Four Sermons Entreating of Matters Very Profitable, Sermon 3

Four Sermons Entreating of Matters Very Profitable · Sermon 3

❧ The third Sermon shewing how the Faithfull ought too eſteeme the beeyng in the Churche of GOD, where they hauehave free libertie purely to woorſhip God, gathered vponupon the theame of the 27. Pſalme. I hauehave required one thing of the Lorde,Ver. 4. and that I wil require: it is, that I may dwell in the houſe of the Lord all the daies of my lyfe, too the end I may he hold the beautie of the Lord and may viſite his holy Temple.

I is woonderfull what a diuerſitie a man ſhall finde in mens deſires: and yet notwithſtāding there is one thing wherein all agree and iumpe togeather, and that is to bee occupied here beneth in the worlde. EueryEvery man may well hauehave his marke and meane by hymſelfe: but this vanitie raigneth ouer all, not to ſeeke their good, and felicitie any where elſe but in this corruptible life. The which ſheweth that men are wonderful brutiſh: For wee are created too an ende altogeather contrary and that is that hauing our conuerſatiō in this worlde wee ſhoulde aſpyre to that heauenly kingdome of GOD. And this is the cauſe, why this preſent life is called a pilgrimage or away. Wherefore whoſoeuer will not depriue him ſelfe wittingly and willingly of the euerlaſting inheritaunce of the kingdom of God, hee muſt beginne at this point too cut of all foolyſhe deſires and light thoughtes, whereby hee may bee occupied and witholden in this worlde: p. 35ſo as his principall deſire be to draw neare vntounto God, and that nothing at the leaſt hinder vsus from making haſte thither. I ſay at the leaſt, foraſmuch as it were very requiſite that all our earthly affections which do nothing but cauſe vsus to drawe backe from God, were fully rooted out of our heartes, to the ende wee maye runne through ſwiftly in this voyage wee hauehave too perfourme. But becauſe we are ſo farre of from hauing a minde that is pure and voyde from all affections, it remayneth in the ſeconde place, that wee ouercome all the lettes that may hinder vsus, and followe our courſe howſoeuer it be: ſo as in the middeſt of our infirmities, we doe neuertheleſſe preferre the heauenly life before all that is in this world. It remaineth nowe, that we ſee by what meanes wee may attayne theereto.

Nowe this is not in vsus to deuiſe, but we muſt take theſe which God hath ordeined: of which the moſt principall are named heereby Dauid: to wit, the order and pollicie, that God hath eſtabliſhed in his Churche that we be taught by his woorde, that wee woorſhip him all with one accorde, and cal vponupon him, and hauehave the vſe of the Sacramentes to ayde vsus herevnto. And thus muſt wee be exerciſed, too the ende we way bee better & better confirmed in the faith, in the feare of God, in holyneſſe, in the contempt of this worlde and in the louelove of the heauenly life. And to this purpoſe and none other, tendeth this that Dauid proteſteth, that he hath a deſire aboue all to dwel in the temple of God. For vnderunder this woorde of the Temple he comprehendeth the libertie of hauing freedome purely to worſhip God with the faithful, to make confeſſion of his faith, to pray & to be a partaker in the ſacraments. For God for this time had choſen a certaine place, in which he woulde that men ſhoulde ſacrifice vntoo him, ſhoulde doe him homage, proteſting that they accounted him for theyr alone God, were inſtructed in his lawe, & had the teſtimonies of his preſēce. And indeede he ſufficiently expreſſeth what regard he had, in deſiring to dwell in the Temple, when hee addeth, that he was in the beautie of God. Wherein he ſheweth that the Temple of it ſelfe was nothing: but that he reſted him ſelfe in the vſe whereto it was conſecrated and appointed. If we thinke that he was occupied with a materiall building of wood & ſtone wee ſhoulde doo him great iniury and wrong: For this were to charge him with ſuperſtition, and not too attribute it to his vertue. We ought therefore to bee reſolued, that hee ſetteth foorth howe honourably hee eſteemed the outwarde order and regiment whereby the faithfull are gouerned in the Church. To be ſhort he ſignifieth that this is an ineſtimable benefite, and a eſpeiall priuiledge to be in the Churche of God, to be a partaker of thoſe meanes, that that good father hath geuen to his children thereby too draw them to him. Let vsus marke well who it is that ſpeaketh. It is not a poore Idiote without knowledge and experience: but a Prophete, as excellent and as greatly enlightned by the holy Ghoſt as euer was any. Hee ſpeaketh not of a thing profitable and good in the populare opinion: but he proteſteth for his owne parte, that he deſired nothing more then that he might bee founde in the aſſemblie of the people of GOD, too the ende that declaring his faith hee myght alwayes bee more edified therein, through the doctrine of ſaluation which is there preached, and through the ſacraments: neither onelyonly in this place maketh he this proteſtatiō, p. 36but in many other places, as in the Pſalme before goyng, when hee ſaith,Pſal. 26.8.Ps 26:8 O Lorde I hauehave loued the habitation of thine houſe & the place where thy glory hath his dwelling. Alſo in the 42. pſ. As the Hart br… hee refreſhed with the riuers of Water, ſo pa…teth my ſoule after thee O Lorde: My ſoule