NORTHWESTERN
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
PURCHASED FROM THE
ANNA SHUMAN ELLIOT
FUND
t
X
A
EXPOSITION'
VP ON THE FI RST
Chapter of the Prophecie of
AMOS.
Deliuered
In XXI. Sermons in the Parifli Churcji
of Me yseV-Ha mptonincl^ ,
DioccfTc of Glocefler.
B Y
See As t ian Benefield Doifor of Diui-
nity, and fellow of Corp^ Q^rifli College
in Oxford.
Eph E s. 5. i5.
^deeme the time, bscaufe the dates are euill.
LONDON,
^ Printed hyfohn Hauiland, and are to be
lold by Hoigh Perry at the Harrow in
>». THE
PREFACE TO THE
Christian Reader.
Gcnrlc Reader,
Hefe Sermons "Soere pro-
uided for the Pulpit^ not
intended for the Prejfe,
Xet^Jith I Hue in aprodi-
gad age of the yporld^
ytherein too many mth
their <vnprofiiable not
obfceneV^mphUts, doe
runne* to the Prcfle,<?/ a horfe to the battel!, and *Adpitkmm.-
are entertained with applauic; I haue the more
Toillmgly nor» publi/Jifed them to thy <view. Thou
toiltfay: There is already greatflore o/Sermons
abroadmore than yee can'^oeU <i;[e. 1 deny it not.
TettotheJulnejfeofthisSz^il addemore^ and re-
pent not. Is abundance a burthen to thee I If thy
j&ule may be fed yt>ith njariety^ as Ti)ell by i he eye
SS-^ys-j f'
T51KF
^ I»h 9. 4.
'Cap. ii itf.
'9.
« ^mbi verbun
fradkant, bk
qnidemfiripte,
tUivtro voce,
clem. Alexm.
flrort at. lib. i.
intcrprete Gen-
OJ by the c3Xc,hafl thoth^ny reajbn tofindefault ?
But yfisake ftomacks may furfet at the fight of too
much. Let jucbfauouY their eje-fight. They may
eafily looke off, and pleafe themfelues yphh their
old choice. There is no reafon that thTir daintineffe
fbould preiudice that profit, "Schich others might
reapefrom this abundanc^. Wee ihaP are caUed tet
be iaboureri in theLords Hariiefi, mufl rejolue
ycith the Lord of thc'H^rucft. Uis rejolutionycas,
I mufl: workc the workcs of him that fcnt mc
tumHeru-to,p. 1 t ■ • t i .1 . 1 i
s7.tdii.Bafti.in while It li day the night commcth, when no
"isn can-workc. Our day if our life time-,tht on-
Lafeflqtdm- h^tmsforus fO'sWorkc in; If now, in this our
modo .Angelica, day tiiiic, Sfe.yBill in flead of working, only trea*
Imieuferm- Jure ^p knowledge in our hearts,cu that Hoarder in
ItamipM '^ProuGrbs^f/^^^Gorne in j&w ffprcFVoufc;
Thcreisnot Qf -^iji -^yap ryp theHfts, "^hercwHh God hath
iiiitly mtifitd blef td ^s, in ytafle Papers, ds thefiothfuU feruant
in the ^ Gofpcll didhu Talcnt'i^ a N^kiR-,y the-;
night "Willcome tvpon<idXand'^efi)aU not workc..
11 phachUfk- S uffer U.S therefore, "Sohije it is our d a y, if o w o rke.
HiJrtJpi Our^oxktconfijlethin t/;^,p;.cacl>iDgp/^/j<?Go--
rii^Gcfpcil j^,prea€;hcd ,^ "^^/G?:
P/ophccs,Cii 7/1 r
and his Apofllcs were in rhcir times al'i Preachers of Gods trtith; fohic hy fonie by k'ri^
titi,lotT\cbjBoth. Hool(irilid §..ig.pag. 29, The Apoftics inarc notviitujly^ot,
vnficjy faidto^re<i£l). liiio\erlih.s,^.x,c.pag.i9.v;detl)id.plnta. E.uangclt%pM»Du, & bkip-'
iionz,K.aimiddcKo)g,Sjctlef'ld!fDlal.'Pr<'f.<idCot(i.Effcx.fagf7,.''- ' ' ' ' ' '
ting
but we may in
that rcfped
rightly and,
properly fay it
To the Rcadcrl
ti^lg (U by rpcaking j as -^peD by pen as by tongue;
The tpord for the time is mofl piercings
but the letter written is of ntofl continuance. I/ball
account it my happinejfey if 1 may doe good both
foaies. Myplac^ in that worthy Foundation,
yphereof I am an'Vnwerthy member^ "bearing me
out in the reading (^Humanity, «(?s> the four-
teenthjeerei hath hindered mee from doing that
good I 'sci/bed to haue done, the one tcay by my
Ipeaking/'y my tongue. If the other yeay, by my
writing^ pen, 1 may redeems the timepaji,
andbythefe my poors labours may doe fome good,
not only to ^ them, amongyphom Ifirjl lowed this f Theinhabi-
Iced, but alfo to other Congregations of my Coun-
try, I haue'enough. If (deaxc ChriftianJ thou
findein thefemy Sermons the fame things iter a- ocz&otGksc.
ted, maruell not thereat j 1 haue my Prophets
yparrant for it. He in this firjl Chapter repeateth
the fame things fiue times ouer. May not I after his
enfample doe it once or twife ? I mujiprofejfe <-vn-
to thee (good Chriftian) that my chiefe intent in
Commentary w the deftru^tion of finnc.
If to any of the learned, I feeme to haue failed of
my purpofe, my earneji defre is, that they leill be^
plea fed to take thepaines to amend it. The reft, who
to this poore labour ofmine /Jjall afford their graci-
ow
To the Reader,
eta and fauourahle good likings 1 heartily entreat
to belpe me fcitb their godly prayers, that this
workc and "whatfoeuer elfe of like kinde I (hall
hereafter attempt to publifh to the eenfure of the
'^orld^may -wholly redound to the glory ofGody and
good of his Church. Now the God of peace, that
brought againc from the dead our Lord le-
fuSy that great Shepherd of the (Lecpc through
the bloud of the euerlafting coucnsnt yfdnSli/ie
thee thoromuty that enioying the peace of thy con-
fcience in thu loorldy thou maifl hereafter hauefull
fimtion of that, eternallpeace of Godin Heauen.
t
Thioc vnfeincdly in the Lord, for.
thy good, Sv B.
Firfl: Lefturc.
Amos i. i.
Theveordfof Atnos, rthevAS Among the heArdmen at Tekoa,
rvhich he faw vfon Ifrael,int he dajet of Yzndh Kingofln^i^
attdin the dmet f/Icroboam the fonne o/Ioa(h King of Ifraelf
tmyeares before the earthquake,
E of the in the Gofpcll, as if hec
were vnwilling to be ignorant in fo weighty
a matter, as is mans faluation, in a tempting
manner asked CAr//? this queftion ; Mafier,
what (hall I doe to inherit eternad life OurSa-
uiourfor anfwer put forth another queftion,
ind (zl^yvhat is written in the Law,hew readefithon?£iUk,'lO,
26. Where we may note that the Law is written for'man to
reade,thit fo he may be inttruftcd, what hec is to doe in dif-
charge of his duty towards God.
The rich man inHtWjtptsjtAAbrahamthnLasiartmrii^t
be fent vnto his fathers houfe to tcftifie vnto his fine brethren,
left they alfo fhould come into that place of torment. To
whom Abraham anfwercd,Ti&f7 haue Mefes and the ProfhetSt
A let
2. The Firfl L e6lurc^.
let them hearethem.Lak' 1^. 2 9. The parable tcachcth vs thus
much, that vnlelfc we delight in hearing the word preached,
wcfhallneuerattainc to the meanes of efcaping cccrnalltor-
ments. Two notable vfcsof the word of God, Reading, and
bearing j They lead man as it were by the liand to the very
point of his felicity. For what more blefFed than topolTelFc
cternall lifef Yet was the Pharifee taught, that by reading of the
latvlife etcrnall might bee purchafed. And is it no: a bleiled
thing to be freed from Hell torments? Yet was the rich man
told by tyfhraham, that his fiue brethren by hearing of Mofes
and the Prophets, might be faued.
'Deut^.l. It wasafctled opinion of'old,though vttcred in fulnefTe of
4. iimzhy Q\xr^SzwioVix,t\\3Xa man itaeth not bj bread only,htet by
Luct^.^ tuerjwordtbat proceedethoMt of the msathof God.The truth of
which isconfirmed by the pra^life of godly men in former
ages. Twill not trouble you with many inflances. Many and
excellent were the reuelations which God gaiie vnto the Pro-
phet Daniel, yet notwithftanding all them,as himfelf e witnef-
^ {tt\\cap.g.r, he omitted not the reading of the Prophecte of I e-
remie. Much doubtletrc for the fpirituall food of his ownc
, fouleiyet for outcnfaraple alio,that we flioiild be cenuerfant in
the Scriptures too. It was a worthy commendation which
Lukegia\zt\\tBeroeans, 17. ii. for thatas foonc as they
had heard the word preached by S.Paul, they diligently con-
fcrrcd>^e feript ures,to kpirv whether it were fa,or wsjand there*
by confirmed themfelues in the truth which they had heard.
This their zcale and diligence, fhould ftirre vs vp alfo, for the
confirmation of our fiith vpon thefeMrrV^ of the word, to
fearchthefcriptures. That gteat heathen Lord, Qg^eene ^an-
dacet ^finuch, ashe was riding on thchigh way in his chariot,
didreade the Prophet Efaj, and the Lord of heauen had regard
vnrohimforit,^f?.8.28.SoDrf»j<>/by readitig,xht'BercEanr,
and the Eunuch by reading and hearing of the word, were Ipi-
rituall^ fcd,and nourifhcd vnto cucrlaflmg life.
Tothcfe holy excrcifcs both oi reading and hearing thefcrip-
tures, x.hcfcript»res2xt£ix\\ of exhortations, fitfor all eftatcs;
for rtibe/eeuen, that they would fcarch the fcriprures, be-
caufc
A M OS I.r. 5
ciafc in them they thinke te haue eternAlllife, Andthey doe tejfi-
fie of Chrifi,hh.s-Z 9.for Beleen!rs\t\\3t bcfidcs Other parts of
their fpirituallarmour,thcy would rake vnto them theyh'ar*^
of the fpirtt, which is the word of God, Eph.6.1 y Soxyomgmett'^
that they would r»/tf thimfe/ttet After theword cf God, and fo
cleunfe their rvaies, TfAl. 11 9. 9- iotallmer, that they would
meditate iKtbelawof God day And night, Pfal.i.l.
Now, that the fcript tires,the fwerd of the fbint, the word and
larvof GW might be much vfedtothcdiuidingafunderof the
fouleandthcfpirit, of iointsand marrow, it was decreed in
a'COUiicellcf Nrce ; thatno hotife fhouldbee trithotit the holy , j,. -
B'ble: which ^ S. ^«y?tfwalfo intended, faying : Necfolnm dtudecwufult
/ttfficiat, ejmd in Scciefiadiumas leUiones audit us, fed etiamin cauiinequue
tlomibus vefiris,aHt ipflegite, aut alioslegentes reeputrite. Let nttmiocbriflia-
it not content you to heare the holy fcriptures read vnto norum facrU b}-
you in the church only ; but in your houfes alfoat home,
eitherread them your felues, or caufcother to rcade them. grippadeFan.
Vtinam omnesfaceretnus cjuodfcrtptum efi : fcrutamdnifcrtpi«. Scient. cap. 100,
ras. It isOrigens: Would to God wc all did as it is written, veverbaDei.
feareh thefcnptureStffhryJefteme ' faith,Comparate vohis hiHia *'■f"
animarumphArmacA,fecuUres:Ye\ay men ^exyoMBtblesAot
they are medicines ofyourfoules.Whcreofthe godly and firft qaeTta
chriflened E I'pcrour Cc»/?<r«r»W was well perfwadcd, who poftdemmicam
therefore gaue S commandemcnt that the Bible fhould bee ^rquagtjl-
written out, and fent abroad intoall the kingdotnes, coun- fA.Stictieraeu'
tries, and cities of his dominion. And what other might the 'adfiatres'ia
perfwafionof hking yidleftanehereinEn^hndhe, when he
cauled the Bible to bee tranfljted into the Englifh tongue, Nenvobit dtbet
that all might readcit? fnffitere,qisodm
The much preaching and often reading of Gods holy word
, ' . ^ r t ' ^ --i j' r^ I diuinaiaudietis,
in the congregations or this land in the dates or her, whom f(dmdom:bm,
ir in coouiuiis
xeflrU,&quandodktbreuesfunt,ttia>naliqu}bu*horkm tioQibue leAioni diuina dcbilu iofipcre'
Vt m heme cordo. xefiri Jpiritale pejJitU tntieuri. comparare, (*rc. « H omd. x. vpon Efai. f Homil.
p. vpon the Epiftlc to the Cojofliar.s. 1 Bttftb.de tiitaConplaiitm,Ub./x cap.^6.7beedmu. Hifi.
Eeclej.lib. i. cap. id. lewcl. RcplicArc.t J. §. jj. &.16. andBabington vpon the Loids
prater,pag. 95. Before this,K. Alfred begait to tranflatc the rfakcr into Englifti &c. Pox
in MatyreUsdan.i9q.ej1,GulkLde Ktgw.Ang.
A 2 of
4 TheFirfl LeSlure^.
of hteyou loucd, Qjteene EliKahth, haiie fctvpand cftabli-
fbed her ncucr dying praifcs.And is not God much to be blef-
fed forour good lo/ijh,our mod dread Soucraign,/0»^/^mj?
His heart is from aboucrepleniflied with a religious zealeto
free the pairageofCodsmoft holy GofpelKHisdefirero hauc
God fincerely worlliippcd throughout this land, is made
^ knowne by the good order he hath taken to fee before you,
and all other his liege pcoplc^GsJs word,\i poffible,in greateft
purity. Let God be with the workmen, I mcane,thc Tranfla-
•Thisfcrmon ceftaments}' Let God be with them in -
was preached labouts 5 and let the remembrance of our King for
in the ycarcof i^jbe like the compofition of theperfumethat is made by the
our Lord i6oi. art ofthc Apothccarie.
Nou. 5. Since Hitherto (beloued ) I haue by Way of preface exhorted you
oals^crf fted reading and hearing of Gods word } and I doubt not of
and publifhed; yourobedicnce to it. Yet if any of you fhall cxct^t againft the
the cxafteft reading itfor the hardnclLe of the phrafc, being ofthe£'«-
thateucrthis nHchesm\ndLyAFl.%.i r.thatyou cannot vndcrftand whatyou
Land had. rcadeexceptyou haue iguide; let it be your comfort, that his
Maiedy in giuinghis royallalfent tothofc laudable Canons,
'BegunatLon- and ConditutionsEcclefiadicall, agreed vpon in the late'^Sy-
don,AnnoDQ, gj Londan,hirh by the 45.and45.canons,prouided^««Wfx
for yovLffachis arefoberlyjand fincerely to diuidc the word of
truth to the glory of God, and the bed edification of his
people.
And now it being my lotto be fent vntoyou,to youl bring
anvnedimablcpearle, the of the Lord, which the Pro-
phet Amoshvi vpon ffrae/. In diuiding it, I proraife you in
the wordsof'P<?»/,2Ctfr.i i. 19. by the helpe of God, tod'^e'
aft things far your edifying, Whercfore(beloued)giue eare I be-
fcech you, with reueremregard and attention to theword of
the Lord, as it is written, Amosi. i.
The words of Amos, who waa among the heardmen at
Tckoa, which he faw vpon Ifrael, in the dates of Vz-
ziah Ksngof XuAij and in the dajes 0/leroboam
the fonneof loafli King of Ifratl, two year es before
the earthquake, •
This
A M o s 1.1. 5
Ti*>is firft vcrfe wc may call the title ofthisbooke,or thcprc«
face vnto it. It yecldcih to our conliderations fundry circum«
Hances.
"i The Prophets name, yimos.
2 His former condition of life. He woe amofig the heard-
mer.
3 The place ofhisvfuall abode,
*"4 The matter or argument of his Prophccle, implied in
thcfc wotdi,Thevfordftrbich hefawvfonlfrael.
$ The time of his Prophecie, In the dajes ef Vzziah,
Kingaf luda, and in the dayes of Itvohozm the fonne of
I loafli King oflftael^ twayearcsbefore the eartha>*ake-
u^mojJEyiphaniif/in his bookcof the hues and deaths of
the ProphetSjholdcth this /4mof to be father .To which
opinion a learned and late Diuine ^ Danatts feemeth to giuc
hisairent.ButS. H/tfro»»ffisagainft it, and fo arc moft Inter- pygph.min.
pretcrs) fo alfo is Druftm in hisfacrcd obfcruationi, lib,^,
c<jp.2 i.And worthily. For as much as the H ebrew writing of
thefetwo names, ""the name of father, and "this our „
Trophets name, is euidence and proofc fufficient, that they n
were not one but two names: and confcquently norone but
two men. Againc y^zwo/thc father oif/^rjis by interpretation
fortu, roh»fliu,^outzndvi\hx\t^ but our Prophet 'uicmym.
is P Onujitii, a man burdened and loaden;or '\amlfm, onethat ^jc dtiyra.
is leparated from others. Thefc diners interpretations of thcfc ^ ep. ad
two names,thenamc of EfayeshtheVf and this our Prophcrs
name,is euidence and proofc fufHciau,that they were not o»e,
but ttvo names, and confcquently not one but two mcn.Befides
dur Prophet is in the ancient monuments of the He-
brewsfumimtd'ififitterfr,fat»mererj ormaff.er,zs1>rttliia idi^j
noteth vponmyTexf. Wc findcnotanyfutehfurnamegiucn bdbu\
Efayeshthtr, Therefore our fc/^waxisnot yf>»»rrhefithct of
Efay. From our Prophets name let vs^comc to his condition
of life, and vocation, expreircdby himfelfc in thefe words,
JVho was among the heardmen,
Tlicrc arc two forts of heardmen : theoncisoffuch asdbe
vfethc feat and trade'ofgrazicrs,orare flicep-maflerssfuck as
A 5 hauc
6 The Firfl LeBurc^:
hauevndcr them in pay other if4r^/»wtf»,and jhepherd/.Tn this
icnic MefaKingoi Moah, ^ Ktng.l.^.hciWcdiheartjmattt
otP^ffherd ; and is rcgiftred to haue rendrcd to the King of
Ifracl an hundred thouland lambs, and an hundred thouland
ramtnes,with the wooll.The other fore of 6^<tr^ifw^w,is offuch
as are hired ro keepc cattle,to fee to their fecding,and fafetie:
fuch we properly call beardmen, or (hspherds, and fuch a one
was/l/wox our Prophet: witneire himrelfe,c<?/>.7.i4.1 vcMna
'jPrephet, neither rvas I a Prophets fenne, but J was a heardman,
or (bspherd. You fee now hisformer condition of life,p:ofefli-
on and vocation ^ fee alfo the place where he litied.
{ AtTekpa ] This to\nnc^ Eptphanises afcribeth to the land of
Tropbtt. Zabhlon : 15.1) 4«»ii/to the inheritance of the Tonnes of
• Apud iderct- but S. Htereme ( whom with thereftof the expoliccrs of this
rm, bookelchufc to follow ) placeth itinthctHbeof/«^f<», fix
miles fouthward frona Bethlehem. Adrichom in his delcripcion
of the holy land faith it is two miles from Bethlehem. More or
lelfc 5 its not much pertinent to my prefent occafion. For the
place it fclfe: is ^ Chren.ii .tf.rchcarled among all thofc
Ifrong Cities which Reheboam builtin Beyond the City
Tekoti ( asSaint 5f<Vrow(robfcrueth 3 there was not any little
village, no not fo much as a cottage j onely there was a great
wilderneire,called 2 Chron. 20. 20. the wilderneireof Tekoa-^
afitplaceforafhepherdswalke. Here for a time led a
fisepherds fife. At length God feparated him to carry his word
againftWhich is the fourth circumftanceof this vcrfe,
the matter or argument of this prophccie, implied inthcfc
words.
The wards »/Amos which he faw vpon Ifraef] The Hebrew
manner is toCi\\fermtMs,wordsiii Arrw.I.i.The werdt of le-
remie.hxid Ecclef.x.i.Thtwerds of the Preacher. And Haggei
I.I a. The words of Haggei.And L»;^.3.4.The words ofEfay,
By thefe words we vndcrftand fermonsithe fermonsof feremy,
Eccleftafles, Haggei,zt\d E/aj. So here the words of tyfmos, arc
the fermoHS ofzAmos,
t^hich ^f/^B'Jthisadicdlion fheweth thatthefewWrof
mot Yi^rc committed to him, by that kinde ofpropheucall in-
Amos i. i, 7
dnc}tnotion,whicliistearEneclfy7o»,JS
Kus obfcructh in his common difputcs of ihc prophcticall
bookcs. Indeed is one of the kindes of prophccie : In
which regard(a$ Sanis Icruantbcareth witnefFe, i Sam. 9,9,)
Prophets were in the old time called feers. Well then doth
l>r»fita expound this place; The rvordsrvhich Amos fair ] chat /
is, the tooreis which God did difclofc or rcucalc vnto Amos in
at//yfo».Thcfcn'tfr*^j' rohicb Amos fajv^this v'tfien, 01 prophecs'e
Was concerning //r<if/,vpon,or againft Ifrael. ]
Vpon Ifrael\ Iftacl was a common name to the 12. tribes
which idued out of lacohs loynes; and was fo from the begin-
ning of Sauls reigne to the end of Salomons,whofe deat h
a rent was made in the k 'mgAotat.Ieroheam fonne o\Nebat fc-
duced 10. tribes, Rehoboam Salomonsiotsu^ could keepc with
him but two. Thus ofone kiogdcme, Ifrael.vetrt made two:
Ifrael. A ftrangcdiui(ion,//><ir/diuidedfrom l(ratl:
ten tribesfromtheoihertwo. Two tribes j the tribes oi luda
and Beniamin, continued in their obedience to thehoufc of
Dauid ; the other ten forfooke it, and fell away. The two
tribes,and Ben/amtn(c3Ued but one tribe, i Kiug.ii.j^.
becaufeof themixtureofthcirpo<redions) thefe two tribes
fetledin theirfaithfulncire andobedience to the feed of Z)4-
are in holy Scripture called fomctimes" lada, fometiines „ ^ ^
* Benjamin, fomctimes v lersifalem, fomctimes "^Sion, fome- x iercm.6.i.
* the houfe of Dauid. The othcrtcn tribes which fell y^iicoh.ia.
away from, and forfookctheir rightfull King, and hotyrcli-
gion, haueinlike fort their diucrs appellations : '■Bethel,
^ Bethauen,c Samaria,^ fefreel, ^ lofeph, ^ E^hratm, % Jacob,
Ifrael. Thcfc are the names in thefanffified writings of the tMicah.ui.
holy Prophets appropriate to fignifiethc 10. reuolted tribes; ^ Hefta-i.
//rWyoufceisoneofthem ;andthatisthc //r^jr/inmy text.
Thus was Amos by the holy fpirit deputed, and dircfted
with his mclFage peculiarly, ai?d properly, tothekingdomc hHe/.io.i.
o^xhzxo,remlcedrribes'^thGk'mgdomeoflfrael. Somemen-
tion is made of luda incidently, and by the way ; but the
fcopc of the prophccie is Ifrael, The time, which wasmy lift
eircumftanccjfollowcth.
In
The FirflLeBure^:
In the dayes o/Vzziah of ludtt^ aniin the dates of
leroboam thefonnt o/IoaOi King §f Ifrael,
The time isfctdownc ingeneraU, and in farticular. Firft in
getteraUy thus.
In the dayes o/Vzziah, ^c. ] ZJz,z,iah, or OKtau, called alfo
Azarias, 2 King. 14,21. fucceeded his father Amaz.ia4 in the
throne ofThis he did in the Z7'hycareof thereigncof
leroboam in Ifrael,z% appcarcch 2 King. 15.i. That fame lero-
boam ( that you may diilinguifli him fromaformer King of
the fame name)is called in my text leroboam thefonne of laafh.
Hereby we fee in gcnerall, the time of his prophecie 5 which
is more particularly fet downe in thelaft words, twoyeare be.
fore the earthquake.] Hec meancth that fame notable and fa-
mom earthquake J mentioned alfo 14. 5. Teefhadfte
(faith hec ) like as yee fled from the earthquake in the dayes of
ZJKz.iab King of luda. In what yearc of yzziabs reigne this
earthquake hapned,it is not to be collefted out of holy fcrip-
turc. Flauius lofephus, Ltb. 9. antiq. ludaic. cap. 11, faith
that this earthquake happened then when King Vz.z.iah vfur-
pingthe Pricfts office went into the temple of the Lord to
burneincenfe. Ribera difproucsf his iudgement j and
faith that the earthquake happened within the fourteenth
yeare of the reigne of Fn^z-iab* Some doe hold it was in the
zz'^'yeare; AndtheHebrewcs {vshovaFunccim followeth
in hisClironologie ) doeafcribeit tothe 25. yearc. For my
part I fay not in what yeare it happened. Why fhould I
fpcakc where the holy fpirit is filent i Itisoutof doubt that
there was fuch an earthquake, in the dayes of Kx.z.iab, wit-
nelTc the Prophet : twoycares after had be-
gunne this propheticall funflien 5 witnefTc Amos here in
my text.
Thus (dcarely beloued in the Lord) haue I briefly run ouer
theexpofitionof this firftverfe; let mcenow vponit build
fomedoftrine, for the building vpof ourfelues in our holy
faith. You will be pleafcd to remember with me,that Amos ofa
heardman or a Jhepherdhtavac a blclfed Prop&ff to carriea
terrible worW, and fcarfull meffage from the lining God, to the
AMOS I. L
King,NobleSjPricfts,and people of^rfe/.The doflrinet© be
grounded hereupon, I deliucr in this propofition;
Gsd ckufeth vile and dtfpifed ferfenst to confettfid the
great and mighty.
Vile and defpifcd peribns, I callfuch, as to the world, to
humane wifdonic, and to the eye of reafonare of no price,
efteeme,or worth. Such as lofefh was,when he k epc fheepe in
Canaan vi'vh his brcthren,and was by them fold to thc7/««<iff-
liteSiGen.^'j.Zyrj. Such aswas, whenfirft he wascall
into the ?^z^%yExod.^. i. Such ^sDanid was while he medlcd
with (heepfblds, and followed the ewes great with young,
Tfal. 78.70.Such zsviCtcPeter,Andrew,lames,zti6 while
they bufied themfelucs about mending of nets, and catching
offi(li,^d///&.4.ifJ.at.Thcfc,f0/fp^,i4/oyf^/,and Daaidjfhep-
herds i Peter, Atidrewjames,ir\d /<»^»,fi(liermen, vile and de-
fpifed in the account of the world, were chofen by the wif-
dome ofthe great God of heauen, one to be a ruler in Egypt ^
another to be a leader of Gods people; the third to be a King j
the reft to be Chrifts Apottles.
Hearenowa word ofeternall verity, and full of comfort.
You rtaall finde itypfal. 1137, S.TheLord who is high abouc
all nations, and glorious abouc the htiuenSykeraifeth the nee-
dj out ofthe dull, and lifteth vp the poore out of the dung, to fet
himwithPrinces. S.Pauls difcourfe touching this point is
more large and fpatious.Youfhall find it, i Csr. 1.2 7,18. God
hathchofenthefoeli[hthmgs of this world to confound the wife,
and the weake things to confound theflrong, and vile thingsy and
things de fpifed, and things which are not, tcr bring to nought the
things that aredThcteiConoiGodsdeilwgthus in theaduance-
ment ofthe foolifh,weak, vile,defpircd,needy&poor,toplaces
ofdignity,is expretred,l for.1.2^. ItiSythatnoflejhfhouldre-
ioyce in his pre fence,thzt is,that no man Ihould glory b efore the
Lord. In this rcafon are two things worthy our religious con-
^derations, as Mufculus well oblerueth. For hereby our God
firft fupprclTcth and bcateth downc the pride offlelh, and
takes from it all glory of wifdomc,power and nobilicyjandfc-
condly,whatfoeufr glory there is of wildomc,power and no-
B bilitif
la
iCic.denat.
Dear.
k Cic, ib';d.
» Mat. to,i?.
o Mat.6. it.
pp/ai.29.9.
^Mat. t.30.
See my i Ser.
on Luk.9.p.j».
' 7»
The Fir ft Le^urc^.
feilitie, he doth claime and challenge it for his ownc peculiar.
Thus haueyou (dearely bcloued) the confiimationof my do-
ilrine. Thedodrinewas:
God cboofeth viUanddefpifedperfens, to confound the
great and mighty.
Be patient, I befecch you, while Ipoinrat feme vfes ofit.
Thcfirft vfeis to lift vp our minds to chccontemplarion of
Gods good prouidence, Poore diepherds and Bflicrmen God
exalceih and aduanceth into the highcft places of dignitie
in Church andcoramon-viiealth. Hereby wee know that nei-
ther Empire nor Kingdome, nor place in them ofdignitie, pri-
critic,or preeminence, Ecclefiailicall or politique, is gotten
by theinduftrie, wifdome, wit, orftrcngthof man ; but that
all areadminiftred, ruled, and goucrned by the deputation
and ordination ofthchigheft power, God almightie.
A fecond vfe is to flop blafphemous mouths, fuch as are
etiermorcopen againfl hcauen, with ^Epicurus, ^nd^'Diago-
and their adherents, to afHrme that the God of hcauen, in
asmuchasheisabfolutely blclfed, is not to trouble himfelfc
with cares for this lower worldrthat it ftandeth not withGods
maiefty to care for the vile, abicff, and defpifed things of this
world. This impious rabble, and Sathans brood, doe thinkc
that al things below the Moonc are ruled by their blind God-
deireFflrr«»e and by Chance.
Heremud I bcfeech you, to let your hearts be ioyned with
mineintheconfidcrationofGodhisfwcet, and ncucr-fleep.
ing care undprouidence oucr this lower world.
Let vs not fuppofc our ^od to be a God to halfcs and in part
onlyja Godaboue, and not beneath the nioonc:a(js<^ vpon the
inountaines,andnotin the vallicsja Godin thegrcaterandnoc
in thelelfcr employments. The holy fcripturcs doe teach vs,
that our God examineth the leaft moments and tittles in the
World,that we can imagine,to a'hancfull of meale; to a'^crufe
of oyleinapootewidowcs houfcjtothc falling of" fparrowes
to the ground, to the ° feeding of the birds of the aire, to the
Pcaluingofhindstto the •iclothingoithegrafTc ofthcfield; to
the rnurabringofthchaires of our heads ; to the trickling of
tearcs
A M O S T. J I
^tcaresdowneourclieckes. Why then arc wee troubled with
the vaine conceits of luckcjfortune, or chance? Why will any
man fay, this fell vnto mc by good luckc, or by ill lucke ? by x,
good fortune, or by niiifortunc ? by good chance, or by mil-
chancei
We may and fitould know, that in the courfe of Gods pro'
uidef.ccaW things are determined and regular. This is a fure
ground: we may build vpon ir.
Thefijh thar carnc to deuoure feeme to haue arri-
ued in that place by chance j yet thefcripture faith, the Lord
had prepared a great fifhto ftvallorv l0nas,/o».l.i 7.
The florme it felfe which droue the pilots tohis ftrcighf,
may lifcewife feeme contingent to the glimfc ofcarnall eyes j
yet the Prophet faith,/ki'ow that for my fake thie great tempefi ,
tsvponyott. Ion.1.1 a.
The fiOi which Peter tookt might feeme to haue come to
the angle by chance, yet he brought in his mouth thetrihute
which /"erer paid for his Lord and for himfelfe. Mat. 17.27.
By the diuerfityof the opinions among the brethren tou.
ching the manner of difpatching/(j/fp/.* out of the way, wee
may gather, that the felling of him into Egypt, was butacci-
dentall,and only agreed vpon by rcafon of the fit ariuall of the
merchants while they were difputing and debating what they
were belt to doc : yet faith lefeph vnto his brethren , yottfent
me not hither, but God, Gen.45.8.
What may feeme more contingent in our eies, than by the
glancing of an arrow from the common marke, to ftrike a tra-
ueller that paffeth by the way? yet God himfelfe is faid to haue
deliuered the man into the hand of the (hooter, Exoei. i j, 13.
Some may thinke it ha rd fortune,that dichab was fo ftrange-
lymadeaway, becaufc a certaine man hauingbent hisbow,
and let flip his arrow at hap hazard, without aime atanyccr-
tainc marke, t ftrooke the King : but here we findcno lucke,
nor chance at alljOtherwife,than in refpeft ofvs, for that the ^
flioorcr did no more than was denounced to the King by ALi-
cheat from Gods owne mouth before the battcll was begun,
B2 What
1L The Firfl L eSlurc^.
what in the world can be more cafuall than lotteryfyct^^-
lomon teachcth that when the lots are cafl into the kf, the pro-
uidenceofGoddi^ofeththem,Preff.i6.^ 3.
See now, and acknowledge with mcc the large extent of
Gods good prouidcnce. Though his dwelling be on high,yet
abafeth he himfel/c to behold vs below. From his good pro-
uidence it is,that this day we arc here met together,! to preach
the word of God, you to hearcit, andromcofvs to bee made
partakers oftheblclled body and bloudof our Lord and Saui-
our Ie(ta Chrifi. Let v$ powre out our feules in thankfulntlle
before God for his blefling.
Youarenowinuited tothc marriage fuppercf thclambc ;
euery one that will approach vntoit, let him put onhisrvftf-
dinggarment. A garment nothing like the old ragges of the Gi-
beonites which deceiued lofhtta, lof, 9. 5. A garment nothing
like the fdit ofafp/trreH which Mtcah gaue once a ycare to his
Leuite, Itid.xy. 10. A garment nothing like the /oft clotking
worne in kings courts, Adat .\ 1.8 . But ^garment f omcthinglike
she,^4r>»^»r ofthchigh pricrt, vih'xchhid all the Kame: of the
tribes of Ifrael written vpon his breft, Exod, 2 8. 2 I. For this
yovtxgarment is nothing elfe but inwhofebrcft
and bookcofmcrKS are written andregillrcd all the names of
^ thefaithfulllbut zgarment {omtt\\mg\^tElixsAdantle which
diuided the waters, 2 2.8.Forthisyour isno-
thing clfc but Chriftpat on, who diuideth your finncs and pu*-
niflimentSjthatfo you may efcape from your enemies, fm and
death .■ but Si garment fomcthing like the garments of the Ifr a-
elites in the wildcrneire, wbich did uot wcarc: ^o.jeares toge~
thtr they rranderedin thedefart,andyet faith Adofet,neither their
clothes nor their Iheoes waXed old.,'Deut, 2 9, y.For this yow
ment is nothing eirebutCi"'i/?p«r whole rightcoufncire la-
ftetb for euer, and his mercies cannot be wornc our.
Hauing put on this your wedding garment, doubt not of
your welcome tothisgreat fcaft-maker.If any thac hcsrcth mc
•his day hath not yet put on his wedding garment, bur isdefi-
rous to learnchow to doc itjlet himjfollowing^Paw/ his coun-
fell, l.cafi away the wtrkes of darknefe, and put on
the
A M O S T. J, 15
the4rm9Mroflijiht : Uthim i»alke honefily oi in the day, notiu
glHtt oay and drunke»ne(fe, neither in chambering, and wanton-
neffe, nor in flrifeand ennjing: let him take no thought/or the
flefh, 10 fulfill the luft J of it : fo lhall heputon the Lord fefm.
" Lift vp your heads you gates,and be you lift vp ye cucrla- n-pfalA^ 7.
ftingdooresjthat a gueft fo richly apparelled may come in,and
fup with the King of glory. A nd the King of glory vcucbfafc
fo to clothe vs all, that thofe gates and cucrlafting doorcs may X"
lie open to vs all. So at our dcparturcfrom this vally of mour-
ningjwe (hall haue free and cafiepalTage into the citie of God,
where our corruptible (hall put on incorruption, and our
mortality (iiall be fwallowcd vp of life.Eucn lb be it,(blcf-
fed Father) for thy welbelcucd (on/e/m Ciir/)? his
fake, to whom with thecin the vnityofthc
holy fpirit, beeallpraifcand power,
might and Maicfty,dignity and
dominion for cuermorc»
tAmen,
tJj-y
J, /O, If
7^
B
1
THE
THE
Second Ledture.
Amos i. 2.
t/ind he ft'd • the Lord [hall roare from Sion, andvtter hii
voice from Icrufalcnij and thedveelling flacet ofthefhe^herdt
^allper'tjh, and the top of Carmel fballyvither,
N my former Sermon vpon the firft verfc of
this chapter (beloucdin the Lord ) I com-
mended to your religious confidcrations
fiue circumftarces.
*i Touching the Prophets name: It was
Amos,not Amos Efases father, but
another Amos.
a Concerning his former condition of
life : He was among the heardmen,thclC
is,he was a heardman or (hepherd.
3 Ofthe place of his vfuall abode ; At
a little village in the confines
of the Kingdoroe of fnda, beyond
which there was not fo much as a lit-
tletottagc ; oncly there was a great
wildernelTc
Amos m.
wildcrncirc, called 2 Chron 20. ao. the mldernejfeof
Tekja : a fit place for a fhephcrds walke.
4 About thematter or argument of this prophccie, irn-
piled in thele words: The wordt which he farv vpon If-
r^if/.Then you heard thatwas by the holyfpi-
ritdcpuced and dircfted with his inciragc peculiarly,
and properly to the lo.reuolced tribes, the kingdome
of Ifrjel,
y Ofthetimeofthe prophecie, which I told you was
fct downe in that ytrie generally and^ecially,
'in
After my expofition giuen vpon thofe fiuc parrs of that text,
I recald to your remeBibrances,that Ames of a hcardman, or
fhephcrd, became a blcffed Prophet to carry a terrible word
and fearfall melfagc from thcliuingGod to the king, nobles,
priefts, and people of I[rael. Thereupon I commended to you
this doftrine;
(jodchoefeth vile and defpifed perfoMt to cendemne the great
■ and mighty.
That doffrinc proucd,Irecommendcd to you the vfes of ir.
Thcfirftwasto liftvp yourmindcsto the contemplation
Gods good prouidence. Poore fhcpherds and fillicrmcn God
cxalteth and aduancerh into the higheft places of dignity in
church and common wealth. This might perfwadcyou that
neither Empirc,nor kingdome, nor place in them of dignitic,
priority or preeminence, ecclefiafticall orpoliriquc, isgotten
by thcinduflry,wirdomc,wit,or ftrcngth of man, butthat all
areadminiftrcd, ruled, and gouerncd by the deputation and
ordinance of the higheft power,(juisl almighty.
Thefecond wasto flop blafphemous mcuths, fueh as arc
eucrmorc open againft theGod of Heauen, toaffirmc, that all
things below the moone, arc ruled by their blind goddelfc
fortune audih'y chance. Here mydefire was, that your hearts
might be ioincd with mine in the confidcration of Gods moll
fwcct and neucr lleeping care ouer vs in this lower world: that
wc
The Second LeBurcJ: ^
'^c would not fuppofc our God j to be a God to h^lfcs and i&
part only, a God aboue and not beneath the Moone, a €od in
the greater and not in the IclTer employments.
To this holy meditation I exhorted you,taughtby the ho-
ly fcriptureSjthat our God examincth the leaft moinents& tic-
ties in the world,that you can imagine, to a handfull of raeale,
to a crufc of oilc in a poore widowes houfe } to the falling of
the Sparrowei to the groundjto thefeeding of the birds ofthe
aire} to thecaluing of Hindcs j to the clothing of the gralFe of
the field 5 to thenunnbringof the hairesof our heads; to the
trick ling of teares do wne our cheekes. Thus farrc as Gods ho-
lie fpiric aflifted me, I led you the laft time. Now let it pleafc
you with patience and reuerencetogiue care to the word of
God,asitfolIowech,t/er/; 2.
And he [aid : The Lord (ball roare from S\oT\y andvtterhls
votce from lerufalcm, and the dweliing placet of the/hep'
herds [hall ferifh,and the top efCmmtXfhalt wither.
In this vcrfel commend vnto you two generall parts:
CI A preface to a proph ccie .• And hefaid.
<2 The proph ccie it felfe ; The Lord [hall roare from Si-
C on,&c.
In the prophecie,I muftfurther commend vncoyou^.things;
r I The Lord fpeaking: Hee[haUroare and vtterforth his
^ voice.
/a Theplacefromwhenceheefpeakeih : from Sionzttii
A lernfalem.
C 3 The fcquclsofhis fpecch. They are two;
Defolation to the dwelling places of the (hcpherds:
^ The dwelling places of the (hepherds fiali perifh.
j2 Sterility and barrenneflfe to their fruitfull grounds :
t The top fl/Carmel [ballwither.
The firft generall part, the preface rotheprophcciel muft
firftfpeakcvnto. Andhefaid\He, that is, Amos: Amos the
heardman, or fhcphetd,whofe dwelling was at Tekpa. He faid^
what faid he i Eucn the words which he faw vpon Ifrael, that is,
he fpakc the words ofGod committed to him,by that kinde of
prophcticall iaftin A and motion which is commonly tcarmed
vi/iott:
A M O S 1.1. I
tiifion : the words of God, which were difclofed currcueahrd
to him in zvtjien 5 Jiwu/fpike, but his words were Gods
W'ordr.
Here ( dcarcly bcloued) we may learne whence the holy
Scriptures hauc their foueraigne authority. Their authority is
fromabouCjCucn tromthcZW,wholenaraeis /ehonah,who(e ^
* throne is the heauen of heaucns, and the ^ Tea his fioare to ' Mttih
walkcin, the = earthhisfootftooletotreadvpon, who hath a fiab*k
chaircin theconfciencc,and fits in the heart of man,and pof-
leirerh hisfecrctreines, and diuides betwixt the flclh and the ' j
skinnc,and fhakech his inmolf powers,as the ^chundetfhaketh
the wildetncire of Cades.
This powerfull and great leheuah, God almighty,fpake in
eld time to out fathers by the mouth of Mefes,Ex9d,^. | Z.and
in thtmiHthesoisWhisPrefhett, Heb. i.I. Knovtthis, faith
S. Peter in his fecond epiftle,! cb.ver.to.ThiC ne Profhecitttt
the Scripture is of any priuate Mt^rtow.Marke his reafon,t/f r,Z f.
for the Prepheciecame net in eld time by the mU ef man, but help
men of (fed Jpake oi they were meued bj the holy Ghefi. Hence
fprangthefe vfualland familiar fpeeches in the bookesof the
Prophets : Thewerdef the Lord camevnte mee : The Lore)
God hath fptken: Thus faith the Lord j and the like.
This who thus fpake ineld time by his Trephettt did
in fulneire oftime, when be Cent his Son to confummate, and
pcrfe£f the workeofmans redemption, fpeake by his bleded
£jangeli(ls,andApoft!es.Thisappeareth bythefiiithfullpro*
mifemade them,-<^/'«M o. l^.Takfnethought hew, erwbatyet
(hall ffieake, fer it fbaU begiuenjou whatjeefhallfay. It is notjee
that (peaks, but the (pirit efyour Father that jpeaketh in yen. It
muft fiand for truth in defpight ofal the powers ofdarkneife,
which is recorded, 2 7i'«. 3 The whole 1
and eueryparccll thereof, isgiuenby infpiratien of \
God, and hath inward witneircfrom that Spirit, which is the i
author of all truth.
Hence arifcch this true pofition:5'rr<^f»r<i ejb authentica re-
gula turn fides, turn vita noftra: The word of Ged, which by an
cxccllencic wc call t\\tScriptHrf» is an infallible rule both e feur
C faith
18 The Second LeSlurc^.
"t* faith,andalfo ofo^rlife.And another pofi ion followcth here-
vpon: The authority of holy Scripture is greater,than the autho-
rtiy of the Church.
Ourobfcruacion here may bcrSincc fuch is the worth ofho-
f B liwcl de- Scripture by rcafon of the author of it, as that it u the per-
tcncc of tlic A- rule for our faith, andltfe ) and IS of greater authority than
pologie par. 4. the Church, it mull beour partto take heedvntoir, toheare
chap 19 Stao. k, and to rcadeit with reucrcncejobfequic, and docility.
P . , This worthj dignity, and excellency of holy Scripture,
touchcdTnmy^ which is Gods holy word, now commended vnto you, yceL
Sermon vpon dcth a very harfli and vnpleafant found to eueryPopjlhlyaf-
p/a/.si.<.pag. felledearc,and may feruetocondcmnethe/?«w/y® Churchof
impiety, and finne for her ncgleft, and contempt of fo inefli-
q^rscripturit^' ® trcafurf. How little theyerteerae of Gods written
imptnditur. word, the wordoflife,mdMc food ofour fouIes,thegr3ueanc}
Scriptura eaim learned^ Brentitu in his preface rpon Tacohtts Jludreas againfl
efi ereatwa & makes it plaine vnto vs, while he tcls ofthe crying out
egtrtHm quod- ^ againft the holy Scriptures, asifthey weref'/zwde, ioddouht-
Jhek'wotdt' ft*d,t!ii\d i dumhe fchoolemafler.zndikflhug writ,znd a dead let-
arc allcaged tef, yea,and ifitmay likethofereuerendfathers,»«^er/err/&rf»
outofHo^«j,by JEfopsfables.
John UrotlB. Now left Brentius may be thoughtto chargethem wrong-
\\%%oU^eof paienti befccch you, while I fhew you out of them-
ejihecbutthof fclues,how they harpc vpon this B blafphcmous ftring.
£»^;W,pa:t4. A Cardinal] ofgrearnamein histime,/7tfy7*« the Popes Lc-
thap. 19 & 10. gar,and PrcfidcntoftheCtf»»cf//of7*re«f,in his bookc DecX'
§. I. Tbomas prejo verba Dei, faith, as fomehauethought, ofhimfclfe 5 as
cZf"ition, " others, in the pcrfon of Zwenkfeldius. ''It is but loft labour
faith, that ntiiltt Hofius nor arj Caibol l^e jpcat( lb ihtm, but one Z wcnk-fcldius. Yet before B.
Iove/,ihe words arc aheagedby NicoUm ii-Mut, for the words of HoJm. So are they by la-
cobm Andrea,dea. eorilate Satra ScTtpti.r(e,Viixh this ccnfure vpon them: verba,pucHo-
fiui[uo,fiuealtommnomine rec'net,eettt banc e(le Afoii&Hefit, deSacrd Scnpiuta fenitatiam,
noHcftobfcurunt. Fmcw Jtfyr.c./j in hisfeuenth Trcaiife, deHarwaConcihi, touchirgthcfe
yeryyiord'iofHofius,fairV.-,Hofusd:ti'imcU! fdamiintcntiambnc detecitans, cemprobai ; that
Hejiui though he vttcreth thcfc words in the name and perfon of Zwtnt^tldtus, yet neaer the
lelfe he allOweth them as his ownc. In the London edition of the Afelogic printed in i x. ;m-
finfis I'bomtechardi,! ^9 r.vpon thele words of Hofis,yo\i flialfindc this maninali note in the
108. p:gc; H<ec Hopus inlibro de cxpreffo verba De/,ftdaj ii:e,&fitb atittiuspcrjona, qumuii O
ipfeiiUds cudem iu eoikm stum Ubm difriii vti b,. ejHh met,
tkat
Amos i.i. i5>
rliat is fpcnt in the Scriptures: hccgiuesthis rcafon ; iortlic
Script fire iszereatHre, ind 3 pecre kj»de of ouftvard ehmon,
^ Lffdcuicftf AdMoranus^ a Canon of the Church of Latcran ablViy-
in Rome,in an''oration of his pronounced at TrfKt,faid,'the
Scriptureis as it were™ /w^r^.The Bilhop of ° Peltiers kp^nttdat
in a fpcech ofhisattheranic7V^»r,fpakctolikcpiJrporc; The vdiiqa, Ann.
Scrtptureis°ideadandidumhething.^ndthinke ye waiP£c- VideH.
kiiu more modtif ly conceited, when he called the Saiprurcs
1 the tUckegofpell, and i»ke» dimnity ? or r PighitM, when hec Vcripturcs
called the Scriptures ^dMf»h 3nd(feech/efe tudges, 'like vino indHgrace,
iKofe that is ealily moulded and fafliioned what way hterarumn.O'
fceuer you will i ot^ Harding, ox^ Staphiltts, who fpake of "aixenta, firip- ^
theScxiptat<s,&s ofmi/chieuofts^ndpoyfonfuObookSf iffothcy
be committed to the view of the common people in a vulgar memhrmdtu. * <
and language. ^ Seriptnnejl
But all thefeblafphemers arc long fince dead and gone. Is quafnnortimm
their blafphcmic dead and gone with them ? No: that ftickcs
faftby their poftcrity,as aleproiide that will not be cleanfcd. versus,^af.
InthcCollcquicheldat/?<»f'y^e«e oflate, Anno l5ol. he- edl.br. detrndi-
tweenc theMinilltrs of the AugufiaNecor.fcfRon and Papifis, tionibia.a.j.b.
when it was alleaged Scripturamejfe nerntamfidti, that Scrip- f^f ftbicinpri'
ture is the rule of faith jit was anfwered by 3Uf\i\ie,hec e^efon-
temetamm herefeain: chat this was rhefounraine ofall herefic: errernm, quod
as Af.H'illet makes relationin his Y anfwerto thelibellers In- nihilftpra cert*
troduffion. Itraaybehemeancs theIefuiteT<»»*fr#« whole &indMbme.
foulc,reproachfull,and diflionourable fpeech againll the holy
Spirit, the author of holy Scripture, is fet downe by Hnnnim dque-
in his 'hidoricall narration ef thatColloquieat^<rtrV^«ife .• quamfiMrcci-
pkndm, nifi
AtramcntoMGrtuozspfrii coduibus exprejfum mncniaior. i ApudSltidanuntiommtHt.lib.t^.
0 T^smnimk&muia. rApudCbeomiliumexem.Co»c.Trid.part.i.dtfacraScriptura, iZuange-
liitm nigrum & Theolagiiw) Atrgmentoriam. ' Contra.i.deEitltf. ^dMutosiudtces. iStintStrip-
tura,veluinafuicercus, quifiberfKm,iUarfm, & in qaamtunque volutris pattim trabi, retrabi,
fngique/jcilep.rmittit.Pigh. Hietarcb.Ecclef.ij.c.}. " In his arifwcrio lewcls defence, Artie.
1 y. Diuif.9. The dangers and harts which the common peoples reading of their Scripture
in their owne language bringeth—be great, fundry, and many. IkcroriimBiLiorHmm
vulg.idiom. ira»Jlatmt.(peg. ) fnprofaiuloeJiqMatsm ptrmciemin tatum arbetn Cbrttiia-
nuri}eii,rtsinuixont, &adhucinueilura fit, fi Laicis tllittratuliberup fit,proipforma>biirio&
tiiriofiiatefiacraeliterairimari,ocperfcrutari. ' Fo. A. 3. b. * Pag. xA.
c t " miiA
20
The Second Le^urc^.
NuB t,»ulla,»u!ta v^tjuamfuit htrefls, iju<t ex fela Scriptura fuf'
ficienterrefHtaripctHit, A f^cech vehement enough,iVf«er,w-
Her, neuer wai there A»y htrefie fn^ctently refuted, only out of
Scripture. Hce requires their imagtnctl infallible authority of
their-Church to beioyne!!t
There was another Icfuitc at the fame Colloquie, by name,
(Jrj//<rr/«,ofnOileircimpudcncy,&cgrGgioufly blalphemous.
For when it was alleagcd that the holy Scripture, or the ho/y
Ghe/i fpezking'mthcScripture, isthehigheftand theinfalli-
ble fudge of controuctfici of religion, this Gretferui, as one
pollctfcd withthcrpiritofcontradidion, vtters thispropofiti-
'CoUoq. Ratisb. on : ^Ntepue Scriptura fola,vt e^ verbttm Spiritut Sauffi,re<jue
k''' a Spiritm SauUuj vt leeyuitur per Scripturam, eft iudex fupre-
^ • mtH,C$'i>if.tl!il>i/ucoMtrouerft^rumre/iyrionit:He\thctthcho\y
"Ecce fttmusm Scripture,as it is the word ofthc^<r^ Ghofl, not the ho'j Gkoft'
tmfpsMu bums himfelfc, as he fpeakcth by the Scripture, is the fuprcme and
tHdtcu{h4tfdi- infallible ludge of controuerfies of religion. Thishevndet-
'^(odiembibli- proue by experience. Behold, faith he, weftandbc-
altera ma. the face of this ludge(with that hcrofe vp, and tooke the
nuientbat, altt- Bible in one of his hands,and ftruck it with the othcr)wefhnd
ra.p:dfabat ) (faith he) bcfcf e the face of this fudge. Sec now, Fam here. (I
vfe h i s owne words, as th ey are fet down e by D auid 'Bytngitu,
f(u:htid,pp9.' inhisdcfcriptionof theforenamed Colloquie) Ecce adfuns.-
tejl 5 iuduetme behold nowlam here,letthci&ei^5p<>«iudgemeifhecan by
pf bene Strip, this Scripture: fet him condemne me, if he can, by Scripturcj
turam if endem- the holy Spirit cannofiudgcmc by Scripture ; he cannot jlct
ftrMm -dtlf can:hecannot condemne me by Scripture.Yw-
fipotif: eriM '^t'epet te Deus Satha»:Gretfer,viC doubtnotjhntthitiiic Lord
lacobc Gtct- hath, or will rebuke thee.
fere, tucsiisa Dcarcly btloucdinthcI.ord,Schollerscan tellyouof^ro*-
tc'.idiihiidii Steropes, Ffracmon,Polyphemus, and others of that rabble
ira"lil'oad"^e- , who niidc a head; and banded then?-
ffrum fcamnum, ftlues together, to pluckc lupiterhom out his throne. Behold
HOH poiiti me inthisIeruite,^ere^f/epfC(Jw»<r«d<ic-MW,as great impudency,
spiri'usSanll. 35 cu^r was fcen in any CycUpt faccj that a man by profcflion a
Chrtftirtn.ind among Popi[h (fhrtfliant of the prectfe fefl,z fats-
lefuite, fhould challenge to afmglccombar, God-Al'
. ' y/jykv.who wouldthinkcit ^ Some
A M O S 1. 2, II
Some that were at theColloquic zifVormt, haue
often remcmbrcd in their common talke 'anew, inlolenr,and cuUtq.
vnhcard o^a^Tc^tion, maintained by the Papifts j Sacram
Scripturam non ejfe vocem iftdicis, fed materiamlitie, that the
holy Scripture is nota/»<//cxw»V^, but nikcv the matter ef
flrifeandcQntention.lt Was indeed a ftrange airerrionjand by a
conffqucntjftrikingGod himfelfe, the author of holy Scrip-
ture. Yet you fee, it is by our modern lefuits this day matched,
forafmuch as with their iropicui allcrtions touching holy
Scripture, they doc dircftly Itrikc the holy Spirit.
It is an old faying, Ex vngne Leenem : A roan may know a
Lyon by his claw. Surely, let tncnofvnderltanding confider
the audacioufnelFc, impudcncy, and fury of railing, with
which thofc lefuits beforsnamedhaBC beene throughly reple-
ni'fliedjthey mufl acknowledge and confclle, that thole I eluits ^
were guided by the Spirit of lyes, andblafphemies. You alrea-
dy fecthcreadineireof Pdpifli Dodforsto tread Scripture vn-
dcrlbor, and todocitall thedifgracethey can. Yergiucmec
leaue, Ibcfeech you, by fome inltance to fliew the fame vuto
you.
Theinftancc which I make choife of, is Gods foueraigne-
ty ouer the Kings and Kingdovncs ofthis world. iKin^tand sHcreoflen-
Kinfdomes are wholly and alone in the di^efition of the Al- "catcd in a
-I u ^ J Sermonvpon
mtihty. Honlo 7
A truth included within the generall dodlfinc^ coramen-
6edby S' Paul to the%omans,chap. 11. 1- All powers that be,
areordainedofGod:Elihu,Iob 34. 24, (fad
flsalibreathe the mighty, and fet vp other in their flead ,• exprcf-
fed in the prayer of Daniel,ekap.2.2i.CJod tahgthawaj Kings,
and fetteth vp Kings : proclaimed as in the Lords owne
words, Preu. 8'. 15,16. By me Kings reigne, by me Princes,
Nebles,and Judges deeruie. Thiitruthhath 3.branches, dif-
played info many propeficions by L^fiiuinhii ^politique ^ MonitU
alucrtifementt, i.f.y. Withu.'
' I Kings,and Kingdomes, are giuen by God.
)2 Kings, and Kingdomes, are taken away by God.
ij Kings, and Kingdomes^ are erdered^ vuledy gouerned
by God*
2,-1
The Second LeSiurc^:
All threearcfurther made good in the infallible euidence
of the written wordofGod.
f RegiaiDtt The firftwas : ^Ki»gs, and Kin^domes are giuen hj God,
&regcsdf 'ulip' Thus faith theL»r<^offucccirour, iSarn.iC l. I haue
fattHes of Ifchat ; and of there-
uoltoftheten tribes, in the rcntof the kingdome of Ifratl,
xKing.xzA^.Jhisthingudonebjfne : and of the viflories
which Nabuchodanofor vvai to get oacr the King o[Iudab,ind
other his neighbour Kings; the Kings of olMoabfOf
Trem.Ffii'7' Ammoniteif of Tjrt, of Zidan, ler, 27. 6. Ibauegitten all
tbefe lands into the band af Nabncbodontforthe Kingef Babel,
mjferHant. Itistrue which wclearne, P/i/. 7y.d. Aduance'
ment is neither from the Ea^, nor frtm the Weft, nor from the
wildernejfe.Owx God is tndge 5 he alone aduaneeth. You fee now
itisplaineby holy Scripture, thit Kings and Kingdomes are
gitsen by God*
* Re^ d Deo -i- fecond was • Kings and Kingdomes are taken away by
Regestotti.Li^. That Gods hand is likewife exercifed in the rciDouall of
ib.fag aS. Kings,and crandation of kingdomes,i( swell known,as by the
aboue-cited texts ofSaipture, fo by diuine examples, where,
of I might make a long recitall, would 1 remember you out of
Gen, 14. of the fall ofthofe Kings delmered into the bands of A'
braham 5 out of fxed.14.and I y. oi Pharaohs oner throw in the
red fea, out of X)4».4.and y. of Nabuchadnez.z,ar and Eelfbax.-
^erkisfonnedifpoireired of their crownes : and out of other
places of the diuinely infpired word of like patterns. Its plaine
without any further proofe, chat Kings and Kingdomes are
taken away by God.
*RegMiDei& The third wzx ft Kings,and Kingdemes,are ordered,rnledgt'
Reges ttrnperm. utrned by God' For proofe hereof! need no more, but retnem-
L(ffibid.p.i\. her you, of that which I recommended to you in the begin-
ning of this Sermon, eucn of the wonderfnll extent of Gods
care and prouidenceto the Icaft& bafeft things in this world:
as I faid to a handfuil of meale; to a auilc ofoile in a poore wi-
dowes houfe^to the falling of fparrowes to the groundjto the
feeding of the birds of the airejto the caluing of hindcs;to the
clothing of the gralTc of the field \ tochenumbringof the
-v. haires
Amos i l z'i a?3
haircs ofoarhcadsjto thctricklingohearcsdownourchceki.
Shall God care for thcle vile and bafe things i and ftiall he not
much more order,rule,and gouernc Kings,and kingdomes i
Now (bcloued in the Lord ) you lee by the euidcncc of ho-
ly Scripture,thatKings,and kingdomes,are whcly and alone
in thedifpofitionof the Almighty. Glue care I befcech you,
while I fliewyou how this do^lrine, and the holy word of
God whereon it is grounded, is in popifh religion negleff <d,
difgraccdjtrodcnvnder foot.
/{euwr/chiefcf^champion, Czx^\m\\BeSarmiKemhii fifth
hookeDe%om.Pontif,c4p,j. doth exempt Kings and king- Rom.ptmf.
domcsfromthe difpofitionoftheLord of heauen, rotwiih-
(landing tbeeternall truth in the holyScripturcs.Thishe doth
in fourcpofitions. aniveapatifu-
1 Princes a they gocihout^ 4H«rterep»pula>» a ^de, tea- ftrfe Rsgmnon
uert their people from the faith, ( the faith of the Church of cbnjlMnm, fi
Rome) thenby theconfcntofall, they may andmuftbedif-
poir.(rcdoftl,«trceptmand«g.li.i«.
3. 'IfthcShriftians in times part dcpofed not A'ero, Dio- t Jhid.%.Siu6d
cletian, lulian the 9^pofiAta,f^aletisthe Arian (and other like fi- ^odjicbu.
tyrants)'^/ fuit lyttia deerant vires temforales ChripiMuis, it Was
becaufc they wanted power, and force, and, were not llrong
enough for that attempt. ^
5. "Chriftians are not bound to tolerate a king that is an in- ium/ipofimm,
fidell ;ora KingnotaPapift.) Nut bound to tolerate him f dr t^akniem
Nay, (mh Be/iarmine, (hey mcft not tolerate f uch a one cum
eHtdtntiperkhlo religionU j. if the toleration of hirabcaneui- detrintii-
dent danger to their religion. res teKporaks
4 * I>tf sure humano efi, ejttad bttncaut iUum habeatsaus regem : chnjitanis.
It is by the law of man, that we hauc this,or that man to be our " ibid.%.At non.
King. Thislartpofitionjs formerly auow^ by thcfamc au-
thor in the fame bookc J but in the fecond Chapter, wjthop- necd.binttum
pofition and difgracc to theloucraigntieof thcLord ofholls. euidtntipencuk'
y Dominium nondefhendit eX iure dsuiuo, fedex sure ge»i turn, rehgiom tuUru.
Kmgdomciand dominionare notbythelawofGod, but by
thclawofrations.ltisanimpijusjbiafphcmousyandaihcolo' y jj"'
gicall alTertion.
Prom
* Ann. T)im-
160U
24 The Second LeBure^:
»*•
FromthefepofKionsor the great lef»ite, byanecclTary in.
ference doctollow therctwoconclufions.
I That the Pafijls wauli mefl widtng^ljr depriue onr mofl
gracioHS Seweraigne ef his ray all throne stndregnlitj, if they were
of force and power fo to doe.
a That alt fnbteds of this land, may (land in manifeji rebel-
lion againll their King, becaufe he is no Papijl, Both which arc
funiinarily acknowledged by his rojailMatefly in his excel-
lent fpeech the 5.0! NaHember * laft: The • %emtfb Catholiques
by thegroundi of their religion doe maintaine, that it is lawftsil or
rather meriteriotu, to mnrtherTrinces or people, for quarrellof
religion.^y t\\c grostnds of popifli rcligionjitis lawfssB,yei meri-
t or to us (ot Papijl s to mnrther Kings, which are not Papifts,
You fee hi < Maiefiiet royall ack nowledgcment of impiety in
the grounds cfRoniifh religion. You will not doubt of it, if
you rightly cftccmethat fame lace, thrife damnable, diaboli-
call, and matchlellc plot, conceiued in the wombc of that reli-
gion,with a full refolution to confume at once our piousKing,
and this flourifhing kingdome.
You perceiuenow, in what contempt and difgracethepo-
pith fa£lion holdeth the holy Scripturct,t he written word of
God. The miticn ward of God cxprefly requircth obedience
vnto Princes, as placed in their thrones by Codsfole authority.
But thePopifi religion maintaineth rebellion Princes,zs
placed in their thrones by mans fole authority.Vlhlch will you
follow I the holy word of God, or the do^rine of theRomiJb
Church ?
' Beloued,rcmeber what I cold you in the beginning of this
cxercifc $ chough Amot fpake, yet his words were Gods words;
remember that God is the author of holy Scripture: and then
for bis fake, for thc4«r^9r/ fake, for (7«<//fake, you will bee
pcrfwadcd to take heed vnto it, to heacc it, and readc it with
rcuercnce,obfcquie, and docility.
We, the branches of the fame vine, that bare our predecef-
tD Kino B. of fors,to whom by deuolutionthe facred Statutes of thecter-
^ ' nallGod,thcAo/j'Scr#ff«r«arecomc, muftcftcemcof thera
all for ^ Qods mod royall and cclediail Tcftamentjthc oracles
• - - - • ~ - of
Lood vpon
lonJc^l.p.a.
A M o s r. li 15
of his heiucnly Sanftuary, the only key vnto v« df his reuea-
led counfailes, milke From his facred breads, the earned and
pledgeofhisfauowr to his Church} the light ofour feet, 'ioy 'Zerfw.
of our hearts,■'breath ofournodrils, pillar of oar faith, anchor a Lament.20,
of our hope, ground of our loue, euidencc and deeds of our
future bleircdncfre.
Behold the value and price of the words, which ^m'ot faw
vpon Ifrael, which God willing, with all my diligence, and
bed paines, I will expound to you hereafter, as occafion (hall
beminidrcd,
Now let vs powre out our foules in chankfuln^e before the
Lord, for thathehath beenepleafed rhisday to gather vs to-
gethcr to be hearers of his holy word,and partakers ofthe blel-
fed Sacrament of the body and bloud of our Lord lefia Chrtft,
thereby to confirme our holy faith in vs. We thanke thee there-
fore, good Father, and befecch thee more and more to feed vs
with the neucr pcrifliing food ofthy holy word, that by
it being made cleane and fati^ided, wee may in due
time haue free palfagefrom this valiy of tearcs
to the city of ioy, lermfalem wichisa-
boue, where this corruptible diall
put on incqrruption,. and
our mortality (hall bee
fwallowed vp of life.
So be it.
D THE
u- /Vins Pittas^.IV./VjU 3f53>^c^{j
^1
,
a«g-gwsgr^irafefffgsagaa>^'»a«aaiFa?ae»afcfeMfi£
THE
A w O S I. 3.
^Mdbefiii,tkeljOX&{b4lro*refr6mS\onf,^Hd vUtrffit voter
from Xjetufalem andtht dweking flaeet of tbefig^herds fhaS
fgri(b,4nd the ttpofQ^rmcl [bali wither.
Pon the preface to this prophecie [ thefc-
viot^s^ and'he faid'\ iny lad lecture was be-
ftowecf; wfieWti'bccaufe wbatfocuer v^w«/,
I • r ' • ^
thefirca!rdthaii?fpakc, \v»the word of God, I
cndeuoured to fhew forth the worth, digni-
ty,and excdlency of ihcwordof God, com-
monly called by the name of holy Scriptttre. A point that yecl-
deth a very harfh and vnpleafant found to eucry popifhly af-
fe£fed eare, as then at large I made plainc out of popifl]
mouths, and praftife. Order now requircth, that I goe
on to the next gencrallpart of this text, to the prophecie it
felfe. Thefirft point therein to be recommended at this time
vntoyou, is the Lordfpeaking.
The Lord fjallroare, and vtter his V9»ce]wherein I defire you
to obferue with mt,who it isthat fpeaketh,& how he fpeaketh.
fVhoIpeabethf It is the Lord,
How fpeaketh he ? He roareth, and vttereth forth his voice.
Firdofhim that fpeaketh : He is in the Hebrew text called
Jehoftah %
■ '.Jk ~
'V - -
Amos I. 2.
^7
nus LiH- mu{.
M. i. tap. 9.
^emnesLC'
urn mncupd'
w«j,iE§yptii
J which is thc'faonourablcrt rtamebelongmg forhe >D.KingB.of
greatGs^ofHeaucn.Muchmightbcfpokcnofir, wonldl ap- London, vpon
ply myfclfctothecuriofity oi Cahahfti and Rai^inj ; as that /c-WjLeft.ii,
it is a name not to be pronounced, or taken within polluted
lips 5 that it is a name of foure letters in all tongues and Ian- zaifch'dem.'
guagcs ) and that thefefoure letters in Hebrew,ate all "^/ir/refx oeihb.icij.
o/Aryy.todgnifievntovSjthatthereftjrepofe, andtrarquilli- ' cat. Rhadigi-
ty of all the creatures in the world, is in God alone ] that it is
a < powerfull name for the working of miracles, and chat
ChnfiindOHoftJ had by it done great wotidcr!.
But my row^wffliallncuer enlarge chat which my/iw/dab-
horreth,(uch brain-fick,fuperftitious,and blafphcmous inucn- Thent, Pcife
tions. Yet this I dare auoiich before y ou,tliat there it fome fe-
cret in this name.It is plaine,£Affd.d.3.There the/.erdTpea- pi^aOtCi.vn-
kingvatoA^ofej lakh:lapptttretiv»t0 yiirAham,to/f{ac,aKd deprofiuxit 0-
tolaceb.bj thename of a flrong,ommp»tiMt,andA{l-fiifficientGod, foaafis- lam a-
but bj mj name lehouah was.I not knovane vMo them. I vnfold f""'
thislecrer. This great name lehonah ; firft k importeth the vt-
ccernity olGodseircnce in himfelfe, that he it ^fefterdaj, and calium DtifurU
today, and the fame for etttr, i which rvat, which is, and which ntmen y\yXW
if fefe)we.Againe,itnotctb the exiftcnce, and pcrfeftion of all
thingsinCord, as froiii whom all creatures in the world haue
their ^ life, motion, and being, God is the being ofall hiscrea-
tures jnot that they are the fame that he is, but becaofe of' him,
and ire him,and by him are all thing! .hnd lartofallitis theMe-
w-rw/iof God vnto aUagesjas himfelfccalsft,^*^^/. 3.15. thit
memorial of his faithfulBeire,his truth, &his ccnftancy in the ^demu-
performance of his promifes. And therefore whenfoeucrin raDeilib.i.c.\i,
any of the Prophets, God proreifcth or thrcatnethany great rlpudGmus,
matter, to allure vs of the moll certainc cuent of fuch bis p/o- P"!^ HebroDs,
mifcorchreatning, headdcs vntoithisnamfc,•'
In ftead of this Bebrew namc lehottab, the moll proper ^tuor eo/iftaUie-
rii. Sic apud
Lal'inti Deu5, vndf & Hifpani d'cant Dioi; Itali Idi) j Galli Dteu; Gcrmanis^ae^j Anglis
ifuatuoreftfi Cha}d^k,d^Sy^isJl^y^^.^,Arabib^u^J^^^i^,.5i,chi;>plDUs
^gytus lllyricis
Bogi, Maomeianis Abgd. Gentibin in mundonsuorepertis Zinii.'' Viura quhftcntts. e Zanch. vbi
fnpra.^ Htbii-i. t/iptt.J,8. ^AS it.xB,
D 2 name
quodindeTtira'
gramtnatondi-
cuntf& alittXKh
teexfrimilur
Grotit
vera (jliifapfdr
&/«>", Arabibu«
AJJa. Sic
i8
k 104.1.
1 Efai-lo. J.
>n P/2:i.io4.3.
oUb
t Efji Jo. 1.
tpfaLl07>t7'
tZaichJeM'
uibM.i.c.if.
' Hib. I y
The Third LeSlure^.
nitneefGod, the 7c. Interpreters of thcold Teftaraent doe
cucry where vfe Kve<®-, a Grcckc name, a name of ptwer, well
fiiiting with the lining, true, andonlyGod. For he hath^/e-
»umK7fQ-. The powcrand authority which hce hath ouer all
things, is fouctaigne, and without controlemenr. Hce that
made the heaucns, andfpread them out /tkea ^curtaine, to
death himfelfe with light as with a garment, heecanagainc
^ cloaththeheaMenwith darl^teffir, aud make a facke their cotie-
ringi Hethat madethe fcato "»/«7 the heatnet 0f bu ehAmhr
therein, and ^placed the [and for bounds vmo it by aperpetuall
dccfee,not to be palFcd ouer,howroeiicr the waucsthcrof (hall
rageand roate ; he can with a word ° fmitethepride thereof
At his rebuke the flouds (hall be turned Pinto a wldemefe,
the Sea lhall be vp,the Bdi (hall rot lor want ofty^/er,and
die iot thirfi. Hec that made the drie tend, and fo fet it vpon
^foundutions,thatudioiild ncuermoue,hc can couer heragaine
with ihcdtepe as with a garment,and forockeher that (he (hall
treeleto andfro, ind (lagger like a drunken mau.So pDwerfull a
God may well bee named from power, Ki;et©-, .the abfoKj&c
ruler and commander of all things.
This name of power, Ki/e^ifitly put foj^theHthrewname
Jehouah, commonly rendrcd in our Engltlh tongue, L*rd,
is in the writings of^the Apoftles (imply, and abfoU;tely,(if the
learned hatrc made a ""iuft calculation ) afcribed vnto Chri/f
a thoufand times ; andmay fciiic for fofhcient proofcofthe
dcjftkof.Chrifi. For it imports thus muchithat Chnfl the 'en-
grrued Tormc ofhis Father,ritting.at the right hand ofrhcMi-
ieftie in the higheft places,is together with chcf^r^'er and tiie
Hoij (jhofl, the author and gouernour of all things j^and in a
Ycr^tlpeeialln^anncr, heis the heite of thehotifeofGod, the
mighty pxote^pr ofrheC-&«rf;&.. - ,
Chri(l, the only begotten5»««e of Cod, heeische Lord:
yet fo,that neither the Fat her,not the Holj Ghofi arc excluded
horn dominion. The Father i% Lord^ tVitHoly Ghofl is Lord
too. For in all the works of God ad extra, (fo we fpcakein the
fchooles 5 but tofpcakemorcVBdctftandingly to your capaei-
ties) in all cAffrrwd//works, eachperfonofthc Tr/Wr;?hath
his operation. Yet
Amos i.z.
Yet fo that a common diftinflion bee obrtrued. For thefc
extemail workcs o£ God doc admit a double conttcfcration,
" eitlier they are begunne "^withoutthe Diuine ferfonSf and ^zmb.^elu-
ended ' wfome one of them: or they are both begunneand
ended, without the Diuineperfons. The workes ol God be-
gunncearferwo^, and ended in/e«»# what pcrfjtas
arethey i They arefuchas wasthet:;^/^ of thei='<ir(?'ercon- iinahqHapir^
cerning Ckrifi, * This is mjbeloued fontie : a voice formed fmnum.
by all threeperfons, yet Vttered only by the Father. They ^^<"'^.3. i7»
arc luch as was that« Doue, defccnding vpon fhnf, at his bap- '
tifmc: a framed by all yet appropriate ort-
\y to the Ho/j ghe/}. They are fuch as were the and foule
of Chrij}; 4 body and feule created by all threeptrfoMs, yet alfu-
mcd only by the feitne of God,
This is that obuious, and much rfcd diftinflion,m fchoolc
diuinity:/»eWr;>f,& termtnatineA thus expound it. In thefc
now named workes of God, the voice that was fpoken vnto
Chn/}, the Doue that defccnded vpon Chrif, the body and
foule ol Chrt/}y wec aretoconildertwo things ; their begin-
ui»g, nndtheit end. Jfwccrefpeftthcir^ff^/«w>/^, they are the
workes of the wholc75'i*r/>/e,common vnto alljbiit'rei^cff wc
their perfection, and end, they are no more common, but hjpv-
fiaticallandperfanaH, for fo the vatce is thcFathers alone; the
Daueisth^ Holy Ghofs z\oat j.thcreafonab'ley<7»/e, and hu-
Vnintfle(h,itCt)\e Sonnet Si\om.
Bcfidesthcfethcre arcother workes ofGod, as begun, fo
tndtd zXfoeXZraperfonas ; externally : and they arc of two
forts; either( fuch Icall thcmiraculous workes
cf God\) ot naturali as are the creation of the world,the
preferuation ofthe fame, and the goitcrnroentofir. All thefc
workes ofwhichkindcfbcucr,whetheFmiracu}ous,or woikes
of nature, arc comnaan to the whole Tr/biry. The Father
worketh, thc5ew»eworkcth, andthc/f«/7^^e^workctb, as
in doing ofwonders}fo in creating all things,in prcfcruing all
things, ingouerning all things. Whereupon followcththat
which before I affirmed 5 that as the Father is Lord,{o thtSon
i> Lord,, and the Holy Gho/} is Lord alfc. So the Lord,
whom
The Third LeSlurc^:
whom I commend vnto you for the fpeaker in my tent, is the
F'lfitjf in Trinity, one God in three perfons, God Almighty,
the f4t^fr,5ff«»f,and Holy Ghiji',
Beforel gocon,coniewyou,howherpeakech,I mull make
bold vpon your patience, to tell you of feme duties, neceffarit
duties, to be performed ty vs towards him, as Lord, God is
the Lord, weare his feruants. Theduties wee owe him in this
refpcft are three: to obey him, to/erwebim, to profit him.
The firftduty required ofvs,is •ifirf'^we'evntoGod hisword,
laws and commandements.This duty whofoeuer performeth,
(hall eafily perfortne the fecond duty, to wit, faithfull feruice,
with all care and diligence to doe whatfoeuer work it pleafeth
God to employ him in : andlhall not leaucvndone the third
duty, but flull Qoegeod, and be profitable vnto the Lord.
Allthefe duties were well difcharged by our hrilparent
Aslongas hewasinuefted with his rt^eofinnocency,
he was perfedlly obedient, a faithfull fernant, and profitable to
his Lord.
Now if it will be doubted here how a man fhould be profit a-
ble to God;thas I anfwer: That Gods riches doc conliR in his
glerj, and therefore if his gUrj beincreafed and enlarged, his
adttantage is procured. The parable of the talents, y .14.
conhrtneth this point. The parable is there plainly deliuered
vnto you. The meaning of it is; that God giuethvs his graces
to this end, that wee (hould t;/c and incrcafe them for his ad*
uantage.YcaGod there compareth himfclfeto a couctous v[u'
rer, fo greedy of^4iw, as that he where he/owfc/not,
zxxdgathereth where he fcattered not. By all mcanes he labcu«
reth to giineglory to himfclfe.
