Common Places, Discourses 2 · Sermon 3
An Oration or Sermon of D. P. Martyr, out of the 1. Chapter of the Prophet Hagge.
THe moſt royall Temple (dearelie beloued) which was erected vntounto God almightie at Ieruſalem, & which in euerie mans mouth was called, The houſe of God: we reade was not for one cauſe alone either defiled or burned. For by ye armie of ye Caldeās, it was burned; by the Macedonians, it was defiled by an Image of Iupitur Olympus: finallie, the couetous nation of the Iewes abuſed the ſame for a Market to buy and ſell in, to ſatiſfie their gréedineſſe. Howbeit, God who ſuffereth not that which belongeth to him to be perpetuallie trodden vnderunder foote, procured by Nehemias, Eſdras, Zorobabel, Iheſus the ſonne of Ioſadeck, Hagge, Zacharie, and Malachie, that his holie houſe which had long time lien ouerthrowen, ſhould be againe reſtored. And he in like manner did ſo proſper the valiant indeuours of Iudas Machabaeus & his warlike proweſſe, as the Temple which the wicked licentiouſneſſe of the Gretians did defile, was againe cleanſed by the godlie and famous ſtock of the Aſſamonites. Alſo Chriſt Ieſus our Lord inflamed with a godlie wrath, made a whippe of cordes, whereby he not onelie ouerthrewe the chaires of them that ſoulde Dooues, and the tables of the monie changers, but with an incredible authoritie caſt out of his fathers Temple the ſhamefull Marchantes. Wherefore ſince the Church of Chriſt, which is the true houſe of God hath a long while lien broken downe, and almoſt ſubuerted, through the doctrine of externall thinges and idolatrous ſuperſtition, and hath bin foulie abuſed by the filthie gaine of couetous Miniſters, it is without controuerſie the part of godlie men, together with Chriſt, Iudas Machabaeus, Nehemias, Eſdras, Aggeus, and Malachie, the ſame houſe being famous and holie, to build it vp againe. Which that it may be doone of vsus the more readilie, and with greater diligence, ſeeing I am appointed this day to preach, I hauehave determined by the fauour of God to handle before you the firſt Chapter of the Prophet Hagge. And that ſuch fruite may ſucceed hereof as is to be deſired, I think it good that before we beginne with the doctrine which we hauehave in hand, we repaire vntounto ye Lord with our prayers. Firſt we giuegive thée moſt heartie thankes O moſt gratious and almightie God, that thou haſt giuen vsus leaue ſafelie and without danger to aſſemble together in thy name within this holy place: We iointlie deſire thée, that thou wilt inſpire our heartes with the holie ghoſt, that aſwell I may vtter thy holy myſteries, as alſo that the brethren which be here preſent, may faithfullie receaue thoſe thinges which ſhall be ſpoken, to the glorie of thy name, and ſaluation of their owne ſoules, through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt thy moſt deare beloued ſonne, Amen.
I hauehave noted foure ſpeciall things which we finde in the diſtinguiſhing of this Chapter. Firſt, that the ſinne of them which were returned out of Babylon whē they neglected to build vp the houſe of the Lord, is for iuſt cauſe blamed. Secondlie are reckoned vp the puniſhmentes which GOD laid vppon the people for ſuch an haynous ſinne. Moreouer, the holie ghoſt ſheweth by his Prophet what was néedefull to be doone. Fourthlie & laſtlie is ſhewed howe profitable and fruitfull was the Sermon of our Prophet. As concerning ye firſt art of building, who ſo will call it to minde from the ofſpring and firſt originall, ſhall perceaue it to hauehave had this manner of beginning. In the olde time, men after a brutiſh and wilde manner dwelled here and there abroad in the fieldes: And to auoid the heate of the ſunne, ſtormes, and other diſtemperatures of the heauens, they digged the ground, and by woorkmanſhip made to themſelues Caues and Dennes, others made coueringes of leaues, vnderunder which they ſaued themſelues from the heate of the ſunne, and from ſtormes, others were more ingenious, who ſet vp forkes, and wound in réedes, daubed them with claie, to the intent that the walles might be the ſtronger. Finallie was applyed the aduiſe of wiſe men, whereby the forme of thoſe walles being drawen, they ioyned their habitations together, they compaſſed them about with a trench, and thereof beganne Townes and Cities. And when they dwelled together, wiſedome increaſed, Counſels and imitations beganne to hauehave place, and there increaſed a maruelous plentie of goods, riches, and other helpes. Whereupon houſes beganne to be builded, partlie of ſtone, and partlie of timber, which although they had no glorious ſhewe, and trimme decking, yet had they frugalitie with great profit ioyned therewith. And to conclude, they, to our great harme, waxed puiſſant with inuaſions, ouer great power, exceſſe, arrogancie, and intollerable pride, and men being pricked foreward by theſe peſtilent thinges, beganne to waxe madde in building: They rayſed excéeding great Piramides, Theaters, woonderfull circuites, arches triumphant of infinite woorke. All which buildings ſince they brought verie ſmall profit or none at all, they onelie made the beholders to woonder & be amazed; and yet was it ſo farre from making the Cities of the longer continuance, as we reade alwayes in the Hiſtories, that theſe monſterous buildinges were moſt manifeſt ſignes of the ruines néere at hand. After this manner dooth it happen in ye Church before the calling of God commeth, by reaſon of the ſinne which came by Adam: Men liue together being inſtructed after a worldlie manner and by ciuill wiſedome. Then commeth the wiſedome of Chriſt, and doctrine of the Apoſtles and Prophets, whereby, they being called vntounto Chriſt, are gathered into one congregation of the Church, wherein ye firſt fathers at ye verie beginning were contented with meane and moderate building: for they were onelie ledde by the rule of the holy ſcriptures. Which kinde of building though it wanted ornamentes, and was farre from oftentation, yet did it bring vntounto the Chriſtian Citizens, a rich and plentifull fruite of the ſpirit. After this manner did the forefathers liue a long while. But in proceſſe of time, peace was giuen vntounto the Churches, in a great time of quietneſſe mens deuiſes were added vntounto them. Whereuppon pride, vanitie, ambition, & ſuch kinde of peſtilent vices crept in by little little. And then the building beganne no longer to be made of the diuine oracles, but of mens traditions, decrées of Councels, and Decretals of Popes: & in proceſſe of time, theſe thinges were gathered together into ſo great a heap, that they hauehave oppreſſed euen the word of GOD, and the forme of the Church, and due comlineſſe in all things fell away, and ſuch a pompe of outward rites and ceremonies hauehave ſo farre foorth preuailed at the laſt, as while they hauehave made oftentation of humane thinges, diuine thinges hauehave béene vtterlie obſcured. Wherefore the iuſt and godlie buildinges being fallen downe, all men by the Prophet are called to the Lord, to ye building againe of the Church of Chriſt, with a ſound and lawfull building. But leaſt we doe amiſſe in the worke, I thinke it méete firſt of all that by a rude and plaine definitiō it ſhould be laid before our eyes, that we be not ignorant what is to be reedified. Moreouer it ſhall be verie good to determine in what thinges the generall conſideration of our building muſt be placed. The newe repairing of the houſe is a ſpirituall building, whereby the liuelie ſtones are ioyned together vppon Chriſt the foundation, to receaue the teſtimonie of God, and to confeſſe his name. Since this building of ours is called ſpirituall, it is diſtinguiſhed aſwell from the outward temple which is builded of ſtones and timber, as alſo from euerie ſocietie of this world. That we be liuelie ſtones, Peter teſtifieth in his firſt Epiſtle the 2. Chapter. And that Chriſt is the foundation, the Apoſtle taught in the firſt Epiſtle to the Corinthians. And that we be the Temple of God, he taught moſt aptlie in the ſelfeſame Epiſtle. The liuelie ſtones are drawen vntounto this building, by faith, which ſpringeth from the word of God, and are compact together by the power of the holie ghoſt which holdeth more ſurelie than anie lime or pitch. And why they be vnited, two cauſes may be yéelded: Firſt that they ſhould receaue the teſtimonie of God, and the other is, that they ſhould confeſſe his name. The teſtimonie of God we hauehave not elſewhere, than out of the ſcriptures of God: for in them God teſtifieth how much