bodie of Christ which was hanged vpon the crosse for our sinnes was of the Father raysed againe vnto life For if wee beleeue in our heart and confesse with our mouth that God hath raysed him vp from the dead we shal be saued Yea beleeue we must that Christ according to his wordes afore hath through his godly power erected vp againe from death the temple of his bodie Therefore thorow the doubting of Thomas wee learne the mysterie of the resurrection of our own bodies For Christ hath sufficiently proued and Thomas hath confessed that the bodie of Christ which was hanged vpon the crosse is verely risen againe from death Wherin our faith is confirmed to beleeue that our bodies also shall truely and liuely rise againe to eternall life When Thomas is with the other disciples Christ sheweth himselfe vnto him For they that in the vnitie of faith and of vndiuided loue doe not associate and accompanie themselues with other faithfull beleeuers in the Church shall not be partakers of heauenly ioyes Truth it is that to beleeue with the hart iustifieth but the confession that is made with the mouth belongeth vnto health serueth vnto loue and vnitie of the Church and congregation of God without the which there can bee no hope of health He that saith he beleeueth and doth not ioyne himselfe vnto other Christians his faith is vaine and of none effect And therefore did Christ for his church institute the sacraments that is to say exterior signes of his grace that his people might be associate together in the vnitie of faith The Church of God is it that preserueth vs poore ones as did the Arke of Noe afore time in the floud and bringeth vs thorough this raging sea vnto the hauen of eternall saluation Not that the grace and health is therefore to bee ascribed to the elements and outwarde thinges but that it may appeare how effectuous fayth is and what it woorketh through charitable loue in the Church Christ maketh mention of the wordes which Thomas had spoken afore to the Disciples in his absence Namely Except I see in his handes the print c. Therefore sayth Christ Thomas bring thy finger hither and see c. Whereby it is euidently prooued that Christ is God and euen so doth Thomas vnderstand and confesse The woundes are shewed of Christ specially to this intent that his passion might be printed and sealed in mens mindes For a verie deepe and high mysterie is it that Christes side is opened out of the which floweth bloud and water whereby the spirituall and faithfull beleeuing mindes may well perceiue Christes good louing will towardes mankind Now when we looke vpon his handes touching his side inwardly with our desire of inward fayth and considering why and with what loue Christ suffered for vs it shall be no hard thing vnto vs to beleeue his resurrection If Christ were deade but euen as an other pure man or Prophet we could haue no hope of the resurrection Who so beleeueth it commeth soone to this knowledge that immortall life is giuen vnto vs. Now where there is hope of an immortall life there is the Lorde serued with great diligence For if God hath not spared his sonne but giuen him for vs all what good thing then may wee not looke for at his hand If wee bee onely true beleeuers with Thomas then shall God faithfully performe that hee hath promised vs. Christ desireth no more of vs weake feeble ones than that we be not faithlesse but stedfast beleeuers Thomas is immediately obedient vnto the voice of Christ and becommeth foorth with a newe man The Pharisies could by no doctrine by no myracles bee brought to giue credence vnto Christ and to beleeue in him although they sawe Lazarus raysed againe from death malice and hatred did so hinder them But Thomas acknowledgeth him freely to be his Lord and God He seeth and handleth man he confesseth God whom he saw not Hee acknowledged that he whom he saw was his God Lord. Through the same faith was his vnbeleefe and sinne forgiuen him O mercifull God graunt vs loue that we seek not our owne commoditie nor honour but the profit of our neighbours and thy glorie in all thinges Expell out of vs all disdaine greedines vngentlenes headines and flattering of our selues Preserue vs from discord diuision binde vs together in vniforme loue that wee may bee one bodie and of one minde Stablish also our faith that our minds may alwayes bee comforted in the resurrection of thy sonne and immortall life purchased by him Amen ANd many other signes trulie did Iesus in the presence of his Disciples which are not written in this booke These are written that ye might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the sonne of God that ye so beleeuing might haue life through his name Doctrine and fruite LIke as Christ while hee yet liued did miracles before his death to declare his godly power euen so after his rising again from death he worketh manie tokens in the presence of his Disciples to proue his resurrection in the flesh Some of the same are described of the Euangelists not of anie curiositie or for vaine glorie but to confirme our sayth therewith To write all Iohn thought it not needful for who could haue written all Or who could haue fastened and borne them all in minde Who so will not beleeue these few that are written shall neuer beleeue a greater multitude A faithfull beleeuer is well satisfied with these For these that be written of him are therefore written that wee should beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne of GOD and that we through his fayth might haue eternall life Seeing then that all thinges which are written doo extende and serue to this ende that wee might beleeue in him and bee saued by him what lacke wee then Or what can we desire more So that hereby we learne with great diligence to reade to consider and to applie into our owne lyfe whatsoeuer the Euangelistes haue written of Christ as they haue written nothing but that which is altogether excellent deare holie and godlie and such thinges as doe liuely describe sette foorth and print Christ vnto vs that our fayth hope loue patience meeknesse and all good thinges might growe with blessed fruite that wee in our life might become thankfull for such an excellent grace and in no wise to contemne or despise it A scornefull thing is it and the euidence of a greate vnbeleefe whereas some thinke by these wordes to prooue that for as much as all thinges are not written in the booke it is lawfull for certayne men to adde the rest and to deuise and ordayne what they will For in these thinges that are written doth Iohn comprehend the whole sum of fayth which consisteth in this that Iesus is the son of the liuing God who for our saluation came downe from heauen died rose againe purchased for vs eternal life Iesus the son of
they might not think What should we poore simple bodies doe against so many learned wise men Who wil arme vs against those that are so mightie Therfore he breatheth vpon them saith Receyue the holie Ghost whome hee there giueth them and therewith strengtheneth them inwardly but with much more power and might vpon Whitsonday whereupon he commandeth them to wait at Hietusalem where he will send them the promise of the Father cloathing the weake with heauenlie strength as with a garment and arming them as with a shield What good thing then can hee lacke or what euill thing can hurt him which is his messenger that hath all power in heauen and in earth and with whome such a king is euer abiding But when Christ would send out his disciples he saith vnto them As my father hath sent me so send I you Whereunto did the father send his sonne into the world Euen that hee should open the glorie of the father vnto the world that he should declare the will of the heauenly Father that hee shoulde offer health vnto the worlde This to doe Christ also sent foorth his Disciples He sent them not to seeke after vaine-glorie after power and riches after bodilie pleasure and worldly pompe but to do as he himself did Christ sought the lost sheepe brought men vnto the knowledge and loue of the true liuing GOD taught them to lead a vertuous and honest life Hee was a Phisition went to the sicke helped them and healed them he was not come to do his owne will but the will of his Father hee was not come to condemne the world but to saue it In all this ought the ministers of the worde to followe Christ and to do as he did Vnto this new heauenly and godlie life and worke Christ giueth them the holie Ghost For like as hee himselfe was risen into a newe life Euen so through his holie spirite will hee graunt and giue a newe life vnto those that are his Therefore breatheth hee vppon them to declare that it is hee who at the beginning made man and nowe by his death had quickened him and renewed him and that euen he is the fountaine and giuer of the spirite Thus vnto his Disciples he gaue the firstlinges of the promised spirite and with it a taste of more and greater perfection as an earnest pennie All this declareth what belongeth to true Apostles and Ministers of the worde which are sent of Christ for no man sendeth himselfe what their office is and that they which seeke the pleasures of the bodie honor praise and riches are not followers of Christ and successors of the Apostles Wherefore most diligently ought wee to pray vnto GOD that he will giue vs faithfull Ministers of the worde which looking truelie to the worke of Christ maye leade vs vnto God But forasmuch as without the holy Ghost nothing can be fruitfully done we must neuerthelesse praie for his holy spirite who may in vs stirre vp holy thoughts and deuout desires directing and mouing our will and so giuing power and strength to accomplish the works of God and steadfastly therin to continue and that the same holy spirit may illuminate and kindle our minds and prouoke them vnto all good and godly works Considering then that the keies which were promised vnto Peter in him to the whole Church Matthew 16. are heere giuen of Christ wee will also intreate somewhat thereof These keyes are nothing else than the Gospell Christ now deduceth his oration from the common custome of men Like as things corporal are shut and opened with the key so be the consciences of men shut or bound with the Gospell Thus are these the keies which Christ giueth vnto the Apostles vnburdening of consciences and souls And that commeth to passe when the holy Ghost illuminateth the mind that it vnderstandeth the misteries of Christ committeth it selfe therevnto To bee discharged or vnbound is when the minde that hath despaired of health or saluation is lifte vp to an assured and vndoubted hope To binde is to leaue the obstinate vnbeleeuing minde vnto it selfe Iesus therefore sendeth foorth his disciples to publish this health vnto the whole world and to exclude separate no man from this grace But first he giueth them the holy Ghost as Iohn sayth that is he openeth their mindes that they may vnderstand the Scriptures as Luke saith for what is it else to open the vnderstanding but to giue the holy Ghost Meete is it also and conuenient that they which by the Gospell should beare Christ throughout the whole world should receiue the holy ghost For if they should preach Christ it was necessarie they had Christs spirit seeing that Christ they had one manner of thing in hand as Christ was sent of God so were they sent of Christ Without fruit verily should the ministers of the word preach the gospel if they were not endued illuminated and inspired with the holy Ghost Preach saith he the gospel that is the key wherewith the gate of heauen is opened Who so beleeueth the Gospell when hee heareth it preached and vnderstandeth it feeleth comfort in his conscience that he is deliuered from sinne Now doth the Gospell set before vs not onely the grace of God by Christ throgh the which grace our sinnes are forgiuen vs but also it teacheth and requireth a new life Neyther doth anie man begin a new life vnles he first be ashamed of the former old and wicked life Therefore saith Luke that Christ opened the mindes and vnderstanding of the disciples that they might perceiue the Scriptures namely that he might thus and thus suffer and rise again and that in his name that is in his commandement and power conuersion of life and forgiuenesse of sinnes should bee preached and declared among all people Therefore when the poore sinner through the preaching of the holy Ghost heareth his wicked and sinfull life for the holy gospel rebuketh the world of sinne he beginneth to knowe himselfe a sinner and to be displeased repentant and sorrie for his sinnes he considereth also that he is well worthie of eternal punishment and damnation By meanes whereof through the multitude and greatnesse of his sinnes he vtterly dispaireth in his owne power and righteousnesse and eternall saluation But therewithall he heareth also that Christ by reason of his sins came downe from heauen and dyed for him vppon the crosse washed away al his sinnes with his bloud hath reconciled him with God made him Gods child an eternall inheritour of his kingdome And this he stedfastly beleeueth I pray you doth not such a mans heart leape for ioy when hee heareth that thorough Christ he is discharged of all the sinnes that so sore pressed him The keies therefore are the pure word of God which teacheth men to know themselues and to put their trust in God through Christ With that word with those keies do the ministers of the worde open
right hand of God is exalted and hath receiued of the Father the promise of the holie Ghost he hath shed foorth this gift which yee now see and heare For Dauid is not ascended into heauen but he saith The Lorde saide to my Lorde Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot stoole Doctrine and fruite WE beleeue that Iesus Christ our king and Sauiour is not onely risen againe from death to life but also is ascended vp into heauen sitteth at the right hand of God and raigneth for euer For though hee heere a season was despised and refused as the stone of the builders yet hath the strong hand of God exalted him and mightily wrought in him Which thing may well bee perceiued by this as Saint Peter heere valiantly concludeth that hee sendeth downe from on high such an excellent gift of the holy Ghost vpon those that are his This is a sure euidence that he mightily raigneth at the right hand of God and hath all things in his hand seeing he hath power of the spirite of God whom he poureth into the hearts of his and that sometime in visible manner For the glorious triumpher ascending vp to heauen with great victorie did after the custome of great kings and let fall his giftes downe vppon vs and parted them among vs namely the gifts of the holy Ghost whom he as man receiued of the Father but after the godhead he had him alwaie for of the father and of the sonne there is one onely spirite Neither may this bee applied vnto Dauid for though hee as a iust friend of GOD bee saued and come to heauen yet did not hee immediatly after death ascend into heauen with bodie and soule that he might be reported to sit at the right hand of God for his wordes speake of another whome he calleth his Lord namely in the hundreth and ninth Psalme he saith God the Father sayd vnto my Lorde euen the Sonne Sit thou on my right hand So therefore let all the house of Ierusalem know for a suretie that God hath made this Iesus whom ye haue crucified Tord and Messias Doctrine and fruit WIth these wordes doth Peter conclude his Oration exhorting them not to doubt Iesus Christ to be the same annointed sauiour and king who of God the father was first promised then giuen for the deliuerance of the people of the Iewes and of all nations In this conclusion is comprehended the summe of the whole Christian faith namely that wee beleeue that Iesus who was borne of the virgine Marie and crucified of the Iewes is the true Christ that is to saie Messias euen the king that was ordained annointed of God to raigne foreuer ouer all faithful beleeuers Lorde of the whole world and sauiour of all such as put their trust in him This hath God the Father opened and set forth vnto vs by myracles by the resurrection by the ascension by the power of the holy Ghost that wee might beleeue it and not doubt thereof Therefore saith Iohn Who so beleeueth that Iesus is Christ the same is borne of God WHen they heard this they were prickt in their hearts and said vnto Peter and to the other Apostles Ye men and brethren what shall we doe Peter said vnto them Repent of your sinnes and be baptised euerie one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinners and yee shall receiue the gifte of the holy Ghost For the promise was made vnto you to your children and to all that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shall call And with many other words bare he witnesse and exhorted them saying Saue your selues from this vntoward generation Then they that gladly receiued his preaching were baptised And the same daie there were added vnto them about three thousand soules Doctrine and fruite THis is the fruit and end which followeth out of the preaching of the worde of God that they whose heartes God toucheth are so sorrie for theyr sinnes that it euen pearceth them for Gods word is euen a sharpe two edged sword and entreth through to the depth Blessed are all they which so reade and heare the word of God that they begin to be ashamed of their sinnes and wickednesse beeing repentant and sorrie therefore A blessed and wholsome sorrow is that which riseth and groweth out of the truth which is opened vnto the heart by the holy Ghost Which spirite in the heart giueth hope vpon the mercie of God and driueth awaie all despaire Then beginneth a man to aske What shall I doo Then enquireth he after the will of God and such a man that so asketh is easie to be helped soone is he healed that knowing his disease would faine be made whole Vnto such a man doth the faithfull Minister of Christ giue counsell out of the Scripture and sheweth him the fruit of Christ preached and knowen He doth not bid him bestow monie on solemnities and Diriges on Images Monisteries or coâ—les inâ—â—â—ying of pardons He doth not will to runne vnto Rome or to Lawret but requireth of him the best and most profitable thing of all namely amendement conuersion of life Our mindes our workes and maners must be altered if we will please God Who so saith with his heart that he beleeueth in Christ holding Christ for his sauiour and king must forsake his euil waie eschuing euill and doing good Iere. 7.11 Isa 1 Niniue stood still vpright when they tooke vppon them true conuersion and amendement As for Hierusalem though they offered many sacrifices fasted much it helped not because there was no true reformation and forsaking of sinne needs must they be destroied and miserablie perish To botch or patch the matter it will not helpe there is no remedie wee must become godly and vertuous of life it auaileth not to dissemble God looketh into the heart which he will haue pure and vnfained Forasmuch then as we through baptisme in the faith of Christ haue receiued Christ and are marked out for him hauing once forgiuenesse of sinnes through the grace and gift of Christ let vs be of a vertuous lfe walking innocently and in the feare of God Let vs die therefore to the innocencie which is restored vnto vs againe through Christ let vs daily remember to harken follow the admonishment of the spirit which teacheth vs all good things We are they vnto whom God hath promised his grace of the spirite yea and vnto our children also so farre as we abide in his couenants Let vs thankfully receiue such excellent grace deare brethren being ware that we stain not the temple of Iesus Christ and of his holy spirit with filthinesse of the worlde that wee neuer make our selues partakers in the iniquitie of wicked and faithlesse men but to leade here a pure and cleane conuersation with a good conscience before GOD our most louing father and alwaie lift vp our minds vnto
