WHERE there appeareth at these dayes great slackenesse and negligence of a great sort of people, in resorting to the Church, there to serve GOD their heavenly Father, according to their most bounden duety, as also much uncomely and unreverent behaviour of many persons in the same when they be there assembled, and therby may just feare arise of the wrath of GOD, and his dreadful plagues hanging over our heads for our grievous offences in this behalfe, amongst other many and great sinnes which wee dayly and hourely commit before the Lord. Therefore for the discharge of all our consciences, and for the avoyding of the common perill and plague hanging over us, let us consider what may be sayd out of GODS holy booke concerning this matter, whereunto I pray you give good audience, for that it is of great weight, and concerneth you all. Although the eternall and incomprehensible Majestie of GOD, the Lord of heaven and earth, whose feat is heaven, and the earth his footstoole, cannot bee inclosed in temples or houses made with mans hand, as in dwelling places able to receive or conteyne his Majestie, according as is evidently declared by the Prophet Esaias (Isaiah 66.1), and by the doctrine of S. Steven, and S. Paul in the Actes of the Apostles (Acts 17.24). And where King Solomon (who builded unto the Lord, the most glorious Temple that ever was made) saith, Who shal be able to build a meet or worthy house for him? if heaven, and the heaven aboue all heavens cannot conteine him: how much lesse can that which I have builded (1 Kings 8.27)? And further confesseth: What am I, that I should bee able to build thee an house, O Lord? But yet for this purpose onely it is made, that thou mayest regard the prayer of thy seruant, and his humble supplication. (2 Chronicles 2.6, 2 Chronicles 6.18) Much lesse then be our Churches meet dwelling places to receiue the incomprehensible Maiestie of GOD. And indeed, the chiefe and speciall Temples of GOD, wherein hee hath greatest pleasure, and most delighteth to dwell and continue in are the bodies and minds of true Christians, and the chosen people of GOD, according to the doctrine of the holy Scripture, declared in the first Epistle to the Corinthians. Know yee not (saith Saint Paul) that ye be the Temple of GOD, and that the spirit of GOD dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of GOD, him wil GOD destroy. For the temple of GOD is holy, which ye are (1 Corinthians 3.16-17). And againe in the same Epistle: Know yee not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost dwelling in you, whom yee haue giuen you of GOD, and that yee be not your owne? For yee are dearely bought. Glorifie yee now therefore GOD in your body, and in your Spirit, which are GODS (1 Corinthians 6.19-20). And therefore as our Saviour Christ teacheth in the Gospel of Saint John, they that worship GOD the Father in spirit and trueth, in what place soever they doe it, worship him a right: for such worshippers doth GOD the Father looke for. For GOD is a Spirit, and those that worship him, must worship him in spirit and trueth (John 4.23-24), saith our Saviour Christ. Yet all this notwithstanding, the materiall Church or Temple is a place appointed aswell by the usage and continuall examples expressed in the olde Testament, as in the New, for the people of GOD to resort together unto, there to heare GODS holy Word, to call upon his holy Name, to give him thankes for his innumerable and unspeakeable benefits bestowed upon us, and duely and truely to celebrate his holy Sacraments: (In the unfained doing and accomplishing of the which, standeth that true and right worshipping of GOD afore mentioned) and the same Church or Temple, is by the holy Scriptures both of the Olde Testament and New, called the House and Temple of the Lord, for the peculiar service there done to his Majestie by his people, and for the effectuous presence of his heavenly Grace, wherewith hee by his sayd holy Word endueth his people so there assembled. And to the said house or Temple of GOD, at all times, by common order appointed, are all people that be godly indeed, bound with all diligence in resort, unlesse by sickenesse, or other most urgent causes they bee letted therefro. And all the same so resorting thither, ought with all quietnesse and reverence there to behave themselves, in doing their bounden duetie and service to Almightie GOD, in the Congregation of his Saints. All which things are evident to bee prooved by GODS holy word, as hereafter shall plainely appeare.
