The conditions of Christianity, or, The termes upon which Christ will be followed: a necessary consideration for them that otherwise would bee apt to take up religion upon trust, and only keep company with Christ awhile for fashion sake / by Mr. Christopher Harvey, sometime minister of Gods word at Bunbury in Cheshire.

THE CONDITIONS OF CHRISTIANITY.

Luke 9.23.

And hee said unto them all, If any man will come af∣ter mee, let him deny him∣selfe, and take up his Crosse dayly, and follow me.

OVr blessed Lord and Saviour, having signi∣fied unto his Disciples, and such as followed him, that

the time drew neere, when hee should accomplish the thing, whereto he was sent into the world; and that hee should suffer many things, as reproofes, slan∣ders, revilings, even of the Elders, and chiefe gover∣nours of his people, and o•• the High Priests, which challenged to themselves the chiefe rule in GODS Church, and of the Scribes, that tooke upon them to teach and instruct GODS people in the truth; yea, that they would not leave him til they had his bloud, and had slaine him, setteth downe this thing; to bee noted of all such, as had made profession of him, that if they would goe

after him, and beare him ••ompany, they must wil∣••••ngly every one of them ••••ke up their Crosse on their shoulders, and come ••••ter him.

Which is in very deed, as our Saviour declareth, the ••••st lesson, that every one ••ust learne, that hath deter∣mined to follow Christ, to bee ••••s Disciple, to be a Christi¦•••• to be saved, and inherite ••••e kingdome of heaven. ••or, as a man that deter∣mineth to build him an ••ouse, if he have any wit and common sense with him, will cast with him∣selfe, and make account with the most, what it is ••••ke to cost him, and what ••ll things thereto necessa∣rily

appertaining will ly•• him in, that so he may un¦derstand, whether his abi¦lity will stretch so farre, a•• to bring it to passe, le•• otherwise he be enforce•• to leave off that which h•• hath begunne, and so be•• mocked, as a foole, of a•• that see his doings. So•• saith our Saviour, He that meaneth, and hath full•• purposed in his heart, to become a Christian, and to inherit the kingdome o•• heaven, must first sit him downe, and cast his ac¦count, what it will lye him in, that knowing the price hee may see, whether he•• may attaine it, or no; lest, not knowing the matter, hee give over in the mids••

of his travell, and be con∣demned for a foole and ig∣norant person.

This kingdome of hea∣••en is a house, farre passing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worldly possessions whatsoever, a pearle, more ••••ecious than the whole world besides: there is no ••••an, which hath heard of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but would bee desi∣••••us to attaine it, and eve∣••••one, that would bee cal∣••••d a Christian man, hath ••••solved to purchase it: ••••at, for want of know∣••••dge, there are many, which having begunne to ••uild, have given over, when they saw how great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 matter it was, and what ••he price was, that it would cost them, ere they

had ended. This cann•••• then but be a necessary le••¦son for us all, which hav•• this purpose to follo•• Christ, to be with him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 live with him: this is th•• first lesson, as I said, i•• Christs Schoole: namely •• to know the summe of o•• charges, what it will ly•• us in, if wee will attain •• this pearle, our Saviou•• delivereth it unto us brie••¦ly, that we need not labou•• to search it out: for he•• hath taught us all things •• which are necessary for u•• to know. It is this then •• hee, that will follow Christ must deny himselfe, take up his Crosse dayly, and follow him.

He that will follow Christ,

to be his Disciple, his ser∣••ant, and so with him to ••igne in joy, with God ••e Father, these two ••ings are necessarily re∣••uired of him, without ••hich hee cannot attaine his estate: First, hee must ••eny himselfe: Secondly, ••e must be content to take ••p his Crosse willingly, ••nd beare it, not for a day, ••r a yeare, but continually, ••nd for ever, and so follow him.

He that will be conten∣••ed to doe thus, him Christ will delight in, him he will make an inheritour in hea∣ven with him, he shall en∣ter into the joy of his Lord, and and bee made partaker of all the bles∣sings,

which GOD hath prepared in heaven for such as love him.

An excellent pearle this is, deare brethren, and o•• great valew, a worthy house, and of high price but it will cost us all that ever we have to buy it, and the cost to build it will be•• as much, as all we have a•• mounteth unto. Now consider with your owne hearts what to doe; whe¦ther you will play the wise Merchants, or no: whe¦ther doe as wise builders or as foolish persons. What thing so happy for you, as to follow Christ, to inherite the kingdom of heaven, and those eternall joyes, which heart cannot

thinke, nor have ever en∣tred into the mind of any man, to bee blessed, and happy for evermore?

I will not endeavour to ••ell you the excellency of them, that shall follow Christ: my tongue cannot utter it, the tongue of any man is but the tongue of a ••abe to tell you these things: a small tast there∣of in our soules will en∣••lame us, with a longing after it; one glimpse ther∣of is sufficient to ravish us, with a desire of it. Our Saviour, in a word, telleth his Disciples, asking him, what they shall have, that have left all, and followed him, that they shall partici∣pate with him in his sove∣raigne

glory, and in his king¦dome shall sit on thrones, like Princes, and Iudge th•• twelve tribes of Israel. Ye•• shall bee made Kings, not o•• earth, or earthly things, bu•• of heaven: yee shall judg•• the tribes of Israel, yea, th•• very Angels themselves •• as Paul teacheth. Tha•• thing, which wee see th•• greatest in this world, to bee a King, a Iudge, tha•• which Zebedees Children desired in this life: that, and farre greater, shall every one of them have that follow CHRIST: not Zebedees Children, but e∣very one of us, that follow Christ, shall sit on his right hand, in his heavenly king∣dome.