he hath loued vsus, which hath choſen vsus before the foundations of the world, and hath giuen his ſonne vntounto the croſſe for our ſake. He teſtifieth moreouer what he would hauehave vsus to doe, when he teacheth vsus his comfortable preceptes as touching manners, and good life. Finallie he teſtifieth what he hath determined to doe with vsus, if we pleaſe him and obey his ſayinges. He is minded to bleſſe vsus euerlaſtinglie: but if we ſhall be obſtinate and rebellious, he will deſtroy vsus with the euerlaſting deſtruction of hell fire. Wherefore theſe teſtimonies are perpetuallie exerciſed betwéene the preacher, and them that be hearers. Which, when they be heard & perceaued, it ſtraightway followeth that we confeſſe the name of God: for we acknowledge theſe to be the benefites of God, and that excéeding great benefites, and, as méete it is, doe giuegive him thankes. And further we doe then chieflie perſwade our ſelues, that theſe be the true teſtimonies of God, when we receiue the Sacramentes, Seales and holy bondes of them: And it is a noble kinde of confeſſion to communicate often in the Sacramentes of Chriſt. Alſo we confeſſe the ſtrength and power of God, when we acknowledge our owne weakeneſſe, and that thoſe thinges which the Lord would hauehave vsus to doe are ſo hard, as vnleſſe he beſtowe the gift, we are not able to performe ye ſame. And hereof ariſeth inuocation, whereby we labour in verie deede that our actions may be conformeable to the will of God. And we confeſſe the teſtimonie of God to be true, when we willinglie helpe the poore with our ſubſtance, and doe liue a pure and godlie life. And that the congregation is gathered together to this ende, Dauid in the 122. Pſalme teſtifieth, when he ſaith: Thither went vp the tribes of the Lord, for a teſtimonie vntounto Iſrael, to confeſſe vntounto the name of the Lord. Now of building of the houſe, we hauehave ſaid enough.
Now the manner of the building we finde in Vetruuius, namely that in building wee muſt regard the ſtrength, profite and comelineſſe. If we will make Chriſt to be the foundation as the Apoſtle commandeth vsus, there ſhall want no ſtrength: alſo the walles will be ſounde, thicke, and well compact together, when wee indeuour to bring thereunto a great abundance of liuely ſtones. But herein ſtandeth the profite of building, that wée beſtowe not the time in diſputations, ſuch I meane as be light and of no importance: for it is a fooliſh thing to contende for trifling matters. Let vsus teache moſt rightly of iuſtification, and of the Sacramentes, and that purelie and aptly. This doe they chiefely at this day, to the intent that the Church may be cleanſed from her filthineſſe. Alſo there muſt be vſed comelineſſe, that aſwel in manners as in Ceremonies, ſuch decenſie and blameleſſe conuerſatiō may be vſed, as none but by his owne fault may be offended therwith. VntoUnto this holie building of the temple of God doeth the Prophet ſtirre vsus vp: and ſince he reprooueth the Iewes, that they ceaſed from ſo godlie a worke, it ſhall bée neceſſarie to ſée what cauſes they were that ſtayed them. The firſt is, that they alleaged that the time was not yet come wherein the houſe of God ſhould be builded. Wherin they bewrayed their negligence, and vnſkilfulneſſe of the Scriptures. The Lorde had decréed by Ieremie, that after ſeuentie yéeres, his temple ſhould be reedified: which yéeres being paſſed ouer, they ſhewed them ſelues to be vnmindfull of this Oracle. But by the ſame reaſon the Scribes and Phariſées receaued not Chriſt: for if they had diligentlie made a computation of Danielles wéekes, and had conſidered the propheſie of Iacob, who foretolde that the Scepter ſhould not be taken away from the Iewes except Meſſias were come, they might eaſilie hauehave knowen that the Sauiour of the world was euen at the doore. And therefore Chriſt béewailed them, that they knewe not the time of their viſitation. And we alſo at this day, if we would apply our minde to the Scriptures, ſhould not be ignoraunt, that the Church muſt be perpetuallie builded. Chriſt ſaith, that it muſt not be builded, as the fooles build vponupon the ſande, but as wiſe men build, vppon the ſounde rocke. Paule ſaith that vppon the foundation which is Chriſt, we muſt not build chaffe, nor heye, nor ſtubble, but golde, ſiluer, and precious ſtones. VntoUnto the Romanes it is ſaide: Let euerie man pleaſe his neighbour, Rom. 15.….in that which is good & to edification. Verily the Apoſtle ſaith vntounto the Corinthians, that power is giuen, not for deſtruction but for edification. 2. Cor. 10.…And in the firſt Epiſtle to the Corinthians, he writeth that we are Gods building. 1. Cor. 3. 9. 1. Pet. 2.….And Peter ſheweth, that euerie one of vsus, as liuelie ſtones are builded into the houſe of God. And this doth the Scripture euerie where teach: but our dull hearts will not be perſuaded. An other cauſe ſtayed the Iewes from the holie building, that they beheld not the verie fitte occaſions, which the Lorde had giuen, to the intent his houſe ſhoulde be reſtored. King Cyrus had giuen leaue to the people to depart into Iurie, & he reſtored vntounto the Iewes the precious veſſels, which Nabuchad-nezer had taken awaie: and commaunded that the houſe of God ſhould be builded againe at Ieruſalem. At the ſame time flouriſhed Edras, Nehemias, Zorobabel, Ieſus the ſonne of Ioſadec, Hagge and Zacharie the Prophetes: All which things were of great moment to repaire the Temple: but ſince the Iewes did not conſider of them, they did profite nothing at all. In like manner Chriſt, when he came, wrought great myracles, ſignes and woonders innumerable, which ſhoulde hauehave mooued euerie man to imbrace Chriſt. Moreouer he ſpread abrode the world moſt wholſome and ſwéete doctrine: but yet ſuch as in all reſpects is agréeable to the foreſhewings of the Prophets, and to thoſe things which are contained in the Lawe touching Meſſias: wherewithall the Lorde ioyned an innocent life, pure and holy manners, which iuſtly did become the Lorde Chriſt. But they omitting all theſe thinges, perſiſted in the ignorance of their darkeneſſe. There happen alſo at this day many things, which ſhould ſtirre vp our mindes to reſtore the temple of God. Firſt of al, ye face of the Church is ſo to be lamented and pitied, as it may mooue any hard heart to take pitie thereof. There was neuer ſo great a light of ye ſcriptures ſince the Apoſtles time as is at this day. There be verie many ſkilfull in languages and good Artes, which, if they would, they might excéedingly further this reſtauration. The kings Maieſtie deſireth nothing more: the Magiſtrates pretend a great good wil hereunto: the tyrannie of the Romane Antichriſt which might hauehave letted, is taken away: And to ſpeake of our ſtudents in Oxford, we hauehave here many noble wittes, and ſuch as be exerciſed in no meane learnings: many Colledges are builded which be well indued, wherein meate & drinke and things neceſſarie for ſcholers are prouided, ſo yt they want nothing to a happie ſtate. Al which commodities being neglected and contemned, the houſe of God lyeth fallen downe flat. Thirdly, ye Iewes were hindered from building of the Temple, by the lets and threatenings of ye Princes néere adioyning, as we may gather out of the bookes of Eſdras & Nehemias. The Thathanai, the Tharpelai, Stharbuſanai, & others, partly Samaritans, & partly Idumeans did perpetually reſiſt them that builded, 1. Eſd. 4. & 5.and wrote againſt them to the king of Perſians. In like maner of Chriſt, ye feare of the Romanes was a hinderaunce that he could not be receiued of the Iewes: for the high Prieſts feared leaſt they and all that they had ſhould periſh, if they receiued an other king beſides Caeſar. And our people doe at this day ſay, that the Goſpell muſt not bee receiued, becauſe that Fraunce being ſo great a kingdome doeth reſiſt it, Spaine conſenteth not vntounto it, Italie repugneth againſt it: and will we alone be wiſer than all Chriſtendome beſides? But O my brethren, if this were a good reaſon, it ſhoulde hauehave behooued the Apoſtles to ceaſe from preaching: for the whole world ſpake againſt them. The Ethnicks (no doubt) confeſſed God to be the Lorde of heauen, but they committed Idolatrie with the Idols and Images receiued of their Fathers. The Iewes contended that their fathers lawes were to be retained, and would not ſuffer, that the Lawes of Moſes ſhould be changed. Since the Apoſtles were aſſured of the matter, they contemned the iudgement of the world: and it is not méete that Religion ſhould be ſubiect to the ſlaunders of men, and to hauehave her confirmation by the conſent of mans reaſon. Otherwiſe if this Argument were of any great force, wée might bid Chriſt farewell, ſince a great part of the world doe at this day reſiſt him. The Turkiſh vncleanneſſe at this day occupieth many regions, infinite is the heape of the Iewes, the Epicures & Atheiſtes are without number: therefore we which worſhip after a right maner, are alwayes but a ſmall & weake companie. Fourthly the Prophet remembreth our cauſe when the building of the Iewiſh Temple ſhould he differred: namely, becauſe eueryevery mā regarded his owne houſes, decked them and ſeeled them, as alſo becauſe they were occupied in thoſe thinges yt were their owne proper: but the houſe of GOD was neglected. In like manner the Scribes and high Prieſts of the Iewes, becauſe they would hauehave their owne place and their owne honour ſaued, reiected Chriſt who was nowe come. After the ſelfe ſame manner doe ours thinke: if the Goſpel ſhall be publiſhed, there will be a conſideration had of diſcipline, it ſhall not be lawfull for euerie man to doe what he liſt, and they which ſhall be founde méete and apt for teaching, ſhall be thruſt foorth into labour: vntounto the flockes which be deſtitute of Maſters and teachers, ſhall their paſtors be reſtored which are ſo farre off and hauehave béene ſo long from them: ſome meane and meaſure would be appointed of pleaſures, delightes, riches, pryde, pompe, and idleneſſe. Theſe thinges doe they ponder which are affected to their owne commodities, and doe wholy giuegive themſelues to pleaſures. Then doe they incline to their owne wit: They ſay, that the time of building is not yet come: and when there can bee no other reaſon pretended, they take holde of this which is dayly ſpoken eueriewhere, that in very déede the ſéeking is not to reſtore Religion, but that this is the onelyonly indeuour of noble men, to make a ſpoile of the Eccleſiaſticall goods. An ill cogitatiō doubtleſſe & an vngodly counſell: and I would neuer ſay, it were well doone, yt thoſe things which were appoynted for maintenance of the Eccleſiaſticall miniſterie, ſhoulde be conuerted to other vſes. Howbeit we muſt not thinke it a méete cauſe to flie from the vocation laide vppon vsus, becauſe the Church goods and riches are diminiſhed: for it were great ſhame that godlineſſe wherein ſtandeth the chéefe ſtay of mans ſaluation, ſhould depend of the things of this world. What elſe is this than to preferre riches before Chriſt, and that wée will not receiue him, vnleſſe he come loaden with gold & ſiluer? If we were wiſe, we ſhuld ſay with Iob: The Lord hath giuen and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleaſed the Lord, euen ſo is it done. The counſels of God (beléeue me) are great déepes & vnſearchable, perhaps he hateth theſe riches as goods ill gotten. Mich. 1. 7.Micheas the Prophet ſaith: They are of the hire of an harlot, and to an harlots hire ſhall they be returned againe. It hath béene thought that the Maſſe is of great moment to ſaluation, and hence hauehave ſprung ſo many Altars and béene made ſo many foundations. It was beléeued a great while, that by maſſes the ſoules of the deade are redéemed from the paines of Purgatorie: for which cauſe, they, which would hauehave their parents or friends to be deliuered from the torments of Purgatorie, did excéedinglie enrich the Church. Wherefore ſince in oblations the Lord doth chiefely conſider the will, purpoſe and ende, it diſpleaſed him that men ſhoulde be ſo deceaued, as to thinke that whatſoeuer they themſelues ſhould offer vntounto God were it lawfull or vnlawfull, ſhould be acceptable vntounto him: ſince in all our actions God hath a regarde how right and ſyncere a faith wée hauehave. But yet I woulde not hauehave it to be thought that I ſpeake this, as though I maintained the ſpoile and auarice of ſome: onelyonly this I admoniſh and hauehave regarde vntounto, that our minds be not ſo offended by theſe ſpoyles, that either we ſhoulde flie from the miniſterie, or doubt but that they be doone by the great wiſedome of God. He promiſed to his Apoſtles that there ſhould neuer be anie want to them which labour in the Goſpell. Heauen and earth ſhall periſh before any iot of the promiſes of God ſhalbe left vnperformed. What ſhould we feare? Chriſt hath opened vntounto vsus the barnes, houſes, and treaſuries of al rich men, yea and of al the world. For of him it is ſaide: He that leaueth father or mother, houſe or land for my ſake, and for the Goſpell, ſhall receiue a hundreth folde in this life, and euerlaſting felicitie in the worlde to come. When the good man of the houſe thruſteth foorth laborers into his vineyeard, he forſaketh them not, but rewardeth them with a pennie a day, and that ſo liberally, as he withdraweth not the ſame from them that labour leaſt: which rewarde, if thou interpret, Eternall life, I denie it not: but I thinke it may be gathered, He vouchſafeth heauenly rewardes to his ſeruaunts. Neither will he take away from them that be of little faith, the ſmall helps of this life. Beholde the birds of the aire and lyllies of the fielde, which though they be idle and labour not in the Church, are not forſaken of the father: and ſhall the miniſters of the Church be deſtitute of thinges neceſſarie to their liuing? Matt. 6. 33.Firſt ſeeke the kingdome of god, and then al theſe things ſhalbe miniſtred vntounto you. Let not your heauenly mindes (my deare brethren) be troubled for theſe vile and baſe goods: all theſe things doe the Gentiles ſéeke after. If they do not ſo largely abound euerie where as the fleſh deſireth, ſhall the Church therefore be forſaken? Certainlie thus hauehave not the ſeruaunts of God vſed to doe, but the falſe Prophets which alwayes propheſied for meate and money. They powred cold things vponupon colde, they corrupted diuine things with humane. The leaſt points they ſaide were matters of ſaluation. This one thing they regarded and with great care prouided, to wit, that they might ſpeake that which was plauſible. When meate ſéemed in mans reaſon to faile, Helias was fedde by the miniſterie of a Rauen. Wherefore giuing ouer this care, let vsus be mooued with compaſſion towards the Church, on euerie ſide troubled, and miſerablie afflicted. I ſpeak not nowe of outwarde temples which are made of wood and ſtone, but of the Church which is our mother, the ſpouſe of Ieſus Chriſt, and for the which the ſonne of God gaue his life and ſhed his bloude vppon the croſſe. O good God, O bring thou to paſſe in thy heauenly good will, that the walles of Ieruſalem may be builded vp: The time commeth to take pitie vppon her: O God the time is come, ſhe is torne in ſunder, and ſcattered, ſo that no one bone cleaueth to another, neither is one ſinow knit with another. Truely it is néedefull that thou ſende a moſt wiſe Phiſitian vntounto her, ſuch a one as the Poets feigne Eſculapius to hauehave béene, who may reſtore againe the bodie hewen in péeces and rent in ſunder. But it is more néedefull that thou thy ſelfe come, for vnleſſe the Lord builde the houſe, they labour in vaine which build it. Stir vp (we beſéech thée) the indeuour of godly men, that they may méete with all inconueniences, and further thy holy temple, and helpe Bezeleel, Salamon, Eſdras, Nehemias, and ſuch like, which in theſe daungerous dayes indeuour with all their might to builde. This doe I deſire of God that we may ſée in our ſelues this ſo great ſlouth and idleneſſe, that we can finde opportunities in all things except it be to the building of Gods houſe: time to eate, to drinke, to dine, to ſuppe, to ſléepe, to marrie, to buy and ſell, and finally to all manner of actions: but onelyonly to the building of the Church of God, we can applie no time at al. Neither is our heart perced being froſen and benummed on euerie ſide with froſt and colde, nor yet are our bowels mooued: and if at any time ſome man doe promiſe that one day the houſe of God ſhalbe erected, there appeareth no effect of mans promiſes. Wherefore except the Lorde helpe from aboue, we are no leſſe to be accuſed than the Iewes were now blamed by the Prophet Hagge, becauſe intending to their owne priuate buildings, they left the holie building neglected. But now how great the wrath of God is in this kinde of offence, it may be learned by the ſecond propoſition of this Prophet, when we ſhall heare the cauſes whereby the people of Iſrael was withdrawen from the Lordes worke.
