The Resolved Christian Exhorting to Resolution, Book 1 · Chapter 4
Chap. IIII Of the firſt Cauſe that maketh Death fearefull to a worldly man, which is the loſſe of honors, wealth, pleaſure, &c. And the remedies againſt the ſame.
How farre we ought to be addicted vntounto the worlde. Sect. I
Man is a Creature endued with a reaſonable ſoule, (a Soule of noble ſubſtance, of exceeding beautie, inſpired by theaGeneſis 2.7 Father, redeemed by theb1. Pet. 1.19 Sonne, ſanctified by thec1. Cori. 6.11 holy Ghoſt, and beautified with thedGeneſis 1.26 image of the whole Trinity; a Soul created, to liue with angels, to enioy the louelove and felloſhip of an eternall Spouſe, to be a Citizen of heauen, to inherite a kingdome, and euerlaſtingly to triumph in royall dignitie) to the end, that hauing a celeſtiall beginning and heauenly originall, hee ſhould deſpiſe and ſette light by theſeeMatt. 6.19, 20 inferior and terreſtriall things; and that hisf1. Iohn 5.20 minde beeing by nature loftie, ſhould not be depreſſed with the waight and burden ofgColoſſ. 3.1 earthly and baſe drugges: but hauing his eyes ſhut, and his eares deafe, againſt theſe worldly vanities, ſhould (contemning, or rather forgetting all humane toyes) lift vp his heart, and with his cogitations and affections behPhilip. 3.20 conuerſant in heauen. As for the world, that at theiIohn 15.19 beginning, cheereth, enricheth, and honoreth his friend, & in thek1. Cor. 6.2 end leaues him, poore, miſerable, and in a damnable eſtate, (much like a Peacocke, that with the ſtately fanne he maketh of his owne feathers, adorneth his fore-parts, but leaues his hinderparts naked and vnſeemely) man is but alGeneſis 47.9 traueller therein, and no dweller. We arem1. Chr. 29.15 hebr. 11.13 ſtrangers and way-faring men, as it were in common tents or Innes: for our whole life is nothing elſe then anWiſd. 5.13 way or courſe vntounto death: wherefore as trauellers, if peraduenture by the way, or in their lodging, they meete with any profitable ſpoile, ſtraightway they refuſe and reiect it, as ſuperfluous, and too heauie a burden for them to beare: if they come to any place of pleaſure or paſtime, they ſet light by it, and depart, their neceſſary affaires requiring haſte in their iourney: and on the other ſide, if they light on an ill Inne, or lodging, where they are badly entertained, they patiently forbeare it, knowing they muſt depart the next day after, where they ſhall be better vſed, in an other place. Euen ſo ought we to beoPſalme 62.10 1. corint. 7.31 addicted to the louelove of theſe worldly honors, poſſeſſions and pleaſures; and to care for no more wealth and goods, then what is neceſſary, for our iourney and voyage; the reſt we ought vtterly top1. Ioh. 2.15, 16 iames 4.4 neglect as ſuperfluous, and too heany a burden for vsus to beare, or rather we ought to contribute them with our fellow-trauellers, who are in neede and miſerie amongſt vsus: neither let vsus giuegive eare to the inticingqPhil. 3.8 ſyrach 19.5 pleaſures of this world, leſt they trouble vsus in our courſe; ſo ſhall we trauell peaceably, without care and trouble, and at laſt, arriue at that honorable hauen, where we tend vntounto.
