XCVI. sermons by the Right Honorable and Reverend Father in God, Lancelot Andrevves, late Lord Bishop of Winchester. Published by His Majesties speciall command

A SERMON Preached before QVEENE ELIZABETH, AT HAMP∣TON Court, on Wednesday, being the VI. of March, A. D. MDXCIIII.

LVKE CHAP. XVII. VER. XXXII.

Memores estote Vxoris LOT.

Remember LOT's Wife.

A Part of the Chapter read this Morning, by order of the Church, for II. Lesson.

THe words are few, and the sentence short; no one in Scripture so short. But it fareth with Sentences as with coynes: In coines, they that in smallest com∣passe conteine greatest value, are best esteemed: and, in sentences, those that in fewest words comprise most matter, are most praised. Which, as of all sentences it is true; so specially of those that are mar∣ked with Memento. In them, the shorter, the bet∣ter; the better, and the better caried away, and the better kept; and the better called for when we need it. And such is this heere; of rich contents, and with all exceeding compendious: So that, we must needs be without all excuse, it being but three words, and but five syllables, if we doe not remember it.

The Sentence is our SAVIOVR's, uttered by Him upon this occasion. Before, (in V••rse 18.) He had sai••: that the dayes of the Sonne of man should be as the dayes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 LOT, in two respects. ¹ In respect of the sodeinesse of the destruction that should come: ^• and in respect of the securitie of the people, on whom it should come For, the Sodomites laughed at it; and Lot's wife (it should seeme) but slightly re∣garded it. Being then in Lot's storie, verie fitly, and by good consequence, out of that storie, He leaveth us a Memento, before He leaveth it.

There are in Lot's storie, two very notable monuments of GOD's judgement. ¹ The Lake of Sodome, ² and LOT's Wive's Piller. The one, the punishment of reso∣lute

sinne; the other, of faint vertue. For, the Sodomites are an example of impe∣nitent wilfull Sinners: and Lot's wife of imperseverant and relapsing righteous per∣sons.

Both these are in it: but CHRIST, of both these, taketh the latter onely. For, two sorts of men there are, for which these two Items are to be fitted. ¹ To those in state of Sinne that are wrong, the Lake of Sodome: ² To those in state of Grace, that are well (if so they can keepe them) Lot's wive's Piller. To the first in state of Sinne,* 1.1 Moses propoundeth the Vine of Sodome and grapes of Gomorra, quae con∣tacta cinerescunt, that if ye but touch them, turne to ashes. To the other in state of grace,* 1.2 CHRIST heere, Lot's wive's Piller. To the one, Ieremie crieth, Qui ceci∣dit, adjiciat ut resurgat. To the other, Saint Paul: Qui stat videat ne cadat. Agar, that is departed from Abraham's house,* 1.3 with her face toward Aegypt, the Angel calleth to returne, and not to persevere: Lot's wife, that is gone out of Sodome, and in the right way to ZOAR,* 1.4 the Angell willeth to persevere and not to returne. So that, to them this Memento is by CHRIST directed, that being departed from the errors of VR, are gone out from the Sinnes of Sodome, are entred into the pro∣fession of the truth, or into the course of a vertuous life. So that, if we lay it to our selves we shall lay it aright; that Lot's Wife be our example, and that we sprinkle our selves with the salt of her Piller, ne putescamus, that we turne not againe to folly, or fall away from our owne stedfastnesse. And, if it be meant to us, needfull it is, that we receive it. A point (no doubt) of important consideration and neces∣sitie, as well for Religion, to call on; as for our Nature to heare of. First, for Religion: her glorie it is, no lesse, to be hable to shew antiquos Discipulos, old Professors, as Mnason was, then daily to convert and make new Proselytes. And therefore, with CHRIST, we must not ever be dealing with Venite ad me; but sometimes too, with Manete in me;* 1.5 That, hath his place: Not ever with stimuli, goades to incite men to; but, otherwhile, with Clavi, neyles to fasten them in. For, as Nature hath thought requisite as well the Brests to bring up, as the Womb to bring forth: And Philosophie holdeth tueri of no lesse regard then quaerere: And with the Lawyers, Habendum is not the onely thing, but Tenendum needfull too: And the Physitian as carefull of the regiment, and fearefull of the recidivation, as of the d••s••ase and cure: So Divinitie is respective to both; both, to lay the groundworke surely Ne corruat, that it shake not with Esay's Nisi credideritis;* 1.6 and, to roofe it carefully, Ne perpluat, that it rain not through and rott the principalls,* 1.7 with Paul's, Si perma••seris, alioquin excidéris & tu.

