end wee may bee the better prepared too receiue the 〈◊〉 conteyned in this Epistle the same may haue such authoritie among vs as it deserueth and moreouer bee made amyable too vs so as wee may vnderstaÌ„d how it is for our singular benefite too learne at Paules hand forsomuch as he witnesseth the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ vntoo vs and leadeth vs too God too bee reconcyled vntoo him wheras wee bee naturally the children of wrath and furthermore that wee may stand in his fauour so as wee may bee hold too call vppon him as 〈◊〉 father bee sure that he also taketh vs for his children Theruppon 〈◊〉 a thanksgiuing too lift vp a mennes hartes too acknowledge 〈◊〉 much they bee bound and beholden vntoo God specially consideâ—â—â—â— that he hath shewed himselfe so bountifull towardes them in 〈…〉 foorth himselfe after all maner of sortes â—â—â—essed sayeth he bee the God and father of our Lord Iesus 〈◊〉 vvhich hath blissed vs vvith all spirituall blissings in heaâ—â—â—ly things or in heauenly places in Christ. Forasmuch as the chiefe 〈◊〉 which God requireth at mennes hands is that they should acâ—â—wledge his benefites and be thankfull too him for them S. Paule 〈◊〉 â—sidereth first of all how the same maye prouoke them too doo their 〈…〉 For wee bee so rechlesse as it is â–ª pitie too see Wee can well 〈◊〉 confesse that our chiefe studie and indeuer ought too bee too 〈…〉 a well ordered lyfe that is too wit to praise god For if a man aske vs wherefore wee bee in this world wherefore God hath such a care of vs wherfore his goodnesse feedeth and cherisheth vs finally 〈◊〉 he dooth as it were put out our eyes with the great number 〈…〉 which he bestoweth vppon vs it is too the end wee should 〈…〉 some acknowledgement of them vntoo him For as it is sayd in 〈◊〉 Psalme wee 〈◊〉 our side cannot profit him at all nother requyreth 〈…〉 else of vs in exchaunge than thanksgiuing according as it is 〈◊〉 in the hundred and sixteenth Psalme What shall I render too the 〈◊〉 for all the benefites which I haue receyued of him but onely too 〈◊〉 the cuppe of welfare at his hand and too call vppon his name 〈…〉 see then that all that euer wee can bring vntoo God is but too acâ—â—owledge our selues bound too him for all things And yet for all that 〈◊〉 dischargeth his dewtie no nor the hundredth part of it in that bâ—halfe but rather all of vs from the greatest too the least doo defraud 〈◊〉 of it in as much as wee ceasse not through our leawdnesse to bury 〈◊〉 praise which ought too ring 〈…〉 in our mouthes For this cause 〈◊〉 Lord rebuketh vs for our negligence for wheras the holy scripture exhorteth vs too praise God and vseth so many woordes too that purâ—ose let vs not thinke that they bee superâ—â—â—ous but let vs acknowâ—edge them too bee as many vpbraydings of our churlishnesse and vnâ—yâ—dnesse for fayling in the thing that is so requisite and as yee would 〈◊〉 the principall poynt of our life Trew it is that the holy Ghost â—ooth oftentimes set foorth other reasons why wee shoud magnifye Gods name as the order of nature the fruites which the earth yeeldeth the ayde and help which God giueth vs such other things and those are sufficient matter wherfore too prayse god But S. Paule leadeth vs hygher heere and will haue vs too glorifye God aboue all things for bycause he thinkes it not ynough too haue set vs in the worlde and too cherish vs there and too haue prouided all things needfull for the passing of this transitorie lyfe but also hath chozen vs too bee heires of his kingdome and of the heauenly lyfe Then are wee dubble bound vntoo God and that much more streytly than the ignorant and vnbeleeuing wretches are For although they bee sufficiently bonnd alredye yit notwithstanding the good which he hath doone vs in Iesus Christ is without all comparison more excellent and noble bycause he hath adopted vs too bee his children Truely inasmuch as wee bee men wee bee of the nomber of his creatures which he hath fashioned after his owne image but what for that This image is defaced in vs by sin and by the corruption wherwith we bee atteinted by Adams disobedieÌ„ce And now what other heritage haue wee than of his wrath and of endlesse death Too bee shorte wee bee not woorthy too bee reckened in the number of brute beasts if wee abide in the state which wee haue of nature Now then seyng that God maketh vs members of his onely sonne setteth vs in the aray of the Angels prepareth vs too become parttakers of his owne nature and glory as sayeth S. Peter in his first Epistle ought not wee too perceiue there so hygh and noble a grace as should rauish vs wholly in loue with it Thus yee see that of the thinges which S. Paule ment too say in this text the first is that wee bee heere exhorted too apply our whole indeuer too the praising of God verily bycause wee bee too cold slothfull in that behalfe if wee bee not driuen and inforced thereuntoo Besydes this S. Paule had one other respect more which was too feede vs in such wise with the grace that we haue by the Gospell as wee may no more couet this thing that thing after our ordinary manor We see how fickle wee bee of nature when God is so good vntoo vs as too set his woord before vs wee will needes haue some other thinges beside and nothing can content vs And what is the cause of it It is for that wee bee dull neuer conceiued nor vnderstoode what God sheweth vs by his word For we shal see heereafter that such as know the loue which God sheweth vs in our Lord Iesus Christ haue all that they can wish vpward and downward farre wyde Also S. Paule dooth now call vpon vs too blisse God too the end too holde vs to the doctrine wherin consisteth the fulnesse of all felicitie at leastwise if we 〈…〉 skill too vse it too our profit â—â—thermore let vs marke also how not without cause he sayeth 〈◊〉 is in spirituall blissings For although wee cannot eate a bit of 〈◊〉 nor drinke a drop of water without theft too Godward except â—cknowledge confesse that he therein sheweth himselfe a very 〈◊〉 towards vs yit notwithstaÌ„ding the things that concerne this 〈◊〉 and transitory life of ours are nothing in respect of the thinges 〈◊〉 serue for the euerlasting welfare of our soules And in very deede 〈◊〉 Paules exhorting of vs heere too praise God for his heauenly blisâ—â—s is in such wise that therwithall he giueth vs an incling that we 〈◊〉 bee pacient if we bee pinched in respect of the flesh haue not all â—â—ges at will but that God cutteth vs short of our pittance handâ—â—â— vs not so tenderly as we would bee Two
we shal haue the fulnesse of all wisdome we shal no more neede too trot heere and there wee shall no more neede too go vp nor downe nor farre nor wyde for wee shall haue wholly whatsoeuer is good and requisite for our welfare When wee heare this must it not needes be that wee be as good as bewitched if wee beleeue not God too rest wholly vppon his sayings without flinging abrode after that fashyon and without making of so manie wyndlasss to trubble and tyre our selues too no purpose And that it is which is ment in the Prophet Esay where he sayeth Go tread in your owne wayes and when yee haue compassed and gone about both heauen and earth what shall it boote yee Then if wee bee so blynd as too stray out heere and there and cannot keepe the way that is shewed vs but will needs go dig pits at our own pleasure and forsake the spring of liuing water which God hath set before our eyes it is good reason that wee should bee both ahungered and athirst ly broyling in our owne foolish lusts to trot to and fro like women with chyld which long too eate char Coales and had leuer drink the water of some puddle thaÌ„ the water of a fayre clere spring If wee fall too gadding in that maner after Satan and bee â—gre of his illuzions and trumperie and cannot content our selues with the good that our Lord setteth afore vs must it not needes be that we be worse than bewitched and that the diuel hath made vs stark beasts So then let vs vndestand first of all that all things which men can bring vs of their owne behalf are but tryfles or rather illuzions of Satan And secondly that when the â—oriâ—ture â—etteth Iesus Christ afore vs it is not for nought told vs that wee must rest wholly vppon him and hold vs too him when wee be come thither bycause he hath the fulnesse of all goodnesse in him and therfore wee neede not too bee haled too and fro or too take too greate peyne in seeking the things that are needfull for vs nor finally too wander any more abrode but to stick wholly vntoo him as too our perfect and souere in blisfulnesse Thirdly we must consider in Iesus Christ the infinit grace that is brought vs and imparted too vs by his meanes And Saint Paule in saying heere the Loue sendeth vs too the wellspring For though wee knew all Gods secretes and were priuie too the rest of his will what were it till we were perswaded of the loue that he beareth vs For wee see that when any man speakes of God too the vnbeleeuers it dooth so greeue them that they wote not where too become and it is but a matter of heauinesse too them bycause they conceyue nothing but rigour in him But when his grace and fatherly goodnesse is vttered vntoo vs as he hath shewed it in our Lord Iesus Christ then come we boldly vntoo him and wee bee no more afrayd of his seate but haue familiar accesse to it and therin he dooth vs an inestimable good turne such a one as surmounteth all that euer wee can wish in this world according as S. Paule setteth vs it downe heere And so yee see what this saying the Loue of God importeth And he sayeth purposely in Iesus Christ bycause that without him wee could not bee beloued of god For let Iesus Christ bee as yee would say let alone and let vs put the cace that wee thought vppon God and that wee did apply all our wits theraboutes and therwithall that wee bethought vs of our selues also what were all this Wee shall fynd such an incomprehensible maiestie in God as shall swallowe vs vp lyke a deepe gulf Agein his Iustice is so perfect as it wil bee much lesse possible for vs to stand before it than for Snowe to abyde ageinst the Sunne Now when wee come too our selues wee must needes see a sea of all miserie before vs that is to wit that our senses are blynd that wee bee vtterly vnfurnished of all vertew that wee bee giuen too all euill that wee bee hild downe vnder the thraldome of sin and that nothing in vs no not euen of the excellentest thinges that wee thinke our selues too haue which is not lothsome before god Therfore when we once know these twoo things that is too wit when we haue once conceyued a terrour of Gods maiestie and bee drowned in despayre at the syght of our selues then let vs afterward go seeke al the meanes that can bee and let vs call the Angels too help and they will come neuer the neerer vs for all that Let vs take the Hee sayntes and Shee sayntes aud by what tytle can they belong too vs Nay rather wee bee separated from them And agein will God who is the fountayne of all purenesse receyue vs vs I say which are so wretched creatures Thinke we that he will intermeddle himself with our filth and vnclennesse No but contrariwyse he must needes abhorre vs So then it is not without cause that Saint Paule hauing spoken heere expresly of Gods Loue to the intent wee myght know that he dooth iustly hate vs so long as he beholdeth vs in our owne naturall state addeth immediatly that the same loue is grounded vpon the bludshed of our Lord Iesus Christ too the end that all our spottes should bee scoured away thereby and wee bee so clenzed as wee myght not bring anye thing hensfoorth before God which myght displease him And by that meanes are wee discharged and quit of all our dettes bycause he hath yeelded perfect obedience Lo how our stubbornnesse is doone away and shall neuer come too account bycause he offered himself in sacrifice for vs Lo how wee be set free from all thraldome bycause he hath ouercome both the diuell and death and sinne too our benefite Lo how wee at this day inioy his victory and make our tryumphe of it And so wee see briefly how God hath loued vs in Iesus Christ. Agein when we know this we must vnderstand also that we must not make long fetches any more ne trubble our selues in vayne in stying vpward by our fond speculations or in going downeward by our fantasticall imaginations and in the meane whyle let Iesus Christ alone as though he were too farre of from vs For he commeth neere vs yea he dwelleth in vs he will haue vs knit â—ntoo him so as wee should bee his body and lyuely members of his owne substance Sith it is so let vs learne to hold our selues in such wise vntoo him as nothing may turne vs from him And although we may be tempted by our owne fancies too shrinke away from him yit let vs cut of all such occasion and get the vpper hand by fayth And when wee haue so doone let vs vnderstand that God will still shewe himselfe a louing and kindharted father towardes vs and that Iesus Christ also will doo the dewtie of a shepherd
dispatch of the rest for vnder that woord it is shewed vs first that our Lord Iesus Christ was after a sort myndlesse of himselfe and regarded not his owne person when he went about our saluation Trew it is that he was giuen vs of God who as it is sayd in the third of Saint Iohn dyd loue the world so well that he spared not his onely sonne but gaue him too the death for our sakes Yit notwithstanding our Lord Iesus Christ also did gyue himself No man taketh my lyfe from mee sayth he but I lay it downe For it was requisite that the sacrifyzce which he offered for the remission of our sinnes should bee willing Yee see then that Iesus Christ gaue himselfe too the death and if wee deâ—aund the cause surely it was first too fulfill the will and euerlasting deteâ—â—ination of God his father Neuerthelesse lyke as God the father inteâ—ded the saluation of mankynd so Iesus Christ shewed how deere wee were too him and how precious our soules are in his syght sith he voutsafed too giue himselfe after that fashyon Now then on the one syde the husbandes must consider well heere what they owe too their wyues that is too wit that they should bee as â—eere too them as their owne lyues at the least And though they doo so yit shall they not come too the perfection of our Lord Iesus Christ but followe him a great way behynde And the wyues also on their syde must beare well in mynd that forasmuch as it is Gods â—ill that 〈◊〉 wedlocke there should bee as it were a figure of the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ they bee too farre 〈◊〉 if they submit not themselues where God calleth them too it And by the way let vs knowe also that Saint Paule ment too magnify Gods goodnesse towardes vs and the loue that Iesus Christ beareth vs in saying that hâ— gaue himself for vs And therefore let vs acknowledge that it came of the free mercie of God his father and also that our Lord Iesus Christ respected nothing but our miseries when he shewed himselfe so pitifull too succour vs If wee mynd these things on the one syde wee shal bee moued too our dewtie without geynsaying and on the othersyde inflamed too glorify our God and acknowledge both with our mouthes and also by our whole lyfe how much wee bee beholden too him seeyng he hath powred out the treasures of his mercy vppon vs in so much that he hath not onely discharged vs of the condemnation wherin we were and drawen vs out of death but also hath voutsafed too giue vs his welbeeloued sonne for a pledge of his loue and Iesus Christ hath taken vppon him the office too bee the borrowe and raunsome for vs too the end too set vs cleere before God that the diuel also myght not haue any more ageinst vs notwithstanding that he bee our aduersary we bee subiect vnto him tyll we be set free from that bondage by meanes of the sayd Redeemer Now let vs fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God with acknowledgment of our faultes praying him to make vs so to knowe them as wee may aske him forgiuenesse of them and reforme our selues more and more by amending them and so profit in the doctrine of saluation as our lyfe may alwayes bee fashyoned after his law according to the meazure of the grace which wee haue receyued of him And so let vs all say Almyghtye God heauenlye father c. The .xl. Sermon which is the eyght vppon the fifth Chapter 25. Yee husbandes loue your vvyues as Christ loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it 26. Too sanctify it clenzing it in the vvashing of vvater through the vvoord 27. Too make it too himselfe a glorious Church vvithout spot or vvrincle or any thing elâ—e but that it myght bee holy and vnblamable WEe haue seene this morning how large matter of glorifying the infinite goodnesse of our God wee haue if wee consider by what meanes he hathe drawen vs from death and taken vs for his children notwithstanding that wee were cursed afore in Adam And now Saint Paule setteth foorth how wee bee made parttakers of the grace that is purchaced for vs by our Lord Iesus Christ namely by being wafshed and clenzed from our spottes too the end too bee dedicated too his seruice in all holynesse Also he addeth the wasshing of water bycause Baptim is a visible figure and record vntoo vs according too our rudenesse and infirmitie too make vs the better too perceyue the grace of our God which passeth all vnderstanding of man Now first of al there is the woord Sanctify which importeth that we should bee separated from the world too bee knit vntoo the sonne of god And this doctrine is such as wee can neuer knowe it ynough For as I haue sayd afore wee must alwayes compare the state wherein God fyndeth vs with the state wheretoo he calleth vs For from our moothers womb wee 〈◊〉 nothing but vtter wretchednesse wee bee cursed and detestablâ—â—â—fore god Therefore he draweth vs out of the dungeon of death from thence dooth he gather vs vp too himselfe And by the woord Sanctifie S. Paule meaneth the chaunge which ought as it were too rauish and too astonish vs as oft as wee consider what wee were and what wee should bee styll if God pitied vs not But let vs come too the meane that I spake of He sayeth that our Lord Iesus Christ hath washed vs. No dout but this is too bee referred too his death and passion For how could wee appeere before God as it were with our countenances vpryght but that our sinnes are done away by the sacrifyze that was offered too set vs at one with god Then vntill wee bee wasshed and scoured cleane by the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ wee bee fowler before God than any leapar wee bee full of all maner of filth and infection and too bee short all that wee can bring shall but prouoke Gods wrath and the vertewes that men esteeme greatest shal bee but lothsomnesse Therfore wee must imbrace the sacrifyce wherby our Lord Iesus Christ hath reconcyled vs too God his father and his blud must flowe downe vppon our soules too clenze vs from our filthinesse and spots Neuerthelesse it is not without cause that Saint Paule sets vs downe baptim heere not that wee bee made cleane by that nother was it his meaning too turne vs asyde from the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ. But forasmuch as wee bee dust and grosse and vnderstand not the spirituall benefyts so well as were requisyte therfore Saint Paule conforming him self too our rudenesse and infirmitie hath shewed vs here our wasshing by a visible signe That wee may the better profit our selues by this maner of speeche let vs consider too what end baptim was ordeyned and whertoo it serueth When our Lord Iesus Christ commaunded vs too bee baptyzed in his name ment he too
