to go backward j yea the darknes redoubled in 
 manie places, in the which the funne of truth began to (hinc 
 veric clcarcly: for experience hath prooued vnto vs that there 
 are but too manic which haue fpoilcd the harlot ofher trin- 
 kets and icwcls, not to doe with them as Mofes did with the 
 golden calfe, Exod.^ 2.20.or asEzcchias with the brazen fer- 
 pent,2. #/;*£. 1 8. 4. as neither is it requisite wee fhouldalwaies 
 doe the like, or that wee may not turne that to good and holie 
 vfes which was before applied vnto fuperftition , but(darel 
 fpeak it?Yca)but make their own ftate the mightier by that of 
 another ? leauing Icfus Chrift as the foldiers did which crucifi- 
 ed him either (tark naked, oratleaftbutbadly&forylyclad- 
 ded,the effects whereofwc fee already,giuing them occafion 
 which are culpable of this cuil to think vpon it,& to thé which 
 haue done better,to thank god therefore, & to take heed of it* 
 For fo to doe is not to loue God,but the goods of God, more 
 thcnGod and without God: whereas the true fpoufe protc- 
 fleth here that fhee loueth and feekctb after her Bridegromc, 
 with all the affection and defire {he hath. That fnec therefore 
 makcth proteftation of this loue of hers towards God,it is not 
 to alleadge her own merit or deferuing, as if God were there- 
 fore 
 
VpomTmb First Chapter, ioj 
 
 forcboundtograunthcrhcrrcqucft.Forcontrarywircfiththc 
 loue which wee beare vnto our God is the free gift of hïmjvhê 
 lonedvsfirft) I .loh.4. 1 o. thenwhenwe were his enemies y Rom. 5. 
 I o. ic followeth that if wee loue him, we are therefore behol- 
 ding vnto him and not hce vnto vs ; befides that our loue im- 
 portcth him nought at all. It is therefore an abfurd thing and 
 contrarie to the grace ofGod, to thinkc that this dileéhon or 
 loue is meritorious : but this late th not but that wee may and 
 ought to make mention vnto him ofhis own giftes, to the end 
 it would pleafe him to acknowledge vs for his, and blelTe vs 
 for thofe markes wherewith it hath pleafed him to marke vs. 
 
 3 Let vs come now vnto that which the fpouie defireth to 
 know of him, whichisinfumme, that it would pleafe him/0 
 tel her the place, where heefeedeth and caufethhisflocke to reft at 
 noone: that is to fay, in the heat of the day. This is a thing veric 
 common and accuitomablc in the Scripture, to attribute the 
 name of Paitor or fheepehcard to our Lord Iefus Chrilt, and 
 the name of flock vnto his church.Hence it followeth that by 
 thcpalture orfoode,weemuft vnderrtand the wordeofGod, 
 and by the pafturing places, thofe places where this word is 
 fincercly caught and adrniniitrcd.Thisneedcthnoproofc,be- 
 caufe the whole fcripturc both of the old & of the new tefta- 
 ment is full of proofes and teftimonics hereof. Inftcede there- 
 fore of (landing vpon the reafons& grounds ofthis allegory, 
 albeit they containe a goodly and excellent doctrine, we will 
 firlt of all aunfwerc and refolue a doubt which may bee made 
 in this place. For if the church which is but one, is brought 
 in , fpeaking in this place , and herfelfe is the flockc of Chrift, 
 what is this flocke which fhe asketh and fecketh after?Ifhere- 
 upon fome man reply and aunfwerc that it is true indeede, 
 there is but one Church of God, but that this church is parted 
 and diuidedasitwereintotwo, namely, into that companie 
 which is alreadic gathered vp on high , w hich we commonly 
 call the triumphant Church , compoled and made of the fpirits 
 aud foules of the iuft : whereofmention is made, Heb. 1 2.2 3 . 
 and that which is here belo we which we call the Church MM- 
 
 tant t 
 
ÎC4 .- *T<he Eighth Sehmow 
 
 tantes Saint Paul alfo diuideth this famiiie into two, whereof 
 «he one part is in heauen,& the other in the earth,£^/.i .1 o. 
 Coloff. 1 . 1 6. and 20. if a man I fay To aunfw ere this doubt, al- 
 though it be indcede in heauen that c ur true repofc and reft 
 licih,yetis this nothing to the matter. For there is tioparcbwg 
 of the Hoave-day Jtznhzx the vcrfe going before.and the anlwere 
 oftheBridegroomc contained in the vcrfe follow ingfheweth 
 that the point in queftion here is of the comforting & rcefta- 
 blifliing of the Church deflated and wafted by diiorders and 
 perfecutions,as we baue before at large handed. 
 
 4 Albeit therefore there isbutoneChurch, notwithftan- 
 ding this Jetteth not but that it may be confidered in mo parts 
 cuen in this world, whereof feme being disfigured by f exe- 
 cution fecke after other whk h are in peace. So we fee by ex- 
 perience at this day that the Chun h of God being meftcru- 
 elly perfecuted and depriuedofthe publique and pure excr- 
 cife or religion in feme places ofthe world, is relet ued elfe- 
 where and comfortcd,& inioycth by an cfpecial grace and fa- 
 vour of God hirhberty,whoreferueth for his poore children 
 fome place ofrefugc and refreshing. 
 
 j But it feemeih th?.t yet more properly to fpeake & more 
 jieere to ihe poinr,the church being as it were vniucrfaJly per- 
 secuted and woonderfully disfigured demaundeth hercofhir 
 Bridegroome,how and by. what meancs hee is accuitomed to 
 maintain and nounfh his Church with this pafture , againft all 
 the afflictions, ftormesand tempeftes of thisworlde. And 
 therefore is as much as if (he fhould fay, that though fhee bec 
 brought into poore eftatc,yet hath fhe not for all that lolt any 
 whit of her courage,or changed her affection at al, 3S it is faidc 
 7^/44. 1 8. and Pfa/.^ç.^ç. but that amiddeft them, amongft 
 w horn fhe is 3 & in fo troublefom a time flie hath as it were loft 
 the footing of the right way, as bceing brought into a defert 
 & wildernelïe: which caufeth her to defire her Bridegroome 
 it may pleafc him to direct her and to point her out which 
 wayflheefhall take to fihdc and to come vnto her true repofc 
 and rclUn a word to vnderftand this place aright,let vs fee be- 
 fore 
 
VpokThi First Chapter. ïôj 
 
 fore vs the itatc of the church of the Lord, in which it was but 
 threefcore or fourfcorc years ago.-whe if a man had demaded 
 what maner of booke the Bible was or the new Tettamcnt, he 
 (hould hardly hauc found one among a thoufand of them 
 which named themlelues chriftians,which knew what it w as, 
 much le(fe which vnderftood what was meant by the law & 
 the Gofpcl. Neither doe wee doubt,but that fuch as it pleated 
 God to vouchfafe his grace to enquire after the right way , a- 
 inidit fuch defarts, & to find it, to teach it vs & to bring vs thi- 
 ther by their holy labor & trauel,didofte make the fame prat- 
 er vnto God, which thisfpoufebceingin the likedtatema- 
 keth hcre,without v\ hich praier themfelues & we ftiould haue 
 perifhed with others,with the reft of the world.And yet at this 
 daic what doe all the true faithfull bcleeuers in thofe places 
 and kingdomes where they mourneand languish, butpraic 
 tnto the Lord to teach them the right waie amidlt thofe laby- 
 rinthes in which they arc, and to guide them to thofe places 
 w hereGod doth ftca hi* fheep in al abundance and in excee- 
 ding great fafcty. 
 
 6 Behold I fay what the true children ofGod,hauing great 
 Want ofthat which we haue in all aboundance , defire ot God 
 euery day with vnfpcakable fighinges and rearcs, w hileft wee 
 defpife the bounty and liberality of the Lord , and turne vpon 
 our heads into iuft iudgemcnt,the grace and mercy of the gof- 
 pel,by our wicked and diffolutc liuing. And what fhal we faic 
 of them, who enioying the places of fuch a reft/eekc after So- 
 dome and Gomorra, departing as Lot did out of Abrahams 
 houfe? Gen.i ^.io.by reafon whereof he found himfelfe foonc 
 after in il cafe, Gw.14.12.yea with his whole family, Gen a p. 
 which was finally curled of God and fhutout and excluded 
 from his people . I knowe what the replies of fuch men are, 
 thatthegofpelisnotenclofed& fhutvp within the walks of 
 one city, which is verie true . But notwithftanding the fpoufe 
 demaundeth in this place, where the place is that hec fcedc th 
 and repofeth or refteth his flieep. Neither feructh the reply of 
 fuchinentoanypurpofc, namely , that in what place focuer 
 
 O they 
 
,io6* The Eighth Sermon 
 
 they bec they wiiferue God;and if they eannor haue the pub* 
 Lque excrcife of the word ofGod, they vvil read tie Scripture; 
 and vvil pray in their houfes. I anfwere that Lot alfo when hee 
 was in Sodom afflicted his foule^which they for the mort keep 
 themfelues wel from: 2. /Vr.2.8.and yet vve iee that neither he 
 nor his Daughters learned any thing there which was ought 
 worth:G>tf. i #. 8. 1 6. 3 i . 
 
 7 Thcfirll point therefore of this demand is to know.vvhe- 
 thcrwe mull retire our felues, not to perifh with the woorlde, 
 but to be kd to eternal life .This is meant by thefc words where 
 thoafeedeftXw which we are alfo to note that it is not faidw/wr* 
 men fecdebuivchere thou feed* ft : whereby it isfhewedvs that 
 we mud leek for this food elfe where then in our felues 5 to wit, 
 in him of whom onely it is iaid,that he hath life in him} 'elfe, Ioh. 
 5.2C^.and who is the bread of life: Ioh.d.3 5 .and that we feeke it 
 no where clfc but there where he feedeth.vs, I meane^S-Sainç 
 Peter teitifieth, there where his word is announced and prea- 
 chedjVvhen he faith:Iob.6.6$.tor*homJballiit>eegoe? Thon haft the 
 vrords of 'eternal ùfe,zùcr that he had heard a little before of him, 
 the words which Ifpcakc vnto you zitfpiritandhfe. For which 
 caufe alfo, 1 Joh.i . 1 . he is called the word of life. This is then the 
 onely great paftor and fhepheard of our foules , who feedeth 
 his fheepe, hauing fpoken hrilof al vnto-the fathers in diuerfe 
 forts and at fundry times , and laft ofall hauing declared vnto> 
 vsin perfonal ùizmllofbù father ,\o\\.i<$.i f.ancjconfequent- 
 lie hauing giuen and giuing cuery daic paflours and teachers:- 
 Efhefq.i 1 .of whom it is faid zAj ray father hath fm me ^fofend, 
 fjou:loh.2Q.2 1 .not to ad notw ithilanding oriodiminifh any 
 thing from the doclrine alrcadte preached by the mafter , but 
 according to the tenour of their commiflion limited to that 
 which they haue heard andrecemed: Matth.28.2a . and A&4. 
 
 8 From thence alfo Sow 2. other points of mou necefTary 
 doc-'trin.Firu that the Church is not there where men do feed, 
 that is to fay, doe teach their owne inuentions , whether they 
 forge a doctrine altogether new , Efy ao.i 3.0* whether they 
 
 addej 
 
VpONTHrFmST J CHÀl>TER. *<>7 
 
 adde, change or diminifli anic thing from the word firft prea* 
 ched and afterward regiftred by the Prophets and ApoftlcSj 
 which the Lord calleth the /****» oft he c Pbarifees: Mat.i6\ï I. 
 & whereof the Apoitlediitinétlyandcxprefly fpeaketh, CoL 
 
 I fromthe 16. verf. vntotheend of the Chapter. Secondly 
 that as little ought euery aiTcmbly to bee called the church, in 
 the which there is no feeding, but foding of the poore people 
 with fongs and right mafquerades and mummeries, and that 
 in an vnknowen languagcramong v\hom,euen thofe which v- 
 furp the names ofpaftors arc dumb dogs,deuouring the fheep 
 Mi it were bread,]? (z\. 14.4.^ (teed of feeding them , loh.io.io. 
 and not only ignoraunt 5 and vtterly vnable and vnflt for their 
 calling, but euen vnworthy ofthe name ofChriftians^hauing 
 neuerlearned, nay not fo much as once thought vpon indeed 
 what chrittian religion meaneth, who neither enter in themfeiues 
 mto the kingàome of beauenjiorfiiffer others to enter thereinto , Luk. 
 
 II . 52. that beein g truelie fulfilled in them which was fore- 
 tolde by£/*/, 28.0 andfo on. Now whether at this daie and 
 heretofore, the clergie of Rome, who attribute vnto them- 
 feiues the name ofthe Catholique' Chyrch, bee fuch or no, 
 the verie children themfeiues can iudge and perceiue. 
 
 9 The fpoufe addeth *sfnd where thou caufeft thyflockjo reft 
 atnoone. Which is added to declare by this effedt, the dif- 
 ference which is betweene thispafturc andfoode>and al o* 
 thers befides . For if wee fhall confidcr in particular of all that 
 which men hauc euer inuented and forged to haue reft in 
 their minde and confcienccs, wee fhall find , that all is nought 
 elfcbutfo mante dreames and doting fancies . For ifwe fpeak 
 ofthem whom men calland terme Philofophers , they haue 
 indeede by common confent and accord faid, that man can 
 rlnde no true repofe or quiet, but in that which is his foue- 
 raigne good and happineflc: wherein they faie moft true: 
 but themfeiues neuer agreeing or according hereupon , what 
 this foueraigne good or happines andfelicity was, how could 
 they fhewe others the way toattainevnto it? Some ofthem 
 therefore (woithie rather to bee called hogges then men) 
 
 z hauc 
 
to8 Thi Eighth Sf.rmoh 
 
 hauc fought after this felicity , in the pleafures ofthebody,o«. 
 
 thcrs in the perfection ôfche foule, fuppofing that ic confuted 
 
 in the knowledge, which man by himfeifc might attain vnto, 
 
 of diuinc and humane thinges, which they called wifedomc; 
 
 others making a more exquifite anatomie of the partes or'the 
 
 foule,added hereunto many other vertucs concerning the v- 
 
 fage of this life,deliuering forth hereupô many goodly ienten* 
 
 ces and layings : but vaniiliing away in the end, both becauic 
 
 they were ignorant of the true vertues indeed, which are no 
 
 where clfc taught but in the fchool of chc lord.as alfo becaufc 
 
 there was neueryct found the man , in whom thefe vertucs 
 
 might bee found infuchfort, asthemfclues haue defenbeci 
 
 them.Othershaue gone yet farther, and babied fomcthing of 
 
 eternal life and of the conjunction of the foule of fuch as arc 
 
 vertuous with God. But whatPBeing ignorant of the true god, 
 
 and knowing as litle the way to come vnto him, &farther,ne- 
 
 ucr fo much as thinking vpon the refurre&ion of the body,the 
 
 fame is hapned vino them which S. Paul declared & Jhe wed 
 
 thé in Athens Aft, i 7. 2 2.& which he hereof writeth, Ro. 1 .2 1 . 
 
 10 As much may be faid of thcm,who bearing the name of 
 chriftias,are much abufed, fome not côhdering aright of that 
 which is in man,I mean the Pelagians ytuWng vtcerly away the 
 force of the fupernatural grace of god,as do yet at this day the 
 Demi-pelagians y who labor to agree fire & water together, that 
 is to fay,grace with natural free wil & merits.Others,falfifieng 
 lefusChriit, either in that which concerneth hisperfon.oria 
 that which pcrtaineth vnto his cfllce of beeing our foueraign, 
 perpétuait, and alone mediator : all which ho we faierly foe- 
 uertheybertirrethemfcluesin feeking after a true repofeand 
 contentment,fhal notwithftanding neuer find it there. 
 
 11 We muft therefore come to the true IefusChrirt and to 
 the true Chriftianifmc, according to that of lefus Chnft, That 
 this is eternal andeuerlafting Itfe >to know the father to be this trttgod, 
 & him whom he hathfent fefnschri[i him/elf ,loh.i 7. ? .who there- 
 fore crteth,Ma. 11.28 .zç.That tt is he inwho we /hall find refait it 
 he which eafeth & refrefheth vs of our travels & heatty burdens , for 
 
 which 
 
Vpon Thï First Chapter. to^ 
 
 which caufc he is called The Prince ofteacefihy o.6\bicaufe our 
 peace h vponhm 9 Eùy^ 3 .j. which now rcmaincth co bee fcene 
 and declared more f >arcicuiarly. 1 lay then chat ihe conlcience 
 can neucr be furely & iafely appeazcd.vntill ridt,ai that which 
 troblech ic be put torch, & côtrariwife ai that which may allure 
 and fettle it,tound to be in it.All that which croublcth ic, is cal- 
 led in one word 5/»,putting a diu«fion& reparation, between 
 God&man 5 £y^.5Q.i.andwhatisfm? Saint lohn anfwereth, 
 that ic is al that which is contrary co the lawe or the w il or god 
 declared in his word,i Job. 3 .4. which may and mult be reier- 
 red vnto three points: the fuit comprehédech al our thoughts, 
 words and actions difagrecing ncuerfo little from the will of 
 god,that is to fay,which agree not with the entice and per fec-t, 
 reuerence and duety which we owe vnto our God and to our 
 ncighbors.-the fécond point confiltcch to che root fro whence 
 al chefe ftmcking & infected fruics do proceed.I meane al that 
 pollutiô cV mofx Itincking filthines of ma boch within &: with- 
 outrby reafon wherof it is faid,that we are hy nature the children 
 ëfrvratb:Eph. 2. 3. that we arc carrions dead tn our fin s.EpheC 2. 
 I .and 5«that we cannot fo much as tbinke ofthoje things which 
 are of Gûd,2.Cor.-$ .$ .thit ch cwifedome of the flejhx enmitjagawfl 
 CW,Rom.8. 7. nothing bceing left vnto vs but that which ma- 
 liech vsalcogecher/^.vr*p^,Rom.i.20.bcfides infinite moc 
 the like fentences, fcatcercd throughout the whole fcripture, 
 fhc wing that man withouc excepting any thing in him w hat- 
 foeuer, is altogether fubieàt. & enthrawlcd to this corruption, 
 which wecall original nnnc: which though it hath not aboli- 
 shed in vs the fubltanceofthe foul or of the body (Tarder then 
 that thereby the body is made fubieét to corruption to return 
 to duit & powder for a timejyet it hath chaunged the light of 
 the vndcrltanding into darcknefle,the integrity & vprightnes 
 thereof into al wicked qualicres,and to fpeake in a word, hath 
 blotted out the Image of God,which fhined before in the firlt 
 creation ofman . The third pointlieth in this, that beeing ta- 
 ken for reafonable creatures, not only not to fin , but w hic h is 
 morc,to conforme our whole life to the wil of God,the rule of 
 
 all 
 
no The Eighth Sfrmon 
 
 allrJghteoufnèfle,wcc find that this third point is wanting in 
 vs with all the reft, to wit , the accompliftiment of this obedi* 
 ence . Now there is no one of thefe three points which bind- 
 cth vs not,without al manner of reply to the contrary, to eter-* 
 nail condcmnation,God the Creator beeing areuengerofall 
 finne, the wages-of which Jtnne is death: Rorn.6.2 3 .who cannot 
 furreranymannerofpollucion,beitneuerfolitle,2.^V.6.i4. 
 &whocannot,norwilnot any way renounce his holineiTefiC 
 rightcoufneiTe. Now let men fceke how many remedies they 
 will for thefe ineuitable miferies of man , and they fhall not 
 finde them in any other thing whatfoeucr, faue only in Chrill 
 alone. For the queftion being here necefiarilyof bearing the 
 burden of the wrathofGod without being quelled & prelTed 
 downe therewith , this force and power can be attributed to 
 no creature, without it be made as ftrong,yea as I may fo fay, 
 more itrong then God, as was figuredinthe wraftlin g of la- 
 cob. And whereas the Angels themfclues which remained in 
 their firfteftate,M.8.44. could not bearthis burden without 
 being ruined & ouerwhclmed therewith, & that without any 
 rifing vp again, Istd. 6.oc 2.Pet.2.q.how could men, being but 
 men^and borne deteftablefinners, futfainfuchawaight? For 
 want of which force, cternall fire is prepared for euerfor the 
 -diuell & the wicked,tharis to fay, for al them which are out of 
 JefusChri(t,beingathingvtterly vnpofTible for thé to found 
 the depth of the infinit malediction of God who is infinit. To 
 whom then fhall we haue our recourfe ? To him who caufeth 
 fuch as be his to reft fafely &furely at noane^ to him Ifay , who 
 being the eternal fonneof>god>hath taken vpon him the form 
 of a feruant,to be wholy & fully our righteoufnes/anétificati- 
 on, and redemption, concerned and borne of a virgine accor- 
 ding vnto the flelri without fin or fpot at aJlrto the end that by 
 his naturall and perfect integrity i our originall pollution and 
 vncleanne-fieihould be coucrcd^beingmadc a woorthy prieft 
 without fpot or blame, and an entire & perfect oblation & fa- 
 crifice for VS y bearing owfivs vpo the Crop in hU mnbody, I . Pet. 
 !*, 24. that is to fay, hauing fuffercd in his body and in his foul 
 
 with 
 
VponThb FiasT Ghàïtek. ïiî 
 
 with all rigor and feucrity al the paines due vnto al the finncs, 
 ofall the cleft of God, from the beginning of the worlde, 
 vntill the end thereof. For which caufcEfay witnefTcth thac 
 oar chafiifement was laid vpon him, Eiay. 5 3 . 5. and 6. &c. yea 
 To farre as to bee made^f^r/^/^r^Gal.^.ijtto the end thac 
 wee might bee made blefied in him before God. Therere-i 
 maineththe remédie of the third mifchiefe, Imeane forde- 
 faulte of the obedience which fhould bee found in vs,noc 
 oncly to efcape euerlafting death by the meanes which 
 wee haue before faide , but alio indeed thereof to obtainc 
 the crovvne of righteoufnefïe.. This is then againe in Ie- 
 fus Chrift alone,that wee flnde this full and perfect obedient 
 oppofeo! to the imperfection cuen of them which are moil 
 iuit and holy . It is he alone who hath clothed himfelfe with 
 pur nature lubieéted to the Lawe todeliuer thofe which are 
 culpable from the tranfgreflion thereof, 6VZ/.4.4. being fully 
 pbedient vnto God his father according to the firft table of 
 the Lawe, vnto death , euen to the death of the CrofTe. And 
 touching the fécond table, hec hath alio giucn himfelfe to 
 dezthforbisentmies: Rom. 5. 8.ycahauinglouedvsabouethc 
 commandement ofthe law,namely, not as much as himfelfe, 
 but more then himfelfe,: to the end that truely firft of all wee 
 fhould be exempted from al condénatiô, being vnitcd & cou- 
 pled with him,ftw».8.i. &then>which more is,be found ador- 
 ned & bewtifiedw^ his trueandyerfellrigbteoffffieflephiX. 3.0. 
 to haue a part in the life eternall. And al this of his mere gift & 
 only grace & mercy, & not for any merit or any worthineffc 
 found in vSjOeither before nor afcer the communication of the 
 gift of his grace with vs: be it whether we confider what mo- 
 wed the father to giuevs his fon, or whether wee refpeft what 
 moued Iefus Chrift to giue himfelfe for vs, or whether we re- 
 gard the mean by which we are made partakers of Iefus chrift 
 & ofhis graces,I meane our conucrfion by faith, which arc all 
 thefrfejr,fr,ofMU.3i.iS.& 2.Tim.2.25.Ioh.6".44.Epb.2.8. 
 according alio vnto that goodly & precious general fentence 
 ofS.Paul, Wktf haft tkonf»hich then haft not receiuedi 1 .Cor.4.7. 
 
 1 2 It 
 
ïii The Eighth Sehmom 
 
 12 It is not therefore but vpon great reafon that the fpoufe 
 here protefteth, that it is in her Bridegroom that we mult leek 
 arter this true repofe and reft,&this true peace w hic h the world 
 cannot give, loh. 14. 27.efpecially at raw^thatis, inthemoft 
 grieuous tentations and afflictions of allfortes, according to 
 that of the ApolUe,7^w. 5. ;.that we glory ourfdueseuen in 
 oppreiTions j as being the pledges of our conformitie with 
 our head , Romà.i j\i\ lue h fort that he proteitcth, propofing 
 himfclfe for an example vntovs,that he v\ ill not glory but in 
 his fufferings for IefusChri(t ) <W.6\i4.this being alio one of 
 the greatelt giftcs ofgod,P£//.i .29-This notw ithltanding be- 
 longeth properly to the perfections vvhieh happé vnto vs for 
 righteoulhelTe lake, according to the aduertifementoflefus 
 Chrift, that then we haue efpeeial occafion or"reioicing 3 ^/^f; 
 5.1 2. But what if by the iuit chaitifement of God wee be fee a- 
 fcroad without couert at noon. ? Euen thé alfo being in the mid-* 
 deltofthis parching we fhall find refiefhing & relt in him, ac- 
 cording to the doctrine of Saint Paul, i.Qor.ô.ç. & that which 
 js taught \s,Heb.\ 2. ^acknowledging thereby, that it is then 
 that god prefenteth himfelfe vnto vs> as a good father vnto his 
 own children fecing,that there is nogood father w hich fom- 
 times punifheth not his children, as it is written in the 23. 
 *Pfalm. t/fccordpigtothùhoijdoïlrinc*cfrc. 
 
 The Ninth Sermon. 
 Ourhelpe be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 It is written a* follow eth in the fir ft Chapter of the Canticle of 
 Canttcles , thefeuenth verfe. 
 
 Forwhyfllouldl bee to the flockcsofthy 
 companions as one that fhould hideherfelfe? 
 
 I The honor of the Brick touche tb the 4 T^orinhis prophetical dignitie. 
 
 Bridegroome. 5 T^or in hu pri*fil->oed touching the 
 
 l In vrhatfenfe Chriji nuit b&efaidt* redemption tf his fyuMfe. 
 
 haue companions, 6 jtn aunfvere to the \tbie3ions moat 
 
 3 The Bridegroome can fuffcr no c* m- againft his ^indgeme. 
 
 f anion in the low nhichhebearethhis 7 Whether the Church may imfoft 
 
 bride jwr in the maiejly of his kingdotfié. Lmvcs to mens tonfeiences. 
 
 Wee 
 
First Chapter. îij 
 
 E haue before vndeiftood the ardent 
 &ieruent praier or the Church beeing 
 tlriuea ouc of her vineyard, & reque- 
 uing her bridegroome and pallor that 
 {he may draw near him, to be reltored 
 again into her poiTefTion : \\ hereunto 
 fhee now addeth a reafon , ajlcadging 
 What *maFuelousiiicôueniëce v\ould 
 happen toher , ifflic fhould be denied 
 her reque(t,to wit,that by this means fhe fhould rcmaine as it 
 were vtterly forlorne and vndoone, which thing would be no 
 lefte dishonorable vnto her Bridegroome, then if an husband 
 (hould aboaidonandgiueoucrhis wife vnto his companions. 
 2 Nowe for the better vndcrftanding of what waight this 
 reaionis, wee muftknowe what thefe companions are with 
 their flockes . For may it be faid that Icfus Chnft hath any cô- 
 panions?No;ifwe fpeake properly : which thing muft be par- 
 ticularly handled, that we fail not into molt great and dange» 
 rous errors . We haue therefore to confider in our Lord Ielus 
 Chrift two principall points, namely his perlon and his office 
 of mediation. As touching his diuinity there is no companion 
 betwixt him andanycreatureiandwe mult hold this generall 
 fentence without exception , that God will neucrgiue either 
 in whole or in part, his honor vnto an other: which doth fun- 
 damentally ouerthrowe all kind of Idolatries whatfoeuer. As 
 touching his humanity being diftindtly andbyitfelfe consi- 
 dered, he is called indeed fonne ofman,that is to fay, true ma 
 in all and through all, oflike nature in fubftancc of body and 
 of ioul with vs,being in this refpeft extracted & brought from 
 ji<kimj y ii\> Luke witnciTeth in his genealog;c,L&^. 3.38. but as 
 touching the qualities of the fame naturc,otherv\ifc qualified 
 altogether then they who are not regenerated by the fpirite, 
 bet Aeenc whom &' him there is no more agreeableneiîc then 
 betweene tight a»ddatcknefff y l.Ccx.6'< 14. And as touching 
 thé which are changed & renewed by his fpirit, there is truly 
 a very great agrccablenclTc and accord, being guided and go- 
 
 P uerned 
 
îi4 The Ninth Sermom 
 
 ucrncdby the famefpirite, enlightening their vnderftandtng, 
 Ephef.i.i8.and creating in them both tomllaxdtoàoepiuX.i* 
 1 3 . to be followers of him y Hphcf. j. i . walking as hee hath walked: 
 I .loh. 2.6.by reaion of which conformity they are alfo cahed 
 the children of God y \oh. 1. 1 2.and//£&/,Ephef.5.8. but the ine- 
 quality is very great:firit, becaufe he is the eflential fountaine 
 andipring of all grace, in afmuchasheeisGod. Secondly 
 becaufe hee is as it were the channclland bafon, touching his 
 humanity, into which all graces in all perfection haucbeenc 
 powred.l meart,out of his uiuinity and Godhead, into his hu- 
 manity & manhoo: : to the end that all of vs might draw from 
 thcncceucryone^ra^/w^loh.i.icj.and i. Cor. 12. 1 l.noc' 
 that he hath the leffe for al this,or that he hath one part, & we 
 an other, but that his plenteoufneflc and aboundance ouer- 
 floweth vpon vs, vuthout diminifliing of any whit thereof 
 in him. 
 
 3 It remaîneth we fpeake of his office of mediatorfliippe, 
 
 whereupon we ought generally to note,that the fonnc ot god 
 
 beeing come in flefhc, to purchafe this fpoufc by the blood 
 
 of himiclfe, he is io iealous of her, that he c a neucr be brought 
 
 to quit any one point of this amity and loue of his to an other, 
 
 nay he hath often taken her againevntohim, howe lewdly 
 
 foeucr fhec had behaued \\ex k\k y lererru. 3.1. The better 
 
 to vnderitand this,and that in the quality of his mediatotfhip, 
 
 and of that which hee hath doonc for his fpoufe, he hath no 
 
 companion,we wil,as the author of the epiftle to the Hebrues 
 
 doth,referrc the w hole vnto three points,namely to his dtgntty 
 
 Royalt,t\\sftate Prophet/call, & his Triefthood- in refpeCt of w hic h 
 
 three points wee may and ought truely to fay that hee hath,to 
 
 fpeake properly, no companion, albeit hee hath as it were his 
 
 officers and ieruants,with whom in certaine pointes and after 
 
 a certaine fort he ferueth himfclfe.In which thing many veric 
 
 great and pernicious abufes are committed,as we wil by gods 
 
 helpe aftcrwardes dedare.lefus Chrift therefore is only king, 
 
 not only in that he is creator and goucrnour of the w orlde in 
 
 foucra ign degree w ith God his father & with the holy ghoft : 
 
 but 
 
VponThb Fir$t Chapter* iïj 
 
 but Specially King of a Kingdoome , which is not of this woorUtt 
 concerning the confcience, bceing fpirituall and eternal, 
 in inch fort, that vnto him alone it appertained, toccrn- 
 manna and to fot btd ,Ioh. 1 3. 1 5./* iudgear.à toabfolue^.Qoi^.^. 
 hauing the.keiesto open andtofhut, Apocalyps 3.7.S0 that nei- 
 ther hath jtbecne, nor is, normaic bcelawfull at anie time 
 for any beiides, no,notfor the Angels themfclucs, to make 
 a Law to binde the conscience, nortoc(tabli{h,inanypoint 
 concerning the fubftance thereof, the gouernmenc of the 
 Church. The reafon hereof is moftw/, and moftw/^»r. 
 Mod iu(t,becaufe fith this gouernment furpafteth the order 
 it feife and nature of this vvoorlde , there is none capable 
 thereof but he which is true God, and together alfo man en* 
 dewed with a wifedomc and power furpafling euenthatof 
 the Angels. Moft euident alfo, becaufe that if it bee forbid- 
 den toaddeto, ordtminifh anie thing fom^ the commanndementes 
 -of this Lawe-giucr,.D«/fr.4.2. and 12. 32. much more isic 
 inhibited to make newe ordinances. And therefore it is 
 /aide by Efay , Who required the fc things atyowr handesî Efay. 
 I.i 2. And althc commaundementesofman, in the matter 
 of this fpirituall kingdome arc once for all declared to bee 
 nullities, Efayic.ii* £0^2.8. and 2 2. and i.^r.7.23. As 
 touching this point therefore let this Hand for a furc ground 
 and agreed vpon , that Iefus Chrift hath no companion in 
 what fort foeuer in this kingdome, and that he alone in this 
 refpcét is King and Lorde of the vniucrfall Church, euenw- 
 to the ends of the world & for euer.Vùil. 2.8.and 1 1 o. as it alfo be- 
 houcd the writing fet ouer his head on the Croffe fliould bear, 
 Pilace not knowing what he did , how euerthelewes were 
 angry with it. 
 
 . 4 Let vs come now to thc2.point which we called his ftatc 
 & offic e of being a Prophet, taking this appellation not ftriéîly 
 as being giuen to certaine perfonages to prophecy & foretell 
 fuch things as fliould come to pafle touching our Lorde Iefus 
 Chriit,& the particular application of the threats & promifes 
 ;of the kw(fuch as were the 1 5. Prophets whole writings we 
 
 P 2 hauc 
 
ît* **The Nistjï Sermow 
 
 haue,& many others mentioned i.i the holy fcriptu rcs)butta- 
 
 king this word of prophet generally/or a declarer ofthcwilot 
 god couching our taluation ,'in which fenfe Icfus Chnlt h cal- 
 led the Prophet whom -we mnft bear e vnder fame of exterminât ion % 
 Deur. 1 8. 1 5 .as the lame is expounded, t/icl.{.i*z3oh.\ m 1 8. f 
 lay th-n that as lefts Chnlt alone is prcperl y the foundation of 
 the Chvrch,i. Cor. 3. 1 i.Udby the Lord him] 'elfe ,Efay.28.i6\as 
 it is alio in him alone,in whom the church was elected be fore the 
 foxitUttoonhc «W^Ephe,i .4^0 alio it is he alone which hath 
 becneorJamcd from euerlaiting by the father to declare his 
 vilvntomé.And that this isfo,behold S.Paul who witnefleth 
 In expreHc termes j that it was he which guided the people in 
 the dciart, 1 Cor. 1 0.9. as alfo it was he xvhofeglory Efayfaw,\ oh, 
 1 - 41. !n a word S.i^eterfpeakingofthc time it i'elre of Noe, 
 faich that it was he that came then tnfpirit & preached to the v>.~ 
 hel?e'ters oj thzi ttme } 1 .Pet. 3 .1 9. finally it is hee w huh came in 
 ftçÇ\\jomamfefttbevrtlofthefaiber,& to make the world altogi- 
 ther inexcufable,M.i5.22.&:i 8.3 7-yeafo far as to bee called 
 the mtmfter of the circuajio, Ro m . 1 5 . & . t h a t i s t o 1 a y of 1 h e I e w s. 
 5 Let vs come vnto the (fate of his prielfhood, w hich c on- 
 fifteth in two pointsmamely in xhc'expuxionof our fins, & in his 
 interceffion for vs towards God his father. As couching this t x- 
 piation,we muff hrft of al confie er that this word importeth a 
 ful & entire paiment of al which is due vnto god,to the end he 
 be altogether appeafed&fatisfled. Secondly that.that which 
 is due is death according to the fentencegiuen by God,(7f».2. 
 17. Rom c.i 2. and 6.23. vnderfranding by this worde Death, 
 not only the feparationorthe body and ofthe foule, whence 
 there foloweth in vsthe putrefecfiôof the body in the graue, 
 G>«. 3. 1 9. but alfo that which is called the fectmddeat h , which 
 is the more then terrible & frightful fire Stmaiediétiô of god, 
 reuen^ing with all perpetuity fin in the body and in the foule 
 of che f1nner,the which horrible eftate is eternal & euerlafting 
 in the Diuell and all the damned . Thirdly we muft confidcr 
 in this matter, that the queltion is not of paying for one 
 finncr,but for all finncis : nor for a certaine number of 
 : ; * finncs, 
 
VponThe First Ghapter. 117 
 
 finnes , but for all fumes, none excepted ; Î meane ofal the c- 
 leitof God which euer hauebeenc, or which are, or which 
 fhall be to the end and consummation of the world. Fourthly 
 we are exprclly to note,that it was neceiîary that this pain.enc 
 {hould bee ottered by one who in refped of himlclfc was no 
 waie bound tothis malediction , but fhould be zplcdgeandft- 
 erttefotzl othcrs,as ourLordlcfusChnftis called } Heb.j.zi. 
 The reafon is,becau(e that if he had been culpable in his o v\ nc 
 perfon,he had been a finner,and conlequentlie nothing could 
 haue proceeded from him, nor been ret eiuedcomming from 
 him,which had not been vncleane & defilcd,& therefore had 
 not appealed, but alwaies augmented and fliarpened the 
 anger of God , which thing was figured in the Lawe, by 
 {o\b\dd\\\o\o offer ante thingleaxenedv «to God: Lcuit. 2.1 r. as 
 the Aportledeclareth the lame: i . Cor.y.%. as alfo by forbid- 
 ding of them wbtebwere vncleane to enter ito the boafe of God: 
 Plal. 26.6. And farther becaule together with the paiment dub 
 vnto vs by reafon of our vnrightcoufnc {Te,it behoiud,to make 
 vs worchie ofeternall life, according to the agreement ofGod 
 with vs, Dew. 3019. Ubht. 1 9. 1 7-that this reconciliator and 
 prieft/hould be man entirely pure,without fpot or blot in him 
 whatfoeucr .Now all men are borne in fmnc^fal.^ 1 .j.as wit- 
 nefleth the effect cifimnc jehiebù death y w hereunto wee are all 
 of vs fubieCt : Hebr . 9. 2 7 . yea without excepting the fmal- 
 leliinfantes, which haue notwithltanding committed noman- 
 ner of atttial fane: Rom. 5. 14. There is none then but one alone 
 Icfus Chrift man,ro whom this right ofeternall life,according 
 to the couenant ofthe Law, doth properlie appertainerleeing 
 that in him alone among the fonnes of men,therc is found.this 
 Jerfèét purity ofthe humane- nature which the Lawe both re- 
 quitcrh and pre-'uppofeth, in commanding a perfect loue 
 ofGod and oar neighbour, beeing concerned and borne man 
 of 'a virgin by the \fits and only operation of the holy <j%? 3 Luk;i.} y. 
 and not as al other men without exception, of whom it is faid 
 ■that that wbtch & borne of fle(b is pefk'. Ioh. 3 ô.butreitbovrjthne, 
 2. Gor.5»2 1 .and which more kbefides this natural integritie 
 
 P3 i» 
 
ïï8 TheNinth Sermoh 
 
 |n which there is çot the Jeaft point ofimperfe&ion, it is hca- 
 lone which hath acccmplifhed the v\hole Law in al perfecti- 
 on , hauing obeyed Goo hh father , as touching the nrft com. 
 mandement vnto death,yea the death of the crofie: Phil. 2.8. 
 and touching the lone of neighbour, hauing giuen his ownc 
 lite euenfor hu enen.ies.w hich is more the to loue his neighbor 
 as himfeltc:/^.io.ii.and£w*.5.8. Whence itfoilcrweth that 
 according vnto the coucnat of the Law profiling life eternal 
 vnto him which fhal entirely obferue it , ctirfaghtmvhichjhall 
 fade tn one fom thereof fiu.^.io. IefusChrilt alone hath me- 
 rited for all fuch as beleeue, eternal fdicitie , which Prkitwas 
 altogether nccefiarie for vs , for the auoiding ofdeath and ob- 
 taining of life: Hd.7.26. In this then more then in the reft, 
 whereof wee before fpake,hee hath nc companion. Itrcmai- 
 neth to coniidcr of the fécond point of his pneithoodc,name- 
 lie,his wercefsiûHtowzrdcs God his Father for vs, which con- 
 Meth in two poyntcs . The firlt is the force and vertue of the 
 death of him camming betweene God and vs : for if the ex- 
 piation and purging ot our finnes goe not before, we can- 
 not be but rciecred of him, whohath no fellowship or com- 
 munication withdarckneflc. The fécond point confifteth in 
 this, that as all our prayers ought to bee made in his name, 
 that is to faie, defiring to bee heard for the loue of him,in 
 whomc alone the father is well plcafed , fo doth hce appcarc 
 as our elder brother before his father , not after the manner of 
 men, whofal on their knees when theydeiuc anie thing of 
 an carthlie Prince,and bring their fupphcation in their hands: 
 butas it were repre Tenting of vs in his owneperfen, and fan- 
 edifying our prayers , for w hich caufe hec is called our <sy4dno* 
 catc:\Ao\\n. 2. i.andHebr.y. 25 . And we muft take diligent 
 heede in this matter, how we meaiure his int^rcefTion iuch 
 as it is now 'in the Heauens, hauing nowe after his vicloric 
 antmenhicb ùabop.e ep.cnexame: Philip. 2.9 .frith aU^Ofoerm 
 Heaven and in ear tb:Mmh. 28. I S.with that which wee readc 
 of his prayers in the daicsofhis infirmitie. Fowhen not one- 
 lie to fhewe ys an example, but alfo becaufe to ouerccroe 
 ■ his 
 
VponThb First Chaftîiu 119 
 
 his enimies & ours i and not to yceldc vndcr the burden of the 
 paine due vnto our iinnes, which were imputed vnto him, 
 as vnto ompteadge and fuertie, it behooued indcede that hec 
 fliould bee borne vppe and fuihincd by the diuinc vertue and 
 power, which though hee had in himlelfe in as much as hee is 
 i^odcoetemalandcoejfenttal t heattributeth notwithftanding& 
 demandeth it altogether of the pcrfbn of the father,hauing re- 
 fpeéf. vnto the office of his Meàiatorfhtp ; fo as he is luppliant & 
 that with tcares, yea as it w ere altogether troubled ana affright 
 tedjboth for himfetfeiloh. 1 2.2 7. Mat.26.3p, Heb.5.7.anaalf© 
 for vs , as it is in lpecial (hewed vs throughout the w hole Chap* 
 ter, loh. 1 7. and eifew here . But now that hee hath ledde captim- 
 tiecaptstfe.EpheC 4.8.being late at the right hand of the father 
 crowned wtt h glory and honor :Hcb.2, 9. it is true indeede, that hec 
 yet fuffereth,as we may lb fay,*» his members'. A&P.4 .and Col. 
 1 . 24. as he mil charge the wicked therewith at the Utter date : Mat. 
 25.45 . Itisverietruealfo, that hee hath yet compafston of thofi 
 which are his :Heb.4.i 5. But ai this muft bee vnderltoode of a 
 celertial fafliiô & maner altogether vnknown vnto vs,withoi!t 
 imagining an interceffion by praiers agreeable vnto the (late 
 of this life; according vnto whit h maner lefus Chrift himfelte 
 faith that being rcceiued vp into heauen , he wil not pray vnto 
 the father.I mean fo,as before our reconciliation made & per- 
 fc&ed,& before the glorification of our mediatonnot that the 
 effect of his facrifice once made doth not alwaiescomebe* 
 tween god & vs,& that the father fliould not be called vpon in 
 the name of this mediator,in who alone ourpraiers arc accep- 
 table vnto him. Now by all this it appeareth that lefus Chntt 
 touching his priefthood hath no more a companio,thcn in re- 
 fpeélof his (rate roial, & ftate prophetical,whcrof the Apoftlc 
 hath giuen the refolution in cxprcfle tcnr\s y hy\ng that there ts 
 but one mediator between god & man, the ma leftis chrtfl, I .Tim. 2.5. 
 6 Such the is the verity of god, neither is ther any other fou- 
 dation of our hope. But better yet to vnderftâd this matter be- 
 ing fo neceffary , we mutt mark 2. certain points which fecme 
 to côtrary it, to the end thawhis being finally cleared & made 
 
 plaine, 
 
ito The Ninth Sermon' 
 
 plaine , wee maie the better know anc inept ftand what thefe 
 companions are of whom the C hnre h here ccmplaineth , and 
 who are the true deliroiers of it.Firlt of al therefore veto al this 
 abouefaidmay beeoppofd that which is written touching 
 thisveriemattcr,andby the iclfefamc allegory, Pjabru 45.7. 
 where it is laid that tl.u kj*g HperfhrntaaboHeat 1m jetlow corhpa* 
 tiwns named by the kite lame name, v\hich Salomon in this 
 place vleth,aj> alio in this veriebook,Chap.8. 1 ^.Touching the 
 jfirit of thele tv\ o plac es, it is not in the workr part or ienle , as 
 in this place whit h we now handle,it is,but m very good parr, 
 that mention is made of fcl/or. csfwaccn-fanrcKs of J elm Chnft, 
 being verie clearl) and plainly déclarée vntovs, m what fentc 
 lefusChrift hath fellov\c s ano; companions, Etb.z, 1 Lj4.r0 
 witte,in thisrefpeét, that hauing taken vpon him our nature 
 (how beit without fnne )hcch?th made vs his brethren. Buc 
 notvvithllanding , laith the PfaJmilt , perfumed abouc his fcl- 
 lowes,and not like to like. Hccallethvshisbrethren,butheis 
 the elder, &m.&.29.and lo consequently lordoftbe bouJe,Gci\* 
 ïy.gp.heistheonelie natural lonneofGod, inafmuch as the 
 humanity fubfilteth in the perion of the onliefonne coeternal 
 w;ith God, and we *\tfonncsmbtmby adopt ion, \oh a. 1 2.he is on- 
 lie in his degree the btirc and vmuerjall Larde of all tbefe tbtr.ges: 
 Heb.i.2.anunotwithltandingby grace he wilmakevsr<tor.r 
 in this glorie with himielfc, wit he ut dipping cru bating ary 
 thing thereof in himiclfe, hb. 1 7.22. and Rcm.8. 1 7. Nowc as 
 touching the fécond place draw en out of this booke, C/^p.8. 
 1 5 .it is not there fpokt n of men as companions of Icius chriiij- 
 but becaufe all the faithfull are vnited and ioyned together by 
 vnity of faith and of hope, fpbefq.q.and by ibebcndo\cbarntc % 
 A6T.4.5 2. as» fhal be fpoken in his dew place. A man mij. ht al- 
 fo alleadge that he called his Difciples/y/*Wr,and not,faith he, 
 kuferuants. But whis is in a certain refpeét.,namelie,as himlclfe* 
 expoundeth it, becaufe he would in familiar fort declare vnto 
 Ùiemtbewhofe fecr et s of tbeGoffei ',Ioh.i 5.1 j.keepingnotwith- 
 ftan ding vnto himfelfe the title oi lord of tbc bout e,te pertaining 
 onelie vnto himfelfe,/^.i 3 .1 ^.zndNek^.6 . There is greater 
 
 difficulty 
 
VponThb First Chapter. til 
 
 cfifficultie touching the fineraigne royalty which we attributed 
 to the iole perfon of Ieius Chrilt , whereas it is faid that hec 
 hath made vs kings , Apoc. 5.10. that we are zroyaltpriefthood,!. 
 Pct.2.0. or a prieftly kingdome, Exod.9.6 .that a crowne is prepared 
 for vs in heaven: 2.THT1.4.8.& which is more then al this,whcr- 
 as it is faid , I appoint vnto you a kingdome as my father hath 
 appointed & difpofedit vntome:L/r.22.2p.but god forbid wc 
 fhould vnderltand thefe things as if this monarchy ofChrifts 
 were diuided or parted for al this: for contrariwife, there is no 
 other thing meant by this royal dignity of ours, then firft , the 
 vertue & power of the holy ghoft in vs to ouercome the diuel, 
 the flefh,thc wor!d,& our felues:& fecondly the participation 
 of eternal glory.And as touching the Apoftles of who it is faid, 
 that as the father hath agreed with him of a kingdome, fo hec 
 difpofeth it & couenanteth it with thé, & that they /hall fit vpon 
 thrones kludge the twelve tribes of Ifrael:th\s is fpoken in refpe& 
 of this, that they haue a meafure of fpirit fro him, & particular 
 autority to found the chriftiâ church, according to that which 
 is written,ex^<7C2i.i4.But S.Paul expoundeth in what fenfe 
 thisistobctakcnandvnder(tood,i . CVr.3. lo.nsmelie inas- 
 much as the Apoftles were as it were the hand of God, laying 
 the foundation of the Church which is but one , to witte,Iefus 
 Chrilt.In refpeét of which doc"trine > and not that this authori- 
 ty appertaincth to aniefauc vnto Ieius Chrift alone theonely 
 fonne of God adored by the Angels themfelue s : Heb.2.cutis faid 
 of al the true faithful beleeuers , that in the latter day theyfhall 
 ittdge the Angels, that is.theDiueland his Angels,i. Cor.6.i.d>C 
 lhal fit on his right hand y Pkl^. 9. and Ephef.2.<5. Aman might 
 alfoalleadge touching this power and authority of making 
 Lawes to bind the confeience, & of the fpiritual gouernmenr, 
 that it is faid,that the Law was giuen and deliuercd by the An^ 
 gels:Gz\. 3. iç.znà by Afofes: J0h.M7.and Aa.7.58 . Butthis 
 difficulty or obieétion is eafilyanfwered both by that formafl 
 text where it is faid that IefusChriftis the onely Law-giucr: 
 Iam:^. 1 2.as alfo by that which is written of the autority of the 
 Angels, & that which Mofes & other faithfuil feruaun ts of the 
 
 Q^ Lord 
 
m The Ninth Sermok 
 
 Lord haue alvvaics done and pra6lifcd.lt is therefore faid tou- 
 ching the Angels, that they are not matters , but mimft x ring fit- 
 tits: Pfal.103.21 . Heb.i.i^AndastouchingMofesitwasat 
 the requcft ofthe people, thathee was nota Law-giuer,but a 
 meffengertoreferreand report what was giuenhimincom- 
 maundement without adding to, or diminishing of any thing 
 from it,£#ft/,20.i o.and Dettt.^. As himfelf alio fhevveth how 
 carefull he was in taking heede of doing anie thing at al vpon 
 his ownc head,in that himfelfe would fet downe no Law con- 
 cerningthepuniilimentcfblafphemers,and touching thole 
 which brake and violated the fabboth , but made his recourfc 
 for thefe caufes vnto the LoxdjLeuit.2^.1 1 .and Numb.i 5.34. 
 although the queftion was but of a ciuill punifhment: fo far it 
 is that Mofes or Aaron would take vpon them to make anic 
 rules for the feruice of God, or impofe a La w on the confeien- 
 ces ofthe people, contrarie to that commaundement which 
 Mofes had of doing and making all thingesaccording to the 
 model and patterne of that which hchadfeenein themoun- 
 taine,E*W.2 5.40 . And therefore vnderDauid alio and Salo- 
 mon the whole ftate ofthe Temple was fet vp and perfected, 
 not by the aduife of man, but according vnto prophcticall 
 xeuelations,2.C£r<?#.22.i 1 .But yet a man might hereupon re- 
 plie, that one ofthe principalleft rights ofregalitie and royal- 
 tie is to fhewemercie and to pardon. Now the power of the 
 keyes ofthe kingdome ofheauen,which confifteth in binding 
 and loofîng,that is to fay in condemning and abfoluing of fin, 
 was in the perfon of Saint Peter & the other elcuen Apoltles 
 giuen vnto th e Church,(A£*M6. 1 9. & Job. 20.2 2 . But where- 
 as it is faid elfe whcre,that it pertaineth vnto Cod alone to remit 
 y/W,Mar.2.7.it is eafic to be vnder{toode,that there is a great 
 difference firlt betweene makingof Lawes and publishing or 
 applying ofthem: and fêcondly betweene power to execute 
 abfolutely,and a commiffion limited and bounded.Thercfore 
 I faie touching the fpirituall kingdome concerning thecon- 
 fciencc & faluation or damnation, that this power pertaineth 
 to one onely God in the perfon of his fonne, whom hee hath 
 
VponThe First GWapté'r. ï2$ 
 
 from all time eftablifticd and ordained head of this Empire. 
 And as touching the execution of his Lawes according to the 
 exigence of cafes, hee hath fet vp and eflabliftied his holy mi- 
 nilterie in his Church,with a commiffion limitcd,that is to fay 
 with a charge to iudge according vnto the tenor of his Laws, 
 and as it were rcprefentingthe chiefe Lord, and Lawc-giuer, 
 and not othcrwifc vnderpaine of nullity of their fentence : o- 
 therwifc we muft faie that Iefus Ch'rift was iuftly condemned 
 and excommunicated with his Difciples,/^ . p.22.and 1 6.2. 
 infteede of that which the Lord himfelfe faid of them Jet them 
 abnejhey are blindjeaders of the blind. And indeede Saint Paul 
 fpeaking m generall of his whole preaching, calleth it the 
 counfaileofGod, «sx^.20.27 . And to the ende that no man 
 fhould extend and ftrctch this to any inward and intcrnall re- 
 flation without the Scripture, that which I ordaine,faith he, 
 (fpeaking of the institution of the holy Supper) that haue Ire- 
 ccwcdoftheLord: and ipeaking of being vnmarriedheeprote- 
 fteth that he wil not tie and intangle their confeiences: as alfo 
 Saint Peter admonifheth al paftors to take hecde how they v- 
 furpe alordlines ouer their flocks, which he calleth the portion 
 or the heritage of the Lord, i .Pet. 5 . 3 .And therefore thefe words 
 ofSi\ntï > zulyi.Cor.y.i2.ButtothereflIffeakeandnot the Lord, 
 fpeaking of manages contracted with an vnbcleeuing partie, 
 ought not fo to bee vnderftoode as if theApoftle tookevpon 
 himtocommaundanie thing ofhis owne head & priuate au- 
 thority , but he vfeth this maner of fpeach to diftinguifh thac, 
 for which he had the expreffe and rcgiftred word ofGod,from 
 that which was not in plaine termes cxprefTed,butcorrefpon- 
 dent notwithftanding and agreeing with that which was 
 written : beeing a thing impomble that the Lawes could con- 
 taineeuerie particular cafe which might happily fal out, as 
 we haue at large declared and expounded the fame in hand- 
 ling of that Epittle. 
 
 7 Finallic there are which alleadge the authoritie which 
 the Church had in the time of theApoftlesto make ecclefia- 
 ftical Lawes and ordinances , and ring out as loud as they can 
 
 0^2 this 
 
t*4 The Ninth Sermon 
 
 this word of ts4poJ}o/icaltradttiofjs t Act.i j.28.and 16^. i.Cor. 
 I i.2.and.34. whereof tbcy produce diucrfc examples Scatte- 
 red and fowenheere and there throughout Saint Paules Epi- 
 pilUes,asofthevailc ofweomen,ofthe order of fpeaking and 
 vttering the word ofGod in the affcmblie , ofcolle&ions and 
 gatherings for the poo$c,and of almes. This matter would re- 
 quire whole fcrmons^as we haue alio often occafion to fpeak 
 thereof. But for this prcfent,this may thus bee aunfwered in a 
 word. It is then anotherthing to make lawes to tie mens con- 
 fcienceSjto fay,looke yce, this is good and pleating vnto God, 
 this he commaundcth you to doe or belecue : or contranwifc 
 to fay , lookc yce r this hath God forbidden , and this you may 
 not doc or belecue. And againc 5 fec,thefe be the vocations and 
 charges by which the fonne ofGod wil haue his Church to be 
 ruled and gouerned : this I fay is farre another thing , then to 
 haue a refpe£t vnto that which is requifite for the vfe and 
 praétife afwcll of the doctrine as alfo of the difcipline which 
 God the alone and onelie Law-giuerhath ordained: requifite 
 1 faie according vnto the time^perfons , and place: which bee- 
 ingfubie£t to infinit varieties , yea fometimes contrarieties, 
 the Lord vnder the new couenant hath not made , & as I may 
 fo faic,could not make certaine fpecial & perpetual ordinaun- 
 ces/eeingthispolicieisaccidental^andnotoftliefubihuncc 
 neither of doétrinc nor of difcipline . And therefore in refpeèt 
 of this point,hee was content to giue a gencrall commaunde- 
 ment,thatwhatfoeuer he ordained fhould be executed orderly 
 andmodeflly'm hishouie which is the church, i. Cw. 14.40. Ye c 
 fee then the boundes which he is content to prefcribe vs. And 
 that this is fo,we fee how thefe ordinaunces themfclucs of the 
 Apoftles which wee haue aboue fpeciftcd vanifhed awaie by 
 little and little ,thetimesbeingchaunged,and the caufes why 
 they were made ceaflng to be : which would not haue been if 
 they had concerned the fubltancc of difcipline and doctrine, 
 which are perpetual and muiolablic to bee obferued vnto the 
 end & confummationof the world, Contrariwife the Scribes 
 and Pharifccs not contenting thcnifelucs that they were pla- 
 ced 
 
VponThi First Chame*. t*ç 
 
 ccd in Mofcs chaire , that is to fay to declare the dp&rine and 
 difciplinc taught by the miniftery of Mofes(in which cafe the 
 people were to doe that which they taught, and not to follow 
 their wicked life) would necdes medic with making of Lawes 
 to tie the consciences ofmcn,and (o to adde fomwhat of their 
 ownc vnto the fet uice of God eftabliihed by his Lawe, where 
 it is faide that the Lorde had rather icandalizc and offend 
 them,then fubiec^ his Difciples vnto thciti 3 Mar.'j.6.{hc\\ing 
 that he held not or accounted the vfage of fuch traditions for 
 a th'mo indifferent, but callcth them the abolifhingandtakingatvaj 
 of the comm.wdetmnts andordivahces of God, Mar. 7. 1 5 .zn(Xafca~ 
 uen -which he cmmAiwâèth vs to take heede of, Mat. 1 6 . 1 2 .Now I 
 thought good expreftie tofpecific iri this matter the time of 
 the new couenant,bccaufe that vndcr theold,the Church be- 
 ing enclofed within the limites of one people,of one country, 
 ofone holy place,and for a time onely, the Lord declared and 
 fet downe not onely the dodtrinc which he would haue to be 
 taught, both of the feruicc and gouernment of his houfe : but 
 alfo fpecifled and particularized thofe ordinances according 
 to the times,places,and perfons , which he would haue to bee 
 inuiolablie obferued, without changing, adding, or dimin/Jhing unit 
 rhingintheatai,Dcu.^.2.E{'z\.i.i2.Sc 2p.13.Butvndcrt.he new 
 couenant which hce contracted with all people and nations, 
 and for fo long time as the world fhould endure , it was necef- 
 faric , hee fhould Icaue it in the liberty of the Churches to ap- 
 point and eltablifh whatfocuer in fpecial and particular con- 
 cerned! the vfe and pracTifc of the doétrine and difciplinc as 
 touching ordcrand edification according to the variety and 
 difference ofcircumitanccs . And thus far of the foueraintie of 
 of him which hath written in his thigh , The King of Kings and 
 Lord of Lords, Apoc.19. 1 tf.We will defer the reft which remai- 
 ncth farther to be fpokcn,vnto our next fermon : in the meane 
 time let vs pray vnto the Lord that it wil pleafe him to giue vs 
 the grace wel to vnderftid thi> holy doétrine, fo neceflary for 
 thefc times we now Hue in,to difcernc his true Churches from 
 ihofcfalfemaskes thereof which prefent themfclucs to vsoa 
 
 0^3 cuerte 
 
ri6 The Tenth Sermo** ' 
 
 cucrie fide,to the end thatliàuing found it, wee may continue 
 firme and confiant in the truc doctrine of faiuation , vntill the 
 cnioying of the full coniundtion of the members and the head 
 together in the kingdom euerlafting.And becaufc that on the 
 contraryfide we hauc beene hitherto and yet arc fo flothfull in 
 this behalfe, and fo vnthankful, wc will humble our felues be- 
 fore the face of our good 'God and Father, to defire his grace 
 and mercie as followeth. almighty God&c. 
 
 The Tenth Sermon. 
 
 Our helpe be in the name of God,&c. 
 It û written odfollowethin the firfiChaf ter of the Canticle of 
 Canticles y thefeuenthverfe. 
 
 7 For why ftiould I be to the f lockes of thy 
 côpanions as one which ftiould hide herfelfe? 
 
 1 A larger & ampler expofitiojww le- 8 Who are the firft falfe companions. 
 fus chrift alone hath fro al time had the of whom thefyoufe in this place comptai- 
 author it ie of declaring the will of god his neth i namely thofe which make Lawes to 
 father for the faiuation offuch as are his. tie mens confeiences. 
 
 2 lefus Chrifi the onlie expiator and 9 Howe by little and little Satan hath 
 purger ofourfinnes. An aunfwere 1* the forged his Antichrist by meanes of the 
 obieclion of the promifes made to them Vopifh Hiérarchie , & firft of the falfe 
 who obferue and keepe the mqrall taw. debtee Epifcopall. 
 
 3 jinanfwere vnto the obieclion, tou- 10 Of falfe ancients and elders, 
 ching thepromife made to the who fhall 1 I Of falfe Deacons. 
 
 Hue godlieiwithout reflect had to theful 1 1 Of falfe Dotfours. 
 
 accomplifhment of the taw morall. 13 A copanion ioyned with lefus Chrifi 
 
 4 An aunfwere touching the obieclion in his dominion royally andfofarre as t* 
 made 'upon the obferuation of the Lowe become mafter. 
 
 ceremoniall. 14 Vfurpation vpontheftateTrephe- 
 
 % An anfwere touching the fame point ticall of lefus Chrift. 
 
 to them,who attribute to the facraments, 1 f Vfurpation 'upon the facrificefhippe 
 
 and the hordes Supper ^the vertue of ex- or Triefihood of expiation. 
 
 piation or purging ofourfinnes. 1 6 Vfurpation vpon the facrificefhippt 
 
 6 An anfwere vnto them whichyeelde cr Triefihood of inter ceffion. 
 
 vnto feruanies the power which is refer- 1 7 The cohelufion of this complaint of 
 
 tied vnto the Mafter -, & vnto imagina- th e Bride or Spoufe. 
 
 rie merits of Martyr x. 18 Of the poore & dangerous eftate of 
 
 7 That lefus chrifi hath no copanio in the faithfull mingled among the vnbe- 
 his inter ce ffio for vs 3 whichyet endureth. leeuing and vn faith full. 
 
 We 
 
Vpon Th* First Chapter^ iij 
 
 E E hauc fpoken at large before of the 
 regalitie oflefus Chritt, wherein wee 
 hauefhewcd& declared that hee hath 
 no companion. The like may be faid of 
 his eitate Prophetical, which appertai- 
 ned vnto him , not onely in refped of 
 the time that he fpake in perfon,but in 
 al times fînee the creatiocfthe world. 
 And this is it which Saint Iohn writeth 
 loh. 1 . 1 8 . n am ely, That none hathfeene the father at any time , but 
 the onlyfonne which is in the bofome of the father hath reuetledhim. 
 It is hee therefore to whom properly from all times this dig. 
 nityappertaineth:& as for others which are called Prophets, 
 Apoftles, Paftors and Do&ors,this is attributed vnto them in 
 as much as the fonne hath ferued himfelfc with their minifte- 
 rie, and yet doth ferue, and l'hall vfe them euen vnto the ende 
 of the worlde for his heraultes and ambaffadours: not for any 
 need he euer had of them, as thofe who haue a charge among 
 men, cannot bee euery where , nor doe or fpeake euery thing 
 in pcrfon : but to accommodate and apply himfelfe to the in- 
 firmity and weaknesofmen, by teaching them by men limi- 
 ted notwithllanding with certaine conditions. For ftrft vntil 
 Mofes time the Patriarches could not teach or fet down e any 
 thing, befides that, which was reuealed vnto them by God,as 
 wee fee it put in praétife by Abraham a Trophet in his owne fa- 
 mily, Gen. 1 8. ip.and 20.7. Befides that the doétrine recei- 
 ued by the Patriarches from God , was kept and continued, 
 as appeareth not only by the frieflhoode of \jMetchifedech, Gen. 
 1 4. 1 8.and 25.22. but alfo by this , that it was not yet vttcrly 
 abolifried among the Cananites themfelues 5 (j^».2 0.3. After- 
 wardeswhenitpleafed God to rule and goucrne his people 
 iffued and difcendedfrom Abraham, Mofes was chofen , not 
 only to receiue from God after an extraordinary manner, the 
 whole rule and order of the church, but alfo to put it in wri- 
 ting, but in euery point , according vnto that which the Lord 
 appearing vnto him firft in the mount, and afterward in the 
 
 taber- 
 
11$ TtfE Tenth Se* won 
 
 tabernacle 3 commaunded him to fay, to doe and to write, 
 without adding thereto, or dipping therefrom, anythingat 
 ail/or which caufe he was called ^Afaithfullferttantrnthehonfe 
 âfGcd y Heb. 3. 5. or without being after lawfull to any manli- 
 uingTo talc away or adde vnto it axy thtngn>hatfieuerj)cu.i 2.3 2. 
 In iuch wife did the true Prophets order and gouernc them- 
 felues vnto the time or* Iohn Baptift, bailing done nothing els 
 but expound or apply the bleiTings or iudgenacnts of God, ac- 
 cording tothofefpeciallreuelations they receiued from God 
 in that behalfe. After this time came this great fonnc of God, 
 who as chiefe maifter and Lordc in his fathers houfe,broughc 
 an end vnto all thofe fhadowes of which himfelfe was the bo- 
 dy and fub [lance. ColoiT. 2. 1 7.2nd as of full and plenarie autortty, 
 Math. 7. 19. hath fully taught the will of God his father tou- 
 ching the laluationofinankinde firûinhis ormperfen,Heb.i.i. 
 loh. 1 5. 1 5. afterwards by his Apoftles whom hee appointed 
 founders andbmlders of "his houfe ,as wcl in dodtrine as in the ella- 
 bli/liment and order of the fame, but according to that vrhich 
 they learned of their mafter^s their commiflio was limited : Mat. 
 28.20.bemg fully intruded by an extraordinary meafurc of 
 the holy Gholtrwhich they alio moft diligently obfcrued,^tf?. 
 20.27.& i.Cor.i i.2 3.notbecinglawmlltothe t^^/rf^»*- 
 felfiesyto teach or ordaine any thing aboue &befides the do- 
 ctrine ofthe gofpel anouced & preached by the Apoftîes, GaU 
 1 ,8.Finally after the Apoftles/uccceded paftors & doclors not 
 to found any thing anew, but to build good & lolide inftruéti- 
 ons,exhortations,confolations,reprehen(îons vpon the foun- 
 dation of the Apoftles.t.^V. 3. 10. znd Epbefq. n.&2.7#w. 
 3.1 6. Secondly we are to note thatal workmen as wel before 
 as after the coming ofthe matter woorkman, had only charge 
 ofthe work,touching that which might be outwardly doone, 
 caufing the word which was committed vnto the, to found in 
 the ears ofthe hearers,& prcseting & applying outwardly the 
 vilible fignes which we cal Sacramentes, together with the ce- 
 remonies inrtituted and ordained ofthe Lorde inthcadmi- 
 nirtring of them . But as for the refl,the Lord rcferued entirely 
 
 vnto 
 
VpONThB FfRtT ChAPTfR. ïîp 
 
 vnto himfclfe tbeporrer of waring inwai'ckljr ^mthïx y in pre- 
 paring the hartes and mindes to receiue this precious feedc, & ■ 
 to make it bud fcorth , encreafc & fructifie by his holy fpirite, 
 i, Cor. 3.7. as it appcareth alio throughout the whole ferip- 
 turc , v\ hich teacheth vs that our faluation is neither in whole 
 norin part of the wilier or of the runner > that is to fay, notofour 
 wil or of our endeuour -but cf the folc and only mercy of God, 
 Rom. p. 1 6. creating in vs both tomllandto doe by his only grace, 
 PhtLi.i 3. which wee haue aboue more at large prooueu trea- 
 ting vpon the fourth veric of this Canticle. It is therefore in 
 this fenfe and not otherwifc that the faithfull minifters of the 
 •word of God arc called by the Apotfle Joyntrvworkersmth God, 
 1 . Cor. 3 . 9, as the ordinary and vfual pre face alfo of the Pro- 
 phets witnciTeth, when they fay fThus faith the Lord. Whereas 
 îefus Chritt, as Lorde andmafterwthe hottjc of his fat her ^Hcb. 3» 
 ■6\(and by the fpiric Sc commilTion of whom the Prophets fpake 
 \.Pet. r. 1 i>.and i.Tei.i. zi.) fpeaketh with allauclorityfay- 
 ïngoràïnznhCj/ntruthmtrfithjfajfvntojoUy Math. 5. 18. 
 
 2 It remained) nowc that we fpeake of the Priefihoode of 
 Icfus chrilt which coniiftcth firft in the expiation & fatibfa&io 
 once for ai made by him, & in the interceflion which yet indu- 
 ;reth: wherupon we haue at large declared before by moil per- 
 emptoricreafons, & taken out of the holy fcripture, that it is 
 impoilible in reafon,to atribute the leaf! part in the worlde of 
 thefctwopoyntsto 3ny other, faue vnto le fus Chrilt alone. 
 Whereunto ifany man oppofe the promifes of faluatiô made 
 vnto them which obferue the law,I anfwerc that becaufc they 
 prefuppofe a perfect accompliraient & fulfilling of the law, 
 which is notfound, norftial euer be found, fauc in Iefus chrift 
 alone, feeing it is hee only who is without finne:it followeth 
 that they were neuer propofed vnto vs to iufhfic vs or to make 
 ourrcconciIcmcniviitoGodbyourfelues : but contrariwifc 
 tbcondemncvsinour(el.ues,totheendto bring an,d leadvs 
 vnto him in whom alone al the faid promifes are ratified and 
 performed, hauing himfelf alone moft fully and mod peifcct- 
 ly accomplished the Law for vs,which embrace and take held 
 
 R of 
 
*$o Thb Tenth Sbumon 
 
 ofhimb7faith,X«w.^.;o.^/.3.2i.2 2.and4.5. 
 
 3 Likewife if any man alleagc thepromifej both oftheprefent 
 life andof 'the life to come , made vnto them which liue godly , i. 
 7i/w.4.8.although their workes be full of defects and imperfe- 
 ctions, I denic not but God hath promifed and giueth alio life 
 euerlalting to the repemant,and iuch asliue in his feare(for to 
 deniethis were to deny the whole Scripture ) but I faie that 
 there is a great difference betwixc thefe two queiiions, to wit, 
 to whom eternal life and otherGods blerTings are giuen , and 
 for what caufe thefe are giuen vnto him, on whom they arc 
 bellowed. Eternal life therefore is indeed prepared and giuen 
 vnto them who teftify their repentance by thetrue fruits ther- 
 ofjwhich arc fometimes put orfand differred vnto the Uftmo- 
 ■ment of a mam 7//?, whereof we 'haue a lingular example in that 
 poore theefe crucified with Iefus Chriit , Ltt{.i 3 .43 .fome be- 
 ing alfocalled/tfr^&^w/^^rrjMatth. 20.^ I adde that 
 this is not that by their woorkesthey haucfatisfled for their 
 finnes either in whole or in part , or that they deferue by the 
 value of defert of them in anie fort or rr anner m hatloeuer anie 
 blefllngtemporallorfpirituall: butonelybecaufe that good 
 workes beeing the teftimonie andeffeétes infeparablie follo- 
 wing of faitb,and that faith witnemrig before God ace ording 
 vnto the couenant of the Gofpel , Thatwhofoeucr fhcdl beUeue m 
 the Sonne {ball bee fined, That the true repentaunt haue a part in 
 the merit oflefus Chritt and his rightcoufnes , it plcafeth God 
 of his great grace and onelie mercie to accept of them and 
 to crowne them in Iefus Chrift his Sonne , the onelie fatisfier 
 for our finnes,and iolc facrifice cxpiatorie,as the whole-Scrip- 
 tures and ai the writinges of the Prophets & ApolUes do molt 
 plainely witnefTe. 
 
 4 As litle can wc helpe our ftlues with the pfomifes ofre- 
 miftion and expiation of our finnes which are added vnto the 
 legal ceremonies , & namely vnto the facrificcs.For as the A- 
 poftle teacheth \s,the bloode ofGoates and of Bttls couldenetter*ip- 
 peafe the anger andwrath of 'God: but the onelie bloode oflefus 
 Chriit facramentallie reprefentedfor a time by earthly things, 
 
 Coloff. 
 
Vpom-Thï F*k*t Chapter, i$i 
 
 fifoff:t.r 7.//^.io.4.And therefore the promifes of expiating 
 or purging our firmes were not added to the Leuitical ieruicc, 
 to attribute thereunto that which is proper to lelus Chriit a- 
 lone,buttodi(tinguifli thefefacramentall ceremonies from 
 common things,and iuch as had not any ipiritual vfe. 
 
 j I faie the like of the Sacraments ot the new couenant: as 
 when the wafhing away of our finnes is attributed vnto the 
 Sacrament of Baptifme, and our incorporation in Iefus Chriil 
 and vnion with him , from whence all thofe benefits and blef- 
 fingsproceede which we receiue from him is attributed vnto 
 the holy Supper of the Lord. Fortheoutward vifible water of 
 Baptifme doth no more wafh aWay our finnes nowej then did 
 heretofore the water ofpurification , or blood of beaftes . Buc 
 hereby is fhewed vs the difference between the water ot Bap- 
 tifme and common water,not irt refpcCt of the iubftance or ef- 
 fect of the water considered in his own nature: but in this that 
 common water doth nothing concerne tter nail -life , and the 
 water of Baptifme is vfed and applied, to fignifie vnto vs effe- 
 &ually,ifit be not lortg of our lelues, that v\ hich the fpirit doth 
 within vsjdefacing and putting'foorth our finnes,and purging 
 olir natural corrupt! Oivbythd death and pa flion of Gh rift our 
 Ilordjbeîngno otherthm'g m the wat^r but a power offigni- 
 fieng vnto chcbelecuer that whith faith is to apprehend , and 
 which is applied by the force & power of the holy ghoft wor- 
 king within, according vnto the diilinétion oftheie two Bap- 
 tifmesfpokenofin^/^/ri.andi . Pet. 3.21 . Thelikemuft 
 be Vnderîloode touching theotherfacrament of Chriftian re- 
 ligion, namely the Lords Supper, wherein wee ought to take 
 diligent heed we attribute not vnto the bread or wine,or vnto 
 the corporall receiuing of them, that which is proper vnto Ie- 
 fus Chrifiand vnto the fpiritual apprefieniion and application 
 of him by faith. 
 
 6 Ota* httleforce isthatbb^eclionofthem whoaîîeadge 
 thefc woords of the Apoftle,r.7/w.4.T 6. In doing this thou {halt 
 fane both thy Jè/fe andtbofirvhiebbttire thee . For there is but one 
 lefts (hriftfiax is to foysneSkmow, A<5t. 4. 1 k'vtfio hath ahve 
 
 R 2 [cituficA 
 
 
S?* i - ThI TlHTH SfcfrMVN 
 
 fatùficdfoYâHrfwnesXoh.i.'iç.znâ by who fe obedience we are made 
 *///?, Ro m. 5. iQ.The Apofile therefore meaneth not in the per- 
 fonof Timothietofette the Pallors in the place and roomc 
 of Chrilt : God forbidjfeeing himfelfe deciareth that he is not 
 thcrforc iutiified beforeGod* though be know noting by himfelfe,, 
 but hath pcrfourmed bis charge irreprehenhble, i .CV^.^.but 
 he fpeaketh fo in refped of the office & duty of payors which 
 h top-reach andannomcethe fecrets of God : I .Cor. q. i . that is to 
 faic the word of reconciliation^ . Cor.5.1 o.and 20. which is the 
 Go fpell, fur the faUiation of *i them vfach beleene 9 Rom. 1 .16. But 
 they are of aHpthcis matueilqus impudent, who to maintaine 
 their Idoiacrie or rather impiety ^ailcactge, that which theA- 
 poftle faith of himfelfe, Coloff.y .^.nameiie jhat he fa/filletb the 
 fa^plxjfage oft he afflictions of thrift in hisfejh ,for his bodie which is 
 the Çhtirch, as though he, were not alone omnifurficicnt to blot 
 and put forth our (iiinç^fabUfphemy ino(texecrabie)w here-; 
 as the Apoflle by thefe wooid^s -meant to fay no-other thing,, 
 but that in the arfiiéîions and fufferinges of the Saintes, leius 
 Chri(r,as a man would faie , fijffereth in their perfons, becaufe 
 he accountethhimfplfasu were wounded in them, according 
 vntothat which hçfaid vnto the iztxicApoRlc, where fore perfe-, 
 CHteft thottmee , Act.p.^which thing returneth vnro the great 
 comfort and edifleng of the whole Church greatly edified by 
 " the happie endc and iflue ofthero,/^/ 1 .1 2.and 2.C<w.i .4.and 
 2. Ta». 2. 10. 
 
 7 Now folowcth the poyntof interceflî6,in which we hauc 
 faide that Iefus Ghrilt hath no more a companion,then in the 
 redemption. Againft this fome oppofc the mutuall praiersof 
 the Say ntcs, praying vnto God dayly one for an other,yea for 
 their very enemies. The anfwer is cafîc,that notwithftanding 
 the faithfull for all this are not therefore intercedors in any fu- 
 perior degree betwixt God and them , for whom they praic: 
 but ioyne equally together their mutuall praiers, which arc al 
 ofthem referred vnto this only intcrccnour betweenc God 
 and men, on whofe alone interccflîon in all and through all 
 depcnctetluhc whole vcrtuc of their praiers, whether they 
 
VponThe Fulst-Chaftiiu tjj 
 
 pray for an other or for themfelues. 
 
 8 Thefe things being well considered and wayedasthey 
 deferue to bee , (hewc vs moii euidently and to the eye, who 
 they are whom the fpoui'c in this place callcth her hulbandes 
 companions, whofe companie , and that worthily (hee likcth 
 nor, namely thole who attribute vnto themfelues, that which 
 is properly belonging vnto the Bridegroome , as if iome inui- 
 ted by the Bridegroome to bearc him companie at the time of 
 his fiances or efpoufails,in iteedc of contenting themfelues to 
 beare him company cV do him curtefie As friends tor eioy ce with 
 btmjloh.y 2Q.ftiould play him fo lewd a prankc as to go about 
 to be mailer oi the fpoufc,& to chalengc her vnto themfelues, 
 as Stmfons companions fer tied him ,luà. I j.2.And who are thofe? 
 Mary firft of al thofe who take vpon them to make new corn-» 
 mandements for the church tobtnà the confeiences of më 'contra- 
 ry to that which S.Peter expreily forbiddeth,i ./Vf.5.3 .againft 
 theexpreiîecommiflïondeliuered vnto the Apoilles,/^/^,28. 
 20. ag3in(l the exprcfle exiple of S. Paul, 1 .^èr.7.3 5 . & there- 
 fore worthy in lieu of being obeyed to be held accurfed and had 
 in execration t by the ordinance ofGod,.Dotf. 18.20. & GW.i.8, 
 though they ihould be the Angels of hcauen themfelucs . 
 
 o As much is to be faid of them w ho haue been fo bold & 
 prefumptuous as to forge new e vocations and charges in the 
 church of God,which they afterwards tranffigured and chan- 
 ged into dignities, and finally into a tyrannic truly Satanicall, 
 that is to fay aduerfe,contraric and oppofite directly vnto the 
 royalty and regality of Iefus Chrift,aitogether following that 
 which was exprefly foretold by Saint Iohn in the Apocalypfc 
 of the Image drawne and mouled on the pattern of the bcaft, 
 which was the Romane empire,which was finally ruined and 
 diiTïpatcd,as it is at this daie, according vnto the prophecie of 
 Saint Paul, 2. Theff. 2.7.whercin Satan hath vfed a marueilous 
 flcightin feruing his ownc turne by abufing many good and 
 holy perfonages, and thofe very learned othcrwife, but not 
 fufficienc attendue to marke and confider how men abufed 
 the names of vocations eftabljjhcd bythefonncofGod, to 
 
 R 3 turne 
 
IJ4 The Tenth Sermon 
 
 turne them notwithftanding and to ouerthrow them : in fuch 
 wife that by litle and litlc he attained vnto the end he defircd, 
 hauing let vp infteed of that goodly eitate of the Church efta- 
 blifhed in his perfection by the minitterie of the Apoliles this 
 falfe hierarchie,as they call it. Such are the rcuerend names of 
 Bifhop, Paffor,Elder or Ancient , Doéfor & Deacon, * which 
 they afterwards by litle and litle diuided into many other de- 
 grees,* to hatch at the length an Oecumenicall Bifhop, that 
 is to fay, aBifhopofthevniucrfalworldc, to which for a full 
 mcafurcofallthisdifordcr haue beenc added tbemoftreue- 
 rent Seigneurs the Cardinals. 
 
 i o As for the ancients and Elders they are become * Peni- 
 tentiaries, * Proétors in the court ecclefialticallJDataries, Bul- 
 lifts, Copi{tcs,&c* & to make vp & perfect this ruine,oidina- 
 ry Creators and Sacrificers ofa Iefus Chrilt of dowe, and all 
 for what wil you giuc me, and for ready mony. 
 
 1 1 As for Deacons, receiuers and gouernors of the church- 
 almes and goods according to the order and pra&ife of the A- 
 pofiles,tofpeakcinaworde,thisis the ftate and calling of ail 
 this whole Hierarchy, if to be aDeacon , and Church-robber 
 asludasbeeallonc. But the name only being left to ferue for 
 a part of the Mafquerada of an high mafle, it was requiruc 
 that Subdcacons fhould bee added, to mock the poore k the 
 flicep comming to offering. 
 
 1 2 As for Do&ors , it may bee faide in a w oore'e, that the 
 Lorde ofhis great mercie hath not permitted, that that which' 
 is as it were the nurcerie of the Church (I meane fchoolcr 
 of good learning ,/hould in fuch wile bee vtterlieabolifhed & 
 taken awaie,as the other parts of that which God would haue 
 cftablifhed in his Church. But contrariwife it hath pleafed 
 him to (tir vp in fundry ages,Emperours and Kings, who haue 
 had a care of founding &ëre&ingof them through a worthy 
 & laudable in(lin6tandpurpoie,ond which amanmaylay to 
 haue beene and yet to bee the mcane that God hath vied ro 
 preferueandmaintainethefocietieof man , forthcitudyand 
 knowledge of hbcrall artcs and lciences. But touching the 
 
 piincîpail 
 
Vpon The First Ch-apti*. î$j 
 
 principal part of this lb great a benefit, which is the fchoole of 
 diuimtie, this is there where Satan hath ierued his tunic with 
 iugcr to turn it into moft bitter and deadly poyfon:hauing ba- 
 mihed out ofthc ichoole ofdiuinity that which was the only 
 fubic& thereof, I meane the reading and expounding of the 
 text of holy Scripture , to thruit thereinto an abominable con- 
 fufîon ofdreaming fophiltications, fome as vaine as curious, 
 others abfurdc, others full of impiety: in fuch fort, that to be.a 
 Doctor in fuch a thing , is no more but to bee farther off from 
 pure and found doctrine, as the Apolile fo diligently warncih 
 vs,i . T/w.i.4.3nd47.while Satan goeth forward in theytter 
 oucrthrowe of all their Clergy hauing transformed them into 
 fhoppes & brothels of Sodomitry and instrumentes vnto al ia- 
 crilegeand fimony. 
 
 1 3 Finally to ende and perfect the myfterie of iniquity,the 
 great B.fhop hath parted the fpoile with Kingcs and Princes, 
 nwhom he hath enchanted and bewitched in abolifhing vtter- 
 lie the Lawful order of ecclefîaltical elections and vocations. 
 And thus ye fee vnto what good paffe the Church of the Lord 
 hath bin brought by them,w ho offeruantes haue made them- 
 ielues trayterous companions, called no better thentbetue s by 
 the Lord, y*/^ 2 1. 1 3 . Ifanic man faie that the Bridegromç, 
 of whom mention is here made , fpake not of thé w hich came 
 To long after: I anfwere that the fpirit of prophecy in this place 
 doth not onelie lead vs farther then vnto the time of Salomon, 
 but that a long time agoe,aftcr the time of Iofua, as the hifto- 
 rie of the lu Jges doth plainely witnefle , horrible corruptions 
 were already entred in among the people ofgod,which draue 
 as it were this fpoufe out of her vineyard and pofletfion. As for 
 the refr,this woord ofCompanion fcemeth oucr gentle in this 
 matter, the queltion beeing here not in this whic h wee before 
 faid oftaking vnto a mans feif fome part of that w hich is pro- 
 perly belonging vnto thcBridegroome, an outragious crime 
 notwithftanding of treafon,but (that which is much worfe & 
 the capital poynt of this crime)is the taking to a mans felf the 
 pcrfon of this Bridegroome , and to put him foorth to pofleiTe 
 
 and 
 
i$6 The Tenth Sermon 
 
 and occupic his place, and in the place ci this chaft fpoufc , to 
 futftuutc this abominable ftrumpct, which ccth yet to this 
 daie feduce and bewitch the kings and princes 01 the earth by 
 the cup ofherabcminations.ano that with extreme impuden- 
 cic and fhamelcfnelTe , in indcuoring to make men to beleeuc 
 that by Juch inuentions he is honoured, from whom they hale 
 and pul with al the maine and might they hauc both the icep- 
 ter and the crow nc. 
 
 14 In fuch iort deale they with the Profhetic&lldigmtieoi 
 our Lorde Jeius Chrilt.calling their ow ne dreames and inuen- 
 tions, infpirat ions of the holy ghoft : as if that which hath bin 
 declared by the Prophets and Apcftles, touching our ialuati- 
 cn,w ere not it flficient,or might happily be in fome point cor- 
 recte d and amène ed. In a woord when they are ccme lofanc 
 as to fay,w rite & maintaine, that they , calling themlclues the 
 Church,cannot erre in docrrine,tbat their Pope cannot be dc- 
 ceiued,and that no man liuing may fay vnto the Pope though 
 he fliould lead w hole troupes of feules vnto hell, fir what doc 
 your & when hereupon they cut and clip the doctrine of God 
 as pleafeth them , is not this to ouerturne from the top to the 
 bottome the Propheticall authoritie of the fonneofGod,as 
 much as in them lictm* 
 
 I 5 As litle haue they left the Triefthoode of IefusChrift 
 whole and vntouched , hauing added & annexed vnto his ex- 
 piation and fatisfadtion for our iinnes whatfoeuer came into 
 their own brainlîckc fancy, as holy water^chrifmejOylejW axe, 
 fpettle, beades, pilgrimages, & other fuch babies they could 
 thinkc vpon or deuife.Briefely hauing gone fo far as to forgea 
 reall and fubftantiall oblation of Iefus Chrift by the handes of 
 their Priefts , for a fatisfaction for the iinnes ofche quicke, 8c 
 the dead,adding thereto notwithstanding the merits both of 
 the liuing who are yeun the way , and of the dead comprifed 
 in their Letanies and Procédions, vnto whom they haue attri- 
 buted fuch (tore of mérites , that there yet remaine an infinite 
 nurr.berofthemtobcfold and diftributed for ready mony to 
 all fuch as hauc need of them: things fo ftrange and abomina- 
 1 blc 
 
Vpo"n.-Th:i First Chapter, l^j 
 
 Me that ît is marueilous how there is yet found any Co very a 
 bead as to giuc credit vnto them ,and aniefofriameleflc im- 
 pudcnt,that hec wiii matntaine and défende fuch abominati- 
 on. 
 
 1 6 Now what flial we fay of the Interceffwn of Iefus Chrift, 
 Ynto whom they haue added thousands ot côpanions,though 
 they place them in fomewhat a lower and inferiour degree? 
 For they forge eucry day new patrones andIiucrceiTours,gi- 
 uingtocueryoneof them his (iatc and charge. okhis or that. 
 Nay they hauedoone thisdiihonorvnto the moil bleflcd and 
 holy Virgin Aiary^s initeede that her fclfc callcth her fcife the 
 Handmaiden of the Lorde, to call her and caufe her to bee wor- 
 fli i p ped a s Queene ofbcutten^Hr b^e^ur merci full z^fduocaie^y c a 
 {o faire as to bid her to commaund her fenne by the right and 
 audoririe of a mother : <md all this with' fuch ■vnbridelc4 
 boldnelTe and defperate prefun.ption, that they terme this ho» 
 mringofGodw bis S»mtcs : not perceiuing that eucry prayer 
 made vnto them who arc out of this world c placeth them in 
 the roomcofGod in attributing vnto them cf nccetfity that 
 whkb» proper vntoGod,to wit the knowledge ofourhartes 
 and whatioeuer wee fay or doc here below e, v\hich to doe is 
 intolerable impietie: bcfides.tjia.tnot contenting themfelues 
 with Iefus Chriil alone for their tntercciîour, it muftneeds be 
 that either they doubt of hi> power or of his will towardes ys, 
 which in ere dull* ie.be in g directly oppofed vntofaith^vi'thouc 
 which nothing c*n pieafe;God ; , naie whatfocuer is xritboHt 
 fajtbùfavc y Hcb.i i. 6. Rom. 1 4. 2 3. 'cannot but make all fuch 
 prayers vnprofitable, though there were no otjier fault in the, 
 Iamtf.6AiVx Word whofoeuerfhall compare the auncient ci\- 
 ftomes of Paynims .with- thefe deuotions ofthe Church which 
 callcth it fclfe at this djiic Catbcl^e y (hûl fipde from potntto 
 point no other difference bctweenc thefe two,faue onely the. 
 names, onely that thefe who haue fo abufed the ftely v. ojldc 
 & fo nulled it in their fuperftitions,calling darckneftc jightrin 
 faifiriçng the light of the Scripture, are a great cede more in- 
 excufabie then the poore Paynims,hauing abufed nothing 
 H S but 
 
tjS Thh Temth Sitka* 
 
 but the remnant of their natural light, as the Apoftle fpeakcth of 
 thtm.Aci.i^ i<5.and&»».i.2i. 
 
 1 7 And chus you fee whothefe companions are of whom 
 this poore fpoufe in this place fo bitterly complaincth, deiî- 
 ringtobedrawenoutfrom among them and to bee brought 
 vnto the true flock^diltinguifhcdhercin^rom them which mc 
 calleth flocks in the plurall number,becaufe that indeed there 
 is but one true Church and vniuerfal, whereas thefe traiterous 
 companions hauc as many flockes as they hauc fc&s, ac- 
 cording vnto the faying of the Lordc t Th*t bee which gat beretk 
 not with htm y doth nothing els but feat ter ,Mat. 12.30. 
 
 18 And as Touching thefc words *As Jbeewbrch couereth or 
 bidethherfelfe^hçy arc expounded in diuerfc fortes . For there 
 a efome which refer it to the fafhion which Thamarvfedto 
 deceiue Iuda her father in Lawc, Gen, 38.ic.gatheringfrorn 
 thence that the maner of harlots wasto couer themfclues : ac- 
 cording vnto which expofîtion this mould bee taken , as if the 
 fpoufe did fay, that keeping companic with fuch kind of peo- 
 ple,fhe fliould be thought to be neuer a whit better then they, 
 as it commonly commeth to paflc and doth (til fall out,agree- 
 able with thehirtorie ofthe Daughters of Lot. For it farcth 
 with them who ouer familiarly and oucr long time haunt the 
 companic ofthe wicked and peruerfe,as with them who dwel 
 among colliers and come too nearethem,according vnto the 
 JelTon which the Apprtle teacheth vs,x.0.i e.3 5. And this is 
 the caufe why the Lord vndcr the Law was fo careful to feuer 
 his people in eueriercfpe&, yea as touching their veric attire 
 and appareI,from al other profane nations . We hcarc alfo the 
 mones which Dauid maketh during his flight, Pfalu^iM 1 20. 
 and elfewherc : as alfo the Apoftle cxhortcth vs to take heede 
 with whom wee compan$e> 1 . Cor. j . 1 1 . And I would e to God th at 
 many had thought better vpon this point the they hauc done, 
 who arc at this day in a moft wretched and miferablc cttatc, 
 hauingthrowenthcmfelues wittingly and willingly into the 
 pawes ofthe raucning and deuouring lyon.This is then a molt 
 holcibmc and ncccllaric do&rinc, but notwuhftanding fuch 
 
 as 
 
Vpok The First Chatthr. t^ 
 
 «s hath no vcric furc ground & foundation touching this ma- 
 nor and forme of fpece h, being a thing vnlikcly that they w ho 
 Îrottitutc their bodies, and confec]uently feekc nothing eJfe 
 ut to allure men to their dcitru&ion by their beucic, as fuch 
 weomen arc defcribed by this lame Salomon , Proverb. 6.2 j. 
 and 7. 1 oihould hide their faces: befides that if they fliould lo 
 doe, it wcicanhardcthingto difecrne anhor.cftmaried v\ife 
 vayled, from an harlot. Neither meant Mofes in the hiitoiic 
 ©ffhamartofay,thatfticwas therefore accounted an harlot, 
 becaufelhce hadcoucred her face, but that therefore Iuda 
 knew her not to bee his daughter in lawe,becaufe flic was at- 
 tired like aw ido we, and had couercd her face : whom not- 
 \vich(hndinghcc thought to bee an harlot, feeing her fctouc 
 in that fort and fitting alone in the high way .There arc others 
 therefore which expound this woord As one which vrandretb 
 ota oftbewaie, becaufekisfometimestakenin this fenfe, in 
 the toung w hich Salomon vfeth : as if the fpoufe faide that be- 
 ing among fuchlcwde companie, (hcemuft needesbce as a 
 -poor wanderer and vagabond.But it is better to take it limply 
 in this fenfe, that fhee cannot bee among fuch wicked corn- 
 panic, but to her great forowc and griefe, fceking for corners 
 where to hide her head that fhe hauc no felowfliip with them, 
 or els being conltrained to hide and coucr her face,not to fee 
 fuch detcftablc things and to confent vnto them fo much as 
 with hcrcountenauncc , a* Dauid proteftcth that hee will not 
 hauc fo much as in his mouth the names of fir «urge Çcds, Pfal. 
 X 6.^.Thc Apoftle alfo warning vs to take heedc not onlyofeuil t 
 but alfo ofeuery thing that hathfo much as the appearance ofeuill, 1 . 
 ThcfT. e. 22. as alio Saint Peter witnelTeth that /*/} Lot (who 
 notwithllanding had doonc better if hce had neuer departed 
 from Abraham, or returned againe vnto him) vexed ar.d a /fli- 
 tted from day today his innocent joule , hearing ar.d feeing the vetch d 
 allés and deedes of them of Sodomc. God giuc vs grace to make 
 our profit of this holy dodtrine nee ciTarie for all times, but <f- 
 pecially amidft thefe cloudes and obfeure cîaïk/icflc with 
 which wee fee that Satan, with fuch efficacie of error, in- 
 
 S 1 deuorcth 
 
*4*> The Eleventh Sermon 
 
 deuoreih to obfcurc the cleare light which God hath fent vs 
 as it were from heauen : to the ende that they whole eies hee 
 hath already opened , furlcr notthcmfelucs to bee blinded a- 
 ga'ne,andihaithey whoarcyetin darkenefleand in the fha- 
 dow of death may rcceiue the gift of this light , and that con- 
 trariwife cuety tour.g yc tide the Lordc God his honour 3nd 
 glory in his true Churci^by our onely mediatour our Lord le- 
 iuaLjkàûk & becaufe we hauc bin hitherto foloofein thisbe- 
 haitc,iovuihankful & ioforgetful.we wildcmaund mercy as 
 . follow eih. 
 
 tyilmighty God&c. 
 
 The Eleventh Sermon. 
 
 Our helpe be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 
 It U written fiifollffxeth in the firff Chapter off he fonticU of 
 Canticles \ the eighth verfe. 
 
 8 If thou knowe it not,0 thou the faireft a- 
 mong women, get thee forth, & goe & folowe 
 the trace of the f lock,and feede thy kiddes by 
 the tents or cabbins of the fheepheards. 
 
 I That Setan hath afoalts difgHi'ied gular mlânes andclemencie. 
 the mark* of the Church. J We muft come forth out of Baby Un 
 
 Z The true Church leant th not there- ifvee veil notperi/h with it^and how wet 
 fere to bee alv aits faire and precious in rnufi ace it. 
 
 the fight tf God. 6 7 he examples oflofeph & cfDamd 
 
 I H hen fore the Chterdj, though (hee andofMofes (liferent anddiuers in th* 
 be in fuch efiate^ Uaueth not fur all that refpe&i applied vnto our time. 
 to bee the Church , againft the opinio» stf J Changing ofpLxce is net going forth 
 the Qath&iiïis and Do notifies. of Babylon, 
 
 4 7 he Wefl Babylon ts nothing left 8 To beiome a Mon^e is nothing UJfe 
 then the Churchy but how God hath dra- then to goe out of the void, 
 venandyet drawtthfoorth hu afoaies 9 ^4n aunfrere-vntothemwhoatthu 
 thtnce > ty awakening them xith his jtth- daie/eek£ tofindstn agreement betvetne 
 
 Beh^lam 
 
VponThe First Chapter. 141 
 
 Babylon and the Church. fhn cfCabbins and $hccphcardes. 
 
 jo his am thn thing to make a ntwe 15/ <f < hing the exctjje committed in 
 
 wait, and to uihrne -unto the auncient 'buildings and ciher fomfes^which haw 
 
 and true x aie ,and what this old ajid an- altcgithcr transformed the Church into 
 
 \; u:t w ^% ; > # dfkoffe ofm'oji abominable ambition 
 
 11 T here are two fitter of auncicnt fa- endcouctoufneffe. 
 
 theis , andmame ttcrninges on the right 1 6 The Qabbins or Tents of the Church 
 
 hand and on the left. are penatiue, and the meant noi to bet 
 
 3 1 Thefuccefion tfBifhops in the wefi deceiuedin them. 
 
 Babylon it of no foreground. 17 S4 great fault tojiandvppon mere 
 
 3 3 What the true Cabbins and Tentes pcrfonalfucceffion. 
 
 arc y vnto which this ftcufe isftnt. 1 8 ji centlujion of the whole matter go . 
 
 j 4 Ivberefuit Salomon tttakgh men- ingbefore. 
 
 HE knowledge of thetructhbeeing 
 iu all things the reacy direction to fol- 
 low the right way, and nothing being 
 more precious then faluation which 
 leadethvs farther then this life, there 
 is nothing mote pernicious and petti- 
 lent then the obfeurirtg anddarkning 
 of the truth touching our faluation, & 
 by coniequenr, then the difguizing of 
 the true marks ofthe church of God, without the which there 
 is neither truth nor faluation. This is it which the falfe Parlors 
 would gladlie make men to beleeue .can ncuer come to paffe, 
 to the end todrawe men vnto themfelues, when it pleafeth 
 God fo to chaften and puniih the contempt of his truth. Now 
 that the marks ofthe Church bee not alwaiesbright-fhining 
 and clearc, it is apparant and manifeit not onely by the mena- 
 ces and threats which the Lord hath made in this behalf,both 
 by the Prophets in infinite many places , as 7^/. 44. and 79, 
 & 80. throughout, and Pfa/.Sç. ^ç,Efay 2 8. 1 4 . & elie-w here, 
 asalfovndcr the new coucnant the Lord foretold the fame 
 exprefly, Mat.i^i^.-wïà after him the Apoftle , e^/c?.2o.2p. 
 andi.Tîw.^.ia.andz.T^^.ô.andi./^.i.iS.asithathallb 
 beene confirmed by manic and fundry experiences in al times 
 as before we haue declared. This is then the ftac in which the 
 
 S 3 pcore 
 
î4* The Elbvihth Sf.*moh •'< 
 
 poorc Church is propofcd vmo vs to be in the verfc going be. 
 
 Jure, not knowing in a marier on w hit h fide to turn e it kite in 
 
 luch an vtter cdnrufion. 
 
 2 And therefore our duty is we! and narrowly to confidcr 
 
 the aunfwerc made vnto the fpcufe by him himielfc, who a- 
 
 lone,toipcakc propcrly/pcakcthin verity & truth,fccingitis 
 
 he w ho is truth it felfc,and who neucr foriakcth thofe v\ ho arc 
 his in their ncede • Alter a preface therefore firft made , to en- 
 courage and to comfort her,calling her the fayrcft among wo» 
 mcn,hce aunfwereth his fpoufe in this fenfe, It is true indeedc 
 that thou art a poorc wandring ftray,and therefore black and 
 funnc -burnt,but yet thou leauelt not for all that to be fayr and 
 
 beutifullin mine eyc,yca adorned with fuchabcutyasnone 
 befidesthy felfe can vaunt and boalt of. This is the vcricihle 
 which the Lord bimfclf vfctb by his Prophets, adding alw aies 
 a confolation and comfort after his threats and iudgementes, 
 as is cxprcflie fpoken and in the fame fenfe by the Prophet E- 
 faic faying , Come my f of le , enter tnu thy chambers , and [butte 
 the door a after thee/wd hide thjftlfe a little while vnttl my anger bee 
 faffed oner JEfzy 26.20.the Church hauingfaid before vnto him 
 in the eight verfe,© Eternal we wait for thee in the wayofthyittdge~ 
 mentes. No we the foundation of this comfort and confolation 
 confiltcth in two pointes : both of them grounded vpon the 
 Angular mcrcieofGod. Thefiiitis^hatthcLord neuerfuffc* 
 reth the ground Articles and points of true religion to be abo- 
 liflied in his Church,though they be in diuers forts both with- 
 in and without difguiled and ballardized: and that fometimes 
 this truth remainc but among a few, as we fee it came to paflc 
 in Ifrael in the time of Elias, in Iuda in the time of the captiui* 
 ty of Babylon , in Icrulaleni it felfe then w hen the Lord came 
 in perfon.The other pointis,that the Lord confidereth not hi* 
 Church limply according vnto his graces and blefluigs which 
 Ihinc in her, which arc fometimes molt darke and obfeurcin 
 theeicsofmcn,but refpeclethhcr alw aies in the truth of his 
 coucnant,andin him in whomfhec is indeedc notonelyw^- 
 êutsjoterrtrinckte, ColotT.l.2:.but \\hkhismot€ ^/othedwith 
 
 the 
 
VponThh First Chaptb*. 14* 
 
 th:perfeSh righteo»fo;ffe of the reconciler \ PKil. 3 .9. 
 
 3 Let vs therefore know that the church lcaucth not to be 
 a church, though the true do&rinc touching certaine articles 
 bee therein debated, yea though it bee touching the princi- 
 pall articles bylomcas the weakneffeoffome, and the wic- 
 kedncife of ochers is great, whereof the church of Corinth 
 may be a witnefle in which the article of the refurre&ion was 
 called by ionic into controuerfie,and the church of the Gala* 
 thians (b fhikcn , that in refpedt of the greatcft part of the 
 members thcrcof,it was vtterly reuolted , as the Apoftlc him- 
 felfe witnefT th, CJV. 1 . 6. whonotwithftanding leaueth not 
 to cal them churches of lefus Chrift which lie alfo reformed 
 & rclforcd, according vnto that leflo which he taught others, 
 %om. 14. t. And therefore thefe fantalticall Catbanftes and 
 Dowuifiïs ofolde, and thofe of our time of the left of the e/^- 
 9uéapt/ftf,who fcekc after fuch a church in this world as fhculd 
 haue no fault nor any thing amide in it, are vttcrlie to bee re* 
 ic&ed. 
 
