TIS Very probable that when the Iewes were going into cap­tivity, as tis threatned, Ierm. 25. then Ieremie made this booke of Lamentations; wherein he first sets downe the greatnesse of Gods judgements.

Secondly, the heinousnesse of their sinnes.

Thirdly, he exhorts the people to repentance.

Fourthly, he invites them to lay hold on Gods mercy by faith.

The words of my Text are the summe of the whole booke, which may bee thus rendred in a few more words.

[Page 2] Yee see, my deere Countrymen, how the Lord hath afflicted us; and doubtlesse the cause is our sinnes. It shall therefore be our wisedome to examine our selves narrowly, wherein wee have transgressed; and then to returne into the path of Gods Commandements, that hee may have mercy upon us, and remove his judgements from us.

Now behold the judgements of God have long hovered over our land: Wherefore as Ieremy then called the Iews to search their waies; so is it seasonable for every Minister of the Gos­pell among us, to call his people to examination of their wayes, that the feirce wrath of God may be turned from us.

And for my part at this time I am called to make a visitation Sermon: yee see the Visitors are come to inquire concerning all our wayes. What fitter exhortation then can I make, than this of the wise Prophet? Let us search and try our wayes, and turne againe to the Lord.

In this exhortation I observe two parts; the first stands in searching and trying our wayes: the second, in turning againe to the Lord.

Concerning the former part in those words, Let us search and try our wayes, I note three particu­lars.

First, who be the persons summoned in the particle us.

Secondly the act, which is twofold, search, and try.

Thirdly the object to bee searched and tryed, our wayes.

[Page 3] Touching the first, the persons summoned in the particle, us; No question but Ieremie speakes to the body of the Iewes, including himselfe. For though he was a righteous man, yet he knew as David saith, Psal. 143. 2. That in Gods sight, no man living is justified. To the whole Congre­gation of Israel therefore doth Ieremy speake, in­cluding himselfe when he saith, Let us search, &c.

In like manner at this time, doe I direct my speech to the whole Deanery of the Isle of Wight, not excluding my selfe, or any of my brethren of the Ministery.

Nay more, including you also right Worship­full that are come to visite us, and all your officers from the highest to the lowest; yea and all that have any hand in this daies visitation, as Church-wardens and sidemen, Plainetiffes, Defendants, and witnesses, all that prove Wills, or take upon them the administration of other mens goods: in a word, to you all that heare me this day, as also to my selfe, doe I say in the word of the Lord, Let us search and try our wayes. For though per­haps some among us are not such heinous sinners as others; yet we cannot but confesse if wee will speake the truth, that in many things we sinne all: and therefore have just cause every one to search and try our wayes; wherefore I say againe and againe, Let us all and every one of us, search and try our wayes.

I doe not deny but it is the part of the Magi­strate, and the duty of the Minister, and Church­wardens, and all swornemen, to search and try [Page 4] the wayes of all that are committed to their charge; and woe be unto them if they doe not:

But yet it is laid as a burden upon every parti­cular person to search himselfe, according to that 1 Cor. 11. 28. Let a man, i. every man, exa­mine him selfe, and againe, Let every man prove his owne worke, Gal. 6. 4.

Neither shall we thinke it strange, that every man is called to the strict examination of him­selfe, if we marke the reason.

For first, they to whom the care of others is committed, many times are carelesse.

Secondly, no man can take notice of all ano­thers wandrings; The heart is deceit full above mea­sure, who can search it? Ier. 17, 9.

Thirdly, Every one of us shall give account to God of himselfe, Rom. 14, 12. Every man shall beare his owne burden, Gal. 6. 5.

Tis true, if the Magistrate, and Minister, and other overseers, warne not the wicked whom they espie, but let them goe on in sinne, God will require their blood at their hands; but yet they shall dye in their sinnes, and beare their owne punish­ment, Ezec. 33. 8. Which being so, every one that is wise will ponder his owne paths; Every one that hath understanding will search and try his owne wayes.

