Commentary on 2 Peter, Commentary on 2 Peter volume 2 · Chapter 2 · Verse 17

Commentary on 2 Peter · Commentary on 2 Peter volume 2 · Chapter 2 · Verse 17

p. 9752 PET. 2.17.

Theſe are wels without water, clouds that are carried with a tempeſt, to whom the miſt of darkneſſe is reſerved for ever.

FRom many things doth the word of God draw compariſons, that it might ſpeake according to our capacities. Every creature hath this emergent uſe, to teach us.llPſal. 19.1.Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God: how can we looke upon them, and forget their maker? The ſtarres not being pure in his ſight, may put us in mind of our uncleanneſſe, which reached ſo farre as even to blemiſh their glory. The Sunne gives us beames of obedience, while he keeps his courſe, knowes his riſing and going downe.mmIoh. 3.8.John 3:8 The wind breaths upon us a ſimilitude of the Holy Ghost; which comes and goes, and no man knowes whence, or whither. The dewes drop upon us the memory of that dew of Hermon which fell upon the hill of Sion. The henne gathering her chickens doth (as it were) clocke us under the wings of Chriſt.nnEſa. 38.14.Isa 38:14 The Crane chatters to us how poorely we ſhall ſpeake in death. The lilies and ravens forbid our ſollicitouſneſſe for apparell or food. The Camell at the needles eye, is an Image of the Covetous man at heaven-gates. In the laſt verſe, a Beaſt taught a Prophet to obey: a wondrous one; ſome have aſſigned her a place in the Zodiacke, in the Signe of Cancer. Whereat other aſtronomers ſtorming, they were asked, whether they would have Noahs Raven, or Samſons Foxes, or Davids Lion, or Eliſha's Beares, or Babels Dragon, placed there, rather than Balaams wonderfull Aſſe? Now we are come to certaine Wels: out of which, if they were full of water, we might draw to quench our thirſt: but they are empty, and without comfort: Wells without water &c.

Theſe ungodly deceivers are here deſcribed by Their

Vnprofitableneſſe; Wells without water.

Vnſtableneſſe; Clouds carried with a tempeſt.

Vnhappineſſe; To whom the miſt of darkneſſe, &c.

Their puniſhment is proportioned to their wickednes. A well, if it be empty of water, will be full of fogge: a tempeſtuous Cloud is but a bluſtring miſt: heere is all mist and darkneſſe; therfore the Penaltie is the miſt of darkneſſe. They have ſhadowed the light in this world, therfore no light but an uncomfortable ſhadow belongs to them in the world to come.

Wells without water.] A fountaine to a thirſty traveller is expectatum Spectaculum, a welcome ſight; but if it be without water, 'tis Infelix mendacium, a grievous mokerie. Paſtors are like to Wells in diverſe regards.

1 Fontes immobiles, they are wells for conſtancie: they keepe their reſidence, men know where to find them. Paſſengers may abuſe the fountaines, they cannot remove them. You fetch water at theſe wells every Sabbath, yea even on common dayes when your thirſt cals for it: we teach you on the Lords day; there is no day wherein we are not ready to comfort you. Indeed you ſhould give us leave to fill our fountaines: if we do perpetually draw, and not ſuffer the ſprings to have their time of ſupplying; we muſt be empty. You ſometimes ſhut up your conduits on the weeke-dayes, or elſe they would lacke water: they are ſo full on Sundayes, that they runne over. Therfore we ſtudy all the weeke, and p. 976fill our Ciſternes, that on the Sabbath you may fill your pitchers. Fiſhers are allowed time to mend their nettes; mowers to whet their ſythes: bees to gather ſweetneſſe, before we eate their honey. Gods Temples be our Hives; there you are ſure of our honey; yet you muſt not deny us the flowers, the holy Scriptures, Fathers, and other good bookes, together with our owne meditations, out of which we ſucke it: and to doe all this, requires time. But ſtill we keepe our orbes, and therfore are called Starres: we have our ſtations, and therin are Wels. It is true, that our waters doe good as they runne in the chanels; but they are beſt drawne from the well-head; Dulcius ex ipſo fonte bibuntur aquae. They that content themſelves with reading at home, and neglect the publicke miniſterie in the Church, omit the ſpring, to quench their thirſt at the chanell.

2 Fontes ſacri, they are Wells of piety; the water of life, the word of ſalvation is in them. We muſt diſtinguiſhaaGen. 1.7.Gen 1:7 the Waters that be above the heavens, from the waters that are below the heavens: the well above is Fons gloriae, the fountaine of glory; a ſpring that multiplies it ſelfe into a river;bbRev. 22.1.Rev 22:1 that pure river of the water of life, cleare as Chryſtall, proceeding out of the Throne of God. The well below is Fons gratiae, the fountaine of Grace; and this is Fons ſaliens in aeternam vitam, ccIoh. 4.14.John 4:14a well of water ſpringing up into everlaſting life. Either of them is Fons vitae, a well of life; the one inchoate, the other conſummate: the one preparatory, the other ſatisfactory: the former a prelibation, the latter a fruition; that a well of comfort, this addPſal. 36.8.9.Ps 36:8Ps 36:9 river of pleaſure. Indeed Chriſt is the well of life; without whom our thirſt can never be quenched:eeZech. 13.1.Zech 13:1 that fountaine opened to the houſe of David, thatffIoh. 4.6.John 4:6 well of Iacob; fons irrigans terram, ggGen. 2.6.Gen 2:6watering the whole face of the ground. A well of infinite depth, without bottome: of everlaſting abundance, for it hath eternall ſprings: of ſatisfying vertue, for he that drinkes of it ſhall never thirſt more. This is that Fountaine which ſupplies all the Wells, which fils all our ciſternes:hhIoh. 1.16.John 1:16 of whoſe fulneſſe we have all received. It never failed the thirſty paſſenger, never offended an humble receiver, never was ſhut up or denyed to the faithfull ſeeker. We are His Wells; and the water he puts into us, is the word of the Goſpell. With joy ſhall they draw water out of the wells of ſalvation. We are earthen veſſels, yet do hold an heavenly treaſure; Wells of clay, yet full of the water of life. He that refuſeth the water for the wells ſake, ſhall periſh for that contempt ſake.

3 Fontes puri, puti; they are wells of Sanctity, and therefore muſt bee cleane. Indeed their uncleanneſſe cannot defile the water; it is of it owne nature ſo pure, that it will worke it ſelfe from all infection. Yet may the fouleneſſe of the glaſſe cauſe men to diſlike the good liquor.ii1 Sam. 2.17.1 Sam 2:17 For the ſinne of Eli's ſonnes men abhorred the the offering of the Lord. If they had not beene ſonnes of Eli, yet being Prieſts of God, their very calling (one would thinke) ſhould have infuſed ſome holineſſe into them. Yet may the white Ephod cover blacke ſinnes: and vices, like thoſe Spyes, may be hid in the well, while there is wheate ſpread over the mouth of it. Who are devils, but they that were once glorious Angels? If the lanthorne bee broken, an eaſie wind will blow out the light. There be commonly two buckets belonging to a Well: the one bucket drawes doctrine, the other example; and this latter is more imployed. Dum negligunt quod dicimus, imitantur quod agemus. I have heard of here and there a Paſtor, that hath out-lived all the people of his pariſh: I never heard of any that hath out-lived all the ſinnes of his pariſh. Yet muſt not the infirmities of the Wells bring the water into contempt: let none diſlike the ſervice of God for the ſinne of man. This were to make holy things guilty of our profaneneſſe; and to offend God becauſe hee hath beene offended.

