The Christian Warfare Part 2, Book 2 · Chapter 35
CHAP. XXXV.
Of the euerlasting euils which worldly things immoderately loued, do bring to those who hauehave them.
ANd thus hauehave I shewed the temporal euils§. Sect. 1. That worldly things immoderately loued hinder vsus from attaining the ioyes of Gods kingdome. both ciuill and spirituall, which doe accompanie these worldly things, when they are ouerualued aboue their worth, and immoderately affected and desired. It now followeth that wee intreate briefly of those which are euerlasting in the life to come. For wel were it with worldlings, if the earthly things which they immoderately louelove, were onelyonly hurtfull to their soules and bodies whilest they continue here; for then they might set their temporall gaine against their temporall losse, and hauehave their hurts counteruailed (at least in their opinion) by their profit and benefit. But this maketh their estate most miserable, in that their worldly delights and comforts; are but momentanie and of short continuance; and the euils and punishments vntounto which they hauehave made themselues liable, either by their wicked getting or abusing them, shall be endlesse and euerlasting. For as the wounds of the body are soone made, and long in curing; so these sores of sin which attend vponupon the euill getting or keeping of earthly vanities, are made in a moment, but when they are made, they are neuer cured, vnlesse in this life we applie vntounto them the precious balsum of Christs blood, and wash these spirituall wounds with the teares and water of true repentance. Now these euils which they bring in respect of the life to come, are either priuatiue or positiue. The priuatiue euill which these worldly things immoderately loued bring, is that they depriue and hinder those who set their hearts vponupon them, of the eternall ioyes of heauen. For the Psalmist, enquiring of the diuine Oracle of truth: who shall ascend into the mountaine Psal. 24. 3. 4.of the Lord; and who shall stand in his holy place; receiueth this answere: he that hath innocent hands, and a pure heart, which hath not lift vp his mind vntounto vanitie, nor sworne deoeitfully. And the Apostle speaking of those who are effectually called to the fruition of these ioyes, saith, that not many wise men 1. Cor. 1. 26. 27.after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise▪ and God hath chosen the weake things of the world, to confound the mighty things; and vile things of the world, and things which are despised hath God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. And in another place hee telleth vsus, that he who soweth to the flesh, shall of his flesh reape corruption; Gal. 6. 8.euen as contrariwise, he that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reape life euerlasting. So that commonly those whom the world refuseth, God chuseth, whom it disgraceth, he honoureth; and contrariwise, they whom the world magnifieth, those the Lord despiseth, whom it imbraceth, those he reiecteth. And hard it is and euen impossible, that our hearts should be fixed on the world, and yet our soules inherit eternall happinesse, that we should hauehave our conuersation in the world as citizens of the earth, and yet hold sure our inheritance in Gods kingdome. And therefore as some thinke, ourMark. 9. 2. Sauiour before he would giuegive his disciples some smal glimps of that heauenly glory in his transfiguration, first withdrew them apart vntounto mount Thabor, separating and diuiding them as it were from the world, to teach vsus typically this lesson, that hee who will euer hope to see and enioy eternall glory, must first draw his affections from the world, and hauehave their conuersation in heauen, seeking those things which are aboue, and raising his meditations into the mountaine of Gods holinesse. To this purpose one exhorteth vsus to weane our affections from the louelove of these worldly vanities, because if our hearts bee fixed vntounto them, they will depriue vsus of euerlasting glory: Learne to contemne (saith he)Bernard. de inter. domo cap. 45. those things whilest thou art aliue, which thou canst not hauehave after thou art dead. For it is hard, yea altogether impossible, that a man should with immoderate louelove enioy these temporall good things, and those that are eternall, that he should here glut his appetite, and there hauehave his soule satisfied with heauenly ioyes, and so passe from one delight to another, and appeare glorious both in earth and heauen, &c. seeing the more we are delighted with earthly vanities, the more are we separated from eternall glory.
Now if we would know the reasons why both these cannot§. Sect. 2. The reasons why wee cannot greatly louelove both earthly and heauenly things. stand together, and why we cannot set our hearts vponupon the things of the world whilest we continue with them, and afterwards inherit heauenly happinesse; they are easily rendred: for first, those who too much affect these earthly things, they too little regard, or vtterly contemne that eternall glory in the life to come; if they be in louelove with the flesh pots of Egypt, they will neuer trauell cheerefully towards the land of promise; if with Esau they more esteeme their pottage then their patrimonie, they wil take no great paines to be assured of it, or sel al their title and interest which they hauehave in it at the basest prizes; if they can be content with the prodigall sonne to feed on the huskes of worldly vanities, among the filthie swine, so long as they can hauehave plentie of them, they will neuer care to returne vntounto their heauenly father, neither will they giuegive all they hauehave to buy this precious pearle of glory, if they more esteeme their earthly possessions, and in comparison of them basely value those heauenly treasures. So one saith, that holy delight in heauenly happinesse shunneth the heart which is prepossessed withBernard. de ascensione Domini. Serm. 6. worldly desires, neither can there bee any mixture of things truely substantiall, with emptie vanities; of true▪ things with false; eternall with transitorie, spirituall with corporall, the highest with the lowest, so as a man may at the same time sauor of those things which are aboue, and those things which are beneath. For these worldly things hauehave in them a bewitching quality, whereby those who affect them, are blinded that they cannot see those heauenly riches, though much greater and better, and so being out of sight, they are also out of mind, and are either quite forgotten, or vtterly disregarded. And as he who loueth an harlot doth presently loath his wife, taking his whole delight in her companie and wanton dalliance, and esteeming his owne home a iaile or prison; so they who set their hearts vponupon this worldly strumpet, doe presently contemne our husband Iesus Christ, and flee from our heauenly home, as if it were the place of their banishment. And this the Apostle implieth, where hee saithforeign. 