these things and so to enter into his glorie And hee began at Moses and all the Prophets and interpreted vnto them in all Scriptures which were written of him And they drewe nigh to the towne that they went vnto and he made as though he would haue gone further And they constrained him saying Abide with vs for it draweth toward night and the day is far passed and he went in to tarrie with them And it came to passe as he sate at meate with them he tooke bread and blessed it and brake and gaue to them and their eyes were opened and they knew him and he vanished out of their sight And they said betweene themselues did not our heartes burne within vs while he talked with vs by the way and opened to vs the scriptures And they rose vp the same houre and returned againe to Hierusalem and found the eleuen gathered together and them that were with them saying The Lorde is risen indeed and hath appeared vnto Simon And they told what things were done in the way and how they knewe him in breaking of bread Doctrine and fruite CHRIST sayth Iohn 5. Search the Scriptures 〈◊〉 they testifie of mee Also If yee beleeued Moses ye should beleeue me for he hath written of me Christ therefore willing to strengthen the weake and to teach the vnlearned expoundeth vnto them the Scriptures beginning at Moses and so thorough out all the Prophets For whatsoeuer is written in the Scripture concerning the mercie goodnes and wisedome of God the washing awaie of sinne and satisfieng for the same it belongeth properly to Christ For so worthily and euidently haue they described the passion glory of Christ that one would thinke them not to write of a matter which were to come but done alreadie as it is plaine in the Psalmes and Prophets Psa 22. Esa 53. 1. Pet. 1. c. Thus out of the Scripture we learne partlie the testimonies of the passion and resurrection of Christ partly by what waie Christ came to so high honour and glorie of his father that wee first beleeuing that Chriâ—t dyed for our sinnes and rose againe for our righteousnesse might by his resurrection be sure of a good conscience and consolation of the lyfe to come Secondly that wee in patience and obedience might learne to be obedient to our heauenly father to take vp our crosse and to follow our Lord IESVS Christ if wee will haue ioy with him wee must also suffer and trauaile with him Our head goeth to eternall ioy through aduersitie and trouble and will we enter into it through the pleasure of the worlde and lust of the flesh It passeth the boundes of all â—nitie and comlynesse and honestie for 〈…〉 to bee sluggish and slouthfull when the 〈◊〉 â—keth vppon him such trauell and paine 〈…〉 narrowe gate that wee must enter in at for thorough many tribulations vexations and miseryes must wee come into the euerlasting kingdome of heauen and all they that will liue godly in Christ Iesu must suffer persecution in this world He that will possesse an inheritance must beare and suffer all the charges belonging to the same The eternall inheritance is appointed vs of our heauenly father thorough Christ but with this addition that we receiue the possession of it in such sort as the son hath done namely with and through the crosse and trouble Blessed are they whome God the father maketh partakers of the passion of his onely begotten sonne for who so is a companion with him in suffering shall haue his eternal fellowship in heauen and inioy with him euerlasting blisse and rest Hee that vnderstandeth not this is a foole and slowe of heart to beleeue the Scriptures let that man beseech God to open the Scripture vnto him and to make him vnderstand it Where that commeth to passe ignoraunce vanisheth awaie and the heart is feruent and receiueth vnderstanding for the Lorde is the right and perfect schoole-master that toucheth the hart and pearceth it through with the arrowes of his words and ardent loue In breaking of the bread they knowe the Lorde 〈…〉 life time when he nowe woulde goe 〈…〉 and death tooke bread rendered 〈…〉 it and gaue it them admonishing 〈…〉 â—bit as they dyd the same they shoulde 〈…〉 remembrance of him Whereby they now â—hinâ—â—ng on the same wordes and beeing admonished of the act remember that it is hee Thus the breaking of the bread before our eyes in the supper is an admonishing token that Christs body was broken and dyed for vs on the crosse and the drinke an admonishing token that his bloud was shedde for the washing awaie of our sinnes And so when wee breake the bread and drinke the drinke wee ought thereby to knowe the Lorde thanking him for his death which is our life being mindfull of him and following his great loue wherein hee dyed for our sinnes AS they thus spake it was verie late the same daie which was the first daie in the weeke and where the disciples assembled together the doores were shut for feare of the Iewes Iesus came while they sate at the table and stoode in the middest among them and sayde vnto them Peace bee with you But the disciples were afraid thinking that they had seene a spirite Then sayde Iesus vnto them Why are yee troubled And why doo thoughts arise in your head And hee sayde yet agayne vnto them Peace bee with you And with that shewed he them his hands feet and side and said Behold my hands and feete that it is euen I my selfe handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me haue The 〈…〉 when they had seene the Lord. And 〈…〉 â—â—leeued not for ioy and wondered he sayd 〈…〉 ye anie thing to eate So they offered him a 〈…〉 fish and an honie combe The same hee took◠〈…〉 before them casting in their teeth their vnbeleefe 〈◊〉 â—nes of heart because they beleeued not them which 〈…〉 that he was risen againe from the dead Doctrine and fruite IN that the Euangelists describe the true resurrection of Christ they declare withal vnto whom such a high mystery was opened and shewed For when we heare how the disciples were minded and behaued themselues we learne therby what becommeth vs that we also may beleeue that Christ is truly risen againe yea not only to acknowledge the same with the mouth but also to proue and feele it in the tast of the spirite So haue wee heard afore what the desire ardent loue which God stirred vp in Mary Magdalene dyd bring to passe and what good came of the feruentnesse and diligence of Peter This we see now here for God hath a plesure to stir vp our desire when hee will open himselfe vnto vs. And therefore all the same daie from morning early vntill nyght were the disciples still more and more endued with new ioy that the desire to see Christ might be kindled more and more in them And as they were assembled
For they that so are taught instructed by the word of God that they put all their confidence in God through Christ those verily are loosed and discharged of their sins But he that either wil not heare or when he heareth will not receiue and beleeue this grace declared to the world through Christ offred vnto him by the ministers of the word him doo the ministers bind that is they leaue him stil in his error according as Christ commandeth his disciples Mat. 10. that from such as will not receiue and heare their word they shal depart shake off the dust from their shooes vpon them Thus dyd Paul binde Act. 13.18 To bind then with the word is nothing else but when the word of the grace of God is preached not receiued to leaue such impenitent people and to haue no fellowship neyther ought to do with the despisers of the truth and grace For in the daie of iudgement it shall bee easier vnto Sodome and Gomorrha than vnto such Now although the word that the Apostles preach is not theyr own but Gods no man may cleanse vnbinde and discharge from sinne but onely God yet Christ of his grace and according to the propertie of the Scripture ascribeth such vnto the Apostles For the gracious father of his aboundant loue and kindnesse and by reason of the couenant that he hath made with vs doeth oft ascribe vnto vs many things which can properly belong vnto none saue onely to himselfe Neither is this any maruell seeing he hath giuen vs his onely begotten and most deare sonne to be our owne for how cannot he geue vs al things with him Notwithstanding we ought not by reason hereof to be high minded and proud and to ascribe vnto our selues that which onely is Gods but much rather to be thankfull for his grace and diligent in our vocation faythfully to employ and bestow the high treasure gifts of God and not to abuse them This thing therefore extendeth not so farre as that euerie one man properly to speake doth of his owne power and authoritie forgiue sinne But forasmuch as the Apostles and ministers of the word doo publish and declare remission of sinne they bring the keyes and forgiue sinnes ministerially and as ministers Neuerthelesse if here withal the spirit of God do not worke in the hearer to beleeue the word when it is prached then is not the sinne forgiuen All the power therefore and working is Gods Thus the Apostles may damne no man but vndoubtedly they may by the word declare damnation to the vnbeleeuers Where an assured promise of grace is declared there sinnes are forgiuen Nowe when the Apostles shew vnto sinners remission of sinne they doo it out of the holy Ghost and are not deceiued for they preach that our sinnes are pardoned vs through Christ who hath made satisfaction for them If this faith vpon Christ bee liuely in vs so that we abhorre sinne and bee desirous of heauenly things then are our sinnes forgiuen vs through the holy Ghost for no man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost The key there extendeth to this end that the minister declare remission of sinnes thorough Christe Who so now beleeueth the Gospell preached shall be saued hee that beleeueth not shall bee condemned And seeing that faith is an inwarde thing in the soul inspired of God the minister cannot know who in the sight of God beleeueth or beleeueth not for God onely knoweth the heart Howbeit by the outward confession which is done with the mouth by receiuing of the preaching and by the fruits the minister may iudge For who so receiueth the word openly confessing Christ and doeth not outwardlie defile himselfe with vile deedes to such the minister openeth with the key and dischargeth them that is he taketh them into the Church of Christ numbereth them among the people of God and receiueth thē into the kingdom of heauen As for those that wil not heare the worde preached or that when they heare it doo refuse it not confessing Christ or vttering theyr vnbeleefe with foule grosse and open vices those the minister bindeth that is hee shutteth them out of the Church and banisheth them out of the realme of heauen To him that is in the Church is forgiuenesse of sinnes promised who so despiseth charitable loue hath not faith vpon such one remaineth sinne still and the wrath of God Now what the Apostles Ministers of the word doo that doo they not in theyr owne name not in their own power but as they which are sent of God and that declare his word the holy gospell out of the power of God euen out of the holy Ghost who being giuen vnto them doth speak and work by them What these binde is bound before God and in heauen for out of God is it that they iudge and what they vnbinde is vnbound before God for God wyll ratifie and allowe what they doo that beeing sent of him keepe themselues in exercise and meddle within his word and commission As for him that is not sent of God and declareth not his worde and Gospell but of his owne proper power will binde one man and vnbinde another set this man in heauen that man in hell is it any maruell if such one do many times misse and be called a wolfe and not a shepheard seeing his proceedings commeth not of God Heere also we learne with what desire and thankfulnesse wee ought to receiue the ministers of God that bring vs his holy word and comfort of our conscience how wee ought to esteeme them that haue the holy Ghost who speaketh vnto vs by them For if we despise them we despise God himselfe S. Paul therefore exhorteth vs to be obedient vnto them to haue them in worthie estimation that shew vs the word of God Worthie they be of double honour partly for that through them God speaketh whose ministers and ambassadors they bee for the highest king of all sendeth them out vnto vs with his commission partly for that they be charged with so dangerous and heauie an office and trauell For though as concerning themselues they liue iustly well and blamelesse yet if they regarde not the life of theyr sheepe but neglect them they must looke for greate and sore punishment Not only for themselues must they giue account but for al the soules that are committed vnto them if one of them perish throgh their negligence Wee should not therefore haue respect to the infirmitie or basenesse of the ministerie but vnto him that sent him and whose commission hee executeth When a Prince or king sendeth out a meane seruant with a commission and charge who will despise him without the wrath and indignation of the prince How can we then contemne the ministers of the high eternall king without plague and punishment This be spoken not that vnworthie and vnmeet men should be placed in so high an
reputation yea albeit hee hath already hurt and betrayed vs. We ought to learne with Christ our head to doe good not onely to our brethren and friends but also to our aduersaries enemies euill willers and such as loue vs not euen vnto them should wee shewe friendship seruing them being gentle milde and louing vnto them We must pray vnto the Lorde that he wil graunt vs grace to fulfill and do that we heare and read of him Furthermore considering that we daily perceiue in our selues spottes and blemishes of sinne so that our feet that is to say our affections desires while wee walke in the myerie waie are still continually defiled and stayned we ought therefore incessantly to watch and to call vnto God that he with the water of his grace will vouchsafe to make cleane our feete and wash away the mire of earthie and carnall spottes that wee in the purenesse of faith may abide in Christ our head and he in vs. Of the Sermon that Christ made vnto his Disciples after the Supper THen saide Iesus vnto his Disciples This night shall you all bee offended because of me For it is written I shall smite the shepheard and the sheepe of the flock shal be scattered But when I am risen againe I will go before you into Galilee Peter answered and said vnto him And though they all bee offended because of thee yet will not I be so Then said Iesus to him Verely I say vnto thee that this night before the cocke crowe twise thou shalt denie me three times Vpon this spake Peter further Though I should die with thee yet will I not denie thee and so said all the Disciples likewise But Iesus said I speake not of you all I know whom I haue chosen He that eateth bread with me shall lift vp his heele against me This I tell you afore hand ere it come to passe that when it is done ye may beleeue that I am he Verely verelie I say vnto you he that receiueth him whom I send receiueth me who so receiueth me receiueth him that sent me When Iesus had spoken this he was troubled in spirit protested and saide Verely verely I say vnto you one of you shall betray me yea euen he that eateth with me The Disciples looked one vppon another and doubting of whome hee spake they were very sorie and dismaied and began to say one after another Lord is it I Then said Iesus One of the twelue euen he that dippeth his hand with me in the platter he shall betray mee The sonne of man goeth as it is written of him but woe vnto him by whom the sonne of man is betraied Better it were for him that he neuer had been borne Then said Iudas that betraied him Lord is it I Then spake Iesus Thou hast said One whom Iesus loued among the Disciples lay vpon Iesus lappe To him beckened Peter and said Who is he that he speaketh of Now when he leaned on Iesus brest he sayde vnto him Lord who is it Iesus aunswered He it is vnto whom I shall reach the soppe And when hee had dipped in the bread he gaue it vnto Iudas Simon Iscarioth and after the soppe entred the deuill into him And Iesus said vnto him That thou doest doo it quickly None of those that sate at the table perceiued why he spake this Some thought seeing Iudas had the purse that Iesus had commaunded him to buy some thing necessarie at the feast or to giue some thing vnto the poore Now when hee had taken it hee went out immediately and it was night Now when hee was gone foorth Iesus saide Now is the sonne of man glorified and God is glorified in him If God be glorified by him then shall God glorifie him in himselfe and shall straight way glorifie him Little children I am yet a small time with you Ye shall seeke me and as I said vnto the Iewes whither I go ye cannot come And now I say vnto you A new commaundement I giue you to loue one another as I haue loued you that yee euen so loue one another Herein shall all men know and perceiue that yee are my Disciples if ye haue loue among your selues Then saide Simon Peter Lord whither goest thou Iesus aunswered him and said Whither I go thou canst not followe mee now but thou shalt followe me hereafter Then said Peter vnto him Why may not I now follow thee I will ieopard my life for thee Iesus aunswered Wilt thou ieopard thy life for mee Verelie verelie I say vnto thee Afore the cock crow thou shalt deny mee thrise Doctrine and fruite GOod vertuous children should harken most diligently vnto the wordes of their father and fasten them in their hartes but specially those wordes which hee speaketh and committeth vnto them now when hee mindeth by death to departe from them and to take his leaue of them For the same wordes beeing the last pierce verie deepe into the heart and are neuer forgotten Seeing then that we are Gods children and Christ heere nameth vs so to be with his Disciples wee ought verie diligently to ponder and consider all his words and doctrine but specially such as hee vttered vnto them when hee now would goe to his passion For there shal we find an ardent earnest and feruent doctrine full of most excellent godlie and inestimable loue proponed and thrust into their heartes with wordes sweeter than honie In this Oration bringeth hee foorth specially that same which most of all concerneth his Disciples First the eternal wisedome declareth that hee is ignorant of nothing that vnto him there is nothing hid Hee knoweth what shall happen vnto them through weakenesse of the flesh and feare of men albeit our feeblenes and imbecillitie doth alwaies breake foorth presume and brag more than wee euer are able to performe as wee haue example in Peter Such headie rashnesse the Lorde rebuketh admonishing vs of our owne weakenesse and fall Moreouer wee ought to consider in Christ our head and fore-runner how earnestly and louingly he mentioneth and warneth the traytour setting his great offence before his eyes and alwaies touching him to remoue him from his wicked purpose Yet maketh hee mention of him and of the vice in such sort that hee neuer desireth his hurt but onely his conuersion and amendment His desire is that hee were reformed not that hee should be bewrayed or that any harme should happen vnto him by him or others Such lenitie and gentlenes ought wee also to shewe and declare vnto our enemies and those that hurt vs if it only concerne vs we should not be desirous of vengeaunce And though wee all ought sore to mourne in the Church that is to saye in the Christian congregation if there be transgressors and naughty people applying our diligence the best we can that such bee not therein yet whereas their vices be secret and as yet not opened we ought in loue and patience to beare and
