The Excellency of the Mystery of Christ Jesus, Exposition

The Excellency of the Mystery of Christ Jesus · Exposition

p. 1❧ The excellencie of the myſterie of Chriſt Ieſus.

1. Tim. 3. Chap. 16. ver.

And that mysterie of godlines is great by one aſſent, God hath been manifeſted in the fleſh, iustified in the ſpirite, ſeene by the Angels, preach… … …mong the nations, bele… in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.

THe drift of the Apoſtle Paul in this moſt precious ſentence, is to moue Timothie to behaue himſelfe verie religiouſlie and reuerentlie in the church of God, as may appeare both in the beginning of the verſe, immediatlie before ſet downe in this chapter, and in the latter ende of the ſixt verſe of the next Chapter. One argumēt to this intent and purpoſe, hath bin already brought by him in the laſt wordes of the former ſentence; whereof this is the effect: ſeeing the houſe or Church of God, whereof thou art a Miniſter, is not a ſinagogue of error, or a temple of types & figures, but a proper pillar of truth: thou art as a pa… of th… Chriſtian flock, to walke verie orderlie, religiouſly and holylie, in all reſpects. Another reaſon tending vntounto the ſelfe ſame end, is contained in this concluſion of the Chapter, whereof this is the ſumme: foraſmuch as the Goſpell is a moſt excellent myſterie, it behooueth thee, a ſteward of ſuch ſecrets, to ſhew p. 2all wiſdome and faithfulnes in the courſe of thy conuerſation, and in the execution of thy miniſterie.

Now the excellencie of the Goſpell is partly affirmed, and (as it were) inlarged by degrees, in the ſixe firſt words of this verſe, being theſe, And, that, mysteries, of godlines, is great, without doubt: partly prooued and confirmed by ſixe ſeuerall reaſons in the latter ende of the ſentence, which reaſons are theſe; God hath been manifeſted in the fleſh; iustified in the ſpirit, ſeene by the Angels; preached among the nations; beleeued in the world; and receiued vp in glorie.

The firſt note here declaring the excellencie of Chriſtian Religion, is the particle or word, And: the which not onelie (as a knot) bindeth the former ſentence or reaſon, and this together: but as an expoſition of the laſt word thereof, which was [trueth] declareth, that the maine veritie, which the houſe of God, or the Chriſtian Church, chiefelie and continuallie vpholdeth; is the myſterie of godlines, or faith in Chriſt Ieſus. It was verie needefull for Paul to expound himſelfe after this manner, and to inſinuate this matter vntounto Timothie, and in him to all the faithfull Miniſters and beleeuers of the Goſpell. For elſe, they taking through error their markes amiſle, and thinking the holding of any truth, a ſufficient proofe or note of this true Church, might conclude the Iewiſh ſinagogue or ſome ſuch like aſſemblie, to bee the houſe of GOD; becauſe therin ſome truth is kept & found: or againe, they running into another extremitie, might raſhly condemne ſome beleeuing and chriſtian churches, (as the Church at Corinth) becauſe p. 3cauſe euen they ſometimes erre or diſſent about ſome points of trueth, which yet are of leſſe importance.

To the end therefore that all the faithfull may in all times and places, and among all perſons, knowe which is the Lords holy campe, reſort thereto, and remaine therein; the Apoſtle ſheweth here, that it may alwaies bee diſcerned by this banner or enſigne of the Myſterie of the Goſpell. Thoſe congregations then are vndoubtedly the true Churches of God, which firmelie hold the articles of faith, and ſoundly acknowledge Chriſt Ieſus to bee the Sonne of God, and the onelie foundation of ſaluation: howſoeuer otherwiſe peraduenture they be farre from ſpotles perfection.Reuel. 1.2, 3. c.Rev 1:2Rev 1:3 Had not the Churches of Aſia much droſſe, and many cracks? Did not the Church of Epheſus, ſomewhat coole and quench the burning lamp of hir former louelove? Were there not ſundry members of the church at Sardis, which had names of life on them, but wounds of death in them? How came it to paſſe that in the Chriſtian aſſembly at Pergamus, there were ſuch as held the doctrine of Balaam, if that the eye therof did not winke, or was not faſt a ſleepe? And where was the rodde or ſhepheards crooke of the paſtor of the Congregation at Thyatyra: when Iezabel was ſuffered to deceiue the ſeruāts of the Lord? How luke-warme were euen the beſt waters in all Laodicea, when our Sauiour cried out thus againſt the fountaine of them, would to God thou wert either hot or colde? Theſe faultes were found in all theſe Churches: yea in the meſſengers ſent vntounto them, and therefore in the members p. 4of them. And yet what are theſe Churches in his account, who walked in the middeſt of them, but golden candleſticks? What names dooth the giuegive to the meſſengers of theſe congregations, but Starres: ſo called by him in regarde of their places, and the ſhining of thoſe graces, which were ſomewhat dimmed, but not quite quenched? Finallie what promiſes maketh he, or what ſpeeches vſeth he to the members of thoſe beleeuing aſſemblies? but that (vponupon condition, that they repented and continued in well doing) they ſhould eate of the tree of life, feede on the hidden manna, rule ouer the Nations, and ſtand as pillars in the Temple of GOD for euer?

Hee dooth not aduiſe them to forſake their mutuall fellowſhip, he dooth not denie them to bee members of his bodie, becauſe they did not rent themſelues from the bodies of their Congregations ſo diſeaſed and infected, he willeth them not to diſclaime the eyes which directed them no better, he affirmeth not, that their teachers are none of his Miniſters, their Sacraments no Sacraments vntounto him, becauſe his order was not obſerued or executed, and becauſe certaine Balaams and Iezabels were mingled in the aſſembly with his ſeruants. Yea on the contrarie ſide; notwithſtanding all theſe wants, neglects, diſorders, offences and blemiſhes whatſoeuer, he alloweth and accepteth the good things which were in any profeſſors, and calleth theſe aſſemblies golden candleſticks (as before hath been ſhewed) concluding that whoſoeuer hath an eare, is to heare what the ſpirit ſpeaketh vntounto the p. 5Churches, ſo that look what iudgement our ſauiour Chriſt Ieſus gaue touching the Churches of Aſia, the ſame are all Chriſtians to hauehave of the Churches of Europe, not one of which is without ſome ſpot or wrinckle. Wherefore let eueryevery one take heede how hee leaueth our aſſemblies and Chriſtian congregations in this … …aſt going about to be more … than the rule, more bright than the ſunne, more right handed than the right hand it ſelfe, to conclude, more perfect … the word of God: whileſt he …efull and endeuoreth to auoide one extremetie, through ignorance or blinde zeale hee runne into another.

Now if thoſe reuolters (which ſo wander on the right hand, as that they condemne our Chriſtian Congregations which receiue and acknowledge the great myſterie of Chriſt Ieſus here ſpoken of) cannot be excuſed, neither are to be iuſtified in regarde of their error, or raſh ſeparation: notwithſtanding that they neither denie any of the Articles of faith, nor fall downe before ſtockes or ſtones? what is to be ſaid of thoſe recuſants on the contrarie ſide, and as it … …he left hand which art ſuch … to Chriſt Ieſus, that Antichriſt is vntounto them all in all, and that they embrace the myſ… of all iniquitie and blaſphem… euen the abominable and execrable hereſie of poperie?

Theſe Enemies of the grace of GOD, affirme and vaunt that the Church of Rome is the houſe of God, and the pillar of trueth, whereas rather it is indeede a denne of theeues, and a ſea of al impietie and diueliſh apoſtacie or backſliding p. 6from the faith. But as for the church of England, it pleaſeth them not, and therefore they either come not at all to our aſſemblies (becauſe indeed they hauehave ſworne obedience to the ſinagogue of Antichriſt) or if anie reſort now & thē vntounto our church, it is for that the Machiuell in their head, hath for the time gotten the vpper hand of the Pope in their belly. They ſay they beleeue in Chriſt, yea and in the holy Trinity: but ſeeing they lay another foundation of ſaluation, beſides the ſonne of God, to wit, the abominable idoll of the maſſe, they cannot be the true worſhippers of GOD, yea they muſt needes be moſt vile idolaters. They talke much of good workes, but ſeeing thereby they profeſſe to be ſaued, as for the ſame deſeruing the fauour of God, and eternall life; the very Publicans and ſinners, repenting and confeſsing their ſinnes, ſhal be taken vp into heauen, when they with all their merits ſhall be caſt into hel. They worſhip a paltrie pope, and fall downe daily before grauen images and idols; in the meane ſeaſon they make no conſcience to riſe vp in armes againſt Chriſtian Princes, and to hatch the egges of Aſps againſt Gods people. They call thē ſelues Catholiques, as if forſooth they were of the company of true beleeuers, or the right worſhippers of God, but in trueth they are a generation of vipers, which from time to time hauehave perſecuted, tormented, and put to death the ſeruants of God, and daily thirſt after, & long to ſuck their bloud. It is no maruell then if the fruites of Antichriſt, hate the aſſemblies of Chriſt Ieſus or refuſe to ioyne with vsus in the word and the Sacraments, but p. 7rather it is to bee wondered at, that the worſhippers of the true God, deteſt not with a perfect hatred, ſuch malitious idolaters as thoſe Papiſts are, which wiſh for a day, who hauehave attempted ſo many treaſons, and beare a falſe heart againſt their natiue countrey, beſides a bloudy rage againſt the Religion.

Now as there are ſuch recuſants, as (vtterly refuſing to come to the aſſemblies, wherein the myſterie of godlineſſe is acknowledged and beleeued) do dangerouſly keepe out the Arke and houſe of God, marked with the bloud of the Lambe Chriſt Ieſus; ſo there are a great number of prophane profeſſors, who imagine themſelues to be in the boſome of the Church, when they are indeede in the very bottome of the wrath of God, and who very ſeldome and ſparingly reſorting vntounto the preaching of the word and the Sacraments amongſt vsus, make as it were an open profeſſion of vngodlines and impietie.

Whoſe heart would not rue to thinke vppon, or beholde this kinde of people, in whom raigneth an vntolerable neglect & contempt of holy things? Theſe on the Sabaoth in the forenoone, peraduenture will be at Church, but in the afternoone at the alehouſe. Once in a tweluemonth (as at Eaſter) they wil come to the Communion, but after the receauing of it, it is their cuſtome to runne into all exceſſe of riot, gadding and madding after their pleaſures and vanities. They acknowledge Baptiſme to be a Sacrament, and bring their Children to Church to bee Baptized, but when the Miniſter commeth to adminiſter it to any infant, they depart from p. 8the aſſembly, no more accounting of this ſacred ſeale of the new couenant, than as of ſome common or prophane waſhing. They wil not refuſe to pray ſome times, but they wil continually ſweare and blaſpheme. They deny not altogether to heare Sermons or preaching of the word, but they like better of gaming, diſing, carding, dancing, fenſing, drincking, and feaſting than of that. They doo not condemne the Goſpell, nor the exerciſes of Religion, as reading the Word, ſinging, praier or ſuch like. But their onelie life is to be occupied rather, in goſsiping, in prating, and reſorting vntounto playes and places of all diſorder. Yet thoſe are in their owne eyes, and alſo in common account of the moſt, the onelie or beſt profeſſors of the word, whoſe waies yet are ſo impious, & whoſe prophanenes ſo apparāt. But let them take heede,Heb. 10.24.Heb 10:24 (ſo to conclude this point) how they tread the ſōne of GOD vnderunder foote, and doo accompt the bloud of the couenant common, whereby they are ſanctified, or be iniurious to the ſpirite of grace: for we know him that hath ſaide, Venegeance is mine, and I will repaie it ſaieth the Lord.

The ſecond word here to be conſidered is the Article, That, ſhewing in this place, that the myſterie ſpoken of, hath in it ſome ſpeciall dignitie,Iohn. 1.29.John 1:29 and excellencie. Iohn th… Baptiſt pointing to our Sauiour, vſed the ſame worde, or Article to the ſame effect, when he ſaide. Behold… That Lambe; the ſame Euangeliſt Iohn alſo, going about to put a difference betweene the Meſsias, and other,Iohn. 1.8.John 1:8 calleth Chriſt that light. As therefore the ſun comming foorth like a bridegroom out of his chamber p. 9ſhineth more clearely than al the Starres in the firmament beſide: ſo euen among the other doctrines of the Scripture, this excelleth, wherein the glory of the Heauenly Bridegroome Chriſt Ieſus is preſented vntounto our view. Furthermore as a pearle far ſurpaſſeth pibble ſtones: ſo this trueth all the precepts of philoſophers, all the ſciences and artes ſet downe in bookes, and ſtudied by men. Seeing then this myſterie is ſo peerles a pearle, what wiſe chriſtian marchant is there, who would not ſell his pleaſures, profits, yea life and all to buie it? Againe who is there ſo depriued of vnderſtanding, who once hauing gotten ſome ſight of it, or right in it, would ſell ſuch a iewell for ſinne, for honour, for gaine, or for the whole world? The counſaile then of Salomon touching this matter is alway to bee remembred by eueryevery Chriſtian,Pro. 23.23.Prov 23:23 Buie the trueth, but ſell it not, euen wiſdome, inſtruction, and vnderſtanding. Now the trueth and wiſdome, which the wiſe King meaneth, is that myſtery here ſpoken of, which Philoſophie ſeeketh, but diuinitie findeth, and godlines poſſeſſeth.