burneth with thyrſt in ſeeking after God: Pſal. 42.1.2Ps 42:1Ps 42:2When ſhall it bee that I ſhall come and appeare before the face of the li…yng God? It had beene enough to hauehave ſpoken this: but his vehemente affectiō carrieth him higher: for he addeth immediatly that teares were his … d…yng the time that hee was depriued from comming too the Temple. Yea he ſayth yet further that his hearte was powred out like water, when hee remembred the time wherein he went to the Temple praiſing GOD with the multitude of the faithfull. Afterwardes hauing mourned his fill and powred foorth his complaintes and griefes, hee findeth no better conſolation, then in the hope that he had cōceiued that God would reſtore that benefite againe which he had loſte. My ſoule (ſaith hee) why art thou vexed and vnquiet within me? Pſal. 84.12.Ps 84:12yet ſhall I fynde againe the preſence of the Lord As alſo in the 43. Pſalme he repeateth againe the ſame matter. And eſpecially in the 84. Pſalme, he declareth howe he was affected towardes it. For after that hee hath cried out, O God of hoſtes howe amiable are thy tabernacles! hee ſayth that his hearte and his body d…e leape for the feruent deſire that he hath to enter into the countes of the Lord. And he ſetteth downe the reaſon, that they which dwell in the houſe of God are bleſſed becauſe they prayſe him that is to ſay, they acknowledge his graces with one accord, & they reioyce in him, making cōfeſſiō of theyr faith. Seeing thē that dauid who was ſo much aduāced in al holines, yea & was as an angel of heauē dwelling in the world acknowledged that he had ſo great neede to be aided and ſtirred vp by the meanes that god had giuē to his people. I pray you what is too bee ſuppoſed of vsus, who are ſo rude & earthly, whoſe faith is ſo weake, & whoſe religion is ſo colde and barraine? Wee muſt needes conclude, albeit that Dauid for the perfection that was in him might wel hauehave let ſlip ſuch baſe helps, yet they are more then neceſſary for vsus: conſidering the infirmity that is in vsus. But what? They who are the perfecteſt know much better what they lacke them ſelues, then thoſe which hauehave no perfectiō at all. What is Dauid ſo indued and adorned with angelical vertues? Why, this is to make him better too vnderſtād, howe meet it was for him to be more enflamed by the preaching of the law, by the Sacramētes, and other like exerciſes. Contrarywiſe theſe glorious villaines that at this day make no reckoning of all theſe thinges, ſhewe euidētly thereby, that they hauehave not ſo much as a droppe of of Chriſtianitie in them: I ſpeake of our corner creeping and caſkate Philoſophers, that liue in Papiſtrie. O it is a goodly matter (ſay they) and much to the purpoſe, that a man cannot be a Chriſtiā vnleſſe he not to Geneua, to hauehave his eares filled with Sermons, and to vſe ſuche Ceremonies as are obſerued in that Citie. Can not we our ſelues alone both reade & pray? Muſt men yet goe to Church to be taught, ſeeing that eueryevery one hath the Scripture in his houſe? I anſweare hereto, that wee binde no man to depart from that place where he dwelleth: yea when a man liues purely and ſerueth God as he ought amiddeſt the Popes tyrranny wee eſteeme an hundred times better of him, then of our ſelues who are in libertie and reſt. But the queſtion is heere of two poinctes, to wit, whether they that feeling their owne infirmitie, and commyng to ſeeke in a Chriſtian Churche, ſuch a confirmation as Dauid p. 37did at that time when the Temple was at Ieruſalem, doe not well: Alſo whether all generally, and eſpecially thoſe that are witholden by force ought not too ſigh, ſeeing them ſelues deſtitute of the ordinary meanes, which were to bring them to GOD? The very beaſts who hauehave no vnderſtāding nor reaſō, they wil bray after their paſture, and thoſe who are called the children of God, ſhal not they care for that which ſerueth to nouryſh and mainteine their faith? And yet they are not contended thus proudly too treade vnderunder foote the moſt precious graces of God, but they alſo ſcorne them which flie into ſtraunge countries to ſeek them, & to reioyce in them. As touching their hawtineſſe, whereby they beare themſelues in hande, that Sermons, Common prayers, and the Sacraments are thinges ſuperfluous and vayne, there neede no other teſtimony to excommunicate, and baniſh them out of the Churche of God. And that it is euen ſo, Sainte Paule, ſayth not that the order which God hath ſet in his Churche, is onelyonly for the rude and ignoraunt: but he maketh it Common for all, exempting none. Hee hath ordained (ſaith hee) Apoſtles, Fa…, and Doctour…, Ephe. 4.11.Eph 4:11for the eſtabliſhing of the Sain…, for the building vp of the bodye of Chriſte, vntill wee … of f…th, a… a perfect m…n, into the meaſure of a …fecte age in Chriſte. Let vsus marke well that hee ſayth not that God hath lefte the Scripture to the end that eueryevery one ſhoulde reade it alone: But hee hath inſtituted a policie wherein certain are appointed to teache & vnderunder this he comprehendeth all other thinges which doeth, as it were depende therevpon. Wherefore though eueryevery one may reade it priuatly, this leueth not but that they ſhould heare it alſo publiquely. And to whō directeth …e but that they ſhold heare it publiquely. And to whom directeth he himſelf? to great & ſmal indifferētly. And doth he ſay that this is for one day? No ſurely he commandeth that this courſe be kept euen vntil death: for this was the tyme of our perfection. They therefore which diſdain to keep themſelues in this range to profite in faith and al vertue by the common order of the Church, they can by nothing ſo much cut themſelues of frō the fellowſhip of the childrē of God as by this. Let them excuſe the matter as finely & as craftely as they liſt: yet the ſentēce of S. Paule is moſt cleare, that none is neither aught to bee accompted of the body of chriſt, vnles that he ſubmit himſelf to this general rule. Wherfore my brethren let vsus humble our ſelues and let vsus not tēpt god,Epheſ. 