The View and Downfall of Pride, Part 1

The View and Downfall of Pride · Part 1

A GODLIE TREAtiſe of the deſtruction of Babilon, and Nabuchadnezzar his fall, through pride.

Iſay 14.14.15.

I will aſcend aboue the Cloudes, and I wil be like the moſt high.

But thou ſhalt bee brought downe to the graue, to the ſides of the pit.

CHAP. I. A briefe expoſition of the Text.

THe cauſe of Babilōs deſtruction, and Nabuchadnezzar his ſubuerſion, is Pride. (a)(a)Dan. 4.34 & 6.22.23Dan 4:34Dan 6:22Dan 6:23Who here ſtands as vppon the Stage, vaunting p. 2her ſelfe, like Abſolon vponupon the battlements of his houſe, bewraying his ſinne without any ſhame.(b)(b)2. Sam. 16.22.2 Sam 16:22 And is at defiance with God, like Pharao (c)(c)Exo. 5.2.Exod 5:2or Rabſhacheh, (d)(d)2. King. 18.22.2 Kgs 18:22ſpeaking heere by Nabuchadnezzar, as the diuel did by the ſerpent,(e)(e)Gen. 3.1.Gen 3:1 and thinkes ſcorne to be equall with any creature. And therefore as you ſee, ſhe mounts her ſelfe aboue the cloudes, and will be like God: as the Serpent told Eua ſhe ſhould.(f)(f)Gen. 3.Gen 3 Such is her ſhameleſſe impudencie, that ſhee fears not to encounter with God, as the diuell did with Chriſt,(g)(g)Mat. 4.3Matt 4:3 or the dragon with Michael. (h)(h)Re. 12 7.But God lyeth as in a ſcout-watch, not as the Elders did to catch Suſanna, but as Iſrael did, to entrap their enemies.(k)(k)Iud. 7.Judg 7 Or rather tells her to her teeth, as Elias did Ahab, (l)(l)1. King. 1.18.1 Kgs 1:18anſwering her with no leſſe terror (if it be marked) then the handwriting ſhewed the deſtruction of Balthaſar (m)(m)Da. 5.5ſaying: Thou ſhalt be brought downe to the graue, to the ſides of the pit.

Marke the text. I (ſaith Pride) will aſcend aboue the cloudes. See her inſolencie. And will be like the moſt high. Behold her impudencie.

p. 3But (ſaith God) there is a ſtop; thou, euen Pride: ſhalt, thats thy hope: bee brought downe, it is thy fall: to the graue, that is thy honour: to the ſides of the pit, that is the end, not onelyonly of thee, but of all other ſinne, except ye repent.(n)(n)Luk 13.3.Luke 13:3

The diuiſion of the Text.

Here in order to helpe memorie, I obſerue a double propoſition: the firſt ſheweth the chiefe cauſe, of all mens fall, and heere moſt certainly of the King and Kingdome of Babilon: that is Pride: whoſe haughtie humor is heere ſeene by two things.

Firſt by a generall contempt of all other in regard of her ſelfe, in theſe words. I will aſcend aboue the cloudes.

And her wings to mount, may be firſt Diſdaine: ſecond, Preſumptiō: third Rebellion: fourth Diſcontentment. Noted out of (I will).

Secondly, by a vaine eſtimation of her ſelfe, to be like God. 1. In proprietie, as in ſeeking to be exalted alone. 2. In chalenging vengeance vntounto her ſelfe. 3. In name, by vſurping the glorious name of God.

The ſecond propoſitiō noteth two things, firſt, the certaintie of proud Nabuchadnezzar his fall: where I note, 1. Who threatneth. 2. What force the threatning is of. 3. How it is effected. 4. What it is. viz. the graue.

Secondly, the vtter deſtruction and finall ouerthrowe of Pride and proud men impenitent in hell: whereof note 1. the true being and certaintie of that place for the damned.

Secondly, the torments thereof, wherein is 1. Moſt horrible paine. 2. Confuſed woe. 3. An euerlaſting continuance of the ſame.

CHAP. II. A view of Pride.

SOme follow euill counſell to their own deſtruction; like Ahab, and Ahaziah. (o)(o)1. King. 22.23.1 Kgs 22:23Some mens wicked deuice turn to their owne confuſion; like the builders of the Tower of Babell.(p)(p)Gen. 11.8.Gen 11:8

Ede cace boule to bouleuſanti caciſte, Euil counſel worſt wringeth the councellor himſelfe.

Mee thinkes it is no wiſedome to triumph before the conqueſt.

Benhadad King of Aram or Syria, ſent & greatly threatned Ahab, king of Iſrael (the effect of the Text is) to tread him & his people vnderunder his feete. Ahab ſent anſwer againe ſaying. Tell him that girdeth his harneſſe on, let him not boaſt himſelfe as he that putteth it off. 1. King. 20.11.1 Kgs 20:11Now a litle you heare what Pride ſaith, but ſhe maketh no reckning of her ende, but that will quaile her.

Pride, what is that? why ſhouldeſt thou aske? But indeed the Sunne in his brightneſſe is not ſeene of him that dooth winke: neither doth any truth preuaile with them that will not heare and beleeue. Pride is as common, as corne is like to be plentifull. For this praiſe the Lord, ô my ſoule, and all that is within mee praiſe his holy name: and pray that corne may be kept in the Land for the cōfort of the poore: For I feare the diuell wil Pride, though he neuer want ſtore. And becauſe ſhe ſtrutteth in eueryevery ſtreete, I need not ſeeke farre, as deſirous to finde her: but am …ing to ſpeake to her, wiſhing to p. 6reforme her.

Loe ſhee ſtarts out of my Text in ſhape of a monſter, as the diuell did out of the earth in Samuels likeneſſe;(r)(r)1. Sam. 28.13.151 Sam 28:131 Sam 28:15 and hath as long a reach, as the diuells kingdome is large.(ſ)(ſ)Math. 4 8.Matt 4:8 Shee will aſcend aboue the cloudes, and ſhe will be like God: it may bee ſhee meanes as the diuell was like Samuel: therefore ſhe here ſaith, I will, I will. This is all her reaſon for it: ſhe thinks this may ſerue. Stet pro ratione voluntas. But her reaſon is as ſtrong, as his foundation was firme, that laid it vponupon the ſand:(t)(t)Mat. 7.26.Matt 7:26 both the buildings muſt downe. From this her double deſire, which to obtain, ſhe is as greedie as the Lion of his pray. I will make her knowne vntounto you by this deſcription.

Pride is an vntamed luſt of the heart, rebelling againſt God, in exalting that which he would hauehave caſt downe, euen the Fleſh: and in caſting downe that which hee would hauehave exalted; that is the Spirit: Againſt which, God made a law, ſpecially for Princes, becauſe they ſhould be good examples to their people.(v)(v)2. Sam. 3 35.36.2 Sam 3:352 Sam 3:36 and generally, for all other becauſe p. 7the ſubiect ſhould not bee proud:(w)(w)Num. 15.28.Num 15:28 ſaying. The King muſt hauehave the law, read the lawe, and keepe all the words of this law, &c. that his heart bee not lifted vp aboue his brethren. That is, the more higher of calling, the more humble in condition they ſhould be.(x)(x)Deut. 17 20.Deut 17:20 If Princes ought not to bee proud, ſubiects ought not to aduenture it. Therefore the holy Ghoſt ſaith to all. Bee not high minded, but feare. (y)(y)Ro. 11.20.Rom 11:20Learne of mee (ſaith Chriſt) that am meeke and lowly in heart, and yee ſhall finde reſt vntounto your ſoules. (z)(z)Mat. 11 29.Matt 11:29As if he ſhould ſay, if you be proud, you ſhall finde no reſt for your ſoules. For curſed are all they that doo erre from thy commaundements.(a)(a)Pſ. 119 21.Ps 119:21 If you would ſee further what Pride is, S. Auguſtine ſaieth. Amor excellentiae ſuperbia vocatur. (b)(b)Aug. de verb. domini. Ser. 54.The louelove or deſire of renowne, or to be exalted, is called Pride. Who then is not proud? who ſo toucheth pitch is defiled therewith.(c)(c)Eccl. 13.1.Sir 13:1 Pride is like pitch. Therefore Augustine ſaith, it is The head and cauſe of all other ſinnes. (d)(d)Aug in Pſal. 18.Ps 18Againe he ſaith, it is of all other ſins, the Beginning, end, and cauſe. Be… it is not onelyonly a ſinne it ſelfe, but that there neuer hath beene, is, or ſhall be any ſinne, Sine ſuperbia, without Pride. (e)(e)Aug. ad Iulia. epiſt. 3Nay further, it ſtraineth euen our good deeds,(f)(f)Act. 12.23.Acts 12:23 and therefore ſaith Auguſtine, Caetera vitia in malefactis valent, ſola ſuperbia etiam in recte factis est cauenda, (g)(g)Aug. in Pſ. 50. & lib. de natura & gra.Ps 50all other ſin in wicked deeds doth appeare, onelyonly Pride in our good deeds, we ought to beware: for it is like the hearb Coloquintida, where that is in the pot, the broath is neuer good: and where Pride is, all our workes are abhominable. And as for our wicked deeds,(h)(h)Aug. Ser. 54. de verb. domini Prior est in vitijs ſuperbia, in them, Pride firſt ſetteth foote aboorde: for Pride is the originall of ſinne.(i)(i)Eccleſi. 10 14. If you aske how it can be ſinne, the Apoſtle ſaith, that of many, Couetouſneſſe is the roote of all euill.(k)(k)1. Timo. I will anſwere you frō the auncient holy Father S. Aug. (l)(l)Aug. ad Iulia. Epiſt. 3.Superbia & cupiditas in tantum est vnum malum, vt nec ſuperbia ſine cupiditate, nec ſine ſuperbia poſſit cupidus inueniri. Pride and couetouſneſſe are thus one euill, or do conſent in one, that neither a proud man can bee found without couetouſneſſe, nor a couetous man without Pride. They are like two …rlots, which make but one body.(m)(m)1. Cor. 61 Cor 6 If you deſire to heare of her any more, I wil omit that Pride which is moſt common, for it is ſufficiently knowne: and I will ſpeake of that which is leaſt ſuſpected.

CHAP. III. Foure kindes of proud men appealed.