Againe, hereupon it followeth, that there is a certaine dignitie and preheminence of the diſpenſers of the myſteries of the Goſpell, euen aboue the miniſters of the law, inaſmuch as the myſterie of Chriſtianitie, hath in it ſuch a ſpecial excellencie, and prerogatiue. For as our Apoſtle reaſoneth elſewhere,2. Cor. 3.9.2 Cor 3:9 if the miniſtery of cōdemnatiō were glorious: much more doth the miniſterie of righteouſnes, exceede in glorie. Our Sauiour alſo affirmeth in the Goſpell,Luc. 7.28.Luke 7:28 not onelyonly that Iohn was more then a Prophet, but that p. 10he which is leaſt in the Kingdome of Heauen is greater than he. For euen as a peece of an oken boord, albeit little worth as of it ſelfe, yet when it hath in the p…ure of the Prince moſt flouriſhingly and liuelie painted, is more worth, & more to be eſteemed for that cauſe; than a boord of Cedar, which wanteth the ſame image, or hath it but darkely and rudely purtrayed and drawne out: ſo the miniſtery of the Goſpell; repreſenting our Heauenly Soueraigne Chriſt Ieſus moſt plainelie and clerely, is therefore to be preferred, and in deede more honorable, than the Miniſterie of the Lawe.

Wherefore their condemnation ſleepeth not, who in theſe daies are ſo farre of from eſteeming or reuerencing the meſſengers of the word, that they reiect them as the doung and ofſcouring of the earth. For if a mortall Prince cannot abide, that his Ambaſſadours ſhould be deſpiſed or abuſed: much more wil the Lord reuenge the contempt, w…ch is ſhewed againſt thoſe, whome hee ſendeth on his meſſage, yea on this glorious and moſt famous ambaſſage of the goſpell. For he hath ſaide in his word, Touch not mine annoynted, and doo my Prophets no harme. Zach. 2.8.Zech 2:8Hee that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye. He that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me.

The third point in this commendation of the Goſpell by vsus to bee obſerued, is, that it is a (myſterie). The which word in the Greeke tongue dooth ſignifie a ſecret or an hidden matter: it is alſo vſually applyed, to note out thoſe precepts & things, which are ſacred, and chiefelie to bee regarded. But albeit the Goſpell is here termed a mysterie: p. 11yet the apoſtles meaning is not, that it is ſuch a ſecret, as ought not to be communicated to the common multitude. For the Lord enioining his Diſciples to teach all Nations, and to preach the Goſpell vntounto eueryevery creature,Mar. 16.15Mark 16:15 whether Male or Female, learned or vnlearned, young or old, in them willeth and warranteth all his Miniſters, to impart this Doctrine to all ſortes of people.

Neither is the Doctrine of the new Teſtament in any ſuch ſorte here tearmed a myſterie, as if it were after a more dark manner ſet down & deliuered vntounto vsus, than the book of the Law, or the olde couenant. For in former ages (ſaieth this our Apoſtle elſewhere) this ſecret was not ſo manifeſted vntounto the ſonnes of mē, Ephe. 3.5.Eph 3:5as now it hath been reuealed to the ſaintes and Prophets by the ſpirit. For as one ſaith verie well, the old Teſtament is the new incloſed in obſcuritie, and the new is the old vnfolded in the light.

Theſe two couenants differ in circumſtance and manner, but they are the ſame, and agree in ſubſtance and effect. But firſt the power of the Goſpell is a myſterie to all the reprobate, whoſe eyes the GOD of this World hath ſo blinded, that they cannot ſee the trueth vntounto Saluation, neither doo they ſoundlie and continually feele, that they are in Gods fouour: yea becauſe Chriſt Ieſus the root of mortification, and ſanctificatiō is not planted in them, they are vnable and vnfit to euerie good worke.

Secondly,Tit. 1.16.Titus 1:16 the very matter of the Goſpell it ſelfe is myſticall and ſecret: the beginnings or firſt principles whereof, as the naturall man by any light within him,1. Cor. 2.141 Cor 2:14 or ſight of the creatures without him cannot p. 12perceiue: ſo neither can the ſpiritual man (although taught by the word, and lightned by grace) reache or ſound the full deapth or bottome. For howſoeuer eueryevery true Chriſtian borne againe by the ſpirite, alwaies ſeeth ſo much of this myſterie, as is ſufficient for his ſaluation: yet none hath attained, or can come to the perfect vnderſtanding thereof. There is in deede no ſkill or trade, although neuer ſo hard, or full of curious points, which ſome perſons of pregnant wittes, or very quick conceites, are not able ſoone to learne, or at leaſt by much labour and endeuour ſo to attaine, that at laſt they come to the perfection thereof, and excell therein. But as concerning the ſauing and bottomleſſe knowledge of Chriſt Ieſus, (which is in deede the onlie arte or peece of cunning in the world,) it ſo farre paſſeth the reach, not onelyonly of men, but of Angels, that no creature is able fully to conceiue it, neither dooth any comprehend it. If any mortal wight euer ſaw the depth of this ſecret, was it any other beſide this our Paul, who being taken vp into the third Heauens, heard words, which cannot be vttered, & contrary to his cuſtome magnifieth his knowledge in this myſterie? No other out of doubt, than the beholder of Paradiſe, the ſchoolefellowe of the Angels, the Preacher of the Gentiles: finallie, hee who wiſhed himſelfe accurſed for his countriemen the Iewes. Neuertheleſſe euen this great Apoſtle affirmeth of himſelfe,1. Co. 13.111 Cor 13:11 that hee knoweth but in part; and of vsus, that wee ſee but as in a glaſſe darkelie. As for the heauenly Angels, why dooth the Apoſtle Peeter ſay,1. Pet. 1.221 Pet 1:22 that euen they deſire p. 13throughly to view the myſterie here ſpoken of, if they vnderſtand it perfectlie and exactly?

And now then, ſeeing this ſecret is hidden from the reprobate, ſeeing as it is the power of God vntounto ſaluation to the elect, ſo euen to them it is as a treaſure hid (in a great part) in the ground; ſeeing the Angels prie into the riches of Gods wiſdome herein with great delight: concerneth it not eueryevery Chriſtian, to exerciſe himſelfe verie diligently in the knowledge, feeling and practiſe of this myſterie? Certainelie whoſoeuer ſhall not know God, as he is made knowne in Ieſus Chriſt, as aliens or ſtrangers from the common wealth of Iſrael, ſhal at the day of iudgement feele the fire of vengeance fal vponupon them.2. The 1.8. Againe, whoſoeuer hauing knowne this trueth in ſome meaſure, ſhall careleſlie, contemptuouſly, willingly, wholy finally fall from all knowledge, feeling, working and practiſe of it,Heb. 6.4.Heb 6:4 can no more bee renued to repentance by any good meanes tending thereunto, than any fruite which hath fallen from the tree can ſo be ſet on the bough againe, as that it ſhall grow theron, or thā a dead man can be recouered to life by Phiſick, or an earthen veſſell broken to peeces or to powder, bee ioyned together firmelie by the potters skill. For, when the whole lampe of good workes ſhall quite bee quenched, when all the drops of faith ſhall bee caſt or ſpurted out, when ſhipwrack ſhall be made of the maine ſtocke of Gods gracious ſpirite, when the nouriſhing foode of the word ſhall bee loathed and reiected, when the ſtrength of hope, concerning a bleſſed eſtate at the reſurrection, ſhall p. 14vtterly be conſumed; what repentance can there be: the life whereof is faith; the ſtrength whereof is hope, the food wherof is the word, the fountaine whereof is the ſpirite, the fruites whereof are good workes?

Nay, in that theſe prophane backſliders, willinglie puſh from them all godlines and the Goſpell, what doo they herein, but crucifie the ſonne of God, vntounto themſelues, as if he were a vile perſon, or an cuill dooer, piercing him through, albeit not with nayles, yet with moſt grieuous and innumerable ſinnes: yea making a gazing or mocking ſtock of him, albeit not by putting vinegar to his noſtrels, or thruſting his heart through with a ſpeare, yet by vexing his ſpirit, and not eſteeming or truſting in his bloud, as if it had no price or vertue in it, but were like vntounto the bloud of beaſts or of mortall men.

This is the fearefull eſtate of backſliders from the Goſpell, not of thoſe, in whome many good things are, yea or one ſparke of faith or obedience to Gods lawes, is founde and abiding. So wretched is the condition of thoſe, who only hauehave the braunches of the ſpirit, not of thoſe, who hauehave in them the roote of this myſterie, Chriſt Ieſus. For as concerning the right Chriſtians, they are not lampes quicklie quenched for want of oyle, but lightes alway ſhining in good works;Phil. 2.15.Phil 2:15 they are not like cookes or taſters, which let not their meates or drinkes goe downe, but ſuch which keep faith in a good conſcience, ſo that it turneth into their ſpirituall nouriſhment:1. Tim. 3.91 Tim 3:9 they are not partners of the holy ſpirit for a yeare or two; nor p. 15bankrupt Marchants, which breake vponupon a ſodaine; but ſuch as abound dayly more and more,1. Cor. 1.5. 1. Tim. 6.181 Cor 1:51 Tim 6:18 and waxe wealthie in ſpiritual giftes: they are not day labourers or hired ſeruants which for a ſhort time onelyonly ſit vnderunder the Lords roofe, or eate at his table; but as Children of adoption, they feede dayly on the word, and remaine in the houſe of God for euer:Pſal 23.5.6.Ps 23:5Ps 23:6 they are not ſuch diſeaſed or bedred perſons, who faint with weaknes, & die for want of breath: but being ſtrengthened by hope in the inner man,Ephe. 3.16.Eph 3:16 they more than con quer like valiant Captaines, getting the victorie ouer ſinne, ſatan, and all temptations.Rom. 8 37.Rom 8:37 Now this happie eſtate they attaine vntounto by the ſeeing of the height, depth, length, breadth, and that knowledge of the louelove of Chriſt, which ſurpaſſeth all knowledge.Ephe. 3.18.Eph 3:18

Wherefore,I am. 1.25. whoſoeuer ſhall looke into this glaſſe of the Goſpel, ſo reuerently, earneſtly and continuallie, that he ſhall be tranſformed into the image of Chriſt,2. Cor. 3 182 Cor 3:18 from glorie to glorie, as by the ſpirite of the Lord: he ſhall be by ſo much farre of from the miſerie of reuolters, by how much hee profiteth in this myſterie,2. Pet. 1.8.2 Pet 1:8 and by ſo much nearer vntounto heauēly happines, by how much more carefully and happilie, he walketh in this way leading thereunto. Wherefore alſo eueryevery one ought to be,Heb. 5.11.12, 13, 14. 15.Heb 5:11Heb 5:12Heb 5:13Heb 5:14Heb 5:15 not a rude or young ſchollet, but well learned in this ſecret, not a childe or babe, but a ſtrong and olde man in the myſterie of Chriſt, both as concerning the knowledge, feeling and practiſe thereof.

In the fourth place it is to be obſerued, that Chriſtian Religion is not onelyonly here called a ſecret, but a p. 16myſterie of godlines, or of the right worſhip of God. The Miniſterie of the leuiticall Prieſthoode, and the whole ſeruice of God vſed by the Iewiſh people, was a patterne of godlines. For firſt, there was among the Iſraelites & ouer them, an high Prieſt,Exod. 29.7.Exod 29:7 conſecrated with ſundrie ſolemne ceremonies, as namely, anoynting of him with oyle,Leuit. 8.23Lev 8:23 putting the bloud of the Sacrifice on the lap of his right eare, & vponupon the thumb of his right hand, & vponupon the great toe of his right foote, to conclude, clothing him with moſt pretious and glorious garments.Exod. 29.….Exod 29 Now his office was,Heb 9.7.Heb 9:7 once a yeare to enter into the moſt holy place, and to offer vp giftes & ſacrifice vntounto the Lord,Heb. 8.3. Leuit. 24.3 1. Sa. 2.28.Heb 8:3Lev 24:31 Sam 2:28 as alſo to dreſſe the lampes, and to ſet them before the Lorde, and to burne incenſe before him, and to weare before him an Ephod.

Secondly, there were inferiour Prieſts of the ſonnes of Aaron alſo, whoſe ſeruice was,Num. 4.16Num 4:16 to teach, to pray, to ſacrifice continually, to offer incenſe, to preſerue the oyle,Mat. 2.7.Matt 2:7 to looke vntounto the holy veſſels, and to doo other ſuch workes. Thirdly, the reſt of the Leuites, which deſcended not from Aaron, but from Greſhom and Merari, 1. Cron. 1.13were appointed to ſundrie offices: ſome to play vponupon inſtruments of muſick in the temple, ſome to ſing,Rom. 2.17.11.27.Rom 2:17Rom 2:11Rom 2:27 ſome to keepe the doores, ſome to other ſeruices. Laſt of all the Iewiſh people being all, firſt circumciſed, brought their beaſtes to ſacrifice, and their other giftes to offer, receiued the Paſſcouer, and walked in thoſe ordinances and ſtatutes, which the Lord had preſcribed vntounto them.

