OF THE WORLDE, AND THE PRINCE THERE­OF, OVR ACCVSER, AD­VERSARIE, AND ENEMIE.

BE sober, and watch: 1. Pet. 5.8. for your ad­uersarie the Deuill as a roaring Li­on walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure.

We wrestle not agaynst flesh and blood, Ephes. 6.12. but agaynst principali­ties, agaynst powers, and agaynst the worldly go­uernours, the princes of the darknes of this world, agaynst spirituall wickednesses, which are in the high places.

In time past ye walked, Ephes. 2.2, 3. according to the course of this worlde, and after the Prince that ruleth in the ayre: euen the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Among whom wee also had our conuersation in time past, in the lust of our flesh, in fulfilling the will of the flesh, and of the minde: and were by na­ture, the children of wrath, aswell as others.

In whom the God of this worlde hath blinded the mindes (that is) of the Infidels, 2. Cor. 4.4. that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should not shine vpon them.

[Page] Iohn. 12, 31.Now is the iudgement of this worlde: Now shall the Prince of this worlde be cast out.

Collo. 2, 15.And hath spoyled the Principalities, and powers, and hath made a shew of them openly, and hath tri­umphed ouer them in the same Crosse.

Luk. 22, 31.And the Lord sayd, Symon, Symon, Beholde, Sa­tan hath desired to winow you, as wheate.

Reue. 12.10.I heard a loude voyce, saying, Now is saluation in heauen, and strength, and the kingdome of our God, and the power of his Christ: For the accuser of his brethren is cast downe, which accused them before our God day and nyght.

1. Iohn. 2, 16.All that is in the worlde (as the lustes of the flesh, the lustes of the eyes, and the pride of lyfe) is not of the Father, but is of the worlde.

Eccle. 1, 1.Vanitie of vanities, sayth the Preacher: Vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie.

EXHORTATION.

1. Iohn. 2, 15, 17.LOue not the worlde, neither the thinges that are in the worlde. If any man loue the worlde, the loue of the Father is not in him.

The worlde passeth away, and the lustes thereof: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth for euer.

1. Corin. 7, 31And they that vse this worlde, as though they vsed it not: for the fasshion of this worlde goeth away.

Iam. 4, 4.Yee adulterers, and adulteresses, know ye not that the amitie of the worlde, is the enimitie of God? Whoso­euer therefore wilbe a friende of the worlde, maketh him selfe the enemie of God.

[Page]If ye were of the worlde, the worlde would loue his owne: Iohn. 15, 19. But because ye are not of the worlde, but I haue cho­sen you out of the worlde, therfore the worlde hateth you.

They are not of the worlde, as I am not of the worlde. Iohn. 17, 16.

I pray not for the worlde, Iohn. 17, 9. but for them which thou hast giuen mee: for they are thine.

And fashion not your selues like vnto this worlde, Rom. 12, 2. but be ye changed by the renewing of your minde, that ye may proue what is the good will of God, and accep­table, and perfect.

OF SINNE AND SINNERS.

BY one man Sinne entred into the worlde, Rom. 5, 12, 13. and death by Sinne, and so death went ouer all men, forasmuch as all men haue sinned: For vnto the time of the Law was Sinne in the worde; but Sinne is not imputed while there is no Law.

By the workes of the Law shall no flesh be iusti­fied in his sight: Rom. 3, 20. For by the Law commeth the knowledge of Sinne.

What shall we say then? Is the Law Sinne? Rom. 7, 7, 12, 13. God forbid. Nay, I knew not Sinne, but by the Law: for I had not knowen lust, except the Law had sayd, Thou shalt not lust.

Wherefore the Law is holy, and the Comman­dement is holy, and iust, and good.

Was then that which is good, made death in me? God forbid: But sinne, that it might appeare sinne, wrought death in me by that which is good, that [Page] sinne might be out of measure sinfull by the com­mandement.

Rom. 5, 23.But I see an other law in my members, rebelling against the law of my minde, and leading me cap­tiue vnto the law of sinne, which is in my members.

1. Iohn. 3, 8.He that committeth sinne is of the Deuill: for the Deuill sinneth from the beginning: for this pur­pose appeared the Sonne of God, that he might loose the workes of the Deuill.

Iohn. 8, 34.Verely, verely I say vnto you, that whosoeuer committeth sinne, is the seruant of sinne.

Wisd. 10, 13.Because of the foolish deuices of their wickednes wherewith they were deceaued, and worshypped Serpents, that had not the vse of reason, and vile beastes, thou sendedst a multitude of vnreasonable beastes vpon them for a vengeance, that they might know, that wherewith a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished.

Rom. 6, 20. 2. Pet. 2.19.When ye were the seruantes of sinne, ye were freed from righteousnes.

1. Kin. 8, 46. 2. Chro. 6, 36If they sinne agaynst thee (for there is no man that sinneth not) and thou be angry with them, and deliuer them to the enemies, so that they carry them away prisoners vnto the land of the enemies, eyther farre or neare.

Eccle. 25, 26. Gen. 3, 6.Of the woman came the beginning of sinne, and through her we die all.

2. Esd. 15, 24Woe be to them that sinne, and keepe not my commandementes, sayth the Lord.

Pro. 14, 21.The sinner dispiseth his neighbour: but he that hath mercie on the poore, is blessed.

[Page]Who can say, I haue made mine hart cleane, Pro. 20, 9. I am cleane from sinne?

Surely there is no man iust in the earth, Eccle. 7, 22. that doth good, and sinneth not.

The way of sinners is made playne with stones: Eccle. 21, 10. but at the ende thereof is hell, darknes, and paynes.

If we say that we haue no sinne, 1. Ioh. 1, 8, 10 we deceaue our selues, and trueth is not in vs.

If we say we haue not sinned, we make him a lyar, and his worde is not in vs.

But the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne, Galla. 3, 22. that the Promise by the Fayth of Iesus Christ, should be geuen to them that beleeue.

EXHORTATION.

HE sayd vnto them, The whole neede not a Phisition, Math. 9, 12, 13. but they that are sicke.

But goe ye and learne what this is, I will haue mercie, and not Sacrifice: For I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.

The Lord is slow to anger, and of great mercie, Nom. 14, 18 Psal. 103, 3. and for­giuing iniquitie, and sinne: but not making the wic­ked innocent, and visiting the wickednes of the fa­thers vpon the children, in the thirde and fourth generation.

Say vnto them, As I liue, saith the Lord, Ezec. 33, 11. I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his way, and liue: Turne you, turne you from your euyl wayes, for why will ye die, O ye house of Israel.

[Page] Psal. 32, 1.Blessed is he whose wickednes is forgeuen, and whose sinne is couered.

1. Tim. 1, 15.This is a true saying, and by all meanes worthy to be re­ceaued, That Christ Iesus came into the worlde to saue sinners, of whom I am chiefe.

Mar. 2, 17.He sayd vnto them, the whole haue no neede of the Phi­sition, but the sicke. I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.

Exod. 34, 7.Reseruing mercie for thousandes, forgiuing iniquitie, and transgression, and sinne, and not making the wicked innocent, visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children, and vpon the childrens children vnto the thirde and fourth generation.

1. Pet. 4, 1.Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for vs in the flesh, arme your selues likewise with the same minde, (which is) that he which hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceassed from sinne.

1. Cor 6, 11. Eph. 2, 12, 13 Titus. 3, 3.And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are iustefied in the name of the Lord Iesus, and by the spirit of our God.

1. Pet. 1, 15, 16.As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all maner of conuersation.

Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.

Act. 3, 19.Amende your lyues therefore and turne, that your Sinnes may be put away, when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Rō. 6, 22.23.But now being freed from Sinne, and made seruantes vnto God, ye haue your fruite in holynes, and the ende euerlasting life.

For the wages of Sinne is death: but the gyft of God is eternall lyfe, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

[Page]If we acknowledge our sinnes, 1. Iohn. 1, 9. he is faythfull and iust to forgiue vs our Sinnes, and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnesse.

Speake vnto all the congregation of the children of Is­rael, and say vnto them, Ye shalbe holy, Leuit. 19, 2. & 20, 7. Luk. 1, 75. Deut. 10, 17 Rom. 2, 11. Galla. 2, 6. for I the Lord your God am holy.

OF IMAGES AND IDOLS.

YE shall see in Babylon Gods of Siluer, Bar. 6, 3, 13, 14, 18, 21, 22 and Gods of Wood, borne vpon mens shoulders, to cause the people to feare.

One holdeth a Scepter, as though he were a cer­taine Iudge of the Countrey, yet can he not slay such as offende him.

Another hath a Dagger or an Axe in his right hand, yet he is not able to defende him selfe from battayle, nor from theeues: So then it is euident that they be no Gods.

They lyght vp Candles before them, yea more then for them selues, whereof they cannot see one: for they are but as one of the postes of the Temple.

The Owles, Swallowes, and Birdes, flye vpon their bodyes, and vpon their heades; yea, and the Cattes also.

By this ye may be sure, that they are not Gods: Therefore feare them not.

All they that make an Image are vanitie, Esa. 44, 9. and their delectable thinges shall nothing profite: and they are their owne witnesses, that they see not nor know: therefore they shall be confounded.

[Page] Esa. 46, 7.They beare it vpon the shoulders: they cary him and set him in his place: so doth he stande, and can not remooue from his place. Though one cry vnto him, yet can he not answere, nor deliuer him out of his tribulation.

Psal. 115, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.Their Idols are siluer and golde: euen the worke of mens handes.

They haue a mouth and speake not: they haue eyes and see not.

They haue eares and heare not: they haue noses and smell not.

They haue handes and touch not: they haue feete and walke not: neither make they any sounde with their throate.

They that make them are like vnto them: so are all that trust in them.

Psal. 16, 4.The sorowes of them, that offer to an other God, shalbe multiplyed: their offerings of blood will I not offer, neither make mention of their names with my lyppes.

Ier. 10, 5.The Idoles stand vp as the palme tree, but speake not: they are borne, because they can not goe: feare them not, for they cannot do euyll, neither can they do good.

Wisd. 13, 10.Miserable are they, and among the dead is there hope, that call them Gods, which are the workes of mens handes, golde and siluer, and the thing that is inuented by art, and the similitude of beastes, or any vayne stone that hath been made by the hande of antiquitie.

Leuit. 26, 1.Ye shall make you none Idols nor grauen Ima­ges, [Page] neither reare you vp any Pillar, neither shall ye set any Image of Stone in your land, to bowe downe to it: for I am the Lord your God.

Ye shall take heede to all thinges that I haue said vnto you, Exod. 23, 13. and ye shall make no mention of the name of other Gods, neither shall it be heard out of thy mouth.

Neither company with these nations: that is, Iosh. 23, 7. with them which are left with you, neither make mention of the name of their Gods, nor cause to sweare by them, neither serue them, nor bow vn­to them.

The residue thereof he maketh a God, Esa. 44, 17. euen his Idoll; he boweth vnto it, and worshypeth & pray­eth vnto it, and sayth, Deliuer me, for thou art my God.

For mine owne sake, for mine owne sake, Esa. 48, 11, 12, 13. will I doe it: For how should my name be polluted? Surely I will not giue my glory to another.

Heare me O Iacob, and Israel my called: I am, I am, the first, and I am, the last.

Surely mine hand hath layde the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heauens: when I cal them, they stand vp together.

Cursed be the man that shall make any carued or molten Image, Deut. 27, 15. which is an abhomination to the Lord, the worke of the handes of the Craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place: And all the people shall answere and say, So be it.

