True Remedy Against Famine and Wars, Sermon 1
IOEL. 1. vers. 1, 2. ¶ The word of the Lord that came to Ioel, the sonne of Pethuel. Heare ye this, O elders, and hearken ye all inhabitants of the land, whether such a thing hath bin in your days, or yet in the dayes of your fathers.
COncerning the time when this Prophet liued, and prophecied, diuers men hauehave shewed their diuers iudgements and opinions: whereof, if the best and most probable be receiued, yet it is but a coniecture, and therefore I will leaue it (as doth the holie ghost in this place) vndetermined, and so much the rather, for that the ignoraunce thereof, bringeth neither anie dammage to the truth of the prophesie, nor yet any darknesse vntounto the vnderstanding of the same. This onelyonly is to be obserued, that the time when he liued, and the age wherevnto hee did prophesie, had great need of the doctrine which he taught them: for that (as appeareth by the course of his wordes) they were growne vntounto great extremitie in rebellion against the Lord, and besotted so senslesly in their iniquitie, that albeit the hand of God was heauie vppon them, yet they considered it not, but to the ende that those on whome God had ordained to bestowe his grace, might be rowzed out of their sleepinesse, and they whom in his heauie and eternal displeasure he had cast off, might be made the more without excuse: the Lorde stirred vp this prophet to speak vntounto them, which teacheth vntounto vsus this doctrine for our instruction, that in those places, and among that people,God neuer punisheth in his visible church before he giuegive warning. where (in any maner) his name is called vponupon, the Lord wil euer (in more or lesse measure) make knowne his iudgements for their particular sinnes, and shewe vntounto them the way to escape the same, and meanes howe to preuent it: to this end, that when either in any one priuate person, the matter shall be discoursed in the court of his owne conscience, or when the Lord shall call men vntounto a reckoning, all colour of excuse may be taken away, and their iudgement (if they repent not) may be made vntounto them (euen by their owne confession) more iust: for albeit that the verye visible creatures of God, which we dayly see before our eies, and hauehave (by the blessing of God) from time to time to attend vppon vsus, and minister vntounto our seueral necessities, are sufficient to teach vsus, so much of the wisedome and knowledge of God, as to make vsus excuselesse: yet when God …all go thus far with vsus, as to speake vntounto vsus out of his holie worde, to teach vsus, not onelie in generall, what he required at our handes, but in particular also, to conuict vsus of the sinnes that wee stand guiltie of before his maiestie, and to shewe vsus both the meanes howe to be ridde of them, and to do the things that he commandeth: when (I say) the Lorde shall go thus farre with vsus, if then we turne not vntounto him, in forsaking the waies of wickednes, and submitting our selues to the rule and gouernment of his blessed worde, our excuse being (euen in our owne iudgement) lesse, our iudgement must needs be the more heauy. Nowe eueryevery one of vsus must applie this to our owne hearts, and make it a particular doctrine for our seuerall instructions, seeing that God (in most plentifull maner) hath shewed vntounto vsus this vnspeakeable merciemercy and grace, as to teach vsus from time to time the waies that we are to walke in, which if we doe not, we make our selues guilty of our iudgement aboue thē of Sodom, and bring our selues into a more miserable condition than they of Gomorrah?
Now, to shew you ye cause, of this change of my course, in leauing of our ordinary porti…ns of scripture, & taking this in hand, it is briefely this: as all scripture doth at all times belong to gods church, good is to be taught therin: so are there some parts therof that do more properly belong vntounto some times,Our time like vntounto that in which Ioel prophesied. places, & persons: Now for so much as that time, & this, wherein wee presently do liue, being compared togither, are found to bee (in eueryevery respect) very like the one to the other, I think the doctrine that then fitted them, to be very necessary for vsus, vponupon ye like occasion, for as the hand of God was vponupon them in the want of bread, so (though not in the like measure) is it vpō vsus: as they had little sence, or feeling therof, to acknowledge it, the punishmēt of god vponupon thē for their sins, but ascribed it to other causes, so do we, imputing it, some to the hardnes of wise mens hearts, some to the the eueryevery of transporting, and some to the vnseasonable times,A comparison betwixt Israel & vsus, conteining the sum of these sermons. but few look into themselues, & their sins, that procure the Lord to turn ye hearts of men, & the benefit of heauen & earth from vsus: as the Lord hauing sent famine, which preuailed not with them, to their conuersion, did threaten to send a more violent and forcible rod, the inuasion of strangers vponupon ye land: so doth hee by many warnings & tokens threaten the same vntounto vsus, & (lastly) as the Lord prescribed vntounto them, if euer they looked to hauehave his iudgements present, remoued, or those yt hanged ouer their heads, turned away, they must meet the Lord, and preuent his wrath, by fasting and praier, which might be as means to bring them to the true humiliation of their soules: so we, that by the same sins, are punished, & threatned in the same maner, by the hand & rod of the same ielous God, if euer we look to be reduced soundlye againe into his fauour, must take the same course, that hee (which did knowe the best waye) prescribed vntounto them.
