Sermon Preached before the Queen 25 February 1569, Sermon
¶ A Sermō preached before the Quenes Maiestie, By Maister Edward Dering, the .25. day of February.
Anno .1569.
¶ Imprinted at London by Iohn Awdely.
¶ A Sermon preached before the Queenes Maiestie, by Maister Edward Deryng. 1569.
¶ O Lord open thou my lyps, and my mouth shall shewe forth thy prayse.
PSALME 78. 70.
¶ He chose Dauid his seruaunt also, & tooke hym from the shepefoldes, euen from behinde the Ewes great with yong tooke he hym: to feede his people in Iacob, & his inheritance in Israel. So he fed thē accordyng to the simplicity of his hart, & guided them by discretion of hys handes.
THe Prophet declareth in this Psalme howe God of his iustice, for the great syn of Ephraim, tooke from that Tribe both the Tahernacle and the Scepter, & gaue them to the tribe of Iuda: whom then according to his mercy he had purposed to blesse with al pefect happynes. In which we learne not to abuse Gods mercies, least they be taken away from vsus, as frō the tribe of Ephraim they were. And then what helpeth it vsus that in times past we hauehave bene happy? And least this should happen also vntounto the tribe of Iuda, to fal from Gods mercies, into hys displeasure: the prophet in this place stirreth them vp to thankfulnes, that they might be found worthy to hauehave continued toward thē so great blessinges. And this he doth by example of Dauid, in shewing both how mercifully God had delt with him, and how obediently Dauid walked before the Lord.
And herein he vseth as it were thrée reasōs Three reasons.to moue them withall. The first is of Gods great mercye whence he had called Dauid. The seconde is of Gods intent and purpose whereunto he called him. The third of Dauids own person how faithfully & how truly he did execute that wherunto he was called. The first argument or reason he comprehendeth in these wordes: He chose Dauid hys seruant, & tooke hym from the Shepefolds. The second in these wordes: He chose hym to feede hys people in Iacob, & his inheritāce in Israel. The third in these wordes: So he fed them according to the simplicitie of hys hart, and guided them with the discretion of his handes. These argumentes wil I speake of as God shall geue me vtteraunce. And if they shalbe now more effectual to moue vsus, then they were then to moue the people of Israel: then be we profitable & happy hearers. If not, it is good right and reason, that as we hauehave bene in the fellowship of the same sinne and iniquitie, so we shoulde be partakers of the same reward & punishment: that if God shal so deale with vsus, that we loose againe both the Tabernacle & the Scepter, as they hauehave done before vsus, we can say no other but the Lord is righteous, and behold we hauehave eaten the fruit of our own labours. Let vsus therefore consider of these argumentes, and styrre vp as we may the gift of God that is in vsus, that at length we may learne by them more holy obedience.
The first argument is the good consideratiō of Gods mercies whence he called Dauid. IWhich argument alone is so effectuall and strong to styr vsus vp to the obedience of our calling, that it is able ynough to rayse vsus againe, though we were neuer so deepe soonken in rebellion. A sure proofe of the efficacie of it may be vntounto vsus the oft & continual vse of it in the sacred scriptures. For seyng that Gods spirit in his holy word doth so oft aply it, both as a helpe to confirme the godly, and as a present remedy to turn againe the most obdurat and wylfull synner from hys obstinate purpose: surely, except al the dewes of gods mercies be marueilously dryed vp in our barren hartes, the same argument if we can well thinke of it, wyl be effectuall in vsus to woorke our regeneration in the newnes of lyfe. … God would hauehave Abraham to forget his coun try and hys fathers house, to go that long and weary iourney into the land of promise, wher he and his posterity should dwel after him, h… con…med him w…th thys saying: I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of …. xv.V… of the Chaldeans. By this rem…brance of hys former benefits he perswaded Abraham to aduenture al that he presently enioyed, vp… hope of a better promise, which yet he had no… sene, but which should be fulfilled.
When God would moue the children of Abraham, that is the children of Israel to turne againe from their great iniquites, that they has so long practised in the hardnes of their hart, he vseth but this argument, to tel them of all the miseries that they were borne in: their country to be a cursed country, their fathers idolaters, themselues geuen ouer to al voluptuousnes and pleasure, not regarding Io…. 24. Ge…e. xi. Exod. iij.God, nor seking his religion. In which woful estate when the Lord God did behold them, he pitied their misery, & said euen then vntounto thē: You shal liue. By which promise their former Exod. x….wo vanished away, and in stede of nakednes they were clothed with broidred worke, they wer couered with siue silke, de…ked with … ny ornaments, & had a crowne of beuty vponupon their heades. Now therfore that they should …. 23.not walke in their own waies, or cōmit Idolatry as other Gentiles did, nor treade such Es…. xli…. E…. xvi.benefits vnderunder their féete: this argument as a strong medecine the Prophet repeated often, and with many wordes.
Thus God delt oft with the Kings of Israel …. S…m. x…. …. …. …. x…. xv…. …. …. …ij. …. Regum …. …. ….and of Iuda, when they began to fall away, & walke as others nations walked that were rounde about them. He called them back by putting thē oft in mynde, how hys mercy had bene with them, and from what low estate he had raysed them up. Thus the Prophets of God delt often wyth the people. Iosua, when Iosu. ij.he had brought them into the lād of Chanaan, to the end they might feare God, and so make theyr dwelling sure, he made vntounto them a lōg repetition of Gods benefites, that by remembraunce of them theyr dull spirites might be styrred vp the more obedientlye to followe God. Samuel, when, he was afraid of Gods …. S…m. ….heauy displeasure towards the people of Israell, because they had asked a king for them: to th…nd they might turne a way Gods anger from them by their spéedy repentaunce, he tolde them what God had before done for them, as a ready way to make them beware afterward, how they did willyngly… …end so louing a father. Steuen, when he woulde …. v…hauehave perswaded those, whose iniquitye was now growen to so ful measure, that they ha… crucified Christ, as though in this alonè were the greatest hope of amendement, he chose no other way to cōuert them but this, to show in long exhortation what God had done for thē, & for their fathers. And this, as in the beginning it was geuen by the holy Ghost to man, as a soueraygne medecine to keepe him far from vnthankfulnes: so it hath bene continu ed by the same spirit from time to time to styr vsus vp not to forget the Lord. Our Sauiour Christ to make hys Disciples sure, and that they should neuer shrincke for aduersitie, he tolde them often this, that they had not chosen him, but he had chosen them. Saint Paul, Iohn. xv.when he would moue the Corinthians for to auoide the false Apostels, and to folow Christ, he perswaded them thus, that in times past 1. Cor. xijthey were Gentiles, and were willingly lead away to dum Idoles. And agayne to the Ephesians: You were in tymes past dead in Ephesi ijtrespasses and synnes, you walked after the Prince that ruleth in the ayre, after the spirit, that now worketh in the children of disobedience: but God who is ritch in mercies, thorough the great louelove wherewith he loued vsus, euen when we were dead, hath quickned vsus in hys sonne Christ.