1. Cor. 7. 31. that the outward forme or beautifull appearance of this world doth seduce or misleade men out of their way, like the going fire which leades those who behold it into hedges and ditches, and so blindeth and dazleth them, that they cannot find the way to their owne home. In which regard this bewitching world is fitly likened to a kind of serpent called by the Grecians foreign, which when she cannot ouertake the fleeing passengers, doth with her beautifull colours astonish and amaze them, so as they hauehave no power to passe away till shee hauehave stung them; for so doth the counterfait beauty and braueir of the world inueigle and bewitch those who behold it with ouerpartiall eyes, that they stand astonished till it hauehave stung them with carnall concupiscence, and doting louelove, so as they hauehave neither will nor power to set one foote forward towards their heauenly countrie. But as the Rubenites hauing taken a liking of the countrie which was first conquered, because it was fit to feed their cattell (although it were farre from the Temple, where they should receiue the food of their soules) and therefore to enioy it renounced all interest in the land of promise: so these worldlings set their harts and affections vponupon the earth and ea…thly vanities, because they are at hand, and fit to feed their sensuall and brutish appetites, preferring it before the heauenly Canaan, and temple of Gods holinesse, where their soules might be satisfied with those rauishing ioyes, and surpassing pleasures which are at Gods right hand for euermore. Or if they doe not hinder them from this heauenly happinesse, by causing them to forget and vtterly neglect it, yet at least by slacking their pace, and causing them to seeke after it negligently and remissely: and whereas there is such a zeale in those who attaine vntounto the kingdome of heauen, that as our Sauiour Christ saith, they striue to enter into the straite gate, and are ready to take possession of it by an holyLuk. 13. 24. kind of violence and force, sparing for no paines, nor stayingMat. 11. 12. for any danger; these men who are wedded to the world, are cold and slacke in this pursuit, being altogether vnwilling to take any paines, or to sustaine the least brunt of any danger. Or if at any time they shew a little earnestnesse more then ordinarie, presently this zeale is quenched with these watrish and earthly vanities; and the world catching fast hold of them, maketh them to stay, and neuer ceaseth wrestling with them till they hauehave the foile and ouerthrow. In which conflict these worldly things are vntounto them but as clothes to wrastlers, whereon their aduersarie taketh faster hold to giuegive them a fall; and (as one saith) the world castethNilus in ascetico. vponupon them this dust of earthly vanities, that he may seaze on them the surer, and keepe them from slipping out of his vnkind imbracements; from which dangers they might bee freed, either if they were naked & destitute of these worldly vanities, or at least if they kept them on as loose garments, which are easily pulled off; being not fare in louelove with them whilest they hauehave them, and standing firmely in their patience, and well contented in their minds, when they are taken away.
Finally, as these worldly things immoderately loued, doe§. Sect. 3. That the Lord will not giuegive the heauenly ioyes to those who more esteeme earthly trifles. hinder men from seeking after the heauenly ioyes of Gods kingdome, so doe they moue the Lord to restraine his bountifull hand, from giuing and bestowing them. For he onelyonly giueth his best gifts to those who best esteeme them, and bestoweth his benefits vponupon them alone who doe seeke and sue for them, seeing those only who feele their owne want, and acknowledge the incomparable worth of these rich gifts, wil euer be truely thankfull for them. Now who that is wise among men would bestow his greatest benefits where hee is sure to receiue the least thanks? Who would giuegive gifts of value, to those who cannot value them, but preferre eueryevery base trifle aboue them, in their foolish estimation? Who would bestow a rich diamond on him, who more esteemeth of a painted glasse; or a piece of gold on such an one as more highly valueth a shining counter? Who would make him his heire to a goodly inheritance, who preferreth before it, euen in his ripest iudgement, a top and scourge, or some such childish vanity? or make him lord of his lasting labours, who taketh more delight in a butterflie, or a brittle sopie bubble? And do wee thinke the Lord lesse wise then man, that hee should bestow those eternall treasures vponupon those who contemne them, preferring before them eueryevery childish trifle, and worldly vanitie? will hee giuegive his chiefe iewels to those who doe not know how to value them? and make them heires of an eternall kingdome, who more highly esteeme, and deerely louelove, and earnestly desire, and painefully seeke these earthly trifles, which are as contemptible in their worth, as momentanie and vncertaine in their continuance? no no assuredly; these prophane Esaus must not hauehave the birthright and blessing, who following their carnall appetite doe preferre before it a messe of pottage; these carnall Israelites who more esteeme worldly bondage, then the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God, and the fleshpots of Egypt, more then the fruitfull Canaan, shall perish in this earthly wildernes, and neuer enter into the holy land. These sonnes of Adam, who louelove an Apple better then their Creator, and care more for the present to please their licorous pallet, and carnall appetite, then for those ioyes which are vnspeakeable and eternall; shall neuer (without serious repentance) be thought fit inhabitants for the heauenly paradise. They who with the wise of Lot, looke backe to this SodomLuke 17. 32. of sinne, which by Gods determinate sentence, is destinated to fire and brimstone, delighting more in those pleasures of vanitie, then in Gods gratious deliuerance, shall be made fearefull examples of his heauie iudgements, and pillars or lasting monuments, to giuegive others warning, that they bee more wise in their choice. For as our Sauiour Christ hath taught vsus; No man that putteth his hand to the plough, and Luke 9. 62.looketh back, is apt and fit for the Kingdom of God, and they who will not forsake all to follow him, yea, hate father and & 14. 26.mother, wife and children, brethren and sisters, and their owne life also, when they come in comparison with the louelove of Christ, and his holy Father, he will neuer thinke them worthie to be his disciples, to follow him in the Kingdome of grace, and much lesse as coheires to raigne together with him in the Kingdome of glory.