SAint Augustine ſpeaketh of three ſorts of proud men,(n)(n)Aug. in Pſ. 93.Ps 93 vntounto which frō the Apoſtle, I wil adde a fourth. Firſt they are proud, Quibus parum est qùod mala faciunt, ſed & ſua peccata defendere volunt, which make ſmall account of ſinning, and will alſo hauehave an excuſe for their ſinne, like Adam, Aron, Saul, and Ionas. Adam ſinned, and caſt the fault vponupon the woman, and ſhee ſought to excuſe her ſelfe by the Serpent,(o)(o)Gen. 3.12.Gen 3:12 but all would not ſerue. Aron made a golden calfe to be worſhipped, and when he did ſee Moyſes his zeale and anger againſt it, he caſt the fault vponupon the people.(p)(p)Exod. 32 33.34.Exod 32:33Exod 32:34 Saul ſinned againſt God, in lauing that which he was commaunded p. 10to deſtroy. And when he was reproued for it by the Prophet, hee ſtraight had his excuſe ready: Forſooth the people did it, to offer vntounto the Lord.(q)(q)1. Sam. 15.21.1 Sam 15:21 And Ionas ſent to Niniuie, fled from the commaundement of the Lord, and being puniſhed for it, yet he would excuſe his ſinne.(r)(r)Ionas. 4.2Jonah 4:2 And thus do Vſurers at this day, common ſwearers, blaſphemers, prophaners of the holy Saboath day, and infinit other ſinners, which not onelyonly do ſuch things, but with as bad an excuſe fauour themſelues in their owne wickedneſſe. And here may be reprooued non reſidents, dumbe dogs, and Idle Paſtors, theeues, &c. But when Chriſt ſhall come with his Redde rationē, giuegive account of thy Stewardſhip,(ſ)(ſ)Mat. 25.31.32.Matt 25:31Matt 25:32 It is not Lord, Lord, hauehave wee not propheſied in thy name, and in thy name caſt out diuels, and done great workes, that ſhall helpe; much leſſe then any of your excuſes. The will of God muſt be done, or elſe it ſhall be ſaid, I neuer knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquitie, into euerlaſting fire, &c. (t)(t)Math. 7.21.22.23Matt 7:21Matt 7:22Matt 7:23It was not inough for Iſrael, neither could they eſcape Gods wrath by their Templum a…trint, p. 11Templum domini; nor the Iewes with Domine, domine, nor for the Romaniſts, The Church, the Church; nor for vsus, The Goſpell, the Goſpell, the Word, the Word; but wee muſt do workes worthy of the Word, worthy of the Goſpell, as ſaith a learned Biſhoppe. How many Kingdomes & Nations hath God cut off for their ſinne? and ſhall we eſcape that do not only commit ſinne, euen with greedineſſe, but alſo will not ſtick to defend the doing of it? As the Miniſter doth ſuch a thing, others doo ſuch, and ſuch things, and why may not I? Thus wee our ſelues cauſe others to blaſpheme the worthy calling wherewith wee be called:(v)(v)Rom. 2.24.Rom 2:24 And thus men heape one ſinne vponupon an other,(w)(w)Eccl. 3.29.Eccl 3:29 to make vp the meaſure of their ſinnes,(x)(x)Mat. 23.32.Matt 23:32 and ſo haſten the wrath of God. But alas (deare bretheren) it is written, Thou ſhalt not follow a multitude to doo euill. (y)(y)Exod. 32.2.Exod 32:2That is thou muſt not take example to ſinne: which is, to feede thy ſelfe with winde, in excuſing thine own wickedneſſe.(z)(z)Hoſ. 12.1Hos 12:1 Nec enim exempla nobes ſimpliciter imi…anda deus propoſuit, ſed verbum ſuum dedi…, adcuius regulam & conſilia nostra, & aliorum exempla examinemus. (a)(a)Gual. in Hoſ. cap. 12 Ser. 39.Hos 12For God hath not ſimply ſet vsus examples to follow, but he hath giuē vsus his word, according to the true rule, and direct line wherof, we may examine both our owne deuices, and the examples of other. If they ſwarue from the commandements, go not after them, neither excuſe thine owne ſinne. Binde not two ſinnes together, for in one thou ſhalt not be vnpuniſhed.(b)(b)Ecc. 7.8.Eccl 7:8 And as for them that giuegive wicked example, it is written: Woe bee to that man by whom the offence commeth. (c)(c)Mat. 18.6.Matt 18:6But if it were not for Pride, all this would ſoone be laid aſide.

Secondly ſaith Auguſtine, He is proud (Qui in confeſſione peccatorum non agit penitentiam) which in the confeſſion of his ſinnes doth not repent: like Kain, Saul, Ahab, and Iudas. Kain murthered his brother, he conſeſſed his ſin, but could not repent.(d)(d)Gen. 4.13.Gen 4:13 After Saul had ſinned & was reprooued, hee ſaid. I hauehave ſinned, I hauehave tranſgreſſed the commaundements of the Lord, and thy words, becauſe I feared the people, and obeyed their voyce. Now therfore I pray thee take away my ſinne, &c. (e)(e)1. Sam. 15.1 Sam 15Was not this much? yet all this was but like a ſacrifice of ſwines fleſh: becauſe this confeſſion was not waſhed with teares, wroong out of the heart, with grieuous grones of the ſpirite, which cannot bee expreſſed. Ahab hearing Gods iudgements denounced againſt him for his ſinnes, Hee rent his cloathes, and put Sackcloath vponupon him, and faſted, and lay in Sackcloath, and went barefooted;(f)(f)1. King. 21.27.1 Kgs 21:27 yet hee could not repent: for the eye of his ſoule was cloſed vp, that he could not behold the bright beames of the ſonne of righteouſneſſe, appearing with the ſpirit of regeneration; and ſo he ſunke backe to his ſin again, as appeareth in the chapter. As for Iudas, he ſaid: I hauehave ſinned betraying the innocent bloud: (g)(g)Math. 27.4.Matt 27:4and he brought againe the ſiluer peeces, and caſt them downe in the Temple, and departed, but he could not waſh his ſoule in the lauer of the innocent blood, and take hold of the hornes of the altar of Gods merciemercy. Therefore he went and hanged himſelfe; and hath purchaſed a field with the reward of iniquitie,(h)(h)Act. 1.18.Acts 1:18 euen hell fire, by his euill gotten goods. Beware you bribe-mongers. Now at this p. 14day, how many Kains, Sauls, Ahabs, and fewe ſo good as Iudas hauehave we? many to confeſſe, fewe to reſtore, none to repent, then all to bee damned. Except ye repent, ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh. (i)(i)Luk. 13.3.Luke 13:3And if any deſire to know repentance, entending to liue in it, I will borrow ſo much time of my Text, as to deſcribe it vntounto you, but the true and right vſe thereof, eueryevery one muſt ſhewe forth in his owne life and conuerſation, like Ʋ rim and Thummim on the breaſt of the Prieſt.

Repentance is an vnfeyned griefe and groaning of the heart, through ſorrow for ſinne committed, confeſſing and forſaking the ſame,(k)(k)2. Cor. 7 10.11.2 Cor 7:102 Cor 7:11 with turning vntounto God by newneſſe of life,(l)(l)Act. 2.18.Acts 2:18 apprehending the merciemercy of God by faith in Chriſt Ieſus;(m)(m)Rom. 3.21.22. &c.Rom 3:21Rom 3:22 Who of God, is made vntounto vsus Wiſedome, and righteouſneſſe, and ſanctification, and redemption. (n)(n)1. Co. 1.30.1 Cor 1:30Where this is, that mans heart is filled with ioy, Iohn. 15.11. as the temple was with the glory of the Lord.(o)(o)2. Chro. 5.14.2 Chr 5:14 This felt Dauid and Peter, and therefore though theyr ſinnes were great, yet the guiltineſſe thereof was done … p. 15way: and ſo with confeſſion ſeeke wee repentance, and caſt away Pride, the deadly enemie thereof.

Thirdly hee is proud ſaith Auguſtine. Qui illa ipſa pauca quae videtur habere bona, ſibi vult arrogare & derogat miſericordiae dei. Such (Paul ſaith) are proud, boaſters,(p)(p)2. Timo. 3.2. which do arrogate or attribute vntounto themſelues thoſe fewe good things, which they doo but ſeeme to hauehave (for indeed they hauehave none)(q)(q)Ro. 7.18Rom 7:18 and ſo do diminiſh the merciemercy of God. Which is to rob God of his honour, as do the Pelagians and Papiſts, who putting their truſt in their workes, as ſome put their confidence in horſes and chariots, neuer remembring the name of the Lord, and grace of God in Chriſt, may hauehave a name to liue, but they are dead with the Angell of the Church of Sardi, becauſe they remember not how they hauehave receiued, and heard, and hold faſt and repent:(r)(r)Re. 3.1 namely, that ſaluation is of the Lord(ſ)(ſ)Gal. 5.4.Gal 5:4 and that there is no good thing in man, but that which is wrought by the holy Ghoſt.(t)(t)Iſay. 26.12.Isa 26:12 Without me (ſaith Chriſt) ye can do nothing. Paratur enim voluntas a domino. For mans will is prepared of the Lord,(v)(v)Moſt excellēt ſaith Aug. Epiſt. 105. Tom. 2 per tota. to eueryevery good worke. And now for the warre betwixt the Papiſts and vsus about this poynt: this peace I proclaime, as Embaſſador from the Lord: That faith is a ſupernaturall knowledge, wrought by the holy Ghoſt in a regenerate man, by which hee is aſſured of eternall ſaluation through Chriſt,(w)(w)Ephe. 1.17.18.19Eph 1:17Eph 1:18Eph 1:19 and good works do approue this knowledge to be ſound and true.(x)(x)Iam. 2.17.20.22Jas 2:17Jas 2:20Jas 2:22 If the tree bee good, ſo is the fruite alſo, and the tree is knowne by his fruite.(y)(y)Math. 12.33.Matt 12:33 And thus as faith and workes cannot be ſeperated by the ſun and his light, fire and heate: ſo ô Lord vnite the Papiſts and all other Heretickes to vsus, and thy true Church militant, that we may all worſhip thee in one ſpirit and truth. If this beame of Pride were once plucked out of mens eyes, the bright ſun-light of the truth of Religion would clearely appeare, and all men would walke as in the day time.

