Four Sermons Entreating of Matters Very Profitable, Sermon 4

Four Sermons Entreating of Matters Very Profitable · Sermon 4

¶ The fourth Sermon shewing what paine wee ought to take, too purchaſe libertie to ſerue GOD purely in a Chriſtian Churche, vponupon a Theame out of the 27. Pſalme. My heart hath ſayde of thee,Verſ. 8. ſeeke my face: I wyll ſeeke thy face O Lorde.

AS men throw themſelues into a woondetful confuſion, in letting the bridle looſe to theyr appetites and deſires: ſo alſo is it a great wiſedome in them that ſeeke after that that God hath cōmaunded them, to the ende to follow it. And of this thing wee hauehave heere a goodly exāple. Dauid was a mā much ſubiect to the ſame paſſions, which torment and toſſe vsus hyther and thither: and there is no doubt but that he was prouoked with many temptations which might well hauehave ſhaken his minde, and hauehave cauſed him to ſtray from God. Howbeit to remedy all occaſions of falling and to hauehave a certaine and ſure path, hee onelyonly regardeth that which God ſhewed him: he meditateth and continually thinketh vp it. The ſūme is that God biddeth & exhorteh al the faithful to ſeeke his face. Dauid proteſteth to hauehave applied al his ſtudy to this cōmaūdemēt: in ſuch ſort that there was as it were a goodly melody, & agremēt betweene god who ſpeaketh ſaying, ſeke me & him who anſwereth, yea my god I wil ſeeke thee. But here we muſt cōſider wherfore God expreſly p. 39mentioneth this woorde face, For if he hauehave not ſome face, wherein he ſheweth himſelfe, he ſhoulde deceiue vsus in commaunding vsus too ſeeke it. I know that many men who are full of ſubtilties make no more of it, then if he had ſaide ſeeke me: but they which are wel exerciſed in the Scripture, knowe very well that God would ſpecifie, that manner of ſhewing and declaring himſelfe familiarly too men, which he hath kept in al times. And indeede this is an often and vſuall ſpeache in the Scripture, to call the ſanctuary and the arke of the couenaunt the face of God. And wherfore is this It is becauſe God who is incomprehenſible in his Eſſence and Maieſtie, vſeth ſuch meanes as hee knoweth to be meete for mens rudeneſſe and infirmitie, too the ende to drawe them vntounto himſelfe. It is true that the world forgeth alwayes falſe and vaine ſhapes of God: but all that we imagine of our owne braine, are nothing elſe but falſe viſors whereby GOD is diſguiſed: or too ſpeake more plainely, when men forge ſome forme or remembraunce to hauehave GOD viſible with them, they hauehave nothing but an Idoll. But when GOD repreſenteth himſelfe according too his owne pleaſure, and geueth vsus euident ſignes and tokens to be knowen of vsus, then he taketh as it were a face. And hereupon it is, that he cōmaūdeth that eueryevery one of vsus do turne our ſight thither, & that we be diligent to behold it. For it is alſo one ſoueraigne good, and wherewith wee ought to be fully ſatiſfied, to reioyce in the countenance of our God as it is ſaide in the 16. Pſalm.Pal. 16.11 Now becauſe we cannot climbe vp ſo high without a Ladder, the ſeconde benefite that he can beſtow vponupon vsus, is too geue vsus the meane to attaine too that principal & chiefe goodnes. Wherfore let vsus note that this ſentence where God ſayth: ſeeke my face, is as much as if he ſhoulde open the gate to make vsus to enter into euerlaſting life. It ſeemeth that it was not ſo great a matter in the time of Dauid too come to the Temple, to ſee ſuch a heape of Ceremonies as they obſerued there: but if we conſider well that ſpirituall patterne which was ſhewed to Moyſes in the mountaine, wee ſhall not thinke it ſtrange that God ſayth it is his face. And indeede ſeeing that Ieſus Chriſte was there reuealed, what ſhall we ſay elſe but that God was ſhewed there? Now let vsus ſee if God hath ordeined any outwarde meane vntounto vsus, to be ſeene of vsus. It is true that he hath appeared vntounto vsus by his ſonne, who is his liuely image, and in whoſe perſon he woulde be knowen in al perfection: but Saint Paul declareth foorthwith, in the 4. of the 2. to the Corinthians, that the Goſpell is that looking glaſſe wherein Ieſus Chriſte muſt bee ſeene and conſidered.…. Cor. 4.4 The Sacramentes hauehave one and the ſame nature: & to be ſhort, the order of the church, I meane ſuch as God hath eſtabliſhed in it, doeth ſhew the ſame vntounto vsus. Therfore let theſe proude gallantes of the worlde mocke as much as they liſt: but foraſmuch as God hath ſhewed this benefite too ſtoupe ſo lowe vntounto vsus, let vsus not be aſhamed to geue this honor vntounto his woorde and to his Sacramentes: in them to behold as it were his face: not to the ende to be holden here beneth in the corruptible Elementes of the world as the Papiſtes who make Idols of all the ſignes that God hath geuen vsus too leade vsus too Ieſus Chriſte: but neuertheleſſe too the ende we may fully reioyce in the preſence of GOD, we muſt goe vntoo him by theſe inferiour meanes. It is true that this whiche I ſay muſt not be to ſtricktly taken, as though the faithfull p. 40neuer drew neare to God, but when they come to Church: For this ſhoulde be a foule ſuperſtition. But I meane that we muſt not place God ſo high aboue the cloudes: as ſome fantaſticall heades do, & imagin of his high maieſtie as ſeemeth good vntounto vsus, neglecting and caſting behinde out backes aſwell the preaching of the goſpell, as other ſuch like meanes and helpes: as though men coulde ſee when they ſhut their eyes. For in very trueth they who deſpiſe as I ſay, not onelyonly the vſe of the ſacraments as alſo al the order of the church they diſdayne to looke vponupon God when he appeareth vntounto them. Let vsus marke nowe howe neceſſary it is for vsus, that God ſtirre vsus vp to come vntounto him. Wee hauehave already ſayde what fauour and honour he ſheweth vntounto vsus, whē he calleth vsus ſo gently vntounto him to ſet forwarde our ſaluation, and too leade vsus too the true perfect felicitie from which we are far enough of in reſpect of our ſelues. But we hauehave alſo too note that it is not without great neceſſitie, that God pricketh and prouoketh vsus too take heede that we fall not into miſery.