But let vsus descend from the generall to the speciall instances.§. Sect. 4. That earthly honours hinder those, who set their hearts on them for attaining heauenly glorie. And first for honours, and the vaine glory of the world, what greater impediment can there be then they, to hinder any from attaining the eternall glory of Gods Kingdome, when being inioyed or desired, they are ouerualued, and too much loued and affected? For (as I hauehave shewed) they make men the readie instruments of any sin (whereby a present forfeiture is made of our heauenly inheritance) for the getting or preseruing of their honor & aduancement. They willingly neglect the chiefe priuiledges and perogatiues of the sons of God, and onelyonly plot and take paines in aspiring to their ambitious ends. They are apt to despise the exercises of religion, and to contemne the means of their saluation, as publike prayer, and the ministery of the word, as better befitting the vulgar people, then such as they, who are so highly aduanced aboue the common sort. Or if they heare the word, they will not regard the threatnings of Gods iudgements against sinne, nor stoope to take vponupon them the yoke of Iesus Christ, submitting themselues to be guided and ruled by his ordinance, as being a thing too base, for their honour and greatness. Finally, they skorne to goe in that onelyonly way, which leadeth to eternall life and happinesse; but chuse bywaies of their owne, as though they disdained to goe to heauen in vulgar company, or to be saued after a common fashion. For the Lord hath appointed, that all who desire to attaine vntounto heauenly happinesse, should take paines, in trauelling the narrow and afflicted way, and in entring the low andMatth. 7. 13. 14. strait gate that leadeth to life; but they refuse this difficult course, and chuse the broad way of ease and libertie▪ if not licentiousnesse. Our Sauiour hath told them, that they who will find rest to their soules, must stoope to take his yoke vponupon Matth. 11. 29.them, and learne to imitate his example, who was meeke and lowly in heart; whereas they thinke to come to the glory of his Kingdome, by that glorious way, in which ambitious pride hath set them, carrying their heads on high, and walking with stretched out necks; and that which is worse, with hearts swollen with pride, and ful of vaine glory, and haughtie insolence. So elsewhere he teacheth them, that to such as are like vntounto little children belongeth the Kingdome of Heauen: Matth. 19. 14.and yet more plainely, that except those who are high minded and ambitious bee conuerted, and become as little children (namely, in meekenesse and humilitie) they shall neuer enter into the Kingdome of beauen; and contrariwise▪ whosoeuer shall humble himselfe as a little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdome of Heauen. Thus also he saith, that he who exalteth himselfe shall be brought low, and he that humbleth himselfe Infoelix pro… sus ambitio. quae ambire magna non nouit, qu…rens de m…dico crescere & de maximo minui. Bernard. in Matth. 19. de. clam.shall be exalted. Foolish therefore is ambition, which euer aspireth to rise, and alwaies neglecteth the meanes of rising to the chiefe preferments; but when it mounteth to the clouds, and desireth most to touch the heauens, euen then it is most deiected, one foot still holding possession of hell in the behalfe of the whole body: and vnhappie (as one saith) is the ambitious man, which knoweth not how to compasse the greatest things, but seeketh to waxe great by smal trifles, and to be onelyonly little in that which is greatnesse, and most desirable. For whereas it is the onelyonly way to true greatnesse and glory, to be humble and lowly in a mans owne eies, because (as our Sauiour hath taught vsus) euen Publicans and sinners shall enter sooner into Gods Kingdome, then proudMatth. 21. 31. Pharisies, though they be neuer so much magnified amongst men; they labour to aduance themselues vntounto honours, by pride and ambitious aspiring, which when they hauehave them, are scarce worth their labour: as if when Kingdomes and true Monarchies were offered, and in dealing to those who would heartily desire and sue for them; men should vtterly neglect these chiefe preferments, and contend one with another, who for an houre should be King in a play. But if wee would auoid this follie, and not bee ouertaken with this worldly dotage, let vsus labour to attaine those chiefe preferments, and heauenly glory, by going in that way of humilitie which Christ hath first traced before vsus: and as those, who raise the highest building, do first lay the lowest and deepest foundation, or else it will soone sinke, and come to ruine; so if we meane to become such temples, as are fit for God eternally to dwel in, let vsus begin our building on the low foundation of humilitie. For though our countrie bee high, and situate on the mountaine of Gods holinesse, yetQuisquis cupit diuinitatis te…ere vestigia humilitatis ima sectetur. Ambros. serm. 19. tom. 3. the way that leadeth to it, is low and humble; and therefore let vsus not foolishly refuse the way, if we thinke to come to the end of our iourney, nor thinke to leape from the hill of pride, to the hill of glorie, which is impossible, in respect of their great distance; but let vsus first descend into the valley of humilitie, that afterwards we may ascend into the mountaine of glorie.