This argument, dearely beloued, seing it is so strong, let vsus apply it vntounto our selue… for our disease cleaueth fast vntounto our bones with long continuance, and we hauehave néede of sharpe medicine to heale if agayne. Let vsus therfore vse it (I beséeche you) and if Gods spirit hauehave not forsakē vsus, that we be vncureable, no doubt we shal recouer and grow to amendement. Let vsus sée our own estate, and what God hath done for vsus, what cloudy… daies hauehave gone ouer our heads, and in how faire sunshine we be set againe, and no doubt wh… …e hereafter shal alure vsus as before, it wil make vsus afraid of his deceitfull baite, and we wil neuer be brought with the beuty of the golden cup, to drinke of the spirituall whoredomes that are within. We were in times past Gentiles, and vncircumcised people, Ephe…. …now Christ hath pulled downe the waule of seperation, and made vsus all one, euen hys children of adoption. We were aliantes frō the common wealth of Israel, now we are receiued as Citizens, in the company of hys faithful. We were straungers from the couenaunt and promise, now Christ hath deliuered a new Testament, in which we also are written heires of mercy. We liued som…e in ignoraunce, and had no hope, now we hauehave receiued knowledge, and are comforted. We were without God in the worlde, and could no wher lay downe the terrours of our sinnes, but now we hauehave receiued the spirite of adoption, by which we cry Abba, Father. And what should I say more? We wer subiect vntounto sinne, hel, death and condemnation, now Christ hath spoiled the principalites and Rom. viijpowers, deliuered vsus out of y• power of darknes, translated vsus into a kingdome of immort…ie Col. ij. …xv& grace. Except we hauehave set our harts as an Adamāt stone, or as the Prophet saith Col. i. xi…made our harts and facee like the Flint, it is impossible but that thys cogitation shoulde …ze. iij. ixmoue vsus. Or if it do not so, surelye, surelye, though the Lord had not spoken it thus often vntounto vsus, or if the Scripture were not written for our instruction, yet the law of Nature would condempne vsus for most vnthankfull men. Day and night we should beare a witnes in our own conscience, how fearful iudge ment God hath reserued for so great iniquity. Who amongest vsus could beare it, to be rewarded with vnthankfulnes, wher we hauehave well deserued? To bee contemned of those, whom we raised vp to honour? To be spoyled of those, whō before we had clothed? To be betraied of those, whom we hauehave especially trusted? And how then are we blynde and vnderstand nothing? Howe shall the Lorde beare it at our handes, if we be vnthankfull vntounto him, if we contemne him, rob him of his honour, who alone hath made vsus glorious, when we were couered with our own shame and confusion? The Lord graunt vsus his holy spirit, that we deceiue not our selues.
There is nothing more effectual to moue a sonne to obedience, then to know he hath a louing father. Nothing maketh so trusty the …ondseruant, as to remēber he hath a gentle Maister. Nothing maketh the Subiect more faithful vntounto his Prince, then to féele by good experience his Princes elementy. Nothyng ioyneth man faster in the bond of friendship, then to consider well what his friende hath done for him. And let nothing binde our obedience more carefully to the word and wyl of God, then that he hath so long continued mer ciful vntounto vsus. As sure as the Lord doth liue, this is his holy truth, he y• cannot be moued with this, he hath not Gods holy spirit. Poo…e or ritch, bond or free, hye or low, Noble or of low degrée, Prince or subiect al is one. The remembrance of Gods mercy must make vsus al thankful, were we neuer so mighty. This cogitation must vanish far from vsus the pride of a kingdome, to thinke how God hath raysed vsus from the sh…s. Whoso…er can say thus: I hauehave bene bond, but I … free: I hauehave bene in danger, I am in safety. I hauehave bene feareful and trembling, I am carelesse: I hauehave bene ful of sorow, now my soule is at rest: I hauehave bene in misery, I am in dignity: I hauehave bene a prisoner, I am a Princes. Beleue me, beleue me, if the great and goodly Cities, which he builded not: if the houses full of al maner of gold, which he filled not: if the vineyardes and Oliue trées, which he planted not, did not make him to forget the Lord, which brought him out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: If prosperitys hauehave not made him dronken, so that he hath banished farre from him al sense and vnderstanding, the remembrance of this thing will make him thankful vntounto him that hath bene the worker.
