vsually compared vnto a hand wherwith we receiue as one saith the rich almes of God if we lack this hand wee shal die for want This holy Faith the mother of repentance faith is called the mother of true repentance and repentance the daughter of faith for assoone as wee haue a true iustifying Faith presently repentaunce followeth with the fruites thereof as Saint Iohn Baptist saith Bring fourth fruit worthy of repentance This liuely iustifying faith is neuer idle Mat. 3.8 A true iustiying faith neuer idle but stil worâ—…eth by â—oue but still worketh by loue and is the roote from whence all good works do spring As the sunne cannot be without light nor the fire without heat nor water without moystnes No more can any one which hath this true iustifying faith be without good works which are the fruites thereof Therefore it is very true which Saint Iames saith that as the body without the soule is deade so faith without workes is deade in it â—am 2.17 selfe Neyther is there any disagreement betweene the doctrine of Saint Paul and Saint Iames though the one saye wee are Rom. 3.28 iustified by faith and the other by workes for Saint Paul speaketh of our iustifying before Iam. 2.24 God by faith only thorough the bloud of Christ and Saint Iames of our iustifying S. Paul and S. Iames reconciled concerning iustificatioÌ„ before men when wee make knowen to the worlde by our good workes which are the fruites of faith that wee are iustified Therefore let vs beleeue the Scripture which saith that Abraham beleeued God Rom. 4.36 and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse That wee are not iustified by the workes of the law but by the faith of Iesus Christ For by grace wee are saued saith Gala. 2.16 Saint Paul through faith not of our selues it is the gift of God not of workes least any Eph. 2.8.9 shuld boast which place doth cut the throte of that grosse opinion of those proud Pharisayicall Papists that ignorantly bragge Popish supererogation superabundant arrogancie and boast of their workes and merites as though they coulde merite heauen with them both for them selues and others forsooth by their works of supererogation but more rightly called superabundant-arrogancie Let vs beleeue the Apostle saying if righteousnesse came by the law then Christ Gala 2.21 dyed in vaine Let vs beleeue the truth it selfe saying when ye haue done all that yee can yet say ye are but vnprofitable seruaÌ„ts ye haue done but what was your duty to do Luk. 17.10 It is our dutie and required of vs vppon Mat. 25.41 paine of damnation to doe good workes which as Saint Paul saith God hath ordained Ephe. 2.10 that we should walke in them but not that we should trust in them to be saued for faith herein must haue the preheminence Therefore Saint Paul counteth all thinges Phil 3 8.9 losse and doung that he might win Christ and might bee found in him not hauing his owne righteousnes but the righteousnesse which is through the faith of Christ Obiection But heere some may say why doe ye alleadge so many testimonies of Saint Paul to this purpose for heseemeth to be contrarie to himselfe and though in many places hee extolleth faith yet in one place hee preferreth 1. Cor. 13. loue charitie before it for he saith now abideth these three faith hope and loue but the chiefest of these is loue True it is chiefe in respect that it doth What S. Paul meaneth by saying that faith is chiefer then loue extend it selfe farre and neare to the benefit and profit of our neighbours for faith profiteth our selues loue our neighbours and because it doth continue longer then faith and hope doth for the vse of theÌ„ both doth cease when wee haue the fruition and possession of that which wee hoped for and when we haue the end of our faith which is the saluation of our soules but loue is onely begun in this life perfected in the life to come in these respects Saint Paul saith it 1. Pet. 1 9. is cheefe Notwithstanding though wee graunt this and say further with the same Apostle that as there is no true loue without faith so there is no true faith without loue because faith worketh by loue yet it Gala. 5.6 is certaine that faith in respect of our saluation and in this matter of iustification is more excellent then loue yea loue must come after faith as an obedient daughter Loue the daughter of faith after her mother which faith doeth bring forth both hope and loue Faith then is the ground of things hoped for Hope is an vndoubted expectation of those things which are promised vnto vs of God by the meanes of Christ Loue is linked vnto them both may not be seperated from them By faith saith the Author to the Hebrus our forefathers obtained a good report Heb. 11.1.2 therefore I conclude that faith ought still to haue the preheminence in iustification for thereby are we receiued made the sonnes Faith must haue the preheminence in iustificatioÌ„ of God euen by our faith in Christ by whome wee obtaine euerlasting life This doctrine as it doth stirre vs vp to beleeue so should it stir vs vnto loue charitie which are the liuely fruites of faith and without it faith is dead in it selfe But here wee must also take heede that we doe not imagine that faith though it be a rare and singular vertue doth thereby of it selfe deserue euerlasting life for so wee should fal into error but faith is called most Christ only hath purchased heauen for vs. faith the instrument to apprehend it holy excellent or precious in this respect that it is the meane appointed by God himselfe wherby we should apprehend and receiue most holy excellent precious gifts whereof the chiefest is eternall and euerlasting life purchased vnto vs by the death passion and resurrection of Christ euen by his righteousnes and obedience Of this eternal and euerlasting life our faith grounded vppon the promises of God doth most certenly assure vs and then by hope which is also the childe of faith we doe with patience waite for the accomplishment and performance thereof For those ioyes which one day we shall haue in perfect possession How faith and hope are distinguished wee doe now enioye by faith and hope the which may thus bee distinguished the one from the other Faith doth apprehend things present and hope things to come by things present I meane also eternall life which may be said to be present in respect that we haue some feeling and tast of it in this life in respect of the certainty of Gods counsell and will touching the saluation of his elect that cannot be altered Therefore the Scripture vseth often times the present tense for the future the time present for the time to come as Christ
