A SERMON, PREACHED BEFORE THE LORDS of the Councel, in K. HENRY the seauenths Chappell. Sept. 23. 1607.
At the Funerall of the most excellent & hopefull Princess, the Lady MARIE'S GRACE.
By I. L
I shall say to Corruption, Thou art my father; and to the Worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.
Imprinted at London by H. L. for Samuel Macham: and are to be solde at his shop, in Pauls Churchyard, at the signe of the Bull-head. 1607.
TO THE RIGHT Honourable, the Lady Elizabeth Knyuet, wife to the right Noble and vertuous Thomas L. Knyuet, Baron of Estorick, my verie singular good Lord and Patron. ∵
MAdame: It is a common saying in the world, that Examples are of greater force to perswade, than Precepts; and Experience the best Mistresse, for the teaching of Wisedome: And yet, euen Experience teacheth, that notwithstanding all the examples, which from the first infancie and child-birth of the world haue beene presented to our eyes [Page](as so many speaking witnesses of that ineuitable mortalitie, to which our liues are exposed) yet are wee not made wise in the vnderstanding of our ende. Deut. 32.29 The death of the late excellent and noble Princesse (which I will not say was vntimely, though it were early; for, shee fell not like the fruit that growes out of season: but, betimes shee was ripened and made fit to be gathered) may teach those that bee young, not to be confident of their life; those that bee old, howerly to exspect their death; both olde and young to obserue that precept of K. Salomon, Not peremptorily to boast of the morrow: Prou. 27.1. because they knowe not, what a day may bring forth. That, which we are taught by the life of her example, we may also learn from the letter of this Sermon; the one seruing as an instructiō to our eyes, the other to our ears, both to our harts: which, because I was [Page]enioyned to preach at her Funerall, I am also willing to print for her Memoriall; that as I ought her my seruice while shee liv'd, so being dead I might consecrate to the honour of her name some pledge of my dutie. Perhaps, the world will censure mee for both; and be ready to condemne me, either of presumption, or vaineglorie. But, as I passe not to be iudged of men: so I care not to be applauded of men. For, God is my record, whom I serue in my spirit, that I desire no greater approbation to be giuen of my labours, than that testimonie of the blessed Apostle; That in all simplicitie and godly purenesse (not handling the word of GOD deceitfully) I approue my self to euerie mans conscience, 2. Cor. 4.2. in the sight of GOD. I knowe, the Penne cannot bee so gracefull as the Tongue; nor a speach, that is buried vnder a dead letter, [Page]so patheticall in perswasion, as that which is vttered by a liuing voyce. This might somthing discourage me: yet, I greatly regard it not. For, Hee that in the morning bids vs to sow our seede, and in the euening not suffer our hand to rest, Eccles. 11.6. Hee (I hope) wil vouchsafe to sanctifie, with some blessing of his Spirit, that which I haue beene carefull to plant and to water.
That I presume to send it foorth into the world, vnder the countenance of your Honourable protection, two special reasons do induce me; the one, in regard of the deceased Ladie: the safety of whose person being once the ioy of your life, and the soūd of her name continuing still deare to your remembrance; this Monument of my seruice, being dedicated to her Memorie, is therfore fittest to bee shrouded vnder the fauour of your Patronage. This (Madam) I knowe, [Page]you may say with Iob, that your witnesses are in heauen & in earth, that if you might haue begged but her life of God, it would haue beene the greatest gaine you desired; and that, God hauing taken her away, the wāt of her self is the greatest losse you haue lamented. If there be any that will speak euill of those things which they know not, they be such whose tongues doe burne with malice; and let them blyster with the fire that kindles them: you may make a garland, for your selfe, of their reports.
The other motiue, in regard of my selfe; that entertainement and preferment, which so freely and bountifully (for the poor seruice that I doe) I haue receiued from your selfe, and my thrice honourable good Lord: the most thankefull acknowledgement whereof, if euer I forget; I will not say with Dauid, Let my right hand forget her cunning (for,Psal. 137.5. that is little) [Page]but, Let God himselfe forget to preuent me with any grace, or to follow me with any blessing.
It is now time, for me, to make an end of my tedious dedication: which I seale-vp with my heartiest prayers to the God of Heauen, both for my Noble Lord, and your selfe; beseeching him, that hee would multiplie his mercies vpon you, and his graces in you, and so vouchsafe to sanctifie the crosses that hee sends you as well as the blessings, that both may worke together for your good vpon earth, and for your glorie in heauen.
A SERMON, preached at the funeral of the Lady MARIES GRACE.
For, we know that if this earthly house of our Tabernacle be destroyed, we haue a building giuen of God.
