<P_31>

Having otherwhere spoken of the words of <font> Saint Iude </font> ,
going next before , concerning <font> Mockers </font> , which should
come in the last time , & backsliders , which even then fell away from
the faith of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ ; I am now by the aide
of almighty God , and through the assistance of his good spirit , to
lay before you the words of exhortation , which I haue read . 2 Wherein
first of all , whosoever hath an eie to see , let him open it ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,31.2)

and he shall wel perceiue , how carefull the Lord is for his children ,
how desirous to see them profit and growe vp to a manly stature in
Christ , how loath to haue them any way mislead , either by examples of
the wicked , or by enticements of <P_32> the world , and by provocation
of the flesh , or by any other meanes forcible to deceaue them , and
likely to estrange their heart from God . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.3)

For God is not at that point with vs , that hee careth not whether wee
sinke or swimme . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.4)

No , he hath written our names in the palme of his hand ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.5)

in the signet vpon his finger are we graven , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.6)

in sentences not onely of mercy , but of iudgement also we are
remembred . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.7)

He never denou~ceth iudgements against the wicked ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.8)

but hee maketh some <font> Proviso </font> for his children , as it
were for some certaine priviledged persons , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.9)

<font> Touch not mine annointed , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.10)

do my Prophets no harme , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.11)

hurt not the earth , nor the sea , nor the trees , till wee haue sealed
the servants of God in their foreheads . </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.12)

Hee never speaketh of godlesse men , but he adioineth words of comfort
, or admonition , or exhortation , whereby wee are moued to rest and
settle our hearts on him . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.13)

In the second Tim. the 3. Chap <font> Evill men </font> , saith the
Appostle , <font> and deceiuers shal waxe worse and worse , deceiuing
and being deceiued . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.14)

But continue thou in the things , which thou hast learned . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.15)

And in the first to Tim. the 6. Chap. <font> Some men lusting after
money haue erred from the faith , & pierced themselues through with
many sorrowes . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.16)

But thou , o` man of God , fly these things , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.17)

and follow after righteousness , godlines , loue , patience , meeknesse
. (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.18)

In the second to the Thessalonians , the second Chap. <font> They that
haue not receiued the loue of the truth , that they might bee saued ,
God shal send them strong delusions , that they may beleeue lies .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,32.19)

But we ought to giue thanks alway to God for you , brethren , beloued
of the Lord , because God hath from the beginning <P_33> chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the spirit , and faith in the truth
. </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.20)

And in this Epistle of <font> S. Iude , There shall come mockers in the
last time , walking after their owne vngodly lusts .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.21)

Eat , beloued , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.22)

edifie yee your selues in your most holy faith . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.23)

3 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.24)

These sweet exhortations , which God putteth every where in the mouthes
of the Prophets & Apostles of Iesus Christ , are evident tokens , that
God sitteth not in heaven careless and vnmindfull of our estate .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.25)

Can a mother forget her child ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.26)

Surely a mother will hardly forget her child . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.27)

But if a mother bee happily found vnnaturall , and doe forget the fruit
of her owne wombe , yet Gods iudgements shew plainly , that he $can
$not {TEXT:cannot} forget , the man whose heart hee hath framed and
fashioned a new in simplicity and truth to serue and feare him .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.28)

For when the wickednesse of man was so great , and the earth so filled
with crueltie , that it could not stand with the righteousnes of God
any longer to forbeare , wrathfull sentences brake out from him like
wine from a vessell that hath no vent . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.29)

<font> My spirit </font> , saith he , <font> can struggle and striue no
longer , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.30)

an end of all flesh is come before me </font> . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.31)

Yet then did <font> Noah finde grace in the eies of the Lord ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.32)

I will establish my covena~t with thee , </font> saith God ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.33)

<font> thou shalt goe into the arke , thou , and thy sonnes , and thy
wife , and thy sonnes wiues with thee . </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.34)

4 . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.35)

Doe we not see what shift God doth make for <font> Lot </font> , and
for his familie in the 19. of Genesis , least the fierie destruction of
the wicked should overtake him ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,33.36)

