The Christian Warfare Part 2, Book 2 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
That the best things in the world are but meere vanities, in comparison of Gods spirituall graces, and heauenly excellencies.
ANd thus hauehave I set down the signes of worldly§. Sect. 1. That the best are too much tainted with the louelove of the world. louelove, whereby this dangerous disease may be discouered and knowne; according vntounto which if wee examine our selues, I doubt not, but many who through their securitie thought themselues sound, and in good case, shall find that they are desperately sicke of this disease euen to the death, vnlesse they prouide speedily whole some medicines for their recouerie; yea and those who are in the best estate, if without selfe-louelove, flatterie and partialitie, they trie their estate according to these rules, they shall plainely discerne, that howsoeuer Christ hath called and culled them out of the world, yet they hauehave left some part of their heart and affections behind them; and that howsoeuer through Gods merciemercy they are pulled (as it were) by strong hand, out of this spirituall Sodome; yet they are ready eueryevery hand-while with Lots wife to looke backe, as being loth to leaue their worldly profits and preferments, and to be weaned from the pleasures of sinne, which they hauehave so long sucked with so great delight. They shall find that they are like prisoners newly deliuered, and freed from their bolts, who by their halting and lamenesse are still put in mind of their old bonds and fetters, that they are like greene and feeble bodies newly recouered of some dangerous disease, that is, weake and void of strength in spirituall graces, and especially in the true louelove of God, and his spirituall and heauenly excellencies, and readie to fall into a relapse of their old sicknesse worldly louelove, vnlesse they be very watchfull and carefull ouer themselues, and keepe a strict and curious diet, neuer feeding vponupon these worldly vanities, but with great temperance and moderation. And that still there are some relikes of those corrupt humours of worldly louelove remaining in them, and remainders of this burning and vnkindly heate, which will extinguish, or at least abate that diuine and spirituall fire of the louelove of God and heauenly things, vnlesse that heate bee qualified, those corrupt humors purged, and that vitall flame of diuine louelove bee continually nourished with wholesome cordials and restoratiues prescribed in God word. Finally, they shall plainely perceiue, that they are like that harlot, of whom Hosea speaketh, who being married vntounto Christ, after they hauehave long time liued in spirituall whoredome with the world, are hardly drawne from their old filthinesse, to which they were so long inured, but are ready continually to affect their old louer, and to renew their fornications and vncleannesse; vnlesse they were restrained by their husband Iesus Christ, and by the power of his spirit, word and chastisements (as it were) by strong hand, held backe from running on in these leaud and wicked courses.
And therefore as I hauehave shewed the signes of this disease;§. Sect. 2. Remedies to cure the disease of worldlie louelove. so now in the next place I will prescribe the remedies, and set downe such wholesome medicines as may serue, both for preseruatiues to keepe them sound, who are not yet infected with this spirituall poison; and also for purges to free vsus from these hurtfull humors of worldly louelove, if they abound in vsus, which being applied by the patient, and made effectuall by Gods blessing, may restore vsus to health, though through these tough and noisome humours oppressing vsus, wee were brought into a deepe consumption of godlinesse, and euen vntounto the very gates of death. And finally, for cordiall restoratiues to recouer vsus being weake, vntounto our perfect health, and confirme and strengthen vsus more and more in the true louelove of God, his spirituall graces, and the eternall ioies of his Kingdom. That therfore we may not immoderately louelove the world and worldly things, but may contemne them when they come in comparison of heauenly excellencies, and that we may not at all affect them, but may hate and abhor them, as they are the diuels instruments and baites to perswade and allure vsus vntounto sinne; let these reasons mooue vsus: first,The generall diuision of those arguments which may disswade vsus from the louelove of the world. because there is no cause why we should thus immoderately louelove and affect them, nor thus vnlawfully desire to compasse them, in respect of the things themselues which are thus loued and desired. And secondly, because there is no reason hereof in regard of vsus, who do affect and couet them. In the things themselues, there is no cause of this immoderate louelove; first, because though we neuer so much dote vponupon and desire them, yet they doe not bring vntounto vsus any true, substantiall, or certaine good: and secondly, because being thus affected, they become the instruments of much euill; and therefore as in the former respect they are to bee contemned and despised, so in the latter they are to be abhorred and reiected. They doe not bring vntounto vsus any found and certaine good: first, because they are of no great and desirable goodnesse, though we should long inioy them; and also because they are altogether vncertaine, both in the getting and possessing. They are of no great goodnesse vntounto vsus, though we could for euer inioy them; first, because these things themselues are vaine, and of no great worth or excellencie; whereupon also it followeth, that they do not satisfie, nor giuegive vntounto vsus any true or sound contentment; and secondly, because they are vtterly vnprofitable, and besides mixt and accompanied with innumerable euils, & manifold miseries. For if I shall prooue that there is no cause why we should desire them, either in respect of themselues or vsus; that they bring vsus no true good, but contrariwise much euill; that as they hauehave no great goodnesse in them whilest wee hauehave them, so though they had, yet we hauehave no assurance of them; that they are vaine, and of no excellencie, and yet mingled with a multitude of miseries; there will bee little reason why we should greatly louelove them; and much lesse why wee should preferre them before Gods spirituall graces and heauenly ioies; or accept of them as Satans wages, whereby he perswadeth vsus to serue him by committing of sinne, wherby we hazard the losse of our soules, and of our heauenly inheritance, which are infinitely of more worth then the whole world.
