Commentary on Judges, Sermon 8
THE EIGHTH SERMON VPONUPON THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BOOKE OF IVDGES.
IT followeth further about this Bethlite, (for it is to good Verſ. 25. A queſtion.purpoſe) to enquire heere, whether this man did well in betraying the city, and what is lawfull in the like caſe. For as concerning the ſpies, no queſtion is to be made of their drawing the man to it, whether they did well or no; for it was their worke aſſigned them of God to deſtroy Anſwerethoſe nations, and therefore to vſe the meanes in going about it. So was it alſo lawfull for him to do it, they ſignifying to him what Gods wil was in that behalfe. But whether the man beleeued that, and therfore whether he did it in faith, or to ſaue his life, and his friends and goods, it is vncertaine. The firſt is more poſſible, then probable, to hauehave been the cauſe that drew him to doe it; but the laſt is moſt likely; yet wee may not determine which, except the Lord went before vsus: therefore according thereto was his act good and commendable in him, or otherwiſe. Now for vsus, the caſe ſtandeth farre otherwiſe, then it did with him. For it is Doct. ve. ſ. 25.not lawfull for vsus to yeeld to any ſuch thing as he did, in betraying the city, but odious and horrible. The Lord Ieſus ſpeaking of the like matter, as a thing moſt monſtrous to attempt or goe about. He ſaith, many ſhall hate and betray one another: a fearefull thing to heare, much more for one to doe it to Matth. 24. 10.a whole City.
Nay all bitter violence and cruelty is odious in vsus one towards another, ſimply, and without all reſpects; much more when it ſhal be done for gaine or preferment. No, neither is it any way tolerable for the ſauing of ones owne life. We muſt in all theſe caſes, hauehave our diſcharges and warrant from God, for that which we doe; as Rahab had for hiding the ſpies: which wee Ioſh. 6. 25.hauing Scriptures moſt clearely to direct vsus in all our actions, no ſuch thing, from what example ſoeuer, is to be followed of vsus in theſe daies. Neither is the fact of Ioel in killing Siſera, nor the Iſraelites borrowing and carrying away Iudg. 5. 24. Exod. 12. 35.of the Egyptians treaſures, any thing to imbolden vsus to doe the like: ſhe doing it againſt Gods enemies the Canaanites; they doing that which they did by the Lords appointment. In a word, to doe any euill that good may come of it, is odious.
Laſtly, out of theſe two verſes it is good for vsus to marke, in that this poore Doct. 2.Bethlite was the inſtrument of taking the city; what poore meanes and helpes God oftentimes miniſtreth, for the effecting of that which hee commandeth to be done; yea though the worke be great, and the means weake and vnlikely to bring ſuch a matter to paſſe, it skilleth not. Both theſe things may be ſeene, both in ſtirring vp and preparing that ſillie woman in Ioſhuas time, to receiue & lodge the ſpies, whom he ſent to view Iericho before they tooke it, as alſo by blowing trumpets of Rammes hornes, and Ioſh 6. 16. &c.by compaſſing of the city Iericho ſeuen times, to make the walles of it to fall downe. Who ſeeth not that theſe were poore engins to batter walles? and alſo to giuegive this Bethlite into the hands of theſe ſpies, that they might by his helpe eaſily take the city? For when God will hauehave a worke to be brought to paſſe, he appointeth the meanes alſo for the ſame purpoſe; which being alwaies knowne to him, but ſeldome to vsus ordinarily, till we meet with them (not by chance, but by his will and appointment) it doth often take heart from vsus, and much diſmay vsus from cheerefull going about that which wee are commanded, ſo weake is our faith, when with vnbeleeuing Thomas wee doe not ſee and behold with bodily eyes the meanes which are yet ſufficient and at hand through Gods promiſe.
