Luke 7.30 31. refused and contemned by any certainlie such as despise the Lords ordinance the kingdome of GOD against themselues are not to thinke that their paths whether loose or straight either please the almightie or will bring them to happines seeing they leaue the royall and beaten way wherein the faithfull vsuallie walk vnto saluation and which the Lord himselfe hath paued and chalked out vnto that intent and purpose Wherby as the necessitie of the preaching of the word so the excellencie of the mysterie of the Gospel yet further is made manifest vnto vs. The Kings and Princes of this world haue vnder them their deputies and inferious officers in all places of their iurisdiction who determine causes and gouerne those townes and places which are committed vnto their care and charge Euen so Christ Iesus the King of glorie ascending into heauen and leading captiuitie captiue Psal 68.17 gaue gifts vnto men and placed vnder him spirituall Magistrates in his church Indeed the calling of the ciuill Magistrate is not onely such an ordinance of God as both euerie soule ought to be subiect vnto Rom. 13.1 and euerie estate honour and reuerence as the highest and brightest glorie vnder heauen 1 Pet. 2.17 but such a gift of his vnto the Christian Church 1. Tim. 2 2 as that when she enioieth it she enioieth a crown of comfort and assistance when she wanteth it she wanteth a tower of succour and defence Lamen 2.2 Wherefore the eternall wisedome of God touching whō all this while we speak going about in the booke of the Prouerbs to declare what great gifts she hath in her hand to giue to mankind and vseth to bestowe on her Church breaketh out into this speach as on a sodaine By me Kings raigne and Princes decree iustice In the prophesie of Esay Pro. ◠15 the Lord foretelling how bountifullie he would deale with his Church in the last daies Esa 49.23 affirmeth and promiseth that Kings shall bee nursing fathers and Queenes shall bee nursing mothers vnto it But besides the politique gouernment or cruil Magistracie the Lord hath giuen to his Church the order of the Ministerie or state ecclesiasticall that these two callings might be as the two eyes of the world or as the two pearles of the Christian assemblie vppon earth For as this our Apostle testifieth vnto the Ephesians our Sauiour ascending into heauen gaue gifts vnto men to wit as he expoundeth these gifts the callings of Apostles Euangelists Ephe. 4.8 such other ministers of the word The common wealth of Israel then is not without her spirituall Magistrates but she partly hath had partlie hath her gouernours of sundrie sortes as the Apostle declareth Wherein as before hath been affirmed and after shall be made more euident the excellencie of the mysterie of Christ Iesus and also of his ministerie appeareth which is occupied about the soules of men and was cast downe from his treasure house aboue as a most precious Iewell euen then when our Sauiour ascended into heauen But moreouer beholde our heauenlie soueraigne Christ hath sent foorth his embassadors to the Iewes Graecians Scythians Fgyptians Morians Medes Persians yea as here is affirmed vnto all nations among which by thē his name hath been and is proclaymed Nay that which is more the Lords messengers and publishers of his will succeede one another from generation to generatiō remaining in spight of Sathan and of the wicked in all places and ages As for the Monarches or Emperours of this world they vse to send their embassadors not vnto the endes of the worlde or all nations but to some fewe countries and neere vnto thē Their custome is to cause their decrees to be proclaimed only in some Cities or for a fewe daies not from time to time and in all the coasts of the earth But the Lords Legats thus succeeding one another preaching in many countries it commeth to passe that the kingdom of Christ Iesus by the course of the word is hath been and shall be from time to time glorified and inlarged in all places For as further is added in the next argument of the excellencie of the Gospell God hath been beleeued in the world Wherein the mighty power and exceeding bountie of the Lord is further manifested vnto vs. For preaching is a signe of grace offered but faith of grace bestowed of eternall saluation By the gift of faith enemies are made children beggars princes limmes of sathan members of Christ fire-brands of hell Ephe. 3.6 heires of heauen old creatures newe slaues freemen captiues conquerours yea more than conquerours in Christ Iesus Now herein the riches of God mercie further appeare that Christ Iesus is beleeued not in a corner of the world but throughout the world I will make mention saith the Lord by the Prophet of Rahab and Babell among them that knowe me behold the Philistian with him of Tire and the Aethiopian is borne there Psal 87. And of Sion it shall be saide many are borne in her and he euen the most high shall establish her The Lord shall count when he writeth his people this man is borne there Selab This assemblie of the faithful people of all times places and sorts of persons called in the Scripture not Rome but heauenlie Ierusalem is that Catholicke or vniuersall Church which Gal. 4.26 whosoeuer hath not his mother on earth cannot haue GOD his father in heauen Part of this Church is alreadie in the highest heauens triumphing parte of it warfaring heere on the earth belowe parte of it neither in heauen