A remedie againſt the temptation of worldly honors and preferments. Sect. II
THe world is couched ina1. Iohn 5.19 wickedneſſe, and drenched in ſinne, itb1. Iohn 2.17 paſſeth away and the lustes thereof: c1. Iohn 2.15if any man louelove the world, the louelove of the Father is not in him; becauſedIames 4.4 the amitie of the worlde, is the enimitie of God, whoſoeuer therefore will be a friend of the world, maketh himſelfe an enemie of God. But weeIohn 15.19 They that dote vponupon the world are the ſlaues of Satan. are not of the world, to the end we ſhould not be envvrapped and enfolded in the ſame condemnation with the world. The Diuell is thefIohn 14.30 iohn 16.11 Prince of this world, therefore if we louelove the world, and the things that are in it, we are ſubiects and ſlaues vntounto the Diuell. Wee can not be the Seruants of Chriſt vnles thegGalat. 6.14 world be crucified vntounto vsus, and wee vntounto the world. O then, let vsus vvith the Apoſtle eſteeme of the vvorld, and all the glory and honour of it, but ashPhilip. 3.8 loſſe and dongue! Let vsusiColoſſ. 3.1. ſeeke thoſe things. which are aboue, where Chriſt ſitteth at the right hand of God! OurkMat. 6.21 heart ought to be vvhere our treaſure is; and where is our treaſure but in heauen? OurlColoſſ. 3.3 life is hid with Chriſt in God; mColoſſ. 2.3in whom are hid all the treaſures of wiſedom and knowledge. O let vsus not ſell our birthright, for a meſſe of potage, asnGen. 25.34 Eſau did! Let vsus eſteeme more of the holy Land, then of theoExodus 16.3 num. 11.14 fleſhpots and onyons of Egypt. Is it not better to bepIohn 4.10 nouriſhed in the houſe of our Father with the bread of Angels, then with theqLuke 15.16 Prodigall-child, to liue among ſwine, with ſhales and huskes? Is it not better to be ſaued withrGeneſis 19.16. Lot, in running out of Sodome, then withsGeneſis 19.26 Lots wife, luſting and longing after infamous and filthie pleaſures to periſh?tPſal. 94.8 Vnderſtand then yee vnwiſe among the people; and yee fooles, when will yee be wiſe? How long will ye takeuEſay 5.20 light for darkeneſſe, and darkeneſſe for light? ſowre for ſweet, and ſweet for ſowre? good for euill, and euill for good?xLuke 16.15 That which is highly eſteemed among men, is abhomination in the ſight of God. We muſt not therefore be ſorrowful or agriened, to leaue the honours and promotions of this world, which cauſe vsus to prouoke God, to diſdame our neighbours, and to forget our ſelues, yea, to worſhip and adore the diuell, who euer kiſſeth where he meaneth to kill, giuing his gueſts a draught of deadly poiſon in a golden cup, and in a ſtately ſhip wafting his paſſengers vponupon the rockes of eternall ruine. The pleaſant ſauour of the cup inuiteth, but the ſweete taſte of the poyſon choketh. The diuell like an Eagle houereth in the ayre, as though his onelyonly delight were to view the Sunne, and to looke towards heauen; whereas in deed, he is a greedy kyte, bearing a rauening minde, that hath his eyes alwayes fixed vponupon the earth, watching his time when he may beſt ſeize vponupon his prey. He is much like a Thiefe, who when by open violence he can not catch his bootie, ſeeketh by ſhrowding himſelfe in the vallies, buſhes, and darkeneſſe of the night, to take the poore traueller vnprouided, and ſo to ſpoile him of his goods: ſo the diuell when he ſeeth, that by open purſuit, he cannot ouerthrow vsus, he couertly coucheth himſelfe, in the ſhadowes and briars of worldly honors, and other delightſome allurements, thereby to entrap vsus, ere wee eſpie his traines. Worldly Honor is one of the principall ſnares whereby he inueigleth our ſoules, which ſurely cannot be deſired of Gods children, becauſe it is giuen vntounto the wicked for wicked cauſes: ſoyNum. 24.11 Balac a wicked king, thought to promote Balaam a wicked Prophet, vntounto honor, for his wicked curſing and falſhood. 2. Becauſe it is not durable, being founded vponupon the falſe foundation of inordinate louelove or lucre; ſozHeſter 3.1 Magiſtratus virum indicat Ahaſhueroſh honoured Haman the Agagite; and 3. becauſe it is damnable, cauſing him that is ſo*Pſal. 49.18, 20 honoured, to be blinded, to be ingratefull, and to forget himſelfe. Bucephalus the horſe of Alexander the great, ſo long as he was naked, woulde ſuffer any man to backe him; but if he were furniſhed with the royall ſaddle, bridle, and other furniture, then grew he ſo proude, that no man might ride him but the King: ſo many, who in their meane calling were modeſt, humble & vertuous, by increaſe of honor, hauehave changed their modeſtie into arrogancie, their humilitie into pride, and their vertues into vices: ſo that worldly honor, may well be tearmed; The Chaire of Iniquitie.