And first of all, I will declare by the Scriptures, that it is called (as it is in deede) the house of GOD (John 2.16), and Temple of the Lord. Hee that sweareth by the Temple (saith our Saviour Christ) sweareth by it, and him that dwelleth therein (Matthew 23.21), meaning GOD the father, which hee also expresseth plainely in the Gospel of Saint John, saying: Do not make the house of my father, the house of merchandize (John 2.16). And in the booke of the Psalmes, the Prophet Dauid saith, I will enter into thine house, I will worship in thy holy Temple, in thy feare (Psalms 5.7). And it is almost in infinite places of the Scripture, specially in the Prophets and booke of Psalmes, called the house of GOD, or house of the Lord. Sometime it is named the Tabernacle of the Lord, and sometime the Sanctuary, that is to say, the holy place or house of the Lord (Exodus 25.8-9, Leviticus 19.30). And it is likewise called the house of prayer, as Solomon, who builded the Temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, doth oft call it the house of the Lord, in the which the Lords Name should be called upon (1 Kings 8.43, 2 Chronicles 6.10). And Esaias in the 56. Chapter, My house shall be called the house of prayer amongst all nations (Isaiah 56.7). Which text our Saviour Christ alleadgeth in the new Testament, as doth appeare in three of the Evangelists (Matthew 12.4, Matthew 21.13, Mark 11.17, Luke 19.46), and in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publicane which went to pray, in which parable our Saviour Christ saith, They went up into the Temple to pray (Luke 18.10). And Anna the holy widow and prophetisse, served the Lord in fasting and prayer in the Temple, night and day (Luke 2.37). And in the story of the Acts it is mentioned, how that Peter and John went up into the Temple at the houre of prayer (Acts 3.1). And S. Paul praying in the Temple at Jerusalem, was rapt in the Spirit, and did see Jesus speaking unto him. And as in all convenient places, prayer may be used of the godly privately: so it is most certaine, that the Church or Temple is the due and appointed place for common and publike prayer. Now that it is likewise the place of thankesgiving unto the Lord for his innumerable and unspeakeable benefits bestowed upon us, appeareth notably in the latter end of the Gospel of S. Luke (Luke 24.53), and the beginning of the story of the Acts, where it is written that the Apostles & Disciples after the ascension of the Lord, continued with one accord dayly in the Temple, alwaies praising, and blessing GOD (Acts 2.46-47). And it is likewise declared in the first Epistle to the Corinthians, that the Church is the due place appointed for the use of the Sacraments (1 Corinthians 11.18). It remaineth now to be declared, that the Church or Temple is the place where the lively word of GOD (and not mans inventions) ought to be read and taught, & that the people are bound thither with all diligence to resort: and this proofe likewise to be made by the Scriptures, as hereafter shall appeare.
In the story of the Acts of the Apostles, we read that Paul and Barnabas preached the word of GOD in the Temples of the Jewes at Salamine. And when they came to Antiochia, they entered on the Sabbath day into the Synagogue or Church, and sate downe, & after the Lesson or reading of the Law and the Prophets, the ruler of the temple sent unto them, saying: Ye men & brethren, if any of you have any exhortation to make unto the people, say it. And so Paul standing up, and making silence with his hand, said: Ye me that be Israelites, & ye that feare God, give eare, &c. preaching to them a sermon out of the Scriptures, as there at large appeareth (Acts 13.14-16). And in the same Storie of the Acts, the seventeenth Chapter is testified, how Paul preached Christ out of the Scriptures at Thessalonica (Acts 17.1-2). And in the fifteenth Chapter, James the Apostle in that holy Counsell and Assembly of his fellow Apostles saith, Moses of old time hath in every city certaine that preach him in the Synagogues or Temples, where he is read every Sabboth day (Acts 15.21). By these places ye may see the usage of reading the Scriptures of the old Testament among the Jewes in their Synagogues every Sabboth day, and Sermons usually made upon the same. How much more then is it convenient that the Scriptures of GOD, and specially the Gospel of our Saviour Christ should bee read and expounded to us that be Christians in our Churches, specially our Saviour Christ and his Apostles allowing this most godly and necessary usage, and by their examples confirme the same?