Yea, euen you that are now a Princes of Maiesty, if you hauehave felt any such alteration, take héede, flee far away from al vnthankfulnes. If you hauehave sene the daies, in which you hauehave said: O Lord, I hauehave no friend but th… alone, now that prosperitie hath brought vntounto you a great many of faire countenaunces, forget not that God, who was your onelye Friend in trouble. If in times past you hauehave praied that you might not builde vponupon the sand, to hauehave your house shaken wyth eueryevery Mat. vij.blast of winde: now that you hauehave choyce of your … ground, take …de. I beseeche you, where you lay your foundation. Now that the Sterne and Helme is in your own band, guide your Ship so that the waues do not ouer run it. If you hauehave prayed in times past vntounto God to molify your enemies harts, and to bring their cruel practises to nothing, now that you your selfe are in safety, be not cruel vntounto Gods anointed, and do his Prophets no P…l. …v.harme. I neede not séeke farre for offences, wherat Gods people are greeued, euen round about this Chappel I see a great manye, and God in his good tune shall roote them out. If you hauehave sayd sometime of your selfe: Tanquam Ps…. xlii…ouis, as a Shéepe appointed to be slain, take héede you heare not now of the prophet: …. xxx…Tanquam indomita Iuuenca, as an v…tamed and vnruly Heiffer. I wyll not with many words admonish your Maiesty, that are wise inough: onelyonly I wyll say this, returne into your own hart, and search your raynes. And here I set before you the tribunall seate of Christ: If you know these things to be true, discharge the faith you owe, greene not your quiet conscience, least it begyn to accuse you, and the burthen of it be greater then you shal be able to beare. If God hauehave defended you mightely, as euer he did Dauid the Prophet, discharge your faith with the Prophet Dauid and cry in spirit: Quid retribuam Domino …. …pro omnibus quae retribuunt mihi? What shal I geue vntounto the Lord for all those benefites that he bestowed vponupon me?
And thus much as God hath geuen me vtterance, I hauehave noted vntounto you out of the first part of this scripture, how that God did chuse Dauid from the shepefold. The Lord geue you grace to confesse his goodnes, and she we your selues more thankfull for all his benefites. One other thing we maye note here, that al that we hauehave of God, it is of hys frée mercy, it is not of our deseruing, euen as he gaue both the Tabernacle and the Scepter vntounto the tribe of Iuda, because he loued it. So God gaue vntounto his people a land that flowed with milke and hoony, but he gaue it not for Iosua. v.their righteousnes, for they were a frowaroe, people, but because he loued them. So God delt fauourably with Sion, that is, wyth the children of Israel, not because of their obedience, Deut. 1. 8for they were a rebellious nation: but because hee remembred his othe whych her sware vntounto their forefathers. So God fulfilled the prophecy of Iacob, & he blessed Iuda, …. xlix.but he fulfilled it in Dauid, whom hee tooke from the shepefoldes. So Christ made hys 1. Corin. j. …kingdome euerlasting in the house of Iacob, but he layd first the foūdation of it. And now he hath builded it vp neither by the wisdome of the wyse, nor by the vnderstanding of the p…udent, but to testifye vntounto vsus his frée grace and mercy. Hée hath chosen the foolish things This her doth to beare dow ne … pride.of this world, to confound the wyse, and the weake thinges of this world, to confound the mighty: and vyle thinges of the world which are despised, to bring to nought the thinges that are estéemed and had in reputation, for this cause alone (as the scripture witnesseth) that no flesh should reioyce in his presence.
But what nede we so far to seeke for examples? Let vsus behold our selues how plētifully at thys day are Gods mercies and benefites poured out vponupon vsus, both vponupon our Quéene, and vponupon her people. How myghtely doth he defend vsus in so many daungers? How sit we in safety, when all the world is on an vprore? And is this (thinke you) of our deseruing, or rather of Gods mercy? Now surely, surely, we were very blinde, if we would not al confes with the Prophet Ieremy, that it is Gods Lai… ix.mercy that we be not consumed. So muche disobedience both in Prince and Subiect, so litle care of duty, so déepe forgetfulnes of God what doth it els deserue, but heauye iudgement? What can it testifie els, but that all these blessinges are of mercy? Wel, wel, the wisest w…y is to take heede in time. Let not Esay. ….our syus seperate betwene God and vsus. If therebe no wher examples that we can looke vponupon, yet let vsus beware by the tribe of Ephra im, that we abuse not Gods mercies for feare we lose them. Because we are now out of daunger, and ther is no peril that is present, let ve not therfore say as proud Babilon: I sit like a Queene, & shal see no euil, I shalbe a Reu. xvi…Lady for euer, and shall see no losse of Children. He that thinketh he stands (saith Paul) 1. Cor. x.let him take heede he fall not. It is no good argument that our state is sure, because God hath deliuered vsus out of a great many of trou bles. Nay, let vsus rather feare, & be the more circumspect. Gods arme that hath bene …ret ched out for our safegard in times past, is not now drawne in that he cannot againe gréeue vsus. God deliuered the people of Israel out of ij. Regū. x…ij. x…ijthe handes of many and gréeous enemies: but yet when the people of Israel would in no wise amend. God could raise vp Salmanasar to leade them away to perpetual captiuitie. ij. Regum …ij. ix.Nay, we hauehave a great many more fearful examples then this. We hauehave fearful example before our eyes, to take héde of Gods iudgementes, when we abuse hys graces. God defended Senacherib in the conquest of a Esay. 37. xxxv…j.great many of countries, in al which he escaped harmles: yet when he knew not himself, but blasphemed the God of Israel, euen before the waules of Ierusalem, God could finde him out at home in hys own country, and in the temple of his Idols his own sonnes slew him. Agamemnon. x. yeres together in mortall Agamē non.and bloody warres, could neuer be hurt: yet after, at home in his owne house by hys own wyfe he was kylled. Bibulus a noble Bibulus.Romaine, gat many victories, and styll escaped peryl: yet afterward in the city of Rome, when he should hauehave had the glory of all hys valiant actes, and rode through the strats in the pryde of hys triumphe, a tyle fallyng from the house, stroke so déepe into hys head, that it kylled hym presently. Iulius Caisar, Iulius Caesar.in wynnyng the west part of the world, in. 51. set battayles neuer receyued daungerous stroke: yet after all hys daungers so happely escaped, at home in the Senate house, in the myddest of hys Nobilitye, and in hys Parlament robes he receiued. 24. woundes, and all of them deadly. Many such examples are before our eyes to make vsus beware and take heede of security, when any daunger is pa… and to take hede of forgetfulnes, when we hauehave receiued mercy. The Lord enrich vsus with the graces of his spirit, that when we often behold from whence we hauehave bene delyuered, we may séeke diligently, and be alwayes carefull how to be found thankfull.