First therefore wee are to know, that the world and the§. Sect. 3. That the best things the world can boast of, are but meere vanities. best things which it can boast of, are but meere vanities, and in comparison of Gods spiritual graces, and our heauenly inheritance, of no worth or excellencie; neither is there any thing in the earth great or excellent, but the Christian mind which contemneth and despiseth these highly esteemed vanities. They make a faire shew indeed to those, whose iudgements are alreadie forestalled with the false conceits of their corrupt flesh, and seeme to be of some value and greatnesse to those who look vponupon them through the spectacles of affection. But if wee pul off their false couers, and seriously and vnpartially behold them after their deceiuing colours and painted vizards are laid aside, we shall find the world in his chiefe beautie and pompe to bee but a glorious hypocrite, faire in shew, and foule in truth, professing and promising much, and performing nothing; or a beautifull sepulcher outwardly adorned with all cost and brauerie, but within full of stench and rottennesse; or like vntounto our faire buildings in these times, which making a sumptuous shew to the passers by, seeme to inuite poore men to receiue reliefe; but within hauehave no prouision for hospitalitie, nor food to refresh those who stand in need. The like vanitie also is in all those worldly things, which are so affected and admired of those, who hauehave erected them in their hearts, as their idols whom they serue and adore; herein indeed truly resembling idols and images, which are outwardly adorned with gold and precious ornaments, and make representation of some excellent personage, whereas if you examine them any further then the very superficies and outside, you shall finde them no better then stocks or stones. So these worldly vanities seeme to those whose weake sight can pearce no deeper then the outward shew, beautifull and glorious; whereas in truth if wee could behold them inwardly with the eye of a sound iudgement, wee should easily discerne them to bee contemptibly base, and of no value. In this respect like those goodly and beautifull pageants which being outwardlie adorned and set forth with gold and painted colours, moue multitudes of people to runne after them, and to behold them with ioyful admiration and rauishing wonder; whereas if you looke into their inside, you shall finde nothing but a few sticks, ragges, and patches; and in respect of their substance and durablenes so slight and weake, that they are only fit for a vaine shew, and to serue for a daies sport.