It is written in the Stories of the Gospels in divers places, that Jesus went round about all Galile, teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdome (Matthew 4.23, Mark 1.14, Luke 4.15, Matthew 13.54, Mark 6.1-2, Luke 13.10): In which places is his great diligence in continual preaching and teaching of the people most evidently set forth.
In Luke ye read, how Jesus according to his accustomed use came into the Temple, and how the booke of Esaias the Prophet was delivered him, how he read a text therein, and made a Sermon upon the same.
And in the xix. is expressed how hee taught dayly in the Temple (Luke 19.47). And it is thus written in the viii. of John: Jesus came againe early in the morning into the Temple, and all the people came unto him, and he sate downe and taught them (John 8.1-2). And in the xviii. of John, our Saviour testifieth before Pilate, that he spake openly unto the world, and that hee alwayes taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple, whither all the Jewes resorted, and that secretly hee spake nothing (John 18.20). And in Saint Luke Jesus taught in the Temple, and all the people came early in the morning unto him, that they might heare him in the Temple (Luke 21.37-38).
Here ye see aswell the diligence of our Saviour in teaching the word of GOD in the Temple daily, and specially on the Sabboth dayes, as also the readinesse of the people resorting altogether, and that earely in the morning, into the Temple to heare him.
The same example of diligence in preaching the word of GOD in the Temple, shall ye find in the Apostles, and the people resorting unto them. Acts the fift., where the Apostles, although they had beene whipped and scourged the day before, and by the high Priest commanded that they should preach no more in the Name of Jesus, yet the day following they entred earely in the morning into the Temple, and did not cease to teach and declare Jesus Christ (Acts 5.21, 42). And in sundry other places of the storie of the Actes, ye shall finde like diligence both in the Apostles in teaching, and in the people in comming to the Temple to heare GODS word (Acts 13.15, 17). And it is testified in the first of Luke, that when Zacharie the holy Priest, and father to John Baptist, did sacrifice within the Temple, all the people stoode without a long time praying, such was their zeale and fervencie at that time (Luke 1.9-10). And in the second of Luke appeareth what great journeyes men, women, yea and children tooke, to come to the Temple on the Feast day, there to serve the Lord, and specially the example of Joseph, the blessed virgin Marie, mother to our Saviour, and of our Saviour Christ himselfe, being yet but a child, whose examples are worthy for us to follow (Luke 2.41, 46). So that if wee would compare our negligence in resorting to the house of the Lord there to serve him, with the diligence of the Jewes in comming daily very early, sometime by great journeys to their Temple, and when the multitude could not be received within the Temple, the fervent zeale that they had, declared in standing long without and praying: we may justly in this comparison condemne our slouthfulnesse and negligence, yea plaine contempt, in comming to the Lords house, standing so neere unto us, so seldome, and scarcely at any time. So farre is it from a great many of us to come early in the morning, or give attendance without, who disdain to come into the Temple: and yet we abhorre the very name of the Jewes when wee heare it, as of a most wicked and ungodly people. But it is to bee feared, that in this point wee be farre worse then the Jewes, and that they shall rise at the day of Judgement, to our condemnation, who in comparison to them, shew such slackenesse and contempt in resorting to the house of the Lord, there to serve him, according as we are of duety most bound. And besides this most horrible dread of GODS just Judgement in the great day, wee shall not in this life escape his heavy hand and vengeance for this contempt of the house of the Lord, and his due service in the same, according