Thus also riches immoderately loued are notable impediments§. Sect. 5. That earthly riches hinder men from attaining euerlasting treasures. Matth. 19. 23. 24 Mark. 10. 23. 24 in our spirituall iourney, and a chiefe meanes, and (as it were) a heauie clog to keepe vsus from ascending into those heauenly ioies. So our Sauiour Christ saith vntounto his Disciples, Verily I say vntounto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdome of Heauen. Yea and if they trust and set their hearts vponupon them, he affirmeth, that it is easier for a camell to goe through the eie of an needle, then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of God. And the Apostle Paul agreeing withEphes. 5. 5. his Lord and Master, saith, that the couetous person which is an idolate…, hath no inheritance in the Kingdome of Christ, and of God. And this commeth to passe, first, because few of those who abound in riches, are effectually called, either because God passeth by them, and preferreth the poore before them; or because when they are called, they refuse to come, being wholly taken vp in their worldly imploiments. Of the former, the Apostle Paul saith, that God hath not called the mightie in the world, but the weake and helpelesse. And more1. Cor. 1. 26. plainly the Apostle Iames saith, that we are not to respect the rich more then the poore (vnlesse also they be rich in faith and good works) because God hath chosen the poore of this Iames 2. 5.world, that they should bee rich in faith, and heires of the Kingdome, which he hath promised to them that louelove him. Whereupon an ancient concludeth, that if riches were absolutelie good, God would not hauehave made speciall choice of the poore to stand before him in his owne familie. And if sometimesChrysost. hom. ad pop. hom. 28. tom. 4. he make choice of rich men, it is no wonder; for it is not, that they should still hold in their hands their great abundance, but as a wise and mercifull Physition, he maketh choice of these patients, that he may purge them of their superfluities, and free them from that swelling which maketh them altogether vnfit to enter into Gods Kingdome. Of the other we hauehave an example in them, who were inuited to theMatth. 22. 3. Kings supper, who were so imploied in their worldly affaires, that they had no leisure to come; whereby is signified, that they who set their hearts vponupon the earthly mammon, hauehave not so much as any desire to vse the meanes of their owne saluation; but when they are by Gods messengers inuited and perswaded hereunto, they pretend worldly excuses, and will not hearken vntounto them. As therefore the ship which is too heauily laden, is in greatest hazard, and most vnlikely to come safely to the desired hauen; because it is in dang…r to be pursued by pirats, who are readie to sincke her, and is not so fit to brooke the seaes, or indure a tempest, vnlesse some of her burthen be cast ouer bo…rd, and she lightned of her surcharging loade: so these worldly rich men, who are oppressed with ye cares of this life, & euen ouerburthened with superfluous riches, are in great danger neuer to come safely into the hauen of rest, because the spirituall pirats are more eager in pursuing them, and they more vnable to indure the tempest of tentations; vnlesse they cast some of their store vponupon the face of the waters, as the Wise man exhorteth; andEccles. 11. 1. bestow their superfluitie (which is vntounto them as a troublesome burthen) in releeuing the poore members of Iesus Christ. In which respect, our Sauiour compareth riches to the bunch on the camels backe, which maketh those, who set their hearts vponupon them, altogether vnfit to enter into the narrow and strait gate, that openeth into the ioyes of heauen. And as the camell hath not onelyonly a natural bunch, but also an accidentall loade, both which hinder him from entring into any strait passage: so these couetous worldlings hauehave the naturall bunch of carnall concupiscence, and the accidentall Ioade, both of worldly riches, and of the sinnes which they hauehave committed in compassing or possessing them; the one whereof they must whether they wil or no lay aside in death; the other, vnlesse they shake off their burthen by true repentance, shall accompanie them to iudgement, and hauing the waight of Gods wrath added vntounto them, shall as an intollerable loade presse them into hell. For as it is impossible for a man ouerburthened to climbe to the top of a steepe mountaine, vnlesse he lay his loade aside, or hauehave some assistants to carie it with him: so is it much more impossible, being loaded with riches, and that guilt and sinne which vsually accompanieth them, to ascend into the high mountaine of Gods holinesse, vnlesse we lay aside our burthen, or commit it to the poore, as our porters to carrie it with vsus; making with Zacheus restitution, to those whom we hauehave wronged, and imparting of that which remaineth a liberall share to charitable vses. In which respect (as one obserueth) riches in theSenec. Epist. 87 Latine tongue are fitly called impediments, or incumbrances, because nothing more then they vsually hindreth men from going on in the way of grace, nor from attaining vntounto the goale of glory, they being commonly to men like burthens to those that runne a race, which keepe them from making any speed, and tire them before they can come to the end. And as those who hauehave shooes farre too wide for theirChrysost. hom. 7. de poeruten. feete, or garments, which being farre too side, traile on the ground, are altogether vnfit to trauell a long iourney; so those who hauehave superfluous riches, and much more then is fit for their place and calling, are as much hindred in their iourney, which should bring them vntounto heauen. In regard of which impossibility, for those which hauehave set their hearts vponupon riches, to attaine vntounto eternall happinesse, our Sauiour Christ pronounceth that fearefull woe against them; Woe be Luke 6. 24.vntounto you that are rich, for ye hauehave receiued your consolation. For in truth what greater misery can befall a man, then to gaine gold and lose his God? to hauehave great possessions on earth, by making forfeiture of his heauenly patrimony? to abound with these temporary treasures, which are subiect to so many casualties, and sure to bee taken away by death, by making sale of those euerlasting riches and vnspeakeable ioies, which Christ, by his pretious bloodshed hath purchased for vsus? And therefore let vsus, as our Sauiour exhorteth vsus, make vsus Luk. 16. 9.friends of the riches of iniquitie, that when we shall want, we may be receiued into euerlasting habitations. Let vsus like wise merchants failing in this worldly sea, cast our goods vponupon the face of the waters, being indangered in these boisterous tempests, that so we may saue our owne liues, and arriue safe at the hauen of happinesse, lest the curse of Simon Magus doeMatth. 19. 29. light vponupon vsus, thy money perish with thee. Especially confidering, that whereas that doth perish which they castaway, ours thus bestowed on charitable vses, shall bee restored when we come to our iourneies end an hundred fold, as our Sauiour hath promised. Let vsus lay aside our golden fetters, and deare-bought clogs, seeing we are to run the spirituall race for the crowne of glory; and not so much consider theirBernard Serm. in Prou. 3. 13. costly prizes, and worldly value, as how much they hinder vsus in ascending into our heauenly countrie: and let vsus not intangle our selues with this lime of superfluitie, but only hauehave so much vse of these earthly things, as is requisit for our present necessities. Let vsus cast away these superfluous burthens, which being kept, may make vsus castawaies, and doe that for the feare of God, which wise Merchants doe for feare of the sea, and bee as readie to leaue our vnprofitable load of riches for the safegard of our soules, as they are for the preseruing of their momentanie liues. And let vsus not goe stooping and groaning vnderunder this vnsupportable waight, and be hindred thereby from finishing with ioy our iourney vntounto our owne countrey; seeing we may hauehave the poore to help vsus, and case vsus of our load. For if we cannot, being ouerburthened, trauel far on euen ground; how much more vnable shall we be to mount vp therewith vntounto the hie mountaine of Gods holinesse? If we cannot runne an earthly race, being hindred with such clogs; how much lesse shall we be able to runne the spirituall race that leadeth to heauen, when our hearts are oppressed with this worldly waight?