All theſe were worſhippers not of idols but of the true God,Luk. 1.6.Luke 1:6 following p. 17and performing in their ſeruices, not the inuentions of men, but the preſcript and ordinances of the liuing Lord. Wherefore this pollicie of the Iewes, (I ſay) was a patterne of godlines; but the ſubſtance of it is onelyonly to be found in the goſpell, and in the Chriſtian Church. For firſt of all, ouer the Chriſtian aſſembly of the faithful,Heb 7.26.Heb 7:26 there is not a ſinful, but an holy and perfect high Prieſt, who hauing been anoynted with the oyle of gladnes aboue his fellowes,Luk. 24 39Luke 24:39 and conſecrated by afflictions and bloud in his hands and feete, hath not onelyonly offered praiers and teares to God,Heb 5.7.Heb 5:7 but ſacrificed his owne ſoule and body: which hauing rightly done in all reſpects, now he maketh interceſiō in ſuch ſort to his father,Rom. 8.34.Rom 8:34 that he cannot but grant to eueryevery one of the faithfull, whatſoeuer is needefull for him. Moreouer al Chriſtians by him are made (as it were) princely prieſts vntounto the Lord,2. Pet. 2.5.2 Pet 2:5 leuites to laud him, and Iewes in the ſpirit to worſhip him,Ephe. 5.19.Eph 5:19 ſo that eueryevery belecuer practiſeth godlines in a myſtery,Rom. 2.29.Rom 2:29 and performeth the right ſeruice of God in an excellent manner.Rom. 12.1.Rom 12:1 Dooth not the Chriſtian, of what calling ſoeuer, as a Prieſt ſpirituall, not onelyonly offer vp his heart, but his whole bodie, as an holy, liuelie and acceptable ſacrifice to God? Approacheth he not by faith vntounto the throne of grace? Dooth not he pray for himſelfe and others with grones, which cannot be expreſſed?Rom. 8.26Rom 8:26 Dooth he not take heed,1. Theſ. 5.191 Thess 5:19 that hee quench not the Spirit? Singeth he not Pſalmes and hymnes with ſpirituall ſongs in his heart vntounto the Lord?Col. 3.16.Col 3:16 Laboureth hee not to keepe the doores of his lippes from corrupt ſpeach?Pſal. 141.3.Ps 141:3 Is not p. 18he circumciſed inwardly, or dooth not the Spirite write the lawes of GOD in his heart?2. Cor. 3.3.2 Cor 3:3 Certainely let Chriſt Ieſus once dwel in the heart of any by faith, and he will foorthwith make that man to walk in performing ſincerely (though not perfectly) euevey one of the commandements of the Law.Rom. 8.10 Jam. 2.11.12.Rom 8:10Jas 2:11Jas 2:12 For firſt of all, the Chriſtian cannot but know the father,Joh. 14.9.John 14:9 whoſe ſonne dwelleth in him: neither can he but truſt in his Sauiour, who ſhed his bloud for him. As for the holy ſpirit,Rom 8.32. Pſal. 16.7. and 116.1.Rom 8:32Ps 16:7Ps 116:1 which hath beſtowed the riches of his grace on him, he muſt of neceſsitie both louelove and reuerence his Maieſtie, and ſo conſequently acknowledge, feare, louelove,Iam. 4.12Jas 4:12 and truſt in one true GOD in three perſons. Now ſeeing the Chriſtian hath but one Maſter, Prophet or lawgiuer, hee will not for all the goods in the world once bow the knee to Antichriſt, neither wil he receiue any inuentions or traditions of mā,2. Cor. 6.112 Cor 6:11 which apparantlie are contrarie to the doctrine of Chriſt Ieſus.

Moreouer, ſeeing that prince gouerneth him, whoſe kingdome can not be ſhaken,Heb. 12.2…Heb 12:2 he hath a power of ſeruing God with ſhamefaſtnes, and warines, whereby it commeth to paſſe, that he baniſheth othes and blaſphemies out of his mouth, neither taketh he the grace of God in vaine: but when he vſeth the Sacraments, beholdeth the creatures, or heareth the word,1. Th. 2.13. ſuffereth all theſe as wholeſome medicines to hauehave in him due operations. Againe, in as much as his heauenly captaine hath brought him into the Lords reſt, he is ſo farre off from prophaning the Sabaoth day, by abſenting himſelfe from the publique exerciſes of religion, p. 19or by working, or loytering,Heb. 4.8, 9, 10.Heb 4:8Heb 4:9Heb 4:10 that eueryevery day is to him as a ſanctified Sabaoth, inwardly exerciſing himſelfe from time to time, in praying and practiſing the will of God, labouring not to walke in his owne way,Eſay. 58.13Isa 58:13 nor to ſpeake a vaine word. To conclude, he maketh conſcience of deſpiſing any ſuperiors whoſoeuer,Col. 3.18. &c.Col 3:18 of not gouerning his inferiors aright, of being angrie, quarrelling,Mat 5.22 &c.Matt 5:22 and fighting, of being intemperate, or vnchaſt in geſtures, ſpeeches, diet and apparell; of couetouſnes, ſloth, vnthriftines and deceipt, of ſlaundeting, lying, teuiling, taunting, yea euen of deſiring, wiſhing, or thinking euill; becauſe not onelyonly a vertue of mortification,Col. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.Col 3:1Col 3:2Col 3:3Col 3:4Col 3:5 but a power & ſtrength of ſanctification, preſerueth and guideth his ſoule and body. And is not this then the beſt and the chiefeſt godlines in deede, yea is not this the onelyonly right and excellent manner of ſeruing of God?Rom. 12.1Rom 12:1

Now hereby it appeareth that poperie is but a counterfaite of pietie, and not ſo much as … patterne thereof, as was the Iewiſh policie or order of ſeruing God. That hereſie (as the fooliſh woman ſpoken of in the Prouerbes) is very full of words and motions,Pro. 9.13.Prov 9:13 with queſtions about the true worſhip of GOD, which it knoweth not. Oh how zealous are the maſſemōgers about their vnbloudy ſacrifice, which hath coſt ſo much bloud? They acknowledge a ſacrifice; it is wel: and ſacrificing prieſts, ſuch are al Chriſtians: and an altar, it is true, wee hauehave a ſacred ſanctuarie Chriſt Ieſus. But the bread forſooth muſt be turned into the body of Chriſt, and his body muſt be offered vp againe, a ſhaueling muſt be the ſacrificer, p. 20ſuch a one, who (as if he were a worker of feates) can turne about in a circle, and occupie his fingers about making croſſes, caſt his armes all abroad, lift them vp and pul them downe againe, mumble vntounto himſelfe, and by and by ſpeake vntounto others with a loude voyce; whiſper a while to the bread, and thē break out into a ſhrill note or ſong

But to let ſuch popiſh and apiſh toyes paſſe, true godlines conſiſteth not (as hath been ſhewed) either in humane traditions, or wil worſhip, or in bodily exerciſes,1. Tim. 4.…1 Tim 4 as abſtaining from meates, drinkes, ſleepe, or ſuch humbling of the body, (as it is ſeparated from the mortifying of the ſoule,)2. Tim. 3.52 Tim 3:5 nor in a bare profeſsion of the trueth, but in faith in Ieſus Chriſt, and obedience to his lawes, both inwardlie and outwardly performed.

The fift poynt to be conſidered by vsus in this commendation of the Goſpell is, that the myſterie of godlines is great, excellent, or notable. It is firſt of all very great in fame, and renowme, according as the Prophet ſheweth; when going about to intreat of the myſtery of the incarnation, the ſufferings and the glorifying of the ſonne of God, hee crieth out twice in one Pſalme. O Lorde how excellent is thy name throughout the world! Pſalm. 8. 1. Cor. 1.24Ps 81 Cor 1:24But againe, the Goſpel is as great in fruite, as it is in fame, in regarde whereof it is truely called the Power of God vntounto ſaluation, the wiſdome of God, Rom. 16. Ioh. 6.68.Rom 16John 6:68finallie, the word of life. For this is eternall life to know the true God, and him, whome he hath ſent Ieſus Chrſt. The magnificence of this myſterie furthermore appeareth; in the figures and types of the Lawe, as the tabernacle, p. 21the temple, the red ſea, the cloude, the manna, and the redemption of Iſrael out of Aegipt. For if the figures were ſo excellent, what is the body? If ſuch glorious things are ſpoken in the ſcripture of the types, what may be thought of the trueth it ſelfe? To be briefe, the ſpouſe in the diuine booke of the ſong of ſongs, playing (if I may ſo ſpeake) the very blab, and blazing to al men the ſecrets of hir louelove,The Song of Songs. 5.10, 11. telling that Chriſt Ieſus is white and ruddie, the chiefe among ten thouſand, that his head is as fine golde, his lockes curled and black as a Rauen; declared plainely, and ſufficiently witneſſeth, that this myſterie concerning Chriſt and his Church, is great indeed. It is, as hath been ſhewed, very great in fame (for the ſound of it hath gone throughout the world) great alſo in fruit,Ro. 16.18.Rom 16:18 (For it maketh wiſe vntounto ſaluation) moreouer great in quality (for hereof the types of the law are euen but ſhadowes):1. Tim. 3.151 Tim 3:15 but laſt of all it is furthermore ſo great in quantity,Col. 2.17.Col 2:17 that the moſt skilfull Geometrician in the World, is not able to take the meaſure of it by any meanes, for that is altogether infinit.Ephe. 3 8.Eph 3:8

The Prophet ſpeaking of this matter in the Pſalme and directing his ſpeech vntounto the Lorde, ſayeth thus. Thy merciemercy O Lord reacheth vntounto the heauens, Pſal. 3.6.Ps 3:6and thy trueth vntounto the cloudes, thy righteouſnes is like vntounto the mountaines, thy iudgements are like a great deepe, O Lord thou ſaueſt both man and beaſt. In deede our Apoſtle Paul writing to the Fpheſians, affirmeth, that he prayed for them vntounto the Lord, that they might bee able to comprehend with all the ſaints, that height, length, breadth and p. 22depth, which reacheth to the heauens, to the ſeas, to the ends of the earth, and the furtheſt partes of the World. But he meaneth not in this his ſupplication, to ſhew, that any is able to attaine vntounto the perfection of this knowledge, which paſſeth all knowledge, but onelyonly hee wiſheth, that the Epheſians may hauehave an abilitie or gift from aboue, to ſee theſe meaſures in an acceptable meaſure for their comfort and the fortifying of their faith. For ſpeaking of himſelfe in his epiſtle to the Philippians (who ſaw no doubt into this myſterie, as farre as any mortall man) hee profeſſeth that he had not yet attained this knowledge, neither was perfited,Phil 3.12.Phil 3:12 but that he did follow after the ſame to apprehend it. The wiſe Agur alſo intreating of this matter, not onelyonly confeſſeth that hee had not learned this wiſdome, or knowledge of holie things: but demaundeth the queſtion, Who hath aſcended into Heauen, Pro 30.1.2 &c.Prov 30:1Prov 30:2and deſcended thence? Who can gather the winde in his fist? Who can binde the Waters in his garment? Who can eſtabliſh the borders of the earth? What is the name of ſuch a one? and what is his ſonnes name?

In the which words (as it ſeemeth) that great clarke or Prophet intendeth to ſhew, not onelyonly that none knoweth the father, but the ſonne, and he to whom the ſonne will reueale him, but that none perfectlie knoweth either of thē both, as may appeare in that he ſaieth, there is not any, which can meaſure or rule theſe great creatures or elements, namely the earth, the waters, and the ayre, & in that he asketh what the name of the Father and of the Sonne is?

p. 23Seeing now the miſtery of the goſpel is ſo great, yea in alreſpects ſo excellēt, it behoueth the diſpēſers therof, with great care & conſcience to execute that holy miniſtery, whervnto they are ſet apart. For how els ſhall they bee able to anſwer in any reſpect vntounto that honorable functiō whereunto they are called? Yea how can they but ſtaine and pollute the peerleſſe pearle committed to their truſt, to keepe and carrie? It behooueth them therefore, firſt of all, as wiſe builders,1. Cor. 3.101 Cor 3:10 chiefelie and eſpecially to lay the foundatiō Chriſt Ieſus, and to declare vntounto their people the articles of faith, which are the maine and principall pillers (as it were) of the ſpirituall building. Secondly, as the foundation is noble, ſo vponupon the ſame, not the wood, hay, or ſtraw of Rhetoricall, Philoſophicall, or humaine skill or eloquence, but the golde, ſiluer and precious ſtones, of a ſimple, graue, and ſpirituall maner of teaching, is to be laid. Thirdly, the affection & iudgement of the interpreter of the word ought alwaies ſo to be ſanctified & vpright, as that, in as much as hee dealeth with the Lords oracles, he mangle not, nor wryth or wreſt the Scripture,1. Tim. 2.15.1 Tim 2:15 but cut it aright, as the prieſts, vnderunder the law, did the things, which were offered and ſacrificed. To conclude, ſeeing an euill ende dooth make the beſt actions, that may be, abominable, if the Goſpell be taught of enuie, of vaine glory, of flattery,Phil. 1.15.Phil 1:15 or miſapplied by ſuch ſiniſter intents or purpoſes, then it is not handled according to the nature or dignitie of ſo heauenly a doctrine, but abuſed and polluted by mans corruption.

Likewiſe as the teachers of the p. 24Goſpell ought by ſo much the more faithfully and watchfully deale in the Lords oracles, by how much the myſterie of Chriſtian Religion excelleth the pollicie of the Iewes: ſo the hearers of the doctrine of chriſt Ieſus ought by ſo much the more attentiuely hearken vntounto,Heb. 2.1.Heb 2:1 and reuerently receiue the meſſage of their Miniſters, by how much greater grace is offered vntounto them now, than was in olde time to the Iſraelites. For if eueryevery tranſgreſsion and breach of the Law, receiued a iuſt recompence of rewarde, how ſhall they then eſcape, if they neglect ſo great ſaluation, as is offered in the Goſpell? They are therefore to know, that they are not to heare ſuch as teach any falſe Chriſts, or denie the foundation of Chriſtian Religion, either expreſſely or by conſequence. For they are not ſo much as to goe out vntounto them, they are not to bid them God ſpeed, not to receiue them to houſe,2 Ioh. 1.10.2 John 1:10 neither yet to thinke them otherwiſe than accurſed.Gal. 8 Secondly, they are to heare all thoſe, who truely teach Chriſt Ieſus crucified, without preferring of perſons for outward reſpects, or holding on Paul, Cephas, or Apollos. But eſpecially they are to heare,1. Cor. 3.121 Cor 3:12 reuerence, and ordinarilie to reſort vntounto, thoſe ordinary ſufficiēt preachers, which the Lord in his prouidence hath placed ouer them. Obey (ſaieth the Apoſtle to the Hebrewes) your guides, Heb. 13.7.Heb 13:7and ſubmit your ſelues vntounto them: for they watch for your ſoules, that they may doo this with ioy, and not with ſorrowe, for that is vnprofitable for you.