A remedie againſt the temptation of worldly riches and wealth. Sect III
WOrldly wealth, is nota2. Cor. 6.10 the true riches of Gods children, nor theb1. Pet. 1.4 inheritance that Ieſus Chriſt hath purchaſed for them: for hiscIohn 18.36 kingdome (which is the riches which we expect) is not of this world, but ſpirituall and heauenly. Ieſus Chriſt isdMatth. 27.11 King of this Kingdome; but what temporall goods hath he purchaſed or poſſeſſed, being in this world; whereas he had not ſo much, as the littleeMatth. 8.20 birdes and foxes had? hee had neither neſt, nor hole to hide his head in. And the Apoſtles, who are thefMatth. 19.28 Peeres and Princes of this Kingdome, what reuenues or poſſeſſions had they in this world? Peter ſaid vntounto the lame creeple,gActes 3.6 Siluer and gold hauehave I none. Paul alſo ſaith, we areh1. Cor. 6.10 as poore, and yet make manie rich, as hauing nothing, and yet poſſeſſing all things. So then,iApoc. 21.7. &c the glory, the power, the eſtate, the riches, the wealth, the pleaſures, the peace, and all the felicitie wherewith God enricheth his children, are notkIohn 18.36 earthly and corruptible, ſubiect vntountolMatth. 6.19 theeues and ruſt; butm1. Cor. 5.1 heauenly, ſpirituall, and durable, which God giueth vntounto vsusnEſay 55.1 freely, without money, or any thing elſe. Theſe are the goods which we are to eſteeme, and to make much of; the Grace of God, our Adoption, Faith; the Word of God, Hope, LoueLove, Patience, Humilitie, and eſpecially theoPhilip. 3.9 Righteouſnes of Ieſus Chriſt, which is the Fountaine, from whence all the reſt of Gods graces, fauors and bleſſings, that he beſtoweth vponupon vsus, do flow, and are deriued vntounto vsus: this is our wealth, our chiefe felicitie, andp1. Cor. 1.30 end of our bleſſedneſſe. As for worldly riches, Ieſus Chriſt affirming that theyqMatth. 13.22 choake the good corne of Gods word, inſinuateth that they are like a wanton ſtrumpet, who by her beautie allureth men to luſt after her, and depriueth ſuch as giuegive themſelues to enioy her, of all vertue, honor, & honeſtie; and like vntounto wine, which by the ſweetneſſe thereof enticeth man to exceſſiue drinking, yet withall, it taketh the man from himſelfe, that is, it bereaueth him of his ſenſes and reaſon. As thoſe mountaines that containe mines of gold and ſiluer, are otherwiſe barren and vnfruitfull: ſo they that hauehave riches, and vaines of gold and ſiluer, are barren and vnprofitable to the ſeruice of God and man; for riches do breederLuke 12.19 pride and arrogancie, pleaſures and pompe, contempt of others, and forgetfulneſſe of God. They may be compared to wild beaſts, whom a man can hardly take, and when he hath taken them, he muſt take great care how to keepe them from doing miſchiefe. They are as pleaſant wine to a drunkard, and as a ſword in a madde mans hand, to vſe rather to hurt, then to do good.sProu. 28.20 He that maketh haſte to be rich, shall not be innocent, ſaith Salomon; for as thornes are hardly gathered without pricking of the hands; ſo cannot riches without wounding of the conſcience. As he that trauaileth in the raine, ſhal hardly eſcape wetting, or hee that walketh in the Sunne eſchew heate; ſo it is almoſt vnpoſſible for a rich man to auoid vice and corruption by his riches: whereupon Chriſt ſpeaketh,tMarke 10.23 How hardly do they that hauehave riches enter into the kingdome of God! and, though hee expoundeth this ſpeech afterwardes, ſaying,uMarke 10.24 Children, how hard is it for them that truſt in riches, to enter into the kingdome of God! Yet hee addethxMarke 10.25 It is eaſier for a cable-rope to go through the eie of a needle, then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of God: declaring how difficult it is for a rich man to eſcape confidence in his riches, and conſequently to enter into the kingdome of God. Wherefore then ſhould we be ſo loath to forſake thoſe things, which are ſo farre from giuing contentment, and making vsus happie, that contrariwiſe they engender a thouſand ſorrowes and cares, and ſo make vsus moſt miſerable & wretched? O let vsus take no more care, but for what will ſerue our turne fory1. Tim. 6.8 food and rayment, hauing alwaies in mind the parable of him that ſaidzLuke 12.19 Soule, thou haſt much goods laid vp for manie yeeres, liue at eaſe, eate, drinke, and take thy paſtime: who for putting truſt in his riches, is iuſtly condemned.
Another Remedie againſt the ſame Temptation. Sect. IIII.
MOreouer, we muſt conſider, that theſeaProu. 22.2. 1. Sam. 2.7 riches & worldly poſſeſſions, which we louelove ſo heartily, be not our owne proper goods, but lent vsus; ouer which we arebLuke 16.2 Bayliffes and Stewards, and not Lords and Maſters: which when the time of our ſtewardſhip is expired,cPſalme 109.8 others muſt diſpoſe and rule. For GoddGeneſis 1.1 created heauen and earth; ePſalme 24.1the earth is the Lords, and all that therein is, the world, and they that dwell therein: Therefore God himſelfe is the true and properfGen. 14.22 owner of our riches and poſſeſſions, and wee, the inhabitants of the earth, are the Bayliffes and Tillers of the ſame. And leſt men ſhoulde ſuppoſe, that the earth becommeth fruitfull by their manuring, and husbandrie, it bringeth forth nothinggPſalme 147.8 without the dewe of heauen and raine. Whereupon, to bring vsus to the acknowledgement hereof, GodhLeuit. 23.10 deut. 26.10 required of the children of Iſrael, the firſt fruites of the land, which he had giuen them; thereby ſignifying, that hee himſelfe was the proper Lord of their wealth and poſſeſſions, and that they were the rulers and diſpoſers of the ſame vnderunder God. Now then, ſeeing theſeiIob 1.21 riches are not our owne proper goods, we muſt further acknowledge, that we muſt bekLuke 16.2 accountable for the leaſt farthing which we hauehave receiued of God; after what maner we came by it, how and to what vſe we hauehave beſtowed and ſpent it? They that hauehave receiued moſt, muſt make the greateſt accompt, and of thoſe that hauehave receiued leaſt, the accompt ſhall be leſſe. This doctrine is plainely declared, in the parable of thelLuke 16.1 Richman, and the Steward; wherein is ſhewed, that no man, of what ſtate or condition ſouer hee be, is Lord of his owne riches or ſubſtance, but the ſteward and diſpoſer of it, accountable vntounto God for all things: for at the day of iudgement, eueryevery man ſhall heare this voyce ſpeaking vntounto himſelfe,mLuke 16.2 GiueGive accompt of thy ſtewardship. Wherefore it behooueth men, ſo to poſſeſſe their riches, that their richesnPſal. 62.10 poſſeſſe not them, and ſo to diſpoſe of themſelues, that they be as ready and as willing, too1. Cor. 7.30, 31 leaue them, as to receiue them; and topIob 1.21 bleſſe the name of the Lord, as well in the one as in the other, as Iob did. Looke lib. 2. chap. 5. Sect. 9.