Finally, voluptuous pleasures, and euen those delights§. Sect. 6. That earthly delights hinder vsus from attaining eternall treasures. which be lawfull in themselues, are, being immoderatly loued, notable hindrances of our heauenly happinesse. For they who set their hearts on the vaine pleasures of the world, hauehave no affection to the pleasures which are at Gods right hand for euermore. They who take their felicitie in carnall delights, neglect and contemne the euerlasting ioyes which are reserued in Gods kingdome, vsing all wicked and vnlawfull meanes, for the compassing of their voluptuous pleasures, though they make hereby a forfeiture of eternall glorie; and carelesly, yea sometime malitiously, neglecting all meanes whereby they may be assured of the saluatiō of their soules, and of the fruition of those heauenly ioyes, because they esteeme them not in comparison of their worldly delights. Or if they hauehave any purpose of going in the way which leadeth to happinesse, they are not able; for being pampered with pleasures, they are too p…rsie to trauell in this wearisome pilgrimage. And if by forcible reasons and persuasions, they are moued to set forward in this iourney, they are presently discouraged; for being wholly addicted to case and delight, they will neuer indure the strait, rough, and vnpleasant way which is full of the thornes of afflictions, and briars of tribulations; but will presently with Lots wise look back to their delightfull Sodome, with a desire to enioy again these pleasures of sinne, though they last but for a season. Besides, the Lord will not giuegive this chief iewell of eternall happinesse to these voluptuous wantons, nor cast this precious pearle before these filthie swine, who taking al their delight to wallow in the puddle of iniquitie, will not sticke contemptuously to tread it vnderunder their filthie feete. And therefore what possibilitie is there of their saluation, seeing they are neither willing, nor able, to seeke after this eternall happinesse; nor the Lord willing to giuegive it without seeking, to such idle or skorneful sluggards as doe not think it worth their paines? And thus it appeareth that these worldly things immoderatly loued, are notable impediments to hinder vsus from the attaining of eternal life, and those euerlasting ioyes of Gods kingdome. The consideration whereof should weane our hearts from these worthlesse, and (through our corruption) harmefull vanities, that we may the better settle them on the meanes, whereby wee may be assured of those heauenly excellencies: and seeing when they are fastned, and as it were glued vntounto vsus with carnall louelove, they hinder vsus from attaining vntounto this eternall happinesse; let vsus either hold these things with such contempt and carelesse respect, that wee may with ease lay them aside, when wee finde that they hinder vsus in our iourney towards our heauenly countrey: or if they offer to take faster hold, and to intangle vsus in the snares of sinne, so as wee cannot goe forward in our course of godlinesse; let vsus as the Apostle exhorteth vsus, cast away eueryevery thing that presseth downe, and the sinne that hangeth Hebr. 12. 1.so fast on, and let vsus runne with patience the race that is set before vsus, that so we may obtaine the crowne of glorie: for if eueryevery man that prooueth masteries abstaineth from all things which might hinder him; doing all this to obtaine a corruptible 1. Cor. 9. 25.crowne; how much more should we follow the like practise, to obtaine that glorious crowne of blessednesse, which is uncorruptible? And if, as our Sauiour Christ hath taught vsus, we must pluck out our right eye, and cut off our right hand and foote, if they offend vsus, and by causing vsus to fall into sin, doe hinder vsus in that Christian course, which would bring vsus to eternall happinesse; because it is better to enter into euerlasting life halt, or maimed, or with one eye, then hauing twoMatth. 18. 8. 9. hands, two feete, and two eyes, to be cast into euerlasting fire; then how much rather should wee part willingly with these worldly riches, pleasures, and preferments, when by vnlawfull getting, or keeping them, they will cast vsus into hell, and for euer depriue vsus of the ioyes of heauen? for better it is to enter into these neuer ending ioyes, poore, contemptible, afflicted, and full of sorrowes, then hauing abounded in riches, glorie, and carnal pleasures, to be afterwards throwne headlong into those hellish torments, and vnquenchable flames.
