Oh it goeth sore when CHRIST, whose Face was wrinkled with weeping, and the shadow of death was on his Eyes for our sins: when that Christ who in the days of his1 flesh offered supplications with strong crying and tears, Heb. 5▪ When that Christ, who in the bitterness of his soul lifted up his voice over Jerusalem, and cried: Oh if thou ha•st but known at the least in this day, what belonged unto thy peace: and so was same to lift up the rest of the Sentence with tears, as it was, and as not being able to speak on for weeping, the tears coming down so fast, that they interrupted his speeches, and made them unperfect; When thou CHRIST shalt laugh at our perishing, and take delight at our destruction. Yet this will he do, and more also, if we shall be cold or careless in this business.2 And therefore sift your selves narrowly, ye that purpose this work, gauge the bottom of your thoughts, and be sure that it is the Shepherds voice that calleth you in, be sure that your gifts are answerable. For he that bringeth to this building, either untempered mortar, or unskilful hands, building he shall build, and a tower he shall build; but not Zion, but like the tower of Shiloh, Luc. 8. to fall down upon him, and to crush him3 to pieces, and all to fitters. This may find us matter to think of, when we are alone, and may strike us into cogitations, knowing, that our nature is blind, and believeth easily her own fancy; and thinketh her self called, when she is not, least happily we should not be careful or fearful enough, and so become guilty of contempt of this great commandment, which is the highest treason against the eternal GOD, and a matter of most fearful condemnation. Our Saviour CHRIST in his sermons and speeches, besides his sharp exordiums▪ claspeth up many things with his Selah, and with his vehement epiphonema, which he useth never to set to (mark it when ye will) but in matters of great charge, and in such savings of his, as he would have to pierce and divide between the joints and the marrow: He that hath Ears to hear, let him hear. In effect, it is thus much, he that planted the ear, he planted it for himself, and for his own sayings planted he it, he it is that speaketh, shall not he have audience? Even the Lord it is that speaketh, shall he ⟨p. 746⟩speak to the wind? God forbid.
Oh it goeth sore when CHRIST, whose Face was wrinckled with weeping, and the shadow of death was on his Eyes for our sinnes: when that Christ who in the dayes of his1 flesh offered supplications with strong crying and teares, Heb. 5▪ When that Christ, who in the bitternes of his soule lifted vp his voyce ouer Ierusalem, and cried: Oh if thou ha•st but knowne at the least in this day, what belonged vnto thy peace: and so was saine to lift vp the rest of the Sentence with teares, as it was, and as not being able to speake on for weeping, the teares comming downe so fast, that they interrupted his speeches, and made them vnperfit; When thou CHRIST shalt laugh at our perishing, and take delight at our destruction. Yet this will hee doe, and more also, if wee shall be colde or carelesse in this businesse.2 And therefore sift your selues narrowly, yee that purpose this worke, gage the bottome of your thoughts, and be sure that it is the Shepheards voyce that calleth you in, be sure that your giftes are answerable. For hee that bringeth to this building, either vntempered morter, or vnskilfull hands, building hee shall build, and a tower hee shall build; but not Sion, but like the tower of Shilo, Luc. 8. to fall downe vpon him, and to crush him3 to peeces, and all to fitters. This may finde vs matter to thinke of, when we are alone, and may strike vs into cogitations, knowing, that our nature is blinde, and beleeueth easily her owne fancie; and thinketh her selfe called, when shee is not, least happily wee should not be carefull or fearefull enough, and so become guiltie of contempt of this great commandement, which is the highest treason against the eternall GOD, and a matter of most fearfull condemnation. Our Sauiour CHRIST in his sermons and speeches, besides his sharpe exordiums▪ claspeth vp manie things with his Selah, and with his vehementepiphonema, which he vseth neuer to set to (marke it when yee will) but in matters of great charge, and in such savings of his, as he would haue to pearce and diuide betweene the ioynts and the marrow: Hee that hath Eares to heare, let him heare. In effect, it is thus much, hee that planted the eare, hee planted it for himselfe, and for his owne sayings planted hee it, he it is that speaketh, shall not he haue audience? Euen the Lord it is that speaketh, shall hee
- 1A good admonition to such as purpose to enter the great calling of the ministry.A good admonition to such as purpose to enter the great calling of the ministerie.
- 2Attendite vobis.
- 3In matters of great wisdom Christ useth both gravity & wisdom to make us more diligent in hearing, which also teacheth us the right kind of hearing.In matters of great wisdom Christ vseth both grauitie & wisdom to make vs more diligent in hearing, which also teacheth vs the right kinde of hearing.
