Disce vivere Learne to live : a briefe treatise of learning to liue, vvherein is shewed, that the life of Christ is the most perfect patterne of direction to the life of a Christian : in which also, the well disposed may behold their orderlie passage, from the state of grace, to the state of glorie.

Chap. 6.

The first vertue to be learned in the life of Christ, was his humi∣litie.

IT is said of those who excell in the Art of elo∣cution, that they neuer find lesse to speak, then when the matter is the most c•…•…∣pioas, wherof they should speake. Such is the enumeration of thy vertues, O holy Christ, which the more wee consider them, the more we wonder at them, and the longer we labour how to expresse them, the lesse able wee finde our selues how to conceiue them: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these, of all other we stand ama∣zed at thy humility, who being God from euerlasting, woulde•…•… take thy passage from the throne of glory, and héere arriued in a valley of teares, wouldest exile thy selfe thrée and thirty yeeres from this thy maiestie, and what

more? wouldest be borre man, and what more? euen as the meanest amongst men, and what more? wouldest be circumcised according to the law, who wert aboue all law, and what more? wouldest become a seruant, and so in subiection, and what more? wouldest be as an offending ser∣uant, and so suffer, albeit in thy selfe farre from all offence. And what more? wouldest sustaine reproches, and obloquie in the world. And what more? woul∣dest vndergoe death: yea, a most ignominious death, beeing the God of life, the Author of life, and life it selfe. Héere Saint Austen crieth out. Quo descendit humi∣litas? O sonne of God, whither did thy humility descend? If thy owne loue drew thée to this, it was thy goodnes? if our loue, it was thy gift.

2 Adam transgressed the law of his maker, and not onely that, but Adam, and in Adam, all his posterity (for wee haue not sinne by imputation) not onely trans∣gressed the law of his maker, but

wilfully rebelled agaynst the wisedome of his God, which wisedome was God the Sonne, the second person in Trinitie. Adam thou and all thy ofspring (because all are accessarie) shall rue this contumacie offered with so great indignity, vnto the Lord of heauen and earth: what sayes our Ionas? for me is this tem∣pest raysed, O Father, for me is thy iust wrath incensed. Let me be c•…•…st out into the Sea: for me hath this we begun; by me let it haue an end; let me be the Lamb slaine, so these Israelites may be deliuered; Sanguine quaerendi re∣ditus, and must that poore poste∣rity of Adam haue a returne vnto their lost Countrey by bleed? let me be the virginall sacrifice: And wilt thou haue an offering? let me be the Isaack that shall goe to one of the mountaines of Moria. Of the two Goates, let me be the scape Goate, sent to wander in the wildernes. O the humi∣litie, and loue, and bounty of the sonne of God!

3 But to leaue that which

the Apostle sayth, Being equall with God, hee became like vnto man, and (sinne onely excepted) was euen as one of vs, to sée a little his estate and condition in the world: when hee was borne, where was the place of his birth, but at Bethlehem a little Citie? And where did the shéepheards •…•…ade him, but in a sorrie Cot∣tage, whose seate was aboue the Cherubins? when he chose Dis∣ciples, whom did hee choose, but poore fishermen? when hee walked vp and down, who were his associates, but Publicans, and for the most part the com∣mon people? when hee would take repast, where was his table, but vpon the plaine ground? what were his dainties, but bread, and some few fishes? who were his guests, but a company of féeble and hungry creatures? when hee would take his rest, where was his lodging, but at the sterne of a ship?

4 Thou art deceiued, O Iew, that expectest in the promised Messias, pompe, and glory of the

world: looke ouer all the ancient Prophecies of him, and thou shalt find it farre otherwise. The Psalmist will tell thée, that hee shall becom a worme and no man. The Prophet Esay, Who wil be∣leeue our report? Hee is despised and reiected of men: He is a man full of sorrowes. Zachary, Behold the King commeth in meeke ma∣ner, and so along: Feare not Herod the losse of thy Diadem, this King is borne, sayeth Ful∣gentius, Non vt tibi succedat, sed vt in eum mundus vniuersus cre∣dat. Not to succéede thée, (thou art deceiued, if thou thus thinke of him) but hee was borne that all the world should beleeue in him: Feare not him to become thy successour, beléeue in him, and hee will be thy Sauiour. Hee came not to possesse the kingdom of others, but to giue the possessi∣on of his owne kingdome to all beleeuers. Hee came not by armes to subdue Kings, but by dying to giue them all a better kingdome for the time to come. He sought not others glory, who

for our sakes for sooke his owne: he was hungry, and yet hee fed many: he was weary, and yet he refresheth all that are heauy la∣den: he was dumbe, and opened not his mouth, and yet was the diuine spéech of God himselfe. he was of meane reputation a∣mongst men, and yet was Lord of heauen and earth.

