Eight Sermons at the University of Oxford, Sermon 3

Eight Sermons at the University of Oxford · Sermon 3

p. 39THE THIRD SERMON ON LVKE, CHAP. 9. VERS. 23. And he ſaid vntounto all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himſelfe, and take vp his Croſſe dayly, and follow me.

S ^t Iohn in his Revelation, as appeareth, chap. 19. ver, 11, Saw heaven open, & behold, there was a white horſe, and he that ſate vpō him, was called faithfull & true, and he iudgeth and fighteth righteouſly. aaRev. 19.12.Rev 19:12His eies were as a flame of fire; on his head were many crownes, and hee had a name written, which no man knew, but himſelfe.bbVerſ. 13. He was cloathed with a garment dipt in blood, and his name is called, THE WORD OF GOD. p. 40ccVerſ. 15.Out of his mouth went a ſharpe ſword, wherwith he might ſmite the heathen; them ſhall he rule with a rod of yron. He it is, that treadeth the wine-preſſe of the fierceneſſe and wrath of almightie God. ddVerſ. 16.VponUpon his garment, and vponupon his thigh, hath he a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

This our great captaine, becauſe he daily commeth forth to battle againſt the enimies of his church, hath ſet downe a rule inviolably to be obſerved of all ſuch as will come after him, & fight vnderunder his banner: for he hath ſaid vntounto all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himſelfe, and take vp his croſſe dailie, & follow me, when heretofore I entred the examination of this rule, then in part I declared how every Chriſtian ſouldier guided thereby, ought to prepare himſelfe to followe this high captaine. For the better explication whereof I obſerved

1 That this rule was generall out of the firſt words: And he ſaid vntounto all.

2 That it was neceſſary, as it is implyed in the condition, if any man will come after me.

3 That the rule it ſelfe conſiſted of 3. precepts; let him deny himſelfe, & take vp his croſſe dayly, and follow me.

You heard then that this rule was generall, for that Chriſt delivered it vntounto all, yet to all not ſimply, (for the beaſt, & the Kings of the earth, with their armies, following this beaſt, and fighting vnderunder his colours, are no way to bee guided by this rule) but to all with a reſtraint, but to all theeeRev. 19.14.Rev 19:14 armies in heauen, which the divine ſaw following him that ſate vponupon the white horſe, which howſoever, they are called armies in heaven, are notwithſtanding men vponupon the earth: ſuch are Godly Kings, Princes, Nobles, worthie Captaines, and Souldiers, which with the materiall ſword, defend the Gospell: ſuch are zealous Miniſters, & preachers of the truth, which with the ſpiritual ſword fight againſt Antichriſt: ſuch are all bleſſed Chriſtians, walking before God in the places, whereto they are called, warring dayly againſt their proud enimies, the fleſh, the world, and the divell. All which are ſaid to be the armies in heaven, (albeit as yet they liue on earth) in regard, that their cauſe, for which, p. 41and the power, by which, they fight, are both from Heauē. Theſe ride vponupon white horſes, and are cloathed in fine white linnen, and pure; theſe come ſtrongly, ſwiftly, and chearefully to this battaile: theſe are cloathed with ſinceritie, integritie, and puritie of faith, louelove, and other affections, for all is pure white about them. To theſe only, and to all theſe doth this rule appertaine: for he ſaid vntounto all, if any man will come after me.

Out of this condition you hauehave alſo heard, how neceſſary this rule is; even ſo neceſſary, that neither ſubiect, nor prince, neither people, nor paſtor, neither ſouldier, nor captaine, how godly ſoever they ſeeme in mans eies, can be fit to follow this higheſt Captaine, except he be qualified according to this rule Let him deny himſelfe, and take vp his croſſe dayly, and follow me, ſaith CHRIST.

Of the firſt two precepts, I hauehave likewiſe already ſpoken; now let vsus conſider the third: And follow me. Which words do leade me to ſpeake.

1 Of imitation, or following in generall.

2 Of following the beſt; of ſuch an imitation as beſeemeth Chriſtians.

Man by nature how ſtrangely hee is giuen to following, if I ſhould hold my peace, ſervants, ſouldiers, all inferiours would make it manifeſt: ſervants will eye their maſters, ſouldiers their captaines, inferiors their rulers: be they good, or be they bad, get they honour, or get they diſcredit, come their profit, or come their loſſe, their liues will be inſteed of lawes, and that muſt bee holden for well done, which is done after their example, ſaith Siraches ſonne, Cap. 10. verſ. 2. Thus examples, not lawes, doe (when lawes, not examples, ſhould) teach men to liue.

And ſo it was in former ages. In regard whereof the divine Philoſopher would by no meanes ſuffer Homers booke to bee read in his commonwealth, becauſe in them, Gods & Goddeſſes were fained to be ſuch; as no honeſtly minded man, or woman would hauehave their ſonnes, or daughters like them, Yea ſo it was from the beginning. Eues eating the forbidden fruit, was ſufficient, to make Adam doe the like, Gen. 3.6. The younger ſiſter p. 42wold make her father Lot drunken, as well as the elder, Geneſ. 19.35. When Iudah was forward, his brethren were ready to giuegive their conſents, to ſell Ioſeph to the Iſhmeelites, Gen. 37.27.