Eliphax. in the chapt.of lob verfii,^.{eemeth in word to
thwart, and CToffethis do£frinc;For faith he,may a man be^r*.
fitabUvmoGod ? Isitanjthingtotbt^imighty, thattbonart
rigbteosulOruit profitable to hsmyhat thottmakefithy waies vp'
right? I anfwer, that God indeed is not fo tied to man, but that
he can fet forth his£/»ry, without him, or his righteoufncire;
yea hee can glorifie himfclfe in the vnrightcoulneilc, andde*
firu£fion ofmanrya I fay,that to fUrrcvp man to holinelle, k
pleafeth
N
Amos J'.
pleafeth Ged in tnetcy to count only that glory gained,which
is gained by the obedience of hisferuants. And therefore I fay
againe, that in the (fate of hisinnoccncy wasperfeflly
«^e^«;«f,araithfuIl/er«4ff/,and^r«]|?t4^/;to his Lorti,
But alas, man once beautified with tnnoctnej, with bolitteffe,
znAvi'nhthe grtice ef Gad, isnrw fpoiicd of h\% robes } the
Queehe once cloached yt>ithdve[iHre of netdle vsorkf^rotsght
about roitb di%ers eeloursM now ofberiewe/s.'znd tbe [oule
of man onctfnti ofgr4ee,K now robbed of her orKdmeHts.Scrtcb
My meaning is, that man once able toprefent himfelfe
fpotlctre, and without blame before theis now fallen
from that
The Preacher, Eee/.y.io.doth allure v$ that there is no man
iufi in tbe eartb, tbnt dot b good and fnneth not. So much doth
.S'fl/i»»<;«/queftlon import,Pre».20.9.*fAef4w/4y I bane fur'
gedmj heart?/am cleane frommj finlQiftS^ Elif baXt'Vttlti lob
eHf. I 5.14< ffbatis man that be fhottld bee/eane s and he that is
borne of a woman that be fhauld beinfi ? Behold, (faith he )Go<l
hatbfoundno fledfafineffe in his Saints, yeatheheassens are not
eleanein his fight %hew much more is man vnftedfaft, how much
moreabomiaable.andfilthy, drinkingmiejuiryhke water
the Lord looked dotone fram heauen, to fee whether there were
any childc of man, that would vtidcrttand,and feckc God,7*/".
14.2^ could he finde any one framed according to the rule of
that ptrfcftion, which he rcquirethf He could not. Thishce
found j tiiat adwere gone out of tbevpay, ihst aH were corrupt i
that there was none that did good, no not one.
Sofinfull is mm in his whole race : ftnfull inHis eonCep«
tionj finfnllinhis birth; in cuery deed, word, andthoughr,
wfiolJy finfuH. The affions of his hands, the words of his lips,
the motions of his he«rt,v\' hen rhey feeme to be moff pure and'
f»nftificd,yet then are rhty at 'isneleanethings,sndfilthy chuts^
Efiay {54.6.50 that that which si fpoken ofcurfed fain, Gen.s^^ ■
I4.inay infome fenfe be applied to man in general!; that for
his finneheiscaft forth from the prefcnccol God, andis now
become zfugttine, and a vagabond vpon the eanh.
L wdl not profccutc this point oi mans irakednefle any
farther.
51
The Third LeBurc^.
fjrthcr. By tliis which hath bcene fpakcn it appearcth plainly^
howvnfitman is, to fulhllchofe good duties rtquircd of him
by hii Lord God, Forhisfirlldutie, in Head o(obedience hec
continually brcaketh the commandcments of his God, in
thought, word, and deed. Forhisfecond duty, in (lead of
waiting vpon God to doe him/er«xfe, he fcrueth Sathan,/inne,
and his owne corruft dtjires. For his tiiird duty, in ftead of
bringing any aduontage of glory vnto God, he difhonourcth
him by all meanes, leading hit life as ifthere were no God,
Vonhaue feenenow themiferable and wretched cftatcof
man, by nature the vaifalljand flaue offinne: with whom it fa>
reth, as it did with Pharaohs feruants when they had (Inncd
againft their Lord, (jen.^o,Yo\x know the ftory, hovi Pbarar
ohs chide Btttltr wasreitorcd to his former dignity, when as
the Baker was hanged.
Thefe fmo /eraanrs of Pharaoh, may refembletve /ir/x of
men exiled from faradife,2ndfrom theprefenct of rjod,btCioh
of theirto Use vpon the face of the earth, asitwereina
dungeon full of miferie ; namely the reprobate, andchee/eff.
For thereprobate-, as they huc,fo they die in this dungeon,and
doc die eternally ; butthee/e^i, they are pardoned, and refto-
red to their formerdignity,and enabled by Chrs/ftheit redec-
met, and reconciler to to performe their duties totheir.
ier/rf, theirduties of obedience, offaithfull/xriaxre, andofprs-
fitablenejfe } to obey the commandcments of God, to performe
whatfoeuer/er^xeeis enioyntd them,and toptocwteaduantage
of glory to their Lerxf.
Beloued,Idoabt not,but that all we,who arc now reh'giouf-
ly atreinbled in this place, are the eUtl of God, chofen hj htm in
GhriHlefuS * before the femdatisn of the world, to bee holy and
without blame before him tn loue t yet I fcare mc, (hould we cn-
ter into ourownc heartt,andex3mioeour felues,how we haue
walked in dutifulnelTe towards him} our bed courfe will be to
runncvnto him with a Peccattimus in our mouthes. Lord
• we haue "^finned againfi heanen and before thee, and are not wor-
thy to be called t hy feruants.
By the firH branch of our duty we are required to be obedi.
Amos I. i.
e»t feruant5,but wc hauc becne • tartitffaee,in6fttffe hearted,
arebellfPttf 6f-(pri»g\ike vnto our farhcrs.By chc(econd branch
ot our duty wee are required to icruants ; but wc
haue made a coiicnant with ^ v»cltAnntfe, andto
feruc then). By the third branch of our duty wc arc required to
bcC profitable (enianrs ; but when wee fliouldhaue * put our
Ltrds mony to the exchangers for his greater vantage,we hdtte
^ hid it in the earth. Lerdenter not into accouDC with vs, * wee
cannot anfwcr thee one of a thenfand.
Now(dearely be]oued)ru(Fer a word of exhortation,let the
remembrance of your holy duties by you to be performed to
the Lerd your God,te /ikf hhe cempojutoH of the perfnme that is
made by the art of the Apothecary, fwcet as hony in your
mouths,andasmuiickeatabanketof wine. Bccitvncoyou
( isbrace/etjvpon yourhands,ase^<«iMer aboutyour necks,3s
frontlets vpon jew faces, at earings inyoureares, as beautifull
cromnes vpon yout heads s let it bee written in your hearts as
^Viwhapenofiren, oipeintof aDiamond, ncucr to bcerazed
cut.
Shall I dcliuer this your duty vnto you in blclled Pauls
words i In blclTcd Pauls words this is your duty, to • walke
worthy ofthe Lord.ffolof, I. i o. To walke worthy your vocation,
Ephef.i^,1.To walke as children of the light,Ephef.$.%. T o walke
in newnejfe of life,%pm.6.^.To walke in leae,Ephef. j,2.To haue
yow conuerfatien as it becemmeththe Gofpeli o/'Chrift, Phil,
I.ay. To behaue your feints heneftly towards tbemthat arewith-
out,! The(f.^.il.Towalkehonefllyaiintheday,Rom.i^.l^.l£
you take thought ''for yout fiefl> to fulfill the lufis ofit; if your
eyes arc' blinded with '^loue of pleafwesydyou haut '^feilowfhtp
wit h the vnfruitfuU werkes of darkyefe,you arc out of the W ay,
and docmuch failc in theperformance ofyour holy duty.
And to kcepeyoii the better in the right way, let me plain-
ly tell you out of i Cor. C.p. and Ephef.s.y. That neither /</»-
latere, nor thecouetons,not extortteners,noi theeues, nor adul-
terers,nor fornicators, not bugger ers, not wantons, nor dr«K-
kards,not ray lets, fliall haue any inhei itance in the kjngdome of
God.Hiucnot fonic ofvs bccnc fuchiyct to luch there is mini-
E ftted
35
• E tfib.i. 4.
^ Eflm.6,t).
olebg.j.
f Eccluf.4^.1.
I Ettth.i6.
11,11.)
iiTbefi,i>.
k^flw.i}.i4.
' I loh.i. ir,
«n a 2'««.J.4.
oEjhif.i.u.
The Third LeBure^.
ftrcdaWordof comfort, i Cor. 6. ii. Firftisour accufation,
Stteh were fame of you: then followeth our comfort, hutjee are
wafbed,i'utye are/ai«BifieM, hut ye are iufitjied in the name of
the Lord Icfus, and by the (pint of Cod.
Is this true belouedj Are we wa(hed, »nd fanHifiedyJindiu'
ftfied in the name of the Lord leftn, and by the fpirit of God ?
why then ; refolue we to follow S. "Tattles aduice, Phil. 4. 8,
Whatfaeuer things are true, and henejlyand iufi, and pure,and doe
pertaine to hue, and are of good report; if there beany vertue, or
praift, refolue we to thinkf on thefe things : thinke weonthefc
things to doe them, and we (hall well performc our holy duties
rooxxvLord. Thus farrc of my firft note touching the Ipeaker,
who fpeaketh.'i^ow followeth my other note 5 How he jpeaketh?
He JhaH reart, and vtter his voice ] The metaphor of rearing
with reference vnto God, is frequent and much vfcdin holy
Scripture.You find it as here, fo/erm. 25. 30. ioynedwith
the voice of the Lord ; The Lord psall roare from aboue, and
thrufi out his voice from his holy habitation. And fo againc,/of/.
3.1^. where you haue the very words of my text : The Lord
(baHraare out of Sior\f and vtter his voice from leruizUm. You
fhallfind it without any mention of the Lords voice, Hef. 11.
10. TheluOxd/haltroarelikv a Lion ; when he f^all roare, then
the children of the fVefl (hall feare. You (hall find it with ap-
plication, 3. 8. The Ly en hath roared ; who will not bee
afraid? The Lord Gad hath^okyn, who can but propbecie ?
S. Hiereme acknowlcdgeth this metaphor to be very fit out
of ^^«>o/hismouth,for as much asitisfitforeucry man to vfe
in his fpeech fuch examples and fimilitudes, as arc moll fami-
liar to him in his ownearr,dayly courfcjand trade of lifc.Its fit
for Si fea faring man,ro compare his heauineflc to a temped, his
hiretoafhipwrackc, his enemies to contrary winds ; fit for a
fauldier, to tell of his fword, his buckler, hiscoatofmale, his
hunce, his helmet,his musket,his wounds,his vi£forie:fit for
aA«#^Wffl»<t«,tobetaIkingofhisoxen,hiskine, hisfhccpc,his
grounds.Not vnfidy then doth Amos our Prop^et,fomecimcs
z(hepherd, one that kept his fliecpc in the wadewildcrneflcof
Tokoa, where many a time he had heard the Lions roare,com'
psie
Amos 1.1. J J
pare the terrible and dreadfull voice of the lining rothc
ronringofhioKs,
The Ltrd (hall rear el By this hypetbolicall forme of fpecclt
the holy Spirit conuinccth vs of rtupidity, and dulnclfc, as vn-
able to enterraine any admonition from God, xcept he fpealc
vnro vs after an extraordinary manner. For this rcafon, cuen
for our dulnes fake^is God herein ray text compared to iLion.
//e/5i4//ro4rf]Thcraeaningofthisphrarei$opencd by the
next svor^s-yHe [ball vtter his voice.Jt will bene loft labour to
confiderhowGsdanincorporeall, and fpirituall effence, de-
uoid of fuch parts of nature,by which we are enabled to fieak,
may himfelfe be faid to fpeak'jind vtter a voice. That he(pal^
it is well known to them, to whom the Scriptures are not vn-
knownc.Hc fpake with Adam, Euefind theferpe»t: with Ne-
ah,v/ith Abraham 8.times,with I/aac,v/kh lacoh^wkhAfefer,
and the Prophets • with Chrifi, and the Apofiles. But how he
fpake,that is difputed ofby the ancient and learned Fathers.
S.° Baftl'iio^ opinion that theProphets did not at all with
their outward cares hcareCJoi^fpcaking to them j butthatthe
word ofthcLar*!/ is laid to haue come vnto them, becaufie
their inindes were illuminated, and their vndetftmding en-
lightncd by the Ihining of the true light in great meafurc,rCat
dily to conceiuc what God would haue reuealed, and faithfully
to piiblifti it according to the will ofGod.
5.P enquiring how (jffdfpake wkh Adam znd Etttf tDtGenefiad
writeth tothjspurpcfc.Itraay be, Gsd talked with them as he ii.
talkethwith his Angels, hyfomclintertiallattdfecretmeanef,
asbygiiiinglight to their minds and vndcrftandings: or it
may be, he talked with them by his creature; which Cod vfctK mdu.
to doe,two manner of waics tcither by foraet/i^ow to men in a
trance; lo he talked with Peter, Ad. i o. or elfc by prclenting
feme lhape,and femblanceto bodily lenfcs.SoC?fi by his A»-
gels talked Vfiih Abraham,Gen.with Lot,Gen.i^. ^
.S.ft/ri'^ar^'moft accurately handieth this queftion to this tExpof.Moral
fcnfc; (jadffcakcthtwo manner of waycs. lib.tH.mup.'i
I. By himfelfe, as when he fpeakcthtothehcartby thein. ^•lobcsp.i/
WardinfpirationofthcW;'5'/;r;t. After which fenfe we muft
E % vnderftand
The Third LeBurcS.
J
vnderftand that which we read, All.i.i^.The fpirlt faUvnt0
Philipj^a neere andioyMethjCelfe to yonder chdriot:t\\ax.ii^P hi'
7/^ was inwardly raoued, ro draw nearc and ioyne himfelfcto
the chariot wherein the ^thiapidn Eunuch fate, and read the
Prophccieof^pj.Thclikc words wefindc, ^^,10.19. The
fpirtt faid vnto Peter ^Behold three men feeke thee : the meaning
is the fame; Peter was inwardly moucd by the holy Spirit to
depart from and to gee to Cdfarea, to preach vnto the
Gentiles to Corneliui and his company. Where we may note
thus much for our comforts, that whenfocuer we arc inwardly
moued, and doe feele our heartt touched witir an earned defire,
dther tomakeourptiuace requeds vnto 6W, or to come to
the place of puhlikeprayer, or to heare a fermoH,}/vc may be alTu-
red that the Holy Spirit^ God by himfelfc fpeakcs vnto vs.
2 God fpeaketh to vs by his creatures Angelically and
other,and that in diuert raattners.
I In word tf»/r,as when no forme is fccne, but a voice on*
ly is heard ; as hh» i a.aS.when CbrifiptaycdtFather,glorifie
thy name; immediately there came a voicefxova hcauen ^ I hth
haue glorified it,and willglorifie it againe.
1 In deed Only : aswhcnno is heard, but fomc fern*
blanceonly isobieftcd tothefcnfes.SiGre^fry for illudration
ofthisfccond way ofGodsfpcakingby hiscreatures,bringcth
for example the vifion oiE^t-echieli.^. He faw a whir/ewind
come out of the Norrh,with a great cloud,andfirewrappedahout
tt,andinthemiddeflofthe fire the likeneffe of Amher.hM this hcc
faw jbutyou heareno mcntionofany w/cr. Here wasm/»«
verho 5 a deed,but no voice.
3 Bothr«»or</and deedjas when there is both heard,
and alfo fome femblance obieffed to the fcnfcs: as happened
vnto prcfcntly after his fall ; Hc^hcitdthevoiceefthe
Lordwalking in the Garden,Gen. 3,8.
4 By (hapes prcfentcd to the inward eyes of our hearts.So la'
cob in his drcamc faw 3 ladder reach from earth to hcauen, Gen.
2 8.12.S0 Peter in a trance faxv a vefTelldcfccnd fyim hcauen^
udf?.ic.ii.SoPWinavifion fawz mmo\ Macedonia dan-
ding by him, AQ,i6>^
5 By
A M O s 1. 2, 37
6 By /i4pet prefcnted' to our bodily eyes. So jdhrAtmrn
fAw the three men that ftoodby him in the plaine of LMAmre^
A-ndLoryiwthetwoAngclsthatcaroeto^p^ffWff,
Gen.1^,1.
6 By Celefiiall fuhflafieef. So at Ghriftj baptiftnea ''voice .
I I r 1 1 1^ I- c • * MAtth,l7<S
was heard out CI a cloud, asalioac his'transnguracion Tpon "
the mount, This fo- my beleuedfoM,(^c, By CeUftiaRfubflanees
Idoeherc vnderftand. not only the with the werkts
therein, but alfo /re,the higheft of the elements, and the Atre
next vnro it, togeher with thcvfinds and Qoudi.
7- By Terrefiriallliib^ancet.SoGod toreprouethedulntlTe
of enabled Balaamj owne A ft to fp«ak,iV««». 22.28.
8 Both by CehfltAllmdTerrt^riARfuhfiances, as when God
appeared vnto Mofes'm a flaincof fire, out of themiddcft of a
bulh,£AW.3.ai
You fee now how God ofold at fundry times, and in diuers
manners did fpeak^ to man ; either by himfiife, or by his crea-
turet: zndhy his creatares VRtnyVisyn : fometimcs in
fometimcs 'mdeedj Cometimcs in bothrvordand deed ; fome-
times in flsepings, fometimcs in tvatchings ; fometimcs by Ce-
leftiallfubfiancet, fometime byTtrrefiriallfiomcximcshy both,
Cele[liaUand Terrtfirial!,.
To make fome vfe of this doftrincjlct vs confider,whether
^oddoib not now ftk^e vnto vs, as of old he did to our forei
fathers.We lhal finde that now alfo he jptaketh vnto vs by htW'
felfe, whenfoeuer by theinfpiration ot his holy Spirit he roo-
ueth our hcartstq religious and pure thoughts; and alfo by his
ereatures:(ovatK\mtby /re, when heconlumcth our dwelling
houles : fometimebyrWeier, when hethrowetbdowneour
ftrong holds ; fometime heat, (omet 'me by drouth, fome-
time by my fame •ivermt,Locufis,ind CaterpilltrsfVihenht takes
Irom vs the ftafFeof brcadjfometimc by plagues, when in a few
months hetakcth from vs many choufands of our brethren }
and fometime by e«#>»ier,whcn he impoucrifhcth vs by warre.
All thefe, ai\d whatfoeuer other likethefc, arc Gods voices,
and doc call vs to repentance. Bur as when there came a
fromheaucn to Qorifi, leh, 12.28. the people chatifoodby
TheThirdi LeSiurcJ>.
and heatdj would not be pcrfwadcd that it was Gods vtice;
fomcof them faying that thundred, others that Afti[ell
fpakf : Co we, HowfocuerGod layes his hand vpon vs, by jirt,
b'f thttndtr.hy famine fefilence,b^ivar,ox other wife,we Will
not be perfwaded that God fpeakes vnto vs j we will rather at-
tribute chefc things to nature,to the heaueni,to (tarres and fla^
nets,to tbtmalice ef enemies, to chance, and the like.
As pcruerfc as we are,there isivwe of God, which we can-
not but acknowledge to be his, and at this time to be dircftcd
vnto vs. Mention of it is made, Heb.i.2.Inthefelafldayes Gad
h*th fpttkentovs by his fonne, ThcGofpellof Chri/lis the voice
ofGod. ItisthefweofGod, therule of all inftruftion, the
firftftonetobelaidin thewholebuilding; thatcloudby day,
that pillar by night, whereby all our aft ions are tobeguidtd.
This Gofpett of Chnf-, and fs/ce ofGod, cals vs now to obe-
dience. *
OthecrookednclTeofourvilenatures! Qury?<jf# necks will
not bend. God jpeaketb vnto vs by his Minifters, to walkc in
the old voaj, the good way ; but we anfwer like thcin,/i?r.<J.i 6,
We mill not walk? therein. Hefpeaketh to vs by his watchmen,
to take heed to the found of the trumpet; but we anfwer like
thtroy ler. C.17. We Will not tak.e heed.
Turne vsgood Lord vnto thee, and wee (hall bee turned.
Good Lord open thou our eares, that if it be thy holy will,
either to Roare vnto vs,or tofpeal^e with a milder voice: either
to come againfl in indgement, or to vifit vs in mercy j wee may
readily heare thee, and yeeld obedience: and as obedient chil-
drcnreceiuethcpromife of ctcrnall inheritance. So when the
time of our fcparation (hall be, that we rauft Icauc this world,
a place ofdark»«jfff,ohroMbley3Cvexatio>esofangMiJh,thoUyLord
wilt tranflate vs to a bctterplacc, a place of light ynheiedarka
neffe (hall be no more; a place of rf/?,where troulele (hill be no-
more ; a place of deltght, where vexation (hall bc no more 5 a
place of endleflfc 4nd vnfpcafcable ioyes, where anguijh (hall be
no more,There thiscorruptiblefhallputon incorruptioji,and
our mortality (liall bc fwallowcd vp of life. Euen fo bc ir.
THE
-
THE
Fourth Lefture
59
Amos 1.2.
And hee faid, the Lord jh4ll raare from Sion, and vtter hit
voicefromlttM^sdtm 5 andthedaoellingpUeesefthe fhepherdt
jfhall pcrifh, and the top ofCitmcl {had wit her,
N tny.laft cxercife I cntj-catcd cf tko Spea-
ker.Now am 1 to entreat of the places from
whence hee fpeaketh j exprelled in two
names; and
The \jixdi{hall roare from Sxon^ andvt--
terhh voice from I etufilem, 0-c,
Sion'] I read in holy Scripture of two 5»-
ons.Tbe one is Deut.4. 48. a hill of the Amontes, the fame
with Hermpn.Mofes there calleth it ^Sio»,hy the figure ^ .SyK-
cope. 5 the right name of it i$ ^SiricnitvkdforecordedyDent.^,^.
TheotheristheSwwininyTcxt 5 mounci"/;?* in/«-
vpon the top where of was another mouoraine, ® Morsa,
vpon which" flood the Temple of the Lord. Before it was cal-
led the f Tower or Fort ofSton. It was a fortrcirc j a bulwarke, a
ftrong hold j and place of defence for the lehafiter, the inha-
bitants
•> luniHi in
Df«t.j 9. •
yys.
* Vrojim obftra.
i4<zi.
Nat.
e> lunimin
P/a/.^8.3.
f af<?W.J.7,
/
The FfiUfth LeSiufc-j.
the tJirti) tv ere gathered together,and faw ity thej markeIUd,they
»ereaficmedi andfHcide»lj driuen backe. Thus xs lerufalem ta-
X ken literally. . / ^ , ,
Itisalfo taken fpiritually fc| the Church ; cithcr i«///Vrf«t,
here on earth,or Triumphant in hcauen.For the Mili'
ta»t,Pfil. 128.5, Theufhalt fee the wealth of lerufalem all thj
UfeUng, And for the Church TriHrnphant^Ca!^. 16Jerufalem,
which ie aboue, is free. The Catholiquc Church, Militant, and
Triumphant,is called lerufalem^kecaufe lerufalem was a type
thereof. ,
^ lerttfalem was a typc of the f^tbelike Church in fundry re-
fpcfts. -
1. God did choofe lerufalerHtihoMC all other places of the
rvCeUUit. earth, to'dwell in. So theC<«tifefi/%|f^«r'c^,ahe company of
TfaUi'i.zi.' the prcdefl:inate,God hath chofen, to be arpeculiar people vn-
tohimfclfe. <
f ?lal.i ii.j. 2. lerufalem is a Citie, fcompafl: in it (clfc,by rcafon of the
bond of louc,3iidorderatnongthcCiti^s.: Sothefaithfull,
the mcmb«r8>of the (fatholikf ChHrehi ace linked together by
theboodofoiwSpirir, . .
3 lerufalem was the place of Gods faniltwry, the place of
hisprefence, and worfliip, whire the proraife of the feed of
the woman was preferued till thcncomfidng of thf^.MeffiM,
Now the-Catbolskf Church is in tha |oon^ thereof, Xn thpO"
XA«rri& wcmuft feekc the prefcnceof God, and the
word of Jifc.
tPPdl 111 r ferufalemwas the «.thc throne of Soin theC^-
theJihp Thurch i% the thtfitsc find fcc^ttxoifhrifi^figurcclby
thcKingdotncofD^iif. - , .
5 The commendation oihrufalem was t^c fubic£^ion,and
obedience ofhcr citizens. The(hureh hzt\\ her citi-
zens too,Eph,i,i9,and they doeyeeld voluntary obedience
and fubicftion to Ci>rr)? their A'rwf.
6 In lerufalem th^nzmts oi the citizens were inrolled in
aregiftcr. So the names of all the members of thiCathelsJfe
Church are inrolled in the bookeoflifc,'3^»f/.20.i 5.
Yon fee now what lerufalcmisliteraHj, and yshzt IJfirhu..
• —-V (tUj,
Amos I. i.
45
» PfklAi 4.
aHy. Lit0aBy, it is that much honoured City in lutiea, rhe
"City of God, eucn the fanftiiary of thetabcrnacJe the
moft High. Spirituallj it is the holy Church of Chnfl : ckhT
his Church MtlitAnt on earth, or his Church TriHmphtiKt [a
Heauen.
Now the lerufalem in my text, from whence the Lord is
faidtovtterhis voice, is either lernfalemin thelirerall,or/if-
»-»/<j/ffwintherpirituallvnderftanding ; nhzMhtr lerttfalem
thcmothcrCity of/»isi?4 5 or/tfr«/<i/?wtheChurchof Chrift,
vpon earth } or fertifalerh &ho\iey the moft proper
ji(. placeof Godsrcfidence. So ihix. lerufalem here is the fame
with Stoii,2r\'E'Kp>oiitionoiSteK.Tbel.or6p}aHroarefremSu
i[J]( that is, in other words, The'LotA (hall vtter h» voice from
lerufalem, ^ ' •»
.yj, Marke I bcfcc^ you, ( beloucd in the Lord,) The Lord
/hallroare,nothom Da?7,AT)ABethel, VthcieleroheamsAiluci
wereworftiipped ; butfrora5«« themountaincof hisholk ^
nelfe: and he fhall vtter his voice, not from Samaria, drunken
with Idolatry : butfrom Ierufalem,xhcr^ city of truth, wherein *zach,i.},
the purity ofGods worfhip did glorioufly Ihine.Wc may take
from hence this Iciron; - ■ ' .
Sion aud lerulalcm arete he fresjuetited, that thence hcA'
ring God jpeak* vnte v.',roe may learne what his holy will is.
Tofpeake more plainly. This istheleflba which! commend
vnto you:
The place where God is ferued, and the exerdfes of his religi'
en arepralitfed, mufi he carefully frequented.
That I may the more eafi ly perfwade you to come vnto,and
to frequent this place,thishoufeofGod,his holy Church,and
Temple, I bring you a guide. This guide is a ITiyj, andleads
you the way,thfe blclFed King Dauidi] befccch you marke his
afFcftion, P/<f/. 84. i. 0 Lord efh'fis, hew amiable are thy ta-
hernaeles ? Mj foule longeth, yea and fainteth for thy courts.
Marke his louc, Pfal.l6.%. O Lord I haueleuedthehabitation
of thine houfe,a»d theplace where thine honour dwelleth. Markc
the earncftneireofhiszealc, ?/<»/,42.1,3. As the Hart brayeth
for the riuers of water, fopanteth my foule after'theeO God, My
F 2 footle
I
i 'lit.!
J.
TfaUii-zi'
Jpyi/.na.y.
The FfiUfth LeBurc-j.
thi iArih iveregathered together,andfaw thej marh£lle.d,they
nerettfteniedi andfttddenlj driuen tacl^. Thui hjerufalem ta-
ken liccrally. , ■ ,
Ic is alfo taken fpiritually fc? the Church ; cither
here on earth,or Triumphant in heauen.For the T^tirch Adi'i'
tant,Pfal. 128.5. Thoufhalt fee the wealth of lerufalemall thy
ltpeleng.S.nd for the Church Triumph ant,C a!2 6Jerufalem,
which IS aboue, is free. The Cachohque Churcit, Militant, and
Tciumphanf,is called lerufalem ^kecaufe lerufalem was a type
thereof. , 0
lerufalem was a type of the ft^heUke Church in fundry re-
fpcdfs. K)
I. Goddidchoofc/er«^/ifw,aboMeall other places of the
earth, to' dwell in. So thcCathelike(fhurchjxhc company of
the predeftinate,God hath chofen, to be arpeculiar people vn-
tohirafelfe. , •
a. lerufalem is a Citic^fcompaft in it (clfc,by reafon of the
bond of loue,andorderamong.thcC.hj^s. Sothefaithfull,
the mttahists'of^c (/ttholfkfChurchi are linked together by
thcboodofoi^Spiric. 1 -
3 lerufalem Wis the fhce of Gods fanftuary, the place of
hisprcfcnce, and worfliip, wh^re the prot»ife of the feed of
the woman was prefemed till thcncomffling of th^.MeJfias,
Now theCatholtke Church is in thht |aan>fi thereof, ^ thp <7^-
tholihe Church we mud feekc the prefenceof God, and the
word of Jifc. . - .
4 In lerufalem was the «.thc throne of Daufd. So in thcCa-
thohkg Church is the throne, and fcc|>ter of 5 figured by
thcKingdomcofD<w»</. .9 , .3..
5 The commendation of lerufalem was rhc fubie£f|on,and
obedience ofhcr citizens. The Catholiks Church hath her citi-
zens too, Eph, 2,19.and they doc yeeld voluntary obedience
and fubieffion to Cifcr/)? their
6 In lerufalem the mmts of the citizens were inrolled in
aregiftcr. So the names of all the tnembcrs of thzCatheiikj
Church arc inrolled in the bookeoflifcjji^e^f/.ao.i 5.
You fee now what lerufalem is liter aUj, and whit Ifmtu^
A M o s 1.1. 45
ally. it is that much honoured City in/Ww, fljc
" City of God, eucn the fanftuary of the tabernacle ct rh t " 4^ 4-
moft High. Spirttuallj it is the holy Church of (^hnfl : cithT
his Church Militant on earth, or his Church Triumphant iu
Heauen.
Now the lerufalem in my text, from whence the Lord is
faid to vttcr his voice, is either lernfalem in the literalJ, or*/<?-
r«/«/ff»intherpirituallvnderftanding ; iti»either
thcmotherCity of/«isfe4 ; orthe Church of Chrift,
UliiUtant vpon earth j or lerufalerh aboue, the moft proper
place of Godsrefidcnce. So thit lerufalem here is the fame
with Sten, an Expofition of Sien. The L ord/had roare from Sit
on, that is, in other words, The Lord (hall vtter hte voice from
lerHfaUm, • -
Markc I befce^ you, ( beloucd in the Lerd,) The Lord
Jhallroare, notfiom Dan, and Bethel, where leroboams daluei
werevvorlhipped ; butfrora5r«« themountaineof hisholf* ^
nclfe: and he fhall vtter his voice, not from Samaria, drunken
with Idolatry : butfrom Ierafalem,tbe^ city of truth, wherein xzathS-y
the purity ofGods worfliip did glorioufly Ihine.Wc may take
from hence this lelfon: !
Sion 4ivdleru(alem arete he frequented, that thence heat
ring God fpeake vnte vr,ve may learne xehat his holy will is,
Tofpcake more plainly. This isthclclToa which 1 commend
vnto you:
The place trhere God is ferned, and the exerdfes of his religi-
en are pradtfed, ma ft be carefully frequented.
That i may the more eafi ly pcrfwade you to come vnto,and
to frequent this place,thishoufeofGod,his holy Church,and
Temple, I bring you a guide. This guide is a ifandlcads
you the way,the blcfFed King Dauidii] befecch you marke his
afFc£fion,P/<»/.84. i. Ol.ord of hefts, hew amiable are thy t a-
bernaeles ? Mj foule longeth, yea and fainfeth for thy courts.
Marke hislouc, Pfal.i6.$. 0 Lord 1 hane leuedtkehabitation
of thine houfe^and theplace where thine honour dwelleth, Marke
thcearneftncireofhisztalc, Pfal,^z.t,z. Asthe Hart bray eth
for theritters of water,[epanteth my foule dfter'theeO God. My
F 2 ftmle
44 The Fourth Lecture^.
^eute thirfteth forGodt eue» for tht liuiftgGod j ndM*> t
cemt, avd Appeare before the prtfence of God f Let this holy
King, King Dautd, he the pattcrne of your imitation.
Belouedj yoh rauft hauc an earneft loiic and dclirc to feme
God in the allcmbly ofhis Saints: you muft much eftccmc of
the publike exercife of religion. It is Godseffcffuail inftru-
tnent and mean tonourifli, & beget you to the hope of a bet-
tcr life. In what calc then arc you,when you abfcnt your felucs
fromthiSjand the like holy alfcmblies: when cither you come
hither earckfly, or elfc doe graceltfly contenine this place.
Hereis^/tfw, hereis/er«,Wetw j here God fpcakcth to youin
the language of Canaan : and here may you Ipeak* to him
againe with your owne tnouthcs.
It is euery roans duty, the duty of euery one that Joucs God^
tocome vnto Gods houfc, his houfe ofprauer.. In this rcfpcft
thus faith the Lord, Efaj 5^. 7. fidine kouje fballbee called the
hettfe of prayer for all peopte. ^otaO people: ihetc is nodiffc-
rencc bctweencthcr /c»» and the Grec/'-ew, betwccne ihebond
an(]thc/rec,betweenethcm<i/caiid thefewale forour Lord,
who is Lord oucr all,, * it rich vnts all that call vponbim f
^Komao.iK ^ jpg houfc fliall be called an houfe of praycc^r all people.
To imprint this fcntencc inyour hearts, it is repeated vnto
you, Mat. 11,1 3. Where lefm Chrifi to themony-changers,
and douc-fellcrs, whom hccfoundin the Temple, vftth this
fpecch. It is v>ritten,mine houfe fhall be called an houfe of prayer.,
butyehauemadeitadenoftheeuet. luniui his notcvponthc
place is good ; Qui demo 'Dei nor, vtitur adorationis demum,
fs CO deuenit, vt fpeluncamlatronumefficiat earn : Whofoeiicr
vfcth nor the houfe ofGod for a houfc of prayer, he commcth
thitherto make it a den oftheeucs.Lct vs take heed ( bcloeed
in the Lord)whenrocMer we come vnto the Chutch,thc houfc
ofGod,that wc be not partakers of this fliarpc cenfurr,
EccUfjafles chap.a^,i y.giucth a profitable cauet t,Tif(^e heed
to thy feet, when thouenterefi into the houfe 0' Gtd: ^ntima'fng
thus muchjthatofduty wc are to enter into the houlc ol God.
Though the Temple in leruf.tlcnzr.d a-llthe worfiitp in cere-
n)oiucs,thac was annexed coir,arc taken away ;yccis Salomons
caueat
Amos i.Z.
CWeat goo<yor vi Wi\\,7ak,e heed ta thy ftet vJatn tboU euterefi
inte the hettje of Ged. For WC alfohau* Godtboufe, where h«is
chiefly to be fought, and wordiipped j cucn in cuery placcap-
pointed by publike authority for
Wherefore, I pray you, hath God giuen his Church * fome '
^pojllesy iome Prophets, (omeEuttHge/iJ}s,(ome PaflorSi fome
Teachers ? 1 s it not as we are taught, Ephef.e^, I a. for the gat he-
ring together oft he Santsfox the wor^ of the minijierie,!in6 for
the eddying of the Body ofChrifl ? See you not here 8 forcible
5rrgumenr,and cuidentproofc, for this your pfihltk,e mecnng i
There is, Matth* 18. zo.a fpcciall promife of a blcffi ng to 1 ighc
vponyoii, as oft as you (hall cotne to this place j and thereof
the author of all truth adarcth you : fVaere two or three arega-
thered together in my name, there am I in the midfl of them, O
weigh,and confider diis.Ifyou loue,and would hauc the foci-
etic, fcllowfhip, anmronipany of your fweet Sauiour, lefus
Chriji, you mudfrcquenc this place, hither miift you come.
Knowrhisjyou cannot be right worfliippcrs ofG^dinpriuare,
ifyourefufc, orrcgle£ltorrfqi>cntihisp«^//i^iraiIcmbly, the
Sion, t\\t lerufalem, from whence God ispleafed.to Ipeake
vnto you.
Much then, very much to blame you, whofoeuer d'oefor
none, or for frnall occafions abfentyour felues from this pi ce,
this-^nfeof Gsd, at appointed times, where and when your
pabhky prayers (liould be as it were a fubltke renouncing of all
fc£ls,and focicty with ido!afiy,and prophaneilcjan acknow-
Icdgeraent and confcflion of the true God, and a publike Ian-
£lification of Gods holy Name to the glory of God,
The time was, and I dare auouch it, AEi. 21.5. when <1// the
congregation of Tyre withtlicsr witses and children, bringing.
S.Paul out of the towne to the fea fhore, kneeled diwne with
hitn andprrfye#/.Shall we in thefc dayes flnde this jtealc among
Chriftians ? I much doubt it jand am perl waded, men will be
aOiamed, in imitation of thol'cTyrians, cokneekdowneinan
open place, to t>ray vnfo God publikcly.
1 will not rub this fore ; I know fomcwhat, and you 1. now
more than I,how backward many of you hauc been, ttom do^
F 3 ing
4^
i-BuCMIiiUC.
48.
The FourtFLeBw^i'
ing God due fcruice in this place. Shall! ray,yo^aue diflio-
nourcd liiin,fomc by irrcuerencc, fome by much abfence,
fomcby wiltull rcfufall to bee made partakers of the blelled
Cemmamen of the itedy indlrlotid ol our Lord and Sauiour,
leftu Chrtft?\ thinkcjfhouldanyoncofyou inuiteyourBCigh-
hour to fup with you, but once, and he rcfufcit, you would
take fome difpleafurc at him : and fliali God Almighty, the
mighty creator of Hcauen, ofEarth, and ofall you, that heare
mc this day, inijite you many times to come, and fup at the ta-
ble of his blelTedSon,and you rcfufcit ? Bclceuc it i he cannot
take it well.
It is no indifferent or arbitrary thing, to come, or not to
come to the Lords table. Come ycumulfofduty; though of
duty you are firft to examine your felucs. Whofoeusr therefore
wilfully rcfufcthtocome,hefinneth very gricuoufly,as a lear-
ncd Diuine well notcth. '
1 Becaufe he contemneth not any hfimatte, but a dtuiat
edi^, theexpreire commandement of thcLord oflife : Doe
thu in remembrance of me,
2 Becaufe belittle efteeraeth the remembrance of Chriji
his death, by which we are redeemed.
3 Becaufe he neglefteththc communion of the bodj, and
blcttd ofChrifl.
4 Becaufe he (lacweth himfelfe to be none of the number of
difciplcs.
1 bcfcech you (dcarely bcloucd)lay vp thcfe things in your
hearts ) let this day be the beginning of your reformation j re-
folue from henceforth to performe your due obedience to
God in this place 5 to powre forth your prayers before him, to
heare his holy word, and to frequent the Lords table j where
by faithin his death andpaflion, you may rcccine many a
gracious blcffing ; forgiuenelfe ofyour fins, your rcconciliati-
on with God,' the death of iniquity in you, and theaffured
pledge of ccernall life.
I hauenowby occafion of Sion and lerufalem, the place,
from whence God will fpcake vntoyou, exhorted cuery one
of you in particular to come to the Church. I ptay you note
this
A M o s 1. i. 47
this to be bm a part of your duty. It is not enough for you to
come your rduestothc Church ^youniuft (oliiciteand exhort
others to come likcwife. Fathers muft bring their children,
Maftcrs muft bring their Seruants. For old and young fiiould
come.
My warrant for what I fay, I takeout of Igelz.i^,i6.(^Alla
folemne afemlflj,gatherthe feeple,ft»fHfie the cengregatieK,ga'
ther the tldersi affemhie the children^ 4»d thofe thatfuckf the
breafis. Marke Ibefcechyou. (Children, and fuch
breads muft bcaircmblcd. You muft hauethe fpirit ofrefolu-
noT\yto(3.yytv.\iIofhm,cbap,2^.l^. I,andmyhettfewillferne
the Lord.
Your duty is yet further extended beyond your
and feraants ; to your neighbeurs, and alfo/fraKgerr, if they
come in your way.T|^s we may learn out ofthc prophecies of
E/ay, Micahi and Zachnry. Fuft, Efay 2.3, ThefMthfnllfljall
fay, feme, andletvsgoevpto themotetitaiifeefthe Lord,tothe
heufe »f the God oflaceb, and he will teacbvt his wayes, and wee
will walke in his paths : for the law (Jsallgoe forth afSxon, and
the word efthe Lord from lerufalem, Ag3inc,/I//c.«j&.4.2. You
fhallfindc the very fame exhortation made by the faithful!,
and in the fame words ; feme, and letvfgoevp tothemeun-
taine of the Lord, to the houCe oftheCjod of Iaceh,^e, The Pro-
phetZacbarr,ehap.B-il. for fammCj and fubftance fpeaketh
the famething: They that dwellin one tow»e,fhallgoe vnteano'^
ther, faying, vp, letvsgoe, and pray before the Lord, andfeeke
the Lord of hefls, I will goe alfo,
Thusfarreof the place from whence the Lordfpcaketh, ex^
ptefTed by two names,and lertsfalem, . ^
THE
THE
Firth Ledure.
Amos i. 2.
jind he faid, the Lord (hall roare frem S ioQ, and vtter hh- voice
/r-jw Icrijfalcm ; and the dwelling fUces of the /hef herds JhaB,
periJh,andthetop o/Carmcl Jhad wtther.
a
F therpeaker,and place from whence he fpea*
kech,[ haue heretoforefpoken. Now proceed
weetothefequehof thefpeech, which fhatl
for this time be the ground of mjr difceurfe*
The dwellingplaces of the fhepberdt (hall pe-
r/y®.] So doc the words found for their Tub-
ftance. Yet after t he letter in the originally and Hebrew copjr,
weare to read other wife : thtfrHttfullorpleafantpUees of the
/hepherds haue mourned. Let V$ briefly take a view of the
< words, as they lie in order.
' The dwellingplaces^o 'n the Hebrew englifhcd not
vnficly. For though properly itfignifieth fruit full and p/eafant
fields, undpafiuret; yet bccaufe fhcpherds did vfcin thewil-
derneire, neare vntofueh fields and paflures toercfftheni'
felucs little cottages and cabins, that they might be at hand to
defend their harmlelTe fheep,from fauage and ranenous beafls,
it may here well be englifhed, the dwellingplaces.
Thedwellingplaces of tbefhepherds.\lix my firft leflure vpon
this prophecy, I told you there were two forts of (hepherds.
In the firft rankc, I fiizccd (beepmafiers ; in the fecond, their
feruants* Among the firft fort of fhepherds was LMefa
King of Moah : who t King-is called a fhepherd, and
there
Amos i.i,' 49
thercrcgiftred toljaue rcndrcd to the King of Jfratl4n'hntt'
tired thsMfandlambes, ttndan hundred thoufsnd ratumeSt with
the woolL The other fort of/hepheards, is of fuch, as arc hired
to keepe fliecp ^ to fee to their feeding & fafctic.Such we po-
pcrlycall niepheards,and fuch arc theHiephcardsin my text.
It followcth.
Haue Htourned] The text is fojthc meaning is',fhaf/ mottrne.
This enalligeor c)mT\gcoi thetime, of the time paftforthc
time to come, hath its rcafon fromatruth contained in a
faying cftheSchoolcmen, ty^pud Deum ksh eJftempUi;God
is bcyond times limits. Hec was when time was not 5 and
Hiallbe when time fhall be no mote. Its common with the
Prophets to fpeake of a future thing,as of a thing paft, or pre-
fent. A learned = Grammarian dotli well exprefle the rcafonjOtia Gualt,
fuia Prophetia ipforum tarn cert a efl ac Ji (pefiatoret rerum fu'
turaruminprafenti emniafiericernerent. The prophelies in
the old time, which came rmt by the will of irran, werecfas
great certainty as if the Prophets had beencprcfcnt fpeftators
of the things to come.
The fweet finger of I (rati, to fhew Gods pomifc made for
the encouragement of the man, that loueth to hue a godly
life, faith PfaU 1.3. Hee hath beene like a tree planted bj the
riners efwaters. He hath beene, that is the textjthe fenfe \i(he
like fuch a tree. lacehiti Gen. vcr. 22. thus
blefleth: Ihanegiuen thee eneportion abeuethy bre-
thren. I hauegiuen thee, that is the text; the fenfe is, I doe,ot
willgitte thee. In Hofea 10. 5. we read thiiSjT^r peopleofthe
Calfe ofBethanen hane mourned ouerit. The text is, hatte
mourned', the fiiifcis, (had mournr. So here wy text is, The
dwelling placet of the (hepheardt hatt; mourned ■: the fenfe is,.
they (had meurne,.
ShaHmourne ] MournelHo'W can dwelling places mournef'
Eaen as the earth can mourne.The lamentations & maurningt
of the earth are eternized with holy Prophets pcnnes. With
Efayes penne,r^<ip.24.4. For the finnes of the people the land la-
menteth andfade'haway.-nodigxiae^chap.^^.p.For the finnet
of the peeple the earth mournetbandfaintetb. With feremiet
„ G pen>
7he Fifth LeBurcS.
pfn,firll, 4. 28- FsrtheJi»»esef Iuiahthf-e4rlhfhA!l
nsotirm 5 z^zmc^ch^f- ll-^.ForthenUkfdne^eeftheinhahu
tfntsfljall the land menrne 5 a third lime^rhap, 23.10. hecatife
of oat hes the land monrneth.Vh x\\ lods pcnne,c^<?/>. i. lo.fer
finne the land mourneth. HofeM tpcnnt^ehdp, 4 3. bc-
caufc there is no trnthy not mercy, nor knowledge of (Jod in If.
raelxnc-fj one breaking out by fwe^.Ting, by lytng, by kj&ing,
by flealingyhy wheringdload touching tktreforePottllthe
l,in d monrne,
Lamcntatio»,zrtd )wfl«r»/>;^,proper ptffions cfcheriafoaa-
ble creature,are by a trariflation afcribed to the Earth^to note
<;ithctthatIheisillfauourcd, and out of fafiiion for lacke of
drefling ; or that men for her defolation doe lament, and
moHrne,a% Drnfim hh. I. tynafl. Uebr, ejn. 27. obferueth
out of i". %yittftine. Suitable to thc/i»f»r«i«^r of the £(irri&,
is the mourning in my text ; the dwelling places of the/hep~
heards/haRmourne ] Itis atranflation from lining things to
things without lif'e; from fliepheards to their dwelling hou-
fcs : The dwelling places of the fhephcards fhallmoumc,
that is, the flicpheatds thecnfclues (liall mourne, when they
ftiall behold the fpoile, ouerthrow, and defolation of their
dwelling houfes. Our Engltfh reading then for the fenfe
is good, 7 he dwelling places of the fliepheards [haS perifh.
YouJ'ee now the defolation ofthedwclling places ofthc
fliephcards.Will you haue the teafon ofitfLookcbackechcn
to the bat-now citt^l^\zct%oiEfaj,Ieremte, Hefea, Ioel,(ot
thercafon, why the earthisfaidto mourne. Thercafonisthc
fame for the earths mourning, and'themourning of the Ihcp-
hcatds dwelling houfes: cuen (inne and hence you
may learnc this IclTon:
Stnne and in'tcjuitie are meanes to lay wafe and make defolate
\our dwelltnghoufes]jea the fair efi,andgaodltefl buildings^
. aRmanner of buildings,
Jhis point 1 might at large dcmonflratc 5c make plaine vn-
toyou,by theruincsoftiine : by the mines ofthcold world
of Sodome, Gomorah,aiid their fi^ersyo^Babel-, of thc firft,and
fccond Temples ^ of the Eaftcinc (fk*trches j of the Ab-
Amos 1.1, ji
bejes, and Mtnufleriet of this land. But for this prcfcnt
1 will content my fclfc only to dcliuer vnto you, and
that briefly, a few briefe notes for your fiirtlier inrttuftion,
and meditation,
I s it true ? Are and iniejaitie meanes to Ity makf
defoUte allmamerof b«i'dings?^\\y xhin{hdo\itA)^ouva\x9L
acknowledge and conflTc, chat the crying finnes of your
forefathers haue becnc thecaufe why Gods ownc/^s«/f, and
^ C/}appe/iamongyou,isbtcomciP,ipe, ind defo/atr.l hismc- tTlieChap-
dilation conccrneth fomeofyou fptciallyryou among w hen) peJl at Marftoi
God fomerimes had his Sion, and lerufalem, hishoufcof Mei/^ruined.
prayer,and facred Ciiappell. O itisafcarefull iudgement of
Godvponyoii, that he hath rcmoucd his kingdomc, and 'G'tiyRegmu'd.
Ji /!• I r D II 1 L- Caluine turc.hb,
your candJdtickc from among you. But you will lay this x, cap.i^.inur-
, blame vponyour/i>refirr/5>>r/. I cannot excjfcr^ew. Yet muft gumenioubri.
I tell yoUjthat except zmendyour hues,a worfe thing may Angiiunu(^
befall you. • ' T;»cko minifie.
And you (bcloucd ) who haueyour dwelling nccrevnto
this Hoafe pf Godjdnt place of aifenibly for his Saints,will you fcmfia vtrix^
match your neighbours in finne, and iniquitie;and not feare ftot ftmitia, fid
their puniflimcnts f When firlH beheld, and confidcrcd the otmutra
condition of this Houfe, wherein wcarenow allemblcd,it
fccracd tome that defolation had begunne to fct her foot AptA llpos
here. What clfccould your felucs thinkcof, or hopcfor,as Eumgelkti
oft as you beheld fur decayed crtate? Eccltfia flcruq-,
Such'Churchei as this, if any be fo bad as this, within this t"''pt^,f'>fdidA-,
Realtne,tnay ghieforticoccafiontothatfslmefcandalous alfer- %J"''"ATCjm-
tion, ofoncofourEnglifli = fugitiucs beyond the leas : that nam xobilma,
the Churches i» Turhie are msre[umptussu andflately,then ours mtrcaforum^ i«-
in EngUnd.Oio\si% he fiithytlni (hcy are*twpes, /ef dtda,ii^' 'idicorum,Kaio-
r»««^il<e;foule,vncleane,& flutcilb,To perfwadc you to rcpairc
1 J J I 1 ij • • I • L ,T I d:mtbi(i, mkl
iierdecaycd plates, twouldic werewithmthccompalic ol ribil
my Yet let inc propound one qucftion wnto yo\s, op.rojm, & in
Hag.T.4. hit time for. your felues to dasell tnyour feiled houfcsi bis pol endu h.'
and thti houfe to lye viafle ? Confidcr your own waies in your f iaatm'
own hearts, and giue your anfwerfvnto God. gfiucZfL^i.
I A fecond note for your further inftruftion,and meditation ibU.pj':. }\S.
G X folio weth.
5 Fifth L eSlureS.
followctll. Is itiruc I Are ftuKcand iniijuithmeaMesto lay
w.tfle oj' make defolate all manner ef ^uildinfrs I How then is if,
that our dwelling houfes doc yer ft3iid,and flourini?Oury?»wc/,
and iniijjiitses, are exceeding impudcnr, and fawcic; they arc
afcended into the prefcncc of God, and docffand hkc Saihan
among hischildrcn before hisface. Yet for ali this impuden*
cic, and fawcineire of om ftmics and initjuifies, God is picafed
to lutFer our drvelttng honfes to bcin fafctie. Theconfiderati-
on of this point may ftirrcvsvp to a grateful! agnition,and
acknowledgmentofGods fingularboiintic, and longanimi*
tie. It is outofchebountieof the Lord that the earth, fincc
the time it fitll was curfed for the fall of man dc th to th's day
yetld fi uit in abundance for t he vfc ofraan.That our pollcfli-
onsjiiabitaiions,dwelling houfes,and Churches are not laid
wafle,and madedcfolate,it isto be afcribed to Gods long
fufftrance, andlonganimitie.Ofwhich Ifhall(God willing)
anon fpeakc morefully, when I (hall hauc conlidercd the
words of the fecond fequcl, or confcqucntofGods-Tpccch,
which are: The top efCarmelfljall wither.
The top of Carmel] There wcrctwo hils of this name, ss5»
Hiereme tcacheth5both in Ittdett-^the one in the foutheme cli-
matcofthat country whereon /V<«^<i/thc husband of Altgail
did dwell, i Sam.zy.z. the otherneere vntoP/6/ew4«,to-
wards the fca coaft, vpon which Ehae piayed for raine,
iKingi S.^Z.S^Hierome kemcth to doubt; which of thefc
two our prophet here intendeth.But Rihrs refol-
ueth for that Carmel, which was ncere vnro Ptolemais, be-
caufe it did appcrtaine to the lot of the ten tribes, agaiitll
whom Amos in this booke prophecieth.
'XhdtCarmel was ahillofmuchfatnefrc,andfcrtiIitit:wher-
vpon it may, as proverbially, betajccnfor any fuch place. S'
Hterome writing vpon Efay. 16. faith, it is the Scriptures idi-
ome, and proper forraeof" fpeech euermore to compare the
rch hill^«rr»»;/, to fertilitic, and abundance. One of the
Hebrew"^Doctors faithi that^hrfflif/ is a generall name for
vtujim. all fruitfull arable fields, and.vineyards. Agreat' Hcbrici-
* faith,that bccaufe the bill,C^rwe/, had by it a valley of ex-
cecding
amos 1.1. 55
cccdingferJcitieandfruitfulneffe,thcreforeCrfrwf/isappella-
tiuely taken for any place fee with corne, rrces, or vines j and
fpecially withftanding corne,with new &fat wheat while it is
in earc : though another of like note,
thatbccaufeC<i/-»r/colle^liiiely fignifieth ftandingcorne,orf^jfjj_
new wheat yet in thcearc,therforeaccrtainercgioninthepro-
uince of of extraordinary fertility (asalfo a hill,& city
there) was called after this name Carmtl. Whatfoeuer Carmel
be in this place,whether a proper name,or an appcl!atiue,out
of doubt it betokeneth a place of much froitfnlncs. Following
theftreameofexpofitors, I amofopinion^that C^trw/inmy
tcxtjis that famefruitfull mounraine of luAea by PtoUmau.
The tef ef (^armel\ A place fit by reafon of the woodcs there
to lurke, and lie hid in jas is plaine by ^mos^ p. i.Though they
bide themfelttet in the top of Carmel,/ wtflfearth,and take them
out thence.
The top of C4r«##/]In the Hebrew it is theCarmel,
The head, or top of Carmelthe Scripture phrale,to exprelTc
whatfoeuer is bcft in Carmel.By the like phrale we fay (fapat
vnguenti, the bead or the top of the ointment^ to fignific thziefl
of theointmenr.
The top of Carmel]?agnine thus trandaieth VL^verttxUciftr-
f//w:thc top of the fruitfull place. And /««/>« thus: prefiantifli-
mum aruorum::he bell ofthefields. Both P4^»»i;e,aud lunius,
doe take Carmelbwiox an appellatiue, andnotfor a propper |
name. t
The top offfarmel(haU tvither] fliall wax dry,or bedried vp. L
Thatis,whcrenioftfruitfullfields,ardpallurcs are,there fhall • |
be a deleft, and want of necelTaries for mans life.
Thus haue you the expofition of this lail claufe. Now bee
patient, I pray yoo, whilefrom hence 1 commend oreItlTon
vufoyou. It is this;
For the ftnnes of apteple,God vf'tU make the topefthdrCaT'
tnel to neither.
I fpcak e it mote plainly.
For the finttts of a people, God txiSmakf. their hejl grottnds to
jeeld them little, or no profit.
G 3 For
T he Fijtb LeSlure^.
For proofc of this point, you will bcc pleafcd to heare the
cnidenccof the holy SpirJt, giuen in the word of life, D^«r.
18. 20. Thus faith the Lord.- becaufe of the roiei^edneffe of
thy workes, whereby thou hefl forfakyn mee, the Lord fhall
fmttethee with blLfitnyr, and with mtldew : the Heauenwhich
ii otter thy head (hall bee hraffe, and the earth that is vnder
thte, Jljall bee iron : in (leadof raine, the Lord (hall giue thee
dufl andafljes, euenfrom heaueu (halltt come downevfon thee
vntill thou be defiroyed.
In the 2 chapter oiHofea, and the y verfe, becaufe Ifrael
bad plaid the harlot, and done fharoefully,departing from the
Lordf thus faith the Lord : Irvilltake away from Ifrael my
cornt in the time thereof,and my wine in the feafon thereof, & wil
recouer my xvsoli,((r my fox, which I lent her,to couer herfljame,
Markc I bcfeech you, the manner ofthe Lords fpecch, my
corKe,mj wiKe,wy woolfmy flax ; they arc none of ours,they are
all the Lordf»ThcLi»r<ihath lent them vs to feme our turncs,
and ncceffit es.-ifweabufcthem toidolatric,orprophanes,hc
will take them from vs,& recouer them againc vnto himfelfr.
In the 4 Chapter of Hf/^rf.andthc 3. vcrfejbccaufetbercis
no truth, normetcy, nor knowledge ofGod in the land 5 but
cucry on brcaketh out hf fxvearir.gfyy lying, by ^//wj-jby fita-
ling, by whoring, and blood coucheth blood, thus ftith the
Lord: the land (ball mourne, and euery one that dwelleth there-
in {bail be cut of,witbthebeafls of the field,and with the fowles of
heauen,aHda/fo the fi(hesef thefea fbalbetakenaway.IffoyWhit
good then comes to you from Carmelfiom^out bcft & moft
fruitfullgrounds?
In the 8. chapter of Hofea, and the 7. verfc, becaufe Ifrael
tranfgrcffiog the coucnant of the Lord, and ttcfpafGng a-
gainrt hislaw,^-«<^ fowen the wind, thus faith the Z/0>*d .• they
(ball re ape the whirlewind :ithathnofialke\ tht bud fball bring
fort h no meale-,>/fo beit bring forth,the fir angers fhal deuotire it.
If fo, what profit then can wc, marching Ifrael in their moft
gricuous tranfgrcfrions, & trefpaircs, expea from Carmefow
moftfruicfiilljand plcafancficldsf
The wifeft King that cuer facrcd writ made mention of,hath
this
X
AMOS 1.1. 55
this raying,Pre».i "^.t^The hdly oft he wicked/hall want. True
Solomon. The belly of the wicked man (hall be emptic.
His C^rTOf/jchc verybeftofhis pcthflions^fhal yccid him lit-
tie profit.
To make an end of this difcourfe, I would I could write it
in your harts,wl^t the fwceteftfinger,f/^.i07.34.dcliuereth
vnto you, touching this point: it is worthy your beft rcmcm-
brance: A fruitful/Hand God turneth into harreKnesfor the wic-
kednejfeofthcm that dwell therein.TW\s oneplacc ( had I trcu-
bledyouwith nomore) wouldhaucbeen aprcgnant, and
fufficient proofc of my propounded dofti ine. What/r«i/ can
youlookefor but oibarrennefe ? Andbythis oneplaceyou
fee, that Gcd turneth a/»•»/>/»//land into for the
ve.ckfdnefe oixhcm thatdwcJtherein^^i[''ou mud then acknow*
ledge the leiron commended vnto you to be good, ard true;
namely, tbitforthefnnesofapesp/e, Gedwil/make their Car-
mel to wither; that for the (innes of a people, God will make
beft grounds to yeeld them little, or no profit.
Now let v$ fee, what vfe we may make of tliis do£lrinc for
cur further inftruflior.s.
Afirltvfc, is to admoni/hfuch as doe dwell in delegable,
plcafant, well watred, and fruitfull places, that they boafl not
ouermuch of their fertile,and fweet poirtflions; fincethere is
no land fo delegable to the eic,or iruitfull to the purfe, but itr
may bcturncd into 3 wilderne fe, If for our linnes God (hall ^
come againftvs m the ficrcencirc of his wrath j wefhallbeas
g Sodvm, and like vnto Gomorah : our land (liall burn e with
brim/i!>tir,3t\dffiit-/\. (hall notbe (owen,nor(liail bringforthj ®
neither (hall any grade grow thercin.O Lird, deale nor with
vs after our (innes, neither reward vs according to our iniqui.
ties.
Afccondvfe, istowarne rich men, the richer fort among
you, thar wcighingrightly thepower of Almighty God, by
which hcmaketh thetop ciCarmelto wit her,& turneth your
fxHitfnllbt\ds mtoharrennejfe jyou wilkbeware ofinfolencie,
andcontaineyourfeluesinmodertie, and fubmiffion. Know
thisjthere is no man hath afoot of ground,or ncucr fo fmall a
pof-
The Fifth LeBuref.
polTcfllon to dwell in, but he hath it at Gods hand j and vpoti
this condit on^thathekeep his (latucc$,andcomniandcmcnts.
Which iiyou difobcy, a)ntcmne,andcaft.bchindcyou,a(iurc
your feiucs,yoar riches arc none of yours,ypu are not the right
t wncrs ofthcm but racerc vfurpcrs. The Lord of hoafts will
frnd an huaft of enemies againll you. ^
Art thou rich in w^n^'i'thou art in danger ofart thou
plcntii ull in houPoold(luffetthovi are in danger offire:hz^ thou
muchther/»y?doth venimeit,and thee; htHnQappareS
gorgioiis ? thewo/^willeacit ; haft thou ftore of
rfwwjfemayco^umeihcmiisthy maintenance hy hmbaKdrie /
hUfling! Mdmtldevfes will hinder thee, palmer worm
eac thy fruits, that which the palmer worme Hiall leaue, the.
gr.ijiopper ftrall cat ) that which the flialHcaue, the
ca»kfr tvorme(ha.\lat; SKidv atwhichthccaMker worme ftiall
leaue, thteaterpiller ftialleat. So many, .and many moree-
nemies can the ofhoafts fend to fight againft you } if
you hate to be. reformed, and caft his conunandementsbc-
hind you^
A thirdand thclaft vfeof ray propounded do£lrinc,is, to
ftirre.vp my rclfe,aiid all you.*thac hcarc mcthis day,grateful—
ly, and thankfully to recount themercifulneire,{»tience,and
long fufterancc of our God.Our finnes hanedeierucd it at his ■
han ds,that hcefhould make the top of our Carmelto wither;
that he Oiould make our befigrounds to yccld vs little or no pro-
ft; that he ihould ftnite vs with yUfting^ zndmildew 5 that hec
ftiould make the Heauen ouer our head^^r<«^c; and the Earth
vnder vsjyr^wnhat infteed of raine,\\ct fhould giue vs dufi and
a(hes^thit he Ibould take from YSyhts cornc,A« wine,iz> wool,
/>«flax,andwhatfoeuer good thing elfe, hec hath lent vsfor
ourvfe. All this, and much more haueourfinnesdeferued;and
yet God with lioldeth from vs his reuenging hand.O the depth
of the riches of the mcrcifulneftc,patience,and long fuffcrancc
of our God.
Yetftayyc fonnes of Belial, and impsof Hell jyec wicked
cncSjWhoferuevndcr SatansBanner.GodimcrcifalociTefpi-
ticnee, and long fuffcrancc, isto you very fnuli advantage.
ft
A M O S 1.
S. 'Baj!/ treating vpon the words of the couetous rich man,
Lffk- It. 1$.ihoU ViOtdi:/wiSpulidcvene my barNet,ai4d
greater, rcis you that God his goodnctfc, extended to you in
your fields, orclfewhcre, bringeth vponyou in thceod the
greater puniflimenr.
True great BafiL God his iurtice goeth onjioxw;^ flow-
ly, and in order. Long before thy time was this leilon learned
in Natures fchoolc, ^Valerttu MAxm''uyN\\o\\Vitd^ndvcTi- ^Lib.i.c,u
beritu Cafar, recounting feme of thcfacrilegcs of Dtenjfim, ' 3 ' ««'*».
clearclycarricdwichfrornpes,and mockeries,faith,
daadvittdtUamfMidiMinaprocedit ira : the wrath of God pro- lepumOeft-
ccedeth to the execution of vengeance, with a remifle & flow mitpedt
pace jbut euermorc,ashe well addcih,tarditatemfHpp/icygr4- ttma^iaude.
uitatecomfenfAt:ii recompenfeth thefiackrcjfe ofpunilhmenr, "
with the heanineffe thereof. fiquispime
I will not weary your religious cares with prophane,though petjmact-
fit fentences for this argument, out of' Horace,'^ Tibullm, l*t,Serat&ntm
"Z.«M«,&°P//»t<srcfe5norwith thofe well knowneprouerbs,
Dij lenti,fedcertivtKdtees, Dijlaneospedes habent :Tacitope- n'lh, . '
de,and CHnHabHndm naturd "Dew.From Naturesfchoele I re- iluieet^
call my felfe to the God ofNaturepo^ho though in his word of kjotimpu-
eternal truth he proclaimeth himfelfe '□''SK aP Godflow ^^Pfltaret
t» AMger^znd is for fuch acknowledged by the neuer fay ling te- o^f'j
flifications,and reports of diuinely inlpired ^Prophets and A- qgj tai-JY
poflIes: h notwithflanding in the fame word noted to rrecom- nminectr-
penfe the iniq tiity of the Fathers into the bofome of their chil- ^'p"*ntur.
dren after them.
It mull ftand euer good:jQ«<» tardties,eo grauius,zhtt the Ion-
gerCodis beforehee punilhetb, hecpuniflieth fo much the rfal. 103.8.<^
more gricuoufly.Though for a time he bee pleafed to hold his i4s 8.
tongue, and to walkeas with woollen feet ; yctat length fliali 4-
we,or our pofleritie,find by wofull experience,that he hath a
rod efyron ro rule vs, yea, and to breake vs in pccccs, like pot- 34.7,°^'
ters velTels. Deui.^.^.
Whcreforc(dearcIy bcloucd in the Lord) while God is plea-
fed,to withhold from vs his ownc band of /uflice,Sc to ftrerch
oucr vs bis other of Mercy, to the blelling of vs in our fields
H in
The Fifth LeSiurc^.
in our cattle, incur ftorc, let vs nor be wctldedtothchard-
ncircofourownc hcarcsjlci vs notdwcll inouroldfinncSjnor
licapencvw vpon tbcm, left fo wc tteafurc vp vnto our fckics
wradi againft the day of Wrath.
Let vs rather cucn now,while ir is now,caft away all workes
of darkntire, and pur on the armiur of light .-let vs take no fur-
thcrthought for onrj7e(?rtofulfill rhc/»^/of ir. Let vs roxlkt
no more,as formerly we hauedone,in^i'«rr<»»7, in dru»kfnnes,
in chambering, in wantonneffe, in (trtfct in enujing, in deceit,in
faljhood, in vamtte j but let vs walke honeflly as in the day; and
fHt rve OH the Lord/<■/«/. W hatfoeuer things,are true & honeji,
andand fure, and doe pcnaine to /<r«f,ahd arc of good re-
parr jiftherc be any vertue, otpraife, thinkewe on thefe thing/,
Thinkc wc on tliefe things to doe them,and we fhal not need
to feare any defolation to our houfes, or barrenHejfe to our
grounds; our droelling hou'es fhall not mourHe,oxperi(h-^t\\c lef
ef our C<ir-OTr/fhall not wither; our fields (liall bringforch in-
creafe vnto vs.For God,cuen our owne God,(hall giue vs his
bltfTing God will blelfc vs to palfe the time of our pilgrimage
here it>peacc,and plentiejand when the day ofeur feparation
fliall be, thatwemuilileaoetheearthjavrf/foffefJWjand mife-
Tie, he will.tranllate vsto^r?r«/4/^waboue,the piece of eternal
ioj, mdfelicitie, where this corruptible dial put on incorrupti-
oiijand our inorcalitie fiiall be fwallovved vp of lifc.So be ir.
THE
59
gg^"e£t-iagiHa»aBifiaa mMM
THE
Sixth Lcdure.
AMOS l. 3,4, J.
7hf{s faith the Lord : For three tranfgrejfiont of Datnafcus,
andforfoure I wilt net turtle to itjteeaufe they haue thre/hed
Gilead with threlhiug iufruments ofyron.
Therefore vcill I fend a fire into the hettfe of Hazaol it (hal de-
ttaure the palaces »/Bcnhadad.
Jwillbreakealfathe barret of Ditl\ifc\lS, etndcut of the inhahi-
f4«r«/Bikeath.aven'.avdhimthatholdeththefecpterout of
Eeth-idcn^atid the people of Aram Jhallgoe into captmitie vtt-
to Kitj faith the Lord,
Hough in this prophecic there be mcnti-
on inadeof/«<^4(&, yctwasc/^wwby the
holy fpirit deputed, and direfted with
his melFagc peculiarly and properly to
the ten reuolted Tribes, the kingdoiiic
oilfrael. The mention that is made of
Ittdah, is made but incidently, and by
the way. The fcope of the prophecie is Jfraefn 1 (hewed in
my * (irft Le^lurc. ' * 1'
1 f Ifrael be the fcope of this prophecie, how commeth it to
palFc, that the Prophet bcftowcth thcrcfidoe ot this chapter,
and a part of the next, in making rehcatfall of foraine nations,
their tranfgrefIions,and punifhmentifWhy doth he acquaint
lfraelviit\\ his burdenfome prophecies againftthc^/m^j.the
'Philijiines,thcTjrians,thcEd'>mires,x\\^AmmoHites,t.bt Moa-
bites .'why doth he not rather difchargc his function,and duty
laid vpon hirn.'and chcckc the Ijraeittes, S<. terrific them, and
H 2 reprouc
ir
I
^0 The Sixth LeSlure^.
fcprouc them for their cuill deeds I
Thcreafons why 8^«?»/,fcntofpurpofe with a mclTage to
the Ifraehtes, doth firftprophccie agaifift thzSyrirtHs^dc other
ftrraine natiens, arc three.
I That he might be the more patiently heard of his coun«
try-men the Ifraelttes. The Ifraelites feeing their Prophet A-
moi foniarpc againftthe Syrta»s, and other their enemies,
could nor, but with more quiet hearchim, whenhefhould
prophefie againft them alio. CenfeUtio quadam efl, afli&io ini-
mici: fome comfort it is to a diftrelTed naturall man, to fee his
enemy in diftrelTc likewife.
1 That they might haue no caufc to wonder, if God
ftiould atany time come againft them in vengeance,feeing that
God would not Syrians^ and other their neighbour
Countries, though they were deftituteof the light of Gods
word, and ignorant of his will.
3 That they might the more fcare at the words of this pro-
phecie, when they Ihould fcetlieJ'yr/^wr, and other nations,
aff!i£led, and tormented accordingly.
Here might they thus haue argucdiWil not God fpare our
neighbours,the the reft?Then out of doubt he wil
not fpare vs. They filly people neuer knew the holy will of
God,and yet fhal they be to fcucrcly punilhcdiHow then fhal
Wcefcape,whoknowirtgGodsholy will hauecontcmned icj
From the rcafons Why Amas firft prophecicth againft for-
raine nations, 8c then againft the Lords people //raA, I come
now to treat particulatly of his prophecy againft the S/rian/,
Yerf.3,4yS.
Wherein I commend to vourchriftianconfiderations three
parts.
f I A preface, procrae, or entrance, vctt.^.Thfu faith
the L«rd.
2 AProphccicjinthe 3,4,&5.VcrfesForr/E>r«rr4»jC
I of Damafcus and forfonre, (^r.
3 A conclufion, in the end of the 5. \CTte,Satth the
Lord.
The preface, and the conclufion domakc for theauthoritie
cf
Amos 1.5. 6t
of the prophccle, verfe. 3. and 5.
In thcptophcfiethefe part» njay beobreraed.
1 Agcncrallaccufationofthc^/rMw/, verfe the 3.
For three tranfgrejfions efDimifcaSjtuiiforfoure,
2 A prpceilation of almighty God againdtbera, I
jvili HOt 'tttrne to it,
j 5 The greatfinncjby which theyfo offcndedGod :
I their extreme cruelty, vetfe 3. Thej h*Methrepied
J Gilead with threfhi»g infirHments ofyron.
I 4 Thepunifhraentstobcelaid vpon them forfuch
cruelty.
Thefepunifhments ire hcrcfetdowne j-rwer-iffy, and fpt-
generally vcrf.the4.f»'//fend a fire into the honfe of Hi*
zicl,andit (bali denoHre the paUtef ofB cn-h'adad."
Specially vcrf.thc 5J wilbreak^lft the harM o/Damaf-
CUi,a»dcHtojftheM}it('iti»KtofBikc3a.hiiUCt\:&htii$
thot holdeth the fetpter out 6f Beth-dtieh,andthepeo-
pie tf/Aram fhoMgoe tntp^cipfiuitie vnto Kir.
Thm faith the Lord 1 Itisa very vfu^l-thingyyiththc Pro-
phetSjfo to begin thtfifi|>ecialPrt>phtt:resf, tb let the world vn-
derdandjthat they felgntf nothing mitoftheir owne braincs,
but that whatfoeuercKey fpcake they haue receiued itfrom'
the Ipirit of the '/Tw^'a'.' Thou faith, t^ax. oAntot, but in
t^mot the Lofi/. i'Thc the powerfull of
whom you beard at hrgcout of my third leftore vpon thia
chapter. • ^
Thui faith the Lord ] the powerfull* who made ^
the heauens znd'jpread tbem'but like a cnrtaine, to cloath him- b£j^/. j*'
ftlfe with light as with agarmeHt-JSc can againc''ff/tf<«fi the hea- c
uent with darkneffe, andmaky afacky their eoHertng:Vi\io made ^Jerem. f. 12.
the fea,tb c lay the heames of bis chamber therein,placed t he
fandi for hounds vnto it, ttetter to he faffed oner,howloeutt the
w.mes thereof (hall rage, and roare-,znd can witha word fmite
the pride thereof: at his rebuke* flauds fhali be turned into a 'Efoy. jo. t,
wilderneffe^the [eafiiallhe dried vp', the fjb /ball ret ferwant of
ivater,a»ddieforthirfi;Yiho mad the dry land,and/»^et it vp* t j.
61 The Sixth LeSiurcS.
t Pfal.104.6. en founiatiottf, that it fhould tteuer moue f And can 6 COUtir
h £/fli 14. 10. '„fY againe i»iih the deepe,at with a garment, and fo rock* her,
that pjeefhallreeleto and fro, and jlagger like a drunken man.
Thtu faith the herd ] This powerful! lehonah, whofc
throne is the hcauen ofheauen$,and the fea his floare to walk
in, & the earth his footftoole to tread vpon,who hath a chairc
in the confcience, and fitteth in the heart of man,&. polTcircth
his fccretcftreines,and diuideth betwixt the flcfli & the skin,
Tfal. i$.t. and Ihakeft his inmoft powers,as the thunder lhakcth the wil-
derncflc of Cades.
Thus faith the Lord, ] Hath the Lord faid, and (hall he not
■ / doeit ? hath hefpokcn,and (hall henotaccomplifh it ?
rfwconfelTeth as much vnto 'BaUk^, 3. i^. God is not as
man, that he fhould lie, nor as the fonueefman, that he fhould
repent. Indeed liilh Samuel( i Sam.i^.ip.JTheftrength
eflfvielwiBnot/ienorrepenttforheis net as man, that he fhould
reffwt.All his words,yeaallthe titles of his words txejea and
j4men. Verily faith our Sauiour, 18. Heauenand
earth ^allperifh,hefort on«iote,or any one tittle ef^ods law (hall
efcape vnfaljilled.
Thus faith the Lord ] Then out of doubt it muftcometo
palfe. Hereby you may be perfwaded of the authority of this
Prophecietand not of this only,but ofall other theProphecies
of holy Scripture; that neither this,nor any other Prophecies
of old,is ddlitute of diuineauthority. This point touching the
authority of holy Scripture I deliuercd vnto you in my fecond
le^fure, and therefore haue now the leife need to (pend time
tbcrcin.Yct a word or two thereof.
God almighty fpake in old ime to our fathers hj the mouth
efMofes,Exod.s^.i2.znd not by the mouth of Mofes only,but
by the mouths of aU his Prophets, Heb. I.I. and a Peter j.lo.
Know this that no prophecy in the Scripture is of any priuate mo-
f/f».He giucth the reafon hereof ver. xi.for the prophecy in old
time came not by the will of man, but holy men of God fpake as
they Weremouedby the holy Ghefi. Hencefprangthofe vfuall
and familiar fpceches in the bookcs of the Prophets j The
word of the Lord came vuto me ; the Lord God hath fpoken |
and
Amos I. 3,
ind this in my texf. Thus faith the herd. This Lord, who
thus fpake in old time by his Trephetr, did in fulnclFe of
time, whcnhce Icnttoconfummate, and perfeft the workc
ofmans redemption, fpeake by his blclfcd Euangelifls, and
tyfpofiles-
This appcarethby thcfaithfull promife made vnto them.
Match. 10. i^.Takeno thfu^ht hew, er what yee/hall (peake i
for it (hallbs gtuenjeu, what ye [haSfay. It is netyee that fpeake,
hfst the Spirit of your father, that fiseaketh inyou. It muft (tand
cucr true what is recorded, 2 Tim. 3. itf. the whole Scrip-
tare ( and euery parcel! thereof) ugtaen hy infiiratiert of God,
and hath inward witncirefrom that Spirit, which is the au^
thor of all truth.