suffer them vntill the haruest when the Lorde shall purge and cleanse his stoore Besides this wee ought not to cease with warning and aduertisement with correction doctrine that they may leaue off from their obstinate wickednes And when the congregation of God through his grace is quite of such euill people and discharged of such wicked blemishes God must bee thanked and diligence applyed that no wicked thing breede therein againe But aboue all things must we regard that principall and new commaundement which Christ giueth vs namely vpon the loue that he after a new sorte hath declared and performed by the which loue he reneweth those that are his and plentifully indueth them through the holy Ghost whome hee giueth in their hartes Loue comprehendeth and fulfilleth all lawes therefore Christ leaueth all other commaundements and admonisheth vs onely of loue Loue hath he himselfe shewed vs afore-hand of him must we learne to loue Loue is the assured and vnfailing euidence of the children of God Who so hath not it though he had all other vertues yet hath he nothing neither is it profitable to him that hee hath If he haue loue then hath he all thinges that are necessary for his health saluation Therfore ought we to regard nothing so much as loue There is nothing more acceptable nothing more perfect nothing better in heauen and earth than loue for it is of God and may rest no where else but in God Onlie loue maketh vs godly and shapeth vs likest vnto God namely that loue which springeth and groweth out of a pure heart out of a good conscience and of an vnfeined faith Neuertheles wee must loue one another not with wordes onely and with tongues but with the deede and in the trueth euen with our whole harts as Christ loued vs. IESVS said vnto his Disciples Let not your hartes bee troubled If ye beleeue in God beleeue in mee In my Fathers house are many mansions If it were not so I would haue told you I go to prepare a place for you And if I go to prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you euen vnto my selfe that where I am ye may be also and whither I go ye know and the way ye know Then said Thomas Lord we wote not whither thou goest and how is it possible for vs to know the way Then said Iesus I am the way the truth and the veritie No man commeth vnto the Father but by me If ye had knowne me yee had knowne my Father also And now ye know him and haue seene him Philip said vnto him Lord shew vs the Father and it sufficeth vs. Iesus said vnto him Haue I beene so long time with you yet hast thou not knowne me Philip he that hath seene me hath seene the Father And how saiest thou then Shew vs the Father Beleeuest thou not that I am in the Father the Father in me The words that I speake vnto you I speak not of my selfe but the Father that dwelleth in me is he that doth the workes Beleeue me that I am in the Father the Father in me At least beleeue me for the verie workes sake Verely verely I say vnto you he that beleeueth on mee the workes that I do the same shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go vnto my Father And whatsoeuer ye aske in my name that will I doo that the Father may be glorified by the Sonne If ye shall aske any thing in my name I will do it Doctrine and fruite WHen the Disciples of Christ heard of his death and departing what trouble should fall vpon them and what should happen vnto them through the weakenes of the flesh they were verie heauie and dismayed for they had great loue vnto the Lorde and loath were they to departe from him and yet might they not followe him at this time Therfore louingly doth the Lord comfort and strengthen them saying Be not afraide let not your heart be troubled This comfort is spoken vnto vs all for while wee liue heere wee must looke for much trouble and aduersitie whereof springeth many times heauines feare and vnpatiencie in our flesh Therefore Christ who corporally is absent frō vs but present among vs with his grace speaketh vnto vs inwardly by his spirit in our hearts or outwardly by his word and exhortation comfortably strengthening and mightily comforting our feeblenes giuing vs gladnesse also in sorrow To be without aduersitie if it please God otherwise is not good for vs to be rash and heady is hurtfull Therefore bringeth he vs in betweene feare hope that we should turne neither to the right hand nor to the left Much aduersitie suffereth he to come vnto vs so that oft times fearefulnes and sorrow falleth on vs but this keepeth vs in his awe cutteth our combe bringeth downe our pride and humbleth vs. Out of this wee learne that if any humane infirmitie and feeblenes fall vppon vs as it did vpon the Disciples in the Lordes passion wee shall not vtterly despaire nor fall away through fearfulnes but remember that in this time it happeneth so of course that wee must suffer and beare much trouble and aduersitie to the intent that the glorie and power of GOD may bee opened in our weakenesse and yet in all aduersitie must wee bee manly and stout valiauntly fighting for his names sake And though of weaknesse we bee fallen in the field yet will he haue compassion vpon vs and graciously forgiue our fall For who would not bee afraide to fall when the earnest and feruent Apostle Peter fell so sore and all the other Disciples fledde from the Lorde If this chaunced to the beloued Disciples no man need to thinke the contrary but the like may happen vnto him Hee that standeth let him stande fast in the feare of God and looke that he fall not Christ vnto his owne that stande in this conflict and daungerous battaile giueth the shield or target of faith which they cast vp and receiue all strokes shotte therein Beleeue ye in mee saith he Who so beleeueth in Christ beleeueth in God for Christ is God This faith giueth strength and ouercommeth all aduersitie As if Christ would say Bee not afraide by reason of my bodily absence Thogh ye see me no more frō henceforth with bodily eyes yet with my grace and comfort will not I forsake you but be with you vntill the end of the world I wil alway remaine with you Onely looke that ye beleeue in mee continuing and cleauing fast vnto mee with the beleefe of the hart so will I defend deliuer and saue you for euer Be not afraid for anie aduersitie put your confidence in mee After your trouble there is prepared for you an excellent great ioy and an exceeding vnspeakeable reward For in my Fathers house are many dwellings which from euerlasting haue been prepared for all the
forth from the father And Paul Phil. 2. He tooke vppon him the shape of a seruant Who God Also Iohn 17. he saith Glorifie thou me ô Father with the glorie and honour which I had with thee afore the world was created And 1. Iohn 5. Wee knowe that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs vnderstanding to knowe him who is the true God And we are in him that is true euen in his Son Iesus Christ the same is the true God and the eternall lâ—fe Seeing then that God hath giuen vs his Sonne to bee our righteousnes our sanctification sauiour redeemer raunsome life light and head to beleeue trust in him and finally by him to be saued hee must needs then be the true liuing God els might not neither should our hart trust nor cleaue vnto him This ought a beleeuing heart fully and well to take holde of and steadfastly to stand therevpon IF ye loue me keepe my commaundements and I will pray the father and hee shall giue you another comforter that hee may bide with you for euer euen the spirite of truth whom the world cannot receiue because the world seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shalbe in you I will not leaue you comfortlesse but will come to you Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more but ye see me for I liue and yee shall liue That daie shall ye know that I am in my father and you in me and I in you He that hath my commaundements and keepeth them the same is he that loueth me and he that loueth me shall be loued of my father and I will loue him and will shewe mine owne selfe vnto him Iudas said vnto him not Iudas Iscarioth Lorde what is the cause that thou wilt shewe thy selfe vnto vs and not vnto the worlde Iesus answered and said vnto him if a man loue me he will keepe my sayings and my Father will loue him and wee wil come vnto him and wil dwell with him He that loueth me not keepeth not my sayings and the wordes which yee heare are not mine but the Fathers which hath sent me Doctrine and fruite CHrist promiseth his Disciples that is such as beleeue on him that he will giue them whatsoeuer they make peticion for or desire yea if they loue him For faith without loue is dead hath no strength Where there is faith in man there followeth loue Many of vs say Wee beleeue in Christ and we loue him yet we keepe not his commaundements Such men ought well to note the wordes that Christ heere speaketh Who so loueth me keepeth my commaundements The Disciples thought that they loued Christ right because they were sorie for his departing but Christ teacheth vs that loue consisteth in the keeping of his commaundements If we will declare our loue towardes GOD it must not be done onely with word and tongue but with keeping of his precepts The eies of the Lord behold the righteous and his eares consider their prayers God will not that we whome hee through his grace hath admitted for his own children and purified through faith should goe idle Faith which God giueth vs in our heart standeth not idle wee haue for this purpose receyued it euen to keep his commandements Now is it his commaundement that wee denie and mortifie our selues hate and despise the worlde take vp our crosse vppon vs and followe him stoutly and manfully confessing and acknowledging him before the wicked worlde louing one another as hee hath loued vs innocently and godly leading our liues whereby we may daily receiue the more giftes at his hande For if wee keepe not his grace that hee giueth vs if wee do not continually and daily reforme our selues and with all diligence fashion our liues after his life it is but right that we loose againe what wee haue receiued And if anie man saith it were vnpossible for man to keepe Gods commaundementes as it is true indeed yet vnto vs that beleeue in Christ are all things possible not in our selues but in Christ our head If we abide in him through faith then hard and vnpossible things are light and possible vnto vs for in him that strengtheneth vs we may do all thinges And if wee loue God then for his sake that is beloued wee may doe and suffer all thinges for there is nothing but loue ouercommeth it Our Lorde Iesus Christ fulfilleth the commaundements and will of his heauenly Father So farre as wee now are his members incorporated with him and abiding in him as our head through faith our daily exercise feruentnes and diligence shall bee in vndertaking to perfourme and keepe his commaundementes And if wee out of a true beleefe doe applie such diligence to keepe his preceptes then mâ— it be perceiued that we loue God And if that after such diligence in keeping Gods commandements there be ought lacking as we shal euer heere want some thing wee must crie vnto our heauenly Father and pray O Father forgiue vs our debts and trespasses And then haue wee with him a faithfull mediatour euen Iesus Christ the righteous who maketh intercession for vs and taketh our faults vpon himselfe what wee are not not able that fulfilleth he for vs. Thus is it his first highest coÌ„maundement which he earnestly requireth of vs that wee beleue in him Where the same faith is right it brings with it loue which keepeth al the commandements Now when we begin to breake our mindes off from earthie worldly thinges and to set them vpon godlie heauenly things which Christ calleth vs vnto Then take we in hande to bee obedient vnto God the Father after the example and patterne of Christ for he loued vs first If wee now also loue him and practise our selues in his loue then shall hee helpe vs to keepe his commaundements And to the intent that we may be able to put our trust in him to loue him and to obserue his precepts hee promiseth vs his holy spirite to worke all such things in vs. Hee comforteth also his Disciples and all his elect in this world as if he would say Be not yee afraide neither sorrowfull by reason of my departing Albeit I now die and goe corporally from you vnto the Father yet will I alwaies haue a fatherly loue faithfulnesse and care for you neither will I leaue you friendles as those that are vtterly destitute of al helpe and consolation I will pray vnto the Father so that hee shall sende you another to succour and comfort you While I haue been with you my selfe I haue instructed and taught you in all thinges that were necessary for your welfare Vnto all such workes as are acceptable vnto my father haue I exhorted you vnto all good thinges haue I moued you from all euill haue I defended you in all trouble and aduersitie haue I comforted you I haue beene your teacher your exhorter your
ought wee to bring them foorth vnto his honour must they extend Matth. 5.28 For when Gods light doth appeare and shine in our conuersation many folkes thereby are drawn vnto God The father of heauen is honoured his name is hallowed and then are we his disciples For wee haue learned of him howe Christ was obedient vnto the father and sought his glorie in all things so do we likewise Heereunto ought all our praiers to extend that we may bring and winne much vnto Christ Therein is the father praised whē we bring vnto him much fruit but that might wee not if God had giuen vs his sonne that wee might bee his branches and hee our vine Where faith is there is the holy Ghost which teacheth to wishe and praie for that onely which may serue to Gods honour and that is the cause why he that prayeth obtayneth all his desire for GOD may not giue ouer his glorie Who so vndertaketh to further that him doeth hee assist and helpe AS the Father hath loued mee so haue I loued you Continue ye in my loue If ye keep my commandements ye shall abide in my loue as I haue kept my fathers commaundementes and abide in his loue These things haue I spoken vnto you that my ioy might remaine in you and that your ioy might be full This is my commandement that yee loue together as I haue loued you Greater loue than this hath no man that a man bestowe his life for his friendes Yee are my friendes if yee doo whatsoeuer I commaund you Henceforth call I you not seruauntes for the seruant knoweth not what his Lord doth But you haue I called friends for all things that I haue heard of my father haue I opened vnto you Yee haue not chosen mee but I haue chosen you and ordained you that ye goe and bring forth fruit and that your fruit remain that whatsoeuer ye ask of the father in my name he may giue it you This command I you that ye loue together one another Doctrine and fruit OH how excellent great consolation is this to vs all which beleeue in Iesus Christ and are vndoubtedly assured in ourselues that Christ loueth vs as his owne children and disciples howsoeuer the world iudge vs to be forsaken of him If this loue came right into our heart oh how earnest and feruent should we be to loue him agayne to further his honour to keepe his commaundementes and in charitable loue to serue our neighbors Then should all good workes and keeping of Gods commaundements flowe out of faith namely when we beleeue that God is fauourable and louing vnto vs yea that he is our father and our sonne Iesus Christ our king head and brother This faith worketh through loue for wee coulde not loue God if hee had not loued vs first His grace loue and mercie preuenteth vs. Therefore doth Christ euer still set forth his loue before vs as a light torch to kindle vs in loue towardes him and our neighbours If wee beleeue this grace committing vs cheerfully vnto his loue which he hath declared cōtinually doth practise towards vs if we still abide therein then shall this faith vpon the loue of God worke great things in vs and by vs and shall moue vs with good will gladly and cheerefullie to obserue his commaundements And if wee keepe his commaundements euerie man shall haue an assured token that wee bee and continue in the loue of God that is that we keepe our selues vnto his loue Seeing then that hee loueth vs exceeding much and we finding the same in our hearts through faith doe comfort our selues thereupon there must needs followe loue to our neighbours ioye peace softnesse of minde gentlenes patience c. Gal. 5. Now that Christ doth not slenderly but most notably loue his Disciple and all in them hee proueth it himselfe diuerse waies First in that hee giueth his life for vs and dyeth for vs vpon the Crosse for greater loue hath no man than to dye for his friend Thus Christ with his death and blood sealeth his loue towards vs. Secondly in that hee counteth and esteemeth vs not as seruants but as deare friendes bretheren and heires with him And the same declareth hee in this that all things which hee hath heard of his father and suckt out of that fatherly heart he openeth them vnto vs and writeth the same through his holy spirit in our hearts All his secret his godly will he giueth vs to vnderstād For we which be in Christ do know through an vndoubted faith feele it also in our hearts that God is our father through Christ that in him he hath admitted chosen vs that he is reconciled with vs through the bloud of his deare Sonne that he loueth preserueth and defendeth vs. Therefore doe wee also paciently and chearefully beare all aduersitie in this time for his sake considering wee knowe that so is the good pleasure of our dearest Father Thirdly Christ declareth his excellent loue towards vs in that he did chuse vs afore the world was created loued vs when we were yet his enemies calling vs by his worde and appointing vs to bring forth fruit vnto him Fourthly in that we obtaine at the fathers hand all that we pray and desire in the name of Iesu Are not these sure tokens of an exceeding loue of God towards vs After that we once haue perceiued such loue ô that we alwayes remained therein Which commeth to passe when wee applie ourselues vnto his commaundements and when wee in obedience and patience are content to bee at his will as hee for our sake was obedient vnto his Father euen vntill the death of the crosse Now that wee might knowe what his commandements be he concludeth them in a short summe and saith Loue yee one another together as I haue loued you As if he would say seeing I haue declared my loue so worthily so notably and with so great faithfulnesse towardes you that I haue nor refused to die for you therefore is it my will and so is it reason also that yee likewise shewe such loue one towards another for I haue giuen you example afore that ye should do as I haue done and follow my foot-steppes This shall not onely bee very seemely vnto you but much profite also and greate honour shall it bring you For like as my Father as yee shall shortlie see shall after my passion bring mee vnto glorie so shall hee also doe vnto you so farre as yee endure stedfast in aduersitie and continue in loue one towards another Like as I with great trauaile and labour haue shewed you the way and will of GOD my Father and therefore goe nowe vnto death to make you liuing so ought yee also to bee minded one towardes another Looke that yee serue one another in loue lead all men vnto God and the grace of God which he giueth vnto