 4 But it is far an other thing to difpute and makea quefti- 
 on of that which a man knoweth nor, with a will and defire to 
 learneandknowit: andtfubburnlyto oppofea. mans ielfc a- 
 gainfithetruth^and finally to maintaine and authorifc a do- 
 ctrine directly contrarie vnto the articles of our faith. And thus 
 is it at length come to paffe in the Romifh church at this day, 
 which for this caufe doth no more deferue the name of a 
 church then the kingdome of the ten tribes rcuolting with Ie- 
 f oboam thefonne of Nabath deferued the name of the people 
 ofGod : albeit there wercfora long time fome of Gods eleék 
 among thofe rcuolters , whom the Lorde according vnto his 
 good pleaiurc did miraculoufly preferue , vntill the daie of the 
 vtter dilîipation of them, which (hall befall this Well Babylon 
 in his time . And therefore we protcft that in the times of our 
 fathers there was a Church,that is to fay,a number of the chil- 
 dren of God as it were fecrct and ihut vp,as may be proucd by 
 writinges from age to age , that there were alwaiesibmc who 
 oppofedthemfelucsagainft thofe fuperftitions and idolatries 
 
 which 
 
Î44' The Eleventh Sermon 
 
 which by little and litlc gotte the vpper hand in this Babylon^ 
 called three hundred ycaresagoc by one of their owne Poets 
 i Temple ofhercfie, in the which the Lorde for this fuffered 
 not that Baptifm fhould be vtterly taken away and abohflied^ 
 but not that this Sea or any affe&ed thereunto being dire&lie 
 oppofed vnto the Church ofGod,was at anytime the Church. 
 We proteft & confetfe farther,that euen in our time, in which 
 ithathpleafedGodtodifplay the banner of histruch, there 
 doe (til remaine fome of the eleét,buricd as it were in the mid- 
 dell of this BabyIon,who in refpect, of the eternal purpofe and 
 counfel of God appertain at this prêtent vnto the true church: 
 but by little andlittleasitpleafethGodto crawethemoutof 
 this gulf, are actually made the members of this true Church, 
 of which thing you to v\hom wefpeak,and our fclucs who are 
 by Gods mercie come forth thereof,are good witneflcs. This 
 is then the comfort and confolation w hereof mention is made 
 in this place, and that v\ hich v\e mud learne to anfv\ ere them, 
 who fo impudently and fhameleflie begin our churches,from 
 thofe great perfonages the faichfulTeruantsut God ;rayfedvp 
 of his great mercy and grace about feucr.tic ycares agoe , not 
 to build a new Church,as theyfalfcly calit.but to gather togi- 
 fherthe poore fecliefheepe whir h were tf rayed among the 
 wolues,which the fpoufe calleth here falfe companions of Je- 
 fusClnift>aswechaueaboue.cxpouridedthe.fame: theBride- 
 .groome therefore pacing farther , addeth Ifshcuktmtfttt *ot> 
 -as if nee faid, is itpoiîiblc my fpbuti that thou halt vtterly for- 
 gotcen that which thou askcit of mc,namely where my pa(lu- 
 ring place is,and where I caufc my fheep to reft in the heate of 
 the noon dayAVhichhefpcaketh not fo much vnto the fpoufe 
 in way of rcproch prto greeueher ormakeherfadde, as to 
 awaken her and to make her bethink her fclfe better : as if to 
 warnc him who feemeth to haue little courage, wee fhouldc 
 giue him to vriderftarrd,that if he think wel onhimfclfc,hccis 
 itronger then he .takes himfelfeto.be. Wee fee herethercforc 
 thcincftimabJe and admirable goooinefle ofGod towards his 
 Church,teaching vs, that we mud take heede of two contrary 
 
 extremes 
 
Vpon The First Chaftek. 147 
 
 extremes, namely that we pre fume not too much ofour ownc 
 forces as Saint Peter did who after tound himfelfeinverie bad 
 cafe thereby, and on the other fide alio that we confider well 
 ofthe gilts we haue receiucd of God,that we make them pro- 
 fitable to our felucs and others by our couragious viage of 
 them,asthe ApohHemolt diligently warnethhisDiiciple 1 i- 
 mothy, 1 . Tim. 4. 1 4. whereas it falleth out often, that for wane 
 of courage, which we thinke is not fo > wee furfer that to fall a- 
 way which we haue receiucd,making our felues in the end vt- 
 terly vnvvorthy thereof. 
 
 5 After this preface the Bridegroomc warneth his fpoufc 
 firlt to goe forth, as it was laid at the beginning vnto Abraham, 
 get theefoorth ont of thy countrïe and out of the Ur.dvtherc thouvcert 
 hanrne.andcut of ~tby fathers hoftJe y Gcn. 1 2.1. & afterward by the 
 mouth ofthe Ptophet$,getyoxoutef TSabylon^ fie out cf (fhulddta y 
 1er. 5 1.6. and afecrward by the AngclygocjceoutofhermypecpL?, 
 Apoc 1 8.4. And indeede the meanes to find the right w ay af- 
 ter that a man is goneaitraie, is not totarrie in the path in 
 which he wandrcd, but a man mult w ithdraw hirr.felfe from ic 
 and returnc into the right ailbone as he can.Now if hereupon 
 a man demand y whether this retreat impoiteth alv\ aies a châ- 
 ging ofplacc,! anfwerc that no.For the principal retire as tou- 
 ching doc-bine hcth herein,to turnc from falfehoodc.to return 
 into the way of truth , and as touching manners to w ithdrav c 
 our felucs from al kind of iniquity to giue our felues vnto pure- 
 nelTc.otliuingjP/tf/.i 19 ^and.2.7tttf.2. 19. which is meant irt 
 the Scripture by "the wovaotcxtmerfon. 
 ■ 6 But touching this the examples in Scriptures are not 
 all ofone lort.For we fee , that lofeph left not Egypt, neither 
 did Daniel or his companions,;^ farrc as wee read,dcpart ouc 
 ofChaldca or Perfia. Contrariwile looke wee vpon Mofcs,& 
 we (Tial fee that heforfookPharaoes court; & as for the retch- 
 les and carcleflc Icwcs, who foreflowed their departure out of 
 the captiuity , the gate bceing chrife fet open vnto them, wee 
 knowe how dearely they bought it . What friall wc then faie 
 hcreupon?This doubt is cafilyrefolucd by them, who hauç a . 
 
 T regard 
 
14* The Eleventh Sermon 
 
 regard; without flattering ofchemfelues any whit at all, afwei 
 vnto the glory of God as vnto their owne duty to difcharge ic 
 well, as alio co their own ability and meancs which they haue 
 to feme God aright . The fcope therefore and ground offuch 
 a deliberation as this is,is, that what euer commeth,v\ ce mult 
 fcrucGodinfuch forças hee hath appointed vs toferuehim, 
 without looking either backward,or on the right hande or on 
 the left.Thus much is pref uppofed,if a man liue in fuch a place 
 where he may heare the woorde of God fyncerely preached, 
 and may vfe the Sacraments ordained by God for an helpe & 
 remédie of our wretched vveakenelTe. Yet for all that aman 
 muft according totheaduertifementof Chrift accounting bis 
 coft çfr taking a reckoning of bis ability before be build or wage battle: 
 Luk.i4.28.confider farther; firlt whether heefeele himfelfe 
 ftrôg inough by the aide & afïïrtâce of god both to fuftain the 
 hot atTaults whichby al likclihoodfhalbe giué" him,in making 
 apurcandvpright confeflîon of the true religion among pro- 
 phaneandfuperftitiousliucrs, andalfonot to fuffer himfelfe 
 to be feduced by fuch wicked examples,as flialbe euery hourc 
 and euery moment prefented him in thofe places. If any mart 
 therefore flnde himfelfe in fuch condition, I fee not why bee 
 fhould lightly change the place he liueth in , but ought rather 
 there to difcharge h is duty, andtofhine as a cleare flaming 
 torch in the middeft of the kingdome of darckneiTe,P^//.2. 1 ?. 
 although it be not forbidden that hee which fmdeth himfelfe 
 well inough touching the flate ofhis confcience,in any place, 
 may not feeke ftill to be yet better if may be. And farther they 
 who haue any charge and vocation ofGod,cfpecially an cc- 
 clefiaftical charge in any placc,ought to take heede how they 
 take into their mindes fuch an impreffion of dangers,as there- 
 fore toleaue their charge , which ought to bee more precious 
 vnto them then their owne lifc,according vnto the pra&ife of 
 all the faithfull feruantes of Godjexamples whereof wee haue 
 in Iofeph,& in Daniel. Now they are laid to quit their charge 
 whodepartforthefearcofmen, or for their owne particular 
 rcfpeétmot considering that an aiTurcd vocation is the voice 
 
 of 
 
V?on Thb First Ch aFtbr. 147 
 
 ©f god, which who fo willingly obcicth not,either to tarry,or 
 to dcpart,is worthic to be diicharged , or rather punifhed by 
 his Captainc . Abraham hauing receiued a commaundemenc 
 of the Lorde,left forthwith his Country and his fathers houle. 
 Briefly a lawfull callmg,and fuch a one as wee are necclTarilic 
 tied vnto, is the voice of the Lord, w hether it be to caufe vs to 
 itay where we are, or to depart. We read not that Moles had 
 any commaundement by vilîon from God, as had Abraham, 
 to depart out of Tharaoer court ,Heb.i 1 .24. but befidesthat hec 
 had no eitate or calling which tied him to fray, butcontrari- 
 wife was brought vp after the Aegyptian fafhionrhis intent èc 
 purpofc approuedby that which followed, fheweth thathee 
 was guided and conducted by a fingular motion and initinft 
 of the holy ghoft, as S.Stephen like wife declarcth the fame. 
 *Aïï. 7. 2 2. As we ncede not alfo to doubt , but that Daniell, if 
 he were not furprifed by death in his old age , held himfclfe in 
 Pcrfia by reafon of his publicke vocation, in w hich he did god 
 and his whole nation faithful feruiceras Efdras alfo and Nehe- 
 miasftaied there a while after the edi&, through the lingular 
 prouidence ofGod,w ho would haue them left for a rere ward 
 vnto the people who drew themfelues backe by litle and litle, 
 as on the conrrariiîde thofe who tarried and fhrouded them- 
 felues in fllthineiTe and vncleannefle of that prophane people 
 are by no meanes to be excufed.In fummc v\ ho lo rightly and 
 fyncerely feeketh after the glory of God and the quiet ofhis 
 conlcience, (hall fooncknowe how to make in fuch a cafe an 
 holyandagoodrefolution. Neitheris this to tie the grace of 
 God vnto any one Prouince, orthcwallesof any one Citty, 
 whereas God mult be fcrued in entry place with lifting vp of pure 
 handes: i.Tim. 2. 8.butthisistotcach men tofetall thinges 
 whatfoeuer without exception, after the dewty which they 
 owe vnto the Lorde.-whofc promife is molt liberall & bounti- 
 full vnto them , who torfake forhisfakehoufes,or brethren, 
 or filters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands & 
 potTetTions,boweeuer the worldc take and account them for 
 fooles and franticice. 
 
 T 2 7 Neither 
 
ufî Thh Eleventh Sekmox 
 
 7 Neither ferueth thislcfTon to teach vs onely that it is r. 
 nough to depart out of thofc places where fuperititio or fome 
 what worfc then that is . For it is to little purpofe to chaunge 
 our place,if we chaungc not our old skinne:and if being come 
 to another place to ferue God better and with more freedomc 
 then before , we fhew it not mdeede andeffett when w ec are 
 come thither. Which falleth not fo truly out in al, as I muft fay 
 it to my great gricfe, beeing but too too manie found w ho in 
 itecde of changing thcmielues and their manners or profiting 
 -thcmielues better when they are come hither amongft vs,be~ 
 
 come worfe then before, fo that being nothing.elfe but an of- 
 fence and (tumbling block vnto others,it were better both for 
 vs and them they had either neuer come here, or had returned 
 itrait way thither againc from whence they came. 
 
 8 And as this doctrine ferueth not to this purpofe , fo ney- 
 thcr tendeth it to the fauoriug ofthefc hypoeriticali Moonkes 
 whoboall and brag they haue forfaken the wcorlde,becaufe 
 they would fainc be reckned among the number of them rvho 
 haw left andforfekett al things for Cbrtftsfahe: which thing 1 fhall 
 thenconftffe to bee true, when they fhal haue proued lefus 
 Chrift to be the patron and founder of their order , and that to 
 enter into a monaftcric,there to liue at the coit and charges of 
 another,and fome of them to bee chaunged into wild ailes, o- 
 thers to get them fat paunches, others to grow vppe to miters 
 and cardinals hattcs, others to be the props and aich-pillers of 
 ialfhoode and error, fuch as thefc of the latter crue are , who 
 cal themfclues Capuchins & Iefuits,falfe vfurpcrs of the name 
 of Iefus.others to be fauiours and meriters for themfelucs and 
 for others who hire them for their imaginaricworkes, in fuch 
 fortastohcare themfpeake,itfhould fcemc that God owcth 
 themfomewhat vpon arcckningwhen they haue paftaclear 
 account with him: when I fay they fhal haue fhewed that this 
 doc-trineisPropheticall and Apoftolicall,Iwil then confefle 
 their faying to be true and not before: no difpleafure to one of 
 the ancient fathers(a man otherwife endued with moft excel- 
 lent gifts, & who ncucr heard of fuch,not monks,but monkc» 
 
 as 
 
VponThe Fi*st Chapter. 149 
 
 as they afterward became to bcejbut fo bewitched notwith- 
 ihnding with the opinion of a monaftical and folitarie life, as 
 that he Itickcd not to giue one this counfell to runne ouer the 
 vcric belly of his ownc father, to enter intoamonaitcrierfo 
 blinde was the world eucn in thofc daies . 
 
 o In a word therefore, the firft point of returning vnto the 
 Church ofGod, isareiolution of quitting andfonaking the 
 falfe Church, without any either chaffering and merchandi- 
 sing ox looking behwdevs^ as we are warned, L//i^ 9.62.6c ^Phil. 
 3.13, as this lpoufc alio is exprcfly warned t o forget her onne 
 people and her fathers houfe , before the Ktng cart take pleafure tn her 
 £ft*#//f,Pfal.45.Ti. And this is a point which they abouc all 
 others ought well tothinke vpon, who at this day, when this 
 point is handled and debated among vs, mince out their 
 way on both fides, thinking to agree fire and water together : 
 calling them transformers of the Church,who would reforme 
 it exactly according vnto the paterne ofthewoordc of God: 
 mena great deal e more daungerous then thofe who declare 
 themfelues vtter enimies ofthe truth. 
 
 10 But becaufc to goc out of a bad way to enter into an 
 other as bad or els worie,doth litlc better the cafe of him who 
 is wandred : therefore the fpoufc is here warned in going out 
 ofthe ill way to followe the tracke ofthe flocke,that is to laic, 
 of this true floe koffheep with whom they are to ioync them- 
 felues. For the vnderftanding and pradtife of which leffon we 
 are to note,that there is a difference betweene the opening of 
 a new way,and the acknowledging ofa way made long fince, 
 but for lacke of vfing and frequenting growen waft and defo- 
 Jate. The queftion being therefore in this place, not of taking 
 or making a ncwe way , as if the Church had then tooke her 
 beginning, but of rinding againe the true way laid in fome 
 fort waft 5c defert: for this caufe the fpoufe is fent backc as it 
 were to'finde the trackes and footings of the oldc way . And 
 this is it which the Prophets themfelues haue preached amidft 
 thedefolationsof the Church in their times, fending backc 
 fuch as arc wandered and gone aftray into the Lai* and vnto the 
 
 T 3 tefttmwit 
 
i$0 Thi Eleventh Sermon 
 
 tcfitmoniC) Efai.8.20. and elfewhere as Abraham alfofpcakeih 
 hak. 1 6.29.7 hey haue> faith bee, Mof es and the Prophets Jet thttn 
 heare themwhticuviio zgxztih that of Saint Pcter,2.*P*M. 20. 
 not forgetting the woordes of his mai(ter,w ho directed thofc 
 which were blind & knew him not,vnto the Scriptures. Sound 
 /<?/aith he^andjearch the Scriptures for they are they which jpeakof 
 «^,loh.$.3p.yea although then when the Lord fpakc thus, the 
 trackjwd foot ingot the true fheepe of the former time was fo 
 clcane put foorth , amongeft thofe who called themfelues the 
 people of God, that there needed miracles and other extraor- 
 dinary meancs to make it knowen vntothefeely wandering 
 fheepe, Mat. 9. 36. 
 
 1 1 Therefore when our aduerfaries would feruc their turn 
 with this place to teach vs that without al diitin&iô or excep- 
 tion we mult keep vsvnto the way ofthefathcrs:wc mutt put 
 them in mind of this word ofHwr^namely of the true flocke of 
 the true fhecp.For there are two forts of fathers.Thc one fedu- 
 ccts & feduced,ofv\hom the lord complaining in Ieremy,f/?gr 
 haue for fake fi'nh he ,my lawyvktcb I [et before the~,& haue not hear- 
 kened vnto my voice, neither walked thereafter, but haue followed 
 thetr own harts lujk, & the Haalims which their fathers taught them, 
 -ler.^.i^.and i4andinEzcchiel20.24 their eyes are gone after 
 the moultengods of their fathers. Such are the fathers from which 
 wee mult turne,that wee perifh not with them , not deferuing 
 the name ofauncetors,that is to foicoffucbjbeepeajhearandfo- 
 iow the voice of their fheepheard t \oh. 1 o.27-But as for true fathers, 
 thatistofaietrucauncetours, thofc are they indecde whofc 
 track and footing we mult know,that we turne not therefrom 
 neither to the right hand nor to the left. As for example.There 
 are in our time a great number of falfe feds & religions which 
 al faie they are the true Church.Behold on one fide the Iewes, 
 on another fide the Turkcs who vaunt themfelues, that they 
 haue the true religion. As for the Turkes their Alcoran beeing 
 newly forged,it cannot be the trackofthùflockThc Iewes now 
 -and fincc the definition oftheir Temple & policy haue fome 
 .fayrerfkewe ,butkis on a falfe tide they vaunt themfelues to 
 
 haue 
 
VponThe First Cham-b*. t$x 
 
 haue on their fide the God which Mofcs and the Prophets 
 taughc,lcing they ackno vvlege not but blafpheme him whom 
 the Law and the Prophets lead vs vnto. 
 
 1 2 Wee fee on the other fide howc they of the Romilh 
 Church do at this daie vaunt themfelues & make great crakes 
 of their anttqutty andfticcefpon ofBf/boppes , and of the Scriptures 
 themfelues,che booke of the one and the other couenant. Vn- 
 to whom we aunfwerc that the foundation of their hiérarchie 
 being in part forged vpon an humane inuention which finally 
 degenerated into an open tyranny : and their doctrine beeing 
 dircétly and diametrally repugnant vnto the Scriptures of the 
 Prophets and Apo(tles,this cannot be the way trodden out by 
 the auncicnt Church Apoitolique, what continuance of years 
 focuer and names offuccciTours they alleadge. Afnuich is to 
 bee faid concerning the Anahapttfts andLtbertines , placing in 
 fteede of the Scripture their revelations and dreâmes, as alfo all 
 both old and new or renued herctickshaue this in common, 
 that they hold not themfelues within the limites and bounds 
 or the doctrine of the Apoltlesand Prophets perfectly com- 
 prifedinthe holy and canonicall Scriptures, which ought to 
 icruc for the text and commentary of his wil. 
 
 I $ And this is the caufe why the Bridegrome addeth that 
 the fpoufe to flnde the trackeof the true fheep after which fhe 
 is fent, muft feeke after the cabhins orients of the {heephear as: 
 meaning by thefe woordes, the true Paltours of the Church 
 whom we muft difcerne from the falfe , by their woordes and 
 writings,and by their cahbins and tentes y that is to fay,the rety- 
 ping and refting place of this true flocke . For indeede there is 
 but one catholicke fiocke , that is , vniuerfally considered, bee ic 
 great or Jitle. But there are fo many cabbins for the retyring 
 vnto, and pasturing of it , as there arc places in the which the 
 voice of thefe true fheepheards, Prophets and Apottles,do re- 
 found , and ftiall refound vnto the end of the woorlde, by the 
 mouthes of their faithfuli fucccfTors,to gather together and to 
 conduce vnto theonelyPaftourand ftiecpheard which is this 
 Bridegrome, the whole number and multitude of the fheepe. 
 
 14 And 
 
tf% Tkî Elevekth Sfrmom - 
 
 • 14 And it tray alio be that Salomon had a particular rcfpccl 
 to Abraham, Ijaacke^nd l^cob y v. ho v\ ere indeed fheepheai ds, 
 a6 the meft part ohhe sncentPatriarckes, yLzMojahim/clfe 
 tmongihe fJMadu:nites > t.t.a David, Pial. 77. 20.& 7b.72.to the 
 doctrine and family or "w horn the -ipouic in this place is it nc 
 backc, being a thing without all doubt that they were indeed 
 true Paftouis & fheephcards, their dcdrinc the true doctrine, 
 & their houfc(cxcepting Inch as bchaued thcmfeluesvnwor- 
 thily,and which were rather in the houfc then of the houfc , as 
 lifrruel and Efaw) the true Church oi God . And we may not 
 forget that here is expreflc mcntio made of cabbins of fhecp- 
 heards, according vnto the purport of the hiftory it fclfe, 
 namely that thefe Patriarckes did indeed dvoclltn tents^s way- 
 farers in this worlde,//^. 1 1 .0. We are theiefore giucn to vn- 
 dcrtfand by this word that we may notfeeke after the Church 
 in the outward fliining of Towers & Steepls, nor other pomps 
 and braucries of the worlde : the Church of God being rather 
 compofed of the fnud& contemptible thirgs of thevrorld, Luk.14. 
 2 1. and 1. G or 1. 26. as the head alio thereof would bee borne 
 in a itable,and hue poorely and fknderly . Jfon the contrarie 
 fide any man obiectthc rich ornamemes ofthe f*£«v:*c/r,the 
 magnificence of the temple of Salomon, and the ric hes both of ic 
 as alfo ofthe people during his kingdomc , in whole raigne ic 
 is 1 ai d , / hat men made no mare reckoning offiluer then of ft one s in fc- 
 r ujalem^, 2. Chr on. 9. 2 7 I anfwere,as touching the ornaments 
 ofthe Leuiticall Pricfthoodc and the riches of the Temple, 
 that al this was a figure ofthe fpiritual riches of [he true Tern* 
 pic ofGod, namely ofour lord JefusChrilt vnderthepçdago- 
 gicand osf. r B. C* ofthe La we, which is now ceafedtogither 
 with al that which depended thereon: and as for the other ri- 
 ches, I denie not but that the Lord honoured his people when 
 it fo plcafed him, with the bleiTinges and commodities of this 
 l\k,Godlines hamng thepromijes both ofthe prefent life and ofthe life 
 to corner . Tim.4.8. 1 deny not alfo but that God hath called 
 vnto his Church, both rich and poore , fuch and fo many as ic 
 pleafeth him > as the example of Abraham who was rich , in 
 
 whole 
 
VéonThe First Chapter^ Ï53 
 
 whofe Bojâmepêore Laz,arm wa*,mzy declare and wîtnes , Luk», 
 16.23 .bue 1 laie that in al times the hall where the banquet is 
 kept, whereof mention is made \t)Luk^ 14.13 • hathalwaies 
 beene filled radier *f/>& imfotent folcke, lame >artdblwd taken out of 
 the mtdjî of theftrcet^ -then with the rich and pompous which are 
 uiki^gsho^fe s y }^ioit a 1 .8.ïfaie farther that albeit neither riches 
 nor pouerty are proper and eflential marks of the Church, yec 
 io is it notwithstanding that fmalnes & bafenefle of conditi- 
 on according vnto the w oorld,yea the croiTe it ieife , (not the 
 rroffe of golde or ftl uer transformed into amort dcteftablcl- 
 dol,)but the erotic which burdeneth the fhoulders ,& which 
 is an enemic vnto the flefh, is the ordinaric companion there- 
 of. But I iaie alfo that the riche which were in the church, 
 .were not of the church in the quality of men rich with world- 
 ly corruptible riches,but in the quality of poore, in afmuch as 
 they vfid their gooàs fi m if they vfed-thent not at al y according vn- 
 to the fayingor the Apoftle,i . fa'l-l lanc l 1 . Tim.ô.ij.znd 
 fcecame leane andthinne/^f^ thorough the eieof the needle^ 
 Mat. 1 9.24. Uyingvf their treasure in hcàtten , Mat. 6.20 . accor- 
 ding vnto the example ofDauid that good and truly rich king 
 PJal.i 6.5 .Finally I faic that the buildingcs and vcffels ofthe 
 Church ought to be agreeable with the doctrine taught in the 
 true C hriftian Church,which condemneth all fupcrfluity and 
 worldlie pompes, and applicth the goods of the Church xothe 
 JiMftgftoKes-xhcTcof, as the praciife was in the Apoftles times, 
 -^#.4.35. and m thofe times when the Parlors were of golde, 
 and tneChurches and the vefTels thereof were ofwood. 
 
 1 5 This then hath been and yet is an enormous fault com- 
 mitted by the auncient fathers lînce the time ofConftantine 
 to.fufter, and much greater to exhort Kinges and Princes to 
 found and build Churches with fuch exceiïiuecoft, feruing 
 for no other thing but to condemneboththe doners and de- 
 maunders , poynting out as it were with the finger , the ambi- 
 tion ofthe one, and the couctoufnes of the other : w hereupon 
 hath entrcd this notorious transformation ofthe fpiritual beu- 
 <tie ofthe Chriftian Church into a vanity and pomp not fimply 
 
 V carnal 
 
ïj4 The Elethnth Sehmom 
 
 carnal and worldly,but trucly Epicurian,how cucr it be hidde 
 and couercd vnder the cloke ot deuotion. Hccreby appearcth 
 the more then dciperatimpudencie and fhamtleinesot them 
 who by their good.y legends lo falfe & fotufh.a* nothing can 
 bee more, in lieu ot keeping thcmielues vntothehiiioiy and 
 doctrine contained in the iecondbooke or Saint Luke called 
 the Actes of the Apoiiks cxptcfLe vttueu to the pen by the 
 holy Gholl ,haue not mameu to chaunge and transforme the 
 holy Apoftles ot the Lord,into buildci* ot Churches, dcuifers 
 of croiTes,fcrgcrs ot holy vs ater tprmckies &c. And v\ hat (hall 
 fay of that moil groiie and enounoLS an impuQtnt boldncs 
 ot torging of Saint Peters patrimonie? Of that monltcr crow- 
 ned v\ ith three crownes., cant d ana adored vpon mens fhoul- 
 dersPOf fuch (tore ot glittering pomps flmiing in cue ry j. lace, 
 which are fo manic fpoilesot luch Kings and Piinces,ashauc 
 becnebewitched,andiacnlegiousro. beriesof iuth ^oedsas 
 were vowed to the fpirituall maintenance ot the Church of 
 the Lord ? As it was lo long agoe foretold, yea paintedout by 
 thcholyGhoitin the Apocalypie,fofaras to name the place 
 and the name of fucha confuhon. And who hath foexpoum» 
 ded it f The auncient Greeks and Latins, whom. the Pope 
 himfelfe hketh of and alloweth.Wha* ihall v\ ce taie of the it> 
 finity of thefe goodly votaries of pouerty, theie honeft wallet 
 brethren, theie good fathers bciottcd with the vcric (tones 
 and fumptuofnicsofthcirpallaces therein they dwell? What 
 flial wee faic of theie new iocuiîes.and weH JndicPopiniayes 
 already borne & tobebrcd,&lpecially ofthcfelecs & dregs 
 of the filth and mud of the bottomlcspit, open profaners of 
 the name of Iefus, difnciling the other raueningbirdes and 
 cormorantes to lay their egs where they had budded , and 
 hauing within the compafle of ihefe fevse yeares gotten to 
 themielues more goods, and built more goodly pallaccs,thcn 
 the reft haue done in flue hundred yeares before.Which thing 
 calleth to my remembrance that v\ hic h the P h il o fop hers faic, 
 That the Serpentes become Dr?.gon< by eattrg of other Utile Ser- 
 fentes* As for vs, contenting our lclucs vsith our fmalncfle, 
 
 let 
 
VponThe First Chapter. xyy 
 
 let v$ oppefc vnto al this (tatche Mafquerada, with which the 
 world icedeth it iclfejhe lodgings and cabbms of the ancient true 
 Paftors, there to feeke after and to finde the ttuc chuich, 
 and not in this glittering and profane riches, in which the 
 prince of this world raigncth Mat. 1 1 .8. borrow ing the name 
 ofthe Church : preferring on the contranfldc with Moles the 
 ffflsttions of the people of God y <wd the reproch of Iejtts Chrtfl before all 
 the treaferes of Aegypt , Hcb.i 1.2 5. let vsl (aie kce, e our fellies 
 vnto him who is our king,and lb crowned with glory on high, 
 that yet in ha poore members he is crowned with tnornt. .CW.i. 
 24-and not vnto them who part with others the lpoile of lei us 
 Chrilt. 
 
 16 Moreoucr although this worde which we haue turned 
 Cabbms or Lodges, bee taken fomctimes in gcnerall foreuerie 
 place of dwelling or abiding,notwith(tanding this woordof 
 Sheepheards which is added,hauing,as I fayd,a refpcél vnto the 
 manner ofhuing of Abraham, Ifaac,and lacob, as alfo of Mo- 
 fes and Aaron in the w ildcrnes, as it is fpoken l^fabn . 77. 20. 
 fheweth that wee mutt fo take it,as wee haue faidc. And herc- 
 vpon we ought alio to bee warned, that as the fhcepheards a- 
 bid not (til in one place, but had their portatiuc tents and cab- 
 bines, as we fee how the ancient Patriarches dwelt w ith their 
 flocks here and there,the Church of God chaunging his place 
 by this mcanes together with them: fo we mu(i alfo take heed 
 how we tie the name of churc h fo to any place,as to think that 
 it neuerftirreth from any nation, people, citic or towne. But 
 wee mutt beare in mind the aduertifement of Chri(t,v\ ho vvar- 
 neth vs,thatifaman te\\ vs heare is Chrift or there is Chr//? y \\çc 
 beleeue him not. And where is hee then? tbers rvhe'e, faith he 
 the bodsc is jeathecarcaffe of the deadbodie, in which is life, there 
 *re the eagles iWLzzth ,14.1-$ & 2&that is to fay, there where Ie- 
 fus Chrift & no other is preached,! mean the true It fus thrift, 
 in whofe only death wee finde life, and of whom the Apofile 
 faide.rtar he thought xootber thing wort hie ofl?>?oi> ledge , but lcftts 
 Chrtfl, and him crucified, 1 .Cor .2 . 2. andpur eh preached. There 
 muU the eagles gather themfeJues together, that isro fay, 
 
 V 2 fc eking 
 
i$$ The Eleventh SefcMOH 
 
 feeking to bee fedde with no othetthen with him crucified 
 For there and .10 where eh is the Church. And where fhal this 
 true lefus Cnriil be four» i?- laths cabbins xnAhJgesoftbsJheepe- 
 hearts, which arc the writings of the Prophets and Apolties, 
 vpon which for this caute,and for that they lay t h u only founds- 
 t ion which is Iâfns Cbnft } i .Cor. 3 . 1 i,kis Çz\à y tbat thu Churchis 
 founded,Eph.2.zo.Ai)OC. 2.i4.Yeabut (reply our aduerfaries) 
 ifthe qutltion be ot the interpretation of a place of the Scrip- 
 ture diawentoa contrary ienie, to whom {hail wee hauerc- 
 courfe,to difcerne the true fenfc from the falfe? Certes againe 
 to the calobins of the fbeeyebearàs Atidys.ficrs y the Church hauing 
 none other true and certaine light, then this writtc n w oorde, 
 w hereunto we are fent backe, not onely by the.exprclTe com* 
 m,iundementoftheLord,as we hauc before faide, but alfo by 
 his own example who thus refuted and beat Back againe the 
 allegation of Sathan, Afof.47.as the weapons of the .ApolUes 
 alfo were fuch,and that againit them , who fate in the See of 
 Ierufalem, Acl.^q, fo tar were they from aiding & defending 
 themfelues with any vnrvrttten tradition, ox with any authoritic 
 attributed vnto the See of Ierufalem ; feeing that was transfor- 
 med ir.toadenncoftheexes,Mzi.2i .1 3. The like à\d the levies 
 of Beroea,cV found théfelues in good cafe thereby, Aft, 1 7. 1 1 . 
 the confent notwithstanding & teftimony of the true Church 
 being not to bee reie&ed but greatly to bee eitecmed of& re- 
 gardcd,w hich againe ought to be difcerned from the falfe,by 
 the confent oftheir teftimony with the Scriptures. And this 
 is it which all the ancient fathers & lights of the olde Church, 
 haue declared &proteftedmuft necelTarily be doone in the 
 r ading of their writings . 
 
 17 This then hath beene a very Orange fleight and trea- 
 chery of Satan to tie the fpirite of tructh to, the perlons of Pa- 
 (tours and (heepheards w ithout the examination of their do- 
 ctrine by the fcriptures: nay which more is, to fubie&the 
 fenpture to their opinions and decrees,as ifthe mafon fhould 
 order his plummet & rule by the wall, & not frame the build- 
 ing to the rightnefle of his hne andlcuel. We ought therefore 
 r tQ 
 
Vpon The First Chapter, x^j 
 
 €oconlider that the principal and chicfettone Tefus Chrift & 
 his dodrinc,hauc becne from al tunes in part not know en, in 
 part molt wickedly retecled by thefrincipalland chief e builders, 
 iuch I meanc in name, but not mdeed and cfYe&,/y*/, 118.22. 
 Which wasfirft verified by the experience the Prophets had 
 thereof, CftUth. 25.37. And then in thepcribn ofleius Chriifc 
 himielfe,c^?.4. 1 1. and foretolde fhouid come topaft'e ex- 
 prcily in the Chnltian church, *Att. 20. 20. as the euent hath 
 iince plainly fhc wed vnto the eie, and {till to this day proueth 
 the lame. And yet notwithstanding there was appearance & 
 probability of holding our fclucs, a iwell in gcnerail vnto that 
 which was commonly receiued of this people, whom God 
 hadonliechofcn from out of all the nations of the worlde, 
 •s alfo in fpecial of Itanding vnto the aduiie and iudgement of 
 thePrieltcs, appointed by God ordmariear;dfoueraigyieiuâges, 
 Deut. 1 7. 9 . Beiidcs there is no man which knoweth not the 
 aurhority ofthe See of 1er ufalcm which was called the ci ty of 
 God . And yet notwithstanding of whom is it I pray you that 
 the Lordfaith, Let them alone } they are bltnde leaders of the blinde, 
 Matth.i £.14 and who excommunicated le fas Chnft and his dtf- 
 ciples? Ioh.9.2 2. who constrained Priatexo crucifie him ? Mat. 
 2 7.20. who arc thofe vnctrcumctfed of heart, who were the full 
 which imbrcwed their handes with the blood ofthe feruants 
 of Godïç/fcï.y.j 2.There was then as 1 haue faid before, great 
 appearaunce whyweefhould followe without exception the 
 inoft part or the people cfthe Iewes, and the Dolours ofthe 
 1aw,ntting in Ubfojès chaire ,thni is to lay,the fuccclTors ofMo- 
 fes by the ordinance & appointment of God, &yetnotwith- 
 itandingthefe were they who fell into the pitte together with thofi 
 irhofolowedth-m^Azt.i 5. I4-But in what place ofthe Scripture 
 « it faid that Rome fhalbe the See ofthe catholick church. ? Tbac 
 thc'S^^^f^^^maybeiudgedofnoman.but is the head 
 & chiefe ofal?That he hath the power to open heauen & hell, 
 nay to do whatfoeucr him liiteth without controImet,& other 
 fuchvile& filthy blafphemies& impieties? Iefus Chrift hath 
 indcede faid that he vvil be with vs vnto the end of the world, 
 
 V 3 bin 
 
xjS The Eleventh Sermon 
 
 but it is not faide that hee will kccpc at Rome. Nay contraria 
 wife he hach forewarned vs by Saint lohn his welbcloucd dif- 
 ciplc, that it fliould be there where the great whore fhould lit, 
 which ihould make dronke the Kirgs and Trinces oftherwrlde. 
 And wee ice the lame at this day , yea which is a thing moil 
 (hangc to côfiderof,theiramafcdncflc of fpirit herein, the an- 
 cient rathers,who I lay faw and wrote thete things of this See, 
 could not take heed notwithitanding of being deceiucd thcr- 
 by, and caufingothers to be deceiued . 
 
 1 8 For conclusion therefore of this matter, the Lord hath 
 hù Jheepheards andcabbwj, which are the true tdfimomes of the 
 truth vnto which wee wnult kcepc our felues, I meane the Pro- 
 phets and Apo(tlcs,whofc cloétrincisthe touchftone todif- 
 cernc the true fucceflburs of them from the falfe , and by eon- 
 fequcnt the true fpouleoflefusChrirt by whom the young 
 Kids muft kcepc themf clues to be wcl fcdde,from the wic ked 
 harlot,from whom they mult flic that they perifh not togither 
 With her. 
 
 According therefore vnto this holy doélrine letvsbcfcech 
 our Lord God, to look in mercie vpon his poore Church trou- 
 bled in fuc h fort and laid fo watt in fo manie places, that there 
 appearcth neither waie nor path thereotrthat it wil pleale hrm 
 to defend her and guide hervnto the true cabbws and lodges of 
 the Paftors thwart fo manie cruell and hideous defertes, lith itv 
 hath pleafcd him in our time toraifeand liftvp the banner of 
 his holy Miniftery, that heew ill oppofe himielfc therefc re a- 
 gainft this Babylon , and ouerthrow the t/fpcftc/tc>tlSeeihcîc- 
 of by the wind of his mouth ,giuing vnto his eledl eies to fee 
 the light of his holy gofpel, and cares to hear the voie e of that 
 true and certaine Pattor of Paitors the chicfefheepeheard Ie- 
 fus Chnft , and letting vppe againc bfo tMéfci in the which his: 
 poor famifhed young Kids may be fed and paftured to his ho- 
 nour & gloric. And becaufe wee for our owne part haue done. 
 our duty to little in fecking after and digeftrng this holy foode 
 and pafture , Itt vs cry him mercy and craue of him grace and 
 mercie as followcth. ^4lmghtj Çod drc. 
 
 Our 
 
VponThi First Chapter. 159 
 
 The Eleyinth Sermon* 
 Our helpc be in the name of Godj&c, 
 
 It ù written oufolbwetk in the fir ft Chapter of the ÇantkU of 
 Canticles } the ninth verfe* 
 
 9 My Loue, Icompare thee vnto my cou- 
 ple ofhorfes of one of the coches of Pharao. 
 
 j The happieefiatt of the church re- 7 How deare and precious this woorde 
 
 tfiabli(hed } oppofed to her deflation, for of Lone aught to be vnto the fj>jufe. 
 
 which reeftottli/hmem euerieone ought 8 In what fenfe this (pouje is compa- 
 
 to Ubour. red to a couple of goodly gw t horfet in 4 
 
 X In whome the fault Lyeth that the coch. 
 
 Church is nn reformed. 9 The croffe is properlie the triurn- 
 
 3 The maskg of fzlfe general councelt phal chariot , which is here ftoken of. 
 «Ufcouered. 10 The Goffell is then defpifed when 
 
 4 The duetie of true Vafiftrs andchri* men enioie it with greatefifreedome. 
 fiian princes touching thefedelaiei:with II An exhortation to doe the c«ntrtk~ 
 an aunfwere vnto the jlaunders r ai fed 4- rie. 
 
 gxinfi thofewho haut fought to dif- il Why the fpoufe is not compared to 
 
 charge their duetie in this behalf t. one horfe,but to a couple. 
 
 1 .4 fum. tarie recital of the great dt- 13 The falfe ioyntcouple oppofed to this 
 
 fe Wj commits ed in our time in this point °f theff>oufe. 
 
 •frefor^natiotu 14 ji rcprehenfcn of wild and dijfolutt 
 
 6 The ground of this frmilitude 5 ta- ùuers y who cannot endure thecbekj>ein£ 
 
 i^n from a couple ofhorfes of ont of the coupled andyoJçd vnder the) oke of the 
 
 eoches ofVharai. Lord. 
 
 €\ EE haue learned before a good IciTon 
 £p bytheaunfwere of the Bndegroomc, 
 namely , touching the certaine and in- 
 fallible markes of the true Church , to 
 v*hich wee mult order and kecpeour 
 (t- lues, for to obtain faluatiomand con- 
 fequencly the true and only meanes of 
 reforming the c hurc h,being for a time 
 by the negligence ot iome ofthc Paftors , and by the vweked- 
 neiTe of faJfe Doctors and teachers brought into vericbadde 
 ciiatc. M'ter which reformation wcl ana thioughly praétiied, 
 
 the 
 
i6o The Twelfth Sermon 
 
 the goodlieond -triumphant condition of the Church fetteon 
 footeagaine,ishccrein molt excellent iort pay nted cutvnto 
 vs,which we are diligently and earneflly to conilder of. This 
 is then a point which men flill at this daie debate and difpute, 
 and not without great reafon,ifw ce doe but looke on the ex- 
 ttemcdeiolationwhereuiuothcgreatcilpartofChfritfenclorn 
 is brought at this day. 
 
 2 But what? Men difpute thereof,not to find anic remédie 
 for it, but deane contrarie to hinder luch as endeupur a refor- 
 mation. For the falfe Pallors cannot abide that anie.mâ fhould 
 touch this point , becaufe of their particular intereft: others 
 haue no great care of ir,others indeed fet their handes vnto it, 
 but inlteedc of following after the tracke and footing of the 
 true fheepe , and the tentes and tabernacles of the true Pallors 
 Tvel authorized, folow their own inucntions,to make a medly 
 of religions and difciplines after their owneiuft. 
 
 2 As for the firfl , feeing they refemble the Pharifces and 
 Scribes , naie are more out ofthe way then they, it is no mar- 
 uaileifthey cannot abide to haue their profancnes difcoue- 
 red:whercin they do their mailer faithful feruicc,who by their 
 meanesdefendethhis hold and fortrcfle, with all the might 
 he maie,X#£.i i.2 2.True it is they are conllrayned to auouch 
 that there are many very great corruptions & abufesin their 
 Church , and of this the preface vnto their councels alwaies 
 ringeth,yea fometimes their fermons alfo, and thereupon alfo 
 ye fbal haue them make fome itatutes3iid ordinaunces of re- 
 formation . But wbat?Firlt there is no fpeech to be made tou- 
 ching their doclrinc, with which they ought to begin , but all 
 the fpeech is ofiquare caps,of fhauing of beards, of their hair, 
 it may be fome points fhal be farther added, touching the plu- 
 rality of benefices'andrehdencic ofpreîates,yeà forfcoth, asif 
 they fhould rake order that euery Church-robber fliould haue 
 his part,and eueric theefè raunge in perfon in the walke of his 
 forcit. Many wil f aie thefe Wordes are verie rough,and too in- 
 jurious . But they who like them not,muftreforme the Lordes 
 fpeech, Mattel . 1 3 Ok* hwm<ide y faith he ? of my fathers \hou fi 4 
 
 dot 
 
Vm.hThb FiRiT Chapto. i£i 
 
 den wfthtatet • And albeit their rules of reformation were the 
 belt that might be in the world,yet who ieeth not that it is but 
 a meere mockerie to make thcm>to the end their bids and dif- 
 pcnfations may haue as manie clauies tierogatoric agau.lt 
 them? I ; or example hereof look we to the pragmatical isncli- 
 o:iof ikfel, taken away by Pope Leo, and parted between 
 him and kfnges more impudently a great dcaie,then the foul- 
 diours who executed Pilatcsiudicial ientenec 2gain(t Chritt, 
 parted lus garments amonglt them. And this goodly councel 
 or* Trcnt/uch as it is , hath it hitherto in our daics framed anic 
 bill of enditemeiu againlt the authors themielucs and foun- 
 ders thereof, culpable in pointes of their ovvne reformation? 
 4 And what fhal the true pallors and chnftian magistrates 
 do here upon? They muft wane, faie ihele hiek feorners \ vntil 
 fuch time , as the Pope and prelates the Apofties fucceffotirs 
 foriboih remédie the matte r , that is to faie , vntiil the whores 
 reforme the (tew es. As itisanvfuali thing thoroughoutthe 
 Scripture to compare fpiritual fornication and w horedom vn- 
 to corporal v\ horedomc.But lefus C brill giueth vs a contrarie 
 le lion , Let them done y faith he y thej arc blind leaders of "the blwd 9 
 Mat.i c.r4.naiev\hich is more jhc tocke a n htp in hù hand, œf?do~ 
 hcrturnixg the tables andwome of the chambers ^draue thtmfoonb 
 t&ife oat ofthe te&ple y \oh.ï.i 5 .and Luk.1p.45. So about three 
 hundred yeares fince, God hath chaitifed and fcourgedthc 
 Fait and the Southland fome part alio of the North w îîh a ter- 
 rible whip of his anger and wrath,! meane by the Turkes. fuc- 
 celTours of the Sarracens , and hath in our memorie glut n the 
 Cittieof Romea fhrewd lafhwiththc whip. Comrariwifeic 
 is on vs that hce hath reached foorth bis great mercie ,bauing 
 raifcdvpthofechiefeferuântcsofGod, who tool e into their 
 bandes the true armes of Chnliians, 2. £0*1.0.4. Jnidanfrifo 
 ffitr/t of the mouth of the Lord,! . Theft 2.8. otl eiwile tailed//^ 
 rrroed^edfrrordof denord,Phl 149 6. and Heb.4.1 2.by w hkh 
 they cleanfed the houfe of the Lord where we are now. It is rc- 
 plyed hereupon that feme haue alio re filed by way of armes. 
 They which haue bcene brought 10 this extremity, are flffici- 
 « X cnt 
 
Ï6Ï The Twelfth Sirmon 
 
 cnt to aunfwere for themfelues: and behold their aunfwere 
 which al the world might vnderftand.We vouch faie they the 
 fa£t,yea and that Satan hath thruftandfhoued in fome of his 
 thecuesandrobbers amongvs we confeffe,as Dauidhimfelfc 
 during the time of his perfecution found himfelfe much en- 
 combred with thofewhichioyned themfelues vnto him. But 
 notwithstanding for al this, confidering when and why and 
 by whofemeanes the matter cametohandie-blowes,itfhall 
 be found^hat they who complaine, are no more to be appro- 
 ued in their complaint,then they ftiould be, who fhould com- 
 plaine they hapned to meete in a fore it,w here they laic in am- 
 bufl^ccrtainepafTcngers, who armed by the authority of the 
 Lawes , hindered in fome part their wicked purpoie. 
 
 5 Yc fee then how it hath pleafed god in our time to cxer- 
 cifc his poore children, and yet withall to take pitty on them 
 in fome countries . But I nîuft fpeakc it to my great regrete, 
 that his grace appearing vnto the woorld, men haue becne far 
 from rcceiuingofitand making their profite thereby, in fuch 
 fort as they ought to haue doonc . For fome haue yet left the 
 high places ftanding, others haue fet vp Gedeons Ephod, 
 ludg. 8. 27.othcrs haue ordered the rules of Ecclefiafticall go- 
 uernment, not according vnto the true pattern of the ancient 
 {hccpc,and cabins of the Pajlors, in which we haue heard how e 
 the Spoufe is in this place commanded to feede her young kiddes> 
 but according vnto their own opinion or rather fancy: fo that 
 if God of his goodnes remédie it not, it cannot be, but that hy 
 little and litle the later flate ml come to bevpoorfe then tbefirft , as is 
 faayMatth. 1 2.45-and as is already come to paflc in too many 
 Churches and countries. 
 
 6 God grant thé who haue the charge hereof his grace, to 
 thinkc better on it & to prouide for it,that this fpoufe maie be 
 reftored vnto her perfect bewty,whereoftheBridcgroomc in 
 this place fpeaketh, faying, that hecomfareth her vnto themotm- 
 tnre of hor/es of one of the coches ofPharao . Which fimilitude & 
 companion may feem very ftrange& yet notwithftanding is 
 very fignific ant & proper^f yvce confidcr the fenfc yrhexcanro 
 
 - it 
 
VponThe First Chaptêiu x6"j 
 
 it is to be rcferrcd,withoucwreltingor drawing it any farcer. 
 Sois itfaidbyafimihtudc(tofhew that the true Church kec* 
 pcth hcrfclf to her hcad,in what place footer he bt)that where 
 a deadbodsc is, there doe the eagles gather themfelues together. An d 
 yet this wold be thought a thing very abfurd,if a man thcrfore 
 coniequently would liken the children of God vnto foule 
 rauening birds,& Iefus Chrift, who is the holy of holies,vnto a 
 carrion. Scmblably if a man would make leius Chriit like vn* 
 to a theeic, vnder this colour, that it is faide, that hefhdcomeM 
 ttheefe, i.Thefl.j.2.orvnto z fudge fearing neither Godnormen % 
 Luk. 1 8.2. So like wife in this place the fpirite meaneth not to 
 compare his church vnto an horfe or a mare. But becaufe one 
 of the principall bewties of a woman is this tall and ftreight 
 feature ofbody,with a come lycountenance,as it isaifofpeci- 
 ficd, Pfal. 144. 1 2. where the daughters are compared tohigh 
 &flraight pliers of great Pallaces:thc holy ghoit meaning to re- 
 prefent vnto vs bythefc corporall thinges, the excellency of 
 the church of the Lord when (liée kecpeth hcrfelfe to her true 
 Paitours, hath chofen this fimilitude, in oppofingitvntothe 
 former deiolation , in the which the fpoule went as it were 
 hanging downe her head. For as touching the mentioning of 
 Pharao'm this place , there is no farder reafon or allegory to be 
 fought therof,but this,that among al the hories of thofe times 
 they of Aegypt w ere accounted the braueit and the beft, as in 
 manic places of the Scripture itiswicnefled vntovs, andef» 
 pecially in the hiftorie of Salomon, 1. Kmg.io. 2 8. as at this 
 daic men account of the horfes of Spaine and oi' I urkie. 
 
 7 But aboue all other things this is efpecially to be noted, 
 that the Bridcgrome calling his (poufe with his ow ne mouth 
 hisioxejeihheth vnto vs,that which the vnderftanding of man 
 is not able to conceauc, I meane the vnfpeakable loue and di- 
 ledionwhich^eebcareth vnto his Church, to the end wee 
 (hould leam,the molt neccdarie point ofour faluation 5 name- 
 lic, that whatlbeuerflie hath, proceedeth from the mere libe- 
 ralise and bounty of her Bridegroome , and that there is no- 
 ting in the whole world,either fo fairc,er fo good ,to fpcake 
 
 X 2 properly 
 
164 The Twelfth Sfrmow^V 
 
 prorer!ie 3 as are th oie icwels wherewith hce hfowtati hfe 
 
 •church, waiting for the date of the lull and perfect confun;- 
 macion okhis marriage : a do&rineio ill kr.owcn as nothing 
 worfe, whereby it is impolTible that the iudgement of God 
 fiiould be far onho vs.For the grcatcit vnthankfulnes that can 
 be found ainongeil men is this,tobe perfuaded that the friend 
 to v\ horn w ee owe both our ieiues and \a hatfoeuer wee haiie, 
 hath found 1 know not what in vs, v\hichhathmouedhimto 
 chute vs, cr happily hauing'foundvs lb io,hath preuentcd vs 
 by his grace,to the end,that how euer it be,fome thing mighc 
 bee found in vs which mcrircth anddeferucth his grace and 
 fauor. To this we mult oppoie tins word fo often reiterated & 
 repeated in tfusbooke,to v<\\. i Myvpelb clotted, or as wee faie in 
 our common $vzzù\ My loue : which was atur declared in his 
 time by the Bridegroomehimfelfecomming inpeifontoiti- 
 pulate and couenant this marriage in more nearer maner: leal 
 ymvotfauh. hc,my fcrwntes , but Icalyou myfrmdts, namely the 
 frinds ofthisBridegroome , as is fpoken,/<>& 3.2Q.and 15.15.) 
 And wherefore frinds & belcuedf Bccauje, faith he, I have lotted 
 yvufirft ,i.Ioh.4.io.& what dial we fait ?0 Lord who are thus 
 thy beloued ? The y are thy naturall enemies , yea enemies by 
 race andkinde, and from father vnto for.ne . And wherefore 
 then halt thou lotted them r TocAufe mercietoabottrd aboueike 
 cxçefliuenesofjmne. Rom. 5.20. finding the caufe thereof no 
 where elfe but in thy meere and onely goodncs and bountie. 
 And how far halt thou loued them ? Éuen fo far*** to lay dovene 
 /^/r/^^/^/»,T.loh.3.i6.Beholdthenamarueilousprccinus 
 word and which difcouereth vnto vs fuch a fecret as none can 
 fuffictently comprehend the le^thythe bredtb,thed?pth thereof, 
 Eph.^.iS.and lo.Let this word therefore my brethren,ofj?<?/- 
 belatttd, be indeed fo precious vnto vs,that tiw lone of tins rcoorld 
 Khkhisenmtty with GW,Iam.44 . bewitch vs~nOt,that the loue 
 of deciueable and perifhing riches pofleffe not our harts , that 
 the falfe opinion and fclfc-louc of-our felias , make vs not 
 to lofe this goodly rreafurc, that we depriuc not our felues 
 of our bkiîiùgfirafîffpe rf^£y^Heb.i2.itf.butthatthis 
 
 precious 
 
VponThs First Chapter. r6f 
 
 precicus fur-name of rvel-tchned ring aluaics in our caics 
 iiid in cur hcarus by the b<oly Cihott nhofowdctb theverte 
 ÀÊpkf+f&àj l.Cor. 2. io.na.nely the thinges which arc gr- 
 lun vsotGod: co the eiui that our wholehte bea reciprocal 
 ftmurchaungcablc louetowardcs rum who hath lou^dysio 
 
 much. 
 
 8 But let vs fpeak now of the port and comelic tall feature 
 of tin* io goodly and raire a fpoule. When the vigor and tore c 
 of the iouie lighteth on a booic vs el ciifpofed and ordered in al 
 Ins members , without anie cither obttruétion or other defect 
 which hindereththe faculties and powers tbereot from pa(- 
 fingand Ipredding themfelues throughout the whole body, 
 then truly the cffcctcs thereof fhe w themfelues moii cuident- 
 lie, from the vene he ade vnto ihc fecte . Luen fo tareth it with 
 this fpoule,t]uickiîed , nounfhed and iullained by the ipirit of 
 her bridegromc.ôc therefore ihew eth line hcifelfe moli excel- 
 lent and gallant through outfitting vp her head vnto the hea- 
 ucns^treading vndcr her feete Satan 9 the world, and finncjeadefi- 
 iftg death it jdje and bell, Olc.i ; . 1 4.ÔC I .Cor. 15.55. ^ n ^ tncre * 
 fore is fhe compared elfe w here vnto goodly great & tall trees 
 planted along the watcrs,from whom no (tor mie time orfea- 
 ion taketh a waie either greennes or fruit, Pfkiî 1 .3 .and 92. 1 2. 
 and 1 ?. True it is notwithstanding that this vineyard islome- 
 tunes brouled and marred by the vineyarders fault and negli- 
 gence(as is at large declared , Pfal$o.lt\iy beaten w ith hayle 
 ami tempcit" from aboue , as if the bridegroomehad laide it as 
 Jow as hee had railed it highland al by the fpoufes owne fault. 
 But therefore hee beateth her downc to raifc and lift her vp a* 
 game and to fhew her how dearly he loueih her,and is iealous 
 in chaltiflng of her , Efiti.49.21 . making al waies a great diffe- 
 rence bet wee ne thedefirnaion ofSodome i andthe vifitationofSio»^ 
 fcfai. 1 . 9. And though hoc correct v> fome-times in his great 
 wrath , yet doth he hrr.tt hts <bfpleafiire y Vfa\.. I 2 5 . 3 . 1 n a word the 
 fpoufc is (oinctimtidifarcedfrattme, asllie was,fcarfe feucn- 
 ty y c a re s a go , but # afterward reamed a gam <e> I e re m . î . I . We or 9 
 pre'jfedMcuerjrfide, bat m crazed & broke: in need fat ttetdi/tre fed: 
 
Iff 
 
 The Twelfth Sermon 
 ferfcctited) but net forftlgn i beaten dtxtne , but » ce fer'Jl not , 2. 
 Cor. 4. 8. 
 
 9 but when was this fpcufc in this port and flate?Certain. 
 lyfliec was neuer more triumphant and glittering then in the 
 time of the Apcltles, the doctrine of laluationbecing neuer 
 better caught, neuer better l.aikenedvnto, neuer better pra- 
 dtiled. Buc,wil lome man isy,ihe Chun h was neuer more mi- 
 fei able then it was then as the Apcltle w ritcth, 1 . Cor. 4. 1 0.8c 
 the whole hiftoty of the Apoitlcs in the A&s declare th. I rue; 
 & this is the lame which I meant to fay , namely that the erode, 
 is the charriot ot triumph in v\ hich the Churc h the (peu! e tri- 
 umpheth andrcioiceth in the Lorde, Gai.6. 1 4. & 2X^.4.1 o. 
 And indeed when can we fay for our own time that the v\ord 
 of God had his forth and courfe and (hewed his powerful! 
 force , but during the great fires ? For then death it f elfe w as 
 bidden defiance , men went an hundred miles to haue a little 
 crumme of this hcauenly bread:the world and life it lelfc were 
 nude no account of, menprejfed and tbrongedto [natch the king* 
 (Lme ofbeauen by Violence* 
 
 I o And now w hatfEdicts and Lawes being eftabliflied to 
 this purpofe,and lome hbertie and freedome offered and prc- 
 ientcd,mcn contemn that w hich is cuerie day at iheir doore.If 
 wcfhoulobe fent into the fuburbs or fields after it , that were 
 too farre 5 iffomc monie mult be made for the relieuing of the 
 poore woorkc-men,this colls too deare: in a word the Manna 
 w hich was at the firlt fo fw cete in our mouthe.<,hath novve no 
 rclifli : the Lordc of his mercy remeoy it,and £iue vs a better 
 mind.We defire peace and quietneile,but it is for nothing els, 
 but to be at our cafe: and that is the c aufc that this benefit fly- 
 cth from vs^o: God knovveth alio that if wee had it we would 
 abufe it. 
 
 II Letvs therefore relie our felues onhimwhogiuethvs 
 & our poore brethren peace , after fo long & fo rough itorms, 
 let vs take heed we be not like horfes fatted on the litter,& wil 
 afterwarde abide neither bridle nor fa ddle, but fling out with 
 alifourc,and fpecially againft their mailer: Ztotfn 3 2.1 5- If ° n 
 
VponÏhV First Chapter. i6j 
 
 thecontrarifidehe chaftife vs with any fcourgeitfhallpleafe 
 him,letvsfhew, that bis power is made pcrfeftby ourrveakeneffe, 
 2. Cor 1 2.p.and reioicc that it is giuen vs to bemade conformable 
 twWtf«rAf^,Rom.8.2p.&Phil.i.ap.&Afts.5.4i. i Inawôrd 
 let thole combats which arc giuen vs, whet and fharpen the 
 power which is giuen vs from aboue. The world in the meane 
 while will laugh vs to fcorne and will cal vsfooles& fran- 
 ticke monarkes , but it /hall weepe in his time, and wee fhall 
 Jaugh in the Lord in that our fezïon ,rr ben that rtktcb is giuen vs 
 dreadie to bee , jhalbe reucaled, i .Ioh. 3.2. 
 
 1 2 Moreouer let vs note that this fpoufe is compared vnto 
 a goodly horfe,& to couples linked together,which is fpoken 
 by a molt proper and fine fimilitude. For the church reprefen-» 
 ted by this name of fpoufe fin afmuchas according vnto the 
 lords petition & requeft wearealofvs one in him,loh. 1 7. 1 1 .ana 
 *ll members compofing one andthefkme bodte t 1 .Cor.i 2. 1 2.) what 
 thing is it elfe but a company coupled and yoked^as a man 
 would fay, twobytwovndertheyoakc, fayingonctotheo- 
 ther, afwell by wordes as alfo by example,C0w* let vsafiendvp 
 vntothemoftntoftheLord,Ehy.2.3.znd withDauid,?/*/. 22. 2. 
 Irehicedwhen they fata vnto meype w'tlgo into the houfe of the Lora 9 
 Pfal. 1 2 2 . 1 . Briefly the whole Scripture is full of ïuch exhorta- 
 tions , that wee fhould al jointly together tend vnto the fame 
 marke, yea & that not only in going but in running, as I toulc! 
 you on the 4. verfe , the ftronger fupporting the weaker which is 
 coupled withhim,^/.6.2. and i.The]f.$. 14. And this is the 
 caufe why it was ordained in the hw,tbat a ma fbottldnot couple 
 *n Horfe andan Affe to labour together , for fearc the one fhould 
 not draw the other vnder his feet, Veutr. 22. ï o.And thus you 
 fee what this holy afTembly is whereof we hâuchere afin- 
 guler pattcrne , whercunto the holy ghofthad refpe& in num- 
 bering of the Apoflles by px couples , Mar. 1 o. 2 . & infendtng them 
 forth two andtwe,MzïV.6.j. not at auenturcs , but as it is likely, 
 according as they were wont to follow their mailer by order 
 Zc not by any degree , the one had aboue the other , as after it 
 happened they difputcd hereof «ore then once. 
 
 *3 But 
 
idS The Twelfth SeKmo^v 
 
 13 But in lieu of holding thcmfeluestoihc de ci fion their 
 matter and ours hath made in this behalfe,thcy who tal theirw 
 feluea the Apoitlcs fucceftours (a* a wicked manmay wtil 
 fuccced a«,ood man in what title foeuer) haue changed this 
 order inro iuperiontiesand prclaufmps , nay which more is, 
 arc gotten thcmielues vp into the charnot,u Jieep ofdrawing 
 coupled in ic, in which the chiefe conciudour of this charrioc 
 being iltten,vaunreth himfclfc & faith, that though he fhould 
 driuc it full or foules vnto hell, yet is it not h r any Jiuing crea- 
 ture to fay vnto him, Why doeli thou io. ? Thefe are the vene 
 wordesofone of thefe goodly fucceilours of the Apoiliebin 
 one or his Canons and Dectee> . And do we marucile then if 
 this charriot haue gon fo afide, nay if it hath becne turned vp- 
 fidedowne, and not kept in the right path- way? As little are 
 meant bythefe coupled horfes, thefe wallet brecthren, go. 
 ing by two & two or rather by troupes , like locuiles & cater- 
 pillers,brow (îng and deucuring the w retched world. 
 
 14 As little appcrtaine thcie wildc and diflblutc liucrs 
 to this ioint coupling, who leaue not to runnc wilde ouer 
 the fallowes, vntil they haue their necks broken: and v\ho 
 in lieu of fubiccting them to this fo fneete and fo gracious A 
 
 joake of the Lor de , Matih. 1 1 . 29 . faie they tmtft çafi aurai* 
 thefe bondes , Pfalm 2.3. not conficering that to feruc the 
 Lord is trulic toraigne, whereas themfclucs become more 
 then miferablc , beetng bond/lanes of firme, Ioh. 8.34 and draw» 
 en vndet the Cayttwtie of the enernte of our filtiatton as fleafetk 
 bim~>, 2,Timoth.2. 26, Let vson the contrary fuie hearken 
 vnto the Lorde, warning vs if wee vri'l bee ht* true Difci- 
 fies to beare hi* Qroffe after hwu y Matthew 1 6.24. honing *?- 
 votes our hammes fuff/e and readfe, Hcb. I z, 1 2. to follow coll 
 the courfc of our vocation vnto the end. 
 vîlmightjGGd&c* 
 
 THB 
 
 - 
 
VpohThe First Chaptïr. ify 
 
 The Thirteenth Sermon 
 
 Our hclpc be in the name of God,&c. 
 
 It h written AifoUwcthin the fir fi Chapter of the Çanticle ef 
 Canticles, the I o.and l X . v erfes* 
 
 io Thy checks are comely with borders of 
 (tones, and thy necke with chaînes. 
 
 1 1 We wil make thee borders of gold,with 
 buttons oniluer. 
 
 
 
 I Thefriendlie carejfes and lotting in- * application of thtc doShine to the 
 
 tertainement of the bridegroom* rccei- Church ofCeneua and other s^afwell i* 
 
 tring his ftoufe, that is to Jay his Churchy men as to wecmen. 
 
 which teat fur a time infomefort ftraied 6 What the borders of floues & °*htr 
 
 from him. itvcls are,K-hich are giuen to thi-s ff>oufe, 
 
 % We rmtfl make a diflinclicn between by her Bridegroom*. 
 
 the fan fai le M^the fio*Çaiks> and fui con- 7 ji complaint both touching the de- 
 
 furnmation ofthisfpiritual marriage. feel as alfo the abufe ofthefe nuptial or- 
 
 3 The borders ofiewels and chaînes of tiaments «hich God hath at this da) bc~ 
 thn ftoufe ferue little for defence & flowed i/pon his Church. 
 
 fatronage of weomtns exceffe &diffo- 8 Inxhatfenfe exprès metioms made 
 lution m appareil, defiltng thereby the of tlx cheek* &cf the neck^cf the fflcufe. 
 ahriflian church, wit h an anfwere to the 9 The (fcufe doth y et lockefor more 
 tontrarie obieclions. precious icwels in the date ofthefulcon- 
 
 4 The rule and meafure which ought furnmation of this mavriage. 
 
 to be obferued in the cofl andbrauery of 10 Wherefore the Bride groome ffea- 
 
 keth ofhimfelfc in tht plural number . 
 
 HAT which we haue to expound as 
 alfo a great part of this Canticle is fra- 
 med in manerofmutuall carelTès and 
 loucly entertainement of the Bnde- 
 groome and the fpoufc reunited and 
 ioyned againewith her husband: vn* 
 der the allégorie and figure of which 
 is declared this infinite dileétion and 
 loue wherewith Jefus Chriit loueth 
 and chearifricth his Church, adorning and enriching it with 
 woit precious giftcsiand on the other (îde alfo the rcciprocall 
 
 Y loue 
 
f 79 T V I : T H IK Y I S N Y H S ERM.0 H 
 
 loue ofthe fpoufe to wardcs her Bridegroome, whofc excel-, 
 lency and perfection fliee cannot lufficiently praife and com- 
 mend , feeking in him alone her whole hearts defire and con- 
 tentment. 
 
 2 But for the ynderftanding of all thefe thinges wee mult 
 confider tferee degrees m this holy marriage^ namely the fian- 
 failes made by woordes of the fucurc time vnder the auncicnt 
 couenant: the efpoufailes by wordes of the prefent,which wc 
 muft referrevnto thecommingof Iefus Chriftin perfon, and 
 preaching ofthe Gofpei, 2. Cor, i 1 .2. and the full confumma* 
 tion of this marriage which welooke for,M'hereof mention is 
 made in the parable of the virgins , UWatth.ij.lfacthcfull 
 confummation,for wee muft alwaies vnderMand , that during 
 the time of thefe fianfailes,and n"nce,the fpiritual vcrtuc of Ie- 
 fus Chritt is effectually powrëd into thisfpoufe, to engender 
 inhcr the fruitr of rtghteoufiej[e y w hereunto we ought to refcrr* 
 that which is faidjE^c&.i6.8.andfo/7^7.^.and£/>£. 5.30. bue 
 God is not yet alii» all, nor fhal be vntil the fécond com min g> 
 \.Çor,\ 5.28/rhis therefore which is here faid,is to be referred 
 \nto the time ofthe fianfailcs, as the Bridegroome alio decia- 
 rcth the fame in cxprefic termes in the place of <5W/w/aboue 
 alleadged. 
 
 3 But to go on, if any one alleadgc this place for the main- 
 tenance of womens excefTe and diffolution in their appareil 
 and other their fupcrfluities: the aunfwere thereunto is ready, 
 that the holie Ghoft fpeaketh far otherwife, i.TVr .3 .4.and by 
 Saint Paul, 1.T1J0.2.9. And if hereupon anie man replie that 
 then the Lord hath not alwaies giuen one and the fame rule, it 
 is eafily aunfwered that we ftial find the dearie contrary,if wc 
 condder of things aright, namely that the holy Ghoft is neuer 
 contrary vnto himfclfe.Gold and Cluer are the good creatures 
 ofGod,and wee finde by raoft certaine examples ofthe holic 
 fathers^thatofa long time the ?fc thereof hath beene not one- 
 ly in buying and felling, but alfo in fome fortes of ornamentes 
 and icwcls.But firftofaUct vs not think that curious woorke- 
 manûiip aad fupcrfluities in this point were therefore rife and 
 
 common 
 
Vpon'Thi First ChXpt*iu 171» 
 
 common among the holy fathers . Secondly the hiftories thé* 
 fclues teftific vntovs the (împlicitie they vfed in fuch orna- 
 mentes, whereof among others the hiftorie written in GW7.24. 
 2 2.may be a fufficient w itnes where it is faide , that Abrahams 
 fcruant g2ue Rebecca iewels of goldc,but ofverie little value: 
 and to fhew vs how farre Rebecca was ( notwithstanding (he 
 were a maiden of a verie great and noble houfe,although)after 
 the maner of thofe times kings were fheepheards,as we fay in 
 common prouerbe) from beeing nicely and daintily brought 
 vp,it is faid, that fhee went to fetch water at the Well with her 
 pitcher vpon her fhouldcr. And when mention is made of the 
 Daughters of that mighty and exceeding rich king Dauid , it 
 is faid onely that they were clad with garments of diuerfe co- 
 lours 2. Sam. 13.1 S.i t may bee like vnto the Almaine Maidens 
 in thefe daies. And what braucric think we was there in either 
 
 fold or iîluer in Salomons time, when men made no more rec- 
 oning thercof,becaufe of the plenty ofit , then they did of hade 
 orofflone , 2.Chron.o. 2 7.Thirdlyandla(tlieasthc Lordhath 
 lifted vp kings and other lordes in authority , fo no doubt but 
 he would haue perfons and eftates made the more honorable 
 by fome fuch marks,as we fee it in the defcription of the mag- 
 nificencie of Salomon. Which thing notwithstanding prouethv 
 not an acception of perfons with God. 
 
 4 On the contrarie we muft cal them , as they arc indeede, 
 fantaftical mcn,who would haue ai the world appareled after 
 one maner & fafliion, as alfo thofe who would bound & limit 
 the vfe of fuch external things by necefïity alone , as if it were 
 not apparant& notorious that God himfelfehath beftowed 
 Vpo men a thoufand things more then neceflity requireth.But 
 hereby to think to excufe the intolerable daintinefTe & pomp 
 offmall and great, were nothing elfe but vilanouflieto abufe 
 ehe woof d of God , to cloke and couer that which no man can 
 fufficiently cry out vpon and condemne.And indeede wee fee 
 what vengeance God hath taken vpon the Daughters ofSion 
 for this caufc,as is particularly defcribed,£/£r/. 5.16. And thus 
 youfeewhacweatecotbinkofgoldand filuer& other things 
 
 y 2 of 
 
\-jz The Thirteenth Sermon 
 
 oflikc nature . But who can çxeufe this broydcred and frizled 
 haire,this painting and (liking of faces, with other fuch filth? 
 And therefore we necde not maruaile that the Apoftles made 
 the like reckoning of gold and filuer and broydered haire,(br- 
 ting them al in one rancke . For in truth albeit the diltindion 
 which I haue fet downe haue his place , notwithftanding it is 
 a marueilous harde thing to kcepe a meafure. In lomuch that 
 cucn among them, for whom thefc thinges are not vnlawfull, 
 they arc wifer which vfe them little, and they arc molt wife of 
 all, who to caufe others of meaner quality to bee aftiamcdto 
 vfe thcm,and to giue an example vruo others to flic fueh vani- 
 nuies,abitain from the vfe ofthemaltogither : making them- 
 feluesbythis meanesmorc honourable in their perfons and 
 itaccs , then thofe who witnes to the woorld by that which is 
 without thcm,what is within them. 
 
 5 But aboue al,is not this a more then yile fhame(although 
 we lee not thefc things in fuch excefle as to fee vpon the head 
 thefe goldc cauls &fuçh other fuperfluities,whic hour pouer- 
 ty rather keepeth vs fro,thcn any fear ofGodjthat a man muft 
 notwithstanding in this place not onely neceifanly make fuch 
 warnings,but which is worfe, make them & make thé again e, 
 and all in vaincFor what arc wee,I praie you,whethcr wc ref- 
 peel them of this place, or whether we con fidcr of them who 
 arc come from other places and countries? It w true the Lorde 
 hath honored this eltate & common-weale with a foucraigne 
 liberty of iurifdiclion. But are wee therefore a kingdome,or a 
 <iuchie,or a county,or any great thing aboue others I Naie on 
 the contrarie 6de,is not that verified of vs which Saint Paul 
 faid of thofe boa(tersofCorinth > i.C^r.i.26.A/j'^^^»7^r 
 jowr vocation y ee arcnot marry rvifi according vnto tbeflefb, nor many 
 mighty \norm vany noble . And as for vs that haue beene recekicd 
 into this citty,and who in ftccd of faying that wc arc come hi* 
 ther to make a pure profeflton of the Gofpell , bring hither the 
 filthy fafhions and manners of the places whence wee came, 
 what arc we according vnto theworld?Poorebanifhcd men, 
 or at the lcaft fugttiucs, and when al is faid,afmaU handfull of 
 - poorc 
 
VponThs First Chapter.' ijj 
 
 poorc people. And yet vvc cannot hold our fclues in our owne 
 skins; our admonitions prcuailc nothing ; the lawes are open- 
 lie violated & broken, as euery one teeth fauc they who ought 
 to be the firlt that ihould fee & forefce it to remedy it. Dearth 
 and faminc,plague and pcftilence,v\ hich arc at our gates, war 
 \\ ith his fvvord vniheathed, the mifcric and extremity where- 
 unto (o manie Churches arc brought , all thefc thinges which 
 fhouldcaufevsto mourne in fackcloth and afhes, feemeto 
 whet and fharpen our appetites and luites to doe much the 
 worfe.If there bee any villanous and outragious fafhion in all 
 Frauncc,this filth mult be brought hither by and by to poyfon 
 and infect this place,as thefe monltrous rurlcs, thefc great vil- 
 lanous long bellies, thefc more then villanous fafhions of wo- 
 mens gownes , the oncly name whereoffheweth in what de- 
 legation they ought to bee had of all honeft women . And 
 what fhal I fay of thefe vile and linking tsfndrogynes fbia is to 
 faie.thefc men-rveomsn with their curled locks ,theircrifped and 
 fnzelcd h ai re } Fie,fie, and fie againevpon thefe ftinking and 
 filthie fafhions, which fauor of nothing lefle then oftrue chri- 
 ftianity.lt may plcafe the Lord our god to take an order for it, 
 feeing men make no account or reckoning of it : and truelic I 
 am certainly aflured he wil. 
 
 6 To returne vnto our text : mention beeing made here of 
 the church as of a queen in the moii noblcft and higheft eftatc 
 a man can imagin, there is fpecch ofher codlie & rich borders 
 and chaines, as flic is in like manner painted out vnto vs, *?/*/. 
 45.10. 14.and15.and at large in Ezechiel the 16. beeing 
 meant hereby inward and fpirituaall giftcs whereof S. Peter 
 an^ Saint Paul in the places which I haue alleagcd, do fpeake. 
 And what arc thefc giftesfto fay it al in a woord,it is the bride* 
 groome himfelfe, and all that hc4iath. Now he hath in him- 
 ielfe the holy fpint and all the graces of him,not only becaufc 
 heisGodcoeternallandcoerTcntiallwith the father and the 
 holyGhoftjbutalfoinasmuch as hcismanberecciuedthem 
 not in fart , 1 . Cor. 1 2. 8. but without number or meafure, Ioh. ?. 
 34. The diuinitic therefore of Chrift is as it were the very voelU 
 
 Y 1 fjring 
 
ï,74* ^ HB Thirtëint« Se*>mok 
 
 fprtng of aU grace y lam. 1 . 1 7. And the humanitie oflefus Chrift 
 is as it were the bafon or veflcli rcceiuing all this abomdanceof 
 pact powred into it , Ioh.i.i-f.Which thing was reprcfented^ 
 the defcendtng of the Doue at his Bapti 1 me, loh. 1 . 3 2.as is decla- 
 redly^/. 1 1 .2. And this not to the end that this (hould ftaie in 
 hisonelieperion, buttothcendeihat fo much as it pleafeth 
 himtobeltow vpon vs forhisglorie,might rundowncvpon 
 V> , baptifing & bedewing vs therewith within , as the fame is 
 reprcfented vnto vs by outward baptifm c, /<?/?. 1 .3 3. For which 
 caufc the Angels announcing his birth vnto the £hcepheardes 
 faid not onely A child it borne,but a child is borne vntojou,LuV.i. 
 2 1. Now theic gifts are not al of one fort & quality. For fomc 
 of them are generally and vniuerfally bettowed on eucry chri- 
 stian , which are reduced vnto foure pointes by the Apoftle, 1. 
 Car.L30.when hefaith thatlefpu Chrift is made vnto v s of the fa^ 
 theryWifedomesightcoufnefJcyfanîltfication , andredemption . For all 
 our knowledge touching the thinges we beleeuc andourfal- 
 uation , all our righteouines and integrity by vertue whereof 
 wee prcfume to call vpon God, and to come before his throne 
 in all holy boldnes,allour chaunge andnewnes of life alio, 
 whereby we begin to difplcafe our felues in doing of euil,and 
 to take pleafure in well doing , and confequcntlic this whole 
 deliuerauncc of ours,the perfect accomplifhment whereof we 
 wait for, proceed al from him,/» whom arerefiantalthe treafures 
 of knowledge and vnderfland/ng, Col. 2,3./» whom there is nojînne, 2 , 
 Cor.5.2 1 .who hath borne ourftnnes vpon the CroJp< 1 .Pet.2.24.^ 
 whofe obedience we are decUrcdrighteons, Rom .5.19 who cr eat et h 
 in vs both to will & to doe. Phil. 2. 1 3. in a word he who alone is our 
 Iefies, that is to fay, Saviour and Redeemer ,Mat. 1 .2 1 . & no other 
 whatfeeueryh&.+T: 2. Befîdcsthefe gifts,without the which no 
 man can be of the church, there are an infmit number of other 
 fpecial graces which God beftoweth on fuch as are his,in fuch 
 fort and fo far as pleafeth him } according vnto the diuers voca- 
 tions in which he wil be ferued by them, whereof he is liberal! 
 fotnetimes towardes them,who are neuer a whit the better by 
 themes we it fee in Abfalon, Achitophei,Sad,Iudas & others 
 
Vp<mTnï First Chapter. 17^ 
 
 ôf whom ic is (pokcn, Mttth.1j.22.S1 therefore it is vnta the 
 former giftes wee multkeepe our ielues. Thcfe are the iew- 
 cls of ineftimablc value, which the fpoufc hath receiuedof; 
 the liberality of her Br'idcgxomc.Forwhat hauerve which we haut, 
 not receifted? 1 .Cor.4. j.aud together wtth htm althwgsaregiuen vs> 
 Rorn.8.3 2. And thcfe are the fafhtrs y and emerauds,and other pre- 
 ctopu flones and pear le s with which that cittte ts bwlded^ Eiay 54. 1 1 . 
 Apoc.2i.i8.which was figured vnder the Lawe by the itones 
 which were called Vrimand Thttmimmjhzt is to fay glittering 
 in perfection in the breltplate of the high prie(t,£.v^.2 8.i 7. 
 
 7 But alas are we this Church compofed wholy of children 
 ofthclight,and as it w ere Jhwing lampes in the rvoorld, Phil. 2.1 5. 
 Certainely on the Lordes part wee maie fay,we 1 fay:that hec 
 hath fct vp and lighted in the midft of vs this flaming light of 
 his moft pure and fincere truth,/*/*/. 19. 8.and 1 1 9. 1 o^in fuch 
 fort that the whole woorldc hath an eie vpon vs. But whereto 
 fcrueth the Sun to fuch as be blind? What auaileth it to fpeake 
 to fuch as are and will bee deafe ? To what purpofc is the true 
 light arifen and come vnto them ^whobaue loued darknejfe better 
 then Itghttloh.y.iQ . Alas then what fhall I faie hereupon , but 
 that we are of ai other the molt wicked and vnthankful in the 
 whole worlde if wee thinke not better on our felues? For what 
 woorkc of the flefli raigncth in the woorlde , wherewith wee 
 are not yet infected? So manie warninges as haue bcene 
 made vs by the pure woorde of God,fo manie good Lawes 
 and orders which the Lorde hath eftablifhed in this place a- 
 gainft fomicatours and adulterers, fo manie executions of 
 men and weomen for this vice, haue they bin able to reftraine 
 and bridle ourfllthy luftes in this place? Alas no. Nay contra- 
 ri wife there arc too many who endeuor 7 if not vtterly at once 
 to take away, yet by little and little to deftroy and abolifh 
 thcfe good lawcs.Ycc couetous mizers , ycc extortioners, ycc 
 vfurcrs , ye c rafty efpicrs of the neceflitic of your poor brethe». 
 rcn, to make your gain of their pain , your com modity of their 
 calamitie, worfc then thceucs & robbers, forgers of artificial 
 famines and dearths, dcuourcrs of mens quick and liucflefli, 
 
 how 
 
iy6 The Thirtiintu Sermon 
 
 how long w ill you prefume to appcarc in the church of God 
 as if you were of it? Yce taucrne haunters, ycc dronkardes & 
 gluttons, will you ncuer hauc other god then yem belly? Yec 
 engrcflcrs and regraters,ycc idlers \\ Jth falic w sights & with 
 faife meaiurts,actorersoiyourGodMan mon,anà worfethen 
 Idolaters, will ycc neuer lcarnc to content your icJucswith 
 honelt and law full gaine? Yee lowers of mutinics 5 yec quarel- 
 lers and v\ rong doers, yce enuious and deadly malicious, yec 
 jmpleadcrsandaétion-threatners, how long (hall the Lorde 
 fuftcryouinhis houfe,in which dwelleth nothing but peace 
 andcharitic? Yee bellowcs of bell-fire which liue by fetting 
 others a pleading, & lengthen the parchment as much as you 
 may , w ill you alw aies piofane and defile this holy and facred 
 name of luiheer Yee diflolute,ye idle and do-nothings, com- 
 ming to fermon for a fhe we and countenance only, or to deep 
 when you are there, w hen will you lcarnc why you came into 
 the world before you goe out oi it?Yec gainciters and waiters 
 both of your owne & others, wil you forget the fermon which 
 fome of your companions made on the kaffold not long ago? 
 Briefly yce men wil you alw aies be men? children ofthat nrft 
 Adam? Flefhoffltfh?lnfteede of being regenerate of the fé- 
 cond Adam author of euerlafling life? What fhall 1 fay more? 
 Godgiue ycu grace and mercy, God giue you grace to caft 
 far from you the fe filthy ragges, to be adorned with his iew- 
 cles and c haines rer ciucd of him and before his face. 
 
 8 But let vs note alfo that albeit as wee fhall afterward fee 
 there be no part in this fpoufe fro the head vnto thefect v\ hich 
 isnotofafingular bewtie,notwithftandingthe fpoufe fpea- 
 keth exprefly in this place of the cheekes andofthe neck, 
 thatisofthcmoftfightlyand apparant part in eucry perfon, 
 and which indeedc might grace andbewtify the ilfauorednes 
 of the reft.And this is to teach vs this lciTon,that albeit the gra- 
 ces which are heerefpoken off hauc their lcate m the bottom of 
 the hart, ac cording vnto the faying of the Apoftlc ,ColoJf ^.\6, 
 & of the Lord himfclfc,/^.! 4. 1 7. As it is alfo cxprelly faid of 
 this fyoutc/PfaLjtf. 1 3.Yctnotwithllandingasthe vifagtôc 
 
 the 
 
VponThé Fi rsY Chapter^ 177 
 
 the face is naturally as it were the looking-glafle of the heart : 
 (o mult the foule of a Chriftian teitifie his fimplicitie and cha- 
 ftitic within,and whatfoeucrGod hath fet in his hartjthat he 
 ihew himiclfe to be filch as he is (reformed I meane to the I- 
 magc ofGod; by his looke, by his countenaunce, by his port, 
 briefly that nothing bee feene or fhcvvc it felfcin a Chriftian 
 which edifieth not his neighbour, and which may hold in an 
 amalcandreproue the infidell andvnbeleeuing which loo- 
 kethonhim: whereas in men of our age and time nothing 
 butvanitieandallotherkindofwickedneiTc and difhoneftie 
 flieweth it felfe from the crownc of the head vnto the fole of 
 the fcete. 
 
 6 But what? Can the Bridegroome beftowe more on the 
 fpoufe then himfelfe and all that he hath?no truly. But we are 
 not able to receiue all at once which hec will giue vs; and if 
 we receiued al at one timc,wc would not know from whence 
 itcommeth,norefteemfomuch of it as it iswortb.lt is giuen 
 VS to know him, but yet bat tnp*rtfo long as wee are here beUwe, I • 
 Cor. 1 ;. t 2. It is gmenvs tobeleene. Eph. 2. 8. But diftruft doth 
 (till fight againlt faith, Mar. o. 94. Itisgiuenvs towtllandtodoe. 
 But the Apoftle himfelfe cryeth out, Ihegood which l woulddoe 
 that do Inot y andthe euillwhtch Iwouldnot do that do /.Rom. 7. ip. 
 Wee may not therefore content our felucs with that wee haue 
 alrcadie receiued, mue h lelTe be proud thereof, but forgetting 
 that which ùpaft and behind vs, we mufl alwates endeuour and dr awe 
 01 farther ,Phil. 3.1 3 . yea we mult run without ceafing tncrea- 
 ftng more and more in the knowledge of CW,Col.2.i p. Such are the 
 exhortations which are made vs thorough out the Scripture, 
 which woulde bee vaine and of no effect, if this promile were 
 not made vs, namely that although the Lordc hath alreadie 
 bound vs vnto him io manie waies,he promifeth notvv ithftan- 
 ding to giue vs ftill more giftcs , and to water and encreale the 
 former euerydaie,bceing rich and abounding with thattrea- 
 fure which can neuer be founded & drawen drv.Beholo v\ hat 
 ispromifed vnto all true belecuer*. But this being referred 
 vnto the body ofthcwholeChurch,confideredasitv\as>vn- 
 
 Z dcr 
 
Xjî The Thirteenth Sermon 
 
 der the pedagogy & fchooling of the Law,this vcrie in which 
 he promilcth other goodlier and richer icvvels,containeth the 
 promif e of him whom the fathers firv not but a farre off, & through 
 tbefkado.resoftheIsM? 3 Gl\.-$.iq..Go\.2.iJ.znd Heb.ii. I 3. For 
 which reaibn Simeon calleth him the Itght of the Cjentiles and the 
 ^V7<?f/^/-^/ J Luk.2.3 2.Thisisthcrfore in fumme the promile 
 of that more excellent couenaunt promifed vntothe lathers, 
 and ratified by the fonne himfclfe in perfon,//^.i.2.and.8.6\ 
 Whereby wee fee that the condition of the Chriihan Church, 
 hathafpecial aduantageandpriuiledge aboue that of the fa- 
 thers , before the comming of the Lord : albeit that both they 
 & we doihl wait for the ful coniummation of this mariage. 
 
 1 o But feeing there is but one onely BridegroomCjWhere- 
 fore iaith he we ml make thee in the plural nûber? A man might 
 aunfwere that kings and great princes are wont tofpeakthus. 
 But all beeing well confidered, wee fhall find thefecretmy- 
 itery of the three perfons in one fole diuinity, and the adtions 
 of them diftinguifhed without anie either multiplication or 
 diuifionofcfTence,in the work of our faluation,andal the gra- 
 ces which ferue thereunto,to be here laide open and difcoue- 
 rcd. So thé as the father hath giuen vs his fonne,fo the Ion al- 
 io takingon him our flefh hath giuen himfclfe, and theholy 
 Ghoitalfodoth giuehimvsby applying him vnto vs by the 
 gift of the enlightening of faith.Soalfo it is the father ,wb$ fen- 
 deth woorl^men into his hameft , Matth. 9? 3 8 . It is the fonnc 
 which faith, As the father fent me, fo Ifendjon, Ioh. 20. 21.& 
 pehogmeth to his Church Taftors andDoftonrs, Ephef . 4. 1 1 .It is 
 alio the holy Ghoi\ which ejfMJheth and d*r eft ctb them, k&.\ 3. 
 2.2nd 20.28.Who then giueth vs thefe graces and encreafeth 
 them?Tbc father, hauing elected and called vsinhis welbe- 
 loued Sonne : the Sonne of whofe fulnelïe al this is drawen, 
 the holy Ghoft leading vs into this truth , and dtflrtbuting his 
 gtftes to whom andhowhee will, I .Corint. 1 2.1 1 . Where unto alio 
 the forme of our Baptifmeleadeth vs,in which we are bap- 
 tile d m the name of the Father , the Sonne , and the holte Ghofl , cue- 
 lic one of them being this one God, who giuevs grace tho. 
 
 " J roughly 
 
VponThe First Chapter^ iyp 
 
 roughlie to vndcrltand and meditate this moft dearc and 
 precious do&rine to his honour andglorie, and to ourownc 
 faluation,as vvc vvil therefore befeee h him faying. 
 t/ilmighty God&C 
 
 The Fovrteenth SermoH. 
 
 Our helpc be in the name of God,&c. 
 
 ft is written atfolloweth in the fir ft Chapter of the (f article of 
 Canticles, the 1 2.1 3 Jind 1 4. verjes. 
 
 1 2 The King beeing fate at his round table, 
 my Spikenard giueth his find. 
 
 1 3 My welbeloued is vnto mee as a bundle 
 ofMyrrhe ? he is lodged inmy bofome. 
 
 *4 My welbeloued is like aclufter ofCo- 
 pher in the vineyards of Engaddy. 
 
 I The happy eftate of the fjtoufereuni- 7 It is not rnough to enter into the 
 
 ted againe unto her Bridegroom declared banquet or toft dcvrti, but wemttfltaufe 
 
 by diefimilitude ofafeaft cr banque t,fi- our odour tofmell thereat. 
 
 gmed by the Leuiticallfacrifices both in 8 Why t here ft no mention made here 
 
 the tabernacle find after in the temple of of eating or drinking in this banquet . 
 
 Salomon. 9 H hat the odour or fmell of this 
 
 % Tin round table declareth that this fpikg-navdis . 
 
 feajlis referred vnto the Bridegvoomes 10 application eft his allégorie to the 
 
 comming in perfonne with whom the peo- prefent time. 
 
 fie ofall the round woorldfhal (it dswne, II Satans a faulting vs in this pay nt 
 
 although the full celebration of this ban- on the lift hand. 
 
 quet be referucd -vnto the later dale. 1 1 His afptulting of-vs on the right had 
 
 3 In wlTat place of the woorld this ban- again/I merit-mongi rx. 
 
 quet it £ep j. 13 fr bat this truefaike-nardispnd his 
 
 4 M-'ith nhat mea t it is furnifted, by . tuc fmel. 
 
 vhom,andh(,uc. 14 TlxMirrhe and the Cophercfthe 
 
 5 Theexcellencieofthe Rmngelicall Eridegroome mallet h the fpik^-nard of 
 banquet aboue the Leuiticall. the fpoufe to fmcll /Tree tc. 
 
 S yP hence the allégorie of the odour if Ï f Whence thk bkfjlng t^r.cth^nd to 
 tkejfouftsfètlç.nard À [t ak^n. . whom it appertain th, 
 
 2 2 Wc 
 
The FovrteekthSermon 
 
 E haue vnderftood before the kind ca- 
 reiles and louing entertainment of the 
 Bridegroome at the meeting and ta- 
 
 king againe of his fpoufe: who now re* 
 ioycing in her felfe and beeing withall 
 verie defirous that euery one fhoulde 
 vnderftand,w hat a benefit fhe hath re- 
 ceiued, declareth how fhe was inuited 
 vnto the banquet of her Bridegroome, 
 andhowfheebehauedher felfe fitting by him, cnioyinghis 
 prefence w ith infinit contentment. 1 his matter truely is moft 
 excellent being wel vnderftood and praétifed.Forthis is molt 
 ccrtaine,that there is no ioy nor pleaiure in the vvooild to bee 
 compared in any fort with that repofe and quiet, which euery 
 faithfull foule feeleth,& by confequent>the whole Church.fa- 
 uouring & fmelling the fweetes of the Lord who comforteth 
 her within : which thing is painted out vnto vs in a great pare 
 of the Pfalmes , and reprefented efpecially in that moil excel- 
 lent fong ofreioycing of the virgine Mary. And this is it which 
 is vfually declared to vs in the holy Scripture vnder the fimili- 
 tude of a banquet 3 not onelie becaufe frindfhip and familiarity 
 is teftified by eating and drinking together , and that men arc 
 Willingly difpofed vnto mirth at their repaft and refe£tion:but 
 efpecially in rcfpe&ofthe banquets of the facrificcs which 
 were made in the prefence of the Lord, as if himfelfe had had 
 a room at the vppcrmoft end,to wit at his altar,and there con- 
 tenting himfelfe with one part burnt on his altar, fhoulde di- 
 frribute the reft of the facrificed hott vnto the prieftcs , and to 
 the reft of them which brought the offering, whereof we haue 
 a goodly defcription in the hiftorie of Samuels mother, I . Sa* 
 l.4.alofitreprefentingthis hcauenly repaft and true nourifh- 
 ment of our fouls, as Icfus Chrifthandlcth this matter atlarge, 
 Joh 6 . and the Prophets in many places fpeaking of fpirituali 
 bleflings make mention of wine , of milke , of honie,of liuing 
 water, which Chrift followed and expounded fpeaking with 
 the Samaritanc woman/^.^i^But bcfides al this Salomon 
 
 bath 
 
VponThe First Chapter. 1S1 
 
 hath in this place a fpecial regard, to the reftablijfhment or ra- 
 ther beutifieng of the feruice of God,w hen in fteede of the ta- 
 bernacle,after lb many changes and interruptions which hap- 
 ned after the death of lofua, & after vndcr Saul, & during Da- 
 uids wars , that goodly temple fhould at the length be built, 
 and the whole Ecclefiaftical minirtery ercded and fet vp with 
 an admirable magnificencie , according vnto the ordinauncc 
 of the Lord declared by the Prophets of that time. 
 
 2 Neither may we lightly paffe ouer the word which Salo- 
 mon vfeth , which we haue tranflated , to bee as it were at* 
 romdtable , accordingas the cuftome of the auncient fathers 
 was.For this kind of bâqueting at a round table feemeth more 
 friendly and familiar, then ifchc king fhould haue his table 
 apart, the vpper end of the round table being knowne ra- 
 ther by the dignitie of fome oneperfon, then by any place, 
 byreafonoftheroundnes: befidcs that there is great likely- 
 hoode that Salomon by a Prophcticallipiritfasall the legall 
 feruice and ceremonies had)had refpeft vnto Iefus Chrift , To 
 whom-, the nations of the four quarters of the vooorld were promtfed 3 as 
 it is foretoldej/y^.S.cJI'/^. 8.1 1. This is therefore the ban- 
 quet whereof the fpoufe hearefpeaketh,glorying that fhe was 
 brought in thereunto y tAndylacedby her'Sridegroomes/tdefifa], 
 45. 10. What was then all that coftly furniture and prouifion 
 of the temple how rich & fumpteous fo euer it w erc,in refpecl: 
 ofthereall and vifibie manifestation of this Bridegroomc? In 
 regard of the accomplishment and eonfummation of all that 
 which was figured by the Lcuiticall Prielthoode? In compa- 
 rifonofthe full declaration of the gofpell which is called Tht 
 fotver ofGodvntofaluatton vnto all them whtch beleeue, bee hee I ewe 
 or Grecian^ Rom. 1 . 16. It is then rheChriftian Church, that is 
 to fay, the Church confidered finccthccommingofChrirr, 
 which can trulie fay that fhee hath beene brought in vnto this 
 goodlic banquet of the bridegroome, as himfelfe declareth ir, 
 Mmh.22.znd Lulgthc 14 1 6\which place may ferue in fteed 
 of a commentarieforthc clearer opening of this place. But 
 vrecmulUiiU vnderiiand that this banquet is but a prcpar?. 
 
 Z 3 tiuc 
 
lit The Fovrteekth Sermon 
 
 tiue vnto that which wee lookc for , and which is prepared for 
 
 vs inheauen,ofv\hich mention ismadecjl/^//?. 7. 22. and 
 
 2 5-i.At which banque c v\e are not yet fate, but by hope,^. 
 
 2.6. 
 
 2 Now then this banquet w hereof mention is heer made is 
 kept inearch.And know you where ?wfor/<tf &<?/', fat-- h the Lord, 
 there jhal be two or three gathered togither in my name 3 there am l m 
 the midil of them^Uz.iS.20. Without feeking therefore of the 
 place any farder, I fay that it is here, it is here I lay in this place 
 that this banquet is kept,hecre is this holy table let 3 heere the 
 Bridcgroome entertaineth his lpoufe,in the prei'ence of all his 
 Angels , as alio in ail other places and alTembhes of the w hole 
 vvorldjwhere his truth is purely preached , and his name, as ic 
 ought to be, called vpon. 
 
 4 And with what méfies of meat are we here ferued/I dare 
 tel you boldly, with him himfelfe, vhoù the true bread of life 
 rrhtch defcendedfrom hearten jOxd that trueflejhe, and that t> ue blood 
 whêce we mufl di'aiv euerlaftmgbfe.\o\i,6. 5 o. a meat w hich is noc 
 eaté with bodily tceth.but with the mouth ot faith:a meat not 
 fwallowed dovvne lb to becorrupted,but receiued to make rs 
 incorruptible.^ meate prouidedonce for al , and facrirlcedoa 
 the croiTeandnotby the handesor mimitcrie of men, though 
 we be difpen lcrs of the holy mylteries and Rewards as it were 
 in this banquet : a meate ferued not in difhes of gold or filuer, 
 but in veiTcls fpiritualiy appointed to this çrfeCt , namely firlt 
 in the preaching ofthe word ofgod,which for this caule is ok 
 ten called by the name iticlfe of ipintuaH food,not that it is (o 
 to fpeak properly, but becauie the tru food Iclus chrilt is ther- 
 kreornpnfed and contained: leconuly in the adminiltratiori 
 ofchc2.facraments, namely of Bap tiling called for'the lame 
 caule as aboue thewapt'tMgofxew btrth ,*na of the holy Supper, 
 in which by the fame forme offpecch , the name ofthe bodic 
 of Iefus Chril* \<->facrament«Uygwen vr.to the bread, and the name, 
 of blood vnto the wive. 
 
 5 To vndcrftaad therefore the better the excellencic of 
 the Euangclicali banouet.aboue the Lcuitical, I meanc ofxhc 
 
 banquet 
 
Vpon The First Chapter, ï8$ 
 
 banquet vndcr the gofpell abouc the banquet vnderthe lawe 
 (v\hcrcunto this place is fuit of all referred^) we may lay that 
 albeit the fathers, as they had one and the lame faith w ich vs, 
 fo confcqucntly they dideate of the fame meate , and druxkeoftbe 
 Jamedrv.kwnhvty town of lefm Chrtft, without whom there is 
 nolifeeternalljiXcr. 10. ;. YetnotwithlUndingconfidering 
 the manner of banqueting,wec may fay that in the Leuitieall 
 banquet the fpoule late not fo neare her bridegroome : but in 
 the Luangelical banquet the Bridegroome looketh nearer on 
 his fpoule, and the ipoule on her Bridegroome, infinuating 
 themfelues one in the other fpiritually,that is to fay,in a more 
 power-full efficacie, by the molt mighty working of the holie 
 fpirit and vnto a fpiritual end, Gat.i.z.Thc fpoule being more 
 nearer bone of his bone &flefi> ofhisftejh^ fecret truly molt greac 
 and wonderful, Epheff. ^o.but molt true, as the effect doth 
 afterward declare it in all them who are (eddc therewith. 
 
 6 But let vs note that the fpoufe addcthjthat being placed 
 fo neare the Bridegroome in this ban Q£\zi y her fptke-narde gaue 
 btsfmet/.Thc hearb which we cûfptke-narâ was had in lingular 
 recommendation in former time among the people of the eaft 
 in the matter of cheir perfumes and ointmentes vshich fpeci- 
 ally they y fed in their banquets, as is exprefly to be feen in the 
 hi(t ory of the gofpell, Lhk. 7. 3 7. M. 12.3. Where truly and 
 vifibly the church in the perfon of the Apoftles and of Marie 
 banqueted with her Bridegroome and perfumed or annoin- 
 tedhiminfuchfort,thatitmight fome wayfeeme that Salo- 
 mon fpake in this place thereof byway ofProphefie. 
 7 But this being more i ubtil the fure,wc mult vndcrftand this 
 after an other fort to make our profit thereby . Let vs therfore 
 Jearn hence, that it is not ynough to be called to this banquet, 
 but we mull enter m and lit down,otherwife this inuiting fer- 
 ueth not but to our condemnation.-as alas at this day more the 
 euer, we fee me fo bewitched with the cares & vanities of this 
 world,that there arc very few which wil think on this baquet, 
 though they be bidden and inuited eucry day. As neither fhal 
 it be for thcru, but it fhal fare with them as it is fpoken,c#£^. 
 
 32.7. 
 
1S4 Th * Fovrteenth Sermon 
 
 a2.7,8.Againitiufficcthnottoenterinandfitdovvne,butouf 
 perfume alio mult giue his fmcl. 
 