saide vnto Christ come lay thy hand on her and she shall liue and according to his faith shee was raysed vnto life againe Another worthy example wee haue of the woman of Canaan in the fifteenth of 15 21 Mathew whose daughter was piteously vexed of a Deuill howe she came vnto Christ for helpe and woulde not bee aunswered till she had her petition graunted and her daughter healed Thus we haue seene examples of such as haue beene healed for their owne faith as also for the faithes sake of others Now let vs note the thirde thing namely that for want of faith our sauiour was greatly hindered from doing that good which hee woulde as it is plainely to bee seene Mark 6 1 2 in the sixth of Marke when comming into his owne country among his owne kinsemen and acquaintaunce and preaching vnto them on the Saboath as his manner was many that hearde him were astonyed Christ lea◅ accounted of in his owne cuntry and saide from whence hath he these things Is not this the carpenter Maries son and brother of Iames and Ioses and are not his sisters meaning by brothers and sisters his nere kinsefolke here with vs and they were offended in him Then said Iesus vnto them a prophet is not without honour but in his owne country among his owne kindred and in his owne house And he could doe no great workes there saith the texte saue that he laid his hand vpon a fewe sicke Vnbeleese hindereth vs of many good things folkes and healed them but he marueiled at their vnbeliefe so that we see vnbeleefe was the onely cause which hindered Christ from doing them that good which otherwise he would The like or worse thing we read of the hoggish Gergesites which by reason of their Mat. 8.34 want of faith esteemed more of their swine then of Christ therefore prayed him that he wold depart from them But what should I heape vp examples of such as were neuer effectually called seeing it is certaine that many of Gods children by reason of the littlenes of their faith or for want of faith in some particular things haue almost hindered themselues of many good things yea brought themselues into great danger The weakenes of Marthaes faith had almost letted Ioh. 11.39 40. that her brother Lazarus shoulde haue beene raised againe when hee had layne in in the graue foure daies for she saide vnto Christ he stinketh to whome Christ answered Said I not vnto thee that if thou didst beleeue thou shouldst see the glory of God as if hee shoulde say thy weakenes of faith doth hinder this miracle For want weakenesse of faith the disciples of Christ were almost drowned while Mat. 8.25 Christ slept in the ship for when they had awoke him saying wee perish hee rebuking them said why do ye feare O ye of little faith And Saint Peter himselfe when hee woulde come alone vnto Christ vpon the 14.31 sea was not farre from drowning and all for want of faith For want of faith godly Zacharias the father of Iohn Baptist was Luk. 1.2 dumbe for a time because hee did not beleeue the tidinges which the Angel brought him of the birth of his sonne Thus haue we briefly noted these three things First how many haue beene healed by their own faith next that not a few haue beene healed by the faith of others lastly that weakenes want of faith hath hindered Christ from doing good brought euen the deare childrē of God in daunger Whereupon wee may conclude that faith is a most rare and singular vertue worthy of all praise commendation Nowe if faith were alwaies required for the health of their bodies how much more Faith good for the health of soule and body for the health of their soules And was not this the cheefest purpose of Christ thinke wee to lead them by these outward meanes to consider of the weakenes and sicknesses of their soules yes surely and the doctrine thereof is most necessary for vs to consider of For wee are all full of the foule leprosie of sinne from top to toe but faith in Christ doth make vs cleane for it is written the blood of Iesus Christ clenseth vs from all 1. Ioh. 1.7 sinne We are all benummed with the dead palsie of sinne But faith in Christ doth quicken vs againe as Christ saith He that beleeueth in me though hee were dead yet shall he liue We are all blinde and cannot Ioh. 11. 25 see the way that leadeth vnto life but faith in Christ must be our guide We are all deaf and cannot heare as we should the word of God till faith haue opened our inwarde sences In one worde there is no disease of the soule or body which is not eyther holpen or eased by the benefite of faith Is thy heart and soule wounded within thee by reason of thy sinne Faith is a soueraigne and cordiall medicine it will surely heale thee Hast thou had a longe time scales vpon thine eyes that thou canst not see the brightnesse of Gods worde shine vpon thee Oh apply the salue of faith mixt with the powder of true repentance and thou shalt see howe soone they will fall from thee as they did from the eyes Act 9 18 of Saule Art thou oppressed with heauie sadnes why faith in Christ will bring thee ioy If thou bee sicke it will restore thee to health Art thou poore it will make thee riche Art thou deade it will rayse By faith all things are possible Mark 9.23 thee to life againe all thinges are possible vnto him that beleeueth Wilt thou yet heare more what benefite thou receauest by faith hearken then By faith wee are made the sonnes of God By faith wee shall obtayne euerlasting life Ioh. 1 22 3 6 11.25 3.36 6 47 By faith hee that is deade may liue Hee that beleeueth shall neuer die Hee that beleeueth hath euerlasting life Contrariwise whatsoeuer is not of faith Rom. 14 23 Heb 11 6 Ioh. 3 36 Mark 16 16 is sinne Without faith it is impossible to to please God Without faith wee shall bee condemned Hee that beleeueth not the wrath of God abideth on him He that beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued but hee that beleeueth not shal be damned This true liuely and iustifying Faith Mat 22 12 whereof wee speake is that riche wedding garment which euery christian ought to weare and whosoeuer is founde without it shall bee bounde hande and foote and cast into vtter darkenesse there shall bee weepinge and gnashing of teeth This faith is that strong shielde of defence Ephes 6.16 wherwith we must quench all the fiery darts of the Deuill if we want this armour wee shal surely be slaine of Sathan This faith is the light of the body which who so hath Mat 6.22 not walketh still in darkenes not knowing whither he goeth This faith is