Secondly, the more we abound with these earthly things§. Sect. 7. That the more we abound with worldly things, the greater shall be our reckoning at the day of iudgement. in this life, the greater shall be our reckoning in the life to come; the greater also shall be their punishment, who are not able to yeeld a iust account to our great Lord and Master at this last audit, if they hauehave not by faith and repentance whilest they continued here, gotten a generall acquittance for all that wherein they come short in this their reckoning. For according to the number of those talents which hauehave been committed vntounto vsus by God, the Lord will require a proportionable increase; and the more gifts we hauehave receiued from him, the more glorie hee expecteth from vsus; the greater his benefits hauehave been which he hath bestowed on vsus in this world, the greater louelove, thankfulnes, and obedience will he require at our hands. So that then it will not serue the turne, that wee returne vntounto our Lord and Master the gaine of one or two talents, if wee hauehave receiued fiue, or ten; but they who hauehave receiued fiue, must with them gaine other fiue; and they who hauehave receiued ten, must increase them to ten more, if euer they meane to heare that sweete and comfortable saying; Well done good and faithfull seruant, thou hast Matth. 25. 21.been faithfull in little, I will make thee ruler ouer much, enter into thy masters ioy. O then what a terrible day will this be to those who cannot make euen their accounts, nor yeeld anQui plurima habet pauper est. Quare… quia debet. Quantum inquis? Omnia: nisi forte iudices interesse, vtrum aliquid ab homine, an à de… mutuum sumpserit. Senec. epist. 87. answerable increase to their great Lord and Master, when in the presence of his Saints and Angels, he shall call them before him to giuegive a reckoning? what a day of trembling and feare will this be to those vnprofitable seruants, who hauehave hid their masters talent in a napkin, so as they cannot returne it with any increase? and how much more horrible then will it bee to them, who hauehave riotously wasted, and spent their Lords rich talents, in their wicked and worldly courses, whereby they hauehave dishonoured their master and hurt their fellow seruants? For what shame and confusion of face shall they bee possessed with, who hauehave receiued liberall wages from the Lord, that they might be the better incouraged and inabled to doe him seruice, when their Iudge shall tell them, and their owne conscience shall witnes against them, that they hauehave abused this rich bountie of God in the seruice of sinne and Satan, and spent his rich treasures vponupon their owne lusts? how will they then desire the hils to fall vponupon and couer them from their wrathfull Iudge, that together with thē they may hide their reckoning? what would they then giuegive that they had imploied their prosperity for the setting forth of Gods glorie, and had vsed all his gifts to the honour of the giuer? and because they hauehave failed heereof, how many worlds, if they had them, would they part with, that they might hauehave but one day more to liue, wherein they might set straight their reckonings by true repentance, and faith in Iesus Christ? But then alas it will be too late, seeing the acceptable time and day of saluation is now past, and now their teares, groanes, sorrowes, and lamentations, shall be beginnings and parts of their hellish punishments; which if they had been vsed in time, and improued to the best in this life, would, through Gods gratious and free promises, and the precious merits of Iesus Christ, hauehave procured vntounto them certaine assurance of the pardon of all their sinnes, reconciliation with God, and of the eternall inheritance, and neuer ending ioyes of his heauenly kingdome.
But let vsus for the better cleering of this point insist in the§. Sect. 8. That honours, riches, and pleasures doe but increase our bils of accounts. speciall examples. And first for honors; the more they are multiplied vponupon men, the greater account they hauehave to make at the day of iudgement; for they hauehave receiued honor from God, that they might returne honor to him; they are by speciall priuiledge made glorious before men, that they might shine before them in an holie example, and glorifie God more then others, whilest as precedents of godlinesse and righteousnesse, they draw on all their inferiours to a Christian imitation. Finally, they hauehave been aduanced by God to power and authoritie, that they might in his place, and as his deputies, rule their inferiours, euen as the Lord himselfe would rule, if hee were vponupon the earth, countenancing the good, and discouraging the euill, rewarding vertue, and punishing vice, defending the innocent, and suppressing those who are vniust and iniurious, patronizing and maintaining iustice, and discountenancing vniustice, and sinne. Of which the further off they hauehave been from yeelding any reckoning in this life, the more strait account will the Lord take of them in the life to come. And therefore if they hauehave not only failed in all these duties, but wilfully neglected them, and vsed all their credit and power to quite contrarie purposes; as for example, if hauing been honoured by God, they hauehave dishonoured him, contemning his seruice themselues, and hindring others who would hauehave performed it; if they hauehave skorned religion, and made but a iest of godlinesse; if they hauehave made no conscience of swearing and forswearing, cursing and blaspheming; and spent all their liues in riotous and voluptuous liuing; if they hauehave not only themselues thus offended God, but hauehave made their faults scandalous, and their sinnes exemplarie, drawing on their inferiours to the imitation of their wickednesse: If being in the place of God they hauehave ruled and gouerned, as the diuell himselfe would doe if hee were in a humane shape, discountenancing those who are good, and incouraging those who are euill, punishing vertue, and rewarding vice, defending the faultie, and supplanting the innocent, and either for fauour, friends, rewards, or respect of persons, vpholding iniustice and oppression, and ouerthrowing iustice and right; then shall they hauehave a most fearefull reckoning to make at the day of iudgement, and wish rather that they had liued in reproch and contempt, then that hauing had all these honours and preferments, they should bee brought to such a dreadfull