nor on earth as yet but hereafter to bee first in this world secondlie in the world to come The triumphant beleeuers are hidden in the heauens the pilgrim beleeuers beeing mingled as yellowe corne with chaffe on earth are scant discerned the beleeuers to bee borne haue no being saue in the loynes onely of their forefathers Faith is a thing not grounded on sense or reason God is inuisible Christ was a crucified person is withdrawn from vs as concerning his bodilie presence the spirite is secrete the world is wide men are wicked tyrants rage yet GOD hath been beleeued is beleeued and shall be beleeued in the world O depth vnsearchable O glorious mysterie The vse hereof is that euerie one trie whether hee haue that annoynting that seale Ephe. 4.27 2. Co. 1.22 that earnest ponie and that witnes of the spirit in him or no which if he finde he is to bee more thankfull to God for it than if he had receiued the greatest benefite in the world besides If he feele not to sobbe and sigh and pray that God would testifie to his spirit that he is his father and bestow on him this good and heauenlie gift rather than any earthly blessing whatsoeeuer But chieflie he is to forsake his euill course of life Esa 1.16 to walke with God and man in the vprightnes of his heart
which grace going before the peace of hart will vndoubtedlie follow after arising from the sight of the generalitie and largenes of Gods promises Heb. 8.10 and the experience of Gods daylie mercies Psal 77. and knowledge of the mysterie of christ Iesus here extolled Ephe. 3.18 The last point of this mysterie or proofe of the excellencie thereof is that God hath been taken vp inglorie It was more than a miracle that the worme before spoken of should returne to life and that the second Ionas lying three daies three nights not aliue but quite dead in the belly of the earth did breake the yron bands of the graue and stand vpon the grounde yea in diuers places preach this Gospell to his disciples Luk. 24.13 after that he was risen againe from the dead Act. 1.9 But what was it then that his flesh should mount vppon the clowdes as it were vppon an horse Heb. 1.3 What was his entrance into the tabernacles not made with hands Psal 97.7 what was the Angels worshipping of him the fathers enstalling him in a throne at his right hand Certainlie the glorie of the resurrection of our Sauiour seemeth not to bee glorious in regarde of that exceeding glorie into which he is exalted by his ascention farre aboue all powers and principalities and all creatures whatsoeuer Now here wee may behold the sonne of GOD leading captiuitie captiue giuing giftes vnto men teaching vs as Eagles to mount aloft sitting by the father as the next person by whom he gouerneth the Churche prouiding and dressing as it were many Tabernacles for the elect and preparing a tribunall seate to returne to iudge the earth Wherefore as his ascending into heauen was exceeding glorious so his descending thence shall yet much more abound in glorie For then hee shall appeare vnto the eyes not of a few but of all flesh Rom 1.7 not in the contemptible shape of a base seruant but in the bright and dreadfull maiestie of the King and Iudge of the whole world Act. 1.11 At that great day the day of Doome or Iudgement knowne onely to GOD but which cannot be far of from men these writs to wit the Sun darkned Luk 21.25 Mat. 24.11 the moone bloudy the starres trembling the planets falling down shall goe abroad to summon the inhabitants of the earth vnto the court where in all causes shall be ended all confusion of this world shall bee corrected Then oh where shall the amazed people and chayned prisoners either fast their footing or hide their heads Luk. 24.16 2. Pet. 3.10 when tottering Heauens and trembling earth with toring sea arresting them before the Tribunal seate of the sonne of God the clowdie roabe of the reuenging Iudge shall terrifie the eyes both of mortall wightes and diuels 1. Thes 4.16 And will not the last Trumpet blowne with the blast not of a man but of that Archangel cause the eares of the creatures to tingle and burne when it shall sound a dolefull and fearefull alarum Yet againe much more dreadfull must needes bee the smokie fire 1. Thes 1.8 which as breathed out of the nostrels of the angrie Iudge shal cause the Elements to boyle the townes and Cities of the world to bee turned into ashes the faces and skinnes of men to be changed as into tinder Then then the graues Reu. 20.13 14 the waues the pittes yea hell it selfe also as the generall iay lours of the whole World shall bring foorth their dead and buried prisoners to receiue their finall doome at this solemne sessions Thus all sortes of people arrained at the barre and gathered by the Angels as by sericants or officers shall by them with their hands Mat. 13.49 and billes or swordes as it were be held and hemmed in on euery side Here now the scrowles of mens consciences as euidences Reu. 20. â—â— must needes bee vnfoulded the books spoken off in the Reuelation shall also be vnclasped and openlie read After that all mortall wights haue thus been gathered together then shall a separation bee made of them by the Iudge Mat. 10.32 by whom they shall bee deuided into two sorts Elect and reprobate and placed at his two sides the right hand the left After these things Christ first shall pronounce sentence on the chosen saying to them Mat. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my father possesse as heires the kingdome prepared for you before the foundations of the world were layd Then placing the Elect on thrones 1. Cor. 6 2. as benchers together with him to iudge the World he shall pronounce the sentence of condemnation on the reprobate saying to them Departe from mee yee cursed into euerlasting fire Mat. 25.41 which is prepared for the diuell and his Angels Thus shal al men for euer enioy their due reward the second life or the second death And Omortall men what do ye then meane so to loue the world as if it neuer should haue an end O vngodly wretches and enemies to all piety in these daies as prophane as Esan yea more prophane vngodly than hee or Herod euer was will ye needs fulfill the iniquitie of your fathers graund-fathers great graund-fathers Well then proceed to worship stockes and stones to heare Masses and to creepe to Crosses cease not to sweare dayly hourely continually falsly vainely proudly blasphemously as yee doo without controlement braue it sport it feast it loyter it or if yee will do something labour drudge run and ride on the Lords sabaoth as your manner is disdaine despise curse murmur and rebell against your magistrates teachers parents masters superiours imbâ—ue your hearts hands tongues and weapons in innocent bloud sparing neither bodies good names nor soules of old fathers men women little children bath your selues in daintines wantonnes idlenes drunkennes hunting hanking carding dicing and all kindes of pastime vnderpin your houses with the bones of your poore tenaunts neighbours brethren kinsfolke lay the foundations of them on their carcases hang theÌ„ about with theÌ„ir skinnes yea and with the skinnes of their wiues and children a goodly kinde of tapisterie plaister them with their entralles paint them with their bloud wash them euery day with their teares To conclude O crooked and peruerse generation trample vnder your feete the precious bloud of GOD manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit seene of Angels preached vnto the Nations beleeued in the world receiued vp in glorie but knowe that for all these things hee shall come vnto iudgement Neuerthelesse as concerning those vnto whom the mysterie of godlines seemeth without doubte very great vnto whom Christ Iesus is the only treasure in the world who indeauour with vprightnes to obey his lawes and word there is no cause why they should quake to thinke on his returne to iudgement but rather great reason why they should pray come Lord Iesus Reu. 22.20 come quickly For seeing he hath shed his
did cast abroad the indignation of his wrath vppon his enemies and infinitly surpassing Sampson in strength ouercame the gates of hell hee became that iust one which iustifieth many and that perfect redeemer who hauing been a faithful mediator on earth raigneth now as a glorious high Priest Heb. 1.3 king and Prophet in Heauen as exalted for these iniuries done vnto him and iustified also by the glory bestowed on him The third poynt of this mysterie is that God manifested in the flesh and iustified in the Spirit hath been also seene of Angels It appeareth by the sacred storie that euen the damned Angels or vncleane spirits saw the sonne of God manifested in the flesh Mat. 4.1 For we reade that not only satan their head tempted him in the wildernes but that a whole legion of foule feends acknowledged him to be the sonne of God Luk. 8.28 and iudge of the World Wherefore euen the euill Angels sawe Iesus our Lord as the seede of the Woman who should breake the head of the Serpent as a Champion to wrestle or incounter with them last of all as a conquerour by his power and strength to ouercome them But either only or chiefely Saint Paul meaneth here that the Elect Angels saw Christ as visible GOD or as both GOD and man These heauenly spirites from the very beginning of their creation enioyed in deede the presence of the second person in the Trinitie Esa 6 3. yea and they worshipped him as their GOD and King neuerthelesse they wanted the visible spectacle of the glorie here spoken of vntill the time of the Lords incarnation and manifestation to the World and iustification by the Spirit But when once the Father brought his first begotten into the World and presented him in the flesh as a mirrour of all wisdome mercie iustice and perfect excellencie then the Angels in the sonne whose person godhead from the beginning of their creation they beheld continuallie saw that humaine nature and glory Ephe. 3.10 which before was neuer subiect vnto their view Heb. 1.6 For they saw now the inuisible word to become visible God they perceiued also the world to be made subiect not vnto them but vnto man Heb. 2.5 6 7 8 9. euen the mediator between God and man that second Adam Iesus Christ After this manner at the last in fulnes of time the sonne of God being presented vnto the view of the Elect Angels they saw him as their ioye as may appeare in that they sang at his birth Luk. 2.13 they saw him as their Lord vppon whom they ascended Ioh. 1.25 descended they saw him as the head of the bodie of the Church Heb. 1.14 whose members they serue last of all they saw him as the mercy seate toward which they turne their faces continuallie Exo. 25.17 18. And who is there now which remembring that solemne day of Christ his incarnation beholding the Pageant as I may say of his humaine nature whereat the very