And firſt of all, we hauehave ſo wanton and wandring eyes, that it ſeemeth a very miſerable caſe. For nothing occupie all ourſelues but the vanities of this worlde, and Satan hath infinite illuſions to deceiue vsus. It is true that all his ſubtilties are nothing elſe but certaine mūmeries and trifling ſhewes to occupie fooles: but experience ſheweth what fooles or rather madbraines we are, in ſuffering ourſelues to be too too eaſily deluded and deceiued. Wherefore if wee were wiſe and well aduiſed this voyce of god woulde alwayes ſoūd in our eares, Seeke my face. But what? Foraſmuch as god is careful for his part, we are the more careles & ſlow. And woulde to God we were not like kicking and reſty Iades that in ſteede of going forwardes draw backwardes. Neuertheleſſe this example is not ſet foorth vntounto vsus in vaine: For the proteſtation whiche Dauid maketh, of meditating this doctrine in his heart, that he and all the faithfull ought too ſeeke the face of God, ſheweth vsus wherto we ought to employ our ſtudy, that God looſe not his labour in calling vsus too himſelfe. Nowe he ioyneth here two pointes, which are woorthy too be marked. The firſt is that when God hath ſpoken ſeek my face: that he anſwereth too this voyce with an earneſt affection of the hearte, The ſeconde is, that after he hath conſented and ſayd, yea: he ſayth that he wil employ him ſelfe indeede, to ſeeke the face of God. And in deede this is the order according too which we hauehave to proceede: that is, to geue entrance and acceſſe to that which God ſaith vntounto vsus, & according to which hee hath alſo ſhewed vsus in the Pſalme:Pſal. 95.8.Ps 95:8 This day if you heare his voice harden not your heartes: but there are foūd very few that do it. A great nūber wil ſay wel to diſcharge thēſelues, yea, it is reaſon: It is not lawfull too reply againſt him: but they ſhoulde ſuffer that too enter into theyr heart, that they confeſſe with their mouth. Therefore let vsus learne to beginne at this pointe, that we anſwere GOD truly and vnfeignedly, that we doe fully vnderſtande the benefite that he hath beſtowed vponupon vsus, in bidding vsus to beholde his face. If this once be doone, it cannot bee but the reſte ſhall followe: that is too ſaye, ſtrength too perfourme that which we knowe to be iuſtly commaunded vsus, and for our ſingular benefite. For Dauid ſhewed that hee had not a colde or dead meditation without ſtirring either armes or legges: p. 41but hauing concluded that he muſt ſeeke God, he ſetteth himſelfe in the path, and proteſteth that he will purſue it. Now it is a great ſhame too them who call themſelues Chriſtians, ſo yll too put in practice both the one and the other. Some wyll alleadge that it is not lawfull for them too forſake the Countrey where they were borne, albeit they be deſtitute there of the foode of life, and that they hauehave nothing but deſolation, concerning the order of the Church: Why ſo? Becauſe of the duety they beare to theyr naturall prince. To which I will make no longe reply, onelyonly I aſke of them, if they had nothing to eate and too drinke in theyr owne houſe, whether they woulde be ſo ſcrupulous to tarry there ſtill. There is none that would not boldly aduenture too forſake his Countrey, that hee might not ſtarue for hunger. I put a caſe which is not yet ſo priuiledged: that is, if a man ſhoulde geue them ſixe times as much ſubſtaunce as they hauehave, in a ſtrange countrey, whether they wold make any great curteſie, too goe quickly & take poſſeſſion? To what purpoſe ſerueth it them to pretend theſe colours, ſeeing that may appeare to be farre from their hearte which they ſpeake? There is no queſtion here of going into their enimies lande, where they ſhall be conſtrained to beare armes againſt their prince, to make warre with their naturall Countrey: but onelyonly of ſeeking a place peaceably to ſerue God, where nothing ſhall let but they may praye for their Prince and for all his ſubiectes. Too bee ſhorte ſuche a iourney is none other, but ſuche as they make dayly for ſome earthly commodities, whiche is deuoyde of all crime and offence. But yet let vsus ſee whether neceſſity doo not ſufficiently excuſe them that goe, Loe God who ſayth, Seeke my face: The princes of the wolde, butte againſt him, and turne their backs towards him: or rather they robbe the poore ſoules of their common foode: and in ſteede of Gods face, they ſet before theyr eyes the maſkes of ſuperſtitions. Muſt they be preferred before the liuing God? If GOD be to be heard, we muſt go rather a thouſand miles of to ſee his face, where it is ſhewed, thē to lie neſtling in our neſts. So then as often as Princes wil attempt any thing, in preiudice of him who hath all ſoueraigne authoritie aboue them, men do them no wrong in obeiyng him. Albeit, beſides that which I hauehave ſaide, ſuche kinde of men ſhewe ſufficiently, that they neuer greatly wayed nor conſidered theyr owne ſtate and condition. And what a miſerable captiuitie is it, in whiche they are holden? Onleſſe their cōſcience were too too ſluggiſhe, it were impoſſible but that they ſhoulde be in continual anguiſhe and diſtreſſe, as though they were tormented in Hell. And howe is it permitted vntounto them, too honour GOD in their houſes? We neede not go farre for an example, If any of them hauehave a childe borne vntoo him, his duetie is too offer him vp too GOD with prayers and geuing of thankes, requiring the Seale of ſaluation through Baptiſme to be imprinted into his body.