Needfull then for Religion, to call on this vertue: and, as for Religion, to call on; so, for our Nature to be called on: Wherein, as there is tenellum quid, a tender part not hable to endure the crosse, for which we need the vertue of Patience: So is there also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a flitting humor, not hable to endure the taediousnesse of any thing long; for which we no lesse need the vertue of Perseverance. The Prophet (in the 78.* 1.8 Psal.) saith, our Nature is as a Bow, which when it is bent to his full, except it be followed hard, till it be sure and fast, starts back againe, and is as farr of as ever it was. The Apostle compareth it to fl••sh (as it is) which will sine sale putescere;* 1.9 and if it be not corned, of it selfe bring forth corruption. And to help this our evill inclination for∣ward, there be in all Ages dangerous examples, to draw us on. The Is••aëlites, after they had passed the red Sea and all the perills of the desert, & were now come even to the borders of Canaan,* 1.10 even there, say Benè nobis erat in Aegypto, we were better in Aegypt: Let us make a Captaine and returne thither. The Romanes (in the New) at the first, so glorious Professors, that Saint Paul saith, All the world spake of their faith: After,* 1.11 when trouble arose, and Saint Paul was called coram, of the same Romanes he saith,* 1.12 Nemo mihi adfuit, sed omnes deseruerunt, None stood by me, All shrunke away. And in these dangerous dayes of ours, The falling away quite of diverse, and some such,* 1.13 as ha••e said of themselves (with Peter) Etsi omnes, non ego; and others have sayd of them, Etsi omnes non ille: The declining of others, which (as Daniels image) decay by degrees;* 1.14 from a head of fine Gold fall to a silver brest, and from thence to loines

of brasse, and thence to Leggs of iron, and last to feete of clay: The wavering and amaze of others that stand in the Plaine (with Lot's wife) looking about, and cannot tell, whither to go forward to little Zoar, or back againe to the ease of Sodom; shew plainly that Lot's wife is forgotten, and this is a needfull Memento, Remember Lot's wife. If then it be ours, and so neerly concerne us, let us see, quantum valent hae quinque Syllabae.

1. First, CHRIST sending our memorie to a storie past;* 1.15 of the use of remem∣bring stories in generall. [unspec I]

2. Secondly, Of this particular of Lot's wife, and the Points to be remembred [unspec II] in it.

3 Thirdly, How to apply those points, that (as Saint Augustine saith) Condiant [unspec III] nos, & Sal Statuae sit nobis condimentum vitae, that the Salt of this Piller may be the Season of our lives.

THe Prophet Esai doth call us, that stand in this place, the Lord's Remembrancers:* 1.16 As to GOD, for the People, by the office of Prayers; So from GOD, to the Peo∣ple, by the office of Preaching. In which office of Preaching, we are imployed as much about R••cognos••e, as about cognosce; as much in calling to their mindes the things they know and have forgott, as in teaching them the things they know not, or never learnt. The things are many, we have Comm••ssion to putt men in mind of. Some touching themselves: For, it is, many times, too true, which the Philosopher saith: Nihil tam longè abest a nobis quam ipsi nos; Nothing is so farr from our minds, as we our selves. For, naturally (as saith the Apostle) we do 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 leake, and runne out;* 1.17 and when we have looked in the glasse, we streight forgett our fashion againe.* 1.18 There∣fore we have in charge to put men in minde of many things, and to call upon them with diverse Memento's. Memento quia sicut lutum tu,* 1.19 Remember the basenesse of our mold what it is: Memento quia vita ventus, Remember the frailnesse of our life how short it is. Memento tenebrosi temporis, Remember,* 1.20 the dayes of darkenesse are comming, and they be many. All which we know well enough, and yet need to be put in mind of them.

But, the store-house, and the very life of memorie, is the Historie of time; and a speciall charge have we, all along the Scriptures, to call upon men to looke to that. For, all our wisedome consisting either in Experience or Memorie; Experience of our owne, or Memorie of others; Our daies are so short, that our Experience can be but slender, Tantùm hesterni sumus (saith Iob;* 1.21) and our own time cannot affoord us ob∣servations enough, for so many cases, as we need direction in. Needs must we then (as he heer adviseth) interrogare generationem pristinam, aske the former Age, what they did in like case: search the Records of former times; wherein, our cases we shal be hable to match, and to paterne them all. Salomon saith excellently, Quid est quod fuit? Quod futurum est; What is that that hath been? That that shalbe:* 1.22 and back againe, What is that that shalbe? That that hath been: Et nihil novum est sub Sole, and there is nothing under the Sun of which it may be said, it is new, but it hath been already in the former generations. So that, it is but turning the wheele, and setting before us some case of Antiquitie, which may sample ours, and either remembring to follow it, if it fell out well; or to eschew it, if the successe were therafter. For example, By Abimelech's storie, King David reproveth his Captaines, for pur∣suing the enemie too neer the wall, seeing Abimelech mis-caried by like adventure;* 1.23 and so maketh use of remembring Abimelech. And by David's example (that, in want of all other bread,* 1.24 refused not the Shew-bread) CHRIST our SAVIOVR defen∣deth His Disciples in like distresse, and sheweth, that, upon such extremitie, Necessitas doth even legem Legi dicere, give a Law, even to the Law it selfe.