Here may you note the harmonie,confenr,and agreement,
of all the Prophets, Euangclifts, and Apoftles,from the firfi:
vnto the laft : not one of them fpake one word of a naturall
man in all their rainiftcries; the words which they fpake, were
the wordsof him that fcnt them ; they fpake not of them-
felucSjGod fpake in them.Whenfoeuer were the;<we,whatfo-
cucr were the meancs, whofoeucr were the maa ; wherefocucr
were the place, whatfocuer were the people, the words were
the L9r<3^/.
Thus faith the L ard] How then dare we,vp
our hands againft him, that fafiiioned vs i How dare wcab-
lent our fclues from his houfe of prayer,where God in and by
his holy word fpcaketh vnto vs ? How dare we, when we are
come to this place, behaue our fclues carelcfly, negligently,
irreucrcntly i
But I will not at this time prelTc you airy further with this
point, liauingheretoforein my fourth ledfureocGafioned by
the Lords roarmg out <?y^i''a»,and vttering his voice from leru~
faUm, exhorted you in many words, to the due performance
ofyourdutifull feruiceofCodinthis place.For this prefent,!
willonely giucyou a tafteofthc fwcctnefreofrhc word of the
Lord, conueycd vnto vs by the miniftcrics of his fandfifitd
PfOphetSjEuangeiiils,& Apoftlcs.lt is the Lordsmo/k royall
and cclctliali tcllamcnt,thc oraclcs of his heauenly fanfluary,
^4 The Sixth LeBurcS.
tfaeonly key vnto vs of hit rcucaled counfels; milke from his
facred brcafts 5 thccarndt and pledge of his fauour to his
^ Church , the light of our feet, iey of our hearts, breath
of our noftrils, pillar of our faith, anchor of our hope,
ground of our louc, euidences, and deeds of our future blef-
fedneflTe.
Thus farrc the preface, proeme, or entrance, making for
the authority of this prophecie the Lord.
Nowfolloweth theprophecie againft thc^/r/^w/iwherein
T cotnmendcdtoyourChridian conflderationsfoure things
1 Thcgenerallaccurationofthe>y7mwf, verf.3.Ffr
three tranfgrejftetts of^ima(c\lt,a«dferfofere,
2 The Lords protcftation againfl them, verfe the 3.
I will net turrte to it.
3 Thcpatticular finnc,bywhicluhci)rr<4»/had fo
offended God, verfe the 3. They hatte threfhcd Gi-
lead toith threfhtKg injlrfsments of iroK.
4 The punifhments attending them for this fin j fet
dovtTiC generally,andfpecially.
r Generally verfe 4./wil fend afire into the heufe ofHZ'
1 zael,(f»<f it [halldetsoure the palaces of B cn-hadad.
^ Specially verf.the 5. f wilfreake alfo the harresof Da-
Imafcus, and cut ojfthe inhabitant of Bikeath-aven:
and bim that boldeth the fcepter out of Beth-eden,^
V_ the people ofhvam fhallgoeinto capt'uity vnto Kir.
Order rcquireth that I begin with the firft partj the accufa-
'Arias^oH- tionofthe,^r*W»/, vcrfc3.
tta. iu(tin. lib. Ftr three tranfgrefftons 0/ D am afcu s and for four efTbd t Da-
was a very ancient citic, built,as» fomeconie^lure, by
Hierott.'ueb. ftcward of Abrahams houfe, who was furnatned
^uaftinGen. firft mention of this city is Gen.14.
^Apud H 15.'' Others holding thenarae of this city to hauc bcenc more
ibid(*riofepb. ancient than Abraham, doeattribute thebuilding ofthis city
to7F»«.,oneofthefonnesof-i^r(»w,G;».io. 23. Whereupon
mUetinGcn. Damafcus was called alfo Aram,a^ ' S. Hierome witneffeth.
fa/), ly. Whatfoeuer were the antiquity of this city, it is plaine by Efa.
'in Efaj n. 7.8, that it was the Mctropoliianc,and chicfcft city of Syria.
I
amos i.f,
I need not tell you I.c^es Fertoman»t{i, i gentleman
ofRome, fawin this city about feme hundred ycaresfinccj as
the place where C^fine Ahel ; the place where the bo-
die of the prophet lay ; the tower wherein S^'PauL
wascorr mittcdto prifon j and the like : that would bcbcfidc
mypurpofc. For the prefent know ycc, that Damafcm was
theMetropolitanc, and chiefeft city of Syria ; whence by
a figure, the Synecdoche, it is herein my text, putfor
the whole country of 5rr/<?- By this figure Synecdoche in the
name Damafcia, our Prophet here thrcatneth all inhabitants
in the country ihoutDamafctui hcecitcthallthe Syrians to
appeare before the tribunall feat of zAlnoightj God, becaufc
they had vniuftly troubled and vexed the city But of
this hereafter. Now let vsfec,what is meant by thcthree tranf-
gre(fions,andfonre, here mentioned in the general! accufation
oithe Syrians.
For three tranfgrejfions, and for foure"] The Word Tranf-
gr(fi?ns, fignifieth, whatfoeuer deteftable thoughts, words,
or deeds may be concerned, vttered, or a£fed againftGods
law,our holy faith, andChriilian duties. Theh three tranf-
gre^ons of'Damafcfti, areintheiudgemenc of Arias Mont a-
npu, the fame with the three tranfgreflions of A^sjah, aud of
Tjrtu, and of Edem, and of Ammon,znd of tJ^Moab, and of /»-
dah, and of Ifrael, fo often repeated in this and the next chap-
tcrs,namely, the offlrange Gods, whoredomes,
and murders. The fourth, faith he, is added in the tcxt,euen
their barbarous cruelty ; They tbrefhed ^ilead veith tbrefbing
injirnmcntf of iron.
per three tranfgrefftons <7/Damafcus,4»<//ir/s»re.]S. Hierem
expoundeth thefe words, as if the Syrians oi 'Damafcmhzd
dealtcruelly againft the people of Godjnotewejor/w/ceonly,
but alfoat^/r<f und fourth time,ro this fenferifthe.S'yrMwr had
perfecuted my people,but ««<:<?,or a fecond tifne,I fhould haue
pardoned them •, but now when they hauenotceafeda third^
and fourth time, to pra^fifc their cruelty vpon my chofen
people, eucn to threfo them with throwing inftruments of iron,
(hall I not vifit for tlicfethings?i$ it not time that I beat them
f with
^5
66 The Sixth Le6lurc^.
wich rods ? is it not necetTary that f turnc frona them the couii*
tenanccofrny clemency ?
ApudMcrce- . Porthreetra»fgreffioftsof\^hmi\cm, a?}dfor four/',]^ Some
rcferrc thcfe three, indfoftre trar.fgreffionSjto three,ii\d fonre
generations}rhiis: though God vfcth to forbearc,and pardon
mens (ins co the third and fourth generation,yet in thcfburtli
he will vndoubccdly execu-c his vengrance.«Some ethers doc
mal e this fcnfc cfcheie words:God vfeth to remit,and to for-
giueany man his fins tor thrice j but Cthefeetrthtimc he finnc
likcwifc, there is no hope of remiflion. According to that
which we read,33. jp* elSthefethingswillG3dvi>orke tveice
or thrice with a man, that he may turnc hac^g his fouiefrom the
pit, to be i'luminated in thelight of the lining. Twice, or thrice,
will God chafliTe vs for our fins; but if wcfin the fourth time,
woevnto vs, we are left vnto our fcUies.
For three travfgrtjftans and for four e.f Some doc ioync thefc
numbers to make feuen; becaofc the number of fcucn in holy
Scripture, is a number of plenitude and pcife£lion,as Leu.l6,
iS. If you will not obey me, I willpunifh jou feuentimes for
jourfins.To which fenfc here by three tranfgrcfIionSjand/<j«r^,
that is, by feuen, they affirme the multitude and grcamcfre of
thetdnnesc^Damafeus tobcdefigned, and pointed at.
For three tranfgreffionsof Damafcus,.<«fl/<>r/<us(re.]Thelaft
, . cxpofition. wherewith I will now hold you,is the moffggcnc-
Mtrctr.Calmn. T ir c ja jl ; j?
ralJ,proper,and fignifacantuo vnderftand by three, andfourc,
which make a ccrtainc number, a number infinite and vncer.
For as oft as he will, God fbrgkicth, though wc finnc a
hundred times. It is but the cuftomc of the Scripture thus to
fpeakc. God waitcth forvs twice ntxd thrice, that is, a good
while,to hauevs return from cur euil waycs vntorepcntancfj
but \.hefourth time, that is, at length, when he fccth vs pcrfilt
in ourimpenitcncy,hcreproueth vs,caftcth vs away, and lea.
uith vs in our finnes.
You haiie hitherto the general! accufation ofthe Syrians,
whereby yea know they were defiled with tranfgrcffi-
Otis,and with/<>«»•<■; wich very many fins. Now followeth the'
{ foteftatiofL of Almighty God againf! them forthcir fins.
- /
urn.
Ibid,
Mtntf.
'mchUmen.
Amos I.
ImRnotturneto 2V] to thcm^ to the inhabitants of
CHS ; torhcSyrisiHs .-'thatis, I will haue no mercy on them,
Thefewordsarcdiuerflyrcndred byjCxpofitors: by the author
ofthcvulgar Latinc, and by6''a,»/r(rr, NoncoMnertamemr. I
willnotturncittthacis, I will not recall the Sy/afisofDa-
tnafcHs to the right way, they fliall run on to tlicir ownc
.perdition. By Caluin, iVe» propitius croei; 1 will not bee fa-
uourablc to thc,S];r«wj'of£),r2»4y?2« ; I willnotreturne vnto
mercy. By Mercer, Nan parcam ei ; I will not fparc the Syr/-
a»s oiDamafim e According to their dcferts, fo fijall it bee
mcafured to them. By lunins, Noh at/ertamifis/d •• I will not
<urne away thcpunifhmenr, wherewith I hauerefolucd topu-
nifhthem. larotheLsr^^, and am not changed ; /will fend a
fireinto the houfeof Ha^ael, and it P/aRdeHonre the Palaces of
Be»hadad,drc.
Th^fummc cfboth, the Accnfation and Prat eft ation, is: if
the,^r2<i22j had offended but once, ora fecond limc, I would
haue beencfauourable to them, and would hauerccald them
intothcway, that fo they might haue becne cbnucrtcd, and
cfcaped yy punifhraents ; butnow whereas they doe daily
hcapetranfgreflionvpon uanfgrcjQi.on, andfindc no end, of
finning, I haue hardned my face againft them, and will not
fufferthemto be conuerted, but indurate, and ojjftinateas
they arc; 1 will vtterly deftroy them. Vox three tranfgreffions
of Damafcus andforfstsre, I rr/Unot turneSe tt.
Hailing thus expounded thefe words, giuc me leaucoutof
thetn to gather fuch notes,as may make for our further inflru-
ftion, and reformation.
My firftnoteis, tranfgrcfilons and foure doepluckc
downcfrom Heauen the moftccrtainc wrath and vengeance
of God vpon the tranfgrclTors. The dodfrine.
Three tranfgreffions, and foure,that is,Many ftnsdoe pl/scke
downefrom heauen the mofl certaine wrath andvenge-
aneeof God,vpon the pnners.
God is ofpurceies,andbcholdeth not iniquiticjhchath laid
righteoufnes to the rule,and weighed his iuflice in a ballance.
The feiitcncc ispalfcd forth,3nd muffftand vncontrouleablc,
1 2 eucn
^7
68
The Sixth LeBure^.
eucn as long asfunnc.and moonc.Trtbulatio?} tind attgrnPsvp'
eu entry (ohle that dotheuiU, Thcfoulcthatfinncth itfirall be
ptmidifd-God makes it good by an oath,Dir«r.3 ^.41, that he
wHiwhet hit glittering frvord^O' his hand ^alltake hoid on iudge-
ment. to execute vengeance v^en fmners. His foule hateth and
abhorrethpnne-piii lawcurfeth,andcondcmneth/?«;hishand
* fmiteth,and rcourgcthy?». washismotiiictocaftdownc
Angels into HcU,to thruft Adam out of Paradife, to turne ci-
ties into allies,to ruinate nations, to torment his owne bowels
inthefimilirudeoffinfullflefh : becaufcoffinne he drowned
the old world jand becaufeoffinjCrelongwill burnethis» All
this maketh for the truth of my propounded dodrine.
Three traufgrcfRont and foure,that iSyMany fins doeplncke
downe from heauen thtmojl certaine verath arid vtngC'
anceef God vpon the ftnners,
A lciron(dearcly bcloued)ablc to make vs(if grace be in vs)
to be wary, and to take heed, that we bee not ouertaken with
three tranfgrefllons and withIt is a very dangerous
^Terkmcaf, thing to adde fin tofin.Thisisdonc''chreeinannero{ waycs.
Cenfe, i By committing one fin in the necke of another.
2 By fkHing often into the fame fin.
3 By lying in finnc without repentance.
Here we mult remember, that we arcnot fimply condem-
ncd forourparricularfins, but for our continuance and rcfi-
denceinthem. Our fins committed doc make vs veorthy of
damnation j but our liuing and abiding in them without rc-
pentancei,s the thing that brings damnation.
iD.KingB. of Great is the'llrength that fin gathcrcth, by growing, and
Londonm going forwards. Thcgrowthof fin'^ lha-
Ion.Left.^3x. Jowcth in marlhalling theordcrof finning : fitft ispeccatnm
jcj" thirdly t\\tndefperationis,
' " The beginning offinnc isinward, an eniU thought 5 it ha-
ftcth out into an ettill word 5 then followeth the wicped
trerket what is the end of all i I)e/peratton,vimc6 on by fmaR
smpenitencj.
This growth of fin,S. Hrerewe plainly exprelTcth.Thefjrft
ftcp i%fCogitA7e,qtt<t mala fmtjZ wicked thoHghrjthe nexr,f«>^».
tatfombHs
A M o s 1.3. ^9
adtjutefcere feru.rfis 5 to like well of wicked
thoughts 5 the third, qmdmt-Me decreutru, operecemplere j
to put that in aftion, which thou haft wickedly imagined.
What is the end of all i No» agere poeniteatiam, & in Juo (Ihi
csmplaceredeUtio: eucn impenitencieand a delight or plea-
furc to doe naughtily.
the Cardinall in fins proceeding,notcth, vtPfal 7-^,'!.
I SfiZS.4ion. Perfeqmur-]per
1 Co^Cent, /itggeftmes. co.
J . prehendai] ptr
3 ^ confenfim. Con-
4 C«/?owjf,and7»/M//<>'f therein. culcct]pera£iuK.
Suggeftion is from the Deudl, who cafteth into our hearts me-
impurcandvngodly thoughts : the reft arc from our felucs; omjnpuluirem
( fuch is the corruption of ournature,) wcreadilyconfentto
the motion } what he inoucsvs to,we aft accordingly J
wctakepleafurcin ir,and make it our cuftome. This Cuftotns
is not onely a graue to bury our foules in,but a great ftonc alfo
rolled to the mouth ofir,to kccpc thcna downe for cucr. 1 fay
no more to this point, but bcfccch you forGods fake, to bee
wary,and heedful),that you be not ouertaken with three tranf-
gre09tss,and withfoare,,
Youhaucnowmy propoundeddoftrinc j and thcfirftvfc
to be made of it. My doftrinc was.
Three tranfgrcfTions and fourc, that is, M^iny ftnsdoeplacke.
downe from heatien the Kofi Certatnewrath andvengeame
of God vpon the (Inners,
Thefirft vieis, toir.akevswary and.heedfull, that wc bee
not ouertaken with three tranfgreffionsy and w'tthfoure.
A fecond vfe, is to raoiicvs to a ferious contemplation of
the vvondcrfull patience ojf Almighty God; who did fograci-
cufly forbearc to punifti thofc Syrians of Damafcm, till they
had prouoked him to difplcafurc by three tranrgreffions, and
hyfoure. God is mcrcifull, and gracious, long-fuffcring, and
of great goodneffc.Hccryethvnto thcfoo]es,(and are nor wc SceScrm, q.
fuch fbolcs i ) Pre»,i.Zt. Oyefoobfhjbow.longwilljeeloue fee- vponHcbr. lOi
lifhnefe ? Hce cryeth vnto thefaithlelJe ( andisourfaithli-
uing?) Matt.ijyiy. 0generationfaithiejfeattdcrookfd,how
I 2 long
-o 2% Sixth LeSlurc^:
la»g»swf}^ali I [rtferyou ? Hccrycth vnte thclcwei, (andare
Maitb i) 57. badas rhelewcs?)© IerHfalem,Ier»falem,hciw often?
He drelTed bis vineyard with the bell and kindlitft busban-
dry,that his heart could inucnr,f/'^/.5. 2. afterwar d he looked
forfruitjliercq j red itnot thefirrt hourc, but rarry ingtlicfull
timCj hcc looked that it flrould bring forth grapes, in the au-
iuk .'3 ■ t rmnc,and titnccfvintagc.He waitcth for the fruit of bis 1 fig-
tree three yerres ; and is contented to be entreated, that dig-
ging, and dunging, and cxpeftation a fourth yeare may bee
bellowed vpon it.
£ac7.34.6. Thus we fee Gods patience is wonderfull j He is mercifulJ,
gracious, long fuffering, and of great goodnclTe. Yet may vvee
not hereon prelumc. Ourfafeftway fliall beto rife atthcfirft
call; ifwcdefcrour obedience to tfiefccond call, we may be
preuented. Then may God iuftly fay to vs, as hel^rid vnto.thc
Ievves,£/?>.^y.I 2.1called.aHdjedtdnotarfrvcr^ f ^ake,and
jee heard not. And albeit fome fall fcuen times a day, and rife
againc 5 albeit to fomefinncrsit pleafeth the Lord to iterate
his fufrerance,yct may not we take encouragement thereby,to
iterate our mifdoings. WeknowthatGod puniflrcd his An-
SceLca II gels in heaucn for breachfor roorfell
> -^chan for one {i-
loh. Lect. 31."- crilegc; Ez.echias for awe Ore wing his treafurcs to the Embaf.
psg 4*i» fadoursof "BedteU, lofias for ewe going to warrc without asking
counfell of the Lord; and Ananm and Sappbira for once lying
to the holyGhoft.
Is the Lords hand now Ihortned that he cannot be as fpec-
tly^and quicke,inauenginghimfclfevpon vs forour offcncesj
Parte be it from vs fo to thinke. God is nor flackc in com-
ming,as forae count flacknclfe: He makcth the clouds his
ChariotSjherideth vpon theCherubinSjhcflieth with
RmLii.ii. thcwingsofthewind;andfohecommeth jand
commeth quickly, and his reward is with
himtogiueto cucry one according
as hisworkeslhall be.
THE
THE
Seuenth Ledure.
Amos I. 3.
Becaufe they hauetkre^ed Gilead with threpiinginfirn.'
meat toj iron.
JHis is the third part of chi$ProphccIe : the
^ defcription of that great fin by which the
SjriA>!t(om\ic\i offended. Let vsfirftcxa-
mine the word"".
I Cilead] Gdtad, or GaUad, oxGaleed, in
holy Scripture is fomctimca bill, feme-
time a citic, and fomctime a Region, or
country. A hill, Gen.^i. So named as appeareth verfc 47. of
the he/iye ofllones,Vi\s\ch was made thereon,as a witf.ejfe of the
league betweencand Laban : for is interpreted
an ' heape of mtaefe.
This mountaine Gdead, is the '> grcateft of all beyond lor- '
ditK .-it is in length 50.miles 5 and as it is continued, and run. ^Ainchom,
neth along, it receiucth diucrs names. From Araon to the city
Cedar, \t '\s called Gdaad ( then to BozrAkis namedSeir,s(~
tcr .vard Hertnun, and fo reaching to Damafats it is ioyned to
Ltbaniit: ■
* Commsnt.in
httnc locum.
^Ucrcer.Ttg-
nin.in Lex.in
*Tribulufcrrcis-
The Sixth LeSiurc-j".
Lihnnm : and therefore as S.* H/<rr<9OT faith jin the aa.of/er.
Vvrle 6.1,tbaKott\i called the head, or beginning oiGaUed.
GUead, or (jalaad, or Gdeedis alfo a city built vpon mount
Gtlead, as S. Hierome witnefleth. Here was borne and buried
the valiant Captainc and ludgc of Ifrae!,fephte,\K\\zti he had
Judged //r<jtf/fixyearcsjas fndg.x 2.7,Againft this city Hofeah
prophefieth, cap.6.2. Gileadisacitj ofthrm that trorke iniqui'
ty^andii polluted with tloud*
Gtlead, ot (jalaad, ox Galeed, is alfo a region or country,
C3liedD?«r,34 i. The land of Gtlead, poirelfed by the
rites, Gadites,iix\d halfc the tribe of Manajfeh,3ii
If Gi/eadche city, be the Gilcad in my text, it is a figure-,the
BgutcSynecdoche : a part for the whole; one ciry,the Metro-
politane city for the whole country. If the land of Gtlead bee
the Gilead'm my texr,it is a figure too; the figure Metonymia-,
the land of GUead, for the inhabitants thereof. The inhabi-
tantsof the land of GUead were Gods owne peoplc,his people
Jfrael, of the tribes of Reuben, Gad,nT\d Manajfeh .• againd
whom the Syrians of Damafcus did fo rage, as that they arc
noted in my text to haue threfhid them wirh threfbing inflrw
mentt of iron,
Thefe threlhing infiruments are not in vfe among vs.Yet will
I> as wellasl may, outof theancient, and learned, dcicribe
them to you. One of the Hebrew Doftors 'R.Dauid Kimchi
makes them to be planks ofwood, to the which on the nether
fide are faftncd littleftoncs, to part the wheat from the huske,
and chafiTc ; \oh\c\\C3.nT\oxhQthetbre]hinginftruments in this
place, becaufc thcfe were of iron.
Saint H/Vrowe faith, they were a kindeofwaincs, or carts,
with wheeles of iron, and toothed, to beat out corne from the
huske,andto bray orbruifeftraw, andfhibbletobe meat for
cattlc,when hay is {c3.xc^.Nieolam de Ljrk ioyneth with Saint
Hierome in opinion.
'Some doe rake thefe infiruments to bee * ironflailes, or
carres, orcorne carts, or fomc fuch like inflrument, of old
time in vfe for the out of corne. Of this opinion/«-
nitu by his tranflacion fccmeth to be, and Caluin difallowes it
not. Here
amosi. j. yy
Here Tome doe vnderrtand*7r<i»r<»i^('/, %.\(^Halttr jfome ' Kofirisfe,rtk
f cJre/es ot (l^:ddcs of yrcn, as Mariniis in his Area Noc; feme ^I'^^bisfernk
6 whtcles ofjron, as Thecd')ti$,3iT\dSjmmachpu {fornc ^fawesef
jrtn, t%x\\tSepttiagi»t,zndCpiluini(otac''harrex*esofjroH,3& *^uecherfa'
thcFrencii trsnflstion.Wh^focuer were t!je thrcfliinginftru- defer.
ir:c:s in this pl3ce;whfthcrw«w/, or carts.or carres,or drep,
or jlids efjroM, orwbeelesefyroti, or flailes ofyren^ or rakes of
yrsHfOt harrorves ofjroH.orfarvesefyronfnh cut ofdoubtjthat
the holy Spirit by this kind o?(^erch.{they threfhedGilead with
threihtng inflrumtnts efyrsn ) notcth the extreme cruelty pra-
^lifed by the5yr<i«w,againftthe people of God, the Gi/eaditesj
the Ifraelites.oi the tribes oiReu&tK, Gad,zrtd OHanafeh.
They threjhed Gileadfvinckleman here noteth a Meraphore,
or tranllatioB, put by the holy Spirit to dcfigne, or fignifie the
notorious cruelty of the Syrian Kings vpon the Gileaditesihw
I take it to beaproperfpeechofatruething^indeed a^cd by
Hi<<««e/,King oiSyria, againft the (7»/.'<i</ffeS}3ccordingto the
word of God which came to £//a:,eMr the Prophet touching
Hax.-«r/, 2 King.^.ii, where Elix.etu weeping thus fpeaketh
vnto HaXjOel: / know the euili that thou fjalt dee vntetbechiU
drenefl frael; their ftrong citses fbalt thou fet en fire ^ their jomg
wen (h alt thanflay with the fw9rd;thefi Jhale da(h their infants <«-
gainfl the flenesi and rent in feecei their women with chtld.
But you will fay, whatjs this to the Gileaditet 11 anfwer, * ,
very muchjas yon may fee,! King io<3 3. where Ha^aelit faid
to fmtte the Ifraelites in all the toafls ef/frael,from lerdan Eafl-
ward, euen atithe land 9/^Gilead, the GaditesjC^ riteReubenltSy
andthem that were o/Mana(Ieh, from Aroer,(which is by the
riuer Arnen ) and Gilead, and Bafhan. All thefe regions did
Kng Hax.iel grieuoudy torment,and bring to much woe,and
miferie ; but fpecially the who therefore are twife
mentioned inthefore-cicedconqucftof'f/4«4e/ The Gilea»
dites did Hi,z^t\\,Kittg ofArim,deflrey,4Md make lt\e dnfl hea'
ten to powder, 2 King. 13.7«
They threjhed Gilead with threfiinginflrtimentsofyron'] The
like torments haue beene infli^ed, with the good approbate
on of Almightic God, by King Danid vpon the
K 2. Sam
The S euemh LeBure^,
x,San0.12.3i.where you fball findjthat King'p4«7/afrcr his
Viftorie oucr Rah^ahyzdtieof the Ammomtts,carried, array the
Inhabtta-fits that were therein,and put themvuder fawes^and vn-
deryron harrowes, and vnder axes ofyrett, andcajl the m into the
tile kj/ue. ^
Thus did D'««/W,guided by Gods owneSpirirjdealc with the
Ammonites, Hiscourfe was warrantable, bccaufehec was gui-
ded by Gods good Spirit; whereof Hazael being derti-
tutc, could not but gricuoudy offend God, by threfhtng Gilf'
ad With threfhing inflruments of yron, Dauid, Gods friend,
dealt fo with the iyAmmonites, a people without God: where-
as HaK.ael, Gods cnemic,dealt fo with the Gileadttts, thcpeo-
pleofGodt
He thre(bed Gilead with threfhinginflruments ofjron'\ A
courfc thatGodcan bee content (hall betaken with LMoab^
Efai.l^.lo. Moab ftsallbe threPscd,asftrawis threfhed-.hut that
his owne people Ifrael,ox any part of them,as the Gileadites^ot
thus vfed, God likes it not. Witnelfe my text, where the Lord
protefteth that he will not tume Damafctts, that is,that he will
not recall the iTjrriiiwj from their crrour into theright way,that
he wil not bring them againe into his fauour,that he wil Icauc
themtothcmfelues 5 becaufethey haue threfhed Gtlead with
threfhtng infirumentt ofyron.
Now let vs fee what leffons may bee taken from hence for
ourfurtherinftru£lion,and meditation.Gods diflike with Da^
mafcHS, for threfhtng GtUadwith threfbinginjirHments ojyrcni
yccldcthvithis lellbn;
^od is nttter wellpleafedwith too much crueltir.
This truth will well appcare vnro vs,if we doe bur confider
how God hath euerraorc rewarded cruelty. The crucll tyrant
AdoHtbe^ekjAidi cnt off the thumbes, zn6 great toes offeuenty
Kings, indciuhd them to gather the crums vnder bistable,
ludg. i.y, but what was his reward i As he had done to
thofecaptiuc Kings, fodidCoddoeto himagainc. The//^
rrfe/zrex vnder the leading ofthcircaptaine/««/rf/?i, tookc 4^-
</e«/&f^;'/^prifoner, andcutoffthc>6»w^erofhis hands, and
fre<jfr<?f/ofhisfcet,v€rfc the 6.
A M O s I. 3.
King of the yimaUhites by hisTword had made many
awomanchildlcirc, 1 J-^w.iy.jj.butwhatwasbis reward?
You may fee in the fame verfc Samuel faid, and did vnto
him. Samuel {a.\d,Jsthy frvordhath made women ehtldleffe, fo
(hall thy mother be childlefle among other women ; andSamnel
hewed Agag in peecet before the Lord in Gilgal,
The Babjlontans were wonderfull crucll and hardhearted
againft the inhabitants of lerufaletKiiVt^ fparcd none oft hem,
no not their youngchildren, but cruelly deftroyed them, and
all theirs. But what was their reward ? You may fee it by the
prophetical! denuntiation of theruineof Babel,Pfal.i'^y.%,^.
O daughter of Babel^worthj to be defiroyed:bie^edfha!lhebe that
rewardeth thee as thou ha/f/eruedvs ;blejfed (ball he be that ta-
keth and dafheth thy children againfi the ftones. This reward of
.ffrf^f/isenlargcd, .E/iiy 13. 16. Their children [hadhebrekenin
peeces before their ejes : their hou/ej (hall be jpoiled j and their
wiuet rauifhed.
Thus not to trouble you with many examples,we fee by the
reward ofcrae/ry in the examples of Adombeoieb, Agag, and
the Babylonians, that God abhorreth ir.God abhorrcth cruel-
ty, howfocucr he doth punifh it with another cruelty .God re-
paicth cruelty with cr«e/ry,according to the well knowne pro-
uerbe, Asfatth.y.i, With what meafureyeumete, withthe/ame
fhaU men meafure to you againe.
The vfc of the doftrinc now confirmed,is to work in vs the
loue of clemency and mercifulneirc. When we arc well alFured,
chatthc cr»if/themfelues fhalltafteofcr«e//y by way of punifh-
nicnt, wcwill be afraid to bchaucourfclues towards any cru-
elly. Allis checked by thclawof Gcd,by tlhfjxtcom-
mandemenr, Thou fhalt doe no murther^ox Thou (halt not ktH.
The law that is writtcn,De«t.2 j 3.toiiching/errj flripet,znd
not aboue,to be giuen to an offender,(hould drawourcrive/rage
and fierce affe£^ions to pity and compafilon.Thc tenour of the
law is :Ifa wickgdman be condemned to be beaten,the Judgefhad
caufe him to Ite dorvne, and to be beaten before his face according
to hU trefpaffe vnto a certatne number: fortieflripes (hallhe caufe
him to bane,and not fa(l,lefi if he (hould exeeed,&beat hm about
K 2 that
75
The Seuenth LeEturcS.
that with manjf (iripes, thy brother (btttli appeare dejpif edin thj
fight.
We may be many waics guiltic oferneltie.
Firjt^'xivic exercifetyrannousfrWfj, in inflifting punifh-
ircts. This wc know by the aboue cited placcoutofDfwr.a 5,
Secondly y if we fight with, or beat our neighbour, or maitne
his body. This is a cruelty & a breach of the fixccommande-
menttbut fpecially chcckt,Le«/r.24.ip,2 0. If a mancaufe any
blemi(h in his neighboHr^at he hath done, ft fhaS it be done to him.
Breach for breach, eiefor eie, tooth for teeth, fuch a blemifh as he
hath made in any, etten fnch jhaSbe repaied to htm.
Thirdly, if we procure any way the death ofourneighbour,
whether it be by the/ward, by famine^hypoifen, by fa/feaccu-
fation, orotherwife. Thisisacr»e//7,and a breach of the IJxt
commandemenr. The offender in this behalfemay beerankt
with Cain^ Gen.4. 8.where it is faid ; Cain refe againfi his bro'
ther, and flew him.
Fourthly, if wee vfe any of Gods creatures hardly. This is a
cruelty, and a breach of the Hxc coramandementtbut fpecialiie
cotxttoWcd.Deut,zi.6.lftheufind a birds nefi in the way,in any
tree,or enthe greund,whetherthey be ytMng,oregs,(!r the damme
fittingvpo theyeMng,orvpotheegs,theulbalt not take the damme
with theyoung,bHt (halt in any wife let the dame goe,and take the
young to thee, that thou maieff pro/per, andprolong thy dates.
This fpecialkrrwf/rj is taxed, Preu,12. to. where we are told,
That the righteous manregardeth the Itfeofhis beafl^
Fiftly, if becaufe of our neighbours infirmities, we vfe him
difcourteoully, and make him our laughing {lod^,or taunting
recreation.This is a cruelty, and abreach ofthefixtcomman-'
dement; but fpecially checked, Z/.'MSM p. 14. Thou {halt not
curfe the deafe j nor put a flumblsng blocke before the bltnde.
Sixtiy,\i wc iniurie a ftranger.This is a rr«e/r;,andfpecially
controlled, Exod. a 2. a 1 .Thou (halt not doe inturj tea fir anger,
netther opprejfe him.
Seuenthly, ifwemoleft any widow, or fatherlcffe childc.
This is a cruelty ,and fpecially cbtcktyExod, 2 z.a i>Te-fbalnot
trouble any widow, orfatherleffe child.
AMOS I. 3.
EightljiiSwc wrong the poorc.This is a crueltyjSfi a breach
of the fixe commandetncnt. This cruelty we are guilty of ma-
ny wayes.
Firfl^xf wc lend mony to the poore vpon vfury.This cruelty
is taxed, Exod, a Z. 2 5. If thou lend monj to the poore with thee,
thou (bait not be 04 au vfurer vtito him, jepjaUnot epprejfe him
veithvfurj.
Secondly,\f we pay not the poore labourer his hire.This cru-
city is taxed, Deut, 24.14. Thoufhalt not oppreffe a needy and
poore hiredferuant; thou [halt gtue htm his hire for his day : the
Snn [hall not go downe vpon it,for he ii poore,and therwith fuflai-
neth hit life-^lefihecry agatnfl thee to the Lord,andit be fn vnto
thee.
Thirdly,if wereftorenot the pledge ofthe poore. Thiscrw-
eltj is taxed,2. 26. If thou take thy neighbours rayment
to pledge, thou (halt re(lore it vnto dot before the Sun go downe.
Fa ' it is bis only eouering and garment for his ski*:.
Fourthlj,\f wc withdraw our corne from the poore.This cru-
eltj is taxed, ?rou. 11. 2^. He thatwithdraweth corne, thepeo-
pie wiHcnrfehim.VIhofotVitt he htthtLtwithdraweth Imeorne
from the market^ where it (hould be (old, keeping it againft a
dearc time, the people will curfe himtthey will fpcakc,as they
hauc iu(f occa(ion,all manner of cuill of him, as that he is a co-
uerousand miferablc wretch.
Now(dearcly beloued ) you hauebcene taught out of the e-
teroall word of truth, that many wayes you may be guilty oi
cruelty, and fo breake the fixt coramandemcnt of Almightie
God. If you fight with, or beat your neighbour, or maime his
body ; i( by any meanes you procure the death of your neigh-
hour : ifyou vfie your ncighbout difcourt(ou(ly, or make him
your laughing fioefiot touting recreatielifyoM vfe any of Gods
creatures hardly; ifyoxxtniury firangers: if you vaol^^fatber-
leffc ehtldren, 6t widowes : if yoii be too fcuere in pumfhingyour
or childrenrif you wrong the poore,either by lending
him your mony vpon vfiury : or by HOC paying hsm hit hire: or by
uocrefioring him his pledge ; ©r by wit hdrawingyour corne from
; if you offend but in the leaft ofthcfc, you arc guilty of
K 3 trueltyf
^8 The Seuenth LemrcJ.
cruelty, and tranrgrcirors of GoJs mod holy commandcmenr.
Theconfideracion whereof if ic workc inyou liiclouc ot clc-
mencie,2ndraercifulncirc, happy arc you : ifnot, Ihauedif-
charged tny duty.
Thusfarre haue I beenccarried by my firft do£frinc,groun-
ded vpon thcfc words, They haue thre^ed Gilead with :hrefh-
ing ir.jh/mefsts ofirori.M-i doQrinc was: Gosl is neuer will flea-
fed with too mnch cruelty be patient,! befecchyoii, while
vpon the fame words I ground a fecond dodrinc.
They haue thre[hsdG\\cidi with thre!hiy>g infirumentt of trout]
They \t\\ii is,the Syrians,Gq6% cnemKs,haste threfbed Gilead ]
thatis,fomeofthc//r<#f//m,Gods owne people,
inflraments of truw.The lelTon we learnc from hence is;
Cod often htimbltth his feruants vnder his foes, and their ad-
tterfaries.
This point is notably verified, in Lot fore prelTcd vpon by
thtSodomites,Gen.i 9.9.in the Ifrsielites, hardly dealt with by
t\ic.'y£iyftians,Exad.\.x 1 .&c.in the 70.brethren,fons of/r-
rsibhaal, petkcmcdhy s^bimelech, mollof them to the death,
ladg.^.^.m /frrw/>twifccuill entreated; fit ft beaten,3ndpuc
in the ftockes by Pa/hare, ler. ao.z. and a fecond rime beaten
and itnprifoned by his nobles, /fr. 37.15,. In the
three children, caft into the fiery furnace by Nabuchadonofer,
Dan.i.ii,
Many more are the examples rcgiftred in the booke of God,
' fit to prouc this point : which alio may further appeare vnto
you, in thofe bloudy pcrfecutions after Chrift his death by the
Romane Eraperoursjin thofc ftrangc torments which they de-
uifcdtokecpe downe religion, and religious prcfcirors, men
Leostm. D. & women-, they plucked ©ffthcirsk ins quick}they bored out
Laurent.' their eyes with wimbles ;thcy broiled themaliueongredirons;
Vrudent.hymn. thcy fcaldcd them in boiling liquors; they cnclofcd them in
ins.uumt. barrels,anddriuing great naiies thorow, tumbled them down
mountaincs, till their owne bloud in cruelly drawnc out, fti-
fled, and choakcd them in the barrels : womens brcafts were
feared off with burning irons,their bod les rent,& their ioin ts
racked. Many more were the gricuous torments endured by
the
amos 1.3.
thefaithfullin the time of the ten firftperfccutionsinthcpn-
mkiueChurch. All, andeueryof which doeftronglyprouc
my doflrine j
God often buptbUth his fermnts vnder hu foes, and their ad-
tterfaries.
The reafon why God hamhleth his fertiants, vndcr his, and
their enemies,is their diibbedience to his word. This is plainc,
Deut. 28.3 3 7« If thou xoilt not obey the votce of the Lord thy
Cjod,to keep and todoeali biscotnmandemenrs,andhis ordinances,
the Lord foafl bring thee, and thy kjngvnto a nation, which nei-
ther thou,nor thy fathers haue knowne ^andtherefhalt thou feme
other Gads,wood andfeneiandthauPoaltbea wonder,a prouerh,
andacommontalkg amongall the people, whither the Lord fhali
carry r&re. Where you lee captiuity,and banilhmcnt,denoun-
ccd to Gods ownc people, ifrheydifobey his word.
Youhauenow my doftrine, andthereafonofit. My do-
£frinc,
God often humhleth hkferuants vnder his fees, and their ad-
uerjaries.
Thcrcafon is, Thedifobed enceoiGods feruants to the word
of God.The vfesofthis doclrinc.
1. Tofliew vntovsjiowgrcatGods^f^fffisforyiww, that
doth puninntfofcuercly ,eiicn in his dearcft children. The
confideration hereof diould vvorke in vs a loathing, hatred,
andd;ccflatiori of fin. Yetfuchis the peiucrfity of ourcornspc
natures,that we daily fleet from (in to fm, like the fliethat Ihif-
tcth from fore to fore ; we tempt the Lord, wee murmur, wee
lufl, we commit idolatry ; we hauc our eicsfiill of adultcty,our
hearts exercifcd with couetoufnelTc, our bodies weakned with
dnmkcnncilc; by all meancs wcferuethcflefh, fining downe
to eat,artd rifingto play. Ncuer more need than now, to In.itc
our breaff$,and pray with the Publicanc, 18.13. O God
be ntercifuHvnto vs finners.
2. To teach vs, nottomcafure thcfauourof God towards
our fclueSjOr others,by theblcflingSjoraduerfuiesofchislifc,
feeingthe wicked doe often flourifliw he the godly arc in great
miferytand on the other fide, the godly doc profper,when the
wicked arc in dilhcfLc. fn
^P^9HHijBiHV^MdSdP9I^WiBiP9i
80
Thg Seucnth LeBurcJ:
In my text wc fee the (7>/e4<//>e/,a portion of Ifrael,thrtfiei
vfith inflrH'nents ofjron, by the hands of a wicked people, and
Gods enemies, the Syrians of D J«w<«/r/#.'.Bchold the profperi-
ty of the wicked. InExod. 14. we fee thcchildren c^ffrael
pafTing thorow the red fea, as by dry land, whereas the Egj^'
tians allaying to doc the like were drowned. Behold the pro-
fpcriry of the Godly.
Meafure not thcrfore the fauourofGed,by thebUflings or
aduerfitics of this life. Whatfoeucr our eftatc be now,or here-
after lhall be, let vs therewith be contented. If God be pleafed
ro b!elle vs with pface,pli»ty,zt\6 profperity,h\tlJed be his holy
Ninie:3c if hcfljall not like fo to blelfe vs,but (hall rather cha-
ftife vs with troHble,want,znd adHerfitj-^^tx. ftill blelfed be his
holy Name: and his will be done.
3 To make vs powrc out our foules in thankfulnes before
Almighty God,for our prefent eftate andcondit o. We know
chat our fworne encaiics, the Pepi[h crew, and fatiion, of
long timcenuied,and maliced our happy peace.Had they had
power according to their will, how would they haue vfed vs?
Would they nothaHethreJhed vswiththreflsing inflrsiments $f
yrtn ?
What mercy, or pitty, could be expefted from them,who
with fo inhumane, barbarous, and cruell a plot, their
gnnpervder, the like whereofwas ncuer before heard of,would
haue blownc vp,5c totncpecccmez\e,theKiMg,Qu^een,Pr$nce,
Lords, znd Commons,the Nenemher 'laft, as you well
knew ? what (hall we render vnto the Lord,for this fo great a
deliuerancefLec vsrenderthe calues of our lips applyingD4-
ptids fong of degrees, Pfalme 134. to our prefent purpofe.
X If the L ord hstd not beene on our fide, (may great Britaino
uowfay.)
J If the Lord had notbeene on our fide, when the Popifh
feft rofe vp againfi vs.
3 They hadfwaStwedvt VP auieke, when their wrath was
r. t'"p K.. kindled again/} vs,
■EdJcd foulc 4 Then had their kfury flien forth as thunder, the flame
|,y R.B.p,pfai. had burfl out beyond the fornace*
aP»S3J* 5 Then
I This Sermon
was preached
Sepc.ai.ido5
AMOS I. J.
5 Then had we beene like 'fhibble in their way.
6 Prai/ed be the Lord, who hath not ginen vs a fray vnto
their teeth.
J Our feule is efcafed, euen as a bird out of thefnare of the
fewlert: the fnare is broken, and we are deliuered.
8 Onr helpe is in the name of the Lord, who hath made
heauen and earth,
Tothisthankfulncs, I purpofe further to incite you, if God
giue life,and lcaue,vpon the fift ofUfonember ncxt,thc day ap-
pointed hy Atl of Parliament foxy o\xt publique thankigiuing
for chat moft happy deliuerance. My text (hall bee the
Pfaltne now applycd vnto vs, the 124. Meane time
let vsbefeech Almighty God to giue his bler<(
Hng to that which hath becHefpokeD, that
it may fru^lifie.and bring forth fruit in
vs,in fome thirty, in fomeflxty, in
feme a hundred fold, to the/
glory et Gods holy name,
andthefaluationof
ourowne
foules.
L THE
THE
Eighth Ledare.
Amos 1.4.
Therefore wll Ifeniafire into the houfe (»/Ha2ael,4»<i it fbdl
deuoHrethe falaces o/Benhadadj C^r.
His is the fourth part ofthis prophecy a-
gaiuft the Syrians, wherein are fetdownc
the punifliments to beinflifted vpcn the
Syrians for their finnes, as firft J noted,
Generally, verfe the 4.
Specially, verfe the5.
In the fourth verfe , wherein the pu-
niihments to be inflicted vponthe Syrian:, are generally fee
downe, I note,
1 who punifheth.
% How he punilheth.
J he punifheth*
Thep«»i)Sfris the Lord; he fmi(heth by fire. Thcpumfhed
are the Syrians jto be vnderdood in the names of their Kingr,
H<f*.<«e/and BenhadadJ willfend a fire into the honfe o/Hazael,
and it fballdeHoure thepalaxtes i^Bcnhadad.
X
The
amos, i. 4.
The fmijhtr isrhe Lord j for thus faith the Lord, ImH
fend. The note yceldcth vs this do£}rine,
'his proper totbehoxd to execute vengeance vpon the vie*
h,ed for their ^nnes.
In fpeaking of the vengeance God, our firft care mull bee,
not to derogate any thing from hisprocliuitie,and propenfncs
vnto mercj. We mull brcakc out into the mention of his great
gosdnefe, and ling alowd of his mercies, as Danid doth, Pf.
145', 7. The Lord is gracious,andmerctfMU,flotv to anger\andof
great kfndneffe-,he is lomttg,andgood to aUfhis mercy it ouerallhit
works. The Lord llrong, and mighty, blelTed aboue all,yea be-
ingbUiredneireitfeJfe, and therefore hauing no need of any
man, islouing, and good vnto euery mam
Ourlinnes haueprouoked his vengeance againllvs yet he,
flow to anger,and of great goodnes jrefcrueth mercy for thou-
fands, for all the elefl, and forgiueth all their iniquities, tranf-
grelTions, and linncs. His goodntlTe here relleth not: it reach-
eth alfo vnto the reprobate, though they canot feele the fwecc
comfort of it. For he maketh his •/»» to rife en the euiU, & the * Mattb.f, 4sr.
good; and fendeth raine en the infi, and vnittft; yea many times
the runnc,and raine, and al outward,and temporary bleflings,
are wanting to theiull,and good,whcn thevniall,and euildo
flourilh, and are in great profperitie.
Thus is Geds gtacioufnelle, & great bountieextended vn- '
tocucryman,whethcrhcbeablcired^^f/,oracorfed Cain-,iL
loued lacob, or a hated Efau; an ele^ed Dauid, or a reic^ed
Sanl. God is louing and good vnto eucry man : thcPlalniill
addcth; and his mercies are otter allhisvorket.TheiC is not any
one of Gods workes, but it Iheweth vnto others, and findeth
initfelfc very large teftimonies, ofGodswercy, mdgoednes;
1 except not the damnation of the wicked, much leffc thecha-
llifcmcnts of the Godly,
^ods mercies are euer all his workes.Dattid knew it wcll,and
fang accordingly,?/^/.! 4y.8.T/&e Lordisgractette,andmerci-
full, long fttffering, and ej greatgoodneffe. lenab knew it well,
and confcfTed accordingly, chap. 4. a. Then artagraaous God
and merciful, flm to anger, and of great ktndttejje, and repent eji
L 1 ihee
The Eighth LeSiur^.
theeofeHill. The Church knowcs it well,and praiesaccording-
ly: O Godwhofenature aidpropcrtie u euir to hauemeTCj,*nd
to forgiue, receiue our humble petitions, Daaid, lonah, and the
Church, all haiiclcarnedir atGodsowncmouth, whohauing
deicended in a cloud to mount Sinai, patfed before the face
ofAdofes and crycd,as is recorded, Exod. 34.6, The Lord, the
Lordyflrong, mercifuU, and gracious to anger, and ahandaut
tngoodnejfe, and truthj referuing mercy for thoufandt, forgtuing
iniquity,tranfrrfjfnn, and finne. In which place of Scripture,
although afterward there foiloweth a little of his mflice,
which hee may not forget, yet we fee the mainc ftreame run-
neth concerning mildnelfe,znA l^ndnefe,And compajfon:whet'
by wceraay petcciuc, what it is, wherein the dclightcth.
His delight is to be a/ii«/<?«r, a deliuerer,ifre/eruer, a redeemer,
and i pardoner. As for the execution of his iudgements, his ven-
geance, and his/»ri>, he comes vnco it with heauy and leaden
feet.
To which purpofeZdwc&xW allcagcth that ofthcProphet
f/dx.chap. a%.xi.TheLord fbaHfland^asmcc he did in mount
Eerascttm, when Dauido\xe.TcaxncihtPhilifli>tes)hefhallhean»
gry ( as once he was in the valley of Giheon, when lof^ua dif-
comhted the fiue Kings of the/^/»ffrxre/jhefhally?4«i,he fliall
he angry, that he may doe his worke, his firange rvorhe, and bring
to paffe his aSt, his firange dt?} out of which words of the Pro-
phct he notes that Gods workes ate of two forts 5 cither pro-
per vnto himfelfe, and naturall j as,to haue mercy, and to for-
giue ! or elfeftrangeandromewhat dmers from his nature ;
as, to be angry, and topmifh.
I' knowfome doe expound thcfcwordsotherwifc, vnder-
ftanding by that ftrange worke, and flrangc a£I of God, there
mentioned, Opm ali^uod infolens, & admirabile, fomc fuch
worke as God fcldomcworkcth } fomc great wonder. Not-
withftanding this naturall cxpoOtion of that piacc,thcformer
may well be admitted alfo. For it is not altogether vnnaturall,
being grounded vpon fuch places of Scripture, as doe make
for the preeminence of mercy abouc iufice. It's truetCod hath
one skaIeofwiy?*fe, but the other proues the hcauier 3 mercy
doth
Amos gj !|^
^oth ouerweigh. He who i$eucr/«y?, is mercifuUmote then
eucr,ifit may be podible.Hemay forgcc ourini(^uiticS)but his
- tci\dctmerc$et he will ncuet forger.
This our Lor*!/, good, merofull, gracious, and longfufJc-
ring, is here in my text thepptnifher, md/eKdethJiresnts the
htufe of Haz.iiel: whereupon 1 built this doftrine j
It is prefer te the Lord to execute vengeance vfen the melted
for theirJinnee.
This office of executing vengeance vpon the wicked for
flnnes, God arrogateth and alfutncth to hin]fclfe,D(r«r.3a 3 5^.
where he faith, vengeance and recompenfe aremine. Thisdue is
afcribed vnto the Lord by S. PauJ Rom. 1 z. 19. ft is written^
vengeance is mine, I wtllrepay, faiththe Lsrd. By the author
oftheEpiftletothe Hebrewes,r)&;«^. 10. 30. Vengeancehtlen-
geth vnto me, I roilirecompenfe, faith the Lord, By the fwecc
finger, Pfal,^^. i. 0 Lord Gad, the auenger, O God, the aueu'
You feeby thefc now-cited places, that God alone is hee
who executeth vengeancevpon the wicked for their fins. This
dodlrinc is faithfully deliucred by the wifcfonne ofi'yr.rc^i,
tbap. 39, where he faith : There he (firits that are createdfor Ft J.iM.
vengeance, which in their rigour lay on fare firokes j in the time
cfdefiruBion thef (hewforth their power, C^accemplt/hthe wrath
ef him that made them: F ire, andhaiie,and famine,^ deathman
thefe are created for vengeance : The teeth of wilde beafls,and 3®»
thefcorpiens,and theferpents, and the fword, execute vengeance
for the deftruElion of the wicked. Nay, faith he, Theprineipall ^erfi6,
things for the whole vfe of mans Itfe: at water,andfire, andyron,
and fait,and meale, and wheat,andhony,and milke, and the blond
ef the grape,and etle, and cloaihing. All thefe things though they »7v
be for good vnto the godly,yet to the finners they are turned vnto
tuill. So luy do£fiine fiandeth good )
It is proper to the Lord to execute vengeance vpon the wicked
for their Rnnes,
And you fee he hath waics enough to do ir. AH things that
may be for our good, are glad to do him fcruicc againft vs.
Thcconfidcraticn hereof Ihould tnouc our hcarts-co wifdom.
. .. ^. , _ . _ _ -
. ■ ■ ^
g(5 The Eighth LeBure^.
k Hereof I It niould moue vi >» to beware of thofc crying finncj vfually
fpake in a Ser- comraittcd againft the firrt table, that we prouokc not Gods
moil vpon
Hebr. lo jo.
tWiiatii-Syn-
vengeance againft vs,by ldolatnc,in worftiipping the creature
aboue the creator, blelled for euer } by tempting God, in ma-
"^king trial! whether his word be true or not j by murmuring a-
gainftCod in laying iniuftice to his charge,ms/cjit
(fr malts bent; for affliftifig the godly,when the wicked hue at
cafe ; by rebellion and contumacie, in taking counfclltoge-
ther againft the/iar^/,andagainft h'\%Chrifi 5 byblafphemy,
in doing dcfpite to thcSpitit of grace.
It may moue vs alfo to beware of thofe other i\n%,crjwgfiKS
too, vfually committed againft the fccond table j that we pro-
uokenotGods vcngcanceagainft vsby diflionouringourpa-
rents,and fuch as God hath put in place of goucrnrocnt aboue
vs;by grieuing our children,and fuch as are by vs to be goucr*
ned jbyopprcffingthefatherlelfe, andthepoorc|bygiuing
our fcluet ouer vme filthy lufts.
Bcloued in the Lord,lct vi not forget this*, though God bee
goed,graciotts,mtrcifHll, and long fftff^eritjgf yet is heeaffo iinfi
GodjGod the anengert and puni/ber. Here we fee he refoloeth
it fend a fire into the honfe Hazaeljwhich is,thefccond thing
to be confidercd 5 How God puniflicth; By fire. 1 vrillfend a
fire &c.
Albeit fometimc Godhimfelfe doth by himfclfe immedi-
ateJy execute his vengeance vpon the wickcdjas when he fmete
allthe firfi hrne of Egypt,Exad.i Z.tp.aod Nahnl,
^S'iindT'^<-ah,i.Sarn.6.7. yet many times hcdothit by his
inf!rumcnts;« /»y?r«we»r<« /hhi tota creatnra IJcijAll the crea-
cures of Gqd are ready at his command to be the cxecutio-
ners of his vengeance. Among the reft, and in the firft ranke,
is fire,
God fcnt a fire to lay wafle Sodom and Gemorah, and their
fifier cities. Gen. 19. 24. to eate vp Nadabt and ty^bthu,
Lfuit 10. 2, to cut off' the two hundred,andfjftj men,that were
in the rebellion of Korah, A7«»». 16. 3 5. to deuoure two cap-
tainet and twtfefifty men, 2.King.i, lo.and I 2. Iwill not load
your memories with multitude of examples for this point.
My
8?
Amos i. 4.
My Mxttelleth you, that fire, Gods creature, becctumeth
Gods tfiflrHment, & executioner of his vengeance: I will/end a
fire into the heufe ff/Hazael, And itjhall deuourt the fAlaeet of
fienhadad.
By fire in this place the learned *■ expofitors doc vnderftand *' Ly^anus.
not only naturall fire, but alfo the/wi>rd,and pefiilence, and fa-
mine-yqptodhhetgenw conffimptients, cucry k ind of confumptio,
cueryfcourge,wherewithGodpunifiicththcwicked,anddif- caluin.'
obedient,beit oror//c/(;^^<rj,or any other of Gods Gmlier,
meircngeri. So farre is the fignification of fire, though not in
the naturall,yet in the Metaphorical vndcrftanding extended.
The doctrine whichfrom hence I gather is,
Asiethe fire,fe Are aR other ereAturet At the Lords comvtAM'
dement tobeeimployed hy him in thepunifhment of the tvic-
This truth well appeareth by that which I euen now repea-
ted oat ofEcc/ef, 39. whence you heard, thatfomefi?srits ore
ereatedfor vtngeanceyAs alfo are fire, and haile, and famine,and
death, and the teeth of mid heafis, and the fcorpions,and the fer-
pents,and thefword•yjea,that theprincipallthmgs for thewhole'
vfe of mans life, as wateriAnd fire, and jrcn,andfait,and meale,c^
wheat, and bony,and milke,and the blond of the grape,and ode,
cloathing, areallforenillvntothewsekedAfihzt proofe,becaufe
the bookc, whence it is taken,is like you notjgiue
earel pray you, whilelproucicoutof Scriptute.
The doffrine to beproued is,
Fire,and all other creatures,are at the Lords cemmandement
to be implcied by him in thepunifhment of the wicked.
Iproueitby thefcruiccofAngels,andother creatures. 2
jrAf.19.3 jiwe read of an hundred four feere and fine thoufand
in the camp of K(hiiV flainebj an Angell of the Lord. The thing
is related alfo, E/rfy 37. 3 d. Thisminifterie of Gods Angels
Dautd acknowledgcch, Pfal. 35.5,6. where his prayer a-
gainfthisencaiies \%^thatthe Angell of the Lord might fcatter
and perfecute them. i. 7.1G. we read that the Lord did
thunder a great thunder vpon the Philifiines. E^ech. 14. WeC
read how the EW punilhcch afinfuU land,With liis 'fiure
fore
88 The Eighth Le^urlJ,^'^
fare itid^ewe»tsythtfword,pe[litence, famine,iTld tteyfemeheaflt.
Theftory ofGods vifitation vpon Pharaoh, and the Egyp'
tians in Exod.chap.S,^. and lo. is fit for my purpofe,You fhall
there dndfthztfrogs,Itce, flies,irafbeppers,thundcr,haile,lt£ht-
riing,mMrraine,botches, & fores, did inrtrumcntally auengC God
vpon man and beaftin Addc htreto what you read,
Pfal.ii^S.S, fire andhaitc, andfnow, and vapours, and flormy
Vfinds doe execute Gods cemmandement. Thus is my doftrinc
proued,
As is the fire,fo areaU ether creatures at the Lords commande'
ment to be implojed by him in the pumjhment of the roicked,
Thcvfcof chisdoftrine is to teach vs, how robehaueour
felues at fuoh times as God fhall vifitvs with his rod of cor-
rcftion, hew to carry our (clues in all our affl iftions. We mufl
not (bmuchlooketo thcinfiruments, as ro the chat fmi-
tethby them.
Here fct wc before our eyes holy King^auidMis patience!
beitthepatterneof our Chriftian imitation, Wheni'Jbiwfia
man of the family of the houfe of Sauly came out againft him,
caff ft ones at him,and railed vpon him,cal ling him to his face
a man of blood, and a man of Belial, a murtherery and a wicked
man, the good King did not as he was wilhed to doe: he took
pot away the murtherers life,but had refpeZf to the primus mo-
tor, euen Almighty God, thefirft moucrofthis his affl.ftion^
^himeihc knew was but the And therefore thus
faith he to Abifchai, t.Sam, 16, 10. He cur/ethbecaufethe
Lord had bidden him curfe Dauid;and teho dare then fajtrvbere-
fore hafl thou done fo ? Suffer him to CMrfe,for the Lord hath bid'
den him.
Here alfo fet we before our eies holy leh. His patience I be it
thepatterne of our Chriftian imitation. The lofleof all his
fubftance,& his children,by theSabeans,ChaldeanSyfirehom
heauen, andagreacwtWfrom beyond the wilderncllfe, could
not turne away his eies from rhe God of heauen to thofe fc-
condcaufes. They he knew were but the And
therefore poffeffing hisfoule in patience he faid, lob. i. ii,
SSfakedcame I em of my mothtrt yoombet and naked fisalll re.
turne
A M O S I. 4* ' $9
tMrtie thither: the Lord hath giueHf and the Lord hath taken :
ble^edhethename ofthehoxd.
To thcfeinftances ofDanid^md /e^.addeone morCjthat of
thcbleircdApoftles,/'tfrfr,f»^>w,&thereft,^ff.4.27.Though
Hered, FenttM P»/4fe,thc Gentiles,^ndthe feep/e of Ifrael, had
crucified, and done to death the Lordef life,out Lord and Sa-
uiour lefns ChriflfletAid not the Apoftles therefoie grow in-
to a rage, and bitter fpeeches againft them. In that great cxe-
cmion ot the Lord lefsu, they had regard vntothe hand of
God. Herod,.Pentitfs Pilat, the C}entHes,vodtheJev>es, they
knew were but For thus make they their confeidi-
-on before the Lor*/of heauen and eartk,verfe the 28. Doubt•
/ejfeheth Herod,and P tntiutP slat,veitb the Gentiles,and the peO'
'pie of Ifraehgatheredthemfeistes tegetheragainfl thine holj Sort
leftts, to dee vehaifseuer thine hand, and thj counfeff had determiz
nedtohe dene, ; ,
To good purpofc then is that queftion propounded by A-
ones, chap, 3.6 .Shall there be euiH in a eitj ,and the Lord bath net
dene it Mtiuay feruefor an anchor to keepevs,that we benot
carried away with the waues oftribulation, and afBi£tioD. Ic
airurethvsihatGod, who bad .?/>/»»« curfcD4«<d, who (ene
theSabeans,Chaldtans,fire(TOva heauen,and agreat leindixom
beyond the wildcrneire, tofpoile, and make an end of lebt
rubfiance,and his children} who determined that Herod, Pen*
tisuPflat, Vi'xththe Gentiles, ztidthe Ifraeiitet, Oiouldputto
death the Lord e/ltfe: that the fame God hath his finger, yea,
andhisWWe hand too, in all our erodes and tribulations, /r
there any euillin the city,and the Lord hath not dene it ?
Hcre(bcloucd in the Lord) muft we be taxed for a vanity at
Ieaft,(I had almoft faid a blaff/hemiejdeeply rooted,& too well
fetled among vs.Vponthe accede of any calatj^fve cry out,
bad Incke, bad fort ue. If the ftrong man come into our houfc,
and take from vs thcj^^wer of our riches, our ffluer zud geld,
then we crjjiVhat InckelffhatfertmelUcur fheepc and cattell
hi\evs,thent\{o^ectf,tPhatluckyHVhatfortune f Wharfo-
cuer erode bcfalleth vsjaekefitxdfertune is ftill in our mourhs:
^nafiDetu etittpicoleret inc<elo,& nen ettraret res httmanas\is
M if
The Eighth LeSlurc^.
if we were to hold it for an article ©four bclcefe, that GodM.
ueth idly in heauen, and hath no regard of mans affaires.
Whcreastheholy Prophet ^wwin propounding this quefti-
on {[haUthere be *nj ettiHia the city,and the Lord hath net dent
r'rfand the holy Apoftles,inacknowled'gingGods hand in the
death of C^ri^; and holy in blefliag the name of the Lord
for all his loffes; and holy Dauid^in patiently taking Shimeu
curfes, as an afBiflion fent hitnfrotn the Lord, doe all plainly
fhew thisj that the empire of this world is adminiflred by AI-
mighty God,& that nothing happencth vnto vs,but by Godt
bandyZnA appeintmeHtthtaTne we then more patience cowards
the inflruments of our calamities,mifcFies,erodes,and affli£li>
ons: let vs not belike the thacfnatchecharaffone cafl
at him, without regard vnto theHere we learn,e a bet-
ter propertie; euen to turne our eies from the inffrumenccs to
the hand that fmiteth by them. Thusfarreof ray feeend cir-
CMmAancCi FTete God pttnifheth.
My third y/as^vehombepumfheth^Ha^aeland Be»h<tdad-,tbe
hotefe ofHaKOel, andpalaeesofBenhttdad. If you will know
who t\i\%Haz.itel was, you imifl haue recourfc to thcfacret fto-
rie, i.Kingt 8, Thcrefhallyou find him lent by Benhadadf,
King o(Syria, with a prefent vnto Elitcetti to know concet-
ning his fickncffe,whether he (hould recoucr ofitjand after his
returne from Eli^etu, with a thicke wet cloath to haue fti an-
gled, and murdered his Lord, and Mailer, King Benhadad^
This was he, whom EIiz.tnt foretold of his hard vfage of the
Jfraelitesithst he (hould fet onpre theiitpre>^citief,{hoxi\d fl^y
their young men with the/jrw^/jfliould dafh their infants againfi
thefiones^tnd fhould rent infeeces their women great with child.
This was he, who x. Kings, 13.7.fo deftroycd the children of
Ifraely that hee made them likedufi beaten to fowder. This was
he of whrere death weread vcrfie the 24.
The heufe o/Hi?«.«f/]cither the fami]ic,ftocke,and pofterity
(s/iHax,iel § i,% Arias Mont annsy Mercer, "DrttpHS expound:
or fome materiall houfc, which H*K.ael had proudly land
ftaecly built for himfelfc, and his poflcririe. This laitv expo-
fitionis added Mercer,zndtDr»ftsiihtci\ifc
amos 1.4.'
ef that which followcth , tJbf ^tUces of Benhadad,
'Be»hadad.]lnwtkiRgthii name,! find threeerroors.One
of theG>*«j^/who write A/»f as ifit were in the Hebrew
Beuader, The fecond ofthe Latinesy who write it Betthad^d,
The third ofthe f^hd/det p4raphrafiy who writes k
B^rhadad: whereas the right name is Befihadad,
Benh^dad (laith Mercer vpon this place) was a name pecu«
liar to the Kings of aswasfirft/'Wi!iei,and afterward
Ptolemee to the Kings of Egypt, and Crf/Wr » the Roman
Emperouri.From this opinion of MercerfOrufius tn ottjermt,
facr.x I. r4.varieth,affirming that albeit diuerfe King/of Syria
were called by this name Benhadad, yet doth it notthcreupon
follow.tbat Berbsdad was a common name to all the Kings of
^jrU,
In holy Scripture we reade of three Benkadodt, Of the fiift
x.Kiugu l 5.18 who was King diSyria^xx what rime 'Afa raig«
ned in fndah.ind Banfha in //r/ie/.Of the fecond, * King.t.y^
who in his ncknelfe {tnxH4z,4elio EUrcens themanofGed
tocbunfaile. Of the third 13 3. who was//;<«iir//
fonne, and his fucbetrour in the throne. r«
Now the Binha'dHd in my text,is either Benhadad, Hazaels
predeccffour,nainc by HnKAelyOt Benhad4dyHAx.aels(ontZr\^
fucccirour.
The Talacet ofBenbndadlto hee deuoured by fire from the
ZW.Thcfepalaees of 5e»fe4W4<iare the goodly, fumptuous,
proud, and ffately edifices made, er.eniarged^ by eitherofthc
Benhadadsy or by both : Hkz.*els prcdeceflbur, and fuccef-
four.
Thus haucyou the cxpofition of my third circumflance,
which was coBCcrnirig the partiesphnilhedjino meanepartics
parties of no lower riihkc theryKingf: ff4«,4e/,and Benhadad
ThcLari/puniflicth, heepuniifeethby/jr<r jhecponilheth by
{itcHaz,asl, znd Benbadad ; IwiS/end afire into thehoufeof
hfazselya»d it fhdl deu<mre thefaldceS'^^cnhtdzAmM.zti^ pro-
fitablcdoftrrucs may behetici; deduced',"'Tcan but pointar
them.
X lnthztthiCl.oxdifeodetb afirein$othcbntfe«f}\3.%zt\yZ-
^ 2 gainft
5»'i The Eighth LeBurcJ.
gainft his family, and pofterity, we arc put in tninde of a truth
exprcllcd in the fecond commandcraent 5 this:
godviUvtjit the finnet afthtfathenvpon tbechildrenvfita
the third and foterthgeneration.
Dcarcly bcloued; fore is that anger,the flame of whofe pu-
nifhmcnt caftcth out fmoake fo farrc: yet the meaning thereof
is,2S Ez.tchiel(itt^t<\\ychap.i%, If the children doe fallow the
fathers wicktdne^e, and nototherwifc^ To vifit then,is not to
punifli the children for the fathers offences,but to take notice,
and apprehend them in the fame faults, by reafon they aregi>
uenoucr to commit their fathers tranfgrcifiDns, chatfor them
they be punidied.
The vie is, to admonifli you that arc Parents, not onelyto
liueyour felucsvertuoufly, and religioiifly, while yoohaue
your abode here, but alio carefliily to fee to the training vp of
your children, invertue, and true religion, kail pertaking
with your in your flns^ they proue inhcntours of your puniili*
menrs alfo.
1 In that the Lard fendetb a fire into the houfe, and palaces
of Haxiiel^ and BenhAdadt two Kings: we learnc-this lelfon.
It PS neither wtaith,narpali$te,norpowerinorprefermentbat
can fiend vsJfGodt vnappenfeable Anger brenkjittt AgAtnfi
vt for ottr finnes.
Thercafonhcrcofwcread,f<fr<riw.4.4.It*sthis:B^r4»/><»/r/&e
wicf^edneffeaf eur inuentianSf^ Gads wrntb comes forth hkf firCy
andbttrneth thnt none can ejuench it.
The vfe is to teach vs, that wee dcfpifenot Godsiudgments,
nor abufe his merciasihtutha.t we tremble at the one, and bee
drawnc to well doing by the other.
3. In thit the Lord fendetb a fire mto the palaces oiBenhtU
dadyto deuoure them: we learnc thus much.
Gad depriuetb vs ofa great bUJpng, when heetaketh from vs
enr dwelling houfes.
The great tommodicic, or contentment, thatccmmcchto
eucry oneofvs by our dwelling houfes, doth expcrimcnully
make good vnto vsthis truth.
The vrcis5to teach vs,6iil,to bciiumbied before ^lmjg|;ity
Amos 1.4,
God, v»h<nfocu<r ovix dwelling heufes arc taken from vs. Se*
condly, fince wcpesceably enioy our to yfc
ihcm for the furtherance ofGodiglory.Thirdly,topraifeGod
day by day for the comfortable vfe wehaue of outdwcb
linghoufes. It would tire you to hearethefe do-
ifrines.and their vfes feuerally ampli-
bed, and enlarged, inthefc-
qucle of this chapter,!
Hull haue occaHon .
to repeat them
to you,
94
THE
Ninth Ledure.
AMOS i. $.
J win Ifrtak* (tljo theh*rrt ^fDamafcus, and cat aff'the inhabi-
tant of Bikczth-A.\ienf and him that holdeththe fcepter onto f
' Beth-Eden,the people of Arafd fhallgoe into captinitj
to Kir.
E are now come to the fecond branch of
the fourth part of this prophecie, in the
verfe, wherein are fet downemorefpe-
cially the puniHiraents to beeinflidfed vp-
on the for their Gnnes. And thisis
done in foure fcuerall claufes. In each wee
may obferue threecircutnftances.
* The pHni[her: the Lordjcithct immediatlj by him-
fclfc, or mediatly by his inftruments.
2 , The punifhed: the Syrians not of any one city on-
I ly J butofche whole country 5 which wee gather
< from thcfe nimcsjDamdfeni,Btkeath-A(ien,Beth-
^eden indt^ram,
J The ; the fpoilc of the country 5 and
ruinc of the whole ftatc. The harre of
muji
Amos 1.5.
mufi be breken'ythe inhabitant «/B ikcath-Auen,/*W
^5
the Kingtkeefinghu court at Betfi.Edcn,w«7?'i'f crt/
off: and the people of Aram mujigo into captiuitie.
Of the words as they lie in order.
/ wsllalfobreakpthebarreefDzOizIcas'jl, the Z<?rd, «rc- *Iob.9.^
moue mountaincs,and they feeic not when I oucrthrow them |
I rcmoue the earth out of her place, and make her pilJcrs to
fhake; 1 command the fun, and it rifeth not ; Iclofe vpthc
ftars as vnder a fignet; I my felfe alone fpread out the heauens
and walke vpon the height of the fcarl make ArUurm. Orion,
and Pleiades, and the climates|ofthe South •. I, the Lord, who
doe great things, and vnfearchabic, raaruailous things, with-
outnumber, ^ lehouahhmy mmc.l,i)xe'Lord,[ehouah,Y:ho g
hzmtciohitdxo fend afire intothehoufe of HaKael,zt\dpalaces ^^,6.
f/Benhadad; I will alfo hreake the barreof Damafcus.
You know Vihztzbarre is in its proper fignification: an iii-
ftfument wherewith we make faft the gates of our cities, and
doors of our houfesjagai nft the violence of our cnemies.If the
barre be broken, the entrance into the city,or houfe will be the
ti^ict.Kedar is dilcouercd to be weake, for want ot barres jcr. •
49» 5 I. A!"d foarcthey againft whom andwere
to fight, ^ 8.11.they had neither nor
had ^i7fA;andGod made them fl:rong,P/<j/, 147.1 a.There-
faxcpraife the Lord, O Iernfalem,prasfexhj God,0 Sien 'yfor he
hzth made the barres-of thy gates flrongfo ftrong,that no ene-
my is abk to them,or ro make any into them.- ' ^ '
A isalfo vfcd to fen fc; W/r(ii/7,and
Sjnicdochkallf I and betokeneth mmifton, fortifications, the
forts.and (Irongtoldr ofacountry.the firength of any thing.T o
which fenfe the fea hath barres. We read of them, 3 8. i o.
God hathapppeinfed the fh.<i her barres, and deares, faying, hi-
theYto'fhalt ihsaa cohet fhere iriS I'fiaj thy proudwauer. And the
earth hath barresMPt teid'of thcm,/o«.t.<5.And,what are the
of the earth„but the cftrongertmunimcntsjand fences it kIpoB gf
hath 5 her proracntdrics, and rockcs, which God hath placed ixjndonjFnlcn.
in her frontiers,to wichffand the forccof thc waters? And Afo- led.J7.
abhzth barret, Efai.iS' 5' T here the barret of Moab, arcput
for
40
Virbe, vtSlis.
« Hmtr.
^ Cuaticr.
$ Sccmyfixth
Icfture vpon
this chapter.
J»Inthc yeare
of the world
2IZ4. Funcc.
in Chronolog.
And this Scr-'
mon was prca-
chcd A. C.
l^o6. Fcbr.8.
> Tremtllius.
The Ninth LeElurc^i
for the forts in the borders of Moah. hnA Egypt Garret,
30.1 S. Where Egypts harres afcer thccxpofirionof 11-
lyricHsmhis ^kzy ofScripturcs, zxcrmtnitiones^ rob$ir, the
fortifications, and ftrcngth of Egypt.
So here; the bArres of DamafcMyZXC ^Damafci rol>Hr,mHm^
tiories,pDrt£,S<.cUnfirA »>«»i//j^'Wi«;theftrcngth of Damafcn/;
the munitions oidamafcm ;thegatc$ofZ)<iw4/cw ithemoft
fenced fortrcires of Damafcw. Yci^ E'nintrfHm regui roinr, the
whole ftrength of the kingdoms of to be vnderftood
in thcfei&4rre/ oiDamafcm.
OfDamafciti] no bafc nor contemptible city. LewesVer.
r«»r4M»r«r,a gentleman orRome,in hisrraucllco choieeaftcrnc
parts of the world, a hundred ycarc8agoc,fawthis city,and ad
miring the maruellousbcauty therof, hath Nauigat.cap.$.\d^
a recoid ofit to poftcrity. It is(faith he) in manncrincredible,
and pallcth all bcleefe,to think e how fairc thecity of
ct*i is, and how fertile is the foilr. This DAmafau is ocity of
great antiqairy 8 built as fomeconicftue by Eliex.gr, theftc-
ward of Abrahawf houfc who Was fiirnamcd Damafem, Cett,
15.2. So that this city was built more than 3444.ycare$ agoc;
forfo long agoc A brahAm died. The firft mention of this
city is, (je».i4.i J.
Others holding the name of this city to haucbecncroore
ancient than doe attribute the building ofthiscity
to //«t,oncofthcfonsof aram,gen.io.f^. whereupon Da-
tuAfcHivezs called alfo ArAm,3S S.Hiereme vpon F/a/.iy.wit-
ncfTcth. Whatfoeuer were the antiquity of this city, it is
plainc by EfAt.j.S. that it was the Mctropolitainc,and chicfcft
city ofSyriA.Thc Prophet leremie giues it a high commenda*
tion,chap.^^.ty. where he cals it a g/oriotu city, zncithgcityof
his toy. DAmAfctu in this place is nocthc barecity,but' trAlJtu
DMtafctss, fine DecdpoiitantuI the whole covntty about Dx'
mAfcHSt andthecoafts o£Decapolis, whcreofwceread,
7* 3 '•
/ iviilalfo hreake the barret of Damafcttt ] To breake in the
Hebrew phrafe, and by a Metaphorfis toceufume, to sleflr6y,to
irafie,xofpoi/eAn the it^.oiS/ai.ver/.ip, where the Prophcc
fa ith}
Amos I. 5, 5?^
(t,xth\eo»fraQionee9itfriHgiturterr4: iheearth ftjall withIfreM-
king be Br$keH: the meaning itjthe earth flialljccrrainly be wa-
ftedj3nd fpoilcd. So here; J wilUrenkf the b»rrt»/DAm*fcm,
thacis^I wil confume, & fpoilc, all the munitions^all thcforci*
llcations,all the fenced (ortrellesjall the ftrength of D4ma[eus.,
1^1% breaking hitttit Godelfewherc alfumethto
hirafelfe, as£/i<.4J.2. whcrethus faith the Zar/^vncoQrfty,
his anointed ; / teiilbreake the hrafen dooretjand hnrfi the iron
barret. TheP/4/»»<y?aIfoafaibeth vote thcLor^ this ofhcc
of breaking barres, Pfal.io'j. 16. where exhoning vs to con-
fefTe before the Lor'd his louing kindnelle, and to declare his
wonderful! workes^hebringeth thisfor areafon: For he hath
broken the gates ofbraffe, and hath bnr^ the barre of iron a/ttn-
der. Now haue you the meaning of thefe words, / willbreake
the barreofDamafcm ^ / ] the Lerd,mltbreaks ]by my migh-
tie power, will lay wafte, and coinTume, barre ] barre for
harres, all the llrength of Damafcue ] of that pare of Syria,
which bordereth vpon Damafcne-
Now let vs fee what IcHons may be taken from hence foe
our further inftru£lion, and meditation. You will remember
my three propounded circumAances j The funifher. The fm-
niptment. The fttntjhed. The punifher, is the Lord) the punilh-
mcnt,isbreakingofbarre$}thepuni(hed, is the whole counr
try ofDamafciti.'Ftom the£rdcircu(n{lanceofthepM«/)^«r,rhe
Lord himfelfe taking vengeance into his owne hand, I gather
thisdoArinej
It it proper to the Lord to execute vengeance vpon the wic"
bed for their finnet.