Angels gaze and assemble to conclude considering the progresse as it were of the Lord from Heauen to earth together with his returne from earth to Heauen where the Angels continually behold his face and now enioy his bodily presence would not skip for ioy with Iohn the Baptist crie out with Elizabeth inlarge his tongue with Zacharie magnifie the Lord with the Virgin Marie desire to bee dissolued with Simeon and prouoke not onelie his owne soule but the Angels to praise GOD with Dauid for presenting such a spectacle to the view of his creatures and reuealing his sonne both vnto men and spirites When as the common people of any countrey or kingdome first vnderstanding the kings intēt to make some progresse or to solace and shew himself abroad afterward vpon this occasion resort or flock to the place where hee passeth by or may best be seen there doo see his Maiesties face or heare him vtter a few words herein they thinke a great part of their happines to consist and hereof they boast full oft one to another not without iust cause For certainely the very countenance and presence of the gracious soueraigne carieth with it the Maiestie of God himselfe the honour of an Angell the glorie of the sunne the comelines of the moone the brightnes of a Start the blessing of the dew the fruit of a tree of life and to speake in one Word the price of a peerlesse pearle Now thē when as the immortall king the ruler of all princes presented himselfe to the view of shepheards wise mē Galileans inhabitants of Ierusalem diuers other of his meaner sorte of subiects albeit they saw his face but for a little time or heard his words but for a short season this was a iust cause to them of singular comfort and a great signe of his fauour yea as a day or time of high solemnitie But doth not then the magnificence of the Lord on the one side and the happines of the Angels on the other much more appeare herein that since they as peeres of the heauēly kingdom were first assēbled drawn vnto their prince Christ Iesus putting on him the nature of man and comming into the world they haue not ceased to beholde and enioy his corporall presence and now sitting as it were in court or Parliament with him continuallie see his royaltie and heare him speake such speeches as no eare of man hath heard nor heart can conceiue Yes happie sure are all Christians which are subiects to Christ Iesus see him by the eye of faith though not of the body more happie are the Angels which stand euer before him and heare his wisdome Most blessed bee the Lorde God the father which so loued his sonne as to set him one the throne of Israel because the Lord loued Israel for euer and made him king to doo equitie and righteousnes From this loue of GOD it hath proceeded also that Christ Iesus hath beene preached among the Nations The Angels of whome wee sake a little before were not onely beholders of Christ Iesus but Heralds who blazed abroad his armes and proclaymed the mysteries of his conception birth resurrection and ascention Next after Iohn the baptist the Lord himselfe the Angels succeeded the Apostles and seuentie disciples who all were immediately called by our sauiour himself to preach the word to work miracles Luk. 9.1 Luk. 10.1 were sent not to one place or congregation onely but the 12. Apostles to many natiōs the 70. disciples to many cities as our sauiours commaundement and their practise testifieth After these seuentie and besides the twelue Apostles the Lorde extraordinarilie raysed vp and added in mercy to the forenamed labourers in his haruest Euangelists and these againe were of two sorts for some of them penned stories of the gospell Act. 21.8 1 Tim. 4.5 Act. 11.28 as Luke and Marke some onely published the gospell by preaching as Timothie and Phillip At
liuelie painted is more worth more to be esteemed for that cause than a boord of Cedar which wanteth the same image or hath it but darkely and rudely purtrayed and drawne out so the ministery of the Gospell representing our Heauenly Soueraigne Christ Iesus most plainelie and clerely is therefore to be preferred and in deede more honorable than the Ministerie of the Lawe Wherefore their condemnation sleepeth not who in these daies are so farre of from esteeming or reuerencing the messengers of the word that they reiect them as the doung and ofscouring of the earth For if a mortall Prince cannot abide that his Ambassadours should be despised or abused much more wil the Lord reuenge the contempt wâ—â—ch is shewed against those whome hee sendeth on his message yea on this glorious and most famous ambassage of the gospell For he hath saide in his word Touch not mine annoynted and doo my Prophets no harme Zach. 2.8 Hee that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye He that despiseth you despiseth me The third point in this commendation of the Gospell by vs to bee obserued is that it is a mysterie The which word in the Greeke tongue dooth signifie a secret or an hidden matter it is also vsually applyed to note out those precepts things which are sacred and chiefelie to bee regarded But albeit the Gospell is here termed a mysterie yet the apostles meaning is not that it is such a secret as ought not to be communicated to the common multitude For the Lord enioining his Disciples to teach all Nations and to preach the Gospell vnto euery creature Mar. 16.15 whether Male or Female learned or vnlearned young