as the Lord himselfe threatneth in the first Chapter of the Prophet Aggeus, after this sort: Because you have left my House desert and without company (saith the Lord) and ye have made hast every man to his owne house, for this cause are the heavens stayed over you, that they should give no deaw, and the earth is forbidden that it shall bring foorth her fruit, and I have called drought upon the earth, and upon the mountaines, and upon corne, and upon wine, and upon oyle, and upon all things that the earth bringeth foorth, and upon men, and upon beasts, and upon all things that mens hands labour for (Haggai 1.9-11). Behold, if wee bee such worldlings that wee care not for the eternall Iudgements of GOD (which yet of all other are most dreadfull, and horrible) we shall not escape the punishment of GOD in this world by drought and famine, and the taking away of all worldly commodities, which we as worldlings seeme onely to regarde and care for. Whereas on the contrary part, if we would amend this fault, or negligence, slouthfulnesse and contempt of the house of the Lord, and his due Service there, and with diligence resort thither together, to serve the Lord with one accord and consent, in all holinesse and righteousnesse before him, wee have promises of benefits both heavenly and worldly. Wheresoeuer two or three bee gathered in my Name (sayth our Saviour Christ) there am I in the middest of them (Matthew 18.20). And what can be more blessed, then to have our Saviour Christ among us? Or what againe can bee more unhappy or mischievous then to drive our Saviour Christ from amongst us, to leave a place for his and our most ancient and mortall enemy the old Dragon and serpent Satan the divel in the middest of us? In the second of Luke it is written, how that the mother of Christ and Joseph, when they had long sought Christ, whom they had lost, and could find him no where, that at the last they found him in the Temple, sitting in the middest of the Doctors (Luke 2.46). So if wee lacke Jesus Christ, that is to say, the Saviour of our soules and bodies, wee shall not find him in the Market-place, or in the Guild-hall, much lesse in the Ale-house or Taverne, amongst good fellowes (as they call them) so soone as wee shall find him in the Temple, the Lords house, amongst the Teachers & Preachers of his Word, where indeed hee is to be found. And as concerning worldly commodities, wee have a sure promise of our Saviour Christ: Seeke ye first the kingdome of GOD, and the righteousnesse thereof, and all these things shall withall be given unto you. And thus we have in the first part of this Homily declared by GODS word, that the Temple or Church is the house of the Lord, for that the Service of the Lord (as teaching and hearing of his holy Word, calling upon his holy Name, giving thankes to him for his great and innumerable benefits, and due ministring of his Sacraments) is there used. And it is likewise declared by the Scriptures, how all godly and Christian men and women ought at times appointed, with diligence to resort unto the house of the Lord, there to serve him, and to glorifie him, as he is most worthy, and wee most bound, to whom bee all glorie and honour world without end. Amen.
IT was declared in the first part of this Homily, by GODS word, that the Temple or Church is the house of the Lord, for that the Service of the Lord (as teaching and hearing of his holy Word, calling upon his holy Name, giving thankes to him, for his great and innumerable benefits, and due ministring of the Sacraments) is there used. And it is likewise already declared by the Scriptures, how all godly and Christian men and women, ought at times appointed, with diligence to resort unto the house of the Lord, there to serve him, and to glorifie him, as he is most worthy, and we most bounden.
Now it remaineth in this second part of the Homilie concerning the right use of the Temple of GOD, to be likewise declared by GODS word, with what quietnesse, silence, and reverence, those that resort to the house of the Lord, ought there to use and behave themselues.