care that euery of vs hath had of himselfe in that wee haue bin myndfull of our owne welfare and labored earnestly for it and in the meane whyle broken the bond that our Lord had set among vs and euery of vs drawen alone by himself and forgotten all duetie of louing kyndnesse insomuch that wee would if wee had could haue made euery of vs a new world Truly there is no man of that abilitie that he can forbeare the helpe of his neyghbours and yit are wee loth that our neyghbours should dwel with vs yea or that they should bee counted in the number of men there is not that man which would not reigne alone lyke a lord But this vnkyndnesse and leaudnesse are sufficient too shewe that wee bee not woorthie too inioy the benefytes which God dealeth too vs in this transitory lyfe For sith wee bee too much wedded vntoo it and mynd it more carefully than wee should do wee bee so giltie as there is not that man which may open his mouth too reply or too alledge any excuce for himselfe And Saint Paule hauing told vs what wee ought too knowe yea and too iudge of our owne nature returneth agein too that which hee had touched afore that is too wit that such as professe themselues too bee members of the bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ ought to bee perswaded by his example too liue quietly freendly and agreeingly with their wyues No man sayeth he loueth him self but he loueth his wyfe also Uerely God hath ordeyned wedlocke in such wyse as the wyfe must bee as the bodie of hir husband Therfore if a man loue him self his wyfe must bee matched with him or else it shal bee a monstruous loue It is a thing that men ought most too abhorre that the thing which is most holy in mans lyfe should bee vtterly abaced Seeing it is so he that loueth him self will loue his wyfe For wee bee of his flesh wee bee of his bones Heere he toucheth a thing that hee spake not of before For when he did set downe the example of our Lord Iesus Christ it was in alledging that he spared not him self but did shead his blud to wash vs from our filthinesse and vncleannesse We then were defyled stayned before God our Lord Iesus Christ found the meanes too bring vs in his fauour agein And how Euen by his owne bludshed But heere hee alledgeth another reason too confirme the matter yit better which is that wee bee bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh In so saying he dooth vs too vnderstand that when men doo theyr duetie it is too theyr owne benefyte For therby they may taste the inestimable and infinite grace of God in that euery man accordyng too his degree dooth in his mariage represent the vnion that is betweene them selues and our Lorde Iesus Christ. The thing therfore which Saint Paule intendeth is yit agayne to remoue the haâ—dnesse of our hartes by shewing vs that wee cannot inioy the grace that is purchaced vs by our Lord Iesus Christ vnlesse wee lyue in freendshyp togither accordyng to the image therof which wee haue in the loue that he bare vs in his death and passion whiche surmoâ—nteth all the loue that wee can haue one too another Howbeeit before wee goe any further let vs see why and in what sense Saint Paule saith that wee bee of the bones of our Lord Iesus Christ and of his flesh and members of his body For he is descended of Adams linage and is called the seede of Dauid And although he was conceyued after a woonderful maner in the wombe of the Uirgin yit tooke he mans fleshe vpon hym and became very man Howbeit he saith that he is the sonne of Man too shewe that he hath taken a nature that is common too vs wherein he hath made hym selfe familiar with vs. And in deede as saith the Apostle in the Epistle too the Hebrewes he is not ashamed too call vs brothers But now let vs come too that which is sayd heere It seemeth that Saint Paule would make Iesus Christ as it were the roote of mankynd so as wee should descend of him for he calleth vs his ofspring But wee haue too marke that for asmuch as our Lord Iesus Christ was shaped of the seede of Abraham too performe the thyngs that were promised yea and that he could not bee the Mediator betweene God and vs except he had byn of our nature for he could not haue amended our misdoinges wherthrough wee were bounde too endlesse damnation vnlesse he had clothed hym selfe with our body and had also a soule too the end too present hym self in the person of al men and so it behoued our Lord Iesus Christ too bee our flesh in our body wee may say that he is of our bones and of our flesh And why He is descended of Adams race as I sayd afore But howsoeuer the cace stand he was conceyued maruelously by the holy Ghoste Howbeeit there is another respect For yit for all this he ceasseth not too bee the second Adam as Saint Paule termeth him in making comparison betweene the grace wherethrough wee were set agein and the deadly fall wherthrough wee were all forlorne He sayeth that the first Adam did by his transgression make vs enemies too God so as wee haue no accesse to him but should be thrust back if we preaced to him and that iustly For where sin reigneth there must needes bee as it were vnrecoucylable diuision God being the fountayne of all ryghtuousnesse cannot match with our iniquities and corruptions Then is there also a second Adam which coÌ„meth to remedie al that is to wit our Lord Iesus Christ. And how is he the second Adam For as I told you afore it is not ment that wee should bee so bold as too think too preace vntoo Iesus Christ as though wee were linked too him of our owne nature but that is done in the power of his holy spirit not in the substance of his body Behold then Iesus Christ is become very man and hath takeÌ„ vpon him the selfsame humane nature that ours is but yit is it not of nature that wee bee his flesh and his bones for wee bee not descended of him as touching our own substance but it is of his diuine power Then must wee come too this poynt that wee bee bone of the bones of our Lord Iesus Christ bycause wee bee restored in him and haue in him as it were a new and second creation And Saint Paule as wee shall see heerafter hath an eye too the originall of Eue for shee was taken out of Adams substance and shaped of one of his ribbes Now then are wee restored by our Lord Iesus Christ If wee consider our first birth wherby wee bee brought intoo this world too bee mortall men wee cannot say such is our flesh vnlesse wee bee of the seede of them that were afore vs but whatsoeuer wee bee in that
leyzure let vs learne too fence our selues so afore hand with corage and constancie as wee may bee his Ambassadours whensoeuer it shall please him both in prizon and in the middes of the threatenings of enemies and in all the rages of death that can bee put ageinst vs That is the thing which wee haue too marke vppon this streyne And so let vs not bee dismayed as a number of vnconstant persons are who when they heare that a great sort are imprizoned in such a place and such a one was burnt in another place are by and by out of hart and the Gospell is no more accounted with them They that forge too themselues such stumbling blockes shewe well that they neuer had any liuely roote in fayth But contrariwyse when wee see that our Lord Iesus Christ dooth so serue himselfe by those whom he calleth too tryall by putting them intoo the handes of Tyrantes and of the enemies of his truth and yit giueth them inuincible constancie it is a goodly strengthning of our fayth and wee haue cause too bee the more inflamed For vnlesse God wrought in them it is certeyne that there should no such strenght bee seene in any man liuing Therefore wee must pray God too arme vs at our neede and therwithal to shewe vs that the doctrine of his Gospell which is of sufficient authoritie of it selfe must bee further authorized by a manner of prouision But yit must the blud of the Martirs and of such as God hath sanctified to his glory serue too that purpose bycause they bee as it were his Proctors before men Now heereuppon Paule addeth that he hath sent Tychicus too Ephesus too the intent that the Ephesians myght knowe in what state he was This also is sayd too the common edifying of the Church For whereas Saint Paule speaketh of his state and dooings he meaneth not the things that concerne his bodie or his health nor any thing else that belongeth too this present lyfe but he referreth it specially too the confession of the fayth and his free maynteyning of the Gospell Wee know that if a man bee in prison specially a man of renowme folke will bee in some care of him saying Alas will God giue him constancie And agein ▪ the diuell sleepeth not at that tyme There shall neuer any man of credit which hath edifyed Gods Church bee cast in prison or impeached but there shall some thing or other bee sowed abrode too disgrace him and too bring him as it were intoo a slaunder and all is too deface the things that God hath doone by his meane and too ouerthrowe that which he hath builded That is one of Satans policies And therefore Saint Paule knowing that men myght sowe abrode many lyes and say ho see yee I warrant yee he should not bee so long borne with at Rome specially hauing the Emperour and all the Court ageinst him except he did yeeld it may well bee sayd that his cace is not cleere And others Tush men make no account of him they see he is but a doting foole And others some one thing and some another euery man after his owne fancie Saint Paule I say perceyuing that many poore we akelings myght be hindered by him and cast intoo perpleritie and that othersome myght bee kept backe from comming too the Gospell will haue his state knowen and the diuell with all his slaunders put too the foyle and the mouthes of all backebyters stopped and lykewyse of all Colcaryers which seeke nothing but too set trubble in the Church Also for feare least they that had begun too profit in the Gospell myght bee hindered and the same an occasion too shet the gate ageinst such as were not yit come in Saint Paule intending too preuent all those respectes sayeth that he hath sent Tychicus And wee see yit better in this text what care he had alwayes too make the Churches continewe in goodnesse For he could haue alledged that he was letted ynough for himselfe and that he was ouermatched with enemyes he could haue made thē beleeue that he had had no leyzure too thinke of other folkes and that for his owne part it was ynough for him too doo his dewtie at Rome without sending here and there ouer the sea too confirme the Churches for there were a great sort of others besydes him Agein forasmuch as God had shet him vp it had bin ynough as a man would haue iudged in common opinion that he swarued not a syde euen too the death But he contenteth not him self with his only being of a faythfull witnesse and martir of our Lord Iesus Christ but he thinketh therwithall that it became him too preuent all stumbling blocks which the diuell stirred vp one way or other too defame the Gospell withall and he imployeth himself therto as wee see heere by example Now then let vs learne to serue God in such wyze euen too the laste gaspe of our lyfe as wee may haue a care of our neyghbours also and procure their welare as much as wee can accordingly as God hath bound vs thertoo And to the intent that Tychicus should be receyued he calleth him brother and faythfull minister in Christ and that is too giue him credit that men myght receyue his record And in very deede wee must iudeuer too the vttermost of our power that such as can serue the Church may bee aduaunced and men knowe what they bee and that they may haue as it were their mark so as they may haue authoritie as is requisite That is the example which Saint Paule sheweth vs For it was not for any vaynglorie or fauor of men that he commended Tychicus after that maner but his desyre was that men should know Christs faythfull minister too their owne benefyte so as he myght haue accesse too them and not be reiected as one woorth nothing but that his woord myght be receyned as it deserued Theruppon too end and knit vp his Epistle withall Saint Paule prayeth that the brethren myght haue peace loue and Fayth from God and from our Lord Iesus Christ. Now this woord Peace is commonly taken in Saint Paule for all welfare and prosperitie In deede it signifyeth properly concord but the Apostles being accustomed too the Hebrew tung haue vsed the word that importeth both And when Saint Paule sayeth Grace and peace bee giuen vntoo you by the first he wisheth Gods fauour and mercie and by the other that he should prosper vs in all goodnesse and good things Therfore in this text he sheweth that all the prosperitie of the godly commeth of Gods mere goodnesse and not from elswhere Therunto he addeth also fayth and charitie Wherin wee see that God reserueth too him self the office not only of sending vs these outward goods which wee want but also and specially of giuing vs the spiritual gifts wherof wee bee vtterly voyd and destitute Howbeit it is hard too make men beleeue it bicause they be alwayes drunkē with this pryde of
imagining themselues too haue some abilitie of mynd too beleeue the Gospell and too discerne betweene good and euill insomuch that too their seeming it is a needlesse thing to pray God too inlyghten them But yit must wee needs bee punished for our ouerweening if wee think wee haue eyther fayth or charitie of our selues So then let vs conclude that bothe of them bee the singular gifts of God and let vs confesse that both of them come of him and that on the other side he must bee fayme 〈…〉 for wee bee blynd 〈…〉 wee haue the woord preâ—ched too vs and as it were chawed too vs so as there remayneth no more for vs too doo but too swallowe it downe Yit shall wee continew dull lyke blocks of timber if God doo not inlyghten vs by hys holie spirit and bow our harts too his obedience Then if God woork not so it is certein that when our eares shal haue bin beaten with good doctrine all the tyme of our lyfe it shal bee but lost labour And it is not only in this text that it is sayd so but a man shall scarsly fynd any leaf in the holie Scripture wherin God reserueth not too him selfe the giuing of fayth And in good fayth wee our selues see well that the holie scripture inlyghteneth vs and how vtterly wee bee destitute of Gods spirit If wee compare our selues with fayth and with the things that it bringeth vs wee shall well see that there is iust cause why God should will vs too doo him homage for so great and so excellent a fift For it is sayd that God looked downe vppon men and that he found them euery chone giuen ouer too all euill and saped in their filthinesse so as there is not one that seeketh after goodnesse Agein when there is any speaking of our reason and wisdome it is sayd to be stark ignorance and that we bee vtterly brutish and that wee must become fooles in our selues if wee will profit in Gods schoole And 〈◊〉 for our harts what are they They bee full of naughtinesse and 〈◊〉 bornnesse eueÌ„ from our chyldhood as the holie scripture reporteth euery where of them Forasmuch then as wee be blynd in our vnderstanding and froward in wil let vs come now and see what fayth is It is a coÌ„prehending of Gods secrets so as we know the fatherly loue that he beareth vs assure our selues of it take hold of the heauenly lyfe which neuerthelesse is incomprehensible too mans vnderstanding to be short are acquaynted with the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ which extendeth hygh lowe and deepe and wyde as wee haue seene herteoofore Now then if on the one syde we consider what fayth is on the other syde enter intoo our selues and examin our selues in such sort as we fynd our selues vtterly destitute of all goodnesse it is good reason wee should confesse that vntill God giue vs fayth wee haue no fayth at all That is the thing which wee haue too mark vppon this text As much is too bee sayd of charitie For is it not apparant that euery man is wedded too the loue of him self â–ª and that 〈◊〉 affections â—arye vs away so as wee seeke 〈◊〉 owne profit continually with the hinderance of other men And yit this lust and 〈…〉 wee cannot loue our neyghbours but would rather oppresse them So then we must needs haue Charitie from elswhere and God must breake the cursed inclinatioÌ„ that is in vs namely the ouer excessiue louing of our