Fourthly, hee is proud, that is furious like a mad man, or doteth like a foole, (for ſo the Greeke word ſignifieth, about queſtions and ſtrife of words, not p. 17being content with the doctrine of the Goſpell.) If any man teach otherwaies, (ſaith the bleſſed Apoſtle, hauing exhorted vntounto obedience) Tetuphotai, he is proud, knowing nothing, Alla noſon, but furiouſly doating about queſtions and ſtrife of words: whereof commeth enuy, ſtrife, raylings, euill ſurmiſings, vaine diſputations of men of corrupt mindes, &c.(z)(z)1. Timo. 6.3.4. Inſani vocantur tales queſtionarij, vt qui ſibi de quibuſlibet rebus (etiam de lana caprina) diſcertare, & per animi morbos conflictari indulgeant. (a)(a)Marl. ex Iodo. Ʋilich in 1. Timot. 6.Such bee called mad, doating, or buſie queſtioniſts, or diſputors, as giuegive themſelues to contend about eueryevery matter, (euen of ſmal moment, as of the Moone ſhining in the water, or wearing of a comely Surples) and through Pride ſo to trouble themſelues. As many doo about the orders of our Church, eſtabliſhed neither for ſuperſtition nor Idolatry, nor for the maintenance of any accident adioyning vntounto them: …ut to keepe comelineſſe, vniformitie, and order in the Church: this ſatisfieth my conſcience, and what ſhould I ſeeke …o alter the decree of a whole Parliament? p. 18I know wherein to obey God rather then man: and I know how to obey God by man: and I know how to obey God and man: and it is not for eueryevery priuate man to know all the reaſons why ſuch and ſuch things bee ordained for policie and order in a Common-wealth. Now then, if no offence bee iuſtly giuen, if thy vnbrideled and vntamed ſpirite, (whatſoeuer thou art) vniuſtly take any, what is that to the Church? looke thou to that, as the Iews ſaid to Iudas: to his maiſter and Lord as traiterous,(b)(b)Mat. 26Matt 26 as you to your Princes good orders are malicious; and to her Maieſtie how true, iudge your ſelues, as Paul ſaith to the Communicants.(c)(c)2. Cor. 13.5.2 Cor 13:5 I iudge no man: I doo commaund from the Lord, that you GiueGive vntounto Caeſar that which is Caeſars. If you ſay, our blood is not too deare a ſacrifice to be offered in her Maieſties quarell: no more then Iſaac was to his father.(d)(d)Gen. 22 1.10.11.Gen 22:1Gen 22:10Gen 22:11 I ſay againe: And will you not then ſpare one affection to obey her? One ſaith out of Gregory: Probatio dilectionis eſt exhibitio operis. The triall of thy louelove, is the ſhewing of thy deed, or to ſhew it by thy deeds.(e)(e)Ser. de temp. 100. p. 19And Chriſt ſaith: If ye louelove me, keepe my commaundements. (f)(f)Ioh. 14.15John 14:15How can you louelove your holy Prince, & do not her will? If you deny to do that which is leaſt, who may truſt you in that which is moſt? Seruants obey their Maiſters,(g)(g)Mal. 1.6Mal 1:6 the Oxe knoweth his owner,(h)(h)Iſay. 1.3Isa 1:3 and ſubiects ſhould their Prince.(i)(i)Ro. 13.1Rom 13:1 Faith without good workes, is dead in it ſelfe.(k)(k)Iam. 2.20.Jas 2:20 And Iudas his haile Maiſter, with his kiſſe, was treaſon againſt the ſonne of God. Math. 26. And as Dauid ſaith: Good words in the mouth, and warre in the heart, is nothing better then plaine hypocriſie. Therefore Chriſt called the flattering Diſciples of the Phariſies, and the Herodiās hipocrites,(l)(l)Mat. 22 18.Matt 22:18 which are a people or generation, pure in their owne conceit:(m)(m)Prou. 30.12.Prov 30:12 and it is a mightie Pride for one to cōceiue well of himſelf, where fewe or none elſe doth: and the worſe, where there is no cauſe. Well, Chriſt ſaith, Hee that gathereth not with vsus, ſcattereth abroad. (n)(n)Math. 12.30.Matt 12:30S. Aug. ſaith: Non eſt particeps diuinae charitatis qui hoſtis est vnitatis. (o)(o)Aug. Epist. 50.He is not beloued of God, which is an enemy to the vnitie of the Church. The braunch beareth not p. 20fruite except it abide in the vine,(p)(p)Ioh. 15.4John 15:4 and what life is in the body beeing torne aſunder? If I were now to come to the Papiſt & Puritane, I wote what to ſay; but others are before me (whoſe ſhooes I am not worthy to beare) then heere will I ſtay. A foule puddle the more it is ſtirred, the more it ſtinketh. OnelyOnly this I could wiſh, that our buſie-bodies would ceaſe to licke vp the vomit which others hauehave caſt, & waſhed from them: as alſo to meddle with Callings, who, why, and how, ſuch, and ſuch men hauehave their calling lawfull: and as for my brethren of my owne calling, to meddle with matters of ſtate, my poore wiſedome and learning garded with humilitie, councelleth and teacheth me to behold and learne of King Dauid, the man after Gods owne heart (& wiſer then the moſt peeuiſh ſchiſmaticke, or opinionaries) who ſaith: Lord, I do not exerciſe my ſelfe in great matters which are too high for me, but I refraine my ſoule and keepe it lowe. (q)(q)Pſ. 131.Ps 131And to what end ſhould a Countrie Pulpit meddle with matters of gouernment in Malam partem, except it were to teach the people p. 21to tread vponupon the Princes lawful Scepter, and tread the Crowne vnderunder their feete? What they hauehave intended, God hath preuented: and becauſe this their counſell or worke is of men, it comes to nought: as Gamaliel told the men of Iſrael theirs ſhould, if it were againſt God.(r)(r)Act. 5.34 38.Acts 5:34 Admit ſome things might be amiſſe, the beſt way to amend them, is there to ſpeake of them where mends may be had, and not to keepe a wrangling among ſuch as cannot helpe. No, no, (my deare brethren) if wee looke well about vsus, wee ſhall finde no time wherin to omit ſpeaking of the matters of faith, for men will not beleeue: and to ſmite at ſinne & corruption among Officers at this day. For though (perhaps) ſome one head of ſinne and corruption be wounded to death, yet it recouereth the deadly wound; like the beaſt in the thirteenth of the Reuelation. And men returne to their ſinne againe like the dogge to his vomit, …nd the ſowe that was waſhed, to her …allowing in the myer.(ſ)(ſ)2. Pet. 2.22.2 Pet 2:22 Nay though …ne head of ſinne be cut off, yet there …iſeth two in the roome: behold our p. 22Pride, which I may call our Engliſh Hydra. But (alas) I deſire here rather to lament, then to open the vanitie of mens mindes, and vntamed affections of this time: through which, who knoweth not the church of God to be grieuouſly rent, and the aduerſary to hauehave got no ſmall occaſion for to blaſpheme? But to ende with theſe kinde of proud men, let them view Caluin, who ſaieth it Math. 13.41. They which propoſterouſly make haſte to roote out and aboliſh whatſoeuer liketh not, or diſpleaſeth them, do preuent ſo much as in them lyeth the iudgement of Chriſt… and do raſhly vſurpe vntounto themſelue… the power of Angels, & the office pertaining vntounto them. Therefore let vsus al… embrace and hold faſt the counſell o… the holy Apoſtle. Seeke peace and follow after it, (t)(t)1. Pet. 3.11.1 Pet 3:11and ſtudie to be quiet.(v)(v)1. Theſſ. 14.11. Fo… God is not the author of diſſention, bu… of peace:(w)(w)1. Cor. 14.33.1 Cor 14:33 and therefore build we … together the building of God: the daie … are euill, the end of all things is at hand… and happie is hee in whoſe worke i… found no guile.

Thus you heare of ſome that ar… p. 23proud, other you know, and moe will appeare by the reſt that followeth.

CHAP. IIII. Whither Pride will aſcend.

NOw ſir, Pride ſaieth ſhee will aſcend aboue the cloudes, may one (thinke you) beleeue her? let vsus ſee what may be ment by the clouds, and then how ſhe doth clime.

Cloudes hauehave theſe fiue ſignifications in the word of God. 1. They ſignifie thoſe Meteors which are drawne vp into the ayre out of the ſea and moyſt places, by the ſuperior powers. Theſe clouds we ſee daily the wind driues too and fro. Such was that cloud which Elias his ſeruant ſawe ariſe out of the ſea in bigneſſe like a mans hand, and preſently the heauens were blacke with clouds and winde, and there was a great raine.(x)(x)1. Reg. 18.44.451 Kgs 18:441 Kgs 18:45 2. Cloudes ſignifie a diuine ordinance of GOD, ſupernaturall, appointed for a time to doo his will. Such was that cloud, that led the children of Iſrael by day, to eſcape from p. 24the Egyptians. And he, firſt God, went before them by daye in a piller of a cloude(y)(y)Exod. 13 21.Exod 13:21 3. They ſignifie a multitude. We are compaſſed with ſo great a cloud of witneſſes, &c.(z)(z)Heb. 12.1.Heb 12:1 4. They do ſignifie the wicked and wretched worldlings which are without the truth of good workes: theſe the holy ſcriptures doth call cloudes without raine.(a)(a)Prouerb. 25.14. 5. Clouds do ſignifie all thoſe good men of godly conuerſation, whoſe lights of righteouſneſſe do ſhine before men, whoſe good deeds do comfort the poore, as raine from the cloudes dooth moyſten the earth. Of theſe Iſay ſpeaketh, ſaying. Let the cloudes droppe downe righteouſneſſe. (b)(b)Iſa. 45.8Isa 45:8Ouer the firſt the builders of Babell ment for to mount. To be aboue the fourth, what credit is it for Pride, but to be counted the king or captaine, ring-leader, and lord and maiſter of all wickedneſſe? but at the fift it is that ſhe aymeth, and though they be as is in the third a multitude, yet ſuperioritie you heare ſhe proclaimeth: ſhe will bee aboue the cloudes: ſhee will bee aboue them, though ſhe be none of them. The meaning is, that Pride perſwaded Nabuchadnezzar, p. 25as it doth the Pope and Spaniard, that he ſhould ouerthrow Ieruſalem the Citie of God, and place, which hee had choſen to put his name there, and as it were tread the people vnderunder his feete, driue them away captiue, and take his will and pleaſure vponupon them: as I feare the rich doo by the poore, and therefore he ſaith: I will aſcend aboue the cloudes, &c.

CHAP. V. How Pride doth aſcend.

NOw if you would know the ſteps by which Pride dooth clime, or the feathers of her wings which make her to mount, (for ſhe is a winged beaſt, looke elſe on many womens gownes, but theirs hang downe as if they were broken in the flight. It may bee ſome of the wings of their faith are not ſound, and that maketh the wings of their gownes bee ſo ill fauoured, hauing more coſt vponupon a paire, then would make a poore child a coate, which they neuer remember.) Well, though they p. 26be many, yet at this time I wil ſpeak bu… of foure, which I take to bee the foremoſt & ſtrongeſt feathers of her wings And one is diſdaine, which mounts h… aloft, by inſulting ouer, diſpiſing, an… preferring her ſelfe before all other… ſcornfully contemning her betters, lik… the Gentiles, who ſeeing that God ha… cut off the Iewes, which were the natural braunches, and had grafted them in… being but wilde Oliue braunches,(c)(c)Rom. 11 18.Rom 11:18 theſe began to boaſt againſt them, deſpiſing them: as Hagar did her miſtreſſ… Sarai. (d)(d)Gen. 16.4.Gen 16:4And ſo the moſt whom Go… fauoureth aboue their brethren, they inſult ouer them, & ſwell one againſt a… other, like the Corinthians:(e)(e)1. Co. 4.6.1 Cor 4:6 ſetting one an other either altogither atnought or elſe lightly regarding them, as the rich did the poore, among the ſame Corinthians.(f)(f)1. Cor. 11 221 Cor 11:22 But S. Ambroſe ſaith o… the rich, proud, and mightie men of th… world.Ambr. lib. de Nab. Iere. cap. 13Jer 13 Quid enim ſuperbis diues? quid dicis pauperi, noli me tangere? &c. Wherefore ô rich man, art thou ſo proud? why ſaieſt thou to the poore man, come no… neare me? your beginning and end are both alike: you came from the wombe p. 27and ſhall to the ground.

