* * * * *
Junii 16o, 1602.
fo. 25.At Paule's Crosse.
Mr. Barker; his text Luke ix. and the last verse, "Noe man that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh back is apt to the Kingdome of
God."
The fyre from Heaven which consumed the sacrifices in the old lawe was preserved by continuall addicion of fuell, soe the heauenly virtue of Chrystian charitie being kindled in the hart of man, must be preserved by continuall meditacions on the word of God. Yf any should aske why it was commaunded in Leviticus that the people should offer primitias and in Exodus that they should alsoe give decimas, I should make no other answer, but that wee should not onely remember our Creator in the days of our youth, but alsoe serue him in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of our lyfe.
Aliud est incepisse, aliud perfecisse.
Some in their liues, like the image in Nebuchadnethers dreame, Dan. ii., goodly beginninges, but earthie endings.
The Diuel laboureth most against our perseveraunce because that virtue onely hath a promise of coronacion.
There be but seven steps in the ladder that leades downe to hell, and the lowest, saving desperacion, is a custom of synning.
These combined discommodities ensue the custome of synning; 6 Junii, 1602.
fo. 25b.fit diabolus ad oppugnandum audacior, anima ad peccandum promptior, Deus ad condonandum difficilior. This virtue of Christian magnanimity or perseveraunce consisteth in patiendo et faciendo: in patiendo, 2o, in ferendo et perferendo; faciendo, by continuance in preaching fayth, and in good lyfe.