Teſtimonies out of the word of God, againſt the vanities of worldly wealth. Sect. V
IOb, He hath deuoured ſubstance,Iob 2.15 and he ſhall vomite it, for God ſhall draw it out of his belly.
If I had made gold mine hope,Iob 31.24 or hauehave ſayd to the wedge of golde, Thou arte my confidence: If I reioyced becauſe my ſubſtance was great,25 or bicauſe mine hand had gotten much. This alſo had bin an iniquitie to be condemned, for I had denyed the God aboue.
Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked ſhal I returne thither.Iob 1.21
When the rich man ſleepeth,Iob 27.19 he ſhal not be gathered to his fathers.
Dauid, Be not vaine,Pſalme 62.10 if riches encreaſe, ſet not your heart thereon.
They truſt in their goodes,Pſalme 49.6 and boaſt themſelues in the multitude of their riches. Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother,7 hee cannot giuegive his raunſome to God.
Solomon, The treaſures of wickedneſſe profite nothing.Prouer. 10.2 Riches auaile not in the day of wrath.Prou. 11.4 He that trusteth in his riches ſhal periſh.28
Better is a little with the feare of the Lord,Prou. 15.16 than great treaſure, and trouble therewith.
An heretage is hastily gotten at the beginning,Prou. 20.21 but the ende thereof ſhal not be bleſſed.
Better is the poore that walketh in his vprightneſſe,Prou. 28.6 than hee that peruerteth his wayes,Prou. 23.20 though he be rich: he that maketh haſte to be rich, ſhal not be innocent.
Vanitie of vanities,Eccleſ. 1.2 all is vanitie.
He that loueth ſiluer,Eccleſ. 5.9 ſhal not be ſatisfied with ſiluer, and he that loueth riches, ſhalbe without the fruit thereof: This alſo is vanitie.12 There is an euil ſickenes that I hauehave ſeen vnderunder the Sun, to wit, riches reſerued to the owners therof for their euil.
Ezechiel, They ſhal caſt their ſiluer in the ſtreetes,Ezech. 7.19 and their golde ſhal be caſt farre off: their ſiluer and their golde cannot deliuer them in the day of the wrath of the Lord, they ſhal not ſatisfie their ſoules, neither fil their bowels, for their ruine is for their iniquitie.
Amos, They know not to doe right,Amos 3.10 ſaith the Lord, they ſtore vp violence and robbery in their palaces.
Woe to them that are at eaſe in Tſion,Amos 6.1 and truſt in the mountaines of Samaria.
Micah, Micah. 6.10Are yet the treaſures of wickedneſſe in the houſe of the wicked? and the ſcant of meaſure which is abhominable?
Zephaniah, Neither their ſiluer,Zeph. 1.18 nor their golde ſhall bee able to deliuer them from the day of the Lordes wrath.
Ieſus Chriſt, Matth. 6.19Lay not vp treaſures for your ſelues vponupon the earth, wher the moth and canker corrupteth, and where theeues digge through and ſteale. But lay vp treaſures for your ſelues in heauen, where neither the moath, nor canker corrupteth, and where theeues, neither digge through nor ſteale.
You cannot ſerue God and Riches.24
A rich man ſhal hardly enter into the kingdome of heauen.Matth. 19.23 24And againe I ſaye vntounto you:Marke 10.24, 25 luke 18.24, 25 It is eaſier for a cable rope to go through the eie of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of God.
The cares of this world,Marke 4.19 matth. 13.22 luke 8.14 and the deceitfulneſſe of riches, and the luſtes of other things enter in, and choake the word, and it is vnfruitfull.