So much the more it behoueth vsus to be well acquainted with that which is taught vsus heere: for it is a ſingular encouragement to vsus, (wee being ſo weake) when we hauehave an hard labour laid vponupon vsus, and we ſee no meanes to bring it to paſſe, to know (yet) that God will prouide helpe, though wee ſee not how; as he did prouide a ſacrifice for Abraham to offer in ſtead of Iſaac. Indeed, if he ſhould deale with vsus as Pharaoh did with the Iſraelites Gen. 22. 8.(who enioyned them an hard taske, and great worke, but yet they muſt make ſhift how to effect it, (which was impoſſible for them to doe) then it were no maruell if we were penſiue, and at our wits end what to doe. But (God be thanked) if we can beleeue him, that he will make it eaſie, and prouide accordingly; moſt cheerefully may we be occupied, from day to day, in all that by Gods Commandement we ſet our hand vntounto. This cauſed the Apoſtle Paul to be ſo diligent and vnwearied in bringing ſo many nations Act. from 13. 10 21. chap.by his preaching, to embrace the Goſpell, and ſaluation thereby; when yet there were ſo many and great diſcouragements in his way.
This cauſed thoſe worthy ſeruants of God, Zorobabell, Ezra, and Nehemiah, Nehem. 2. 17.not onelyonly to returne into Iudea; but to build both the city vp againe, being greatly ruinated; and euen the walles thereof, and alſo the Temple; when hauing commandement from God ſo to doe, they beleeued that hee would ſhew them how, and bee with them, to inable them, though wee are not ignorant, how many blocks and maine enemies there were in their way to hinder them. And wee hauehave no other ſtay to looke for the promiſed ſaluation, but this, that hee that hath commanded vsus to liue by faith, and waite by hope, will finde meanes to bring it to paſſe, although we ſee little how, many times; in ſo much that we oft feare and doubt, it being the waightieſt caſe of all other; euen as Saint Peter alſo ſaith, that the righteous are ſcarcely ſaued. And euen ſo, the labouring man, and the Artificer could neuer bee vpholden 1. Pet. 4. 18.to follow their calling with any peace, if they ſhould looke onelyonly how hardly they are like to bee maintaine, and ſhould not ſtay themſelues by faith, that God will prouide for them, they themſelues not being negligent. And be this the ſtay of vsus all, in our hardeſt condition wherein wee be ſet by God, that hee will bring vsus through, though wee ſee not how, and that alſo in good ſort, becauſe he hath promiſed.
Now it remaineth, that we ſee how well this man was rewarded that did Verſ. 26.helpe forward Gods people in their worke, to the deſtroying of his enemies, by ſhewing them the way into the city, though it bee not ſet downe with what mind he did it. Thus they dealt with him: they did not onelyonly ſet him free, and his whole family, from the deſtruction that lighted vponupon the other citizens, but they did alſo ſuffer him to carrie away his wealth: yea and ſo greatly enriched him, that he was able to goe build a citie. And by this wee ſee, that ſuch as bee helpers and friends to Gods people, neuer looſe their reward: as Rahabs example and the Kenites doe moſt cleerely Ioſh 6 24.proue & declare. A notable encouragement both to Gods people, to know that the Lord ſo careth for them, that hee will cauſe many, euen of the wicked, 1. Sam. 15 6.to be friends to them, and helpefull: and it is no leſſe comfort to them Prou. 16. 7.that are ſo affected to them, they may bee ſure they ſhall not loſe their labour, but be well rewarded. And ſo much the more wee ought to bee quickened by this doctrine, ſeeing Gods people hauehave many and ſtrong enemies in this world, and they themſelues are weake and ſoone diſcouraged. And this is a great refreſhing to them, when they hauehave promiſe of ſuch helpes, as whereby their but then is made eaſie. And the Lord hath ſaid much in his word to the encouragement of both; and therefore the Pſalmiſt ſpeaking of Ieruſalem Gods people, ſaith. Let them proſper that louelove thee. Pſal. 122. 6.And to Abraham the father of beleeuers (which alike is ſpoken to all that are beleeuers, as Abraham was) thus he ſaith; I will bleſſe them that bleſſe thee, and curſe them that curſe thee. So that as Ahab was ſpared, inſomuch that the Gen. 11. 35.plague threatned came not in his daies, but in his ſonnes, becauſe he repented, and yet it was but outwardly, wherein hee gaue but a bare ſhew of it, euen ſo, they that doe to his people any good, though it bee but in an outward action, as this Bethlite did heere to the Lords people, ſhall not loſe their reward.