The word of the Lord.) Before that the holy Ghost setteth downe vntounto vsus the matter of hys prophesie, he first of all speaketh of the party, that was sent to doe thys message, and the Author from whome it was addressed, conteyned in the first verse: wherin, hee describing the Ambassadour that GOD, did send, doth not shewe hys pedegree, from anye notable, and famous man in Israell, nor of what Tribe hee was, whether he was of the ordinary ministers of the order of Leui, or of some other familie, raised vp extraordinarylie from God, wythout the calling of men: the which, (though it be so) bringeth no doubt either of the doctrine to be deliuered, or of the party by whom it is to be made knowen. For as concerning the doctrine, albeit it be eueryevery way authenticall (that is, of sufficient authoritie in it selfe) yet when wee looke into the matters for which this prophet is alleadged, in the new Testament we shall see, that with the Lord it is of soueraigne account, being made (as it were) the vmpare of so great matters: for it is not only alleadged by the apostle aActs. 2.16.Peter in the defence of the disciples accused to be full of new wine, and the myracle of diuers toongs bestowed vppon them: but also in that graue and waightie disputation of the calling of the Gentiles, the apostle bRom. 10.13Paule doth alleadge it, as a testimonie of most euident truth to cleare the matter in hand, and as concerning the partie, the lad (no doubt) of speciall purpose, passeth him ouer with few wordes, not so carefully describing his slocke, as often he doeth in others of the Prophets, to the ende, that the matter wherof he was to speake, being of so great importance they might regarde and respect it, and not the party by whom it was to be vttered: which thing is also vntounto vsus worthy the consideration, to teach vsus that wee maye not hang the credite or truth of the worde of God,The authoritie of gods word dependeth not on man. on the sleeue of him that vttereth it, but to receiue and imbrace it (as it is indeede) for the worde of God whatsoeuer hee bee that speaketh it: whereby I doe not meane that wee are indifferently, and with the like affection to heare him that sinisterly, or of a sinister purpose preacheth the word, and him also that sincerely, and with a sincere cōscience deliuereth it, but for the thing it selfe, to esteeme of it as it is, in what vessell soeuer it be carried, and yet to desire, and (by al meanes) to labour that wee may receiue it in a vessell fit and worthy (as neare as can be) so pretious treasure: the which may be made more euident by a comparison from the body to the soule, and from the food of the bodie to the foode of the soule: for as meate is stil the creature of God, ordained for the nourishing of mans bodie whatsoeuer it be, dressed and made ready by a neate and cleanlie cooke, or by him that doeth handle it sluttishly and vnhansomly: so is the worde of God, being ordained for the feeding of the soule, still to be esteemed the same in it selfe, whatsoeuer he be that dispenseth it vntounto vsus, but as there is no man that hath care of the health of his body, that will hauehave his meate dressed (if he can choose) by him that either for want of skill can not, or of curious vanitie will not vse it as hee should, least by the rawnesse thereof, or by some euil and vnwholsome mixture, it bring poison in stead of nourishment, euen so, no man that hath care in deede of his owne soule, will commit it indifferentlie (without any choice) to the riffe-raffe, and common sorte of Popish priests, but to such a one, as both for knowledge is able, and willingnes wil be careful to diuide vntounto him the worde of God aright, and giuegive him his portion in due season.
