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HOM. IX.

Against the Fear of Death.

christian man which considereth all these miseries, perils, and disadvantages, whereunto he is subject so long as he here liveth upon earth, and on the other part considereth that blessed and comfortable state of the heavenly life to come, and the sweet condition of them that depart in the Lord; how they are delivered from the continual incumbrances of their mortal and sinful body, from all the malice, crafts, and deceits of this world, from all the assaults of their ghostly enemy the devil, to live in peace, rest, and endless quietness; to live in the fellowship of innumerable angels, and with the congregation of perfect and just men, as patriarchs, prophets, martyrs, and confessors; and, finally, unto the presence of Almighty God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. He that doth consider all these things, and believeth them assuredly, as they are to be believed, even from the bottom of his heart, being established in God in this true faith, having a quiet conscience in Christ, a firm hope, and assured trust in God's mercy, through the merits of Jesus Christ, to obtain this quietness, rest, and everlasting joy, shall not only be without fear of bodily death, when it cometh, but certainly, as St. Paul did, so shall he gladly, according to God's will, and when it pleaseth God to call him out of this life, greatly desire in his heart, that he may be rid from all these occasions of evil, and live ever to God's pleasure, in perfect obedience of his will, with our Saviour Jesus Christ; to whose gracious presence the Lord of his infinite mercy and grace bring us, to reign with him in life everlasting: to whom with our heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost, be glory in worlds without end. Amen.

Further considerations are here subjoined to shew why Christians should rejoice in the prospect of the body's dissolution, and the Sinner tremble at the thought of being called to appear in the presence of God, who will render to every man according to his works.

HOM. X.

On Good Order and Obedience.

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HOMILY X.

Concerning Good Order and Obedience to Rulers and Magistrates.

ALMIGHTY God hath created and appointed all things in heaven, earth, and waters, in most excellent and perfect order. In heaven he hath appointed distinct and several orders and states of archangels and angels. In earth he hath assigned and appointed kings, princes, with other governors under them, in all good and necessary order. The water above is kept, and raineth down in due time and season. The sun, moon, stars, rainbow, thunder, lightning, clouds, and all birds of the air, do keep their order. The earth, trees, seeds, plants, herbs, corn, grass, and all manner of beasts, keep themselves in order; all the parts of the whole year, as winter, summer, months, nights, and days, continue in their order: all kinds of fishes in the sea, rivers, and waters, with all fountains, springs, yea, the seas themselves, keep their comely course and order and man himself also hath all his parts both within and without, as soul, heart, mind, memory, understanding, reason, speech, with all and singular corporal members of his body, in a profitable, necessary, and pleasant order: every degree of people in their vocation, calling, and office, he hath appointed to them their duty and order: some are in high degree, some in low, some kings and princes, some inferiors and subjects, priests and laymen, masters and servants, fathers and children, husbands and wives, rich and poor; and every one hath need of other; so that in all things is to be lauded and praised the goodly order of God; without

HOM. X.

On Good Order and Obedience.

which no house, no city, no commonwealth can continue and endure, or last. For where there is no right order, there reigneth all abuse, carnal liberty, enormity, sin, and Babylonical confusion. Take away kings, princes, rulers, magistrates, judges, and such estates of God's order, no man shall ride or go by the way unrobbed; no man shall sleep in his own house or bed unkilled; no man shall keep his wife, children, and possessions in quietness; all things shall be common; and there must needs follow all mischief and utter destruction both of souls, bodies, goods, and commonwealths. But blessed be God that we in this realm of England feel not the horrible calamities, miseries, and wretchedness, which all they undoubtedly feel and suffer, that lack this godly order: and praised be God that we know the great and excellent benefit of God shewed towards us in this behalf. God hath sent us his high gift, our most dear sovereign King Edward, with a godly, wise, and honourable council, with other superiors and inferiors, in a beautiful order, and godly. Wherefore, let us subjects do our bounden duties, giving hearty thanks to God, and praying for the preservation of this godly order. Let us all obey, even from the bottom of our hearts, all their godly proceedings, laws, statutes, proclamations, and injunctions, with all other godly orders. Let us consider the Scriptures of the Holy Ghost, which persuade and command us all obediently to be subject, first and chiefly to the King's majesty, supreme governor over all, and next to his honourable council, and to all other noblemen, magistrates aud officers, which by God's goodness be placed and ordered. For Almighty God is the only author and provider for this forenamed state and order, as it is written of God in the book of the Proverbs: Through me kings do

HOM. X.

On Good Order and Obedience.

reign, through me counsellors make just laws, through me do princes bear rule, and all judges of the earth execute judgment: I am loving to them that love me.' Here let us mark well, and remember, that the high power and authority of kings, with their making of laws, judgments, and offices, are the ordinances, not of man, but of God; and therefore is this word (through me) so many times repeated. Here it is also well to be considered and remembered, that this good order is appointed by God's wisdom, favour, and love, especially for them that love God; and therefore he saith, I love them that love me. Also in the Book of Wisdom we may evidently learn, that a king's power, authority, and strength, is a great benefit of God; given of his great mercy to the comfort of our great misery. For this we read there spoken to kings: 'Hear, O ye kings, and understand; learn ye that be judges of the ends of the earth; give ear ye that rule the multitudes; for the power is given you of the Lord, and the strength from the Highest.' Let us learn also here by the infallible and undeceivable word of God, that kings, and other supreme and higher officers, are ordained of God, who is most high: and therefore they are here taught diligently to apply and give themselves to knowledge and wisdom, necessary for the ordering of God's people to their governance committed, or whom to govern they are charged of God. And they be here also taught by Almighty God, that they should acknowledge themselves to have all their power and strength, not from Rome, but immediately of God most high. We read in the Book of Deuteronomy, that all punishment pertaineth to God, by this sentence, Vengeance is mine, and I will reward.' But this sentence we must understand to pertain also unto the magistrates which do exer

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Prov. viii. Wisd. vi. Deut. xxxiii.

HOM. X.

On Good Order and Obedience.

cise God's room in judgment, and punishing by good and godly laws here on earth. And the places of Scripture which seem to remove from among all christian men judgment, punishment, or killing, ought to be understood, that no man (of his own private authority) may be judge over others, may punish, or may kill. But we must refer all judgment to God, to kings and rulers, judges under them which be God's officers to execute justice; and by plain words of Scripture have their authority and use of the sword granted from God: as we are taught by St. Paul, that dear and chosen apostle of our Saviour Christ, whom we ought diligently to obey, even as we would obey our Saviour Christ, if he were present. Thus St. Paul, writeth to the Romans, Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers that be, be ordained of God. Whosoever therefore withstandeth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: but they that resist, or are against it, shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not fearful to them that do good, but to them that do evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power? Do well then, and so shalt thou be praised for the same; for he is the minister of God for thy wealth. But, and if thou do that which is evil, then fear: for he beareth not the sword for nought, for he is the minister of God, to take vengeance on him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey, not only for fear of vengeance, but also because of conscience; and even for this cause pay ye tribute, for they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose.'

Here let us learn of St. Paul, the chosen vessel of God, that all persons having souls (he excepteth none, nor exempteth none, neither priest, apostle, nor prophet, saith St. Chrysostom,) do owe of

Rom. xiii,

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