The celestiall husbandrie: or, The tillage of the soule First, handled in a sermon at Pauls Crosse the 25. of February, 1616. By William Iackson, terme-lecturer at Whittington Colledge in London: and since then much inlarged by the authour, for the profit of the reader: with two tables to the same.

The thid part.

THus we haue gone thorow the subiect, and the pro∣pertie of the worke: now followes the proprie∣tie of the persons lacaem: your, committing this worke to euery particular person.

Obserue, that all men are agents in their faith, repen∣tance, contrition, and saluation. Plowe vp your falowe ground: your owne falowe: As God saide to Ierusalem. Wash thy heart, O Ierusalem: and by the Prophet Ioel Scindite corda vestrum, Rent your hearts. So I say vnto you, wash and rent your owne hearts; for if you will not lay to your helping hand, they are neuer like to bee cleane. God in the time of the Lawe commanded that lie which should offer an offering; was to put his hand vpon the head of it. Heb. 3. 2. Hereby shewing, that we must haue a hand with God, in euery part and worke of

regenetation. He that made without thee, will not instifie thee without thee: He made thee without thy knowledge, and doth instifie thee with thy consent: Therefore (said Christ) If you will find, seeke; If you will receiue, then aske: For, no seeking, no finding; no asking, no receiuing. God proclaimes not, Ho, euery one that is athirst, I will bring him water; But, Ho, euery one that is athirst, let him come and fetch water. Supper is made ready (by our Lord) all things are prepared at his owne cost and char∣ges; and when it was ready, hee said not, goe carie it to these men, but goe bid them come in and eate it. Here∣vnto tend the words of Paul, Worke out your saluation with feare and trembling. And Peter also saith, Make your calling and election sure. Sure it is with God, not with vs vntill then: Worthily doth that sieke per∣son perish, that calleth not for the Physician, but refu∣seth him, comming of his owne accord vnto him. Man, by the ordinance of God, is appointed an agent for his owne saluation.

For the subiect of faith, repentance and contrition are in vs, not in God: Indeed God is the efficient cause; the word the instrumental cause, but our, hearts, willes, and affections the materiall cause: that is, sub∣iectum conuersionis, the subiect of conuersion (as the school∣men define the fanie) Delor est in corde, Sorrow is in the heart: Fuga est in voluntate, Flying is in the will; and that with purpose not to commit sinne any more: A∣uertio est in corde, & voluntate a malo ad bonum: The turning is in the heart and will, from euill vnto that that is good: still the subiect is in vs, and so we must needes be agents. For wee are not like a piece of waxe, that re∣ceiues no impression, but what is put into it, being meerely pasaiue; but actiue, as formerly hath been shew∣ed: And to adde the sentence of Aristotle, Nemo vo∣leus malus, nec inuitus foelix: No man is euill with his will, nor any man is happie against his will. In thy mouth and heart is the cause of saluation, saith Chrysostomes;

that is, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 use and subiect, as hath beene sayd.

And as the subiect is in vs, so euery man is best, ac∣quainted with his owne heart: which other men is not able to know: for What man knoweth the things of a man, saue the spirit of a man which is in him? it is a pre∣rogatiue that belongs to God to know the heart: The difference stands thus: Other men know nothing of our heart; our selues know somewhat, and God knowes all, that may bee knowen: There is not a word in my tongue, but thou knowest it, O Lord; and there is nothing hid from thee, O God, saith Dauid: Yet euery man knows somewhat of his owne heart. I know (saith Paul) Rom. 7 that in mee there dwelles no goodnesse: This made him to crie out so bitterly, not against others, but against him∣selfe: This is a true saying, that Christ came into the world to saue finnert 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 us ago, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Whereof I am the chiefe, because hee knew his owne heart, and not the hearts of others. And from his owne experi∣ence teacheth the same to others; Proue your selues, know yee not your owne selues? which not to know, were very strange.

