Junii 16 o , 1602. fo. 25. At Paule's Crosse.
Mr. Barker; his text Luke ix. and the last verse, "Noe man that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh back is apt to the Kingdome of God."
The fyre from Heaven which consumed the sacrifices in the old lawe was preserved by continuall addicion of fuell, soe the heauenly virtue of Chrystian charitie being kindled in the hart of man, must be preserved by continuall meditacions on the word of God. Yf any should aske why it was commaunded in Leviticus that the people should offer primitias and in Exodus that they should alsoe give decimas, I should make no other answer, but that wee should not onely remember our Creator in the days of our youth, but alsoe serue him in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of our lyfe.
Aliud est incepisse, aliud perfecisse.
Some in their liues, like the image in Nebuchadnethers dreame, Dan. ii., goodly beginninges, but earthie endings.
The Diuel laboureth most against our perseveraunce because that virtue onely hath a promise of coronacion.
There be but seven steps in the ladder that leades downe to hell, and the lowest, saving desperacion, is a custom of synning.
These combined discommodities ensue the custome of synning; 6 Junii, 1602.
fo. 25b.fit diabolus ad oppugnandum audacior, anima ad peccandum promptior, Deus ad condonandum difficilior. This virtue of Christian magnanimity or perseveraunce consisteth in patiendo et faciendo: in patiendo, 2o, in ferendo et perferendo; faciendo, by continuance in preaching fayth, and in good lyfe.
Christ compared Christian profession to a plough. And why, 1. to soe base a thing, 2. to soe laborious a thing, 3. to that onely? 1. That none howe base soever by condicion or profession should despayre of attayning Heaven; and meane thinges may be compared with the greatest. Christ sayth the Kingdom of Heaven is like a litle leaven, and to a smaller thing then that, it is like a grayne of mustard seede; and here to a plough, that none might despayre. Simon a tanner, Peter a fisher, Paul a tent-maker, Joseph a carpenter.
Some great ones, Theophilus. Some ladyes, in the Acts. Some customers, and some from the beggars, as Lazarus. And yet, that rich men might not contemne it for the baseness, he compares it to a riche jewell, a precious stone, &c.
2. The place of the preacher is a calling of great paynes and trauaile. He selected and spake of the Archbishop of Canterbury as the sunne amongst the ministers, and the old Deane of Paules64 compared to the moone. And Dr. Overall, the newe deane, to the newe moone, gravity and learning and life; the ministers to starrs.