A TREATISE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, Gathered out of certain Sermons, which the Reverend Father in God, Bishop Jewel, preached at Salisbury, A.D. 1570. AMONG all His creatures in heaven or earth, God hath not made any like unto the sun in the firmament, the beams whereof are beautiful and pleasant, and do give comfort in all places to all things. It rejoiceth the whole, and relieveth the sick: it causeth birds to sing, fishes to play, cattle to stir, worms to creep, grass to grow, and trees to bring fruit; it reneweth the face of the whole earth. Yet a blind man hath no pleasure in the beauty thereof, because he is blind, and cannot see it: yet a dead man hath no warmth by the heat thereof, because he is dead, and feeleth it not. Adam was placed in Paradise in perfect B estate, and in the company of God's Angels. God walked and did talk with him. He heard the voice and beheld the presence of God. The rivers yielded waters abundantly, the trees brought him food of life. He had plenty without travail, he had pleasures, joy, and his heart's desire. But Adam was unthankful; he knew not God, the Worker of his happiness; he knew not the place in which he was; he knew not his own state and blessedness: therefore the wrath of the Lord grew against him he fell into the snares of the devil, he became mortal, and returned to dust. What nation in all the world so happy as Israel? They were delivered by a mighty hand out of Egypt, from the tyranny of Pharaoh, from servage and villany. Their children were no more slain before their faces. They passed through the bottom of the sea as upon dry land. When they were hungry, there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought them quails from the sea, and manna was given them from heaven to eat. When they thirsted, the rocks opened and poured out water, that they and their beasts might drink. In battle they were mighty and strong, no power was able to stand against them. The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light. When they called upon the Lord, He heard them. When they trusted in Him, they were not confounded. But they grew unmindful of all these mercies, and murmured against the Lord, and against His servants: therefore God reached forth His hand against them. He sware in His wrath, that they should not enter into His rest. He sent His Angel, and destroyed them in the wilderness. Even so fareth it with all such as regard not the word of their salvation; because they have ears and hear not, nor will understand with their hearts, the fury of the Lord shall be kindled against them. The Prophet saith in the name of God to Israel; "I have sent unto them all My servants the Prophets, yet would they not hear Me, nor incline their eara." And," Behold, I sow My law in you, that it may bring forth fruit in you. But our fathers which received the law kept it not; Jer. vii. 25, 26. |