And as euery man is best acquainted with his owne heart, and therefore the fittest to be his owne plowman: so likewise, euery man is to be saued by his owne faith and grace. The iust shall liue 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in his faith. Other mens faith may doe vs good by way of exhorta∣tion, to build vs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the wayes of godlinesse: But it is our owne actuall faith that might saue vs: for as the Apostle saith, If thou beleeue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in thy heart, not in my heart: for that will not saue thee. Therefore as it was said to Dauid, To thy house, O Dauid; so I say, to thine owne heart, O man, haue a speciall care.

But for all this that hath been spoken, doth not God impose too great a worke vpon vs, which neither we, nor our forefathers were able to beare? It is beyond our power and arte. This is ars aritum, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉

the arte of arte, and the gouernement of soules: It is open Dei, as Christ doth witnes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This is the works of God that ye beleeue. Why then doth God impose the same vpon vs? Not because wee are causa efficions, but because wee are causa materialis: Therefore (as Iohn saith,) Let vs looke to our selues: for surely it is a worke very necessary, to bring the plowe home to our owne hearts. Many will be busie Bishops in other mens Diocesse, spending their time in other mens ground, and suffering their owne to be barren.

There be many (Arguses in these dayes, with an hun∣dred eyes apiece,) that can quickly espie the moates, that are in other mens eyes, but cannot feele the beames that are in their owne. Peter will bee medling in Iohns affaires, yet without thankes: for, Quidest hoc tibi? What is that to thee? The Pharises would wash the hands of Christ, and yet their owne hearts were foule, filthy and odious. A preposterous kinde of zeale, to be∣gin where we should make an end.

I deny not, but this is to be done: yet not to leaue the o∣ther vndone. As in Dauid we see a worthy example here∣of. Before he purged the land, hee cleansed his house: and before his house, he purified himselfe; Obserue his proceeding at the second verse, he saith. I will walke be∣tham lebabi, in the perfection of my heart. And then at: the 7. verse he saish. No wicked person shall abide in mine bouse. And then in the 8. verse-he beginnes to purge the land. Thus you may behold, the three steppes to per∣fection. First his heart, then his family, lastly the realme; Excellent proceeding, to keepe Sessions at home within the heart, and to be executers of our owne sinnes.

Niru lachem 〈◊〉〈◊〉, now fallowe your fallowe. It is a good lesson for vs, that are to plowe vp your fallowe: first, to turne vp our owne, we must not be like the sonnes of E∣li, 1. Sam. Least we cause the Gospell to bee euill spo∣ken of: our name and office must agree; we are called, lux 〈◊〉〈◊〉, by our vocation: and wee must be lumen in

〈◊〉〈◊〉, by life and conuersation. Then may we, (as wee must,) the better plowe vp your fallowe ground: Crie a∣loude, spare not, lift vp thy voyee like a trumpet; shewe my people their transgressions, and to the house of Iacob their sinnes. There is nothing so necessary, and more commen∣dable, then reprehension if it be seasonable, and reasona∣ble. I thinke none ought to be more wisely bold, then vs Ministers: for sinne is bold, saucy, and presumptuous. O miserable, when hoot sinners and coole Ministers meete: when the one sort is infected with burning fe∣uers, and the other with shakinge agues: And when they that should lift vp their voyces like a trumpet, doe but whisper through a trunke. Nihil interest scoleri, an fa∣ueas an perpetras. There is no difference, whether thou fa∣uour a wicked action, or commit it. Dauid hath a song of two parts (like Ianns with his two faces.) I will sing mercy and iudgement: wee must vse Leuitiues preseruatines, and restoratiues (with Paul.) We beseech you to be reconciled to God, 2. Cor. 5. 19. But if this will not serue to rowse these sleepers out of the dead sleepe of sinne, but that they will be still as worldly as Demas, enuious as Caine, co∣uetous as Iudas, treacherous as Absolon: and as stony∣hearted as Pharaoh; the text of mercy befits not these, but the sword of iudgement.