The word of the Lord that came vntounto Ioel, that is, ye doctrine which is to be deliuered, is that which God determining to make knowen vntounto the people of Israel, did first reueale vntounto his seruāt Ioel, that he might speake it vntounto them, which wordes beeing diligently marked, doe affoorde vntounto vsus diuers doctrines for our instruction, the first is that, wherein the calling of the prophet is prooued both vntounto his owne conscience, and also to the people: to his owne conscience thus, that when hee should enter into the triall of himselfe,It is needful for a Minister to be assured of his calling. and into the consideration of his estate, and seeing his course to be such as fewe woulde like of, yet this might be his comfort, the Lord had set him aworke: & surely this is a thing most needful to be examined & considered of, in these our dayes of the ministers of God, not onlie in generall in respect of their calling, and the manner of their dealing in it, that is almost eueryevery where gainesaid, but especially in those particular things, for which they are often called into question, cōdemned, and (as malefactors) punished by the worldlings that vsurpe vponupon them: for as on the one side, if we shall take that course which is displesant vntounto God, and wherby wee doe also come into disgrace with men, our estate is most wretched & miserable, so on the other side, if we do nothing but that which is come vntounto vsus by the worde of the Lorde, that is inioyned vsus from God that hath placed vsus in our calling, though the world think hardly of vsus for it, & we suffer ignominie, losse, and smarte because of it, yea, though it bring tediousnesse vntounto our owne flesh, and wearisomnesse to our spirits, yet this shall be vntounto vsus as an inuincible fortresse, as a brazen wall against our aduersaries, and as a thousand witnesses to testifie with vsus, and giuegive vsus comfort in the middest of all extremities. Againe, the calling of the prophet is approoued by the fame (euen) vntounto men, for, if they shoulde hauehave denied yt which he spake to be true, or him to be the prophet of God, he had wherwith to answer & conuince them in both respects: in the first, that that which he said must needes be true, for that it came from God: on the behalfe of the second, that he was the prophet of God, for that the word came not in generall to all, or to many, but particularly to him, for that he was furnished, and eueryevery way inabled, not onelie in the vnderstanding of that which hee was to deliuer, but also in his owne conscience perswaded to be the man, forsomuch as GOD, sending the message vntounto him, did thereby assure him, that he had alotted, and called him to that function. Which if we marke it well, and gather a generall doctrine for our instruction out of it, doeth teach vsus how to knowe the most reall and essentiall markes of those whome wee are to esteeme the messengers of God sent vntounto vsus:The markes of a true minister. for if it be true that God sendeth first his word vntounto him (that is, furnisheth him with knowledge of his wil, and care to aduance his glorie in the deliuerance of it vntounto his people) then must it needes follow, that they who by reason of lacke of knowledge, diligently imploy themselues (in an ordinarie and lawfull calling, to breake vntounto the people of GOD the bread of life, and train them vp to the knowledge of the gospell, were neuer sent of God into that place, and therefore are not (of his people) to bee receiued & esteemed as ambassadors from his maiestie, but as wolues bursting in, and rauenners sent of Satan to the keeping from them the kay of knowledge, and so fore-closing vntounto them (as much as in them lieth) the passage and entry into the kingdome of heauen, for Gods people (who are to think as the Lord hath taught them in his word) must acknowlege and receiue (onelyonly them that are found to be qualified with the giftes of his ministers, the first wherof is eueryevery where in the word of god) saide to be the gift of teaching, the knowledge of his mysteries, which caused the Lord (before he sent the prophet aEzech. 2.8.Ezech. to preach vntounto his people, & denounce those iudgementes that he meant to inflict vponupon them) to shew to him a booke, & command him to eat it, which signified, ye knowlege & present readines that he should hauehave in executing his office: it is alwaies said, ye word of the Lord came to ye prophets: our sauior christ saith, that bMat. 13.52.a Scribe taught vntounto ye law, must be as one that bringeth out of his tresury old & new, & S. Paul describeth a B. (by which he meaneth eueryevery Minister of ye gospel) that he cTit. 1.9.must be apt to teach & cō uince the gainsaier: but I wil not stand on this point that is so clear (to thē that hauehave eies) as the sunne at noone-daye. Euerie man will confesse, that no earthlie prince will send an ambassador that wanteth eyther knowledge or vtterance to deliuer his message, & is not God far wiser than men?
Againe, in that it is said, The word of the Lord came vntounto Ioel, we must note to what ende it was, namely, as followeth in hys practise, that he might make it known vntounto the elders of the land, which is to be noted, for many there be in the world, who (if they hauehave any more vnderstanding than the common sort hauehave) do by & by persuade thēselues that they are (as they are termed) learned ministers, albeit they hauehave neither vtterāce to deliuer that which they know, neither (if they hauehave any gift that way) yet make smal cōscience whether they imploy themselues in painfull preaching or no: the end for which ye word came to Ioel, Learning maketh not a Minister.condē neth both the sorts of thē. For the first we must note, that ye holy ghost when he requireth of a Minister, to be apte to teach, wee must not thinke, that he meaneth him that hath it within him, & is as a tub without any vent, for that is but as a candle lighted, & after couered with a bushell, but he meaneth him that is so prepared and furnished thervnto, that he is also set on work in the same: and therefore it is, that the prophet Esay saith aEsay. 50.4.that God had geuen vntounto him a learned toong, that hee might know to minister the word in time to him that is weary: & the apostls in their praier intreated God for ye gift ofbActes. 4.29 vtterance: & for the second it is clear as the sun, that he who (hauing all the gifts that may furnish a Minister vntounto his calling) laboreth not painefully wyth them to teach others, denieth the end for which he is placed there, which is c2. Tim. 4.2.to preach in season & out of seson, to teach, impro…ue, exhort, and comfort with all continuaunce, and long-suffering to lift vppe his aEsay. 58.1.voice like a trumpet, to bEzek. 