The second argument whych I sayd the The seconde argument.Prophet vsed, to make the people thankful, was taken of Gods intent and purpose, to what end he chose Dauid, and that he sheweth in these wordes: To feede his people in Iacob, and his inheritance in Israel. These The office & duti of Princes & magistrates.wordes are very plaine, and containe so expresly what is the duty of any Prince or Magistrate, that none can bee ignoraunt, but he that will not know. For this purpose they are chosen, to feede Gods people in Iacob, and his inheritaunce in Israel. Whether he bee Prince or Emperour, Duke, Earle, Lorde, Counsellour, Magistrat whatsoeuer, for this purpose he is called, discharge it as wel as he will: He must feede Gods people in Iacob, & his inheritance in Israel. O if God had called them for some other purpose, how gladly would they hauehave executed it? If God had called them to dicing and carding, to swearing and lying, to pride & vanitie, the mighty men of our daies, how busely had they done their dutie? But alas, this is not to féede gods people in Iacob, nor his inheritaunce in Israel. This is to féede our selues, euen as the Ore is fed to the slaughter house, so we doe féede our selues to euerlasting confusion. They that hauehave eares to heare, let them heare. God Math. xj.had chosen his Rulers, To feede his people in Iacob, and his inheritance in Israel. These are the plaine and expresse wordes of Gods spirit: And then what outragious spirit is y•, or what Fury rather, that crieth thus w…an impudent face, that the Prince hath not to … with Iacob, and may not meddle with Israel? But these are the steps that the man of s…e should treade, to speake against the Lord, and yet say that he cannot erre. There are the liuely markes of Antichrist, thus to fight against Christ, and yet saye he is his …hear. Such is al the religion of …stry, examine it if you will, euen from point to point, where God saith one thing, it saith stil contrary, and yet crieth with shame inough, there is no errour in it. God saith, It is the doctrine of deuils i. Tim. ii…to forbid mariages, and the lawful vse of meates: The Pope presumpt…y forbiddeth both, and yet saith still that he hath the holy Ghost. Paule the Apostle saith: If you Gala. ii….obserue daies and times, I am afraid that the Gospel is preached vntounto you in vayne: The Pope saith, you shall obserue both, I can dispence with the Apostle, and yet he saith he is Apostolical. Saint Peter saith: Be you subiect i. Peter. i…to the Prince, as to the chiefest: The Pope saith, the King is not highest, but he is aboue doth King and Keasar, and yet he saith still he is the Successor of Peter. And what should I say more? It greueth me to recken vp al that Monsters abominations. It would make a Christian hart to bleed, to see how he hath deceiued the simple. With his paper waules and painted fiers he made them so afraid, that they beleued what so euer he had Apo. xxij.spoken. But he is filthy, and let him be filthy still: We wyll returne to our purpose, and learne of a princely Prophet what is a Princes duty. He must féede Iacob and Israel, that Esay. xlixis, Kinges must be Nurce fathers, & Quenes must be Nurces vntounto the Churche of God. And to this end they must vse their authoritie, that Gods children may learne vertue & knowledge. For to seeke onelyonly worldly peace and securitie, or to make vsus lyue at ease here in this wayfaring citie, that is rather to féede flesh and bloud, then to féede Iacob: rather to Heb. xiij.make happy this worldly fellowship, then to instruct Israel. The true Israelite is strong against the Lord, and commeth with violence to claime the kingdome of heauen. What helpeth it in this respect to be ritch or honorable? If I had al the ritches in the world, yet Psa. xlix.could I not pay the price of my bothers soul. Or if I had neuer so much rule and authoritie, I am not therfore the nearer to make intercession vntounto God. They are other weapons that must preuaile against Sathan, and Ephe. vj.it is an other attyre that wyll be accepted for the mariage garment. If we wil feede Iacob Mat. xxij.and Israel, let vsus leade them to the house of wisedome, and traine them vp in the feare of God. The Lord open the Queenes Maiesties eyes, that she may looke to this charge: Otherwise if we lyued neuer so peaceably vnderunder her, yet when the Lord shal come to aske accompt of her stewardship, how she hath fed Luke. xj.her fellow seruants with the meate appointed them, then she will be found eating and drinking with sinners.
But because we are so dul of hearing, that a little teaching of our dutye is not sufficient for vsus, I will shew out of the scriptures somewhat more plainly, if ought may be playner, what is the duty of a Prince. The Prophet Esay very effectually setteth it out in the person of our Sauiour Christ, saying: Righteousnes shall be the girdle of his loynes, and Esay. xi.faithfulnes the buckle of his raines. It is true that the Prince must defende the fatherles and widdow, relieue the oppressed, and hauehave no respect of persons in iudgement, sake peace vntounto his people, and gird him selfe with righteousnes: But this is also his duty, and his greatest duty, to be careful for religion, to maintaine the Gospell, to teache the people knowledge, and builde his whole gouernance with faithfulnes. For this cause king Salomon, both the mightiest and the wisest kyng that euer was, called him salfe a Preacher. And king Dauid to testifie how he acknowledged his duty, spake openly to his people: I wyl instruct thee, and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go, and I wyl guide thee with Psa. xxxijmine eye. This general rule king Salomon gaue vntounto other: Be diligent to knowe theestate of thy flocke, and take heede vntounto thy …ron. 27heardes. For ritches remaine not alwaies, neither the crowne from generation to generation: Expres…y shewing, that to encrease riches, or to set forth the glory of a kyngdome, that is not the greatest d…uty of a Magistrate. Thus the Prophet Hoseas, crying out against the people of Israel, he reckeneth vp this as their greatest disorder, that lying and …e. iiij.swearing, & ignoraunce of God was not punished amongest them.