4 Fontes profundi; they are Wells of knowledge; and of ſufficient depth; skilled in the Myſteries of ſalvation. Shallow pits are full of mudde and frogges: they may make a noiſe in the pulpit; but it is a harſh ſound, which rather offends the eare, than profits the ſoule: nothing but frothy ſtuffe comes from them. p. 977Welles are deepe: the Prieſts lips preſerve knowledge: they can tell how to reſolve the doubtfull, to hearten the fearefull, to convince the wilfull, to comfort the ſorrowfull. They are good Phyſicians, and have medicines for all diſeaſes. They are able to cleare difficulties, to reconcile antilogies, to anſwere objections, to confute errors, to apply their diſcourſe to all occaſions. So Saint Auguſtine profeſſeth of Saint Ambroſe, who went from Affricke to Milan to heare him; that Dum intravit quàm diſertè diceret, ſimul & intravit quàm verè diceret. He is no babbler; neither Spermologus, qui mera vox est; nor Mataeologus, qui mera nox est. But he hath a key to fit every locke, a gracious faculty to take every eare, to pierce every ſoule.kkDeut. 34.10.Deut 34:10 Moſes was a Prophet learned, and that with a Non ſicut; none like him in Iſrael. Indeed I doe not like the welles that are ſo deepe, that we can draw no water out of them: men that have excellent talents, but they lye buried; that know much themſelves, and impart little to others. A man of meaner gifts by his aſſiduity of preaching, ſhall doe more good, than he that breeds a Sermon, like Elephanti partum, a yeeres conception, which being borne, onelyonly amazeth the hearers, and makes them at their wits end with admiration. Wee put downe the bucket into theſe wels, hoping to draw water, and bring up nothing but aire. Conceal'd learning is but like a candle in a darke lanthorne, or the fowlers light, to ſee which way his game lies. The good Paſtor is light in a Chryſtall glaſſe, that ſhines every way, to the good of men and glory of God.

5 Fontes miſericordes; they are wels of pity, full of compaſſion; bowels that yearne for the danger of mens ſoules. Ieremy had ſuch a well in his head, or at leaſt he wiſh'd ſuch a well in his heart.aaIer. 9.1.Jer 9:1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountaine of teares. The Prophet before him, is not in this behinde him;bbEſai. 22.4.Isa 22:4 I will weepe bitterly, labour not to comfort mee. David contends with them both, who ſhall weepe moſt;ccPſal. 119.136.Ps 119:136 Rivers of waters runne downe mine eyes, becauſe they keepe not thy Law. Among all, our Lord Ieſus is the chiefe mourner; who having no ſinne of his owne, wept and bled for the ſinnes of others. Obſtinate offenders are dry pits: nothing can pumpe the water of repentance out of their eyes. For their wickedneſſe GOD plagues the land; that thouſands cry in paine, our bowels, our heads, our hearts: thus they give others cauſe to mourne, while their owne mouthes are filled with laughter. All that tempeſt was for Ionas, yet Ionas alone is faſt aſleepe: that unſpeakeable agony of Chriſt was for the ſinnes of his Diſciples and choſen; yet even then the Diſciples were aſleepe. The deſtroying Angels ſword layes heapes upon heapes, and multiplieth his deadly wounds, and are we ſtill dry welles, that have no teares to ſpend for our ſinnes? The fire is kindled, and what ſhall quench it, if theſe fountaines bee without water? If there were not ſome Ezra's, and Ioſhuah's, Eſay's, Ioel's, and Ieremie's among us, powring out their ſoules before God in cries and lamentations for our iniquities, what ſhould become of us?Ezek. 7.Ezek 7 The Lord hath mark d the houſes where theſe mourning welles bee: and if wee would not onelyonly ſcape the judgement our ſelves, but even turne away wrath from others; let our heads be fountaines, and our eyes conduits, ſending out flouds of teares, not ſo much for the puniſhments wee feele, as for the cauſe of thoſe puniſhments which too many feele not. The crowne of Preachers is the teares of their hearers: when we finde you with moiſt eyes, we then hope there is good wrought on your ſoules.

6 Fontes pacifici; they are wels of peace and amity, ſuch as reconcile feuds, and appeaſe diſcords; as the water of a well ſerves to quench flames. In ſuch a combuſtion, for want of rivers, wee runne to welles and conduits: yet alas, for the quieting of jarres and controverſies, you ſeldome appeale to your Paſtors.ddCor. 6.7. A f…ult which St. Paul long agoe condemned in his Corinthians; that they were too apt to conſult Lawyers. And yet many of them, like Lacheſis, winde off more in one turne, than they ſpan in five. Were your welles full to the brimme, p. 978there be buckets enough belonging to the law, to drench you. There is an holy water able to put out the fire of contention; the Goſpell of peace: or of the Covenant: ſo was the Well of Berſheba called, the Well of an oath. Indeede when this water is offered to a peeviſh and perverſe ſtomach, it turnes into bitterneſſe; and makes him ſwell yet more againſt his neighbour, yea againſt his Teacher. If the ſuſpected wife were guilty,Numb. 5.Num 5 ſhe would ſwell after a draught of thoſe waters of triall: ſo diſſolute ſoules ſwell againſt their reprehender. Our meſſage is the meſſage of peace, our Doctrine is the Goſpell of peace, our office is to make peace; wee are all for reconciliation;ee2 Cor. 5.19.2 Cor 5:19 Reconciling God to you, you to God, one with another, all with every one, every one with all. We ſpeake peace, we ſpeak for peace, we wiſh you peace; peace with your neighbours, peace in your houſes, peace in your hearts, peace in your conſciences, and above all, that peace which paſſeth all underſtanding.

7. Fontes Benefici; they are Wells of charitie; that do not only give good counſell with their lippes, but good reliefe with their hands. The Loines of the poore bleſſe them: they are fountaines where the beaſts of the forreſt drinke, and the wilde Aſſes quench their thirſt. Charitie becomes all men, but above all, the men of God. Yet alas, in theſe times, non habemus unde, we want wherewithall. What quantitie of ſpiritual water ſoever be in us, there is little enough of temporall. Our ſprings be cut off: Sacriledge hath beſieged us; as Holofernes did Betulia, and taken away our ſprings. While you had Wells that yeelded you nothing but foule puddle-waters ſuperſtitious ceremonies in ſtead of pure doctrines, al your channels ran into thoſe pooles, and ſwelled them to the brinkes. Now you confeſſe in your conſciences that you draw from us the water of life, yet you deny us the water of livelyhood, whereby we may ſubſiſt. Wee ſit like diſconſolateff1 King. 17.7.1 Kgs 17:7 Elias, by the Brooke Cherith; and if we have ſuſtenance, it muſt be by miracle, and for want of your juſt ſupply the brooke is dryed up. gg1 Cor. 9.11.1 Cor 9:11If we have ſowne unto you ſpirituall things, is it any great matter to reape your carnall things? Will you not give the water of your Wells, for the water of Life? The tenth of your encreaſe is Gods portion; doe you looke he ſhold give you the cup of ſalvation, that deny him the cup of retribution? Doe you live in him, and yet feare not to defraud him? The Prieſt was wont to give almes, now he muſt be glad to receive it. If all his meanes can reach above neceſſity, to buy but one booke to his ſtudy, one ſpring to his Well; when that failes, hee muſt ſell it to buy another: his cloth is ever too ſhort for two coates, the world will not allow him two ſprings. If the poore doe not finde our charity, it is becauſe we are ſicke of their owne diſeaſe, Poverty. Quomodo ſint benefici qui coguntur eſſe egeni? Yet howſoever our temporall waters faile, God grant our ſprings of grace to hold, that you may be ſaved.

Sine aqua. Thus Paſtors ſhould be like Wels, but theſe falſe teachers are wells without water. A blinde guide, an ignorant Phyſician, a candleſticke without light a penuary without proviſion, a well without water, is a miſerable privation. When the thirſty traveller, after much labour and griefe, ſpies a fountaine, he rejoyceth but comming to it, and finding it dry, his joy is turned into ſorrow, and he is ready to curſe it for ſuch a mockery; as our Saviour did the fruitleſſe fig-tree, when he was hungry. Suppoſe, we are thirſty and would drinke, foule and would waſh, hot and would bee cooled, our houſes are on fire, and wee would have them quenched; if we come to the well with our buckets, and finde it empty, we know not whither our griefe or indignation be greater. When we are to build a houſe, we firſt looke to the conveniencie of water, and refuſe to dwell in a dry land. Yet whether the Paſtor that ſhould moiſten our ſoules, be a wel without water, a formal fountaine with never a ſpring to feede it, we examine not. Wee love a Phyſician with abundance of medicines, a Lawyer with variety of trickes, a Merchant with choice of wares, a rich man full of moneys: we affect abundance in all periſhable things. But for the water of life, ſo little ſerves us, that we do not minde whether p. 979the Well be full or empty. But indeed, while the clouds above are reſtrained, the Wells below will be ſoone dryed. Vnleſſe the Spirit of grace diſtill downe his holy dewes into the hearts of his miniſters, all will turne to barrenneſſe, and the viſible Church appeare like a wilderneſſe.

