The Great Assize, Sermon 1

The Great Assize · Sermon 1

p. 225A Fold for Chriſts SHEEP. THE FIRST SERMON.

CANT. 1.6.7.

6 Shew thou me, O thou whom my ſoule loueth, where thou feedeſt, and where thou lieſt at noone: For why ſhould I bee as ſhee that turneth aſide to the Flocks of thy companions?

7 If thou know not, O thou the faireſt among women, get thee forth by the ſteps of the Flocke, and feede thy Kiddes by the Tents of the Shepheards.

BEFORE I enter into the Text it ſelfe, which I hauehave now read vntounto p. 226you, it ſhal not be amiſſe for my better proceeding, and your vnderſtanding, to ſpeake ſomething concerning the order of placing this Booke, the Title of it, and the ſubiect matter therein contained.

Touching the order of placing this Booke, wherein king Salomon labours to build vp the Spirituall Temple of the Soule: It is the ſame hee obſerued in building the materiall temple,1. Reg 6.1 Kgs 6 where he framed three Courts; the vtmoſt for the Common People, the ſecond for the Prieſts and Leuites, and laſt of all, that Sanctum Sanctorum, the Holieſt of Holies, onelie for the High Prieſt to enter in at, and that but once a yeare: euen ſo in this Spirituall Temple of mans Soule hee hath likewiſe framed three Courts: Firſt, an p. 227vtmoſt Court, which is his Booke of Prouerbes, where all ſorts and degrees of men whatſoeuer, are taught & inſtructed a ciuill courſe of maners: Next to that, he hath a ſecond Court, which is his Eccleſiaſtes, leading men on further in the wayes of godlineſſe and Chriſtian piety: And laſt of all, hee hath a Sanctum Sanctorum, which is his Canticles, wherein not euerie one, but onelyonly thoſe which delight in heauenlie and Diuine Myſteries may behold the pure, free, perfect, eternall, and conſtant louelove of Chriſt Ieſus towards his Church, and euerie faithfull Soule; as alſo the louelove of his Church towardes him, and what great and princely benefits ſhe reapeth by him.

Secondly, for the Title and ſubiect matter of this moſt excellent p. 228Booke, as there is Sabbatum Sabbati, ſo this is a Song of Songs: becauſe of all that Salomon did endite, this is moſt Diuine and moſt excellent. In the which hee doth moſt liuely and affectionately, by Allegoricall, and Parabolicall Speeches, cipher out and deſcribe vntounto vsus the moſt holie and perfect louelove of Chriſt Ieſus, towardes the Church his bleſſed Spouſe. For CHRIST and his Church are heere brought in, in this worthie Booke, as two Paramours,Pſalme 45Ps 45 who are in louelove the one with the other; as a time of wooing euer goeth before the ſolemnization of Matrimonie, and which in due conuenient time hauehave a purpoſe to marrie,Math. 1.11Matt 1:11 as Ioſeph and Mary were firſt eſpouſed before they came together: So the ſame order is obſerued p. 229in this Spirituall Vnion betwixt Chriſt and his Church: Iohn 3.29. They muſt firſt bee contracted, then after married. The Contract is, when a man is regenerate and borne anew, Reuel. 21 9. tranſlated out of Nature into Grace, depending only vponupon Chriſt for ſaluation: and finiſhed and made vp in the day of Iudgement, when all the Elect ſhall fully enioy Chriſt. For ſo witneſſeth the Holy ghoſt, where it is ſaid, Let all be glad and reioyce, and giuegive glory to him, for the Marriage of the Lambe is come, and his wife hath made herſelfe ready, Reu. 19.7. So then this booke containes in it the wonderfull louelove, and mutual affection betwixt Chriſt Ieſus and his Spouſe: the true Church of GOD, and euerie true beleeuer. Thus much may p. 230ſerue touching the book it ſelf, we will now come to the words of the Text.

Shew thou me, O thou whom my ſoule loueth, &c.

IN the beginning of this chapter, the Church beginneth to ſpeake to Chriſt, and being rauiſhed in heart with his LoueLove, deſires moſt earneſtly to be embraced of him, that ſhee might be ioyned vntounto him, and hauehave fellowſhip with him, preferring Chriſt Ieſus with the bleſſings and benefites ſhe reapeth by him, before all other things in the world.

In the third Verſe ſhee confeſſeth her vntowardneſſe, and her want of power to embrace Chriſt, and therefore ſhe deſireth him to draw her heart by p. 231his Word and Spirit: whereby ſhee ſheweth her earneſt deſire to receiue Ieſus Chriſt.

Verſe 4. She remoues an obiection that might be made: for it might be ſaid, Alas, thou art black and deformed, how canſt thou then hope that hee will take any pleaſure in thy beauty, ſeeing that hee is the moſt pure, bleſſed and glorious Son of God? To this ſhe confeſſeth, that though by Nature ſhee be blacke, ful of blemiſhes and naturall corruptions, by reaſon of her originall ſinne, and naturall corruptions, as alſo her actuall tranſgreſſions; yet notwithſtanding, being waſhed in Chriſts Bloud, cloathed in his Righteouſneſſe, and being decked and beautified vvith the Graces of his Spirit, Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, Zeale, Patience, p. 232LoueLove, Obedience, &c. ſhee is faire and comely.

Now in the ſixt Verſe, ſhee puts vp an earneſt requeſt vntounto Chriſt, that he would in merciemercy ſhew her where hee feedeth his Flocke, and where he prouides comfort for them in the time of trouble. For Chriſt being the great Sheepheard, his Church on earth ſeekes onelyonly after him, to be fedde, reſting aſſured, that there is but one true ſhepheard, who feedeth all his Sheep with wholeſome paſture.

In theſe two Verſes we hauehave two things to be conſidered of vsus,

Viz.

1 The Requeſt and Petition the which the Church doth make vntounto Chriſt. Verſe 6.

The Tex… diuided2 The moſt kinde and louing anſwere of Chriſt Ieſus vntounto his Church, directing her, and comforting her according to her Petition, Verſe 7.

p. 233In the firſt of theſe wee are to conſider two things. Firſt, the Requeſt; and ſecondly, the reaſon of the Requeſt.

In the Requeſt, note, Firſt, the perſon to whom ſhe reſorts; Oh thou whom &c.

Secondly, the Requeſt it ſelfe, which is twofo…d.

Firſt, that Chriſt Ieſus would ſhew her where he feeds his Flocke with his holy Word & Sacraments; to this end, that hee would feede her, as he fed the Flockes of former times.

Secondly, where hee prouides ſhelter and ſhadow, in the heate of perſecution; as the manner of thoſe Shepheards was in thoſe hot countries, to driue their ſheepe to ſhade in the heate of the day.

And laſtly, the Reaſon: For why ſhould I bee as ſhee that turneth aſide after the Flockes of thy companions? So that if CHRIST doe it not, it will not bee for His honour, nor yet for her good.

p. 234The perſon vntounto whom the Church ſeekes for direction.Firſt, for the Perſon to whom ſhee ſeeketh for direction and comfort, it is CHRIST IESVS the Sauiour and Redeemer of his church and people; whom ſhee deſcribeth thus, Oh thou whom my ſoule loueth, &c. q. d. O Lord IESVS CHRIST my Sauiour and Redeemer, whom I louelove with all mine heart; yea whom I louelove moſt earneſtly, aboue all the world: So, as if the queſtion were asked what I louelove beſt in all the world, I ſpeake it from my heart; It is thou Lord alone.