Dead flies cauſe to ſtincke, and putrifie the oyntment of the Apothecarie, ſaith the Preacher, Cap. 10. verſ. 1. Dead workes the workes of darkneſſe in the better ſort, doe cauſe to ſtinke, and putrifie the towardly inclinations of the inferiours. For if any man ſee thee which haſt knowledge, fit at table in the Idols temple, ſhall not the conſcience of him that is weake, be boldned to eate thoſe things, which are ſacrificed to Idols? ſaith S^t Paule, 1. Cor. 8.10. Thou that ffRom. 2.21.Rom 2:21preacheſt a man ſhould not ſteale, doeſt thou ſteale? Thou that ſhouldſt puniſh adulterers and reproue ſwearers, doſt thou, by thy oaths giuegive them example?ggVerſ. 22. doſt thou commit adulterie? Marvell not then, if thy weake brother, ſeeing thy knowledge, become a ſwearer, a theefe, and an adulterer. Thy life ſhall be his law.

VponUpon conſideration hereof a country man of ours, hath added, that we of all other people vnderunder heaven, are moſt famous yea, & infamous too, for our imitation. For doe we not imitate, hhRogers Ep to the followers of Chriſt. A. 7. b.the Spaniſh in his braverie? The French in his vanitie? The Italian in his perfidie? Yea we follow the Dutch in luxurie, who heares not of it? The Papiſts in idolatrie; who knowes it not? The Atheiſt in all impietie, and impuritie of life; why lament we not?

O come hither, all yee, that are any way either for birth, or calling, whether it be spirituall, or temporall, better then other men; yea and all yee too, which in the ſame reſpect are worſe then others: for here are leſſons for you both, to teach you to looke vntounto your footings. Is there old custome againſt you? Reſpect it not; for it will be foiled by a better cuſtome. Is the fleſh againſt you? Care not for it; for that will be bridled by the heate of the ſpirit. Is that old ſerpent Sathan againſt you? Feare him not; for he both at your prayers will fly, and by your godly exerciſes will be made to runne away.

Firſt therefore for thoſe, that are better then others; wonder p. 43we may, what the matter is, or with what ſpirit they are led, or what commeth into their minds, that knowing their liues and examples to prevaile when laws cannot, doe notwithſtanding with ſuch care, and ſtudy ſeeke after vile, and vaniſhing things; and ſo ſeldome call their wits together to thinke of doing any good. Is it not becauſe they are perſwaded that the LORD ſpareth the Cedar tree, for his height, the oke for his ſtrength, the poplar for his ſmoothneſſe, the Lawrell for his greeneneſſe? O! then they are deceaued: for from the Cedar that is inii1. Kin. 4.33.1 Kgs 4:33 Lebanon, even to the Hyſop, that groweth out of the wall,kkMatth. 3.10. & 7.19.Matt 3:10Matt 7:19 every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen downe and caſt into the fire. Is it not, becauſe they partly thinke that God hideth his face from their ſinnes, & ſeeth them not? O! then they are deceaued: for Samuel could tell Saul al that was in his heart, 1. Sam. 9.19. And Eliſha knewe, that his ſervant had taken bribes, 2. King. 5.26. And ſhall not God bee able to knowe their deeds, and thoughts? yes: if Miriam, and Aaron ſpeake but againſt Moſes, the LORD wil heare them, Num. 12.2. And if Sarah laugh, but within her ſelfe; God will ſee her, Gen. 18.13. Hell and deſtruction are before the Lord, ſaith Solomon, Prov. 15.11, how much more the heart of the ſonnes of men? Ad to this what the Prophet Eſai hath chap. 40. verſ. 12. God hath meaſured the waters in his fiſt, he hath counted heaven with his ſpanne, hee hath comprehended the duſt of the earth in a meaſure, hee hath weighed the mountains in a weight and the hils in a balance. Can their deeds then, yea can their thoughts be hid from ſo powerfull a God? Is it not becauſe man (of whoſe cenſure they ſtand more in awe, thē of Gods wrath) is not able to diſcrie their wickedneſſe, which they hauehave ſo ſecretly wrought? O! then they are deceaued. For towne & coū try howleth and cryeth out, too much overladen and wearied with adulterous Shichemites, tyranous Sauls, negligent Elies, cruell Ahabs, proud Herods, incredulous Pharaohs; here ambition, there covetouſneſſe, every where glutony, and exceſſe.

One mole or freckle in the face offends more, then many and great ſpots, and ſcarres in the other parts of the body. Men in p. 44authoritie, all, I meane, that are better then others, either for birth, or calling, are as the face of the commōwealth. One ſmall eſcape in them, hurts more, then many great & grievous faults in the inferiours, and therefore one was bold to compare thē to a booke, after whoſe patterne others are printed; if the firſt draught hauehave faults, all the books printed thereby, muſt needs be faulty; but if there bee no fault in the firſt, all the reſt will hauehave the fewer.

Whoſoever openeth a well, or diggeth a pit, and covereth it not, and an oxe or an aſſe fall therein,llExod. 21.34Exod 21:34 the owner of the pit ſhal make it good, ſaith God by his ſervant, Exod. 21.33. Hath anie of vsus by bad living cauſed his inferiour, his weake brother, to ſin. O! let vsus not be deafe (beloved in the Lord.) That mā, whoſoever he be, hath opened a well, and digged a pit, which he hath not covered, into which, becauſe his neighbour hath fallen, and ſo periſhed, he muſt look to make anſwer for it; his blood ſhal be required at his hands.

