Seven godly and learned sermons preachedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached

and lastly see whether the very members of Christ are not now at debate and fighting together. David, when he considered the great oppression, tyranny, and persecution used against the faithful, in his time, cried out and said,¹ Serua me Deus, quia defecit sanctus, O save me Lord, for there is not one Saint more, very few faithful are there among the children of men: Every man telleth lies to his neighbour, they do but flatter with their lips, and dissemble ⟨image 63⟩in their hart. Jeremiah the prophet, when he saw the whole multitude of the people in his days forsake God, and run after their own affections, every man whether his lust lead him, he cried out and said,² Quis capiti meo dabit aquam, & occulis meis fontem aquarum, O who will give my head water enough, and a well of tears for mine eyes, that I may bewail the iniquity of this people. And even like as David in his time, so may the just man say now, Serua me Deus, quoniam defecit sanctus, O Lord help, because there is no holy man left. Like as Jeremiah, so may the virtuous bewail now the wickedness of these our days, and say, O who shall pour water into my head, and give a fountain of tears unto mine eyes, that I may bewail the wickedness of this people. O Christ, where is now thy new commandment? where is now thy cognisance, thy badge whereby thy servants are known? where is that peace which thou leftest to thy Disciples? where is now that one hart, that one mind, that one thought, that was in the congregation ⟨image 63⟩in the beginning of thy Church? But what need I to speak, what need I to say any thing, if they would hear thee, Lord, if they would hear thy word and Gospel? O Lord where is thy strength become? where is that power, that force of thy word, which was able to divide the marrow from the bone? ³What is now become of that marvellous might of thy word? Thy word, O Lord, is one, thy Gospel is the self same and one, but the harts of men, the harts of thy people are not one. But this cometh to pass for my sins, this I see well is wrought by thee, O Lord, for mine own sins and offences: for other poor men preach thy Gospel, other poor men do teach and instruct thy people with thy holy word, and by and by the people mourn, by and by they are sorry for their sins, they repent them of their wickedness, and turn unto thee.