But how doo they obey their ordinarie watchfull teachers, who do not ſo much as vſe to heare them p. 25ſcant once in a month, nay in a twelue monethmonth? We beſeech you bretheren (ſaieth Paul to the Theſſalonians) acknowledge thoſe who trauellamong you, 1. Theſ. 5.12.1 Thess 5:12& rule ouer you in the Lord, and admoniſh you, and eſteeme them more than moſt exceedinglie, as deare vntounto you, for their work ſake. Let therfore all ſo account of their ordinary teachers, as Paul aduiſed the Theſſalonians to eſteeme thoſe Paſtors or Preachers which laboured among them and as the Philippians ſtood affected toward Epaphroditus their peculiar ſhepheard, whome the Apoſtle made haſt to ſend back vntounto them, that they at the very ſight of him might reioyce. For what? Is the Miniſter bound, trowe we,Phil. 2.28.Phil 2:28 and commanded by God, ordinarily to teach, and to expound the word and is the hearer priuiledged from reſorting vntounto his ſermons diligently,Heb. 10.25Heb 10:25 and ioyning with him in publique praiers? Shall the bloud of the flock be required at the ſhepheards hands, if he bee dumbe, or ſlothfull: and hangeth there no woe ouer the head of the ſheepe,Ezech. 33.9Ezek 33:9 if they ſtray out of the folde, or refuſe to heare the voyce of their ſhepheard? Dooth the louing Wife preferre her Huſband in louelove before all other, how beautifull ſoeuer? Dooth the ſouldiour waite vponupon his Captaine, although other in the hoſt be ſtronger than he? Dooth the ſeruant attend on his Maſter, albeit others are more honorable? Finally, doth the Child keepe in, and like beſt of his fathers houſe, notwithſtanding, that there be many, which keepe better tables? And wil not Chriſtians, like beſt of their ordinarie teachers, and cleaue vntounto their peculiar and alotted Miniſters, albeit they perceiue p. 26in them ſome wants or infirmities, or ſee greater graces or giftes ſhine in the candles or ſtarres of other Churches.

But moreouer, it is not ſufficient for a profeſſor of the Goſpell to heare vſuallie his true and faithfull ſhepheard, and to proceede no further: but he muſt take heede alſo, what hee heareth, as our Sauiour exhorteth.Col. 3.16Col 3:16 Yea and after what manner he heareth both him and other, hee muſt heare the Word, not fooliſhlie, but wiſely, applying euerie good Doctrine and exhortation to himſelfe; not careleſlie,1. Theſ. 2 131 Thess 2:13 bu… reuerentie, as the Worde of GOD, and not of man: not ſenſeleſlie, but with feeling, taking a delight therein,2. Cor 7.7, 8, 9, 10, 11.2 Cor 7:72 Cor 7:82 Cor 7:92 Cor 7:102 Cor 7:11 and following with affection euerie tune thereof.

Finally not doubtingly, but with faith, beleeuing that euerie promiſe,Heb. 4.2.Heb 4:2 and threatning of the word, ſhall ſurely come to paſſe. After ſuch a forte the people in Nehemiah his time heard the word both read,Nch. 8.1. &c. opened, and applied by Ezra, and the Leuits. For then, whilſt the Lawe was in reading, the cares of all the people were attent; in the time of praier, they lifted vp their hands, and bowed downe their bodies. Finally, when the threatnings of the word were applied by Preaching, they fel a weeping; and when againe they were comforted by their teachers, they reioyced.

But now, although our attention and reuerence ſhould exceede theirs,Heb. 2.1.Heb 2:1 (as the Apoſtle ſheweth) yet it is farre behinde the ſame. Nay what confuſion and irreuerence, almoſt in eueryevery congregation, it not to be ſeene amongſt vsus? Doe not p. 27vſuallie (O irreligious times) ſome talke in the midſt of the exerciſes of Religion, ſome run out of the Church before the Sermon be ended, ſome ſleep in their pewes, ſome turne the eyes of all vponupon them by their ſtrange and masking appatell? Finally, almoſt all ſhew ſome ſigne of neglect or contempt of the word of God, or other? But to let theſe paſſe, the true Chriſtian heater, will not onelyonly bee carefull to heare the word in a right manner, but to reſort therunto with an holy intent and affection. For as Salomon ſheweth,Pro. 21.27.Prov 21:27 The ſacrifice of the wicked is abomination vntounto the Lord: how much more, when he offereth it with an euill mind? The Chriſtian then deſireth the ſincere milke of the Word not to cauill at it, no, nor to knowe it onelie, but to growe thereby. This, (if it were conſidered,1. Pet. 2.2.1 Pet 2:2 as it ought to bee) would make thoſe, who often reſort to the hearing of Sermons, not onelyonly talkers,Iam. 2.26.Jas 2:26 but practiſers of Religion, not onelyonly diſcerners, but haters of ſinne,Pſal. 119.104.Ps 119:104 not onelyonly ſuch as delight in good exerciſes, but performers of holie dueties,Pſal. 119.9.Ps 119:9 not praiſers onelie of their teachers in wordes, but commenders of them by their liues and conuerſations.2. Cor. 3.1 22 Cor 3:1 For in deede he is the beſt hearer, which waſhing his ſpecks and ſpottes by the Lawe of libertie, is by hearing tranſformed into the image of Chriſt, and hee moſt commendeth his teacher, whoſe heart and life is written and grauen with the letters of faith and repentance.

Now to come to the laſt point or note of the excellencie of the Goſpell, it is affirmed here to bee great by one aſſent. True it is in deed that a great number of prophane p. 28people, make no account of the Goſpell, being either Dogges or Swine,Mat. 7.6.Matt 7:6 deſpiſing and abuſing pearles and holy things. But as concerning the true members of the Churche, euerie one of them with heart and hand ſubſcribeth to this Doctrine, ſo that according as Eſay notablie expreſsing this matter hath foretolde, This man ſaieth I am the Lordes, Eſay. 44.5.Isa 44:5and this man calleth himſelfe by the name of Iaacob, another writeth with his hand, I am the eternals, and nameth himſelfe by the name of Iſrael. Euident it is alſo,1. Tim. 4.11 Tim 4:1 that manie Heretickes hauehave oppugned, and doo denie the verie articles of our faith. But what the inſtruments of Satan ſay or gainſay, is not to be regarded. This is that, which here our Apoſtle would declare, namely that al the Lords faithful ſeruāts & meſſengers hauehave with one voyce receiued and publiſhed, and are with their liues and bloud ready to ſeale the truth of the Goſpell. To conclude, it cannot be denied that there are diuers truthes in the word,Ro. 14.1, 2.Rom 14:1Rom 14:2 which true Chriſtians with one conſent yeeld not alwaies vntounto. For either they vary one from another in the expoſition of ſome places of Scripture, or they differ in iudgement about queſtions of lawfulnes or vnlawfulnes,1. Cor. 14.31, 32, 33.1 Cor 14:311 Cor 14:321 Cor 14:33 of order or diſorder,1. Cor. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. chapters.1 Cor 7:81 Cor 7:91 Cor 7:101 Cor 7:11 or they diſſent in ſome inferiour points of trueth (If I maie ſo ſpeake) which yet are not to bee oppugned,Mat. 5.19Matt 5:19 yea are by all meanes on the contrarie ſide to be imbraced,Exo. 10.26Exod 10:26 held faſt, and preferred before golde or ſiluer, or the whole World. But oftentimes it is to be ſeene, that euen thoſe, who in interpretations of certaine ſentences in the word,Act. 15.39.Acts 15:39 and in opinions p. 29touching things lawfull or vnlawfull differ furtheſt aſunder, concur and conſent together moſt nerely and fully in the Articles of the faith, the principles of the Goſpell, and all the fundamentall grounds of Chriſtian Religion. Whereby it appeareth that the vnitie of the members of the Catholick Church conſiſteth not in thinking the ſame things alwaies, or liking the ſame perſons, but in the generall conſent,Ephe. 4.13.Eph 4:13 which is giuen vntounto the myſterie of Chriſt Ieſus. In deede all are to labour to the vnitie of the ſpirit, to iudge and ſpeake euen al one thing;1. Cor 11.191 Cor 11:19 but in this world ſuch a perfect knot ſhall neuer be knit. But although Chriſtians diſagree ſometime in affections or opinions: yet there is alwaies among them ſound vnitie in deede,Ro. 12.4.5Rom 12:4Rom 12:5 becauſe they maintaine one maine veritie.

Neither by reaſon of diuiſions, which muſt be, and hauehave been in al ages, among beleeuers and profeſſors of the Goſpell, is there iuſt cauſe giuen vntounto any to departe from the Church of GOD, or to doubt whether there bee at all any certaine ſauing trueth, or to ſaye, there are ſuch diſſentions in the World, that a man cannot knowe what to beleeue. The Virgin Marie, Simeon, Luk. 1, 2, 3. chap.Luke 1:2Luke 1:3Elizabeth, and the Diſciples ſaw the ſauing and the certaine trueth, when the ſinagogue of the Iewes erred euen touching the Meſsias, and was diuided into diuers moſt peſtilent and contrarie ſects. The Chriſtians in the daies of the auncient Fathers ſawe the truth, and walked in the right way, when the Arrians, Eutichians, and ſuch other Heretickes ſpread their poyſon throughout the whole p. 30world. Now then, to doubt whether there bee any certaine trueth, (whē the articles of the faith are receiued by one aſſent, and the Churches of England, France, Scotland, Har. con. apolo. eccl. Angl.and the Lowe Countries ſubſcribe vntounto the Doctrine of the Goſpell, and when manie Martyres hauehave of late ſealed the Doctrine of faith with their bloud, yea diuers liuing Martyrs confirme the ſame by word and deede) is to call into queſtion, whether there be a Sun in the Skie, and to doubt whether it ſhine in the firmament at noone day.

Thus wee ſee the former parte of this ſentence laide open before our eyes, wherein that excellencie of the Goſpell is by ſixe wordes plainelie affirmed, the which in the ſecond part of this verſe is confirmed or prooued effectuallie by ſixe forcible reaſons. All theſe arguments together with the former words, may briefelie be caſt after this ſort into one frame of proofe, whereby the whole matter intreated of in this ſentence may yet more euidently be declared and more fully concluded.

That trueth, wherein is ſhowed and whereby is prooued that God hath been manifeſted in the fleſh, iuſtified in the ſpirit, ſeene of Angels, preached among the nations, beleeued in the world, and receiued vp in glorie, is great by one aſſent and without all coutrouerſie.

The myſterie of godlynes is that truth, wherein al theſe things are ſhewed, and whereby they are demonſtrated.

The mysterie of godlynes therefore p. 31is great by one aſſent and without all controuerſie.

The laſt part of this reaſon hath in the beginning of this ſentence been ſet down, which ought not to ſeeme ſtrange vntounto any, namelie that the concluſion is ſet in the firſt or ſecond place, ſeeing this is an vſuall thing both in the Scriptures, and in all good Writers.

The middle part of the proofe is contained and expreſſed in the concluſion of this ſentence, which now we are to proceede vntounto and conſider. The firſt part of the ſillogiſme is included in the laſt words of the verſe going before, wherein was affirmed, that the whole Church of God vpholdeth this excellent truth. Now although the Apoſtle had not inſinuated any ſuch matter, as that the trueth, which teſtifieth or proclaimeth ſuch wonderfull and profitable things, as here are ſet down, is great by one aſſent, or without controuerſie: yet this is ſo cleare a a point, that it ſeemeth to bee written with the beames of the ſunne, & not to neede any further ſpeach or proofe.

To the end then we may not goe about to light a candle, where it ſhineth clearely & brightly, but be led forward (as it were) to perfection, and to the ende wee may the better vnderſtand, this chiefe principle of Chriſtian Religion, God hath beene manifested in the fleſh, let vsus a while conſider the nature of the heauenly godhead. As cōcerning the power, wiſdō,Rom. 1.19.Rom 1:19 & Maieſty of the godhead, it is in ſome part or ſort made known vntounto vsus by the creatures, and eſpecially by the Scriptures. Wherefore whoſoeuer ſhall ſay with Pharaoh, Exod. 5.2.Exod 5:2I p. 32knowe not God, ſhall ſhew himſelfe herein a lier, or a prophane perſon. But as touching the nature or form of the Lords being,1. Tim. 6.16.1 Tim 6:16 it is a thing ſo incomprehenſible in it ſelfe, that men are by no meanes able fullie to vnderſtand it: yea, without Chriſt they cannot (ſaue onelie in ſmall meaſure, & darke manner) conceiue what it is. For that knowledge of God, which is conueighed into mē onelie by certaine titles giuen him, or by the creatures, is bur ſuch a cō ceauing of his Maieſtie, as the patternes of things in this world,Rom. ….20 leade the minde vntounto, and ingender. As for example, when the Lord is called the Lord of Hosts, in this title we rather ſee his works than him, or if wee ſee him in any meaſure, it is by the helpe of earthlie creatures, & by compariſon, (as it were) not ſimply by himſelfe. Againe, when we conceiue him as perfectly wiſe, iuſt & mercyfull,Act. 14.16, 17.Acts 14:16Acts 14:17 wee rather rife to the knowledge of his effects, than of his being, by the conſideration of theſe vertues, which being in men by meaſure, are properties and qualities onelie, howſoeuer being in GOD without meaſure, they are things eſſentiall.Exod. 3.14.Exod 3:14 Now as touching, the great titles of Iehoua, the eternal, I am, or I will bee, and ſuch like, whereby God in ſcripture is often called, they ſhew by thoſe creatures, which are ſubſtances, mouing and ſubſiſting in the World,Reu. 1.4.Rev 1:4 that the Lord hath a being by himſelfe, and for himſelfe, but that he is a perpetuall, infinite, vnchangeable, & glorious eſſence, cannot ſo well be gathered by the ſight of fraile,1. Per. 1.24 mutable and baſe creatures, as is manifeſted by Chriſt Ieſus,The goſpel of Iohn. 1 18 Heb. 13.8John 1:18Heb 13:8 both God and man, who is the ſame to day and to morrowe, p. 33and for euer, and in whome the whole Godhead dwelleth bodily.