Over night the Angels make enquiry , what sons <P_34> or daughters , or
sonnes in law , what wealth and substance he had .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.37)

They charge him to carie out al , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.38)

<font> whatsoever thou hast in the citie , bring it out . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.39)

God seemeth to stand in a kind of feare , least something or other
would be left behind . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.40)

And his will was that nothing of that which he had , not an hoofe of
any beast , not a threed of any garment should bee singed with that
fire . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.41)

In the morning the angels fayle not to call him vp , and to hasten him
forward , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.42)

<font> Arise , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.43)

take thy wife , & thy daughters which are here , that they be not
destroyed in the punishment of the Citie . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.44)

The Angels hauing spoken againe and againe , <font> Lot </font> for all
this , lingereth out the time still , till at the length they were
forced to take <font> both him , and his wife , and his daughters by
the armes <paren> the Lord being mercifull vnto him </paren> </font>
and to cary them forth and set them without the citie .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.45)

5 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.46)

Was there ever any father thus carefull to saue his child from the
flame ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.47)

A man would thinke , that now being spoken vnto to escape for his life
, and not to looke behinde him , or to tarry in the plaine , but to
hasten to the mountaine & there to saue himselfe , he should do it
gladly . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.48)

Yet behold , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.49)

now he is so farre off from a chearefull & willing hart to do
whatsoever is commanded him for his owne weale , that he beginneth to
reason the matter , as if God had mistaken one place for another ,
sending him to the hill when salvation was in the Citie .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.50)

<font> Not so , my Lord , I beseech thee . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.51)

Behold , thy servant hath found grace in thy sight ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.52)

and thou hast magnified thy mercy which thou haste shewed vnto me in
saving my life . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,34.53)

I $can $not {TEXT:cannot} escape in the <P_35> mountaine , least some
evil take me and I die . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.54)

Here is a Citty hard by , a small thing . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.55)

O let me escape thither (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.56)

<paren> is it not a small thing ? </paren> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.57)

and my soule shall liue . </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.58)

Well , God is contented to yeeld to any conditions .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.59)

<font> Behold I haue received thy request concerning this thing also .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.60)

I will spare this City , for which thou has spoken ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.61)

hast thee ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.62)

saue thee there . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.63)

For I can do nothing till thou come thither . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.64)

6 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.65)

Hee could doe nothing ! (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.66)

Not because of the weaknesse of his strength <paren> for who is like
vnto the Lord in power ? </paren> but because of the greatnesse of his
mercy which would not suffer him to lift vp his arme against that city
, nor to power out his wrath vpon that place , where his righteous
servant had a fancie to remaine , and a desire to dwell .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.67)

O the depth of the riches of the mercy and loue God !
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.68)

God is afraide to offend vs which are not afraid to displease him !
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.69)

God can do nothing till he haue saved vs , which can finde in our harts
rather to do any thing then to serue him . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.70)

It contenteth him not to exempt vs , when the pit is digged for the
wicked ; to comfort vs at every mention which is made of reprobates and
godlesse men ; to saue vs as the apple of his owne eie when fire
commeth downe from heaven to consume the inhabitants of the earth ,
except every Prophet and every Apostle , and every servant , whom he
sendeth forth , doe come loaden with these and the like exhortations ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.71)

<font> O beloved , edifie your selues in your most holy faith .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.72)

Giue your selues to praier in the spirit , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.73)

keep your selues in the loue of God . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.74)

Looke for the mercie of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life .
</font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,35.75)

{COM:insert_helsinki_here}

<P_45>

(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.78)

Consider this people , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.79)

and learne , what it is to <font> build your selues in faith . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.80)

They were the Lords vine : (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.81)

he brought it out of Egypt , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.82)

he threwe out the heathen from their places , that it might be planted
, (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.83)

hee made roome for it , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.84)

and caused it to take roote , till it had filled the earth ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.85)

the mountaines were covered with the shadowe of it ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.86)

and the boughs thereof were as the goodly Cedars .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.87)

She stretched out her branches vnto the sea and her boughs vnto the
river . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.88)