Doctr. 1 Chriſt Ieſus muſt be loued with the ſtFaida Hamdiongeſt affection of louelove.Hence wee learne with what affection eueryevery childe of God, and true beleeuer, muſt louelove IESVS CHRIST; namely, with the greateſt and ſtrongeſt affection of louelove they can. So as if it were asked, what, or whom doſt thou louelove moſt, thou canſt truely p. 235ſay with the Church here, the Lord Ieſus CHRIST, O thou whom my ſoule loueth! So did S. Peter, whoſe louelove was ſo great that he died for CHRIST: So that hee might verie well ſay to Chriſt when hee asked him this queſtion, Whether he did louelove him, or no? Yea Lord, Iohn 21.15John 21:15thou knoweſt that I louelove thee. The like is to be ſeene in Marie, whoſe louelove was ſo great to Chriſt, that in teſtimonie thereof ſhee waſhed his feet with her teares, and wiped them with the haires of her head: So that CHRIST giues this teſtimonie of her to her euerlaſting praiſe,Luke 7.47Luke 7:47 That ſhee loued much. So doth the Church and Spouſe of CHRIST teſtifie her louelove to Chriſt, in diuers places of this moſt worthy book calling CHRIST IESVS her Beloued,Cant. 2.10Song 2:10 My beloued ſpake and p. 236ſaid, &c. And againe, Stay mee with Flaggons, and comfort mee with Apples, for I am ſicke of louelove, Cant. 2.5. Yea it is a Precept giuen by the Lord God himſelfe, that hee muſt hauehave the chiefeſt louelove, and the firſt roome in our hearts: Thou ſhalt louelove the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with al thy ſoule, & with all thy ſtrength, Deut. 6.5. The Lord will not be ſatisfied with the louelove of our eyes, to behold his workes; the louelove of the eare, to liſten to his word; the louelove of the tongue, to talke of him; the louelove of the feet, to go to his Sanctuary; but the Lord doth require all theſe loues together in one: So as a man may truely ſay with Dauid the prophet, Pſal. 83.25. Whom hauehave I in heauen but thee? And … deſire nothing in earth in compariſon of thee. The Lord cannot abide p. 237that a man ſhould hauehave a heart, and a heart; one for God, another for the Diuell. We can not ſerue God and Mammon:Mat. 6.24Matt 6:24 wee muſt not part our louelove to the world, the Fleſh, or the Diuell, but Chriſt muſt hauehave all. Now the reaſons are diuerſe, to ſhew with what an ardent affection wee muſt louelove CHRIST IESVS.

Firſt, becauſe he is our Huſband, Reaſon 1 and wee are his Spouſe, for ſo ſaith the Prophet Eſay: Eſay 54.5.Isa 54:5Hee that made thee is thy Huſband, whoſe name is the Lord of Hoaſts. And agayne,Reu. 19.7Rev 19:7 Let vsus reioyce and giuegive glorie to him, for the Marriage of the Lambe is come, and his wife hath made her ſelfe ready. Now our Spirituall ſeruice and worſhip of God is (as it were) a certaine Marriage of our ſoules vntounto God. When p. 238wee take vponupon vsus the profeſſion of Chriſt Ieſus, as in Baptiſme; then wee betroth our ſelues to Chriſt, as to an husbād, entring into couenant with CHRIST, To keepe vsus onelyonly to him vntounto our liues end. So then by this meanes, the Lord is become our husband, & we his Spouſe. Now then, as an honeſt man can not endure that another man ſhould hauehave a portion in his wife; ſo will not Chriſt endure that any other ſhould hauehave with him a portiō in his church, For he is a iealous God, Exodus 20. verſe 5. So then the force of the reaſon ſtandeth thus. Gods people which are married vntounto CHRIST, muſt louelove CHRIST alone, becauſe we are linked & married to him alone, as a wife to her husband, vntounto whom alone ſhe is bound. Therefore if p. 239we forſake the Lord, and breake the promiſe wee made to him in Baptiſme, and betroth our ſelues vntounto others; then will he ſurely caſt vsus off, giuegive vsus a Bill of Diuorcement, as ſhameleſſe ſtrumpets, and puniſh vsus for our vnfaithfulneſſe.

Secondly, hee loued vsus firſt Reaſon 2 and beſt, according to that of Iohn; Wee louelove him, Iohn 4.19John 4:19becauſe hee loued vsus firſt: Yea, he loued vsus firſt, when we were his enemies, and had made a voluntary ſeparation betweene him and our ſoules, committing Spirituall fornication with ſinne and Sathan: yea, as the Apoſtle Paul witneſſeth,Eph. 2.4.5.Eph 2:4Eph 2:5 Yee that were dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes hath hee quickened. And leſt wee ſhould any whit doubt of his louelove, hee hath manifeſted it,Reuel. 1.6.Rev 1:6 in that Hee hath waſhed vsus from our ſinnes p. 240in his Bloud: Oh then, greater LoueLove then this, can no man ſhew. And therefore, ſeeing Chriſt hath loued thy Soule ſo dearely, as to ſuffer a curſed death, yea to ſhed his owne heart Bloud, to ſaue thy ſoule: Oh how oughteſt thou to louelove Chriſt agayne? If a man vvere taken by the Turkes, and put to extreme ſlauery and bondage, where hee ſhould remayne for euer, vnleſſe a great ſumme of money were payd for his ranſome, the which hee were neuer able to pay: how miſerable were the eſtate of this man? But if one ſhould come, that out of his meere louelove vntounto him, pittying his miſerie, that ſhould pay his ranſome, and ſet him free: who can expreſſe how much this poore wretch were bound vntounto him? VVee are all taken p. 241priſoners, and that not by the Turkes, which onelyonly can but hold vsus in temporall bondage; but by Sathan the Prince of darkeneſſe, where wee ſhould hauehave indured, not a temporall, but a ſpirituall and eternall bondage and ſlauery, and that in hell for euermore. And nothing but onelyonly the bloud of the Sonne of God could bee our ranſome: O, how ſhould this worke vponupon the affection of eueryevery Chriſtian man and woman, and euen bind vsus to louelove Chriſt againe. Now what might moue Chriſt, but onelyonly his louelove, to giuegive himſelfe to death for vsus? Surely, nothing that was in vsus.Ephe. 2.4.5Eph 2:4Eph 2:5 But God who is rich in merciemercy, through his great louelove wherewith he loued vsus, euen when we were dead by ſinnes, hath quickned vsus together by Chriſt, by whoſe grace yee are ſaued. And p. 242againe.1. Ioh 3.161 John 3:16 Hereby hauehave we perceiued louelove, that hee layd downe his life for vsus. Epheſ. 1.7.Eph 1:7By whom (ſaith the Apoſtle) we hauehave redemption through his bloud, and therefore the louelove that Chriſt Ieſus hath firſt ſhe…ed vntounto vsus, muſt conſtraine vsus to louelove Chriſt againe.

Reaſon 3 And laſtly, becauſe CHRIST IESVS is moſt excellent in him ſelfe, and therfore moſt worthie of our louelove: For ſo ſaith the Church of Chriſt, My beloued is white and ruddy, Cant. 5.10Song 5:10the chiefe of ten thouſand. In the world we ſee it commō, that ſome are beloued, becauſe they are faire and beautifull; ſome, becauſe they are rich and wealthy; ſome, becauſe they are wiſe and prudent; and ſome, becauſe they are honourably deſcended. Now Chriſt Ieſus hath all of theſe. For what ſoeuer may affect a mans heart, p. 243and any way procure louelove, the ſame is Chriſt Ieſus fully and abſolute without any ſhadow of mutabilitie, or change: For wiſedome, he is the fountaine: for truth, hee is the authour of truth: for merciemercy, he is the ſtore-houſe of all merciemercy: for riches, hee is the Lord of heauen and earth, euen the ſtore-houſe of durable riches: and for beautie, hee is the moſt holy and bleſſed ſonne of God, full of grace and truth.

Oh how may this ſerue to reproue Vſe 1 all carnall and prophane Goſpellers, worldly men, Epicures, couetous Cormorants who louelove any thing more then Chriſt Ieſus and his glorious Goſpell, like the Gadarens, who preferred their hogges before Chriſt: yea one meſſe of pottage with Eſau: that can be content p. 244to ſell Chriſt for leſſe then thirtie pence: that louelove their filthy pleſures, eating, drinking, pride, vncleanneneſſe, &c. more then CHRIST and their owne ſoules, like the Bethlemites, let Chriſt lie in the ſtable amongſt beaſts; for they can not affoord him one corner in their hearts.