Conſider your owne waies in your heart. The Iewes liued in great diſtreſſe of things: The holie Ghoſt ſaith that this came, becauſe they ſuffered the temple of God to lie ruinated, and that vnleſſe they woulde indeuour them ſelues to a godlie building thereof, he threateneth that hee woulde yet bring moſt gréeuous plagues vppon them. Hée firſt of all warneth them that they ſhoulde not bee vnconſtant. Weigh ye diligentlie with your ſelues (ſaith hee) what miſfortunes hauehave oftentimes happened vntounto you, and inquire & ſearch out the cauſes thereof. Doe not thinke that theſe things hauehave béene doone by chance. For ſince that this life is maintained in the worlde by a perpetual and ſtedfaſt order, wée muſt not thinke that mens affaires are by God committed vntounto Fortune and happe hazarde. If anie man perſwade himſelfe that this is the courſe of the world, let him weigh with himſelfe, that nature is lead by a guide and Captaine. And againſt them which affirme that the motion of the ſtarres do beare a ſway herein, let him affirme that there is a God, which vſeth the power of the ſtarres, and motions of heauen at his owne wil and pleaſure: wherefore theſe men muſt finde other cauſes of the preſent euils. The harueſt is ſmall: Are the huſbande men in fault thereof? No verilie, they ſowed a great deale. Bodies are féeble and weak: the number, varietie, and naughtineſſe of diſeaſes increaſe: doeth this come becauſe litle meate is eaten? Or rather doe we not eate till our gorge be full? Men goe perpetuallie ſadde, heauie and carefull. Perhappes they neuer chéere vp themſelues with drinke: Oh they drinke & that very largely, but they ſhake not off their ſadneſſe. They rather become drunke, and are brought aſléepe, than put off their ſorrowe and care. They ſéeme perpetuallie to be a colde, and the naturall heate is daielie more and more weakened. Whence commeth ſo great a change of the naturall heat? Truelie there is no want of garmentes, but when they be put on and doubled, they auaile not. Artificers, craftes men, all they that be néedie doe labour, doe get monie, and doe ſet to ſale. What a myſterie is this? They which in a broken bagge doe laie vp monie or wages that they hauehave gotten, doe gaine much indéede, but the expenſes bee chargeable, the monie is not pure, and it hath loſt his firſt goodneſſe. Beſides this, they be giuen to riot, to gluttonie, to dice and to harlots: all which things are worthilie called broken veſſels. Finallie, ſo great is their luſt and couetouſneſſe, as they are neuer ſatiſfied: & albeit they gaine much, yet as though they had gotten nothing, they neuer ſaie ho: and it is all one as if their monie were put into a broken bagge. Againe thou muſt conſider with thy ſelfe that the nature of things created is ſo ordered, that what ſoeuer profite or vtilitie they bring vntounto men, all that commeth by the power of the worde of GOD, which lieth hidden within them: ſo as if thou withdrawe that from them, thou ſhalt not inioy them. Yee looke for much, but beholde it commeth to little. It oftentimes happeneth in the time of harueſt, that huſbandmen make account of aboundance of fruite, which then euen in the gathering together ſéemeth to periſhe. They thinke they hauehave gathered much into the barne, little do they ſée what will befall in baking and brewing. Whereof ſhall wee thinke that theſe thinges come? The Lorde aunſwereth the Prophet, I, euen I, I ſaie, do blowe vponupon theſe things. The weapons of God, wherewith he reuengeth the contumely doone vntounto him, and our negligence of diuine things be gréeuous: and he which is woont to be a moſt milde father, a moſt louing huſbande, and like a tender and gentle mother, when he is angrie with ſinnes and wickedneſſe, becommeth a Lion, a Beare, a Libarde, a ſerpent, as Ieremie, Amos, and Oſee doe teſtifie. Oh the vnhappy and miſerable condition of men, when they hauehave God to be their enemie! The God of Sabboth is the God of hoaſtes: All the creatures obaie him, as their captayne and parent. I will forbid heauen (ſaith he) that it ſhall not raine. A gréeuous puniſhment (truelie) when heauen is ſhutte vp, which then we ſée commeth to paſſe, when raine and faire weather are not giuen in due time, when the gratious influences gathered together be kept backe, and when in recompence of drith the morning dewe is withholden, whereas the corne, graſſe, and fruites ſhoulde be refreſhed thereby. But becauſe that huſbande men when the raine & dewe faileth, and that the heate burneth vp the thinges which growe vppon the earth, are woont with great labours to carie water or to digge riuers whereby they maie water the medowes and fieldes: therefore the Lorde ſaith, I will call a drith vppon the lande, whereby the want of moiſture ſhall euerie where be felt, and no leſſe ſhall the fountaines and riuers denie their flowing, than the heauen ſhall drawe vntounto it both the dew and raine. Wherefore ſince the Lorde is the Iudge, diſtributer and gouernour of all theſe afflictions both of the earth and of heauen, no induſtrie of huſband men ſhall auaile, but all the fruite of corne will be deſtroyed by the wrath of God. Neither doeth Gods reuenge here ſtaie it ſelfe: but from the fruites of the fielde, it procéedeth to the flockes and herdes: and afterwarde followeth a great dearth of cattel: and vnles that which hath béene doone amiſſe be amended, a gréeuous plague will light vponupon men themſelues. The wrath of God groweth by little and little, that there maie bee giuen a time of repentaunce. Firſt of all are deſtroyed the fruites of the fielde, then the cattell and bruite beaſtes are made awaie, and laſt of all men (from whome ſprang the originall of the euils) are deſtroyed by a generall plague. Homer alſo in his Iliads, ſaith that the plague was not at the firſt ſent vppon men, but doth fable yt the ſame began firſt at the bruite beaſtes. Nowe laſtlie why the Lorde bringeth theſe euils, let vsus ſée in the booke of Ieremie the 44. Verſe. 17.Chapter. When the Iewes were reprooued by the Prophet, becauſe they ſacrificed to the hoaſt of the Quéene of heauen, they aunſwered verie obſtinatelie and proudly, that when before time they offered ſacrifices to the quéene of heauen they were filled with bread and they liued in peace and quietneſſe: but yt when they ceaſed from thoſe ſacrifices, all maner of euils & miſfortunes fell vponupon them: wherefore they determined to ſtande to their accuſtomed Idolatrie.