This doftrinewasin my laftZ«eff«re commended vntoyou,
andthen at large confirmed J need not make any repetition of
ir,Theconfiderationofkday after day,cannot be either vainc
or vnfruitfull to vs. It maycaufevs to bee wary andheedfull^
that by our daily/?»»<»^ we make not our fclues ^feruantsvn' ^
to fin, and ^corruption. And whereas we Cannot but ^«»edai- Rom.6.to,
ly,(for who can fay, / haue ^purged my heart, I am cleanefrom
my /inne?)'utMy (AxAViVStorepentance, and to igodly forrotp ~
for our pnnet | whereby wee haue tranfgrclTcd the law of God,
N offended
98: The "Ninth LeSlurc^.
offended his Maicftie, and prouoked his wrath. Wee inuft
belccuc it: though God be good, gracious, mercifull, and
long fuffcring, yet is he alio aiuff God ;God the aueȣer, and
^Hn^jher^
The confideration of this point, may further admonilh vs,
to be wary in any cafe that wee breath not after reuengtment.
ToreiiengeourwrongSjisGods office, wee muff not intrude
our fclues into ir j we may not vfurp it.Why will we herein be
our owneearners f The wifefon oiSirach,ehaf.iZ.i>(fe2kei
it confidently; Hethatfeekfthvenge*»ce, (hallfifide<tie>ige4nee
tf the Lord, 4ndhe veillfurely kfepe his fins, Marke his exKor•
tacion following, verfe the 2. Forgine thy neighboHr the hurt
that he hath done to thee \ fo jhaH thy ^nnei beforgiuen theealfo.
Wife faith no more, than doth ourSauiour leftu
Chrifl,Adatt.6.i4,i S.Ifye do forgiue men their trefpaf[es,jour
heanenly father veitlalfo forgiueyou.But if ye doe not forgiue men
their trefpaffes, no more will your fatherforginejouyour trefiiaf-
fes. Dearcly beloued, is this fo ? Will not God/flr^««(?vs,vn-
lelFcwe/ffr^rWothers i Weinuff needs grant it to befojpray.
itig daily as we S'oCyFergiue vs our trejpaJfeSiOf we forgiue them •
thattre/pajfeagainfivn
Much then (beloued) very much ro blame-are wcjwho lead
our lines, as if Lextalionis, that fame old law of rendring like
for like, firff recorded, " Exod.i 1.34. were this day in force^
Euen this day, weffickenottobeof rainde with the godlelTe
worldling rReceiue I wrong i I will repay iy^Ejefor eyettooth
{ottooth,handiov hand,foot ior foot,bunting for burning,woHnd
for wound, firipe for firipe. As good at he bringeth, I will giue
hitn.
Wearc comxmnAcA, Matth.x 8.2 2. to forgiue onranother^
eurn fcuenty times feuen times. How haue wc caft bcliitidcvs
this holy commandement Mf thy neighbour firi againft thee,
wilt thou not be meet with him fcuen yeares after, if poffiblc?
Tell me J ifby order of friends, orconffraint,thoubcmoucd
to forgiue thy neighbour, wilt thou/er^?>ff him? Forgiue hin.?
Yeaafccralorr. WewillforfOoth/flrj-iafthefmtt, burflotfof-
get the matter, noraffefl the party that wronged vs. Is this
to
n hndlemt.
^4. aaci^
Vtut.i^ at.
A M O S I. j.
tKUne enemUj t Itthiinettg reftfi emU ? Nothing IcfTtf'
Lcarnc therefore af Chrtfi whixn'n, to lone ymr enemies^
Matth.S,^^- Blejfe them thatcnrfeyeu j doegocdto themthat
b^e you I pray for them that hurt you, audperfecuteyou. And
againe leatnc of Chrift, what it i%^not to reftfi eHii,Matt.5.^y.
tVhoJoeuer /halt fmitethee oh the rightcheeke, turuetohimtbe
other alfc: & if any man willfrte thee at the larv,and takeaway thy
coat,let him haue thy claake alfo: and whofet/ter wiScompelithee
togoe with him one mile,goe with himtwaine.Th'ii is it, whereto
S. Peter exhorceth you, i EpiJf.chap.^.%.Be yee aB ofone mind,
one ftfer with another; loue dt hrethreut hepitifuB, he conrteotu.
render not euill for euiU, nor rehukefor rehftke) but contrariwtje
bleffe, if ye will he heirei ofhleffing.
Let wife Solomons counfell fomewhatprcuaile with you j
that counfell which he giuethyou. Pre, 24. 2p. O fay not I
wtBdoe to him as he bath done fame y I will recompenfe euery mau
according to bis worke. What Qiall 1 doe then, when 1 haue re-
ceiuedawrong ? What elfe, but follow the fame wife mans
counfell, giuen mCfPro.i0.22.ExpelilahoDominMm,^ libera-
we i I will wait vpon the Z/ffrd, and he will dcliuer me. I
flint vp this meditation with.?. Pauls exhortation,i a. 17.
%ecompenfeto no man euill for euill 5 if it be po/ftble, as much at
inyou is,haue peace with all men. f)earely beloued, auengenot
your felues.but giue place vnto wrath-, for it is written, vengeance
is mine, J will repay,faith the Lord.
Hitherto (beloued in the Lord) 1 haue laboured to workc
in you adetcftation of all priuate reuengement. Thecccaflon
of ray difcourfe, was from my propounded doctrine, It is pro-
per to the Lord to execute vengeance; proper to the Lord, and
thereforenotany way tobemedledin byrs.Itisnotforvs by
our felues to auenge the wrongs done vnto vs j we muft wait ^
vpon the Lord, who in his good time will right all our iniu-
ries. Forhehachfaid, vengeanct befongethvntome, 1 will re-
compenfe,
Letvs proceed,and fee what dpftrine may be gathered from
the two next circumflances; the circumflanceof the punijh.
meat, and the circumflancc of thepuni/bed. Thcputsiptment I
N» noted
J 00 The Ninth LeShtrcJ.
noted in vfhdrres., and the fwtifhed, in the Word
D*mafcu4» You haue already heard the meaning of thefe
words : I wilt breathe the barreof D^mafcns ] /] the Lord,
with my mighty power lay wafte,and confame,
\\Ki>4rre\biirreJiot barres^cuen all themunition,andib'ength^
©fi?4w«[/i«#]'ol thedMcfeft.city of5/r/4, and thecountrey
adioyning.
Muft' DantAfctUf the Arongcfl Citieof alh.S'jrf^, haue her
barresbroke»* Muft Oicebee laid wafte, andfpoyled? Here
fixing the eyes of our mindes vpon the power of the Lord,
learnewe-this Ifcllbn | ^
There u no thing, nor treatttre. able to withfiand Godsfower^
or t» let hit'pnrpofe.
Nothing; not gates of brnffi, not barret of ir eny thefe |ice
hreaketh afitnder, 107. itfi No creature. What creature
moremigh'ty thana King ? Yet in thtday of his wrath God
woisndethKingsthe Pfalmift',1 lo.y.DotH he wound
Kings? yea he flay eth mighty Ktngs.PfaLi 3 5. lo.and 136.18;
My text auoweth the fame, in one of the next claufes^ where
God threatncth to the mighty ofzcuttiag-o^ - /
tut off him that hcldeth the fcepter out of Bcth'Cdtn.
Thefe feW now alleagedinfbnces doe fuHicicntly (though
briefly ) conflrme mypropoundcd do£fiine i
There it no thing, nor creature, able to withftand Gods f over -,
or to let his purpofe, _
The reafoo hereof is, becaufc God only isemnipotent, and
whatfoeeer dfe is in the world, itisweake,and viable to re0.
OfGods^wwi/iatewy wemalteourdaily profeflion inthe fitfl
article of our bcleefe,profefl1ng bim to be God, the Father At^
mighty. In which profeflSon wee doe not exclude, either the
Sonne, ot Holy Ghofi, iromomnipotency, ForGod thepather,
whoimparteth his Godhead vnto the Sonnet and to the Holy
(7^9^, doth communicate the proprictinof his Godhead to
chem alfo. And therefore our beleefe is, that as the Father is
Hymhila •stiba- tjAlitoighty, fo the Sonne liAlmighty, and.the Holy Ghofi is
t/ilmighty too.
Now Godis faid to htsntnipotentf ox Alttoighty, in two re-
fpcflf.
Amos 1.5. i«i
rpe£h. Firft,bee4ufe ht u 4ihle to do$ iioh4tfoetfert>ewiil*%<cond-
ly, becatlfe he u nble to doe more th^nhe wHl.^ot the htft^thac
God u obit to doevbatfceuerheveiH, who but the men pefftf-
fed with the fpiric of Atheirine,and infidelity dares deny ? This
truth being expreily deliuered twifeinthebookeofPfalmef ;
Firft, Tfal.i 15.3, Our ^odtn heaMt»,Mrh whatfoetter ht veiU:
8gaine,P/<i/.i 3 ^.6,tyhatfotMerfleof(th the Lord, tbut dttbhe
ipt beouen^ in earthy in the fea, in alt rhe deftht.
For the f^condjthat God u able to doe more than hewiUdoe :
euery Chriflian acquainted with the Euangelicall flory, doth
acknowledge it. It it plaine by Itbn Baptifit reproofe of the
Phariftei, and Sadduces, MattL^.p. Tbimkt not to fay within'
jeurfelneSyWe haste Abraham to our Father-y for I fay wntoyoa,
that (jod it able of theft (lotset to raife vf children vnto Abra-
ham. Able.htxK will not. So likewife when Chrifl was betrayed,
the ^Qty,A{atth.t6. J3.is,thzt'Godthe Father couldbanegt*
nen him more than twelue legions of Angels to hone deliuered
him.iitconld, h\xt would not. The like may bee faidof many
other things. The Father was obit to haue created anochet
world; yea athoufand worlds. Was Asle,hat would net.
You fee for Gods ommpoteucyy that he is able to dot whatfo-
tuerhe wiHdoe ; yea that he is abloto dee more than he will dee,
God only is omnipotent: whatfoeuer elfeirin the world, its
weake, nnd vnable tore(!/i : which is the very futnme of tny
doArine already propounded,and conhrmed;
Jherou no thingyStorcreature,able to withfiand^ods power,
ortoltthhpurp'efl.'
For as leb faith, chap, p.j 3. Themofi mighty help/Joe foope
t/nder Gads anger. This is it, which Nahuchodonofor, Dan.4,
34,3 y-Confefftth: In eomparifon of the mefi high, who Ituethjor
euer,whefe power it an euerlafling power,whefe ktngdome is from
generation to generation ) ad the inhabitants of the earth are re-
puted as nothing ; according tee his wsH be worketb in the army of
htanen, and in the inhabitants of the earth yand none can fiay his
hand,norfay vnto him, what doefi thauIThis is it whereat S.Paul
aimethin his queftion demanded,;^atv.y. i ^.fVhohatbreffted
the wi3-efGod ? And this is it which lob intendeth, chap.^. 4,;
N 3 demanding/,
tot
The Ninth LeSiurc^:
Ptrfcinf. Caf.
§•»./«£. f 7.
demanding a like q uellioa; wht h*th beene fierce agMufi Qed,
atfd hathprefperedf
I will not further amplificthis point 5 Itmuftilandgood
againft all the might and ftrcngth of this world,
There is no thtHg,nor creature, able to witfifland Gods power,
ertolethisfurpefef ; ^ ^ .
Now let v« confider focneduties,whcr^unto wc arc rnoucd
by this doctrine ofGodsewwtr/'i/ewir.
I Is thercno thtHg,noiereature able to withfiand Gods power,
or to let his purpofe ? Lcarnc wc from hence true humiliation |
that fame Chriftian vcrtue,to wiaich S.Peter i epifi,$.6. giuci
hii exhortation : Humbleyour felftes vader th^mightj/ hand of
<?*</. What arc we, (btloued) but by nature in our.lclucs moft
wretched; conceiued, and borne in (in f hitherto running en
in wickedneife i and dayly rebelling againd God ? a^aind
jilmighty God, agsinftbim, who alone is abletodpe whatfo-
euer he will; able to doemore than be wtll^ able to cad both be-
dj and foule into hell fret
Let the confideration ofthis our wretched edate, workcin
vs the fruits of true humiliation. This true humiliation dan*
dcth in our prafticeof three things. i.The farrow of our heart,
whereby we are difpleafcd with our felucs., and alhamcd in rc«
fpeft of our fins. fOur eonfeffiou to G»d,in which wc mud alfo
doe three things, i Wee mud acknowledge all
originaH,zi\6 a^malL 2 Wc mud acknowledge otugutltinejfe
before Cjod.^^c mud ackno wl edge enr iuft damnation for fin.
The third thing in our humiliation, 'u ovit fupplicatien to bee
made to God for merey,vthich mud be with allpodible earned*
nede, as in a matter of life and death.
A patterne whereof I prefent vnto you,D^iw.p, 17,18,19.O
our God, heart the praters of vt thy feruantt, and eur fupp/icath
ont, and caufe thy face tofhine vpon vt. O our God, incline thine
tare to vt,and heart vt lopen thine ties,and behold our miferiet^we
do not prefent our fupplicationt before thee for our own righteeuf
neffe, but for thy great tender mtrciet, O Lord heart vt, O Lord
ftrgiue vs,OLord confdtryatdl doe it,deferre not thy mercietfor
thine ownc fake, 0 ottr Thm ( b^u^ ) if we humble out
fclucs
AMOS 1.5.
fclues vnderthe hand of Almighty God, God will li(t vi vp»
11$ there $bing,ner creat»re,Ahle to withfljttsd Gods powtr,
or to lethUfMrfoft ? Learnc we from hcncc to tremble at Godt
iHd£ement/,w fare them J toflandinaweofthcm, to quake,
and qutuer at them. For as God isjfo are his iudgtrntnts: God is
terrible, and hxiindgementt are terrible. God is terribleintht
Aj[emhljofhisSAintSiPfaL%^.%.terrihlein bis works,Pfal,66.^.
terrible in his doings towardtbe font of men, P[41,66.$. terrible
to the Kings oftheenrtb^Pfnl.jC.i 3. To palfeouer with lilencc
many places of holy Scripture, in which God is termed a ter-
rib/etjod, let TS confeQewith thePfalmift, Ff4l,j6ij*ThQM,0
God of lacobtthossnrtsobefeared ) ypbofhallfiandsntby jightt
when thou art angry
Here are they worthily tobetaxed,andcenrured, who are
fo far from fearing Gods issgdemeuts,as that they plainly fcefe,
indieat them I Such aofie was he of ([ambridge-fhire, who
®fome I4.yeare$ finccjinthe yearc i jpz.madca roocke of the
luordigloriosis voice, thcThHtder. The ftory isdeliucred by
Perkint. fti hisP expofitiou of the Creed, in thefe words: One
bang roisb his companion in^akossfe drinS^ifg en the Lords day,
Tohen he -mtis-ixMy. 'to depart thence, there was great lightning
and thunder ; whereupon his fellow recfuefied him to fiay, hut the
man mecking^andiefiing at the thunder and lightnings fa id (at
report was) it was nothitig but aknaue cooper knocking on
hl&tub$sCoute what would, he wostJdgoe,andfa wentan his teur.~
osej'.hset. before htvnme halfe. d mile from the bqft[e,thefame hand
of the Lord, which before he had tuockpd, insscrache of thunder
firttcke him about the grrdlefieed, that he fell downe fiarke dead,
A memorable example, brought home as it were to our
doores, toput vs in miode of'Qods heauy wrath againft thofe,
■which/wrwe his iudgements.Ltt vsf beioued) be wife vpon it,
andat euerytudgctntntoffiod/re-w^/^, andfeare, andcon*
frflr«,as before out of PyW. y 6.7.Thou, 0 God cj laceb, thestaj^t'
to befedred 'sWbo[halljlandtnthy-light, when thou art angry ? .
. 3 Is there no thing, nor creature able towitfjlatd (flodt power,
otto let hiipttrpofeiHhce is maner enough to vphold.and fta-
blifh our faith in Gods promifcs,tothe abolifhing of all waut-
ring.
105
Ismes 4.10.
I ?ety.6.
» TlusScr-
mon was prea-
chcd Fcbr.S.
1606,
P Printed at
Cambridge in
40. lyjts.p.jtf.
Mlicd.rbtolog.
Catechet. Stli,
i.pae. i8o.
The Ninth LeBurj^,
riiig,it\6 doHlting touching our p/w^rw.Thus | Nt thmg, net
treat Mr Ct isdblttowithftand Geds power, erto/elhufurptfe.
God is able to doe wbatfoeMer he nifldoe j he wiUdoe whatfoetter
he hath promifed to doe ^ he hath promifed to giue eternaH life to
aB that beleenein lefut Chrifi. How then can I, who dloehe-
leeue, or any other, who doth heUeue in leftu Chrifi, dottbt of
tnine, or their faluation I
Vpon this rockc of Gods omnipotencj Abrabamt faith ftood
Tnfliakcn, as appcareth Rom.<{, Abraham he doubted not of the
promifeof God through vnbeleefe, but Wisfirengthenedinthe
faith. And how? Bccaufc he wasthat the fame
God who had promifed, watable alfotodoeit, Thisablenc^
of God, Abraham oppofed to his owne weakneflTc. And fo,
about hope beleeued vnder h'>pe, that he ^ould be the father of
many nattent, according to that which was fioken to him, fo/haB
thy feedbe. Thii promife Abraham laid hold o(ynot confidering
his owne body, euen now dead, being almofi a hundrtdyeares old^
neither the deadneffe of Sarahs wombe: he had laid hold of the
promife. How? By faith.Which was increafcd, and confirmed
to him,by the confidcration of t he power of God.
And why Is all this written of Abraham f S.PauKmet why,
ver.2^.Newit is not writ ten for him only,that is was imputed to
him for righteoujhefie j but alfofor vs,to whom it (ball be imputed
for right eoufnefie, if we beleeue in him, that raifed vp lefut our
Lord from the dead, who was deliuered to death for ottr fins, and
is rifen againe for our iufitfication.Vlhei^ore to all our fins, in-
firmities,and impoteneies, from whence may arife diffidence,
infidclity,or vnbeleefc,we muft euer oppofe Gods omnipotenty^
and thereby fupport our faith in his promife/,
1 (hut vp this point, and my whole le^re,wirh S. Auftinet
difcourfe,5er«i, 123 ,eieteUtpore:Nemo dicat,non poteft mihidU
mittere peccata: Let no man fay vnco me, God cannot forgiue
me my CmncSiQuomodononpot^ omnipotent t How is itpofli-
ble that the Almighty fliould not be able to forgiue thee thy
finncs ? But thou wile fay, / am a great finner^znd I fay, Sedille
omnipotenseffi ButGodis Almighty.Thou repHcfiandfaiefl;
My fint are fucht as from which I tannot btdelmered and clean-
fed-,
Amos I. 5.
feii} and I anfwtr, Sed iSe emftipetem efi { But God.is Al-
mighty. Almighty ; able to doe all things, greater or Idler,
celdliali or terrcftriall, immorrall or raortall, fpirituall
or corporalljinuifiblc or vifiblc. Magnta in mag-
nit, neqMt ftirftHi m minimus : great in
great bufine(rcs,and not little in the
Icaft. No thing or creatHre is
sthle to withfiand Gods
f9Vp{r,ortoletbfs
o
THE
Tenth Ledure.
Amos 1.5.
JvfillhreakeAlfothehArretfT>vcm{cXi%y Anient tftheinhahi-
r/(»r«/Bikeath.AucB, and him that holdetb the fcepterent
•/Bcth-Edcn, and the people ef ktzvappall gee into captiuitj
vmo Kir.
Ow proceed we to the other claufcs of the laft
pare of this prophecie, againft the Syriant,
The fecond claufc is, Ivtillcut ef the inhahu
tant ofBikeath-Anen: The third is, and him
thmt heldeth the/ceptereut ef Beth-:den : The
fourth is, andthe people ef^eam, c^c. In
cachofthcfel doe obferue (as before I did ) three circura-
ftanccs.
1 The pmijher the Lord, cither immediately by him-
^ felfc or mediately by his infttumcnts.
J 2 The pHnifhment, to be vnderftt)od in thofe phtafes
" ^ ofcutting of, and going into eaptinitio,
ff 3 Thepuni/hed, the Syrians,noted in thefc names, Bi-
% keath-Autn,Beth-eden,Aram»
Let
Amos I. 5.'
Let vs eximiac the words of the text, a they lie in order.
ImtlcHt off'the inhabitant of Biktath-^uen^ /, the Lord,
lehottah, »who rcmoue mountaincs, and they fcclcnct when *
I cucrthrow them-,who remouc the earth out of her place.and
make her pillars tofliakc ; who my fclfe alone fpreadout the
heauens,and walkc vpon the height of the fea : /, the Lord,
lehonah, who doe great things, and vnfearchable, marucl-
lous things, and without number : I, the Lord, lehouah,
who hauerefolued to fend a fire into the hvttfe ofHi^icl, which
(hall deuaure the palaces of Benhadad, and hauc refolued to
breake the b arret of Damafcus j / wiUalfo cat off the inhabitant
e/Bikeath-Auen, and him that holdeth the fcepttr out of Beth-
cden, &c.
I will cat off ]To cutoff,\%in fundryplaces ofholy Scripture
a Metaphor, drawne abexcifone arbornm, from the cntting
downe, or rooting vp of trees : and Hgnifieth vtterly to con.
fume, to wafte, to diflipate, to deilroy, to extinguifl]. So it's
vhdfPfal.xoi .S.where Dauid purpofing not to be negligent
ornothfuli, in the execution of iuflice againih ail malcfaffors
in lernfalem, refolueth to cut off ail the workers ofiniejuity from
the city of the : BetitaeswiSI defirop alt the wicked of the
land,that I may ent off all the workers of iniquitj from the city of
theLord.So its vfed,P/109.15. where Dauidsptzyet againft
the wicked is, that their iniquity and fin bealwaies before the
Lord, that hee may cut off their mtmariallfrom the earth. So its
vfed, Ex,ech. 14. 15. Son of man when a land (innetb againfl me
by committing a treQ>affe, tbenwittl firetch out mine handvp-
en it,and wilt breakf the fiaffe of bread thereof; and will fend fa-
mine vpon it,and will cut off man and beafl from it: / will cut off^
that is, 1 will dcftroy both man and beafl from a finfull land.
I omit many like places of holy writ { and commend vnte
you,butonemore,parallel to this in my tcxt.Itis in the 3.ver.
of the z. chap.o! this prophccie. There thus faith the Lord; I
wil cut off the Judge out of the midfl •/Moab;as here in my text,
/ will cut off the inhabitant e/Bskcath-Aucnj and verf.thc 8.1
will cut offthe inhabitant from M:\^Qd»l willcut eff,Yi\\cihe.r the
Judge out of the middefi t^Moabjor the inhabitant fromMhdod 5
O 2 or
J o 8 The Tenth LeSiurc-^.
or thi ifthah'UHt o/"Bikc3th-Aucn,the meaning is one,and the
fame; I willcat off, that is, I will vtccrly dcfl:roy,or cxtinguifh.
Which to be themeaning ot the word, theauthorof the
X'ulgar L^itine aek nowledgeth.tranflating the word in the ori-
ginall, not exeindim (as indeed it fignifieth) /vcillcut off, but
dffpe}'d4m, IwiHdejiroy, So doc the Scucnty Interpreters in
thcirGrcekc edition of the Bible,hcrcfTanfljang the Hebrew
word not ( as indeed it fignifieth ) /m/i cut off j but
will vtrerlvjOralcogccher dtfiroy, eusrtkrow, and
(cxtingmfh,
I rvtHcutoffthe iahahitam'] the ? what? but one ?
yes, all, andeueryoneofthci«^(«^rri4«f/. The Holy Spirit in
the facrcd Scripture vfcth fotofpcakc; by a word of the fin-
gularnumber to vnderftand more than one j yea all of that
kinde; which kihdc of fpecch is analogically reduced to the
Synecdoche,
Let vs fee the truth of this in a fcwinftanccs. In Exod. 8.5,
it is laid j when Aaron ftrerched out his hand vpon the waters
of Egypt, that then ihcfrogge came vp, and coucrtd the land.
Thefrag^e! It wcrcfenfelefretorhinkc that onefrogge could
couer the land of Egypr^and therefore by theyr<7f^e,weareto
vndet^and many frogget. In Nnm,2j.y. xhe lfraclttes defjred
Mofe: xo^rayy to the LW,that he would takeaway from thern
the Serpsm.T'he S frpew//what?but one?It is out of doubt that
the people meant all thefferj ffrpents fcnt among them By the
Lorfi/, to fling them to death : of which we read, ver-{etl)c6.
in 8.7. faith that the/?er;^e, the turtle, the crane,
and thefwa/lotv doe know,and obfcrue their appointed times.
Thejforke the turtleyxhecrane,thefrva/iow! We may not think
the Prophet finglcthout one fier^, one turtle, one crane, one
fwallorv,ixom the reft 5 but his meaning is ofall florkes,turtles,
cranet,fwallovi>es, that they know,and ebferuc their appointed
times. As in the now cited places,fo here in my text,the holy
Gholl vfcth one number, for another; the fingular for the plu-
rail, Vnderllanding by e»<? tHhahitant, all the inhahttams of
Bikeath- Auen,
OJBikgath-Atisnltht Greekc Tranflators taking the words
_ partly
" A M O s J, 5, IC9
partly appellatiuely, and partly properly, due render them
ihtficldof 0/!. In likcforc Gualter, i\\ivalUj of Aueyi. The au«
thorofthc/^«^4rL^tf»»e,vndcrftandingthem wholly appella-
tiuely,rendrech thenijthe/i^/r/e/ the IdolliznA fo they may fig-
niBe,{hep/iiine of ^ue»,\ihepUine ofgriefe.thephme offorrowt
"as (fAHin obferucth. luniiu and TremelltHs docrcndcr ir,as be-
ffiViGitalter, e coKmile AMenu\ihc\d\\y oi h.wx\ -.vnderftan"
ding thereby the wholecoaftof which way Spria
bnrdcrcrh;Vpon Ara»tA,B\iXTiim<di the Defart.
Caluin faith it isivncertaine, whether Bikettif-Aue>t be a pro-
pernameot''a place, or no 5 yet faith he,it is probable. Druftu
following the Bebreye DoEiors,a^Ymct\\,\.\\ii it is the proper
name of a city in Sfria. the learned profclfoiir of Pa-
ris, ioyncth with him. And our Englifii Geneua Tra^flatton
draweth vs to bee of the fameminde, that Bikeath-Anenisa
proper name ofa city in Syria.
The fame opinion muft we hold of Beth-Eden, in the next
claufejthat it is a proper name of a city in Syria: of which opi-
i)ion I findc Mercer,DrnltM,and our Englidi Tratrflaton
at GeneHJ to haue beene. And Calmn holds it to bee credible,
though he tranfiates it the houfe of Eden, fo Gualter doth ; fo
doth TreMellitu,Yihohy the houfe of Eden, Vnderflandcth the
whole country oBCceIe(jria. wherein flood the city Eden,
The author of the Vulgar Latine takes for an ap*
pellatiue,and tranfiates it, the houfe efpleafure. Such indeed is
thefignificationof thcwordjand it is by Ari06 Montanue,and
%}bera, applied tofignifie the chy of Damafcm : as if Damaf-
cuu vtercthere called not only Bi-;eath'A ften, that is, the field
of the Iddl, becanfe of the Idolatry there vfed, but alfo Beth-
Eden, that is, the houfe of plea fur e, becaufe of the pleafant fitu-
ation thereof But I retainc the propcrname and
take it for a city in Syria, wherein the King of Syria had a pa-
lace,and manfion houfe.Which I take to be plainc in iny rcxr,
where the L»rdthreatncth,rffc«f off'him, that boUetb the fccp-
terout Bcth-Edcn.
Htm that heldeth the feepter^ that \s, the iri*^keeping his
court ai Beth-Eden, Fori fee notanyabfurdityinjt, if I fay
O 3 that
The Tenth LeSfurcJ.
that the King ef Syria had a manfion houfc , as well at Beth'
Eien, zizz Daneafctu j and that at this time the court lay at
Beth-Eden.
Wtn that holdetbthefcepter'\ This is a pcriphrafis,or circura-
locution o^zKing, A fcepter is Reginmge(iame»,zt\d tnfigne p«-
tefiatis Regia, a Kingly mace, the proper enfignc,or token gf
Kinglypowcr. Whence in the bcft of Grcekc Poets, Homer,
Kings arc called fccptcr-bcarers. Hereby wee vn-
dcrftand, what we read in theftory of Hefier,chap. 8.4. King
udjfnerKS held out his golden (cepter toward Hefler, And that
Thefcepterfi/allnot depart from ludah. In the for-
mer place jljfHerta naakcth fhew of his Kingly fauour vnto He-
fier, by holding out his mace vnto her: in the later lacoh pro«
phefiethof the liability and continuance of the Kingdomeln
the triheof fudab, till the comming of the L^eJJias. Here then
he that boldeth tbefcepter in Betb-Eden,\% the King abiding in
Beth-Eden.
Hitherto (beloued) haue I laboured to vnfold the words of
my text; / will cut off the inhabitant of Bikezth-Auen, and htm
that boldeth tbefcepter out «/Beth-eden] /] the Lord,with my
mighty power, will cut off] will vttcrly confumc, and deftroy,
the inhabitant ]n0t oneonly, but euery one that dwclleth/»
Bikcath-A uen ] the fo named city of Syria. There will I not
flay my hand, but I will alfo with my mighty power cat off,
Vtterly confumc and deftroy, him that boldeth tbefcepter] not
only the vndcr-magiftrate, but the King himfclfc, out of Beth-
eden] another fo named city of Syria. Bikeatb-Auen fhall not
be able to defend her not Betb-edenhtt King. I
will cut off, ($-e. ] Thus farrc the expofition. Now fomc note*
ofinftru^ion.
Tou will be pleafed to remember with me, my three pro-
pounded circumftances.
r I Thcpuni(her,theL«r</.
^ 2 The punifliment,4
J 3 ThepuHifhed,rAe<«^'<iWr40f o/Bikcath-Auen,
J, the King <?/Beth-cden.
From the firft circumftancc ; The Ltrd himfcifc taking
vengeance
AM05 1.5. Ill
vengeance into his owne hands, arifcth this doctrine.
It is prtfer t» the Lord t» execute vengeance vfen the wicked
for their finnet.
Which truth hauing beene often commended to your Chri- ^
ftianconfiderations, informerledlures,! nowlctpalfci
From all three circumftances of the fHni/her,the puni/hmeut,
ind thepuni/hedf ioyntly confidered^ arifc other profitable
do£^rines.
Firft wee fee^that the cutting off, of the inhabitant of Btkeath'
AHen,and of him that holdeth the fcepterout of Beth-edtn,\% the
ZW/proper workc. The lelfon which wee may take from
hence is this;
Ifo calamity, or miferjjbefalleth any one ofwhatfoeuer eflate,
or degree, hj chance, or at aduenture, '
It was an errourof thcPaynims to hold fortune in fohigh
ZCCOMn(-^^Tefaetmm,FertKna,Deam,eoele^locamtu. They
eftcemed her asa goddclfc, & afligncd her a place in Heauen.
They prcfenred her by the image of a woman, fitting fome^
times vpon a ball,foraetimes vpon a whecle,hauing wich her
a rafour,<:bearinginher righthandthefterne ofafiiip, in her
left, the home of abundance : by the rafour, they would giue 1^1,, 29.
vs to vnderftand, thatniecanacherplcafurecutofif, and end
cur happincirc; by the ball,or wheele,that flic is very prone to
volubility and changc;by the ftcrnein her right hand,that the
whole courfe ofour life is vnder hergouernmentjby the home
efabundance in her left handjthat all oui plenty is from her.
This palpable Idolatry ofthe6'^»ft/<r/, giuing the glory of
themojihioh, to their bafeand inglorious abominations, wee
Chrifiansmui\ vtterly renounce. We honor the Lord of kefs
alonc,and to him alone doewe afcribe the foueraingty,domi.
rion, and rule of the whole world. Such is the extent of Gods
wonderfull and eternalprouidence. The whole world with all
things therein,is wholly and alone fubieA to the foueraignty,
dominion, and rule of Almighty God ; by his all
things arc pieferued, all things arc ruled, all things arc er-
dered,
Thefc are the three degrees by which you may difcerncjand
take-
13:1-S
lU
Trtldtlnflit.
l:b.tpag.46.
<1 Pfd. 104.
• Tfal. 147.8.
eirPyai.104. 13.
f Ppi.104.l8.
irerf.ii.
^ Pfd. 104.16,
iPp/.i47.9.
^ Pp/.lQ4.1<f.
'Pp/.I04.i4.
The Tenth LeBure^:
take notice of the A£f ofdwiue frouidence. The firft is Qyadw
c&nferttAtiom^. The (ccond^GradmguterrtatioMu, The third,
Gradtu ardinattanu.Thc 6rft degree is o^tftainteHance, or pre-
ferttatian} the fccond is of riiU,^tidgouernmcnt 5 the third is of
ordination, and direClion,
The firll: degree, which I termedconferuationu
degree of maintenance, and preferuation, implieth thus
much; that all things in general], and cuery thing in particu-
lar,areby Almighty God iuftained ordinarily,in the fame ftate
ofnaturc.and naturall proprieties, wherein they were created.
This truth is excellently explained,104.6c 145.&147.
In which the Pfalmift ioyfully fingeth out, of the wonderfull
Profiidence of God in the maintenance and preferttation of
man,and euery other creature^thebeafts of the field,^hefoules
of the aire,the fiflics of the fea. ^ He fendeththefprtngs into the
v allies, that all the beafls of the field may drinke, and the rvilie
affes ^HCHch their thirfi, * Hee eouereth the heauen tvitb eltuds,
prepareth raiueftrtbe earth, and maketh graffe to frorv enen
vpon mountaines, that catted may hanefeod j he hath made
the momtainesUo l/e a refuge for goats,andreek^ifor conies: the
Lions, S roaring after theirprep,fee^e their meat at him.
You fee Gods care and prouidence for the preferuation of
the hearts of the field ;fec the like for the fowles of the aire. He
hath plantedthe^Cedars of LebanofSjfor birds to make their neft
there, and thefirre trees for the florkes to dweU in : the yeung^ra*
t/ens that cry vnte him, he feederh. Om Siuionr Tefm Chrif,
Matth. d.26» callsyourothisconfideration: ^Behold (faith he)
the fowles of heaHen\they few not, nor reape,ner carry into hams,
yet jour heauenly fatherfeedeththem,
Gods care and prouidence for the preferuation of his crea»
turcsjhcrereftethnot : itreachetheucn tothebottomeofthe
fea. There is great ^ Leuiathan • there are creeping things innu,
mer able,fmalt,and great ^allwhich wait vpon the Lord, that be
may gtue them food in duefeafon. Indue feafon hee giaes them
foed,andthejgather it^hf openeth his hand and they are fiSed with
good.O Lord how mamfoldare thy work's?Inwifdome hajlthou
made them, all; the whole world is full of thy riches.
The
A M o s I. 5« 113
prouidence, f ttxxntAgmdum gHherttAtioHif, the degree of
rule, and goucrninent. If implyeth thus much jthat Almigh-
ty God for his vnliroiced power, goucineth all things in the
world, and rukch them fro hbertate t/olmtatU euen as
heliRech.
This point is dcliucred not obfcurcly in many places of ho-
ly Scripture, as in thole gcnerall,and vniueifall fayines, which
doe prone God A lmigbty,eucn this day to work in the world,
and to doc all in all. In A'p. 43.13. thus laich the Lord j Tea,
before the day rva^, I am, and there is none that can delttter out
ef mine hand, IreiKdoeit, and who (hall let rV.? Agreeable to this
arc the words of our Sauieur, loh, 5.17. My father worketh
hitherto, and I werke. From both thefc places wee may traly
infcrre that God werketh in the gouernment of this world
day after day, eucn vntill the end thereof; which Saint Paul, ''
Efhef 1.11, auoweth 5 He workytb allthings after the tomfell
of his ervnc wiH,
To thcconfideration hereof SUhu ftirrethvp affliftcd
ffhap. 37. wifbing him to confidcrthe wonderousworkesof
God,theClouds,and his light fhining outofthcmjthethuH-
dcr,Gods maruellous and glorious voice; the fnow, the froft,
thewhirlcwind, therainej all thefe God ruletb, and gouer-
ricth after his good pleafure.
And who I pray you ruleth man,and mans affaires,but the
LordlO Lord, filth leretH.chap. 10.23. ^ k»ovo that thewajt
ef man is not in himfelfe, neither is it in man to reafke, and to dim
reli hisfieps. King Salomon conlclTcth as much, Preu. 20. 24.
The fieps of man are ruled by the Lord,
From this ruling prouidence of God, King Dauid, Pfal.
23.1. drew vnto himfelfe a very comfortable argument; The
Lotdfeedethme, therefore I [hall net want, Letvs ascomfor-
tably rcafon with our felucs; The l^otdfeedeth vt, therefore we
Qoa^not want.It is fpokcn to our neucr ending comfort by our
hhiXed Samotsr, Matth. \ 0.2g. Are not two jparrowes fold for
afarthtng,and one ef themfalleth not onthe ground without your
father? Feare ye not therefore, ye are of more value than ma-
ny fparrowes. In the fame place he further alTurctb, that all the
P haires
114 The Tenth LeBurc^.
kaircs of oar head are numlfred. Doth Gods carc reach to the
fatlingof the haires of oar head,zT\6 can wc doubt of his pcrpe-
tuall rule and goucrnment in the world ? It mu 11 Hand true:
Almighty God for hisvnlimitcd power goucrneth all things
in the world, and ruleth them pr® Ubertate volmtatU/«<,cuen
a$h;litleth.
The third degree, by which we may difcerne the aft of di-
nine prouidence, IcsWeAgraduw ordinationie, the degree of
ordiaatioa, or direSfioa. It implyeth thus much: that God of
his admirable roifdome ordaweth, andfettetbin order, vohatfo'
euer things in the world feem to be ntofi out of erder^ he bringetb
them all to his chiefly intended end', ailmuji mak^eforhis glorie.
In this diuineordination three things doe concurre: (fonfli-
tattoflnis 5 tttedierumadflnemdijpoftio ) and^i^ofltorumdi-
rellie. Firft, Godappointethanendtociieryth'mg', fccondly,
he dijpofeth meanes vnto the end j thirdly, hec direBeth the
mednet fe diJj>ofed.
To difcourfcof thefeparticulars leuerally,would carry mce
i>eyond my time, and your patience : 1 will but only touch
the generall, which was,
God of his admirable wifdome ordaineth, orfetteth in order,
whatfoeuer things in the world feente to he moft ostt of or'
der : he bringetb them aU to his chiefly intended end ; thej
all make for his glory.
Hereupon dcpendech the truth of my propounded doftrine
inuiolable;
Tito calamitie or miferie befaReth any one, of whatfoeuer eflate
or d egree, by chance, or at adatntnre.
For if ir be true, (as true it is, and the gates of Hell (hall
neur be able to prcuaile againtl it) that God by his wonder-
full prouidence, mainrainerh,and preferueth, ruleth, and go-
ucrneth, ordcrcth, difpofeth, and direfteth all things in this
World, cuen to the very haircs of our heads, it cannot be,tbat
any calamity, or mifery fhould befall any one of vs by aduen-
ture, by hap-hazard, by chance, by fortune.
The Epicure in the bookc of lob, 22.13. was in a fcule er-
rout to chinke, that God walking in the circle of heaurn, ean-
not
A M o s I. 5« ' * M
notthrtHjfh the iarke r/oW/fceournaifdoingt, andW^/vs
forthcrn. Dcarely btloucd, wcraaynotthir.kcourGodtobe
a ® God to halfcs, and in pare only : aGodaboue, and not
beneath themootic : a God vpon the tnountaincs, and not
inchcTalliet ; a God in the greater, and notin thclcircr em-
ploymcnts. We may not thui thinJce.
We haueliucd long enough, to hauclearned better things
out of ty^mos 9. lerem 2 3. Pfa/. 1,9. that God is cuery where
prcfcnr, and that there is no eualion from him. No corner Sem.^.\niam(s
in Hell, nomanlion in lieauen, no cauein thetopofC^rme/, 4- lo.&infrs
no fifhes belly in the bottonie of the Tea,no darkc dungeon in
theland ofcaptiuitie, noplaceofany fecrecie any where, is
able to hide rs from the p rcfence of God,
Wee hauelearned, Zacb.^. to. that God hathfcues eyes,
which goe thorow the whole world. You may interpret them
with me, many millions of eye/. Heis*f»/«aOcvi.vs, al- , .
together eye.for he fceth all things.We hauclearncd,£/<rf.4o.
12. that God hath hands to meafurethe waters, and to fpam
the heauens. You may interpret it with me, that he hath many tmt aurtm, im
millions of bands: H e is totm LMantu, altogether band-fot he ^ eutqui
work,etb all things. Wc haue learned, Matth. 5.3 3. that God ?
hath feet to fet vpon bisfoot-floole. You may interpret it with Egoeuiem dicot
me,that hehach many milions of feet: He istotm Pe/jaltoge- quod Dm tern
ihex foot,fot he u everywhere. Oculwefi, toius
We lhall then be very iniurious to God, if we deny him the
ouerfightof therraalleftmattcrs.Theholy Scripturcsdoeeui- oevtus efi, quia
dently fhew, that he examineth the leaft moments, and tittles omnia videt.Te-
in the world that wc can imagine, ■ toahandfullofmeale, to tus Manns efi^
acrufcof oylcin apoore widowcs houfe, to the falling of
fparrowes to the ground, to the clothing of the gralfc in the qukvliqut
held, to the feeding of the birds of the aire, to the caluing of
hindes, to the nutnbringofthehairesofour heads. ° Snprafag.io.
Wherefore (dearely bcloued in the Lord) whatfoeucreala-
mity or raifery hath already feizcd vpon vs, or fhall hereafter
oucrrake vs,let ys not lay it vpon hitHde Fortune, but look c we
to the hand that ftrikcth vs. Hcc, who is noted in my texcr«
cut of the inhabitant tf/Bikcath-Aucn, and him that boldeth the
P » fcefter
The Tenth LeBure^.
fcepterotit f/'Bcth»cden, cucn H'c it is, that for our fins brin-
geth vpon vs calamities, and miferics.
The late fearcfull floud, raging rpon this land to the vtter
deftru£tion of great ftbrcof ca(tell,and much people; and the
late rot of fiiccpe in this, and other places ofthis land, are
Gods vifitations vpon vs for our finnes, and admonifiiments
for vs to amend our Hues.
Shall there ht emll'tnacitj^ai^^the Lord hath net done iVrTaith
Ainos,chap.i,6,\i% out of qucftion ; there is no euill in the ci-
ty, no, not in the world,bucihcLordj finger is in it; and that
iuftly, for our finnes lake.
What tcmaineth, but that we rent our hearts,and turne vnto
theLordour God i He is gracious, raercifull, flow to anger,
of great kindnelTe, andrepcnteth him of euill. How know
we, whether hc'will recurriG, and repent, and leauc a bleffing
behinde him for vs i Let vs therefore goe boldly vnto
the throne of grace, that wee may rccciuc
mercy, and finde grac^ to hclpe in
time of need.
•V
- THE
Eleuenth Ledure,
Amos 1.5-
The people of AxiVO PMllgoe into captiMitj vnto Kir, faith the
L<nd,
Ee goe on with that which yet rcmaineih
vncxpounded in this
The people of Aram ] Aram rcgiRrcd
G<f«,io,2l. tobconeof the Tons of i'fTw,
was the father, author, or founder of the
^ramites, ox Syrians, ' whcreofit is, that 'TremeliMs&
the Scythians, after their return e out of A fa and Sjr^, were wiiiet. m Gtmf
alAcd Aramei, Aramita, Plin,lib.6.eap,\j» This country of 10. w.
Aram, or Syria, wasdiuidcd into fundry regions.
I Sam. 10.8. You may read o{Aram Soba, Aram Rehoh,
Aram lihtob, and Aram Maacah 5 from which prouinces
there went a multitude of Aramites to aid the Ammemtes, in
their warre againft King Dauid. The fucctlfe of their expedi-
tionis recorded trer/i the 18. Dauiddefiroyed feHeabstndred
chariots of the Aramites, and forty thoufand htrfemen. So let
them all perip, who make headwind band chcmfclucs togsther
againfithe Lords anneintad*.
3 Sam.
B
118 The Eleuemh LeBurc^t
a Sam.Z.SM You may read of ty4rsm oiDamafctu; out of
which part there went a great multitude tofuccour HuAadt-
*fr, King of 5»^<t,againft DnHtd. Their fucceirc is recorded in
thefame place, DrfxiW flew of the Aramitesxvio andtwentic
thoufandmen. 'fir imKil-n let them alllikewife pc-
rifli, who make head and b^ttd themfelnes togrthir agnin^ the
Lords anojnted.
I C^raw. 19. d. You may read of Aram Naharaim, which
is by interpretation Aramof thermtrs, that is, Aram\yivi^
betweene the two great riuers, Suphrafes and Hgru, com-
> Rtrtrm. Cm- monly knowne by the name of Mefepotamia. And thefc
faiat. Gram, Syriant gaue aid vnto the Ammonites againfl Danid, and were
Hebr. & Aram, partakers in their oucrthrow.
mPrajat. 2 8,5. You may read of Padan cArnm, whither the Pa-
trUrch lacob was by his father Ifaac fent/o make choice of his
wife of the daughters of Laban. Tremedittt and Itmisu in their
note vpon Gen. doe make this Padan-Aram to bee a
part of Mefepotamiat that part which is called by Ptelpmce
Ancabaritit,
Thus doth the holy fpiritin the facred Scriptures defcribe
vnto vsthccountryof^r^wmitspartsj AramSeba, Aram
Rehob, Aram I^tob, Aram Maacah,Aram of Damafciu,Aram
Nabaraim, and Padan Aram.
Here t-Aram, put without any adiun£l to limit it to any
one region, may betoken all Syria, diuided by out Pro-
phct t^mof in this one verfc into three parts , vnder the
three names of Damafcm, Bikeath-Atten, and TSetb-eden,
asTremellisu2nd fttnisishincaotcd j vnderflandingby
mafcsu, thecountry adioyning, the wholecoafl of D(rc<(0«/» j
by Bikeath-Auen, the country called Chamatbat which way
Syria bordercth vpon Arabia^ furnamed the Defart \ by
Beth-edent the whole country of Cmlefyria, wherein flood
the city Eden.
The people ] that is, pcrfons of all forts DtM only the ruder
multhude, but the noble alfo: the woid is general!, and con-
tainethall.
SbaUgee intecaptitiityYlbcy fliallbe cariiedaway from their
natiue
• Hiiera.
^ Ar'ioi Mo»-
tanks.
' ^pkdDru-
A M O s r. 5. 119
natiue country into a ftrange land in flauery and bondage.'
not vnto Cjrtna, <= a noble city in that part of
.Africa, which is callcd'Pentdpoiis (thcnatluccountry oH C<j/-
Itmachm the poet, and Sratofihsnes the hiftorian, ) as * lena-
thdHi and Symmachus, and S. Hicreme doc fceme to vnder-
(land, and SufclfiKs, and the author ofthe ordinary g1ofre,and
Winckltman doe cxprcfly affirme ; but vnto Kivt a city in the
feigniories, ordominionr of the king of Afjria, as xbcHe-
brevaes, and beft approued expcficors, doe auouch. TrimcUim
and [untM rpon the a Ki»gt rd. 9. doe vndcriland by this
Kir, that part of Media, which from this captiuity was called
Sjromedia; It was named ir/r,that is, by interpretation
bccaufc it was round about compaffed with the hil Zagrm, as
with a wall.
This deportation, and captiulry oUhe Syriant, was foretold
by our Prophet '^almoft fifty yeares before it was fulfilled. It f Annoregni
was fulfilled inthedaycsof.<4i&/t^i. King of ludah, who fcnt
raeifengers to Tiglath Pz/e/fr.King of Affyria,iot helpe. Ttg-
lath Ptiefer contented vnto him, wentvpagainft Damafcttt,
tookei^, flew Rea:.in Kingoffc/^r/»»»,and carried away captiuc
the people of Aram into Kir. Thus is the (lory exprefiy deli-
uered, 1 King.j^.
Thus farre the cxpofirion ofthe words.peep/e]not only
the ruder multitude, but the nobles alfo, of Aram ] not of Da-
mafcsu oncly, but of all Syria, (hall goe into capiinity ].fhall bee
carried away captiue hyTigUth^ptlefer, King of A0ria,yn'
to Kir] 2 part of Media.
This accordingly came topalfe. For it could nootlierwile
be j the Lord, true in all his promifes, and thrcatnings, whofe
words iteyea, and tAmen, he hath faid it. The people of Aram
ftiadgoe into captiuity vnte Kmj faith the Lord, Now to the
notes of infiru^lion.
Here mufl Icommend vnto you ( as I Iiaue doneout^fthe
precedent claufes) three circumftances: xtxepttnifhcr, thepu-
mjhedftht punifiment,
I Thep«»i/5er jtheLflrdbyhisinftrument, Tiglath-Pile-
f r, King ofiAIfyria.
1 The -
~ The Eleuenih Lefluf^i
1 Thepatiifhsd, the Aramites, or S)iria»s, of all forts, the
• ruder, and the noble.
3 The fantjhmcnr, a deportation, or cArrji*ig into cap'
timtj.
This third circumllancc isamplified by the place. Their
captiuity, bondage, and flaucry, was to be in an vnknowne,
ftrange, and farre country; Ktr in Media.
From the firft circunaftancc of the paniflier, the Lord
of hofts imploying in his feruice the King of A^yria, for
the carrying oi the Aramitet, or Syrianr, into captiuity,
we arc put in minde of a well knowne truth in diuinity:
Almighty Gsdin hitgeuerMment of tbg world, worketh ordi'
narilj by meants or fecond caufts.
I fay ordinarily; becaufe extraordinarily, he workcth fomc-
time without meanet, fbtnetime againflmeanes. Ordinariljhe
workcth by meanest knd they are of two forts.
Defnite; fuch as of their natural], and internall principles,
doe ofneceflity produce foraecertainc effects. So the fire bur*
ncth,the water drowneth.
Indefinite ; fuch as arc free, and accidental! agents, hauing
in thetnfelues freedomeof will to doe,or not to doe.
In this ranke you may place I'ofephs brethren , at what
time they field him to the Ifimaelites, Gen. 37.28. they field
him not of necefEty, they might haucdone otherwife. In
this ranke you may place Shimei, for his carriage towards
King Dauid, 2 Sam. 16. 6. His throwing of fionet at the
King, and railingypon him, was notofneccffitiejhcmight
hauc done otherwife. And the King of eAfiyria carried
into captiuitie this people of am, not ofnccefficy; hee
might haue left vnto them their natiue country, lands, and
poiredions.
Allthefe;)?rf,w4rer, lofiepht brethren, rayling Shimei, the
King efAfyria,zad whatfoeuer elfe like the(ejmeanet,or fiecond
catifies 5 definite, or indefinite; necefary, or contingent j are but
infi-rumentt, by which Almighty God in bis gouernmcntof
the World workcth ordinarily.
God laid waftc <yed<we,C7ew»rr4)&,and their fiftcr Cities: he
did
X,
Amos r. 5^ m
did it by fire, Geu.tg.i^. God dcftroyed eaery thing thtt was
vpon the earth rrojn man to beaft, to the creeping thing, and
to the fowlc of the heauen ( onely was Notih faued, and they
that were with h im in the Arlcc)the reft he deilroyed by water,
gen. 7.23 .God fcnt lofefh into to prefcrue his fathers
poderity, and CO faue t^cxaiWuthy a.great deliueranee, as/e*
feph himfclfc confc(Tcth,(7f».4y.7.Thiswas Godsdei>tg,hMtYic
did it by lofephs owne brethren, who (you know) f»U him to
the tfm at lite S.God fcnt an adliflion vpon Damd for his good,
by curfedfpeaktng, and throwmg offio^eswherein 7) ac-
knowiedgeth Gsisfrfpeciall finger, 2 Sam, 16.11, The thing
was gods doing. He did it by Shimei,tbt fonne of lemini, God
fpakc the word concerning the people of <iAram, that they
(hould ^0 into capttuitj, as appearech i n my text: God fpake the
Word,and it was done. therefore fent the people of Aram m-
to eaptiuity,but he did it by Tiilath'Pilefer,Kmg of Afjria,
All thefe ^ (though 1 faid it before,! fay it againe) All thefe';
fire, water, lefephslsrtthrtrt, ray ling Shimet,tht Kingof Ajfj'
ria, and whatfoeuerelfe like thefe, meanes, 01 fecendeaafes %
definite, or indefinite i neceffary, or contingent i arebutinfttu-
ments, by which Almightie God in his goucrnment of the
world ordinarily workerh.
Thisdoftrineof Almightie God, working ordinarily by
meanes,mvy fcruetoour vie fundry wayes.
1 It may mouc vs to a due confideration of that abfolute
right, and power, which God holdeth ouer all his creatures.
This truth 1 haue heretoforedeliuered vntoyou in my eighth
Lcfture vpon this Prophecie, in this propofition J As is the
fire,fo are aUother ereatnres at the Lords eommandement, to he
imployed hj him in the pHotfhment of the wiekfd.
2 It may teach vs, that hath a louing regard, and re-
fpe£ltoour>«/5rwi/i>/,as weUknowing, (for he knowethall ^
things) that in doubtfullmattcrs we vfe often tolooke backc,
and to haue recourfc to meaner, or feeondcattfes,
3 It may moue vs to obedience, and thankfulnelTe: that
wecontemnenotthewM»«, or fecondcastCet, by which God
workech; for this were to tempt God} but that w? thankful-
CL ~ Jy
ill'.: ft
'"''I
rSii:;..:,'^!,
■iSllf'fi
.fl
111 g The Ekuenth LeBhrc^.
1/ embracethctn, tod commit their iiFuc, cucnr^ and rucceile
God,that workcth by them,
4 Jcmceteth wichaperuerreopinionofruch, asdoe hold
that all/Vr0»<^ caufeJitc nccdictre, and vnprohrabic, becaufe
-God by hii fartifular fronidenee dirtfteth, and bringeth to
pade all things in the world.
Thuswillthefemcn reafon; If it be determined by Gods
froutdence,t]\2t 1 lhall recoucr my health, there is no need that
I y(c Phyfck^: and ifit beocherwafcdeccrmincd/hac I (hall P6t
rccot)er,in vaitw alfo (hall I vie<thehelpe oiPhjrfiek,. Againe,ff
it be determined that (ball haue no power eucr me, I
(hall efcape from outthemiddcftof many: but if it be other-
wifedecetmined> that i (hall be fpoiled by thcmt I ilhall not
efcape thefti,no,though I be in mineownchoufc. Great is the
iniury which theic dilputers doc o(Fa vnto God.
For anfwer to them, I muft grant, that God hath a very
fpeciallcareoucrvs, to defend vsj and that we are no cime
fafe, but by his prtutdtHce j but meanc while, to mak e vs well
allured of his good will towards vs, be hath ordained /ceetid
eauftt, zndmfAHet for vs, at all opportunities, and times con-
uenient to vfe, in which, and by which, it plcafeth his hea-
uenly Maieftie to worke cfFe£lually.
The rule in diuinity is good, P0^tAprtnidgntidparticti/ari,
m» tollmtur de tnedit omnetcaHfa ftcunda: It is not nccedarie,
that-thejfry? zndprincipall being put, the/ecgnd and in-
firttmcntnflcaufe (Iiould beremoued, and taken away.Thc.S'««
doth not in vaine daily rife, and fet, though God creaicrh
light, attddaikneirc; the;/(<r/</r are not in vaine (owed, and
waited with rainc, though God bringeth fotth the corne out
ofthcearth^ our Ww arc not in vaine with food rcfrefired,
thoughGod bethclifc, andlengthof ourdayes. -Neitherare
we in vaine taught to belceuetn Chrifl,ro hearc»he preaching
of the GofpelJj to dereft finnsvt® loue rigbreOufnelfe, to con-
forme our Hues vnro found do£lrinc, chough eur faluatioir,
and life etcrnallbethclrcegift of God. For God hath from
euerlaftiog decreed, as theendf, fothemeaneszUo, which he
hath p^fCribed vmo vs^ by thtm toiaritig vs to the end/.
This
-—
Amos I. 5]
Thli th« ^xtitFathtr of t his age, ZMKchita attriifttit
US
*Dei, cxprcflyauowetli; H»7T&^//iscon-
cerninglifecccrnali: H^hofotuer arc fredtfUnated tathe endtthej
»re al[o fredefiinated t$ the meanes,vi>ith'»ttt which the end cannet
pcJJihlj beohteited. For example; whofoeucr arc prededioaccd
to eternnd life, (as all we,cbi$<lay anrrmbled,hope we arc) rbcy
are alfo prcdellinated co the meanes, by which life eternail may
be obtained.
Thefemeanesvntoeternalllifeareoftwoforts ; x.Sotnc
are necefarp vnto mH, of whatfoeoer age, or fex: and they arc,
Chri^, (as our Mcdiatour,and high prieft) his obedience, and.
righteoofneirc; oorefFeftuall vocation ynco^'-t)? by the ho%
ly Ghoft) our iuHification ;bur glorihcation. Thefc are fo nem
cejfarj vnte all, that without thetn none can be faued. And
therefore are inwardly, and after a fecret roan-,
lier by the holy Ghoft called, and iullified,, that they maybe
gloribcd.a.Some annexed vnto thefe utnecefary coo,^«r net
to alU Not to Infants^ becauic they are nut capable of them ;
yet to alt that are growne to yeares of vnderftanding | and
thefeareAfluall faith, the hearing of the Word, a hatred of
Gnne, the loue of nghtcoufnelTe, patience in aduerflcie, a de«
(ire of doing good workes. All thefc meanes, we, that arc
growne to yearcs ofvnderllanding, mull: embrace, and take
hold of, euery one according to out c3pacities,or elfe wc lhall
neucr enter into eucrlalling life j but. our portion fliall be in
that lake, wHidbis prouided for die DeuiH aiU Mi $
(rotn whichGod Almighty keepevsall-. ■
Thus farre occadoned by ray firft circumftancc, the circutn-
llanccof the/>w«//&fr; God'by the Kiiigof fcncimo
captit/itiethepeoflctf Atam. M/'dioflrinevvas,
Imightie God in hiscgouevHm^nt tftbe loorldwer^h ord^i^
nariljf hy meaHeSy,»rfecondc«ttfes. , -a
The fccond c.^cumdanceis of the pttnijhed: the Aramitet of
alirorts,thcruder,&theobble.T/beyfc^ic4/":f^r4«w.Toground
fomc doctrine hereon,you muft note with roc the quaUty,and
condition of thefc AramiUi. They were profelfed to
the people of God. This appeateth before in the third vcrfe,
where
■li
The Eleuemh LeBurc^.
where they are noted, to hauc cxercifcd mod batbarous aucl-
tieagainft the Gile4dites, a parccll of Ifrael^ to haue threfhei
$hcm with threfhing ittfirnmentt ef Ir0n, Thefc Aramites, or
Sjridns,iQt(o highly ofFoiding, God rcndcthinto captiuity.
The doftrine is,
fhsHghtht Lord daevfehu enemies, Minflrnments, to cor-
reEihii ow»e/er»tants, and children i jet urillhe in his due
time, otterthrtw thofe his enemies, with a Urge mea/nre of
hit iudgements,
Gods holy practice in this kinde, fpecially regidred in Ton*
dry places of hit eternal! Word, mod euidently declareth this
trutL. The Ifrnelites were kept in thraldeme^ and bondage,
Bianyyeatesby theey£^yt»4»/. The cASgrptians, they were
buttbc weapons of Gods wrath, wherewith he affli£led his
people 5 they were Gods weapons : were they therefore to
efcape ynpuniHied ? No, WitnelFe thofe ten grene pUgttes,
which at length God wrought vpon them, and their fcarefull
•uerthrowintheredfea, at large fet downe in the booke of
Exodm, from the fcucnth Chapter to the end of the four«
tcenth. This was it, which God laid vnto Abraham, Gen. ly.
13 J14; Know for a fnrety, that thj feed JbaBbe a firanger in 4
Land, that it not theirs, fostro. hmdred jearet,^nd JhaB fertte^
them, and they fhaHmtreat them ettiB ^notwithfiandingthe Na-
tion, whom they (haHfertte, wilt I indge, -
Ahabf thdmod wicked of the Kings of 7^4<^, who fold
himlelfe'to wotke^ickednede inthe fight of rhe Z,#r/, ant}
hisaccurfed wife, were Gods injlrstmnts to afflift
Nahoth with the lode of his life, and Vineyard. Ahah, and
Jex.ehet.vievcGodiinlirtiments.'^btc they therefore to efcjpe
Tnpunilhed? No. Witnedctboththeir ^dsr the endof
Aab,record^/t lTing.zt >fS*rf»thepUee,'^inhere dogges hckei
the blond e/Nabothidid d<tggeS'tick» th^blondof Ahab W/o jand
^heend of It xtebef regidr^ rhot Kings Shee wot eaten
<Vp with d9gget,aS,'faiH»g her sl(nli,her feet, and-the paimes if
her hands.
Itwasapartof Z>4wV/hisaffli£ljcmitobecadintotheden
Lions. Hfsaccafcrs yhtoD^rw wcrcthc/«^r4we»f/of his
C'"' affliaion»
AMOS 1.5. 12 j
affliftion. Thefehi'8 acciifers were the Lords inflrumentsht
this buHntirc. Were they therefore to efcape vnpunifheci f No.
Their fcarcfull end i$ fee downe^Dan,6.2^. Bj the CammAfi'
dement of Kmg Darius ihejt veith their mues,4itidchildrenjsetre
cetfl into the den of Lions, the Ltons had the maflerj ofthem/tnd
brake all their bones infeeces, ere efter thej came to the gronnd
of the den.
The time will not fulFcr me to recall to your remembrances
all the iu;.^gcincntsof God of this qualitic, written downe in
the Regifter ol Gods worker, his holy Word} how, and what
herendrcdto % Haman, to ^Sennacherib, to ^loaehem, to the ' Efio''7.to.
^ jimmonites, to the' Chaldeans, to the " Idumeans, and other *
wicked worldlings, for their hard meafure offered to his chil-
dren, though they were therein his owncThe k icrem.
afore-mentioned inflances of the «y£gyptMns, of Ahab, and ' 49.^.
\\\iVi\{cIfo:.ef>el, ividoi Daniel his accufers, mayferuefor the
declaration of my propounded doff rine, - £\«i).3y.a.
Though thi Lord doe vfe his enemies, as inftruments, to corm
refl his oteneferuantsiandchildren 5 yet mill he in his due
time, osserthrow thofe his enemies, veith a large meafure of
his indgements.
The reafon hereof is; bccaufeCods iuflicccannotlet them
efcapc vnpunifhed. Siior Paul exprclTecb it,3 Thef.i.CJt is a
reghteeus thing with ^od to recompence tribulation to them that
trouble you. Let this be our comfort, whenfoeuer the wicked
fhall rage againft vs.For hereby are we affured, when the Lord
(hall (hew himiclfe from heaucn with his m^ghtie Angcils in
flamingfire,thatthentoihew/ci^<'ii^,whofebchauiourtowards '
the godly is proud, and defpiteous, he will render vengeance,
andpuntlh them with euerlafiingperdition.
Saint/'efrr tomakcvsIfedfaft in this comfort,difputetb this
point,£^.i.cA<»p.4.i7.Theptointheprouech by.an argument
drawne/z minori, inferringfroni a rrtlih to carnaij mens vnder-
ibndtng IclTcprobablej a truth of greater probabilitie. ludge-
ment (faith he) beginnethat the heufeofGod; Jf it fir ft be(tn at
vs,vehat(ballbe theendofthem,vehtehobey not the Gojpellof Qodi
Andtfthe righteous fcarfiy be faued.where the v»godly,and
Q^3 iht
f
■t-i
'it'
i
k
i
viii
t
• iii
'■L
11 c The Eleuenth LeBurcJ:
the (inner appenre ? Our Sautours words, Lak-if .31. doe con*
tainea like argument: If they dee thefe things te mgreene tree,
what fhsllite done to the dry f Tolikcpurpofcin leremASA*)^
faich the Lord of HoaftsrLffe / begin to plngne the city rehere my
name u called vpoM, and (bail yoft g»e free ? Tee fhillnot gotfree.
Hitherto I rcferrc alfo one other text, E^ai, 10.12. where it
isfaid, that God, when he hath done, and difpatchcd all hia
worke vpon Adonnt Sion, willvifit the fruit of the proud heart
of the King of j4ffyria) the meaning of tiie place is, that God,
when he hath fufficiently chaftifed and correfled thofc of his
owne houfe, his beloued children, will turne his fword a-
gaindthe fcorneri of his Maieftie. When God hathferued bit
owne turne by the mcked, then comes their turne alio; how-
' foeuer for a while they flourifh, in hope to efcapc Gods hand,
and to abide vnpunilhed, yet will God in due time well
enough hnde them out, to pay them double.
The vfes of this doflrine lean but point at. Oneis, toad-
Bionifli vs, that we fpice not any of the wicked, who now doe
line in red, becaufe their turne to be punilhed mud come,and
faile not. The further it is put off from them, the heaiiier in
the end it w ill fall vpon them.
Afecond vreis,to teach vs patience in affliidionsjforas much
as God will fliortly caufe the cup to pairefrom vs to our aduer-
faries. But fay,he will not. Yet ncuerthelclfe are we to poffetre
ourfoules in patience^ reioycing and gluing thankesto God,
who bath made vs worthy, not only to beleeuc in him, but al-
foto fuffer for his fake. For we haue learned, A£l, 14.21,
That through many afjitfiiontwe mufi enter into the kingdoms of
Cod,
The Prophets,and Apodlcs, and Martyrs, which were not
only reuiled and fcourged, but alfo beheaded, cut in perces,
drowned in water,conrumcd in firc,by other tyrannicali dcui-
CCS cruelly put to death,thcy all by this way rccciued the raani'
fed token oftheir happy and bletfed cdate,and entrcd into the
kingdomeof God. And we vndoubtedly know, 2 Cor.^.i,
That if our earthly heufe of this tabernacle he de/lroyed, toe haue
ahuild'tngof God,an btuft not made with bandtihutet email in the
heauent. Thus
A MOS I. 5; 127
Thusfarreofmy fecondcircumftancej the circumflancc of
theftm'tfhed, the Aramitcs, profcircd enemies vntoGodyycc
by him employed in the corrc£l:ion of hisownechildren, the
/[raelites, arc here themfelues punilhed. My doilrinc was.
Though the Lord doe vfehii enemies, as infiruments, to cor'
re fi his owne ferua»ts,aad children :yet vtili be in due time
etterthrow thofe his enemies, with a large meafnre of hie
iftdgements.
The third circumftance isythcftini/hment, agoing into eaptL
uity: amplified by the place. This captinitie, bondage, and
flauery,wastobcinanvnknownCjftrange, anda fartecoun-
trey ; Kiria Media, The people of AramfhiW goe into cap-
tiuiticvnto/T/r. Thedoftrincis,
Ferthefnneofa Land, God oftentimes fendeth away the in-
bahitants into captinitie.
Captiuitie to be an efFe£l,or punin)menrof finnc,Kirg Ss'
lomon in his prayer made to the Lord at hisconfecration, or
dedication of thcTemple, 1 X'«/»^.8.4<>.acknowiedgeth. It is
cxprefly deliucrcd, i Cbron.^.i.oi x,[\c ifraelitesithzx^ottheir
tranjgreffims they were carried away captiue vnto BaheL In
8.41. among the carfcs threatned to all fuchasare re-
bellious, and difobedicntto Gods holy Comraandeoicnts,
faptiuttte is ranked, andreckoned.
I Jet palfe the multitude ol Scripture-places fcruingto this
point; my Tcxt is plaine for ir. The Aramttes for their three
tranfgre0aHs,andfor fcure for thcK many finnes,for thcirlinne
ofcruclty, forthre(hing,(?//e«i(a/ with thrcJhinginftruments of
Iron,W£retogocinto^l»pti«<t7.My do£frinclf3nd€th firme;
For the ftnne of a Land, ^qd oftentimes (endeth away the in-
habitants tat0 captmttie,
Imoffaptinitie? Into what kindcof captinitie? For there
is a Ipiritnall captinitie.znd zcrparallcapttuilie^^zcaptiuitie of
thcminde, &T)6zeaptinitie of the body. Both are verygric-
uons, but the firft more.
The firllyWhklt-I call r\\tfptrituallcaptmty,in<izcaptitiitie
oftlie minde* isafrf7/i«»>;vndertheDenill,vndcf the power
of HcJl^vndcr death,vnder fin,vaidej( theccernall malediiilion
or
ii8
TbeEleuemb Le^'ureZ^,
or crtrfc of the Law, propounded to euery one, that doth not
in all points, and abfolutcly, obcytheLaw. This C4/>t#«iry i$
ahcauieyoake to all tnankinde, confidercd without Chrifi. E-
uery one, male, and female, that hath no parr in Chrifi, euery
vnbeleeuing and reprobate perfon, is in this conftruftion,
euentothisdayawpf*^. Andfuch alfo wcrcwc, bythecor-
ruption of our nature vponour firft Father AdAws dtfault:
but now are we by the facrifice of the immaculate Lambe,the
J^grd leftu, ranfomcd, and freed- For to this pnrpofe was he
fcnt into the world: as it is euidcnr,£/i/.di. i. and Luk: 4.18.
In both places hee profelfeth himfelfe to bee lent into the
world for ttiis end,eucn to publiOi ltl>eriy,iLn6freed(>9ig to cap-
tfuef,ind the imfrifoned; which his office he hath gracioully
performed. By his Word of grace he hath fo freed our confcien-
CCS, formerly opprelTed with,and captiae vnder fin^ that now
thetc is no condemnation to vsjto vs,l fay,who are in Qjrifi:,
and dotwalkt after the (pfrft,is Saint Paulfpeakethji^^m.S.i.
This is it which our Sauiour foretold the lewes, lohn 8.3 d.
If the Sonne (hall make you free,jeu (had he free indeed. Be it re-
pcated againe to our ctcrnall comforts: If the Sonne fiaH make
vsfree, we fhahhe free indeed. But he hath made vs/rer: for
therefore was he {em,topHhlifblihertie,andfreedome tocaptiues^
he hath paid our ranlbrac,^'w innocent,and mefiprecietu bloud:
by it are we throughly wafhed, and cleanfed from our (Inncs.
Now there is no condemnation to vs. Thus freed from our
^iritHattcaptiuity,\AondzgCyZtid (lauery vnder Hell,death,and
fin, let vs with boldneile looking vp to the throne of Grace,
whereon (itteth the Author,and Finifherofourfaithjfay with
the blelTed Apoille, i Cor.lj.yy.O T> eath,where is thy fiingl
O Hell, where is thy viHary ? the fling ofdeath is finne, and the
firength of ftnne is the Law. But tbanket hetoGod, who hath
giuen vt viBery, through leftts (fhrifl our L ord.
The faptimty in my tcxt,isof theothcrkind,acorporallcap'
tiuitie,icaptimtie of the body, which vfually is accompanied
with two great mifcrics,pointed atjPy^/.i 07.1 o The firll, they
dwell in iarkntjfe and in the fhadow of death - the fccondyhej are
hound in unguijhf and Iron. Firft, thej dwelt in darkyefli, and in
the
A M OS I.
thefhadow tf death, that is, they arc put into deep dungeons,
void of light, whereby they arc as it were at deaths doorc. Sc-
condiy, they are homd inangnijh, andtron, that is, day and
night they are loadcn with fetters, gyucs, or Hiacklcs of iron j
foloaden,rhar they findeno reft vnto their bencs. Thus muft
it be with them, who by finfull liuing prouokcthcLWto
highdifpleafure. Thus is ray do£frineconfirmed;
For the Jin ofa land, Cj od oftentimes fendeth away the inhahi*
tants into captiuity.
Is it true,bcloucd ? Doth God eftentimesfor the pn of a land
fend away the mhabitants into captifiity ? Let vs make this Chri>
ftianvfcofit: eucn to powrc out our fcluet in thankfalnefte
before Almighty God for his wondetfull patience towards
vs. The fins of fnch Nations, as haue beene punilhed with
captiuity, were they more gricuous in Gods eyes, than ours
arci It is not be imagined.
Our fins are as crimron-like,and as rcarlet-like,as euer were
theirs;thc fins of our land,cryingfins;^rA«/>we,/rreAifie«,<?^-
prejfion,Extortion, CoHetoufnefftyVfury, Adultery,Fornication,
yncleanneJfeJDrunhennefe, and many like abominations of the
old man in vs,all our wor^sofdarknesjtbcyhaue made head to-
gether, and haue impudently and fhamclefiy preifcd into the
prefcnce of Almighty God, tovrgehimtopowreforththc
vials of his wrath and indignation vpoii vs. Yct our God^ood,
graeiom,mercifuH,lengfuffering,zrtd of great kindnes, withhol-
dcth, and ftayeth his rcuengetull hand, from laying vpon vt
his great punifhraenc of Captiuity: and fufFereth vs to podeirc
our habitations in peace, and to eat the good things of the
earth : O, let vs therefore cenfejfe before the Lord hUlouing
kin/lueffe, and declare before the fennes of tsten the good thingt
that he hath done for vs.
Here (dcatcly bcloucd) let vs not prefumc vpon God his pa-
tience, to lead our liues as we lift. We cannot bur fce.that God
is highly offended with vs already,though yet he be not pica-
{zdtoeyxcatehiiforejiiudgements vpon vs. Gods highdif-
pleafurc againftvs, appeareth in thofe many vifitations, by
which he hath come neerevnto vs, within ouriuemories. I
R may
lip
B
150
TbeEleuentb Le&urc^.
may not fiand to ixa^\\^ty\):\tSf*ni(hfmrd Ihaken oiier va,aad
thegre4t famine brought vpon v« in our late Q^enet daies.
Our now graeious Soueraignc hath not long fate at the ftcrne
of this kingdomc.But few ycarcsarc palfcd ; and yctthofcfew
hauc afforded manifcft tokens of Gods fore difpleafure at vs.
Hauc not many thoufands of our brethren (hjplynot fo
grieuous finncrsas we) bccne taken away by the defiroying
Angell, and yet theis notccafed? Vnleife we repent,
and amend our lines, we may likcwifeperifh. Haucnotmany
ofour brethren (toomany, ifit might hauelecmcdotherwife
to Almighty God) hauc they not partly pcrifhcdtiiemfeiucs.
AnJOmiioj partly loft theircattcll, andfublbnce, in "thisyecres
fuch water/,2i ourforc-fathcrs hauc fcarcelyobferucd the like?
If wc willnot our felues from our euill doings; we fee,
Gcd is able to wafh vsextraord inarily.Thc vnfeafonablc wea-
ther giuen vs from Heauen to the rotting ofour fheepe, is but
Gods warning to vs of a greater mifery to befall va, vnleirc we
will returne from our euill waies.
Wherefore (beloucd)letvi with one heart, and mind, re-
folue for hereafter to caft away all workes of darknclfe, and to
put on the armour of light; take we no further thought for
pur flefh, to fulfill the lulls ofir,. Walkc we from henceforth
honeftly, asin the day.
Whatfoeuer things arc true, and honefl,and iuft, and pure,
' anddoepcrtainctoloue,andareofgoedreport, if there bee
any vcrtue, or praire,thinke we ^n thefetfaings. Thinke we on
thefc things to doe them, and we (hall not need to fearc any
going into eaptiuity j y ca the defiroying AngeRfhall hauc no
power puer vs j the traging waters mall hot hurt vsj oar
catteU, and whatfoeuer elfe we enioy, fhall profper
.vnder vs. ForGod,euen ourowncGod,
fhall giuc vs his bicfling.
THE
Twelfth Lcdure.
Amos i. 6.7,8.
J, ' '
Thuf ftith the Lord ) Ftr three tranfgrtjfiens of Azzah, and
farfemre,! wiU not tnrne to it,l>eca(tfe thej cnrr'udaveaj frife-
tiers the vshole c*ptitiftj,topiHt them vp in Edom.
Therefore will I fend a firevpott the waHs of Azzah, and it fissd
desteure the Pa/aees thereof,
ulnd IwiH cut off the inhabitant from AHidod, and him that heU
deth thefcepter from AHikclon, and turne mine hand to E-
kron, and the remnant of the Philiftincs (hallpertfhf faith the
Lord God,
Hefe words doe containe a burthenfome
prophecic againft the Phthfiines, 1 diuide
them into three parts:
I A preface to a prophecic, verf. 6.
Thtts faith the Lord.
a The prophecie, verf. C, 7, 8. For
three tranfgreffions^ &c.
3 The conclafion, in the end of the eighth vctfe, Saith
the Lord God.
la the prophecic J obferuc foure parts.
R a 1 An
IJ ai TheT-»elfih LeBure^".
1 An Accufation of the Phi/ifii»es, verf, the tf. P»r thret
trat>fj!^refft9tis ff Azzah, andferfoure.
2 The Lords protcftarion againft them, vtrf.tht 6.1 r^ilt
M^ttHrneto ft.
3 The declaration of that grituous fin, by which the Phi-
Itfiincsfo highly difplcafedGod,very, the6.They carriedawaj
prifhnert the whele captiuity to jhut them vp in Edom.