33.7.watch dayly, and shew the comming of the enimy: to conclude, to deliuer cAct. 20.27.all the councell of God, so farre as hee hath receiued, and to dMat. 28.20teach his people to obserue whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded, and therefore lette a man hauehave neuer so muche knowledge, and imploye it not painefully herevnto, though hee bragge of his sufficiencie neuer so muche, and his people or worldly friendes enroll him neuer so high in the catalogue of learned Ministers, the holie-ghost wil take him downe, and place him in his proper standing, that is, in the rank of thoseeEsay. 56.10 dumbe dogges, and idoll sheepeheards that the Lord by his prophet condemneth. Moreouer, in that it is said, that this word of the Lord was vntounto Ioel, before it came to the people, we learne another lesson for our instruction, which is, that as the Lorde meant, that this worde shoulde be common vntounto all Israell, yet sent it first to his prophet, that by his ministerie they might be taught it, so doeth hee euer (in that ordinarie waie which hee in his word hath commended and commaunded vntounto vsus) deale with his people, that is, bring them to the knowledge of his worde by the ministerie of men, to the ende,The preaching of the word is the meanes whereby God will be knowne. that wee may learne (if wee bee willing to let God be our teacher) to submit our selues vntounto that his ordinance, and by such means as he hath and doth out of the same daylye affoorde vntounto vsus, to begge and expect the blessing of knowledge, and the graces that accompany the same from his hāds: which doctrine is very needfull to be learned, for we see that men waxe so wise in their own conceit, that for the knowledge of the way to heauen, they thinke (as their practise declareth) to finde out a better waye, and make it a shorter cut than GOD hath appointed: for whereas God hath ordayned the preaching ministerie of his worde to be dayly sounding in his church, to bring men vntounto knowledge, and by knowledge vntounto faith, and so to saluation, it is come now to passe, that (the most men thinke that waie not so needfull, but as an indifferent thing to be attended vppon, or to be refused at their pleasure, and therefore doe betake themselues, either to such a sheepeheard, as shal keepe them in ignoraunce (for that he cannot open vntounto them the Scriptures) al the daies of their liues, and thinke their estate better then theirs that bee dailie instructed, or els they perswade them selues, that they can come to knowledge sufficient by their owne priuate reading, and so contemne, or accoūt it too base a matter to be a scholer to preching, but if they had learned that the gouernour of Queene Candares, was as wise as they, and yet confessed that he could aActs. 8.31.not vnderstand that which he read, without a guide, if they could be perswaded, that God is wiser then they, and yet he hath ordeined yt b1. Cor. 1.21foolishnes of preching, (as wordlinges account it) to saue them that beleeue: they were come so farre as to thinke, that the blessing of God is tyed vntounto his owne ordinance, and his cursse vponupon them, & all their doings, that swarue from the rule of his commandements, they would be a great deale more carefull, to let him bee their counseller, and his woorde their instructour in this point, but the c2. Cor. 4.4.GOD of this world hath so blinded their eies, that they beleeue not the word of the Lord to be true, and therefore no marueile, if they yeelde no obedience therevnto: but let vsus that hauehave learned otherwise, take heed that their example draw vsus not away, but that we with feare and reuerence, submit our selues vntounto the ordinances of gods woorde, knowing that by it wee shalbe aIohn. 12.48iudged at the day of reckoning: Lastlie, in that it is said, that the woord of the Lorde came vntounto him saying, Heare, &c.) Wee may obserue what it was that he deliuered vntounto them, to wit,Gods ministers may speake no more nor lesse then gods word. that which he had receiued, the word of the Lord, whereby is sette downe vntounto vsus the dutie of euerie faithfull Minister of God, which is to keepe himselfe vntounto the contents of his commission with all faithfulnesse, neither declineth to the right hand, nor the left, neither dyminishing anye thing there-from, nor adding anie thing therevnto, but teaching all that which God hath put into his mouth, and no more, which is diligentlie to be obserued, and carefullie to bee looked vntounto, because there is (often) greate faulte committed heerein on both sides, for some are verie willing to deliuer, or hauehave deliuered vntounto the people, some of the woorde of GOD, but if there be anie thing, that maye offend, or bring anie daunger vntounto the parties, they thinke that in anye case, that should not bee medled wythall, affirming, that other thinges are more necessarie, and that they belong not so much (as they perswade them selues) vntounto the auditorie which in some things may after a sorte bee true, for albeit the knowledge of the woorde of GOD, and euerie part thereof, belongeth vntounto euerye member of his Church, in respect of the doctrine therein conteined, yet there is some place and time, wherein the Minister of GOD, is not bounde to speake some thinges conteyned directlie in hys commission: as for example, to make choice of a text to preach vponupon vntounto a country people, that teacheth the dutie of kings, & out of the same to deliuer onelie that doctrine, is not conuenient: howe then is it, and after what sort muste wee deliuer all that we knowe? Surely thus: we proceeding in an ordinarie course, and comminge by order of the text vntounto places of Scriptures, that conteine the duties of those that hear vsus not, yet are we bound to deliuer herein, al the councell of God: but you wil say vntounto me, those matters (not belonging vntounto your people) you are to passe ouer and to teach that which is more necessarie. I answere: that so should I betraye that worde that God hath put into my hande. For albeit the practize of a Kinges office belongeth not vntounto the ploughman, yet the doctrine is needfull for him to know. For seeing the Lorde will be praysed for the blessing that wee reape by good and vertuous rulers, and praied vntounto for the amendment of them that bee euill, howe shall this bee perfourmed of him that hath not beene taught it out of the woord. For God accepteth no praises, neither heareth anye praiers, which are offered vntounto him without faith and nothing is doone in faith, but that which is grounded vppon knowledge: the like is to bee sayde of the corruptions, and wants that are from time to time descried to bee in the Church, for the attaining of the amendment whereof, the praier of the faithfull, is verie forcible in the presence of GOD: and so of all other thinges, what soeuer concerneth the good or hurt of the whole Church of God, or anie member of the same: (though it bee not for euerie one to practise) is to be taught by the Minister of GOD, vntounto the Church, and learned of euerie hearer, that hee may giuegive GOD hys due praise for the one, and entreat his fauour for the other.