But when God hauing sent both his servants and his sonne to visite this
vine , they neither spared the one , nor receiued the other , but
stoned the Prophets , and crucified the Lord of glory which came vnto
them , then beganne the curse of God to come vpon them , even the curse
whereof the Prophet <font> David </font> hath spoken , saying , <font>
Let their table be made a snare , and a net , and stumbling blocke ,
even for a recompense vnto them , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.89)

let their eies bee darkned , that they doe not see ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.90)

bow down their backs forever </font> , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.91)

keepe them downe . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.92)

And sithens the houre , that the measure of their infidelitie was first
made vp , they haue beene spoiled with warres , eate~ vp with plagues
spent with hunger and famine : (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.93)

they wander fro~ place to place , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.94)

and are become the most base and contemptible people that are vnder the
sunne . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,45.95)

Ephraim , which before was a terrour vnto nations , & they trembled
<P_46> at his voice , is now by infidelitie so vile that he seemeth as
a thing cast out to bee trampled vnder mens feet .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.96)

In the midst of these desolations they cry , <font> Returne we beseech
thee , o` God of hosts , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.97)

looke down from heaven , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.98)

behold and visit this vine </font> : (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.99)

but their very prayers are turned into sinne , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.100)

and their cryes are no better then the lowing of beasts before him .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.101)

<font> Well </font> , saith the Apostle , <font> by their vnbeleefe
they are broken of , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.102)

and thou doest stand by thy faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.103)

Behold therefore the bountifulnesse , and severitie of God , towards
them (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.104)

severitie , because they haue fallen , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.105)

bountifulnesse towards thee , if thou continue in his bountifulnesse ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.106)

or else thou shalt be cut off . </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.107)

If they forsake their vnbeleefe , and be grafted in againe , and we at
any time for the hardnesse of our hearts be broken off , it will be
such a iudgement , as will amaze all the powers and principalities
which are aboue . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.108)

Who hath searched the counsell of God concerning this secret ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.109)

and who doth not see that <font> infidelitie </font> doth threaten
<font> Lo-ammi </font> vnto the Gentiles , as it hath brought <font> Lo
ruchama </font> vpon the Iewes ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.110)

It may bee that these wordes seeme darke vnto you .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.111)

But the words of the Apostle in the eleventh to the <font> Romans
</font> , are plaine enough , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.112)

<font> If God haue not spared the naturall branches , take heed </font>
, take heed , <font> least he spare not thee . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.113)

Build thy selfe in faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.114)

Thus much of the thing which is prescribed , and wherein we are
exhorted to edifie our selues . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.115)

Now consider the <font> conditions </font> and <font> properties
</font> , which are in this place annexed vnto faith .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.116)

The former of them <paren> for there are but two </paren> is this ,
<font> Edifie your selues in your faith . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.117)

21 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,46.118)

A strange , and a strong delusion it is where <P_47> with the <font>
man of sinne </font> hath bewitched the world ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.119)

a forcible spirit of errour it must needs be , which hath brought men
to such a senseless & vnreasonable perswasion as this is , not only
that men cloathed with mortalitie and sinne as we our selues are , can
doe God so much service , as shall be able to take a full and perfect
satisfaction before the Tribunall seate of God for their owne sinnes ,
yea a great deale more , then is sufficient for themselues ; But also
that a man at the hands of a Bishop or a Pope , for such or such a
price , may buie the <font> overplus </font> of other mens merits ,
purchase the fruits of other mens labours , and build his soule by
another mans faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.120)

Is not this man drowned in the gall of bitternesse ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.121)

Is his heart right in the sight of God ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.122)

Can he haue any part of felloswhip with <font> Peter </font> , and with
the <font> successours </font> of <font> Peter </font> , which thinketh
so vilely of building the pretious temples of the holy Ghost ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.123)

Let his money perish with him , and he {COM:sic} with it , because he
iudgeth that the gift of God may bee sold for money .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.124)

22 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.125)

But , Beloued in the Lord , deceaue not your selues ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.126)

neither suffer ye your selues to be deceaued ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.127)

ye ca~ receiue no more ease nor comfort for your soules by an other
mans faith , then {COM:ye_can_receive} warmth for your bodies by an
other mans cloathes , or sustenance by the bread which another doeth
eate . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.128)

