Two sermons One, the curse and crime of Meroz. Preached at the assises at Exon. The other, a sermon of patience. At St Maries in Oxford. By Edward Gee, Doctor in Diuinitie, and chaplaine to his Maiestie. Published since his death, by his two brethren, Iohn Gee and George Gee, ministers of Gods Word.

The second part, Of patience toward God.

[Part 2] NOw it remaineth that I should speake of that Patience which we are to vse toward God,

which how necessarie it is, will easily appeare, if we consider that no part of the worship of GOD can be without it. For as no sacrifice could be without salt, so can no part of Religion be practi∣sed aright without this patience. Witnesse the hearing of the Word preached, the doore and en∣trance vnto life; which if it be not patiently conti∣nued vnto the end, what will it bring but that curse; He that withdraweth his eare from hearing the Word, his Prayer is abhominable? Witnesse the practise of godly life, which if it be impatiently broken off, doth heare, The dogge is returned to his vomit, and the Sow that was washed to the wal∣lowing in the myre. Witnesse our inuocation and prayers, which, as Austin notes vpon the 88. Psalm, are many times repelled of God, that as a flame of fire which is blowne backward, they may returne and be more ardent; and therefore vnlesse they patiently proceed, they neuer draw downe any blessing of God. Witnesse our loue, which if by patience it burne not to the end, wee shall heare a woc sounding from heauen, because we haue forsaken our first loue. Witnesse our hope, which though it be the Anchor of the soule, yet is patience the cable which ties it fast vnto the ioyes of Heauen, as Paul witnesseth: If we hope for that we see not, we doe with patience abide for it, Rom. 8. And therefore if patience bee taken away, the ship of Faith must needes be ouerthrowne and dashed vpon the rockes of despaire. Thus is pa∣tience the pillar that supporteth euery good work,

which as it is requisite at all times, so especially in the euill day and time of affliction. For al∣beit wee are taught out of Gods Word, that our heauenly Father doth chastise those sonnes whom hee will receiue, but lets the Bastards and Runnagates goe free; albeit GOD him∣selfe hath promised that hee will not fayle his People, neither forsake his Inheritance, yet such is our impatient nature, that wee are readie to murmure at GOD, either because he sends vs such afflictions, or else because hee deliuers vs not so soone as we expect. Hence doth the Pro∣phet Dauid admonish vs in the 37. Psalme, Waite patiently vpon the Lord, and hope on him; or as the Originall doth sound, Be silent vnto the Lord. Which word doth excellently expresse that setling of the mind, and quietnesse of affections, which in their tribulation the children of GOD must enioy.

Behold holy Iob, the excellent Champion of God, and thou shalt see, as in a cleare glasse, this religious silence of mind: Behold, a more victori∣ous conquerour sitting vpon a dung-hill, than A∣lexander the Great vpon his chayre of Estate: for the Spirit of GOD hath said it; Hee that is slow to anger is better than the mightie Man, and hee that ruleth his owne minde is better than he that winneth a Citie, Prou. 16. Behold what variety of euill tydings, like fearefull cracks of Thun∣der did strike the eares of this inexpugnable for∣tresse, and yet could they make no breach into

his soule. The first was his orbitie and losse of children; the second his pouertie and losse of riches, both able to haue burst a heart of Ada∣mant, and yet made they not the least scarre in his soule. Naked came I out of my mothers wombe, and naked shall I returne againe; the Lord gaue, and the Lord hath taken away, now blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this did not Iob sinne, nor charge God foolishly with his lippes. Yea but peraduenture he will impatiently breake forth, if his skinne be touched vnto the quicke. Oh loathsome Lazar, full of sore boyles from the sole of his foote vnto the crowne of his head, able to haue made patience it selfe waspish and testie; and yet though his wife, as bellowes of impatience, did counsaile him to curse GOD and die, yet did he not sinne with his lippes, but mildly replyes, Thou speakest like a foolish Woman; What? shall we receiue good at the hand of GOD, and not re∣ceiue euill? Yea though his friends like prickes and thornes in his side, did euer pierce his affli∣cted soule; though these intollerable griefs should continue vpon him vnto his death, yet would he still patiently expect: All the dayes of mine ap∣pointed time will I waite vntill my changing shall come, Cap. 14. Yea, I am sure that my Redeemer liueth, and he shall stand last vpon the earth, and though after my skinne Wormes destroy this bodie, yet shall I see GOD in my flesh, Cap. 19. Oh dant∣lesse patience, which would neuer once shrinke vntill the comming of our Lord! and shall we