We read, that when the huge Philiſtine Goliah looked about and ſaw litle Dauid, he diſdained him.(g)(g)1. Sam. 17, 42.1 Sam 17:42 And you that bee as Goliah, ſhould not thus deale with the Dauids among you. But behold further, the poore Publicane humble in ſpirit, (I ſpeake of him firſt, for he was the better man) and the rich Phariſie proud in heart, went into the Temple for to pray. The Publican perceiued how vnmeete a thing it is for a poore ſoule all to be ſmeared with ſinne, impudently to ſtare in the face of the moſt holy God: therefore hee durſt not lift vp ſo much as his eyes to heauen, but ſmote his breaſt ſaying. O God be mercifull vntounto mee a ſinner. (h)(h)Luk. 18.13.Luke 18:13But the proud Phariſie ſtood (he would not bowe: like our Puritanes when they come to the Church, and holy Communion) and prayed thus with himſelfe. O God I thanke thee, that I am not as other men, extortioners, vniuſt, adulterers, (ſuch then there were, though peraduenture not halfe ſo bad as be now) or as this Publican, &c. Hee ſaid true, but not ſo well for himſelfe, p. 28as he thought he did. For (ſurely beloued) hee was not like the Publican, for the Publican was better then he: as S. Augustine well noteth, ſaying: Ille ſuperbus erat in bonis factis, ille humilis in malis factis, videte fratres, magis placuit deo humilitas in malis factis, quàm ſuperbia in bonis factis. (i)(i)Aug. in Pſ. 93.Ps 93The meaning is, The Phariſie was proud in doing good deeds, the Publican meeke and lowly becauſe of his euill deeds. Marke my brethren, God was better pleaſed with the Publicans humilitie, though he had liued wickedly, then with the good deeds of the Phariſie, becauſe hee was proud and diſdainfull. Which Chriſt confirmeth, ſaying: I tell you (and he knew the truth) this man, euen the humble Publican, departed home to his houſe iuſtified more then the other. Or as ſome note, and not the other.

Againe, you know the inſolent boaſting of the proud youth in the Goſpell.(k)(k)Mat. 19.16. to. 23.Matt 19:16–23 He ſaid he had kept the commaundements, (but hee lyed with thoſe that ſay ſo) and ſo thought to hauehave eternall life. But when Chriſt came to ſearch him by his deeds, hee found no ſuch p. 29matter in him, but that whē he thought beſt of himſelfe, and euen preferred himſelfe before other, then was hee worſt in the ſight of God. And Pharao king of Egipt diſdained that there ſhuld be any God to commaund him; therefore when Moyſes & Aaron came with commiſſion from the Lord, for Iſraels deliuerance out of Egipt, the King anſwered. Quis eſt dominus vt audiam vocem eius? Who is the Lord that I ſhould heare his voyce,(l)(l)Exod. 5.2Exod 5:2 and let Iſrael goe? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Iſrael goe. Euen ſo in theſe dayes men make as little account of Gods word, and his Embaſſadors: and through Pride, by which they are ouerwhelmed, they diſdaine that God ſhould teach and commaund them to let their ſinne go, and this is the cauſe they regard him no better, but euē ſay like Pharao, who is the Lord, that I ſhould heare his voyce, and let my Pride, vſury, extortion, oppreſſion, or any my pleaſure goe? I know not the Lord, neither will I let them goe. Ieſus Chriſt ſaith: Learne of me, take my yoake vponupon you, my yoake is eaſie, and my burthen is light. (m)(m)Math. 11.30.Matt 11:30But S. p. 30Auguſtine ſpeaking of Pride, ſheweth the cauſe why men will not, ſaying. Propter hoc vitium, dedignantur ſubdere colla iugo Chriſti, obligati arctius iugo peccati. (n)(n)Aug. in Pſ. 18.Ps 18Becauſe of Pride men diſdaine to yeeld their neckes to the yoake of Chriſt, and will rather gall them in the yoake of ſinne. But know you this, that whoſoeuer by this diſdainfull Pride, will endeuour to mount himſelf, the higher he riſeth, the greater ſhall bee his fall. And if you meane to aſcend indeed, the humble your ſelues vnderunder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.(o)(o)1. Pet. 5.61 Pet 5:6 And let eueryevery man eſteeme others better then himſelfe.(p)(p)Phil. 2.3Phil 2:3 For he that humbleth himſelfe, ſhalbe exalted. (r)(r)Luk. 18.14.Luke 18:14As the examples of Iob, Daniel, Sidrach, Miſach, and Abednego, Chriſt, Stephen, the thiefe vponupon the Croſſe, and the Centurion, with many other, do plainly teſtifie. The Centurion in the meekeneſſe of his humble mind, ſaid to Chriſt (who promiſed wh… he did come to his houſe, to heale hi… ſeruant) Lord (ſaith he) I am not worth… that thou ſhouldeſt come vnderunder my roofe… but ſpeake the word onelyonly, & my ſeruan… p. 31ſhall be healed. (ſ)(ſ)Math. 8.78.Matt 8:78If hee were not worthy that Chriſt ſhould come vnderunder his roofe, becauſe of his maieſtie & holines, it is a ſhame for you to foſter Pride in yours, as the bawd doth the hatlot, becauſe of her filthineſſe. His humilitie Chriſt honored with a great commendation: ſhall not your Pride be ſhamed in due condemnation? but I returne. The want of this humilitie, ſuch height of haughtie minde & ſwelling with diſdaine, like bodies poiſoned, cauſed Kain that he could not abide to ſee Abels ſacrifice accepted before his, therefore Kaine ſlew Abell his brother.(t)(t)Gen. 4.8.Gen 4:8 It made Ioſephs bretheren that they could not abide to thinke that their brother ſhould come to greater honour then they: therefore they made awaye with him, and ſold him into Egypt. (v)(v)Gen. 37Gen 37The Rebells, Corath, Dathan, and Abiram, hauing found this, they diſdained ſuperiorie, like our pretended Presbitery, ſo they rebelled againſt Moyſes their godly gouernour.(w)(w)Numb. 16.12.Num 16:12 It made Herod that blood-ſucker, to ſeeke to murther Chriſt:(x)(x)Math. 2 16.Matt 2:16 and the Nobles of Babilon greatly to thirſt p. 32after Daniels death.(y)(y)Dan. 6.4Dan 6:4 Where diſdaine lookes out at Prides window, as Iezabe… did to ſee Iehu, (z)(z)2. Reg. 9.30.2 Kgs 9:30there eueryevery one deſpiſe other,(a)(a)Luk. 18.9Luke 18:9 and iuſtifie themſelues:(b)(b)Luk. 16.15.Luke 16:15 onelyonly becauſe as Diotrephes loued the preheminence among men;(c)(c)Ioh. Epiſt. 3.9. ſo they would hauehave the higheſt roomes,(d)(d)Luk. 14.7.Luke 14:7 and diſdaine that any ſhould get before the Thus much for diſdaine, a feather of Prides wing: I will plucke at it no longer, for it will not come out. But now to your ſelues, and yet I will ſpare you in hope you will amend.

The ſecond feather of Prides wing may be preſumption, two waies to bee ſeen to moūt her vp aboue the clouds. Firſt, when men dwell in wickedneſſe, and therin delight, as the Owle in darkneſſe, and ſay, Thou God careſt not for it: tuſh I ſhall neuer be caſt downe, there ſhall no harme happen vntounto me. (e)(e)Pſ. 10.6.12.14.Ps 10:6Ps 10:12Ps 10:14And therefore of Pride preſumptuouſly they determine with Synacharib the ſubuerſion of Kingdomes,(f)(f)2 Reg. 18.19.2 Kgs 18:19 and commit murther with Kaine, (g)(g)Gen. 4.8.19.Gen 4:8Gen 4:19whordome with Lamech, the firſt founders thereof: extortion and oppreſſion with Rehoboam, p. 33(h)(h)1. Reg. 12.14.1 Kgs 12:14againſt the law of God, which ſaith: Thou ſhalt not oppreſſe thy brother. (i)(i)Leu. 19.13.Lev 19:13Nay Pride in mans hart, maketh him entend to do euen what him liſt, and thinks to go forward without any controlment, neuer ſo much as once making the bleſſed God of their counſell: which the Apoſtle S. Iames ſharply reproueth.(k)(k)Iam. 4.13.Jas 4:13 Theſe, and ſuch like, I take to bee thoſe of whom the Prophet of God ſpeaketh: where he ſaith. The vngodly is ſo proud, that hee careth not for God, neither is God in all his thoughts. (l)(l)Pſ. 10.4Ps 10:4And therefore in diſtreſſe thinke not that God will care for them.(m)(m)Pro. 1.28.Prov 1:28 Will they yet runne on?

The other kinde of preſumption is, when men will dwell and continue in ſinne, and thinke to ſalue the matter with this plaiſter, God is mercifull: (n)(n)2. Cor. 1.3.2 Cor 1:3forgetting that he is iuſt and true,(o)(o)Pſ. 7.9. & 10.14. & 11.7.Ps 7:9Ps 10:14Ps 11:7 and ſo repentance is deferred, ſinne is encreaſed, God is blaſphemed, and in the end, thou thy ſelfe moſt like to bee deceiued, like one that ouer-ſleepeth the Tyde, and then cannot take Ship: or like the 5. fooliſh Virgins, who ſought …yle when it was too late.(p)(p)Math. 25.10.Matt 25:10 Of ſuch p. 34almightie God complaineth by the Pſalmiſt, ſaying. The plowers plowed vponupon my backe, and made long furrowes. (q)(q)Pſ. 129.3.Ps 129:3By which is ment, that to prolong thy ſinne, and to put off from day to day thy amendment of life, ſtill hoping on merciemercy, to hauehave it at thy will, is to plow or digge vponupon Gods backe: but marke what followeth. The righteous Lord hath cut the cordes of the wicked, to wit, in peeces. Heere is a croſſe barre, or a double gate to ſtoppe thy way to preſumption, euen the iuſtice of God, and the execution thereof according vntounto truth. Ah fellow, art got vp to plowe and goare the backe of God? hee is iuſt as well as mercifull, and hee will cut in ſunder the cordes of thy preſumption. Firſt hee will fruſtrate thy hope, by which thou draweſt on thy ſinnes, as the Oxen doo the plough by the chaine. And to aſſure thee of this, the holy Ghoſt vſeth the time paſt in this word, Hath, for the time to come, as that it ſhall ſo ſurely bee performed, as if it were paſt alreadie. To confirme this, the word of God ſaieth: The perſon that doth ought preſumptuouſly, p. 35whether he be borne in the Land, or a Straunger, the ſame blaſphemeth the Lord: Therefore that perſon ſhall bee cut off from among his people, becauſe hee hath despiſed the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commaundement, that perſon ſhall bee vtterly cut off: his iniquitie ſhall bee vppon him. (r)(r)Numb. 15.30.31Num 15:30Num 15:31Paul alſo will hauehave no man preſume aboue that which is written.(ſ)(ſ)1. Cor. 4.6.1.1 Cor 4:61 Cor 4:1 And it is written, Put not off from day to day, for ſuddenly ſhall his wrath come, and in the time of vengeance hee ſhall deſtroy thee. This then expect, except thou repent, &c.

