350 The bearer. nice we can doe toGod, is to reclaime a firmerfrom bisnone. ',Car. p. Offences how and when to Vpon the after be ;emitted orreproued. P Y Sheepeheard that went forth to' feeke his loft Sheepe; of the woman that fwept euerie corner in her houfe ouer and ouer, to looke her loft groat : Whichare butexpreflions of that great carewhich Godtaketh infeeking after aSinner,and the defire that he bath to reduce hùn tohis obedience. To the like end did hepropofe that other Parableofthe prodigal! Child; whole argument ends in thegreat ioy wherewithhis father welcQmmed him home,after beehad giuenhim for loft. Andhcere inthis place hee wills euerie one ofvs by one meanes orother, towinour brother : firft, todeale with him by faire meanes ; if that will not feruethe turne, then by foule, making his fault knowne to t'e Prclatsof the Church. So that it feemes,that Godwhenheecannot worke vs forHeauen by faireand gentle perfuafións, by loueand intrcaties, thenwill hee vfeblows & ftripes,& beats vsthither beforehim,makingvs to feele the weight of his heauie hand. Hath not God commanded thee, That ifthoumeet with anOxe that is fallen , thou fhouldft not paffeforward on thyway till thouhaft holpe himvp end yet (faith Saint Paul) Xtin efl Deocura de Bobaa ?What doth Godcareforoxen? Yet if hewillthat thourelieue a fillieOxe, how much more will he, that thou take pittie ofaSinnerthat isfallen ? SaintChryfoñoinetreating at large, How that Seruant was condemned by hisMafter, that kept his Talent wrapt vp in a Napkin, not putting it out to fomegood vfe or other; fayth, That therewas fufficient caufe enoughtocondemne him , that hee wouldnot venture his Talent for his Mafters profit, and the goodof his brethren. God fo inrichvs withhis grace, ;hatwe may vfe our Talent well , that when our MatterChrift Iefus (hallcome and call vs to account,we may not be found vnprofitable feruants;which God grant for his mercies fake. ** THE yr.
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