4.4.Eph 4:4 thinking our ſelues able to fly without wings. But ſome mā wil ſay, it is poſsible that Dauid ſpake for the time of thoſe figures: bicauſe that thē god gouerned his people as it were little childrē, as alſo S. Paule ſaith:Gal. 4.3.Gal 4:3 & therfore that thoſe feruent lamētatiōs & hearty requeſtes that he maketh cōcerning the tēple are not ſo fitt for vsus, ſeing that we are cōpared to thoſe, who being paſt our enfancie are come to a more ful age. To whom I anſwere firſt of al, that the neceſſitie of being taught by ſermons, of being confirmed by the Sacramēts, of being exerciſed in publike praiers & the cōfeſsiō of our faith, is cōmon to vsus with the aunciēt fathers. And herevnto tēd aſwel the promiſes eſpecially thoſe that are in the Prophet Eſay, where God ſaith that his Church ſhal hauehave infinite childrē: & that after ſhe hath cōceaued & brought them forth, ſhe ſhall nuriſh thē vp. It cānot be denied that this belōgeth alſo to the kingdom of chriſt & to this our time eſpecially. Now God expreſly fendeth his children into the boſome p. 38and lap of his Church. And wherfore is this, but that an order and rule might be kept, which hee hath appointed, to the end to gather his own togeather as it were by flocks? The which is notably expreſſed by an apt ſimilitude, which the Prophet himſelf vſeth in the 60. Chapter,Eſay. 60.….Isa 60 ſaiyng that the children of God ſhalbe at Donet who retire thēſelues by flight into their Do…cetes: And what I pray you is that ſame Douecote there, but eueryevery place where the worde of God is preached, where the ſacraments are adminiſtred, and where the name of Godis called vponupon & praiſed? Indeede they which weene too be ſo ſtrōg that they hauehave no further need of this ſame outward order and gouernment, they il conſider their owne ſtate and condition. For wherefore hath God ordeined his ſacraments. vnleſſe becauſe that we being clothed with our bodies, we are too vile to lay holde vponupon ſpiritual things, vnleſſe we be aided by theſe viſible ſignes? The angels indeede hauehave that trueth of the Sacraments, & this ſuffiſeth them but God muſt come downe lower vntounto vsus, by reaſon of our rudeneſſe and ignorance. Let theſe fantaſtical Chriſtians ſtrip themſelues hardly of their bodies, & make thēſelues angels of heauē, & then they may exempt thēſelues frō thoſe ſmall helpes wherof they make ſo litle account. But it behoueth al thoſe which acknowledge thēſelues to be mē that they paſſe this way, to ſubmit thēſelues to the ordinary pollicy, that god hath cōmaūded to all thoſe that are his. It is true that the grace of God is not boūd, nor the power of the holy ghoſt is not encloſed either in the ſacramēts or in any other outward thing, that he ſhold not be able to worke whēſoeuer it pleaſeth him without any meane: but here we intreat of the perpetual order that he hath ſet in his church: & not of that which he worketh extraordinaryly, as it wereby myracle. Neuertheleſſe this is moſt true that they which are depriued of the vſe of the ſacraments, & of libertie to call vponupon his name, and yet feele not their wretched and miſerable condition, to the ende to bewaile it they are more blockiſh then brute beaſts. I ſay farther that if Dauid had iuſt occaſion in his time, to ſay. O Lorde how amiable is thy temple! Pſal. 84.Ps 84bleſſed are they that dwel in thy houſe. My ſoule burneth for very deſire, that it hath to enter into the Courtes of the Lord that we ought to bee twiſe as much mooued and inflamed vntounto this, at this day. For what were the benefites of the Temple, which Dauid ſo much lamenteth, euen that he is weary of his life, ſeeing him ſelfe to be depriued of them? It is true that in ſubſtaunce they were the ſame that wee hauehave at this day: howbeit we knowe that theſe were but as darke ſhadowes, wherein GOD diſplaied not his grace ſo largely as we hauehave it at this preſent. For God hath declared himſelfe ſo familiarly to vsus in the order of the Church, that as a man would ſay, the very heauens are opened vntounto vsus. The Sacraments do not ſhew Ieſus Chriſt ſo farre of as vnderunder the lawe: but ſetteth him liuely before our eyes. Wherfore we muſt needs be very vnthankful, if we preferre not theſe bleſſings farre before all that which Dauid might euer finde in the temple of Syon. We are not any more in the vtter Courts, as Dauid hath ſpoken. There is no more any vaile drawen, which might ſeparate vsus from the ſanctuary. To be ſhort, this is an euil honouring of the infinite greatneſſe of the benefites which God hath beſtowed vponupon vsus, when our deſire is not equall at the leaſt with that of Dauids. I