Seven severall times we are called upon to doe it: * 1.25 ¹ Memento dierum an∣tiquorum (saith Moses:) ² Recordamini prioris Seculi (Esai:) ³ State super vias antiquas, (Ieremie:) ⁴ Investiga patrum memoriam (Iob:) ⁵ Exemplum sumite Prophetas, (Iames:) ⁶ Rememoramini dies priscos, (Paul:) ⁷ Remember Lot's wife, CHRIST, heer; that is, To lay our actions to those, we finde there, and of like doings, to looke for like ends. So read stories past, as we make not our selves matter for storie to come.

* 1.26Now, of and among them all, our SAVIOVR CHRIST after a speciall manner commendeth unto us, this of Lot's wife. Of which thus much we may say, That it is the onely one storie, which, of all the stories of the Old Testament, He maketh His choise of, to putt in His Memento; which He would have them, which have forgotten, to remember, and those that remember, never to forget. Oft to repaire to this storie, and to fetch salt from this Piller: that they lose not that they have done, and so perish in the recidivation of Lot's wife.

Then to descend into the particulars: I find, in stories, two sorts of Memento. 1. Mem••nto & fac, Remember to follow: 2. Memento & fuge, Remember to flie the like. Marie Magdalen's ointment, an example of one; Lot's wife's Salt Stone, an example of the other. Or (to keepe us, to this storie) Lot looked not back, till he came safe to Zoar: m••mento, & fac. Lot's wife did, and died for it: memento & fuge.

The verse before sheweth, why CHRIST layd the memento upon her. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that we s••ould not turne or returne back, as she did: that we should not follow her, but, when we come at this Piller, turne at it and take another way. That is, we should remember Lot's wife, but follow Lot; remember her, but fol∣low him.

Now, in either of both memento's, to follow, or to fly, we alway enquire of two points (and so, heer) ¹ quid fecit, ² quid passa est: what they did, whose storie we read; and, how they spedd: The Fact and the Effect. The Fact, Vice or Vertue: The Eff••ct, Reward or Punishment.

Both which, concerning this unfortunate woman, we find sett downe in one verse (in the XIX of Gen.) what She did;* 1.27 that She drew back or looked back: this was her Sinne. The effect, that She was turned into a Salt stone: this was her Punishment. And these two, are the two Memorandum's concerning her, to be remembred. First of her fault.

* 1.28The Ang••ll had given charge to Lot and his companie (in the seventeenth of that Chapter) Scape for thy life: Stay not in the plaine: Looke not once behind thee lest thou perish. Scape for thy life: She trifled for all that, as if no perill were. Stay not in the plaine, yet stayed she behind. Looke not back lest thou dye; she would, and did looke back, to dye for it. So that, she did all that, she was forbidd, and reg••rded none of the Angels words, but despised the counsell of GOD against her own•• soul••. This was her sinne, the sinne of disobedience; but consisteth of su••••ry d••grees by which she fell: Needfull, all, to be remembred.

* 1.291. The first was: That she did not S••verè custodire mandatum Dei, strictly keepe ••er to the A••g••lls charge, but, dallied with it, and regarded it by halves; that is, sa•• wh••t he would, she might use the matter as she would; goe, or stay and looke about as she list. Such light regard is like enough to have growen of a wandring distru••t; lest happly, she had left Sodome in vaine, and the Angell feared them, with that which never should be. The Sunne rose so cleer, and it was so goodly a morning, she repented, she came away. Reckoning her Sonnes in Law more wise in staying still, th••n Lot and herselfe, in so unwisely departing. Which is the sinne of unbelief, the bane both of Constancie and Perseverance. Constancie, in the pur∣••ose of our mind; and Perseverance in the tenor of our life.

* 1.302. From this grew the second, That she beg••nn to tire, and draw behind, and kept not pace with Lot and the Angells. An evill signe. For (ever) fainting is next

step to forsaking; and Sequebatur a longè, a preparative to a giving cleane over: Occasionem quaerit (saith Salomon) qui vult discedere ab amico,* 1.31 He that hath no list to follow, will pick some quarrell or other to be cast behind.

3. This tiring had it growen of weaknesse, or w••arinesse, or want of breath,* 1.32 might have been borne with; but, it came of another cause, which is the third degree. It was (saith the text) at least to looke back and to cast her eye to the place, her soule longed after. Which sheweth, that the love of Sodom sticketh in her still: that though her feet were come from thence, her heart stayed there behind: and that, in looke and thought she returned thither, whither in body she might not; but (possibly) would in body too, if, as NINIVE did, so SODOM had still r••∣mained.