It is true indeed, that this but temporary for the moſt part, which they receiue, as the helpe that they miniſter to them is ſo: but beſides that it is much that God will regard them at all, who are not faithfull to him (for they might feare rather the contrary, that he would purſue them as his enemies) becauſe they be not repentant: beſides this (I ſay) they get acquaintance with the godly hereby ofttimes, whereby they be in hope, that they Note.ſhall learne their religion, and follow their conuerſation, which if they ſo like and approue of, that they louelove them the better for it, then do they gaine exceedingly by it indeed, I meane by that friendſhip that they ſhew them. For then they come within the compaſſe of a better bleſſing, and are partakers of a greater promiſe, euen that in the Goſpell; Whoſoeuer receiueth a Prophet, Matth. 10. 41.in the name of a Prophet, ſhall receiue a Prophets reward: and he that receiueth a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, (that is, for his goodneſſe, and becauſe he is a good man) ſhall hauehave the reward of a righteous man alſo.
This ought for iuſt cauſe to aſtoniſh and terrifie them who are profeſſed enemies to them becauſe they walke vprightly, and hate none more deadly; 1 Ioh 2. 12. Prou. 29 27.according to the prouer be; The righteous is an abomination to the wicked.
This ought alſo to draw the hearts of the common ſort who profeſſe religion, better to regard Gods people, and not to bee more brutiſh then the Heſt. 8. 17.heathen nations who feared Iſrael, ſeeing they ſaw God was with them, yea and let them while they liue among them obſerue their example, and profit by them, as they in the Acts. 9. 31. If they will ſay they know not Act. 9. 31.who they are; I anſwere, that they ſpeake vntruly; for in the time of their owne affliction and miſery, they can diſcerne and doe know them, and will aske for them; although at other times they are thought of them to bee too preciſe and deuout, and call them Scripture-men in contempt; yea euen ſuch as againſt whom they will ſet themſelues: to theſe therefore, if they will ſhew that they be wiſe indeed, let them adioyne themſelues, and make much of them, till they verifie the Scripture; the Lambe and the Lion ſhall feed together: for if God in their trouble and abaſement hauehave giuen them Eſa. 11.vnderſtanding and diſcretion to know them, and afterward they make no more reckoning nor account of them; they cannot bee ignorant that they hauehave done wickedly, and are able to ſee what they doe in caſting them off. And let them be ſure, that their ſin will find them out in time, and the Lord Numb. 30.will caſt off them, for that they hauehave dealt ſo with them. But much more if they or others begin to ſmite them with their tongue, and to kicke at them, and diſgrace them. This bee ſaid of the houſe of Ioſeph ioyntly. It followeth in the text.
VERS. 27. Neither did Manaſſes deſtroy Bethſhean with her townes, nor Taanach with her townes, nor the inhabitants of Dor with her townes, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam with her townes, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo with her townes, but the Canaanites dwelt ſtill in that land.
28. Neuertheleſſe when Iſrael was ſtrong, they put the Caananites to tribute, and expelled them not wholly.
29. Likewiſe Ephraim expelled not the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
30. Neither did Zebulon expell the Canaanites that dwelt in Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol, but the Canaanites dwelt among them and became tributaries.
31. Neither did Aſher caſt out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Ach zib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob.
32. But the Aſherites dwelt among the Canaanites the inhabitants of the land: for they did not driue them out.
33. Neither did Napthali driue out the inhabitants of Beth-ſhemeſh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath, but dwelt among the Canaanites the inhabitants of the land: neuertheleſſe the inhabitants of Beth-ſhemeſh and Bethanah became tributaries vntounto them.
IN theſe verſes the holy ſtory layeth out the ſinne of the other Iſraelites The ſenſe.beſide Beniamin, for that they caſt not out, nor deſtroyed not thoſe Canaanites which dwelt in their ſeuerall lots, according to the commandement of God, but onelyonly made them tributaries to them. And before all the reſt the tribe of Manaſſe is reckoned to hauehave done ſo. But whereas it is ſaid in Ioſhua, that this tribe did then ſo, that is, make them tributaries then: it is not Ioſh. 17. 12.ſo to be vnderſtood, but that is ſaid there by an anticipation; that is, by ſetting downe that before, which came to paſſe afterward. For that was afterward to come to paſſe, that is, at this time heere mentioned, which was after Ioſhuas death. For in the daies of Ioſhua, and of the Elders that liued with Ioſh. 24. 31.him, the people contained themſelues, and did their duties in reſiſting their enemies, by his worthy conducting and going before them. And by this their departing from the commandement of the Lord, which for a time they obeyed, we ſee how they declined in a ſhort time and waxed weary of obeying.
