A Strange Vineyard in Palestine, Exposition (3 of 7)

A Strange Vineyard in Palestine · Exposition (3 of 7)

p. 93And ſo much of the Huſbandman: A word or two of his Poſſeſſion.

Hath a Vineyard] This Vineyard is the Church, Text.as we hauehave ſeene before, together with the reaſons of the ſimilitude: The obſeru…tion is,

The Church is Gods heritage.Doct. The Church is Gods inheritance. For the further proofe thus we reade; nnDeut. 9. 26, 29.Deut 9:26Deut 9:29Deſtroy not thy people and thine inheritance which thou haſt redeemed: Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughteſt out.ooCap. 32. 9. The Lords portion is his people, Iacob is the lot of his inheritance. pp1 Sam. 10. 1.1 Sam 10:1The Lord hath anointed thee to be Captaine of his inheritance (ſaid Samuel to Saul.)qq1 Sam. 26. 19.1 Sam 26:19 They hauehave driuen me this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord (ſaith Dauid.)rr2 Sam. 20. 19.2 Sam 20:19 Why wilt thou ſwallow vp the inheritance of the Lord (ſaid that ſame wiſe woman vntounto Ioab when he battered the walls of Abel.) ſſPſal. 74. 2.Ps 74:2Remember thy congregation which thou haſt purchaſed of old, the rod of thine inheritance, this Mount Sion wherein thou haſt dwelt (ſaith the Pſalmiſt.) And againe, ttPſal. 28. 9.Ps 28:9Saue thy people and bleſſe thine inheritance, feed them alſo, and li…t them vp for euer. Yea the Lord of Hoaſts ſhall bleſſe ſaying, uuIſai. 19. 25. Reade Pſal. 33. 12. & 78 70, 71. & 79. 1, 13. & 94. 5. & 106. 5, 40. Iſ. 47. 6. Ier. 2. 7. & 3. 19. & 12. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 3.Isa 19:25Ps 33:12Ps 78:70Ps 78:71Ps 79:1Ps 79:13Ps 94:5Ps 106:5Ps 106:40Isa 47:6Jer 2:7Jer 3:19Jer 12:71 Pet 5:3Bleſſed be Aegypt my people, and Iſrael my inheritance.

Now for Vſe;Ʋſe 1. let vsus hence take notice, whence it is that the deuill doth ſo moleſt the Church; and ſee the reaſon why the wicked doe ſo afflict her: It is not ſo properly for their owne ſake as for the owners: They maligne and ſpight it, becauſe God doth countenance and grace it, as being the Lord and poſſeſſor of it. An enuious man we know will miſchiefe the bruit beaſt of p. 94him he beares a ſpleene vntounto; and will not ſticke to wrong his very dogge, and all to deſpight the owner. Doſt thou then perſecute the Church, or any member of the Church? The more wretch thou, for let me tell thee, thy hate is not originally and properly to them, (pretend what thou wilt pretend) but to God himſelfe, whoſe inheritance they are.

And ſecondly,Ʋſe 2. ſeeing the Church is Gods inheritance and peculiar poſſeſſion, let none that profeſſe themſelues to be of the Church, giuegive themſelues from him to any other; but let vsus liue to him, and die to him, for whoſe vſe we are encloſed.**1 Cor. 6. 19, 20.1 Cor 6:191 Cor 6:20 Yee are not your owne, therefore glorifie God in your ſoules and bodies (ſaith the Apoſtle) for they are his. If his; then not the worlds; nor the fleſhes; nor the deuils. Why then doe we ſuffer theſe or any of theſe to ſowe tares and corrupt ſeed in Gods cloſures? Why doe wee endure the plants of wickedneſſe to be ſet in his field? And why doe wee bring forth fruit vntounto our ſelues or any other, rather than vntounto him? Remember whoſe thou art, or at leaſtwiſe doſt profeſſe thy ſelfe to be; and be no longer for the weeds of ſinne; nor for voluptuous pleaſures to feed on, as bullocks doe on paſture land; but be thou Gods garden of ſweet flowers; his Vineyard of fruitfull grapes; and bring all vntounto him for firſt fruits and tenths, that thou maiſt be his bleſſed land and poſſeſſion for euermore.

Laſtly,Vſe 3. this may aſſure vsus for our comfort, that ſeeing we are his heritage, he will not eaſily leaue vsus nor forſake vsus, if we bring forth fruit vntounto him.xx1 King. 21. 2, 3.1 Kgs 21:21 Kgs 21:3 Naboth could not be drawne to part with the inheritance of his Fathers, though Ahab made him neuer ſo large proffers for it; and much leſſe will God who gaue it for a law and ordinance,yyLeuit. 25. 25.Lev 25:25 that none ſhould ſell away their inheritance for euer; but if in caſe that any of his people had ſold away any part thereof, then he or his kinne ſhould redeeme it againe if they were able: And in caſe of p. 95inabilitie, that which was ſold ſhould remaine in the hand of him that bought it vntill the yeere of Iubile; in which yeere it ſhould goe out, and then eueryevery man ſhould returne againe vntounto his owne poſſeſſion. Surely he that made this law will bee mindfull of it, and will not eaſily be driuen to giuegive ouer his owne inheritance which he hath choſen: And if in caſe (for the barrenneſſe thereof) he ſhould forſake it for a time (as hee did this people Iſrael) yet it would bee but for a time, and not perpetuall: in the end he will returne againe vntounto his owne. And thus much briefly for this point.

Now further, in that the Prophet ſpeaketh in the Preſent tenſe, My beloued [hath] a Vineyard: Albeit the whole Church of Iſrael and Iudah was at this time ſo generally corrupted, as that from the Crowne of the head to the ſole of the foot, there was nothing found but wounds, ſwellings and ſores, full of corruption (zzCap. 1. ver. 5. as he had before teſtified) wee doe obſerue, that

Albeit a Church bee corrupted with error and idolatry,Doct. A true Church may be corrupted with error & idolatry. yet it is ſtill to be accounted Gods Church, till he hauehave diuorced and forſaken her.

Thus in the daies of Ely aa1 Sam. 2. 24. 29.1 Sam 2:241 Sam 2:29Iſrael was called Gods people; and ſo his Church, albeit they were not then ſeparated from all falſe waies, and Elyes ſonnes (ſons of Belial▪ ſaith the text,bbVer. 12. who knew not the Lord) remained amongſt them. So Moſes calleth Iſrael Gods people ccExod. 32. 11.Exod 32:11when he was vponupon the Mount, & yet at that time they were in the very act of their Idolatry, which was not vnknowne to Moſes, Verſ. 7, 8.for God himſelfe enformed him thereof. So in this our Prophets time,ddIſay 1. 21, 22, 29. & 2. 6, 8. & 65. 11. Cap. 1. 3.Isa 1:21Isa 1:22Isa 1:29Isa 2:6Isa 2:8Isa 65:11 albeit this people were ſunke deepe in rebellion and idolatry, yet for all that God himſelfe doth call them his people, Iſrael doth not know, My people doth not conſider. Turne wee our eyes from the eſtate of the Church in theſe times to after times, as it was vnderunder the Goſpell, and we ſhall ſee the truth of the point propounded. Looke vponupon Ieruſalem p. 96in our Sauiour Chriſts timeeeMat. 23. 37.Matt 23:37, and we ſhall ſee the eleuen Tribes were become Apoſtates, and the Church amongſt them was wonderfully corrupted both in Doctrine and manners, as appearethffMat. 5. 21.Matt 5:21 by our Sauiour Chriſts ſeuere reproofe of both; yea the Temple it ſelfe ggIohn 2. 14.John 2:14was almoſt become a den of theeues, full of buyers and ſellers. Yet at this time it was the true Church of God, elſe the Euangeliſt would neuer hauehave called ithhMat. 4. 5. & 27. 53.Matt 4:5Matt 27:53 the Holy City. In Saint Pauls timeii1 Cor. 1. 1, 2. Cap. 5. 1.1 Cor 1:11 Cor 1:2 the Corinthians were called the Church of God, and yet at that very inſtant ſome of them were in an hereſie;2 Cor. 12. 20, 21.2 Cor 12:202 Cor 12:21 others in inceſt, and otherſome that had not repented of their filthineſſe. Such was the eſtate of the Churches of Aſia kkReuel. 2. & 3.Rev 2, yet the title of true Churches were giuen to them.

Thoſe therefore that condemne the Church of England for a No-church,Vſe 1. and make a ſeparation from it in regard of the errours and corruptions that are in it, are farre from the ſpirit of Chriſt, and the Prophets and Apoſtles, who neuer made any ſchiſmaticall and bodily ſeparation from any true Church, for the corruptions (though groſſe) that were therein found. I deny not but blemiſhes are in eueryevery Church; (for what Church euer breathed in ſo pure an aire, as that it might not iuſtly complaine of ſome thicke and vnwholſome euaporations of error and ſinne?) but becauſe our Mother wants ſome beauty, hath ſhe loſt her face? Becauſe ſhe is blacke, hath ſhe no comelineſſe at all? What is it they charge vsus with, butllSee a little booke ſet forth by the Separatiſts of the confeſſion of their faith. with corruptions? (for fundamentall error they can diſcouer none.) Now doe corruptions in a man make a falſe man; or a corrupt man? So that though they make the worſt they can of our Church, they can make it but a corrupt Church, and not a falſe Church. We hauehave the true Word of God preached. the true Sacraments of Chriſt Ieſus adminiſtred, which all DiuinesmmBucer. Martyr. Fag…. Caluin. Beza. Bullinger. Zanchius. Iunius. Rollock. in all the reformed Churches in Chriſtendom, which noware or hauehave bin, do hold to be the infallible tokens of a true Church, and are reciprocally p. 97conuerted with the true Church: wee maintaine eueryevery point of the moſt ancient Creeds: we ouerthrow not the foundation by any conſequence. And as yet we hauehave not receiued a bill of diuorcement. As for Diſcipline (the want whereof they charge vsus with) our Church is not deſtitute of it altogether: I would wee had the execution of ſo much as our Church alloweth. Neither doe we deny but therein there may be ſome defects and wants, as appeares by thoſe words in the Booke of common Prayer:nnIn the commination. vntill the ſaid diſcipline may be reſtored. But doth it follow hereupon, that becauſe Diſcipline is wanting, the Church is fading, and that the infirmity of the one maketh a nullity of the other? That this is neceſſary for the well-being of a Church I grant; that it is neceſſary to the eſſence and being of a Church I vtterly deny: Neither will they euer be able to proue it by euidence of Gods Word. The Church of the Iewes thus ſaith of the Church of the Gentiles:ooCant. 8. 9.Song 8:9 If ſhe be a wall, wee will build vponupon her a Palace of ſiluer; and if ſhe be a doore, we will encloſe her with boords of Cedar. She calleth her a ſiſter, becauſe ſhe had a wall though not of ſiluer, and a doore though not of Cedar. So is our Church a ſiſter to all reformed Churches, though ſhe may hauehave ſome ſpots in externall matters: And our hope is, that her wall ſhall be made more coſtly, and ſiluer-like, and her doore of Cedar, in Gods good time. In the Interim,ppHeb. …. Forſake not the aſſembling of your ſelues together, as the manner of ſome is: but exhort one another, and ſo much the more as you ſee the day approaching. Whom thou canſt, amend; whom thou canſt not, tolerate; in any caſe beware of offring thy mother ſo great an iniury as to flye from her. Say ſhee were poore, ragged, weake; ſay ſhe were deformed; yet ſhe is not infectious: Or if ſhee were, yet ſhee is thine, which ſhould be motiue enough for thee to pitty her, to pray for her, to labour for her redreſſe, not to auoid her.

p. 98Before I end this point,Queſt. ſome haply may demand, what may be thought of the Church of Rome; whether is it to be accounted Gods Church, it being ſo corrupted with Idolatry as it is?

For anſwer whereto a diſtinction muſt be made:Anſw. Errors and corruptions in a Church are of two ſorts; either ſuch as concernes Manners, or ſuch as concerne Doctrine: As for corruption in Manners, they make not no Church, but a bad Church; and therefore in reſpect of them, they are not to be forſaken by vsus, neither to be accounted of, as no Church of God. For corruptions in Doctrine; they are either ſuch as are citra fundamentum, beſides the foundation; and theſe trouble: or circa fundamentum, about the foundation; and theſe ſhake: or contra fundamentum, againſt the foundation; and theſe ouerturne all. The two former are weakning errors, and doe not debarre them from being the true Church of God; being but theqq1 Cor. 3. 12.1 Cor 3:12 building of hay and ſtubble on the foundation; the ſtubble burnt (I meane not in their fire of Purgatorie) their ſoules may be ſaued. The latter are deſtroying errors; and in theſe, conſideration muſt be had, whether a Church erreth of weakneſſe, or of malice: If it be of weakneſſe, then are we not peremptorily to conclude againſt ſuch a Church; for S. Paul rrGal. 1. 2.Gal 1:2writes to the Galatians as a Church of God, though they were peruerted to another doctrine, embracing a fundamentall errour of iuſtification by works. But if it be of malice or affected ignorance, likeſſ2 Tim. 3. 8.2 Tim 3:8 Iannes and Iambres that withſtood Moſes▪ reſiſting the truth; then doth ſuch a Church ceaſe to be a Church, neither is it any longer to be reputed as a Church. Thus the Church of Rome doth wilfully and obſtinately deſtroy the foundation it ſelfe, and therefore may be concluded for no Church of God. And ſo much briefly for the Anſwer to the Queſtion, with which anſwer we end this point, and come vntounto another.

