The Christian divinitie, contained in the divine service of the Church of England summarily, and for the most part in order, according as point on point dependeth, composed; and with the holy Scriptures plainly and plentifully confirmed: written for the furtherance of the peoples understanding in the true religion established by publike authoritie, and for the increase of vnitie in that godly truth eternall. By Edmund Reeve Bachelour in Divinitie, and vicar of the parish of Hayes in Middlesex.

Of Diligence.

IN the admonition to all Ministers Ecclesiasticall, set afore the second Tome of Homilies, it is said; It shall be necessary that yeez above all other doe behave your selves most faithfully and diligently in your so high a function. After it is said; It shall be well done to spend your time to consider well of such Chapters before hand, whereby youra pru∣dence and diligence in your office may

appeare, &c. In the first part of the Homily con∣cerning the place and time of prayer, it is signified; That by the fourth Commandement it appeareth, no man in the sixe dayes ought to be sloathfull or idle, butb dili∣gently to labour in that state wherein God hath set him. Most divinely doth the Church counsell us unto di∣ligence, in the third part of the Homily for Ro∣gation weeke, saying: Brethren, howsoever thec world in generality isd forgetfull of God, let us parti∣cularly attend to our time, ande winne the time with di∣ligence, and apply our selves to that light andf grace that isg offered us: let us, if Gods favour and judgements which he worketh in our time, cannot stir us to call home to our selfe toh doe that belonging to our salvation: At the least way, let the malice of the devill, the naugh∣tinesse of the world, which wee see exercised in thesei perilous and last times, wherein we see our daies so dangerously set; provoke us tok watch diligently to ourl vocation, to walke and goem forward therein. In the Homily concerning the state of Matrimony, it is said; But to this prayer must bee joyned an singular dili∣gence, &c. In the third part of the Homily of Re∣pentance, it is said; If we should suspect any uncleannes to be in us, wherefore the earthly Prince should loath and abhorre the sight of us, what paines would we take to re∣move and put it away? How much more ought we with all diligence and speed that may be, to put away that un∣cleaneo filthinesse that dothp separate and maken divi∣sion betwixt us and our God, and that hideth his face from us, that he will not heare us? The Apostle to the Hebrewes saith: Wee desire that every one of you doe shew the sameq diligence, to the full assu∣rance of hope unto the end: that yee be not sloath∣full,

but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. To the Clergy, Saint Paul saith, Preach the Word, ber instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Solomon saith, Be thous di∣ligent to know the estate of thy flockes, and looke well to thy heards. In another place he saith, Seest thou a mant diligent in his businesse? he shall stand before Kings, he shall not stand before meane men.

Notes

• z

  1 Tim. 4.12 1 Pet. 5.3.
• a

  Eccles. 12 9, 10, 11.
• T. 2 p. 115.
• b

  Exod. 20.9. Rom. 12.11.
• T. 2. p. 232.
• c

  1 Cor. 11.32.
• d

  Hos. 4.6.
• e

  Eph. 5.15.16. Col, 4.5.
• f

  2 Cor. 6.1, 2.
• g

  Tit. 2.11.12.
• h

  Phil. 2.12.
• i

  1 Tim. 4.1. 2 Tim. 3.1. &c.
• k

  Mar. 13.33, 34 35, 36, 37. Ephes. 4.1.
• l

  1 Cor. 1.9.
• m

  Phil. 3.13, 14. 2 Pet. 1.3.10. Prov. 4.18.
• T. 2. p. 241.
• n

  2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7, 8.
• T. 2. p. 272.
• o

  2 Cor. 7.1.
• p

  Isa. 59.1.
• q

  Heb. 6.11, 12.
• r

  2 Tim. 4.2.
• s

  Prov. 27.23.
• t

  Prov. 22.29.