ſpeake this by a ſimple forme of doctrine. For the exhortation ſhall followe after in his place. It remaineth then that wee ſee next p. 25of all, what maner of deſire this was, to the ende that we may conforme our ſelues vntounto it, as vntounto our rule. I hauehave aſked; ſaith he, a thing of the Lord. By ſpeaking of one thinge alone, he ſignifieth that he was ſo mightily giuē vntounto it, that he caſt al other things behinde his back as if he had quite forgotten thē. Was it ſo that hee inioyed all his other deſires, in ſuch ſorte that there was nothing but this thing that fayled him? Contrarywiſe he was a fugitiue from the land of his birth, yea baniſhed from the houſe of his father, and from the companie of his Parents and friendes: he was ſpoyled of al his goods, and depriued of all his dignities & honours which were very great, his wife was rauiſhed: to bee ſhort, loe a man altogither deſolate & quite forſaken. Neuertheles he lamenteth nothing but this one thing, that is to ſay, to hauehave acceſſe to the Temple, as alſo on the contrary parte, when he giueth thanks vntounto God, for al the benefits which he had beſtowed vponupon him, after he had made mention of drinking and eating, of reſt and other commodyties of the body: hee ſetteth downe for concluſion that he wil dwell in the church of God: whereby he proteſteth that beeing at his eaſe and in all pleaſure, notwithſtanding he accounteth nothing more pretious then to be in the company of the faithfull,Pſalm. 23.Ps 23 to be lead vntounto that ſame ſoueraigne happineſſe. Let vsus then diligently marke that Dauid aſwell in his afflictions as in his proſperities, had alwayes this ſame courage to reioyce himſelfe in this libertie that God had giuen vntounto the children of Iſrael: which cannot be accounted any ſmall vertue. Wee ſhall finde many who beeing oppreſſed with aduerſities and afflictions, doe remember God gladly: but as ſoone as they are deliuered from them, & that they find their eaſe, then they caſt of all remēbrāce of him: yea, & which is moſt ſhameful they kick and fling againſt him, as reſty Iades that are to wel …ed. Others ſo vexe thēſelues & rage againſt god in their aduerſity, that they cānot abide to heare any ſpeach of him. Was not Dauid throwē downe with ſuch an heape of miſeries, that hee ſeemed the moſt miſerable creature in the world? And yet is he ſo far of frō being wounded with the grief of his mind to vexe himſelfe, & diſdain when god ſpeaketh vntounto him, that cōtrariwiſe it is the only way wherby he is cōforted: yea althogh he could not ſo ſoone thinke of God, but he lamenteth that he is baniſhed frō his tēple, & ſhut out frō the vſe of his ſacramēts & other exerciſes of faith, yet hath heno greater pleaſure then to lamēt ſuch an euil. Now on the other ſide was not this his chiefeſt labor? Had he ouercome his enimies to be peaceable in his realme & renowmed amongſt al? had he the meane to plūdge himſelfe in all pleaſures? yet for al that he remained firme in this, that his true felicitie is to hauehave acceſſe to the temple, to the end he might cōmunicat with the order of the church. Wherfore we ſee that he proteſteth not in vaine too hauehave aſked this one thīg: for it was ſo deare vntounto him, that he did alwaies let goe the reſt for it. Let vsus ſee now who it is amōgſt vsus which hath ſuch a iudgemēt as Dauid had. They who cōtēt thēſelues with felicitie in thoſe goodes which they hauehave in their handes, do they eſteem the libertie of calling vpō the name of god purely, hearing his word preached, or vſing his Sacramēts, more then their domeſtical reſt? There are very few that do ſo: but rather their fatnes maketh them ſo ſluggiſh that they care for nothing but for their paūch & to make good cheare. To be ſhort, the world is ſuch that it ſetteth more ſtore by a trough wel ſtuffed with p. 25meate thē for the church of God. If a mā ſpeake of the troubles which may come, eueryevery mā greatly feareth to be ſpoiled by warres, to ſuffer loſſes, griefes & hatreds: but they neuer make any recknīg of loſing the prechīg of the doctrine of their ſaluation, of the pure vſe of the Sacramēts, & ſuch like helpes which ſerue to draw thē neare vntounto god: & alſo one ſhal perceiue that they that are depriued therof are not greatly touched with it. If the reuenew come not in, at the ende of the yeere or at the quarter day, to the end they may keep ſuch a traine as their ambitiō driueth thē to deſire: if their gaine and trades decay, if their credite bee loſt, they continually tormēt thēſelues: notwithſtāding the ordinarie paſture of the childrē of god (after which they ought greatly to hunger) is nothing vntounto thē. And yet this is it that God ſheweth very wel by that threatning that he maketh, that there cannot a greater euil come vntoo vsus. I wil ſend (ſaith he) a famine, not of bread nor of water: Amos. 8.12.Amos 8:12(as if hee ſhold ſay this is a ſmal matter:) but of hearing my woorde. Wherfore my brethrē let vsus take good heede that we ſuffer not our ſelues, to be made brutiſh by the Deuil & by the world, to the end that we hauehave not alwaies this benefit in eſtimatiō aboue al others: that is to ſay, to be mainteined in the flock of god, vnderunder the outward order & gouernment which he hath placed amongſt his owne. And this is yet better expreſſed vntounto vsus by that