THE sole and soueraigne priuiledge, which man can challenge to himself aboue all other mortal and inferiour creatures, appears not by the fruition of any present felicitie; but lyes buried vnder the hope of a future happinesse. For (I thinke I may truly and boldly speak [Page 2]it) there is not the poorest worme that crawles vpon the earth, but if a tongue were giuen it to dispute with man, it might plead & maintain against him, that (ye hope which hee hath in Christ Iesus only being set apart) he is of al liuing creatures the most miserable.1. Cor. 15.19 In consideratiō wherof, ther be two special things, about which we ought alwayes to spend our devoutest thoughts, and to exercise our most serious meditations; first, vnde abeundum, and then quò transeundum: first, from whēce we must remoue, when we depart out of this life; & then whether we must remoue, after we are once departed. That it shall not be with vs, as it is with the brute beasts of the fielde, which as they liue without honour, so they dye without hope; but, that an afterconditiō is reserued vnto vs, where sorrow shall be our portion, or ioy [Page 3]our inheritance; though the scriptures themselues were silēt, yet the writings of heathen men might be sufficient to testifie: the discipline of Reason, hauing taught them so much in the school of Nature: But that vnspeakeable comfort that is now lockt vp in the bosomes of the faithfull, those that are markt with the seale of Gods Spirit, and haue receiued the adoption of Sonnes, is, that after their deliuerance from this vale of teares, after the dissolution of their earthly Tabernacle, they shall bee clothed and crowned with the glorie of Saints, and haue a heauenly building giuen of GOD. The confidence of this felicitie is as a wall of fire to enuiron them, as a hedge of pikes to defende them, as a girdle of safetie to claspe about them, as an impenetrable shielde buckled fast vppon their arme, [Page 4]that will shiuer, and break in pieces, whatsoeuer darts of tentation the prince of darkenesse can throwe against them.Ephes. 6.16
And it is heere specially commēded, by this blessed Apostle, as a maine argument of consolation, against two speciall doubts, which may perhaps disquiet & shake our hopes: the one is mentioned in the former Chapter, and that is vitae infaelicitas, the infelicity of our life; for, the state of it is most wretched and miserable. The other, specified in this Chapter: and that is mortis necessitas, the necessitie of our death; for, the stroke of it is most certaine and ineuitable.
For the first. Though the life that we lead be ful of misery & vexation, though we be afflicted on euery side, though we be distressed, though we be persecuted, though we be cast downe; yet notwithstanding [Page 5]all this (sayth the Apostle) we knowe that hee which raised vp the Lord Iesus Christ from the dead, shal raise vs vp at the last day; and, for al the light and momentany afflictions which wee haue here indured, rewarde vs with an exceeding exceeding weight of glorie. So he concludes in the latter part of the former Chap. For the second. Though by the sentence of death, the soule that is now marryed, must bee one day diuorc't & separated from the body, and the house of this earthly Tabernacle ruinated and destroyed: Yet notwithstanding all this, sayth the Apostle,2. Cor. 4.14 17 We know that we shall haue a building giuen of God, a house not made with hands, but eternall in the heauens. So hee reasons in the beginning of this fift Chapter.
The Text thē, which I haue read vnto you, containes in it an argument of consolation, layde downe [Page 6]as you see, in a hypotheticall propositiō, which consisteth of 2. parts; of an Antecedent & a Consequent (if you wil; of a supposition, and an assertion) both of them grounded vpon certain knowledge & perswasion. In the Antecedēt there is one conclusion granted: in the Consequent there is another conclusion prooued. That which the Apostle grants, is, that our earthly Tabernacle must be destroyed. That which the Apostle prooues, is, that wee shall haue a heauenly building giuen of God. The testimony of his proofe is a word of assurance, which hee hath annexed vnto both as a band of confirmation,Gr. Oidamen gar, Wee know & are perswaded. First, therfore in the Antecedēt you must be content to furuey the ruines of an earthly house. And thē in the Consequent you shall bee led to behold the glory of a heauenly building.
If this earthly house of our tabernacle be destroied, &c. In the 16. v. of the former chapter, the Apostle tolde vs of an outward man, and an inward man; that though our outward man faint, yet our inward man is renewed daily. And in the beginning of this chapter, he tels vs of an earthly house, & a heauēly building; that if God do destroy the one, yet he wil bestowe the other. Though there bee some difference in the words, yet I think it is a continuation of the same allegory: and that as he doth duos homines constituere, so he doth duas vitas proponere; as hee doth distinguish two sorts of men, so hee dooth propose two sortes of liues, an outwarde and an inward, an earthly and a heauenly.