Neither in deed ariſeth vntounto man any ſparke of ſound comfort at all,Ephe. 4.18.Eph 4:18 out of the beholding of the nature of the godhead alone,Rom. 2.1.Rom 2:1 as it is ſeuerally or confuſedly conſidered by it ſelfe without. Chriſt, but rather ſo gliſtering a light and flame is able to cauſe the moſt ſtrong and piercing eye in the world to dazle, and the moſt hardie and valiant hear to quake for horror. Wherefore we are alwaies, when wee turne our fight toward the Godhead, with a certaine reuerent and diſcerning ſpirit, to looke vponupon three perſons hauing their being therein, as vponupon three Sunnes in one,Mat. 2.19.Matt 2:19 (it I may ſo ſpeake with that profound diuine Nazianzen, who oft moſt ſingularly writeth of this matter) all of the ſame nature, glorie, eternitie, and perfection.

The firſt of theſe perſons is the father,Mat. 3.17.Matt 3:17 who as he is without all beginning, ſo this perſon cauſed from eternitie the two other perſons,Heb. 1.3.Heb 1:3 and this father worketh from himſelfe by his ſonne, and by his ſpirit. The ſecond perſon is the ſonne, who, as he was eternally begotten by the perſon of the Father only:Ioh. 3.16. Heb. 1.3.John 3:16Heb 1:3 ſo from him as the fountaine, being himſelfe as the ſtreame, hee worketh by the holy Ghoſt, as the conduit pipe (if that I may ſo ſpeak) and by earthly things in ſome rude ſort ſhadoweth out theſe heauenly, which nothing in the World can fully or in all reſpects repreſent or expreſſe?Ioh. 15.26.John 15:26 The holy Ghoſt is the third perſon in trinitie, proceeding from the Father, and the ſonne, & working from them both immediatlie, p. 34by himſelf, in ſuch ſort, as that not onelyonly he quickeneth the whole worlde, but ſanctifieth the whole Church. For he, euen he, repleniſheth with graces the Angels, he inſpireth the Prophets, hee teacheth the Lawgiuers wiſedom,Baſil. ho. mil. de ſide. he ſanctifieth the Miniſters of the word, he maketh Captaines valiant, he abſolueth the innocent, hee aduaunceth thoſe that are modeſt, hee worketh gifts of healing, hee reuiueth the dead, hee looſeth the captiues, hee maketh ſtrangers children by adoption. It he finde a beleeuing Publican, he maketh him an Euangeliſt. If he be in a Fiſher man, he frameth him to be a Diuine. If he get a repentant perſecutor, hee appoynteth and faſhioneth him to bee an Apoſtle of the Gentiles, a preacher of the Goſpell, an elect veſſell. By him the weake are made ſtrong, the poore rich, the ignorant and thoſe which are void of eloquence become euen wiſer than the wiſeſt. Al the which workes with infinite more are alſo wrought by the Father & the Son,1. Ioh. 5.171 John 5:17 and not onelyonly by the holie Ghoſt: but as theſe three perſons are diſtinct in properties, which cannot be communicated to each other, as the Father, in that he is vnbegotten, the Sonne begotten, the holy Ghoſt proceeding: ſo they differ in the manner or order of their workes, which in common they put into execution,1. Cor. 8.6.1 Cor 8:6 ſeeing the Father beginneth the worke from himſelfe, the Sonne worketh it from the Father by the ſpirit, the holie Ghoſt perfecteth it from them both by his owne immediat hand, and laſt ſtitch as it were.

But becauſe the name of God in this place, as elſewhere in the ſcripture, p. 35is reſtrained to the ſecond perſon in the Trinitie, namely the Son, withdrawing our eyes frō the two other perſons, and onelyonly fixing our ſight vponupon this lampe of all our ioy, and garland of our comfort, let vsus conſider a little longer his eternall generation or begetting. For when here it is ſaid, that God hath been manifeſted in the fleſh, the meaning of the Apoſtle is not that either the father or the ſpirit euer tooke our nature on them: but onelyonly that Chriſt the naturall and eternall ſonne of God, taking to himſelfe the ſeede of Abraham, was ſubiect vntounto all humane infirmities, ſinne ouely excepted. After the like manner by this our Apoſtle is the name of God being common to all the three perſons, ſo vſed in the Acts, as that it is onelyonly meant of the ſecond perſon, when he willeth the Elders of Epheſus to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his owne bloud. Act. 20.28.Acts 20:28But, I ſay, before wee come to conſider the conception or birth of Chriſt, the which had a beginning in time, order requireth that in the former place we view his heauenly generation or begetting from alleternitie.

The author of the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes, calling this ſecond perſon the brightnes of his fathers glorie, Heb. 1.3.Heb 1:3declareth, that euen as the Sunne in the Skie naturallie begetteth the bright beame: ſo GOD the father not onelyonly of his will, but by nature begat his Sonne, the bright beame of this glorie. The ſame Apoſtle calleth alſo the Sonne of God, the grauen image of his fathers perſon, euen as the Lord himſelf in Exodus termeth him the Angel in whom his name is written: Exo. 23.21.Exod 23:21no doubt, becauſe the perſon p. 36of the Father is wholly imprinted in, & expreſſed by the perſon of the Sonne. In ſome ſuch like ſenſe by our Paule to the Coloſsians, Col. 1.15.Col 1:15hee is termed the image of the inuiſible God, his father, whom indeede hee doth ſo reſemble, and ſo liuelie repreſent in all reſpects, that rather he ſeemeth the ſame with his father, than like vntounto him, being herein vnlike vntounto naturall children of this world, in that they in part only are like vntounto their mortall parents, but he in eternitie, nature and vertue is whollie like, or rather one with his heauenly father. Wherefore Iohn in his Goſpell fitlie calleth him the onelyonly begotten of his father, Ioh. 1.18John 1:18of whom onelyonly, as he was begotten, ſo was he begotten after an only manner, and therfore he loueth him with an onlie louelove, and in him onelyonly is well pleaſed. In this reſpect Salomon in that excellent booke of the Prouerbs very elegantlie nameth this ſonne the daylie delight or ioye of his father, affirming that he is one,Pro. 1.30.Prov 1:30 which nouriſheth and cheareth vp, or ſporteth before him continually, as being frō all eternitie the ſweet word in his boſome, ſuch a louely branch of beautie, and flower of delight, as that it is impoſsible that any earthly parents ſhould take ſuch pleaſure in the ſweet lookes, moſt wittie ſpeeches, or vertuous actions of their onelyonly childe, as the eternall GOD is well pleaſed or ſolaceth himſelfe in this his ſonne. Howbeit, this eternall generation alſo euen of the Sonne or Word, being viewed in any ſhape of glorie, or other nature than of man,Eſa. 6.5.Isa 6:5 is able to make the Prophet Eſay himſelfe crie out, Woe is me, for I am cut off, ſeeing I am a man of polluted lips. And that the manifeſting p. 37of this ſecond perſon vntounto man in any ſhape of glorie or power, rather offereth him occaſion to ſtande a loofe of, than to draw nere to God, it may appear by that caueat, which the ſonne of God giueth Moſes, appearing into him in a fierie buſh, come not neere to this place.

To the end then,Exod. 3.5.Exod 3:5 that wee might hauehave the greater boldnes, and an acceſſe vntounto the throne of grace, full of hope and confidence, it pleaſed God, who is by nature inuiſible, to be manifeſted in the fleſh, as here the Apoſtle ſpeaketh. For had the ſonne of GOD remayned ſtill for euer onelyonly an inuiſible perſon, fleſh and bloud neuer could or would with comfort hauehave approached to ſo glorious and infinite a Maieſtie, which it had moſt grieuouſlie offended,Gen. 3.8.Gen 3:8 & wherein it perceiued no ſigne or pledge of reconciliation. Or had he taken on him the nature of Angels, which neuer he did, although by reaſon of the execution of his office, hee ſometimes in called in ſcripture by the name of an Angell) well might the elect Angels hauehave endured his preſence, or triumphed exceedinglie, or the damned ſpirits, which left their ſtanding places, lift vp their heads to ſome hope: but as for men, they ſhould ſtill hauehave remained in deſpaire and perplexitie, who, both hauehave been oft amaſed & troubled aboue meaſure,Heb. 2.17. Luk. 1.12.Heb 2:17Luke 1:12 when heauenly powers or principalities hauehave appeared at any time vntounto them, & alway were only reuiued with this hope, that Chriſt ſhould not take vntounto him the nature of Angels, but the ſeede of the woman, the ſeed of Abraham, and the ſeede of Dauid. Or againe, had the Lord ſpoken vntounto vsus by the voyce of thunder,Heb. 12.18Heb 12:18 or reuealed p. 40himſelf in the light, or otherwiſe been manifeſted in the ſhape of any creature; the nature of man hauing offended, would not well be ſatiſfied, nor yet could bee reſtored. Finally, had he taken vntounto him the noble nature of Adam, or put on him that princely condition, which man had before his tranſgreſsion, duſt and aſhes might with greefe hauehave remembred whēce it had fallen: but ſuch ſound comfort or ſtrong hope, as now we feele,Heb. 2.17.Heb 2:17 could not ariſe vntounto vsus by that gay garment. Wherefore our Sauiour being in the forme of GOD, and accounting it no robberie to be equall with God, that the fruit might bee ours, the ſuffering his, hiding (as it were) for a time the brightneſſe of his Mareſtie, not regarding the Angels, which had fallen, would in his wonderful merciemercy and vnſpeakable humilitie put on him, not the forme of any other creature, not Adams royaltic, but the ragged coate of a poore ſeruant,Pſal 2.5.Ps 2:5 yea the weaknes and vilenes (as it were) of a worme.

Oh,Pſal 22.6.Ps 22:6 what is that which now I doo behold? What? the grauen image of Gods owne perſon & Maieſtie, printed within mine earthlie & filthie ſtampe & molde? What? the brightnes of the heauenlie glorie and excellencie, dimmed and darkened with my frailtie and infirmitie? What? the eternall and moſt bleſſed ſonne of the higheſt, to become a worme and no man, an outcaſt of the people, & a contempt of the nations? What? the Angell, in whom the name of God is written, paſsing ouer the Angels, which had offended, and leauing them all in the chaines of darknes, notwithſtanding they were of a more excellent p. 39nature and an higher degree; but taking compaſsion on ſinfull and wretched mankinde, made one with vsus, or God with man, that the baſer creature ſhould bee made like an elect Angell? What? the onelie begotten and the ſweete ioy of the heauenlie palace, couered and girded round about with my weakenes, thirſt, hunger, drowſineſſe, and ſuch like infirmities of bodie, nay with agonies, feares, paſsions, and affections of the ſoule? Oh where are yee now a daies yee Chriſtian hearers and profeſſors,1. Pet. 11. who deſire with the Prophets & godly people of old time to ſee theſe miſteries vnfolded? or who thirſt euen with auncient Kinges and Princes to heare the doctrines or diſcourſes of the woorke of your redemption?Luk. 10.24Luke 10:24 Nay, nay, where are you, ye skilfull and faithfull ſheapheards and teachers, who continuallie reſound the praiſes of that chief ſhepheard of the Chriſtian flock,Pſal. 24.Ps 24 which cauſeth his ſheepe to lie downe in greene paſtures, and leadeth them by the calme waters? Come forth, and paint Chriſt Ieſus as crucified before the eyes of your people,Gal. 3.1.Gal 3:1 ſhew them the prince, valure and vertue of this myſterie. Neuertheleſſe, whenſoeuer euen thoſe, whoſe hearts are furniſhed with moſt diuine knowledge, ſhal come to handle this chief argument of Diuinitie, albeit they ſhall alſo ſpeake with the tongues of men or Angels: yet ſhall they neuer bee able fullie to declare or vnfold this one ſecrete of the incarnation of our Lorde, or by any ſpeeches ſufficiently to ſhewe the excellencie of this matter, which is moſt wonderfull in many reſpects. For who can but maruell, how the Virgin p. 38Marie ſhould bee the mother of the ſonne of God, and yet not onelyonly bee a virgin before the conception,Luk 5.14.Luke 5:14 but a virgin at the conception, yea, a virgin after the conception of him? What reaſon of man can conceiue how the holie Ghoſt ſhould ouerſhadowe the virgin Marie in ſuch ſort, as that taking out of her the whole lumpe of the humane nature of Chriſt, by him it ſhould not only be ſeuered from all corruption, but vnited and knit vntounto the diuine, after ſuch an vnſpeakable and incomprehenſible manner, as that a diuine nature and an humane conſiſting of a ſoule and bodie, ſhould vnſeparablie and eternallie be ioyned and concurre in one and the ſelfe ſame perſon the ſonne of the higheſt?

But ſeeing we are conceaued and formed in ſinne, to the end, that not onelyonly actuall iniquitie might bee waſhed away, but euen originall & naturall vncleannes, cured and clenſed, it behoued the branch to ariſe out of the ſtock of Ieſſe, and a fountaine to bee ſet open vntounto the houſe of Dauid and the inhabitants of Ieruſalem for the purging of ſinne: finallie a ſcepter to be erected againſt the raigne of death, who medled with thoſe which neuer ſinned actuallie, as Adam did.