The learned haue compared the soure Euangelists, to the foure beasts in Ezekiel 10. 14. comparing Marke vnto a Lion, because hee begins with the thundering voice of the Law, crying in the wildernesse, repent: When sinnes be crying sinnes, wee must become crying preachers. Esay cries, and Ieremie weepes, and we must not be sparing in reprehension: Where men are bold in sinning, preachers must be bold in reprouing: We must put on yron foreheads, to reprooue such as haue whorish faces & cut them to the quicke. This is the way that they may bee cured with the good Surgeon, to cut out the dead flesh; It is a smarting corasiue, yet a hea∣ling plaister; (as Ierome saith,) Dum pungit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Whiles

that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not if euer there were a time for this, now is the age; where shamefastnosse hath left the stage, and presumption now actech her part des∣peration attending ready to shut vp all, with a dreadfull catastrophe, Sinne wounding, the conscience accusing, hell gaping, and God striking: the land being ouer∣spread with sinnes; Caines murther, Pharaohs hardnesse, Naboths churlishnesse, and Amnons incest.

We haue spent much time in plowing vp this fallowe ground: yet the profit I hope, will more then equalize our paines; the sinnes haue beene cited, a iurie pannel∣led: they sound guiltie, and are condemned by the great Iudge of heauen and earth. What remaines then, but that you the magistrates see them executed? wee can but plowe them by the word; it is you that must plow with the sword: you are put in trust to see the king of heauen, his lawes obserued, the righteous defended, the oppressed relieued, and the offenders punished.

Solan being asked, what best preserued a common∣wealth, answered: when subiects obey their magistrates, and the magistrates the lawe. Ye are Gods Liuetennants here vpon earth: hee hath giuen you his owne name. Ani amarti elohim atem. I saide yee are Gods, that yee might doe Gods worke. We are to cry contrapeccatum, but yee are to strike downe, ipsum peccatum: for there is as great a charge laide on you, to strike with the sword, as on vs to preach the word. No preaching, no belee∣uing: no sword striking, none obedience yeelding. A∣ron and Moyses must goe together; the Ministers mouth, and the Magistrates hand, must hold the plowe.

Non meae humilitatis dictareuobis. It sutes not with my humilitie to direct you the meanes: but onely with my conlcience, to put you in minde of that, that is your charge; I would I could perswade you to resolue with Dauid, Psal. 101. 8. Betimes to destroy the wicked of the land; You want nothing to effect it, but a willing minds Lawe is on your side, and power in your hand; if cou∣rage

and zeale were in your hearts, it would be 〈◊〉〈◊〉. If ye doe cut them downe, yee doe but your duty: If not, as God said vnto Gaine; great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lyes at the doore of your conscience, and vpon them: Illicit a non prohibere, consensus erroris est: not to prohibite vnlawfull things, is an consent vnto vnlawfull things. So it is, Si vit ia amici fares facis tua: If thou winke at the offences of thy friend, thou makes them thin. owne. Let mee say vnto you; as Mordecay said vnto Hester: If thou hold thy peace, God shall send deliuerance by some other meanes, ueat ubeth abik tobedu: both thou and thy fathers house shall pe∣rish. So if you will hold your peace, I meane the sword within the sheath, God shall cutte them off some other wayes. But woe to you, and your houses, they shall pe∣rish: and the blood of these soules that perish through your neglect, and conuyuency, shall bee required at your hands. If thou hold thy tongue and forwarue them not, they shall dye in their sinne: but their blood will I require at thy hand, saith God; Surely you beare not the sword for nought. Remember that which you reade in Exodus: Thou and all within thy gutes, shall remem∣ber to obey the Lord. These gates are the bands of your iurisdiction: so farre as your authoritie reacheth, so far are your gates and charge; and whatsoeuer is amisse within the same, is your sinne: not because they doe it; but because you suffer it.

It is not possible that sinnes could be at that height, as now they are: if magistrates were not asleepe; or per∣takers of the same sinnes, winking at other mens offen∣ces, least their owne should be discouered. Democrites beholding magistrates executing malefactóurs, fell a laughing: and being demanded a reason hereof, answe∣red; sir quoth he, to see the great theeues, hang vp the little theeues. Often it salles out, that the inferiors faire the better, where the superiors are transgressors; for ra∣ther then they will discouer it in themselues, they will suffer it to remaine in others, least the saying of Cato

bee propountied against them.