But this vanitie of the world and worldly things may bee§. Sect. 4. The vanitie of worldly things proued by testimonies. Psal. 39. 6. Psal. 73. 20. more specially shewed both by testimonies, and also euident reasons: for the former, Dauid affirmeth that man in his best estate is altogether vanitie; that he walketh but in a shadow and disquieteth himselfe in vaine. And else where hee compareth this worldly prosperitie to a dreame, which delighteth whilest a man sleepeth, but when hee awaketh vanisheth away, and leaueth nothing behinde it, but sorrow and discontent, because their ioyes and hopes are frustrated. So the holie Ghost saith, that the power and prosperitie of the Churches enemies, shall be like as an hungrie man that dreameth, and behold Esa. 29. 8.he eateth, and when he awaketh his soule is emptie: and like as a thirstie man that dreameth, and loe he is drinking, and when he awaketh, behold, he is faint, and his soule longeth. In which respect one affirmeth that the Apostle saith the figure of this 1. Cor. 7.world doth passe away; intimating vntounto vsus, that all worldly things are but in shew and figure onelyonly, and like a shadow or a dreame Chrysost. in Gen. 15. Homil. 35.which vanish away, hauing nothing in them substantiall and in truth. How childish therefore is that mind which respecteth shadowes, and is proud of dreames, fixing it selfe vponupon that which soone after shall passe away? The Prophet Esay compareth the worldlings endeuours in hunting after these earthly vanities, to the weauing of a spiders webbe, which being made with great labour, is altogether vnfit to make a garment to keep warme or couer nakednes, & good for nothing but to catch flies. And the Apostle Paul affirmeth yt before his conuersion vntounto God, his vnderstanding, thoughts and communicatiō1. Cor. 13. 11. which were spent about worldly things, were meerly childish; the which being come to a ripe age in Christ he put away, exercising his minde and tongue about things spirituall and heauenly. So others compare the desires and labours of worldly men to childrens sports, their statelyChrysost. Homil. 24. in Mat. buildings to their houses erected in the sands, their gathering of riches, to their gathering of stones, and other trifles; their honours and preferments, to their kings, lords, and gouernours which they make in play among themselues; their esteeming of earthly vanities, to that great account which children make of their contemptible toyes, preferring theirSenec. in Sap. non cad. iniur. cap. 12. copper chaines, brouches, babies, tops and scourges, and such like trifles, before both their parents and their patrimonie; and finally their foolish mourning and lamenting for the losse of their riches and preferments, to the ridiculous crying of sillie children, when their houses are cast downe, or their trifles taken from them. Neither is there any difference betweene them, sauing that children very easily procure those things which they so much affect; but worldlings purchase their follies at deare rates, and obtaine themQuid ergo inter nos & illos interest, vt Aristo ait, nisi quod nos circa tabulas & statuas insauimus, carius inepti, &c. Senec. epist. 115. Bernard. serm. de miser. human. with much sweate and labour; they securely enioy their sports and delights; but these, as they compasse their desires with much paine and difficultie, so they possesse them with much care, feare, and danger. To which purpose another crieth out: See O wretched man (saith he) that all which thou affectest is but meere vanitie, and all follie and madnesse, whatsoeuer thou doest in the world, except that alone which thou doest towards God, for God, and to Gods glorie; whatsoeuer thou doest without God is all sinne and vanitie, because there is nothing good which is without the chiefe goodnesse.
But if we would hauehave a testimonie aboue all exceptions,§. Sect. 5. The vanitie of worldly things proued by Salomons testimony. let vsus consider what Salomon speaketh of these worldlie things, who had not onelyonly most wisedome and iudgement rightly to value them, but also more experience of them then any other, seeing he abounded more in all worldly prosperitie, then any man that euer liued vponupon the earth. For as in himselfe he excelled all mortall men that euer breathed, in1. King. 3. 12. and 4. 29. 30. Eccles. 2. 1. 3. wisedome and vnderstanding, the which hee purposely imployed, to improue all these worldly things to their vttermost value, as himselfe professeth; so in his state he farre outstript all others in prosperitie and abundance. For if you respect his honour, the holy Ghost saith, that there was neuer any among the Kings like vntounto him; for hee was a mightie1. King. 3, 13. Prince, yea a great Monarch, who reigned ouer all kingdomes, from the riuer vntounto the land of the Philistines, and vntounto the border 1. King. 4. 21. 24of Aegypt; and he ruled in all the region on the other side of the riuer from Tiphsah euen vntounto Azzah; ouer all the Kings on the other side the riuer, and they brought him presents and serued him all the daies of his life. Yea and not only they, but all the Kings of the earth sought the presence of Salomon, to heare his wisedome that God had put in his heart, and they brought eueryevery man his present, vessels of siluer, and vessels of 2. Chro. 9. 23. 24gold, and raiment, armour, and sweete odours, horses and mules from yeere to yeere. If ye looke to his riches, he had all things in abundance, and excelled herein also all the Kings of the earth, as the holy Ghost speaketh. He had six hundred, threescore,2. Chro. 9. 