account. And thus they who hauehave most abounded in riches, shall hauehave also their reckoning hereby much increased; for the Lord hath bestowed vponupon men these talents, not that they should keep▪ them hid in a napkin, but that they should put them out to profit and aduantage; as when they imploy them to the glorie of God, in furthering the meanes of his worship and seruice, in relieuing the poore members of Iesus Christ, and in performing the workes of merciemercy and charitie. And therefore in what a fearefull estate shall they be at this day, who hauehave vtterly neglected these religious and Christian vses; and contrariwise hauehave abused their riches, by either spending them vponupon their owne lusts, in belly cheare, and brauerie, or imploying them as helpes to hinder Gods worship, and to oppresse and iniure the poore with all crueltie and tyrannie? Finally, what a fearefull reckoning hauehave they to make, who hauehave spent the greatest part of their liues in voluptuous pleasures, as though they had quite forgotten the end wherefore they came into the world; as in furfetting and drunkennes, chambring and wantonnesse, gaming and reuelling, playing and sporting; not caring to take any wicked course for the compassing of their pleasures, nor making conscience of any delight, whether it be lawfull or vnlawfull, so it may please their carnall appetite. O what reward can these men expect in this day of the Lord, when their owne consciences shall tell them, that they hauehave spent all their liues in the seruice of sinne and Satan, and in fulfilling the lusts of their owne flesh? What account will they then make to their Iudge, when being demanded how they hauehave spent their precious time, their strength, and wealth, which in plentifull manner they had receiued at the hands of God, they shall be able to make no other answer, but that they hauehave consumed them all in voluptuous vanities, and vtterly neglected the seruice of their Creator and continuall preseruer; spending all their daies either in idlenes, or luxuriousnes, and wantonnes, which they should hauehave bestowed in glorifying God, and in getting assurance of their owne saluation; wasting their strength in obeying their fleshly lusts, which should hauehave been imployed in doing seruice to their Maker and Redeemer; and bestowing all their riches in superfluous delights, suffering the poore to starue for want of bread to feed them, and of clothes to couer their nakednesse.
Lastly, as the abundance of these worldly things, abused§. Sect. 9. That worldly things immoderately loued, …ncrease their condemnation who thus abuse thē. through immoderate louelove, increaseth the reckoning of those who hauehave had them, so do they also increase their punishments and hellish condemnation, when as they are altogether vnable to set straight their reckoning, being called to giuegive their accoūt before their Iudge. For it is iust with God, that those who in this life hauehave abused the greatest prosperitie, should in the life to come endure the greatest miserie: that they who are most deepely indebted to Gods bountie for his benefits, should hauehave the straitest imprisonment, when hauing riotously and vnthankfully spent the Lords talents, they hauehave nothing to pay: that they who hauehave most dishonored God in his owne gifts, should proportionablie receiue the greatest measure of punishment: and finally, that they who hauing receiued the most liberal wages hauehave performed worst seruice, should be beaten with most stripes. So that at this day the abundance of these worldly things shall be but as it were the greater pile of wood, which being set on fire with the flame of Gods burning wrath, shall eternally consume them who hauehave thus vnthankfully abused them; and their burning concupiscence after these earthly vanities, shal but increase the furious heate of those hellish flames, which shall torment them with tortures that are intollerable, and yet endlesse and euerlasting. So the greater honors men hauehave had in earth, the greater then shall be their shame and confusion, ignominie and reproch, if they hauehave abused them toWisd. 5. 6. 7. 8. the dishonor of God, and oppression of his seruants; for the mightie shall be mightily tormented: And he who is Lord ouer all will spare no person, neither shal he feare any greatnes, for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike; but for the mightie abideth the sorer triall. To which purpose one saith,Gregor. Mo…al. lib. 6. cap. 4. that the higher a wicked man liuing in his sinnes is exalted, the more fearefully shall he be ouerwhelmed with grieuous punishmen…; for when that which aduanced him is vanished, that remaineth which is punished. He who is without desert honored in the way, shal be damned in the end of his iorney; and he who commeth to destruction by the prosperitie of this present life, passeth as it were by sweet meadowes, into the dungeon of darknesse, or place of execution. Thus alsoLuke 6. 24. those who hauehave abounded with abused riches, shall in the world to come exceed in punishment; and therefore our Sauiour pronounceth a woe against them, because alreadie in this world they had receiued all their consolation: and the Apostle prophecying of this future miserie, saith; Go Iames 5. 1. 2. 3.to you rich men; weepe and howle, for your miseries that shall come vponupon you: your riches are corrupt, and your garments are motheaten: your gold and siluer is cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you, and shall eate your flesh as it were fire: you hauehave heaped vp treasure for the last dayes. Behold the hire of the labourers which hauehave reaped your fields (which is of you kept backe by fraud) crieth, and the cries of them which hauehave reaped, are entred into the eares of the Lord of hostes: yee hauehave liued in pleasure on the earth and in wantonnesse, ye hauehave nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter. So that the greater riches, the greater torments, if either they hauehave been vniustly gotten, or ill kept; in which respect well may they be called thornes, which not only in this life pricke those that hold them, wound them with tentations, and pierce them thorow 1. Tim. 6. 10.with many sorowes; but also in the life to come serue as thorns to kindle the fire of hell, and to make it burne with greater heate and furie. Which that we may preuent, let vsus follow the counsell of the Sonne of Syrach; Lose (saith he) or forgo Ecclesiasticus 29. 