 8 Yea but \\ ill ibme man faie,wee fhould rather eate and 
 drink to be fatisfied;& hecre is no mention ofmeate or drink. 
 Let vs therefore note that in this banquet there is no fpeech of 
 refreshing and filling thebellie which rcquireth meate and 
 drinkc, but the queltion is here of fpintuall life : and therefore 
 mention is of the odor and fmel of the spike-narâ ofthejpevfe^of 
 UHknhc and clnfl [ ers of Gopher ■, namely becaule there is no fen- 
 fiblc or materiall thing more fit or proper to figmfie vntovsa 
 ipiritual thing,then the fmel of fit eet thinges , \\ hich is recei- 
 ued into the brain afcerio futtle a maner as nothing more. And 
 thisexpoiîtion is neither farre fetor lefie certaine: tor this is 
 the veric ltileofthe Scripture as we will anon declare. But by 
 this reckoning the fpouie'fliould feeme rather to haue giuen 
 theBridegrome fomev\hat then to haue receiued ought of 
 him,obieetingherfmel of fptke-nard. Theanfwere isthatitis 
 cleanc contrarie: for the ipoule hauing declared at the begin- 
 ning that fhee defired to be kifled and not vaunting ot killing 
 ol him,and demanding to be drav\ n of him to come vnto him, 
 with her companions, and to enioy the odour orhis perfumes, 
 (hewcth iufficientlie that fhe confelTcth fhe bringeth nothing 
 to her Bridegroome which fmelleth fw eett-vnto him.but that 
 which fhee hath receiued of him to prefent him wit hall. And 
 yet it is not to be faid,that in the auncient Sacrifices w ee fpakc 
 of before,there was neither bread,nor wine , nor fit fh offered, 
 or that men did not really and corporally eate or drinke,as yet 
 at this day wee arc really wafhed and fprinkled with water in 
 Baptifme,in the liipper we do truly eate bread and drink wine 
 which are there made facramentes, that isdedicated and Con- 
 fecrated vnto an hohe and facred vie. But we mult vnderftand 
 that in the ancient facnhces.that n hich appeafed Gods w rath 
 u>as not tbeflefk avdtheblcodof goats avdbfhnbtcb men br ent. H eb. 
 10.4. but hee which was lacramentallie reprefenter 1 by the 
 bealt which was faenficed I mcane leius Chrilf , w ho fhouide 
 in hi* time deliuer vp rami elf c for vs ia oblation and facn- 
 
 fuc 
 
VponThi First ChapItr. it$ 
 
 fice vntoGod his father,in an odour ofafwcctc fmel,and that 
 whicruhetaithfullfacrificcr recciued vntoialuation was not 
 thac which he ace with the teeth of his mouth , v\ herewith the 
 bodic was ncunfhcd^ftf tkertmijjwnojkùfmnes by the bloodeof 
 htmvrbo blot tetb them ot4t$\Gn\.i.2q,nna i.Pet.i.ip.asthe lord 
 alio looked not properlie vnto the bealt which was facriflced, 
 or vnto other fpiritual oblations, but to the rtght intent & affeEii- 
 en of the heart efthefacrificer, as itisfaid, Pfa/.$o.$.znd 14. and 
 5 1. and. 1 o . which is the /p/%-;wdwhereorthefpouiehecrc 
 ipcaketh.Likewiie in the facramentes ofthe chrifhan Church 
 the corporall and vifîble water is not that which wafheth our 
 confeiences: but doth indeede fîgnifîe and rcprefent vnto our 
 outward fenfes that which wafheth awaie our finnes.& w hicli 
 fanCtifieth vsbeeing apprehended and receiued by faith, I 
 in cane the jptrit Hal and mutftblejprwklwgof the blcod of Iefus Chrtft % 
 1 .Pet. 1 .s.and 3 .2 1. So hkewife in the Supper ofthe lcrd,that 
 which we fee,touch,eatc,and drink, is not that which feedeth 
 and nourifheth vs vnto eternal life, but that verily which is fa- 
 cramentallicreprefented vnto our fpirit and vnto our faith by 
 the bread and wine, namelie thebodie which was deliuered 
 for vs,and the blood which was fhed for vs: briefly Iefus chriffc 
 whole and entire,true God and true man, from whom beeing 
 fpiritually applied vnto our foule by the vertue of the hoîic 
 Gho(t,by means of our faith, we draw remiillon of our fînnes, 
 encreafe ofourfanétification; and finally the iuyce ofcternall 
 life, both for cur foule and alio for our bodie. And therefore 
 when in the old Tcf lament the appealing or the \\ rath of God 
 is attributed vnto the facrifices , as alio in the writinges ofthe 
 Apoftlcs,thefe woordsofwafhing, and of communicating 
 ofthe bodie and ofthe bloode or the Lord , and of putting on 
 of Iefus Chrift are attributed and igiuen vnto the vihbie and 
 corporal fignes,this is not to yeeld vnto the figues thac w hic h 
 is incommunicably proper & belonging vnto the chin« %nj- 
 fied(for we know that water wafheth not the fouled thafthe 
 foule neither eatech nor drinkethjbut this is tofhew the ciiîîe- 
 xencebecweenthciVthingsconfideredintheconi.monyfiige 
 
 Aa * of 
 
jg£ TheFovrteiînthSermon 
 
 of this life, and thcfelf fame things conlidered as facraments, 
 that is to faie , as vifible.rignes of that which the Lord there 
 giueth vs,and which nee workethinuifibly in our foule : if the 
 fault be not in our (elues,that is to fay,if in fteede ofreceiuing 
 by faith we reieci them not by our incredulity. 
 
 What is then the sjnke-nard whereof the fpoufe fpeaketh 
 in this place,and the fmel whereof is molt liking and accepta- 
 ble vnto the Bridcgroome?It is firft an humble and contrite hart*, 
 Pfal.5 1 .17. It is faith and an holy afluraunce in the grace and 
 mcrcie of God by Iefus Chritt alone,»?/^** which it u impojftble 
 topleafe God,Hcb. 11.6. It ù true chanty which we vfe towardes oar 
 neighbors ; Phil.^. 1 8. It is thefacrifice of gifting oft hanks, ,Col. 3 . 1 6, 
 Gen. 8. 2 1. In a woorde, it is truly the whole life of a chriftian, 
 in which we feekc according vnto the meafure of the fpirite to 
 p/eafe him in all things, C ol . 1 . 1 o.confecrating vnto him both our bo- 
 dies andmindes in allonr atlions,Rom. 12.1. and asafweetefmellwg 
 fauourvntothe Lord^euerie one followinghis vocational . Cor.2.l5» 
 Loe this is,this is the odour and perfume which we mult bring 
 vnto this banquet , which is alfoilgnified by the marriage gar ■- 
 ment^Azt.iiA 1. on paine of Seeing cafijjandes andfeete bound.into 
 vfwarddarknej]e } where there fhali be weeping and gnafhingûf teeth. 
 
 1 o Thefe things being well conhdered, what may I fay or 
 hope for of thé who appeare at this holy banquet at the found 
 ofthebell,andin the meane time come and depart, alas not 
 with this Jpike-nard, but cotrariwifc with al maner of ftinking- 
 nelTe and infection > who are the caufe that in fteede that the 
 world fhould be drawen to glorifie God, firing the fruits of his 
 tfirit in tbem->2S they bee described by the Apoftle,CW.5.22. 
 men become ftincking before God and man,bceing the caufe 
 that his holy name which is Called vpon ofvs is blasphemed among the 
 vnheleeumg , Rom. 2. 24. I pray you who woulde not be put 
 out of all patience , that hauing called any one vnto his table, 
 the perfon fo inuited fhould prcfent himfelfe before him w ith 
 fome vile fluttifh filthines in a difh,or in bis hands? And what 
 other thing do they before God,who in fteede of a contrite ÔC 
 humble heart crying with Dauid , Create mmc anew bar* ,VM. 
 
 51.10. 
 
VponThs First Chapter. iS? 
 
 5 1 .1 o. and with the poore Pubbcane, Luk.i 8. 10. Gcdteappeœ- 
 fed torvardes me pwe /inner , bring him an heart full of adulterie, 
 fornication, pride, an heart committing Idolâtrie with the 
 goods of this world,empoifoning the beholders with wanton 
 lookes, and all manner of wicked examples, full of enmitie, 
 debate, wrath, anger, defpite, quarelhng, diuifion and 
 partiality, ofenuy , ûrunkenncHc>andgluttony,and other in- 
 famous and fliameful fikhines, which is yet too too rife in the 
 middelt of thcm,for w horn god prepareth this banquetrNow 
 therefore in the name of God, wee fay vntoyou,wecry vnto 
 you , wee pray you , wee exhort you, bee yec reconciled vnto 
 God, amend your hues, mortifie your members vpon the 
 earth, thinke not to deceiue God , bring forth fruités worthy 
 o f re p e n r a n c e , for the axe u alreadte laid into the roote of the tree, 
 andcuerie dry & rotten tree(halbe hewed dovene & caf into the fire, 
 t 1 But let vs take heed of Satan,my brcthrcn,afwel on the 
 right hand as on the \zîx.J?singarmedon the one fide & on th'other, 
 2. Cor. ô.jAot the breach is made on both fides : and if it bee 
 not rampcrd vp,wc cannot but be furprifed and dcftroied.Be- 
 ing a (faulted on the left hand, by our naturall lufts and concu- 
 piscences, that if we giuc grounde, the fire can no iooner take 
 the powder of the Canon,butal wil down without refinance. 
 For as the v\ atergoeth naturally downward without any dri- 
 uing,fofarethitwith vs,by reafonofour corruption, infuch 
 fort that the ino(l régénérât canhardly refilt the leaft afTaulcs. 
 This thing required no proofe. For thole who are belt difpo- 
 feddoc know by euery daies experience, that they ncedea 
 wrench and pully to draw t them to think well, much more tô 
 doe well. Thus you fee the mighty aflaukof Satan which wee 
 muft withstand, by which heel abôureth to induce vs not to 
 care for being garnifried and prouided of the fpikenard, asif 
 wee hadthemereicofGodinourfleeue, and as if eucrlafting 
 life were prepared for mockers and hart hardnedmifcreants 
 who fay, Let vsfin that mercy may abound, Rom. 6. 1 .vnder pre- 
 tence ofche great mercie and fauor which God hath fliewcd 
 vnto whom it pleafed him . 
 
 Aa 2 12 The 
 
i§& The Poyrteenth Srrmok 
 
 12 The other aflauJt is noleffeeafte v.nto our aduerfari* 
 ayding himfclfc with our owne difpofuion ,by which we are 
 naturally giuen to an opinion and oue*- weening of ourfeiues, 
 efpeciaily when it is made againft them who haue receiucd 
 fome fpeciali graces ,of God , cither within or without his 
 church. So we ice the beft wittcs to come to nothing,or to be- 
 come the mofthurtfullofallothers,asalhi(tories aiwel facred 
 as profane, contain molt heauy examples thcrof,& we yet fee 
 it come to paile in ourtime.Rutaboueai the reft/rom whéce 
 is proceeded this moil falfe, moll wicked, and molt diuehfli 
 dodlrine of mérites and fatisfacTions,but from this curfed opi- 
 nioiijthat our nature,fuch as it is at this day,is fomthing worth 
 before godPHence it is the Pelagians are come/etting on foot 
 a^aine the fecYof the Pharilîes, called of Saint Paul, not with- 
 out great caufe,enemics of the CrolTc of Iefus Chrilt, nothing 
 being more contrarie vnto the grace of God,then the opinion 
 ofbceingable to doe any thing which by the vale we thereof 
 meriteth and deferueth any thing at Gods handes , A thing fo 
 abfurd, as nothing more. For befides that our confeiencear- 
 gueth and reproueth the holieft and beft,that is to fay,the kaft 
 W'ickedM workes we doeofnegligcnce, ignorance and great 
 defeétjWîtncs that great and holy perfbnage Saint Paul, who 
 crieth with a lowde and flirill voice faying, Alaitbegoodnhich 
 I would doe, I àoe not : but that euill which Iveoitldnot doe, that doe /, 
 what madneflc is it to thinke (Vere wee as holy as the Angels 
 themfelues) that any thing can part from vs w hich of his own 
 valcwecan mérite that God loue vs, and doe fome what for 
 vs? Novye then this opinonof theheretickes called Pelagi- 
 ans,denying original corruption in man fince the fal of Adam 
 bceing molt egerly condemned, Satan hath not left for al that 
 or quitted his aflault, butisonlieturoedatoe-hde, giuingvs 
 to vnderftand that indeede our naturall light is darkened , and 
 our wil enclined to falfhood and wickednefle, and that there- 
 fore our foule hath need of grace,firft to aide our weakenes,& 
 correct our defect , & confequcntly which may make a fupply 
 to our good Yvorkes, that they be apt too newly examined & 
 
VvpoxTwfi Fitut ChX'ptïi. 189 
 
 fifted , the Lorde contenting himfelfe, and taking in paiment 
 orrccompence and {atisfa£tion,that which we preient himot 
 our indeuours, according as his grace hath preuenred and ac- 
 companied vs.Bchold a goodly faire cloke of connage . For 
 ifthis be true, what fiiali become of Iefus Chri(t, he i h alt gtuc 
 vs onely the meane to become fauiours of our felucs, if not in 
 whole , yet in part, hisbloodined mingled with our woorkes 
 fiial make them auailable vnto faluation, being himfelxe alone 
 no more f um*cient,then our workes by theleiues \\ ithout him. 
 And which woorfeis,this point being once woon and gained 
 by,fatan;then began he to flic we his homes openly. For there- 
 upon men began to forge meritorious works at their plcafure, 
 then they began to yceld io much to the merits of them whom 
 they pJeafedtothrutl and crowd into paradife, and afterward 
 into their Letany, that yet to this day the ihoppe is ful fraught 
 with it for any man that hath a peny and wil buy any mérites. 
 Finally toleaue nothing to Iefus chrilt but a phantafme & fha- 
 dow of merit & fatisfaction,purgatory was deuifed & fet vp to 
 warrant & quit the dead frô their luis, by certain merits & de- 
 ferts ofche huing. And what câ be more (linking Sc infectious 
 thé this? And yet behold the ince"fe& meritorious odor of ve- 
 ry fmolre where with fomany at this day do feed &pleafethe- 
 felues.Hereûtoiet vs oppofe this pure > natiue,& finccre truth. 
 Not vnto vs Lords*} vnto vsjbut vnto thy name be the honour and 
 glory J? lu. 1 1 5 . i .Enter not into an account with thy Cernants for be-^ 
 fere thee 'n&man hn'mg [hal be found righteous, Pfal. \^.2.Ifu4bra~ 
 ham vpercuifiifedby hts vrori^Jje hath whereof to boaftj?Ht not before 
 GW,Rorn.4.2 fc What haue we then to boaft of? Lee the onelic 
 crolTc therefore of Iefus Chriit be the whole and entire fatisfa- 
 £tion for our iinncs,his onely furTerances our mérites, his only 
 death and vidory our life . 
 
 13 In the mean time our fake -nard,I mean the vertue of the 
 ipiritofGodAvorkinginvsfreely,asit is freely giuen&conti- 
 nued vntovs, fhalgiuchisfwccte and fragrant fmell indeed. 
 For they and no others are the children of God which are rege- 
 nerataribnniAnewbjtheftiritofGod Roin.8. 14. & ware freed 
 
 Aa 1 fam 
 
ipo THE FovRTEfrNTH SïfcMOK' 
 
 frcmjittne by thtjbnvt Mwcllas iujifficdjioh^è. 3 6, Bur there is a 
 great dirrerence bctweene iheie t\\ o queftions . How and by 
 whom wcarcmaciethe children of God, and whereby a man 
 kno%\ eth whether we are the children ot God or no. The fuit, 
 ofthefe two queiiions enqurreth afcer the caufe, & the fécond 
 fpcaketh ot the crTcctes.The cmeiy mecre grace and fauour of 
 God therefore hath elected v?,callcd vs tolaluaticn,and isthc 
 caufe of our ialuation, frcm the beginning vnto the ending, 
 For j that faith created in vs by grace, apprehendeth and ta- 
 ke thholde of lefus Chnlt, and of life in him, it is beeaufe it 
 hath pleated God fo toordaine and appoint the caufes^by the 
 which he executcth his eternal ccuniel tcuchingour election 
 and faluation. But hereby a man knovs eth the faitbfull and by 
 ccniecuentthcelecho bee glorified , that beeing by the free 
 grace ofGodchaunged into newncs of life, they depart from 
 iniquity to follow after rightccufnes , according as ft pkaferh 
 God to woork in them fooner or latter and in diuerfe meafure. 
 The faithful therefore are thofe who are known by their good 
 workes.and God crowneth them both in this world and in the 
 other.But howfOf his meere gratuity and folc mercy, and hot 
 that there is in them any value v\ hich meritcth.or that they are 
 accepted for fatisfactionf feeing the onely oblation of lefus 
 Chnit once made is more then fufrkient m this behalfe -or for 
 thaï they are correfpondent and aunfwcrmg vnto the righte- 
 cufneffe required by the Law.and v\ hich cneke meriteth and 
 deferueth, accordirgvntothe tenourofthecouenant ,life e- 
 uerlalfing; agreeable to this refolution : P^^/^^r^>.^<f/^r^ 
 thou fiait ItuejLndctirfâ is he vrhkh accompl-fheth rot afthefe thirds. 
 In fumrne therefore it is in lefus (Thrift alone who hath perfe- 
 ctly accomplifhed andfulfilled al righteouïfie{ïc,that the pro- 
 ir.ifesoftheLaw are auaileable vnto vs. Farther albeit we bee 
 neithcHtones nor blockes in weldoing,notwithlhnding fee- 
 ing that to w ill \n el or to doe wcl are ncft any way of our owne 
 nature ..hut created in vs by grace onelte,the good workesvye 
 dec are rather hi? the; r>d therefore tcl'reakerrcr 
 
 .ed,hecîoSM-.eîhh^-crks:n vshisvnprcfirabk 
 
 rather 
 
ViPo* TtitE.FfusT ChAptk*. 191 
 
 rather then ours,as ifths^proéeeded ftom vs. In a wodrd that 
 he accepteth of and crow neth the beft woorkes of the holyeft 
 as rightiie good,and fmelicth vino the odor ofour fpikc-nard 
 as fauoringhim and fmelhng wel, procecdetb not o[ any iufti- 
 cient quality ofthem which they. hauc iu chemielue.s , butot 
 this, that ot his meeremercie heeconhdeicch them not rigo- 
 rouily, iuch as they are in themfelues,but regardeth and eike- 
 mcth them in him in whom it hach plcafed turn to elect vs , ôC 
 in whom it pleafcth him fo to looke on vs as to lt-kcboch ofvs, 
 and whatioeuer is prefented him by vs. For examining in rigor 
 ofthe Law the greatest godhneiïe and chantie which can bee 
 found in anie or his Saintes , it {hall bee found that in all ohhis 
 there is fo much foile and filth intermingled with that which 
 is cleane and ncate,and fo much bad among the good,fuch as 
 it is,that not oncly it is without al value to be able to mouc the 
 Lord to crow r n vs with his glorie, but contrariewiie being no- 
 thing elfe but a polluting and defiling of his graces , defer* 
 ueth nothing but condemnation if he iudgc of it according 
 vnto the merit thereof. 
 
 14 And this is the caufe why the fpoufe reftethnotonher 
 own spike-xarà, but onhcrBndegrome whomfhecompareth 
 vnto cwofweetc plantes or young trees- (for thefe names are 
 not very welknown vnto vs)hearing a gum of molt excellent 
 fweece odour, namely to die Myrrhe, and vnto that which is 
 called Gopher,* bearing^ certaine fruitç or a flo.wrcin forme 
 ofa.clufter * whereof wa&gceat aboundance in the vineplattes 
 ofEngaddi, aplaoerenaivned tafacrcdhi{torie byreafonof 
 his plenty and fertility. Let vs therefore note in this place firft 
 the manner offpeech, whicbfhievmh that the fpoufe and her 
 fpike-nard are two diftmcl: tbmges. ButthcBridegroomcis 
 himfelfe this Myrrhe and this Copher. For touching the gra- 
 ces which we hsue and concerning the fruités of them, which 
 are good works,a!l thefe are qualities not borne in vs nor with 
 vs, but are come on vs of the liberality of him, who crcatcth 
 and formeth in vs both to veil and to doc: fo that to fpeak pro- 
 perly^ is not we that fraclfweet/but the gifus: and graces of 
 
 God 
 
iji Tki Fovrtêenth Sxrmoh 
 
 God wherewith he hath endued vs^caufe vs to fmel fwcct.But 
 kis the Btidegroomc which hath alofhimfelfe,in as much as 
 he is Gcd,and giueth al vnto himfeife, in afmuch as he is man. 
 In a word it is hce that is all perfection : and that hath it in him 
 without meanc or meafurc : but to impart and communicate 
 it howe and to whom it pleafeth him , as the fragrant fiowrc 
 keepeth not his fweete fmel to it ielfejmpoureth^t forth and 
 caufeth it to be fauored and fmeJt of them which approch and 
 comencareit. And this is thecaufewhy it is faideelfevvherc 
 notoncly that this Bndegroome hath life in h\m:bux that bets 
 the hfe it (elfe ana the refvrreftion, and that hee bath life in bimfelfe, 
 yea. faith he the fpirit taketh of mine ,Ioh. 16.14. as elfewherehee 
 faithytbat he hathpmer to lay dov/xe hisfàul>andto take it to htmfclfc 
 *gaine 3 loh. 10.18. 
 
 1 5 And this is the rcafon alfo w hy he is not compared fîm- 
 plic to one graine but to an haxdfull crbundell of CMyrrhe , nor 
 co one graine alone of Copher, but to a clufter of Copher, be- 
 caufe that indeede hee giueth of his fpirit by meafure, but hee 
 hathal in himfelfe without meafure.But alas it is notvpon the 
 woorld that he hath powred this odour. Fornekher doth this 
 fmel wel vnto it ,nether doth it fmel w el vnto the Bridegrome, 
 Who is then quickned with ùùsoàowofUfeî 2. Cor. 2.1 6 . It is 
 fhc w h o h at h f his bundelofA'fyrrhe and clufter of Cosher in her ho- 
 feme , namely they who according vnto the example of the 
 bleffed virgme Marte hy vp and keepe thcxœrdes ofeternallltfe, 
 loh.6.6%.in their heartXuk.i ♦ 15 . Who hearethu rvoordeofihe 
 Lordeavd hepett, Luk. 1 1 . 2 S .and meditate ther&n date and 
 ni/rbtjPiaL 1 .2 .in nhoje hearts this rcorddxvelkth plentifully, Col. 3 • 
 1 tf.and by Coniequcnt ftftaChrtft together -wtth hufaiher , lob. 
 1 4.2 3 ,as alfo the holy Ghoftfi al.4.6.to the end that our bodies al- 
 fibe his'Tetnple^ .C or.6.1 o.Let vs therefore Jearne to difcernc 
 the painted fhew of the world from the true bcutv and boun- 
 ty, and let vs pray our good God it rcaie pleafe him to change 
 vs throughly,driuing out of our vndérftanding al filthinefTe of 
 ^failehoode and ignorance andal infeclionofour a£e<tions,ia 
 iieu whereofhauin » perfumed vs within ami without with the 
 
 odour 
 
VpohThi Fi*st Cka»tî*. ipj 
 
 odour and fweete fmcll ofhis integrity and obedience , it will 
 pleafc him to reforme vs alfo in all pureneffe and holineflc, to 
 beevnto himafweetc fmcilingfauourby his holy grace and 
 fwgular mercie. Andbccaufc that hitherto wee haue abufed 
 thefe his graces, notwkhftàndinghisio great patience, wee 
 wil demaund and craue mercy at his hands as followeth. 
 tyilmighty God&c» 
 
 Tmi Fifteenth Sermon. 
 
 Our helpe be in the name of God,&c. 
 
 It is mitten a* followeth in the fir ft Chapter of the Canticle #/ 
 Canticle r } the 15.1 ôjtnd 1 7. vcrfes* 
 
 1 j My Loue , beholdc > thou art faire , be- 
 holde thou art faire , thy cies are like Pigions 
 eies. 
 
 16 My wclbeeloued, beeholdc, thou art 
 goodlie and pleafant, ourbeddeis of greene 
 leaues . 
 
 17 The beames of our houfes are of Ce- 
 dars,and the galeries of Cypers. 
 
 I By the difcourfe at this batujuet be- flouÇe, & that tfthisfroufe tmards he/ 
 
 tweenethe Bridegroom* and the Jpoufe Bridegroom*. 
 
 we mate -under fiand and gather the vn- 5 This (pcufe findeth her felfe no o~ 
 
 fyeakeabU ioie and pleafure which the therwife beuti full then by the beames of 
 
 faithfull foule receiueth , h earing that her Bridegroomes be uty , contrarie vnto 
 
 which lefus Chrifi tefiifieth vnto it. her.who pleafeth her felfe in her felfe. 
 
 * The exceedingbeuty of the churchy 6 This Jpoufe neither feeketh after, 
 
 *nd therein it confiiteth. nor findeth anie rcpi/e and reft but in 
 
 3 What is meant by the eies of a Vi- the bed of her Bridegroom*. 
 
 &° n - 7 What this btddets which Ualwaies 
 
 4 What conueniencie and what ine- greene ,and what the pil/ers thereof are, 
 quality there is between the dileBion & which at e of perpetual cotinuance 3 oppo- 
 *>w •fthie Bridegroom* towards his fed unto thofe which are of rotten wood 
 
 Bb We 
 
ip4 Th* Fifteenth Sermon 
 
 E haue hitherto as it were accopanîed 
 the Bridegrome & the fpoufe vnto the 
 feait& banquet of the fianfailes, now 
 their holy difcourfing & talking toge- 
 ther, full ofvnfpeakeable comfort and 
 confolation isherefetdowneand de- 
 clared.For who is he that can compre- 
 hend either the loue which the bride- 
 grome by inward effects teftificthvnto 
 bis fpoufe, yea to euery faithful & belceuing foul, or the ioy & 
 contentment,\vhich the fpoufe thereby receiucth,confidciing 
 aright and eilecming the price andvaleweofthatfhoerecei- 
 ueth,& the excellency of him who voutchfafeth her fo great 
 honor. Now feing the confederation of lb great a benefit con- 
 ftraincth fuch as are moft ignorant to wifh and defire it , and 
 fuch as are molt wicked to condemn themfelucs for defpifing 
 and contemning of it,we mull bee fo much the more diligent 
 and attendue in heedful marking of thefe difcourfes of theirs, 
 that fo we may haue our part therein. 
 
 2 The Bridegroome therefore hairing called this fpoufe, 
 his /oue>orivell>e/oHed } te(\iftcth vnto her twife together, thatfhee 
 ùfeirejhatpjceisfinre.LGK. vs therefore firft confidcr the excel- 
 lency of him who fpeaketh in this place . It is the euerlafting 
 fon of God who is not decciued, to take that for faire which is 
 foule , being abufed with the forme and fafliion ofthis world, 
 x.Çorq^ i. and who fpeaketh fainedly or di{TcmbIingIy,^&f. 
 1 2.1 oVTherfore we cannot any way doubt but that the church 
 is trucly and indeed faire (feeinghc affirmeth the fame twife) 
 and therefore liking &plcafingvnto God: which we gather, 
 becaufe that not only himfelfe being bewty andbountieit 
 felfe,loucth alfo that which hath any trace and marke there- 
 of,as itisfaideinthe (torieofthe creation oftheworlde, and 
 7Vw*r£.8.30.butalfo becaufe heeexpreflygiueth vnto this 
 fpoufe the name oîloHe^vPelbeloued^ui how can this be? For, 
 heuligbt,andrvearedarckenefe i 2.CoT.6^4.\etvstzkchecdco£ 
 
 this tentation . Wee *re indeed darckenejfe bj nature s*d therefore 
 
 children 
 
VfonThë Fi rst Cha?tiiù tç$ 
 
 cbtMrtKofm-athEphzfo.i.butjeewercfifath the Apoft!e,£a* 
 nmvjearewaJhed } i.Lot.6.i i. But let vs vnderftâd this foundly 
 andfoberly, that wee plcafc noc or flatter our felucs, as alio 
 that we defpairc not . Seeing therefore the Bridcgrome is the 
 faireitamon^mcn, per fumed abonehu companions ^ Pfal. 45. 7. 
 crowned vnth boner andglorie, Heb. ç.batang a name abone euertc 
 m*me .P:uL 2 . 1 9 .yea bein g the vceibelouedfonne m whom the father 
 bath beene welpteafed, Matth. 3.17. (for although in the time of 
 Salomon, this was not accomplished in this Bridegroome ac- 
 cording vnto the flefn,yet was it accounted to bee accocnpli- 
 fliedinrefpedofthevertueand efficacy ofihismyftery, Heb. 
 1 1 . 1 /,ho w ihould not this 1 pou té be fatre and more then faire, 
 being fptrituaJlyvnited with him,fofarre, as to become pfhof 
 btsfie/h } y- bone o f h^s bones^ph, 5, ;o?This Bridegroome there- 
 fore becing made vnto vs of the father, owmfedamc , onrrtgh- 
 teo&fncffe \>o*r f net ifk at wn and redemption \ howe fhould not this 
 Quecnc be bewtifutiaxd faire yeaeuery faithful fouie? i.ûr.i. 
 jo.Butbefides that wee are in him, and that he is the true and 
 foueraigne bewtie of them v\ ho are by faith vnited with him: 
 according vnto the requelr which hee made vnto God his ta- 
 cher, fob. 1 7. 2 r .we haue this fftr it nail new birth ,by v hich vcee 
 treenesfHrttewttbhtm-,, Eph.4. 4. and not onely v\ afhed from 
 our llnnes paft, but alfo maje new creatures, to bring foorth 
 fruités of righteoufnefle according vnto the meai'ure of his 
 grace. The fpouie therefore is altogether/Iz/r* in him, and by 
 him is adorned and bewtihed in hericlfe from day to da v. A : d 
 therefore let vs aduile our felues to thinke throughly and in 
 good earnelt of his grace, making it auaileable and profitable 
 vnto vs in detefting the filth and pollution of this worlde, to 
 be altogether dedicated and confecrated vnto him , who cal- 
 leth vs out of fuch filthy and foule darcknefle ,and guide th vs 
 more and more into this moftc/eare and admirable h* ht, 1 .Per. 
 2.9. And ifno man can like to be imutted and blatched in his 
 face, let vs leame much more to detdt the fpots and blots of 
 the foule. And if men do fo greatly efteeme the fauor of kings 
 indprinccs ; lec vs much more efteeme of the loue of this great 
 f • Bb 2 forme 
 
t0c1 TheFifïîenth Sermon 
 
 fonne of God, who callcth vs \\\%welbeloued y and who hath lo- 
 ucd vs fo farre as to beitowe on vs the proper glory of his 
 kingdome,c#i4/£. 25. 34.Lw^.22. 2^.7{om.S. 17. 
 
 3 It folioweth which the Bridegroome faith, namely That 
 the ties of his $f ou fear e like Ptgionseies . It is not without excee- 
 ding great reafon that the Bridcgroome marking foorth vnto 
 Ysthe beutie ofhisfpoufefpeakethfpccia]ly#/"6fr ties. Foras 
 the face and countenance of a man is the part whereby hec is 
 beft knowen and iudged of, in fuch fort that a faire face couc- 
 reth al the imperfections of the reft of the bodic , and contra- 
 xivvife nothing feemeth faire if the face be foule and ill fauou- 
 red.-fo there is no part of the face morefpartling and enticing 
 then the tie] and eipecially in matter of loue the ties arc the or- 
 dinarie windowes by which this afïeétion entereth vnto the 
 bottome of the hart whether it be chair , (example whereofis 
 that which hapned vnto Iacob touching Rachel) or whether 
 kbevnchaft,asithapncdvntoDauid,2.SrfJw.i i.2.andas Iefus 
 Chrift thereof lpeaketh,(J*£*r, 5.28. but wee muft vnderftand 
 al this foundly.We know that the Pigion among al other birds 
 is gentle and icareful,which appeareth fpecially in his eies: in 
 fuch fort that to fhew ; e vs the gendenefle and mildneffeofour 
 Lord Iefus Chrilt the hotte Ghofl defcended on him in the forme of 
 aDoueJAzz. 3. 16. To iliew therefore the correfpondencie& 
 aunfwerablenefle which isbetweene this Bridcgroome and 
 his fpoufc,as fhee which is guided by the fame fpiritc, 7^w.8. 
 I4.hccfcndeth v s \nto the fimp/icitjr of the Doue, Matth.io. 16. 
 which is oppofed vnto this doubling,diiTcmbling and corrupt 
 nature of ours vntill the holy Ghoft make vs true Ifiaehtes, 
 Ioh. 1 .47. as alfo the defcription of a true faithful man impor- 
 tcth,Pfa. 1 5 .To this vertuc alfo is manifestly oppofed the pride 
 which appeareth in the ties of them , who arc hauty and high- 
 minded,asitisfaidbyDauid, Pfat.i 01. 5-aDd 131. 1. yea dire- 
 ctly oppofed vnto christian meeknelTe , which teacheth vs to 
 containe ourfelues within the limites of our vocation, i.Cor. 
 *], 20, that we de fire to know no more then we ought to know. Rom. 1 2 9 
 I .to bec lowly and meeke in heart according Ynto the example of 
 ~T the 
 
VponThe First Charte*. ïpy 
 
 theBridegromchimfelfe,^* 1 1. 29. compared not without 
 caufe vnxoaLamb , Efay.5 3.7.WC know alio that an vnclcan. 
 heart is fhewcn & betraied by flyring and wanton êtes, wher- 
 of mention is made,i .M.2.1 6.and 2/7^.2.14 enuie alio ap- 
 pearethinathwartlooke, UMat. 20.1 5.viccsvttcrlie repug- 
 nant vnto purenes,modcftie,meekne$,and loue,vertues requi- 
 red in all Christians, which thing is obferued in thcfc kinde of 
 birdes,by thofe who haue written of the nature of bcatts. And 
 therefore let cuery one here accufe himfelfe,confidering how 
 farrc fuch arc from hauing Pigions <r/>/,who arc giuen tocrafc 
 and cofinage , to pride and contempt of God and men , adul- 
 tcrers,dillolute in behauiour,apparel and countenaunce,both 
 men and weomcn,enuious, quarelfome , deuouring one ano- 
 ther in pleas & actions. And where is this filthines found? Eue 
 in the midtt of vs who call our fclucs the reformed Church. A- 
 las on what titlc,ifa man lookc vpon the life of a great part a- 
 mong vs , which doubtles the Lord wil do and not refpedt, our 
 falfe and vainc mew and appearance? 
 
 4 But let vs confequently hearken vnto the aunfwerc of 
 the fpoufe. My welbclottedfaui (he. Bchold,it feemeth here is a 
 great familiarity wkd towardes fo great a Lord of heaucn and 
 ofearth.lt is true. But the mouth muft fpeak of the abundance 
 ©fthe heart . lbeleened y faith Dauid , and therefore I haue ffoken, 
 Pfal.n 6. 1 o.This loue therefore is mutual and reciprocahand 
 feeing that fuch fpeech cannot proceede but from faith,i .Cor. 
 J 2.5 .it cannot be but acceptable vnto God, who takcth plca- 
 fure to bee loued and honoured of his . But notwithstanding 
 there is great difference betweene the loue of the Bridegrome 
 towards his fpoufe,and that of the fpoufe towardes theBride- 
 groomc . The one is of meere gratuity, hauing no other foun- 
 taine but the infinit goodnes and companion of God , fo farrc 
 to loue this poorc and miferable creature, Ioh. 3 . 1 6. & Rom 
 5. 8.The other is vpon an infinite obligation , not onely of the 
 creature towards the crcator,but which is more, of her which 
 was fo dearly raunfomed from finne,dcath, and helI,towardcs 
 her raott bountiful and liberal! Sauiour.The one gocth before 
 
 Bb 3 and 
 
to8 The Fifteenth Sermon 
 
 & prefcntesît felfc fiift,the other fol loweih. The firfl precee* 
 ding from himfelfeengcndreth the other in vs of mccr grace. 
 For ourwel-domg reachethnot vnto jW,Pfal. 1 6. 2.to whom no- 
 thing can be added , & from who.» nothing can be taken.Buc 
 al the good and profit which can proceede from the Jouc that 
 a faithfull foule beareth vnto his Sauiour, returncth to it felfe, 
 becaute it pleafeth God to honour them who honour him y Gen. 2 2. 
 26\i .Sam.2.3 o.Pfal.o 1 .i^And who wil not cry out with the 
 Prophet/ayingj^/W is man that thou vohchjafefl to know him>& 
 the Jons of men that thou wilt haue care of them} Pfal.8. 5.2nd. 1 44. 
 3 .And zgzineJVhatfhal I render vnto the lo> d? Alhx benefits fur- 
 mount mine vnderflanding , I will take the cup of acknowledgement of 
 faluations,and Iwtlpratfe his name, Pfal. 1 1 6, 1 2. 
 
 5 The fpoufe addeth , Beholde thouart goodly and fleafant. A 
 mod true fpecch.For what is there in rclpeét of this great faui- 
 our fo goodly or fo pleafant > Of whom the Prophet fpcaking 
 (whonotwithftandingfawhimnotbutafarreofF,//^.ir.i $. 
 .and through the fhadowes of the La w J/ fiat faith he Jrefàtùfc 
 cdwhe 'thy glory fiai op >pazr,Pfal.i 7. 1 5. But befides this, we muft 
 note that (lie which fpeakcth heere,is fhec onelie,who know- 
 ing what this bcuty is,albeit her felfe were truly faire , & heard 
 her beautie commended by her Bridegroome,itaieth not her 
 felfe notwithstanding rhereon.but feemes {he would faie,thac 
 as for her felfe,all her beauty is nothing vnto her, but that it is 
 her Bridegroome who is mdccdegoodlj and worthy to be loo- 
 ked on,as alfo hereon it is that fhe altogether reftcth her felfe. 
 The poor Paynimsand not our wife Salomon oneIie,/V<w.27. 
 2.could tel wel enough how to blame & diflike of them , who 
 gaze on their owne feathers,& praife théfelues.And how may 
 wee cal the alTembly of them, the fpoufe of the Lord,that is to 
 faie, the true Church,who allcadge their vertues and mérites, 
 though they had an hundred times more then they attribute 
 vnto themfelues? This faie they , thinking thus to excufe the 
 matter, proceedeth not only from our felucs , but from grace 
 alfo, with the which if we were not preuentrd and accompa- 
 nied^ eecoulde merit nothing at all. As much faid the proud 
 
 Pharilee, 
 
Vpon The First Chapter. 109 
 
 Pharifee,L#£.8..i i. as if chat grace were therefore giuen vs to 
 fauc our fclues by the value of works mingled with the merit 
 of leius Chnft.Tolet pafle the other error of theirs altogether 
 inexcufeablc,that they recken their moft manifeft and notori- 
 ous iuperltitions for mérites alfo. On the contrarifide what is 
 the language of the true church of the Lord? Not vntovs o lord, 
 tiot vnto vsjbut vnto thy name giue thegloriefor thy truth andboun- 
 ttesfakefiizl.i i 5.1 What am //aid Dauid that great ieruant of 
 god,<2r what is my fathers houfejhat thou bringeft me fofar} 2. Sam. 
 7. 1 8. And what faith the Apoftle of Abraham the father of the 
 belceuing? Trufyfahh \it,tf Abraham were iuftified by rvoorkesjhe 
 hath whereof to boaft y but not before God, Rom.4.2 . And the chil- 
 dren ofGod what aunfwere doc they returne the Lord giuing 
 them teftimony of their good life in the later day? lord, whefaw 
 vpethee hungry & thirfty&c ?Mat.25.3 7»Let vs therefore apply 
 our felues vnto the ftudie of good workes, which are the bcu- 
 tie giuen vnto the Church of God,and know we that God wil 
 begin them in vs,as it is he who doth them in vs,beftowing on 
 vs freely both the willing andthe âoingJP\\\\.2.i 3. but by his onc- 
 ly grace, freely bellowed in him in whom alone he acccpteth 
 ofvs^Ephefi.è.znà not for any value or merit of them. For not 
 onlic we haue nothing but of free gift, 1. G?r.4.7.butalfoB^0 
 We haue done al,wefhal be nothing but vnpro f table fer uantes to that 
 mafter who hath nothing to doc neither with vs nor with our 
 woorks; Luk. 1 7.1 o.as alio the Apoftle (peaking of thofe who 
 are moft righteous faith , that euerlafttng life is the gift of God by 
 lefus ChriftRom.j.i 3 . 
 
 6 Finally the fpoufe faith:0#r bedisgreen,the beams of our hou- 
 fes are of Cedar ;& our galleries ofCypershs touching the bed,this 
 may be meat not of a couch to fleep on,but of the mancr they 
 vfed of old in taking their repaft, not fitting but halfe lying 
 on cufhins,as the proper fignification of the word importeth 
 which the fpoufe aboue vled^ryTi 2. This may bee alfo ve- 
 ry well referred vnto that which is faid of the greenes, name- 
 ly,as if it were made of grecne grafle.Notwithftanding there 
 is nothing Icttcth why k m ay not be taken alfo for a couch or 
 
 bed 
 
tcti The Fifteenth Sehmow 
 
 hcd, whereon men repofe & reft themfelues . Nowe m what 
 fortfoeuerit bee taken 3 the fpoufc doth lightly fay that this 
 bedisgreene..tofhewhowplcafant that pace is vbtchthevorld 
 cannot gt*e y loh.i^.i'jjtettber yet take axait, Ioh.i6'.2 2.which 
 repofe is not found but in Ieius Chàft alone,C/?£*M i ,2o.fec- 
 in g there is no condemn at ten m tlxrru rrhtch Are m htrrUy Rom. 8. 1 » 
 And this is the reafon wherefore this fpoufe, yea euerie of the 
 faithfull is compared vnto a goodly tree abc ai es greere andbearincr 
 fruttepîali.i.&çi. 1 5. And Saint Peter faith that owcrortr.e 
 umcorrttftibk.Thit which is added^ofbeames of Cedar,& ga- 
 leries of Cpyers or other fuch wood , hauing refpect vnto the 
 buildings and paiJaces of kings couercd flat w ith battlements 
 and galeries on the top,tendcth vnto the fame end,namely 3 to 
 (be w vs by the fimilitude of thefe two fortes of odoriferous & 
 not putrifiyng trees y that the ioyning and coupling of this 
 Bridcgromc w ith this fpoufc withdraweth vs from the /tench 
 and corruption of the woorld , making of our fouies & bodies 
 fo many Temples , diftinctly confidcred, dedicated vnto God, 
 2 .Cor.6. 1 6. and Ioh. 1 4.2 5 .as being joined together they are 
 caJled hutngftones for the building of this one and fpirituall 
 Temple, namely ofthe church truely Catholique & Yniuerfai, 
 l.Pet.2.5. 
 
 7 Neither muft we forget that fhe maketh diftinét menti- 
 on hrftof thebeames, and then or the galeries : naming the 
 principal proppes and (taies ofthis buildingj meane the Pro- 
 phets and Apoftles, who yet to this day quicken &giue life 
 vnto the Church of God, by their holy writings preached 
 and expounded thereinj£/)^.2.2C.Such therefore is this houfc 
 ofthe Lord and the habitation ofthe true Church, & not this 
 lakes built vpon mens traditions with mouldy and rotten 
 wood which hach fome faire fhew at the hd\ blufh 5 but being 
 tried 10 the day ofthe Lorcc it is incontinently coniumed like 
 hay cxftubble, i.Cor. 5. 1 3. before that coniuming fire which 
 is fpoken cf. Pfd 50.;. But to conclude/eeing the Cedar and 
 the Cypers wood is fuch 5 as no continuance of time caalTault 
 with rottenneflc or corruption^ hat meane they to doe, who 
 
 haue 
 
VponThï First Chapter. i6ï 
 
 baue taken vpon them to pul downe thefc bcames & galeries?. 
 What is this but to think to ruinate and ouerthrow that which 
 is built vpon the mofl higbeft, and whofekingdome is without ettd % %% 
 the Angell Gabriellwitncfieth vntothc blefied virgin Mary, 
 £«<^i .3 3 .Now feeing it is in this houfc ofCedar,& ofCyper* 
 that he raigncth,namcly in the true Sion which fhall neuer be 
 fhaken or rcmooucd, the rvorde of the Lorde endnrwgfor cucr % 
 I .Pet. i .2 j.God giuc vs grace to be wel lcated fbr eucr in this 
 holy houfe.and pray we^it may pleafc him to bewtifie vs with 
 his holy fpirite more and more , that wee may bee vnto him a, 
 fwcet lmcl in our true Bridegromc , & finally may raign with 
 him for euer: which thing w ce will craue at his handes, with a 
 true confeffion & dcteftation of our faults, defiring him par- 
 don and forgiuencfle as followcth. Alrmghtte God, &c. 
 
 THE END OF THE SERMONS 
 VPON THE FIRST CHAPTER. 
 
 Cc 
 
SERMONS ON THE SECOND CtfAPTEK OF THE 
 
 CjiT&lCLE OF C-*liJlCLES. 
 
 The Sixteenth Sermon. 
 Our help be in the name of God &c. 
 // u written m foUov et h ht the fécond Chapter of the Cafttieîe of 
 Canttc/es, verf I . and 2. 
 
 i lam the rofc of Saron, and the lilly of 
 thevalleis. 
 
 2 As the Lilly among the thornes, fuchis 
 my loue among the daughters. 
 
 1 The mofi happiee flute and condi- thers, and finally re allie exhibited. 
 tion of the fj>oufe confifieth herein , that J H hetefore ihe Bridegrtome made 
 
 flje krioweth what the exeellencie of her (hoi je of the fimilithde of fitters. 
 Bridegrome it , who mutualité declare t h 6 The allegory of the whitenejfeofthe 
 t/n:oher,the good that hee will doe and Lilly ^nd the couler of the rofc is tneft fit- 
 hath dene her. tingandagreeable to reprejtnt vntovs 
 
 2 In what fort it it lawfull to be a wit- the qualities of this Bridegroome. 
 
 mes to ones f elfe in hit ownfraife^ that 7 H herefire the ffoufe it compared 
 
 •ur faluation beginneth from that which unto a Lillie afwelas the Bridegrocme. 
 
 Codhaihreueaiedusto knowhimby. 8 The church here be lew is a ùwaiei en* 
 
 3 Thefirfitefiimonie which Ccd hath uironed and intermingled with thomes. 
 fiuen ~js ofhimfelfe by natural things. 9 That they dcceiv.t themf clues undo- 
 
 4 The fécond manifefiatio of gods good iherswhc thinJsjo agree light and darl^* 
 wil towards men by the preaching of the ties t ogitker. Mid how » rtr mttfi ù chaut 
 gojpelfrmifed and figured vnto the fa- turfelues among thefe thornes. 
 
 HE wife man hauirg (hewed vsby 
 his owne experience in the book go- 
 ing before this , that there is nothing 
 or this world in this woorld, w hereon 
 we ought to reft our felucs,therein to 
 feek a contentmét & allured fehchie, 
 but that wee mull mount a degree 
 higher namely vnto the creatorot the 
 world which is one onely God , hath 
 propofed vs the praétife hereof in the chapter t;oing before of 
 this Canticle in her who is callc d the fi?nceci or fpoufe of the 
 Bridegroom,Imcan the church fpiriruaiJy linked & knit with 
 ii.j Cc 2. our 
 
104 The First Sermon 
 
 our Lord Icfus Chrift her head, in v\ horn (he feekcth and fin- 
 deth w hatfocuer (he can dcfire,though {he yet in effect enioi- 
 cth but a fmal portion of thofc benefices andbleffings which 
 are obtained her by this bond, the fui confummatiô wherforc 
 fheeexpeéteth and lookcth after with a marucilous ardent 
 longing and arfl ction. And hitherto is it that this alfo tendeth 
 which \vc are now to expound , as alfo all the reft of this Can- 
 ticle or Song , in which vndcr the figure of a marriage fcaft 
 and banquct,and of mutual kind cntertaincment of the Bride- 
 groome and the fpoufe each tow ards other, vfing in their dif- 
 courfinges diuerle lingular fimilttudes , is rcpreienced vnco vs 
 buth the pcrfccl excellency of this Bndegroome, as alfo the 
 molt happie ettate and condition of this fpoufe , to forme and 
 breed in vs a defire of preferring Icfus chrili & his kingc.ô be- 
 fore al things,be mg throughly incorporated into this church, 
 which is the company ofthe faithful figured out & rcprefeted 
 by this QuecR.7 he Bridegroom therfore fpcaking here firit of 
 himfelfe,comparethhimlelfe vnto two molt goodly and moft 
 odoriferous and fweet fmelling fio ii ers aboue al other, w hich 
 are the Rofe & the Lilly, applying afterward vnto his fpoufe the 
 fame fimilitude ofthe Rofe. Which the fpoufe hearing com- 
 pareth him firft vnto *sî goodly a^lc-tree ftd of mofi flcafawtt and 
 txceedtngfiveete fruit. 
 
 2 Now for the firft we maie not thinke it Itraunge that the 
 Bridegroomc commendeth himfelfe, contrary vnto the lcflbn 
 which Salomon himfelfe hath giuen and let downe , Prou.-j 2. 
 2. As indeede wee fee how the Apoftlc becing conltraincd to 
 fpeakemore magnificently ofhimfclfe to eftabhfhhisautho- 
 rity Apoftolicaljis fain to vie a preface in that bchalfe,& com- 
 plaincth that he is forced to do,as foolifh men are v\ ont to ào, 
 who preach their ovvnc praifes. But it is another thing in God 
 then in men. For men are naturally ambitious and can hardhc 
 praife & commend themfelues,but they arc ttraightway tick- 
 led with fome opinion of themfclues,attnbuting the w hole or 
 at leaf! fome parr ofthe whole vnto themfelues , as if it waxrd 
 ia their ownc garden, whereas they hauc nothing but of free 
 
 gift 
 
VponTme Second Chapter, ioj 
 
 giftjt . Cor. 4. 7.bcfîdcs that they know not how to keepe the*» 
 io cither rule or meafure . And this is the c aufe why iuch as arc 
 wife arc To far from praiiing and commending ot thcmlelues, 
 that they cannot hearc thcmfclues praiicd in their ownc pre* 
 fence , but they mull bluin:and if it De io that they mult needs 
 ipcakc of thofe graces which rhey haue rccciucU of ^od,they 
 doc it alwaicsin iuch fort thattneycuer attribute the whole 
 vnto the giuer, as Saint Paul is wont to doc in moiicxpreilc 
 termes, 1. Cor.i 5. io.kceping therein a good meafure, 1 •Çor.q. 
 4. As like wife it tneyniuft commend another they faile not to 
 mddc,that the praiie thereof pertaineth vnto God ,a wknetic 
 whereof may be the ordnanc beginning the fame Apolilc v- 
 feih in his i£piitles,fo«M .8. 1 .Cor.i ,4 Eph.i^.Pbil.i.^.^b/.i § 
 3.i.7^/.i.2.and2.7^yri.3.Butwhcnthelordcomrnendcth 
 himfclfc , bclides that hee cannot laie fo much of himielfe but 
 that there is ltill a great dealc more remaining, w hich makctfa 
 his teftimony of himfclfe molt certaine & iurc,/»6.8.i 4. he ca- 
 not alio doe it vpon ambition. For all honour and glone is due 
 to him alone, and nothing can bee added vnto or taken from 
 him. Neither doth he this but to mouc vs thereby and to draw 
 xs out of the world. 
 
 g But this he doth in two forts opening his holy mouth to 
 teach vs.Firit to make vs to vnderftand the language of his vi« 
 (ible and fcniiblc creatures, which ought to be vnderfroode of 
 eucric o ne.& is notw ithftanding vnknow é vnto the molt part 
 of men . For w hen he callcth himfclfc Almighty and etcrnall 
 Creator, moft patient, and yet notwithlianding moll iuft and 
 righteous , he doth as a malter painter, who fliould paint cer- 
 taine figures in a table,not to ftay his fc holers in the outwarde 
 view and contemplation of that which the painting doih out- 
 v ardly figure & reprefent.but to make them thereby to know 
 things greater and inuifiblc by thofc vrfiblc representations ÔC 
 Images. For examplcjthc picture whereof the w orld made aft 
 terwardes a detcftablc Idol, called Satnt Cbriftopherjnis neuer 
 the picture or pourtrait of any man of that name: but was firft 
 inuenxed to reprcfem the condition and iiatc of cucry chriiti- 
 
 Ccj a* 
 
ic£ Tub Fmsr Si*mok 
 
 an called Chriflâphmujihxt is to fay,bcanng in effect the name 
 cf lefu* C-hntt, namely the burden of his Crofic^and pafling as 
 a mighty gyant through the gulteot this wcorlde, w th the 
 felt and proppc otfAtih, ieruing him as it w ere for a (taire, bee- 
 ing guided aiwaics by the meancs ot the light ofthc worde 
 vnio the haucn. And thence it came to palle that becaufc the 
 Chriliians could neuct abide any Image or portrairc to bee 
 broughc into the alkmbly and congregation of Chriliians, 
 thcie Saint Chriitophers ate yet remaining in the church por- 
 ches: as alio the figure of that,tor which they haue made their 
 iaint George . But the diueli iound arterwardes lhe meane to 
 bring into the Church both theic pi&ures, and a million of 
 f\\ armes of other Iaolcs,eucn to put God and his trueth out of 
 coores . To returnc vnto my matter, the frame ot this w orlde 
 (as, befides that which the blinde Paynimsthemfelucs haue 
 in this bchalfe obfcrued,the w hole Scripture teachcth vs, Pfa/ m 
 ïp.and 1 45. and elicw here almoft throughout, & namely the 
 Apoitle,2<^w.i. and zsitls.i 7. in that excellent Sermon of his 
 vhichhe niadeat Aihcns / is a plain andexccllentpreaching, 
 cfthecternallwiiedome, power, and bountieof God. But 
 When god fpeaking either vnto his feruants,or by his feruants, 
 declarcth vs the fame , nee is then as it were a verbal expoiuor 
 of that which many (w ere it not for this / w ould neucr obferue 
 in the contemplation of the heauens , or of the earth, or of o* 
 ther the creatures ot God. And hereunro wemuftrcferrea 
 great number of places of the holy Scripture , w hich are as it 
 were a gioilcana commentarie of that which the good and 
 goodly creatures of God doe cetufic vnto vswithoutfpeakc* 
 
 jng. 
 
 4 Secondly becaufe this whole manifeftation of Gods fo 
 
 great and magnificent maiclly, could not but altcmfh vs, n3y 
 conaemr:evb ; & make vs altogether in(xcufcable 5 /?^w_-.i. 20. 
 Therefore hath God reuealed and imnifcftedfron> he auen an 
 other more notable & excellent m\ ftcriej me anc the gcfpel-, 
 announcing andpieaching vnto vs the free reconciliation or 
 God with vs, together with ai the vexcue of the ipintc ol God, 
 
 to 
 
VponThiï Sscos'n Ch aptère 107 
 
 to enlighten and to chaungc our heatts : wherein God «gaine 
 vfech the mcancs of vihble thinges , but yet after a mancr and 
 fafhron ibmewhat diuerfe and different trom the former . For 
 as concerning the firit point which we haue touched, the lord 
 makethhimieifeasitwerethe expounder of the book of na- 
 ture. But in this fécond point hee vicih his creatures to a more 
 excellent end, and fuchaspaffeth and gocth beyond the end 
 of their creation 3 that is to wit,to aide and hclpc vs to concciuc 
 this high and fupcrnaturall fecrctofourfaluacion and of the 
 author thercofthe fonne of god, and of that v\ hich dependeth 
 thereon , in afmuch as he takcth and dravveth from theic cor- 
 poral & viiible things, Similitudes , ayding & helping greatly 
 for the concerning ofthinges fpintual. Thisappearethbyin- 
 finit (imilitudes & parables or companions found in thehoJie 
 Scriptures,and efpecially in the hiltory of the gofpel, which if 
 we haue well rooted and planted in our memorie, there is no- 
 thing can prcfent & offer it felfe vnto our eies which induccth 
 vs not to think on God to dedicate our whole life vnto hirn. 
 
 5 In this place therefore according Yiuo this cultomable 
 fnanncrof doing, the Bridcgroome which is IefusChri(t,pro- 
 pofeth vnto our vnderftanding his beutie & excellcncic, com- 
 paring himfelfe vnto two flowers the Refe and the Lilly, yea to 
 a Rofe of the faireft which were in all the countrie, being molt 
 likely that fuch were they of the champion of Sat on , wherof men- 
 tion is made,£^w.3 3.9 & 1. tfbron.z-j.i 9. znd ^#.0.3 5 .as if we 
 being in Fraunce fhould faie , a Rofe of Prouincc . Neither is ic 
 •without caufe that this comparifon was chofenin this place 
 by the holie Ghcft.Fôr if we confider well and narrowly of all 
 fortes of flowers,we fhal finde that among al the creatures wc 
 fee here below with our eies,there js none more admirable, or 
 which fecmcth rather fent from hcauen , then to come out of 
 the cartK.thcn a flower,how final fo euer hee be,whether wee 
 regard the pure and fubtil matter it is compofed of,or whether 
 wee confider the workemanfhip more then admirable which 
 appeareth in themror whether we refpeft the colours wherc- 
 jvith they arc checked and diaprcd ; or whether wee «and on 
 
 the 
 
îo8 Thi FirstSermon 
 
 the fweetefauourand fmcll which procccdcth from them, or 
 finally whether wcclooke vnto the truites and îccées which 
 Spring from them according vnto their înrinic diueric kindes. 
 So that there needeih but the lealt flower that is to conuic-l all 
 the Athciits & mockers of the v\ ootlde of the infinie power dc 
 wifedomcofGod. And therefore it is not without cauie thac 
 the Lord Luk^i 2.27 .laith,thattf/flbr glorie & glttieri>:goj Sdomï 
 U not comparable to one bleveeà Ltllte of 1 be field, 1 rue it is th at flo- 
 wers arc of little continuance, for the which caufe the Scrip- 
 ture doth otten times reprcient and compare our poore and 
 fraile condition vnto a flower, which is foone laded and wi- 
 th cred,as, £/W.40.7.and/*£.i4.2.and 1 . /^r.i.24. but wee 
 mu(t apply (imihcudcs no farther then vnto the enciC they arc 
 referred . 
 
 6 1 faic therefore that this fimilitudc taken from thefc two 
 mod faire and exceeding fwect flow crsabouc al othcx,is maiv 
 uailousfitand proper to reprefent this Bridegroomc vnto vs, 
 as it were in a glaflc of the moit faire and beutifuUt . There is 
 nothing more whiic and neate then the whitcneflc ota Lilly t 
 otherw ife^called the LtUy of the valleies, becaule it growcth c- 
 fpecially in fuch places. Andwhoishee thatcommcthneerc 
 vnto the puritieand rightcoufnesef him in whom there was 
 neucr found anic fpot neither without , nor w ithin,who is the 
 holy of holies, the only righreoufnes and innocency of w horn 
 was able to appcafe the wrath of GodPAfmuch may bee (aide 
 of the white Rofe. But if we lift rather to compare this Bride- 
 groome vnto the damask or fcarlet Rofijncc fhal be yet better 
 represented vnto vs, nor according vnto that diuine nature» 
 inuifiblc and incomprehcnfible , ciltin&Jy confidcred and by 
 it lcife; but in as much as he is the fonnc mamfcitedfthat is to 
 faic made vifiblc & true man, in our bodily nature.For among 
 ai the couiours of the wporld,ts the dy of the fcarlet Rofe is the 
 moif excellent that maie be found, fo rher is none which doth 
 more hucly and naturally reprcient thccoulourofmansrlcfli 
 
 3uicke ano temperately coloured. What is then this icarlctof 
 amaskc flcûuolor&>/*? It is the great iecrct of our religion, 
 
 namely 
 
VponThs Second Chapter. 209 
 
 Mmcly the true Jome of God, numifefledinflejh^ufltfiedmffirite, 
 feene of tAngch < f reached vnto the Gentiles , beleeuedon m the world, 
 twdreceiuedvp intoglorie, I . Tim. 3 . 1 6.thi$ is that elder brother t 
 Kom.S.2pjhefa/refiofalme?(zl^.^jhiaùourfoHeraignehigh 
 frieftJjolyyWithoHt sjot of fmnejef orated from fmner s y exalted aboue 
 the heavens, Hcb.7. 2 6. crowned wit h glorie and honour 3 Hcb. 2. ç» 
 who hath a name aboue al names ,Phil.2. 9. .But how is he afcended 
 vnto his degree t By the differing of his death, eucn the death 
 of the croflejP^r/.i.S.BehoIde then a gaine a Rofe not onelic in 
 part died , but all red with that blood by the which our finnes 
 are warned . Such was hec when Pilate hauing fcourged him 
 brought him forth vnto the people & {z\à y bch$ld the man. Such 
 was hce when hec was al bathed with his owne bloode on the 
 erode beaten for our Rnncs jvoundedfor our tniqmticsjorne anddtsf- 
 jruredferourtranfgreffîons,Eùiic.53 . 5-Andvshat was then the 
 Dcuty of this Rofe} Trulie obfeured, nay put out for a litle time 
 and defaced,f/^.2.9.fofarre as that this Bridcgrome became 
 to be more vile then a tvorme of the earthjPfol. 2 1.6. But feeing obe- 
 dience is alwaies more faire and pleafant vnto Çod thenjacrifice , 1 . 
 Sam. 1 }.2 2. and there was neucr obedience like vnto that of 
 thecrofle/P^/^.S. it followeth that this Rofe wis euen then 
 before God in his perfected g!ofTc and bcuty , albeit it was îo 
 died with bloode , not which (taincth and blotteth,but which 
 doth awaic the (raines and blots of the woorlde. Which thing 
 maie fecme to hauc been figured and reprefented (clean con- 
 trarie to the meaning of Pilate and HerodJ both by the purple 
 robe wherewith Pilate clad him being altogether bloody,/^. 
 ïp.j .which is correfpondent &aniwcring to thisyctfr/rf &?/?.• 
 as by the white robe which Herod put vpon him to mock him 
 withal, Lul^ 2 2. 7. which is and may be referred vnto the fitni- 
 litude of the Lilly. Naic which more is,at this daie,yca and be- 
 fore the ad of this rcall and indeedc bloodic oblation , and in 
 the ait it fclfc,and mice vnto the end and confummation of 
 the woorfd ,yca vnto all eternity ,if this Rofehzd not appeared 
 before God the father , and did not fttll appcarc , and fliouJdc 
 hereaftcr,to be fircne and fmcit of him; there had neuer been, 
 
 Dd nor 
 
tie> TheFirst Sêimos 
 
 norlliou]dnocnowhauebeene,oratanictime hereafter aoic 
 ipouie ofthis Bndegroome,that is to faie,neither Church nor 
 eternal and eucrlaitinghappines and felicity . For in whom is 
 it that is to laic, in reipect of whom is it)thc father hath cho- 
 i'en nis Church from cuerlailing ? In Icfus Chnft who was to 
 bee that w hich hce was made, and to doe that w h ich hee hath 
 done for his elect in his determinated and appointed time, 
 Ephef.i,^.2nà Gai.^^'m whom was he appealed from the be- 
 ginning I In the Lambjwho in reipect of the effect, w as flainc 
 fince the wound & lore was made ,cyfpoc.i .12.10 w horn had 
 theLawerefpect? To this Bricegrocmc who fhould accom- 
 plish it and hath accomplished ano fulfilled it in his time, Gai, 
 3.2; . and w ho is the bodie and fubftaunce of the figures and 
 fhadowesofthelaw ceremonial rCW. 2.1 7. In a word,although 
 the act ofthis bloodv facrihcc,and of this onelv obiaticn once 
 for almade,//^. 1 Cji4.be palled alreadie,and that Iefuschnft 
 iiueth and raigneth as a victorious Lord ouer death , Rom.ô.ç, 
 hauing led his enemies captiue in triumph , Ephef.ô.S.ya. u ot- 
 v.ithftanding before the father , vnto whom there is nocir.e- 
 renceoftimepaft, prefent,ortocome,the woundes ofthis 
 Bridegroomc, wherewith this Rofe is bathed, do as Imaiefo 
 faic.alwaicsbleedefre^ and ihalblcedeforeuer. holding it ill 
 ex appeafing the wrath & anger of God the father. And what 
 doe we euene dar,v\ hether it be in hearing and receiuing this 
 word and giuing him thankcs,or whether it be fpecially in the 
 celebration of the holy fupper , but renew and rerrefh the me- 
 moneofhis death and paiTion, not to offer him vp againein 
 facrifice (for this were to deniehisrcall oblation once roraH 
 made. and tor euer* but as it were to pTefent him.beeing yet,as 
 I mav fo iaie.cucry daic faenficed^and as it were ihi blooey,™ 
 afmuch as we fct his death & paflîô between god £c vs,*as the 
 onîv foundatiô both ofour faith as alio of our hope. Andther- 
 fore let vs know that w ithout wee preient vncothe father tfcfs 
 Tiofc throughout red , & this Liih altogether white & pure, 
 neither we nor our pravcrs can be acceptable vnto him: of the 
 W hich flowers, if the coulor , which is a wit neûe or the obedi- 
 ence 
 
VponThh Second Chapter. hi 
 
 ence and fatisfaétion and innoccncic of this[Bridcgroomc,bc 
 plcafing and acceptable ynto god , the odour of them figured 
 by the perfumes of the Law, as we haue in our fermons going 
 before at large declared,is much more fweete& pleafant vn- 
 to him. And this is it which we haue ro confider in this Bridc- 
 grome to be thereby (tirrcd vp and moued to ioyne our iciues 
 éucry day nearer and nearer with him. 
 
 7 Let vs heare now what he faith ofhis fpoufe,to the ende 
 to make vsthemoredeiiroustocnioy her companie. Like as 
 the Lrdy, fa i t h h e ,among ike thorncsfo is my hue among the daxgh- 
 tcrs.We haue alrcadie fpoken of this moft excellent name and 
 wdeede precious of Loue or Welbe-loucd>vnùtt which is com- 
 prifed al marier of blerTrng,and the fountainc and fpring from 
 whence it floweth , which is the meerelie free loue ofGod to- 
 wards them,who are by nature his enemies,/^. 3 . 1 6.and Rom. 
 6. 1 o.and therefore without farther (landing hereon, wee will 
 onelie confi Jcr the caufc^s wherefore the fpoufe is hcere com- 
 pared vnto a Lilly , and wherefore >hefe words among tht thorn s 
 are added. The faithful/the affemblie and company of whom 
 in one mylticalbodie of Iefus Chrift is called the Churchy are 
 compared lbmetimes to goodly trees bearing fruit at al 'times ,Pf I. 
 fometimes vnto palm trees & CedarsofLibantts,Pf.a2. 1 ^.forrteV 
 times vnto i.fruitfulvine^Pfzl.So.p .in this place fhc is coparcd 
 by herBndegrome vnto aLillj&s himfelfwasalfo called zltUf 
 in the verfe going next before , to flic we vs the agreeablencfle 
 and conueniencc betweene thefe two. Bcholde therefore two 
 Lilly plantes t both of them mod faire and moft fwecte . But the 
 firft is a Lilly of himfelfe and in hrmfelfe , ycafo perfect a one, 
 •shath no fault or blcmifh in it. But this fécond beeing ofit 
 felfc a dead plant and infc£ted,is made a Ltlhe , by drawing of 
 the nature and iuyce of the true £///*? whereunto it is incorpo- 
 ratedrclcane contrary vnto that which falleth out in graffesof 
 rriensplantihg T in which the graffe remaining (tillinhisowne 
 nature,the"wild frock on which he was grafted, is altered and 
 chaunged.Such are the faithful called goodly fruitful trees , but 
 it is by vertueof the water, which isalwaicsat the fboteef 
 
 Dd 2 their 
 
211 THB FlR*T SfGLMOU 
 
 theirroote,?^i.3.vvho are called PMmtJéUià Cedars, Initie it 
 
 Kiraufe ihcj are planwj :n the houfc of the Lord, T/àLç i ;. 
 
 :;a*,but transported And brought ou: orAe- 
 
 [anted anuhusbanJcdby the haacorGoo,7 ; j..ïo 
 
 $jch*ftftedinri CHibttat* u u culled^ i . Cor.3 9. Ne::r.*::r.a:c 
 
 weeraaru: : I ba| the lumcor L^j isgmcn anacomrnunjca- 
 
 uKofhcCbivcb, I catted by : e 
 
 fcbaod,] . CV.i 2.i2.:naimuchasLhee:j 
 
 tad indeed vshyfhouldLhe ncc be caiic i 
 
 i £4 ./,af»vel as ;.e; rmsbaoj, :ccingAiec is holy ana righteous 
 
 the proper r.ol ;nc lie 8( righceouiaefk c: b .n. ; i .Cor. 1.50, 
 
 andconiequently of a ecte fauouria hirer 2.O.2.1 j. 
 
 Sue:. the onelie grace oî god, 
 
 j, •:.: seeing made true man in i\ 1 ; i:nnc 
 
 c : .: ç q j e - : c m c : e 3 : 1 b c : ; b aunging the flcih into l'pi* 
 
 : ::,: ,i:;hey maie b.e almade onefpim inhim,i.C#r.o\i 7. 
 
 anc therefore it folkmeth thatv.ee 
 m«:i :.:•.- h-:r :o: a fal.e and b a 1: a r d plant, which :auorcth no: 
 b - : ' 14 and iiioking nature : 01 happihe thinkcth to 
 
 rr. m ike and perfume bet icire v. iài that w bic b Qy calleth 
 
 her me:»tes,or the merireç c: Saintes , TW. 3.9. much ieflc arc 
 it. : 1 b if C b - ■ their wicked and deteitabie lue, are 
 
 abomina. :e Godandmenji.Cflr.cJ.io.Tntov.homthc 
 
 Gc pel s turned i nto the fauoijr ..2.CV.:.ic\ 
 
 o Bu: s after fa; dc, name lie that tbts Ltlk is *~ 
 
 m&igibem^wieùi vs ;o vndc: I at the condition o: ::.e 
 
 rch here below is,to ma lamp flb i Big an kid : h e d arVe- 
 
 nesofthis vvorid ,/>£*/. 21 5.crasaineepearr,ongthe\voiues, 
 
 Ak/. 1 o. 1 6.in a woord,as a flonfhing pi : c cefcrtes full 
 
 cfm.lhonsofcrokea bryars and ;norneç:oee.ng notv» itruiaiv 
 
 ; of a moll f .veer fmel, amongft al ftmking and ▼encmcus 
 
 :e s Neither are thefe thotnsonel:e round about this faire 
 Ltlb 3 bu: tb -::tnemfclues into her, and keke to choke the 
 
 a-, cher flowers. Na.e Mftk thefe thorn es dial 
 
 aot be roctedvpynail the latter daie^s is declared by tnep^ ' 
 rab) 
 
VponThb Secokd Chapter. *ij 
 
 rablc of the tares, Matt. 1 3 .24.yca befides this,cuenc one car- 
 rieth in his hart the remnant olthci'c thornes, as încreduhtie, 
 w hich fecketh to chooke faith, diitruil fighting againit hope, 
 in a woord, the flefh refitting the fpirit : in which combatc wc 
 fcclc many great and grctuous pricks , Afatt.i$*Z2.Gal*$. 1 7. 
 Kom. 8. 23. Such therefore is the condition of the Church 
 and ofeueric member thereof, as continuait experience wit- 
 neflethjwhereofit was neceihric we fhould bee put in mindc 
 and warned,to the end wee fhould not thinkc that wc can bee 
 the Lilly which is liking and fmelleth fwcete yntothcmenof 
 this vvorici.-butcontrariwiie.that we fhould make our account 
 betimes,that the more wc be changed into true Lilltcs by the 
 grace of God , the more wee fhal difplcafe the hogs and dogs 
 of this woorldc ,to whom nothing is fwectc but that which is 
 filthic and vncleanc, the enmity of God and the world being 
 perpetual. 
 
 p Hereon ought amongft all others thofe fages and poli- 
 tique wife efpccially to thinke , who imagine they can finde a 
 means to agree light and darknes togcther.No,no,a man can- 
 not faithfully ferue two contrarie mafters.If thou w ilt bee this 
 fwcete Ltlly jhou muit beaiTaultcd with thornes, and ncuer a- 
 greed and become one with them > except thou wilt bee bur- 
 ned rogither with them . But what?Thc miftes cannot hinder 
 the funne from riling to make a diftinction betweene day and 
 night.Darkncs cannot let the moone and the (tars to continue 
 fuch as they arc, although fometimes the vapours be fo thicke 
 & fo grofTe, that they who are below are depriued of the fight 
 oftheir clcarncs and brightnes , eucn fo muit we bee children 
 of the light in the middeft of the darknes of this woorld^s the 
 land ofGofen enioyed the light ofthe daie.when the grcateft 
 part of Acgypt was couered with thick and palpable darknes, 
 £.*W.to.i 3 . Wee mu(l bee children of the light to force the 
 rnnft wicked to acknowledge in vsthc father oflighr,^r. j # 
 icî.and to eonuicl ihc froward and wicked woorld, Ph/Li.i c. 
 Let the world therefore continue & remaineajJongasicwilI 
 a curicd ground, fur which Chrift praieth not, hk 1 7.0. ful of 
 
 Dd 3 bryers 
 
i tàf •* TWk Fir s t Si Mi o s 
 
 bryérs'and thorncs ,' whereof wee muft take goodheede that 
 we be not pricked. But cotrari wife though we ire in the midtt 
 of it,Ict vs nor Hand to communicate with his vnfruicful works 
 i .Cor.f.ç. and Efhef.f, 1 1, but let vsbceandcontinuc/r//////*// 
 trees. ftrong Palmes, fragrant Cedars , fmclling fweete and plea- 
 fi'rig the Lord, ehcreafing and florifhing from daie to daic vn- 
 to the glorie of God. Let vs praie our good God and father of 
 his great grace and mercic to perfect in vs his holie work hee 
 hath begunnê , to the end wee maie fecke for and findc in hirri 
 our whole repofe and contentment, without beeing decerned 
 and (educed by the vainc flievv and appearance ofthis world, 
 but that rather following the example of Mofes the fait h full 
 feruant of God,the reproch it felfe of Chrilt be more precious 
 vnto vs,then al the riches and treafurés of Argypt,//ir^. 1 1.24. 
 that in the mid de It ofthis ftinking and contagious world wee 
 maie bring foorth fruités of a good and iweeic finervmohim 
 who hath tranfplanted v§ out of the world in his holy houle. 
 Andbecaufc that hitherto contrarie vrttoourdutie wtehaue 
 beene and yet arcmegligcnt/orgetfullandvnthankfullinthis 
 bchalfe,let vs crauc at his hands mercy and forgiuenciTe as fol- 
 lowed*. .^^7 
 
 The Seventeenth Sermon, 
 Our helpc be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 s • 1 &UmrHten dsfoiUweth in tht fécond Chapter eftht (fvtticie «f 
 Canticles, the 3 jtnd 4; verfes. 
 
 3 As is the Apple tree among the trees of 
 
 the forrea, fois iny Welbe-loued among the 
 
 youngmen, I haue earneftly defiredhisfhade, 
 
 I fate downe.and his fruité was fweete vnto my 
 
 IXlOUth. bitotf 
 
 nvçA ^LCX 4 He 
 
VpomThé Second Çh^ptek. 115 
 
 4 He brought me into, the place of the ban- 
 quet, and his banner ouer me was Diieftion or 
 Loue. 
 
 , irk**» to Bride?**** >uris- fetotajë m wdr<if<*Ms 
 
 * • . * that all ofvs togither be there \ uiUe fed 
 
 xiyhat the fcrrejiof thiswoorlde U andfatisfied^hich thing is at th» date 
 f mc < the Sinofman.and what difference eftechlU<repfnted<untovsm the 
 thereHbetveemthxtreeandothers.:: èan^uet of the hose Supper. ■ 
 
 I Whencetheappe»«»eha»eofeA- 7 Where th» banquet ttnghall» and 
 tin* of the fruité of this tree>oppofcd. to W vre ought to behaue our [nues there- 
 thattretwhofefruitourfrji fathers in being brought mto it 
 ftrbiddentolaiefroceedeth. « ^ «/*» »f th„ ^tttng 
 
 4. ltisnotinou*htolooh{onthis»ee hall,mth > the haunts of the falfe Church. 
 an dtoa«>umhimf*ire:butwemu[L*l- 9 ^ large &ar^U de fcr^nofzhc 
 Co fit vnder the (badov of him. banner ot D.lcftion vnder Muhe 
 
 5 PPe mnfialfo eate of the fruit ther- ftoufe refieth and repofeth. 
 
 of and this fruité is veriefweète. lo An exhortation to come vnto tfns 
 
 6 The Bridegrconte leadeth his ftoufe banket. 
 
 E hauc vnderftood in the two verf.go- 
 1 ing before what teitimony theBnde- 
 grome, who knowech himfelre arid his 
 fpoufe be(r,hath giuen of that perf ec}i- 
 on which is in himielf,& of that which 
 it pJeafeth him to like and accept of in 
 his fpGufe. Follow eth nbw what the 
 f|^Ufetertifieth;£hee hath found &re- 
 ceiued of the exçellencie of herBride- 
 groome,whom(hee compareth vnto an apple tree fuilofmott 
 pleafantfruit and growing in the midft ot a for eft of wtlde trees 
 and fob as are ytterhe differed nature from this amle-tree: 
 Wherein are {hew ed vs greatand high myfteries. For hrft of al 
 it is, true thatinrefpeél ofihefpintuall nori/hmenc and Lfe, 
 the funple fauor and fmell of a Rofe or fome other flower doth 
 beftreprcfentitvntovs, and after a more fpirituall manner 
 -thengrofle^nd materiall mcate, as aPeare ox other like fruit: 
 
il6 The Second Sermon 
 
 tut to affurc ts of that which wc ought to feck after fortnc fu- 
 flcnancc ofthc true life, the infiimitic of our faith icquireth 
 thatwefhould bee taught according vnto eurrudenefie and 
 weakneflc. And this is the caufe w hy 3 for that men liuc not by 
 the odour and fmell of flowers , but mull eate and drink to be 
 fuftaincd-.the holy ghoft cempareth and hkeneth in this place 
 this Bridegtomc , w hem he had before compared vnto a Kofi 
 *tida LtUj , vnto an apple-tree axdnher like fruitful tree . For t he 
 woorde which Salomon heere vfcth,as alfo that ©f the latins 
 which fignificth 4» *#>/*, comprehendcth in gcnerall eueric 
 fruitful tree me eate ot,be it of applc,or nut. So we fee that vn- 
 derthc auncient coucnantthc Lord reprcfented this Bride- 
 grcome and the life which wc receiuc ofhim,by the facrifices 
 and oblations of creatures more corporal then thisiand vndcr 
 the new couenant hee would haue w ater and bread and wine 
 to be vnto vs facramentall fignes of that which himfeifedoth 
 in vs vnto the end and confummation of the world. 
 
 2 The Bridcgroomc therefore is compared by the fpoufe 
 vnto a fruitful tree > but planted in the middeft ofaforreft, and a- 
 mongft other trees which are nothing li kc vnto him Wherein 
 We fee what a correfpondence there is betwecne the Church, 
 which is as* Kc fe among thcthornes, and her Bridegromc being 
 4 fruitful tree planted among other wild trees. Before the fînnc and 
 cranfgreflion of man it was not fo, when there was nothing 
 neither among the fruités of the earth , nor otherwife in al this 
 Whole worlde , which agreedttot with God the Creator, and 
 which was not anfwering vnto the defire of man, whom God 
 appointed to be ruler and gouernerof al thefc inferiour crea- 
 turcs.But the firme of man hauing brought foorth thornes and 
 bt yirSyGeu. 3 . 1 8.it is no maruaile if this change and alteration 
 be foundrbut this is rather to bee woondred at ,that it pleafeth 
 -the Lord of his infinite goodnes to grub vp in fome part ofthc 
 worltfohcfe brambles and bryars, and to plant himfelfe there 
 as a fruitful tree ,to the end that lbmc number, whome it hath 
 plcafed him to cle£ before the foundation ofthc world,migbt 
 feede and be ftiltaineclvndcr his fliadow.Wcc read in the pré- 
 
 phecie 
 
Vpon The Second Chapter* \\y 
 
 phecic of Daniel, Dan .4.20. how that great monarck Nebu- 
 chadnctz.eriscoparedvntoagoodly great tree vnder which 
 the greatcft part of the woorld had a couerc But this implicth 
 nothing but a temporall power, and fuch as continueth but a 
 fmall time. And therefore all fuch trees arc fubieét to bee cue 
 downc,yea rooted vp and confumed in their time,as it is writ- 
 ten in that prophecic. But hecre mention is made of an apple- 
 tree which reprefenteth him whofc kingdomc is euerlafting, 
 as the father w ho planted it promifed itlTiouldbcc : whereas 
 contrariwi Ccalwtld plantes (liai one daic be rooted vpandeaft 
 into eucrlalting fier.This is then the imp which is fprouted out 
 ofthcitocke or Ifaie,vndcr whom all the nations ofthe earth 
 Should be gathered there to reft themfelues, Efai. 1 1 .1 . 1 o.and 
 this goodlie tree of life figured by that in the garden of para- 
 difefien.i.Q.Apoc.i.j.of whom whofoeucr eateth he can nc- 
 ucrdie.But let vs note well that which the fpoufeaddcth. For 
 whereunto would this tree fcruc vs if wee applied him not to 
 his right yfàHappic is that womb which bare thee, laid that worna 
 of whom it is fpoken , Luk. 1 1. ij.andhappie are the paps nhich 
 g atte theefucl^ But the Lord aunfwercd that they were more hap- 
 py whohear the word of the lord & keep'tt. Which is no other then 
 this which the fpoufe here faith,namely, that fhe fate dowr.e vn- 
 derthejhadowofthù Apple-tree y & hath eaten of the fruit which 
 {hee found moftfweete andpleafaunt vnto hcrtaft. But lee 
 vs fet downe and examine al the wordes which fliechccrcv- 
 feth, 
 
 3 Ihauefùùi fhe s earnefilj de fired to be vnder thyfhadow.Wc e 
 muft therefore firft ofal hauc this hungrie appctitc,which wc 
 faiein common fpeech,isa good fawee for all kip.de ofmeate. 
 Butalashaueweitofourfelues? No. Experience fheweth vs 
 we haue it not.For the world is fo farre from feeking after this 
 foode>that contrariwifc,albeit the Bridegroom hath Co lon<* a 
 time cryed by his Prophet, Come^omeyeewhicharethnfiy^come 
 jee to the waters ,audyee that haue no finer y come take ar.d eat e, come 
 I fate takewme andmilkwithoHt fiver and without mowj. wherefore 
 late j oh cut jour fubfiamce for foode which ù naught worth, ard whj 
 
 E* tmvlcne 
 
tiî The Secôni> Sfkmon 
 
 emploie y oh the trauelfor a thing which fatufiethyou not? Hearken fc 
 itgently vr.to WÊtjmà eue that which u good^ndlet your foule be mer* 
 ry with this faxes. Encline your eore & corn: vnto me,ir harden vnts 
 me tbm jo;ir -foul \mmebm y& th.it Irmy m*ke an enerUfltng couenat 
 with you, ^mp ranie my free & fare promt fes made vnto DW, 
 Efa.5 5, 1 . Be cryed yet again in pcrlo K that with a loud & fliril 
 voice itandingin the rf r^jft jinr^'y riff (H inr rnrrjf /ff fiwiit Tiatf 
 vnto me And drtnl^. He that beleeueth in me, A4 fxtth the Scriptwe,o-4t 
 o'hUbslhPjrflflmvrixersofiVAteroflife, loh. 7. 37. 38. And in 
 another place, Come, comeyee vnto m? all th.it trwel&are heame 
 Ud:n y v:dIvoillrefre!hyo:t, M it. I i.28.alchough I laie the Bnde- 
 groomc cryeth out in this tort \ yet is there lcarfe one man to 
 be round among a thoufand.who hath notwithstanding eares 
 to near/eetetogoe after, handes to reach after and toreceiue 
 this heauenly food and noriflimenc. Nay which is more/ome 
 being inuited and called to the banquet refufe to c ome 3 others 
 ipit ou: againe the food they there did eat , which they flnuld 
 haue kept within thé &dige!tcd, 2 thing verily molt lamenta- 
 ble & pitiful to coiider. Knowing therfore that we are fo clean 
 out of call of this meate.that wee haue no appetite at all of our 
 ownc nature to anic thing faue that which is hurtful and dead- 
 lie, let vs be carefull and diligent to praie vnto our' good Go J, 
 to forme in vs a contrarie délire, to knowe and coniider of the 
 beucy & goodnes of this fruice.We read how Eue our firft mo- 
 ther,ooyfo.ie J with the venom ofthatold ierpent, had an ap- 
 petite to the eating of that fruité which flic was forbidden,be- 
 caufe (he faw it fair to tee, and goodtoc?c.Inthat ihe thought 
 i: co be faire and goo dhe to fee 3 therein flie deceiuech her felfe 
 nothing at all, bu: 'had not her vnderflanding bee.ievtterlie 
 corrupted flie would neuer haue thought that that could bee 
 good tot ate, the eating whereof fh-ewas forbidden by the 
 mOUth Of her Creator himfelfe. In Rich Tort doth Satan deale 
 with vs eueric daie,by the meanes of our concupifccnces ietre 
 onnreandent'.fedby the outward flic we and appearance of 
 (hinges , to bring vs vnto linne and tranfgrefïiomand yet wee 
 doe much worfe and are more deceiued a great deale then 
 
 cuer 
 
Vpon Thh Secow* Chajti*; up 
 
 tuer Eue was. For the tree whit h Aie tooke to be faire, was in- 
 deed taire and pleafant to behold , i hough it was not good to 
 be eaten or But as for vs,bcfides that w ee abule the beuty and 
 goodnciie or the creatures or God as {he did,wc arc fo blinde, 
 that that which is molt toule icemcth vnto vs nioft faire , and 
 that molt fvveetc w hich is indeede moil bitter,vntill fuch time 
 as it pleaieth God of his mercic to chaungc our ienfes , and to 
 enable them throughly to difcerne betwecne that v\ hich is 
 good & that which is cuAjHeb.j.iq.ln a word this tree wher- 
 ofthefpouiehere fptaketh, is that ot which ifweeate not, we 
 can haue no life in vs 3 contrarie to that tree , of w hic h our firft 
 Parentes v ere foibicden vnder pair.e of death to eate. 
 
 4 And feeing the deadly tait of that forbidden tree hath 
 caufect vsto loie all luit and appetite oreatingand liking the 
 fruit ot the fecond,w hich is the only remédie we haue againtt 
 death,w e are continually to pray vnto God, that it will pic afe 
 him to make vs to know the beuty and goodnelTe ofthis fruit, 
 to haue a through appetite thereunto, to deiirc firft toft vs vn- 
 der tbejhadtrveofit : which thing we are diligently to confider 
 of. Foramongorhercommodmes which tieeshaue,in places 
 of heat & of parching,their frc fn & w hollcme iTiade is not the 
 Jcail. And what heat or burning is greater then that ot this 
 world,feeing we beare befides w ithin our felues.as it w c re the 
 fuburbsofhcl,where that fire iswhichisneuerquéchcri?True 
 it is that according vnto the example of the rich man ofw horn 
 mention is made , Lh\ % i 5. the men of this w orld irWtccd of 
 perceiuing this wretched and miferable citate, find therein a 
 certain cool refrefliing, & cannot abide thé w ho w ould bring 
 the thence vnto this true refrefhtng (hade, bur in the end they 
 feele it to rheir great & remediles iorrow ;w hé the y are fallen, 
 as we lay, out of a could feuer into an hot ague, from whence 
 they can neuer^etout aga:n. Thisy2Wf therfoie is the true re- 
 poie & reft of amans confcience, which is no where els to be 
 found bur vnder this nw, which we ought aboue all things to 
 court after, as himfclfe alio fignifieth by that lefTon which he 
 teacheth \'*,<JWat.i 1 .2o.Let vs adde hereunto that whic h the 
 
 Ec z fpoiïfe 
 
tîo Tirs Second Sekmok 
 
 fpoufe Czïth t nzn\z\y y tbatJhcûftttenvn<krthisJbaÀe.Voï to what 
 purpofe were it to cnccrinto a place of refrcfhing, & after- 
 ward to go out ofit f And this is it which ierueth as it were for 
 an inditemet againft fo many flying & giddy minds & fpirits, 
 who happily begin wel,butendmoitil:fomeofthë vvauering 
 uowon onefidcj&fometimcs on an other, without refoluing 
 them fclucs any way, as Elias reproched them of his time, 
 i.King. 1 8. 24. others whirling about like fanes and wether- 
 cockes with eueric \y\ï\àç y £fhefq. 1 q.Iam~>. 1. 6.others turning 
 themielues the clcanc contrary way , as an infinite number of 
 lewd and wicked Apofiataes and reuolters doe at this day, for 
 whom it would haue beene better they had neuer bin borne. 
 To all this fort of dealing is oppofed that which the Spouie 
 faith in this place, thatjhee is fitten vnder the {hade of this tree. 
 Which fcrueth not onely to the reproofc and condemnation 
 of thofe w horn we haue already fpoken of,but alfo of a fort of 
 curious companions who come nearc the tree, onely to gaze 
 on it andtolookconthem whofittcvnderit;asalfoofthofc, 
 who albeit they depart not from vndcr the fhadc of this tree, 
 but pretend to (tay vnder it, notwithftanding are alwaics gad- 
 ding lb after this and that, that they feelc not the one halfe of 
 this comfortable refrefhingofthisfhade. Which thing is re- 
 prefentedvntovsin the perfon of Martha, preferring the de- 
 firc fhc had ofprouiding of corruptible foode for herguc It.ihe 
 true & incorruptible life,fo far as to take it il that her filler Ma- 
 ry al that time fate ftil at Iefus feet hearkening vnto his word. 
 But what did the Lord anfwere her ? Martha, Martha fhou &rt 
 carefull and encombre ft thyfelfe after many things} but one thing is 
 necejfary , Mary hath chofen the better part , which {hall nener be ta» 
 ken from her. And would to God all of vs had well & throughly 
 learned this lefTon .Which if we had, we fhould fee no longer 
 others walking vp and downc and telling of ncwes,others fit- 
 ting at their tables a making of good cheere, others in their 
 fhoppes marchandifing and traffiking, others out of towne to 
 get in their debts^or rather their reuenewes, while the Lorde 
 inuiteth vs to be at his fecte and vnder the code Jhade of that in- 
 - CO mparaplc 
 
Vpon Thh Second Chapter. tit 
 
 comparable fwcetc refrefhing of his. Weehauealong time 
 warned cuery one hereof, and we cry out for it in vaine, but 
 wifedome cannot be tuft tfied but by her children. 
 
 5 The fpoufe therefore witnefleth yntovs the contrary, 
 that fheeis fit ten vnder thejhade^nd which is more,fhee addeth 
 that flic was not idle ncithcr.For {lie cmploied her time to feed 
 herfelfewith the fruité of this tree, whole excellent fweetnes flic 
 highly commendeth.The houfe of god, which is the enclofurc 
 of this trce,and the harbour and dw elling place of the church, 
 is not the cnclofure of fome precious and (lately building, 
 whercinto a manentrethto fee the goodly woorkemanftup 
 of vaultes or of piliers, the glittering of gold, and of filuer, and 
 of precious ftones,nor a place into which a man goeth to hear 
 the Quire or the Organes which fill the eares : but it is a place 
 where the pure word of God is finccrely preached in the hea- 
 ring and tight of cuery man , with exhortations,confolations, 
 warnings and necelTaryreprehenflons vntofaluation, not to 
 returne thence but being fed with the true and folidcfoodof 
 ineftimablc fweetenefle to the foules of them who tad and fa- 
 uouritindeede. For this is indcede the foode which caufed 
 Saint Peter and his companions to flay with Iefus Chrifl their 
 mafler, when others departed from him, at what time the 
 fame Saint Peter faid vnto his matter 3 Lord jo whom Jballwcgoe? 
 Then haft the words of 'et email h fe , Ioh. 6. £8.as it is elfe where 
 fciôjhat thedoBrineof the et entail and euerliuingis the reftorityof 
 the foule -, that the teftimony of the euerlming is true, giuing rviftdome 
 vnto the ignorant , the commaun dement s of the euerltuing are right, 
 teioyc'mg the foule 3 & the dotlrme of the euerltuing pure y enlightening 
 the eiesjnore to be deftred then gold, yea then the fineft gold, & more 
 fiveete then any honyyea the hony combe. Pfal. I p. 8. &c. 
 
 6 Nowc the fpoufe tofliewevsthatthisBridcgroomcof 
 hers nourifheth her not by halfes , but prouidcth her of drinkc 
 afwell as of meate, addeth that the Bridegroome hath led her from 
 vnder this treejnto a place appointed for the drinking of his wine, if 
 wc had not rather vnderfland by thefe words which Salomon 
 here yfeth the banquctting hall; wherein wc arc firit to note that 
 
 Ec 3 flic 
 
21* The Second Sirmoh 
 
 /he faith Viotjhatfkc vrentfcxit that the Bridegrome led her thither: 
 to the end wee alwaies remember, that as grace beginneth in 
 vs ourfaluation, creating in vs to will , io mull the lame grace 
 guideanddireétforwarde the fame will which it gaue vs. For 
 withouc thi s inllcedc of making forward one pace, w e /halfal 
 flat to the ground.But as it is he which leaceth vs, io w ce mull 
 folow e himrand fo by coniequcnt ic is not ynough to haue ea- 
 ten orchis fruité in our owne home , but w ee muft goe in \ nto 
 the banquet. Wc mult 1 laie ioyne our felucs vnto our brethren, 
 & make a good confelTionof our faith altogither euen before 
 men alio-as for this ende, namely for this common bunquet, the 
 feuenthdaiehathbecne from the begin ning of chew orki ie- 
 parated from the other , and the three iolen ne fealles eitabl:- 
 fhed vnder the Lawe . Such alio were at the beginning ot the 
 Chriftian Church thofc common feafles of the Chnfhans, 
 whereefmention is made in the A&es of the Apoitlcs,and I. 
 fir, i i.io.znà/ude i 2,ioined with the celebration ot the ho- 
 lie Supper.Where are then the falfe Nicodcmites ofour daics? 
 Where are they whoforfearof men keepethemfclues clofe, 
 bearing themielues in hand that they need not to come in vn- 
 to thebanquettNo,no, rhe Lord ^ il haue indecde cucry man to 
 meditate and praie by himfelf too fit/Kg vxder the fi<ule of 
 thu tree.but hee will haue alio euerie one to enter in into this 
 bancjuettt^ghall^nd there to fcafitogither, for which caufe al- 
 fo chriliian ailcmblies haue a fpec iall promife, tJfrUtth. 1 8.20. 
 and 24.1 8. as there is a fpecial warning alfogiuenvs that wee 
 take hecde how c wee defpifefuch aflemblies , Heb.\o.\<$Sot 
 which cauie wee fee many horrible iudgemences fallen vpon 
 manie . Let vs alio learne that grace is added vnto grace vnto 
 him , vnto whom it is giuen to vie ic well, as is /hewed in the 
 parable of the talcntes, iJAiatth.z^. which is hecre declared vs 
 Dv that which the fpoufe faith, namely, that being before 3s it 
 were in the fie Id e,/*/* wder this tree, and eating of the fruité 
 thereof with a good (tomacke , fhe w as aft* rw an e< led in far- 
 ther into the hatlof this great fe* ft' 9 where /hee was yet more 
 aboundandy fedde,and that in fuch fort as thai fhe conft ficth 
 
 that 
 
VfonThe Second Chaptih. ti% 
 
 that rtiee fell into a found, not becing able to rccciuc and 
 concciuc of fuch exceeding tntcrtainement. Let vs note in 
 the third place which I haue touched in one word , namelic, 
 that IeiusChrift prouideth vs not onclyof meat, but alio of 
 drinketoo, that is to fay, that in him alone wee mull wholly 
 and entirely fceke after and find our whole iuftcnance and 
 fpiritual norifhment. Which he would alfofhew vs vifiblie & 
 fenfibly in the bread of the holie Supper,which is a certaine & 
 fure teitimonie of the partaking of the bodie which wasgi- 
 uen for vs : and in the wine which is the facrament of the pre- 
 cious blood flied for vs,not to be fet before our vifiblc eie(fee- 
 ing it cannot now be feenc but by the cics of faith) but to bee 
 truhc communicated after a fpirituall fafhion vnto a fpirituall 
 and eternal life. The like is to bee vnderftood of the ordinarie 
 preaching and administration of the word,in which alfo Icfus 
 Chrilt prefenteth himfelfe wholy vnto vs , to be recciued as it 
 were by the hand of faith. 
 
 7 And therefore let vs remebcr,my brcthren^that this place, 
 this place I (ay , wherein wee are, as alfo all other aifembltes 
 of the faithfuljWere there but two or three gathered together, 
 are this wine-feller or banquetitno ka/vf that great King ot whom 
 mentiôis made,/^.t^. 17. And who is he who being admit- 
 ted into the houfe of fome great Lord,to fit with him at his ta- 
 ble, would willingly & wittingly bring thither with him any 
 filthinefle or villany? Therefore alwaies and as oft as we heare 
 the trumpet of the Lord to found, calling vs into his houfe, I 
 meane fo oft as wee heare the bell ringing vnto a fermon , we 
 ought not to go,but to runne, nay to fly tbither:& yet not fo at 
 randon,but that we firft prepare our felues, through a true co- 
 trition , and confederation both ofthe death of him who inui- 
 teth vs vnto this banquet.preuenting vs by his great mercy, as 
 alfo ofthe excellécy ofthat treafure which he wii there difiri- 
 bute vnto vs, that we brin g thither a mind apt and ready to be 
 taught, an heart full of appetite of this heauenJyfoode:in a 
 woorde, a moil ardent defire of receiuing, eating, liking and 
 digefting fo precious a roeate,to flievy afterwards the fruits & 
 
 effects 
 
154 T HE Second Sermon 
 
 cockles thcrcofjWhhin and without our houfe,at home and a» 
 broadc,farfe and neare, by all our actions afwel of the body as 
 alio of the minde. But what? It is no marucile though wc haue 
 notait and feeling of fucha liberality of our God, feeing the 
 mod part contc mne it, others eate of this food but for a billi- 
 on , and very few there be who digeft it , to bee fufteincd by 
 it,a miferable and lamentable cafe,and for which we fhal pay 
 one day fweetely, if wee thinke not betimes better vpoa 
 it. 
 
 8 But I pray you wherein do thofe peftilent harbours ofl- 
 dolcsjwhich they cal the bookes of the ignorant, refemblc the 
 hallofthi* banque r? Where infteedeofadminiftring this preci- 
 ous liquor,mens earcs are filled with howlïngs,and their harts 
 impoifoned with crrors,where vndcr fhadovve of dcuotion & 
 bearing men in hand that they arc fedde by an attourney,they 
 deuourwiddowes houfes, yea Kings Crownes and fcepters: 
 where in lieu of the true Iefus Chrift, they feede the woorldc 
 with a Iefus Chrift of pait,& for a full meafurc of all manner of 
 facrilege ,they haue vtterly rakt away one of the two facra- 
 mentes of the holy fupper. But if thefc be to be condemned, 
 as furc they are, what fhall become of thé who come vnto this 
 banquet, othcrwife well prouided and adminiftrcd, to their 
 iudgement and condemnation? 
 
 o Moreouer wee may not lightly pafleoucr that which 
 the fpoufe addeth,namely ùuxthebatmerorftandatdetorerfgne 
 of her bridegroome which isvponher, that is to/ay, vnder 
 which fhc marcheth,is called dtlettion or good-mil. Foras in an 
 armic,theenfigneisit, which diftinguifheth euery band and 
 company vnder which euerie fouldiar is to march, fo the loue 
 and good-wil which Iefus Chrift beareth vs is that,which af- 
 femblethvs together to compofcthis bodie which is called 
 the Church: which linketh and kecpethvs one to an other, 
 which hclpeth andaidethvsinalltheaiTaultsand combates 
 which wee are to fuftaine. ;For what induced and perl waded 
 this great God to make the worlde for man ? Nothing but his 
 good pleafure to make a creature, in which he would declare 
 
 by 
 
VponThe Second Chapter, 125 
 
 by efFeét his lingular loue and atTc£t;ion,that is to faie,becaufe 
 he would make one creature whom he would indeed entirely 
 loue, fo far as to make it goucrnour & rule r of al the creatures 
 elfe bclow.as if he had referued for himfclf the place aboue,to 
 commit vnto him thatbelow,/ > /rf/.ii c.i 6. And now certain- 
 lie this is exceeding much, nay lo great, as no man is able to 
 comprehend the infinitnes of fuch bountie towardes the cre- 
 ature which was not yet in becing : but what is this in compa- 
 nion of chat which is fhe wed in the woork of the redemption 
 of this vnthankful and traiterous crcature?And that before the 
 foundation of the world he prouided for this , that man being 
 thus iuftlic condemned vnto death ,(hould notonclie notpc- 
 rifh.but be exalted by mcanes of his exceeding loue into a de- 
 gree aboue the Angels thcmfelues lEphef.1.2. In fuch fort, as 
 that a man maie and ought to faic , not praifing the euill , bur 
 praifing him who draweth light out of darkneiîe : O hafpiefal 
 whtch hath brought vs higher: o moft happic darkneffe without which 
 this truly great Itghtjhad neuer appeared vnto vs.Fov ma had he not 
 failed, had continued a creature fafhioned for his excellent 
 qualities,to be as it were a vifibie pourtrait of the inuifible cre- 
 ator : but the fall of his which made him like vnto the brute 
 beatts/erued for an occafion vnto the creator, not to be afha- 
 med ofhim,but toioyn&vnitcmâfoneervntohimfelfe,that 
 hee and the etcrnall Sonne ofGod are but one perfon, CMan- 
 God y and God-man, And what moueri God to doe this admira- 
 ble workc ? Certainly nothing but his infinit goodnes & loue, 
 asthcProphetwritcthj/^/.S.j.and^^g. And who can fay 
 the contrarie ? This counfaile of his beeing once determined, 
 what induced this great God to execute and perfourme it by 
 fo rare , fo ftraunge , fo admirable a meancs , that the Angels 
 themfelucs (according as it was figured in thofc two Chéru- 
 bins hauing their face turned ouer the couering or chc Arke of 
 the coucnant ) doc yet defire to comprehend it more & more, 
 Exod.2f.io.znai.Pet. i.i 2.Certainelie this cannot haue pro- 
 ceeded but from the fame fountaincofhis vnfpeakablc dile- 
 dionand loue, through which hee had accepted of vs in his 
 
 Ff fonne % 
 
%t6 The Secon» Seumoh 
 
 (on s Epbef.i.6.& lob. 3.1 6. And what moued this Bridegrorne, 
 the etcrnall of God , tochufe vnto htmfelfe this polluted may den t§ 
 make herhtsfpoufe ? To If ear e with her for fo manie her adulteries'} 
 1er. 3.1 .What more ? To make hi mieltc /«£/># vnto the curfe of 
 the fat her, Gal. 3 .1 3 .togtue hn tuft 'for her ,Ephef.5 .25 to earn her 
 Jmnes euen vpon the tree of his crojje, 1 .Pet. 2.24.PÎU. 2.8.Certain* 
 lie this loue andgoodwtll of his, the depth whcieofno man is able 
 to fouixLor mealure the height.bredth, orlength thercof,£j>£. 
 3.18 And what is the ground and foundation of our faith, but 
 this aflurance/^ir ne are louedvmh an vniw table andvncbaur.ge- 
 able Dttethon'rRom.S.i 8.Anu how could wee hope in him,and 
 how cal vpon him without the teftimonic of the holie Ghoit, 
 w hich tcacheth vs and fealcth it vs in our hearts that he loueth 
 vi>Rom.$.i $.Ga.q.6. 1 .fir. 2. 1 2 Jam. 1 .6.This is it therefore in 
 a word v\ hich the lpouie would laic in this place, that nothing 
 clfcinuiteth her to retire her iclfe vntoGod,andto haue her 
 refuge vnto him, nothing arTurcth and afcertaincthher, no- 
 thing clfediltinguifheth and maketh her different from the 
 world,but/J&*/*#f which herBridcgromebeareth her,whcrc* 
 unto as vnto her enfigne flie keepeth her fc lfe, to bee couered 
 therwith and as it it were wrapped in ir.Neither may we think 
 it (traunge that the name oïDtletlionor Lout is giuen vnto this 
 fiandardy feeing that yet more fignificantlie the name of Loue 
 or Ddetlion is attributed vnto God himfelfe, becaufc that he it 
 ^he fountainc thereoffrom whence it floweth vpon vs,bccing 
 his nature to loue man,yca,fuch as he hath cholen, whom hce 
 iultifieih and ianétifietb,and wil finally glorifie. And this Loué 
 engendreth,back againe another loue in vs , being giuen vs to 
 loue him, whohathloucdvsfomuchasistobelecne by this 
 whole Canticle . And this is the caufe w hy the fpouie addcth 
 that fhee foundeth with mutual Ddetlion vchtch fhee bcareth vnto her 
 rvelbcloued. The exposition whereof we wil defer vnto another 
 time. 
 