1. Let all this teach us to thirſt for the water of theſe Wells, as the Hart pants for the river when he is emboſt: Or as David longedhh2 Sam. 23.15.2 Sam 23:15, O that one would give mee drinke of the water of the Well of Bethlehem: or as the woman of Samaria did, for the water not of Iacobs Well, but of Ieſus Well,iiIoh. 4.15.John 4:15 Lord give me this water, that I thirst not. There is no corporall appetite ſo violent as thirſt; when the extremity of heate hath wrought upon …e radicall moiſture. Victorious Samſon complaines of it;Ioel 1.20.Joel 1:20 yea even that almighty Samſon, Chriſt himſelfe on the croſſe cryes, Sitio, I thirst. How ſenſible are we of this want in our bodies: yet our ſoules are dry, and wee neither moiſten them, nor pittie their thirſt. He is a rare man that never drinkes till he be thirſty: nay, it is too common a fault, not to ſtay for any ſuch occaſion. Men drinke before they are dry, they drinke untill they become dry: and thirſt overtakes drunkenneſſe; as fooles runne into the river to avoid a ſhowre of raine. But for this living water, a little draught on the Sabbath is enough for all the weeke. My ſoule longeth for thee, ſaith David, as the thirſty land; that opens it ſelfe in rifts and crannies, as if it would devoure the clouds. Tot linguae, quot fiſſurae ſo many chops, ſo many mouthes, as it were crying to heaven for moiſture. Bleſſed are they that thirst after righteouſneſſe, for they ſhall be ſatisfied.

2. Let us duely prize and eſteeme the water of theſe Wels: It is an unhappy way of learning, when we will not know the worth of a benefit, but onelyonly by the want of it.kk2 King. 3.9.2 Kgs 3:9 Three kings were confederated to make warre upon Moab; and they were not ſooner come into the parching wildes of Edom, than they are ready to die for thirſt. If there were channels, yet no waters: the ſcorching beames of the Sunne had dryed them up, and left them rather ditches than rivers. How precious now had a cup of cold water been? There is a ſeaſon, when ſo poore a benefit will not bee poorely valued. Even with this may a ſoule be comforted, even for this ſhall a ſoule be rewarded. We read of a king,llMat. 10.4….Matt 10:4 that ſold himſelfe and his City for a draught of water. This cauſed three kings to walke downe and viſit one poore Prophet. Religion and neceſſity are (either of them) able to humble the ſtouteſt heart: either zeale or need will make a Prophet honoured. O what are the greateſt monarchs of the world, if they want but water to their mouthes? What can their crownes, and plumes, and rich armes availe them, when they are abridged of that which is but the drinke of beaſts? Therefore with dry tongues and lips doe theſe three Princes conferre of their common miſerie. So highly is water eſteemed, that ſome Philoſophers have thought it a kind of Seminale Principium: Aqua, quaſi, A qua omnia.

Now what is elementall water to the water of life? What is a corporall thirſt to the ſoules neceſſity? The Iewes ſmarted for vilepending it, when they were driven to wander from ſea to ſea, and from north to eaſt, to ſeeke it;mmAm. 8.12.13.Amos 8:12Amos 8:13 their young men and faireſt virgins fainting for thirſt. Our forefathers would have beene glad of a concealed fountaine, ſome few drops of this water; we have full Wells, yea, rivers and ſtreames, yet let it runne at waſt. We come tonnIoh 4.11.John 4:11 Iacobs well, but bring no pitchers with us: our eares are at Church, our hearts are at home.ooEzek. 47.Ezek 47 The waters of the Sanctuary grow and flow, from the ankles to the knees, from the knees to the loynes, from the loynes up to the necke: but we have not veſſels to receive it. Either to this Well you come not, or come and drink not,Cic. Tuſc. or drinke and digeſt not: but foreign, aut bibendum, aut abeundum. This fountaine is the word of comfort; but many can finde no ſweetneſſe in it, becauſe their palates bee made ſo out of taſt by the world. Chriſt refuſed the vinegar, becauſe it was vinegar: theſe men taſt the powers of the world to come, and will none of it, though it bee the water of life. As Hannibal leading his army through the deſarts of Affrica, came p. 980to a fountaine; Exercetque ſitim, & ſpectato fonte recedit. Or as David would not drinke the water of Bethlehem, becauſe it was the price of blood: and yet this did coſt no blood, but the blood of Ieſus Chriſt.

3. Do not abuſe theſe Wells, nor defile the waters: a troubled fountaine cannot looke cleare. Of all men, the Miniſter ſhould be ſuffered to lead a quiet life, undiſturbed, free from vexations. Vae illi qui minxerit in fontem: there is a woe due to him that polluteth the fountaine, that ſhall caſt aſperſions on his Paſtor, to diſable him in the hearts of his hearers. When Homer had ſpent many lines in diſpraiſing the body of Thirſytes, he briefely deſcribes his ſoule thus, that he was an enemie to Vlyſſes. We need ſay no more of a bad man; He is an enemie to his Paſtor; that is enough to brand him. While thy Preacher is ſtudying to apply the warme blood of Chriſt to thy heart, thou art ſtudying to vexe the beſt blood in his heart. We take care to ſave your ſoules, and many of you take care to moleſt our ſoules. While you deny us due maintenance, reſpect, and peace, you put us to ſpend that time in temporall proviſion for our bodies, which we ſhould and would ſpend in ſpirituall comfort for your conſciences. Supply us with ſprings, hearten us with encouragements, trouble not our waters, and we ſhall be to you the wells of ſalvation.

Clouds that are carried with a tempeſt.] In this compariſon is ſhadowed out their variableneſſe; where we have three conſiderations. Firſt, the fitneſſe of the metaphore or ſimilitude. Secondly, the levitie of theſe hypocrites, that are carried with a puffe. Thirdly, the event of their dealing, which is to promiſe a ſhowre, and yeeld nothing but a Tempeſt.

For the metaphore, it is frequent in holy Scripture.ppEzek. 20.46.Ezek 20:46 Drop thy word toward the South. qqDeut. 32.2.Deut 32:2My doctrine ſhall drop as the raine upon the tender herbe, my ſpeech diſtill as the deaw and ſhowres upon the graſſe. Firſt, Clouds are made to containe water, and Preachers ſhould be fitted and filled with wholeſome doctrine. Secondly, Clouds are drawen up by the Sunne, and Teachers called to that holy profeſſion by the Sunne of righteouſneſſe. Thirdly, Clouds are nearer to heaven than common w…ters, and Miniſters are advanced neerer to the ſecrets of God than other men. Fourthly, Clouds hang in the aire after a ſtrange maner, and Preachers live in the world, in a wondrous ſort: all the winds of the earth, and furies of hell, band againſt them, yet ſtill they are ſupported by their ordainer. Fifthly, Clouds are ſet to diſtill raine upon the dry places of earth, and Preachers to ſatisfie the t…ſ…y ſoule. To give drinke to the thirſty, is in other men Debitum Char…s in us Debitum juſtitiae. A neceſsitie is laid upon us, and woe unto us, if we yeeld not the former and the latter raine; that Gods ground may fructifie.rrEſa. 55.10.Isa 55:10 The raine coming downe, returneth not againe, but watereth the earth, that it may give ſeed to the ſower, and bread to the eater. So the word of God ſhall never returne void, but accompliſh the thing whereto it is ſent: not a drop from theſe Clouds ſhall be loſt: but will either worke to the confuſion of them that reſiſt it, or to the converſion of them that imbrace it. The ground where theſe ſhowres fall, muſt yeeld either flowers, or weeds; and ſo be eitherſſHeb. ….7. bleſſed, or nigh unto curſing. If they fall upon a proud heart, like ſome great mountaine, off they glide, and leave it barren: if in the valley, an humble heart, they dwell there, and make it fruitfull. As that royall Prophet ſings; Thy waters ſtand in the valleys, and they grow thicke with corne.