But the ſpeach by the Apoſtle here vſed is verie diligentlie to bee obſerued,Rom. 5.14Rom 5:14 namely that God not onlie hath been in the fleſh, but that he hath been manifeſted in the fleſh. The which words import thus much, namely that the ſonne of God firſt conceaued in the virgins wombe, was afterward brought foorth into the worlde. Of this matter as the Prophet Eſay long before had expreſſelie and plainlie propheſied, p. 41ſaying in the perſon of all the faithfull, that vntounto vsus a child is borne, Eſa. 9.6.Isa 9:6and vntounto vsus a ſonne is giuen: ſo it was meet and conuenient, that this heauenlie light ſhould breake out as the Sunne, and the ſaluation of Gods people ſhine foorth, and be held vp as a burning lampe. For ſo long as this moſt excellent treaſure was hid in the wombe of the Virgin, the price or glorie of it not being ſeene, but ſhut vp (as it were) neither could the beautie of it (vnknowne as yet) bee earneſtlie and generallie deſired, neither could the vſe or fruit of it ſo well be felt, or ſo fullie be enioyed. But after that Chriſt Ieſus once pight his tent amongſt vsus for the time, neither onelyonly lay in the maunger, but walked on the earth, the faithfull diſciples ſawe his glorie, as the glorie of the onelyonly begotten of God, and beleeuers or Chriſtiās hauehave more fully ſince that time been made partakers of his grace.Ioh. 1.19.John 1:19

Now, what a wonderfull thing againe is this to conſider, namelie, that the ancient of daies was borne in time: he, whom the heauens can not containe,Naz. did lie in a cratch; the preſeruer of all things did ſucke his mothers breaſt; the feeder of Iſrael hungred and thirſted; the only wiſe increaſed in wiſedome; hee, who knoweth al things, was ignorant of ſome things: finallie, the King of glorie became in all things like vntounto man, ſinne only excepted? Theſe myſteries are maruellous indeede, but they are no leſſe comfortable than wonderfull, ſeeing now wee may behold the ſonne of GOD approaching vntounto vsus, not as a mightie giant with a barre of yron to breake vsus all to peeces, not as an earthlie King or Captaine garded with an p. 42hoſt of armed Soldiours to deſtroy vsus, but as a childe, whom without feare wee may take in our armes, or as our naturall brother, in whome wee may acknowledge fleſh of our fleſh and one of our bones.Heb. 2.17.Heb 2:17 The lawe was indeed giuen with thunder, & with lightnings, with ſtorme and tempeſt, and the ſound of a trō pet,Heb. 12.18.Heb 12:18 and it was pronounced out of the middeſt of a flaming fire: but as for the Goſpell, it was proclaymed without any ſigne of terrour at all, yea on the contrarie ſide, it began ſo to bee publiſhed and witneſſed by the Lords appearing and doctrine, as that God gaue teſtimonie therevnto with many wonders & tokens of good will and merciemercy.

The next point here offered by the Apoſtle to our conſideration is, that God hath been alſo iuſtified in the ſpirit. Before hath bin ſhewed that the ſonne of God being in the forme of GOD, and equall to GOD, abaſed, emptied and humbled himſelfe, and drawing a curtaine (as it were) ouer his infinite Maieſtie, walked in the ſhape of a poore ſeruant, and manifeſted himſelfe to be alſo man in all poynts like to vsus, ſinne onelyonly excepted. Now, here is further declared, that the glorie of his diuine nature, power & office, ſo ſhined through his fleſh, and through the courſe of his whole conuerſation, euen (as it were) through a glaſſe or a lanterne (if I may ſo ſpeake) that thereby appeared who he was, euen that Mediatour betweene GOD and man, that Meſsias or perſon annoynted with the oyle of gladnes aboue his fellowes,Pſal. 45.7.Ps 45:7 touching whom the Scriptures foretolde and ſpake many honorable thinges, who alſo hath wrought the work of our redemption. p. 43For, as the Prophet Eſay teſtifieth of him, the ſpirit of the Lord Iehoua was vpōhim, Eſa 61.1.Isa 61:1yea the ſpirit of Iehoua rested on him: namely, the ſpirit of wiſdome & of vnderſtanding, the ſpirit of comfort and of power,Eſa. 11.2.Isa 11:2 the ſpirit of knowledge & of the ſcare of God.

The ſonne of God being thus indued with the gifts of the ſpirite aboue meaſure, being ſent, annoynted, ſealed, and conſecrated to the office of a Sauiour, the whole Godhead dwelling in him bodilie: finallie, he louing his Church moſt entirelie, as the ſame Prophet teſtifieth, at the laſt put on righteouſnes as a breaſt-plate,Eſa. 59.17.Isa 59:17 and an helmet of ſaluation vponupon his head, yea armed himſelfe with the garments of vengeance for clothing, and araied him ſelfe with zeale as with a cloake. Whereby may further be gathered after what ſort in this place, and in what reſpect the Meſsias beeing God and man is ſaid to be iuſtified by the ſpirit. In ſumme, thus much is ment, that the power of his Godhead, being contrarie (in regarde of exceeding glorie) to the weake nature of his manhood, but ioyned therwithal, did not only inable him fully to performe the work of our ſaluation, but declare him to bee a perfect King, Prieſt & Prophet, the fountaine of wiſedome, righteouſnes, ſanctification and redemption. True it is indeede,1. Co. 1.301 Cor 1:30 that, although in the daies of his fleſh, our Sauiour lined moſt innocentlie, wrought many miracles, ſpake and taught as neuer any did, yet the wicked, who were in thoſe daies, reiected & condemned him. Neuertheleſſe, as the ſacred ſtorie declareth, not onelie wiſedome was iuſtified of her children, but the ſame ſtone,Luk. 20.17Luke 20:17 which the p. 44builders refuſed, was by the father made the head corner ſtone: yea the ſonne in three daies builded vp that tēple, where of Salomons temple was but a tipe: finally, the innocent liſe, the heauenly doctrine, the wonderfull ſignes, the ſingular gifts of our Sauiour, wherewith he was indued without meaſure, prooued & proclaimed to all the world, that euen that glorious ſpirit reſted on him,1. Pet. 3.18 19.1 Pet 3:18 which preached vntounto the diſobedient in the time of Noah, and which not only reuined him,Rom. 1.4.Rom 1:4 when he had been dead concerning the fleſh, but quickeneth all the elect to faith, obedience,Rom ….11. and eternall life.

Albeit then the weakenes of the fleſh of Chriſt was ſuch that he ſeemed to be the moſt abiect of all mē, yea rather a worme than a man, as before we hauehave heard; yet the glorie of his ſpirite was ſo great, on the contrarie ſide, that thereby he was declared not to be a meere man or an Angell, but the ſonne of God, and perfected vntounto all the particular workes of a ſauing Prince or redeemer. He tooke vntounto him the ſeede of Abraham, The ſtory of the goſ. pel.but in this ſeede were all the nations of the earth bleſſed. Compaſſed he was in his mothers wombe, but Iohn the Baptiſt at his preſence ſprang in Elizabeths bellie. Laide hee was in a cratch, but worſhipped therein by the wiſe men of the Eaſt. Hee was baptized in Iordan, but he baptized with the holie Ghoſt and with fire. Hee was hungrie, but hee fed many thouſands: ſubiect to ſleepe, but he cauſed the windes and waues to couch: tribute hee paid, but out of a fiſh: hee wept for Lazarus, but he raiſed him from the dead. O rare & moſt royall, O ſweete & bountifull Sauiour, whether ſhould I rather wonder at p. 45thy ſufferings, or at this thy glory? Surely at the ſight of thy merciemercy I ſtand aſtonied. Iudas ſelleth thee for a little paltrie ſiluer, but thou redeemeſt the world with thy moſt pretious heart bloud. O when I think vponupon that night, wherein thou waſt betrayed: when I conceiue in minde thy ſweates like clots of bloud, rolling from thy bodie downe vntounto the ground: when I beholde the officers, which kept thee, beating thy neck, and ſmiting thy tender face: when I look on the red furrowes, which Pilates cruell whip made on thy back: when I feele the print made in thine hands and feete with the nayles: when I ſee thy veynes and ſinewes ſtreyned and racked on the Croſſe: I plainely perceiue it was not without great cauſe, that thou didſt requeſt thy heauenly father, to let ſo bitter a cup paſſe from thee, if it had been poſsible. But when I view the burden of the ſinnes of the whole World laid on thy ſhoulders, when I mark the curſe of the Lawe ſeaſing on thine head, when I perceiue the wrath of thy Father conſuming all thy bones, when I obſerue the executioners ſtripping thee out of all thy garments, when I note the Iewes with mocks and mowes, deriding thine afflicted eſtate, when I conſider ſatan and the feends of hell in the malapart ſouldiers, the crooked herauld Pilate, and the vnrepentant malefactor aſſaulting thy faith: I cannot but cry out, O wonderfull redeemer, what a ſpirit of courage and long ſuffering reſted on thee? Now laſt of all when I heare thee crie, My God, my God, why haste thou forſaken mee, when I peere into thine heart pearced vntounto the p. 48bottome with the Speare of a prophane Souldiout, when I gaze on thy breath flying out of thy bodie, when I prie into the graue where thy body was layd, when I thinke on thine aboade in the earth for the ſpace of three dayes and three nights, reckoned in ſome ſorte, (after which manner, and according to which time Ionas ſometimes lodged in the belly of the Whale) how doo I maruell, that thy father did not rather ſuffer the whole world to periſh, than thee his natural ſome, more precious than a thouſand worlds; to taſt or ſuſtaine one of the Ieaſt of theſe indignities? But here by appeareth the vnſpeakable mercy of God thy father, as alſo thine own exceeding louelove & fauor toward mākinde, yea moreouer the glory of the ſpirit, which reſted on thee, that thou wouldſt endure ſuch torments for thine enemies, & that thou wouldſt by thy Croſſe crucifie the Worlde, by thy death kill ſinne, by thy buriall put the Lawe into the graue, by thine enduring of the curſe beſtowe a bleſsing, by thine aboad vnderunder the ground, take away the ſting of the graue; finallie, by all thy ſufferings ſatiſfie for all our ſinnes, and conquer him, who hath the power of death,Heb. 2.14.Heb 2:14 to wit, the Diuell.

Now hereby it is euident, that he of whom we ſpeake, was not onelyonly man but God; not only the ſonne of man, but the ſonne of GOD; not onelyonly a ſeruant, but the Lorde; not onelyonly a ſhepheard, but a Prince of peaces finallie the way the truth, the life, the vine, the head of the church and that iuſt one, who was iuſtified by the ſpirit. For had there been in Chriſt Ieſus any dram of ſinne or p. 47corruption, nay had there not been in him all fulnes of power and holines, ſo many crimes and tranſgreſſions being laide to his charge, and imputed vntounto him before the tribunall ſeate of Almightie GOD, and ſuch principalities and powers purſuing and aſſaulting him, neither could he hauehave been acquitted as an innocent perſon, nor eſcape as a ſtronger champion than all his aduerſaries. But becauſe there was no guile found in his mouth, and his own right hand being able to ſaue him, hee did caſt abroad the indignation of his wrath vppon his enemies, and infinitly ſurpaſsing Sampſon in ſtrength, ouercame the gates of hell; hee became that iuſt one, which iuſtifieth many, and that perfect redeemer, who hauing been a faithful mediator on earth, raigneth now as a glorious high Prieſt,Heb. 1.3.Heb 1:3 king and Prophet in Heauen as exalted for theſe iniuries done vntounto him, and iuſtified alſo by the glory beſtowed on him.

The third poynt of this myſterie is, that God manifeſted in the fleſh, and iuſtified, in the Spirit, hath been alſo ſeene of Angels. It appeareth by the ſacred ſtorie, that euen the damned Angels, or vncleane ſpirits ſaw the ſonne of God manifeſted in the fleſh.Mat. 4.1.Matt 4:1 For we reade that not only ſatan their head, tempted him in the wildernes, but that a whole legion of foule feends acknowledged him to be the ſonne of God,Luk. 8.28.Luke 8:28 and iudge of the World. Wherefore euen the euill Angels ſawe Ieſus our Lord, as the ſeede of the Woman, who ſhould breake the head of the Serpent, as a Champion to wreſtle or incounter with them; laſt p. 46of all, as a conquerour by his power and ſtrength to ouercome them.

But either only or chiefely Saint Paul meaneth here, that the Elect Angels ſaw Chriſt as viſible GOD, or as both GOD and man. Theſe heauenly ſpirites from the very beginning of their creation, enioyed in deede the preſence of the ſecond perſon in the Trinitie,Eſa. 6 3.Isa 6:3 yea and they worſhipped him as their GOD and King: neuertheleſſe they wanted the viſible ſpectacle of the glorie here ſpoken of, vntill the time of the Lords incarnation and manifeſtation to the World, and iuſtification by the Spirit. But when once the Father brought his firſt begotten into the World, and preſented him in the fleſh, as a mirrour of all wiſdome, merciemercy, iuſtice, and perfect excellencie; then the Angels in the ſonne, whoſe perſon & godhead from the beginning of their creation they beheld continuallie, ſaw that humaine nature and glory,Ephe. 3.10.Eph 3:10 which before was neuer ſubiect vntounto their view.Heb. 1.6.Heb 1:6 For they ſaw now the inuiſible word to become viſible God, they perceiued alſo the world to be made ſubiect not vntounto them, but vntounto man,Heb. 2.5, 6 7, 8, 9.Heb 2:5Heb 2:6 euen the mediator between God and man, that ſecond Adam Ieſus Chriſt. After this manner at the laſt, in fulnes of time, the ſonne of God being, preſented vntounto the view of the Elect Angels, they ſaw him as their ioye, as may appeare, in that they ſang at his birth:Luk. 2.13.Luke 2:13 they ſaw him as their Lord, vppon whom they aſcended,Ioh. 1.25.John 1:25 & deſcended, they ſaw him as the head of the bodie of the Church,Heb. 1.14.Heb 1:14 whoſe members they ſerue: laſt of all they ſaw him p. 49as the mercy ſeate, toward which they turne their faces continuallie.Exo. 25.17, 18.Exod 25:17Exod 25:18

And who is there now, which remembring that ſolemne day of Chriſt his incarnation, beholding the Pageant (as I may ſay) of his humaine nature, whereat the very Angels gaze and aſſemble, to conclude, conſidering the progreſſe, (as it were) of the Lord from Heauen to earth, together with his returne from earth to Heauen (where the Angels continually behold his face, and now enioy his bodily preſence) would not ſkip for ioy with Iohn the Baptiſt, crie out with Elizabeth, inlarge his tongue with Zacharie, magnifie the Lord with the Virgin Marie, deſire to bee diſſolued with Simeon, and prouoke not onelie his owne ſoule, but the Angels to praiſe GOD with Dauid, for preſenting ſuch a ſpectacle to the view of his creatures, and reuealing his ſonne both vntounto men and ſpirites.