Now we knowe that Baptiſme is ſoo corrupted in the Popedome, and ſo defiled with ſuperſtitions and filthineſſes, that a childe cannot receiue it, but he muſte out of hande be defiled with it. So a father cannot baptiſe his childe without ſinning. And if he abſteine, yet he is in the ſame tranſgreſſion, yf there were no more but the offence which he giueth too p. 42men, in refuſing the Sacrament, that the ſonne of God hath inſtituted. And what a perplexitie is this, that a man can neither do not leaue vndoone ſuche a thing, but he muſt geeuouſly offende GOD? I omit the reſt, becauſe that this one example alone is more then enough. But when a man ſhall ſo miſerably languiſh all the dayes of his life, not knowing which way too turne him, yet in death great aſſaultes ſhall aſſaile him and then wyll the Diuel hauehave his whole armie in a redyneſſe againſt him. If the miſerable Captiue were in time too fore let from ſeruing of GOD, in reſpecte of his wife and family, then he ſhall be in woorſe caſe then euer before.

They therefore who doubt whether it bee lawfull for thē to rid themſelues foorth of ſuch filthiemud, or rather from ſuch an helliſh gulfe, vnderunder the colour of ſubiection they owe to their earthly Princes, certainely they ouerthrow the whole order of nature. It is very certaine that the prayer that God woulde hauehave vsus too make to him for our princes, is agreeable too the authoritie that he hath geuen them ouer vsus, and alſo to that duetie, wherewith he hath bound vsus vntounto them.1. Tim. 2.21 Tim 2:2 Nowe Saint Paule exhorteth vsus, that men ſhould pray vntounto God for Kings and Magiſtrates, too the ende that we might leade a peaceable and quiet life, with al honeſtie and feare of God. This ſubiection and obedience therefore, which wee owe vntoo our earthly Princes, is ouermuch ſtretched out, when they would hauehave the ſeruice and honour of the king of heauen to geue place vntounto it. It is verye true that thoſe poore Iewes muſt tarry in bōdage at Babylō, vntil that time was fulfilled that god had appoīted vntounto thē. But theſe mē with whō I cōtend, let thē ſhew that we are boūde too depriue our ſelues of our owne accorde of thoſe ſame ſpirituall benefites which God hath bountifully beſtowed vponupon his children. They feele the neceſſitie wherewith they are greeuouſly oppreſſed, their infirmitie prouoketh them, and God ſheweth them the remedy? What reaſon then is there, that they ſhoulde not dare too helpe themſelues to the end to complain of thoſe, who ſnatch the bread out of theyr handes? There is alſo another reaſon of the huſbande towards the wife, and of the wife towards the huſband. Foraſmuche as God hath knit them togeather as it were into one fleſhe, the one ſhould not doo well too forſake the other vnderunder colour of ſeeking God. Not for that they ſhould depart frō him to maintayne thēſelues togeather: but becauſe that ech one ought diligently to labour that he might alſo draw his companion with him. Loe then what they ought to doo: that is, that the huſband doo ſhew the wyfe, howe miſerable and vnhappy they are, that are ſeparated from the Communion and fellowſhip of the Faithfull, that are deſtitute of the woord and Sacraments, which are the vndoubted pledges, too make vsus aſſured that God dwelleth with vsus: And that therefore he exhort her not to diſtruſt, but too be of good comfort, and yf ſo be that he cannot win her, ſo ſoone as he would, that he therefore leaue not of vntill he hauehave obteined his purpoſe. Although that the wife be vtterly againſt it, yet that he leaue not of to deale importunatly with her, vntyll that ſhe ſhew herſelf altogether obſtinat and wilful. If after he hauehave done al that which he ſhalbe able & can no longer remaine there, he is altogether free & at libertie: for he hath performed his duety to the vttermoſt, & for any thing that was in him, his wife might p. 43hauehave followed him as ſhe was boūd & ought to hauehave doone, Although that ſuch a kinde of departure from the wife is no deuorſe: but the huſbande goeth before to leade his wife the way. Now concerning the wife in aſmuch as ſhe is not the head, ſhe is bounde with a more ſtraight bonde. Therefore ſhe is bounde too labour by all maner of meanes (aſmuch as ſhalbe poſſible for her) too perſwade her huſbande, to the ſetting of both them two at libertie. When ſhe ſhall hauehave diligently perfourmed all this aſmuch as ſhe ſhalbe able, yet is ſhe not therefore at libertie, to leaue her huſband too whom ſhe is ſubiect, vnleſſe that ſome perſecution be rayſed, and that her manyfeſt daunger be in it: and ſpecially if her huſband be as it were a prouoker too perſecute her to death. Now then ſhee forſaketh not her huſband, but ſhe flyeth the euill which is prepared for her, and the rage of her enimies as it is permitted and graunted vntounto her of god. To be ſhort, the conſtraint and force which is doone vntounto her, freeth and ſetteth her at libertie: notwithſtandinge no reſpect of the worlde ought to witholde the huſbande or the wife one from the other, but onelyonly the mutuall louelove which they owe one to the other in God, for the procuring of ech others ſaluation. For if the huſband muſt forget him ſelfe concerning that which belonggeth to this earthly life and to the body, he muſt hauehave no regarde too