EXHORTATION.

2. Cor. 6, 14, 15.BE not vnequally yoked with the Infidels: For what fellowshyp hath righteousnes with vnrighteousnes? and what communion hath light with darknes?

And what concorde hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath the beleeuer with the Infidell?

1. Iohn. 5, 21.Babes, keepe your selues from Idols. Amen.

1. Cor. 8, 4, 5, 6.Concerning therefore meate sacrificed vnto Idols, we know that an Idoll is nothing in the worlde, and that there is none other God but one.

For though there be that are called Gods, whether in heauen or in earth (as there be many Gods, and many Lordes)

Yet vnto vs there is but one God, which is the Father, of whom are all thinges, and we in him: and one Lord Iesus Christ, by whom are all thinges, and we by him.

1. Cor 10, 14.Wherefore my brethren, flee from Idolatrie.

Iohn. 13, 13.Ye call mee Maister, and Lord, and ye say well: for so am I.

1. Iohn. 4, 12.No man hath seene God at any time. If we loue one another, God dwelleth in vs, and his loue is perfect in vs.

Iohn. 1, 18.No man hath seene God at any time: the onely begot­ten Sonne, which is in the bosome of the Father, he hath declared him.

1. Cor. 12, 3.I declare vnto you, that no man speaking by the spirit of God, calleth Iesus execrable: Also, no man can say that Iesus is the Lorde, but by the holy Ghost.

[Page]The houre commeth, & now is, Iohn. 4, 23, 24. when the true worship­pers shall worship the Father in spirit and trueth: for the Father requireth euen such to worship him.

God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must wor­ship him in spirit and trueth.

And that euery tongue should confesse, Phil. 2, 11. that Iesus Christ is the Lord, vnto the glory of God the Father.

These shall fight with the Lambe, Reue. 17, 14. and the Lambe shall ouercome them: for he is Lord of Lordes, and King of Kinges: and they that are on his side, called, and chosen, and faythfull.

And he hath vpon his garment, and vpon his thigh, Reue. 19, 16. a name written, The King of Kinges, and Lord of Lordes.

I thanke him, which hath made mee strong, that is, 1. Tim. 1, 12 Christ Iesus our Lord: for he counted me faythfull, and put me in his seruice.

Who onely hath immortalitie, 1. Tim. 6, 16 and dwelleth in the light that none can attayne vnto, whom neuer man saw, neither can see: vnto whom be honour and power euerlasting, Amen.

OF ANTICHRIST and false Christes.

WHO is a lyar, 1. Iohn. 2, 22. but he that denieth that Ie­sus is Christ? the same is the Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Sonne.

And euery spirit which confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, 1. Iohn. 4, 3. is not of God, but is the spirit of Antichrist; of whom ye haue [Page] heard, how that he should come, and now already he is in the world.

1. Iohn. 4, 5.They are of the world, therefore speake they of the world, and the world heareth them.

2. Iohn. 7.Many deceyuers are entred into the worlde, which confesse not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh. He that is such one, is a deceyuer, and an Antichrist.

Math. 24, 5,Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceiue many.

2. Thes. 2.9.Euen him whose comming is by the working of Satan, with all power, and signes, and lying wonders.

Mat. 24, 24. Mar. 13, 22.There shall arise false Christes, and false Pro­phetes, and shall shew great signes and wonders; so that if it were possible, they should deceiue the very elect.

1. Iohn. 2, 18, 19.Babes, it is the last time, and as ye haue heard that Antichrist shall come, euen now are there many Antichristes: whereby we know, that it is the last time.

They went out from vs, but they were not of vs: For yf they had been of vs, they would haue con­tinued with vs. But this commeth to passe, that it might appeare, that they are not all of vs.

EXHORTATION.

Mat. 24, 23. Mar. 13, 21. Mat. 24, 25.IF any shall say vnto you, Loe, here is Christ, or there, beleeue it not.

Beholde, I haue tolde you before.

[Page]Wherefore if they shall say vnto you, Beholde, Mat. 24, 26. he is in the desart, goe not foorth: beholde, he is in the se­cret places, beleeue it not.

Then they shall say to you: Beholde heere, Luk 17, 23. or beholde there: But go not thither, neither folow them.

Take heede that ye be not deceiued, Luk. 21, 8. for many will come in may name, saying, I am Christ, and the time draweth neare: folow ye not them therefore.

And Iesus answered and sayd vnto them, Math. 24, 4. Mark. 13, 5. Take heede that no man deceiue you.

Let no man deceiue you with vayne wordes: Ephes. 5, 6. For such thinges commeth the wrath of God vpon the chil­dren of disobedience.

Let no man deceiue you by any meanes, 2. Thes. 2, 3. for that day shall not come, except there come a departing first, and that that man of Sinne be disclosed, euen the sonne of perdition.

OF FALSE PROPHETS, false Doctrine and Teachers.

SOnne of man, Eze. 13, 2, 3. prophecie against the Prophets of Israel that prophecie, and say thou vnto them that prophecie out of their owne hartes, Heare the worde of the Lord.

Thus sayth the Lord God, Woe vnto the foo­lysh Prophets that folow their owne spirite, and haue seene nothing.

And if the Prophet be deceiued when he hath spoken a thing, Eze. 14, 9. I the Lord haue deceiued that Pro­phet, and I will stretch out mine hand vpon him, [Page] and will destroy him from the middes of my peo­ple Israel.

Eze. 22, 25.There is a conspiracie of her Prophetes in the middes thereof like a roaring Lion, rauening the pray: they haue deuoured soules: they haue taken the riches and precious thinges: they haue made her many widowes in the mids thereof.

Ier. 23, 9, 11, 21.Mine hart breaketh within me because of the Prophets, all my bones shake: I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath ouercome, for the presence of the Lord, & for his holy words.

For both the Prophet and the Priest doe wic­kedly: and their wickednesse haue I founde in mine House, sayth the Lord.

I haue not sent these Prophetes, sayth the Lord: yet they runne: I haue not spoken to them, and yet they prophesied.

Ier. 14, 14.The Prophetes prophesie lyes in my name: I haue not sent them, neither did I commande them, neither spake I vnto them: But they prophesie vn­to you a false vision, and diuination, and vanitie, and deceitfulnesse of their owne hart.

Ier. 27, 15. and 29, 9.I haue not sent them, sayth the Lord, yet they prophesie a lye in my name, that I might cast you out, and that ye might perish, both you, and the Prophets that prophesie vnto you.

1. Tim. 2, 1.This know also, that in the last dayes, shall come perilous times.

2. Pet. 2, 1.There were false Prophetes also among the people, euen as there shalbe false Teachers among you: which priuily shall bring in damnable here­sies, [Page] euen denying the Lord, that hath bought them, and bring vpon themselues swift damna­tion.

And many shall folow their damnable wayes, 2. Pet. 2, 2. by whom the way of trueth shalbe euyll spoken of.

There are certayne men crept in, Iude. 4, 18. which were before of olde ordeyned to this condemnation: vngodly men they are, which turne the grace of our God into wantonnesse, and denie God the onely Lord, and our Lord Iesus Christ.

This first vnderstande, 2. Pet. 3, 3. that there shall come in the last dayes mockers, which will walke after their lustes.

The Prophet that shall presume to speake a worde in my name, Deut. 18, 20, 22. which I haue not commaun­ded him to speake, or that speaketh in the name of other Gods, euen the same Prophet shall die.

When a Prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, yf the thing folow not, nor come to passe, that is, the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the Prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not therefore be afrayde of him.

The Priestes sayd not, VVhere is the Lorde? Ier. 2, 8. And they that should minister the Law, knew me not: The Pastours also offended against me, and the Prophetes prophesied in Baal, and went after thinges that did not profit.

I know this, Act. 20, 29. that after my departing shall gree­uous Wolues enter in among you, not sparing the flocke.

[Page] 1. Timo. 4, 1.Now the spirite speaketh euidently, that in the later times some shall depart from the Fayth, and shall geue heede vnto Spirites of errour, and doct­rines of Deuils.

Galla. 1, 6, 7.I marueile that ye are so soone remoued away vnto another Gospel, from him that had called you in the grace of Christ,

Which is not another Gospell, saue that there be some which trouble you, and intende to peruert the Gospel of Christ.

2. Cor. 11, 13, 14.For such false Apostles are deceitfull workers, and transforme them selues into the Apostles of Christ.

And no marueile: for Satan him selfe is trans­formed into an Angel of light.

EXHORTATION.

Rom. 16, 17NOw I beseech you brethren, marke them diligent­ly which cause diuision and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned, and auoyde them.

1. Cor. 3, 10, 11.According to the grace of God giuen to mee, as a skil­full maister builder, I haue layde the foundation, and another buyldeth thereon: But let euery man take heede how he buyldeth vpon it.

For other foundation can no man lay, then that which is layde; which is Iesus Christ.

2. Iohn. 10.If there come any vnto you, and bring not this doct­rine, receiue him not to house, neither bid him, God speede.

[Page]But though that we, or an Angel from heauen, Galla, 1.8. preach vnto you otherwise, then that ye haue receiued, let him be accursed.

That we hencefoorth be no more children, Ephe. 4, 14. wauering and caryed about with euery winde of doctrine, by the deceit of men, and with craftines, whereby they lay in wayte to deceiue.

Beware of Dogges, beware of euill workers, Phil. 3, 2. beware of the concision.

Let no man at his pleasure beare rule ouer you by hum­blenes of minde, and worshypping of Angels, Collo. 2, 18. ad­uancing himselfe in those thinges which he neuer saw, rashly puft vp with his fleshly minde.

Beware of false Prophets, Math. 7, 15. which come to you in Sheepes clothing, but inwardly they are rauening Wolues.

Be not caryed about with diuers & strange doctrines: Heb. 14.9. for it is a good thing that the hart be stablished with grace, and not with meates, which haue not profited them that haue been occupied therein.

OF WORLDLY WISDOME.

BEHOLDE, Esa. 26 14. I will againe doe a marueylous worke in this people, euen a marueylous worke, and a wonder: for the wisedome of their wise men shall perish, and the vnderstanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

The knowledge of wickednes is not wisedome, Eccle. 19, 22 neither is there prudence whereas the counsaile of sinners is: but it is euen execrable malice, and the foole is voyde of wisedome.

[Page] Wisd. 1, 4.Wisedome can not enter into a wicked hart, nor dwell in the body that is subiect vnto sinne.

Eccle. 1, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18I haue geuen mine hart to search and finde out Wisedome, by all thinges that are done vnder the heauen: (this sore trauell hath God geuen to the sonnes of men, to humble them thereby.)

I haue considered all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and beholde all is vanitie and vex­ation of the spirit.

I thought in mine hart, and sayd, Beholde I am become great, and excell in wisedome all them that haue been before mee in Ierusalem: and myne hart hath seene much wisedome and knowledge.

And I gaue mine hart to know wisedome and knowledge, madnes and foolishnes: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit.

For in the multitude of wisedome is much griefe: and he that encreaseth knowledge, encrea­seth sorow.

Eccle. 38, 25.How can he get wisedome that holdeth the plough, and he that hath pleasure in the goad, and in driuing Oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and talketh but of the breede of Bullockes?

1. Cor. 1, 26.Brethren, you see your callyng, how that not many wyse men after the flesh, nor many mightie, nor many noble are called.

Rom. 8, 7.The wisedome of the flesh, is enimitie agaynst God: for it is not subiect to the law of God, ney­ther in deede can be.