When as the common people of any countrey or kingdome, firſt vnderſtanding the kings intēt to make ſome progreſſe, or to ſolace and ſhew himſelf abroad, afterward vponupon this occaſion reſort or flock, to the place where hee paſſeth by or may beſt be ſeen, there doo ſee his Maieſties face, or heare him vtter a few words: herein they thinke a great part of their happines to conſiſt, and hereof they boaſt full oft one to another: not without iuſt cauſe. For certainely the very countenance and preſence of the gracious ſoueraigne, carieth with it the Maieſtie of God himſelfe, the honour of an Angell, the glorie of the ſunne, the comelines of the moone, the brightnes of a Start, the bleſsing p. 50of the dew, the fruit of a tree of life, and (to ſpeake in one Word) the price of a peerleſſe pearle. Now thē, when as the immortall king, the ruler of all princes preſented himſelfe to the view of ſhepheards, wiſe mē, Galileans, inhabitants of Ieruſalem, & diuers other of his meaner ſorte of ſubiects, albeit they ſaw his face but for a little time, or heard his words but for a ſhort ſeaſon, this was a iuſt cauſe to them of ſingular comfort, and a great ſigne of his fauour, yea, as a day or time of high ſolemnitie. But doth not then the magnificence of the Lord on the one ſide, and the happines of the Angels, on the other, much more appeare herein, that ſince they as peeres of the heauēly kingdom were firſt aſſēbled & drawn vntounto their prince Chriſt Ieſus, putting on him the nature of man and comming into the world, they hauehave not ceaſed to beholde and enioy his corporall preſence, and now ſitting (as it were) in court or Parliament with him continuallie, ſee his royaltie, and heare him ſpeake ſuch ſpeeches, as no eare of man hath heard, nor heart can conceiue. Yes happie ſure are all Chriſtians, which are ſubiects to Chriſt Ieſus, & ſee him by the eye of faith, though not of the body: more happie are the Angels, which ſtand euer before him, and heare his wiſdome. Moſt bleſſed bee the Lorde God the father, which ſo loued his ſonne, as to ſet him one the throne of Iſrael, becauſe the Lord loued Iſrael for euer, and made him king to doo equitie and righteouſnes.

From this louelove of GOD it hath proceeded alſo, that Christ Ieſus hath beene preached among the Nations, The Angels, of whome wee p. 51ſake a little before, were not onelyonly beholders of Chriſt Ieſus, but Heralds, who blazed abroad his armes, and proclaymed the myſteries of his conception, birth, reſurrection and aſcention. Next after Iohn the baptiſt, the Lord himſelfe, & the Angels, ſucceeded the Apoſtles, and ſeuentie diſciples, who all were immediately called by our ſauiour himſelf to preach the word & to work miracles,Luk. 9.1. Luk. 10.1.Luke 9:1Luke 10:1 & were ſent not to one place or congregation onelyonly; but the 12. Apoſtles to many natiōs, the 70. diſciples to many cities: as our ſauiours commaundement and their practiſe teſtifieth.

After theſe ſeuentie and beſides the twelue Apoſtles; the Lorde extraordinarilie rayſed vp and added in mercy to the forenamed labourers in his harueſt, Euangeliſts: and theſe againe were of two ſorts: for ſome of them penned ſtories of the goſpell,Act. 21.8 1 Tim. 4.5 Act. 11.28.Acts 21:81 Tim 4:5Acts 11:28 as Luke and Marke: ſome onelyonly publiſhed the goſpell by preaching, as Timothie and Phillip. At the ſame time were alſo Prophets rayſed vp, indued with an extraordinarie gift of foretelling things to come, as Agabus. But becauſe, neither the extraordinarie giftes of ſuch Apoſtles, Euangeliſts, and Prophets, were alwaies to remaine in the Church, neither coulde their perſons beeing mortall, continue in the Worlde for euer, ordinarie meſſengers or Miniſters of the Goſpell, called both by GOD and man, and allotted to one place, were by the Apoſtles them ſelues created and ordayned in their time, who inſtructed ſome of them the Church of Lystra, ſome of Iconium, ſome of Antiochia, Act. 14.24.Acts 14:24ſome p. 43the Churche of Epheſus, Reuel. 2, 3. chap.Rev 2:3ſome the Church of Smyrna, ſome of Corinth, ſome of Phillippi, ſome other congregations.Phillip. 1.1 This kinde of Preachers of the Word hauing continued from the Apoſtles times, and beeing to remaine to the ende of the Worlde hauehave ſpread the fame of the Goſpell ſo farre and neere, and ſo planted and watred it in their Countries and charges, as that not onelyonly by the Apoſtles Miniſterie, but hence it commeth to paſſe, that there are many Chriſtians in the Worlde at this day, many congregations profeſsing the trueth, yea many Countries imbracing Chriſt Ieſus, as namely, Germanie, France, England, Scotland, Denmarke, with many other renowned in this reſpect. Wherefore the goſpel hath been preached not onelyonly in Iudea, but among the natiōs, as here is ſaide, neither vntounto a few nations, but what people almoſt is there, vntounto ſome of whom at one time or other the ſame of Chriſt Ieſus hath not been brought alter ſome ſort or manner at the leaſt?

In deed euen before the comming of the ſonne of God into the world, the Iewes had among them thoſe ſhadowes, which couered ſhining light; and thoſe Prophets, who ſpake in their hearing of the Meſsias, to come. Moreouer the Gentiles had ſometime meſſengers and Prophets ſent vntounto them, as may appeare in Ionas, who preached to the Niniuites; but ſince that Chriſt Ieſus hath beene manifeſted in the fleſhe, the Goſpell hath both been more plainelie and ſullie made knowne to the Iſraelites than before, and generallie in common imparted and communicated p. 53vntounto other nations. For the partition wall hauing been puld downe by him,Col. 2.14.Col 2:14 that maketh one of two, and the bonds of the lawe cancelled by his ſufferings, who ſacrificed himſelfe for the whole world, al nations were to bee called to the Paſſeouer which had been ſlaine, and the gerall pardon of forgiuenes of ſinnes was to bee offered vntounto all ſortes of people. Well then, neither did the Lord ſuffer the ſtiffenecked Iewes to be without a great light, nor the Gentiles to remaine without the knowledge of Chriſt Ieſus: but he cauſed him to be preached to Iewe and Gentile; male and female, bond & free, to ſhew that he would hauehave all ſorts of people to come vntounto repentance and to be ſaued.

So that hereby it is euident that the bloud of Ieſus Chriſt ſpeaketh farre more excellent and comfortable things, than did the bloud of Abel. For what is the voyce thereof, but Come vntounto me al you which are heauie ladē, Mat. 11.28.Matt 11:28& I wil refreſh you. Albeit your ſinnes were as crimſon, Eſa. 1.18.Isa 1:18they ſhall be like to ſnowe, although they were as ſcarlet, they ſhalbe like the wool. What interceſsion maketh it to God the father,Ioh. 17.52.John 17:52 but Father forgiue them they knowe not what they doo, holie father preſerue them in thy name, ſanctifie them in thy trueth. Father it is my will that thoſe whom thou haſt giuen me, be with me where I am. To conclude, what things ſpeaketh the bloud of Chriſt to men, but ſuch as are moſt comfortable and ſound to this effect. I hauehave waſhed away the hainous rebellion and blaſphemie of diuers of thoſe Iewes, who indeed crucified the King of glorie:Act. 2.37, 38Acts 2:37Acts 2:38 but for this bloudie deede vnfainedlie and heartilie repented. I hauehave cleanſed p. 54and ſanctified a whole clowde of penitent ſinners among the Gentiles, which ſometimes worſhipped Idols,Leui. 18.24. offered their children vntounto Molech, Deu. 18.11.Deut 18:11vſed necromancie, followed after ſouthſayers, and witches, exerciſed curious Artes,Act. 18.19. 1. Theſ. 1.9.Acts 18:191 Thess 1:9 were laden with all ſorts of impieties and iniquities, & quite dead in their ſinnes. Seeing theſe or ſuch like are the ſugred words and promiſes, which the bloud of Chriſt Ieſus ſpeaketh and applieth vntounto the heart of his Ieruſalem and people; how can any diſtreſſed and bruſed ſoule imagine that the God of merciemercy will deſpiſe the ſacrifice of ſorowe and mournful ſupplications, which it offereth? Who will now adde vntounto his other innumerable iniquities this the greateſt of all other, no to beleeue his Sauiour: who hath not onelyonly promiſed to ſaue him, but confirmed his promiſe by oth, not onelie ſworne ſo to doo, but ſealed his oth with bloud; not only aſſured in vnderunder a broad ſeale, but teſtified it by infinite example? To conclude this poynt, he which truſteth in the ſonne of God, 1. Ioh. 5.10.1 John 5:10ſaith Saint Iohn, hath that witnes in himſelfe, he which beleeueth not God, maketh him a lier. Well, if any want faith or the feeling thereof, here we ſee by the Lords ordinance that the preaching of the word is the moſt principall and moſt effectuall meanes of ingrafting and nouriſhing the ſame. For how did ſo many thouſands in the Apoſtles times come vntounto faith,Ro. 10.14.Rom 10:14 but by hearing the glad tidings of the Goſpell? How did they heare theſe ioyfull glad tidings, but by their teachers preaching among them? How did certaine choice meſſengers and ſeruants of God preach to the reſt, and p. 55that with ſo happie ſucceſſe, but by the Lords ſending them on his embaſſage, and bleſsing his owne holy and heauenlie ordinance? Priuate perſons neither were in auncient times, neither now are licenſed or permitted by the Lord, to bee Prophets, Apoſtles, or Paſtors to themſelues, or to another.1. Cor. 12.29.1 Cor 12:29 The publique Miniſters of the worde, are thoſe, whom the Lord hath ſet apart, to bee ſtewards ouer the houſehold of faith,1. Cor. 4.1.1 Cor 4:1 his veſſells and meſſengers to carrie and declare the doctrine of faith: finallie, his vnderunder-officers to ſet on the ſeales of faith. Priuate conference, priuate prayer, priuate reading of the ſcriptures, are indeed verie profitable exerciſes of faith, when they are vſed together with the publike miniſterie of the word and continuallie quickened by the ſame. For the preaching of the word is ſo liuelie and mightie in operation, that it is not onelyonly as ſeede to beget men to ſaluation, but as milke to nouriſh them in faith and obedience, as wine to cheare them in diſtreſſe, as honie to delight thē, as golde to enrich them, as a light to direct them; but alſo as a fire to kindle them vntounto mutuall conference,Luk. 24.32.Luke 24:32 to earneſt praier, and to diligent ſearching of the ſcriptures. But when the publike Miniſterie ſhall bee ſo ſeuered from theſe priuate exerciſes as the ſoule is from the bodie, and as that it ſhall wilfullie bee neglected,Luke. 7.30, 31.Luke 7:30Luke 7:31 refuſed, and contemned by any; certainlie ſuch as deſpiſe the Lords ordinance & the kingdome of GOD againſt themſelues, are not to thinke that their paths, whether looſe or ſtraight, either pleaſe the almightie, or will bring them to happines, ſeeing they p. 56leaue the royall and beaten way, wherein the faithfull vſuallie walk vntounto ſaluation, and which the Lord himſelfe hath paued and chalked out vntounto that intent and purpoſe.