or old in them willeth and warranteth all his Ministers to impart this Doctrine to all sortes of people Neither is the Doctrine of the new Testament in any such sorte here tearmed a mysterie as if it were after a more dark manner set down deliuered vnto vs than the book of the Law or the olde couenant For in former ages saieth this our Apostle elsewhere this secret was not so manifested vnto the sonnes of meÌ„ Ephe. 3.5 as now it hath been reuealed to the saintes and Prophets by the spirit For as one saith verie well the old Testament is the new inclosed in obscuritie and the new is the old vnfolded in the light These two couenants differ in circumstance and manner but they are the same and agree in substance and effect But first the power of the Gospell is a mysterie to all the reprobate whose eyes the GOD of this World hath so blinded that they cannot see the trueth vnto Saluation neither doo they soundlie and continually feele that they are in Gods fouour yea because Christ Iesus the root of mortification and sanctificatioÌ„ is not planted in them they are vnable and vnfit to euerie good worke Secondly Tit. 1.16 the very matter of the Gospell it selfe is mysticall and secret the beginnings or first principles whereof as the naturall man by any light within him 1. Cor. 2.14 or sight of the creatures without him cannot perceiue so neither can the spiritual man although taught by the word and lightned by grace reache or sound the full deapth or bottome For howsoeuer euery true Christian borne againe by the spirite alwaies seeth so much of this mysterie as is sufficient for his saluation yet none hath attained or can come to the perfect vnderstanding thereof There is in deede no skill or trade although neuer so hard or full of curious points which some persons of pregnant wittes or very quick conceites are not able soone to learne or at least by much labour and endeuour so to attaine that at last they come to the perfection thereof and excell therein But as concerning the sauing and bottomlesse knowledge of Christ Iesus which is in deede the onlie arte or peece of cunning in the world it so farre passeth the reach not onely of men but of Angels that no creature is able fully to conceiue it neither dooth any comprehend it If any mortal wight euer saw the depth of this secret was it any other beside this our Paul who being taken vp into the third Heauens heard words which cannot be vttered contrary to his custome magnifieth his knowledge in this mysterie No other out of doubt than the beholder of Paradise the schoolefellowe of the Angels the Preacher of the Gentiles finallie hee who wished himselfe accursed for his countriemen the Iewes Neuerthelesse euen this great Apostle affirmeth of himselfe 1. Co. 13.11 that hee knoweth but in part and of vs that wee see but as in a glasse darkelie As for the heauenly Angels why dooth the Apostle Peeter say 1. Pet. 1.22 that euen they desire throughly to view the mysterie here spoken of if they vnderstand it perfectlie and exactly And now then seeing this secret is hidden from the reprobate seeing as it is the power of God vnto saluation to the elect so euen to them it is as a treasure hid in a great part in the ground seeing the Angels prie into the riches of Gods wisdome herein with great delight concerneth it not euery Christian to exercise himselfe verie diligently in the knowledge feeling and practise of this mysterie Certainelie whosoeuer shall not know God as he is made knowne in Iesus Christ as aliens or strangers from the common wealth of Israel shal at the day of iudgement feele the fire of vengeance fal vpon them 2. The 1.8 Againe whosoeuer hauing knowne this trueth in some measure shall careleslie contemptuously willingly wholy finally fall from all knowledge feeling working and practise of it Heb. 6.4 can no more bee renued to repentance by any good meanes tending thereunto than any fruite which hath fallen from the tree can so be set on the bough againe as that it shall grow theron or thaÌ„ a dead man can be recouered to life by Phisick or an earthen vessell broken to peeces or to powder bee ioyned together firmelie by the potters skill For when the whole lampe of good workes shall quite bee quenched when all the drops of faith shall bee cast or spurted out when shipwrack shall be made of the maine stocke of Gods gracious spirite when the nourishing foode of the word shall bee loathed and reiected when the strength of hope concerning a blessed estate at the resurrection shall vtterly be consumed what repentance can there be the life whereof is faith the strength whereof is hope the food wherof is the word the fountaine whereof is the spirite the fruites whereof are good workes Nay in that these prophane backsliders willinglie push from them all godlines and the Gospell what doo they herein but crucifie the sonne of God vnto themselues as if he were a vile person or an cuill dooer piercing him through albeit not with nayles yet with most grieuous and innumerable sinnes yea making a gazing or mocking stock of him albeit not by putting