4. Looking back might proceed of diverse causes; So might this of hers,* 1.33 but that CHRIST'S application directs us. The verse before saith, Somewhat in the house, somthing left behind affected her: Of which He giveth us warning. She grew weary of trouble, and of shifting so oft: From Vr to Haran; thence, to Canaan; the••••e, to Egypt; thence to Canaan againe; then to Sodom; and now to Zoar; and that, in her old daies, when she would fainest have been a•• rest. Therefore, in this wearisome conceit of new trouble now to beginn; and withall rem••mbring the con∣venient s••at, she had in Sodome, she even desired to die b•• her flesh-p••••ts, and to be bu∣ried in the graves of lust: wished them at Zoar, that would, and her selfe at Sodo•• againe: desiring rather to end her life with ease in that Stately city, then to remove and be safe perhapps, and perhapps not, in the d••solate 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And this was the sinne of restinesse of soule, which affected her eyes and knees, and was the cause of all the former. When men wery of a good course, which long they have hold••n, for a little ease or wealth, or (I wote not what) other secular respect, fall away in the end: so losing the praise and fruict of their form••r perseverance, and relapsing into the danger and destruction, from which they had so neer escaped.

Behold, these were the sinnes of Lot's wife; A wavering of mind: Slow stepps: the convulsion of her neck: all these caused her wearin••sse and feare of new trouble, she preferring SODOM's case before ZOAR's safety. Re∣member Lot's wife.

This was her sinne: and this her sinne was, in her,* 1.34 ma••e much more heynous by a double circumstance, well worth the remembring: as (ev••r) weighty circum∣stances are matter of speciall regard, in a storie specially. ¹ One, that she fell, aft••r she had stood long. ² The other, that she fell, even then, when GOD, by all ••••an••s offered her safety, and so forsooke her owne mercie.

Touching the first.* 1.35 These a 1.36 winter brookes (as Iob term••th flitting desultorie Chistians) if they drie; these b 1.37 Summer f••uicts (as Amos) if they pu••rifie; these c 1.38 morning clouds (as Hosea) if they scatter; these d 1.39 shallow ••o••ted cor••e, if they wi∣ther and come to nothing, it is the lesse grief. ••o ••an looked for other. * 1.40 P••a∣rao with his fitts, that at every plague sent upon 〈…〉〈…〉 ••o••ly on a s••d••ine, and O pray for me now; and when it is gone, as prophane as ev••r he was; beginning nine times, and nine times breaking of againe; he moves not much. To go further: Saul, that for two yeare; Iudas, that for three; Nero, that for fiv•• kept well, and th••n fell away, though it be much, yet may it be borne. But, this woman had conti∣nued now thirty yeare (for, so they reckon from Abraham's going out of V••, to the destruction of Sodom:) This, this is the grief, that she should persist all this time, and after all this time fa••l away. The rather, if we consider yet further, that not onely she continued many yeares, but susteined many things in her continuance, as being companion of Abraham and Lot, in their exile, their travaile, and all their affliction. This is the griefe, that after all these stormes in the broad Sea well past, she should in this pitifull manner, be wracked in the haven. And when she had been in Egypt, & not poisoned with the superstitions of Egypt; when lived in Sodom, and not defiled with the sinnes of Sodom; Not fallen away for the famine of Canaan, nor taken harme by the fullnesse of the Cities of the Plaine; after all this she should lose the

fruict of all this, and doe and suffer so many things all in vaine: This is the first: Remember it.

* 1.41The second is no whit inferiour: That, at that instant she wofully perished, when GOD's speciall favour was profered to preserve her: and that, when, of all other times she had meanes and cause to stand; then, of all other times, she fell away. Many were the mercies she found and felt at GOD's hands, by this very title, that she was Lot's Wife. For, by it, she was incorporated into the House and familie, and made partaker of the blessings of the faithfull Abraham. It was a mercie, to be deli∣vered from the errors of Vr; a mercy, to be kept safe in Egypt; a mercy, to be pre∣served from the sinne of Sodome; a mercy, to be delivered from the Captivitie of the five Kings; and this the last and greatest mercy, that she was sought to be delivered from the perishing of the five Cities. This (no doubt) doth mightily aggravate the offense, that, so many waies before remembred by GOD in trouble, she so coldly remembred Him: and that now presently, being offered grace, she knoweth not the day of her vi∣sitation: But, being brought out of Sodom, and warned of the danger that might ensue; having the Angells to goe before her, Lot to beare her companie, her daughters to attend her, and being now at the entrance of Zoar, the haven of her rest; this very time, place and presence, she maketh choise of, to perish in, and to cast away that, whic•• GOD would have s••ved; in respect of her selfe, desperately; of the Angells, contemptuously; of her husband and daughters, scandalously; of GOD and His favours, unthankef••lly; forsaking her owne mercie, and perishing in the sinne of willfull defection.