But how can it be conceived, that the clouds above, being heavy with water ſhould not fall to the earth ſuddenly, ſeeing every heavy thing deſcendeth? It cannot be denyed,ttIob 26.8.Job 26:8 but the clouds are heavy: yea the veryuuIob. 28.25.Job 28:25 windes, which are lighter than clouds, have their weight. Philoſophy is heere too defective; all the humane learning in the world cannot give a ſufficient reaſon for this. OnelyOnly the word of God decides it:xxGen. 1.6.Gen 1:6 Let there be a firmament in the midſt of the waters; and le… it divide the waters from the waters. This was Gods ordinance in the creation; and ſuch is his providence in the diſpoſition of the clouds. He bindeth up the waters in p. 981his thicke clouds, and the cloud is not rent under them. There he bad them hang, till he that called them up, ſent them downe. There are thoſe bottels of raine, as it were in orbe non ſuo, thinne as the liquor they containe: there they move up and downe; and when his finger cruſheth them, they drop againe to their owne place. By vertue of this command, the waters hang in the clouds, and the clouds in the aire, and need no ſupporters. He can as eaſily hang water in the aire, as he can hang the earth upon nothing. Some by that firmamentary diviſion of the waters, have dreamt of a watry heaven above the ſtarres, for the better mitigation of their heat. But the celeſtiall bodyes are of no firy or elementall nature: nor have they ſuch heate in them, as needs to be refrigerated. By the firmament is meant the Aire: the waters below it are ſeas and floods: the waters above it are the Clouds. Which helpes us to underſtand that of the Pſalme; aaPſal. 148.4.Ps 148:4Praiſe the Lord, ye waters that be above the heavens: that is, above the lower region of the aire. So,bbPſal. 18.13.Ps 18:13 the Lord thundered in the heavens, with haileſtones and coales of fire. Now thunder, lightning, and haile, come not properly from heaven, but from the aire.

In ſumme; Prieſts are Clouds; this is no ignoble Title. How often did the Lord appeare to Moſes in a Cloud? How long did he walke with Iſrael in the pillar of a Cloud? I will ccLevit. 16.2.Lev 16:2appeare in the cloud before the merciemercy-ſeat. The Cloud was a figure of Chriſt; without whom we ſhould never have ſeene God appeare in the merciemercy ſeat.ddExod. 40.34.Exod 40:34 When the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, the Tent was covered with a Cloud. eeRev. 14.14.Rev 14:14Our glorious Saviour ſits upon a white cloud: Saint Paul ſpeakes of a Cloud of witneſſes. It is a happy Church that is encompaſſed with a cloud of Preachers. Mans heart is a plot of ground; which before it be fruitfull, muſt ſuffer a ſpirituall husbandry. Firſt, It muſt bee plowed, and broken up: it is ſo cold and ſtiffe a clay, that it needs undergoe the coulter. God was faine to ſhake the earth before he could move the Iailors heart. When the terror of ſinne and Iudgment workes upon the naturall conſcience, then the plow-ſhare reacheth the quicke. Secondly, once plowing is not ſufficient; for it will quickely harden againe of it ſelfe; there muſt be a ſecond ſtirring. In proſperitie it will never tell truth; but rather flatter that it may be flattered. But when the ground is ſoftened, then put in the plough: the heart broken by affliction is fit to be tilled with it the word. Thirdly, caſt in the ſeed with joy and hope of a bleſſed harveſt: ſow it with the precious promiſes of Ieſus Chriſt. Fourthly, then come the clouds and they doe their ſeaſonable office, in powring downe kindly ſhowres, both to raiſe and ripen the fruits of grace. Fifthly, after all this, weeds will grow: therfore we muſt fall to weeding, and hooke out our luſts with the ſickle of repentance.ffPſal. 65.13.Ps 65:13 Thus the valleys ſhall ſtand thicke with corne, till we rejoyce and ſing.

The next point is their levitie; Carried with a wind. Some are not ſtable in the truth, but it is not poſſible for any man to be conſtant in errors; for the next fancie will take him off from the former. As wanton children are wonne to be quiet with change of toyes; ſo the devill is faine to pleaſe ſuch men with varietie of crotchets. He forgets what he hath been, underſtands not what he is, and knowes not what he will be. But like a baniſhed man, when his backe is upon his owne covntrey, all the world is his way. He is fled, with Ionas, from the word of God, and now it matters not whither he makes his voyage. From a Browniſt to Anabaptiſme, from an Anabaptiſt to Arrianiſme, from an Arrian to the Familie of love: ſtill he is carried with a tempeſt; and does not more eagerly embrace the aire where he is firſt a Cloud gendred, than he railes on it when he is removed. He is water, and water hath ever beene an embleme of Inconſtancie. So Iacob called his ſonne Reuben, ggGen. 49.4.Gen 49:4unſtable as water. Whether it be a cloud above, or a billow below, it is carried with the wind. There is a racke-wind, and that drives the clouds: there is a ground-wind, and that toſſeth the waves. So Saint Iames compares the inconſtant to ahhIam. 1.6.Jas 1:6 wave driven and toſſed with the wind.

To exemplifie this unſtableneſſe. Firſt, Water is continually running from p. 982coaſt to coaſt, and as it changeth currents, it changeth name and colours. Names according to the countreys it ſaluteth. Colours; for in puddles it is blacke, againſt rockes foamy, in the ſea greene, in ſweet rivers cleare. Such a cloud as here is meant, is at Rome a Papiſt, at Munſter an Anabaptiſt, in England a Proteſtant. Indeed he tarries no where; for his heart is but an Inne, and all his thoughts travellers: if they lodge for a night, they are gone in the morning, and leave him without taking leave of him. Secondly, water runs to the loweſt parts, ſeeking out holes and receptacles where to hide it ſelfe. So theſe wavering clouds love corners and private conventicles, and leave the beaten way, though it lead directly to heaven. They ſcorne with every common underſtanding to goe through the gate, and therfore will climbe over the wall. Thirdly, water powred out leaves nothing behind in the veſſell: oile and wine will leave their favour, and milke the colour: but there is no remaining ſigne of water that it was there. So their ſteps be fluide, and no more ſtable is their memory; ⁱ either buried in oblivion, or famous for infamie. A cloud both alters the ſhape with the wind, now appearing like a houſe, then like a camell: and the ſeate with the wind, now hovering over this climate, then over that. They are waxe ready temperd, that ſoone taketh a new impreſſion.kkPſal. 1.4.Ps 1:4 Or chaffe, which when the good graine ſinkes downe and is ſaved, becomes the ſport of the wind. Their plague is anſwerable,llEſai. 17.13.Isa 17:13 They ſhall be chaſed as chaffe of the mountaines before the wind, or the thistle-downe before the whirlewind. The tempeſt hath driven them to and fro upon earth, at laſt it ſhall blow them to hell. They are like looſe teeth in the mandible, of more trouble than uſe. They ſet themſelves for ſo many things, that they are good for nothing. A Pluraliſt in religion is indeed a neutraliſt; and ſeekes the truth by all wayes but that where he is ſure to find it. The moone ſpake to her mother to get her a coate made; but no tayler could fit her: for if he made it fit for her in the change, it would be too little in the full: if it were fit for the full, it would be too large for the wane: ſo we muſt have for every day a new coate, or none. The inconſtant ſoule is as hard to ſute: onelyonly, after the change of many places, there is one that will hold, the place of darkneſſe: after the change of many faſhions, there is one that will laſt, a coate of torment. But for us, let us ſtand faſt in the faith, and bold that we have, that we may never loſe our Crowne.

Carried with a Tempest.] They promiſe a ſhowre, and bring a ſtorme. This is their mockery: they have foure inconveniences of the Clouds.

1 They hinder the Sunne from ſo clearely extending his beames to comfort the earth. An Antichriſtian Prieſt is a cloud gotten before the Sunne; whoſe very doctrine tends to darken the light. That Ignorance makes Saints; how much is hell beholding to them for ſuch an opinion? They call that the mother of devotion, which was indeed the daughter of tranſgreſſion. Wee uſe to ſay for the body; If nature loſe ſome vigour or vertue in one ſenſe, ſhee recompenceth and mends it in another: they that ſee ill, heare the better: and he that wants his ſmelling, hath the better taſt. But if the ſoule loſe her eyes, ſhe will hardly finde the way to heaven: nor can we ſay, any faculty is improved, any grace advanced in her, for being blind. There is a woe to them thatmmRom. 1.18.Rom 1:18 withhold the truth in unrighteouſneſſe. Not ſanctitie, but Iniquity is the childe of darkeneſſe. Sinne was begot in ſecret, betwixt Satan and Eve: and Vice is the brood of N…x and Acher…, ſay the Poets.