which Dauid addeth: that is, that he wil require again the thīg which he before had aſked. Wherby he ſignifieth that he had not ſome ſodain deuotiō, which was quickly cooled, but that he was cōſtāt & ſtil remained ſearching after this benefite, wee ſhall ſee ſome which wil bee ſo well affected for a little time, that it ſeemeth the next day, they would forſak al that euer they hauehave: but this cōſtācie wherof Dauid ſpeaketh is a very rare thing. yea the moſt part in ſteed of blowing the fire to kindle the good zeale that God hath put in them, do wittingly quench it. We hauehave the like teſtimony concerning Dauid in the Pſalme which I hauehave already rehearſed: for becauſe that it might hauehave beene layde before him that being driuen out of the Counrrey of Iudea, hee might hauehave gone here or there too ſome other place: He crieth out Thy Altars O Lorde of Hoſtes, my God and my King. As if he ſhoulde hauehave ſaid that hee could not find a delectable place, although that he poſſeſt all the palaces in the worlde, when he had no entraunce into the Temple of GOD. He complaineth that the Sparrowes and the Swallowes found a place there to make their Neſtes, and that his condition was woorſe. And why was this? Was it becauſe he had neither chamber nor Kitchin? He ſaith not ſo but becauſe he found no good nor meete place, foraſmuch as he was ſhut out and driuen away from the Aultars of GOD. It is very certaine that if this doctrine were entred into our heartes, we ſhoulde not be ſo, neither one ſorte ſoo hindred, nor the other ſo quite turned away from exerciſing our ſelues in the meanes that God hath put into our hande, to helpe vsus forwarde in the path of euerlaſting life. But what is the cauſe therof? Ambition holdeth back the one ſort with dignities or high promotions, and entiſeth others to purchaſe and to ſeeke them. Couetouſneſſe enflameth and carrieth awaye others: many hauehave nothing in their hearte but theyr vaine pleaſures and wanton delightes. Yea, all languiſhe and wallowe in their luſtes? ſo as none crye out. Thy Aulters O Lorde, where are thy Aultars my God my king? And indeede the vanities of the worlde raigne to muche in them, to ſuffer God too bee obeyed. This p. 33This woorde alſo is of great importaunce, when Dauid ſaith, that he hath demaunded of God the thinge whereof he ſpeaketh: for it ſhall be an eaſie matter to make ſuch a goodly ſhew before men, that mē would deeme all fire in vsus. But loe, a man might ſay that this was in good earneſt, that he deſired to be in that flock: though he hauehave none but God alone to be witneſſe therof, he hath neuertheleſſe this affection. For when we come before ſuch a Iudge, al hypocriſie muſt ceaſe, and there muſt be nothing but plaine dealing & trueth. Would we then followe the example of Dauid? Let eueryevery one enter into his owne conſcience, and in directing his prayer vntounto God, Let him ſay: Lord thou knoweſt howe I eſteeme to be in thy Church aboue all the goods in the world. Moreouer we are heere aſwell put in minde, not to gnawe out bitte, to lament and grudge at our eſtate: but wee ought directly too ſend our ſighes to him, who can remedie our euill. In deede we ought to knowe that this horrible diſſipation, which is at this day in the worlde, in that the whole ſeruice and worſhip of God is corrupted, the word of god falſifyed, the ſacraments adulterated and defiled, to be a iuſt vengeaunce vppon our ſinnes. To whom is it then, that we ſhould hauehave recourſe to inioy the pure doctrine, the Sacramentes, and libertie to call vponupon the name of God, and to make confeſſion of our faith, but to him who chaſtiſeth vsus, in depriuing vsus there, of theſe benefits? And it muſt not be that the rigour of Gods chaſtiſements turne vsus away frō comming vntounto him: and much leſſe muſt we kick againſt the prick, thereby grudging and diſdayning with our ſelues, in not ſeeking the medicine at his hande who hath giuen vsus the wound. Certainly Dauid vnderſtood very wel, that he was not baniſhed from the lād of Iudea, without the prouidence of God, notwithſtā ding he leaueth not to come vntounto him & to make his complaintes too him. Not for that it was not a greate griefe and harde temptation vntounto him, to ſee himſelfe in apparaunce chaſed & caſt out frō God: but the fayth that he had in the promiſe which was made vntounto him lifted him vp to pray vntounto god, that he would alwaies reſtore the fruition of that thing vntounto him, which he had for a tyme taken from him I hauehave (as I thinke) ſufficiently enough applied this doctrine to vsus, and to the ſtate of this tyme, were it not that they were ſo many dul wittes that can ſwallowe downe nothing, vnleſſe the matter propounded bee minced and chewed vntounto them againe and againe. Although (too ſay the very truth) the ſlendernes of their capacitie doth not hinder them, nor the obſcuritie of doctrine: but that of their owne wicked willes, they ſo entangle themſelues ſeeking al the ſtarting holes, that they can imagine too darken that which of it ſelfe is ſo plaine and euident. Neuertheleſſe ſuch kind of reſiſtaunce, conſtraineth vsus the more diligently too ſearche out, how this doctrine which we hauehave before ſet foorth, may be applyed to our tyme. I cōfeſſe that there is no more any ſuch material tēple, whether we ſhold go on pilgrimage to