Rom. 1, 22.When they professed themselues to be wyse, [Page] they became fooles.

This wisedome discendeth not from aboue: Iam. 3, 15. but is earthly, sensuall, and diuelysh.

For it is written, 1. Cor. 1, 19, 20. I will destroy the wisedome of the wyse; and I will cast away the vnderstanding of the prudent.

Where is the wyse? Where is the Scribe? Where is the disputer of this worlde? hath not God made the wisedome of this world foolishnes?

EXHORTATION.

HE taketh the Wise in their craftines, Iob. 5, 13. and the coun­sayle of the wicked is made foolish.

He onely that applyeth his minde to the law of the most high, Eccl. 39, 1, 9. and is occupied in the meditation there­of, seeketh out the wisedome of all the ancient, and exerciseth him selfe in the prophecies.

Many shall commende his vnderstanding, and his memorie shall neuer be put out, nor depart away: But his name shall continue from generation to ge­neration.

He that hath small vnderstanding, and feareth God, Eccle. 19, 23 is better then one that hath much wisedome, and transgresseth the Law of the most high.

The wisedome of a Learned man commeth by vsing well his vacant time: Eccle. 38, 24. and he that ceaseth from his owne matters and labour, may come by wisedome.

The preaching of the Crosse is to them that peryshe foolyshnesse: But vnto vs, which are saued, 1. Cor. 1, 18. it is the power of God.

[Page] 1. Cor 1, 21, 27, 28.For seeing the worlde by wisedome knew not God in the wisedome of God, it pleased God by the foolish­nesse of preaching, to saue them that beleeue.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise: and God hath chosen the weake things of the world, to confound the mighty things.

And vile thinges of the worlde, and thinges that are despised, hath God chosen, and thinges which are not, to bring to nought thinges that are.

1. Cor. 2, 6, 7, 8.And we speake wisedome among them that are per­fect: not the wisedome of this worlde, neither of the princes of this worlde, which come to nought.

But we speake the wisedome of God in a mysterie, euen the hid wisedome, which God had determined be­fore the worlde, vnto our glory.

Which none of the princes of this world hath knowen: For had they knowen it, they would not haue cruci­fied the Lord of glory.

1. Cor. 3, 18, 19.Let no man deceiue himselfe: If any man among you seeme to be wise in this worlde, let him be a foole, that he may be wise.

For the wisedome of this worlde, is foolyshnesse with God: For it is written, He catcheth the wise in their owne craftinesse.

Iam. 3, 17.The wisedome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie to be intreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudging, and without hipocrisie.

Eccle. 12, 13.Let vs heare the ende of all: Feare God, and keepe his commandementes: for this is the whole duetie of a man▪

OF RICHES AND RICH-MEN.

WOE be to you that are rich: Luk. 6, 24. for ye haue receiued your consolation.

Goe to now ye rich men: Iam. 5, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6. weepe and howle for your myseries that shall come vppon you. Your riches are corrupt, and your garmentes are motheaten.

Your golde and siluer is cankered, and the rust of them shalbe a witnesse against you, and shall eate your flesh, as it were fire. Ye haue heaped vp trea­sure for the last dayes.

Beholde, the hire of the labourers, which haue reaped your fieldes (which is of you kept backe by fraude) cryeth, and the cryes of them which haue reaped, are entred into the eares of the Lord of hostes.

Ye haue lyued in pleasure on the earth, and in wantonnesse. Ye haue nourished your hartes, as in a day of slaughter.

Ye haue condemned and haue killed the iust, and he hath not resisted you.

Riches auayle not in the day of wrath: Pro. 11, 4. But righteousnesse deliuereth from death.

The rich dealeth vnrighteously, Eccle. 13, 3.21. and threatneth withall: but the poore being oppressed, must in­treate. If the riche haue done wrong, he must yet be intreated: but if the poore haue done it, he shall straight wayes be threatned.

As the proude hate humilitie, so doe the riche [Page] abhor the poore.

Eccle. 13, 22, 23, 24.If a Rich man fall, his friendes set him vp againe: but when the poore falleth, his friendes driue him away.

If a Rich man offende, he hath many helpers: he speaketh proude wordes, and yet men iusti­fie him: But yf a poore man fayle, they rebuke him, and though he speake wisely, yet can it haue no place.

When the Rich man speaketh, euery man hol­deth his tongue, and looke what he sayth, they prayse it vnto the cloudes: But if the poore man speake, they say, VVhat fellow is this? And yf he doe amisse, they will destroy him.

Eccle. 11, 18, 19.Some man is rich by his care and niggardshyp, and this is the portion of his wages,

In that he sayth, I haue gotten rest, and now will I eate continually of my goodes: yet he con­sidereth not that the time draweth neare, that he must leaue all these thinges vnto other men, and die him selfe.

Eccle. 31, 3.The Rich man hath great laboure in gathe­ring riches togeather, and in his rest he is filled with pleasure.

Eccle. 4, 8.There is one alone, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there no ende of all his trauell, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doth he thinke, For whom doe I trauell, and de­fraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euyll trauell.

Eccle. 5, 9, 12 13.He that loueth Siluer, shall not be satisfied with [Page] Siluer: and he that loueth Riches, shalbe without the fruite thereof,

There is an euyll sicknes that I haue seene vn­der the sunne: to wit, riches reserued to the owners thereof for their euyll:

And those riches perish by euyll trauell: and he begetteth a sonne, and in his hand is nothing.

A man to whom God hath geuen riches, Eccle. 6, 2. and treasures, and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soule of all that he desireth: but God geueth him not power to eate thereof, but a stranger shall eate it vp: This is vanitie, and an euyll sick­nesse.

The Rich mans riches are his strong citie, Pro. 18, 11. and as an high wall, in his imagination.

Riches remayne not alway, Pro. 27, 24. nor the crowne from generation to generation.

What profit hath the pompe of riches brought vs? Wis. 5, 8, 9.13.

They passed away lyke a shadow, and as a Post that passeth by.

Euen so we, as soone as we be borne, we begin to draw to our ende, and haue shewed no token of vertue, but are consumed in our wickednesse.

Doubtles man walketh in a shadow, Psal. 39, 6. and disquie­tch him selfe in vayne: he heapeth vp riches, and can not tell who shall gather them.

VVhere are the Princes of the Heathen, Bar. 3, 17, 18 and such as horded vp siluer and golde, wherein men trust, and made none ende of their gatheringes?

They that coyned siluer, and were so carefull of [Page] their worke, and whose inuention had none ende,

Baru. 3, 19.Are come to nought, and gone downe to hell, and other men are come vp in their steedes.

Iob. 27, 8, 14 19, 23.What hope hath the hypocrite when he hath heaped vp riches, yf God take away his soule?

If his children be in great number, the sworde shall destroy them, and his posteritie shall not be satisfied with bread.

When the rich man sleepeth, he shall not be gathered to his fathers: they opened their eyes, and he was gone.

Euery man shall clap their handes at him, and hisse at him, out of their place.

Mar. 4, 19.The cares of this worlde, and the deceitfulnesse of riches, and the lustes of other thinges, enter in and choke the worde, and it is vnfruitfull.

Luk. 16, 13. Math. 6, 24.No seruant can serue two Maisters, for either he shall hate the one and loue the other, or els he shal loue the one and despise the other: ye can not serue God and Riches.

Eze. 7, 19.They shall cast their siluer in the streetes, and their golde shalbe cast farre off: Their siluer and their golde can not delyuer them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They shall not satisfie their soules, neither fill their bowels, for their ruine is for their iniquitie.

Zepha. 1, 18.Neither their siluer nor their golde shalbe able to deliuer them in the day of the Lordes wrath: But the whole lande shalbe deuoured by the fire of his ielousie, for he shall make euen a speedie rid­dance of all them that dwell in the land.

[Page]Iesus sayd vnto his disciples, Mat. 19, 23.24. Verely I say vnto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of heauen.

And agayne I say vnto you, It is easier for a Cammel to goe through the eye of a needle, then for a riche man to enter into the kingdome of God.

And I will say to my soule: Soule, Luk. 12, 19, 20, 21. thou hast much goodes layde vp for many yeeres: liue at ease; eate, drinke, and take thy pastime.

But God sayd vnto him. O foole, this nyght will they fetch away thy soule from thee: then whose shall those thinges be which thou hast pro­uided?

So is he that gathereth riches to him selfe, and is not rich in God.

EXHORTATION.

BLessed is the rich which is found without blemysh, Ecclu. 31, 8. and hath not gone after golde, nor heaped in money and treasures.

We came naked into this worlde, Iob. 1, 21. and naked we must goe foorth againe.

Trust not vnto thy riches: and say not, Ecclu. 5, 1, 8. I haue enough for my selfe: for it shall not helpe in the time of ven­gance and indignation.

Trust not in wicked riches, for they shall not helpe thee in the day of punishment and vengeance.

Beware least thou say in thine hart, My power, Deut. 8, 17. and the strength of mine owne hand, hath prepared me [Page] this abundance.

Luk. 12, 15.Take heede, and beware of couetousnesse: for though a man haue abundance, yet his lyfe standeth not in his riches.

1. Tim. 6, 17.Charge them that are rich in this worlde, that they be not high minded, and that they trust not in vn­certaine riches, but in the liuing God, which geueth vs abundantly all thinges to enioy.

OF PRIDE AND Proude-men.

Eccle. 10, 7, 12, 13, 14.19PRIDE is hatefull before God and man.

Why is earth and ashes proude, seeing that when a man dyeth he is the heire of Ser­pentes, beastes, and wormes.

The beginning of mans pride, is to fall away from God, and to turne away his hart from his maker.

Pride is the originall of Sinne, and he that hath it, shall powre out abhomination, tyll at last he be ouerthrowen: therfore the Lord bringeth the perswasion of the wicked to dishonour, and de­stroyeth them.

Pride was not created in man.

Psal. 10, 2, 4.The wicked with pride, doth persecute the poore: Let them be taken in the craftes that they haue imagined.

The wicked is so proude, that he seeketh not for God: he thinketh alwayes, There is no God.

[Page]The proude haue layde a snare for me, Psal. 140, 5. and spread a net with cordes in my path-way, and set grinnes for me.

The Lord cut off all flattering lyppes: Psal. 12, 3. and the tongue that speaketh proude thinges.

Lord, mine hart is not hautie, Psal. 131, 1. neither are mine eyes loftie: neither haue I walked in matters hid from me.

Let not the foote of pride come against me: Psal. 36, 11. and let not the hand of the wicked men moue me.

Mockerie and reproch folow the proude: Ecclu. 27, 28 and vengeance lurketh for them as a Lyon.

The proude man is as he that transgresseth by wine: therfore shall he not endure, Haba. 2, 5. because he hath enlarged his desire as the hell, and is as death, and can not be satisfied, but gathereth vnto him all na­tions, and heapeth vnto him all people.

The high looke of man shalbe humbled, Esa. 11, 11, 12. and the loftines of men shalbe abased; and the Lord onely shalbe exalted.

For the day of the Lord of hostes is vpon all the proude and hautie, and vpon all that is exalted, and it shalbe made low.

We haue heard the pride of Moab (he is excee­ding proud) his stoutnesse, and his arrogancie, Ier. 48, 29. and his pride, and the hautinesse of his hart.

A hautie looke, and a proude hatt, Pro. 21, 4.24 which is the lyght of the wicked, is sinne.

Proude, hautie, and scornefull, is his name, that worketh in his arrogancie wrath.