5 If you aske when he was? Saint Iohn saith. In the begin∣ning? If you aske what he was? he tels vs, The word was God: if you aske what he did? he sayes, All things were made by him: if you aske what he doth? hee she∣weth that he enlighteneth all that com•…•… vnto him: If you aske how he came? hee setteth it downe in plaine words. The word became flesh. If there were no other te∣stimonies to proue his Deitie, yet this were sufficient: Before A∣braham was, I am. To whō all po∣wer in heauen and earth, is giuen. This same is God, but this was giuen vnto Christ. Mat. 28, 18.

If all things were made by him, then was hee the Creator,

for no creature is the maker of all things. Great is the mysterie of godlines, sayth the Apostle, Hee was manifested in the flesh, iustifi∣ed in the spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, be∣leeued on in the world, and recei∣ued vp into glory?

When his comming did now approch, Zacharie was striken dumb, hee prophecied, as if the prophecies of olde now ceasing, behold him who was the end of them all. Iohn is more then a Prophet, the Prophets s•…•…y, hee shall come: Iohn sayes, behold the Lambe of God, as if, he is come. Behold him, from his cradle at Bethlehem, to his crosse at Ie∣rusalem, a myrror of true humi∣lity, so great, so mighty as hee was, to become (to sée too) in meane manner a poore pilgrime amongst men?

6 Where are they that séeke, and neuer cease séeking (for were not men happy, if they could ké•…•…p a meane in their musicke, which wold make better harmony, both before God and man) where are

they, I say, that neuer leaue sée∣king that mountain-like height, or superiority in the world? let them remember the world it selfe wil haue an end. How great, trow you, was the pride of mans hart, when God himself must be hum∣bled to teach humility? Where is that grace that brings low euery hill, and makes plaine the rough∣est passages? where is our time spent in the schoole of Christ, since wee tooke vpon vs in Baptisme the name of christians, séeing we remember so little our maisters lesson, Discite ex me, Learne of me to be humble & méeke: take vp my yoake, this yoake it is a swéet yoake, for being taken vp by humility, it rather beares, thē is borne. O Lord (sayth Saint Austen vnto his f•…•…miliar friend) we professe much knowledge and learning. (This he spake a little before his conuersion) and yet go on in flesh & blood, looking aloft, and ouerlooking others: these poore soules, meaning them who lead an humble life, shall carrie away heauen from vs.

We sée the Lord of glory how lowly he was, when his Disci∣ples were discoursing, and deba∣ting the matter of •…•…perioritie, he bringeth in amongst them a little child, setting him in the middest of them, saying, Vnlesse you be∣come as little children, you are not meete for the Kingdome of hea∣uen: nay, which is more, him∣selfe is downe at his Apostles féete, washing and wiping them. What humility was this? But hence what would hee haue his Disciples learne? Ye call me maister, and Lord, and ye say wel: for so am I, if I then your Lord, & maister, haue washed your feete, yee also ought to wash one ano∣thers feete. For I haue giuen you an example, that you should doe, as I haue done vnto you.

7 To haue séene him whom the Angels doe adore, whom the powers & principalities do wor∣ship, at whose very name euery knée, both of things in heauen, in earth, and vnder the earth, doe bend and bow, haue séene him, I say, kneeling downe vpon the

earth, and doe seruice at the very feete of his seruants, could not but haue béene a sight most admi∣rable. If we aske the cause, him∣selfe hath told vs, euen to teach vs this vertue of humility: of which vertue, Saint. Austen thus speaketh. If you aske, what is the first step in the way of truth? I aunswer, humility: If you aske, what is the second? I say humility: If you aske, what is the third? I an∣swer the same, humility: These are as the steps of degr•…•… in the Temple, whereby wee descend to the knowledge of our selues, and ascend to the knowledge of God.