 1 o Let vs now take all heedcfull care to make our profit of 
 this fo excellent and precious a doetrine/uffering Goct to k ad 
 
 vsinto this great and goodlic hail ofthe banquet, whereunto 
 
 v\cc 
 
VponTh! Second Chàptî»; iff 
 
 tve arc inuitcd cucric daiejct vs forget whatfoeueris without, 
 tokecpevsvnto this precious banquet, lctvsfbrgct,Ifaic,thc 
 Jouc ot this world and of our i clues, as if there were therin any 
 commodity orhappines, whereas all this is nothing elle bue 
 vanttie ofvanttiesx let vs chcare our fclucs in this feaft w ith this 
 true wine ^ quickning our fpiritcs and eating of this fwectc fruic 
 of eternal life:and let our whole our heart bee on high, where 
 he looketh for vs and reacheth out his armes there to receiue 
 vs , and to make vs his coheirs & companions with him of the 
 kingdomc of hcauen , with him , I faic , w ho hath loued vs {o 
 much and dial loue vs vnto the end. And becaufe that contra* 
 rie vnto our duety in this behalfc, wee hauc beenc,and yet are 
 fo flothfull and fo giuen vnto the worldc , and vnto our felues, 
 naic io rebellious towards him and vnthankful, wee wil craue 
 mcrcic at his handes as followcth. i/îtmightj God&c. 
 
 The Eighteenth Sermon. 
 Our helpe be in the name ofGod,&c. 
 
 // U written m follow cth in the frond Chapter of the Canticle of 
 
 Cant tele s .the 5. 6 And 7 wet Je 'J '. 
 
 5 Caufê my fpirites to come vnto me with 
 thofe flagons: make mee a bed with thofe Ap- 
 plesrfor 1 faint(orfound)with loue. 
 
 6 Let his left hand be vndermy head, and 
 let his right hand embrace me. 
 
 7 Daughters of!erufalem,I charge you 
 by the Roes and by the Hindes^thatyeflir not 
 vp,nor waken my loue,vntil Ihe pleafe. 
 
 I 7 he mop perfect are not capable of x J complaint againfl the contempt 
 the fweetenes of the meatti ofthii ban- of this fweete and wbolefome nourifh* 
 au€t y but we mate not haut lejfe appetite, ment. 
 
 fa*U'hk. 3 Jhe difereree betweene that wine 
 
 Ff 2 which 
 
iî8 Thé Third Sermon 
 
 which is dYe.rcr.tbut of the true -veffeL, (elm* in nothing more, then to hinde* 
 
 and that which u fower \mufiie^oyfoned % this digejiion, but the Bridegroome h oU 
 
 di weilolde as neve, and from what tree deih them and brideUth them Co far m 
 
 the nue apples , which fetch ourffirites pleafeth him. 
 
 againevmovs^re gathered, tf l^efpeciallyneedefulthatGodre* 
 
 4 The virtue and force which maketh prejfe thoje who trouble the rcpo'e and 
 cur eaungand drinking in ihts feajt pro- amet ofbisjpouje Within. 
 
 ftdbtc onto vs confuttih and refleth in 9 God wanteth no executioners of kit 
 
 6bd alone, and the grtat abufe commit- iufi iudgements , efteciall tgarnjt the 
 
 ted both in this poy nt as alfo in doctrine, pertuibcrj and trouburs efhujbouj a re* 
 
 and the firamtntes. poje and peace. 
 
 5 V\ htref ore the fpoufe is not eonten- 10 .4) tet meditation we muji a» al^e^nd 
 ted to be held -op with one of her Bride- proceed to theprathje of a chrifiian Uje: 
 groomes hawks ontly. and touching great abufe committed in 
 
 6 fre musiby particular meditation this beh^lfe. 
 
 itigifî the frirituall nourishment wee re- 1 I J conclu/ton touching the fumnx of 
 teiae in thts banquet. that which is contained m thu and im 
 
 7 5 at an and hjs complices bujte tl>em- the fer mon before, 
 
 E hauc left the fpoufe in the banquet- 
 ting hall in the molt v\ fhed etfate fhc 
 could defire,& now to hear her fpeak, 
 it ieemeth the cleane contrarie,iecmg 
 fhc fpeakeih as it fliee w ere quite otic 
 of he arr,hauingIolt alftrcngth,& .be- 
 ing brought as a wan would faic vnto 
 an vtter extremity .We muft therefore 
 note that our infirmity and v\ eakntffc 
 h fuch and fo great, that cannot in truth fufrer either ioie or 
 forro w, ir the one,orthe other furpaffe our c apacit ie . In fuch 
 fort that as a man may cie by hauing his heart oucrftraitned 
 and locked vp with anguifh an dforrowe:fo usaie the like alio 
 happen vnto him, if his hart bee oucrmuch opened and enlar- 
 ged* ith a fuddain and ouer great ioy.The like wc fee to come 
 topafTe in many places of the holy and facrcdhiilory. that ho- 
 ly perfonages become for a time no better then deade men , if 
 the Lordappearevntothemmante vnaccuftomable maitfty 
 M the Apoltlc witneflcth & faith,that when it plcafed Gruj ts 
 make him to fie thwgi that cannot be told joe kgerv not nhether tt vera 
 
 hm>fil[t 
 
VponThe Second Chapter. tip 
 
 hlmfelfe , htôjptr/t Ycmatwng wtthm thé body, or were otherwife rani» 
 fiedwtùfhtmjelfe.i.Cox. 12. 2. Ac.t.22. 17. Ana thatthelike 
 hapned alio vnto the prophets beemg tilled with the ipint ok 
 God,appearethby thatwercade, i.^w.ip.24. Iheipouic 
 therforc in this pfoog being prêtent at this banquet, Uuu thac 
 the apprehenfton& conceit ofjogreatatauoHr i & as veil the jweetnei 
 of the fruttecfthu ts/ppk-iree, asaijothejuuottroftbatartKkJhee 
 drankjntbts baquet y m*bethher to \omd y i% beemg at thehrit noc 
 capable thereof. Not that therefore fhec had loli all appetite 
 (for contranw iie)Ztf calletbjor tbat wine and for thoje slpplesjbuz 
 as if fhee defired that (he might haue tht m in iuch lou, as that: 
 thereby (he might bee brought vnto ht rielte againc , w hercas 
 flice wasnotablctobearc thcminoucr great abouncaunce. 
 Qmje therefore /ai th (he y my jfint to come agame vnto me.bygtutng 
 me of that wme t aidm. king mee as tt were a bed of tbofe apples: bj 
 the oaottr whereof my jptrtt es may be recreated a s mc n are vv ont to 
 doe vnto them who begtnnc to faint at heart , to w horn they 
 giue not anie great quantity to eate or drinke, but a droppe or 
 two of \ine,or fome other Iweet thing to ftncll vnto, to cauic 
 their fpirites to come vnto them. 
 
 2 And what fliall I fay touching this point, but that it fec- 
 roeth in a manner , that there is no longer any C hurch in the 
 world.'Foreuen in our time, in which it hathpleafed God not 
 onely co let vp the ball of this bavcjuet but alio to leade vs in thi- 
 ther & to offer vs this very fame mcat,& this very lame drink, 
 after the nioit requisite fort of prouifion that ponibly may bee 
 made; where are thole , whoinilcedc ofapprcbending lb ex- 
 ceeding a bountic as to be therewith rauifhtd, voutfafefo 
 much as to fit downe at tabic? Or being fitten don ne, to eatc 
 andrelifh and to digert this meate with an eager itomackeoC 
 hungrie appetite?Nay rather on the contrary iide,doe wc noc 
 as did the children of Ifraell , who fell forne to loathing the 
 Manna, w hich they could not at the furl fufficicntly praife ÔC 
 commend? The Lorde therefore of his mercy fliarpen our ap- 
 petite^ correct our uft,& make v* this true fpoufe, of whom 
 Kishcrefpoken» 
 
 Ffj jLcs 
 
ij# ThiThî*© Sermon 
 
 3 Letrs note farther that it is not fpoken here of all wine, 
 but ùf the wine of thofe vejfels iauh the ipoufe . For there is a 
 mingled wine, iuch as the Phanhes gauc the people to drink» 
 There is alfoavincger-wine, a dcaa and turned- wine, yea a 
 poifoned winc,asisthat with which the great whore or Ron e 
 hath poifoned the kings & nations, Apoc.\ 7.2. to make them 
 toraueandtoragc, as leremy alfofpeakcth of that other Ba- 
 bylon , 1er. j 1 . 1 7«And therefore wee muft take diligent heed 
 we be not herein deceiucd,the world being ouer ful,and now 
 more then euer,ofiuch brewers and mingicrsofthisww^that 
 is to fay,of this w ord of God w hich ou^ht to be finccrely and 
 purely admim(tred,as the Apoltlc warneth vs^ropofing him- 
 telrc for an example, i.Cor. 2. 17. warning elfew here al the 
 fsLithi'aW^opnffte all thtngs and approve the good: 1 .1 hell. 5 . 2 1 .We 
 tnuft therefore followc the example ot them ofBcroea, who, 
 as it is written, tsfft. 1 7.1 1. before they would drinket hew»* 
 which was prefented them by thehandeofthc Apoitlehim- 
 fcife,a faithful feruant of God, would firlt fee and know w he- 
 thcr it agreed with thewineoftbeoldvejjèls or bartels,ncmdj that 
 vphtch the Prophets gaged and drew e: which when they had 
 found,then they recciucd it and drank thereof: as it is alio faid 
 by the Loré y Afat.i 3.fi.thzteueri?fcrt6eanddo£lorwhtchùwe1 
 taught intbekingdome of heauen , isbkevntoan bufe -holder which 
 brtngcth forth of his ireafure things new and old. And here we mull 
 againe take diligent heed of fatans and his miniiters fubtilty, 
 who would bcare vs in hand that al old wine is good, and mull 
 berecciucd: which is moltfalfc. For there is zfwclloldewmâ 
 mingled and poifoned,as wwjww,which we muft warily take 
 becde of.The receipt therefore to preferue vs there-from,or if 
 happily wee haucdronkcof it, to vomit it vp againe, isfirfï* 
 to confider wel w hether it be drawen out of the true vejfels of 
 the Lordes fsHer t wh\ch are the writings of the Prophets and A* 
 portlcSjOthcrwifecallcdjr^^^^wfwT^^wwfj&focon- 
 fequcntly reieft and refufc w ithout all exception whatfoeuef 
 trine is drawen elfew here. Againe feeing the craft and fubtilry 
 ofthefe lewd taucrncrs & poifoncrs is fuch,th*cthey infèét & 
 
 cor- 
 
VponThb Second Chajtïr. »j| 
 
 «orrupt cue the pure vrmeàxzv^ïï out of the true veiTels:We mult 
 in the l'ccond place confider of wtl,not only the colour,which 
 ihey can wel tell how to counterfet,but eipccially the iauor 8c 
 the taiî,bcforc we fwallowc downe one diop otit. Aimuch if 
 meant by that which the fpouie iaith afcerwardc , not fimply^ 
 that they Jbouldmakc her a bed of apples ^but of thofe apples ^o w it,oi 
 thole which are gathered dom the true apple tree f which \sthc 
 tree of life: of which nhojoeucr eatetb, bee jball neuer fee death, 
 Joh.6.51. 
 
 4 But yet this fpoufc is not fo contentcd,if the Bridcgrom* 
 kola not vp her head with one h<wd& her body wtt h the other ; & that 
 fortworeaions. The firllbccaufcthctorceand vigor ol that 
 proband oithofe apples , that is to fay , of the preaching of the 
 Wordc of God vebtch quicken ourbart&caufcourffttriis tocomt 
 *gaini/Ktozs,acpcndcth wholly and entirely vpon the inv\ ard 
 pow er and working of God,w ithout w hich the w oordc prea* 
 ched is no other thing then a found which entrcthinatthc 
 one care,and goeth forth attheothenand the facramentcs arc 
 nothing els but vaine (hew es and reprcfentations of thinges 
 tcrreitriall and commomiaue that the contempt,efther of this 
 woord or of thefe facramenrscondemneth the contemner & 
 defpifcrofthem before God. Foritisforforccrers, charmers, 
 andinchaumers, to attribute a power of woorkmg vnto the 
 bare and (împle pronuntiation of wordes, be they vnderftood 
 and liked of ; or notras alfo to attribute any kind ot holinefle or 
 venue of working in our foul vnto the fignc of the Sacrament, 
 is not only fupcrHition,buc execrable and damnable Idolatry. 
 Fortius is a thing denied vnto the Angels themfelues,this ver* 
 tue being incommunicably proper and belonging vnto God, 
 fignifieng only by his word and by his facraments,that which 
 he doth truely woorkc and effect within and in the he art and 
 foule of cuery faithful by his only powerfull woorkingrwhich 
 1 will de. lare and make plaine vnto you by a familiar mnili» 
 tude,that v\ e iuc nor any more and runnc a fhelfe on fuch Ido- 
 latry and vf ry manifdt loreery. The queltion therefore being 
 of corporajlnouiiflmivot, bctaufc God haih fo ordained ic 
 
 from 
 
ï$s The Third Sermon 
 
 from the beginning , that the creatures (hould be fuftained in 
 chcir earthly and ienfuall life, as Saint Paul callcth it, by that 
 which the earth bringeth forth and produccth , Gen. 1.29.30, 
 It is certain that God hath withal giuen & as it were endoicd 
 in the bread, that which the Prophet callcth theftajfe of bread, 
 Ezech.4. 1 6.that is to fay,a natural vertue and power to main- 
 taine the itrcngth of body in him who catcth thereof and can 
 digeft it.Likcwifc he hath giuen vnto the wine a naturall and 
 inwarde vertue and property to fuftainc and to cheare the 
 heart of man which dnnketh thereof competently and mea- 
 furablie: Pfal. 104 15. The like is of other creatures created 
 for the vfc of this corporalllife with giuing ofchankes,! .7/w. 
 4.3 .as it commcth alio to palfe in many other creatures ordai- 
 ned for remedies of ficknefïes and difeafes,againit whic h,wce 
 fee that god hach infertcd in chem a certaine proper and natu- 
 ral force and Yertue,refcruingftil notwithftanding vntohim- 
 felfe the right & power of making this vertue or theirs auaila- 
 blé, or not auailable in his crcaturcs,according vnto his good 
 will & pleafure: fo that it is on iuft caufc, that we crauc of him 
 cur dai/j bread, zsconfeffing, that as hec alone hath made the 
 bread, fo he hath compafled and limited the vertue and force 
 thereof: in which rcfpeCt wee muft auouch and confeiTe, thae 
 himfelfeisthcfirft and truccaufe ofourbeeingand nourifli- 
 rnent: butas for the life fpirituallandeternau\thatisinfuch 
 fort reliant and abiding in the onely perfon of Iefus Chri(V6* 
 true and only breadofltfe^hix. there ncuer was,nor is, nor fhalbe 
 any creature whatfoeuer in hcauen,or in earth, or below c the 
 earth,w hich hath in it any one dram,be it neucr lb litle,ot this 
 force & vertuc,which truely quickneth & liueth vnto eternall 
 life. For euen as himfclfe alone hath dooncalhhinges which 
 were requiiitc for our faluation : fo the force & vertue both of 
 difpofing the foule of man to rccciuc & apprehend that which 
 he hath doone for vs , as alfo of applying this faluation , is no 
 where els but in the fole perfon of lefus Chri(t,whencc it mul* 
 flow e and be po wred vpon vs by the vertue and power of the 
 feoly gholt, which is alfo the eflcntial power of the father and 
 
 the 
 
Vpon The Second Chapter. 233 
 
 the fonncrof w horn for this caufc Icfus Chrift hath faid,^ /hall 
 take of mine and fballfhewe it vntoyou^oh.i 6. 14.1 j.What do the 
 Angels then touching our filiation? They are ordained cf 
 God to oppofc and ici themf élues againft all aduerfe and con- 
 trary powersfas we lee it verified in Daniel) being camped a- 
 boutthefaithfuil, Gen.^.z/Tfal.^^. 8Jn z wooiû.t kty are hû 
 mejfengers vnto the faynts,A&.i 0,3 ^Heb.i.i^ but not that they 
 haucany vertue or powcr,eitherin whole or in any part what*, 
 iocuer, todrawevs vnîoGoà: to chaunge our heart es of ft one into 
 heart es officjh : to gme vs eaves to heare : to open oar heart , much 
 Uffc toztt/ltfieandtofanftifievs.YoT all this is propcrhe appertai- 
 ning vnto God our father,by his holy fpirit , in his fbnne Icfus 
 Chriit. And what is the power of men chofen and fentvnto 
 this purpofe }To be the embaffidors efGod , to announce and declare 
 burr//, to fav y to plant jo water the field into which they ar e fen t, in z(- 
 much as they preach the word & adminilter the facramentall 
 fignes:but who is it that difpofeth and fittcth the land , w hich 
 ofit fclfe is barrainc and (tony,to receiue the feedd Who ma- 
 Iccth it to grovVjto bud forth,to florifh^to beare fruité? The one- 
 he fbnne of right eon fneffe y the onely appointed Prince and Sauionrto 
 gifie repent attnee andremijfwn of ftnnes vnto his lfracl y Aét.5.3 I. 
 What is then the vfe of the word f To fignific vnto the fouie of 
 man by the eares,that wherefore the woords arc in cuery lan- 
 guage and toung ordained,and nothing elfe.in fuch wife 3 thac 
 inrefpe<5t of them who hauc not the vnderftanding of the 
 toung in which a man fpeaketh, and of them which well vn- 
 derltand the toung,but haue not receiued ofGod the capacity 
 ofvndcrftanding, to difecrne and like of that w hich foundeth 
 in their careSjthis word hath no more efficacie of working vn- 
 to faluation,thcn if one fhould fpeake vnto a deade man. And 
 the facramentes what vertuc hauc theyPTo reprcfent vnto the 
 eies thac which the facramentall promife faith vnto the earcs, 
 and nothing clfe. What doth then the water of Baptifmc doc 
 in the adminiilration thereof? Jt tefliflcth vnto the cics and o- 
 thcr the fenfes ofhim which is Baptifcd being come vnto a<?e, 
 that as the common water wafheth away the filth and vn- 
 
 Gg clcannes 
 
254 The Third Sermon 
 
 cleanncfle ofche bodie , (o Icfus Chrift hath by his death and 
 paflion wafhed avvaie and done forth al our finnes , and puri- 
 fied and denied vs from our corruption to glorifie vs one day 
 in life eternal.This is it I faie which it tcftifieth and witnefleth 
 vnto vs,& not that it câ caufe any thing to be perfourmed in vs 
 vnto farther fan&ification, or produce anie thing in vs in that 
 behalfe,as beeing therforc czlkdfecred&hofy, not that it hath 
 anie more puritie or holineffe in it felfe then common water: 
 but onelie becaufe it is appointed and dedicated vnto this ho- 
 lie vfc,to be an holy, heauenlic and fpirituall teliimonie of our 
 fanétification,by the ordinance of God. The like is to bee faid 
 of the f acramentall figncs of the holy Supper of the Lorde , to 
 wit , that the bread and the wine are holy and facred tctfimo- 
 nies ordained of God to witnes vnto our eies things inuifible, 
 andfuch as are effcehiatcd and wrought invsby the onelie 
 working and power of the holie Ghoft,namely , that as rccci- 
 uing bread and wine corporally for the norifhment of the bo- 
 die and maintenance of this corporall life : fo embracing by 
 faith our Lord Iefus Chrift,true God and true man, he is made 
 ours and wee arc made his molt ncarely and (traitly by a fpiri- 
 tual communication which we hauc with bim,and by the true 
 iuyce offpirituall and eternall life and nourifliment which we 
 draw from him:to the end to liuc etcrnallie in bodie and foule 
 with him,when this bleffcd and happie daic fliall come. I faie 
 therefore againe, that, to attribute anie inwardc vertuc and 
 power vnto the woords , though the wordes be fuch as are or- 
 dained by God and pronounced in his name:femblaby to at- 
 tribute anie vertue vnto the adminiftratours of the woordc or 
 of the facramentes: yea farther to attribute anie fpirkual force 
 of woorking vnto the facramcntal fignes , is a moft open and 
 deteftable,not onelie fuperftition,but alfo Idolâtrie. 
 
 y To come now vnto the fpeach of our fpoufe , knowing 
 this ,fbcdefireth both hands >thzt is to faie the powcrand vertue 
 of her Bridegroom to make that wine and tho/e apples profitable tê 
 /vr,and by this meanes to caufe her jpirit s to come avame vnto her. 
 Sccondlie fhee therefore defircth this , becaufe fheeknoweth 
 
 thai 
 
VponThb Second Chapter. 235 
 
 chat if the fécond grace accompanie not the fir(t,and the third 
 the iccond,and fo on vnto the end, nothing would bee perfe- 
 cted and effected in vs,and we would incontinentlie vomit vp 
 againe the meate and drinkc wee receiued,with how good an 
 appetite fo euer wee flrft fauoured and ate it : and fo our latter 
 eiiatc aud condition fliould bee worfc then the fir(t,and from 
 founding wee fhould fall into an vtter fainting and giuingvp 
 the ghoft. And therefore if we wil be this true Church,there is 
 no thinking of our felues proper and able men frraight way, 
 when we haue receiued a little,and fo content our felues w ith 
 that meafurc of faith we hauc,though we had an hudred thou- 
 fand times more then wee haue: but we mud haue a perpetual 
 appetite, defiring that which wee haue alreadie, to the end it 
 may be ftil continued & encreafed in vs ; crauingof God new 
 ftrength, and that it would pleafe him not to lead vs into ter 'tati~ 
 on: but continue to fuftaine and hold vp with one hand ourvcedzc 
 andheauie head> çfr embracing with the other handout hart and our 
 wil altogither fainting and languifhing, naie for the m oft part 
 of time, rebelling againft him:to the end that becing fortified 
 in all the faculties and actions of the bodie and foule, andfo 
 flrengthened throughlie in bodie and foule, wee may end our 
 courfe happilic and rcceiue the crownc which he hath prepa- 
 red for vs. 
 
 6 It followcth now to fee how the fpoufe being by means 
 oithatwine % and thofeaf pies come vnto herfelfe , is in this place 
 propofed vnto vs as it were*'» a deepe refi,not of a flecp, w hich 
 would bcreaue her of al manner of feeling of that good,\vhicli 
 (he recciueth in this feaft , as we fee how that natural ileepe is 
 no other vnto vs thé the Image of death, hindring the actions 
 of al our fenfes, albeit that God hath ordained it for the refre- 
 shing and (lengthening of our poore bodie, which hath need 
 of this comfort, and would not otherwife be able to indure & 
 continue in his daily trauell . But we muft vndcrftand by this 
 fleepe of the fpoufe ,that happy repofe and contentmcnt,which 
 eueric faithful foule cnioieth,being fequcftrcd from all earth- 
 ly cogitations and thoughts to be occupied onely in the good 
 
 Gg a digelling 
 
 \ 
 
t$6 Tke Third Sermon 
 
 digcftirigoftbat which ithathcace mthisfeaft, tobethercbv 
 nourifiicd, that is to fay, of that which fhee hath learned and 
 rcceiued in the Church of the Lorde, hearing his woorde and 
 receiuing his facraments.eucn as after corporall repart, a man 
 quitting and ikying atideali his corporal actions. fetteth him- 
 icketofleep, to digeft that which he hath eaten and dronken, 
 thereby to be preierued&fufteincd. Thvrepofi the is nothing 
 eis but that meditation whereof it is fpoken, Pfxl.i.z. and Pfat. 
 i6\ij. And eifewhere in many other places, & whereof we 
 haue excellent examples,in the Canticles or fongs of Samuels 
 mothcr,i.5^w.2.i.andofDauid, ï.S.wn. 7.i8.of Zacharie,of 
 the virgin Mary, of Simeon, L'A\i .an i 2. For fo farre is it that 
 tbJéflctfc cauleth the faints to loole their fpeech,that contrari- 
 w*:ie it is ic which openeth their mouth, nottotaikc as in a 
 dreame.but to fpcake as being rauifned into heauen. This is it 
 w hich we fee happened vnto Saint Peter, in the hittory of the 
 transfiguration of the Lord, hauin° his ciesdazeled with the 
 appearauncc or his glcry.Af^r.9.6. 
 
 7 Now as it is not in the power of men to giue vnto vs this 
 repoje and reft, loh. 14, 27. to neither can they take itirom vs. 
 True it is that Satan troubleth it , and cutteth it ofTfo much as 
 he can, and wantcth no helpcs, yea ofour owne fc lues in this 
 behalfe and to this purpofe . But yet notwithstanding it is noc 
 in the power of any to rrouble vs. except when & how farre it 
 plcafeth God they fhail doe it.This is it which we are heere to 
 learne touching the expreffe charge, the Brldegroome in this* 
 place giucth vnto tbedaugkersoflerxfilem, that tbty troubletiot 
 this reft 'of 'his fyoxfejftitfuffer her tofleepe quiet k folong atfhee Kill. 
 Wherein we haue lîrlî to marcke diligently, this continuait 8c 
 perpetual prouidenceofhim, ofwhom it is hide t zhzthse that 
 keep?: h If well doih neither fltimber nor (leepe, Pfal. ill. 4. And 
 therefore it is vnto him we muft make our only repaire and re- 
 fuge faying with the fame Dzu\d:Ir?iltl*ve medortne to(leepc & 
 wit net wake, for the eternall vil defend me. Which he doth not on- 
 ly then , when in defpite of the Diuel & al his complices wee 
 hauefomercit, as wee may fay, that forthefe fifty yeares or 
 
 there 
 
Vpon The SecowdC haptbr. 257 
 
 thereabout, ithath pleaied God to continue it vnto vsïnthis 
 place,and as it is {'udffiit.i 3 .to feed vs in al aboun dance with 
 his hcauenly foode, in the fight and view of all the enimies of 
 his trueth: but alfo principally in the molt rough tempeftcs of 
 tryals: that we might fay with Dau'id:he hath buime in bis taber~ 
 nacle in the t'meofxduerfîtie according vnto thole wordes with 
 which the LordCoforteth his church,Efay.z6 3 2o.Ar//e my peo- 
 ple, enter into thy ftcret chambers andjhut the dore vnto thee^& hide 
 thy felfe for alitle time, vnttll the indignation be ouerpajfed. It is the 
 Lord then who giucth this tmerepoje and reft vnto his Church, 
 and who defendeth itfofarrcas fecmeth expedient vnto his 
 bieifedwill. 
 
 8 But what are theft daughters of Ierufalem^ which are thus 
 adiured in this place? Some take them to bee the damfels of the 
 fpoxfes traîne , as ifa man fhould lay vnto the waiting gentle- 
 wemen of a Queenc, take heede you awake not your Lady & 
 MiftrelTe.But it were needlefle to vfe fo folemne a charge to- 
 wardes fuch perfons : and it feemeth rather that this is fpoken 
 vnto them who would not faile to trouble this repofe and reft if 
 fo be they were not hindred. The Bridegroom therfore in this 
 place calleth them daughters of Ierufalem,\N\\om the fpoufe be- 
 fore,£hap. 1 .6\calleth not Herftfters y but Children of her mother*. 
 namely thofc,which are in the Church but not of the Church, 
 as S. Paul putteth a great dirTerece,between the circucifedwith- 
 out,k the ctrcumcifedmthin 3 Kom .2.1 8 .fay i n g,that alare not the 
 children of Abr aba jvhicb are ofthepofteritieofA.br aha, Rom.p.7. 
 Thefe are therfore they vnto who the Bridegrome giueth this 
 chargers vnto thofe,who are the nearelt 3 & therfore the moft 
 dangerous enemies of the Churches reft, as experience hath 
 dayly fhewed,& yet euery day ftil flieweth the to be.For who 
 are they who at this daie doe moll hinderthe aduancement of 
 the kingdomeofGod, and that the Church ioycth noting 
 reft}T\\cy arc neither Icwcs nor Turkes which fo much doe it, 
 incomparifonofthem, who call themfelues the Catholique 
 Church,naie the chiefe piliers thereofrtogcther with certaine 
 curfed Apoftates and hctctiqucsgonefoortbfrom vsjbecaufethty 
 
 Gg 3 were 
 
aj8 The Third Sermoh 
 
 tverenotinàecdofvs^ i.Ioh.2.p.butwhat ? God bridclcth them 
 nocvN ithlianding then, & ib far as is bchooueful & expedient, 
 as itis laid in this place. 
 
 o As for the %oes ana Htndes which are hecre taken to vvit- 
 neflc of this chargc,befides that this maner offpeech is agree- 
 able to the whole tenour of this Canticle, in which this mutu- 
 al difcourle is reprefented to be had between thofe w hich arc 
 in the fields: it is no new thing that the Lord and his feruants, 
 take to witnes againft men al lores of creatures:as the heauens 
 and earth, Dent*i 2. 1. the oxen & the {xMsJEfat. 1.2. the cranes, 
 the (torcks,and the fwallowes, /fr.8.y.yea the mountaines &: 
 the foundations of the c zi th } < J\ lie h. 6. i.As in deed there is no 
 creature high, middle, nor lowe which demaundeth not ven- 
 geaunce of God , againft fuch as are rebellious and difobedi- 
 cm vnto his commandementes,&*».8. 2 1. Yea when it plea- 
 feth God,hee maketh them executioners of his iudgementes, 
 as appearcth by the fauadge and cruell bea(tes,of which it is 
 fpoken,iJutf£.i3.2 5.and2. King. 17.2 5. euen the verie frogs 
 andflies,asappeareth by the plagues ot Aegypt : fo that it is 
 verilie a terrible thing to fal into the handes oft he liuing god. 
 And with this are they cfpecially thrcatned,whoaretheper- 
 turbers & troublcrs of the church,otherwiie called thc*»ww/- 
 teàoftheLorà y Pialm,ioy.i 5. and which are heere named the 
 3rtdcgroomesloue ,a woord moft fweete,pleafant and amiable. 
 O wretched and wretched againe is he who refuleth to hauc 
 his part therein, cfpecially now when the lonne hath reuea- 
 led vnto vs al the fecretes of our faluation, as vnto his frindes, 
 and not as vnto his feruantes , Ioh.i 5.1 5 .yea, hath confirmed 
 and ratified vnto vs this infinie Loue and Dilcftion ofhis , by 
 giuinghislifeforvs. 
 
 1 o But w hat mcane thefc wordes which foWow >vntiljherril 
 be&vaharTor can the faithful foule be full oîthisfUepe y iv\à de- 
 fire to be awaked out of it?Ccrtamlie Saint Peter had no fuch 
 meaning in the hiitorie of the transfiguration, but rather deii- 
 red,he might flay continually in the mountain. I confes there- 
 fore that fuch a meditation and as it were fuch a retired con- 
 
 tcmplatioa 
 
Vpon The Second Chapter. 139 
 
 tcmplation orcucricfaithfull foule , is a thing altogether in- 
 comparable inrefpeCtof anie thing in this woorlde befides: 
 vvhercofDauidmaybea\vitnes < P/^/.63.6.7.Butnotwithlbn- 
 ding feeing the members of the Church ought not onlie to rc- 
 ceiue this nourishment to be thereby fultained and nourished, 
 butalfo to imploie themfelues to the vie and feruice of the 
 whole bodie , there is no talke of being alvvaies & continuing 
 in this contemplation: but we mult come alio vnto action and 
 trauaile daie and night, euery man according ynto his vocati- 
 on. And therefore theic good fathers , who lo lequetter them- 
 felues from the world,that in the end they haue neither ierued 
 to their own & others profit,haue greathe abufed themfelues. 
 So wee read that Iefus Chrilt , the true and perfect patterne of 
 Chriftian life , withdre we himfelfe afide at euening into fomc 
 fecret placeibut he emploied al the day in going vp & downe, 
 in teaching and doing of miraclcs,yea buiying himfelfe fo far 
 as that he forgatc his mcztCyCMar^ .20. Saint Paul alfo kno- 
 weth not which of the two he fliould chufe,namelie, either to 
 be diflodged out of this bodie,which he efpecially defired, or 
 toremaineinit,/ > ^i/.3.2 3 . and that totrauel night and daie, 
 both publikcly and in priuate houfes,fcx/#.20.20 . And this is 
 the caufe why the Bridegrome would haue his fpoufe to take 
 her reft and that foundlie,and fo far as to be fatisned therwith, 
 and no man to trouble her repofc, except the Bridegroomc 
 would fo haue it and appoint it. For it is for him alone to wake 
 her,as he faith afterwardes, and her felfe alfo defireth no more 
 reft then it pleafeth her Bridegroome to graunt her. 
 
 1 1 And thus you fee in fummc what wee are to learne out 
 of this raoft excellent place of Scripture full of lingular Do- 
 ctrine, namely that it is in God alone in whom we muft feeke 
 after our true felicity, hearing and meditating day and night 
 his holy word,& depending on his prouidence & protection, 
 vntill wee be gathered together in his eucrlafting kingdomc, 
 where this holy and perpetual marriage fhalbe confummated 
 and cnded.Let vs now with hart and mouth pray vnto him for 
 his grace, faying as followctru vilmightj Cod, &c, 
 
 Thi 
 
340 The Fovrht Sermon 
 
 The Nineteenth Sermon. 
 
 Our help be in the name ofGod &c. 
 
 It ù mitten tufollmeth in the fécond Chaffer $fthe Canticle of 
 Canticles y the 8 .ç^tnd 1 o.verfcs. 
 
 8 This is the voice of my welbeloued, be- 
 hold hee commeth leaping ouer the moun- 
 taines and skipping ouer the hils. 
 
 9 My welbeloued is like a Roe , and like an 
 Hind-calfe. Behold he is behind our wall,loo- 
 king through the window, and fhewinghim- 
 felfe through the lattife. 
 
 *o My welbeloued hath fpoken vnto mee 
 and faide , Vp arife my loue,my faire one, and 
 come thy waie. 
 
 1 Three great abufes committed in trauer fedalfo ouer by the Bride groome, 
 contemplative life falfy called religion, 8 TheBridegronxhathalfotaJienvp- 
 
 2 JtU frem the voice of the Bride- en himfelfe the b*ttcmkffe gulf* of the 
 grom* that this dejire proceedeth of fut- curfe cfGtd hit father , to -run vnto our 
 ting owfelues into the vaieand going deltuerie xcith this burden on hisfhoul- 
 forward in our vocation. dcrs. 
 
 3 application of this doclrine vnto $ The difference betveene the new 
 the Church of Geneua. and the oldc ccuenaunt , refreftnted by 
 
 4 The more then marueilcut diligence the fmilitttde cfa vall> andofa graft or 
 and carefulneffe of thit Br id* groome t to lattife, 
 
 runne vnto hit ftoufe. I o This Bridegroom* hath neuer beent 
 
 J A compariftn of this diligence with dumb , and the abufe committed in this 
 
 vurfluggijhnes. behalfe in thefalfe Church. 
 
 6 Thefirfthighfptcuntainesyirhichfa- II The viorde of the Bridegroom* fer- 
 tan and hit complice s haut reared tt> k*ep utth to no purpofejfnun harkxn not vn- 
 the frotife from her Bridegrome , which to it^nd if they avah* not tlnrnfeUtesin 
 the Bridegroom* mounteth readily cucr, deede. 
 
 without fi tying a moment, i z Wherefore thuftcufe is called the 
 
 7 Other exceeding rough and craggie faire one , oppofed vnt9 her which it no- 
 mottntaintf ofohrfnnet and iniouities, ihin% but painted. 
 
 13 The 
 
VponThe Second Chapter. $41 
 
 il The true fioufe is neither calkdncr cutrcstlltd &yet callethheStchw.cn: 
 
 Joeth rlfewhitU then vntoher bnde- & the great abufe cf thorn whkhloo^fr 
 
 * t J ,- him at this date cotporalùe in the earth. 
 
 ^Vhturidecrcnc nmfi come vnto vs \6 Theft words corr.c thy waie vught 
 
 tlcctufe vs to come into hmi. » /«** vs for a fummt and «U U#. 
 
 j< The Ftideg-oowe netter came vnto mem of the whole doctrine of faluattort, 
 
 hit (p~ t <f or at this dxypefenteth him- and to teach vs the end of the uhole lift 
 
 jafe vr.:lhcrtoflyherherebclow;b*s of a Chrifiian. 
 
 EE haue left the fpoufe in the repofc 
 and rell of her meditation rauifhed as 
 it were altogether in an ec (tarie , out 
 of which herrcpofe, Are is now awa- 
 ked by the Bridegrome,notw ithltan- 
 ding not to trouble her, buttoleadc 
 her as it were out of one pleafure into 
 another. The likccommethtopaiTc 
 after naturallfleepe, which being ta- 
 ken in fufficient meafure refrefheth aman, & raifeth, as a man 
 would fay, new forces in him : as contrariwife the fame , ific 
 paiTe & exceed a mcan,breedcth firfl in a ma a lazines & llug- 
 gi/lmeiTe , & finally drawcth a man into a bad & naughty cu- 
 Ùome.So is it in this fpiritual reft, which the foule being with- 
 drawen a fide by it felfe to meditate on the graces ofGod,and 
 to be occupied in praicr in his fecret chamber,A£tf.c>.6'.enioi- 
 eth; bee it by day or by night,according vnto the example of 
 Dauid in many of his Piaims.But ifof this meditation a ma wil 
 make a contemplatiue life,fafliy called Angelical,he commit- 
 teth therein two notable faults , which by litle and litle come 
 at the length to a third, which is vttcr perdition and deftrudti- 
 on ofhimfelfe. For firft a man departeth & withdrawcth him- 
 felfe from the principall dutic of a Chriftian, whic h is to ferue 
 his neighbour according vnto his vocation rwhich cannot bee 
 doone if a man fcqueflcr himfelfe from men and imploy not 
 hismindein any other adtions then fuch,asarcfpcciallyand 
 particularly belonging vnto himfelfe, whereas wee ought to : 
 a^ply ai the knowledge we haue in humane or diuinc thinges 
 oi Hh vn:o 
 
*4* Thb Fovrth Sermon 
 
 vnto the mutual] profit and advancement of one an other. Se- 
 condly by fuch a kinde of continuall contemplation , it is vn- 
 poiïîble but aman will become at the lalt fottifh and fantalti- 
 call^eipecially if vnto it bee added an aufterity of life without 
 meanc and good meafure:and at lait after that a man hath be- 
 lbtted himieifc withfucha dreaming and fantafticallkindof 
 life, he beginneth to perfwade himfeife by little and little, not 
 only in that faite and damnable opinion of mérite, but alio R- 
 nally,that he is arriued to the greatelt perfection that may be, 
 nay gone beyond Paradifeitielfe. Uetpafletofpeakeofthe 
 notable hypocrite, and other meft ftincking fiithineiTe which 
 is hidden vnder the cloke and colour of this kind oflife, w hich 
 falfly appropriateth to it fclfe the name oî Religion. For proofc 
 ofthis let vs look no farther, then firft vnto the doting dreams 
 which are found aiwel in the légendes of thefe holie fatheis, 
 as alfo in the writings ofcertaine contemplatiue doctors: and 
 after that, vnto the abufes with which this kinde of vermine 
 hath filled the whole world,and poyfoned efpeciallie al Chri- 
 ftendomerin fuch fort that the Popes théfelues haue been for- 
 ced and confiraincd to decree that there fhould be no more 
 new orders of monks fetvp, as that decree madecxprcflicto 
 this purpofe in that great Councel of Lateran vnder Pope In- 
 nocent the third, An.\ 2 i 5 .may witnes. And yet for al that,be- 
 hold yet a new fwarme of locufls, the order of the Capuchins, 
 & of thofe fliamelefle companions which attribute vnto thé- 
 felues the name of the companie of lefus, which are within 
 thefe forty yearcs crauled out of the bottomles pit , to happer 
 and fwarme throughout the worlde,which indeede deferueth 
 nothing elfe but to be broufed and bitten with fuch caterpil- 
 îers. 
 
 2 But let vs go out ofthis (5nck,and return vnto this fpoufe, 
 who is now awaked by her Bridegroom , and inutted and cal- 
 led vnto the other part of Chriftian life , that is to faie , the o- 
 ther kinde of conuerfing with her Bridegroome, namely vnto 
 the pra&ife of that which flic hath learned and meditated.For 
 IfS'hatU this cKç 9 terifeandtQtakekfrwaktQ ççmevm foment 
 
 to 
 
VponThe Second Chapter. 24} 
 
 to order and direct the courfe of her lite according vnto her 
 vocation,contormably vnco the commaundememesoiGod? 
 7fyvwr*,faith the Propher/P/rf/.i 10.1/.105. is a lanterne vntê 
 myfeete, and a hght vnto my going. And this is the reafon w hy w e 
 arc warned to walkctnhu nates ,and wherefore lefus Chriit laid 
 Wulk^htleyoH haue the light. hut how fhall they march forward 
 and walkCjwho haue no legsf 1 rulie this mult bee by him and 
 by no other, who giueth eies vnto the blinde,and (trarghtneth 
 them whole limmes are crooked, Pfat. i4ô\8.vntowhom the 
 Prophet {2L\à,Ttachmetky right vraies. And this is the very caule 
 alfo why the fpoufe in this place confefleth that pieertas arrafa* 
 nedby the voice of her Brtdegrome, and not of her ielfe . Vottfrvee 
 cannot ofottr jelues prate a* we oight \ Rom.8.26.hov\ e can it pro- 
 ceed of our telues either iovf>HortocU}X>\\\\. 2. 1 3. But this voice 
 mull alfo be heard &rcctiucd by his grace, whorpeneth the 
 heart to hear wel, <•//#. 1 6.1^. as this fpoufe in this place v\ic- 
 neileth,fhe wing that lliee is rj^e true Church, ace or ding vnto 
 the faying of Ieius Chri(T,that/te>7^/ > * hearehis voiced r.ct the 
 voice ofaftraunger,\oh .10.3.5. 1 11 a v% ord t h erefore,™, e \\ ouid 
 neuer come vnto him, naiencucrib much as ihinke to goc 
 tnto him,if he came not firlt vnto vs,to warne vs theieof,naie 
 Co forme in vs the defire of going vnto him : and which more 
 is,ifhe accompanied not this grace of going vnto him, with a 
 fécond grace ofb J effing and effecting invs this defire of go- 
 ing vnto him, to rhe end that that might bee accomplifhed in 
 vs which he faith by his Prophet,^ haue made my [elfe to be found 
 •fthem-, vehofovght not after me y Efai.c5$.l . 
 
 3 And neede we go any farther then vnto our felues, who 
 are here to vérifie this doctrine? Behold vs a multitude af- 
 ièmbled partly of originary inhabitants borne in this place;& 
 partly alfo, and that too for the molt part, gathered together 
 out of many nations ofthe Ealt,We(t,South,and North. Dare 
 the borne-dwellers ofthisCittyfay, that themfeluesdidfirit 
 feeke after this bridegroome? Or not contrariwife, that he 
 came a^d fought them? Nay mult they not confeffe that the 
 Bridcgroome bath efpotifcd them by plaine miracle,bringi ng 
 
 Hh 2 them 
 
244 Thh Fovrth Sermon 
 
 them an happy frcedomc both temporal and fpirituahw here- 
 in he (hi mamtaineth them to the woonder and admiration of 
 the v\ hole woilde? And as for vs v\ ho are here gathered tc°e* 
 thcr from out of ail the quarters and corm rs of the worRif wc 
 confidereuericotvsoutofwhatbottomlesgulfe and dun°e- 
 on he hath dravven vs,and v\hen,andhov\e:mull wee notiaic 
 vnro himiLortii/Mo thee beglorie y and net vnto vs ? But alas what 
 fnall become of them who hauing heard his voice, and ha* 
 wnggiuen their word alfo they would goe into the vineyard, 
 nay naue gone into it , haue there become^deaffe, and wicked 
 \vorkers?Shal he not fay vnto ihemiDepartfi-om were workers of 
 tmqiiiticjkvcwjon noil 
 
 4 No we though this bee a benefit altogether ineitimable, 
 that it pieafeth the bridegroome to awaken his fpouie, to the 
 end hnnfelfe might teach her, & make her a better huf-wifc 
 in the houfe of her Bridegroome. yet what is this in refpeét of 
 the extreme carefulnefîc and diligence which hee vieth in this 
 behalfe ? Hemounteth> faith the fpoufe , ouer the nwsent tunes 9 and 
 fk$p*tb ouer the h'ds like a, %peoran Htnd caljs. A nd what vnder- 
 tfanding of man is able to comprehend io great a loue and 
 good-will? Hisfhceparc wandred andftraicdofthemfelues: 
 and behold the fhecpeheard who runneth after them, and 
 there is neither rocke ,nor torrent, mountaine, nor valley, 
 which can ftay him from patting ouer vntil he finde them , to 
 bring them backeagaine vnto the fold. And what manner of 
 fheepe 1 pray you? Mary lue h as are itubborne and rebellious, 
 and ieekcthemfelues after thewolfc, fo little accountmakc 
 they of the fheepeheard.And of what fheepeheard? Of fuch a 
 one as hath no need at al of the flieep, & who neither feedeth 
 himfelfe with the flelTi, norclotheth himfelfe with the woll 
 of them, and which of themfelues can bring no other thing 
 vnto their fheepheard then al maner of fikhinefle & vnclean- 
 nelTcjcV yet are fought after of him notwithstanding ouer hill 
 and dale , of him I fay , who neither hath any needc of them, 
 neither can euer receiue any commodity by them.For there is 
 nothing lettctb,but that this which is hcte fpokenof this agi- 
 lity 
 
VponTmi Second Chapter* 245* 
 
 liry ofthe Bridcgroome in halu*ning to waken his fpoufe be- 
 ing alL-epe , may not bee vnderltoode of an other ilcepe then 
 that,w hereof w c (pake be tore. In a word if the Lord made noc 
 halt to prouide for Vb y \\ ho. doubtcth buuhat wee mould haue 
 periihed a thoufâd times be to re we could haue laid vnto hun 
 wuh the Prophtt,0 Loydthmkt'pon mine aide ,o Lord mzke haft to 
 fuccorme, Pial. 70.2. And therefore it is not without great rea- 
 ion that he vpbr»udcth vs with this flothfuineiTc and retthlef- 
 nclfe of ours by his Prophet,faying, I haue fpoken continually vn~ 
 to you from the morning, vnto the euenm^ , andj ou haue not hearhned 
 ypto me: I haue cryed vntoyou 3 f?utyoH haue not heard ms i le r. 7 . 1 3 . 
 and 11.7, 
 
 5 Alas,my brethren, it is ofvs that this complaint is made, 
 vnto whom the Lord for thcie eight and fortie years hath noc 
 ceafed to crie : but how manic are there who initeede of awa- 
 king,according vnto the exhortation ofthe Apoftle, £^.5. 8. 
 deep not on (hi in their finnes and vices, yea lo far as that they 
 haue left no place more neither for the iudgcmentcsof God, 
 neither for the faithfullandcontinuall admonitions of his fer- 
 uants? And yet if we wil be this true fpoufe of Chrift,w-e ihoud 
 doe that which is here fa id , 1 meane we fliould aiToone as the 
 Bridegrome hath fpoken hxtjbehold the voice ofthe Bridegrome 9 
 \vc fliould goe j naie wee flioulde runne to meete h'wnjwuhour 
 lampes m our handes, toe nier in vnto the marriage fc all, asitis 
 fpoken in the parable, of the virgms^&M 5. before he (wear 
 that rvejhalnct enter mo his reftJ'îzLç^ .II. 
 
 6 Now to make vs the more afhamedof ourflownes and 
 fluggffhnes , wee-mull confider ofthb fimilitude oïthe%oeor 
 bwd'calfe, vnto which the Bridegrome is in this place compa- 
 ied,as vnto bcallcs of great agihtie and mroblenes ; efpecially 
 if we take the word which Salomon here vfeth , not for a Roe % 
 but for a chamoife or gemps , which is a beaft more fw ift then 
 the other without companion , & of an incredible venterouf- 
 nes and dexterity together to leape from cliffc to clifFc , as if it 
 were a beaft that rather flicth, as a man might faie , thcnlea- 
 pcth. Behold then why it is faide that this Bridegroome run- 
 
 Hh 3 ning 
 
%4& The Fourth Sermon 
 
 ning vnto his fpouic, quttttth the Ubiokxtaines ar.à the bilUfn 
 Ana what arc theje mountmncs die, but that which puttcth 
 a mid- w all , as it were , betweenc Cod and vs , to hincer him 
 it it might bee , hem cemmmg \ nto vs , and ioyning himielfe 
 with vs ? Ncwe theie are two fortes ot tkeJcr/itdn*oumamcs. 
 For tiiit ot aii Satan anc his complices cue v hat Jicth in them 
 to hinder that this Bnoe^rccme ana this ipouieftiouidneuer 
 iee each the cther,lc aim ^ r.o kino ot crueiue vnpiaétiied,nor 
 anie kitidofluitle&cratni fly mcanesvnattemptedto worke 
 this dilution and aitorieiihe v\ inch thing is verified through- 
 outthe whole iacreti hiitorie. but to goe no tanner for proofe 
 hcreot, what hath bcei.e cconcin tlmbehaifeinourumeby 
 Kinges anûln perours enchauntcaand bcwucl cc by thac 
 whocre ot Re me.cx by her (laucs ? And what doth the w orlde 
 ftil euene daie $ Rcade we cuer al the hiitories of the aunckne 
 perfecutions,no one c xcepted (hal w ee find the like vnto thac 
 which hath beene prachicdin cur time . ? For there is neither 
 firc,nor water , nor aire , nor earth, which haucnctal ofihcm 
 beene emploied to iuckc tlie life ot our poore brethren: there 
 is no kind ot c i uel ceath through which they haue not palled, 
 neither haue the handesotthe hangmen onehe beenc weari- 
 ed with their flaughter.but the people alio haue been Employ- 
 ed to embrue themielues w ith the bloode of the pcore , meek 
 andinnocent,withoutdi(tinc5t!onofage ordifferenceotfcxe, 
 or anie primlege of nature whatfoeuer :&thisiicenciouineiTe 
 hath beene permitted , to anie that would die his handes red 
 with innocent bloode , not in time of ft arre and hcfhlity , but 
 in the greateftappearanceand confidence thac might bee of 
 peace and frinefhip. As for all manner offlei glues and wiles, 
 hath there bin any one vnforgotten? But what? Could thete 
 impedimentesftay the Bririegroome, and fhut him as it were 
 vp in heauen?No!Buthcehath7wfflouer all -this,and though 
 hee feemedtohaue abandoned andforfaken thofe who are 
 his,yec was there neuer anie tempeft wherin he reached them 
 not toorth his hand, and whereof the end and iflue both in re- 
 îjità. of them whom hec hath miracxuWlic preferued and 
 
 plucked 
 
VponThe Second Chapter. 347 
 
 plucked foorch out of the bloodie handes of their enemies , as 
 alio in regard ofthem whom hee hath vouchfafed this honor 
 of finding their life before him, in letting of it before men^ 
 hath not tinallic turned vnto the conf ution of the perfecutors 
 themlelues: fomc ofthem beeing prefentlie punifhed , others 
 becing let as a fpccbicle of Gods horrible iudgementes, not 
 outwardhe,which is a falfe marke & note , but inwardlie, dy- 
 ing as wickedlie as they liued: others liuing (till to this day for 
 no other end,but to be vvitncrTes of gods infinie patience; who 
 giue them grace to acknowledge and amend their fo great 
 wickedncs . Yea but will tome of thefc mockers and fcorners, 
 of which the world is ful fraught at this daie , faie ; // is novo too 
 late, I anfwere \ and that without all ibphiltication, taking the 
 woords as we ought to take them, that to comeUte is not t© be- 
 llow a long time in comming, but more time then fhould bee 
 beftowed.Thefunnccommeth not vnto his point and period 
 but after twelue monethes : fhal we faie that he is too late thcr- 
 fore in ruling the feafons of the yeare? Yea verily, if we wil be 
 wifcr herein then God : but men of vnderftanding and reafon, 
 and fuch as knowe that the Lorde hath ordered and ruled the 
 motions of the heauens with a wifedom in no point impeach* 
 able & fuch aspreacheth the glorie of God vnto al the world, 
 as it is declared in the 19. Pfal.and clfw hcre,iudge otherwifc» 
 And who maie then be fuffred to faie,that the Lord who hath 
 made the times and feafons for the good & the bad,according 
 as it is faid (?<r«^/.8.22.hath not alio bounded the gouernmenc 
 ofhis houfeand dwelling place, which is the Church ? The 
 Prophet is not of this opinion, PfiiLi 45. 10. Let vs therefore 
 knowe and holdc this for an irrefragable point and vndenia- 
 ble,and altogether refolucd vpon,according vnto that which 
 Saint Petcrtcacheth vs,2. fVr.î.o.that the Lorde is neuerlate 
 orflackeincomming,thatistofaicfaileth not to come at the 
 point, yea and that /eœpmg ouçr all that which might feeme to 
 flack & ftaic his comming : but it is hee which hath made the 
 time,and who meafureth it in fuch fort as it beft appertained, 
 Tvhich mcafuringofhisaman can no more reafonablic finde 
 
 fault 
 
34S The Fovrth Sermon 
 
 fault w rthal, then if he fhculc blame ihe funnc for cotrifing at 
 
 night or at noonc. 
 
 7 But al this which we haue faid touching the fe mount aines & 
 bilsis not the principalis being a thing cade to be vnderitootj, 
 that there is neither force nor iubtilty v. hich câ hinder or with- 
 hold the almighty fo much ts a memet oi time. But know you 
 what theie great & ictxibïc mountains are. which fland fo high 
 betweene god & vsf "I hty are our dns,thcy are our iniquities, 
 they arc cur wickednt fies w hich indeed Je par ate and dimdevs 
 from God; Eizie. 59.2. And herein wee muit take hcede howe 
 wee flatter or Jcoth our felues. For truly thefc dnnesof ours, 
 thefe transgrclTjons ofcurs,theie wicked impieties of ours,arc 
 grow en and heaped Yp from time to time into huge and great 
 mountames before theiace of the euerliuing. And what hath 
 the Lord alwaies done? Hath he not traueried thefe mount aines 
 to take pitty vpon his chofen and elcc,t? What huge mcuntake 
 was the dime of Adam? what mighty rocke railed betweene 
 God and the woorlde, was that confudon which brought the 
 deluge vpon the wcorld. ? Ifweepaiïe farther inconddering 
 of the time vnder and after the law c, what elfe fhall wee find, 
 then that which Daniel in that molt excellent praier of his 
 acknowledged^ and c onfeffeth? Dan. o. 4, In the meane time 
 what hath theBridcgroomc donc? Adam 3nd Eue, in whom 
 this fpoufe which was and fhall be vntill the number of the e- 
 leCtbeaccomphfhed,wasthen wholieasit were comprifed, 
 hadnofoonercafl away & vndon themfclues, but this bride- 
 groomeha{tedouer^»7tf^r^<f to remedy the matter. The 
 very night that the fower hundred years were expired & en- 
 ded he brought h is people out of Aegypt,fhaking the heauens 
 and die earth at their departure, Exod. 3. 8. and 1 2. 41. The 
 like did hee percifely at the end of feuentie yeares , and flay- 
 ed not a moment be yond to dcliucr his people out of the càp- 
 titiitie ofBabylon.Forrhe Lorde isttue in his promifes, not in 
 part ,but in al) and through al. Are we a (faulted of any enimy? 
 He is ftraight way by vs with armes in hand to defend vs, 
 Pfai^ j.Hauewcprouoked him to difplcafure,& hath he ta- 
 ken 
 
Vpon The Second Chapter." i^ 
 
 ken the roddc in hand to chaftife and correct vs ? Heehnoweth 
 whereof wee be made ,and is for the mod part contented tohaue 
 pulled vs onely by the eare: Tfal. 1 03 .9. If he be verie angrie, 
 fie vvi! (trike in earncir,yet behold how he preuenteth his, hea- 
 ling them as it were, before he haue hurt them. Goeto, anfe my 
 people, enter into thy fier et chamber '/(that is the captiuity of Baby- 
 lon) Çrfbut the doore vpon thee, cr hide thy [elfe as tt were for afmall 
 moment, vault 'the indignation paffe ,Efay '. 26. 20. and 1. Pet. 2.24.' 
 nay which more is, -where finne abomdeth, there doth hi* grace 
 in the fulnefle oftimes oucrflowe and fuper abound. And in our 
 time, and in refpeft of vs, what hath he doone, and what doth 
 he yet euery day,cucry houre,cuery moment, but haft and run 
 vntovs,notwithitandingal thefe mighty rockes and mountains* 
 
 8 And becaufethatin the way he was to meete with that 
 great & more then feareful bottomleiTe pit of Gods molt iuft 
 curie & malediction vpon vs , how hath hee wrought therein? 
 O bounty of his, O loue, O charity infinite and incomprehen- 
 sible ! He hath charged vpon his backe this mountaine alfo of 
 our firmes and carried it euen vnto his crofle,he hath entred & 
 waded through the gulfc of the malediction of that Iudge, fo 
 far as to cry : My God, my God, why hafl thou for fahenmeef Being 
 dead,he hath purfued death eve vnto his own home , which is 
 the graue, & finally paffing as a victorious conqueror through 
 all thisrhe is come running vnto this poore defolate fpoufe , & 
 Jiathdrawcnher outof darckenefle into his mod admirable 
 light,i /TVf.i.o.and hath raifed her from the bottom of hell to 
 the higheft toppe of the heauens. Yee fee then how mod true 
 it is which the fpoufe here fpcaketh preaching vnto vs the vn- 
 ipcakeable fpecde and readineffe the Bridegroome vfeth to 
 awaken hereto guide and help her at her neede. 
 
 9 But that which the fpoufe addcth , That the Bridegroome 
 kgpt himfilfe behind the wall , and c au fed htmfelfe to be feeneonly 
 through the grate or lattife , ought well to be confidcred 3 as put- 
 ting a difference betweene the old and the new couenant.For 
 it is true that there was neuer no other mediatour betweene 
 God and men, but this only Bridegroome of this only fpoufe, 
 
 Ij which 
 
»jô TheTotrth Sermon 
 
 which is the Church. It is alio moll true, that in refpe& ofthe 
 effect, of his death, he hash fuffered from the beginning of the 
 worldjzsfpo?* 15.8. and that conlcquently the faith ofthe an- 
 cient rachers and ours is al one faith, Heh.i 1. Butin refpecr of 
 the maner ex meafure of the manifeitation of this knowledge, 
 there hauebeene twocouenants:theoncnew, the other olde 
 which hath an end, being ordained no longer then vntothe 
 real comming of the Sauiourand full exhibiting and declara- 
 tion ofthe doctrine of faluaciô, which is the gofpel. Vnder the 
 ancient couenant therefore the Lord hauh fpoken many times 
 & in diuerfefortes,not of another doctrine, but after another 
 falnion,both vnto the Patriarches before the Lawe,and after* 
 ward after another maner vnder the Law by the lhadowes & 
 figures thereof: wheieof lefusChnltwas the bodieandfub- 
 ftance,/fc£ i.i.&.io.T.&Co/^2.i7&.i.C»-.io.4.ii.&(7^/. 
 4.24butinthefulnesoftimcsGodlpakcby the mouth of his 
 ownefonne,who became our brother, &: exhibited and ac- 
 complished realliethat which was before repreienred as it 
 were a far off,through the lhadowes ofthe Law ceremonial!, 
 Heb, 1 1. 1 3. TheBridegroome therefore came then vnto the 
 fpouie.but notfo nçzxastokilftherwttbthekijJ^ofhLsarmmofith, 
 for the laft pledge as it were ofthe confummation ofthis mar- 
 riagetbut kept himfelfe afloqfc Médité* wdj tofaic asit were 
 VBto his fpoufe, Lo behold me who forget you not, but wil af- 
 furedlie kcepe my promife with you in his time , w ithout fai- 
 ling a iot with you, how manie difficulties andhinderanccs fo 
 cuer prefent themfelues betweene vs. Which thin g is verified 
 throughout the whole facrcd hittorie of the time which went 
 before the comming oflefus Chrift in flefh.By this wutf there- 
 fore we muft vnderftand , firlr of al whatfoeuer was wanting 
 in the ancient couenant being compared wixh the new,& this 
 againe in a double refpecr . For befidcs that the effect and end 
 ofthe faith ofthe ancient fathers depéded on that which was 
 to be executed & performed,& which was really executed for 
 our faluatiô by Icfus chrift come in the fkfh,to the end that as 
 u is faid 3 /ft£. 1 1 JjojkejflmMmt tefdtudmthout wthis fecret 
 
 and 
 
Vpok The Second Chapter. .251 
 
 & myftery w as fliadowed forth vnto the by diucrfc & fundry 
 legal [figures, which is compared vntOrfBwtf, which was firft to 
 be Tallied ouer, before he & his fpoufe could fee each other & 
 be ioined more neercr together.Morcouer,as the fame is mod 
 diuinelie handled by the Apoftle in the Ep. to the Galathians, 
 the accoplifhmcnt of all righteoufnes & the fatisfaétiô for our 
 (ins beeing not yet aétuallic come, although by faith the fame 
 were prelent before God & vnto the eies of the beleeuing: ycc 
 was there (til as it were a very thickervall betweenethisBndc- 
 groome & this ipoufe. Secondly the Lord hauing chofen vnto 
 himfclfe that only people of the le wes,feparated al other peo- 
 ple of the world fro thé ineuerykind ofiort,whetherwecon- 
 fîder the principal point which was the couenant offaluation, 
 er whether wee hauc a regard vnto all that which concerned 
 the policie oflfrael , Eph.z» 1 2.the v\ hich feparation endured 
 vntil the «a*/-»W was broken downc,and the tcftament of la- 
 cob was accomplifhed, who calleth the Mefliasfthat is to faie 
 this RridcgrooniCjthe expectation of the Gent/is in general as Si- 
 meon in his long expounded the fame, Gen.49. 10. L/^2.3 2. 
 conformablie vnto the w hole Scripture.lt is no maruel there- 
 fore if this fpoufe hauing regarde vnto her condition , fuch as 
 then it was & iliould remain vntil the comming of this Bride* 
 groome in fle{h,maketh mention of this waL Now flie addeth 
 this word ofgrates or kttife to fliewe hereby that this rvai\% not 
 of an ic thick or earthlie mattery lb that the Bridegrome might 
 not be percciucd through it anie whit at al being on the other 
 fideinor like vnto thofe wals which feparate the wicked from 
 God.But fuch awalzs hath open windowes in it,or as if it were 
 pcarccd with grate* &lattife.¥ot fuch was the ancient couenât 
 made with Abraham & afterward renued vnder Mofes with a 
 thoufad ccremonics,albeitobfcure,yet fuch notwithstanding 
 as that through them the ancient fathers beheld with Abrahâ 
 the date of the Lord and retoiced thereat ,Ioh. 8.56. Neither maie 
 we doubt but that Salomon, who w as the builder ofthe tcm- 
 ple,vfed thefemaneroffpeecheSjinrefpeclofthofewals.vails 
 and bars,by which not onelie the commonpeoplc were kept 
 
 Ii 2 forth 
 
îjt The Fovrth Sermon 
 
 forth out of the court of the priefts, but the inner court alfo of 
 the Pneiicsdiftinguiilied from the fanctuarie, all which par- 
 titions were fuit broken dovvnc from the bottom vntothetop . 
 at the death of the Lord, (J^f.27.3 1 .to the end that all thar, 
 \\ hich declared that the promifes were not yet reallie execu- 
 ted^being remoued^the people ofGod fhouid looke for a bet- 
 ter condition < ,//<É > £.7.i5>.& that that which feparared the peo- 
 ple cflfrael from other nations of the earth beeing beaten 
 dovvne, all people fhould be bleiTed being made the lonnes of 
 Abraham,vnto w hem the promife was made, that hee fhould 
 bee the father of bkiTing,to all the nations of the earth , as the 
 Apoftledeclareth the fame moft amply and at large in the E- 
 pililes vnto the Galathians and the tpheilans. 
 
 10 It is faid therefore that this belouedcaufed htmfelfe to bee 
 fecne through the grates or httife , but it is alfo added by and by 
 that he fpake too.For the true Iefus Chrilt is not a cumbc Idol, 
 nor a crucifixe of ftone or of wood, hee is not this goodly 
 breadden god clofed in fÀr Pàrr, which cannot fliew himielfe, 
 without he bee caried about, and is dumbe and can make no 
 complaint though the mites or the mifc eate him . But this 1$ 
 the true God which fpake then in the Temple by the figures 
 of the law,and by the mouth ofthe Pricftcs doing their dutie, 
 tJfyLil. 2.7. and in the Synagoges by the Leuits and doctors of 
 the law eueriefabbathyï^î/.2 5.2.4^7.1 3. 27-and 1 5.2i.&in 
 al places and euerie whereby the Prophets, afvvel by mouth 
 as alfo by writing, Efay.^0.6. Zach. 1 .1 4. /*r<?/#.2 c\2.& 1 .Tet, 
 1 .1 1 .In a \\Qovafcifedorne did then cry in theftreetes, cuen by the 
 mouth alfo ofthe penne-man of this Canticle, as all the reft of 
 his writings doe alio witnefTe,7Vo#<rr.i .20.but neuer by Ima- 
 ges or Idols,w hich were afterward called the boohes of the igno- 
 rant peop/ejn deed books to teach them al maner of falfehood, 
 as the Prophets pronounce of them, and fuch as transforme 
 the worfliippcrs alio ofthem into Idols, 7^*/. 11 $.8. and 13 5. 
 1 8.as indecde is come to paiTe,and is to bee feene with the eie 
 in euerie falfe Church of Idols.The true & only Church there- 
 fore is fhe.which alone may fay,^ mlbehucdhMth fyken vntë 
 
Vpon TheSecond Chapter. 25$ 
 
 me, which fliee could not fay neither, if as the Bridegroome 
 fpake,fo fliee alio did not hearken vnto him,and retained that 
 which flic heard of him without blending any thing with it,cr 
 without adding ought thereto, or diminishing any thing from 
 it. For the falic Church vauntethalfo that theBridegroome 
 hath fpoken vnto her too : but if a man demaund what it is he 
 faide , then appeareth her fliamelefnclTe and forgerie . For as 
 for the common fort, whom they call the laity, it is hercfie for 
 them to read this word in the common & vulgar language: & 
 as for thole to whom they are to refer themfelues, fliall a man 
 find one man among an hundred, who euer thought vpon the 
 holy Scriptures, nay hath feene fomuch as the couer of the 
 bookesf Indeede certaine wallet-brethren there are, of whom 
 ibmc be chattering vntill their chappes bee made vp with the 
 pray they fought after : others of them recommend their co- 
 uent to the charity of deuout peopIe,and all of them together 
 beftirrc themfelues well in their bufineiTe. But where is in the 
 meane time the word of this Bridegroome? It either fleepeth, 
 or is yelled & howled out, cenfed, adored, clouted & patched 
 vp in a flrange language, and vpon fome folemnefdaies fophi- 
 fticated and quinteflenced in a limbecke, to feme for a corre- 
 étiue in the poifoned drench of the whore . O moft poore and 
 miferable conditiolBut the world is worthy of fuch Prophets. 
 
 ill haue faid, that it is not enough that the Bridegroome 
 fpeakc , but wee mult hearken vnto, knowe and pra&ife chat 
 which he fpeakcth • That is not the true Church then which 
 ftaicth herfelfe ftill here belowe , and confequently goeth no 
 farther then herfelfe , either in whole or in part, mingling her 
 owne mérites with grace , according vnto the example ofthe 
 proud Phariile, Luk^i 8.1 i.and that much lelTe,which either 
 boroweth or buieth the falfe merits ofan other, which were 
 neuer any: but fhee which feeketh after her w hole righteouf- 
 celTe & life, in the only free loue and dileétion of Iefus Chrift. 
 
 12 He calleth her a\(o bù faire one, and that by great reafon 
 and on iuft caufe. For the true Church is adorned and decked 
 Vvith the whole beutie of her Bridegroome, and therefore it is 
 
 Jj 3 not 
 
2j4 The Foyhth Sermon . 
 
 not that harlot painted with the painters pot of thofe snuenti* 
 ons whereof mention is made , Loù>Jf.2.22.is neither are thole 
 hipocntes the Church of God, who are like vnto painted fe- 
 julchers, faire without^andful of al ftench &rottenncs with- 
 m 3 A/anh.z3 .27.Neither thofe who are the reformed in name 
 but more then deformed indeede , who haue put offthe Pope 
 with his iupcritition, but yet haue not put on Iciiis Chrilt and 
 true godhnes: haue abolifhed and remoued the vifible Idoles 
 of w ood and ftone , but harbour f hi within themfelues the in- 
 uihblc Idoles,the more daungerous,whom they feruc and ho- 
 nour day and night,I meanc couetouinefle^gluttony and fuch 
 other good goddeiTes. 
 
 13 The Bride addeth and come thy wxte y mxï\é\\z vnto mce, 
 and to no other neither in heauen nor in earth, yea and that 
 without ioining with him anie companion or fellowe collate- 
 ral , as they doe who worfhip and auorc a ftraunge Queene of 
 beauenrmuch lelTe making anie his fuperiour, as dec thofe fa- 
 cnlcgious w otfhippcrs and adorers of the virgine Marie, v\ ho 
 arc fo impudenthe prcfumptecus as to crie out in their dennes 
 of Iâo\3ii\e 3 Rogapatremj*àe natHm:i\\zùsfraie the father fern- 
 matwd the firme: zndl r ttre marris impera,thzt is command in theau- 
 thcrttteofa mother . For this Bridegroome is ihcoxehemedtatoHr 
 between Godandmen y not only oiRedeirpttm^wx. allô vîlntercef- 
 /<?»,though the Saintes w'hichliue doc praie in common both 
 forthemielucsand for their brethren. And this was thepra- 
 ctife of the whole Church from the beginning of the worlde, 
 vntil tlve time of the gencrall reuolt , w hen it came in by litlc 
 and Iklevnder colour ofdeuotion, 
 
 14 Butfomemanwil happily demaund, in what fort this 
 is to bee vnderftoode,that hec which commcth himfelfe to a- 
 wake the fpoule,inuiteth her to come vnto hm,?T\\c aunfwerc is, 
 that w ec would neuer come vnto Iefus Chrilt, cither to heare 
 him 5 or to pra&ife his dochine,ifas he hath loued vs rutt,fo he 
 came not alio to fummon and warne vs firh\to follow him JFor 
 if he came vnto vs to (taie and abide here below with vs, then 
 were his kingdome of this woorlec : but now hec ceafeth net 
 
VroN The Second Chapter, 25$ 
 
 to cric afccr vs to draw vs from hence on high \nioh\m ,Colo/]. 
 
 3.1. 
 
 1 5 What did this Bridegroome then faie by all the aunci- 
 ent prophecies and fhadowcs of the Lawe,but this, Corns vnto 
 me y and relt not your felues on that which you heere fee with 
 your cie,but hold your felues vnto him,who is to come in per- 
 Ton? Which thing beeing not well confidered by the hypo- 
 crites and ignorant, feeking after their faluation in the altars 
 and facrifices , wee fee how fharplie and bitterlie they are for 
 that caufc reprehended thoroughout the whole Scripture. 
 Which more is , this Bridegrome being arriued in pcrlon, and 
 making himfelfe vifiblc and palpable in fleftief which the A- 
 poltie iultly calleth the great fecret or myflery Eph.5. 3 2.) would 
 not notwithftâding haue vs to ftay our felues on that corporal 
 prefence ofhis,but contrariwife///i*A-p^#f, faith hcjhat I go 
 my Bviwjoh.i 6\7.For,faith hc/ny father is greater then I. That 
 is to faie, fo long as you fhall fee mee in this humiliation and 
 bafenes of corporal prefence in fuch an eftate as you men are, 
 you wil neuer learne and know what the authority and power 
 is which I haue, and the pofîeflîon whereof I fhal then receiuc 
 whenlfliallbeeentredinto celeftial gloric with my father. 
 And in another phcCyfgomjwaie, faith \\c,to prepare a place ^and 
 lodging for joh, Ioh.14. 2. yea ht my fathers houfex and where is 
 this houfc/eeing god is cuery whcreflt is true indeed that he 
 is cuery where^ccaufe he is infinit. But he dwelleth not but 
 in his Satntes,& fo confequcntUe in his Church,beeing faid to 
 no other then vnto his people, I will devel among them. Yea fo far 
 is it that this Bridegroome dwelleth in the worlde : that con- 
 trariwife the Apoitlt defireth to bec dtflodgcdto bee with him, 
 Phtl.1.23 . witneffing elfewhere that rvce are wayfarers andpil- 
 grimes here below, 2. Cor. 5.1 .and therefore we flgh after his re- 
 turnc,not to foiurne here, but to bee caught vp in the clouds s with 
 kim y nnd to raigne with him for euer in that habitation, where- 
 unto he is firft afcended, and whence he wil one daie come to 
 carrie vs vp aboue al the heauens, 1 . Thejf.4.1 7.not to fceke or 
 enquire farther after this gloric which furpafleth the reach of 
 
 our 
 
256* The Fovrth Sermon 
 
 ourvndcrftanding/Thereforcwhenitis faid, that £**&»£&«# 
 
 vnto the cndaKdcGujh.mmattcKofihcvecrlde ,this neither maie nor 
 ought to be vnderitoode of the pretence or iuuaticn of his bo- 
 dk here be.ow/eing he is trulie aicended vp into heauen and 
 there fhahemaine vntil his returning againe at the latter day, 
 t/tité i.i i. and 3.2i.butinaimuchashe dweiieth in cur harts 
 by his ipirite,and that by his diuine power hec gouerneth and 
 and preierueth his Church waiting her fid victorie. Othcrw iie 
 it he were here by a real prefence of his body, it (hould not be 
 iaid that he is departed andgone,northathe wil return hither 
 againe: and we (hould faic with Saint Peter dazcled with the 
 glory he i"aw,& not then knowing what he iaid, Itasgocdforz-s 
 to tarry here fiill Jet vs make VS tabernacles he ere, Luk.o. 5 3 . And 
 this is a wonderful thing that themielues yet maintaining. and 
 holding others in this ralfe and blockifh opinion , by which 
 the foundations of our faluationj mean the articles of the true 
 incarnation.aicenfion &: returning of Icius Chriifarc nctori- 
 oufly ouerthrown: conhder not what themfelues crie in their 
 mailc.to yniJhrpm corda , that is, lift vf your hartfjwhich were 
 veric ablurd co laie, if we mutt looke after him here below in 
 the hands of him whom we fee with cur eies. 
 
 1 6 In fum,thefc few w'ords.Ctfm*^ wrought to ferue vs 
 for a iummary abridgemet of the w hole doctrine of ialuation, 
 confilhnginthefctwopointes,thatduringthislife,weihould 
 côtinually afpire on high,vnto a far better life; & that to come 
 therunto, turning our felues from al the enticements & allure- 
 ments w h ich it ay vs here below,& vfing this w orld ib,as it we 
 were not at al in it,i . ^r.7.3 1 .and Gal.6. 1 4. eueric of vs take 
 our way right vnto God according vnto his vocation, practi- 
 fing and putting in vrc his commanudements : and not, when 
 he faith Come thy vraie, feeking after excufesfuch as are menti* 
 oned,L»^i4.r8/orvntoluchitfhalnotbcelaid,^W<7^^ 
 veelbebxcd, but got y ce curfed: the Lorde graunt vs to heare that 
 iûhappieaword, and preferuevs from this other iofearefull 
 and io horrible. ^Jmrto . 
 
 çyilmighty Godcjrc • 
 
 The 
 
VponThe Second Chapter^ S57 
 
 Thf. Twentith Sermon. 
 Our help be in the name of God &c. 
 It is written m follow etb m t he fécond Chapter of the Canticle of 
 Canticles, t he : 1 . 1 2. and I 3 . verfes. 
 
 11 For behold the winter is paffed, the rain 
 ischaunged,itisgoneawaie. 
 
 12 The flowers appeare in the earth, the 
 time of finging(of the Birds)is come^the voice 
 of the Turtle hathbeene hearde in ourcoun- 
 trie. 
 
 1 3 The figge tree hath brought foorth his 
 young figs, & che vines with their grapes haue 
 call forth their fauour. 
 
 I How the harmony of the heauens & holy gar diners, 
 
 the elementes. was Pitt out cftunc in the 8 ji comparifon of the fe goodly flowers 
 
 tlementariepart of the woorld } by the f.n with the felfe glojje ofthefalfe Church. 
 
 $fman. 9 ji complaint touching the fleril^tie 
 
 z The fpirituall worlde, which is the & fcarcitie of thefe flowers in al estates 
 
 r hurch y hath her foure feafons alfo 3 ac- ofchrifiians in our daks. 
 
 cording as the funne drove th neare> or is I o The fonnets and fongs which ring 
 
 farther c/?j but conduBedby a fecret di- in the true Church oppofed to worldly 
 
 reclion ofafteciallprouidcr.ee of G*d. poems t and vnchaft andfUhy ballades. 
 
 3 Example of the fe feafons. 1 1 The fong of the Bridcgfcome inuJ- 
 
 4 After what fort the bridegrocmc ha- ting hisfpoufe. 
 
 uing driuen awaie the parching of the iz The fong of the ffoufe aunfwering 
 
 fommer, and the rigor and fhavpncjfe of her Bridegroomc . 
 
 the winter Jnuitcth & leadeth his ffoufe 1 3 Together with the flowers are found 
 
 unto thefpring-time. likewife most pleafant fini ts in the gar* 
 
 f ji defcription of ' this ff ring-time, den of the true ffoufe. 
 
 6 What the fair flowers of the church 1 4 A difference betweene the fuite of 
 are in their feafon. this garden, husbanded and trimmed 
 
 7 The Lord planteth with the fe flew- by the bridegroome , and thofe -venues 
 ers the ground-plat of his Church , by h is which men call movall, 
 
 K^ i 5 The 
 
M* 
 
 15 The garden of the Church m not re- 
 planted a neve cfter the winter is pa/9, 
 but hath beene fr doth remaine planted 
 from the beginning: and how greatly they 
 arc abufed who tai^e that which is old for 
 nev 3 andthat which is new for old. 
 
 The Fifth Sermon 
 
 1 6 The young figges, mufl bec otot per- 
 fect figges: and the young fower grat>es % 
 mujt npen and become gooa raifîns . 
 
 1 7 j4n exhortation ijpon all that n hich 
 went before , grounded 'Vpon the fig- tree 
 if hich was cm fed by the àridegioome. 
 
 F our firit Parent had not gon beyond 
 andtranferefted the commandement 
 of his Creatour and maker,the tempe* 
 rature & mutual harmonie of the hea- 
 uens and the elementes had remained 
 and continued in fuch compalTe and 
 meafure, that in this life, which the A- 
 pollle Saint Paul,i.Ct7r.i5.45.maketh 
 to confiit ofaliuing foul, man had rc- 
 ceiued,neither hurt , nor chaunge , but had beene maintained 
 and continued therein iolong as it had plcafed God. But man 
 hauingfo wretchedlie and carelefly offended God, didmoft 
 iuftlie enthrall and make himfelfe fubieét vnto death , Rom.$. 
 12. and thereupon hauc entred all the diforders and confusi- 
 ons, by which death hath beene cauled, afvvel within men , as 
 without: among the which wee are to account among the 
 principal caufes, the chaunging of the feafons through which 
 there happen thefe coldes and heates,moiftures and droughs, 
 which are as it were fo manie preachers ofthe finnes of man» 
 andfo manie executioners ofthe iuft condemnation of him. 
 This notwith(tanding,it is a marueilous^naie an infinite grace 
 & fauor that the Lord hath fo ruled this vnrulineffe , & fo or- 
 dered this diforder, Signified by Moles , where hee faith , that 
 God beeing prouoked by the finne of man , curled the earth, 
 G>».$.i 7-that for all this, the woorld is maintained and conti- 
 nued by a reciprocal and enterchangeable fuccefsion offourc 
 feafons : which is reckoned vp for a fpeciall fauour vnto man- 
 kind after the deluge Gen.%. 22.the fharpnes of the winter,be- 
 ing bounded with the Kveete and gracious fpring-time, as if 
 death were chafed away by life : & the parching heat deaded 
 
 b J 
 
Vpon The Second Chapter^ '^p 
 
 by the teperature of the autumn-time, according as the funnc 
 accompanied with light and with heat , commeth near,or go- 
 cth farcher from vs,a work of God maruailouflie, nay infinitly 
 admirable. 
 
 2 Now ifthisvifiblewoorlde and which tend ethvnto his 
 ende and terme,bee iubicét to fuch varieties ofyears, fcafons, 
 moneths and daies,the other worlde which is fpirituall, albeic 
 ic tend vato immortality, is yet more turning & whceling,noc 
 on two ftars, which the Aitronomers call Poles ,but vpon the 
 vvheele of Gods prouidence conducing this other woorld by 
 thefpringsofamotion altogether fecret andvnknowcnvnto 
 vs,except it be fo far as it pleafe God to make vs more particu- 
 late to knowe and perceiue them. I vnderftand by this other 
 world him, whofe jinnes are taken awaie by the Lambe, loh. 1. 20. 
 him fir whom the father gaue his forme , loh. 3 . 1 d.and w ho is op- 
 pofed vnto him ,for whom Iefus (fhrift faith that bee praieth not, 
 loh. 1 7.9 . and , from whom aifo wee are fettered, loh. 1 7. 1 6.1n a 
 worde it is the Church that is here fpoken of, and which hath, 
 iblong as it continueth here belowe, her fpring-time,and her 
 fommer,her autumne & her winter , not ruled by the courfe of 
 the (tarres, but,as I hauc faid,by a fpeciall motion ofhim,who 
 hath made theheauens and the earth, tobeginne and ende, 
 where,andhowfar,andin what fort it pleafeth God. Neither 
 is it therefore to bee faid that the Church,becing compofed of 
 men,paiTeth not through the colde and heat of this lower and 
 elementaric world , and by the cffe&es which follow thereof, 
 as are barrennes,famincs,plagues, and other inconueniences, 
 naythatfometimesitfurfercthnotinthele things more then 
 others,as this argument is handled at largc,/*/^ 3 .ye t notwith- 
 ftanding, this naturall difpofition of feafobs is not it whereby 
 wee mult iudgc the fcafons of the Church , becaufe her fpring 
 time is often in the greateft and {harpeft winter of others: and 
 contrariwife that which isthefpring-time to others, is vnto 
 her the molt rough and tempeituous winter.For fhee hath her 
 funnebyherfelfe, the approching whereof with a mildeand 
 quickning heate, not parching or fcorching , bringeth her al- 
 
 Kk 2 waies 
 
v€v The Fiïth Sermon 
 
 waicsa mod plcafancipring-timc for her better fovving, bud- 
 ding. & flonfhing : & afterward a tépcrat fumer for the bring- 
 ing forth of her fruit:aftcr that a goodlie autumn to gather it in 
 his ripcnefTe.& finally a good winter for the enioying thereof, 
 and preparing of another feede.Conrrariw ife when this funnc 
 withciraweth itielfe,ordiltributeth not the influence of his 
 light and heate ,as the neccffities require, there are no good 
 times of fowingjOr of haruel^or of vintage, but a general bar- 
 rainnes and mortal famincjin a word, a perpetual wintcr,that 
 a man cannot fee fo much as one greene leafe , though all the 
 woorlde befides bee in great good health and tranquillitie, 
 with plentie and abundance or al dainties and delicacies.This 
 funne is this Bridegroome://>^y##»<? ofrighteoufnejje, who carri- 
 eth health vpon hu wings , Malac. ^.i.tbatbraunchofhgbt ordaie- 
 fpring fronton high } Zach. 3.8. Luke.i .78 . light enningthcrru 
 whom heefonndm thefhadow of death, Efai.o , z.andpnning on his Ie- 
 rvfàlem-> y Ehie>6c.i.2 . Andbecaufe that this is by the order 
 which he hath e(tabhfhed,tbat this world of his is goucrned,I 
 meanebythe finccre preaching of his word and the admini- 
 itration of his facramentes, accompanied with the efficacie of 
 his holie fpirite, according as the lunne drawing neare or go-_ 
 ing farther off,appcareth vnto the worlde, we mull necefTari- 
 lie conclude, that according as this holie minifleriehath his 
 force, oris depriued of it (whether it be for a time eclypfed, 
 or whether it call forth his beams mightily,but me loue dark- 
 nes (til more then this lighten fuch fort that litle effect thereof 
 appeareth)itisvpon thisdiuerfitie and difference wee muft 
 iudge of the good and faire weather , or of the il and hard time 
 of the Church,& not according vnto the outward either prof. 
 pcritie,oraduerfitie of this worlde belowe. Notwithftanding 
 when it fo pleafeth God, the funne of 'the (hurch , and the funne 
 ^f/^jr^r/^meet,tocherilliitin al kind of fortes: as fometimes 
 on the contrarie , both of them are withdrawen together , to 
 bring on it a marueilous rough and as it wereadeadlie win- 
 ter. 
 
 3 Examples hereof are fowen throughout the facred hi- 
 
 ftories 
 
Vpon The Second Chapter. i4i 
 
 (tories,and appeare yet moil cicarly in our time :but I wil con- 
 sent my fclfe with the allegation of a few notable examples, 
 vnto the which Salomon himfelfc might feem to haue had an 
 cfpeciallregatd. I fay then, that if eucr the Church cnioyed 
 a goodly and faire time of vvcather,it was vnderlofuaand the 
 gouernours of that time , the people beeing planted together 
 with the fcruicc ofGod>moft triumphantly in the land of pro- 
 mife,as appeareth by that which is written in /ofo.iq.i, 5. Af- 
 terwarde,for al the time of the Iudgesvntill Samuel, if it had 
 one faire day, it had an whole yeare of Itormy weather and 
 tempeftes . And what a witnter was that time, in the which 
 the Arke of the covenant was taken captiue,Silo ruined,brie£- 
 ly all brought into an vtter confufionPGod draue away after- 
 vvarde this f terme of fowle weather, by his Samuel, who alfo 
 reformed the fchooles of the Prophets.But this fun-fhine was 
 fcarcely appeared, when horrible darckenelle was brought 
 in by Saul,thePriefts thcmfelucs beeing maffacred, forcerers 
 and fouthfaiers fet vp and reftored,and the people expofed to 
 ignominie among their enimies, beeing as a body without an 
 head,vntill that Dauid , not without grieuous rough itormes, 
 being made king by the Lord.the goodly clear fair wether in- 
 deed began to arife, which continued as it were vnto his full 
 noone, vnder Salomon^who furnillied the houfe of the Lordc 
 both within and without, with a molt triumphant magnifi- 
 cencie , at which time God graunted fo long a peace vnto his 
 Church with aboundar.ee and plenty ofall temporall blef- 
 finges: and it may be that the Bridegroome fetteth beforc'thc 
 eies of his fpoufe , that happy change of the time , inuiting Sc 
 bidding her to awake to haue the fruition thereof. As much 
 may we and ought we to fay,to haue come to pafle in the time 
 begunne,about thefe threefcore yeares fince, the lord hauing 
 of his infinite bountie and mercy driuen aw ay out of a great 
 part ofChriftendome,the horrible and deadly darckcneiTe of 
 that Idolatry brought in by the falfe whore with fuchanefh- 
 cacie of the fpirite oferror, that the greater! part of them who 
 attribute vnto themfelues the name of great Catholickes and 
 
 Kk 3 Chriftians 
 
î6î The Fifth Sermon 
 
 Chriftîans, are yet therewith vnto this day enchanted and be- 
 witched.This fpring-time therfore was lent by the Lord from 
 heaucn,who raifed vp in our time thefe great and famous per- 
 fonages in the holy miniftcrie of his woorde, and on the other 
 fide placed in thefeatesof magiltrates, his EzechiafTes and 
 Iofiaflès , who mightily deftroyed the newe Baalimes and 
 Aftarothes. 
 
 4 And what did they els but call and inuite this ipoufe,be- 
 ing awaked,to come vnto her Bridegroome,and to accompa- 
 ny him into thofe goodly gardens of true delights wherof the 
 Prophet maketh mention,/*/**/. 22.3 6?And we which are fuc- 
 ceeded after them, what other thing doe we but crie in your 
 cares, in the name ofthis Bridegroome, tarife, come, themn- 
 terisfafty the goodly weather is come, the acceptable time , the day of 
 Saluat'ton, 2.Cor.6.2.But alas,what Hiall 1 fayPEucry one play- 
 eth the deafe ma, eucry one is afleep, euery one is jfhrowded & 
 nettled, in I know not what retchles fecuritie: againlt the 
 which though we haue long cried, yet we crie ftill in vaine, fo 
 that the end is, wee are likely to be fhortlie awaked, by other 
 maner of meffengers. In the meane time let vs take a vie we of 
 the excellent description ofthis goodly feafon,whereofmen- 
 tion is made by Damd/PJàL 1 1 8.24. to the end that they who 
 haue cares may hcarc what the Bridegroome here faith, and 
 reioyce in this merry good morowe of his. 
 
 5 The winter, faith the Bridegroome, ùfaft, the raine U paft, 
 it ù gone away. We know that the winter is nothing els but the 
 death as itwere ofthc woorld,befidcs that the ftormie eolde 
 and the obfeuritie and darknefle of the ayre couered through- 
 out with thickecloudes, depriuemenofthe vfe both ofthc 
 heat as alfo of the light ofthc funne. The Church on the con- 
 trarie fide isthe kingdomc of light, Ioh. 5. 6\ and i.TheJf.$.$» 
 And becaufc that Iefut Chrifl uthelife, Ioh. n. 25«nay hath 
 lifeinhimfelfe y loh 5.2<5.itfolloweththat the church only is in 
 life, as the worlde is in death: and therefore isfhe alfo compa- 
 red vnto a forrcrt of trees not dead,and fuch as arc ready to be 
 cut down,andcaft into the fire, Map.$. 10. but alwaies greene, 
 
 flonftiing 
 
Vpon The Second C haptek.- %6$ 
 
 florifliing, and laden with fruité, Pfdnu. i. 3. yea and that 
 when they are extreme old, Pfal.9 2.1 4/rhe rcafon is added in 
 that place, becaufe they are planted by the riuers ofrunning 
 waters; and of what waters? Certainly of thole which flowc 
 forth vino eternal life,/*^. 1 4. not of that which is in ditches 
 and welles,nilng from out of the bowels of the earth/^r of the 
 r?ater>(ahh this Bridegroome, which Igine , which iflucth from 
 abouc,not which cfm fun draweth vp from the earth, but fen- 
 deth down into the earth, as flowing & proceeding from him, 
 as it is faid, PfaL 1 1 o. 3 . that the Church 15 borne of the dew of this, 
 morning : and Cfrlatth. 5. 45. beeing borne anew by the water 
 which is from aboue, which is the fpirit of God, loh. 3. 1 j. 
 much leffe that water, which is drawne out of fome {landing 
 poole,or ceftermbut that which is molt pure,and moft cleane 
 1er. 2.1 3.namely,not the water which men haue digged in the 
 earth,but which himfelfe fendeth from heauen,and whereun- 
 toheecalleth and inuitethallthofcwhoarehis, Efay. 55. i. 
 Thefe things being well coniidered,teach vs to know the true 
 Church , from the falfe, I meane the liuing Church from the y 
 dcad,t/4p0f. 5. i.thetruewoordofGod,powred fromhea- 
 uenvpon the Prophets and Apoftles, to carry abroade and 
 difperfe it through the whole woorld>Efay.2. lo.&rfpeç. 22.2. 
 from the falfe proceeding from the earth, and out of mens 
 braines.é^. 29. 13. and Colojf.z. 22. andconfequentlythe 
 true chrittian, from the fuperftitious and from the hypocrite. 
 
 6 That which the Bridegroome addeth of flowers with 
 which the earth is tapi(tred,is referred vnto the fame that that 
 before, beeing meant hereby the efficacie and working of the 
 holie ghoft in the Church , when it pleafeth God to blelTe the 
 labour of his minifters and feruants,in fuch fort that the whole 
 ground of the Lord is throughout platted with flowcrs,whicrt 
 caft a fweet fmel euen vnto heaucn , being molt pleafing vnto 
 the Lord,I meanc,/» Iefits Chnft fzith the ApoftIe,2. Cor.z. 1 5. 
 andwtinthemfelues,ù\2t men forge not vnto themfelues mé- 
 rites out of; the qualities of the faireft and fwceteft flowers, 
 which our garden can bring,though it be bleffed from aboue: 
 
 io 
 
1^4 T HE F 1 F t h S £ RM on - 
 
 fofarisitthatthatground,on which the peftilent and conta* 
 gious windes which come forth of the holownes of the earth 
 doe blow , can produce thefe flowers which are heere menti- 
 onedrhow euer they fmcl fweete vnto men, who beare thcm- 
 felucs in hand,that the filth of their inuentions,fauour of musk 
 before Lorde . Thefe flowers then are fuc h as God fowcth in 
 his ground, i.£V. 3. o.namelie by the minifterie of fuch as hec 
 hath ordained toptant andtowater, I . Cor.^ . 1 6.for which caufe 
 the Apoitle calleth the Philippians hisioieand crtmnc , Philip. 
 4.1. ; 
 
 7 For who clfe ioweth thefe flowers but the Lorde , who 
 fendeth them from an high ,by his molt precious woorde,dit- 
 penfedand adminiftredbythe order which hee hatheftabli- 
 fhcd ? E'fatl^ . 2 . namelic vnder the Lawe, in that magnificent 
 temple togither witfrall his furniture and prouifion, & by that 
 io wel ordered armie of the Pricftes and Leuites , in that mag- 
 nificencie, which is particularlie painted outvntovs,in the 
 firlt of the Kings & the firft of the Chronicles, wherunto we 
 mull àdioine the wifedom of Salomô, which gaue his fhining 
 brightnesvnto the ends of the world, accôpanied with al o- 
 thcr bleifings of God,by which his people became'admirable 
 &woderful to al the natiôs ofthe earth .But yet were al thefe 
 flowers nothing in companfon of the miniftcry ofthe gofpel, 
 committed firltvnto the Apoftles& Euangelifls his molt ex- 
 cellent and diligent planters and fowers,i . Cor. 3. p. by whom 
 the garden-plat as it were of this woorlde beeing turned vp a 
 new , & transformed into a new terreftrial paradife was after- 
 wardesinhistimenotoneliefimplie checked and enameled 
 with flowers , butalfo enriched with the moft precious trea- 
 fures of that which is aboue the heauens , powred downe firft 
 in al aboundance and perfection vpon the head ofthis Bride- 
 groome, who afterward made an admirable and infinit larges 
 thereof on the daie of Pentecoft , as the Apoftle maketh that 
 goodly reckoning ofthemj.CV.i.andefpecially Spbefq. 1 1. 
 ipeaking ofthe vocations trulie ecclefiafticall, which are the 
 true beutie and ornament ofthe Church, not accompanied 
 
 with 
 
Vpon The Second Chapter^ Iff 
 
 uvith fuc h temporal bleiïîngs, as was the Temple & kingdom 
 of Salomon, but altogether fpirituall and incomprehcnfible 3 
 and hath the erode it iclfe forher garland, and as it were an e- 
 special markc that flic is not of this world, but hated andper- 
 iccurcdofthewoorlde 3 aswashcr head, Ioh. 17.14. id.vnto 
 whom wc mult by this means be made conformable in death, 
 to bee alio one daie in life and in gloric/7^w.8.28.and 2.7/w. 
 
 x.i. 
 
 8 The marks therefore of the true Chriftian Church arc nei- 
 ther ftceples , nor towers \ nor other iumpteous & coflly buil- 
 dings,ncthcrcroiles,nor miters ofgold or of filtier,nor clothes 
 ofgold,or precious ttoncs,which had their place in the aunci- 
 ent téple to fcrue for the rudiments & principles or'the world, 
 &tobc the figure of that whereof Icius Chrilx is the body,CoL 
 2.8. lj.andHek 10. 1.S0 that now all this pelfe and trafhis 
 the ornament and decking of the whore, osJpoc. 1 7. 4. but the 
 Churches true ornament and letting forth is, in refpec^ of the 
 Lord, the order of his holy minifterie&feruice fetvp& cita- 
 bliflied:& in refpe&of herfelfe,thc certainty of vndcriianding 
 and allured knowledge fhe hath of the fecret of our faluatioiv 
 Co/. 2. 2. and the fruités of the fpirit, recited by the A poitle, 
 CaL 5. 2 2. flowers truly plcafant and liking the Lordc through 
 his grace. 
 
 9 But alas,as we haue great occafion to magnifie our good 
 God and father for that which proceedcth from him : fo what 
 exceeding caulc haue we to humble and condemnc our felucs 
 before his facc?For w here fhall thefe flowers be found among 
 vs?And if there be any,as the word of the Lord,is neuer w ith- 
 out fomc effcét,é/<f.5 5.1 1 .fhal we yet be able to find fo many. 
 as may fuffice to make a nofegay,to prefent our Bridegroomc 
 wtthallMdarcnotfayit Handing here in the chaire of truth, 
 fhall we find any of thefe flowers in the marchantes fhoppes?: 
 Nojor there is nothing fmclleth fweetevntothem but gaine. 
 What? In the courtes and tribunals ofiuihee difperfed hecrc. 
 and there through Chriflendome as it is called? Alas, not to 
 fpcake of the negligence there committed, which difpleafeth 
 
 LI God 
 
t€6 The Fifth Sermon 
 
 God fo highly, and the acception of pcrfons , a thing fo ltif>- 
 king before him,isitpoiïîblc to find any iwecte fmeliing vio- 
 let in the defeat of extortion, of falfhood, ofconlciences let to 
 fale, of defire of rcucngc , of making a trade and liuing in fet- 
 ting al the woorld a pleading? Goe we to men of occupation, 
 and what fliall we fin de. ? Deceit and coofinage in fome, idle- 
 nes in others,yea in fuch as liuc by their daies iourney, and es- 
 pecially in the belt woorkmen» I report me to the places here- 
 abouies fo much vfed and haunted with their playing at keils 
 both within & without the cittie. I report me to the tauerners 
 accounts^who line by the idlenes of iuch people:to the teares 
 and monings of wiues,who carry the marks of their idle and 
 dronken husbands : and to their litle children pining and lan- 
 guishing away, and ready to die with hunger. But peraduen- 
 ture you thai find fomefweet flower among thefc great ones 
 who hue by their rent.Nothing lefle. B\it>pt>hat mil will you giue 
 mse is the firlt entrance vnto your futc . lam content you haut it 
 keapes aloofe. Wade you farther in it, you find nothing but 
 double dealing and vnfattable couetoufnes: If y ou meane to venue your 
 /(f^/?,fpeakc to my dame, for fhee rules the houfe. And yet yon 
 muli fay grand-mercy, I thank you fir to the butcher that hath 
 cut the purfe , though the poore fheepe can bleede no longer. 
 Itmaybcethewcmenwho make fo much of garlandes and 
 nofegaies ,wil furnim vs with fome of thefe flowers . Not a 
 whit: for they are well agreed in this poynt, and Madam is as 
 goodasMounfieur,and Mounfieur as Madam, mailrerasmi- 
 ftres, andmiftrcsasmaifterrnayheereitis and among thefe 
 you fhall finde all fhnking vanities and fupcrftuitics from 
 the head to the feete,what euer lawes the magiltrares make to 
 the contrary , what warnings fo euer we make them in the 
 name of God,what vifitation fo euer the Lord lay vpon them. 
 For what can all this do or profit ? 
 
 i o The Bridegroom addcth, that thetmteofthemufikeofthe 
 
 hirdes is come , & that the turtle hath been heard&ut what mufikc 
 
 is this? And what are thefe fonges? Not thefe vnchaft andfil- 
 
 thie poèmes which men bring vs ewen hitherto ftinking that 
 
 neutt 
 
Vpon The Second C mapti k. % i^7 
 
 neuer came greater infeaion out of the dungeons of the molt 
 infamou s brothel-houfes that euer were : not iuch foundes as 
 arc calt into the ayre in a toung vnkno wne,both to the fingers 
 themidues 5 and to fuch as heare them fing. i . Cor. 14. 1 5. Not 
 theic infamous hymnes or proles fuJl of Idolatry ,whic h the I- 
 dolaters houle foorth vnto their dumbe Idoles, i.Kirg. 18. 
 1 6Not thefe cantels & moriels of fcriptures w arbled, quauc*- 
 red and , crochettcd to giue plcafure vnto the cares : not thefe 
 vaine and fottifh fongs and ballades which the flldes ring of 
 al harucit and vintage timeibut thofe,thofefongs,I iay,which 
 God tcacheth vnto the hcart,& puttcth in the mouth of thole 
 who are his, />/?/. 40. 4. Qfwhichfort wehaueagrcatnom- 
 ber made and vttcred by the holic gheft. With this harmony 
 therefore the Bndegroomc tuneth his fong, andinuiteth his 
 ipoufe to keepe therein like time and accord with him. 
 
 1 r And .what is this voice of the fpoufe but his holy wordc 
 which hath rong in the world,& hath in molt diuine fort char- 
 med his Church, firll of all by his prophets, afterwardes in his 
 time by himfclfe in perfon,then by his Apcftles^andyet in our 
 daies by h is fauhfull Paftors and Doctors? /aw thy God^andthe 
 Godofthypo/ferttie x fang hee to Abraham, Gen. 17. j. and in thy 
 feede fhatl ail the nations of the earth be 'bleffed, Gen. 26. 4. which 
 due of the Lordhefawe and reioyced thcretnjoh, 8. 5 6. Vp y arife, 
 hath he faidc to Ierufalem by Ehyje bright ,for thy hghtiscowc, 
 And the glory of the euerlttang is rijen vpon thee>Jifay. 60. 1 . we bring 
 yotttidwgs of great toy, whsch fbalbe vnto al people, (aid the Angels 
 vnto the fheepeheardes,L^2.i o.filling andreplcnifiiing thé 
 ayreafterwaides with this diuine Canticle andfongjG'/or;^* 
 vnto Godin the htgheft heauens y & peace in earth towards menJLuk. 
 a. 14. and his long or charge what is it? fame vnto mec all yeè 
 thxt are he any laden arid opprejjed, and I will e a fe you, Math. I i . 2& 
 And what is that at the ApoHIcf Rewyce alwaies,h\t\\ hc^naa^ 
 £aine /fayvntayâftretoyce,VWii\p.^. 4. And to the end wc fhould 
 north inky that the croflcwhichisaninfeparable companion 
 of the gofpeil, hindreth any whit at all this icy, TnastmchSikh 
 he % the^i«tttof Samt Peter ,a4you are partners «ofChrtfte* 
 •***'** Li 2 fvfntngt 
 
%6$ The Fifth Se*m-o*t 
 
 [njfertrtges reùyceyee, i . Per. 4. 1 5. which lefFon himfelfehad 
 
 learned of his mailler, CMÀtb.j. 12. 
 
 1 2 Behold then the time whereof the Bridegroome heerc 
 fpeakcth, bchoidc the fongs of this f*^ which callcth her 
 mate vnto her,which faiiethnotto anfwerc her with the like, 
 as vvc fee the examples thereof in the fongesand Canticles of 
 the Saintes : whercunto the yong birdes alfo inuite vs, know- 
 ing the time of their chad mating & coupling:for which caufc 
 yve are to our great rcproch & that iuftly lent back vnto them 
 by the Prophet, to learne our duty,/fr?;K->.8. 7«And let vs note 
 that when wee fpeakc offongs which ought to ring in the 
 Church, thcquefiionisnotfomuch of the voice, albeit the 
 mouth mnjl cmfeffe that -which the heart bc/eeueth, Rom. 10. 10. 
 but the heart within and the mouth without mull accord ; that 
 we be not touched with that rcproch, This people honor ethmeo 
 tpith their /jps, bat their heart isfarfromme&ixy. 29. 1 3 . And in 
 an other plice phot haft thou lodo to recite my ordmatmceSjOtidto 
 make mentionofmy Law within thy moftthfVfal. 5 o. 1 6. And there- 
 fore the Prophet faith not onlie that rremuftpraife God y but that 
 his frai fies are fitting vnto themivho walks vprightly, Pial. 3 3 .1 .Se- 
 côdly the true faithful ma is compofed altogether of mouthes 
 andoftonges, neither thinking, nor faying, nor doing anie 
 thing, nor in a word hauing ought in himfelfe, but that which 
 dedareth & tetlifieth the glory of him, whofenewe creature 
 hec is, created for his glorie, Ephe. 1 . 1 2. and 1 . Cor. 10 15.0- 
 therwife wee know not whaç this fpring-time meaneth . For 
 how euer it be, the land of the Lovdisof fongs and thankef- 
 giuings, Pfairtu.il 8. 1 5. 
 
