Is it so, that Religion and true piety, is the ready way to the highest advancement▪ then1 hence let us learn to set our hearts chiefly thereupon, and above all the treasures in the world, principally to affect that. We account it good husbandry in the first place, to s•eke after those things that will do us most good: if silver be offered, we will prefer it before brass, & if gold be offered, we will take it rather than silver. Now concerning this heavenly wisdom, it is said: Receive mine instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather then fine 2gold: For wisdom is better then precious stones, and all treasures are not to b•e compared unto her. And this should encourage us rather to use all industry for the obtaining of this ble••ed estate, because it is a thing have-able. It were in vain for a base person to sue to be a King, a Duke, or a Lord: none almost is so foolish, as to seek for such preferments, because they know it would be but lost labour. But there is not the meanest servant, slave, or bondman, but may attain to this spiritual dignity, which is far beyond all advancement that the kingdom of this world can possibly yield. He that can pray, hear, meditate, confer, and judge himself in secret before he cometh to the Sacrament, and with all good care and conscionable respect use all Gods ordinances, for the obtaining of faith and other graces, which do ever accompany the same, shall be sure of good and happy success: for the Lord will be sound of those that seek him with a true heart; therefore let us not so cast our eyes on earthly commodities, as that in the mean time we neglect this pearl of price, and this inestimable Jewell, that will so exceedingly enrich us. The Apostle telleth us, that those3 that run in a race for a prize, though it be but a garland that is set up, so that they can gain only some small credit of their agility and nimbleness in ou• running one another, yet they will put off all that might clog and hinder them in their race; but especially if they should run for a crown of gold: neither will they be so foolish as to stoop down to take up every pin or point that lieth in the way; and yet they run but at an uncertainty: when they have done their best, another may carry away both the honour and commodity from them: and certain it is, that but one alone can win the prize:
Is it so, that Religion and true piety, is the ready way to the highest aduancement▪ then1 hence let vs learne to set our hearts chiefly therevpon, and aboue all the treasures in the world, principally to affect that. We account it good husbandry in the first place, to s•eke after those things that will doe vs most good: if siluer be offered, we will preferre it before brasse, & if gold be offered, we wil take it rather than siluer. Now concerning this heauenly wisedome, it is saide: Receiue mine instruction and not siluer, and knowledge rather then fine 2gold: For wisedome is better then precious stones, and all treasures are not to b•e compared vnto her. And this should encourage vs rather to vse all industrie for the obtaining of this ble••ed estate, because it is a thing haue-able. It were in vaine for a base person to sue to be a King, a Duke, or a Lord: none almost is so foolish, as to seeke for such preferments, because they knowe it would bee but lost labour. But there is not the meanest seruant, slaue, or bondman, but may attaine to this spirituall dignitie, which is farre beyond all aduancement that the kingdome of this world can possibly yeeld. He that can pray, heare, meditate, conferre, and iudge himselfe in secret before hee commeth to the Sacrament, and with all good care and conscionable respect vse all Gods ordinances, for the obtaining of faith and other graces, which doe euer accompanie the same, shall bee sure of good and happie successe: for the Lord will bee sound of those that seeke him with a true heart; therefore let vs not so cast our eyes on earthly commodities, as that in the meane time wee neglect this pearle of price, and this inestimable Iewell, that will so exceedingly enrich vs. The Apostle telleth vs, that those3 that runne in a race for a prize, though it be but a garland that is set vp, so that they can gaine onely some small credit of their agility and nimblenesse in ou• running one another, yet they will put off all that might clogge and hinder them in their race; but especially if they should runne for a crowne of gold: neither will they bee so foolish as to stoope downe to take vp euery pinne or point that lieth in the way; and yet they runne but at an vncertaintie: when they haue done their best, another may carry away both the honour and commodity from them: and certaine it is, that but one alone can winne the prize:
- 1Use. 1.Vse. 1.
- 2Pro. 8. 10. 11.
- 32. Cor. 9. 21.