After the ſame manner the Romanes, when they had nowe receaued Chriſtianitie, and perceiued the common weale to growe weake, and the Empire to fall awaie, they ſorrowed for the loſſe of their former felicitie, and accurſed Chriſt. And they thought that the Gods did puniſh the neglecting of their worſhippe, and the forſaking of their Altars. Hereof Auguſtine in his booke De Ciuitate Dei was conſtrained to write, and before him Cyprian againſt Demetrianus, verie wel beſtowed his labour in the ſelfe ſame Argument, and firſt of all declared that it might ſéeme no maruell, if all thinges become euerie daie worſe, inſomuch as the worlde waxeth older and older: and that the Sunne in his ſetting, ſhineth not with that force that it doth at noonetide, when it is mounted ouer our heade. Alſo the Mooue is of much leſſe ſtrength when it waneth, than when it ſheweth his globe on euerie ſide filled with light. In like manner a trée, when it is ouer much ſpent with bearing, it ceaſeth to bring foorth fruite. And fountaines otherwhile dried vp through long continuance, do flowe more ſparinglie than they did before. And ſuch is the condition of other things, that when they be ſprung vp, and growen by dailie increaſes, at the laſt do waxe olde, be deminiſhed, and do fall awaie. And it is a maruell alſo (ſaith he) but that olde man ſhoulde in like manner complaine of the Religion of Chriſt, becauſe they hauehave leſſe ſtrength by reaſon of it, than whē they flouriſhed in their young age. In which place it is added, that Chriſt foretolde vsus that there ſhoulde bee great calamities when the laſt daie of iudgement ſhall come. Since therefore we drawe néerer and néerer vntounto him, we ought not to complaine if we ſée all thinges fall to the worſe: For ſince Chriſt ſhewed vsus before hande that they ſhoulde come to paſſe, it muſt of neceſſitie be ſo. Laſt of all hee writeth: that theſe ſo gréeuous thinges doe not vexe mankinde becauſe the worſhipping of Chriſt is brought into the worlde, but becauſe he is not receaued as he ſhoulde be, and that Idolaters are ſtill detained in their vnfaithfulneſſe. But nowe they crie out that we are commonlie afflicted, becauſe the peſtiferous maſſe is aboliſhed, the images plucked downe, pilgrimages forbidden, Monaſteries ouerthrowen, inuocation of ſaintes and an infinite of ſuch other euils taken awaie. But that this is not the cauſe, let vsus heare what our Prophete ſaith, Euerie one of you flyeth vntounto your owne houſe, & my houſe remaineth deſolate. But is it ſo gréeuous a crime to neglect the houſe of God? If thou ſhalt marke what we ſaide in the definition thereof at the beginning, and wilt diligently weigh thoſe things, thou ſhalt perceiue that it excéedeth in crueltie whatſoeuer the Poetes hauehave feigned of Thyeſtes, Atreus, of the Cyclopes and Gentiles. Oh my brethren, my brethren, is it not horrible to be ſpoken, yt the fieldes are tilled, the Cities fortified, magnificent Colleges builded, chambers appeare as they were Tē ples, & the houſe of the Lorde lieth forſaken? O ſlothfull and wicked men that we be, what godlie man can forbeare from wéeping and teares? Princes doe ſooner priuatelie build their owne houſes: and Magiſtrates doe altogether dote in building not of houſes but Pallaces and Caſtles, who oftentimes build in bloud: and as Abacuck ſaid in 2. Chapter: Verſe. 11.The ſtone cryeth out of the wall, and the beame out of the timber againſt his Maiſter giueth a teſtimonie. Manie build vppon the teares of the poore, with the oppreſſion of warres and ſpoile of Orphans, but the houſe of the Lord remaineth deſert and in ruine, and is contemned in a maner of all ſortes of men. The poore which ought to ſet their hope in God, doe deſpiſe prayers, they curſe men, they blaſpheme God, and doe proudlie and obſtinatelie rebell: they obey not the lawes, and they followe idleneſſe beyond meaſure. Is this to build the houſe of the Lord? It was the ſouldiers condition to defend their countrie, to defend religion, to be content with their pay, to beate no man: when warre was finiſhed, to returne to the artes of peace and to labour. But now contrariwiſe they robbe, they ſet vppon men in the highway, they exerciſe théeuerie, they perpetuallie complaine of their wages, it gréeueth them to ceaſe from warre, and they refuſe to returne to their former labours: and this is not to put their helpe to the holy building, but maruelouſlie to contemne and hinder the ſame. Princes and Magiſtrates which are bound to take care for the making and defending of good lawes, to condemne the guiltie, & to ſet frée ye innocent, are euerie where accuſed that they doe otherwiſe; they are ill reported of, to be like the birdes called Harpii, which deuoure the labours & liuing of the people, that they take rewardes, & that in all thinges they ſéeke their owne profit, not the commoditie of the people. By which kinde of dealinges, verilie they may ouerthrowe the houſe of God, but not build it vp being fallen downe. The Miniſters of Churches ſhould hauehave béene our Promethei in fetching fire out of heauen, our Ieremies and our Mercuries, by whome we ſhould knowe the aunſweres of God, Matt. 5. 13. Ibid. 13.and as Chriſt ſaid, The light of the worlde, and the Salt of the earth, that all their works might ſhine and be ſeaſoned of ſalt, and might not wither away with rottēneſſe. It was their part moreouer, to hauehave a good vnderſtanding of the holy ſcriptures, whereby they might inſtruct others with great indeuour and painfull diligence; and that their doctrine might be more gratious and better accepted, to liue purelie and innocentlie, and houſe by houſe to ſéeke the ſaluation of all the ſoules committed to their charge. But a lamentable caſe it is: They liue in idleneſſe, like ſlowbellies and diſſolute creatures, they fraught themſelues, they maruelouſlie ſwell in arrogancie and pride, they are miſerablie poſſeſſed with ignorance, the ſhéepe which they hauehave the charge of, are ſhamefullie neglected of them: and ſince they edifie none, they offend innumerable with their vnpure and filthie life. Wherefore euen they alſo are moſt farre from the building which we call vponupon. Alſo young men doe excéedinglie flie from this woorke. For they earneſtlie complaine that the rewards of vertues are now taken away: when I ſhall continuallie (ſay they) giuegive my trauel to learning, and in a manner kill my ſelfe with ſtudie, what reward ſhall I reape? I ſhall be a Paſtor of xx. pound a yeare, at the moſt. Away with diuinitie: giuegive me the lawes, giuegive me phiſick, giuegive me Aſtrologie or anie thing elſe rather than ye holy ſcriptures, I am poore ynough of my ſelfe, & hauehave no néede of diuinitie to make me more beggarlie. And on the other