great actes and wonders haue beene wrought by them through the force of faith First concerning these faithful ones which liued before the comming of Christ it hath pleased the holye Ghost to make a long Catalogue of the chiefest of them in the eleauenth Chapter of the Epistle to the The faith of our auncestors commended Hebrues to this end that we shuld haue their examples euer before our eyes nay to teach vs that if they were so faithful in the time of the law much more should we be in the time of the Gospel I wil only note the examples By faith Abel his offering was accepted Heb. 11.4 before God By faith Enoch was translated from earth into heauen By faith Noe his 5. family were saued in the Arke By faith Abraham 7. came out of his own countrie being 8. tried offered vp his only begotten sonne By faith Sara cōceiued when she was fowerscore 11. ten yeeres old By faith Isaack blessed 20. Iacob and Esau concerning things to come By faith Iacob when he was a dying 21. blessed both the sonnes of Ioseph By faith Ioseph when hee dyed gaue commaundement 22. of his bones By faith the parentes of Moyses hid 23. him three months because they saw he was a proper childe not fearing the Kings commandement By faith Moyses himselfe whē he came to age refused to be called the son 5. of Pharaos daughter chusing rather to suffer aduersitie with the children of God then to enioye the pleasures of sin for a season By faith he forsooke Egypt and feared not the 27. fiercenes of the King for he endured as hee which saw him that is inuisible By faith he ordained the Passeouer and the effusion of 28. bloud least he that destroyed the first borne should touch them By faith Moyses and the children of Israel passed through the 29. red sea as by the dry land which the Egyptians assaying to doe were drowned By faith the walles of Iericho fell downe after 30. the Israelites had compassed them about seuen daies By faith the harlot Rahab was 31. not destroyed with the rest in Iericho because she receiued the spies peaceably To 32. be short by faith Gedeon Barack Samson By faith our forefathers in bat tell haue had the victorie Iephte and Dauid fought valiantly the Lords battels and had the victorie By faith Samuel Elyas Elisha and other of the Prophets together with them before named haue subdued kingdomes wrought 33. righteousnesse obtained the promises stopped the mouthes of Lyons quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword of weake were made strong waxed 34. valiant in battell turned to flight the armies of the strangers By faith women as the woman of Sareptha 1. Kin. 17.22 the Shunammite receiued their dead children restored vnto life by Elias and Elisha 2. Kin. 4.32 Through faith other also were racked 35. and would not be deliuered that they might receiue a better resurrection Some other were stoned hewen a sunder 36. O the crueltie of tyrants were tempted were slaine with the sword others wandered vp and downe in sheepes skins and in Goates skins being destitute afflicted and tormented whom the world was not worthy of they wandered in wildernesses mountaines 37. and Dens and Caues of the earth and these all through faith obtained good 38. report Thus the holy Ghost doth beginne and thus hee doth conclude this his Catalogue in commending the fayth of our auncestors 39. that liued before the comming of Christ Now then let vs note also a fewe examples out of the new Testament and so draw to an ende for I must needes confesse that the aboundant Doctrine which the Scripture affordeth concerning faith hath caried me much further then I purposed at the beginning Notwithstanding seeing fayth is Faith the principall Iewel of S. Peters Chaine the principall Iewell of our whole worke pardon me if I bee somewhat long in this Chapter I will endeuour to bee the briefer in all the rest By faith in the olde Testament wee heare how Sara conceaued and brought foorth Isaack according to the naturall generation of mankinde but by faith in the new Testament the Virgine Marie conceaued the Sonne of GOD by the ouershadowing of the holy Ghost without the naturall helpe of man Mat. 1.18 By faith her cousen Elizabeth acknowledged the Virgine Mary to be the mother of our Lord when also the babe Iohn Baptist sprang in her wombe By faith Ioseph Luke 1.45 the supposed father of Christ did take Marie vnto his wife when before hee had thought to put her awaye priuily By faith he and his wife fled into Egypt to preserue Mat. 1.19 the babe Iesus from the tyrannie of Herod By faith the Shepheards leaue their flockes 2. 21. in the fielde to see poore Iesus lying in a Luke 2.16 Manger who returning backe againe glorifie GOD for that they had sene and heard and publish the same to others By faith the wise men came from the East Countries to Ierusalem and from thence to Bethlem where they worshipped the childe Iesus notwithstanding his pouertie and Mat. 2.1 offer vnto him gifts golde frankencense and Myrrhe By faith holy Simeon tooke Iesus in his armes when Marie came vnto Ierusalem to be purified according to the lawe and hee Luk. 2.27 said Lorde now lettest thou thy seruant to 28.29 depart in peace and so foorth Then Simeon Verse 34. also blessed them and saide vnto Mary This childe is appointed for the fall and rysing againe of manye in Israell and for a signe which shall bee spoken against yea and a 35. sworde shall pearce thy soule that the the thoughtes of many hearts may bee opened By faith likewise at the same instant Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe 2.36.37.38 of Aser which was of a great age and had liued seuen yeeres with a husband from her virginitie but was a widdow fower-score and fower yeeres seruing God in the temple with fasting and prayer night and day she I say comming vp then at the same time confessed likewise the Lorde and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Ierusalem By faith Iohn Baptist when hee came to age went out into the wildernesse to prepare Mat 3.1 the way of the Lord before him By faith he Baptiseth the people in the floude Mat. 3.5 Iordan as many as did repent and beleeue in Christ who was then at hand By faith Ioh. 1.29 hee pointed out with his finger the Sonne of God saying Beholde the Lambe of God which taketh awaie the sinnes of the world 41. By faith Andrew the Disciple of Iohn Baptist brought his brother Simon Peter vnto Christ saying We haue found the Messias which by interpretation is Christ By faith Philip perswadeth Nathanael to come