 ,1 3 And this is caufc why the fpoufe addeth for other marks 
 pf the fpring-time , that thefigg-trte hathyeeldedfoorth heryong 
 figges 3 & that the vines are /hooting oftt^t heir young grapes, to fhew 
 vs that in the Church of God grace is gmea vs, rot onelie to 
 \vill,w hich is as it were the flower, but alfo to ào y which is the 
 fruit,to wit, the effect of our will, Pbiùp.i. 1 3^^.2.2. 
 , 14 And let vs note that he fpeakcth of two kinds of frurr, 
 the mod delicate that bec,*Q&cw M &*. xUôcréû****™"* **" 
 
Vpon The Second Chaste*. Stff 
 
 bctweene the appearaunces of vermes, ordinarilie called 
 Morall vertues, (luch asthey arej which aman may meet with- 
 al! in them who are not régénérât, in whom god doth in fomc 
 Tort rcpreiïe thatnaturall wickednes which is in all, whole 
 woorkes notwithstanding, are without eithcrtait or fauour, 
 (according vnto that which is faidc , that what foeuer is without 
 fasth ufinne y Rom. 1 4.2 3. and that without leius Chrift there \t 
 nothing which can plcafe God vnto faluation) and the works 
 of the children of God gouerncd by the fpirrt of regeneration 
 Rom. 8. p. For which caufc it is alfo faide that faith which is 
 without warkes is but a dead thing. I am e s. 2 . 2 6*. 
 
 1 5 Farther let vs note that he fpeake th in this place of the 
 Church, not as of a ground planted altogither newc,but as an 
 ancient poffciTio & heritage, which being for a time laid wall 
 ©r fallow,hath been husbanded anew and manured. For as for 
 the true Church of God, fhee (haibc alwaies found to be more 
 old and auncient, then the falfc, feeing that truth is before ly- 
 ing, and that which is found and entire before that which is 
 falfc and corrupted. So was Adam created after the Image of 
 God,bef ore he was deformed by fînne.and after finnc was en- 
 trcd, Adam and Eue bcleeuing the promife of ialuation(for 0* 
 thervvifc there fhouldhaue been no Church in the w 01 Id^thé 
 Church which is the citty of God, had her beginning before 
 the citty of Satan, which began from Cainc & his. But feeing 
 that men haue, time without mind, accuftomed to fet foorth 
 andcommcndthcmfelues vnderthc name of ^nticjuitie y cf- 
 pecially vnto them who arc ignorant, whofe ignorance they 
 abufc who liue by this abufe:behold how it commeth to pafle 
 that they which will not fuffer themfclues to be better taugbr, 
 take often times that which is ncwefor olde,and that which 
 isolde for newe. Such are they ofwhomc Saint Peter fpea- 
 keth, who faide of that time, when aman fpake vnto them of 
 the fécond commingofthefonne of God to iudoethe world, 
 which wee yet wait for, that althtngs were, as they are now, Jtnce 
 the fir (I. fathers: which thing is f a tfehhh hee . For they Jhonldkmrwt 
 $b<u the worUwat not created in [tech fort tn the beginning as now it is, 
 
 U 1 agi 
 
*?o Thb Fifth Se*MOW 
 
 and that Godhath already executed An horrible iudgement m thtcct 
 YHftion thereof. In this lore after the captiuitic ihey rcproched 
 Icrcmi cjhat he had marred all, and i hat then ana beytrc be mealed 
 l&tth preaching vntothem, they and their fatherjfcuKathemJeiuest* 
 good cafe by callwgvpon the Queene ofheanenand burning i>:cenfe 
 vntoher,ïçizYx\qq. 17. nay which more is, when they heard 
 Iefus Chnll himieife to fpcake, they iixàt,whatkmàeo)newdû^ 
 fir/HeuthiâïMaï. i.2 7.£ut leiua ChriiAaniweredthcm,^<irr£ 
 the fcrrptHre s for they Ipeakofmee y \oh j. 39.N0W this Queen of 
 fccauen was the funnc,as the phrafe or the Hcbruc toung doth 
 import,and in my time what other difference hath there been 
 but this, that by the Queen ofheauen, is ment not the funne but 
 the Vtrgm (JWnry, as it there w ere a Queene mother in htaue»* 
 For it is certaine that there is*.2#r*ff,thcfpoufcotrhisEride- 
 groome which is already partly in heauer:,and partlie yet Ian* 
 guifhing here on earth, to wit, the Church being coheire with 
 Iefus Chrill, as (hee is alio called by this name oî Queene Piai. 
 45.10. but this is not becaufe fhee friould be adcrcc. Not the 
 whole church, I fay, fofarrc is that the blefied virgineucrrc- 
 quired, or yet rcquircth that which is properly belonging vn- 
 ;o her fonne,or thatihe allowed of ^to admit that fhee coulde 
 vnderftand them^thefe titles ful of molt horrible and molt ex- 
 ecrable blafphemy,to be called* UbUdiatriv, mother of mercy; 
 •ur life j>ur hope, haumgporçcr to commaund her fin. And yetto find 
 £àult with al this, were a point of greater impiety in the opinio 
 of them, whocalkhemfelueschiefeChriitians, then if a man 
 had denied God, an hundred thoufand times. For behold, fay 
 they, there was neuer yet any finceC turtles time, that called 
 not vpon this Queene of heauen^L al the Saintes,yca who gaud 
 not credit to al thefe thinges, which you cal miferable abufe s: 
 as neuer yet the time that there was not Made laid, & a Pope 
 to be gods vicar in earth. And what new gofpel thé I pray you 
 is this ofyours? Where w as this newe Church ofyours 1 praie 
 you fifty yearesaga.'Bchoiri their common language. But we 
 -wil fend them backe vnto this text, and w ilteil them with ihif 
 Bridcgrootnc * that this is that onely vine winch heenran!- 
 
 ported 
 
VponThi Second ChaÏTer. 171 
 
 ported out of Aegypt, which hath becne along time in the 
 bandes of wickcd,nocvineyardcrs butdcltroicrs, from whom 
 it is now takcn,to be reftored and husbandcd.Thc wild beatts 
 haucbrouicdit, butGod hath made vp the hedge thereof a* 
 gaine, & fet vp his wine preflc in it, P/at.%o. 1 5 .& Mat.i 1 .3 3. 
 they arc the tunc fig trees which were before , but becing be- 
 come barrainc for want of caretul trimming and looking too, 
 they now beare lit le figs &s the vine beginneth to fliootc forth 
 her tender grapes. Such was the condition of the Church aftc* 
 the ftorms which fel in Saules time, which Dauid by all means 
 fought to remedy, but was not able notwithstanding entirely 
 toperfc&thc fcruice ceremonial, nor the temple , which Sa- 
 lomon afterward hauingcompalTcd,he comparcth this ne we 
 rcftablifhmcnt & reformation vnto zplat of grotmdwhere the fig 
 trees are laden vhthjotmg figs , and the vine begttmeth to yeeldfoorth 
 her fmzi grapes ,giuing grcac hope of a goodly vintage. 
 
 1 6 But whatfThefe young figs and thefc fmal grapes may 
 not remaine at one ftaie, but the young rigs mull become fair 
 and good figs,and the fmal grapes muftproue faire and good* 
 lie raifins. As the young child hangeth not al waies at the mo- 
 thers bre/t to fucke ltilJ, but liueth and is nourished with folk! 
 meat,after his fucking time is paft,i .0.3 .2.1n a word we arc 
 régénérât and borne a new in Iefus Chrift , to encrcafe in him 
 by little and littlc,vnto wee be come vntill his ful flat ure in ys, 
 JE/^.4.1 2.& we are cntred the lift, not to ftand ttil in the mid- 
 deft ofourrace, but to runne (til on, vntil wee feafevpon the 
 crovvnc of eternal life, t.T/w. 6.1 2. 
 
 1 5 BcholdjI faie,what our dutie is, that we be not that vn- 
 happieT^rr^whichreprcfentedthe miferable nation of the 
 Iewes,whofe cutting offwas near at hand, and whereof men- 
 tion is mzdcyMar.i 1 .1 q.v\ here tt is faiil that the Lord finding 
 on it nothing but leaues , curfed ir, though the fcafon did not 
 ferue for figgs. And w hy fo? To flicw the Iewes that the time 
 of judgement was come, becau(e they had Jet the time of 
 grace and mercic to paflc, as hee before declared vnto them, 
 i^. x 3 .6\and therefore,faid he ynto his Difciples,^//** kn<r» 
 
 that 
 
%jt » The Fifth Sermon 
 
 that thcfumrnerisnearc when the fig tree fhootethfoorth his lean m 
 fo when you fee the figncs ofniy c cunning, knewe yen (hit I 
 am hard at the dore.And what fhal we fay hereupon,touching 
 the time that wee arc in? Trudy happic if v\ ce knew how to 
 l\nowthcvifitationfromonhigh,L^i.68.78 5 butmorc then 
 thrife vnhappie,through the hardnes ot heartland re bcilion of 
 the vvorld,£/^/.5.24.Foris it not in our rime thatthé lord hath 
 begunnc to raile vp this vme w hich was laide w aft , and to dig 
 vp the earth round about this fig-tree to mould it better ? Is ic 
 rot in our time that the fig trees haue brought forth ùiçvcyotmg 
 figs, and the vine her [mat grapes? Yca(T dare faie it,and God be 
 praiied tor \t) there hauc becne hire and goody^grrgrowen, 
 goodlic and pleafantgrrfpfs yeclded. But alas,bciidcs that the 
 winds which haue fcl and the irormes of hail , which we hauc 
 brought vpon vs by our finnes, haue fhaken the trees and the 
 vine plantes,and constrained the Lorde of the vineyard to ha- 
 pten his vintage , in what Hate is this ground and heritage ac 
 this daie/Naie hoa manie^ trees and vine plantes fee we pluc- 
 ked vp by the rootesf How mzmt young figs and (mall 'graft 's are 
 fallen dow nePAnd what hope doe the youth of our time yeeld 
 vsPAIas very hdc,the time being rather come wherof mention 
 is made EJa. j.2.the Lord complaining and faying , I looked for 
 fruit of my vineyard , but it hath brought me nothing but wi'dgraper. 
 What remaineth vs then but that the withered braunches of 
 the -ww, and the dead bowes of the treebc cut offand caft in- 
 to the firc?u4£*r. 3. ^.xoJoh. 15. 6. And indeed are we fo blind 
 as not to fee that this is come to pafTe in the Eait,Weft,North, 
 and Southland fo to continue more & morePArc we fo deaf as 
 not to heare the great blow s of the hate hct & axe hewingdowne 
 the goodly caruedfeelsngsofthe houfeofthe LordîPfal.jq.j. Do we 
 not heare the Lyon roarc, and the waues of the Sea to make a 
 noife? Efai.^.29. And if the Lord haue not fpared the natural! 
 braunches, willheefpare the fmallabortiue fuckers ? Rorru. 
 1 1 .2 1 .Let vs therefore craue of our good God eares to heare, 
 and praie him that he wil giue vs the fpirit of repentance and 
 conuerfion,and prefcrue and blefic the rcfiduc of this his vine- 
 yard 
 
Vpon^Thb Second* Chapter^ 375 
 
 yard,vvhichheecxpc&ethin great patience, that wee fliould 
 bring forth fruités of rightcoufneffe and ofcharity,which may 
 be pieafing and acceptable vnto him, vnto his honor and glo- 
 rie,and vnto our foules health and ialuation. 
 9/îlmighty God&c • 
 
 The xxi Sermon. 
 
 Our helpe be in the name ofGod,&e. 
 It is mitten xsfollovecth in the fécond Chapter of the font tele of 
 Canttcles jbc 1 3 .and 1 q.vcrfès. 
 
 13 Arife my Loue, my faire one,and come 
 awaic. 
 
 14 My Doue which keepeft thylelfe in the 
 clefts oftherocke, in the fecret places of the 
 afcent thereof, fhew me thy face, let me heare 
 thy voice: for thy voice is fweete,and thy face 
 is comclie. 
 
 , » j'J Kf 
 
 I The Bridegrooms tailing to awk- $ TheRomijJ)puttockJ)ath' shared the 
 kjen his /poufeyji* often reiterated, decla- Voue out of the plaine : but the Bride- 
 ret h vhatnaturallheauines and droufi- grome hath begun in our time to reclaim 
 neffe it in the be Fi fort, which can be cor- her. 
 
 tt&ed by no other rneanes , then by the 6 Thefpoufè, the Doue thus scared, 
 voice of the Bridegroom* onely^ who ma. - infieedoffiooping , skirreth aloft, where 
 ieth himfelfe to be heard. (hefindeth herfure rocl^ tofootc on. 
 
 1 The Jpoufexfomtimes made fovild 7 The fj>oufc beeing brought downe 
 mndfo hared , that (bee U forced to viuc from the roc^ where for a time fhee was 
 fiace imto her perfecutors: but yet re- hidandremaineddumbe,mufi mal^e her 
 ÉLtincth a Douefiill in her holU purl- felfc ta be clear lie feene and heard of her 
 **> Bridegrome. 
 
 3 Examples of this vnder the oldeco- 8 jin exhortation to put this doctrht 
 tenant. throughlie in fraffife. 
 
 4 Examples of the fame vndfr the 9 Jlreptehenfion of the negligence of 
 
 newe couenaum , beginning from" Jefiti * feme , and the -vnthankefttlnes of others 
 ÇhriJ) himjeift. ufa ;mol 3U*. MM behalf?. 
 
 Mm THE 
 
The Sixth Sermom rty 
 
 H E reiiduc of this thirteenth verfe 
 which wee hauc read vnto ycu hath 
 bcenc before expounded, in the tenth 
 verfe. But it is not without cau it- here 
 reiterated. For befîcies that by this re- 
 citall againe of the lame thing, we are 
 aduertiicd, more neercly toconiuhr 
 of, and more often to wcy the con- 
 tentes and meaning thereof/or the excellency of the contort 
 and confolation therein compnfed:ordinarie and dayly expe- 
 rience might be able to teach vs , how by nature, yea and tnac 
 after our regeneration, vvc are hcauic and ileepy, and alv\ aies 
 drowfîeandlazie , (orne of vs (landing (tockeitjll in the w aie 
 we began to take, others trayling the wing, initeede of riving 
 cm^others turning taiie and going backward. And therefore ic 
 is more then neceflarie that we bee daily warned and pricked 
 forward, the Lord, by whofe only voice and ir.ercie we are *- 
 w aliened , fhewing herein as in all the rcit, his more then ad» 
 mirable patience in this,that he ccafeth not to crie continual- 
 lie in our cares,to draw vs vnto himfelfc>as it is faid , not w ith- 
 out great reproch vnto them , that bee bare forty ycares rrith the 
 movers andconàitto/ts of his people , A et. i 5 . i 8. and Pfal.p 7 . 1 o.as 
 the Lord alfocomplaineth inEzechiel 22.30.-and is declared 
 vnto vs at large vnder the mmhtudc of the vineyard, Afat.i 1 . 
 3 5 .And what fhalwcnecde to goefarrc for examples? What 
 hath the Lord done forthe fpace of the fe three ft ore yeares 
 fince he began as it were anewc to open his mouth among vs.' 
 And w hat doth he ftileuerie daie,but cry ,vparifejvp art (c,vp *~ 
 r:fe,Eph. 5.1 4 # but v\ ho is he that giueth eare vnto him ? Who 
 is he that awaketh? Where is hce that puttcthhimfelfe in the 
 w aie. ? Nay contrariw ife fee wee not that the mott part make a. 
 mockeric of it? Some to faie,hold thy pcace,others to feek by 
 allmeanesofcrueltyandfubtilltreacherie toftopthe Lorde* 
 mouth? Sec we not what fwarmes of Couetous men^jnbiti- 
 ous,AdulteTers > Gluttons^iiTolute?'Inawoi:d r whoishcerhat 
 ♦nfvvcreth not,lct mc aJonCjlhauc foroe what clfe to dofCiuc 
 
VpomTmi Second Crapti*. tj^ 
 
 jpcc Icauc to take a reckoning of my monic, to fecke after my 
 gain,eafe,& preferments be merry & paiTc away the time,as 
 others doe:briefly to fay,let me be damned, what need you to 
 care,you l'haï not anfwerc for mePAnd if anic man happily an- 
 fwere , Lord I goe my waies thither , is it not for the molt part 
 to doe as he did,of whom it is lpoken,C/M*r.2 1 .$o.And what 
 wil follow ofthis in the end? Mary cuen that whichisfaidin 
 the fame Pfalme 95.1 1 ./ haue fworne inmy anger jf they fljall euer 
 enter mtomy reft ,and that which is ibid, Sopho.1.1 2. At that time 
 à 'mi fear ch ever te corner in Ierufilem with canàels,and veil vtfit thofe 
 men which are frozen in their dregs and fate ,r he et email doth neither 
 goodnorharm.O wretched caie,0 mifetableeilateîAnd there- 
 fore for the honour of God,my brethren,lct vs bee more care* 
 full for our fal uation . Let vs content vs with that whtchispafi , 1 . 
 Pet.4. 5 .and let vs not heap vpon our heads the anger of God , againfi 
 the diy of 'wrath ,Rom. 2.5. .but feeing he faith zga.mc y vpartfe,\ct 
 vsdoe as our father Abraham did, who rofe and departed 
 out of his owne land aiToone as the Lorde had laid vnto him. 
 Get thee out of thy countrie, Heb. 1 1 .8.& Gen 1 2.1 . and as Mat- 
 thew the publican,who being at thereceit of cuttom,fo foone 
 as the Lord had faid vnto himfollow me, ftaied not to make vp 
 his bookes and to tel his monie , but left al and followed him, 
 Afat.ç.ç .Moreouer the onelie cxcellencie , nay more then ex- 
 cellentieofthis fpeech of the Bridegrocmes , fhoulde it not 
 Suffice to make the droufieit ofvs al to a wake,to fpeak, to run/ 
 For v\ hat a thing is it , to be called the loue or bcloued of this 
 great fon ne of God jrho hath louedvs more then htmfelfcjjygtmng 
 his own Itfe for vs to ran fame & redeem vs from death, Ioh . i o. 1 5 .ÔC 
 l -Pct.i.iç.ycztomakevscoheirs withhimJtom.S.i 7»and what 
 beuty is comparable vnto thisglorie which waiteth forvs, 2. Cor. 
 4«l7.and I. Cor. 2. 9 *f which we have a Ireadte the pledges, 2. Cor. 
 5.15 .namely the knowledge of the deep things of God, 1 . Cor.2. 1 o. 
 &thcworkcoffan6tification which he hathbcgunneinvs,& 
 which hee will continue in vs vnto the end by his holy grace, 
 1. Ioh. 5. 10. Fie therefore on the world,from out ofv\hich wee 
 arc feparated: fy on this foup of Efau for which he quitted and 
 
 Mm 2 gajue 
 
gauc cuer the blcŒng, which hee couldcneiwr rcccucraftcf- 
 warde, G>».26.5 2.and.J:^.i2.i5.Fie vpon this vaine appea- 
 rance which paHcth away as a dreamland cocfineth vslo ca- 
 fily as this fame Salomon hath at large taught vs in his bookc 
 ot the Preacher, & as the Apottle fheweth vs,i .^r.7.3 1 . And 
 whither wil he that we fhould go}Vxtobtm,vntoh;w y zhat is to 
 hy,vnto this bght cfglorie 3 1 . Pe t. 2 .9. into ihts incorruptible inhe- 
 ritance \ I . Pet. 1 .Aç.vnto thus kjngdome which he hath prepared for vs 
 fince the foundation of the norlde, Mat. 25. 3 4. And who is then io 
 wretched & vnhappy as to delue to be ltd creeping here be- 
 low^ who wil not rather fay with Dauid,0 how long & how te* 
 die tu is this ?ny al wde vnto me , with thefc tr.habit ant es of Kcdar and 
 cfMefechî Pfalm. 1 20. 5. and with Saint Paul , Idefire tobee 
 dijjolued, and tobee with Chrtfl , Philip. 1 . 23. and , O miferablc 
 hum that I am-> y r*ho fballdeliucr mee frorru this bodic of death} 
 Rom. 7. 24. Neither ought wee to excufe our leiucs here- 
 upon that we are deafte by nature, and cannot heare. Foras 
 hcecallethvs, Co heeprcfenteth vsearcs to heare: and bid- 
 ding vs to come vnto him he orîercth vs feete, and commaun- 
 ding vs to looke on him, he giueth vs eies, P/4/.40.7. and 146. 
 8. And this is the caufe why hee beginneth hecre, with fo 
 gracious and fweete woordes , mywelbelcuedxo fhewe vs that 
 all, namciieto will and to doc, proceedeth from him, and 
 whatfoeuerelfchedemandcthofvs commeth from his mere 
 and free good wil tow ardes vs,who were his enemies . But as 
 our firit Parent then, when as yet hee was not corrupted but 
 molt found and entire in that nature, which he receiued from 
 his Creator , did voluntarily depriue and fpoil himfelfc of thaC 
 light he had ofvnderfranding and vprightnes of wil,fo his po- 
 Iterity for the molt part,through naturall wickedncs which is 
 now in them,refufeth ,both the Phifition who ofFercth him- 
 felfc and the phifîck. 
 
 a But let vs hearken vnto the refidue of the Bridegroomes 
 fpcach,fceking after this fpoufc:^<r^^ithhc,ïr^^%^^ 
 thyfelfin the cleft es of the 7ocke y and in thefecret places of the afcent 
 theroù And what are the great fecrets which are comprised in 
 
Vpon TttESkcbtfD Chài»tbk. Î77 
 
 thcfe words? Let vs pray vnto God he wil vouchfafc to teach 
 them vs throughly. We haue faid before, that the fpoufe, the 
 Church,is brought in in this place and rcprciented vnto vs,ai- 
 iîiied by her Bridegroom in lue h fort,that fometimes ihc lan- 
 guifheth after him, fometimes fhe obtaineth as it were the ii- 
 anlailcsjfomctimes ilic feemeth to be as it were a far on\fcmc- 
 times as it were fomwhat nearer, fometimes fhe is feeking as 
 it were after him,fomctimes fhee leemcth to be fought aher : 
 which thing we are ncccfTarily to vnderftand& diligently to 
 consider, that wc take heed the better of the mask ot the ralfc 
 Church, which many paint foorth and fhapeout vnto them- 
 felues in their ownebraine, perfwadingthemfelues, that the 
 Catholique Church continueth always in her apparant gloflc' 
 and bewty: contrary vnto that which is deliuered through- 
 out the whole facrcd hiftorie, and the experience weehaue 
 fincc had, and haue vntill this day, thereof: wherein thefefc* 
 wretchedly abufed refemble the Butterflie which flieth into» 
 the candle and burneth himfelfe,and thofe iîmple feely birdes 
 which fly into the fire thinking they are in the warm f un.Thi? 
 is then a falfe opinion in which many do gladly pleafe them- 
 fclues,becaufe they would haue a gofpel ofeale and a Church 
 all ofveluet: whereas, it is in the crofle, that the Bridegroome 
 triumphcth , and hee was crowned with a crovone oftkorncs* 
 and there is no reafon the fpoufe be put in a better liuery then 
 her Bridegroome. Wee haue therefore heard aboue in the 1 1. 
 verfe , how the Bridegroome made mention of the winter, 
 bringing tidinges vnto his fpoufe of the fweetc and pleafaunt 
 fpring-timc. Hee fpeaketh therefore now vnto her, as if fliec 
 were frighted and skared as fometimes Pigeons are and dri- 
 ven from the doue houfc,and therforc flowen to hide herfelfe 
 infomcchinckesandcreuifesofarocke, to haue there fome 
 place ofretire and reft. Where we are to note that it is proper- 
 lie in thefe and fuch like occurrences , that the faithfull ihewe 
 thcmfclueslike Bones ^ not countermining deceit by deceit, 
 but withftanding and fighting againft the heights and craftes 
 of the world by their meeknes and Simplicity, Lnk^i 6. 1 8.and 
 
 Mm 3 leaue 
 
Jcauc not.for al the hote afiaultes chat arc giueo them, tokeep 
 their confeience pure ftil and vndcfiled,as Dauid fo often both 
 in woord and deed profefTeth, which is the caufe alfo vs hy the 
 Lord fpareth them , when the rod of the wickedu vfon them . Pfal. 
 1 25.3. and 1 . Cor.io. ij.butyeelding vnto the furie of their 
 perfecutors fo much as they maie, their only refuge they hauc 
 is,to endure in filence, & patience,!^ 2 1 . 1 9 .It is this ipoufc 
 therefore who bceing forced to (hroud and to hide hcrfelfe in 
 the clefts and hole s of the rock/, is now inuited by her Bridegromc 
 to comedowne f gaine into the pSawe, the foul weather being oucr- 
 pafled and gone. 
 
 3 Such was the (late and condition of the Church manie 
 times vnder the Iudgcs, and cfpecially in Helies time,as when 
 the arcke was takcn,there followed an horrible confufion. In 
 the time of Samuel it had as it were fomc fmall refrefhing vn- 
 der the beginning of Saules raignc. But by and by after, and 
 cfpecially during the time of the perfecution railed a gainft 
 Dauid, the maflacring of the Priefts, the difcomfiting of Saul, 
 the ciuil war betweene Dauid, & Iphibofeth, whither fhal wc 
 fay the fmall number of the true faithful were brought,fo long 
 as god exercifed his iu(t iudgements vpon the whole country.* 
 In what eitate was then this doue-houfe, that is to fay, the ta- 
 bernacle & the whole fcruice or God , Silo being de(troied,& 
 the Arcke placed in a priuate mans houfc, to wit, Abinadabs, 
 1 .Sa.6. 22. feparated from the tabernacle w hich v\ as in Nob, 
 I .Sam.z 1 .1 .& from thence was brought vnto Gibeon,2.C&r^ 
 1.3. And thisfeparationof the Arke from the tabernacle du* 
 red vntill the time of Salomon ,who(beeinga figure of this 
 bridegroome) let vp that goodly temple as it w ere a doue- 
 houfc,whitherheinuitcth this doue in this place: whereunto it 
 h no doubt , but this text ought to bee referred, efpecially the 
 lame being twifefpcciflcd in thehi(\ot\c,i.Sam.y.i.&.2£am, 
 o\2.namely that the houfe of Abinadab from whence the Ark 
 was brought by Dauid vnto Hierufalem,was feated within an 
 hill rwhich it may bee Salomon meant cxprelTcly to note vnto 
 \$.. 9 making mention ofthecleftes of the rocke, whither this 
 
 fpôufe 
 
 — . ■- ■ 
 
VponThb Second Chafye». iff 
 
 fyoufc retired hcrfclfe during this tempeit. But there is no* 
 thing Ietteth but that wc may extend this yet farther . For du* 
 ring the kingdomc of Salomon himfelfc,was fhc not in part as 
 it were driucn from her douc-houfe by the Idols which Salo- 
 mon let vp? And what was fhc afterward? So that the conditi- 
 on of the Church is here reprcfented vnto vs , not as it is once, 
 or fiuc,or (ixe^r moe times,but as beeing an ordinary and cu- 
 ftomary thing vnto this fpoufe, whom notwithstanding her 
 Bridegroome in his good time callethdowneagaine mtothi 
 fltinc. So then after Salomon,by the diuifion of the ten tribes, 
 how many douc-houfes, I meanc fynagogues , were ruined & 
 plucked downe,to lodge Ieroboamscaltes in? Whither was 
 then the refort and repaire of Leui,flying as it were in flockes 
 with as many as feared the Lord into the rocke of the temple 
 ofHierufalem?2.CWM 1. 14. But alas v\ hat was this ne(t,vn- 
 der the grcateft part of the kings of luda , from Roboam vnto 
 Zedechias? A nelt prophaned vilanoufly polluted with the 
 doung of Idols, as the ftorie witnefleth, and is cfpccially moil 
 amply declared in Ez.ech.\ 6.What coul J thé the poor childrc" 
 ofGod do but figh & mournc like vnto poore pigeons in their 
 final hoIcs.'Such was the flight ofthe prophets into waft & de- 
 fcrt places of Ifrael vnder Elias and Elizeus, i.Ktngs 4. 3 8. And 
 yet was this poore culuer-houfe forer fliaken, and as it were 
 vtterly ouerturncd by Iefabel, infomuch that an hundered 
 ofthe Prophets were hidden by a good man in two caues,and 
 fedde with bread and water, 1 Xwg. 18.15. Behold alfo Elias 
 himfelfe brought vnto that extrcmitythat he was faine to bee 
 feddc in an hideous defert by two rauens , 1 .King. 17.1 6,& by 
 the miniftery of an Angel, 1 .Kmg.i 9. j.6*.And during the cap- 
 tiuity this poore doue beeing driuen thrifc away by that horrible 
 northerne wind which razed at length the douc-houfe & the 
 Citty, did fheenot ncit,and as it were hide her head in fecret 
 holes? For fo is it faid, Efey.26.20. and vnder the horrible per- 
 fection of Antiochus, whither retired flic herfelfc with Mat* 
 tathias? i.Macab.i.ij. 
 4 But what? Beginning with Icfus Chrift himfelfe the 
 
 Bride* 
 
ICC IHEblXTH bBRMOK 
 
 Bridgroom which is here fpoken of,was he not himfelfe from 
 the time of his natiuity driucn as it w ere out of the w odd: For 
 in whatplace was he born inrln a flable,the lodging oibeafts, 
 for there was no other roome for his mother , Lnk.z.1 7. from 
 thence mull he net fly into the deferts of Acgyptf^^.2.14* 
 Where was he brought vp and nour;fhcd?In a pooic Carpen- 
 ters ho\ife,Mar.6.$.ivi the cittie of Nazareth tuilt alio vpen a 
 icck > Z,//£.4.2p.a cittie offoimall reckoning and account, that 
 it is aemzuRucdnbetber any good tkwg can come from ther.ce^oh» 
 i.4.driuen thence whither mult hec retire himielre? Vnto the 
 tocke ofCapcrnaum^/f^^ i.and 10.1 5.nothauingaplacc 
 where to reti his heade^^.p.5 8.finai!y w hither w as he can- 
 ed to be crucified/Vnto the mount of iculs , otherwile called 
 CaJuaric. And where was hec laid after his death? Inacaue 
 he wen out of a rocke,L^2 3 .5 3 . Thus you fee how the Bride- 
 groomehimfclfe,during the time cf his life here bclowe did 
 nothing els , but fly as a man would fayfromrcckctorocke, 
 vntill he w ere flownc againe into hcaucn.This is alfo the way 
 which all the Apoillcshauc walked , and the whole Church 
 trucly Apollolicke^cing in this world as w ayfarcrs and wan- 
 derers hither and thither. 2. £or.6.$. and Heù.i 1.38. the fame 
 being foretoldjCuen vnto the lait uirx.^poc .1 2.14. 
 
 5 Such was the condition of the ancient Church, & name- 
 ly of that ofRomc,vntil the time of Syluclter vndcr Conftan- 
 tine the Great^fincc which time thu doue^ which kept hctfclfe 
 before vntil this time in holes and corners, finding afterw arde 
 the fpnng of the meddowc 3 fo plcafant and fw ccte, and lo fal- 
 ling there afleepe,the rauening and vnclcan birds are come & 
 nettled in her place, anddifguifwg thcmfelues at firft into 
 Doues and pigeons,hauc fo flattered andenchaunted the Ro- 
 mane Eaglc,t hat finally the great puttocke of Rome hath fca- 
 fed on the Eagles crowne, and charged himfelfe with three,- 
 decking himielfe with the Eagles feathers, and namely with 
 the capitall citty of the Empire,fo that at this day the rcfl muft 
 doe homage vnto this bcait. And this is the reafon why this 
 linage of the Romane Emptre(vvhich is the w hore fating vp- 
 
 on 
 
Vpon The $ecomd C hapter. 2'8t 
 
 on the feuenhillesofRome) fuccecding thisbcaft whcfcl- 
 mage (he is called,bcing of the fame nature, tcndeth vnto the 
 fanie end;vfmg ftil the lame trade of ruining the doue-houfes 
 and driuing away the poore feareful doues ofthe Lorde with 
 fire & fword,yea thrulting the fire into their fmal culuer holes, 
 asflieehath alwaiesdoonc, and yet doth vnto this day. Buc 
 \vhat?Thc Lord hath limited the feafons ofthe winter, as wee 
 fee he hath doone , by continual experience, yea breaketh off 
 fud JcnJy the courfe ofthe (tonnes and remportes as it is faide, 
 Tfet.65.8. and as he practifed the fame fenfiblic, Matth.S.iô. 
 I fpeake this efpecially for vs in this place , which a man maie 
 truely call a fmall neft placed in thefe cragges and mountains, 
 which hath fcrued and yet ferueth for an harbour of poore fu- 
 gitiue doues, which hath beenebyafingulcr and more then 
 admirable goodnes and mercy ofGod preferued, and that by 
 euident&apparant miracles,againftal the enterprifes which 
 fatan and his complices could hitherto deuife: for which fo 
 great a benefit ofhis,God giue vs grace to be thankeful^both 
 in word and deede. 
 
 6 But to goe on let vs note that this Bridegrome faith not 
 that this Done is rettredmto the holes ofthe rocks,but of the rocke^ 
 as of a certaine rocke and no other. For it is for them of this 
 woorld to retire themfelues heere and there at euerie iut they 
 haue in time of aduerfity,keeping neither waie,nor foot-path, 
 as we fee how the fupcrltitious haue euery one his faint,and e- 
 uerie one his deuotion apartrbut the children of God haue but 
 one rar^and refuge, to which they wholic betake themfelues, 
 according vnto the ftile which Dauid cuftomarily vfeth in his 
 Pfalmes, and therefore faile not at anie time to bceinfafety. 
 Contrarie the vnfaithful ones and enemies of God find them' 
 fellies deceiued of their imagined hclps,whcn the iudgement 
 ofGod falleth on them an d purfucth them , and therefore cry 
 in the daic of wrath vnto the hils and fate , Fallzpnvs/atdljide 
 V s from the face of him which fitteth vfon the throne y Apocal.6.1 j. 
 So did the fiue kings ofGanaâ hide themfelues in a caue, buc 
 it was to haue their reward which they defcrucd,/*///*. 1 0.1 0". 
 
 Nn The 
 
i8i The SixthSermon 
 
 the Lord therefore who is on high in the heauens is the refuse 
 & hiding place of his:& this ipoufe euen here below on earih 
 where fhe is yet a pilgrime & wanderer 3 findcth alwaies fomc 
 place of retire ex harbor in the harddt timcs,in the aflembly of 
 laines w herfoeuer they keep.though they be but two or three, 
 Mat. 18.10. Lvi^.i j.fk 37»& how euermen leek to bring her 
 low,yct fheealwaiishheth vp her head on high, not of price, 
 as did the Pharifee ,Luk^ 18.14 but of an afluraunce v\h.ch is 
 ^iuenhcr by the mcanes of that gracewhuh is fhe wed her, 
 \\ lure by fhcetaketh courage anddefieth all her aduerfaries, 
 and wha locuer mcomberaunccsare laid before h ci ,%om.%. 
 3 o and H.b 4 1 5. naic which is morc,fhee taketh orcafion by 
 thofeaffiulus which arc giuenhcr, to raife her felfe vpvnto 
 G y & to make her profit by ihcin,Rom. 5.;. which the Bride- 
 groomes w orders doe alio fhe wvs,w hen he faith, that his Dane 
 peeper h herfelfein the corners, rot of the defcext y bnt of the ajcznt 
 and ft Kvres of the rocke, although that in diuerfe relpedtes the 
 fi !c ofa mountainc hath his pitthings mounting and deftcn* 
 ding. 
 
 7 Rut let vs hcare what the Bndegroome doth fjnhcr de- 
 maund.S^w meheereSz'nh he y thj face ,avdlet me heare thy voice, 
 that is to faiejet me heare thee and fee thee . And what mea- 
 neth this? The Lorde who feet h all thmges , andkyoweththeverie 
 thought es and that before they are conceited , and who heare t h the 
 wordes before they be pronounced, Tfal. 1 5 ç.q.theonelyfear- 
 cher of the heartier. 1 o.and nhofe êtes are specially vpon this Doue, 
 Pf.l. 5 4.6 is» hee abfent from her ? No,in no wi fe:but the Lord 
 doth as a good v\oorkeman,whohauhgmadc fome gooalic 
 and curious pecce of worke,aIthough he that made it hath no 
 needc to enquire of what , or how it is madc,taketh a pleafure 
 notwithftandtng tovieweand contemplât, yea topraifcand 
 admire ic . And therefore it is alfo faid in the hiftorie of the 
 creation ofthe woorld, that the Creacour tookc a view e ofhi* 
 work, &fi idingittobe gc>od,blefledi:.Now is there a more 
 goo.ihc peece ofwoorke heere below 'after him who hath re- 
 cciued the fpiritc w ithouc racafure^aad w ho is the head of hi* 
 
 fpoufc) 
 
Vpon The Second C hapter. 283 
 
 fpoufc>hen is the Church regenerated and reformed , and as 
 ic were fafhioned anew vpon the patternc it fclte the ionne of 
 God,into which iliec is incorporated to be altogether fpiritu- 
 al in him: not to be a pcecc of worke without fenfc or motion, 
 but leius Chrilt putting into her heart that w hich fliee ought 
 to bcleeue, and in her mouth that which flic ought to fpeake, 
 PhtLi.ig . Pfal.40.4. Efai. 5 J. 1 g .and PfaL 51.1 7-as this high 
 mylterie is moft amply declared vnto vs by the Apoftle in his 
 Epiftlcs,andnamely,/tow.6.and 7-and $.Ephef.$. 30. ^.3. and 
 el le where. 
 
 8 Euery faithful foule therefore in the perfon of the fpoufe 
 (by whom is vnderftood al the company of the faithfull,) bee- 
 ing yet here belowe, hauing receiued the power to willçjr to do^ 
 is hcerc inuited tofbew himfelfc y & to fpeake vnto hi* Brtdegroome t 
 that is to fay, to make the erTc&s of his grace, w hich hee hath 
 receiued of his regcnerator,to appear both within & without. 
 This is that which was figured vnder the Lawe, by that com- 
 maundement of God,that euery male childcfhouldprefent 
 himfelfe before the Lord thrife a year at the leaft in the taber- 
 nacle, and aftcrwardc inthetcmple;asifGod,whoiseuerie 
 where and feeth all,had faid vnto them,you are difperf ed here 
 and there throughout the country and in your fynagogues, & 
 therefore are as it were abfentfrom me,who haue chofen this 
 place,as it were for mine houfc and habitation. Now I would 
 fee you and heare you,and therefore you fliall come and vifit 
 me and doc me homage thrife a year, to the end that you may 
 rcioice in my prefence,and I with you. And whom would not 
 the confederation of fuch kindneflc and bounty rauifh & alto- 
 nifh,& caufe him to fay,0 Lord,thou art not conteted to haue 
 flicwen me fo great fauor, vnto me I fay altogether vnworthy 
 thereof,nay worthy of thy curfe and malediction: but which 
 more is,knowing my heauinelTe and lazinefle , and that if by 
 adding grace vpon grace , thou fhouldeft not forme in mec a 
 defire and power to be thankfull vnto thee therefore, and to 
 honour thee,I would continue groueling itil on the ground & 
 burie the memorie of thy benents^hou pnekefl mee forward, 
 
 Nn2 and 
 
2$4 The Sixth Sermon 
 
 and inuitcft mee to prefcnt my felfe before thee, and to eaufe 
 thee to fee by erre£t what thou hart wrought in me , voutfafe- 
 ing ofa third grace ofthine,to like and accept of my woorkes, 
 confidering them not as they come from me , who am yet foi- 
 led v\ kh fifine.but in aimuch as thou acknowledgeitin me thy 
 worke and new creation. That then which the Bridegroome 
 faith in this place is the fame which is faid/P/?/.50.2 3 .And in 
 deede, as Dauid faith, P/*/ 5 i 1 6.1 2. Whatcanveerendtrvnto the 
 Lord for (ogre at benefits ofhtsjbtit this reknemledgemh , prefenting 
 our felues before his face with the confcfïion of the mouth, 
 fpeakingofthe abundance of the heart? Neither are we now 
 to trot vp and dovvnc hither & thither as thefc holy pilgrimes 
 of Ierufalem,\\ ho go yet at this day to fceke after Ieius Chrift 
 in his fcpulcher . For euery land and country is now fandtified 
 vntohim, \.Cor.\o.i6. andheisneere vntovs in euery place, 
 and we mult caufe our felues to be feenc and heard, lifting vp 
 of pure hands, 1 .Ttm. 3 .8.in al places/wherefoeuer it plealeth 
 him to li& vp his banner.For the queltion is heere ofa publike 
 appearance & inuocation,in refpe& whercofthe Bridegrome 
 leadeth his fpoufe down from the rock,& out of the deiert in- 
 to the plain,whe he wil haue the faire weather return againe: 
 as hee hath fpecially doone fincc about thefc threefcore years 
 ago.Buc what doc we all this while ? The Lord hath proclai- 
 med by fo many trompcts theycare ofacceptation,andour 
 truclubile, renewing and as it were fending againc into the 
 worldcthatwhichisfaid,£/S/>.6i.2.and/,«^.4.i8.&eucric 
 day he (till calleth vnto vs in this place , LMy done come out of 
 the defertfhew me thy face >and let me heare thy voice , and I will take 
 fleafureinit: 
 
 9 But what? There was indeed at the beginning fome zcale 
 (hewed, and many came running from farre to do their duty, 
 as it is faid of thofe which entered into Canaan with Iofua, ÔC 
 thegouernours of that time, lof.iq. 3, But thefc are nowc de- 
 parted in peace and feem to haue caried away all the zcale, & 
 whatfoeuer good thing els was among vs . The Bridegrome 
 criçthby hisferuants, Come&fee me, and let mebcarc your 
 
VponThe Second Chapter, 2*r 
 
 yoicc.Yct for al this feme haue no carcs,o;hers hcarc,but they 
 hearken not vntoit. Others, efpecially on thofe daies which 
 arefpecially ordained for this appearance and inuocaticn or, 
 the name cf God 3 had rather be a w alking,playirig,tipling,ga- 
 thering in their debtes, toying and fporting in the ftreetes.and 
 before ihcir door es . Others there are who will appeare in the 
 place where the Lcrde is, butisittocaufe their voice to bee 
 heard, that is, hauing diligently hearkened vnto the voice of 
 the Bridegroom^ the praier of their pa(tour,to anfwere w ith 
 heart &: with mouth the Ame ofChriitians,i.£i3r.i4.i 6. that 
 is to fay, to make a true and perpetuall acknowledgement to- 
 wards God,by true amendment of life? Alas no.For w ere it fo, 
 the effects thereof would appeare : whereas now e you {hall 
 haue fome ling the Pfalmes in deed,but their heart (hall be far 
 from that which they fîng, Efay.iç.i^. Others come to the 
 Church to deep , others w il not voutfafc to open their mouth 
 or cares. Ifany ma demaund how w e know ihis,I anfw er that 
 wee fee part of it with our ovvnc eies, the reft is made knowen 
 and difcouered by all the fruités of the flefh which are quoted 
 &numbredvp,<j4/.5.ip. And thither it isimuit fend you,you 
 hypocrites &conteners, adding for the reward which is refer- 
 ued for you,if you change not yourfelues & become new me, 
 that which the eternal faith, Efi. 57. \i. I veil declare thy goodly 
 right eon fies & thy deeds rthtch fhalnot help thee: tiPf. 50.21 jhefi 
 things thou haft do»,& becaufe I wade as if I heard not, thou thought]} 
 that I teas hke vnto thee. But Lmllreproueihce , er rvillfet allthefe 
 things before tbme tèesJb wht É terrible thing it is to fal into the 
 hands of the liuing god whé he is angry! And therfore for the 
 honor of god let eucry one amend himfelfc while it is time,let 
 Tsconfider of this great and endlelTe bountie of our God,who 
 hath retired and gathered together his poore doues out of the 
 holes of the dcfert,out of the powers of thofe crucll beafts , & 
 out of the iawesoftheraueningLion, inuiting vs (till at this 
 day to prefent our fclues before him w ith a true repentance,& 
 that pleafiuft acceptable facrifice vnto htrru cf a contrite hart and of 
 tbankefgiHmg 7 Vhl)i,i$*nà 19A 2,to the end that rccciuing 
 
 Nn 3 v$ 
 
z%6 The Seyenth Sermon 
 
 vs to mercy and finding vs fruitcfull trees indeed in his houfe, 
 
 h e may heape on vs his bleflings,according vnto his holy pro- 
 
 mifes. 
 
 The xxii Sermon. 
 Our help be in the name of God &c. 
 
 It it "written m followeth in the fécond Chapter of the Canticle of 
 Canticles, the 15.1 6. and 1 7. verjes. 
 
 15 Takevs thefe foxes & thefe y ong cubs, 
 which deftroie the vines > while our vines bud 
 forth. 
 
 i6~ Mybelouedis minc^andlamhis, hee 
 feedeth among the lillies. 
 
 17 Vntil the wind of that day come,and the 
 fhadowes flee awaie: returne my beloued and 
 bee like ay oung Roe or Hind-calfe , vpon the 
 mountaines of feparation, the cleftes of the 
 mountaines. 
 
 I The vineyard of the Bridegrocme in the EcclcficFiitaU minifterie with ciuitl 
 
 daunger to be waiiedyby the foxes. lurifdicfion. 
 
 2. Examples of thefe waft es made, 7 This -vineyard* mufi continue al- 
 
 both in the Church of the Jfraelites , ai voies fafe in the end 3 and the fox es muH 
 
 alfo in that of the Christians, be taken. 
 
 3 Hove thefe become at the length 8 How ineftintable\andforeueraffw 
 Wolues and Lyons, deftroieng the flocks redfhat treafurcyf the chunh u y which 
 and finally no tearing them f clues. fhe faith to be hers. 
 
 4 Examples of foxes broken in into 9 This donatio by reafo of the marriage 
 the midft of the vineyard , begunne to be betweene the Bridegrome and the [poufe 
 husbanded hi our time. U mutual and reciprocal. 
 
 5 The huntingof thefe foxes properly 10 The (hurch of the Ifraelits and the 
 and dire ffly committed vnto the Vaftor s Church of the clrriftiam are one and 
 cfthe Church. the fame fioufe of the fame Bridegroom, 
 
 6 Secondlie to the faithful magiflrats , and how we ought to vnderftand the (ha- 
 without confounding notwithftanding dowfsoftheauncientcouenant. 
 
 11 Ho* 
 
VponThe Secokd Chapter. 
 
 *»7 
 
 Il How we ought tn vndcrflxd that wind 1 3 What the craggy mountains are, 0- 
 ithich rofe with tl>e light cf the goftel uer which thefbouje dtftretk her Bride 
 Il How it is tol>ev;ilery~tGodt>,that the groome to come. 
 
 Bridegroomereturneth to hufyoufe^ee- 14 .4» exhortation to ùraclife this do - 
 ing he netier forfait h her. (h, ne. 
 
 T appeareth by thefe words which we 
 haue 10 handle, that the Doue is flow en 
 vntoherBiidegroomeat his call, who 
 hach gathered her with her companie 
 as weeihalaftcTv\ardesfec,accorv ing 
 vnto the purport alto of the hiitorie, 
 that finally al the tribes put themfclues 
 in fubiedtion vnto the anointed of the 
 Lord, I meanc,vntoDauid.& after vn- 
 to Salomon, both which v\ ere figures of this true Biidcgrcmc 
 in this n lpedfc. But to the end that the fpoufe fliould not ima- 
 gine,thatthis fpring-timc brought foperfedt a peace , ai thac 
 nothing fhoul J impaire and diliurb it fhe is in good time war- 
 ned,that this vineyard hauingefcaped the former ftorms and 
 tepefh,was not for al that, altogether freed foal kind of hurt. 
 And this hee warncthberof, rot to affright or aflorifh her, 
 but fo as to make her ful of confolation.For he faith not, there 
 arc foxes which wall anddeftroy our vincyardes ,but tafavs 
 thofefoxtfs^ if he faid. Indeede there are great and little ones, 
 but I haue taken order tl.< y fhalbe caught. Now to make our 
 profit hereof , wee rrulr firit of al learne that they abufe them- 
 feluesmuch , who are fo perfuaded to fee the Church in lb 
 good cafe as to bee without her afflictions , either within or 
 v\ithout,orboth together within and without:thc experience 
 ofal a^es fheweth vs the contrarie. 
 
 2 Let vs therefore note hcere in the firft place, that there 
 is no mention hecre of Tyg^rs or Lyons, w hich arc open and 
 declared perfecutors ofthe church,as were fometimes againft 
 ItraeD.Edom.Moib^Ammon, and finally the Chaldeans and 
 Babylonians: and in the time of the ChriiVtan Church, the 
 Romaine cmpire,the Saracens & the Perfians, & the Turcks, 
 
 but 
 
i88 The Seventh Sermon 
 
 but ofchofe which are crept into the midftof the vineyardhkc 
 crafty Foxes to keep back and hinder the vintage, v\ hich icrt 
 of beaftes, the vineyard \\ ere it neuer fo well planted and hus- 
 banded,ncuer wanted. Such were in the time of Moks,Core, 
 Dathan,and Abyron,who as it is ^iuxxva Numbers^ 6.beeing 
 in the very midft of this vineyard, fought futtelly to vndermine 
 the foundation thereof, vncer colour, faide they, becaufe the 
 whole people were the people of the Etcrnatl, and here upon preten- 
 ding to ouerthrow e the miniftcry of Moles and Aaron . Such 
 «were the falfe Prophets who lulled the people of Jfraeli a- 
 flcep , vaunting oftheir virions from God, againft the true fer- 
 uantes of the Eternal,as is efpecially feen in that mifcrcant Sc- 
 dechias oppofing himfclfe againft Michea , i JGng.i 2. and in 
 Hananias againftleremy,/*r. 1 tf.and by al the vvritinges of the 
 Prophets : vnto whom , for the moft part they alwaies lent an 
 helping hand who fhould haue beene the principal hunters of 
 thofefoxesyto wit,the Prieftes, as is witnelTed throughout the 
 whole facred hiftory. And what foxes were the Phanfees,Sad«- 
 duces,Scribes,Eflenians,Herodians andothers^who fo crafti- 
 lie & fo fliely ventered to entrap the Lord himfclfe of the vine* 
 yard,bcc\ng defcended from hcauen exprcfly for this purpofe, 
 to take order for this vineyard, and traueled fo throughly here- 
 in,that finally he thruft them out of poflefllon of Urafldtranf-. 
 planted his vineyards he had before threatned them he wold 
 doe,^f^.2 1 .41 .and planted it among apeople,which before 
 appertained nothing at al vnto vnto him, as hee had menaced 
 thé by Ofce 2. 2 g .the execution of which threat is moft large- 
 ly fet downe Ephef.z.i 1 . And aftcrwardes, though the chiefe 
 and principall hunters of thcCc foxes, trauailcd diligently to 
 tranfplantand to husband this vineyard which had fprcd her 
 braunches from Halt to Wcft,and had prouided it of good la- 
 borers and husband-men after them: notwithftanding their 
 hiitories and their writings do witneffe that they had alwaies 
 more to doe againft fuch foxes, as the great fheepeheard fore- 
 warned thcm,Mattb.j.i 5. ( though there they be called raue- 
 ningwolucs) then againft all other open enemies within or 
 
 without. 
 
VponThë SieoKB ChàjïeiT. 1851 
 
 without. Such were they who wouldeneedçs mingle Iefus 
 Chrift 2nd Moles together,'whofe mod peltilenc and pernici- 
 ous error is declared and condemned, zÀft.i 5-againlt whom 
 Saint Paul was yet aftcrwardes contained lb long and fo ea- 
 gerlic to fight . After thefc fticceeded , as it were in great and 
 mighty armies,here tiques of al fortes :fomc of them atfayling 
 the diuinity , others the humanity of the Lord of this vineyard: 
 others conreffing both the one and the other, but diuiding Ie- 
 fus Chrilt into t waine: others making a monfter of him which 
 fhould bee neither God nor man: others degrading him from 
 his offke;others impugning other articles of our faith: others 
 blending with the truth of Chriftian religion a million of er- 
 rors not oncly vttcrlic falfe, but altogether monftrous. 
 
 3 But aboue all others the fixes which hauc fucceeded 
 certaine faithful auncient paftors of the Church of R.omc,haue 
 yndcr the coulour of the authoritic of the Cittie of Rome, 
 and becaufe the Lord at the beginning caufed the glory of his 
 exceeding grace to lliine foorth , learned to plaie the part of a 
 fox fo fliely and fo wilily,that by little and little, & that(which 
 is a thing ofal others exceeding itraunge and wonderful J hel- 
 ping to hunt other foxes, they haue brought all vnder their 
 pawes , and then (tripping themfelues out of their foxes cafe, 
 (but yet fo, as to flipitonagaine when ncede and occafioa 
 requireth)haue taken vnto themfclues the Lions skinne , flic- 
 wed their talants,torne and dcuoured the poore flocks,fo that 
 they haue wonderfully skared them. For this is a maxima and 
 general rule in this matter, that if thefe cubs be let alone to be- 
 comt foxes they faile not in the end to becomeTy gers and Li- 
 ons,fuch as Michca fpeakcth of 9 LMjch.$.f. For proofe hereof 
 We ncede no other witnelfc together with the poore eftate of 
 Chriftcndome then the legends of thepopes written by their 
 own fecretarics, among who that monfter Boniface the eight 
 beareth the bel: ofwhô themfclues giuc this teftimony , That 
 he entred /tl>e a fox, be ratgnedlike a Lton t and Med like a dog . And 
 Icnow you, thatwbcnlfpcakc thus, Imcddlc not with their 
 manners which arc Co infamous and detcfUble , that there is 
 
 Oo hoc 
 
i& Tnt Seventh Sermon 
 not*<rèaturc which demâutideth not vengcance.ypomhent 
 of god:but I hauc principally refpeét vnto their fajfe §c t uricd 
 dodrinerbcing no herefie concerning the office of our Lorde 
 îefusChnit(without the which trueth,whatfocuerth(yccn- 
 firTc touching his pcrfon and the pointes concerning it in the 
 £rc«fr,ferueth them to no other end , but to colour their lies ÔC 
 falichoodes w hich they coucr with the cloke of this truth, ac- 
 cording vnto the example offatanthcitfather,whom the lord 
 put to IWcacCyLu^.:^.) which isnotcouied, andafterwarde 
 hatehed 3 & (til nounfhed and maintained yet in the lchoole of 
 thefc foxes ,ot rather thefe wolues, which arc the talants & the 
 teeth of that great moniker of Rome [ who hath left ihem to 
 dcaleinthcdo&rine, wherein thcyhaue learned toacquitc 
 then felues fo wel,that euerie one hath his morfel of the pray: 
 & hath fnauhed for himfelfe together with his fpuituahtes, 
 thefefpters and crownes of Princes. Such are among the rcil 
 thefe foure fortes of vvallet-breethfcn declared fomctimes hy 
 the Vniuerfities themfclues to be the locufts ifluing cut of the 
 bottomlciTe pit, of whom mention is made in the Apoca'yps. 
 But what arc al thefe/a**/,which are become wolues,in com* 
 parifon of that treacherous carauane horde of thofe vermine, 
 open Jy polluting the holy name of lefus, and felling their fil- 
 thy trafli and ttumpcric inluchfortCm*//*, to them that will 
 feede themfclues thercwith,that they haue fo wtlgrated, that 
 in leffe then forty yeares, they haue haled in and heaped vp in 
 their borroughs greater and richer fpoiles, then al the foxe s & 
 wolues befîdes could mountaine vp in fiue hundred years be* 
 fore, though the time ferued them as well as they could wifhe 
 ordefire. And herein I report me at the lcaltto thefe other 
 poore conuents ofMonks and of Friers, w horn rhefc new frefh 
 gamefters haue left oncîy a poore coule to fhroude their bald 
 heades in , and rhe raile of a white frocke to traile after themj 
 themfclues being become as fat as bodie-lice by eating vp the 
 othersbrewes: a* the natural Philofophers fay of the fci penrs. 
 that they become in the end Dragons, by eattngvp other (wallferp »Tf. 
 4 But not toftandany 'longer on them who arc «owe the 
 " 'u f '* ' " ~~" fire- 
 
VponTh» SECcm»* Chapter 191 
 
 firebrands fie bcllowcs of perfections, nay pcrfccutcrs them- 
 fciucsjiow cucr they ftiroud themfelues vnder the mantle of 
 dcuotion and religion, we ought to fee and confider how the 
 Lordc had no iooncr begun in our time , to take his vineyard 
 into his owne handes, but fatan thruft in into it thcic foxes the 
 Anabaptifts and Libertines of many forts/rom whom fprang 
 thofc vile & filthy heretickes of the family ofloue,who iliame 
 not notwichftanding to couer themfelues in fpeach with a 
 more then Angelicall perfection . On the other fide, arc crept 
 iato the world the Arrians,as men zealous of the vnicy of one 
 only Godrothers who feare leafl the humanity & manhood of 
 Iefus Chrift , fhould bee kept as it were in prifon in heauen, if 
 wee bcleeuc not that it is alfo really in his eflence in earth 
 with the bread and the wine of the holy Supper : and that the 
 Sacrament would bee annihilated and abohmed , if wee eate 
 not the verie flefheof lefus Chrift alfo with our mouthes and 
 teeth. Others there are who are iealous of the humanity of Ie- 
 fus Chri(t,as they fay : from whom notwithstanding arc crepe 
 into the world, both Neftorians infeuering of the two na- 
 tures, and Eutichians in the confounding of the eflentiall pro- 
 prieties of thé. In a word I know not whether thcr be at al any 
 one old hercfie which fatan indeuorethnot to fcta broacha- 
 mong vsj or new yet to be inucnted which he hammereth not 
 in the forge ,-ib to break in vpon this vineyard being yet yong 
 ttnd tender, to hinder her fruit to come to maturity & ripenes. 
 5 And what haue we to do hereuponPSoothlie that which 
 thcBfidcgrome here faiths the Lord of the vineyard willeth. 
 vs to do . Take -w, faith he fhcfi foxes & thofe cnbs which waft the 
 vines But to whom fpeakerh he?Certainely to thofc to whom 
 he hath giuen in charge to husband & lookc vnto his vineyard, 
 who fhould bee watchful and diligent afvvell to husband it, as 
 alfo to fence and kcepcit from whatfoeuer maie hurt it, ar- 
 ming themfelues thefcettcrtodoe this with his authority and 
 power , both in reproouing the falfe doctrine by the true, and 
 alfo in cutting off the dead and rotten members.For although 
 themfelues be alfo members of the Church 3 whicbis here gc* 
 
 O02 nerally 
 
Vot The Seventh Sermon 
 
 ncrally represented in the perfon of the fpoufe , yet notw nh- 
 (landing in refpc&of their particular calling and vocation, 
 vhichistoprouidefor the purity and fuertie of the Church, 
 they are particularly diitinguifhed from the reft of the bodie, 
 and in this regard they arc heere willed and commaunded to 
 take thefe foxes.Such haue becne,and yet arc,and fhaî be vnto 
 the end of the woorlde,thofe whofe minifterie and mouth the 
 Bridcgroomc alwaies vleth to declare his holy wil, and there- 
 fore they are called bis mouth jbcczui'c they fpcake beeing mo- 
 ued by the holie Gholt, 2 . Pet, 1 .2 1. which for this caule fpc- 
 cially arc called in the holy Scriptures by diuerfe names, to 
 vit, AtenofGod^SeerSyprophets^atcbmenybmlàersoftbehoufeof 
 Cod.paflors, doctors ^ambajjador s ofCjodjbefrinds of the Bridegrcme, 
 anddcalers in the marriage match betrveene Ieftts Chrifl and his 
 Church. keepers oft he vtneyardofthe Lord y dijpenfers ofthefecrets of 
 tW,narnes and titles exceeding honourable before God , buc 
 defpifed of men:names,l laie,of great honor, but of a maruai- 
 lous,yea vnfupportable charge,if we take them itriétly,2.C<?r. 
 2. 16. And this is the caufe why thcApoitle calleth not this 
 charge a dignity, as they vie to terme it who haue forged that 
 3>oodlic Apoltatical Hierarchy, but hecallcthit* fcûr^rtf^/ir- 
 yW.r,! . Ttm.3.1 .whofe charge is vnderitood oftentimes gene- 
 rally by the woord of watching and feeding Sometimes more di- 
 {l i n dl ie, by attending vnto the vroorde and vnto praters, A 6t. 6.4. 
 fometimes by thefe wordes otteaching y improtttng y corretlmg and 
 $nflrfttting y 2. Tira.3 .1 d.fometimes by thefe wordes oi'planting 
 rindr*>atering,i .Cor. 3 .6. All which are concluded in thefe two 
 points of aduancing the good & hindering the il, by a watch- 
 ful,naie continuall care and prouidence ^handling the fworde 
 of the word of God with the right and the left hand as occasi- 
 on rcquireth,as wel in general vnto the w hole flock,as alfo by 
 muiding it particularly to eueric one, as it is w ritten tsftl.2 1 . 
 5 1. and 2.T/W.2.Ï 5. Go to then, faith theBridcgroomein this 
 place,y ee Gardiens & keepers of my vineyard , be you conti- 
 nual in chafe of thefe hurtful! beaftcs,and leaue not vntill you 
 haue rid and freed my vmeyardof them. And by what means? 
 
 * Mary 
 
VposThbSecond Cha*t**, t^i 
 
 Marie fecting the toiles and pitching the haies of the word of 
 God , to catch and entrap them therein , (hutting them vp in 
 their dens and caues by this w oorde alio , compared vnto fire 
 confuming the chafre offal fhood and lies : and lfihey will not 
 bee taken and tamed and transformed intofheepe, chafing 
 them awaie and driuing them out of the floe ke,i . Tim. 1.20. 
 and fo leauing them vnto the iudgement of him who iudgeth 
 1 hofc n ho are ntt ho m ^Tit.3. 20 .and i.Cor^.i^.Afmuchis tobc 
 fayd concerning other foxes , who by their fcandalous maners 
 & wicked examplcs,waft & deilroy the vines in like mancr,8C 
 clpecially the tender ones : which fort oîjoxes arc otherwifc 
 called fcabbed fhecp,& compared vnto leaué w hich fowreth 
 the whole lump, of which the A pottle giucth vs a rule in the 
 perfon of the inceltuous,i. ^r.5.5. 1 i.And thefe are the chief 
 and principall hunters of thefe foxes andyomg cubbes . For it is 
 properly by the fpirit of the Lords mouth , that the vmeyardoî 
 the Lord is planted,husbanded and preferucd. 
 
 6 But befides thefe vnto whom properly this charge ap- 
 
 Îertaineth, there are yet other hunters in thz vineyard c£ù\z 
 ,ord,who ought to trauell no IciTc in this hunting, to wit, the 
 magiitratcs aiwell foueraigne as other,called alio ieruantes of 
 god,e(tabliOicd in autority,& girded by him with a bawdricr, 
 lob. 1 2. 1 S.Rom. 1 3 . 1 .to the end they ihould mantaine,not on- 
 ly honellyof life oppofed vnto all violence and dilTolution, 
 but to the end that God may bee knowen and obeicd by the 
 cltablifhmcnt and maintenance of the true feruicc of God, 
 which is called Piety or godlinefle, 1 .Tim. 2.2.Thefe are they 
 therefore who mould with al theirpower w hich God hath gi- 
 ucn them,vphold & maintaine the holy miniftery & feruicc of 
 God,as wel in the purity of doclrinc,as alfo in the difciplinc of 
 |hc Church,each conformably vnto the word of the Lord wit- 
 neffed by the writings ofhisProphets,without either adding 
 any thing thereto, or diminifhing ought there-from,and con- 
 fcquently bridle as much as in them lieth , and alfo punifli ac«* 
 cording vnto the exigence of the cafe,the open and conuitfed 
 picked and incorrigible pcrturbcrs of that which is the true 
 
 Oo 3 Archpillcr 
 
3?4 *TfM SéVBKTH StfcMÔ* t* 
 
 Archpillcr arid foundation ofhumane fociety,namely the-pai 
 my and exerçife of ttue religion: and all this they Aioulddoe 
 byche order which God himfelfe hathcrtabliftied , not med* 
 ling with that which appertaincth vnto the paftors and aun- 
 cientcs ot the Church and the holyminiiterie, like vnto Vz* 
 zias,2. Chron .16.19. Matt h. 20. 2 $.z\\aLuk.i 2. ^.pertaining 
 alio as little and lefle a great deale to the pallors to intermedin 
 with ciuil Iurifdiétion and temporal as they call it, as vnto the 
 magistrates to adminiftcr in the Church the word and the fa- 
 cramentes. The magistrates on the other fide muft take hecde 
 how they make La wes to bind the confeience , or take vpon 
 them to fette vp a gouernmentof the houfe ofGod according 
 vnto their owne wifedome and aduice: which thing appertain 
 neth vnto God alone who hath ordained,deliuered and enrc- 
 giftred hjs inuiolable lawes in his holy Scriptures,as wel of the 
 olde couenaunt,which dured but a time, as of the newe which 
 flial continue and endure vnto the end of the world. Which if 
 it had beene well obferued , or if it might bee redrefied at this 
 day, then verily we fhould fee the Churc h of God fo reformed 
 as it ought to be: as we fee how the holy Kings gouerncd the- 
 felues in this point, as Dauidand Salomon: whoeuer tooke 
 counfelofthe mouth ofthe Lord^and did according thercun- 
 to, without parting of their boundes.Thc like did Ala,2.C6r*f. 
 I j.i 2 .and Iofaphat 2. Qsr. 1 7«7.and 1 p. 1 1 .and Ezcchias and 
 lolîas, as their hiftorie declareth. 
 
 7 But wilfomc man fayis this enough to fay, Takcvsthefè 
 foxes , feeing there are fo and fo many fortes of them, and that 
 they who fhould be the hunters and takers of them , are often 
 times themfelucs the moft dangerous foxes and woluesofal? 
 <*Micb. 3.3. nAcl. 20. 29. Ï anlwcrc that it is enough to faie, 
 rakttbtmSeing this word proceedcth out of his mouth,which 
 in fpeaking gtueth vs the abilitie & efficacieof executing thai 
 which he commaundethjas experience hath alwaies declared 
 the fame,being neither the \\ ilines ofthofe foxes, nor the vio- 
 lence of thefe Lyons & Tygers euer able to hinder the confer- 
 uation orrcttauration ofthisw^r^whethe timetherofwas 
 ;Q come.* 
 
comc,this heritage & poiTcflion which rcachethfrenrçnc end 
 of che world vnto an other, being giuen vnto this Bridegrome 
 ibreucr,P/W.i 10. whole kingdomc by confequent, which» 
 this vineyard, renmneth tor euer: although that vntil that later 
 «Uie,in the which the Angels thall rid tins vineyard of bram- 
 bles and briars, and fhalra*.got themvp and ca(t the m into 
 euerlalting fire,c_>>£*7/&.i 3. 41. when Go.ifhalbeaiLinalL i.Cor. 
 J 5_25.it be in danger ftjlko bee thus aflaulied:butyctib,tiiac 
 not one good and true plane of this vineyard can be taken a* 
 w ay and rooted vpjeb. 1 7. 1 2.& 1 8 9. 
 
 8 And this is the caule why thefpoufc addeth this verfe 
 full of incomprehensible comfort and confolation/aying.TV:* 
 Bridegroome is mtne , and I am his. For w hat a treasure is this? 
 Thisis the only fonnc cceflential and cocternal with God the 
 fathe -,in afmuch as he is God. and in af l.uch as he is man , the 
 perfit of per fits : he in vrho/n the father is full) feajed & contented, 
 tnrvhom are at the treafttres of knowledge ar.d vnderftar.ding y and nh§ 
 bath a name abotte al names Joamng pou er in heauen & in eat th. -a n d 
 who is lb good/o mighty,fo rich as he? And we,w hat arc we/ 
 €OKceiucd andborn injin:mt able of our [élues to thtn\^on that nhick is 
 •fGodmrefyellofour laluation, but culpable ofiuli and eternal 
 maiediCtion.Who can therefore concerne of fuch a bountie ÔX 
 liberality, either in refpett of the giuer, or in regard ot chat 
 vhichisgiuen,orinrefpeétof them vnto whom it is giuen? 
 He who is the giuer thereof hath all the reafon in the w orld,to 
 hate him on whom he beitoweth this exceeding treafure: the 
 gift is no worldes good,but the giuer himfelfe: hee on w horn 
 the gift is beitowed is not only vn worthy thereof, but worthy 
 of the cleane contrarie. AU which circumitances beHng well 
 confidercdoughtlb to moue thefcnfelefle and hard harterî* 
 as to be raufhed with the admiration of this fo botromlciTea 
 gulfc of bouncy and hberalityiand make al them dy for fhame 
 who are fo wicked as tocontemnefuch an exceeding grace, 
 what allurement foeuer w ere prefentcd the. For what is there 
 to bee compared with fuch a treafure molt freely bellow erf 
 And what rccornpcnce is a man able to gmc of his foule* 
 
 KMat. 
 
*9& The Seventh Sumo* 
 
 Mat.x 6\i6\t)efoe we any good thing from an high , or front 
 below/ Who fhal gtue it vs but he who is the Lord of high and 
 low ! Wifh wee for anic true commodity, within or without? 
 Who fhal giuc it vs but he who made and preferueth the one 
 and the other ? And ho we Hull hee refufc to giuc it him, vnto 
 whom he hath giuen himfelfe , and that by a donation vtterly 
 irreuocablcfSo that when wc demaund any of thefe bleflmgs, 
 and receiue them not,letvs know that this therefore hapneth, 
 becaufc hee knowcth a great deale better then wee our felucs 
 what is for vs,or becaufc we do naughtily demand that which 
 is good for vs,or becaufe it is good for vs to haue the denial for 
 a time to fharpen and whet our appetite and defire, Pfal.qo. r. 
 for othcrwifc wee fhould alwaies nnde this promifc infallibly 
 true, Knockjtndit Jha/be opened vntojiou,aske,& it Jhal be given you> 
 But wee are to obferue and retainc one generall rule in this 
 matter, that is to faic , that concerning temporallblefsinges, 
 which haue not a fpecial promife (as Dauid had a fpecial pro- 
 mifc of the kingdome , and therefore he fpecially craucd it,& 
 obtained it , />/*/. i.d.and./f.^and clfcwhere in manie places: 
 and Daniel after the yo.years accompliflicd and expired prai- 
 cd fpecially for the returne of the people , Dan.ç. 2.)wee may 
 not demaund them at Gods hands but with thefc claufes, If it 
 beegoodjfit bet expedient, yvhen } and in fuch fort as itjhallpleafe thee* 
 butasfordemaundinggraceathishandesbytheremiffionof 
 all our finncs , bringing vnto him an heart truely humble and 
 contritc,wecmayand ought to craue,and demaund this with 
 al holy atfurance grounded vpon him, Heb.^.\6.*nà Iam.i.6 m 
 yea fo far as to dene al our enemies, according to the example 
 of the Apoftle, Rorru.%. 3 j. for faith he J*ce which hat h not fbared 
 his ovpnefonnejmt giuen him for vs,how ml hee notgiue vs althinget 
 ïrith himïLct vs therefore hearken vnto this fpoufe,or let vs be 
 rather this fpoufe , which ù\th,Mj beloued is mtne y andlamhis. 
 What fhal Satâ thé be able to do againft vs, feeing this Bride- 
 groome,together with all that hee hath, is ours? Why fhould 
 our finncs appal and aûonifh vs, feeing he hath carried them vf~ 
 nthewwdofhis crotfeteSct.iJiq&singheeù the hmb that ta~ 
 
 keth 
 
VponTheSecond Chapter. $97 
 
 kethmaie the fans of the world, and that that which he hath fur- 
 fered for vs,is ours ? Shall the want of righteoufneflc , and the 
 perfect accomplishment of all the Lawe of God which wee 
 ought to pcrfourm daunt vs?Why. ? He hath accomplished the 
 whole Law for vs,and hee is ours with al his obedience,^/.,}. 
 4«& Rom.^. 1 9.Shal our natural corruptiô affright & terrify vs? 
 Why. ? He,in whom it is fully & entirely repaired for vs , is ours 
 with al his integrity & holincs^.8.3 .befides that this corrup- 
 tion beginncth already to die in vs, fo that wee bee no longer 
 in fubie&ion vnto it, Rom.y.i%. Shal death hold vs (til chained 
 & fettered with his bands? Why? He who is the life, & he that 
 hath ouercome death for vs by his owne death is ours . What 
 thing then is able to trouble our repofe or abate our aflurance? 
 9 And to the end we fliould be the more certaine and aflu- 
 red, it is not oncly faide that this bclottcdis ours, but alfo that we 
 thebeUnedzxe his. The donation therefore is mutual and reci- 
 procal!. But alas what gift hauc we brought him and prefen- 
 ted him withall,hauing nothing in vs but wickednes and cor- 
 ruption?Yca verilie, then when he took vs vnto himfclfe with 
 all our filthy defilcmentcs : not to defile himfelfe with them, 
 but to blot and wafh them out, and in lieu of them to deck and 
 adorne his ipoufc, with thatpuritie and beutic, whereof wee 
 hauc before fpoken, and (hall hereafter be further occafioncd 
 to fpeake oi,8z^ch. 1 6, To fay the truth then, wee haue giucn 
 him nothing nor brought him any thing in refpeét of the firft 
 
 Erace: but haue doonc nothing but rcceiuedby the hand of 
 uth, which was freely giuenvs to receiuc the other withall, 
 Sphe. 2. 8. Th/i/p. 1 . 29. But this former grace being receiued, 
 it hath bcenc accompanied with other giftes, which we offer 
 vp vnto him together with our owne perfons , Ronu. 1 . 21. 
 which hee moftgraciouilteacccpteth of, though lie haue no 
 profit thereby, Pfalm*,. 1 6. yXife 17. 19. but according vnto 
 his good pleafure onelic. In a woord therefore, who can giuc 
 any thing vnto him , from whom alone whatfocuer is good to 
 be giucn,commcth and proccedeth? &?w.i 1.3 5. & /am.i.ij. 
 andifrvce prejfent him anic thing, it comrncth aljfrom him. 
 
 ^ Vf ' Wo 
 
î9$ The Sève nyh'Sékmon 
 
 We arc tnêrcfblré giuen vnto him,bccaufe he hath giuen tiim- 
 frlKtovSj&hath bought vswich cheprkeofhirnfeJfejf SPet. 
 1.18. not as if wee had bought and fold with him , to pay him 
 orgiue him that which wee haue recciued of free gift.Andyet 
 wee maie not come with emptie handes before the Lord/ee- 
 ing he giueth vs wherewith to make an orTerirtg/£ÀW.2 7 . 1 c. 
 Will we then hauc a part in this great & incftimable treafurc? 
 Let vs giue our felues vnto him and be his indeede , and let vs 
 not doe as thofe two whooring fifters,of whom the fame Pro- 
 phet ipeaketh 5 £*ff£.23 .for if wee be,al is marred , and our la- 
 ter dtate and condition wil be worfe then the former,2.Ptf.2. 
 2. This is the caufe why it is added that this Bridegrome/wy?#- 
 reth orfeedeth, that is to faie , maketh his abode and taketh hrs 
 plcafure with his {^owÇç^among f^£*//w,thatis,where vertue, 
 purity ,and fyncerity js,beeing meant by thefe Ltllies the fruits 
 of the fpirite, which the Apottle reckoneth vp. <3aL 5. 22. 
 oppofed vnto the fhncking,venimous and wicked plants gro- 
 wing vp in our harts, vntil God plucke them vp by the rootcs, 
 with which the whole world is fo thick fowen. 
 
 1 o But fome man will faie , this Bridegroome was not yet 
 come,when this fpoufe fpake thus : but I aunfwere that feeing 
 faith cannot bee without him vnto whom îttendeth asvnto 
 her onely end and fcope , and which alfo hath her foundation 
 in him who giueth it & formeth it in thofe w bo-are his,(whicfa 
 is Iefus Chrirt,true God and true man , and not God onelie or 
 man onely) and againe feeing the'Church cannot be vVitKbtit 
 faith being the true and effential forme thereofjiffrom the ve- 
 rie promife made vnto Adam , Iefus Chriit, true god and true 
 man were not in the Church,then was there nether faith at aî, 
 nor anie Church at aL And yetthc humanity and manhood of 
 Chrift began not actually to bee before then 3 that it was con- 
 cerned by the vertu ofthc holy ghort in the womb oFthe moft 
 blclTcdvirgine. ThisIconfeiTetobemofttrue: and yet I faie 
 with the Scripture, that JefptsChrifl( which name knperteth 
 together with the quality of an onelymediatoiir , tharwWk 
 
 is absolutely and ncceffarily teqaired , namely that he bee *p- 
 t f . - prehended 
 
VponThs Second CHApTtR^ ±99 
 
 prehcndcd and coniîdered by faith, true god and true man in 
 one only pcrion)nOt onely w as , buc was alio iacririced trom 
 the beginning ot chc woorlde, feeing that the Churcii,beeing 
 from al eternity elected and t hof enjwas not iaued but by him, 
 %/îvoc. 1 1 .8. And thele things are eanly agreed and accorded, 
 if we conhder diligentlie char w Inch is iaid,ffr£. 1 1 . 1 .namely 
 that f*tth that is to i aie, this gift of God,through which, cuery 
 fa it h full one affu re th hirrJelfe of hii faluation ,by thatonelie 
 mediator Iefus Chrift true God & true mûn)can/eththat,»hick 
 the beleener hath not yet but by hope,to be vnto him dread* e m tt rvey e 
 present m beewv , andfbeweth him(J meane vnto the fftritofthebe- 
 leeuer)thfit which he feeth not. The humanity therfore and man- 
 hood of Ielus Chrift(without the which he {hould not bee our 
 mediator , nor the obiec?t of our faith) was not in nature in Sa- 
 lomons time,nor many ages after, but yet notwithstanding 
 was really & effectua lly prcfent in rcfpeét of the eies of faith, 
 whercofSaint Paul is a withes'ouer and befides that inuinci- 
 blereafon which I haue before alleadgcityvvhocalleth Chnft 
 hunvehom the fathers tempted in thedefert,i.Cor.io.ç.ind faith 
 that the fut her s being in the de fer t , did eat the feme fpiritftatmeate, 
 anddranke the fame spiritual drinke which rve doe 3 to vrtt, lefpu Chrift. 
 Now lefus-Chrift to command Iefus Chrift comejwhich was 
 to be borne and to accomplish whatfocuer was abfolutely re- 
 quired vnto our faluation, and w hich was borne and hath ac- 
 complimed it in his time , are not two Iefus Chriftes : as alfo 
 there neuer was.nor euer dial be anie more then one god, one 
 faith , and one Church : the difference therefore confifteth in 
 the diueîfe difpenfing and manifefting of Iefus Chrift,and not 
 in the eflencc of him: whereas Abraham could not fee the day 
 of this Bridegrome and Lord,but he faw it by the eies of faith, 
 though Chrift were not yet actually in nature,/^.8. 5 6. This 
 is it which the fpoufe meant in this latter verfe praying this 
 Bridegroome that hee returnc vnttl the wind of that date arift, and 
 the/hadevesfly <*»><w,calling the condition in which they were, 
 ftiadowcs, namely, during the time that this Bridegroome 
 flxcwcdnochimfclfc,butYnderthefhadowcs and figures of 
 
 Pp z the 
 
$oo The Seventh Sermon 
 
 the Laweceremoniall > //^.io.i.the fubftaunce of which,(to 
 vvit,Ie(usChrift, Col. 2. ^appeared not but afar oft, /fr6.n, 
 1 3 .not that there was not light enough through this iliadow, 
 to conduit the Saints vnco the light of glory , according vnto 
 their mcafurc,feeing this light is called the bofome of Abraham, 
 Luk.i 6.22.but obfeure in comparifon ofthis great day which 
 hath brought this fpoufe vnto vs comming in pcrfon and de* 
 daring vnto vs clearly and particularly, the whole counfcll of 
 God his father touching our faluation,/*&.i 5. 1 5. & Mat. 1 3. 
 1 7. as he did afterwards by his Apoftles,& yet doth & dial do 
 vnto the end & confummatiô of the world, by his true paftors 
 and Doctors , Eph.q. 1 1 .in fuch fort that wee muft diftinguifh 
 the fiadorv of this night , from that which is called the Jhadcw of 
 death, whereof mention is made SJai.p.2. wherein we are al of 
 vsborne^p^^.i. 
 
 11 And we muft needfully obferue this manner of fpeach 
 vntill the wind of that date arife , which is taken from that which 
 naturally hapneth and commcth to pafTe ; namely,that when 
 the daic beginneth to brcak,fome fmal wind is wont to arife, 
 which procecdeth and commeth from the beames ofthe Sun, 
 beginning to chafe and driueawaie before it the grofle and 
 thickc vapours ofthe night: which windc is compared to this 
 great and incomprchenfiblc vertue and power of the holie 
 Gholt which ftirreth and as it were blowcth on the world, to- 
 gither with the light ofthe gofpell , to enlighten , or rather to 
 creat the world ancw,E/*/.65.i 7. I meane by that tvmd which 
 was fent vnto the Apoftles, & which {hal ncuer ceafc to blow 
 vnto the end and confummation ofthe world, Att.z.i.Matt. 
 28.20.and ^#.20.28. Soin the creation of this corruptible 
 world it is faidjthat itjîirred andMoueditfilfevpon thcrvaters 9 z$ ic 
 were warming and cherishing them,to hatch as it were and 
 breed thence the creatures which were after formed of them, 
 by the which vertue alfo they are yet maintained in their bec- 
 ing , which either faileth or is renewed by the want and pre- 
 fence hereof,as it is faid in the PfaL 104.29. 30. 
 
 1 a But what is the caufe the fpoufe yfeth h* rç the woord of 
 
 , rv/*r«K7g 
 
Vpon-The Second Chaptb*; jot 
 
 returning ? For this prefuppofeth fome retire & withdrawing 
 going before. And this is the rcafon,why fome haue taken this 
 woordas ïfreturne were as much zs y forfakemenot. But it is bet- 
 ter wc keepe the lignification of the worde , not withstanding* 
 with fome declaration of it . For to fay the tueth , the Bride- 
 eroome did ncuer vtterly forfake this fpoufc, no not when (he 
 for the molt part forgoc herfelfe & her duty greatly:for which 
 realon wc fhall ordinarily finde in the Prophets, in one & the 
 fame Prophcfie , the wound of ' chaftifement , and the medicine of 
 grace y neuer befalling the like to Sion , as vnto Sodom-, and Go- 
 morrhay Efa. i .9. But becaufc he is ncuer fo nearc at one time, 
 as at an other, notonely when the drawing backeisonthe 
 fpoufes fide/rr.2.3 . but alfo when it plcafeth the Bridcgromc 
 fo to proue his fpou fe/Pfil. 44. 1 . & as the Lord hath thought 
 it good to make his trueth to fhine in the worlde, more in one 
 time then in an other,as it is to be feene in the ancient hiftory, 
 efpeci ally from Iofuavntilthe timeofDauid: this is the caule 
 why the fpoufe befeecheth him toapproch nearer and nearer: as 
 alfo,ho w euer it be, the Lorde for his part hath doon , though 
 die one halfe hath more & more abufed this grace & fauor of 
 his.This is the that praier which we in like maner ihould day- 
 lie make, befeeching the Lord (whoiuftlyfeemeth to draw 
 himfelfe from vs by little & little,hauing verily take out of the 
 world within thefefewe yeares, fo many great and excellent 
 lightes of his Church,who might yet haue continued, becaufc 
 wc were not woorthy of them) that it wil pleafe him toapproch 
 mtddrave nearer againeyrxto vs then euer before. 
 
 13 Finally this furname or name of addition whichfhey- 
 feth calling them craggie or cfeffie (JWountaineszs bceing full of 
 downc-falles & hollow places,in which the chamoyfe and o~ 
 thcr bcaftes of marueilous andalmoft incredible agilitie are 
 mounting and skipping from clifTeto clifre,thisappellation,I 
 fay, together with the zeale,whercwith this fpoufe is moued, 
 denring there might be no difficulty which might hinder the 
 arriuall & comming of this Bridegroome more neare vnto vs, 
 doth reprefene vnto ys the heauens which £hec attendeth and 
 
 Pp 3 lookcth 
 
lot The SeventhSfrmon 
 
 looketh formot fo euen and fo fairely pohfhed as they feeme 
 vnto vs in faire & cleare weather, but a* they fhc vv ioaietnces 
 crancked and entcrcut with mighty heapes of cloudes which 
 a man would take to be fo many mouncaines and rockes ful of 
 the itrangcft cragges and do w ne-f ailes a man can imaginc:in 
 fomuch as Efay icemeth to giue vs a n:o(t plaine and cleare 
 expofitio of this place when he faith 3 that thoxrrotddeft cleaue 
 the heauens and comedoivne. The fpou.fe therefore wiiheth ani 
 defireth, that as thefebealtes are not hindered any whit at all 
 by any cragges or downe-falles of the recks, to deicend & go 
 whither they will, the Bndegroome fhould alio in like maner 
 iumpe as it wcre,from cioude to cloude to approc h neare vnto 
 her. But particularly this exceeding great iecret 3 & more then 
 incomprehenfible vnto any creature whatfoeuer,namely that 
 thefonne , rrho thought tt norcbherieto squall htmfelfe wiîb the 
 F<tt£<rr,bcing truly fuch as God is, to w it, vcric God;bath taken 
 en hmt the forme ofaferHimt^ndhnnMedhimfelfe to the death , (Hen 
 the death of the C YO fl e •' tnis • 1 fey» is as it were indecde to cleaue 
 the heavens fo defcendtnto the law efl part s of the earth , Philip. 2.6". 
 Ephef.4. 9. and 5.3 2. And indcede a declaration thereofwas 
 giuenand reprefented vnto Iohn Baptiit at the baptifmc of 
 Chrill,who faw the heauens cleft and opened,and the fprrtt of God te 
 defcendin the forme of a Donevpon le fus Cbrtft. And if we had ra- 
 ther feeke after thefemountaines andfteepe places here be- 
 lowe, we may fay, that feeing our finnes are they which pue 2 
 diuifion betvveene God and vs , the fpoufe praieth the Bnde- 
 groome in this place to draive the nearer vnto vs , nottorcfpc& 
 thefehindraces,whichare as it were hrgb Mountames y bctwcci\ 
 him and vs , but to doe as thefe chamoyfe and roebuckes doc 
 which vault and bound ouer the rockes how high foeuerthey 
 be. 
 
 14 Nowe to conclude as the auncient Church hauing the . 
 gages & pledges of this fpiritual marriage whereby they were 
 partakers of all his blcflînges, praieth thcBridegroomeand 
 befeccheth him toapproch yet ne or -er vnto her jmd'tnper fin faufag 
 the fhadmes and figures oftheamctentcotêputnttovawjb mt aie and 
 
 depart, 
 
Vpon The Second C haptek. 303 
 
 ify^, fo wee who are fallen into this happie time, in which 
 this Bridegroome hathmanifeitedhimfelrein flefh,andmoft 
 clearely reuealcd the light of faluation , refpeéting notwith- 
 ftanding the full and entire efFcét and accomplifhment of his 
 promifes vnto his later comming, ought,the nearer we drawc 
 vnto it,the more fcrucntly and carneitly pray that but \qngaomc 
 ccmeqwckUcfr that in the meane time he kindle more & more 
 in our harts a true and ardent defîrc of yeelding him all maner 
 of obedience, infpiring mod especially with his holy fpirite, 
 both thcMagiftrates andtheminifters, couragioufly to pro- 
 ceed in that bufinefle which is committed vnto them,to purge 
 the vineyard ofthe Lorde, and to rid it of all them who may in 
 gencrall or particular wait and deftroy it , blefling vsalmorc 
 and more from an high to his honor and glorie, ts$merj> 
 
 THE END OF THE SERMONS 
 VPON THE SECOND CHAPTER. 
 
I 
 
 
The xxiii Sermon. 
 
 Our help be in the name ofGod &c* 
 
 It ù mitten mfolloweth in the third Chaffer oft he Canticle of 
 Canticles, thefirfl ver Je. 
 
 i By night in my bed I fought him who my 
 foule loueth:! fought hin^but I found him not. 
 
 I Thefyouft b)~ falling afleepe in her 
 
 chiefefl peace & tranquillity is the caufe 
 
 tfher own defolation. 
 
 I The Bridcgroome notwithstanding 
 
 leatttth not to awakg her in his time, and 
 
 the great difference which is betwetne 
 
 this awaiting and that which proceedeth 
 
 from the biting of fin. 
 
 •j T'x faults committed in the peeking 
 
 after the Btidcgrooinicfrhich is the caufe 
 
 why hce is not found by fuch fee king 
 
 dfter. 
 
 4 7 J>e greatest bkffings of God both 
 
 temper all and/pirituall, by illijfingof 
 
 diem, become the instrumentes of mans 
 
 ruine and destruction. 
 
 f ^Application of this doctrine to fuch 
 as are afleepe in our time, 
 
 6 jin other kinde offleepe which tur- 
 neth often timet into an incureable lé- 
 thargie* 
 
 7 The refvltttion tree ought to make 
 touting the point es which are at this 
 day tontrouerfed in Chrifendome y in the 
 matter of religion. 
 
 8 Anmfwere vmo them 3 whoJky that 
 wefel Varadife vericgood cheape. 
 
 9 We must rife out of our,- bed to fnde 
 this Bridegcome. 
 
 io The conclufîon of this matter , with 
 an exhortation for the through practift 
 of this doctrine. 
 
 E E haue in the Chapter going before 
 vnderitoode andieene the fvvcete ancK 
 gracious behauiour of the Bridegromc 
 in carefïing and entertaining of his 
 fpoufc , and repoiîng of her in a moft 
 happic reft , looking for ftill notwith- 
 standing and expecting another more 
 near arriuall & comming of his 3 name- 
 lie then, when heefhould come as the Sunncriiingfromon 
 high to gtue light vnto the woorld, and when the figures and 
 fhadowes of the Law fhould haue an cnd,as it is faide } Efai.ç. 
 î. and by Zacharieyetmorcexpreflicin that excellent Canti- 
 cle or Songofhis.lt feemed then that all went the beftthac 
 might be in the woorld, the temple of the Lord beeing perfc- 
 éted and ended with fo great magnificencie, al that fcruice fo 
 
 Q.CJ * well 
 
lo6 The First Sermon 
 
 well eftablifhed , and the ftate of the kingdome To wifely go- 
 uerned and adminiftred by Salomon.And indced,we may and 
 ought to faie,that the Church was then maruailous goodlic 
 and glittering,and al the people in exceeding great quiet and 
 peace. The lame may like wife bee faideof the eftateof the 
 Church in the time of Iofua , the people bceing brought as it 
 were into the reft of the Lordjashimfelffpeaketh^/^/.pj.i i. 
 Butwhat? This endured not long,as it was alfo forctolde by 
 Mofes , Detit.$ 2.1 5.which thing is heere in this place deicri- 
 bcdjOr rathertnoft diuinely painted forth vnto vs, containing 
 docVme altogether necellary for our time, that we be not de- 
 cerned to the endamaging of our own faluatiô.For the church 
 ofgod is fallen fro age to age into that miferable eftate where- 
 of mention is made, Mat. i^.i^. 25. by beeing by little &litlc 
 brought into an heauie flumber,by her ouer great eafe,in fuch 
 fort that while fliee is afleepe the cnemic hath fet vp his featc 
 and prepared it as he would in the veriemidftof thehoufe of 
 God,as the Apoftle foretolde k,i.TheJf. 2. 4.$.and fo on, And 
 when at this daie the Lorde would awake her , the molt part 
 haue fuch bleare eies that they cannot nor wil not open them: 
 othersareinfodeepea dumber that though they bee waked 
 with neuer fo great ftrokes of the whip,yet they lay their head 
 downe againevpon the pillow: butin general there where the 
 fotfeethes is our holy mother the Church. In a word ifyou will be- 
 ieeue them the gilden fteeple of S. Peter atRome,& the chair 
 wherin they fay he fate,are the efTential,immutable,necefîary, 
 & infallible viftble marks of the true religion & of the Church 
 which they cal Roman & fotboticl^th&t \s,particular & vninerpul 
 both togither. Al this fouded, ifyou wil haue me fay that which 
 is, vpô this repofe oftoo great an cafe. But to bring farther a- 
 fleepthofe who are already brought aflecp, there are no faire 
 pretences wanting, of the excellency of S. Peter among the 
 reft ofthe Apoftles,which they turn into a principality: after- 
 wards for that Saint Paul fo highly commendeth the faith of t 
 the Romanes of his time, as if their fucceffors were like vnto 
 them. Bcfides this they alkadgc the preeminence which thé 
 
VponThb Third C hapter. 507 
 
 Bifhops of Rome had abouc others, which wee know well o 
 nough,procecded partly vpon the autority of that City,asl e- 
 ing the head cittie of the whole Empire. v\ hich preeminencic 
 was alio maintained by the godlines and conltancic of the 
 Bifhops there & the notable examples ofthcir martyrdomcs: 
 par:!y alio beeing afterward autonzed by the firlt counccll of 
 Nice, vntillfuch time as the perfecutions ceafing.anc: ambiti- 
 on together with wealth & riches encreafing, euery one flee- 
 ping foundly in their peace,entred in place of JoCtnne doting 
 dreames,lb that finally the poore ipou te at her ajA aking found 
 her lclfe in a moft wretched & milerablc eltate, in v\ hich fhee 
 yet continueth to this day,perfec uted in fo greeuous manner 
 as fhee is, by the officers of the whore , who hath taken her 
 place while Ihc flcpt fo quietly,as it was alfo exprefly foretold 
 of the Church of Rome, both by Saint Paul , and alio by Saint 
 Iohn in his Apocalyps,if we wil credit in this behalfe the moft 
 auncient expofitors,Grcekes and Latins. And(as it is come to 
 pafle by a more thé admirable prouidence ofGod herein) the 
 Italians thclelues, whole poems & rimes are at this day prin- 
 ted & fong in Rome, cal her Babylon jut 'of couetouf.es & tmpwty, 
 thoharbour of the vpratbofGod^jr the temple of hereJieJoeÇiôes that 
 common experience makcth the fame molt plaine &cuident 
 vnto the eieofthofe,who are not vtterly blinde . Neither is it 
 in our time , or our fathers time onely, that fatan hath full be- 
 gonne to deale in this fort.For behold how the gouernours of 
 the Church & fucceflours of Aaron together with the people 
 bewitched in like maner and enchanted, replied vnto the ler- 
 nantes ofGod,reprehending their fallehood in doctrine , and 
 corruption in maners; the Temple, the Temple jhe Temple of God, 
 Ierem.7.4. & thatwith as Ioude a cry ,as that fc duious Deme- 
 trius cried, &caufedtobecrie<iinEpheius, theTemvleofthe 
 great goddeffeûf Diana, of the Ephefituts yea caricci headlong w ith 
 the fame lywgznd murdering fpirit, being no other t iffcrencc 
 atalibetwecnethcm then this, that the Iewesabufr a good 
 
 f round and principle,for indeede the Temple of lervfclenuv* as 
 uiltby checommaundementofthe Lord,and vnto the Lord, 
 
 Q^cj 2 which 
 
$t>8 The Tmsf Sermon 
 
 which could not bee faid of t he TempUsfDiaxa, built by the 
 iuggeltion of Satan vnto afalfegoddefle: ail commingnot- 
 tvkhflidifg to one end , feeing tne Temple built & confecra- 
 ted vnto God , was become the place where his holy name 
 was moil vilanoufly polluted ana abufed This is it which wee 
 are taught in this place by theverie confefTionofthefpoufc 
 h cr 1 elf Vy/e ckl»g after her Brtdegrome/indKot fmiatg htm m her bed 9 
 where the Bndegroomc ; witnouc going far from her, had laid 
 her,as we haue leenc in the Chapter going before . And how 
 came this to p^(le. ? Vpon no othei thing, but that the fpoufe 
 fell aflecpc in this bed y on w hich notwithstanding (he was laid 
 do a ne, not to fleepe, but only to re It. herielfc , and that conti- 
 nuing (ill watching. And yet neither if we continue fo.can we 
 deaicfo wcland fodil gently, that there be no default, as wee 
 fiiall afecrwardes fee. What other thing then can happen, but 
 ancxtreme dciolation, when n.enfal aflrepc vpon their eafe 
 and quiet,and efpccially v\ hen they of all other are the faftelt 
 afleepe , who fhould watch for thcmfelues and for others? 
 UWatth.i 5.25. But from whence is the faultrNot on the lords 
 n\ c, but on the w re te h edne(ïeofman,v\ ho cannot order him* 
 (elfaright,neither in profperity nor in aduerfuy, not in pouer- 
 «y nor in wealth & abundance. And if we compare both thefe 
 extremities together, wcfhall find both by reafonandbyex- 
 pcr-ence, that the w aie of peace and reft, accompanied with 
 profperity & aboundance,is the mote dangerous. For aduerfi- 
 ty andneedc ftirreth vp and awaketh the moil fenllefleand 
 flu»>£jfh , to thinke on the remedies thereof, whence it is faid 
 that Necrjfitv hath beene the occapon that art es and Çciences wr# 
 found ent avd indented: but profperity and aboundance bring 
 the bert aflecpe > w itnefTes whereof may be Adam and Eue be- 
 fore their miserable fall, and Salomon who was fo wife: in* 
 word the whole hiftoric of the Church trucly Chriitian, Apo* 
 Holies! and Catholique, u.hichflonilied vnder Saint Peter, 
 and Saint lohn, v ho had neither getdturfluer , A&. 3.6. but di- 
 stributed vnto others in midft of their pouerty from the break 
 
 ©f daic yntil night, the true riches which God hadceour«tei4 
 — ^ nlo 
 
Vpo^Tmb Third Chapter. ?©9 
 
 *nto them , ^#.5. 2 I.& «nder S. Paulwho/iuedandHMrfJhedo- 
 then by the labour oj h h handcsfreachttig vnto them date and ntght 9 
 and that wtth teares.Atlio.i 1. g^wbereas afterward vpon the 
 peace which Coniiantine graunted it, accompanied with 
 wealth and aboundance , the mother of ambition and diftbltf 
 tion,itneuer ccafedvntillthisdaieto decline touching bca- 
 uenly & celeitial things,though in relpeft of the world it hauc 
 growne great and mighty. For how can the kingdom ofGod 
 ond the kingdome of the world agree together? L/^18.36". 
 Things i'o contrarie one vnto the other,/**». 4.4/rhus you fee 
 then in what fort a fweetc rcpofc and reft bnngcth afleep not 
 this man or that man , but the whole Church considered in a 
 gencraluy,that in IcfTe then a turnc is flic turned and wandred 
 away from her Bridegroome. 
 
 a But the Bridegroome who can neuer vtterly forget hit 
 /poufe,no not whé he hath tor a time in his iuit iudgemets call 
 her oft & left her as it were to the wide worldrfindeth alwaics 
 means to awake her» & to forme in her a defire of returning a- 
 gaincofindhim,asitisfaid, Dett^t^j.^c i.Kwg t %.q6.v.hkh 
 is here declared vs by the fpoufefaymg, that Jhe fovght htm K 
 And how could this be if (he were not fir It gone from him, &t 
 afterwarde come againc vnto her felfc to thinke to fecke after 
 him ? And that by his meanes whofpeakcth within,and faith, 
 ^rpA^tbourvhfchfleepfftyEph.f.iqandEtà.iô.iç, And here 
 wee mull put a great difference betweenc that forrof waking 
 which is proper vnto Gods cleét, and which proceedcth from 
 his mcere grace as hce alfo caufcth vs to frndc the waie out of 
 which we are wandred and ltraicd)and that waking &good 
 morrow of finnc which the wicked hauc, which leadethluch 
 as are reprobate into defpaire, according vnto that which is 
 iaid,that there té no fence vnto the wicked, Elai 48.2 i.and as is to 
 be fecne in that horrible example ol ludas the traitor. t^fattb. 
 17.4. For this awaking proceeding from the prickc of finne, 
 tnaketh the finner to flic bcrbrc the face of the Iudge , accor- 
 ding vnto the example of Adam , Ge»ef ^.S.hui that awaking 
 *h*ch proceeded* from grace , & from an h art truly contrite, 
 
 Qjj 3 etcateth 
 
3io The First Sermok 
 
 createth in a man an ardent defire of returning vnto his Saui- 
 our.-for which reaion the fpoufe here faith, that when [bee awoke 
 [he fought him. 
 
 3 But w hat meancth that which afteruardes is added by 
 her, namely .that [he founde him not} Andhowagrceth this with 
 that promile ot Chrift verified by io many experiences ,knoike 
 and tt[hal bs opened vnto y on, fe eke andyoufial find? M a tr n . 7 . 7. a . ; d 
 Luk. 1 1 .9. 1 o. And it the Lorde hatb caufcahimfelfe to bee found of 
 thofewbofought him not Jii'z.6 5. i.f 01 iz is the ilicephard which 
 (ecketh alter the itraiciricepc,and not the fheepe the iriceue- 
 beard,/l^U/M 8.1 2^,how isu poffible that tu* ipouk fouzdhtm 
 nottl aunfwere that the fpoutc faith not. that lh.ee could neucr 
 find him, which fhould contrarie the promife aboue : but that 
 faking after h:m in her bed Jh ce found htm not. True, ik her bedAot 
 there he v». as not . Tofindhim therefore, it is not enough tojeejzf 
 him, but v\ e mult leek where he is to be lought.:& tneifore iris > 
 rjomarucl though the fpoufe found not herBr.degroom'emh/rbeay^ 
 for he wasnouherc. Moreouer we mult leek him in a fie and" 
 conuenient time ifueewill find him, namely when the time 
 is of letting the dore offen,otherw ile w ee loofe but our paines"^ 
 to iccke him, Efat.^ j.d.and we mult knockc at the doore,be- \ 
 fore it be bolted on the innerhdc, Mat. 25.1 2.Farther»r muff 
 aske oj : hmi \ofnhcmwe ought to «t^,and who wiinotbe mocked ' 
 1 ,Ktng. 1 8. 2 7-and thcn,tbat which wee ought to ^^,Mat.2o.2 u 
 and againe/w fuch a fort a* we ought to atkejatn. 1 .7«and finally, ' 
 tjntQtheend which we ought toaskc tt. We may not therfore won» 
 dcr , or take on wuh God , but with our felues , if for the moft 
 part we find not t!»at which we ieek after.For the fault is in vs. 
 And though weerailedin no one point ofthofc which I hauc 
 aboue let «low ne.yet we mnft doe God this honor to giue him 
 leaue to chuiexhe time and therneanes,to grant vs that which 
 he v\ U giucvs,whcn wehaue&mandcditashe hath onunvt 
 our rulcAbrahambeleeucd and obtained thee hiid whici/was 
 prom ile d him , but it was fiue and thirty yeares after the pro- 
 rniic was made . D.urid obtained the kiflgdome: but it was af- 
 ter he had watt : dm wattwg$tà.A)QA.j<:*wdkte4M#cri+«^ 
 
 t 1 *** 
 
VponThe Third Chapter. 511 
 
 *ndfatledinlooki??g and waiting after it ,Pial.i Ta.82.andfLrf hee 
 iras ho.ircewtthcryirg, Pial.69.3 .not that the Lord is not with- 
 out al comparifô more ready to heare then we are to pray,fee- 
 ing it i* hee who for met h w vs the de fire ofprayirg , andwho teacheth 
 tfs how we ought to fray., Rom.8.26,and it is hzwhemhft open our 
 types ttxtt they mmcjhew forth hh'pr^fi } Vù\.^ 1 . 1 7-But it is expe- 
 dient and profitable for vs to be io delaied,becaufe we are wont 
 to make hght of thttwhtchwe ceme Ightly by: in a woord how euer 
 it bee,it is hec who hath the times andfeafons in' his hand, «•/#. 
 1.7. 
 