selues And moreoâ—er when wee haue so renounced our selues wee must vnderstand that wee bee so indetted too our neyghbours as wee must indeuer too doo our dewtie towards them And so yee see that fayth and charitie are iustly called the speciall gift of God and that Saint Paule dooth iustly in this text say Charitie and Fayth bee vntoo you frow God our father It is certeyne that his wish was not made feynedly but that in saying so he doth vs to vnderstand that wee must haue it at Gods hand Wherfore let vs lay downe all foolish ouerweening and let vs vnderstand that all the spirituall benefyts which wee haue are the free gifts of God wherby hee sheweth and declareth his liberalitie effectually towards vs And it is certeyne that all the perfection of Christians consisteth in faythe and charitie Wherfore let vs conclude that whatsoeuer belongeth to the saluation of our soules or is woorthie too bee esteemed and commended wee haue none of it of our owne growing but it commeth too vs from aboue Accordingly as it is sayd of the confessing of our fayth that nother flesh nor blud doo shewe vs that Iesus Christ is the sonne of God but the father reuealeth it too vs And lykewyse also our Lord Iesus Christ sayeth Father I thank thee that thou haste hidden these things from the wyse and reueled them too the little ones Therfore let vs learne to bee little ones that we may bee Gods schollers and too bee fooles in our selues that wee may bee filled with his wisdome and yeeld him honor according too the measure of the gifts which wee shall haue receyued of him and not bee soo wicked as too chalendge the prayse vntoo vs which he dooth iustly and ryghtly reserue too him self Howbeeit Saint Paule matcheth our Lord Iesus Christ with God the father too doo vs vnderstand that wee can obteyne nothing but by the meanes of him which hath reconcyled vs vntoo god For what is the cause that wee bee so corrupted in our nature as wee bee voyd of all goodnesse and full fraught with all vyces and too be short that we be altogither abhominable but for that we be vtterly estraunged from our Lord Iesus Christ who is the fountayne of al goodnesse And for the same cause was he indewed with all fulnesse of grace according as it is sayd that the father hath not giuen hym the spirit in some certein portion but in such wyse as all of vs may so drawe out of him as wee can not want any thing for he is the fountayne that can neuer bee drawen drye Then can wee not haue one drop of spirituall gifts but by flowing downe vppon vs through our Lord Iesus Christ who is the only cundiâ—pype of them And our Lord Iesus Christ not only hath the office of giuing vs at his owne pleasure whatsoeuer iâ— requisyte and necessarie for our welfare in respect that he is our mediator as wee haue seene in the .iiii. Chapter but also Saint Paule yeeldeth him here moreouer that he giueth vs faith and charitie by his owne authoritie and power for he setteth him in equall degree with his father Now then let vs vnderstand that our Lord Iesus Christes office of inlyghtening vs by fayth and of reforming our harts not only belongeth too him as now in respect that he is our mediator Gods minister but also that it is his owne for this maner of speeche of S. Paules
saluation and seale of our 〈◊〉 option to strengthen our weaknesse and to warrant and 〈◊〉 vs ageinst all temptations is a sure and infallible proofe 〈◊〉 Gods loue towardes vs according to â—his saying of S. Iohn 〈◊〉 doo wee know that wee dwell in him and he in vs that 〈◊〉 hath giuen vs of his spirit theruppon followeth an argument grounded vppon the nature of God which leadeth vs directly and comfortably to the poynt of Predestination and is the very knot and conclusion of that matter For inasmuch as God is vnchaungeable so as there is no alteration of mind or purpoze in him too fancie one thing to day and another too morrowe or too determine and repeale agein and so consequently too hate and loue by turnes and fittes for Gods giftes and callings are such ashe cannot repent him of them it must needes follow that he loued vs before all worldes and that the same loue of his caused him too chooze and predestinate vs too saluation before wee had any beeing yea euen euerlastingly before all tyme and also that the same loue shall neuer leaue vs vntyll it haue brought vs too the endlesse fruition of his heauenly glory bycause that whom he loueth he loueth to the end and bycause that forasmuch as the spirit of him that raysed vp Iesus dwelleth in vs he that raysed vp Iesus will also quicken our mortall bodyes through his spirit which dwelleth in vs â–ª For when wee bee come so farre forward as to fynd our selues in Christ by Christ to take hold of Gods free loue and by his loue to clymb vp to his eternall election then resting vppon the foresayd argument of the vnâ—ariable and vnchaungeable nature of God which not euen the heathen I meane the wyser sort of them did euer deny or in maner doubt of wee knit the eternitie to come with the eternitie past and conclude determinately in our selues that there is now no damnation to vs that are in Christ Iesus Yea and out of this conclusion springeth such inestimable comfort and inward ioy of mynd as inforceth vs to burst out into this bold but yit most godly boasting on Gods behalfe â–ª which Saint Paule describeth in the eyght too the Romanes saying I am fully perswaded that nother lyfe nor death nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor heigth nor depth nor any other creature can separate vs from Gods loue which he beareth vs in Iesus Christ our lord And seeyng that God is on our syde who shal bee ageinst vs Seeing he hath not spared his onely sonne but hath giuen him for vs all how should he not giue vs all things with him Who shall lay any thing to the charge of vs whom God hath chozen God hath acquitted vs who â—hen can condemne vs Christ hath dyed for vs yea and is rizen agein for vs and also sitteth at Gods ryght hand and maketh intercession for vs. Now if he dyed for vs then are wee sure that wee dyed all in him and lykewyze that as he is rizen so wee are rizen agein with him neuer to dye any more for death hath not any more power ouer him but forasmuch as wee bee his members wee doo sit with him already in the heauenly places by hope only wayting for the day of his comming to iudgment at the which tyme our lyfe which as yit lyeth hidden with him in God shal bee shewed openly and wee shall appeere with him in glory And this assured perswasion or beleef of Gods loue grounded vppon his eternall predestination kindleth in vs as it were a counter loue towardes God and a contempt of all worldly thinges bee they neuer so sweete or sower pleazant or peynfull wherethrough wee doo cheerfully answere on our owne behalfe accordingly as is set downe in the foresayd eyghth Chapter to the Romans Who shall plucke away our loue from Christ Shall oppression or anguish or persecution or hunger or nakednesse or daunger or swoord according as it is written for thy sake are we slayne all the day long and accounted as sheepe appoynted to the slaughter No surely in all these things wee be more then conquerours through him that loued vs that is too wit through God woorking in vs. And therefore hauing our eye fast set continually vppon the foreleader and finisher of our fayth Iesus Christ who for the ioyes sake that was set before him did willingly abyde the Crosse and the reprochefull misusages which he was most spytfully put vntoo wee doo not faynt or wexe cold but although our outward man bee consumed yit our inward man is dayly remewed insomuch that we reioyce â—uen in tribulations knowing that tribulation brâ—â—deth pacience pacience breedeth experience experience breedeth hope and hope maketh not ashamed For wee bee sure that our induring of affliction for a short tyme will yeeld vs an incomporable weyght of vnspeakable and euerlasting glory In respect whereof wee make no more account of all the aduersities of this world than of fleabytings and therefore wee looke not vppon the things that are seene but vppon the things that are not seene bycause the things that are seene are transitorye but the thinges that are seene are euerlasting Now then the summe of the things aforesayd is this That wheras there is no saluation no election no fauour no blessing no benefyte to bee had hoped or sought for at Gods hand but onely in and by our Lord Iesus Christ it is shewed for the comfort of the weaker sort that in this spirituall battell ageinst the world the fleshe and the diuell those are not counted to be out of Christ which beyng Baptized into him and professing themselues to bee Christians doo notwithstanding fall through simple ignorance and infirmitie of nature or are violently borne downe wounded or caryed away at tymes by the force of ouermightie teÌ„ptations but eyther such as hauing their conscience seared or benommed doo welter in sinne without feeling of any remorse or which feeling the sting of sinne and hartbyting of the lawe doo neuerthelesse make such account of the filthie pleasures of the fleshe the vanities of the world and the fulfilling of their owne wicked willes that they continew in sinne wilfully and wittingly or rather maliciously and presumptuously euen ageinst the continuall testimonie and exclamation of their owne consciences or else which through a cerrein feintnesse of hart and cowardly misbeleefe by reason of ouermuch mynding of their owne weaknesse and of the horriblenesse of their sinnes without the remedyes that God hath ordeyned for the same doo vtterly castaway their armour and weapon and eyther out of hand giue ouer and as it were betray themselues too the enemie of mankynd without any resistence or soone after forsake the feeld vppon despayre of victory without returning any more into the battell or without crauing the helpe and â—â—ccour of their Captein Christ as who would say they looked 〈◊〉
too prouoke Gods wrath dayly by our wicked dooynges as folke that doo in deede fyght ageinst him God then must bee fayne too looke vppon vs in the person of his onely sonne or else he must needes hate vs and abhorre vs. Too bee short our sinnes doo set God and vs so farre at oddes that wee cannot so soone come towardes him but by and by wee feele his maiestie vtterly ageinst vs and as it were armed too put vs too vtter confuzion But now remayneth too see how God receyueth vs intoo his fauour by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ. That is the thing which Saint Paule meaneth in adding that in him vvee haue redemption through his blud that is too vvit forgiuenesse of our sinnes according too the riches of Gods grace Heere wee bee first of all doone too vnderstand that the enmitie which God beareth vs is not in respect of our nature but in respect of our corruption I say it is not in respect of nature for as in respect that God hath creased vs it is certeine that he cannot hate vs But inasmuch as mankynd is vtterly marred and gyuen ouer too all naughtinessâ— God must needes bee as a mortall enemie too vs and as an aduersarie ageinst vs till the rememberance of our sinnes bee buryed out of his sight For wee bee subiect too euerlasting death till wee bee restored agein by reason whereof God being the fountaine of all iustice and rightâ—ousnesse dooth vtteâ—ly hate and abhorre the euill that he seeth in vs Therefore vntill such tyme as our sinnes bee blotted out it is vnpossible for vs too hope that God should eyther fauour or loue vs But let vs marke heere how S. Paule vseth twoo woordes too expresse how wee bee reconcyled too God First he setteth downe the Raunsom or Redemption which is all 〈◊〉 and afterward the forgiuenesse of sinnes Howe commeth it â—â—en too passe that Gods wrath is pacifyed that wee bee made at one â—ith him yea and that he accepteth and auâ—weth vs for his children â—t is by the pardoning of our â—umes sayeth S. Paule And furtherâ—ore bycause redemption is requisite thereuntoo he matcheth that â—ith it also Trew it is that as in respect of vs God wypeth away our â—â—mes of his owne free goodnesse and sheweth himseâ—fe altoogither â—â—untifull of himselfe without respect of any recompence for it at our â—â—ndes And in good soothe what man were able too make amendes 〈◊〉 the least fault he hath committed Then if euery of vs should imâ—loy his whole lyfe in making satisfaction for any one fault alone and 〈◊〉 that meanes seeke too winne fauour at Gods hande it is certeine â—â—at the same dooth farre surmount all our abilities And therfore God â—ust bee fayne too receyue vs too mercy without looking for any reâ—ompence or amendes at our handes But yit for all this the attoneâ—ent which is freely bestowed as in respect of vs did cost the sonne of God very deere For he found none other payment than the sheading â—f his owne blud insomuch that he made himselfe our borrowe both in ody and soule and answered for vs before Gods iudgement too get 〈◊〉 our discharge Our Lord Iesus Christ say I imployed himselfe holly both body and soule For it had not bin ynough for him to haue â—â—ffered so cruell and slaunderous a death in the syght of men but it â—houed him also too abyde such horrible anguishe in himselfe as iâ— God had bin become a iudge too him for he came too that poynt that 〈◊〉 susteyned the person of all sinners too make full amendes for them 〈◊〉 And so yee see why S. Paule hath matched those twoo woordes â—ogither in this streyne Therefore wee haue too marke first of all that wee can obteyne no 〈◊〉 at Gods hand nor be receyued of him till our sinnes bee â—â—yped 〈◊〉 and the rememberance of them cleane put away The reason â—hereof is as I sayd afore that God must needes hate sinne wherâ—â—euer he seeze it So then as long as he considereth vs as sinners he â—ust needes abhorre vs for there is not any thing in our selues nor in 〈◊〉 owne nature but al maner of naughtinesse confuzion Then are 〈◊〉 enemies and aduersaryes vntoo him till wee come too the remeâ—ie that S. Paule sheweth vs heere which is too haue our sinnes forgiuen Heereby wee see that no man can bee loued of God for any â—oorthinesse that is in himselfe For wherein lyeth the loue that God beareth vs I haue tolde you already that he must bee fayne too cast his eye vpon out Lord Iesus Christ not too looke a whit at vs But yit therewithall it is declared further that God dooth neuer lyke well of vs till he haue released vs oâ—r dettes and adopted vs too bee his children notwithstanding that wee bee woorthy of death before him Thus yee see that the assurance of our saluation as is sayd in the song of zacharie is that God bee mercifull too vs and forgiue vs our sinnes whereby wee were become his enemies Howbeit let vs also beare in mynd that the cleere release of our sinnes through Gods free goodnesse is not doone without the raunsome that was payd by our Lord Iesus Christ not in golde nor siluer as sayeth S. Peter in his first Epistle but in such wyse that he which was the vnspotted Lambe was fayne too serue that turne his owne selfe Wherefore whensoeuer wee intend too seeke Gods fauour and mercy let vs fasten all our wittes vpon the death passion of our Lord Iesus Christ that we may there fynd wherwith too appease Gods wrath And furthermore seyng that our sinnes are done away by such payment and satisfaction let vs vnderstand that wee cannot bring aught of our owne for the which wee should bee reconcyled vntoo god Wherin wee see how the diuell hath by his sâ—yghtes cut of all hope of saluation from the world by bearing men in hand that they must euery man raunsome himself and make his owne attonement with god And that is the very thing which men â—all good woorkes merites and vertewes in Papistrie For too what ende tend all the inuentions which they haue forged Why martir they themselues after so many fashions so as men neuer make an end day nor night but are euer still making of new wyndlasses and courses The marke that all these things ame at is too pacifie god And so all the good woorkes which are so counted in Papistrie are nothing else but meanes whereby too make amendes for sinne Howbeit that is but a defacing of the raunsome whereof S. Paule speaketh heere For there is as yee would say an inseparable bond betweene these twoo things namely that God putteth our sinnes out of his rememberance and drowneth them in the bottom of the sea and moreouer receiueth the payment that was offered him in the person of his only sonne Therefore wee cannot atteyne the one without the other Wherforeif wee intend too haue Gods fauour