vnto Christ saying vnto him Beholde wee haue 45. found him of whome Moyses did write in the lawe and in the Prophetes By faith Nathanael sayth vnto Iesus thou art the Sonne of God thou art the Kinge of Israell 49. because Christ said hee saw him vnder a fig-tree By faith Simon Peter and the Sonnes of Zebedee leaue their fishing and Mat. 4.18 21. nettes to follow Iesus after that hee had tolde them that he would make them fishers of men By faith Mathew the customer left all his Mat. 9.9 gaine to follow Iesus By faith Sainte Paul Saint Steuen and all the Apostles of Christ 2. Cor. 11. endured all labours and daungers imprisonment 23 mockings scourgings death it selfe Acts. 7.59 for the name of Christ and for the worke of the ministerie By faith infinite Martyrs and the Saints of God since the time of the Apostles haue done likewise By faith Zacheus made this protestation from his heart Luk. 19.8 saying Behold Lord the halfe of my goods I giue to the poore and if I haue done anye man wrong I restore him fowerfolde to whom Christ answered This day saluation is come into thine house By faith the good Mat. 8.10 Centurion said that Christ was able to heale his seruant with his onely worde of whose faith Christ himselfe gaue this commendation that he had not found so great a faith no not in Israel By faith the poore woman of Canaan saide vnto Christ that it was lawfull for Mat. 15.28 dogges to eate vp the crummes which fall from their Masters table whose fayth also Christ highly cōmended saying vnto her Woman great is thy faith bee it vnto thee euen as thou wilt But what stand I to reckon vp more examples to this purpose let vs looke vp into the starres of heauen and if we be able to number them then may wee also bring into a The starres of heauen and the faithfull children of Abraham innumerable reckoning all the true sonnes of Abraham registred in the booke of Gods remēbrance for their strong and stedfast faith in the promises of God made vnto Adam Abraham and the rest of Gods elect since the beginning of the worlde These examples which I haue noted and manye other which of purpose I omit are surelye written for our learning that wee through patience Rom. 15.4 and comforte of the Scripture might haue hope Last of all the great and glorious titles wherby the faithfull are called in the Scripture How the faithful are named in the Scripture make not a little to the commendation of this faith whereof wee speake The faithfull are called the sonnes of God the sonnes of light liuing stones the temple of the holye Ghost the bodye of Christ the housholde of God the fellow Cittizens of 2. Cor. 6. 18 Luk. 16.8.1 Pet. 2.5.1 Cor. 6.19 Eph. 1.23 2.6 1. Pet. 2.9 the Saints a royall Priesthoode a holy nation a peculiar people Wherfore seeing we haue heard so great commendation of faith and faithfull people what maruaile is it that the Scripture euerye where doeth exhorte vs vnto faith and that Christ himselfe and all his Apostles did take so great paines to bring the world vnto the obedience of faith by the preaching of the Gospell and reioce in nothing more then to heare see how that the Churches of God where the Gospell hath beene preached did continue in their faith Therefore Saint Paule in the first to the Romanes did thanke God that their faith Rom. 18. was published throughout the world And Coloss 1.2 in the first to the Collossians hee beginneth thus To the saintes and faithfull brethren in Christ and by and by he saith We giue thankes to God since we heard of your faith 3. in Christ Iesus And againe in the seconde Chapter hee saith I reioyce to behold your Chap. 2. 5. order and stedfast faith in Christ And in the first to the Thessalonians and first he saith 1 Thess 1.2 We giue God thankes for you without ceasing remembring your effectuall faith And in the second to Timothie first he calleth 3 to remembrance the vnfayned faith which 2 Tim 1.5 dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and in his mother Eunice And to Philemon hee writeth thus I giue thanks when I heare of Phile. 1.4 5. thy loue and faith What doth all this signifie vnto vs but that this saith whereof wee speake is most excellent in the sight of God and man Hence commeth it to passe that the same Apostle doth so earnestly exhort vs vnto this 1 Cor 16 13. faith to abide in it Stand fast in the faith saith he quite you like men and be strong Againe hee saith Proue your selues whether 2.13.5 ye are in the faith Againe We walk by faith and not by sight Againe Aboue all Ephes 6 16 1 Tim. 1 5 6.11 12 take the shielde of faith wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Againe The ende of the commandement is loue out of a pure harte and of a good conscience of faith vnfained And vnto Timothy he saith But thou O man of God follow after righteousnes godlinesse faith loue patience meekenes and so forth Faith must fight for vs. 2. Tim. 1.13 By and by hee saith Fight the good fight of faith Againe keepe the true patterne of the wholesome wordes which thou hast hearde of mee in faith and loue in Christ Iesus Againe hee bids vs to doe good vnto all but especially to them that are of the housholde Tit. 2 2 of faith And to Titus he saith let the elder men be sound in the faith And in the Epistle Heb 4 2. Gods word profiteth not without faith 11.6 to the Hebrewes it is saide that Gods worde profiteth vs not except it bee mixt with faith And without faith it it is impossible to please God For a conclusion therefore Christ himselfe saith Bee faithfull vnto the death I wil giue thee the crown of life What tounge then can expresse the Reuel 2.10 excellencie of faith and the profite wee receiue by it Contrariwise all woe and miserie is theirs that haue not this faith for All woe is theirs that haue not faith Rom. 14.23 without faith whatsoeuer wee doe is sinne whether we pray reade sing eate drinke labour or whatsoeuer wee doe without this faith I say it is sinne Iannes Iambres are compared with the reprobates that want 1 Tim. 3.8 2 Tim. 1.20 faith Hymeneus and Alexander are noted with eternall infamie because they made shipwracke of their faith For want of faith the man in the Gospel that presumed to come to the wedding was bounde hande and foote and cast into vtter Mat. 22.12 13. darkenes there shall be weeping gnashing of teeth Finally as vnbeleefe was the cause that so many thousands died in the wildernesse and