The iust shall liue by his <font> owne faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.129)

Let a saint , yea a Martyr conte~t himselfe , that he hath clensed
himselfe of his owne sinnes </font> , saith <font> Tertullian </font> .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.130)

No <font> saint </font> or <font> Martyr </font> can cleanse himselfe
of his owne sins . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,47.131)

But if so be a <font> saint </font> or a <font> martyr </font> can
cleanse <P_48> himselfe of his owne sinnes , it is sufficient that he
can doe it for himselfe . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.132)

Did euer any man by his death deliuer another man from death , except
onely the son of God ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.133)

He indeed was able to <font> Safe-conduct </font> a Theefe from the
Crosse to Paradise : (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.134)

for to this end he came , that being himselfe pure from sinne , hee
might obey for sinners . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.135)

Thou which thinkest to doe the like , and supposest , that thou canst
iustifie another by thy righteousnesse , if thou be without sinne ,
then lay downe thy life for thy brother ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.136)

die for me . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.137)

But if thou be a sinner , even as I am a sinner , how can the oyle of
thy lampe be sufficient both for thee , and for me ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.138)

<font> Virgins , </font> that are wise , get yee oyle , while yee haue
day , into your owne lamps . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.139)

For out of all peradventure , others , though they would , can neither
giue nor sell . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.140)

Edifie your selues in your <font> owne </font> most holy faith .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.141)

And let this be observed for the first <font> propertie </font> of that
, wherein we ought to edifie our selues . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.142)

23 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.143)

Our faith being such , is that indeed , which S. <font> Iude </font>
doth here terme <font> Faith </font> , namely a thing most <font> holy
</font> . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.144)

The reason is this . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.145)

We are iustified by <font> Faith . </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.146)

For <font> Abraham </font> beleeued , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.147)

and this was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.148)

Being iustiifed , all our iniquities are covered .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.149)

God beholdeth vs in the righteousnesse which is imputed , and not in
the sinnes which wee haue committed . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.150)

24 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.151)

It is true , wee are full of sinne both <font> originall </font> , and
<font> actuall </font> ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.152)

whosoever denieth it is a double sinner , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.153)

for he is both a <font> sinner </font> , and a <font> lyer </font> .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,48.154)

To denie sinne , is most plainely and cleerely to proue it , because he
that <P_49> saith , he hath no sinne , lyeth , and by lying proueth
that he hath sinne . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.155)

25 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.156)

But <font> imputation </font> of righteousnesse hath covered the sinnes
of every soule which beleeveth ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.157)

God by pardoning our sinne hath taken it away : so that now although
our transgression be multiplied aboue the haires of our head , yet
being iustified wee are as free , and as cleere , as if there were no
one spot , or staine of any vncleanesse in vs . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.158)

For it is God that iustifieth , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.159)

and who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen ? saith the
Apostle in the 8. ch. to the Romans . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.160)

26 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.161)

Now sinne being taken away , wee are made the righteousness of God in
Christ . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.162)

For <font> David </font> speaking of this righteousness , saith ,
<font> Blessed is the man whose iniquities are forgiuen . </font>
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.163)

No man is blessed but in the righteousnesse of God .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.164)

Every man , whose sinne is taken away is blessed .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.165)

Therefore every man , whose sinne is covered is made the righteousnesse
of God in Christ . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.166)

The righteousnes doth make vs to appeare most holy , most pure , most
vnblamable before him . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.167)

27 (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.168)

This then is the summ of that which I say , (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.169)

faith doth iusitifie : (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.170)

iustification washeth away sin : (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.171)

sin remoued , we are cloathed with the righteousnes which is of God :
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.172)

The righteousnes of God maketh vs most holy . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.173)

Every of these I haue proved by the testimony of Gods owne mouth .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.174)

Therefore I conclude , that faith is that which maketh vs most holy ,
in consideration whereof it is called in this place , <font> Our most
holy faith </font> . (HOOKER-B-E2-P1,49.175)