Que culpare soles, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ipse, Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum. It is a shame for thee, to commit that offence, Which thou doest teach others not to be committed.

Giue me leaue to awaken your consciences, in the words of exhortation; (I know many excellent things are spoken of thee, thou Citie of God: yet I cannot but condole thine imperfections in some things; And who shall I accuse herein? I will not iustifie the doers, but condemne them that should restraine the same;) Good lawes are made: the life blood of them is the execution; Else the lawe is like a woodden dagger in a faire sheath: when they that haue the charge imposed, and the sword in their hand: stand like some great image, holding vp the sword, but neuer strike.

I knowe yee magistrates of this Citie, yee haue done worthy seruice herein; and more ye might haue done, if all the lawes had beene put in due execution. Chryso∣stome well obserues: To make musicke, it is not sufficient to play on one string, but all must bee stricken in due mea∣sure, and proportion. So to bring a citie or countrey into good order: is to execute euery part of the lawe with due execution. I would be loth to say vnto you, as Christ said vnto the Pharises: Yee tythe mint, anise and cummin: looking to the markets, taking order for dust, and clean∣sing the streetes, with many more such like: but the waightie points of the lawe are executed, halting, lim∣ping, and lingering. Haue yee no lawe for drunken∣nesse that ye suffer it to goe reeling, and staggering in e∣uery streete? Is there neuer a sober Iudith left, to cut off the head of this drunken Olifernus? Is there no lawe in the behalfe of the Sabbaoth, that there is such carry∣ing of packes, ryding abroad with swaggarers, such sel∣ling of wares, and walking into the fieldes: that it is hardly know from an other day? Is there neuer a zea∣lous Nebemia among you, to shut the gates of Ierusalems

Is there not a piece of a statute left vncorrupted to take hold of the swearer, that infects the clouds with oathe, that the land mournes for the same? Is not the law for the blasphemer in vse, that yee may bring him without the hoste, and stone him to death? Shall I say as Paul said, Is there not a wise man among you, to foresee future euents? as Virgil sings;

Foelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas. He is happie that hath been able to know the causes of things.

If you saw, and made conscience, that your conniuencie at these things, doth harden the actors, and incourage the spectators, then yee would be ruled by the exhorta∣tion af Christ: If foote, hand, or eye offend thee, cut it off. Let the whole law of God be executed vpom these; who knowos whether your punishments may saue their soules or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 For often detrimentum peounia & sanita∣tis est propter bonum 〈◊〉〈◊〉. A losse of the money. & crosse to the corps, is for the good of the soule: As Mordecai said to Hester, Who knower whether thou art come to the king∣dome, for this purpose or no? So, who knowes whether you are come into the place of magistracie, to saue these soules, by keeping them from finne. You reade, that when the hands Moyses were both held vp the peo∣ple preuailed, but when his hands went downe, then their enemies preuailed. So, while the two hands of the, Church are held vp, she preuaileth, namely, Verbum in∣formans, & virga reformans. The word information, and the rod reformation. And to conclude my exhortation to you of this citie, with the saying of Paul, I beseech you by the mercies of God, that you giue vp your selues, soule, bo∣dy, sword, strength, riches, authoritie, counsell and all to the seruice of God; for the plowing vp of these sinnes before named, or as many as stand within your charge: beginning with good King Iosiah, at the last to purge Ierusalem. This doe, and the God of peace be with you.

And now I wish mine arme were long enough to

reach ouer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to strike those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dead, that daily 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whole houses, play-houses, drinking-houses; outpuries, and the like; that men were as good goe ouer Salis buryeplaine, and with more safetie: then to stoppe out into the Sub∣urbes of this citie. It were an easie matter to haue the citie sweete, if these places were not so soule and filthy.