Remember Lot'•• wife, and these Two, ¹ That she looked back, after so long time, and so many sufferings: ² That she looked back, after so many, so mercifull, and so mighty prot••ctions. And remember this withall, That she lookt back onely, and went not back: Would, it may be, but that it was all on fire. But, whither she would or no, or whither we do or no, thi•• fore••hinking our selves, we be gone out of this faint proceeding, this staying in the plaine, this convulsion of the neck, and writhing the eyes back; this i••resolute wavering whither we should choose, either bodily pleasures in perishing So∣dom, or the safe••y of our soules in little Zoar, was her sinne; And this is the sinne of so many as stand as she stood, and looke as she looked, though they goe not back: but, if they goe back too, they shall j••stifie her, and heape upon them∣s••lves a more heavy condemnation. So much for the sinne, which we should remember, to avoid.

* 1.42Now for her punishment, which we must remember, to esca••e.

This relapse in this manner, that the world might know it to be a sinne highly displeasing His M••jestie, GOD hath not onely marked it for a sinne, but salted it too, that it might never be forgotten.

The wages and punishment of this sinne of hers, was it, which is the wages of all sinne, that is,* 1.43 Death. Dea••h, in her (sure) worthily, that refused life with so easy conditions, as the holding of her head still, and would needs looke back and dye.

The sound of d••ath is fearefull, what death soever: yet it is made more fearfull foure wai••s; w••ich all be in this of hers.

1. We desire to die with respite; and sodeine death, we feare and pray against. Her death was sodein,* 1.44 back she looked, and never looked forward more. It was her last looke.

* 1.452. We desire to have remorse of sinne yet we be taken away; and death, in the very act of sinne is most dangerous. Her death was so. She died in the very convulsion; She died with her face to Sodome.

3. We would die the common death of mankind, and be visited after the visitation of other m••n:* 1.46 and an un usuall strange death is full of terror. Hers was so. GOD's own hand from heaven, by a strange and fearefull visitation.

* 1.474. Our wish is, to dye, and to be buried, and not remaine a spectacle above ground which Nature abhorreth: She so died, as she remained a spectacle of GOD's wrath

and a By-word to posteritie, and as many as passed by. For, vntill CHRIST's time, and after, this monument was still extant and remained vndefaced so many hundred yeares. Iosephus (a Writer of good accompt, which lived after this) saith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: I my selfe have seene and beholden it, for it stands to be seene to this day. A reed she was, a Piller she is; which she seemed to be, but was not. She was melting water: She is congeled to salt. Thus have we, both her fault and punishment: Let us remember both: To shun the fault, that the penalty light not on us.

Now, this Piller was erected, and this verdure given it, for our sakes. For,* 1.48 among the many waies that the wisedome of GOD vseth to dispose of the sinne of man, and out of evill to draw good, this is one, and a chiefe one, that He suffereth not their evill examples to vanish as a shadow, but maketh them to stand as Pillers for Ages to come, with the Heathen mans inscription, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Looke on me, and learne by me, to serve GOD better.

And, a high benefit it is for us, that He not onely embalmeth the memorie of the Iust, for our imitation; but also powdreth and maketh brine of the Evill, for our admonition: that, as a Sent, from Marie Magdalen's ointment; So, a relish, from Lot's wive's piller, should remaine to all posterity.

Prophane persons, in their perishing, GOD could dash to peeces, and root out their remembrance from of the earth. He doth not, but suffereth their Quarters (as it were) to be sett up in stories, Vt paena Impij sit eruditio Iusti, that their punishment may be our advertisement. Powreth not out their blood, nor casts it away, but saves it, for a Bath, Vt lavet Iustus pedes in sanguine peccatoris,* 1.49 that the Righteous may wash their footstepps in the blood of the vngodly:* 1.50 that all (even the ruine of the wicked) may co-operate to the good of them that feare GOD. This woman, in her incon∣stancie, could He have sunke into the earth, or blowen up as salt-petre, that no re∣membrance should have remained of her: He doth not; but, for us, and for our sakes, he erecteth a Piller: And not a Piller onely, to point and gaze at; but a Pil∣ler or rock of salt, whence we may and must fetch, wherewith to season whatsoever in vnsavorie in our lives. And this, this, is the life and soule of memorie: this is wisedome, The art of extracting salt, out of the wicked; Triacle, out of vipers; our owne happinesse out of aliena pericula: and to make those that were vnprofita∣ble to themselves, profitable to us. For (sure) though Lot's wife were evill, her salt is good. Let us see then, how to make her evill, our good; see, if we can draw any savory thing from this example.

1. That which we should draw out, is Perseverance,* 1.51 Mu••ia virtutum (as Gregorie calleth it) the Preserver of vertues, without which (as Summer fruits) they will pe∣rish and putrifie: The Salt of the Covenant; without which, the flesh of our Sacrifice will take winde and corrupt. But Saint Augustine (better) Regina virtutum, the Queene of vertues; for that, how ever the rest runne and strive, and doe masteries, yet Perseverantia sola coronatur, Perseverance is the onely crowned vertue.

