Works, Treatise 2

Works · Treatise 2

p. 1THE RACE CELESTIALL; OR, Aſpeedy courſe to Saluation.

1. Cor. 9. 24.

So runne, that ye may obtaine.

BOëtius in his BookeBoëtius. De conſolatione Philoſophiae, ſaith: Quòd vnicuique viro bono inſerta eſt quaedam cupiditas boni: id eſt, That in eueryevery good man there is inſerted a feruent deſire of that which is good. Now the true and chiefeſt good thing that may poſſibly be deſired of mortall man (in which only the ſoule of man is fully ſatiſfied) is the Lord God: according to that of S. Auguſtine: Feciſti Auguſt. in lib. confeſſ.nos Domine, ad te, & inquietum eſt cor noſtrum, donec quieſcat in te: id eſt, p. 2Thou haſt created vsus (O Lord) for thine owne ſelfe, and our hearts are diſquieted, vntill they finde a firme reſt in thy ſelfe. And (as well ſaith S. Bernard)Bernard Illud est verum, & ſummum gaudium, quod non creatura, ſed Creatore concipitur: id eſt, that is the true and chiefeſt ioy, which is conceiued, not of the creature, but the Creator.

Now the Lord (that is Omnium ſummum bonorum, Of all good things the chiefeſt ) can by no meanes be obtained, but by a true and liuely faith in Ieſus Chriſt his welbeloued Son, prouing it ſelfe by good fruits of amendment, by whom wee are reconciled againe to the Lord, and brought into the …auour of the moſt High, of which by our ſinnes wee hauehave iuſtly beene depriued: As well ſaith …o: …Non dormicntibus peruenit regnum coelo…um, nec o…o, nec deſidia torpentibus praemium aeternitatis promit…itur: ſed vigilantibus & ben… viue…tibus: id eſt, The Kingdome of Heauen falleth not to the Sluggards ſhare, neither is eternall bliſſe promiſed to idle and euill p. 3perſons: but onelyonly to thoſe that liue by faith, and are vigilant in the workes of godlineſſe.

The holy Apoſtle therefore, hauing in the former Chapters of this his firſt Epiſtle to the Corinthians, carneſtly and induſtriouſly taught them the true path that leadeth to life: hauing alſo perceiued that they had embraced his doctrine willingly, and runne in the ſame in ſome meaſure cheerefully: he doth heere in this golden ſimile, (that they might hauehave their portion in the Lord) exhort them to perſeuerance, holding out to the end of their liues, knowing that of our Sauiour in the Goſpell to bee true: Hee that endureth to the end, the Mat. 10. 12Matt 10:12ſame, and none but the ſame ſhall bee ſaued.

In which words the Apoſtle b…rtoweth a ſimilitude, A certami…e curſorio: from a terreſtriall Race for a temporary Prize: for as in that Race many runne, but one receiueth the Prize: namely, he that all the reſt out-ſtrippeth, and commeth firſt at p. 4the end: euen ſo in the Race of Chriſtianity no man ſhall be crowned, but hee that holdeth out to the end of his life: yet notwithſtanding there is this difference in this ſimilitude, that in the Race terreſtriall he is onelyonly guerdoned with reward that toucheth firſt the But; and in this Race Celeſtiall, not onelyonly one, but all may be crowned with euerlaſting bliſſe.

In which excellent Simile the Apoſtle compareth, Curſui vitam: Stadio pietatem: praemio ſalutem: id eſt, Our life to a Race, or running: Pietie and Godlineſſe to a Race wherein wee muſt runne; and euerlaſting bliſſe to a promiſed reward.

So runne, that ye may obtaine. ThatText. is, ſo liue in this life, vnderunder the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus, that yee may obtaine euerlaſting life in the life to come. In which heauenly exhortation of Paul, we may generally obſerue theſe three things.

1Firſt, Quid ſit currere, What is meant by this word, Runne.

Secondly, Qualiter currendum how p. 5…wee muſt runne to obtaine. So runne.

Thirdly, Praemium promiſſum, the reward …promiſed, to all thoſe that runne lawfully.

1Firſt, Run: By this Race, or Running, is vnderſtood this preſent life of man.

The life of man is compared to many things: ſome of the Philoſophers hauehave compared it to a bubble: ſome to a ſleepe, ſome to a dreame▪ ſome to one thing, ſome to another.

Iob compareth it to a Winde: theIob 7. 7. Pſal. 109. 23. Iam. 4. 24. 1. Pet. 1. 24 Eſay 40. 6.Job 7:7Ps 109:23Jas 4:241 Pet 1:24Isa 40:6 Prophet Dauid compareth it to a ſhadow: Iames to a vapour: Peter to a flower: Eſay to graſſe, and the Apoſtle Paul, in reſpect of the celeritiy and ſwiftneſſe thereof, compareth it heere to a Race or running. Quid aliud (ſaithAuguſtine. S. Auguſtine) eſt vita noſtra, niſi quidam curſus ad mortem? vita dum creſcit, decreſcit▪ vita mortalis, & mors vitalis: id eſt, What is our life but a certaine running to death? Our life, while it increaſeth, decreaſeth: our life is dying, our death is liuing.

The Traueller, ſhe longer he goeth p. 6on his iourney, the neerer hee is his iourneys end: the children of Iſrael, the longer they wandred from Egypt, the neerer they were the promiſed Land; ſo eueryevery mortall man, the longer he liueth, the neerer hee is his iournies end▪ Death: for Time and Tide ſtay for no man: young hayres do ſoone turne gray, and actiue youth is ſoone metamorphoſed into crooked age: Cito pede lab…ur aetas: id eſt, The dayes of Poet. …id.man doe ſwiftly paſſe away. Temporae labuntur, tacitiſ que ſeneſcimus annis, & …ug…nt f…ae…o non remorante dies: id eſt, time ſwiftly paſſeth, and old age ſoone commeth on; no bridle ſo ſtrong, as can keep… in our galloping dayes.

Hee that runneth in a Race, neuer ſtayeth, till bee commeth at the end thereof: ſo eueryevery mortall Wight (vole…s …l…s, willing, …illing ) neuer ſtayeth, till d…ath, the end of his race, ſtayeth him. The picture of Patience (Iob by name) conſidering the ſwift paſſage of the da…es of man, compareth them to the ſwift Race of a Poſt, ſaying, Dies m…i v…l…ciores ſunt curſore. p. 7Iob 9. 25.Job 9:25id eſt, My dayes are ſwifter then a Poſt: yea ſwifter are they then a Weauers Iob 7. 6.Job 7:6ſhuttle, they are as the motion of the ſwifteſt ſhip in the Sea, and as the Eagle Iob 9. 26. Pſal. 90. 9.Job 9:26Ps 90:9that flyeth faſt to her prey. Our yeeres are ſpent (ſayth the Pſalmiſt) as a tale that is told: yea, our life is Pſal. 90. 10Ps 90:10quickly cut off, and wee are ſoone gone. Therefore fitly is our life compared here of S. Paul (in regard of the velocitie thereof) to a Race, or Running.

From hence eueryevery Chriſtian is to learne this leſſon, that (ſeeing our life is nothing elſe but a running to death) he redeeme the time, make much of it▪ whiles he hath it: for the houre ſpent cannot be recouered, time paſſed, can not be recalled.

Ecc… nunc tempus acceptum: (ſayth…. Cor. 6. 2. the Apoſtle) Behold now the accepted time, behold now the day of ſaluation. This life is the time wherein our election muſt be made ſure, and ſealed vp to our ſpirits by the infallible teſtimony of the good ſpirit of GOD: This life is the time, wherein enerman p. 8in his calling, muſt worke out his ſaluation with feare and trembling: This life is the time wherein wee muſt bee admitted into the kingdome of Grace, if euer wee looke to be admitted into the Kingdome of Glory: In this life muſt wee be matriculated into the myſticall body of the Church, if euer we will look to ſit at the Bridegroomes Table in Heauen: In this life muſt we hauehave heauen in inchoation▪ if after this life wee will hauehave i… in perfection.

The Huſband-man will in no wiſe ſlacke his opportunity, and omit his time in tilling and ſowing his ground, that in Summer he may hauehave the better croppe: The Tradeſ-man will not miſſe his Fayres & Markets, that hee may increaſe his ſtocke the more in thoſe his painefull affayres: The Storke in the Ayre, the Turtle, the Ie…em. 3. …Cra…e, and the Swallow obſerue their times, as ſayth the Prophet: the little ſilly creature (the Ant by name)…ou. 6… ▪ gathereth in Summer, whereby ſhee may liue in Winter. Euen ſo ſhould p. 9eueryevery Chriſtian take his time, and treaſure vp (with the painefull Bee) the hony of good works in the hiue o… his hart in this life, that he may (will the faithfull ſeruant) be welcommed into his Maſters ioy, in the life to come. But alas, alas, men are ſo aſſotted with blindneſſe and ignorance, that they may be ſent to the very ſenſleſſe creatures for wiſedome in this point. Aske the beaſts, and they ſhall Iob. 12. 7, 8Job 12:7Job 12:8teach thee; and the fowles of heauen▪ and they ſhall tell thee (ſaith the iuſt man Iob:) or ſpeake to the earth, and it ſhall ſhew thee, or the fiſhes of th… ſea, and they ſhall declare vntounto thee Eſays Oxe knoweth his Maſters ſtall, Eſay. 1. 3. …Isa 1:3and his Aſſe his Maſters crib: but miſerable man hath not knowne his Maker.

O let vsus not be worſe then Horſe, Aſſe and Mule, that hauehave no vnderſtanding: but let vsus (in the feare of God) know our times and ſeaſons: Let vsus ſeeke the Lord while he may beEſay. 5… ….Isa 5 found, and call vppon him while he is neere. Let vsus in no wiſe poſt off our p. 10amendment from day to day: Let vsus …iue no longer in careleſſe ſecurity, like ſenſuall, bruitiſh, and helliſh Epicures, that neither beléeue nor yet reſpect the iudgement to come: that …ing that curſed Epitaph of Sardanapalus▪

…e, bibe, lude, charum praeſentibus explePoet.

Deli…s animum: poſt mortem nulla voluptas:

Id eſt, Eate, drinke, play and be merry; li…e in all kinde of pleaſure▪ for, after d…ath there is no pleaſure: That ſay with the old man in the Poet:

Becauſe my dayes are ſhor… which I hauehave heere to liue;

To women, wine and pleaſant ſport, I meane my ſelfe to giuegive.

Let vsus not be like thoſe fooliſh Virgins, that knocked at the gates of heauen too late, when the doores were ſhut againſt them: For, after this life there ſhall be no place for pardon, no… …e for Repentance: therefore, in p. 11time looke to the wel-fare of thy deere Soule, that thy Soule may fare well not for a time; but for euer.

One depth (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) calleth Pſal. … … ▪for another: The depth of our miſery crieth for the depth of Gods mercy: let vsus therefore be as ſwift in running the race of Chriſtianity, as ou… liues are ſwift to leaue vsus: let vsus b… as ſwift to kill ſinne in vsus, as ſinne is to kill vsus. O (beloued) let vsus b…e as ſwift to pull out the ſting of the Scorpion (which is ſinne) as he is with his ſting ſwift and ready to ſt…bbe …s a… the heart, and wound our ſoules incurably: that when death, …he end of our Race, ſhall come (which is m…ſ… certaine, and yet his time moſt vncertaine) it may be vntounto …, … it is to all the Saints of God; Ia…a …, …um ref…i…er…, …l… aſcenſi…is in c…lum▪ id eſt, The ga… … life, the end of miſeries, the beg… ▪ of euerlaſting refreſhing, and the …r of aſcenſion to the higheſt a… happieſt heauens.

p. 12So runne, that ye may obtaine▪Text.

2Secondly, Qualiter currendum? id eſt, How muſt we runne? To obtaine. So runne.

If wee will runne to obtaine, wee muſt runne theſe three wayes.

1Firſt, Directè, recta via, the right way.

2Secondly, Celeriter ſeu feſtinanter: Swiftly or ſpeedily.

3Thirdly, Perſeueranter, Perſeuerantly, holding out to the end.

1Firſt therefore, that wee may obtaine, we muſt run directly, the right way that leadeth to life.