The Prophet doth not only ſpeake in the preſent p. 99tenſe [hath] but he alſo ſpeaketh in the ſingular number [Vineyard] not Vineyards: and thence we note,

The Church and Vineyard of God is but one.Doctr. The Church of God is but one. There are indeed ttCant. 6. 8.Song 6:8threeſcore Queenes, and foureſcore Concubines, and Virgins without number: but my Doue, my vndefiled is but one: She is the only one of her mother. Thus teſtifieth S. Paul;uu1 Cor. 12. 12.1 Cor 12:12 As the bodie is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one bodie being many, are one bodie; ſo alſo is Chriſt (that is, the Church.) Hitherto likewiſe tends that ſaying of our bleſſed Sauiour; **Iohn 10. 16.John 10:16Other ſheepe I hauehave which are not of this fold; them alſo muſt I bring, and they ſhall heare my voice; and there ſhall be one fold and one ſhepherd.

True it is, this one Church may hauehave many parts: As the Ocean Sea is but one, yet diſtinguiſhed according to the Regions vponupon which it lies: And ſo there is the Germane Ocean; the Spaniſh Ocean; the Engliſh Ocean; the Iriſh Ocean; and the like: And thus there is a Church in Geneua; a Church in France; a Church in Scotland; a Church in England; and yet but one militant Church vponupon the earth.

For as a Kingdome diuided into many Shires,Reaſon. and more Townes and Villages, is called one, becauſe it hath one and the ſame King, one and the ſame Law: So the Church is one, becauſe it liueth by one and the ſame Spirit; and is ruled by one and the ſame Lord; and profeſſeth one and the ſame faith; hath one and the ſame hope, and hath beene baptized with one and the ſame baptiſme, asxxEpheſ. 4. 4, 5.Eph 4:4Eph 4:5 S. Paul writing to the Epheſians declareth. And not one as tied to any one place; much leſſe to any one perſon, as the Popiſh Antichriſtian crew, who though they hauehave nothing in their mouths, ſo much as, The Church, the Church (and therein (like Oiſter wiues) doe outcry vsus) yet exceedingly infringe the liberties of the Church: for all of them hauehave made the Catholique Church to be nothing elſe but the Romane Church, andyyHaruaeus de poteſt. Papae cap. 23. See B. Iewels defence of Apolog. fol. 610. ſome of them hauehave made the Romane Church to p. 100be nothing elſe but the Pope: And this is their One. But now for Vſe.

This vnitie or oneneſſe of Gods Vineyard ſhould teach vsus all,Ʋſe. vnitie and concord, that profeſſe our ſelues to be of this Vineyard. And as in the naturall bodie there is a perpetuall ſympathie betweene all the parts, ſo ought there to be in this bodie myſticall;zz1 Cor. 12. 26.1 Cor 12:26 If one member ſuffer, all ſhould ſuffer with it; if one member be had in honour, all ſhould reioyce thereat. The eye muſt not ſay to the hand, I hauehave no need of thee; nor the head againe vntounto the feet, I hauehave no need of you; but eueryevery member ought to be helpfull to its fellow-members, & willingly yeeld to eueryevery one that which belongeth to them; and according to that of S. Peter, aa1 Pet. 4. 10.1 Pet 4:10As eueryevery man hath receiued the gift, euen ſo miniſter the ſame one vntounto another, as good ſtewards of the manifold grace of God. For as the incolumitie of the bodie depends vponupon the concord of the parts, in the mutuall performance of their duties; ſo the welfare of the Church, when we thus ſhew ourſelues to be members one of another: And therefore as God hath called vsus, ſo let vsus walke; whether we be Magiſtrates, Miniſters, or others. Art thou a Magiſtrate? Then thou as the head ſhouldſt rule and gouerne wiſely: woe be to the bodie, when the head is phrenzie, drunken, idle, or the like: ſee thou be not ſo; but as the head doth heare and ſee, taſte and ſmell for the good of the inferiour members; ſo ſhouldſt thou in that place wherein God hath ſet thee. Art thou a Miniſter? Then as the Heart thou ſhouldſt be the fountaine of life and vitall ſpirits; doctrine like dew ſhould diſtill from thy lips. Little ioy hauehave the other members, when the heart is ſicke or heauy. Art thou in meaner place; a Tradesman, Husbandman, or the like? then as the foot, ſee thou be ſound and ſeruiceable; being ready to goe or runne for the leaſt good that may betide the bodie. And that vnitie and louelove may the better be continued and maintained, let theſe euils be auoided.

p. 101Firſt, Enuie or repining at the gifts of others; a ſinne 1too common, and yet vnnaturall: for doth the foot enuie at the head, becauſe it is preferd before it, as more honourable? Or is it diſcontented, becauſe it is clad in leather, when it may be there is a chaine of gold about the necke, or a pretious ſtone vponupon the finger? Each member is apparelled and decked with ſuch ornaments and veſtures as are moſt ſeemely for it: A garter is vnſeemely about the necke; and ſo is a chaine about the leg. A foule fault then it muſt needs be, to enuie any in higher place, for that credit, honour, and reſpect which they hauehave aboue vsus.

Secondly, arrogancie and highmindedneſſe for any 2gift that is in vsus aboue our brethren. The eie is honoured with that neceſſary and noble ſenſe of ſeeing; and ſo is the eare with that worthy and needfull ſenſe of hearing; and the noſe is preferred before them both, in that profitable and vſefull ſenſe of ſmelling: Thus he that taketh place before all in ſome things, muſt be content to giuegive place and come behinde others in ſome things elſe. Let this cauſe thee to contemne none that are inferiour to thy ſelfe in ſhew.

Thirdly, curioſity or buſie medling with things belonging 3not vntounto vsus. The eie meddles not with hearing, nor the eare with ſeeing, nor the foot with either of them both, but each member knowes its owne office, and that it lookes to: So arrogate not to thy ſelfe any thing out of thy owne calling, but containe thy ſelfe within thy owne bounds and limits. If a more ſhould fall into the eie, were the foot a fit member to be thruſt into the eie to plucke it out? No, for though the foot be ſenſible of the trouble, yet it leaues the helping of it to the hand. It is neither fit nor comely for the people to meddle with the office of Magiſtrates, directing them how to gouerne; nor with the calling of Miniſters, teaching them how to preach. And therefore let all take the Apoſtles counſell, andbb1 Theſſ. 4. 11.1 Thess 4:11 ſtudy to be p. 102quiet, medling with our owne buſineſſe, leauing other things to whom they doe concerne.

For a ſecond vſe;Vſe 2. Is the Church but one? Then woe to ſuch as are authors or fautors of any diuiſion or ſeparation, and ſo breake the vnity of the Church. Such ſinne grieuouſly, as S. Paul ſheweth,cc1 Cor. 3. 3.1 Cor 3:3 writing to the Corinthians, and auoucheth that ſuch are carnall, and walke as men. What anſwer will Browniſts and Separatiſts make to God at the laſt day? Oh they were wicked Magiſtrates, vngodly Miniſters, &c. But if the head ake, doth the foot refuſe to beare it? Or if the eie be blemiſhed, doth the reſt of the members diſdaine it or contemne it? or whileſt it remaineth in the body, refuſe to hauehave fellowſhip with it? and renounce their owne part in the body becauſe of it? Me thinks this being well conſidered muſt needs conuince them. But of theſe before.

Hitherto I hauehave beene in the Propoſition of the Parable: The proſequution, explication, or narration of it followeth now to be handled, which beginneth at the latter end of the firſt verſe, and continueth to the end of the ſixth.

Wherein we hauehave laid downe to be conſidered; firſt, the Vineyards Plantation, in the latter part of the firſt and in the ſecond verſes; ſecondly, the Supplantation thereof, in the foure next.

In the firſt of theſe we hauehave two things to intreat of; as firſt, of the Vinitors great paines and coſt, which he beſtowed vponupon it; and ſecondly, of his iuſt expectation which he made, to receiue fruit from it.

His paines, coſt, and care, for this his Vineyards good, appeares in ſix ſundry particulars: Firſt, in the ſituation of it; for it grew, 1. vponupon a Hill, 2. vponupon a very fruitfull Hill, In an horne of the ſonne of oile (for ſo the words are) by which Hebraiſme is ſet forth the fatneſſe and fruitfulneſſe of the place: For by an horne is noteddd2 Sam. 22. 3. Pſal. 75. 4, 5. Luk. 1. 69.2 Sam 22:3Ps 75:4Ps 75:5Luke 1:69 ſtrength, power, and height, vſually in p. 103Scripture; and by oileeeIob 29. 6.Job 29:6 fatneſſe, and plenty; and by the ſonne of oile is meant, that which commeth of the oile, and is of it: A phraſe vſuall amongſt the Hebrewes. And ſo wee reade of the ſonne of daies; of the ſonne of death; of the ſonne of plenty, and the like. By this phraſe then is noted thus much, that they were excellendy ſeated,Muſcul. in loc. both for pleaſure and profit; and in ſo fruitfull a place as if it had beene the ſonne of oile, and borne of it.

Secondly, in the Protection of it, for hee fenced and encloſed it in ſtrongly, that it might not be waſted nor any way annoied.

Thirdly, in the Elapidation or Cleanſing of it: caſting out the ſtones, and preparing of the ſoile by purging it from all noiſome things.

Fourthly, in the Election or Chuſing of choice and nobleſt Plants; ſuch as were of the beſt kinde to ſet it with.

Fiftly, in the Fortification and further ſtrengthening it: for he built a Tower in the midſt thereof for the preſeruation of it.

Sixtly and laſtly, in the erection and ſetting vp a Winepreſſe in it, as being deſirous to ſupply all things that might be vſefull for it: So that by all theſe he teſtified, that his care for its good was very great. Before I come to ſpeake of theſe particulars, in generall obſerue we,

God is no way wanting or defectiue in any one point of good huſbandry towards his Church and Vineyard.Doctr. God is no way wanting in any point of good husbandrie for his Churches good.

Is any thing wanting in it? that he ſupplies: Is any thing hurtfull in it? that he remoues: Is any violence offered to it? that he withſtands: No husbandman ſhall ſo labour his ground as God will doe it.

And thus doth God ſpeake of himſelfe, profeſſing his prouident care for the good of it;ffIſay 27. 2, 3.Isa 27:2Isa 27:3 In that day ſing ye vntounto her a Vineyard of redwine. I the Lord doe keepe it; I will water it eueryevery moment, Calu. & Muſc. in loc.leſt any hurt it: I will keepe it night and day. Where by watering of it, he comprehends p. 104whatſoeuer belongs to the dreſſing and manuring of it; ſo that no dutie ſhall be left vnperformed, whereby the good thereof might be procured. And vntounto this he addeth vigilancie: for what would it auaile to husband a Vine with great paines and labour, if afterwards it ſhould be left open for theeues and beaſts to enter in and waſte it at their pleaſures? therefore he promiſeth withall, that he will keepe it ſo that no hurt ſhall be done vntounto it, but the fruits ſhal hauehave time to ripen, ſo that afterwards they may be reaped in their ſeaſon. So our SauiourggIohn 15. 2.John 15:2 hauing compared his Father to an huſbandman, ſets out his great care in trimming and dreſſing of his Vine, by taking away thoſe branches which were barren, and purging thoſe which were fruitfull, ſo that they might become more fruitfull; omitting no part of his skill, neither to the one or other. The like care ishhLuke 13. 8.Luke 13:8 ſhewed in that Parable propounded by our Sauiour of the fruitleſſe figge tree; And in that which the Apoſtle propoundsiiHeb. 6. 7.Heb 6:7 of the good and bad ſoile; in both which the great and conſtant paines of this husbandman is declared.

And no wonder:Reaſ. 1. For firſt God loues his Vineyard dearely, as hath beene before ſhewed: now we ſee, that field which a man takes moſt pleaſure in, he takes moſt paines about: no man will beſtow ſuch coſt and labour vponupon a tenement he holds but from yeare to yeare, as he will vponupon his owne inheritance. This may be one reaſon why he ſo husbands it, to make it pleaſant and fruitfull, becauſe his louelove is ſet vponupon it, and his delight is in it.