 4 But here' the fpoufe feeketh after him whomfriee ought 
 to feeké,& faileth not in any thing lau'e this, that fhec feeketh 
 him of errour there where he is not: and where is that? In her 
 bed, Andyetwhogauehcrf^*^, and who laide her there? 
 Her Bridegrootr.e,hauing to expreily inuited her, and fo ami- 
 ably and kindly entertained her,as we haue fecne in the chap- 
 ter going before , and cfpecially in the tenth verfe , and in the 
 verlcs following. What is the reafon then, why heecould not 
 bee founde , as if hee had parted eleane aw aie? Becaufe the 
 fpoufe falling afleepe,madc more of the gift,then of the giuer, 
 that is to fsy,gauc herfelfe fo farre ouer vnto this reft and eafe, 
 that flic continued to be heauie and drowflc ftill.So commcth 
 it to paffe in all other temporall and fpirituall blclTings, when 
 we ftay and fettle our harts and mindes wholly vpon them. 
 Lite it felfe is an efpeciall girt and bleflîng of God , inwhom wc 
 are, we moue, and we line. A&.17. 28. But fay we once with the 
 children of this worlde, There is nothing more to bedefired 
 then to liue?W? are deadwhileft we hue>\ .f im. 5. 6. A fmuch is to 
 be faid of all the commodities and blcfîlngs of this life , albeit 
 they bee the bleflîngs of God , vnto them on w horn the gift is 
 bcrfowed ofvfing them w el,ason Abraham & on Iob,Zep.3 1. 
 and on a verie few c others. But w hat doe the mo(t part of the 
 world defirePMary they would findTaradife in their ^that is to 
 fay, they would haue a peaceable goffell , that they might lie 
 downcfoftlyandfleepe, &pafTc their time of life with others 
 in reft and fecurity. Ifpeakenotyetofthcm,whoJoofethe 
 
 raines 
 
fis The FirjtSermom 
 
 raines to all fortes of pleafures , and giuc themfcluesouerto 
 their vnmeafured lufts:but of thofc who would concern them- 
 felues with a meafure.Notwithftandingifwe fettle & reft our 
 felues ficrcon,as if we were to find herein our only felicity, we 
 (hall finde our felues deceiued, and depriueourfeluesofthe 
 principall vfe ofthefe benefits and bleflings, which is to han- 
 dle them fo as if we handled thorns, Alat, 1 5 .2 2.& to be more 
 carcfull in the well difpofing our expence, then in the en- 
 creafing of our receipt, 1 .T/m.6. 1 8.in a wordc to foliowe the 
 proteftationofDauid,/y^/.i6.j. 
 
 5 For example we may and ought to fay that God hath at 
 this day prepared vs a goodly fohbed, and giuenvs reft both 
 here & in many other places , whether we refpe# that which 
 is the principali,I meane,the purity ofdoéhine, & fomekind 
 oforderinthc Church together v\ith the mcanes of being in- 
 ftrudled in learning and good lctters,or whether wee regard 
 our ciuil liberty and freedomc oppofedro the mifersblc con- 
 dition of a great part of the world befidcs. i hh Is a goodly bed 
 which God hath himfelfe made vs by Ii.tlc and licle in this 
 world,& which he hath curtained and kept dole for vs about 
 thefe <5o.years,notwithftâding the infinit refiftâces of our eni- 
 mies to the côtrary, which is as much as if he fhould haue built 
 his neft in the middeft of the impetuous wauesofthemaine 
 Ocean . Ifhercupon euerie man fall afleepc in his bed, and let 
 the preachers preach what they lift, they wil care for nothing 
 but for their temporal! profits and commoditieaibriefly ,if we 
 make but an acceiTaric or a by-woorke of that which fhould 
 be the principall , what will come thereof in the end but this, 
 that at length the principall will be cleane neglected and for- 
 gotten? And this is the caufe why God hath giuenvsfome 
 fmal lafhes with his rod, and namely the laft yearc,to awaken 
 vs therby :but who hath beene the better by thcmPAnd there- 
 fore let vs take heed bee laic not downchisrod and take vp 
 a whippe, and in the end a barre ofiron , not to awakcjmt to 
 quell them who arc fo faft and fo heauie afleepe in time of 
 their peace and quiecfcîovy if but to occupy our mjndes a Jitle 
 
 in 
 
VponThb Third Chapter^ jij 
 
 in thofe commodities which the Lord grantcth vs, be a thing 
 (6 dangerous, as it became to bee to Salomon himfelfc , what 
 flial become of them who hauc fettled their minds fo farre on 
 them , as that they vtterly forget the giuer? Whatfhalll fay 
 thenvntoyouyc rich-mifcrs,who cither hauc inherited hou- 
 fcsfull of wealth , or whofc labours God hathfoplcntifullic 
 ble(Ted,to you I fpcak,who put your confidence in your riches 
 and thinke on nothing eife, buthowtopintchand fpareand 
 fcrape andferatch together, and neuer make any reckoning 
 how or where to imploy them wel,you I faie, who haue no o- 
 thcr god but your bclly.inawordallyouwhohauereceiucd 
 fuchrf/^^ofgodsbleflîngcs, and thinke on nothing leffc 
 then how to vfe them to his honour and glorie . What inall I 
 fay vnto you. ? Wil you heuer bethink your fclues of fo great an 
 abufe ? Neuer confîdcr of fo great a difordcr , fearc yec not to 
 be forfaken of him,whofc blefîlngcsyou fo wickedly,fo wret- 
 chedly abufe? 
 
 6 But whatfhall become of them who fleepe not in thac 
 ted which God laied them in,or cnioy that relt & quiet which 
 God beftowed on them, but in that which their owne luftes, 
 & theit wicked praàtifes haue purchafed them? As fome plen- 
 ty ofriches,and goods il gotten, or fome other fhew c and ap- 
 pcaraunce of credit and quiet , redeemed and purchafed with 
 the loffc of their confeienceras alfo when anic are afleepe in a 
 leud courfe and traine of life , whether it bee in whooredomc 
 (whereof we hauc a Mraunge example in Dauid himfelfe,who 
 of an adulterer became a traitor and a murderer , by falling a- 
 flcep in his iinne) or whether it be in gluttony , as wee fee it to 
 be the trade of thefc gameftcrs, tiplcrs, tauern-haunters, & o- 
 ther fuch diffolutc people, who ende their daies in mifery and 
 commonlie on the gallovvesrfor fewc of them haue that grace 
 giucn them which is mentioned in the parable of the prodigal 
 fonne . But O poore and wretched bed y not of feathers, but of 
 thornes and bryars,full of deadly pricking! O miferable. & vn- 
 happy profperity which bringeft with thee pcrperuall and rc- 
 mediles calamity ! O ilecpe^not fleepe, but a plaine lethargic 
 
 Rr of 
 
$T4 The First Siimon 
 
 of the fouîc dcpriued ofal true fenfc and motion! 
 
 7 But to apply this doctrine yetmore nearer vnto our vfe, 
 when wee fee at this day fuch dirrerents and controuerfies in " 
 Chrilkndome , it is not for vsto fay, Let all be at be may y we will 
 meddle with none of 'the: is thefe good fellows do, who depart out 
 of the worlde, before they knew wherfore they came into it(a 
 moft wretched & miferable condition)but we muitfollow the 
 example of thisfpoufe,whointhc midli of hereafefelnotfo 
 afleep, as not to wake againe to feeke after her Brtdegroome, that 
 is to iay,to be throughly refolucd where he was , and to ioinc 
 hirfelfc vnto him.Bchold the firlt point.The fécond is,that to 
 know where this Bridegrome is,& confequently the true do* 
 étrinc of faluation, we may not looke where the greateit eafe 
 is,where the greateit number, and on which fide the greateft 
 honours and promotions are to be found, as wee fee the ma- 
 iler of the world to be at this day, fiding&fortingthemfeluc3 
 with them, who feem the (tronger & the more eminent me in 
 their eics. For cocrari wife,*£jw¥ were of the world, the world would 
 louejoufiuh the Lord,A>6.i 5.19. And this worldly blelTcdnes 
 &happinefie is not among them which Chrilt reckonethvp, 
 Mat.^.Luk.6. Nay contrariwife, if a man be waxen fatte and 
 rich,hc mult become leane & (lender to be able topajïè through 
 the eie of the needle, Luk. 1 8. 2 8. which if the flrettwaj which lead-* 
 tthvntofahtatton. Let vs therefore remember that the ffouft ha- 
 tting fought the Brtdegroomein this bedfoundhrm not. 
 
 8 Now our aduerfaries hereupon will faie , that this gearc 
 toucheth vs ncar,who hold with, faie they,and maintaine the 
 broad waie,fecking after nothing elfe but our carnall liberty, 
 hauing taken away the time of Lent , & finding fault with fa- 
 ftinges and pilgrimages: and what elfe? Promifing faluatio» 
 vnto al the world without anic good workes. And they ,w hat 
 doe they? They cate no flefti a great part of the ycar,they faft» 
 they labour and take paines without ceafing towinne para- 
 diferalltheirdergyvoweth virginity: fo many good fnen of 
 theirs haue as ftreit rules of life , as none can be more . Some 
 of them neucr cate anic flefh : others go wolward and in hair: 
 
 - — - — - otheis 
 
VponThb Tii i Rd Chapter. 315 
 
 others whip thcmfclues a- vie who dial whip moft. Ye hypo- 
 crits,yce whitcd wals and painted fepulchers, yce meal-mou- 
 thed countcrfaites,yce deuourcrs of widdowes , and eaters vp 
 oforphanes, ye vowersofpouerty to nettle and dwell in pal- 
 laces,and there to Hue and fèede your felues fattc at the coites 
 & charges of others , feeke you youranfwere in the 5 3. Chap, 
 of Efay,and in the 2 3 .Chapter of Saint Matthew. As for thole 
 who arc wretchedlie bewitched and feeketowinne paradife 
 by thcirownc trauaile,to them I faie 3 how long will you feekc 
 the kingdome ofGodtnmeate and drink? How long v, il you conti- 
 nue to feeke paradtfe in the broken andftincking cefiernes of your own 
 imaginations and tradition s ? How long wilyou be ignorant,that 
 et is the blood off ejus chrift which hath jaued the true martyrs them- 
 felues ,and not their own ebloode ? Now is this I pray you to fctte a 
 cheap price vpon paradife,to cal and fettle the confeiences of 
 men vpô him who hath redeemed them with fo great a price, 
 as Saint Peter faith,i . TVr.i .1 8.and not on charmed water,or 
 the pardons of his falfe fuc ceflbrs ? Doe we feucr and difioine 
 true amendment of life from remiflRon and forgiueneflc of 
 fînnefCry we not out daily againft al manner exce{fe,riot and 
 difiblution? Doe wee not commend and recommend vnto all 
 men ; all inward integrity and vprightnes?Al fobriety?Al kind 
 of mutual cdi fie ationfBut it would be too long to make a par- 
 ticular replie vnto euery point. Let it be aunfwered them in a 
 word, that touching their doclrine compared with ours, wee 
 haue alwaics made,& ftil wil make him the Iudge , who (hall 
 iudge vs all by his holy word : & as touching their life & ours, 
 wee confefle that as for vs wee haue but too great occafion to 
 hang downc our headesras for them,the heauen and the earth 
 knowcth too well what their mérites arc. 
 
 9 The fpoufe addeth that which is properly belonging vn- 
 to this mzttcrfoyingthztvi&en Jbeefenrndnot herTïridegrcome in 
 thU bed veherr Jhee fought htm,fbeerofe to feeke him whom fhee fo 
 bartily UuethiWhcrc euerhc were. Now to creepe into her bed 
 and there to lie groueling,and torifc , arc thinges cleanc con- 
 trariété one to the other/and indeed it is not enough to con- 
 
 Rr 2 demnc 
 
$\6 The Fïr-st Sermon 
 
 dcmnc that which is ill , but wee mud like and apprcoue that 
 v. bich is good and practiie it.What is then to rife cat of her bed} 
 Ic is to quit and foriake ai thinges without cxception,togither 
 v. ilh which we cannot enioy Ieius Chriit, that is to faiey»rt>- 
 usKKU a mans ft If e, which is the e/O.C.of Chriftians , Matth. 
 I 6. 2 4. // U to put out ens eye, and to cut offerte arme , to enter rather 
 one-eied & warned into the kingdom of this Brideg; omejhen baton* 
 trroacs&twottrms tobecafiwtohelfire^\^t.^,2ç^oÀt is toleaue 
 al things tofolorv after this Brid?grome,zc cording vnto the cxapJc 
 of his true difciples, yWtfM9.27.it is to follow the example of 
 that thriie happy meichznt^ho fold al that be hadtobny theperle 
 be found, Mat.i 3 .46.it is to be ready in the banquetttrg hal^nd 
 net to be hindered and kept thence cither by f arme, or tillage y or 
 marriage , Luk. 1 4. 1 6. it is to to loue neither father , nor mother , n or 
 country , nor kindred fo much ,or more then Godficn. 11.33 .&.Deu. 
 3 3 .9. and not to become a monk (as tome one of the auncienc 
 not fo aduifedly laid 3 akhough the monkeries then,were as far 
 diftantfremthofeofourdaies, as the Mooneis dillanc from 
 the carthjthough they w ere eucn then,to fay the trutryn fbmc 
 poynt lunaticke and fantaftical) but to follow lefts Cbnfl,ù\zi is 
 . to faic to (tick vnto this Bridegroome, in exercifing euery man 
 his law full calling in all honeiîy and holincs. To rife then out of 
 bed,is not emplie to chaunge our place , but it is as I haue faid 
 to quitte and forfake all thinges, which may let and hinder vs 
 from that which ccncerncth the peace ofourconfciences,& 
 fo confequently our faluation 3 to keepe on in the right waie if 
 we be once in it,and to find it out if we bee itraied from it,and 
 that not onely to follow in general the vocation common vn- 
 to ai Chriltiansmoft excellently defcribed among other pk- 
 ctsfPhtLi.i .but to the end that euery one in fpecial folow his 
 vocation as we haue an exprefle commandement to that pur- 
 pofe 3 i . Ctfr.7.2C.and according vnto the example ofDauid 
 whohauing this in particular charge to findeand afllgncthc 
 place for the building of the Temple, Cjod pump} me fo and fi, 
 faith he jfeuer I enter vnder the roofe of 'my bo*fe , 01 afcendvpmt» 
 my bed/flfuffcr wine ties tofleepyorfhm the luis of mint ties before I 
 
 find 
 
find out A place for the Eternal, an habitation far the might'/ one of la* 
 cob 3 Pial.153, 
 
 1 o Let all the elc& therefore of God, as many, I mcane,as 
 he hath created in,a defire of finding him, whé they are aflcep 
 in this peaceofthe falfe Church, leame of this fpoufctofsy 
 trucly,and indeede, that there is no commoditie nor appea- 
 rance ofeafefhaiftay me, but I wil lcaue them, and^er/»^'* 
 of my bedtofir.de him , on whom-> my heart is fettle 'd axel planted. And 
 let thofe who hauc found him take heed how they fct their 
 mindes vpon temporall bleflîngs, though godlincffe haue the pro- 
 mi fe of them alfo, i.Timoth.4.6. or to make their account thac 
 things once well ordered fhall fo continue (til in the Church, 
 or difcern the true Church from the falfe by an outward fhevv 
 of fome great eitate neuer fo well vnderpropped in the opini- 
 on of men,but take heede betimes vntothemfclues, that this 
 Bridcgroome in whom confifteth the true peace y Matih.i 2.2p. 
 ncuer leaue them, but that they continue (til members of that 
 true Church, of which it is faide , That happy is the people \ vphofie 
 God the eternal is, Pfalm.44.1 5.T0 the attaining whereof, con» 
 feffing before the Lordeourtoo continuall negligence, vn- 
 thankefulnefle,and rebellion,we wil crauc pardon and mercy 
 at his handes as followeth, tAlmighty Godj&c. 
 
 The xxiiii Sermon. 
 
 Our helpe be in the name ofGod &c. 
 It isxmiten as foUoweth in the third Chapterofthe (fantickof 
 Canticles ,f he 2.W 3 sverfes. 
 
 * I will rife therefore faide I, and willgoc 
 about the City,through the ftreets>& through 
 the greater places, & wil feek him who my foul 
 loueth:Ifoughthim,butIcouldnotfindhim. 
 
 3 The watch which go about the city found 
 me ; & I faidjfgwy ou him who my foule loueth? 
 
 & Z l Thai 
 
3*8 Ths Second Sëhmon 
 
 1 Thai the lord fujfereth nothimfelf call mini fi crie. 
 
 to be found incontinence of his, amidft 8 Wherefore the ffoufe went ha- way 
 
 the confufions and deflations of the farther withom tfiayingthe watches ««, 
 
 Churchy for no other caufe, but to make fwere. 
 
 himfelfe to befo much the wore ardently 9 The finit of truth is not tyed to the 
 
 and earnefily fought after. without exception who fit in the chayrt 
 
 z It is neither to the greater number, of the minifier ie of the goffell 
 
 nor vnto that which is mofi commcnUe io The holy fcriptures are in all timet 
 
 recciued,that we are to hçepe ourfelues, irreproueable Judges of the true Chrifii- 
 
 to find the true Church. an doctrine, a* it appear eth by the tefii- 
 
 3 The certaine, infallible, andperpe- mony of le fus Chrifi himfelfe and his A- 
 tuallmark^of the true Church is the do- pofiles. 
 
 clrine regifired by the Trophets and A- 1 1 Bare perfonall fueceffion is not to be 
 ?°ftk J - fioode on, though the outward firm* bee 
 
 4 The truth continueth firme and fia- therein obferued. 
 
 ble in the true Catholic Church oppofe.d 1 1 This doShine being well pratfifei 
 
 vnto the Heretical! : but itfhineth not breedeth no confufion in the Church, 
 
 alwaies alikt, nor is alil^e fycwen. I 3 The horrible diforder brought in & 
 
 5 The dcclrine of the Apofiles and tî* confirmed in the Church by the Afofiati- 
 Catholique Church are vnfeparable,and cal See of Rome, &that they are neither 
 « a teftimony one -vnto the other. hérétiques nor Schifmatiques who haue 
 
 6 The holy fcripture ought toferuefir feuered themftluesfrom it by extraordi- 
 text and interpretation. uarie meanesfent of God. 
 
 7 Theffirit of truth was neuer tyed, 1 4 The conclufion (hewing how we ought 
 without any exception, vnto the Leuiti- 1 behaue our felues in this behalf e. 
 
 PON Thurfday laft we learned how 
 the fpoufc awaked by the fpirit of god, 
 who formed in her an holy defire of 
 feeking him againe , feeing him not in 
 the bed where fhee flept,was not there- 
 fore' cieanc out of hart, but getting her 
 felfc vp fheweth , that bcciufefbe found 
 him not, her denxe of feeking after him 
 was fo much the more augmetcd. And 
 indeed as we faid the laft daie , this is the means by w hich the 
 Lorde not fuffering himfelfe to bee alwaies found at the firft, 
 fharpencththe faith and hope , and fortifleth the patience of 
 his , as we fee it by infinit many of examples of the holyScrip- 
 ture.So the people ferucd as a ftraungcr fourc hundred yeares, 
 
 in 
 
VpOnThH TtttfcD CftAÏYBIU ^T9 
 
 in the land of Chanaan and of Aegypt,and fortic yearns in the 
 defert,andfeuenty yeares in Babylon . So did lofeph endure 
 much in prifon, and Dauid during his flight , faying in the 40. 
 Pial./ ' waned andnàted for the L?rd,andheheardme . According 
 therefore vntothefc examples if in diuerfe difficulties and di- 
 (trèfles touching our confcicncc,either in perils or aduerfitic.;, 
 it ieemcth,that the Lorde,as I maie fo faie, flieth from vs,let vs 
 runne couragiouflie after him, vntill hee fuffer himfelfc to bee 
 taken ofvs. But who fhall continue vnto vs this vigor and cou- 
 rage?He who for the loue which he beareth vs firtt/ormcth in 
 vs the loue whereby wee loue him reciprocally , as the fpoufe 
 doth thrife hecre reiterate it: that is to faie, not fainedly as hy- 
 poc rits do.-nor fo fo, as they who are neither hot nor cold, nor feet h- 
 i*gi but luke-warme: and therefore are by andby vomited vp . Apoc. 
 5 . 1 d. whereas they who are violent and importune , catch the 
 \fmgdome ofheauen away by an holy importunity, Matth. 1 1.1 2. 
 Luke. î 8.2. 
 
 2 But wee muft cfpecially conflder that which the fpoufe 
 faith in this phccjMimcly >thatfhediligetly [ought after her Bride* 
 groomejbj the open place s , and went roundabout the Cittte and found 
 him not.For contrariwifc in the parable of the banquetjL^i^. 
 2 1 .the feruantes are commanded vpon the refufall which the 
 greater fort and the rich made,f0 go vnto the open places &ftreets 
 of the fity, to bring together thofe which were poor e & impotent Jame 
 tndblind. But this fimilitudc tendcth to another purpofc then 
 this of the fpoufe,to wit, to fhe w vs that they are no members 
 of the Church,or(if they were bcfore)leauc to bee , who make 
 more reckoning of their woorldly eafe and other their com- 
 modities and affaires of this world,then they doe of their con- 
 fcienccrin whofc places God doth often chufi the poore and con- 
 temptible of the world, as it is faide in the Canticle of the blcfled 
 viroin,L^i.52.53.Wereadalfo,Tr^i.20.thatf^^w«i4- 
 kethher voice to ring m theftreets and open places: but it is not faid 
 that (he was harkned vnto or recciued there: yea côtrariwife, 
 Wifedomc lamenteth andbewailcth the diforders which doe 
 there raignc. There is like wife fpeach in the parable of the 
 
 fowcr, 
 
5 40 The Seconi> Sermon 
 
 lower offeed which fel in thervaie, which bccaufc it pearced not 
 into,and entrcd the earth/* was incontmtntlj eaten vf bj the hire. 
 Thefe two places male feme ys for the interpretation of this, 
 in which wevnderltendby the of en places and thecircuiteof the 
 Citty , that which is comonly receiued & beareth fway among 
 men. And to faie al in one word, it is that mask which is called 
 at this daic by the name of the Catholique Church ,not that Ca- 
 tholique Church which wee mention in our Creede , but that 
 monfter which the efficacie of crrour hath engendred by her, 
 who hath bewitched the kinges and nations of the earth , as ic 
 hath beene before prophecied and foretold. 
 
 3 To anfwere therefore this matter/which is the laft refuge 
 of our aduerfaries,what is that the fpoufe here faith , beeing ib 
 affrighted & harcd, for that her Bridegrome is departed from 
 her, while fhe was aflcep in her bed? It is this,which I fay & re- 
 jeate againe,that fhe thought , that h e whom (he fought, and 
 io confequently the truth, and her faluation,were to be found 
 in the religion which was commonly receiued among the 
 people. And what induced her to think fofThc promifes made 
 vnto that people and to no other , before the comming of the 
 Bridegrqpme in flefli,4/£#. 3 .2 5 .as at this daie, the £hurch,hy 
 they i cannot"erre i hereupon to ground al their errours . Where- 
 in then did this fpoufe deceiue her felft Eucn with that which 
 was aunfwered , Ier.i 8.1 8.and prefuppofing(as they woulde 
 gladly make vs to beleeue at this daie of Saint Peters iteeplc at 
 Rome ) that religion was nayled as it were with a tennepenie 
 naile,vnto Abrahams race, without diftinguifhing the true If- 
 raelitcs from the falfc , as Saint Iohn Baptift reproched them 
 in his time: fheeiudged of true religion according vnto that 
 which was brought in when fhe was afleepe , & of a long time 
 receiued of great & fmal, whereas diec fhould haue fought af- 
 ter that which was propofed and commanded for a rule vnto 
 the people, that is to faie ,/» the Uvpe and in the tefliweny , as it is 
 faid,£/S.8.2o. For feeing that the true Church iudgeth not the 
 the controuerfies of religion , but fo farre as to referre her felfe 
 v:holyvnto that which the Bridegroome hath thereof deter- 
 mined, 
 
Vpon The Third G ha*tîïu 3*t 
 
 mined,by the mouth of his Prophets & Apoftlcs ,itfolloWCth 
 that it is neither vnto that v\ hich is commonly receiued and 
 maintained,nor vnto the greater number that wee arc to re( cr 
 our ielues to be rcfolued , feeing that euen in the affairs of this 
 world there bee more fooles then wifemen, and more wicked 
 men then pood: butwemuft refer our ielues vnto the Bride- 
 eromc himielf, who is iudge both of the one and of the other. 
 Yca,but where fhall aman fïndc himPWee muft not fay,(faith 
 the Apoftle after Mofes)wrr willafcendvf into heaven to fade him 
 ■ there ,orpaffe the Sea to Je eke him. But the vroorde is w thy mouth, and 
 in thy heart ,that is tojaiejhis rrordoffatthvehich veee preach, Rom. 
 1 0.8. And this is it by which we muft difcerne the true Catho- 
 lick Church from the falfe. 
 
 4 What is then , you will fay , this Catholickc Church , in 
 the which no w here clfe,Icfus Chrift is found, & out of which 
 there is no faluation?It is the aiTembly of all the true elect, and 
 faithfull, gathered out of al people and nations in vnitic of the 
 Prophcticalland Apoftolicall docVine confidered in her ge- 
 nerality, in which alTemblie truclyihe light ofthetrueth can 
 ncuer be put out, albeit in the parts and members of the bodic 
 diftinctly & fcuerally considered , there may be fome defects, 
 doubts,& ignorances , as the hiftory of all times declareth the 
 fame.To this Church thus vniucrfallyconfidercd, isoppofed 
 the generality of all companies befides , which are alfo called 
 Chriftian, and which keepe the marcke of Baptifme, but hauc 
 forged vnto thcmfelues a religion, according vnto their ownc 
 lull and fancy, whether they couer themfelues with the name 
 & writings of the Prophets &Apoflles il interpreted, or whe- 
 ther they inucnt a doctrine altogether newc according vnto 
 their own pleafure, for w hich caufc fuch a church is called he- 
 retical!, that is to fay, grounded vpon a dodtrine which a man 
 hath chofen and taken vnto himfelfe, and w hich agreeth nei- 
 ther with that which is Catholickc, nor w ith it fclfe, but is of- 
 ten times diuided into lb many peeces as there are braines gi- 
 uen vnto their owne priuate and particular fenfe,hauing all of 
 tiicmthis in common, that they goeaftray and wander from 
 
 Sf . the 
 
3*2 The First Sermon 
 
 the Propheticall and Apoftolicall truth.I knowc that all this it 
 applied againft vs by the aduerfaries of our time, who for this 
 caul è cai our Church new,and giue vs fuch titles as like them- 
 ielues belt, not perceiuing howethemfelucs cut their ownc 
 throats calling their Church the Catholicke Church, except 
 they can {hew vs that Rome and the whole world are all one: 
 but the controuerfie would be foone ended if men would but 
 harken vnto realon.I faie therefore that accordingly as it plea- 
 feth God to fhew his iudgements vpon the vnthankemlnes of 
 the world,orof his mercy to fpare mankindc, the true Catho- 
 licke Church hath fomctimes {Lined foorthand appeared in 
 her bevvtie , but not aiwaics abouc the falfe and heretical: the 
 painted & difguiied (trumpet, counterfaiting the chalffpoufc 
 of iefus Chrift fo well , and difplaying the beames of her out- 
 ward bevvtie fo magnificently for the moft part, that all both 
 great and fmall take her to be the true, & thereupon the poore 
 ipoufe,which is the true fpoufe indeed, is forced to retire into 
 the deferts, vntill the time of indignation be paft 3 £/*7.26.20. 
 ts4po. 1 7.1 4.That this is to it cannot be denied,but that a man 
 fhalbe conuiéted by the whole hiftoric ofthe Church, and by 
 that which wee fee at this day with our cies . Thence I con- 
 clude that the multitude and the greateft and apparant num- 
 ber is a moft falfe markc of the true church.-but without {land- 
 ing cither on few or more,we muft keep vs vnto this infallible 
 point, that the true Church and worthy of the name of Ca- 
 tholicke and vniuerfai is that, which maketh a true protefïion 
 ofthe dodtrine preached & entirely regiftrcd by the Apoftles 
 tobetheonelyruleof trueth vnto the whole company ofthe 
 clcc-h 
 
 5 Thcfe two names therefore of Apoftolicall doctrine and 
 Catholicke Church, are both of them foinfeparable& agree 
 in fuch fort, that the trueChurchisby this true and eiTentiali 
 marcke diftinguifhed from the falfe:& againe the true church 
 beareth certaine marckes ofthe fcedc whence fhee was con- 
 cerned, i.TVm. 25. 
 
 6 And to the end that they reply not hereupon that the one 
 
 and 
 
Vpon The Tkibd Chaptir. 523 
 
 and the other aiîembly may alleagc the fame text of the bible: 
 I anfwere, firit, that the falle Church maketh no reckoning of 
 keeping hcrfelfe wholly to the holy Scriptures: fecondly, that 
 the Scripture ought aivvel to be the commentarie as the Tcxr, 
 and that al interpretation ot Scripture being referred vnto ihc 
 articles of faith,as vnto a certaine and infallible rule to dilccrn 
 that v\ hich is true fro that which is falfe,~as being the abridge- 
 ment of the whole Scripture , it wil be alwaies ealle not to be 
 dcceiued,except a man wil himfelfe.Thus you ice what we arc 
 to think of the cômunaltyofthe greater number, which cried 
 in Chrifts time, away wtth htm, away with him> crmfie btm,\\ hic h 
 is oppoied vnto that w hich leius Chrift calleth ùt/efocke^Luk, 
 1 2.3 2. But let vs fee whether the fpoufe haue any better dire- 
 ction. 
 
 7 Shee faith then in fumme that going fo through the City 
 fie was found by the watch ,& flie asked the,// : they couidtellher any 
 ttdings ofthtéBridegroorrLj,zi\àfa\ùi not what aunfwere fhe had 
 ofthem:but itappeareth fufficiently by that which foloweth, 
 either that they anfvvered her nothing,or that without flaying 
 their anfwere flie went her way farther. Now who*r* they, I 
 pray you, ofthewatch, but thofe who haue the charge of wat- 
 ching ouer'the City ofGodfAnd is it not e^cprefly faid,that the 
 hppesofthc e Prieft i are the keepers of wifedom,becaufe he is the mek 
 fenger of god, Afat.i.j. And vnto who did the Lord command 
 his people to refortto berefolued in a cafe of difficulty tou- 
 ching the interpretation of the Law tbutvnto the Priefls, Dcut. 
 1 7.8. yea,to aunfwere vnto it according vntothe Law which 
 they might not ad vnto,nor diminifli . Notw ithtiâding we fee 
 here that the fpoufc found her Bridegrroomc no more among 
 thefe then m the openplaces cfrflreets of the city: the reafon is this, 
 that there is great dirTercnce,between considering of a charge 
 fuch as it is in it felfc,and confîdcrîng of it as they difcharge it, 
 on whom it is impofed . Moreouer albeit the Lord hath efta- 
 blifl-ied and order wherein heedeclareth his bleflingryet not- 
 withstanding wee may not tie the holy Ghoft entirely vnto 
 them , either who are called by an ordinary vocation,or vnto 
 
 Ss 2 them 
 
J*4 ^" HB Second Sermoh 
 
 them who haue the place thereof, bccauicthatasthc Lord in 
 his mcrcic giucth true paltours and teachers , forth; gathering 
 together ofi be jointes jwd for the worke of the mlmjlene, to the bxtld- 
 tag ofth; body of le flu Cbrtj},Ep[\. 3 . 1 2.(0 doch he al io in his an. 
 gCtgixefilfePujiorswubftrongdeltifioyi and the effcocie of the sfi- 
 ncoferroar, 2.The(T.2.i i.punifhingby that meancsthe con- 
 tempt of his holy woorde. As in that which conccrneth the 
 iocicty ot men in this world , God gineth good prtxees andgoucr- 
 noun, 1 .TimoL.2*2.and Pial. 72. and on the other fide he pu- 
 niiliech andchaikfeth the people , taking his sfirtte from their 
 primées andgottemours ,P fal.7 6.1 2. this holy mir.ittery notwith- 
 iianding ( confidered in it fclte ) remaining in thai eltate and 
 forme in the which God cftabliilied it; as alio the eiiatc of 
 Ki ;gs andofotherMagiftrates, although the tyrantes abufc 
 it, Efai. ^.4. and 56. 10. Ofee. 1 5. 12. 1er. 23. n. 14. 15 . 
 Bricrlie the whole Scripture is full of luch teltimomcs of 
 Kinges and reproches of Prophètes and Prieiles . And if wee 
 come to the proofe hecreot by experience, who were the 
 greatcfi aducrfaries ofthe true Prophètes , fer.iô.j.w ho con- 
 lptred againft God,prophaned the Lawe , couercd and main- 
 tained the finnes and iniquities of Princes?Ezechicl faith they 
 werc/^Pr^^/c^'P^^,Eiec.22.25.26.28.Nowlet vs take 
 an account ofthe Prieftcs which built , and how many pullers 
 downc and deftroiers fhal we find for one builder? In a word, 
 by whom was the corner flone reiecled ? By them which are cal- 
 led builders,not that they were fuch but they mould haue bin, 
 Tfol.i 18.22. Matth.z i.42.Who interdicted the Apoftles the 
 preaching ofthe gofpel ,oppofing themfclues directly againft 
 God? Jkiï.âf. 5. and 5. 21 . In fummc the fpoufe fpeaketh 
 heere of wicked husband-men ofthe vineyarde, who after 
 they had killed thefertMtites ofthe Lord, in the enàejlewe the heir* 
 édfo. 
 
 8 Wee maie not mariiell then that the fpoufe found as 
 little com forte by thevratch, asfliee did mthe open places ofthi 
 Ctttie: beeing a thing moft certaine and anurcd, that if the 
 poorc Church ofGod, hauing, amiddeft thefc ftraitcs of he r* 
 
VpomThe Tfttrd Chapter. 525 
 
 loft the fight of her Brkicgrome when Onze looked fo ill vnto 
 him , had referred her feite do this goadiic watch to haue her 
 reiblution of them, fhee had but loll her paines, this watch 
 beeingfetrathertoturnc alide& tofkarcthefepoore affrigh- 
 ted fhccpe,then to bring them againc into the right way .God 
 therefore himfelfe was aiding vnto his fpoufc in this, that fhec 
 paflcd farther, without (laying. -for an aunfwere from them, 
 according vnto that which the Lordc inhistimefpeakingof 
 fuch faith , Let them-t alone , for they are blinde leaders of the 
 kind. For wee fhall fee afterwardes that fie was beaten of the 
 watch. 
 
 ^ 9 But let vs fee w hethcr this doétrine,which w r c hauc more 
 neede of now then cuer, extend it felfe vnto the time of the 
 newe couenant: for behold thepoynt wherein Satan at this 
 day cmployeth his whole forces,namely to perfuade men that 
 neither can it nor may it euer happen,that they whom they cal 
 the Church repr*fèntattue(ihc titles whereof tbey afterwards ei- 
 ther fhorten or lengthen as pleafc them , calling it ibmetimes 
 the Romane Church Sometimes the %omane Catholique Church J& 
 Ibmetimes the Catholique ^poftolicall%pmane £hurch 3 thzi this 
 company I faie, either hath or can cuer be foforfakenofGod, 
 that it may for the mod part bee either it felfe apparantlie de- 
 ceiucd, or deceiue others. If a man afke why, feeing this came 
 notoriously to pafle in the ancient Church , beholdc their an- 
 fwerc is ready. It was faide vnto Saint Peter , / haue prakdfor 
 ihee that thy faith fatte not.Novj that Saint Peters faith were not 
 atone time greatly flrakcntt cannot be denied.And therefore 
 they muft ncédes confefTe, that if their xefrefenmiue Church 
 haue no more force then hee whom they of a notable abufe 
 take for their foundation^ may at lead for one time be fo fha- 
 ken, as to denie IefusChriit three times and that with an othand 
 €xecration:Knd I would to God the like had happened to them 
 butthrife. But to let this paflc,what maner of conclufiô,Ipray 
 you, is this? The Lordc by a lingular grace of his, raifed vp and 
 comforted his difciplc in fuch fort that hee acknowledged his 
 fault without drowning himfelfe a ny farther therein, & which 
 
 Sf 3 more 
 
1*6 The First Sermon 
 
 nereis , hcevfedhim afterward toencourageandftrcngtbeh 
 Others, I pray you,what doth this appertaine vnto the Citty of 
 Rome, or vmo the See afterwardes created there? Saue thatl 
 conklTe(and 1 lay it after one of their principall Poets whofe 
 vcrfes thcmfelucs yet print and fing euery day)that many ages 
 ago this Papali Sec hauing put out and defaced the ancient A* 
 poiioJique Church of Rome, is become The temple of herefie m 
 doBrinc, and an other Sodomem manners. But what alleagethcy 
 farthet?Iefus Chrift faide thrife vnto Pctcvfeede myfheepe. The 
 Pope therefore , and that Church which ack*owledgeth the Pope 
 for their head cannot erre : no though he fcottlddrwe -whole cartloade* 
 of fifties vnto hell, noMAnmay fay vnto hsm,fir what do you} O God, 
 what impudent fhamclefnes is this!As if Saint Peter , the Sec 
 of Rome,and they who fit in it were al one. Yet this I will wei 
 confefle notwithstanding, that fince the time of many ages 
 they who banc fate in this See, and haue made a throne therer 
 of and exalted it as much as lay in them , aboue that of God 
 himfclfe(in that they attribute vnto themfelues the power to 
 ilifpenfe with the Lawe of God , and the autoritie not to bee 
 iudgedofany man liuing,yeato haue power to commaund 
 the Angels)that they, I fay, are not fallen from the faith which 
 they neuer had nor neuer cared after or tooke thought for :I 
 let paffe other allégations of theirs, which howrfriuolous and 
 foolifh they bee the very little children arc able to iudge. And 
 what hath come to pane in this behalfe winch was not expre- 
 fly foretold by Iefus Chrift and his Apoftles,and found true by 
 the experience-of our time? UKatt.ja^JLff^T.SJoh. 5.43* 
 V*#. 20. 1 o. torn, 1 & ïj.tphitip. 3.2, and 2. Thefz. 4. and 
 '\iTmu.q. î.and 6. 3» and z.Ttm. yséxmàxtéBm 2.1. and jt 
 1 6. and i.Iolo. 2. 1 8. Now if thefe fo expreflc predictions and 
 prophecies fuffrcenot, and that the whole ccclefiaiticalitorie 
 fcanilôtr fcriiê for fufficient proofe," at leaftlet a man now open 
 Bis cics and fee the effe&e$it hereof moserappaiarit and great 
 
 théng&àtândmi^ 
 
 bfiri all the ground articles ofChrUtian Catholique doctrine, 
 that is tofayy the do&rin* which God hath dciiuercd vnto his 
 «otri gfy whole 
 
Vj»on>The Third C HArrTtit. jiy 
 
 whole Church at the beginning, to remained continue vnto 
 the end and confummation thereof. For at the kali it appeal 
 reth by that we haue abouc faide, and followeth vpon neccf- 
 farie confequence, that feeing they who ought to bee the cies 
 of the fljeke are fubiect not onely tobeblwde^but leaders alfo of 
 the blinde to fall both togitherwto thediuh, Matt. 1 5.14.; andthac 
 they who ought to haue the key of knowledge, may kcepeitback^& 
 mdeede haue often kepttt backjiot onely not to enter w themfelues wta 
 the kingdoms of heauen., but alfo to ktepe others out , Luk. 1 1. 52.it 
 isanoucr manifeitfalfehoode to conclude* that without all 
 manner of replie and gainefaying, wemuiiin matter of con- 
 lcicncc & relligion, hold ourielues vnto that which they,who 
 call themfelues the fucceeding Church of the Apotfles , and 
 cfpecially that goodly Apoitle of Rome, who may be iudged 
 or no man liuing, commaundeth vs to belceue. 
 
 10 Nay albeit we granted them that thejr originall & be- 
 ginning were as Apo(toJicall,as it is Apofiatkai», leius Chriil 
 who is the truth it feife might wel haue made after Saint Iohrt 
 Baptiltthis conclusion forhimfel£cabfolutebe,/<j£. 3. 3 3. and 
 yet he notwithstanding fufïercd &eommaunded alio that his 
 doctrine mould beexarnined by thefcriptures,./^. 7. 5 9. The 
 Apollies alfothough their doéîrine were vngainfayabie(con-« 
 fidcring the mea£trc of die, fpiritc which they had ) yet they 
 came vnderthis examen ,<*AÙ:, 1 7. 1 1 . and pracuïed it them- 
 felues, sAti. 1 5. and recommended the fame expre fly vnto o- 
 thcrs. For it is by the doârinc of the Apottles expounded by ic 
 felfc, that wcemuri diicerne t he jiAfoflolique Church, to which 
 we are to ioyne our felues: from the falfe, which, we mult turn 
 from and auoide : and therefore our aduerfaries could by no 
 meanes better fhewe by whatfpiritthcy are led, and that they 
 arc not fucceffors, but vfurpërs & vniuft pofleflors ; fincc they 
 rerufe this examen andtrya^vntawhich they haue bcene and 
 yet are euery day: called but in vainc > except they will bee 
 both Iudges & parties, but it is thou eternallGodwhofhalttudgs 
 êf all this matter in conuemeni time. 
 
 1 1 Why thciijwil fome reply, what manner of Church wii 
 
 this 
 
j*8 Tue SéconikSernôn 
 
 tnisbeiftkc prelates be not the Judges of errors, and if other 
 keepc them not to their fentence and rcfolutionfTruly 1 con- 
 ks th at ail thtngs ought to be orderly acme in the heufe of Godfloz. 1 4, 
 4»but what is tnis order? Eue that which the Lord of the houlc 
 hathettabliihedbyhis ApolUes. Lctvsthenfnftcf all keepe 
 and obferue this , and hold ail that fordiforder m hich fhalbee 
 farther added , dimimfhed or chaunged : (Imeane in the fub- 
 ffâce of doctrine) fo that whofoeuer oppolcth himfelf againft 
 this difordcr, whenfoeuer it ilideth into the Church , may not 
 be iuftly held for author of confufion , but ought rather to bec 
 praifed oxbarkned vnto, as the fetter vp agair.e & reeftablifhcr 
 ohhat order, which the ionnc of God cftabhfhed in his houfe. 
 Secondly although the forme of outwarde order be obferued, 
 yet we may not tie the holy fpirit to perfons without exceptie, 
 for thofe reafons which 1 haue proued,& becaufe that in many 
 thofe things wherein they offend go e not before but foliote 
 their vocation, as the ApoiUe warneth vs, L Tmu. j. 24. in 
 whom the Church findeth afterward that fhee hath beenc de- 
 cerned , as all the auncient hérétiques and the greatcft part of 
 them ofour time may fuffkiendy witnes.But we are to follow 
 the rule v hich the Lord gaue.and which he alfo confirmed by 
 fcis ow&c vxzmple. The Scrrbes andThar/fies, faith hc,fit in Mo* 
 fis Chetre, doyee thatvhtch they fay , eta do not that rrhteh they doe, 
 that is to fay,fo fane as, according vnto the order ofGod efta- 
 blifhed by the minift ery ofMofes,thcy preach the truth in the 
 Synagogues, their hypocrifie and wicked life otherwife,maie 
 not hinder ycu from recciuing and pra&ifing that which they 
 teach/orthe truth dependeth not on the pcrfon of him which 
 teacheth, cither in.doctrineorinthefacramentes. But what 
 fâith C h rift in an other place? UMatth. 16.6. T*kekeedecfthe 
 leauencfthc Pharifies: and in an other praxe. Let them alone >t bey 
 are himdc, and leaders ofthe'Umde, Mat. 1 5. 1 4. And indeed him* 
 feifopenrycondemnedtheirfaliE interprétations of the Law: 
 <J\Utth. 5. 6. and cJ*&r^. 7. 8. and cared as little for their ex- 
 communications, loh. 1 2. 42. 44, What are we to doe then in 
 fuch a cafe?;^>rw^/aith the beloucd aifciclctproxethesj/ritf 
 
 whether 
 
Vpon Ths Third Chapter. *** 
 
 whether they be of God y i lob. 4. 1. and Saint Paul, wemuft trie 
 éiUthifigesAndkeefethatvrhichugoodyilht^. 2l.&vnto who 
 is this laid? VntoeueryChriitianwhowil not willingly and 
 wittingly be deceiued, as well young as olde , men as wemen, 
 Col. 3. 28. 
 
 1 2 Neither doth there enfuc hereupon any difordcr orcon- 
 fufton at all, for it is an other thing not to iufter a mans felfc to 
 bee decerned , and to take vpon him the office and charge of 
 teaching in the Church, pretending that all are Prophètes or 
 Apoltles , or Doctors and teachers, a thing vtterly falfe and in- 
 tolerable: as appcareth, 1 Cor. 12. 29. For the Tonne of God 
 himfclfe, in as much ashc was the miniftcrofGod his father, 
 for the preaching of his wil vnto the nation of the Iewes, Rom* 
 1 1 . 1 8.he thruft not himfelfc in into this charge,//*^. $.Such 
 is then the duty of cuery faithfull man in all times, and princi- 
 pally in f uch a time as there is a medlie made of al things, and 
 when the light is fmothered and darkned, neither to beleeuc 
 euerie thing vpon the credit of an other, neither alio to fet vp 
 a new religion vnto himfelfe apart. 
 
 13 But what jfhall we fay ofthe, among whom there is not 
 only no order, but(which is worfe)though al things be turned 
 vp-fide-down, notwithstanding with a defperate impudencic 
 they attribute all this while vnto théfelues the precious name 
 of the catholicke church? Among whom the vocations ordained 
 by the fonne ofGod/or the fcruicc of his houfe,are al of them 
 mowled vpon the Image of the bead, the auncient Romane 
 Empire? Where to bee called, is nothing elfe but to hauc 
 ported beft and to be firft in dated} Where there remaine no- 
 thing faue the fimplc & bare names of charges and vocations 
 of theholie&facrcdminirtery? Where the entrance into the 
 houfc of god(I mean the fcripture in which he hath placed his 
 truth)is interdicted & forbidden the people?Where the houfe 
 of praicr is not only turned into an harbor of them w ho make. 
 marchandifc of fouls,but is changed into a (hop of al falfhood 
 and Idolâtrie, yea of more abominable Idolatry then all the I- 
 dols of the Paynims and heathen? Where Iefus Chriit is chan- 
 
 Tc gcd 
 
$*o The Skcont> Se*môn 
 
 gcd into a dead and fenfelefle thing, which hath nc ither head 
 nor fecte,naie which cannot kccpc himfclfc from the talantes 
 of theeues,nor the teeth of rattes and of mife, and which peri- 
 fheth of himfelfe if he bee not the fooncr deuoured ? in lue h a 
 cafe, fhould the poore famiftied fheepe , 1 pray you, goe vino 
 the wolues and laic,cut our throates and dcuoure vs.? Shouldc 
 the conlciences of men goe vnto ihem to bee reiolued , who 
 maintaine thcmleiuesby dcuoiiringotthem quick and dead? 
 Should they to purge & cleanfe themfelues, l'houe themfelues 
 farther and farther into fuch dirty myne places? Should men 
 expert and waitevntill the hogges rtiblue themfelues toliuc 
 neetely and deanery , or vntil the w hore-mailters and w hores 
 take order for the ItewesfNaie contranwiie the whole church 
 warncth & enioyneth vs,as touching dodtrine, to take heed of 
 falfe Prophets,& to flie not only Idolaters but Idols alfo, i Job. 
 j. 2 1 . So did the Leuites and the Prieits, retire themfelues out 
 of the kingdomc of Ifrael,whcn al thinges were there in vtter 
 ouerthrow and confufion. There continued notwithstanding 
 an afTemblie of Prophets which communicated not at al with 
 the Baahms, nor with fuch asaflembled themfelues there, 2, 
 Cbr.i 1.14.& 2.^^.4.3 S.42.And the Lord himlclfc faith,Lrf 
 them alone jheyarebttndjeader s of the blind. Matth.i £. 14-but faic 
 ouraduerfaries,hee went vnto Ierufalem, hee came into the 
 Temple as others did,yea into the Synagogues alfo . I graunr, 
 but I aunfwere that firit there was but one Ierufalem, where 
 the publique outward feruice wasadminittred according vn~ 
 to the word ofGod: the prietthood was yet on foote:Moles ÔC 
 the Prophètes were al of them in the Synagogues: and albeit 
 the doctrine was mingled with much lcaue , yet the true dowe 
 remained (till notwithitanding, and the ceremoniall feruice 
 continued in his entire e(iate . Secondly it was to drfue out of 
 the Temple with the whip the buyers and fellers whome hee 
 found in the Temple,cTying out ful loude and ful fhrrll againft 
 the leauen of the Pharifees , Sadduces, Herodians and others, 
 as like wife hee did in the Synagogues . But if the Temple had 
 becne brought to that pafle, as it was at that time when the 
 
 aultar 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter. 331 
 
 aultar was made in al pointes like vnto that which Achas the 
 king fent from Damafcus,2.iC/^.i6.ix.and2.^^»/^28.23. 
 vvho wil perfuadc vs he would haue cntred in thither to com- 
 municate there with them? And when he was demaunded by 
 what authority he did thefe thwges, did he alleage vnto them 
 Cayphas or the great connfelof lcrufalcm? Nothing IciTe, for 
 this had bin nothing elfe but to make fatan iudge of the truth. 
 But he iaith,Search the fcripturcs,/^.5.3p.crccit theteitimo- 
 nie of Iohn,orfhew wherin it is falie, Mat. 2 1.25. which thing 
 we haue done and counfailcd others to doe at this day , not to 
 creel and fet vp aultar againfl aultar,as they falfly {launder vs: 
 but to fet vp the aultar of the Lord, that is his holy miniftery a- 
 gainlt the aultar ofDamafcus : for the perfcurmancc whereof 
 the Lord hauing aided with his grace many princes and po- 
 tentates^ follow the example of that good and holy king E- 
 zeehias ,the Lord hauing likewife railed vp in our time Lliaf- 
 ies and Elifeu(Tes,w hat iliould they elfe do but feparate them- 
 feluesfrom fuch pollutions, and betake themfclues vnder co- 
 uert,who are not among the pharifaical lcauen limply , but in 
 the faire midftoftheconfufionofBabylonvas this name was 
 giuen the City of Rome in Saint Peters time if we wil belecuc 
 theauncicnt expofitors,on that of Saint Peter, 1. Pet.^.i 3 .and 
 which name manie of the ancients after Saint Iohn haue moil 
 xlearely applied vnto the Church of Rome in their time? For I 
 -pray you, if the Prophetical fcript!ures:iwcrc fufftcierit in the 
 time of IefusChrift , to make him throughly to be known,and 
 to caufc al contrary doctrine tofal and vanifh away,thc Apo- 
 stolical writinges and fcriptures haue they empayred anddi- 
 minifhedthisclcarnes, or haue they not rather bin as the fun 
 rifing.after day break? If the Baptifme of Iohn which was no- 
 thing elfe but the 'daiesmorning,wasfuificrebt'toâ)recl: them 
 whom Cbrift fent back thither, (JWat.ï 1.2 5. and esfft. 1 0*3 o. 
 ought we now to feek any other text or gloiTe,thcn fo authen- 
 tick atcftimonieXealedby fo manie miracles, and fo faithfully 
 jegiitrcd in thofe writinees which wee call thenewe Tefta- 
 menti' ■'-■■■ 
 
 Tt 2 14 In 
 
53^ The Second Sermon 
 
 14 In a word therefore, in a time of fuch horrible darknes, 
 it is not vnto chcfe faite leaders , that hee mull fceke who will 
 not be deceiued,but he muft goe farther and feek,being desti- 
 tute as it were or al ordinane meanes,vnto the Lord himfelfc, 
 to bee nourifhed ask were in a defert. And this wc are taught 
 inthehi(torieofElias 3 who was nourifhed all the time of the 
 firft ycare of droughts by a Rauen, 1. King. 1 7»4.and afterward 
 by a poor Sydonianwiddow.i.iO^.iy.&and who afterwards 
 by the itrength ofone meale walked fortic daies and fortic 
 nights,i . Kmg. 19.8. By which example it is fhewn vs that the 
 Lord in fuch and fo lamentable a time , nouriflieth thofe who 
 are his,though they be fometimes fo fcattered here and there, 
 that they cannot know one another,!. X/tf£.iS.i3.andip.icu 
 1 8. that is to laie, he nouriflieth his Church in that litle harbor 
 of his vntill the time of his indignation bcouerpaft, Efaie.26. 
 20. when the ordinane minilter is cut off, as itcamc topaiTe 
 in the time of our fathers in the Eaft and Weft Church, vntill 
 fuch time asitpleafed the Lordc to awake his fjpoufe and to 
 fhew what difterence there is between thevtterexterminatiô 
 of Sodome, and the vifuatton of Sion, Efiu .o.pittying the ru- 
 ines thereof & building itvp agairie,/^i 02.14. Which thing 
 our time might haue taught vs and doth yet teach vseuery 
 day,to the end we acknowlege the great & wôderful miracles 
 ofGod which haue hapned (ince within thefc oo.ycarcs one- 
 lie, and to pray vnto him daieahdjnightjtopeTfccV thisdeliuc- 
 xance of his people, for theJoue of his holy,namc,to whom be 
 *J honor and giory for euer. According vncothis holy do&rin 
 We wil dcrmund of him grace and mercy as followeth faying. 
 almighty God&c* 
 T h HiXXT Sermon. 
 Oar helpe be in the name of God &c. 
 
 // ù wrttten a* follow et k iritbe third Chapter efthe Çanticlc âf 
 Canticles ïthefoftrthverfc. 
 
 4 When I had paft a little from them, then I 
 found him whom my foul louethj I tooke hold 
 
 *f 
 
VponThb Third Chapter, 333 
 
 of him and left him not , till I had brought him 
 into my mothers houfe, into the chamber of 
 her that concerned me. 
 
 I They who cal themfelues the watch* 
 
 and watch , are not good watchmen for al 
 
 that, 
 
 % The Bridegroome caufeth himfelfe 
 
 to be the better fought after , by notfuf- 
 
 feringhimfelft to be found at the fir ft. 
 
 3 jin aunfwere vnto diuerfe tempori- 
 ser s or time-feruers oppofed vnto the di- 
 ligence of this fpoufe: and what we ought 
 to anfwere them who obieH the different 
 opinions and diuerfe interpretations of 
 the Scripture. 
 
 4 It is not e nough to find that we feek^ 
 *fter, but wefeafc and Uie hold on it y & 
 hold it faff : wherein haue beene diuerfe 
 faults heretofore and yet are commit ted. 
 
 J Tin loue of the Bridegrome guide th 
 ibe fpoufe to fee kg after him and to finde 
 him» 
 
 6 True faith is the onelie hand which 
 reacheth after the fpoufe andfeafeth on 
 him. 
 
 7 In what fen ft it is faide that the 
 fpoufe hath a mother, vnto whofe houft 
 fhee retireth her ftlfe with her Bride* 
 grome. 
 
 8 *An application of this doctrine to 
 the controuerfes of our time. 
 
 9 In what fort the Bridgvoom is found 
 of the fpoufe out of this houfe. 
 
 10 In what fen fe itisfaide, that the 
 ffioufc brought in her Bridegroome into 
 the houfe 'j f her mother. 
 
 11 Howe wee muflfirfi ne ce ffx/iiie enter 
 into the houfe » and afterwarde into the 
 Chamber of this Mother, 
 
 li jin exhortation for the thorough 
 pracïifîng of this doctrine. 
 
 T hath bin (hewed in the Sermon be- 
 fore what diligence the fpoufe vfed in 
 feeking after this Bridegrome of hers, 
 who Teemed for her, to bee loft : and 
 how ftiee found him not in the open 
 places, nor could heare anic tidinges 
 at al of him of the watch : whereof wc 
 haue largelic entreated. There rcmai- 
 neth notwithftanding one difficultic 
 more, in that wee faid that by this watch were meant the falfc 
 Paftorsof the Citty of God which is the houfe of this fpoufe, 
 namelie,the Church: whereunto it feemeth that this which is 
 here faid is directly contraric,to wit,that this watch was not a- 
 fleepe in their priuatc houfes(for had it been fo,thc fpoufe had 
 aoc met with them, as neither would fhee haue made this de- 
 
 Tt 3 maund 
 
«34 1" HB Third Sermon 
 
 maund vnto thofc which had been afleepejbut that flic found 
 ic v\here it fhould be to gard & defend the Citty round about: 
 which thing thefalie Palters arc not went to doc, w heme a 
 man fhal find rather in their beds, or at table , or in the fie wes 
 or anie w here elle then in their corps degard. J aunfw ere that 
 there are in general two fortes of thefe lalfe Payors: for foir.c 
 of them are more fhameful and dctcflable in their whole life, 
 and making their vices the oncly trade of their life they me w 
 themfelues publickely and openly for fuch as they bee. others 
 there bc(to wit fuch are of the richeft and wcalthielt fort) who 
 are Church-robbcrs,haukcrs and hunters, dronkards,fomica- 
 tours,adultercrs, hauing no other god but their belly, brieflie 
 fuch as Bernard defcribeth the court ot Pope Eugenius w hich 
 is fine e nothing mended , but hathfowedand encrcafedhcr 
 filthy manners in al the quarters of the world:othcrsfofw hich 
 fort are thefe malTe-mungers, côfclTors,graund amnersjmake 
 open profeiTion of being baudeSjftevx ards of the houie,clearks 
 ot the kitchin , yeomen of the horfc , to haue a foupe at their 
 maillers broth & brewes . Jn the meane time the poore vicars 
 muft trudge about and watch, that is to faie 3 muft barke & bay 
 daie and night at the parchment, and make fale of their mer- 
 chandize for the quick and the dead w hich they haue taken to 
 farme , to fel againe (as well as they maie to bee fauers them- 
 felues,how eucr the poore fheepe paie for it ) to bim that offe- 
 reth moft and out-biddeth the relt : paying the woorld againe 
 with Chri(tmas-carols,and ptouiding cfpecially for this, that 
 no other wolue catch their fheepe. And thus you fee how e the 
 Lords fheepefolde is guided by them who cal themfelues the 
 chicfe piliers of the Catholique Church, andmaintainers of 
 diuinc feruice . For which thinges I report me to that which 
 hcaucn and the verie confeience of euery one which hath any 
 at al c an witnes.to iudge whether 1 flaunder them in fpeaking 
 thus of them or no. Others are after another fort diiguized,all 
 ofthem hauingthis one tbingin common, that the y are no- 
 thing leffe the that they appear without for to be,I mean,true 
 Paftors,but dccciuc,aftcr diucric fortes, both themfekics and 
 
 others 
 
VponThb Third Chapter. jjj 
 
 others . Some make nothing clfc but a mockeric of them who 
 make reckoning ofchem , beeing no other within then meerc 
 Athcifts: others are poor fuperrtitious ones, abufed & abufing 
 othcrs,thinking toappeafe the fire of the wrath ofgod by their 
 inuencions & deuotions, fparing neither body nor ioul which 
 they torment not,of whom the Apoftlc fpcaketh, Cofoff.i,zi* 
 2 ^.And this is properly ofthoie two la(t iorts of gardiens thac 
 the f'pouie here fpeakech, whom a man fhal find io bufie horn 
 matuns to vefpers a mûbling their crucifixe,befidcs their ordi- 
 narie deuotions:fome of them ofa meere hypocri(ie:ocher$ of 
 fccale without knowledge : albeit, when there is any queition 
 of perfecuting the Church,we maie then truely faie,that there 
 is neuer a one of thefe afleep,but they al forget for a time their 
 ordinarie traine altogether,to catch and entrap as many fee\y 
 fh :epe as feeke to flie and efcape their talants: as did the greac 
 councel of Ierufalem who watched al night long,to take letus 
 Chri(t,and to frame his enditemenc, when Saint Peter himlelf 
 and his companions could not kecpe themfelues waking.This 
 is not al then to watch,for the Diuel watcheth allons do they 
 alio whom he fetteth aworke. But wee mult keepe watch and 
 ward to a good end, for th ey are of al others the moil daunge- 
 rous,who arc moll diligent and expert men to doe euil. 
 
 2 But let vsleaue thefe merchandizes of foules, and fuch 
 as make trafique ofpoore feelyconfciences , and come wee 
 now vnto that which the fpoufe here faith.Which is in fumme 
 th us mue h , that beeing pa ft a little this watch fhee jotwà her belotted 
 whom {hec neuer left zmtillfljee had brought htm home to her mothers 
 hotifcjcato her mothers oxvne chamber: whereupon we arc to rei- 
 terate that which we haue aboue already noted, namely that 
 When the Lord maketh vs to feeke him by recoiling as it were 
 and drawing backe from vs, hec doth it not therefore that hec 
 would fruftratc that defire which he firit formed in the hearts 
 cf fuch as are his.but becaufe hee would by that mcanes {har- 
 pen their diligence,and caufe vs to cfteeme fo much the more 
 of him when wee haue found him: beeing an ordinarie thing 
 With men to contemnc that which they came light by,v\ here- 
 of 
 
jjtf The Third Sermon 
 
 of wc hau c ftil daily experience. For ifhimfelfcfecketh after the 
 jheepewbicb isftrated, Pial. 1 1 9.1 yd.Luk.i $^\jfhe ranafterA- 
 damnben Adanufed , Gen. 3 .pjf bee caafe htmjdje to beefoundof 
 tbemvebicb jeekebtm fltfJEfai.c'c.how will he neglect the perfe- 
 ucrancc oft h em, who feeke after him? 
 
 3 What excufe then fhal our temporizers at this day haue, 
 who albeit they be in their confcienccs côuic^ted , expect not- 
 withstanding lome of them the refolution and determination 
 of a genera] counceltobcerefolucd: others fomc aiTurancc of 
 peace, before they wilfhewthemfelucs and returne vnto the 
 Bock? But if the doorc bee iTmt in the meane time,who wil o- 
 penit?y^f.2 5.io.£/&.22.2.1fthetimewhichfcruedtorlndc 
 him be loft^who wil aflure vs wc ilial find him zga'mQ? Afattb. 
 2^.10. Iob.ii.io. £/2f/.55.6.Butfaicthefekindesofpeoplc; 
 (ome^Iamnoc/eark^Dcfac therefore and labour to be one.For 
 why hath God beftoweda reafonablefoule&vnderftanding 
 Vpô thee? Come thou therefore vnto him v\ ho hath made the 
 eics, & who giueth cies vnto the w hich haue none,?/*.! 4a 8, 
 know that thou art blind ,& thou hait already receiued a good 
 beginning oflight,/i?£.p. 2 9. Others fate they chwttelvh*ttodo % 
 there are Jo manie contrarie opinions among the D oft or s and teachers 
 themfelues. The like mought they haue faid who followed Ic- 
 fus Chrift w hen the people were diuided into Pharifecs, Sad- 
 duceSjEiTenianSjNazarites , Herodians , Samaritanes . What 
 mull we do then. ? That which the fpoufc here teacheth vs. Wc 
 muft take a good and holy courage vnto vs, and goc farther. 
 For in the end we fhal meetc with Iefus Chrift. But wil he de£ 
 cend vifiblie from heaucn to make himfelfc to be ieene ? No, 
 for hee hath alreadiedefcended, and hath withdrawen him- 
 felfc vp againc into heauen vntili the latter daie , in refpeét of 
 hiscorporallprcfence, yctnotwithftanding hec continueth 
 with his by his quickening power to the end and confumma* 
 tion of the world.But where is he in a wordfVerily there whi- 
 ther he fendeth vs,namely in his fcripturcs,as wee declared at 
 large thelaftThurfdaie^hich aunlwere Abraham alfo made 
 vnto that rich damned wretch^ & 6.79, And wc muft trulic 
 
 confeffe 
 
Vpon The Third C hapteh^ 337 
 
 confeffc that wc haue herein a great aduantage aboue this^ 
 fpoufe confidering the time when (he lpake thus: the light ofc 
 the Scripturesor writings of the Apoiiles, being farre greater 
 without co mpanion then that of the Piophets, as is n oft am- 
 ply fct dovvne vnto vs and declared, in the Lpiftle to the He- 
 brewcs,and by the fimilitude of the body,ann of the fhadow c 
 whichtheApoftlcvieth, Colcjf.z.ij. Butthey reply again & 
 iwfjetarm one we heare difpute, aileageththe Scripttrresfcr kimjclfe: 
 what /bail we thenaoe hereupon > Mary firit looke diligently vn- 
 to this,whether it be true that euene one alkageth the Scrip- 
 tures. Forif Ifhould fay that a great number of lies & forge- 
 ries may be found in the writings of our aduerfarics,allcaging 
 moft talicly for Scripture that w hich is no mere found in anic 
 booke of the Bible, then Paradife is in Hell, 1 fhould not lie at 
 all. Secondly wc mult note that they arc noleffe falfe-faiers 
 then the reft, who for proofe of their dc&rine : alleage any o- 
 ther teftimonics, ouer and befides the aboue named icriptures 
 and writings of the Prophets and Apoltles , vnto w horn wee 
 arcnoleflc forbidden to adde, then to change and diminifh, 
 feeing they containethe whole fiunjelloj Godtouchmg our filiation 
 Ioh.i 5.1 5. and Aft.10.z7. And to the end no n. an reply, that • 
 tlnas not wrtttenwhich the jtpoft x les taught .let vs anfwere this lie 
 firft with that which is faid, i.Tim.z. 17. where Saint Paul rc- 
 quireth nothing, befides the feripturc, tom<Me the man of God 
 ferfeft & comp/ete.Sccondly let thefe goodly vmrrittendoftrines 
 *nà verities forlooth be compared with the fcriptures, and the 
 day wilcondemne this darckenclTc. Thirdly, alwaiesandas 
 often as there are diuerlc interpretations found of one and the 
 fame place,lct vs know that this coir meth to palTc, partly be- 
 caufc cuerie one hath not one and the fame meafure ofvnder- 
 ftanding,and partly becaufc the fcripture is fo pic r.ffull in ail 
 trueth,that of one and from one only place, a n an may dra vs e 
 diuerfe exportions, which may be al ot the m notv\ ithfiancîing 
 conformable vnto the trueth ofedificatioi ,cV ci< nc cfv. hich 
 may as occafiô ferueth be profitable. But wl c the interprc tat i- 
 onsaieforepugnant,that it mull needs-be that one crm< re of 
 
 Vv them 
 
3 ; î$ -~ TheThiuu Sermon 
 
 thcm bc fa!fe,thcn if we confcrrc other places therewith,* Co 
 expound Scripture by Scripture, as Iefus Chriit tcacbeth vs by 
 h}s own cxampl^yto^.6.7. & as the ancient Councch haue 
 coone(hauing by this only molt true and molt allured means 
 conuinced al lores offalfe allegations of heretickes)& if with- 
 al we refer the whole vnto the'correfpondencie of the articles 
 or our faith a which we call our Creede, the fummary abridge- 
 ment of cuery fundamcntall point of Chriftian doctrine & re- 
 ligion,there is no man can bee deceiued,no not the fimpleft I- 
 tiiots of all^cxccpt they will needs deceiue themiclues:! meaa 
 if lo bc they bring with them a docihie and tcacheabic mind» 
 and a defne tc bee taught in all humility, according vnto that 
 which is laid of the wrftte word ofGod/Pp 1 9.S.& £,6.5 5.1. 
 And thus you feejhow folowing the exâple ofthe true Spoufe, 
 that is parching Iefus Chrtfi in ha cwachomeffit lhal find him,& 
 neucrbedeceiued. 
 
 4 But what is it to find him if a man feaze not on him? And 
 vvhatisittofeazeonhimifamanhold him not fait to cnioie 
 him? Verily no more to purpoie,then if a ma ihould find good 
 meat, and not touch it: or put it in his mouth,and not fwallow 
 it:or fwallow it , and not digeft it. And alas ho we many fuch. 
 gueftcs are there in the woorlde ? For to let palTe thofe who 
 vouchfafe not to come vnto this banquet, and thofe alfo who; 
 not only enter not them felues into it but hinder aifo others 
 from entering in and that by all manner not onlic craftincs 
 but violence alfo:lctting Ifay,thefe goc who arc without, 
 let vs fpeake ofthem who enter in , who fee & heare him whe* 
 is both the banquet, and the banquet maker, I mean our Lord 
 Iefus Chritt, & yet notwithstanding do neither fit do wne, nor 
 vouchfafe to eat, nay not fo much as to open their mouthes to 
 chew the morfels already cut & prouided for the? How manie 
 conténers & mockers are there? How many that fwallow the 
 mcate dovvnc but are kddc neuer a whit with it , & therefore 
 grow nothing at al in this inward ma,fhewing by the courfeof 
 their whole life, that they as yet hauc not any fenfe or feeling 
 ofthe fpicit of luny n who all true Ghrittians do fiue,as he alfa 
 
Vpok The Thx*d C hapt i*. 339 
 
 Jiueth in thcm,t7*.2. 1 o.Bcbold the ruine oflfrael& fudajxhk h 
 wc yet fee to continu before our eies, behold what hat h caufed 
 the Candleflttkes of the Churches ofAfia to beremoued, according 
 vnto the ihreatning contained in the Apocalyps ,and which irt 
 the end brought in ihc deluge ol Mahomet & or his côpaniort 
 ypon the foure ends & quarters ct the world . We lee it with 
 our eies,& who taketh it to hartrWho thinketh on that which 
 «he Apoftle forctellcth oft he fulneffc of vs the GcntilsïRo.i 1.1 y, 
 in fuch fortthat// rvtl happe vnto vs a* in the dates of Noe ^Mat.24. 
 3 7. Let vs look vnto our fclues my brethren,//;*/ we be net found 
 *JleepCyL\x. 12.37. much-lelTe cafi out of the banquet intooutivarde 
 <k>^»^,Matth. 2 1 .2 2. & finally caft forth of the temple of Codas 
 jiïthanddouvg. 
 
 5 But wee mull yet better examine all the wocrdes of this 
 fo true and faithfull a fyouic J four.à him, faith fliec , nhcitumy 
 joule loueth;y ca,becaufe he made himfclfc to be found, and for 
 that the true loue of the Bridegroome ferued for a guide to di- 
 rect this fpoufe, whom himfelfe loued firll. 
 
 6 I feared or lata hold on him. And with what armfVcrily with 
 that oi faith fox this is the only veiTell to receiue him in , this is 
 the onely handc to take hold of him, Rom.ç. 3 o . But this faith 
 mull be firme & iledfall to holdc him without letting of him 
 goc,otherwife this is not that true faith which is the gift of god, 
 properly belonging vnto the elect &irreuocable,/fow. 1 2.20, 
 but an opinion which vanifheth away,with the firft wind that 
 blowetb: which maketh vs in fome fort to tail the good gift of 
 god,not to fwallow it down & digeil \t,Heb.6.<}.A>lat.i 3.21. 
 
 7 And howe is this faith and by it Jefus Chrilt continued & 
 mantained in vs? The fpoufe declareth vs in one word v\ hé flic 
 fiith^hzt /he brought this Bridegrome into thehoufe y nay into thefe- 
 cret chamber of her mother which conceiuedher.Now to vnderllad 
 this matter the better , wc mull note that the Church is diuerf- 
 ly confidered: fomtcimes as being ioined & vnited together & 
 making one myllical body with her head : fo that femetimes it 
 is called Iefus chrilt himfelf altogether whole & entire,i .(for. 
 1 2.x 2.as if without her he /hould be an head without a body, 
 
 Vv 2 Eptief 
 
$4° The Thir» Sermon 
 
 Efbtfi. 25. and in this icnfe flic hath no Mother t b\it one hea- 
 uenly fâcher alone . Somù.-nes (he is alio confidered in her ge- 
 nerality without any refpectoi* times or places, notwithitan- 
 ding diltinguifnrû from lefus Chart , in which confiderauon 
 fhz nach alio no Mother 9 bm one heauenly Father alone, toge- 
 ther with a brother & Bndegrome:fometimes alfo (he is con- 
 sidered with diiîtnction & dmeriityot time, for which rdpeii 
 S.Paul faith, he hath begotten the Church of the CjaUthiansfiL cal- 
 lethhimfelfr^? father of the Corinthians in regard of his minifies 
 ry, Gal.q. 1 o.& 1 .CV.4.1 5. In which fenfe a man may fay that 
 the Church of Ierttfde 'J*, not that of Rome) hath brought forth 
 althe churchesrthe word ofgodfwhich is the incorruptible feed, 
 i.Pet.1.2 ^proceeding and commmg from her,£/4.2.}. Ac- 
 cording vnto this fenfe alio is it, that this fpoufc which is but 
 one & perpetual in her generality, is (according as the one en- 
 gendreth the other vnto the Lord^diitinguifhed into an anci- 
 ent church vnder the la w,& into a chriltian church which fuc- 
 cecded it:&according vnto this maner of fpeaking.the church 
 ofour time hath tor her Mother the church which we cal Primi- 
 //#<?. What is it then which this fpoufe,confidered as it were in 
 the time of Dauid,meant to fay and to teach vs in this place? 
 Namely this,that aftcrthofe troubles & diforders which hap- 
 pened io many times in the time ot the fudges & of Saul, fhee 
 hath as it were found her bridegroomc & is moft happily reti- 
 red with him vnto her mothers houfc, that is to fay, hath now 
 the full knowledge and enioying of her Bridegroomc : by con- 
 forming herfelfe vnto the true auncient Church of the Patri- 
 arcks, ruled & ordered afterward by the Lawe, and which en- 
 gendered her vnto the Lord.For it is in the church ot God that 
 this Bridegroome doth raigne & that we cnioy his graces and 
 blcfîings, the greatelt part of the worlde remaining vnder the 
 tyranny of him who is called the Prince ofdarckves&curfedneSi 
 8 Lcr our aduerfaries thé & gainfaicrs reproch vs no longer 
 that we attribute nothing vnto the church.For côtrariwife we 
 auow &protelt that the A peftolick church is our mother jn the 
 which the holy ghoit hath in his time begotte* vs 5c nuricd vs, 
 
Vpos The Third Chapter. 341 
 
 as he yet nourifheth vs.The controuerfie then between them 
 and vs iieth not in this yom^hether there be any falttatwiwith- 
 out the Church, and whether the Church bee our mother in whofe 
 chamber we mufl hue and abide as her true children: tor hereof wee 
 make no doubt. But this is the whole controuerfie, naiuelic, 
 v hcther they be the true Church.or rather the clean contrary 
 a talk (trumpet, which hath driuen the true mother out of dores 
 into the defe ns,and bereaued her ofher children , which flice 
 demaundeth of her againe,and which this true fpoufes Bride- 
 groome maketh her to rcitore and deliuer cuery aay. 
 
 9 But yet there arifeth one, naie two difficulties more vp- 
 on this matter. For firlt ifthis Bridegrome be round no wheic 
 but in his Church,and this Church is our mother, how can it be 
 that this fpoulc found him without? For how may it bec laide 
 that flic brought him in into this houfe,if he were ther already 
 and that flic found him there? The anfwere is,that it is ti ue in- 
 deed 3 that this Bridcgroome dwelleth, that is to fay,declarcth 
 his vertuc and healthful power in this houfe» But it folioweth 
 not thereupon that he goeth not foorth,as I may fay, vntil hec 
 find his children euen in the bofom of this back-fliding whore 
 (as in our time he hath fetched them and yet fetcheth them e- 
 uery day ,out of thefe finckes of monaitenes)to bring them in- 
 to his houle. Soheewentoutoflerufalem, andfent into the 
 Eaft and Welt to cal vs,to make vs to draw near vnto him, vs, 
 Ifaie, which were poorc Gentiles and nothing lelTcthen his 
 people^ bring vs into his admirable light , Ephef.i 2. 1 2. And 
 thus you fee how this fpou/e found her Br tdegroome abroad , from 
 whom fhe was,as we haue molt amply declared before,ttraied 
 afide and wandered. 
 
 1 o The other difficulty arifeth vpon this manner of fpcach 
 that the fpoufe caufedher Urtdgroom to enter into her mothers houfe % 
 feeing on the contrarie (îdc,it is the Bridegrome,who ieckcth 
 afcer vs and findeth vs,and bringeth vs in into his houle . This 
 is molt true,and we mull doe God this honor, to confciTe that 
 h is he,who according vnto bis infinite goodneiTe, as be hath 
 dcititiatedvs Ynto faluation in his fonne before the founda* 
 
 Vv 3 tiort 
 
Î4 2 ThbThxhh Sermon •'•■' 
 
 tion of the woorldc , fo doth he in his time preuent vs,fceking 
 after vs al when we arc (traicd,& finding vs when wee arc fled 
 from him , and bringing vs into his boufc, which is alfothe 
 dwelling place and habitation of our good and holy Mother.. 
 But this is after fuch a manner notwithstanding , that wee arc 
 not all this while like blockes and tronckes, which a man fin- 
 dcth & carricth whither he w il , without anic feeling or motn 
 on in thcmfelucs. God then fceketh after vs, forming in vs the 
 defire to feckc after him: he findcth vs giuing vs the meanes & 
 the power to find him; we take hold of him and embrace him 
 meeting with him,bicaufe he createth in vs the faith w hich ta- 
 kcth hold of him:he bringeth vs into the houfe of our mother, 
 bellowing on vs the grace of defiring to ioinc our fclues vnto 
 the company of the true church neuer to Mir or depart from it. 
 Thefe two things then agree very wel togcther,prouidcd,that 
 we adde this , that as God produceth in vs natural effedtes by 
 natural caufes which he hath created in vs : fo, if the qucftion 
 bee of thefe graces which are mcerely fupernaturall( feeing 
 flejhe andhloodc reueale not thefe thtnges vnto vs > Matth . 1 6. 1 7. 
 naie ournaturallwifedomeisenmitte vnto God , Rom.8)wce muft 
 voutch and confeiTc that the puritie of vnderftanding and 
 vprightneffe of will arc the mcerc free giftcs and graces of 
 him vàioenlightencth the eyes of our vnderflandsng , Ephefi.1.8. 
 and createth tnvsbothto will and to doe , Philip. 2. 13 . So that 
 if this proposition and fentencc bee true, when wee fpeake 
 of the creation ofthcwoorlde,that it made notitfclfc,and 
 that a dead bodieraifcth not himfelfc:fo is it as true, the quc- 
 ftion being of the light of the foule,bc it in thevnderftandinjg 
 or vprightnes of wil, that vee are trstelj the vroorkmanptif ofGodfy^ 
 his meere and only gr ace ,E ph c f. 2 . 1 . 5 . 1 o. 
 . ix There remaincth yet one point more to be handled tou- 
 ching this place,namely,conccrnine that which is here faidc, 
 both of the hcufc/ualfo oj the chamber of thù mother,* thing which 
 ought to bee well and throughly weighed of them who def- 
 pifc the holy publicke aiTcmblie cftabhflicd from altimc by 
 the Lordc in his Church , and without the which, as I maic fq 
 
VrottTfcB TaiiiD ChaÊtsr. £$43 
 
 Taie, the Churck(\\ hieh is as much to fsy as au aft telly calkdto- 
 £ctberoutoftberreorld)hnoLhmch:asa ficckthath noappa- 
 rant forme of a flock , if the fheep rcmaine Scattered one horn 
 anothcr.I fpeak here of the contemners of congregations anu 1 
 affemblies , as we haue among vs Sundaie and 7 bar (day (Jbrifti* 
 <i».f,naic ionic from Communion to Communion: & others vvhich 
 make no reckoning at al of them, wicked wretches and vticr- 
 Jy inexcufcable bttore God and before men. 7 here are others 
 and too too manic, fomcofthem making no conscience to 
 betake thcmfelues into the midfi of Idolaters/ollowing here- 
 in Lots fauhrothers who ncuer come forth, & being reprchc- 
 ded & accufed for not giuing teftimenie of their Chriitianity, 
 infteed of confefîlng their vveaknes and infirmity , or their eh- 
 ftruft and couetoufncs,beare thcmfelues in hand they doe wei 
 enough in reading at home in their houfc & praying a part by 
 thefelues.But the Apoftle exhortcth them in another lâguage, 
 forfrke not, faith he , our ajfembly as the manner of Come is, Heb. 1 o. 
 2 5«And indeed if this pretence might take place,mult we noc 
 condemnc the Prophets, Apoltles 3 & other martyrs of the lord 
 for madme & fenfeles? But behold how wily fatan is to diuidc 
 this body in pecces, which can ncuer bec ioined ynough toge- 
 ther & vnited. And indeed the end of fuch goodly priuatefhrh 
 fiions maketh vs at thelaft to know their faire domeitical exer- 
 cife they pradtife at home:which wee needc not to maruell at, 
 feeing that euen thofc who are molt diligent to frequêt the af- 
 femblies & congregations,wherc they are reprouedjadmoni- 
 flied,comfortcd,taught, itirred vp & heated euery day , lcauc 
 not for al that to be cold,!azy,& negligent in their ducty. Let 
 vs therefore note heere,my brctheren, in Gods name, that the 
 fpoufe protefxeth fhe came with her Bridcgroomc not onely 
 into the houfe , hue which is more ,'tnto the Chamber of her Mo~ 
 tber. What fhal we faic then of thole who wil not fct foote in- 
 to this houfc, and think to keep thcmfelues without with lefus 
 ChriftPBut vet it is not enough to bec in the houfi t but we muft 
 enter into the friuy Chaber & wardrob of this fpoufe. For fuch 
 a one may be in tne houfic which is not init , and who crrtrcd 
 
 " V " *~ " not 
 
344 Thi Third Sermon 
 
 not in , but to come fcorth ftraite w aies a gaine . But to enter 
 
 into the chamber of thts mother , is to bee in the place of her reft, 
 
 anciwhtrefliecauiethherfelfctobeefecncancihcardjnouri- 
 £hing there her children with the bread of life. . 
 
 12 Now fit h our good God amiddett fo manie tempeftes, 
 vhich haue ouerwhelmcd anddeiTroied the woor!d 3 & which 
 h'a'uc within thefc few yeares borne and beaten downe fo ma- 
 ny goodly Churches , the mother and her children beeing fo 
 cruelly driuen forth , hath vouchfafedvsib great and lingular 
 a bcnefite,to preferue vnto vs this little cabbin .affaulted with 
 fo many wild & cruel beafts,flial we alwaies contemn fo great 
 a grace and blcfîlng and fo long a patience of his f God forbid 
 n>y brctheren: but let vs befcech him hec w ouldc rather heatc 
 fuch as are acold , thruil forward thofe who rccoile,haften the 
 flow , fortifie the weake, and in generall giue vs the grace that 
 his woorde may dwell plentifully among vs , according vnto 
 the exhortation of the Àpoille, (oIeJf.$.26.and that wee maic 
 be faire and fruitful! trees in his com tes, to depart from this houfc 
 hcerebclowe, vnto that euerlaftingpallace where wee fhall 
 raigne cternallie with him : wherein hauing hitherunto fo 
 notablic faylcd, let vscraue his grace and mercie as folio- 
 wcth. 
 
 almighty Gody&c* 
 
 The xxvi Sermon. 
 
 Our help be in the name ofGod &c. 
 
 It if written as follmcth in the third Chapter of the Canticle of 
 
 Canticles, the 5 . 6. 7 . a n d 8 .verfes. 
 
 5 I charge you ye daughters of Ierufalcm, 
 by the Roes & by the Hinds of the field, ify ou 
 wake, waken not my Loue vntil he pleafe. 
 
 6 Who is fhee that mounteth vp out of the 
 defert like palmes of (moke, perfumed with 
 mirrh & incëfe, & with euery fort ofperfume? 
 
 7 Behold 
 
Vpon The Third Cham's*; 
 
 345 
 
 7 Behold his bed which is Salomons,about 
 the which are threefcore valiauntmen, of the 
 prowes oflfrael. 
 
 8 They all handle the (word & arc expert in 
 warre, eueryonehauijighis fworde vpon his 
 thigh,for the frights by night. 
 
 I The ftoufe isfo authorised by her 
 Bridegrocme, that none euerfette on her 
 who had not the war ft. 
 I This author it ie Certaine th nothing 
 eu al vnto thefalfe Church. 
 
 3 Wherefore this fj>oufe is compared 
 vnto a cloude, refembling an high and a. 
 Hraii filler. 
 
 4 What tlx defert or xtildemeffe U 
 from which this piller comme th. 
 
 J We mujl come forth out of this defert 
 & notfzl out of one defert into another. 
 
 6 The defer tscf the tunc itr.t mcnkes 
 compared with thepallaces ofihefe good- 
 ly fathers y and falfe religions of cur time. 
 
 7 Wherefore the fpoufe it compared 
 Vnto a palme or date tree, 
 
 t What the excellent perfumes ofth'u 
 
 fpoufe are.and whence they come. 
 Ï The fjfoufe infteed of re/ling on the 
 praifesnhich are attributed vnto her t 
 how trufofucr they be, miploieth htr felf 
 the rather to fraijc the Bridegron.e>& to 
 make him Inowen vnto euerie one. 
 I o What this bed no* of Salomon the fi- 
 gure of this trutSaUmcn who is full of 
 peace, 
 
 li Hcwefafe this bed is where the true 
 rcpofe and refl is found. 
 1 4 Wherefore Salomon fj>cakçth here of 
 threefcoren.cn of gard about his bed. 
 1$ Who are the true gard and dt fendert 
 tfthefaluatien of the faithful, e/pecial- 
 lie dgainfi all inuifible enemies. 
 14 \A conclu/ton touching the vfe ofthn 
 doctrine. 
 
 H E fpoufe trauclling paincfullie to 
 find her Bridegroomc , and hauing at 
 the length found him ,feaz*don htm and 
 brèught him borne to her KjMother , reioi- 
 ccth nowc and is exceeding iticrrie 
 and gladdc of this happieefiate and 
 condition of hers , charging thoje about 
 her not to waken her Bridegroome : not 
 that hecfleepeth;fbr,W/£rf/^<?p<?/£ If- 
 racldotb netier flamber norjlecpe , Pfalm . î 21 .4. But becaufe 
 his reft is the refl of his fpoufe, holding and keeping him 
 
 Xx in 
 
34 1 * The.Fovrth Sermom 
 
 in the |?riiiie Chamber ^f5iô:-batt.^»».5 , .L.àn4tfierèfofckiio- 
 vviaathat this rciT& quiet is neuer without fùcfi as enuy ir,Yor 
 whom they need (eck no farther then iti the rnidit oÇhrxp.cœ, 
 that is to lay, of them theTelues who wil brag & vaut,that they 
 are th^principal members of the Church^fhee chargeth them 
 ncYé màêftïïêttzimvrMMh than with me- 
 
 naces & threatespthat they pre.iumcnot to trouble this reft of 
 her Bridegrome with her(as iffhe fhuld fay,that fhe is able to 
 make the repent it , if they be fo bold as to do it. But touching 
 this re(t,& this inaner of charge,we haue fpokc aboue at largç 
 Clvap, 2*vcrf.7. where the Bridegrome giueth the like charge 
 that they t7o*4ttettotthtrefofe& reft of his fronfei & therefore wee 
 Will refer our fciues vntdthat which hath bin laid thereof: bufc 
 there is notwithftanding a particular consideration offered in 
 this place.For it feemcth the fpoufe fpeakcth very boJdIy,fuch 
 3 charge befeeming rather the Bridegroom,who hath al auto- 
 rity,the the fpoufe, who ought to refer her whole ga'rdtng and 
 Tare kecriirigvnto the Bridegrome. 1 cbnfcfTe indeede th'St the 
 ïppufe fpeakcth here'very loftily 6V gallantly. And why fhoul<i 
 ihe not? For feeing (he hath for her,& with hcr,yca within her 
 this great & mighty king.-vVhat is he that fhndeth againft her, 
 \vhom fhe may not and btjàrïi rrpt to defy?We haue'hereof ih^ 
 ftrji^exaniple^an^ . Joihi 
 
 commaundeth the Sunne to iland ihll/and heeobcyeth,- 
 lofaio.i 3 .And wee know what the Lord promifeth vnto his, 
 OWat.i 7-20.not to eftablifh thereby thegift of dooing of mi- 
 racles as pbrpetuaUn the i Ghlitcbi,fbu^ tqfhpv that this fpoute 
 threatneth the perturber pfrbis peace which thepr id egrome 
 giueth her, feeing fhe.hath in her hand his autorky & ppwer, 
 & can fay that her Bridegrome is hcrs,and therefore by conse- 
 quent £he may boaft ofthecrfe6ts of this fellow fhip andfoc> 
 cty with him.Nôw t th.c.tempor i al gifts &We(îlngs, which god 
 beftoweth,Tp6n ; hi5,Church^re afmal thjngin comparifon of 
 the fpiritualtrcafurô^bich is prpper^nto her, although whô- 
 foeucrofFendçth the children of God.euen in thefe, they fhall 
 
 haue the wo*ft>thc Lorde himfclfehawng giuen this charge* 
 
 s — _- fmh 
 
VpohThë Thiki> Chaptiiû $47 
 
 ^?wèwfw/w/«?»^»/^Pûlm,î0 5.i5.SothatnofacrHcgious 
 pcrfon, ronotsmongihePaynimsand woifhirpcisci talfc 
 Gods had cuer his wickedncfie vnreucnged: and Acgyp t and 
 Babylon caricd not farrc the outrages they committed againft 
 the people of God. In a vvocrd, it is not without caufe that the 
 head fpeaking of his members cryedftdni hesucn ^fygty&tfi?, 
 why per fecnt eft thou me} Acip.4.Buchc<cre the matter conce?- 
 neth fpintuall blcfïîngcs,, and the proper and peculiar treafure 
 ofthc Church , namelie., the cnioyingof theBridegroome in 
 hisvvoord, andthegouernmentofhishoufc. Pharaowoulde 
 needesfeeketo binder the children ofJiraci from this- hlef- 
 fi'ng,firft fimplie.afterwarde by certaine conditions . Wee fee 
 what it coft him . The AfTyrians and Cha3da?ans , who ruined 
 the Temple,and deflroyed the Cittie/ared no better. So fped 
 the Kinges ofPcrf.awho hindered the buiking of the 7 em- 
 •ple. Contrariwife God blefted in carnalland wcorldly «hings 
 Alexanderthe great, who bare himfelfe otherwife , how am- 
 bitious aPaynim foeuerhe were. His fuccefiours the Kinges 
 both of Syria and of AEgypt, mare ferue vs for example 
 •hcerein both on the oneildeand cntheother;according as 
 fhcyfauoured with al peace and tranquillitie this mutual! re- 
 pofe of this Bridcgroeme and fpoufe , or otherwife endeuou- 
 ted to hinder it . Thofe two Romane Captayr.es \ Cra£ 
 •fus and Pompée , who were the firit which fpoyled the Tem- 
 ple of God (although it were then moit vilanouflie pol- 
 luted by the gardiens and keepers of it themfelues^ peri- 
 shed fo eiertfpktftiie and wretchedlic , that hce is blinde 
 vvho peffeiueth it-not . The third whoiwas Titus cfcâpcà no 
 Jbetter. And the Romane empire/when God had feruedhim- 
 felfewithittoreuenge'thevnthankfuineffcofhispeoplema- 
 lung warreagsinftfhis fpoufe,. neuerceafed tënceto becthe 
 executioner and hang-mart cif iifçrfe /V«til it Ml in peeces. 
 
 1 The beafl mowhki and fyfli&nètl *rpon this Empyrc, 
 againft which rrionfter wee areJfirilJiift rombate at-chisdaiej 
 wil faie as much againft vs, putting «her felfe in the- place 
 cf this fpoufe . hut vvee ha'u'e twerp orcrpptorie replies a- 
 8 Xx 2 sainft 
 
 o 
 
l^î The Fqvkth Seumow 
 
 gainft them. The one, that allhittories make contrarie proofe 
 heereof , ifwee iudge thereof not by the beginning of* 
 -falfe proiperity,bu: by tbeiifie and ende of hoafes and fa- 
 milies which hauc fauoured this bealt , on whom the horrible 
 iudgemene of god hath finally bin brought.The other,that by 
 the iuft permiih on of God the prince of this world mult keep 
 fomc promile with his leruant-es , whom he telleth eucry daic 
 flicwtng them the kingdomesof this world, Al theje vptl 1 give 
 joHifyoHVPilf4l(ioMrieandworfl}ipme:znà therefore they, contra- 
 rie to that which Chrift aunivvered him, M*ttb. 4.9. take him 
 at his w oord,and become his feruantes. But iuch a matter fai- 
 leth not in the end to pay fuch feruants their wages.And it we 
 haue but eies to fee the examples of our time which haue been 
 fhewed vpon the greateit of Chriftendomc both in the Eaft 3 
 Wcait , North , and South, wee fhall not neede to fcarch anic 
 auncientrecordes for this matter. Such is then this gallaunt 
 andholie confidence of the fpoufc tobraue her enemies, in 
 whofe perfonthe ApoHk fpeaking, wee fee how hee dealt 
 withElymas, tAcl . 13. 10. howehe defieth all creatures, 
 high, middle, lowe, ^*>7L,.8.37.howheebcarethdownce- 
 ueric high thing which prefumeth to make head agamft God, 
 2.Corbjth. 1 0.5 . And indecde what power is there of any mo- 
 narcke whatfoeucr which can vaunt of this promife : trhatfi- 
 cuer yon bind 0* earth fhdlbet botwawkeauen* Matth.o'.ia. Vn« 
 derlVand it not of one alone, no not of Saint Peter himfelfe, 
 but of the Church, CHitth. 18. 17. and 1 . Ctrhttb. 5.4.andof 
 the true Church , not exceeding the limites of her com» 
 million, and eiUbhfticd by him who is her garder and defen* 
 der. 
 
 3 Itfollowethinourtext, trhatuJbethatmo*»tetbvpoutof 
 the de fer t hke falmts of fmcke } Whereupon a man maie firit of 
 all demaund,what perfonagc is brought in in this plac^Somc 
 thinke that thefe are ihcDaughterjoflerttJaknu, vntowhorn 
 this charge wasgiuen: but there is no reafon of this. Jus 
 therefore the Bridcgroome which fpeaketh , difcourfmg and 
 talking with his fpoufc wirr Utothtr* Çhmbtr r ™ à ™& 
 
Vpon-Thb Third Chàptir. 34? 
 
 nifieng with her the graces andblcffings which himfelfe had 
 bcitowed on her. And chis very changing ofthc pcrion(namc- 
 ly thac he cumeth his fpcech io t as it he lpake to a Uiiro perlon 
 although hec fpake to herherfelfc) hath a marueilous grace. 
 Neither mult we take this tor a queition or demaund , as it the 
 Biidegroomc asked and enquired after one which hec knewe 
 noccbut we mult take it as a kinde of admiration, touching the 
 goodly comehnes and grace of this fpoulc.He compareth her 
 theretorc vnto a pillar which is high and fir cfght as were the palmes 
 $r dite ti eesofthat coaHtrie:a pillar ^(zyy of a vapour or fume mom* 
 ting count ermomt from*, the mount aines of the defert or xvilderneffe-, 
 which vapour hee alfofaithto proceed from hence, that the 
 fpoufe tifoperfumedwithalfirtes of excellent odors , that the fume 
 thereof mounteth,as I may fay vp vnto hcaucn , whereof wee 
 flul fpeake anon. Such thé is this côpariibn,which feemeth to 
 hauebecneboroAedfromthis,that a multitude marching to- 
 gether and comming from any place rcfembleth as it were a 
 clowde, as the Apoftlc fpeake th, Heb.i 2.1 . For how eucr this 
 fpoufe be brought in , fpeaking in this Canticle as it were one 
 perfon oncly , it hindereth not for all thac, but that the whole 
 company of the faithfull and belceuingbevnderftoodbyher 
 perfon, ioyned together notwithstanding inoncbodie, and 
 quickened by one and the fame fpnic , as it is defenbed vnto 
 Ys, e^ff.4.3 2. 
 
 4 And if hereupon any man demaund wherefore there is 
 here mentio made of she defert , I anfwere that it is in refpe& of 
 the firft beginning of this people,which before their lourney- 
 ing into the defert, was but one family, and began firft to be a 
 people in the wildernefle, where god ordained thé a maner of 
 policie and common- weale and gaue them a forme of a peo- 
 plcrneither are we to ftay our felues on this defert of Arabia, U 
 namely that of Sinay and Pharan. For to fpeak in a more gene* 
 rality ,the Church being chofen out of the midft of the world, 
 not onery in rcfpe& of that time , but from age to age, accor- 
 ding as fome die and others fucceedc them , ftiec was indeed 
 drawen, andisyeieucrydaydrawen out of the moft horrible 
 
 Xx 1 and 
 
55° ThiFovrth Sermon' 
 
 & hideous Jefirtsjhix câ be in nature :in confederation w -here* 
 of Jofua warneth the people to remember that Abraham him- 
 ieifc & Tharc were take & draw en out of the *ir/m of Idolatry, 
 /*>.24.2. which the head of cuery family in Jiraell was in ex- 
 preflc termes as it were to acknowledge and confeflc in doing 
 iealtie & homage by his firft-fruits r D**.2d.5 .7 his is it where- 
 unto alfo the lord had regard,when he iuihjhattxfieed of harts 
 offtone (which is the deiert in which he findeth ss)hervtigiuevs 
 an hartofflefh^zechr*, 6.26. that is to faytfafeft & tender mat- 
 ter, eafily to receiue that which his ff trite wrtteth therein^ according 
 vnto the tenor of the new couenant,/*r.3 1 .3 j.Efay.j-^.! ?. 
 
 5 The moft part ofvs who are in this place may and ought 
 to giue true tcftimony hereof.hauing beene by an infinit mer- 
 cy ofGod drawen forth ofthis horrible defert & dungeon of 
 Idolatry and fuperftition wherin our fathers & we were for fo 
 long a time plûged. But alas how many are there who are noc 
 afcendedoHt of the defert , hut are entred out of one defert into an 
 othcr?Not ; god be thanked,that this place where it hath pica- 
 fed God to gather vs together , is zdefert and wildernes in re- 
 fpecl: of the graces and bleflings which god hath here planted 
 & fowed, hauing ridde itof moft peftilent bufhes & woods by 
 moil painfull and diligent husband-men : but becaufc that the 
 defert out of which wee arc to afcend to bee comprifed in this 
 ipoufejs that in which we are born, & which we carry w-ithin 
 OUr felues,where euer we be or go,receiuing there 3 & there en- 
 tertaining that wicked ffiirir, of who it is faid, Maf.i 2.43 .that 
 hefeeketh after dry f laces & defert s. Let thofe thé w ho out oTthe 
 defert of fuperflition and Idolatry aie fallen into the dungeon 
 of impiety:& out of the defert of a wretched confeience w hich 
 vtterly frighted & amazed them whhfeare, into that horrible 
 gulfe of a rotten and fenfelrfte confeience: & out of i\\c defert 
 of riotous dilTolution intoanepit of xmkrable couetoufnefiei 
 in a v\ ord , who out "ofifotriflxicffc haue call themfelucs hcad-i 
 long into wickcdncs-.letthbfe, I fay, know that they haue no- 
 thing to doc with her of whom it is thus faide j hat fheafcendcth 
 
 etit of the defert. » 
 
 6 And 
 
V>om The Thir? C hapti-k. x$i 
 
 6 And therefore neither thefe goodly father Eremitcs,nor 
 thefe doiltcrcd Monks, nor thderabblesof religions wluch 
 peitcrâcrill euerie city, may help themlclues with this place. 
 For if we fpeaie of ancient krcmits /that is to fay, inhabitant» 
 of deferts) there is great difference betweene tncfe and thefe 
 \vhich are now. For lbme of them were conftrained by perler 
 cutions to feekc after woods & rockes, as did Elias & iiiizeus, 
 where they abode,as we fee by their paines & labors, nothing 
 kite then idle, or fpending their time in dreaming and doting 
 contemplation.Others withdrew themlclues afide for a time, 
 for quiet-fake, the better to prepare themfelues to al good ex- 
 erciies of ftudie , and ofpraicrs, andof fcr.uing the Churches 
 whereunto they fhould be called . And yet w e mull confeile 
 that many euen among thefe , keeping no meanc or meafure, 
 neither in their folitude, nor in their auiterity of life , did both 
 themfelues and the Churches great wrong. But wherein doe 
 thefe finks of Sodom andof Gomorrha. reiemble this defert? 
 Thefe plaunches and Ities otfupcrftitionand impietie? Thefe 
 narbo'urs and lurking-holes of all curfed idleneile , the ftinck- 
 ing vapours whereof ïakéx both the heauenand the earth? 
 But what mean we to fpeake here ofthe deferts of thefe holy 
 fathersrLet aman butlopkç vpon their Itceples, their towers, 
 their cloifjers/, their oratories and dormitories, their garden- 
 ploçs and orchards, and efpecially of thefe ofthe latter ere wj 
 thefe who fpoile ai men befidesofthe name of/^///,which is 
 as much to.iay,as Chrïftums y tG appropriate the title thereof vn- 
 to themfelues, and whaj royal paUace (liai a inan.find compa- 
 rable vnto their deferts? What man is there w ho by his honeft 
 paine and trauell for the benefit of this Church and common 
 weale., in what vocation of his foeucr, hath gotten in all his 
 life the hundreth part of that which thefe honeft vowersof 
 pouerty haue raked and yet rake together euery day,by doin<* 
 all things as they fay Gratù^nà for Gods fake? 
 . 7 But leaue we thefe foule-flears & foulc-robbers in their, 
 dennes & deferts,& let vs pray vnto God to keep al paffengers 
 fio the ; & come we ynto this ipoufe vthkh mQunutk vp out ofthe 
 
 defer* 
 
3jî The Fov&thSermom 
 
 aefert He vnto afa/rr.c or date^trce, in fuch iort, that flic make th 
 httfelfe to be ken & appeartth abcue al the trees c] the dejert. 
 Such a one was Ichn baptift, dtawingall the inhabitants of 
 the cittics, yea of lcruiak m it it lie alter him . And this is the 
 nature ofthepalm,th emote it is prt fled down, the (iraighter 
 and violenter itrileth and iwaicth vpuard, /y<i.p2. 1 3. «ticnfo 
 doth the vertue of the Lord dtclatt it kite more anc more to- 
 w ardes his church,thcn w hen fl.e is in mcii wcake and feet le 
 efiate,2.£er.i 2.0 .yea lo farrc as that fhee bt cemmeth able to 
 izy i lcAndoeaUthngesmhimrfhichjcrttfetknie t V\n\.^.i 3. For 
 whether doth not this true fpcufe raile herfeikbythe vertue 
 and ftrength of her hnàçgtcctncïHerccnkerfatiùn is mheauen^ 
 V hil . 3 . 6 [bee is stir ef die Jeat'ed m hewenlj fact /, t p h c i . 2 . 6 ./bee ù 
 drcadtc transported into the htngdeme of the v-clbe letted fonte her 
 'Bridegrocmc, Cololl.i.ig.Agieat miracle of God intrueth,as 
 the Apoftle fpeakcth, £^.15.3 2. and therefore is the Bride* 
 groome brought in here himielte wondering at the excellen- 
 cy of his own noorkeman/htp as the Apoftle calleth this fpoufe, 
 1.CV.3.0. 
 