By this earthly house, he meanes this earthly bodie, which (like creeping Snayles) wee doe beare about vs; a house indeede, of which [Page 8]God himselfe is the builder and the owner, but yet hee leases and lets it to the soule that dwelles in it, as to a guest or a tenant: a house indeed, wherein there are many offices, and many roomes, some appointed to honour, and som to dishonour; and yet all of them built, but for the sustentation of that life, whose continuance is as a breath, and whose strength is as a bubble: a house indeed, that hath a foūdation, but not of stone; pillars that vphold it, but not of marble; wals that inuiron it, but not of brasse; gates that open to it, but not fastened with barres of iron; a roofe that couers it, but not archt with beams of Cedar:Ionah. 4.7 no, rather like the gourd that was made for Ionas, that ouernight sheltred him from the winde,Cōmorandi Natura diuersoriū dedit, non habitandi. Cic. de sen. and in the morning was deuoured by a worm. It is Domus indeede, a house, and therfore a place of habitation [Page 9]where the soule must dwel; but terrestris domus, an earthly house, & therfore no place of residence where the soule must bide: not only domus terrestis, an earthly house, but domus terrae, a house of earth; for of that moulde it was first made. Gen. 2.7. yea domus luti, G [...]n. 2.7 a house of clay, and the foundation of it is in the dust. Iob. 4.19.Iob. 4.19
But the more clearely to express the fragility of our nature, the Apostle yet ads another Metaphor; and this body of ours which hee calles an earthly house, hee also calles an earthly Tabernacle, that which is of lesse honor, of lesse vse, of lesse receipt. The Apostle Peter speakes also in the same language: I thinke it meele to admonishe you while I am in this Tabernacle; for the time is at hand when I must laie my Tabernacle downe. 2 Peter, 1.13.2. Pet. 1.13.14
Now, Tents or Tabernacles, you knowe, were but a light and loose kind of couering, spredde over head like a curtaine, (such as the Patriarches sometimes dwelt in, when they wandred about like Pilgrims in sheeps skinnes, Heb. 11.37 and in goates skinnes; such as poore Sheepheards at this day do pitch-vp in the field, or Souldiers in a campe) which were only tackt or fastened to the ground with cordes, and easily remooued from place to place. Alas! how can we then maruell, that the corruptible and wretched body of man is so infinitely exposed to casualties and misfortunes? considering that it is but domus terrestris, an earthly house, or a house of earth; yea, but tabernaculum or tugurium, a tabernacle or a cottage, pitcht lowe by the ground; and therfore easie to be ouerturnd with euery blast of wind, to be washt away with euery storm [Page 11]of raine, to be riuen in pieces with euery crack of thūder, to be ransackt and troden vnder foot by the weakest enemy that laies siedge against it. Many there be (sayth Seneca) that complaine of many grieuances, some of paine in their head, some of swelling in their feete, some of aches in their boanes, some of crampes in their ioyntes, this man of distillations,Seneca in Epist. that man of obstructions, one that hee hath too much blood, another that hee hath too little: but maruell not at it, Hoc euenire solet in alieno habitantibus; thus it vsually falles out with them that soiourne in a strange place. For, this receptacle of the bodie, wherein the soule dooth lodge, it is not Domus but Hospitium, not our Home but our Inne; from whence wee must bee turned-out, at the pleasure of our Hoste.
In conclusion therefore, what can we else expect, but (as it follows in my Text) that this Tabernacle, which is so oft remooued, must be at last destroyed? for, how can dust but returne to dust? how can that which is so slightly composed,Gen. 3.19. but be as lightly dissolued? how can miserable man, that carries such a house of earth vpon his backe, but be in time surcharged with his own burthen, and waighed down to the earth? Happy is he only that addes not a second burthen to the former, a burthen of sinne I meane: which beside the surcharging of his bodie will sit heauie vppon his soule; and, in steade of pressing that to the earth, waigh downe both into hell.
I haue heer a spacious field wherin to wander, and my lot is falne to me in a very large and fruitful vineyard: but because the vintage [Page 13]would be too long, if I should stand about the gathering of euery grape I will onely presume vnder the fauour of your honourable patience, to cull a berrie or two from the principall braunches, and to giue you such a taste of the wine,1. Sam. 14.43 as Ionathan tooke of the honie when he had beene wearied with the toyle of the battell: which may happily refresh, though it doe not fill.
I thinke there can bee nothing more vnpleasant, eyther to the eare, or to the heart of man; especially if hee bee of that gluttons broode,Luke 16.19. that neuer thought his hands so well set a-worke, as when they were putting on soft rayment vpō his back, or sweet meat into his belly; or, if one of those rich fooles in the Gospell, that found his soule fullest of ease,Luke 12.19. whē he saw his barns fullest of corne: nay, if he be but of that young mans race that fayne [Page 14]would haue been a Disciple to our Sauior Christ; and yet parted from him sorrowfull and heauy,Mat. 19 22 because hee was loathe to part with his great possessions; to him nothing can bee more vnpleasant, than eyther to heare from another, or to remember with himselfe, that he lives heer but as a Tenant to a greater Lord; that his bodie is but a house which he holds by lease from another owner; that there will a daie come, when the dearest delights & the fairest ornaments that belong to it must be rifled and ript in pieces, and the building it selfe (because a Tabernacle of earth) ruinated and destroyed. It is therefore a memorable, though a well-knowne storie, that is reported of Philip K. of Macedon (and me-thinks the more to be admired,Plutarch in vita Philip. because he was so puissant & so potent an Emperour) that after a great battaile [Page 15]wherein hee had discomfited and vanquisht the Athenians; lest hee should haue been puft vp with too great a glory of the victory that he had gottē, he commanded the page of his chāber, euery morning that he rose, to salute him with this good morrow; memēto Philippe quòd homo es; remēber Philip thou art but a man & thou must dy. But, oh earth, earth, earth! heare the word of the Lord; for, how pleasant,Ier. 22.29 or how distastful soeuer, the relish of my doctrine proue, yet I must be bolde to tel you frō the mouth of an Apost. that the greatest of you all do dwel but in earthly houses: & thogh you be the Kings and the Iudges of the earth,Psal. 2.10 yet (with reuerence be it spoken) you are but earth, iudging earth, and your houses but Tabernacles, which after manie flittings, after manie fastnings and remoouings must be at last destroied.