Secondly,Reaſ. 2. the Churches fructifying, is Gods glorifiing, as our Sauiour telleth his Diſciples,kkIohn 15. 8.John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that you beare much fruit: For looke as it tendsllMatth. 5. 16.Matt 5:16 to that husbandmans praiſe, whoſe field exceed the fields of other men in fruitfull crops; So we being Gods Vineyard, ſet and planted by his right hand, doe then commend his husbandrie, and ſet forth p. 105his praiſe, when we are laden with the fruits of righteouſneſſe, llPhil. 1. 11.Phil 1:11as the Apoſtle ſheweth. No wonder then if God be ſo diligent in his husbanding of his Church, ſeeing the fruitfulneſſe of the Church brings praiſe and honour to his name; which is the maine end he propoſeth to himſelfe in all his actions (as hath beene before proued.)

And is God ſo carefull a husband man of his Church?Ʋſe 1. hath he ſo prouident a care for the good of it, as that if any thing be wanting he ſupplies it; or if any thing be hurtfull in it he remoues it? Then may all wicked ones hence take out a leſſon, to their griefe and terror: For woe to them who are in the Church of God but as thornes and briars: hurtfull and noxious to themmCant. 2. 2.Song 2:2 Lillies. God is a better husbandman than to ſuffer theſe for euer: A day will come when he will view his field and ſtub vp all winding and wounding briars; all renting and ranckling thornes that fetch away the clothes, yea skinne and fleſh too from off the Lambs of Chriſt with their entanglements. It may be God may ſuffer theſe for a while as he did the Canaanites in Iſrael, leſt the wilde beaſts ſhould breake in vponupon them: and as a wiſe husbandman permits ſuch to lie in the hedge for a yeare or two, and makes them ſeruiceable for the ſtopping of a gap or ſome ſuch purpoſe: but in the end when they are feare and rotten in their ſinnes, then he will hauehave them to the fire, for thats their portion.

Secondly,Vſe 2. it ſhould admoniſh all to looke vntounto their growth that it be good and kindly: if the roots of trees run too deepe into the earth, they muſt be cut off ſhorter; if the branches of a Vine ſpread too farre, they muſt be pruned neere; and if the canker once eat into, or cleaue vntounto our trees we ſet, we burne them, ſmoake them, or the like: And ſo if we be too much rooted by our affections in things below, or ſuffer them to ſpread abroad too farre; or let the canker of ſin to eat into our ſoules (be we what we wil be) God will giuegive vsus many a p. 106cutting, pruning, ſmoaking, that if it be poſſible we may be brought into better caſe.

Thirdly,Ʋſe 3. this may comfort ſuch as are euermore bewailing their little growth in grace; maruellous defectiue they are in virtues of all kindes; as in faith, meekneſſe, patience, thankefulneſſe, heauenly-mindedneſſe, and the like; and albeit they hauehave ſome good deſires and vnfained purpoſes and reſolutions to bring forth fruit to God; yet withall they finde ſuch ſtrong corruptions in themſelues, as pride, vaine-glory, worldlineſſe, lust, paſſion, reuengefulneſſe, with ſuch like; as that they be euen out of hope, and know not what to iudge of their owne eſtate, but feare they belong not vntounto God, becauſe they are no better husbanded: Now let me ſpeake a word to the ſoules of theſe, and let my words be to them asnnDeut. 32. 2.Deut 32:2 the raine to the new-mowen graſſe: Doſt thou not ſee the Husbandman ſuffer his ground to lie as though he had forſaken it? and for a time to endure to hauehave weeds and thiſtles grow thereon, euen when he hath a purpoſe to breake it vp with his plough, and beſtow much coſt thereon? yea and after he hath turned it vp, to let it lie, as if he were a weary of his paines; when notwithſtanding he comes with his plow againe, and giues it another tilth or two, & then ſowes his ſeed; being all the while before but a preparing of the ſoyle for the receiuing of it. The like is Gods dealing with his deareſt ſeruants; he many times ſuffers them to bring forth the weedes of ſinne, and to lie in their wickedneſſe for a time (as we ſee in Dauid, Peter, and ſome others) as if he had caſt them off; but it is for no other end but to mellow their hard hearts by humiliation and godly ſorrow, and to teach them to diſtaſte their pride, and not to truſt to their owne ſtrength hereafter: But notwithſtanding, in due ſeaſon he doth returne, reſtore, and lift them vp againe. And therefore wait thou a while. Is thy heart hard and ſtonie? why in his due time he will mollifie and mellow it, and make it fit for the ſeed p. 107of grace, by bringing downe all high hils of preſumption, and making deepe and long furrowes of mortification in it: Hath he begun to ſcatter the ſeeds of grace within thy ſoule? Why then he will follow thee, and ſo husband the leaſt dram thereof, be it butooMat. 13. 31, 32.Matt 13:31Matt 13:32 a graine of muſtard ſeed, as that it ſhall ſhoot vp to ripeneſſe, and become as a mighty tree, ſo that the birds of the aire ſhall come and lodge in the branches of it. And foraſmuch as thy heart is as apt to bring forth ſinne vponupon the leaſt temptation, as the beſt and fatteſt ground is to bring forth weeds vponupon the ſweeteſt Aprill ſhowre; God will daily looke vntounto thee, and no ſooner ſhall a weed peepe out, but he will with his weeding hooke hauehave it vp; nor a ſuperfluous twig ſprout forth, but he will with his pruning knife cut it off; according to that which our Sauiour teacheth,ppIohn 15. 2.John 15:2 EueryEvery branch that bringeth forth fruit he purgeth, that it may bring forth more fruit. And therefore diſcourage not thy ſelfe, for thy ſoule is the field not of the ſluggard, but of a carefull husbandman, who will ſo follow thee, as that thou ſhalt eueryevery day grow more fruitfull in grace and goodneſſe.

And laſtly,Vſe 4. hence let good Miniſters (who are Gods Deputies to husband this his Vineyard) learne diligently to follow their vocation, omitting no manner of paines that may tend to the fructifying of the Church, ſeeing God himſelfe omits none. Let vsus obſerue our times and ſeaſons, and ſometimes plant, and at other times water, with exhortations, perſwaſions, and the like: and as occaſion ſerues, let vsus ſometimes prune with reprehenſions, obiurgations; and if need require, with the knife of diſcipline: euermore being occupied about ſome thing that may make for the good thereof; remembring that it is Gods Vineyard wee labour in, and not mans; and he is able to recompence the faithfull and puniſh the vnfaithfull: which ſhould make vsus to be the more circumſpect and laborious in our calling, p. 108taking heed to what ſeed wee ſow, and to what plants we ſet. Alas for ſuch as are idle, negligent and regardleſſe of the Vineyard of the Lord;Damaſc. Papa, epiſt. 4. Diſt. 78. who like Harlots, ſo ſoone as they be brought to bed put forth their children to other nurſes, that themſelues might hauehave the better leiſure to take their pleaſure and ſatisfie their luſt: how will God alledge his owne example againſt ſuch for their conuiction, and ſtrike their eares with that chiding and vnpleaſant voice; Away thou diſloyall and vnprofitable ſeruant into vtter darkneſſe?

This in generall: Come we now to the particulars, wherein this good Husbandman ſhewed his great care for his Vineyards good. In handling of which I would be loth to be found too curious: I confeſſe I am of their iudgement,qqCaluin. & Vrſia. in loc. Theologia ſymbolica non eſt argumentatina. who thinke it not ſo fit, to ſift eueryevery branch too exquiſitely or exactly; for eueryevery ſtring of a Parable is not to be ſtrained, nor too curiouſly to be preſſed, leſt in ſtead of milke we fetch bloud. The principall ſcope is eſpecially to be regarded, beyond which nothing is to be vrged. I intend therefore to gather from theſe branches ſuch fruit as hang loweſt for my reach, and as will readily and naturally, and (as it were) of it owne accord fall into our hands: I hope I ſhall offend no reaſonable hearer nor reader in ſo doing.

The firſt particular wherein God commends his louelove and care to this his Vineyard, is in the ſituation of it: He choſe for it ſuch a place and plat as was, Firſt, commodious; for it was a Hill (which place vines louelove well and beſt proſper on.) Secondly, fertile and plenteous; for it was A very fruitfull Hill, Bacchus amat colles, Aqu…em & …igora ſylua.or the horne of the ſon of oyle; by which Hebraiſime the fatneſſe and fruitfulneſſe of the place is ſet forth, as wee hauehave ſeene before. Put both together, and thence we learne,

The fat of the earth is often giuen by God to his Church and people for their poſſeſſion.Doctr. God often giueth the fat of the earth to his Church for a poſſeſſion.

God often giues abundance of temporall good things and earthly bleſſings to his owne people, as well p. 109as to the wicked; and as Dauid ſhewethrrPſal. 23. 5.Ps 23:5, hee prepareth a table for them euen in the preſence of their enemies, and doth anoint their heads with oyle, and ſo fill their cup as that it runneth ouer. A cloud of witneſſes might be brought to iuſtifie as much, both out of the old Teſtament and new. Out of the old theſe;ſſGen. 13. 7. & 24. 35. Iob 1. 1, 2, 3. & 31. 24, 25.Gen 13:7Gen 24:35Job 1:1Job 1:2Job 1:3Job 31:24Job 31:25 Abraham, Lot, Iſaak, Iacob, Iob, Dauid, Solomon, Hezekiah, Iehoſhaphat, Ioſiah, beſides others: All good and rich. Out of the new Teſtament theſe;ttMatth. 27. 57. Marke 15. 43. Luke 23. 50. Luke 8. 3.Matt 27:57Mark 15:43Luke 23:50Luke 8:3 Ioſeph of Arimathea, a rich man, an honourable Councellor; and he was a good man and iuſt: Ioanna the wife of Chuza, Herods Steward, and Suſanna, both the diſciples and followers of Chriſt, with many other of all eſtates;uu1 Cor. 1. 26.1 Cor 1:26 Some rich, ſome noble, ſome wiſe, ſome mightie and of great account, as the Apoſtle ſheweth. Agreeable hereunto is that promiſe, that**Eſal. 112. 1. 3. Riches and treaſures ſhall be in his houſe that feareth the Lord: And that Propheſie, that thexxEſay 60. 11.Isa 60:11 Rich ſhould come to the people of God, and ioyne with the Church.

Reaſons may be rendred;Reaſ. 1. 2. as theſe: Firſt, that the wicked might not altogether trample on them. Or ſecondly, ſay God could not inrich them. And therefore God will giuegive to ſome, that they may ſee he could inrich all the reſt if hee ſaw good, and that it would make for their good. Or thirdly, that neither they nor theirs3. may ſtand to the wickeds finding, who are hard hearted, and would giuegive them but ſhort allowance, if they were at their prouiding.

This may ſerue,Vſe 1. firſt, to reſtraine men from raſh cenſuring of the rich, as if wickedneſſe were of neceſſitie bound to wealthineſſe, as heat is to the fire, when wee ſee, A rich man may be a good man: We…lth and wiſdome may dwell together; righteouſneſſe and riches may kiſſe each other.yyMatth. 6. 24. Chryſoſt. Aret. in loc.Matt 6:24 Yee cannot ſerue God and Mammon, ſaith our Sauiour; he doth not ſay (as it is well obſerued) Yee cannot hauehave God and Mammon; but, Yee cannot ſerue God and Mammon: for he that is the ſeruant p. 110of God muſt be the maſter of his money: And ſo he may hauehave both the one and the other.zzAug. in Pſal. 9. Ser. 1. tom. 10.Ps 9 Poore Lazarus indeed attained vntounto euerlaſting life, and the rich Glutton was tormented; but yet it was rich Abraham which did hold poore Lazarus in his boſome. And therefore conclude we, It is not wealth, but vice that excludes out of Gods kingdome: A man may be wealthy and wiſe; great and gratious. In heauen you may finde ſuch, though they be rarities there.

Secondly,Vſe 2. this may teach vsus not to contemne theſe outward things, but to eſteeme of them as good bleſſings in themſelues, and be thankfull for them, when we hauehave them giuen vsus.aaProu. 3. 16. Sunt Dei dona, ergo in ſe bona, Aug. epiſt. 70. ad Bonif. Ne putentur mala, dantur & bonis; ne putentur ſumma bona, dantur & malis.Prov 3:16 Length of daies is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. They are the gifts of God then, and therefore good: indeed they are but gifts of the left hand, and therefore not the chiefeſt good. They are giuen to the good, that wee may not vnderualue them; and they are giuen to the bad, that we may not too highly prize them It was then but a fooliſh part of Crates, a man of great riches and a Philoſopher at Thebes, to caſt his wealth into the ſea, ſaying he would deſtroy it, leſt it ſhould deſtroy him: for neither needed. And as great folly for Friers, Heremit…, and Anchoriſts, to vow and profeſſe voluntary pouer…ie vponupon the like ground. I hauehave ſeene a rotten logge yeeld as much ſaw-duſt, as a peece of good timber: And Ierome bbQuid facit ſub tunica poenitentis regius animus? Hier.eſpied a proud heart vnderunder a Monkes Cowle.