Thirdly, rebellion is an other feather in Prides wing, by which ſhee would heaue vp her ſelfe in vſurping and ſtretching her authoritie ouer men wthout lawfull right, or true commiſſion: forcing them to obey her, and leading them captiue after her owne will; as well againſt Gods word, as any ordinance of his. And heere to goe from time to time, from one Common-wealth to an other, and view the cauſe of treaſons among ſubiects towardes theyr Princes and p. 36gouernors of warres & contentions, &c. we ſhould find it to bee Pride and loftineſſe of minde, ambitiouſly deſiring one an others kingdome, riſing and rebelling through immoderate greedines of glory. Which the holy Apoſtle Saint Iames affirmeth, ſaying. From whence are warres and contentions among you? are they not herehence euen of your luſts that fight in your members? (t)(t)Iam. 4.1Jas 4:1OnelyOnly of Pride (ſaith wiſe Salomon) doth man make contention. (v)(v)Prouer. 13.10.Prov 13:10Looke in Geneſis. 14. and the ſecond booke of the Kings. cap. 18. As in many places more, and thou ſhalt hauehave examples to confirme this matter. And our Engliſh Chronicles want no ſtore, but Richard the third dooth make mee tremble to name any moe. Therefore for this time I wil keepe me at home, and as I ſpeake to you, ſo I wil ſpeake of you: for you (beloued) I deſire to be taught. Will you giuegive mee leaue in a word to tel ſome of you how you runne after Pride & rebell againſt God? if you will, I ſhall but onelyonly paſſing along by your coats, coſts I mean, plucke at here and there a weed, which hindreth the growing of better corne.

p. 37CHAP. VI. Two chaines to tie vp the branded beast Pride.

NEceſſitie & comelineſſe for attite, firmly faſtned to the ſtrong pillar of true humilitie,(w)(w)Eccl. 11 4.Eccl 11:4 ought to be the two chaines to tie vp the branded beaſt Pride: branded, becauſe ſhee is of …iuers colours of ſtarch and traſh, chan…ing her ſelfe like the Camelion: and …ltering her faſhions like Proteus or Ʋertumnus, neuer remembring that the …id man which is in the hart ſhould be without all corruption.(x)(x)1. Pet. 3.4.1 Pet 3:4 But euen as the falſe Prophets were ſchooled by the diuell, to ſpeake as the King would hauehave them:(y)(y)1. Reg. 22.22.1 Kgs 22:22 ſo Pride contemneth the ſpirit of God, and ſaith, what hauehave I to do with thee? as the poſſeſſed with …uels ſaid to Chriſt(z)(z)Math. 8 29.Matt 8:29 teaching the fleſh as ſhe will hauehave it. For the head …uſt nod, the eies muſt rowle, the bo…e muſt iette, the tongue muſt trowle, …d all as Pride will hauehave them. Soft …iment (ſaith Chriſt) is in Kings houſes. p. 38As if there were the fitteſt and moſt proper place for rich apparell to be,(a)(a)Math. 11.8.Matt 11:8 becauſe it belongeth to ſuch as are o… the Kings Court. The rich glutton (rich, ſo he might the more eaſily do it yet but a glutton, and therefore it was no credit to him) was cloathed in purple and fine linnen,(b)(b)Luk. 16 19.Luke 16:19 or white Paul the Apoſtle of Chriſt, teacheth(c)(c)1. Cor. 11.6.11.1 Cor 11:61 Cor 11:11 that it is a ſhame for men to weare long haire; and for women to pray bareheaded. But as the poore man of the proude worldling is thruſt to the footeſtoole,(d)Iam. 2.3Jas 2:3 ſo the counſe… of the holy Ghoſt is ſet at nought.(e)(e)Prouer. 1.30.Prov 1:30 And men doo weare long haire, women doo goe bareheaded with they haire vncouered.

Come from the Court to the Countrie; in rich attire what wanteth th… ſubiect of the Prince? view them with the poore, and you ſhall ſee of the poorer ſort, as proud as the rich, and th… moſt of our common women, to excell thoſe of the better ſort. For noueties, and chaunge of faſhions, and toies men and women are as full, as a toade … of poyſon. Of whom I may ſpeake, … p. 39S. Ambroſe doth of the couetous. Laborant vt quaerant: vt inueniāt laborant: quid habere non norunt. (f)(f)Ambr. li. de Nab. Iere. ca. 13They toile to get, and labour to finde, but what they would hauehave, they cannot tell thēſelues. Come wee to ſeruants, (it is well wee muſt ſtand to reprooue theyr Pride) theſe, though their wages be not great, yet their ruffes muſt be as bigge and ilfauoured, as their harts, and the cloath as fine, as their proud dames, with blew ſtarch too. Laſtly, behold our wanton and ruffinly mynions, & ſee how without all ſhame they ſurmount their callings, and contemne God. It grieueth me to ſpeake that, which they bee not aſhamed to do.

But why do they ſo? Euen as Chriſt ſaith of the Phariſies: The hypocrites and the Phariſies do their deeds to be ſeene of men: (g)(g)Math. 6.16. & 23.28.Matt 6:16Matt 23:28And when are we moſt proud in apparell, but when wee thinke moſt to be ſeene of others? Then as Saul (whom God had caſt off from fauour, to keepe a peece of credite with the world, for with God he had none) ſaid to Samuel, (h)(h)1. Sam. 15.1 Sam 15Honour mee before this people. So thoſe that are proud in heart, p. 40ſay to their ruffes, ſchoters, and hoopes, with their other implements of Pride, Honour me before this people. But alas, they bee ſo farre from dooing them any honour, that in the ſight of God, whom they ſhould feare,(i)(i)Deut. 28 58.Deut 28:58 and to all of an humble ſpirit, whom they ſhould louelove without diſſimulation,(k)(k)Rom. 12 9Rom 12:9 and not offend.(l)(l)Mat. 18.6Matt 18:6 For it is written: Whoſoeuer ſhall offend one of theſe little ones, which beleeue in me, it were better for him, that a mill-ſtone were hanged about his necke, and that hee were drowned in the depth of the Sea. And againe the holy Ghoſt ſaieth: Grieue not the holf ſpirit of God, by whom ye are ſealed vntounto the day of redemption. (m)(m)Ephe. 4.30.Eph 4:30To theſe I ſay their fond faſhions make them as rydiculous, as they are monſtrous. Though they themſelues bee as much beſotted with them: as is ſaid Narciſſus was with his owne ſhadow.(n)(n)Ouid. Meta. li. 3 And do delight to wallow in them as the ſowe in myr… before the greene graſſe: preferring them, as a child doth a trifle, as an apple before the beſt Gold.

You tell vsus indeed of a kind of ſtraying vermine, is there ſuch? how ſhall w… know them?

p. 41How man? Heu quàm difficile eſt crimen non prodere vultu?Anſwer.

How hard is it in outward ſhew,

To keepe thy ſinne from open vew?

As S. Ambroſe ſaith,(o)(o)Amb. de li. de Nab. Iere. cap. 13Jer 13 Quaſi is cognitus eſſe non poteſt, cum ſibi deſiderat demonſtrari. As though he can be vnknowne which is deſirous (like a foole) to ſhewe his coate. The wiſe man ſaith, A mans garment, laughter, and going, declare what he is. (p)(p)Eccl. 19 28.Sir 19:28And againe: The whoredome of a woman may be knowne in the pride of her eyes, and eye-lids. (q)(q)Eccl. 26 9.Sir 26:9Thus the Lord God knew the daughters of Syon to be proud or haughtie, becauſe they walked with ſtretched out neckes, with rowling eyes, ietting or nodding. and minſing as they did goe: with coſtly apparell, ſweete balles, bracelets and bonnets: their head attire, head-bands, Tablets, Earings, Rings, Chriſping pinnes, and ſuch like.(r)(r)Iſay. 3.16.17.18.19. &c.Isa 3:16Isa 3:17Isa 3:18Isa 3:19 And are you perſwaded he knowes not you? Wee read of one Athila, ſometimes King of Pannonia, now called Auſtria, whoſe Pride the people noted by his very geſture. p. 42Theſe be the words of Hiſtoriographers(ſ)(ſ)Paulus, Iouius, Charl. Steph. Textor. Erat Athila Rex Pannomae ſuperbus ſucceſſu, huc at que illuc oculos circumferens, vt illata potentia in ipſo corporis motu appareret. There was one Athila king of Pannonia, proud in his very going, rowling his eies hither and thither, in ſo much that his mightie Pride did appeare by the very motion of his body. And by your leaue, in theſe daies many their proud going, & ſpeaking, & ſcornful looking, becomes thē not, neither be they meet for their perſons: no more then pearls for ſwine, or holy things for dogs. King Dauid ſaith: Lord I am not high minded, I hauehave no proud lookes. (t)(t)Pſ. 131.1Ps 131:1And your elders in former times were not aſhamed to be meeke & humble, Therefore as S. Ambroſe ſaith: Caue, ne in te erubeſcant tuorum merita maiorum. (v)(v)Amb. li. de Nab. Iere. cap. 13.Jer 13Beware leaſt thou thinke ſcorne of the modeſtie and good qualities of thy predeceſſors. Which of them did euer weare either ſchoters for their ruffes, or hoopes vponupon their hippes, or blew ſtarch? How vgly were one, by naturall proportion ſo bigge about? What, dooſt thou meane to mend or marre Gods workmanſhip? or to make p. 43thy ſelfe ſo bigge that thou mayeſt not enter in at heauen gate? thy grandmothers doubtleſſe had neuer ſuch imaginations. And I hope they were more commendable before God and man, more meeke and humble, and better to the poore, then thou that vſeſt them. A graue matron and ſober dame, would be ſore grieued that ſhe ſhould be once imagined to bend her ſelfe, or deſire to vſe the light geſture and behauiour of a wanton: and me-thinketh it is more ſhame to ſee a Puritane got within a hoope, and to bee painted with blew ſtarch, but moſt ſhame for Prelates thē ſelues and their ſecond ſelues to be thus ſpotted, neither do I commend any that vſe them, though they hauehave ſmall feare of God in them. The Prophet of God was more bold with the dainty dames of Syon. Iſa. 3. But know we, though wee ſeeme holy, yet ſuch things doo ſhewe thoſe that vſe thē, to be but counterfeits, and do bewray their folly, like Ierobohams wife, who diſguiſed her ſelfe, that the Prophet of God ſhould not know her.(w)(w)1. Reg. 14.2.1 Kgs 14:2 Nay when they hauehave heaped on all their trinkets, it is moſt like they know not themſelues, but wondring at p. 44themſelues, (who ſhould bee like vntounto the Image of God) as the Iewes did at Chriſt, when he came riding into Ieruſalem: they ſay, who is this? What, is it I? is it I? As the Diſciples ſaid, muſing which of them ſhould betray Chriſt.(x)(x)Math. 21.10.Matt 21:10 Wel to be briefe, (for time draweth on) notwithſtanding Ieroboams wife was diſguiſed, yet the holy Prophet knew her, and ſent her home, with a burthen of heauie newes, that ſhe & all her poſteritie ſhould be deſtroyed.(y)(y)1. Reg. 14.10.11 12.1 Kgs 14:101 Kgs 14:11 But I hauehave better newes for you, if you repēt: but if you cannot know your ſelues, being ſo farre beyond comelineſſe diſguiſed againſt the lawe: yet the Prophets of the Lord that know how to diſcerne ſpirits, wotteth what you be, and feare not to tell you from the Lord, The Lord will deſtroy the houſe of proud men. (z)(z)Prouer. 15.25.Prov 15:25And thus much for this: this then amend, and then come for more.