 8 And to the end we fliculd knowc that this excellency of 
 hers is teftified & declared by moll certaine crTccts,he addeth 
 that this fpoufe is perfntxed with at fortes of excellent perft.mcsjc* 
 fitch At caft fort h aclowdeofmofifwcet odours. Now we know that 
 both the out w arde heat of the funne , as alio tha t inw ard heat 
 which is m the earth, to temper together with moiflure the 
 fecdesofwhatlbcucr the earth bringcth forth and produceth, 
 is it which drav\ eth vp thefe vapors, to be made more fubtile, 
 and diftillcd as it were in a limbecke , and finally to ferue hu 
 ikede of leauen vnto the c It ment ol the carth,as that moft ex- 
 cellent naturallPhiJofopher painteth forth the fame vnto vs, 
 PfàL6$. Which thing may feruevs fora mottliuely&txprerTe 
 fimilitudc and refemblance of this, which the fpirit of God or- 
 dereth, prcpareth & doth in the vnderftanding & heart of the 
 ele& in our time,to caufe it there to budde, & finallic to bring 
 foorth fruités oftrue knowledge, which are, ghtwg of thankes, 
 praters jtnd works of chérit te which afcendip etten to God, A#. 1 0.4, 
 
 Apoc. 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter. ■$$$ 
 
 Apoc. 5 . 8.and 8. 3 . Phi .4. i S. Fuft therefore ids through the 
 grace ok the holy gholt , ihat the matter of tbtjc perfumes is gi- 
 uen v$ , becing a thing which waxcth not in our garden. Se- 
 condly it is by the lame venue that they are kindled and cau- 
 i'cd to fume . Thirdly as the fume and fmokc of the fattc of the 
 bcaltes which w ere iacrifked, which could not bee of it fclfc 
 but (tinking,was made to be of a molt fwect odor, by the pre- 
 cious perfume which was made vpon the golden altar : fo the 
 belt motions,and the moft excellent actions which can part & 
 proceed fro vs,how fanCtified 10 cuer we be by the holy ghotf 
 in this life,being coniîdered according vnto their valew'jthere 
 is found nothing in trhem which is ought worth, or which de- 
 icrueth any bkliing whatfoeuer,& yet they leaue not to be li- 
 king & acceptable vnto the Lorde , & are finally crowned by 
 him with a crow ne ofGlorie,in as much as it pleafcth God to 
 conlîder ofvs& our adt ions vnto which bee hath fafhioned & 
 prepared vs/iot in vs but in him, in whom alone he accepteth 
 ot\s:Epb 1 .9. whohathgwtn himfelfcforvs mobUtion(wd(acYiflcjS 
 vnto God an odour of/tfreetejmeily Ep h . 5; . 2 . 
 
 9 The fpoufc hereupon infteed of ftanding on thofepraifes 
 which are attributed vnto her, defcribeth vnto vs the eltatc & 
 cfFc&s of him in the goqernmentofhis, fir(t vndcr the fimili- 
 tude of a ^d^aftcrward of a overturning her fpeech \nw the 
 daughters of 1er h falcnu as it is fet dow ne ifi the iaft verfe of this 
 chapter,that is to fay, vnto the nation w bich God had c hofeft 
 to haue a part in his^oucnant^who had yet good neede to bee 
 fetter inftrufted in the knowled^geofthetructh^middell the 
 sorruptions/rom which the church is neuerlofreed,but there 
 hath bcene ftil fome defeat or other on the bchalre of many/as 
 the hiftories & writings of the Prophets doe tcftifie & declare 
 the famc;berides,that how euer itbe,tobc a true méberofthe 
 f hurçh itfuffiçeth not whena ma iscprrte vnto age,to be born 
 in thechurch > but he m u ft be jnftruâed & there Jearn & giuc 
 Jiimfejfwholy to the do&rin oftiutjv which is : there preached. 
 
 1 o The fpoufc therefore fpeaking vntothefe,propofeth vn- 
 to themf^rftan allegorical description ofthe magoiiicên* bed 
 
 Yy \ or 
 
5J4 The Fovrth Sermon 
 
 ofthisking,which is as it were the Bride-bed prepared for this 
 king and this queene which here fpeaketh . By this ^there- 
 fore wc wil vnderitand generally & firft. of al the whole coun- 
 trie of Chanaan where it then pleated God to make as it were 
 his refidence and abode, hauing as it were abandoned and gi- 
 ucn ouer the reft of the woorlde fora time vnto perdition 
 & deftru&ion,v4c?.i 4.1 <5.and particularly wc wil here vndcr- 
 Jland,the tcmple,the city of Icrufalem, the fynagogues, cities 
 & townes ot the whole territorie & country , yea euery one of 
 the faithful,in afaiuch m theLorddwellethtn them by huffiriticm 
 the other fide,by Salomon is meant,not oncly this name,which 
 is as much to (ay as peaccable,but alfo the promife made vnto 
 Dauid of this fou an eternall f uccefïbur,couchcd in fuch terms 
 that it comprehendcth all in one, both the figure which is this 
 fonnc of Dauid : as alfo the rructh and reality figured by him, 
 which is Iefus Chrift,2.S*m.7.i 3.8c \.£hron.i 7.1 2 . Salomon 
 therefore in this place reprefenteth vnto vs this Bridegroome, 
 the true and only peace-maker between god & his beloued as 
 he is cxprefly called the prince of peace t Efa.0.6. & his bcdn thrs 
 day is the whole vniuerfai world wherefoeuerhe isknovven & 
 acknowlegedoftheeled gathered out of the four corners of 
 world,as the fame was declared vnto S. Pet-.by that fleet which 
 defcendedfrom heanen and veas tied at the four e ends, A 6r. i o. 1 1 . 
 
 1 1 The fpoufc after this , to fhewe vs that it is there and no 
 where t\[^ that wc mutt fecke after and find the true repofe 6c 
 rc#,as it is declared vnto vs, Matth.i 1 .2p. & that there is no- 
 thing more fafe & aiTured then this reft , addeth that this bed» 
 environed & compajfedwith 60. valiant men oflfraeboHdwho be fides 
 thctr proves and courage hunt alfo experience , to hinder that nothing 
 fol out by night, rvhkh may hinder the fruité of this reft . Now th at 
 which we try & experience cucric dayfliewethvs,howenot 
 only profitable,but altogether ncceflâry this doctrine is . Fo* 
 what is one of the cnicfcànd principall caufes ©fthis , that fo 
 few men giue thcmfclues vnto this reft, ancf that fo few conti- 
 nue in it?Is it not becaufe that this ^fecmeth to be but forily 
 gardcd^aad badly dcfcricjcdifc therefore they fcarc icaft they 
 - Krr 9 ' 7Y - fbould 
 
VPON Thï TftX&D CHAfTEÎli $$$ 
 
 fliould be cafily furprciïed & hauc their throates Cut.But iec vs 
 know that thefc carnall caitiucs,doe as the foolifh birdes doc 3 
 who to i'oon as they ice the cat, indeed of keeping thcmfclucs 
 on their pcarch , throw théfclues into the talants of the cnimy. 
 For bee that goethfoorth ofthe Church, caitcthhimfclfcvn- 
 doubtediy into the pawes ofthe rauening lion, 1. Pet. 5.$. The 
 faulc therefore hereof proceedeth frô hence, that men bailing 
 no other eies then thole of their head, & not thofc offaich.be- 
 leeue only that which they fee,& perfwacc thcmfclucs of that 
 which cannot be fecnc,but by the cics ofthe ipinte which fee 
 that which is inuihble,/fr/\i i.ijMdEphef.n H.cxceptitbc 
 when God beltowcthfome fpcciallpriuilcge vponfome, as 
 he did on Iacob, Ge/t.^ 2.2. and on the feruant ofthe Prophet, 
 2 . Ktng.6. 1 7-But what faith the Lord? Thomas, becatife then hafi 
 fecKcjhou haft beleeueà: but l/cjjed are the) v>ho haue not feene , ar.d 
 yet haie bdeeued.lQÙx.io.iç. In the mcanc while we do al con* 
 feflc that God alone is almightie, yea that none hath any 
 power bucofhun, ashimfclfe laid vnto Pilate, loh.x 9.1 i.Buc 
 why doe \ac not ad, that it is in his Church that hce truely dif- 
 plaieth and ftieweth forth indecde and moft mightily this 
 power of his ? Becaufe there are very few which haue learned 
 throughly to bcleeue that God is almighty, a friende and pre- 
 ferucr of fuch as bee his , and that it cannot be that the Bride- 
 grome fufftr anyone of them to periili, whom the father hath 
 %mcn him, f oh. $.9. 
 
 ï 2 Now touching this rrûberofô'a.we arc not fcrupuloufly 
 *o ttand vpon it,albcit that they who haue written of numbers* 
 obferuc in this nûber a fpecial perfection, for which caufe the 
 Aftrologers did efpccially chufe it for the eafîer & readier cal- 
 culating their degrees & minutes: feeing a man may find in it 
 without any fraction or broken nnber a moity or terife, w hic h 
 is thirty, a third which is twenty, : a fourth which Is fifteene. a 
 fifth whichistwelue, afixrh which is ten: all which numbers 
 are found quoted in that matcriall Temple built by Salomon, 
 except the fifth which is the number of twelue. Befides this 
 jfwecrecken iaparcicular, althcCanoDicallboakcs afwelft 
 I Yy z of 
 
3$£ The FovRTH Sf.<rm0n 
 
 of the olJc as of the newe tc(rarnenc,excluding the two latter 
 tpiitics attributed viuoS. Iohn, which are indeed as it were 
 pnuate lettcrs,\\ e fhal find they make îuitiy the number of 6o. 
 & thofc are in truth as ic \\ctc y the true garde f this trtte Salomon •, 
 as dull be told you anon. Buttotake this more Amply, itis 
 likely chat this was the ordinary number of the garde who 
 watched by night,& were the nearelt about the bedoj Salomon* 
 13 But what arc thefe of the gard. ? They are firitofallr^* 
 ^Angels which fttch their campe about althojevphofeare God, I'fal. 
 5 4.8.Afccr them are all the creatures which it pleafeth him to 
 vie for the defence of his againlt their enimics,as we fee in the 
 ftoric of Pharao,that the frogges, the flies, and the lice , main- 
 tained the quarel of this fpoufc, and (taicd the rage of that ty- 
 rant. And how often did the Philiftines themfelues relcue as it 
 were and defend Datiid from the force ofSaul? But efpecially 
 becaufe our chiefdt enemies, are not flejbtandbfoode, zs the A* 
 poftle fpèaketh, Ephef.6.1 2. that is to fay vifiblc enemies , but 
 that great lion which fecketh to deuoure vs, 1 . TVr .5. 8.and fo 
 many wicked and damnable afFe&ions,which arc bredde and 
 borne with vs: and became we are to fight euery hourc and e* 
 Weric moment by the vewueof the fpiritofGod,to come vnto 
 this etcraallreft which is heerc represented vsby th'isJxéMr, 
 which we yet poflefTe notbut by hope: therefore it is againit 
 thefe cfpcciallie that wee are to bee aflifted and aided with 
 our (pirituall & inuinciblc armour & weapons . Who are then 
 thefe threefcarefiptfàars^vn this refpec-V They are truely thefe 
 couragious and valiaumi rotters and olde fouldiers* renow- 
 med for their infinite victories againft Satan and bisangels, 
 bailing all of them his fwordc vponhis thighe, nayalreadie 
 drawen in his handc , to ftuftrate and brcake whatfoeuer 
 the enemies of ourfaiuatiob canenterprifeor take inhande. 
 Such were Abraham ; Ifaack^ and Iacbb y and fo manie leg w 
 ons of brauc andYaliauntfouldicrs^iwhofë vahaunt a&s are 
 regiftred and recited, Heb. 1 i.Such were thole fo many faith- 
 ful and trultîe Captaracs^ whom neither Satan, nor any coun- 
 tcjfcat /he wc of falfc wifcdoflic ^hatfocuer, nor any wilcsy 
 
 no3f 
 
VponThe Third Chapter. $jj 
 
 nor any cruelty of all che woorldc could witbftarrd or hinder 
 from erecting and letting vp cheir trophées and lignes of vi- 
 e-tory throughout the world: and building this holy Citty the 
 foundation v\ hereof they hauelaui prepared by the Prophets 
 I.CV.3 .lo.Ephef.z. 20. But Lome man wil lay : thefearc dead 
 a great while lïncc, and ho we then fhall they be able to de- 
 fend vs at this day ? Exceeding well and molt afliiredlie , not 
 by their mérites (foras a good auncient father , and he a veric 
 learned B Jhop of Rome hath very well laide , The Satnts gauc 
 notant recetned ermines of rtght eon j»es)nox by their intercédions 
 in heauen . For wee ha ne there one onely mediator both of redemption 
 And ofmtercefsionphtch is our Lord I ejus Chrtjf, 1 . Tim . 2 . 5 . He b« 
 1.25.1. Ioh.2.i.Andalthefc mérites and prayers whereotthe 
 fàlfe Pallors make themfelucs trcafurcrs , and difpenfers of 
 them for ready mony, are nothing elfe but fo manic buyinges. 
 and fellings of foulcsia merchandize molt abominable before 
 the Lord. But behold how thefc valiauntcaptaines arc yet at 
 this daic our defcndcrs.Firft by their examples,^»!. 1 5.4.//^. 
 1 2. 1 . And therefore one among them and he of the moft vali- 
 antli and trurtic fouldiours was bold to iaie , Bee yee followers of 
 me as 1 am of U {tu (hrtfl, \ .Cor .1 1.1. Secondly and principally 
 Vve vrtdcrftand by thefethreefcoremenofgard , thofe whofc mi- 
 niftery God hath vfed for the building of that arfenai and ar-» 
 tillery houfc from whence we are totake al thofe our fpiritual 
 ■weapons with which the Apoftle armcthhis fpirituallritter, 
 Ephef.6.1 3 .1 mcaoe thcholy fcripturesvttered to the penne o£ 
 the Prophets by the holy Ghoft,2. 7?M.2i.andyet in more 
 greater abourtdaoce and with greater efficacy dcliucred vnto 
 the ApoltJes,in whofe writinges arc to be found al thefc wea- 
 pons let in order and prepared for cuery one that wil vfe thé, 
 taking them & learning the vfe of them,from the hands ofthe 
 true Paftors and difpenfets of them . Yee fee what thefegard 
 arc, yea fee what thefc weapons arc , with which whofoeucr 
 armethand aidcth himfelfc cannot chufebut fee Satan, the 
 world,thc flefb, and finne caft downc and trampled vnder his 
 fectc. 
 
 Yy 3 14 But 
 
je8 Thb Fovrth Sermoh 
 
 14 But abcuc al let vsfcekc afterour flrength andforee 
 where it is, to wit, in that great £*A?^»,or\\ horn all the reit is 
 butaninitrumcnt: who beemgeome, andhauing made the 
 combate, and var.quifhed all his enimics by bis iuffcringes in 
 reipect or the aflauk which wasgiuenhim, inasmuch ashec 
 cntred the con. bate for vs:anc maliring in vs from daie to day 
 by his holy fpiritc thefefame enemies v\hichare fhllitirring 
 within vs, w hat haue wee longer to feare, to bee therewith af- 
 frighted? Where is then our Itrong hold, w hither w ec are at al 
 times to flic and retire ourfeluesr Venlvin the (length ofthc 
 Bridcgroomc,ofwhom Dauid lpeaking. hthethatte J trv.fted % 
 faith hc t IJba/»euer be confoîiât i^Plal.3 1 . And in another place, 
 ivFiilnotjcdre though thottfetndes ofcKerr.ies bee camped agar* ft n:ee y 
 Pfal.^.y.And in another place, 7 he Eternal ts my hghi &*q/fik 
 nation ,of whom fhzl I be nfraid 3 V\2\. 27.1 . Th ; s is he then w inch is 
 theftrong and mighty one, on whole lîdc wet muitkecpc vs. 
 Foreuenïhofe who die in this combat arc of all others the 
 moft victorious. Now it maie pleafe the Lorde who hath dra- 
 wen vsoutofdarcknefie intoihis li^ht of his truth, and hath 
 placed and preferued vs moii miraculoufly hitherunto in this 
 holy reft and peace of conference, waiting for the full accom- 
 pliinment of his promifes, to fettle and engrate in our mindes 
 this holie aflurance of his mighty power in good will towards" 
 vs, that we becneueraitonied by thcafiaultes ofSatan,andof 
 fuch his adhérentes asheeemploiethand vlith again(tvs;buc 
 that contrariwife we perfcuere and continue in this holy pro* 
 rcflion of his trutb,as wel by mouth, as alio by an holy & chri- 
 ftian life , vnttll wee come vnto the real enioying ot all that, 
 which he hath made vs to beleeuc and hope for , according to 
 his mort holy and moitaiTured promifes: conformably vnto 
 which doctrine acknowledging our ouer great negligence 
 hitherunto and lazinefle in our duty, w ith other infinite faults 
 and offences of ours, we wil craue mercy at his hands , faying. 
 &4lmghtj God,<j*c 
 
 . 
 
VponThe Third Chapter 359 
 
 The xxvii Sermon. 
 
 Our help be in the name ofGod &c. 
 /if ù written su fblloweth in the third Chapter of the Canticle ef 
 Canttcles , the 9 .and 1 o.verfes, 
 
 9 King Salomon made himfelfeaCochof 
 the wood ofLibanon. 
 
 1 o Hee made the piliers thereof of filuer, 
 and the bottome of goolde, and the coucring 
 of purple, and the in-fide was adorned with 
 the dile&ions of the Daughters of Ierufa- 
 lem. 
 
 ] The Coch which is here adioined vn • 6 The Cedar wherewith this Coch k 
 to Salomons bedftgmpeth vnto vs, hove built reprefenteth the fur e continuance 
 the Church hath neuer had anie place of thereof againH at the ftormts and tem- 
 tertaine refîdencie and abonde on earth, pefies vfthe world, 
 there to be tied without exception, 7 The "Prophets and jipoflles are the 
 
 ft The Kinghimfelfe hath built this piliers of filucf of this Coch maintained 
 Qoch afwel vnder the olde at the new c «- andpreferued by the faithfull Doclors 
 tsenant by thofe chofen woorhjnen of his y and Valors their fucceffors> and in what 
 without being euer law full for men to ad fenfe this woord «/foundation is attr't- 
 there tOyOr chaunge anie thing , or elfc to butta vnto them, 
 t*k$ awaie anie thing in re/peèl of the 8 Iefus Chrifi is the bottom of gold 
 bodie of this Qoch, which is the docTrine, cf. this Coch , bearing vp and fujiaining 
 
 3 ^either in reft eft of the charges the piliers themfelues. 
 
 thereunto belonging , neither in regarde 9 The couering of purple of this 
 
 pftf)i manner of guiding and conducing Cochjs the heauenlie power of God , win 
 
 it, couereth it and défende th it from aboue, 
 
 4 *4 more ample declarationjhat God 10 A reprehenfion of them who ham 
 never gaue ouer the vniuerfall gouernf their recourfi to any thing be fides. 
 went of this Qoch to anie one certaine II The tefiimonies of Gods loue and 
 f lace.no not to Ierufalem itfclfe witUut dileftion contained in the [acred hifto- 
 exception, y m are the ornamentes and picture- to* 
 1 The tyrannie ofthefalft Qhmtch of hies oftht ht-fdt of this Çtch on tuerie 
 Mfimeeticr d Qhrifftndme* M. 
 
%6o The Fifth Sermon 
 
 F the bed of die Bridegroom e we hauc 
 already fpoken , nowe there isheerc 
 made a molt magnificent dekription 
 of his Coch y according vnto the whole 
 Cl l§Ur;/fU H frame and building theieof: whereas 
 ^SAS^I^siJ^ concerning thebed there is no fpeech 
 but in generall , znàofthegard about it. 
 The reafon thereof is, becaufc that to 
 fay the truth that repofe &reft which 
 is figured vnto vs by that bed y in which the firidegroon.e doth 
 yet ftay for & expect his fpoufe,there to reft with him for euer 
 in perpetual blilTe &fclicky > i Theff.^ 1 7.1$ yet vnknow en vn- 
 to YS,naic is incomprehenllble , hauing receiued nothing yet 
 but the pledges thereof: but the Cock reprefenting vnto vs the 
 holy miniftery of the word of truth and oflife,ought to be per- 
 fectly knowen vnto vs, that it may bee fet vp and vfed among 
 vs. Moreouer in that the Coch is added vnto the ^,ic fliew cth 
 vs,if we confîdcr ofthe ancient couenant,that the bridegrome 
 had in fuch fort erected and fet vp his bedin that Temple , and 
 the feat ofhis kingdomc in Ierufalem, where he faid he made 
 his dwelling place, Pfal. 1 3 2. 1 3 . 1 4-that notw ichftanding hec 
 wouldc make , as it were, his progreflc throughout the whole 
 country, for w r hich caufc not onely the Citties ofthe Ptieftes, 
 but the families alfo ofthe Leuites, were difperfed heere at d 
 there throughout the whole country ,as the facred hiliory fhe- 
 weth vs. But it was indeed efpecially vnder the new couenant 
 ratified by the comming ofthe Bridegroome,thathe indeed 
 walked and made his progreffe rflrft in perfon throughout the 
 whole countrie,ceafing neither daic nor nieht,preacbing vn- 
 to the woorld the ioyful tidinges ofthe perfourmancc and ac- 
 çompiiiliment ofthe promifes, tAtt. 1 o. a 8.and the true yeare 
 of Iubilee to be put in the polTeflion of our true heritage, Efa^ 
 61. and fending after his afcending aboue the heauens his A- 
 pottles, andafterthem Pallors andDbSors JSr tke giàkt\m& 
 togitber of hi* clettfrom all the foure corners ofthe rcwldfi. ph .4. 1 1 . 
 But this miniftery being ir>fuch fort polluted by lide and lirlc 
 
 for 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter. jtfi 
 
 for many hundreds of yeares, that in the end this Çoch of the 
 Bridegromc was made the throne of the whore which iltteth 
 vpon the feucn hils,thc Bridegroome hath in our time after (6 
 long an interruption rcftorcd it againe& hau.ing harnifhedit 
 anew & ioyncd his horfes vnto it , hath trauerfed a great part 
 of the world in it,to enlighten the eies ofthe blind, as the Po- 
 ets fainethat theiunne guiding his chariot from Eaft to weft 
 giucth his fhining light vnto the worlde. Such is then this 
 Coch, the defcription whereof, we are more nearly,and more 
 particularly to confiderof. 
 
 2 Firft therefore it is faid that Salomon himfclfe piade bint~ 
 felfethis Coche, to teach vs, that whether v\ ee confider the do- 
 ctrine of truth, for the publifhing & making knowenw hereof 
 this Coche was made: or whether we regarde the whole furni- 
 ture and direction thereof, it is he that muft fet downe the or- 
 tJer,and as I may fay the Carpentcrmip : he mud pinnc it and 
 fit it throughout , and he mult after teach the Cochemen the 
 manner and order how he will haue it ruled and gouemed. 
 Wherein there is a double fault cômitted. The firlt is in them, 
 who will build & frame this Coche after their owne fancie and 
 appetite,keeping themfelues no farther then liketh them vn- 
 to the ordinaunccs and prefcriptions ofthe bridegromc : the 
 otherisinthem,whoconfefTe indeede thatasfor the manner 
 and fafhionofthisCWfoingenerall considered, there mull be 
 nothing but that which is correfpondent vnto the pattern^ 
 which the bridegrome himfclfe hath left vs,not in chalk one- 
 ly, butin liuely picture and pourtraite in hishoJy fcriptures. 
 But for the direction of this Coche 9 (on\t are of opinion that 
 they mult roll owe the ancient cuftomes ofthe fathers , taking 
 away onlie fuch abufes as afterwardes came in: others thinkc 
 thatbecaufe ofthe contrarictie of circumftances of places, 
 times , and perfonsvGod hath içfa it in the power and libertie 
 oftheChurcheisrtoappoijK andordaine the whole ordering* 
 according as they iudgeit to be expedient ; pipuided alv\ aies 
 they tend vnto the right end and-marke they ought. And the 
 groundc of all this is that God doth it as it were by himfclfe 
 
 Zz, which 
 
3^i The Fifth Sermoh 
 
 which he doth by the minjfterie of them whom he fettetha 
 W orke in his name, w hether they be Payors, or chridian Ma- 
 giftrates. 1 allow well oî'chis ground , for ocherwife what fhali 
 be faide of the auncient Church which w ent before the com- 
 mingoftheEridegromeinperfon, and of the Church, which 
 followed the afcenhon of the Lord into heauen, & which fhai 
 continue vntohis fécond comming in perfonf And he that 
 would gainfay,& contradict this,fhould find himfeifeccnuin- 
 cedby thewholelcripture:butI deny the côfequéces which 
 are drawen from hence. Nowtoaunfvvcr diftinctlyof both 
 thcfepoints,Imeane,that of doCtrine,and afterward that con- 
 cerning the gouernement of the Church : I fay touching the 
 firlt,that being a thing molt notorious that fiefh andbloud , Mar. 
 16.17. (that is to fay, the fpirite of man luch as it commeth 
 into this world, as the Apotile fpeaketh, 1 . Cor, 2. 4.J cannot rc- 
 ua/le or comprehend that which ts the onely and true four, dation of the 
 dtftr we of (aluat ton 3 that is to fay, ofthat which is neceffanly, & 
 abfolutely neccffaiie vntothe faluation of all luch as arc of 
 yeares of difcretion, as the Çreede of tAthanaftu doth witnes, 
 and the articles alfo of our Creede called the Affiles Creede, be- 
 caufeitisthe fummarie abridgement of the whole doétrinc 
 taught by the Apoftlestit followetb that we mull draw all this 
 truth from the'mouth of the Lordhimfelf,whohauing fpokea 
 vntothe fathers in a certain meafurc,/y^.i.i. hath finally de- 
 clared vnto the whole world w hatfoeuer is requifîte vnto our 
 faluatiô, Ioh % \ 5.1 5-Firft by the preaching of his Apottles,who 
 •were mofl faithfully & perfectly taught , yea extraordinarily, 
 & w ho haue with like faithfulnes executed their charge, not 
 cneîyinfpeakirig-, but alio in writing., infuch fortthatitisa 
 mere phrenfy to imagin that they haue omitted to preach by 
 mouth, ortofet down in writing anyone point cfthedo&rin 
 offaluation.Our aduerfaries reply at this day hereupon & fay, 
 that though happily the Apotfles haue taught al, yet haue 
 they not written all. But when we demaund them what the 
 pointes then arc of doctrine which they haue omitted in their 
 W ritings, they ftick faft as a man would &y in the glue-pot.For 
 
 _~ ~" " cithejr 
 
Vpon The Third C hapteiu 563 
 
 either nothing of that which they alleagc appertained vnto 
 do&rin & the articles offaith.or els it is fuch as maybe proued 
 to haue been forged by this man or by that man,being a thing 
 eafie to quote theinuenters thereof 6c the beginning: or els ic 
 flialbc found to agree no better with the articles of our faith 
 which are the extract of the whole cflentiall doctrine of the 
 Apo(ties,thcn light with darknes, falfhood with truth J know 
 they are too wile to confciïe thus much. But befides that 
 thefe thinges haue becnefo often difputed and clearly pro- 
 wed, that we may fay with faint Taut, 2. CV.4. 9 . that tfthey be 
 abfcure ana hidden, it is vnto them who will not heare themjpoken of s 
 or whofc eies the prince of this worlde hath blinded: we haue alvvaics 
 offered and doe (till offer to flie we and proue them to the cic 
 before a true andChriftian councell. 
 
 3 I fay the fame touching the whole ettate of the houfe of the 
 bridegrome,namely,that by thefe fame Apoftles he hath fully 
 fet vp & appointed both the vocations 6c charges thereto be- 
 k>nging,as alio the excrcife of them in that which concerneth 
 the fubftauncc of the gouernement of his family : in fuch fore 
 that it is more lawfull to change , diminifh , or ad any thing in 
 thefe vocations then in the doétrine,the application & execu- 
 tion onely of the faide charges and vocations,bcing onely left 
 free,according vnto the circumftaunce of places,timcs & per- 
 fons,which canot be ordered alwaies after one fafhiô^becaufe 
 of the neceflary diucrflty of them. So did Mofes order himfelf 
 tsafaithfftU/erffantinthehofffeofGodj hauing done nothing buc 
 according to the pat terne which he hadfeene in the mount , H t b. 3 . 2 • 
 &8.5 # In which afterward nothing was chaunged or taken a- 
 way by the true Prophets,but when it pleafed god to erect his 
 teple, & to fct vp the whole building & ordering of the cede- 
 fiaiticall charges thereof: which was ordained by the Lord by 
 the mouth ofDauid & effected by Salomon , & yet this cftate 
 was not to endure, but vntill the coming of the Lord &mafter 
 êfthe houfe, Heb. 5 ,6. who afterward by his holy fpirit leddchls 
 Jipoftles ini at truth, Ioh . \ 6. 'J .who Withheld £r hid nothing thereof \ 
 fat haue declared and opened all the counfell of Cod , A6t .20. 27. 
 
 Zz 2 yea 
 
}&f T"B Vitrn Sermon 
 
 yea Jefc in writing tocomincw vnto the end and confumma- 
 tion of the world. Whereupon it followcth,that that which is 
 cu(tomarily,and commonly alleadgcd, to wit, that the mafter 
 holdeth it tor done , which is done by his workemen , cannoc 
 haue any place in this matterj mcane,neither in the doclrine, 
 norinthegencrail, and fundamental! eitate of the houie of 
 God, to attribute thereby vnto the fucceffors of the Apofties, 
 any power and au&horitie, of chaunging, adding vnto, or di- 
 minishing any thing,either in the one,or in the other.The rea* 
 Ton is,becaufe the Apoltlcs haue left nothing to be fetvp by 
 their fucceiTours , but haue themfelues taught and eftabliflied 
 all things,hauing left nothing to the Pallors, Doctors, Elders, 
 Deacons, buttogouernethem-felucs, and their flockes, ac- 
 cording vnto this rule and foundation, i.Cor.3.1 1. without 
 adding to any new thing, or clipping therefrom, or changing 
 oughtjthe Coche t God be thanked,of this bridegrome being of 
 an other building then is faint "Peters Church at %ome,2L true fi- 
 gure of falfe religion , in which there is alwaies fomc thing to 
 be amended, added, or chaunged. And therefore they who 
 began firlt not to content themfelues with fuch ordinaunces, 
 as were truely Apoftolicall ^witnelTed by their writings, what 
 end thereof lb euer they had, and what occafionfoeuer they 
 prctcndedjOpened the gap to all that confufion & defolation, 
 whereunto the Church of God was by little & little moft piti- 
 fully brought.So thé to cocludc this point,it is the bridegrome 
 himfclf, & our only & true Salomon,who hath diuifed & built 
 this Cochby his trufty & faithful Cochwrights, & Carpenters. 
 4 But why is this houfe whkh is fo ftrong and ftable,that it 
 preuaileth againft hel-gates it felfe, OWath.i 6.1 8. compared 
 here vnto a Cocke which is made to go fro place to place? We 
 haue already yeelded the reafon therof,to which ye (hall addc 
 this which I will farther tell you. It is to ftiewe vs how fhame* 
 fully and wittingly they abufe them-felues, who drcame that 
 God hath tied his truth vnto one fole place,or See,which men 
 in our time haue perfwaded thëfclues tobe the See of^Rome: 
 
 in Co much that fomc are become fo blockifh blind as to think 
 
 ^^ 
 
Vpoh The Thîk» C ha*ti*. 3<*y 
 
 that the CathoUcke & ApoftoUcke Churchy the Remove Church u 
 all one, adding this word vnto the Apolties & Niccne Creed: a 
 thing as improper & abfurd,what reply foeuer be made to the 
 côcrarie, as if a mâfhould fay, that the head of a ma, era ma were 
 */ ^.though we fhould grant thé that the See of Rome, fuch 
 as it is at this day, were not only the true Church ,but which is 
 more,thc head of al particular Churches.Let vs therefore note 
 that this true Coche is there found , where this Bridegroomc is^ 
 purely preached,both in refpedt of his perfon,and in regard of 
 his office: without matching him or ouer-matching him with 
 a companion either fupcrior^f^^w^r^ thevtrgine Mary 
 to command her fomc: 01 collaterals they doe who cal the fame vir- 
 gtne their aide andthetr hope : or elfe inf eriour , a* they doe who call 
 vpon the Saintes abfent y or vpon the deade. But fomc man w ill fay, 
 Is there then no certaine vif lie place, on which the Chrtflians ought to 
 depend & ft aj themfelues, to fay, we muftbeleeue and do that which is 
 taught and commaunded in fitch a placeHc fus Chrift beeing asked 
 the fame que(tion,anfwereth not,that it is Rome,,or any other 
 place . But, faith he , where the dead body is y there the eagles gather 
 themfelues together , Luk. 1 7. 3 7. And what is this dead body? 
 It is faith Saint Paul,/<f/w Chnft y & he crucified,bejtdes which 1 wtl 
 itnowe nothing , vnderftanding by the name oîQjrift the perfon, 
 and by ihe word ok 'crucified, all that which he hath doone for 
 vs, eucn vnto that laft cry of his which fhaked both the hea- 
 uen and the earth, faying , All is fini/hed . And thus much tou- 
 ching the Doctrine. As for the outward feruice, himfelfc 
 fpcaking to that womi of Samaria, which demanded of him, 
 whether they fhould worfhrppe in the Temple of the Samari- 
 tanes or of the le wes, confeficd indeed, that for a time,it was 
 the Temple of Ierufalem and no other which God had chofen 
 there to be worfhipped. But faith he, the time is come that men 
 fkallworfbtp neither in this mount ame , nor m Ierufalem, but the true 
 worjhifpersjhal worjhtp injpirtt & m truth, Ioh. 4.2 1 .24. tha t is to 
 fay, without diftin&ion of place , they {hall feruc God with a 
 pure fpirituall feruice, notwithaultarorfacrifice, but with 4 
 contrite *nd humble heart , Pfal. 51.1p. and with the fruits ofrigh- 
 
 Iz 3 tcoufncfft 
 
$66 The Fifth Sêïimom 
 
 teo#foeffir } T>h.]o.23.Ro.i l.i&with the calues of their tips, OCcl 
 1 4.5 .Moreoucr if wc refpeét the former time,we fhal find thac 
 it is true indeed that the couenant was refidet.firft in the houfe 
 of Abrahâ,thé in the houfe of Ifaack, afterward in the houfe of 
 Iacob.Buthowwas this houfe walked &cariedvp &downe. ? 
 Go we farther , we flial find,that trauerfing the defert it -made 
 42.ftations,/V/*.3 3-bcing come into the land of Canaâthe ta- 
 bernacle vnto which the lord had as it were tied the feat of his 
 couenat,both in refped of the do6trine& the outward feruice 
 changed fro place to place,& was in the end feparated fro his 
 Arke being taken prifoner among the Philiftines, on who ha- 
 uing wreked herfelfe, fhe reunited not herfclf vnto the taber- 
 nacle where the ordinary feruice was kept. Finally behold the 
 temple built as a permanent & Handing place, & Ierufalé the 
 capital city both of the realme,& ofthe priefthoodc. But how 
 many breaches & interruption were therein fuch fort that the 
 temple was /hut vp, & finally razed, afterwards repaired,af ter 
 that moft vilanoufly polluted & defiicd?I demaund therefore, 
 where was then this catholick See,yea & whileft it flood were 
 we to conclude as they do at this day who cal themfelues Ca- 
 tholick Romanes , the high-Prieft is the fucceflbr of Aaron, & 
 therefore he canot er , & we muft beleeue & do whatfocuer is 
 taught & comaunded by the catholicke church of Ierufalem? 
 I report me vnto al the Prophcts,whether they cither made or 
 taught others to make fuch a conclufionfNay did not contra- 
 riwiie cry out,both againft the Priefts,& againft the temple it 
 felfe for thofe abufes which were by the & there committed? 
 And indeed where, & by whom was Iefus Chrift iudged wor- 
 thy of death,as being a blafphemer againft God & againft the 
 temple ? Where, & by whom was his doclrine condemned of 
 impiety? Where, & by whom were the Apoftlcs forbidden to 
 preach the gofpel/ Where,by who, & for what caufe was Stc- 
 uen accufcd,& ftoned to death?It is then a meere bewitched- 
 ncfle & phrenfie to tie the holy ghoft vnto one place whatfoc- 
 uer it be,or to any certaine eitate of men to ground on them 
 the rule ofa mans faith without exception : feeing that vndcr 
 
 the 
 
. Vpon The Third Chapter. 36*7 
 
 the ancient people themfeIues,among whom Ierufalé was the 
 place which the Lord had choien for his houfe & habitation, 
 there were none more deceiued then they, who w ithout anie 
 exception orlimitatidreited & grounded themfelucs on that 
 templet on the perfonall fucceiTion of Aaron, lerufalcm be- 
 ing often the feate and See not of Truth, but of Murdering 
 of the Preachers ofthe Trueth, & the neft of the Baaiims. 
 
 5 But can it be flic wen by the Scripture or by any tedimo- 
 nywoorthy of credit that Ielus Chrilt hathctiablifhedinthc 
 world one certaine place or cathohek See,that is to fay, where 
 an head fhuld be feated hauing autority ouer al the particular 
 churches ofthe world.'And if it were lawful for men to confti- 
 tute & appoint themfelucs one ,nhyJhould Rome rather be chofen 
 then lerufalem tbejirft & the ancientft of al the fbttrcbesïCalled of 
 the Prophets the Citty of Cod ? From whence the word of God 
 ftiould go forth into al the worldfAnd founded notorioufly by 
 S.Peter & the reft ofthe Apoftlcs? Or rather then Antiochwhcre 
 rcere named the firfi chrifttas ? & where it is notorious that S.PeC. 
 & S.Paul liucdfBut in f£ime,w hat reafonablc man ca be igno- 
 rât what is to be iudged ofthe See of Rome , feeing that Dani- 
 el fpeaking clearly & plainly of that God on earth calieth him 
 by his name the God AfaozjJm-,:\\h\ch is as much to fay in the 
 languange ofthe Prophet,as the GodofRome, or the God ofthe 
 ^7*.wrr£)an.ii.38.Foritiseuident that this word of Rome, 
 in the greek toung,which was thé vfed in that country where 
 this city was firft built & named, fignifieth as much as the He- 
 brew w ordc which the Prophet vleth.And S.Paul fpeaking of 
 him which râigned in histime,I mean the Emperor of Rome, 
 faith cxprefly that ofthe deflruElion of him fhouldbe borne che child 
 çfferdttion, 2.The(T2.7. and when Saint Iohn nameth exprcfly 
 the Citte offeauen hils, Apoc.i 7.9. In a woordc therefore as it is 
 the Lorde which hath of his great grace built his Coche where 
 ïtplcafeth him, neucrvfing the helpeof any for the inuen- 
 ting the plat and model thereof, but vfingindeede the mini- 
 ftery of certaine his faithful feruants , al ofthem immediately 
 chofen,as was Mofes,& after hiin the Apoftles, for the fetting 
 
 vp 
 
368 The Fifth Sermon 
 
 vp of it according vnto the forme and pattern which himfelfe 
 & no other hath dcuiled: & giuing the name ofCccb vnto this 
 ecclefiafiicaj gouernment, he hath declared that hee woulde 
 not make it abiding for euer in one place, but hath vfedand 
 doth vfe,& (hal vfe it vnto the end of the world, tranfporting 
 it according vnto his good and holy wil & plcafure,i .Cor. i 2. 
 6 It remaineth we confider by peece-meale the building 
 of this Cock , according as the pecces thereof arc fct downe 
 vnto vs in this place.This difcription therefore beginncth fail 
 with the matter wherewith the bodie of the Cock is built, 
 namely of the wood of Ltban , that is to faie of Cedar , this tree 
 hauing this property, that it is as a man would fay incorrupt 
 tible. This is it which I haue alreadie declared vponthe laft 
 verfeofthe firft Chapter, towitte, that thereby thus much 
 is declared vnto vs, that this holy and facrcd goucrnement 
 isinuincible,bothinrefpeétoftimcand of men. Thereafort 
 is if wee confider the generalitie of the Church, becaufe the 
 kingdome of this Bridegrome is euerlafting, as the father pro- 
 miied him,jD*».7.i4. and Lttk.1 .5 3 . reaching it felfe and as it 
 were walking from one end of the world vnto the other,?/ 2» 
 8.& lifting it klfc vp in the end aboue the heauens, loh. iq.z* 
 As alfo if we confider of euerie member of the c hure h, w hich 
 are as it were fo many perlons placed and conducted in this 
 Cochjiot one of thé can perifih/rtb.é.? o.&'i 8.9. What do you 
 then fhall I fay men or diuels, who feek to ouerturn this Çocb} 
 Whoindcuortohindcritinhiscourfc? Nay, who deuifeby 
 al meanes to pull it in peccesPAlas poore caitifes,it xsofthewood 
 ofLip*n 9 wh\ch refittcth al alTaults.You doe nothing but runnç 
 your heads againft the mountaine, and arc no wifcr then your 
 predeceflbrSjW ho arc dafhed in peeces, and yet the mountai» 
 contmueth ftill firme and ftable.This CW* refifteth iron , and 
 therefore wil turne the cào<c of your fwordes. The fire cannot 
 confume it,but purgeth it and roakcth it more bright and glit- 
 tering. This C^floteth vponthe water, andneuergoethfo 
 vnder but that it commeth vp agaihe vpon the water. Neither 
 can death or time fet-toothin it, andhpwe can the earth con*. 
 
 fume 
 
Vpok Th* Thi*» Chapter. j6> 
 
 fiime vs, feeing tbe grauc doth nothing elle but refine cut bo- 
 dies, to bec aUctv\ardccladvMihincortuption,i.G>r.i5.42e 
 Where fl *al the n our plac c of refuge be in a time or io gteat & 
 io rough (tonnesfln this Cocb, my breethrcn ,in this Cere; vo- 
 der the wing and protection oi the mightieit of mighties, and 
 no where elie. 
 
 7 1 he fpoufc hauingfpoken of the matter of this Coche, 
 ccimr.cthvmo the Piliers w hich he ia\\h y ar e of fiver ^ndmadebj 
 ihh- King Salon/6. And what are thefe Tillers eJs but fuch as God 
 hath ehofen and gtucn to be the principal peeces of the Cocbe, 
 and whofc miniltcry he vfeth for maintaining and preferuing 
 or ir,is thcTillars vnder-prop and itay vp the building? I mean 
 the Prophets and Apoftles as the principall matter-builders, 
 and as it were the hande of this king to put this Cache in readi- 
 nefle:as the Pafrours and Doctors finûing ic rear 1 y madc 3 as we 
 haue abouececlartd, are put in trult tomaintaincandkcepé 
 kv\hola in al his parts and peeceSjf.Ce/r. 12.28. Epbe.4 i.And 
 this is the cauie why the Apoftk* faith, that tbe Cbmch is fottnâ- 
 dedvponthe Prophets and y*p^/ej,Ephc.2.2"o.bccaufc the Apo- 
 (ties receiued this grace to hauc ended that which the Pro- 
 phets had as it were hewed out and fquared: as it is faidc, that 
 the n ail 'of tbe Ctty descending fronu heauen bad twe lue four, fat ton r^ 
 *ndm them the names of the twelve Afoftles y A poc. 2 1 . 1 4. & ho w 
 is this, but that yet at this day the true Church hath noother 
 obied of her faith then the doctrine taught by the faithfull A- 
 poitics of the LordrEpbefa.i 2,But,fome man vvil iay,is there 
 then any more then oncfoundation ofthe church and the go*, 
 acrnment thereof ? No truely. But there are nfoe laiers ofthe 
 icundation,but there is but one foundation only.Ifwcrefpeél 
 «hen the vvorkeof cuery foundation-laier, we {hal finde, that 
 there Are (b many foundations, that is to fay ,lo many founda- 
 tion works as there are toundacion-laiers , One w orking here, 
 & another thereras in the reftauration and building vp againe 
 nf the Cittie ofthe rerrcftnall leiufalem , eiierie one w rougi t 
 in his cjuarter.but al was one^nd the fame wall vpon the oldè 
 toiuMbtiQn/jebiMtZ.zad 3. Here we hauc then the definition 
 
 Aa* qf 
 
$70 The Fifth Sirmoj* 
 
 oîtke trucfy Câtholicke Church , namely tbaç it is it for the build- 
 ing whereof euery Apoftle hath built for his part, by one & the 
 fame doctrine founded vpon one foie foundauon^one and the 
 lame Church : noncof the builders beeing mailer abouchis 
 ftlo we- builder, although Nehcmiah as Lieutenant of the 
 king gcuerned the whole, as afaithfullmagitirateoughtto 
 procure abôue al things,that God raigne and beare rule in the 
 nfidit ofthe people wnom he hath cômittcdvnto his charge. 
 And therefore here was no principality which mcnhauefalfly 
 attributed & giuen vnto S.Pet.but he wrought mightily as the 
 others did in his charge and quarter.In this tenie therefore it is 
 that we multYnderftandtheie twelue foundations, and foun- 
 datiô-layers:only we mult take heed how we fay that S. Paul, 
 who notwithstanding built more thé any other, i .firA 5.10. 
 & Barnabas were forgotten in the vifionof S.lohn. For the 
 whole book of the Apocalypfc declareth that the forms thcrt 
 of fpeaking are applied & fitted to the manner ofthe Iudaical 
 common- weale:in which becaufe there were 1 2.tribes ; mcn-* 
 tien is made of 1 2. gates, and 1 2.foundation-laiers only. 
 
 8 And to the end that this may more clcarelyappearein 
 this allcgoricall defcription^et vs note thattheie TilUrs hauc 
 two ends or extremes, the one belowe, the other aboue . The 
 bafe or lower end is fuftained by the bottome ofthe (foclxjhç. 
 top or vpper end by the yaut ofthe coeterpjg.Thçfcpt&trs there- 
 fore are not they properly which hold and beare vp Ù&mèm 
 ring, but onely becaufe themfelues haue their bafes, and arc 
 fuiîained vpon the bottom. And this is alio the caufe whyit is 
 faid^that they arc offilucribat the bottome ù ojgoiâ,. Firit, becaufe 
 le fit* Chnft ù trueij the only foundation (iane. „ 1 *Cor. : . 1 1 .Efa.28* 
 1 6\fuftaining and bearing vp the whole by his only force and 
 power, and therefore molt rightly comparedco the moilfair* 
 precious,& firme mertail.Secondly becaufe kpleafeth him of 
 his good will , and not of any needc he hath of them to feme 
 hixnfelre with the fc fillers of finer % in afmuc h as bee hath giuen 
 an efficacievnto their miniftery, and doth yet fuftaioe at this 
 day his Coche^l mz*nc } tkegatb*rw>g together ofhiiSamtsb^ the 
 
 mi *&* 
 
VpOnThE THIRD ChAPTÉIU '371 
 
 Vigor ofhis fpint which he laieth open in the heart ofhi$ 3 £/>£» 
 4.11.12. their writings beeing preached in alhhefe places, 
 whither it plealeth him to guide and conduce his Coche, retai- 
 ning alway this principle & maxima, that benhichplantctb, <$• 
 he tvbicb watereth, ( w h i c h arc tbefi fillers offtluer) are nothing, tb 
 wit, befidc the planting Se watenng,according vnto the rorcc 
 whichisgiucnthem to plant 81 to water : but he is all in allwho 
 gitteth thetnereafi, to wit, thebottome and ground of gold, to thoft 
 who are well planted and watered vpon him, i. Cor. 3. 7. 
 1 p The couering of this Ccch i faith the fpoufe, was made of fur» 
 ffcby this King Salomon ,which flie weth vnto vs thé'proceeding 
 & power of God, couering from his hcauen & azurcd throne 
 his poorechildrcn.,expôfedothcrwife vnto aliniuricsofwea- 
 ther,itormes and tempefles. And this is a lcflbn infinite manifc 
 times repeated & reiterated in the Scripture:& nameIy,/yTp r. 
 î .where it is faid,that,tr/;fl jo dwelleth in the fecret of the rtofl high, 
 Jha4 abide vnder the pTvido^eef the àlmightie. AndT/â/.^.i f.The 
 ties of the Lorde are vpon the righteous j& his cares are attentive vn- 
 to their cry. AndPlal.i 21.4. Thegard and watch-man of Ifraell 
 Vt>ilnetierfiumber nor fleepe, Thefunncfhalnot burne thee by day pot 
 themooneéyntghtJNWich thing the children of Ifrael did vifibly 
 *xperience,being defended by day by the cloud in the fcorch- 
 ing defert,& by night by the piller of fire. And Pfat. 1 2 5. 1 . He 
 that trufleth in the Lord/ftandethfafl and is for euer affured y as the 
 mount Ston, which fhaketh not . In a word the whole Scripture is 
 itillof fuchfentences. And befides the Scriptures wee haue 
 thereof continuall experience, feeing that cuen thofe whom a 
 man would take to be vtterly forfaken arethefirft&thebeft 
 prouided for &affured. But this couering is notfeene but with 
 the eies of faith, as it is faid of Mofcs , that hefaw him which rrat 
 inuifible y He. 1 1.27. Albeit thefe vifible heauens might fcrue si 
 therunto, fith theircotinued (lability & fo wel ordered courie 
 are as it? were cngrùifed ttrtimOnies,oftheinrlnit might & vn- 
 ipeakable aiferâce ofthe lord, as it is faid, Pfrp. 1 .& 1 1 0.89. 
 10 But alas behold for a certain ouriudgement&condena- 
 iJOjnamely that the moiipart of v*, who vaunt owrfekes to be 
 
 Aaa 2 the 
 
57* 1 HE riFTH 3ERMOH 
 
 chc. reformed Church,that is to fay , reccmed into and condu- 
 cted by this Cache into paradilc,bclceuc not neither thepiJUrs^ 
 jioithe fattorru&ox the couertng thereoi.For if it be true ihat the 
 do&rine, which wee (whoarecboicnbythcgreaiuicrcieof 
 the Lord for the doing of this)preach vnto you,ts tnc ontly & 
 true obieâoifaithjwhy arc v\e not belteued, either when we 
 ,teach,or v\ hen v\ c comrort,or w hen we reprc henu? If w c be 
 bcleeuvd, whei* tire doth tue ne one make vntohimiciit hu 
 panic ular ground & relimg Itafte/ And how io w il lon»c man 
 lay? Purlin* v\tictoplay ti.e parts of idolaters anuiupeilii»* 
 ous men. And are not you luch yee couetous mizers,w no naue 
 ttoihmg before youreks bur gaine? lipeake vnto you mer* 
 chaunts,v\hokno\vc io well to make your commodity by the 
 riing & la ling ofcrowns to the lofltot your poor neighbor*: 
 w ho knovve ) our cabala fo well to make your piofu rather by 
 fellingfoi timc,then for ready monyjmakingo.pccksof i.bu- 
 /hel.l I peak vnto you vfurers & white woluesfthough there be 
 fomc who begin very young) who vndcr cculour of aiding & 
 helping your neighbor make it your trade to lue bjj&to en* 
 rich your ielues by the ncccfluy of another. Out vpon you caU 
 tiues,wil you be alw aies w ith vs as it were in this £och 9 to ouer- 
 turnc not only the CW^but your ft lues & vs too? 1 o lay it in « 
 Word,fo manie trickes of cloie conueyame & deceit, io many 
 left & finifier means raigning & fw aying m the mide'eit ofv«, 
 how loud fo euer wee cry out againii them in the pulpit, and 
 what Lavvcs focuer bee prouided and ettabhfhcci to the con« 
 Kary,are fuflficient t e rlimonies that we yet belceue not neuhcr 
 èottome nor covering of this Coch.zs if wee ncuer had yet heard 
 any fpeec h the reof.And what thai I faie of fo many rcneganw 
 le A portâtes, iome vpon a iollity of minde, others vpon feare^ 
 tvho hauc finally hardned thcmfelues fo far as to put out both 
 their own and others eies^LtL. v& here remember the net which 
 £dthereththegood<t*dh*dfijhy}&MhA 3,27. which appertained 
 alfo vnto this Cach: as alio him who wa< four.daithe marrtage 
 Jeafi rcttham hie marriage garment . The fcandale is great, y*c 
 fi n mufi beeJ>H cur fed bec thej wh$ art/Mi* thenef* Hattln 
 
VponT-he Third C ft aft**, m 
 
 tt. Z.Th.re muff alfo bee hereftes , that they which are entrant ma} 
 fceknoweit i .Cor. i M 9. But let vs preach God thatwebec 
 jiotoftimnumi;er > bcingvpheld& itaiedvprightbyhisniCT- 
 *y, and mat looking down wc il ay out ielucs vpon u\v*boi torn 
 Ana ground of par egoLue % which is out only foundation , and loo- 
 king vp v\ c mull call our ancre ou that throne where the lame 
 Xoru auù malter of ours doth ht uiuerlly confiucred, I mcane, 
 a* tie luiian jcth vs belo w to lift vs vp togither vnto himicitc ia 
 eucrLitiug lite, and preferring from abouc that which is here 
 below for a time. 
 
 1 1 J here teniaineth the ornament ofthe in-fide of this 
 -Coch which the Ipouie faith to bee adorned , that is as a man 
 %vouid laic , taptftredmtb the dtUthon ofthe D aught en of 1er u fa* 
 le/n: that i> to laie with htftortes paint ed y or rather cngrauedw the 
 botyfenpt arts ,which teftify vnto vs the infinit diledion which 
 tins true Salomon bare vnto his lerufalem . This allégorie is 
 founded hereupon, that from all times great Lordes and La- 
 dic* are wont to adornc the hals of their houfe , and their co- 
 ches and horfelitters with clothes of tapittry,or paintinges, or 
 or carued hiftoncs \ as aifo their fepulehcrs and monumentcs. 
 But efpecully men are defirous to haue and fee the pour* 
 traits offuch pcrfonages as they beare affection vnto. After 
 this fort is that ljnritual Coch ofour Salomon the frind of le- 
 rulalem dch ribed in the Gofpcl.in fo mue h ùïïtheweptouer if 
 when he went thither there to be c ondemned and crucified, 
 Lttc.i 9.4 1. And what fhal we faiehereupon. ? And who is able 
 to concerne on the one fide (o manie the bounties of the 
 Lord or ac know ledge on the other fide fo many our ingrati» 
 tudes I Let v* therefore pray the Lord that hec will open and 
 enlarge our vndtrltanoingto concciueat the leatt in fomc 
 tneafurcboth the one and the other t and giuevs grace that 
 adoring and magnifying the one, & abhorring and deceiving 
 the otherrwe may be made worthy to c onfi er & vnderitani 
 the contents ofthefefo goodly and liuely pictures, Imeane 
 ■the facred hiftories, which arc fo many infallible tcftimonies^ 
 ©i thofe more then infinite & incom ^rebcnfible comparons 
 
 Aaa. 3. of 
 
}74 The Fifth Sermon 
 
 of this Bridcgrome towards his Icrufalem, Efhef.% . i p.& j,* *\ 
 ftamely towards the aflembly of his clect,both before and du* 
 Ting and after the terreltriall Ierufaiem,tapiftred I fay , & car- 
 ued in this Coche into which hee caufeth vs to afcend & fcat* 
 cth vs therein to contemplate it on all (ides, according vnto 
 the example cfDauid,/^*/. 27.4.3s in the tcrrcftriall Ierufalem 
 this was figured by the precious feelings and otherrich orna- 
 nients of the fame, to the which God bec al honor and glory 
 nowandfbrcucr, Amen. 
 
 ^Almighty God,&c. 
 
 The xxviii. Sermon, 
 Ourhelpe be in the nameofGod &c. 
 It is mitten asfoltweth in the third Chapter of the Canticle sf 
 Canticles/he p. W I o. verfes. 
 
 9 King Salomon madehimfelfeaCocheof 
 the wood of Lebanon. 
 
 10 He made the piliers thereof of filuer,and 
 his bottom ofgold > & the couering ofpurple, 
 and the infide was adorned with the dile#ions 
 ofthe daughters of Ierufalem. 
 
 î The jhogges and hates of 'this Ccch ding fir al this efiablifhtd in the Church 
 
 hinder not the repofe & % eft of them who not excluded. 
 
 are in it t and there is nc thing to be cent- 5 A defer iption of the mojl mentor*- 
 
 fared into their happe cfîate. hie hifories ccrucd in the infide of the 
 
 2 ji l& ge defer if t ion cf 'the great tra- Coche, from the creation of the world* 
 uailes of the Clergie efRcnx fir their vnt ill Salomons time. 
 
 fa igncd mother Ch t*rch. 6 How this Coche hath alwaies paf- 
 
 3 What the nitrites of the fuperffi- fcdxi&oriottfly , and triumphantly tho- 
 thus are, rough the middefl of all tempefis vnta 
 
 4 The Coch;j conducledhy theteir.d the commingeftU true Salomon intf 
 andfecreiefpring of the (ole providihce the earth. 
 
 ofGod t withoUt any either wheels or C vch- 7 How this iing' ekfeentkd-do^ne «* 
 horfes : the botyirùwfterietiQtvithfian- earth hAthfet -vç bk Èoçfce in a f arrt 
 
 greater 
 
 =*—- b 
 
Vpon The Third Chaptiil J7> 
 
 frettertoagmfictnteftate thenenerU- mlfy oMcrtnrned the Romaine Em* 
 fGYC&buhaduiftditbyamawloiis fire , fnbbornely [cue to hinder bi* 
 fnifir.es from Eaft vnto vrcjl , hauingf- lourfe. 
 
 N application of this dileclion and 
 power ofGod vnto this,thathe hath 
 already begun in our tiine,harni(hing 
 againe and putting in frame his Cache 
 which was pluckt in pceces by euill 
 Cochcrs.We haue already ipoken ve- 
 ry much of that which is contained in 
 this text fo full of doctrine and confo- 
 lation,that the more a man confidercth of it, the more he fin- 
 deth in it to profit himfelfthcrcby, as in truth it is not without 
 caufe that this canticle or fong is named the Canticle oi Can- 
 ticles, or fong of fongs . Be/ides that therefore which we hauc 
 already drawne from this text,I fay that it is not without great 
 caufe that the Lord fpeaketh in this place of a fiche or borfelit- 
 f *r,which fcrueth vnto two vfcs, namely to reft in & to trauail 
 in both together. Albeit therefore that the children of this 
 world iudge vs to be as they fuppofe in the molt tickle & vn- 
 certain (late in the world, as being in continuall motion & a- 
 gitation,& (as the Apoftle faith i.Gw.4.1 1 .}vagabondei>bauwg 
 no certain pUce of dweIli»g:notw\ihlhnàing we trauail maCocbe 
 cfgolâyborne vp with ptllers of fitter, cohered with purflc&r with i?i fi- 
 nit matters ofpteafitre & recreatio earned '& wgrauenin thù fiche, 
 which can nether be ouerturned,nor ftopped,or fraied for one 
 minute oftime, what rutsfoeucrorhinderaunccsmenlayin 
 the way of it within or without although it make not alwaies 
 the like iournks. For proofe hereof I take the faying of the 
 Lord.Reioyce.faith he,and be glad when men reuile you, and 
 pcrfecuteyou, and fay all manner of euill againft you for my 
 names fake,falfely.^/^.5.i 1 . For when are we fhocked and 
 mightily torTedifnot then? But in the meane time we arc fo 
 conducted in this Cache that thefe fliocks & fhakinges, which 
 iecmc to them without to menace our oucrturning , are 
 *nto ts within no other then as a man w uldc laie , a d a un - 
 
$J6 The Sixtw Sermon 
 
 f'ng & pleafantrocking,tothe vtterdefpitingofalhhofewho 
 laugh at that which cannot come to paife, to wit, our ruine 
 aiiûdownefall : and they themiclues while tl.ey laugh at vs, 
 fall into the ditch they digged tor v<>, as uc lcchowchc Pro^ 
 phet taketh vp an holy laughtci vpon tht vnfPfa&z 5.1 6.And 
 the Apoitle is bold to defy all thole whichahault him,be they 
 on high or belowe: Rom. 8. 3 8.5 o. who w as no frantike w htu 
 he iaide, teaching vs to lay the like w ich him, that he thought 
 heneuerhadoccahonoheioyfingoc vaunting himfclfe, 1 uc 
 f« the crojfeoflejta Çhrtftjby which, iaith he,/*»; crnctfadvuto tht 
 #tfrZ^Ga.6.i4.This fiche then is fuch as wherein we mzy ira* 
 uaile on Hill and take our rcft.-but yet not without fome agita- 
 tion. For this fiche is diiuen through the mountaines down a 
 thoufand downfallesofthc world.T^r/aith ihe Loiàjrhoare 
 inking* houfesandpallacesrvcarcfoft clothing: Math.i 1 .8. Let the 
 therefore being cambericke clad and feiher laid , t,o faire ancj 
 (bftly downetohell,if they will take no other way then that. 
 But as for vs, letvsfuffcrourfcluesto be carried into Paiadiie 
 with all the iumpes & ioltings it fhall plcafe God, fo we rriuc 
 at the end we tend vnto, by the w ay w hich our head & chicfc 
 Captaine is gone,fow.8. 1 j.Heb. 1 0.20 . 
 
 2 True it is that the chiefcftôfthë/jfwhofecaielfpeake, 
 alleadgc the contrarie, and fay that they are the men who 
 keepe the (Iraite and narrowe way, who beare the brunt 
 of the ill weather : whereas we feeke after nothing elfc 
 but the liberty of the flefh. For they atftaine from marriage, 
 but we haue w iues. Chall men good Lord & continentnfyoa 
 bclccuc not mce,let their courtiianes, their cone ubines,their 
 ftc wes & brothel-houfes,their Sudome ana Gomorrha w hie h 
 intect the heauen and the earth, be w itnefles. And to the end 
 they alleage not that they approue not thelc thmges,but con« 
 demnc them as deepcly as wee doedet ihem fhew c mce w bat 
 they indcuour to the contrarie, the y I lay » who haue both the 
 fpintual ôc the tcmporaJl fwordc,oe fhouldtake orderagan IÏ 
 fuchlri3mcfulfikhincile,citherbyecclc(ia(ticallcenfurcs,ac# 
 
 cording vnto the holy Gholi fpcakmg by thcuiouth of Saint 
 
 Paul, 
 
Vpon The Third C hapter. 377 
 
 Paul, which ought to ferue for an inuiolablc rule,or at the lcaft 
 according vnto the canons,how euer they dilpenfe with gods 
 Lawe,which is a thing vtterlie intolerable, cither by fuch pu- 
 nifhments at the leait as the ciuil lawes of the Paynims them- 
 fclucs haue appointed , feeing they occupy the places of tem- 
 poral eftates & fcignories. And feeing their head hath power, 
 as he pretendeth hee hath,ouer Emperout s and Kinges them- 
 felues, why doth he not execute it againtt thofe who gouernc 
 their people and fubie&cs fo ilfBecaufe, his fubieéb would tci 
 him,you mull firft begin with your felues, with your cleargie, 
 & your Sodomc.They fait & abftain fro eating of flefh a great 
 partofthcyeare. And what do we? We haue taken away the 
 Lent, & eate euery day indifferently fifh or flefh , or both. Wc 
 cal to witnefle of their failings, & great pains they take for the 
 Church, their faces and their bellies, theirKaters, Butlers & 
 Cooks, & how many millions of flagans & bottels? They fing 
 Mattins, many Mafles, little and great:they haue their houres, 
 firlt, third, fixt, ninth, their Vefpers,Complins & Salutations. 
 And what do we. ? We do nothing but preach. It is true^ I co- 
 fefl'eit,that all their bufinesconfilteth inchaunting&thrufh- 
 warbling. And what paincs thinkc we doth that good holy 
 father take to be carried vpon mes fhoulders,to lift vp his foot 
 fo oft to haue his pantofle kifled, to tell ouer fo many millions 
 ©( Crownes which come flowing in vnto him on all n*des,be- 
 fides the fatherly and continuall care he taketh to haue the 
 booty and fpoile offo many foules,and bodies,fo lamentably 
 bewitched to their own fight and knowledge. ? Goodly marks 
 doubtlesofthe true Catholique Church, and perpetuallene- 
 mie of the world, larn^.^^. to fee Mefllers the reuerendiffi- 
 mies haue theirlong tailes carried vp by their traine-bearers, 
 afterward trained vp and downe in their Coches with their 
 coumfans,to make the very Sunne to blufh at their impudent 
 fhamelefnes: & yet thefearetheNurcery of that Oecumeni- 
 call See.What flial I fay ofthë who are gaping after thcfeCar- 
 dinalshats? what of thefe goodly gardiatane biffiops,ofthefc 
 biifcdpitit«Iane,&portatiue, ofAbbots 5 Priors,andthelike, 
 
 Bbb with 
 
J78 The Sixth Sermoh 
 
 with whom vvc may iufiiy fuppofe chat the diucll himfclf ma- 
 Iccth bimfeife fport,though ail ofthem fcrue him in good ear- 
 ned, except it bee fuch as openly both by their w ordes,and all 
 their horrible (Jidbiutions ihewethat they beleeue neither in 
 God nor in the diut ii. For behoide to w hat point the world is 
 come . And as ror thefe great religious men who mérite both 
 for thcmfelues & others^ alack how ill they be lodged in their 
 royali and more then royall pallaces : alackc poore men how 
 they are farmlhcd, v. hen the world fightcth w ho fhall beftow 
 molt vpon them,and their own mouth is neuer (topped not to 
 demaundjOr their hands ib troubled with the gou^not to take 
 and rccciue whaifoeuer comcs.O the fmall warmth they hauc 
 in their Iacobinc chambers! 6 how ill they are clothed in their 
 frocks and oiher their habits,whichhaue no fault in them ne- 
 ther w inter nor iommcr! o the hard penaunce discipline they 
 beare at their girdlelo the poore fraternity of Icfus,who haue 
 gotten within the compaile of thirty ycares more by their 
 charitable gracuitie, then all the reft of the monks in flue hun- 
 dred yeares before them! 
 
 3 If hereupon it be replied that there are ibme truly religious 
 who go wolward and in haire, liue hardly and auiterely,whip 
 and fcourge thcmfelues in good carncit: though we graunted 
 them al this, and that they did an hundred times more then is 
 reported ofthem , yet, come they nothing neare Baals prieitcs 
 who cutte and flicc d themfelues with rafors hauing crien out 
 from morning vntill noone , whom Elias notwittittanding 
 with full mouth mockcth 3. A^/. 18.27. or the religious Ma- 
 humetanej of diuers forts and faihions . And how euer it be, if 
 auiterity of life w ere an elTential marke of true religion & ho- 
 lines (as the poore & ilmple people beare themfelues in hand 
 it isjthen were faint Iohn Baptift to be preferred before Chrift 
 ^^.3.4. not that we blame ordifcommendtemperancie ; as^ 
 neither the exercife required to tame and fubdue this bodyot 
 ours which rebelleth againlt the fpirite . But contrariwife we 
 fay, that fuch ought the life of euery Chriftian to be, and we 
 confeiTe that \ve faile in the other extreme, as ifhauiflg taken 
 
 away 
 
Vpon The Third C haptê*. J7£ 
 
 tway the fuperftitious diftin&ion of daics and meatcs,wc had 
 forbidden men to faft, to giue themfelues to praier and al ho- 
 ly exercifes : not as if vvc had commaunded cuery day to eatc 
 hlli and flefn. We fay there fore in iumme,thatforaman to 
 feed his horfemoderately,yea to make him tofaft,whcn,and 
 fo as need rcquireth (for tearing leatt fatted at too much cafe, 
 he vvaxe headltrong and fall to kicking and flinging,in rteede 
 ofcarrying his rider well and quictlvj is farrcan other thing, 
 then by hard andeuill handling of him to make him vtterly 
 vnproritabic,infuchlortthathefaintcth&talleth flat vnder 
 a man, or cannot but with much adoc,iet one foote before an 
 other, when a man would vie him. Moreouer we ad that it is 
 an vniuii and intolerable thing to make the rules of (uch exer- 
 cifes certaine and gencrall,which thing was neuer appointed 
 by the word of God, nor praCtifcd in the chrittian Church fo 
 long as it continued in hcrpuritic , feeing that vnder the yoke 
 of the law it felfe there was but one fafting day appointed ge- 
 nerally to be obferued euery yeare . I ad further,that whereas 
 the belt & the mort excellente^ works which the holy Ghofl 
 workethinthofewho are mort holy, cannot be taken in ac- 
 compt for fatiffadion ofour gilt, or payment of our (înnes be- 
 fore Godrit is a molt abhominable error to thinke to gaine pa- 
 radife by eating or not eating,by marying or not marying,by 
 eating flefli or eating full. But I confeflc I doe the world great 
 wrong to enter into difputeoffuchthingesagainft them, a- 
 gainltwhofevnchaft&gluttenous Epicurian life the heauen 
 and the earth demaundiultice at Gods hand. Lcauing them 
 therefore to be carried in their Coch in full gallop to the place 
 aligned them , I referre them by the way vnto that which all 
 the Prophets hauc written againltthe hypocrites and traditi- 
 onaries of their time , and vnto that which the Lord himfclfe 
 faith in fo many places of the Euangclifres, and faint Paul ex- 
 preflyfow. 14. 17. fpeakingof that which was for a time for- 
 bidden by the commandement of God himfelf, who hath not 
 buried Mofes to make place for humane traditions, Cclcjf.i. 
 2^.1.7/^^.4.3.8. 
 
 Bbb 2 4 Let 
 
$8o The Sixth Sermos* 
 
 4 Let vs now returne to this Cache of the bridegrome,pre- 
 pared by him therein to receiue his ipouie. A man may there-, 
 fore maruaile why there is here no mention made of v\heeles 
 or ofCoch-horfes: thingeswhich fecme altogether neceilarie 
 to make this Coche to gov. But the reafon is euident, namely 
 becaufcthis (foche moueth notproperly by any humaine arc 
 & industrie, but by the fole vertue & power of him who made 
 the Coche andconduélcthitafteramoft efpeciall and diuine 
 manner. And yet this is not therefore to exclude the miniftery, 
 cither of Angels , which thing is reprefented vntovsin thac 
 hcauenly chariot which Ezechicl law with his whcels:£*^r£. 
 1 .5 »or that of men, feeing that before the fpouie was compa- 
 red vnto the Coch-horfes of Pharaohs alio Ehzcus faid feeing E- 
 lias carried vp on high, Ady father, my father ,the char tot of Ifraell 
 andthehorfemen thereof, 2. King. 2.1 1. ornaturall c aufes, where- 
 of mention is made Exod. 1.10.12.& i^ii.&Pfal.iK.i i.but 
 to fhewe vs that all the fécond caufes ( the queltion beeing of 
 that which concerneth the kingdome of GodJ doe worke 
 alwaics in fuch fort,that God referueth vnto himfelfe the glo- 
 rieofthe efïcétofthem, according vnto that which the Apo- 
 iUe faith euen of his owne minilterie , that he which planteth 
 and he which watcreth is nothing (I meane in refpc&ofthe in- 
 ner working,) but God is alrvhogweth the incrctfe, 1 .Cor. 3 .7.S o 
 farre is it then that any man, nay any Angcll of heauen can 
 guide the courfe ofthis fpiritual Cecb, that contrariwiie them- 
 felues mull be guided & conducted in this Cocbby the wheels 
 ofhisonelyprouidence who hath made it &conduëtcthir,&- 
 that by fuch carriers , mountains & valleys incomprehensible 
 vnto any creature . Notwithstanding the holy miniftery was 
 not omitted in the defcription ofthis Cochin which they were 
 reprefented by the fillers 0} fitter, as wc declared this day eight 
 daies 
 
 5 Befides all this, the in- fide ùf this Cochebeentg r'tchly anà 
 cofllie earned for a tefttmome of the ditcttions of this Bridegrome 
 
 ^toward the daughters of Ierufalcm , ought not to bee lightly 
 palled ouer /And what is all this elfe, but that which is 
 
 comprifed 
 
VponTh* TinuD Chapter. 3S1 
 
 eomprifed in the facred bookes of the Scripture filled with 
 an infinite number, not of dead pictures, orfuch as are of 
 humane woorkmanfhippCjbut of memorable ftorics, penned 
 •nd vttcred by the holy Ghoft. Let vs therefore now,my brc- 
 thren,enter into this Coche> & let vs fee whether it be poiîible 
 to fee and behold any thing in heauen or in earth, v\ hich may 
 be compared vntothefecaruings andengrauings. .There we 
 fee firft , this great woorke-maiter , making all of nothi.ng,ali 
 things appearing fodainly at the found of his woord,and this 
 £oocily principall pecce of work of man, mouled as it were v- 
 pon the patterne of the Diuinity it felfe, Gexef.i.iô. There we 
 ice afterward this mightie Creator in the perfon of him who 
 was after made our deliuererand redeemer in perfon, run- 
 ning after thofe two forlornc children, applying vnto that 
 deadly wound, fofoone as it was made the remedy ofan im- 
 mortality farre more excellent then that whereof our fir ft pa- 
 rent had depriued himfelfe, and vsallhispoiterity,GW/^.i. 
 Go we farther & behold the Bowe of the Lorde engrauing in 
 heauen the patience ofthe Creator which endurethftili vnto 
 tfusday,6W/.&.i 3. notwithstanding our rebellion continued 
 aîmoft four rhioufand yeares after the flood, Loake we farder, 
 and with w hat plcafure doe we behold: Abraham, Ifaack, and 
 Iacob,walking through infinite by-waies & dangerous,and in 
 the fpaceoffoure hundred years their race, amidft moftpro- 
 phanê people, fulofvnthankefulnes&defpcraterage, multi- 
 plied vnto'th* number of fix hundred thoufaudperfons, be- 
 iidcsthe weomen and little children . Behold a litlc farder the 
 vndauntable infolencie of Pharao minding to flay the courfe 
 of this Coche beaten and vaftquifhed,by frogs, by flies, by lice, 
 at the fhaking only ofthe rodde ofone ofthe foruantes 4>fthi$ 
 greatkrng. Beholdafter this the CWtaehatgcd WMth fo great 
 a multitude parting on drie land through the midftof the feàj 
 which fwallowed vp all the enimies which purfuedit: behold 
 the bread fent from heauen , behold with one ftfoke of a fmall 
 rod the moft hard rockes tleft,to water almoft 40.ycarcs long 
 all this mulcitude.IkhôJd the Coche, arriued ât the riuer of Ior- 
 
 Bbb 3 dan 
 
jf* The Sixth Sermon 
 
 dan after it had beaten downe & battered two mightie kings, 
 parting thcriuer on drie ground, making the high wallesof 
 Iericho to moulder and tall to ground before it. Behold this 
 fiche battering downe, trampling vnder, dafhing inpeeces 
 thirty.kings beyond Iordan.Behold the people in this Chariot 
 of tnumph,vi&orioufly placed in the land ofpromife , where 
 they are fo chaltifed for their faultes, that notwithstanding 
 they obtain in the end, fo many miraculous trophées as this 
 fich fuftained a{fauhs,yea beating down their enimiesfome- 
 times with pitchers, hut; 7. fometimeswith an Oxe-goade, 
 Iud. 3. 5 1. though for one time hefuffered his Arke,which was 
 as it were his leate in the conducting of his Cache, to be taken 
 as it were priioner: but what? This was to cut off Dagons legs 
 and arms, 1 Sam. 5 .4^0 Itrike his enimies on the hinder parts, 
 & by ladling them with the whip to make them ferue him for 
 bodes & thiJlers to bring his. fich whither pleafed him. There 
 folowe after this,lamentable & heauie things, but the fich re- 
 maining felfe-vpright,only difcharging it 1 elf of many which 
 had fhoued themlelues into it ; & became vnwoorthy to abide 
 in it. Such was amongit others thatcaitiue Saul , hauing em- 
 brued himfelâe with the blood of one of the principall pillars 
 of this G?c^,i.^^^.22.i6.anditfeemed that then,and after 
 that, this fiche was ouertumed, or altogether ftaied. But God 
 did fpeedilyprouide for it,hauing raized a faithful Gocherre- 
 prefentinghimfelfe, ImeaneDauid that great Prophet and 
 king, who hauing conquered and afterward prepared Hie* 
 rufalem, raifed vp to honor, and fo farre fauouredof God 
 as to be called his Cittie , his Houfe , his Rett , and hauing fi- 
 nally prouided &difpofed all the furniture of this Cocbejc» 
 paired as it were alla-ncw, hee left for fucce flour the chiefe 
 builder thereof, namely his ionne Salomon, who broughc 
 this excellent woorcke ynto an ende with fuch direction, 
 Wifedome, andmagnificencie, that there was neuer fecne 
 among the Kinges of this world the like thing, beeing^ 
 in this refpeCt the figure of the true Salomon, King of 
 peace, andJLorde and etcrnallfonne of Dauid. Loe thefc 
 
 are 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter.^ 5S5 
 
 •arc the pictures of the in-full of this Coch of w bith the Spoule 
 fpeakcth in this place, as being engrauen and canted in the iu- 
 iide thereof. 
 
 6 And if a man will patfe beyond the time of Salomon, 
 as the holy GhohMntending prophetically to bring forth tc- 
 itimonies ofthedilec^ionsorthisbridcgrome vntiJlhis com- 
 minç in pcrfon, yea euen vnto the end and confummation of 
 the world,we (hail find that the nearer the time and terme ap- 
 pointed of God apprccheth for the real! execution ot his pro- 
 mifes, the more euidentiy did the ardent affection of this 
 bridegrome fhevv it (elfe towards his Ieiufalem,how pcrucrfe 
 and vnthankefull fo cuer fhe fliewcd her felfe . But fome man 
 might think that this Cache was then at the leaftfomewhat e- 
 uil affeèted, when of 1 2. tribes 10. were caff out of this Coche 
 vnderRoboam.Butthisiscleane contrarie. For as a family of 
 1 2. perlons , w hereof ten fhould be found traytors and fuch as 
 had confpircd the death of their mother, is neucr a whit enda- 
 maged by the cafling of thofe ten rebellious and difloyal per- 
 form out of doores , but rather eafed and purged ofgreat filth: 
 fo did the Lord by throwing out of his Coche fuch caitifes and 
 mifcreaunts. And as for the remnaunt which remained in this 
 Coche if the king againc take a vie we many times of the eft ate 
 of his houfe, what hath followed thereof but which hap- 
 pened! vnto barnes and garners, namely that the come is 
 the purer and cleaner the oftener it is winowed and fiftcdf 
 It is true it might feeme that finally this Coche becing moil 
 miferabjie guided by them vnto whome this King had 
 
 fiuen the cnardge thereof, was not onely ouer-turned but 
 roken into a million ofpieces , nay turned vtterly into dult 
 and pouder , though it often refill ed , and namely vnder Iofa- 
 phat and Ez.echias . Bue w hat f If wee confider well of all 
 wee (hall finde the cleanc contrary . For fo farre is it that 
 they who feeme to ;haue hadde this aduauntage might 
 vaunt them-felues of thofe victories , that contrariewifc 
 it is the King himfelfe who ledde and conducted and 
 ictte him-felfe his enemies a vvorke , not to ouerthrowe 
 
 and 
 
and ruinate his fiche, but firft to difcharge it of that great 
 number of villanous and prophanepcrfons gotten into it 3 and 
 afterwardetovnharnifriitrand thirdly becaufeit had along 
 iourney to make, namely as farre as Babel ouer fo many riuers 
 and troubleibme waies , and minding alfo ask were tovn> 
 thawe his people waxen (tiffe and benomedwith ouermuch 
 eafc they fate at,k pleafed him to guide thé on foot euen into 
 Chaldea,vfing the Chaldeans as his SompterSjto cary his vef- 
 fel of gold and of filuer,which he deliuered them as it were ia 
 keeping. Andasforhis£V^,feeing itfovillanouflievfedand 
 foil handled as it was,he would not onelyhauc it to be vnhar- 
 nifhed as I faid before , but alfo vBpinned,dilîoynted and pul- 
 led afunder;but yet fo that the peeces remained foûd & good, 
 as indeed in his good time he fet it together againc, & that by 
 the appointment & ordinance of the Kings themfelucs other- 
 wife his enemies and fucceffors of them who had pulled it in 
 peeces. If hereupon a man reply vnto mee the feruitude of the 
 people ofGod, I confeffe it,for they had wcl deferued it:but I 
 adde that during this vcrie captiuity,beholde the people how 
 captiue and prifoncr-like focuer they were, gouernour of Ba- 
 bylon in great authority in the perfon of Daniel , beholdc the 
 royal édictés for the worshipping of the God of Daniel, be- 
 holdc the tyrant hi m felfe brought tofeede among the brute 
 beartesjbchold Babylorr itfelfe captiue,îÊnd the people of god 
 rcitorcd & reltabliflicd with great priuileges , & reftitution of 
 their holy vcffels. And what afterward? Is not thislhat King 
 whobeatedowne the Kings of Sywand of AEgypt, though 
 fometimehé had'giuen t h em-'an entrance cuen into his houfc 
 there to take them and entrap them? 
 
 7 And if we palTe yet farther wee fhal fee that it was tHcn* 
 thenlfaieindeedejthat'this great King fhewed his infinit di- 
 lection and loue towardes his Ierufa length at which went be- 
 fore beingriothingelk but the pledges as it were of the run- 
 failcs^when he fetvp Miffiètiofm in Ierufalem which with 
 •an incredible fwiftnefTè paffed from EafttoVVclt, and from 
 North to 5bâ&^thè&?gîiryand imfettwus winde ofhte 
 
 mouth, 
 
VponThe Third Chapter^ }8j 
 
 in With , reprcfented on the daie ot Pcntccoft by two thingcs 
 moil iwift and hghc,and of molt fuddaine cftcdt, namely by a 
 mighty and violent rufhing wind,and by fire in the fimilitude 
 and likencflfc of tounges . And this is indcedc the time when 
 both the mighty power and more then cordial affection of the 
 King of this Cock trained indeed vpon the winges of the foure 
 windes,appearcd ; hauing beaten do wne that great mount of 
 the Romane Monarchic,and blowing now to ruine and ouer- 
 throw the béait moulded vpon this pattern and fcatcd in the 
 Temple of God vpon the very fame icucn hils. For the decla- 
 ring of which things in particular it is not one fermon,n*y the 
 life of many men one after another can fcrue. 
 
 8 Onely I wilfaic that this fécond fah notnewinitfclfe, 
 but fpiritual in afmuch as it was figured by the flrft bceing ex- 
 temall and groflc according vnto the time,becing fallen after 
 certaine ages into moft wicked handes, and molt wickedlic 
 and vilely conducted, hath beene harnifhed againe in our 
 time, and rcftored vnto his former eftatc,hauing rrauerfed , as 
 itil it doth trauerfe a great part of the world,with terrible iuts, 
 but fo guided by him which is in heauenand keepeth vp the 
 U'hcelcs thereof without forfaking them , that God bee than- 
 ked therefore, the greateft & mightieft who endeuourcd with 
 al their force to ftaie the courfe of it , haue ferued for litter,bc- 
 ingbcaten downc and trampled vnderiti and if there haue 
 becne anic who through the violence of fuch fliogginges arc 
 leapt out ofthe Cochet hath beene to flic vp on high , whither 
 thisOfMeadcthalitcarieth/caufingrthcm tolcauc only their 
 cafe on earth , afwcll to feruc for a rcproch and perpctuall rc- 
 inorfc of confciencc vnto fbme , as to lcaue vnto others an ex- 
 ample of firme and inuinciblc conltancic . And feeing that 
 God hath bellowed this grace vpô vs,mybrethrcn,yea conti- 
 nued fo long a time,as to haue fet vp his Cocb amongft vs alfo, 
 Zl to haue rcceiued vs into it as it were out of all the countries 
 ofthe woorld, let vs be hecdcfulko behaue our felucs as it be- 
 commeth vs,that we bee neucr cart out of it, and to pray vnto 
 God with Dauid , Tfii/.z 3 .tf.and 27 4.that we maie continue 
 
 Ccc in 
 
1%6 The Seventh Sermon 
 
 in it al the time ofour life, and that hce wil there entertaine v* 
 with his fauour, vnril that latter daie in which wee fhal be car- 
 ried vp on high, there to raigne with him eternally, i . Thefts 
 1 7. %simcn. 
 
 ssilrwghty God y &c* 
 The xxix Sermon. 
 Our help be in the name ofGod &c. 
 // U written 44 followeth in the third Chapter of the Canticle ef 
 Canticles } the I 1 .verfe. 
 
 n Daughters of Syon,come forth and be- 
 hold this King Salomon with the crownewith 
 which his mother crowned him in the daie of 
 
 his efpoufailes and the gladnes ofhis heart. 
 
 ■ 
 
 I The knowledge of the trtte le fut hath beene alwaies en tire lie Jfirituaû, 
 Chrifî^ndofthe true Church is reanifit thajpirit notwithflanding being inftru- 
 ifntofaluati'jn % and the one mufi teach c~fed t by the hearing of the woorde, and by 
 vs the other. the fight of the Sacraments. 
 
 ^ The true Qhurch infteedeofbuft- 8 Whereuntoand to whomthefinfu- 
 eng her mind on her felfe^giueth herfelfe all contemplation of the pre fence ofshi* 
 wholie to the praifing of her Bridegrome l^ng being in the world ferueth. 
 to lead al the world vnto him. $ Certaine tefii<nonies that we [boula 
 
 $ AI they which are in Joe Church are not normufi notfeeke after the bodilie 
 not therefore of the £hurch> and there is pre fence of this King on earth y fince the 
 found a falfe Catholique Church too in time foe is afcended the heauens. 
 the midji of the true. 1 o A conclafisn of this doSlrine teach* . 
 
 4 A man mu/ifrrft goe out ofhimfelfe ing vt where and how wee muji content- 
 to contemplate this King. plate this King . 
 
 J Secoodlie he m^fî goe out ofSyon it 1 1 An oppofition and refutation of the 
 {elfe wh>n the King is parted thence, & doctrine contrarie to this truth, 
 that Babyhn hath there fet vp her ban- 11 An exhortation better to contem- 
 ner, plate and feme this King then men haut 
 
 6 Aman ntufl goe forth, bus it it n done. 
 
 find and contemplate this King. 13 This King is fjuerain i (f>iritHal,& t* 
 
 7 It is another thing to contemplate temaUydeliuering ouer to no creature thé 
 this King tbenfîmpfy ta t»otç on and be- author» tie ofimpojtng Lowes «1 the c$n* 
 htldthiiwand hwt this antempUtion fcience > mr *• posing that vthkh me» 
 
VponThr Third Chapter. 387 
 
 grtto dee contertiinghv fanicepor tou- 1 f H^/j ittcfintti: mitt^^itj *> « 
 
 thing thatxthuh wte K9.fiUUtua.nto hirg t uttbfiU9,jxn9i u tit d.un^ if 
 
 fctuttton. thfjam. 
 
 14 HhattlxccrnmiJJÎon ùbethefthe \*> J* (xhrtcucn /• tkmSfuhê 
 
 ftirixuali ofj.ccrs and Chrifiian Magi- *nd Lgoxte ihu g«*it htr,£ éttttï&it- 
 
 jh-Ates ofthn King, <<**• 
 
 HAT which we haue already lear- 
 ned as wel or the matter a:» of the 
 building and adorning of the Cet he 
 Reyali, ought tocauic vs to acknow- 
 ledge the excellent y tUrcet. but 
 yetwemuft ccnftflc that that vv huh 
 js within is a great dcale more fane, 
 J mear.e firrt ofal thisifag, ana af- 
 ters aid the Quecnc, the exc elle ncic 
 of whom is painted foorth vnto vs, namely that of tie King by 
 the mouth utxhc Qvtc»> and that cf ù\c Qveefseby the 11 outh 
 oftheA>g, bother" them good and certaine w une (Tes one 
 vrto the orher;a doctrine or all others efpcciall and ncccilary. 
 Foi fiifl feting eternMfe ccnfijleth m the knowledge of the father 
 t*hit'f>nwenhowhehœthgitteMVs 9 loh,ij.$é& Satan eeafeth not 
 coprefent v mo the world counterfeit iciufies, AT^r/^. 24.$. &C 
 (o f:y eonf* Luc'nt falfe Churches,there is nothing more nc cci- 
 fane then thioughly to know and take marks of the true Icfus 
 Chriii and his true fpoufe. Secondly there are not a few men 
 who care neither for Iefus Chriit northe Church as they 
 ought to care for and elleeme them, becaufc they do not tho- 
 rough -y know of what valew the one and the other is : in fuch 
 fort that fuch maner of people are cafily enticed an other way 
 by the vaine appearance of the world dazehng them fomc af- 
 ir r one foi t,oe hers after an other, i.Cipr.7. 3 1. beiuJcs that this 
 A'w arid this Queerte confîdered with the eies ot flcili feem fo 
 foulc and eirill fauoured, men arc loth to come too near them, 
 fofarrc are they from being willing to kccpethemfelues vnto 
 them, Efay.^^.z. $.& 1. Cor. 4.9. 13. And therefore it is not 
 v» ichout caule that 'Pjal.'tf- 1 4, it is faid^that this beauty U mtb- 
 
 Ccc 2 m 
 
 
$?* The Seventh Sermon 
 
 w> whicft thing we arc diligently and particularly to confider. 
 Let vs therefore confider ftrfi the perfon which ipcaketh^hen 
 to whom ilic fpeaketh , and afterward how and whereof {"bee 
 fpeaketh, to the end we may make our profit the better by it. 
 For this was not written for one day,but that this voice fhoulcj 
 ring night & day in our eares, pearcingeuen vntothcdtmftonof 
 the foule and of the ïfir'tte : Heb.4.1 2. It is therefore the fpoufe 
 which fpeaketh and which ought to bejieard of vs vnder pain 
 of bceing reckoned & accounted among profane perfons and 
 publicanes,<JW*r&. 1 8. 1 7. &JLt*ke 1 0.1 6. 
 
 2 But becaufethis authoritieofthe true Church hath fer- 
 ued Satans turne at all times , in transferring it vnto the falfe, 
 we muft therefore withall confider what this true fpoufe is,to 
 take heede the better ofher which boroweth her name. It is 
 therefore flic not which entifeth men vnto her felfe,as harlots 
 «loc , but inciteth them to contemplate her Bridegrome , yea and 
 that crowned,as anon by Gods grace wee will handle. 
 
 3 She fpeaketh vnto the daughters of Syon^hzt is to fay,vntO 
 them whom God hath vouchfafed this fauour to fend vnto the 
 the meffagc offaluatio,whcther they rcceiuc it as they oughc, 
 to become as it were members of this fpoufe who calleth the, 
 which is the aflembly and myfticall bodie of the belecuingror 
 whether they makethemfelues vnworthy of the grace which 
 God offereth thé. This is fignified vnto vs in theparable of the 
 baquet, Lttkj 4. 1 4. in which we muft note that whic h is there 
 faid that all they who were inuited began with one accord to 
 excufe themfelues,though they tookc diucrfc excufcs,tofhew 
 vs that there is alfo afwcîl a falfe Catholique Church,that is to 
 fay a Church gencrall agreeing in that which is ill, though 
 they be diuided in opinions, as there is one true and only Ca~ 
 tholikc Churchjhcarkening vnto with one accord this only & 
 true bridegrome. And this is the caufc why I faide before that 
 there are two fortes oîdaughtcrs ofSjon , fo called becaufe the 
 terreftriall Ierufalem was the mother Cittie of the people of 
 God. The one fort therefore were as it were the waiting gen- 
 tle-women of this fpoufe,to ctucrin after her by order,and to- 
 gether 
 
Vfon The Third Chapter. 38^ 
 
 gctherin companic vnto the marnadgc banquet, as itisfaide, 
 /y?4 5 . 1 5. The other were in the church but not of the church, 
 & being there as it were only to behold what was done there, 
 orothcrwiic to doe their owne buiîncs, of which fort I would 
 to God we faw not fo many of the like examples amongelt vs. 
 4 Now to come vnto the third point, namely the better to 
 vnderltandof whom,andhow thisfpoufefpeakcth, we muft: 
 cfpecially waigh & confider her hordes. Come forth faith fhe. 
 And how fo Î For iiSyon be the habitation of the Church, why 
 (hould a man come forth of it to behold the King who notwith- 
 standing hath there chofen himfelfe his habitation? < P/£/.87.2. 
 & 1 3 2.1 5 % Ianfwere that this ferueth not but for a fharper con- 
 demnation , to be corporally in Syon % if our affection be not 
 there alfo , and that to haue our affection there is to goe forth 
 ofour felues,to fay with the Apoftle G*i.2.io. lliuefimbeit no 
 longer I t but Chrtfi Itttcth in me. 
 
 ? 5 Morcouerwhenaslerufalemitfclfe is for the moftparc 
 polluted and defiled, & the king is in this refpedt driucn forth 
 and chafed thencc,a man muft go forth if he will contemplate 
 him,as in deedc this King went Forth,and hath raunfomed and 
 redeemed vs, being crucified without the tcrreitriall Ierufale, 
 where we muft alfo go forth after him,as the Apoftlc warnetji 
 ys, Heb, 1 3 .1 2. So this is then an other reafon why we jfaould 
 goe forth,whereofthe fpoufe in this place fpeaketh , and this 
 pollution is fliewed vs by many examples . Pilate was within 
 lerufaiem as was alfo Herode,and yet fo farre were they from 
 knowing of Icfus Chrift though he were before their eies to- 
 gether with the iufticc ofhis caufe , that contrariwifc the one 
 condened him againft his own confeiene c, the other fent him 
 away with ignominie . Yea the very troupes and companies 
 who the day ofhis entrance cryed fo loud,//<j/4wi*,ceafcd not 
 CO cfy the friday îoWovi'mg^aywithhtm^tfvay with him^crncifie 
 him . It is not therefore without caufe , that it is faidc vnto the 
 daughters ofSyon that they muft come forth to contemplate tht» King 
 crowned. And we haue at this day more ncedc then cuer of this 
 aducrtifcmcnc , the fame belonging properly vnto vs which 
 
 Ccc 3 wis 
 
sco The Seventh Sermon 
 
 v\ as faicle vnto this fpoufc her fclfc Pfd. 45 .1 1 . v\ ho now te*, 
 cheth her daughters the fame kfior),Forget th\ people ar,a ihyj** 
 thtrs hottfe , as we arc alio bidden to doe: Lu'^. 1 4. 26. Anu in 
 what Itatc was Sjon then when Babylon had planted her ban- 
 uersinthe vcrymiddcftof Sjoh, as ithapned to the people, 
 w hen Bethel* a* turned inco Betbauen, that is to lay ,the hokje of 
 Codwto the honfe 0) wtcjuiite , according vnto that which was 
 foretold by Dauid Pfal.i 1 8.22.by Efaj.2S.by lererK.i^.xq.by 
 Ezschtehu his whole 13. Chapter, by IefusChritt the matter, 
 Matth.i $ .3 fc.hauing ciriuen and that at two lundry times one 
 of the hcuie of his father thole whom he callcth theeut s,L#^. 
 1 p.46. together with the buiers & fellers, /oh. 2. 1 q.Math 2 1 • 
 12 . and w no finally fet fire in it & left not a ftone vpon a (ionc 
 tjliatb.iq.i. Now w ho can fay that this viilble company was 
 Chen the ti ue Church and not rather directly oppoled vnto hi 
 And which therefore was not to be forfaken according vnto 
 the commaundement of the Lotd } {*A>fath. f)#ftf; To depart 
 with the Eagles thither, where the dead body v\ asX*£.i 7.3 7. 
 Now that the like fhould come to paiTe in thR chrittia Church, 
 and efpecialîy in that of Rome,the Apoflle* bane nu ii cleare- 
 ly foretoide vs, namely faint Paul . M. 20. 30. 1.7*772.4. 2. 
 & l.Theff.i.^.bi S. lohn in the e/fpoc«lyff. acccrdii-r viiioihe 
 cxpofuion ct the grecke and latirc ruthcrs . Who can e'eube 
 therefore ,but the lame being ccmc to paiïc in cur time in the 
 WcaftandEatt Chriflendome as it is apparant vnto thceic 
 vnto fuc h as arc not altogether blind, w e ruj. ht to ccmc lorth 
 out of that Stw polluted and trasformed into Babylon , & fol- 
 low the example of the Lcuits vnder leroboam, i.(hr.i 1 .1 3. 
 and the faying of the I ct dc, Mat.i 5 .1 4.6V the prsétife ol the 
 Apoftle, Act. 1 p.o.So hatie v c done in cur tïme,&fodo,& wil 
 doc al v\ aies in fiR h a < ale all the ttuc children of God , w ith- 
 dra w ing the mfe h:es frcm thi* Wc tt Babylon that they perifti 
 not with it.but I now ant! comcKfUtetki* kj^g crovcntd> to icine 
 themfelues vnto himjeauing the creaft of her w hich is feared 
 vpon the (tuenmcuntaines , vntill God in his time fend her 
 into the lake of fire and brmi(lome,v*/>0C.2O.i o. In a word,be- 
 
 caulc 
 
Vpon Tus Third Chapter. 391 
 
 caufc it is a thing vnpolfi blc to ferue Iefus Chrift and Ba *\>and 
 there is no niMHMiM bctvteene Itght and darkneJJè 3 2.Coï. 6.1 4. we 
 rautf abandon & fortakc the kingdome of darkenes if we will 
 ice vnto ialuation this king of hghc. 
 
 6 Co.xefoortb therefore faith this Quecne vnto her daugh- 
 ters. But what to doc? For it is an caiie thing to goe,naie 
 to leap out of one mifchiefe into another. And wee lee at this 
 daie(ahs a molt miferable cafe^ where many foriake fuperfti- 
 tion to call themfelucs headlong into impiety,and as it is laid, 
 LhI^i 1.16. chaungc one diuel into feuen others worfe then he 
 was. 
 
 7 Behold therefore the reafon why this Quecne addetb, 
 dnd contemplate the Ktng Salomon . But we mult kno w what it is 
 10 contemplate. It is not fimplic tolookc vpon a thing, as at the 
 entrances ofkings cuery man gettcth him vp into a windowe, 
 or goeth out into the (trcctc to fee him palfc by, and after that 
 there is an cnd.But to contemplate is rather an aètion of the mind 
 then of the eics,whcn to take the thorough vie wc ofa thing & 
 perreétly to know it , a man looketh round about it & peereth 
 to the very bottomc : which is faide of S. Peter when he came 
 vnto the Sepulchcr , and leaned his bodie downe into it to fee 
 throughly whether the body of the Lorde were there or no, 
 Luk. 24.12. Yea but will fome man fay, when thefethinges 
 were written,thc king figured by Salomon was not yet vifible, 
 ieing he had not yet put on him our flefh, & yet (til at this day, 
 hauing withdrawen himfelfe fo far from vs fhall not be fecne 
 vntill his latter comming.I confefle al this, & I fay farther that 
 eucn fo long as he was in this world trucly vifible and in fenfi- 
 ble and palpable flefh,yca after his refurre£tion,L//£.24.3 9. fo 
 far is it notwithstanding, that this vifiblc nature caufed him to 
 be knowen, that contrariwife to fee him man as others,and fo 
 vile and contemptible without, was as it were a vaile oucr the 
 eies of the beholders, hindering not only fuch as were carnal, 
 as they who called him Nazœren , Ioh.L47.and (arpenter the 
 fonne ofa Carpenttr, Mar. 6. 3 . and Herod who did nothing but 
 mockchim^/w^ij.i x .but his difciplcs alfo to fee and appre- 
 hend 
 
$pi The Seventh Sbrmom 
 
 hcnd cither his maiefty,or that which we ought principally to 
 feek after for our faluation,albeit his glory fhined in his word* 
 and in his workes • And this is the caufc w hy Icfus Chrift aun- 
 fwered Philip,requefting him that he would fhewhim his fa* 
 &ctJchA4.9.th%titKatcxpeàcntthathefhoHlÀdepm i lo\\.i6.j m 
 It is therefore for the eies of the vnderftanding enlightened 
 by the fpirit of God to found the fecrets of God,which are rc- 
 ucalcd to make this King contemplated and know en . But our 
 outward fenfes feme they to no purpofe ? I faie contrariwifc 
 (fcttinga part that which God can doe,and which he hath ex- 
 craordinarilic done in fome,when it fecmed good vnto him to 
 doc this miraclc)that two outward fenfes of ours are thereun- 
 to not oncly profitable, but ordinarily altogether nee elTaric, 
 to wit the hearing cfpeciallic,and after that the eies : not that 
 wefeeorheare this /f/«^inperfon,but becaufethat by this 
 inearies he informeth our vnderftanding to contemplate and to 
 Joiow him. For ifhec bee knowen and conceiucd by faith,and 
 faith is bred in vs by the hearing of the word, by the which he 
 inanifeftcth himfelfe vnto vs , Rom->.\oq. it folio wcth neccf- 
 iarily that it is in the word of this king that wee mu(t feeke af- 
 ter him and know him,who and what he is. And confequenc- 
 ly if faith be a vertue which hath his feat in the vnderftanding, 
 being there created by the venue of the holy Ghoft,and after- 
 ward maintained and encrcafed by the vfe of the vifible facra- 
 ments , in which the vnderftanding feeth and confidcreth that 
 which is fignified and prefented vnto it.it followetk that this 
 apprehcnlion and confideration or contemplation be fpirituai 
 and not corporal,although the vnderftanding be informed by 
 that which it heareth in the word and feeth in the facraments. 
 For ifit were otherwife,what fhould the faith of the fathers be, 
 who went before his comming in the flefh, whonotwithftan- 
 ding did fo throughly contemplate him , that vndcr other facta- 
 mentcs they did cat the fame mcatc>and drank the fame drink 
 with vs,beingmadc partakers of this tru king Salomon , with- 
 out whom there is neither faith nor eternall life, i. Cor. 1 0.3.4. 
 $0 did our fatkex Abraham fee him in the ckcumcifion,which 
 
 wa* 
 
VpotfTrtE TSiiRé Chapter. 593 
 
 Was vrftb frim a figne andfeal of his iuftification by ûhh.Rom. 
 4. 1 1 . becaufe he embraced the word when hce was yet vncir- 
 cumcifed, /tVw.4.3 .1 o. So did the holy fathers fee him & em- 
 brace him both in the promifes hearde and receiued by faith, 
 Heb. 1 1. and in thefhadovvesofthe ceremonial Law,of which 
 this true Salomon was thefubflance,G>/.2.i7. So the bleffed 
 Virginie .Marie before foe concerned him efTentiallyin her vir- 
 ginal womb 3 conceiued himbytheeare, receiuingbya true 
 raith the word of the Angel, Luk. 1. 3 8. as Elizabeth knew it by 
 aPropbeticallfpirite, andpraifed her greatly font, Luke'.i. 
 