part the Maiſters, teachers and heades, whoſe part ſhould be to exhort them to the building, doe charge them by threatninges and faire ſpéeches to kéepe ſtill their olde error, that they ſhould flie from theſe ordinances, and that they ſhould not laie away thoſe thinges which they were brought vp in euen from their childhood. Moreouer there be of the elder ſort which runne about the fieldes, enter into houſes, frequent ſhoppes and tauernes, and with all their indeuour perſwade that no reformation of godlineſſe ſhould be receaued, that this newe reformation would not long continue, that the olde ſtate of thinges ſhall returne within a yeare or twaine: and on this wiſe doe all men build after the woorſt manner. So then we complaine, that God afflicteth vsus with vnaccuſtomed oppreſſions, and with a penurie of all thinges, when as we periſh, not through his ouergreat ſeuerity, but through our owne méere follie. The building of the houſe of God muſt either not be medled with all, or elſe we muſt with all diligence take care of the ſame. The cauſe why we be diſquieted, is not the remoouing of the Maſſe, the taking away of ſuperſtitions, but it is the leauing of the houſe of God ruinous and deſert. Superſtitions hauehave no power to deliuer from calamities. Conſider I beſéech you how it fareth with Hungarie, which was earneſtlie inclined to Maſſes and ſuperſtitions. Behold Italie, eſpeciallie the countrie of Milaine, whence nothing at all is gone from the papiſticall abuſes. Let vsus behold other partes of Chriſtendome, where the Maſſe prieſtes doe ſtill reigne: and finallie let Rome it ſelfe be in our eye, which is the ringleader of all corrupt ceremonies and erronious opinions: vndoubtedlie they be all oppreſſed and diſquieted with moſt gréeuous calamities and troubles. Theſe are but light burdens, therefore when baniſhmentes and ſtripes will preuaile but little, more gréeuous thinges are to be feared. But they ſay: Nothing is yet firmelie and ſtronglie prooued. For thoſe thinges which we hauehave recited maie aſwell agrée to the olde forſaken religion, as to the newe coldlie reſtored. What Iudge now ſhall be had of this controuerſie? Euen our Prophet, who ſaith, Aſcend ye to the mountaine, and there cut ye downe …imber for the houſe of the Lord: And the mountaine which he would hauehave to be aſcēded vntounto ſheweth vsus thoſe things which we hauehave from aboue, I meane the diuine Oracles. Wherefore he commaundeth that we ſéeke our building from the holy ſcriptures, being the wiſedome of religion: as the Poets feigne of Minerua that ſhe ſprang out of the head of Iupiter. For we hauehave receaued from aboue, that which is neceſſarie vntounto religion, therefore we muſt not after our owne imagination, feigne vntounto our ſelues a religion. The timber for building is ſought from the mountaine: For the decrées of men are nothing but ſubtiltie, pride, concupiſcence, and curioſitie. Euen as thoſe which be the inſtitutions of God, doe ſtirre vp a man vntounto God: ſo the religion deuiſed by men (euen as Circe did) tranſformeth men into beaſtes. Men ſay it is great ſafetie for them that ſléepe abroad in ſummer to lie in the thrée leafe graſſe, becauſe no Serpent at anie time ſhrowdeth therein: Euen ſo to reſt our ſelues in the holy ſcriptures is ye ſafeſt way of all other: for in them is offered vsus no poyſon nor perill. Some men complaine that they be ſo hard that by them the houſe of God can be builded of few. Howbeit theſe men ought to know that thoſe thinges which be neceſſarie vntounto ſaluation, are eaſilie vnderſtood of all men. God no leſſe prouideth for men in this behalfe, than he dooth in the nature of thinges, where vndoubtedlie we ſée that thoſe thinges which are neceſſarie for life, are not hard to be gotten. Then it is but a feigning of vsus, to ſay that thoſe thinges which helpe vntounto ſaluation are verie intricate and obſcure vntounto vsus in the holie ſcriptures. Let the places be diligentlie conferred one with an other, and we ſhall often finde it that that which in ſome one place ſéemeth to be intricate and obſcure vntounto vsus, is elſe where declared after a manifeſt manner. The opinion of iuſtification which the aduerſaries defend, compared with ours: if we goe to the meaning of the ſcriptures, it will ſoone appeare to be erroneous. They would hauehave vsus to vſe a ſtrange tongue in our ſeruice: But Paul iudgeth farre otherwiſe. Images are allowed of them: The mountaine of the ſcripture altogether forbiddeth them to be vſed in Religion. They iudge it good that in the communion one ſhould receaue the Sacrament for the multitude: In the mountaine of the ſcriptures, Chriſt ſaith: Eate and drinke ye all of this. Neither ſhalt thou finde it otherwiſe as touching the inuocation of Saintes, and infinite other things, which the wicked Pope without the holie ſcriptures thruſteth vppon the Church. But why doe ſo fewe aſcend vntounto this mountaine, that they may prouide for themſelues rules to build withall? The maruell is not ſo great, ſince they be not openlie handled as they ought to be and of priuate men in their houſes, and are not read in the Churches. Now is the doctrine of Chriſt by the commaundement of the kinges ſacred maieſtie ſet foorth in the mother tongue, but men walke vp & downe, neither doe they which be in the Temple, giuegive anie héede thereunto: the Miniſters remaine ſhut vp in the Quire: they ſay the diuine ſeruice haſtilie and raſhlie, as though they ſhould ſpeake it to themſelues onelie. Neither doe they prouide, that others may vnderſtād it. VponUpon Sundaies are verie profitable Homilies read, but yet with a lowe voyce, and with ſpitting and coffing, ſo as it may ſufficientlie appeare that manie of thoſe which reade them, doe neither attend to that they ſay, nor yet ſuffer that thoſe which ſtand by maie receaue anie profit of the ſame. In old time there were Eccleſiaſticall méetinges, wherein it was lawfull to heare, to aſke queſtions, & to aunſwere: & there men dealt not onelie as concerning the trueth of doctrine, but alſo of diſcipline: And of thoſe thinges Paul vntounto the Corinthians, and Ambroſe interpreting his wordes maketh mention that they were vſed among the Hebrewes. We hauehave it much in Luke, when the child Ieſus in the middeſt of the doctors, both aſked queſtions and aunſwered: but at this day this ſo comfortable cuſtome is left, to the great detriment of the Church: and how coldlie we deale in Catechiſing, the thing it ſelfe declareth. They thinke, they hauehave wrought a great matter, when they hauehave had him once at the board: but the indeuour and attentiueneſſe of children is not ſuch, that they can in ſo ſhort ſpace put off their naturall ignoraunce and baſhfulneſſe.
When the Prophet had now warned what is needefull to be doone, namelie to aſcende vntounto the hill, and from thence to bring timber to the building: Hag. 1. 8.If this worke be doone he ioyneth promiſes therewithall, It ſhall be acceptable vntounto me and I will be glorified therin. If the congregation of the faithfull be both well inſtituted and rightlie aſſembled, the Lord promiſeth that it ſhall be to his wel liking: for he himſelfe promiſeth that he will be in the middeſt of them that helpe, and will heare the petitions and vowes of them that pray. Thoſe things are alwaies acceptable vntounto God, and receaue the fruites of the promiſes, which are doone according to the rule of Gods word: when as contrariwiſe, whatſoeuer men ſhall bring to paſſe without it, is not onelie vnprofitable and vaine, but the Lord now reprooueth vsus thereof by Eſaie: Who hath required theſe things at your hands in that houſe which was to be builded? God promiſeth that he would become glorious: which aſſuredlie was brought to paſſe, when his name was there publiſhed openlie by the Meſſias and the Apoſtles. Men alſo at this day ought ſo to preach in the Church, as they ſhould abound in good workes, which others ſéeing might glorifie the father which is in heauen. Furthermore the glorie of God doth not ſhine more in any other congregation, than it doth in a Church well and godlie ordained. Whereuppon Paule to the Cor. ſaith: 1. Cor. 14. 23.If an vnbeleeuing or vnlearned man come into the Church, and ſee all things doone well as touching the adminiſtration of doctrine, he will fall downe on his face and worſhip the Lorde, and ſhall bee conſtrained to confeſſe that God is in vsus. But alas for pitie, they hauehave nowe tranſferred this honour of the Church to incenſe, to lights, to ſtoles, to veſtments of gold and ſilke, to golden veſſels, and veſſels ſet with precious ſtones, and infinite ſuch other more than worldly deckings. Wherfore we yt will do an acceptable thing vntounto God, and would hauehave God to be glorified in vsus, let vsus edifie our neighbors when we perceiue them to be ſicke of pride, enuie, luſt, wrath, weakeneſſe of faith, and coldneſſe of charitie, and with other diſeaſes of the minde: and this we are accuſtomed to doe in the ſickeneſſe of the bodie. Let vsus call Phiſitians vntounto vsus, not of euerie ſort, but (as Chryſoſtom hath taught vsus in a certaine homilie vntounto the people of Antioch) Matthew, Luke, Iohn, Marke, and the reſt of the Apoſtles and Prophets, and from thence let vsus ſéeke to get medicines and wholeſome remedies for our brethren. Such Phiſitians as theſe are moſt ſkillfull, and there is no kinde of infirmities of our ſoules hidden from them, vponupon them is beſtowed no expenſe of monie: and they ſhewe not themſelues hard to helpe, but if the ſicke wil, they be conuerſant with them day and night: neither ſhall we finde them at contention one with an other, in ſuch ſort as by their Emulation they would the ſooner bring to death thoſe whom they ſhould heale. This is to fetch Timber, as the Prophet ſaith, from the mountaine to the building of the Lordes houſe. This worke belongeth vntounto all them which are called Chriſtians, as the Prophet Ezechiell ſaide, Eze. 48. verſe. 19.They which builde the Citie of Ieruſalem, ſhall bee of all the tribes. And our Hagge héere maketh mention of Zorobabell, to whom being the Ciuill Magiſtrate was aſſigned Ieſus the ſonne Ioſadeck the high Prieſt. Alſo the Prophets themſelues did helpe: as did Zachary, Hagge, and Malachie, and finallie all the people are reckoned with them: whereby we are taught that from euerie place are to be gathered the builders of the Temple. But at this day the Popes Miniſters take it in ill part, if they perceiue a lay man, (as they ſay) to hauehave the holie Scriptures, as though this building belonged not vntounto them. But they them ſelues, whereas they challenge vntounto themſelues the Miniſterie of the Church, and are inriched with many fatte and goodly benefites, doe vtterly neglect to edifie by their doctrine: when notwithſtanding Paul vntounto the Epheſians reckoning vp Apoſtles, Prophets, and Euangeliſtes, Ephe. 4. 11.as it were diuerſe giftes graunted to the Church, afterwarde ioyned therewithall Paſtors, and Teachers. Which ſaying when Ierom interpreteth, he noteth it diligently: and among other things, thus he wrote: Neither let any man in the Church, although he be holy, take to himſelfe the name of a Paſtor, vnleſſe both he can and will teach them whom he feedeth. And a litle after: But doth it not ſéeme to you yt there be falſe Paſtors in the Church, which féede not the ſhéepe with doctrine, but, as it were hyrelings, do thinke nothing at all of ye ſaluation of their flocke: not correcting that which went aſtraie, nor yet ſéeking yt which was loſt: but all onelyonly taking of the ſhéepe milke, and wooll, that is to wit, meate and garments. Wherefore the Miniſters of the Church, and the Princes hauehave their part in building: and without doubt, if at any time theſe kindes of men doe erre, this neuer happeneth without a common loſſe: euen in like manner as the Eclipſies of the Sunne draw therewith many inconueniences vppon the world. When the Lorde woulde builde the Church of Ieruſalem, he ſpecially adorned the Prince and Prieſt Moſes and Aaron, whoſe conduct and authoritie they ſhould vſe in all things. Albeit as the holy hiſtorie doth not ſuppreſſe in ſilence the infirmities of them both, ſo was the people more eaſily giuen to followe their offences, than readie to vſe the benefite of their good gouernment. And it muſt not be paſſed ouer, that the building of this ſecond houſe was to bee perfourmed of the people after ſeuentie yéeres. The number of ſeuen is woont to bee reckoned with the Sabboth. He teacheth plainely that it behooued the builders to reſt from all their labour. Neither are we ignorant, that they be our workes, which hauehave procéeded from nature corrupted without the guiding of the holy ſpirit. For no man ought to be lead either for gaine, or ambition, or any couetouſneſſe, or elſe by any reaſons of man to reſtore the Temple of the Lorde. Further, as Paule hath taught vsus, we ought to builde onelyonly vppon Chriſt which is the foundation: and we muſt take héede with all our indeuour that we builde not haie or ſtubble or timber, 1. Cor. 3. 12that is to ſay, fond trifles and humane reaſons: Golde, ſiluer and precious ſtones muſt bee vſed in this building. Neither is knowledge ſufficient for the building of the Common wealth of Chriſt, which in verie déede is oftentimes fearefull when it is taken by it ſelfe: wherefore charitie muſt néedes be ioyned therewith, which Paul ſhewes doth edifie. And no man muſt maruell, if ſo notable inſtruments are required to this worke, ſince it is a matter of great moment to change men from that they were.
I woulde to God the Romiſh Prieſts would alſo conſider this, and woulde not account all their honour to conſiſt herein, that they hauehave tranſubſtantiated or chaunged the nature of breade (which is but a legerdemaine and a vaine deuiſe:) but that they finally vnderſtoode themſelues to be called by God vntounto this ende, that by the worde and doctrine as alſo by good manners and examples, they ſhould tranſubſtantiate men into Chriſt, and make them his liuely members. This change hauehave men perpetually before their eyes, when they handle the holy myſteries. The ſame do the ſcriptures of God vrge in euerie place, which then lyeth contemned and neglected, when they with all their power contende for an Altar which is none at all.
Now hauehave we heard of the prophet what is néedefull to be doone: namely, that the Church of God, according to Gods appointment ſhould be builded. Nowe fourthly is taught what fruit this ſermon of our Hagge obtained. Zorobabel (ſaith he) heard, and Ieſus (ſaith he) the ſonne of Ioſadeck, and all the people heard the worde of the Lorde. They not onelyonly heard with their eares, as the Scribes and Phariſes heard Chriſt, but their hearts by the power of the holy ſpirite were open, and they feared. This is the proper effect of the holy ſcriptures. Firſt we are reprooued by the authoritie of Gods lawe: For the hearts of thoſe hearers are ſtirred vp by repentance, which is deſcribed in feare. But it followeth not heere that the Prophet is heard, and that they which heard him, doe feare, vnleſſe he be receiued as the meſſenger of the Lord. For ſo long as we thinke of him that buildeth, that he dealeth by mans reaſon, we wilbe moued nothing at all. Perhaps we will maruell at the wiſedome and prudence of his doctrine, but doe turne neuer a whit the more vntounto God. But when faith comes therewithall, and that we thinke it is the worde of God which is propoſed: by and by feare & repentance enter into our hearts. They that feare and tremble, ſtraightway the voyce of the Lorde comforteth them, wherein he ſaith: I am with you. God is with them, not which be magnificall, mightie and proude men of this world, but with the broken and contrite of heart, whoſe lot muſt not be counted vile & abiect: but ſince they