Woe bee to you that are rich,Luke 6.24 for you hauehave receiued your conſolation.
Take heede and beware of couetouſnes;Luke 12.15 for though a man hauehave aboundance, yet his life ſtandeth not in his riches. Read the parable folowing in the ſame place, and thinke on it.
Paul, 1. Cor. 7.29And this I ſay, Brethren, becauſe the time is ſhort, hereafter that both they which hauehave wiues, bee as though they had none: And they that weepe, as though they wept not,30 and they that reioyce, as though they reioyced not: and they that buy, as though they poſſeſſed not. And they that vſe this world,31 as though they vſed it not: for the faſhion of this worlde goeth away.
We brought nothing into the world,1. Tim. 6.7 and it is certaine that we can cary nothing out. Therfore when we hauehave food & raiment,8 let vsus therewith be content. For they that wil be rich, fall into temptation and ſnares,9 and into many fooliſh and noyſome luſtes, which drowne men in perdition & deſtruction. For the deſire of money is the roote of all euill.10
Charge them that are rich in the world, that they be not high-minded,1. Tim. 6.17 & that they truſt not in vncertaine riches, but in the liuing God, which giueth vsus aboundantly all things to enioy. That they doe good,18 and be rich in good works, and ready to deſtribute and communicate:19 laying vp in ſtore for themſelues, a good foundation againſt the time to come, that they may obtaine eternall life.
Iames, Iames 5.1Go to now ye rich men, weepe and howle for your miſeries that ſhal come vponupon you:2 your riches are corrupt, and your garments are moth-eaten:3 your gold and ſiluer is cankered, and the ruſt of them ſhalbe a witnes againſt you, and ſhal eate your fleſh as it were fire.
Iohn, 1. Iohn 2.15LoueLove not the worlde, neither the things that are in the world: if any man louelove the worlde, the louelove of the Father is not in him:16 For all that is in the world (as the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life) is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the worlde paſſeth away, and the luſt thereof: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth for euer.
A remedie againſt the temptation of worldlie pleaſures. Sect. VI
SOmeaEccl. 1.2, 3, 4 &c. ſeeke after the pleaſures and contentment of their fleſh; ſome delight in building of manſions and great houſes; others take pleaſure in faire gardens, orchards, allies, and arbors; ſome proudly attire themſelues, others delight in adorning their houſes; ſome take their felicitie in eating & drinking; others in pleaſant companie, where they may laugh and be merrie; ſome louelove to dance and to dallie, other to tranſcend the bounds of honeſtie: Of theſe and ſuch other wanton worldlings Solomon ſaith,bEccl. 11.9 Reioice O yong-man in thy youth, and let thine heart cheere thee in the daies of thy youth, and walke in the waie of thine heart, and in the ſight of thine eies: But that after-clap, that dolefull Item marres the market, but know, that for all theſe things, God will bring thee to iudgement. Then, who will not ſhiuer in himſelfe? who wil not willingly forſake thoſe pleſures, whoſe end and fruite is,cRom. 6.21 The danger of worldly pleaſures ſhame and diſhonor, penury and loſſe of goods, which bring infinite ſickneſſes vntounto the body, and vntounto the ſpirite dulneſſe & blockiſhneſſe; which bring a contempt of vertue and honeſtie, a hatred of true religion and of God himſelfe; which make men effeminate, wanton, diſdainefull, yea, and ſo beſotted that they are like vntounto beaſts? pleſure & ſorow are twins, for Pleaſure is no ſooner hatched, hut Repeutance is at hand ready to ſupplant her; and therefore it is like a ſmile which preſently is turned into ſorrow and teares; or like a dreame, the ioy whereof at a mans waking vaniſheth away: ſo pleaſure flieth and ſlideth away, leauing rather cauſe of repentance then occaſion of remembrance. It may bee compared to a painted ſepulcher, faire without and foule within; to pills, outwardly fairely guilt, and rowled in ſugar, but within full of bitterneſſe; yet pilles doe vent and purge the body, but pleaſures corrupt and poyſon both body and ſoule. They reſemble the Syrens, beautifull aboue, but if you look on the hinder part, they hauehave the taile of a Scorpion, which giueth ſuch a ſore ſtroke, that it benummeth our bodies, and ſtingeth our ſoules to death. They are like venome or ſtrong poyſon, tempered with hypocras or ſweete milke. Pleaſure is a gulfe or fire that deuoureth a mans ſubſtance, defileth his body, and killeth his ſoule; It is a path to all wicked practiſes, and the cauſe why the worde of God doth notdLuke 18.14 fructifie in our hearts; foreRom. 