Againe, it is the ſin of thouſands, that profeſſe Chriſt to be their Husband and Sauior, that yet breake their couenant, and ſerue the world and the fleſh: that pretend they louelove the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and yet betroth themſelues to the world, the fleſh, and the diuell, and ſerue them. Now how could any man be content with this, That his wife ſhould ſay ſhe loues him, and yet ſets her heart vponupon another man? So, how can wee thinke that God will take it at p. 245our hands, if we will make ſhew that we louelove Chriſt, and yet are euer dallying with the world, Chriſts enemy? Oh he is a iealous God, and will neuer indure it at our hands.

And laſtly, by the rule of this Doctrine of the Papiſts heere no leſſe to be reproued; who ſo much rob God of his honour, calling vponupon Saints, and praying vntounto them; nay, preferring the virgin Marie before Chriſt himſelfe; giuing honour and adoration to Saints and Angels, making them Mediatours and Sauiours: they ſhall finde one day, that GOD will not put vp this robbery at their hands; but will ſhew his iealous and terrible anger againſt them, as moſt ſacrilegious perſons, and robbers.

It muſt ſtirre vp eueryevery Chriſtian Vſe 2 p. 246man to labour to finde his heart rauiſhed with the louelove of Chriſt Ieſus; ſo as he can ſay, out of the affection of his heart, O thou whom my ſoule loueth! ſo as if the queſtion were demanded, what I louelove beſt? I can truly ſay,Phil. 3.7.8.Phil 3:7Phil 3:8 I louelove Chriſt Ieſus more then the whole world: yea, I account all things but loſſe and dung to win Chriſt. And where men find this true affection & louelove of Chriſt in them, it is a certaine ſigne of their ſaluation; that God hath caſt his louelove vponupon them, that ſo the louelove of God drawes louelove to him againe. As the light of the Sunne lights on the eie, and by it we ſee the Sunne again. And as by the picture in the Waxe, wee know the Seale: ſo by our louelove to God, we know his louelove to vsus. O how ſhould this cauſe eueryevery man and woman, and eueryevery p. 247mothers childe amongeſt vsus, to examine their louelove towards Chriſt, that ſo they may gather ſome aſſurance vntounto their owne ſoules, that Chriſt hath caſt his louelove vponupon them. And to doe this, aske me this queſtion of thine owne ſoule: Doeſt thou deſire,Phil. 1.25.Phil 1:25 with the Apoſtle Paul, to be looſed, and to be with Chriſt? Tell mee,Note. is it meate and drinke vntounto thee to doe the will of Chriſt? Is thy hand euer ready (according to thy abilitie) to beſtow any thing vponupon Chriſt, & for the aduancement of his glory? Doeſt thou labour in the place vvherein thou liueſt, to aduance the glorious Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt? Canſt thou bee content to vndergoe ſhame, diſgrace, trouble, perſecution and bonds; yea, death it ſelfe for Chriſts ſake? p. 248Doth the remembrance of his comming to Iudgement cheere vp thy heauy ſoule? And doeſt thou cry with the ſpouſe of Chriſt, Come Lord Ieſus, come quickly? Theſe bee markes and tokens whereby thou maiſt diſcerne whether thou doſt louelove Chriſt Ieſus, yea or no.

But becauſe all men are ready to ſay that they louelove Chriſt, or elſe it were pitty they ſhould liue, and the like; when indeed the louelove of Chriſt is not in them:Markes to diſcerne our louelove to Chriſt. I will yet proceed a little further, and obſerue a few notes and markes of this pure and hearty louelove to Chriſt, which are moſt certaine ſignes of grace.

1. By our louelove to his word.Firſt, if wee louelove Chriſt, wee will louelove his word, delight in it, and eſteeme it aboue gold and pretious ſtones.Pſal. 119.67.Ps 119:67 Lord what louelove hauehave I vntounto thy word (ſaith p. 249Dauid) all the day long is my ſtudy in it. Yea, it is altogether impoſſible for a man to be religious, to feare God, and to louelove him, that hath no ſound louelove, nor delight in the word of God: ſo that by our louelove to his word, wee may iudge of our louelove to Chriſt: No louelove nor delight in the word, ſurely no louelove nor delight in Chriſt: great louelove to the word, great louelove to Chriſt. In the valewing of this pearle, Dauids practiſe is notable, who made the Teſtimonies of God his heritage, Verſe 111.and the very ioy of his heart, and eſteemed them aboue gold, yea aboue fine gold. And therefore ſeeing moſt men hauehave no delight in the word, ſeldome or neuer heare it (vnleſſe it be for faſhion ſake) read it, or meditate in it day or night: it is a certaine token that the louelove of p. 250Chriſt is not in them.

2. By our louelove to his Saints.Secondly, if wee louelove Chriſt Ieſus with all our heart, we will louelove thoſe whom he loues, his bleſſed members, true Chriſtians.1. Iohn 3.1 John 3 Hereby (ſaith Saint Iohn) wee know that we are tranſlated from darkneſſe into light, becauſe we louelove the brethren. Dauid teſtifies of himſelfe, Al my delight is vponupon thy Saints. It is our duty to louelove all, but wee muſt louelove the Saints with a peculiar and ſpeciall louelove, as heires with Chriſt, and members of the ſame body with vsus. Therefore ſeeing men generally hate the members of Chriſt, contemne them, and deſpiſe them; doth not this make it verie apparent, that the louelove of Chriſt is not in them? For the world loues her owne; Iohn 15.19John 15:19But becauſe I hauehave choſen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

p. 251Thirdly, if we louelove Chriſt Ieſus,3. By our obedience we muſt ſhew it by our obedience to his word, and to his holy Lawes: for ſo ſaith Chriſt, If ye louelove me, Ioh. 14 23.John 14:23keep my Commandements. Little obedience, little louelove; no obedience to Chriſts will, no louelove, hearty obedience, hearty louelove. And therefore ſeeing generally men rebel againſt his word, and breake his Commandements; thogh theſe men ſhould ſwear they louelove Chriſt, yet are they liars, and the louelove of Chriſt is not in them. For, who can beleeue that a traytor can louelove his Prince?

Fourthly, if we louelove Chriſt Ieſus,4. By our ſuffering for Chriſt. we cannot endure to heare him blaſphemed, rayled on, reuiled, his word contemned, or his Sabaoths prophaned, but it will grieue vsus at the very heart, & we will (to the vtmoſt of our p. 252power) defend his cauſe, as a louing childe the cauſe of his father; and a faithfull ſeruant, the credit of his maiſter. And withall, it will make vsus be content to indure ſome triall and perſecution for his ſake: yea, loſſe of libertie, wealth, riches, yea life i… ſelfe, who hath ſo loued vsus, that he ſhed his bloud for vsus. Thus much of the affection of the Church towards Chriſt Ieſus. Now we are to come to the petitions themſelues.

Shew thou mee, O thou whom my ſoule loueth, where thou feedeſt, &c.

THe Church heere, as in many other places of the holie Scriptures, compares Chriſt Ieſus to a good and faithfull ſhepheard, as the Prophet Eſay deſcribes p. 253him,Eſay 40.Isa 40 He will gather together his Lambs. And againe, Behold, Ezech. 34.Ezek 34I will require my flocke of the Shepheards, and I my ſelfe will feede my ſheepe, and cauſe them to reſt quietly. This is acknowledged of the Prophet Dauid: Pſal. 23.1.Ps 23:1The Lord is my ſhepheard, therefore I cannot want. Yea Chriſt doth thus entitle himſelfe, ſaying;Ioh. 10.11.John 10:11 I … the good ſhepheard, &c.