4 The dcfcription of the punifliments to be infilled vpon
them; in fine branches. One in the fcuenth verfe, andfoure
in the ciglith vcrfc. The great Cities AK,x,eh, and Afhdod,
and A,h^lon, and Ekyen, and all the reft of the Philifitnes, are
partners in this puniftiraenr.
This prophecy ftjrthe tenor ardturrent of the words, is
much like the former againft the Syrian/ , the estpofition
whereof, iafundry fermons heretofore deliuered, mayferue
for the cxpofition ofthis prophecie alfo.Thcpreface is firft,
Thm faith the Lord'] Nots^Wf/, butin the Lard,
The Lard, lehouah, who made the heauens, and fpreadthem
out like a curtaine, to cloath himfelfc with light, as with a
garment; andean againe cloath the heauens with darknelfe,
and-make a facke their ccuering : the Lord, lehottah, who
made thefeatolaythebeamesof his chamber therein, and
placed thefands for bounds vnto it by a perpccuall decree,
■ ^ ncucrtobe patfcd ouer, howfoeuer the wanes thereof fiiall
rage, and roare; andean with a word fmite the pride thereof:
at his rebuke the flouds (hall be turned into a wildemcde, the
feafhallbedricd vp; the filh (hall rot for want of water, and
diefor thirft : the Lard, lebomh, who made thedrie land,
and.fo fct it vpon foundations, that it (honld neuer mouc,
andcancoucr her againe with thedcepe, as withagarment)
and fo rocke her,.thac fhe (hall reele to and fro, and dagger
like a drunken man.
Thut faith the Lord] The Lord, lebonah, whofe throne
is the heauen of heauens, and the feahis floureto walkein,
and thecarchhis footftooleto tread vpon; whohath achaire
intheconfcicnce, andfittcthin theheartof man, andpoflcf"
feth his moft fcaet rdn«s, and diuidcth betwixt th? flclhond
the
X
AMOS 1.6. ^ ijj
theskinne ; iind Hiaketh his inmod powers, as the thunder
fbakech the wildcrnHreof Cades.
T hue faith the LordlHuth he faid it,and (liall he not doe it ?
hathhefpokenit,andfliallhenotaccomplifliit i The Lerd,
lehouah, the ftrcngthof Ifrat/, is not as man, that hefhould
lie ; norasthefonncof man, that he fliould repent. All bis
words, yea all the titles ofhis words areata, and Ame». flea-
ft ea and earth /hadferi/h, before one iot, or any one tittle of hit
wrd jhall rfeape v» fulfilled.
Thtu faith the Lod ] Out of doubt then muft it come to
palFe ; Here fee the authority of this prophccie ; and not of
this only, but alfo of all other the prophecies of holy Scrip-
cure; that neichec this nor any qther prophecy of old, is defli'i
tute of diuine authority.
This point of the authority of holy Scripture I deliuered
vnto you in my fecond and fixt Leflares vpon this Prophe-
cie; and then noted vnto you the harmony, confenc, and a-
greement of all the Prophets, Euangeliffs, and Apotflcs,from
the firft vnto the lall; not one ofthem fpake one word of a
naturallman in all their minifferies: the words which they
fpake, were the words of him that fent them: they fpake not
of thetufelucs, God fpake in them. Whenfoeucr were the
time; whatfoeuer were the meanes) whofoeucr were the man;
whercfoeuer were the place; whatfoeuer were the people; the
words were the Lrrd/.
Thut faith the Lord] Then tnuft we glue care votohiro with
reuerence. Butwhaty^/rA hee? Euen the words of thisPrO-"
pbecie.
For three tranfgreffionsof Azzaii,rf«^l f ttrt, / wiBnet turne »r]
Ae.K.ah ] Paleflina, the country of the Thtltfiines, was diuided
into fiueProuinces, orDutchies, mentioned 13. 3. the
Dutchies of Az.t.ah, of Afyded, of Askelon,of Qath, of Ekron.
Thcle fiucchiefe, and the moft famous Cities of Paleflina, are
recorded alfo, 1 Sam. 6.17. where the Philiflines arc faid to
haucgiuen for a finnc offering to the Lord fine golden Erne,
reds, one for A't-x.ah, one for Afbdod, one for Askelon, one for
€atb,znd oncfor £<^rf».Againfffourcofthcfc CifieSjallfauc
R 3 Gath,
134 TheTxoelfih LeBurzS.
G^thf andagainftGrf/ibtoo in thcgenerallnaraeofthePhili-
rtines, this prophecie wasgiuen by the miniftcry of Am0r. In
chc offence or blame is alone nominated; but in the
puniffraencare j^lhded,ind tAsS{elo», and Ekron, and the re-
iidueof the Pbilifiines rem em bred as well as
u4zAab']lC& 6rftnamed,C7ew.io.i9. In the vulgar Latine,
and in the Greckej it's commonly called Gax,a-, it bath no
ochcrnamein the ncwTeftament, but It's fo called,
8. t6. And you may call it by which name you will,
y^z,z^h, or C7d-e.<i, it's not material).
Now by tliis ^ (j4*,<»,you are to vnderftand the in-
habiunts of the City, and not them only, but alfo the borde-
rcrs ;all the inhabitants of the country adiacent: to all which
our Prophet here denounceth Gods iudgementsfor their fins.
For three tranfgre0oMs of /t:cz.ith,a»dftr/p»rtf]Thefe Words
contiinin^in acctifation ohht Phi/ifii»es for their fins,and the
frotefldtion of AlmightyGodagainllthem forthefame,! haue
heretofore in my fixt Le^Iure at large expounded, occafioned
thereto by the beginning of the third verfc : and therefore I
fiiall not need at this time to make any long iteration thereof.
Yet let me relate vnto you the iumrae and fubffance of them.
FerthreetraHfgreffiansef Az.x.aht <^c,] It is as if the Lord
had thus faid: If the Phili^mes had offended but once, or a fe-
condtfme, I (hould haue beene fauourable vnto them, and
(hould haue recalled them into the right way, that fo they
might beconuerted, andefcape my punifhrnests: but now,
whereas they doe daily heape tranfgrefiionvpon tianfgrefii-
on,and find no end of finning,I hauchardnedmy face againft
them,and will not fuffcr them to beconuerted;but indur^e,
andobftinateas they arc,Iwill vttcrly dt^toythcm.For three
trtnfgrejfioHt «f Azx:,th, and forfotire] The doftrinc is:
JUanj finnetdoe plucky dotene front heanen, the mofi certaine
vtrath and vengeance of God vpon the ftrnters.
See my fixth God is of pure cics,and bcholdeth not iniquity; he hath laid
Serm. on Ho/^ rightcoufncffe to the rule,and weighed his iufticein a ballance.
The fentenceis paffedforth, and muff ffand vnconrroulable,
eucn as long as Sun dc Moonc.Tribulation,and anguifh vpon
cucry
Amos 1.6, 15 j
euery foule rhiit doth euil! $ thefoule that finneth, it Hiall bee
punifhcd. God aiakesir good by an oath,D^»f,31,41. that Af
wtH mbet glittering frverd,f^ his hand [hall take hold on indgC'
rnent,xQ eyiccwt vengeancevpon finncrs. Hi$ foulc hateth and
abhorrcrh A" ? b's Law curfcth and condemneth fin; his hand
fmircth and (courgcth Jin. Stn was his motiuc to call downe
W Argcls inro Hclijto ihrull Adam out of ParadifejioturncCi-
^ tics inro aflicsj to ruinate nationSito torment hisowne bowels
lil) inthefiinilitudeofiinfull flelh. BecatifeofTinnehcdrowncd
the old world, and bccaiifc of llnnc ere long will burnethis.
in« Thus doc many finspluci^e dorrnefrom heauen the morecertaine t
dt' wYath and vengeance of God vp»n the finncrs.
lick Onevfeofthisdodlrincis, to teach vs heedfulnclTcin all
k our waies, that we doc nor by our many finnes prouokc Al-
di mightyGod to high difplcafiire.
k A fecond vfc is,to moue vs to a ferions contemplation of the
iM wondcrfull patience of Almighty God, who didfogracioiifly
d forbeare rhefe Philtftines oi Az^^ah, till by three and foure
nl tranfgreffions, by their many fins, they had prcuokcd him to
ttci indignation. It's true; our God is i good (jsA,a gracious Gedyt
Ki, inerciiull God, a Godo{ wondcrfull patience r yet may not wee
In thereby take encouragement to goe on in our cuill doings.
\if The Lord who puniflicd bis Angels in Heaucn for ene Seemyfixth
icii "breach,.^Aawforcvetnorfcll, .^/ri/iwforo»eflander, A^ofes Lefturcaufyo.
for one angry word, Achan for one facrilege, Ez,tchiM for o«ce
fhewing his treafurcs to the EmbafTadors ol Babel, lo^as for
onfe going to warrcwithout asking counfell of the Ltrdy and
[11 Ananias With his viifcf Sapphtrd,dor once lying to the holy ^
({j Ghofl; out of doubt will not fparc vs, if wee fhall perfift to
fii make a trade of finning, day after day heaping iniquity vpon
iniquity, to thcfulfillingofour finnes. Iffo we doe, it fhall be
with V8,asthe Apoftlefpeaketh, i Theft. j6: The m-ath of
God mtejf come on vs to the vtmofl.
ij Now therefore as the Elcfl of God,holy,and beloued, let vi
J walke in louc,eucn as Cbrift hath loucd vs. As for the vrorksof
thefleth, caft we them far from vs 5 adultery, fornication, vti-
clcanncircjwanconncs, hatred,dcbate,cjnulation,wrath, con-
tcntions^
1^6 7'heTwelfth LeBur^.
tcntions,cniiy,drHnkcnnc5,gluttony,and fuch likf,rorMiIiich
thcwritli of God commetti vpoii ilic children of difobcdi-
cnccjlcf them not once be named among vs, as it bccomrncth
Sai'it s3\it the fruit soft be Spirit them;
hauing laid vp in the trcafuiy of oar memories this lefTon :
Threetra.»lgr(Jfio»sand/oare; M»*>jfttnesdoepluckdotvfie
jrom he«nen,the mofc cert awe wrath atidvengeanceof God
vpoM the fimers. It followcth,
Tecatife they carried away prifonert the whole eaptiuity to /hut
themvpin S'dom] Thcfc words arc the third part of this Pro-
phccie, and do containc that fame gricuous fin by which God
wasptouokcd tocomcagainftthcmcn of ^z,z.ih, and therefl;
of the PbiltfliHet in iudgcmentj the finncof cruelty trigour.vK'
fncrctfulneffe,hardne/[c of heart .T\\ey carried away prifonert the
wholecaptiuity to fbut themvp in Edom] Here the abftradf is
put for the concrete icaptiuity (or captiues, or perfens incapti-
uity % as Pfal, d 8 • 18. Thou hafl led eaptiuity eaptiue.
The whole captiuity ] It's well tranflated for the fenfc; the
word in the originall fignifieth,<i^/o/»re, perfell, andcempleat.
By this whole captiuity, the holy Spirit meancch ioaBfelute,
perfeil, and eempleat captiuity: meram capttuitatem, apertam,
at^uentauife^am, faith Ariat Montautu : a captiutty indeed, o-
pen and manifefl; inch a captiuity,faith Caluin,as wherein they
fpared not either women, or children, or the aged: they tooke
no pity, no companion, vpon either fx or age ^ bucallofall
forts, male and female, young and old, they carried awayprryi-
ners» What was their end and purpofe in fo doing i Eucn to
/hut them vp in Edem: that is, to fell them for bondflaucs vnto
the Idumaam,
fuEdomlEfau, lacohs brother, and Ifaaeks(on by his wife
»6r«.ay.ar. ^Rebekah, for felling his birthright for a mefTc of ^ red broth,
^yerfio. furnamed Edom, and of him lineally dcfcended the Edo-
mitef,or Idumaant,Gen.16,4^. Of this poftcrity ofEfau,or £-
' Theatr terra land,which they inhabited, was called the land of E-
SanHa.' dom, or ldum{eaiandit\fasa{o\xtherne^toumce of the land of
*obfer»ot.B. promife, diuidcd, as^ Adriehem,and^T)rMjim haueobferucd
out of lofephw his fifth book of the Itwijh antiquities/into two
parts;
amos i. 6.
partSifamStfperitrem,ZTxd Ittferiorem\ thchightru\d the
hwer I(iHm(ta,Thchi^her,Vihtx^v\ were two of the cities men-
lionedin my Text, and Ashjlon, 'mKhc Amf\ovi ofthe
land of Canaan IcW to thcloiof theTtiht of I/tdah. The lower
Idumaa,commonly known by the name ofto the
lot of the T ribc of Simeon: and this lower fdnmaa,} take to be
the Idumaa in my TexxtSfan purlhed lacob with a deadly hate,
fo did the fbfterity of Efm thepbfieritj oflaebb 5 the Edomitet
were eucrmorc moft malicioufly bent againft the IfratUtes.Wexe
then appeareththe hainoufncs of that fin,wherwitb the
(lines are chargcd.lt was the fin oUrneltj in a very high degree.
It is a craell deed to carry away any one from his natiue
Country; but him that is lb catried aWay,to fell to his mortall
enemy, this is a cruelty, than which there cannot be a greater.
Such was the fin of thofe Pf;///^/««,theinhabitants of Aze.ah,
They fold, whether the leioes,or the Ifraehtes, the poftcrity of
laceb, and fertiinis oftheVfsifc^ to their profcircdenc-
micsthe^^iffwfifer, with this policy, that being carried farrc
ffomtheirownecountry, they Oiould liuc in eternaH(lauery
ihd bondage,w'lthom hope euer to returne homeagaine.
" This very crime (jf er»f/f^, is in the Prophecie of7«7ff/alfo,
Ch. J. tf.laid to thtehargc ofthcfe Philifiines : The 'children of
ludah, and iheehildrAs of Ierufalem haueye fold te the Greet'
anSfthatye might fend them far frora their border: that iSj'Gods
inhcritance,hii owne feed and {cruants,the children of ludah
ahd^ lifufaiem, the cruell and hard hearted- Phjliftiries did
mahb'pate, and fell aw^ forbaiidflaues to (heGreciansdWol-
lingfane off, that with them they might line in perpefuafl fer^
rsftude and Jlauery,^without all hope of liberty or redempt-iek.
Now in this that thie Lord calleth Philt^mes to a f ecko-
ntogibecaufttliey had fold away hirpeofle, though they were
theifcapniutr,^nih'{nfidels\ Wnt ntay IcarnC tfiislelfon j
li'is not lawfulite Commit the children of beUeuers into the
handi eflnfdelt-,
The;yn1awfulncs hei-dfapjJeareth by the Charge"whichAd-fet
gidetht}iefff3uditeT,Deut.ji$. His charge is cortcerning the
HittftetfiieGerga'/i!el}theAmoritei,thtCanaanites,theferi^'
S z-itet.
138 The Twelfth L eSlure^l
Kites, thcH/WfJ,and tht lelsujites, that they fliould not at all
make any couenant with them, nor giue them their children
in mAriage.hnA why foiBccaulcby fuch eoHentnittScmMrsages
they might be withdrawn from the true I'cruice of God, to the
prophancworfliip of Idols. Forfoii*sfaid,verfethe4. They
rvillcassfetby fo» tetnrneawajfromme,andt9ferste ether geds^.
The danger of (achcetsessants ind mariages, S.PaMDnntvt
to be very great,and therefore from fuch he dejiortech the Ce.
rsHthUns,! Cor. 6. 14. Btjessatvae^Hally jokedmththeissfi-
dels. He vfeth the fimilitude of Oxen coupled together. The
yoke holdeth them fp together, that looke which way the one
draweth, the other mud needs follow.
In like cafe it is with men. They that fall into familiarity
with the wicked, doc couple themfclues with them, and fo are
led out of the way,andinadeto workewickedncire beforethe
Lord. From thisthis with Infidels,itom
convernngwith the wicked, the ApodledilTwadeth the Ce-
rsnthians.znd in them vs,by fundry arguments drawne absds-
fserdo. In each argument there is zn Antithefis: two things
oppefed the one to the other. In the firft, rigbtpeufneffe and
VMrighteoHfntfie^m thefccond,fi^I>r znddstrknefiefin the third,
Chrifi and Belialj in the fourth, the Beleeutr and the lnfidell\
in the fifth, Gads Temple and Idels. Euery argument is fee
downe by way-of queftion.
The Bt&^vbatfeHavsltsip hath righteeufnefe eeitb vnrighte^eufi
siefeThe anfww is negatiae: none. The anfwer may be illu-
Ilrated by a fimilitude, Eeel, 13.18. Haw case the walfe agree
with the lamhe ? no more tan the vngadlj with the righteesu.
The fccond, what cemmssmtn hath tight with darlingfielThc
anfwer it negatiue: none. No more than truth hath with a lie,
Ai'Dru(isu well expoundeth the place, Tr##. Claf.i.lib,^.y$,
Light hath nocommunian with darkyes; therefore the
ought not to conuerfe with an vnheleeuti . This confequence
is madcgood by Eph.^.S. where the Apodle telleth thcEphe-
fans, that they were once darl^nefe, but now are light in the
Lard. Tettebrat vacatinfidelesjikh Mufculsit vponiheTcxt}
S. Paul callcch vnhelettttrst darkuefe, foe their ignorance of
God,
A M OS t. 6, Ijp
God, and the blindncfTc of their hearts: but hecalleth thei-e-
leeutrl^ light, for their ktiuwlcdgc of God, by which their
hearts arc through the holy Ghofl i!lumiH4ted. Light hath no
cemmttuhn Yt 'ith darkneffe, therefore are not to haue
familmrity with vnbeUtHtrs.
The third,what eoMCord hath ChriftwiV/a Btlial PTheanfwer
isnegathic;;«w. The oppofitionbctwccncthcfetwo, Chrift
and^?/M/,i$mofthoftiIc. C^n/? is the Author of ourfaiuaci-
on; of our perdition : CAr//? is the reftorer ofall things;
'Belial the deflroier: Chn/l is the Prince of the
prince of dari^neff'e. In fuch hortilc oppoHtion there can be no
concord: no concord between the yiuthtr of »urfalnati»ii,znA
the author of our perdition j no concord between the refiorer of
all things, and the defir oyer of all things 5 no concord betweene
the Prince oflight, & the prince efdarfnet: therefore they that
beleeue in (fhrift,ite not to haae familiarity with VHbeleeuers.
The fourth J wfexf part bath the beleeuer with the mfideii ?The
anfwer is negatiue s none. The beleeuer hath no portion with
thevnbelteuer j and therefore he is not to haue aoy familia-
rityvsith him.
The fift; what agreement hath the Temple of (fed with Idols?
The anfwer is negatiue: ww.Thcreisnoneindeed. Sacrilega
efiprofanatio, {zith * Caluin, it is zfacrilegioHS prophaningof * Comment, in
Gods Temple^ to place in it an Idott, or to vfe any idolatrous
worfiip therein. We are the Tewp/eofGot/j whercforetoin-
feft our feiuei with any contagion of Idols,in vs it muft be facri-
legieus. There is no agreement betweene the Temple of Ood
zndldels^ therefore we arc nor to haue any with
the Idolatrous.
Remember I bcfcech yeu : righteoufit f[e hath no fellowflsip
with vnrighteoufnefe •, Light hath no ccrnmunien wtth d^-k-
neffeiChtiAis not at concord with Be\'u\; the belteuer hath no
part with tho infidell j thereds Ko agreement betweene the Temple
of God and Idols; thercfiarc may we not enter into familiarity
with the wkkfd,prBpha»e,andidolatrout -fWevnzy notmakcany
couessant with them; wemaynotgiuc thcra our children in
mariage, Thu$ismydo£frincconfirmcd;
S a It
TheTwelfib LeSlurc^.
hunt Lmftill to commit the children of btleeners inte the
hinds of Infidels. Now to the vfcs.
The Qtrt ferucjbfor owr inl\ruftiorv;an<i teachcth vs fo to loue
the foHlcsaf the righteous:feed, that we Icaue them not refident
among Infideds, or jy^theifls, or Paptfis, or nay prophanewret-
ches: but rarhcr,that to our labour and coft,wc rcdecme them
out of the Di uilstjr4mj..Vdt rauft haue a fingular carc for the
which arcborne among vs', that they be godly and
vertuoully brsughtvpj and fo prouidcd for, that they may
diocfi'hrifl fomcfcruiccin the Church and Common-wealth.
OurSauiourhis words,/hfrft.iS.d. are true without cxccp-
tlon 5 fVhofoeuer (hall offend one of thefe little onesTvhich beleeue
in medt were betterferhimthat a milflone were hanged about hk
neeke, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea. W hat
mcafure then are wc to lookc for, if we bequeath our children
to the fcruice of men of corrupt confciences and wicked afFc-
^ions, fuch as will compalfe Heauen and Earth to make any
one the cbilde of damnation ?
A fccond vfe may bc,for the reproofe of fuch as do bind and
put t\ii\xchildren, the fruit of their bodies, (which they ought
to confecrate vnto the Lord) inro.thc education of open ene-
Biics totheGofpelof(f/)r//?,moft blafph emeus a»d abomina-
ble Athciftsjor moft blind and lupcrftitioiis Papitls. Are not
thefe as much to be complained of, as thofc whom the
hcrecondembeth for felling of Ifrdelsfeed into the hands of the
Eiamites ? Yes, andirauch more. Forthofcfold their enemies,
butour men felltheirchildrcnjtholedid it bytbclaw of war,
but our men doe it contrary ro the law ofGod; thofe in doing
as they did, did not fin againff their knowledge; but our men
in doing as they doe, doe fin againfl their confcience.
V nhappy Parents,which defiroy your children in Popifh and
Atheifiieallb.o\iies\ What areyou inferiourto themthatfa-
erificed their children vnto Deuiis i If your felues be righte.
OMs and Chriftians, caft not away your feed, your children, the
price oftbcprcciousbloud ofChrifl, You haue made them in
their when they were young, toxonfefe Chnfi: will
yoa make them now, grownc to yeerCs, to deny Chrift IO, let
AMOS 1.6. 141
the words of wife EcciefiaflicHty ebap. 13. i, bcc precious in
your memories ; He that twcheth pitch fhallhe drfiledtherf
vitb : anddoubcletrc yonv children placed in Atheiftically or
Pi?;»>/^houfcs, will thcmfelues become Atbeifticalior Popi(h.
SuSFer, I befeech you, a word of exhortation in your cA//-
drens behalfe. Bmdc them te none, but to Chrifl 5 put them
to none but to Chrifliaut j fcli them to nothing but to the
GofpeU: commit not ^oMiyenng ones into the hands and cufto*
dy of Gods enemies,
A third vfe. fs it not lawful! to commitKhtchildrenoihlee'
Hers into the hands of infidels, for the reafon aboue fpecified,
that they he not vsithdravsnefrem the true fermce ef (fied f Then
neither is it kwfull {oxyou of yourfelues, to keepeaway/Mr
feruantshorn theferuice ef God. ft is reputed for atyranny in
Pharaoh, y.3,4, hevsoMldnet fuffer the children ef
Ifraelto gee three dayesiettrny into the defart, te facrificetothe
herd their fjod t and how can youfreeyour feluesfromthe
impeachment oityraany, if you deny your fernants to goe but
onehenres iourney to this place, teferue their God?
Thinke it not enough, that yeurfelues come hitherto per-
forme fome duty to Chrifl your herd and t^Mafier^oY! can you
petformcyeur duty to him, if you deny him yomferuants ?■
You know what charge is giuen you in the fourth commande-
mefit',notye»r felnes cv\^,hoXi\{oytM4rfonHes,zs\AyeurdaHgh'
ters, zndyeHrferuants, men, and maidens.ivid theftranger that
feiourneth reith yen, are to hallow, and SanSlifie the Sahhath day
with the Lords ferssice.
In this holy workc andfemicc of GoAvpenthe Sahhath
day, regard not what the multitude and greater fort of men
doe. Suppofe all the world betides your felues, would bee
carclefFe ro perforroe this duty ^ yer let your holy refolurion be
the fame with lofhuas, chap. 24.15./ and my heufe mllferste
the AW.Thus farrc of my firft deft rinc groundedypon Gods
diilike with t\^t Philiflines, {ox felling away the Ifraclires, his
faithfutlpeeple, into the hands of the Edomites, an vnheleetling
nation.
To ground a fcconddoftrinc hereon J wearctonote; that
S3 the
^ •.
The Twelfth Le^urcS.
the Philifi'tHes fold away the Tfrdtlitet to the
time :is thcy.wetctheircdftiius: and fodidadde affiiflionto
the affli£ltd. The dof^rine is.
It K a verygricHOM thing to aclde to the dfftlied*
WitnelTe the compjainc made by the captine Iewet igzinfk
thcinfolcncy of iheChdldeans, Pfa/. X-^ J.. $. They thAtled vs
aivAj CA^ttae required oivt fongs t audmtrth in our heauineffe,
faying, Singvsoneefthefottgt a^Sion. They\t\\e Chaldeans,
xhc^aStylonians, and /Iffyriuns, in wfofc country wee were
prifoncis, requiredofvs] rcornfully,and dildainhdly,thereby
to addc to our gricfcs: they required of vt fongs ] .fuch f'»gi, as
wc wcre.wont to frng in SionJlerttfalemjind our ovrueeountry
before (he dtftruftion ofthe Tcmple, and our captiuity. They
required of vs,not fongs only,hut m$rth alfo] they fcoffingly de«
(ired vs to be inerty, when they fawvs foheauy hearted, as
nothing could make vs glad. They required of vt fongt and
tmrth in our heauire^e, faying. Sing vs one of the fongt of Sion ]
(ing for vs,or in our hearing, fotne one or other ofthofcSot^s
which you were wont to fttg in Sion, when you were at home
inyourowne country..
Intolerable is the hard heartednene, ctuclty, and fcoffing
natureof the wicked, when theyJiaue gotten Gods children
into their nets. God cannot away with fuch vnmcrcifuInclTe,
and want of pity. He reproueth it in the Bahylonians,Efa. 47.
<>. where thns faith the I root vsreth with my people, /
bauepoHuted mine inheritance, andgiuen them into thine hand's
thou didfi[hew them no mercy | but thou didfl lay thy very beauy
jokevpon the ancteut: therefore now heare^ deftruflion fliall
CO the vpon thee. Magna abominatio coram Deo eji, afflfUoad'
dereafflfSlionem^cIamaty^incetlumvex-fangminis,. The words
are the obferuation of OeeoUmpaduu vpon the.now cited
place of £/4y .* It is a great abomination before God,to4dde 4/-
jliEHoM to the offlilied) the voice ofbloudcrycch vp to Heauen
for vengeance. Yea, wcare aAilred by Pfal, 102.19. that the
Lord looketb downe from the height of hisfauHuAry, and out of
heauen beholdeththe earth, that he may heare, and fo take pity
ofthe fighingsjgroanings, and lamentable cries of fuch his
people as arc in affliftion. The
Amos 1.6,
Thetime wpill not fufFer raenow to trouble you with mote
Tcxti oiSerif tm'e^ let the now alleaged be fufficiencto con.
firme my propounded doftrine, that it it agrieueut thing to
nide ajfltRion to the nff.iReA,
The vfei of this do Atine, I can but point at. One is, to re-
ptoue the Nimreds^ and tyrants of this world, which haue no
fity, no cemfejfien vpon the f tore ind difire fed. Such in the
end /hall know by their owne lamentable experience, that to
be true which Snlomon hath vttcred, Pron. zi. 13. Heethat
fteffethhit e^re at the eryingof thefotrtf fbad erj bimfclfe and
not he heard.
Afecondvfeistollirrevs vp to the perfortnance of this
our Chriftian duty, euentotake pity vpon all that are in any
kind of mifery: if our neighbours be deltitute of aid and help,
wemay notlikewildebeaftt, lift vp our felucsagainftchetn,
and fo tread themTnder foot. No. How date we mole/land
trouble them, whom by Gods appointment we ate to relecue
and fuccour i We are commanded, Dent. i y, 11. to open oar
bands to the needy and poore that are in ear land: to open our
hands to them for their helpe and fuccour.
It is not enough for vs to abfiame from all inittry and
barnte-doingt but withall muA we endeuout to reUtne the
Off re fed.
This feruiceofours willbeacceptable vnto God> God for
it will giuc vs his blcfling: God will bleire vs for the timejof
cur being here^and when the ^47 efonr dtfoia^n (haU be,tli a t
We rouftleaue this earthlytahernac/e, then will^Re Son of man,
fitting vpon the throne of his glory, welcome vs with a J^e-
nitehenedifH; Ccmeye hlefed of my Fat her,inherit ye the King-
detttefreparedferyoHfromthe foandationt of the world. For I
was an hnngred, andyegatte me meat} Ithirfted, andjtgaae me
drin^e j 1 was a f ranger, and ye lodged me\ 1 was naked, and ye
cloathed me j twos fcke, and ye vifited me^ 1 was in frifon, and
ye camevnto me; in as much as you haue done thele things ro^
the needy and diilrcllcdi ye haue done them vntoCome
ye hie fed of my Father, inherit the Kingdomt fKffartd for yom
from the foHndatioHS of the world.
THE
144
fei? K^c ./^-fwcs^ iyi
S-^He gap^^^te'ig^ E^HS
THE
Thirteenth Lcdure.
Amos I.*7,8.
Therefore it>iS J feud a ^e v^ the »4lt of Krt^ tadit (haU
demure the palaces thereof,
ty^nd I rviH cut off" th^ inhabitant from A flidod.
E are come to the laft part of thisProphe-
cic, the defcription of the punijhments ro
be infiided vpon the Philiftines. The fe-
uenth vcrfc doth not much differ from
fth<fourth. The (tme^punilhrnent, whichir
thetethreatnedto the Syrians, vnder the
mmaolHat.aefaxxd'BeKhadad, is in this Icucnth verfe de-
nounccd to the vnder the name of dlxj^ah. And
therefore, as there I did, fo muff I here commend vnco you
three circumffances:
1 Thep««»/&er; thcLar<^,r,
2 Thepunilhmeut fire, I wid fend a fre,
3 TheprtwySfdjfche the inhabitants of chat Ci-
ty : t he Phili^inef^ vpon the walls and palaces p/Azaah,
Thepunilher is the Lard, for thus fakh the Lcrdt I wii
fend. The note y eeldcth vs this doffrinc:
rt
i
Amos 1.7.
It u frefer t» the Lerdte execute vengeunce vfon the rricked
fer their jinnes.
This doflrinclproucd at large in my eighth Le^lure vpon
thisprophecie.Yetfortheirfakcs, wlio then heard mcnoc^ or
haue forgotten what then they heardj 1 will by a few texts of
Scripture againeconhrmeit vntoyou: It U preferte the Lord
to execute vengeance vfon the reickedfor their finnes.
This office of executing vengeance Vpou the tricked fer their
God arrogateth and alfunieth to hiinfclfe,Df«r.3 2.3 5,
where hefyith,Pengeanceand rectmpence areutine,This due is
afcribed vnto theby S.Paul,Rom. 12.19. ItUveritten,
vengeance is mi»e,Iretllrepay fatththeLord. By the Author of
thcEpiftlctotheHe^rew«,chap.ip.30. Vengeance btlongeth
vnteme,! trill recompenee, faith the Lord. By tbefweet Singer,
Pfal.^^. I. O Lord God the aueuger,0 Godtheauenger. The
Prophet Nahum trebleth the phrafe, Chap.i. 2. The Lordr#i
nengeth, the Lordreuen^eth, the Lord will take vengeance on
his aduerfaries.ThcMcw texts ofholy Writ dee firracly proue
my doftrine; It is proper to the Lord te execute vengeance vp'
en the tricked fer their fanes.
One vfeof this do£lrineis,to teach vsheedfulnelfe in all our
wayes; that we doe not workewickednelfe before the Lord,
andfoprouokehioato executehtsvengeanceonys. Beloued,
let Ys not forget it: though God begood,gracious,tnerctfuU,
and long-ruf»ring,yet is he alio a iullGo^ God the auenger,
Andpuni/her. It is proper vnto him to execute vengeance vpou
thewickedfer their finnes,
A fecond vfe is, to admonifh vs not to intermeddle in the
Lords office. It is his office to execute vengeance) we therefore
may not doe it. If a brother, or neighbour, orftrangerdoe
wrong vSjit is our part teforgiue him,oxid leaue reuengement to,
God, to^hofn it appertaineth. TothisChriftianandchari-
table courfe, our Sauiour worketh vs by a ftrong argument, ,
Mat, C.l^.Ifjedoe notforgiue men their trelfaffet,ne more will
your Father forgiue youyeur trelpajfes. Forgiue, and you fliall
be forgiuen 5 forgiue not, and yee ffiall neuer be forgiuen.
Wherefore (dearcly belouedj fufferyour fclucsto be exhor-
T ted,
i,4^ The Thirteenth LeShtrc^.
«ed,iS the Rowmvs were by S.P^ttl,chap.ii.ip.DeMrefy hUmeJ,
if ft be foffibU^M ntMch in youu ,haMe fe4ce mth menyrecem'
pence tenontanemill forewU: aMenge net your feinet, btttgiue
place vntorerath,for it u veriiten: vengeance is mineJmKrepaj,
faith the Lord. Ic IS pofer to the Lerdte execute vengeancevf-
en the wicked fer their finnes. Here we fee, that for thcnnncscf
the P hiltfttns,God refblueth to fend if re ro deueure their wait
andpdaces. This was my fccond circumftancc j thedrcum*
ftanecofthepunifhinciir; / will fend a fire.']
Many dcfolations hath God wrought hy fire.By fire be laid
vcifkeSodem, Gomorrah, and theirfifiercities. Gen.i^.ie^. By
fire he did eat \ip Nadah^nd dbihn.LeHtt.to.i.'By firehecut
ofFthctwo hundred and fifty men, that wercin therebcilion
of Korah.Numb.id.^s. By /?rehedcuourcdtwo Capratnes,
and twice fifty men, a i. lo. and la. Why doe I load
your memories with multitude of examples for this point?
My text tellcth you that fire.Gods creature,becotnmeth Gods
inftrunienr,and executioner of his vengeance for the finnes of
Aee.x.'ib, to conjume her wads and deuenre her palaces.
» SeeLeft S. Iwtllfenda fire]«By fire in this place^as verfi^^the learned
Expofitors doe vndcrfland, not only bntalfothe
fword,2odpeflth nee,ind famine: efHodlibetgenttt eonfumptionis.
euery kindcofconfumption, euery fconrge, wherewith God
punifheth the wicked, be it haile, or thunder, or fick»e(fe, or
any otheroFGodsmeffengers. Solarge is the fignification of
fire jn the merapboricall vnderftanding. The destine is.
The fire, (whether NatnraH, or Metaphorical!) that is. The
fire, and aSother creature/, are at the Lords commandement, te
be employed by him in the pnnijhment of the wicked.
A truth heretofore proued vnto you, as out of other places
of holy Writjfooutof thcftory of Gods vifitation vpon Pha.^
raeh, and the ty£gyptiant,Exod 8,9,and 10. Chapters,where,
by you know, that Zice, Flies, Grafhoppers^ Thunder,
HmU, Lightning,Mttrraine,Betcltes and Seres, did inftruraeii'.
tally aoienge God vpon man and bcafts in vdEgjpt. I f^and not
new ro enlarge this proofe.
The vfe of this do^tine is, to teach vs how to bchaue our
fclues
Amos I. 7.
Tclaes at fueh tines as God fhARvi(it vs with his rod«f ctrreUi-
an: how tocarryour felucsinallWcniuftnot
fomnchlookc, tothtinftrHmentSt as to the thacfmitcth
ky thcra. If the fire, or water, or any other of Gods creatstrss,
Iball at any rime rage and preuaileagainft wcmuft rcmem-
berthatitis God that fcndeth them, to worke his holy will
vpon vs. Here he fient a fire vfsn Az^ah, to ctnfiume her walls,
and deuoure her palaces.
Here you haue my third circumftance, the circumllance of
thepuni/hed, in thefe words ) thewaSs #/Azzah, andthepam
laces thereof ] Az.x.ab, one of the hue Prouinccs, or Outchies
of FaUfiina, and a Citieof the fane narae^ as 1 Hicwcd you in
my iai% L e Aure. The walls and palaces here men cioncd, doe
Hgnihe thus much; that the Citie A^ah was well forrihed,
and beautified with furoptuous buildings; Yet mul) Aa.t,ab,
natwithftandingthe^ertwty efherhmldtngstzud ftrengthofiher
fireng holds, hedeuotsred with fire: I wiSfienda fire vpon the
waltef Azzah, audit (had denonre the palaces thereof.]
The great Citie for all her flrong walls, muftfhce
be (polled I The do£frine to be learned from hence, is :
No mmnifion canfiane that titj, whsch <jod wsll hane defirojed.
Thereafbn is; becaufe there is no firength but of God, and
ft om God. For what are all the munitions in the world to the
great God of Heauenand Earth ? As the fmoake vanilheth, t
To doe they vanifh} and asrhewaxtneltctb before the fire, fo
melt they at the breath of thi Lord. Themunitioni oi Edoin^
they faile before him* Edom, thekingdome of Edom, vpon
which God firetcked the line of vanitie, and the flohts of emptia
uefie, as witnefTeth the Prophet Efay, Chap. 34.11, it is no
mcreakingdome j it bringeth forth thornes in her Palaces;
nettles and thirties in her flrong holds. The muKitionsof E-
dtm are vaniflied as fmoake.
The of they faile before hire* Aloal>, the
kingdomc of Moab, had a flrong fiajfe and heauttfiuB rod, as
fp«aketh/ere»».C/&.ip.48.J7. but they arc broken. Moah is
deftroyed, his Cities are burnt vp, his ftrong holds are gone.
The munitionsof Moah ate vanifhed as fmoake.
T 2 The
H7
Pfol.6S.U
V
14^
Se«ier«.4.vp-
on Itmts^.io,
fdgsM,
The Thirteenth LeSlurc^.
The wmitiot$sc( Ifrttelhilc before him. Tfratl, the king-
domeof was Gods peculiar, and fliadowed vnder the
wings ol his protcftion: yet at length infeftcd vvjth thc^cpro-
lieoffinne^ they were Ipoiled of their ftrong holds} fo faith
Ho/Pcaife. Chap. !•. 14. tumHlt fhallarife amtn^the fople^
Afidatltbyfhallhdefirtje^. The of IfraU
are vaaifhcdas fmoakc;
The munit ions of/«</<«^faile before him. Indaht the king-
dome of: ludah, great among the Nations, and a Princelfe a-
mong the ProuinceSjlhe is now become tributary, as complai-
neth the Prophet, L ament,i.x. The Lerd h<tth defirojed ^ all the
haiitatiens ofla4cohiaiidhath »0t[pared,be hath tbrowne downe
in his vfrath tbejfren£ hs/df of the dnMghter of \\idizh^ hebntb
cnfithemdovmetothegroMnd. The munitiont e( Jttdnh zxc va»
nilhed as fmoakc.Let thefe few inftanees in the llates of Fdom,
U^!e/ib, Ifrael and Indtih, ferue for proofe of my dodlrine,
No munition can faue that city which God willbaue definjed.
You will remember the reafon of'it 3 becaufe ts.na
firengtb, but of Cjod, TvA frem God,
The vfe of this do£irineis,to teach y%, neuer to trail in any
worldly helpe, but fo to vfe all good meanes of our defenfe,ihzt
ftHl werely vponthe Lerdiotfirength and fucteffe thereby.
Beloueddn the Lord, we haue learned, that a horfe his helpe is
viiBCfP/dl. s 3.1 y.thatiwtfw/ helpe is Yainc,pyi/.do. 11. that the
helpe of Princes is vaine, Py4/. 14<S, 3. that much firengthis vainc,
2 C^ron, 25.7.- that much wealth is vaine, Pfal, 49. 6. that all
worldly belpet are vaine, Efai,% l. I. All vndcr God is vanitie.
Wherefore nowi andallothertimes, letourtroftbeonely in
the name of the Lord, who hath made heauenand earth.Thus
muchofmy hrll do£irine grounded vpon the third circum-
Aanccof thisfeiienthverfe, the circum ftance of the punifli'ed,'
N'e munition can faue that citie which (f od will haue deflroyed,
Againe, this ouerthrcwof the vtz\\soi AxuK,ah in Cods an-
ger, teacheth vi thus much,
Jt.is the good bleffing of Godvpon a kingdome, to haue walls,
firong holds, munitions,fortrdfes and bHlwark€s,/er*<<
defenjfi againfi enemies.
The
Amos 1.7,?. 14^
The reafon is, becaufe thefe be the meanes which God
vfaally blcireth,to procure outward fafcty.
The vfc ivto teach vs carefully to prepare fuch againfttime
of trouble; yet with this caution, that we reft not in them, buc
depend wholly vpon Gods blcfting.
And here wcareto powre out our fonlesin thankfulntlTe
before Almightie God, forblefling this our Countrey with
the ftrcngthof w.r///} of walls by fea, and by land; by
fea with [hips, inA at land with ftrong holds, caftles and fortref-
fe$ 5 by f ea and land, with men of wifdome and valour, to bid
battell to the proudeft eneinie that dare adusnce hitnfclfea-
gainftvs, ConfclfcwewithZ)4«iW, PfaLiS.z. TbeZerdis
our reckof our fortrepr, hee that dsliuercth vs, ottr God, our
firtMgth, ottr fhield, the home of our faluatttu, and eur refuge.
In him wetruft,and ^ feare not what »»<»« can doe vnto vs. * PfaL^s.ii.
Yet further. The in Gods anger deuouting the palaces
of j4^z,ah, teacheth vs, that
God depriueih vs of a great hlejftng, when hee taketb from vs
our dwelling heufes.
This doArine I commended to you in my Eighth LeElttre
vpon this prophecie. Thetruth is experimentally made good
vnto vs by that great commodity or contentment, that com-
meth to euery one of vs by our dwelling houfes.
The vfe ofthis doftrine is three-fold. It teacheth vs, i. To
be humbled before Almighty God, whcnfoeucr our dweHin^-
houfes are taken from vs: 2. Since wee peaceably cnioy our
dwelltng-houfes, to vfe them for the furtheranceof Godsglo-
ry ; 3. To praifeGod continually for the comfortable vfe wo
ourdwelling-houfes. Thusfirrcofthe fcuenth verle.
The eighth folio wcth.
And I will-cut ojf the inh/thitant from Afhdod, and hits) that
holdeththe fcepter Aftikclon] Afhdod and Afhkelon were' '
two chicfe Cities olPalaftina. One of them, as here it appea- -
reth, was the placeofrcfideoccforthe chicfe Riilcroucrthac-
State. To both A/hdod and AMelon, to the inhabitants of '
Afhdod,znd the Scepter-bearer in AJhkelen, to King and lub> *
icAjGuds fore iudgemcnt,cuen a cutting off, it here tnrcatticd, ,
T 3 I ■
The Thirteenth LeSiurc^.
JwiBcdt of the tKhahitant ef AflKlod]Of the like iudgetncnc
in the fame words you haoc heard before in vcrf.5' threatned
to the Syrians,! mil em of the tubals it an t c/Bikcarh-Auen,<»«</
himthathnldeththe Scepter owtBeth-cdcn. The words I
then expounded at large: the bricfc or iummc w hereof, is:
/] the Lord, lehonah, mil cut off] will vcterly dcftroy,and
root out the isthabitam] not one alone, bur all, and euery one
ol the inhabitants, "f -^Bsdod ] one of t be fiuc chiefe Cities of
tlie 'phtltfftnes; ylnd I mil vcterly dcllroy, or root out, htnij
that holdeth the Scepter] the Pbtitfttnes their chiefc Ruler;
their King, making his rtfidcHce at ulfhkeloH] another of the
fiue Cities of PaU^na, I will cut off the inbahitam f/ Afhdod,
and him f hat holdeth the Scepter ffom Alhkelon.]
In the words 1 obfcruc, as before,three circumRances.
I Thepuniflicr, the Lord;/,
a The punifhmcnt, a cutting off} IwiBcuteff,
3 The puniQicd, the inhabitants of aiJtdod,indthe
Scepter-bearer of Afhkglon,
By the firft circumftance, (the L#rd himfelfe taking venge-
ance into his owne hands,) you may beremembred of a do
Itrine often commended to you in this and other LeAures;
h u proper to tike Lord to execute vengeance vport the wicked
for their f sines.
From all three circutnftances,ofthep««»(i«r. xhtpnnifhment,
tnd thtpAsiilbed ioyntlyconfidercd, we may take a profitable
IclTon. Wefccthat thccuttingeff of the inbabitasits ef Afhdod^
andofhsm that holdeth the Scepter from Afhkelon, isthe Lordt
proper worke. Thelelfon which we Icarnc from hence is.
No calamity or miferj befalleth any one, of whatfoetter eft ate
or degree, by chance, or at adnenture.
This do£ftine I handled aclarge in my tenth LeSlure, The
truth ofitdepcndeth vpon this propofition;
The whole world, wsth all things therein, is wholly and alone
fubietl to the foueraigsttie, dominion and rule of Almightte
God) by wbofe preuidence all tbtngt are preferMed,aS things
are rnledf a,ll thingt are ordered.
Thcfe were the dbicc degrccs^by which 1 told you,you might
difccmc
AMOS I. 8.
SCeanc and take notice of the of diulne prouidence. The
firft was gradtts eo»firH4tioHu j the fecond gradmgHbcrn^tie-
nit 5 the third wzsgrndHt ordinntionit j the firft degree was the
degree of vMi»te»ancgor fre/ertMthM^ thefecond degree was
the degree of rule or geHtrnment | the third degree was the
degree of erdintttion or dtre&ion.
The firft implieth thus muck, that
yid thwgt in generally and euerj thingift particular,4re 1>J! Al»
mightieGadfuftainederdinariljinthefAmefiate »f nutnre
and naturaSproprieties, wherein they were created*
The fccond thus much, that
Altntghtie ^edfer his vnlimited power gouerueth aB things in
the world, and ruUth them, pro libcrtate Voluntatis fuat,
euen as hehfttth.
The third thus much, that
God of his admirahle wifdeme erdaineth, and fetteth in order,
whatfoeuer things in the world feeme to be mofl out of »r-
der: he bringeth ail to his chiefly intended end } aB doe make
for hit glory.
In this diuine ordination, three things doe concurre : Cott-
fiitutiofinis, luediorumad finem diffoftio, inddiffsptorumdu
reUio. Firft,God CO euery thing. Secondly, ^
hedtffofeth the meanes Vnto the end. Thirdly, he direfleth the
meanes fo difpofed.From chefe points thusfummarilyrehear'
fed, I inferre my propounded doArine:
No calamity or mifery befalleth any one, of whatfoeuer efbate
or decree, hy thance, or at aditenrure.
For it It be true (as true it it, and the gates of Hell fliali ne-
uer be able to preuailc againft it,) that God by his wondcrfull
prouidence and preferueth^ raleth, and goner- -
neth} ordereth,difpofeth,»nd direSlethzW things in this world,
euen to the very hahes of our heads; it cannot be, that any ca-
lamttie or mifery ftiould befall any one of vs by Wwewtwre, by
hap-haz.z.ard, by cha»ce,\>y fortune.
The Epicure in Ieh. Chap, a 2. i J. Was in a grolTc and foule
errour,to thinkethat'God walking in the circle oi Iicauen,can«
not choiow the darke clouds fee our mifdoings, and iudgc vs
for
TheThirtecnth LeBufcS,
fort^icm. Farrcbcitfromvs, (^cloued) To to be conceited*
Wcmay notthinkc our Gtd, to be a God to halfcs^and in pare
only;a-^«^ abouc,-and not bcncarh the Moonc ja God v^on the
Mountaines,and not in the Valley es 5 a ged in the greater,and
not in th<*leirer employments. We may not thusthinkc,be-
loued. We hauclearned better things out of 9. Jtr.r^.
that God iscnery where prefent, and that there is
no euaiion from him. No corner in HeH, no manHon in HeM-
Men, no caue in the top of Cormel, no iifhesbelly in the bottomt
ofthefeA, nodarke dungeon in theUnd ofcaptiuitj, noplace
of any fcaccie any where, is able to hide vs from the pre fence
of g»d.
The lead moments and tittles in the world, that you can
imagine, God his care end preuidencc reachech vnto: to a
hattdfull of meetle; to a. crufe ofoile in a poore widowes houfe;
to the ffilhttg ef (parrotves to the ground ; to the elo/ithtng of
the grofe of the field ^ to the feeding of the birds of the oire^
to the calning of Hindes} to the numbringoi the haires of our
heads, indofthe teares that trickle downe our checkcs.
Wherefore (dearely beloued intheLer^f^ wbatfoeuer cala^
Mtitj or miferj hath already feized vpon vs, or fhall hereafter
ouertakc vs, let vs not lay it vpon blindefortHue, but loeke wc
rather to thehand thatdrikethvs. He who is noted in my text
to cut off the inhabitant of AHidod, and him that boideth the
fcefter from Afhkelon, he it is, that for our finnes bringeth
vpon vs calamities and miferies, Whitfoeuet calamities or mk.
/rrrer doe moled or trouble vs, be wee alTured that they are
Gods vifitations vpon VS for our Hnnes, and admoni/imenttfor
vj,to amend our liues.
What remaineth then, but that in rime of mifery and bea-
Mtnefe, wee louingly embrace Gods hand, and kiife the rod,
wherewith he fmitech vi ? If hcefmite vs with any kindc of
croffe or tribulation, our bed way is, to turne vntohim,as with
a fpirit of cO'Stentment mdgladneffe, becaufc fo louinga Father
doth chafiife VS; To with a forrowfull and contrite heart, be-
caufe we haue of ended (0 gracious a Father: and thus fliall wee
hndc comfort to our fouler
THE
THE
Fourteenth Ledure.
^S3
Amos I. 8.
^ndturne mine hand t»Ekton, a»dtheremn4ni $f sAfPhili-
ftincs PtaUferifh, faith the Lord God,
I He laft time I began to expound the 8. verfe,
then I palled ouer two branches thereof;
And I wiH cut off" the iuhahitant from A(hded,
and him that heldtth the fcepter from A(hke-
Ion } whence confidering the cutting off, of
kingindfubtell, from Afidod, and AifkeloHy
wbe the proper workeoftheLord, I tookethisleiron j
No calamuj or mifery befalleth anj one, ofwhatfoeuer efiate
or degree, by chance, or at aduenture.
Now let vs proceed to the remainder of that verfe;
And turne my hand to Ek ron, and the remnant of the Phili-
ftincs foallperifh, faith the Lord.
Is not Godzfpirit f How then hath he hands ? The letter
killeth, but the jptrit giueth life, faith S.Paul, 2 Cor. 3, 6. An
ancient ® Father vpon thofc words aduifeth vs to beware,that
wc take not a fguratiue ^eech according to the letter 5 for,
V faith
»jiuguflin. de
DeHrinaCbrijil.
ema,lib.j,cap.y.
^54
^njb:l. in
Echard. Com-
fend rheolpa-
iium.lib.i.ctf 6.
6,6,
^ D. Biiron, B.
•fWinchfftfr,
®f ChriBian
Subicdion,
par.4pag.577.
e<li't.Lon(i.ia8.
158#.
The Fdurteenth LeBurc^.
faith he, when wc takethac which isfpoken in Sifigftre, asifit
Wcrcfpokcn/>r<7p?r/y,iris acarnal! fcnfc, Ne^vlitmorsntiim*
congrHcntittf ipptHatut ; neiriier is there any thingmoreright-
ly called the dcaali of the (Q\\\e.\(3ifigHratitiefpeee,b bt prefer ly
taken, or if the/etter bevrged againrt thCj/^rr/tWii/? meAnitig,
that, which was fpokcn togiue life tothcinward man, raay
fubuerc the faith, and endanger the foule, A tffpesVpon good
reafon to he admit ti.d, not admtited,is a caufc of err our.h caufed
thclewcs to crrc. They cookcir//tirr4///,which Chrifl ipikc in
a figure,touching Ips ownc bodyy fob,2. \ p.Defiroy thie TetU'
pis, and tn three dates I veiUraife tt up againe. It cailfcd N/code-
mustoeite, Hec tookc it literally, whichC^riy? Ipake in a^-
gure, teaching mans regeneration, loh.^.j, S.verept a man bee
horneagAiHS, he cannot fee the Kingdtmeoj Ged. Itcaufedthe
D tft ipUs of ChriJ} CO crrc.Thcy tookc it/iff r4//y, which Chri/i
fpake in a touching the execution of his Fathers will,
/eh 4.5 2.1 haue meat to car, that ye know not of.
I hold it to be an errour of Ntcepberut, and others, retake
ir alter the/f Afr, as if /'Whadindcedfoughtvpon a theatre
with Lions ac£p/>f/^, bccaufe he faith, i C»r.i5.32,thathe
fought withb afljatSphefHi.Vothn theiudgemcntof Theophj'
U'^ofoldjof Bf«.«, Baronim,and feme "other very learned of
this age, he fpake kfiguratiMely,codcfi^otax\d notcthe dilor-
dercd airembly gathered together againll him at Efheftu, vp-
onthecomplaintef thefiluer-fmith Demethiti, for dcfetife
of great Diana.
laraafTurcd itisan errour of all rhc Papijls, rorakeitafter
the letter which Chrif} fpake, Matth. 26.26. This is my bedy,.
There is ^-figure in thcfpccch.Forin aWfacraments, there is a
great difference betwecnc the fignet andcbcthtrgs figntfied,
1 btfignes ate vifible, the inuifiblc : cboftgnes earthly,
the things hcaucnly; thcy7^tf« corruptible, the things immor-
tall: thecorporal],the fi&»»^/rpirituaU; andasarcucrend
' Father fpcakcth in c\\epttfo'OoiTheephtltis,chtfgties arc one
thing, the fr»f/) is not the fame,but another thing; andeuen
by plaine Arithmetickc,thcy he two things,and not one.This u
my bod) .There is a figttre m the fpccch. He cal$ thebreadhii
tod
Amos I. 8.
S5
>•
I
ktij, by way of fignifcathn, by W2yot/imilitttJe, by way of
reprefentati0M,zker themznticr of Sacraments, in noc
according CO the/«/frr, butina f^iritualiindmjfiic4iii\ri6ex-
Handing,and if you refpeft the prccifc fpecchj/wprc^^r/r.&jf-
will noc hold you with other like inftances.Thcfc
few already fpok en oi^ may fcrue to make it plaine, chat the
admittingoiiTrepe ox FigHreihcxtf wherein greatreafon it
ought to be admitted, is a caufe of errtttr.
I haue giuen this notein this place (beloued ) becaufc the
phrafe hcrevfedintheperfonof thecuerliuingGod, f Jyvid
tttrae my hand to Ekron ) being jpirit and life, hath bcene by
fomemi^aken, and ippliedto teamall fenfe. From hence as
from other places ofhoiyScripture, in which other the mem«
bersof mans body are afcribed vmo C7c«l j asthe ^/ace,the
« mouth, the ^eares, S eies, ^ armes, 'feet, and fome otherj Ter- ® Dtut.S.j.
tnUian liuing ncare vnto the Apoftles time, was bold to con- ^
elude,thit^odisabedj. Thishiserroncousandfaifeopinion Zicb.^.lo.
died not with him. It was on foot many a yeare after him in i> i i(;iȣ 8.4X. '
the time of Aritu, patronized by thofeHefetikes, which by » Mattb.%.i%,
Epiphi: t$lm are called Audiani, and by Augufline ^ F"tdiaai; af- ^ j,
ter whom alio it was eagerly maintained fay cercainc Monkes
of Egypt, yvhoviexethexeupoi\.c»\Ud AuthropeKorphite. But
all thefe are dead and gone ; their monlfrous erroiir lies
buried with them. Thereis no roan of any knowledge now a
daycs fo blinded, as to fall into errour with them,
Itisanaxiome indiuinity: QuacHuejuedeDfocerpora/ittr
dteuntur, diEla funtfymbohce : whatfoeucr isfpokenot God
that fame mud bevnderftood figurattmly. BelUrmine
faith as m\ichylit2.deimag,f4tn[i-.c,%»Memlfra,^uatrihuiint$tr
Deein Scripturd, metaphorue effe acciptenda, that thofe WfiK- *
hers which the Scripture afligRethvnto God, are to betaken
in 2 A/etaphor.Thushxtevte are yours, Wemain-
taine with you, that the members attributed vnto God in ho-
ly Scriprurc, arc to be taken figttratiuely. But you build here-
upon chatfe and Hubble.Should we doc the like, it could nc-
uer abide the trial! ofthe fire.
ToproueaweM licet to be your licet: hictre fingere ima-
^V a grnem
— - ■
m
15^
[Vtrfiii.
The Fourteenth LeBure^.
ginem Dei fatrii in forma hominit fenii, to proucit to helaw'
full to reprefent God the Father by the image of an old man, yoii
draw an argument from thofe places ofScripture, which doc
attribute vnto God bodily members. Your conclufion is by
way ofqueftion j The Scripture in words attribnteth vnto God
all mans members,while it faith, that heflandfjse fits,he walkes^
and nameth his bead, his feet, hn armes ; and giuetb tohima
feat, a throne, afootfteole : therefore why cannot a piSurebee
madetoreprefentGod ! ffhyuotanimagein the'fhapeof man?
Why? Itiscafilyanfwcred.
Bccaufe eucry fuch piSlure,or image, or focl^e (call it as you
will) is cenfurcd by leremie to be a doBrine of vanity, chap.
ZO.S.by Zaeharie to be a^akerof vanity,eh. I o. 2 .by Habak;
kykj to be a teacher of lies, chap.i. 18. and Gods expreffe com-
mandementis againftitj Deut.^.i6. Ten (hall not make you a
grauen image, or reprefentatsen of any figure. A rcafon cithis
prohibition is adioyned, verje 12.and 15. by which it is ma-
nifeft, that God fimply and abfolutely iotbiddeth any image
at all to he Oiide of himfelfe : Feryee faw nofmilitude in t he
day that the Lord jpakg vnto you in Horcb out of the middefi of
the fire ^yee faw no fimilitude, only ye heard a voice.
The Prophct£/4i is plentifull in thisdemonftration, to
(hew how vnfcemly,. andabfurd it is, to ^turnethe truth of
Codintoa lie, as they doe, who fbrfake the bleffed (freator, to
WOtQvp the creature : toturncthe Maieflie o\ God snuifible,
into a psBure of vifble man : to ™ turnc the glory of the rwrer-
mptible God, to the (imilitstde oft he image of a corruptible man..
His vehement expoftulation with idolaters to thispurpofeis
in the 40, chap, of his Prophccie, and the i %.verft. To whom
willyee liken God ? or what fimilitude wtllye fet vp vnto him ? tbe
workman melteth an image; the goldfmith beats it out in gold, or
filuerplates: thepoore ( fcenoW the rage, fury, and madneire
ofidolaters, though they hauenot wherewith to fufhcc their
owne neceffities, they will defraud thcmfclucs to feruc their
idols ) the poere chufeth out a tree,that wiUnet rot, for an eblatS'
en, and putt it to a cunning worktttan te prepare an image, that
cannot be tuoued.
The
A M o s I. 8. 157
Tlic lik c cxpoftulation the fame Prophet afcribcth to God
himfelfe,c/?;r»p.46.5. TowhtmwtSyemal^emeltke, ormakeme
e^m'u, or compare me, that I (bsuld belike him ? thtj draw gold
out of tbehagge ; and weigh Jilner in the baHance, and hire a
goldfmith to make a (^odoftt: and they how downe, and wrr/hip
it: thej beare it vpon their Jhoulders, they carry him, andfet him
in hit place ifo doth he fiand, and cannot remeue from hit place.
Remerabcrthis, and be afliamcd, O ye Idolaters. "Know nEfai.^o.zx,
y e nothing ? hane ye not heard it I hath it not Beene told you from
the Beginning ? haueye not vnderfioodit By the foundation of the
earth? God fittetb vpon the circle of the earth, andbeholdeth
the inhabiters therof,Mgra(hoppert,hefiretcheth out the heauent
AS a tHrtaine,and^reads them out, as a tent to dwellin.Hc mea- o Efal^OAi.
fur esthewatert tn his fif, counts keauen with bis pan, comprem
hends the dnf of the earth in a meafure, weighet the mount aines
in a weight,and the htls in a BaUance.God\'mcorp>oxct\\, inuifi-
blc,fpirituall,pafling all meafure 5 thcreisnothingP/ii^vnto p Efai.ne.p.
him. Nothing. And therefore ( O Idolaters) not your
mans image.
For the truth of your an teccdent,'we ftand on your fide. I ts
very true : rhe Scripture in cxprcirc words attribuceth viuo
God many the members and offices ofW;'. Icfaith of
him, that hefiands, he (its, he walkes: it nameth his head, his
feet, his armese itgiues him a feat, a throne, afootfloele ; but
allthefc, and other like bodily offices, parrs, and members,
being fpoken of, as belonging vnto God,rauft be vndcrftood
figuratiuely.
It hath pleafed the fpirit of wifdome to deale with vs wSfa-
mmJiSf, to fit the holy Saiptures to our weakc capacities : to
vfeknownc,familiar, and fenfibletearmcs, thereby toraifcvp
our conceits to fomc knowledge of the euetliuingCod. In ><
this regard by the wifdome ofthc faracfpinr, among many
other members. Hands arc alfo afcribcd vnto God, and
that in many places; yet not in eucry place to one and the
fame fenfe and vnderfianding.
Its noted by the 1 MagdeBurgenfes oaz of Innecentim,xhati '^ C(nt,ii.cap-4.
thc^4»iofGod doth bearc diucrs offices among vs : ojjicia
V 3 creatoris.
15 8 The Fourteenth Le6lur^:
createrliy Ur^ief3tis,pr<itegentis, min4»tisi the ofhces of a CrC-
aror, liberal! giuer, protcfior, and thrcatncr. Hands arc afcri-
bed vntoGod, fomctinic tolhew that hcis thcCrcarorcfall
things, as Pfal.X 19.73 • Thj hands hane made me andfafbiened
we.-fometimeto fiicw his liberality to all liuing things,aiP/W.
145.1^. Thea openeft thy hand, andfillefiaUthtngs lining ef thy
gi>ed plea/are.'fomciimc to fliewthe eare he hath to protect and
defend the faithful!, as Efai.s^.^.2. Vnderthe(hadewofhu hand
hathhehidme: and fometime to (hew his readinelfc to bee
aucngcd vpon the wicked, as Sfai. 10.4. His hand is flretehed
out y?f//.6ut thefc and all other the figniHcationsof the hand of
God, 1 reducetotwoheads ;to thtleneefGed, and hisdijplea.
fssre : vnder thctn comprehending all their confcquents and
effcfls.
ThatthG/&4»«/ofGod bccokenethfometinichis/o«e,andrhe
benefits redounding t hence to man,tnans being,and his well-
being,tnay eafily be proued Jn the fecond chapter of the book
of ludges, ver.j f. we read that the Lords hand was againjlthe
\(tAt\ite%for euili: the collcftion thence may be,that theLordt
hind is fsmetinee towardfome fargoffd. It is inadeplaineoutof
Nehii.S. where theProphet, tofliew how ready Artaxerxes
was todoe himpleafure,faith ) 7heKingganemeaccerdingto
the good hand of my God vpon me, f might by many like inftan-
ces outof holy Scripture giue (Irength to thispofition; but it
may (eeme to be a needlelfe labour. Therefore I proceed.
Now that hand ofGodQionld betoken his difpUafure,
and theefFc^f s thereof,foSy be proued as eafily. When the If'
roe/ites (otiiking God betooke themfelues to {ctucBaalimy
the hand ofthe Lord was fore againfl thern,f(tdg.2.i 5. the Lords
hand, that isj his iudgemenr, punifhment, and reuengement
was fore vpon them ; the wrath of the was hot againft
them : he dcliuered them into the hands of the fpoilers :
they were fpoilcd, fold to their enemieSjand fore punifhed.
When the Phils/lines had brought the arkeof God intothe
houfeof Dagon, th^ hand of the Lordwas heauj vpon them,
• P/fl/,78.^4, ' 5.5.t!wLordsthatis,hisiudgcmcnt,puni(hraenf,
*y. and tcuengcmcnc was hcauy vpon thcro. * The Lord awakpd
Amos I. 8.
4U »H« $ttt efjliepf, and like a Giant refrefhid reitb rvine, hee
fmete his enemies with Sfiereds, and pat them to a perpetaaU
^^wf.Oflikc fignificition is the phrafcin my text; 1 wiUturne
m') hand toEkron : my hand fhall be fore againft Skren j I will
comeagainft Ekron 'in judgement; J witlpunif?j£^re;j, I will
take vengeance on Ekren.
I win turns mj hand ] Sometimethis phrafebetokeneth the
good grace and fauour of God, as Zach. 13.7. Iwillturne my
hinAvponmyltttleoees. My little ones, ( when the Ihcphcrd
fliall befmitten, and the (beepcfcattered ) I will recouer with
ray hand, and prcferue them for cuer ; J will gather them togc-
ther,I willcomlort them, I will defend tl.cra irurftu adpa(io-
rem,?tr praeeptoremfuum redaeam,{aith Ribera: though they
be fcattcrcd, I will bring them backe againe to their owne
fhcpherd, and mafter. There you fee Godshis hand
Vpon his little ones, is for good.
Here its othcrwife.God turneth his hand to Ekyon for euill.
This isauerred and iiiftificd by the infallible predidionsof
other Prophets. Zaehary,chap.^.$.{otete\leth,thit much/or-
rewJhalibetide'E^von.Zephanj.chap.i.^. faith thaiEkrony^/(i^
berootedvp. leremj, chap. 25.20. fakes thec»po//i&('K>/wo/
Gods indignation, andgiuet it Ekron todrinke, to make Ekrett
like her neighbour countries, euen defolatiemndiafionifbment,
ahijftng, andaf«r/e. So great is calamity, thrcatned
in th efe word s of my text; / will turne my hand to Ek ron.
Ekron\ Will you know what this was? You fliall flnde
in the hookeoiIoP}Ha,chap, 11 VitLSzdukedomem the
land ofthc7'/jr/<y?/wr, and xSam.Q. 16. that there was in this
dukedomeacrryof the fame name; no hsfeeity, but a Princes
feat ; able atone time to giuc entcitainment to fiuc Princes.
Againft both ettj and dakedome Gods hand was flrciched cut.
Iwilltstrne my hand/ffEkron.Will God ftnite £l^re^,both city
and dukedomefWemiy take from hence this IcfTon j
There is no fafe being in city or country from the hand of God,
when he is difpefed to punifr.
The reafon iSjbccaufe there is no pbccto flie vnto from hi9
prcfcnce; None.Nocorner in Hell,nomanfion in Heauen.no
cauc
I (io The Fourteenth LeSiurc^:
c&Mcin the top of C4rmel, nolaiheshcWymthei'ettome of tho
fe4, no darkc dungeon in the land ofcaptinity, no place of any
fecrccy any where can hide vsftom the prefcncc of God. Wit-
neirctwo holy Prophets, Dauul, and Amos, The one, P/4/.
1^9. the other, chap,<f. You hauc thereafon of my Doftrine;
the vies follow.
Isittruc? Istheteno fafehetHgiit City,or Comtry, from the
handof God, when he is dipofedto punifh ? One vfe bercofis, to
teach vs to take patiently whatiocuer4^<^7ww/ fhall befall vs.
AffliciionslciWi whatfoeuer is any way oppofite to humane
naturcj fuch as arc the temptations of the flefti,the world,and
the Deuill: the difcafcs of the body, an infortunatc husband,
or wife, rebellious children, vnthankfull friends, lolTc of
goods, reproaches, flanders, warre, peftilcnce, famine, impri-
fonmenr, death, euery croffcand paflion, bodily, or ghoftly,.
proper to our felucs, or appertaining to fuch as are of our
bloud, priuate or publikc, fecret or manifeft, either by out
ownc dcfcrts gotten, or othcrwife impofcd vpon vs.
All,and euery ofthefe^truefhri/fUns will patiently vndcr-
goe. For they with their fharp-fighred eie of faith, doc clcarcly
fee the Hand of God in euery of their moIefi4tions: and in great
contentraentthey take vp the words of patientChap. 2.
1 ©. Shall roee reesmegood 4t the hand of God, and net recetne
em A?
Here let euery affliBed foulc examine it felfc, how it is afFc-
£led with the vnder which it groancth. If you e-
^eemeofyout^itlions, as of God hhhthetly eha/ltfements,
and fo endurethcm, blelTcd arc ye. Of this blefrcdncifc Saint
lames,Chap,l.iz. doth iSaxeyou : Bitted is the man that en^
dureth tent at ion: for when he is tried he fhall reeeiue the crewne
of life, which the Lord hath promifed to them that lone him,
AgaiBe,is it true Ms there no fafe being tn City or Country,
from the hand of God, when he is diffjofed to puni/h ? A fecond
vreofthisdo^lrineis, to admonifhvs, thatwciabouraboue
all things to obtainc Gods fauour, and to abide in it: fo (hall
we be fafefrom thefeareofeuill.
Now for the obtaining of Gods fauour, we muff doe foure
things.
(,
J
Amos r. 8.
things. Wemuft i. Humble our fclues before God : 3, Be-
leeucin ChrlA : 3» of ourfinncs: 4. Pcrforoie new
obedience viito God.
The time will not fuffer me to enlarge thcfc points. Humi-
liation, faith in Chrift, rcpentance,»nd a new life; thcle foure
willbevntoyou, as ladder was vnto the Angels. Of
that ladder you may reade, GeK.^Z. 12. that it fioedvfoHthi
earth; the top of it dtd reach to heauen, and the A»gells of God
tventvpit. So may you by thefe foure, Huwiltatiop, Faith,
Repentance, znd NevfKeffe of Itfcf as it Were by fo many fteps,
and rounds of a ladder,climbc vp to heaucn.
Here you haue no continuing Citie j you are but ftrangers,
and pilgrims on the earth ; your countrey is abouc, the Cele.
^izWlerufaletio: there let your hearts be. As for the afflidi-
ens, vexations, tribulations, miferies and CTolIes, wherewith
this raortall life of yours is feafoned, let them be your ioy.
They arc fare pledges of Gods loue vnto you. Euen fo faith
theSpirit, Hei>r*X2.6. tvhomthe Lordlo»ethhechafi»eth,and
hefcourgeth etterj fonne that he recciueth.
Thirdly, is it true? Is there no fafe 6 ein^ incttieorcottntrie
from the hand of God^ trhen he is dtlfafed to puni/h ? A third vfe
of this doftrine is, for the terrour of fuch as lie wallowing in
the filthineffe of their fins. Many there are, wicked wretches,
whojif God (hall for a time deferrc the punilhments due vnto
their finnes, arc ready to thinkcthat God takes no noticeof
their finnes. Thefe fay in their heart thcreis noGod.
Againft thefe is made that challenge, Pjal.^o.i i. / held my
tongue,andth^u thoughtcft me Ukethyjelfe. I} the Lord, who
fecthe fccretsof allhearts, I held my tonoue^ I did not by my
iudgemcnts punifti thcc for the wickcdnellc »ftl>y (tc ps;/ he/d
tuy tongue, andchouthoughtej} meIthe thy felfe] thou though-
tefi f fookc picafurc in wickednelfc, as thou doeft j but thou
(halt fiudc, and feele the contrary.
Strange arc the effeffs wrought in the wicked by the met-
cies, and long fuffering of God; thereby they grow wotle and
worfc, obdurate, and hardned ill their finnes. Yctlctthcm be
aduifcd: for the day will come, and it comes apace, wherein
X they
162.
The Fourteenth LeSlurc^,
they fljall fccle the heauineircof that hand, which here vt at tur-
: IwiRturKemj hAudto Ekron. Itfollowcthj
tyind theremtsant cf the PhthftinetPjaUpert^.
The Thiltfiines had their beginning from Caflachim, a
gtin6-c\\i\dco\ C^a?)c, theaccurfcd ilFucof Noah, as appca-
retli,^^>?.ioj4.They were fcatcd in a part of the Land o't (^a-
KAAv J die well parr, that which bordereth vpon the^reet Sea,
the Sea coinraonly called the Afediterraneafr. Their Country
was called by Ptolemee and others,/'.a/ify?/«i«,and by the Greek/,
Phoenicia, It was a part ofthatcountrcy, which once was cal-
led Terrapromijfianes, the Land of proraife; but now Terra
SanHa,tht Holy Land.
Thcinhabitantsin ourPfophctstlme, wereprofclTcd ene-
micito Almighty God,ind\mbc\oiKdIfrael. They thought
themfelues fafc from ruinc through the llrength of their hue
Dukedomes •, Az.z,<ih, Ajhdod, Afhkelen, Gath and Ekron.But
vaine and foolifh are the thoughts which poffclTe the wicked.
When the God of all truth Ihail giu^^his word for a matter,fhal
man prefume to doubt of the euent i Here Gad fcrs his jrerd
vpon it, that there lhall be an vrtcr ouerthrow, not onely of
Az,zah, A(hdod, A(hkehn and Ekron, but of Gath alfo, and all
the villages belonging thereunto: for the remnant of the Phi-
lifimes (ballperith, faith the LordGod.
^ cyiit Domintis leh6mh\ tilth the Lord God,
This is the conclufion of this prophecie, and it rcdoubleth-
its authoritie and credit. Authoritie and credit fufficientic
hiihfiqm'mvery^tom,vtrk6.ThmJaithtbe Lord; it is here
redoubled ; faith the Lord God.
I Stith the Lord God] hath the LordCfodfaid'ir,andr fhal) he
notdoeit? hathhcfpokenit,andfhalihcnotaccomplifhit i
The Lord, lehsuah, the flrcngth of Ifrael, is not as man,thar he
^ fiiould lye, nor as the fonncofraan,thathcfl]otiId repent. All
his words,yca all the titles of his words, are 7>.«, and
£ Meitb.j.id. f Heauen and earth (ball petiili, before one iot or one tittle of
his word fhallefcapc vnfulfilled, Dominns /ehonib, the Lord
hath [aid ft, that the remnant of the Phtltfiines (hallperifh. Out
of doubt then mull it come to palfe. And fo is it.
The
m
16}
A M OS r. 8.
The firft blow,which the Philiflims rcceiued tovvarJj their
oucrthrow after thisprophccie, was giucn them aboue three-
fcoreyearcs after by Ez.;chiM, thit good King of Indah, of
whom the Prophet f/i/, Chap. 14. 29. forctelkchthc
fiines, that he fliould be vnto them as a Cockatrice, and a fiery
flyingSerpent, Thl% EiCtechiiV (motCthePhilifiiHesvmo
Zjib, and the coarts thereof, from the watch-tower vnto the
dcfenfedCitie.Thisisplaine, 2 Kiag.i^.Z,
A fccond blow was giucn by Tartan, one of the Captaines
of Sennacherib, ox Sargon, King of Afiyrta, who catne vp a-
gainftandfookeit. This fsplainc, Efij zo,i.
A third blow was giuen them by Pharaoh Neco: and hec
fraotc AK,z^ah,tA(hkel0n, and other places. This is it which
the Prophetfaith, 47. 5. BaUneffe u comevpon
Az,Ziih, A[bkelon is cntvp with the refi of their vaSejs, In a
word; God hath from time to time raifed vp his men of war,
in due time to extirpate and raze out thcT'!>#/»)?<«« from the
face of tlie earth, that according to the tenour of this Pro-
phccy, there might be aoremnant ofthcm.
Theremnant ofthePhiliflineslhallferifh'] Here may weob-
ferue a difference in Gods pfini/hments; he pnnifheth the repro-
bate, and hepuni/heth his elefl', but differently: the reprobate to
their vttcrexcifion,and extirpation; not fo the ele^. For of
theoijthereis vpon theearth euermorea remnantthit (hill be
faucd : as it's intimated by the Prophet Efay, Chap. 1.9. £*"-
eept the Lord of hefts bad refernid vnto vs euen a fmall remnant,
weihtuldhanebepneas %Q6om, andItke vnto Gomotsh. You
fee a remnant rcfcrucd, though a fmall one. Yea fometimci
there is a referuation of fofmada remnant as is fcarcely viflblc.
As in the dates of Eiiah, who knew of none but himfelfe, I only
am left, faith he, i King. 19.14. Yet God tells him in the 18.
vcrfcof feuen thou fan d /»Iiracl which nesser bowed their kpees
tpBaal. Hithertobclongech that, losl 2.32. In mount Sion,
and in Ieruf*Iem,jhA& oe deliuerance, as the Lord hath faid, and
in the remnant, whom th* LordJballcall.
'Howlcyecj»/ci^#<sf, and cry, and wallow your fclucs in the ! /omir34.
afhes, foryour daycs of difperfion and flaoghter arc accom-
_^X a pliflicd,
i(54 The Fourteenth LeSlure^.
plifhcd, and y€C fljall fall \\V.cxhtThtliflmes, eiicrymothers
* Urm>A6.io< childcof you: the " fwordlhall dcuourcyou : it fball be fa-
tiatc, and made drunkc with your bloud, there fliall not be a
remH<t»toi you left.
But you, and chofen children ef (jod jenr Father^
» £ySy ^1.3. takevnroyou * beauty for aflics, the oile of ioy lor mourning,
the garment of gladnelfe for the fpirit of hcauinrfie; rcioyce
yce, and be glad together. Let the prince of darkncirc, and
all the powers of hcll,afliffcd with the innumerable company
of his wicked vaflals vpon the earth,ioyne together to workc
your ouerthrow, they fliall not cffe£i it. For God, euen your
God, willreferue vnto himfelfc a remnant.