Thou ſhalt not ſow thy field with mingled ſeed, it is the Lordes commandement, Levit. 19.19. What is this militant church wherein we liue, but Gods field, whoſe husbandry yea are, 1. Cor. 3.9. Whoſoever in this field, ſitting either in Aarons ſeat, or Moſes chaire, ſhall ſay, but not doe; ſhall ſay good things, but doe the contrary; ſhall in word ſow wheat, but in example caſt abroad the troubleſome ſeed of cockle and darnell, hee it is, that ſoweth mingled ſeed in Gods field, and ſuch are they whom the author of the booke of wiſedome aimeth at, chap. 6.6. When hee ſaith, that mighty men ſhall be mightily tormented.

In the ſecond place, inſtruction is here to be had for ſuch, as are, either by birth or calling, worſe then other men. They ſeeing themſelues ſo addicted by nature to follow others, in duety ought to take ſpeciall heed whom they follow. For all may not be followed. Aske counſaile of the wiſe man, & he will perſwade with you, by no meanes to follow g…uttons, ſleepers, and drunkards: for the glutton ſhall be poore, and the ſleeper ſhal be cloathed with ragges, Prov. 23.21. As for the drunkard, he ſhal hauehave no want ofmmProv. 23.29Prov 23:29 wo, ſorrow, ſtrife, murmuring, woūds without cauſe, p. 45and redneſſe of the eies: he ſhall be bitten as with annVerſ. 32. ſerpent, and hurt, as with a cockatrice: he ſhall be, as one that ſleepeth in the middest of the ſea, or on the toppe of the maſt, Prov. 23.34. Aske counſell of S. Paule, and hee will perſwade with you, by no meanes to follow fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, covetous perſons, and the like: for ſuch ſhall not inherit the kingdome of God, 1. Cor. 6.10. Aske counſell of the LORD himſelfe, and he will perſwade with you, by no meanes to follow theooLevit. 18.3.Lev 18:3 doings of the land of Egypt, or the manners of the land of Canaan. For if you commit ſuch abominations, the land ſhall spue you out, Levit. 18.28.

O,ppPſal. 1.1.Ps 1:1 walke not in the counſell of the wicked, nor ſtand yee in the way of ſinners, nor ſit yee in the ſeate of the ſcornfull, for ſuch may not be bleſſed. You know who hath ſaid it. Aſſured I am, that in Noahs arke, among his three ſonnes, there was one curſed Ham: that in Iſaac's houſe of 2. ſonnes, one Eſau was reiected: that in Iacobs houſe among twelue brethren, one only Ioſeph was innocent; that in Chriſts houſe among twelue Apoſtles, there was a treacherous Iudas; neither may I deny, but that at this day among many Magiſtrates, Preachers, and Maſters, there are ſome licentious Magiſtrates, ſome bad living Preachers, ſome too too wicked Masters. But what is that to vsus? We muſt all appeare before the iudgement ſeat of Chriſt, to receiue according to our own deeds: For ſo may we read, 2. Cor. 5.10. The licentious life of the Magiſtrate ſhall not quite the ſubiect, if he diſobey the lawes: the wickedneſſe of the Maſter may not excuſe the ſervant, if he be vngracious: the bad living preacher is no cauſe to ſaue my ſoule, if I be vngodly. For God himſelfe telleth vsus, that, that ſoule that ſinneth ſhal die the death, Ezech. 18.4. And thus from the generall imitation; I come to that which beſt beſeemeth Chriſtians.

Follow me] The Lyon hath roared who will not be afraid? The LORD God hath ſpoken, who can but prophecie? Amos 3.8. Ever worthy is his Maieſtie to be reverēced, whoſe voice nothing (be it aboue or beneath, in heaven or in earth, ſenſible, or inſenſible) ought to diſobey.qqEſai. 1.2.Isa 1:2 Heare then ô heavens, and hearken, p. 46ô earth; and therefore heare and harken both men & women, for the LORD hath ſaid: follow me. Elſe whom will ye follow? Is not he the way to guide you? Follow him; and he wil leade you in the pathes of righteouſneſſe, Pro. 4.11. Is not he the truth, to giuegive you light? Follow him, and the ſunne of iuſtice ſhall ariſe vntounto you, Malac. 4.2. Is not he the life, to feede you? Follow him, and you ſhall go in and out, and finde paſture. Iohn. 10.9. He is the way, in example: for he hath given an example, that wee ſhould do, even as he hath done, Iohn. 13.15. He is the truth, in promiſes; for his covenant he will not breake, nor alter the thing that is gone out of his lips, Pſal. 89.34. He is the life, in rewarde; for howſoever the wages of ſinne is death, yet the gift of God is eternall life, through Ieſus Chriſt our LORD, Rom. 6.23. This our LORD, the way, the truth, and the life, in his iourney towardes heaven, began betime; for atrrLuk. 2.42.Luke 2:42 twelue yeares of age he went about hisſſVerſ. 49. fathers buſineſſe: and he kept the right way; for he boldly ſaid, who canttIoh. 8.46.John 8:46 accuſe me of ſinne: & he made ſpeed; for he ſpake, and did more good things in 33. yeares, then might be contained in all the uuIoh. 21.25.John 21:25bookes in the world: and hee continued vntounto the end; for hexxMat. 27.50.Matt 27:50 died yyAct. 8.32.Acts 8:32like a lambe, zzLuk. 23.34.Luke 23:34prayed to his father, and forgaue his enemies; See here, thoſe foure notes, to which my deſire is you ſhould well liſten, becauſe they may be much for inſtruction in this Chriſtian imitation; wherein you are to begin betime, to keepe the right way to make speede, and to continue to the end. And firſt begin betime.