Thoſe that run in a race, will not make the furtheſt way about the néereſt …ay home (as wee ſay) but they will take the ſhorteſt cut that may be, and run the directe…t way that can be, that they may the rather obtaine: So ſhould wee run in the right way that leadeth to life, if wee will obtaine life euerlaſting.

… ſpeaking of mans creation,…. ſ…th; that H…mo inced… erectus p. 13in coelum: id eſt, Man goeth right vplifting his eyes toward Heauen:

Os homini ſublime dedit, coelum que tueriOvid. iuſſit,

Id eſt, God gaue man a lofty face, a face to behold the heauens; whereas other creatures faſten their eyes vponupon the centre of the world, from whence they came, hanging down their heads to the earth like Bul▪ ruſhes. As man therefore was created pure and vp right in Soule, and ſtraight and right in body, carrying his head toward heauen: ſo muſt he run (if euer he will obtaine heauen) in the ſtraight way, and right path that leadeth to Heauen.

Many there are that ſéek the Lord, and finde him not, becauſe they ſeek… amiſſe: ſo many there are that runne (yea all men liuing are runners) y… are they far from obtaining, becauſ… they run amiſſe.

There are foure ſorts of groun… yet but one …ructi…er…us: there are foure wa…es in the world, yet but … p. 14(and that a narrow one) that leadeth to life. Generally, there are but theſe two▪ the way of Godlineſſe, and the way of In…quity: whereof, the one in the Goſpell of Mathew, is called The broad way and th… other, The ſtraight and …arrow gate: yet S. Iohn (conſidering the multiplicity of this dangerous Labyrinth) doth cut out this …road way into thrée maine heads: into …uxury, Couetouſneſſe, and Pride, … I… ▪ …6ſaying: Whatſoeuer is in the world, is either the concupiſcence of the fleſh, the concupiſcence of the eye, or the pride of life▪

Haec tria pro trino numine mundus habet:

…Id eſt, This is the trinity which the world doth worſhip▪ Theſe wayes are wide and large, and whole multitudes walke in the ſame: Magna ple…d… hom…num ſed magna ſolitudo bonorum: id eſt, There is a great plenty of men▪ but there is a great ſcarcity of good men.

Theſe wayes ſeeme pleaſant to be p. 15walked in, yet Nouiſſima illarum mors eſt. The end of theſe wayes is death: for the diuel, like a ſubtill fiſher, ſheweth the bait, but hideth the hooke: ſheweth the vnprofitable profit, and vnpleaſant pleaſure of ſin, but h…th the hooke from mens eyes, which is death, according to that of S. Paul, Stipendium … mors eſt: The wages of ſinne is death here, hell and damnation hereafter. Sinne ſeemeth at th… firſt to fawne vponupon a man, but yet in the end it will (with Caines dogge)Gen. 4.Gen 4 plucke out the very throats of our ſoules.

In theſe main rodes (the more is the pitty) doth the greateſt part of mankind run headlong to perdition, without any checke of conſcience, remorſe for their ſinnes▪ or any reclam…tion in the world. Sinne neuer more then in theſe our dayes of the Goſpell abounded: the diuell hath more followers then Chriſt, the whole multitude … ed, Crucifie him, Crucifie him, b… Mar. … ▪ 1…there was but one, (and th…t a …lly woman) that laboured to ſet him …r…e.

p. 16The ſaying of Paul to the Romans is verified in th…ſe our dayes of ſin: There is none righteous, no not one: Rom. 3. 10. 11. 12.Rom 3:10Rom 3:11Rom 3:12There is none that vnderſtandeth: there is none that ſeeketh God: all hauehave gone out of the way, all are altogether vnprofitable; there is none that doth good, no not one. Pride, Whoredome, Gal. …. 19. …. …Adultery, Fornication, Vncleanneſſe, Wantonneſſe, Idolatry, Witch-craft, Hatred, Debate, Emulation, Wrath, Contention, Sedition, Hereſie, Couetouſneſſe, Drunkenneſſe, Swearing, Forſwearing, Blaſphemy, Prophaneneſſe, cōtempt of the Word, deſpiſing of Gods Meſſengers▪ and the like abominations are raigning in eueryevery angle of this our Iland; yea our Land is become a ſinke of ſin, a pit of pollution, and a place of abomination: defiled with iniquity, A vertice capitis, vſque ad plantam pedis: id eſt, from toppe to toe, hauing no ſound part throughout it: yea, our whole Land is out of courſe; And it is the great Lam. 3▪ 2…Lam 3:2mercy of God that wee are not conſumed.

p. 17Yea, theſe laſt dayes of the world are like to the daies of Iſraels prouocation of the Lord in the wilderneſſe: wherein wee preferre the ſlauery of Egypt, aboue the ſweete Manna of heauenly bliſſe.

Yea, that ſaying of the Prophet is verified of the moſt part of mankind: That the Children gather ſtickes, the Ierem. 7. 8.Jer 7:8Fathers make the fire, and the women bake cakes for the Queene of Heauen: That is, they offered ſacrifice to the Sun and Moone, and Planets, which they called the Queene of Heauen. So the beaſt of Rome with his Antichriſtian crue doth ſacrifice to Mary, making her an idoll, and calling her (as in their Salue Regina, and Regina Coeli laetare, doth appeare) the Queene of Heauen. They make Ignorance the mother of their Deuotion: Sir Iohn Lacke-latine, and Sir Anthony Ignorance are their chiefeſt Clarkes, and beſt Maſſe-mongers.

Yea, the world is growne to that height of reprobation, that that which is written in Iob, is verified of many: They ſay to Go…, Depart …rom vsus, Iob. 21, 14. 15.Job 21:14Job 21:15…or we deſire not the knowledge of thy wayes: who is the Almighty, that wee ſhould ſerue him? Full little thinking that the Lord ſhall anſwer them with the like Diſ…e Depart from me, yee Math▪ 7. 2…Matt 7:2workers of iniquity.

Thus we …ée how the worldlings run in the race of iniquity, the broad way to the lake vnquenchable: ſome in the race of Atheiſme, ſome in Papiſme, ſome in Mahumetiſme, ſome in Paganiſme, but few there are that run in the race of Chriſtianiſ…. But thou that wouldeſt be ſaued, thou that wouldeſt ſo runne that thou maiſt obtaine, run not in any of theſe wayes, but flye from ſin, as from a ſtinging Serpent, and a biting Cocka…ri…: For they that doe ſuch things, ſhall not …al. … ▪ ….inherite the Kingdome of God.

The right way therefore whereinH…c …. we muſt runne, is the way of Godlineſſe, the way of Chriſtianity, the way of the Word of God, framing all our thoughts, words and operations, according to the preciſe and ſtrict rule p. 19of the ſame: For Factores legis iuſtificabuntur: id eſt, The doers of the …aw ſhall be iuſtified, ſaued and glorified.

This way of Godlineſſe is a bleſſed way to walke in: It is ſweeter than Pſal. …. Mat. 11. 3…Matt 11:3the hony, or the hony combe: Iugum Chriſti ſ…ue eſt, & onus ſuum leue: id eſt, The yoke of Chriſt is eaſie, and his burthen light. Mandata …s gra…ia …on 1. Ioh. 5. 3.1 John 5:3ſunt: id eſt, His Commandements are not grieuous: and his Commandements Pſal. 119.Ps 119are exceeding large: Her wayes are wayes of pleaſure, and her pathes Prou. 3. 17▪ …ſ…l. 119. …5.Prov 3:17proſperity: It is a lanthorne to our feet, and a l…ght vntounto our pathes: It is a pillar of fire to carry vsus thorow the wilderneſſe of this world to the Celeſtiall Canaan: It is the power of God Rom. 1. 1….Rom 1:1to ſaluation to eueryevery Beleeuer, both lew and Grecian: It is able to ſaue our Iam. 1. 2….Jas 1:2ſoules, it is able to make vsus wiſe to ſaluation: is is profitable to teach, to improue, 2. Tim. …. 15, 1…, 17.to correct, to inſtruct, in righteouſneſſe, and to make vsus perfect in all good works.

It is comfortable in all caſes and parts of our life, both in proſperity p. 20and aduerſity; both in life and death: If we fight, it is a ſword: if we hunger, it is meate: if wee thirſt, it is drinke: if wee be naked, it is a garment: if we be in darknes, it is light: yea (in a word) the Word of God is The high-way to Heauen. Enter therfore Mat. 7. 13.Matt 7:13in at the ſtraight gate of amendment: and run in the ſame, from faith to faith, from grace to grace, from vertue to vertue, from ſtrength to ſtrength, till thou beeſt a perfect man in Chriſt Ieſus.

Caſt away the workes of darkneſſe, Rom▪ 13. 12, 13▪ 14▪Rom 13:12Rom 13:13Rom 13:14and put on the armour of light: walke honeſtly, as in the day; not in gluttonie, and drunkenneſſe, neither in chambering and wantonneſſe, nor in ſtrife and enuying: but put on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and take no thought for the fleſh to fulfill the luſts of it. Bee Mat. 10. 16Matt 10:16wiſe as the Serpent, be innocent as the Doue.

Amongſt diuers points of wiſedome to bee found in the Serpent, this is one: namely, Shee caſteth her coat, and ſo renouateth her age, as p. 21Ariſtotle ſaith. Theſe three beaſts,Ariſt. de nat▪ A… mal. lib. 8 cap. 17. Stellio Tum Vere, tum Autumno, both in the Spring, as alſo in Autumne, doe caſt their ſkinnes, viz. the beaſt like a Lizzard, called in Latine Stellio: Quia habet maculas, quaſi ſtellas collo infixas: Becauſe hee hath ſpots in his necke like ſtarres: Lacertus: the Lizzard; andLacertus. Serpens. the Serpent. And to doe this, they goe thorow ſome narrow cranny or other to looſen their ſkinnes, and caſt them within foure & twenty houres. So ſhouldeſt thou put off the old man Col. 3. 9.Col 3:9with all his workes: And to doe this, thou muſt goe Per ſtrictam rimam poeniten…iae: id eſt, Thorow the narrow cranny, and ſtraight gate of amendment.

Meditate therefore (with the IuſtPſal. 1. 2.Ps 1:2 man) in the Law of God day and night. Let the candle of faith burne cleere in the lampe of thy heart, and nouriſh it with the oyle of louelove and good works: Walke not in the counſell of the wicked: Pſal. …. ….ſtand not in the way of ſinners: …it not in the …ea…e of the ſcornefull: but runne in the Race of … well, p. 22that liuing well, thou maiſt dye well, and after death eternally ſpéede well, obtaining that bleſſedneſſe: Bleſſed Apoc. 13. 14.Rev 13:14are they that dye in the Lord.

So run, tha… ye may obtaine.Text.

And that wee may run in the race of Godlineſſe, one Caueat is exceeding neceſſary▪ namely, that wee auoid wicked company, which will draw away our hearts from this Race Celeſtiall. Qui …angit picem, co…quinabitur Eccleſ. 13.Sir 13ab …a: id eſt, Hee that toucheth pitch, ſhall bee defiled therewith▪ Cum ſancto ſan…us eris, & cum peruerſo peruerter…s: id eſt, With the holy thou ſhalt bee holy, and with the …ward thou ſhalt learne frowardneſſe: for birds of a feather will flye together.

It was not lawfull for a lew to conuerſe with a S…ari…ane if an Hebrew did …a…e with an Egyptian, it was counted an abomination▪ ſo muſt we …o…nt it abomination, and hold it a point of reprobation▪ to frequent the company of damned hel-hounds, and helliſh miſcreants. Let vsus therefore p. 23flye all occaſion and eueryevery apparition of euill; let vsus delight in the company of thoſe that …eare the Lord, and excell in vertue. Well therefore ſaith Seneca: Cum illis verſare, qui te meliorem S…ſunt facturi, vel quos meliores …ffi…er… poſſis: id eſt, Keepe company with thoſe that may make thee better, or whom thou maiſt make better▪

I command you therfore, brethren, 2. Theſ. 3. 62 Thess 3:6(as ſaith S. Paul) in the name of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, that ye withdraw your ſelues from eueryevery brother that walketh inordinately, and not after the inſtruction which yee receiued from me.