that Iesus Christ hath doone for vs we must not mistrust that he hath suffered in vayne For surely his suffering were too no purpose at all towardes vs vnlesse it came vntoo vs so as it myght redound too our profit and wee inioy it That therefore is the thing that is purchaced in the person of our Lord Iesus Christ. And yit in the meane season as in respect of our selues he reyneth vs short â—oo the ende wee should not through our owne vnthankfulnesse refuze the benefite that God offereth vs that is too wit our reioycing in our afflictions bycause wee knowe that our saluation is sure nor repyne ageinst God and blaspheme him but walke on quietly till wee bee deliuered from this prison wherein wee bee and till wee bee fully set free by beyng gathered togither in our Lord Iesus Christ. Now let vs cast our selues downe before the maiestie of our good God with acknowledgment of our faultes praying him too make vs feele them more and more yea euen so farre as too bring vs too vtter mislyking of the wretchednesse that is in our selues so as wee fynding that there is nothing in vs but a dungeon of all naughtinesse may learne too resort too his righteousnesse and to seeke it at the well head and too acknowledge that he hath shewed himselfe a mercifull father towardes vs not doubting but that thereby he ment too assure vs also that he had adopted vs before the beginning of the worlde too the intent wee should continue in calling vppon him with trew stedfastnesse and neuer giue ouer And so let vs all say Almightie God heauenly father c. ¶ The sixth Sermon vppon the first Chapter 15. For this cause I also hauing herd of the fayth vvhich yee haue in Iesus Christ and of the loue vvhich you haue tovvardes all the Saintes 16. Ceasse not too giue thankes for you making mention of you in my prayers 17. That the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the father of glory should giue you the spirit of vvisdome and reuelation too haue knovvledge of him 18. That is too vvit too haue the eyes of your mynde inlyghtened that you might vnderstand vvhat the hope is vvhich yee ought too haue of his calling and vvhat are the riches of the glory of his inheritance among the Saintes WEe haue seene already howe Saint Paule brought the Epesians not onely to the chief but also too the onely cause of their saluation and shewed that they must of necessitie father all the whole vppon God without mingling of any foolish presumption therwithall as who should say that they themselues had furthered Gods grace which they had receyued eyther by their free wil or by any good intent in them Saint Paule therefore hath shewed in effect that not onely the Ephesians too whom he spake but also they that had bin Gods Church before ought all without exception to confesse that all their welfare proceeded of Gods onely free goodnesse not onely bycause they were all redeemed by meane of our Lord Iesus Christ but also bycause he had called them too the beliefe of the Gospell according too his choozing of them before the creating of the world And nowe he warranteth all the sayd doctrine by the recorde which it yeeldeth vnto God in that it doth euen then magnifie his goodnesse when he is as it were separated from mannes eye and from the sight of all witnesses Trewly the doctrine of the Gospel oughte not too bee the lesse esteemed when it is preached and published in the open face of the whole woorld but yit it behoueth him that speaketh it too haue it throughly printed in his hart to say the same thing in himselfe before God and his Angels which he speaketh before meÌ„ for otherwise it were but a iangling or rather an vnhalowing of Gods word if a maÌ„ should step vp intoo the pulpet too talke lyke an Angell and in the meane while haue no such meaning in his hart nor bee perswaded of the thing that he speaketh It were better that a man were drowned a hundred times than too beare abrode the most excellent record of saluation of Gods truthe and in the meane season not too bee perswaded in himselfe of the thing that he preacheth so as God and his Angells might knowe that he hath the same thing printed in his harte Therefore it is not without cause that after S. Paule hath preached Gods free goodnesse in choozing whom he lyked and in calling them too the knowledge of his Gospell when he had chozen them in confirming them with his strong hand and by giuing theÌ„ inuincible constancie and stedfastnesse wheÌ„ he had called them nowe he addeth that God knoweth his witnessing therof too bee in good earnest and vnfeynedly For he protesteth heere concerning the prayers which he maketh alone by himselfe when no man could know his thought nor what he sayeth and vttereth with his mouth that euen then he auoweth the same doctrine before God inasmuch as he prayeth him to voutsafe too accomplishe the thing that he hath begunne Heere therfore wee haue too marke first of all that such as mynde too haue their labour profitable too the edifying of the Churche and such as haue any trew zeale must not onely giue themselues too teaching but also therwithall pray God too woorke with them by his power and grace For oftentymes â—t befalleth that wee doo but beate the water yea though wee haue â—he tongues of Angells bycause wee pray not God to further the docâ—rine that wee preach For of our selues wee bee but vnprofitable instruments and when he hath giuen vs vtterance he must also make it effectuall according as it is sayd that he which planteth is nothing and he that watereth is nothing but it is God that giueth the increase Seing it is so Let such as haue the charge of teaching Gods Church walke fearfully carefully not onely indeuer to win men vnto God 〈◊〉 also humbly acknowledge that they can doo nothing of themselues and that they should but cast foorth a sounde intoo the aire which would vanishe away out of hand if God wrought not with them by the secrete power of his spirit That therefore is the thing that wee haue too remember vppon the woords that S. Paule speaketh heere But euerye of vs also ought too apply it generally too his owne vse Therfore when wee come too bee taught Gods woord or when any of vs readeth it alone by himselfe let vs not imagin our witts too bee suttle ynough and that wee bee able ynough too vnderstand whatsoeuer the scripture telleth vs but let vs acknoweledge our own beastlinesse and praye God too make his doctrine too preuaile in such wyse with vs as it may not slip froÌ„ vs But this thing will be perceyued the better by the processe that S. Paule holdeth on heere if wee wey well all the woords that he vseth He sayeth that he yeeldeth thanks vnto God without end
his neyghbours But let vs lerne that although wee were neere God in outward appeerance yit notwithstanding the only way too bee in his fauour and too bee able too call vppn him and too hope that he will hold vs in his fatherly loue euen too the end is that Iesus Christ bee our head And how may that bee It is certeyne that he is come to saue that which was lost And agein as it is sayd in another place it is a sure and infallible saying that our Lord Iesus Christ came too call agein too saluation the sinners that were in damnation Sith it is so let vs learne too humble our selues with all modestie and not only too shrinke in our hornes but also too bee vtterly abaced and brought vnder foote that God may bee glorified as he is worthie and that one of vs perke not aboue another but make all one bodie for that is the condicion wherâ—ppon wee bee called Furthermore the tytle that S. Paule giueth vntoo our Lord Iesus Christ namely that he is our peace ought too bee well considered for without that wee should alwayes be as a straught or as blocks for they that haue any feeling of theyr sinnes cannot bee in rest without feeling of sore â—orinentes but are so out of quyet as it were better for them too bee sunken vnder the earth than to see theÌ„selues so cyted before Gods iudgment seate euery minute of an houre and too bee distressed in such sorte Then if wee haue not Iesus Christ for our peace surely the â—â—kening vp of our consciences must needes daunt vs and hold vs as it were vppon the Racke by making vs too â—eele that God settes himself ageinst vs as an enemy or else it mâ—st needes vtterly 〈◊〉 vs and make vs brute beastes so as we shal not only fal◠〈…〉 but also bee so bewitched by the diuell as wee shall feele no more greâ—f nor remorse for them And so this lesson where it is sayd that Iesus Christ is our peace cannot bee 〈…〉 For first it warneth vs to bee touched to the quicke with out 〈◊〉 so 〈…〉 sory for them considering that Gods 〈…〉 accordingly as he calleth none vnto him but such as are 〈…〉 â— tyred Agein when we once know that wee may ouerleape all distrust doubting bycause that wheras we haue prouoked Gods wrath iâ— is appeased ageyn by our Lord Iesus Christ wheras we haue 〈◊〉 with God and kept continuall warre agâ—â—ynâ—â— him Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 made agreement betwixt vs and wher as God 〈◊〉 vs for our sinnes and for our naughty and froward nature Iesus Christ putteth all that away too the ende that God may take vs not onely as his creatures fashyoned after his owne image but also as his deere children whom he hath adopted too bee heires of his kingdome And so yee see what wee haue too gather vppon that 〈…〉 And were this poynt throughly 〈…〉 worlde should not flote so continually nor 〈◊〉 so as it dooth 〈◊〉 most men now adayes are caryed est one est another doo nothing else but wander The Papistes on the one syde haue their pryde too keepe them from contining ryghtfoorth vntoo God they will 〈◊〉 haue their freewill and their 〈…〉 what the grace of Iesus Christ 〈…〉 themselues froÌ„ it as much as they ran And God in the meane season payeth then as they bee woorthie For as for theÌ„ that are so fore possessed with that diuelish selfmeening that they can dispose their lyfe in such wyse as too bee able and came vnto God and too deserue somewhat at his hand and again haue their 〈…〉 with him when they haue done 〈◊〉 when they haue such things too themselues all slippeth away lyke wynd they 〈◊〉 vnto the other extremitie saying show shall wee bee 〈…〉 if wee haue not 〈…〉 And so are they 〈…〉 wherof Iesus Christ is all the whyle vnregarded they make them by-wayes and go not too Iesus Christ who is the trew way For asmuch then as they leaue the ryght way which cannot misleaâ—e them they must neâ—des wander now 〈…〉 one syde and now on the other and after long tyring of themselues breake both their armes and leggs and in the end fynd that the further they proceede the further they go back from god So much the more therfore dooth it stand vs on hand too wey these woordes of S. Paule where wee bee warranted that wee shal bee receyued louingly at the hand of our God if wee haue Iesus Christ for our peace and rest wholly theruppon And for the same cause 〈◊〉 ioyne thertoo the 〈◊〉 of the text by mee alredie alledged namely you shall fynde rest too your foules Wherby our Lord Iesus Christ dooth vs too vnderstand that all such as separate themselues from him and are not contented too haue hiâ— for theyr mediator shall euer beâ—â—nquieâ— and although they assure themseâ—â—es and beare themselues in hand with this and that yit neuerthelesse they are afterward afrayd and find no resting place too stay their foote on nother haue they any safe harborough wherin too eschew the storme Therfore it standeth vs vppon too go too our Lord Iesus Christ and too hee throughly resolued that he is our peace if we intend too cal vppon God freely and without anie doubting Finally all men 〈◊〉 exception must come thither as wel they that are neere God as those that are farre of If there bee any that think there is any valour or worthinesse in themselues surely they will neuer repayre too our Lord Iesus Christ till they haue layde that imagination vnder foote Agein on the other â—yde though wee bee a thousand tymes past hope in outward apperance yit let vs assure our selues that our Lord Iesus Christ is of sufficient abilâ—tie too wype away the rememberance of all our iniquities so as God shal receyue vs into his fauour â–ª accordingly as S. Paule hauing sayd that Iesus Christ came too saue wretched sinners addeth that he himself is an example therof in somuch that â—e which had bin a persecuter of the Church an enemy of the 〈◊〉 yea and a sheader of giltlesse blud was neuerthelesse receyued not only intoo the common aray but for an Apostle too beare abrode and too publishe through the whole world the message of saluation from the which he had erst bin out of Seeyng then that God hath vttered foorth the treasures of his goodnesse vppon him wee may well assure our selues that if wee trust in our Lord Iesus Christ and seeke too bee at one with God his father by â—eaâ—es of his death and passion 〈◊〉 wee were in teh bottom of hell yit should wee bee or aswen from thence and Jesus Christ would shew in deed 〈◊〉 that that â—yâ—le was not 〈◊〉 him by imagination And so yee see what wee has too gather more vppon chose wordes of S. Paule Now he â—â—â—eth that Iesus Christ hath broken dovvne the vvall that vvas betvveene them And he vseth
backe from all worldly superstitions dooyng vs too vnderstand that they bee but pelting trashe yea and very dung before God who abhorreth them Therfore wee must growe in spirit And verily wee see that the shadowes of the Lawe â—â—â—assed immediatly as soone as wee had the accomplishment and substance of the body that is too wit our Lord Iesus Christ. And now that he is come wee must not gaze any longer vppon those figures Sith it is so wee ought much rather too giue oâ—er the things that men bring in How hygh and excellent so euer they be let vs cast them from vs as filthinesse hold our selues coÌ„tent with this that our Lord Iesus Christ wil haue vs to build in him after a spirituall manner And so yee see how his doctrine ought too bee sweete and amiable too vs yea and too rauish vs all wholly in loue with it so as wee may giue vp the world with a free harte and giue our selues too our Lord Iesus Christ. But on the other syde also let vs beware that the iudgment which he threatneth vnto such as cast asyde this stone lyght not vppon our heades according too this saying Behold I lay a precious stone in Sion Seing then that Iesus Christ is giuen vs too bee our foundation wee haue there a precious stone whervppon if wee bee builded wee may bee sure of our saluation And wee neede not bee afrayd that he is not strong ynough too vphold vs so as he will neuer fayle vs But if wee fall to iustling ageinst that stone it is cerâ—ein that wee shall not bee able too stand ageinst it but wee shall sink downe vnderneath it and in the end it shall brooze vs and beate vs all too peeces Therfore let vs take heede that our Lord Iesus Christ turne not intoo a stone too stumple at after the manner of the world which now adayes maliceth him insomuch that euery man settes vp his bristles proudly and rebelliously too come russhing ageinst him but let vs bethink our selues well and be meekely dispozed too yeeld our seruice too him that he may maynteyne vs vntoo the end And although wee see Iesus Christ too bee reiected of the world and it may seeme straunge vntoo vs that men should fyght so ageinst him and that he should bee as a whyte to shoote at yit let vs not ceasse too take him still for a precious stone as Saint Peter counselleth vs in the second Chapter of his first Epistle Yee see then that when wee heare these promises which Saint Paule telleth vs of wee ought on the one syde too bee drawen too our Lord Iesus Christ too giue our selues wholly vntoo him and too forgeâ— all the things that seeme most excellent in the world and on the other syde too beware that our vnthankfulnesse bee not punished for disdeyning too receyue him as a precious stone sith that God telleth vs that all our welfare lyeth in this that is too wit that wee bee his Temple and that he bee called vppon at our handes Therefore let vs profit our selues by so great and inestimable a benefite and let vs still growe and increase therin more and more vntill wee come too the heauenly heritage where wee shall haue full fruiâ—ion of all the good things which he maketh vs â—oo feele as yit but by fayth And now let vs fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God with acknowledgement of our sinnes praying him too voutsafe too wyâ—e out the rememberance of them so as they may not come too account before him and that therwithall he so correct vs as wee may cleaue fully vntoo him and he so beare with our infirmities as wee may not ceasse too resort vntoo him freely at al tymes though wee bee not woorthy of it And so let vs all say Almighty God heauenly fafather â–ª c. The .xvi. Sermon which is the first vppon the third Chapter 1. For this cause I Paule beyng the prisoner of Iesus Christ am an Ambassadour for you Gentyâ—es 2. Surely you haue heard the dealing forth of Gods grace which vvas committed too mee on your behalfe 3. How that by Reuelation he hath giuen mee knovvledge of the mistery as I haue written vntoo you briefely heeretofore 4. By the reading vvhereof you may vnderstand the knovvledge vvhich I haue in the mystery of Christ 5. VVhich vvas not knovven too the children of men in times past as it is novv discouered too his holy Apostles and Prophetes by the spirit 6. That is too vvit That the Gentyles are fellovvheires and of one selfsame body and parttakers toogither of his promise in Iesus Christ by the Gospell ALthough euery of vs confesse that the doctrine of the Gospell brings alwayes trubble and persecution bycause the world hateth it and yit for all that that wee ought not too bee dismayed nor shrinke away yit notwithstanding it is so hard too put the thing in vre which wee confesse that there is almost none of vs all which is not vexed and in maner shaken downe when Gods enemyes offer any vnquyetnesse or when wee see the silly faythfull sorâ— cruelly vsed at their handes Neuerthelesse it ought too serue for a strengthening of our fayth when wee see men which are frayle of their owne nature not afrayd too hazard their lyues in bearing record of Gods truthe Seeing then that the power of Gods spirit appeareth most manifestly if we were not to 〈◊〉 blynded with vnthankfulnesse it ought too assure vs so much the more But forasmuch as wee aduauntage our selues very euill by it we haue neede too bee incoraged as S. Paule also dooth in this text When wee see the diuell stirre vp his vnderlinges too execute all tyranny ageinst Gods children let it not shake our fayth And specially if the faythfull indure paciently al that can be for the maynteynance of Gods truth which they knowe and that they doo also hold out too the end Without swaruing that as I sayd ought not too bee lost And for the same cause dooth S. Paule in other places say he suffereth for the welfare of the Church Not that he could purchace them forgiuenesse of sinnes or any grace by his death but bycause the Gospell is Gods myghty power too the welfare of all that beleeue and the further that wee go forward in it the neerer it maketh vs too come vntoo God and vntoo euerlasting lyfe S. Paule then suffred for the example of those whoÌ„ he had taught afore with his owne mouth For therby they knew that his speaking too them had bin in good earnest seeing he spared not his owne blud and his lyfe too seale and confirme the doctrine that he had brought them As much is doone in this text For he sayth he was an Ambassadour for the Gentyles yea euen though he were the prisoner of Iesus Christ. Surely these twoo things seeme too bee as contrarie as fyre and water For could not Iesus Christ honour them better whom he