vs for faith is as before is noted the A Similitude hande wherewith wee apprehende and laie sure holde vppon the righteousnesse of Christ Iesus And euen as a lyttle childe maye as truelye holde a golde ring or precious iewell wyth his litle and weake hand as a giant with all the force of his hande and fist beeing one and the selfe same ring so the merits of the sonne of God bee one and the same whether our faith bee weake or strong to apprehend them This then beeing as wee haue sayde the least measure of faith when wee haue an earnest desire to bee saued and yet haue not the full assurance of our saluation it is then our dutie daily to praie the Lord to increase our faith till we come by little and little vnto the greatest measure which wee shall not haue at the first but in some continuance of time when wee haue bene well practised in repentance for as soone as wee haue the least measure of faith repentance will also appeare in some measure When therfore I saie we haue some time bin well practised in repentance and haue had diuerse experiences of Gods loue towards vs in Christ then afterwardes will appeare in our hearts the fulnesse of perswasion which is the ripenesse and strength of faith For this is the greatest measure of faith when anie one daylye increasing in faith comes to be fully perswaded of Gods loue in Christ The greatest measure of faith towards himselfe particularly of the forgiuenes of his owne sins This I suppose is the greatest measure of faith how be it I am still perswaded that there is no mans faith so strong but it is No mans faith so strong but it is sometimes shakeÌ„ sometimes shaken with the winde of doubfulnes Thus are wee come now at length thorough Gods assistance to the concluding shutting vp of this discourse of faith being the foundation of our whole worke wherein wee haue seene what true faith is what excellent vertues and operation it hath what great profit and commoditie we The summ of the first chapter receiue by it that many of our forefathers haue bene renowned for their faith lastlie whose gift it is to whom it is giuen and in what measure Now to him that is of power to establishe vs according to the gospell of Rom. 16 Iesus Christ by the reuelation of the mistery 25. which was kept secrete since the world began 26. but nowe is opened and published among all nations by the scripture of the 27. prophets at the commaundement of theeuerlasting God for the obedience of faith To God I say onely wise be all praise and honour and glorie thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Praier for faith and the increase thereof O Almightie God and omnipotent creator Lord of heauen and earth the giuer of all good things from whence euerie good perfect gift doth proceed and by whose mercifull goodnes it is augmented and increased within vs I beseech thee of thine infinite clemencie to plant deeply in my soule that most sweet root of faith and to water it continually with the dew of thy heauenly grace that it may spring and bud forth into the greene and liuelie branches of a godly life with peace of conscience and ioye in the holie Ghost and that the seed thereof so soone as it is ripe may fall downe againe into the garden of my heart to the further increase of the same til it growe vp into that great tree of euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour To whome with thee O father and the holy Ghost be all honor and glorie for euer Amen OF VERTVE IN GENERALL CHAP. 2. THE order and course of nature being duly obserued doth make this plaine vnto vs that though there bee manye and innumerable thinges in this worlde yet that euery thing hath a certaine head root fountaine beginning from whence each particular is deriued For when God which is the cause of nature woulde shew forth in the theatre of this world the surpassing excellencie of his wisedome not onely in creating all things of nothing but also in gouerning and preseruing all things that were created that they might continue and indure out the time which he had appointed The Scripture saieth that God did make euerie thing according to his kinde withall did put certaine seedes of thinges in the Gen. 1 12 The course of natural things continued by Gods prouidence tiâ— the ende oâ— the world things themselues wherby there might be a propagation or continued course of things from generation to generation so long as the world should indure Right so Gods mightie power and infinite wisedome doth no lesse plainelie appeare in things supernatural I meane in the gifts of the mind wherwith he doth beutify adorne the soule of man for it is God that giueth both the beginning increase of al Faith the roote of vertue vertue and goodnes Now the beginning of vertue in vs is faith which God doth first plant in the hart of man faith then may be coÌ„pared vnto the roote froÌ„ whence doth arise the stemme of vertue Vertue in generall breaketh out into particular branches as knowledge temperance patience and the rest and euery branch bringeth foorth fruit according to his kind Therfore Saint Peter writing vnto such as were conuerted vnto 2. Pet. 1. 5 the faith willeth them to ioyne therevnto vertue saying Ioine vertue with your faith whereby doubtlesse he meaneth that they should endeauour to lead a ciuill honest life as euery one had receiued the measure of faith and to the end they shoulde not thinke it a matter indifferent he biddeth them to giue al diligence therunto euen to ioyne vertue with their faith because by throgh their faith in Christ God had giuen them all things that pertaine vnto life and godlines through the knowledge of him By flying â—he corrupâ—…oÌ„s of this â—orld wee â—aw neervnto God that had called them vnto glory vertue wherby most precious promises were giueÌ„ vnto them that by them they should bee partakers of the godly nature in flying the corruption which is in the world through lust So that now wee see what must bee the chiefe and principall care of all those that haue receiued this excellent gift of faith wherof we haue spoken in the former chapter Namely to giue all diligence to ioyne vnto our faith vertue that so our faith may appeare by our honest liuing godly conuersation Wherefore in this chapter wee must speake of vertue in generall being the second lincke in Saint Peters Chaine afterward come to her particular branches Vertue in generall is obedience to Gods commaundements wrought in Gods children what vertue is from whome we haue it by the spirit of sanctification directed or referred to the glorie of God and accepted of him in Christ Iesus And to speake plainly whatsoeuer thing