hauehave God with them, there can bee no want of good. This was ſaid to the bleſſed virgin and to many of the ſaincts when any harde matter was to be taken in hand, that they ſhould ponder it in their mind, and that they ſhould not doubt of their ſucceſſe. If God ſhall be with vsus, who can either hinder vsus or ſtay vsus from the building? O yée that be the heades of this Vniuerſitie of Oxforde, I would to God that I alſo might truely and faithfullie ſay: God is with you. Aſſuredly I ſhoulde then preach vntounto you a moſt profitable, and vntounto me moſt acceptable glad tidings of the Goſpel. And the Lord ſtirred vp the ſpirite of Zorobabel, and the ſpirite of Ieſus the ſonne of Ioſadeck, and the ſpirite of the people, that in comming they ſhould do the work of their God. It is the Lord that ſtirreth vsus vp to do well, not onelyonly in calling vsus by the outward worde, but alſo by chaunging of our minde. For by the moſt comfortable féele of perſwaſion, hee of vnwilling maketh vsus willing. Then is the outwarde preaching fruitfull, becauſe the heart of the hearers is inwardly mollified by God. This is to ſtirre vp the ſpirite of the Prophet. Nowe do we alſo perceiue by this place that the building belongeth to all ſorts of men, which are ſo deſcribed ſeuerally. Not onelyonly the magiſtrate and highprieſt, but together with al is the whole people ioyned. We muſt vnderſtand that the order and placing of thinges is not negligently ſet downe vntounto vsus by the prophet. In which place is ſhewed the word of God: the faith of them that heare the Lords worde is mingled therewith, feare and repentance is ſtirred vp: The Lorde is in them and dwelleth in them, and mooueth them to take good workes in hande. Laſt of all are placed thoſe workes which do not pleaſe God vnleſſe we be iuſtified by faith, repleniſhed with the grace of God, and mooued by the inſpiration of the holie Ghoſt to doe them. O miſerable city, which haſt ſo long béene without the word of God and holie ſermons: No maruell if, being deſtitute of the ſpirite of God, thou haſt ſo much neglected to builde vp his Church. Truelie I cannot well tell, whether I ſhould here blame the minde of miniſters, or the ſloth of the people, or faintneſſe of the magiſtrate: ſince they hauehave all ſinned verie gréeuouſly. The Paſtors teach not, vnleſſe they be driuen therunto by threatnings and ſtatutes: and the people which daily bewayleth the déereneſſe of thinges and the ſcarcitie of corne, complaineth nothing at all of want of the holy worde. Thoſe being kindled and ſtirred vp with the words of the Prophet came and did the worke of God. Make yée haſt alſo my moſt déere brethren, and builde yée quicklie the houſe of God: For the byrds of heauen hauehave their neſts, and the foxes hauehave their holes: but the ſonne of man hath not where to lay his heade. The houſe of Ieruſalem lay ruinated onelyonly 70. yeares, and yet God made ſo great ſhewe of his indignation: And how doe ye thinke his furie is nowe kindled when he ſéeth his Church to be caſt downe, defiled and waſted ſo manie ages together? Let ſo great a matter mooue you, and differ you no longer this holy building. But & if your mindes indeuouring to come vntounto God, hauehave béene any thing kindled by this ſermon, I deſire you hartely that yée will not extinguiſh the ſame, but that yée will with holie communications and talke of the ſcriptures nouriſh it. Now that the ſin of negligence hath béene blamed out of the worde of God, and hath béene made manifeſt by the Prophet after what manner and faſhion we ought to builde, and laſtly that we hauehave vnderſtoode what vtilitie ſuch exhortations hath brought vntounto the hearers: I might ſéeme to hauehave performed thoſe things which I promiſed at the beginning. But ſince we are minded to mooue earneſtly by examples, I hauehave determined before I make an ende to bring foorth a good and diligent builder, whereby ye may hauehave an example, whereunto if yée regard, ye ſhal at the length performe the worke which yée hauehave taken in hand. And becauſe ſuch is the miſerie of the time preſent, as of them that be aliue there is no example extant, therefore am I compelled whether I will or no to flie vntounto writings. Let Paul the moſt choſen veſſell of God ſhewe himſelfe vntounto vsus. He, as he hath written in the 2. Epiſtle to the Corinthians ye 11. Chapter, Verſe. 23attempted all manner of wayes to addreſſe thoſe that were his to bee as a chaſt and pure ſpouſe vntounto our huſbande Chriſt, he ſought not for himſelfe that which he diligentlie builded by doctrine, he lead them thereby vntounto Chriſt as a faithfull ſeruant. Neither did he onelyonly indeuour to conuert them, but with carefull trauell he prouided, that they in a ſound faith and certaine maidenly religion might cleaue vntounto their ſpouſe. I am afraide (ſaith he) leaſt as the ſerpent deceiued Eue, ſo ye ſhould be deceiued by euill and falſe teachers. Now verily was the Apoſtle Paul in feare, wherein he was vigilant, not about his owne commodities, but about the ſaluation of many. Yée ſée the end of the Church, which a good builder muſt ſet before his eyes: namely that to bring manie vntounto Chriſt, and ſo perpetually to take care of them and inſtruct them, that they flie not from building of the Church. But when they ſhal labour in this building, it ſhalbe good to heare Paul himſelf what and how great things hee indured: In labours, more abundant: In ſtripes, aboue meaſure: 2. Cor. 11. 23.In priſon, more plenteouſlie: In perils of death, often: Of the Iewes receiued I fiue times fortie ſtripes ſaue one; I was thriſe beaten with rods: I was once ſtoned: I ſuffered thriſe ſhipwarke: I liued night and day in the deepe ſea: In iourneying I was often in perils of waters: In perils of robbers: in perils of mine owne nation: in perils among the Gentiles: In perils in the citie: in perils in the wilderneſſe: in perils in the ſea: in perils among falſe brethren: in labour and in painefulneſſe: in watching often, in hunger and thirſt, in faſtings often, in cold and nakedneſſe: beſides the things which happened outwardly, I am cumbred daily with the care of all the Churches: who is weake, and I am not weake? who is offended, and I burne not? Al which things to remember my moſt deare brethren, hauehave in them a verie large ſea of temptations. He liued in continual carefulnes, we would be ridde of all care and thought, whereby we inioy our welth and quietneſſe. He was exerciſed in continuall labours and perils, and we will not put our ſelues in any daunger for religion: And yet do they ſay at this day: although thoſe things which be ſpokē in this Euangelicall reformation be true, yet will I expect a yeare or two. Thou wilt kéepe thy ſelfe ſafe, that if the ſtate alter, thou be not ſo incumbered, but that thou maiſt eaſily be at libertie. He if any were weake woulde bée weake together with them, and did burne becauſe of offenſes. But we though that manie be offended, doe eate and drinke, and we threaten others, we play and laugh. What maruell then if the Church lie in ruins? O happie builder is he, that can ſay with Paul: I hauehave fought a good fight, 2. Cor. 12. 5I hauehave runne my courſe, I hauehave kept the faith. So carefull was this Paul of the holie building that he would moſt willingly both ſpende and be ſpent for theſe members of Chriſt, & for their ſoules: but we ſuffer all to periſh rather than any profite and commoditie of ours ſhoulde periſh. Verſe. 14.He ſaide, I ſeeke not thoſe things that be yours, but you. Neither ought the children to lay vp for the parents, but the parents for the children. But we can do the contrarie: We ſéeke not you, but thoſe things that bée yours: nothing is looked for at our handes. He was made all things to all men, 1. Cor. 9. 22that he might winne ſome to Chriſt. But wee are made all things vntounto all men, that we may alienate our ſelues and all others with vsus from Chriſt. Paul had manie whom he edified, as the ſignes of his Apoſtleſhip: but wée many whom we hauehave grieuouſlie diſpleaſed and offended, which are manifeſt ſignes of our office and calling forſaken. Wherefore I pray and beſéech you that by conuerting and changing your indeuours, yée will imitate this noble artificer and chiefe maſter builder. Which that it may be graunted vntounto you of almightie God, let vsus call vppon him with our prayers after this manner:
WE beſéech the O heauenlie father for thine infinite & gratious mercy, yt ſince thou haſt vouchſafed to make choice of thy ſpouſe the Church vppon the earth, and to honour it with all kinde of ſpirituall ornamentes, deſpiſe not the ſame now being deformed, defiled, and in a manner ouerthrowen. Stirre vp, (I beſéech thée) and kindle with thy holie ſpirite the Princes, Paſtors, Teachers, and all them that be here preſent to a reſtitution thereof, and giuegive them patience, diligence and ſtrength while they bée doing the worke, to the ende that they may prepare a place for thée, where thou liueſt and raigneſt together with the ſonne and the holie Ghoſt: To thee be glorie for euer, world without end, Amen.