8.8 they that are in the flesh cannot pleaſe God, fRom. 6.16know ye not, that to whomſoeuer ye giuegive your ſelues as ſeruants to obey, his ſeruants ye are to whom ye obey, whether it be of ſinne vntounto death, or of obedience vntounto righteouſneſſe? Now let vsus enter into our owne hearts and conſciences, let vsus examine our ſelues whether we take more delight in thoſe things wherewith the diuell is moſt delighted, in laſciouſneſſe, in pride, in quaffing, and other ſinnes, then in honeſt behauiour, in humilitie, in ſobrietie and in godlines? If we find our ſelues ſubiects and ſlaues vntounto theſe ſatanicall ſuggeſtions, thengRom. 6.23 death and damnation is our due, then our lodging, our pallace, and our manſion-houſe ſhall be in that place which burneth with fire and brimſtone, where ishMatth. 25.30 howling and crying, weeping and gnaſhing of teeth, where theiEſay 30.33 luke 3.17 vnquenchable fire of Gods furie contiunaly burneth, where thekEſay 66.24 incurable worm of conſcience euer ſtingeth, & where thelLuke 16.23 vntollerable torments of deſperat minds alwaies continue. PleaſuremEſay 1.4 prouoketh the anger of GOD, itnEſay 59.2 ſeparateth his louelove from man, itoIeremie 5.29 haſteneth his iuſtice, itpEſay 59.13 procureth perpetuall deſtruction. Pleaſure was theqGeneſis 3.6 bane of Adam and his poſteritie, the deſtruction of therGeneſis 7.17 old world, the ouerthrow ofsGeneſis 19.24 Sodom, the ruine of thetGeneſis 34.27 Sichemites, and the perdition of theuIudg. 20.35. Beniamites: why then ſhould we be ſo beſotted with theſe worldly pleaſures, ſeeing by death we ſhall enioy eternall and euerlaſting ioyes in heauen?
A remedie againſt the temptation of vnwillingneſſe to forſake wife, children and friends. Sect. VII
Howſoeuer we be left and forſaken, or rather ſequeſtred and ſeparated from our vviues and children; yet are we not forſaken ofaEſay 41.9 eſay 54.10 God, & of his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt our Sauiour,bIohn 6.37 Him that commeth vntounto me (ſaith Chriſt) I caſt not awaie. cIohn 6.39This is the Fathers will which hath ſent me, that of all which he hatth giuen me, I should looſe nothing, but should raiſe it vp againe at the laſt daie. dIohn 10.28And I giuegive vntounto them eternall life, and they ſhal neuer perish, neither shall anie plucke them out of mine hande. As Elkanah ſayde vntounto Annah:e1. Sam. 1.8 Why weepeſt thou? am not I better vntounto thee then ten ſonnes? So, why ſhould we be ſorie to leaue wife, children and friendes? Is not Chriſt better vntounto vsus then ten wiues, ſo many children, ſo many friends? Yea, then ten thouſand times ſo many?fDeut. 33.9 He that ſaith vntounto his father and mother, I ſee you not, and to his brethren, and to his owne children, I know you not, he obſerueth the worde of the Lorde and keepeth his couenant. Wherevpon Chriſt ſaith,gMatth. 10.37 He that loueth father or mother more then me, is not worthie of me: and he that loueth ſonne or daughter more then me is not worthie of me: hMatth. 10.38and he that taketh not vp his croſſe and followeth me, is not worthie of me: iLuke 14.26if anie man come vntounto me and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and ſiſters, yea, and his owne life alſo, he cannot be my Diſciple. How we muſt hate our parents.Howbeit we muſt remember that this hate is the hate of diſſimulation, not of perſecution, the hate of auoyding, not of annoying, the hate of godlineſſe, not of cruelneſſe; when we doe not giuegive eare vntounto them, or regard their Syren-like perſwaſions, when they ſeeme to withdraw vsus from the ſeruice of God, and from doing of ſuch things as he commaunds. Moreouer, we muſt conſider, that we, our wiues, our children, and frends, are al, as it werekGen. 47.9 heb. 11.13 trauelers going forth of this world, we take our voyage together, and if we goe a little before, they ſhall ſhortly folow after. Wherefore, as at the beginning of our mariage or acquaintāce, welMatth. 19.5 left father & mother, and did cleaue to our wiues: ſo now it ought not to grieue vsus to leaue them, and to returne vntounto God, who is better vntounto vsus then father, mother, wife, children, friend, or any thing elſe.
That though a man die in debt, yet he ſhould not feare death. Sect. VIII
Obiection.
O But my debt is great; if I die now, then when I am dead, my creditors wil come and ſeize vponupon al that I hauehave, ſo cruel they are, and ſo mercileſſe, and ſo ſhal my poore wife and children be vndone for euer: Oh I woulde God I might liue to be out of debt, and leaue my wife and children free, though I left them little or nothing beſide. Alas, how ſhall I doe? Nay, how ſhall they doe? Little I hauehave, and euen that little ſhal be taken from them: my wife ſhal be conſtrained to beſtow her ſelfe againſt her owne liking, and contrary to her affection, euen for very neede: and my children ſhall either begge, or endure ſome ſeruile ſlauerie, vnderunder ſome rigorous and cruell maſters and miſtreſſes. This is it that tormenteth my heart, this pincheth me ſore, and pearceth euen my very ſoule, when I thinke of it: and how can I but thinke vponupon my deere & neere ones both night & day?