teacher Wee ought to haue respect vnto our fore-goer and finisher of our faith remembring that wee suffer not as theeues and euill dooers but for his sake yea and that of the wicked This shall make our aduersitie and crosse the more easie and light when wee feele the comfort of the spirite and beholde how shamefull a death Christ suffered for vs. Therfore should there no feare make vs to shrinke from the confession of Christ and his trueth Wee are not they that speake but it is the spirite of the Father which speaketh in vs. Wee maye not feare those that kill the bodie we may not bee ashamed of him so shall hee also knowledge vs and make vs honourable in his fathers sight The honour of this world should not bee dearer vnto vs than the glorie of God And though wee die for it yet ought we not to shrinke or stirre from the confession of the trueth This ingendreth manie times much heauines and feare in vs that wee consider onely that which is present little regarding that which is to come and euerlasting And because wee thinke that when GOD thrusteth vs into aduersitie he is farre from vs whereas hee then is most of all with vs by his grace comfort and strength and tryeth vs through the crosse standing behinde the wall and looking through the grate vppon our conflict and battaile yea helping vs to fight and to ouercome Therefore must we not alwayes bee children wee must not hang still at the brest seeking milke as children doo but growe to a perfect age learning to knowe Christ the Lord after the spirite as hee now gouerneth and is a mightie king vnder whose banner wee must fight valiantly and indure the crosse vnto the death throwing behind vs all thinges in this worlde and lifting vp our eyes and harts into heauen whence our helpe commeth and into the which Christ is gone to prepare for vs an euerlasting dwelling ANd when the spirit is come he will rebuke the worlde of sinne and of righteousnes and of iudgment Of sin because they beleeue not on me of righteousnesse because I go to my father and ye shall see me no more of iudgment because the prince of this world is iudged alreadie I haue yet many thinges to say vnto you but yee cannot heare them now Howbeit when hee is come which is the spirite of truth he will lead you into all truth For he shall not speake of himselfe but whatsoeuer he shall heare that shall he speake and he will shew you thinges to come Hee shall glorifie mee for he shal receiue of mine and shal shew vnto you All things that the Father hath are mine Therefore said I that he shal take of mine and shew vnto you Doctrine and fruite IN these wordes doth Christ shew vs the office of the holy Ghost and what he worketh by his disciples and by all faithfull beleeuers in the worlde The whole world is sette vpon wickednesse and iniquitie and when that is rebuked it hateth and persecuteth those that rebuke it Whereout it followeth oftentimes that through imbecillitie and weakenesse of the flesh we cease from rebuking of vice and sinne Now when we find it to be thus that the infirmitie of our flesh and the terrible threatening of the world will hinder vs or vtterly drawe vs backe from the free rebuking of vice wee ought to praye vnto God our Father for to giue vs the spirit of his sonne that he may powre out loue into our hearts and expell all feare that with stoute stomacks and wordes we may reprehend the vyces of the world and valiantly resist them This spirit shall teach vs the thing that neither our flesh nor the world is instructed in All we of nature doe erre and euery one wandreth his owne waie that is euery one foloweth his owne purpose and intent and if we beleeue not in Christ we perish in our sinnes And this is the greatest sin of all wherein the world is wrapt afore it receiue the truth Not to beleeue in Christ is a sinne out of the which all vyce and wickednes dooth growâ— How great this sinne is no man is able to knowe onely the spirit of God openeth it therefore the spirite teacheth vs how farre we goe astray And if we come to Christ from this erronius waie of vnbeliefe all sinnes are forgiuen vs through Christ and not imputed vs to our damnation Neither is it enough to knowe that wee haue erred or doe yet erre but wee must know also which is the right waie wherein when error is forsaken wee must walke to attaine vnto godlines and blisse This right waie doth the spirit also shewe to be euen Christ who is our waie our righteousnes and goodnes which waie neuertheles the world will not goe To beleeue in Christ is the true way to attaine vnto righteousnes and saluation who so now departeth not from the erroneous waie of vnbeliefe and vice and will not walke in Christ the way of all vertue and goodnes which all the world alas so abhorreth the same is conuict that the iudgement of eternall paine doth righteously fall vpon him seeing the light is set before him and he will rather abide perish in darknesse But is not this a iust iudgement that the world should perish in sinne and be punished for euer considering that God hath graciously sent vnto them his owne sonne promising euerlasting lyfe and saluation in him who with his bloud hath washed awaie our sinnes mightily ouercome death sin and the prince of this worlde deliuered vs out of his power and heauie yoake and taken possession of the kingdome and glorie with his father And yet they will not know receiue nor honour Christ as theyr chiefe king and Lord but still serue the prince of this world in vice sin not submit themselues vnder the easie yoake of Christ of his loue and vertues O deare children let vs departe out of the kingdome of darknes into the kingdome of Iesus Christ the sonne of God let vs regarde his word with diligence let vs hearken what God speaketh in vs and though there bee many things that as yet we knowe not many that we do not vnderstand and perceiue we will earnestly praie vnto God for his spirite who is the right schoolmaster and teacher Hee shall lead vs into all truth he shall renue vs in the spirite of our minde and teach vs to vnderstand what the good acceptable and perfect will of God is He shall plant and roote vs in loue that we may comprehend with all Saints what is the length the breadth the height and deapth that wee may also knowe the exceeding loue of the knowledge of Christ that we might bee filled in all godly perfectnes Thus the spirite teacheth vs all truth when he poureth loue into our harts This schoolmaster teacheth all beleeuers here in time euerie
the ministers of the word to desire that God throgh his holy name power will defend strength comfort and preserue them in all aduersitie but principally that hee will giue them grace to bee one coupled together in the band of peace loue and vniformitie that they may be of one spirite and of one mind that in one spirite they may further and plant the honour of God that like as Christ neither spake nor did anie thing but that which was acceptable and wel pleasing vnto the father they also in their sayinges and dooinges may haue respect vnto Gods glorie and that they being rooted and fortified in loue bee not vanquished nor ouercome of the pleasures or threateninges of this world Secondly that in all their labour and trauaile in al aduersitie and persecutions hee will put into theyr hartes his owne comfort and spirituall ioy For the worlde hath manifolde mirthes pastimes and pleasures much bragging and wilfulnesse vseth it in the riches and fleshly voluptuousnes thereof But the true Ministers of Christ seeing hee hath seuered them from the worlde must and ought to refraine and absent themselues from all worldly ioy and voluptuousnes yea it is they that ought to diswade the worlde from such wantonnesse and vanitie by meanes of whose faithfull admonition there falleth much hatred and trouble vpon them Neither were it to the furtheraunce of Gods honour and our commoditie to haue them vtterlye taken away out of this worlde Therefore dooth Christ desire and so must wee with him that from euill namely from the Deuill the Prince of this worlde who stirreth the world against them they may of the father in the world be defended and kept Thirdly that he will sanctifie and cleanse them afore other men that they may be holy and pure vessels in the house and temple that is in the Church of God for they are means instruments by whoÌ„ God ministereth his grace and truth vnto men therfore is it also conuenient that they be pure and holy This commeth throgh the truth that God putteth in their mouth and heart by the holy Ghost which inwardly purifieth them But then are they holy when they teach truth and liue godly Into the worlde hath Christ sent theÌ„ as the father sent him into the world The father sent Christ into the world that he should destroy the kingdome of the deuill and of the world that he should declare vnto the world the grace and mercie of God towardes mankinde that he shoulde bring men from sinne and from false idolatrish faith to the true liuing God and to a vertuous conuersation that he with the light of truth should shine vpon those which sate in darknes that he should bring the knowledge of God into the world exhort men to the amendement of life Euen this hath Christ giuen in commission to his Apostles and to all ministers of the worde to doo This is their office this is their ministration vnto this haue they greate neede of the grace power and assistance of God therefore ought we most earnestly to praie for them for if they fail or fal it hurteth the whole Church yea out of the same there groweth slaunder vnto the name of God in the sight of the vnbeleeuers and an occasion of falling to such as are weake of faith Therefore Christ also offered himselfe to the father for them and sanctified them that they might bee pure and holy not in outward apparance but from the heart and in the truth that through their vniformity loue through the word of truth which they preach through the holynes of their doctrine and liuing all men and the whole world might know and vnderstand that God hath sent them yea that God sent his son Christ into the world vnto whome they with mouth and life beare record and who also euery where shineth out of them with wordes and deeds Not onely for them hath Christ praied but also for vs as many as hearken and beleeue the worde of truth preached by them Wherein first wee may perceiue and see the loue faithfulnes and great care of Christ for vs how earnestly the trustie shepheard of our soules committeth his poore sheepe into his fathers protection how faithfully our mediatour and aduocate praieth for vs whereby also he setteth forth a doctrine vnto vs how and what we shal pray of the heauenly father First that he will make vs one by his holy spirite in the truth in the vnitie of faith and in loue vnseparable that we all may be of one mind one body and one spirit in Christ Iesu our head and to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace that we all being illuminated by his spirit may in word and deed yea in our whole life seeke and further the glorie of our heauenly father that we all may bee one among our selues with God whereby all the worlde may spie see and perceiue that we are Gods children and Christs disciples Secondly that of his fatherly goodnes he will defend saue preserue vs his own poore sheep which be in the midst among wolues manifold dangers And seeing we being yet in the world do not liue after the world that it will please him to keepe vs from the euill namely froÌ„ the prince of of this world that thogh the same our enemie doth tempt plague vs he neuer yet haue power to preuaile against vs. Thirdly that inasmuch as we being in sin conceiued and borne haue hetherto liued in sinne seeing that albeit we are cleansed alreadie by his word and faith yet the vncleannes of the flesh and of the world doth daily defile vs it wil please him throgh his truth to purge and sanctifie our bodies our soules and our whole life that wee may become an holy temple of his grace pure cleane holy vessels consecrated sanctified to Gods own vse He hath once purified hallowed vs through the bloud of his son and vnto the father hath Christ sanctified and offered vp himselfe an holy acceptable sacrifice for our sins but the deuill the world and our flesh is euer busie to lead vs away againe from God from true holines Therefore must wee daily pray vnto him that through his holy spirit through his holy truth he wil continually purge clense sanctifie vs that we be not disseÌ„bling hypocrites but godly and vnfained euen from our harts that we be not stained in the filthines of this world but to refraine from all vncleannes thorogh the assistaÌ„ce of his grace that we may also offer vp our bodies an holy acceptable sacrifice to â—od the Lord as he offered vp himselfe vppon the crosse for our sakes FAther I will that they which thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may see my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst me before the making of the world O righteous father
vnto him and after many questions and examinations they hang him vp vpon a crosse Thus the high God is brought low as if he were most vile the almightie is defaced as if he were most weake of all the wisest of all is laughed to scorne as if hee were a naturall foole the most vnguiltie is handled as an euill doer This spectacle ought wee verie diligently to behold for wee are laden with grieuous burdens of all wickednesse and haue for our iniquitie deserued so much that wee are worthie of all rebuke shame and confusion yet are wee vnpatient when wee bee despised Neuerthelesse all such vile intreating doth Christ suffer for our sakes to deliuer vs from eternall 〈◊〉 and confusion which wee iustly haue deâ— O Lord take from vs all wantonnesse and pride 〈…〉 vs thy seruaunts wilfully 〈…〉 our bodies whereas thou Lord king of heauen are scornefully despised in a fooles coate O Lord set thou before our eies and heartes the contempt and derision that was done vnto thee Teach vs to followe thee thorough the contempt and hatred of our selues and to reioyce when wee are despised Let vs neuer set our hope vpon men vpon praise vpon honour vpon power vppon monie but that from the bottome of our harts we may be able to despise all temporall things and loue thereof and firmly and steadfastly to followe after thee O Lord Iesu our welfare that as touching all the rebuke and contempt which thou for vs poore vnworthie sinners hast suffered wee may beare the same in the perpetuall remembraunce of our heart and neuer forget it Amen PIlate called together the high Priests and chiefe rulers with the common people and sayde vnto them Yee haue brought this man vnto mee as one that peruerteth the people And behold I examined him before you finde no fault in this man of those things whereof yee accuse him no nor yet Herode For I sent you to him lo nothing worthie of death is done vnto him So Pilat went againe into the iudgement hall and called Iesus and sayde vnto him Art thou the king of the Iewes Then answered Iesus Speakest thou that 〈…〉 others tolde it thee of me Pilate answered 〈…〉 Iew Thy people and thy high Priestes 〈…〉 vnto me What hast thou done Iesus answered 〈◊〉 â—dome is not of this world if my kingdome were of this world assuredly my ministers would fight for mee that I should not be giuen ouer vnto the Iewes But now is not my kingdome from hence Then sayd Pilate Then art thou a king Iesus aunswered Thou sayest it I am a king For this cause was I borne for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth Who so is of the truth heareth my voyce Then sayde Pilate vnto him What is truth When hee sayde this hee went foorth againe to the Iewes and sayde vnto them I finde no fault in him But ye haue a custome that I shoulde deliuer one vnto you loose at Easter Will ye that I loose vnto you the king of the Iewes Whome will ye that I shall let goe Barrabas or Iesus which is called Christ For he knew that the Priestes had of enuie and hatred deliuered him vp Then cried they all and sayd Not him but Barrabas As for Barrabas he was a murtherer who because of an vproare made in the Citie and for man-slaughter was layde in prison Then spake Pilate farther with them willing to let Iesus loose But they cried Crucifie him crucifie him Then said he vnto them the third time What euill then hath he don I finde no cause in him Therfore will I punish him and let him go Doctrine and fruit FOrasmuch as the deuil knoweth that Christ and his ministers applie all diligence with their doctrine that the kingdome of him who is the Prince of this worlde 〈◊〉 hee destroied and that the kingdome of Iesus Christ the sonne of God the chiefe king of all might prosper hee bringeth to passe that Christ and the Ministers of the word are noted and suâ—pected of sedition wheras they yet seeke nothing lesse than worldly power and dominion Christ flyeth away when they would make him king now is he noted and accused as one that seeketh to bee Emperor Neuertheles Christ is a true king whose kingdome consisteth not in corporall things but in spirit and in power Christ despised all honor riches power and pleasures of this world his Ministers therfore must of all the world bee contemned But Christ ruleth through his spirite and power in their hearts they also shall rule with him in the resurrection Hee is the trueth and giueth witnesse vnto the trueth who so is of the truth heareth his voyce and beareth record also vnto the trueth Heere likewise we learne the vnstedfastnes of the worlde they that afore ranne still after Christ and would haue made him king crying ioyfully Hosanna vnto the Lorde crie now Crucifie him crucifie him So little worthie is the praise and commendation of the world to be regarded They that said afore Praised be he that commeth in the name of the Lorde the same crie nowe Away with him crucifie him and so they chose a murtherer in stead of the Sauiour Their request is that the murtherer may liue as for the Sauiour well of life him they desire to be put to death If we pondered this well in our hearts that our Sauiour Iesus was esteemed worse and more vile than a murtherer there should be nothing that wee would not be glad to suffer for his sake Now when the world is in hande with vs and casteth manie opprobrious wordes vppon vs we must not be ouercome with vnpatiencie the false accusation and threatening of wicked people ought not to make vs shrinke but if we loue Christ with our harts we must remember his patience when he was falsely accused and reuyled for our sakes and so with stopped cares ought wee to lette all sharpe wordes passe yea to pray for them that speake euill of or to vs. When our good workes and meanings are taken in euill part our enterprise resisted our wordes reiected and refused of euerie man wee ought paciently to suffer it For farre inferiouis are wee vnto Christ our Lord ouer whom goeth so horrible and wicked a crie Crucifie him crucifie him Hereof should all faithfull beleeuers bee admonished yea assured if they mind to liue godly in Christ Iesu that they must suffer much persecution that if they wil walke and go forward in the way of God they must beare many hurtfull and noysome things for no man can please GOD that for his sake is not exercised in much aduersitie Therefore saith hee vnto his deare friendes Blessed are yee when men reuyle you and persecute you shall falsely speake all manner of euill against you for my sake Reioice and bee gladde for great is your reward in heauen Math. 5. Wherefore deare children let vs follow our innocent Lord