Me thinks heer are two obseruations, that directly open themselues to our vnderstanding; the one pointing at the mutabilitie, the other at the mortalitie of the liues that wee lead. Their mutability is exprest, by comparing the body to a Tabernacle; the condition whereof is such, that it must be oft remoued. Their mortality, by resembling it to an earthly house; the property whereof is such, that it must bee soon destroied.
Tabernacle.They that haue taken vpon thē, to distinguish the life of man into seuerall ages; howsoeuer they doe sometime disagree in the computation that they make (some reckoning them to be three, some foure, some sixe, some seauen) yet all of them (to my vnderstanding) intimate vnto vs thus much, that so manie variations as there be of our age, so many remoouings there be [Page 17]of our Tabernacle; which if they be well considered, be they many, or be they fewe, they shall be found so many degrees and steps of our misery, not one of them changing our condition from worse to better.
1 The Insant that is newly brought into the world, hee prophecies of himselfe that he is borne the heue of misery, when he salutes the light of his natiuitie with crying & complaining. Therfore was it a custom among the Thracians,Dererum Inuent. lib. 6. cap. 10. as Polidor Virgil hath obserued, alwaies to lament and weep at the birth of their kinsfolks and children, but at their burials to reioyce and feast. And S. Cyprian her notes to be of the same opinion, that wee ought not to mourne for those that dye (or not without hope at least,1. Thes. 4.13. as Saint Paul hath aduised vs) quia scimus, non amittieossed pramitti, because we [Page 18]know, that they are not taken from vs but sent before vs, & quando recedunt, pracedunt; and when they go away, they do but lead the way.Praecedebat funus, homines sequebantur, quasi post ipsum morituri, subaecuturique. From which opinion also, some imagine a custome was deriued, that at the solemnizing of Funerals, the hearse or coffin should be born before, and they that did attend it come behinde; figuring thereby and putting themselues in minde, that they must all one day follow in the same way, which hee that was deceast had before them gone. The fashions of which people thogh they may appear strange vnto vs, yet Nature it seemes had taught them that by instinct, which Salomō in his time obserued by experiēce, that the day of a mans death is better then the day whē he is born; Eccles. 7.3 the day when a man is born, being like the time when the Trauailer begins his pilgrimage, and pitches [Page 19]his Tabernacle abroade; the daie of his death, beeing like the time when hee makes an end of his peregrination and settles his dwelling at home.
2 But from his infancie, he passes on to his childhood, and there with a change of his age, hee findes a change of his trouble: for, in stead of beeing tutourde by his nurse, he is now gouerned by his Parents, or liues perhaps vnder the feruler and discipline of a master, where all the liberty that hee hath is giuen him by allowance, and the freedom of his nature ouer awd with a kind of seruile feare.
3 From his Childhood, he growes vp to riper yeares of discretion and strength: and if euer hee enioie anie happinesse, a body surely would thinke hee enioies it then. But then, alas, euen then he lyes open to his greatest misfortunes, being [Page 20]growen sensible by that time in the vnderstanding of his misery: or if hee be not sensible to vnderstand it, the greater is his misery. Then is hee eyther enuied for his vertues, or else flattered in his vices. Is hee wise? the more apt to be an ouerweener of himselfe.Pro 10 1 Is he foolish? the greater heauinesse vnto hir that bare him. Is he beautiful? the more open to the temptations of iust. Is he deformed? the more readie to bee made the scorne of tongues. Is hee rich? the easlyer drawne to couetousnesse or to luxury. Is hee poore? the sooner tempted to steal,Pro. 30.9 and to deny God that made him. Is he noble? the neerer to his own ouerthrowe by pride & ambition▪ Is he ignoble? the fitter to be trodden downe into disgrace and contempt. Is hee strong? the lesse able to containe himselfe from the reuenging of iniurie. Is he weake? [Page 21]the lesse able to defende himselfe from the receiuing of iniury: In a word; most inclinable in this age, to the pleasures of sinne and to the lusts of youth, and (whether he liue iustly or iniustly) vnauoidably exposed to one of these extreamities, either not to be in fauor with God, or else to be hated of men.