The which, and namely in ſo many of them, teacheth, how ready men Doct. Out of all theſe verſes in generall.are to leaue and forſake a good courſe, although they hauehave hardly, and with much adoe, been brought to embrace and faſten vponupon it; which much concerneth vsus to marke. For we are eaſily deceiued about this, and thinke both of our ſelues and others, that if we beginne to diſlike, and turne away from ſome groſſe and common faults that wee were wont to commit; then the worſt is paſt with vsus, and that wee ought iuſtly to bee reckoned among the godly; whereas it is nothing ſo, but we be yet, for all that, farre off. For a Note.farre greater matter is required to the endeuour effectuall calling to repentance may be approued of God, and be ſound indeed, as in other places I hauehave ſhewed, how we ought to try and ſearch into our ſelues, and cannot Luk. 14. 31. Lam. 3. 40.now ſtand about it.
But although wee were truly turned to God, and had, as theſe, obeyed God for a time with a good heart, yet ought we to feare danger, in reſpect of our owne frailty, and according to the preſent occaſion, when wee ſee to what point theſe tribes came, for all they had followed the Lord commendably for a time, in beginning to caſt out the nations as they were commanded. And the reaſon of this, to wit that wee ſhould thus carefully looke to our ſelues, is this, that we are reformed but in part, and that in ſmall part: in which reſpect yet, becauſe we hauehave receiued ſome grace, we are able thereby to deſire and goe about to doe God ſome ſeruice, and ſpecially at ſome time; namely, while we be watchfull to hold vnderunder our rebellious paſſions, aſſiſted by grace: but what then? For wee hauing a ſea of corruption euer flowing in vsus, and our owne concupiſcence beſide outward obiects enticing vsus a contrary way; it muſt be drained and purged out daily, by little and little, Note.and not bee let alone in vsus, leſt it ſhould choake and drowne the grace that we hauehave receiued; which if it be, wee become impotent by and by, ſo that wee doe not onelyonly ceaſe to obey, but wee are carried rather as with a ſtreame to any euill that we be tempted to; and namely, to this one heere mentioned that ouertooke theſe tribes; that is, to be wearie of well doing: and ſo much the rather, ſeeing there are ſo many allurements and occaſions in eueryevery place to prouoke vsus and ſet vsus forward.
And although we are not without helpe, nor naked in the middeſt of all theſe ſtormes, yet if wee know not theſe things; yea and if alſo wee doe not reſiſt carefully ſuch euill as I hauehave mentioned; neither ſtriue to nouriſh ſuch ſparkles of grace as are kindled in vsus, our hearts being ſet wholly hereupon, as the waightieſt thing that we hauehave to deale in; what maruell is it, though wee fall from the goodneſſe that was wrought and begun in vsus, and ſo become Note.others then we were before? Which I ſpeake not as though we muſt do nothing but watch and reſiſt ſome one or few inticements which would (I grant) ſoone waxe tedious to vsus; neither is that impoſed vponupon vsus by God, but we are to know, that while we bee aiming at one good thing or other, our worke goeth well forward, ſo as wee doe wiſely labour to diſcerne among good things, what the beſt is, and moſt neceſſary to bee done for the time, and what ſinne and corruption is moſt to bee reſiſted. Thus I hauehave ſtood ſomewhat long in this point, to ſhew how eaſily we may poſſibly fall from our ſtedfaſtneſſe in a good courſe, and what care ſhould bee in vsus againſt the contrary; which I entred into (as ye may remember) by ſo good an occaſion of the coldneſſe and declining of the tribes from the knowne commandement.