Know yee not, that man aſſone as he was created, had a law given him? Hence may we learne, that every one of vsus from the firſt day of his birth is to liue vnderunder obedience to the great lawgiver. Doth not experience teach you, that in infancie yee are baptized in the name of God? Hence are we taught, that when we are not able to runne to Chriſt, yet ſhould we, as well as we may, creepe vntounto him. Is it poſſible for you to forget your dayly praier? Therein you pray, firſt, that Gods will be done, and then you aske your dayly bread: to ſhew vsus that the very food whereby we liue, is no way to be preferred before the bleſſed will of God.

p. 47God requireſt the firſt borne for his offering, and the firſt fruits for his ſervice: and dare we preſume to preſent him with our ſecond labours? He requireth a morning ſacrifice, as wel as an evening. Abraham roſe early in the morning to ſacrifice his ſonne to God, Gen. 22.3. So ſhould we riſe early in the morning of our liues, even in our youthfull daies, and ſacrifice our ſelues to God. We ſhould giuegive vp our bodies,aaRom. 12 1.Rom 12:1 living ſacrifices, holy, and acceptable to him. For why ſhould not he that isbbRev. 1.8.Rev 1:8 Alpha, the firſt, the beginning in every thing, be the firſt and the beginning in our converſion too? Manna was to bee gathered betime before the riſing of the ſunne, otherwiſe it would melt away, Exod. 16.21. So fareth it with him, whom yee ought to follow; if you come not to him betime, but ſtay till buſineſſe & pleaſures ariſe vntounto you, well may you ſeeke him, but you ſhall not find him. For wiſdome her ſelfe hath ſaid, they which ſeeke me early ſhall find me, Prov. 8.17. but of them which are ſlow in ſeeking her, ſhe hath alſo ſaid; they ſhall ſeeke mee, but they ſhall not find me, Prov. 1.28.

The gueſts are bidden, yet no man commeth: all things are ready, yet no mā regardeth. One ſaith, I hauehave bought accMat. 22.5 Luk. 14.18.Matt 22:5Luke 14:18 farme, and muſt needs goe out, and ſee it; O let me be excuſed: a ſecond ſaith, I hauehave boughtddLuk. 14.19.Luke 14:19 Oxen, and I goe to proue them; I pray thee hauehave me excuſed: another ſaith, I hauehave eeVerſ. 20.maried a wife, and therefore I cannot come: if ourffMat. 8.21. Luk. 9.59.Matt 8:21Luke 9:59 fathers bee vnburied, if our friends be notggLuk. 9.61.Luke 9:61 bidden farewell, then in reaſon wee thinke wee may be excuſed for not comming. O, ſaith one, were I a freeman; and another, were I a rich man, and a third, were I an olde man, then ſhould we be at leaſure to come to Chriſt; but yet, & till then let vsus be excuſed.

Thus the whole hhEſai. 1.5.Isa 1:5head is ſicke, and the whole heart is heavie, and within vsus is nothing butiiVerſ. 6. wounds, and ſwelling, and ſores full of corruption. For although wee perſwade our ſelues that Chriſt ought by vsus to bee followed, yet can wee not by any meanes accord of the time, when to beginne to follow him. Wherein we are not much vnlike thoſe Iewes: ſpoken of, Agge, 1. 2. who knowing that the Lords houſe ought by them to p. 48be builded, did notwithſtanding ſing alwaies this ſong: The time is not yet come, that the Lords houſe ſhould be builded. And did they for this eſcape vnpuniſhed? Read yee but the 6. verſe of the ſame chapter, and you will ſay no: for they did ſow much but brought in little; they did eate, but had not enough; they dranke, but were not filled; they cloathed themſelues, but they were not warme; they did earne wages, but the wages was put into a broken bagge.

We knowe that the Lord is kkIoel. 2.13.Joel 2:13gratious and mercifull, ſlow to anger and of great kindneſſe, otherwiſe doubtleſſe ere this, his ſcepter of llPſal. 2 9.Ps 2:9Iron ſhould hauehave cruſhed, and bruiſed vsus in peeces. For what is he among vsus all, that in his heart hath not ſaid, the time is not yet come, that the Lord Ieſus ſhould be followed? How long, how long, o yee ſonnes of men, will yee mmPſal. 4.2.Ps 4:2turne Gods glory into ſhame, by louing vanitie, and ſeeking lyes? you ſay the time is not yet come, that the Lord Ieſus ſhould be followed: but the holy Ghoſt ſaith, behold, now the acceptable time; behold, now the day of ſalvation, 2. Cor. 6.2. To day if yee will heare his voice, Pſal. 95.7. To day, even this day, if yee will heare his voice harden not your hearts.

There was at Ieruſalem the poole Betheſda, where the ſicke, the blind, the halt, and the withered lay; once in the day an Angel came, and ſtirred the water; & then whoſoever ſtept in first was made whole, of whatſoever diſeaſe he had, Ioh. 5.4. He which ſtept in firſt was made whole, ſaith Iohn; none but hee, which ſtept in firſt. This is the acceptable time, this is the day of ſalvation, this is the day wherein we may heare Gods voice: take we then this opportunitie while it is offered; & let vsus not forſlow the time; for the ſtrongeſt of vsus all is not able to aſſure himſelfe, that he ſhall liue till to morrow. Elias would be ſerued before the widow, although ſhee had but a little cruſe of oyle, although ſhe had not enough for her ſelfe, 1. King. 17.13. And can we be ſo ſenſeleſſe to thinke, that God will bee ſerued after vsus, after the fleſh, after the Divell? God would not hauehave the labourers hire ſtay in thy hands all night, but would hauehave thee pay him before thou ſleepe, Levit. 19.13. Yet wee dare keepe p. 49Gods due from himſelfe, ſhall I ſay, day and night? I may ſay, many daies, and many nights, many weekes, many months, yea & perhaps many yeares too.