2. Now Perseverance we shall attaine,* 1.52 if we can possesse our soules with due care and ridd them of securitie. Of Lot's Wive's securitie, as of w••ter, was this Salt heer made. And, if securitie (as water) doe but touch it, it melts away presently. But Care will make us fix our eye, and gather up our feet, and, forgetting that which is behind, tendere in anteriora, to follow hard toward the prize of our high calling.* 1.53

3. And, to avoid Securitie, and to breed in us due care, Saint Bernard saith, Feare will do it: Vi•• in timore securus esse? securitatem time;* 1.54 The only way to be secure in feare, is to feare securitie. Saint Paul had given the same counsell before; that, to preserve Si permanseris, no better advise, then Noli altum sapere, sed time.* 1.55

Now, from her Storie, these considerations are yeelded,* 1.56 each one as an handfull of salt, to keepe us, and to make us keepe.

First, that we see; as of CHRIST's twelve, which He had sorted and selected [unspec 1]

from the rest, one miscaried; Et illum gregem non timuit lupus intrare, and that the Woolfe feared not to seise, no, not upon that Flock: and as of Noah's eight that were saved from the flood, one fell away too; So, that of Lot's foure, heere, and but foure in all, all came not to Zoar, one came short. So that, of twelve, of eight, of foure; yea, a little after (verse 35.) of two, one is refused: that we may remem∣ber, few there be that scape from Sodome in the Angels companie; and of those (few though they be) all are not safe neither: Who would not feare, if one may pe∣rish in the companie of Angells?

[unspec 2] Secondly, that as one miscarieth; so, not every one, but one that had continued so long, and suffered so many things, and after all this continuance, and all these suffe∣rings, falls from her estate, and turnes all out and in; and, by the inconstancie of one houre,* 1.57 maketh void the Perseverance of so many yeares, and (as Ezekiel saith) in the day, they turne away to iniquitie, all the former righteousnesse they have done, shall not be remembred.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, that, as she perisheth; So, at the same time, that Sodome: She, by it; and it, by her. That, one end commeth to the sinner without repentance, and to the just without perseverance. One end, to the abomination of Sodome, and to the recidiva∣tion of Lot's Wife; Et non egredientes, & egredientes respicientes: They that goe not out of her, perish; and they that goe out of her, perish too, if they looke backe. La∣cus Asphaltites, is a monument of the one; Lot's Wive's salt stone, a memoriall of the other.

[unspec 4] Lastly, that as one perisheth, and that such a one; So, that she perisheth at the gates, even hard at the entry of Zoar: which of all other, is most fearefull; So neere her safety, so hard at the gates of her deliverance. Remember, that neere to Zoar gates, there stands a salt stone.

These very thoughts, what her case was, these foure waies; and what ours may be (who are no better then she was) will search us like salt, and teach us, that as, if we re∣member, what we have beene, we may (saith Saint Bernard) erubescere; so, if we remember what we may be, we may contremiscere: that, we see our beginnings, but see not our ending: we see our Stadium, not our dolichum. And that, as we have great need to pray (with the Prophet) Thou hast taught me from my youth up,* 1.58 untill now, fors••ke me not in mine old age, now when I am g••ay headed; So, we had need stirr u•• our care of continuing, seeing we see, it is nothing to beginne, except we con∣tinue; nor to continue, except we doe it, to the end.

Remember, we make not light accompt of the Angel's Serva animam tuam: bles∣sing our sel••es in our hearts and saying,* 1.59 Non fiet tibi hoc; we shall come safe, goe we never so soft: Zoar will not runne away.

Remember, we be not wery to goe whither GOD would have us; not to Zoar, though a little one, if our soule may there live: and never buy the ease of our body, with the hazard of our soule, or a few daies of vanitie with the losse of aeter∣nitie.

Rememb••r, we slacke not our pace, nor stand still on the Plaine. For, if we stand still, by still standing, we are meet to be made a Piller, ever to stand still, and never to re∣move.

Remember, we looke not back, either with her, on the vaine delights of Sodome left; or with Peter on Saint Iohn behind us,* 1.60 to say, Domine, Q••id iste? both, will make us forget our following. None that casteth his eye th'other way, is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, meete as he should be,* 1.61 meet for the Kingdome of GOD.

But specially remember, we leave not our heart behind us, but that we take that with us, when we goe out of Sodome: for if that stay, it will stay the feet, and writhe the eye, and neither the one nor the other will doe their duty. Remember, that our heart wander not, that our heart long not. This Care, if it be fervent, will bring us Per∣severance.

* 1.62Now, that we may the better learne somewhat out of her punishment too: Let us

remember also, that as to her, so to us, GOD may send some vn-usuall visitation, and take us sodenly away, and in the act of sinne too.