But the Minister of God, which laboureth to do that which shalbe foūd vnblameable, will both deliuer without feare, (as God offereth conuenient oportunitie)aActs. 20.27 all the counsel of God, and also, (knowing the fountaine of knowledge and wisedome, to bee infinitelie deepe in the woorde of God, and past drying vp, and him selfe neither to hauehave receiued anie thing els in commission nor to hauehave anie promise of blessing vponupon anie other course) will keepe him selfe from time to time, within the boundes of the same, for eueryevery thing that he shall deliuer vntounto the people of God.
Heare ye this) the calling of the prophet being confirmed, and the manner how hee was furnished, being laid down vntounto vsus, it remaineth that we come to the words that he vttered vntounto them, wherein (before we come to the matter) hee exh…teth them to attendaunce, and diligently to listen to that which he was to speake vntounto them: as if he should hauehave said, seing that I am sent from God, and furnished with the knowledge o… his word, to the end that by my meanes you may be instructed from him in that whic… he would hauehave you to knowe & put in practise, it behooueth therfore that eueryevery one o… you, from the highest to the lowest, not onelyonly the rulers & auncients of this land, but also all that dwell therein, doe carefullie and with all reuerence harken vntounto and receiue, that which I am to deliuer vntounto you: this being the summe of his entrance, it remayneth that wee consider more at large, the particular duties that are to bee learned out of the same. First, let vsus note:Because God speaketh man must heare. how and vppon what cause, this exhortation is vttered, (for no man will be perswaded to harken vntounto a thing, but being induced therevnto by some reason rather) and if you marke well, you shall see that it is inferred vponupon the words of the former vers, as if hee shoulde saye vntounto them on this wise, the Lorde hath ordeined me his messenger, and giuen me a message, to deliuer vno you, and therefore it is meete, that with all carefulnesse, you hearken vntounto the same, and (if it bee ryghtlie considered) it is a most forcible reason, for seeing that the LORD is hee by whome aAct. 17.28.wee hauehave our beeing, to whose glorie bProu 16.4.we are created, and from whome wecIam. 1.17. receiue euerie good thing, there is great reson that when he speaketh, wee should laie our hands vponupon our mouthes, & with all reuerence receue that which he wil vtter: but how soeuer, men in general termes, wil acknowledge that it should bee so, yet indeed, when we come to the trial of ye generall, by his particulars, we shall finde ye very few do beleue yt it should be so: or if the tree be knoen by his fruit, aMath. 7.16.then this perswasion is seen to rest in the harts of a very few. For albeit many are found, that with their outward appearance, seem to be thus affected, yet, few are foūd, that learn this word with any louelove, or reforme their liues after ye rule of the same with any care or endeuor. Now can wee thinke, that they beleeue it to bee gods word, or the messenger thereof to bee sent from God, which despise the particulars, that bee taught vntounto them out of the same, and care not a iote for any obedience therevnto; no, it is vnpossible for if euer it entred into their minds, that it were a message from God in deed, then wold they also be perswaded, that the contempt & disobedience therevnto, were great & heinous offences against his glorious maiestie, which he would neuer leaue vnreuenged, & so (if not for louelove of virtue, yet for very feare of punishment) they would not goe on in such mōstrous disobediēce as they do. And therfore let euerye one of vsus make triall of our selues by this,They that obey not the word do not beleeue it to be of God. how surely we are persuaded in our harts yt it is the word of God, which is euen in so much measure, as we carefully yeeld obedience therevnto, & no more. Again, we se how the prophet nameth first of al the elders, wherby he meneth those, that were assistant vntounto the priests in ye gouernment of the church, who are so called, for yt they were (cōmonly) before they were acoū ted fit for that place, men of ancient yeeres, & of gret grauity among the people, now he spake first vntounto them, because yt they being by reason of their authority, and persons of great regard among the people (& therfore easily drawing after thē the greater number) yelding obedience,Great men should bee forwardest in all godlines. might bee forcible meanes to bring on others, or refusing to harkē, might lead many with thē to disobedience: the holy ghost thought it meet, that his prophet shold be al first with them: wherby we hauehave to learne this lesson for our instruction, that it behoueth thē whome God hath placed in authority, either in ye church, or common-weale, to be very carefull and take especiall heede that they (yeelding obedience to the voyce of GOD by hys prophet, in this place) doe carefully harken vntounto the woorde of God, and in their liues (as they bee placed aboue others) giuegive no example for them to follow, but that which is good and holie, and (if they would well consider of it) they should see that there is great cause that they should doe so, for as the great Cedars in Libanon, while they staied, are a defence vntounto manie shrubbes and bushes vnderunder them, but if they fall, they crush all that be within their reache, euen so, they that are of higher estate and calling, while they continue in the feare of God, & the waies of holines, are as props and staies vntounto many that look vponupon them, and great meanes to drawe others on by their authoritie & example, but when they fal and giuegive them selues vntounto the waies of sinne and wickednes, they go not that waie alone, but are an occasion of falling vntounto manie others besides of their inferiours, and followers, nowe albeit it be true that (because one man sinneth willingly) theaEze. 