Thus hauehave we caſt behind vsus the firſt leſſon which Iohn Baptiſt taught, that was, repent, for the kingdome of Heaven is at hand, Mat. 3.2. Thus hauehave we ſet at naught the firſt leſſō, which the Diſciples taught; and that was, repent, for the kingdome of Heavē is at hand, Mat. 10.7. Thus hauehave we ſpurned againſt the firſt leſſon which Chriſt himſelfe taught; and that was, REPENT too, for the kingdome of Heauen is at hand, Mat. 4.17.nnMat. 11.15.Matt 11:15 He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

REPENT is the firſt leſſon to be learned both by young and old. It is not ſufficient for a young man to ſay, I will repent: for aſſuredly, could Iudas hauehave repented, when he had liſted: hee would never hauehave hanged himſelfe: neither may it ſuffice an old man to ſay, I hauehave repented; God is, I am; & therefore is beſt pleaſed with, I am; he careth not for, I was, or will be. And this the Preacher knewe well, and therefore in the firſt verſe of his 12. Chapt. he directeth his ſpeech to young men: there he ſaith; Remember thy Creatour in the dayes of thy youth. And becauſe young men are very ready to poſt over this remembrance, vntounto age, that generall day, which all men ſet for themſelues to repent in, he in the verſes following brings in the olde man, with theooEccl. 12.3.Eccl 12:3 keepers of his houſe trembling, with his ſtrong men bowing downe, with his grinders ceaſing, with his lookers out by the windowes darkned, with hisppVerſ. 4. dores ſhut, with his daughters of ſinging abaſed; that is, he brings in the old man, feeble, lame, deafe, blind, and ſtammering, for the young man to behold; as if hee ſhould ſay, See here my ſonne, is it poſſible for this man to ſerue God, he can neither heare, nor ſee, nor feele, nor speake, nor go. Therefore ſerue thou thy God in the daies of thy youth.

The chiefeſt thing that made Rehoboam in the beginning of his reigne to chooſe young counſellers, was, becauſe they were his companions before, 1. King. 12.8. Becauſe they were his companions before, therefore they became his counſellers after. This is the preferment of your ſinnes, if they hauehave beene p. 50your companions in youth, in age they will looke to bee your counſellers, yea, and it may be, your masters too. Begin therefore, asqq1. Sam. 2.181 Sam 2:18 Samuel did, to ſerue God in your minoritie; and vſe, asrr2. Tim. 3.15.2 Tim 3:15 Timothie did, to read the Scriptures in your childhood; thē ſhall you, asſſLuk. 1.80.Luke 1:80 Iohn did, grow in ſpirit, as you ripen in yeares. O bleſſed are you, if you begin betime: yet ſo, that you keepe the right way. Which is the ſecond note, to be obſerued in Chriſtian imitation.

Many falſe Prophets ſhall ariſe, ſaith our Saviour, and ſhall ſay vntounto you, loe, here is Chriſt, and loe, there is Chriſt, but with all he counſels you, not to beleeue them, Mat. 24.23. Long hauehave ſome continued, and yet they are not weary of profeſſing, that there is life in their pardons, life in their pilgrimages, life in their ſacrifices. Rather then fayle, they can make ſhift to clamber to Heaven, by Angels, by penance, by merits. Each of them hath his way, yet not one of them the right way.

I doubt not, but that all that heare me this day, are ſufficiently already perſwaded not to beleeue them. For you hauehave learned, that Iacob in his way to Haran, ſaw, not many, but one ladder reaching vp to heaven, Gen. 28.12. And that the forerunner of Chriſt prepared, not the waies, but the way of the Lord, Eſai, 40.3. And thereby are you taught, that there is but one ladder to clime, but one way to walke in, to come to Heaven. And asttMat. 2.13.Matt 2:13 Herod ſought over all Iurie for Chriſt, but could not find him, becauſe he followed not the ſtarre; ſo may you, long enough, ſeek for Heaven all the broad way over, but you ſhall not be able to find it, vnleſſe you follow the ſtraight way, & enter in at theuuMat. 7.13.Matt 7:13 narrow gate; for that way alone leads to Heavē. One only river, the river Iordan was of force to deliver Naaman the Syrian from his leaproſy, neither Abana, nor Pharpar, rivers of Damaſcus, could doe it, 2. King. 5.12. One onelyonly way, the true and liuing way, Chriſt, our Saviour, is able to ſet vsus in our reſting place, in the place of eternall bliſſe; neither the ſeeming powerfullxxRevel. 13.1Rev 13:1 beaſt, nor any other beſides is able to doe it. For as he, which promiſed a land to the Iſraelites, ſent before the Iſraelites a pillar of fire to bring them to that land, Exod. p. 5113.21; ſo he, the ſame God, hauing prepared a Heauen for vsus, hath ſent before vsus that everliving yyIoh. 1.1.John 1:1word, cloathed with our owne fleſh, to guid vsus vntounto Heaven.