full fed it shal bee but with wynd that is too say with vayne and tryfling imaginations as I told you this morning They therefore which deuyze patrones of their owne head and surmyze that God will fauor them for it and in the meane whyle let Iesus Christ alone must vnderstand that they bee so farre of from obteyning their requests that God dooth rather abhore them insomuch that when they once swarue from the ankerhold which is set foorth for vs in the scripture that is too wit from hauing our Lord Iesus Christ for their lodesman the Angels of heauen must needs forsake them and the Saints also to whom they behighted themselues must needs deny them yea al of them must set themselues ageinst them as aduersarie parties For there is no means for vs too bee matched with the Angels Prophets Apostles and Martirs till wee haue trew concord with them And how shall wee haue that By fayth that is too say according too the pure doctrine of the Gospell Not that it is ynough for vs too haue our eares beaten with it but that wee must receyue the things that God promiseth vs there so as wee abhorre all that euer Satan can set afore vs and haue none other guyde than only our Lord Iesus Christ who hath told vs that he is the lyght of the world and that whosoeuer walketh in him cannot stray But by the way wee must serche and examin our selues narrowly that wee take not a vayne cloke vnder the name of Iesus Christ as we see manie doo now adayes which protest themselues to bee Gospellers And euen among our selues what a number are there which will shew signes greate ynough that they bee willing too followe Gods woord But they think too discharge themselues with petie tryfles and when they haue once giuen eare too the doctrine and spoken a fewe good words then too their seeming God is hyghly bound vntoo them But heere it is shewed vs that wee haue none acquayntance at all with him vntill Iesus Christ dwell in our harts And that is the verye meane wherby too bee filled with his benefits and too haue his holie spirit dwelling and reigning in vs For vnlesse we feare God and walk in his obedience so as wee behaue our selues according too his will and all our wits and desyres ame thitherward it is a token that wee liue after the flesh as Saint Paule sayeth too the Galathians Therefore wee must shewe by our outward fruites that wee bee truly ioyned too Iesus Christ and that he hath made vs partakers of his holie spirit Now hereuppon Saint Paule addeth further that vvee must bee rooted and grounded in charitie This woord Charitie or loue may bee taken as well for the loue that God beareth vs as for the mutuall loue which wee ought to beare one towardes another But the verie trew and natiue sense of Saint Paule heere is that he ment too haue vs knit toogither For as he spake heeretoofore of Gods free loue towardes vs so now he sheweth how fayth importeth that wee should haue brotherly loue one towards another And the holy Scripture bringeth vs alwayes to that poynt insomuch that when there is any speaking of the full perfection of good lyfe fayth goeth before then comes Charitie next vntoo it For the end that wee must begin at is the vtter abacing of our selues too the end wee may seeke all our welfare at Gods hand and that our seeking of it there may bee first too acknowledge that he giueth vs all things in the person of his onely sonne and secondly too call vppon him too settle our fayth in him too flee wholly for refuge too his mercy and after as euery man feeleth himfelf bound vntoo him as all of vs are exceedingly so to acknowledge by our thanksgiuing that he is our rightuousnes our holynes our victorye our ioy our glorie and our happinesse that wee may performe the thiâ—g which is sayd in Ieremie whosoeuer glorieth let him glorie in the Lord bycause it is he that woorketh ryghtuousnesse Iustice and mercy Yee see then that wee must rest wholly vppon our God or else all the vertuousnesse which wee seeme too haue before men shal bee but filth and dung Now then haue wee fayth Charitie must be matched with it and wee must liue euenly and vpryghtly one with another euery of vs acknowledge thus I was not created for my self nor to seeke myne own priuate benefyte commoditie but for the benefite of my neighbours also And therfore let vs absteyne froÌ„ al guile wrong outrage and malice and indeuer to serue eche others turne according too our abilitie That is the perfection of good lyfe Saint Paule hauing spoken alredie of fayth addeth now that wee must also bee grounded in Charitie as if he should say wee must not haue alonly some fit or pang of loue as manie men haue but there must bee a stedfastnesse and euen holding on in it all our lyfe long For a thing may giue a greate blaze and yit quayle anon after Behold a huge building may be ouerthrowen with one blast of wynd if it be not set vppon a sure foundaton Also a man may set vp a greate tree but if the roote bee cut asunder what will come of it It must needes fall downe out of hand or else if it haue some hold a the one ende for a tyme it must needes wither at the heate of the Sunne Euen so is it with vs when we haue a greate zeale which is not well rooted in our hartes for it wil bee but as a maske or a gay showe before men That is the cause why Saint Paule exhorteth vs purposely too bee grounded in charitie too the intent too correct the vyce of louing by startes or fits as they say which is too common a thing Neuerthelesse it were a fondnesse too concluâ—â— therefore that our saluation were grounded vppon our good woorkes For heere he treateth not of the cause of our saluation but â—nly how wee ought too rule our lyfe Agein wee knowe there is but one onely foundation of the Church as S. Paule sayeth in the third chapter of the second Epistle too Coriâ—thians and as wee haue seene alredie in this selfsame Epistle and specially as Iesus Christ himself declareth in the sixteenth chapter of Saint Matthew And which is that foundation It is Iesus Christ and no man can lay any other than that which the Prophetes and Apostles haue layd and wee must hold our selues too it at this day and euen vntoo the worldes end And yit may wee not ceasse too bee rooted in loue by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ. When men demaund what is the cause of our saluation by what meane wee be brought into his fauour and how wee may come vntoo hym and cal vpon hym with full trust wee must answeare it is bycause our Lord Iesus Christe is giuen vs and it is he in whom the fulnesse of the
Godhead dwelleth Now wee bee yit farre of from such perfection Howbeit forasmuch as wee bee grounded vpon our Lord Iesus Christ wee haue a steadynesse that continueth all our life So then let vs marke that Saint Paule exhorteth vs here too true stedfastnesse too the intent we should neuer bee weery of wel doing though wee haue neuer so many occasions too thrust vs aside For euen such as are best mynded too see too doo neuerthelesse take pritch at it when men shewe themselues vnkind towardes them and when they consider that for their well dooing men wyll requite them with all euyll they bee sore greeued at it and become quite out of hart And that is a cause why so fewe continue in the feare of God and walke as they ought too doo for it seemeth too them that they haue lost their labour in doing well Agein there foloweth this inconuenience also that the wicked take occasion too rush out so much more intoo all maner of harmfulnesse so that if a man liue in simplicitie and beare the wrongs paciently that are doone vntoo hym all men wyll bee dooing with him and euery man would eate hym vp as if he were a sheepe among an hundred Woolues Such as are easily intreated too giue of their goodes too their neighbours seeme too bee set out too the spoyle and euery man wyll bee catching al that euer he can from them When men see so leaâ—de dealings in thâ— world it maketh euery man too take out his owne share as men say But contrariwise it is told vs heere that if wee bee rooted and grounded in charitie although men thrust vs aside and discorage vs by their vnthankfulnesse yit wyll wee not ceasse too hold out in well dooing bicause wee haue a good and deepe roote And S. Paule hauing spoken so of the good will that wee ought 〈◊〉 beare towardes our neyghbours returneth too his matter of fayth And surely the cheef poynt for vs is too knowe that God auoweth vs for his children and that our sinnes are forgiuen vs so as he taketh vs for ryghtuous If wee haue not that how can we fynd any sweetnesse in seruing and honoring of him And how or with what corage can we pray to him What prayse can wee offer to him Too bee short it standeth vs on hand too bee certified of the infinite good that is doone vs by our Lord Iesus Christ too the end wee may bee rauished in loue with our God and inflamed with a ryght zeale to obey him and holde our selues short vnder his awe too honor him with all our thoughtes with all our affections and with all our hartes The cause then why S. Paule contineweth this matter is to prynt it in the myndes of the faythfull where their saluation lyeth and how they may bee sure of it And so much the more doo wee see what the wretchednesse of the world is For there is none other assurance than the calling vppon God on this groundworke so as a man bee lifted vp by fayth too offer himself into his presence But on the contrary part we see how men haue gone too worke And in deede they haue not bin ashamed in the popedome too say that wee ought too bee alwayes doubtfull of our saluation and that wee cannot haue a sure beleefe of it And it is not the ignorant sort which say so but all the doctors of their Sinagoges hold it for an article of their fayth that wee ought too bee alwayes in a mamering and doubtfull And that is euen as much as too cast men vp at aduenture vntoo Satan So much the more therfore behoueth it vs too beare well in mynd the doctrine that is conteyned heere that is to wit that when wee once knowe the loue that God beareth vs in our Lord Iesus Christ and in such wyse as he hath witnessed it too vs by his death and passion and dooth still dayly warrant it by his Gospell wee haue the perfect knowledge and such as shall giue vs full happinesse And that is the cause why he sayeth too the end yee may learne with all the Sayncts what his heyght depth and wydnesse and thicknesse is that yee may knowe all this sayeth he How now Ment S. Paule too make vs Carpenters or Masons that he speaketh heere as of the heygth of a buylding Intendes he to teach vs thâ— science of Masourie that he speaketh thus of wydenesse No but he openeth his owne meaning by by saying It is the Loue that hath bin shevved vs in Iesus Christ. Therfore when wee once knowe how well God loueth vs and how inestimable the mercie is wherof he hath giuen vs so good a pledge in the person of his only sonne wee haue all that can bee sayeth he Let vs inforce all our wittes both vpward and downeward let vs stye aboue the cloudes let vs pierce too the Centre of the earth let vs go downe too the bottoms of the deepes and let vs rake ouer sea and land yit shall there bee nothing but vanitie and leazing When wee haue ended all our wyndlasses surely weee may peraduenture discourse lyke folk that are verie suttle haue learned the vnderstanding of manie things but yit shall there bee no substance in vs But when wee once knowe that God is our father in Iesus Christ and how that commeth too passe and by what meanes wee obteyne so greate a benefyte that is the thing sayeth he whertoo wee must hold vs For it is the trew measure of our fayth they bee the bondes of it and whosoeuer couers too knowe more dooth but go astray as though he would wilfully enter intoo a maze wheroutof he could neuer wynd himself agein Wherfore let vs hold our selues contented with Iesus Christ as he is and as he vttereth himself by his Gospell and then shall wee bee filled full sayeth S. Paule With what filling Euen with the fulnesse of God sayeth he As if he should say Wretched folke as wee bee there is none of vs but he coueteth knowledge and it is a naturall desyre which burneth all men Insomuch that wee shall see many which consume all their goods and spare nother their bodyes nor their lyues And what too doo Too get knowledge Wee shall see othersome trot from place too place And what too doo Too get knowledge All men then haue that desyre some more and some lesse and there is not so ignorant a person which would not faine come too knowledge Now then seeyng wee bee all inclyned thertoo of nature let vs learne which is the trew knowledge In deede there are sciences which are behoofefull too passe this world withall and requisite it is that men should haue artes and trades and also the liberall sciences as they be termed All these are good if they bee referred too their dew endes But yit notwithstanding wee must come too the Science of Sciences for that is it which will neuer fayle For when a man shall haue trotted
he walked all his lyfe tyme as one vnknowen and vnesteemed and in the end was put too death and that not a common death but a death that was so reprochfull yea and cursed of Gods owne mouth that he was hild for accursed before God and his Angelles too the intent that wee myght be blissed for his sake and by his meanes Seeing then that Gods sonne was so abaced haue not wee good cause too stoope lowe For God requyreth not that wee should forgo anie thing of our owne when he exhorteth vs too lowlinesse And why for if wee knew what wee bee wee would stoope lowe ynough Our head was not in lyke plyght when he came downe hither For why As it is sayd in the .xvii. of Saint Iohn he possessed his diuine glorie and maiestie before the making of the world And yit for all that he voutsafed too abace himself in such wyze as in the syght and opinion of men that too outward apperance he seemed too haue vtterly giuen ouer his maiestie It is trew that he continued styll in his perfect state but that appeered not And that is the cause why Saint Paule vseth the woord Figure or Shape he appeered sayeth he in the shape of man For he meaneth that our Lord Iesus Christes clothing of himself with our flesh and his being despyzed and reiected were no derogation at all too his diuine essence And why for it was but an outward shape Then did he continue alwayes vnappayred and yit neuerthelesse he was seene too bee vnder all men Who wyll then refuze the same state that wee should not bee lowly after his example The fathers that liued vnder the Lawe perceyued alredye â—hat it behoued them too bee fashyoned lyke vntoo the image and patterne of our Lord Iesus Christ who was their head and yit they had but verie darke figures Now then seeing that Iesus Christ sheweth vs the way so as he is entered intoo the kingdome of heauen through many tribulations and intoo lyfe by death and is exalted on hygh after abacing lowe what excuce shall wee haue if wee seeing those things bee styll puffed vp with pryde and cannot fynd in our hartes too walke in meeknesse considering that wee bee nothing So then wheras Saint Paule speaketh of the lowe places of the earth he meaneth the humane nature which our Lord Iesus tooke vppon him for our saluation yea euen with addition of all the things that I haue toâ—ched For he shewed not himself as a great prince nother vsed he anie pompe or traynes of men too make himself dread in the world but as it is sayd in the two and fortith of Esay he brake not the broozed reede he quenched not the smoking flax nother was his voyce or crye hearde in the streetes Agein besydes this wee see how he suffered reproche and how he abode it paciently when he came too his death all men seemed too haue conspyred ageinst him Therfore wee must adde all these qualities too knowe how Iesus Christ descended into the lowe partes of the earth Howbeit if we compare his diuine maiestie with our nature wee may well call all the earth the lowe places although Iesus Christ had possessed the whole world yit had it bin nothing in comparison of his heauenly glorie For what are they which are in hyghest state of dignitie They doo but craule heere lyke Frogges or leape lyke Gressehoppers as sayth the Prophet Esay No maruell than though the whole earth bee termed a lowe and bace place in respect of heauen Howbeeit Saint Paules intent here was too note breefly that Iesus Christ voutsafed too stoope so lowe as too become a mocking stocke too the vnbeleeuers yea and euen too bee condemned and esteemed as a man accursed and forsaken of God all which things he indured for our saluation It is good reason therfore that wee should myldly and without geynsaying receyue Gods humbling of vs and beare in our selues the image of our Lord Iesus Christ by being shaken of despyzed and mocked for our simplicitie and that no man should â—â—ke vppon him or chalendge too himself the things that are none of his That is the effecte of Saynt Paules meaning Now he sayeth that he is gone vp aboue all heauens Wherin we see that the sonne of God hath not as now the lordship of this world For Saint Paules declaring that he is aboue all the heauens is too shewe that the dominion which he hath is heauenly and diuine and euerlasting For the heauens themselues shall passe away and they must needs vanish as Iesus Christ auoweth with his owne mouth Now if the heaues bee snbiect too chaunging and must bee doone away too be renewed agein if Iesus Christ dwelt in heauen he should bee subiect too the same state that is too say he should bee frayle and transitorie Then is he aboue all the heauens in his infinite glorie wherin there is nother chaunge nor turning about And theruppon he addeth that it is too fyll all things By this woord Fyll he meaneth that Iesus Christ is not so locked vp in anie one place but that wee may feele him present and that he dwelleth in vs and that he filleth all things But surely that is not with his bodie as some haue grossely imagined but it is with his power and with his spirituall benefyts and gifts Yit neuerthelesse Saint Paules intent heere is too betoken a presence of Christ too the end that wee may knowe that we haue not lost anie thing by his absenting of himself from the earth so as he dwelleth heere no more after a visible fashyon And why For he ceasseth not for all that too execute his power euery where and to fyll all things insomuch that wee haue all things of him which are requisite for our saluation That is in effect the verye meaning of S. Paule Wherfore let vs heere put in practize the exhortation that hath bin touched afore which is that wee cannot bee taken for Gods children except wee become lyke too him that hath the ryght of the first borne Sith it is so let vs willingly suffer our selues too be abaced that God may exalt vs for by that meane did our Lord Iesus come too his glorie Agein let vs apply all our senses to tast throughly what the mercie of God is in that it hath pleased him that his sonne which was his image should bee so abaced Let vs consider how greate the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ is in that he voutsafed to hide his diuine essence for a tyme and tooke not vppon him as belonged vntoo him but did as it were stoope downe too the syght of the world Sith wee see this let vs consider first of all how precious 〈◊〉 soules were too the sonne of God seeing he voutsafed too stoope so lowe for our saks and let vs esteeme of the Gospell wherby so greate a benefyte is communicated vntoo vs