And alas (dearely beloued) if this be the saying of the Prophet, let vsus looke vntounto it. I dare not but speake the truth, seyng God hath called me hether. He hath raysed me vp so hye, when I was cast downe, that I cannot forget hys benefites. If this wyll not serue, I wil surely speake it more playnely, when the Lord shall open my mouth againe Surely if this be the saying of the Prophet (as it is in déede) that lying, that swearing, that blynde and wylfull ignoraunce shall be punished, let not the Princesse deceiue her self, the spirite of God doth not posses her hart, if she heare daylye, lying and blasphemous swearing, and sée the peoples ignoraunce, and yet leaue all vnpunished. Looke vntounto these thinges better, if you wyl looke well vntounto your selfe: you cannot pretend ignoraunce, thys is playn inough, if anye thyng be inough. And yet least you should seeke to buselye to be deceued, I wyll rehearse the pláyne law of the Lord. That this doctrine may be warranted with the surer witnesses, God sayth of a Kyng in the, 17. of Deuteronomy: VVhen he shal sit Deu. iv… xviij. xi…. xxix. &c.vponupon the throne of hys kingdome, then shal he vvrite him this lawe repeated in a booke, by the Priestes of the Leuites. And it shall be vvith him, and he shall reade therein all the dayes of hys life: That he may learne to feare the Lord his God, and keepe all the wordes of his Law, and these couenauntes, for to do them. That hys hart be not lifted vp aboue his brethren. That he turne not aside from these commaundements, neither to the right hand, nor to the leaft. But that he may prolong hys dayes in his kyngdome, he and hys Sonnes in the middest of Israel.
This law I know not how your Maiesty shall interpreate, because I knowe not your spirite: but of this I am sure, it made Dauid that he would not suffer a wicked man in his Psa. x. vijhouse, It made Asa driue awaye the Sodomites out of Israel, put downe the Idols, depose j. Reg. xv.his own mother from her dignitie. It made Ieosaphat, Ezechias, Iosias, euen in the j. Regum xxij. xli. ij. Reg. 8.beginning of their raigne, to make godly and zealous réformations in religion, and neuer consulted farther with the high Priests. Nay it made Salomon to put down Abiathar that i. Reg xixwas the hye Priest, and to place Sadoe a better in his roome. This made manye godlye Emperours in the primitiue Church, to call general counsels, to reforme many misorders crept into the church, to depose many ambitious and proude Popes, and plate better in their roome. And he that denieth this, denieth the Sunne to shine at noone dayes. And as this lawe hath thus wrought heretofore: so when it lighteth in a good spirite, I am sure it will do the like hereafter. It wyll mooue a godly Magistrate to hauehave his chiefest care to maintaine Religion, and to suppresse superstition. And suche is Gods righteous iudgement, that whosoeuer shall do the contrarye, I am sure his own conscience wyl condemne him selfe. It is the law of Nature, and it maketh the most wickedest Magistrate to sigh… and say in his hart, in remembraunce of hy… sinne: Sure this doing wil not last alwaye, God hath appointed me for some other purpose. This was the greatest fault that proud Agamemnon could finde in al the glory of his Agam… non.kingdome, foreign, i. When Gods cause goeth not vpright, it layeth the glorye of my kyngdome in the dust, it turneth vpsidowne al my life and happines. Thus it happeneth with the wicked, who so euer they are: they condemne theyr own doing, when they séeke not to set out the glory of God. The law of God hath thus cō maunded it, the godly kinges of Iuda and Ierusalem hauehave euermore practised it, the faithful Emperors in the primitiue Church made it their chiefest study, the law of Nature hath ingrauen it in the hart of man. And what godly Prince can now sléepe in securitie, if he hauehave no care vntounto it? Especially seing God is the God of all Magistrates, and they are his creatures. This is their greatest studye, to shew obedience vntounto him, to féede his people, and set forth his Religion.
But here I thinke some wil easely say: If this be so as you teache it, then the case is cleare, the Prince is a spirituall Magistrate, it belongeth vntounto him to reforme religion, he is the highest Iudge in the Church of God to establish that by law, which the law of God hath appointed. Howe then that the Pope seeth not this? Why do not others sée it, that reade and know the scriptures? The Emperours them selues, why hauehave not they s…ne it? How grew the Pope vp to such vn…ridled authoritie? How the Pope shoulde come to so great authoritie, I know no cause but this, that it was the wyll of God, & such was the depth of his secrete iudgementes: The purple whore would make all the Princes of Apo. xvijthe earth to drinke of the cups of her fornications. But for the Popes seing, or not seing of his own abominations, I knowe not hys eye sight, I cannot tell whether he doth sée them, or sée them not, but I thinke he seeth them. For I sée in all ages, how God hath raised vp some that hauehave enuayed bitterly agaynst hys intollerable pride. If he sieth it not, his eyes are very sicke, and him self a verier beast then euer was Nabuchodonosor. Dani. iiij.And the Lord be praysed, that hath hardened his proud hart, and reuealed better knowledge Math. xj.vntounto litle ones. Why other should not sée it that reade the scriptures as wel as we, and are as wel learned as we, I can assigne no other cause, but saye with the Prophet, Gods iudgementes are like to a great depth. They are as they are, and what they are it skilleth nothing vntounto vsus. I came not hether to compare with learning, who be Hebrues, … C…or. xj.and who be none. I am sure, if they did séeke him in the simplicitie of their hart, and cal after Ps. xxxvihim in the truth, not in their own inuentions, that then they should finde him. Now they seeke the liuing springes in vayne, because Iere. ij.they seke them in the puddels that they hauehave digged them selues. And they seeke for the Gospel of saluation in vaine, because they follow the doctrine that is but preceptes of Mar. xv.men. But what if many learned see it not? Is it not therefore truth, that is so playne in the Scriptures?