Now diſcontentment of mind I may adde for the fourth feather of Prides wing, which maketh her to flye aboue the cloudes: as the winde forceth the fire for to flame. Through this, the Angels (in happineſſe created to behold p. 45the maieſtie of God in heauen) kept not their firſt eſtate, but left their owne habitation, whom God hath reſerued in euerlaſting chaines vnderunder darkneſſe, vntounto the iudgement of the great day.(a)(a)Iude. ver. 6. Their Pride following the counſell of diſcontentment, as Rehoboam did of his younglings,(b)(b)1. Reg. 12.14.1 Kgs 12:14 did mount them thus high, that of Angels they became diuels. Adam and the woman could not be contented with their creation, therefore God thruſt them out of Paradiſe.(c)(c)Gen. 3.24.Gen 3:24 This made Abſolon thirſt for his fathers kingdome, but he leapt ſhort, and was hanged in an Oake.(d)(d)2. Sam. 15. & 18.2 Sam 15 This, this, I ſuppoſe is that which maketh our hotte-ſpurres and vnſtayed cockbrained crew to wring at the Princes Scepter, & get it out of her hāds, (whoſe peaceable and heauenly gouernment the world doth admire: and if lawes were executed as her will is, what policie can appoint better? to conuey it vntounto a Presbytery. The Officers thereof, and their number, and what their office ſhould be in an eſtabliſhed Common-wealth, cannot be prooued by any ſcripture: neither can our new p. 46reformers tell themſelues. For they chaunge their opinions as the Camelion doth his colours. Or as the wiſe man ſaith, Like a foole that chaungeth as the Moone. (e)(e)Eccl. 27 11.Sir 27:11And their writings as wel as their words, declare what theſe men hauehave in their heart.(f)(f)Eccl. 27.6.Sir 27:6 Now name Pride, harneſſed with diſcontentment, and thou haſt found the ſouldiers that fight their battles, and their ſcoldings are grieuous for to heare, &c.(g)(g)Eccl. 27 15.Sir 27:15 Furthermore you know that Haman could not be contented with all his promotion being preſerred by King Ahaſuerus to be the chiefe man vnderunder him, in all the Prouinces of his dominion: but he obtained a Commiſſion to kill all the Iewes (onelyonly of ſpight, vnderſerued of any): but by Gods prouidence they were deliuered, and Hamans diſcontented Pride, was diſcharged by his owne gallowes.(h)(h)Eſter. 3. & 7. This made Ahab he could not be quiet without Naboth his vineyard.(i)(i)1. Reg. 21.15.161 Kgs 21:151 Kgs 21:16 Pride is neuer contented, like her ſiſter Conetouſneſſe. I would our coat were without this ſtain. But with Balaam (I am afraid) many follow the reward of iniquitie.

p. 47May wee not pray that the Fullers ſope might get this ſpot out of theyr cloath? If they could, ſilkes and veluets would not be in ſo great requeſt, nor the Countrie cloyed with ſo many ſingleſolde gentlefolke, carrying more vponupon their backes needleſſe at once, then would comfort the poore at theyr boordes a whole monethmonth. And thinke you that you bee none of theſe ſchiſmatickes of Martins crew? If they were well looked vntounto, it may bee you ſhould finde theyr tables in theyr Farme-houſes, as mouldie, as many Pulpets are full of copwebbes for want of vſing? Dooth not this keepe mens pittie from the poore? …ow they lament I will not ſpeake, but I would from God exhort the rich …n time for to take compaſſion on them.(k)(k)Gal. 6.10Gal 6:10 And though of many their hearts …re hardned, yet becauſe the crye of …he poore is knowne to her Maieſtie, …nd to the wiſedome of her Maieſties honourable Councell, doubt not beloued, but that ſpeedie remedie and helpe is appointed.

OnelyOnly this I ſay, that whole p. 48Countries and Nations by this ſinne of minde malecontent, riſe one againſt an other, fewe content with their owne Patrimony: only our dread ſoueraigne, and moſt gracious Queene, dooth hold the garland from them all, God ſaue her life for euer, Amen. What needs further proofe where experience is plaine? She ioyeth more (moſt renowmed Queene) in ſauing one drop of her ſubiects blood, then in winning of a whole Kingdome, and therefore ſhee is content with her owne: long ô Lord let her enioy it, to the great example of all other. O pray for the peace of Ieruſalem, euen litle England. Chriſt ſaith, Learne of me: and if any would learne of her Maieſtie, what need either ioyning of houſe to houſe, or laying of field to field, till there be no place for the poore, that ye may bee placed by your ſelues on the middeſt of the earth?(l)(l)Eſa. 5.8Isa 5:8 Why ſhould there bee ſuch racking of rents, ſuch colde hoſpitalitie, dearth of corn, and all other things, ſince there is plentie? But it is eaſie to ſhewe, that where Pride once ſetteth her foote vponupon diſcontentment, or ingrafteth this p. 49feather into her wing; there God is forgotten, and fewe contented with that which is Aequum & iustum, nor with their owne, then away with equitie, yea and equalitie too, eueryevery churle muſt be a gentleman, Pride will be like God. Theſe be foure ſicke feathers in Prides wings: vnderunder which, who ſo ſhrowdeth himſelfe, is couered from the fauour of God. Away from him all ye workers of iniquitie. Goliah ſaid: I defie the hoast of Iſrael this day. (m)(m)1. Sam. 17.10.1 Sam 17:10But God doth defie the houſe of Pride for euer that will not turne. For it is written: Hee that hath high lookes and a proud ſtomacke, doth his ſoule abhorre. And wiſe Salomon ſaith. Theſe ſixe things doth the Lord hate, yea his ſoule abhorreth ſeuen: the haughtie eyes, a lying tongue, &c. Loe Pride is the firſt, as captaine of the reſt.(n)(n)Pro. 6.16.17.Prov 6:16Prov 6:17 And thus much of this matter.

But peraduenture it may be thought that I hauehave a grudge to ſome of you, as Salomon had to Shimei, (o)(o)1. Reg. 2.36. &c1 Kgs 2:36becauſe I tell you the truth ſo boldly and plainly.

Now beware you grudge not me, as as Saul did Dauid. (p)(p)1. Sam. 18.9.1 Sam 18:9I can waſh my hands in innocencie, and cleare my ſelfe p. 50of this matter. Innocentia eſt vbi non eſt nocendi voluntas. (q)(q)Amb. li. de bono Mor. ca. 1That is innocencie which is without deſire to hurt. Auguſtine ſaith: Duo ſunt genera perſecutorum: vituperantium & adulantium; Nam plus perſequitur lingua adulatoris quàm manus perſequentis. (r)(r)Aug. in Pſ. 69.Ps 69There are two kindes of hurting or perſecuting enemies: that is, backbyters and flatterers: for the tongue of the flatterer woundeth or hurteth more then the hand of a ſworne enemie: for ſo the meaning is. Againe hee ſaith: Nemo peritorum aut prudentium putet, &c. There is no man of vnderſtanding and wiſedome but ſeeth more danger or harme to be by a lying and flattering rongue, then by the hands of a murtherer.(ſ)(ſ)Aug. ad Caſul. 4. ad Demet. Ep. 14…. For Dauid ſtill fled from Saul when he came to kill him, and ſo was ſaued.(t)(t)1. Sam. 18.11.1 Sam 18:11 But Abſolom by flattery caught his brother Ammon, and ſlew him.(v)(v)2. Sam. 13.28 292 Sam 13:28 So Ioab murthered Abner, and Amaſa.(w)(w)2. Sam. 3.27.2 Sam 3:27

Againe, Augustine ſaieth that Flatterie makes men colde in Religion. (x)(x)Aug. in Pſ. 69.Ps 69Therefore Ieſus Chriſt ſaith: Feare p. 33not them that kill the body. (y)(y)Math. 10.28.Matt 10:28And the Prophet Iſay ſaith: Feare not, crye aloud, ſpare not, lift vp thy voyce like a Trumpet, and ſhewe my people their tranſgreſſion. (z)(z)Iſay. 43.1. & 51.1Isa 43:1Isa 51:1And the holy Apoſtle S. Paul ſaieth: Rebuke not an Elder, but exhort him as a father, and the younger men as bretheren. (a)(a)1. Timot. 5.1.Put both together, and this leſſon may be learned: not to doo the worke of the Lord negligently,(b)(b)Ier. 48.10.Jer 48:10 and yet patiently to rebuke, and to be inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, but yet in louelove.(c)(c)2. Timot. 4.2. That wee may bee blameleſſe and pure, as the ſonnes of God without rebuke in the middeſt of a noughtie and crooked Nation, in the which we ſhine as lights in the world, holding foorth the word of life, &c.(d)(d)Phil. 2.15.16.Phil 2:15Phil 2:16 Therefore I know what to doo, I tell you the truth, why doo you not beleeue me? I cannot ſpeake with gloſing words of mans wiſedome.(e)(e)1. Cor. 1.17.19.1 Cor 1:171 Cor 1:19 I preach Chriſt crucified, and teach you to crucifie the olde man and his luſts. Be not you like the Gaderenes, who becauſe their ſwine were gone, deſired Ieſus to depart out of their coaſtes.(f)(f)Math. 8.34.Matt 8:34 p. 52Be not like the Philiſtines and men of Aſdod. Who, becauſe their Idoll Dagon could not ſtand by the holy Arke, but ſtill fell downe and was broken, ſent away the Arke of God, to keepe their Idoll ſtill.(g)(g)1. Sam. 5 1. &c.1 Sam 5:1 But forſake your ſinnes, and keepe Chriſt:(h)(h)Reue. 3.20.Rev 3:20 burne your Idolls of ſinne, and confeſſe the Arke of Gods couenant. Let not your ſinnes flatter you and entice you; though they be as importunate vponupon you to thruſt you out of Gods fauour, as Sampſōs wife was vponupon him, to get away his ſtrength as ſhe did indeed: therefore hee was ouercome of the Philiſtines,(i)(i)Iudg. 16.15.16. to. 21.Judg 16:15Judg 16:16–21 and ſo ſhall you of the diuell at his will But if God be God, go after him: and if Baall, or Pride, or Vſurie, &c. be hee then follow them. For no man ca… ſerue two maiſters, you cannot ſeru… God and Mammon.(k)(k)Math. 6.24.Matt 6:24 Now then confeſſe I enuie none, I grieue at you… ſinnes. And the holy Prophet of God teacheth me, who ſaith: Fret not … ſelfe becauſe of the vngodly men, neith… be thou enuious againſt the euill dooers. (l)(l)Pſ. 37.1.Ps 37:1Yet he ſaith alſo: It grieueth me, becau… men keepe not thy lawe. (m)(m)Pſ. 119.158.Ps 119:158But m… p. 53ſhould not grieue the holy ſpirit of God, by whom we hauehave commiſſion as well to reprooue your ſinne, as to inſtruct you in the truth of Gods holy will: neither ſhould you hate vsus becauſe we tell you the truth; as the Iewes did Chriſt,(n)(n)Ioh. 8.40.John 8:40 or as Herod did Iohn the Baptiſt.(o)(o)Mat. 14 3.4.Matt 14:3Matt 14:4 If you do, The ſeruant is not greater then his Lord and Maiſter. (p)(p)Ioh. 15.20. & 13 16.John 15:20John 13:16And here withall, remember what the Maiſter Chriſt Ieſus ſaith, comforting his faithfull ſeruants againſt obſtinate contemners of his word. Whoſoeuer (as well Princes, Potentates, Prelates, as people) ſhall be aſhamed of me, and of my words, among this adulterous and ſinfull generation, of him ſhall the ſonne of man be aſhamed alſo, when he commeth in the glory of his father, with his holy Angels. (q)(q)Mar. 8.38.Mark 8:38And here I will reſt for this time.