But let us see, what con∣dition is required, of them that must come to this ex∣ceeding glory, what the price thereof is, and what wee must lay out, if wee will attaine it. Two things Christ requireth: First, that wee should deny our selves: that is, utterly to renounce whatsoever is naturally in us, whether it appertaine to our wit, or knowledge, or whether it belong to our affections, actions, deeds and practices. For our owne wit, not to credit it, to refuse our own coun∣sell, to renounce what flesh and bloud putteth in our heads, and to bee content to know nothing, to un∣derstand nothing, but what

Christ hath taught us, and willed us to know. Which Saint Paul declareth, when he saith, that, if any will be wise, the onely way is to be∣come a foole, a foole to the world, a foole to flesh and bloud, a foole to all, that have not submitted them∣selves to Christ; this is the way to be wise, this is the first steppe, which we must make in following Christ. The first thing, when wee come into Christs Schoole, that wee must tread upon, is our owne necke.

A hard lesson, deare bre∣thren, for flesh and bloud, which naturally is puffed up with a selfe-liking of it selfe, and of those things, which belong to it: which

is the cause indeed, that so few wise, so few noble, so few mighty, are called to fol∣low Christ: for that they are hardly brought to this passe, to deny and defie themselves, to account of their wisedome as folly, their strength weakenesse, their nobility basenesse; to esteeme all things in them, as dung, to winne Iesus Christ.

And yet, so it is, that until we be brought to this passe, to deny all that is in us, to lay even our crownes at Christs feet, we cannot follow him. Neither must wee onely deny our know∣ledge, wit, and understan∣ding, to learne, and know onely what Christ hath

taught us; but we must al∣so deny our owne deeds, such thoughts, and works, as wee are naturally given unto. For, hee, that will follow Christ, must be holy, as he is holy: for, what fel∣lowship can there be betwixt light and darknesse? Christ, and the sonnes of Belial? wicked and ungodly per∣sons, and our Saviour Christ? Can two walke to∣gether, except they bee a∣greed? By nature wee are all sinners, our hearts are set on fleshly lusts, and un∣godly deeds, which God hateth, and his soule hath no pleasure in: and all sin∣ners are his enemies, whom his soule hateth. Where∣fore, till such time, as wee

have denied these ungodly lusts, and naturall trans∣gressions, wherein we walk, even from our birth, we are enemies to God; and ther∣fore, being not agreed, and made friends, wee cannot walke together with God, we cannot follow Christ. Wherefore Saint Iohn tel∣leth us, that whosoever saith, that he hath fellowship with Christ, that he is his compa∣nion, that he followeth him, and walketh in darkenesse, in his owne way, he lyeth, there is no truth in him. For none can follow CHRIST, but hee, that hath denyed him∣selfe, forgone his wicked life, which naturally he is inclined to, and is become a new Creature.

Here we may mark, that our Saviour biddeth us deny our selves. Hee saith not, deny ungodly workes, de∣ny the wisedome of the flesh, though he meaneth, as hath beene said, such things; but deny our selves: to shew unto us the great corruption, which is in our nature, that wee are not only sinfull, but even sin it selfe, as it were, this bo∣dy of sinne, wee must deny our selves. So Saint Paul calleth them our mem∣bers. Mortifie your earth∣ly members. To which purpose also the Scripture speaketh, when it saith, that we are not only sick in sinnes and trespasses, or wounded, or maymed, but

even dead: of no more power, and ability to doe that, which GOD liketh, then dead men to performe the actions of this life. And our Saviour Christ tea∣cheth, that it is the power of his Gospell, to raise, not such, as are fallen, not such, as are a sleepe, but even those, that are dead, yea such, as are in the graves, over whom death hath do∣minion, who are buryed, as dead men, in sins and trans∣gressions. Which also the holy Prophets acknow∣ledged, when David pray∣eth, not to reforme, or a∣mend, as a thing, in which some small, fault was, but to create a new heart with∣in him, to frame him again,

and cast him, as it were, in a new mould. Create in me a cleane heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within mee.

If you aske of me, how can this be? This is an hard speech, that wee are dead, that we can doe no∣thing: to what purpose then is Gods word prea∣ched to us? Why are wee commanded to serve God, to follow Christ? If wee be dead, we cannot doe it: it is in vaine to command any such thing. Nay, God forbid we should so think. Our Saviours words bee truth and life. Hee saith, his Gospell is preached, even to them that are as dead men in the graves.

And how then? Is that to any purpose? Yea sure, for hee saith, that the power thereof is such, that they shall heare, which are in their graves. We be dead in sinnes, not able to move one whit to any good thing; yet is the Gospell preached to us, &c. that it will quicken us, it will re∣vive, and set us on our feet, it will raise us from the death of sinne, and create us anew, to serve God, and walke in his Commande∣ments.