Let me aske againe I beseth you, this question: Why did not Pharao sée, that Moyses and Aaron were sent of God? They turned Exod. vijall his waters into bloud: they brought vponupon Exo. viij.him Frogs that couered all his lande: they plauged him with great swarmes of Lyce a Exod. ix.Flies: they feared hym with thunders and Exod. X.lightnyng, and with great tempestes: they made darknes thicke and sensible vponupon the Exod. xij.face of the earth: they slew the first borne of all that was in the lande. Why knewe not Exo. xiiij.Pharao that they were sent of God? They deuided the read sea, and went through on dry land: What madnes made him venter to go so desperatly after? Why would he not be taught, till the water couered him and all his host? Should the age that came after him reason thus against Israel: If your God be the Lord of heauē and earth, why did not our fathers know him? Why did not the Scribes and Pharises know Christ to be the Messias? Iohn. j.They heard Iohn Baptist geue hym playne testimonie: why dyd they not beleue hym? The same Christ fulfilled al that was spoken by the Prophets: why could they not see that he was the Sauiour of the world? He made Math. xi.the himde to sée, the deafe to heare, the dum to speake, the lame to go. He made the sicke and Math. ix.diseased whole: he raised vp the dead, he told vntounto them euen their thoughtes and cogitations: Iohn. xi.How were they so dull of vnderstanding, that yet they could not know him? If this may be sufficiēt to reproue a truth (why do not other sée it) then the Pharises reason wel against Christ, when they sayd vntounto the people: VVhy doe none of the Princes and Rulers beleue in him?Iohn. vij
But sée I besech you, how great is our madnes that thus reason of other men, why they see, or sée not. Why hauehave we our selues so great beames in our eyes, that we can not sée Mat. vij.our own estate and condition? Why doe we not sée the shortnes of our life, but thus lyue …eb. xiij.in the world, as though we should liue euer? Seing we hauehave a righteous God, that wil be a reuenger of his own cause, and punish o… Rom. …ii. Roma. …ij.transgression, why do we syn yet dayly more and more? Seing our lyfe is but a vapour, Iam. iiij. Esay. iiij.and all our glory is but as the flower in the field, why be we so bewitched with louelove of so great vanitie? Seing our estate shall be before Iohn. v.God euerlasting, and these accompted daies come so fast to an end, that we shall be Ioh. viij.spéedely called: why be we still so careles in what sorte we shall appeare? Seing Gods threatninges are so neare vntounto vsus, and the daungers that hang ouer our heades are so many. Seing Gods iudgements are so fearful, and his wrath burning for euer: why ar we so careles? And why is it true that was spoken so long a gone:
Heu v…unt homines, tanquam mors nulla sequatur:
Aut velut infernus fabula vana foret.
Why do we liue, as though we should dye neuer:
Or as hell fire were an old wiues fable euer.
Beleue me, beleue me, this is intollerable blyndnesse, seyng we bee so bleare eyed our selues, that we cannot sée before vsus neyther heauen nor hell, yet that we wyll reason against Gods truth, by anye mans eye sight, whether he sée, or see not. If we lyst to meruell at the duines of mans eyes, we cannot wel maruel at any thing so much, as at o… own foolishnes, that cānot sée our selués. L… vsus looke at the last to our owne estate, and a… for other men let vsus leaue thē vntounto the Lord he doth knowe most assuredlye who be his Iohn. x.They are not the wyse and prudent of this world that he hath chosen. Ther are not many ij. Tim. ij …. Corin. j.Princes and Noble men in the face of h… Church. If Princes and Magistrates wyl b… styll rebellious, what is that to vsus? If th… Pope and his hirelinges wyl be blinde styll yet the Scripture is the Scripture.
The vnfaythfull Stewarde neuer lyue… more riotously, then when his Lord is euer Luk. xvj.at hand to cal him to his accomptes. The foo lishe Uirgins are neuer faster a sléepe, the… Mat, xxvwhen the Bridegrome is ready to enter into his wedding chamber. The children of thys world are neuer buselier occupied, then the Luke. xij.night before their soules shall be taken from them. The fonne of perdition shall neuer be ij. Thes. ijmore lofty, then in these latter daies when he shall bee reuealed. But for these that are so blinde, let them be blinde stil: let vsus approch Mebr. iiij.vntounto the throne of grace with faith, that the secretes of the Lorde maye be reuealed vntounto vsus. As for Kinges and Emperours if you wil yet aske, why could they not see it, but cōmit them selues vntounto so great slauerie: alas poore creatures, how could they sée in the middest …f so great darknes; How could they reade, when the booke was fast sealed? How coulde Apoc. xv.they discerne the voyce, when they hearde no …und but of ti…kling Cymbals? But thys Apoca. ….was the great subtiltie and craft of Sathan. He knoweth howe willingly we be caried to worldly studies, and whether we did encline …ether he thrust vsus headlong. He knoweth what corruption hee hath sowen in our nature, and how vnwillingly we meddle wyth the thinges of God: And therefore it was an easy practise for the Pope his Minister to pul away heauenly cares from all Princes gouernmentes. They are greeuous vntounto flesh and bloud, and suche as Kinges louelove not to meddle with al. This was one meane why Princes did not their dutie. An other was as great as this: they heard the Pope so mag uisied, that they thought hym halfe a God. When they wer once perswaded the Popes pardons should be no small discharge, who would not willingly submit him selfe wyth al humilitie to receiue it? If we may lyue all our life in riot, & yet after thorow the Popes blessing rest in the peace of the Church: who would refuse any popishe subiection? Make …en once dronke with this opinion, and they are at your commaundement to do what you wyl. Baresoote and bareleg they will wayte at your gate, set your foote if you will on the Emperours neck, he wil refuse no villany.
Wel, now that God hath deliuered vsus out of that kingdome of darknes, now we know the Pope to be Antichrist, his praiers to bee euil, his Pardons to be worsse then the sinne of Witchcraft: let vsus looke at the last to our own dutie, and trust no more to such a broké staffe. If God hath made vsus Princes or Magistrates, let vsus fee …e his people in Iacob, and his inheritance in Israel. This is our dutye, let vsus harken vntounto it: and that we may doe it the better, let vsus enquire how it maye best be discharged. And I beséeche your Maiestie The safegarde of a Prince is true obedience to God.to harken, I wyl speake nothing according to man, which may easelye be contemned: but that which I wyl speake, shall be out of the mouth of the Lord. In obeying of which shal consist your safegard, and the health of your kingdome.