And (to conclude this point) I giuegive eueryevery Chriſtian this good counſell with good King Salomon: My ſonne, if Pro. 1. 10▪ 11, 1…, &c▪Prov 1:10Prov 1:11Prov 1:1ſinners doe entice thee, conſent thou not: If they ſay, Come with vsus, wee will lay wait for bloud, wee will ſwallow vp the Innocent wh…le, like a graue: wee ſ…ll finde all precious ri…he… ▪ and …ill ou… ho… ▪ wi…h …poyl… ▪ …n thy lo… among …s, we will hauehave all …ne pu…ſe: My ſ…nne, w…lke not p. 24thou in the way with them, refrain… thy foot from their path, for their feet runne to euill, and make haſte to ſhead Iob. …9. 23. 24.Job 9:23Job 9:24bloud. O that theſe my words were written, O that they were written in a booke, O that they were written with an iron pen, in Lead, or in ſtone for euer! O that they were ingrauen in braſſe Table of eueryevery young mans heart, that ſo bad company may not be his deſtruction.

So run, that ye may obtaine.Text.

2Secondly, if we will run to obtain, we muſt run Celer…er, ſeu feslinanter, ſwiftly and ſpeedily.

Vita breuis, vita longa (ſaith S. Bernard:)Bernard. ſi …s …d metam peruenire, incipe celeriter currere: id eſt, The liff of man is very ſhort, the way to heauen is very long; if therefore thou wil… obtaine, thou muſt run exceeding ſwiftly. We ſée that thoſe that runne in an earthly race (and that but for a mean reward) how ſwiftly doe they ſtraine themſelues to runne? according to that of the Poet:

p. 25Qui cupit optatā curſu contingere metam,Poet.

Multa tulit, fecit que miſer, ſuda…it & alſit.

Id eſt, Hee that deſireth firſt to touch the Marke, taketh much paines, ſweateth abundantly, and runneth exceeding ſwiftly. Euen ſo ſhould we (that wee may obtaine an euerlaſting reward in heauen, runne in the path of Gods Commandements, being ſhod with the ſhooes of the Goſpel of peace, like Roes excéeding ſwiftly.

The ſenſeleſſe creatures are a … king-glaſſe to all Chriſtians in … reſpect.

The Sunne (as ſayth the Pſalmiſt)Pſal. … ▪ like a Gyant reioyceth to run his race: that is, valiantly and ſwiftly: ſwift in his motion, and ſpeedy in his race, for in the ſpace of 24. houres hee compaſſeth the earth round about, that nothing is hidden from him, and paſſeth from the one end of heauen to the other, that nothing is wanting in him: So the Lord our God hath ſet eueryevery man his taſk vponupon earth, which is: To worke out his ſaluation wi…l p. 26feare and trembling. A great worke, a ſhort time, a long way from Egypt to … from the gates of hell, to the doores of heauen; therefore, like Gyants we …ad need to runne ſwiftly, leſt we come too late, and bee ſhut out of heauen, like the fiue fooliſh aforeſayd Virgins.

As the Sun in the heauens is a looking glaſſe vntounto vsus in this regard: ſo is alſo the Son of God Chriſt …eſus, aboue the heauens to be imitated o… vsus all in this point. Omnis Chriſti actio, ……ſtr… deb…t eſſe inſtru…io: id eſt, EueryEvery action of Chriſt ought to be a matter of imitation to vsus Chriſtians.

As hee was I…menſus maieſtate, in…bilis …r…, ſo was hee in…is celer…: id eſt▪ As hee was …at in Maieſtie, incomparable in …o was …e …lſo incomprehen…le … celeri…e and ſwiftneſſe. Hee …w…ought the wo…ke… of him that …ent …y, without …y delay in the world.

This Bridegroome Chriſt Ieſus …n as the Su…e▪ went forth out p. 27of the Chamber of the higheſt Heauens, from the boſome of the Father▪ and from the inuiſibility of the Diuinity: and deſcended downe to the earth, and became Man, and was like vntounto Man in all things, ſinne onelyonly excepted; and valiantly in the Wilderneſſe pitched a field againſt Satan, that old Serpent and roaring Lyon, and ouerthrew him in the Deſart▪ breaking his wyly head, and ouercomming his chiefeſt power: fulfilled the Law in eueryevery point and tittle, ſatiſfied Gods Iuſtice for vsus, appeaſed his wrath againſt vsus: purchaſed celeſtiall manſions to vsus, by offering himſelfe in Sacrifice to the Lord of H…ſts, vponupon the Croſſe at Gol…o…ha for the ſinnes of the whole world: by his death and paſſion, by vanquiſhing hell, by conquering death, by his glorious reſurrection and aſcenſion, and by ſending of the Holy Ghoſt: Hee Io…. 16. 28.went from the …ather, and came into the world; And in ſhort time (yea, in the ſpace of 33. yeeres) wrought the redemption of all beleeuers: And p. 28left this world, and went againe to his Iob 1…. 28.Job 1:28Father.

The Spouſe of Chriſt conſidering her Huſbands great velocity, celeritieCan. 2. 8. 9. and ſwiftneſſe, ſayth: Behold! he commeth leaping by the Mountaines, and skipping by the Hils, my Welbeloued is like a Roe, or a young Hart, &c. Ʋenit, vidit, vicit,: Hee came from heauen, he ſaw the earth, and ouercame the Dragon.

Thus, after Chriſts example, ſhould wee that profeſſe our ſelues Chriſtians, runne ſwiftly in the race of godlineſſe, holineſſe, purity, and obedience to the commandements of our heauenly Father: Thus ſhould wee runne, In veſtigijs Ieſus, in the footſteps of Chriſt Ieſus, who is Ʋia, veritas Io…. 14. 6.& vita, i. The Way, the Truth, and the …ife: and the true way to life euerlaſting. To the performance of which duety, the Lord grant to vsus his grace (for of our ſelues wee are not able to ſet one foot forward to heauen) that ſo we may bee able (to his glory and our Soules euerlaſting good) to doe his p. 29will in earth, as willingly, ſwiftly, and as ſpeedily as the Angels do it in Heauen.

Now (deare brethren) that we may runne thus ſwiftly in the race of Godlineſſe, and in the courſe of Chriſtianity, two things are neceſſary.

1Firſt, Ʋt ſimus intus vacui, that we be empty within.

2Secondly, Vt ſimus extra exonerati: id eſt, That wee bee vnladen without.

1Firſt, we muſt be empty within.

Now, what is that which cloggeth vsus ſo ſore within, and hindreth vsus from running in this godly Race? Surely that is ſinne.

So weighty a thing is ſinne, As it Luke 10.Luke 10ſunke downe Satan from heauen.

So weighty a thing is ſinne, as it cauſed the earth to open her mouth, and ſwallow vp curſed Kor…, diueliſhNum. 16. 32.Num 16:32 Dathan, and that abiect Abi…am with all their treacherous crue. The Prophet in reſpect of the weight thereof compareth it to lead, and that worthily: for as lead in the clocke can p. 30ſeth, by the weight thereof, the cogs, wheeles and gimmers ſucceſſiuely to moue one after the other: euen ſo the weight of ſinne doth draw the cogs of our carnall concupiſcence, the whéeles of our lewd deſires, and the gimmers of our vntamed affections, from one ſinne to another▪ according to that of Saint Gregory. Peccatum quod per poenitentiam Gregory.…on deletur, moxſuo pondere ad aliud trahit: id eſt, If ſinne by repentance preſently bee not done away, by the weight thereof it will ſoone drawe a man to more ſinne: as we finde it exempliſied in the Prophet Dauid, who fell from idleneſſe to concupiſcence, from concupiſcence to adultery, from adultery to murder.

Of the weight of ſinne the Prophet Dauid ſpeaketh: Mine iniquities …are go…e ouer mine head, and as a weighty burden they are too heauy for mee.

The Prophet Eſay calleth the bands of wickedneſſe heauy burdens intolerable …to bee borne. The ſinnes of the world being layd vponupon the ſhoulder… p. 31of IESVS, vponupon the Croſſe, were ſo weighty, and heauy, as they forced him (hauing the weight of Gods wrath for them alſo vponupon him) to cry out on this manner to his God: Eli, Eli, Lamaſabactham? Mat. 27. 46Matt 27:46My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? If the yoke of Chriſt bee eaſie, and his burthen light: Mat. 11.Matt 11then of neceſſity on the contrary, muſt the yoke of Satan (which is ſinne) bee vneaſie, heauy, and intolerable to bee borne.

By which it may appeare, that ſinne is an intolerable burden, and a great impediment to this Chriſtian Race.

Let vsus therefore (as the Choſe… H…. 12. 1.veſſell doth exhort vsus) caſt away eueryevery thing that preſleth vsus dowre, a…d the ſinne that hangeth ſo faſt on: …et vsus runne with patience the race …h… is …et before vsus. Where it is e…ident, th…t wee cannot runne with …en… …e race that is ſet before vsus, vn… caſt away our ſinnes from vsus, which doe hang ſo faſt on vsus.

Moſes was not permitted to come p. 32neere the Lord, before hee did diſcalciate himſelfe: Put off thy ſhooes: for, the place where thou ſtandeſt is holy ground▪ So muſt we put off the durty … of iniquity, and abandon ſinne from the c…ſtl… of our hearts, before we can b…e able to ſtand in the path way to ioyes, w…ich is an holy ground: therefore much l…ſſe are wee able to runne in the ſame, and moſt vnapt to runne ſwiftly.

Let vsus therefore (in the name of God) purge our Soules and bodies from ſinne, with the H…ſop of Gods grace: Let vsus ſeparate them from vsus, and our ſelues from them, as farre as the Caſt is from the Weſt, and North and South: Let vsus loath, deteſt and abhor them, becauſe the Lord doth loath, deteſt, and abhorre vsus for them: as wee hauehave giuen our members as weapons of vnrighteouſnes, to the ſeruice of Satan in vngodlineſſe of this life; euen ſo let vsus giuegive them as weapons of righteouſneſſe, to the ſeruice of the Lord, in godlineſſe of life: as wee hauehave runne in the p. 33race of the firſt Adam, by commiſſion of ſinne; ſo let vsus runne in the Race of the ſecond Adam, Ieſus Chriſt the righteous, by performance of righteouſneſſe: let vsus ceaſe from ſinne, and doe that which is good, let vsus ſeeke peace, and enſue it: Let vsus Plangere plangenda, bewayle our ſinnes that ought to bee lamented: Grauia peccata, grauia deſiderant lamenta, (ſayth I…idore) great ſins require great lamentation: ſweet meat muſt hauehave ſowre ſawce: reioycing in ſinne, muſt hauehave mourning for ſinne: let vsus therefore bee, Tam proni ad lamenta▪ ſicut fuimus ad peccata: as prone to lamentation, as wee hauehave beene to tranſgreſſion: as ready to lament them, as wee hauehave been to commit them.

Let vsus ſwéepe eueryevery corner of our hearts cleane, with the broomes of penance, and let vsus water them with the ſalt teares of earneſt contrition: ſo that wee may bee …it receptaries for the Lord to dwell in; and (being anointed with the oyle of grace) we may runne ſwiftly in the race that p. 34is ſet before vsus, and obtaine the reward prepared for vsus.

So runne, that ye may obtaine▪Text.

Secondly, if we will runne ſwiftly in the pathway to heauen, wee muſt bee Extra exonerati: id est, vnladen without.

Thoſe that runne in a race will lay aſide their Cloakes, doublets, and ſuch like outward veſtiments, that they may runne the more ſpeedily, and obtaine the more aſſuredly.

And ſo in like …anner, we muſt bee vnburthened of all outward matters whatſoeuer: eſpecially, of the exceſſiue care and affection that naturally we beare to this wicked world, or elſe hell and damnation will bee our beſt reward.

We muſt forſake all, if we will bee followers of Chriſt; as Peter ſayd to his Maſter: Ecce, nos reliquimus omnia, & ſecuti ſumus …e. i. Behold, wee hauehave Mat. 1….Matt 1forſaken all, and followed thee. Well and wiſely ſaid Peter, (as ſaith S. Bernard▪ We hauehave forſaken all & followed p. 35thee: for hee could not hauehave followed Chriſt laden, as wee hauehave an example in the ſame Chapter of the Young man, Mat. 19.Matt 19that at that Ʋende omnia, & da pauperibus: id eſt, Sell all, and giuegive to the poore, choſe rather to leaue Chriſt, then forſake his riches for Chriſt.