Now the Church of Chriſt doth put vp her requeſt to this great Shepheard and Doctour of his Church, that hee would be pleaſed to tell her where hee feedes his ſheep with the preaching of the Word, and the vſe Of the Sacraments, that ſo ſhee may ioyne with them, there to be fed and comforted.

Queſt. But, Obiect. was not this the true Church that moueth this queſtion? what is then that other p. 254Church, or flocke ſhe enquires after?

Reſp.Anſ. I anſwere: Howſoeuer the Church of God is but one in all the world, yet it hath diuerſe partes. As the Ocean ſea, though but one, yet it is called by diuers names, according to the place where it lies: Euen ſo the Church of Chriſt, though but one, yet it hath diuers parts, as the Holy-Ghoſt diſtinguiſheth of it,Reuel. 1.4.Rev 1:4 writing to the ſeuen Churches which are in Aſia: Now of the whole Church of Chriſt, ſome parts of it be at peace and reſt, free from perſecution, when other partes may ſuffer perſecutions, moleſtations, and be vexed by the Diuell and his inſtruments, whom he ſets a worke. Now in this place, the Church of God in perſecution and great affliction, deſieth p. 255to know of Chriſt, Where he feedes his ſheepe, that is, where the Church is at reſt and peace, where the word is purely preached, the Sacraments duly adminiſtred, and Diſcipline duly performed, that ſhe may ioyne with them in the ſeruice of Almightie God.

From this requeſt and earneſt Doctr. 2 ſute of the Church vntounto Chriſt, to know where he doth feed his ſheepe, wee learne that it is a true note of a ſheepe of Chriſt Ieſus,The true note of a ſheep of Chriſt, to hunger and thirſt after the word of God. to hunger and thirſt after the word of GOD, to enquire where Chriſt feedes his flocke, where the word is truely and faithfully preached, and the Sacraments truelie adminiſtred. And this doubt our Sauior him ſelfe obſerueth to be the eare-marke of his ſheepe;Iohn 10.27John 10:27 My ſheepe heare my voyce, and I know them, p. 156and they follow me: but the voice of a ſtranger will they not heare. This affection was in godly Dauid, O Lord, how amiable are thy Tabernacles? how doth my ſoule long after thy Altars? O when ſhal I come & appeare before the Lord in Sion? And this duety is impoſed vponupon eueryevery Chriſtian, to hauehave an earneſt affection vntounto the word of God. As when a man is hungry, the veines ſucking moiſture in the bottome of the ſtomacke, he feeles a paine which makes him deſire meate: euen ſo our ſouls void of grace, and nouriſhment vntounto eternall life, they ſhould hunger and thirſt after Chriſt and his righteouſnes,Iohn 6.26.John 6:26 after his word, which is the Spirituall foode of our ſoules. And till a man be hungry, he longs not for meate, hee deſires not foode: ſo, till we ſee p. 257our wāts, we neuer ſeek to hauehave our ſoules fedde with the word of God. Now in that ſo few deſire the word of GOD, and ſo few eſteeme of it, it ſhewes that very few do feeele their want of food, very few can diſcern their miſery, and wretched eſtate; but moſt men run on in ſinne, bleſſe themſelues in their euill wayes, and neuer ſay, Alas, 1. Pet. 2.2.1 Pet 2:2what hauehave I done? we muſt deſire the ſincere milke of the word, as the infant the mothers breaſt; And as the Hart doth the riuers of waters, Pſa. 42. and as the Church doth here; Shew me, O ſhew me where thou feedeſt thy flock! We ſhould doe as the earth doth in time of drought; ſhe opens her mouth, begging and gaping vntill the Lord ſend a raine. The beggar neuer begges hard till he ſee his owne want, and then hee will p. 258ſpare no time, labor, nor words: ſo till we ſee our owne wants, we will neuer ſeeke for the ſpirituall foode of our ſoules. But they bee bleſſed which hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſſe, Mat. 5.6. though we think we be happy when we feele no want; as it is a common thing to ſay, I neuer doubted of my ſaluation, I would be loath my conſcience ſhould trouble mee, &c. But certainly it is the beginning of grace, to finde our ſelues to want grace. Thoſe that do eate meate with a full ſtomacke, it doth them leaſt good: So they which are full, and feele not the want of the word, it doth them little good.

Reaſon 1 And the reaſon is, that if we do not hunger and thirſt after the VVord of GOD, wee can neuer enioy the varietie of all p. 259thoſe good things that are treaſured vp in the Word to make vsus truely happie; foraſmuch as all good things which we hauehave and doe enioy in this preſent life, they are appendences to the Word; by which Word, and by Prayer, they are ſanctified to vsus. Now it is got and obtained no other way, but by thirſting after it. As the bleſſed Virgine ſaith in her Song, Luke 1. v. 53. Hee filleth the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath ſent emptie away. Which may ſerue to comfort the poore children of God, which ſhew their thirſting deſire, by their great labour and trauell, to heare the Word preached, though they meete with mockings and ſcoffings for it, by ſuch as are farre from thirſting after it of themſelues.

p. 260Reaſon 2 Secondly, if wee ſhould not eagerly ſeeke after the word of God, wee ſhould neuer know how much wee are beholding to the Lord for the manifold graces, and bleſſings, which we receiue daily from our moſt mercifull God thereby. For ſo ſaith Salomon: The perſon that is full deſpiſeth the hony-combe; Prou. 27.7Prov 27:7but vntounto the hungry ſoule, eueryevery bitter thing is ſweete. So that when wee ſhall ſee our ſpirituall pouertie without the Word, that we ſhould euen faint & ſtarue, and pine away, it will then make vsus priſe the excellencie of that benefite wee enioy, when wee hauehave the ſame truely and ſincerely Preached and Taught amongſt vsus.

Vſe 1 Seeing this longing deſire after Chriſt, and his Word, is the Eare-marke, and the Wol-marke, p. 261the Badge, and the Brand of the Sheepe of Chriſt, the true Church and children of God: this doctrine then maketh a plain diſtinction betwixt the Sheepe of Chriſt, and the ſtinking goates of Sathan. The Sheep of Chriſt long after their Sheepheard; deſire to be inſtructed by him; hunger after the VVord preached and taught; wiſh for the Sabaoth, enquire where Chriſt doth feede his Sheep, in the greene paſture of his Word and Sacraments: but the goats of Satan loathe the word, and the preaching of it, They treade downe the paſture of the Sheepe, Ezech. 34. yea they are weary of it, they will not goe to the dore to heare, Malac. 2.13. they can be content as well ro want it, as ro hauehave it: ſo as hereby we may iudge our ovvne eſtates, p. 262whether we be the true Sheep of Chriſt, or the ſtinking goates of Sathan; the children of God, or the limbes of the diuell. Doſt thou louelove the word of GOD more then thine appoynted foode? Tell me, doſt thou deſire to be taught in the Word? Enquireſt thou where Chriſt doth feede his Sheepe with good Paſture? And doſt thou delight in the Word? Iohn 10.27. Theſe are the eare-marks of Chriſts Sheepe, and may miniſter comfort vntounto thy ſoule, that thou art one of thoſe that belong to his Folde. But if on the contrary part thou loathe the word of God, and haſt no deſire at all to treade in GODS Houſe, but ſpendeſt the Saboth irreligiouſly, vainely, and prophanely, at the Dice, at Cards, Bowles, or Tables: O deceiue p. 263not thy owne ſoule. It is a ſigne thou art none of Chriſts ſheep, but one of the ſtinking goats of Sathan: and there will come a day of ſeparation, when Chriſt Ieſus the great Shepheard will diuide the Sheepe from among the Goats, when he ſhall ſet the ſheepe on the right hand, and the goats on the left, Mat. 25.33.