(my Brethren) who haue much more occasions of comfort than this man had, be deiected by po∣uertie, by sicknesse, by death of friends, by op∣pression, or by any other discontentment? We know, that as men doe cause their finest linnens which they weare next vnto their skinnes, to bee continually washen and wrenched, that they may be pure and cleane from filth, but their sacks and course haire clothes they doe not wash: euen so, the Lord of Hostes doth afflict his dearest chil∣dren (whom he will take vp into his owne bo∣some) that they may be cleansed from sinne and pollution of the flesh; but those whom he regar∣deth not, he suffers to enioy quietnesse and ease. And why then doe not we reioyce in all distresses, seeing we are purged therby as by a scouring sope and purified as the Gold and siluer in the fire, that so we may be made fit for him that is puritie and holinesse it selfe?

[Quest.] Oh, but thou thinkest that the Lord who hath said, Many are the troubles of the righteous, but he will deliuer them out of all, is too too slow in performing his promise vnto thee, and there∣fore thou repinest at his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Saint Augustine shall answere thee vpon the 35. Psal. Oh man, thou art 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ke-man of GOD, and the time of the pay comes after, why then doest thou craue thy hire before thou hast done thy worke? If thy seruant would needes be payed before hand, thou wouldest be offended with him, because thereby he should seeme to

distrust thy fidelitie; and shall not God be offen∣ded with thee, that art so hastie with him who is veritie it selfe? A worthie place to represse the festination of your diffident nature which loues no delay, and would be at a poynt with GOD to know some certaine time of her deliuerie: but the Lord himselfe hath beaten downe that hu∣mour of ours, Esay 28. Qui credit non praefesti∣nabit, He that beleeueth will not be too hastie, but patiently expect the leisure of our God.

Popilius, the Legate of Rome, beeing sent Ambassadour vnto Antiochus, drew a circle a∣bout him with his staffe, and commanded him to giue an answere before he came out of the circle; but our God (my Brethren) is not like vnto An∣tiochus, that we may prescribe vnto him a cer∣taine compasse of time. When the Disciples of Christ were hastie to know the time of their Ma∣sters glorie, he puts them off with a long ••••iade of troubles, which they were first to endure, Mat. 24. And after his resurrection, pricked with the same desire, they asked, Master wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdome vnto Israel? but he re∣pels them with a checke: It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power; implying that they should pati∣ently rely vpon GODS promises, and perseuer to expect the performance thereof vnto the end, without curious inquiring after the time. This pa∣tient expectance is a speciall effect of a liuely Faith, and was in all the children of God. Looke

vnto Abraham the father of the faithfull; how did the Lord post him ouer, and all for the exer∣cise of his Faith? Though the Lord promised him that hee would make him a great Nation, when he came out of Vr of the Chaldees, yet was the performance of that promise deferred more then twentie yeares; Abraham notwithstan∣ding still patiently relying vpon God, and brea∣king through all the impediments and obstacles of his Faith. Looke vnto Iacob the Patriarch to whom at his first going into Padan Syria, though the Lord promised to giue vnto him the Land vpon which he slept, when he saw the dreame of the heauenly Ladder, yet what difficulties had his faith to striue with, a churlish vnkle vnder whom he serued a long prentiship, a bloudie bro∣ther seeking to take away his life, a poore estate to bee a silly Shepheard; and notwithstanding all these hinderances, he firmely claue vnto the pro∣mise of GOD, and striuing with the Angel, was called Israel, preuayling with GOD. Looke vnto Dauid, whose life though it was nothing but a Map of continuall sorrowes and afflictions, yet doe the Psalmes (wherein a man may see the per∣fect Anatomie of his soule) set forth vnto vs his liuely faith, and patient expectance of GODS promises.