Yea, it is a thing impoſſible for ſuch couetous Churles to runne ſwiftly in the way to life: It is eaſier for a Cammell Mat. 19. …4Matt 19:4to goe thorow the eye of a Needle, then for a rich couetous Carle to enter into the Kingdome of Heauen.

Nemo poteſt Dominis rectè ſur…ire duobus:

Poet.Id est, No man can ſerue two Maſters: no man ſerue God and Mammon, God and riches. Hee that hath his treaſure in earth, cannot hauehave his conuerſation in Heauen: For, where Mat. 6. 21.Matt 6:21the treaſure is, there will the heart bee alſo.

If therefore riches increaſe, let vsus not ſet our hearts vponupon them. Let vsus vſe this world as though wee vſed it not: let vsus hold all dung for the gaining p. 36of IESVS. As Chriſt ſaid in the Goſpell of Iohn: That his Kingdome Ioh. 18.John 18was not of this world: So ſhould wee ſay, that our delight is not in this world, but our hearts are altogether in the world to come. Let vsus take no care what wee ſhall eate, or what wee ſhall drinke, or wherewith wee ſhall bee arrayed.

After all theſe things the mu…kewormes of this world, the Pagans, Infidels, and Heathen people ſeeke, that hauehave neither knowledge of God, nor feare of God before their eyes: but let vsus caſt our care on the Lord; 1. Pet. 5. 7. Mat. 4.1 Pet 5:7Matt 4for the Lord onelyonly careth for vsus: Therfore as Peter and Andrew left their nets to follow Chriſt: And as Eliſha 1. King. 19. ….1 Kgs 19left his Oxen and his Plough to follow Eliah the man of GOD: Se ſhould wee leaue whatſoeuer is in the world, to follow the Sonne of God to Heauen.

We reade of Crates Thebanus, that…r…. …. (becauſe hee could not apply himſelfe to the ſtudy of Philoſophy in regard of his riches) hee tooke his money, p. 37and caſt it into the Sea, ſaying: Ego perdam te, ne tu perdas me: id eſt, I will deſtroy thee, leſt thou deſtroyeſt mee. So (if we finde that our wealth, or any other thing in this world is an impediment to our Chriſtian race) let vsus caſt them from vsus, not (as Crates did) into the Sea, that were a fond and fooliſh thing: But let vsus caſt our Eccl. 11. 1.Eccl 11:1bread vponupon the waters: that is, beſtow them on the poore, as Chriſt did waſh the young man in the Goſpell of Matnew.

Thus therefore ſhould wee empty our ſelues of ſinne within, and vnburthen our ſelues of the cares of this wicked world without, if wee will runne ſwiftly in the High-way to Heauen.

So runne, that yee may obtaine.Text.

3Thirdly, if we will run to obtaine, we muſt runne Perſ…ueranter, Perſeuerantly, and continually holding out to the end of our Race.

Thoſe that runne in a race▪ though they runne neuer ſo directly, though p. 38neuer ſo ſwiftly, yet if they giuegive ouer before they come at the …nd they loſe their reward. Euen ſo, if we perſeuere not in the race of Godlineſſe to the end of our liues, we ſhal fayle of the Kingdome of Heauen.

He that diggeth in a golden Mine, till hee commeth within fiue or ſixe fadomes of the gold, and then giuegive ouer; is not all his labour loſt, and all his coſt in vaine?

A Traueller, that hauing taken vponupon him a long iourney, and in the end giueth ouer within two or three miles of his iourneys end; is not all his labour loſt, and are not all his paines likewiſe in vaine?

Euen ſo, Nihil prodeſt curſus bonae vitae, … conſ…m…tur bo…o …in…: id eſt, The Race of a Godly life profiteth nothing, vnleſſe it bee finiſhed with a godly end.

If a man had liued in the profeſſion of the glorious Goſpell of Ieſus▪ for the ſpace of twenty, thirty, or forty yeeres, and then proue an Apoſtata, back-ſliding from the ſame, hee is ſo p. 39farre from obtaining ſaluation, as the end of him is worſer then the beginning.

So that there is no hope of happineſſe without perſeuerance: for as the tree falleth, ſo it lyeth, whether it falleth towards the South, or North: And as a man dyeth, ſo ſhall hee be adiudged: If in the Lord, then ſhall he hauehave his portion with Saints: if in impenitency, then ſhall hee hauehave his portion with diuels.

The Souldier is not guerdoned with ſpoiles, before hee hath obtained victory: no more ſhall we be crowned, before wee hauehave been more then Conquerers in Ieſus Chriſt Well therfore ſaith one: Sinullus eſſet hoſtis, nulla eſſet pugna▪ ſi nulla pugna, nulla victoria: ſi nulla victoria, nulla deni que Corona. i. If there were no enemy, there were no fight: …f there were no fight, there were no victory: if there were no victory, there were no Crowne: Nam nemo coronab…ur, 2. Tim. 2.2 Tim 2niſi qui le…u…e cert…rit: id eſt, For n… man ſhall bee crowned, but hee that figh…eth lawfully. Ideo homines p. 40tentantur, vt tentati reſiſtant, reſistentes vincant, vincentes coronentur: Men are for this cauſe tempted; that being tempted, they may reſiſt; reſiſting, they may ouercome; and ouercomming, they may be crowned.

So that the perſeuerance is all in all.

The woman of Canaan by perſeuerant crying after Chriſt, got her Daughter to bee diſpoſſeſſed of the Mat. 15.Matt 15Diuell.

The man that had gheſts come late to his houſe, by his perſeuerant knocking, got bread for them of his neighbour at mid-night.

So by perſeuerance in the Race of Godlineſſe, we ſhall obtaine the bread of life, Chriſt Ieſus, that reigneth at the right hand of his Father in glory for euermore.

Chryſoſtome ſpeaking of this ſpirituallChryſoſtome. Race, ſayth thus: Incipere multorum, finire paucorum: id eſt, Many will beginne to runne in this godly Race, but few there are, that will hold out to the end.

p. 41Rome began well, and imbraced the Goſpell of Chriſt willingly; but with the dogge they returned to their Pro. 26. 11.Prov 26:11former vomit of Idolatry; and with the Sow that was waſhed, they wallowed againe in the mire of iniquity: So that Fryer Mantuan reporteth thus much in commendation of their Citie: Heu Romae nunc ſola pecunia regnat: Mant…n.exilium virtus patitur: vrbs eſt iam tota lupa…ar: id eſt, Alas, alas, Couetouſneſſe is Queene of Rome: all godlineſſe is baniſhed from thence: the whole Citie is become a Stewes. And herevpon he giueth this Caueat to all Chriſtians:

Viuere qui ſanctè cupitis, diſcedite Roma:Poet.

Omnia cum liceant, non licet eſſe bonum:

Id eſt, All you that vvill liue a godly life, depart from Rome; for all things are there ſuffered ſaue godlineſſe.

Oh, it had béen better for this vvhoriſh …. Pet. 2. …1City, neuer to hauehave knovvne the vvay of Righteouſneſſe, then after they hauehave knovvne it, to turne from the p. 42holy doctrine giuen vntounto them: For ……he latter end is worſe with them then the beginning, according to that in the Goſpell: If S…tan be caſt out, and …. 4……n…r in againe with ſeuen diuels worſer th…n himſelfe, the end of that man is worſer then the beginning.

So Iulian Emperour of Rome, began well, and for a while embraced the Goſpell of Chriſt: but hee proued an Apoſtata in the end, dying, …ing, banning, and blaſpheming, and caſting his bloud into the ayre.

Demas followed Chriſt awhile, but afterward forſooke him: Demas ……h forſaken mee, louing this preſent world. Many of Chriſts Diſciples … b…cke, and walked no more with … Thou knoweſt (ſaith S. Paul)… that all they which are in Aſia, are tur…ed … ▪ of which ſort are Phy… and …ogenes.

…o wée ſée, that many hauehave begun well, but few h…ue perſeuered: but it w… better that a Mil ſtone were … about the necks of ſuch …ol…s, and caſt into the middeſt of the p. 43Sea: For The Lord will tread downe Pſal. 18. 22.Ps 18:22reuolters vnderunder his feete, as clay in the ſtreets.

Hee that putteth his hand to the Luk. 9. 6….Luke 9:6Plough and looketh backe, is not fit for the Kingdome of Heauen. Hee that looketh backe to his houſe and home, hauing his minde buſted in other matters, cannot poſſibly make good worke: euen ſo he that intangleth himſelfe with the things of this preſent world, is not able to work out his ſaluation with feare and trembling: for where the dead carcaſſe is, thither will the Eagles reſort: and where our treaſures are, there will our hearts be alſo.

He therefore that will obtaine the Land that floweth with Milke and Hony, muſt forget the Fleſh-pots of Egypt: And hee that will obtaine Heauen, muſt not caſt his eyes to the earth: he that is on the houſe top, muſt Mat. …4. 17Matt 4:17not come downe to …e…ch any thing out of his houſe▪ and hee that is in the fields, muſt not …urne backe againe to his houſe. Hee that is in the way to p. 44Heauen, let him not turne back again to this world, leſt he bee attached of the Lyon, and caſt into hell.

Lots Wife for backe-looking vvas turned into a pillar of ſalt: And ſo eueryevery man that turneth backe from the way of godlineſſe, ſhall be turned into a Fire-brand, and burned with vnquenchable fire: for whoſoeuer ſhall deny IESVS CHRIST in this world, ſhall bee denied, the Kingdome of Heauen, of Chriſt Ieſus in the world to come.

Backe-looking, and back-ſliding muſt no… bee in Chriſtians. Let vsus therefore (with Saint Paul) not look Phil. 3 13.Phil 3:13behinde vsus, but to that which is before vsus; namely, to the reward. Let vsus faſten our eyes vponupon heauen gates, and neuer leaue running, till we come at them.

The Bride of Ieſus would not turn backe from her holy Race, ſaying: I Cant. 5. ….Song 5hauehave waſhed my feet…, how ſhall I defile them? So ſhould eueryevery member of the myſticall body of Chriſt ſay: I hauehave waſhed my ſelf… from my ſinnes▪ p. 45and by Gods aſsiſtant grace, will I neuer defile my ſelfe any more. For heEcc. 34. 26.Sir 34:26 that waſheth himſelfe (ſaith the ſonne of Syrach) becauſe of a dead body, and toucheth it againe; what auaileth his waſhing? So is it with a man that faſteth for his ſinnes, and committeth them againe. Who will heare his prayer? or what doth his faſting helpe him? Euen ſo, beginning wel doth nothing auaile a man, vnleſſe perſeuerance be reſolued.

Thou therefore that wouldeſt obtaine, pull not thy neck out of Chriſts yoke: giuegive not in any caſe; but at the very firſt ſteppe thou ſetteſt into this godly Race, reſolue to perſeuere to the end of thy life, come what can come.

Manus igitur remiſſas, & genua ſoluta Heb. 12. 12Heb 12:12er…gite: id eſt, Lift vp your hands that hang downe, and your weake knees: take héed that ye fall not away from the grace of God. Be not weary 2. Theſ. 3. 13. 1. Cor. …6. 13.2 Thess 3:131 Cor 6:13of well-doing: Stand faſt in the faith, and play the men, bee ſtrong, take courage to you, and perſeuere to the p. 46end: for hee that endureth to the end, 2. Chron. 15. 7.2 Chr 15:7the ſame ſhall be bleſſed.

Eſto fidelis (ſaith Saint Iohn) vſque Apoc. 2. 10Rev 2:10ad mortem, & dabo tibi coronam vit…: id eſt, Bee faithfull to thy death, and I will giuegive thee a Crowne of life.

Qui vicerit, dabo ei ſedere in thr…no, Apoc. 3. 1…Rev 3:1&c. To him that ouercommeth, will I grant to ſit with me in my throne.