This remnant is the chafte^^"*/? of Chrill,thc Holy (^aihe.
like (^hnrch, enriched from aboue with all manner of benedi-
Aions. Extra earn nnllaefi falus ; whofoeucr hath not her for
ether, (hallncucr haue God for his Father. Of this
remnant and ^4r^9/ii^^^A«re'^,notwithrtanding the challenge
of Rotnifh IdolacerSjWe (beloucd) are found and liuely mem-
hers. Happy are the cyct which fee that we fee, andcnioythe
prcfencc of hiiB, whom we adore; happy are the eares that
hearc what we heare,and the hearts which are partakers of our
inflru Aioirs^ No Nation vnder Heaucn hath a God fo potent,
fo louing,fo ncere to them, which worfhip hiin,as we of this
lland haue.
The many and bloudy praftices of ihit^reat Anttchrifi of
often fct on foot againftvs, and ftill defeated, arefo
many cuidcnces, that our foules arc moil precious in the
fight of God. He, healone hath dcliuered vs out of the
Lie«i i aw, to bea holy vnto himfelfc.Now
what fhall wee render vnto the Lord for fo
great a blcffing ? We will take vp the
cup of faluation, and call vp-
on his Name.
the
iff5
THE
Fifteenth Ledure. f
m
Auos 1.
Thiti faith the Lord, For three tranfgrtffions of T yrus, and for
fettre, / will not turne to it, hecaufe thej fhut the whole cafttuitj
in Edofli, andhaue not rtmembred the brotherly couevant. ^
Thereforewtlllfenda firrvpon thetvallt ofTyxvLSjandit jhall
dcHoure the palaces thereof.
His blclFcd Prophet j4met, fcnt from God in
Erabalfage to the ten reuoltcd Tribes, doth
firft thunder oat Gods iudgements againft '
neighbour countries j the Syrians, the Phi-
Ufine), the T^rww/jthc Ed»mites,t\\i Ammo-
nites, the Aioabites- Which he doth forcer-
tainc rcafons, giuen in my Stxt heUure: diat he might be the ^
more patiently heard ofhis country-men, the Ifraelites: that
they might haucno caufc to thinke much, if God fliould at
any time lay his rod vpon thcmjand that they might the more
ftand iH awe of the wordsof this prophecie.
When they fhould heareot fuch heauy iudgements to light
vpon their neighbours, they could not but enter into a confi-
X s deration
1The Fifteenth LeBur^,
deration of their ownc cftate; and thus reafon within tbeni'
felues; Is it true, which rhis Jlmos faith i Will the Ler^i bring
fuch hcauy iudgetncnts vpon the Sjr 'tMHs, Phthfihes, Tjrians,
and other of our neighbours i In whatafearefulieibtc are wc
then? They feely people neuer knew rhe will of God 5 and
yet muftrhey be fo fcucrely punilhed ? How then (hall wee
cfcapc, who knowing Gods holy will,hauc contemned it i
Oftheiudgcments denouncedagainft theand Phi*
lifiinef, you haue heard at large in former Lefiurcs. Now in
the third place doe follow thcTyrians, vcrfp,and 10.
For three tranfgreJfioKS of Tyrus, 6cc. Tnefe words contai-
ring a burdcnfome prophccie againft Tjrm, Idiuidc rnto-two
parts.
1 A ^xttacCyThtu faith the Lord.
2 A prophccie,Fflr/^r^tf rr/i«^r<?^fl«/tf/Tynis, See.
In the prophecie I obferue foure parts.
1 A gencrall accufation of the Tjriatis: For three tranf
gre09»s of T yrui, audfor foure.
2 The Lords proteftnion againft them: I roilluotturne
to it.
3 The declaration of that grieuousfinne, by which they
fo highly offendcd.This finnc was the fin of vnmcrci-
fulnelfeand cruelric, exprelTcd in two branches.
1 They fhut the whole captitntie in Edom.
2 They remembred not the hratherlycouenant,
4 The defcription of rhe punifhmenr to befall them
for their finnc,in the tenth verfe, Therefore will Ifend
afirevponthewallfcfTymSj audit Jhalldeaoure the
palaces thereof.
The prefacegiues credit vnto the prophecie, and is a war- ,
rant for the truth o(it.Thus faith the LordjThc Lord,Iehouah,
whofe Throne is the Heauen of heauens; and the Sea his jioore
to walke in ; and the Earth his foot-fioole to tread vpon; who
hath zchaire in the conlcicncc,and fitteth in the heart of man,
znd pofefeth histnoftfccrctrcines, and diuidetb bctwixtthe,
flerti and the skin, and [haketh his inmoft powers, as the thun-
dcrfhakcththcyvildcrnc^eofC«i^r/. Thii Lord, Itbomh, fo
' - . ^ ^ mighty.
Amos i. 9.
powerful),fliall ire fay a thing,and fiiaii he not doe
it? Shall hcc fpcakcit, andfliail hccnotaccomplifliit? The
Lani, the ftnngth ©f/y^f^isnotasnian, that hcc
ihould lye, nor as the fonn<N>finah, that he fliould repent. All
his Words, yea all the tittles of all his words, arc Tea, and
men. Heaucn and earth fhall pcrifh, before ohciotor onctittlc
of hisrWord nialicfcapevntuffiilcd.
Thtts faith theLard'\ Out of doubt then muft it come to
paffc. And bccaufeitisthc Lordthac fpeaketh, itis required
of v$, that we hearken to him with reuerence. Thus briefly of
thcPrefaee ^ whereof ] haue more largely fpokcnin twofor-
merLeftures, tnyfixth and twelfth Lcdurcs, vpon the third
and fixt vcrfcsof this Cfiapter. In winch, the/every words
are prefixed for a Preface to two prophecies; the one againif
thc^/W^j,-?/, theotheragainrt[hc/'ib//r/?«»tf/. I proceed to the
prefenc prophccic againft the Tjrians.lt is much like the two
former, both for words and matter. Jn regard whereof I fliall
be fhort in many of tny notes.
For three trarfgrefftons of Tjrtu, and forfonre ] Here is no-
thing new, but the name of Tyrm, This Tyrw is called in the
Hehrew text * Tz,or: whence came the name .S<ir,and Sarra in
E»niHi,PcenosS trrdoriundos I he notes the Carthaeimans to
haue their beginning from which is Tjrm. Tjrus was
a Very ancient Otic ; it was ii\xh,DrHjius,Vett4flifflmarum vr.
as it were, the mother of very old Cities, f/#'«»>
faith, that our of came the foun-
Vicrs andfirlf inhabiters,noconly of(fartha^efhutalfo ofLep-
tis, Vtica, and Gades, the Citic well knownc to our moderne
Niuigators by the nam* of Calis Malis,ind oflatcycarcscon-
quered by fome worthiesofoor £A?^/»//^ Nation. •
The aticient glory of this Crtie Tjrta, is blazed abroad to
the whole world, by Ez.rchulChap.ij. Glorious sfmTjrw :
I. For her firiiaiion ; £. For her riches; 3. For the frame,and
beauty of her building^.For her fhipping. j.For her power m
martiall affaires: 6. For her merchandizing: 7. For her great
cfieeme and report with forrainc nations. The Prophet Efiy in
hkcfoit blazcthout her glory, Chap.ij.yjS.Hefaithof her,
that
l6y
TheFifteenth LeBurC-^.
that licr antiquity is of ancient day cs that flicc is the crowne
oi the Sea ; that her merchants arc Princes, and her chapmen
the Noble* of the world. So glorious a Citie was this Tyrns.
Here (heeis accufed ot difloyaltie to the God of hcaucn, in
the very fame words, wherein and yiz,z.ith ate {or..
meily acculcd: Damafc;u, vcrf. 3. and •b,V€Tf»6. For
three tranlyr^reffimsof Tyrw, andforfonre'] And the Lordspro-
teftation vpon this accufation is the fame,/ wiHnot turne te if]
It is as jf the had thus faid : If the inhabitants of Tyrut
had offended but once, or a fecond time, I fliould hauc beenc
fauourableco them, and would hauc recalled them into the
right way, that fo they might be conuertcd,and cfcape my pu-
niflimcnrs: but now, for as much as they doc daily heape
tranfgreffion vpon tranfgrcffion, and make no end of finning,
I hauc hardned my face agamft thcm,and will not fuffcr thctn
to be conuertcd, but indurate and obftinate, as they are,I will
vctcrly deilroy them.
Alberttu M*gntu vnderftandeth by thefc three tranfgreffi-
ons, three forts of finncs 5 peccatum involttntate, peccatHmm
confenfu, peecatum i» opere : finnc in will, finnc in confeut, and
finnein and by thcfourth tranfgreffion he vndctftin-
dech, cordis indMrationem, induration and hardnelFc of heart;
which liedcfineth to be^erfi«4f»aw fermanenditM peccato, a
pcrtinacic, or rtubborncrefolutiento pcrfcucrein fio,where-
in the finncr licth wallowing, void of ffiame, and ali liking of
goodnefrc.
I doe rather approue Wt»cklemans iudgemcnt, who by
thcfe three, and foure tranfgrejfions of'X'jim, vnderftandcth
pride, d$fdai»e, Ittx ttrioufneffe of meats and drinkes, cojUtneffe of
garments, wanton Infis,ind other like finncs, incident to Marc
Townes,and Townes of great trade.That fiich were the finncs
of Tyrns, witneirc that her ffiarpc and gricuousrcprehcnfion,
Eojcch.iS-
For thcfe three and foure,tMny tranfgreffions and finncs,the
Lord protcftcth againft Tjrtts, I wtllnot turneto tt: J will take
nopicieonthem; but will doc vnto them according to their
workcs. For three tranfgrejpons efjyrus a»dfeHre,^c,'\ Here
A M O S I. 16^
fowit arc you to be rcmcmbred of a doflrinc more tban once, here-
tofcrc commended to your Chriftian confiderafions.
(lunes dotpluc^ dovne from htautn the mofi ccrUine
IClljiii rtrath and vengeance of God vpon the {inner s,
I'tfoi. God is pure ofcies, and bcholdeth not iniquity; Hce hath
^.Fw laidrightcoufncireto the rule, and weighed his iuftice in a
Mspio. ballance. The fenrencc is palFed forth, and muft Ihnd vncon-
wwiiii] trolable, cuenaslong as Sun and Moone ; Tribulation and
olTjrit anguifh vpon cucry foulc that doth cuiil. The foulc that fin-
Bcixfjt rcth itfliall bee puniflied. God makes it good by an oath,
lintotlie Df«f. q 2.41. That he will whet his glittering fword, and his
hand (hall take hold on iugdcment to execute vengeance for
fin. Hisfoulehatethand abhorrcthfinnc; his lawcurfethand
oflim^ condcmncth finnc j his handfmiteth and fcourgcth fin. Sinnc
ufotlin was his raotiueto caft downe Angels into Hell j to thrufl
yittJlK dam out of Paradife; to curne Cities into aflics j to ruinate na-
tions; to torment his owncbowelsin thcfimilitudeoffinfull
flefh-Bccaufeof finne he drowned the old world,and bccaofe
fmm offinncerelong will burne this. Thus dot many fnneflucke
mfmd downe from Heauen themofi eertaine wrath and vengeance ef
tDdnb God vpon the ftnners.
Wkii One vfc of this do£lrinc was ; to teach vs heedfulnefTe in
mt, 1 Skll our waies, that wee doc not by our many finnes prouoke
Almighty God to high difplcafure.
liingol A Iccond vfe was; to tnouc vs to a feriouscontemplation of
the wonderfull patience of Almighty God, who did fo graci-
«lioby cufly forbeare thcfc Tjriant, till by three znd fonre tranfgnjft-
ftindeii by their many finnes they had prouokcd him to indigna*
on. Thefe things I haue heretofore laboured to lay vnto your
(toMirt hearts.
lidiiiiKi Now fclloweth the third part of thisprophccic, wherein
btoj haiicthcdeclaration of that gricuous finnc,by which the
Tyrians f0 highly otFendcd : the finne ofvnmercifnlnejfe and
' crwe/ry jexprcircd in two branches.
I They [hnt vp the whole eaftinitie in'Eiova.
jufb 2 They rememhrednot thehretherlj cokenant. '
jyyfff I They fhut vp the whole capti-.tity i»Edoin]Thc expofitiori'^
art' ■ Y of
170 The Fifteenth LeBure^.
of thcfe words I haue formerly dcliucred vnio you in my
twelfth Lel}ure,in6 my meditations vpon the C.verfe, There
the Philifftnes arc condemned tor 4way prt/oners the
whale captivity,t9 fhut them vp in Edom ; and here arc the T^ri"
condemned idtfhutttngthewholecaptiuitjiMTc.Aom. The
fin fecntcth to be the fatiic in bothj the Philtfitnet,and the 7/-
riti»s» Both did fhtttvp the whole capttttiiyin Edom ; that is, as
loel c;&<t/>.3 .6.rpeakcth jthcy both did fell away the chtldreK of
ludab^ttrtd the children of lerufalirnvnto the Grecians, th^tthtj
t»tght fend them farre from their borders, God his peculiar in«
heritancci hisownefeed, andferuants, thechtldrenof ladah,
and lerufalemtVtetcby the crucll and hard-hearttd Phihjiines
and T^rik/w/.mancipatcdjand fold awayforbondfliucstothe
dwellingfarrc off, that with them they mightliue
in perpetuall feruitudeand flauery,without all hope of liberty
or redemption.
^rias Montanta Boteth adifFcrcnce betwixt that finnc of
the and this of the T/fww/. Toe Phihfiines earned
away prtfoners the whale capttutty, to [hnt thctta vp tn Edofn,
They did,as they thought,but what they might doc lawfully,
by the law of nations. The /ewes were their captiues and prifo-
ncrs, conquered by a ftrong hand in open hofltlttj, and for this
rcfpcd tiicy (hat them vp in Edora;they fold them to the G eci-
anr, to bcby them tranfporcedto the /dnmjtant. But thclcT/-
rian: hadnofuch pretence of excufe. They did not with a
flrong handjin open hoflihty conquer the lews,Si. fo take them
prifonert^hm did fHrpriie them by deceit, and trecherte,ZS they
lay at Tynu for trafficky and entercourfe of merchandife ^ and
thus furprifed they//teweiptw Ed m $ they fold them to
the Grecians, to be by thcm tran<^portcd to the /dnmtcans,imc
fioin their owi.e country,eucn to Italy. For it is a conrtant tra-
dition ill allhiftorics, that agreatpart of the Italian
nation, fpecially thofcthatdwelt at Rome, had their begin-
ning from the Idttmaans. But I wii not profecuic this opinion.
They fhutthf whole capttnity in Edom ] The; fpa ed nor,ei-
thcr women, or children, or the ap^ed ) they toeke no pity, no
compafiionpVppn either/eAt, wage; hwallof a&forts, male
and
Amos i. p.
and clJ, a wht/t and perftB eaptihity^xhcy de-
liuercdvpint® the hands of thtSdomitei. The Edamites were
theportcrity who wsmmei Edcm, as the /fraehtgs
wercthepoftcrity who was namfd ffrael, Efau pur-
fued /acch with a deadly hatetfc didthcpoftcrity cf£,'rt»,the
pofterity o^Iacch. The wcrecucrCBcremoftmalici-
oufly bent againft the Ifraelittt.
Now behold the foulncirc of this finne wherewith the Ty-
are here charged. Irwai thefinofcrwe/tyina very high
degrce.Ii is a (rncU deed to detaine any one vnlawfully from re-
turning into his natiue country : but him that is fo detained,
to fell away for a hndflaue to his mortalUfienemity this a cth-
eltj, than which there cannot be a greater. Such was the fin of
thcfe Tjr'tans'y They fold the lewefylaeoh pojieritj, andG®d his
feruants, to thdtprojejfed enemies, the Edomites, with this po-
licic, that being carried farrc from their owne country, they
inightliueincterna]l/l4«eryand^e»di>^e, without hopecucr
to returne home againe.
They (hut the u^ole captiuity in Edom] The Tyriant are here
difproued, for deliuering vp Gods inheritance, a beleeuing na-
tiofijinto the hands of profane Edomites.hnd it may remem*
beryouof alefTon heretofore commended to your Chrifliaa
confiderations )
It ie not lawfttR to commit the ehiidren of heteeners into the
bands of infidels.
The rcafon is,that they be not withdrawne from their holy
faith, religious worfip, and feruice of God.
1 This do^frinc fcrueth for our irftruftion. Ittcachethvs
fo tolouethefoulcs of the righteous feed, that we leaue them
notrcfidcnt am ong Infidels, Atheifts,Papilts, or other pro-
fane wretches, but rather that to our owne coll and labour,
weredcemcthcm out of the Deuils tyranny.
2 It ferueth for the reproofeofluch as doe bindeandput
their children (the fruit of their bodies, which they ought to
confecratcvnto the Lord ) into the education of o/'ew
to the Gofpell of ChrtH ; mofl blafphemous and abominable
Atheifity or moft blindc and fupcrftitious Papifit,
Y a I Sitb
The Fifteenth LeSiurc^.
3 Sith icisnoc lawfull to commit the children of belce-
ucrs into the hands oflnhdelSj for thcreafoniabouefpecificd,
that they be net wichdrawne from their holy faith, religious
worOiipjand true fcruice of God : then neither is it lawfull for
vsto keepeaway, or fend away our/cr»(««f/ from thefernice
of
Let no man fay vnto me, fuch a mans feruant, and fuch a
roans, are employed in temperallaires at the time of ditsiKe
ferstice, and why (liould not mine be likewife ? ( Dearely belo-
ncd) agoodChriftianspartis, tobceoflikerefolutionwith
Io^ueth,chAp.^^,x y.Howfoeuct all the world befides fliall be
affeftcd in this bufinclfe, yet to refolucfor himfelfe and his fa-
milie, as lofhssah did for his j / and my houfe willfeme thcL erd,
I doe but touch thefe points, becaufc 1 haue heretofore in this
place more at large inOfted vpon them.
Now followeth the fccond branch expreffingthe fin of the
Tjrians, their finne of vnmercifulnefe and cruelty.
They haue net rememhred the ceueuant of brethren
For this time I note that men may bee called brethren fix
manner of waies. i. 'By nature, as laeob and Efau* By ki»dred,
affinity,or alliaHce, 3i$ Abraham and Lot. 3. By nation or counm
try,isall lerves. 4. By relt£i(ni,i$ ill Chrijiiant. 5. By friend^,
(hip, is So/omen, and Hiram KiogofTyre. 6. By calamity, or
mifery,as many poorc diftreflcd pcoplc,who haue not where-
with to fupport their wcake natures.
Theceuenant of brethren here mentioned, fome doercfcrrc
to that le.igucof amity which wasconcluded betwcencKing
Solomon, and Htram. King ofTyrr,recorded 1
Some doe prroper'v vnderftand thefe words, to fignifie that
naturall league wh.wn fheuld haue bcenc betweene lacob and
£y'<i«,naturall brethren, and their pofterity in lineal! dcfccnr,
thelewes.Ifraehtes, and Edamttes. Vnderftand it which way
you will:thcZyrf«»/were both wayes blamcablc.Fiift they re-
m/mbrednot theceuenant made betwecnt their King, King
Hiram, and King Solomon, Secopd'y,they remtmbrtdmt the
couenant niid b/ nature betweene the herpes, Jfraelitts, and£-
domites, brethren lineally defcendcd iroia two naturall brc,
thrcn •
'73
Amos I. 9.
thrcn, Ucoh zn^EfnH, From both expoGcionsarifeth profita-
bledo^^rinr.
Firftj is Almighty God here difpleafcd with the "Tjrims,
becaufc they did ill inrrcat thelcwcs, and Ifraelites, notr*-
metnbring the ancient CQHenant bctwccnei//r<«w their King,
and Solomon King of Ifrael ? Hence we may take this ielTon,
Ancient leagues are not rafhlj to be vioUted,
A'aror/w, breakers oftrftces, in^eouenants, are
Rfm.i. 31. ranked among fuch, whom God in his fecrct
iudgemcnt hath giuen vp eifdlhiuftop voaS, to a reprobate fcnfc.
Faederum tutor, ^ vindex Detu f)? ;God is, as it were a tutor,
or protc£for of leagues, and feucrcly rcucngcth himfelfe vpon
the breakers of them.
The Gentiles of old by the light of nature did acknowledge
asmuchjandfearefull examples in all ages doe prouc as much.
I will inftance,butin few. lofhuahxmdezileague With the Gi'
beonites,and fteareihit he would fufferth'em tolifu,Jolb^^.i s^,
long after Saul, and his bloudy houfe fleW fomc of thtm.
Hereat was the Wrath of the LordWind\ed, and for.this caufe
hepuniflied the people with three jtares famine, and was not
appeared with the land,till feuen of Sauls fonnes were deliuercd
vp into the hands cf the Gibeonites, to be hanged vp in Gibt'
ah, 1 Sam.II.I,
Zedecbiah King of /udah,made a couenant wvhNabuchodo-
s!ofor King ot SabeLmd fware»lubieftion to him. EotZede-
ehiahtiotwmiiXiP.dni^h'ueath, rooke part with the Kings of 17. &
the Egyptf ini, Idumaans, CMoabstet,TtAmmomtes, and Tjriu, ^ &
againft Nahucbod9nofer,vyhat followcth this breach of his oath
andc««M<i'«/f£jen vtrerruineto^;w/i'//<r,his h*>*£dome,theci-
ty of /ertsf Uem^Si theglorious Femple there,2 Chr.^6.TJ 8cc*
Vladijhus King of Poland,and Hungary,conc\iided a peace
for ten ycares with Sultan ttyimurath, the fixth King of the
Turves, Vlidi/latu tooke his oath vpon the holy Euange/tffs,
and Amurathhis, (by his fimbalTadours) vpon their 7^^»yS
Alcoran. ''This was the moft honourable peace, that cucr
Chrifiian Prince had before that time made w.^rl^any of the ' "
Turkifh Kings,and mofl profitable aifo, had it bccne w». r' * e
X 3 fifsr u-'y
rKyng. 24.
IftW. Ji.2.
Knollcs Hifl,
174 Fifteenth LeBurtJi
finccrity kept, as it was with folemnity confirmed. Vladijl4Hi
' Vag.xct, ' abfolucd from his oath by Cardinall Inliamu the Popes Lc-
gate, and Agent in Hnngary, brcaketh the concluded peace,
and inuadtth a frcfli the THrkef dominions. The7»ri^ir loynes
e 2a^.i97. battcll with him at ^t^arna in Bulgaria ; and beholding the
piftureofthccrucifix in the difplaicd enfigncs of the Chri-*
y?/<rw,p!uckesoutofhisbofomcthat writing,wherein the late
Uagfte betvvecne&;«r and Vladiflxm was comprifcd ; and hoU
ding it vp in his hand with his cies cad vp to hcauen, faith ;
Behold, thoHcrsicifiedChxxfk ; this is the leaq^Me thy (^hri^ians
in thy name made with me, which they haste without caufe viola^
ted. Now if thou he a God as they fay thou art,and as we dreame,
reuenge the wrong now Hone vnto thy name,and me j and fhewthy
powervponthy periuriota people, who in their deeds deny thee,
thetrGod. What followed hereupon ? The vifloric was the
Ttirkes.Vladtflasts loft his life there,and eleuen thousand Cbri-
ftians befidcs. Thcfuccellc of this great and bloudj hatteS of
yarna,fooght the lo. of W0«ei»^er,i444.doth it not plainly
Hiew, that God cannotaway with league-breakers?
Thcfc few inftanccs ofSaul,Zedechtah,ZT\dFladtJlatts,miy
fuffice for the clearing of my propounded doftrinc j
Ancient leagues are not rajhly to he violated.
The vfc of this doflrine is, to admonifh all fubicfls to be ve-
ryrcfpe^iue and mindful! ofthat/rvt^we zndeouenant which
theyhaue by thcit folemne oaths made and confirmed to their
Kings, Princes, and other Gouernours: according to that ex-
hertation made by S.Paul, Rom.i^,i. Let euery fonle hefub-
ieil to the higher powert.\c is not a bare ornakcd exhortation |
it is backed with a good rcafon. For there is no power but of
God i and the powers that are,are ordained of God : It folloWCth
in the fccond vcrfc itvhofoeuer therefore reftfletb the power,re^
fifleth the ordinance of God. Whofocuer they arc ihit reftjl
power,mcn in authority,Princcs,Rulcrs,and Goucrnours,thcy
reftftGod, and God will confound them ; their infamie fhall
remaine rpon pcrpctuall record for a fpeftacle to all pofterity.
Whatelfc roeaneththc Apoftlc in the fame place, where hee
fiiif h. They thatre0,jhall receiue to them flues tudgement ?
And here (deatcly bcloued) 1 bcfieech yo4« ^ beware o^Ro'
mi'
Amos i. p.
mifh LfCftfisJ mean /ef(itf,znd Seminary Prie/}s,viho arc fent
from beyond the fcas to inucigic you,& to make you vnmind-
full, oratleaftcarelcffcof your Cfiuenanr, confirmed by your
facrcd oaths, with your redoubted Sfneraigne. They will tell
yoii chat your King is an Heretikejbccaufehemaintaincih oot
their 7^«Bir/Z',«fij>,and vpftart religion:and will thereupon go
about to pcrfwadeyou,that you are not teke'peyour jatih with
is a Dcmllifli doftrine.They banc learned it from Mar-
tin the fiftjone of their holy Pf-pes,^ who in his Epiftlc to Alex-
ander, Duke of Litnania, faith •, Sctto te peccare mortaliter, fi
feruabh fidem datam hareticis: Know, faith he, that thou fin-
ncft mortally,if thoii kcepLfichy oath made with hcretikes.
Itvponthis perfwaljon you will not be drawncto^rf<»i^e
youroa!b,\N\\ic\tyox\ makcitor.fcienceol ; tiien will they fur-
thcr tell you, that the Pope hath already giucn you alf lutian,
indidtjpenfation foy your oath. Pope % Crego>y th^ f uentho^
that name,faith hy Apoflolicall authority doeahjuiue all front
their oaths, which they haue giuen to per for, s excommunicate.
The words arc in Gratians decree, <ju. Wee by
>^po(lolicall ji/thority doc ab'bliieall from their oadies, &c.
But who ixc excommunicate by Remifhexpofitiiit.? I will tell
you our of rhe great hwyetPanormitan not they only againft
whom the (er\xer.^ce oi excemmunicatten }i pronour ced. For
fiith Panormitan, rvhen the Htyefij u pitbltkfly knewne, there
reedeth no precueti.ition ef the fent tree of excommunication.
And whoarc fuch hcretikesasagainll whom there ncedcthno
pronUKtiati vn of thepntence of excantmuiiicatitn ? ' Alfonfm dc
Caflro, and ^Tokt the leftite, will tell vsjthat who!oetier nt/itn.
taineth any doHrir e tetidemned in the Church of Rome, he is to be
accounted an tbjhnate Hereti^e,
Weil then j all Pcotefiants,Pri»ces,iit\dfubiens,mi]r\ta\nwg
true Chr (Kan doffrinc,fuchas is condemned in the Church
ofRome,3re xnPepfQ} account obfltnate /f, rf//^-'r,and tiiercforc
ipJofaHu ilrcidy t.xcommunicate.' there needeih no pronunti-
At ton afthe fentenee of excommttn,cation againfl: tiiem. Where-
Upon it foliowctb, that in eucry kingAtfmc where the King is
a profeffed Proiefiant,^ejubtefls arc already Abfolttt d from their
oath of Allege ance^ I
'75
f CoehUuiH'ilf.
HttJfit.lib.^.Kti'
no'd.Tbtf. ?.4t.
ptg.tiS.Siargiti.
t Coiif\<;,qu.6,
c Not SanClo-
vum.7fpttas,qui
excemmiixicatis
fidchtate & ft-
cmmcntoct.vflri-
Hi Cunt, .Upofio.
liia aatoiilat- fa-
cramentt obfol-
tiimm.
h Extiadep-
diriti C'p Cum
in bomtfie-
Ci:m iff trie.en
r.otoiium, nulla
ifi opusdccU'a-
tionefcntenti*
extonmumca-
timii.
« Lih.r.datura
pmt. Haretic.
Jnfir 1,(1.
eerd.bb.i cap.if,'
inttdigcns
aiq am fehten-
exprehe
ab EciUfadam-
n.itam, earn rtU-
nwit, Hareti'
cujpLrl'mattfi
unfndui.
r
176
li
li
1 ^pnd. Grat'm,
CiUf.l'i qu.6.
"> Magnui^
NccramaniicM
fnejligiis Diaho'
Ucii PapatHfft
inuapt.
SKegcJ. (pec.
Pmif.&xjrjiit.
JpCC.lC^ll^
dtcomitifa oc-
(uhumbahHlt
cemtnercium.
yrJin.SpecJe.
fuit.p.z6u
" Lib.%. Veeret.
til.y.capX.gloJJa,
Ncs excammuni-
camuA vmj/erfos
hitrctkos, itab-
fslutosfe nnue-
rint emni fidcli-
talk debt to, qui
^ iisiuramento
■ ttrtcbmlHt tPri-
^InBuUa.Ab'
feluimM fubditot
vinculo iuratnen-
it, quoKegin*
Eli\tibethecm •
PnHi tencban-
tur.
The Fifteenth LeBurc^l'
I will not in this auditoric further enlarge this point. A
point, I grant, fitter for t\\c (^onusKt of the profound and lear-
ned,then for this place. Wherefore I (hut vp this point, be-
fcechingyou to fuffcra word of exhortation.
How(beuer Pope' Gregory the fe>/e»th,thithmt^f0rcerer,
and '^adulterer, and "Gregory the ninth, and P Pitu the fifr,
and all fuccceding Popes fliall abfolue you from your oath of
allegiance, yet ( dcarely beloucH) belceue them not. 'Peter,
and the ApolHesjvi £?. 5,29. doepiityouin mindc, thatitis
better to obey God, than men. And God in his holy word
commandeth you to be ftshiePl to the higherp9wers,as you haue
already heard, l.to honour the King, i Pet.z. iy,to
fubrrttt your felfits to all manner ordinance of man for hit fakf,
■whether it be vntothe King asvntothefuperiortr, or vnteether
goHerno/frs,verf.i j.you haue taken your oathtf allegiance and
fwornc obedience to your King ; breake not your cenenant
with him, that Gods wrath brcakc net forth in fircagainft
yoUj as it did againflthcfc Tyrians, for not remembring the
couenant of brethren.
Thus farre by occafion of the firft expoficion of thcfc words.
They remernbred not the couenant of brethren^ that is, they re-
mcmbred not the couenant made bctwccne ^heir King, King
Hiram,ax\d the King of'ffrael, Kin^Solamon,
Now foraewhat of the other cxpofition. They remembred
not the couenant of brethren ; that is, they remembred not the cO'
uenant made by nature bctwccnethe leives,/fraeUtes,andEdo-
twrfer,brethren lineally defcCndcd from two natural] brethren,
laceb and Efan. They knew full well,that the lewet and Ifrae-
/#re/were the ilfuc oiJacob, and the Sdemites of Efauj they
knew likcwifc, that the Edomites bore a mortall hatred to-
wards the/ewer and /y^^e/^eZ; yet fold they the fewes and If-
raelites,\ntot\\z Edomttes^ and arc therefore hcrcfaid not to
remember the brotherly couenant.
The man chat confpirechmifchicfc and dcftruftion to his'
brother,h a monfter in nature,worthy to be purfued with ctcr-
nail dcfeflation : and whofocucr abhorrerh not from coTnfcn-
ting to fuch a wickednciTc, butgiucth furtherance, or counte-
nance
MO S f. 5.
titnce thereto, he is hoUen in the fame impiety. The
fought the deftruAion of the lewesznd Ifrnelites, and
the did further them in their bloudy dcHgnes; the
TjrUns therefore are partakers with the Edamites in the finne
of vnmercifulneffe, Which fin is here laid vnto their charge in
thcfcviordSfThefreTMemhedHtt the Ifrotberlj c$fteHaKtJficncz
«ve may take chis Icdon j
It u a thing very dtfisfifuUMttdVHfleeling vnto God^ither far
brethren to he et variance among themfelnest or for others to
countenance them in their quarrels-
Our alfent to this truth, the light of nature within vs doth
extottfromvs, Ofthehrft part of my propofition, wherein I
auow it to if 4 verydifiafifhU thtngvnto God for brethren to
hee at variance among themfelnes, I (hall haue fit opportu*
nitie to entreat, when I (hall come to the eleuenth vcrfe of this
Chapter,where£do(» is reproued for furfning his brother with
the fword.
Of the other part,wherein I do afHrme it to he an vnyleaftng
thing to God for any to countenance brethren in their quarrels, I
will by Gods afllftance fpcake at this time very briefly.
It is athingvery dsfiafifuUandvnpleaJtngvnto Godfor any to
countenance brethren in their quarrels.
The aduice is good which Saint Pd*/giueth,£f^c/^ 5.11.
Haueyt noftSorvJiip with thevnfruitfuSwerket of darkneffe,but
tuen reprout them rather. What are the workes of dar^nefe, but
the workfs eftbeflefh? Now in Galat. 5.20. in thcCatalogue
of the workft of the flelh, we finde hatred, debate, wrath, con-
tention. With thefe therefore wc mufthaueno/f/WyS/^, we
tnuft r^pr««e them rather,
Mullwe haue no fellowfhip with them ? Muft werf^frfwf
them rather? What faith old AdamtVlhit faith flefls and blond
•to this? Our Gallantsoi this age canentertainenofuch ad-
uice: that it may be fulfilled which our Sauiour Chn^ foretold
of the end of the world, Luk. s 1.1 o. and 16. NationfkaU rife
againfi nation, kingdome againff bfngdome, a father againfl hie
fon, a brother againfi his brother,a ^nfman againfi hts kir^ftuan,
and a friend again/i his friend,
Z A
TheFifieeMh Le^ufc^.
A fitter remedy for this malady I finde none, than toimi*
tateblcircd There grew a debate bctwecne his fer-
uants,andthefcruant8 of Lot^ their heardmen could not a-
gree. What doth Ahrahain in this cafe ? A s the manner of
Maflers is rlo\^ adaics ? Nd,be breaketh not out into ehtler )
he faith not, Mj ftrmnts Are Abufed; mj ceftn Lot his feruAnts
doe feehe to crorv oner them, and to rule the rof} as they lift. This
is anin'tury to mee their Mafler,anda fhAme tofHfferit.SeamAn
mt^ be made''A fodte wdeedyAttd acceunted a wretch,and a daflard
of HO reputation, NetteryviU anymancare to ferue me, iflfiicke
not better to risj men than fe. Such language, as the world now
gocth, is very rife amcxhg Vs.
But Abraham fpakenot fo; Grace wai ih hii fafee, and
mildiiedfeinhiisWords': terthusfpakehc vnto hisN^hew
Lot,<ye». r^.S\ Iprayfhte, let iherebe Ho ftrifebetweenethee
and the; netther betweene thy heardfti^n and my heardmen; for
we are brethren. We arc brethren j I pray let there be no fir*ft
becwcenc vs. Let Vs be mihdiull tiffhie Votsemtht wherein na-
tUrc hath vnitcd dutafftflions 5 we itt brethren: the bond
ofbrotheihosd jii\6:cenfiitfguin*ty, IctitifHbderateburpaflions:
why (hall we iarre and be at odds bctweenc our felues ? Are
\VC not brethren ? , '
Anexcdl^ncpatterne^fimitatibrifottilt cftates, high and
loW, rich and pborc, one with another. Noblemen, Gentle-
men,. Yeomen j all, whofotuer may fay they ire brethren, ei-
ther in oti^KHirifi &ndi religroH, haue in iAbraham a
patterne for their imitation. We muflr abftaine, not only from
raifing/?y/frf aYiddcbateourfelues, but alio from fortering and
cheriihingit in others..Such was Abrahamschoice.HtViovdd
not m3iintiwchisferaants3g2i'n^L'ott/erfiants: he tookeit
to be fan e more credit for him tO haue trnity thd ^ood hue,
than the bicttiefFcfts of the contrary. . i
Among the beatitudes, Matis.ihc fcucnth is; "B/efed are
the peacemakers. BlefTcd arc they who loue cwcfrd, regard
peace, feekcit,andinfueaftcrit. Blcifcd arethey who beftirrc
thcmfclues to chcrifh and maintaihe peace and concord be-
twccncothcrs. Blcifed arethcywho doethcirbcft to reunite
in
—^
Amos t. lo^
inleMe,(\xchiA4refaSeM0tttt to make an^d of ^mrrth and
dijfentions. BUfed are tbepeaee-maktrs: the rcafpn is annex#
td \ for they fall be calledthe children of God, thati$, they will
by their loue of z/»fry and concord, make it appeare vntothe
world that they are the (onncs of Godf
From whence it foliowcth by an argument from theplace of
coptrariei t Aecftrfed are makfbateiffoi thcy (ball be called the
children ofthcDeuilU Curfedare they who are ofthemfelues
quarre/fome and contentious, Curfed are they who beftir them-
rdues CO cheri(hand ma>ntaincy?r^and debate In others. Cur-
fed are they who .doe their hcAtofet at variance fuch as haue
long Hued in peace vndvnitj, Curfed are make-batet; I annex
the reafoB ^ferthej fbadbe eaHedthefennes of the Deuilt,thzt is,
They will by their leue of Jirife unddebate, make it appeare to
the world that they are the fonnes ofthe Deuill.
Now (dearely bclouedin the Lard) 1 befeech you to re-
iBoue farreffom you all cogitation and thought offirife, va-
riance, znddebate ; and tb remember yom brotherly couenant.
Know ye, that the bond of one body, one fpirit, one hope, one
God, one faith, one baptifme, is as farreaboue the bond of one
father, 0#? mother, village, cwehoufe, and the like, as the
fiirit is aboue the /r/i&,fpiritaall things aboue camall,and God
aboue man.
I will (hut vp this point with the exhortation of S.Peter,
I Epifi,Cbap.^. 8* Be ye all of one minde^ one fttffermith ano-
ther ^loue as brethren ^bepitifull; be cottrteous ^render not essiU
for iuiS, nor rebuke for rebuke: but eantrarimfe hlefeje-, blelTc
I fay, and knoto that jeu are thereunto called, thatyee jbould bee
heires ofbleftng. Thus farrc of the third part of this Prophc-
cie. Now followeth the fourth.
Vcrf^ I o. Therefore will Ifend a fire vpon the malls o/Ty ru%
1':^ and it fall deuettre the palaces thereof.
This is a particular denunciation of a conquefl and defolati-
on againft the City Tyrm for her ^ns. According to this pre.
diAionit came to paffc, faith either in the vsixoiSal-
utanafor againft the Tjrians, or in the warre ofNabuchodono-
for, Yet this he affirmcch not, Nabuchodonofor bcficged Tyrut
Z a three
18 3 The Fifteenth L eBurcJ.
threeyeerfs and threemoncthsj and then tooke it: To Tauh
out of lofephns, hb. X.vntra Appionem; the La-
cine Copies of hfephiu, which I haucreene, make mention of
the continuance of this fieg^e for thirteeneyeeres,
TheGrecke Copy hath nothing of the continuance of it.
For therein I read only,that whcn7)b«^4/«/ was King, NAbtt-
befieged 7^r«#, This was about the ycere of the
world 3345. Tyrw after this was reedified and did fJourifh.
But fhc was in her pride againe befleged, and taken by nyilex-
a»der the ^reat in the yeere of the world 3^32. And long
fjnce, A. C. 1290. fhc was facked & leuellcd with thegroui^d
by Alphix then Suit an of i^gypt. Thus hath Gods hand been
ftrong and preuailingagainfl T/rscf, according to the tenor of
this Ptophccic.The very words wherofyou hauc heard before
expounded in the/<»vrfA zx\6feHenth verfes of this Chapter.
Now I pray youonely recount with me fuch heads ofDo.
ftrineas heretofore hauebeene obferued out of thefe words:
Therefore rcill /fend afire, &c. Wherein three circumftancej
are to be obferued; i Thepunifher. a Thepunifhmcnt. 3 The
puniflicdv
Thefirft circumftanceis the punifher, the For thus
faith the Lord, I will fend ] The Do£trine is :
It is proper to the Lprd to exeettte vengeance vpo» the wicked
for their fihr,.
The fecondcircaroftance is the punifhmenr, and that is by
fire: I wilt fend a fire^ The Doftrine is
Thefirej and all ether ereaturis, are at the Lords ctmman-
dement, to bee employed by him m the pMnifhment of the
wicked.
The third circHmftance is the puni(hed,r^?e »=»///and./>.»/rf-
cwo/Tyrus: / will fend a firevpoa the walls of Tyrus, and it
(ball denonre the palaces thereof,
Firftjinuft the glorious City be deftroycd ? The Do-
£lrine is:
No munition canfaue that City which Godwillhaue deflroyed.
Secondly,niuft the iVallt of Tyrm be dcuoored with the fire
of^eodsdifplcafute? Thedo^rincis,
Is-
Amos i. IO.
h is thegoed hlejfmg efGid vptm 4 Kingdtme, U hatte
ftrenghtldt, mmitiont, fortreff^ctt Mndhmlwark^sfor 4de'
fen[e 4g4iitfi entmies.
Thirdly,iDu(l thep4laees ofTjrm be conCumed with the fire
of Gods anger? Til cdoftrinc is;
God dffnueth vs$f 4 great hlejjlng vhen he taketb frem vs
our dveeUing heufes.
Of thefc doftrincs and their fcucrall vfci, I haue hereto-
fore in this place at large e;ntreaced. Wherefore
let this which hath beene now fpokcn,
fufficc for my prefent cxpofiti-
on of this prophecie
againft rjfrtte.
THE
Sixteenth Ledure.
Autos I. II, 12.
Thns faith the Lord, For three tranfgrejftem ofEdom,and for
'"^feure, I will not tur»e to it .• heeaufe he did furfne hit hrother
with the (word, and did caft ejf all pity, and hit anger foiled
him euermore, and his wrath watched him alwetj.
Therefore wHi I fend a fire vpon T eman, and it fbad deuoHre the
palaces of Bozrah.
Mli
N this burdenibmc Prophecie againll Sdtm
I obferuc two parts;
j 1 A Prc6icc ; Thtts faith the Lord,
1 A Prophecie: For three tranfgrejfi-
ens tf/Edom, &c.
Inthe Prophecie I obferuc foure parts:
1 A generall accufation of the Ede-
mites: For three tranfgrefftons of Edom, and for foure.
a The Lords proteftation againil them: I wtll net turne
to it,
3 Thcdcfcription of the fin by which theyoficnded; in
foure branches:
I Hepurfued his brother with the fword,
t He
Amos i.ir,
2 Hecal{0ff'affpitj,
3 His anger foiled him enermere,
4 Hit wrath watched him alwaj,
4 Thcdcclaration ofthepuniflimentstobcinfliAcd vpon
Sdtm, verf. 12. Therefore wiH I fend a fire vpon T craaiij and it
{haHdeuofire the palaces o/Bozrah.
ThePtehce^ThMfiaiththe Lord, challengechyour attcn*
fion. The two firft parts of the Prophccie,thc accufation ofthc
Edemites,ind Gods protcHation againft them in thcfe words:
For three tranfgreffms fl/Edom andforfoure, /wiHnot tttrne to
it J maygiue yoaoccafion to recount and retnetnber a Do.
^rkic already the third timereconamendedto your religious
confiderationsj
Many (innes doeplfick* dowve from heat/en the mefl certaine
wrath and vengeance of (yod vpon the finners.
tJMelfatietatemgignit j It is an old faying, A man may cal;
too mu(^ hony. What ? One lelTon fo often f No variety ? I
Could anfwer with a Greeke Prouerbc rfit rzi that
good and wholfome lellons may well be commended to yo,u
twice and thrice,many times,and yet fhould you notdiflike it.
Bot for the prefent I proceed to the third part of this pro-
phecie, wherein is defaibed Edoms fin. Of this part are fourc
brandies':
1 He didpurfue his brother with the fwardj wherein obferuc
A purfuer: Edffw.
J2 The purfued: His brother.
Themanner ofporfuit j fVtth the [word, Edam did par-
\ file his brother with the /word.
Sdom'] EfatsHacobt brother, znct Ifaackj foum by his wife
• for felling his birth-right foramelTeofredbrotb, »
Wasfumamed Edom, Gen. 25,30. andof him lineally defccn-
ded the Edomites, ot fdumaans, (?#». 56.43. purfued la-
cob with a deadly hate; fo did the poftetity of Efau the pofte-
rityof/4ffl^: the Edomites were euermore moll: malicioiifly
bent againft the Ifiraelites. Edam is the purfuer in his ownc
pcrfon,and in his pofterity.
The putfucd is Edoms brother, lacob, furnamed lfrael,ir\d
his pofterity the/fW'W and Edont
184 Sixteenth Lethrtf.
Edom purfued his hrBther rvith the /word] "Belle, ($'4r-
mxTa mnyiu. by warre, and bands of fouldicrs, faith Drufiut*
Efeu hated his brother Jacob becaufc of the blcfling where-
with hisbther bleifcd liiin, and thereupon in heart vowed,
his death. For thus thought Efauin his mindc,(7e». 17.41.
7he dates of moHrniKg/er mj father will come Ihortly, then will
J flay my brother lacob. Jacob to aifwage his brother Sfaus
''Gfa.17.44- ficrccncOTe, fled to his Vflclc Laban in Uitefopttamia, with
«G<a.3i.38. vvhomhcliued'^nffuf/^ffrf/; which time expired^/rfca^vp-
on God his admonirtimcnt returned into the •'land of his/ir-
thers. A man would haue thought twenty jeeres time fgfRci-
cnt for any one to haue forgotten, or at leaft to haue difgefleci ^
a difplcafure. Twenty yeeres were not enough for Efau 5 fo ini-
itiortall was his hatred. After twenty yeeres, as Jacob returned
from Mefopetamia, Efatt went againll him with fossre httu'^
dredmen,Gen.^l,l.
This inexpiable rancour and hatred ended not in Efatt.
His malicious pofterity retained it. Witneirethechurlifli an-
fwer giuen to Mofes his Ambaffadors, Numb. lo. 20. Mofet
being to condufl the Jfraelites from t^gypt to the proinifed
land,deflrous to bring them theneerefl way, fentto theJiTM^
of Edom for leaue to paflc thorow his country: J pray thee let
vs paffe thorow thy eoHntry; we will net gee thorow the fields, nor
thorow the vineyards : we wilt not drinl^ of the water of thy wels\
we will gee by the Kings high way : we wtllnot tttrneto the right
handnorto the left, vntill we be pafl tbj borders: wewiSgoethe
highway. Jf J and my cattelldrtnke of thy water, Jwidthenpay
for it: J peiH only without any harmegoe thorow en my feet, Mo^
/erthemcekcft man vpon the earth, thus meekly befought
the for palTage thorow his country. Could hee
obtaineir, thinke you? No. Theinuetcrate hatred where-
with Efau was poflefTcdircfiding in his poflerity, caufcd a de-
niallto fo honefta petition. The JCiw^of with much
pcople,and with a mighty power, rofcvp againfl A/o/e/and
the Jfraelites.
Long after this, in AhaK.Kingo^ ludah, were
the better minded toYisxA%Jacobspofierityl The fa-
aed
A MO S t. IK Ig^
credftory, iChren.i^^.ij, tcllcthvs, that then alfo the
mites were vp in armcs againft the lewes 5 fome of them they
ilcw,and captitsts. Hee therefore, the
* flaUifhrnent tfwhofe throne are righteoufneffe and equity, ^1- ® 89.14
mighty God, doth here iuftly challenge Sdom for purfning his
hrothtr with thefword. Thelellon which hence I would com-
mend CO you is:
It is a thing very di^afifMHand vnplea^ng vnto God for he-
thren to be at variance among themfeines.
Our aflent to this truth, the light of nature within vs doth
extort from Ts. By natures light the very Heathen haue ac-
knowledged one God, and him the author of vniry & friend-
fliip; as Plato in his Ljfs. From the fame parents, one father,
and one mother, as from one feed, one root, one beginning, by
natures ordinance doe fpring g two, three, or morehethren, $ Plutarckdi
not for difcord, or contrariety } but that being many, they atiortfraternt
might the better one helpe another.
That brother thirwarreth with his hather, in P/utareh his
iudgement, doth voluntarily ^ cut ofF a member of his ownc ''Ibid.
flefh. All'enmitjibrcedeth within our foulcs a thoufand tor- ' XefophonMb,
menting paffions; but cfpecially that enmity which a man
bearcth towards as that whichismollprodi-
gious and vnnaturall.
When Socrates hw Charephon, ind Cbareerates, two brc-
thren iarring and warring each with othtr, he faid vnto themr
You doe now,as ifthe hands which were aeated to helpe one
the other,fliould hinder and hurtonethcothcrjoras thefeet,
which were framed to bearconc anothers burche,fhould fup-
plant one the other : or ai the e<«rir/, which arc coaudicors of
mutuall goad, fiiould wax deafe tohearcgoodoBeforthco-
ther:orasthc(^f/, which like andarc fellow fpies
in this CMicrocofme, thislittlc world and land of men,for the V
good each of other, Qiould looke a fquint at the good each of
other. You will grant it to be very vnnaturall, cither for the
hands, or for the feet, or for thee^tm, or for the eyes, one to
againft the other. Much more monftrous willthey?r<ye
between brethren bcjbccaufc the aid which one of them may
A a and
The Sixte enth L eSlUrcS.
and (liouldgiucvnto the other, doth farrc exceed thecoopc-
ration of thethe fupportance of the feet, the coaudi-
encc of the eares, the prouidertce of the eiei.
Thusfarrehauellcd you in Natures fchsoU. May ir now
pleafe you to hcarc the fame things out of theJcbuole tf (jrace ?
There Sahman hath this lelTon ; Tweare better than on.-, for if
one of them fall, the other will lift him vp; 'But ivoe vnto him that
is alone, for hefalleth, and there u not a fecond to lift htmvp-
The words are 4.9,10. The Hebrevees referre thofc
words to roarticd couples; but Salomon fpeakes it generally:
and thus you may expound itj Tvoo are better than one, two
brethren arc better than one: far if one of them fall, the ether
wiBhelpe himvp. If he fall into ftchuefe, into want, into any
kind ofdiflrefe, eri^et,^^ alleuabit eamfrater,his brother will
bea fuccour to him. But woe to him that is alone. Li; (v^p,
iJhIf ew'^, is an old faying, one man is no metn ; woe to fuch a
man; tooe to him that is alone; for hefalleth, and there it not a
brother to lift himvp.
Indeed one brother helping another is hke a defenced City (as
fomc reade it) and their eounfeBs are Itke the barre of a palace
which is impregnable, frou, i S. 19. and if one oucrcome him,
two Oiall Hand againflhim, £cr/e/^4. i2. So naturallis their
z/witp.and flrong t heir which nature hath framed
double for mutuall afTiHancc.
The place cited out of the ?reu. 18.19.1 fomc read other-
wife 5 brether offended is harder to win than a ftreng City,and
their contentions are like th- barret of a palace. And then the
meaning i$:Thc angers ofbrcthrcn oneofthero towards ano-
thcr, are fo fharpe and vcheraenr, that they can no more eafily
befabdued, than ftrong defenced townci conquered 3 nor
more cafily be broken, than moft ftrong bars. Which expo-
lition teacheth vs, that there is no firife inatchabletothe/?r//tf
among brethren. According to the Prouerbc, VratPum conter.m
/<V»«4cer^.;^Wie;moft bitter are the contentions of brethren.
ExamplesPocticall, Hiftorical],andDiuinc, doc fpcakeas
much. The in placablc hatred of oAtrew ^gnnffThyefer,
EteocletPgiin^Polynieet, againfl Bajfianuo
againfl
\
Amos t. ii."
agi'mA Geta, againd and £p«againft /aaf, arc
they not as trumpets to found outchis truth i To this purpofc
might I aJlcagc the£'<V»^ of-.4r^tfrr, the dame of 7««/,
and OttamansfAmiljy many a brothers ^rfWcmbrucd and Wa-
ihedinhis brothers bloudi but feeing it isgrowne into a Pro-
ueihcy Irafratrttm ncerhij/ima, moft bitter are the contcnti-
ons of brethren, it ncedeth no further proofe.
Againft fuel) monftrous and prodigious contentions, the
HolyGhoftwouldhaucall Chnftians well aimed; and for
this end giueth vs in holy writ many wholfome LelFons. Let
a few fcrue this time. In the 6rft Epiftle of S. lohn, Caf. t.i i,
we are taught that rvhefaeuer hateth bis brother, hef is in dark.'
neffe, he walketh in darkneffe, heknowfthnotvehitberhegeetb ;
darkleff'e hath blinded his eyes : and Chap, j. 15. that whofoeuer
hateth his brother is a man-(layer ; and Chap.s^. Zo. that ivhofa-
etser hateth his brother is a Iyer, if he faith he louethGod. The
reafon is annexed 5 Fer hove can he that laueth net his brother,
whom he hath feenejoue God whom hee hath not feene ? And this
commandemcnt wee haueof Chrift, that he that loneth God
fhould lofte his brother alfe.
In the book eiProtterbs, Chap.i6.ip.wereadof/ixthings
which the hateth, and of a fettenth which his fouleab-
hovveih'.that feuenthii^verf. 19. The man that raifethvp eon-
tentians among brethren.^ovt if God doe abhor with his foole
the man that raifcih vp contentions among brethren, how
doth he like of the contentions themfclucs i My propoun-
ded dodrine If ands good.
It is a thing very dtfiaftfuU and vnfleapng vnto God, for bre-
thren to be at variance among themfelHet.
Now let vs fee what vfes doe offer thcmfelues to our con-
fiderations out of this Dodrinc.
Firft, it may feruefor a iuffrcproofc of thefe our laft and
woiftdaies, wherein by experience wee finde true that fame
"paradox, in common reafon hardly tobcproucd; namely,
rhatnor/rsfWr only, or k>»frtsen, hut brethren alfo when they
fall to their hatredisgreater than tharbctwistmortall
foes, ft is come to palfc according to Chrijl his ptophecic,
A a z Matth.
I g g The Sixteenth L eSlureS.
Matth. 10.16. A mMt enemies (hatt be they efhis ewne boufe :
A mans enemies indeed, and his enemies to purpofc, to worke
him moft harmc, fballbe they of his ovsne hottfe.
May not many now adaics complainc, yea cry out with
'Danid, Pfal. 55.1a. If mine enemy had dene me this di(he»our,
Icouldhaue borne it: If mine aduerfary had exalted himfelfe
a^ainfime, I veoHldhaue hidmy felfe from him-, but it was then,
O min f my companion, my guide, my familiar: we tookefweet
conn ^efl together-^WC walked in the houfe of God as friends. Yet
hafttiE'««donemcthisdi(honour J yca^haft exalted thy
felfcagainftme.
Of all the Viali of the wrath ofGod poWred down vpon fin-
ners, it is one of thcforcft,whcn a man iifed with his ownjle/h^
and made drttnke with his owne b bud,as with/meet wine. So the
Prophet Efaj fpeakcth. Chap. z6. The meaning is, as a
K.i»e. Ihid. chiefc" pillar ofour Church expoundeth it 5 when a man
- * kyth pleafttre in nothing more, than in the euerthrow and extir-
fatten of his owne feed: when he thirfteth not/or any bbisd, but
that which it drawne from the fides of his brethren and kfnfmer.,
Keuer was there more eager and bitter contention bctweene
Turke and Chrifitan, than now adaies there is bctweene Chri.
ftian and Chriflian, a brother and a brother.
All we.whohaucgiucnour namesro lefmC^rifl,and vow-
1 ed him feruice in our baptifmCjWe arc all brethren, wc ttefra'
rrexvt<rw»,brethrcn from the womb, QtsaTmrfioi, iiMfsdTfiot, wee
hatic one father,znd one mother j one lather in hcaucn, and one
mother,thcj&<7/7 CatkoHke Church,m\\\tzm vpon thcearth. But
itfareth with vs as it did with 5'*wr«?«and Leui, Gen 49.5.ffV
are brethren in euili; the inflruments of cruelty are in cur habit a^
tions. They in their wrath flew a man: and what doe we ? If our
wrath be kindled againftwr ^rorW, wc will not ftickcfWows-
like, topurfue him with the fivord; we will makeourfwordto
be fed with his flefh,and drunke with his bloud.
Thinke not (dearcly bcloued, you ofthe other fex) thinkc
not your felues exempt from this rcproofcjbecaufe in it I hatic
not made any mention ofy;y?erj-;,.jfor vnder- thenamcof bre-
threnl meantyoualfo. My fpcech was vmo Chrtfttans j and
. in
AMOS 1. II, i8p
in Ci&r//?/4»»/«#diucrfityofyfA;ni3kcthnodiffercnce.Soraitli
the Apoftle,^</,3. a8. Mttle snifemale, all are one in Chrifi,
To you therefore this rcprofe of brethren at variance doth al-
fo apperc^ine.violent hands ypotimy,yostrbntbandsf
jrenr children,or other iotii with jonrton^sse (whichthcholy
Spirit, Pfal, 57.4. calleth a JharpefieordJ you aregiuen to vex
themof/tfwr ofene honfe^ or (hall back>bicc or Hander any ;
know, ^ztEdom-like, you doc purfke yestr brother with the
/word, And take, I befecch you, my propouodcd dodrine, as
belonging vnto you alfo;
It is a thing very diflafifnUaHd vnplea/tng vnte God, fer bre'
thren to be at variance among themfelues.,
A fecondvjeis^to workein vs brotherly kin'dnefe: that vcr-
tuc, whereby cucry good Chriftian cmbraceth the Church of
God and the members thereof with the bowels of louc. This
brotherly hjudncffe, S, Peter, i Epifl> 1 • 7. comtnendeth vnto
vs, as whereto we ought
Daui/P/al.ii 3. x. ftilcth it with the fweet name ofPnityy
"Behold how good and ctmely a thing it ie for brethren to line in
And therefore commendeihit by twofimilitudes; in \
onen»ewing the fwectneifc and pleafanrneire of it; in
the other, the fruit and profit which comtncth by it.
Fir(l,ir is like that preciom ointment, which was powred en
the head ot the high Prieft,and ran downe vpon bis beard,and (o
to tbebordersof htsgarments.Behdld the fwcctneficand plea-
fantncfFc o^jsnity, Thatfwcct perfume and ointment, that holy
oHe powred out vpon thchigh Prieft and his garment, was not
only plcsfantanddelightfulltohimfclfe, but didalfoycelda
fweet fmcHing fauour to all that were about him. So is it w ith
vniiy- it is nor onely plcafant to them, who doc religioully e-
llceme and kcepe if, but to others alfo which arc about them.
Secondly, itisliker/^e^/ew^Hermon, which fellvpsntbe
tnoH'StainesofSion^ where the Lord appointed the bLffing, and
life for enermore. Behold the fruitand profit which comraeth
by Fnitj.^ The dew, and wet that fell downe from heaueiv
yponf/jrw^wandmade thorchils,andthepl3inccoun-
tries neerc thcm,fertills fo doth fhity bring with it great fruit
Aa 3 and
The Sixteenth Le^urcJl
and profif. Ir makes them among whom it is nneereljr obfer*
ucd, itmakesthcm through Gods ble^lingfruitfull andplen>
tifullin good workes towards Godi, and ih him aiid for hiin
towards men, and one ofthcmtowards-another. Thi^ rw/r/,
concord, brotherly lout, mutunH eoufent and agreement, if it bcc
vnfcigned, hath the promifes both ofthis life and of that to
come: ofpcaceand quietncdcin thislife,afid of eternal] idyes
in the life to come*
One of the notes by which we may aflured of God his
fpeciall louc and fauour,is thcleuetf our brethren. Now that
we deceiue not our felucsin this loue, S. lohu, Epijl. x. giues
vs three rules to dircft vs.
1 Chrifiianbrttherly loue muft not be for any Worldly re.
fpefls or conHderacions, but principally for and in God. We
loue our brethren principally becaufe they are the foBS of
God and members of Chrifi. This rule he intimateth, Ci&dp.
5. I. Euery one that loneth him trhkh begat, loueth him alfo
yehich u begotten of him: that is, whofoeuer loueth God the
Father,he loueth alfo the fons of God j hisnamrall Ton Chrifi
lefui, and his fons by grace and adoption, all Chriftians.
2 Chriflian brotherly leue mud not be outward in (hew on-
ly, but inward in the heart. This rule he giueth
1S. Let vs not leue in word, nor in tongue enely, but in deed and
in truth.
3 Chrifiiau brotherly loue muft be not onely in time of
profpcrity, but when mod need is. This rule hee giueth
verf. the 17. fVhefoeUir hath this worlds good, and feetb his
brother hath need, and fbuttetb vp his companion from him, hew
dwelleth the leue of God tn him ?
Let thefe rules (beloued) be your direction. Loue ye euery
one that is called z ChriflUn,not becaufe heis rich 6r in autho-
rity, but becaufe heis a Chrijlian, the fon of God by grace and
adoption. Loue ychim, not outwardly in flrew only, but in-
Wardly in heart, in deed, in truth. Lout him not only in his
profpcrousandflourifhing eftate, but in his greatcll: need;
andbeyeaftured that the fpeciall hue ^ndfaueurefGodviW^
htYowjhitldinAproteUien,
Three
Amos J. 10.
Three things there are that doe rcioyce God, faith Bate*
pafticttty Cb^f, ay. I. The vnity of hrethren, the loue of Kei^h'
hours, 4t mon andbis,vi>ife jtgresitig together. The firft, which is
the vnity of brethren, according to my former conftru£lion,
cotnpr.feth the other two. All Chriftians are brethren in
Chri/f, a neighboser to a neighboftr, i hsuband to hiswife, zwife
to her hmband. j^or, as I /aid, in Chrifi there is no difference
of/fx..; there .is neither male nor female ^ all are brethren in
Chrifti and therefore that neighbour that loucth not his neigh-
bour, thth^t^bandt)^^ti%zto6iVtlt\\ his »ife, the veife that
agreeth not with her husband, they are guilty of the breach
eibrotherly lone, •
That exhortation made by S-Baul to the Romans, Chap.'
ii.io. concerncth allof you, all, of bothfexes, without any
difference: Be yee ajfeClionedto hue one another with brotherly
hue. I conclude this point with the fame Apoftlcs words,
1 Car.I.lO. and 2 C<?r. 13.11. Novelbefeech yeubrethnen, by
the name of our Lord lefus Chrifl, that jee ff**ke all one thing,
and that there be no diffentions among you: Beef one minde ^
hue in peace, and the god of peace (ball be with you.
Thusfarre of the firft branch in the defcriptionof Edomt
finne, and of the doffrine grounded thereupon: The do'
ftrincwas,
Jt is a thing very diflaBefull, and vrfpleafing vuto God, for
brethren to be at variance among themfelues.
It was grounded ypon thcfewprdsj HeMidpurfuehis bro-
ther with thefword, Itfollowcth:
jdnddidcaficffaSptty] orafccrthc Hebrew textjdidcorrupt
his compa(fions,'vt}:k\cb reading isexprclfcd in the margin of our
Church Bible,and the Geneua tranflation.The E,ngh(h tranfla-
tion fct out by TyW^// rcades it othcrwifc: Hee defiroyed hit
mothers wembe : ztidtVinck/eman reads it,Etviolauerit vteris,
and violated or abufed the mothers wombe: both doe allude
to thcGrceke edition of the Septuagmt, (mtsao,
hedidviolatethe mothers wombe^ whichfP4<itMg.mayhaue re-
fcrencc to the natiulty ofand £/(<«* borne at one birth
of their mother ^d then the meaning is, that the
~ " ' Edomites
7^e Sixteenth L'eBurcJl
Edomhet Ef»us pofterity, neglefting that bond and knot of
brotherhood and cnftngMimtj, did t\tic\{crigoftr and cruelty
againft the Ifraelitesilacdbs pcfterity; or it may haue reference
to a fauage and outragiousrr«^as if xhtEdottittes were here
noted for rippiigvp ntethersrro^et, or vf»me» with ehildetn
IfraeU That fuch cruelty was vfcd by the Ammomtes, it Is
plainebythct3i,VcrrcGf this Chapter. Bur this Text in the
ortginAll doth not faftcn this bla^e vpon the Edomtter, and I
lone not to force my Text. f will not trouble you with other
cxpoGtions.
Thco^■#^^*^»tfis ; Hedidcorrtipthticompajpt»s']Thc(end:ind
meaning is well rendred and deliuercd in our receiued Eng-
h(h Bibles I He dideafl effallpity. Is here condemn^
for cerrttpting hu cempajfiouj? for cafitHg offaHpitie?Tbe lelfon
hence to bee commended to your ChriGian conlideracions
is this,
ynmercifulrteffe u 4 fi»»e htttefull vxto God.
I could bring you many places out of holy Writ for the con^
firmation of this doftrine. But two only, or three, and they
but touched, (hallTeruefor thisprefenr. In lob 6,14. thev»«
mereifftli irenoted to hotie forfaken the feAre of the Almightjm
In Acw.i .3 i.aipohg fuch as God hath giuen vp to a reprobdte
to commit things worthy of death, the vntnercifnU zte
named. In lomes 3.13.3 punifhment is denounced to tbevn-
mercifull j There /haHbe iudgemettt mercileffe to him that (bew-
eth no merej. Thefe few Tcxts of Scripture docplentifully efta-
blifh my doftrine t
yimercifnlnefe is a fnne hate fall vnto God.
Ifany will askc me. What is this vnmercifalnefe whereofi
now fpcakcjmy aniwcr fhall be out of the learned. Out of ° If-
dore,th&t it isone of the nine daughters of coaetoafneffe. Out of
P AijHinas, that it is thewithholdingof a deed of charity, and an
1 ebdaration or the hardning of the heart againft mercj : Out of
' Afereer, that it is a breach of nattsreslaw, and an abolifhingof
allki»d>7e^e,kndfo Icomcfo make fomcvfc of this doftrine.
The vfe is to ftirrc vs vp to the excrcifes of humanity and mer-
cy.l will not now make any long declamation againd inhuma'
Amos i. I I.
nity and wmrctf/tfuefe j yet my Tcxtrcquireth that I fpcake
fomewhat to it. There was a time when ri^bteeufveffi ft <med
to be taken vp into the clouds, and the earth to be void of it.
ftwasinthedaies of the Prophet Ef*y, He then crycd our,
Ch»f. 45'« 8.0 7? he4Mens,fe»d the Jev (rem etbeue, and let the
cUudsdropdetvKerfghteeu/nefe. Thetimeis now, whe* leut
feemeth to be taken vpinto the clouds, and the earth to bee
void of it. Now may we cry out, O ye Heauens, [end the dew
from ahoue,andlet the clouds drop downeleue} that the vncour-
teoDs and churlifh Nabals of this prefent generation may
now at length know, that they are not borne for thcmfeluci
only, but for theirpoere neighhturs alfo. Your poore nstgh-
hours, who ftand in need of you, by very prerogatiuc of man-
kiude, haue an intcreft in yoitr fuccour and feruice.
But ittnay be that fome are fofarrc from all chat
this prerogatiue of wrfwI^/Wwillnotnoouethem to doc aay
worke of charity. Siich hard hearts letthemheare what the
Law is, Diut, I y. 7. If one of thy hrethreuwith thee hepoorot
within any ofthy gates its thy land which the Lord thy Godgiuetb
thee, thou (halt not harden thine heart, nor ff>ut thine hand front
thy poore brother: 'But thou [halt open thy hand vnta him, and
Jhalt lend himfuficientfor his need.
I know fle^ and bloud will obiefl: Shall I lend my ncigh<
bout fufficient for his need ? So may I foone exhauft ray fub-
ftance and Hue in want ray felfe. I reply: O thou of little faith,
whyfeareft thou? Lookc backe vpon the bltffingofGod}
rely vpon it: he through his bencdifh'on will make thee Urge
lecoiopence.
Of this thou maift be allured, if thou wilt haue recourfc to
the fore-cited Chapter, Dent. I y. 10. There art thou infalli-
bly proraifed for thy almes deedsdonetotheneedy, that the
Lord thy God f^all hlejfetheein all thy workes, and in all that
thou puttef thine hand to.
My exhortation is no other than that of the Prophet Efay,
Chap. sS y. Dealethy bread to the hungry: bring the poore wan-
dererto thine houfe : Ifthoufeefl him naked, comrhim; heels
thine owne fefh j hide net thy felfe from him. Thy liberality will
B b bring
I5>4 TheSixteenth LeSturtj,
bring thee great aduantagc: whereof thou wilt not doubt if
thou confidcr the next vcrfe, Thy [hdlhreakeforth as the.
morninjr • thy health fhallgrove (peedily: t hj righteoisf»e^r fh^U
^08 before th'ee the glory of the Lovd (baU embrace thee,.Sc€li
thou nor an heipcot bltffings one vpon another ?.
Lookeincotlic bookcoJ In the beginning of the
4.1. Pfalmewsm afwcct prcmife js made thee conditionally,
tliat thou tender the peerewavt cafe : The Lord fhall deltuer.
thee in the time of trouble, he fball keepe thee and preferne thee
aline; he fh.tllbl-ffethee vpon the earth ^.he will not delitter thee,
to the willof thine enemifs : hie will fir engthen thet vpon thy bed.
tf farrowt and will make thy bed all the time ef thy ficknefe.
I might weary you and ray fclfc in the purfuit of this point.
Here I ftop my courfe, with recommendation of one oncly
pj3cejandthata,vcry.r€markableone,Pr»«.i5^ 17. Hee that
hath mtrcy vpon thepeere, levdeth to the Lord ^ and the Lord.
wUlrecompence him that which be hath giaen.
Behold and fee bowgraciousandgood thcLordis. If yott ,
Akw pity and compaflion vpon the pooret God will recom-
pence you to thefull: yea, in thclargeBcffe ofhismcrcieshce.
will reward you pientafully.
treb'u to his It was a grauc exhortation of a f father to his fonne; Gme.
fonne Tobias. almes of thy fstbftanee, and when thets giuefi alrHes, let net thine
eye be enfsiaits,neither turete thy facefremany,po»re,lefi that Gad-
tnrne hio face from thee. Gitte almes according t» thy ftsbflance
if than hatte bist a little, be net afraid te gitte a little: So fhalt
thou lay vp a good flore for thy felfe againthe day of neeeffity^
yilmeswilldeJ/tserthee from death ^ and will net fuffer thee to.,
come into the place ofdarkneffe. jilmes is a.gpod gift before the.
mod high to all them whteh vfe tt.
Vfc it, I bcfccch you in the bowels of out Lord snd fSassL
our lefut Chrifi. Be yc not like Edom in my Tcxt^ Cerrnpt net
your compaffiens} caft not offall pity; fuffer ye one with ano-
t h etjlpuc as brethren} be pitifull, be courteous: doeycgood
to all men,and faint not: great lhallbe your reward in Heaucn,,
This your feruice will be acceptable vnto God. Ged for it
will gittc you his blcfilng. (yed will bUlfc you for the time of
yout
X
Amos 1.11.'
your being here; and when the day of your diirolucion (hall
be that you muft leaucyour earthly Tabernacles^ then will the
SouueoftHAH, Hccingvpon the throne of his glory, welcome
yoWmthSiVeniteBenediSii, C»a$eye blefftdtf my Father, in-
hertt the Kingdome frepared for yettfrom the foundation s of the
re»rld. For 1 vtat hungry, and ye gaue me meat { I woe thirjly,
and ye gone medrinke ) / wat a firanger, and ye lodged me I
WM naked, and ye cloathed me\l woe ftchjUndye vipted tnes j I
u>asinprifen,andyecamevntome. In m much as ye baaedone
thefe things to the needy anddiftrefed, ye haue done them
vnto me. Come ye blededof my Father; inherit the
i!B^
195
THE
A w O S I. 1.1, la.
his av^er(palledhim cHtrmore, 4»d hU xprAth w4tebedhim
alway.
Thtrefere vrilf I fend afire vfott Tcman, and tt fhaH demure the
p.«/4cr/«/Bozrah.
my lart Lefture I began the expofition of
the third part of this Prophccic, which is
a declaration of Edems (ins in foure bran-
chcs, .Thc twofirfti paffedouer thelaft'
time. The firft branch was, Het did pur-
fue his brother with the fveerd. Thereon I
grounded this doArine$
It is a t hing very difiafifull and vnpIeapngvKto^ed, farkre-
thrento be at variance among themfelues,
OnevfeofthisdoArinewas, a iuft reproofe of the want of
brotherly loue in thcfc our dales,.
A fecond vfe was an exhortation to brotherly kindneire.
The fecond branch was; He didcafl offdlipitj. Thereon f
grounded this dofltine;
VnmetcifHlneffeis a ^me katefull vntc Gad.
The
Amos J. II,
197
Th« vfe I made of it was to ftirre v$ vp to the cxcrcifes of
humanity and mercy. Which meditation ended, I ended that
Lecture. Nowcomc I to the third branch in the declaration
o{ Edcmsi\nr\c%,
m anger foiled bim euermtre^ or^ In his anger he Ipoiled
him continually, Thcprepofi ion is not exprclled in theorigi-
nail,but is wcl! vnderilood, and fupplied by fomeExpohtors
to this fcnfe : Edom, furious and angry Edont, doth euertnore
vi aperid.vihh open violence attempt the fpoile of Ifrael: and
if open violence preuaiie not, intm fimHltatem alit \ within
him he Fotlereth and cheriiheth priuy and fecretmalice, fuch
as of old was harboured and fetled in old * Efaut heart. Edom Gn, 17 41.
in his angerfpeiled him continually^
Spoiled him] Theword in theoriginall is from the root
which,faith Mercer, ferarum prnprium efl,i% proper and pecu-
liar.to wild beads: and it fignideth Rapere,dtfeerpere,to fpoile
raucn©afly,toreot,of tearein peeces. Thus is compared
to fotne truculen t or fausge bead- fomcdeuouting Lion, fome
raucnoL'S IVolfe, {omc dexccBeare, or the like, thathuntcth
grceddy after fheirprey.Thecoraparifonis;AsaZ><j»,aw»//e,
z Beare^ Qt fome bthei cxucWbeafi, hunterh greedily after his ■
prey,and when he hath gottenir,teareth it in peeces,and fo de-
uourcchit; fo doch Edom^he hunteth for his brother as with a
foarc or net; and hauing once cnclofcd him, he thro wcs him
headlong into vtter defolation: and this hedoth in the bitter-
nclle of his anger \ In his anger hefpuled htmeuermore.
This claufe is otherwiferendted by the oldLatincInterprc-
ter, Et tenueritvltrd fnrorem fuum Hee polfclfed his fury
beyond raeafqre longer than was meet he fliould. An expofi-
tjon foltqwodby many of the learned, and of late Writers,by
B^ntita and Mercer, In Matthews Bible it is well exprclTed; ■ . '
He bare hatred very long: the meaning is, Hcc conrtantly,
eagerly, obftimtely perfifted in his anger, and held it fad 5 as
a fatiagc bead holdeth fadhis prey.
Both r^</»»^rithis, and the former j this, Hee bore hatred
very long: and the former. In his anger he fpoiled his brother
euermore 5 both doc appeach and accufe Edom of rafli vnad-
B b 3 uifcd^
a, 9 S I 'he Seucnteemh LeBure^l
uTedeuill, and finfull anger. Tfic doSrinc whkh hcncc I
vvowld commend to your Chriftian-confiderJ^tions is this)
Euerj chtlde of (jadoHght to ktefe himftlfe vn^otted of 4n^
irer ^ of ra^,v»itdntfed,euill,andfiMfnllanger.
I Ihy j0^ra(h,vtjadm(ed,ei*ill,and Jinfnll anger. For there is a
good kind ofangerr^an angerpraife worthy^an to be era-
braced of cuery one of you. Whereto the Prophet ex-
hotted the faithfull ofhis time,Pfd/.^-.e^. Teangrj, andfanot.
And S.Paul his Ephefans,Chaf.^.^6.Beangry Jfut w^t.You
may be angry, and not fin. Chrirtian religion doth nor make
men to be^mOHt, It makes them rtotvoidoffaffion^
and fen/lefe.Youmiy be angry. But your^w^ermuft lie down
by and wait vpon reafon and vetcue, as a fhepherdsdt'^lyeth
'seruj do Ira by and waiteth vpon his mafter; theccmparifon is Great * B4'
(Us. A s the dog doihjfo muft yovixanger doe; your anger com*
manded by vertue and reafon, muft accufc, barke at, and bite
vice, and all vicious wolues in mans (hape. Well faid the hea'
then Philofopher in hisfourth Academickf, that/inger is the
vehetflone of fortitude, if it be tempered and ruled by reafon.
Guido- To this purpofe fpeaketh mellifluous Bernard * Bp. 6^. Not
mm .Abhatm ff, f^g angry when there is a inji eaufe of anger,is to he vnwtUtng to
wfW or eorreSi fin.This good anger whereof I now (peak,you
may call I ndtgn at ion, or K.eale, which isnething clfc bur a iuft
. commotion o/i anger for the breach of fomc ofGods comman-
dements: as when God his holy Nameis reproached, or our
harmlelfe neighbours are vniuftly wronged: when fome grie-
uous iniury is done cither againft God, or againft ourinno-
cent neighbours.
To iuftific you in this anger, there are many examples in
holy Writ: I will make bold to commend a few vntoyou.
