<P_49>

28 (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,49.2)

To make a wicked and a sinful man most holy through his beleeuing , is
more then to create a world of nothing . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,49.3)

Our faith most holy ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,49.4)

Surely <font> Solomon </font> <P_50> could not shew the Queene of
<font> Saba </font> so much treasure in all his kingdo~e , as is lapt
vp in these words . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,50.5)

O that our hearts were stretched out like tents , & that the eies of
our vnderstanding were as bright as the sunne , that we might throughly
knowe the riches of the glorious inheritance of Saints , and what is
the exceeding greatnesse of his power towards vs , whome he accepteth
for pure , and most holy , through our beleeuing .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,50.6)

O that the spirit of the Lord would giue this doctrine entrance into
the stonie and brasen hart of the Iew , which followeth the law of
righteousnes but $can $not {TEXT:cannot} attaine vnto the
righteousnesse of the law . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,50.7)

Wherefore ? saith the Apostle . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,50.8)

They seeke righteousnesse , and not by faith . Wherefore they stumble
at Christ , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,50.9)

they are bruised , shivered to peeces as a ship that hath runne her
selfe vpon a rocke . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,50.10)

O that God would cast downe the eies of the prowd , and humble the
soules of the high minded , that they might at length abhorre the
garments of their owne flesh which $can $not {TEXT:cannot} hide their
nakednesse , and put on the faith of Christ Iesus , as hee did put it
on , which hath said ; <font> Doubtlesse I thinke all things but losse
for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Iesus my Lord , for whom I
haue counted all things losse , and doe iudge them to be dung , that I
might winne Christ , and might be found in him , not hauing mine owne
righteousnes , which is of the law , but that which is through the
faith of Christ , even the righteousnesse which is of God through faith
. </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,50.11)

O that God would open the Arke of mercy , wherein this doctrine lyeth ,
and set it wide before the eies of poore afflicted consciences , which
fly vp and downe <P_51> vpon the water of their afflictions , & can see
nothing but only the gulfe and deluge of their sinnes , wherein there
is no place for them to rest their feet . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.12)

The God of pittie and compassion giue you al strength & courage , every
day , and every houre , & every moment , to build , and edifie your
selues in this most pure & holy faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.13)

And thus much both of the thing prescribed in this exhortatio~ , & also
of the properties of the thing . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.14)

Build your selues in your most holy faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.15)

I would co~e to the next branch , which is of <font> Prayer </font> ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.16)

but I $can $not {TEXT:ca~not} lay this matter out of my ha~ds , til I
haue added somwhat for the applying of it both to others , & to our
selues . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.17)

29 (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.18)

For your better vnderstanding of matters contained in this exhortation
, <font> Build your selues </font> , you must note , that every Church
and congregatio~ doth consist of a multitude of beleeuers , as every
house is built of many stones . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.19)

And although the nature of the mystical body of the Church be such ,
that it suffereth no distinction in the invisible members , but whether
it be <font> Paul </font> or <font> Apollos </font> , Prince or Prophet
, hee that is taught , or he that teacheth , all are equally Christs ,
& Christ is equally theirs : yet in the externall administration of the
Church of God , because God is not the author of confusion but of peace
, it is necessary that in every Congregation there be a distinction ,
if not of inward dignitie , yet of outward degree : so that all are
Saints , or seeme to be Saints , and should bee as they seeme .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.20)

But are all Apostles ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.21)

If the whole bodie were an eie , where were then the hearing ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,51.22)

God therfore hath giuen some to be Apostles , and some to be Pastours ,
&c. for the edification~ of the body of Christ . <P_52> In which worke
we are Gods labourers , saith the Apostle , & yee are Gods husbandry ,
& Gods building . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,52.23)

. (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,52.24)

The Church respected with reference vnto administration ecclesiastical
, doth generally consist but of 2 sorts of men , the <font> Labourers
</font> , & the <font> Building </font> ; they which are ministred vnto
, and they to whom the worke of the ministery is committed ; <font>
Pastours </font> & the <font> flocke </font> , over whom the holy Ghost
hath made them overseers . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,52.25)