If any doe obiect that our bleſſed Sauiour calleth riches ccLuke 16. 9.Luke 16:9the Mammon of vnrighteouſnes, Obiect.andddMatth. 13. 22. Reſp. Crimen non eſt in rebus, ſed in vſu agentis. Bern.Matt 13:22 thornes and ſnares to choake and catch the ſoule: They are to know that our Sauiour therein aimeth not at riches as they are in their owne nature; nor as they are vſed and poſſeſſed by the faithfull; but as they are abuſed by the wicked vntounto ſinne, either in their vnlawfull getting or poſſeſſing; and ſo they are as a ſword in a mad-mans hand: The abuſe, and not themſelues, is to be reiected.

The ſecond Particular that manifeſts Gods care, is his p. 111Protecting of it in building a Fence about it: and that teacheth vsus,

Gods Church and people are ſtrongly fenced in and protected from the rage and fury of their enemies.Doct. Gods Church is ſtrongly fenced from the rage of their enemies.

What the Deuill confeſſeth of Iob, is true of all Gods people;eeIob 1. 10.Job 1:10 Thou haſt made a hedge about him, and about his houſe, and about all that hee hath on eueryevery ſide. The truth of this I will endeuour to ſhew in ſundrie particulars.

For firſt; the vnreaſonable creatures are as a hedge and defence vntounto them; God many times ſends armies of them as a valiant gariſon to defend his Iſrael. Yea ffExod. 14. 22.Exod 14:22the very waters ſhall bee as a wall of defence vntounto them, as well on their right hand as on their left. The cruelleſt of theſe creatures God often makes both their Friends and Patrons.

Secondly, they are oftentimes fenced and protected by the very wicked. Chaffe and ſtraw is good to preſerue the corne, though otherwiſe it be good for little but to burne. Thus the curſed Canaanites ſhall remaine a while amongſt the Iſraelites (as before was ſhewed) and not bee deſtroyed at once, but by little and little; as Gods people got more and more ſtrength, that the wild beaſts of the field might not breake in vponupon them or moleſt them.

Thirdly, the godly as an holy armie doe riſe vp in their defence to helpe them; ſometimes by making Apologie for them; otherwhiles by ſending aid and ſuccour to them; and continually by their praiers which they put vp to God for their preſeruation and ſafety.

Fourthly, the glorious Angels ggPſal. 103. 20.Ps 103:20that excell in ſtrength doehhPſal. 34. 7.Ps 34:7 pitch their tents about them, andiiPſal. 91. 11.Ps 91:11 keepe them in all their waies. Theſe are thekkEſay 62.Isa 62 watchmen ouer the wals of the new Ieruſalem, and of the mountaines about the ſame.

And laſtly, in all theſe and aboue all theſe, the Lord p. 112himſelfe is the defence and protection of his people: He is vntounto themllZach. 2. 5.Zech 2:5 a wall of fire round about: Hee is mmIſay 4. 6.Isa 4:6their couert, their ſhadow, and their place of refuge. He isnnPſal. 18. 2.Ps 18:2 their Rocke; their fortreſſe; their ſtrength; their buckler; their high tower, and their deliuerer.

Deſire we to know the reaſon why the godly are ſo hedged about and ſo ſtrongly fenced?Reaſon. then take it in a word. There is a neere bond & coniunction betweene God and them; they are his friends; they are his ſubiects; they are his ſeruants; they are his children; they are his Spouſe; yea the members of his owne body, according to that ſaying;ooZach. 2. 8.Zech 2:8 He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eie.

Which being ſo,Vſe 1. let none thinke to preuaile againſt them or ouercome them. True it is, the Church is a weake tent in it ſelfe; and the godly are like a ſmall flocke of ſheepe, for the moſt part very impotent and feeble in regard of outward ſtrength: when their enemies are like raging Lions; and beſides for multitude very many, who vſe all their wit and wealth, power and ſtrength that poſſible they can vſe or deuiſe, for the razing and ouerthrowing of Gods Church and people. Yet the flocke of Chriſt ſtill remaines, and euer ſhall remaine; all the power and policy of men and deuils ſhall neuer be able to ſubdue them. For albeit wee are harder aſſaulted, yet not any are better protected; their gariſon is ſtrong and mighty; God himſelfe is their rocke and fortreſſe, their ſhield and bucler: and vntill that be broken or ſmitten thorow, they ſhall neuer be wounded. Let then all Atheiſts, Papiſts, and all other, ceaſe plotting and deuiſing any thing, which may bee hurtfull or pernicious to any of Gods children; for if they doe, let them be well aſſured their labour will bee ppPſal. 2. 1.Ps 2:1in vaine. And he is a very foole that will attempt any thing which he knowes for certainty will neuer come to good, but proue his bane and ruine; as all their wicked plots and proiects will moſt aſſuredly in the end.

p. 113Hence alſo ariſeth much comfort to Gods people;Vſe 2. for they are ſafe and ſure vnderunder the wings of the Almighty: they are ſtrongly fenced about and preſerued with a continuall guard. Thatqq2 King. 6. 17.2 Kgs 6:17 which Eliſha and his man ſaw with bodily eies, eueryevery beleeuer may be aſſured of by faith.

No Monarch on the earth hath a ſtronger gariſon than the meaneſt Chriſtian, neither is any mans ſafetie better prouided for than is the godly mans. So that he may be bold and confident at all times, in all places, and in the midſt of the greateſt dangers. Whether hee walke abroad or ſtay at home; whether he be in company or alone; whether it bee in the day or in the night; whether he wake or ſleepe; he may ſing and ſay with Dauid, rrPſal. 23. 4.Ps 23:4I will feare no euill. Let the enemies of the Church band themſelues together againſt it, to moleſt it: let Pharaoh and his hoaſt purſue Gods Iſrael: God will ſuddenly ſtep forth and cauſe the cloudy pillar ſſExod. 14. 19.Exod 14:19to remoue behind is people, and to be betwixt their enemies and them; As if God ſhould ſay, before they touch thee they ſhall ouercome mee ô Iſrael. Let vsus then goe on as God commanded them, and keepe our ſelues in our waies,Verſ. 14. and then feare nothing, for God will fight for vsus, let vsus hold our peace.

The third particular here mentioned is its Elapidation or cleanſing: He gathered out the ſtones thereof I whereby is meant (as before was ſhewed) the Idolatrous heathen, whom GodttPſal. 44. 2.Ps 44:2 droue out before his Iſrael, that they might not hinder this his Vineyards growth. Hence we inferre;

It is not ſafe nor profitable for the Church to ſuffer wicked Idolaters,Doct. Toleration of Idolatry, is not for the Churches ſafety. or other obſtinate ſinners to remaine within the Church Of ſuch Gods Vineyard muſt be rid, and his Church purged.

Will you heare in a few words what the Scriptures ſay for confirmation hereof? It is commanded in the law,uuDeut. 13. & ſeq.Deut 13 that the falſe Prophet, and ſeducing Idolater, whether p. 114he be brother, or ſonne, or daughter, or wife, or friend, ſhould bee taken away and ſlaine without merciemercy or pitie, that all Iſrael may heare and ſee and feare, and not dare to commit the like. And againe,**Deut. 29. 18.Deut 29:18 There ſhall not bee amongst you man, nor woman, nor family, nor tribe, which ſhall turne away his heart from the Lord our God, to goe and ſerue the gods of theſe Nations. Beſides, it forbadxxLeuit. 19. 19.Lev 19:19 ſowing of the field with mingled ſeed;yyDeut. 22. 10.Deut 22:10 plowing with an Oxe and an Aſſe together; the wearing of a garment of diuers things, as linnen and woollen mixt together. Now theſe lawes according to the letter ſeeme ridiculous,Haec ad literam videntur eſſe ridicula. Ordm. gloſſ. in Leuit. (ſaith the gloſſe) but the thing that God intends hereby to ſhew is, that he cannot away with a mixt Religion. The Church of Epheſus zzReuel. 2. 6.Rev 2:6was commended for hating the workes of the Nicolaitans: but Pergamus aaReuel. 2. 14.Rev 2:14was reproued, for ſuffering them that maintained the Doctrine of Bulaam: and Thyatira bbReuel. 2. 20.Rev 2:20blamed, for ſuffering Ieſabel to teach and deceiue Gods ſeruants. And why in Scripture are Idolaters called, ccIoſ. 23. 13. Iudg. 2. 1.Josh 23:13Judg 2:1ſtumbling-blocks, ſnares, thornes, traps, whips, and deſtruction, but becauſe they proue ſo to the people amongſt whom they liue? Iſrael found them ſo, and England did no leſſe in Queene Maries daies: and France doth ſo. For, from whence ſpring theſe commotions, tumults, horrible maſſacres, and bloudy tragedies, but from the diuerſity of Religion amongſt them?

And indeed,Reaſon 1. what agreement hath light with darkneſſe, or God with Belial? The Lord can neuer digeſt two contraries, though neuer ſo well mixed or wiſely tempered in matters of religion, as the Church of Laodicea ddReuel. 3. 16.Rev 3:16ſheweth. Hereupon zealous Elijah exhorteth the people after this manner;ee1 King. 18. 21.1 Kgs 18:21 If the Lord be God, follow him; and if Ba…l be God, goe after him.

Beſides,Reaſon 2. ffCor. 5. 6.Doe yee not know that a little leauen leaueneth the whole l…mpe? Sinne therefore being infectious, the ſinner is not to bee tolerated in the aſſembly of the righteous.

p. 115Take wee occaſion hence to magnifie Gods name,Vſe 1. who hath beene ſo gracious to this his Vineyard, which his owne right hand hath planted in this Land, as to cleanſe it of all ſuch ſtones as might any way hinder the proſperity or flouriſhing eſtate of it. Our ſtreets are well ſwept and rid of that Popiſh rubbiſh, wherewith formerly they hauehave beene much annoied: Thoſe dens of theeues are diſperſed; thoſe buyers and ſellers of Popiſh traſh, Monks, Friers, Maſſemougers, and Ieſuits, are whipt out of the Temple, and driuen from amongſt vsus: He hath pulled downe that great Idoll of the Maſſe, with other Idols that were ſet vp to bee adored, and hath aboliſhed the manifold hereſies and corruptions of falſe doctrine: And withall hath bleſſed vsus with ſo religious and prudent a King, as is a conſtant Defender of the Faith, and an open aduerſary to ſuperſtition and Idolatry. What ſhall we now render to the Lord for all theſe teſtimonies and tokens of his louelove towards vsus, but take the cup of Saluation, and praiſe with tongue and heart the name of God? acknowledging his goodneſſe in deliuering vsus from the Romiſh bondage, labouring to bring forth the fruits of the Goſpell, to the glorie of his name and our owne endleſſe ſaluation.

This likewiſe ſerueth for the Admonition, Ʋſe 2.1. Of Miniſters, whom God hath repoſed ſuch great truſt and confidence in, as to be the dreſſers and keepers of his Vineyard; that wee be found faithfull, and (what lies in vsus) remoue whatſoeuer may any way annoy it: For which end, Chriſt hath not only committed vntounto vsusggEpheſ. 6.Eph 6 the ſword of the ſpirit, which is the word of God, wherewith we mayhhTit. 1.Titus 1 conuince gainſayers, but alſoiiMatth. 16. 19.Matt 16:19 the keies of the kingdome, that men being conuicted and not conuerted, nor reclaimed, they may be caſt out and expelled, either for a time as the inceſtuouskk1 Cor. 5. 5.1 Cor 5:5 Corinthian was, or for euer euen vntounto the comming of the Lord: Which kinde of excommunication, the Apoſtle cals ll1 Cor. 16. 22.1 Cor 16:22Maran-atha (of Mara) the Lord, (and Atha) he p. 116commeth, … being interpoſed for ſound ſake. Which cenſure being ſo grieuous as it is, (for it is a deliuering mm1 Cor. 5. 5.1 Cor 5:5vp to Satan) ought not to be inflicted raſhly for eueryevery trifle, but deliberatly in matters of weight and moment, and in ſuch caſes as expreſly ſhut out of the kingdome of heauen, ſuch as thoſe the Apoſtle mentioneth, 1 Corinth. 6. becauſe it is a declaration of that which is by God done in heauen. In the execution whereof, let all ſuch as it doth concerne, beware of filthy lucre, and faithfully diſcharge what is committed to them, not ſuffering the notoriouſly prophane to remaine within the Church, leſt others bee endangered and infected by their ſociety; fornn2 Tim. 2. 17.2 Tim 2:17 their very words (and much more their conuerſation) creepeth and corrupteth as a gangreene.