Which point the Lord openeth in the Prophet Ezekiel, speaking of the gathering together of his Church, hee saith, I will give them one heart, and put

a new spirit within their bowels, I will take the stony heart out of their bodyes, and I will give them an heart of flesh, that they may walke in my statutes, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Hee sheweth, what wee are by nature, what metall wee are made of, stones; the workman, that doth this great fear, is God. I will take the stony heart out of their bodyes. Man can make new faces, Hypo∣crites can alter their coun∣tenances, but it is GOD alone, that maketh new hearts. There is, within each one of us, a heart of stone: is it then any mar∣vell, though we be beaten upon, never so hard, that

we yeeld not? though the seed bee cast, never so oft, that it groweth not? though the dew of heaven fall, never so oft, that wee fructifie not? Why, our heart is of stone, which beateth backe the stroake, and will not yeeld, it is a rocke, on which the seed cannot take root, a hard flint, into which the hard droppes cannot pierce. And how shall wee doe? the ground, which recei∣veth the raine, and brin∣geth not forth fruit, is cursed, and shall bee bur∣ned. GOD alone, deere brethren, can rippe us up, and pul up this stony heart, and place for it an heart of flesh. The onely hammer,

that breaketh this stone, is the word of God: wherefore, we must willingly suffer it to be stricken therewithall, that it may be bruised. The rod of Gods power, (as it is called in the Psalme,) if it strike the rocke, the waters shall gush out of it. But before this, our heart is a stone, which cannot yeeld, which can∣not bee bowed, untoward, nothing fit without prepa∣ration, not fit to be taught, it cannot bee mended, wee must needs have a new. It is stone, hard mettall, no∣thing fit for this purpose, it must bee taken away, quite away, and another sort of matter put in place. If we will follow Christ, wee must renounce, even our selves.

The second generall point is, the taking up of our Crosse, we must take it up. It is not a badge of Christians, to have a Crosse on their backes, for the wicked also have very many: but the difference is this, the wicked have cros∣ses layd on their backes, which they beare, but a∣gainst their wills: the god∣ly, that follow Christ, have taken up their Crosses, that is, have willingly submit∣ted themselves thereunto. A wild and unruly horse, which is to be broken, bea∣reth his rider on his backe, but it is against his will, hee flingeth, and runneth, and chafeth, but in vaine, hee tooke not up his rider,

but beareth him against his will. So is it with the un∣godly, they are often in misfortune, and trouble, and adversity, they have many crosses on their backes, but faine would they shake them off, if they could; but all in vaine: the godly have stooped downe, and taken up their Crosse, and patiently carry it, because they know, it is Gods appointment, so to exercise al those, whom he meaneth to make inheri∣tors of his kingdome.

The name of Crosse in this place, as in diverse o∣thers of the New Testa∣ment, is used, for any mise∣ry, trouble, affliction, di∣stresse, vexation, of body,

or mind, which it pleaseth GOD, to send upon his Children: which, because it is diverse, and not after one sort, Christ commandeth each one, to take up his owne Crosse; GOD ha∣ving layd this on one, that on another, according to his mercy, and wisedome; which disposeth, as plea∣seth him, of them: on some hee layeth a lighter, because he knoweth their weaknesse, and being faith∣full, will not tempt them above their strength; on others a heavier, to whom hee hath given a greater measure of patience, and endurance. But whatso∣ever it bee, whether small or great, light or heavy, we

must be content to sustaine it.

The name of Crosse is not used, without great cause, in this, and the like places. The death of the Crosse was a punishment, not only most painfull, but most ignominious also, and full of all shame, and re∣proach: and so much the more, among the Iewes, for that he was pronoun∣ced accursed, by GODS owne mouth, that came to this death. The Gal∣lowes among us is shame∣full, as you know, and to bee hanged, wee count it commonly a dogs death: but this cannot bee in such contempt, as was the Crosse, which, by GODS

owne mouth, brought a ••rse to every one that han∣••••d on it. And, so much ••••emore, was the shame of them, that so dyed, for that they were enforced, as the Evangelists, and other ••••ophane writers teach, to ••••rry it on their backes, which they should present∣•••• be hanged upon. For, ••here we read, that Simon •• Cyrene was enforced, to ••••re the Crosse, which our ••••viour dyed on, it was, •• that he, being wearyed, and weakened, with paines and sorrowes, did himselfe, then hee was in the way, ••••nt under it, not able to ••••rry it any longer. Where∣fore, when Christ talketh ••ere of a Crosse, which

every one must take up, •• is meant, that they should prepare themselves, for the most grievous, and m•• shamefull, and contemp••¦••ous dealing, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 world could devise agai•••••• them. So that wee m•••••• bee content, to sustaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 griefes, miseries, losse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 friends, of goods, bani••••¦ment, imprisonment, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slandered, envied, bely•• evil spoken of, reproache•• in a word, to endure, wh•• the naughtinesse, and ma¦lice of all the world, c•• devise against us, even 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the very death. For this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to take up our Crosse, th•• is the charge wee must b•• at, if wee will build o•• house; the precious pear••

••l cost not a whit lesse.