This Doctrine doth ſerue to Vſe 2 reprooue three ſorts of men:

Firſt, Atheiſts,Three ſorts of men reproued. which bleare out the tongue at all Religion, and chriſtian Pietie, making a mocke of God, of his Word,1 Atheiſts. and of all holie Dueties; That thinke it loſt labour to be religious, and that there is no good got by hearing Sermons, and leading of a godly life. Oh it hath euer beene the curſed thoughts of mans hart to think ſo; as was vſed in the time of the p. 264Prophet Malachie; It is loſt labour to ſerue the Lord, and what good commeth there by ſeruing of God? Ah poore ſoules, all this while they can miniſter no cō fort vntounto their owne ſoules, that they are the ſheep of CHRIST but a ferefull expectation of Iudgement. For in what a miſerable and wretched eſtate is that man, which knoweth not whether hee bee in the eſtate of Grace, or not? A Sheepe of Chriſt, or a Goate of Sathan? with what cheere can hee eate one meales meate, or ſleep one night, that wants this aſſurance? O then, let ſuch be warned betimes, that if they looke to hauehave any comfort in death, and after death, that now they labour to be approued for the Sheepe of Chriſt.

2 Papiſts.Secondly, the Papiſts which p. 265barre the people from the preaching of the Word, and keepe them in miſerable ignorance and blindneſſe: And all others which ſeeke by all meanes poſſible to hinder CHRISTS ſheep from endeuoring to be taught, which otherwiſe would enquire Where Chriſt feedeth his Sheepe: where the Word is truely preached and taught, and the Sacraments duly adminiſtred. Theſe are like the Scribes and Phariſes, Who ſhut vp the Kingdome of heauen; that will not enter themſelues, nor ſuffer them that would. Oh, what ſacrilege doth that adulterous church of Rome commit, that take from the people, the key of Knowledge, yea and nuzzle them in ignorance, teaching, that it is ſufficient to beleeue as the Church doth beleeue.Rom. 12.2 Phil. 1.10.Rom 12:2Phil 1:10 Whereas the Scriptures p. 266do require of all men the ſpirit of diſcerning, Eph. 5.15. Try the Spirits whether they be of God: that ſo they may allow of thoſe things that are good, and bee without offence vntill the day of Chriſt: otherwiſe, if they follow their falſe teachers, they are ſure to periſh,Mat. 15.14Matt 15:14 For when the blinde leade the blinde, they both fall into the pit of deſtruction.

3 Carnall ProteſtātsThirdly, all carnall Proteſtants, and ſecure worldlings: who, although they do enquire where they may buie a good bargaine, or get a good purchaſe, and labour for that; yet neuer inquire where Chriſt feeds his Sheep. Oh, it is a wonder to ſee how men do couet pleſures, profites and preferments: theſe they ſeeke for with might and maine. But for the Miniſterie of the Word, to hauehave it truely p. 267taught them, that their ſoules may be ſaued: this they eſteeme not, they looke not after it. Surely, by this they declare to the whole world, that they are none of Chriſts ſheepe: For if they were, They would heare his voyce and follow him, Iohn 10.27

Seeing the true Church of Doctr. 3 God doth heere ſeeke to Chriſt IESVS to be taught and directed;The Church of God doth acknowledge Ieſus Chriſt for her chiefe ſhepheard we learne that it is the dutie of the true Church of God, to acknowledge Chriſt Ieſus alone, for their great Paſtor and Shepheard, the onelyonly Head and chiefe Doctor of his Church, and therfore to be ruled by him, and his Word alone, to be content to be ledde and guided by this great Paſtor and Shepherd of the Church, as in Iohn 10.28 I am the True Shepheard, and doe know my Sheepe, and am knowne p. 268of mine. This is acknowledged by Peter in the behalfe of all the Diſciples,Iohn 6.68John 6:68 Maiſter, to whom ſhall we goe? Thou haſt the words of eternal life. And CHRIST hath promiſed to be preſent with his Church, Euen to the end of the world. Eph. 2.22 Coloſ. 2.19 Matth. 28.Eph 2:22Col 2:19Matt 28And agayne hee ſaith, that Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I will be in the middeſt amongeſt them. Now the duety of Chriſt this great Shepheard, it ſtandeth in two things: Firſt, to gouerne his Church, preſcribing vntounto them Lawes, binding the conſciences of all his Members: And ſecondly, by his grace, to quicken, and to put a ſpirituall life into them: So that they ſhall be able to ſay, That they liue not, but CHRIST in them.

Reaſon. And the reaſon is to be marked p. 269and conſidered, which ſerue likewiſe for the confirmation of this point of Doctrine vntounto vsus, is becauſe the worke of ſaluation is wholy and onelyonly wrought by him, and no part thereof is reſerued to any creature; as the Apoſtle witneſſes, when hee ſaith, That amongſt men there is no other name giuen vnderunder heauen whereby wee may bee ſaued, but onelyonly by Ieſus Chriſt: And the Authour of the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes witneſſeth the ſame thing, when he ſaith, that hee is able perfectly to ſaue them that come vntounto God by him.

This condemnes the Church Vſe 1 of Rome, as no true Church of God. Firſt, becauſe they will not content themſelues with Chriſt Ieſus to bee their great Paſtor, and general Shepheard; p. 270but they hauehave ſet vp the Pope his Vicar, and matched him, yea preferred him before Ieſus Chriſt. Nay, they will not bee content with that paſture which Chriſt alloweth for his Sheepe; the greene paſtures of his holie Word, and cleare ſtreames of his bleſſed Goſpell; but they will feede on the filthie Traſh, and dirty Drugs of their owne deuiſing: the fond and fooliſh deuices, inuentions, and traditions of men, of their Popes & Cardinalls: So as they declare to the world they are no ſheep of CHRIST, In that they will not heare his voyce and follow him, Iohn 10.17. nor be content with the foode hee hath prepared for them, but feede on the filthy and foule pudles of mans traditions.

Vſe 2 This may ſerue to admoniſh p. 271all the faithfull Miniſters of Ieſus Chriſt, which ſtand in Chriſts ſteed: That they teach nothing but the truth of God; wholeſome doctrine, not their owne deuices and dreames: but that which they perſwade themſelues Chriſt would ſpeake, if hee were preſent. So on the contrary part, you that are the hearers muſt content your ſelues with the Paſtures of Gods Word, the plaine and the pure Preaching of the word of God, and not to bee carried away to liſten after ſtrange Sheepheards, that teach erroneous doctrine that may corrupt; or the deuices of man, which may tickle the eare, and not worke grace in the heart. And ſuch are the vile Doctrines of the Church of Rome, which will rather bane and poyſon mens p. 272ſoules, then edifie them; as their doctrine of Merites, Inuocation of Saints, praying for the Dead, and a thouſand the like. The which, becauſe they hauehave no footing in Gods word, are here condemned, as no wholeſome paſture for Gods ſheep to feed vponupon.

Thus much for the Churches firſt requeſt. The ſecond followeth.

And where thou cauſeſt them to lie downe at Noone.

FOr the better vnderſtanding of theſe VVordes, we muſt know, how that it was the manner of the Shepheards in thoſe hote Countries, to driue their ſheep to the paſture in the morning; and after, when the Sunne waxed hote, to driue them to p. 273the water and at noone to carry them to ſome ſhadow, where they might reſt in the heate of the day, leſt they ſhould bee annoyed with the ſcorching heate and beames of the Sunne.

So heere the Church of God and the Spouſe of Chriſt, compares Chriſt to a faithfull and true Shepheard, and intreates him to tell her where hee doth cauſe his Flocke, that is, his faithfull people, to finde ſhelter and comfort in the heate of perſecution, when the Sunne is hotteſt at Noone day; that is, in the greateſt and hotteſt perſecution of the Church of God, in the moſt dangerous and troubleſome trials and times of great extreamitie, which is heere meant by Noone day; when the Sunne is moſt hote and ſcorching, according to that p. 274of our Sauiour, ſpeaking of one ſort of euill hearers: And when the Sunne was vp, Mat. 13.6. and v. 21.Matt 13:6they were parched, and for lacke of rooting, withered away.