It may teach us sufficiently how well it doeth become us Christian men reverently to use the Church and holy house of our prayers, by considering in how great reverence and veneration in the Jewes in the olde law had their Temple, which appeareth by sundry places, whereof I will note unto you certaine. In the xxvi. of Matthew, it is laid to our Saviour Christs charge before a Temporall Judge, as a matter worthy death, by the two false witnesses, that he had said, hee could destroy the Temple of GOD, and in three dayes build it againe, not doubting but if they might make men to beleeve that hee had sayde any thing against the honour and majestie of the Temple, he should seeme to all men most worthy of death. And in the xxi. of the Actes, when the Jewes found Paul in the Temple, they layd hands upon him, crying, Yee men Israelites helpe, this is that man who teacheth all men every where against the people and the law, and against this place: besides that, hee hath brought the Gentiles into the Temple, and hath prophaned this holy place (Acts 21.27-28). Behold how they tooke it for a like offence to speake against the Temple of GOD, as to speake against the Law of GOD, and how they judged it convenient, that none but godly persons and the true worshippers of GOD, should enter into the Temple of GOD (Acts 24.6). And the same fault is layd to Pauls charge by Tertullus an eloquent man, and by the Jewes in the xxiiii. of the Actes, before a temporall Judge, as a matter worthy of death, that hee went about to pollute the Temple of GOD. And in the xxuii. of Matthew, when the chiefe Priests had received againe the pieces of silver as Judas hand, they said, It is not lawfull to put them into Corban (which was the treasure house of the Temple) because it is the price of blood (Matthew 27.6). So that they could not abide that not onely any uncleane person, but also any other dead thing that was judged uncleane, should once come into the Temple, or any place thereto belonging. And to this end is S. Pauls saying in the second Epistle to the Corinthians the vi. Chapter to bee applied: What fellowship is there betwixt righteousnesse, and unrighteousnesse? or what communion betweene light and darkenesse? or what concorde betweene Christ, and Belial? or what part can the faithfull have with the unfaithfull? or what agreement can there be betweene the Temple of GOD and images (2 Corinthians 6.14-16)? Which sentence, although it be chiefely referred to the temple of the minde of the godly: yet seeing that the similitude and pith of the argument is taken from the materiall Temple, it enforceth that no ungodlinesse, specially of images or idols, may be suffered in the Temple of GOD, which is the place of worshipping GOD: and therefore can no more bee suffered to stand there, then light can agree with darkenesse, or Christ with Belial: for that the true worshipping of GOD, and the worshipping of images, are most contrary. And the setting of them up in the place of worshipping, may give great occasion to the worshipping of them. But to turne to the reverence that the Jewes had to their Temple. You will say that they honoured it superstitiously, and a great deale too much, crying out, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord (Jeremiah 7.4), being notwithstanding most wicked in life, and be therefore most justly reproved of Jeremie the Prophet of the Lord. Trueth it is that they were superstitiously given to the honouring of their Temple. But I would wee were not as farre too short from the due reverence of the Lords house, as they overshot themselves therein. And if the Prophet justly reprehended them, hearken also what the Lord requireth at our hands, that we may know whether we be blame-worthy or no. It is written in Ecclesiastes the fourth Chapter: When thou doest enter into the house of GOD (saith he) take heede to thy feete, draw neere that thou mayest heare: for obedience is much more worth then the sacrifice of fooles, which know not what evill they doe. Speake nothing rashly there, neither let thine heart be swift to utter words before GOD. For GOD is in heaven, and thou art upon the earth, therefore let thy wordes be few (Ecclesiastes 5.1-2). Note (welbeloved) what quietnesse in gesture and behaviour, what silence in talke and wordes, is required in the house of GOD; for so he calleth it, See whether they take heede to their feete, as they be here warned, which never cease from uncomely walking and getting up and downe, and overthwart the Church, shewing an evident signification of notable contempt, both of GOD, and all good men there present: and what heede they take to their tongues, and speech, which doe not onely speake wordes swiftly and rashly before the Lord (which they be here forbidden) but also oftentimes speake filthily, covetously, and ungodly, talking of matters scarce honest or fitte for the Ale-house or Taverne, in the house of the Lord, little considering that they speake before GOD, who dwelleth in heaven, (as is here declared) when they be but vermins here creeping upon the earth, in comparison to his eternall