Anſwere.
YOu cannot commit your wife and children into the hands of a more faithfull Guardian and Ouerſeer then God is. Hee will take them into hisaPſal. 146.9 deut. 10.18 pſa. 9.9 pſ. 10.17 pſal. 68.5. pro. 22 23. malac. 3.5 protection, he promiſeth that he will hauehave a particular care ouer them, he will defend and maintaine them againſt all oppreſſors, & wil powre out a fearefull vengeance vponupon the wrongs, outrages, and iniuries that ſhall be done vntounto them, he will neuer forſake them. O then be not diſcoraged, faint not,bPſal. 55.22 Caſt thy burden vponupon the Lord (ſayth Dauid) and he shall nourish thee, he will not ſuffer the righteous to fall for euer. c1. Pet. 5.7Caſt your care vponupon him for he careth for you, ſaith the Apoſtle.dIob 39.3 pſal. 147.9 luke 12.24 He feedeth the yong rauens, eLuke 12.27he clotheth the lillies, how much more will he feede and clothe his children? What can care profit you? What can thought auaile you?fLuke 12.25 Which of you by taking thought (ſaith Chriſt) can adde to his ſtature one cubite? g26If then he be not able to doe the leaſt thing why take you thought for raiment? h29Therefore aske not what ſhall ye eate, or what ye ſhall drinke: i30your father knoweth that ye hauehave need of theſe things. Let this ſtay and ſtrengthen you, let this alwaies comfort and cheriſh you, that God iskPſalme 68.5 mat. 6.9 luk. 11.2 galat. 4.6. deut. 32.6. eſay 63.16 2. Eſdr. 12.29 1. corint. 6.18 matth. 23.9 your father, yea the father of your wife and children, that he knoweth your caſe, and what you and yours hauehave neede of: therefore he wil in due time prouide all neceſſaries for his children; for he is both willing and able to doe it, and his care ſhall effect that that yours neuer can. See the experience hereof in the like caſe, and be comforted by it. One of thel2. Kings 4.1 ſonnes of the Prophets, being in debt, not by reaſon of any vnthriftineſſe, or prodigalitie (for he was a man that feared the Lord) but by the hand of God: died, leauing his poore wife and children to the cruelty of the Creditor, who came fiercely to take away the childrē from their mother, to anſwere the debt by bondage. This was a heauie croſſe to a man that feared the Lorde, to liue in debt, and to die in debt; eſpecially when debt to his poore wife and children was ſo daungerous. Well, how did the poore widow and the orphans? How eſcaped they this danger? Euen the mercifull prouidence of God, which ismPſalme 37.25 euer good vntounto them that feare him, ſo increaſed that littlen2. Kings 4.7 oyle which ſhe had in her pitcher, that it payd her Creditor, and yeelded her maintenaunce to maintaine her ſelfe and her children: Now then thinke vponupon this comfortable ſtorie, and know, that God is not the God of this man alone, nor of this widow and orphans onelyonly, but he is your God, and the God and Father of all the faithfull. Wherefore grieue not to die, ſeeing God will hauehave it ſo; committe your vvife, children and friends vntounto God, and he vvill protect them:oPſalme 23.1 they that hauehave the Lord for their Shepheard, ſhall want nothing.
Teſtimonies of holy Scripture, touching the care that God hath ouer widowes and fatherleſſe children. Sect. IX
MOſes, Exodus 22.22Ye ſhall not trouble any widow, nor fatherleſſe child.
The Lord doth right vntounto the fatherleſſe and widow.Deut. 10.18.
Thou ſhalt not peruert the right of the ſtranger,Deut. 24.17 nor of the fatherleſſe, nor take the widowes rayment to pledge.
When thou cutteſt downe thine harueſt in thy field,19 and haſt forgotten a ſheafe in thy field, thou ſhalt not goe to fetch it, but it ſhall be for the ſtranger, for the fatherleſſe, and for the widow, that the Lord thy God may bleſſe thee in all the works of thine hands.20 When thou beateſt thine Oliue tree, thou ſhalt not go ouer the boughs againe, but it ſhall be for the ſtranger, for the fatherleſſe, and for the widow. When thou gathereſt thy vineyard,21 thou ſhalt not gather the grapes cleane after thee, but they ſhall be for the ſtranger, for the fatherleſſe and for the widow.
Curſed be he that hindereth the right of the ſtranger,Deut. 27.19 the fatherleſſe and the widow. And all the people ſhall ſay, So be it.
Iob, Iob 24.3They leade away the Aſſe (ſpeaking of the wicked) of the fatherleſſe, and take the widowes Oxe to pledge.