Againe, when all our af∣••••ctions, which God sen∣••••th us, are called crosses, ••is to our great comfort, ••hen we see, that whatso∣ever we endure, for Christs ••e, and his Gospell, wee ••e crucified, as it were, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 communicate with him suffering, and that, after ••ort, Christ beareth this ••rosse with us. For such fellowship, and partaking there, betwixt Christ the ••ad, and his servants the members, that when they ••••ffer, hee suffereth with them: Paul persecuted ••••em, and therefore perse∣cuted him: and so, I trow, ••aint Paul himselfe after∣wards calleth his sufferings

Christs. Now fulfill 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my flesh the rest of the ••¦flictions of CHRIST Hee hath suffered perfect to redeeme us, but the suf¦fering of tryal, and proo•••• hee endureth in his mem¦bers, partaking with the•••• all their punishments, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 afflictions are Crosses. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that, when wee are in a•• calamity, for Gods cau•••• let us call to minde, th•• this is our Crosse, and ta•• it on our backe patient•••• remembring, that Christ in our company, to partake with us thereof. Ru•••• found such goodnesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Naomi her mother in Law that, when shee was to de¦part out of Moab, when Ruth was borne, and

brought up, into the land of Israel, Ruth would not leave her, in any case, though her sister in Law had returned, but requested her, not to will her so. In∣treat mee not, saith shee, to leave thee, neither to depart from thee; for whither thou goest, I will goe, where thou dwellest, I will dwell, thy peo∣ple shall bee my people, thy God my God, where thou dy∣est, will I dye, and there will I be buryed: the Lord doe so to me, and more also, if ought, but death, depart me and thee. Did the curtesie, which Naomi had shewed her daughter in law, so tye her heart unto her, that she was content, to leave her owne people, and her fathers

house, and her gods, to go into a strange land, to strange people, yea to sweare solemnly, that no¦thing, but death, should depart them? What could Naomi do for Ruth? a wo¦man, a widdow, deprived of her husband, and chil∣dren, now not Naomi, beautifull, but Marah, bit∣ter, to whom GOD had given much bitternes▪ whom hee had humbled, and brought into adversi∣ty, whom he had loaded with an heavy Crosse? yet would not Ruth leave her, shee would take up her Crosse, and follow her, till death should depart them. Oh that faithfull soule, which hath taken such de∣light

in Christ, as to love him, as Ruth did Naomi, that forsaketh father, and mother, wife, and children, all the world, to goe after Christ, who intreateth us, not to leave him, nor to de∣part from him, but willeth us to follow him! O hap∣py man, that hath said in his heart, Lord Iesus, which art sweet, and in whom is no bitternesse, whose love is pleasanter than Wine, thou call est me after thee: draw mee, good LORD, and I will runne after thee: thou biddest mee take up my Crosse, see, LORD, I am ready, I rejoyce in all adversity, I thinke my selfe happy, that I suffer for thy names sake, I will not leave

thee, O LORD, nor de¦part from thee, whithe•• thou goest, will I goe, i•• into banishment, I leav•• mine owne Country, if in¦to prison, I refuse all liber¦ty, if into reproach, an•• reviling, I give my cheeke•• to the scorners, where thou dwellest, I will dwell, thy people shall be my people, thy God my God, the Lord doe s•• to me, and more also, if tri∣bulation, or anguish, or perse∣cution, or famine, or naked∣nesse, or perill, or the sword, yea if death it selfe depart thee and me? Death must depart Ruth and Naomi, death cannot depart us and CHRIST; Nay, where their comfort ended, there doth ours begin: for death

joyneth us most neere to Christ: it taketh the Crosse from our shoulders, and setteth a Crowne on our heads. It maketh an end of all the love of this world: man and wife, that are one flesh, are but tyed till death come; death un∣doeth all knots, but this, wherewith the faithfull soule is tyed to Christ; for this death maketh most sure, which never shall bee loosed. Ye see then, that by the name of Crosse is meant, all affliction, which God layeth on us, for our tryall, and that this name is used, to teach us, that we must endure it, how full of paine, or shame soever it bee, and that in it Christ

doth after a sort, partake with us.

Now it followeth, in our Saviours words, let him take up his Crosse daily and follow mee. Take it up? when? or how long? dai∣ly. This is not added, by our Saviour, without just cause: for such is our blindnesse, and overthwart∣nesse, in such things as God commandeth us, that wee seeke for starting holes, to shrinke out at, and either make doubt of the matter, or, most commonly, define of our selves, what sence the things must beare, which it pleaseth us to call in question. So, our Sa∣viour, having taught his Disciples, and in them us,

to forgive our brethren, if they offend, or trespasse a∣gainst us, as wee pray our heavenly Father, to for∣give us; Peter, in whom yet flesh and bloud, and the wisdome therof remained, maketh a doubt, where none was, what our Savi∣ours meaning should bee, when he commanded him to forgive his brother. Lord, saith hee, thou hast taught mee, to forgive my brother, but thou hast not told me how oft: we must know that too: how oft must I so doe: what, till seaven times? must I doe it so oft? Our Saviour an∣swereth, I say not to thee, seven times, but seventy times seven times: so oft,

as hee can offend thee, so oft, must thou forgive him▪ Was it not a strange matte•• that Peter should make such a doubt, who was taugh•• to pray, forgive us our trespasses, as wee forgive them, that trespasse against us? would Peter aske, how oft GOD should forgive? What seven times? But so ignorant, and blinde are we, till God have opened our eyes. This was a thing, which flesh and bloud had revealed to Peter, that hee must forgive his brother seaven times. Wherefore our Saviour, to remove such a question, as might bee made, Lord, thou' hast commanded us, to take up our crosses, and follow

thee, when must wee doe it? when must we begin? how long must wee hold on? when must wee lay it downe? what in our age? when our strength is spent? for seaven dayes? or a yeare? Nay, our Saviour hath limited out the terme, dayly, every day, there is no vacation: the terme for this exercise endeth with this life.