ſacrifice vntounto god: but that we are at this day ſpiritual tē ples, & that we ought in al places to lift vp pure hands vntounto heauen: notwithſtāding the order of calling vpō the name of god in the companie of the faithful, is alwaies one & laſteth for euer: for it is not to be coūted amōgſt the figures of the olde Teſtament: but it is the rule that our Lord Ieſus Chriſte hath giuen vntill the end of the world. Wherfore albeit wee differ frō Dauid p. 34concerning that Temple of Sion and in Sacrifices, yet herein we agree and are like, that we pray vntoo God in common, and do aſſemble our ſelues together to make confeſſion of our faith. It is very true that we are no more as little children, holden vnderunder the tuition & ſcholing of the lawe of Moyſes: but yet we are men, & ſhalbe till God take vsus away out of the world. So though the ſhadowes and figures which were in Dauids time, belong not any more vntounto vsus, yet hauehave we neede to be ſtirred vp and drawen by the preaching of the Goſpell and adminiſtration of the Sacramentes. If any man wil ſtriue againſt this order, why, very experience will conuince him: For they that be moſt able doe ſhewe euidently what neceſſitie they hauehave of this helpe of God to relieue their weakeneſſe. We diſpute not here: to wit, whether God can leade thoſe that are his without any inferiour meane: but to declare how his wil is, to gouerne and to leade them. For this is certayne that ſeeing our weakenes, he hath geuen vntounto vsus as it were croutches & ſtaues for vsus to ſtay vpō. What folly were it I pray you, whē we feele that our legges faile vsus, to make no reckoning of our props and croutches, as though they ſhould ſtand vsus in no ſteede at all? Let vsus know then, that whatſoeuer difference there is betwixt vsus and the Iewes, yet that the doctrine which Dauid ſetteth downe here is common to all: onelyonly we hauehave to change the name of the Temple, becauſe we are no longer tied too anye one certayne place: Notwithſtanding the thing which Dauid chiefly regarded, toucheth vsus no leſſe thē hīſelf. It is very true that hawtie and proude men make no great matter, that men aſſemble themſelues to heare Sermons, to make publique prayers and too adminiſter the Sacramentes: but this is the want that they doo not examine their conſcience. For our partes ſeeing it is none other but Gods ordinaunce, let vsus content our ſelues, in that it hath pleaſed him by ſuche meanes, too cheryſhe and ſuſteine our faith in ſuche weakneſſe: But yet (as we hauehave before declared) wee feele the profite which commeth thereof. Howſoeuer it be, ſeeing Saint Paule hath declared that the way to perfection, is to keepe the order of the church which Chriſte hath inſtituted, when he gaue Paſtors accurſed be the arrogancy of them, that will flye vp into the aire, & pretend to mount vp into heauen by their ſpeculations, in deſpiſing both preaching and the vſe of the Sacraments: as though theſe were outward things and not ſo much requiſite. Marke well my brethren of what maner of people I ſpeake. I confeſſe that GOD keepeth thoſe that are his vnderunder the captiuitie of Antichriſte, albeit that they be deſtitute of thoſe helpes which we enioy with great liberty. The word of god is not preached vntounto them, neither hauehave they any place wherein it is lawful for them too make confeſſion of theyr faith, yea, the Sacramentes are taken from them: but foraſmuch as in ſeparating thēſelues frō the abhominatiōs of Antichriſt, they ſigh & lament for not hauing that which were more profitable for them, God worketh in them by the power of his holy ſpirite, and ſupplieth that which is wāting vntounto thē, But there are others who for the moſt part being in ſuch deſolatiō, do yet neuertheleſſe pleaſe thēſelues: and being hunger bitten and ſtarued, hauehave no luſt at all too eate. Theſe are they whiche counterfayte them ſelues to be great Philoſophers, contenting them ſelues too hauehave read p. 37ouer a leafe or two, as a man would ſay, and then they thinke they know what ſoeuer is neceſſary for them. Theſe men thinke they hauehave no neede of any preachyng. And as concerning the Supper they make no accounte whether euer they come too it or no. And as concernyng the outward order of the Church they leaue that vntounto little children, as though it were too baſe for them. I pray you may we not thinke ſuch people too bee more then blinde? Notwithſtanding they can accuſe vsus becauſe that wee exhorte them too whom our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte hath declared his trueth, to vſe the meanes that God hath ordeined for the encreaſing preſeruation and continuance of our faith. And wherefore is this, vnleſſe it be becauſe they ſtarckle, & can not abide to be awakened by vsus, to the ende too make them feele theyr euill? I put the caſe that they did not commit Idolatry with the Papiſtes: yet can they not deny but that this is a miſerable and curſed bondage, that they cannot be ſuffered too call vppon the name of God and too confeſſe Ieſus Chriſte. The holy Ghoſte when thee woulde peerce the heartes of the faithfull who were captiue in Babylon, putteth this ſentence into their mouth,Pſal. 137.4.Ps 137:4 How ſhal wee ſing the prayſes of the Lorde in a ſtraunge lande? I confeſſe that the kingdome of God is at this day throughout all