So ye have the first particular, every man, high or low, rich or poore, learned or unlearned, bond or free, must search and try his owne wayes.

The second particular to bee considered is the Act, which is twofold, search, and try.

[Page 5] By searching, wee must understand a narrow looking into our courses by taking speciall view of them all.

David expresses the meaning when hee sayes, Psal. 119. 59. I considered my wayes, that is, as other translations have it, I thougt on my wayes, or, I called all my wayes to my remembrance. So then being in my text commanded to search our wayes, tis as if we had beene enjoyned to pon­der all our wayes, or to call to our remembrance, as much as wee can, all our by-past thoughts, words, and deeds.

Moreover when we have searched, or taken speciall notice of all our wayes, we are comman­ded in the second place to try them, that is, to weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary, and prove them by the touch-stone of Gods word, whether they be good and current, or not.

Behold then thy Duty, whosoever thou art. Thou must often enter into serious examination and consideration of all thy wayes: thou must every day ponder with thy selfe, whether thy conversation be sutable to Gods will or not.

Concerning this searching and trying in world­ly matters, we are for the most part very wise: he that hath a flock of sheepe, will have a shepheard to handle them dayly. He that hath much land, will have a bay liffe to oversee it continually. Yee need not bid the merchant try his silver & gold, and search his other commodities. Who doth not often talke and inquire concerning the estate of his body?

[Page 6] But concerning the estate of our soules, wee are too too negligent. I may say of our dayes as Ieremy 8. 6. I hearkned and heard, but they spake not aright, no man repented him of his wickednesse, saying, what have I done? Every one turneth to his course as the horse rusheth into the battell.

Vnto whom shall I compare the men of this generation? certainely they are like the people of Laish: Iudg. 18. 27. The children of Dan came unto Laish, a quiet people and without mistrust, and smote them with the edge of the sword, &c.

Even so, though wee heare daily, that the Di­vill like a roaring Lyon goes about seeking whom hee may devoure, 1 Pet. 5. 8. and that our lusts daily warre against our soules, 1 Pet. 2. 11. and that the whole world lyes in wickednesse, 1 Ioh. 5. 19. yet we lie still snorting in our sinnes.

Yea more, though it be most apparant that the Lord hath whet his sword, and prepared instru­ments of death, as the plague, famine, and the sword, which have in our country and among our neighbours, devoured many thousands, and ten thousands within these few yeares, yet we are not moved hereby to search and try our wayes: Wee sleepe like a man upon the top of a Maste.

Thus much for the second particular, the two­fold act, search and try.

I come to the third particular, which is the ob­ject, or what we must search and try, namely, our wayes.

And here by this word wayes, we must under­stand our thoughts, words, and works: So they [Page 7] are often termed in the Scripture, Gen. 6. 12. All flesh had corrupted his way, i. all mankind had pol­luted their manners, they were growne dissolute in their thoughts, words, and deeds.

Now, our thoughts, words and deedes are termed our wayes, because by them we walke as twere to heaven or hel, as by the Kings high way we passe from towne to towne. Hee that thinkes good thoughts, speakes good words, and doth good workes, is walking in the way to heaven. Bona opera sunt via regn: i. good works are the way to the kingdome of heaven; Which God hath ordei­ned that wee should walke in them, Ephe. 2. 10.

Hee that thinkes evill thoughts, speakes evill words, doth evill deeds, is walking in the way to hell. Prov. 7. 27. Salomon saith The house of a whore is the way to hell: i. whoremongers and adul­terers are walking in the ready way that leades to hell.

The like may bee said of the practise of any sinne, in thought, word, or deed; tis the way to hell.

So then, whereas the Prophet sayes, Let us search and try our wayes, Tis as if he had sayd, Let us examine our thoughts, words and deeds; Let us consider wherein we have transgressed the Commandements of God, or done ought against his will.

And here it is to be noted that he saies our wayes, not other mens wayes: In this search wee must have an eye to our owne thoughts, words and deedes.