This then is another thing diligently to be no∣ted, for there are many, that fault herein. Christ may have all the world to follow him, if it were to eate bread, to bee satisfied with such things, as this present life desireth; but not so many, when they

heare, that they must carry a Crosse on their shoul∣ders. Yea many there are, that would bee content, to take up their Crosse too, and so goe with him: but they would have leave for a while, to bid their kins∣folkes farewell, to take leave of their Parents, or to bury their Fathers, yea some, that have without delay forsaken all, and fol∣lowed him, that in the midst of their journey have fainted. Some, that have layd their hands to this plough, but not whol∣ly regarding, what they had in hand, have looked backe to other matters, and become unworthy of the kingdome of God. These

all were foolish builders, that had not made a per∣fect account of their char∣ges. Wherefore, we must take this with us, for one part of our reckoning; that the Crosse, which we talked of, must be taken up every day. We are not for Christs company, if to day we be content to carry his Crosse, but not to morrow: for ei∣ther ever, or never. Wee have therfore here to note, that in this life, the chil∣dren of God, are not to looke for any rest, but that, as one day followeth ano∣ther, and one night ano∣ther, so one Crosse or cala∣mity must accompany ano∣ther. Then, that wee must be prepared to constancy,

and perseverance, to settle our selves, and be resolved, unmoveable in this point, whatsoever, whensoever, how oft soever, it pleaseth God to lay his Crosse on us, to beare it willingly, and follow him.

Such was the estate of Gods Children, yea of Christ himselfe, to whom it behoveth us, in this point, to bee made confor∣mable. This was the cause, that moved Iacob to an∣swer Pharaoh, demanding his age, few and evill, saith he, are the dayes of thy ser∣vant, small in number, and continuance, full of evill, full of troubles, calamities, and crosses. And so might Iacob well say: for of the

hundred and thirty yeares of his Pilgrimage, how many dayes passed hee, without sorrow and trou∣ble? Nay in his mothers wombe, before he saw the light, hee was at warre, in trouble: his brother, ere hee was yet borne, strove with him, or, as some read, hurt him. Afterwards, from the time, that the Children were able to dis∣cerne their right hand from their left, hee abode the malice of his brother, whose nature and disposi∣tion was quite contrary to his: he a plaine, simple, in∣nocent, harmelesse thing, abiding at home, his bro∣ther a jolly hunter, a man of the field, and fierce

wood man. But, when he had lost his birth-right, and fathers blessing, depri∣ved of both by his bro∣ther, no marvell, if the fire, which bred in the womb, burst out to a flame, if he vowed, that when the dayes of mourning for his Father Isaac were come; he would kill his brother Ia∣cob. Then was it time for him to flye, being forced to leave his old blind Fa∣ther, now ready to yeeld up the ghost, and deare and kind mother, that loved him no lesse, then her own soule. But leave them he must, if he wil save his life; his mother conselleth him, to run to her brother, his Vncle Laban, and there to

abide, till his brothers wrath were asswaged. So hee parteth from his Pa∣rents forward on his jour∣ney: by the way, he resteth his weary limbes on the ground, and under his head for a pillow, hath he layd an hard stone: but, even then God commeth to him, comforteth him, promi∣seth him, and his seed a mighty increase. At length he commeth to Haran, and is entertained of his Vncle Laban; but as a servant, in his own occupation, which hee had beene taught: La∣ban promiseth him wages for his travell, and so hee bindeth himselfe prentise, for seven yeares. His wages was Rachel, for

whom hee served seaven yeares, and although, be∣cause hee loved her, it see∣med but a little while to him, yet endured hee no small trouble, the heat of the day, and cold of the night; and that which pas∣sed all, hee was cousened and beguiled of his Wife, when his terme was ended, so that hee was faine to serve seven yeares more for her againe. What should I rippe up unto you, the discourtesies, and hard countenances of his Vncle, and father in law, the envy and grudging of his Wives brethren, the often chan∣ging of his wages? yet, under all these crosses, GODS blessing was with

him, and he encreased ex∣ceeding. At last, hee fled from Laban, not taking leave of him; for which cause Laban was wrath, & pursued him, and had cer∣tainely done him some e∣vill, had not God forbad him expresly. Well, it pleased GOD, that his heart was changed, and they departed friends: but, no sooner escaped hee this feare, but, behold, hee was overtaken with a greater. For he meeteth with Esau his deadly enemie, accom∣panied with no lesse, than foure hundred men. No marvaile, if now hee were affraid, lest the day were come, when he, his Wives, and Children should bee

destroyed at once: but God had mercy on him, turned the hard heart of Esau, and softned it. Hee runneth to meet his brother, falleth on his necke, kisseth him, and weepeth with him.