2 Clouds are unthankefull: for they are drawne up by the Sunne, and ſet in the lower region of the aire: there being placed, they not ſeldome diſhonour that Sunne which exhaled them, by darkening his refulgent beames. I doe not ſay that falſe Teachers are called by Chriſt: they rather preferre themſelves without invitation; making the Church a market, and buying their places; and thoſe too often, of eminencie: which they fill, like clouds, with a bluſtring and ſtormy preſence. But in the meane time they obſcure that light, which the Sunne p. 983of righteouſneſſe would give to his Church by better inſtruments. Thus they have Loca Christi, and Arma Antichristi: and moſt ingratefully diſhonour that Name by which they would be called.

3 Clouds doe harme when they vent themſelves in a Tempest: their moiſture is not ſo profitable, as their violence is hurtfull. They that never preach but in thunder, whoſe words be flaſhes of lightning; hell and damnation being almoſt the period of every ſentence, are lurida, turbida, horrifica nubila, blacke, pitchy, and pernicious clouds; preſenting the face of God tempeſtuous, and the brow of heaven cloudy: for ſo wee call the frowning, a cloudy forehead. Theſe are Nubigenae, engendred of clouds, as Poets write of the Centautes. They that hang their faith on ſuch mens lippes, doe but like Ixion, imbrace a cloud in ſtead of Iuno. Fabius Maximus reſolving to prolong the warre, waited on Hannibals progreſſe, and encamped himſelfe on the high grounds. Terentius gave Hannibal battle, and was put to the worſt: but then Fabius came downe the high grounds, and got the day. Whereupon Hannibal ſaid, he ever thought, that ſame cloud which hanged on the hils, would at one time or other give a Tempeſt. So theſe Clouds never ſpend themſelves, but with a ſtorme to the Church of God.

4 They are unprofitable clouds;nnIud. 12.Judg 12 Nubes ſine aqua, as Iude cals them; empty bottles, which promiſe the thirſty earth reliefe, and have never a drop in them. Or if they have any water, they let it fall where it can doe no good. As ſometimes wee have ſeene dry paſtures and chopped grounds, as it were with open mouths calling upon the clouds for raine: anon a cloud gathers, and comes downe; but where? It miſſeth the needy fields, and fals in a dirty lane: balking the place where it is expected, and fouling the way where it might bee ſpared. This the naturall clouds doe by Gods diſpoſing: but I ſpeake of rationall, wilfull, ſpightful clouds: Many rich men are ſuch condition'd clouds: they have ſtore of wealth, and ſome they will part with: but it ſhall bee to ſuch as have no need of it; and that either for feare, or favour, or in hope of honour: which is in the proverbe, powring water into the ſea. But to the poore, diſtreſſed, and thirſty ſoules, they will not afford a droppe. While they live, they will empty a bagge to the Lawyer; which is to fall in a dirty lane. When they dye, they make rich men their heires and executors; not in imitation of God, To him that hath ſhall be given: but to witneſſe their deare regard of money; which when they can keepe no longer, they bequeath to them that will keepe it: as if they durſt truſt any thing ſooner than their Maker. So doe they love the world, that they love all them that love it: and when the hand of death cruſheth theſe Clouds, they fall into a quagmire.

You ſee by this time what clouds they are, againſt which our Apoſtle inveighs. Nubila procelloſa, tempeſtuous clouds; that raiſe ſtormes and factions, and trouble the peace of the aire. Nubila picea, blacke clouds; that turne day into night by their errors. Nubila coelivaga, wandring clouds; that never keepe any ſtation. Nubila fictitia, diſſembling clouds; that promiſe moiſture, and have none. Nubila liventia, malicious clouds; that intend nothing but miſchiefe. Nubila fatna, fooliſh clouds; that make mire, rather than cauſe fertility.

But withall, there bee commendable clouds: there is difference betweene Nubes umbrifera, a ſhadowing cloud; and Nubes Imbrifera, a ſhowring cloud. There is Nubes carulea, a bright, azure, skie-coloured cloud; like that heaven to which it is neere; whoſeooPhil. 3.20.Phil 3:20 life is in heaven. Nubes frugifera, a fruitfull cloud,ppHoſ. 2.…0.Hos 2 that cauſeth the earth to fructifie. The Lord fils theſe clouds with his holy deawes, which they let fall in due time and place.qqPſal. 72 6, 7.Ps 72:6Ps 72:7 They water the earth, and come downe like ſhowres upon the mowne graſſe. In their daies ſhall the righteous flouriſh, and abundance of peace ſo long as the Moone endureth.

Beſides the former reſemblances; Preachers are Clouds in ſpending themſelves upon the dry earth. When a cloud hath emptied it ſelfe of water, it ceaſeth p. 984to be: ſo we conſume our ſelves to doe you good. Love turnes us into lampes, that we waſt our ſelves to give light unto others: into ſilkewormes, that we ſpinne out our owne bowels, to make you garments. The Olive would not leave her fatneſſe, nor the Figtree her ſweetneſſe, nor the Vine her cheerefull liquour: we refuſe not to part with our fatneſſe and ſweetneſſe, our bloud and marrow, our reſt and quiet for your ſakes. Yea, like clouds, wee willingly conſume our ſelves in ſhowers, that you may bring forth fruit unto Ieſus Chriſt. This riſeth to the conviction of them that will not be bettered by the good clouds.

1 Some refuſe to come under the clouds, and of all places love not the Orbe of the Church. The fruitfull grounds are covered with clouds; they that ſhunne this raine for feare of being wet, ſhall have barren ſoules. There is Daplex Coelum; Gerſon.Gloriae & Eccleſiae: the Church is a heaven upon earth; her Prieſts be the clouds of heaven: ſhe denies not her ſhowers to them that ſeeke it; the reſt muſt remaine a wilderneſſe. The Iewes, while the Church of God was nationall, were commanded in their devotions to looke toward the Temple, when they could not come to it. We have thoſe that may come to it, but will not looke toward it.rrHag. 2.9.Hag 2:9 In this place wil I give peace, ſaith the Lord. Not any where, not every where, but in his own houſe: as if this bleſſing were confined to his holy wals, In this place will I give peace. I know not whether the bleſſing doth more honour the place, or the place the bleſſing: both grace each other, and make Gods people happy; In this place I will give peace. This flower growes not in every garden, but onelyonly in that which theſe clouds have watered. If ever wee would have peace; outward, inward, private, publicke, ſecular, ſpirituall; peace in our Land, peace in our Church, peace in our State, peace in our owne Soules; we muſt pray for it: and if ever we will pray for it, wee muſt pray here; for In this place will I give peace, ſaith the Lord. It is true indeed, that wee are bidden every where to lift up pure hands unto God: but thoſe hands cannot bee pure that are profane; and they cannot be other than profane, that contemne the Church, the clouds, and ſhowers, and ordinances of God. If ever men would have their prayers heard at home, let them pray at Church: elſe their devotion is but the ſacrifice of fooles. For hee hath ſaid it, who hath good reaſon to appoint the circumſtances of his owne beneficence; In this place, where thoſe holy clouds are, I will give peace.

2 Some bring forth no fruite at all, though they dwell under the clouds. They are barren and beaten grounds, like the ſtreets or high wayes, over which ſuch a throng of luſts fetch their continuall walke, that nothing can riſe or proſper. The more raine fals, the more dirt. Or if they produce any fruit, it is weeds in ſtead of herbes; ſtinking weeds; yea even bryers and thornes, to ſcratch and wound the husbandman that tils them. If a diſpleaſing drop fals from the clouds, they rage and ſwel; as Pharaoh did when he received a command of Iſraels diſmiſſion. The ſhowres and monitions of God make ill men worſe. Corruption, when it is checked, growes franticke: as the waves do not beat or roare any where ſo much, as at the banke that reſtraines them. Or as the vapour in a cloud would not make that fearfull report, if it met not with oppoſition. A good heart yeelds at the ſtilleſt voice of God; but his moſt gracious motions harden the wicked. Some wold not have been ſo deſperatly ſettled in their ſins, if the word had not controlled them. But that ground is reſerved for the fire, which would not be bettered with the water. What the element of merciemercy could not mollifie, the element of wrath ſhall cruciate. For the earths ſake which we beare, the earth that beares us, is often curſed therfore our works are weeds, becauſe we concoct the moiſture of the clouds into venime. SoſſMat. 3.10.Matt 3:10 Spinas & tribulos, velut ignis eſcam, ferimus: bryers and thornes are fit fewell for the fire: Secundum ea quae mali proferunt, ipſi efficientur. If the luſtfull limbs burne in flames, it was luſt that made them fit matter for thoſe flames.