armes to call and receiue vnto himselfe vs poore sinners lost children saying Come to me all ye that labour and are laden and I will refresh you He sheweth his woundes out of the which floweth the plentifull riuer and fountaine of his precious deare bloud to the washing awaie of all our filthynesse Hee boweth downe his head to speake friendly vnto vs. Boldly therfore with great comfort and confidence ought al sinners to resort vnto him where they shall find help consolation defence and protection there should they laie downe the heauie burthens of theyr sinnes Vnto vs must al the world be a crosse and we vnto the world onely let Christ the Lord be our life and to die with him our greatest aduantage Farre bee from vs all reioycing saue onely in the crosse of Iesus Christ farre be from vs al confidence in our owne workes merites for all our health consisteth in the crosse of Iesus Christ wherein vndoubtedly we may well set all our hope By him commeth forgiuenesse of sinnes out of him floweth the riches of all deseruing with him is the reward of all righteousnes Through the contempt of our selues and of all temporall things let vs barely nakedly and simply followe the naked and crucified Lord. Teach vs O God to haue delight in contemning our selues and all temporal things and when other folkes are in trouble to be sorrie and praie for them Grant vs grace to wish good vnto those that hurt and punish vs let vs not trust in men for there bee fewe faithfull and constant friends Heere also should we learne not to be grieued if we haue few louers and many enemies for so happened euen vnto Christ our head He had many foes to whome yet he did none euil but much good and receiued great vnthanke for his labour Sweete and acceptable should it bee vnto vs to suffer reproch of the world and to be despised for his sake yea to auoyd all voluptuousnes and ioy of the world saying we are fastned vnto the crosse with Christ To seeke much pastime pleasure of the world becommeth not him that must suffer aduersitie All this learne we in the passion of Christ and in the crosse Blessed is hee that directeth his daily exercise and his whole life there after hee shall enioy the fruit of the tree of life for euer O GOD heauenlie Father looke vppon the face of thine annointed who hanged for vs vppon the crosse Be merciful vnto vs poore sinners which bee laden with great and greeuous sinnes forgiue vs for the most worthie merites sake of thine onelie begotten deare sonne who for our sinnes was beaten and wounded Let him satisfie thee for all our sinnes He is our suretie in thy sight our faithful aduocat and mediatour him thou gladly hearest O father of mercie and graciouslie acceptest his intercession for all sinners O gracious Lord Iesu sonne of the eternall God who of verie loue towards vs tookest vpon thee our weake fleshe vndefiled from all sinne and diddest offer vp the same flesh vnto thy father vpon the Altar of the crosse for the safegard of the worlde haue mercy vppon vs thy seruauntes for thy euerlasting goodnes and for the infinite merites sake of thy holie passion For thy deseruing excelleth al mens sins and much greater is the aboundance of thy mercie then all our wickednesse Therefore flie wee vnto thee vnder the protection of thy holy crosse with sighing hearts seeke we helpe grace and remedy for our woundes Receiue vs that are fledde vnto thee Heale vs that be sick make vs iust and righteous that be sinners Drawe thou vs vppe an high O Lord Iesu from all worldlie thinges binde vppe our fleshe with thy feare wound vs with thy sweet loue that nothing els take holde of our heart saue onely Iesus Christ Out of the woundes of Iesu and out of the running out of his bloud doe wee receiue hope There finde wee medicine for our soules aboundance of grace and perfect forgiuenesse Whatsoeuer we receiue of sinfull vices whatsoeuer wee commit with bodily sensualitie the same is altogether washed and refourmed in the fountaine of Christs bloud O the vnoutspeakable loue which the sonne of God beareth towards his Church that he washeth and clenseth it with his owne bloud with the bloud of the new Testament that it may be holy pure and without spot Not with siluer and golde doth GOD redeeme his creature but with the precious bloud of his owne sonne O deare children let vs not tread vnder foote the bloud of the holie Testament let vs not be vnthankefull vnto our Sauiour Thy holie bloud O Iesu make vs pure and cleane from all sinne and sanctifie vs thoroweout that our spirite soule and bodie may cheerefullie waite for thy comming and liue with thee for euer IESVS said O Father forgiue them for they knowe not what they doe Pilate wrote a superscription of the matter and fastened it aboue at the head of the crosse The superscription was written in the Greeke Latine and Hebrew with these woordes Iesus of Nazareth king of the Iewes This superscription did many of the Iewes read for the place where Iesus was crucified was neere vnto the Citie and the superscription was written in Greeke Latine and Hebrew Then said the high Priestes of the Iewes vnto Pilate write not king of the Iewes but that he called himselfe king of the Iewes Pilate answered What I haue written I haue written The souldiers when they had crucified Iesus they tooke his garmentes and made foure parts to euery souldier one part and also his coat The coat was without seam wrought vpon thorow out Then said they together let vs not deuide it but cast lottes for it who shall haue it that the scripture might be fulfilled saying They haue parted my raiment among them and for my coat they cast lots And the souldiers did such things in deed Then sate they downe and kept him There stood also much people and beheld Doctrine and fruit THE last wordes which Iesus spake vppon the crosse ought all faithful beleeuers wel to write in their hearts and therein diligently to keepe them First he spake a louing friendly word a word ful of grace sweet comfort to al sinners sufficient and enough to breake al hardnes of hart and to prouoke fruitfull repentance Father forgiue them O how great goodnes and louing kindnes is this how ready is Iesus vnto mercy how well willing is hee to forgiue his louers that sheweth himselfe so mild and gracious vnto his enemies No angrie word no displeasure poureth hee out against those that crucified him no vengeance nor plague desireth he to fal vppon that vngracious people but speaketh most sweet woordes full of ardent loue O Father forgiue them c. In these words apeareth his exceeding great loue with vnoutspeakable softnes of mind which thorow no mallice might bee ouerome They like madde and bloud thirstie
men cried Away with him crucifie him crucifie him O the wonderfull great lenitie of our Lord Iesus Christ They reuile and misintreat him to the vttermost he praieth for them that they beeing conuerted from their wickednes may acknowledge him the very true son of God to haue appeared in the flesh Here is fulfilled that Esay said hee hath borne the sinnes of many and made intercession for the transgressours that they should not perish Who now being in sinne wil despaire in the mercie of God when the great offenders that crucified and slewe the giuer of all remission found so great grace and goodnes A stedfast hope therefore ought we to conceiue and to bee sure of howe great soeuer our sinne be The hope of life standeth yet open the bowels of mercie are yet readie prepared Onely vnto him let vs resort full gratiously will hee receiue vs so far as wee giue ouer our selues vnto him Heere likewise by the example of our fore-goer wee must learne to forgiue our neighbour to pray also for our enemies and for those that do vs harme If we gladly forgiue that little God will forgiue vs the great If we so do we finde grace and are the children of the heauenly Father As for the recompencing of all despite taking of vengeance wee must commit and refer that vnto our Father who iudgeth righteously O Iesu thou heauenly schoolmaster teach vs this and graunt vs grace to doe it Giue vs also an assured hope of thy mercie and grace that wee fall into no despaire through the multitude of our sinnes but with faithfull minds to consider that for to heale sin thou camest into this world hast shed thy bloud O graunt vnto vs free refuge and sure defence vnder the shadowe of thy winges and vnder the inuincible token of thy holie crosse Receiue vs poore sinners which vtterly trust not in anie good deede or merit of our owne but onely in thy mercie Amen Verie spitefull extremitie is shewed vnto our Sauiour in that he must beholde and see how the vile vnthriftes part his clothes amongst them By this is there set forth vnto vs a doctrine how wee ought to behaue our selues if our temporall goodes bee withdrawne and taken from vs. Wee must bee readier to suffer temporal harme than to bee reuenged or with vnquiet suite at the law to require our owne He that created the whole worlde hath not a corner where to rest his head Hee that beautifieth and decketh all things hangeth bare and naked himselfe Whereby we must learne to be pacient if that which is ours be taken from vs wee must learne to bee content with few thinges and to take in good part things of small reputation and not to grudge but with quiet minds to be thankfull vnto God O Lord grant vnto vs that we appeare not naked and bare before thee cloth vs with the wedding garment of faith and loue and when wee suffer wrong giue vs grace to followe thine example in patience that no sorrowe nor heauinesse for losse of temporall goods lead vs away from thee Amen THey that passed by reuiled and blasphemed him wagging their heades and saieng ha thou that breakest downe the temple and settest it vp againe in three dayes helpe now thy selfe if thou be the Sonne of God come downe from the crosse The high Priestes also mocked him together with the Scribes and Elders and saide amongst themselues He helped others can hee not helpe himselfe If he be Christ the chosen of God the king of Israell lette him come downe now from the crosse we will beleeue him He setteth his hope and trust in God let him deliuer him if hee will haue him for hee hath said I am the Sonne of GOD. The murtherers also that were crucified with him cast the same in his teeth and reuiled him The people stoode there and wayted and the chiefe of them mocked him and saide Hath hee helped others and cannot helpe himselfe and is Christ the chosen of GOD. The souldiers also mocked him came and proffered him vineger and said If thou be king of the Iewes helpe thy selfe One of the murtherers that hanged by him reuiled him also and said If thou bee Christ helpe thy selfe and vs. But the other rebuked him and said Fearest thou not God seeing thou art in the same damnation As for vs we are iustly punished for we receiue according to our deeds but this man hath done nothing amisse And he said vnto Iesus Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdome And Iesus said vnto him Verely I say vnto thee this day shalt thou be with me in paradise Doctrine and fruite IEsus for our sake tooke vpon himselfe the most extreme shame rebuke derision to deliuer vs from eternall villainy and that wee should learne gladly to suffer reproch and shame and to despise the vain-glorie of this world He is mocked contemned of high and lowe of spirituall temporall and of euerie man For they being ful of gal bitternes and poison poure it out with their false tongues and outwarde gestures casting out wicked slaundrous wordes and sharpening their venemous tongs against the innocent sauiour They rather shuld haue bewailed their owne great sinnes but there is no compassion nor mercie in them their harts are stopt Sathan hath the leading of them Yet cannot their malice ouercome good Iesus Through their wickednesse and despite cannot his patience bee vanquished No opprobrious or vile word might cause him to omit the worke of our redemption but hee continueth in loue and performeth it with an honorable ende Euen as hee teacheth vs to endure vnto the end so doth he practise it himselfe and declareth it vnto vs in deede and example We therfore that wil be followers of Iesu Christ shuld set before vs this excellent example of our forgoer and learne to contemne the world and stoutlie to abide in our holie vocation and purpose It is the worke of Christ that we haue in hand and before vs we haue an high perfect example giuer of whom we ought to learne euen Christ Iesus who for our sakes was obedient to the Father vntill the death of the crosse Wherefore seeing we are become children of God throgh grace we must be obedient to our heauenly father looking to his good pleasure bidding the world farewell despising the mocks and scorns therof looking vp euer diligently vnto the crucified Lorde Iesus who waiteth for vs with outstretched armes calleth vs louingly vnto him and for a shorte trauaile promiseth vs eternall rewarde and saith If thou suffer with mee thou shalt raigne with mee If thou dye with mee thou shalt also be crowned with mee O Lord Iesu Christ our fore-goer and protector graunt vs grace stedfastly to continue in our holie vocation and to abide in thy seruice that through no tediousnes or slouth we shrinke or cease from the feruentnes of good workes and holie exercises that we being alway readie
said hee bowed his head and gaue vp the ghost Doctrine and fruit THE life of all liuing dieth after the fleshe thorow the painefull torment of death doth Iesus depart But by his death hee openeth vnto vs the way of life and taketh from vs euarlasting death This is a precious dear and victorious death which hath slaine our death and conquered vs life againe Let this death euermore continue in our hearts and let our death bee considered in the consideration of his death This shall bring vs comfortable trust and hope when our death striueth in vs so that we shall neither be afraid nor despaire if wee steadfastly beleeue that Christ died for vs and that hee through his death hath opened vnto vs euerlasting life Let vs with deuout heartes consider the death of him that hath redeemed vs and restored vs againe The gracious innocent Lorde Iesus dieth miserable and naked so poore so destitute as no man els And yet vnto God is none so deare although of men hee he most vilely intreated This is euen the reward of the worlde to despise the children of God and to recompence euil for good If the like happen vnto vs we must not thinke it straunge for the seruant is not aboue the Lord. The Lorde hangeth on the crosse hard pearced not onely with nailes but also with ardent loue towards vs sore beaten and hurt in euerie place without succour without helpe without comfort euen as a dead man who is forgotten and out of minde Ponder well O thou good seruant of Christ who and how great hee is that crying with a loud voyce giueth vp the ghost Verilie euen the sonne of GOD as Centurio likewise dooth testifie O deare brethren let vs consider how great our sinnes are for the which the innocent sonne of God dieth Iustly ought all the world to be dead vnto vs in Christ and wee vnto the world And what is our life but a blessed death Hee that learneth not to die in his life is afraide when the houre of death commeth Euery day goe wee one daies iourney vnto death therefore ought wee so to watch so to speake and so to worke as if we would die euen now out of hand Before death wee must learne to die least hee sodainlie take holde vppon vs and make vs afraide Death vnto those that faithfully beleeue is through the death of Christ become the gate to life for their comfort and strong hope is in the woordes of Iesus when he saith he that beleeueth on me though hee were dead yet shall hee liue Item who so heareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent me hath euerlasting life In this promise ought we to liue and die casting away all impediments and such thinges as hinder vs from his loue beeing with heart and minde seperated from the world and vndefiled from the filthines thereof Out of the passion of Christ we must picke out vnto our selues comfortable helpe and medicine so that obediently in al patience we offer vp our selues vnto our heauenly father committing our soules into his handes In life and in death let the death of Christ be our comfort and let vs set it against al fearfull temptations and between the wrath of God and our sinnes O Lord Iesu Christ who in the feeble nature of man hast suffred death for vs vnworthie sinners graunt vs grace feruently in our hearts to beare the pain and loue of thy most bitter death and through the subduing and ouer-comming of al vice and wickednesse to vse and exercise our selues daily in following thy footsteppes and dying with thee And when the end of our life draweth nie that wee then may depart in thy mercie and grace and receiue the ioy of paradise Assist thou vs when we die and defend vs from the olde enemie whom thou through thy death hast ouer-come O Father wee commit our spirite into thy hand thou hast redeemed vs O God of truth Let these be our last wordes when we depart hence Amen AND behold the vaile of the temple rent into two peeces from aboue till beneath and there was an earthquake the stones claue asunder the graues opened they that had slept rose vp and went out of the graues and came after his resurrection into the holie Cittie and appeared vnto manie The captaine and they that were with him which kept Iesus when they saw the earthquake and that he gaue vp the ghost with such a crie and other thinges that there happened they were afraid verie sore and saide Verely this was Gods Sonne Centurio likewise praised God said Verely this was a righteous man And all the people that were there and saw it smote vppon their brestes and returned Doctrine and fruite THe Iewes alway required tokens of Christ and of such there hapned manie nowe in the death of the Lord for the very earth quaketh at their wickednes and blaspheming of God the hard stony rockes with their cracking and cleauing asunder expresse a lamentation on their makers behalfe the vaile in the temple renteth for a declaration that the olde couered thinges in the olde Testament are laid away and the hidde significations of Christ expressed and opened for he is the holy true oblation that taketh away the sinnes of the world he is the vndefiled lambe of God hee is the true high Priest that entreth within the vaile into the sanctuary for the way of holy thinges is opened through his bloud hee is the high Priest that once entred in and with one onely sacrifice doth perfectly cleanse and sanctifie The graues opened for an euidence of his resurrection Centurio knowledgeth that which the harde harted Iewes would not confesse O good faithfull beleeuers let vs not bee harder than the stones let our hearts rent asunder in repentance and sorrow for our sinnes that we may enioye the fruite of the Lords death ANd a farre of stood all his acquaintance among whom were many women that came vp from Galilee followed him and ministred vnto him among whome was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Iames the lesse and Ioses the mother of Zebedes children with manie other that were come to Hierusalem The Iewes then because it was the Sabaoth euen that the bodies shoulde not remaine on the crosse vppon the Sabaoth day for that was the great Saboth day besought Pilate that their legges might be broken and that they might be taken downe Then came the souldiors and brake the legges of the first and of the other which was crucified with him But when they came to Iesus and saw that he was dead alreadie they brake not his legges but one of the souldiours with a speare thrust him into the side and forthwith came there out bloud and water And he that saw it bare record and his record is true And he knoweth that hee saith true that yee also might beleeue These thinges were done that the Scripture might bâ—e fulfilled Yee shall not breake
stande in death with Christ in subduing of the flesh in mortifying of the body in abiding of the crosse For while they bee in aduersitie vnder the crosse and buried with Christ the greatnesse of the trouble causeth them to thinke that Christ is not risen againe that is they haue nothing but heauines and sorrowe Notwithstanding Christ appeareth vnto them comforteth and refresheth them and maketh them partakers of his resurrection and ioy Heere may wee perceiue and see a great desire and loue vnto Christ in the disciples that runne but specially in Marie Magdalene for seeing that much 〈◊〉 forgiuen her therefore was her loue exceeding 〈◊〉 Peter also and Iohn which were more feruent 〈◊〉 others in the loue of Christ and drew nee◠〈◊〉 others did when the Lorde was taken although the one fled and the other denied him therfore vnto them as to the principall was this opened before others Marie loued Christ verie feruently for many sinnes were forgiuen her many deuils vices were driuen out of her therefore vnto her dyd Christ first appeare The crosse and trouble was not able to bring Christ out of her heart it could not quench her loue vnto Christ the seede of faith was in her heart it had taken roote although it were not yet ripe Verie earnestly and with great diligence seeketh shee him whome shee loueth declaring her feruentnesse by her weeping and her zeale by tarrying still at the sepulchre when the two Apostles were gone awaie alreadie The Lorde therefore forsaketh her not but instructeth her and comforteth her by the Angell appeareth vnto her vnknowen at last talketh with her and maketh himselfe knowen vnto her The Angels which are ministers for the wealth of the elect disswade her from weeping and mourning and bring her tidinges of great ioy for herein nowe is no iust cause to weepe but rather to reioyce seeing that Christ hath ouercome death for vs deliuering and setting vs free from the power thereof and placing vs in eternall lyfe Lyke as the Aungels at the birth of Christ in this mortall life did bring tidinges of ioy so doe they heere also when Christ is risen againe into an immortall life And hervnto also serueth the brightnes of the countenance and whitenes of the clothes for all such are tokens of ioy But some man might maruaile why Christ will not suffer Marie to touch him saying hee would afterward bee touched of the other women of the Disciples and of Thomas yea he prouoketh Thomas and the Disciples thereto It seemeth that Marie with the ointment which she brought with her thought to annoint the bodie of Christ as she did afore in his life time and to reuerence him and to deale with him as with a mortall man which thing Christ forbad her to do Hereafter shall wee heare how hee offreth vnto his Disciples his hands feete and side willing them to touch him But with this inhibition and that commandement he hath respect to one onely thing namelie to deliuer Marie and the Disciples from vnbeliefe from weake faith and doubting Vnto Marie hee will say Touch mee not of a carnall deuocion as though thou wouldst anoint me I need it no more As for such corporall seruice it is not necessary to do it vnto my body any more The cause why I became man was not that yee should alway hang vppon my corporall flesh and honour me with bodely seruice Thou shalt now shortly vnderstand that I haue like power with the father I am in thy heart not yet ascended vp vnto the father That is Thou hast as yet no right knowledge of my Godhead therefore canst thou not now rightly touch me Thus learne wee also to knowe and honour Christ nowe no more after the flesh and to shew no corporall outward seruice vnto his person In spirite will he be worshipped with the faith and loue of the inward minde If anie thing bodily be done of vs the same should be done vnto the poore to the neighbour that hath need thereof Thus may faith loue well vse some outwarde thinges not to doo seruice therewith vnto God but vnto our selues or to our neighbour As when we take and minister bread and wine about in the supper distributing and eating it the same is not done principally to the intent to declare a seruice vnto God but somewhat to prouoke our outward senses and flesh by the exteriour signes that wee may the better consider and ponder the grace of God declared vnto vs in the death of Iesus Christ and that wee may lifte vp our mindes vnto Christ the heauenly foode and liuing bread which inwardly feedeth vs with his flesh and nourisheth vs with his bloud Thereto also hath our sauiour Christ instituted the figuratiue tokens and sacraments of his grace to helpe our infirmitie for Sacraments are gracious euidences of the faith that men haue or shoulde haue to God In the which they comfortably exercise and practise themselues towards Gods promises wherein also they declare the obedience of theyr inwarde saith and that they faithfully beleeue the words and promises of almightie God For the token without beleefe is nothing profitable but rather hurtfull All bodyly seruice that the flesh imagineth pleaseth not God Hee sitteth at the right hande of GOD there ought we to touch him with the lifting vp of a faithfull heart and with the worship which hee through his spirite worketh and directeth into vs for therefore he dyed rose againe and ascended vp into heauen that hee might fulfill all things and raigne truely and spiritually in our heartes Our heartes must wee lifte vp there as Christ sitteth at the right hande of God and our conuersation ought to bee in heauen Whereas the Lorde willed his disciples to touch him it was done to banish theyr doubtfulnesse and to strengthen theyr weake faith Which touching was not required of them as a worshippe but that theyr flesh through the outward handling of his bodie might bee quieted stilled and so is it a proofe and testimonie that hee verily rose with the former bodie rather than a worshipping or seruice Christ dyd not therefore take vppon him his flesh that we should alwaie hang and depend thereon but that we by his humanitie should ascend vp to his godhead for when wee knowe the high and holy mysterie of his Passion and Resurrection with the which hee hath serued our turne wee ought to stirre vp our mindes to knowe the Godhead wherein he is lyke vnto the father Therefore vnto Marie Magdalene also doeth Christ speake of ascending vp to the Father which thing he commandeth to shew the Apostles as if he would say now shortly beginneth mine honor that I as concerning the humanitie receiued shall be taken vp to the glorie which I haue had from euerlasting that is the flesh which I haue taken vpon me for your sakes shall sitte at the right hande of my Father Oh how great a grace is this Oh
treasure had Tabitha laid vp in store for when she died it was not stones and stockes that commended her benefits but the bodies of the widows they lamented her death and declared how mercifull she had beene Christ openeth and sheweth himselfe vnto those that earnestly seeke him and those hee suffereth to touch him to the intent that forasmuch as they must declare his resurrection to the Apostles their weake faith must be strengthned to know and to be assured that hee was verily risen againe For not onely the Angell but Christ also himselfe commandeth them so to do He comforteth them and taketh from them the fearfulnes and sorrowe Thus wee ought not to doubt he shall in all aduersitie and trouble meete vs he shall chearfully appeare vnto vs and with his ioyfull presence and resurrection shall hee comfort and preserue vs. But we lacke an earnest and strong faith our harts are slow and cold Diligent we be in seeking of temporall things but godly things wee either despise or neglect Loue hath no rest she ceaseth not to runne and seeke till she finde him whome shee loueth and when she findeth him she holdeth him fast that shee loose him not againe glad is she also to make others pertakers of the treasure that she hath found O God kindle our colde heartes with the fire of faith and loue that we may earnestly seeke thee and that when we haue found thee we may feruently receiue and keepe thee and with a right spirit worship thee Expell all hardnes and vngentlenes out of our hearts make vs louing and mercifull vnto the poore ones Take from vs the terrour of all vndoubtfulnes vnbeleefe and feare of the world and comfort vs in all aduersitie Graunt vs the faith of thy resurrection that we despising all transitory things may set all our comfort and hope in the blessed resurrection to come Amen Heere also we learne how exceeding weake and ignorant our flesh is to receiue and beleeue the truth 〈◊〉 it of God giue not light and strength For a◠〈…〉 of the Apostles were illuminated and 〈…〉 the holy ghost they esteemed the truth 〈…〉 Resurrection opened vnto them by the women to be a foolish and fained thing Neuerthelesse Christ forsaketh not those whom hee hath once imbraced but still openeth himselfe vnto them more and more to expell out of them all dubitation vnbeleefe ANd behold two of them went that same day to a town called Emaus which was from Hierusalem about a threescore furlongs they talked together of all these things that had happened And it chaunced that while they communed together and reasoned Iesus himself drew neare and went with them but their eies were holden that they should not know him And he saide vnto them What manner of communications are these that ye haue one to another as ye walke and are sad And the one of them whose name was Cleophas answered and said vnto him Art thou onely a straunger in Hierusalem hast not knowne the things which haue chanced there in these dais He said vnto them What things And they said vnto him Of Iesus of Nazareth which was a Prophet mightie in deed and word before God all the people how the high Priests our rulers deliuered him to be condemned vnto death haue crucified him But we trusted that it had been he which shuld haue redeemed Israel And as touching all these thinges to day is euen the third day that they were done Yea and certain women also of our companie made vs astonied which came earlie to the sepulchrt and found not his bodie and came saying that they had seen a vision of Angels 〈…〉 that he was aliue And certaine of them that 〈…〉 went to the sepulchre and found it euen so as the 〈…〉 said but him they saw not Doctrine and fruite THE longer the more is set foorth vnto vs the vnoutspeakable loue and trustie faithfulnes of Iesus Christ our lord who forsaketh not those that anie thing loue to talke of him For look whom he admitteth into his schoole those hee teacheth still continually how weake soeuer they bee vntill hee bring them to perfect vnderstanding and expell all doubtfulnes out of their hearts Forasmuch now as these his Disciples speake of him in the way hee getteth him to them albeit hee holdeth their eyes that they knowe him not that by the meanes thereof they themselues with their own words might knowledge confesse their doubtfull wauering weaknes of faith that they might open their disease vnto him hee to giue a conuenient medicine for theyr vnbeleefe that through the long delay frendly talk and opening of the scripture their harts and desires might more and more bee kindled and sette on fire that their doubtfulnes might bee taken away and theyr weake fayth strengthened For though they helde Iesus for a great and principall Prophet and and for an innocent good man yet speake they vncertainely of the matter and their heart wauereth yet were not they assured that hee had ouercome death and by his owne death purchased life for all the world that hee was risen againe into an immor◠〈…〉 made vs vndoubtedly partakers of the 〈…〉 and ioyfull resurrection and eternall life in himselfe Now for as much as they gladly talke and willingly holde of him how feebly and vnperfectly soeuer it bee yet the gratious and louing Lorde approcheth neare vnto them and instructeth them It shall neuer bee vnfruitfull it shall neuer passe without profite but assuredly doo good where Christ is gladlie and with a good heart spoken of Where two or three bee assembled in his name there is hee in the middest among them and infourmeth them That he doth to the Disciples in the way by mouth the same declareth hee alway vnto vs inwardly by his spirite in our harts and outwardly with the scripture and word and with the teachings of good godly men He that well and faithfully vseth the little talent shall not be denied a greater if he earnestly desire it Wheresoeuer he is earnestly feruently thought vpon and talked of there is he present instructeth and teacheth the ignorant For he is not ashamed to resort vnto those that lacke knowledge and be in errour and to talke with them This lowlie and gentle condition ought wee to learne of our head that we shame not to repayre vnto such as are not yet right instructed that wee may infourme them and commune with them We should despise no man that with a single hart seeketh God though as yet wee perceiue much wauering and weake faith in him For if the eternall 〈…〉 was not ashamed to humble himselfe and 〈◊〉 the ignoraunt much more ought wee to dooâ—â—ing we are neither sufficiently instructed in the scripture nor yet diligent and carefull to doe that which we know THen said Iesus vnto them O ye fooles and slow of hart to beleeue all that the Prophets haue spoken Ought not Christ to haue suffred