18.4. soule that sinneth shall die, yet shall their bloude bee required at the handes of all them, that hauehave not doone their dutie to bring them to GOD, but being meanes to driue them from hym, if wee could bee perswaded of the trueth of thys, O what care it would woorke in the heartes of eueryevery one in his calling, it would make the princes of this worlde,A meditation for all superiours. and all the rulers put in authoritie to reason thus with thēselues, is it true that I hauehave a share in ye actions of eueryevery one that is vnderunder my iurisdiction, either in his goodnes (if by my authoritie & good example hee be brought thervnto) or in his wickednes, if I gouern him not aright, or giuegive him in my life any other example than that which is good and lawful: then surely hauehave I great neede to looke narrowly vntounto my own ways, & studie carefully howe I may be vntounto all that cast their eies vppon mee, a president and patterne of all vertue and godlinesse, then woulde the Minister that hath charge of mens soules reason thus with himselfe: so would the maister of familie, the father of children, and in a worde, all of any superiour estate would make this vse of it.The cause that maketh all superiors euill. But alas, it is cleane contrary, for almost eueryevery man looketh vppon the pleasure, ease, and gaine, that may be had in his calling, and followeth after that to the vttermost, not respecting what offence he giuegive either vntounto God or man, but fewe are found in any estate whatsoeuer, that duly enter into the meditation aforesaide: and yet howsoeuer this is followed after, and the other not regarded, sure it is, that the former is that which GOD looketh for at our handes, and (which he teacheth vsus in this place) and the latter is that whiche shall most seuerely be punished. Moreouer, the Prophet hauing spoken vntounto the elders, thereby assuring them, that the matter concerneth them in priuate, least either they or the rest of the people shoulde thinke, that it shoulde stretch no further, he also calleth vppon all the inhabitants of the land, of what condition soeuer they be, to the end, that the iudgements that were to be denounced, lessons that were to bee taught, & persuasions (for their own good) to be inforced, might be known aforehand to appertaine vntounto them all. Which teacheth vntounto vsus thus much for our instruction, that the worde of GOD (forsomuch as it proceedeth from that GOD who requireth obedience of all, ministreth instruction needefull for al, and offereth those benefites that eueryevery man persuadeth hym selfe to hauehave portion in) is not to bee restrained vntounto anie one kinde of people, and thought not to belong vntounto some others, but is to be heard, learned, beleeued, and practised of all: for if that be true, that aHebr. 11.6.wythout faith it is not possible to please God, and that also, that bRom. 10.14none can beleeue wythout hearing of the word preached (for that by the same is knowledge, the ground-worke of faith begotten in the heart of man) and that hee that beleeueth not cIohn. 5.12. All that will be saued must heare Gods word.hath not the Sonne, that is, no part of redemption purchased by Iesus Christ the Sonne of God, it must needes follow, that if euer we looke to please God in this life, or to inherit the kingdome of heauen after this life, wee must most carefully (of what estate soeuer wee bee) indeuour our selues to vse those meanes (which GOD hath ordained therevnto) that may daylie increase and confirme knowledge in our hearts. If wee were persuaded of this, it woulde make the word of GOD to be of more price wyth vsus than it is, and prouoke vsus more carefullye to seeke after it than wee doo: then shoulde not the neglect and contempt of so precious and inestimable a Treasure, so generallye ouerspread the face of this lande, as it doeth. But lette vsus, whome it pleaseth GOD to teach these thinges, labour, to make right vse of them. For our continuall instruction and comforte wee hauehave yet to obserue an other thing in the maner of the Prophets speach, which is, that whereas he might hauehave spoken indefinitely vntounto the inhabitants of the land, which indeede comprehendeth the elders also, hee speaketh distinctly vntounto the elders, and then vntounto the inhabitants, as if he should say, hearken, both you to whom God hath giuen greatest measure of his graces, and so are aduanced vntounto the place of gouernment, and also you who hauehave obteined lesse, and therefore liue in meaner condition: that is, lette neither the knowledge or authoritie of the elders, keepe them from the hearing this word of God, nor meane estate or calling driue away the inferiour, but let eueryevery one of eueryevery condition hearken: in the manner of which speache, the prophet seemeth, as it were of set purpose, to take away the excuse, that they might alleadge to keepe them away,The reasons that the greter sort alleadge to keep themselues from hearing Gods word. first from the elders, and then from the people, from the elders thus. It might be (if he had spoken indefinitly) that the elders might hauehave refused to heare, saying thus: God will hauehave his word heard, but