[Page 8] This is a singular point of wisedome; But ve­ry many of us fayle most grosly therein. We are for the most part like those whom St. August. 10. Confess. calls, Curiosum genus hominum ad Cog­noscendum vitam alienam, desidiosum ad Corrigen­dum suam: Wee are curious in searching other mens wayes, negligent in correcting our owne.

I doe not deny but a man may take notice of his neighbours wandrings, and rebuke him too; tis the Lords owne Commandement, Levit. 19. 17. Thou shalt freely rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sinne upon him. And verily we have all much to answere for, because wee have not seasonably reproved our offending neighbours.

But the course that I now tax, is, that many are so buysie in searching other mens waies, that they neglect their owne: and yet they thinke them­selves wise men. But a wiser than the wisest saith, Prov. 9. 12. If thou beest wise, thou shalt bee wise for thy selfe. Yea the heathen man Platarch de Curiosit. saith, [...] Tis the end of Philosophy, to know a mans owne evills. And the Orator saith very well, Ne quicquam sapit qui sibi non sapit, He is wise in vaine, that is not wise for him­selfe.

Wherfore let us carefully hearken to the coun­sell of the wisedome of God, which saith, Prov. 4. 25. Let thy eye lids direct thy way before thee; pon­der the path of thy feet: And let all thy wayes be orde­red aright. And whereas he sayes, Let all thy wayes [Page 9] be ordered, it gives me occasiō to put you in mind, that he that will make a true search, must search all his wayes, and try all his thoughts, words, and deeds. Tis not sufficient to examine some, or many of our wayes: but we must ponder all our wayes. If a Shippe spring three leakes, and onely two bee stopped, the third will sinke the Shippe. If a man have two greevous wounds in his body, and take order to cure onely one, that which is neglected will kill him.

Quidve exempta juvat spinis de pluribus una? Even so if we having divers lusts which fight a­gainst our soules, do mortifie but some of them, tis to no purpose.

God cannot indure these halfe-services. Hee that will be a man after Gods owne heart, must with David, Ps. 119. 104. utterly abhor all falswais.

The Pharises were very precise in manythings; yet Christ calls them hypocrites, and cryes woe unto them, because they walked not circumspe­ctly in all their wayes.

The truth is, he that unfeinedly bends his mind against any one sinne, hates all sinnes; and hee that favours himselfe in any one sinne never so small, never so secret: this man hates no sinne heartily, what shew soever hee makes. He may perhaps eschew some sinnes, for some sinister re­spects, as namely because they will not sort with his ordinary courses; or are not ageeable to his complexion; or would hinder him more ano­ther way; or because he is taken up of so many other uncleane spirits, that give him no leasure for these.

[Page 10] Who will contend the covetous Crib, for ha­ting prodigality, and excesse in meat, drinke, and apparrell? Who knowes not that he hence reaps no small advantage?

What considerate man will thinke the better of a prodigall spend thrift, because he heares him rayle against this or that miserable Churle?

Iudas was angry at the waste of the box of pre­cious oyntment, and said it might have bin sold and given to the poore: But twas not because he loved the poore, or hated waste, but because hee carried the bag and was a theefe.

The Pharises were very strict in tything Mint, Annise & Cummin, but if they had done this sin­cerely, they would not have neglected the weigh­tier matters of the Law. For hee that lookes to some of his waies in obedience unto Gods Com­mandement, for the same reason must and will looke unto all: And he that hath not an eye to all his wayes, in truth regards none.

So then let all that heare me this day, take spe­ciall notice that we are all summoned this day, to search and try all our wayes: I say againe; wee are all bound and commanded, to search and try all our wayes. Though in regard of some of our courses we are applauded in the world, and know that we have done worthily; yet wee must proceed further, and narrowly search and exa­mine all our whole conversation, and all the pas­sages of our life. 1 Sam. 15. 13. when Saul retur­ned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, he said vnto Samuel, Thou blessed of the Lord, I have per­formed [Page 11] the commandement of the Lord: And yet yee know, he had spared Agag the King, and the fat cattell, contrary to the commandement.