Majestie, and lesse regarding that they must give an account at the great day, of every idle worde wheresoever it bee spoken (Matthew 12.36), much more of filthy, uncleane, or wicked wordes spoken in the Lords house, to the great dishonour of his Majestie, and offence of all that heare them. And indeede concerning the people and multitude, the Temple is prepared for them to bee hearers, rather then speakers, considering that aswell the word of GOD is there read or taught, whereunto they are bound to give diligent eare, with all reverence and silence, as also that common prayer and thankesgiving are rehearsed and sayd by the publique Minister in the name of the people and the whole multitude present, whereunto they giving their ready audience, should assent and say, Amen, as S. Paul teacheth in the first Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14.16). And in another place, glorifiing GOD with one spirit and mouth: which cannot bee when every man and woman in severall pretence of devotion prayeth privately, one asking, another giving thankes, another reading doctrine, and not regarding to heare the common prayer of the Minister. And peculiarly, what due reverence is to bee used in the ministring of the Sacraments in the Temple, the same S. Paul teacheth to the Corinthians, rebuking such as did unreverently use themselves in that behalfe. Have ye not houses to eate and drinke in (sayth he?) Doe ye despise the Church or congregation of GOD? What shall I say to you? Shall I prayse you? In this I prayse you not (1 Corinthians 11.22). And GOD requireth not onely this outward reverence of behaviour and silence in his house, but all inward reverence in cleansing of the thoughts of our hearts, threatning by his Prophet Osee in the ix. Chapter, that for the malice of the inventions and devices of the people, he will cast them out of his house: whereby is also signified the eternall casting of them out of his heavenly house and kingdome, which is most horrible (Hosea 9.15). And therefore in the xix. of Leviticus GOD saith, Feare you with reverence my Sanctuary, for I am the Lord (Leviticus 19.30). And according to the same the Prophet David sayth, I will enter into thine house. I will worship in thy holy Temple in thy feare (Psalms 5.7): shewing what inward reverence and humblenesse of minde the godly men ought to have in the house of the Lord. And to alleadge somewhat concerning this matter out of the new Testament, in what honour GOD would have his house or Temple kept, and that by the example of our Saviour Christ whose authoritie ought of good reason with all true Christians to bee of most weight and estimation. It is written of all the foure Evangelists as a notable act, and worthy to be testified by many holy witnesses, how that our Saviour Jesus Christ, that mercifull and milde Lord, compared for his meekenesse to a sheepe, suffering with silence his fleece to bee shorne from him, and to a Lambe led without resistance to the slaughter, which gave his body to them that did smite him, answered not him that reviled, nor turned away his face from them that did reproch him and spit upon him, and according to his owne example, gave precepts of mildnesse and sufferance to his disciples (Isaiah 53.7, Acts 8.32, Isaiah 50.6, Matthew 5.39-48): Yet when hee seeth the Temple and holy house of his heavenly Father misordered, polluted, and prophaned, useth great severity and sharpenesse, overturneth the tables of the exchanges, subverteth the feates of them that sold doves, maketh a whip of cordes, and scourgeth out those wicked abusers and prophaners of the Temple of GOD, saying, My house shal be called the house of prayer, but yee have made it a denne of theeves (Matthew 21.12, Mark 11.15, Luke 19.45, John 2.14), And in the second of John, Doe not ye make the house of my Father, the house of merchandize (John 2.16). For as it is the house of GOD, when GODS service is duely done in it: So when wee wickedly abuse it with wicked talke or covetous bargaining, wee make it a denne of theeves, or an house of merchandize. Yea, and such reverence would Christ should bee therein, that hee would not suffer any vessell to bee caryed through the Temple (Mark 11.16). And whereas our Saviour Christ (as is before mentioned) could bee found no where (when he was sought) but only in the; Temple amongst the doctors (Luke 2.46), and now againe hee exerciseth his authoritie and jurisdiction, not in castles and princely palaces amongst souldiers, but in the Temple: Ye may hereby understand in what place his spirituall Kingdome (which he denyeth to be of this world) is soonest to be found, and best to be knowen of Chrysost all places in this world. And according to this example of our Saviour Christ in the primitive Church, which was most holy and godly, and in the which due discipline with severitie was used against the wicked, open offenders were not suffered once to enter into the house of the Lord, nor admitted to common prayer, and the use of the holy Sacraments with other true Christians, untill they had done open penance before the whole Church.