2. Magiſtrates, Verbum informans, virga reformans.who muſt ſecond the word of information, with the rod of reformation, and backe the Miniſters of the Word, by the vſe of the temporall ſword, which they muſt notooRom. 13. 4.Rom 13:4 beare for nought, but as the Miniſters of God, take vengeance on them that doe euill. Theſe are Gods Surrogates and the Preachers hopes: Our words are thought aire, where their hands doe not compell. Good lawes are made againſt the wicked and prophane; but what are wee the better for Gods owne lawes without execution? If thoſe who hauehave the charge impoſed, and the ſword put in their hands, ſtand like the picture of S. George, with his hand vp, yet neuer ſtrike, it will fare full ill with the Vineyard of the Lord. Let it bee their care with Dauid, ppPſal. 101. 8.Ps 101:8earely to deſtroy the wicked of the Land, and to cut off all wicked doers from the City of the Lord. qqCant. 2. 15.Song 2:15Take vsus the foxes, the little foxes, that ſpoile the vines; for our vines hauehave tender grapes: Let neither young nor old bee ſpared. And of all other, let that Romiſh Reinard and his Cubs (extrauagant Prieſts and Ieſuits, with other obſtinate Recuſants) bee hunted, as moſt hurtfull to our Vineyard.

p. 117For what thinke you of theſe Poſitions: 1.rrDecret. Papal. apud Grat. cauſ. 15. Gloſſ. Neighbours if Heretikes (meaning thereby Proteſtants) may lawfully be ſpoiled of their goods, though indeed it were better (ſay they) to doe it by the authoritie of the Iudge.

2.ſſAlanus Cardi. & Parſonus. It is lawfull for Pariſhioners to defraud Proteſtant Miniſters of their Tithes, and of this, Non eſt dubium, ſay they, there is no doubt to be made.

3.ttSimancha Epiſ. Pacens. Inſtit. Cath. tit. 46. §. 73. Men are not bound to reſtore that which they hauehave receiued, or to ſatisfie their creditours, who are tainted with hereſie.

4.uuSimanch. Inſtit. Gregor. 13. A Catholike wife is not bound to giuegive due beneuolence to her huſband, being a Proceſtant.

5.**Simanch. quo ſup. tit. 46. §. 74. & Alan. Card. By the hereſie of the father a childe is freed from his obedience: So that if a Prieſt returning into England, findeth his father to be a Proteſtant, he may deny him to be his father, meaning that he is not ſuch a one as he ought to acknowledge for his father.

6.xxApud Grat. gloſſ. in Decret. lib. 5. ex Decret. Greg. 9. Cauſ. 23. q. 8. That Heretikes may not be tearmed either children or kindred; but according to the old Law, thy hand muſt be vponupon them to ſpill their bloud.

7.yyBellar. lib. 5. de Rom. Pontif. cap. 6. 7. & 4. That it is not lawfull for Chriſtians to tolerate an hereticall King: they may expell him, depoſe him, yea murther him. And this (they ſay) is agreeable to the Apoſtolique doctrine.

8.zzSimanch. Inſtit. Cathol. cap. 45. Sect. 13. If warre be once proclaimed by them against Sectaries (that is, in their language, vsus Proteſtants) then it is lawfull for any priuate man, to take, ſpoile, kill ſuch Sectaries, and burne their houſes ouer their heads.

9.aaPaulus Windebek in deli…. de haeret. extirp. pag. 414. It is lawfull for Catholike Princes to make league with Proteſtants, only for their owne aduantage: as for example, to diſpatch ſome buſineſſes which hinder them from falling vponupon Proteſtants with their whole forces.

10.bbCard. Tol. lib. 4. … cap. 21. And that one may ſweare with Equiuocation and ment all reſeruation, is good poſitiue Diuinitie with them.

By theſe and the like Poſitions, which they maintaine, we plainly ſee, how they diſſolue all bands of humane p. 118fellowſhip, and ſtrangle the vitall ſpirits of humane ſocietie. Whether it be ſafe then to ſuffer ſuch, iudge yee. Beſides, as is their doctrine, ſuch is their practiſe, in depoſing Kings and Emperours, practiſing helliſh treaſons, iuſtifying the murdering of Princes, making leagues only for their owne ends; breaking their promiſes, oathes, vowes, at their pleaſure. Can it then be well with the Vineyard, if theſe Foxes be at libertie? Can it be well with the Lambes of Chriſt, if theſe Wolues be ſuffered to range about? Can Iſrael enioy the Land of Canaan in quiet, if theſe Canaanites be not ſubdued as ſeruants to the Congregation, or ſubuerted as enemies? Let therefore all ſuch Magiſtrates as tender the good of their King and Crowne, Land and State, doe their beſt to watch and catch theſe Foxes: lenitie and mildneſſe hath long beene vſed. NowccDoct. Kings Sermon at White-Hall, Nouemb. 5. Anno. 1608. (to vſe the words of a late worthy Prelate) ſome iuſtice with merciemercy would doe well: ſome froſts with the fire that warmes theſe Snakes in the bowels of our Land: ſome pluckes at theſe thornes and prickles in our eyes (the mean time) and will be hereafter in our ſides and hearts; leſt if luſtice goe on to ſleepe as it were her dead ſleepe, the tares of diſloyaltie, treaſons and ſeditions, be ſo thick ſowen in the field of this Kingdome, by thoſe enuious ones, the Seedeſmen of Rome, that it will be difficultie and maſtrie afterwards to remoue them.

3 And let all good Chriſtians, of what eſtate or degree ſoeuer, beware of hauing any inward ſocietie or familiaritie with Idolaters, or other obſtinate ſinners and offenders. It is worthy our remembring, howddZozom. lib. 7. cap. 7. when the Emperour Theodoſius ſenior was deſirous to confer with Eunomius the Arrian Biſhop, his wife, Pla…a the Empreſſe, very earneſtly diſſwaded him, leſt hee being peruerted by his ſpeeches, ſhould beginne to like of his hereſie; and ſurely there is more danger of being infected by them, than of doing good vponupon them: Eaſier is it to draw a prophane perſon from hell gates, than to p. 119remoue an opinion from a wilfull minde. Let vsus all witheeGen. 35. 2.Gen 35:2 Iacob cleanſe and purge our families of theſe and ſuch like baggage, not ſuffering anyffPſal. 101.Ps 101 vngodly perſon to dwell with vsus. We ſee how it is in the bodie; when nature hath any euill or vnprofitable humours that oppreſſe the ſtomacke, it is forced to caſt them out for the preſeruation of the health of other parts. So ſhould it be with vsus; if wee perceiue our families to be endangered by obſtinate and obdurate ſinners, it ſhould vomit them out as raw and vndigeſted humours by timely election, leſt the whole head wax heauie, and the whole bodie ſickly, and ſo the vitall parts languiſh. To conclude, let vsus all pray, and pray heartily for this Vineyard in this Land, as all are directed by authoritie:ggPrayers appointed for the firſt of Nouember, the firſt after the ſecond Leſſon. Lord ſtrengthen the hands of our gratious King, the Nobles and Magistrates of the Land, that with iudgement and iuſtice, they may cut off and root out that Babyloniſh and Antichriſtian Sect, out of the Confines and limits of this Kingdome, that they may neuer preuaile againſt vsus, nor triumph in the ruines of this Church. And with our Prayer let all protest with one ioynt voice to God;hhPſal. 16. 2. 4.Ps 16:2Ps 16:4 Thou art my Lord, &c. their ſorrowes ſhall be multiplied that haſten after another god: their drinke-offering of bloud will I not offer, nor take vp their names into my lips.

Now in the next place conſider we of Gods great louelove to this his Vineyard, in regard of the Choice Vine wherewith he planted it. It was not of an ordinary, but of the beſt and nobleſt kinde. Which whether it be meant of all the ſeed of Abraham in generall (as ſome would hauehave it) or of ſome of the choiſeſt perſons of the houſe of Iudah in particular (as of Dauid, Solomon, and other ſuch godly Kings) (as ſome other take it) yet this will follow,

The godly and their ſeed are the nobleſt plants and choiſeſt perſons.Doctr. The godly are the …. Such as are godly, ſuch are moſt excellent.

nnPſal. ….My goodneſſe (ſaith Dauid) extendeth not to thee, p. 120but to the Saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent in whom is all my delight. Where ſee how that Kingly Prophet honoureth ſuch as are Saints, with the name of Excellent, and Worthies of the earth. And Solomon his ſonne affirmeth as much, when he telleth vsus,ooProu. 12. 26.Prov 12:26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour; i. he is better beloued and graced of God, and hath that in him, which maketh him more honourable, than any other who is vnrighteous and ſinfull. And our Prophet Iſaiah calleth the godly in plaine termes,ppIſay 4. 5.Isa 4:5 The glory: Ʋpon all the glory (ſaith he) ſhall be a defence. Thus as the godly goe before all other in virtue, ſo they goe before them in honour; and as they exceed others in pietie, ſo they ſurmount them in excellencie.

And that this is truth,Reaſon. viz. That the godly are the nobleſt and choiſeſt perſons, may appeare further, if we conſider,

1. Their Race and Pedigree: for they are deſcended qq1 Pet. 2. 9.1 Pet 2:9of the bloud royall, they rr1 Iohn 3. 9.1 John 3:9are borne of God, being ſſ2 Cor. 6. 18.2 Cor 6:18ſonnes and daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And whereas other men are called, children of the earth; or ttColoſſ. 3. 6.Col 3:6children of diſobedience; or uuHoſ. 10. 9.Hos 10:9children of iniquitie; or **Epheſ. 2. 3.Eph 2:3children of wrath; or xx1 Sam. 26. 16.1 Sam 26:16children of death; or yyIohn 8. 44. &John 8:44children of the Deuill; or zz17. 2.children of perdition; or aaMatth. 23. 15.Matt 23:15children of Hell; we ſhall finde that all the godly are called, either bbIohn 12. 36.John 12:36children of light; or ccActs 3. 25.Acts 3:25children of the Prophets; or ddRom. 9. 8.Rom 9:8children of the Promiſe; or eeMark. 2. 19.Mark 2:19children of the wedding chamber; or ffMatth. 8. 12.Matt 8:12children of the Kingdome. Thus for birth and bloud they exceed all other of the earth beſides.

2. Their kindred are vere rich and noble; For their Father they hauehave him ggPſal. 95. 3.Ps 95:3in whoſe hands are all the corners of the earth, and the ſtrength of all hills is his alſo.hh4. 5. The Sea is his, for he made it; and his hands prepared the dry land. A great God is he, and a great King aboue all gods. For their Mother they hauehave a great iiPſal. 45. 9.Ps 45:9Queene, who hath Kings daughters and honourable women for p. 121her attendants, kkverſ. 13.being clothed in rayment of gold and needle worke. For their Brethren, they hauehave Chriſt, the great heire of the world, llHeb. 2. 11.Heb 2:11who is not aſhamed to call them Brethren: and all Saints vponupon the earth beſides. Now mm1 Sam. 18. 23.1 Sam 18:23ſeemeth this a light thing vntounto you?

3. Their Place and Dignitie is very great; they are in high place and office, being made by ChriſtnnReuel. 1. 6.Rev 1:6 Kings and Prieſts vntounto God his Father: They are in high authoritie to command and rule, like Kings and Prieſts, who hauehave the chiefeſt roomes of all.

4. Their Attendants are honourable. The ooPſal. 34. 7. & 91. 11.Ps 34:7Ps 91:11glorious Angels that are aboue, and which excell in ſtrength, doe euermore wait vponupon them, and are becomeppHeb. 1. 14.Heb 1:14 miniſtring ſpirits ſent forth to miniſter for thoſe who are heires of ſaluation. Yea Kings and QueenesqqIſay 49. 23.Isa 49:23 are but as nurſes to them, and they muſt doe them homage, worſhipping with their faces towards the earth, and licking vp the duſt vnderunder their feet.