Non enim incipiſſe, ſed perfeciſſe virtutis H…on.eſt: id eſt, It is not the nature of Godlineſſe to begin wel, but to perfect the worke begun: Nec in…hoantibus, …ſed perſeuerantibus praemium tribuitur (ſaith Remigius:) id eſt, Neither is the reward giuen to enterers, but to enders; not to beginners, but to perſeuerers.

Wherevpon S. Gregory ſaith: Inc…ſſum curritur, …i ceptum iter, ante ter… d…er…r: i… eſt, Hee is a mad Traueller, that will not ſee the end of his iourney: and hee is a fond Profeſſor, that will not labour to dye in the Lord.

Wée reade in the Goſpell of Iohn, that our Sauior in the end of his life, p. 47ſayd in this manner: Opus conſummaui Ioh. 1…. ….John 1quod ded…ras mihi vt facerem: id eſt, I hauehave finiſhed the worke which thou gaueſt me to doe. And in the houre of his death hee ſaid in like manner: Conſummatum eſt, It is finiſhed: SoIoh. 1…. 3….John 1:3 ſhould eueryevery Chriſtian after the example of his Sauior, labour to finiſh the worke which the Lord called him to doe: that ſo hee may (with great peace of Conſcience, and with vnſpeakable ſolace of heart) ſay vponupon his Death-bed, with the choſen V… ſel, in his ſecond Epiſtle to Timothy: 2. Tim▪ …. …, ….Certamen bonum decertaui, curſum conſummaui, fidem ſerua…, &c. I h…ue …ought a good fight, and hauehave finiſhed my courſe, I hauehave kept the …aith: therefore henceforth is layd vp for me a Crowne of Righteouſneſſe, which the Lord, the righteous Iudge, ſhall giuegive me at that day: and not vntounto me onelyonly, but vntounto all them that lo…e …i… appearing.

Such was the reſolute zeale, and zealous reſolution of al holy Ma… in former ages: that nothing … p. 48make them forſake the profeſſion of the glorious Goſpell of IESVS: yea, this was their conſtant anſwere to ther bloudy Butcherers: Vre, tunde, diuelle, lan…a, ſeca: Idolatua non adorabimus: The reſolution of Marty….potes corpora iſta (O Caeſar) cruci…tibus abſumere; facere verò vt aliud ſentiamus, aut loquamur, non potes: tua ſ…itia noſtra eſt gloria: cum nos inter…icere credas, d… carcere corporis liberas: citius ſaxa, ſcopuloſque & montes d… loco ſuo moue…is, quàm nobis fidem Christo d…tam eripies: id eſt, Burne, buffet, ſlay, deuoure, hew in pieces: thy abominable Idols will we neuer worſhip: thou mayſt (O cruell tyrant) conſume with torments theſe our mortall bodies; but to make vsus thinke, or ſpeake otherwiſe then wee doe, canſt thou neuer doe: thy cruelty is our glory: killing vsus, thou doſt but deliuer vsus from … priſon of our bodies: thou ſhalt … remoue the rockes and moun…i… their places, then make vsus … from the profeſsion of the glorious Goſpell of Ieſus.

Such was the reſolution of Sydrach, p. 49Myſhach and Abednego, that rather then they would crouch to Nebuchadnezzars golden Image, which wa… Dan. 3. 1, 23.Dan 3:1Dan 3:2360. cubits high, they would be caſt into the hot fiery Furnace, which was made ſeuen times more hot, then vſually it was for neceſſary vſes.

Such was the reſolution of bleſſed Paul, that nothing could ſeparate him from his LORD and Maſter CHRIST: whoſe couragious vow we may find in his Epiſtle to the Romans on this manner: Who ſhall ſeparate Rom. 8. 35 33, 39.Rom 8:35vsus from the louelove of Chriſt? ſhall tribulation, or anguiſh, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſſe, or perill, or ſword? No verily, for I am perſwaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature ſhall bee able to ſeparate vsus, from the louelove of God which is in Chriſt Ieſus our Lord, neither the louelove which wee hauehave to God from …, who are made his ſons through Chriſt Ieſus.

p. 50And …ndeed that which Paul promiſed, he performed: for he was beheaded at Rome for the Goſpels defence; although the ſword did ſeparate his head from his ſhoulders, yet it could not ſeparate him from his head Chriſt Ieſus.

Such was the reſolution of the patterne of patience: that though the Iob. 13. 15.Job 13:15Lord ſhould kill him, yet would he put his truſt in him.

Such was the reſolution of Ignatius, Ignatius.Biſhop of Antioch, after Peter, that the rauening Beaſts could not make him flinch from his Redeemer: yea, being commanded by the King of Sy…ia, to bee torne in pieces of wilde Beaſts, and being led to the place of execution, the vttered this golden ſentence: Nihil moror viſibilium, nec inuiſibilium, modo Ieſum Chriſtum acquiram: id eſt, I care neither for things viſible, nor yet for things inuiſible, neither for things ſeene, nor yet for things not ſeene: OnelyOnly, this is my care, that I may obtain CHRIST IESVS, & with him euerlaſting ſaluation. And when p. 51the Beaſts were let looſe vponupon him, theſe were his laſt words (as ſaith S. Ierome) I am Gods corne, and the Ierome.teeth of theſe wilde Beaſts muſt grind me in pieces, that I may be pure bread, and fine manchet for Chriſt Ieſus his Table in Heauen.

Such was the conſtant reſolution of that good old woman Apollonia, Apolloniathat ſhe choſe rather to hauehave her teeth daſht out of her head willingly, and to be burnt to aſhes, then to worſhip any other god, beſides the true and euerliuing God.

Yea, this was the conſtancy of all holy Martyrs, that they would rather indure a thouſand deaths, then ſhrink backe from the word of Life. Peter Peter.was beheaded for the Goſpels defence: Iames throwne downe from anIames. high Pinacle, and his head cleft aſunder: yea, almoſt all the Apoſtles were put to grieuous deaths, ſome were ſtoned, ſome broyled, ſome put to one death, ſome to another.

Old Simeon (that was couſin germaneSimeon. to Chriſt, ſonne to Cl…ophas, p. 52and Mary) Biſhop of Ieruſalem, after Iames was nayled to the Croſſe, being ſixe ſcore yéeres old and more. S. Cyprian beheaded at Sexti nigh theCyprian. City Carthage.

Polycarpe Biſhop of Smyrna, DiſciplePolycarpe. to Iohn, was moſt pittifully tortured to death by fire: yea, for the ſpace of 300. yéeres after Chriſt, and more, the Lord ſent perſecution ordinarily to his Church.

Willingly did theſe Saints ſuffer, and ioyfully did vndergoe all theſe afflictions for the Kingdome of Heauen ſake.

Hic vre, hic ſeca, vt in eternum parcas, …Domine, ſaith Saint Auguſtine: i▪ Here burne me (Lord) here ſlay me, to ſpare mee hereafter: Doe what thou wilt (Lord) with my body, ſo that thou wilt ſpare my ſoule.

Vtinam (ſaith S. Ierome) ob Domini Ie…mei nomen, at que iuſtitiam, cuncta Gentilium turba me perſequatur & tribulet: vtinam in opprobrium meum ſtolidus …ie mundus exurgat: tantùm vt ego mer…d…m Ieſu conſequar: id eſt, I would to p. 53GOD that the whole Nation of the Gentiles, Pagans and infidels would, for the name of my God, and for the glory of his Goſpell, perſecute me and trouble me: I would to God this mad and fooliſh world would riſe vp againſt mee for the profeſſion of Gods bleſſed Truth: onelyonly, that I may obtaine CHRIST IESVS for my reward.

Ammonation, Mercuria, Dyoniſia, Ammonation.with diuers other godly women, wold run to the fire with their children, as to a ioyfull feaſt or banquet, thinking no greater glory on earth, then to ſuffer for the Goſpell of Chriſt.

And thus ſhould eueryevery man and woman (as they tender the wel-fare of their deare ſoules) reſolue to ſuffer willingly, and beare patiently, whatſoeuer calamity may befall them in this heauenly Race: conſidering the torments of Hell, which by reuolting they ſhall vndergoe, conſidering the ioyes of Heauen, which they ſhall hauehave by patience▪ and conſidering what others hauehave done before them, p. 54as the Martyrs, and what Chriſt hath ſuffered for them, that ſo with perſeuerance holding out to the end, they may obtaine euerlaſting bliſſe.

The Merchant wil thorow fire and water ſuffering no repulſe, that hee may hauehave his Pinnace fraught with plenty of pure gold at the Indian Hauen, according to that of the Poet▪

Impiger extremos currit mercator ad Indos:Poet.

Per mare paup…riem fugiens, per ſaxa, per ignes.

Id eſt, The painfull Merchant aduentureth to the forraine Indians beyond the Seas, thorow fire and water, fearing nothing, that hee may eſchew pouerty, and obtaine much treaſure.

Euen ſo, he that will hauehave the Pinnace both of Soule and body fraught with the ſiluer of all earthly proſperitie, and with the gold of all celeſtiall felicitie, muſt runne the ra…e that is ſet before him with patience, leaping ouer the wall of all obuious afflictions, perſeuering till he commeth at p. 55the happy hauen of Heauen: that then hee (being more then Conquerour in CHRIST IESVS) may triumph ouer Death, Hell, and Damnation, ſaying with the Prophet: Ero mors tua, … mors: id eſt, O death, I will bee thy Hoſ. 13. 14.Hos 13:14death; O graue, I will bee thy deſtruction: and with valiant Paul; Death, 1. Cor. 15.1 Cor 15where is thy ſting? Hell, where is thy victory? Of neceſſity afflictions muſt méete with vsus that runne in the highway to heauen: yea, no man liuing can be fréed from them. All that will 2. Tim. 3. 12. Act. 14. 22.2 Tim 3:12Acts 14:22liue godly in Chriſt Ieſus, ſhall ſuffer perſecution: wee muſt through many afflictions enter into the Kingdome of God.

Whom the Lord loueth, he chaſteneth, H…. 12. 6, ….and hee ſcourgeth eueryevery ſonne whom he receiueth; wee are baſtards and not ſonnes, if wee be free from afflictions.

…go quos amo, argu…, & caſtigo: id eſt, Apoc. 3. 10Rev 3:10As many as I louelove, I rebuke and chaſten.

Qu… diligitur, corrip…t…r: id eſt, Hee ha… … loued, is reproued.

p. 56The Oxen that are appointed for the ſlaughter, are let runne in ſat Paſtures; but thoſe that are not appointed for ſo terrible an end, are dayly wrought and ſubiect to much trauell.

The barren trée is not beaten: but the trée that is planted by the riuers ſide, and bringeth forth his fruit in due ſeaſon, is ſorely ſhaken, and yéerly beaten.

The ſtones that were for Salomons 1. King. 7.1 Kgs 7Temple, were ſquared & hewne before they were laid in the building.

So eueryevery Chriſtian (who is a liuely 1. Pet. 2. 5.1 Pet 2:5ſtone in this ſpirituall building, as ſaith S. Peter) muſt bee hewne with the axe of affliction, and ſquared with the ſaw of correction, before he can be receiued into the triumphnt Church, whereof Chriſt Ieſus is the head corner-ſtone.

Ideò Dominus quibuſdam hic parcit Gregory.non f…r…endo, vt in aeternum …e…at: ideò hic ferit non parcendo, vt in aeternum parcat: id eſt, The Lord ſpareth ſome for a time, that hee may puniſh them for euer: p. 57and hee chaſtneth ſome for a time, Luke 16.Luke 16that hee may ſpare them for euer. Diues that was ſpared on earth, was tormented in hell: and Lazarus that was corrected on earth, was ſpared in heauen.

For Qui vult cum Chriſto conregnare in regno coelorum: id eſt, Hee that will raigne with Chriſt in the Kingdome of Heauen, muſt cum Chriſto compati in valle lachrimarum: id eſt, muſt ſuffer with Chriſt in the vale of teares: qui vult conſequi, muſt ſequi: id eſt, he… that will obtaine Chriſt, muſt follow Chriſt: and he that will follow Chriſt, muſt take vp his Croſſe and follow him.

Chriſt ſuffered before he entred into I … ▪ …4▪ ….glory: ſo muſt eueryevery Chriſtian firſt ſuffer▪ before hee can bee glorified: The I…. 1…. ….ſeruant muſt not bee aboue his Maſter▪ Si ergo compatimur, conregnabimus: id eſt, …If wee ſuffer with him, wee ſhall raign… with him.