Lastly, (because wee will make but foure periods or diuisions of a mans life, the first Infantia his Infancy, the second Pueritia his childhood, the third Iuuentus his youth, the fourth Senectus his Age; thogh some haue added two more vnto these,Adolescētia. Virilitas. Senium. and some three) from the summer of his freshest youth, hee soo on declines to the winter of his decrepit & decaying age: and then (as the Oratour writes) si nihil aliad vitij adferret senectus hominibus, Lib. de Senect. if but this one inconuenience were incident to olde age, yet this [Page 22]one is sufficient to make it burthensome & greeuous, quòd multa quae non velit videt, that it sees manie things which it would not haue liued to see. (But alas!) there be manie multitudes of diseases that doe then attende vs, manie infirmities that doe hang about vs. The eyes, which are appointed to be the watchmen of this Tabernacle, and to look out by the windowes, as King Salomon speaketh,Eccles. 12.3 they waxe dark; the armes, which are the keepers of the house, they doe tremble; the legges, which are the strong men to vpholde it, they bow themselues; the lippes, which are as the doores to receiue-in the prouision, they are shut without; and the teeth, that doe the office of grinders, to break and to distribute the foode that is drest for it, they do cease and diminish: so destitute are we then left of all succour and sustenance, vt qui senectutem [Page 23]optant, as S. Austen speaketh, nihil aliud optant nisi longā infirmitatem; that whosoeuer wish for old age, they wish for nothing else but a long-lingering infirmity.
Let me adde vnto all these: As they that dwell in Tabernacles and in Tentes (because I wil still guide the course of my speeche by the thred of my Text) are somtime enforc't to remooue eastward, and somtime westward; somtime wher the clime is temperate, and sometime wher it is almost inhabitable; now to pitch in a fertile soyle, and then in a barren; now where the ayre is healthfull, and then where it is contagious; now in the mountains, and then in the valleies: So is it with wretched man, the Tabernacle of whose corruptible bodie is not only subiect in so many reuolutions & years of his age to be once remoued, but euery day & houre of [Page 24]his life to be often changed. For, if he be now healthfull, hee is anon sickly: if he be now full, he is anon empty: if his good name doe now flourish & smell as a pretious ointment, it will anon rot, and the very remembrance of it becom hatefull. In a word; if the state of his body or of his minde, or of his fortune be now prosperous & peaceable, it wil not long continue at the same stay: but, like the Moone, it wil be sometime waxing and somtime waning, like the Sea sometime ebbing and somtime flowing, like the Ayre sometime cleare and somtime clowdie; like the flowers of the Spring, in the morning beautifull and fresh, in the euening without sent or lustre.
And lest you might yet imagine, that this is but the condition of some fewe, or a lot that is layde out to some one of a thousand; I [Page 25]doe yet affirme, that as there is no age, so there is no state or condition of mans life, but more or lesse beares a part of these common calamities, wherewith all the race of mankinde is equally burthened. The King sits vpon the imperiall throne; and yet the golden crowne that hee weares cannot keepe his head from aking. The Peeres and Nobles of his land, they are employed in the honourable gouernment of the State; but their cares are greater then their honours. The Souldier hee fights for glory in the field; but the best ensignes of it that he brings home, are woundes and scarres. The Marchant he ransacks the bowels of the Sea for wealth; but al hangs, vpō ye end of the cable, and is exposed to the mercy of the windes and waues. The Scholler, hee spendes his life by an houreglasse, while hee labours for the increasing [Page 26]of his knowledge;Eccl. 12.12 but hee findes that there is no end of wrighting many bookes, and much reading is a wearinesse to the spirit. The Husband-man, he sweats his heart out in the following of his plough; and thinkes hee makes a good haruest, when he gets rent, for the paiment of his Land-Lord. What remaines vnto man of all the trauaile that he hath vnder the Sunne?Eccles. 6.7 All his labor is for his mouth; and yet his soule is not filled. Eccles. 6.7. Yea all is full of vanitie and vexation, and the tougue cannot vtter it; The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the eare fill'd with hearing: Chap. 1.8. Eccles. 1.8. Considering therfore that our liues are so full of mutabilitie, well may our bodies be compared vnto Tabernacles, the property wherof is such that they must be oft remoued.
But, beside that they are full of change and mutability, they be also [Page 27]subiect to ruine & mortalitie: and therfore is ye body again resembled to an earthly house; Earthly house. the condition wherof is such that it must be soon destroyed. Indeed, it is a lawe and a statute, not made by vs, but bred with vs, to which we are not by any humane discipline instructed, tutourd, or trained vp, but by a celestiall power moulded, fashioned, & contriued; which not the frailety of fortune, but a necessitie of Nature, not the rashnes of man, but the iustice of God hath enacted; that whatsoeuer is composed of Elements, the same should bee againe digested & dissolued into Elemēts; that nothing which hath a spring-time and a birth, but must haue a ruine and decaie; nothing which receiues grouth and increase, but must languish and waste; nothing which had once a beginning, but must in time decline vnto his ende. [Page 28]Yea, euen that frame and texture which we once receiued at our first creation, when (not by the artificiall workemanship of Prometheus, but by the hand of diuinest prouidence) we were composed of soules and bodies, a soule that was inspired from heauen, a body that was extracted from the earth, a soule that was the daughter of eternitie, a bodie that was a vessell of corruption, a soule that was immaculate and diuine, a body that was slimie and impure; euen this may teache vs that in natures and substances so different, so repugnant, so full of contrarietie, it is not possible that any neerenesse of friendship, or the confidence of any long enduring safety should bee procured or expected.