Now I will goe forward, as my purpoſe was, to ſhew ſomewhat more particularly, how we vſe to decline, and breake off good beginnings; euen as theſe tribes did, who began well to execute Gods commandement for a ſeaſon, in rooting out his enemies, but went not forward. And this let vsus ſee in ſome ſort, both in our ſelues and alſo toward others. For the firſt, we cannot bee ignorant that many of vsus of good hope hauehave ſometimes carefully ſearched into our ſelues, to finde out ſuch corruptions of our hearts as hauehave Lam. 3. 40.brought our whole liues out of frame: and therein wee hauehave done God good ſeruice; and when wee hauehave found them out, as careleſneſſe, ſlothfulneſſe, vncleane deſires, and worldlineſſe, &c. we hauehave had them in the chaſe, Note.and hunted them, with diſgracing them, watching and praying heartily againſt Matth. 26. 41.them for a time. This alſo hath been another peece of good ſeruice done vntounto the Lord: but our not being alwaies alike forward, but neglecting care (as through corruption and vntowardneſſe it will ſoone come to paſſe) and the vſe of good meanes, or our feruency therein. Oh how hauehave wee drooped and hanged the wing; yea and if more ſpeedy heed hath not been taken, how neare hauehave we been brought to this bondage, to bee well content to let theſe and ſuch like our ſinnes to be quiet in vsus, without any great purſuit, or offering of any great violence to them, till they hauehave recouered ſome ſtrength in vsus againe, and preuailed, and begun in moſt vnſeemely manner to maſter vsus, and bring forth noiſome fruit, euen like themſelues; as the Canaanites did grow ſtrong and mighty againſt Iſrael, when they were not held downe as God required, but ſuffered to liue and be let alone?
But to proceed no further in this, if theſe noiſome weeds be not plucked vp, how can good ſeed bring forth her fruit, (for all may eaſily ſee what followeth, ſeeing the roofe muſt needs totter if the ground-ſels bee pluckt away) therefore if we ſlothfully ſuffer ourſelues to grow to this point, who ſeeth not that we offend God as ſore, and as grieuouſly prouoke him to diſpleaſure by ſuch diſobedience, as theſe tribes did by making a league with the Canaanites, and not expelling them as they began, and ſhould ſtill hauehave done? For the tranſgreſſion is alike in both, and that of one and the ſame commandements, while they ought to hauehave rooted out perſons out of the land, and we ſinnes out of our hearts and liues. Thus I hauehave ſhewed how like we are to the Canaanites in ſuffering ſinnes in ourſelues, which ſhould hauehave been rooted out rather: now let vsus alſo ſee it in ſome particular manner how we be too like them in our dealings toward others.
For euen as they failed in ſuffering the Canaanites to remaine amongſt them, and did not expell them; ſo doe wee ſuffer them who are little better then Canaanites in their behauiour and manners to abide therein, till they A ſimile.corrupt and taint them that dwell among them; as if an infection were diſperſed round about to poyſon mens bodies. The people of Iſrael ſet themſelues to ſeeke their owne quietneſſe and eaſe (though they broke the commandement of God) in letting the Canaanites liue ſtill, and abide in the land. And to this point things are come in our daies, that whatſoeuer God command to bee done, and good and wholeſome lawes enioyne againſt many fowle ſinnes, yet if the executing of them require labour and any coſt, and it bring any toyle and trouble, and hinder mens eaſe and profit; behold, a Lion is in the way; they will not at all take them in hand; or if they Prou. 22. 13.hauehave begun, they ſoone waxe wearie of the worke, and giuegive it ouer (neuer enioying Gods promiſe to harten them to the obeying of his commandements, but yeelding to their owne corrupt reaſon) ſo that there is little rooting out of grieuous diſorders and lewdneſſe of life, in towne, countrie, or familie: as whoring, drunkenneſſe, gaming, ill companies, and ſuch like: and as little purſuing of the perſons that diſguiſe themſelues therewith, either in Church or Common-wealth. And this was a greater fault in theſe tribes to let the Canaanites remaine, and not expell them; becauſe they were ſtrong enough to hauehave done it; and ſtronger by much then they on whom they ſhould hauehave executed Gods charge: for ſo it is ſaid, verſe 28. When Iſrael waxed ſtrong, yet did they not expell them wholly, but onelyonly put them to tribute. So this aggrauateth the ſinne of our time, foraſmuch as Note.God hath giuen authority into mens hands to remoue ſuch diſorders, and greater gifts of knowledge and ability to ouermatch ſuch euils as he would hauehave to bee rooted out, and yet there wanteth zeale, and courage to goe about it. And though things ſhall neuer bee brought to that perfection that were to be wiſhed, yet much might be done that is vtterly neglected. This be ſaid and noted out of all the verſes in generall, and of all the tribes mentioned therein.