Remember the danger and damage: It is no lesse matter, we are about, then per∣det animam. Which if we doe, we frustrate and forfeit all the fruit of our former well continued course; all we have done, is vaine. Yea, all that CHRIST hath done for us is in vaine; whose paines and sufferings we ought specially to tender, knowing that Supra omnem laborem labor irritus, No labour to lost labour; and CHRIST then hath lost His labour for us.

Remember the folly: that beginning in the Spirit we end in the flesh:* 1.63 turning our backs to Zoar, we turne our face to Sodome: joyning to a head of fine gold, feet of clay; and to a precious foundation, a covering of thatch.

Remember the Disgrace: that we shall lose our credit and accompt, while we live,* 1.64 and shall heare that of CHRIST, Hic homo; and that other, Quid existis in deser∣tum videre? A zeed shaken with the winde.

Remember the Scandall: That, falling our selves we shall be a blocke for to make others fall: a sinne no lighter nor lesse, nor lighter then a mill-store.

Remember the Infamie: That we shall leave our memorie remaining in stories,* 1.65 among Lo••'s Wife, and Iob's Wife, Demas and Ecebolius and the number of Relaps••d, there to stand to be pointed at, no less•• then this heape of Salt.

Remem••er the Iudg••ment that is upon them after their relapse, though they live, that they doe even (with her heer) obrigescere, wax hard and numme, and ser••e others for a cavea••, wholy vnprofitable for themselves.

Remember the difficultie of re••laiming to good: Seven evill spirits ••ntering in∣steed of one, that their last state is worse then the first.* 1.66

And lastly, Remember that we shall justifie Sodome by so doing; and her frozen sinne, shall condemne our melting vertue. For, they in the wilfullnesse of their wickednesse persisted till fire from heaven consumed them: And, they being thus obdurate in sinne, ought not she (and we much more) to be constant in vertue? And, if the drunkard hold out, till he have lost his eyes; the vncleane person, till he have wasted his loines; the contentious, till he have consumed his wealth, Quis pudo•• quòd infaelix populus Dei non habet tantam in bono perseverantiam, quantam mali in malo•• What shame is it, that GOD'S vnhappy people should not be as constant in vertue, as these miscreants have beene, and be in vice!

Each of these by it selfe; all these putt together, will make a full Memento: which if she had remembred, she had beene a Piller of light in heaven, not of salt in e••rth. It is too late, for her: we, in due time yet, may rem••mber it.

And, when we have remembred these, Remember CHRIST too, that gave the Meme••to: that He calleth himselfe Alpha and Omega;* 1.67 not only Alpha for his happy be∣ginning; but Omega, for His thrife happy ending. For that He left us, not, nor gave over the worke of our redemption, till He had broug••t it to Consummatum est: And that, on our part, Summa Religionis est, imitari quem colis, The highest act of Religion, is, for the Christian to conforme himselfe, not to Lot's Wife, but to CHRIST, whose name he weareth. And though Verus amor non sumit vires despe, True love (indeed) receiveth no manner strength from hope, but, though it hope for nothing, loveth ne∣verthelesse; yet, to quicken our love, which oft is but faint, and, for a full Memento, Remember the Reward. Remember, how CHRIST will remember us for it; which shall not be the wages of an hireling, or (lease-wise) for time, and terme of yeares, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Eternity it selfe, never to expire, end, or determine, but to last and en∣dure for ever and ever.

But this reward (saith Ezekiel) is for those, whose foreheads are marked with Tau,* 1.68 which (as Omega in Greek) is the last letter in the Hebrew Alphabet, and the mar••e of consummatum est, among them: They onely shall escape the wrath to come. And this crowne is laid up for them, not of whom it may be said,* 1.69 Currebatis benè Ye did runne well; but, for those that can say (with Saint Paul) Cursum consummavi, I have finished my course well.* 1.70

And (thanks be to GOD) we have not hitherto wanted this salt, but remembred Lot's wife well. So, that, this exhortation, because we have prevented and done that which it calleth for, changeth his nature and becommeth a commendation, as all others do. A commendation (I say:) yet not so much of the people (whose onely faelicitie is to serve and be subiect to one that is constant; for otherwise, we know how wavering a thing the multitude is) as of the Prince, whose constant standing giveth strength to many a weake knee otherwise. And Blessed be GOD and the Father of our LORD IESVS CHRIST, that we stand in the presence of such a Prince: who hath ever accompted of Perseverance, not onely as of Regina virtutum, the Queen of vertues; but, as of virtus Reginarum the vertue of a Queen. Who (like Zo∣robabel) first, by Princely magnanimitie, layd the Corner-stone, in a troublesome time: and since, by Heroicall constancie, through many both alluring proffers and threat∣ning dangers, hath brought forth the head-stone also, with the Prophett's acclamati∣on, Grace, grace, unto it: Grace, for so happy a beginning; and Grace, for so thrice happy an ending. No terrors, no enticement, no care of her safety hath removed her from her stedfastnesse: but, with a fixed eye, with streight stepps, with a resolute mind, hath entred her selfe, and brought us into Zoar. It is a little one, but therein our soules shall live; and we are in safety, all the Cities of the Plaine being in combustion round about us. Of whom it shalbe remembred, to her high praise, not onely that of the Heathen Illaque virgo viri;* 1.71 but, that of David, that, all her dayes she served GOD, with a covenant of Salt, and with her Israël, from the first day untill now. And of this be we perswaded, that He which begann this good worke in her, will performe it unto the day of IESVS CHRIST, to her everlasting praise comfort and ioy; and, in her, to the comfort, ioy and happinesse of us all.