Being so rid from him, hee commeth into Canaan, and dwelleth among the Shechemites: but alas, what sorrow, and griefe sustai∣ned hee there? to see his daughter ravished, and his sonnes commit that hor∣rible and cruell murther, by their falshood and naughty dealing, upon all the poore Shechemites: yea Iacob was in feare, lest the Canaanites would have ri∣sen up against him, and slaine both him and all his

house. It were too long, to stand upon the sor∣rowes, and reckon up all the crosses, which he after sustained, which yet the Holy Ghost hath, for our instruction, layd out at large. What a griefe, that Reuben the eldest, should climbe up into his Fathers bed, and defile it? what a death, to lose Ioseph, and to have him, as his Sonnes made him believe, torne in pieces of wilde beasts? What care, and pensive∣nesse, to provide in the great famine, for his great household? The griefe he abode, when Simeon was kept behinde in Egypt, and hee must part with Benjamin also, on whose

life his depended, Genesi•• 44. verse 30. Well▪ through all these, GOD delivereth him, and a•• length brought him into Aegypt, and restored him to his sonne. But, you see in part, what a world of misery hee passed tho¦rough, how many cross•• hee carryed, with what pa¦tience hee endured, what a good end GOD put to them all, and how justl•• hee might say to Pharaoh that the dayes of his pil¦grimage were but few i•• number, but full of evill•• and sorrowes.

Now what hath been said of Israel, may be seene true in all his seed and in all the Israel of God

how that this is the badge, and cognisance of all Gods Children, of all such, as follow CHRIST, dai∣ly to beare a Crosse: The Scripture is nothing else, but, as it were, a tragedy of all the Crosses, which the godly have dayly en∣dured, and a plaine demon∣stration of Saint Pauls speech, that all that will live godly, must suffer persecu∣tion: 2 Tim. 3. verse 12. ••hat whosoever will follow CHRIST, must deny himselfe, and take his Crosse daily, and follow Him. wee must therefore hold but unto the end, if wee will bee saved; which the Commandement requi∣reth of us, and the reward,

for the performance, and punishment for the trans¦gression thereof, doe with all necessarily enforce •• unto.

This is the cause, wh•••• the Church of Thyatir•••• commanded, to hold f•••• till CHRIST come, Re•• 2. verse 25. Why we a•• all enjoyned to continu•• and not to faint in w•• doing. Why a Crow•• is promised to those, the strive manfully, Iames •• verse 12. Hee is blessed the endureth: wee must bee pa••¦ent unto the LORD•• comming, as the Husband man waiteth for the precio•• fruit of the earth, and ha•• long patience for it, unto hee receive the first and t••

••ater raine, Iames 5. verse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. The seed of joy and peace and all happinesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sowen for the righteous: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is sowen, it lyeth hid un∣der the earth, Psalme 97. verse 11. wee must ex∣pect the fruit thereof in patience, for wee shall ••eape it, if wee faint not, in good time: a fruit more precious, than that of the earth, such glad∣nesse, such joy as passeth that of theirs, whose corne, and wine, and oyle is increa∣sed, Psalme 4. verse 7. For it is nothing to begin, un∣lesse wee continue. And, as they that runne in a race, though they set outnever so lustily, and runne never so swiftly, yet receive not

the reward, till they come to the end, but loose the labour, and beat the ayr•• if they faint in the midst, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 give over, before they come to the Gaole: so for this Crowne of glory though wee runne forth while, never so hastily, ye•• if we stay in the midway or leave before we come to the end, wee loose our re¦ward. And not that only but our case will bee such that better it had beene for us, never to have begunne▪ then to have given over. Vnwise Galatians, that be¦gan in the spirit, and made an end in the flesh: Gal. 3▪ verse 3. that ranne well at the setting out, but were hin∣dered, or they received the

price, Galat. 5.7. Fowle ••wine, that, when they are washed, returne to their wal∣lowing in the myre, 2 Pet. 2. verse 22. Hee that is just, let him be more just, he that is pure let him be more pure, hee that is holy let him bee more holy, Revelations 22. verse 11. he that beareth Christs Crosse to day, let him beare it also to mor∣row, and every day, or else it were better, he had never layd hand to it. Hee that hath layd his hand to the plough, let his eyes looke straight before to his fur∣row, and not looke backe to other things.

Our Saviour biddeth us Remember Lots Wife, Luk. 17. verse 32. Lots Wife

was brought out of So¦dome, she was commanded not to looke backe to that wicked place: shee began well, and walked on with her face forwards, but she held not on to the race end, but in the midst loo∣ked back, and was present∣ly turned into a pillar of salt.

The LORD, by the Prophet, maketh this com∣plaint against Ephraim; O Ephraim, what shall I do un¦to thee? O Iudah, how shall I intreat thee? For your goodnesse is as a morning cloud, and as the morning dew it goeth away. GOD would, and hee knew how, deale favourably with them, but hee cannot shew

them any pitty, which bee temporizers, time-servers, which will serve him only for a while: what good∣nesse is in them? or to what shall it bee likened? it is like, saith God, a mor∣ning cloud, which appea∣reth for a while, but be∣hold it vanisheth, or as the dew, which in the morning covereth the earth, but when the Sunne ariseth, it getteth it selfe away, and leaveth no signe of its pre∣sence behinde. Such are they, which will follow Christ, and beare his Crosse, for a while: they appeare in the morning, before the Sun arise, but in the heat of the day they appeare not: when affliction, and the

heat thereof appeareth, they hide their heads, and get them into their lurking holes.