The peoples fault was most grievous: the sentence executed otherwise and more cruell then it should. He was only dehorted from receiving the Sacrament, until by Repentance he might be better prepared. And this was practised, not onely upon meane persons, but also upon the rich, noble, and mighty persons, yea, upon Theodosius that puissant and mighty Emperour, whom for committing a grievous and wilfull murder, S. Ambrose Bishop of Millaine reprooved sharpely, and did also excommunicate the sayd Emperour, and brought him to open penance. And they that were so justly exempted and banished (as it were) from the house of the Lord, were taken (as they be indeede) for men devided & separated from Christes Church, and in most dangerous estate, yea as S. Paul saith, even given unto Satan the devill for a time (1 Corinthians 5.5), and their company was shunned & avoyded of all godly men and women, untill such time as they by repentance & publike penance were reconciled. Such was the honour of the Lords house in mens hearts, and outward reverence also at that time, and so horrible a thing was it to bee shut out of the Church and house of the Lord in those dayes, when religion was most pure, and nothing so corrupt as it hath beene of late dayes. And yet wee willingly, either by absenting our selves from the house of the Lord, doe (as it were) excommunicate our selves from the Church and fellowship of the Saintes of GOD, or else comming thither, by uncomely and unreverent behaviour there, by hastie, rash, yea uncleane and wicked thoughts and wordes before the Lord our GOD, horribly dishonour his holy house the Church of GOD, and his holy Name and Majestie, to the great danger of our soules, yea and certaine damnation also, if we do not speedily and earnestly repent us of this wickednesse.
Thus ye have heard (dearely beloved) out of GODS word, what reverence is due to the holy house of the Lord, how all godly persons ought with diligence at times appointed thither to repayre, how they ought to behave themselves there, with reverence and dread before the Lord, what plagues and punishments, aswell temporall, as eternall, the Lord in his holy word threatneth, as well to such as neglect to come to his holy house, as also to such, who comming thither, doe unreverently by gesture or talke there behave themselues. Wherefore if wee desire to have seasonable weather, and thereby to enioy the good fruites of the earth, if wee will avoyd drought and barrennesse, thirste and hunger, which are plagues threatned unto such as make haste to goe to their owne houses, to alehouses and taverns, and leave the house of the Lord empty and desolate, if wee abhorre to bee scourged, not with whips made of cordes, out of the materiall Temple onely (as our Sauiour Christ served the defilers of the house of GOD in Jerusalem) but also to bee beaten and driven out of the eternall temple and house of the Lord (which is his heavenly kingdome) with the iron rodde of ever lasting damnation, and cast into utter darkenesse, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth, if we feare, dread and abhorre this (I say) as wee have most just cause to doe: then let us amend this our negligence and contempt in comming to the house of the Lord, this our unreuerent behaviour in the house of the Lord, and resorting thither diligently together, let us there with reverent hearing of the Lords holy word, calling on the Lords holy Name, giving of hearty thankes unto the Lord for his manifold and inestimable benefits dayly and hourely bestowed upon us, celebrating also reverently the Lords holy Sacraments, serve the Lord in his holy house, as becommeth the servants of the Lord, in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life, and then we shall bee assured, after this life, to rest in his holy hill, and to dwell in his Tabernacle, there to prayse and magnifie his holy Name in the congregation of his Saints, in the holy house of his eternall kingdome of heaven, which hee hath purchased for us, by the death and shedding of the precious blood of his Sonne our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one immortall GOD, bee all honour, glory, praise, and thankesgiving, world without end. Amen