22. and six talents of gold yeerely, besides that which was brought in by his Tolegatherers and Merchants, and the presents which the Kings of Arabia brought vntounto him: hee had a stately Throne of Iuorie with six steps, and twelue lions2. Chro. 9. 13. at the ends of them couered with gold; hee made two hundred Targets of beaten gold, six hundred shekels going to a Target; and three hundred shields of beaten gold, threeVers. 20. hundred shekels going to a shield; his drinking vessels, yea all the vessels of his house of the wood of Lebanon, were ofVers. 27. pure gold; as for siluer in his daies it was nothing esteemed, but was as common as stones in the streete. For his prouision he had for one day thirtie measures of fine flower, and three score measures of meale, which according to the least account is 232 quarters, and according to the estimate of others much more; thirtie oxen, an hundred sheepe, beside1. King. 4. 2…. 26 Harts and Bucks, Bugles and fat fowle. He had fortie thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelue thousand horsemen. His pleasures also were answerable to his honors and riches, for looke what delights wit could inuent, orEccles. 2. 3. 4. 10. wealth and power prouide, and he denied none of them vntounto himselfe, nor withdrew his heart from any ioy, as himself testifieth. He had seuen hundred Queenes to his wiues, and three hundred Concubines; he built great works and stately houses, hee planted fruitfull vineyards and pleasant gardens, with goodly orchards furnished with all manner of fruites, hee had his fountaines and delightfull springs, his woods and shadie groues, his sweete musick, and in a word, all the delights of the sonnes of men. Besides all which priuate good, he publikely ruled with peace and tranquillitie al1. King. 4. 24. his kingdomes, his whole life. He was loued, feared and admired of all his people for his wisedome and iustice; andChap. 3. 28. that also which is the ioy and comfort of a good King, all his subiects liued in great prosperity vnderunder him. For al Iudah and Israel dwelt without feare eueryevery man vnderunder his vine and vnderunder Chap. 4. 25.his figtree, from Dan euen to Beersheba all the daies of Salomon. By all which it appeareth, that as neuer man had the like wisedome, so neither the like prosperitie and abundance of all worldly blessings. But heare after all his pompe and prosperity what testimony he giueth to all these earthly things, and that vponupon his owne experience. Ʋanitie of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie. Yea he concludethEccles. 1. 2. and 2. 11. afterwards that all is not only vanitie, but also vexation of spirit, and that there is no profit vnderunder the sunne. If a poore man though neuer so wise, or a scholer out of his knowledge and discourse had thus proclaimed the worlds vanitie, it might hauehave been deemed to hauehave proceeded from want of experience, because they had neuer triall of them, or from some melancholike conceit, mouing them to contemne that which they had no hope to enioy. And therefore because we should take no exceptions against this testimonie, it hath pleased the Lord to teach vsus this lesson by such an one as had not only most wisedome to iudge of them, but also most trial and experience of all these things, which the world esteemeth good, and worth desiring, both in respect of his abundance, and great varietie of them, and his long, secure and peaceable time, wherein he did inioy them; and that without the mixture of those innumerable troubles, with which other men are vexed and molested.
And so much for the testimonies which serue to shew the§. Sect. 6. That these worldly things are of no great excellencie, seeing they are but Gods common gifts. worlds vanitie, vntounto which innumerable others might bee added out of writings, both diuine and heathenish; but these being sufficient I will come to the reasons, which also proue it. And first the vanitie and worthlesnesse of the world and worldly things in comparison of those which are spirituall and heauenly, may hereby appeare, in that they are but Gods common gifts which he giueth in his infinit bountie, as well to his enemies, as vntounto his friends; to those who neglect all dutie, and rebell against him, as well as to his children and seruants, who louelove and feare him. Yea, commonly the Lord bestoweth these worldly things in great abundance vponupon the wicked, whereas for the most part he giueth them to the godly and righteous, whom he chiefly loueth, but with a sparing hand, and so much onelyonly as may serue for their necessarie vse. And this Dauid obserued, whereas he saith, that his wicked aduersaries were inclosed in their owne fat, that they Psal. 17. 10. 14.had plentie not onelyonly for themselues, but for their children. Yea so great was the prosperitie of wicked men, and so sharp his owne punishments and chastisements, that when he considered of it, his feet were almost gone, and his steps had well Psalm. 73. 2.neere slipt, being readie to preferre the estate of the vngodly, before the blessed condition of the children of God. And thus the Church in the Lamentations complaineth, that her aduersaries were the chiefe, and that her enemies prospered; Lamen. 1. 5.whereas she was afflicted, and her children led into captiuitie. But of this I hauehave spoken more fully when I generally intreated of prosperitie, and therefore will for the generall, adde no more testimonies nor examples.