hypocrisie but also vtterly past shame when wee fashion not our selues lyke vntoo God and yit will needes bee hild and taken for his children Trew it is that too bee so fashyoned lyke vntoo God and too resemble him so fully as one man commeth neere vntoo another is vnpossible but yit must wee not bee out of hart for all that And soothly wee must call too mynd how the scripture sayeth that if wee go on too Godward although wee bee farre of from the marke that wee ame at yit dooth he accept that willingnesse of ours when wee keepe our way and indeuer continually too go on forwarde styll Although wee bee slowe and weake and although wee trip and stumble yit God imputeth none of those faultes vntoo vs when wee bee desyrous too fashyon our selues lyke too him When wee shoote at that marke although wee bee farre short or wyde of it yit dooth God take it in good woorth as I sayd And that ought too giue vs corage For if wee should bee dryuen too fashyon our selues lyke vntoo God poynt by poynt in all respectes alas how could it bee doone For euen the very Angels notwithstanding that there bee nothing but holinesse in them and that Gods glorie shyne foorth in them are yit farre short from the perfection that is in god Aâ—d what are wee then which bee so corrupted and marred which haue such abundance of naughtinesse and which are so plucked back and turned away by so many vyces and temptations which Satan trumpeth in our way yit haue wee this too reioyce of that our Lord beareth with vs and accepteth all our dooings in good part so wee keepe on toowardes him That is the manner of following him which is commaunded vs heere Trew it is that wee must not in the meane whyle fall asleepe and say as many doo I would fayne be lyke vntoo God and then doo but wring their mouth at it but wee must consider euery day and euery houre that wee haue ill profited in the trew rule of fashyoning our selues lyke vntoo God and theruppon condemne our selues for it and thinke thus I had some good will yisterday how is it increaced since nothing at all but rather to my seeming it is become colder After that maner must we quickeÌ„ vp our selues fyght ageinst the things that hinder vs that wee may indeuer too go styll foreward and too come neerer and neerer too our marke from whence wee bee yit so farre of But howsoeuer wee fare yit wil not our Lord fayle too esteeme vs alwayes too bee lyke him and too bee trew followers of him if wee willingly and without hipocrisy forgiue them that haue offended ageinst vs at leastwyse after his example who hath giuen vs a pardon that is farre greater than all the pardons that can bee gotten at our handes so as wee beare with the vyces and infirmities of our neyghbours as wee see that he hath borne with vs For he myght iustly sinke vs downe too the bottom of hell and yit he forbeareth not too adopt vs for his children Seeing then that he loueth vs after such a sort notwithstanding all the vnworthinesse that is in vs It is good reason that wee should resemble him in so dooing And although wee had no better prerogatiue than our naturall birth yit ought wee too knowe that God hath not separated vs asunder Euen the wretched Paynims had some vnderstanding heereof For they sayd that mans lyfe is too tend vnto God and too bee fashyoned lyke vntoo his image and that the same is also the full perfection of all happinesse And agein they added that wee cannot resemble God better in any thing than in vsing gentlenesse one towardes another and in dooing good and in being pitifull So then let vs consider that in asmuch as God hath made vs his welbeloued children vs I say which were his enemyes and had nothing but filthinesse in vs and were clogged with so many vyces that we were woorthie too bee lothed of him and yit he hath not letted too loue vs it is good reason that wee should winke at manie things that myght offende vs and hinder our louing of our neyghbours and our holding with them And now Saint Paule hauing spoken of God addeth also the example of our Lord Iesus Christ. The heauenly father loued the world so well that he spared not his only sonne but deliuered him to the death for vs And what did Iesus Christ He forgate himself he regarded not his owne person he that was the Lord of all glorie submitted him self too all reproche He that was the lyfe from the beginnig made him self mortall He that was the power of God the father made him self weake for loue of vs He that had all things in his hand became poore to inriche vs He by whom all things are blissed became subiect too cursing Seing then that oâ—r Lord Iesus Christ abaced him self after that fashyon as Saint Paule also sayeth in another place where he setteth him foorth as an example for vs and in sted of his glorie tooke vppon him al shame and in sted of his ryghtuousnesse became sin not that he offended or had any blemishe or spot in him but as bearing the punishment of our sumes in which respect also the scripture termeth him by the name of sin and agein in sted of lyfe tooke death and voutsafed too bee cursed of God in this world that wee myght haue blissednesse by his meanes when wee think vppon al this ought not all pryde all presumption al feercenesse all scornfulnesse and all bitternesse too be layd away considering the meane wherby our Lord Iesus Christ hath reconcyled vs too God his father So then let vs thinke wel vppon all those things And furthermore too pull vs the more downe and too breake the hard hartednesse whertoo wee bee too much inclyned Saint Paule sayth that he offered a sacrifyze of good sauour vntoo God his father As if he should say my freends had you once well weyed the grace and fauour that is purchaced you by our Lord Iesus Christ you would soone beate backe all the wicked affections which make you to stomack things and yee would fyght ageinst them vntill yee had ouercome them And therfore bee kynd harted in bearing one with another and seeing it hath pleased God too gather vs as it were intoo one flocke and that our Lord Iesus Christ dooeth the dewtie of a shepherd too leade vs toogither shewe your selues too bee as a flocke of sheepe and not as rauening wooles For somuch then as our Lord Iesus disdeyneth vs not in any thing insomuch that he hath made an offering and sacrifyze of his owne person vntoo God his father wherby he hath wyped out all our sinnes let it moue vs and rauish all our wyts to glorifie God and too doo homage too our Lord Iesus Christ as oft as wee thinke vpon it And whereas he sayth that the sacrifize which
hand and boweth them as he listeth and thereuppon doo pray him too giue them grace and power too win their wyues that they may agree with them and humble themselues too them them shall they perceyue that God woorketh in that behalfe But most commonly it is to be seene that men deale roughly with their wyues and thinke too win them by playing the termagauntes so as they sticke not too brooze their bodies yea somtymes that the blud followes These are hangmen and tormentors that will so martir their wyues asd yit notwithstanding they will alledge the superioritie that God hath giuen them That superioritye is not diuelish nother serueth it too make men lyke brute beastes but too maynteyne good order and gouernment But the women on their syde doo for the most part inharden themselues and when rhey are too marrie they neuer thinke vppon the things that God sheweth and teacheth them by his woord hardly shal a man fynd one among a hundred that prayeth vntoo God when shee is vppon the poynt of mariage No boubt but they heare it well ynough sayd that the husband must be the head and they themselues will say very well it is true that if I haue a husband he must bee aboue mee for so is the fashyon of the world and I must abyde it But in the meane whyle there shal bee such ouerweening or rather diuelish stoutnesse in them as they could fynd in their hartes too plucke God out of his seate and they would fayne that this matter which wee reade now were razed out of the Scripture too the intent they myght not bee subiect too it Yea and they make a confederacie among themselues in that cace saying tush I warrant thee I will hold myne owne and if my husband play the Churle with mee he shall well perceyue that I passe not for it and I will hold him at a bay so long that when he sees he doth but looze his labour he shal be fayne to giue ouer his game and too let mee alone After this manner say I doo women begin too enter intoo huswyfrye so as a man shal scarâ—ly fynd one among a hundred which is not of that mynd and dooth not fully determine vppon it Also the husband on his syde thinks thus Tush let mee alone I will compasse hir well ynough As who should say he were God who hath told vs that there is another maner of discretion too bee vsed in this behalf For the way for men too win their wyues is not too step too them with stoutnesse and too play the bedlems with them or too vse tyranny ouer them none of that geere will boote and yit men thinke themselues so wyse in their owne conceyt that they shall scare their wyues with a grim looke Too bee short they dispute of the matter in the meane whyle rob God as though he had reserued nothing to him self wherby to teach vs to repayre vnto him to pray him to meeken their harts and to bow them to obedience and myldnesse Therfore it behoueth vs to remember the lesson so much the better which is shewed vs heere And for the same cause dooth Saint Paule apply the similitude of our Lord Iesus Christ as well too the one side as too the other For he telleth the women that it is for their benefyte too bee so subiect too their Husbands And why Let vs consider the spirituall state of the Churche How miserable were our state if wee were separated from our Lord Iesus Christ For we should be bereft of all hope of lyfe and of all Gods benefyts And although wee inioyed many gifts in this world yit should they turne all too our displeasure if wee were not members of our Lord Iesus Christ. Too bee short without the sonne of God there is nothing but scattering heere beneathe For he was sent too gather toogither all things that were scattered afore insomuch that all our happinesse ioy and rest is too haue Iesus Christ reigning ouer vs and ruling vs Now then there must be an answerablenesse hereunto in mariage and the women must vnderstand that forasmuch as wedlock is as an image of the spirituall vnioÌ„ which is betwene vs the sonne of God it is for their benefyte to be vnder their husbands to yeeld theÌ„ obedience that it shal be much more for their profit than if they were at libertie too gouerne themselues and too doo what they liâ—t without brydling or controlment Trew it is that they cannot conceiue it but who shal be found wyzer in the end God or Women If they will needs reply that it were better for them too bee in no subiection at all too their husbands wheras God for all that hath ordeyned otherwyse yea euen for their welfare and hath declared and giuen sentence that it is so weene they too get the vpper hand in pleading so ageinst God Yee see then that Iesus Christ is set downe as the sauyour of the bodie too the end that wyues should knowe that God hath preuyded better for their necessities than they bee aware of When they haue well chawed their cud and debated what they can with themselues and gathered all the reasons that are possible too bee had yit is it certein that they knowe not so well what is for their owne profit as God dooth who hath put them in subiection too their husbands yea euen for their owne welfare too the intent they should bee maynteyned which otherwyse could not bee Agein on the other syde Saint Paule alledgeth our Lord Iesus Christ too the Husbands also too the intent they should not abuse the authority that is graunted them nor breake the frendship which ought too bee maynteyned in wedlocke by being ouer churlish as they are woont too bee And the thing that he setteth them downe in our Lord Iesus Christ by demaunding how he hath loued his Churche is first and formest that he hath giuen him self for it and that he spared not himself when he tooke mans flesh vpon him In deede al power and dominion were giuen vnto him so as all knees must needs bowe before him as Saint Paule him self sayeth and all of vs both greate and small must doo him homage but yit notwithstanding what hath hee doone for his Churche Listed he too reigne in such sort as too exercyze tyrannie ouer vs No but contrarily he humbled him self and wheras he had souerein dominion ouer the Angels of heauen he became subiect too the Law and was called a Seruant yea and he was vtterly emptyed for our sakes Now when wee see that God beareth vs so inestimable loue in our Lord Iesus Christ that he hath put himselfe in the person of a husband and voutsafed that wee should bee as a wyfe vntoo him I say when wee see that should we now which are but woormes of the earth and a thing of nothing refuze too follow the example of the sonne of God who had no regard
would not otherwyse agree But heere by the way a man myght aske a question For Saint Paule prayeth not God too giue fayth too the faythlesse and charitie too them that are fleshly but vntoo the brethren that is too say too the bodie of the Church Now if they be of the Church they bee Gods children alredye they bee begotten agein by the holie Ghoste and by that meane they haue both fayth and charitie But herin Saint Paule sheweth vs that it is not ynough for that God begin fayth in vs vnlesse he continew in it too the end and that lyke as wee call fayth the gift of God so must he also make it too growe and increace day by day And that is it which is ment by this saying that it is giuen vntoo vs not only too beleeue in Iesus Christ but also too suffer for him Therfore Gods giuing of fayth vntoo vs is not in such wyse as that he dooth but only prepare vs that wee myght beleeue the Gospell if we listed and that afterward we should bring a consent of our owne go foreward of our selues by our own power No but when God hath once dispozed vs too beleeue he must also giue vs such an affection as may touche vs too the quicke and afterward driue vs forewarde and giue vs abilitie too perseuer so as we may profit go foreward be confirmed euen to the end That is the cause why S. Paule speaking heere of the faythfull which were brought alredie intoo the good way and to whom the grace of God was manifested sayeth neuerthelesse that God must bee fayne too further them giue them the gift to hold out euen by growing more and more as wel in fayth as in loue And therby we haue warning to pray God to increase strengthen our fayth and to inflame vs with charitie and therwithall to make vs knowe our imperfections so as although wee see a number that come not neere vs yit wee conceyue not any pryde too stand in our owne conceits as though wee were come too fayth already Wherefore let vs assure our selues that we be but in our way as long as we bee in this worlde and therefore let vs inforce our selues foreward For what perfection of fayth so euer wee can fynd among men it is certeyne that God will fynd much amisse in it and how farre foreward soeuer wee bee and how well so euer wee haue profited in charitie a man shall come farre short of fynding that any of vs hath forgotten him self and thrust couetousnesse and ambition vnder foote with all other things that may 〈◊〉 vs froÌ„ seeking the benefyte of our neyghbour and the imploying of our selues too doo them seruis Sith it is so let vs learne as I sayd too knowe our owne imperfections in such wyse as wee may mislyke of our selues for them and bee induced therby too doo better than wee haue done hithertoo And although men prayse and commend vs yit let vs learne too confesse with all humblenesse and meeknesse that wee bee yit farre short of atteyning too our mark Now hereuppon Saint Paule addeth agein Grace bee too all them that loue our Lord Iesus Christ vncorruptly Wherin he sheweth who bee the brethren that â—e 〈◊〉 of euen now Not all they that professe themselues too liue after the Gospel but such as loue our Lord Iesus Christ yea sayth he with such soundnesse as it bee not an affection that corrupteth and banisheth