3 Others looke after the infirmities of the clouds, and never mind their vertue or benefits. They will follow their Teachers owne way, not that which p. 985God teacheth by him. Iſrael indeed did follow the cloud in the wilderneſſe: when it ſtood ſtill two yeares together, they moved not: onelyonly then they went on, when that went before them. And we doe well to follow the patterne of thoſe holy clouds, that direct us the way to Canaan. Yet this, not abſolutely, but with limitation. The Cloud that guided them had two parts; a light part, and a darke one. The Egyptians who were Gods enemies, had onelyonly the darke part; which following, they ruſhed into the red Sea, and were drowned. The Iſraelites had the light part, the direction whereof ſafely delivered them. Wicked eyes ſee onelyonly the darke part, the infirmities of theſe clouds; that example they follow, and periſh. Faithfull ſoules looke upon the light part, the graces of God in them; this doctrine they follow, and are ſaved.

To conclude. Be thankfull to theſe clouds, in returning anſwerable fruits. If ſhowres fall on a dunghill, they make but dirt: if in a kennell, they make but ſtinke: if in deſolate places, they ſpring up weeds: but in the garden, they raiſe up herbes and flowers: in the tilled field, corne: in the medowes, graſſe: in the groves and orchyards, plants and fruites. If the ground of your hearts be foule with uncleanneſſe, ranke with covetouſneſſe, or ſowen with luſts, our raine will cauſe the appearance of weeds. But the mind that comes hither like a well tilled field, receives theſe ſhowres with comfort, and recompenceth them with encreaſe.ttPſal. 57.6.Ps 57:6 Then ſhall the earth bring forth her encreaſe, and God, even our owne God ſhall give us his bleſsing.

This Heart of ours is the beſt or the worſt ground that lies betweene heaven and earth. The worſt, if it be thorny, weedy, mirie: but if faire, pleaſant, fruitfull, it is the beſt. There be two that lay claime to it: and howſoever the proprietie be Gods, for he made it; yet Satan will trie his title, and ſues to have it. Firſt, let us weed this ground, and that betimes, for old weeds will hardly be deſtroyed. Sinnes are weeds, the weeding-hooke is Repentance: let not a weed appeare, but preſently by contrition cut it downe. God indeed ſaid of another field, and in another ſenſe;uuMat. 13.30.Matt 13:30 Let them both grow together untill the harveſt: but it muſt not be ſo here, for then the weeds will eate out the corne. Secondly, keepe it in heart; for if the ſoule have not her chearings, ſhe will grow faint and barren. The way to keepe thy heart in heart, is by devout prayers, meditation, hearing the word, and receiving that which is Pabulum animae, the bleſſed Sacrament. Thirdly, looke to the expiration of thy farme, and be ſure to leave it in good caſe: that when the great Landlord ſhall call the Tenant out of the Tenement, the ſoule from the body, it may be entertained into his owne houſe, the glorious Court of heaven. Fourthly and laſtly be, ſure to pay thy rent alwayes, and that is Thankfulneſſe. For temporall farmes we pay our rents by quarters and halfe yeares: but this rent is due every monethmonth, weeke, day, houre. Seven times a day, yea ſeven times an houre, will I praiſe thee. We forfeit many of Gods favours, for not paying the rent of Thankfulneſſe. It is an eaſy rent, it coſts us no labour. It is a cheape rent, we are not out of purſe for it. It is a ready rent, never to ſeeke. If it be eaſy, ready, cheape, why do we grudge it? We can doe little, if we cannot th…nke God for his goodneſſe. Yet for the ground it ſelfe, for the ſeeds that ſow the ground, for the clouds that water the ſeeds, for the Sun that drawes up the clouds, for the influences of heavenly grace that bleſſe all, God requires no rent but our thankes. Hoc nil dici br…vius, nec audiri laetius, Aug. ep. as. Marcellinūnec gratius intelligi, nec agi fructuoſtus potest. Nothing is more eaſy to be ſpoken, or more comfort…ble to be heard, or more acceptable to be underſtood, or more fruitful to be done, than thankfulneſſe. If we cannot requite gifts, yet let us returne thankes. Debitam Deo nunquam refer…e gratiam potero: tamen hoc non deſinam, ubique confiteri me referre non poſſe: I can never give unto God ſufficient thankes;Sen. 2. de Benef. yet I will ever acknowledge that I cannot give him thankes ſufficient. He that returne… this …o man, makes halfe the amends: to God, it is all the amends we can make.

p. 986But the leaſt gratitude lies in the tongue; when the hart, when the life is thankfull, this is better than the ſacrifice that hath hornes and hoofes. Then is the earth thankfull to the clouds, when it returnes anſwerable fruits; when it does confeſſe and recompence the good it hath received, when the valleys ſtand thicke with corne, the medowes yeeld fat paſture, the trees flouriſh with fruits, that the birds ſit and ſing in the branches. We call a barren earth, an unthankfull earth. What is the worſt fruit that the earth beares? I finde a great complaint ofaaMat. 13.27.Matt 13:27 Tares, ofbbHebr. 6.8.Heb 6:8 Thornes, ofccGen. 3.18.Gen 3:18 Weeds, of venemous creatures, noxious, and banefull plants: yet all theſe are good in their kinds, and uſefull to the wiſe. But the worſt things that the groning earth beares, be our ſelves, our ſinfull and unprofitable ſelves: Telluris inutile pondus. Therfore God more than threatned,ddGen. 6.7.Gen 6:7 to deſtroy both man and beaſt from the face of the earth. The earth as a good mother, rejoyceth in good children: but ſhe mourneth for them that diſhonour their Father, and are a ſhame to their mother. Non laetatur ſuper beſtiis & rapidis feris: but in men, tame and gentle creatures. So long as there is pride in us, contention among us: while covetouſneſſe and crueltie in our hands: unmercifulneſſe in our hearts, and luſt in our loines remaines unweeded out; we are thoſe wild beaſts. Is this our thankfulneſſe to the clouds? Is this our requitall for all their ſhowres? Do we raine downe holy deawes, and find you ſpringing up profane weeds? Alas, for the ſinnes of the Land! for this cauſe the clouds melt themſelves into teares. As all our Sermons be publike ſhowres, to refreſh your thirſty ſoules: ſo we have alſo our private ſhowres, diſſolving our ſelves into teares for the obſtinacie of your hearts.eeIer. 13.17.Jer 13:17 We weepe in ſecret for your pride, and are ſtill droppingffAct. 20.31.Acts 20:31 this raine from our eyes, together with the exhortation of our lippes. Remember that God who gives you the former and the latter raine: ſhowres to ſoften the earth before the ſeed be caſt in; ſhowres when it is caſt in, to bring it forth: ſhowres to eare it, and ſhowres to ripen it. If all this will not make you fructifie, the clouds weepe againe, becauſeggEſa. 49.4.Isa 49:4 they have laboured in vaine, and ſpent their ſtrength for nought. Mortales quoniam nolunt ſua crimina flere, Coelum pro nobis ſolvitur in lacrymas. O that it would fall out by you, as the Biſhop comforted Monica concerning her ſonne Auguſtine; Fieri non poteſt ut populus istorum nimborum pereat: the children of ſo many ſhowres and teares ſhall never periſh.

Open therfore your breſts to receive theſe holy deawes: leſt with that rich Churle, you cry hereafter for ſome ofhhLuke 16.24.Luke 16:24 this water, when you cannot have it. How many ſhowres and buckets of grace had he deſpiſed in his jollitie? now h… cals out pitifully, for one drop to coole his tongue. Doe not neglect the leaſt drop o… grace when it fals, leſt you be driven to beg one drop of merciemercy when it muſt …o… fall for ever. Now God drawes neare unto you, dr…w you neare unto God, and be enlighten'd: ſo ſhall you no more bee tellus arida, but terra florida, bearing … for the Lords harveſt. Thus you ſhall reſtore the golden age, and make the place you live in, were it worſe than it is, a very earthly paradiſe. Earth ſhall returne to earth; but ſuch fruitfull earth ſhall poſſeſſe the earth, and be poſſeſſed of heaven. Now the grace of God make us the one, and the glory of God crowne us with the other.