Dulcia non meruit, qui non guſta… ▪

p. 58…Id eſt, Hee deſerueth not to taſte of the ſweet, that will not taſte of the ſowre.

Iouinian, a King, hauing two ſorts… of wine in his Palace, the one ſweet wine, and the other ſowre, decreed that whoſoeuer would taſte of the ſwéete wine, ſhould firſt taſte of the ſowre: So whoſoeuer will taſte of the ſweet ioyes, that run thorow the celeſtiall Paradiſe, muſt firſt with Chriſt, ſup of the cuppe of ſalt teares of affliction.

No maruell, therefore, if the Prophet in generall ſaith: that many are … ▪ 34.the troubles of the Righteous. No maruell if hee compareth afflictions to waues of the Sea: for as one waue daſheth ouer the necke of another: ſo one affliction continually followeth another; For God is not like a waſp, that hauing ſtung once, can ſting no more: but there is a plurality of croſſes with God, hee can ſting againe, and againe. As one ſorrowfull meſſenger came to Iob after another; euen ſo one affliction viſiteth the Chriſtian after another: as the Viper p. 59leapt vponupon PAVL, and leapt off againe;Act. 27.Acts 27 euen ſo afflictions leape vponupon Gods ſeruants, and leape off againe.

Thoſe therefore that runne in the Race of Godlineſſe, muſt not thinke this ſtrange, neither muſt they thinke themſelues free from all afflictions: for they are hedged in on eueryevery ſide, with ſundry kinds of troubles, and hauehave thrée deadly enemies continually warring againſt them.

Whereupon Iob calleth the life of man, a war-fare vponupon earth, and that worthily: for wee fight againſt three mighty enemies: the Diuell, the World, and the Fleſh. The firſt enemy that withſtandeth vsus in the way to heauen, is the Diuell, who in reſpect of his cruelty and might, is compared to a roaring Lyon: The 1 Pet. ….Diuell like a roaring Lyon, goeth vp and downe▪ ſeeking whom hee may deuoure. The ſecond enemy is the World, which is as ſubtill, as the diuell is powerful, for by the p…s and pleaſures therein, it draweth many to p. 60the ſeruice of Satan. The third enemy, which is the Fleſh, is no whit inferiour to either of them. For Caeſar being aſked what was the greateſt thing in the world to ouercome, ſayd: Seipſum vincere, to ouercome a mans owne ſelfe▪ and his vntamed affections. It doth alway rebell againſt the good motions of the Spirit: It is a Iudas to betray our ſoules into the hands of old …euiathan.

The Prophecy muſt bee fulfilled: I will put enmitie betweene thee and Gen. 1….Gen 1the woman, betweene thy feed and her feed: Therefore, the Church of God, in this reſpect is called Eccl…ſia mili…ns: a warring Church: a Church that fighteth manfully vnderunder the banner of Chriſt againſt the aduerſaries aboue-ſaid.

No maruell therefore (our life being a war…are) if this world bee called, Ʋ …llis lachrimarum: A vale of teares: for afflictions are ſo common, that we …a…e …lw…es cauſe to ſhead forth whole Oceans of teares with the Proph… D…u…, who (although hee p. 61were a man according to Gods owne heart) was a Pellicane in the wilderneſſe of this world, whoſe nature is alwayes to hauehave teares trickling downe her Bill: his teares were his meate and drinke: Hee watred Pſal. ….his bed with ſalt teares, and waſhed his couch with continuall weeping.

This is the ſtate and condition of 1. Pet. 5. 9.1 Pet 5:9all Gods children in this life, that will runne the Race of Chriſtianity: ſo that wee may conclude with Iob, and ſay: Man that is borne of a woman, Iob 14. ….Job 14is of ſhort continuance, and is full of trouble.

Séeing then that wee are borne to trauell, as the bird to flying, let vsus arme our ſelues with patience: let vsus poſſeſſe our ſoules with patience, and let vsus run the Race that is ſet before vsus with patience: Knowing, t…at Non ſunt condign… paſſionis, &c. that the paſsions that wee can ſuffer in this world, are not worthy of the ioyes in the world to come.

And ſeeing wee are withſtood in p. 62this way by three mighty enemies, let vsus, like wiſe Souldiers: Put on the Epheſ. 6.Eph 6whole Armour of God: the helmet of hope, the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe, the ſhield of faith, the girdle of ſinceritie, the ſhooes of peace, and let vsus alway hauehave ready drawne the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, which is able to quench all the fierie darts of Satan, and ſlay the Dragon in the deepe.

Moreouer, let eueryevery Chriſtian (that runneth in the Race of Godlineſſe) know, that as afflictions are by no meanes to be auoyded, ſo are they neceſſary for the good of Gods children. All things worke for the beſt to them Rom. 8. 2…. Pſal. 119. …1.Rom 8:2Ps 119:1that louelove God. And it is good for mee (ſaith the Prophet) that I hauehave beene i… trouble, for thereby hauehave I learned thy Law. For affliction to the Godly, Medicina eſt, non p…na▪ caſtigatio, non damnatio: id eſt, is a curing medicine, not a deſtroying puniſhment: a profitable chaſtiſement, not a deuouring condemnation.

For diuers cauſes therefore doth p. 63the Lord ſuffer his deare children to be afflicted.

1Firſt, to weane and winne them from the louelove of this wicked world: for in proſperitie wee are ready to bee forgetfull of God, and of our ſelues alſo: wee are ready (with the deafe Adder) to ſtop our eares at the voice of the Charmer, charme hee neuer ſo wiſely: The weed is ready to ouergrow the corne, and the fleſh ready to dominéere ouer the Spirit: But by afflictions wee are brought to hate that, which before wee loued, and to embrace that which before wee loathed. Well therefore ſayth Gregory: A… rem… Gregory.cordis tribulatio aperit, qu… … proſperitas huius mundi claudit: id eſt, Tribulation doth open the …re of … heart, which worldly proſperity doth many times ſhut.

As Antiochus in his proſp…ty thought himſelfe equall with … ▪ yea aboue God; but hauing in … of his Chariot, and being in … ty, hee ſung a new ſong, ſaying: I… …ſtum eſt hominem mo…al…m … p. 64Deo: id eſt, O! it is meete and requ…ſit for mortall man to be ſubiect to the immortall God. So Alexander being hurt with an arrow, ſayd:

Homines dicunt eſſe me filium Iouis, ſed ſ…gitta haec probat me eſſe mortalem:

Id eſt,

Men ſay that I am the ſonne of Iupiter, but this arrow proueth me to be but a mortall man.

So Nebuchadnezzar proudly vaunted himſelfe againſt the Lord of Hoſts in his proſperity: But when the Lord tooke him to taſke, metamorphoſing this proud king into a baſe beaſt, then could he ſay: That the Dan. 4. 34.Dan 4:34Lord was able to abaſe all thoſe that walke in pride.

Thus therefore doth the Lord chaſſen vsus in this world, that wee may neither bee intangled with the louelove of this world: Nor bee condemned with …this world.

For as the Nurſe, to weane her child ſeem thirſting after her milke, …oth anoint her teat with Aloes, or ſome ſuch bitter thing: euen ſo our p. 65heauenly Father, to weane vsus from the pleaſure of this wicked world, doth ſend vsus many ſharpe afflictions in this world.

Secondly, the Lord ſuffereth vsus to… be afflicted, thereby to draw vsus to amendment of life. Before I was troubled, Pſal. 119. 67.Ps 119:67I went wrong, but now hauehave I learned to keepe thy Law. The rod (ſaithProu. 29.Prov 29 Salomon) bringeth wiſedome.

As the rod of Moſes ſtriking the Deut. 8.Deut 8ſtony Rockes, cauſed whole Riuers of water to flow there-from. So the Lord ſtriking vponupon our ſtony hearts with the rod of affliction, cauſeth vsus to ſhed forth buckets of teares for our ſinnes committed.

Aduerſa corporis, animae remedia ſunt: Iſ…d.aegritudo carnem vul… erat, ſed mentem curat: id eſt, The affliction of the body is wholeſome Phyſicke for the ſoule: it killeth the fleſh, but cureth the Spirit: it woundeth the outward man, but renueth the inward. Cum infirmor, tunc fortior ſum: i. when I am weake, then I 2. … 1…. 10.am ſtrong.

Afflictions therefore may bee fitly p. 66compared to a Gold-ſmiths Forge, which tryeth the pure Gold, from the impure droſſe.

It is like a purgation, which expelleth corrupt humors from the Body.

It is like a Shepheards crooke, whereby the Lord doth bring againe his wandring ſheepe to the fold.

It is called of the Prophet, Ʋirga Ierem. 1.Jer 1vigilant: i. a watchfull rod, a rod that keepeth men in continuall watchfulneſſe.

The Prodigall child, that wandredLuke 15.Luke 15 farre in the by-wayes of ſinne, by this ſheep-crooke was brought back again to his fathers houſe: So the Lord by this meanes doth bring home many that hauehave erred from the way of truth, and wearied themſelues in the way of wickedneſſe. For as the carefull mother cannot ſee a more amiſſe in her beloued child, but will immediately waſh the ſame away. So our heauenly Father cannot endure the blemiſh of ſinne vponupon the face of his deare children, but hee will waſh it preſently away with the water of affliction: If p. 67thou ſinneſt to day, he afflicteth to morrow.

Thirdly, the Lord ſuffereth vsus to be afflicted, that wee may the more earneſtly call vponupon him, and the more ſpéedily ſeeke vntounto him. Mala quae nos hic Gregory.premunt, citius ad Deum ire compellunt: i Aduerſitie that oppreſſeth vsus here in this world, doth make vsus ſwiftly and ſpeedily runne to the Lord.

Lord, in their ſtreights they ſought Eſay 2…. 16 Dan. 13 4Isa 2:16thee. Suſanna being ready to bee put to death, cryed out to the Lord. The Prophet Ionas being in the WhalesIonas 2 1.Jonah 2:1 belly, powred out his prayers to the Lord. Dauid in many of his Pſalmes, being in trouble, called vponupon the Name of the Lord; eſpecially in the 1…0. Pſal. De profundis clama… ad te Domine, …ſal▪ …Domine exaudi vocem meam: id eſt▪ Out of the deepe hauehave I cryed vntounto thee, O Lord: Lord heare my voice, &c.

So the Prodigall child beeing in a ſtraight, ſought to his father, de ring … 1…. 1… ▪him to make him but as one of his hir…d ſeruants.

p. 68So the Diſciples, when the ſhip was ready to ſuffer naufrage, by reaſon of the tempeſt, awaked their Maſter, ſaying: Lord, ſaue vsus, we periſh.

So Peter being ready to ſinke, cryedMat. 14. …Matt 14 out to Chriſt, ſaying: Maſter, ſaue me. Therefore that men may be compelled to ſeeke the Lord, hee ſendeth afflictions vponupon them, according to that of good S. Auguſtine: A Deo premuntur Auguſtine.iuſti, …t preſſi clamant; clamantes, exaudiantur; exauditi, glorificent cum: id eſt: Men are therefore oppreſſed of God, that being oppreſſed, they may cry vntounto him; crying vntounto him, hee may heare them; and hearing them, he may deliuer them; and deliuering them, may bee glorified of them.

Fourthly, the Lord doth ſuffer vsus to bee afflicted, thereby to try vsus, whether wee will depart from him in time of trouble yea or no.

And thus was Iob tryed of the Lord: For though the Lord had permitted Satan to tempt him, his enemies to vndoe him, his children (by ſudden death) to bee taken from p. 69him, his body to bee afflicted from top to toe with Byles, Botches, and Sores, hauing no ſound part throughout: his wife to bee an occaſion of offence vntounto him, who in theſe his diſtreſſes ſhould hauehave beene a comfort to him: yet notwithſtanding all this, Iob ſinned not againſt his Maker: yea, hee was ſo farre from miſtruſting in God, as hee ſayd, Though the Lord killed him, yet would hee put his truſt in him: and ſo farre from murmuring againſt him, or curſing him, as with admirable patience in them, he bleſſed the Lord for them, ſaying on this heauenly manner: The Lord giueth, and Iob 1.Job 1the Lord taketh away; bleſſed bee the name of the Lord.