away out of hand And not without cause is this sayd For wee see how fewe there are which loue Iesus Christ ryghtly and soundly The multitude of them that pretend too holdwith the Godspell is greate ynough but what a number are there which renounce God in their works when they haue confessed him so in their words Agein if a man examin them narrowly which haue yit some good tokens and liue orderly ynough and without blame so as it myght bee sayd that there is no hipocrisie in them he shall see them ouershoote themselues in the turning of a hand As for example wee see how the persecutions now adayes discouer such as haue not a lyuely roote and so doo temptations lykewyse insomuch that they which haue liued in good reputation doo afterward turâ—e asyde and go astray And what is the cause therof Some new blocke that Satan casteth in their way or some other stumbling stocke too make them turne out of the good way Therfore when all is throughly reckened a man shall fynd verye fewe that loue Iesus Christ vncorruptly that is too say which haue at rew stedfastnesse or stoutnesse so as if they bee tempted eyther with feare of death or with pouertie yit notwithstanding they aâ—ter not but continew stil in theyr calling shew that the holie Ghost reigneth so in them as he possesseth the bottomes of their harts euen vntill they bee quyte rid of all the imperfections of their flesh No dout but the perfectest haue store of them And lyke as it may well bee that a tree shall seeme vtterly withered as farre as can be discerned outwardly by his braunches yit if the roote continue still in his force the tree shal be safe so that although some superfluous boughes be cut of yit will he spring againe and it will appeere playnly that it was still alyue within euen so wee from day to day cut of the corrputions of our flesh which are yit in vs vntil wee bee come too the fulnesse of the incomprehensible perfection wheruntooo wee labour as now too atteyne Now let vs fall downe before the maiestie of our good God with acknowledgment of our faults praying him too voutsafe too open our eyes more and more that wee may consider the infirmities and vyces that are in vs yea and those also vntoo which wee should bee giuen if God had not deliuered vs from them and should not drawe vs away from them day by day And theruppon let vs moorne before him acknowledging our selues too bee wretched offenders that are well woorthie too bee condemned if he pitied vs not And let vs so profit in his woord as it may bee too the amendment of the things that are yit amisse in vs and for the bringing therof too passe let vs call vppon the grace of his holie spirit bycause wee knowe how needfull it is for vs in respect of the rechlesnesse yea or rather rebelliousnesse that is in vs And yit for all that let vs not ceasse too go on still too the heauenly perfection wheruntoo he calleth vs That it may please him to graunâ— this grace not only too vs but also too all people and nations of the earth c. FINIS All glorie honor and prayse bee alonly vntoo God and too our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen â— Tim. 1. 9. 1. Cor. 6. 20. 1. Tim. 1. 5. 1. Pet. 1. 21. 22. 23. 1. Cor. 6. 9. 10. 2 â–ª Thâ—â—â— â–ª â— 8. Titus 1. 16. Hâ—br 5. 12. 13 â–ª 1. Cor. 3. 1. â—
get the vpper hand and to stand by their owne strength at â—â—eir owne appoyntment and not at Gods appoyntment â—â—rough his power and mercie in Christ. Of which kynd of people the cowardlinesse is so much the more shamefull and blamewoorthie bycause God hath giuen them such a Sauyour Captein as is both able willing too minister strength too them bee they neuer so weake and feeble health bee they neuer so sicke or diseazed soundnesse bee they neuer so sore wounded or maymed corage bee they neuer so faynt and weery victory bee they neuer so much oppressed and ouermatched ryghtuousnesse bee they neuer so sinfull and wicked yea and euen lyfe though they bee dead For Christ himselfe beeing the Phisition of our soules our health our welfare our lyght our resurrection our lyfe and the very truth it selfe which cannot lye nor deceyue to the intent wee should bee willing too resott vntoo him and haue assured warrant of hope and comfort calleth and allureth vs in this wyse vntoo him Come vntoo mee all yee that are weery and ouerloden and I will refreshe you Bee of good cheere I haue ouercome the world and so shall you also by fayth in mee Although your sinnes bee as read as scarlet I will make them as whyte as snowe I will refuze none that commeth to mee but though he bee dead yit shall he lyue for I will rayze him vp at the last day If yee suffer with mee yee shall also reigne with mee in glory Resist the diuell and he shall flee from you so that the verye gates of hell shall not preuayle ageinst you Aske what you will of my father in my name and it shal bee done vntoo you Aske and yee shal haue seeke and yee shall fynd knocke and it shal bee opened vntoo you possesse yee your soules through pacience Besydes this he putteth vs not too the dooing of any thing which he himselfe hath not first doone for our sakes to giue vs the more comfort and incoragement by his owne example If wee bee tempted so was he If wee bee smitten for our sinnes so was he for he bare our infirmities and the penaltie of our transgressions was layd vppon him If wee be tryed and nurtured with correction of the crosse so was he insomuch that although he was the sonne of God yit learned he obedience by the things that he suffered If wee bee abaced so was he insomuch that wheras it was no robberie in him to bee equall with God bycause he was in the shape of God yit abaced he himselfe by taking vppon him the shape of a seruant and that so farre as he cryeth out in the Psalme I am a worme and no man a very scorning stocke of men and an outcast of the people If the terrour of Gods wrath for sin doo abash our harts so did it abash his and that so sore as he was fayne too crye out O God my God why hast thou forsaken mee If wee suffer want and penury so did he for he had not whereon too rest his head Finally he became lyke vnto vs in all things sauing onely in sinne to the intent that wee hauing a Hygh priest which could bee touched with the feeling of our infirmities might boldly preace to the throne of grace to obteyne mercy and fauour to our releefe and helpe in dew time Assuring our selues that if wee fashion our selues lyke vntoo his image in sufferance in patience in humilitie in fayth in hope in loue and in resistence of sinne wee shall also bee made lyke vnto him in glory Wherefore let vs take his yoke vppon vs for it is sweete let vs sticke to him in weale and wo 〈◊〉 he will not forsake vs and let vs fence our selues aforehand with the armour and weapons that Saint Paule speaketh of in his present Epistle that wee may bee able to stand fast in these euill dayes wherin Satan the old serpent leaueth nothing vnattempted that may destroy or impayre our fayth and that wee may bee able to beare out the brunt of afflictions which God iustly may and I feare mee shortly will cast vppon vs for our carelesse hearing and more carelesse slowe and negligent following of his word so plentifully preached among vs if wee conuert not by speedie amendment Let such as are yit weake learne to grow from fayth to fayth from knowledge to knowledge in Iesus Christ. Let them as sayth S. Peter indeuer by all meanes to adde too their fayth strength to their strength knowledge to their knowledge stayednesse to their stayednesse pacience to their pacience godlynesse to their godlynesse kynd hartednesse and to their kynd hartednesse loue And whyle they bee proceeding too perfection by those degrees I counsell them in the meane season too reuerence the mysteries which God hath not yit reuealed vnto them nother despayring of their owne saluation for want of deepe and exquisite knowledge for to whom much is giuen of him much shall bee requyred and to whom lesse is giuen of him lesse shall bee required nor refuzing too learne least they fall intoo the sinne of contempt nor grudging at thoze too whom God hath giuen a greater lyght of vnderstanding in such misteries nor yit diffaming the doctrine it selfe which is vttered by the holy Ghost for their comfort if they could conceyue it aryght Agein on the other syde I couÌ„sell the stronger sort euen for Christes sake who beeing the Lord of al power became weake for our sakes too trayne foreward the weakelings with all myldnesse of spirit not with disputing but with gentle exhortation and incoragement and too cheere vp the faynt handes and feeble knees eche bearing so with others infirmities and helping too guyde their feete in the ryght pathes as God may bee gloryfyed on all handes through Iesus christ And as for the vnreuerend and wicked wilfull scorners wee may let them alone vntoo God without casting of our pearles before swyne or wiâ—hout giuing of our holy things vnto Dogges least Gods name bee blasphemed and rayled vppon by our occasion But yit ought wee of christian charitie too pray for them if peraduenture the goodnesse and long sufferance of God may win them too repentance that they may acknowledge the truth and scaping out of the diuels snares wherein they bee hild prizoners come too their ryght myndes and performe the will of god For wee our selues also bee compassed about with innumerable infirmities and haue neede of continuall mercy at Gods hand nother is there any of vs all that standeth by his owne strength or that can assure himselfe too hold out one minute of an houre but by the helpe of God through christ Therefore let euery one that calleth vppon the name of Christ that is too wit which professeth himselfe a Christian depart from iniquitie Let him that seemeth to stand take heede that he fall not And finally let vs
in it Yit notwithstanding forasmuche as man is wicked and froward and hath the cursed roote of rebellion in himself so as he cannot but doo euill he offendeth God willingly And seing it is so let vs boldly conclude that wee bee in death till wee bee made partners of the lyfe of our Lord Iesus Christ and that he deale vntoo euery of vs the spirit which he hath receyued in such measure as he listeth according as it is sayd that Gods spirit rested vppon him and was giuen vntoo him in all plentie and that as nowe he must deale it too euery one of hys faythfull ones Therefore according as our Lord Iesus Christ maketh vs too taste of his holy spirit and according as he strengtheneth thereby so are wee quickened in him and with him Now heeruppon he addeth that he hath made vs too sit in the heauenly places vvith our Lord Iesus Christ. This serueth too magnifye the grace that we haue hithertoo spoken of yit so much the more If he had sayd in one woord that wee were qâ—ickened it had bin ynough and it ought well too haue inflamed our hartes to sing Gods prayses and too occupye our selues therin and too apply al our indeuers theruntoo But heere is a greater vehemencie bycause of our coldnesse and lazinesse For S. Paule hath shewed on the one syde that wee were dead and hild in bondag vnder the tyrannye of Satan Alas these are terrible things And now he setteth downe on the other syde that God hath not only loued vs but also glorifyed vs in himself and that wee bee lifted vp from the bottom of hell aloft vntoo the kingdome of heauen where he hath lodged vs and giuen vs seates among his Angells Seing then that wee heare this needes must wee bee to much doted our witts too much brutish if we make not in good earnest too glorifye the inestimable goodnesse of our God and too conclude that wee bee so beholden and bound vntoo him that although wee should doo nothing else all our lyfe long but preache the grace that wee haue felt by experience at his hand yit it were nothing at all And so yee see why S. Paule hath purposely set downe that wee be lifted vp too heauen wiâ—h Iesus Christ. And heeruppon wee haue a very profitable exhortation too gather which is that although we bee heere in the myre and do but craule lyke poore frogges yit ought we to beare this state paciently for somuch as on the other syde God hath lyfted vs vp so hygh euen vs that were nothing yea and cursed creatures too And therfore whensoeuer wee be fayne too suffer hunger thirst in this world or be mocked by vnbeleeuers or put to the abiding of manie outrages let vs resort too that which is sayd heere namely that yit neuerâ—helesse wee be set alredy in heauen with Iesus Christ howbeeit not in such wyse that it is apparant vntoo our eyes For in this behalfe wee must giue place too hope and vntoo that which is sayd in another text namely that our lyfe is hid and that we must hold our selues quiet till it appeere at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Thus then you see in effect how it beehoueth vs too vnderstand the things that are spoken heere of the diuers state of Gods children after they bee called too the fayth of the Gospell But by the way we must not imagin an earthly paradyse in this world where we shall haue nother trubble nor greef wee must make our reckening that wee shall neuer liue heere at our â—ase but wee must make roome for fayth as I sayd afore And besydes this wheras the holye Ghoste auoucheth by the mouth of S. Paule that wee shal bee lifted vp on hygh iâ— standeth vs on hand too cast downe our heades and too suffer our selues too bee oppressed by our enemyes and too bee ouermaystered by them with all pryde we I say must suffer these things and yit in the meane whyle bee fully perswaded and throughly resolued of this doctrine that wee for all that shal not fayle too inherit the kingdome of heauen for it is vnpossible that the head should bee separated from the mâ—mbers and our Lord Iesus Christ is not gone thither for his owne sake alone Wee must alwayes repayre too that principle Our confessing that Iesus Christ is rizen from the dead and gone vp intoo heauen is not alonly too glorifye him in his owne person Trew it is that first of all it must come to passe that all knees must bow before him and that all creatures both in heauen and earth yea and euen in hell must doo him homage But yit notwithstanding the vnion wherof wee haue treated heertoofore is fulfilled in this that Iesus Christ hauing gathered vs intoo his bodie hath begunne that thing in himself which he intendeth too performe in vs namely when conuenient tyme commeth So then Iesus Christ is gone vp intoo heauen too open vs the gate in these dayes which was shet ageinst vs by Adams sin and that is the verye maner of our sitting with him alredye And therwithall S. Paule sheweth in one woord what he intended In deede this saying shal bee declared more at lenth in his dew place where S. Paule himself will treat of it more at large in the next Sermon Yit notwithstanding wee may see wherat he amed too the end wee may haue a sure and ryght marke too shoote at which is that wee bee saued by grace and that noman is able too clayme any thing of his owne Neuerthelesse it is not ynough for vs too haue confessed in one woord that our saluation commeth of Gods free fauour and too haue felt it also within our selues but wee must also therwithall bee taken in loue with the infinite greatnesse of the same grace by considering what wee bee how all euill commeth of our selues and that there is no saying nay bycause our faultes doo too much conuicâ— vs in somuch that if God should execute a hundred tymes more rigour ageinst vs than he dooth wee could not contend with him nor dispute with him but that wee should alwayes haue this record of our owne consciences that wee bee iustly woorthie of death and that the same is dew vntoo vs by our desert Then seeing it is so let vs hold fast this doctrine for wee shall haue profited greatly for our whole lyfe if wee once know that there is not only some one naughtie touche but an infinit number of euils in vs Therefore let vs lerne too mislyke of our selues and too hate and abhorre our selues and afterward when wee bee come too the grace that is shewed vs in our Lord Iesus Christ let vs vnderstand that without that the diuell should needes haue full and whole possession of vs and reigne ouer vs as he had doone afore Also let vs beware that wee profit our selues by such grace so as it may serue too put away all our cursednesse And