shed his bloud for him As for the holy spirit Rom 8.32 Psal 16.7 and 116.1 which hath bestowed the riches of his grace on him he must of necessitie both loue and reuerence his Maiestie and so consequently acknowledge feare loue Iam. 4.12 and trust in one true GOD in three persons Now seeing the Christian hath but one Master Prophet or lawgiuer hee will not for all the goods in the world once bow the knee to Antichrist neither wil he receiue any inuentions or traditions of mā 2. Cor. 6.11 which apparantlie are contrarie to the doctrine of Christ Iesus Moreouer seeing that prince gouerneth him whose kingdome can not be shaken Heb. 12 2◠he hath a power of seruing God with shamefastnes and warines whereby it commeth to passe that he banisheth othes and blasphemies out of his mouth neither taketh he the grace of God in vaine but when he vseth the Sacraments beholdeth the creatures or heareth the word 1. Th. 2.13 suffereth all these as wholesome medicines to haue in him due operations Againe in as much as his heauenly captaine hath brought him into the Lords rest he is so farre off from prophaning the Sabaoth day by absenting himselfe from the publique exercises of religion or by working or loytering Heb. 4.8 9 10. that euery day is to him as a sanctified Sabaoth inwardly exercising himselfe from time to time in praying and practising the will of God labouring not to walke in his owne way Esay 58.13 nor to speake a vaine word To conclude he maketh conscience of despising any superiors whosoeuer Col. 3.18 c. of not gouerning his inferiors aright of being angrie quarrelling Mat 5.22 c. and fighting of being intemperate or vnchast in gestures speeches diet and apparell of couetousnes sloth vnthriftines and deceipt of slaundeting lying teuiling taunting yea euen of desiring wishing or thinking euill because not onely a vertue of mortification Col. 3.1 2 3 4 5. but a power strength of sanctification preserueth and guideth his soule and body And is not this then the best and the chiefest godlines in deede yea is not this the onely right and excellent manner of seruing of God Rom. 12.1 Now hereby it appeareth that poperie is but a counterfaite of pietie and not so much as ◠patterne thereof as was the Iewish policie or order of seruing God That heresie as the foolish woman spoken of in the Prouerbes is very full of words and motions Pro. 9.13 with questions about the true worship of GOD which it knoweth not Oh how zealous are the massemōgers about their vnbloudy sacrifice which hath cost so much bloud They acknowledge a sacrifice it is wel and sacrificing priests such are al Christians and an altar it is true wee haue a sacred sanctuarie Christ Iesus But the bread forsooth must be turned into the body of Christ and his body must be offered vp againe a shaueling must be the sacrificer such a one who as if he were a worker of feates can turne about in a circle and occupie his fingers about making crosses cast his armes all abroad lift them vp and pul them downe againe mumble vnto himselfe and by and by speake vnto others with a loude voyce whisper a while to the bread and thē break out into a shrill note or song But to let such popish and apish toyes passe true godlines consisteth not as hath been shewed either in humane traditions or wil worship or in bodily exercises 1. Tim. 4. ◠as abstaining from meates drinkes sleepe or such humbling of the body as it is separated from the mortifying of the soule 2. Tim. 3.5 nor in a bare profession of the trueth but in faith in Iesus Christ and obedience to his lawes both inwardlie and outwardly performed The fift poynt to be considered by vs in this commendation of the Gospell is that the mysterie of godlines is great excellent or notable It is first of all very great in fame and renowme according as the Prophet sheweth when going about to intreat of the mystery of the incarnation the sufferings and the glorifying of the sonne of God hee crieth out twice in one Psalme O Lorde how excellent is thy name throughout the world Psalm 8. 1. Cor. 1.24 But againe the Gospel is as great in fruite as it is in fame in regarde whereof it is truely called the Power of God vnto saluation the wisdome of God Rom. 16. Ioh. 6.68 finallie the word of life For this is eternall life to know the true God and him whome he hath sent Iesus Chrst The magnificence of this mysterie furthermore appeareth in the figures and types of the Lawe as the tabernacle the temple the red sea the cloude the manna and the redemption of Israel out of Aegipt For if the figures were so excellent what is the body If such glorious things are spoken in the scripture of the types what may be thought of the trueth it selfe To be briefe the spouse in the diuine booke of the song of songs playing if I may so speake the very blab and blazing to al men the secrets of hir loue The Song of Songs 5.10 11. telling that Christ Iesus is white and ruddie the chiefe among ten thousand that his head is as fine golde his lockes curled and black as a Rauen declared plainely and sufficiently witnesseth that this mysterie concerning Christ and his Church is great indeed It is as hath been shewed very great in fame for the sound of it hath gone throughout the world great also in fruit Ro. 16.18 For it maketh wise vnto saluation moreouer great in quality for hereof the types of the law are euen but shadowes 1. Tim. 3.15 but last of all it is furthermore so great in quantity Col. 2.17 that the most skilfull Geometrician in the World is not able to take the measure of it by any meanes for that is altogether infinit Ephe. 3 8. The Prophet speaking of this matter in the Psalme and directing his speech vnto the Lorde sayeth thus Thy mercie O Lord reacheth vnto the heauens Psal 3.6 and thy trueth vnto the cloudes thy righteousnes is like vnto the mountaines thy iudgements are like a great deepe O Lord thou sauest both man and beast In deede our Apostle Paul writing to the Fphesians affirmeth that he prayed for them vnto the Lord that they might bee able to comprehend with all the saints that height length breadth and depth which reacheth to the heauens to the seas to the ends of the earth and the furthest partes of the World But he meaneth not in this his supplication to shew that any is able to attaine vnto the perfection of this knowledge which passeth all knowledge but onely hee wisheth that the Ephesians may haue an abilitie or gift from aboue to see these measures in an acceptable measure for their comfort and the fortifying of their faith For speaking of