In like manner there bee very many in these dayes, who thinke themselves good Christians, because they have done & do many good things, and eschew many evill wayes: They heare the word preached, they pray, they come to the Lords table, they give almes; they are no mur­derers, adulterers, theeues; Hereupon they con­clude, as Saul did, they have performed the com­mandement of the Lord: whereas if they would search and try all their wayes, they would see that they come farre short in other points. For though they heare Gods word duly, they hate to be reformed: though they keepe some part of the Lords day holy, they spend some other part prophanely: though they often call upon Gods name devoutly, they oftner take his name in vain most fearefully. Though they steale not their neighbors good, they rob him of his good name: though they will not strike with the sword, their hearts are full fraught with murderous and mali­cious thoughts.

For this cause we must search and try all our wayes; we must suffer no one to escape without due examination.

Moreover, if upon sound tryall of our own per­sonall wayes, we be able to say truely with Eze­chiah, Isay 38. 3. we have walked before God in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in his sight, & as David saith Ps. 18. 23. [Page 12] have kept our selves from our owne iniquitie; yet we must not here cease searching; we must proceed to searchand try all the wayes of those that are committed unto our charge, because we must an­swere unto God for them.

Iob was a man perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evill, by Gods owne te­stimony, Iob 1. 8. yet Iob thought not this enough, but continued sanctifying his children, and offe­ring sacrifice for them, Iob. 1. 5.

Goe thou and doe likewise. Thou must bee as carefull in searching and trying all the wayes of thy servants and children, &c. as thine owne; wherein because Eli fayled, hee was fearefully plagued by the Lord, 1 Sam. 4.

To conclude this point, if thou be a private man, thou must not prie into the wayes of thy neighbours: but concerning those abominations which are openly committed in the land, thou art bound with them, Ezech 9. 4. to bewaile the same: But if thou art a Magistrate, thou must search out and reforme all abuses in thy quarter: thou must not beare the sword in vaine: For thou art the Minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evill, Rom. 13. 4.

Lastly, though this course of searching and trying our waies, must be taken principally when God visiteth us with any plague: or when the Civill, or Ecclesiasticall Magistrate (as now) comes to inquire concerning our wayes; yet ought it to be daily and continually used, because we are apt to go astray continually, & to wander [Page 13] every moment. But the most convenient time, for this searching and trying all our wayes, by St. Chrysostome and others, is thought to be eve­ry evening.

Thus have I shewed unto you a point of singu­lar wisdome, to be put in practise every day by all men, all the dayes of their lives.

Many therefore of this generation, are not so wise as they would be accounted, because either altogether, or in part, they neglect this duty of searching and trying their wayes.

Some (let all things go how they will) passe their dayes in sottish security, and never say to their owne soules so much as, What have I done, untill with the rich glutton, they bee suddenly plunged into hell.

Others, though they be earnestly exhorted to search and try their wayes, will by no meanes en­tertaine any counsell in this kind, but go on reso­lutely as they have done.

In this ranke stand, first our recusant Papists, who will doe as their Fathers and Grandfathers have done, tell them what ye can.

Secondly of this number are very many pro­fane wretches, which seeme to hate instruction, and put off all admonition with a scoffe.

Thirdly, here also may be ranged much peo­ple, men and women, who having entered into some unlawfull course, wherein they find, either pleasure, as Herod in his brother Philips wife, Luk. 3. or profit, as the Craftsmen in making Shrines for the Temple of Diana, Acts 19. 25. or honour, [Page 14] as Naaman in going with his Mr. to his idolatrous house, 2 Kings 5. cannot indure to heare, that they must search and try their waies, because they are resolved whatsoever they heare not to change their course.

Such are in these dayes our common Stage-players, gamehousekeepers, ministrells, jesters, typlers, stewes, vsurers, &c.

All these abhor this searching and trying of their wayes. They will not indure to have the lawfullnesse of their courses called in que­stion.