committed vnto them A great honor is it to bring much people vnto Christ Great commendacion and vnspeakable ioye shall those teachers haue that faithfully trauel in the scriptures and word of God By the multitude and great number of the fishes that the Apostles drew in the net is figured the multitude of the Heathen who through the preaching in the whole world should be brought into the vnitie of the faith And although many Scismes and erronious diuisions arise yet of those that are ordained vnto life there shall no man fall out of the net God knoweth those that be his and they shall alway hearken vnto thâ— voyce of their shepheard Thus shall there euer bee one onely Church which cannot by vs be throughly purged Euermore wil Ipocrites do all their diligence to continue therein though the makers of diuision shall not be without great trauail and labour As for such vices as bee manifest great and offensiue they that bee in authority are bound to suppresse them according vnto the ordinaunce of Christ Mat. 5.13.18 First they that be faithful beleeuers and ordained vnto life doe cleaue vnto Christ their head and then to the members that is to say all faithfull Christians For they that are faithfull beleeuers bee knit togeather in perpetuall vnitie And although some at this present day bee in contention yet so farre as they are of the number of the elect they will agree together againe one with another afore they depart hence that they may die in the vnitie of Gods congregation and Churche without the which there is no health After the great labour that the ministers of the woorde haue in the raging sea Christ rewardeth his with a very costly and glorious feast in his kingdom there will he be the bread of life that feedeth and satisfieth them for euer O mercifull GOD graunt vnto vs all that wee may faithfully cleaue vnto thee and follow thy commaundement Tame thou our bodie and members in honest labour that we loyter not in vices O draw our hearts alwaie vpward that all temporall things set apart we may hast onely vnto thee O gracious father giue vs such faithfull fishers as beeing true and carefull in their office may with the net of thy holie worde drawe vs out of the raging sea that wee with them and they with vs may enioye the euerlasting banquet Amen SO when they had dined Iesus saith to Simon Peter Simon Ioanna louest thou me more than these Hee saide vnto him Yea Lorde thou knowest that I loue thee Hee saith vnto him feed my lambes Hee saith vnto him againe the second time Simon Ioanna louest thou me He sayth vnto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I loue thee He saith vnto him feed my sheepe Hee said vnto him the third time Simon Ioanna louest thou me Peter was sory because hee said vnto him the third time louest thou me And hee said vnto him Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I loue thee Iesus saith vnto him feed my sheepe Doctrine and fruite FOR as much as Peter had taken a speciall greeuous fall Christ lifteth him vp with a speciall comforte but so that hee setteth forth vnto all Shepheards of his sheepe what theyr office is Peter had many sinnes forgiuen him therefore was it meete that hee should loue the Lord the more And seeing hee had thrise denied hee maketh nowe a three-fold confession so that now the song doth no lesse seruice vnto loue than it serued feare afore Christ sheweth him that hee is receiued againe vnto grace so that hee may safely put his trust in him seeing he committeth vnto him his owne sheepe As if Christ would say As for thy deniall I will no more remember it And for an euidence hereof I put thee in trust to keepe my sheepe In no wise doe I refuse thee but a shepheard of my sheepe will I make thee Neither doth he cast him in the teeth with his deniall but saith If thou loue mee then take vppon thee the care of the brethren The loue that thou hast willed to declare vnto mee in all thinges and wherein I delight the same declare thou now vnto my sheepe whom I so dearely haue bought Thy life that thou wouldest haue offered for mee giue nowe for my sheepe Now to the intent Peter should not say that hee were expelled from the Apostâ—eship through his deniall the Lorde therefore giueth him a new commission to keepe his sheepe As for Peter hee was no more so rash and foolish hardie but answereth more aduisedly than afore and taketh the Lord to witnes for hee remembreth how it had happened vnto him alreadie therefore standeth hee not arrogantly in his owne conceite neyther speaketh hee agaynst the Lorde so wittie and circumspect is hee become thorough the fall Arrogant had hee beene and high minded and therefore through the denyall he fell very sore But his weeping through faith and sure confidence purifieth him againe and in loue he becommeth more feruent pondering that much is forgiuen him so that where sinne was great grace is more abundant and plentifull Rom. 5. In Peter is the office of the other Apostles and of all preachers of the worde described for heere may wee see who are meet to be called to guide the people and what care and diligence they ought to take for them But here principally we must note this that Christ minding to stablish his speciall excellent doctrine did euer first worke a notable token and miracle As when he fed the fiue thousand men with few loaues he taught immediatly vpon the same how wee must bee sustained with the bread of heauen Euen so here when the Disciples had taken a great heape of fishes at Christes commaundement and were afterward fedde of him hee tolde them immediately vpon the same what their office is and that they should looke euen so to nourish and feede those that are committed vnto them This was spoken vnto Peter and in him to all others Christ who searcheth and knoweth all harts doth not aske this question as one ignorant or as one that first would proue learne but to teach faith and to declare it vnto others Such a question demaundeth he Math. 16. WhoÌ„ say the people that the son of man is shewing therby what confession faith he requireth of those that are his Euen so here the schoolemaister of the whole world minding to put them in trust wil declare vnto them with this question how they ought to be and the same wil hee print sure into them with this threefold interrogation Here also will the Lord teach how necessary it is that he who is to be made a shepheard teacher of christian people be first well knowne proued and tried that in many things afore-hand he bee found faithfull It is not requisite to take children vnto such an office but such godly and apt men as haue beene tried tempted namely such men as haue proued suffered and felt
somwhat by experience wherby they haue learned humilitie and nurture The first thing that Christ in his examination requireth of those which must guide the people is a great feruent and notable loue to GOD. Without this loue shall soule shepheardes doo no good This loue to GOD shall bring with it loue towardes the sheepe committed vnto them For as much then as at this day the loue of Christ is so greatly quenched therefore are manie Curates and soule shepheardes so faint and colde to preach and teach Christ They burne not in the loue of God against vice they print not vertue and godlinesse feruently into the people for there is no loue of Gods name in them Seeing then that they haue no heauenly zeale vnto the glorie of GOD and to the amplyfiyng of his name it is no maruaile that their preaching is so cold and vnfruitfull Therfore saith our Sauiour Christ vnto Peter Agapas me Louest thou mee For Agapao among the Greeks signifieth feruently earnestly right hartily to loue yea to loue with a great good will And this word he vseth in the two first questions In the third question he saith Phileis me Louest thou me Phileo signifieth so to loue that one be louing to another shew him friendship therefore doth Peter take the Lorde himselfe to witnesse As for the high excellent loue hee dare not bragge of it but saith Philose which is as much to say as I haue hitherto doone all that becommeth a friend to do If any derogation or hinderance bee done to thy honour and name I am hartily sorie for it as a friend is iustly greeued if his friend be vilely intreated Thus the Lorde with the three questions layeth hard vnto Peter for a notable loue is it that hee requireth of those to whom he committeth his sheepe in his absence Peter had a good conscience knew no falshood or deceite by himselfe but bare a notable and feruent loue vnto Christ yet by reason of his former fall and this oft questioning he was partly out of quiet fearing least peraduenture there laye yet hid in him some secret thing that displeased the Lord or were against him or that happily he should not stand in such fauour with Christ Therefore said he Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest the harts of all men and wotest that I beare thee a good heart and friendly mind which wordes proceed of a meeke feruent hart Christ knoweth better how we loue him than we our selues Thus a shepheard oght to haue an ardent loue vnto Christ and yet not to stand high in his owne conceit or to bragge of himselfe although he loue and bee garnished with vertues more than other men Wherein may it bee perceiued that a soule shepheard loueth Christ and is his friend Verely in louing his sheepe which Christ hath cōmitted to him Therefore saith Christ alway vpon the same Feede my sheep But Christ vseth here two distinct words First he saith Vosce that is feed them pasture them fodder them Secondly he saith Poimene that is bee thou vnto them a heardman take thou care for them as it beseemeth a shepheard be thou a shepheard vnto my sheepe keepe them from the wolfe from al such hurt First he requireth of him a feruent loue then committeth hee his sheepe vnto him a treasur◠great deare redeemed bought with the pretious bloud of Christ As if he would say If thou loue me declare the same in care and loue toward my sheep whom I commit to thy charge The sheepe are Christes not the shepheards As forsuch shepheards as keepe them so that they make them hang vpon themselues those loue themselues not Christ They that seeke their owne glorie profit and lucre among them are not faithfull shepheards Against such doth crie the threefold voice of Christ Feed keepe my sheepe mine saith he not thine Feed them oppresse them not flay them not Feede them not thy selfe Seeke my glorie not thine own For some there bee which as Paule with weeping teares complaineth that seeke themselues not the glorie of Iesus Christ Of these spake Paule also afore 2. Timoth. 3. Men shall be louers of themselues couetous c. Where the wicked roote of selfe loue is in a Curate there followe all the vices which hee in the same place maketh mention of Who so nowe will bee a louer of Christ and a faythfull shepheard sciences that they may be fruitfull and comfortable to the whole Christian congregation If this might come to passe then should there be no lacke of wise counsellors and actiue men profitable to be in common authoritie and also amongst christian people there shuld be found men meet to be made ouer-seeers in the ministery of Gods word with which men the people should be wel worthily prouided for Good vertuous teachers bring foorth a vertuous and godlie people And doubtlesse the meaning of those that gaue such goodes to monasteries churches was at the first that they thoght therby to serue God and to doe good vnto the poore If such goods then as heeretofore haue beene euill bestowed bee now profitably and blessedly turned to the honour of God and commoditie of the whole Church then is the last will and meaning of the founders fulfilled They also that must pay such rentes tithes goods will be the readier so to doe if they see that the same is well and profitably bestowed Then shall not they vntruly but faithfully performe and pay all thinges when they consider that they doe seruice vnto God himselfe Graunt vs all O God to harken and be obedient vnto the voice of true shepheards and giue vs hearts to haue in great honour and worthily to esteeme of such faithfull shepheards as vppon earth are thy Ministers and stewards by whome and in whome thou speakest to vs and with vs that wee shewing vnto them all reuerence and honour which they be worthie of for thy sake may giue them honest liuinges and consider howe that Christ thy sonne our Lorde teacheth the same Math. 10. and Paule thy seruaunt 1. Cor. 9. Reason it is seeing they sow spiritual things vnto vs that they of vs reape thinges corporall O Lord remooue away the contempt of thy woorde and ministers for the same neuer escaped without great punishment and harme IESVS said vnto Peter verely verilie I say vnto thee When thou wast young thou girdest thy selfe and wentest whither thou wouldest but when thou art olde thou shalt stretch out thine hand and another shal gird thee and lead thee thither as thou wouldest not This hee said signifyng with what death he should glorifie God And when he had spoken this he said follow me Doctrine and fruite IT is not sufficient to haue begunne except the soul shepheard continue in his office and faithfulnesse For to take the cure and charge of the sheepe bringeth great danger losse trauaile and labour with it Many a time must a faithfull shepheard ieoperd his
office or that we shoulde delight in their euill but to the intent that malitious iudgement may be auoyded that there be no villanie done to the annoynted of the Lorde More respect and regard shuld we haue to the word of God that they bring vnto vs than to their liuing and â—aults more to the giuer than to the minister It is not thâ—y that worke but God worketh through his owne power he cannot faile vs in his promise The minister lendeth his hand and mouth but the holie Ghost worketh in the harts of the beleeuers neither can the wickednesse of the Priest diminish or hinder that operation If we our selues haue pure cleane and faithfull beleeuing mindes It is not the vncleannes of the minister that can either defile or hurt vs. This is now the story of the Resurrection of Christ wherein we see how the goodnes of the Lord wondefully striueth with the weake faith of those that are his For when the Angels could not perswade them that he was risen againe he himselfe appeareth vnto them aliue and proueth by many euident testimonies that he is of a truth risen againe and reuiued talketh with them eateth with them offereth himselfe vnto them that they may see him and handle him sendeth the women and certaine disciples for witnesses and leaueth nothing vnattempted that may perswade them For in the faith and beleefe of the resurrection of Iesus Christ lieth all our welfare We must therefore beseech Almightie God to establish in vs this faith and by his spirite mightilie to worke that we from sinne may truely rise againe to a newe and godlie life and afterward with our bodies to enter into an immortall and euerlasting life Hereunto helpe vs God the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost Amen Heere endeth the Sermons vpon the Resurrection of Iesus Christ according to the true copie of the Author and now followeth the Sermons of the Ascension THE ASCENSION OF IESVS CHRIST out of the holie Euangelists IESVS lead his Disciples out into Bethanie And when he had brought them together hee spake vnto them of the kingdome of God commanded them that they should not depart from Ierusalem but to waite for the promise of the father For Iohn saith he baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost after these few dayes When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lorde wilt thou at this time restore againe the kingdome to Israel And he said vnto them It is not for you to knowe the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power But yee shall receiue power after that the holie Ghost is come vpon you and yee shall be witnesses vnto mee not onely in Ierusalem but also in all Iurie and in Samaria and euen vnto the worlds ende Now when Iesus had spoken these words vnto them he lifted vp his handes and blessed them and was taken vp and a clowd receiued him out of their sight so that hee departed from them and was carried vp in heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God And whilest they looked stedfastly vp towards heauen as he went behold two men stood by them in white apparrell which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing vp into heauen The same Iesus which is taken vp from you into heauen shal so come euen as you haue seene him go into heauen So when they had worshipped him they returned with great ioy into Hierusalem from Mount Oliuet which is from Hierusalem a Sabaoth daies iourney And when they were come in they went vp into a parlour where abode Peter and Iames Iohn and Andrew Philip and Thomas Bartholmew and Mathew Iames the sonne of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Iudas the brother of Iames. These all continued still with one accord in the temple lauding praising God and making their praiers with the women and Mary the mother of Iesu and with his brethren Doctrine and fruite CHrist who loued his Disciples declareth vnto them his loue euen vnto the ende yea he neuer ceaseth to loue them For though hee leaue them as concerning his bodilie presence yet with his loue grace and power he is euer still with them Forasmuch now as after sufficient proofe of his resurrection he will depart from them and goe to his Father that had sent him he taketh them forth with him vnto the place from whence he mindeth to depart from them And manifestly before their eyes hee ascendeth into heauen into the glorie of his father that they might be witnesses as well of his glorious ascension as of all other things which they had heard seene before O how feruent words spake hee then vnto them How deepely entred he into their hearts How earnestly printed hee those his last wordes into them The eternall wisedome speaketh nothing vainely nothing slenderly nothing without profite Although the Disciples as men yet somewhat carnall doe aske questions concerning the restitution of a bodily and temporall kingdome yet maketh hee no aunswere vnto their demaund but directeth them vnto that which is for their profie and belongeth to their office drawing their hearts from the earthly kingdom from the which they ought to bee mortified vnto the kingdome of heauen euen vnto the kingdome of God in the which he himselfe is king into the which they now were receiued as citizens that they shuld declare the same throughout the whole world and offer it vnto all men This is the gospell of the kingdom of God which for a testimonie vnto all nations must bee preached in the whole world to witnesse the grace of GOD vnto the elect But to the damned and vnbeleeuers a testimonie of their damnation in that they are conuinced of their owne infidelitie and shall haue no excuse if they contemne and despise the grace offered vnto them By this ought wee also to learne to see such thinges which are most profitable and wholesome vnto vs and which bring vs the nearest way to put our trust in God and to loue our neighbours for that part of the play is ours As for vnprofitable and contentious questions if we meddle not with them then the lesse diuision and the more loue and edifieng in the Church of God shall follow Manie times are wee too much carefull for such things as wee desire our selues as what ende this thing or that will come vnto when God will set vp our prosperitie and what shall bee done hereafter when and how God will punish those that are against vs. And this temptation carnall zeale and curiositie chaunceth oft euen in the hearts of the faythfull as we see heere in the Disciples of Christ Sometimes there bee froward and wicked mindes which pretending to bee Christians seeke out of the Gospell nothing but honour lucre and profite but such bee both false and fained Notwithstanding all these set apart wee ought to commit and refer all things vnto our mercifull creator and