Especially and aboue althinges looke vntounto your Ministery. There is no commaundement geuen oftner in the olde Testament: none geuen oftner in the new. When God would specially blesse the people of Israel, he scattered the Leuits among the other tribes, Num. iij.that the law might be taught in al the costes of Iewry. When Christ would bring into the world the light of the Gospell, he sent foorth his Apostels to preach vntounto euerye creature. In the old lawe God signified by manie outward tokens, how necessary the Priesthoode was for the instruction of his people, & what Priestes he required. The slaues were alwaies Exo. xxv.in the rings of the Arke, the Lampe euer burning, to shew that the Priests should alwaies declare the wil of God vntounto his people, and offer vp the sweete incense of continual praier. On the neat her end of the robe of the Ephod, were bels alwaye soundyng, to Exod. 28teache that the Priest shoulde be euer heard, where so euer he did go, and shew him selfe a Messenger of the Lord of hostes. In the brest plate he had Vrim and Thumim, two liuely Ex. xxviijpresentations of Gods presence, to be witnesses vntounto the Priest of his knowledge & righteousnes. In the plate of gold vponupon his forehead Ex. xxviijwas engrauen in great golden letters, Holynes vntounto the Lord, to testifie his vpright life and conuersation God forbad any straū ger to enter in among them, except he were circumcised in hart. And of the children or Aaron, if any had faulted in his ministerye, he should by no repentance be receiued again to the Priesthood. This was the care that God had then of his Priesthoode, that hee might kéepe in holines al the children of Israel.
This is the care that we must hauehave of our Ministerie, if we wil hauehave the gospel of Christ to growe. This care was greatest vntounto the godlye Rulers and Princes of Israel, to the end they might kéepe the sanctuarie vndefiled. This care must be greatest in those that be Christian Magistrates, if they louelove Gods glory, and increase of his Gospel. Thus dyd king Salomon in the beginning of his raigne, i. Reg. ij.when he put downe Abiathar, and made Sadoc hie Priest. Thus did Ieosaphat, when to ij. Cro. 18reforme religion he sent forth Leuits into the coastes of Israel. Thus did Ezechias at the 2. Reg. 18entraunce of his kingdome, when this was his first care, how the Leuites might be prouided ij. Cro. 29for. But of al other Moyses, who had receiued the commaundement of God hym selfe, as appeareth, did especiallye sée what was the necessitie of the Minister. In the. 33 of Deuteronomie, a little before his death, thus he maketh his praier: Let thy Vrim & De. xxxiijThumim be with thy holy one, whom thou diddest proue in Masah, and didst cause him to serue at the waters of Meribah, who sayde vntounto his father and to his mother: I hauehave not sene them, neither knoweth he his brethren, nor yet his own children, but they obserued thy woord, and kept thy couenaunt. They shall teach Iacob thy iudgementes, and Israel thy law. They shall put insense before thy face, and burnt offeryng vponupon thyne aulter. Blesse O Lord his substaunce, and accept the worke of his hands. Smite through the loines of them that ryse vp against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not vp agayne.
Marke I besethe you, both his great care how the Leuites might prosper, and his notable describing of them what man…r of men they shal be. First he praieth that true knowledge and vnderstanding be neuer remoued frō them: that their affection towards Gods Sanctuarie may be such, that neither father nor mother, wife nor children do keepe them backe from obedience to the lawe and couenaunt. O that our Ministers were suche as Moyses praied for, then no doubt God would blesse them according to their request, and cō found their aduersaries that rise vp against them. And here also marke his great zeale for their prosperitie: He was the pacientest man, and had the miledest nature of all the people of Israel, yet could he not suppres his good and great affection, but brake out into these wordes: Smite through the loynes of them that rise vp against him, & of them that hate hym, that they ryse not vp agayne. O Lord, if Moyses had liued in our dayes, and seue this adulterous generation that so spoileth the Leuites, how woulde his zeale hauehave bene inflamed against them? He would hauehave cried out as good Nehemias cried: Plage them Nehe. vj. and. xiij.O Lord, that defile thy Priesthood. And good were it for these synful men, that God would send his plagues vponupon them, while yet they hauehave time to repent. Now we want a Moises to pray for their punishmēt, for they sleepe in their sinnes, and God (I feare) hath reserued them to a greater punishment. The Lord graunt vsus grace to remember the latter end, and now looke while it is yet time, to the good order of the Ministerie.
When God …sed to establish his mercies with his Church, he promised thus, as the greatest token of his louelove: I wil geue you Pastors according to my hart, that shal feede Iere. iij.you wyth knowledge and vnderstanding. When he would hauehave them hauehave sure hope that he was their God, and they were his people, he said he would geue them Leuites, that should teach his people the di…erence betwene the holye and the prophane, betwene the vncleane & the cleane: he promised them this as a perpetual couenaunt: The lyps of the Priest shall keepe knowledge, and they shall seeke the Law from his mouth: For he Ma…a. ij.is the Messenger of the Lord of hostes. And this was the charge that God gaue straightly vntounto the Priesthood: That they should tell hys people of their synnes, and the house of Esa. …viij.Iacob their offences. A miserable common wealth mu…t needes be, and farre seperated from God and his mercies, that hath blynde leaders, who cannot leade them selues. Who so feareth the Lord, wyll surely looke vntounto it, that he mayntaine no suche …es within his kingdome, nor nourish any suche sores in the body of his country.
If a man be once called to the Ministerye, i. Pet. v.let him attend vponupon his sl…ke, and feede them as his duty bindeth him. with the …de of life, or let him be remoued. Christ sayde: Pa…ce, Iohn. xx…pasce, pasce, Feede, feede, feede: This charge he hath geuen, euen as we louelove him, so to see it executed. Say what we wyl say, and the more we say it, the more impudently we shal lye, if we say we louelove him, while we keepe not his commaundementes. Would to God we were wise to vnderstand it. Christ said, they Math. v.are the salt of the earth, & what shall be done with them, if they can season nothing? Christ said, they are the light of the world, and what heape of miseries shal they bring with them, if they them selues be darke? Christ said, they be the watchmen, and what case shal the City be in, if they do nothing but sleepe, and delight in sleeping? Who seeth not these in…e sicknesses, that can sée anye thing? They a… the Pastors, and how hungrie must the floc… bee, when they hauehave no foode to geue them… They ar the teachers, and how great is their ignoraunce, where they them selues know… nothing? They are the Euangelistes or Messengers of glad ridings, how little hope ha… they, and what slender faith, whose Messengers cannot tel what the Lord saith?