Artabani orat. ad xerxem.I will not heere complaine with that heathen man, of the cruelty of Nature, which hee resembles to [Page 29]that of Mezentius the Hetrurian tyrant. He with most nefarious crueltie deuised to chame liuing and dead bodies togither, and bound mouth to mouth, till the rotten carcasses of the deade had stifled the breath of the liuing. She, in like manner by ioyning our soules to our bodies, seemes to couple the liuing with the dead and the rotten with the sound, that so the breath of our liues might bee wasted with misery. I would rather commend vnto you the counsell of a holy Father,Austen. who considering this vnauoidable necessity of our death and dissolution,Latet vltimus dies, vt observentur omnes dies. Semper vigila, vt si nescias quando veniet, paratūte inueniat quum venerit. bids vs euery day to prepare for that which must one daie come to passe; and because wee cannot possibly auoyde it, therfore patiently to indure it: that though we be vncertaine of the time, when it determins to come, yet because wee are certaine there is a time, [Page 30]wherin it hath appointed to come, we may so learne praesentia contemnere, as wee may the better ad futura festinare; so to dispise present vanities, as we may hasten after future ioyes: the same in effect which the Apostle hath heere deliuered by waie of consolation, that if this earthly house of our Tabernacle must be needes destroyed; yet with assurance wee may know, that we shall haue a heauenly building giuen of God.
The necessity of our death being then ineuitable, because wee dwell as you haue heard in houses that are subiect to corruption, in houses I say not made of induring marble, or of shining brasse, or of precious gold, or of polisht Iuory, or of sweete-smelling Cedar; no not of a waterie substance, wherein there hath beene lesse grossenesse: not of an ayerie, which being [Page 31]more simple, is therefore more pure: not of afierie, which being carryed about in a region so neere the confines of the heauen, is the most vncorrupted; but in houses of slime and of earth, the most impure and putride Element of all the rest; that dust and ashes might haue nothing wherof to be proud; wee shall nor neede (in manie words) to dispute about the manner of our death, or to examine by what meanes this house may be defaced; when, hauing so weak a foundation, it canot but be battered with the weakest assault.
Yet three manner of waies there are, by which the fall and ruine of these materiall buildings, these houses of wood & of stone; which are the seats of our habitation is for the most part occasioned; eyther whē they be smitten with casualty, or when they be sackt by hostility, [Page 32]or when they decaie through antiquitie. And by the very like occasions you shall find, that these naturall houses, these lodgings of earth and of claie which we call our bodies, doe also come to bee wasted and dissolued. Tres sunt enim nuntij mortis; easus, infirmitas, senectus. For there bee three Heraults or Messengers of death; Casualtie, Sicknesse, and Age. Casus dubia, infirmitas grauia, senectus certanuntiat: Casualtie, that tels vs of a doubtfull end; sicknesse, that tels vs of a painefull ende; age, that tells vs of a certain end. Casus nuntiat mortem latentem, infirmitas apparentem, senectus praesentem. Casualtie, that is the messenger of a secret death; Sickenesse, that is the messenger of an approaching death. Age, that is the messenger of a present death.