of the scare of God The sonne of God being thus indued with the gifts of the spirite aboue measure being sent annoynted sealed and consecrated to the office of a Sauiour the whole Godhead dwelling in him bodilie finallie he louing his Church most entirelie as the same Prophet testifieth at the last put on righteousnes as a breast-plate Esa 59.17 and an helmet of saluation vpon his head yea armed himselfe with the garments of vengeance for clothing and araied him selfe with zeale as with a cloake Whereby may further be gathered after what sort in this place and in what respect the Messias beeing God and man is said to be iustified by the spirit In summe thus much is ment that the power of his Godhead being contrarie in regarde of exceeding glorie to the weake nature of his manhood but ioyned therwithal did not only inable him fully to performe the work of our saluation but declare him to bee a perfect King Priest Prophet the fountaine of wisedome righteousnes sanctification and redemption True it is indeede 1. Co. 1.30 that although in the daies of his flesh our Sauiour lined most innocentlie wrought many miracles spake and taught as neuer any did yet the wicked who were in those daies reiected condemned him Neuerthelesse as the sacred storie declareth not onelie wisedome was iustified of her children but the same stone Luk. 20.17 which the builders refused was by the father made the head corner stone yea the sonne in three daies builded vp that tēple where of Salomons temple was but a tipe finally the innocent lise the heauenly doctrine the wonderfull signes the singular gifts of our Sauiour wherewith he was indued without measure prooued proclaimed to all the world that euen that glorious spirit rested on him 1. Pet. 3.18 19. which preached vnto the disobedient in the time of Noah and which not only reuined him Rom. 1.4 when he had been dead concerning the flesh but quickeneth all the elect to faith obedience Rom ◠11 and eternall life Albeit then the weakenes of the flesh of Christ was such that he seemed to be the most abiect of all mē yea rather a worme than a man as before we haue heard yet the glorie of his spirite was so great on the contrarie side that thereby he was declared not to be a meere man or an Angell but the sonne of God and perfected vnto all the particular workes of a sauing Prince or redeemer He tooke vnto him the seede of Abraham The story of the gos pel but in this seede were all the nations of the earth blessed Compassed he was in his mothers wombe but Iohn the Baptist at his presence sprang in Elizabeths bellie Laide hee was in a cratch but worshipped therein by the wise men of the East Hee was baptized in Iordan but he baptized with the holie Ghost and with fire Hee was hungrie but hee fed many thousands subiect to sleepe but he caused the windes and waues to couch tribute hee paid but out of a fish hee wept for Lazarus but he raised him from the dead O rare most royall O sweete bountifull Sauiour whether should I rather wonder at thy sufferings or at this thy glory Surely at the sight of thy mercie I stand astonied Iudas selleth thee for a little paltrie siluer but thou redeemest the world with thy most pretious heart bloud O when I think vpon that night wherein thou wast betrayed when I conceiue in minde thy sweates like clots of bloud rolling from thy bodie downe vnto the ground when I beholde the officers which kept thee beating thy neck and smiting thy tender face when I look on the red furrowes which Pilates cruell whip made on thy back when I feele the print made in thine hands and feete with the nayles when I see thy veynes and sinewes streyned and racked on the Crosse I plainely perceiue it was not without great cause that thou didst request thy heauenly father to let so bitter a cup passe from thee if it had been possible But when I view the burden of the sinnes of the whole World laid on thy shoulders when I mark the curse of the Lawe seasing on thine head when I perceiue the wrath of thy Father consuming all thy bones when I obserue the executioners stripping thee out of all thy garments when I note the Iewes with mocks and mowes deriding thine afflicted estate when I consider satan and the feends of hell in the malapart souldiers the crooked herauld Pilate and the vnrepentant malefactor assaulting thy faith I cannot but cry out O wonderfull redeemer what a spirit of courage and long suffering rested on thee Now last of all when I heare thee crie My God my God why haste thou forsaken mee when I peere into thine heart pearced vnto the bottome with the Speare of a prophane Souldiout when I gaze on thy breath