If the <font> Guid </font> of a Congregation <paren> be his name or his
degree whatsoever </paren> be diligent in his vocation , feed the
flocke of God which dependeth vpon him , caring for it not by
constraint but willingly , not for filthie lucre , but of a ready mind
, not as though hee would tyrannize over Gods heritage , but as a
patterne vnto the flocke , wisely guiding them : if the people in their
degree doe yeeld themselues frameable to the truth , not like rough
stone or flint refusing to bee smoothed and squared for the building :
if the Magistrate doe carefully and diligently survey the whole order
of the worke , providing by statutes and lawes , & bodily punishments ,
if need require , that all things may be done according to the rule
which $can $not {TEXT:cannot} deceaue , even as <font> Moses </font>
provided that all things might be done according to the patterne which
hee saw in the Mount ; there the words of this exhortation are truely
and effectually heard . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,52.26)

Of such a Congregation every man will say , <font> Behold a people that
are wise , a people that walke in the statutes and ordinances of their
God , a people full of knowledge and vnderstanding , a people that haue
skill in building themselues . </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,52.27)

Where it is otherwise there , <font> as by slothfulnesse the roofe doth
decay </font> , & as <font> by idlenesse <P_53> of hands the house
droppeth thorough </font> , as it is in the of Ecclesiastes , v. 18 ,
so first one peece and then another of their building shal fall away ,
till there be not a stone left vpon a stone . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.28)

31 (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.29)

We see how fruitlesse this exhortation hath bene to such as bend all
their trauaile onely to build manage a <font> Papacie </font> vpon
earth , without any care in the world of building the~selues in their
most holy faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.30)

Gods people haue enquired at their mouthes , <font> What shall we doe
to haue eternall life ? </font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.31)

where-in shall we build & edifie our selues ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.32)

And they haue departed ho~e fro~ their Prophets , & from their priests
, laden with doctrines , which are precepts of men ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.33)

they haue bene taught to tire out themselues with bodily excercise ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.34)

those thinges are inioyned them which God did never require at their
hands , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.35)

and the things he doth require are kept fro~ the~ ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.36)

their eies are fed with pictures , and their eares filled with melodie
, (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.37)

but their soules do wither , and starue , and pine away ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.38)

they crie for bread , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.39)

and behold stones are offered them ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.40)

they aske for fishe , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.41)

and see they haue scorpions in their hands ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.42)

Thou seest , O Lord , that they builde themselues , but not in faith ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.43)

they feede their children but not with food ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.44)

Their rules say with shame , Bring , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.45)

& not build . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.46)

But god is righteous ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.47)

their dru~kennesse stinketh , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.48)

their abominations are knowne , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.49)

their madnesse is manifest , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.50)

the winde hath bound them vp in hir wings , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.51)

and they shall be ashamed of their doings . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.52)

<font> Ephraim </font> , saith the <font> Prophet </font> , is ioyned
to Idoles , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.53)

let him alone , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,53.54)

I will turne me therfore from the Preists which do minister vnto Idoles
, & applie this exhortation to the~ whom <P_54> god hath appointed to
feede his chosen in Israell . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.55)

32 (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.56)

If their be any feeling of Christ , and drop of heavenly dewe , any
spark of Gods good spirit within you , stirre it vp ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.57)

be careful to build and edifie first your selues , & then your flockes
in this most holy faith . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.58)

33 (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.59)

I say , <font> first your selues </font> ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.60)

For he which wil set the hearts of other men on fire with the loue of
Christ , must himselfe burne with loue . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.61)

It is want of faith in our selues , My Brethren , which maketh vs
retchlesse {COM:carelesse} in building others . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.62)

We forsake the Lords inheritance (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.63)

and feed it not . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.64)

What is the reason of this ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.65)

Our own desires are setled where they should not be .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.66)

Wee our selues are like those women which haue a longing to eate coales
, and lime , and filth ; (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.67)

we are fed , some with honour , some with ease , some with wealth ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.68)

the Gospell waxeth loathsome & vnpleasant in our tast ;
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.69)

how should we then haue a care to feed others with that which we $can
$not {TEXT:cannot} fancie our selues ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.70)

If <font> faith </font> wax cold , and slender in the <font> heart
</font> of the <font> Prophet </font> , it will soone perish from the
eares of the people . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.71)

The Prophet <font> Amos </font> speaketh of a famine , saying , <font>
I will send a famine in the land , not a famine of bread , nor a thirst
of water , but of hearing the word of the Lord . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.72)