If I reſtrained the poore of their deſire,Iob 31.16 or hauehave cauſed the eyes of the widow to faile.21 If I hauehave lift vp my hand againſt the fatherleſſe, when I ſaw that I might helpe him in the gate:22 Let my arme fall from my ſhoulder, and mine arme be broken from the bone.
Dauid, Pſalme 9.9The Lord will be a refuge for the poore, a refuge in due time, euen in affliction.
Lord thou haſt heard the deſire of the poore,Pſalme 10.17 thou prepareſt their heart, thou bendeſt thine eare to them.
To iudge the fatherleſſe and poore,28 that earthly man cauſe to feare no more.
Behold,Pſalme 33.18 the eie of the Lord is vponupon them that feare him, and vponupon them that truſt in his mercy:19 To deliuer their ſoules from death, and to preſerue them in famine.
The poore man cried,Pſalme 34.6 and the Lord heard him, and ſaued him out of all his troubles.9 Nothing wanteth to them that feare him. They that ſeeke the Lorde,10 ſhall want nothing that is good.
I hauehave bin young, and am old:Pſalme 37.25 yet I ſaw neuer the righteous forſaken, nor his ſeede begging hread.
Do right to the poore and fatherleſſe,Pſalme 82.3 do iuſtice to the poore and needy. Deliuer the poore and needy:4 ſaue them from the hand of the wicked.
The Lord keepeth the ſtrangers,Pſalme 146.9 he relieueth the fatherleſſe and widow: but he ouerthroweth the way of the wicked.
He is a Father of the fatherleſſe,Pſalme 68.5 and a Iudge of the widowes, euen God in his holy habitation.
Salomon, Prouerbs 23.10Remoue not the ancient boundes, and enter not into the field of the fatherleſſe:11 for he that redeemeth them, is mightie, he will defend their cauſe againſt thee.
The Lord will defend their cauſe,Prouerbs 22.23 and ſpoyle the ſoule of thoſe that ſpoyle them.
Iſaiah, Eſay 1.17Learne to do wel, ſeeke iudgement, relieue the oppreſſed, iudge the fatherleſſe, and defend the widow.
Ieremiah, Ieremie 22.3Thus ſaith the Lord, execute ye iudgement and righteouſneſſe, and deliuer the oppreſſed from the hand of the oppreſſour, and vexe not the ſtranger, the fatherleſſe, nor the widow.
Leaue thy fatherleſſe children, and I will preſerue them aliue,Ieremie 49.11 and let thy widowes truſt in me.
Zechariah, Zechar. 7.10Oppreſſe not the widow nor the fatherleſſe, the ſtranger nor the poore, and let none of you imagine euill againſt his brother in your heart.
Malachi, Malach. 3.5I will come neere to you to iudgement, and I will be a ſwift witnes. against thoſe that vexe the widow and fatherleſſe, and oppreſſe the ſtranger, and feare not me, ſaith the Lord of hostes.
Ieſus Chriſt, I ſay vntounto you,Matth. 6.25 be not carefull for your life, what ye ſhall eate, or what ye ſhall drinke, nor yet for your body, what ye ſhall put on. Is not the life more worth then meate? and the body then rayment?26 Behold the foules of the heauen, for they ſowe not, neither reape, nor carrie into the barnes, yet your heauenly Father feedeth them: Are ye not much better then they?28 And why care you for rayment? Learne how the lillies of the field do grow, they are neyther wearied, nor ſpinne. Yet I ſay vntounto you,29 that euen Salomon in all his glory, was not arayed like one of theſe.30 Wherfore, if God ſo clothe the graſſe of the field, which is to day, and to morrow is cast into the ouen, ſhal he not do much more vntounto you, O yee of little faith? Therefore take no thought,31 ſaying, What ſhal we eate? or what ſhal we drinke? or wherewith ſhal we be clothed?32 (For after theſe things ſeeke the Gentiles) for your heauenly Father knoweth that you hauehave neede of all theſe things.33 But ſeeke ye first the kingdome of God, and his righteouſnes, and al theſe things ſhal be ministred vntounto you.Iohn 14.18 I wil not leaue you fatherleſſe, but I wil come to you. See Matth. 23.14.
Paul, Philip. 4.5The Lord is at hand: be nothing careful, but in all things let your requests be ſhewed vntounto God, in prayer, and ſupplication, with giuing of thankes.
Let your conuerſation be without couetouſnes,Hebr. 13.5 ioſh. 1.9 and be content with thoſe things that you hauehave, for he hath ſayde, I will not faile thee,Hebr. 13.7 pſal. 118.6 neyther forſake thee. So that we may boldly ſay; The Lord is my helper.
Iames, Iames 1.2…Pure religion and vndefiled before God euen the Father is this, to viſit the fatherleſſe and widows in their aduerſitie, and to keepe himſelfe vnſpotted of the world.