Behold here the patterne of your imitation, ſuch a patterne, as muſt be followed, alwaies and neceſſarily. Alwaies, for that no deceit was in his mouth, Eſ. 53.9. and neceſſarily, becauſe S^t Peter doth counſell it, 1. Pet. 2.21. Alwaies, for that no man was able to rebuke him of ſinne, Ioh. 8.46. and neceſſarily, becauſe S^t Paule commandeth it, Epheſ. 5.1. Alwaies, for that he is perfectly good, 1. Ioh. 3.5. and neceſſarily, becauſe himſelfe will hauehave it ſo, Mat. 11.29.

Alwaies therefore, and neceſſarily, Chriſt is to bee followed, yet not without a limitation. For as he was God, many things were done by him, wherein wee may not follow him, without note of ſuperſtition, or zealous impietie. It was for God alone withzzMat. 15.34.Matt 15:34 ſeaven loaues, and a few little fiſhes, to feed, and ſuffice foure thouſand men, beſides women, and children, Mat. 15.38. It was for God alone withaaMat. 14.17.Matt 14:17 fiue loaues and two little fiſhes to feed and ſuffice fiue thouſand men, beſide women and children, Mat. 14.21. It was for God alone, to rebuke the waues of the ſea, and the windes, and to cauſe them to ceaſe raging, Luk. 8.24. TobbMat. 4.2.Matt 4:2 faſt forty daies, and fortie nights; toccIoh 2.9.John 2:9 turne water into wine; toddMat. 14.26.Matt 14:26 walke on the Sea, as one dry land; to reſtoreeeMat. 11.5.Matt 11:5 ſight to the blind, health to the ſicke, life to the dead; theſe are miracles wrought by God alone, which we may not dare to imitate, becauſe there is neither commandement that we ſhould, nor example of any Diſciple, or Apoſtle, that would, or durſt doe ſo. In thoſe things therefore, which Chriſt did as God, worſhip him religiouſly; but in thoſe things, which he did as man, follow him zealouſly. LoueLove and deteſt whatſoever Chriſt, as God, loveth and deteſteth, and ſo ſhall you imitate Chriſt, as much as a man may imitate God; but with all, doe that as Chriſt did, as man, and ſo ſhall you follow Chriſt, as a Chriſtian ſhould.

And here, for that my limited time will not ſuffer me to bee long, I can but only point at a few of the particulars, wherein you are to follow Chriſt. Follow him therefore in obedience, for p. 52he is becomeffPhil. 2.8.Phil 2:8 obedient vntounto the death, even the death of the croſſe. Accurſed are the diſobedient; the Lord ſhall laugh at their deſtruction, Prov. 1.26. Follow him, in innocencie, for in his ggEſai. 53.9.Isa 53:9mouth was found no guil…. Accurſed are the wicked; they are kept vntounto the day of deſtruction, and ſhall be brought forth to the day of wrath, Iob. 21.30. Follow him in humilitie, for heehhPſal. 110 7.Ps 110:7 drank of the brooke in the way, he made himſelfe ofiiPhilip. 2.7.Phil 2:7 no reputation, & became for vsus a ſervant; Accurſed are the proud: though their excellency mount vp to the heaven, yet ſhall they periſh for ever like their dung, Iob, 20.6.

He is an example for you in patience, for hee was oppreſſed and afflicted, yet as akkEſai 53.7. Act 8.32.Isa 53:7Acts 8:32 ſheepe before his ſhearer was hee dumbe, and opened not his mouth; being reviled, hee reviled not againe; ſuffering, he threatned not, but committed it all to him that iudgeth righteouſly, 1. Pet. 2.23. He is an example for you in Charitie: for he prayed for his enimies; Father forgiue them, for they knowe not what they doe, Luk. 23.34. Hee is an example for you in Conſtancie: for he died like a lambe, Revel. 5.6. Theſe, & ſuch like, are the things wherein Chriſt muſt be followed, alwaies, & neceſſarily: which although it may not be gaineſaid, doth notwithſtanding permit the examples of good men to be imitated, ſometime, and in ſome things.

For the better conceaving whereof, let it not bee troubleſome to vsus, to obſerue foure ſorts of examples of the elect, and righteous, ſet downe vntounto vsus in the holy Scriptures.

1 Some we find, were ſingular, ſuch as neither others in thoſe daies might, nor we in our daies may follow; for that they alone had the ſpeciall, and extraordinary motion of the holy Spirit for their warrant. Such was Abrahams readineſſe, to kill his own, and only ſonne Iſaac, Gen. 22.3. Such was the ſpoile of the Iews made of the Egyptians, by detaining their iewels of gold and ſilver, Exod. 12.35. Which deeds in them, becauſe they were commanded, were commendable; but in vsus, becauſe they are forbidden, ſhould be moſt damnable.

2 Others in thoſe daies were generall, which wee in our daies may not follow, without diſpleaſure of the Higheſt. They p. 53circumciſed their male children the eight day: but wee may not doe ſo; for if wee bee circumciſed, Chriſt ſhall profit vsus nothing, Gal. 5.2. They offered bloody ſacrifices vntounto the Lord; wee are forbidden ſo to doe; for being dead with Chriſt, from the ordinances of the world, wee ought not, as though wee liued in the world, be burdened with traditions, Coloſſ. 2.20. Among them one brother married the wife of another. Farre from vsus let ſuch weddings be remoued. It is not lawfull for Herod to hauehave his brothers wife. Mat. 14.4.