It seemes that there are no Magistrates there; If there bee, they are Nonresidents, or else as bad as the people. In the dayes of Christ, there were dum be, blinde and lame deuils; and I feare, these miserable people haue such magistrates among them; some blinde that cannot see, others dumbe not able to speake, and most lame that wil not strike: and it may bee they are more forward to bee bribed, then the people to sinne, yea, and often deeper in iniquitie, then the people in trespasse. Who say be people to these mens manners. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 out ho∣ribus 〈◊〉〈◊〉. It is selfe-sinning after such author 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these magistrates sinne, the fiat of consent goes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and all takes hold of the same? saying. Their hands are with vs in the said dish, & for feare themselues should be seene, will keepe away the light of reproofe from vs, or they are coueteus, louing bribery: and then wee can with a litle white or red sand, (digged out of the bowels of the earth) quickly put out their eyes: Then let the Preachers say what they please, we will take our fill of vanity. Thus regis ad cuemelum, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 componitur orbis: greatnesse is a copy after which, all men order themselues. When Leo loued Stage-playes, all Rome swarmed with Iuglers: I would it were not seene in the skirtes of this famous ci∣tie; the magistrates louing iniquitie, and the people swar∣ming with villany. I can say no more to these with∣out the walles, then I haue said to them within. If these people perish, their blood shal be required at your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 therefore whiles this day of saluation lasteth plowe vp this fallow ground.

Lastly I haue a desire to 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 valleys of Iuda: there 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the countrey vila∣ges of this realme, and say somewhat to them also; for the land is defiled euen from Dan, to Bersheba: the streame of vngodlinesse running very strong: which if speedy course be not taken, it will (like the riuer Nilus,) ouerflowe the bankes, indaungering the whole land. Therefore you learned magistrates, (there placed by our worthy Iehosua;) whet your swords, and cut those trees downe by the rootes. But let me tell you one thing, before you will doe God honour, the King seruice, and the countrey good; you must carry your teame plowe, and all your tacklings, downe into the countrey, where your charge is. What a shame is it to forsake your ha∣bitations, and to neglect the charge committed vnto you? Whereby the poore are robbed of their bread, the oppressed of their reliefe, the righteous of their defence, the countrey of your seruice, Religion of her left hand: and God of his honour. O yee magistrates, for shame be resident vpon your charge: where yee ought with the sword of iustice, to plowe vp this fallowe ground: least the blood of these perishing soules, be required at your hands.

And thus I haue made an ende of my plowing, which is the first part of the exhortation: plowe vppe your fal∣lowe ground.

Notes

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Doct. Man an agent. Iere. 4. 14.
• Iere. 4. 14. Ioel 2. 13.
• Qui fecit te fi∣nete, non iusti∣cabit te fine te, Fecit nescien∣rem, iustificat volentem
• Matth. 7. 7.
• Esa. 55. 1.
• Luke 14.
• Phil. 2. 12.
• Merito perit aegroutus, qui non medicum vo∣cat, sed vltro venientem res∣puit
• R. 1. Subiect of faith man.
• In ore & cor∣de tuo salutis causa.
• Man knowes his owne heart.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.
• 1. Tim. 1. 15.
• 2. Cor. 13. 5.
• Euery man sa∣ued by his owne faith.
• Heb. 1. 3.
• Rom. 10. 10.
• Vse. Great worke laid on vs.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 6. 29.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Plow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hearts.
• Psal. 110. 1.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Esa. 58. 8.
• Vse all meanes to saue the fin∣net.
• 2. Cor. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Ministers must be bold.
• Magistrates must strike with the sword.
• Psal. 82.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Rom 13. 4. 1. Cor. 9. 16.
• Heft. 4. 14.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Ezek. 3. 6.
• Rom. 13. 4. Exod. 20. 16.
• Magistrates asleepe.
• Mat. 23. 23.
• Iudith, 13. 8.
• Nehem. 13. 19
• Leui, 24. 14.
• Instruction and correction goe together.
• Hest. 4. 14:
• Exod. 17. 12.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 34. 3.
• Blinde and dumbe magi∣strates, cause of sinne.
• 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 to keepe at their charge.