To whom the mist of darkneſſe is reſerved for ever.] Private offenders are not ſo much plagued, as publike. Bis peccat, qui exemplo peccat: for he teacheth evill by doing it, and ſo againe does evill by teaching it. Exemplare malum, capitale malum: the exemplary ſin is a miſchievous ſinne: he that gives bad example, ſhall be made an example himſelfe. A ſinner, by his true contrition and hearty repentance, may get pardon for his owne ſinne; but how ſhall he procure it for them whom he hath taught to ſinne? Nothing more troubles the mind of a good man, than his tempting of others to offend God. Thou haſt been a blaſphemer, and art converted: but how ſhall this medicine cure the inf…ction which thy foule breath hath conveyed to others? Thy exceſſes may be forgiven thee, but ho… p. 987art thou ſure of thoſe Vriahs, whom thou haſt inebriated? The adulterer, after the fact may repent of his owne wickedneſſe, yet it cannot but trouble him to thinke what may become of his harlot. So grievous and dangerous it is to be guilty of oth…rs ſinnes. An eminent offender drawes many with him into evill. When David fell in with Bathſheba, many of her ſervants and his courtiers muſt needs be conſcious of that adulterie. When Vriah muſt die, Ioab muſt bee fetch'd in as acceſſary to the murder: how did that example harden his heart againſt the conſcience of Abners blood? He might well thinke, how can my maſter revenge that on me, which he acts himſelfe? Great mens ſinnes are ſeldome ſecret, and no leſſe ſecret ſhall be their ſh…me. Theſe hereticall Teachers have brought on mens ſoules a miſt of d…rknes, and done what in them lies, to ſend them blindfold to hell: now therfore ſuch a lot abides them, even a miſt of darknes for ever. In which puniſhment obſerve three things.

The

1. Qualitie of it; Caligo tenebrarum, the miſt of darkneſſe.

2. Congruitie of it; It is prepared or Reſerved for them; and they were ſuch as loved darknes more than light.

3. Eternitie or duration of it, For ever.

Firſt, the nature or qualitie of it; a miſt of darkneſſe. If hell had no other anguiſh in it but the very darkneſſe, it were a formidable place. How uncomfortable would that night be, which had no hope or poſſibilitie of day? But as it is ſaid of heaven,iiRev. 21.25.Rev 21:25 the gate, of it are not ſhut by day, and there ſhall be no night there: ſo it is contrary of hell the gates of it are not open by night, and there ſhall be no day there. Night is f…in…d to be Terrae filia, the daughter of the Earth; and that is darke enough: ſo Iob c…ls the Grave▪ kkIob. 10.22.Job 10:22a Land of darkneſſe, and the ſhadow of death. If our bodies h… …ny ſenſe when they lie in that darke bed, how tedious, how odious would it bee un…o th…m? But there is that which Chriſt cals foreign,llMat. 8 12.Matt 8:12 utter darkneſſ…; uncomfor…ble, unligh…able: The Hebrewes by Light, underſtand joy and felicitie: by darkneſſe, ſorow and confuſion.mmLuk. 1.79.Luke 1:79 To give light to them that ſit in darkn…ſſe. Such … miſt ſhall be on their ſoules, as comes upon a ſwouning man: who cannot ſee though his eyes be open: the organs being (for the time) uncapable of illumin…tion. So lie the damned, as dying men in the very pangs of d…ath, with a miſt of darkneſſe over their underſt…ndings, yet cannot die.

But there is fire in h…ll; ſhall not this give light? No, it diff…rs from elementall fire; Firſt, for violence, it is more ſubtile and ſearching. Secondly, for durin… … is a wildfire that cannot be quenched. Thirdly, for operation, it con…ne… n…t what it burnes. Fourthly, for obſcuritie, though it ſl…ine terribly to the vex…tion of the wicked, yet it ſhines not to their comfort.nn…g. …. Cremationem habet, lumen non habet. oo…Iohn was a burning and a ſhining light. There is a fire th…t ſhines without burning, and a fire that burnes without ſhining. It is as eaſy for God to make fire without light, as light without fire. All the priſons and dungeons deviſed by man are palaces in reſpect of hell: as all paines mo…tall arepp… Vmbra ad haec tormenta, a meere ſhadow to theſe torments. The darkneſſe of Egypt w…s wonderfull, and fearefull: wonderfull, in that it was ſo thicke that it might be felt: fe…refull, therfore reſerved for the ninth of the ten plagues. But this farre exceeds; foreign,qqIud. ver. 13. the blackneſſe of darkneſſe: ſo doth the Hebrew Idiotiſme expreſſ… it in the uttermoſt extract of darkneſſe. If thou couldſt ſee in a dark priſon ſome looking pale and ghaſtly, others bound in chaines and fetters, others tormen…ed with famine, all ſhut up in a lothſome dungeon, howling with lamentation how would it fright thee from ſuch a courſe, as might endanger thee to ſuch a place? Thus let us meditate of this darkneſſe heere, that we may never feele it hereafter. The body that is ſurfeted with repletion of pleaſant meate…, muſt be p…rged with bitter pils. Let the due conſideration of thoſe inſufferable horro…s cl…anſe our hearts from all filthy luſt: …nd let us follow the way which the light of grace leades us, that the light of glory may crowne us.

p. 988Reſerved for them: this is the proportionableneſſe of it. The puniſhments which Gods juſtice inflicts upon ſinners, have alwayes a reſpect of condignitie, not ſeldome of congruitie: ſo that we may read the matter of the offence in the characters of the penalty. Theſe blacke clouds did wholly endeavour to ſuperinduce darkneſſe on the Church, therefore the miſt of darkenes is reſerved for them for ever. Some read, Paratur, is Prepared: and this referres us to Gods decree, who had preordained the darkneſſe of hell for ſuch cloudy ſoules. Not Paranda, nor in Parando, but Parata. As a king prepares a priſon for ſuch of his ſubjects, as ſhall prove rebellious. But God made not darkneſſe; and whereas in the beginning of the creation it is ſaid.rrGen. 1.2.Gen 1:2 Darkeneſſe was on the deepe; this was not a thing created, but a meere privation or abſence, or not being of that light which was made afterward. Nor doe we thinke this miſt of darkeneſſe a poſitive thing; but as when the Sunne is hidden, darkeneſſe neceſſarily followes. Not a beame of Gods countenance, not a ſparke of his light comes into hell, and thereupon followes this intolerable darkeneſſe.

ſſEſa. 30.33.Isa 30:33Tophet is ordained of old: non caſu, non ſubito, ſed deliberante judicio. For the antiquitie of hell, I referre you to the fourth verſe of this chapter; where the loſt Angels are ſaid to bee caſt downe into hell: now they could not bee caſt into that which was not. God hath ordained but two places to receive all, whether Angels or men. For thoſe Fuſtian-weavers of Rome with their intermedia loca, they make but Chimaera's, and imagine places without a foundation. As Limbus Patrum where (they tell us) there is Poena damni, non ſenſus; and Limbus Infantum, for children dying without Baptiſme; where they likewiſe ſay is, Poena, non ſenſus, ſed damni. The former whereof they would have diſſolved by Chriſts deſcenſion into hell; the other to laſt for ever. And their Purgatory, where is both Poena damni, and Senſus; which ſhall ceaſe at Chriſts comming to Iudgement; unleſſe ſome better informed and more mercifull Pope unlocke the doores, and let them out for money beforehand. Theſe be pretty tales for a winters night, and not unlike their legends. The holy Scripture hath this plaine truth: There is but election and reprobation, grace and ſinne, the narrow gate and the broad way: but two places, Light and darkneſſe, Ioy and paine: but two ends, heaven and hell, to one of theſe muſt all fleſh come. They that tell you otherwiſe, flatter you with error: we tell you the truth, though it be with terror; and teſtifie to you our brethren, (albeit with another mind)ttLuk. 16.28.Luke 16:28 that you come not into that place of torment. And howſoever you may ſtorme againſt us, for diſquieting your ſecurity with ſuch menaces; yet we had rather you ſhould be offended with us for preaching hell to you heere, than that for not preaching it, you ſhould curſe us in hell heereafter.