Now more particularly, ſomewhat is to bee ſaid of Manaſſe and Ephraim: who did not alike behaue themſelues when they were ſeuered, as when Verſ. 27. 28. 39.they were ioyned together: then they went the one with the other roundly to the worke, and proſpered: but now they being diuided, they were Doct. out of verſ. 27. 28. compared with the former, from verſ. 22. to 27.backward and ſlothfull, and ſo let the Canaanites grow and multiply. That which I will obſerue heere is this: That we looke heedfully to this, that we make much of godly ſociety, and labour to enioy it therefore, and to take all the good that we may by it. For wee hauehave much encouragement thereby, whatſoeuer good wee goe about, wherein it may bee vſed. For as the Wiſe man ſaith; Two are better then one; if one lie alone, how ſhould he be warme? And Eccleſ. 4. 11.ſo many good perſons being ioyned together in a good worke, (like firebrands in a chimney, that giuegive a glowing heate when they are laid together, when one alone ſoone goeth out) one is refreſhed, helped, hartened, A ſimile.and comforted by the other; according to the kind of worke which they take in hand: and ſo one alone is much weakened, made heauie, and ſoone diſcouraged. As Moſes his hands failed againſt Amalek, till Aaron and Hur propped them vp. But Moſes and Aanon, Caleb and Ioſhuah; Dauid and Ionathan, and ſo much more many together, as their employment required, who doubteth but that they did much more roundly and readily diſpatch the worke appointed them of God, then if they had been diſioyned and aſunder? Therefore doubtleſſe, where both, if there bee no more, or many are ſound hearted in ſeuerall to God and his worſhip, and like minded and vpright hearted each to other, the Lord is doubly honoured, the Goſpell graced, euen in the eyes of the wicked; the aduerſarie ſtronglier reſiſted by their vnited force; beſides the ſtrengthening one the others hands in the way to happineſſe.
And therefore the publike aſſemblies of the faithfull hauehave great force to quicken and to comfort the people of God, in the ſeeing the faces of one another, all being preſent together to meet the Lord there; farre otherwiſe then one alone can finde it, though he be well minded alſo, and enioyeth no ſuch benefit of the miniſtry at all, vnleſſe it can be no otherwiſe. Euen ſo Chriſtian fellowſhip in priuate betwixt the people of God, for their mutuall edifying and comfort, as they hauehave opportunity to enioy it, is many waies gainefull. And though ſolitarineſſe hath alſo her kinde and ſweet vſe; and though there is a time to be alone, when a man deſireth it, who is fit to vſe it; yet to be tied to it, or (which is worſe) to bee in bad company eueryevery while, it is ſuch an vncomfortable eſtate, that if it were not for imployment in their particular calling, wherein they may beſtow their chiefe time, they Note.ſhould make their life meerely tedious and weariſome. Therfore I maruell, that godly fellowſhip and acquaintance is no more ſought and made account of; nor the communion of Saints (which is but one fruit of the Goſpell) in no heartier and greater requeſt, nor no better vſe made of it where it is enioyned; but broken off among ſome, by eueryevery light and ſmall conceit, teatch, or ſiniſter report and ſlander, and by ſuch like occaſions. And ſeeing I hauehave ſpoken this of fellowſhip, one thing I hauehave thought good to adde, and that is: if it bee poſſible let a wiſe Chriſtian bee neuer to ſeeke of ſome one faithfull friend at the leaſt, to whom he may breake his minde in Note.all doubtfull caſes, and communicate with him about neceſſary matters, and who may be to him as an eye to watch ouer him, and as another him-ſelfe to comfort him.
Let this ſuffice to ſhew what a benefit Chriſtian ſociety and godly fellowſhip is many waies, to them that can rightly vſe it; according to the words of the Pſalmiſt, Behold how good and pleaſant a thing it is, brethren to dwel Pſal. 133.together in vnity: and what danger and diſcouragements there ariſe in the priuate condition; where no helpe by Chriſtian communion of neighbors is enioyned; and therfore what heed is to be taken therin that ſuch a band be not broken where it is, and where none is, that it be ſpeedily (as may be) ſought and procured: that for want of aduice, fellowſhip and good company, ſo many waies requiſite, men be not plunged into depth of troubles, both in matters of ſoule, and in things of this life; many of the which might eaſily hauehave been auoided.
Now it followeth, which I will deferre to the next Sermon.