Wee ſee in Pride a contempt of all other, in regard of her ſelf, and how ſhe dooth mount aboue the cloudes, in deſire to tread them vnderunder her feete: and ſhe cannot be content with this, but ſhe will be like God; which is here the ſecond vanitie of Pride.

p. 54CHAP. VII. How Pride would be like God.

Pride may be ſaid to be like God either in ſome proprieties, or elſe in name. Firſt, her propertie is to exalt her ſelfe, and deſire to be praiſed, and held in honour as much, or rather more then God.

Secondly, ſhe challengeth vengeance to her felſe to plague whom ſhe liſt. In Name ſhee is like God, becauſe ſhee vſurpeth or challengeth to be called God.

OF the firſt wee hauehave heard ſomething alreadie, how Pride dooth ſeek to exalt her ſelf aboue the clouds: and being got vp into this perſwaſiō of her ſelfe, then ſhe lookes that all ſhould feare her, and extoll her, and doo (forſoothe) all reuerence and worſhip vntounto her, as the diuel would hauehave had Chriſt do vntounto him.(r)(r)Math. 4.9.Matt 4:9 And here the Pope ſteppes in for his intereſt: but wee will put him backe vntill anon, telling him and his nurſe. Dame Pride, that when God ſhall come in iudgement p. 45againſt them. Then the Lord onelyonly ſhall bee exalted in that day.(ſ)(ſ)Iſay. 2.11.17.Isa 2:11Isa 2:17 The Lord of Hoaſts ſhall be exalted in iudgement, the holy God ſhall be exalted in iuſtice.(t)(t)Iſay. 5.16Isa 5:16 For it is written: I will ariſe (ſaith the Lord) now will I bee exalted, now will I lift vp my ſelfe. (v)(v)Iſay. 33.10.Isa 33:10Therefore the Pſalmiſt in this reſpect remembring the promiſe of God, in which the faithful patiently expect the fall of the proud, and their owne deliuerance, ſingeth: Not vntounto vsus ô Lord, not vntounto vsus, but vntounto thy name giuegive thy glory, for thy louing merciemercy, and for thy truth ſake. (w)(w)Pſ. 115.1Ps 115:1Thus Dauid ſo earneſtly in his Pſalmes exhorteth the childiē of God to praiſe the Lord,(x)(x)Pſ. 106. & 136.Ps 106 which ſubdueth our enemies vnderunder our feete. And the Euangeliſt Saint Iohn ſawe all the Angells fall before the Throne on their faces and worſhip God, ſaying Amen, praiſe and glory, and wiſedome, and thankes, and honour, and power, and might be vntounto our God for euermore, Amen.(y)(y)Reu. 7.12.Rev 7:12

And not onelyonly the Angels, but all the creatures which are in heauen, and in the earth, and vnderunder the earth, p. 56and in the ſea, and all that are in them heard I ſay, (ſaith Iohn) praiſe, and honour, and glory, & power, be vntounto him that ſitteth vponupon the Throne, and vntounto the Lambe for euermore.(z)(z)Reu. 5.13.Rev 5:13 And the Angell would not ſuffer Iohn to worſhip him.(a)(a)Reu. 22.8.9.Rev 22:8Rev 22:9 But Pride (indeed ſhee is none of Gods creatures) would hauehave all to honour, and worſhip, and praiſe, and feare her: ſhe would be like God. Thus the Samaritanes praiſed Symon Magus, (b)(b)Act. 8.10Acts 8:10and thus the people extolled Herod. (c)(c)Act. 12.22.Acts 12:22Thus Pride cryeth to the hearts of men, ſaying: Not vntounto God, not vntounto God, but vntounto mee giuegive the glory. And this is the cauſe that wee haunt ſo much, and greedily gape, for to be praiſed of men, like the Phariſies;(d)(d)Math. 6.16.Matt 6:16 to exclude Ieſus Chriſt from his due honour, and glory, and praiſe, who is aſcended into the heauens, and led captiuitie captiue. Pride brings out Symon Magus, ſpeaking to the holy Apoſtle S. Peter, ſaying: Dooſt thou thinke thy Chriſt to be therefore great becauſe he aſcended from the earth to heauen? (A great peece of worke) that can I doo. And then he mounted into the ayre by p. 57the helpe of his familiar diuell. But he that carried him vp let him tumble downe alone, and ſo hee was cruſhed in peeces, with ſhame inough to all his former coniurings: for hee was condemned of all, and no doubt damned of God; there his Pride had a filthy fall.(e)(e)See Niceph. lib. 5. cap. 16. Eccl. Hist. Is not this Pride the poyſon of the beaſt, which all they that dwell vponupon the face of the earth ſhall worſhippe, whoſe names are not written in the Lambes booke of life, which was ſlaine from the beginning of the world? And they worſhipped the beaſt, ſaying: Who is like vntounto the beaſt? who is able to warre with him?(f)(f)Re. 13.4

The holy Ghoſt ſaith: Feare ye the Lord, all ye his Saints. And again: Tremble thou earth at the preſence of the Lord, at the preſence of the mightie God of Iacob. But now Pride will be regarded: this is an Idoll ſet vp in eueryevery corner, and who dooth not flee vntounto it? How many do ſhunne this Hydra or mightie monſter, chuſing rather to be a doorekeeper in the houſe of the Lord, or to goe into the horte fierie fornace, and reſuſe to obey her commaundement p. 58to cleaue faſt vntounto the liuing God? In the Prouinces of Babilon among the Nobles, Princes, and Dukes, the Iudges, the Receiuers, the Councellors, the Officers, and all the Gouernours of the people, wee read but of three that worſhipped the Lord, and refuſed the commandement of Pride, to fall downe and worſhip the golden Image that Nabuchadnezzar the King had ſet vp.(g)(g)Dan. 33.7. In the old world there were but eight reſerued, and in Sodome Lot, (h)(h)Gen 7. & 19.Gen 7that bowed not their knees to this Idoll Pride and abhomination. Happie are our dayes that do not thus complaine: yea bleſſed bee the people that bee in better caſe. O my deare bretheren, the ſunne dares not ſhewe her light,(i)(i)Mat. 27 45.Matt 27:45 the mountaines tremble, the earth dooth ſhake, the hills melt, & the diuels quake when God is angry, and at the preſence of the Lord, euen the mightie God of Iacob. And dareſt thou, thou dunghill bird Pride, preſume to be like God, or get the praiſe from him, to exalt thy ſelfe and looke to be magnified? this indeed is thy deſire. But to the nextt.

Secondly. Pride will be like God, in p. 59taking vengeance vponupon whom ſhe liſt, wringing the ſword out of Gods hand, and thoſe vntounto whom he hath committed it. Therefore the Pope ſetteth himſelfe againſt God & his Church, wherof Chriſt Ieſus is the head and ſauiour of the whole body. 1. Proclaiming rebellion, & incouraging ſubiects to treaſon againſt their Prince. 2. By ratling his excommunications. 3. By diſpearſing his Bulles to depoſe Princes. 4. By priuate practiſing to murther Princes. 5. By coniuring and poyſoning, to effect theſe diuelliſh purpoſes. 6. To teach periurie to ſubiects, and diſpence therewith by the pardons of their Agnus Dei, &c. And this he dooth, onelyonly becauſe his heart ſaith, being poiſoned with Pride, Vengeance is mine. Come from him to Ahab the king, let Elias reproue his ſin, and Iezabel will vow his death.(k)(k)1. Reg. 18.1 Kgs 18 Ahab told Iezabel all that Elias had done, and how he had ſlaine all the Prophets of Baal with the ſword. Then Iezabel ſent a meſſenger vntounto Elias, ſaying: The Gods do ſo vntounto me: and more alſo, if I make not thy life like one of their liues, by p. 60to morrow this time: As if ſhe had ſaid, the diuell take me, and all the diuels in hell, if I be not reuenged vponupon thee by taking away thy life, as thou haſt done theirs, by to morrow this time. But ſhe died vnreuenged, and the diuels had their legacie. Learne then not to puniſh without cauſe, neither let them handle the ſword vntounto whom it doth not belong, as Zedikiah did,(l)(l)1. Reg. 22.4.1 Kgs 22:4 and other. Likewiſe, if the man of God diſpleaſe Ieroboam, then cryeth he, Lay hold on him: (m)(m)1. Reg. 13.4.1 Kgs 13:4but men ſhould ſuffer rebuke and that gladly, for open rebuke is better then ſecret louelove (ſaith Salomon).(n)(n)Prouer. 27.5.Prov 27:5 Yet for all that, if Mardoche deſpiſe Hamans Pride, then Mardoche his blood will not quench Hamans thirſt, but his wrath will hauehave the death of all the Iewes,(o)(o)Hest. 3. like the Pope, &c. Pride ſlew Abell, (p)(p)Gen. 4.1.Gen 4:1and ſent Micheah to the priſon. So ſhee dealt with the Prophet Ieremy, (q)(q)Ier. 20.Jer 20and ſent Iohn Baptiſt to the blocke.(r)(r)Math. 14Matt 14 What ſhould I ſpeake of Ieſus Chriſt and all his holy Martyrs, whoſe blood the earth hath kindly receiued, which bloodie tyrants hauehave cruelly ſhead? All p. 61which do teach vsus, that vengeance fleeeth from Pride to deſtroy the Saints of God: as the floud of water flowed out at the mouth of the Dragon, to ouerthrow the woman that bare the man child.(ſ)(ſ)Reu. 12.15.Rev 12:15 OnelyOnly becauſe ſhe thinkes vengeance is hers, to abuſe it as ſhe liſt, To turne iudgement into gall, and the fruit of righteouſneſſe into wormwood. (t)(t)Amos. 6.12.Amos 6:12Thus patience and long ſuffering at this day is turned into furie: and Chriſtian charitie doth ſuffer ſhipwracke, being driuen vponupon the craggy rockes of contentious trouble, by the boyſterous ſtorms, foming flouds, and wandering waues of eueryevery mans haughtie humour. This is contrary to the commaundement of Chriſt, ſaying: LoueLove your enemies, bleſſe them that curſe you, doo good to them that hate you, and pray for them that hurt you, that you may be the children of your father which is in heauen. (v)(v)Math. 5.44.Matt 5:44Now then to conclude this point, remember that it is written: Ʋengeance is mine, and I will recōpence ſaith the Lord.(w)(w)Deut. 32.35.Deut 32:35 What Pride, thou haſt nothing to doo with it, and therefore muſt not meddle, vengeance to whom vengeance belongeth, euen p. 62as cuſtome to whom cuſtome is due: that is to God and Caeſar. Cannot the Pope & ſuch like tyrants ſee this? They might know, that as he which killeth with the ſword, 1. vniuſtly, ſhall periſh with the ſword: ſo thou that loueſt to take vengeance, ſhalt drinke of the cup of Gods vengeance, and that in double meaſure.(x)(x)Reu. 18.6Rev 18:6 Heere is the patience and faith of the Saints.(y)(y)Reu. 13.10.Rev 13:10 And thus much of the ſecond proprietie which Pride would filch or rather wring from God.