Pride goeth before destruction, Pro. 16.18. and an high [Page] minde, before the fall.

Pro. 11, 2.When pride commeth, then commeth shame: but with the lowlie is wisedome.

Pro. 29, 23.The pride of a man shall bring him low: but the humble in spirit shall enioy glory.

EXHORTATION.

Psal. 40, 4.BLessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and regardeth not the proude.

1. Pet. 5, 5, 6.Submit your selues euery man one to another: decke your selues inwardly in lowlinesse of minde: for God resisteth the proude, and geueth grace to the humble.

Humble your selues vnder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Ecclu. 10, 15 16, 18.The Lord hath cast downe the throne of the proude Princes, and set vp the meeke in their stead.

The Lord plucketh vp the rootes of the proud nations, and planteth the lowly among them.

God destroyeth the memoriall of the proude, and lea­ueth the remembrance of the humble.

Rom. 12, 10.Be affectioned to loue one another with brotherly loue: In geuing honour, goe one before another.

Iam. 4, 6, 10.But the Scripture offereth more grace, and therefore sayth, God resisteth the proude, and geueth grace to to the humble.

Cast downe your selues before the Lord, and he will lift you vp.

1. Pet 2, 17.Honour all men: loue brotherly felowshyp: feare God: honour the King.

[Page]Whosoeuer exalteth himselfe, shalbe brought low, Luk. 14.11. and. 18, 14. Mat. 23, 12. and he that humbleth himselfe, shalbe exalted.

OF WHOREDOME and Whoremongers.

FOR because of the whorish Woman, Pro. 6, 2, 32 a man is brought to a morsel of bread: and a woman will hunt for the precious life of a man.

He that committeth adulterie with a woman, he is destitute of vnderstanding: he that doth it, destroyeth his owne soule.

I saw among the fooles, Pro. 7, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 14, 15, 16. and considered among the children a young man destitute of vnderstan­ding,

Who passed through the streete in the twilight in the euening, when the night began to be blacke and darke.

And beholde, there met him a woman with an Harlots behauiour, and subtill in hart.

(Shee is babbling and loude: whose feete can not abyde in her house.

Now she is without, now in the streetes, and ly­eth in wayte at euery corner.)

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face sayd vnto him,

I haue peace offeringes, this day haue I payde my vowes.

Therefore came I foorth to meete thee, that I might seeke thy face: and I haue found thee.

I haue deckt my bed with ornamentes, Carpets, [Page] and laces of Egypt.

Pro. 7, 17, 18 19, 20, 21, 22 23.I haue perfumed my bed with Myrrhe, Oloes, and Cinamom.

Come, let vs take our fill of loue vntill the mor­ning: let vs take our pleasure in daliance:

For mine husband is not at home: he is gone a iourney a farre off.

He hath taken with him a bagge of siluer, and will come home at the day appoynted.

Thus with her great cralt she caused him to yeelde, and with her flatteryng lyppes she entised him.

And he folowed her straight wayes, as an Oxe to the slaughter, and as a foole to the stockes for correction,

Till a dart strike through his lyuer, as a birde hasteth to the snare, not knowing that he is in danger.

Pro. 19, 3.He that feedeth Harlottes, wasteth his sub­stance.

Ecclu. 9, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.Geue not thy life vnto a woman, least she ouer­come thy strength, and so thou be confounded.

Meete not an Harlot, least thou fall into her snares.

Vse not the company of a woman that is a sing­ger and a dauncer: neither heare her, least thou be taken by her craftines.

Gaze not on a Mayde, that thou fall not by that, that is precious in her.

Cast not thy minde vpon Harlots in any maner of thing, least thou destroy both thy selfe and thine [Page] heritage.

The lyppes of a strange woman drop as an hony combe, and her mouth is more soft then oyle: Pro. 5, 3, 4, 5, 6.

But the ende of her is bitter as wormewood, and sharpe as a two edged sworde.

Her feete goe downe to death, and her steppes take holde on hell.

She weigheth not the way of lyfe: her pathes are moueable, thou canst not know them.

An adulterous woman, Pro. 30, 20. she eateth and wypeth her mouth, and sayth, I haue not committed ini­quitie.

Thou shalt not commit adulterie. Exod. 20.14

In the middest of thee, Eze. 22, 9, 10 11. they haue committed ab­homination.

In thee haue they discouered their fathers shame. In thee haue they vexed her, that was polluted in her flowers.

And euery one hath committed abhomination with his neighbours wyfe: and euery one hath wickedly defiled his daughter in law: and in thee hath euery man forced his owne sister, euen his fa­thers daughter.

How should I spare thee for this? Ier. 5, 7, 8. Thy chidren haue forsaken mee, and sworne by them that are no Gods: though I fedde them to the full, yet they committed adulterie, and assembled them selues by companies in the harlottes houses.

They rose vp in the morning like fed Horses: for euery man neyed after his neighbours wyfe.

The man that committeth adulterie with an­other Leui. 20, 10. [Page] mans wife, because he hath committed ad­ulterie with his neighbours wife, the adulterer and the adulteresse shall die the death.

Leui. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, 19 20, 21.And the man that lyeth with his Fathers wyfe, because he hath vncouered his fathers shame, they shall both die: their blood shalbe vpon them.

Also, the man that lyeth with his daughter in Law, they both shall die the death: they haue wrought abhomination; their blood shalbe vpon them.

The man also that lyeth with the Male as one lyeth with a woman, they haue both committed abhomination: they shall die the death; their blood shalbe vpon them.

Likewise, he that taketh a wife and her mother, committeth wickednesse: they shall burne him and them with fire, that there be no wickednesse among you.

Deut. 23, 17, 18.There shalbe no whore of the daughters of Is­rael: neither shall there be a whore keeper of the sonnes of Israel.

Leui. 19, 29.Thou shalt not make thy daughter common, to cause her to be a whore, least the land also fall to whoredome, and the land fall of wickednes.

Eccle. 23, 17.18.All bread is sweete to a whore-monger: he will not leaue off tyll he perish.

A man that breaketh wedlocke, and thinketh thus in his hart, VVho seeth mee? I am compas­sed about with darknesse: the walles couer mee: no bodie seeth mee: VVhom neede I to feare? the most high will not remember my sinnes.

[Page]The same man shalbe punished in the streetes of the Citie, Eccle. 23, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 26. and shalbe chased like a young Horse foale: and when he thinketh not vpon it, he shalbe taken: Thus shall he be put to shame of euery man, because he would not vnderstande the feare of the Lord.

Ye haue heard that it was sayd vnto them of olde time, Thou shalt not commit adulterie. Math. 5, 27, 28.

But I say vnto you, that who soeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adulte­rie with her alreadie in his hart.

EXHORTATION.

TVrne away thine eye from a beautifull woman, Eccle. 9, 8. and looke not vpon others beautie: for many haue peri­shed by the beautie of women: for through it loue is kindled as a fire.

Heare ye mee now therefore O children, Pro. 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. and depart not from the wordes of my mouth.

Keepe thy way farre from her, and come not neare the doore of her house,

Least thou geue thine honour vnto others, and thy yeeres to the cruell:

Least the stranger should be filled with thy strength, and thy labours be in the house of a stranger,

And thou mourne at thine ende (when thou hast con­sumed thy flesh and thy body)

And say, How haue I hated instruction, and mine hart despised correction!

Let vs not commit fornication, as some of them did, 1. Cor. 10, 8. [Page] and fell in one day three and twentie thousande.

1. Cor. 6, 15.16, 18, 19, 20Know ye not, that your bodyes are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an Harlot? God forbid.

Doe you not know, that he which coupleth himselfe with an Harlot, is one body? for two, sayth he, shalbe one flesh.

Flie fornication: for euery sinne that a man doth, is without the body: But he that committeth fornica­tion, sinneth against his owne body.

Know ye not that your body is the temple of the holy Ghost, which is in you, whom ye haue of God? and ye are not your owne.

For ye are bought for a price: therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your spirit: for they are Gods.

Pro. 6, 24, 25Keepe thee from the wicked woman, and from the flat­terie of the tongue of a strange woman.

Desire not her beautie in thine hart, neither let her take thee with her eye-lids.

1. Cor. 6, 9.Know ye not that the vnrighteous shall not inherite the kingdome of God? Neither fornicators, nor ad­ulterers, nor wantons, nor buggerers.

Ephe. 5, 5, 3.This ye know, that no whoremongers, neither vn­cleane persons, hath any inheritaunce in the king­dome of Christ and of God.

But fornication, and all vncleannesse, let it not be once named amongst you, as it becommeth Sainctes.

OF DRVNKARDS and Gluttons.

IT is not for Kinges to drinke wine, Pro. 31, 4, 5, 6, 7. nor for Princes strong drinke,

Least he drinke and forget the decree, and change the iudgement of all the children of af­fliction.

Geue ye strong drinke vnto him that is ready to perish, & wine vnto them that haue griefe of hart.

Let him drinke, that he may forget his pouertie, and remember his miserie no more.

To whom is woe? to whom is sorow? Pro. 23, 29.30, 31, 32. to whom is strife? to whom is murmuring? to whom are woundes without cause? and to whom is the red­nesse of the eyes?

Euen to them that tary long at the wine, to them that goe, and seeke mixt wine.

Looke not thou vpon the wine, when it is red, and when it sheweth his colour in the cup, or go­eth downe pleasantly.

In the ende thereof it will bite like a Serpent, and hurt like a Cockatrise.

Woe vnto them that rise vp early to folow drunkennesse, Esa. 5, 11, 12. and to them that continue vntyll nyght, till the wine do inflame them.

And the harpe, and the viole, timbrell and pipe, and wine, are in their faces: but they regard not the worke of the Lord, neither consider the worke of his handes.

[Page] Esa. 5, 22.Woe vnto them that are mightie to drinke wine; and to them that are strong to power in strong drinke.

1. Esdr. 3, 18, 19, 22, 23.O ye men, how strong is wine? it deceiueth all men that drinke it.

It maketh the minde of the king and of the fa­therlesse both one; of the bondman, and of the freeman, of the poore man and of the rich man.

When men haue drunke, they haue no minde to loue eyther friendes or brethren; and a litle af­ter they draw out swordes.

But when they are from the wine, they do not remember what they haue done.

Esa. 28, 7.8.They haue erred because of wine, and are out of the way by strong drinke. The Priest and the Prophet haue erred by strong drinke, they are swallowed vp with wine, they haue gone astray through strong drinke, they fayle in vision, they stumble in iudgement.

For all their Tables are full of filthy vomyting; no place is cleane.

Esa. 56, 12.Come, I will bring wine, and we will fill our selues with strong drinke, and to morow shalbe as this day, and much more abundant.

Haba. 2, 15.Woe vnto him that geueth his neighbour drinke: thou ioynest thine hart and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest see their priuities.

Leui. 10, 9.Thou shalt not drinke wine nor strong drinke, thou, nor thy sonnes with thee, when ye come into the Tabernacle of the congregation, least ye die: this is an ordinance for euer throughout your [Page] generation.

Wine is a mocker, and strong drinke is raging: Pro, 20, 1. and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby is not wise.

Wine drunken with excesse, Eccle. 31, 29, 30. maketh bitternesse of minde with brawlinges and scouldinges.

Drunkennesse increaseth the courage of a foole, till he offende: it diminisheth his strength, and ma­keth woundes.

EXHORTATION.

DOE that to no man which thou hatest: Tob. 4, 15. Drinke not Wine to make thee drunke, neither let drunken­nesse goe with thee in thy iourney.