^'»ye/,averymeekenian'> aboueallthatwerevponthc earth,
* HxeeLii.f* poirelfcd with this indignation and x.eale. The ftifFe-
necked Ifraelites v^ort Mofes his long abfence from them (for
*Excd,t^iS, he WAS ih(ent ^ forty daiet and forty night f) they madcthcm-
felues a molten calfe for their God. this Idoll they worlhip-
ped J tbtty offered facrifice vnro it. Hereat Mofet his wrath
waxed hot. In this bis wrath the two tables ofthetefiimony,
whiA
Amos i. ii,
whichwere«Gods workcjandGodsownwriting,werebro- cExed.ii,\(.
ken in peeces, andhccaufed tobe naincoFthe pcepleinone
day about three thoufand men, Exod. 31.2%,Elitu was pof-
fclfed with this indtgnatio^^nd^^eilUf when heyZm cf Baals
Prtfhets to the number ^ of Foure hundred and fifty, 1 King, (i Yijng. i S.i?,
18.40. £hx.tUi was polFcfred with this indignation and s^eale.,
Vihci\hicnTicdxhctwoandfottychildren tome in peccesby
Bearfs,l King,i.z^. Paul was pofrelFed with this indignatisn
find when he firooke EhmM the Sorcerer with blind.
Mfjp-, AH. 13.11. In a word, Chrijb hirofclfe was pollefred
with this and Xjtale, when vsith a fceurge of [mad
cords be dr.we out of the Temfle buyers, and fellers-, with their
fseepe and iXen, and t he menj .changers, /oh.t.j^, You hauc
(ccnc^Adofes, EUm, ElintTSu, Paul, and Chrifihi\X\h\£cangry:
their anger wa 2good anger. I thusdcfcribc if.
.Agood anger is a godly and reafonable defire of iujl reuenge,
flirred vp in vs by a true ^oale of iteflice,whereby being dtfpleajed
Ai we II With our owne ftnnes as with other mens, wee const after a
lawfuS renenge,that tb. ferfonsmaj befaued, that Gods wrath ^
may be appeafed, that the Kingdoms of Chrift and hUglory may
be promoted. My dcFcription 1 thus explicate*
ydgood anger is a godly and reafonable defire ofiuft reuenge,
JHrred vp in vs by a true z.eale of iuflice •• ] I fiy true x.eils^ be-
caofe there is alfo a falfe x^tale ; whenFome men doe pretend
Godsg|ory,and indeed intend nothing letfe. This true te^eale
direftcthour anger againll mens vices, not their pcrfons : wee
muflloue the man, hut bt angry at his finnc: not at his finne
only, hut at our owne alfo: wee mufl detcllourownennnes
as .well as other mens: and lawfully vindicate as well other
mens finncs as our ownet and all cliis th|^c our felues and -
others may be Faucd; that Gods wrath may^he pacified ; that
the Kingdome oiCbrifl and hisglory may be aduanced.
I will not now examine whether this good anger hath at any *
time afFeflcd your hearts to the hearing downeof fin. Whe-
ther you hauc with conniuency, patience, and filence endured
Gods Conimandements to be violated, his holy Name by
0, vainc and fearcfull oathcs to be blafphemcdjthe Sabbath to be
f' * prophaacd>)
lOO
The Seuenteenth LeBurcS,
prophancdj parents to be difnonoured, murders,adulteries,or
chclti to be committed,your neighbours to be wronged,and
other like fins to be afted : whether you bane with conniucn-
cy, patience, and filcncc, endured fuch foule demeanours
which you (hould in indigmtisn, anger., and liauerepto-
ued and taxed; I leaue to the priuareexamination ofycur own
hearts. Only let me tell you, there is a ludge in Heauen that
will one day call you to account for thefc thfngs. My Text'
now admoni(])eth me tofpcak romewhatofe«/^4«^er;wherc.
of,£d#»» is here accufed by tbefufFrageof Almighty God: In
his anger he fpetledhis brother eutrmore. My dodlrine was;
Eaerj chtld of God ought to kfepe himfelfe vnfpotted ofanger.
My propofition is to be vndcrftood of rafh, vnadutfed,eniH,
and fnfnS anger. Which the nyiuflen oi our time, learned
e Cemmtnt. m 8 Zanchim thus dcfcribeth ;
Epbef.^. EniH anger is anvniujt and vnreafonahle dejire ofreuenge,
flirred vp in vs bj afenfe of fome ininrj done vs, or through the
vieeaf impatience tn vt, xrhereby being diff leafed at men, rather
than at their vices, we wifh vengeance to betide them, refpeHing
eur owne wilfhU Infls enly, and not ataS either the fefety of our
neighbours, or any publtke good, er the glory of God.
f Orthodox, fid, Thcfe fpecieSjOr kinds oft his anger, according to ^ Damaf-
I'b. 1. £. 16. cene,v:c tbrce.The firft hecalleth or you may call
it cheler, it is a hafty Soger and of fliort continuance. The fe-
cond he calleth fdim-, yoy may call it angrinefe; it is a more
permanent anger of more continuance. The third he calleth
HOT©-. you may call h wrath; it is a fetled anger, watching
opportunity to worke reuengc.
Thefc three kinds of anger 5. PWcondcmneth for enil!,vn-
der thenamcs of^(£or,^*ej'<*,andAnger,bitternefe, and
wrath, Ephef. 4. ^1, Let alt bitternefe, anger, and wrath be put
away framyeu. OarSiuiowChriJ}, Mah$. It. admonifhcth
his DjfciplcSjifnot off»r«yet of three degrees of anger,
I tVhofeeuer ts angry with his brother wit hont caufe.vnaduifed'
ly,he^aH be culpable of iudgement. t whofoener faith vntohis
brother,Rict, he/iaUbewerthy to bepunifbedby the Counceff,
3 H'hofoeuer jhallfay foole, he (hadbe worthy to bepttnifbed with ; V
MeHfirt, The .
Amos r. nJ 201
The firft conderaneth the anger in tlje hearty when amdn
isinwardly andconcealethit. The fccond condcm-
nethiht anger in the cenntenance, when a man by his face,and
gcfture, is difcoucrcd to be angrie. The third condemncth
the anger in f^eech, when a man by fouleand bitter fpeaking,
manifeftcth himfclfe to be angrie. You feediucrs kindes of
anger.
Gregory the Great, L^loraU lih.S. cap. 3 o. applieth them to
mcBspcrfons. Hereckoneth vpfoute fortsofmcn fubicftto
thefe euill angers. X. Sowe arefaone angry, andfeonepacified,
a. Some are flovrly angry,andjlowlj pacified, 3, Same are foone
angry, and floivfypacified, 4. Some are fiowly angry, and feone
factfied. All thefe doc finne in their 4»_^er/,but nor all equally.
Some morcjfomeletre grieuoufly,yetalldoe/?»w. And there-
fore that the glory ofGod may be propagated, and the good
of ear neighbouts furthered, I befeech you, tcceiue into yoiu
deuout hearts my propounded doArine,
JEftery childe of God ought to keepe himfelfe vnipottedof
anger.
If you demand a reafon hereof, I muft repeat vnto yeu
God his holy Commandement: Thou fhait doe no mtirther.
In the name of are inhibited all the kindes of anger
aboue fpcciHed j the<«w^er that lurketh in the heart,\.\ic anger
thit (hincth'm the countenance, the rfoj-erthatismanifefledin
tpordt) whereto I adde thztanoer that breaketh into aEHon. If
you W9und,or but firikg youc neighbour; ifyou (peake bitterly
againft him; if you lookefrorvningly at him j if you hate him in
heart, or be vnaduifediy angry with him, you are before Al«
m ighty God guilty of murther. And for this caufe,^*^^/ childe
of God ouf^ht to keepe himfelfe vnlfottedof anger.
Another reafon of this doffrine may bedrawne from the
foulc effects of anger. The ' Author of the French ydcademte iTeierdeLa
par. 2, Chap, ss thus difcourfeth of them: tyinger is a vice
that hathwonderfullefFefls in the body, and fuchasare very
Vnbcfeemingaman. For, firft of all, when the j&frfrtisoft'cn-
ded, thebloud boilech round aboutir,and the fet^rfisfwolnc,
, ■ and puffed vp, whereupon followeth a continaallpanting and
C c trembiing
202.
The Seuenteenth Le^rcJ.
tremhUtt^of the heart, and hreafi. And when theft httrning
fiames ind kindled^iritsite afcendedvp from the heart vnto
thckraine, then is an^er come to his pcrfcdiion; from hence
commcth change of eonvteifance, (haking of theand of
thcwholevtfAfr, ftopping-of/^eec&, and tcrribiclookcs, mote
meet for a beafi, than for>a
LaUantiHi hath the likedifcourfein hisboofccDe/>•<«Z)e/,
in When anger ( faith hce) is fallen into the minde of
animum cumf- ^lan, like a fire temfefl,it railcth fuch Wanes,that it ohangeth
vtlutfeua tim- the minde; the wax ficry,thc moHthtttm-
ptfiiu tamoscx- hleth, the tongue falrcreth,thc teeth gnafli,and thtwibo/e couk-
utii flHlim, vt tenance is by courfc ftaincd, fomctimcs with redne^e, fomC'
fiatum mentis thncs .with patent fie,.
taHt'olulC«7tre' Semions^of his> one preadicdbefore the
?nat,hngMtitu' xdans, the other ' elfe-whcre, is plentifull in this point. The
bet, denies con- man that is indeed and throughly^w^r/, differeth nothing ei.
trcfent, dttrnis thcr inthe manner othislooke,©rintheaffeftionof hismmdj
tls^t-Upofitfiedwith'JDeaih. Hishlondboilcthabout
btrr, nunc palir his he.<rt) the whole proportion of his v'fitge is altered ; you
dbcfcens. will not take it to be the hmeface: his <7f.f lookenot as they
' Dt 'm,hBm,i2. were wont, but itc fiery and jiaring; he whets and grindcs his
teeth, like the foanstng Bbare; hhcomtenanceh n>an,of colour
and/fw, ftaincd, and dyed as with bloud: his bedie
fwclis; his veines wax btgge; his voice is vnplcafant; hisfieech
inarticulatetyou willhauctnuch adoetovnderftandhim.
*MubJtMon- A feruant of* Plutarchs, a lewd'and vicious fellow, for
taigneEfi.lib.x fomefaults by him cotnmitted;was ftripped nakedfe be whip-
being vndcr the he vpbraidcd his maftcr, and'ob-
ic^f cd to him, how he had often heard him fay, that it was an
vnftemely thing for a man tobe angry j and that thereof he had
written a beoke; and that yet nO'W contrary to his owncfay ings
and writings, all plunged in rage, and engulfed in eboler, hce
caufed'him io cruelly to be beaten. To whom Plutarch with
an vnaltcrcd andmildcfetled countcnan€e,faid thus j What ?
Wbercby dort thou iudge I am now angry ? Doth my costnte'
nance, doth my voice, doth my colour, or doth my fpeech giue
thee any tcftimony, that 1 zmcithet mossedotchoUricke? Me
thinkcs
AMO« I. II,
think<$ mine ejes are not ftaringly wilde, nor tny troo-
bled, Bor myvwff frightful] or diltenif ered. Docf svsmred?
Doe I foame at the mouth i Doth any word efcafe me,where-
of J may refent hereafter i Doe I flart/e and tjHake? Doe J rage
and with For to tell thee true, theft: arc the
^gnes of cheUr j tbcfc arc the tokens of anger.
You oaay f3y{bc\o\ied)zhitthcy arctbeeffen:/o{aHger..Thc
fore-cited Father Bafil may be your warrant, wliofurcherte]-
leth you, that vnhidUd tengues, vttgttarded mfuthes, flayed
hands, centttmelies, fonle language, railing words, vninfl blorves,
and the like enormities, arc thcj^»«e/, arc thc/r«/r/, are thei</^
fa [is of eut^ anger. And in this refpcA alfo, eturj childe ofl^God
ought to heepe him fife vnipetted of anger,
N ow to make fbroc vfc of this doctrine. Shall I fay, that this
euill anger is a reigning e*/// among you? Yourconfciencc*
muft needs bearc mc witnelTe, it is fo.Now may I charge fome
ofyou,as E<ecbtelcharged the houfeof //r^efjchap. 11.6.Ma-
nj haueyoH murthered in thit place,and you haue filled the flreets
with the flaine> For as often as you haue becne angry vnadnfed-
ly one with another, fo often haueyce»w«rri&er<rdoneanother.
O I what an account arc yecone day to make before Chrifis
Tribunal),eucn for this one/ww; vnlclTein this your day you
wafli it away with tearcs of penitencie. Tremble therefore,
ftand in awc,and^«»e no more fo. Examine your ewne hearts,
not now only while you hcareme,but alfo when you arc gone
from hence, eucn vpon your beds of reft.
exhorts you, Ecclef.j.xo. Be theunotof anhafiie
ffirit to be angry. His rcafoilis, Eor anger refiethin the bo-
fomeaiffooles. SaincTrfWexhortsyou, iJow. 12.19. Dearelj
beloued, auengenotyourfilues, butgiue place vnto wrath* His
reafon is, For it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay faith
the Lord, Saint /rf>w<r/exhorts you. Chap 1.19. My deare bre-
ihrenbe fiowto wrath. His, reafon is, For the wrath of matt
doth not accompli^ the righteouf nffe of God,
Youknow the Law,and it is fulfilled in one word,this:T/. ea
fbalt lone thy neighbour as thy felfe. This is taughtyoii, Gal. 5.
ifi Suffer yourfclttcs to becxhortcdinthewordsfollowing,
, Cc 2 veih
The Seuenteenth LeBurc^.
VCrC 1 f. If Jt* denture one snothtr, take heedlefljee
be (o»fumrd ttte of another. In the twentieth vcrfe we readc of
hatred, debate, emulations, verath, C0Hteuttons,fedttieMS j and arc
allured by the * i. ver fe, that if we doe fuch thingt, we (bah, not
inherit the kfngdo/ne of God.
Wherefore (to fhutvp this point with SzmtPanls wordt,
1 Csf.l.lO.and i C^r.I J.I lO IhefeechjoUjby thenameofthe
Lord lefus (fhnfl, thatjee jpeake aB one thing, and that there be
no difentiont among j ou. Be of one minde j lint in feaee, and the
^odof fence JbaB bewithyeu.
Thusfarre of thcthirdhranch in the defaiption of Edomt
Gnne,and of the do£frine grounded thereupon.The doffrine
VliifEuerj chUde ofGadought to keefe bimfrlfe vnffotted of an,-
ger. It wai grounded vpon thefe words. Hie anger foiled him
euermere.
And his wrath watched him alway] This ii the Genetta tranf>
lation. His fury watcheth him euermore, lo Tremtlitu. The
meaning is, Sdoms wrath, or fury, was fo implacable, fofarrc
from beingabatedora(¥waged, as that it eutrnK re watched
Jfrael, to doe him a milchiefe. In the (hureh Bible you haue a
different reading; His indignation he kept alwaies^ and in Mat-
thewes Bible, he kept indignation a/wates by htm* Thereading
is agreeable with the Vulgar Latine • and is admitted by Oeco.
lampadiut,hy (faluin,by Tfruftus. By BrentiitssXi'oi but that'
for indignation, he hath/i»'7 .• He kept hie fury alwajet. The
meaning is,the indignation or fury which Edom had concciued-
againft hisliroffeer.was permanent, it would not be remitted^
there was no end of it. The word in the Hebrew rendrcd by
wrath, or indignation, or fury, fignifieth irami/ehementierem,
^ exafiuantem,emnem^modum pratereantem, a very vche-
menr, a boiling anger,exceeding all mearure;or according vn^
to others, it fignifieth fworem tnflammantem, deperuadentem
ignis more: a rage like fire, burning whatfoeucrit meetcth
with.
Wee now fee what it is, for which the Lore/, in this laft
branch, reprouetb£</ew, or xbtTdumaans. If is their impla-
rablf,vnmeafftrable,iad cudlefe auger ^ wherein theyprafVi-
fed
Amos I. ii.
20$
fed nothingbatwilcs.howthcy tnightintrapandfubucrtthe
Jf>-*elttes. Thclcilon which from hcnccvvecarc co take for
our further inftruftion, is this,
IVhofoener once frouo^ed vnto angers doth for euerholdit fafi^
and cberijh it^he is not at any hand ay framed by God»
I will not fpendmany wordsintheproofeof \\\iSfrofojt»
tion, fich it Ifandethgood by my former difcourfc. Tou haiic
alreadie heard, that tnerychildt of Godonght to\eepe hmflfe
vnffotted of anger j and that, either in refpeft of its foulc efm
felis, or in refpeff of Gods ho!j commandement againd it. Now
is there any of you fo deuoid of Chridian vnderflanding, as
to thinke or imagine, that God will at any hand approme that,
againlf which he giu^h his commandement ? I alfure my felfe
thereisnone. Well then, I thusinferre; tvh'ficmeris jpotted
with ediB anger^ he is nit at any hand approned by God : there-
fore, whnfiener onceprouohed vnto enid anger, doth for ener hold
it fad and cheri[h*t, he ^ not at any hand approned by God.
For further corroboration of thisdoArine,giueearc, I be-
fetch you, to the blclfed Apoftles words, Ephef.^. 16. Let not
the Snnnego dofone vponyonr wrath.Somc doctbvs pittiphxalc
thefe words, 'y. fhrtfim qni efi S dinflitu, mentem veftram-y Gutrrtcus
irafcentem non d'eferat, sjni cum ird nuntjnam habitat: ChriB fi'f- "die Pu-
the Sunnc of righteoufncire, who loueth not to make his habi-
t«ion there, where arger harh irs refidcncc, let him not for- i/jJy'Xiy.
fake your angry mindts C^rtfi- may not dwell where anger is.
If thctcforeyouarc dciirous rhat (yhrtfi (hould dwell in you,
you tciu(l caft away all rf>r|^^er frr m within you.
L''t not I be Sannego:downe vponyettr rrrath ) There is ano-
thcr Expofiiion vfuallygiucn of thcfc words, to thisfcnfe ;
Sith luch is our elfatc in tlusour warfare) (uch our weaknelfc,
infirmiiic and frailtse,that may quickly rake hold of vs, ^
and pollellevs; wee riiuft carefully take heed that weegiue it
not too much reipitc, or entertainment. Our mull hot
be ira pridiana, a ycftcrdaies a»ger. Wee muft caft it from vs
fpccdily« antesfttam occidat Inx ifta vtfibtlis, bciorc this viiible
Sunne, the Snnne that makes our day, be fet 5 ne nosdifitat lax "
iUatmnifbUis, that the inuifiblcSunne, the Sunnc of righre-
Cc 3
oulncire.
TheSeimteenth L'eBure^.
oafncllcj and true light of our hearts, forfakc vs nof. It is the
lidly Spirit that fpcakcth oat of the A poftles mouth. Lef not
the Sttnne^oe downevfonjturverath^
There j's nothing tnorc aduerfc, or oppofitctoour bottn.
dendutic of charitie, and our owne fi/ntitten, than ferfens'
rancein rvrath. It lettcth'Vs from doing good to thofe with
whom weare-w^r/jrichindercth ourdcuotionin prayer,-and
tnaketh the vVrath of Godiolight vpon vs. So true is my pro-
pounded doflrinc,
fVhoficner onceproutkeavntoanger,dethferen-er txddHfafl^
and cherifb it, he is not at any hand approued by God,
This doftrinc thus deliucrcdagainft petfeueranee in anger,
may fcrueforaiull reproofeof ruchas<doc'bc8rcperper«<«^ Hi
n't//to any nation. Tohatcaj'p^wVdr^^, a French-man, or any
ctbei'cottntry-man, bccaufc he is of fuch a eonntrj, or of ftich a
nation, this is here reproucabie,
Againe, .it may fcructo rcftraincfuch, as doe thinke it laW'
fuIlperprtSM/// tachate them of rvhomthej hane rgceiued an in-
Such men, would they but recount with thcmfelucs,and
recall into their mindct how many, and howgrieuous iniuries
they hauc donevntoGod,intranfgrcfling his holy Comman-
dements $ and how, yetnotwithftanding, God is ftillpropi-
* tious, gracious, and bountifullvnto them! furely, were they
true Chrifiiaus,(ca\ed by God his holy Spirit to the day of re-
demption, they would remit of their hatred j yea they would
^wholly abandon it, andcaflit farreifotn clietn : according ro
the txhortmon cf S-Paul to the Epheflans. Chap. 4.5 i. in
whofc words (beloucd) fuffer your felucs to be exhorted; Let
all bittemeffe, and anger,and tor at h, crying, and euill [peaking,be
put away from yen, with all malitionfnefe. Beyee courteous one
ta anetb^, and tender hearted, fergiuing one akothtr, euen as
God ferChrijls fake fergaue you, ^ li
Sweet Bernard in his booke ofthc manner of liuing well
(Strm.i 6. concerning hatred) thusfwcctly fpcaketh vnto his
fjfter; Seror in Chrijlo amantiffima mihtj&tc- My moft louing^
filler in (fhrifi,ht3Xtyihzt I fpeakc vnto thee; If in anything
tbouhafigrieuedthj ffier,ercaufeAbtrtobeforrewfullj fat is fie
207
- Alios r;.vii2 "
btr: if than h^/} Jtnned agAi»fl thy- filler, repent hftfe her t if
theuhafifcandalizttd, or offendedanp one of Gods hand-mmidtf"
Oike herforgiaeneffr. Got on with fpeed to reconcilement .l fltepe
not till thoH haue made fatiifattion j ref not tid thou retttrnt in
peace. Thus did dcuout Bernard exhart hisvirgin.fiftcr.
The good Father (no doubt) had regard to the words of
his aadoiirSauiour/if//« ChrifiyWx'men^ Matth.^,t^,i^, If
thon bring ihjgtft to the Altari and there remembreft that thj
brother hath ought againftthee, leaue there thine offering before
the Altar, and gee thy way,fir ft be reconciled to thy brother, and
then eome and offer thy gift. Firft be reconciled to thy brother;
Be reconciled^is that ? Beconciliatio (faith " one) efi ite- n cidebert. fu'
rata animorum diffident mm omcihatio; Reconciliation is a rc- ftr Conticaffa,
mied agrccraentof diirentingmindcs. J*-
This is it, into the commendation whereof the fwectSin-
ger of y/r<»e/^brcakerh cot, "Pfal, 13 3.1. Behold bow good and
comely a thing it is, for brethren to dwelleuen together ? J f either
ptofitorplcafurecan allure you 5 then behold'] confidcr well^
and weigh feriouflyhow profitable and necclTary;
zndi how comely] how pleafant and excellent a thing it is, for
brethren] not only natHralibrethren, b\Xt brethren in ffhrili,
all "the fonoes of God, the members of his Church, and par-^
takers of the felle-fame dofttine, and life in Chrilt, to dwell
euenfogether] not onely in one houfc, but fpccially to bcof
one aifeflion and confent: to maintainc bctwecnc chemfelucs
brotherly loue and mutuall confeQt. 'Behold how good, how
comely a t hing it-is f for brethren tO'dwell together in vnity. Icip
as the fweet perfume and-ointment, that holy oilc,-which was
powredvponthd&M^yolthehighPrieft, andran downc vpn
onhis^e/trd, andfotothe, f^/'rrr of hjsgarracrt: it is asthc ..
dew of Hcrmqn, which feflvpop theptountatfigs of ^lon. Both
thcfc refcmWanccs rccommending vnto vs thc pleafureand
iptahtcA vni'.y, brotherlyloueindiconsord, I commended vnto
you in my Sixteenth Lc£ltirc vpon the firlt Chapter of this
prophecic f. and therefore now I fay no more of them.
5".P<»«/,i;(T»'>>2«wcatjitgQffpidtuallgiftv"^theirdiuer-
ficyj.thercaeckonceh vp the word ofwffdeme,the wdrd efknow'
20 J The Seuenteenth LeBure^:
Itd^e^ faith} xhepft of bexi.ng j the dnng of miracles ^fripht"
fyin^ yki"des of tongues ; the interpretation of tongues: and
fbeweth how all ihcic arc wrought by the f*me Spirit, who
dirtribaceth to euery man Icacrally, as he w»ll. Then vrging
thisfeuerall diftribution by way ofincerrogation, (Are all A-
pofiles? Are all Prof bets? Are all Teachers? Are aU doers of
miracles ? Haue all the gifts of bealtng ? Doe all ffteake rvitb
tonfue>? Doe all interpret?) He exhorts the Corinthians to
couet after the befi things ;ind concludes his Chapter thus: I
will yet /hew you amore excellent way*
This were excellent way, is the way which now T (hew you,
beloued.This way is hue. O ftriue yce to walke in it. Let the re-
maindtr of your dales be ("pent thercin.Knowye,thatwhatfo-
cuer good parts yee haue, or whatfoeucr good workes yc doe,
it auaileth you nothing, if you haue not hue. Lookc but to the
beginning of the thirteenth Chapter of the firjl Spiff le to the
Corinthians. There (hall you findc it verified, what I haue faid
Vnto yoViiTheugh you (peake with the tongue of men and Angels,
and haue net louc, jet are you as punding Brafe, or a tinging
(fimbaV.Tlotugh you haue the gift of prophecte, and knew aH fe-
erets, and aB knowledge,yea,if you haue aSfaith, fs thatyeu^au
remoue mountaines, and haue not loue: yet are you nothing.
Though you feed the poore with all jour goods, though aou giuc
your bodies to be burned, and haue not louc, yet it profitethyott
nothing.
My exhortation mud be vnto you in the fameblclTcd Apo*
filesword$,Chap.i4.i.cfthefame£pi/?/<f} Followafterhue.
And I (hut vp thisexcrcife with a fwect Fathers (wect medita*
• tesmi-ftrm, tion j ® Charirastedomnm Dotmnifacit, & Daroinum^owMW
j.'iaCtuaDtm. tibi. Le>»e,lrinakestbeeahcufeforGod,andGodahoufcfor
thee: according to that, i loh.^. i6. God is louc, and he that
dwelleth *w loue, dwelleth in Cod, ana (y od in him. A h appy A r-
tificer thou art,thatarr able to frame for thy fclfe
fuch a houfe, as <yod is. This houf-is not built of morter, and
brkkp.utst offiene,nor oiwood,'-t\ox of finer, nor oi gold, nor.
olprecioiisfiones. Itcxcecdeth andfarre furpallcth and V
gold} in cotnparifoa of it precious fionestxcyficy and of no re- V
putation. This ' /I
t J
amos I, 111 209
This heufe i? an euerUfitM^honje^ before 4^ ages, before *9.
times 5 it containeth things, it eomprehencieth kUL thiRgs,ic
creaccth things, it giueth life to things. In this heufe the
blinde rcceiuc light, the lame ftrength to walke, the ertaked
Araightnefle, the we*ke health, the deadt\\CK rcfurrcftit
on: there is none wretched in it, aH therein are blef-
fed: for they areentredintotheirMaftersioy. Into
which ioy,that we may in due time enter,let vi ^
foUow After loue, wee kpvw that Cod if loue,
and that whofttuer dwelleth in iouc,
dwelletbinGodf AndGedinbim^ * ^ ^ ,
Now God.grant, that >r4 ^
maj aU dwell
in him.
TT-
■V-iVJ
Dd THE
1X9.
THE
AM OS I, i%i
Thtrefere mil/ fen^idfin vftdTitratrif 4nditfitdlldetuure th^
fdlaces efHozxtkh,
Am now come to the laft part of this pro-
phccie againft Eiom: which is the denun-
tiation of God iudgements againft Eienu
for hisfins, exprcftedin thistwclfth verfe.
This twelfth verfe doth not much differ
from fotne precedent verfes in this Chap.
4,7, and lo* The fame panifhinent which
iothftfonrth verfe is threat^d.to the 5j'n4»/,vndcr the names
of Hax.ael,znd Benhdiad j and in the feuenth verfe to the Bhi*
/i^#«#/,vndcr thenameof y^e^isijand in the tenth verfe to the
Tjridns, vnder the name of TyrmM here in this twelfth verfe
denounced to the Edemites, vnder the names of Temaa and
Bfx,r^h. And thcrfore,as in the forenaracd verfes I haue done,
fodoe I in this recommend vnto you three circiunftances. '
I The punifher: the Lord, I will fend.
a The punifhracnt; by fire, I will fend a fire,
3 The
. \ .
lU '
Amos I.
11.
2tl
•3 The puniflied r the endi?««riV^Athein-
habitants of both cities: I milftnd afire vfom Teman,
4Md it fkulldeuenre the f places of Bozrafa.
The punidier, isthe Ltrd} for, Tbtu frith the Lerd j Imli
tfend.'Xhe doArine naturally arifing henceis this |
It is frtfer tt the Lord to exeemte venge4HCe vpon the wicked
for their finnes.
This truth hath heretofore once, and againe, beeneconhr*
med vntoyon. The leiTe need hauc 1 now to inhft vpon it. Vet
inajr I not palTeit ouer yni3\}xttA.It isfrefertothe Lordto exe-
CHte veftge4>/ee,Scc.]
This office of executing vengeetHcevfon the wicked for their
Godtaketh vpon himfelfe, Dext,^ i.iis^ Wherehee
faith, yengeoneeond reeompettee 4re mine. This if COnfeifedto
be God his due by S.P4nl,Rom. H.i^.Itit written, vengeance
is mine, I wiUref4j,frtth the Lerd j and by the Author of the
Epiftlc to theHeineweSfChip.lo.^O.yengeanee hehhgeth vn.
tome, I willreeompenft, frith the Lerd j ^ind by the fweet^ia-
ger of Ifr4el,Pfr/.^^.l. O Lord God the anenger, O God the 4'
uenger. The Prophet N4httm, Chap. i.a. to the terrour of the
wicked, prociaimeth it; Godis kalotu ,4ndthe Lord renengethr
the Lord rettengeth : enen the Lord of anger ^ the Lerd wtll
take vengeance on his adturfrries, and refertteth wrath for hts
enemies,
Thefe places are fomany pregnant proofes to make good
my propounded doffrine, namely, thit It is prof er to the Lord
to execntevengeanee vpon the wtc^for their finnes. Many are
the vfcs ©f this doflrine.
The hrft. Ic may lelfon vs to looke heedfully vnto out feet,
that we walkenotinthe way of ftnners, to partake with them
in their flnnes. Smnts arc not tpngue-tied j they fry Tnto the
Lord for vengeance. Wercade in holy writ of foore forts of
flnnes, which aboiic other, doe fry vnto God, and doc call foi
his great and quickc vengeance.
Thefirft is Hontieide,mmrther,ov manfiiughter i whereof
Almighty God, Genef./^ io, thus fpeaketh vnto j The
voice of thj hfothers cricth vnto me from the earth.
Dd 2
The
Ill The Eighteenth LeSlurc^.
The fccond is Sod»mie, the finnc of Sodome, the finns a-
gainft nature, a finne not once to be named among Chriftians.
Whereof thus faith the Lord vnto Abraham, ^en.1%.20. Be-
canfe the cry of Sodom and Cj omorr aid is great y and becanfe their
finne is exceeding grienoui, I mRgeed^wne novo, and fee whether
they haue done altogether according to the cry which is come vn-
tome.
jThe third isepprefiion o^tbe poore, fVtdowet,fatherlefi'e,zi\A
firangers. Opprcflion of the pooM crieth, 'Pfdl, 12.5. New for
the opprtffion of the needy, anddeepe fighesof the peere, Iwillvp
faith the Lord, and wiBfet at liberty him whom the wicked bath
fnared* Opprcfli on of the wide wc? and the fatherklle crieth,
Exod, 2 2. 22. Tee. jhall net trouble any widow, nor fatherleffe
childe : if you vex or trouble fuch, and/o he call and cry vnto me,
J will furelj hearehu cry. Then (ball my wrath be kindled, and /
wit i^llyouwith the/word, and your wittes (bat bewidowes, and
your children fatherlejfe. Oppre^on of &tingericrieth,Exod,
3.7. The Lord faid vnto Mofes, J hauefurely feene the trouble
of my people which are in v^yypt, and haue heard their cry, be-
eaufe of their taske-mafiers; and verfc the ninth, Now lee the
cry of the children of Ifrael is come vnto me, and Ibauealfo
feene the oppreffton, wherewith the ty£gyptians o:pre0 Ibem.
Thus is oppreffi9n,whahtrit be ofthcpoore, or of the widowes,
or of fat her lejfe children, or of firangers, a crying finne: and
this was the third.
Thcfourth is^the keepingbacke ofthe labonrers hire.^heie-
' of 5. lames. Chap. y.4. thus witnetrcth : Behold the hire of the
labonrers, which haue reaped your fields, ( whtch is of you kypt
backs by fraud) crieth; and the ales of them which haue reaped,
are entred into 1 he eares of the Lord of heafts, .
You fee (dearely beloued) fovixecrytng finnes ^murther,So-
domie, oppreffion, and the detaining, or keeping bac^ of the pioro
labourers wages. Thcfe are finnes, and they cry aloud to
the eares of Almightic God, and doe call fox vengeance, to
light vpon the doers of them.
But what of other/;«»« ? Docnot thcyt^yalfo ? Arethcy
dumbe? No, faith Gregory, Moral.%,eap.B. Omnis nam^ ini-
amos j. si. 213
ifttitM, afttd fecrets Dei indicia, habet voces/W^/jEuCry iniqui.
tic barh a vdicexo difcouer ic fclfc before God his fccrct iudge-
mcnts. Notavwtfonly, but/«^aIfo,yeaandthe>r/W^j' too,
to make way into Heauen for vengeance,
Eucry fmne is of a high elcuatioo ; it afcends abouc the top D'. Tjng Bi-
oiCarmeljit afpircthjand prelTcth before the Maicfty of Gods A^opof London
ownc Throne. God coraplainethof /m.i.2. Their
vficl^dnejfs is come vp before me, H e tcSlct h Sennacherib, 2 King.
I9.28.and Efay ^y.z^.Thj tumult is come vpinto mine eares.
The Prophet Oded, 2 Chron,l%.^. faith to the Ifraelitesci
their rage, that it reachetb vp to heauen.
You fee as well a Jublinoity and reach of finne, as a loudnefe
and vocahty of it. As it hath avowee, fo hath it feet, fo hath it
tpings',zi iter ieth, {oitrunneth,{okflietbwtohc2nen; and all
to fetch downc vengeance againft vs, the miferable and wret-
ched a£lors of it.
Our wickednefTe what it is, and in what eleuation of
heighth, whether it be modcft or impudent 5 priuateor pub-
likej whether it fpeakcth or crieth, Itandeth orgoeth j lyeih
like an Afpe in her hole, or flyeth like a hery ferpent into the
prefence of Godj your fclues be ludges.Recall to your remera-
brances the iudgcments ofthe Lord,
The anger of thccleudshath bccne powrcd downc vpon our
heidsjboth with abundance,and with violence : ^Thefiouds
haue liftedvpithefieuds haue lifted vp theirvotc. -,thefleudi bane
lifted vp their waues^the veaues 0 fthe Sea haue beene maruellous.
Her furgfs haue broken downe her walls, yea haue gone ouer
her walls; to the lolTe ofthe precious hues of many of our brc-
thtc.n.Thcarrewes of zwoiuWpeftilencehzue. beene caft abroad
at large, in all the quarters ofourRealme,euento the etrp y-
ing,anddifpcoplingoffomcpart thereof TVe^/^wragainll our
King andCountrcy, mighty, manfirous, ziidprodigietu, hauc
beene plotted by a number of Lions whe/pes, lurking in their
dens, and watching their houre to vndoe vs.
All thefc things, and other like vifitacions, hauc bccne ac-
complilhcd amongft vsfor our iinncs, and yet we amend nor.
Yea we grow worfc and worfe. We Ecet from finne to (inne,
^ Dd3 a#
ti4 Th e Eighteenth Le^urc^.
as a flic fljiftcth frctn fore to fere. Wcfem^fthc L/frdiWemf/r-
mtf-r, wc luft, wc commit idolatry,ferut thefle(b,yfe(it detone
to eat, and rtfe topiaj ; of bloud^lhed, of hlalfhemie, and ragC a-
gainftGcdjof oppre((io»,oi extortion, of/*-4»dag3in(lpoore
labourers^ o\anger, of bilterneffe, of wrath, of flrtfe, of maltee,
pubiikc, infamous and enormous finncs, we make no confci.
ence ) we commit them with greedineffc; wc draw them on as
with cart ropes,weglory in them, as if we had cuen fold our
feiues to worb^e rvichedneffe before thcXfi/.
Lord! whither will WC f Arc wc frozen in our flnnes, and
grownc fenfelelTe ? Qgot vitia homocommittir, totfacitpaftts
' veidt Pjlit.de. ad infernttm, faith one : Lookc hove many (innes a Dian com-
th(fif-f.tr.ajlb miitethyfo many 0eps he goeth towards Hell. Yea, fay I, for
ud. emrr. i. in gucry finnc we commit, we defcrue to be thrownc head-lone
Vom. 16. Tri.
What fliall wc doc,men and brethren ? what fhall wc doe i
Our Lord God tclieth vs what is bcft, 8. jo. 'KstHrne,
and eattfe others to turne away from all our tranfgrejfions: fo (had
not iitiijuitj be jour deftruflion: and vcrf. 3 l.^ajt away from yon
aRyour tranfgreffions^wherbyjou haue tra»/grefed,and tuAkeyoH
a new heart, and a new IP irit j for why (boHldyoudie? and 32. /
defirenotthe death of him that dieth, faith the Lord God; re
turneyoh therefore and Hue. Can thctebc a fvvcctcr inuitacion ?
Comethercfore,.ioynewc heart and hand together: and
fexoeb.iS.ty. d we away from thewickednefe that we haue committed ^
and doe we that which is lawfuUand right, that we may faae our
• Ktrf.zS. foulet aliae,Comc\ttyi* turne away frem all the tranffrefions
that we haue committed : fo fhaU we furely Hue, we fballnot die.
And this we will the fooner endeuour to doe, if wc imprint
in our hearts my propounded dodfrine;
It is proper to the Lord to exeeute vengeance vpou the wickgd
for their finnes.
Thus much of the firft yfc} which was to leilon vsto lookc
heedfully to cur fect,that we walke not in the way of finners,
to partake with them in their flnnes. I proceed.
Isittrne? h \t proper to God to execute vengeance Vpon the
wicked for theit finnes f Here then in the fecond place we are
admo-
MOS I. 11.
admoniflicd^not to intermeddle in the Zar/// efice.lt is his e/-
fice to execute vengeance. Wc therefore may not interpofc our
felucs. if a brother, a neighbour, or a firanger hath done vs
any wrong, we muii forgiue him,and niuli leauereuengement
to God, to whom it appcrcaineth. We muft leaue reuengement
to God, to whom it appertaineth, and forgiue our enemies.
what? Forgiue our enemies? How cmfiejhsndbleudcndatc
it? Weil, ic^ould be endured : and many reafonsthcreire to
induce vs to foChridian an office*
The hrftis} The forgiuenejfe of our owne [tunes. Whereof .
thus faith our Sauiour,Z«^.d<3y.Forgiue, andjtu(baHh for-
giuen, ^ Ideolthenterdebemusdimittere farttum, vt fDeus di- ^ "Ptt.deVslal
mittat nobis magnum j we ought willingly to forgiue vnto our ferm.aliiiunsfr.
neighboura/«<i/^ matterj thatGodmay forgiue ys owgreat
offiences. Looke what grace and indulgence wc fhew vnto our
neighbours,the like will God (hew vnto vs. What elfe is faid,
LttksC. 38? fVith tvhat meafttreyou mete,with the fame fballit be
meafured toyouagaine. Whereof I cannot giue a plainer ex«
podrionthan in our Sauiours words, Matth.6.i^,is* if Jt*
doe forgiue men their treifajfes, your heauenly Father will alfe
forgiue you. But ifyeedoe not forgiue men their treffafes, no
mere will your Father forgiue yo'4 your treffaps.
A fecond reafon why we (hould forgiue our enemies, is, that
when we make ostr frayers vnto God, we our felues may be heard.
For God heareth not the prayers of fucb as doe abide in ran*
cour, and will not forgiue their enemies. It is well laid of an
8 Ancient: Quinonvult dtmitterefratrifu'),non (peret oratio. E ./fuiujiin.
nis efeHum. Whofociicr he be that will not forgiue his brother,
let him not hope for any good fuccclfe in bis prayer. ^ Ano- ''
ther faith : SUninriam non dimittis, ejut tibtfafla efi; orationem
pro te noufacts,fedmaledtcfiO'jemfuper te inducie. Jf thou/or-
giue not the iniury which thy neighbour hath done thee,
when thou pray eft, thou makeft not any prayer for thy feifc, ,
butdocftbringa milcdiftion,orcurfc,vpon thy felfr.
The raoft abfolute and excellent platformc of prayer, that
euer was made,and is by the maker thereof, our Lord and Sa-
uieur lefut (fhrifi, commended vnto vsfor our daily vfc, con-
firmcth .
I
i I s The Eighteenth Le^urt^.
firmcth this point vnto vs. The fifth petition therein, is,,that
God would be plcafcd to fargifte vs ear trefpafes, at we forgiue
them that trefpAjfe agJiinpt vs.V^hexc(ott^iL%ix\n\\(\tiCit\ty^c
delire our felucs to bclooked vpon with the ejet of grace and
mercy Stom hcauen, without any fraud,or holiownelfejor dif-
fimulationin thcLtfrd; foarc wc taught by that claufe, our
felucs todcalc with others ;fo truly, fohoncftlyjfo heartily, fo
finccrcly,and vnfaiuedly forgiuing euer,as wc may boldly fay,
Se Lord, doe thou to met, as I toothers. Now ifthcfehearts of
oursbefo fturdy and ftrong in their corruption, as that they
will not relent,and yecld to forgitte fucb as haue trefpaffed a-
^aiufi t//,how can welooke that our prayers (hould take cfFe£l ?
A third rcafoB, why we (hould forgitte enr enemiet, is, that
our good workettitaj he acceptable vuto God. Let a maneuery
day doe as vavny good worses, as there are Stars in Heauen;yec
as long as in he harcth hatred tohisenemie, God will
not accept any one of them. Munm non accept at ur,nip ante dif-
cordia ah animo pedatur, faith (fregorj j thy gift is no waies ac-
ceptable vntoGod,vnlcflc thy heart be fitfifreed fromdifcord.
Let no roan circurouent hirafclfe, fcduce himfelfe, deceiue
i Augu{l.ferm.i. himfelfc.'WhofoeuerWerifebutoneraan in the whole World,
dt S. Ste^.m. whatfoeucr he ofFcreth to God in Good worket, all will be loft.
Witneffe S. Paul, l Cor. 13.3. Though 1 feed thepoore wtth ad
my goods, and though I giue my body, that I be burned, and haue
not hue, it profiteth me nothing. If then wee would haue our
good workcspleafingvnto God, weerouftbe reconciled to
our neighboursj Our blcfted Sau'tour lefses Chrifl fo aduifeth
/ vs, Matth.5.24. Goe thy way,firfi be reeonciledto thy brother,
then come and offer thy gift,
A fourth rcafon, why we ihowXd forgiue our enemies, is, that
our foules may Hue : for by hatred and rancour, wee flay our
foules. SiintPohnEpifi.i.Chap.^.verf.is.iuoYicthh ^thzthc
whofoeuerhatetbhit brother,is a man-flayer, Homicida efi.fcili'
k Pet. dtPal. fgtpropria anima, faith ^ one, he is a murtherer of his owne
vbifipra. faule. An cxpofition not ablblutely to be difallowcd, for as,
much as it followcth in the fame verfe j Tee know that no man.,
flayer bath eterttaS life abiding in him. The Ife of the foule
is •
Amos t. iil
u hue 5 therefore he that loueth not, is JeuJ. So faith the fame
blelTcd Apoillo,£^« x.Chap. i.verf. 14. Hee that loueth vot
his brother, abitleth in death* And greater is the datnmage by
the lefleofowff/cw/e.thanol a thoujandhoiies, Thervheieworld
in refpcft o(one foule,is not to be eftecmcd. This is proucd by
our Sauiours qucftion, Mark, 8. $6. fVhatJhallttprofit a man,
though be (bouLd win the whole world, if he loje his owne fouU ?
A fift reafon why we (hould hue ottr enemies, is thcr«(jT«i»^
of Saints and Angels, To hue our enemies it aninfallible fignc
of our eonuerfioa. Now wee know by Luk, 15.7. that there
fhaS be toy in Heauen for enefinner that conuerteth: and verf,
the 10. That there is toy in the frefence of the Angels of Cod far
one ftnuer that conuerteth.
Thus whether we refpefl the reiojcing of Saints and A ige/s-,
ortheltfeofourfoules'y ot the acceptance of our good worlees'y or
the fruit of our pray ert\or theforgiueneffe of our fins; wee muft
hue our enemies t after S, Stephen his example, AB, 7. 60,
Lord lay not this fin to their charge: after S, Paul his example,
I Cor,^, \ l^\%,Wearereuiled, andjetwehlefie : we are per ~
fecuted, and fuffer it; we are euiS jpeken of, andwe pray : after
Chrifls e\^mp\e, Luk. 23. 34. Father forgiue them, for they
know notwhat they dot, Adde hereto Commandcmcnt,
(jblat, 5. i^4. Loueyeur enemies '^hlefie them that eurfe you ; doe
goodto them that hateyou j and pray for them that hurt you and
perfecute you. Lcaue ye vengeance to the ^od of vengeance 5 fo
fiiall ye be the vndoubted children of yourhcauenly Father.
And thus firrccf the fecondvfe, which was to admoniflj vs,
not to intermeddle in the Lords office of executing rettengc
ment, A third followeth.
Is it true i Is it proper to the Lord to execute vengeance vpon
the wicked for their finnes? Here then in the third place is a
treafury of comfort and of terror: of comfort to the godly, of
rerrartothe wicked. For though the Lord doe vfc the wicked
to correA the godly t yet will he in due time ouerthrew the
wicked with a large recafure of his iudgements, and frccthc
godly. Gods holy praaice in this kindc, roaft bet hereof a
warrant vnto vs.
E e The
II g The Eighteenth LeSturc^.
The I(>aeUtes were kept in thrald&mc and bondage mJny
yeeres by the <L/£gyftia»s. The i^gyftians, they were but the
r0fapoKso'^G'>dt wrath, wherewith hec sfflifted hispcoplc.
They were Gods weeDoMsydtrc they therefore to tfcape Vnpu<
nifhcd ? No- Wirncllc thofe ten great fiagnes which at length
God wrought vpon thetn, and their fcarefnll cncrthrow in
the red Sea, at large fee downc in the bookc ot Exodtu, from
the leucnch Chapter to the fourteenth. This was it which
God fiid to Abraham, Get*. 15; verf.f^^Xs^. Knowferafurety,
that thy feed (ball be a fir anger i» a land that is net theirs, foitre
hundred yeeres, andfhall ferue them) notvsithflanding the Na-
tion whom they (loadfeme will I iudgt.
Ahab,the moft wicked of the Kings oP//r4e/,who fold him-
felfe to worke wickednctre in the fight of the Lord, and his
accutffd wife ^ttcGodsitiflrHmentsiozf^\&.Nabotb
with the lolfe of his life and vineyard- Ahab and le^ebelvsctc
Oodsin/fruments: were they therefore toefcape vafuni/ied?
No. Witncifeboth their ends. The end of Ahab, recorded
rKtng. 21.38. In t he-place where dogs licked theblettd o/Na-
both, did dogs hcke the blend Ahab alfe. Atid the end of Ie»
3s.ebel xegidTedi^King. 9.35; She was eaten with dogs, all ft'
ning her sknd, her feet, and thepalmes of her hands.
It Was a parcofD;twi>/ WKi^i^iomytohcca^ into the den
ef Lions ; his accufers vnto Duriios were thtinflruments of this
his afBidfion. Thcfe his accufers were the Lords inflruments
for this bufinede. Were they therefore roefcape vnpunifbrdf
No. Their fearefull end is fet downc, Z)4».di 24, By the com'
mandemtnt of King Darius, they with their wines and children ^
were cafi into the den of Lions ^ the Liens had the maflery of
them,andhrakead their bones tupetees,ereentr they cameto the
ground of the den.
Here might I recall to your remembrances, other iudgc-
ments of God of this quality, written downe in the regtfler of
Gods workes, his holy word. How and what he rendred to Ha'
man, to Sennacherib, to loacbimi to the Ammonites, to tht
Chaldeans, dnd other wicked worldlings for their hard mea^
fine offered to the godly; though they were therein Gods im-
fimments.
A M O S I. II.' 2.19
ffruments* Butlt»u(l haden j and the aforementioned indan-
ces of of Ahah, and his wife lez.el'el, and of
Daniels acenfers, arc fuihcicnt to wotkcterrcrto the wicked,
and to the gcdly f«>w/ffrr .• and to allure vs, when the Lorei
(hall (hew hitnfclfe from Heauen with his holy Angels inila-
ming hre, thatthcntothc wicked, whofc behauiour to th«
^oellj hath beene proud and diipiteous, he will render venge-
aneeindpMnifhthtm with euerlafting perdition. Thus farrc
of ihe6rdcircuir(fanceanddo£lrincthercttpon.
Thefecond circumllance is the punifhment, IwiUfcndafire'^
By fire in this place, as verf. 4, 7,10. learned Expoliiors doc
vnderdand,not fo much ^natwallfire, as ifiguratiuefire. For
in the name offire, they vndetdand the rword,pclhlcnecand
fimmey^Modltbetgentti ceHfitmptitnis, euery kind of confump-
tion ) ^uam/ibet ^ectem exeidij, euery kind of dcdru6fion; be
it haile, or thunder, or (icknclle, or any other of Gods mel-
fengers. So large is the Ggnification oifirt tikiufiguratipielj.
The Dodfrine ariGng hence is rhis ;
The fire (whether natHrall, or figteratiue) that is, the fire
and all ether ere at mres are at the LordscammandemeHt,t9
he employed by him in the pmnifhrnent of the veicked.
This Do^lrinc hath herctofbrebeene commended and con-
firmed vntoyou.
Theyfe of it is,to teach vs how to behaue our felucs at fnch
timcsas God lliall w/ft with his red otcorrc^ions.; how to
carry our.felues in all our affiiQiens, Wee muft not lb much
looketothe/»/?r«i«e«rj, asto thci>«rdthat fmircth by them.
Iftheyfre.orw.arer.or any other o{.Gods creatures (Ijall at any
timerage, andpreuaile againftvs, we mull remember that it
isGod that fcndeth them to work his holy will vpon vs. Here
he itntafire spouTeman to denctsre her pa--
laeet. ¥ov thuu faith the Lord: /voill fendf fire vpan Xeman,
and it (halideuoure the palaces of Bozrab.
Herchaueyou the third circumftancej thecircumfianocof
thepunidicd f TemanAr\ddntpalasescf'^o%xz\\. Temav was
the Metropolitan, thechicfe Gityof/d«w.e(i, fo named from
TVwai#, who waslbnof E'tphaz,, thefonof Efaa, Gen. 3d.
Ec 2 10,11.
3.10 The Eighteenth LeElurc^.
lOjiT. Rfhowned and famous wa>7V«»*» for herwifd^mei
witneirctheProphecKofO^rf^M^'jV^f-/ 8; jj.and /*rrw.49.
7, whereby it is credible, dice omitted no opportunity, no
meanesro makc her felfc (Vrong by bolwarkcs androttrcdes,
agairiif wliatfocucrincurlion or ficgc of enemies* Yet could
fhenot hereby befecured againft the day o^Gods vilitation ;
when for the comphment of her fins, God fhowld lay his
heauyr«<sf vpon her. What fh« wit of man could inuent for
fafcty,no doubtbut TVwrfwhad it. But what can mans wit
doe againft the Almighty f Behold here in tny Text,thus fakh
the Almighty: I mil fend a fire vpon Tcman. And can all the
vtaterof the huge Ocean quench the^eof the Almi^j ?'
This refolucion ofihe Aardfor the ouerthrow otTeman, is
excellently fet downe by the Prophet Otndiah, verf. 8,9,10.
ShAl not lint hat day, faith the L ord, eaen defirog the wife men
ent of Edom, andvnderfianding from the mount sfEfzu i And
thy fir eng men, 0 Ternan, (hall be afraid, becaufe ttterj onesf
tbemauKt ofE(a» (Jjallbee cut off by [laughter. Tor thy ctuehy
againft thy brother \^coh^ (hame (hall ctuer thee, andthtu jhalt
be cut effor euer. The Prophet leremy to this purpofc, Chap,
49,7.bringethinrheZ-ar^tf/^c^Jthusqucftioning with £-
dom; Ts wifdome nt more in Teman 1 As counfell perifhed from
their children?' I s their wifdome vanijhed? As if he had faid,
the wifdome ofTewif? is become fooliflincfTe; their counfcll
is nothing worth. And why? But becaufe, as my Text faith,
Ged will fend a fire Teman.Thc do£frine hencc arifing is f
Newifdome,nocounfell, no humane inuentien can faue that'
City which God rvill haue deftreyed.
Thereafonhereofis J becaufe there is noftrength, bur of
GodandffomGod.. Thcvfeis, toteachvi ncuer to truft in
tioy worldly helpe, butfoto vfe all good meants of our de-
fenfc, that ftillwc rely vpon the Lord for ftrength and^fuc-
cclTe thereby.
A^aine, this fire of the Lord is fentto deuoure the palaces of
wasalfo aMetropolitaneand chicfc Ci-
fy, feated in the confines of the lands ofHdow and Moab: and
therfore in holy writ it is fometimc attributed to Tdorndfimt-
tinif
! i
A M O S 1. II,
timcto here xoEdem, Prodigious was thefcare, and
greatthepridcof5r«,'-<rj5j'hcarr. Sht dwelt in the eleftsofthe
roc\e,atidkfpt iheheighieftliehi^.. But was (hc thereby life ?
No. ?or thfn faith the Lo'd vntohcr, lerem. 49, it».'
thou fhoutdefl make thy nefl m ht^h 44 the Eagle,! wilthrtrg thee
df'd'ne from thence. This iudgcmcnroftlie iVr-:/ againft Boz.-
rah, is denounced with an Esce ofad,rfilration> 22. 'Be-
hold,he (rhe horS)'fkAfl coni'e Vf,akdfffeM'the Eagle,and (pread
hit wings oner Bdznb'^ 'dnd ai that da^fhdu ibe heart of the
flron^ men of Edom be as the hfart of a woman in tranelt. Will
you hsuc it confirmed by an oath ? Then lookc backc to the
13. vcrfc, /fweare by my felfe, faith the Lord, that Bozrah/^-s/?
bewafle, and for ar,'froich, and a defolation, and a curfe \ and
aUthe Ctties thereof (bail bee a pcrpetaali defolation. Thus elc-
gantlyisGodsfcarefuIiiudgemcnt againft Boz,rah defci'ihzd
by the Prophet/erew/; which our Prophet j4mcj thus deli-
uercth, A fire [hall detioure the palaces of Bozxih,
ind kept the height of the lull, muft ftieebce dcuoured by fire
horn the Lord ? Muft flice become a reproach, z defolation, a
cHrfe, a vaflitj ? VVc may hence take this Doflrine;
It is not the fituatton of a (fstj vpon reekf, or hi!l, that can be a -
' ^f^'tls vnappeafable anger break* out againfi
if for her ftnnes.
The vfcofthisdoftrineis the fame with the former 5 euen
to teach vs now, and at all other times, to put our truftonly in
thcNamccfthcLor*^, who hath made Heauen and Earth. I'S
neither»»■/, t\orwifdome,r\orfirength, norheipht of Teman,
oxofBozrah, or of all the defenfed Cities in the World,
thatcan fauevs intheday of vifiration.Wficrcforelctour fong'
htz% DamdsvtZiyPfal.x^, 2. The Lordis our rocke, and our
fortrejfe ^ he that deltuereth f/j our God, andour flrength j in
him wiBwetrujl: ourfhield 5 the hornealfd ofourfalaatian, and
our refuge.
Thirdly, in that the Lord fcndcih his fire into the palaces
efBox,rah to dtuoure them, wc may Icarne this Doftrine:
Cod depriuethvs of a great blejfng,when hetakethfron vs our
dwtlhnghoufes, A
2,11
Ill 2 'he Et^htemh ZeBurcS,
h truth cjcpcrimcBtally made good vnto vs by the great
commodity or contentment that commeth to cuei y one of vs,
by €Hr bfHfts, The yfc is, to teach vs, i.To be hum-
blcd beforf Almighty God,, whenfocucr our dwelling houfes
are tnkef from vst Since wc peaceably enioy our dwelling
honfet, to vie them for the furtherance of Gods glory. 3. To
praifcGod daybyday for the comfortable vfe wehaue
of our dwelling boufeu Thus is my Expo-
Ctionof theProphecieagainfl
ended.
^'1' . ■iDL iQij I)** . <11 i.i.
•Jt 1";''
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, . I'-J-U ' ' - ;t<
THE
N ineteenth Ledure.
Amos I. ij, 14,1 J-
•Thm faith the Lerd, Per three traufgrejjions ef the children of
Ammotifand forfauret I will not turne to it,heeaufe thej bane
ript <;'p the women with childe ef Gilead} that thej might eiH
^large their border.
Therefore will I kindle a fife in thS wall of Kabbah, and it (hall
dtHoure the palaces thereof, with fbouting in the day ofbattell,
and with a tempefi m the day ef thewhiltwind.
And their King^aSgoe intocaptiuity, he Mtd hi* Princes toge^
thet,faithtl^Lord, i '
eighth. Asin thofcifoin this arethree parrs'
1 h ptthcCjThue faith the Lerd.
2 For three tranfgrejfionSf '
3 A
iZ4 The Nineteenth LeBur^'.
5 A conclufiofijVerfc the fifteenth,
' ' ThcPro^edceonriftcthoffoureparts:
1 A gcncrallaccHfationoftheJ whoarchere p'l^'
iTotcd asrcproueablcfor many (inncs;
grtpans of the children 'of Ammon, and forfourth nofldcr!
a God his protcftationagainft them (ophcirfmncSi/ir//? 'ci^ot
not turne toit, Wldi'l
3 A particular declaration of ®bc finne, which with o-
thcrsprocured this Prophccic. Thisfinnc wasthefinne Idccal'l
of cruelty, cxprelfed in thefe words: 'Bteauje they bane
rift vp the women reith childe of Gilcad : and amplt- lijlityi
by the gad of fo foule « fitdt; That-tbey mtght enUrge «<»•«'
ifbdtJhordersi ilwiytli
4 A dcnuntiation of iudgement, which was to come ypon iblt. St
themdcferucdly for theirfinncs,z/er/i I4.and i5.Thit hmdtf
iudgcmcm is fct downe, lid.
Fitflin a generality^ vtrf, 14, Therefore wiS I kindle afire Huttl
in the wall ef Rabbah, and it (hall dettoure the palacet jKl^ni'i
thereof, Ut\,h
Secondly with fomeciroimfianccs: as,that it fhould be full of ikfim
terror, andfpeedy. Full of terror 'm thefe words fhott- ijali
ting in the day of batted. Speedy m the words following: hmn
With a tempefim the day ofthewhirlewind, mbifl
This iudgement is further amplified by the extent of it. It rat, ^4
was to fall vpon, not only the meaner fort of the people, irm;)!
bntvponthcNobilityalfoj yea, and vpon the iTiwj him- TU
felfe. W hich is plaine by the 15. vcrfej Their King (badgee
iftto eaptiuity, be and his Princet together^ ti\io\i^
Thefe ar^ the branches and parts of this Prophccic. Ire- tittipt
turnctoihePreface, aintl 91 tlievaii
ThmJaithtlftsLord] lobeuahi This great and moil honoii- pi«cl)
rablc name of God we hauc many times met with. Wee haue otdtpt
hsard what the Cabalift,s and Rabbtnet, out of their too much tciliis,
curiofityhane thought of it. With them it hnemen tjimpit-
rutty, a name not tO; bee pronounced, noti to bee taken within
our polluted lips. They call it a name in ,^1,
Hebrew offourc letters j offourc letters 'air y, by an excel- iitj
Icncy; .
Amos i. i 5. 115
IcncC;bcc3ufcchenameofC7oi/»inallrongucsand!arguagcs * -Rifled. Lex.
generally confiflcth of foure Icttcri. More they fpcakecfit. W
You haue heard it before. fefi^qSZ'
fehouah] God of Gods, nnd Lord of Lords,a God ' mod set gentet tacit0
wondcrfull J very* great, mighty, and terrible ; a God that confrnfuprac!-
* cannot cither bee concciucd in thought, or expreircd by
word : f of whom all the Angels in hcaucn doe Hand in feare;
whom all dominations and Schrones doeadorejatwhofcprc- Tiuxtffemcm'id
fence all powers doefiiake. A God ia^reatxelfe indnkc i in exifiimatwino-
^£0iJncJfe fouereigne3 in wifaomevjondttWl j in power Al- lehouah,
mighty;ineek^fnusterriblej in iudgements righteotis; in cb.
gitatieus fccret; in works holy ) in mercy rich j in prome/e true j
alway the fame; eternall, cutrlaftingjioimortall, vnchange- c«»tDcus,Gr.e-
able. Such is the Lord, from whom our Prophet ,^mot ciQikfiemm
here dcriucth auihorityito his Prophecie ; Thtt/ futh the ®SD CC,
lord.
HAth the Lord faid, and {halJ he not doe accordingly ? hath hee
Jpoken it, and JhaB he not accompltjh it ? Balaam confeifeth vnto Orfi, Habtai
Bdlak>Num.ii.i^.Gedis net at maH,that he ^ouUlie ^nerat
thefenne of man that he[honld repent. Indeed faith Samuel,
1 Sam. 15.29. The Jlrength <^Ifracl wid not lie, nor repent j for
he tt not at man that he fl>otild repent. All his words, yea all the DiQl.DMmatit
tittles of hit words, zrcTea, aad yimen. Verily faith our Saui» fiueiUyricue^
our, Matth.S-1 8. Heatten and earthpoaUperifh, heforeoneiot ^°g'» ^okmit
or one tittle of Godsword/haBefcapevnjf/tlJi/ied. Bohu, Mabar
That faith the Lord ] ^mot is here a patttrnc to vs, that gS«<, wnL
arcPieachers of the werdof faluation. Wcemuftcucr come mando reptaU
vmoyoUyWitbThrufaitbtheLordfiTiomvDouihtts^ weniay Zjtui, cbal'
notfpeakeeithcrthc imaginations of ourowne braincs, or
the vaincpcrfwafionsofourownc hearts. We mud fincerely
preach vnto you Gods gracious word, without all corruption, DdO.Ugro-'
ordeprauingbfthcfamc. This is it wherero Perer exhor- ttidmii fa£li.m
teth \s,l Lpifi.cha.t^.ii.If any man fteake, let htm fpeake at the ""nefj.t^oex'^
word of God. For it we,yea if^« Angellfrom ^e<r«e»,fliall preach ./"S"'"
otherwile vnto you, than from the Lords
madipljgudecantattdumejfe,^ Deid-io ly.'Ecchf.t^i.x^.^Veut.io.iy.oKdog.
Selt{eq.eaP.z*.%Reitel'^.li.^dtisit(f.meditat,c,zu
F f fpeakirg
zi6 The Nineteenth LeBurc^.
fpeakingin his holy Wotdytu/aSnfiAi^a: Let himheacccurfed^
Icc him be had in execration.
Thisnore, beloued, doch alfoconcerneyou, that are the
Audtters and hearers of Gods word. For if wee,the Preachers
thereof,mull alwaies come vntoyoujwuh Thm faith the Lord^
thcn3re^o»to hearevswith reucrenccand attention. And
this for theauthority ofhimthat fpcaketh. It unot jouthat
fpeake, (zith OMt %z\xio\xt Teftts Chrifl, tohisbleired Apoftlcsj
Adatth. lo.io, hut the Sprit of your Pathervshtch^eaketh in
jou. And againc, Luk. i o. i d. He that heareth jau^heareth me,
S^PWcommendeth the Thtfaltnians, i Eptfi.chap.z.i 3.for
thit when they recetued of the yipefilesofChrtfl-,the word of the
preaching of God, they reeeiued it not as the word of men, but at
it was indeed, as the word ofCjod, Well therefore did S. lames
r^rf/>.l.2T»chus to exhortthe fewes ; Receiuewithmeekyneffe
the ward that is grafted in you, which is able to fauejour fouUs,
God rpake vnto Ifraelin avifion by night, Ge».e^6.2. and
(zid^Tacob, lacob. lacob anfwered, /am here. He was prefl and
ready with all reucrent atrention to heare what bis God
fliould fay vnto him, and to follow the fame with all fditbfull
obedience. Such rcadinelfe well becommech euerychildeof
. ? God, cuen at this day in the Church where God fpeaketh.
^ Thus muft he thinkc within hirafelte: It is thine ordinance,O
Lord, by thy word preached, to infttuft me concerning thy
holy will : IamhereLord, in all hutnble fearc, to heare thy
blelled pleafure, what this day it (hall pleaie thee to put in the •
mouth ofthe?r^r(ac/iffr to dcliucr vnto me: I amhere,fpeake on '
Lord, thy feruant heareth.
If z Prince, orforae great «»4«ofthis world, (hall fpcake
vnto you, you will attend and giuecare vnto him with your
bed diligence : how much more then ought yee fo to doe,
VihctttittKingoiHeauen, and Lcrdoftht earth, callethvp-
on you by his minivers .'Thus farre by occafion of the preface,
Thtu faith the L ord.
For three tranfgreffions of the children of Ammon, and for
foure ] Whether thefe children of Ammon were diftinguiflied
from the Ammonitet, as Drufitu would prpuc, %^bron,%o.j.
and
Amos I. 13.
and as R. DmUauowcth,/"/;i Amman ntiftjTiam vefdntur A»tm
manita, thcthildrcn of Amman are no where called Ammo-
nitff, I hold it needleire to difpute in this place. It is out of
doubfjthat ihcitchtldren of Amman, or Ammonitef, did line-
ally dcfcend from 'Ben-ammi, who was Lots fonne, begotten
in inceft vpon his younger daughccr,(j<r«. 19.3 8. Lot was A-
brotherslonnc, 14. 12. Wheieby iris eutdenr,
that the portcrity of them both, thcchildrenof Jjrael, and the
children of Amman, ihi Ifraelitcs, and the Ammonites, were
linked together by affinity, indalliance. The rnorctoblamc
wcicthok Ammonites, without all rcfpeft of tocxcr-
cifcfuch cruelty as they did againft the; for which
caufe Almighty God here fcnt hisblclfed Prophet, to thun-
der out his threats againft them.
For three traKfgrejfions of the children of Amman, and for
]In the front of this Prophecic you haue thegencrall ac-
Cwfv.\Otiolt\\t.fcchildrenof Amman ; For three tranfgrejfsjns^
and for fonre ] Three of thefe tranfvrefftons,\i you will belccuc
AibertPti Magnm,zxt Cruelty, Anarice, mdperfecutien j the
fourth is, an obfinate pertinaeie,a conftant fubbornneffe,euerta
drvellinthofe flnnes. Againe, threeoi thcfc tranfgre^ont^ area
coueting of other mens goodt,it\ vnlasofullfetkjngfor thofe thsngt
that are not ourowne, »r\da.hardnejfe of heart to ret aim them fo
fought fernhe fourth i$4ihevnfatiab/e defire ofacouetotss man.
Many are the expofitions of the learned vpon thefe words,
three andfoure tranfgrejfions. The mcftnaturall, proper,and
fignificant, I take to be, if by three and fwr^, a finite and cer^
tainc number, you yndcrftand a number infinite and vncer-
taine.God as often as he will forgiucth,though we fin ten thou-
fand times. It is but a cutlome of the Scripture thus to
fpeakc.God waiteth for vs twiceind thrice,that is,<t longtime,
to fee if we will returnefrom our euill wales vnto repentance:
but t\\t fourth time, that is, at length, when he fceth vs perfift
in our impenitency, he rcproiieth vs,cafteth vs away,and lea-
ueth vs in our finncs. Thus hauc you the general] accufation
oithechildr'nof .^»»w9»,fortheirmany finncs, for which the
Lor<frptoteftacion againft them followcth.
Ff a /
The Nineteenth LeElure^.
Irvillnot turnetoit ] Thefc words arc diucrdy rcndrcdby
expofitorstby thcauthorofthcvulgarLatinc,and by Gualter,
Na» cot7HertameHm, I will not turnethc 5 that is,
I will not recall the children of Ammon to the right way j they
diall runnc on to theirownc perdition, Calutn, Noneroei
prapitiMi,lv/illnot belauourabletothe Ammomtet. By Met-
cer,Nottptirc*rn et, 1 will not fpare the Accor-
ding to their dcferts fo (hall it be vnto them. By lunim, Ncn
^uertam ifiud, I will not turnc away the punilhment where-
with I hauc relblued to punifli thcra. lam the Lord, I am not
changed,
Thefummcis; if the had offended but oncc^ or
afecondtime, I would hauc bcene fauourableto therriy and
would hauc recald them into the rightway,that fo they might
be conuerted, and efcape my punilhments : but now whereas
they doe daily heapetr<jw/|rr/j^o«vpon tranfgrrjpon^ini make
no end I hauc hardnedmy face againft them, and
will not fuffer them to beconuertcd jbut indurate 6c obilinare
as they are, I will vttcrly deftroy them. For three tranfgrejp-
one of the children of hmmonyandfar joure,! voiUnet tttrne to />]
Here are you to bee retnembred of a doctrine, fundry times
heretofore commended to your Chriffianconfidcrat ions j
ijHanj fnnes doe plncke detpnefrem heauen the mofl certaine
vrath and vengeance of God vpon the (tnners,
God is of pure ties, and beholdeth not iniquity. Hcchath
laid rigliteoufneffcto the rule,and weighed bis iuftice in a bal-
lance. The fentcnce is palled forth, and muff ftand vnconrro-
lable, euen as long as the Sun indMoonciTriinlationandan-
gni/hvpon euiryfonle that doeth euiH. The foule that finneth it
mall be puniflied.God makes it good by an oath,Deut.3 2.41.
That he veidrohet his glittering fivord,andhu hand/halltake hold
enindgement, to execute vengeance for fin. His foule hateth and
abhorreth fin;his law curfeth andcondemneth fin;his hand
fmiteth and fcoutgcthfin.Sinncwas his motiueto caftdownc
Angels into Hell; to thruff Adam out of Paradife ; to turnc
cities into afhes ; to ruinate nations ; to torment his owne
bowels in thcfimilitudcof finfullficfii. Bccagfeoffinnehee
' drowned
AMOS I. 13. zip
drowned the old world j and bccaufe of finnc ere long will
burne this. Thus doc many (innes pluckcj&c.
One vleofthis dodlrincis, to teach vs hccdfuInelTein all
ourwayes ; thatwedoenot h-^jourmitny pKnes prouokf Al-
mighty God to high difplcaforc.
A fccond vfc is, to mouc vs to a lerlous contemplation of the
wondcrfullpatienceof Almighty God, who did fo graciouf-
lyforbeare thcfe children ef Ammen, till by three and foure
tranfgreffiont, by fi&r/rw/iwyy/w/thcyproHokcdhimtoindig-
nation. Thcfe things I hauc heretofore laboured to lay vnto
your hearts.
Now therefore I proceed to the third part of thii Prophe-
tie : wherein you hauc the declaration of thityrieuom Jinne,
by which t\\c children ef Amman fo highly offended. This
their finnc was the finneofcrw^/zy; exprcffed in thcfe words j
Bccaufe they honeript vpthervomen mthchildeofGWczd yind
amplified fay the end offo fouleafaftjTW/iey might enlarge
their harder.
They ha/teript vpvramen with childeof Gilcid, that, ]
H^amen with childe ) the word in the originall is
'rendrcd byfome, mouutatnet ; bylomc, citiesforttfed, and J Pagnin.in
high as mountaines ; as if the meaning were, either ^at the Mmer
Ammonites had madefor thcmfelues a paffageintotheterri-
torics of the Gt/eadtter, through the monntatnes thzt lay be-
tweenerhem J (athingnotimpoffiblc; for we read of v
h ■ I, thu^ he vikh fire and vinegar mzde way through a great k iJu'wlib.it.
rockc vpon the Alpes, for his army, and carriage, ) or that the
tA-nmonites had vanquiffied and fubducd thefortified cities
of the Gileaditet,to the enlarging ef their borders. But Irctaine
GurEnglifii trjnfl uian 5 womenwithchildey as very agreeable
to the Hebrew
Th;y basse ript vp wsnsen with childe"] Immane facinus : furc-
ly this was an outragiouser^e/y: yet fnch as hath its parallel;
we read of the like in 2 Ktng. 8.12. Ebx^ui telling H'Xitel
Kingof5y»-/4, ofthecuill thathefliould doe tdnechildren of
//r<«r2, faith 5 Theiryeung men thets[halt[lay withthe fvpard,and
[bait da(h thtir infants againfi the fienes, and rent inpeices t heir
F f 3 wtmen
2 30 The Nineteenth LeSiurc^:
ypotrftK withchi/de.Thc likecrachy did Memhem King oflf-
raci cxcrcifc againil the inhabitants of the citic7/^^/<a^>j & her
borderers,euCH vnco I, asappcarcth, 2 Kift£.iy.i6,
He ript vp alt thetr wemen with ehtlde, Hojeah alfo, chap. 14,1.
thus propheficrh againft Samaria^ Samaria fhadbe defelate,for
fhe hath rebelled agitn^ her Gad : they ^aH fad by the fwerd ;
their infant} jhaU be dafbed in peecet.and their wemen with child
(hadbe ript, Yoafce ( dearely bclooed ) that this outragious
cruelty of ripping vp wemen with childe, mentioned in my text,
was not altogether vnufuall. The women vpon whom this
cruelty was praftifed, are here faid to haue beeneof Gtlead,
Of this land of Gilead I haue heretofore largely fpokenin
my feuenth LeBure vpon this prophecie, occafioncd by the
3. vcr. ofthischaptcr, where it is obicffed to the Syrians of
Dama/ctu, that they thre/bed Gilead with thre/bing infirumentt
of iron. Thenllhewed, that theland of Cji/rrfdwaspolTeflTed
'by theReubenitet, Gadites, and halfe tribeef Afanafeb.Nttm,
32.33. Whereby it is plaine, that the were Ifrae-
Iftet. Here then thefc wemen, with whom the Ammonites
dealt fo barbaroufly, &% to ript hem vp, when they were jreise
With childe,yitKof lacobs^o^etiiy. thty v/excffraelites, the
lot zxtdportion of Gods owne inheritance. For fo prodigious a
cruelty, we fee Almighty God is here refolucd to be aucnged
on thechildrenof Amman. Thedoftrinearifing hence is this j
Cruelty is a fnne very hateful! vnte Gad.
This doflrine I haue heretofore out of this place confirmed
vnro youtitis alio plainly grounded vpon my text, and there-
forclpaircitouer.
^ The vfe of it is to worke in vs the loue of clemency and wer-
cifulneffe.You may be many waics guilty ofcruelty. Ifyou fight
or ^<?i«fyourncighbour, or his body, Leutt.z^.
19, I©. If by any mcanesyou/irflrftr*;/6if of your neigh-
bour, Geif.4. S. If you vfeyoux nei^bonx difcourteeufif, or
make him your laughing fiocke, or taunting recreation, Leuit,
19.14. Ifyou vfetnyof Gods creatures Wdf/y, Deut. 22.6.
Ifyou dsewrongto ftrangcrs, Exod. 22.11. Ifyouwe/ey?fa-
therlcircchildren,and wido wes, Exod.ii, 2 2, Ifyou be toofe-
Here
Amos I. 13^ iji
Htre in^ttuiOiing your feruants, or children, 3. If you
vr«ng the pnorc, cither by le»dtMgh\m your money vpon
Vfttrj^Exod.iz.z^.ox by not fnjing him \\\%hire,Deut.lJ^.i^*
Othy not rcflortng U\%^ledge, Exod. 21. 25. or hymthdramng
your corne from \\imf Pre. 11.26.If you ctfend but in the leall
ofthclc, your are guilty ofand doe tranigrellc Gods
holycommandements, the (txtcommandement, wherein you
are forbidden to doe murther.
Wherefore ( belouedin the Lord ) put you on the tender
bowels of iwerey vcKAcomf-ffun : letfr*'/y bcfarrclrom you.
My exhortation vnto you, and conclufion of this point, fhall
be in the wordsof^. P<i»/,^<'/i>/f.3.12,i3. Now m theelePiof
^ody h$lj and beleued, put on tender mercy, kindne^e,httmbleneffe
ef minde, mtekneffe, long fuffering $ forbearing one another^ and
forgining one another^ tf any man haue a quarrell to another :
as Cbrifi forgaueyou, euenfo doe yee.
Thefc words ofmy text ; They haue ript vp women with
childeof Gilcad, doe yecld rs another proStable do£frine.
They, that is, the children of Ammon. profelTcd enemies to
God aadgodlinefle, haue raged again(l,the Gileadites, Jacobt
pofterity, the/tf/and^9r/;<»« of Gods inheritance, cuentothc
rtppin^ vp of their women with childe,Tbx6o&uncisi
^od often humbletb his ehofen children vnder the rod of the
wtcked.
This truth appeareth in Lot, forcprcCTcd vponby thc^fde-
tnit s, (jew. 19.9. in thehardly dealt with by the
Egyptians, Exod. I-. j l. in thc/euenty brethren, Cjniies of If~
pcrfecuted by Abimolech, moftwt them to the death,
Iudg^.<y.in twiceeujll intreaied, firll beatenindput
in the jlickesbj Tafhure, lerem.lo.z. and a fecond timc^tf4tew
and imprifonedby Zedechias his Nobles, chap. 37.1/. in the
three children, caft into the fiery furnacc by Nabuchodenofor,
Dan. 3. 21.