any thing that any whit belongeth to him ſelfe. Let vsus returne therefore too this eſtimation which Dauid maketh of ſeeking the face of God, as alſo he ſpeaketh thereof in the 84. Pſalme,Pſal. 84.11.Ps 84:11 ſaying. that it is better to liue one day in the courtes of the Lord then a thouſande too bee farre from it. Wherein he ſignifieth that the lyfe of the faithfull cannot bee too ſhorte, ſoo that GOD ſhew them this grace, that liuing in this worlde, they exerciſe themſelues in ſcruing and honoryng him, confirming them ſelues in his promiſes, & making confeſſion of his name. If any man obiecte that this might well be doone in ſome wilderneſſe, or amongeſt the enimies of the faith: I anſwere that it is not without cauſe, that Dauid expreſly mentioneth: the courtes of the Temple: For he conſidered howe neceſſary the order of the Churche is too all mortall men eſpecially knowyng the bluntneſſe and infirmitie that is in them. If this admonition were well imprinted in the heartes of all, all at the leaſte woulde come into ſome Chriſtian Churche where they might dye quietly and peaceably, and there would not bee any one that would not quickly truſſe vp his pack and be trudging. But what ſeeke we? All deſire too liue, and that at their eaſe, & eueryevery one according to the luſt wherwith he is led. And this is the cauſe why the temple of GOD at this day is neglected and contemned. Yea which is more, there are very many ſubtill ones, too ſet before mens eies euyll allurementes and ſtumbling blockes too turne vsus awaye from that ſtudy of godlineſſe that was in Dauid. They alleage what ſhal it profite vsus to chaunge the place: whether ſoeuer wee goe, we ſhall finde the worlde there aſwell as in our Countrey: all at this day is corrupted, there are like offences in all places, and temptations too make men fall from God. I graunt them al this. But if the queſtion were of their bodies, and that they were admoniſhed that in ſome place they might fynde good phiſitions, fit remedies and other helpes for theyr health, woulde they ſay, that they cared not for them, beecauſe p. 44that men mighte bee ſicke in any place of the worlde? I confeſſe that where ſoeuer we become, that we ſhall finde many occaſions to doo euill, and many occaſions of falling away: but there is a great difference, whether we hauehave thoſe helpes which GOD hath giuen vntounto vsus to keepe vsus in dooing our dewtie and reforming vsus, or to be quite deſtitute thereof. Let vsus put the caſe that all vices doe equally reigne in the worlde, ſo that the very ayre is infected therewith, as it were with a Peſtilence: Is it not a greate aduantage to hauehave the preſeruatiues that God hath ordayned for his Children? to hauehave thoſe purgations and medicines, whereby hee woulde heale vsus? Nowe I meane alwayes the doctrine of the Goſpell when it is purely preached: as alſo the Sacramentes when they are rightly miniſtred as it becommeth: then alſo publique prayers and other meanes which ſerue too the ſtirring of vsus vp, and awakening of vsus, that wee ſhould not be poyſoned with the temptations of the world. Now eueryevery man knoweth that nothing of all this is found in the papacie, but rather altogither contrary. Let vsus therefore take good heede, leaſt that in ſuch neceſſitie, wherein wee hauehave neede to bee ſuccoured, we reiect not the helpes that GOD in merciemercy hath offred vntounto vsus. There are others, whiche yet more playnely, vomite out the filth and diſeaſe of their ſtomack. Shall we goe (ſay they) to a Churche, wherein to our greate offence, wee ſhall ſee troubles and ſtumblinge blockes whiche are altogither vnknowen vntounto vsus? If in thoſe places where the Goſpell is preached, there were ſuch gouernment and polycie, as were moſte requiſite too edyfye vsus, if we were ſure that we ſhoulde finde none but angels there that ſhould leade vsus into Paradiſe, wee woulde runne thither moſt ſpeedily. But when we ſhall come thither we ſhal heare many thinges, and peraduenture more then were meete that ſhall doo nothing but offend vsus: Yea and there ſhalbe people geuen too all kinde of iniquitie, who through theyr lewd and diſſolute life defame the Goſpel. Beſides that, vanities, pompes, drunkenneſſe and ſuch like thinges ſhal there beare to much ſway. And which is worſe to be borne, many ſhal ſhew them ſelues ſuch obſtinate and vnruly contemners of God, that more vngodlineſſe ſhall bee found amongſt them, then amongeſt the Papiſts. Furthermore amongeſt the Magiſtrates and thoſe that ſit at the helue of iuſtice, there ſhalbe founde no leſſe abuſe and corruption then in other places: yea men ſhall finde many amongeſt the preachers that might be amended. Some wyl be founde negligent in their miniſterie, or rather they wil be ſo geuen to ſeeke their owne profite, that they wil hauehave no great care of their office. And which is worſt of all, there are amongeſt theſe ſome ieſters and belly Gods which deſire nothing but too make good cheare, and too make them ſelues companions of the wickeddeſt ſorte, that they may hauehave libertie too liue as they liſte. But let vsus put the caſe thar it were ten times as yll as they ſay: yet notwithſtanding their excuſe is alwayes friuolous who ſet ſuch barres vntounto them ſelues, leaſt they ſhould draw neare and come too the Churche of God.