Thus did the faithfull seruants of God pati∣ently waite for benefits that were but tempora∣rie, though shadowing vnto them eternall gifts: And shall not we (who haue the Kingdome of

heauen plainely see before vs, without veile or co∣uering) farre more patiently abide all the tempests and stormes of this life, for the excellent glorie which is reuealed vnto vs by the comming of the Messiah? Shall wee not be followers of them, who by Faith and Patience doe inherite the pro∣mises?

If these examples cannot moue, let vs looke vnto them who onely respect worldly commo∣dities, and be ashamed of our owne sluggishmesse in those things which concerne the Kingdome of Heauen.

Behold, how doth the Husbandman cast his see∣ding into the earth, and endure much labour and toyle, and waite all the seasons of the yeare, be∣fore he can reape his desired crop? How doe the Huntsmen endure hunger, and cold, raine, and snow in the Woods and Deserts, and expect ma∣ny a long day before they can catch the spoyles they seeke after? How doth the Merchant cut the dangerous Seas in perill of Ship wracke euery houre? what tediousnesse doth he suffer? what lothsomnesse doth he suftaine before he can bring home the costly Merchandice and price from the Indies? What dangers doth the Warrier vnder∣take? what blowes and wounds doth he quietly put vp? what long sieges doth he abide before he can take the sconce or citie of his enemie? And shall not we be lesse wearie, and more patiently suffer all hardnesse to obtaine celestiall Ierusalem, whose shining is like vnto a stone most precious,

as a Iaspir stone, ele••re as Crystall; to get that Pearle which a man should sell all that be hath to buy; to win those spoyles whereof we can neuer be spoyled any more, to reape that Corne which makes the bread of eternall life?

Men, and Brethren, shall the Children of this World bee alwayes wiser in their generation, than wee that are the Children of Light are in ours? Shall faintnesse and defatigation tyre vs, especi∣ally sithence our life is so short, and our time so vncertaine?

[Obiect.] But here it may be demaunded, why Iames stir∣ring vs vp vnto Patience, vseth as a Motiue, the day of the Lord, and not rather, the day of our death, wherein we sooner receiue the fruit of our sufferings?

[Answ.] Whereunto I answer, that true indeed, They which dye in the Lord, doe presently rest from their labours, and their workes follow them: neither doth this place make ought for their opinion, who fondly thinke that the soules of the Righte∣ous departed, doe sleepe, feeling neither weyle nor woe vntill the latter day; but hee vseth the comming of Christ vnto iudgement, as being the strongest argument of comfort (like as our Saui∣our himselfe did, and many other) both because our blisse in bodie and soule shall bee perfectly consummated at that day, and the iustice of God cleared, and all occasions of impatience remo∣ued.

Doest thou murmure and repine to see the god∣ly

trampled vnder feete, and the wicked glittering with honour and riches here vpon the earth?

Oh consider, that this world is like vnto a field of Corne, wherein the Blew-bottles, and Goul∣dings with their goodly colours, doe out-face the purest Wheat: but stay vntill the great Haruest, when the Angels shall come with their sicles to reape, and then shalt thou see those glorious Weedes bound in bundles, and burned with vn∣quenchable fire; but the Corne brought with ioy into the Barne of the Lord. Now is the win∣ter of the World, wherein the Vngodly like Grasse are greene and flourishing, and the Righ∣teous being Trees, are naked and vnseemely, ha∣uing all their life in the roote; but stay vntill the Sommer, when the Sunne of Righteousnesse that appeareth meeke and gentle in Virgo, shall enter into Leo, and then shalt thou see the Grasse bur∣ned vp, but the Trees which are planted by the Riuers of Water, to be transplanted into the hea∣nens, and being laden with all sorts of precious fruit, to be placed in the Paradise of God. Art thou now offended to see the iudgements of God most fiercely striking the innocent in this life, and suffering the wicked to goe free; Oh stay vntill the end, and thou shalt see iudgement reduced vn∣to iustice, as Dauid speaketh in the 94. Psalme. And all them that are true of Heart aduan∣ced.