OnelyOnly let vsus consider the truth hereof in those three instances§. Sect. 7. That God bestoweth honours as well vponupon the wicked as vponupon the godly. of honours, riches and pleasures. And first for honours wee shall find, that God hath more bountifully imparted them vntounto the wicked and reprobate, then vntounto the godly and faithfull. Thus Esau flourisheth in pompe and worldly glory, going attended in great state, with 400. men waiting at his heeles; and Iacob creepeth and croucheth vntounto him, meanely accompanied with a few poore seruants, that tended his sheepe and cattell. Thus Pharaoh sitteth in the regall throne, raigning and ruling at his pleasure, and making his corrupt and vniust will to stand for law; whereas Moses and Aaron, the beloued of the Lord, are humble suiters vntounto him for the peoples libertie, and at his becke to go and come as he appointed. Thus the high Priests, Scribes and Pharisies, sit in Moses chaire, and are esteemed the great Rabbins and Doctors of the world; whilest the deare Disciples of Iesus Christ, are basely esteemed as Galileans and poore fishermen, conuented before the iudgement seats, checked, taunted, scorned and misused, as though they had bin the very offskourings of the world. Yea thus doe wicked Herod, Pilate, Annas and Caiphas raigne as Kings, and sit on the iudgement seate, absoluing and condemning whom they will: and contrariwise, our Sauiour Christ, the onelie begotten and dearely beloued Son of God, is haled before them, accused and reproched, scorned and derided, buffeted, spit vponupon, whipped and misused.
The like also may bee said of riches, with which wicked§. Sect. 8. Reprobates abound with riches as much as Gods seruants. men commonly most exceed; whereas Gods seruants oftentimes are scanted of necessaries: So Nabal aboundeth in all superfluitie, and Dauid is an humble suiter vntounto him for reliefe; the false Prophets are nourished at Iesabels table, and poore Elias is in commons with the Rauens; the Pharisies and Scribes eate the fat of the land, and abound in wealth, and the Disciples are forbidden to possesse gold orMat. 10. 9. 10. siluer, yea, to carrie a scrip, wherein to put their needments, or to be owners of two coats at once; vntounto Iudas is the bag committed, whereas Peter hath neither siluer nor gold, as heActs 3. 6. professeth. The idolatrous Kings and heathen potentates hauehave the world at will, strouting themselues in their statelie palaces, and wallowing in their wealth; but Iesus Christ, the Lord of heauen and earth, and heire apparant of Gods glorious Kingdome, when he is borne, hath a manger for hisLuke 2. 7. bed, the stable for his lodging chamber, and the oxen and horses for his chamber-fellowes. Neither was he better prouided for, when he came to riper age, for as himselfe testifieth, the foxes hauehave holes, and the birds of the heauen hauehave nests, Matth. 17. 27.but the Sonne of man hath not whereon to lay his head; yea, so vnfurnished was he of wealth at some times, that when hee was to pay poll money, he was faine to borrow it of a sillie fish.
Finally, the pleasures of the world are also Gods common§. Sect. 9. The wicked worldling hath a greater share of worldlie pleasures, then Gods deare children. gifts, which he bestoweth as well on the wicked and reprobate, as vponupon his owne children and seruants: yea in truth much more plentifully hauehave the enemies of God and his grace, enioyed them from the beginning of the world to this day, then those who hauehave feared and serued the Lord; for seeing they are to vsus, by reason of our corruption, like kniues in the hands of children, and sweet and licorous meats, whereon they are apt to surfeit; therefore the Lord suffering wicked men, as it were slaues and vassals, to take their libertie, and to vse what diet they list, as not regarding their spirituall health and life, nor caring what becomes of them; hath alwaies had speciall care of his owne children, dieting them with such a small pittance, as they may well digest, without impairing the▪ health of their soules; and mixing these delicious drinkes of pleasures, in the bitter cup of afflictions, whereby he hath still purged away these grosse humours of corruption, when they began to abound with them through their daintie fare. And thus he suffered those abiects, Ismael and Esau, to spend their time in hunting and reuelling, pleasure and delight; whereas the promised seed, Isaac and Iacob, to whom the promises belonged, spent their time in painefull labours, and whilest they kept their sheepe, indured the scorching heate of the Sunne by day, and the pinching cold of the frosts by night. Thus Dauids wicked enemies were so pampered with delights, that their eies Psalm. 73. 7. 