flying out of thy bodie when I prie into the graue where thy body was layd when I thinke on thine aboade in the earth for the space of three dayes and three nights reckoned in some sorte after which manner and according to which time Ionas sometimes lodged in the belly of the Whale how doo I maruell that thy father did not rather suffer the whole world to perish than thee his natural some more precious than a thousand worlds to tast or sustaine one of the Ieast of these indignities But here by appeareth the vnspeakable mercy of God thy father as also thine own exceeding loue fauor toward mākinde yea moreouer the glory of the spirit which rested on thee that thou wouldst endure such torments for thine enemies that thou wouldst by thy Crosse crucifie the Worlde by thy death kill sinne by thy buriall put the Lawe into the graue by thine enduring of the curse bestowe a blessing by thine aboad vnder the ground take away the sting of the graue finallie by all thy sufferings satisfie for all our sinnes and conquer him who hath the power of death Heb. 2.14 to wit the Diuell Now hereby it is euident that he of whom we speake was not onely man but God not only the sonne of man but the sonne of GOD not onely a seruant but the Lorde not onely a shepheard but a Prince of peaces finallie the way the truth the life the vine the head of the church and that iust one who was iustified by the spirit For had there been in Christ Iesus any dram of sinne or corruption nay had there not been in him all fulnes of power and holines so many crimes and transgressions being laide to his charge and imputed vnto him before the tribunall seate of Almightie GOD and such principalities and powers pursuing and assaulting him neither could he haue been acquitted as an innocent person nor escape as a stronger champion than all his aduersaries But because there was no guile found in his mouth and his own right hand being able to saue him hee
precious bloud for you will he or can he pronounce a bloudie sentence against you Is it credible that the head which laide it selfe down for the body wil adiudge his members vnto torment Should the spouse bought with a price aboue gold orsiluer and loued more entirely than any treasure be afraid to see hir most amiable husbands face Is there no more fauour or tender affection in an elder brother than to deale with boanes of his boanes flesh of his flesh rigorously Will a gracious King rather cruelly slay his subiects crauing pardon than shew his mercy in sauing and aduancing them to honour Was the Sonne of GOD sometimes so carefull a shepheard as to seeke that which was lost and will hee not preserue that which he hath found To conclude therefore he was first manifested in the flesh and after receiued vp in glorie that whosoeuer beleeue in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting and bee made Kings and Priests with him for euer obeying the Lorde without resistance seruing him without corruption gouerned by him as by a glorified priest and Prophet without such temporall meanes as now are in vse yea as are very necessarie and profitable for the faithful warfaring heere on earth But at that time shall tongues cease and prophesie be abolished 1. Cor. 13.1 and Christ Iesus shall deliuer vp to his Father the temporall part of his rule 1. Cor. 15.24 which now he exerciseth not onely in the world but in the Church For now he instructeth his people by the Ministerie of men then they shall not need any such teachers now he feedeth them by outward Sacraments but then hee shall bee the onely Lambe and bread of life now he fighteth against or resisteth satan but then he shall so breake his head that hee shall fully conquer him Finally now hee is to come to iudge the world and to raise vp the dead but hereafter hee shall cease from these workes Neuerthelesse still he shall remaine the light glorie Reuel 21.22 23. and flower of the temple gouerning both Angels and men immediatlie by his person and his spirit Thus Elect creatures shall as members be vnited vnto God and God shall bee all in all euen the Father to whom with the Sonne and the Spirite three persons and one heauenly Maiestie bee all praise and glory both now and euer Amen Amen Rom. 11.33 O ther deepenes of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out FINIS A request to the Chri stian Reader GEntle Reader I have herein onelie drawne the picture of Christ Iesus after a rude and simple manner as it were with a peece of chalke or with a coale But if thou shalt seeke him in the Ministerie or preaching of the worde and the Lord withall shall cause the day starre to arise in thine heart thou shalt see him so liuelie painted before thine eyes beholde him so clerelie as in a Cristall glasse that thou shalt be transformed into his image from glorie to glorie not continuing in sinne because grace dooth abound for thou hast not so learned Christ but putting off the olde man Ephes 4. and putting on the new man which is created according to God in righteousnes and true holines No more vnto thee whosoeuer thou art which louest Christ Iesus at this present saue onely thus much let him be the treasure of â—hine heart Manie say oh if one would cause vs to see good oh Iehoua lift thou vp the light of thy countenance on vs. Psalm 4.7 Then shalt thou put greater ioye into our heart than of the time wherein their corne and new wine have beene increased Farewell