the worlde, and that there is now no difference betweene Iudea and other Countreis: But I ſay notwithſtanding that the Countrey where the ſeruice of God is aboliſhed, and true religion caſt of, it well deſerueth to be accounted for a ſtrange and prophane Countrey. It muſt needes bee then, that they whiche hauehave no remorſe, not too dare to make proteſtation of their faith: nor to celebrate or ſet foorth the name of God, that they be altogeather blockiſhe: Now let the children of God take heede by this admonition not to become blockiſh with them. Cōcerning thoſe which babble, ſcorning and deriding vsus in this, asking whether no man can goe to heauen, but by Geneua: wold to GOD that they had the heart and care to aſſemble thēſelues together in the name of Ieſus Chriſt, in what part ſoeuer they becom, & that they would erect ſome forme of a Church, aſwel in theyr owne houſes as in their neighbours, to do for their part that which wee doe here in our Churches. But what? in diſdaining to vſe the meanes that GOD hath geuen vntounto them, they will be counted religious and ſo be ſaued. This were euen aſmuch as if they ſhold aſke whether they might not ariue at the Hauen going quite cōtrary: and whether they might not by tempting God boaſt of his fauour. But let them be as bolde and bragge as they liſt too breake the yoke: yet let all the faithful take heede how they lyft vp thēſelues with them: & who ſoeuer hath not the meane to be in a Chriſtian Church, wher god is purely worſhipped, at the leaſt let them mourn day and night, with Dauid, Thine Altars O Lorde, there is nothing that I deſire but thine Altars my god and my king. And let this fire remaine alwayes kindled in all good heartes, too the ende that whatſoeuer may fal out, that they think it not paineful to endure any thing, that the length of time coole them not from ſeeking alwayes to purchaſe to be gathered into a flocke, and to come to Chriſtes fold. Moreouer that eueryevery one aduiſe well with him ſelfe howe hee may moſte ſpeedily gette him ſelfe too the ſtandarde: ſo ſoone as our Lorde ſhall geue him the meanes. For p. 36this is the way too witneſſe, that a man dooth not faintlye make this requeſte too dwell in the houſe of God.

Nowe too conclude, it remaineth that wee marke well that which Dauid addeth: that is, That he ſhal finde the beautie of the Lorde, and will conſider his Temple: For this is not all to exerciſe our ſelues with the faithfull in all the outward order of the Church, vnleſſe we hauehave our eyes bente to this ende, to knowe GOD better and better. Heere there are two things requiſite: one is that we be diligent to frequent ſermons, and publique praiers. The ſeconde is, that we knowe wherefore wee frequente them. For manye come thither with a fooliſhe deuotion, imagining that they hauehave well acquitted themſelues, whē they hauehave ſhewed themſelues at Church.

Let vsus therefore my brethren take good heede, For it is to be feared, leſte the moſt parte finde themſelues condemned either in the one or in the other. Howe many be there that flee Sermons, and think themſelues beſt at eaſe if they neuer heare any ſpeaking thereof? But I leaue them there, as thoſe that fully ſhew them ſelues too bee contemners of God. OnelyOnly I ſpeake of the contempt or coldenes that is in many, who neuer remember to come to the Sermon, vnleſſe that the Sunday put them in minde thereof: and yet they imagine they hauehave doone well, as though they woulde make vppe a number togither of many running too God. The Bell maye well ringe dayly, but it is enoughe if they ſhewe them ſelues at the ende of the weeke. They are called foure times eueryevery ſunday: but they come very notably, if they be found there once. For there are that can ſufficiently diſpence, with themſelues for cōming once in xv. dayes. To be ſhort the greateſt ſort of the multitude verifie the olde Prouerb: The nearer the Churche the further from God. Yea and ſome be of the number of thoſe whoe hauehave forſaken their coūtrey to come here to ſerue God, there are who yet in this behalf behaue themſelues negligently enough. What is too be doone then? foraſmuche as God hath ſhewed himſelfe vntounto vsus, let vsus beholde his beautie. But wee muſt not caſt behinde our backe the manner of beholding it: and that is, that wee bee rauiſhed in the louelove thereof, and chaunged into his likeneſſe, as S. Paule ſayth.4. Cor. 3.18. And that wee may the better doe this, it is meet that we be more attentiue then we are, or hauehave been accuſtomed too be, too marke that which God ſetteth foorth vntounto vsus in his Temple: For what is the cauſe that we reape ſo little fruite, but that we doe not more diligently apply our ſtudy to that which is there ſaide and doone? Thus we hauehave our eares beaten with continuall doctrine, whereas our heartes are no whit touched. Moreouer there are a great many which neuer heare & vnderſtand a whole ſermon thorow, but here and there a woorde or halfe a worde rather with out regarde. Wherefore it is not without cauſe that Dauid ſpeaketh of viſiting the temple of the Lorde ſo diligently. And in very deede the great treaſures of the wiſedome of God which are there fet out vntoo vsus, worthily deſerue that a man ſhoulde ſettle himſelfe carefully to marke them. But as I hauehave already touched, God woulde not that we ſhoulde