Men shall wander from sea to sea , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.73)

and from the north vnto the east shall they runne to and fro to seeke
the word of the Lord , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.74)

and shall not find it . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.75)

Iudgement must beginne at the house of God </font> , saith <font> Peter
</font> . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.76)

Yea , I say , at the sanctuarie of God this iudgeme~t must begin .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.77)

This famine must begin at the hart of the Prophet .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.78)

He must haue darknes for a vision , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.79)

hee must stumble at noone daies , as at the twi-light ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.80)

and then truth shall fall in middest of the streets ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,54.81)

then shall the <P_55> people wander from sea to sea ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.82)

and from the North vnto the east shall they runne to and fro to seeke
the word of the Lord . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.83)

34 (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.84)

In the second of Haggaie , <font> speake now </font> , saith God to his
prophet , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.85)

<font> Speake now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel Prince of Iudah ,
& to Iehoshua the son of Iebozadak the high priest , & to the residue
of the people , saying , who is left among you that saw this house in
hir first glory , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.86)

and how doe you see it now ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.87)

is not this house in your eies , in comparison of it , as nothing ?
</font> (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.88)

the prophet would haue all mens eies turned to the veiw of the~selues ,
every sort brought to the consideration of their present state .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.89)

This is no place to shew what dutie <font> Zerubbabel </font> or <font>
Iehoshua </font> doth owe vnto God in this respect .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.90)

They haue I doubt not such as put them hereof in remembra~ce .
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.91)

I aske of you which are a part of the residue of Gods elect & chosen
people . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.92)

Who is their amongst you that hath take~ a survey of the house of God ,
as it was in the daies of the blessed Apostles of Iesus Christ ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.93)

who is there amongst you that hath seen & con~sidred this holy temple
in her first glory ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.94)

& how do you see it now ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.95)

Is it not in comparison of the other almost as nothing whe~ ye look
vpo~ the~ that haue vndertake~ the charge of your soules , & know how
far these are for the most part growne out of kind , how few there be
that tread the steps of their ancient predecessors ,
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.96)

yee are easily filled with indignation , easily drawne vnto these
co~plaints , wherein the difference of present fro~ former times is
bewailed , easily persuaded to think of the~ that lived to enioy the
daies which now are gon . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,55.97)

Surely they were happy in co~parison of vs that haue <P_56> succeeded
them : (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.98)

were not their Bishops me~ vnreprovable , wise , righteous , holy ,
te~perat , wel reported of even of those which were without ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.99)

were not their Pastours , guids , & teachers , able & willing to exhort
with wholso~e doctrine & to improue which gainesaid the truth ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.100)

had they priests made of the refuse of the people ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.101)

were men , like to the children which were in <font> Niniveh </font> ,
unable to discerne betweene the right hand & the left , presented to
the charge of their congregation ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.102)

did their teachers leaue their flocks over which the holy Ghost had
made them overseers ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.103)

Did their Prophets enter vpon holy things as spoils , without a
reverend calling ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.104)

were their leaders so vnkindly affected towards the~ that they could
find in their hearts to sel them as sheepe or oxen , not caring how
they made them away ? (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.105)

But beloued , deceaue not your selues . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.106)

Doe the faults of your guids and pastours offend you ?
(HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.107)

it is your fault if they bee thus faulty . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.108)

<font> Nullus qui malu~ rectore~ patitur , eu~ accuset , quia sui fuit
meriti perversi pastoris subiacere ditioni </font> , saith S. <font>
Gregory </font> , (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.109)

whosoever thou art whom the inco~venience of an evil governor doth
presse , accuse thy selfe , & not him . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.110)

His being such , is thy deseruing (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.111)

<font> O yee disobedient children , turn again </font> , saith the Lord
, (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.112)

<font> & the~ wil I giue you pastours according to mine own hart ,
which shall feed you with knowledge & vndersta~ding </font> . So that
the only way to repaire all ruines , breaches , & offensiue decaies in
others , is to begin reformation at your selues . Which that we may all
sincerely , seriously , and speedily doe , God the Father grant for his
sonne our Saviour Iesus sake , vnto whom with the holy Ghost , three
persons , one Eternall and everlasting God , be Honour , and Glory ,
and Praise forever . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.113)

<font> Amen </font> . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.114)

Finis . (HOOKER-B-E2-P2,56.115)