Others there are which performe this duty but onely in part, and of these there are divers sorts; first, are they which doe but talke of it, as Felix, Acts 24. 25. who when Paul preached of righteousnesse, temperance, and judgement to come, trembled, but said, Go thy way, and when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee: but hee never sent.

Even so many in these dayes, when they heare a searching Sermon, say here is good Doctrine, tis pitty but it should be followed, but after that time never thinke upon it againe.

Secondly, some are almost perswaded to search their wayes, as Agrippa who said to Paul, Acts 26. 28. Almost thou perswadest mee to bee a Christian. But this almost will not serve the turne.

Thirdly, some search and try their wayes, but friendly as Ahab, 1 Kings 21. 27. when he heard Elias threatning, rent his clothes and put on sackcloth [Page 15] and fasted, &c. But as soone as the storme was o­ver, he was the same man: Even so now, when God sends any judgement, publicke or private, there be many that will cast downe their coun­tenance, and speake humbly, and mournfully; but when God ceases the plague, their submission is ended.

Fourthly some seeme to search and try their wayes soundly, but tis onely some of their waies; others must not be touched. We have an exam­ple in Herod, Mark. 6. 20. Herod when hee heard Iohn did many things at his preaching: But when Iohn told him of his incest with his brothers wife, hee could no longer beare, but cast Iohn into prison.

Even so now, there are not a few which are perswaded to search and try many of their waies, but they will by no meanes examine all: And among these, first, some search onely great and grosse sinnes, as may appeare, because they usually say, I am no whore, nor theefe, I am no murderer, no adulterer; and yet they abound with lesser sinnes.

Secondly, some straine at a gnat, and swallow a Camell: they are very precise in searching out some small faults, and yet suffer grand sinnes to reigne without controll.

Thirdly, some are zealous for the first table; they abhor Atheisme, they hate Idols, they will not sweare, nor breake the Sabbath: but they little regard the second table: for they oppresse, [Page 16] defraud and wrong their neighbours many waies without scruple.

Fourthly some will stand upon their Iustifica­tion, that they deale justly and charitably with all men; but yet make no bones of taking Gods name in vaine, or breaking the Sabbath.

Fiftly, some seem so to look to their waies, that they cannot greatly be taxed for the open breach of the first or second table, as they concerne God & their neighbour: but touching their owne per­sons, they are very irregular; they walke not so­berly, temperately, humbly; but proudly, wan­tonly, or riotously.

In the fift place, some search and try all their owne wayes, but they are negligent in searching and trying the waies of those that are committed to their charge.

In the sixth place, some seeme fully to put this precept in execution; they search and try all their wayes, and the wayes of their friends and fami­lies, and set all in a good course: but on a sudden, upon some temptation of wealth, pleasure or ho­nor, they start backe & with Demas embrace this present world.

Thus yee see how many are defective in the due performance of this maine, and most ne­cessary duty of searching and trying their wayes. What remaines but that I exhort every one of you, to take speciall notice of the sore of his owne heart; I meane the particular case wherein he hath offended, touching this searching and trying of his wayes, that so for the time to come, he may better performe the same.

[Page 17] I presse this duty of searching and trying our waies the rather, because I find that many among the heathen have done it very diligently. Cicero de senectute, brings in Cato saying, Quid quoque die dixerim, audierim, egerim, commemoro vesperi, i. What I have said, heard, done, every day, I re­count at evening. Seneca lib. 3. de Ira, cap. 36. saies that Sextius was wont every night to call him­selfe to a reckoning, saying, Quod hodie malum tu­um sanasti, i. what evill of thine hast thou cured this day? Againe, Seneca saith of himselfe, that he was wont without faile, every night to exa­mine himselfe upon his bed, concerning the fore­going day. I might cite many more, but others have done it; and these are enough to cry shame upon us Christians, if wee will not practise such an excellent duty, which hath so many com­mandements, promises, and threatnings in the Scripture.

Besides, there is no course in the world which is more avayleable, either to bring us into Gods favour, or to keepe us from wandring, than this daily searching and trying of our wayes.