ſo marke them that we ſhoulde returne emptie and without profite from them. Let vsus knowe therefore that the doctrine hath profited and ſhewed her fruite in vsus, when wee p. 39are dewly reformed to ſerue God: and this is it that Dauid meaneth in the 84. Pſalme, which wee hauehave alledged before, That they that dwel in the houſe of GOD ſhall prayſe him. To what end therefore doe we aſſemble our ſelues? Wherefore is the Goſpell preached vntounto vsus? Wherefore hauehave we Baptiſme and the Lords Supper: vnleſſe it be that God may be magnified in vsus? Nowe this praiſe conſiſteth not onelyonly in the tip of the tongue or the lippes, but it ſtretcheth out it ſelfe thorowe our whole life. And therefore it is ſaide in another place. I will waſh my handes ô Lorde in innocencie, and then I will enter into thy Aultar. Pſal. 26.6.Ps 26:6We ſee nowe what the true vſe of the whole order of the Church is, to wit, that we ſhoulde ſerue God purely. In the time of the lawe they which came to worſhip in the temple, eſpecially the Prieſts entering into it to doe their office waſhed themſelues. This ceremonie is paſte, but wee ought too keepe the trueth of it: that is, foraſmuch as we hauehave the meanes to leade vsus to the ſeruice of God, we ought to walke in greater integritie then the other: For in aſmuch as God hath giuen vsus the meanes, ſo much the leſſe are we to be excuſed, if we make them of no effect. If wee ſtumble, it is not becauſe we ſee not the path before our feete. If it fall out, that we goe out of the way it is not bicauſe god hath not more ſhined vntounto vsus thē vntounto thē. If we be forgetful to do our dutie, it is not for want of beeing prouoked and ſtirred vp vntounto it. To be ſhort God hath omitted no meane to further aduaunce our ſaluation. Let vsus feare then that rebuke and reproch that he maketh by his Prophet Eſay, in the 65. Chapter. I hauehave ſtretched out my hande all the day long, Eſay. 65.…Isa 65to a rebellious and ſtifnecked people. If they which ſtay in the wilderneſſes of the Papacie ſhall not be ſpared, whē they goe not right, what ſhall become of vsus I pray you, who are nouriſhed in the houſe as it were in the ſight of our heauenly father? Some hauehave lefte their Countrey where they were borne, to gather themſelues here into a Chriſtian Churche: Others hauehave had a greater priuiledge, ſeeing it pleaſed GOD too viſite them at home, as it were in theyr owne neſt: nowe yf they which are naturally borne in that place, acknowledge not ſuch a ſingular benefite, that they may wholly dedicate themſelues to god, who is ſo nearely approched vntounto them, ſhall ſuch an vnthankfulneſſe remaine vnpuniſhed? Rather let them ſay, O Lorde thou haſte builte thy Temple, and erected thine Aultar amongeſt vsus: geue vsus grace therefore too purifie our ſelues too the ende wee doo not though our filthineſſe defile the holyneſſe of thy giftes, and that wee turne not the glorye of thy benefites intoo ſhame. Concerning thoſe that are come from a farre, let them take heede that they behaue and order themſelues holyly as in the houſe of God. They may liue in other places in wickedneſſe: and they ſhoulde not come from the Papacie to leade a diſſolute life not comely for the Goſpel. And indeede there are ſome, it had bin much better they had broken their neckes than euer to hauehave ſet foote in this Church, too behaue themſelues ſo yll in it: Some linke in themſelues with ſcoffers, to harden and confirme them in theyr malice. Others become gluttons and drunkardes, others are make-bates and troubleſome. There are houſholdes where huſbandes and wiues agree like Dogges and Cattes. And certaine will ſeeme young princes, and play the counter faite Lordes without meaſure, and are wholy geuen too theyr pompe, and worldly ſuperfluitie. p. 38Others become ſo idle, ſo delicate, and ſo nice, that they cannot tell what it is too labour, and yet no liuing can content them. There are backbiters and ſlaunderers who woulde finde faulte with the verye Angelles of Paradiſe: and in aſmuche as they burſte with vices, they apply all theyr holineſſe to controule theyr neighbours: notwithſtanding they thinke that God is bounde and muche in their debt that come to Geneua: as though it had not been much better for them too hauehave remained ſtil in their owne Dung, then too hauehave come and geuen ſuche offences in the church of God. But if there hauehave beene ſuch miſchiefe heretofore, let eueryevery one amēd one, and if there be any yet which are altogeather incorrigible, let the children of God arme themſelues with this doctrine, that they bee not infected through their wicked life. In deede it muſt needs greatly greeue vsus, when we ſee the church of God ſo prophaned: but foraſmuche as we muſt be as corne amongſt the chaffe, let vsus learne patience tyll God ſhall ſeparate vsus from the cōpany of the wicked. There is no doubt but that this Church ſhall be as a touchſtone to proue many. Howſoeuer it be, let vsus ſtriue, that foraſmuch as God hath gathered vsus togeather into his houſholde, we may geue our ſelues to all puritie, in renouncing all the pollution of the worlde, too the end that our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt may allowe and account vsus in the number of thoſe whiche hauehave called vppon his name without all hypocriſie in that great day.