spirituall lyfe of the verye substance of Gods sonne Seing then that our Lord Iesus dooth as it were from hand too hand shewe vs that he giueth vs his bodie and blud too bee our spirituall meat and drink is it not a thing much more worth than all things that are too bee found in this world And herin wee see how malicious and frowarde most men are for as touching the Lords Supper manie come to it which rush thither lyke wretched beasts not knowing why it was ordeined Some agein make but a custome ordinarie vse of it although thei haue bin taught to what purpose it auaileth vs yit they do but wring their mouth at it all is one to theÌ„ when it is once past with theÌ„ And othersome defyle it euen wilfully And as touching baptim we se how the world goeth with it For wheras we ought to think dayly not only once aday but euery houre of the day both vpoÌ„ Babtim also vpon the Lords supper to confirme our selues the better in Gods grace so little dooth any man sett his mynd that way that if baptim bee minnistred in the Church men make none account of it Scarsly can one bee found among a hundred that can fitly tell and vtter what that signe of our adoption betokeneth And yit yee see what disdeyne is matched with that ignorance Must not God after his long suffering of vs and his pacient wayting for vs be reuenged of such dishonour when his grace is so lyghtly esteeemed among vs So much the more therfore dooth it stand vs in hand too marke well what S. Paule telleth vs heere when he sayeth that the Gentyles being depryued of the Sacramentes which God giueth too his children for a warrant of his goodnesse and loue are in miserable taking too the end wee may lerne too make much of the priuiledge which he hath giuen vs not too boast folishly of it as hipocrytes doo who abuse Gods name continewally but too make vs too fare the better by a thing of so greate pryce and valew and too make vs knowe that wee bee no whit better than they which are as poore hungrestarued soules ageinst whom God shetteth the gate still and too whom he voutsafeth not tooo impart those pledges of his wherein he sheweth and witnesseth that he will bee our father Yee see the Turkes haue circumcision as well as the Iewes and yit is it nothing woorth bycause there is no more any promis of God goyng with it and yit notwithstanding wee come of Adams race as well as they Wherefore haue wee Baptim but bycause God intended too shewe himselfe the more pitifull towardes vs and too vtter the riches of his goodnesse Agein the Papistes will needes bee called Christians and haue Baptim as well as wee And yit in the meane whyle they bee bereft of the holy Supper yea and they haue the abhominable Masse wherein they renounce the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ. And what cause is there why wee should bee so preferred before them sauing that God would haue vs too bee as myrrours of his infinite mercy So much the more therefore behoueth it vs too walke in awe and warenesse and too set store by the things which God sheweth vs too bee of such woorthinesse and excellencie that wee may fare the better by them Wherefore marke it for a speciall poynt when S. Paule speaketh heere of Circumcision and vncircumcision For although he say in other places that Circumcision is nothing howbeeit that was but bycause it was abolished and the vse therof ceassed as of all other figures of the Law yit notwithstanding at such tyme as God ordeyned it and so long as the Iewes vsed it holily it was a sure warrant to them of Gods adoption as if he had clenzed them from all the filthinesse that is in Adams race and appropryed them vntoo himselfe After he hath sayd so he addeth that they vvere vvithout Christ and vvithout promises Here he sheweth that the Sacraments take and borrowe their force of Gods woord For if there were nomore but the bare signes it were no matter of great importance If Circumcizion had bin giuen too the Iewes without any doctrine or instructioÌ„ too what purpose had it serued Surely they had bin neuer the better for it But when as God sayeth I am the God which sanctifyeth you you shal bee my children I will receyue you and therwith all take you for myne heritage and on the other syde also I giue my self too you and wil bee your lyfe forasmuch as Circumcizion had such promises it was as an inestimable treasure too the Iewes bicause the foundation that is to wit our Lord Iesus Christ was layd sure wheron the promises were setled and as yee would say confirmed That then is the cause why S. Paule ioyneth heere the common weale of Israell and the instruments of Gods promises and our Lord Iesus Christ al toogither Howbeeit in speaking of the common weale of Israell he sheweth that God had chozen one certeyne linage which he would haue too bee holie and so was it too bee concluded that all the rest were vnholie In speaking of the instruments of the promises he sheweth as I haue touched alredie that wee must not looke vppon Circumcision in it selfe but wee must direct it too the ryght end of it It becommeth vs too knowe wherefore God would haue it vsed among the Iewes for otherwyse it is but an Apes toy as the number of fond deuotions which the Gentyles had whereby they hoped too haue had holynesse but all of it was but abuse and trumperie bycause they had no promis of god Lykewyse they say now adayes in the papacie that they haue many Sacramentes and therewithall as many murlimewes and gewgawes as can bee but all that God disalloweth is but pelting trash And why for there is no woorde that sanctifyeth them So then let vs marke well that too profit our selues by the Sacramentes wee must alwayes be taught them by Gods doctrine And thereby wee may iudge that manie are cut of from the Church of God who notwithstanding are now adayes thought to bee hyghest in it For in the meane whyle where is the instructioÌ„ which they should haue too be partakers of the benefytes that God offereth them They will alledge their Baptim and they will say they receyue the Lordes Supper If a man ask them too what end they vnderstand nothing at all and that is as an vtter abolishing of the power of the Sacramentes So much the more therfore dooth it stand vs on hand too come backe too this poynt namely too lerne of the Gospell too what end Baptim was ordeyned what frute it yeeldeth vs and which is the ryght and lawfull vse of it and also too consider whertoo the holie Supper auayleth vs For if wee haue not Gods woord our Lord himselfe telleth vs that the Sacramentes which we receyâ—e are as it were imbaced and there is
already that that way ought too bee obserned For there are two euill extremities but looke whatsoeuer God hath ordeyned by his holy spirite that will alwayes bee found too bee for euery mans welfare The one of these euill customes is that a man cannot be wel taken with the world except he flatter Who so intendeth to mainteyne himself must play the blinkard and shut his eyes when he sees a number of things in his freends woorthy of blame And yit in the meane while is not such silence a secret betraying For we see that they whom wee pretend to loue are in the high way to destruction and wholly hardened in their naughtinesse and yit notwithstanding wheras we ought to waken them or else too set a looking glasse before them that they might behold their leaudenesse and be ashamed of it wee winke at it In steade of so dooing euery of vs dooth cokes other and cloketh the things that ought too bee sharpely rebuked insomuch that those flatteries are no better but playsters too ease the sore and in the meane whyle to feede the roote of it within The other euill extremitie is when wee bee so rigorous that euery little fault is ynough too make vs too storme Sith it is so wee shall neuer haue the spirit of meekenesse aforesayd if wee bee not guided and gouerned by Gods spirit as I sayd afore And heerby a man may see and iudge that there is a certeyne pryde lurking within vs wherethrough we take to much vpon our selues To be short there is neuer any ouer great rigour without crueltie nor crueltie without pryde Whosoeuer dispyzeth his neighbors setteth to much by himself he that caÌ„ beare with nothing but is so terribly sterne that al sinnes are in his opinion vnpardonable sheweth also that there is no manhood or humanitie in him So much the more therfore doth it stand vs on hand to beare in mynd that which S. Paule sheweth vs heere which is too forgiue and forbeare Not that we should allowe mens vices as I sayd afore nor that they should haue leaue too doo euill without rebuking but that wee should paciently rebuke mens faults and bee sory for them and in so dooing of our dewtie not forget also to beare with the frayltie and weakenesse of our neighbours so as we shame them not ne stryke them intoo such â—eauinesse that they fall into dispayre when they see there is no forbearing nor any forgiuing at our hands That then is the thing that wee ought to beare in mind And it is the very cause why S. Paule addeth that men should beare one with another in charitie or loue As if he shâ—uld say that forasmuch as we bee brothers toogither there should neede none other rule than that too make vs as well kind hearted as also pacient and lowely And for proof therof he sayeth in the thirteenth of the first Epistle to the Corinthians that Charitie hath these three things First that it is gentle and kind hearted Secondly that it moueth vs too be lowely and meeke and thirdly that it is pacient and suffreth al things Those are three qualities which Paule attributeth vntoo louingnesse For if wee demaund what is the rule of holy life the Scripture telleth vs that loue is the full performaunce therof bycause it is the bond of perfection and the end and fulfilling of the Lawe Lo how these Texts doo teach vs Charitie Agein our Lord also intending too conclude the doctrine of the Law setteth downe these twoo poynts Namely that wee should loue him with all our hart with all our mynd and with all our power and strength and our neyghbours as our selues Then if wee thinke too bee allowed of God and charitie reigne not in vs wee deceyue our selues The world may like well of vs but all our whole lyfe shall bee vtterly lothsome before God vntill Charitie bee setled in our hartes so as shee gouerne vs and wee tend alwayes vntoo hir yea and woorke all our woorkes by hir Now then seeing that loue is the trew perfection of the faithfull and of all Gods children let vs see what it importeth For if a man brag that he hath it and in the meane whyle haue nother lowlinesse nor gentlenesse nor pacience he maketh the holy Ghost a lyer who not without cause sheweth what is betokened by Charitie or loue For he hath not set downe the bare woord and only sayd be yee charitable but he hath also shewed vs what is ment by it Namely first of all that wee must beate downe this pride which beguyleth vs and maketh vs dosse with our hornes ageinst God insomuch that it were right hard for vs too bee lowely mynded towardes men when wee cannot hold our selues meekely in obedience vnder god Now then let vs fyght in such wyse as all pryde may bee corrected in vs and therwithall inforce our selues alwayes too humilitie that wee may bee kynd harted and fellowlyke with the faythfull which cannot bee doone but by bearing one with another The very heathen men had the skill too say that if wee had the wit and discretion too see the vyces that are in our selues we should bee pacient toward others For why I haue neede too bee borne withall my selfe and if I doo not the lyke too other folkes how partially doo I deale This consideration alone ought too tame vs sufficiently though there were nother Lawe nor Gospell Wherefore in asmuch as wee knowe that charitie importeth these three things let vs learne too bee pacient not onely when any wrong is doone vs but also when wee see our neyghbours too bee weake and feeble and not yit come too such perfection as were requisite And though they bee not so well foreward and settled in Gods woord as wee would wishe yit let vs pitie them and with all meekenesse indeuer too vse such correction towards them as nother their vyces may bee nurrished nor the parties themselues bee cast in despayre Thus yee see what wee haue to mark vppon that streyne Now heervppon Saint Paule inferreth further that as I haue touched heertoofore wee must keepe the vnitie of the spirit or the bond of peace For he setteth heere the vnitie of spirit as a marke that is requisyte in the Church and flocke of God insomuch that if wee bee at oddes among our selues wee bee at oddes with god And therewithall he sheweth vs the thing that wee haue seene breefly before which is that if wee bee not at one among our selues God disclaymeth vs and telleth vs wee belong not vntoo him This vnitie therfore is a thing that ought too bee much set by now adayes seeing it is the meane in respect whereof wee bee acknowledged for Gods children Trew it is that the wicked and the vnbeleeuers haue their confederacies and are so linked one too another as there is not a streyter allyance too bee found in the world For euen their euill dooings doo bynd them one too another as
their lyfe and all their lyght But heere the cace concerneth the spirituall state of the Church For wheras all Adams race is corrupted and accursed by nature God hath sholed vs out from it by vouâ—safing too chooze vs too the end too shewe that we be ioyned vnto him with a much streyter and holyer bond thaÌ„ the rest of mortall men are which haue but their first birth And this ioyning is spoken of in the .xvii. of Saint Iohn where it is sayd Holie father sanctify thou them as I haue sanctifyed my self for them that they may become one in vs as thou and I are but one Our Lord Iesus protesteth there that he speakâ—th not of the world nor of them that are not of his retinew and heritage He letteth those go too destruction but he will haue the bodie of his Churhe too bee truly knit toogither And how may that bee doone In deede it appeereth not wee be so set asunder here that the nerest of vs thinks but euery man on himself But if wee considered how God hath reformed vs by his holie spirit and giuen vs a special lyfe which is that his grace should shew it self in vs that this holie spirit should vtter his power in vs if we coÌ„â—idered that then should we thinke that although we wander here there in this world and euery of vs be put asunder from his neyghbours according too the necessitie of this present lyfe yit must not that let vs to be so ioyned vnder our Lord Iesus Christ as none of vs bee wedded too his owne profit nor none of vs so loue him self as that hee should despyze his brethren but suffer our selues too bee gathered toogither vnder the maystership of our god And that forasmuch as he dwelleth in vs we also must shew by our dooings that wee bee desyrous too bee all one in the power of that grace which he hath so spred out euerywhere Therfore wee see here how Saint Paule exhorteth vs too help one another to the atteyâ—eâ—â—ent of the perfect vnitie which God hath begunne in vs alredie And too bring that too passe he sheweth vs that wee bee sholed out of the world too the intent wee should bee wholly dedicated too our god Now I haue told you alredie that forasmuch as God is the Creator he must bee fayne to breath strength intoo all things bothe aboue and beneathe according as it is sayd in the Psalme that when he withdraweth his spirit all things are trubbled and finally turne intoo nothing There is not then anie brute beaste nor anie tree on the earth nor anie bird in the aire nor anie fish in the water which hath not his being and continuance by the secret power of God bycause he hath not only giuen them their being for once at the first but also maynteyneth and vpholdeth them still As for vs wee haue much more as I sayd euen now for wee not onely liue in this world and inioy the benefits that God hath giuen vs heere insomuch that wee haue eyes too receyue lyght and eares to heare and the fruition of all our senses but also Gods spirit dwelleth in vs too gather vs vntoo him and too doo vs too vnderstand that he hath not onely made vs mortall men and that wee hold this present transitorie lyfe of him but also printed his marke in vs too take vs and auow vs for his children and thertoo gouerneth vs him self and is so gracious vntoo vs as too make his owne ryghtuousenesse dwell in vs bycause there is nothing but corruption in our selues Thus ye see that the thing which we haue too remember in the first place is that forasmuch as God is come so neere vnto vs and not only allureth vs familiarly too him but also voutsafeth too haue his dwelling in vs insomuch that wee bee his temples as I haue shewed afore bycause he dwelleth in vs by his holie Ghoste wee ought to seperate our selues from all the defylements of the world Yit notwithstanding it is not ynough for euery of vs too acknowledge the grace that he hath receyued but wee must also indeuer too gouerne our selues alwayes in such vnitie brotherly loue as euery of vs may help his neyghbour too go through in the Calling that wee bee entered intoo For wo woorth him as I sayd which separateth himself bycause he renounceth God by that meane Wherfore let vs learne too offer our selues in such wise vntoo God euery man for himselfe too bee gouerned of him as wee may also doo the best wee can too linke our selues in one and too gather toogither that wee may with one common accord shewe by our dooyngs that wee bee the trew body of our Lord Iesus Christ and that hauing him too our head we â—â—e all at God and aspyre vnto him desyring nothing but too bee one with him as I alledged euen now out of the text of S. Iohn Now too confirme the matter yit better he sayeth that euery of vs hath receyued grace according too the measure of Christes gift or giuing Wherin S. Paule sheweth vs that God vseth a wonderfull maner too drawe vs too him which is by dealing foorth his giftes in such wise vntoo vs as euery of vs hath neede too bee helped and succored of his neyghbours For of our selues wee bee so wedded too our selues as there is none of vs but he would be as alone were it not that necessitie constreyneth and byndeth vs too those whom wee haue neede of God therfore too correct the pryde and presumption that are too deepely rooted in mankynd hath so delt foorth his giftes by certeyne measure as euery man perceyueth well that he is bound and beholden too him for the things he hath receyued and that there is no such perfection in himselfe that he can forbeare other men but that wee must bee fayne too communicate toogither and that with such mutuall good will as euery of vs indeuer too make the things that God hath giuen him auaylable too the profit and furtherance of his brethren and therwithall bee contented too borrowe of other men and too suffer himselfe too bee helped and succored at their handes according as hee sees himselfe too haue neede thereof And this serueth too bring vs backe agein too the thing that wee haue seene afore namely that wee shall neuer haue agreement among vs without humilitie and meekenesse Wee see then wherat S. Paule amed He handleth the same matter in the .xii. Chapter of the first Epistle too the Corinthians For there he taketh the similitude of a mans body too shewe that wee bee too farre out of our wittes when euery of vs despyzeth his neyghbours and is wedded too himselfe How now sayeth he Our members or limmes haue no particular vnderstanding by themselues the hande hath no wit too conceyue by reason what his office is no more haue the fingers that are fastened too it no nor yit the legges nor the