For the first, one sayes very well, Illam ani­mam diligit Deus quae se sinecessatione considerat, et sine simalatione judicat, God loves that soule, which without ceasing searches it selfe, and without guile judges it selfe: and if we would thus judge our selves, we should not be judged of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11. 31.

Secondly, ther's no better meanes to keepe us from wandring, than this daily searching & try­ing [Page 18] our wayes. If wee would stand upon our watch, & daily examine all our thoughts, words and deeds, only concerning these two questions, whence they come, and whither they tend; tis impossible we should fall into sinne, at least lye in sinne as we commonly doe.

For want of this searching and trying their wayes, it is, that all the posterity of Adam fall so foully.

Nay, if Eue had tryed the words of the Ser­pent; or Adam considered the gift of his wife; neither the one, nor the other had eaten the for­bidden fruit.

If Cain had but said to his soule, when he went about to kil Abel, what art thou now about to do? he would never have done it.

If David had tryed his strange lust, when hee first saw Vriahs wife, he would have made a co­venant with his eyes as Iob did.

All the fearefull falls of the children of God when they were negligent, are so many testimo­nies, that without this daily searching and trying our wayes, we cannot be safe, and no marvell. For no sinne appeares at the first in its owne pro­per hue, but masked, and in the likenesse of some vertue. If therefore we neglect this point of wis­dome: I meane, if wee doe not daily search and try our wayes, wee must needs entertaine some vice in stead of vertue.

For neglect of this searching & trying, it comes to passe that in these dayes, there bee so many drunkards, fornicators swearers, &c. The drun­kard [Page 19] saith to his mates, Come sirs, shall we goe play the good fellows? he will not say for shame, shall we goe and be drunke? then few but would seeme to abhor the motion.

The fornicator, that he may compasse his de­sire, comes to a mayd, and promises her present marriage. How many have beene thus deluded? and yet few will take heed.

The swearer alleages for himselfe, that either he is constrained to sweare, or that hee sweares nothing but the truth.

In like manner, all other sinnes come stealing upon us under vertuous names: Pride in appar­rell and building, will bee stiled neatnesse; cove­tousnesse, thrift; riotous behaviour and filthy talke, merriment; malice, a good stomach; re­venge, courage; prodigality, a kinde heart, &c.

If therefore we be not carefull to search and try all our wayes, yee see how easily we may be deceived.

On the other side, if we daily and truely search & try every course that is propounded to us, be­fore wee adventure upon it, we shall be preser­ved from many sinnes, as we may see by the ex­ample of Ioseph, Gen. 39. 7. Iosephs Masters wife, an honorable woman, cast her eyes upon Ioseph, & shee said, lie with me. Ioseph trying and exami­ning the motion, answers v. 9. how can I do this great wichednesse, and sinne against God?

In like manner if we would try & examine all motions which are made to us, we should be in­nocent from great offences.

[Page 20] But perhaps some will say unto mee as David doth, Psal. 19. 12. Who can understand his errors? if wee cannot understand them, how shall wee search and try them?

I answere, when I say that every man must search and try all his wayes, I doe not imagine that every one can presently understand all his er­rors; Satan by his subrilty will so blinde us; the world by evill customes will so sway us; the flesh by her sweet allurements will so be witch us, that though we be never so circumspect in sear­ching, some small faults will escape a long time.

But if wee heartily pray for the pardon of all secret faults, and continue daily to use all whole­some meanes to find them out, God will accept our honest endeavour.

But yee will say further, what meanes must wee use in searching and trying our wayes?

Answ. The Philosophers make reason, the touchst one of all our actions. To reason also some of the Fathers seeme to ascribe too much. But the truth is, humane reason is so corrupt since the fall of Adam, that it is not fit to be the cheife in this buisnesse.

But thankes be to God wee have [...], a more sure word, as tis called 2 Pet. 1. 19. to this if we take heed we doe well.

