The lawyers question The answer to the lawyers question. The censure of Christ upon…The lavviers question The answere to the lawiers question. The censure of Christ vpon…

Many now a days are very curious in idle and unprofitable questions: As what God did before he made the world: How long Adam stood in the state of innocency: Whether Solomon were saved or no: with many such vain and unnecessary questions; but few there are which will ask (as this Lawyer did) what they must do to inherit eternal life. You shall see many very careful and inquisitive how they may get riches; where they may purchase lands and Lordships; how they may come to advancement and honour; and by what means they may procure the Princes favour: But you ⟨image 5⟩shall see few or none inquisitive concerning the means of their salvation, you shall seldom hear any ask their Pastor what they must do to be saved, or which way they may come to heaven? It is not now as it was in John Baptists time, when the Publicans, the soldiers and all sorts of people came unto him, with Master what shall we do? Luke, 3.10. &c. Nor it is not now as it was in the time of Christ, when the people came and asked him, what shall we do that we may work the works of God? John, 6.28. Nor it is not now as it was in Peters time, when upon the hearing of Peters Sermon the people came to Peter and to the other Apostles, crying and saying, Men and Brethren, what shall we do? Acts, 2.37. But now every mans mind is of his worldly profit, or pleasure, or preferment. This is the drift of all their devises, this is the end of all their practises, how they may live here in delight and ease, and leave behind them a rich posterity. As for that heavenly country whereunto they were borne, that new Jerusalem wherein they should dwell, it is the furthest end of their thought, and the least part of all their care how to inherit it, how to inhabit it. The Question is, how he may inherit eternal life; wherein he seemeth to confess that there is an eternal life, for thereof he makes no doubt, only the question is, how he may attain unto it. ⟨image 6⟩Here therefore it appeareth that this Lawyer was not a Sadducee which denied the resurrection of the dead. Mathe. 22. Nor he was not an Epicure, which are of this opinion, that after death there is neither joy to be looked for, nor pain to be feared, and therefore are wont to say, Ede, bibe, lude, &c. or as it is