14.stood out with fatnesse, whereas he was daily punished and chastened eueryevery morning. Thus Diues the rich glutton, clothed himselfe with purple and fine linnen, and fared deliciously euerie Luke. 16.day, and poore Lazarus, beloued of God, is pinched with hunger, clothed with rags, and tormented with sores and sicknesses. Finally, the whore of Babylon is suffered to hauehaveApoc: 17. 2. 4. in her hand a golden cup, ful of voluptuous pleasures and delights, and not only to drink thereof largely her selfe; but also to make drunk with her abundance the great princes, and potentates of the earth: whereas the poore Saints of God hauehave allotted to their share the cup of afflictions, wherein our Sauiour Christ beginning to them, drunke a larger draught, then euer any mortall man. In which respect, the Lord dealeth with mankind, as the wise Physitian with his sicke patients; those ouer whom hee is most carefull, in regard both of the louelove he beareth them, and the hope he conceiueth of their recouerie, he straightly dieteth, forbidding them the vse of those meats and drinkes, which by reason of their disease they louelove and desire; and giueth them many a bitter potion, and troublesome plaister, that hee may hereby restore them to their health: whereas contrariwise those whom hee neglecteth, because their diseases are desperate, and past hope of cure, are permitted to vse what diet they list without restraint. And thus the Lord giueth to his deare seruants whom hee intendeth to cure, the bitter potions of afflictions, and restraineth them of worldly pleasures, which are so delightfull to their carnall appetites; whereas he suffereth reprobate men, who are desperately sicke in sin, to glut themselues with these fleshly delights, and to hauehave their owne carnall appetite, as the rule and direction of their diet.
By all which it appeareth, that these worldly benefits§. Sect. 10. That the commonnesse of these earthlie gifts sheweth their vilitie and basenesse. of honours, riches and pleasures are common to the wicked, yea, that they hauehave in them the largest share, and greatest part; whereas contrariwise God bestoweth his spirituall graces, faith, louelove, hope, a good conscience and the rest, as also the assurance of his eternall and heauenly ioies vponupon his owne seruants and children, who are most neere and deare vntounto him. Whereby it is cleare and euident, that these are infinitely of more worth and value then the other; for if we will acknowledge the Lord to bee a wise dispenser of his own gifts, we need not to doubt, but that he giueth his least benefits vntounto those whom hee least affecteth, and reserueth his rich treasures, and choicest iewels, for those whom hee most dearelie loueth. Neither can it bee imagined,Tanto altius temp…ralia iustu… despicit, quantò haec abundare etiam malis cernit. Qua… enim sint despicienda c…nsiderat, quae deus omnipotens etiam peruersis praestat. Si enim principaliter magna essent, nequaquam haec conditor aduersarijs suis tribueret. Gregor. Mor. lib. 17. cap. 14. that if hee esteemed these earthly things of any value, he would giuegive them to his enemies, and denie them to his friends, suffer reprobate and wicked men to abound with them, and giuegive them so sparinglie to his owne seruants, yea, to his onelyonly Sonne, in whom hee was well pleased. For what wise man will inrich his slaues, and suffer his deare children to liue in want? bee liberall to strangers and enemies, imparting vntounto them gifts of great value; and denie the vse of them to his owne familie? whereby it manifestly appeareth, that seeing the Lord infinite in wisdome and in louelove towards his seruants and children, as also in iustice towards his enemies, doth bestow these earthlie things more abundantly vponupon the wicked, then vponupon the godly; therefore hee esteemed them but small trifles of little worth or value, which hee bestoweth as temporall rewards vponupon his slaues, and as wages for some base and seruile duties by them performed; and that he accounteth his spirituall graces, and heauenly ioies his chiefe treasures, and gifts of greatest value, seeing he peculiarly reserueth them for his elect, and bestoweth them vponupon his owne seruants and children, who are most deere vntounto him. And as Abraham gaue portions to his base children, & so sent them away; reseruing his chiefe riches, and the inheritance for his sonne Isaac, the child of promise: so the Lord bestoweth a portion of temporall and earthly benefits, vponupon these bastards and base creatures; but as for his chiefe riches of spirituall grace, and his peculiar inheritance of eternall glory, them he reserueth for his owne children, to whom the couenant of grace, and the promises of the Gospell belong and appertaine.