When a piece of Arras is in working, it loo∣keth fowle and rude, hauing here a foot and there

a head; but being throughly finished, how glo∣rious doth it seeme, when we see the whole co∣herence of the worke, and the meaning of the sto∣ries tapistred therein? euen so the iudgements of God which are as the great deepes seeme yet vn∣to vs crooked and vniust, but when the thrones shall be set, and the Nations summoned by a Trumpe, and the Register Bookes of GOD be shewed; the mouthes of the wicked shall be stop∣ped, and the eyes of the iust shall be fully satis∣fied. This is a comfortable argument, and of all reasons the holy Ghost vseth, most effectuall to perswade. But another doubt of greater difficul∣tie doth offer it selfe. For how did Iames say tru∣ly, that the comming of the Lord was neere at hand, sithence one thousand fiue hundred yeares are passed since Iames did write, and yet all things continue as they did?

I answer; [Sol.] That those words did not import that the Lords day was to come within some short and precise terme of time, for that opinion Paul did purposely refute, 2. Thessalon. 2. But the Scriptures say, that the Lords day was neere at hand in three respects.

[Reasons.] First, [unspec 1] for that the continuance of the World after Christs birth, shall bee shorter then it was before.

Secondly, in respect of God, [unspec 2] with whom (as Peter saith) a thousand yeares are but as one day.

Thirdly, in respect of eternitie, [unspec 3] in compari∣son

whereof all the age of the World shall bee lesse then one drop to the whole Ocean. And in this sence, the Apostle said, that the comming of the Lord is neere at hand; but as for determining any set time of the last iudgement, the Scripture is altogether silent. Nay, it plainely affirmes, that GOD would haue it vnknowne, to the end we should alwaies be in readinesse, watching with our loynes girt, and our lampes in our hand. For if the good man of the house knew when the Theefe would come, he would onely then keepe watch and ward, but at other times be sleepie and se∣cure. And therefore CHRIST IESVS be∣ing desired of his Disciples to tell them some signes when this day should come, told them, That none might certainly presage the day, yeare, or any other time; as appeareth, Matt. 24. Mark. 13. Luc. 21.

But because the World doth now swarme with those euill seruants, who say in their hearts, Our Master doth deferre his comming, and beginne to smite their fellowes, and to eate and drinke with the drunken: Let them know that their Master will come in a day when they looke not for him, and in an houre when they are not aware, and cut them off, and giue them their portion with Hypocrites in the Lake wherein is nothing but weeping and gnash∣ing of Teeth. And because wee are fallen indeed into the latter dayes, and into the times of mock∣ers, and scornefull Epicures, walking after their lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his com∣ming?

for since the Fathers died, all things continue alike: Let them remember, that GOD is not stacke as they count slacknesse, but patient to waite for their repentance and amendment of life; by de∣laying whereof they doe but whord vp for them∣selues vengeance against the day of vengeance, and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of God: and therefore let them take heede lest this day come vpon them as a snare, while their hearts be oppressed with surfetting and drunkennesse, and cares of this life. But as for you who are trodden vnder foote, and oppressed by the violence of the proud, looke vp, and ioyfully lift vp your heads, for the day of your redemption draweth neere; not your redemption from the bondage of Satan, and slauerie of sinne, from which you are alreadie freed by the bloud of Christ, but your redempti∣on from all the miseries of this life, which Paul calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ephes. 1. A redemp∣tion of libertie by the glorious appearing of Christ, which cannot possibly be farre off.