This word was given by inspiration, 2 Pet. 1. 21. This word is pure, inlightning the eyes, Psal. 19. 8. Tis a light unto our paths, Psal. 119. 105. Tis able to make us wise unto salvation, 2 Tim 3. 15. Tis pro­fitable [Page 21] for doctrine, for reproofe, for correction, for instruction in righteousnesse, v. 16. In a word, The word of God is quick, and powerfull, and sharper than any two edged sword, peircing even to the deviding a­sunder of the soule and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts & intents of the heart, Heb. 4. 12. Lastly, we shall be judged by the word, at the day of judge­ment, Ioh. 12. 48. Ro. 2. 16. All which considered, tis most plaine, that the word of God is the best light and rule to search and try all our actions.

And now if all wee, which are here gathered together, should examine our waies by this word of God, certainly many of them would be found very crooked.

It is not possible for me in the short space allot­ted for this exercise, to touch all our wayes: I will therefore meddle onely with those, which are most properly inquirable at this visitation Court.

And because the messenger of God, must bee as God himselfe, no respecter of persons, I will begin with the cheife and mine owne Coate, and tell them wherein their wayes are thought, not to be agreeable to Gods word.

And because Right Worshipfull, you and your officers, come to inquire what fame there goes of us, I thinke it very requisite, to informe you first what fame goes of your selves, that yee may take occasion to search and try your owne wayes, be­fore ye meddle with others.

This then is the common fame of the country, that, whether it be through the fault of the cheife [Page 22] Magistrate, and his officiall, Commissary, or Sur­rogates, or Register, or Sumners; offenders are not ordinarily censured, according to the nature of their offence. And that the great and rich, get through your Ecclesiastical nets, as easily as hor­nets through the spiders webbe. But that the poorer sort stand excommunicated a long time, though they be never so penitent, onely because they have no money to pay.

Moreover, that in your visitation Courts, most of you are more greedy of gaine, than sollicitous for reformation, which is the maine end of these assemblies.

Lastly, that in your Consistory, you and the Procters prolong trifling causes, for the multi­plying of fees: and that factious plaintiffes, which wage law for the vexation of their neighbours, find too favorable entertainement.

Now for my part, I doe not accuse any man, but if these reports bee true: then I must needes admonish you in the word of the Lord, Iam. 4. 8. that yee clense your hands, and purifie your hearts, & be afflicted, and mourne and weepe. And I pray you remember as Saint Paul saith, Rom. 13. 4. that you beare not the sword in vaine. Remember also what the rock and God of Israel said to David, 2 Sam. 23. 3. Hee that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the feare of God.

Wherefore as good Iehosaphat said to his Iud­ges, 2 Chron. 19. 6. Take heede what yee doe: for yee judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in judgement; wherefore now let the feare of God bee [Page 23] upon you, take heed and doe it. For there is no iniqui­ty with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of Gifts.

Gifts, as God saith, Deut. 16. 19; blinde the eyes of the wise.

Lastly, to all the officers of this Court, I say in the name of the Lord, as Iohn Baptist said to the Publicans, Luke 3. 13. Exact no more than is appointed you, remembring that extortion is a damna­ble sinne. And what shall it profit a man to winne the whole world, and loose his owne soule? sayes Christ Mat. 16. 26.

In the second place, touching us Ministers, there bee many complaints that wee doe not ac­cording to the word of the Lord, take heed to our selves, and the flocks, over which the holy Ghost hath made us overseers.

Some of us are carelesse touching our owne lives; wee are not examples to our people, as the Spirit commands, 1 Tim. 4. 12, in word, in conver­sation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Yea tis verified of some of us which was spoken, Hos. 4.9. There shall be like people, like Priest.

Againe, though the Spirit charge us all, 2 Tim. 4, before God and the Lord Iesus, to preach the word, and be instant in season, out of season; to reprove, re­buke, exhort: Yet divers of us, are more care­full in feeding our selves, than in feeding our flocks.