But S. Austen hath a notable sayingLib. 1. de ciuit. Del. [Page 33]They, that by a fatall necessity are bound to die need not take care or be troubled quid accidat vt moriantur, sed moriendo quò ire cogantur; what happen to bee the cause of their death, but to what place they must bee sent after their death. Indeed, Beloued, hee that learnes this, learnes all: for, whatsoeuer the hand be that giues the fatall stroke; or whensoeuer the time bee, that the mace of death is brought to arrest vs; let it bee in the dayes of our fullest strength, When our breasts do flowe with milk, Iob. 21.24 and when our bones run full of marrowe: or let it be in the bitternesse of our soule, when wee eat not our morsells with peace; Blessed shall we be, if we dye in the Lord; Reuel. 14.14 if (as the Apostle heere speaketh) wee know and be assured, that when this earthly house of our Tabernacle is destroyed, wee shall haue a building [Page 34]giuen of God. But in the meane time, shal I clap my hands with Democritus and laugh, or with Heraclitus shall I sigh and weepe; to behold the follyes of this age, and the vanities of manie, who thogh they be simple as the brute beastes, that haue no vnderstanding, yet think themselues wiser in their owne conceits then seauē men that can render a reason. Prou. 26.16 The spirit of God dooth heere teach vs, that our bodies are but flitting Tabernacles, which must be oft remoued; but houses of earth, which must soon be destroyed. Now (good Lord!) what meanes all the labour that we employ, all the Art that we bestow, all the cost that we dispend, about the painting & patching of these tottering and thinne plaistred wals that are so rotten and so ruin ous? How do we deck them without? how doe wee dresse them within? without, we make the shine [Page 35]very glorious: but they be tricks of Iezabels Art. 2. Reg. 9. and the ornaments that wee buy for them are very costly and sumptuous;2. Reg. 9 but in many they be emblemes of Herods pride within:Act. 12.21 wee receiue guestes into the rooms; but they be legiōs of vnclean diuels, such as defile euerie office in the house; the mouth with swearing and blasphemie (that common and cursed sinne of this licentious age) the eyes with wantonness and vanity, the hands with oppression & vsury, the heart with malice and cruelty. O! how much better were it, that our habitation should be desolate and voyde, then that a temple of the holy-ghost shuld be so polluted?1. Cor. 6.19
Finally: wheras it should be our principall indeuour, to seeke after heauenly buildings, such as are gi-of God; they bee earthly buildings which we do principally seek after, [Page 36]such as be made by men, houses of stone forsooth, to couer houses of earth, and lands and fields to laie in compasse about them; as if manie myles of ground were too fewe to content vs, when sixe foote of ground is sufficient to containe vs.
Well. Let mee now tell you at the last (because I will drawe to an end) that ther is a three fold earth, as by some hath beene prettily obserued. There is terra quam terimus, there is terra quam gerimus; there is terra quā quaerimus. There is terra quam terimus; and this is that wherein we labour, euen that ball of earth vpon which we tread. There is terra quam gerimus; and this is that wherein we lodge, euen that house of earth of which wee speak. There is terra quam quaerimus; and this is that for which we look, euen that newe heauen, and that new earth, whereof Saint Iohn [Page 37]hath made that elegant description, Reuel. 21.1. The first of these is subiect to corruption; for, in the day of the Lord if shall be purged with fire, 2. Pet. 3.10. And the second is subiect to mortalitie; for, what man liues that shall not see death? or who shall deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue? Psal. 89.48.
Application. Nemo tam senex, qui non possit annum viuere.Though commonly we say that there is none so old but he may liue a yeare; yet as good reason we haue both to say and thinke that there is none so young but hee may dye to day.Nemo tam iuuenis, qui non possit hodie mori. You haue heer the body of a Princely Infant to beholde: and it is heere presented to your eyes as a memorable spectacle, too truly verefying & confirming whatsoeuer I haue saide. If the benefit of anie priuiledge might haue exempted and secur'd her; no question but she had beene rescued form the iawes of death, and not so soone made [Page 38]a prisoner to the inexorable barres and bandes of the graue.
The tabernacle of her house, it was but newely reard; it had, you know, a royall and a Kingly foundation, it had all the honorable ornaments and supportations that might anie waie vphoulde it in strength and beautie. No trauell, no charge, no care, no attendance, no seruice or obseruation, which the skilfullest Art of man, or the most indulgent tendernesse of a mother-like affection coulde possibly compasse or inuent, eyther day or night was wanting (and I speake no more but that of which I haue been from time to time & auritus & oculatus testis, both an eare and an eie-witnesse) to haue preserued it inuiolable from this assault and battery. But, what auailed it the Image of Nebuchadnezzar, that it had a head of golde, a breast of [Page 39]siluer, thighs of brasse,Dan. 2.31 legges of Iron, when the clay that was mingled in the feete, was a most ominous and infallible prediction, that it coulde not bee of any durable, or lasting continuance? The house wherein shee lodged was a weake house of clay: which being manie wayes obnoxious to frailety and corruption, it coulde not but dissolue; though I doubt not, but that noble Spirit, which once inhabited that earthly mansion, hath now a heauenly building giuen of GOD, where it is made to raigne with the Saints and Angels.
Shee is therfore fallen: and wee may say of her as it was sayd of Abner, that a great Prince is fallen this day in Israel. 2. Sam. 3.38 Psal. 144.12 Shee was one of the polished corners that beautified our temple, one of the foure pillars that so gorgeously vphelde the maiestie [Page 40]of our Kingdome. In her life shee was louely and plesant, 2. Sam. 1.13 so sang DAVID of Ionathan and Saul: and though but as that little Sister of whom Salomon writes,Cant. 8.8 Cant. 8.8. We haue a little sister and she hath no breasts; yet by the light and heate, that was seen glowing from so little a sparke, one that promist excellent hopes (to the world) of whatsoeuer we account to be vertuous and laudable. But such was the manner of her death, as bred a kinde of admiration in vs all that were present to behold it. For, whereas the new-tuned Organs of her speech, by reason of her wearisome and tedious sicknesse, had been so greatly weakened, that for the space of twelue or fourteene howres at the least, there was no [...]ound of anie word heard, breaking from her lips; yet when it sensibly appeard that she would foone make a peaceable [Page 41]end of a troublesome ife, she sight out these words, I goe, I goe: and when not long after, ther was somthing to bee ministred vnto her by those that attended her in the time of her sicknes; fastning her eye vppon them with a constant looke, againe she repeated, Awaie, Igoe. And yet a third time, almost immediately before shee offered vp her selfe a sweete Virgin-sacrifice vnto him that made hir, faintly she cryed Igoe, Igoe. The more strange did this appeare to vs that heard it, in that it was almost incredible that so much vigour should stil remaine in so weake a body; and whereas shee had vsed many other words in the time of her extreamitie, yet that now at last (as if directed by supernaturall inspiration) shee did so aptly vttter these, and none but these.