Thus were the Apoſtles and the holy Martyrs tryed, who were ſo farre from recantation, as they willingly choſe to loſe their lines in tribulation. And thus were the thrée Children tryed in the furnace.

By affliction are the children of the …o…d, and the ſo w…s o… …eliai diſc…r…ed: Euen a… … veſſel… will breake p. 70…in pieces when they come to the fire, and the ſound onelyonly hold out: So the wicked (like counterfaits) will bewray themſelues, when they come to the faggot, and the godly onelyonly ſtand to it; as we reade in the Goſpell of S. Luke: They depart from him in the Luke 8. 15.Luke 8:15time of tribulation.

Many will (with Peter) vow to follow Chriſt Ieſus, and to ſticke cloſe to him: but when they come to Pilars Hall, a ſilly Mayd will make them forſweare him.

The Lord therefore afflicteth vsus, to try our Faith, our Patience, our Hope, and other vertues.

Faith is exerciſed in affliction, byFaith. conſidering the cauſes of Gods permiſſion, and by beleeuing moſt aſſuredly his promiſes concerning our deliuerance.

Hope is exerciſed in affliction, byHope. aſſuring our ſelues of the rewards promiſed to all thoſe that ſuffer patiently.

LoueLove is exerciſed in affliction, byLoueLove. conſidering the louelove of Chriſt in ſuffering p. 71for vsus: and thereby we are prouoked to ſuffer for him againe.

Obedience is exerciſed in affliction,Obediēce. by conforming our wils to the will of Chriſt, ſaying with Chriſt, Not as we will, but as thou wilt, O Lord God of Hoſts.

Patience is exerciſed in affliction,Patience. by ſuffering quietly, willingly and cheerefully, and by welcomming them ſent of God for our good.

Humilitie is exerciſed in affliction,Humility. by abaſing our ſelues in the ſight of God, acknowledging that they are but as flea-bitings, in reſpect of the torments of hei, which by our lewd liues for euermore we hauehave deſerued.

5Fifthly, the Lord ſuffereth vsus to be afflicted in this world, that the greatneſſe of his power, & the infiniteneſſe of his mercy might bee ſhewne in the deliuery of vsus.

We reade in the Goſpel of Iohn, that the Apoſtles hauing aſked our Sauiour the reaſon why the man was borne blind, he anſwereth them;Ioh. 9. 2, 3.John 9:2John 9:3 Not for his fathers, nor for his owne p. 72ſin, but that the workes of God ſhould be ſhewne on him: From which wee may truly gather thus much: namely, that the man was borne blind, eſpecially to this end, that our Sauiour might hauehave occaſion to ſhewe the greatneſſe of his power in curing him.

Againe in the ſame Goſpell, wee reade that Lazarus dyed to this end, that God might be glorified in raiſing him from death. The wonderfullIoh. 11.John 11 power of the Lord was ſhewed in the deliuery of the three Children from ſire, by his Angell: of Ionas from drowning, by the Whale: of Suſanna from death, by Daniel: of Daniel from the L…ons, by his owne immediate power: of Eliah from ſtaruing, by the R…ens: And our gracious Soueraigne Lord, King Iames, from the ſword in Scotland, and from the Powder-treaſon in England by his extraordinary fauour, and wonderfull louelove, which hee had to this his gracious ſeruant: which the Lord in mercy vouchſafe vntounto him, and his Royall p. 73Progeny for euermore.

Thus the Lord bringeth men into deepe afflictions, that his power might bee ſhewne in bringing them out againe: Dominus deducit ad inferos 1. Sam. 2. 61 Sam 2:6& reducit: id est, The Lord bringeth to hell, and bringeth backe againe▪ to great afflictions, and out of themPoet. againe: Vna eademque manus, vulnus, opem que tulit. The ſame hand that woundeth, the ſame hand cureth: Vulnerat, …ob. 5. 18.& medetur: percutit, & ſanum reddit: … Hee maketh the wound, and bindeth it vp: he ſmiteth, and his hand maketh whole. So that howſoeuer many are the troubles of the righteous in their iourney to heauen, yet the Lord powerfully in his good time deliuereth them out of all, if hee ſeeth it beſt for their good: otherwiſe ſuffering for the teſtimony of the truth, and the glory of his name, they ſhall change this life for a better.

Thus hauehave I ſomwhat largely ſpoken of Afflictions, both in regard of their neceſſity, as they cannot bee ſhifted of any that run in the way of p. 74Godlineſſe, as alſo in regard of their conueniency, being more helpe then hindrance in this ſpirituall iourney, that ſo we may make good vſe of thē, when it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to ſend them.

And thus much ſhal ſuffice for this third point: namely, for perſeuerance in this courſe of Godlineſſe, beſéeching the Lord of his goodneſſe to giuegive vsus grace, that we may not ſhrinke back for feare of afflictions, but wade throrow with patience, holding out in this Race, to the end of our Race.

So runne, that ye may obtaine.Text.

The third thing in order to be ſpoken of, is Pr…mium promiſſum: id eſt, the promiſed reward: But before I enter into the handling thereof, one thing neceſſarily muſt bee obſerued, and that worthy of annotation.

The Apoſtle ſaith not here: Seeme ſ… to …, that ye may obtaine: or make … outward ſh…w of running: … … run, that ye may obtaine.

…n which ſpee…h, he excludeth all p. 75hypocriſie, and baniſheth all counterfait godlineſſe from this Chriſtian Race: For in this viſible Church there are many that outwardly profeſſe CHRIST, but inwardly ſerue Belial: Chriſtians in name, but Reprobates in déede: Saints in ſhew, but diuels in conuerſation.

Many Hypocrites there are, like painted Sepulchers, diſſembling Phariſes, faire without, but foule within: Lambes in apparition, but Wolues in condition: Ones habitu, Bernard.(as ſaith S. Bernard) Vulpes actu, & crudelitate lupi… id eſt, Sheepe in ſhew, Foxes in deed, and Wolues in crueltie.

Mente ſub agnina latitat mens ſaepè lupina:

Poet.Id eſt, They hauehave Lambs skinnes, but Wolues hearts. Yea, howſoeuer they ſéeme to be members of Chriſts body, courteous and kind to the flock of Ieſus, zealous louers and earneſt embracers of the ſincere milke of the word, running in the path of true godlineſſe: p. 76yet neuertheleſſe, they are aMat. 3. 7Matt 3:7 generation of Vipers, of whom the Euangeliſt ſpeaketh, ready to ſucke out the very heart blood of the Saints of God, and rend them in pieces like rauening Wolues: they hauehave Mel in ore, fel in corde: id eſt, Hony in their mouthes, but gall in their hearts; ſugred words to intrap, but poyſoned hearts to torment: carrying themſelues like Iudas, who ſaluted his Maſter with a kiſſe, hauing the poyſon of Aſps lying vnderunder his lips: For

Quando bonum ore faris, mala corde tamenPoet. meditaris,

Oſcula quae Domino Iudas dedit, haec mihi tu da…:

Id eſt, When men ſpeake well, and thinke ill, their kindneſſe is treaſon, as was the kiſſe of Iudas. And for all other enmities in the world, this is the greateſt, as ſaith Caſſiodorus: Grauiſſimum ….inimicitiae eſt genus, corde aduerſarios, & lingua ſimulare deuotos: id eſt, This is a moſt grieuous kind of enimie, when men pretend much louelove in p. 77tongue, and beare much more malice in heart.

Theſe curſed Hypocrites, theſe diſſembling Hel-hounds, and theſe venemous Vipers, are the very pictures of the Diuell, and liuely repreſentations of the old Serpent: For as the Diuell lyeth, coggeth, counterfaiteth and diſſembleth: ſo doe theſe.

The ſubtill Serpent pretended great kindneſſe to our firſt Parents, counſelling them to eate of the forbidden fruit, that ſo they might ſee, and be as gods; but he intended their euerlaſting deſtruction: ſo theſe crafty Foxes ſéeme to be charitable Chriſtians, and to giuegive good counſel wherſoeuer they become: but yet they deuoure …Widdowes houſes, and that vnderunder colour of long prayers.

The ſubtill Serpent ſéemeth to be an Angell of light, but yet he is a diuell of darkneſſe, ſettered with the chaines of euerlaſting darkneſſe. SoA…. theſe Apes of the Diuell, do beare an outward ſhew of holineſſe and puri p. 78ty: yet they are Wels without water, and clouds carried about with eueryevery tempeſt, to whom the blacke darkneſſe 2. Pet. 2. 172 Pet 2:17is referned for euer.

Theſe Hypocriticall mock-gods may fitly be compared to Idols: For as an Idoll hath an outward ſhape of… in …. a liuing man, but yet hath no life at all within: So Hypocrites ſéeme to liue by the life of grace, yet are they dead in ſinne, and rotted in corruption. They are new vpſtart Gyants, hauing two faces vnderunder one hood: they come neere vntounto God with their …. …9 …3mouthes, and honour the Lord with their lips, but their hearts are farre remoued from him. Deum laudant in t…mpa…o, ſe… non in choro: i… They praiſe the Lord in the Tabor, but not in the dance: they ſerue God in ſhew, but not in truth: they beare (with the Figg…trée) great ſtore of leaues, but no fruit at all.

But alas, alas, theſe Hypocrites (that thus deceiue thēſelues, hauing their reward on earth, which they through vaine glory, gréedily look for p. 79at the hands of men) ſhall neuer obtaine a Crowne of righteouſneſſe, being altogether vnrighteous, but they ſhall hauehave their portion with Hypocrites, where ſhall be weeping, wayling … …5. …5and gnaſhing of teeth. For the Lord abhorreth all hollow hearts, and double tongues, all outward odlations and burnt ſacrifices, all outward ſhew and hypocriticall worſhip: he is a Spirit, and he will ſp…e all ſuch out of his mouth, as worſhip him not in Spirit and Truth. Simul…ta ſan…litas, duplex iniquitas. i. Counterfait godlineſſe is ſo farre from holineſſe, a… it is double vngodlineſſe. I ſay therefore vntounto thée with Saint Chryſoſtome▪ Aut eſto quod appares, aut appar… …; …id eſt, Either be as thou ſeem…ſt or ſeem as thou art.

It is not ſéeming, but being that ſhall goe for pay: Non audi…o…s ſ…d f… …or…s legis iuſtiſic ibutur: id eſt, No… the hearers, but the doers of the … ſhall be iuſtified: N… eandem pr…i…ntes, ſed eidem obedientes glorifi… …untur: id est, p. 80Not profeſſors, but performers ſhall be glorified.

Woe therefore to all hypocriticall Mock-gods, that run not in the Race of Chriſtianity, as they boaſt themſelues by profeſſion; they ſhall roare at the gates of heauen, and ſay: Lord, Lord, hauehave wee not by thy name prophecied? and by thy name caſt out diuels? and by thy Name done many good workes? hauehave wee not profeſſed thy Goſpell, and borne the name of thine? But becauſe they did not the will of our heauenly Father, our Sauiour ſhal ſend them packing to hell, with a Neſcio vos: profeſſing on this manner vntounto them: I neuer knew Mat. 7. 22. 23. Mat. 23. 23Matt 7:22Matt 7:23Matt 23:23you, depart from me, yee workers of iniquity. O yee viperous Serpents, O …ee generation of Vipers, how ſhall ye eſcape the iudgement of hell?

Let eueryevery Chriſtian therefore beware of the leauen of the Phariſes, which is Hypocriſie. Beware of falſe Prophets, which come vntounto you in …. ….Sheeps cloathing, but inwardly are rauening Wolues: yee ſhall know them p. 81by their fruits: doe men gather grapes of thornes, or figges of thiſtles?

Walke wiſely towards them that are Col. 4. 5.Col 4:5without, redeeming the time, for the dayes are euill.

That you may therefore preuent the damned traditions of this diueliſh brood, I ſay vntounto you, as our Sauior ſaid vntounto his Apoſtles a little before his Paſſion: Behold, I hauehave told you Mat. 24. 25Matt 24:25before.