Yet it is not needlesse, but right requisite, that we which are the LORD's Re∣membrancers put you in mind, that as Perseverance is the Queen of vertues, quia ea sola coronatur; so is it also, quia Satanas ei soli insidiatur, for that, all Satan's malice, and all his practises are against it: The more carefull need we to be, to carry in our eye this example. Which GOD graunt we may, and that our hearts may seriously regard, and our memories carefully keepe it, Vt haec columna fulciat nos, et hic sal condiat nos, that this Piller may prop our weaknesse, and this salt season our sacrifice; that it may be remembred, and accepted, and rewarded in the day of the LORD. Which, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Deut. 32.32.
• * 1.2

  Ier. 8.4.
• * 1.3

  1. Cor. 10.12. Gen. 21.18.
• * 1.4

  Gen. 19.17.
• * 1.5

  Matt. 11.28. Iohn. 15.4.
• * 1.6

  Esay 7.9.
• * 1.7

  Rom. 11.2••.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 78.57.
• * 1.9

  Rom. 7.1.
• * 1.10

  Exod. 16.3. Num. 11.18.14.4.
• * 1.11

  Rom. 1.8.
• * 1.12

  3. Tim. 4.16.
• * 1.13

  Matt 26.33.
• * 1.14

  Dan. 2.32.
• * 1.15

  The Division
• * 1.16

  I. The 〈…〉〈…〉. Esay ••2.6.
• * 1.17

  H••b. 2 1.
• * 1.18

  Iam. 1.23.
• * 1.19

  Io•• 10.9.
• * 1.20

  Iob 7.7. Ec••les. 11.8.
• * 1.21

  Iob 8.9.
• * 1.22

  ••c••les 1.9
• * 1.23

  2. Sam 11 21.
• * 1.24

  Mar. 2.25.
• * 1.25

  ¹ Deut. 33 7. ² Esay 46.9. ³ Ier. 6.16 ⁴ Iob 8.8. ⁵ Iam. 5.10. ⁶ Heb. 10.32.
• * 1.26

  II. Of this of Lots Wife.
• * 1.27

  Gen ••9.2••.
• * 1.28

  1. 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.29

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.30

  •• ••••inting.
• * 1.31

  Pro. 18.1.
• * 1.32

  ³ Looking back
• * 1.33

  4 Preferring So••om to Zoar.
• * 1.34

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.35

  ¹ Af••••r so long stan••ing.
• a 1.36

  〈…〉〈…〉
• b 1.37

  Am 8.1.••.
• c 1.38

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••.4.
• d 1.39

  ••at. 1•• 22.
• * 1.40

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 8.
• * 1.41

  ² Now, when best meanes of standing.
• * 1.42

  ³ Her Punish∣ment.
• * 1.43

  D••a••h. Rom. 6.23
• * 1.44

  ¹ 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.45

  ² I•• the a••t ••f s••n••e.
• * 1.46

  ³ Vnusuall.
• * 1.47

  ⁴ Without bury∣all.
• * 1.48

  III. Our Lesson ••••om this.
• * 1.49

  Psal. 58.10
• * 1.50

  Rom. 8.28.
• * 1.51

  ¹ P••••severance.
• * 1.52

  ² Car••.
• * 1.53

  Phil. 3.13.
• * 1.54

  ³ ••eare.
• * 1.55

  Rom. 11.22.
• * 1.56

  Considerations out of her fault.
• * 1.57

  Ezek. 18.24.
• * 1.58

  Psal 71.18.
• * 1.59

  Matt. 16 22.
• * 1.60

  Ioh 21.20.
• * 1.61

  Luk. 9.••2.
• * 1.62

  Out of her pu∣nishment.
• * 1.63

  Gal. 3.3.
• * 1.64

  ••uk. 14.30 Matt 11.7.
• * 1.65

  Matt. 18 6.
• * 1.66

  Matt. 1••.45.
• * 1.67

  Ap••••. •• ••.
• * 1.68

  Ezek. 94.
• * 1.69

  Gal. 5.7.
• * 1.70

  2. Tim. 4.7
• * 1.71

  2. Chro. 13.5.