saith Hee that beleeueth hath euerlasting life And Saint Paul saith by grace ye are saued Ioh. ◠36 Ephe. 2.8 By things to come I meane the accomplishment and performance of our saluation which in this life we doe patiently waite for and expect by hope therefore hope is sometimes vsed in the same sence that faith is as in the eight to the Romaines Saint Paul saith we are saued by hope that is by Rom. 8.24 hope our faith is supported and wee are comforted til we haue the end of our faith euen the saluation of our soules Againe this difference is betweene faith and hope that faith doth imbrace and apprehend Wherein faith and hope agree the promises of things and hope the things whereof the promises are made onely in this faith and hope agree that they haue alwaies respect vnto one and the selfe same benefits As for example when Abraham Gen. 17.19 was promised to haue a sonne in his olde age he did verily beleeue it but with hope did expect the performance thereof many yeares He was promised also the land of Canaan to him and his seede he did verily Gen. 17.8 beleeue it should be accomplished but yet hee did onely enioy the same by hope Thus we haue seene briefely the difference betweene faith hope and loue as also how they agree in one but of loue we shalspeake more God willing in the last Chapter Now let vs proceede a little further in our purpose to shew the excellencie and worthines of faith whereby we are assured of things inuisible as though wee saw them Things inuisible are plainely seene with the eyes of faith-Heb 11.3 with our bodily eyes if not more assured Through faith wee vnderstand the world was made by the word of God so that the things which we see are not made of things which did appeare Through faith we are assured of our election before the foundations of the world were laide God hath chosen vs saith Saint Paul in Christ before the foundation of the Ephes 1.4 world that we should be holy and without blame before him in loue Through faith wee are assured of our reconciliation with God for God was in Christ saith the Apostle and reconciled 2. Cor. 5.19 the world vnto himselfe not imputing their sinnes vnto them Through faith wee are assured of our redemption iustification and sanctification Ye are of him saith Saint Paul in Christ Iesus 1 Cor. 1.30 who is made vnto vs wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Through faith we are assured of our adoption that wee are the sonnes of God The spirite Rom. 8 16 beareth witnesse vnto our spirites saith the Apostle that wee are the children of God Through faith wee are assured that wee haue the spirit of God Know ye not that the 2. Cor. 13.5 spirite of Christ dwelleth in you except ye be reprobates Through faith wee haue the true knowledge of God and of Christ and in the ende euerlasting life This is life eternall to know God the father and whome hee hath Ioh. 17.3 sent Iesus Christ Lastly through faith we are assured that nothing shall separate vs from the loue of God for those whome God once loueth to Ioh. 13.1 the ende he loueth them I am perswaded saith Saint Paule that neither death nor Rom. 8.38 life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor thinges to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall bee able to seperate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our If we haue faith nothing can separate vs from God Lord. See thē the excellency of faith which may yet againe be considered fower maner of waies In respect of God in respect of our neighbours in respect of our selues in respect of the deuill and of the world In respect of God we feele peace of conscience Being iustified by faith wee Rom. 5.1 haue peace towardes God through Iesus Christ our Lorde Wee haue hope of the glorie to come Wee haue accesse vnto the 8.21 Heb. 4.16 throne of grace In respecte of our neighbours we haue mutuall concord godly loue and charitie In respect of our selues wee haue patience in afflictions reioycing in Rom. 5.3 tribulations ioye in the holye Ghost dying vnto sinne liuing vnto righteousnesse In respect of Sathan our faith fighteth for Ephe. 6.16 vs against his temptations and in respect of the world wee doe by little and little ouercome it This is the victorie which ouercommeth the world euen your faith 1. Ioh. 5.9 What should we say more If thou haue faith all things in heauen and earth make for thee if thou want faith al things in heauē earth hel make against thee if thou haue All thinges make for the faithful as al things make against the infidels faith thou art rich without any other thing if thou want faith thou art poore possessing al other things if thou haue faith thou maiest bee bolde as a Lyon if thou want faith thou wilt tremble at the shaking of a leafe if thou haue faith thou needes not feare the Faith a strong fort against our enemies force of thine enemies but for want of faith the heartes of people faint within them The wicked flie saith Salomon and no man pursueth them contrariwise the faithfull will say with Dauid God is our hope Pro. 28.1 and strength a helpe in troubles ready to bee founde Therefore will wee not feare Psal 46 1.2 3. though the earth remoue and though the mountaines fall into the depth of the Sea the hils shake at the surges of the same Againe Dauid saith though thousands had Psal 3.6 hemd me in on euery side yet would I not feare And againe I will say vnto the Lord O my hope and my fortresse he is my God Psal 92.1.2 in him will I trust surely hee will deliuer thee from the snare of the hunter and from 3. the noysome pestilence he will couer thee vnder his wings and thou shalt bee safe vnder 4. his feathers his truth shall be thy shield and buckler thou needst not bee affraid of the terror of the night nor of the arrowe that flyeth by day nor of the pestilence that 5. walketh in the darkenesse nor of the plague One faithfull man better in fight then a thousand infidels that destroyeth at the noone day a thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hande but it shall not come neere thee Behold then I beseech you the 6. force of faith blessed is the man that hath 7. the Lord for his God Psa 144.15 Now hauing hitherto heard the excellencie of faith and what profit we receiue therby it shall not be amisse to note for our further comfort and consolation what worthy praise commendation the Scripture hath alwaies giuen vnto faithfull men and women what