The poore Publican humbly confessing his sinnes, and stri∣king his breast, as if his repen∣tance came from his very heart, found mercy. The prodigall Sonne humbleth himselfe in his Fathers sight, and is receiued into fauour with him. The Cen∣turion was neuer more worthy, then when hee thought himselfe most vnworthy. Of all other ex∣amples, the humility of the bles∣sed

virgin, (blessed amongst wo∣men, to be his mother who was her maker) an Embassadour comes vnto her from the King of heauen with a high message, Haile full of grace, how could not the mother of humility, (and yet a tender virgin) but with bash∣full countenance, be told that she was full of grace, and that shee was so highly accepted of God? Howe did modest shamefastnesse change her colour, so often as her imagination varied; still hum∣blie conceiuing of her selfe? How did shee at last acknowledge the goodnesse of God with all sub∣mission: Beholde the hand∣mayde of the Lord, with hum∣ble obeysaunce vnto that God, which had respected and regar∣ded, as shee sayeth in her Can∣ticle, The humblenesse of his hand-mayden? Thus wee sée how much humility pleased God; when it pleased him so much to respect this vertue: When in the fulnesse of time hee sent his Sonne into the world borne of a woman.

8 Being borne, it was sayde vnto the shéep•…•…heards which were sent to see him, Et hoc vo∣bis signum, and let this be a signe vnto you, you shall finde the child wrapped in swadling cloathes, end layde in a manger. In sée∣king Christ, hoc vobis signum, you shall finde him in humility, hee betooke him to a poore Cot∣tage, that hee might teach vs where wee should sometimes sée him: hee was not borne in the house of his parents, but in the way, to shew vs that his King∣dome was not of this world, Et hoc vobis signum, you shall finde him in humility, he became méeke that wee might be made strong. Poore, that wee might be made rich. Uile▪ that we might be made glorious. The sonne of man, that wee might be made the sonnes of God. Et hoc vobis signum, & this shall be a signe vnto you, you shal find him in humility. Super quem requiescit spiritus meus? vpon whom, saith God, doth my spirit rest, but vpon the humble? to whō do I looke but vnto these? where

did the Doue light? not vpon the swelling waters, but cropt a braunch of Oliue that had layne below. I thank thée, O Father, sayth Christ out Lord, that thou hast hid these things from the wise, and prudent, and hast ope∣ned them to Babes, and suck∣lings: what are these wise and prudent, but the proud in their owne eyes? What are these Babes, and sucklings, saith S. Austen, but the humble, and low∣lie? Humble Moyses is made a ruler of Gods people: humble Gedeon, the least in his family (as himselfe confessed) was by God made the greatest gouer∣nour. When S•…•…ule was lowly in his owne eyes, God exalted him, but when S•…•…ule forgot God, then when he should haue remembred him, Saule soone comes to ru∣ine.

8 What art thou, O man, that liftest vp thy selfe in pride? know that pride cannot sit so high, but vengeance can sit aboue it, to pull it downe. God and pride, sayth Saint Bernard, cannot dwell in

the same mind, which could not dwell in the same heauen, and pride fallen from heauen, as∣cends no more from whence it is fallen.

Old records make mention, that in Egypt there was •…•…ound the picture of Senacharib, of whose pride the scripture maketh men∣tion, hauing by his picture this inscription: Learne by mee to feare God, as if they would shew the cause, and ouerthrow of Se∣nacharibs pride, as thus, Sena∣charib feared not God. We•…•… are wont of all other, to call proude men fooles, & not without cause, for they often exalt themselues in their riches, in their honours, in their learning, and what not? Plutarch sayth, that on•…•… Chares a meane fellow, waxed so proude, and began to grow into such ad∣miration of himselfe, because hee had hurt Cy•…•…us in the knée, that in the end through very prdie, he became starke mad. The church stories ma•…•…e mention of Arrius a Priest, in the Church of Alex∣andria, a man of sharpe witte,

that of very pride hee sell to open and fearefull heresi•…•…. Let it be remembred and written in the tables of our heart, God resisteth the proud.

10 The more dire•…•…t the Sun is ouer vs, the lesser is our sha∣dowe: the more Gods grace is ouer vs, and in vs, the lesser is our shadowe of pride, and selfe∣loue. Had we Christian harts to consider the humility of our Re∣déemer, and how farre hee was from our haugh•…•…e and disdain∣full dispositions, it would pull downe our pharisaicall humors, I am not as this man, and make vs to remember our selues, re∣membring that of the holie Ghost, He that stands, let him take heede l•…•…ast he fall.

The soule is said to haue sen∣ces in some manner as the body hath, in stéede of séeing, it hath faith: in stéede of hearing, obedi∣ence: of smelling, hope: of ta∣sting, charitie: and last of all, in stéede of touching, humility: a sence of a•…•…l other is this touching most necessary, for this fayling,

life fayleth. The Moale is said to liue without seeing, the Flie without hearing, the Camelion without tasting, the shell-fish without smelling, but without féeling nothing sensitiue existeth. The same may be considered of the grace of humility, in the life of grace.