From whence wee obſerue a twofold inſtruction.

1. That the Church of God ſometimes is in the very heate of perſecution.

2. That Chriſt the good Shepheard euen then forſakes not his, bur at Noone-day, euen in the extremitie of the ſame, prouides a ſhadow and place of comfort, and refreſhing, for thoſe that are his ſheepe.

Obiect. 3 The Church of God ſomtimes is in the very heate of perſecutiōFirſt, wee are taught heere, that it is the will of GOD, that his Church ſometimes ſhould be tryed: And it is his will that ſometimes his People ſhould vndergoe perſecutions, according to the rule of the Apoſtle S. Paul, 2. Tim. 3.122 Tim 3:12Whoſoeuer will liue godlie in Chriſt Ieſus, muſt ſuffer perſecution. p. 275This is expreſly taught by the Prophet Dauid, Pſal. 34.19Ps 34:19Great are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord deliuereth him out of all,

This was the condition of the Iſraelites in Egipt, who remayned there a long time in cruell bondage vnderunder Pharaoh, Exod. 1.12. And in Heſters time, how were the poore people of God in the heate of perſecution!Eſt. 2.23.Esth 2:23 This was the State of the whole Church of the Hebrewes, deſcribed thus, That Some were racked and would not bee deliuered, Hebr. 11.35. &cHeb 11:35that they might receiue a better reſurrection: And others hauehave beene tryed by mockings, and ſcourgings; yea moreouer by bloud and impriſonment: They were ſtoned, they were hewen aſunder, they were burned, ſlaine with the Sword, wandered vp and downe in Sheepes skinnes and in Goates p. 276skinnes, being deſtitute, afflicted, and tormented, whom the world was not worthie of, &c. This we might further conſider in the examples of Abraham, Iſaac, Iacob, Iob, Ioſeph, Dauid, Ieremy, and the like, whoſe liues are a plentifull ſtore-houſe to teſtifie this truth, That the people of God doe many times endure manifolde afflictions, and ſundry trialls. And this hauehave wee had experience of in this Land, in the dayes of Queene Marie, when the Sunne ſhone hot, and that the fire of perſecution was great, to the waſting of the bodies of many a deere Childe of God: So that if we hope to liue with Chriſt in the Church Triumphant, we muſt firſt die with him in the Church Militant. For none ſhall raigne with Chriſt there, that hauehave not firſt p. 277ſuffered with him heere: Nor none ſhall hauehave their teares wiped from them in heauen, that hauehave not firſt ſhed them on the earth. Thus hauing ſeene the Doctrine, that it is the State and condition of Gods church heere vponupon earth, to vndergoe ſometimes many and grieuous afflictions. Now let vsus ſee the Reaſons, that ſo the Doctrine may leaue the greater impreſſion in eueryevery one of our affections.

In regard of Gods enemies Reaſon 1 themſelues which know not the Father, nor IESVS CHRIST his Sonne; they hauehave nothing to ſtoppe and to ſtay their rage and malice, as our Sauiour witneſſeth, when he ſaith: They ſhall excommunicate you, yea the time ſhall come, that whoſoeuer killeth you, will thinke that hee p. 278doth GOD ſeruice: And theſe things will they doe, becauſe they hauehave not knowne the Father, nor yet mee: So that it is no maruel, though the enemies of gods Church doe rage againſt the faithfull ſeruants of God, being ſtirred vp thereunto by the inſtigation of Sathan; ſeeing that they know not God, nor Ieſus Chriſt,Iohn 15.19John 15:19 but hauehave their eyes blinded by Satan the prince of this world.

Reaſon 2 GOD ſuffereth his children many times to vndergoe ſome ſharpe and bitter triall of affliction, and to ſuffer euen the burning heate of Perſecution, to make knowne the Vertues and Graces of his Children: as Saint Paul ſaith, It is neceſſarie that afflictions ſhould come, that the elect may be manifeſt who they be. As it is not poſſible to know p. 279the valour of the Souldier if hee lie alwaies in the Campe, and neuer come into the Field▪ So is it impoſſible to know the Courage, Patience, Obedience, Zeale, LoueLove, &c. of his children, till triall come. And therefore God would hauehave Abraham tempted, to make his faith knowne. So Iobs patience, Dauids pietie, Pauls courage, &c. The earth which is not tilled and broken vp, will yeeld nothing but briers and thornes: And Vines will waxe wilde if they bee not pruned and cut. Euen ſo the vnruly affections of our hearts, as ſo many noyſome weeds, would quickly ouer-runne the whole man, if the Lord, by ſanctified afflictions, ſhould not manure vsus. It is good therefore (ſaid Ieremy) or a man to beare the yoke in his p. 280Lam. 3.27.Lam 3:27youth. And in another place the ſame Prophet ſaith, Ier. 48.11. Moab keepes his ſent, becauſe hee was not powred from veſſell to veſſell, but hath beene at reſt euer ſince his youth. There are beſides theſe, diuerſe other reaſons, wherefore the Lord doth thus exerciſe his deere children in this life, with croſſes and afflictions: as to humble them for ſinnes paſt, and to preuent ſinne in them for the time to come: Becauſe, when we ſhall perceiue, that the only weapon whereby Sathan woundeth our Soules, is ſinne, it will make vsus repent of ſinnes that are paſt, and warie of ſinnes for the time to come: And alſo to humble the pride of our hearts; For knowledge puffeth vp; and in whatſoeuer thing wee goe before our brethren, naturally we p. 281waxe proud of the ſame. Now the Lord by theſe afflictions, like a skilfull Phyſition, lets out the ſuperfluous humours of pride and vaine-glory, when wee ſhall ſee what wee are by nature.

Well, let vsus make ſome vſe of this Doctrine to our ſelues. Vſe 1 Wee hauehave had a long Morning, and yet are in peace and reſt: but it will not euer bee Morning; the Sunne will riſe and it will bee Noone day, the Lord will hauehave a time of triall. It is the Lords vſuall dealing, after long time of peace, to bring ſome trials, that the Elect and true Chriſtian may bee diſcerned. Of all things in the world the Lord cannot indure that his glorious Goſpell ſhould bee contemned, and deſpiſed, as it is at this day amongſt vsus: Oh p. 282then, ſeeing that wee muſt euen looke for a triall; Let vsus prepare and arme our ſelues with all needfull vertues, with patience, with humility, with courage, zeale, &c. Alas! any thing wil ſerue the turne now to bee a Chriſtian; a ſmall matter: But if in the time of triall we ſhrinke,Luk. 14.25Luke 14:25 or elſe yeeld vntounto the enemy, then wee ſhall ſhew that wee are but hypocrites and cowards. Oh then, let vsus be good Souldiers now in the time of peace, prouide and ſharpen our weapons againſt the time of warre: Let vsus caſt it what it will coſt vsus to bee the Sheep of Chriſt, loſſe of Lands, liuings, gold, ſiluer, liberty, country, yea life it ſelfe; yet to reſolue by the helpe of God, neuer to bee aſhamed of the Goſpell of Chriſt, let perſecution come p. 283neuer ſo hote vponupon vsus.

Secondly, we learne hereby, Vſe 2 not to promiſe vntounto our ſelues worldly Peace and Proſperitie, while we do liue heere. For this life is the time of a Chriſtian mans warfare; neither muſt we looke to finde Heauen vponupon Earth: for if we will be Chriſts Diſciples, we muſt take vp his Croſſe and follow him; we muſt not dreame of a victory before we fight. For it is the lot of the godly to ſuffer perſecution; yet this may bee the comfort and ſtay of a Chriſtian Soule in the middeſt of them all, That the Lord will diſpoſe of them ſo, as that they ſhall worke to the beſt to them that louelove God, and neuer depart from vsus, but ſhall leaue a bleſſing behind them, ſo that wee ſhall bee ſure of this, that we ſhall gaine more in the p. 284Spirit, then we can looſe in the fleſh.