What ſhall we need to ſpeake of other things, wherein one man is wont to excell another, and thereby wax glorious and become renowned? Who are wiſe beſides theſe? Are not theſe onlyrrDeut. 4. 6.Deut 4:6 A wiſe prudent and vnderſtanding people? Who are valiant but theſe? Are not theſe theſſ2 King. 2. 12. & 13. 14.2 Kgs 2:122 Kgs 13:14 Chariots and horſemen of Iſrael? Who goe fine but theſe? Are not theſe theyttReuel. 3. 5. & 19. 8.Rev 3:5Rev 19:8 who are arrayed with pure ſine linnen and ſhining? Doe not theſe goe clothed with the golden and ſilken robes of Ieſus Chriſt,Reuel. 2. 17.Rev 2:17 and of his Spirit? Who fare ſo well as theſe? Are not theſe feduuIohn 6. 33.John 6:33 with Manna, the bread of life? HaueHave not theſe prepared for them,**Iſay 25. 6.Isa 25:6 A feaſt of fat things, euen a feaſt of fined wines, of fat things full of marrow, of wines fined and purified? Who are out of debt but theſe? Hath not Chriſt diſcharged them of all theirxxMatth. 6. 12. 1 Pet. 2. 24.Matt 6:121 Pet 2:24 ſinnes (which are called debts) andyyColoſſ. 2. 14.Col 2:14 cancelled the bonds? Who hauehave peace within and without but theſe?zzRom. 5. 1.Rom 5:1 God is now reconciled with them,Phil. 4. 7.Phil 4:7 ſo that they hauehave peace not only with God himſelfe,2 Cor. 5. 19.2 Cor 5:19 and his creatures; but alſo p. 122with themſelues in their owne ſoules and conſciences. Who enioy health but theſe? Their ſoules are found and well; and daily they goe onaaPſal. 84. 7.Ps 84:7 from ſtrength to ſtrength, till they appeare perfect in Sion. Who ſpeakes ſo pure a language as theſe? Their language is thebbIſay language of Canaan; out of their mouthsccColoſſ. 4. 6.Col 4:6 no filthy, vnſauoury, nor rotten communication doth proceed. What ſhall I ſa… more? Who can compare with theſe, who hauehave the heauens for theirdd1 Pet. 1. 4.1 Pet 1:4 inheritance; the Scriptures for then euidences; the Sacraments for their ſ…ales, and the Holy Ghoſt for their aſſurer: ee1 Cor. 3. 22, 23.1 Cor 3:221 Cor 3:23Who hauehave all things theirs, and they are Chriſts and Chriſt is Gods?

Now if this be ſo,Vſe 1. that The godly are the choiſeſt plants and chiefeſt perſonages; why then are ſuch moſt contemned, and accounted according to S. Pauls ſaying,ff1 Cor. 4. 13.1 Cor 4:13 as the filth of the world, and off-ſcowring of all thi…g…? But let me ſay to worldlings, as the Apoſtle of thoſe great ones who put the Lord of life to death▪ gg1 Cor. 2. 8.1 Cor 2:8If they ha… knowne, they would not hauehave crucified the Lord of life and glory. So didſt thou but know who theſe are, and what manner of perſons they are, whom thou thus deſpiſeſt, thou wouldſt more reſpect them; yea louelove and reuerence them; nay, kiſſe the very ground they goe vponupon Indeed they ſeeme outwardly blacke and weather-beaten; but what then? Yet vnderunder that baleneſſe and blackneſſe is hid great honour and beauty. Within that leather purſe is a pretious pearle: In thoſe earthen pots is abundance of golden treaſure. As meane and baſe as they ſeeme in thy eyes, they are children of God; great Heires and Princes, and ſhall one day reigne with Chriſt in glory. Be therefore well aduiſed; and diſdame them not. Hadhh2 Sam. 16.2 Sam 16 Shemei euer thought that Daui… ſhould euer hauehave recouered againe the Crowne and Kingdome, and ſo Soueraigntie ouer him, he would hauehave ſpared his curſed ſpeeches vſed againſt him, and hauehave beene more temperate. Or had Ioſephs brethren as much beleeued his dreams,iiGen. 37. 11.Gen 37:11 that they ſhould come and p. 123bowe to him, as they enuied him for them, they would hauehave vſed him with more mildnes; but they when they ſold him thought neuer to hauehave ſeene him more, much leſſe did they expect to hauehave beene told of their crueltie from his mouth. And yet (what ere they thought) it ſo fell out contrary to all their expectations. Now when they heare him which was a Ruler in Aegypt ſay,kkGen. 45. 4.Gen 45:4 I am Ieſeph your brother whom you ſold; how amazedly doe you thinke they lookt one vponupon another? with what paleneſſe and ſilence doe they ſtand before him? Wonder▪ Doubt, Reuerence, Feare, Hope, Guiltineſſe, ſtrooke them at once; the more they conſidered, they wondred the more; and the more they beleeued, the more they feared: for thoſe words, I am Ioſeph whom you ſold▪ ſeemed to ſound thus much to their guilty thoughts; You are murtherers, and I am a Prince in ſpight of you; my power and this place giuegive me all opportunities of reuenge; my glory is your ſhame, my life your danger, &c. Euen thus it is and ſhall be with all wicked ones: When they reuile and mocke Gods children, doe they thinke they ſhall euer ſee Ioſeph more? or euer come and bowe before him and doe him reuerence? Alas, they hauehave no ſuch thought: and yet they muſt and ſhall, for Ioſeph will appeare, though not in Aegypt, yet in Heauen, to their confuſion and ſhame: Then will they be vexed and amazed, who now ſet Gods children at nought; then will they change their mindes, and ſob and ſighs or griefe of ſpirit, and ſay within themſelues; Theſe are the men and women whom we diſdained and contemned, and called Puritanicall fooles, and preciſe fellowes: Theſe are they whom we ſlandered and moleſted: But now we ſee now highly they are aduanced, being counted amongſt the children of God, hauing their portion with the Saints. Oh that ſuch as vex and moleſt the righteous, either with virulent tongues, as Shemei ll2 Sam. 16.2 Sam 16or with violent hands, as Herod mmActs 12.Acts 12; or with both, as Iulian▪ the Apoſtata; whether by themſelues. p. 124as Diotrephes nn3 Iohn 9.3 John 1:9; or by other, as the Scribes and Phariſies ooMatth. 26. 3.Matt 26:3; whether cloſely, like Iezabel pp1 King. 21.1 Kgs 21; or openly, like Pharaoh qqExod. 5.Exod 5, would thinke of this change and alteration: And how ſoone it may come, who knoweth? But certainly it will come, and then what the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh ſhall infallibly be verified,rrPſal. 112. 9, 10.Ps 112:9Ps 112:10 Their horne ſhall be exalted with glory: The wicked ſhall ſ…e it, and be angry: he ſhall gnaſh with his teeth, and conſume away: the deſire of the wicked ſhall periſh.

And therefore let this ſerue further for our Inſtruction, Vſe 2.that we learne highly to eſteeme of ſuch as be truly godly, ſeeme they neuer ſo meane or baſe in the worlds eye. Thus did S. Lawrence, Euſeb.that bleſſed Martyr of Chriſt Ieſus, who being demanded of the Tyrant, where the riches of the Church lay (looking for ſtore of gold, and ſuch like treaſure) he gathered together a multitude of poore Chriſtians, telling the Tyrant that there was the riches and beauty of the Church, and albeit they were now ragged and vnſeemly in the eyes of men, yet they ſhould one day be clad in white robes, and ſhine in maieſtie and glory before the throne of God.Aeneas Syluius. cap. 20. The like (as I hauehave read) was the practiſe of Ingo an ancient King of the Draues and Veneds, who making vponupon a time a ſtately feaſt, inuited thereunto all his Nobles; (who were at that time Pagans, and vnconuerted to the Chriſtian faith) and a multitude of poore Chriſtians: His Nobles he ſet in his Hall below, and thoſe poore Chriſtians with himſelfe in his preſence chamber, entertaining them with the royalleſt cheere, and kinglieſt attendance that might be. At which when his Nobles wondered, he told them this he did not as hee was king of the Drau…s, but as king of another world, wherein theſe ſhould bee his companions and fellow Princes: To them he would giuegive ciuill due in the gouernment of the Commonwealth, but theſe hee muſt louelove and honour in his heart, as moſt honoured and beſt beloued of God. Reade this to thy ſhame who knoweſt not p. 125how to ſhew the leaſt reſpect vntounto a Chriſtian: and if thou wouldſt not hauehave it to condemne thee, let it mend thee; cauſing thee to be more reſpectiue in thy cariage towards ſuch as ſerue the Lord: So ſhalt thou imitate God like a good childe herein, and get a teſtimonie to thy owne conſcience, that thou art GodsſſIohn 3. 2.John 3:2 becauſe thou loueſt his image: which marke of a childe of God may comfort thee when all others in the time of temptation may faile thee.

Hence alſo we may hauehave Direction how to become excellent and famous,Vſe 3. namely by becomming gracious: This way will not faile to effect it, and no other courſe can be auaileable without it. Men may be wealthy and ignominious; they may hauehave gorgeous apparell, and yet be contemptible.ttCant. 1. 8.Song 1:8 Pharaohs horſes had coſtly trappings, and the Midianites Camels uuIudg. 8. 26.Judg 8:26had chaines of gold about their necks: Grace and goodneſſe doe more decke and adorne than all theſe doe or can. This is that which the Apoſtle calleth**Rom. 2. 7.Rom 2:7 Seeking glory and honour by well-doing: and only is that wherebyxxHeb. 11. 12.Heb 11:12 Abel, Noah, Abraham, and the reſt obtained a good report. How groſly then are ſuch deceiued as thinke godlineſſe doth cauſe contempt, and the way to become honourable is to grow graceleſſe and ſinfull? For, can any wiſe man thinke that the dunghill of wickedneſſe is a fit Mine to digge out a good eſtimation; or that the puddle water of vanity will make a man ſeeme beautifull and faire? or that the onelyonly way to make a man ſweet is to tumble in a iakes? Certainly figgs grow not vponupon thornes; neither is the ſweet oyntment of a good name, compounded of thoſe ſtinking ingredients, Pride, Drunkenneſſe, Whoredome, Profaneneſſe, or the like:Famam extendere factis hoc virtutis opus. A good name ariſeth out of honeſt things (as the Poet could ſay) and not from actions ſinfull and diſhoneſt. Cain and Eſau we know were wicked men, and dead many hundred yeeres agoe; yet the Scripture neuer ſpeaketh of them but with great reproach, as Prophane p. 126Eſau: Heb. 12. 16.Heb 12:16Cain who was of that wicked one, and ſlow his brother: 1 Iohn 3. 12.1 John 3:12And ſo Iudas who is neuer almoſt ſpoken of but he is called by the name of traitor. The Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apoſtles, hauehave likewiſe beene a long time dead, and yet how louely are their names▪ Scripture neuer ſpeakes of them but with great reſpect;Rom. 4.Rom 4 as, Abraham the Father of the faithfull: Pſal. 90. title.Ps 90Moſes the ſeruant of God: Dauid the ſweet ſinger of Iſrael: 2 Sam. 23. 1.2 Sam 23:1And S. Peter, S. Paul, S. Iohn, and ſo the reſt. Thus the wicked leaue a filthy ſauour behinde them as a greaſie ſnuffe, when it goeth out, which eueryevery one that paſſeth by ſtops his noſe at: but the godly leaue their names behinde them for a bleſſing; the very remembrance of them is ſweet; and like the end of ſome ſweet wax candle, which eueryevery one loues to hauehave the ſent of, euen after it hath left burning. Wouldſt thou then bee counted excellent? See that thou doe aaRuth 4. 11.Ruth 4:11worthily in Ephratha and ſo be famous in Bethlehem. It is vertue onelyonly that can emblazon thy name, and that will doe it. A field of ſinceritie charged with deeds of pietie, cannot but be accompliſht with a creſt of glorie. But if thou liueſt licentiouſly and prophanely, ſo loathſome will thy abominable life make thee, as that thou ſhalt ſcarce euer come into mention of Gods people, but with a ſtile like that of Ieroboam the ſonne of Nebat bbKing. 10. 29.that made Iſrael to ſinne.

And laſtly for Conſolation, Vſe 4.let this ſerue, to the godly poore deſpiſed by the rich and worldly wiſe. Know thou for thy comfort, thou art a choiſe plant in Gods account, and hee that knowes the true worth of things eſteemes thee precious, and holds thee for one of his iewels of great price (whateuer men doe deeme.)Malach. 3. 17.Mal 3:17 And when that day of ſeparation ſhall come, hee will then make it known to all the world, Firſt by his ſetting thee on his right hand as one of his darlings,Matth. 25.Matt 25 whom he purpoſeth to aduance and honour, when all other ſhall be turned to the left hand as baſe and contemptible. Secondly, by that his gracious call and ſweet ſentence, p. 127Come thou bleſſed, &c. The proſecuting of this point would bee very comfortable: but I haſten; and now come to the fift Particular heere mentioned; whereby Gods louelove to this his Vineyard was manifeſted in theſe words:

He built a Tower in the midſt of it] which was as well for the beautifying and adorning it,Text. as for the further ſtrengthning of it. By which Tower whether wee vnderſtand the glorious Temple in Ieruſalem, that ſtately edifice and building; or Ieruſalem it ſelfe whereunto all the Tribes reſorted,Pſal. 122. 4.Ps 122:4 and the nations came to worſhip; it will leade vsus to this Obſeruation: that

The Beautie and Bulwarke of a place is Gods ſeruice and worſhip erected and ſet vp in that place. Doctr. Gods worſhip beautifies and ſtrengthens that place where it is ſet vp.For neither is Ieruſalem nor Zion here compared to a Tower (eſpecially) in regard of the ſtately buildings, multiplicity of Turrets, aſpiring Towers, or the like: but in regard of Religion that was found in it. In Ieruſalem was the continuall worſhip of God; In the Temple the continued ſeruice of God; and this was it which gaue the grace and countenance; this made it the golden head of the picture; Ladie of the world; ſeat of the Monarchie; and as Micah (agreeing with this of our Prophet) cals it, theccMich. 4. 8.Mic 4:8 Tower of the flocke, and the ſtrong hold of the daughter of Gods people.