Shew not thy valiantnesse in Wine: Eccle. 31, 15, 16, 17. for Wine hath destroyed many.

Eate moderately that which is set before thee, and de­uoure not, least thou be hated.

Leaue thou off first for manners sake, and be not insa­tiable, least thou offende.

Keepe not company with drunkardes, Pro. 23, 20. nor with glut­tons.

Be not drunke with Wine, wherein is excesse: Ephe. 5, 18. but be filled with the spirit.

Take heede to your selues, Luk. 21, 34. least at any time your hartes be oppressed with surfetting and drunkennesse and cares of this life, and least that day come on you at vnwares.

OF COVETOVSNES.

Eccle. 14, 9.A Couetous mans eye hath neuer ynough of a portion, and his wicked malice wythereth his owne soule.

Eccle. 10, 9.There is nothing worse then a couetous man: Why art thou proude, O earth and ashes? There is not a more wicked thing then to loue money: for such one would euen sell his soule, and for his lyfe euery one is compelled to pull out his owne bowels.

Eccle. 31, 1, 2.Waking after riches, pineth away the body: and the care thereof dryueth away sleepe.

This waking care breaketh the sleepe, as a great sicknes breaketh the sleepe.

Esa. 3, 14, 15.The Lord shall enter into iudgement with the auncientes of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye haue eaten vp the vineyarde, the spoyle of the poore is in your houses.

What haue ye to do, that ye beate my people to peeces, and grinde the faces of the poore, sayth the Lord, euen the Lord of hostes?

Esa. 56, 11.And these greedy Dogges can neuer haue ynough: and these Sheepheards can not vnder­stande: for they all looke to their owne way, euery one for his aduantage, and for his owne purpose.

Esa. 5.8,Woe vnto them that ioyne house to house, and lay fielde to fielde, till there be no place, that ye may be placed by your selues in the myds of the earth.

[Page]As a cage is full of birdes, Ier. 5, 27, 28. so are their houses full of deceipt: thereby they are become great, and waxen rich.

They are waxen fat and shyning: they do ouer passe the deedes of the wicked: they execute no iudgement, no not the iudgement of the Fatherles; yet they prosper, though they execute no iudge­ment for the poore.

Therefore will I giue their wyues vnto others, Ier. 8, 10. and their fieldes to them that shall possesse them: for euery one from the least to the greatest, is euen too couetous: and from the Prophet euen vnto the Priest, euery one dealeth falsely.

He hath vndone many: Iob. 20, 19. he hath forsaken the poore, and hath spoyled houses which he buylt not.

Incline mine hart vnto thy testimonies, Psal. 116, 36 and not to couetousnesse.

The graue and destruction can neuer be full: Pro, 27, 20. So the eyes of a man can neuer be satisfied.

EXHORTATION.

BEtter is a litle with the feare of the Lord, Pro. 15, 16. then great treasure and trouble therewith.

A small thing vnto the iust man, Psal. 37, 16. is better then great riches to the wicked and mightie.

Let your conuersation be without couetousnes, Iam. 13, 5. and be content with those thinges that ye haue: for he hath sayd, I will not fayle thee, neither forsake thee.

[Page] Collo. 3.5.Mortifie your members which are on the earth, for­nication, vncleannesse, the inordinate affection, euyll concupisence, and couetousnesse which is ido­latrie.

1. Timo. 6, 9, 10.They that wilbe rich, fall into tentation and snares, and into many foolish and noysome lustes, which drowne men in perdition and distruction.

The desire of money is the roote of all euyll, which while some lusted after, they erred from the fayth, and pearsed them selues through with many sor­rowes.

Luk. 12, 33. Math. 6, 19.20, 21.Lay not vp treasures for your selues vpon the earth, where the Moth and canker corrupt, and where theeues digge through and steale.

But lay vp Treasures for your selues in heauen, where neither the Moth nor canker corrupteth, and where theeues neither digge through nor steale.

For where your treasure is, there will your hart be also.

Ephe. 5, 3.But fornication, and all vncleannesse, or couetousnesse, let it not be once named amongst you, as it becom­meth Sainctes.

OF VSVRIE AND VSVRERS.

Deut. 23, 19.THOV shalt not giue to vsurie to thy bro­ther: as vsurie of money, vsurie of meate, vsurie of any thing that is put to vsurie.

Exod. 22, 25.If thou lende money to my people, that is, to [Page] the poore with thee, thou shalt not be as a Vsurer vnto him: ye shall not oppresse him with Vsurie.

If thou take thy neighbours rayment to pledge, thou shalt restore it vnto him before the Sunne going downe.

Thou shalt take no Vsurie of thy brother, Leui. 25, 36, 37. nor vantage: but thou shalt feare thy God, that thy bro­ther may lyue with thee.

Thou shalt not giue him thy money to Vsurie, nor lende him thy victuals for increase.

He that increaseth his riches by Vsurie and in­terest, Pro. 28, 8. gathereth them for him that wilbe mercifull vnto the poore.

The poore and the vsurer meete togeather, Pro. 29, 13. and the Lord lyghteneth both their eyes.

Lord who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle? Psal. 15, 1, 5. who shall rest in thine holy mountaine?

He that geueth not his money vnto Vsurie, nor taketh reward against the innocent.

In thee haue they taken gyftes to shed blood: Eze. 22, 12. Thou hast taken Vsurie, and the increase, and thou hast defrawded thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten mee, sayth the Lord.

He that hath not oppressed any, Eze. 18, 7, 8. but hath resto­red the pledge: He that hath spoyled none by vio­lence, but hath geuen his bread to the hungrie, and hath couered the naked with a garment, and hath not geuen forth vpō vsurie, neither hath taken any increase, but hath withdrawen his hand from ini­quitie, & hath executed true iudgment betweene man and man, He shall surely lyue, sayth the Lord.

EXHORTATION.

Deu. 15, 7, 8.IF one of thy brethren be poore, thou shalt not har­den thine hart, nor shut thine hand from thy poore brother:

But thou shalt open thine hand vnto him, and shalt lende him sufficient for his neede which he hath.

Math. 5, 42Giue to him that asketh: and from him that woulde borrow of thee turne not away.

Luk. 6, 34, 35.And if ye lende to them of whom ye hope to receiue, what thanke shall ye haue? for euen the sinners lende to sinners, to receiue the like.

Wherefore, Loue ye your enimies, and doe good, and lende, looking for nothing againe, and your reward shalbe great, and ye shalbe the children of the most High: for he is kinde vnto the vnkinde, and to the euyll.

OF FALSE WEIGHTES and Measures.

Deut. 25, 13, 14.THOV shalt not haue in thy bagge two ma­ner of Weightes, a great and a small.

Neither thou shalt haue in thine house, di­uers Measures, a great and a small.

Pro. 11, 1.False Balances are an abhomination vnto the Lord: but a perfect Weight pleaseth him.

Pro. 20, 10.Diuers Weightes, and diuers Measures, both these are euen abhomination vnto the Lord.

Hose. 12, 7.He is Canaan: the Balances of deceit are in his [Page] hand: he loueth to oppresse.

With him is strength and wisedome: Iob. 12, 16. he that is deceiued, and he that deceiueth, is his.

Ye shall not doe vniustly in iudgement, in line, Leuit. 19, 35. in weight, or in measure.

EXHORTATION.

A True Weight and Balance are of the Lord: Pro. 16, 11. all the Weightes of the bagge are his worke. Leuit. 19, 36

Ye shall haue iust Balances, true Weightes, a true Ephah, and a true Hin. I am the Lord your God, which haue brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Thou shalt haue a right and a iust Weight: Deut. 25, 15, 16. a perfect and a iust Measure shalt thou haue, that thy dayes may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee.

For all that doe such thinges, and all that doe vnrigh­teously, are abhomination vnto the Lord thy God.

OF SWEARING.

THOV shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine, Exo. 20, 7. Deut. 5, 11. for the Lord will not hold him giltles, that taketh his name in vaine.

Also, ye shall not sweare by my name falsely, Leui, 19, 12. neither shalt thou defile the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Let none of you imagine euyll in your hartes a­gainst his neighbour, and loue no false oth: Zecha. 8, 17. for all these are the thinges that I hate, sayth the Lord.

[Page] Psal. 15, 4.In whose eyes a vile person is contemned: but he honoureth them that feareth the Lord. He that sweareth to his owne hinderaunce, and changeth not.

Ier. 5, 2.Though they say, The Lord liueth, yet doe they sweare falsely.

Eccle. 23, 11.A man that vseth much Swearing, shalbe filled with wickednes, and the plague shal neuer go from his house: when he shall offende, his fault shalbe vpon him; and yf he knowledge not his sinne, he maketh a double offence: and yf he sweare in vayne, he shall not be innocent, but his house shall be full of plagues.

EXHORTATION.

Ecclu. 23, 13VSE not thy mouth to ignorant rashnesse, or inor­dinate Swearing: for therein is the occasion of sinne.

Math. 5, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37Ye haue heard that it is sayd to them of olde time, Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe, but shalt per­forme thine othes to the Lord.

But I say vnto you, Sweare not at all, neither by heauen, for it is the throne of God:

Nor yet by the earth: for it is his footestoole: neither by Ierusalem: for it is the citie of the great King.

Neither shalt thou sweare by thine head, because thou canst not make one haire white or blacke.

But let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay. For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euyll.

[Page]But before all thinges, my brethren, Sweare not, Iam. 5, 12. nei­ther by heauen, nor by earth, nor by any other othe: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, least ye fall into condemnation.

Accustome not thy mouth to Swearing, Ecclu. 23, 9. for in it there are many faultes: neither take vp for a custome the naming of the holy one: for thou shalt not be vnpu­nished for such thinges.

OF LYING.

YE are of your father the Deuill, Iohn. 8, 44. and the lustes of your father ye will doe: He hath been a murtherer from the beginning, and abode not in the trueth, because there is no trueth in him. When he speaketh a lie, then speaketh he of his owne: for he is a lyar, and the father thereof.

They haue sharpened their tongues lyke a Ser­pent: Adders poyson is vnder their lippes. Psal. 140, 3.

Take from me the way of Lying: Psal. 119, 29 and graunt me graciously thy law.

A faythfull witnesse will not lye: Pro. 14, 5. but a false re­corde will speake lyes.

A false witnesse shall not be vnpunished, Pro. 19, 5. and he that speaketh lyes shall not escape.

Now therefore, beholde, 1. kin. 22, 23. the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets, and the Lord hath appoynted euyll against thee.

The Lord shall haue no pleasure in their young men, Esa. 9, 17. neither will he haue compassion of the fa­therles [Page] and their widowes: for euery one is an hy­pocrite, and wicked, and euery mouth speaketh follie.

Iob, 13, 4.For in deede ye forge lyes, and all you are phisi­tians of no value.

Pro. 17, 4.The wicked geueth heede to false lippes, and a lyar harkeneth to the naughtie tongue.

Esa. 19, 14.The Lord hath mingled among them the spirits of errours, and they haue caused Egypt to erre in euery worke thereof, as a drunken man erreth in his vomyte.

Pro. 12, 22.The lying lippes are an abhomination to the Lord: but they that deale truely, are his delight.

Psal. 120, 2.Deliuer my soule, O Lord, from lying lippes, and from a deceitfull tongue.

Act. 5, 3, 4. Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine hart, that thou shouldest lie vnto the holy Ghost, and keepe away part of the price of the possession?