Let eueryevery Chriſtian therefore (auoiding all counterfait and hypocriticall profeſſion) runne in the Race of godlineſſe, ſeruing the Lord with all his heart, with all his Soule▪ with all his ſtrength, in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe all the dayes of his life.

God calleth for our hearts: My ſonne, giuegive me thy heart: The LordPro. 23. … Auguſt…ne.Prov 23 (as ſaith S. Auguſtine) Quia totum fecit, totum exigit: id eſt, Becauſe hee made all, hee will hauehave all: not a piece of the heart, nor a roome in thy heart, but the whole heart, for the Lord is a iealous God: and as a iealous huſband cannot indure, that his wife p. 82ſhould giuegive her hart or any part therof, to any other man▪ ſo the Lord cannot abide that wée ſhould giuegive any part of our heart …rom him▪ He calleth not for a ſtony heart, nor for a double heart; but for a fleſhy heart, a heart purged by faith in CHRIST IESVS, bathed in the bloud of the Lambe, and throughly clenſed by the fire of the Spirit: not an old heart, neither a corrupted heart; but a new heart, and a new Spirit: for which the Prophet Dauid begged: Create in Pſal. 51. 10Ps 51:10me a new heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.

Let vsus therefore (I beſeech you brethren, by the mercies of God) giuegive vp our bodies a liuing Sacrifice, holy and acceptable vntounto God, which is our reaſonable ſeruing of God: and let vsus Rom. 12, 1, 2.Rom 12:1Rom 12:2not faſhion our ſelues like to this world: but let vsus bee changed by the renewing of our minde.

In ſtead of dead beaſts, let vsus giuegive vp our bodies, which are liuely Sacrifices: And in ſtead of the bloud of beaſts, which was but a ſhadow, and p. 83pleaſed not God of it ſelfe, let vsus giuegive vp the acceptable ſacrifice of the ſpirituall Man, framed by faith, to Godlineſſe of life; Let vsus ſanctifie the Lord 1 Pet. 3. 23.1 Pet 3:23in our hearts, who dayly calleth for our hearts: let vsus ſay with Dauid: My Soule, praiſe thou the Lord, and all Pſal. 103. 1.Ps 103:1that is within mee, praiſe his holy name: Let vsus praiſe him in his Sanctuary, and in the firmament of his power: let vsus praiſe him in his mighty acts, and according to his excellent greatneſſe: let vsus praiſe him in the ſound of a Trumpet, vponupon the Violl and Harpe: yea, let eueryevery thing that hath breath praiſe the Lord: And that not onelyonly in word and in tongue, but in déede, and in truth: not in outward ſhew and profeſſion only, but in our pure lines, and holy conuerſations: that ſo running in the Race of Godlineſſe to the end of our liues, we may be bleſſed for euer: and glorifying the Lord God by our holy conuerſations in this world, we may be eternally glorified of the Lord our God in the world to come.

p. 84So run, that ye may obtaine.Text.

3The laſt thing to bee obſerued in this heauenly Race, is, Praemium promiſſum: The promiſed reward, to all thoſe that runne lawfully: ſo great a reward it is, as ſhould ſtirre vp eueryevery Chriſtian to run in the Race of Godlineſſe.

If the King of his Princely bounty would offer 10000. pounds to him that ſhould firſt come at a miles end: would not thouſands hazard their liues, and aduenture a ſurfet willingly, that they may obtaine the ſame? But the Lord hath offered vsus a Kingdome: Yea, it is the pleaſure Luke. 12. Heb. 13. 14 1. Pet. 1. 18.Luke 12Heb 13:141 Pet 1:18of our heauenly Father to giuegive vsus a Kingdome: an habitation not made with hands, nor purchaſed with gold and ſiluer, but with the bloud of the immaculate Lambe: And ſhall not wée labour and ſtraine our ſelues with might & maine, to run the race that is appointed for vsus? How wil men toile and moyle for a little traſh? How will men vſe all their wits, and bend all their ſtudies to bee worldly rich? Alas, p. 85thoſe are dung in reſpect of this reward: ſhall we not therefore much more labour for the meat that ſhall neuer periſh, & for this glorious reward that ſhall neuer be taken from vsus?

The greatneſſe of this reward is painted out vntounto vsus in the holy Scriptures, by the diuerſity & greatneſſe of the names thereof.

1For firſt it is called by the name of Regnum coelorum: i. The Kingdome of Heauen: for there they enioy great liberty, honor, power, pleaſure, glory, and all good things whatſoeuer.

2Secondly, it is called by th… name of Regnum Dei & Chriſti: id eſt, The Ephe. … 21Kingdome of God and of Chriſt: becauſe that Ieſus Chriſt (hauing ouer come death, hell, and damnation, together with all the enemies that did oppoſe vsus in the way to heauen) doth rule there, and gouerne his Church triumphant with heauenly peace and euerlaſting tranquillity.

Thirdly, it is called by the name of Paradiſus: id eſt, Paradiſe: in reſpectLuk… 23.Luke 23 of the aboundant plenty of all good p. 86and pleaſant things, which the Saints can either wiſh or poſſibly deſire.

4Fourthly, it is called by the name of Caelum tertium▪ id eſt, the third heauen: 2. Cor. 12.2 Cor 12which is called Coelum Empyraeum, i. igncum: not in reſpect of fire, but in reſpect of the glorious light that ſhineth therein: For it is Situ altiſſimum, quantitate maximum, naturà puriſſimum, luce pleniſſimum, capacitate ampliſsimum: id eſt, High in ſituation, great in quantity, pure in nature, full of light, and exceeding large: Able to receiue ten thouſand times more perſons, thē there are drops of water in the ſea, or ſ…d lying by the ſhore.

5Fiftly, it is called by the name of Sancla Ciuit…s: an holy Citie, builtApoc. 21. 10.Rev 21:10 with moſt precious pearles: becauſe the company that dwell therein are holy and pure, ſhining in holineſſe, and gliſtring in purity, as the portals of the burniſh Sun.

6Sixtly, it is called by the name of Summa be …titudo: ineſtimable bleſſedneſſe: Becauſe the Saints inioy the p. 87full preſence of the bleſſed Trinitie, wherein true bliſſe conſiſteth.

7Seuenthly, it is called by the name of Vita aeterna: Life euerlaſting: becauſe there ſhall be no more death, nor lamentation, no more crying nor ſorrow, but the Saints ſhall enioy theſe bleſſed ioyes, ſo …ong as God ſhall be God, which is for euerlaſting. This is the reward promiſed to all thoſe that will runne in the race of Godlineſſe, holding out to the end. A large reward, and no man knoweth it, but he that enioyeth it: Adeò magna eſt, quod nequit numerari, adeò pretioſa, quod n… qui… comparari, adeò diutina, quòd nequit terminari▪ id eſt, So great is this reward, as it cannot bee numbred: ſo precious, as it cannot be valued; ſo laſting, as it is euerlaſting: it is great without quantity; ſwéete without quality; infinite without number; euerlaſting without end.

So great is this reward, as neither …e hath ſeene, nor ea…e hath heard of 1. Cor▪ …he like, neither can it bee expr…ſted of … …a… of man. Quod …, p. 88ſaith S. Auguſtine) Diligentibus ſe Auguſtine.Deus ſide non capitur, ſpe non attingitur, charitate non comprehenditur, deſideria & vota tranſgreditur, adquiri poteſt, aeſtimari non poteſt: id eſt, That which the Lord hath prepared for thoſe that louelove and feare his Name, is not fully attained to by faith, neither fully retained by hope, neither fully contained by charity; it farre ſurpaſſeth the deſires of men & Angels: It may be in ſome meaſure bee obtained, but valued it can neuer be. Deus (ſaith S. Bernard) eſt mel Bernard.in ore, melos in aure, & iubilus in corde: i. God is honie in the mouth, melody in the eare, & ioy in the heart. Ibi nihil in tus faſtidiatur, nihil foris quod appetatur; ibi rex veritas, lex charitas, poſſeſſio aeternitas: id eſt, In heauen there is nothing that may ſeeme fulſome or loathſome; out of Heauen there is nothing that may bee wiſhed or deſired, (for then were there no perfection in heauen; for, Perſetium est, cui nihil addi poteſt: i. There is perfection, where can bee no addition:) there the King is Verity, the law Charity, & poſſeſsion Eternitie. p. 89Saint Auguſtine ſpeaking of the ioyes of heauen, ſaith thus: Ibi laetitia ſine Auguſtine.triſtitia, locus ſine dolore, vita ſine labore, lux ſine tonebris: ibi i…uentus ſemper vigeſcit, & nunquam ſeneſcit: ibi dolor nunquam ſentitur, nec gemitus vnquam auditur: ibi triſtitia nunquam videtur, ſed aeternum gaudium poſſidetur: id est, There is mirth, without mone; place without paine; life, without labour; light, with out darkneſſe: there youth alwayes flouriſheth, and neuer decayeth: there is no torment felt, no howling heard, no ſorrow ſeene, but poſſeſsion of euerlaſting ioyes.

Ibi eſt ſumma, & certa tranquillitas, Auguſtine.tranquilla foelicitas, foelix aeternitas, aeterna beatitudo, & beata Trinitas: id eſt, There is great tranquillity, tranquill felicitie, happy eternity, euerlaſting bleſſedneſſe, and the bleſſed Trinitie. O gaudium, ſuper gaudium, vincens omne Auguſtine.gaudium, extra quod non est gaudium: quando intrabo in te, vt Deum meum videam, qui habitat in te? id eſt, O ioy a boue all ioyes, farre ſurpaſsing all ioyes, without which there is no ioy: When p. 90ſhall I enter into thee, that I may ſee my God that dwelleth in thee?

This holy man Auguſtine, conſidering the greatneſſe of the ioyes of heauen, ſayth on this manner: Faciliùs exponi Auguſtine.poteſt quid non ſit in coelo, quàm quid ſit in coelo: id eſt, A man may ſooner tell what is not in Heauen, then what is in Heauen: for the ioyes which are there, are innumerable.

Euen as a learned Geometrician, finding Hercules his foots length vponupon the high hill Olympus, drew out his whole picture by the proportion of the ſame, though farre vnequall to it: ſo we may gheſſe at the greatneſſe of the ioyes of Heauen, though far vnequall to them.

As the Quéene of Sheba, hauing heard the wiſedome of Salomon which before ſhee beleeued not, ſayd to Salomon: Loe, the one halfe was not told mee: So the Saints of God inioying the vnſpeakeable ioyes of Heauen, may ſay; it is true which we hauehave heard concerning the ioyes of Heauen by the mouth of preaching Miniſters▪ p. 91but loe, the thouſand part of them was not told vntounto vsus.

The greatneſſe of theſe ioyes doe appeare in the entertainment of the faithfull Seruant into ioyes by our Lord Ieſus, ſaying: Enter into thy Maſters ioy: Our Sauiour ſaith not, Let thy Maſters ioy enter into thee: but Enter thou into it: ſhewing vntounto vsus: that the ioyes of Heauen are ſo many, as the thouſand parts of them cannot be contained in the ſoule of man.

Thus at large hauehave I ſpoken of this reward, the more to allure all men to runne in the Race of Chriſtianitie, which is the high way to this glorious reward.

Foure things there are, that being well conſidered, are excellent motiues to cauſe men to leaue the broad way of iniquity, and to betake themſelues to runne in this Race Celeſtiall: The day of death: The day of doome: The ioye; of Heauen, and the torments of Hell

Let eueryevery Chriſtian therefore (as p. 92he tendreth his euerlaſting ſaluation) caſt his eyes vponupon this reward, and runne in the race of Godlineſſe, ſo long as life ſhall laſt; that whenſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to call him out of the vale of teares, hee may (hauing his name written in the booke of Life) be welcommed into his Maſters ioy, with this bleſſed harueſt ſong: Come thou bleſſed of my Father, inherite the Kingdome prepared for thee, from the beginning of the world: To the which thrice-bleſſed Kingdome, he bring vsus that hath ſo dearely bought vsus, euen Ieſus Chriſt the righteous, who hath taken away the ſinnes of the world: To whom with God the Father, and God the Holy Ghoſt, thrée Perſons, but one eternall and euerliuing God, we aſcribe both now and euer (as is moſt due) all power, glory, dominion, and thankſgiuing. Amen.