Her losse cannot but bee an affliction to her parents, a mayme to [Page 42]our Kingdome, a warning to vs all, to her self no matter of sorrowe or complaint, being happily arriued with so little tossing in a tempestuous Sea, at the shore of blessednesse and the Land of peace. But howsoeuer it bee a smarting visitation, if it bee well considered, that so noble a branch is broken from the bodie of our Land; this comfort is yet reserued (and long may it with comfort continue vnto vs) that the royall stocke wheron it grew doth still flourish, that a fruitefull vine is still spreading vpon the side of the Kings house, and many oliue plantes left standing about his Table. And yet another comfort in respect of her selfe, that no sonne of Beliall hath been suffered to butcher her with a sacrilegious hand (as the Diuell had once intended it) but that God himself, who planted her as a beautiful flower in his own [Page 43]garden, hath with his own hand bin pleased to gather her, euen as a Lilly from among the thorns; for whom I doubt not but she was made ready and ripe betime. The stalke of her life being thus early cropt, euen in the spring and prime of her infancie, when the blossome of it had but newe begun to button and to budde, shee hath lost perhappes a fewe dayes of ioie, but (I dare boldely speak it) many moneths of sorrowe, being mercifully deliuered from those variable annoiances which shee must vndoubtedly haue felt, if shee had surviv'd to the Autumn of hir age. So much the greater is her happinesse, that notwithstanding the shortning of hir worldly sorrowes, she loseth not the least part in that blessed portion which all the Saints of God both great and smal do expect at the resurrectiō of ye righteous. Seneca, thogh a heathē [Page 44]man,Seneca in Epist. to this purpose hath an excellent saying: Hic plus edit; ille minus: quid refert, si vter{que} satur est. One eates more, another lesse: but what is this materiall, if they both do satisfy their hunger. One drinks more, another lesse: but what is this materiall, if they both doe asswage their thirst? Thou liuest a longer time, I a shorter: but what is this to the purpose, if at last wee be both made equally happy?
The end of all is this;Conclusion. that wheras from that which we haue heard, and by this that we haue seene, it is euidently apparant that the life that we lead, is not only exposed to mutability, but is also subiect to mortality (for it is that terra quā gerimus, that earth which wee carrie about vs, euen that Tabernacle sayth my Text, which must be oft remooued, and that terrestriall house which must be soone destroyed) that first [Page 45]therefore we learn to confesse with Iacob that the dayes of this life are but the dayes of our pilgrimage; Gen. 47.9 the same in effect which is taught vs in the sixt ver. of this Chapt. that while we are dwelling in the body, wee are absent from the Lord; and then to pray with Moses, Psal. 90.13 that God woulde teach vs how to number these dayes; that, as it followes in the eightth verse, whether wee be remaining at home or remoouing from home, wee may alwaies couet to be acceptable in his sight. So shall we knowe & be assured, that when this earthly house of our Tabernacle is destroyed, wee shall haue a building giuen of God: euen that inheritance that S. Peter speakes of,1. Pet. 1.4 Luk. 12.32 Reuel. 21.1 that Kingdome that our Sauiour Christ speakes of, that celestiall Citie of the new Ierusalem, that S. Iohn speakes of; the frame wherof is all of golde, and the wals of shining Iasper; the walles haue [Page 46]twelue foundations, and the twelue foundations are twelue pretious stones; the foundations haue twelue gates, and euery gate an entire pearle; the gates haue twelue Porters & euery Porter a glorious Angell. In the midst of this Citie, there stands the throne of peace; At the foote of this throne, there flowes the riuer of saluation. About the sides of this riuer there growes the tree of life. The fruite of this tree is good for foode; and the leaues, to cure the stinges of Serpents. This is that terra quam quaerimus; that new heauen and that new earth, for the which we do seeke, after which we must sigh, in the which we shall reigne, and to the which God of his infinite mercy bring vs, as we doubt not but he hath brought this excellent and now-happy Lady; and that through the alone merits and mediation of his deare Son our blessed [Page 47]Sauiour Christ Iesus: to whom with the Father and the holy Spirit be giuen and ascribed all honor, and glorie, and power, and dominion, both now and for euer.
Amen.