We readedd1 Sam. 4. 20, 21.1 Sam 4:201 Sam 4:21 how that good woman the wife of Phinehas, vponupon hearing tidings of taking of the Arke, with very griefe fell in trauell, and gaue vp the ghoſt: before whoſe death neither could the birth of a manchild, nor the kinde and comfortable ſpeeches of thoſe women then preſent with her, any whit comfort or content her; but ſhe cries out, The glory is departed from Iſrael, becauſe the Arke of God was taken; yea ſhee doubles her paſſionate complaint, and againe with her laſt breath ſaies, The glory is departed from Iſrael, for the Arke of God is taken: And thereupon ſhee giues her ſonne a name, and calls him Ichabod, as much as to ſay, where p. 128is the glory, or rather No glory: and all becauſe the Arke of God was taken. And thus not State, not wealth, not outward magnificence, but the preſence of God in his Ordinances was euer accounted to be the glory of that people.

And ſo the Apoſtle in reckoning vp the priuiledges and prerogatiues of the Iewes, telleth vsus,eeRom. 9. 4, 5.Rom 9:4Rom 9:5 That to them belonged the Adoption and the [Glory] meaning thereby the Arke which was a token of Gods preſence, whence God alſo heard the praiers and praiſes of his people, and gaue forth Oracles vntounto ſuch as ſought him.

As it was their glorie, ſo it was their Strength. By it great things had beene for them wrought. Before it the waters of Iordan were diuided;Ioſ. 3. 14.Josh 3:14 The Idoll Dagon was laid flat vponupon the floore;Ioſ. 6. 11.Josh 6:11 The ſtrong wals of Iericho were demoliſhed by the preſence of it; before it their enemies cannot ſtand. And this cauſed Iſrael too ſuperſtitiouſly to truſt in the Arke of wood, when they had God their enemie: for when they fell before their enemies, they thus aduiſe;ff1 Sam. 4. 3.1 Sam 4:3 Let vsus fetch the Arke of the Couenant of the Lord out of Shiloh vntounto vsus, that when it commeth amongst vsus it may ſaue vsus out of the hands of our enemies. Beſides this that hath beene ſaid and ſhewed of the Arke, for making good this point, that of the Prophet Iſaiah might be brought,ggIſaiah 26. 1.Isa 26:1 In that day ſhall this Song be ſung in the land of Iudah; We hauehave a ſtrong citie, ſaluation will God appoint for wals and bulwarkes, &c. But I haſten to the vſe.

See here what enemies all irreligious perſons are to this State and Kingdome;Ʋſe 1. As likewiſe ſuch as ſeeke to ſuppreſſe and ouerthrow Gods worſhip and true Religion. Theſe are the capitall enemies of our nation; in as much as they labour to the vtmoſt to pull away that which is the Stay and Pillar of our Land. Satan and his inſtruments hauehave euer charged true Religion and the profeſſors of it to be the authors of all contentions, p. 129tumults and inſurrections, and the greateſt enemies of States and Kingdomes: which imputation the father of lies hath laid before the eies of great ones to alienate the mindes of Princes both from it and them. Thus was hhHeſt. 3. 8.Ahaſhueroſh incenſed againſt the Iewes; Dan. 3. 12.Dan 3:12and Nebuchadnezar againſt the three companions of Daniel, as if they had beene diſobeyers of the kings lawes and contemners of his edicts.Acts 17. 18. 19. 26. 24. 5.Acts 17:18Acts 17:19Acts 17:26Acts 17:24Acts 17:5 So S. Paul was often accuſed by the Stoicks in Athens, by Demetrius, by Tertullus, that he was a peſtilent fellow, a mouer of ſedition amongſt the Iewes thorow the world, and a ſect-maſter. And in the time of the tenne firſt perſecutions, if there were any publike plague or calamitie fallen on citie or countrie, the heathen would ſtraight cry out vponupon the Chriſtians, accuſing them to be the authors and cauſers of it: If Nilus ouer-flowed not her bankes; if the clouds with-held their raine; if the earth quaked; if famine encreaſed; if the ſword ſpoiled; if peſtilence continued; by and by the poore Chriſtians, as the ſheepe of Chriſt, were caſt vntounto the Lions: They were charged to make priuie conſpiracies; to deuiſe ſecret counſels againſt the Common-wealth; with the murdering of children, and eating mans fleſh,Eccleſ. Hiſt. as Euſebius doth record. Thus Nero when he ſet Rome on fire, laid the fault on them. And where would the Papiſts hauehave laid the gunpowder treaſon, had the blow beene giuen, but vponupon the Puritans? But as the Wolfe in the fable (oh that it were but a fable) when he ſees the Lambe drinking at the poole, comes blundring into the water and troubles it, then quarrels with the Lambe for troubling the water; Sic nocet innocuo nocuus, cauſamque nocendi Quaerit: So though Ahab the Wolfe troubles all Iſrael, 1 King. 18. 17, 18.1 Kgs 18:171 Kgs 18:18yet Eliah the Lambe ſhall be accuſed for it. And herein the wicked plaies Athaliahs part, who cried out; Treaſon, treaſon, when ſhe was the traitor and none elſe. Therefore as Eliah anſwered the crime obiected and reiected the ſame backe, that it rebounded at him that gaue the charge, ſo doe I. It is p. 130not the godly and religious, but you irreligious and profane, who are the troublers of this Kingdome.

Hence let all be exhorted to vſe all good meanes to their vtmoſt,Vſe 2. that true Religion may be eſtabliſhed: for looke as Sampſons ſtrength lay in his haire,Iudg. 16. 19.Judg 16:19 ſo doth the ſtrength of our land conſiſt herein: which if it ſhould be ſhaued and depriued of (which we truſt ſhall neuer be) though eueryevery ſhowre were a ſhowre of gold, eueryevery ſtone in the land a pearle, eueryevery begger an honorable Senator, eueryevery foole as wiſe as Solomon, eueryevery weakling as ſtrong as Sampſon; yet our wealth, honour, ſtrength, wiſdome, and glory are gone, and we ſhall ſing a dolefull Miſerere withkk1 Sam. 4. 21.1 Sam 4:21 Phineas his wife, Ichabod; The glory of England is gone; for Religion is gone: And therefore let eueryevery one both Magiſtrates and others, as they louelove their ſoules, their bodies, their King, their Country, their peace and proſperitie, pray heartily; and pray continually for the eſtabliſhing of it: eſteeming it for Gods beſt friend, the Kings beſt friend, the Courts beſt friend, the Cities beſt friend, and the Countries beſt friend, and beſt friend to vsus all:Prou. 4. 8.Prov 4:8 Exalt her therefore, and ſhe ſhall promote thee; ſhe ſhall bring thee (oh England) to honour, if thou doſt ſtill embrace her.

The ſixt and laſt particular followes, and that is the erection and ſetting vp of a Winepreſſe in it, for the preſſing of the grapes and ſauing of the Wine. And this (ſaith one) ſhewes what hope the Vinitor conceiued of the fertilitie of his Vineyard: as if the Prophet ſhould ſay; He nothing doubting of the fruitfulneſſe thereof, made a Winepreſſe therein.

About which Winepreſſe our Expoſitors are very various in their iudgements: and yet the opinions of the moſt of them hauehave ſome probable ground: amongſt all, theirs ſeemeth probableſt who vnderſtand thereby the Word and diſcipline. But for as much as we hauehave not here ſo ſure footing as we hauehave had in the former (in that we want Scripture for the ſeconding ſuch an expoſition) p. 131I will content my ſelfe with this generall obſeruation:

God hath his Winepreſſe for the preſſing,Doct. God hath his Winepreſſe for the preſſing of his Ʋineyards grapes. pruning and diſcouering of his Vineyards fruit.

The truth of this I will endeuour to proue by an induction of particulars.

Firſt, the Word preached is an excellent Winepreſſe for this end: This diſcouers what is in a man; and therefore it is compared to anllMatth. 3. 10.Matt 3:10 Axe put to the root of the tree, becauſe it diſcouers who are ſound and vnſound, as the Axe doth: For albeit by the eie it is not ſo ſoone perceiued what trees are good and what naught (for many a one there may be which is ſtrait without, hauing a goodly top, and faire rinde, and yet rotten and hollow within) yet when the Axe is brought and laid to the root, and it felled, then what was before vnknowne, is manifeſtly ſeene. In the ſame reſpect it is compared to ammVerſ. 12. Fanne in Chriſts hand, whereby he doth purge his floore. Chaffe and Corne, good and bad, lie together vponupon an heape a while; but when the Goſpell comes (it being preached with power and a good conſcience) it blowes ſo mightily, as with the guſt thereof hypocrites are ſcattered, and the faithfulneſſe of ſuch, as with honeſt and good hearts embrace it, is reuealed and made knowne. After the ſame manner is the Word compared vntountonnIerem. 23. 29.Jer 23:29 fire, which hath a double effect; to waſte ſtubble and droſſe, and to purifie that which is refineable, as gold and ſiluer: It enflames ſome mens hearts with a zealous louelove to God and his glory; and ſetteth others on fire to perſecute and impugne it: And to aooHeb. 4. 12.Heb 4:12 Sword with two edges, which cutteth both waies, and diuides betweene the ioints and the ſinewes, and the marrow and the bones; it doth anatomize the hearts of men, and diſcouer the ſoundneſſe or vnſoundneſſe of them: And toppEpheſ. 5. 13.Eph 5:13 Light, which maketh all things cleare and manifeſt, which before lying in the darke could not be diſcerned nor diſcouered. Thus we ſee the nature of the p. 132Word, which like a Winepreſſe will make knowne what is within; laying open the poiſon that lurked in the wicked, and the grace and goodneſſe that lay hid in the boſome of the godly.

Secondly, Croſſes and Afflictions wherewith God exerciſeth his Church, are as Gods Winepreſſe, By theſe he doth diſcouer what is in his people that profeſſe his name. Thus Moſes ſaidqqDeut. 8. 2.Deut 8:2 he led his people Iſrael fortie yeares in the Wilderneſſe, For to humble them, and proue them, to know (that is, to make knowne) what was in their hearts. And ſo God ſpeaking of the remainder of his people, whom he did not vtterly cut off in iudgement, ſaith thus:rrZach. 13. 9.Zech 13:9 I will bring the third part thorow the fire, and will refine them as ſiluer is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: And S. Peter comforting the faithfull in their afflictions, ſpeaketh after this manner;ſſ1 Pet. 4. 12, 13.1 Pet 4:121 Pet 4:13 Dearely beloued, thinke it not ſtrange concerning the fierie triall which is amongst you to proue you, as though ſome ſtrange thing were come vntounto you, &c. And Saint Iames after the ſame manner calleth afflictions trials, andttIames 1. 3.Jas 1:3 temptations, becauſe they ſerue to trie vsus what is in vsus, and make it knowne. And indeed afflictions are blabs and tell-tales (as one faith well) they will not conceale the truth, but make it knowne: they preſſe out of the godly that ſap and iuice of grace which is within them; yea the more they are preſſed, the more the liquor of grace diſtilleth from them; the more abundant they are in praier, confeſſior, humiliation, &c. But from the wicked they can preſſe nothing but noiſome, ſtinking putrifaction; all they ſend forth in the day of trouble, is railing, murmuring, and impatiencie.

Thirdly, Diſcipline or the Spirituall cenſures of the Church, executed againſt ſuch members of the Church as hauehave fallen into any ſcandalous offence, the higheſt degree whereof is Excommunication, and debarring from the publike ordinances of God, and ſocietie of the faithfull, both publike and priuate, are as a Winepreſſe. p. 133And though it be not abſolutely of the eſſence of the Church, no more than the Winepreſſe is eſſentiall to the Vineyard, yet it cannot well be wanting in the Church, no more than a Winepreſſe can be wanting in a Vineyard. By and in the true vſe whereof, the ſinner becomes humbled and reformeduu1 Cor. 5. 5. 2 Theſſ. 3. 14.1 Cor 5:52 Thess 3:14: Others are terrified and made afraid**1 Tim. 5. 20.1 Tim 5:20: And the ordinances of God are kept in reuerencexx1 Cor. 5. 6, 7.1 Cor 5:61 Cor 5:7. The ſweet iuice that this ordinance of God wringeth forth, S. Paul ſheweth in his ſecond Epiſtle to the Corinthians: yy2 Cor. 7. 11.2 Cor 7:11For behold (ſaith he) this ſelfe-ſame thing that you ſorrowed after a godly ſort, what carefulneſſe it wrought in you, yea what clearing of your ſelues, yea what indignation, yea what feare, yea what vehement deſire, yea what zeale, yea what reuenge; In all things ye hauehave approued your ſelues to be cleare in this matter.