But let vsus indeede fixe our eyes vponupon the example of Dauid. I beſeech you, was there ſuch vprightnes in the eſtate of iuſtice in Saules time, as had beene too p. 45be wiſhed? Nay contrariwiſe we hear the complaints which they often times made aſwell of the malice deceiptes, crueltie, and pride of the king, as of his officers. Furthermore the Prieſts & the Leuites, did they behaue them ſelues ſo holyly as men had occaſion to be contented therewith? Nay rather we maye gather that the greateſt parte of them cleaued vntounto euill and nouriſhed theyr iniquities flattering them ſelues in them. And as concerning the common people, there was amongeſt them great hypocriſie, and many manifeſt vices and wickedneſſes. Loe then the Churche of God full of many corruptions, and yet notwithſtanding Dauid lotheth not to enter therin, and the deſire that he had waxed not cold. This is a merueilous hard temptatiō: I confeſſe it: For the more that any is touched with the zeale and honour of God, ſo much the more iuſt cauſe he hath of greeuing and vexing himſelfe, when by the corruption of the Churche hee ſeeth the ſhameful things which are doone vntounto him. But the remedie to ouercome all this, is ſhewed vsus by Dauid: that is to ſay, that we ſeeke the face of God & ſo cōtent our ſelues in the only beholding of him, that in deſpite of al the troubles which Satan rayſeth vp agaynſt vsus, we on the contrary part ſet downe this concluſion, that there is nothing more pleaſant and beautifull, then to dwell in the Temple of God, where we may behold his preſence. So, as often as ſuch offences ſhalbe ſet before vsus, let vsus remēber that it is Satan that woorketh, according to his accuſtomed craft, that he may trouble our ſight: and therfore let vsus be wiſe and wary that we be neuer led away from beholding the face of God, too the ende we may more fully reioyce our ſelues, in the beholding thereof. Let vsus be aſhamed of thoſe miſerable Idolaters: for if any of them, after he hath ill ſpent his money, and waſted his body with trauaile, too goe on ſome foolyſhe pilgrimage, when he is come vntounto that ſame place whither he determined, he find ſome Hoſte which dealeth hardly with him, or ſome boiſteous knaues, which offer him violence, or ſome prieſtes which deceiue him, to be ſhort, he findeth nothing there but confuſion: yet for all this he deſiſteth not frō his deuotion: For he will ſay, that he went thither for this cauſe, that he might ſee and woorſhip, eyther the body of ſome bleſſed Saint, or ſome image of our Lady, or els ſome ſuch relique: ſhall the onelyonly beholding of ſome dead carrion or ſome apiſh Idol hauehave more power to harden the vnbeleeuers in their ſuperſtitions, then the face and preſence of God ſhall hauehave towardes vsus, in geuing vsus conſtancie too follow that which is good? We ſee this thing and that thing which doth vexe vsus: God calleth vsus vntounto himſelfe and woulde hauehave vsus, in beholding his face and countenaunce too take ſuche pleaſure and delight, as wee might patiently beare all the reſt. Wherfore let this be the buckler and onelyonly refuge of all the faithful & godly to hold themſelues faſte, in the continuall contemplation of the face of God, howſoeuer Satan craftely goe about to turne vsus from it. And in very deede when we ſhal ſo eſteeme it as it deſerueth, we ſhal ſuffer no damage in the loſſe of any other thinges whatſoeuer: albeit to ſay the trueth the greateſt part of thē, be let and hindred not ſo much in the difficultie and diſcommoditie of thoſe things which concerne the body. Not but that the children of God hauehave very great and harde combates in their conſciences when they finde in the Churches whiche p. 46are ſaide to be refourmed, thoſe offences whereof we hauehave ſpokē before. And therfore they that aduiſe with themſelues to withdraw themſelues, into thoſe places where the Goſpel is preached, muſt be warned too reſiſt greeuouſe aſſaultes & too prepare them ſelues to withſtande them. And they alſo which hauehave had experience already, muſt fortifie themſelues, and in deſpite of the Deuill, conſtantly continue too ſeeke the face of God. But when all ſhalbe wel wayed, there is nothing but very diſtruſt, which ſlacketh and holdeth back the greateſt multitude: & as men are very cunning to deuiſe excuſes, ſo the riche hauehave theirs on the one ſide, & the pore hauehave theirs on the other. But how can it be, wil ſome great rich landed man ſay, that I ſhould ſpoyle my ſelfe of al that I hauehave? Shal I ſo go and ſtrip my ſelfe of al my goodes and poſſeſſions? I hauehave wife and children: and we hauehave been brought vp and nouriſhed without any trauayle: and what ſhall we do in a ſtraunge country where we ſhal neyther hauehave rents nor reuenewes? And againe the poore man he wil alledge, indeede I hauehave but a little heere: but I hauehave friends who relieue me through their liberalitie, I am called to liue by my labor: what ſhal I do in a ſtrange countrey without peny or halpeny being altogeather vnknowen, hauing no fauour nor maintenance? And it may be that theſe excuſes may be in parte true: and without any further inquirie I graunt vntounto all, that it is a very bitter & troubleſome thing, not onelyonly to forſake the countrey where we were borne, but any place wherin we hauehave dwelt. Notwithſtanding, al theſe deuiſe howe they may ſet lets and ſtops before thēſelues that they come not too GOD: that is to ſay, although they find, not onelyonly things ſo hard as they make them: yet they willingly ſhroude them ſelues vnderunder any pretext or colour whatſoeuer. Which is more, when they hauehave made their goodly complaynts, they thinke that they hauehave ſtopt Gods mouth, & if that he would preſſe them any farther, that hee dooth them greate wrong, as though he compelled them to an impoſſible matter. To this I hauehave no other aunſwere, but that which is written in the 84.Pſal. 84.7.Ps 84:7 Pſalm, to wit, That the faithfull gooing by the dry valleyes and deſertes, to goe vntounto the Temple of God, ſhall dig vntounto them ſelues pittes or ceſternes. And I beleeue that this is ſufficient inough to tame al thoſe, who will not through obſtinate mallice reſiſt God.

Wherefore let thoſe which ſee them ſeles to be ſo beſet with difficulties, that they can ſee no way to eſcape out, remēber that euen the deſert places in which there is not to be founde one drop of water, ought not to ſtop their paſſage. And too the ende that wee may more fully vnderſtande this matter, let vsus marke that God cauſeth his children to ſeeke him, not in the goodly medowes, or in thoſe ſame pleaſant and beautiful ſhadowes, but euen by ſharp & roughe pathes, by rocky and ſtony places, through waſte and hidious regions, and all this he dooth too exerciſe their faith, and to try their zeale and deſire which they hauehave too come vntounto him. Although then that we cannot come vntounto God, but we muſt paſſe by ſome deſert and waſte way, yet let vsus knowe, that this is not the firſte time that God hath ſo delt with his faithfull ones, and let vsus be of good courage to followe thoſe which hauehave gone long time before vsus.