But I rather reade it, Is Reſerved; and then it denotes the fitneſſe of the plague to their ſinne: darkeneſſe to darkeneſſe, inward to outward, temporall to eternall darkeneſſe. The Egyptians drowned the males of Iſrael, themſelves were drowned for it. They had bloudied the waters from thoſe innocent veines, their waters are turned into blood. That law of Retaliation which God will not allow us, becauſe we are fellow-creatures, he juſtly practiſeth on us. Hee would have us read our ſinnes in our Iudgements, that we might both repent of our ſins and give glory to his Iuſtice. Cham ſinned againſt his father, and therefore is puniſhed in his children: whereas Iaphet was dutifull to his father, and findes it in his poſterity. Becauſe Cham was an ill ſonne to his father, therefore his children ſhall be ſervants to his brethren. But becauſe Iaphet joyned himſelfe with Sem in bearing the cloake of ſhame, therfore he ſhall dwell in the tents of Sem, and partake of the bleſſing. Samſon abuſeth his ſtrength among women, therefore he loſt his ſtrength by a woman. Saul divides himſelfe from God, God divides the kingdom from Saul. David committed three ſinnes in the buſineſſe of Vriah, adultery, murder, and diſſimulation; for all theſe he receives juſt payment: for adultery, in the p. 989deflouring of his daughter Thamar: for murder, in the ſtabbing of his ſon Amnon: for diſſimulation, in the contriving of both,uuIudg. 11.7.Judg 11:7 Did you not hate mee, and expell me out of my Fathers houſe? and why are you come to mee now when you are in diſtreſſe? ſaith Iepthah to the elders of Gilead. The ſutes of neceſſity are juſtly upbraided with the errors of proſperitie. The ſame expoſtulation that Iephtah makes with Gilead, God at the ſame time makes with Iſrael;xxIudg. 10.13.Judg 10:13 You have forſaken me, and ſerved other gods, wherefore ſhould I deliver you? Goe and cry unto the gods yee have choſen. God tells his children of their faults, while he is whipping them. It is a wiſe and ſafe courſe, to make much of thoſe in our peace, whom wee muſt make uſe of in our extremity: otherwiſe it is but juſt, that we ſhould be rejected of thoſe whom we have rejected. Wee call upon God in our trouble, and are not heard: Why? becauſe he was not heard, when he called to us in our jollitie. He wil ſay, Did you not drive me out of your houſes, out of your hearts, in time of health? Did ye not plead the ſtrictneſſe of my charge, the weight of my yoke? Did not your willfull ſinnes expell me from your ſoules? what doe you now crouching and creeping to me in the evil day? It is but juſtice, if God be not found of thoſe that were content to loſe him.

Thus he once plagued the inundation of ſinnes with an inundation of waters:Ioh. 3.19.John 3:19 Sodomes unnaturall luſt with unnaturall fire. He proceeds ſtil in the ſame courſe; the dearth of charitie he puniſheth with the dearth of plenty: the ſurfets of peace, with the ſharpe phyſicke of warre: malice and wrath, thoſe burning ſins, with burning fevers: the languiſhing of piety, with conſumptions of body: whoredome and uncleanneſſe, with lothſome diſeaſes: ryot and profuſeneſſe, with fluxes: drunkenneſſe and exceſſe, with dropſies: pride and ſwelling, with tumours: curſes and blaſphemies with the plague and peſtilence. That which men have ſo many yeares toſs'd in their mouthes, is now falne upon their loynes the plague hath been their imprecation, the plague is become their common deſtruction. What is it that infects the aire, but the contagious breath of oathes and curſes, vented every moment from the lips of men and children? Every ſinner teacheth God how to puniſh him, ex ore ſuo, out of his owne mouth. And there is no particular wickedneſſe, but God hath a particular rod to ſcourge it on earth, and a particular torment to vexe it in hell. OnelyOnly they eſcape, that have anſwered all the variety of their ſinnes, in the variety of the ſufferings of Ieſus Chriſt.

For ever. Such is the perpetuitie of this darkeneſſe. And this is alſo a juſt recompence, that they which might have found life, and would not ſeeke it, ſhould at laſt ſeeke for death, and not finde it. There is a ſhame never covered, a worme never dying, a cry never ceaſing, a fire never waſting, an intolerable paine, an interminable time.aaRev. 9.6.Rev 9:6 They ſhall deſire to die, and death ſhall flee from them. A good day makes amends for a bad night; but to this night belongs no day; it is everlaſting darkeneſſe. The rougheſt tempeſt, the wearieſt journey is not without comfort, becauſe there is hope of an end: but theſe paines be as endleſſe in quantity, as they are eaſeleſſe in quality.bbIoſh. 10.13.Josh 10:13 Ioſhua had a long day, when the Sunne ſtood ſtill; yet that day had an end; the Sunne did goe on his courſe againe, and ſet: but heere the Sunne and Moone ſhal utterly ceaſe to meaſure time by their motion. That is a long ſentence that hath no period, a dolefull night which ſhall have no morning; a wofull darkeneſſe, where no ſtarre ſhall give a glimpſe, no taper burne for the damps and foggy miſts. Thus they lie like a malefactour preſſing to death, calling for more weight to diſpatch them, evenccRev. 6.16.Rev 6:16 rockes and mountaines, and cannot get it. They are thoſeddIer. 8.17.Jer 8:17 ſerpents that will not be charmed, thoſe tormentors that wil never be entreated. It is to no end, to compare them with piles of graſſe, ſands or ſtarres: if a million of yeares ſhould ſtand for every duſt of the earth, there might be an end: but this is mors ſine morte, finis ſine fine: Greg.time ſhall bee no more; and after time, it is as poſſible for that damnation to be temporall, as it is for God not to be eternall.

p. 992Sinnes greedily heare that the merciemercy of God endures for ever: but they ſhall as ſenſibly feele, that the wrath of God alſo endure for ever. It was a pitifull complaint,eePſal. 77.7.Ps 77:7 Will the Lord caſt off for ever, is his mercy cleane gone for evermore? God did not deale ſo with David, he will deale ſo with the damned. Let this meditation touch thee now, that the matter it ſelfe may never hurt thee hereafter. That heart is hard frozen, which nothing can thaw but hell-fire. If a rebellious city were threatned by the king to bee tythed for their conſpiracie; that one of tenne ſhould dye in juſtice, though nine were ſpared in mercy; would not every one tremble, leſt the lot ſhould fall upon himſelfe? If among tenne paſſing over a bridge, one were aſſured to fall in, would not every one looke to his feet? The Supreme Iudge in his laſt great Aſſiſes, will execute his wrath upon many: not one of tenne, but rather nine of tenne are in danger;ffRom. 3.23.Rom 3:23 for all have ſinned, and come ſhort of the glory of God, deſerving ever-burning fire in everlaſting darkeneſſe; ſhall wee not make ſure our Advocate to plead for us; even Him alone whoſe plea is unanſwerable, becauſe he dyed for us? He that is For ever, ſuffered that we might not ſuffer for ever. But will he plead for thoſe above, that care not to bee his below? Shall they challenge his covenant then, and trample on it now? Doe they not abuſe that Covenant, while they breake the conditions, Faith and Obedience? Let not men flatter themſelves, that they may ſinne in aeterno ſuo, ſo long as they can: and yet that God will not puniſh them aterno ſuo, ſo long as he can: Hell was not made for nothing: there be two fatall engins, the devill and ſinne, that will ſupply and furniſh it, and keepe it from being empty.

Thou art ſicke, thinke how uncomfortable it would bee, to be confined to that bed and that paine: if no worſe, for a thouſand yeeres: where thy friends are fiends, and thy Phyſicians tormentors. Conſider them that are ſhut up for the plague; how irkeſome it is to want helpe and ſociety, to lye fearefully expecting death every houre; when as yet there is a Lord have mercy on us upon the doore, and the prayers of thouſands ſent up to heaven for their comfort. Who would for the pleaſure of an houre, bee rack'd a whole yeare? Or for a maſſe of gold, lye burning in the fire one day? Yet how many for the ſatisfaction of a luſt, hazard themſelves, ſoules and bodies, to more exquiſite tortures, and endleſſe flames? Let us not paſſe over this meditation ſuperficially, but in time make an end of ſinning; otherwiſe beyond all time there will be no end of our ſuffering. For our Creators ſake that made us, for our Redeemers ſake that with his owne bloud bought us, for that Comforters ſake who would heale us, for the Angels ſake that guard us, for the Churches ſake, our mother that mournes for us, for our owne Soules ſake, that ſhould be deare unto us; let us breake off our ſinnes by repentance, and live the life of grace and obedience, that we periſh not in this miſt of darkeneſſe for ever.