Whiles it remayned, appertained it not vnto thee? and after it was solde, was it not in thine owne power? How is it that thou hast conceiued this thing in thine hart? thou hast not lyed vnto men, but vnto God.

Eccle. 20, 23, 24.25.A lye is a wicked shame in a man: yet it is oft in the mouth of the vnwyse.

A theefe is better, then a man that is accustomed to lye: but they both shall haue destruction to he­ritage.

The conditions of lyars are vnhonest, and their shame is euer with them.

EXHORTATION.

CAst off lying, Ephe. 4, 25. and speake euery man trueth vnto his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Lye not one to another, Collo. 3, 9. seeing that ye haue put off the olde man, with his workes.

Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, Psal. 40, 4. and regardeth not the proude, nor such as turne aside to lyes.

Sowe not a lye against thy brother, Ecclus. 7, 12. nor doe the same against thy friende.

These are the thinges that ye shall doe, Zecha. 8, 16. Speake ye euery man the trueth vnto his neighbour: execute iudge­ment truely, and vprightly in your gates.

Keepe thy tongue from euyll, Psal. 34, 13. and thy lippes that they speake no guyle.

Vse not to make any maner of lye: Ecclus. 7, 13. for the custome thereof is not good.

If any man long after life, and to see good dayes, 1. Pet. 3, 10. let him refraine his tongue from euyll, and his lippes that they speake no guyle.

OF BACKBITERS and Tale-bearers.

THOV shalt not walke about with Tales among the people. Leui. 19, 16. Thou shalt not stande a­gainst the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.

A Backbiter defileth his owne soule, Ecclu. 21, 28 and is hated [Page] wheresoeuer he is: But he that keepeth his tongue and is discreet, shall come to honour.

Pro. 18, 8. & 26, 22.The wordes of a Tale-bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.

Pro. 11, 13.He that goeth about as a Slanderer, discouereth a secret: but he that is of a faythfull hart, concealeth a matter.

Psal. 140, 11.The Backbiter shall not be established vpon the earth: euyll shall hunt the cruell man to destructi­on.

Eccle. 10, 11.If the Serpent bite when he is not charmed, no better is a Babler.

EXHORTATION.

Eccle. 28, 13.ABhorre the Slanderer and double tongued: for such haue destroyed many that were at peace.

Eccle. 5, 15.Be not counted a Tale-bearer, and lie not in wayte with thy tongue: for shame and repentance folowe the theefe, and an euyll condemnation is ouer him that is double tongued: But he that is a Backbiter shalbe hated, enuied, and confounded.

Psal. 15, 3.Lord, Who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle? &c.

He that slandereth not with his tongue, nor doth euyll to his neighbour, nor receiueth a false report against his neighbour.

OF SCORNING and Mocking.

A Scorner seeketh wisedome, and findeth it not: Pro. 14, 6. but knowledge is easie to him that will vn­derstand.

The wicked thought of a foole is sinne, Pro. 24, 9. and the Scorner is an abhomination vnto men.

When the Scorner is punished, Pro. 19, 25. & 21, 11. the foolish is wise: and when one instructeth the wise, he will receiue knowledge.

With the scornefull he scorneth, Pro. 3, 34. but geueth grace to the humble.

O Lord, thou hast deceiued me, Ier. 20, 7. and I am de­ceiued: thou art stronger then I, and hast preuay­led: I am in derision dayly, euery one mocketh me.

The Sonne of man came eating and drinking, Mat. 11, 19. and they say, Beholde a glutton, and a drinker of wine, a friende vnto Publicans and Sinners: but wisedome is iustified of her children.

The eye that mocketh his father, Pro. 30, 17. and despiseth the instruction of his mother, let the Rauens of the valley plucke it out, and the young Eagles eate it.

He that reproueth a Scorner, Pro. 9, 7. purchaseth to him­selfe shame: and he that rebuketh the wicked, get­teth himselfe a blot.

And others mocked, and sayd, Act. 2, 13. They are full of new wine.

And the people stoode and beholde, Luk. 23, 35. and the [Page] Rulers mocked him with them, saying, He saued others, let him saue him selfe, yf he be the Christ, the chosen of God.

Luk. 24, 36.The Souldiers also mocked him, and came and offered him vineger.

Iob. 12, 4.I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who cal­leth vpon God, and he heareth him: The iust and the vpright is laughed to scorne.

Pro. 13, 12.A Scorner loueth not him that rebuketh him, neither will he goe vnto the wise.

EXHORTATION.

Ecclu. 7, 11.LAugh no man to scorne in the heauines of his soule: for God which seeth all things, is he that can bring downe, and set vp againe.

Pro. 13, 1.A wise sonne will obey the instruction of his father: but a scorner will heare no rebuke.

Pro. 1, 22.O ye foolish, how long will ye loue foolishnes? and the scornefull take their pleasure in scorning, and the fooles hate knowledge.

Pro. 17, 5.He that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him that made him: and he that reioceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.

Pro. 9, 8.Rebuke not a scorner, least he hate thee: but rebuke a wise man, and he will loue thee.

Psal. 14, 6.You haue made a mocke at the counsayle of the poore, because the Lord is his trust.

OF ANGER AND WRATH.

AN Angrie man stirreth vp strife: Pro. 15, 18. but he that is slow to wrath, appeaseth strife.

He that is slow to Anger, Pro. 16, 32. is better then the mightie man: and he that ruleth his owne minde, is better then he that winneth a citie.

An Angrie man styrreth vp strife, Pro. 29, 22. and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; Pro. 19, 11. and his glorie is, to passe by an offence.

There is not a more wicked head, Ecclu. 25, 17 18, 19, 20. then the head of a Serpent: and there is no Wrath aboue the Wrath of an enemie.

I had rather dwell with a Lyon and Dragon, then to keepe house with a wicked wyfe.

The wickednes of a woman changeth her face, and maketh her countenance blacke as a sacke.

Her husband is sitting amongst his neighbours, because of her he sigheth sore or he beware.

It is better to dwel in the wildernesse, Pro. 21, 19. then with a contentious and angrie woman.

He that is hastie to Anger, committeth follie: Pro. 14, 17. and a busie body is hated.

As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth; Ecclu. 28, 10 and mans anger is according to his power: and accor­ding to his riches his anger increaseth; and the more vehement the anger is, the more is he infla­med.

EXHORTATION.

Eccle. 7, 11.BE not thou of an hastie spirit, to be angrie: for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles.

Psal. 37, 8.Cease from Anger, and leaue of Wrath: fret not thy selfe also to doe euyll.

Ephe. 4, 26.Be angrie, but sinne not: Let not the Sunne goe downe vpon your wrath.

Ecclu. 8, 16.Striue not with him that is angrie, and goe not with him into the wildernes: for blood is nothing in his sight: And where there is no helpe, he will ouer­throw thee.

Pro. 22, 24, 25.Make no friendshyp with an angrie man, neither goe with the furious man,

Least thou learne his wayes, and receiue destruction to thy soule.

Math. 5, 22.I say vnto you, Whosoeuer is angrie with his brother vnaduisedly, shalbe culpable of iudgement. And whosoeuer sayth vnto his brother, Raca, shalbe worthy to be punished by the counsell. And whoso­euer shall say, Foole, shalbe worthy to be punished with hell fire.

OF ENVIE, HATRED, and Strife.

Eccle. 14, 8.THE enuious man hath a wicked looke: hee turneth away his face, and enuieth men.

Ecclu. 30, 24Enuie and Wrath shorten the lyfe: and carefulnes bringeth age before the time.

[Page]Eate not the bread of him that hath an euyll eye, Pro. 23, 6, 7. neither desire his dayntie meates:

For as though he thought it in his hart, so will he say vnto thee, Eate and drinke: but his hart is not with thee.

As the coale maketh burning coales, Pro. 26, 21, 26, 24. and wood a fire: so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.

Hatred may be couered by deceit: but the ma­lice thereof shalbe discouered in the congrega­tion.

He that hateth, will counterfeit with his lips, but in his hart he layeth vp deceit.

Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, Pro. 17, 1. then an house full of sacrifices with strife.

It is a mans honour to cease from strife: Pro 20, 3. but euery foole wilbe medling.

Where enuying and strife is, there is sedition, Iam. 3, 16. and all maner of euyll workes.

Neither will I haue to doe with consuming en­uie, Wisd. 6, 23. for such a man shall not be pertaker of wise­dome.

EXHORTATION.

LEt vs not be desirous of vayne glorie, Galla. 5, 26. prouoking one another, enuying one another.

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine hart: Leui. 19, 17. but thou shalt playnely rebuke thy neighbour, and suf­fer him not to sinne.

Should a man beare hatred against a man, Eccle. 28, 3. and desire [Page] forgiuenesse of the Lord.

Beware of Strife, and thou shalt make thy sinnes fewer: for an angrie man kindleth Strife.

2. Tim. 2.23Put away foolysh and vnlearned questions, knowing that they ingender Strife.

Rom. 13, 13.So that we walke honestly, as in the day, not in glutto­nie and drunkennesse, neither in chambering or wantonnesse, nor in strife and enuying.

OF SLOVTH AND IDLENES.

Pro. 26, 15.THE Slouthfull hideth his hand in his bo­some, and it greeueth him to put it agayne to his mouth.

Pro. 18, 9,He that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.

Pro. 19, 15.Slouthfulnesse causeth to fall a sleepe, and a de­ceitfull person shalbe affamyshed.

Pro. 21, 25.The desire of the slouthfull, slayeth him: for his handes refuse to worke.

Pro. 20, 4.The slouthfull will not plough because of win­ter: therefore shall he begge in Sommer, but haue nothing.

Pro. 12, 11.He that tilleth his Land, shalbe satisfied with bread: but he that foloweth the Idle, is desti­tute of vnderstanding.

Eccl. 10, 17Seeke not excuses when thou shouldest do thy worke, neither be ashamed therof through pride, in time of aduersitie.

Eccl. 22, 1, 2.A slouthfull man is lyke a fylthy Stone, which [Page] euery man mocketh at for his shame.

A slouthful man is to be compared to the doung of Oxen: and euery one that taketh it vp, wil shake it out of his hand.

By slouthfulnesse the roofe of the house goeth to decay: and by the idlenesse of the handes, Eccl. 10, 18 the house droppeth through.

EXHORTATION.

MY Sonne, in all thy workes be quicke, Eccl. 31, 22 so shall there no sicknesse come vnto thee.

Goe to the Pismyre, O Sluggarde, Beholde her wayes, Pro. 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. and be wyse.

Be not slouthfull to do seruice, feruent in spirit, Rom. 12, 11. seruing the Lord.

When we were with you, this we warned you off, 2. Thes. 3, 10, 11, 12. That yf there were any which would not worke, that he should not eate.

For wee heard, that there are some which walke among you inordinately, and worke not at all, but are busie bodyes.

Therefore, them that are such, we commaund and ex­hort by our Lord Iesus Christ, that they worke with quietnes, and eate their owne bread.

And that ye studie to be quiet, 1. Thes. 4, 11. and to meddle with your owne busines, and to worke with your owne handes, as we commaunde you.

Ye know that these handes haue ministred vnto my necessities, and to them that were with me. Act. 20, 34.

[Page] 1. Cor. 4, 12.And labour, working with our owne handes: we are reuiled, and yet we blesse: we are persecuted, and suffer it.

1. Thes. 2, 9.For ye remember, brethren, our labour and trauaile: for we laboured day and nyght, because we woulde not be chargeable vnto any of you, and preached vnto you the Gospel of God.

OF THE TONGVE, and euyll speaking.

