shalt have a store-house that never shall be empty, that is, thy labour. For the poor man's treasure-house is to labour and travail, and he is more sure of his living than the rich; for God's promises cannot be stolen by any thief; God's promises are a living to him that truly laboureth and putteth his trust in him. But the rich man is not sure of his riches, for a thief may come and steal them, or else the same may perish by fire, or one way or other: therefore the poor faithful man is more sure of his living, than if he had the same in his chest; for God's promises are not vain, they are most certain, and happy are those who believe the same: they shall not only have enough in this world, but afterwards life everlasting, without any sorrow and misery.

Thus much I was minded to tell you of this gospel; now let us return to the gospel of this day, wherein I will note two or three short parts; for I will not trouble you much longer, because the time is much spent.

"And when he was twelve years old," &c. God Almighty had commanded in his law, Deuteronomy, the sixteenth chapter, that all the males should come together three times in the year, for these three causes. The first was, that they should learn to trust in God, and not in their own strength; and it was a great matter unto them to leave the land void. As if we Englishmen had commandment all to come to London, and leave our country; were it not to be feared that the country should be hurt either by the Scots or Frenchmen in our absence? Surely, I think it were very dangerous. So at that time, the Jews had great and mortal enemies round about them, yet God commanded them to leave the land void; as if he would say, "Come you together after my commandment, and let me alone with your enemies, I will keep them from you so that they shall not hurt you." And this was the first cause why he would have them come together.

The second cause was, that they should learn the law and commandments of God: for there was the chief temple of the Jews; and all the spirituality of the whole land were there gathered together, and taught the people the law, and how they should walk before God; and this was the second

cause.

The third cause of their coming together, was for ac'quaintance sake, for God would have them knit together in earnest love and charity. And therefore he willeth

them to come together, that they who dwelt on the one side of the land, might be acquainted with them that dwelt on the other side, so that there might be a perfect love between them; for God hateth nothing more than discord. And these are the causes why they were commanded to come together every year three times.

Now at this time Mary went with her husband Joseph: belike she was desirous to hear the word of God, and that made her to take so great a journey in hand, for she was not commanded by the law to be there, for women were at liberty to go or tarry.

Here note the painfulness of Mary, that she was content to go so great a journey for God's sake. I fear this journey of hers will condemn a great many of us, who will not go out of the door to hear God's word. Therefore learn here, first, to love and embrace God's word. Secondly, to follow all good orders. Thirdly, to be content to go with thy neighbours every holy day to the church; for it is a good and godly order, and God will have it so. But peradventure you will say unto me, How chance you go not to the service upon the holy days? I have none other excuse but this, namely, that I shall go thither in vain. Mary went thither to hear the word of God; and if I might hear the word of God there, I would go thither with a good will: but first, the parson of the church is ignorant and unable to teach the word of God, neither bears he any good will to the word of God; therefore it were better for me to teach my family at home, than to go thither and spend my time in vain, and so lose my labour. This I have to allege for myself, that if the curate were as he ought to be, I would not be from the church upon the holy day.*

*

Jesus and Mary with all their neighbours were at Jerusalem: and after they had done their business, they came home again; Mary in the company of other women, and Joseph her husband in the company of men; but Jesus the child was left behind, for Mary thought he was with his father, and Joseph thought he was with his mother. At night when they met together, she asked him, and he asked her for the child; for before they were not aware that they

* Many of the clergy at that time were papists in their hearts, and as such neglected the spiritual instruction of their congregations. Even at the present day the comparatively small attendance at the house of God upon the week days is painful to the true ministers of Christ of all denominations.

had lost him. Oh what sorrow and tribulation rose then in their hearts! I think no tongue can show what pain and sorrow this mother felt in her heart, for the loss of her child: for she thought thus, “God has rejected me, and therefore has taken my son from me, I shall no more find him. Alas, that ever I was born, that I should lose my son, who I heard say should be the Saviour of the world. This Saviour is lost now through my negligence and slothfulness; what shall I do? where shall I seek him?" In this great heaviness, she turned back again to Jerusalem, inquiring for him by the way amongst their friends and acquaintance; but he could neither be heard of nor found until they came to Jerusalem, where they found him amongst the doctors and learned men, arguing with them, and posing them.

Here is to be noted a negligence in Mary and Joseph; therefore they who go about to make Mary to be without sin are much deceived; for here it appears plainly that Mary was in fault. Here also all parents may learn to be diligent and careful about their children. The common sort of parents are either too careful for their children, or else too negligent. But the right carefulness that you should have over your children, is first to consider that God has appointed his angels to keep and save your children from all perils and dangers that may happen unto them, as plainly appears every day; for surely a child is in many dangers of his life daily, but the angel of God keepeth them; and therefore the parents should not be too careful, neither yet too negligent; for they should consider, that it is the will, pleasure, and commandment of Almighty God, that they should keep their children in safe custody, and preserve them as much as in them lieth, from all danger and harm.

Further, here it is to be noted, that this fault and sin of Mary was not set out to embolden us to sin, but rather to keep us from desperation when we have sinned: making this reckoning, "Hath God pardoned his saints and forgiven their faults? then he will be merciful unto me, and forgive my sin." So by their example we may strengthen

our faith, but not take boldness from them to sin.

After they found him, Mary begins to blame him, saying, "Son, why hast thou done this unto us?" Here she speaks, like a mother, and is very quick with him: but he made her as quick an answer, saying, "Know ye not that

I must do the business of my Father?" &c. We learn here how far children are bound to obey their parents, namely, so far as the same may stand with godliness. If they will have us go further, and pluck us from true religion and the serving of God, make them this answer, "We ought rather to obey God than men;" (Acts v.) for otherwise we are not bound to obey our parents, &c. Here not only children may learn, but subjects and servants, to obey their king and masters, so far as it may stand with God's pleasure, and further we ought not to go.

The child went home with them, and was obedient to them; although he had partly signified unto them wherefore he was sent into the world; namely, to teach men the way to heaven; yet he remained with them in his obedience from this time, being of the age of twelve years, unto the age of thirty years. And in this mean time (as it is thought) he exercised his father's occupation, which was that of a carpenter. This is a wonderful thing, that the Saviour of the world, and the King above all kings, was not ashamed to labour, yea and to use so simple an occupation. Here he sanctified all manner of occupations, exhorting and teaching with this example every man to follow and keep the state whereunto God has called him; and then we shall have living enough in this world; doing well and after his pleasure, and in the world to come life everlasting; which Christ by his death and passion hath deserved for us. To whom, with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, both now and for ever. Amen.

THE LEPER CLEANSED.

A SERMON,

Preached on the Twenty-fourth day of January, 1553.

MATTHEW viii.

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean. And instantly his leprosy was cleansed.

THIS is a notable miracle, and a most comfortable history, which though it were done upon a leper only, yet the doctrine of it appertains to us and to all men, and so shall it do unto the end of the world. For St. Paul saith, “Whatsoever is written, is written for our instruction," (Rom. xv.) Therefore if we consider and ponder this story well, we shall find much matter in it to our great comfort and edifying.

"When he was come down," &c. Christ had been upon the mountain making a sermon, which is contained in the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of this evangelist, which sermon is very notable,* and contains the sum of a Christian man's life. At the which sermon the people were greatly astonished, and much marvelled: whereby you may note the strength and efficacy of the word of God: which word, if it light upon good ground, that is upon a good heart that will receive it, it turns the heart → with its power, and brings a marvelling, like as it happened unto this people, who had received the word, and marvelled at it.

Also, you may note here the inconstancy of the people; who now greatly esteemed and regarded our Saviour and

* Important.