The Lord enlarge within your Maiestie, the bowels of mercy, that you may once hau… pitie vponupon your poore Subiectes. This cogitation made Paule say to Timothie, a paynful Father vntounto a careful Childe: I charge thee before God, and before the Lorde Iesus …. Timo. j.Christ, that shall iudge the quicke and dead at his appearance, & in his kingdom: preach the word, be instant in season, and out of season, reproue, rebuke, exhort. &c. Of al miseries wherwith the Church is gréeued, nohe is greater then this, that her Ministers be ignorant, and can say nothing. What coulde Ieroboam do more then this, to strengthen al j. Reg. xiijhis Idolatrie, then to make hym Priestes of the lowest of the people? What coulde hauehave made Asa (being otherwise religious) so soone ij. Cro. xvto hauehave turned away frō the seruice of God, sauing onelyonly he suffred his people to be without a Priest which could teach thē the woord of God? What plage did God threaten grea…er against a rebellious people, then that he would take from them their true Prophetes? Esa. xxxijWhen were the peoples syns so ripe to pro…ure vengeaunce, as when their Preachers were dum Dogs, and could not barcke? And Esay. lvj.what I beseche you, is our condition the bet…er? Or what bee manye Ministers of our time and country other then dumme Dogs? Surely, as Ahijah said of the people of Israel, so we may saye of our Ministers: HaueHave we not made vsus Priestes like the people of our i. Cro. xiijcountrie? Who so euer cōmeth to consecrate with a yong Bullocke, and seuen Rams, the same maye be a Priest for them that are no Gods. And so surelye if wee serued Baal, a great number of our Priests at this day wer tollerable, but if we serue the Lord, what do they with that function they cannot skyll of? Let them returne againe to their old occupation. And yet this is but one euill, and if it were reformed, yet much styll were amysse. If I would declare vntounto your Maiestie al the great abuses that are in our Ministerie, I should leade you along in the spirite, as God did the Prophet Ezechiel, and after many intollerable Ezec. viijeuils, yet I shal still say vntounto you, behold you shal sée mo abominatiōs thē those.
I would first leade you to your Benefices, and behold some are defiled with Impropriations, some with Sequestrations, some loden with Pensions, some robbed of their commodities: and yet bet behold more abominations then these. Looke after this vponupon your Patrons, and les some are selling their Benefices, some farming them, some keepe them for their Children, some geue them to Boies, some to Seruing men, a very few seeke after learned Pastors: and yet you shall see more abominations then these. Looke vponupon your Ministerie, and there are some of one occupation; some of another: some shake bucklers, some Ruffians, some Hawkers & Hunters, some Dicers and Carders, some blind guides and cannot sée, some dum Dogs and wyl not barcke: and yet a thousande moe iniquities hauehave now couered the Priesthood. And yet you in the meane while that al these whoredomes are committed, you at whose handes God will require it, you sit stil, and are careles, and let men do as they list. It toucheth not belike your common wealth, and therefore you are so wel contented to let all alone. The Lord encrease the giftes of his holy spirite in you, that from faith to faith you maye grow continually, till that you be zealous as good king Dauid to woorke his will. If you know not how to reform this, or hauehave so litle counsel (as mans hart is blinded) that you can deuise no way, aske counsel at the mouth of the Lord, and his holy wyl shall be reuealed vntounto you.
To reforme euil Patrones, your Maiestie must strengthen your lawes, that they maye rule as wel hye as low. As Esdras said once, so may I say now: The handes of the Princes and Rulers are chiefe in this trespasse. If Esdra. ix.you wil hauehave it amended, you must prouide so that the highest may be afraide to offende. To keepe backe the ignorant from the Ministerie, whom God hath not called to suche a function, take away your authoritie from the Bishops, let them not thus at their pleasure make Ministers in their Closset, whom so euer it pleaseth them. To stop the inconueniences that grow in the Ministerie by other, who say they are learned and can preach, and yet do not, that are as I said, dum Dogs, and wil not barcke, bridle at the least their greedy appetites, pul out of their mouthes these poisoned bones that they so gréedely gnaw vp…. Take away Dispensations, Pluralities, Totquots, Nonresidences, and such other sinnes. Pull downe the court of Faculties, the Mother and Nurce of all such abominations. I tell you this before God, that quickneth all thinges, and before our Lorde Iesus Christ, that shall iudge the quicke and the dead in his appearaunce, and in his kingdome: amend these horrible abuses, & the Lord is on your right hand, you shal not be remoued for euer. Let these thinges alone, and God is a righteous God he wil one day call you to your reckoning. The God of al glory open your eyes to see his hyghe kyngdome, and enflame your hart to desire it.
The third thing sha… I sayde in this place was to be noted, was of Dauid him selfe how faithfully he executed that wherunto he was called. The Prophet saith: He fed them in the sinceritie of his hart, & guided them with the discretion of his hands. An excellent vertue, and meete for king Dauid, that was a mā according to the hart of God. He knew that obedience was better then sacrifice, and that Gods people were neuer better ruled, then when their Princes brought into captiuitie their own vnderstanding, and in simplicitie of ha… were obedient onelyonly to the wisdome of God. He had to good experience of his own wisedome, and had tried it often how it made him to rebell: therefore to please God effectually, he walked in his simplicitie. O that our Christian Princes had so great measure of Gods holy spirite, how many and gréeuous … …ens … then be taken from vsus, that now Christian eyes and eares can hardly behold and heare. How many sinnes should … extinct and buried, that nowe vaine polecy… doth maintaine and strengthen? The time is past, and I wyll say no more.
The God of all mercy, and Father of all consolation, enspire our harts with wisdome, that we may walke before God in our owne simplicitie. That what his holy woord hath spoken, we may humblye heare, and reason not against it, because of our cōmon wealth. Then shall we end these short and euyl daies with gladnes: And when Christ shall appeare in glory and Maiesty to iudge the quick and dead, we shall stand on the right hand, in the number of his Elect, and heare that la… and happiest sentence that neuer shall be called backe againe: Come yeblessed of my Eather, and possesse the kingdome which is prepared for you frō the beginning of the world. The which time the Lord bring hastely vponupon vsus, euen for his sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Sauiour: to whom with the holy Ghost, three persons and one God be all honour and glory both now and euer.
Amen.
End of the text · Edward Dering, Sermon Preached before the Queen 25 February 1569 (1569)