of whome, euen them that are ignorant and neede instruction, but as for vsus wee are learned, and knowe as muche of the worde as the preacher can tell vsus: or, we hauehave busines about our offices and calling, that we cannot attend to heare him, wee will doe it when other things are dispatched: no doubt, if the elders were of that mind, wherof the greatest part of superiors be among vsus, they would quickly alleage such things for thē selues that they might be exempted from hearing:How the vngodlye that hauehave any learning esteem of preaching. for it is a common thing nowe adaies, that if a man hauehave in his owne opinion, any smattering in learning, that hee be able in anie sort to speake of the principles of the humane artes, hee is by and by puffed vp with such a pride in himselfe by the ouerweening of his owne gifts, that he disdaineth to submitte himselfe to the ordinaunce of GOD for any instruction, not onelie refusing to be instructed by the same, but persuadyng hymselfe (the spirite of pride possessing his heart) that he can learne as much, yea farre more by his owne priuate studie, in so much that hee accounteth hymselfe abused if hee shoulde be thought so meane, as that hee coulde learne any thing at sermons, and therfore doth he vsually absent himselfe: or if it happen that he come nowe and then dropping in, is it, think you, wyth reuerent preparation of his heart to receiue, & humble submission of his affections to be informed by the Lordes message? Nothing lesse: but that he may sit there as a iudge, to censure whatsoeuer shall be spoken, to approoue or disproue whatsoeuer his humor leadeth him vntounto, and so in deede to set him selfe against the Lords ordinaunce, to disgrace it, neuer giuing any more reuerence vntounto the worde of God there deliuered, than the man that speaketh, carieth opinion of learning in his foolish conceit: and this is (in very deed) no lesse than to iudge euen the Lorde, as many doe vse it, and to set him to schoole: but when the wisedome of suche men shall be founde more perfite than the Lordes, then shall they hauehave part in the benefite brought vntounto vsus by that woorde which they make so small account of: on the other side, if we be called vntounto office, be it neuer so meane and easily performed, it is as common with the most to make that a sufficient excuse to keep them from the hearing of the worde of GOD,Why so few magistrats be religious. and if they can alleage, that they hauehave such and suche affaires of the common-wealth, to bee imployed about (albeit it bee oftentimes nothing so) they doe thinke themselues excused sufficientlye, both before GOD and man, in so much, that it is a rare thing of all other men, to see magistrates be ordinarie hearers of the word: but if they had either anie care to discharge their dueties with a good conscience, or anye religion in their heartes at all (which maketh men to thinke reuerently of the woorde) they woulde saye with themselues, howe can wee thinke, that anye thing wee take in hande shall prosper, seeing wee hauehave no more care to heare the voice of GOD: if good successe depende vppon GODS blessing vntounto that course which he hath commaunded, then must wee first aMatt. 6.33·seeke the kingdome of GOD, and his righteousnes: but whilest these thinges are not thought vppon, and so the woorde of GOD (euen at their doores) neglected, and not hearkened vntounto, it commeth to passe, by the iust iudgement of GOD, vponupon that preposterous dealing, that little, or no good at all is doone, by the authoritie and gouernment of the most: but contrariwise, they being great, and despising of instruction, become (often) the most notorious enimies vntounto religion in the places where they dwell: not wythout speciall reason therefore, doth the Prophet speake to the elders by name, least they shoulde finde some hole to creepe out at, and think them selues exempted. Againe, hee seemeth to take away excuse from the people,What the ignorant do alleadge to keepe them from hearing Gods worde. in that hee nameth them apart, after he had called vponupon the elders, for (if they were of the minde of the common sorte in our time) they woulde quickly hauehave saide for themselues, wee are vnlearned, the woorde of God is a mystery that exceedeth our capacitie, and wee are meane men that hauehave inough to do in our calling, we can spare no time therevnto, wee are not bookish, and therefore hee dooth not meane vsus, but our rulers, and them that bee learned, that are able to vnderstand him. The Prophet therfore in the maner of his speaking doth preuent such obiections, and teacheth vsus, that euen the simplest and vnlearnedst is to be taught out of the worde of God, and not to refuse it because he lacketh lerning, but rather to be more desirous of it: for it is the onelyonly treasurie of all true and heauenly learning, and it is so tempered by the holie-ghost, who indited it, that (vnles hee bee a foole that hath it in handling) it speaketh to the vnderstanding of the most ignorant and simplest of al other, I meane of them that be the children of: God, and are sealed by his spirite, for else it is too profound, and passeth the capacitie of the learnedst clearks in the worlde, which are (in Gods iust iudgement) cast off: which caused our sauiour Christ aMat. 11.25.to praise hys father, who had kept the secrets of the gospell from the wise and prudent, and reuealed them vntounto habes, and therefore …nles thou thinke thy selfe too meane to desire to bee saued, neuer make thy selfe too simple to keepe thy selfe from the knowledge of the worde of God.