M my hkt examples might bee extrafled our of Gods holy
rcgiftcr for proote cf this point; which alfo may be made fur-
ther toappeare vnto you, in thofe bloudypcrfecutionsafter
Chrift his death, by the Ramait Etupcrours, who deuifed
ftrangc
The Nmeteenth LeSiurc^l
(Iringe tortnents to kecpe downc religion, and religious pro-
fellourSjincn and women. They plucked off their tktnnes quicke;
they boured out their eyes veithvetmbles : they breyled tkem aline
cn grcdirons : they fcalded them in heyhng lienort: they ertchfed
them inbarrelt, through which great nailet rverfdrinen, and
therein they tumbled them doxvne mount ainesyiR their owneblomd
fe cruelly drarvne eut, hadfttfiedard choaked them in the bat'
rets: toomens brefls were feared off with bnrmngirons, thetrba-
diet were rent, and their ioynts racked.
Sundry other, and asftrangc kindesof torments were en-
dured by the faithfali in the timeof (her^»firftperfecations'm
theprimitiue Church. This is it which S. Peter huh Epifi.i,
chaf.e^.verf.iy. The time u come that iudgement mufi begin at
the henfe of God. Yet Jetnotthefaithfull hcreat bedifcoura-
ged.It is for their good. lob, anvptight zrtd i lull man, one
thar feared God, and efchewed cuil), vpon his experience of
the affliff ions which he endured vndertherodof Godscor-
xc£iloT\fChap.§.iy.{ahh^Beheld,bleffed is theman wham God
eorreSlethetherjore refnfet.ot then thechafleningof the Almigb*
ty.Ptr he maketh the wound,and binAeth tt ^pfhe fmiteth,and hie
hands make whole. And thus from mydoArinc, 1 proceed to^
thevfes.I will butpointatchein.
Is it true (beloucd? ) Doth Godokcn humble his cbofeu
children vnder the red ofthe wicked I It may firft (hew vs, how
great Gods4»^<rr is for finne, that hepunifheth it fo fcuerely
eueninhisc/e«re'/?cW</re«, and thereby niayworkc in via
loathing, hatred, and detefiation of finne. Ncaer more need
than now, tofmitecurbrefts, andpray with the Publicane,
O God,bemercifu!lv»to vs (tnntrs.
Secondly, it may teach vs not to tneafure the faueur of God
towardsour (eluesor others, by the aduerfities or creffes of
this life. Here we fee thatthe women of Gilead of the race of
Jfrael Godiovmc lot and inheritance, were moft barbaroully
and cruelly rtpt vf by theoyfmmonites.Yet are we not to doubt,
but that was great towards them, cuen in this
feuere punifhmenr.
Thirdly, it may make vs powrc out our foulcsin thankful-
nellc
Amos i. 13. -2.3 3
ncffcbcfore Almighty God for our prcfenteftate andcondi-
tion. Icii not With vs as in the iiycio^Gilead, wee arc not
tbrefhed with threJhing^indrumeKts ef iron ; OHTWomen with
childe ore not ript vf.OiSX dales arcthcdaics jOur King
isaKingofpMff. Peace h in our ports, in all our bor-
ders, and peoeewithw ourwals. W »rfennel doe grow vp m
ycHngpUnts ; ourdanghteri are as the polifhed corners of the
temple. Onrgarners are fuSand plenteous wtth all manner of
fore. Our fhtepe bring forth theufAnds and ten thoufands. Our
oxen are frong to labour. Here is no inuafon,ne leading into cap'
tsnitie, no complaining in our freets.
Arc not the people happy that arc in fuch a cafe ? Yes faith
the Pralniift,?)0/,i44.i y. Happy are thepeoplethat areinfuch
a cafe. Thecafcyou fee is ours. The God ofpeactt which ma-
ket h an ® end of warre in alt the worlds and breakgth the bow^and m pfa^g.w.
i^nappeth thefpearei afunder,and burneth the chariots with fire^
he doth now proteft vs from warre, and /laughter. Quid re.,
pendemut ? What fliall we tender vnto the Lord, for all his be-
ncfits towards vs ? We will take the cup offaluation, and praife
his holy name, O ourfoules, pratfe the Lord ^ forhee oncly
makethvs to dwell infafctie. Thasfarrcof thecrueHfaH of
the Ammonites,in ripping vp the women with childe of Gilead.
This their faft is amplified by the end, wherefore they did it j
They haue ript vpthe women withchilde of Gilead, that they
might enlarge their border.
That they might enlarge their border f What could fuch cru-
eltieagainft innocent and harroelcflc women, further them to
the attaining of fuch an end i Vcrie much. For hereby it
might come to palfc, that there fliould not beany ef.^ringof
the Gileadites to inherit and pofeffe the land; fo might the land
without any refinance become the polTeffion of the
monites,
Thisis by a propheticallcontcflation touched, ler. 49.1}
Vnto the children of Ammon thus faith the Lorii/j Hath If-
racl no fennes ? or hath, he no heir es ? Why then bath their King
poffeffed Gad J and his people dwelt in his Cities ? So might this
our Prophet Atotos here conccfl, and make complaint: Hath
Gg Gilead
"The Nineteenth LeBure^.
Gilcad»« foHues? HathQWa^ no heires? Why then bane the
Amtnonices p^Jfe^ed Gilcad i fVhj bane they dwelt iu the cities
c/Gilcad? The anfwcr is plaincout of my Text 5 The Am-
monircs haue ript vpthe wom^n withchilde •/Gilcad, they
baue Ictc t\\cmno fennes, fio heires. And fo they pofeffedthe
land of GWtid rohaue thcy enlarged their borders. Wee fee
now the meaning of ow Prophet; Heobie£leth tothCy^w-
monites, not only that they did cruelly rip vpthe women with
childe in G\\tz<\^ but alfo, that they did it for (his end, that
they might enlarge their borders. The Doftrine is.
That nation, which is not content wtth her owne borders^ but
inuadeth her neighbour countrtes, ftnnethgrieuoujly,
fhcEthnickesoioXdiy taught but in A74r«r«fchooie, did
hold it for a wiciced ad,detefhble, and inexpiable, to remoue
ancighbours/'iW-w^)'/^'/. In which refpe^t the old Romans
wrorfliipped Terminus for a God. Terminus which figniBech a-
bound, limit, meere, buttle, or land-marke, was in their ac*
count a God,God of their bounds, limits, or market of their fe-
uerall Belds,meddowes,and paBuresj and fuch a God,as (hould
not giue placcto lupiter himfclfe. To this Terminus they held
afealtin Februarie, and called it TerwiWAV, aswit-
nelfechin hisbookes DeCiuuateDet, Lib. y.c. z\t&lih.y»
c.y. Nowiftheheathcmfh, blinde,andrupcrihtious Romans,
trained vpin Naturesfchoole, did io highly eftcem of the pre-
feruation and tnaintcnanceof bounds and limits: how are we
trained vpin ihc fchoole of Grace, to cftceme thereof ? In the
fchoole of Grace ihw is giucn, Deut.i^iX^rThoufbaltnotre.'
moue thy neighbours markf. To obey this law we are charged
vpon acurfc, Deut.zy. ly. Curfedbeehee that remoueth his
neighbors marine. It is Gods ownc ord in3nce,that bounds,and
limits, and marks ate appointed to eurriemans polTcfEons.
This may be gathered out of Deut.j t.S.Tne mefl high [God,]
dtuided to the nations their inheritances : heefparatedthefons
of men: hee didfet the bounds of nations. The meaning is, the
Lord pitched the^p«»<«r or KingdomeSjatfuch time as it plea-
fed him, thai the nations fhould be divided afunder. Yet wee
fee how (he couctous ambition,and vnfaclabledcnre of feme
Princes
Amos i. 15.
Princes in the world, haue put all out of order, how there is
norhing fo hcly, tharcan ftay them from incroachingvpon
the bomdi of their neighbours and next borderers.
Sennarherib King of fyiffjriaw&s aftout offended in this
kinde. Hec boaffedof hisinuaffons andvi£fcrics vpon his
neighbour countries. But that other Princes may take exarn«
pic by him, he was made a peculiar cxannplcofdiuineiudge-
ment. For as hctrangrelFed the of his neighbor Prin-
ces to their ouerchrow, fo did his owncfons tranfgrcirc the
bounds of nature, to the lolfe of his their fathers life. A s it ap.
pearcth by 3 7.3 8. Scnmchtxib was w the temple vsor^
fiiipping Nifroch his God, Adramelech^'r/i^Sharezer, his fons^
Jltte him with the fword. And by my Text you fee,what judge-
mcnts God thrcatncrh to the Ammemtet, for their VHlawtulI
prafficcs to enlarge their borders.So my doffrin is effablifhcd.
The nation that is not content with her orvne borders, but in-
uadeth her neighboHr countries, finnethgrieuonjly.
Thevfcof this Doftrine may conccrnevshereaircmbled.
As princes ought to hold themfelucs contented with their
ovsnc bounds, fo ought euerie priuatc man alio. God hath al-
folcparatcd their poircflions one from another, to the end
that all mightliueand communicate one with another, and
that there might be no confufed diforder.
But(bcloucd in the Lord)how do we ftand to this order,rec
by Almightie God i Do we not feck daily to pcruert it I God
would haucitkcpt moft holy j but we care not for it. Ourco-
uctoufncllc carrieth vs away j we would ftill be greater. Wee
iojine honfe to houfe, and field to field, as it is in Efai. y 8 that we
may be placed by our feints in the ntiddefi of the earth. Were our
Fathers fo ambitious ? They were content with fuch bounds,
as their anccftors left them} but we muff hauc them altered,
if not enlarged. The diuinely-iBfpircd Dauid tels vs, Tfal,
3 7. 3 .that it we dwellin the land, where Godhath placed vs, we
pjallvertlybefed, Wcfhouldlcarneof S.Panl, Philip.^ II.
in whatfoeucrfiate we are, therewith to be content. Knowing it
to bee true, which the fame Apoftlcauowcth vntoTintothy,
Ep. I.chap. 6. verf. 6. that (jodlinefi^e is great gaine, if wee wiK
be content with that vet hatte. Thus much of the 13. vcrfc.
Gg a THE
135
THE
Twentieth LecTure.
Amos i. 14, r/.
Therefore will I kindle a fire in the jr^/Zo/Rabbah, a»dit(hall
dene/tre the palaeet thereof, rvithfboutittgin the day of hat-
tell, and with a temfejiin the day of the whirlewinde.
And their King fhaSgee into captinitie, he and hie Princes to-
gether, faith the Lord.
Ere wee haue the denunciation of the iudgc-
ments of God againft the children of Am-
man for their finnes. This iudgemcnt is in
thei4. verfe fetdowne, i.\n zgeneralitie,
Z. Withfame circumflances,
Firftj in zgeneralitu; Therefore will I
die afire in the wallof Rabbah, and it piall deueure thepalacet
thereof.
Secondly, with ferae circumflances, as that it fliould be
fnS of terrour, and ^eedy, and of Urge extent.
Fullbfterrour: withfliontingintheday ofhatteH,
Speedy : with a tempefl in the day of the whirlewinde.
Of large extent. Forit was to fall vpon, not only the raea-
ner fort of the people, but vpon the Mobilitie alfo, yea and
ypon the King himlclfe, which is plainc by the 15. verfe.
Their Kingfhaligoe into captiuitte, he.andhis Princes together.
Firfl,
Amos i. 14, 157
Firftjletvs weigh thisindgcraentof God,asitisfctdownc
in a gcneralitiCj / wiUkindle afiremthewaHof Kabbah, andtt
denoHrethepaUcetthereof. This iudgemcnt forfubftancc
is no other, than that which you hauc heretofore heard out of
this Chapter, to haucbecne denounced from AlmightieGod
againil the Sjrians, Philifines, Tjrians, and Edemitef. A-
gainft the Sj/ri^ifs, verf. 4. / will fend a fire i»to the houfe of
Hazaei, and it/hall deuenre the palaeet of Bcn-hzdid. Againft
(hePhilifiinet, verf. 7.1 will fend a fire vpon the wals of Azzab,
and it fhalldsttoure the palaces thereof. Againft the Tyrians,
ycrf. 10. I will fend a fire vpon the waltefTytuSf and it/hall
denoure the palaces thereof. Againft the Edomstes, verf. la.
/ wiS fend a fire Tern an, and it fiall denoure the palaces of
Bozrah.
Bctweene thofe denunciations, and this, you fee no great
difference. In thoCe,Thus faith thehord^l wsllfenda fire : in
this, thus } I wiB kindle a fire,I witlfend a fire,znd I wtd kjnd/e
afro: thefubftance in both is the fame. And thercftareas in
thofe 1 haue.donc, ibdoe I m this; I comthend to your Chriy
Aian and religious confiderations certaine circumftances.
1 Of the punifher } the Lord, I wiB ktndle.
a O/thepunifhmcnt; by fire, u4 fire.
3 Of the punifhed j The wals of Kabbah, and the pala-
ces thereof.
Thefe circumfiances zrc in this iudgcmentof God, as it is
fet downc in a generalitic: The firft cireumftance conccrneth
thepunifher,the Lcrdj for thus faith the Z.W 3 I wiB kindle a
fire. The note yecldeth this doftrine,
Jt U proper to the Lord to execsete vengeance vpon the wicked
for their finnes.
This truth hath beeneofccn conftrmcdvntoyou. Diuets
are the vies of it,
I It may IcfTon vs to looke heedfully vato our feet, that
wee walke not in the way of finners, to partake with them in
theirSinnes are not tongue'tted, they cry aloud vnto
the Lord for vengeance.
1. It may admonifb vs not to intermeddle in the Lords
Gg 3 office.
TheTvfientieth LeSiure^i
office, o^CitQ execute vengeance, WethcrcrorCBiay
not intcrpofc our fclues.
3 It may fcruc for a comfort to the Godly, againft whom
the wicked baue bchaucd themfclucs proudly and difpitt-
oufly. God in due time, for fuch their behauiour, will ten-
dcrYcngeance vnto them, and punifli them with cucrlafting
perdition.
The fccond circumftance concerneth the punKhmenr,
which is by fire: JmSl^indle a fire'] By fire here we are to vn-
derftand, not fo much a true and naturall fire, as a figuratiue
and metaphoricall fire. The fword, ^efitlence, and famine ^
cjHodltbtt gentti eowfumftioHU, eucrie kinde of confumption,
qualibetfieciesexcidij, eueriekindcof dcftruftion, haile, vea-
ter, thunder fic^neffe, or any other of the executioners of God
his wrath for the finncs of men, may be fignificd by this name
Fire. TheDoftrine,
The ^re (whethernaturaU,or6guartiiic) that iSytkefire,and
another creatures,are at the Lords CommandemeHt,tt(n
emfloyed bj htm in thepunifhrnent of the wicked.
Of this Doftfine heretofore. The vfe of it is, to teach v$,
how to behaue our fclues at fuch times, as God (hall vidt vt
with his rod of cotre£Iion : how to carrie our felues in all our
affliftions. We rauft not fo much looke to the meanes, at to
th^Lord, thatworketh by them. Ifthe/re, otwater, or any
other of Gods creatures (hall at any time rage and preuaile a-
gainft vs, we rauft know, that God by them worketh his holy
will vpon rs. Here wee fee, hee refolueth to kindle a fire vpm
thewadefKtibthahy for thus faith the XfrWj I wiK kindle a fire
in the wall*/Rabbab, and it fhalldeuoure the palaces thereof.
There was a Citie of this name ( Rabbah^ in the Countrie of
^0<>^xallcd Rabbath-Moab. So faith 'Drnfiw. But the %^b-
bah in nay Text,was a Citie in the Country ofthe Ammonites,
called, a Sam, 12. atf. Rabbah ofthe children of Ammon:
where it is named the citie ofthe kjngdeme. For it was their me-
tropoliticalSc chiefe city. In the verfe following it is called the
citie of waters,becank it was (ituate neere vnto the riuer leboc.
The dcftrufUon here thrcatncd to this citie, is lik ewife de-
nounccd
Amos i. 14. 239
nounced by two other Prophets, lercmie and E^echicl, In le-
rew/ff, chap. 4j. J. Thtu/aiih thehotd', IvfiUcnufe moetfe of
var to ie heara in Kabbah of the Ammonites, andit (halliee a
dfolate heape, and btr daughters ^allbe burnt with fire. Critj
je daughters of Kihbih, girdycuwitbfacke-cleth ; m9urHe,and
run to and fie by the hedges : for their King (halt goe intocapti-
uitie, and bis Priefls and hie PrincesUkswifir. And'
fbap.i^. I roilimaks Kabbah a dwelling place for Camels,
and the aimmonites a[heep coat.
By which two places of 'feremietind E^echiel.ihe meaning
of nay Prophet is opened. Here in the perfon of God he faith;
I win kindle a fire tn tbewallefB.ibh2h, andit (hall deuoure the
palaces thereof. It is, asif hehadfaid. The* voice of mirth, *itrem.7 3i,
and the voice of gladnelTe fhail ceafc to be heard in Rabbah,thc
noife of warre flaall be heard there) and I will make it a d wel-
lingplaceforCamclSja Oieepe-coat,an heapeo) defolacion.
Muft Kabbah, the chicfe Citie of the Ktngdome, be meafu-
red with thelme ofdcfolacion I It yecldsvs this Doftrine,
It is not thegreatnefie of a Citie that can be afafeguardvnte
it, if God his vfappeafable wrath breake out again/} it, for
itsfinnes.
For confirmation of thisDo£lrine, 1 need net fend you to
xhcoldteorld, to bcholdthe of cities there. Theremay
youfec thcei/re'which (fainr built, (Cjer. 4.1 y.^and whatlb-
euer otherci//Vr were erected between that time and the floud,
you may fee them all (wept away with thefloud. After the
fioud, you may fee Sodom and G <morrah, with other cities of
thatplaine, oucrrhrowne with brimftone and fire from the
Lordontoi H --aiien,t7tf».i9.24. Inecd not prefent you with
otfiet like dcfolationsof c»r«/, townes, oxviUages, wrought
by Altnightie God in thedayes of old.
This one chapter, and firft chapter of this prophecieof
.yfwor, ycelds vnto vs plcnc:full proofe for this point. Here
haue we feene defolation vpoa defolacion,not the (haking on-
ly, but the oucrthrow of toure flares,namely of the Sjrtan<,of
the Phi!tfiiaes,oi the7>r<«iw,aBd of the Edomites. In the ftacc
of the Syrians, we haue feenc the ruines of site loonfe e/HazacI,
140 TheTmntktFLeBure^i
andeftlre^ditcestf Bcn-hadad, and of Damafctti, and oCSim
keMh-AacH, and of Beth-eden, iixd of Ar^m, vcrf. 4,5. la
thcAate of the 7'^'//'/?wfJWchauc viewed therubbifli
x,ih, znd the palace sthtreof^ of A/hded a\(o, of Afbkelofi, and
of Ekfoy, vcrf. 7, 8. In the flate of the TjrianstVit haue beheld
thcwafte done vpon the proud Citic^r«/, and hcrp<3/4ftf/,
verf. 10. In the ftate of the Edomites, we haue confidercd the
deftru£fion of Teman &udBoz.rahi vcrf. i a. All which doe
cuidcntly and ftrongly prodaimc vnto vs the truth of my pro-
pounded DoArine: namely, that.
It it not the greatne^e of a Citie,thntcan he a fafeguard vnto
it, if God hia- vnafpeafetble wrath breaks ont againftit, for
its (innes.
Onevreofthis Doffrineis, tolefTon vs, that wee put not
any confidence in any worldly helpe: but thacfo weevfe all
good mcanes of our defenfe, thatflill we rely vpon the Lord,
for ftrength and fucccire thereby.
A fecondvfe is, to put vs in minde of the fearefuSpunifh-
mints which God lajeth vpon men for ftnne. He deuoureth their
(fiti's, throweth downe their ftrongholds, and fpares them
not. Hath God dealt thus withand fhall/Josre
villages efcapc i
If the fccure worldling (hall hereobie£f, that our dayes are
thcdaycsofpf4fe, that our King is aKingofp^^cr, that peace
is in all our ports, in all our quarters, in all our d welling pla-
ces; and that therefore there is no need to feare the
either of our cities, or of our villages: to fuch I rauft anfwer in
b EfaS7-iu Prophet words. Chap. 48. it. T here is^ no peace to
thewic^d,faith theLord,Hopeace to the wicked. For though
•K9w.15.33. God, the«God ofpeace,Yihich ^ Riaketh an end of warre in all
ipfal.^6.9. thewor]d,andbreakeththebew3 and kl>appeth thejpeare afun-
der, and bnrneth the chariots with fire, doth now proteft vs
• horn forraine inaa/ton and hofiilitie, yetbeing ^Dens exerci-
tHHm,aGod of ho(ls,hehath ofanother kinde at com-
mand, to worke thefudden fuhtterfton and ouerthrowof all
oar dwellings.
Hcreei hach God made good proofe in thcfc our dayes. To
Amos r. 14. 241
fay nothing of hh itrrontf pefiilence, which \%gr*fiik terrtr
morta/iftm, the great terrourof men, as being chiefe
Purfuiuant and Sumner, who in lob 18.14. is called
rerum, the King of feares j to fay nothing of this ttrroyo,\\ovi it
hath for thefcffcuenyceres roucd vpanddownc, tomarkes ' ThisSermcwj
fane and necre,from citie to village, and from village to citie, preached
to the killing of many thoufands of our brethren and fillers, *
1* /*!- /-• ISHf I
and yens not put vpjnto the quiuer: to fay nothing now of
this arrow, becaufeit llrikes mensperfons, andfparcs tiieir
houfes ; will you be plealed to looke backe vpon thofe fwel-
lings of voters, which of late, 6 within thefe foure yeeres, g
brakcoPt intothebofomcof thcfirmclandindiuerspartsbf 1^07.
this Realmc ? Then muft you acknowledge with mee, that
God hath an armieofivsters, whereby at his plcafureheecan
ouerthrow our dwelling houfes.
Beloued, 1 could here make report vnto you from beyond
the leas out of Gernntme, cfflrangeand maruellousy
' ons,delHges, anAoaerflorvingsefwaters 5 how about ^ this time k ^nrt.cbr.
fiftecne yeeres in the plainei neere vntoCtf/f», and i59S.ia^eii.
Franckford, by a fudden floud, »»« medo horrea, ^ finbuU, Gallebelg.Tom.
nuRofirmo nixafundamfnto, fedfirmiffima etiam itdtfieta, not Sd!b.ix.{.i7i.
only barnes and ftables, which had no firme foundation, but
the fureft and flrongefl edifices and buildings were violently
cirried away.
I could tell you of much more hameof that yeeres fJoud;
how in r Eennbttrg, a townc vpon the riucr in the Prin- i ignfen. ibid.
cipalirie of Anhalt, ^Centum fexagi»ta adetfuidtiHt euerfe fg.iSo.
fuerunt^ One hundred" and thrcefcore houfes were vttcrly
oucrthrowne.
But what need we gocfo farre for examples of tlihkinde, , ^ ,
whtrcof AlmightieGodhath fent home vnto vs fuch pkntie? poaofHouds
Rcfleftweourey cs vpon our cwiieharmes; vpon the harmcs inEngland •/
done to many of our neighbours in the late fore-mentioned Am.chr.\6oj.
^fl«^,totheoucnhrowing&bireakingdownck)fir^ii>/ereB»>?tf/ *" Sec,Wofall
and yea of™26.p<irr/?'erinonc°5'^»re,and we cannot ^
but grantitfor a truth, that God hath h\%-armies of waters, n Momml*'
whereby at his pleafure he can our fiitt, - -
Hh . But "
The Twentieth Ledturc^.
But what is this to feme of vs, who are featedvpon an
hil!, farrc enough from any dangers by inund^tionsy or otter-
jt'>wi»gt of waters I Beloucdi'n the Lord, offuchtninde were
they of the old world, who did eat, tnd drinke, and «»<*-
rifd wittes, and.^<^»r it marUgt, vnto the day that TVoaKt
went into the yt/ri^e. But what became of them I Our Satsi-
oar Chrij^ wdLtcH you,. Lake 17.17.. Tt/efloud eame, andde-
firojedtheof,.
Bur God.hath made a cauenane with man,, and will re*
member it/j That there foall bee no mosoe waters of a fioud, to
deftroyattflc[h,Ge»if,^ I5» Itisttueitberelhadbeenomore
waters of a fioud to deflrsy. all jleflt j thatis, there fliall bee no
more an vniucrfa]] floud, to couer theface of the whole earth:
there fhall be no moregenerale dilstttiuminundans, ^ obruens
v»inerf.,m terram. But here is no exemption fl>r particular
titiei, no not fot farticular preuinces, otceuntries.
Almightie God, who once did breaks vp theftMntair.es of
the great deepe, mddxA open the wirdtwes of UeaHen^ Gen.y^-
ij.heisthefame Godflill, Almightieflill, his armeisflrcr*
ehed out flill. He can at his pleafure command chee/eWx.and
they fhall poure forth abundance of waters, to the wafhing a*
way of our dwelling houfes^
But fay, he will not come againfl' vs with hisarmieof wd-
ters: yet being Detet exercitMMm,2Godoihofis, heehathar-
mies of another kinde at command, to wotke thcfudden/«^-
Mtr/ion, and onerthrewoftll ear dwedings*
I yet prcfcnt you not mthlightning, vtk\i thHuder, with
windst with earthqual^ ^ wherewith the Lord of Hofis, the
mightieoneoflfrael, bath laid wade, and made dciolate many
^he habitations of finfull men; my Text prefcnts you with
fire ; and let it fufficc for this time.
Say, I bcfeech you, isitnocafearefullthing, that in dead
of thc fatncireof the clouds, ofthe greater and fmallerraine,
of the fwcct dcwes of Heauen, of comfortable fhowcrs which
God hath engendered in the aire, and diuided by pipes to fall
vpon the earth in their feafons, our grounds fhould be withe*
fed, our fruits confumcd, our Temples and our buildings re*
folued
Amos i. 14. 145
fblued into cinders ? Yea, and romerimes our skins and bones
too, moben from our backs } Yet (Bcloued) thisfomctimes
comes to palfe, v/henfre, oneof the executioners of Gods
vengeance, is fentvponvsforourfinnes. ^
What became olSfJem and Gomorrah^ and other Cities of
thatPJaine? Were they not turned into a(hcs byjfre from the
Lord? rheftorieis knowne, Gen.i^. 24.
Bur what need old flories to confirme fo plaine a tnatter ^
whereof we haue daily and lamentable experience? Doc not
thegrieaous complaints of many of our neighbours vndonc
by fir', feekingfrom our charitable deuotionsfonae fmallre*
lecfcjmakegoodproofe hereof? Dtarcly Beloued, learnewe
by their example to caft away from vs all our trAffgrefftaHs, ^
v\ hereby we haue tra»fgre(Jed, and to turtje vnto the Lord our
Sod, left delighting and treading in the mckfdie(fe of their
wayes, wee bee made partakers alfo of ibcit punilhmcnts. Iris
neither care.norpolicie,that can ftay Gods reuengefull hand,
when he bringethjfre in it.
To this purpole memorable is the exatnpleof a country,
man of ours, who in King Edwards daycs was a Ptofellour of
the true religion \ xbit religion, which by Gods goodncffe wee
doe this day profetfe. This man in the°A£lsand Monu- oF«x, Marty-
ments of our Church is named p Richard Denton, and is there rolc^.p.ig^j.
noted to haue becne an inftruftor of one 1 Welftj in ' ^
the fame his holy religion. N ot long after in Qtieene U^faries H'fff in"4^
daycs, when fire in6 faggot were the portion of trueProfef- Miigc-fhire.
fours, >7 was apprehended and imprifbned. In time oT ^Offvabkbia
his durance, he fent commendations to Denton his Inftrudor,
withall demanding by hismeffcngcr, why hec tarried fo long c^ftableof
after him, feeing he had beene his firll Inltruftor in the Serif trtU, and dwdl
tMres, Dentons Ztxfwet WAS, I cannot httrne, ling there.
Cannot burne f You fee his policie; he halted bctweep God
and man, he diircmbled the profeflion of his Chiiftian faith,
beczu{e forComh he canld not burne. Well. ^Q:_Adarie/dtyes
were foone at an end; and God caufed the light of the Q'^eS
tofhineagaine voder the peaceablegoucrnment of Quecne
H h 2 Ehzuibttko
The Twentieth LeSlurc^,
Eli'iibeth, Then <iid our diiTemblcr chinke hitTifelfe fafe e.
Bough frqm any flame ofBut behold the^<t«<i/of God.
His houfcwas onfirei^nAhe with twoventuring to fauc
fomcofhis ^oods^peri/hed intheflame* Thus you fee policic
preuailcs not,when Gcds rfiucngefull hand brings fire with it.
Andrhinkcyou thatC/iri'Will helpc i What ? Cdroagainft
theLort/.'Farrebcikfromvs (beloucd) fotothinke. Let vs.
rather make our humble eonkflion, with King Netbuchedono'
/or, Dan. 4. ?4, 35. thatr^'o MofiKtgh Uuethfor euer: that
his power is an eutrlafting power, and his Kingdeme fiom ge-
neration to generation ali the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing to him: that according to his wilt he worm,
f^th in the armie of Heatten,and tn the inhabitants of the earth:
and none can fl-aj his hand, nor fay vnto him } what doefithou ?
None can flay his hand.
This is it which before I noted; nainely,that, It is neither
care nor policie, that can flay Gods reuengefull band, when hee
bringeth fire in it: as here it isthrcatned vnto Rabbah: I will
hindlea fire in the wall of Thusfarrc byoccaflon of
my firftDoftrkie, which was,
It is net the greatnes of a citie, that can be a fafegttard vnto it,
if^ ods vnappeafable wrath breaks out agsdnfi it for its fins.
And it was grounded vpon thefc words: / will kindle a fire
in the wall of Kabbah.
It is further added of this fire, that it fhall denoure the palam
tesof Rabbah. Which branch repeated in each of the prece-
dent prophecies (as verr.4,7,10,12.) hath formerly yeelded
vs this Doftrine j .
Goddeprineth vs of a great blejfing, when he taketh from pt
ourdweliinghoufes.
This truth is experimentally made good vnto vs, by the
great commoditic, or contentment, that commcch toeueric
one of vsby our dweBtng honfesi The vfcwhergofis, to teach
vs, I. To be httmbledhefote AlmighticGod, whenfoeuerk
flsallpleafehim byw^terjby fire,by wind,hylightning,hythunm
der-bye/trthquakes, orotherwifc# toouerthrowour <slwe/i/«£
houfes. 1, Since wc peaceably cnioy our dwelUnghcfsfes,to vfc
them
Amos i. 14.
them for the furtherance of Gods glory, To render all hear-
ly chankes vnto Almighty God, for the comfortable vfe we
baueuf our drvelUng-houfss. Thui farreof the comminatiou,
or denuntiation of iudgement, as it is fet dovvncin general!.
Thefpeciallcircumftancos, whereby it is further notified
orillulhatcd, doe concernc, partly the fttnijhment, and partly
ihepHm(hed, ConcctRingthepmi/imeKt^itisfffllofterrew, -
indfpeedj. Firft,/«//«//frrfl/<r, in thcfe wordsfhiutiug
in the day of halt ell.
fVith fhouting J in clajfico, faith Brentitu : cum cUngoreSzvifa.
Druftm-^ that is, with the found ornoife of Trumpets. The
Septuagint doe readc j the vulgar Latinedu vlulatu:
Mercer, cum voctferatioue; Gualter, cum cUmore f Caluin,
cum clamore,vellubilo: that is, with aery, with a great cry,
with avtsiferatio»,WKh afiout, fuchas fouldiers doe make,
when on a hidden they furprife a Citie.
lathe day of battell] in die bellt. The like phrafewchaue
where it is faid of the children of Ephraim, that
being armed and fbooting with the bow, they turned backe,
in die belli, in theday of battell. D<j»/4confcireth,/y<i/.i4o.7.
Q Lord God the flrengtb of my faluation, thou haft couered my
bead, in die belli,/« theday ojf battell. Salomon iaith^Prou.z I.
31. The horfe is prepared, in diem belli, againfl the day of bat.
tell. So here the Lord thrcatneth againft Kabbah, a fhouting
indiebelli,\nthcdiV/ of battell.
This day olbattell, is thziday oivarre, znAtimeoi trouble,
mentioned by Iob,c\\i.tp. 3 8.a 3.We fee now thcpurpofe of our
Prophet in vfingthefe words, mth (hsuting in the day of bat-
tell. It is to ptocliimc warre againfl the chiefecitie of
the Ammouites, and conftqucntly againfl their whole king-
dome. This proclamation is more plainly deliuered, lerenr.
49. 3. Beholdthe dayes Come, faith the Lord, that I mllcapfe a
noifeof warre to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites ;
itfhallbea defolate heape, andber daughters (hall be burntwith
fire. From this proclamation of warre made by our Prophet
as in the Lordsowne words, faying J J will kindle a fire
in the wall of Kzbhzh, and it fhall deuaure the palaces thereof,
Hh 3 with
i 4<J Twentieth LeBurc^:
TvithfhiHting in the d tj of hat tell, wee may take this lefTon)
Godfendelhtrarrevpon a Lard for the Jinnesof apeofle*
For proofc of this truth,let vs looke into the word oftruth.
In the 2^. of LeHit.verf.is.t\ui% faith the Lcrdvmo Ifrael: Jf
yee voalkeftnbhotHly againfi mt, and tfillnot obey me, then I retU
fenda fwordvpen you, that /hall anenge the quarrel/of my couCm
fiart. And ferem. 5.1 J. vnto the houfc of I/rael, thus faith the
Lord J Loe, 1 will bring a Natienvponyeu from farre. You hcarc
• the Lord fpcaking in his owne pcrfon, J will fend, / will bring,
as hctt, I will kindle. Will you any other witneffe?
Then hearc what Mefes tclleth the Ifraelites, Deut.2S«4P>
The Lord/hallbring a nation vpoKyou fiem farre, from the end
of the world,fiying as an Eagle: a nation,whofe tongue thou [halt
not vnderflar.d,a nation of a fierce countenance,which will not re-
gard the perfen ofthe old, nor haue compajfon on the young ; the
fame jhall eat the fruit of thy cattell, and the fruit of thy land,
vntillthoubedeflroyed: and he jhall leaue thee neither wheat,
nor wine, nbroile, nor the increafe of thy kine, nor the jiockfs of
thy fheepe.vntill he haue brought thee to nought. By thisfpcech
of Mojfes, we plainly fee that warre, and all t\iCeuills of warre,
rCombueuiUiji. are from the £or</.'that tr/irre is roneoftheaccomplilhmems
Hb.i.cap.i. of Godsiudgcmentsiand rhatitis fcnt by God vpon a Land
for the finnes of the people, as my doArine goeth. Let vs
now make fome vfe of it.
J s it true, bcloued i Doth God fend warre vpon a Land, for
the finnes of a people ? How then can we looke that the happy
/TMce, which we now enioy, fhould be continued among vs,
fithby our daily finning wee prouoke AlmightieGod vnto
difpleaAirei
Let the confldcrati6n hereof lead vs to repentance. Repen-
the gift of Gt>d, thciov of Angels, the/alueof finnes,
the kauen of finners,let vs poifeire it in our hearts.The Angels
of heauen need it nor, bccaufe they flnne not: the Deuills in
Hell care not for it; for their ludgement is fealcd. It only ap-
pertaineth to thefonnes of men} and therefore let vs,thc Tons
ofmenjpofTctreitinourheans: that is, let vs truly and vnfai-
ncdly forfakcour old finnes,and turnc vntotheL^rdour God,
fo
Amos I. 14.
fo niallchisblcircd^Mff, and all other good things bcconti-
nuedamongvj.
Buc if wc will perOd in our cuill wayes,oot regarding what
the L*rd (hall fpcake vnto vs, cither in his holy tVord, or by his
faithfull may fxpeft the^«-/io» of thefc AmmO'
Kites, that God fliould kindle a fire in ourRabbahs, our bed fen-
ced cities, which (bull destesire the palaces thereof,r»tth fhauting
inthedifof batttU. Thus much of theterrour of this indge-
nieiK. Now followeththc^.fe^^inthemxtcircumftancc.
ffith atempefi in the day of the vehirU'ieeind ] Suiting hereto
is the reading ofAderser, cum temperate in die turhinis : and
that of Tremelisu: cumprecella in die tttrbinis, with a ftormc
ortempedinche day ofthewbirle>wtnd. (faluinVz^^intmr*
bine in die tempeflatis: in a whirle-wind in a day of temped:
Brentiiu,in turbine, (S" in die tempeflatis; in a whirle-win^and
in a day of temped: Gnnlter, cum turbine in die tempefintts,
with a whirle-wind in a day of tempdb And this reading ,
Drnfisu rather approueth, than the former#
Take which you will; the meaning is one and the fame:
namely, that the warre here denounced to the Ammonites in
theformtrclaufei.lhould come vpon them, tan^nam turbo m
dietempeflatis, like vnto a whirle-wind in a tempeduous and
dormietiay. Turbinentht/csleritu iZY/\\'nle-wmdcomc$ fud-
denlj znd vfith fpeed 5 fo was this uarre to come vpon the chil- •
drenof Ammon, Thushauewe the meaning of our Prophet :
let vsnow takeavicwoffuch doArines, as may from hence
be takenfor our further inthuft iom-
Fird, whereas the puniflimcnthwethrcatned to the
wsflMMfr/, istocoracvpon xhtmveith mrhtrlfuird in a day of
tempest, in a tempeduous ai\d docmicday>wcemaylcarnc,
that,
Stermes, Tempefls, Whtrle-uinds, andthe like, aretbe Lords
creettures, ready at his command to be emplojedbj him in,
the aaenging of his eynarrtfl againfl pnnert,
*Ai%9 iuksorx the primaiic and principall effcient caufe of
fiormes,tempePs, uhirU'veindt^znd the like, is God, God as he is
ihcfole maker tetim vttixerpfatu rrr««»,of this world,and all
that
147
i 1
148
TheTwentieth LeBurc-*.
ill
that ii In it J foishealfo a moft free and oranipotcntrulerof
the fame. He alone is able to raife tempefls, and at his plcafure
to Allay them agatne. Whor<«</<f<itfie//or»»tf.that endangered
thefliip whertin loaah was ? was it not the Lordt Yes. For
fo it is written, /«»,!.4. The Lordfent ontagreat wi»dinto the
feA, and there rvM a mighty tempefl in thefea./o that theJbip mas
like to he broken. Neither was this tewpf/? calmed, tiil rebclli-
ous lonah was cad out of the fliip into the Tea, as it appearethj
verf.15.
Well therefore is itfaid ofthe/'/^/wt/?,/y<</.i48 8. of firti
andhaiie,And /««»,and vapours,in6 flormy wtrd/jthat they ex-
ecttte Gods wotdfhty are all ready at his conimandement,to ex-
ccute what he will hauethem to doe. tvinds and tempejls, xhty
sdepcnd notvpon chance, ox bltnde fortune i but on the fottc
; raignepower ot the Almighty Creator.So true is my doftrinc;
Stormes, Tempejis, tVhirh-wiuds, and the like, are the Lords
creatures, feady at his Command, to he employed by him in
the auenging of his tynarrell againfi finners.
One vfeof it,isfbrour inftruffion: Whofoeucrhebe,that
walkcth by land,or palfeth by fca,if winds, fiormes ox tempejis
doe hinder his purpofe, or difquiet himinhis enterprife, he
rouftafligneitto theprouidenceof Almightie God.
A fecond vfe ferueth for reproofe of fuch,as are of opinion,
that Witches, Sorcerers, (foniurers, and the Dentil an ^pro li-
bidine fua, at their pleafures, raife vp tempejis. It is nothing fo.
Nothing fo ? Why then doth Saint Paul, Ephef, t, 2. call
the Deutll, the frineethat ruleth in the aire .Tanfwcr, S, Paul
calleth the Deuill the Prince that ruleth in the aire, not be-
caufe he can at hispleafure raife tempejis, but bccaufe he then
doth it, when God giues him licenfe. leafily grant, that Wit-
ches,Sorcerers znd Coniurers by the hclpeof the Deuill, can,
* King lams, *'ttife flormes and tempejis in the aire, though t not vniuerfally,
vamo»aleg-Hb,7, jTCt in fuch a particular place andprcfcribed bounds, as God
fap.j.peg.^6, will permit them fo to trouble.
■ Aich-BUhop "The Deuill and his fafiors worke their exploits only by,
Abbot is Ion. limitation and by leaue 5 for they depend vpon the Lord 5 and
Lc£l.3>pflg.}i> as if they yveretiedinachaine, they cannot exceed one haires
breadth
f Grynaus m
Ion. cap.J,J^.
Uli.i}.
A M o s I. 14. . Z49
breadtli of that which is granted vnro them. WitneiTc the /?«•
rj of lob. Tlic 7)r«/7/could no: 4 >r/»d to outrthror* the
honfe rohereiu ^ohlchiUren were, but by IcAtlsixova the Lord,
as it appearcthj fo's i 2.
And this may be our comfort, thzzSatattf thcDetsiU, that
* roanng Lion, who walkcth about, (ecking whom he may dc- * i p,/. y g,
uourc, hath y xhooke put into his noftrils, and z bri Me in hk r Ejiyij.xf,
1rps,and isbound ^ with etierLJ}ingehai»es,(ot\isthe c:^nnoz * iitd.6.
hHrtx$ynonozfom\ichz$bvrai^Hg«f a tempe^, vnl Ifc Al-
mighty God for our finnes doe let him loofe. Wherefore, let ^
vs commend our felues wholly ro theproteftion of the Al-
mightie,and he will *hidevsvndetthe(hadowof his hand. * u
For it is he only,that maketh vs to dwell in fafety.Thus much
of my Brftdoflrine.
Againe,whereas the punilhracnt here threatned to the
monites, was to come vpon them as a whirle-wind in a tempe-
^Motu,cxfiormy daj,t\tKi%,^tedilj, we may from hence take
this IdTon.
The defirndion of the wicked commeth Jttddenlj vpon them.
This truth is auowcd by Duuid, Pfal.i 7.a. Where to per-
fwade thcgedlj not to fret, or be grieucd at the profpcritie of
the wicked, he brings this reafon : ThejPjaSfoone be cut downe
and (hall wither ae the green e hearbe, which in other
Words, verf. 10. ofthefameT/i/we, hethusdcliuereth iThey
fhaHperifh,andfhatibe conJtimed,M thefat oflambes', etien with
thefmoake (hallthej confume away. They (ball be confnmeias
thefatof lambef',] there is vttcr deftru£lion for them ; they
(hall be confumedoi fmoakf} there is the fuddenneire of their
dellru£lion.
Theftateof the wicked is very ticklilhandvncertainc. For
as it is, Pfal. 73.18. God hath fet them in fltpperjplaces, and
eajfetb them downe into defoiation. Their end is there defcribed
to be wonderful), fuddenand fearefullj Quomodo vafiabten^
tnr? Stibtto deficient, CJnfHmentttr terror thus. How fliallthey
bedeftroyed i They lhal! qjickly perifli, they ihall be confu-
med with terrours.
Salomon Ipeakcs to this purpofe, as plainly as may bcc
I i Trott,
150 The Twentieth LeBure^.
Pr$».6,l 5. ThtdffirmHittt ff the tvickfd ^*11 c»m»^eedi/j: be
P)»ll be dffirojedfuddsnlj Tteithaut recouerj, tdeJhall be deftroyed
fnddcnly reitbont rfcenery^ tbat is, rofpcakeinmy Prophets
plirafc. He Hiall be d^droycd, as ifhe were carried away with
arthtrlewtt'dia item-fcjimem andP«rmj d^y : or in Solomont
phrafc, Prcu.^.iy. Their dcjlrn£tion Jiall come like a whir Ic
ffind.
The holy Scriptures arc very plentifull in this point. But
this which hath bcene fpoken, may feruefot the cftabliflimcnt
of my propounded do^rine, tbat,.
The d flr union of the wicl^d commeth fuddeniy vpott t hem.
One vie of this doftrine is, to admoniQt vs,that wc giuc all
diligence to walkc in the Lords may, the [anUified and holy
Tfvay,t]nt veay of perfeBion, thatwe benotreputed among the
tvicl^cd ir.d fo partake withrAe** in the fitddennefe of their
downfalls,.
A fccondvfe is to miniflera word of comfort. Doe the
wiekedprosper and increafe in riches i Is pride a chaine vnto
them ? Is cnicltie their garment I Doc their eyes ftand out for
fatnctre ? Haue they more than heart can wifli i Art thou
^ mcane while in trouble ? Arc thou in want i Do they oppreflc
thee? Doe they wrong theei Yet be of good comfort. Say
not, I haue clean fed my heart in vaine j in vaine haue / wafhed
my hands in innoc w/e.-butcommitf^y way ynrothe Zar^jtruft
tuhim 5 wait patiently vpon him: yet a little while, and
tlic wicked (hall not appcare : thou (halt iooke after
his place, and (halt not finde him. Forfudden de- .
firHator. (ball befall him, he (hall be carried .
away as with a whirlewindin a tempo,
finoiu and (I or mi e day. Thus .
much of the four-
tcench verfe.
THE
THE
XXL Ledure.
Amos i. ly.
tAnd their King f^All^oeiiftg CAptimtief he, And hie Princes te-
gether,/Aith the Lard,
N mylaftLcfhxre, IbegaBthcExpoficion
of the fourth part: the cemr/tination, or de^
nHnciation of istdgement : and then I noted,
that this/W^e/we»f wasfetdownc,firft in a
generality ; Therefore will I kindle a fire,
verf. 14. and fecondly with fome cir-
cumftanccs, as that it fhould be full after-
rofir, and fpeedj, and of Urge extent.
Full of tcrrour ; fVithfhoHtinginthe dAj of battel!.
Speedy ; t^itb a temfefi in the day of the whirlewind.
Of large extent. For it was to reach vnto, not only the
meaner fort of people, but to the Nobles alfo, yea vnto the
King himfelfe, verf. i y. Their King (hallgoe into captiuitie, he
andhis Princes together, Ofthisiiedgemeut.asitis dcliueredin
a generalitic,as alfo of the terreur and (pee dine fie ofit,\ difcour-
fed in my laft cxercifc. The extent was left vntouched j where-
of at this time.
Their Kingfhallgoe intoc.iptinitie j he, andkis Princestoge-
I i 3 ther]
15^ XXL LeBurc^.
tbtr\KingMndPriKcis,ho^mn^inxoCi^ii\x\t\c. What fHill
become of the Priefis ? They (hall bccarried away too. The
SeftHAgint in their tranflation doe cxprefly affirmc ir, Sctm/Ai;
the Kings of Avnmonjhd/igee inta cdptiMitie,in6h U^tU, their
Priefis, 2nd it ifheir Princes, Their King /hell geeinte
captirsitie, their Prices, endP)rinces hheveife, Atld thil the Pro.
phet ftfrtf»»/>precifely auoiichcth, Chapter49 3. where thun-
dringputthcthreats of Gods iudgcmentsagainft the children
of Amman, he faith : Their Ktng /ballgee int«captiwtj,M»d his
Piriefit,andhis Prirces Itkereije,
The vulgar Latine 2nd S,Hiereme,lot their King,d6t reade
(J^lelchom. Mclchom (hallgee into captiHitg. And what it MeU
ehcm? It is the fame with Mtlchom, with M»lech, with c?ffo-
lech. Diners words of one fignification;jhough differing in
found, and termination..
Beit Melchom, or Milchom, or Molech, or Ulfelach ; al it
oxre. Itis-butan/do/?. So it is called by the Author of the v«/-v
gar Lathe, Leuit.iB.lI, De (emine tmpnon dahis, vt confeetf
tftr Idolo Moloch. Thou (halt not giue thy children to confe-
state them, to offer them to the IdollA/«/tfc^. It is the <1^9^
mination of the Ammonites. So it is called, l JCing,t l; j. where
itiifaidof old S4omon, pcroerted^y his wiues, thathefol-
lowed UMtlckam, the abomination of the Ammonites •, and
verf.7. that he built an high place vnto Molech, theahomina-
ttonef the children of Ammen. It is the God of the children of
aimmon. So it is called, verf. 33. where it is giucn for a reafon,
why the Lord would ten t from Salomon the kingdom of Ifrae!,^
becaufehefcrfookethe. Lord, andrver/hippedMildtomythegedof
the Ammonites.
You fee what Mtlchcm is. Itisthc^o«/ofthe Ammonites;
not th c true (fiod; for he isthc God of ad the world j but the God
of the Ammonites', inabomination, an IdoO,
Yet did they worfliip ir. But how i Mofes tells you, T>eut,
1 J»31.Ti^ey burnt their fennes and daughters with fire, and ojfe-
redthem to theirgodr. This abomination ofthe Painjme Na-
tions, hatefuli tothe//«i»^ C/od, fprcad itfclfe,eucn to the cor-
rupting of the Lords people. For to the children oflfrael, and
te
Amos f. 15. j
lothcehi/dreuef/udAh, itisobifftcd, /<rr. 3 a. jj. Th« thejf
hMt th$ high places of Baal, vphich are m the valley of Bcn.hill-
nom.,to caufe their fennes, andtheir daughters to pajfe tborow
the fire o/Molccb. And the expodulation of God with the
houfc oflfrael, Ez.ech. lo. 30. laycs this home vnto them ^
yire jee not polluted after the manner of your fathers? Commit ■
Jee not iphor edome after their abominations ? For when you offer
your gifts,and make your fonnes to paffethorow the fire, you pol-
lute your feluts with your Idols.-
It is rcgiftred among the praifcs of good ICingIofiah,r King.
13.10, that^i? defiled (or put downc, and deftroyed) Topheth,-
which was in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man
fbould make bit fonne, or his daughter paffe therowthe fire of
Molech.
By this which hath bccne fpokcn, you fee what iJMelchom
is,and howitwas worfhipped An/^i7/i'-ff«<^worfliippedwith |
theefFuHon of the bloud of innocents; mens foHi and daugh> • !
tcrs were confecratedvnto it thorow fire. .
So haucyou two readingsof my text; one, Their King fisall.
^got intocaptiuitie, he, and his Princes together: thcorher,i1/e/-.
chom (ballgoeintocaptiuitie, 5cc. Let vs now fee, what profita-,
ble do£Irines may be taken from either, for our further inAru-
ftion, and the reformation of our lines.
The firft reading is accoiding to the Hebrew, Their King
(hallgoe into captiuity, he, and his Princes together: according,
to the Septuagint, Their King (hall goe into captiuity, their.
7*riefls, and Princes likervife.Tht doftrine arifing hence, is,
IVhen Godpunifheth a nation with captiuttie for theirfinnes,he'
^arethneitherPrie/ls,nor Prince, nor King.
Tha: captiuttie is an effcft,or punilhmenr of fin,I hauc here-
toiorc madeplaine vnto you,in my 11. Lcfture vpon this fiift
Chapter of Amos.Salomon raithit,l,A^/«f. 8 ^6.When a people
fianeth again ft the Lord, and the Lord is angry with them, the
Lord delinereth themvptobecariedaway prifinersinto the laud
of It is affirmed, I Chron.^.t.Thtt the Ifraelittt.
were caried away to Babylon/or their tranfgrejfions. Deut,
2 8.4i.amoDg thccurfesthtctttned to fucb,as will not obey the .v
113 voice
The X 'X 1. Le^ure^.
voice of the Lor A their God, Caftiuity is reckoned. Thou {halt
brgi t fonnes and dAMghtns.hut [hnlt net bane them ; for they piad
got into cap mil J. Locke backe but to the fifth vetic of this
Chapter; there fliall you finde it denounced againft the peo-
Aram, t\\iX.thejl fhall goe into captiuity. And why? But
for thtit thrre and foure tranfgrcffions, for their many finnes,
2iOdifpciz\\yforthrelhi»gG\\czAimththrff)i»g inflrumrnts of
ireuf As you haue heard out of the third vcrie. Thusyoufcc
againe that captiuity is an effeft or punifliment of finne.
This puninimentrcftethnot vpon the meaner fort of the
pcoplc,it reacheth to the higheft: to the Priefis, to the
ces, to the King himfelfc. Of Priefs and Princes carried away
into you will make no doubt,when you fee the fame
proucdof Kings. Yet may you know by a Ki»g.\y.2y. that
the King of Afyria, when he had vanquiHied Hofiah, King of
Jfrael, did carry into captiuitie the Prtejls of Ifrael.
You vnderftand of Pfie/?/carried into captiuity: fee now
the likcof^<»^j3nd See z King.^^.i/[. It is a very
eminent place. There it is iffiimed of Nabttchodenojor King
of Babe/, that he carried away alllerHfalcm, and a II the Princes^
and all the ffrong men ef warre, euen ten thoufand^tnto captiuity j
and inthcverfefollowing, thtthe carried away King lehoia-
chim (King «>/Iudah) mtohihcXpndthe Kings niether,andthe
Kings wiues, and the Ennuches, and the mighty o (the Land cay
ried he away into captiuity, from Icrufalem to Babcl. And all the
men of war, euenfeuen thoufand,and carpenters and loc^-fmttbs
athoufand,all that werefirongandaptforwar, did the King of
Bzhc\bringto Babel captiues.
I could tell you of the like mifery befallen other Kings of
Judah lof King Manajfeh, ^ Chron.^i.ii.hovthcrvas taken
by the hoafi of the King Afliur, woe put in fetters, was bound in
ehaines, and was carried to Babcl. And of King Zedekiab,"
1 King. 2 y i 5. how he was taken in the deferts ef Icricho by the
army ef theCha}dccs, had his eyes put out,was bottndin ehaines,
andcarriedvnto Bsbel. ,
But what need I amplifie this point ? By the placcsalrcady
brought, you fee my doftrinc cdablidied; namely,
fPhen
amos i. 15. 255
Jfiien GtdfH \%eth a natitn with captinitj ftr their fnnet, be
jpsretb K. hhir Priefi,ner Prince, ner King.
^ Isic crue, Beloued ? DothGodpunifh a nation witli capd*
uity for their fins.'Lctrs makethis Chridian vfeof ir,euento
powreoutourfoulesin thankftjlnefrc before AlmightyGod
for his wondcrfullparicncf towards vs. The fins of fuch Na-
tionsas haucbccncpuainiedwith<r/»pr»«/r^, were they rtiore
heinous in Gods eyes tlian ours arc? Dearcly beloued,fai be
it from vsto iuffificour felues. Let the example of the fraud
Pharifes be a warning to vs. Hcfor all his fmooth prayer,re-
giftred£«^. iS: ti,\0 Gad 1 tbankethee,th4tIum»otm other
men ; extorsioners, vniuji, adulterers, oreuen as the Publican :
I fafl twice i» the rveske, I gme tithe of all that euer / fafeffe : 3
Forall this his fraooch prayer, he found no fauour with God#
No rearucll. For his heart was fwolnc with pride:withpride
towards God, towards his neighbour, and in himfclfc.
Gracias ag0,O God I thank thee] there was his pride towards
God: Non fam ficut C4teri, \ am not as other men ] There was
his pride towards his neighbour; leiunabisinfabbato, I fafl
twicein the weeke} There was his pride in hirafelfc. OGodl
thanke thee] He is riot reprehended for giuing thanks to God,
but for his proud and prefumptuous boafling of himfcife.
The great Patriarch Abraham praycth leaue to fpeakc vnto
the Lord,v\d giucs a rcafon of his requeft, (fen, 18, ly. I am
but duf: aitAafi3es:{o\o'<N\^Viz% conceited of him-
felfewhenhewastofpeaketoGod. Butthis Pharifcepuffed
vp and fwolnc with pride, boaflcth as though hee were not
made of the fame mould with other men : O God I thank? thee
Iamnot AS other men, &c. But leaue wc the Pharifee in his ^
pride; heisnottobeapatterneofimitationforvs. ■
The P,nblican is he whom we muft follow. Gerit typum cm-
niumpeenitentium: all that will truly rcpcnr,niuft take him for '
an cnfample. HefooJafar of, would not lift vp fo much as bis
eyes to Heauen, fmatehis breaf, and faid, O Godbe mercifulito
meaftnner. He flood afarre off] » not daring to approach to '
God,thatGodraightapproaehtohira.ffejvf»/d»o//i/rz'/J^« ^ 'V
ties to Heauiu 1 for he knew hcaucn to bethc feat of that Ma. '
iefly/^'^^"
1^6
The XX 1.
e_..
^ Pet. de Pa'ude
Vom. I. pnji
Trin, tnar.p.
3^4
which by finning hehadprouokcdYntodifpleafure. H«
fmote his hreuft^] as the arkc ot all iniquity ^as it were punifhing
tiimfclfc witii llripej, that the Lord might fotbeare to punilh
him. And after all this, with a fcartfuli heart and trembling
tongue 3 hccallcd vpon hisSauicutjandfaid, O (joibemer'
eifuUto me 4 (inner,
Oratio (sreuis & valdefrnUuefa. It is a fhort praycr,bur full
of fruit. O God be tKerctfullto me a fnner-^ be mcrcifull,! fayjnot
to we thy creature, thy feruant, or thy ehilde, but be merciful!
xome^{inner. My wholecoinpofition hfinne: whatfbcucrl
am in body or foulc,fo farre as my manhood and humanity go-
eth, iStnner: and notonely by mine ojficeindeaflsug,hcci[s{c
lama Publican, but cucn by nature and kjude it felfc a Sinner,
O God be mercifuH to me a (inner.
This Vnbiicanh fct for a patterne vntovs. Weemuft with
him confcire our fins vnto the Lord. Let no man boart him-
fclfe of his owne innocency,integrity,or vprightnclfc. ^an.
< ApfidFtt. de do mare(ineproceHU, tunc nos (ine piccatis, faith <= Chrpfofiome:
, vdHdeDom.\i. when the fea is without ftormcs, then are we without finncs,
Trinit.p.jif. jgu[t{jc fcais neucr Ireefrom ftorme$,nor we from finncs.
Invainethenis it, O finfull man, that thou exalte/f thy
felfe, as if thou were iufi. Remember what Chrifl faith at his
clofingvpof this parable of the Publican vr\d Pharifee, Om-
nit, ejui fe exalt at,humiliabitur^ euery one th at exalts himfclfc
fliall be brought low. ^^Wwexaltcdhimfelfc, and death was
hisrecompence^G'ew.j ig. Pharaoh tszhcd himfclfe, and he
was drowned in the red Sea, Exad.j^. 28. D at ban and Abi-
ram exalted themfelucs, and theearth opened her mouth,and
fwaliowed them vp, Num. 1 3 2. Saul exalted himfclfe, and
an euill fpirit was fcnt to vex him, i Sam, 16.1$. Abfelon cxal-
ted himfelf,and he was hanged in anoake,2 Sam.tS p. Nabu-
ehodono/ercxikcd himfclfe,and he wasdriucn to feek his d weL
ling with the beafls of the ^Id, Dan.j^.. 2 9. Antiochtu exalted
himfclfc,and he died a miferable death,con fumed of wormes,
a Mach. 9. p. Herod jigrippa exalted himrdfc, and the AngeH
of the Lord fmote him, fo was heealfo eaten ofwormes,3nd
gaue vp the ghoil, ACi. 11.23. Ithout of all controuerfic;
Omnid
Amos i. 15.
Omuii, quifeexAltat, humtUahituri eucry one that exulteth
>i-
himfclfe fball brought low.
Let the confideration hcrcof(beloued) workc ihvs avigi-
lancy tokcepc the proud Detiill vnder, that wc Iwell nor vp
through a vaineperfwafion offlcrtily rjghreoufncirc, rhatwc
lift not vp our Peacocks feathers, nor exroll our eye lids
thrmigl) a conceirofour ownc dcferts, bur in all humility
pray wccuer with the Publican; OGtdbee meKctfuS vita vt
flurers} and afcribe we vnto him all laud andpraifc for fuffring
vs (notwithftanding our manifold ftus) euery man tu dwell
^ vnder his vine, and vnder his fig-trcc, to liuc in our owne <' i
land in peace, free from all fcarc of being led into
Thus much of my firft vfc.
A fecond followeth. My Doffrine was,
fyhtH GodpMuifheth A nation with eafttutty for theirfinnet, he
fpareth neither Priefi, nor Prince, nor King,
Will you haue a reafon hercoff Heare then what Elihu faith,
lob 1^,19,God accept etb not the perfons of Princes, he regar-
deth not the rich neore than the potre: Hee aceepteth no mans
ferfon, faith S, Paul, Gal,t. 6. Nomantperfon ? Then neither
thcperfoH of ihcPriefl, nor of the Prince, nor of the King. If
thefcyJWwf like others of the people, thcfcfliall hepuntfbed as
weUasotheiS; and if others bcccarried intoeaptmty, thefe
muft into captiuity alfo.
The vfe of this Doftrine is to admonilh the great and migh-
ty ones of this world, that they prcfume not tofmne agamft
xheLord, as if they were priuilcdgcd by their greatnclfc and
might. No priuiledge can ferue their turnes, when they
muft® of the wrath of the jilmighty. Then fhall they be «lob si. so.
as fflnbble before thtwind, and at the chafe that thefiorme car' * Ub si. 18.
rietb away,
Confider this all yee who take your felues to bee mighty a-
nong yonr scighlMurs (ye whom God hath blelfcd with
this worlds good aboueyour neighbours. Thinke not your
wealth or authority can proteft you, when Gods fore difplea-
fure fhall brcake out againft you for your finnes; but rather
let it cuer be written in your hearts, what is wiittcn, fftfd.6.6.
K k The
The XX I. LemreJ.
The mighty PjaUke mightily torme'-ited. And remember what
is added inthatpbcc '.He that is Lord ouer all wtlljpare ttop'r-
fen,fieither f/saH he fesire any great nejfe : for hee hath made the
fmalland the great, and ca^eth forallaitke. But for the mighty
abideth the forer trtall. And hence arifeth a third vfe.
It istominiftera word ofcomfort to thcinfcriour and poo-
( Aitioti.i. rerforcofpcople.Ifthe mighty (hzUs/clltherighteoas among
^Amsz.T. you for finer, and thepoorefor Jhooes ^ if they ^ gape otteryenr
headsin the dufi of the earthif they ' gtindc your faces; if by
violence ioA opprefflonthty ^ com^^iXeyouihouf, yetbeyeof
good connfort: God, the Judge of all, accepteth noperfons.
^ He in his good time will auenge your caufes, be your opprcf-
forsneuerfo mighty j iotwhen hepmifheth alandfor the ftnnet
0fa people, heJpareth neither Prie^, nor Prince, nor King,
There is a fourth vfe of this Doftrinc. Itistowarnevsnot
to fet our hearts vpon theoutward things of this world, for as
much as God will not refpeft vs for them. Neither Pfitfi, nor
Prince, nor can (land beforethedifpkaftifeof Almighty
God. And fhall a mighty man, (hall a rich man ftand i No.
' PfaUit. a. \ As the fmoke vanifbetb, ft lha/lhe be driHen away ) and as the
wax mel'eth before the f re 'fo fhal he peri/i-at thtprtfe»ce of Cad.
Wherefore (dearely bcloucd in the Lord) let vs onely and
earneftly fcekc after fuch things,as may make vs accepted with
God^as righteoHfnefe,peace,stn6 toy in the hefy Xjhof. For who-
focuer in thefc things feruerh Chrifi, hee is aecrptableto God,
faith Saint Paul, Rom. 14.1S. Thus farre by ocathnof my
ftrftdoffrinc; which was,
fyhen CodpHtiJheth a nafiouwithfaptikity far their fanes, be
' fpareth neither, prirfl, nor prince, nor king.
And it was grounded vpon the ifirft reading ofthcwordsof
my text 5 after the Hebrew thus,7l?;e/r Kingfh.dlgo inse.capti-
yticy,he,and hispriacettagethertibttt the ■Seprmgint thus,Tierr
King fbaUgoe intocaptiuity, theirpriefl-t, ^ndPtiters ItJ^wife,
I commended vnto you another reading out of the Vulgar
Latine: Meichom fh.Ulgoe into captittky. he., gndhu P<rincesl9'
get her: and I told you inthc beginning of this cxercife what
Mclehom was. 1 laid it was the fame widt Mdchom, or Mo,
lecbf
Amos I. 15.
lech, or Mohck ; an abomi?nttton of the Ammtnitts, their lioK,
thetr God, to whom they ycelded ituine veorpfip, and confecra-
teddieirchildren through fire. All this I made plainc vnto
you out of the facrcd Scriptures. The Do£lrine,
iVf/fier Melchora of the Ammotiitet, her Any other IdeUof
any oiherprople, can fatte themfelues in the day of eaptinity,
much leffe can they faue the people that doe trttjl in them and
recr/hipthen;.
Firftj they cannot fatte themfelues.
Sccon dly, nor them thatpnt their trufi in them.
They cannot faue themfelues, Forwhatis hccomc o( Suecoth-
henoth, t he God of Sa^el? of Nergal, the God of Cuth ? of A"
p]ima, the God df Hamatb ? of NibhaK and Tartachj the God
of the Anins f of Adrammeleeh, and Anammelech, the God
ol S'pharvaim? Their names indeed rcmaine vpon record,
z K$ng, 17. 30, 31. but themfelues are vaniHied, they ar«
come to nought. King ofhe who brake in
pccces the brazen Serpent which Ulfofes made, bccaufe his
people offered incenfe to it, beputdownethofe IdollGods j
hctooke away their high places, hec brake their images, heecut
downe theirgroues, t King, lit 4'
What is become of Afitorethfthe Idol! of theZidonians? of
Chemofb, the idoll of the Moahites ? of Milchom the ihomi-
nation of the children of Amman ? Their names indeed re-
maine vpon record, z Khg, 83.13* but themfelues are vani-
fhcd, they arecomc to nought. lofah King of ludah, that
good King, he put downe thofe IdoH Gods, he brake their ima*
get in peece/.he cut downe their greMet,andfiBed their placet with
the bones of men, Z King, 13.14.
I could here repeat vnto you many other Idols and IdoU
gods, wliofe names are particularly recorded in the regifter of
Gods holy Word, which alfo are vanifhed and come ro
nought. But the time will not fuffcr me. Let it fufficc what
is fpoken in a generality of the Kings of Affyria, % King, if.
18. that they did fet on pre the Gods of the lAations,
Gods? And yet jit on fire / True. But they were but Idoll Gods^
and therefore could not hclpethemfclaei. Not hclpe them-
Kk 1 fclues?
*59
The XXL LeBuKC^.
felues? Why not i The rcafon isgiuen ia the fame place: For
they were HO <?»<//,(an Idol! God i$ no God) thej were ho Qede,
bnt the merl^e of mans hands, ertea wsoi and fione : there-
fore the Kings of Afjria de/iroyed them. The very lame
rcafon is dcliucrcd in the very fame, words by. the Prophet
Efay,Cbap. 57. 19. wereno Gods, but the wori^oof mens
hands,esten wood and fione, thsrefore the Kings of Ajfjria de'.
ftroyed them.
The holy Prophets arc very zealous in Gods caufe againft
thofe \dcs\i.E fay Chap. 41. 29. laith, They are all vanity, thsir
worhe if of nothing,they are wind, they are confufion, let. Chap,
to. 15. hixUyThey arevanity, they are thework.' of errors ;■ in
the time of their vifitalionthey(hallperifh..l fhoutd weary my
felfe, and your attention, would I produce whatfoeuer the
Prophets of t\izLord hauc fpoken to the vilifying & dcbaflng
•r/dcA.This which 1 haue already dcliueredx)utof£/(7,and
Jeremy, apd from out the fecond beoky of Kings, doth make
goodtheformerpartof my propounded De&rine, namely,
that neither Milt^om ^/the Ammonites, nor any other IdoU of
any other people can fane themfelues in she day ofeaptiuity.
Cam they not faue themfelues in the day o f eaptiuity I Much
Itffe can they farsethepeop/ethat doe trufi in them and vsorjbip
them J which was the fecond part of my DoftrinCi
And it is pregnantly confirmed out of the 4f,Chap.terof
the Prophecy of Efay, verf. 7. where the Prophet, out of his .
a.calc for the of Hofts againftand/i»4^e/, afTurcch
all people, that though they cry vnto Idols and Images, yet can
they.not an/arerthem, nor dclsuer themout of their tribulations,.
/ere«w7 like wife, Chap.n, 12. lets the Cities of ludah, and
the inhabitants of lerufalem rovnderftand, t\nt.thsugh they
cry vnto theirJLdelsand Images, yet theyJhiSnet be able tohelpe
them in time of their trouble.
Addc hereto what S. Auftine faith in hiifofilotjtsies, or h'fea-
uenly meditations, 5. An IdoU (or an Image)
thing 5 it hath " eares, and heareth not; a nofe, andfmeUeth not^
eyes, andfeeth not ^ amoHth,.and^eaktthnot ^ hands, and fee.'
leib not {fret, and ■ptalkethnot i,and aU the proportion of mem-
Amos 1.15,
bers, 4»(iJet Uueth net; and wliat hclpc can be expe£):ed from
fuch an Tdill ? fuch a Nethi»g i My Doftrinc (lands firme,
NeitherlA(i\c\\ornof the Aramoniccs, nor4ny other Idottof
avj at her people can feue themfelnes in the day of captii/ity,
ttJMchItjfecan they fane the people that dee trull ittthem
and worfhip them.
Now let vs Tee what vfc wc may make hereof for our fur-
thcr jnflru£tionand benefit.
Firftjthis doiftrine (enicth to reproue all Papiflt, for their
hlind/uperflittotin worfhipping their Idslh and Images. For
what doe they make of their Images but meere Idols, while
they fall downe before them, and doe them reuerencc with
capping, with ktseelmg, with hgockjng, with creeping, with crof- ^
fng, with k'Jl''>g> with lighting of candles, and with other like
beggarly trafli and trumpery, as is yet this day in vlein the
Church of%omTmx\i greatobferuation ?
The time was,when this Church of England fubieftcd itfelfe
to that of Rome,iiVidt wasdrtinken with the wine of her fornica-
tion.Then were the people c>f this land defiled with Idelt.'Ho
Parilh Church but was polluted with Images.Then wasGods
prouidenceand duehoneurnegle^led. For the cureofdifea*
fes, not God, but Saints, were inuocated and fought vnto. For
thephgtK,° SSeha/lian) forthePox, ; for the fab tRawo'd.ldfl.
iing euiil, S. Comeliits; for fore eyes, S. Raphael^ for the
toothach,^. Apolonia j for other crolFcs and affliftions,5.7///!- ^7om.
politM,S.Chri/lapber,S. Catherine. Euery artificer and pro- gain^pwiiiof
fcflion had afpeciall Saint as a peculiar (jW. SchoHers had idolatry.
S. Nieh9las,yci and S. Gregory jPaincers^^./v^Ate jShipmen,
S. Mary j Souldiers wanted not their Mars, nor Louers their >«
ciien amongvs Chridiana. Yea our beads and cattcll
liad their Gads too. S. Lay was the horfeIcech,and S. Anthony
the fwitichcard. If fomctimes wc rcmembred God, yet as if
wedoubted of hisa*^ ility and will to helpe, we vfcdtoioync
to htm another helper. The young Scholler was wont to be-
gin his learning with, God and S. Nicholas he my fpeed. For
fuchasncezed, the prayer was, God helpe,undS.lohn. And
forthc (tumbling horfc, Cod,andS. Lojfauethee.
K k 3 May
The XX I. LeaureJ.
May not now a godly man iuftly for zealous indignation
cryouc:,Oheaucn,Oearth,Ofeas; whatmadnetrc and wic-
kedneireagainftGod were our fore fatiiers falleninto? They
tookedelightin theferuiceofflocks and floues, the workes of
their owne hands, they worfhippcd and fcrucd the cre^itHre
aboue Creator, which is blclTed for eucr.
But wharprofit had they of Aich their worfln'p ? Found they
any helpc in the day of vifitation No : Thofe Images then.-
fclucs could not helpethemfelues; and how then could they
helpC their worfhippers i Themfeiues were broken downe
and rctnouedfromoutour CWci&tf/'j and their worfhippers
are remoucd with them. In their ftcad thelighroftheglori-
ous Gofpell of God nowfhincthinourCWci&e/.; now is /««
perfliti»»c\AcA,indthttrueferHiceofGod is comc in place:
and CAnyf for his mercies lake touch vs, and giucvs feeling,
andraake vsthankfull for this fo great a blefling. Thus haue
you the firft vfc. Afecondfollowech.
It ferueth for a reproofc to vs alfo. For though we haue caft
ofFtheyokeof Romi(h/«pery?rr/<7», and haue kept our fclues
vnfpotted ofthe adoratiomnAnvorflsipofImages, yet arc wcc
not free from Idolairj; but are many waies ftained thefcwirh.
Whatfocuer this world hath, vifibleor inuifible, outward or
inward, if it difjplaie Godoi his right, by carrying our heart
and hope after it, it is our Idoll.
Thus itgeld, flluer, or our money aa lioB) if WC make it our
hope, or fay to the wedge, thott art mj confidence, lob ^ 1.In
this fcnfe S. Paul. Colofl, 5. 5. callcth couetsnfnefie. Idolatry,
and Eph. y. he caileth thecouetetu perfoman Idolater,
Thus is outftibflance an Idoll: if as lob fpcaketh,C^(«;?.31.25:.
Wereioyce, becaufeit isgreat, erbecaufe ottr hand hath gotten
mttch. Like thofe H^baki 1.16. H^o did facrifice to their nets,
and burn e Ineenfe to their flues: where all they are taxed for
Idolaters, who becaufe their portion is increafcd, and their
niealcplenteous by {vicflxinflrumentsziMdihelps, asthcy vfcift
their trades of life, doeforget the right author of their wealth,
and arrogate all to themfeiues and their feruiceablc raeanes.
Thus is Our wkmd vnderftanding an/</«//,whta wcafcribe
vnto
A M O S 1. 15,
vntothcm our getting of riches, ofgold,andfiIuer into our
treafurcSjlikcthePrince o(Tyrm,Ex.ech.l%.t.Vihovi'K\\ this
conceit exalted in heart, brake out into that nioft hlafphe-
mous challenge: I ama God, and I (it i» the feat of Godin the
middefl^ of the Sea, Such is the Idoll of the Pohtitians ((hall I
call them? or Athcifts) of this age; who take themfdues to
bevvifer than Damel,»i the Prince of Trr/a did : and are per-
Iwadedthat Mofennti theProphets are not fo ableto infttuif
idiem, £s they themfdues.
Thus hoMxftrengthw ldoll,\iyithoi{\.oVK,i.^Senaacberih
did, £/rf7 37. 24. who bragged what great matters hec bad
doaehy the mu/titttde of hie chariots-,hm touchingthc ttaeLord
ofHofi/, as if he were leiPc than nothing, he vauntcth to He-
x.ekiahTL\ngo{!udjh,v.txf. 10. Let ttot thj God decdae thee.
Thus is ovtrhellj our GodtVihcn walking after the lulls ofour
fled], we fertte not the Lord lefns Chrif,h\it our owKebeHies : as
S.PaaIfpzAtth,Rom. 16.1 S.Of fuch fpeaketh tiie fame Apo-
ii\e,Phil.^.l ^.Manjdoencalkeasettemiestothecrofe^f Chnft,
whofe ettd is damnatiofj, rohofe (fedU their belly, whofeglorj te
their fhame,voho miad earthly tijiugt. Whole God is t\\t\xbelly,
Thus^beloued) you fee what Idolt are yet remaining among
v$, and bow wcorcdefticd with them. What reniaincth, but
that we fudTcr our felues to be exhorted in tiie words of Barm-
has and Paul, to the men of Lffra, 5. that we would
tome iltTwv TUY fwtTw'w, from thofe vatneIdols, to ferue the .
iitsirjg Q'-d.
Thus farreofmy fecond Dodrine, which was,
iV/i/Aer Melchoroe/t<l«'Ammonites, nor awjother Jd^ll of
A»y ether people canfdue themfeluet ki the day of captimty,
usftch leffe can they fane the people that doe truji in them, ''
and a/or fhip them.
Which doftrine I grounded vpon the fecond reading of
m V T xt: Melchstn ^allgee ittto captiuity, he, and his Prince/
together.
'Novvfolloweththethird generallpartcf this prophecy a-
gaifill the children of Saiththe Lord.
This of thb Prophcci:? and itredoubletfi
its
The XXI, Leaiirc^".
its authority and credit. Authority and credit fufficicnt it bath
from its very front,and prcfscc, verf. 13. 7hn» [atrh the Lord,
It is here redoubled: //&<!•
Hath the L»rdi'i\di it, and rtiail he not doc it I Hath he fpo-
ken it, and fhall he not accomplini it ? The LordJehauah.thG
ftrength of Ifraelis not as man, that he (liould lie 3 nor as the
fonnecf man, that heftiould repent. All his yea all the
tittles of allh 14 word/iarcTraavd .(^wew.Heaucn and earth ftial
palfe, before one lot, or one tittle of Gods Word lliall fcape
vnfulfilled. Iehoftah,{.\\t Lord faith, whatfoeuer our Prophet
tAmos hath here denounced agair ft the Ammonites. It is the
Lordihzi faith it: Amos is but the Lords Minifteri the Words
arc the Lords. Whence w c may cake this Doflrinc j
■7 he Astthor of holy Ssrsftssre is neither man, nor AngeB, nor
any other creatHre, how excellent foetser, but only the lining
and immortall God.
This truth may likewifc be grounded vpon the Preface to the
enfuing Ptophecy: And therefore ( fith my hourc is almoft
/penr,and your attention well nigh tired)IputofFthe handling
ofthisdoArine, till God giue me opportunity to fpeake a-
gainevntoyou. Mcanetime,lccthiswhich hath beenedeli'
uered vnto you,iV*» meis viribsu,fed Chrifii miftrieordtd,t\ot
by any ftrength of mine, but by the mercy of our Lord lefsts
Chrsfiyhniciot the expofition of this fitft Chapter.
I Tim. 1.17.
yntothe King eternall, immortall, snnifib/e, the only wife God,
threeperfons. Father,Sonne, and Holy Ghoft, be hononr
attiglory for ester, andener. Amen.