All this may ſerue to ſtirre vp eueryevery one to looke that their hearts be vpright and ſincere;Ʋſe. and our graces ſound and ſauing: for God will in time diſcouer vsus. His Wine-preſſe is for ſome vſe and end: we muſt aſſuredly be brought vntounto the triall; firſt or laſt, he will preſſe vsus to the purpoſe; and then what will become of faire ſhewes and flouriſhes? The houſe that is built vponupon the ſands makes as goodly a ſhew as any other in a faire Sun-ſhine day; and ſtands as well while the weather is calme: but when the windes ariſe, and the raine beats, then it falls, and is not able to ſtand out the triall:zzMatth. 7. 27.Matt 7:27 And the fall of that houſe is great (ſaith our bleſſed Sauiour.) If thou beeſt not ſound at the core, thy falſe-heartedneſſe will appeare; when thou commeſt vntounto the Preſſe, it cannot be hid. Haply the word and diſcipline hath diſcouered abundance of corruption in thee, and cauſed thee to murmur, repine, and grudge, &c. Well, aſſure thy ſelfe, the Wine-preſſe of affliction will diſcouer farre more, when thou ſhalt be brought vntounto it: (and how ſoone we may be tried therewith, God only knowes.) Leſſer and lighter afflictions make thee as the raging Sea,aaIſay 57. 20, 21.Isa 57:20Isa 57:21 foming out mire and dirt: what then will common p. 134afflictions and heauier perſecutions, which may befall the Church, cauſe thee to doe? And yet as S. Paul ſaith concerning hereſies, ſo ſay I of theſe,bb1 Cor. 11. 19.1 Cor 11:19 they muſt needs be, that the approued may be knowne. Wouldſt thou then be able to endure the preſſe? Looke well vntounto thy inſide; thy ſaith muſt becc1 Tim. 1. 5.1 Tim 1:5 vnfained; thy louelove vnfained, dd1 Iohn 3. 18.1 John 3:18in deed and truth; thy repentance an vnfainedeeIoel 2.Joel 2 renting of the heart; and thy wiſdome ffIam. 5. 17.Jas 5:17without diſſimulation: and then thou needeſt not feare it; for as good grapes, thou art preſſed to be preſerued & not ſpoiled. A childe or afoole indeed, would thinke a goodly cluſter of grapes ſpoyled, when it is caſt into the preſſe: but a wiſe man knoweth, if it be not caſt in, it will periſh within a few daies. If it had not beene ſo, we had wanted the Vine we now hauehave. Thus the pretious liquor diſtilled from thee,De hoc liquore ſaecla futura bibent. ſhall be kept to refreſh the heartggIudg. 9. 13.Judg 9:13 both of God and man; out of that gratious and ſweet iuyce, God will glorifie himſelfe and comfort others. And thus much of theſe particulars, wherein the great care & diligence of this Vinitor did appeare for his Vineyards good. Now ſee the ſucceſſe.

Hee looked that it ſhould bring forth grapes, Text.and it brought forth wilde grapes.]

His hope and expectation was to finde grapes in the vine, or cluſters of grapes, as the word noteth: But it deceiued the hope and expectation of the Lord, and (like a degenerated plant) brought forth wilde grapes: Not leaues or no fruit, but (as the word ſignifieth) ſtinking and bitter fruit; ſuch a kinde of fruit, as in ſmell was moſt odious and ſtinking, and in taſte moſt loathſome and vnſauoury, being neither anſwerable to the nature and kinde of the noble plant, nor yet to the care and coſt of the good and painfull husbandman.

Two things then are here to bee conſidered:Part 1. Firſt, What God expected, for his coſt and paines, [He looked for grapes.]

Secondly, What it returned, and how it anſwered the hope and expectation of the Ʋine-dreſſer, p. 135[It brought forth wilde grapes.]

Before I come to any obſeruation,Queſt. let me make anſwer to a queſtion. Some may demand, whether God can faile of his end in any of his actions, or be deceiued of his hope and expectation?

The anſwer is,Anſwer. Zanch. de natura Dei. c. 2. quaeſt. 13. Gods knowledge is abſolute and perfect, knowing all things from all eternity at one inſtant; and it is moſt certaine, and cannot any way bee deceiued, all things being knowne of him as they are, and all things are as they are knowne of him. The future degeneration and ingratitude of this people, the Lord foreſaw euen from the beginning, and knew full well what he ſhould receiue from them; and cauſeth his ſeruant Moſes to ſing and write thereof, euen before they came into the Land ofhhDeut. 31. 20, 29.Deut 31:20Deut 31:29 Canaan; and ſo he telleth them by this our Prophet, that hee knew they would deale very treacherouſly with himiiIſay 48. 8.Isa 48:8 This then is not ſpoken, as if Gods hope and expectation were vncertaine, or could bee fruſtrate, or as if hee were doubtfull what would follow, but by a kkforeign.figure hee thus ſpeaketh: Shewing thereby; 1. What they ought to hauehave done; 2. How acceptable and pleaſing it would hauehave beene to him, if they had ſo done.

Now to ſome Inſtructions: and firſt from Gods expectation, this we note:

Where God hath taken paines in planting and husbanding, Doctr. Where God hath taken paines, hee expects fruit.there he iuſtlie expects fruit ſomewhat anſwerable to his paines.

He lookes for the fruits of his trauels, from them on whom hee hath beſtowed it.llCant. 6. 11.Song 6:11 I went downe into the garden of nuts (ſaith the Welbeloued) to ſee the fruits of the valley, and to ſee whether the vine flouriſhed, and the pomegranats budded. He hauing purged and dreſſed his garden, came to ſee how his handy-worke did thriue and proſper, expecting in conuenient time ſome anſwerable returne. That Parable which our Sauiour doth propoundmmMatth. 21. 34.Matt 21:34 of the Vineyard let out to vnthankfull p. 136husbandmen, is a pregnant proofe: for when the ſeaſon came and time of fruit drew neere, that great Houſholder ſends out his ſeruants to thoſe husbandmen, that they might receiue the fruits: And in the application of that Parable wee reade, that Hee will let out his Vineyard to other husbandmen, who ſhould render him [fruits] in due ſeaſon. And when our Sauiour telleth vsusnnIohn 15. 2.John 15:2 of his Fathers purging and pruning of the Vine, he withall ſheweth vsus what is his aime and ſcope therein; namely, that Chriſtians ſhould bee abundant in bringing forth of fruits beſeeming their profeſſion.

There is good Reaſon for it:Reaſon. Foroo1 Cor. 9. 7.1 Cor 9:7 who planteth a Vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flocke, and eateth not of the milke of the flocke? What husbandman beſtowes his ſeed and paines vponupon his land, and doth not expect a good crop therefrom? And is it not then iuſt and equall, that the Lord ſhould looke for ſome anſwerable returne for all his paines?

Let this then ſerue for our Inſtruction, Ʋſe 1.that wee anſwer this Husbandmans hopes in ſome good meaſure. Let vsus remember the end of all his coſt and labour, and conſider with our ſelues, the reaſon why we hauehave receiued ſo many bleſſings from him: Let vsus ſet before our eies his many fauours, ſpirituall and temporall, and then ſay, whether hee hath not beene as carefull a Huſbandman for England, as euer he was for Iſrael. Hath hee not taken vsus out of the Romiſh Aegypt, where wee grew not well, and planted vsus in a very fruitfull Hill; in a Land flowing with milke and hony? Hath he not fenced vsus about with his mighty protection, Remember 88. and 1605.and defended vsus from many dangers and deuilliſh plots, deuiſed againſt vsus by the enemies of the truth: So that neither Boare nor Beare, Wolfe nor Foxe, Turke nor Pope, could yet inuade vsus, or preuaile againſt vsus? Hath hee not rooted out and expelled, thoſe ranckling thornes and renting brambles, (I meane the Papiſts) and caſt out of this his Vineyard, the ſtumbling ſtones p. 137of ſuperſtition, and baggage of mans traditions, with the relikes of Idolatry, hammering and beating downe the Popiſh Dagon? And hath hee not planted choiſe plants in this his Vineyard, giuing vsus ſuch Princes as may bee compared with the beſt Princes of Iſrael and Iudah, vnderunder whom wee hauehave a long time enioyed the Goſpell, with the fruits of the Goſpell, Peace and Plentie; ſo that wee may ſit vnderunder our owne Vines and Figtrees, conferring of the waies of God, and quietly enioying our goods and earthly happineſſe? No Church vnderunder heauen more enriched with treaſures and gifts from God than ours is. What could he hauehave done more for this his Vineyard than hee hath done? And what can he expect leſſe from this his Vineyard than he now doth, abundance of ſweet grapes and good fruits? Yea, in particular let eueryevery one conſider this, and make application of it to himſelfe. Hath not the Lord choſen thee aboue many thouſands in the world, and afforded vntounto thee ſuch meanes, as hee hath not granted vntounto many, who by nature are as good as thy ſelfe art? Hath he not ſent his ſeruants vntounto thee earely and late to call vponupon thee, that thou ſhouldeſt bring forth fruit worthy amendment of life? Hath hee not often trimmed thee with his pruning-hooke of afflictions and croſſes; ſometimes in thy friends, at other times in thy goods; ſometimes one way, at other times another? and to what end hath all this beene, but that thou ſhouldeſt bee fruitfull? Thus ſhould eueryevery one commune with his ſoule, and put the queſtion to himſelfe, what God meant in being at ſuch paines and coſt with him; that ſo thoſe fruits may be ſound in vsus, which the hand of God lookes to gather from vsus: For to whom much is giuen of them much ſhall bee required. Oh! beware then that thou deceiueſt not Gods hope; he expecteth fruit of thee, let him finde it in thee.

This point (though plaine) I finde ſo needfull to be preſſed in this barren age, as that I muſt be bold to purſue p. 138it, and ſhew, Firſt, the Motiues or Reaſons inducing vsus to fruitfulneſſe: And ſecondly, acquaint you with ſome profitable meanes that muſt be vſed to make vsus grow more fruitfull: And thirdly, acquaint you with the nature and quality of that fruit which we muſt bring forth, that God may accept of it, and take pleaſure in it: All which are neceſſary points to be handled in the proſecuting and following of this Vſe.

To begin with the Motiues: Motiues to fruitfulneſſe.beſides what hath alreadie beene ſaid and ſhewed of Gods deſeruing it, by reaſon of his paines and coſt (which ſtrongly bindeth vsus to obedience) ſundrie other Reaſons may be brought: 1As firſt; EueryEvery creature in it kinde is fruitfull: The pooreſt creature that God hath made, is enabled with ſome gift to imitate the goodneſſe and bountie of the Creator; and to yeeld ſomething from it ſelfe to the vſe and benefit of others. The Sunne, Moone and Starres, as they are endued with light, ſo they reſtleſly moue to impart their light and influence, to the enlightning of this inferiour world. The Clouds flie vp and downe emptying themſelues to enrich the earth, from which notwithſtanding they reape no harueſt. The Earth liberally yeelds her riches, and brings forth food for the maintenance of thoſe innumerable armies of creatures that liue thereon; Greene herbe for the cattell, and oile and wine for man: The valleyes ſtand thicke with corne; the Mower filleth his Sythe, and the binder vp of ſheaues his boſome: Thus it returnes fruits in abundance to the painfull tiller and dreſſer of it. Yea, what Herbe, Plant or Tree growes vponupon the earth, which is not in its kind fruitfull; ſpending it ſelfe and the principall part of its ſap and moiſture in bringing forth ſome pleaſant berrie or other ſuch like fruit; which being ripe and perfect, ſuffers to hauehave plucked from it for the good of man, and voluntarily lets drop downe before his feet? And doth not eueryevery one diſlike ſterilitie in his grounds and barrenneſſe in his cattell, expecting fruitfulneſſe in all that p. 139belongs vntounto him? Now then, how can it be allowable, when heauen and earth are fruitfull in their kinde; and neither bird, beaſt, nor plant are idle, but are euer bringing forth for the good of their Lords and owners, that only man ſhould remaine vnfruitfull; his faculties and graces idle, and he himſelfe a burden to the earth? Shall not eueryevery creature be a witneſſe againſt man, and riſe vp in iudgement to condemne him, if he be barren; fruitleſſe? And therefore as the Earth to Man; ſo let Man to God, returne a bleſſed vſury; ten for one; nay, thirtie, ſixtie, an hundred fold.