our Easter lambe who also was offered vp Vpon the fiftith day when the fruites began now to be ripe readie to be reaped the haruest also being great and the labourers few then sent God his spirit to prepare and furnish the Disciples that they from amongst the heathen might gather fruite togeather vnto 〈…〉 â—ore time when the children 〈…〉 out of Egypt the law was gi◠〈…〉 people vpon the fift day euen 〈…〉 â—nient that vpon the fift day the holie 〈…〉 be giuen to the Disciples which ho◠〈…〉 is both an interpreter and fulfiller of the â—we The place where the holie Ghost was giuen is Sion for there Christ commaunded his Disciples to waite and from that place should the law of GOD according to the saying of the Prophets proceede foorth into the whole world Therefore like as afore time the law was giuen vpon mount Sinay euen so was the spirit giuen vpon mount Sion Vppon Sinai did God at that time with some terrible thinges declare his might and power his plague also and vengeance which should fall vppon those that despised his lawe and therefore was there such fearefulnes through lightnings thunderings and other like terrible thinges Here there is heard a noyse mightie vehement but not horrible feareful in the which winde is signified that the doctrine of the spirit shuld speedily with power breake in through the world and bring fruit and that no man should be so mightie as to hinder the strength therof euen as the wind in his course can by no man be kept backe Whereas fierie tongues do appeare and are seen it signifieth the manifolde speeches and instruction which the spirit giueth to Christs Disciples the zeal also feruentnes that he worketh in their harts making them altogether fire and kindling them in such sort that euen their words are feruent and pierce afterwards into the hearts of others A◠〈…〉 feare and coldnes remoueth he out of the 〈…〉 they are not afraid manfully to steppe foorth 〈…〉 all the people although not long before 〈…〉 not abide but fledde from the Lord. Now they confesse him to bee the Sauiour of all the world whom they before had denyed Whereas the tongues were diuided it signifieth the diuersitie of the giftes of the spirite Christ promised them in Marke 16. that they should speake with other tungs or with a new speech or language which promise is now performed vnto them The tongues of Christian men ought to be garnished with gentlenesse and with the holie Ghost that no foule or wanton talke proceed out of their mouth The tongues that pronounce and confesse Christ the eternall truth his sincere spirit must not lie neither talke anie vnclean hurtfull nor venemous thing for vnto all such is the spirite enemie Therefore are they not fleshly but fierie and spirituall tongues out of the which the fire of the spirite hath consumed all moisture of worldly and carnal wantonnes and God with his owne loue hath kindled them How could the Apostles else haue been instructors of the whole world if the spirite had not taught them the diuersitie of tongues Oh the great wisedome and grace of God who at all times for our wealth hath set forth and offered vnto vs poore men his high spirituall heauenly things vnder corporall and visible tokens For how might we carnall men els vnderstand godly matters if they were not exhibited with visible and bodily thinges 〈…〉 God alwaies this custome that hee 〈…〉 â—nto vs his high gifts vnder those tokens 〈…〉 most knowen of vs and likest vnto those 〈…〉 which hee offereth vs and so with humaine 〈◊〉 hee couereth diuine and godly thinges Not that God is closed or shut in with things of men but that celestiall and heauenly things forsoorth vnto vs by such as bee earthly might be of vs the better vnderstood For els euery man of knowledge wotteth well that the holy Ghost is not a dooue neither a winde a tongue fire nor water For GOD is not a thing corporall neither a thing that can bee felt or comprehended with outward senses Notwithstanding things inuisible are the better knowen and perceiued of vs when they be set forth and represented by visible thinges namely by such as haue some similitude with the inuisible and spiritual things And so farre as naturall things may set foorth heauenlie matters doe perfectly describe before our eies the nature and propertie of them Therefore doth the spirite appeare in the fourme of firie tongues and with a sound that thereby the two principall senses of man might bee mooued namely his hearing and seeing for the sound toucheth the eares and the fire mooueth the sight Like as Christ also in the supper with bread and wine to mooue the outward senses of man thought to represent his body and bloud For by bread is signified vnto vs the true body of Christ which died for vs vppon the crosse and by wine the bloud that was shed for our sinnes which true flesh and bloud they that beleeue doe at the supper eate and drinke through faith By the which foode and sustenance their soules are vpholden to the gratious and eternal life Thus with exterior tokens it pleased the wisedom of God to guide the outward senses of his Disciples into the obedience of faith and vnder the same to signifie and declare the strength operation of the holie Ghost For like as the winde bloweth through the whole earth piercing moouing and altering all priuie and secrete places Euen so the spirit of God goeth through all things searching all secret corners and inward mindes of men Mightily also hee woorketh in mens hearts kindling and chaunging them He is the cleare pure and hote fire that consumeth all filthines of sinne inspiring mens harts and drawing them vpward to God Without this spirit may a man worke no fruitfull thing yea thinke no good thing For man is nothing but flesh neither considereth hee of himselfe ought that is spirituall or godly but onely carnall thinges Forasmuch now as the wisest most gratious God knoweth this so to bee whereas hee hath made man his creature to haue fruition of himselfe he wil not suffer him to corrupt in the flesh but giue him his owne holie spirite God the father through Christ his eternal word did shape man out of the mould of the earth created him after his owne similitude and liâ—â—nes Now is God a spirite therefore the image of God in man must needs be spirituall which image in the inward man is such a thing as partly dooth expresse and declare God that created him But when man being deceiued through the deuil fell into sinne and lost this image then the proportion of Gods pure spirite in whome his image was printed was defaced and the image of God lost his beautie So that the noble man who at the first was of God so faire and goodly fashioned and beautified in the similitude of
the place where Christ our Lord and king raignneth at the right hand of God from whence he shall come and take vs vnto himselfe At all times therefore ought we to watch and wait for his comming that we may ioyfully receiue him and bee partakers with him in eternall blisse Heere also we learne how faithfull beleeuers vse themselues in the outward Sacraments They that being moued by the inspiration of the holy Ghost in theyr hearts doo heare the eternall word preached giuing credite vnto it gladly receiuing it these doo not afterward despise the outward Sacraments which GOD hath instituted for the welfare of his Church but vse the same with all obedience good will and reuerence To vse the Sacraments without faith profiteth not but rather hurteth to be loth to vse them declareth a compulsion and vnbeleefe For though the water in baptisme be an outward thing and cannot cleanse the soule from sinne yet the faithfull doo know right well that Christ the eternall wisedome in whom they beleeue did not institute it in vaine and therefore will not they contemne or leaue vnexercised the ordinance of theyr head to whome they as members are incorporated by faith For they knowe that Christ with these outwarde tokens thought to couple and knit together the members of his holy Church in obedience and loue one towards another whereby they knowing one another among themselues might by such exteriour things stirre and prouoke one another to loue and godlynesse They know also that the sacraments are euidences of the promise grace of God which they after a visible and palpable manner do set forth declare and represent vnto vs. These tokens of grace doth no man vse more deuoutly and with more reuerence than he that in himselfe is certified and assured of the gracious fauour of God as we see in Cornelius in Paul and in Queene Candaces chamberlaine What fruite followeth the preaching of the Gospell it is heere euidently seene for in one daie at Peters preaching by the working of the holy Ghost there came three thousand men to the Church of God God suffereth not his word to passe voide and vnfruitfull Verie earnest therefore diligent ought we to be and to spare no trauell cost and labor that the pure and sincere Gospell the word of truth may euerie where be preached by good and faithful men not doubting God wil giue blessed successe thereto that the seed sowen by the minister shall bring forth fruit AND they continued in the Apostles doctrine in the fellowship in the breaking of bread and in praiers Doctrine and fruite TO indure crowneth and rewardeth all workes who so indureth vnto the end shall bee saued without continuance may no good thing bee brought to end and fruit Therefore is it now declared how the word preached in the Church of God bringeth fruit and what the same fruites be wherein faithfull beleeuers do exercise themselues Saint Luke mencioneth foure thinges that proceed out of the faith in Christ for faith is not voide nor idle but worketh without ceasing in them that beleeue Therefore here we finde a patterne myrrour how it ought to goe in the Church of Christ for where these foure things bee there is Christes Church First the Church of Christ which is the felowship of all Saintes and faithfull beleeuers indureth abideth and continueth in the doctrine of the Apostles for euerie thing is preserued with that out of the which it is borne now is the Church of God borne first of the word of truth therfore in the word of truth also must it indure and be kept daily must it be planted nourished and watered with the worde and doctrine the successe the increase doth God giue The doctrine of the Apostles is nothing else but the boly Gospell which the sonne of God committed vnto them which they receued of him which also the Prophets before Christ spake of by the holy Ghost What Gospel was preached by the Apostles it is easie to perceiue by the aforesayd Sermon of Peter and of others in the Acts by the Euangelists and Epistles of the Apostles namely that God so loued the world that he gaue his only begotten Sonne for it that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not perish but haue eternall life Also he dyed for vs rose agayne from death ascended vp to heauen and sitteth there at the right hand of God being king and high Priest for euer in whose name all knees must bow without whom there is none other name giuen vnto men in whome wee must bee saued than the onely name of Iesus whose bloud washeth awaie our sins and he is the onely perpetuall mediation betweene God and vs. In this doctrine continueth the Church beeing builded vpon the sure rocke Iesus Christ and is not moued or driuen awaie by euerie winde of strange and inconstant doctrine Shee hearkneth not to the voice of anie other but of Iesus her shepheard In the doctrine of the Apostles there is no deceit no guile no poison And in this doctrine is found none of those things which certayne yeres after the Apostles were brought in by Romish Bishops as Masses Diriges Cloisters worshipping of Idols setting vp of Images buying of pardons forbidding of this or that meate First now doth faith in Christ bring forth this fruit in the Church namely in faithfull beleeuers that it draweth them to the doctrine of the truth by the which they became beleeuers and in the same it maketh them to continue that they neyther hearken nor giue credite to anie false errronious doctrine for they do verie assuredly know that such doctrines are not wholesome but venimous and hurtfull But in the Gospell of our sauiour Iesus Christ and in the doctrine of the holie Apostles they are sure to finde the truth which nourisheth and preserueth them vnto eternall lyfe The Church of God abhorreth all vntruth for she knoweth it is of the deuill but of the trueth is she desirous for she knoweth that the same commeth of God and bringeth vnto GOD againe This Euangelicall truth and doctrine of the Apostles in the which the Church of God and all the members of Christ must continue hath beene of long time euen from the beginning comprehended in certayne Articles which wee call the Creede whereof there is sufficient mention made in the Catechisme Among the true children and seruauntes of God also there is no schisme doubt nor diuision concerning the head and chiefe Articles in the which they are well and firmely established fully perswaded and of one minde and consent And whereas there be some men which ouer-reach and goe beyond this marke willing other men and compelling Christians as farre as in them lyeth thereto teaching those to bee heretikes and damned that cleaue to the onely doctrine of the Apostles The same commeth and proceedeth of the presumptuous arrogancie of flesh who esteemeth his owne inuention more than that which God speaketh As when they saie
in loue vniformitie for those two things please God wel Christ commeth and appeareth vnro them He openeth himselfe vnto those that longing after him are coupled in loue and vniformitie being assembled doo hold themselues together for where loue is there is God where discord is and diuision there is the deuill O deare brethren let vs regard charitable loue let vs care for our brethren that the brotherhood be not broken and that loue be not spotted for els farewel saith No man needeth to boast himselfe of faith that hath not charitable loue but stirreth vp and seeketh diuision Moreouer we see here that the disciples of Christ stood in great danger of their bodies and life for when the Iewes had no more power to rage agaynst Christ they raged agaynst his disciples Looke what men are partakers of the crosse and passion of Christ they verily shall vnderstand the high mysterie of his resurrection For vndoubtedly God with his owne consolation shall visite and comfort those that suffer anie danger harme for his names sake Forasmuch then as the good disciples of Christ must still bee in conflict and battel with the Iewes the Lord speaketh vnto them with this comfortable worde Peace bee with you as if he shuld saie be of good cheere your matter shal stand in good case in mee yee shal haue peace be safe quiet how hard so euer it go outwardly Feare not be not afraid howsoeuer the Iews doo rage ye shall doo right well This salutation was common among the Iewes therefore doeth Christ also vse it Such a charge gaue hee lykewise vnto his Disciples when hee sent them to preach that entering into an house they should saie Peace be to this house And though the disciples were somewhat amazed and afraide at the first blush yet was theyr gladnesse great when they were throughly instructed that it was the Lorde Now was fulfilled that which Christ had said and promised vnto them afore Io. 16 Yee shall mourne and the world shall reioyce but I will see you againe Your sorrow shall be turned into gladnesse your heart shall reioyce and your ioye shall no man take from you For the ioye of a faythfull beleeuing heart is constant and endureth If the resurrection of Iesus Christ were truely and rightly beleeued and the same ioye comprehended as it ought to bee all sorrowe must needs vanish all hurt and aduersitie must needes bee little regarded For what can bee grieuous vnto a man when by faith hope hee is assured that hee in a glorified immortall bodie shall arise agayne with Christ his head and haue euerlasting ioy with him And this is the cause that Christ appeareth so ofte vnto his disciples instructing them so much and so perfectly of his resurrection euen to make them steadfast in this faith and to assure them of this ioy Therefore sheweth hee them his bodie and giueth it them to handle The palpable bodie certifieth them that it is a true bodie the immortall bodie sheweth that it is glorified and of highest honor the printes of the woundes declare that it is euen the selfe same bodie that it was afore Hee sheweth them the tokens of victorie as a mighty ouercommer of death and so doth hee the woundes that hee had gotten for them in the battell and likewise the side that was opened declaring his great loue His woundes sheweth he to them to heale the wounds of theyr vnbeleefe As if hee would say looke vppon mee and fight manfullie Without a battaile shall no man bee crowned But vnto him that ouercommeth in the conflict will I graunt to eate of the bread of Heauen and will crowne him for euer Where as hee eateth before them it is done for the probation of the true humaine nature and not for the great necessitie of the bodie To them was it verie needfull not vnto Christ Euen so we knowing howe to further our neighboures faith must and ought manie times to doe somewhat and to leaue somewhat vndone that for our selues wee need not O GOD graunt vs true loue and vniformitie Take from vs all Scisme and diuision gather vs togeather through thy holie spirite remooue all discord and variaunce out of thy holie Churche Giue vs patience in aduersitie sende thy godlie comforte and ioye vnto all such as bee in distresse and trouble for thy names sake Strengthen the weake lift vppe the feeble establish the doubtfull and in the battaile helpe those which bee thine owne that they lie not vnder but that in thee they may ouercome all daunger and harme Amen THomas one of the twelue which was called Didimus was not with them when Iesus came The other disciples therefore sayd vnto him We haue seene the Lord. But he said vnto them Except I see in his handes the print of the nailes and put my finger into the print of the nailes thrust my hand into his side I will not beleeue And after eight daies again his disciples were within and Thomas with them Then came Iesus when the doores were shut and stoode in the midst and saide Peace bee vnto you And after that sayd he to Thomas Bring thy finger hether and see my hands and reach hether thy hand thrust it into my side and be not faithles but beleeuing Thomas answered and said vnto him My Lord and my God Iesus saith vnto him Thomas because thou hast seene mee thou hast beleeued Blessed are they that haue not seene and haue beleeued Doctrine and fruit THat which was spoken afore is heere euident and plaine namely that Christ openeth himselfe vnto those which are desirous of him and long after him associating themselues together one with another in true loue and being partakers of the passion crosse Forasmuch then as Thomas is lesse feruent and therefore absent from the rest hee sawe not Christ with the other disciples but when he obtained a desire to see Christ was assotiate and ioyned to the other he became also partaker of the ioye that they had And here we learne the nature and condition of true beleefe which is an illumination of the grace of God yea a verie godly propertie that he maketh others partakers of his holy and glorious ioyes and that through loue which seeketh not her owne profit neither is disdainefull to the intent that the glorie of God may be preferred among all men Therefore the Disciples of the Lord make Thomas their companion partaker of such gladnesse as they had receiued of Christs Resurrection opened vnto them for hee was verie faithlesse and too stiffe in his owne opinion Which vnbeliefe God suffered to happen vnto him and to continue somewhat the longer that his slacknes and lacke of faith might serue to our commoditie that through his vnbeliefe wee might bee prouoked vnto faith for as much as we heare that he so perfectly proouing seeing and feeling the thing came so to an vndoubted faith that wee also might beleeue that the