Vſe 3 Thirdly, ſeeing it is the will of God, that his owne true Church and faithfull children ſhall be tried, and vndergoe the heate of perſecution: let vsus heere learne to bee wiſe, neither to thinke that wee are out of Gods fauour if wee bee tried, or to thinke the worſe of the Goſpell of Chriſt, becauſe the croſſe and triall goes with it. Wee are ready to thinke the Lord loues vsus not; or that the Goſpell the which wee profeſſe is not a good profeſſion; becauſe wee ſee it hated, perſecuted, and railed on by wicked men. Well, it is that which God will hauehave, it was the condition of Chriſt Ieſus before vsus: and vnleſſe wee looke that the ſeruant ſhould bee greater p. 285then the Maiſter, it muſt bee ours.

Secondly, wee learne from Doctr. 4 hence,Chriſt leaues not his Church, in the heat of perſecution, but prouides comfort for them. that though it may bee ſometimes Noone-day with the Church of God, hot and bloudy perſecution, yet Chriſt hath euer a ſhelter and ſhadow for his people; Hee hath a Lair for them, a place of ſhelter, ſhadow, and comfort; he is euer preſent with his Church and people in the hotteſt times of perſecutions and afflictions, to comfort them, to refreſh them, to eaſe them of their miſerie, to deliuer them. This the Lord expreſſeth in the Prophet Eſay 54.7.8. For a litle time hauehave I forſaken thee, but with great compaſsion will I gather thee: for a moment in mine anger I hid my face from thee, for a little ſeaſon, but with euerlaſting mercy hauehave I had compaſsion p. 286on thee. Pſalme 2.Ps 2This doth the Prophet Dauid make manifeſt, that notwithſtanding the rage and malice of Gods enemies, Hee that dwelleth in heauen ſhall laugh them to ſcorne, the Lord ſhall hauehave them in deriſion. This comfort is excellently ſet forth by the Prophet Eſay, when hee ſaith in cha. 43.1.2. But now thus ſaith the Lord that created thee, O Iacob, and he that formed thee, O Iſrael, feare not: for I hauehave redeemed thee: I hauehave called thee by thy name, thou art mine: when thou paſſeſt through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the flouds, that they doe not ouerflow thee: when thou walkeſt through the very fire, thou ſhalt not bee burnt, neyther ſhall the flame kindle vponupon thee: For I am thy Lord God. Thus prouided hee for his Church in the dayes of Heſter, p. 287Eſter 3.when they could ſee no meanes to eſcape. What a miſchiefe had Herod inuented againſt the Meſsiah; ſo ſecretly,Matt. 2.13Matt 2:13 as that hee diſcloſed the ſecret of his heart to none, but pretended to the Wiſe men, that his intent was to worſhip Chriſt? yet the Lord did bring his deuice to naught; and Ioſeph and Mary, with the child Ieſus, was deliuered.Acts 12.16Acts 12:16 Peter being caſt into priſon, ſhould euen the next day hauehave beene executed; yet through the prayers of the Church, was deliuered. This Doctrine is further cleared by the examples of Ioſeph, Iob, the Church in Egypt, Cen. 41.14 Exo. 12▪41 Dan. 6.23. Dan. 3.Exod 12:41Dan 6:23Dan 3Daniel, the three children, Sidrach, Miſhach: and Abed…go, who for a time indured ſhame and reproach of the croſſe: yet afterwards the Lord returned vntounto them when the time of refreſhing p. 288came. So that howſoeuer Gods children may be vnderunder the heate of perſecution for a time, it ſhall be but for a time; hee will not leaue them deſtitute of his helpe, and comfort for euer, but will, in the end, deliuer them.

The Reaſons ſeruing to confirme this Doctrine, are manifeſt. Reaſon 1 Firſt, conſider the Titles by which GOD is called; as a Father, to ſhew the care that he taketh ouer his Church, as his children, to prouide for them, and to gouerne them. For what father will not ſaue his childe, if poſſible hee can, from fire, or water, or ſome other eminent danger?Rom. 8.15 Iohn 10 1. Matt. 7.11.Rom 8:15John 10:1Matt 7:11 Now then, if wee that are euill, know how to helpe our children, how much more ſhall our heauenly Father, that knoweth all things, giuegive good things vntounto p. 289his children? Againe, Chriſt is called by the name of a Shepheard, as the Church doth confeſſe in this place. Now, wil the Shepheard ſee the ſheepe goe aſtray, and not bring them into the right way againe? or ſuffer the wolfe to deuoure the ſheep, and not reſcue them? And what ſhall wee thinke that Chriſt the true Shepheard of his Church will bee more careleſſe of his Flocke, whom he hath purchaſed vntounto himſelfe with no leſſe price then with his owne heart Bloud; then an earthly man is of his Sheep? Seeing then that Chriſt Ieſus is the King of his Church, & the ſhepheard of his Sheep, we need not doubt but that hee will defend his Church, and ſaue his ſheep, ſo that none ſhalbe able to deſtroy them, or take them out of his hands.

p. 290Secondly, our weakneſſe and naturall corruptions are not hidden from the LORD: Hee knoweth whereof wee are made, hee remembreth that wee are but duſt. And therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, God is faithfull, which will not ſuffer vsus to bee tempted aboue that wee are able, but will euen giuegive the iſſue with the temptation, that wee ſhall bee able to beare it. So then, whether wee conſider the Office of Chriſt as a ſhepheard to keep his Church; or the merciemercy of Chriſt, that is euer ready to couer the wants of his Seruants, making their afflictions to be but momentarie: in theſe two reſpectes wee may ſafely gather, that the Lord will neuer forſake his children, nor leaue them in their daungers, but prouide for them both ſhelter and comfort, when they p. 291ſhall finde the heate of afflictions to ſhine moſt hotteſt vponupon them.

The vſe ſerues to direct vsus to Vſe. 1 whom wee ſhould goe in time of trouble and great diſtreſſe: for if Chriſt be our ſheepheard wee are to flie to him; He is a faithfull preſeruer of them that truſt in him. Shall wee goe to Saints or to Angells? Doubtleſſe Abraham is ignorant of vsus, and Iſrael knoweth vsus not, Eſa. 63.16. What then, ſhal we truſt in our chariots or in our horſes? doubtleſſe a horſe is counted but a vaine thing to ſaue a man, Pſal. 37.17. Surely, we cannot honour him more then when we depend on him, and reſt vponupon his merciemercy. Thus Dauid behaued himſelf in all his extremities, flying vntounto God as a ſure refuge,Pſa. 91.2.3Ps 91:2Ps 91:3 I will ſay to the Lord, O my hope, & my fortreſſe, p. 292He is my God, in him will I truſt, Hee will deliuer mee from the ſnare of the Hunter, and from the noyſome peſtilence: His eares are alwaies open to the cries of his children, hee putteth their teares into his bottle. So long therefore as we hauehave a voyce to call vponupon GOD, or a heart to ſigh and groane vntounto him, wee hauehave comfort and aſſurance to be deliuered, and that hee will not leaue vsus nor forſake vsus in danger.

Vſe 2 Heere is matter of endleſſe comfort vntounto the Church and children of God, that we know that the Lord Ieſus Chriſt promiſeth that hee will prouide a Lair for vsus, a place of comfort and refreſhing, a ſhadow euen at Noone day in the heate of bloudy perſecutions. Many indeed are our infirmities, feares, p. 293cares, ſorrowes, and troubles, yet in middeſt of them all, the childe of God may ſay with the Prophet; Why art thou caſt downe (O my ſoule) and why art thou ſo diſquieted within me? O waite on God, for I wil yet giuegive him thanks: He is my preſent help and my God, Pſal. 42.5. O then let vsus be conſtant: let vsus comfort our ſelues in Chriſt Ieſus, let vsus not for feare or danger deny CHRIST and his Goſpell; for CHRIST will be a ſhelter vntounto vsus, to refreſh vsus, and deliuer vsus.