Let us therefore consi∣der, that the taking up, and dayly bearing of our Crosse, is not a thing of our owne voluntary will, to be undertaken, or omit∣ted, but necessarily enjoy∣ned by Christ, not to a few, that would bee excellent, and above their fellowes, but even to all, and every one, that would follow him, that would bee his Disciple, that would bee a true Christian, and that we continue herein, and not faint, and bee weary, or in any case moved from our standing: considering, that

even such, as hee vouchsa∣fed to deliver from great destruction, yet for not continuing, and holding on in that, which they had well begunne, are most se∣verely punished: that God knoweth not, how to shew mercy to such, as are but as morning dew, and morning clouds, appearing for a while, and suddenly vani∣shing: but rather let us re∣member, that the crowne of glory is proposed to such, as fight lawfully, not to such, as beat the ayre, to such, as come to the end of the race, not to them, that runne well for a while, and so give over: that such shall receive the fruit of that peace, which is sowen

for the just, that patiently endure the Lords leasure: finally, that such shall fol∣low Christ, and bee fit for his company, as dayly take up their Crosse, and as it followeth, follow him. If any man, saith our Savi∣our, will come after mee, let him deny himselfe, and take up his Crosse dayly, and fol∣low me.

Being thus prepared for the purpose, having re∣nounced our selves, and all that is in us, and taken up our Crosse on our shoul∣ders, we must, in GODS name and feare take our voyage after our Savi∣our, and blessed LORD. For, as the Souldier prepa∣reth himselfe, and buck∣leth

his harnesse about him, not therein to stay at home, or bestow himselfe about his common busines, but to joyne himselfe to the army, and follow his Captaine; So, each true Christian, and sworne Souldier of Christ, must bee prepared, with his Crosse on his shoulders, not to sit still, or lye down under it, or to take what rest he can, but hee must get up on his feet, and be going, hee must march on lustily, and with a bold courage.

And for that all this were to no end neither, ei∣ther to be under the Crosse, or to goe on, unlesse wee knew whither to goe, where to stay; wee are

here taught, what steppes we are to tread which way to travell, and how to jour∣ney. For, if we should take a wrong way, what would it profit us, though wee made never so great hast. Now indeed so many wayes there are, and by-paths, and wee, like simple Sheepe, so easie to stray, and misse the right way, that we had need have the way trod out before us, and bee well instructed, which we should take. For, there is a broad way, which wee can hardly keepe us out of, for many there are that walke in it, and it leadeth to death and destruction. There is a way, which is full of darknesse, and men

loving darkenesse more than light, rejoyce to walke in it: but, because they want the light, they stumble and fall in it. Yea, that which is worst, there is a way, which seemeth to bee the right way, and the narrow way, and the light way; but the end thereof leadeth to destruction. In a word, each man hath a way of his owne, which seemeth to bee right in his owne eyes, but is not so. Wherefore, need it was for us to know, seeing wee are to bare a Crosse, and follow on, whom to fol∣low, which way to take.

Whom then must wee follow? Our Saviour saith, follow me. We must

neither follow our owne wayes, nor any mans else, but his alone, that here speaketh unto us. I have considered my wayes, saith the Prophet, and turned my feet into thy testimonies, Psalme 119. ver. 59. The Prophet considered his owne wayes, those where∣in hee walked of himselfe, and whereinto hee was slipt, by that corruption of nature, which leadeth us all astray, and considering thereof, and of his duty to GOD, which had appoin∣ted him to walke another way, hee drew backe his feet from that path, and turned into the way of Gods testimonies. So ready are wee to de∣cline

from following the right path, as he saith al∣so in the same Psalme; Be∣fore I was afflicted, I went astray: Verse 67. that is, Before I had the Crosse on my shoulders, I walked af∣ter mine owne hearts lust, and followed not thee. Or, as some read it, before I could speake, I went a∣stray; even from mine in∣fancy, even from the womb, I have wandered and followed mine owne steppes. Therefore, it is convenient for us, to call our wayes to remem∣brance, it is good for us to bee afflicted, that wee may learne whom to fol∣low. Wee must then not follow our wayes, neither

the steppes of any man, but onely of CHRIST our Saviour. If then we will bee sure not to wan∣der, let us consider whom we must follow, for this is the thing, whereof wee must have a diligent re∣gard.

How many have there beene, who because they have not knowne the ne∣cessity of this commande∣ment, have walked, and wandered in by-paths, yea wearyed themselves there∣in, and lost their labour? for that they have follow∣ed, either their owne wayes, or the wayes of men; whereas, the onely way is CHRIST, and who so follow not him,

they stray, and are out of their path. If then wee would know, what the will-worship of men, their owne inventions to serve GOD, their owne devises, and good meanings, their outward holinesse of their owne imagination, what all these profit them; mark and see, whether these things have beene by CHRIST commanded them, whether therein they follow him, or no: which if they doe not, let them have never so faire a shew, yet are they most a∣bominable in GODS sight; nay there is no∣thing, which his soule more abhorreth, then such care, and diligence in doing that,