Iam. 3, 2, 5, 6, 8.IN many thinges we sinne all. If any man sinne not in worde, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.

The Tongue is a litle member, and bosteth of great thinges: beholde how great a thing a litle fire kindleth.

The Tongue is fire, yea a worlde of wickednes: So is the Tongue set amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.

The Tongue can no man tame. It is an vnrulie euyll, full of deadly poyson.

Eccle. 5, 14.Honour & shame is in the talke, and the Tongue of a man causeth him to fall.

Pro. 12, 13.The euill man is snared by the wickednes of his lyppes: but the iust shall come out of aduer­sitie.

Pro. 13, 2.A man shall eate good thinges by the fruite of his mouth: but the soule of the trespassers, shall suffer violence.

[Page]He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his lyfe: Pro. 13, 3. but he that openeth his lyppes, destruction shalbe to him.

A false Tongue hateth the afflicted, Pro. 26, 28. and a flat­tering mouth causeth ruine.

No constancie is in their mouth: Psal. 5, 9. within they are very corrupt: their throate is an open Sepul­cher, and they flatter with their tongues.

The stroke of the rodde maketh markes in the flesh: Eccle. 28, 17, 18, 19. but the stroke of the Tongue breaketh the bones.

There be many that haue perished by the edge of the sworde: but not so many as haue fallen by the tongue.

Well is him that is kept from an euyll tongue, and commeth not in the anger therof, which hath not drawen in that yoke, neither hath been bound in the bandes thereof.

The man that is accustomed to opprobrious wordes, Ecclu. 23, 15 will neuer be reformed all the dayes of his lyfe.

Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of vn­derstandyng, Ecclus. 25, 8. and that hath not fallen with his tongue, and that hath not serued such as are vnwor­thy of hym.

Blessed is the man that hath not fallen by the worde of his mouth, Ecclus. 14, 1. and is not tormented with the sorrow of sinne.

He that refrayneth his tongue, Ecclu. 19, 6. may lyue with a troublesome man: and he that hateth babling, shall haue lesse euyll.

[Page] Ecclu. 19, 16A man falleth with his Tongue, but not with his will: and who is he that hath not offended in his Tongue?

EXHORTATION.

1. Pet. 3, 10.IF a man long after lyfe, and to see good dayes, let him refrayne his Tongue from euyll, and his lippes that they speake no guyle.

Ephe. 4, 31.Let all bitternesse, and anger, and wrath; rayling and euyll speaking, be put away from you, with all mali­ciousnesse.

Ephe. 5, 4.Neither filthynesse, neither foolish talking, neither iesting, which are thinges not comely, but rather geuing of thankes.

Eccle. 28, 25, 26.Binde vp thy siluer and golde, and weigh thy wordes in a balance, and make a doore and a barre, and a sure brydle for thy mouth.

Beware that thou slyde not by it, and so fall before him that lyeth in wayte, and thy fall be incureable, euen vnto death.

1. Pet. 4, 11.If any man speake, let him talke as the wordes of God.

Pro. 4, 24.Put away from thee a froward mouth, and put wicked lyppes farre from thee.

Collo. 3, 8.Now put ye away euen all these thinges, wrath, anger, maliciousnes, cursed speaking, filthy speaking, out of your mouth.

OF FAIGNED FRIENDES and Friendshyp.

LET euery one take heede of his neighbour, Ier. 9, 4. and trust you not in any brother: for euery brother wyll vse deceipt, and euery Frinde wyll deale deceitfully.

Some man is a Friende for his owne occasion, Ecclus. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. and wyll not abide in the day of thy trouble.

And there is some Friende that turneth to en­mitie, and taketh part against thee, and in conten­tion he wyll declare thy shame.

Againe, some Friend is but a companion at thy table, and in the day of thy affliction he continu­eth not:

But in thy prosperitie he wylbe as thou thy selfe, and wyll vse libertie ouer thy seruantes.

If thou be brought low, he wylbe agaynst thee, and wyll hide him selfe from thy face.

Euery Friend sayth, I am a Friend vnto him also: Ecclus. 37, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. but there is some Friend, which is onely a Friend in name.

Remaineth there not heauines vnto death, when a companion & Friend is turned to an enemie?

There is some companion which in prosperitie reioyceth with his Friend: but in the time of trou­ble is against him.

There is some companion that helpeth his Friend for the bellies sake, and taketh vp the buc­kler against the enemie.

[Page] Pro. 27, 10.Thine owne friende, and thy fathers friende, forsake thou not; neyther enter into thy brothers house in the day of thy calamitie: for bettet is a neighbour that is neare, then a brother farre off.

Ecclu. 27, 16Who so discouereth secrets, looseth his credite, and findeth no friend after his will.

Ecclu. 6, 1.Be not of a friend, thy neighbours enemie: for such shall haue an euyll name, shame, and reproch: and he shall be in infamie as the wicked, that hath a double tongue.

EXHORTATION.

Ecclu, 6, 7.IF thou gettest a Friend, proue him first; and be not hastie to credite him.

Ecclu. 27, 17Loue thy Friende, and be faythfull vnto him: but yf thou bewrayest his secretes, thou shalt not get him againe.

Pro. 18, 24.A man that hath Friendes, ought to shew himselfe friendly: for a Friend is nearer then a brother.

Ecclu. 6, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17Holde Friendshyp with many; neuerthelesse haue but one counsaylour of a thousand.

A faythfull Friend is a strong defence; and he that findeth such one, findeth a treasure.

A faythfull Friend ought not to be changed for any thing: and the weight of golde and siluer is not to be compared to the goodnes of his fayth.

A faythfull Friend is the medicine of lyfe and im­mortalitie; and they that feare the Lord, shall finde him.

Who so feareth the Lord, shall direct his friendshyp [Page] aright; and as his owne selfe, so shall his friend be.

Giue not ouer thy Friend for any good, Ecclu. 7, 18. nor thy true brother, for the golde of Ophir.

Forget not thy Friend in thy minde, Ecclu. 37, 6. and thinke vpon him in thy riches.

Forsake not an olde Friend; Eccle. 9, 12. for the new shall not be like him: a new Friend is as new wine: when it is olde, thou shalt drinke it with pleasure.

Doe good vnto thy Friend before thou die, Ecclu. 14, 13 and accor­ding to thine abilitie stretch out thine hand, and giue him.

OF WITCHES and Sorcerers.

IF a man or woman haue a spirit of diuination, Leui. 20, 27. or south saying in them, they shall die the death: they shall stone them to death; their blood shalbe vpon them.

Saul sayd vnto his seruantes, 1. Sam. 28, 7, 8. Seeke mee a wo­man that hath a familiar spirit, that I may goe to her, and aske of her. And his seruants sayd to him, Beholde, there is a woman at En-dor, that hath a familiar spirit.

Then Saul changed him selfe, and put on other rayment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by nyght: and he sayd, I pray thee, coniecture vnto mee by the familiar spirit, and bring mee him vp whom I shall name vnto thee.

Iosiah also tooke away them that had familiar spirites, and the soothsayers, & the images, 2. kin. 23, 24 and the [Page] idols, and all the abominations that were espyed in the land of Iuda and in Ierusalem, to performe the wordes of the Law, which were written in the booke of Hilkiah the Priest, found in the house of the Lord.

Act. 8, 9, 11.And there was in the citie, a certaine man cal­led Symon, which vsed Witchcraft, and bewitched the people of Samaria, saying, That hee himselfe was some great man.

And they gaue heede vnto him, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

Exod. 12, 11. Pharaoh called also for his Wise-men and Sor­cerers: and those Charmers also of Egypt did in lyke maner with their enchauntmentes.

1. Sam. 28, 3.And Saul had put away the Sorcerers & Sooth­sayers out of the land.

Act. 13, 6.When they had gone throughout the Ile vnto Paphus, they found a certaine Sorcerer a false Pro­phet, being a Iew, named Bariesus.

Act. 19, 13, 16.Certayne of the vagabonde Iewes, exorcists, tooke in hand to name ouer them which had euyll spirites, the name of the Lord Iesus, saying, Wee adiure you by Iesus, whom Paul preacheth.

And the man in whom the euyll spirit was, ran on them, and ouercame them, and preuayled agaynst them, so that they fled out of that house naked, and wounded.

Wisd. 17, 7.And the illusions of the Magicall artes were brought downe, and it was a most shamefull re­proch, for the boasting of their knowledge.

EXHORTATION.

YE shall not regard them that worke with Spi­rites, neither Soothsayers: Leui. 19, 31. ye shall not seeke to them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.

If any turne after such as worke with Spirits, Leui. 20, 6. and after Soothsayers, to goe a whooring after them, then will I set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people. Deut. 18, 10, 11, 12.

Let none be found among you that maketh his sonne or his daughter to goe through the fire, or that vseth Witchcraft, or a regarder of Times, or a marker of the flying of Fowles, or a Sorcerer,

Or a Charmer, or that counsaileth with Spirites, or a Soothsayer, or that asketh counsaile at the dead.

For all that doe such thinges, are abomination vnto the Lord: and because of these abominations, the Lord thy God doth cast them out before thee.

OF FOOLES.

THE way of a Foole is right in his owne eyes: but he that heareth counsayle, is wise. Pro. 12, 15, 16.

A Foole in a day shalbe knowen by his an­ger: but he that couereth shame, is wise.

The Foole hath sayd in his hart, Psal. 53, 1. There is no God. They haue corrupted and done abominable wickednesse: there is none that doth good.

[Page] Eccle. 19, 11, 12, 28.A Foole trauaileth when he hath heard a thing, as a woman that is about to bring foorth a childe.

As an Arrow that sticketh in ones thygh, so is a worde in a Fooles hart.

A mans garment, and his excessiue laughter, and going, declare what person he is.

Eccle. 27, 13.The talking of Fooles is grecuous, and their sport is in the pleasure of sinne.

Pro. 14, 15, 16.The foolysh wyll beleeue euery thyng: but the prudent wyll consider his steppes.

A wyse man feareth, and departeth from euyll: but a Foole rageth, and is carelesse.

Pro. 27, 22.Though thou shouldest bray a Foole in a mor­ter among wheate, brayed with a pestle, yet wyll not his foolyshnes depart from him.

Eccle. 10, 3, 12, 13.Also, when the Foole goeth by the way, his hart fayleth, and he telleth vnto al that he is a foole,

The wordes of the mouth of a wyse man haue grace: but the lippes of a Foole deuoure himselfe.

The beginning of the wordes of his mouth, is foolyshnesse: and the later ende of his mouth, is wicked madnesse.

Eccle. 21, 14, 16, 18, 19.The inner part of a Foole is lyke a broken ves­sell: he can keepe no knowledge whiles he liueth.

The talking of a Foole is like the burthen in the way: but there is comelines in the talke of a wyse man.

As is an house destroyed, so is wisedome vnto a Foole: and the knowledge of the vnwyse, is as wordes without order.

Doctrine vnto Fooles, is as fetters on the feete, [Page] and like manacles vpon the right hand.

A Foole lyfteth vp his voyce with laughter: Ecclu. 21, 20 21, 22, 23, 24 but a wise man doth scarce smyle secretly.

Whoso despiseth wisedome and discipline, Wisd. 3, 11. is miserable, and their hope is vayne, & their labours are foolysh, and their worke vnprofitable.

All such as regarded not Wisedome, Wisd. 10, 8. had not onely this hurt, that they knewe not the thinges which were good, but also left behinde them vnto men, a memoriall of their foolishnes; so that in the thinges wherein they sinned, they can not lie hid.