The ſecond poynt is, that there ought to bee ſuch a great and feruent deſire in the Children of God, that nothing ſhould let them from comming to woorſhip p. 47him. The which thing at this day is to be ſeene in very fewe, al in a manner are as it were become ſo delicate and ſo nice, that there needs not (as a man woulde ſay) but the wagging of a ſtrawe too ſtop them and altogither to ſtay them. They wil ſay we can goe no farther. And why ſo? Becauſe they wil not vouchſafe too take the payne, to leape ouer the leaſt block. It muſt needs be ſaid, that that zeale is very weake that is diſcouraged for ſo ſmal a thing. But wee muſt not onelyonly bee aſtoniſhed ſo eaſily, but we muſt be armed againſt the greateſt lets and hinderances in the world. And that this may be brought about, let vsus remember this leſſō that God acknowledgeth none for his children, but they that ſeeke by dry and barren places, and whiche digge ceſternes where there was not any drop of water. Now vnderunder this woorde hee ſignifieth vntoo vsus, that there is no labour or troubleſo greate that is not meete for vsus to endure, to the ende we may enioye the face of God. Is the queſtiō therfore of ſeeking a place, where a man may hauehave libertie of ſeruing of God and worſhipping him purely? how euil ſoeuer the paſſage be, be it as they ſay betwixt fire or water, let not a man leaue of to goe on forewarde. Is any man in gooing, pinched with famine or thirſt? yet therefore muſt hee not faint. Neither let any man ſo thinke as though I ſpake thereof at myne owne eaſe for it is the ſpirite of God, which teacheth vsus, that rather the earth is too be ſcratched with our nayles, then wee too bee turned, or driuen backe from comming too the Temple of God. Now if they which dwel in farre countries, and in the iudgement of men are deſtitute and ſhut from al thoſe meanes, of drawing themſelues intoo the Countrie where the Goſpel is preached hauehave no excuſe, what condemnation I pray you, ought they too looke for, which hauehave the goſpel at their doore, & yet vouchſafe not to moue one foote that they may enter intoo the temple of God? There are ſermōs had eueryevery day, publike praiers are conceaued, that they might come too Church, and there is but the ſtepping ouer of one little brooke, to come thither, and yet eueryevery one pretēdeth that he hath ſome buſines in his houſe. To bee ſhort it ſeemeth that men place their felicitie in this too turne away from God. For it ſeemeth vntoo them that they hauehave gotten al, when they hauehave founde but one ſhifte, though it bee the moſt friuolous and lighteſt in the world. But ſeing that it is ſo that we are ſo enclined by nature to runne from God, yea to parte our ſelues frō him when he draweth neereſt vntounto vsus, let vsus pray that he wil ſo ſtrēgthen vsus that we may goe couragiouſly foreward, vntil that wee hauehave founde liuely fountaines where there was nothing but drought before. And although that that ſhould faile vsus, yet let vsus digge ceſterns, wayting for raine from Heauen. And if it pleaſe God that we feele not his helpe ſo quickly, that yet wee giuegive not ouer too goe on forewarde. I doubt not but that this wil bee founde darke too many people: but wherefore is it, but euen for want of practiſe? wee may preach a hundred thouſande yeeres and neuer vnderſtande a worde thereof, vntil that we learne by experience, what it is too goe by a drie and thirſtie way, when wee muſt come vntounto God. But yet ought this doctrine too bee familiar too all the faithful, too wit, that they prepare and arme themſelues againſt all the temptations that Sathan can deuiſe againſt them, too breake of this path whereby they are brought vntoo p. 48God. And in very deede al they which faithfully employ them ſelues too ſeeke God, although they goe not out of their place, yet they finde many lettes and incombraunces, which might eaſily turne them away if they had not a ſetled courage too reſiſt them. But it is great pitie, that the greateſt patte of them (as I hauehave alreadie ſaid) lie downe vnderunder thoſe difficulties which offer themſelues vntounto them. They will graunt that they ought too doo ſo, and wil ſeeme too be very well appointed, but when neede is their hearte faileth them: and they which are well entred, for the moſte part lye downe for wearineſſe in the middeſt of the way. This leſſon therefore of digging pittes, is ſo much the more to be remembred of vsus: that is to ſay, that we ſeeke the meanes which are yet hidden from vsus, that we may goe on forwardes. Let vsus I ſay enforce our ſelues and ſtriue aboue all humane ſtrength, If thinges fall not out to our deſire, let vsus not therfore geue ouer, to follow with pacience, that happie courſe wherein God hath ſet vsus. It is certaine that when wee ſhall cal vponupon the name of God in true faith, that hee can eaſily turne theſe dry deſertes, intoo running waters: but in the meane time it is meete that wee according to our duetie, put our handes as they ſay too the worke. For God woulde not that wee ſhoulde remaine blockiſhe and ſlouthful, without remoouing either hand or foote, Rather he commaundeth vsus too digge pittes. Let vsus therfore trauaile too digge vntill that wee hauehave accōpliſhed our iourney. Let vsus ſet before our eyes the poore miſerable Souldiers, who euerie monethmonth ſel their life for a certayn price as for their wages. If they be in the campe what pouerty do they endure? If they be beſieged in any place, they yet indure much more greeuous thinges: If they vndertake any voyage, there is neither cold nor heat, wind nor raine, that may let them of, frō the enterpriſe they hauehave takē in hand. And ſometimes they are brought to ſuche exremitie, that vnleſſe they digge too finde water, they hauehave not a droppe to drinke. There is no labour diſtreſſe or miſerie, which they will not ſuffer for the perfourmaunce of that which they hauehave vndertaken. And yet when they hauehave doone all, whether they eſcape or no, they hauehave but loſt theyr