Nature giueth vnto age estimation and authoritie but meekenesse of heart is the glorie of youth and age and giueth vnto them both dignitie and honour That may rightly be called genterie that is begun continued and ended in true humilitie according to our english prouerbe A gentleman hath gentle conditions It is the saying of a sage man that the higher any one is in authority so much the more gentle and lowly should he behaue himselfe and that nothing is more seemly or commendable for a prince or noble man thē the vertue of gentlenesse meekenes and humilitie For the gentle and lowly minded man cannot lightly be hated Vertue specially learning Humility maketh a man beloued with humility hath aduanced many men vnto great honor dignitie agreeable to that saying of Salomon Before honour goeth humilitie and againe The reward of humility is life riches and glory Man is in nothing Prou. 15.33 22 4. more like vnto God then in gentlenesse humilitie The vertue of humilitie saith one encourageth to attayne truely the Law of God and maketh apte vessels to receiue the spirit of God according to this saying of Dauid Them that be meek wil God guide Psal 25.9 in iudgemente and teach the humble his way Therefore the prophet Dauid knowing the great vertue of humilitie maketh this protestation of himself in one of his Psalms Psal 131. Lorde saith hee I am not highe minded I haue no proude lookes but on the contrary my soule saith hee is euen as a wayned childe meaning that hee was humble in heart as a child And surely the example of a childe is We must learne humilitie of children very forcible to teach vs humilitie therefore Christ himselfe vsed the same example vnto his Apostles when in pride of hart they demanded who shoulde bee greatest in the kindome of heauen Then Iesus called a little childe and set him in the middest of his disciples and saide vnto them Verely I Mat. 18.1.2 say vnto you except ye bee conuerted and become as little children ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen but contrariwise Whosoeuer shall humble himselfe as this little childe the same is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen See then what a precious vertue humilitie is and to what great honour it preferreth vs euen to be the greatest in the kingdome of heauen Humility preferreth vs to the greatest honour Galat. 5.22 True humilitie and gentlenesse of minde is a cheefe fruit of the spirite of God The fruite of the spirte saith Saint Paul is loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenes meeknesse and so forth Therefore is it that the same Apostle doth so earnestly exhort vs Collos 3 12 13. vnto humilitie As the elect of God sayth hee holy and beloued put on tender mercy kindnesse humblenesse of mind meekenes long suffering Thus wee see how humilitie is both commanded commended vnto vs. Now let vs a little consider howe that as God in his iustice hath euermore throwne downe the proude so in his mercy hee hath exalted the humble and Examples how God hath exalted the humble Numb 12.3 meeke Moyses that man of God among all his vertues is commended for nothing more then for his humilitie and meekenes for he is saide to bee the meekest man vpon earth and see how hee was exalted of God When his father and mother had left him by the Exod. 2.3.4 5. riuers brinke among the bulrushes God caused him to bee taken vp aduanced him to the court of Pharao and after made him a prince and a gouernour ouer his owne people Little Dauid the sonne of Ishai because hee was little in his owne eyes and as wee haue heard before humble in heart as a wained Psal 78 70 71 childe therefore God did exalte him tooke him from following the Ewes great with yong and aduanced him to the kingly throne Neyther haue we onely examples of men but also of women as of Esther that of a poore captiue hauing nor father nor Ester 2 17. mother aliue onely a good kinseman Mordecay was by God aduanced to be the wife of a King What inould we speak of the humilitie low estate of the virgine Mary who notwithstanding was chosen by God himselfe to bee the mother of Christ This great working of God in throwing downe the proude and exalting the lowly doth that holy Virgine well note in her song of reioycing when she saith My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirite reioyceth in God my sauiour by Luk. 1.46 and by she sheweth the reason For he hath looked on the poore degree of his seruant scattered the imaginations of the proude He hath put downe the mightie from their seates and exalted them of lowe degree The verie same thing doth Hanna the mother of Samuel note in her prayer saying 1 Sam. 2.7 8. The Lord maketh poore and maketh riche bringeth lowe and exalteth hee rayseth the poore out of the dust lifteth vp the begger from the dunghill to set them among Princes and to make them inherite the seat of glorie Hence is it that Saint Paule faith though 1 Cor. 1 27 28. to another purpose that God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of this world to confound the mightie things vile things things which are despised hath God chosen things that are not to bring to nought things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence but according as it is written hee that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. Ierem 9.24 Thus we haue seene how God doth euermore exalt them that are humble and lowly in their owne eyes Let vs therefore make much of humilitie But yet to proceede a little further if we wil haue examples of humilitie then let vs come to the example of The chiefest example of humilitie all examples euen to the example of Christ Iesus the Sonne of God Which example Saint Paule doth propose vnto vs in the second to the Philippians saying Let the same Philip. 2.5 mind bee in you which was in Christ Iesus who being in the forme of God thought it no robberie to be equall with God but hee made himselfe of no reputation and tooke on him the forme of a seruant was made like vnto men and was found in his shape as a man he humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse wherefore God hath highly exalted him and so forth Now we must not only learne by the example of Christ to be humble and lowly in We must learne by the example of Christ to be humble both in prosperitie and aduersitie 1. Pet. 2.21 22.23 prosperitie but also in aduersitie when we shall suffer any thing for his sake for here in saith Saint Peter hath Christ left vs an example that we should follow his steps who