Foolysh men will not take holde vpon her: Ecclu. 15, 7. but such as haue vnderstanding, will meete her: the sinners will not see her.

EXHORTATION.

DEpart from the Foolish man, Pro. 14, 7, 9. when thou perceiuest not in him the lippes of knowledge.

The Foole maketh a mocke of sinne: but among the righteous, there is fauoure.

Vnto the Horse belongeth a whipp, Pro. 26, 3, 4.5. to the Asse a bri­dle; and a rodde to the Fooles backe.

Answere not a Foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.

Answere a Foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceit.

Take no counsayle at a Foole, Ecclu. 8, 17. for he can not keepe a thing secret.

Whoso telleth a Foole of Wisedome, Ecclus. 22, 10 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. is as a man which speaketh to one that is a sleepe: when he hath tolde [Page] his tale, he sayth, What is the matter?

Pro. 9, 6.Forsake your way ye foolysh, and ye shall lyue: and walke in the way of vnderstanding.

OF WICKED AND EVIL MEN.

Esa. 57, 20.THE Wicked are like the raging Sea that can not rest, whose waters cast vp myre and dyrt.

Esa. 59, 7.Their feete runne to euyll, and they make haste to shead innocent blood: their thoughtes are wic­ked thoughtes; desolation and destruction is in their pathes.

Ier. 5, 26.Among my people are founde wicked persons that lay wayte, as he that setteth snares: they haue made a pit to catch men.

Psal. 36, 1, 3, 4.Wickednesse sayth to the wicked man, euen in mine hart, that there is no feare of God before his eyes.

The wordes of his mouth are iniquitie and de­ceit: he hath left off to vnderstand, and to do good.

He imagineth mischiefe vpon his bed: he setteth him selfe vpon a way that is not good, and doth not abhor euyll.

Iob. 24, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.Some remoue the land markes.

They leade away the Asse of the fatherles, and take the wydowes Oxe to pledge.

They make the poore to turne out of the way.

Eccle. 9, 3.This is euyll among all that is done vnder the Sunne, that there is one condition to all: and also [Page] the hart of the sonnes of men is full of euyll, and madnes is in their hartes whyles they lyue, and af­ter that they goe to the dead.

The way of the wicked is as the darknes: Pro. 4, 19. they know not wherein they shall fall.

A wicked soule destroyeth him that hath it, Ecclus. 6, 4. and maketh him to be laughed to scorne of his ene­mies, and bringeth him to the portion of the vn­godly.

As they regarde not to know God, Rom. 1, 28, 29, 30. euen so God delyuered them vp vnto a reprobate sence, to doe those thinges which were not conuenient.

Being full of all vnrighteousnes, fornication, wickednes, couetosnes, maliciousnes, full of enuie, of murther, of debate, of deceit, taking all thinges in the euyll part, whisperers,

Backbyters, haters of God, doers of wrong, proude boasters, inuenters of euyll thinges, disobe­dient to parentes, without vnderstanding, coue­nant breakers, without naturall affection, such as can neuer be appeased, merciles.

EXHORTATION.

ENter not into the way of the Wicked: Pro. 4, 14, 15 16, 17, 18. and walke not in the way of euyll men.

Auoyde it, and go not by it: turne from it, and passe by.

For they can not sleepe, except they haue done euyll, and their sleepe departeth, except they cause some to fall.

He that imagineth to doe euyll, Pro. 24, 8. men shall call him the authour of wickednes.

[Page] Pro 3, 33.The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

Psal. 5, 4.Thou art not a God that loueth wickednesse: neither shall euyll dwell with thee.

Psal. 7, 15, 16He hath made a pit and digged it, and is falled into the pit that he made.

His mischiefe shall returne vpon his owne head, and his crueltie shall fall vpon his owne pate.

Eccle. 4, 20.My Sonne, make much of Time, and eschew the thing that is euyll.

Eccle. 7, 1, 2.Doe no euyll, so shall no harme come vnto thee.

Depart from the thing that is wicked, and sinne. &c.

Eccle. 15, 11.Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I turne backe: for thou oughtest not to doe the thinges that he hateth.

Eccle. 20, 17.The fall of a Pauement is very sodayne: so shall the fall of the wicked come hastely.

Eccle. 27, 26.27.Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that lay­eth a stone in his neighbous way, shal stumble there­on: and he that layeth a snare for another, shalbe taken in it himselfe.

He that worketh euill, shalbe wrapped in euill, and shal not know from whence they come vnto him.

Rom. 12, 9, 21.Abhor that which is euill, and cleaue vnto that which is good.

Be not ouercome of euyll: but ouercome euyll with goodnesse.

OF HARDE, STONIE, and Stubborne hartes.

THey made their hartes as an adamant stone, Zecha. 7, 12 least they shoulde heare the Law, and the wordes which the Lord of hostes sent in his spirit by the ministerie of the former Prophetes: therefore came there a great wrath from the Lord of hostes.

O Lord, are not thine eyes vpon the trueth? Ier. 5, 3. thou hast striken them, but they haue not sorowed: thou hast consumed them, but they haue refused to re­ceiue correction: they haue made their faces har­der then a stone, and haue refused to returne.

Make the hart of this people fat, Esa 6, 10. make their eares heauie, and shut their eyes least they see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and vnderstande with their hartes, and conuert, and he heale them.

I know that thou art obstinate, Esa. 48, 4. and thy necke is an Iron sinew, and thy brow brasse.

I will hardon Pharaohs hart, Exod. 7, 3, 4. and multiply my myracles and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

And Pharaoh shall not hearken vnto you, that I may lay myne hand vpon Egypt, and bring out mine armies, euen my people the children of Isra­el, out of the land of Egypt, by great iudgements.

It came of the Lord to harden their hartes that they should come against Israel in battayle, Ioshu. 11, 20. to the intent that they should destroy them vtterly, and shew them no mercy, but that they should bring [Page] them to naught, as the Lord God commaunded Moses.

Deut. 29, 19So that when he heareth the wordes of this curse, he blesse him selfe in his hart, saying, I shall haue peace, although I walke accordyng to the stubbornnes of myne owne hart; thus addyng drunkennes to thirst.

Pro 29.1.A man that hardeneth his necke when he is re­buked, shall sodaynely be destroyed, and can not be cured.

Iob. 21, 14, 15They say vnto God, Depart from vs, for we de­sire not the knowledge of thy wayes.

Who is the Almightie, that we shoulde serue him? and what profite should we haue, yf we should pray vnto him?

Eccle. 3, 27, 28, 29.A stubborne hart shall fare euyll at the last: and he that loueth danger, shall perish therein.

An hart that goeth two wayes, shal not prosper: and he that is froward of hart, shall stumble therin.

An obstinate hart shalbe laden with sorrowes, and the wicked man shall heape sinne vpon sinne.

1. Sam. 16, 7.The Lord sayd vnto Samuel, Looke not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature, be­cause I haue refused him: for God seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord beholdeth the hart.

Rom 9, 18.He hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Iohn. 12, 40. Mat. 13, 14. Mark. 4, 12. Luk. 8, 10. Act. 28, 26.He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hartes, that they should not see with their eyes, nor vnderstand with their hartes, and should be con­uerted, [Page] and I should heale them.

Ye stiffnecked and of vncircumcised hartes and eares, ye haue alwayes resisted the holy Ghost: Act. 7, 51. as your fathers did, so doe you.

EXHORTATION.

WHerefore as the holy Ghost sayth, Heb. 3, 7, 12, 13. To day yf ye will heare his voyce, harden not your hartes, as in the prouocation, according to the tentation in the Wildernesse.

Take heede brethren, least at any time there be in any of you an euyll hart, and vnfaythfull, to depart away from the lyuing God.

But exhort one another dayly, whyle it is called To day, least any of you be hardoned through the de­ceitfulnesse of sinne.

This day if ye heare his voyce, harden not your hartes. Heb. 4.7.

A new hart will I giue you, Ezec. 36., 26 and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony hart out of your body, and I will giue you a hart of flesh.

And I will giue them one hart, Ezec. 11, 19. and will put a new spirit within their bowelles: and will take the stony hart out of their bodyes, and will giue them an hart of flesh.

And I will giue them one hart, and one way, Ier. 32, 39. that they may feare me for euer, for the wealth of them, and of their children after them.

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your hart, Deut. 10, 16 and harden your neckes no more.

OF THE WORKES OF DARKNES and workes of the Flesh.

Gen. 6, 5.THE Lord saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth:

Gen. 8, 21.And all the imaginations of the thoughtes of his hart were onely euyll continually.

Ephe. 4, 18, 19.Hauing their cogitation darkoned, and being strangers from the lyfe of God, through the igno­rance that is in them, because of the hardnesse of their hart:

Which being past feeling, haue geuen them selues vnto wantonnesse, to worke all vncleannesse euen with greedines.

Rom. 1, 21.Because that when they knew God, they glori­fied him not as God, neyther were thankfull; but became vayne in their imaginations, and their foo­lysh hart was full of darknesse.

Mark. 7, 21, 22.For from within, euen out of the hart of man, proceede euyll thoughtes, adulteries, fornications, murthers, theftes, couetousnesse, wickednesse, de­ceit, vncleannesse, a wicked eye, backbyting, pride, foolyshnesse: All these euyll thinges come from within, and defyle a man.

Gall. 5, 19, 20The workes of the Flesh are manifest, which are adulterie, fornication, vncleannes, wantonnes, idolatrie, witchcraft, hatred, debate, emulations, wrath, contentions, seditions, herisies, enuie, mur­ther, drunkennes, gluttonie, and such lyke, where­of I tell you before, as I also haue tolde you be­fore, [Page] that they which do such thinges, shall not in­herite the kingdome of God.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, Math. 7, 23. haue not wee by thy name prophecied? and by thy name cast out deuyls? and by thy name done many great workes?

Then shall ye begin to say, Luk. 13, 26.27. We haue eaten and dronken in thy presence, and thou hast taught vs in our streetes.

But he shall say, I tell you, I knowe you not whence ye are: Depart from mee all ye workers of iniquitie.

Away from mee all ye workers of iniquitie: Psal. 6, 8. for the Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping.

Then shall he say vnto them on the left hand, Math. 25, 41 Depart from mee ye cursed, into euerlasting fire, which is prepared for the deuyll and his angels.

EXHORTATION.

THE nyght is past, and the day is at hand: Rom. 13, 12. let vs therefore cast away the workes of darknesse, and let vs put on the armour of light.

And haue no felowshyp with the vnfruitfull workes of darknes, but euen reproue them rather. Ephe. 5, 11.

The grace of God, Tit. 2, 11, 12 that bringeth saluation vnto all men, hath appeared,

And teacheth vs, that we should denie vngodlines, and worldly lustes; and that we should lyue soberly and righteously, in this present worlde.

Walke in the spirit, Gall. 5, 16. and ye shall not fulfill the lustes of [Page] the flesh.

Gal. 5, 22, 23 24, 25.The fruites of the spirit is loue, ioy, peace, long suffe­ring, gentlenesse, goodnesse, fayth, meekenesse, tem­perancie: against such there is no law.

For they that are Christes, haue crucified the flesh with the affections.

If we lyue in the spirit, let vs also walke in the spirit.

Math. 7, 13.Enter in at the straight gate: for it is the wyde gate, and brode way that leadeth to destruction: and many there be which goe in thereat.

Luk. 13, 24.Striue to enter in at the straight gate: for many, I say; vnto you, will seeke to enter in, and shall not be able.