10.thy money, for thy brothers and neighbours sake, and let it not rust vnderunder a stone to thy destruction. Finally, those who hauehave spent their liues in vnlawfull pleasures, or hauehave abused those which are lawfull, through through their immoderation and excesse, either in their delights, or in their louelove, shall hauehave their sorrowes and torments the more increased at the day of Gods appearing to iudge the quicke and dead. In which respect our Sauiour pronounceth a fearefull woe against voluptuous worldlings; Woe be vntounto you (saith he) that are full, for ye shall Luke 6. 25.hunger; woe be vntounto you that now laugh; for ye shall waile and weepe. So the Apostle Peter saith, that they shall receiue the 2. Pet. 2. 13.wages of vnrighteousnes, which count it pleasure to liue deliciously for a season. And the Apostle Iames assigneth this as one reason, why the wealthie in the world had cause to weepe and howle, in regard of themiseries that should come vponupon them, because they had liued in pleasure on the earth, and in wantonnesse. To which purpose one saith, that looke howQu…t fuerint …blectamenta mala, tot erunt tormenta dira in poena: nam indè punimur vndè ma'è delectamur: tranfit voluptas & peccatum remanet. Bernard. meditat. cap. 13. Luk. 16. 19. 25. many carnall and vnlawfull delights worldlings hauehave had in this life, and so many grieuous punishments they shal indure when God shall take deserued vengeance on them in the life to come; for thence are we punished, whence we are wickedly delighted; and whereas the pleasure passeth as being momentanie, the sinne and punishment remaine, as being euerlasting. An example whereof we hauehave in the rich Glutton, vntounto whom Abraham saith, that because in his life he had receiued his pleasures, being clothed in purple and fine l…nnen, and faring deliciously euer day, therefore he was now tormented in hel torments, and hauing sinned in surfetting and gluttonie to please his pallet, and carnall appetite, he could not now obtaine so much as a drop of water to coole his tongue. So likewise in the whore of Babylon; vponupon whom the Lord passeth this dreadfull sentence, that in as much as she glorified Apocal. 18. 7.her selfe, and liued in pleasure, she should proportionablie hauehave so much torment and sorrow giuen vntounto her. By which examples let vsus take warning, carefully auoiding these sweete poysons, which though they bee long before they worke, yet shall be most deadly in operation; let vsus not thirst after this pleasing milke, though it be offered vntounto vsus in a lordly dish; seeing in the end it will bring vsus into that deepe sleepe of eternall death: and finally let vsus stop our eares against the bewitching tunes of these sweet singing Syrens, which will make vsus run our selues on the rockes of destruction, and to be swallowed vp in a sea of miserie and perdition which is endlesse and intollerable.
Finally, seeing these worldly things immoderately loued,§. Sect. 10. The conclusion disswading from the louelove of the world; vponupon the former consideration. and ouerualued aboue their worth, do not only in this life bring vponupon vsus so many and great euils, but also in the life to come depriue vsus of our heauenly ioyes, increase the bils of our accounts at the day of iudgement, and plunge vsus into eternall death and condemnation; let vsus as we tender the saluation of our soules, or feare that dreadfull reckoning at the day of iudgement, or would auoid those hellish and euerlasting torments, …eane out hearts and affections from the immoderate louelove of the world and worldly vanities; for Marke 8. 36.what will it profit vsus to guine the whole world, and lose our owne soules? What will it auaile vsus that we hauehave been honorable vponupon earth, and aduanced to the chiefe places and preferments, when as all these momentanie vanities being passed as a shadow, we find our selues inglorious in Gods sight, depriued of the glorie of his kingdome, and couered with endlesse shame & disgrace? what ioy shal we the take to remember, that al men hauehave crept & crouched vntounto vsus, when as we shall be disdained as vile persons, and laughed to scorne as fooles, by the poorest and simplest of Gods Saints, yea insulted ouer, and euen despitefully troden vnderunder foot by the vglie, cursed and damned spirits▪ what delight shall we take to thinke, that we hauehave sate in the highest places, and hauehave dwelt in stately palaces, and prince-like houses, when as being turned out of all, we shall be bound hand and foot, and cast into vtter darknesse, and into the dungeon of hell? what comfort shall we take in our heapes of gold, and great lands and lordships which we hauehave left behind vsus; when as we feele by lamentable experience, that we hauehave by this momentanie riches lost the euerlasting treasures of Gods kingdome; and hauehave treasured vp a fearefull measure of Gods wrath and condemnation, which for euer shall seaze vponupon and torment vsus? what delight shall we take in our passed pleasures, sports, and pastimes, when as now being vanished, nothing remaineth but howling and yelling, weeping and gnashing of teeth? what pleasure shall we hauehave to thinke of our full tables, and delicate drinkes; when as now by most earnest entreatie, we cannot obtaine so much as a drop of water to coole our thirst? what will it profit vsus to hauehave for a moment enioyed sweet gardēs, pleasant orchards▪ delightful walkes, and melodious musicke, when as now hauing abandoned vsus, we are terrified with Gods wrath, and scorched in the vnquenchable flames of nel? O then let vsus remember this in time that we may preuent it for euer; and whilest the Lord giueth vsus space to make our free choice, let vsus prefer in our iudgements, and seek after withal our hearts and affections, those heauenly and eternall ioyes, before these earthly and momentanie vanities; and so weane our hearts and affections from the louelove of the world and worldly things, that we doe not vse any vnlawfull meanes for the getting or keeping them; and so hazard the losse of our glorious and euerlasting inheritance, and endanger bodie and soule to those intollerable and neuer ending torments: and that the rather because after death there is no repentance, nor hope of recouerie after some triall and taste of these miseries, seeing out of hel there is no redemption, nor goale-deliuerie out of this prison of vtter darkenesse.
The end of the second booke.