Some Mathematicians are of opinion, that the Sun is approached vnto vs, and holdeth his course in the firmament neerer vnto the earth by many thousand miles, than it did heretofore time; as if all elementarie Creatures being now olde, and at the last cast, had need more effectually to be war∣med by the Sunne beames: which howsoeuer it be but a mathematicall fancie; yet it is certaine that Christ Iesus is come neerer vnto vs than euer vnto any of our fore-fathers: nay, the cold & fro∣zen

disposition of mens minds in this age, where∣in Christian loue is abated, and charitie waxen more then kaye-colde, doth sufficiently argue that our Sauiour is euen at the doore. Behold, the Figge-tree hath budded, and shot forth her yong Figges, the Vine hath brought forth Grapes, but the Grapes of Sodome, such as must come in the last dayes, to wit, Selfe-louers, couetous persons, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to pa∣rents, vnthankfull, vnholy, without naturall affe∣ction, truce-breakers, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, no louers at all of them that be good, traytors, headie, high-minded, louers of pleasures more then louers of GOD, hauing a shew of godlinesse, but de∣nying the power thereof; these clusters doe hang vpon euerie hedge, and who then will thinke but the Sommer and Vintage is at hand? If we looke for fearefull signes from aboue, we haue seene the Sunne darkened and the Moone lose her light, and the powers of Heauen shaken, and Starres falling from heauen, and prodigious Comets, which the ordinarie course of Nature could not produce. If we expect for signes from below, we haue heard the Seas roare, and the Earth make a noyse, and the pillars of the Earth to tremble and quake. If we looke for the conuersion of the Iewes, wee haue seene some branches of the naturall Vine en∣graffed againe into their stocke, and the sonnes of Sem are daily collected into the Tents of their ancient Father. If the Gospel must needes be preached in all the World, the sound there∣of

hath stretched vnto both the Pobes, and the gladsome tydings of Christ hath beene heard as farre as the course of the Sunne. If we looke for the appearing of Antichrist, howsoeuer some doe dreame of one that shall spring from the Tribe of DAN, and of a Iew, yet cannot all the smoake which daily ariseth out of the bot∣tomlesse pit, obscure the light of this truth, but that Antichrist is alreadie reuealed, and daily abolished by the brightnesse of the Gospel. If we looke for the fulfilling of those mysticall pro∣phecies which were reuealed vnto Iohn, I thinke not title can be shewed which is vnaccomplished, but onely that ioyfull Epilogue of all Visions, in the 20. Chapter, wherein a white Throne being placed in the Heauens, the Sonne of man iudg∣eth both the quicke and the dead. Thus shall the Righteous stand with great boldnesse before the face of such as haue tormented them, and ta∣ken away their labours: Then shall the wick∣ed sigh within themselues, and say, These are the men whom sometimes we had in derision, and in a parable of reproch; We fooles thought their life madnesse, and their end without ho∣nour, but now are they counted among the children of GOD, and their portion is amongst the Saints. Then shall the wicked be couered with eternall confusion, and the godly shall be crowned with euerlasting glorie. Euen so, come LORD IESVS, and make an end of this

wicked World, for thy Childrens sake, that we may reigne with thee for euer; to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all honour, glorie, power, praise, might, maiestie, &c. Amen.

FINIS.

Notes

• Leuit. 2.13.
• Prou. 28.9.
• 2. Pet. 2.22.
• Aug. in Ps. 88.
• Reuel. 2.4.
• Rom. 8.25.
• Heb. 12.6. & 8.
• Heb. 13.5.
• Psal. 37.7.
• Pro. 16.32.
• Job 1.21.
• Chap. 2.7.
• Vers. 9.
• Vers. 10.
• Cap. 14.
• Cap. 19.25.
• Simil.
• Psal. 34.19.
• Aug. in Ps. 35.
• Sol.
• Esa. 28.16.
• Popilius.
• Mat. 24.
• Act. 1.6.
• vers 7.
• Gen. 11.28.
• Gen. 28.13.
• Gen. 32.28.
• Examp.
• Reuel. 21.11.
• Matth. 13.45.
• Luc. 16.8.
• Apoc. 14.13.
• Sinul.
• Matth. 13.
• Psal. 1.
• Psal. 94.15.
• Simil.
• Dub.
• 2. Thess. 2.
• 1. Pet. 3.8.
• Luc. 12.35. Vers. 39.
• Luc. 12.45.
• Vers. 46.
• 2. Pet. 3.3: 4.
• Ʋers. 9.
• Rom. 2.5.
• Luc. 21.35.
• Luc. 21.28.
• Ephes. 1.
• 2. Tim. 3.2.3.
• 2. Thess. 2.
• Ren. 20.12.