11 The mother of Zebedes children comes vnto our Saui∣our, as a sutor for her Sonnes, that they mighthaue superiority and sit next him in his King∣dome: she, as yet not fully illu∣minated, thought, that Christ should beare a state in the world, sit as a King in princely autho∣rity, and therefore would to take her tune, and lay for promotion, that h•…•…r Sonnes might be great about him, and beare some sway, as no meane states: but all this while she was far wide. Christ as hee neuer affected superioritie in himselfe, so did hee teach o∣thers that those who were grea∣test, should be as the least, and the chiefest as he that serued, for hee came not into this world to

haue any high preheminence, in regard of worldly dignity: but in lowlines of mind from his first entrance, vntill his departure vnto his Father, was the whole cariage of his life; whereunto, his doctrine accorded, when hee pronounced them blessed, who were poore in spirit: his repre∣hension accorded, when he disli∣ked their manner, who were wont to thrust, and striue for the highest places, at seasts and other assemblies: hee that contented himselfe with so meane and low∣lie a condition, was able with one word to haue shewed as much state, as euer Salomon d•…•…d, when all the world in a manner did admire him: but we see how much he respected humility.

12 Wherefore if we follow our heauenly leader, then must wee humble our selues. More saf•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it to be vpō the pauement, where we may walke surely, then to be clyming vpon the pinn•…•…oles of the Temple, where, and whence we may take a fall. Humility is the very honour of honour. Peter

in humility and feare, craueth di∣stance from Christ, Lord goe frō me, for I am a sinfull man: Hester that good woman, made a good protestation in her prayer, Tuscis quod detestor signum superbiae, God thou knowest I detest the signe of pride. Lord, saith Dauid, I am not high minded, I haue no proud lookes: The Sp•…•…rtans heathen men, were honoured in the world for their great humili∣tie and obedience: The counsell of the Angell vnto Agar, may be counsell befitting mans insolen∣cie, O Hagar, go humble thy selfe. It is a temptation of Sathan, saith Machariu•…•…, thou art better then other, wiser then other, wor∣thier then other, harken not vn∣to it.

13 When as Rebecca vnder∣stoode it was Isaack which came walking vpon the ground, down she comes from her Cammel, and couereth her selfe with a vaile: she thought it vnséemely her selfe to be on high, and sée her spouse content to goe on foote belowe. When wee consider with our

selues how our Lord and Mai∣ster was so lowly & méeke, what should we else doe, but be asha∣med of our conc•…•…tes, come down from lofty and swelling desires, remembring that of S. Iames, Humble your selues vnder the mighty hand of God, and hee will exalt you or that of Salomon, hu∣mility goeth before honour: or if all this will not serue to learne vs, to be humble and méeke, yet let the fall of Lucifer be a war∣ning vnto all, while they haue a day to liue, to take héede of pride 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for is it likely, that he who cast a proud Angell out of heauen, will place a proud man in heauen?

Notes

• Mat. 2, 1. Luk, 2, 21.
• Aug. med. sept.
• Ion. 1, 12.
• Apo. 5, 12
• Gen. 22, 2 Leu. 16, 8.
• Phil. 2, 7.
• Math. 2, 1. Luc. 2, 16. Luc. 5, 10. Luc. 15, 1. Math. 14, 19. Mat. 8, 24.
• Esay. 53, 3.
• Zach. 9, 9
• Fulg. de Epipha.
• 1, Pet 1 12 Iohn, 1, 1. Math. 28, 18.
• Iohn, 1, 1. 2 3, 4, 5.
• Iohn, 8, 56. Math. 28, 18.
• Iohn, 1, 2.
• 1, Tim. 3, 16.
• Luk, 1, 22.
• Luk, 3, 5.
• Mat. 11, 29.
• Aug. con. 8.
• Mat. 18, 3.
• Iohn, 13 5.
• Phil. 2, 10.
• August.
• Luk. 18, 13 Luk, 15, 21
• Math. 8, 8
• Luc. 1, 28.
• Gal 4, 4.
• Luk, 2, 12.
• Esa. 66, 2.
• Exo. 3, 10. Iud. 6, 15. 1, Sam. 15, 17.
• Bernar. in medit.
• 2. Reg. 18.
• Iam. 4, 6.
• Luc. 18, 11
• 1, Cor. 10, 12.
• Math. 20, 21.
• Mat•…•…. 5, 3. Luc, 14, 7.
• Hester. 14.
• Psa. 131, 1
• Macha. ho. 27.
• Gen. 34. 65.
• Iam. 4, 10.
• Pro. 15, 33