3 There were wicked examples, which none of vsus, I hope, will dare to follow. You cānot, but heare ofllGen. 19.33.Gen 19:33 Lo… inceſt,mmNum. 20.12Num 20:12 Moſes incredulity,nn2. Sam. 12.92 Sam 12:9 Davids adultery,ooMat. 26.70.Matt 26:70 Peters deniall; theppMat. 18.1.Matt 18:1 ambition of the Apoſtles, and ſuch like: which all are ſet before vsus; but doubtleſſe for good ends. Firſt to ſhew vsus, how falſe it is, which ſome teach, that the elect, and regenerate ſinne not. 2. To make vsus wary how we walke: for if ſuch, whom God hath favoured ſo highly, and adorned ſo ſingularly with his celeſtiall gifts; if ſuch, I ſay, did fal, and ſo filthily defile themſelues, with how greatqqPhilip. 2.12Phil 2:12 feare and trembling ought we to make an ende of our ſalvation? 3. To ſtrengthen vsus, that though we ſinne, we go not on forward in ſinning, nor deſpaire of Gods mercy, no more then they did. For the ſonne of man came to ſeeke and ſaue that, which was loſt, Luk. 19.10. and hee came not to call the righteous, but ſinners to repentance, Mat. 9.13. and by him Paul did attaine mercy to the enſample of them, which ſhall in time to come beleeue on him vntounto eternall life, 1. Tim. 1.16. Laſt of all, to teach vsus, that as God is merciful, ſo ſhould we ſhew mercy vntounto all, that in Gods iudgement we may finde mercy.

4 There were good examples, which we may be bolde to follow; asrrRom. 43.20 Abrahams faith,ſſGen. …9.9.Gen 9:9 Ioſephs chaſtity,ttPſal. 69.9.Ps 69:9 Davids zeale, & the like; which are ſet before vsus, as the Apoſtle witneſſeth, that we ſhould not be ſloathfull, but followers of them, which through faith, and patience, inherite the promiſes, Heb. 6.12. And hitherto belongeth that which S. Chryſoſtome hath, Homil. uuIn Graecâ Savilii editione, eſt hom. 61.62. in Mat. 18. If, ſaith he, it ſeeme a hard matter vntounto thee to imitate God, betake thy ſelfe to the imitation of his ſervants. Imitate p. 54Ioſeph; for he was a reliefe vntounto his brethren in time of famine, although they iniuriouſly ſold him into bondage, Gen. 42.25. Imitate Moſes; for he ſpared not to powre forth his praiers to the living God for the people, although they had done him many wrongs, Exod. 32.11. Imitate S. Paule, for hee could hauehave wiſhed that he might be ſeparated from Chriſt, for the Iews, although they had many times oppreſſed him, Rom. 9.3. Imitate S. Steven, for he praid for the people, even then when they ſtoned him: LORD lay not this ſin to their charge. A & 7.60. Imitate Ioſeph, Moſes, Paule, Steven, and the whole company of holy ones, as Paule himſelfe deſireth to be imitated: Be yee followers of me, ſaith he, even as I am of Christ, 1. Cor. 11.1.

Walke therefore in the way, which the LORD hath made plaine for you; and tread yee thoſe pathes, wherein by the good examples of Gods Saints yee are directed; and ſo ſhall yee be able to follow the lambe, whitherſoever he goeth. O bleſſed are you, if you keepe the right way; but withall you muſt make haſte. Which is my third circumſtance obſerved in Chriſtian imitation.

The wiſe man paſſed by the field of the ſloathfull, and lo, it was al growne over with thornes, & nettles had covered the face therof, and the ſtone wall thereof was broken downe, Prov. 24.30. Our corrupt nature, what is it, but this field? If we be ſloathfull, and ſlacke in husbanding it, how can it bring forth any thing, but thornes, & nettles? The wiſe man paſſing by, may eaſily through the broken wall, deſcry all manner of filthineſſe, and abhomination. If Saule lie ſleeping with his ſervāts, it wil be no hard matter for David to come, and take away the speare, and the pot of water, even from Saules owne head, 1. Sam. 26.12. If we, being now ſet in the right way, in the Lords way, ſhall be negligent, & given to ſleeping, too eaſie will it be for Leviathan, that pearcing ſerpent, that crooked ſerpent, that ſerpent which fel down from heaven like lightning, to come and ſteale away all good motions, even from our inmoſt heart.

The enimy came, and ſowed tares among the wheat, but it was while men ſlept, Mat. 13.25. The fooliſh virgins, were not provided p. 55to go with the bridegroome, for they ſlept too, Mat. 25.5. It is time then to watch, that the enimy choake not vp out whome with his tares: it is time to watch, if we meane to accompanie the bridegroome.

We muſt runne (for a ſlow pace will not ſerue the turne) we muſt run, if we looke to obtaine, 1. Cor. 9.24. CHRIST telleth vsus, that the kingdome of heaven ſuffreth violence, and the violent take it by force, Mat. 11.12. And why doth he tell vsus ſo, but to teach vsus, how earneſt, and zealous, we muſt be in our profeſſed religiō? If we be but luke-warme, you know, God hath threatned to spew vsus out of his mouth, Revel. 3.16. If our righteouſnes ſurpaſſe not the righteouſnes of Phariſes, Heaven is no place for vsus, we may not enter therein, Mat. 5.20. If we be no more then ſtatute proteſtants, that is, if we thinke our duties ſufficiently diſcharged, in comming once a month to the church to pray, in hearing once a quarter a ſermon, in cōmunicating at the Lords table once a yeare, well may we hope to come to Heaven, but that ſhall be then, as a late and zealous preacher hath ſaid, whē hypocrites hauehave leaue to come out of Hell.