which hee hath not com∣manded. What man, that hath not learned this les∣son, but would commend the doing of King Saul, and his zeale to Gods ser∣vice. Being commanded to fight against Amalek, and to slay both Man and Woman, infant and suck∣ling, Oxe and Sheepe, Camell and Asse; hee destroyeth, as the Scrip∣ture sheweth, all the peo∣ple, onely the King of the Amalekites he took alive, and the better Sheepe and the Oxen, the fat beasts, the Lambes hee reserveth. The LORD comes to Sa∣muel, saying, It repenteth me that I have made Saul King, for he turneth from

mee, and hath not perfor∣med my Commandement, he hath left following me, and is ••one after his owne wayes. But what thinketh Saul? sure, that hee had done marvellous∣ly well: for, meeting with Samuel, hee saluteth him, Blessed bee thou of the Lord, I have fulfilled the Commandement of the Lord. See, I pray you, how ready he was to justifie himselfe: he was in a minde, that he had done marvellously well, and no man could mend it: I have, Sir, saith Saul, fulfilled Gods Com∣mandement. Is it so, saith Samuel? what meaneth then the bleating of the Sheepe in mine eares, and

the lowing of the Oxen, that I heare? Saul answers readily, they have brought them from the Amalekites, they are of the best of the Sheepe, and the Oxen, and they will forsooth, sacri∣fice them to the Lord thy God: the remnant wee have destroyed. But Sa∣muel telleth him, that here∣in hee hath done wickedly: he replyeth, and disputeth out the matter. Nay, it is not so, I have obeyed GODS voyce, and have gone the way, which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag, and have destroyed the Amalekites: the people indeed have ta∣ken of the chiefest things, but it is to offer them to

the LORD thy GOD. What harme is in this? Is it not a good meaning? Is it not to a good purpose? commeth it not of a good intent? Sure wee have o∣beyed the voyce of the Lord. But Samuel sayd, hath the LORD as great pleasure in burnt offerings, and sacrifices, as when his voyce is obeyed? even sa∣crifice it selfe is not accep∣table to GOD, unlesse his voyce be obeyed, unlesse it bee his commandement, how faire a shew soever it make, though it bee a sa∣crifice, yea of the best of the Sheepe, yet it is dis∣pleasant in his sight: for to doe any thing in Gods ser∣vice, but what he hath ap∣pointed,

to choose our owne wayes, and not only to follow CHRIST, is rebellion against his Maje∣stie, which is as the sinne of witchcraft, this trans∣gression is wicked idola∣try. All our good intents, all our good meaning, all our will-worship, and service of our owne inven∣tion, is Idolatry, nothing better, so farre from being meritorious, or acceptable to GOD. And why Ido∣latry? Even because they make, and imagine to themselves another GOD, then there is indeed: for they thinke they serve a GOD, that will bee plea∣sed with such obedience as they devise, and that will

like whatsoever they fancy. Now indeed, our God is no such God: for hee will only bee served, but as hee hath commanded. Wher∣efore, while they thus think, and thus doe, they imagine to themselves such a God, as is not, and worship him they know not. The only safe rule therefore for us, is to follow CHRIST, not to walke in our own wayes, or follow after men: for his sheepe heare his voyce, and a stranger will they not heare. And this is the cause why our Saviour limiteth us whom to follow, even him, even him alone, and none but him.

But if it be so, may you say, why doth Paul com∣mand

the Corinthians to bee followers of him? Be yee followers of mee: and walke as you have us for an example: and the Shep¦heards are commanded to goe in and out before their flocke An easie thing to under¦stand this. Paul layeth o¦pen this meaning: follow mee, saith hee; but how long? When? Even as I follow CHRIST: so long follow me. If I step aside, it is no warrant to you: for Christ must you onely follow, and mee, so long as I follow him. For as Souldiers are said one to follow another, while they all follow their Captaine, so may wee bee said to fol∣low Paul, or any servant of

Christ, so long as they walke in Christs steps, and follow him. But, if, they decline, beware how yee follow them. Were he as great as Paul, that was rapt up into heaven, yea as an Angell sent downe from heaven, we have no warrant to follow him, any further, then he followeth Christ.

Moreover, when our Sa∣viour biddeth us to follow him, he expresseth the duty a good Captaine, who saith not to his Souldiers, goe you, but come you, and fol∣low mee, doe as you see me doe; I require no other thing of you, than I will my selfe bee content to abide. I bid you not goe, but I bid you come on, and follow

mee. Of a good Shep∣heard, that leadeth forth his Sheepe and gui∣deth them.

FINIS

Notes

• Luk. 14.27, &c.
• 1 Cor. 2.9.
• Mat. 19.28
• 1 Cor. 6.3.
• Matth. 20.23.
• 1 Cor. 3.18.
• 1 Cor. 1.26.
• 1 Pet. 1.15. 2 Cor. 6.14, 15.
• Amos 3.3.
• 1 Ioh. 1.6.
• Rom. 6.6.
• Col. 3.5.
• Eph. 2.1.
• Ioh. 5.25 28.
• Ps. 51.10.
• Ioh. 5.28.
• Ezek. 11.19.
• Heb. 6.7.7, 8.
• Ier. 23.29.
• Ps. 110.2.
• Deut. 21.23.
• Mar. 15.21
• Acts 9.4
• Col. 1.24.
• Ruth 1.16.
• Mat. 18.2••
• Gen. 47.9.
• Gen. 25.22
• Gen. 28.14
• Hos. 4.6
• Ioh. 10.27.
• 1 Cor. 11.1. Phil. 3.17.