Whether such a thing) the Prophet hauing shewed vntounto whom this his commission is to be made knowen,4. he nowe entereth into an admiration of the matter, before he speake it: and all to the ende that the people might be affected with ye greater expectation of some strange and vnaccustomed matter: for the matter beeyng extraordinarie, it behooueth them that will rightly profit by it to be mooued with extraordinarie affections. Now albeit the workes of God, euen in the course of the same, and moouing of the planets: yea, to the order of nature in eueryevery thing, bee in themselues straunge and woonderfull, yet for so much as wee are daily vsed vntounto them, and costome hath made them familiar vntounto vsus… the viewe of them doe not make so deepe impression in our heartes, … that which commeth seldome, though it be of his owne nature not of the like importaunce dooth strike vsus with greater consideration: therefore is it that the Prophet saith, that the matter is so …, that neyther they nor their fathers hauehave heard of ye like: so that by this manner of speache hee setteth before our eies, first himself for an example of a faithfull Minister of GOD,A faithfull Minister must labour to affect the hearts of his people with that which he techeth. who is to labour by all meanes, to affect the heartes of the people with the fence and feling of the doctrine that they teach, and not to passe it ouer (as the greatest number doe) with a …, regarding rather howe to shewe themselues learned, than to bring the people to feeling, by their patheticall and powerfull persuasions. Againe, in that they had felt the thing (especiallye the first punishment of Famine) and yet had not laid it to heart, nor beene affected there wythall: but in a certayne sleepie securitie had passed it ouer; not vsing it as a meanes to drawe them vntounto anie further consideration of their sinnes, and the horrour of them before the Maiestie of God, that they might learne them, his manner of speach dooth the more reprooue them, and conuince them of the greater hardnes of heart, and setlednesse in sinne, as if hee shoulde hauehave said: You hauehave passed ouer the matter sleightly, and had no more care to amende than before, and yet the thing that GOD hath wrought among you, is straunge and woonderfull: which (doubtlesse) is doone to this end, that you might bee made the more willing to be reduced out of your sinnes. The Prophet Amos handling the like argument, speaketh in the same maner, but in more expres terms, saying: aAmos. 4.6.I hauehave giuen you cleannesse of teeth in al your cities, and scarcenesse of bread in all your places, and yet hauehave yee not returned vntounto mee, saith the Lorde: as if hee shoulde hauehave saide, I hauehave not onelye bestowed vppon you my woorde, whereby you may learne to leaue your synnes, but also hauehave pinched you with penurie, to bring you home the more effectually, and yet all will not serue, so that this doth first shew vntounto vsus, that they are farre gone in obstinacie, whom none of these things doe mooue:God afflicteth man, to draw him to repentance. secondly, it sheweth to what ende the Lorde doth from time to time exercise vsus with sundrie temporall calamities and troubles, which is, that we might be the more effectually drawne vntounto him, whyche is diligently to be noted, and by the same our owne hearts to be examined how they stand affected in this behalfe, whereby we shall hauehave iust matter ministred vntounto vsus, either of comfort, or of feare: for it is euident, that not onelyonly the Lorde dooth nowe and then sende vppon whole nations some punishment or other, but more, that eueryevery one of vsus of what estate soeuer, if he looke narrowlie into his owne estate, shall find the Lordes rodde vppon him, and hymselfe greatly to be crossed one waie or other. Nowe eueryevery man either vseth his crosse, as a meanes to humble hym further, and make hym returne the more effectually vntounto GOD, or hee passeth it ouer as a matter of course, perswading hymselfe, that there is no further matter in it: So then, heere is the triall of thy selfe, GOD punisheth, that we might amende, and wee doe not, then surelye, wee are such as profite not in his schoole: on the other side, GOD layeth his crosse vppon mee, I feele it, I acknowledge it his rodde for mine offences, and I am brought to a more carefulnesse, and heede-taking vntounto my wayes, then may I conceiue comfort vntounto mine own hart, in that I profit by the Lords correction.