Therfore were the golden Cherubins ſet vponupon the two ends of the mercy ſeat, with their wings ſpread out on high, Exod. 37.9. to teach vsus, to be as quicke about the Lords buſines, as the Cherubins. Therefore did God reiect the blind, and the halting ſacrifice, Deut. 15.21. to ſhew vsus, how he abhorreth ſlackneſſe in all our duties. Therefore did the Apoſtles leaue all, and follow Chriſt, Mat. 19.27. for our inſtruction, that we ſhould ſpeedily follow Chriſt too. For he is not accurſed only which doth not the Lords buſineſſe, but he alſo, which doth the Lords buſineſſe negligently, Ier. 48.10.

Watch therefore thexxMat. 2.2Matt 2:2 ſtarre, ſo ſoone as it ariſeth, & follow theyyExod. 13.21Exod 13:21 Pillar, ſo ſoone as it remooveth, and ſo ſhall you withall ſpeed, be received into the zz2. Cor. 5.1.2 Cor 5:1building, that precious building, not made with hands, & ſhall dwell in thoſeaaHeb. 9.11.Heb 9:11 tabernacles, thoſe ioyfull tabernacles, which God himſelfe hath pitched. O bleſſed are you if you make haſt: yet not ſo, vnleſſe you cōtinue to the end. And this is my laſt note.

p. 56Some came into the vineyard at morning, & ſome at noone, but no man received any reward, but they which ſtaide vntill night, Mat. 20.8. Iacob did not prevaile with God, when firſt he began to wreſtle with him, but when he had wreſtled with him all night, Gen. 32.26. It is not your praying this day only, that can do you good, for you muſt pray continually, 1. Theſſ. 5.17. He runnes in vaine (run he never ſo ſwiftly) that ſits him down before he comes at the goale. Heaven is the goale, whither our race is intended. Begin we this race betimes, and keepe we the right way, and make we haſt too, yet if we continue not to the end, our portion ſhall be as his, whom CHRIST hath ſaid, the laſt eſtate of this man is worſe, then the firſt, Luk. 11.26.

Having hitherto beene fed delicately, and brought vp in ſcarlet, ſhall we now periſh in the ſtreets, ſhall we now embrace the dung? Lam. 4.5. Having as yet had our heads of gold, ſhall we now (to become like to Nabuchadnezzars image) hauehave our feet of clay? Dan. 2.33. Having already begun in the ſpirit, ſhall we now end in the fleſh; Gal. 3.3?bb1. Cor, 10.12. He that thinkes be standeth let him take heed that he fall not.

What ſhall I ſay (ſaith Ioſh. chap. 7.8. When Iſrael turnes the back. What ſhall I ſay? The trembling of the Pillars is enough to make the whole Temple ſhake. Peter, he which ſaid even now, thatccMat. 26.33.Matt 26:33 though al ſhould, yet he would neuer forſake Chriſt, ddVerſ. 74.curſeth and ſweareth, that he knoweth not the man. Lot, he which erſt ſtrived ſo much to preſerue his daughters chaſt in Sodome, doth now in the mount commiteeGen. 19.33.Gen 19:33 inceſt with his daughters. Salomon himſelfe, which ſo lately erected a Temple for the worſhip of God, fals now to the worſhipping of Idols: As if the ſtarres were falling from their heaven, and the light departing from the ſunne.

But it is not long ſince we were taught, that the Saints of God, though they fal not finally in the end, nor vtterly at any time, doe notwithſtanding, fall grievouſly, and dangerouſly: of which we then heard in all plenty, and ſufficiency, ſo that I may well ſurceaſe to ſpeake thereof. Only let me ſay once againe,ff1. Cor. 10.12.1 Cor 10:12 Hee that thinkes he ſtandeth, let him take heed, that he fall not. For p. 57not every one, but hee only that … ſhall be ſaved, Mat. 10.22. and not every one, … faithfull vntounto the death, ſhall receiue the … of life, Revel. 2.10. and not every one, but ſuch only as are marked in their foreheads with the letter Ta…, with the note of perfection, and perſeverance, ſhal enter the inheritance of the bleſſed, Ezech. 9.4.

Let thegg2. Pet. 2.22.2 Pet 2:22 dogge returne to his vomit, and the ſow to her wallowing in the mire, but doe you (as Abraham did) hold on your ſacrifices vntounto the evening, the laſt evening of your liues, and ſo ſhall a full meaſure bee meaſured vntounto you. O ever bleſſed ſhall you be, if you continue to the end. Then ſhall the prayers which you hauehave devoutly made, and the teares which you hauehave repentantly ſhed, and the almes, which you hauehave charitably given, ſet vponupon your heads the crowne of glory, and the Angels ſhall triumph for your glorious coronation, and the Saints ſhall reioice at your bleſſed perfection, and God himſelfe ſhall ſay AMEN, to your never dying happineſſe. To which happineſſe (O gratious father) receaue vsus all, for his ſake in whom thou art beſt pleaſed; to whom with thee and the holy Ghoſt, be all praiſe, power, maieſtie, and dominion, both now and for ever, AMEN.