This ſheweth the moſt wofull Vſe 3 and deſperate eſtate of all wicked and vngodly men, who being out of Gods fauour, not beleeuing in Chriſt, nor repenting of their ſinnes, in time of perſecution, when the Sunne waxeth hote; Alas, they ſhall not know where to hide their p. 294heads, for they ſhall finde no ſhelter, nor comfort, nor no place of refuge: For Chriſt is a ſhelter onelyonly to them that beleeue in him, and obey him. And therefore thou which art a wicked man, an impenitent ſinner, a prophane perſon: Alas, what wilt thou doe? and which way wilt thou turne thee in the time of trouble and calamitie, when the Sunne waxeth hote in the heate of perſecution and ſcorching triall? Whither then wilt thou runne for ſhelter? Alas, thou ſhalt then be as a mad beaſt, which in the heate of the day runnes vp and downe, and findeth no couert. So ſhall all wicked and impenitent ſinners hauehave no place of ſuccour, but lie open to all GODS iudgements; be ſcorched,Ezec. 9.4Ezek 9:4 yea euen conſumed with the fire of Gods p. 295diſpleaſure; when the righteous, thoſe which are in Chriſt Ieſus ſhall finde ſhelter.

Now followeth the Reaſon which ſhee vſeth to moue the Lord Ieſus Chriſt to graunt her requeſt,The churches reaſon of her requeſt. taken from the great perill and danger ſhee was like to fall into; Namely, leſt being left without his direction and comfort, ſhee be conſtrayned to Turne aſide to the Flocks of the companions: that is to ſay, to leaue the true church, and worſhip of God, and ioine with the falſe church, to commit idolatrie, called heere, the Flockes of the companions: Not for that they are eyther Chriſt his companions, or the companions of his church and people; but becauſe they account themſelues ſo; yea, they thinke, and call themſelues CHRISTS companions. p. 296And if this thing ſhould come to paſſe through want of Chriſts aſſiſtance to direct her, and to comfort her in perſecution; then it ſhall not bee for his honour, not her good. This is the ſumme and ſubſtance of her Reaſon.

Doctr. 5 Hence we are taught, that it is altogether impoſſible for men and women,It is altogether impoſſible for men to hold out in time of triall, that are not aſſiſted by God. euer to ſtand out in the brunt of perſecution, vnleſſe they be taught of God, and comforted by his Spirite. And hence it is that the Prophet Dauid, a man after Gods owne Heart, and indued with a ſingular portion of GODS Spirit, doth earneſtly begge and craue at Gods hand the enlightning of Gods Spirit, and deſireth to be taught of him; Open mine eyes that I may ſee the wondrous things of thy Law.Pſal. 119.8Ps 119:8

p. 297And againe,27.34.73. Teach me thy Statutes. And againe, Make mee to vnderſtand the way of thy Precepts, &c. Yea, CHRIST tells the Iewes which murmured againſt him, becauſe he ſaid, that no man could come to him vnleſſe his Father drew him, that all the Elect are taught of God, Ioh. 6.45. And this made Paul to pray for the Epheſians, ch. 1.17. that God would giuegive them the Spirit of Wiſedome, and to enlighten their mindes, that they might know what is the hope of their calling, and what the riches are of his glorious inheritance. A notable direction vntounto all ſorts of men, how to behaue themſelues when they ſhall come into the houſe of God; namely, not to reſt on any naturall gift whatſoeuer it be, wiſedome, learning, wit, memory, &c. For p. 298the wiſedome of the fleſh is enmitie with God; Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 1.21Rom 81 Cor 1:21But to goe out of our ſelues, and to ſeek the Lord in humility, and denial of them ſelues; and then the Lord will giuegive vsus a diſcerning ſpirit, that we ſhall not be deceiued. If any man (ſaith Chriſt) will doe my Fathers will, he ſhall know of the Doctrine, whether it be of GOD, Iohn 7.17. And againe, Chriſt promiſeth his Diſciples, being now to leaue them, and to go to his Father, that the Spirit of Trueth ſhould leade them into all truth.

Reaſons. And the reaſons are,

1Firſt, wee are all blinde, and by nature can hardly ſee into the truth, vnleſſe Chriſt direct vsus by his Spirit; for ſo ſaith Salomon, Prou. 14.12. The waies that ſeeme right vntounto vsus, the iſſues thereof are the wayes of death. It p. 299is a part of our miſery, that we are turned eueryevery one vntounto his own way.Eſay 53.6Isa 53:6

Secondly, when we know it, 2Alas, wee are of our ſelues ſo weake, and fleſh and bloud will bee ſo vnwilling to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake, that vnleſſe the Lord do aſſiſt vsus, we ſhal not be able to vndergo the leaſt temptation that ſhal be laid vponupon vsus.

And laſtly, the enemies of 3Gods truth are in their generation, ſo wiſe, and ſo ſubtile, coming vntounto vsus in Sheeps clothing, to deceiue vsus, that of our ſelues we ſhall eaſily be drawne away to beleeue lies. In all theſe reſpects, we may ſafely conclude the former Doctrine, that it is impoſſible for vsus to holde out in the day of triall, vnleſſe wee be aſſiſted by the LORDS holie ſpirit.

p. 300Vſe 1 This ſheweth, that if tryall do come, and perſecution ſhall ariſe for CHRISTS ſake, and the Goſpells ſake: Alas, moſt men would yeeld to any Religion, to Popery, Idolatry, Superſtition, to the flockes of the companions, to the church of Rome, to flatte Idolatry. For alas, they know not the trueth; They are not taught of GOD; They bee blinde and ignorant, and will eaſily beleeue and embrace any Religion.

Vſe 2 This muſt ſtirre vp eueryevery true chriſtian, man and woman, to pray to CHRIST as the church doth heere; That hee would teach vsus by his Spirit, that hee would open our eyes that wee might ſee the truth, and that he would giuegive vsus hearts to beleeue it, to louelove it, and to liue and die in it: That hee would giuegive p. 301vsus the Spirit of Diſcerning,1. Iohn 4.11 John 4:1 To try the Spirits, whether they be of God, that ſo wee may diſcerne the truth from falſhoode. Yea, wee muſt ſo labour to bee faſt grounded in the Truth,Matt. 7.26Matt 7:26 that no winde, nor weather may remoue vsus, That wee be ſure to lay a good foundation, that we do digge deepe into our owne hearts, builde on the Rocke, To hate Poperie and all Idolatrie, to loathe it as the Doctrine of Diuells. Though they ſay they be the true Church, and the companion of Chriſt, yet be they the Synagogue of Sathan: The maine points of their Religion being cleane contrarie vntounto the word of God: as are their Doctrine of Merites, Inuocation of Saints, worſhipping of Images, praying for the dead, Sacrifice of the Maſſe; that ſo wee p. 302may, for euer, ſtand out againſt that curſed and damnable doctrine of the Church of Rome, Yea, let vsus intreate the Lord that hee would neuer ſuffer it to get head againe in this Land: notwithſtanding wee hauehave deſerued as great a iudgement; but eſpecially that hee keep vsus that wee neuer ioyne with them in that bloudy Religion.

Vſe 3 It condemnes all thoſe who are ready, either for feare of perſecution, or by blindneſſe and ignorance, to embrace any Religion; or ioyne with any Church; who to keepe their Liuings, hold their Lands, to enioy their honours and pleaſures, would turne as doth the winde, and embrace any Religion; ioyne with Papiſt, Iew, Turke, yea the deuill himſelfe for liuing ſake. Oh! the true p. 303Church of Chriſt feare themſelues, and their weakeneſſe, that they ſhould bee drawne away, and ſeduced to embrace falſe religion: And therefore they doubting the worſt, and fearing the corruption that is in their owne hearts, pray vntounto Chriſt, that they may not bee left vntounto themſelues, but that they may finde ſtrength from him to withſtand them.

The end of the firſt Sermon.