very godly and zealous will aboue many other appeare in their liues and conuersation to be most dissolute wicked and vngodly Some of them will bee beastly adulterers some cruell extortioners some byting vsurers some false periurers some deceitfull coseners some mercilesse and without all compassion to the poore and needy and yet I say their talke shall bee sometimes and in some companie of Gods worde and religion It is therefore very wel It is better seeme ignorant then to boast of knowledge without practise Psal 50.16 noted of one who saith that it is better to seeme ignorant then to boast of knowledge without practise But what saith the eternal God vnto those talkers why takest thou my worde in thy mouth and hatest to be reformed The kingdome of God saith S. Paule is not in worde 1 Cor. 4.20 but in vertue and power they regarde not â— Pet. 1 5. this exhortation of Sainte Peter who bids them to ioine vnto their knowledge vertue temperaunce godlines and so forth they thinke not that the grace of God hath appeared to teach them to deny all vngodlines Tit. 2.11 and worldly lusts and to liue soberly righteously and godly in this present worlde they beleeue not that this is the will of God euen our sanctification that we should abstayne from fornication That euery 1 Thess 4.3 one shoulde possesse his vessell in honour and holinesse and not in the lustes of concupiscence as do the Gentiles which know not God that no man oppresse or defraude his brother in bargaining because the Lord is an auenger of all these thinges They feare not that saying of Saint Iames There shall bee iudgment mercilesse to him that sheweth no mercie and that mercy reioyceth Iam. 2.13 against iudgement In one worde they wilfully deceaue themselues and knowing they will not Ephes 5.5 knowe That no whoremonger nor vncleane person nor couetouse person which is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ and of God And is not then the state of those to bee lamented aboue them that are ignorant for they shall bee beaten with many stripes because they Ignorance ioyned with obstinacy knowe their maisters will and doe it not whereas they that are ignorant if there bee not ioyned with it wilful obstinacie resistance Ignorance shall excuse none therefore not the mother of deuotion but of confusion of the truth shal be beate with fewer stripes but beaten they shall bee and not excused therefore let none pleade ignorance for ignorance is now knowen not to be the mother of deuotion but of errour and confusion Let vs aboue all thinges learne to Speculatiue knowledge naught worth with out practatiue knowe and that wee knowe let vs indeuour to put in practise Let vs no longer content our selues with speculatiue knowledge for it is practatiue knowledge that Saint Peter exhorteth vs vnto when hee saith Ioyne with your vertue knowledge euen the true knowledge of God in his Son Christ This is that knowledge which S. Paule Ephes 1.16.17.18.19 prayeth God to giue vnto the Ephesians when hee sayth I make mention of you in in my prayers that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the father of glorie might giue vnto you the spirit of wisedome reuelation through the knowledge of him that the eyes of your vnderstanding may bee lightned that ye may knowe what the hope is of his calling and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is with the Saintes and what is the exceeding greatnes of his power towardes vs which beleeue according to the working of his mighty power And a little after he saith That ye may be able to comprehend 12.18 19 with all saints what is the bredth and length and depth and height and to know the loue of God which passeth knowledge that ye may be filled with all fulnesse of God This is that true knowledge whereunto S. Peter exborteth vs. The same thing againe meaneth S. Paule when he saith Brethren be not children in vnderstanding but as concerning malitiousnes be children but in vnderstanding knowledge bee of a ripe 1 Cor. 14 20. age We must therefore vse all meanes possible to increase our knowledge as reading and hearing of Gods worde read and preached vnto vs prayer vnto God for the Reading preaching meditating conferrence with the learned be speciall meanes to increase knowledge Prouer. 2 12. increase therof with often meditation theron conference with them that haue knoweledge and so forth yea we must know that this holy knowledge of Gods word and the misteries thereof is that treasure which wee must day lie seeke euen as Salomon exhorteth vs saying My son if thou wilt receiue my wordes and hide my commandementes within thee and cause thine eare to hearken vnto wisedome and incline thine heart vnto vnderstanding for if thou callest after 3. knowledge and criest for vnderstanding 4. if thou seekest her as siluer searchest for her as for treasures then thou shalt vnderstande the feare of the Lorde and find the knowledge of God For the Lorde giueth wisdome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstanding Whereby also wee may note that this knowledge commeth not naturally but it is the Lorde that giueth this wisedome and knowledge Therefore Salomon bids vs to aske and seeke it at Gods hande and after he saith It is God that giueth wisedome and knowledge Knowledge must be craued of God by prayer Mat. 7.7 Trust in the Lord and leane not vnto thine owne wisedome as if he should say thinke not to vnderstand this knowledge by thine owne wisedome but by prayer from God and by vsing such meanes as hee hath appointed for the obtayning of the same Aske and ye shall haue saith Christ seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you Againe Christ saith Search the Ioh. 5.39 scriptures for in them ye thinke to haue eternall life and they are they that testifie of mee The feare of the Lorde saith Salomon is the beginning of this knowledge The feare of the Lord the beginning of knowledge Prov. 1.7 who so findeth it doubtlesse findeth great treasure Therefore hee faith in his thirde chapter Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome and the man that getteth vnderstanding for 3.13 the marchandice thereof is better then the marchandise of Siluer and the gaine 14. thereof is better then Golde It is more precious then pearles and all thinges that 15 thou canst desire are not to bee compared vnto her length of daies is in her right hand 16. and in her left hande riches and glorie Her waies are waies of pleasure and al her pathes 17 prosperitie she is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her and blessed is hee that 18. receiueth her See see howe the holy Ghost doth compare vnderstanding wisedome and knowledge to a tree of life to golde