labour, becauſe they hauehave but ſerued Satan.This is to bee vnderſtoode of euil & wicked ſouldiers, that hauehave not the feare of GOD before their eyes. The ſonne of God through his infinite grace hath choſen vsus to be his ſouldiers: & we know what reward he hath prepared for vsus. How muche more couragious then ought we to bee in his ſeruice? thē thoſe miſerable & deſperate men, that do but purchaſe their own deſtruction? Neither is this mētioned heere that any man ſhould reckon how many miles there is frō his houſe to the place where he may freely worſhip God, make confeſſion of his faith, and heare the pure doctrine of the Goſpell: We hauehave yet to goe a farre longer iourney which laſteth all our lyfe long. HaueHave we haunted the Church of GOD a yeere or more? If we continue, we ſhall dayly finde new cares. For ſometimes we ſhalbe viſited with ſickneſſe, ſometimes with pouertie, eyther our wiues or children, ſhall die, or elſe the meanes wee hauehave too ſerue God ſhalbe taken away as before time, & we ſhall be toſſed with diſquietneſſe and ſundry troubles. Wherefore it is very requiſite that euen vntounto the end we hauehave our handes ready too digge Pittes, and our nayles too ſcratch the earth, if neceſſitie ſo require. If any man alleadge, how then? are we not in the Temple of God? I p. 49aunſweare that we are ſo in it, as we muſt come eueryevery day nearer & nearer vntounto it, & enter into it. True it is that wee daylye beholde the face of God, but wee are not yet ſo fully ſatiſfied therewith, as wee ſhall bee whē we ſhalbe gathered vntounto him. Wherfore it behoueth that all generally apply this to their vſe, & becauſe Satan ceaſeth not to hinder al thoſe that go vntounto God, let eueryevery one enforce himſelfe, too continue conſtantly too doo that too morrow which he hath doone to day. For if the enimie ceaſe not too endeuour to driue vsus backe from our courſe towardes GOD, muche leſſe ought we too looſe our courage to ſet our ſelues forward, and continually without ceaſing gather new ſtrength. But to the end we may do this thing, it behoueth that we hauehave ſuch an affection wel printed in our heartes as Dauid had: I had rather (ſaith he) dwell at the threſholde of Gods houſe, then in the Tentes and Tabernacles of the wicked: Wherein he plainely declareth that to purchaſe this benefit, to dwel in the houſe of God, he will accounte it no euill too be abaſed and made the moſte deſpiſed in the worlde. Let vsus conſider I beſeech you, what his eſtate was. He was the kinges ſonne in lawe and one of the chiefe Princes in the Countrey, and yet notwithſtanding hee is content too bee ſet behinde, and put among the baſeſt ſort of the common people, vppon condition too hauehave ſome little corner in the Churche of God. If this deſire raigned in all, they woulde not make ſo much adoe too ridde them ſelues and ſpende ſo long time in bargening for exchaunge they hauehave too make, in forſaking their houſes and Countrey to come to the Church of God. But there are very fewe founde, whiche can take in hande and willingly beare the diminiſhing of their ſubſtaunce, eueryevery man doth greatly deſire, nicely to be caried in a horſelitter where he may worſhip god at libertie, and he would hauehave both lāds & poſſeſsiōs, trading of merchandiſe, credite, kinred and friendeſhip, and all other cōmodities of this life, by & by to follow. But whiles they are at this point, I pray you how eſteeme they Ieſus Chriſt? For all that euer they wil do, at his deſire is but as it were by way of paſtime: which is but a very poore & ſeely conſideration. For albeit we be nothing woorth indeede, yet hath he of his infinite goodnes ſo greatly eſtemed vsus, that he hath not ſpared him for our ſaluation: yea I ſay him in whom conſiſteth the perfection of all our felicitie. And ſhall we in the meane time grudge & repine to forgo ſome trāſitorie things, and to account our eſtate & condition worſe, if we be not ſo wel handled & entreated & hauehave our pleaſures as before? This is verie far frō following that which S. Paule hath ſhewed vsus by his exāple: that is, that we ſhould count all things as filth & dung that doth hinder vsus frō poſſeſſing of Ieſus Chriſt, & that we ſhould forſake it as a hurtful thing, knowing that whatſoeuer ſeparateth vsus from the true life muſt needes drawe vsus vntounto death. This alſo is far of from folowing that exhortation which is made vntounto vsus by Ieſus Chriſt, that we ſhould ſel & forſake al that we hauehave in this world for the kingdome of heauen, knowing that this is that precious ſtone, that is a hundred thouſand times more worth then al thoſe things that men ſo much deſire & ſo greatly eſteeme. If any man wil obiect that a man may come to the kingdome of heauen, without forſaking of his houſe: I anſwere that it is not without cauſe that our Sauior Chriſt doth thus name the preaching of the goſpel. They therefore that are deſtitute p. 50therof & make not accōpt aſmuch as is poſsible to ſel e thoſe meanes wherby they may enioy it, ſufficiētly declare that they are too carnally affected to the pelfe of this world, & are not yet diſpoſed to exchange them with the kingdom of heauē. But if they might poſſeſſe both togither, I would not enuie thē: but if they cānot hold their poſſeſſiō, & neſtle ſtil in their neaſtes, vnles they wil defraude thēſelues of the fode of the children of God: yea if they cannot maintaine thēſelues in the ſtate wherin they are, without cutting thēſelues of frō the churche, it is meete for them to regard that neceſſity which god hath laid vpō thē. They may eaſily bring forth ſuch excuſes as theſe, but al theſe ſhal ſtand thē in no ſteed, whē that great Iudge ſhal thunder vpō thoſe with his terrible voice that ſet more ſtore by that earthly life that is commō vntounto vsus with brute beaſtes, then by the euerlaſting inheritaunce which hee hath appointed for his childrē. And it is a very ſtrāge thing that many imagine to ſtop our mouth, vnleſſe we do aſſigne thē ſome meanes & ſtate wherby they