But above all, we are said to be generally defe­ctive, in that most necessarie part of our office, Catechising, whereunto wee have of late yeares [Page 24] bene so often exhorted, both by our Kings and Bishops. I know what most doe alleadge, that pa­rents and Masters, will not cause their children and servants to come to bee Catechised; but I know withall, that if we had beene as zealous in the Lords cause, as wee are for the most part for our owne Commodities, we might have done a great deale more good this way than wee have done.

Wherefore, my deere brethren, I beseech you all in the name of the Lord Iesus, who hath com­mitted his lambes, as well as his sheepe to our care; let us all with one heart, and with all our might, set upon this most laudable and profitable exercise of Catechising; without which, we shall doe little good by our preaching.

The third sort of people that are agents in this visitation Court, are the Church-wardens and Sidemen, who are bound by oath to present unto the Iudge all offenders.

But except there bee some notorious crime which they thinke cannot ly hid, they use to pre­sent omnia bene; and herein they thinke they deale very wisely. For as I have heard some of them say, we shall bring fees to the Court, and nothing shall be the better.

But I pray you consider, in the meane time ye forsweare your selves, and incurre the heavy wrath of God. For God will not take it for an excuse that ye say, though we should present, the Iudge will not reforme. The Iudge shall beare his owne burden; and what a fearfull thing it is [Page 25] for you to fall into the hands of the living God, by that abominable sinne of perjury?

Wherefore what conceit soever ye have had here tofore, touching these visitation Courts. Now I admonish you in the name of him who shall judge both quick and dead, present all offenders against the Canons without fear or favour: ye are ordained as the eyes and watchmen of the Iudge in every parish. And if yee were carefull accor­ding to your oath, wherewith you binde your soules every visitation, to present drunkards, swea­rers, raylers, scolds, slanderers, ribaudes, sowers of discords, fornicators, adulterers, Sabbath brea­kers, &c. Doutlesse iniquity would not abound in every parish as it doth.

Lastly, I may say to the whole Congregation, and to every sort and degree, from the highest to the lowest, that if we would search and try our wayes by the rule of Gods word, they will ap­peare very irregular▪ yea more, those things wherein we walke most sutable to Gods will, tis to be feared, we do them only superficially, & for forme and fashion, rather than for conscience and obedience to God and his word. We which are Gods Ministers, for the most part preach for forme, and ye which professe your selves to bee Gods people, heare for forme. For when the ser­mon is ended, we all depart, and thinke upon it no more, as if we had fully done our dutie in speaking, and yee in hearing, and there were no more required at our hands.

This is the cause why though there be so much [Page 26] Preaching in the land daily, yet there is very small progresse in piety.

Which being so, what remaines, but that I admonish you all and my selfe also, in the words of the second part of my text, to turne againe to the Lord?

This is the onely course for all that have gone astray, as you may see, Ioel 2. 12. 13. there the Lord exhorts the sinnefull Iewes, and all that have sinned as they did, saying, Turne yee even to mee withall your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning, and rent your hearts & not your garments, and turne to the Lord your God: for he is gracious, and mercifull, slow to anger, and of great kindnesse, and repenteth him of the evill. i. If wee weepe and rent our hearts for all our wandrings, and turne from all our by-pathes to serve the Lord, in sobriety, righteousnesse, and godlinesse, God will remove from us, all the plagues and judgements which he hath sent or threatned. But if we goe on in our evill wayes, then the Lord will powre downe his vialls of indignation upon us: God will wound the hairy scalp of such as go on still in their trespasses, Psal. 68. 21. Wherefore I say a­gaine for a conclusion, let us throughly search and try all our wayes, and whiles tis called to day begin to turne to the Lord our God with all our hearts, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Oh let us rent & teare our soules with godly sorrow for all our transgressions of Gods ordinances, and especially at this time, for our formall and perfunctory usage of these visi­tation [Page 27] Courts, which are ordained meerely, for the reformation of the faults of the Country; so shal not iniquity be our destruction: for the Lord desires not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should repent and live.

This repentance unto life he give us, who gave himselfe for us, even Iesus Christ our righteous­nesse. To whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, be honour and power everlasting, Amen.