Yet beloued Pride cannot be contented thus to be like God, (which is too bad allowance of the diuel for her) but ſhe dooth often vſurpe moſt blaſphemouſly, the holy, glorious, and fearfull name of God; which ought not ſo much as to bee thought vponupon without moſt high renerence & fear,(z)(z)Deut. 28 58.Deut 28:58 though men, women, & children, ſo lightly regard it, and by horrible blaſphemie ſo much abuſe it, by their vſuall ſwearing, contrary to Gods commaundement.(a)(a)Exod. 10 7.Exod 10:7 But it is plaine that Pride entring into man, as the diuels did into y^e heard of ſwine,(b)(b)Mat. 8 31.Matt 8:31 it carrieth him headlong into the redde ſea of ſin, & makes man beleeue he is a p. 47God, and ſo he ſuffereth himſelfe to be called. Thus Nabuchadnezzar was called God of Olyfernes, ſaying: Who is God but Nabuchadnezzar? (c)(c)Iudith. 6.2.Jdt 6:2And the king himſelfe ſaid to Sydrach, Miſach, & Abednego: Who is that God that can deliuer you out of my hands? (d)(d)Dan. 3.15.Dan 3:15When he ment to burne them, as the Papiſts do y^e Chriſtians, as if hee were God alone. And the Samaritanes ſaid of Symon Magus: This man is the great power of God. (e)(e)Act. 8.10Acts 8:10And we read that this Symon by his cō iuring myracles got himſelfe ſuch credit about the Citie of Rome, that there was ſet vp in the Ile Tyberina an Idolor Image, betwixt two bridges (perhaps becauſe none ſhuld paſſe by, but behold it to his ſhame) in honour of him, with this inſcriptiō. Symoni deo ſancto. To Symon the holy God.(f)(f)Riuius. li. 3. de my redemp. ex Iren. & Euſe. Iuſtino. And when he liued, hee ſaid himſelfe that he was ſome great man.(g)(g)Act. 8 9.Acts 8:9 But his end mard al, as we ſhewed before. Like wiſe whē Herod had made an oratiō before the people, they cried, Vox dei & non hominis. It … y^e voice of God, & not of man.(h)(h)Act. 12.22.Acts 12:22 And hee was moſt proud of it. We find alſo that one Hanno of Carthage, ſometime brought p. 64vp birdes and taught them to whiſtle, Deus eſt Hanno. Hanno is God, and ſo let them flye.(i)(i)Text. Offic. And euen much after this maner, came Mahomet the Turkes God, into his firſt fauour and credite. Manes the heretike preached that hee himſelfe was borne of a Virgin, Deitatiſ que numen ſibi vindicabat: and challenged vntounto himſelfe the maieſtie of a God.(k)(k)Charl. Step. & Text. Euſeb. Menecrates a Phiſitian, would take nothing for his cures, but deſired of his Patients, Ʋt eius ſeruos eſſe fateā tur, eum que Iouem dicerent, (l)(l)Text. Ibid.That they would acknowledge themſelues to bee his ſeruants, and call him their Iupiter or God. And the heretike Manicheus called himſelfe the holy Ghoſt. I might ſhewe you how the Emperours, yet tyrants, hauehave called themſelues Gods, as diuers other, but I will ſtay at the Pope, who is not behinde any of them; Some hauehave called him an earthly God. Some diſdaining that, hauehave called him God without an Epitheton. Some our Lord God the Pope. Others being beſotted with the ſpirit of Pride, are ſo wrapt, that they cannot tell what to make of him, and do affirme that hee is neither p. 65God nor man. It may bee theſe cunningly intend to inueſt vponupon him, The man of ſinne, (m)(m)2. Theſ. 2.3.2 Thess 2:3as hee is indeed. But to be briefe, come to our owne dayes, and their late Champion D. Stapleton, in the Preface to his booke, called Principiorum ſidei doctrinalium demonſtratio: beſides many falſe and blaſphemous titles there giuen to the Pope to greaſe his haughtie humour, the more eaſily to flie into his fauour, as many do by bribes when their hearts are farre (peraduenture) behinde: hee calles him Baſim & fiundamentum, columnam & firmamentum totius orthodoxae religionis. The root and foundation, the pillar and chiefe ſtay of all right and true Religion. Omnium Eccleſiarum caput. The head of all Churches. Supremum in terris numen. The higheſt godhead vponupon earth. And M. Harding doth allow him to be in ſome certaine ſence as he ſaith: Terrenum quendam deum. A certaine earthly God. And we know their cloakes of Heads, and Foundations, and Gods, not abſolute, but Miniſtring, to couer their blaſphemies, as a playſter doth a ſore from the odious ſight of men. But p. 56put the Popes perſon, his blaſphemous titles or names, his life or practiſes againſt the members of Chriſt Ieſus his bodie myſticall, in a bundle together, & laie them to the touchſtone of Gods truth and ſacred word: and they are of ſo much force to confirme or approue their follie;1. Reg. 18.26. Pſal. 82.1.6.1 Kgs 18:26Ps 82:1Ps 82:6 as the crying of Baals prieſts preuailed to obtaine fire of their Idoll. And yet we know what gouernors are righteous Gods vponupon earth, that is, euen ſuch as are nourſing fathers and nourſing mothers in the Church of Chriſt, like the Queene of England. But as one ſaith, God neuer called the Popes gods; his godhead is baſe borne: and yet for all that, becauſe the Popes Deitie ſhould not be thought to bee without power, as they hauehave fained him a falſe name; ſo they doo counterfait him as true authoritie, leaſt hee ſhould bee without credite: as thoſe which ſay and doo not, are without honeſtie. Therefore they ſay (but all vntrue) that Christus beato Petro &c. commiſit: Clem. li. 2. de appel. paſtor. diſtinct. 32.Chriſt hath committed to bleſſed Peter the key-bearer of eternall life, Iura &c. the right or authoritie both of the earthly & heauenly Empire-dome: p. 67and ſo they ſay. Papa totius orbis obtinet principium, the Pope hold; the Princedome of the whole world.1. Sam. 18 11. 2. Sam. 15.2.1 Sam 18:112 Sam 15:2 Yet by their leaue, it is but in wil, it is neither indeed nor right, though lie hauehave as bad a mind to it, as Saul had to kill Dauid, or Abſo, lō to depoſe his father. And yet with the Papiſts who but the Pope?Card. Cuſau. ad Boh. Epiſt. 2. & Epiſt. 3. One of their Cardinals ſaith, Ʋeritas aahaeret Cathedrae Petri. And again the ſame man ſaith Dico nulla eſſe Chriſti praecepta niſiquae per Eccleſiā pro talibus accepta ſūt. The truth cleaues to Peters chaire: (then burn the chaire, and where is their truth)? Nay I ſay (quoth he) there is no commaundement of Chriſt (he meanes of force) except it be allowed, & ſo go for currāt by the Church of Rome. An other ſaith, A doctrina Romanae Eccleſiae, Syl prier. cōtra Luthe. Dan. 3.16.18.Dan 3:16Dan 3:18& Romani Pontificis ſacra ſcriptura robur & authoritatem trahit: The ſacred ſcripture hath her truth, or ſtrength, and authoritie of the church and Pope of Rome. Ah blaſphemous liers. But who beleeue them? ſurely none that tries them. And the ſcriptures of God may cry to the Pope, Who made thee a Iudge and Ruler ouer vsus? we will not obey thee; as the three children ſaid to Nabuchadnezzar: p. 68yet to blinde the world, and to keepe them from trying of ſpirits, whether they be of God or no, they thunderout,(t)(t)Conſil. Ro. cap. 3.5.12.Rom 3:5Rom 3:12 Praeſul ſummus non iudicabitur, a quopiam. The higheſt Prelate. 1. The Pope muſt not be iudged of any body, (perhaps leaſt the Pope be found a woman againe). Hee is like vntounto Pharao, that ſaid: Who is the Lord that I ſhould heare his voyce? (v)(v)Exod. 5.2.Exod 5:2And (beloued) this is the cloud that darkens all their light. Forſoothe the Pope cannot erre. And their fortreſſe to withſtand all gun-ſhot, is, In matters of faith: and yet in the chiefe point thereof, which is Iuſtification, they erre heretically: and are infinitely ouercome by the holy ſcriptures (though they would ouercome them) and writings of the auntient and learned Fathers. Yet to keepe their ſtanding, ſome of them are not aſhamed to tell the world, and to accuſe thoſe (that reprooue the hereſie and tyrannie of the Hope) of blaſphemy and ſinning againſt the holy Ghoſt.(w)(w)R. Briſto in his Repl. to Ful. & art. 35. part 2. fol. 9. & Hard. to Iewel. 4. part. fol. 438. Printed. 1571. But let God be true, and eueryevery man a lyer, and hee that is filthy, let him be filthy ſtill; if p. 69Gods iudgement be ſuch. Thus we ſee into what height of wickedneſſe Pride driues men, euen becauſe they would get them a name, like the builders of the Tower of Babell. (x)(x)Gen. 11 4.Gen 11:4Now to come to our ſelues, I know not who would tread in this ſtyrrope and mount, except it be ſuch as in their owne conceit do ſay; Touch mee not, I am holyer then thou. But ſyr, God is comming downe with the ſhout of an Archangell: as hee did to view the Ci ie and the Tower which the ſonnes of men builded:(y)(y)Gen. 11.5.Gen 11:5 and to ſee whether they hauehave done according to the cry which is come vp into his eares. And therefore to conclude this part, take the counſell of the Apoſtle, thoſe which thus in any point hauehave liued, be aſhamed of your former conuerſation, as Adam was of his nakednes,(z)(z)Ro. 6.21Rom 6:21 and hide your ſelues vnderunder the tree of life, Chriſt Ieſus: take of the water that he doth giuegive, and liue for euer. Learne of him, for hee is meeke and lowly, and you ſhall ſinde reſt vntounto yourſoules. And as S. Auguſtine ſaith: Erubeſcat homo eſſe ſuperbus, propter quem factus eſt humilus deus. Let p. 70man bee aſhamed for to bee proud, for whoſe ſake God ſo humbled himſelfe. And decke your ſelues inwardly with lowlyneſſe of minde. If you will not, hearken what followeth.1. Pet. 5.5.1 Pet 5:5 Thou ſhalt be brought downe to the graue, to the ſides of the pit. 1. To hell, as after you ſhal heare. And thus much for the firſt part or propoſition. You ſee how ſhe will mount, and be like God. Now you ſhall heare how God doth allow it.