may liue in ſeruing god. My conditiō, (they wil ſay) is thus in my countrie: if I forſake it, what ſhal become of mee, or how ſhal I liue? As though god had appointed thē that preach the Goſpel to be ſtewardes & ouerſeers, to appoint eueryevery man his ſtate & his ordinarie, and to giuegive euerie one according to his worthineſſe & dignitie his certain penciō & wages? If we can helpe them by coūſel or directiō we are bound to do it, yea thogh they do not requeſt it: but if we be not able, ſhal our libertie therfore be loſt to teache eueryevery man that which God hath commāded him? But if they had wel learned and remembred this doctrine of Dauid, too louelove better a little corner in the porch of the temple of god then the higheſt and moſte honourable places that they might chooſe amongeſt the vnfaithfull, they woulde neuer thinke ſo harde, and ſtand ſo doubtfull what waie were beſt too be taken. But this is the miſchiefe that they would holde all, and ſleepe in whole ſkinnes not ſuffering theyr riches or honours too bee diminiſhed in any point, nor forgoing their eaſe and delightes, that is too ſay, they cannot bow their necks nor bend their backes too beare Ieſus Chriſt. Let thē pleade and contende about the matter, aſmuch as they liſte, yet muſt they needes in the ende be condempned. Concerning ſuch as hauehave alredy forſaken theyr countrey, that they might come too a place, where they might freely ſerue God, and where the trueth of the Goſpell might be faithfully preached vntounto them, it is very neceſſary that they oftentimes call this ſentence to their remembrance, to the ende they may from day too day exerciſe them ſelues in the practice thereof, that they may be hartened in the continual vſe and cuſtōe of it. For many thīgs may come to paſſe with the time, and daily do, which may diſcourage thē that had a great zeale. They that ioyne themſelues to the churches of God, are not alwayes ſo receiued as they are woorthie. Order many times is ſo peruerted, that the worthieſt too be ſet forwarde, are ſet behinde. Suche temptation might indeede turne them backe from their ſaluation, cauſing them too leaue of the good courſe wherunto they were entred, were it not that they reſted contented rather too bee in the laſt, and moſte deſpiſed in the houſe of GOD then too bee quite ſhut out.

Thus the good faithfull men indeede, not hauing all that they might well deſire, but contrariwiſe feeling a great many troubles in forſaking theyr countrey learne to cōforte thēſelues with this onelyonly word, p. 44yet are we in the houſe of God. Nowe let the worldlings deride aſmuch as they liſt, & blaſe vsus out in their pride as abiectes and outcaſtes: it is enough that God doth vsus this honour, too account vsus of his Pallace and of his ſanctuary. We ſee what paine ambitious fooles take that they may bee counted and reckoned of the familie and houſe of ſome Prince: and howe happy they reckon themſelues, if they may but come into the kitchin or Hall. Now when we ſhal be the verieſt abiectes in the worlde, yet ſo that we be of the churche of God, he leadeth vsus too the moſt high and merueilous ſecretes of his wiſedome with ſuche familiaritie as if a father ſhoulde communicate and open himſelfe too his children. And ſure we were very vnthankeful if this recompence ſhould not ſatiſfie vsus. It is very true that the faithfull may well be tempted and prouoked when their affaires ſhall goe backwarde, and that the wicked ſhall triumphe in all proſperitie. But when they ſhal cōſider on the other ſide, that God hath choſen them too be of his houſe, and that hee entertaineth them there as his children, this conſolation ſhall bee woorth litle, if it be not ſufficient to appeaſe all the griefes and enimities wherewith they may bee troubled. And certainly they that murmure and vexe them ſelues, becauſe they are not entreated of God as they deſire, or repente themſelues for hauing begun wel, ſhew plainely that they hauehave not followed the counſaile of our lord Ieſus, which is, that they ſhould hauehave made theyr thorowe accounte, when they begin their building, what it will coſt them to make an end of it: to the ende: they vexe not themſelues for hauing ſpent too much, and ſo by this meanes leaue the worke imperfect. Which is worſt the moſt part of thoſe which ſo faynt in the middeſt of the way, do leaue of without any cauſe: wherin they ſhew themſelues moſt impudent. For they which had neither houſe nor lande, and with whom it was all one, either to dwel in their own Countrey, or in the fartheſt part of the world, yet they are not aſhamed to vpbraid God, that they hauehave left this and that for his ſake. But yet let vsus put the caſe that they had loſt much of their ſubſtance for the Goſpelles ſake: yet notwithſtanding it is a very mockery, more to eſteeme a dandiprat them a golde noble. In the meane ſeaſon nothing is hearde but theſe murmurings and complaintes: and would to God that ſuche people were farre away from vsus, at theyr owne caſe. And yet notwithſtanding there are neither poore nor rich that hauehave any iuſt excuſe too fall away for the afflictions whiche happen vntoo them, by following God. But becauſe this is a very hard thing, the remedy is ſhewed vntounto vsus in the 84. Pſalm, where Dauid, after he had ſaide,Pſalm. 84. b.Ps 84 that the man is bleſſed that hopeth in God, addeth by and by, in whoſe heart are his wayes. As if he wold ſay, he that hath his minde wholy bent too walke as God hath cōmaūded him. Loe therefore two thinges which cannot be ſeparated the one frō the other: that we hauehave our hope in god, & that we walk in the right path. Wherefore as our infirmitie doth let vsus, or maketh vsus ſo laſie, that we could be content at al aſſaies to turne another way, let vsus fortifie our ſelues in faith, & hope, praying our good God, that hee will make vsus ſo to looke vntounto him, that nothing trouble vsus, whileſt wee truſte in his promiſes, whereby hee hath aſſured vsus that he will be with vsus for euer both in life and in death.