 45- 
 
 o This doth not hinder notwithstanding but that they 
 
 wholiucd i« thetimeofhisconuerfation among rae,& whole 
 eies of their vnderftandingthe fpiritedid withall enlighten, 
 Ephe. 1. 1 8. and opened the eares of their hart,f/^. 16.14. were 
 not aided and holpen to beleeue at the beginning , and after- 
 ward confirmed in that which they alreadiebelceued,by that 
 which they faw,hcard 3 & touched with the hand.,as we fee the 
 fame in Simeon, L»^2.a8.in Anna the Prcphetefie , La(%ï. 
 3 8. in the Samaritanes of Sichcr, Ich.^ 42. and in the Apoftlcs, 
 ?vUt. 13.16. Ioh. 1 .14. and 2.22. and 1 . Ich.i.i. yet that which 
 eaufeth faith to be bred in the vnderftanding of the fcers and 
 hearers, is not the fight nor the hearing ofthebodie, but the 
 action of the mind enlightened by the holie Choir. And 
 therefore faid the Apoiile vnto the Ephefîans 'who notwkh- 
 flanding neuerfawwith their eies.or heard -with their ears le- 
 fts Chri ft in perfon) Chrifl dwelkth ''my our bear tes by faith'. &a- 
 gaine £^.4.20.2 i.Pp'eaking of the hearing touching the word 
 which he had preached vnto thiLjeefaptenut faith he fiîèarneà 
 le fus Chrifl . iffb keeyee hake heardhtnij : andhaue l-ecn Cavoht h 
 
 g Now to fhew that this corporall fight was not ordained 
 to be alwaies the meane tq know this king, but onely for that 
 time he conuerfed among men in that vifiblc flefh which hee. 
 carried vp into heauen,it appeareth both by many expreffe 
 xextesofthe Scripture, as allo'bynecefla ricconfequencesfol- 
 
 Ddd lowing 
 
3P4 The Seventh Sermon 
 
 lowing thereupon, fo wee prefuppofe and agree vpon thefc 
 three pointes. Firl* that the queftion be in this place of his bo. 
 die and not of his diuinity in it felfe, which hath alwaies been, 
 is and dial bee inuifiblcriecondly that Icfus Chrift hath taken 
 vnto himfclf from the beginning and for euer an humane bo- 
 die with al his proprieties , without which no body can bec a 
 body:and thirdly that the eics haue an action bounded and li- 
 mited by which they cannot fee (except it be by way ofmira- 
 cle^that which is not prefent , or which is ouer farre remoued 
 from them. Behold therefore Iefus Chrift who faith expreflie, 
 reprehending and blaming the incredulity of ThomaSyHappie 
 are they which bane not fecne and bauebeleeued, Ioh. 20.29. And in 
 another iphce, y efhal not alwaiesbaueme, Mat.26.1 1. Ioh. 12.8. 
 And Saint Paul,2.£V.5 .6. Wbileweareftraungers faith he in this 
 bodyyve are abfentfrom the lord. And Ph il. 1 . 2 . Idefire to be diflodged 
 and to be with Chrifi.And CololT. 3 . 1 Seekeye the things which arc 
 aboue where chrift fitteth at the right hand ofGod.And Saint Peter, 
 lAB. 3 . 2 1 . the heanens mu ft containe him vnttll all t hinges be refto- 
 redXn a word, as oft as it is faid that hegoeth vnto the fat her (this 
 beeingvnderftoode of the departure of his humanity )fo oft 
 doth he witriefle his abfence , as alfo fo oft as hee faith that hee 
 wilcome . For no man is faid to come vnto a place where hee is 
 alreadie . And to thinke that the true bodie oùhùkingis in his 
 eflence in anie part without pofleflîng a place and bectng vi- 
 able in himfelfe,can bee no more done without transforming 
 the bodie of Iefus Chrift into a fpirituall eflence, then it 
 maie bee faide that his diuinity is circumfcribed within fpacc 
 of place without transforming it into a corporal eflence and 
 being. 
 
 10 Let vs conclude therefore that this true Salomon in re- 
 fpeét of his diuinitie cannot be fecne with the cies, though he 
 bee euery where eflentially , and efpecially in this humanitie 
 which he hath vnited perfonallie, vnto himfelfe. And as tou- 
 ching his humanity, it can at this daic bee no more fcene of vs 
 by our eics then his diuinity, not that it is in it felfe inuiflblc 
 
 (feeing that the celeftiall glory hath not abolifhcd his corpo- 
 ■•- * ralna- 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter! $9$ 
 
 ral naturCjCorporal and therefore material,vifible,and mcafu- 
 red according vnto his dimenfions^but becaufe he hath with* 
 drawenit from vsaboue the hcauenstrucly and properly vn- 
 cil his rccurne in the later day.And therefore it is vnto the con- 
 templation of the vnderftanding enlightened by the holy fpi- 
 rit,and vnto faith (by which Saint Paul faith, heedwellcth in our 
 hearts)znd vnto the inward cies , before which it is faid that this 
 king is painted forth vnto ™,Galat. 3 . 1 .that wee muft referre this 
 aduertifement and warning of the fpoufe , Comefoorth andbe- 
 hold this Ktng^o wit,in his word purely preached, of which the 
 Apoltle fpeaking faid vnto the CorinthianSji.Ctfr^.i ^.Ihaue 
 begottenyon'tnthe Lord,znd to the Galathians q.i 9. 1 travel again 
 to bring you forth, vnitl Chrifl be formed in yosi Anà accordi n g vn- 
 to this icnfe alfo it is that it is faid of the facraments , that is to 
 faie,of the vifible figns adioined vnto the word,touching Bap- 
 tifm e th at we put ojfthe old man to put on Iefus Chrifl in whom we are 
 made new men, Galat. 5.1 7-and Colotf. 3 .9.1 o.and as touching 
 his holy fupper,that»r eat hisflejh y anddrinkehis bloode, 
 
 1 1 Now this truth cannot be better vnderitood & known 
 then by comparing it vnto the language of th* Church of 
 Rome ac this daie, which vfurpeth the name of this fpoufe, 
 &inuiteth alfo her companions to contemplate Iefus, but God 
 knoweth what Iefus Chrilt, whereof we wil fpeake anon. But 
 where to contemplate him t In a painted and materiall Image of 
 wood or offtone. And what fhal I there feefHis remembrance 
 faythefe dcepe contemplators. For that Image will tell you 
 that he was crucified for finners. Iuft. But firft this manner of 
 teaching is forbiddë exprefly by God in the fécond comman- 
 dement,& elfewherc in infinite many places, and is fuch as in 
 the time of faint Ierome himfelfe was accounted execrable, 
 astheEpittle of Epiphanius Bifhoppe of Cipers which hee 
 tooke paincs to tranflate out ofgreeke into latin,to this cfTeét, 
 declareth. Farther , what fliall it preuaile me to know and re- 
 member that Iefus Chriit was crucified, iflknowe not what 
 was the true caufe of his death, the good that returneth to me 
 chereby^and themeanetoacuine vnto it? Now what can this 
 
 Ddd z crucifixe 
 
5 Ç 6 T.H*r$ fi^Nftfl v S f R M Ô'N V 
 
 çrucifixc tcach mec of «'.lirais /-F^r^efkks the forinçrjaijirchfi* 
 but a vain appearance/mis cnu ifîxe is nothing elle but a dead: 
 2nd corruptible matter. -But i^chcy -.-this is taught by w^id of 
 rnouth.Nothing 1 e il c . For if we confidcr but of their Curates,; 
 Vicars , Pnors ,, or Abbots ,Çifh.Dps, Archbiihops, Primate^ 
 Cardinais ; & clpeciaily their -chicfe head ,cuery one knowcthn 
 that not one among an hundred of them knoweth any more* 
 then doth the crucihxeof wood or itone.Aud they who know 
 any thing what account make they of preaching? On the o- 
 ther iid-^ it wee coniîder of their feruice, as they call it, what is 
 the peopie taught by it,fuh it cohftetl*» of nothing but of fongs 
 in an vnknowen tongue , bcfide the Idolatries & meere moc- 
 keries of God therein commktc\d?For the reir^f happily feme* 
 v/aiiet-hrother open his mouth fomeumes in Aducnt orim 
 LentjW hat is their docuine els as we haue already many times; 
 {hewed in the expedition of this fame Ganticic , but io manjr- 
 blafphemics agaiuir all the partes or the office of lefus Chriffc 
 crucified. ? But befides this, what thing is it elle but tomocke- 
 God, and all Chri(lendpme,to fay that they teach thefe things 
 as they ougl\r 3 and yet doe forbid the holy Scripture to be in- 
 terpreted orreddc in the vulgar tongue, andfuch as a: ChrillU 
 ans vnderf*and. ? But there is yet morc,fortliey teache that iris 
 iiifficient vntofaluation to know that which their Church be- 
 iceueth, without any farther enquiring or knowing v hat it is. 
 And what meditation,! prayyoUjOr.consernpIatiorvcan amaiv 
 haue of thar,ofwhich he knoweth n6ihing,&o£which he is nc* 
 whit bound to know any thing in (peciallfBut prouided a man 
 haue a good meaning and refcrre himfelteto the articles of 
 their faith, be it as be may, and kneele himfeiie dow a before w 
 Crucifixe , or fometimes fceke a great way for one when hee 
 hath one hard by,or'be as ready to lay zwAue MnrU^ as a?4- 
 ternoftcr (for indeede the one in this cafe is as good as the o- 
 tber.being as little vnderftood of him that faith ic,as it ishe'ard 
 of the Image before which he prayetb/behold a mérite by and 
 by atchieued, beholde the wrath! of God very well appeazed. 
 
 And how fo. ? Is this to pray ynto God mJfkrits and truth Joh.4* 
 
 a 4 .tq 
 
Vrotf ÏH£ TtfïRD'CRAPTÎllî. 577 
 
 "i j.. to prc'cin our leiues before him inptith, ronhoxt the which a 
 qtonc<***otfUaft Coi Web. i \\é\ i'o be le ne & to be ignorant of 
 ,îg is cms al one! Is this th'içf&tjyfy :vhtch-tvejia>:û} i.Cor. 
 I 6. i ; . /;• fttoè ne Leste luxbe the time darts ojoar tnt m:c ? E p h. 
 6. î 6. i .Ter. ^.ç. m » èrrA w* rt&Afi rs? comixta-groundta aké flabli» 
 fijedï Colo if. 1.23. Is this vazz dot\nnc:vbich)ve mr^/fi meàure 
 d.iy&:àwght > without inquiring after ic or knowing i:? Pfal.i. 
 2. And ircfiis be it, how {hall we fo nwc^ toyceldxreafun thereof \ 
 according vnto the ordinance ofthe Apoiile,when vvc ncucr 
 bnewe what it meant? That is to fay, how can wee giue an ac- 
 count of that, for which weneuermacc either fpcm orrecei- 
 ued? And who teachcth this leiion? That doth iaint Peter, i . 
 Pet.?. 1 5. And how is he the true fuccefior of faint Peter who 
 no: only knowcth ought himfeife, but feibiddcth alfoandca- 
 keth from others the onelyn.eane of executing that which S. 
 Peter requireth? Are not theie fort or men rather thofe of who 
 lei us Ch ri i\ fa i d,t h at they neither enter izto the knwdome ojheauen 
 then: 'fti *m 's ^orfelfer other s to exter 'thereinto ^ Math. 2 3.1 3 . in fuch 
 ior%that truely ic may truely be farde, that their graund Porter 
 carrieth net without caufe twokcycs.the one to (hut vp Para- 
 difeasmuchaslyethinhim , and the other to open hell vnto 
 cucry one that will goe thither ? But let vs leaue thefe prea- 
 chers of w ood and of ftone,dead and dumbe as they bc,which 
 t'hcmfelues will haue called the preachers of Idiots: and let vs* 
 èfcme vnto him whom they pretend to be pcrfonally andre- 
 ttly this very king,as bigge and as great as he was hanging on- 
 the Cro(Tc. And whatdoth he fay?t)oth he teach? Doth he ex- 
 hort? Doth hee reprooue? Lcfle a great deale then the other, 
 which fcemeth to be that which he is not,where as this nether 
 h, nor fecmeth to be he , & in dc^d if we beleeue them them- 
 feiues who make him, andwhoare fofhameles in their wri- 
 tinges as to call themfelucs the creators of their Creator , hee is 
 not there to preach but to bcfacriftccd &ofTered ; not without 
 exceeding mockery ,becaufe that he which offcrcth him doth' 
 cate him, and drinke him, leaning nothing at al vnto him, vn- 
 10 YV'hom hee faith that hee doth indeede and really offer him. 
 
 Ddd 3 And 
 
gp8 The Seventh SeKmon 
 
 And yet this is the mainc grounde,chiefe point and fumme of 
 their diuine feruicc, and this is their ownc language toltftvp 
 CWinrefpeétoftheaétor,theprie(t: and tofccGod'mtçfyz&oî 
 the looker on the pcople,or at leaft to fpcake more pertinent- 
 ly which they hyjoltjt vp lefta Chrifi and to fee Ie(us Chri/t.But 
 they mult iîievve that which they doc both in wordes and 
 indeede 
 
 12 Butletvsgetvs out of this mire, and praife God that 
 be hath pulled vs out of it.And on the otherfide lee vs employ 
 diligently all our mindc throughly to knowe,and as through- 
 ly to feme him who hath opened the eies of our minde & our 
 heart vnto this effect, that wee fall not into greater reproofe 
 then they who faile in this point either of ignorance or of fu- 
 perltition; whereas the couetous contéplatc nothing elfe with 
 their minde and eies but their riches,the fornicators are giuen 
 vtterly ouer vnto their vncleanneiTc and wantonneiTe, hauing 
 their eies full of adulteries and other infamous villanies, the 
 gluttons think on nothing elfe but their good-cheare,the am- 
 bitious nothing but on their pompe and vanities: and fq on 
 in the reft: whereas al things which prefents it felfc before our 
 eies,ought to drawevs rather vnto that which all theworldc 
 preacheth vnto vs, namely to confider the wifedome ,powcr, 
 and inflnit bountie of fuch a worke-man,and to dedicate and 
 confecrate vnto him both our foul and body in an acceptable 
 iacriflec, Rom.i 2.1 . It is not enough therefore to contemplate 
 him , but wee muft acknowledge him for fuch a one as hee is, 
 which is the end and fcope whereunto all this contemplation 
 ought to be referred. In a word we ought to confefle & adore 
 this King Salomon and that crowned. And with what crownf 
 With that which hts mother crowned him with all. And when?/* 
 the day of his fian fades & nrirtb. Let vs therefore confider againc 
 al thefe points directly. 
 
 1 3 Wee knowe well enough what this woorde of fe»fim- 
 porteth.namelyafoueraignepower ouer his iubiecls ordered 
 with reafon. And thus it is,that it is taken in this place, but yet 
 with the differences which are between ih\$kl»g anc * a * others 
 
 which 
 
VponThi Third Chapter. 309 
 
 which hauc bin,are,or flialbc euer in the world . All the other 
 kinges therefore except this, arc in fuch fort foucraigne ouer 
 their iubieéts,that their countries are limited, the time of their 
 dominion bounded,their power reacheth no farther then the 
 body and goods, and all this with a charge and condition to 
 yealdan account one day to him on high, who hath eltabli- 
 (hed them in their thrones hcerebclowc. But this k[»g,to the 
 knowing and contemplating of whom we are in this place inui- 
 tcd t hath all power m heaven andin earth ,not onely becaufe hee is 
 god cocternal & coeflential with his father,but alfo in afmuch 
 as he is man,vnto whom all gouernment is giuen ouer ai crea- 
 tures bee they high,middle,orlowe, Afath.2o.18.I0h. 7. 27.1. 
 Cor. 1 5.27. Philtp.2.9. and that for all eternitie La£. 1.33. £- 
 fay.9.6. And not onely ouer the bodies,but ouer the foules alio 
 of his friends and true fubieétcs to defend them vnto the ende 
 of the woudCyAfath.2S.20. And finally to make them really 
 his coheires in the cucrlafting kingdome,&?#*.8.i j.Heb.2.10^ 
 And likewifc ouer his enemies in the middeft of whom hee 
 raigncthjT^/.iio.Reprefllngthem^haftifingjdeftroyingjac- 
 cording as he knoweth to bee expedient for his glorie and for 
 the faluation of his , as the whole facrcd hiftorie doth witnes, 
 waitingforhisfullviclorie and dominion which is promifed 
 himofthe father, i.Cor.i 5.28. Itis therefore very true that 
 this king in afmuch as he is God with his father , hath altoge- 
 ther with him all power and all empire , yea ouer euery tern- 
 porall eftate of this worlde , fittingin themiddefl ofAfagiflrates 
 Pfal.i 82 Jofing and girding the collar andgirdle of Princes, lob. 1 2. 
 1 8. iAs hee alfo demattndeth them an account of their gouernement y 
 Pfal.58.1. But here is mention made ofakingdome which is 
 not like vnto them of this world,as the king hath himfelfe de- 
 clared it, A^.18.3 6. the one concernethallmen,thegreatcft 
 part whereof fhall perifh by their o wnc fault, Math.j. 1 3 . the 
 other concerneth them who are efpccially called the houfe of 
 Cod, although there bee more which are called then chofen, 
 t^Math. 20.16. In the one the queftion is of the goucrnement 
 heere bclo we which paflcth no farther, in the other the cafe 
 
 is 
 
vpo Th-e Seventh Ser-mon 
 
 • is ofthe gouernement ofthe confcience, reaching farther the 
 this life. The one-is temporal], the other is etcrnall: the one is 
 fcniualljthe other is fpirirualhand if there be any thing vifiblie 
 and corporally adminiftred,it is to lead vs farther and beyond 
 this w orlde: the one is adminiftred of God by the Magiltrates 
 whom he appointcth with power & authoritie to make lawes 
 and politicke itatutes according vnto that natural! equitie 
 which he giueth themiin the other which concerneth the do- 
 minion ouer foules 3 this authoritie is more high then that it 
 may bee communicated vnto Angels themfelues. This King 
 therefore hath alwaies beene, is, and fhalbe hee, who bindeth 
 the foules and confeiences , hauing referuedthis onelyrighc 
 vnto himfelfe:in lb much that ifan An«ei from heauen fhould 
 fay, I wil haue this to be law to bind the confcience,we ought 
 to haue him in execration, as attributing vnto himfelfe the po- 
 wer of God alone, ieeking to raigne ouer his forme our médi- 
 at ox fi al. 1.8. 
 
 14 And in this point is it alfo that the difference of thefc 
 two kingdoms confifteth. For as for the affaires of this world, 
 whereas al may be vnderftood & gouerned by this light of na- 
 tural! vnderftâding & wifedome it hath pleafed God to Icauc 
 vnto me , according as it pleafcth him of his bounty to difpefe 
 it, they may ordaine lawes & Statutes either "to command or to 
 forbid,& impofe temporali paincs on the tranfgreflors ofthe: 
 but fo, that they mull one day yeeld an account vnto the king 
 ofkings.But as touching this rpiritualregiment,the officers of 
 ihii kmg\\zuz no other power nor autority, but to declare and 
 publifh the ordinances which hee hath made, adioyning vnto 
 them the promifes and threats iuch as he hath deîiuered vnto 
 them and left in writing,with the execution , either of absolu- 
 tion towardestherepentauntjorofcondemnation towardes* 
 the incorrigible rebels: but,in the name ohhiskwg according 
 vnto the tenour ofthe commimen hee deliueredthem, vnder 
 paine of Nullity, Mat.2%. 1 3 .and all aftera fpirituall kinde of 
 proceeding 5 exhorting and reprouingby the woord , and bin- 
 ding and loofing by th« fame and no otherwife .■ And as tou- 
 ching 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter. 401 
 
 ching ehrillian mSgiitrates they becing alfo commaunded to 
 doc homage vnto r/b*f /^>£,Pla.2.i l.they are alio officers truly 
 of this fpiihuallkingdonie,yea principalloncs^but not to ap« 
 proch vnto the aultar, as that proueth which happened to Vz~ 
 fciah othcrwife a good king and 7.ealous,2.££/ w.26.1 6.but to 
 arine wich their authority the lpiritual oidinances of this king, 
 as did DauidjSalomon, and their good iuccdk>urs,and tore- 
 preiTein due fort fuc h as not willing to order tlicmielucs vnto 
 this king, & defpifing his lpiritual officers/eeke to ouerthrow 
 the true ieruicc oùhc Lor o, De ut. 1 3 . As we fhal tind that nei- 
 ther any true Prophet viurped this autority , but alwaies vfed 
 th:s true preface,^ hath the Lord fa tde. And when fome would 
 fcaue lifted vp Iohn Baptilt vnto this degrcCjhe anfwered con- 
 trariwife and faid, Iamnotvroorthy tovtt/oofeihcjhoesofhùfette, 
 ioh. 1. 27.&Mofes contented himfelfeto be a jaithfullferuaunt 
 in Godshoftfe, Hcbrc. 3. 6\ hauingmadeall thinges according 
 vnto the modell which w as (he w c n him in the mount , fleb.'S. 
 3 .and hauing exprcflely forbidden to ad or to dimi nifh oughc 
 from that which God had ordained by him , Dent. 4.2. & 1 2. 
 3 2. In a word this is a thing ncuer yet heard that the Prophets 
 added any thing vnto the commandements of God , or made 
 any lawe to binde the confeience. Contrariwife the lord fpea- 
 fcing by the mouth ofEfayexprcflelycondemnetheuery Do- 
 ctrine inuented by men y Efay. I.i2.and2p.f ^.whichlefus 
 thrift calleth Pharifaicalleauen,of which he willeth vs to take 
 hccdcyLMat.i6.it. And if this haue place in that whichcon- 
 cèrneth the will of this King touching that which he w il haue 
 vs doc in this life to conforme our felues vnto his will , afweli 
 towardes him,as towards our neighbors, what (hall wee laic 
 touching the doclrinc of the Goipell, that is tofaie, touch- 
 ing rhat which wee ought to belceue of God vnto faluation, 
 as it is fpoken,£*£.i .77.èx/c7.20.i 7. What blafphemy is this 
 then to belie the fonne of God, witnefling that he hath decla- 
 red vnto his Apolllcs as vnto his friends whatfoeucr he rccei- 
 ucd froGodhisfathcr?And what foal wx fay ofthcApotfles? 
 Tnat they added, changed, ot clipped any thingfrô the tenor" 
 
 Eec of 
 
Îj5s The Seventh Sbrmoh 
 
 ofthd^côinnjiflîoiîjbearing thefe words^*, teack-tketokttpe 
 all thoje things which IbauecommauTsdedjoU? Shall wee fay al- 
 fo that couching the fubitance of the cccleiîaHicall difciplinc 
 andfubitantiallcxerciieof the holy minitiery > by the which 
 the ibnnc of God will haue his hpui-e to be gouerned vntill his 
 latter cornrning,that the holie G holi taught not the Apoiiie? 
 al,or that they did not acquit thélelu'es faithfully of al,withouc 
 omitting of any thing? At the lea(t let vs belceue S.Paul, i .fa. 
 1 1. 23. though it bee there cfpccially fpoken of the admini- 
 flration of the holy Supper, & Colojf.z. 1 6. & the verfes {blow- 
 ing in which is contained whatfoeuer may be faid of this mat- 
 ter. Let vs beleeue Saint Peter alfo aduertifingthepaftours 
 exprefly fvnto thecompanieof whom heeioynethhimfelfc 
 not as aprelate,but as a companion, in the fame miniftery)r« 
 fee de e iter is one hùfljcke ? *ct as hatitng a lord/b/p otter the Lor de s he- 
 ritage J?nt that the j be cafamples tothefiockiA .Pec. 5. 1 . Whcre- 
 uiuo S.Paul agrceingji.O.y.g 5.proteitech that he wil not ty 
 and intangle any man . And thus you fee what this name of 
 ^wgimportcth in this place , ioynedalfo with the name of Sa- 
 lomon, which ilgnificth as much as peaceable , & is meant of 
 theexercife of this kingdome in. regard of this fpoufe which 
 is his Church,ouer which himfcife alone hath power,quicke- 
 ningjiuflifieng and fauing it,as it is hee alfo alone vnto whom 
 fhe yeeldeth al obedience in-that which concerneth this fpiri- 
 tuall kingdome . It remaineth we coniider whether thinking 
 be rake for fuch a one as he is among thé, fro m whom wehaue 
 feparated our felues. Alas nothingleffe. For he is no otherwise, 
 called King among them, then he was of thofe who whipped 
 him in Pilâtes iudgement-hal; not that I wil fay that an infinie 
 nûber of poor people who wander without a fhepheard haue 
 the fame meaning which they had , but becaufe that in effect 
 itcommeth al to one end. And to proue that this is fo,!et vs fee 
 whether they leaue vnto this king one fole point of his roialty 
 and regality, which is not violated by their do&rine.Firltthey 
 hy. they haue a King Lieutenaunt Catholique and v.niuerfall.. 
 Aske the v\ho this is,8uhey wil an Avcre y ou,he vvhich fittetrv 
 
Vpon The Third C hapter^ , 403 
 
 in the Sec ofRome.If you askc on what right.they aleage than 
 tor his right poiTeiToric, there are io & To many ages that they 
 hauc been in this poffeilip: as for their right pctitorie,it is thac 
 fame which was granted by the Lord vnto S.Peter.Now if we 
 would but debate thefe allegations, it were an eafîe matter to 
 fnew that there was neuer fuch impudecie ether feen or heard 
 topropofefuchthinges. But though weprcfuppofedall this, 
 that is to fay,that darkenes were hght,I demaund ofthé whe- 
 ther a licuetenantof a king hath more authoritie then he who 
 fent him to keepe his place : & if he hauc not or cannot haue,I 
 demand/whether fhrowding him-felfe in this lieutenauntfhip 
 with all manner violence and vnlawful pra&ifc , and being lo 
 defperate & prefumptuous that there is no manner falfîflyng 
 ofthe will of his king which he cômitteth not openly, he may 
 bee tolerated as lieutenaunt ofthe king, or whether he ought 
 not to be charged of high treafô againit his head.Now,that he 
 of who we fpeake is fuch a one,it appeareth fii It by this that it 
 fliall neuer be found that the degree Epifcopall is ofthe lawe 
 diuine,but of the law poruiue,as we terme it,befides that a ma 
 may point out the beginning ofit, fofarisitthatlcfusChrilt. 
 or his Apoftles fet vp an Epifcopalitie vniuerfalh And heereoi 
 I call him whom they call the chiefe ofthe foure Doclors, for 
 a formall witnes after the holy fcripture. Secondly if wee will 
 decide this matter by the auncient Canons which meant to 
 bridle this degree Epifcopall , weesfhall Rnâe(I fpeake it be- 
 fore God and men) that there is neither Pope, nor any con- 
 uenticle or degree ofthathicraticalleleargy, which is not ex- 
 communicated and degraded by their owne Canons. But lee 
 Vs come vnto that which is done . Can any one denie me this, 
 that this lieutenant attributeth vnto himielfe this authority to 
 bee iudged of no man, though hee flioulde carry w hole cart- 
 ioâdcs of fogies vnto hel? If this bee denied, dial] not aman 
 finde it in the veriewordes of their decrees/ But you who 
 fay you hauc fucceeded Saint Peter in his Lieue'tenaunt- 
 ihip, ought you to be ignorant that hee was reprehended 
 and reprooued by Saint Paul in Antioch* and that fublikely 
 BtHT Eee 2 in 
 
404 Thh Sevintk Sekmon 
 
 in a matter concerning his Apottolique charge ? Yea faith S. 
 Paul , Gd, 2.11. 'Becaufe be was to be reprehended, and that be rval- 
 kednot with an vprigbtfoote? Haue you alfo forgotten, or do you 
 diifemble that which the fame S. Peter warneth the Paftours 
 not to beare rule oner their flockes \ becaufe they appcrtaine vnto 
 the matter and not vnto the feruants whofc charge is limited? 
 Patte we farder. Truly he whole lieutenant this ma faith he is, 
 hath without reply to the contrarie all power both in heauen 
 and in earth & that by good right. For he cannot erre,ncither 
 in almuch as he is God,nor in afmuch as he is man altogether 
 perfit. And who can challenge vnto himfelfe this perflt know- 
 ledge and vprightnes, but he mutt make himfelfe equall with 
 God? But pafle we yet farder.Thefe two points are mott nota* 
 blc and clearc & certaine, namely,that the lawe moral,which 
 is nothing but a refrefhing and renewing of the lawe natural, 
 which finne coulde not vtterly dettroy out of the hart of man, 
 2^w.2.i4.and likewife the new couenaunt ratified in and by 
 our Lorde Icfus Chrift,ought to bee kept inuiolable vnto the 
 end & confummation of the world. How then would this k&g 
 ettablifh a hcuetenant in the world vtterly to abolifh both the 
 one and the other? But becaufe this matter requireth a more 
 ample difcourfe , wee will refer the furpluttage vntili the next 
 wceke. 
 
 1 6 Be wee therefore heedefull , my brethren , to haue al- 
 •waics this voice of the true Church inoureares, (fomeforthye 
 daughters of Sy on, cm&contemplatethisking Salomon^nà let vs con- 
 fider that we are not here to rett our felues vpon thefe bafe and 
 corruptible thinges, but to this end , that acknowledging this 
 King,v<c confecrate both foule and body vnto his feruice/and 
 tend wholy vnto this end,praifing him for that great grace hee 
 hach vouchfafed vs to driuc vs out of this thicke and palpable 
 darkencs to behold him in his holy wordîand let vs make this 
 grace of his auaileable vnto vs to his honor and gloric,waiting 
 iorthe nearer and clearer fight of him in that heaucnlyking- 
 dome,whichhehath prepared for y s before the foundation of 
 
 *he world. So be it. 
 
 THE 
 
VponThe Third Chapter. 405 
 
 The xxx Sermon. 
 Our help be in the name of God &c. 
 // it mitten mfblkveth m thethtrd Chapter ofthe Canticle of 
 Canttclesythew .verfe. 
 
 x i Daughters of Syon come forth & con^ 
 template this King Salomon with the Crowne 
 with which his mother crowned him in the day 
 ofthe fianfailes,and in the day ofthe gladneik 
 ofhis heart. 
 
 I He who falfly faith he U Liuetenam 
 general! of this King on earth , falfifieth 
 herein his ordinances by at kjndoffalfe- 
 hood:and fir fi of that which is in the law 
 moral touching thefirfi commandement. 
 t Touching the fécond, 
 
 3 The third. 
 
 4 The fourth, 
 $ The fifth. 
 
 é Thcfixth. 
 7 Thefeuenth, 
 
 S The eighth, 
 $ The ninth, 
 
 10 The tenth. 
 
 1 1 Mother fort *f abominable falfifi* 
 cation in the Law ceremonial. 
 
 Jl jifirange abufe by which the Law U 
 tonfiuded with the goJ}ei,& menfent^ to 
 feeke after their faluatipn in that which 
 feruethfir an enditemint again/} them. 
 j 3 A exhortation to cettdetwe this fa 
 Jalfe a doctrine. 
 
 E E ftoodethe laft thurfday ypon this 
 point,namely whether hee> who fomc 
 ages fine e, calleth htmielfe fupremë 
 head ofthe 5 vniuerfal Church 3 as Lieu-* 
 tenant of that king of whom mcntiori 
 is h eere made, bee not rather guilty of 
 high treafon againft his diuine maie- 
 ftie, though wc fhould gra une ; him his 
 Liuctcriant-fiiip hce prctendeth to haue, and that becaufe hec 
 hath deferued to be vtterly degraded, feeing it cannot be that 
 this fouerain king eucr gaue any man autority to falfific in any 
 iorc that which he ordained to be f tabic- & perpetual vnto the 
 
 Eee 3 end 
 
4©tf The Eighth Sermon 
 
 end and conformation of the worldrand this is !t which wee 
 arc now againe to f roue and handle.! fay therefore that there 
 are three vn aies of talfiryjng an inftrumerit.namely by adding 
 by- clipping away,or by chaunging,in fuch fort that the inftr^ 
 mentotthc truth, \\hereofthcqucftion is, receiueth thereby 
 an aJteratio.n.Let vs then fee now whether ai.thefe forts of fal- 
 fincafion haue not beetle and yet are committed by him of 
 whom wefpake,andletvsbeginne with the Lawrncral. The 
 fuit commaimdement forbiddethvs to haue any other God 
 then the only foueraine father \ fonne, audholy Ghoit. Nowc 
 «bat is it to haue any other thing foi a mans God,but to attri- 
 bute vnto ir/that which is properly belonging vnto this oneJy 
 God , whether a man conceiue this opinion within himfelfe, 
 which is inward ldolatry\,or whether a man yeelde it any out- 
 ward feruicc appertaining vnto God alone, which is outward 
 Idolatry ,both theie two being abominable beforcGod? Now 
 rhen is not this to make ofa creature, naie ofa demi-créature 
 a God,to perfwade a mans felfc that it heareth and vnderftan- 
 defh the woords and thoughts ofmen,abfcnt, from as farrc as 
 that which is aboue the higheft heauens isremoued from the 
 carthjQnd which is more,fp eating and thinking in one infant 
 in aniiundredt]iQufancicùuetspi2ces ? This property I fay,of 
 being euery w here,and of know ing the thoughts, is it not pro- 
 perly belonging vnto the diuine effence alone? Their reply is 
 that this w ere indeede to make gods of creatures, ifthey faidc 
 that theft creatures did licare and vndcrftandof themfelues 
 that which is £aid and done inan inftant in their abfence , in fo 
 Kianie diixerfe places , and by fo manie diuerie perfons : but 
 tharthiscs.giuen by Reuelabcn vnto the Sain&es which arc 
 deadjas weciee how Elizeusby Reuelation of Propheticall 
 ipiritOvkncwearidfawçand.heardeinhis abknee ,what his 
 ieruantiGshcri fakiahddid^vidi N^mlLtlw^waiWs . Kttg 
 5-.c^jÀnditfeciBethr.thatthcilike roaykc feid oi'Skim Peter iri 
 tiiat vtiireh he riifcouered of Ananias & Saphira, Acl.<> t 4. And 
 thereupon ihryiaie ,that ifGod -vouchsafed hhferuantes this 
 ^cc/cniainttTgyethaidiielotti^ 
 
Vpon The Third-Co aktîr- ïpp 
 
 llowc (WuW-hccnot beltowc much. greater vpoathem now 
 when they arc with him in glone ? Ana thus.yau fee bow the 
 pcopkseics bcatthisdaic blcarcd,bciDgnocaWctwoohdcr 
 that this whole reply is grounded v.pon an imaginary & fanta* 
 iticalpreùijipolal>oras:tcuchingt^emeanes.icipiçaieth^ic^ 
 
 Church , his word.aflurcth.it vs not only in.general.buLaifo is 
 ipecial by she w hole courieot chelacseu rJttdviftJ narratystai 
 it pleafeth him to vie the,jriinUt.er,y of: BKStffcsm ovdinaric 
 meanes and of Angels ihctfi(btoes%yiûfift»*oAcQmiiiiffioni 
 cxtraorctitiaric^ABdthisicforfJftpk^fiAWrt^we-^c^fi^ 
 of the law,ai the Ap&ttlc fpcakcth viup the fô^tUUn$,-Ç<a/.4. 
 toreueale vnto hisferuants no& vuly that>wvhicl^yvftiffti.dand 
 done hcere & thereout alio things to come fa tarasse would 
 yfe them/m their chatge^.vqcation?b*t>n(OÇit.hA^«. f BSÇgaHÇ 
 thé fimply to know cir^ad^çftain^^diiejil^dUghtA^r^klf^gl 
 pre ft nt done & laid in tfek abfencejbutonly^hé &/o.far fcs&t 
 would imploy the. And faicis that that excelled prophaBlu 
 zeus fpcaketh, 2. A/^.So. tyfctb thing we fee to haue jiapned 
 vnto Nathan who wasi&^UaitJe^fat going topfar^t©^^ 
 ihatwhich-hchactfaidj^^r^ijpj. And wb£i*EAas though* 
 that al was loit in Ifrael, did hc&nQfrÂevv'c thaï God repealed 
 him not al thingsfiX^. 19^0,1 8,Butifwefpeakpftbehea* 
 uenly gouetnment, in whatpjace of Scripture* by what exam- 
 ple of faerod hifipr. y* ft all m^ftp dq tjûs ii3>agin»ri.ççomrnerca 
 & dealing of the l*uir>g,with phcr^j^qf the hintos tic-parted 
 thisMorCqe, hauing rmiflied their courfer? For as touching thip- 
 bleiTedAngelSjWe arctaught.that their cfea£gjeivat)i(bin and fft 
 continueth ftill, to becfent and employed far. thofe erfe&es 
 and purpofes it pleafeth God : but it foiiow'eth nouherefore 
 that they heare or know al things, neither fhal wee euer find. 
 cither commandement to call vpon them 3 or any example irv 
 the Scripture that cuer they were called vpo by any feruant of, 
 God,no not when they appeared vnto him . But we ihall well 
 find that it is not folately that the Inmcatto of angels was reprt- 
 bcndedbythcAppftleexprcily,^V,s,iS. Moreoucrkrvs fee 
 
 what 
 
^oS The Eighth Sermon 
 
 what is tbcoriginallcf ûù$.ïxxccationùfthtSaJKtes departed , fa 
 il grounded. 'Inegroundthereforeofitina wcrdisdcublejto 
 Yiit i ùizivMtrtts& their iKteitcjJioK.Qixhcn htcrctfiionwt wil 
 afterv\ardcslpeake by it icltc . As for their Merits^ hence arc 
 they drawnf Not from the holy fcriptureswhichopf oic therft 
 <iirctily vntoCwr^Rom^.i.Butthcugh amanfhould grant 
 them this,and that there had bin in thole perionagesa perfeel: 
 ©bferuationofthc Lawe without any detect, thole w ho mertt 
 are they not li>fficiently iatisfud and contented w ith the pay- 
 ment they hauete^eiucdjto w itEc,uith eternal lire , according 
 vnto the tettour o$ the legal couer&ufit , àceâlltkefe ihtrgesaud 
 thcujhalt Itneî Whence e4met h thé the reft of the mertt s w hich 
 they c*\ thé treafttre of thé Çhurch^ndoi which they make eue- 
 rie daie fo great a merchandize and yet it is not cxhaufted 
 andfpent? And ifthe Saintes, as they cal them, hauchadde 
 Co maïiieatvd fuch pk-mieof mérites that there is an infinite 
 furplufiage oftlvem , w hat needc hadde they cf thole of lefus 
 Chritf r" Befides thifs vnfo W hfctft haue they giuen that charge 
 of didributing of them? Where and when and who palled the 
 Çouenants of this bargained Bcfides all this if it be true w hich 
 is taught in the iehôotes^ a?s it is mclhrue that the merit e-ofeur 
 Lc-rdlefiu Cbrtft, which we onely approuc, draweth his infinit 
 vertue from thediuinity in which his humahitie is perfonally 
 fubfiftingjhow can this fame vertue be attributed to thôfe me* 
 rites of Saint es, though they rebate neuer fomuch from them, 
 without attributing vnto them a-lfo forae diuine nature ? And 
 what is it eltè but to adore the creatures to attribute vnto them 
 an heauenly and diuine vertue and power? As the power to 
 prefcrue the foule or the body,to fancîifie the fpirite.nay to do 
 forth hnncs w hic h the lew es being mere blind a grcatc deale, 
 knewe to lay that it appertained vnto God alone, L#£. e.22, 
 What fhall we then fay of their holy water, fpetle,holy waxey 
 holy breac!,& of their ^^«/-Der&i other their trafhe? Finally 
 whowillexcufe the adorationof the Chrifme orholyoileio 
 many times and fo^xprefVely reiteratc;d'in their Ceremonies? 
 Whowilnotmanje-1 at their blafphcmy,thattneeling dowr* 
 
 on 
 
VponThe Third Chapthr, 40^ 
 
 on their knees before a croffe of woodde or other fuch matter, 
 they falute it and call it their onefy hope ? Neither will any glofe 
 feme here, that this is not faidc vnto the crofle, but vnto Icfus 
 Chrift who is reprefented crucified there. For the cleane con- 
 trary appeareth by their ownc words,which arc thefe, O Croffe 
 nil haste, our onely hope in thù ttmeofthepasfon , the gibbet on which 
 traf hanged in fir/h the Creator offlefi. And what more? Can the 
 blefled virginc Mary be called Qjteeneofheauen^'whowx. par- 
 ting thiskingdome? Ohy Ladj > without matching a compa- 
 nion with theonelj Lord? Ohy life jour hope ^otfrfrreeteneSyVvkhout 
 placing her manifestly in the throne of the godhead? But (o 
 moft horrible blafphcmic that eucr was fpewed forth!) can a 
 man requelt her, without degrading of Icfus Chrift,that in rc- 
 fpcdt of the perfon of the father, Jheepray: but in refpc&of 
 Icfus Cbrilt his fonne , thàt/hecommaHnd him of her moiherfy po- 
 wer a?fâ atrthoritie} And yet notwithftanding this is not onely 
 faide, but fong and howled forth in their temples: and who fo 
 findcth fault with this,hc is an hcreticke.I conclude therefore, 
 that ther are in this church fo many falfc gods as there be cre- 
 atures called vpo & fcrued with a religious adoratiô , that is to 
 fay concerning direclly the conicience, and the dtuine feruicc 
 dewe to one onely God the fathcr,fonne,and holy ghoit: and 
 as many as there be temples and altars confècrated and dedi- 
 cated vnto creaturcs:and how then can that Church bee the 
 true and onely vniucrfall Church? 
 
 % This firft commandement which is the ground & foun- 
 dation of al the reft being ouerthro wen,what may a man con- 
 clude ofthe reft? As for the fécond jContaining two principall 
 points.namcly an exprelTe forbidding to make any likenes of 
 any creature highjmiddlejOr low in the caufe ofreligion,or to 
 do any reuerêce to the,I will not fay of this cômandemét as of 
 the other.For they haue gone a gtcat deale farther in this then, 
 in the firft , which albeit in effect they haue violated and bro- 
 ken,yet haue they left him written as hee wasbythchandeof 
 God. Butas for this fecond,feeing that if he remained there, 
 painted Images and Statues muft fall to ground , they haue fo 
 
 FfF intangled 
 
4X0 The Eighth St*m,o;h 
 
 intangled it with the firi^that they hauc finally cclipfed it aU 
 together* molt intolerable prcfumprion,andinexcufably ex- 
 ecrable,feeing that the Lord who engraueditasitwere with 
 hisownehandeandwithout;theminUterieofman,declareth 
 that not one fole little letter of the law may not be blotted out, 
 7^^5.18. Sa chenalready this fault, Imeane this echpfing 
 of this commandement by thofe of whom we fpeake is with- 
 out all excufc . But how on the other fide may the tranfgrcsfi- 
 on thereof bee excufed, when in their churches, chappels, 
 ftreetes, great places, in citties and in fields there are found fo 
 rnanyncits of itatues and all fortes of Images? We know well 
 their, goodly replies, which yet are fuch as vanifh away like 
 fmoke at the leaii word of this commadement. The true feniè 
 thereof befides that it is moil clcare in it felf, whéce may it be 
 better gatheredxhen by that which hath becne generally ob- 
 {èruedin the chritèian Church for moc then three hundred 
 yeares together ? Images, fay they, are the hookas of the common 
 people. And what can fuch dumb doctors teach,fet vp and efta- 
 bhfhed againft the exprefle commaundementof God ; , who 
 hath not.onely forbidden to adore and worfhip them, but to 
 make them, I meane to haue them vfed in the matter of religi- 
 on? And experience hath finally fhewed why the.Lord diftin- 
 guifhed this commaundement into two principal! heades , to 
 wit,firlt forbidding to make them,and after that to w orfliippe 
 them. And indeede fince the fuft entering of Images into the 
 Church,men haue for a long time confeiTed that there was no 
 honour due vnto them, but when Idolâtrie was once entered, 
 then they faid that this honour was not done vnto the ftatua 
 or Image, but vnto him which was represented by the Image. 
 Amoftfalfe excufe. For if it were fo,whyibouldcamanvfe 
 more deuotion to one Image of the fame faint , then vnto an 
 other? And ifthis were the meaning of thefe worfhippers of 
 Images,as they fay it is, what other thing is this the to anfwer, 
 that a man playeth not the Idolater with the Image, but with 
 him whom the Image doth reprefentfl fpeak in refpcét of the 
 
 Images of he & fhee faints os,they call the. For who will dare 
 ^ - - to 
 
VponThe Third Chapter^ 411 
 
 to fay (T>ut he fhalbe conuiCted by the whole fcriptures) that if 
 the virginc Mary,or the Apoftles, & by confequent other true 
 Saintes were ahuc at this daie on earth, that they coulde fuffcr 
 that mc fliould knecle vnto theVThat they fliould otter vp can- 
 dels vnto thé, that they fliould prefent incenfc before the, that 
 they fliould preach of their merits? Their whole doctrine and 
 their whole life being clear contrary vnto it.I let paiTc to fpeak 
 ofthcirfettingoutofthelc goodly ftatucs & pictures of their 
 curLadtes as they call, themclad in their fomnicr and winter 
 garmentcSjof their virgins attired like fliameles flrompcts, of 
 horfes, afles, dogs and fwine which charge their altars among 
 their faintes, of their tapers and lampes burning before there 
 blind flames, and other fuchmeerc and inexcusable Idola- 
 tries, all which notwithstanding iscoucred with thegoodlic 
 name of deuotion.Alas 6 Lord how long? 
 
 3 As for the third commandement an oth beeing the true 
 fealty and homage which the confciencc owcth vnto God his 
 oncly Lorde , not onely as prefent , and knowing the thinges 
 which arc moft fecret & hid,but alfo as iudge and reuenger of 
 al fa!fliood,the great & only liuing God being as it were fct & 
 placed in his throne to be made iudge of the truth vnknowne 
 vnto men : can it bee denied but there are fo many felonies, 
 fo many idolatries,fo many degradations of the true and one- 
 ly diuinity,as there be othes made by the creatures, high,mid- 
 dIe,iow,or by other fancies which men do forge & deuifcf For 
 to fwcarc is not only to take vnto vs a witnes in generall , as a 
 man maie doe vnto the verie infcnnble crcaturcs,£)*#r.$.i. 8c 
 E/aie.i.z. but it istotakehimwhomeweefwearcby to bee a 
 witnes of our confeience, which thing appertained vnto god 
 alone. 
 
 4 Arfor thefourtHcornrnandcment,euerie chriftianoughc 
 to knowthatfofarre ask was ceremoniall it hath an end, not 
 that in lieu of the feattenth daie called the Sabbat, we flioulde' 
 Iudaize the Sundaiefforthis were not toimpofe an end vnto 
 the figures, by the rcall commingofthe truth Colof.2.16 .but 
 onely to chaungctbe <daie)-but to the c f nde that according- 
 IÀ » FfFi vnto 
 
4i* The Eighth Sermon 
 
 vnto the ordinance of the Apoltlc which maic be gathered c- 
 uidently,x. C?r.i6.2.ande>^?c.i.asthe memorie ofthe crea- 
 tion of the world in fix daies was celebrated in the ianCtifka- 
 tionof the feueiuh daie (& that notwithltâding in the deliue- 
 ranee of AEgypt,the order of the monthes and the beginning 
 ot the year w ere chaunged) lb by the newe creation ofthe fé- 
 cond world, which the Prophets cal a new heauen and a new 
 earth, Efat.6 i.i j.ztid 66.22.appearing by the refurredtion of 
 the Lord , the true light of this new world ought to be renew- 
 ed and celebrated the daie which wee call the Sundaic,that is 
 tofaie,thedaie ofthe Lord, afteraipecialifafhion,andlucha 
 one as ailtinguifheth this daie from other in reipcét ofthe 
 principal vie: as in the time of thcApoftles thcmfelues this 
 daie w as celebrated by a more fpeciall ailemblic ofthe faith* 
 iul.But that theChriltians ihould othcrwife abftain from their 
 Woorkc without it were for that time w hich was requifue for 
 their affembhe: this was neucr commanded nor obferued, vn- 
 til that Christian Emperours made an ordinance for it: indeed 
 moti commendable , to the end we fhould not bee othervs ifc 
 •diitradted: to giue our felues ouer the more to all holie things* 
 But «i hat? Al this is now become with them a verie Iudaifme, 
 in fuch fort that to open a fliop window , or to giue one blowe 
 with the hammer,is fuch a finnc, as ftiould raifc an whole city 
 in a commotion.but not to game,to go to the tauerne,to plaie 
 the whoremafter.For this is now growen into a cuftomc; And 
 as if the exercife of aChriftian were to doe nothing, vnder a 
 coulourofdeuotion , they could not content thcmfelues with 
 two and fiftic fundaies, but they mull haue fo manie holidaies 
 added , that almolt the third part ofthe yearc is parted awaie 
 in fuch idle fcftiual daies. And though wee graunt them al this 
 time, to fan&ifie the name ofGod, bee it on the fundaic or on 
 other holydaics, or to celebrate the memortc of great and ho* 
 Jic perfonagesf not to fpcake anic thing of a great part of then» 
 ^hicharcintheircalcnders^whatisit elfe with them but. to 
 blaf phemc and to commit Idolatry , as all their diuinc feruic e 
 i» notably patched vp and domed therewith? 
 
Vpon The Thir» Chaptik^ 41J 
 
 5 As for the comnnundement of honoring of father and 
 tiiothcr,vndrr the name of whom is compriled ai lawful iupc- 
 nority.darc they deny that the phanfaical traditions,by which 
 the Lord declareth that this coinmaundcment was io ihame- 
 lefly brokers not the fetch they haue vied to fnare within their 
 net Duchie:>,Earlcdomcs,& other LordfhipsPThcfoundatioa 
 of their great towrs & lteeples,the pretence of the destruction 
 of families by milliôVlf a man wil not leek far after Antiquity, 
 at lcalt let the Gratis of thelc lait commers,who attribute vnto 
 themlclucs the name of Iefus,common vnto al tru Chriltians» 
 open the eies of luch as arc bhndclt, who haue gotten by their 
 icruiceable gratuities more goods and reuenues, then a good 
 part of al che hofpitais in France haue.And what dial we lay of 
 their exemptions from ordinary iuliice,of the fupcriority viur- 
 ped by Bifhops,Abbottes, Priors , Curates oucr the Iuliicc of 
 lings, & efpccially by that goodly vntuerfal Bifhop ouer Em» 
 perors,Kings , & Princes,fo far is it that he paicth tribute vnto 
 %vho tribute is due,according vnto the example of Iefus Chnlt. 
 himfelfe, & of him , whofe fucceffor notwithstanding he faith 
 he is , not Oiaming to cal a good part of Italy and the Capitall 
 Citty of the Romane Empire the patrimony of him whotefti- 
 ficth of himfelfe that he had neither gold nor filuer,e//ft. 3 .€♦• 
 6 Now if we fpeak of the iîxth cômandemet touching mur- 
 dcrs > ho w can it be more cuidently tranfgreffed the by their li» 
 bertics& priuileges of granting mercy to the greatcit Crimi- 
 nals,©^ that horrible abufe of Clergy ? Moreouer let a man buc 
 confider the taxes of the Chancery ofRomc , he (hall Rode at 
 how many thoufand ducats the murthcr of father & mother is 
 taxed. Demaund the reafon of all this: &it is that.which they 
 caught the who conftraincd Pilat to crucifie this King of who 
 %ve fpeakc fas they yet at this daie pcrfuadc Kings and Poten- 
 tates to crucifie him in his poorc member«)namely this, Nobi$ 
 mm licet tut erficcre <jHe»qttam t th*i is to faie,It is not lawful for vs 
 toputanymantoc*eath. And indeed I confefle that neither 
 ciuil nor criminal iufticc pertaineth vnto them , beeing as it is 
 diflinguiihed from the miniftery of the word,£// # i 2.14.& 22. 
 
 FfFj a 3 .and 
 
4Y4 Thi Eighth Sermon 
 
 2 5 .and Iohn . 8. i o . and 2 . Ttnm. 2.4. 
 
 7 As for the feucnth comandcmcnt concerning the obfer* 
 uatiô of holy manage I wil not ftay in this horrible filthy (lech 
 which neither the funne can abide to fee, nor the darkenes of 
 the night coucr,nor the earth bearc and endure, al ofthefe dc- 
 maunding vengeance at Gods hands w ho fhail hcate them in 
 his time . But they will replie againft mce that their do- 
 ctrine doth not approouc this. But who knoweth not , who 
 fceth not , who acknowledgcth not , who fecleth not all 
 thatftinkingfilthineffe, the like whereof neither was i norc- 
 ucr coulde bee in the worlde , which entered in floodw tie into 
 the Church by the gate of that goodly vowc of tingle Medal- 
 led not without caufc by the Apoftleadoetrineofdiuels, 1. 
 Tim. 4.2. 1 knowe well their replies . But ô heaucn, earth, 
 hundred thoufand millions of rapes, fornications, adulteries, 
 incefts , oucrthrowinges ofGods and mans lawc,te(tified be- 
 fore God and men,and demaunding vengeance of fuch defpe- 
 rate & fo long a time côtinued enormities. But farther though 
 all this were nothing, what is this abhomination fo fhamelef- 
 ly pradtifed in our time of difpcntlng with the marriage of 
 Vncles and Nieces in degree of confanguinitie ? A thing not 
 onely condemned by Gods lawe in the cafe it felfc ofaffinitic 
 onely,£*«y;.i 8.14. but deteftcd fo exprcfly by the poore Pay- 
 Aims thcmfclucs , who haue blufhcd at fuch a cafe as the Ro- 
 man hiftories câ witnes. And yet for al this,when it fo pleafcth 
 chem , mariagc is forbidden vnto the fcucnth degree of fuch as 
 be collateral!. Alas Lord how long? 
 
 8 As for the commaundement which concerncth theftes^ 
 it Were wonder a man woulde fay it might bee maintained by 
 them,wholiue not but by facrilegc, to wit,with the goods be- 
 longing vnto the poore, of which they make themfelucs the 
 recciuers without yeelding any account. 
 
 • 9 I fay the like ofthelaft commaundement fauc one,fpea* 
 king of falfe witnes É bcingln no point more damnably viola- 
 ted then in the ouerthrowing of the witrtèiïings and tcttimo* 
 nies of ;he Prophets and Apoftlcs irrcpcoucable w«»«# s -Ei** 
 
 nally 
 
VponThe Third Chapter. 415 
 
 «ally the bft commaundement paflmg euen vnto the roctc of 
 the euili which isinvs, and without the which the Apoltle. 
 witnefieth that he had neuer known in deed what fin meant, 
 %oifuq.-}. isitnotafmuch or more openly violated then a- 
 ny ofthe reit by their «lo&rin, whê they teach that neither thç 
 vnderitanding nor the w*il of man are wholy and .entierly fub- 
 ic&ed vnto fm and death by original fin: but that there iHll re- 
 maineth a certain difpofition and inclination vnto that which 
 is true and good .• whence they drawe their mérites ofcongruity 
 dr preparation} Afterwards when they teach that by the very a- 
 (Stionof baptifmc , yea by the venue of the water, original fm 
 is(ifnot altogether}yet in partfo done away, that the child of 
 aTurkcorlewbeing baptized & dying before the age of dis- 
 cretion goeth into paradifc , and as for thofc who come vnto 
 age, that that corruption which refteth in them isnotiinne, 
 but onely a litle fparkc of fire vndcr the hote a&es to excreife 
 vs. 
 
 1 o As for the other kinde of the Iawe concerning the out- 
 ward diuine feruice, the fpirite oferrour hath done the clean* 
 conrrary,tending notwithstanding vnto the iamc end.For ha- 
 wing abolifhed the Lawe morall which fliould notw ithftan- 
 ding be pcrpetual,he hath cleane contrarie found the mcanes 
 to citablifti the Lawe ceremonial , knowing that Icfus Chrift 
 had impofed an end vnto it:and this deflein of his hath he ex- 
 ecuted by a marueilous fleight, which hath deceaued thofe of 
 the better fort . For if he would haue perfuaded them that hec 
 woulde fct Iudaifmc vp againc^ or retained Paganifme , men 
 would haue openly withftood him. And therforc he obiec-ted 
 that the great fimplicity of the outwarde feruice of God both 
 in the miniiteric ofthe word & in the adminiftration of the fa- 
 cramentes would breedc a contempt ,' and therefore it would 
 bee good to haue fomc petite matters befide , not that this 
 (hould be ofthe fubttance ofthe dodtrin or of the facraments, 
 but to make the thinges more commendable , and men more 
 attentiue and deuout. This being once thought to be good by 
 an clficacic oferrour ,hec added, that vfing withal (oinc cere- 
 monies 
 
4r£ The Eighth Sermoh 
 
 monies of the Lawe notto Iudaizebut to turne them vnto a 
 •a good vfe, & doing the fame foberly in certaine points like o- 
 thers without fuperftition or Idolatry, would be a mcane to 
 winnc the Icwcs and the Idolaters thceaher vnto the true 
 religion . Thence came holy- Watcr,fquare-Caps, SurpIi(Tes â 
 |ioodes,bald crownes,chaunting of prick-fong, altars,diftin- 
 âion of daics and of meates, with the reft of the furniture of al 
 that goodlic ceremonial fcruice,as ifGod had impoied an end 
 vnto the lcgall ceremonies, of which himfclfe was the author, 
 to giue authorityjnot vnto the A pottles (who ncucr ordained, 
 norpra&ifcd fuchthinges,naie contranwifc eftablrfiicd and 
 recommended the true and pure fimplicity afwelof doétrinc 
 as of ccclcfiaftical gouerncment) but vnto them whofhoulde 
 come after them,to cut and clip offal at their pleafure . If anic 
 man will denie this, .the fight thereof difcouereth the faàr* 
 jfwee conferee their inucntions with Mofes and with pro- 
 fane hiftorics. True it is that touching this point they want 
 no allegations of certaine bookes forged at pleaiure, but 
 fo dolt ifhiic written, that a man need go no farther for proofe 
 cf fuch forgeries. And thus you fee how the fpirit of error by a 
 iuft judgement of God hath ferued his turne with the holie 
 Lawe ofGod,for the deftru&ion of mcn,and al vnder the £ha- 
 <fc>W of cftablifhingof it and teaching the right vfe thereof: a 
 thing moft miraculous and wonderfull , how men could be- 
 come fo brutifh as not to fuffcr a man to touch their fore,io far 
 are they from iccking after or defiring to findc or receiuc a re- 
 medy, 
 
 li But touching the law morall the abufc thereofappca- 
 reth moft ftraunec in this, that there is no one fpeciall com- 
 mandement, which hath not beene more openly ouerturned 
 in Ghriftcndomc then cuer it happened in the fynagogueof 
 the Iowes,as the rcprchcnfion which the lawe-giucr himfclfe 
 maketh^oth witnes of them from point to point in faint Ma- 
 thc w chap* j ,6\7.But the fault is yet more daungerous in that, 
 that the vfe and fcope thereof is turned vpfide downe. Which 
 
 thing hath becne fo much handled by faint Paul, cfpcciaJly ia 
 
 - __ ^ 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter 417 
 
 the epiftle to the Romans and to the Galathians,that it cannot 
 be but an incxcufable reproch vnto them who call themielues 
 Chrifiianstodifpute ot this point any more. Infumme, the 
 hvv fheweth vs,v\'ill we or nil we,what we owe vnto God and 
 neighboured that no man neither difchargeth,nor is able to 
 difchargc his debt in this behalfe, being vtterly vndoneand 
 made vnpayablc by the naturall corruption of mankinde, 
 which thing notwithstanding neither exemptethhimoutof 
 dcbt,nor from the penalty adioyned vnto the contract,which 
 is euerlaltmg death . FortothinkethatGod renounceth his 
 debt without entire paiment made,is to ttansforme God into 
 man. This is then an inexcufable follic to fceke after the falua- 
 tion ofthe foule by the obligation of death,that is to fay in the 
 lawc morall , which argueth our condemnation , and v\ hich 
 can vfc no other language vnto vs then his tenor importetb. 
 And yet notwithstanding this is the foundation ofthe hope 
 giuenoffindinginamans owne merits, or thofe of an other, 
 ( whereof a man may furnifhchimfelfe for ready money vnto 
 the diftributcr^that which is found, as we will anon declare,in 
 Iefus Chrift alone,hauing fatisfied forvs,/« Citrymgonr Jinnes vp- 
 #« the tree, i .Vçi.ï.iq.andaccomflifbcdalrighteoufnesfor T//,Mat. 
 3.15, Gd.3.13 . and 4.4. and yet notwithstanding behold the 
 matter, behold the end and whole fubftancë ofthe Church of 
 Romes diuinity at this day touching our faluation. 
 Ji 1 3 It remaineth to declare the falsification committed in 
 the other part of the word of God,w hich is our foueraign hap- 
 pineffe,! mean the couenant of faluation in Iefus Chrittalone, 
 promifed vnto the Fathers , and finally fent into the worlde, 
 namely into Iudea in proper perfon, and after vnto all nations 
 by the minirtery ofthe Apoltles and others fent hither and 
 thither by them, which is that which we call the Gofpeli J 7?/ k . 
 1. 2. 3. that is to fay, the good & true healthfull newes. But we 
 Will differ this point vnto an other time, thâking in the meane 
 time our pood God and Father, that ithath pleafed him df 
 his fingular mercy and grace, to haue opened our cics to 
 knowe and deleft fuch abufes , defiring him to giue vs farther 
 
 Ggg graec 
 
^tl The Ninth Sermon 
 
 grace fo to vfc his truth, that wc witneiTe by our good life and 
 conucrfation,that his fpirit hath not onely wrought in our vn* 
 deritanding, but alfo formed our afre&ions vnto his obedU 
 ence, that wee bee not the more inexcusable before him, the 
 more graces and bleflings wc haue rcceiued. Amen . And bc- 
 caufc wc haue beenc hithcrunto fo vnthankefull for fo great a 
 bencfite, let vs demaunde of him fauor & mercy with § heart & 
 with mouth as foloweth. 
 
 iSÎlmsghtj Goà&c. 
 
 The xxxi. Sermon. 
 
 Our help be in the name ofGod &c 
 
 // u written dsfoUweth in the third Chapter of the Canticle ef 
 Canticles \the 1 1 .verje. 
 
 ii Daughters of Syon come forth & con- 
 template the King Salomon with the Crowne 
 with which his mother crowned him in the 
 day of his efpoufailes and the gladneffe ofhis 
 heart. 
 
 X How this KingU degraded of all his 7 Howe out fanftification is by their 
 
 degrees in the Apojixtkall Qhwch of Dotfrine falfified. 
 
 RettK At this dale. & How the Inter cejjton of one mediator 
 
 2 Firft ofhis dignitie T&yxll. alone is taken-awaie & abolifbed, 
 
 3 Secondly ofhis FlxieVropheticalL 9 A conclusion of 'all this matter, 
 
 4 Thirdly of hlsVriefihooi. 10 Who the mother is who hathcrorr» 
 $ jtfalfediîli/tïlim between* venial ned this King, 
 anlûiyrtxllfinnes. 1 1 What the time ofhis pan faites is. 
 
 6 An other fzlfe DoSlrine touching 1 2, Where fore this day is called the day 
 the vitllt ofjinnt, & the Çnni(hment i & of the gladneffe of this King, 
 of the fînne s committed before and after 13 An exhortation embrace the grace 
 2*pifme. ef this ^ing, and to makç h auaileabU 
 
 vnto vs. 
 
 WE 
 
Vpon Thh Third C haptïïîù 41P 
 
 E haucyctonc point more to handle 
 vpon that which I began to fhewe on 
 Thut fdaic lart , to wit,how this king is 
 fpoilcd at this daie of his glor\c in thac 
 which is the principall part of his dia- 
 dème royall, I mcanc touching that 
 which concerncth the office of his me- 
 diatorfliippe, witneiTcd by the Gofpel 
 called the forever of Godvnto fcluation vnto euery one that beleeneth % 
 Rom. i.i 6. zndbyEfac the zArme of the Lord , Eiai.j 3.1 . A 
 matter of fo great confequencc, that there cannot fall out any 
 different or controuerfie among men,which is more nearer to 
 be looked vnto. I faie then that this dignity or rather maicftie 
 of this king, mediatour betweenc God and his Church, confi- 
 fteth in three points, namely in his royal dominion, fpirituall, 
 and foueraine in his kingdomc, yeaouer finne it fclfe and oucr 
 death: afterwards in the office and charge which he reccaued, 
 to be the true , and to fpeake properly, the oncly Prophet and 
 declarer of the counfel of God touching the faluation of man- 
 kindrand thirdly in his eternal priefthood.Now not any one of 
 thefe three pointes remainethin his entire in the Church of 
 Rome at this daie , which by confequent is nothing lelTc then 
 the true and only fpoufe of this king. Which thing we wil en- 
 deuouT to open & make plaine vnto you, howbeit fummarily, 
 bicaufcthe fame hath bin already handled at large by vs vpon 
 the tuft chapterofthis Canticle. 
 
 2 But thefe words of f^^«£fraw«/,leading vs again e vn- 
 to it,and for that this point can neuer be too oft declared and 
 handlcd,we will enter again moft willingly into it. In fummc 
 therefore I fay that a man could not more openly haue encro- 
 ched vpon this royaltie and prerogatiue of his, then by orde- 
 ring the eftatcofthehoufcofthis king befides and contrarie 
 vnto his expreiTc will, in eclipfing of ibmc of his lawes, and e- 
 ftablifhing of others altogether anew: and as for iuch as were 
 ordinarie,retaincd for the ordering of the gouernement elia- 
 blifhcd by the foueraign prince (to wit by the fonne Heb. 1.2. 
 
 Ggg 2 and 
 
420 The Ninth Sekmok 
 
 zr\di.6.andJpocat. 13.17.) in cutting & clipping them at 
 his pleafurc, not fuffering himfelfe to bee reprehended of any 
 man, todifpenfe, tobinde,tolofeagainltalllawe of God 6c 
 man. As tor his prophetical ioueraigne authoritie,by the fpinc 
 of whom all the auncient prophets fpake, ifPet.1.1 1.& who 
 afcerwarde himfelfe in peribn declared all the will of God his 
 father, without keeping backe any thing thereof, lob. 15. 15. 
 and hath mice his alcending vp into heaucn vntill hee returnc 
 not to teach,but to iudge,continued to declare the fame vnto 
 the world by his faithful Apoities enlightened with a partie u- 
 larvertue and power of the holy gheft,/^. 16.3. £•-/&-. 20. 2 7. 
 Gal.i.%.Epb.q.i i.i.P<?M.I2.How could a man degrade lcius 
 Chriftof this dignitie more openly then by falfihyng of all 
 that which hee preached both by adding to & clipping from, 
 & by turning w hite into black,and light into darkenes, as is in 
 Efai 5.2o.Yeafofar,asnotorioufly to forbid this declaratiô of 
 his to bee read thorough al nations and peoples in a knowen 
 and intelligible language , fearing, fay thcy,lea(t men fhould 
 become heretiqucs,that is to fay,fearing leait the light mould 
 ingender darkenes,and the truth lying. And what is this clfe> 
 then neither to enter into the kingdom of heauen,nor to fufFer 
 others to enter in, Matb.z 3. 13. then to hide the light vnder a 
 bufhel, (JWitb.5.1 1 . There remaincth the third point of his 
 office of Mediator,nameIy his eternal priefthood,which con- 
 fîiteth in two chiefe pointes: in ourredemption, and in his in- 
 tercesfion : the which redemption hath two parts , tke expia- 
 tion of our fînnes,and our fan&iflcation , which wee wri han- 
 dle from point to point diftinétly. Firft therefore there is that 
 which we call origwallfinne , which ought to be confide red of 
 in two diuers refpeéb, namely touching the corruption of the 
 whole man, which is as it were the efTcnce of this fin ne* 
 fwhereofwefnallafterwardes fpeak in handling ti»e point of 
 ianérifïcation) and touching that which followeth it, namely 
 that which makethvs guilty, and children of wrath worthy of 
 the curfe of God from our conception, T/d/. 5 1 .7.R01T1. j_. 14. 
 1 8. Epb. 2. 3 .There are afterwards the fruices proceeding from 
 
 this 
 
Vpon Tub Thîkd Ch apteh. 4 11 
 
 this curfed roote, which bin-d vs fpecially vnto eternall death: 
 whichrootcoffinftc^lbcicitbefodcafled by the holy fpmtc 
 in thole who are regenerate, whereof wee will attcrwardes 
 fpeakc,notwitbttanding rt leaucth not to bud forth , though it 
 benot with fuchdfinalt-fifed: as befbr^being.a perpetual \\ar 
 
 between this flefh, that is to fay the remnant of original im,& 
 the fpirit, that is to fay the power of god,& his effect in vs.GW. 
 5.1 7.whkh combatc is moft ltucly defcribed & painted forth 
 vnto vs by the Apoftlc,fo.7.propofîng himfclfe for an exapie. 
 5 If therefore we demaund thefc goodly Do&ors and tea- 
 chers of theirs,how the fruits of this vice are pardoned vs,they 
 will aunfwerc with vs that it is by the death and paflîon of our 
 Lord Icfus Chriit.But if wee deiire to haue a farther declarati- 
 on of this anfvvere, then Satan, who was before difguifed,be- 
 ginneth to fhewe his homes . Foritis-hec in deede who hath 
 learned them certaine diftinCtions , by which this goodly firft 
 aunfwere of theirs vanifheth away as fmoake , namely the di- 
 ft'mtïionfirftbctYiQcnmortati-andveKtaM/îrwes, which deferue 
 (fay they) nothing but rcmporall punifliment, whereof a man 
 is purged by fome difpleafauncc and remorie of them,with 
 one asperges of holy water , one bifhops blcffing, and other 
 fuch inuentions . Whence it would folio we in found logique, 
 that fuch fînnes haue nothing at all to doe with the death and 
 paffion of the Lord, feeing the ctiil requireth no fuch paine in 
 him who committcth it. Thus you fee howe thefe good Phifî- 
 tions in fteed ofvfihg one purg3tïuc remédie enely,and with- 
 out which eueVyfînnebecometh deadly, caftthepoorecon- 
 fciences ofmen in a fleepc ( as the empeirall pradicks vfe the 
 medicines which they call narcoticall, that is to fay fuch as 
 kenowmc.and dedthedifeafed) vntillatthe length they be- 4 
 come fenfeles' anrTpaft feeling in all fin ne and wickednes, 
 Epbefiq.19 . and fwollcn and puffed vpvntill they be ready to 
 break e aga'rne with the falfe opinion of their fatiffaétions and 
 mérites. Now in place of this we are taught by the holy fcrip- 
 tures, thaftitistruein deede that all finnes are not equallin 
 qualitie,/^.i 0.1 i.But as touching the effeér generally conf>- 
 
 Ggg 3 dered 
 
4*3 Th * Ninth Ssrmon 
 
 dcred,cucrycfFcnccagainftGod, yea both cur pcrucrfcnt, 
 ture & euery motion thereof, bee it ncuer fo fmali ,& depart it 
 neuedo little afidc from the commaundementes of the Jaw 
 which jsfpirituall (thatis to fay, refpc&cth principally that 
 v^nhin, although no confent,nor any effea of deed or ot word 
 do to ow^^j.i 2 .i 4 .and 7.i 4 ,)is worthy of death >y eaofc* 
 uerlafting death,3^.<5.23 . As this Prieft is he alone,whoby 
 rneancs of the paiment which hec hath made for the maledi- 
 ction and curfe which was due vnto vs, and hee alone w ithout 
 exception which takcth away the finnes of the wcrlde, Ich.i. 
 20. is the propitiation for our finnes^w.3 .2 3 .which he hath 
 borne vpon the tree in his owne perfon, i.P^,2.24. namely 
 for them,vnto whom it is giuen to repent, 2.7/m.2.2<5.and to 
 belccue,M. 6.44.45. not that RepentaunceorFaith'it klfç 
 mérite faluation any way, or haue any place of fatiffa&ion to- 
 cardes God (Teeing e te rnallhfe is of free gift, £^ 
 becaufc that god hath appointed and giuen true Repentance, 
 as a good way to bee prepared to rccciuc pardon, Pfa/. 51.12, 
 1 9. and Faith, to apprehend him and to apply him vnto vs vn- 
 to eternal life, lob. 3. itf.In a worde therefore, allfinneinhis 
 owne nature is mortall and deadly , and contrariwifc all 
 finne (except it bee the finneagainft the holy ghoft whkhis 
 vnpardonable) is pardoned the belecuing by the onely obla- 
 tion of our eternall Prieft once made, Hebrew. 1 o. 1 o, and 
 ^w.5.1. 
 
 6 I heir other diftin&ion is double, namely betweene the 
 guilt and the paine fatisfa&ory , feparatingthe one from the 
 other: and bctweenetheilnncs going before Baptifmc and 
 thofc which are committed after,and alto bring the fatisfaéli- 
 on of Iefus Chrift vnto this point , to make that v\ hichprocee- 
 dethfrom vsof fomc worthineiTe& mérite, which they call 
 condignely meritorious , an abufe which can innofort agree 
 with the pritflhoode of Iefus Chrift, the folc and immediate 
 caufe of the Rcmiflïon ofour finr.es , and fo by confêçuent of 
 our faluation in this refpeét : P/^/.3 2. 1. Thefe good Dcclors & 
 teachers therefore, sstoiichirgthcflrncs which goe before 
 
 Baptifmc, 
 
Vpon The Third Chapter,- 423 
 
 Baptifme,grant indeedc that they arc entirely pardoned both 
 in refped of the guile, and in relpeéfc of thepaine, and that by 
 the meanes of iomc vcrtue of the focred water»with the a&ion 
 it fclfe of Baptifme , refcruing notwithstanding for the young 
 Infantes which die before they come vnto the age of dilcreti- 
 on,a certaine place, which they call Ltmbw, where they are in 
 fome fmal «nioyingof the ioyesof paradile , as are thofe in- 
 fantes which are dead when they are borne^or die before they 
 be baptized. Butasforthcfinneswhichare committed after 
 Baptifmc,thc j>uilt and treipalTc onely pardoned,there remai- 
 neth the fatisfadtorie paine to be paid as they laic.and in what 
 monyPBy Failings, Ahnes, Pater-nofters and Aues, Pilgrima- 
 jges,Foundatioris,and other paines and penaunces impofed in 
 Auricular confeffion. And hereunto you mult adde Pardons, 
 Indulgenccs,and the mérites of Saintes, But yet is a man freed 
 and quitcd of all when hce is dead? No. But hee mult goe and 
 fay the rcllin an other worlde , in the fire of Purgatorie . Buc 
 they fay that hce which is there can mérite no Ionger,& there- 
 fore hee mult come out of this fire bythepraiers and good 
 woorkesof theliuing, and efpecially by a number of ^Aiafes, 
 Obits Requiems, Holy-water fii other like deuotions. But what, 
 fiiai he come forth?Nay that they cannot tel , though they tax 
 tuerie mortal finne at a certaine number of daies and ofyears. 
 But put cafe one for whom wee ftill praie at all aduentures, be 
 come foorth already long n*ncc?Mary this fhal bee fct of vpon 
 the tayle of another fcore,to bee allowed other. And whereto 
 then (hall the fatisfattion oflefusChri ft férue? Forfooth to 
 make^l this auailcablc,and to fend youintc* thefire of Purga- 
 tory for a certaine time, whereas other wife you fhoulde haue 
 gon intoliel fire foreuer.And yer,wheri it fo plcafeth the mar- 
 chant royall of Pardons, hee doth more then Iefus Chrilt him- 
 fclfc. For he ablolueth à culpa & pana, that is cjuitteth both the fin 
 **d pmiShment thereof \ and commanndeth the Angels to 
 drawc what foules it pleafetb him out of Purgatorie . And is 
 ■there any thinghec can doe more contrarie vnto thecffe&of 
 that oblation whichlcfus Chrifl himfelfehath made of him- 
 
 felfe 
 
4*4 The Ninth Sermon 
 
 fclfe vpon the cr ofTe?Yea the fpirit of tying, by the !ufi judge- 
 ment of God hath paflcdyet farther vpon thole which haue 
 Jouedanddoe ftil) loue darckuefic better then light, M.2.10 
 according vnto the Prophétie of Efay , Efiù 20.1 o.and that of 
 theApohie i 2.7V j (/.2.ii.and2.T/^,3.i.3.Forheha,thfQccn- 
 jrouledandcountermaunded the oblation once made for all 
 by lelus Chriiibimlclfe, that he hath borne men in hand and 
 peri waded them 3 that they mulleuery claie really and actually 
 reiterate the lame : and whereas the holy fuppcr of the Lcrde 
 was properly and peculiarly ordained and e(iablifocd 3 that we 
 ftiouid be made partakers more and more of that myiticall v- 
 nion of lelus Chrift together with all his mérites vmo eternall 
 Valuation, 1 . Çor. 10. 1 6. and feeondly to celebrate in folemnc 
 wile the memory of his holy and oneJy. facrifice once for all 
 made with folemne thankclgiuing , they hauc conuertcd the 
 lame into a daily facrifice actual and real of the verie and true 
 body ofiefusChritf vnto God his father, by an High-prieft 
 ^nnointed and ihauen to this end and purpole , and that with 
 ^greater efficacy then the firft,W hich lefus Cbrilt that perfect 
 and only Prieft &facnficer ofhimielfe, made vpon the crciTe.- 
 feeing that according vnto their owne faying,this of his refer- 
 uetb ftil the fatisfaétorie paine, but this which is made by their 
 prices maketh an entire latisfaétion,yea faie they both for the 
 quick & the dead. And this isit w hic b they cal their Majjèyiht 
 which is fo rooted in the hearts ofthe abufed and abufers,that 
 there was neuer a more execrable blafphemy in the woorlde, 
 nor more direétlic contrarie vnto the priefthood and facrifice 
 ofthe Lord,nor more ftubburnely and cruelly maintained and 
 defended. 
 
 7 There followeth the fécond point of cur Redemption, 
 namely that which is callcdy^ft/^/rt^becaufe that by it be- 
 ing drawen out of our natural pollution we begin to be clean- 
 fed and framed vnto iuftice and vprightnefïe. It is alfo called 
 Regeneration or Ncwe-bn ih y ] oh. 3 . 3 .bec aufe t hat by it wee be- 
 come new c men as touching the qualities of thefoule,cur vi> 
 deiftanding being cnlightned to knew and embrace the truth 
 
 of 
 
Vpon Thï Third Cha?ter^ 42$ 
 
 '*(God,Ephe. i . 1 8.and 4.24.and Cebfi} . i o. As therefore man 
 made not himfelfc,but the only power and bounty of god cre- 
 ated the world,?/*/. 1 00.3/0 mult wee confefie that thisvene 
 grace and power alone makcth vs new creatures in reipcCtof 
 the qualities which arc within vs , in him who i* rnaoc vmo 
 vs allo^^^/jM-^/^i.Cor.i^o.ForthecrleCtingwhero^hilt 
 al the pollution and filthinefle of the nature of man in the firir 
 Adam , was aboliflicd in the flcfti of this High -prielt our fé- 
 cond Adam,conceiucd in the womb of the virginc by the ho- 
 ly G hod ; to the end that wee beeing vnitcd by raich w ith him 
 we mould bee found in him with that vprightneiTc which the 
 Lawe rcquireth of man^w.8.4 1 meanc by meerely free Im- 
 putation. Secondly this famclefus Chrilt, drawing vs vnto 
 nimfelfe by his holy {\>m\\q {owutb mvs botbto tvilland todoc, 
 Philip.2. 1 1 . being made and created anew in him vnto good 
 works which he hath prepared to the end that we mould walk 
 in them, Ephef.i.j o.ltïs then this only Prieft apprehended by 
 faith,in w horn wee find fuch and fo perfect a cleanfing of this 
 original ftaine,thc fame being imputed vnto vs , that the mor- 
 tifying of this fame corruption in vs, and the fpiritual vertue & 
 power fighting in vs are at a combate within vs againit the re- 
 licks of our pollution whileit we wait for our fui incorruption 
 & gloric in bodie and in foule vntil the latter com tiling of the 
 lord^^.I.24.G , */.y.I7.I.C(^.I5.28.whëhe/haIcrov^nofhis 
 gracc&mercyhisworksinvs,i.C«?r.i5.58. i.Tim.q.S . This 
 is then the fumme of the Article of our Sanctification whereof 
 we haue the fcale in holy Baptifmc,in which the water repre- 
 fenteth vnto vs the blood w hich was fhed for the remimon of 
 al our fins, together with the vertue ofthe holy gholt abolish- 
 ing & burying the old man corrupted, and forming in vsthac 
 new man,to incrcafe in vs from day to dzyyRom.^^Ga/.^zj. 
 Co/off.!. 1 2. i .0.3 .2 1 . Cleanc contrary vnto all this , our ad- 
 uerfaries teach vs , firlt of all the merits of preparation, & iaic 
 grace mult preucnt the remnant ofour nature not altogether 
 flaued vnto finrbut only feebled,and yet (till in fome fort free, 
 fothac there is a concurrence of this nature & of grace, and 
 
 Hhh thence 
 
4*£ Tmi Ninth Seumou 
 
 thence they drawe an hcape of thofc goodly mérites whereof 
 they haue a itore-houfc full, to fell to euery one that will buy. 
 Farther they fay that origmall finne is really abohfliedbythe 
 water of out vvardc Baptiime,and by the vcrtue of the wordes 
 pronounced together with their Chrifme and other ceremo- 
 nies : Afmuch lay they ot all aétuall finncsgoing before Bap- 
 tifmc in thofe which are baptifed at yeares of discretion, 
 whether hec which is baptifed bcleeue or vnderftand what 
 baptifme meancth,or not:prouided onely they be not in mor- 
 tall finne,as they call it.And thus you fee how thefe braue do- 
 ctors faile moft abfurdly & blockifhly in this fo necefiarie an 
 article,firrt in becing ignorant how great and deadly our ori- 
 ginal! maladie and hcknefleis:fecondly fophiflicating& cor- 
 rupting the fole and only remedy againlt it, both in blending 
 w ith it that which is naturally in man,and in attributing vnto* 
 the watcr.to the found of wordes , and finally to their own iir- 
 uentions that \\ hich cannot be giucn vnto the Angels them- 
 fclucs,butwemuftfubltitutcand place thuninthefeateani 
 roome of this only high-prieft. 
 
 8 There remaineth the point oî Inter ces fiott, which isa£- 
 much to fay, as Intervention ptzcomwing bctweene, to puthiro- 
 felfc betwecne God bis father and tbcm v\ ho call vpon in /pi- 
 nt and in trueth,which thefe goodly doétors doe io expound* 
 as if Iefus Chrift were vpon h.is knees, before his father, re- 
 ceiuingourrequefts and fupplicatious according vnto the 
 manner & fafliion of the princes of this world,who haue their 
 Referendaries or matters of Requeft,contrarying herein them 
 ftlucs,whoin their Letanyfay, not vnto Iefus Chrift, Pray for 
 vs,but they craue of their faintes departed this mortality , but 
 haue mercy vpon vs.And that vpon great right.Forlefus chrift 
 hauing in the execution of his priefthoode here belowe,pray* 
 cdfoearncftly andferuently for vs,andfor the whole Church 
 *nto the end of the world, as we fee him to haue done , efpe- 
 c ially Job. 1 7. and hauing bcene without doubt heard for euer 
 (mediating the oblation once made afterward by him for the 
 full abolishing of that which put a diuifion between God and 
 
VpomThb Third Chaptsk, 427 
 
 ▼s)hath no neede any more to make new praiers for vs.fceing 
 he hath now all power of the father to gouernc vs & to grant 
 vs all things we rcquirc:but it isfaid that he tnakcth (til Inter- 
 cefiion for v$ , becaufe the rcnue and force of his oblation is 
 aiwaies prefent before God , as alio becaufe all the praiers of 
 «he Church which is yet here belowe arc made in his namc,in 
 whom alone alfo they bee receiucd and fanctified by his me- 
 diation and Interuencionbetwccne the father and vs. Nowc 
 in lieu of this Doclrine teftifled and verified throughout the 
 Scripture, hauingmadc notwithstanding a Referendary and 
 matter of Requeues, turning themfelues fuddainly tleanc 
 backward,and considering ofliis maiefty & glory, they teach 
 that it were marucilous prefumpuon to goe directly vnto fo 
 great a Lord ofLordes,and King of Kingesrand therefore fay 
 chey,v\ce muft firft fpeakevnto others to haue accciTe vnto 
 iii m , as a man that will haue acceffe vnto a King , will fpeakc 
 firft w ith the Vfhers of his prcfcnce,cr with the groome of his 
 chambcr,or other his fauorits. And w ho are they ? Here nowc 
 cuery man according vnto his priuate deuotion hath power 
 to chufe himfelfe a particular patrone , befide the gcnerall, a- 
 mongeft which they attribute the foucraigne place vnto the 
 bietTed virgin,& that by her motherly autority to commaund. 
 And here eueric ones merits are propofed and their particular 
 commiflîons of healing this or that difeafe. And whereupon I 
 pray you are all thefc Interccfîlons grounded ? Not vpon any 
 word of God, not vpon any example of the Prophets, or Apo- 
 ftles, or any other of their time: not vpon rcafon, feeing this 
 cannot be done but we muft attribute vnto thefe Interceflbrs, 
 that which is entirely proper and belonging vnto the diuini*- 
 tie and Godhead alone, without which IefusChrift himfelfc 
 fliould be il & in vainc called vpon as we haue before fliewed: 
 al this notwirhftanding.this hath by little and little flipped in- 
 to the Church by the efficacy of that fpirit of error which they 
 vfed who rcfifted Icremy,keeping themfelues to their queenc 
 of heauen, /fr.44. 1 7 #a s they of whom wee now fpeake holde 
 themfelues to theirs . Andwhatlpraie youhath brought in 
 ; Hhh 2 this 
 
4*8 The Ninth Sermon 
 
 this curfcd ouerthrowe of che true inuocation ofGod in Chri- 
 itcndome but the dirtruitfulncs of the fauour and goodwill of 
 our Mediator to wardcs vs? And yet what (hall wee find cither 
 in hcaucn or in earth which hath giuen vs or coulde euer giuc 
 vsfuch affined tcftimoniesofhisloue and dile&ion ? For wee 
 cannot fo much as praie as we ought,without he doe firft pre- 
 uent vs by his holy fpirit,fo».8. 2 5 So far is it that there can be 
 anie more prompt and readic then he to help vs.Now no praU 
 cr proceeding from diftruft,or from our only imagination,bce 
 it forged anew or retained by an euil cuftome,can bee accep- 
 table vnto Goàjam.i .d.and Iob.^.z 2.and therefore aboue all 
 thinges is this holie affuraunce vpon the onely truth, loue and 
 power of the only mediator recômendcd vnto vs, Heb. 1 o. 1 p* 
 1. /cb. 2. 1. bereauingvs by confequent of all preemption of 
 our felues. Why but,iay they,wc pray one for an other,and do 
 alfo craue the praiers one of an other without any derogation 
 at al vnto the autoritic or office of Iefus Chrift who is our folc 
 mediator: true, wee vfe the mutuall praiers of one an other as 
 being enuironcd al of vs with the like ncccffities^to the mutual 
 participate of which,charitie doth bind vs, & which we may 
 andoughttocaufctobccvnderftoodcofoneanother,accor« 
 ding to the worde of God and the examples of the holy Pro- 
 phets andApottlcs . And what is this to the inuocarionand 
 praying vnto of Saintes, the fpirites of whom are in heauen in 
 their reft not able to bee concciued of vs,& their bodies arc in 
 the du(t waiting together with vs §>r the latter day? Thcriorc 
 whe fuch as are yet liuing demaud & craue the mutual praiers 
 of their brethren, this is not to make them InterccfTors, or to 
 adioine them for companions vnto Iefus Chrift, orasfubor- 
 dinate mediatours between Iefus Chrift and vs,to rankc them 
 and caufe them to marche in procefTionas they doe in their 
 Letanies. But this is to ioine our felues and them together, to 
 addrefle and dircét our felues to one and the felfe fame God 
 and father in the name of this fole and onely mediator afwell 
 ©f ïntercehlon as alfo of Redemption, which arc two pointes 
 altogether vnfeparablc, as faint Iohn witnefleth calling Iefus 
 
VfonThi Third Chapter. W 
 
 thrift our Aduecatc in the fame fenlc that he called him our 
 propitiation meaning to exclude-all other Aduocates and all 
 other propitiators towardes God. i John. 2.1.2. beeing none 
 befides him in whom our praycrs,or other workes whatioeucr 
 are acceptable. Hereupon they replie againe that fo t hey alio 
 adde,? cr Chriftum Domm*mftoftrHmj\\*i\s to fay, through Ie- 
 •fusChrift our Lord.Yea but this is after they hauc joined with 
 him fubordinatc companions,both in the mérites of thefc and 
 thofe, as alfo in pardons andwhatibeuer elfe commeth into 
 their thought ( which is nothing clfc but to derogate afmuch 
 from the mediation of Redemption^) and befides in the Inter- 
 ceflion of others towardes him : yea with their motherly au- 
 thoriry, falfly attributed vnto her, who neucr thought vpon 
 any fuch vfurpation . In a wordc therefore this is nothing elfe 
 but to doe as they did who in Pilâtes houfe called lefus Chrift 
 by the name of Prophet and king: but it was when they buffe- 
 ted and fcourged him, M.i 9.1.2. 
 
 - o Thus you fee my brethcren, what the Jefus Chrift of this 
 falfe Church is, from which the mercy of God hath with- 
 <irawen vs> to know and to ferue the true & onely lefus Chriit, 
 true God and true man , hauing a name aboue euery creature 
 high jtniddle or low,in his cclcltiall and eternail Empire,who 
 hath declared vntovs all the counfell of God touching our 
 Valuation by the contents of the writinges of his faithfull Pro- 
 phets & ApoftleSjbeing the only eternal prieft & by vertuc of 
 this Priefthood our fole & onely mediator afwell or Redemp- 
 tion as alfo of Interceflion bet weene the father and vs vnto e- 
 ternal Iife,in the which faith the Lord giuc vs grace to liue and 
 die to enioy one day on high eternally with him the glorie 
 which he hath purchafed by the price of himfelfe. 
 
 10 It remainethnow weconfidcrofwhatmancrof Crmne 
 this fpoufc here fpeaketh, and who this Mother is who hath 
 crowned him therewith . Nowethen by the Crownc, that 
 Maicftie and power more then Royal is meant, with which 
 our head is crowned , as it is faid TJaL 8. 6. and is expounded 
 «Wîr^2.p # and^/«irà,28,i8.Butwhomaythismothcrbe,who 
 
 Hhh 3 hath 
 
*3& Thï Ninth Seimon 
 
 hath crowned him therewith , feeing it is of the father onely 
 that he craueth it, both in refpe&that his diuinc maieitic was 
 as it were abafed in the infirmitic of the flefhe for a time, lob* 
 1 7. 5. as in refpedt of the fupenoritie oucr all the world promi- 
 sed vnto him in regard of his humanitie,P/*/.2.8.& Pjal,i 10. 
 1. expounded by cheApoftle, i.Cor. 15. 2 4. £/>&<?£ 4. 11. and 
 fhtàpp.i.ç. This place therefore hath diucrie interpretations. 
 To let paile therefore the interpretation ofcertaine contem- 
 platiue, or rather of dreaming and doting Doctors, who haue 
 appropriated not onely this place ,but almoft all that is faid of 
 the Church in this Canticle vnto the perfon of the virgin Ma- 
 ry, who was truly blefledamong all faichfull women, but not 
 therefore as thele fooiifb. fuperliitious haue imagined,as if Ic- 
 fus Chrilt did holde of his mother the crowne of his Empire: 
 whereas it is his meerc gracious bouncy made her his mother, 
 inafmuch as he took out Hcfh in her virginall wombe, & who 
 hath crowned her with fuch meafure of glory as pleafcd hitri. 
 Others haue vnderflood by chis.word of mother the humani- 
 ty of Icfus Chrilt, which concrariv\ ife is crowned in him & by 
 him, who hath honored it fo farrc with his perfonall vnion. h 
 fcemeth vnto mcc that by this worde of Mother a man 
 may more rightly vndcrftand in this place the Citic of leruft- 
 falem, as being the capicall City of the kingdomc,and fo cqn- 
 fequentlic the mother of al fuch as are borne therc,and name- 
 ly in refped of Salomon who was there borne, and was there 
 cro wned,and fo alfo in regard of him of whom he was the fi- 
 gure. For albeit IefusChnft was not borne in Hicrufalcm ac- 
 cording vnto the fleflie , ndtwithltanding he there tookc his 
 crowne, <P/à/.2.6\and that by the teftimony ofPilatewbo 
 knewnotwhathedid/^.io.ip.22.asitwasalfofaidby£/i. 
 2.3.andAf/r^4.2.thatheiriouldcomefoorthofHicrufalcm f 
 that is to fay, that hce fhould there be borne, in refpcètofthc 
 qualicyofhisceleftiailkingdomejwhichconfiltcthinthefct- 
 
 ting vp and gouernment of his Church , as it came to pafle by 
 expreilecommaundementj&^^.i.^^.Thisexpofition^bc- 
 
 fides chc foundation which it hath/erueth vnto great edifica- 
 tion 
 
Vpon Tub Thxr» Chapter. 43* 
 
 tioo» this coronation and this Crowne bccing diuerfely confi- 
 dered: in afmuch as Hierufalem a figure of the Church in her 
 eftatc here below is fometimes relinked vnto the elcdt, and 
 fometimes alfo comprchendcth all ihofe who lay they arc of 
 this côpany , of which notwithstanding fome of them are noc 
 knowen,as S.Paul before his coucrfion was among the Phari- 
 fecs,othcrs are like darncll among the good come vntillfuch 
 timcasGodthreme it out. This is then the caufc wherefore 
 the true fpoufe defiring , according as this fpirituali marriage 
 jmplicthit, that al.ihcworldc if it might be vvercioined with 
 ber in one body vnderthis head andBridegroomc, inuiteth 
 the other Daughters of Hierufalem, to come in good ear-» 
 nelt and noc for fafhion fake or outward appearaunce and 
 profeffion onely to contemplate the true king of peace in this 
 royal maiefty of his, wherewith th.qir ; common mother ,,cç} 
 wit Hicrufale.m , had crowned him, I meanc fo farre as thaç 
 earthly Salomon was the figure of ,t hi s trucking and Bride* 
 grome>& not that the maieliy of this Salomon proccedeth ho 
 bis fpoufe > but from the eternal father, as alfo by a correfpon- 
 dence the coronationpf the tcrrcflriall Salomon celebrated 
 by thofe of Ierufalem, proceeded not of them of the City but 
 from the ordinance and commandement qf Dauidj which thq 
 «iry accepted of. But it may be together w ith this that the ho- 
 ly ghoft fpeakingby the mouth of the fpoufe to the difloyal of 
 Ierufalem in particular , would in this place vpbraid them the 
 ûmewhicbSaint Peter ,^c7.2.25.24,andg.i 3,14. and Sain^ 
 Stephen , «/6&J7.5 T* conformably vnto that which was fore- 
 toldCyZackt 2.x o.and Mat.%6.6^% ifihee faid. Beholde in- 
 deedc the true king of peace accepted and crowned with all 
 maieftie of Icrufalerii. Come and fee him you who defire your 
 ewne welfare and faluation.as for you the contemners and 
 pcrlecucers ofhjm, lookevpon him hardly vnto your confufî- 
 on. You haue bought him of a traitor, and condemned him by 
 falfe (uborned witneflcs . It was through your cryinges that 
 Pilate fc«urgedhim,thac hec crowned him with thornes,that 
 he crucified him. You haue denied him to bec your king,and 
 V ■. haue 
 
43* The Ninth Sermow 
 
 haue fought ro put forth the title of his royalty, yea you woe-» 
 keu him on his crofic , you ftiut vp and iealcd his iepulcher té 
 hinder his vidoric,and yet Jo he i* a king mauçre your deipuc, 
 hauing vanquished all his enemies vpon iheCroiie, euen vn- 
 to Satan/mt e and death. Behold how he futcth aboue eueric 
 creature at the right hand ot the father, and thence it is he foal 
 come to cenderane all his enemies , and to abfolue thole who 
 are hh tor e ue r.T here it is y ou fhal iee him vnto your c enden - 
 nation. Yeatbefnfrcringes which you caufed him to endure 
 Were the w aie by w hich hee is cntrtd into his glorie, Lite.itf 
 46.Beiiolci 1 f aie in what fort this fpoule might by a Propheti- 
 cal fpint rcproch the Daughters oj Jcrufahm.Bm befides al this 
 to exptcfie yet more clcarely this name of {JMothcr, 1 faie, thac 
 this which is hecre faicieof this corooaticnof Salomon by his 
 Mother may be alio referred vnto that w hich is in his hiltory, 
 namclie vnto that, that the crowning ofhim cametoraiïeby 
 his Mother ,in afmuchas'flveby the iuggdhon of Nathan put 
 Dauid in mindcingood time of his ptomife which hee had 
 madeof leauing thecrowne vnto Salomon and not vnto A» 
 donias. Which being referred vnto the true Salomon,wemu(t 
 attribute me crowning of him vnto the heauenly father which 
 « fome-what referred vnto the Mother in refped of hin* 
 which was the figure ofhim:fcéingin fimihtudes it is not new 
 ceiYarie that all the parte s thereof agree throughout. 
 
 1 1 it rcmaincthyct we expound w hat thh daieoftheefpou* 
 failej û, ardvf the great tote of thti kwg . Whereupon we n »uti cat 
 ro remembraunce chat which I haue alrcadie morenhen once 
 reiterated vponthis Canticle, toam'ehe that in this fpintuall 
 marriage, which is heere mentioned, there arefo manie de- 
 grees to be confîdercd as there be approchir.gs of ihe Mi iTias 
 neare his Church by the mariifeflation of his will. Vntilthe 
 timeofthe Law e therefore there was the treatie as it were 
 ofthcfefianfailes,andthe\imc afcerthc Law(whteh wasasic 
 were the chalking forth of this Bride groome s fhal be accoun- 
 ted as it were the folemhizihgof the fianfaiies,efpeciaJly in 
 the building of the Temple , & in that fo magnificent ctfablU 
 
 (hing 
 
VponTmi Third Chapti*.* 453 
 
 fcîng of the Lcuitical pricfthoodc. Afterward at the eomming 
 of the Lordc in flcfli this marriage was really contracted by 
 wordes of the prcfent, according vnto that which the Apoftle 
 cxprcffely teacheth vs, Epkefy. 2 5.29. the contract of the new 
 coucnant beeing ratified and confirmed by the ne we fealcof 
 the holie Supper, as appcareth by the tenour of the inftitution 
 ofit,and by the fcope and end whereunto it tendeth, namelie, 
 Co the communion ofbodic and goods with this Bridcgromc 
 I. O.1.50. and 10.16. in fuc h fort notwithftanding,thatthc 
 ful and perfectly real confummation of this marriage , apper- 
 taining vnto the enjoying of eternal life, i. Cor.i 5.28.54. is 
 dirTerrcd vnto the daic of his glorious appearaunce, i.T/^.4. 
 1 6. 1 7.and elfe v\ h ere inm3me places. As this is alio the endc 
 and hope of this fpoufe waiting for now with no IclTe dcuoti- 
 on this fécond eomming , whereof fhe hath the pledges, then 
 flic did fometimes vpon other pledges expect his firft . Vnto 
 what time therefore fhal we rcferrc thefc cfpoufailes and this 
 ioy and gladneflc? Salomon the fonne of Dauid beeing fet be- 
 fore vs in this place as a figure of the true Salomon,and his co- 
 ronation in Ierufalcm here below beeing reprefented vntovs 
 as no vaine figure of the real taking of pofteflionof the true 
 Salomon in the hcaucnlylerufalem: itieemeth that it is not 
 to bee doubted , but that according vnto the ordinaric ftilc of 
 the Prophets, the time of the folenifingofthc fianfailes,vnder 
 the which this Canticle was written, is properly mentioned in 
 this place: but yet fo, that it is ioyned with that which is figu- 
 red, that is, with the folemnifing of the cfpoufailes , as if it 
 were one and the fame time . And indeedcthis hath bin al- 
 waies the right mancr of fpeaking of the figures & fliadowes 
 of the Lawe ceremonial! , that the people wasalwaiesleddc 
 jnto the fubftance & bodie of them, which is our Lorde Icfus 
 Chrift, Qi %% , y. & throughout the whole Ep. to the Hebrues, 
 18 fuch fort, that for want of obferuing of this méthode thofe 
 abufes haucbin engendred which arc rcproucd/P/*/. 50. & fo 
 oft by al the Prophets , & finally the pharifaifmc reprehended 
 by our Lord Icfus Chrift,* afterwards by the Apoflls.And ycc 
 
 lit at 
 
4$4 The Ninth Sermon 
 
 at this day the felfefame fault is fhll committed by thcm,în the 
 Sicrarnentes ordained by Ictus Chriit, & in others forged by 
 men. Briefly Salomô hath in this place declared by this diuinc 
 medly of himfclfe crowned in his hanfailes in his Icrufalcm, 
 with the efpoufailes of the true Salomon in his celcftial Ieru- 
 faicm which was to be gathered out of al nations of the world, 
 that he had not forgotten, that the promife made concerning 
 him to Dauid his father, had in fuch fort lincked him with the 
 other fonnc of Dauid, of which himfelfe was only the figure 
 & Iliad ow,that it might feem at firft fight that the Lord fpake 
 ofoneonelyperfonandof one onely eternall kingdomc, z. 
 S&KJ. 1 4,8c 1 . Çhron. 1 7. 1 3 . 
 
 1 2 Nowe that it is not without great caufe that the ipoufe 
 calieth this day the day ofthegladnes of the heart of this bridegromc % 
 appeareth by the more thé maruelous effeéb.For if this bride* 
 grome had not taken an vnfpeakcable pleafure , to make his 
 very enimies his fpoufe , how would he hauegiuen his life for 
 thewinningofhcr,/*£.i5.i3.andifo#.5.8. How would hee 
 haue obie&ed him felfe vnto the horrible wrath of God for vs.* 
 Col. 3.15. How going vnto death wouldc hee haue prayed fa 
 feruently for vs, loh.i 7.20. How wouide hee haue protefted; 
 that he defircd nothing more then this oblation of himfelfc to" 
 carry our finnesvpon the tree, which is the principal] article 
 of the contract of this marriadgePL^f 1 2.50. How would he; 
 haue proteftcd of that lingular defire he had to celebrate that 
 laftfuppcrwithhisdifciples,i^^22.is.Howinthcangut. 
 
 flics of death which were more horrible a great deale in fi» 
 foule then in his body, as that frightfull cry of his which ob- 
 jured the funne, fliooke the earth,& claut the {tones, namely 
 that,My God,my God why haft thou forfaken me , declareth, 
 would he haue praied for thé who crucified him?L#. 23.3 o.on 
 whom alfo afterwardes he ftie wed mcrcie, «/*& 3 .* 7- wm £ h 
 he yet continuethtodoeatthis day towardes vs fovri worthy' 
 
 offo great and incomprehcnfible fauour . 
 
 1 3 Gotoothcn(my brethren) vnto whom in our tiine this 
 
 king is as it were again appeared, to caufe vs to fee the bright* 
 
Vpon The Thï'rd C hapteh* 4} j 
 
 tics of his crowne buried as it were before in fuch thicke dark- 
 nes of ignorance and fuperftition , which were couered with 
 the name of Chriftianitie and true deuocion , let vs pray him, 
 with al our hart, that this infinite loue & charitie of his which 
 (heweth vs from on high the flowers of his crowne , to caufc 
 the glory of that kingdomc which was prepared for vs before 
 the foundation of the yfOYld,Math.2^^ 4. to be poured down 
 vpon vs:Lct thefe thinges ( I fay) pearce our hartes to caufe vs 
 to goe forth of our felues,to the ende that wee may throughly 
 contemplate this king there where he caufeth himfelfe to bee 
 feene of vs, let vs know him, loue him , followe him through 
 all the path-waies it fhall pleafe him to conduce vs, vntill wee 
 arriue vntothe full confummation of this moft holy conten- 
 tion in the which he flialbee all in all in his : Amen. And be- 
 caufe that hauing hitherto done the cleane contrary , we haue 
 fo oft and fo greatly offended him, let vs crauc grace & mercy 
 at his hands as folowcth. tyflmigkty God, &c* 
 
 THE END OF THE SERMONS VPON THE 
 
 THIRD CHAPTER OF THE CANTICLE 
 
 OF CANTICLES. 
 
 m 
 

 v (>f> 
 
 
 
 ! i 
 

à