Wherby as the neceſsitie of the preaching of the word, ſo the excellencie of the myſterie of the Goſpel yet further is made manifeſt vntounto vsus. The Kings and Princes of this world, hauehave vnderunder them their deputies and inferious officers in all places of their iuriſdiction, who determine cauſes, and gouerne thoſe townes and places which are committed vntounto their care and charge. Euen ſo Chriſt Ieſus the King of glorie aſcending into heauen, and leading captiuitie captiue,Pſal. 68.17.Ps 68:17 gaue gifts vntounto men, and placed vnderunder him ſpirituall Magiſtrates in his church. Indeed the calling of the ciuill Magiſtrate, is not onelyonly ſuch an ordinance of God, as both euerie ſoule ought to be ſubiect vntounto,Rom. 13.1Rom 13:1 and euerie eſtate honour and reuerence as the higheſt and brighteſt glorie vnderunder heauen:1 Pet. 2.171 Pet 2:17 but ſuch a gift of his vntounto the Chriſtian Church,1. Tim. 2 21 Tim 2:2 as that when ſhe enioieth it, ſhe enioieth a crown of comfort and aſsiſtance; when ſhe wanteth it, ſhe wanteth a tower of ſuccour and defence.Lamen. 2.2 Wherefore the eternall wiſedome of God (touching whō all this while we ſpeak) going about in the booke of the Prouerbs to declare, what great gifts ſhe hath in her hand to giuegive to mankind, and vſeth to beſtowe on her Church, breaketh out into this ſpeach as on a ſodaine, By me Kings raigne, and Princes decree iuſtice. In the propheſie of Eſay, Pro. ….15.the Lord foretelling how bountifullie he would deale with his Church in the laſt daies,Eſa. 49.23.Isa 49:23 affirmeth and promiſeth, that p. 57Kings ſhall bee nurſing fathers, and Queenes ſhall bee nurſing mothers vntounto it. But beſides the politique gouernment or cruil Magiſtracie, the Lord hath giuen to his Church the order of the Miniſterie or ſtate eccleſiaſticall, that theſe two callings might be as the two eyes of the world, or as the two pearles, of the Chriſtian aſſemblie vppon earth. For as this our Apoſtle teſtifieth vntounto the Epheſians, our Sauiour aſcending into heauen gaue gifts vntounto men, to wit, (as he expoundeth theſe gifts) the callings of Apoſtles, Euangeliſts,Ephe. 4.8.Eph 4:8 & ſuch other miniſters of the word. The common wealth of Iſrael then is not without her ſpirituall Magiſtrates, but ſhe partly hath had, partlie hath, her gouernours of ſundrie ſortes, as the Apoſtle declareth. Wherein (as before hath been affirmed, and after ſhall be made more euident, the excellencie of the myſterie of Chriſt Ieſus, and alſo of his miniſterie appeareth; which is occupied about the ſoules of men, and was caſt downe from his treaſure houſe aboue, as a moſt precious Iewell, euen then when our Sauiour aſcended into heauen. But moreouer beholde, our heauenlie ſoueraigne Chriſt, hath ſent foorth his embaſſadors to the Iewes, Graecians, Scythians, Fgyptians, Morians, Medes. Perſians, yea (as here is affirmed) vntounto all nations, among which, by thē, his name hath been, and is proclaymed. Nay, (that which is more) the Lords meſſengers, and publiſhers of his will, ſucceede one another from generation to generatiō, remaining in ſpight of Sathan and of the wicked, in all places and ages. As for the p. 58Monarches or Emperours of this world, they vſe to ſend their embaſſadors, not vntounto the endes of the worlde or all nations, but to ſome fewe countries, and neere vntounto thē. Their cuſtome is, to cauſe their decrees to be proclaimed only in ſome Cities, or for a fewe daies, not from time to time, and in all the coaſts of the earth. But the Lords Legats thus ſucceeding one another, & preaching in many countries, it commeth to paſſe that the kingdom of Chriſt Ieſus, by the courſe of the word, is, hath been, and ſhall be from time to time, glorified, and inlarged in all places.

For, as further is added in the next argument of the excellencie of the Goſpell, God hath been beleeued in the world. Wherein the mighty power and exceeding bountie of the Lord is further manifeſted vntounto vsus. For preaching is a ſigne of grace offered, but faith of grace beſtowed, & of eternall ſaluation. By the gift of faith enemies are made children; beggars, princes; limmes of ſathan, members of Chriſt; fire-brands of hell,Ephe. 3.6.Eph 3:6 heires of heauen; old creatures, newe; ſlaues, freemen; captiues, conquerours; yea, more than conquerours in Chriſt Ieſus. Now, herein the riches of God merciemercy further appeare, that Chriſt Ieſus is beleeued not in a corner of the world, but throughout the world. I will make mention (ſaith the Lord by the Prophet) of Rahab and Babell among them that knowe me: behold the Philistian with him of Tire, and the Aethiopian is borne there. Pſal. 87.Ps 87And of Sion it ſhall be ſaide, many are borne in her, and he euen the moſt high ſhall eſtabliſh p. 59her. The Lord ſhall count, when he writeth his people, this man is borne there, Selab. This aſſemblie of the faithful people of all times, places, and ſorts of perſons, called in the Scripture, not Rome, but heauenlie Ieruſalem, is that Catholicke or vniuerſall Church, which,Gal. 4.26.Gal 4:26 whoſoeuer hath not his mother on earth, cannot hauehave GOD his father in heauen. Part of this Church is alreadie in the higheſt heauens triumphing, parte of it warfaring heere on the earth belowe, parte of it neither in heauen nor on earth as yet, but hereafter to bee firſt in this world, ſecondlie in the world to come. The triumphant beleeuers are hidden in the heauens, the pilgrim beleeuers beeing mingled as yellowe corne with chaffe on earth, are ſcant diſcerned, the beleeuers to bee borne hauehave no being, ſaue in the loynes onelyonly of their forefathers. Faith is a thing not grounded on ſenſe or reaſon, God is inuiſible, Chriſt was a crucified perſon, & is withdrawn from vsus as concerning his bodilie preſence, the ſpirite is ſecrete, the world is wide, men are wicked, tyrants rage: yet GOD hath been beleeued, is beleeued, and ſhall be beleeued in the world. O depth vnſearchable! O glorious myſterie! The vſe hereof is, that euerie one trie whether hee hauehave that annoynting, that ſeale,Ephe. 4.27. 2. Co. 1.22Eph 4:272 Cor 1:22 that earneſt ponie, and that witnes of the ſpirit in him or no: which if he finde, he is to bee more thankfull to God for it, than if he had receiued the greateſt benefite in the world beſides. If he feele not, to ſobbe and ſigh, and pray that God would teſtifie to his ſpirit, that p. 60he is his father, and beſtow on him this good and heauenlie gift, rather than any earthly bleſsing whatſoeeuer. But chieflie he is to forſake his euill courſe of life,Eſa. 1.16.Isa 1:16 & to walke with God and man in the vprightnes of his heart, which grace going before, the peace of hart will vndoubtedlie follow after, ariſing from the ſight of the generalitie and largenes of Gods promiſes,Heb. 8.10.Heb 8:10 and the experience of Gods daylie mercies,Pſal. 77.Ps 77 and knowledge of the myſterie of chriſt Ieſus here extolled.Ephe. 3.18.Eph 3:18

The laſt point of this myſterie or proofe of the excellencie thereof is, that God hath been taken vp inglorie. It was more than a miracle, that the worme before ſpoken of, ſhould returne to life, and that the ſecond Ionas lying three daies & three nights not aliue, but quite dead in the belly of the earth, did breake the yron bands of the graue, and ſtand vponupon the grounde, yea in diuers places preach this Goſpell to his diſciples,Luk. 24.13.Luke 24:13 after that he was riſen againe from the dead.Act. 1.9.Acts 1:9 But what was it then that his fleſh ſhould mount vppon the clowdes as it were vppon an horſe?Heb. 1.3.Heb 1:3 What was his entrance into the tabernacles not made with hands?Pſal. 97.7.Ps 97:7 what was the Angels worſhipping of him, & the fathers enſtalling him in a throne at his right hand? Certainlie the glorie of the reſurrection of our Sauiour, ſeemeth not to bee glorious, in regarde of that exceeding glorie, into which he is exalted by his aſcention, farre aboue all powers and principalities, and all creatures whatſoeuer.

Now, here wee may behold the ſonne of GOD leading captiuitie captiue, giuing giftes vntounto men, teaching vsus as Eagles to mount aloft, p. 61ſitting by the father as the next perſon, by whom he gouerneth the Churche, prouiding and dreſsing (as it were) many Tabernacles for the elect, and preparing a tribunall ſeate to returne to iudge the earth. Wherefore as his aſcending into heauen, was exceeding glorious, ſo his deſcending thence ſhall yet much more abound in glorie. For then hee ſhall appeare vntounto the eyes not of a few, but of all fleſh,Rom 1.7.Rom 1:7 not in the contemptible ſhape of a baſe ſeruant, but in the bright and dreadfull maieſtie of the King and Iudge of the whole world.Act. 1.11Acts 1:11 At that great day (the day of Doome or Iudgement knowne onelyonly to GOD, but which cannot be far of from men) theſe writs, to wit, the Sun darkned,Luk 21.25 Mat. 24.11Luke 21:25Matt 24:11 the moone bloudy, the ſtarres trembling, the planets falling down, ſhall goe abroad to ſummon the inhabitants of the earth, vntounto the court where in all cauſes ſhall be ended, & all confuſion of this world ſhall bee corrected. Then, oh where ſhall the amazed people and chayned priſoners, either faſt their footing, or hide their heads,Luk. 24.16. 2. Pet. 3.10.Luke 24:162 Pet 3:10 when tottering▪ Heauens, and trembling earth, with toring ſea, arreſting them before the Tribunal ſeate of the ſonne of God, the clowdie roabe of the reuenging Iudge ſhall terrifie the eyes both of mortall wightes and diuels?1. Theſ. 4.161 Thess 4:16 And will not the laſt Trumpet blowne with the blaſt not of a man, but of that Archangel, cauſe the eares of the creatures to tingle and burne, when it ſhall ſound a dolefull and fearefull alarum? Yet againe much more dreadfull muſt needes bee the ſmokie fire,1. Theſ. 1.81 Thess 1:8 which, as breathed out p. 62of the noſtrels of the angrie Iudge, ſhal cauſe the Elements to boyle, the townes and Cities of the world to bee turned into aſhes, the faces and ſkinnes of men to be changed as into tinder. Then, then the graues,Reu. 20.13 14Rev 20:13 the waues, the pittes, yea hell it ſelfe alſo, (as the generall iay lours of the whole World) ſhall bring foorth their dead and buried priſoners, to receiue their finall doome at this ſolemne ſeſsions. Thus all ſortes of people arrained at the barre, and gathered by the Angels (as by ſericants or officers) ſhall by them with their hands,Mat. 13.49Matt 13:49 and billes or ſwordes as it were, be held and hemmed in on eueryevery ſide. Here now the ſcrowles of mens conſciences, as euidences,Reu. 20.…Rev 20 muſt needes bee vnfoulded, the books ſpoken off in the Reuelation ſhall alſo be vnclaſped, and openlie read. After that all mortall wights hauehave thus been gathered together, then ſhall a ſeparation bee made of them by the Iudge,Mat. 10.32.Matt 10:32 by whom they ſhall bee deuided into two ſorts, Elect and reprobate, and placed at his two ſides, the right hand & the left. After theſe things, Chriſt firſt ſhall pronounce ſentence on the choſen, ſaying to them;Mat. 25.34Matt 25:34 Come ye bleſſed of my father, poſſeſſe as heires the kingdome prepared for you, before the foundations of the world were layd: Then placing the Elect on thrones,1. Cor. 6, 2.1 Cor 6:2 as benchers together with him, to iudge the World, he ſhall pronounce the ſentence of condemnation on the reprobate, ſaying to them, Departe from mee yee curſed into euerlasting fire,Mat. 25.41Matt 25:41 which is prepared for the diuell, and his Angels. Thus ſhal al men for euer enioy their due reward, the ſecond p. 63life, or the ſecond death.

And Omortall men, what do ye then meane ſo to louelove the world, as if it neuer ſhould hauehave an end? O vngodly wretches and enemies to all piety in theſe daies, as prophane as Eſan, yea more prophane & vngodly than hee, or Herod euer was, will ye needs fulfill the iniquitie of your fathers, graund-fathers, great graund-fathers? Well then, proceed to worſhip ſtockes, and ſtones, to heare Maſſes, and to creepe to Croſſes: ceaſe not to ſweare dayly, hourely, continually, falſly, vainely, proudly, blaſphemouſly, as yee doo without controlement; braue it, ſport it, feaſt it, loyter it, or (if yee will do ſomething) labour, drudge, run, and ride on the Lords ſabaoth, as your manner is; diſdaine, deſpiſe, curſe, murmur and rebell againſt your magiſtrates, teachers, parents, maſters, ſuperiours; imb…ue your hearts, hands, tongues, and weapons in innocent bloud, ſparing neither bodies, good names, nor ſoules of old fathers, men, women, little children; bath your ſelues in daintines, wantonnes, idlenes, drunkennes, hunting, hanking, carding, dicing, and all kindes of paſtime: vnderpin your houſes with the bones of your poore tenaunts, neighbours, brethren, kinſfolke; lay the foundations of them on their carcaſes, hang thē about with thēir skinnes, yea, and with the skinnes of their wiues and children (a goodly kinde of tapiſterie) plaiſter them with their entralles, paint them with their bloud, waſh them eueryevery day with their teares. To conclude (O crooked and peruerſe generation) trample p. 64vnderunder your feete the precious bloud of GOD, manifeſted in the fleſh, iuſtified in the ſpirit, ſeene of Angels, preached vntounto the Nations, beleeued in the world, receiued vp in glorie: but knowe, that for all theſe things hee ſhall come vntounto iudgement.

Neuertheleſſe as concerning thoſe, vntounto whom the myſterie of godlines ſeemeth without doubte very great, vntounto whom Chriſt Ieſus is the only treaſure in the world, who indeauour with vprightnes to obey his lawes and word, there is no cauſe why they ſhould quake to thinke on his returne to iudgement: but rather great reaſon, why they ſhould pray. come Lord Ieſus, Reu. 22.20Rev 22:20come quickly. For ſeeing he hath ſhed his precious bloud for you, will he, or can he pronounce a bloudie ſentence againſt you? Is it credible that the head, which laide it ſelfe down for the body, wil adiudge his members vntounto torment? Should the ſpouſe, bought with a price aboue gold orſiluer, and loued more entirely than any treaſure, be afraid to ſee hir moſt amiable husbands face▪ Is there no more fauour or tender affection in an elder brother, than to deale with boanes of his boanes, & fleſh of his fleſh rigorouſly? Will a gracious King rather cruelly ſlay his ſubiects, crauing pardon, than ſhew his mercy in ſauing and aduancing them to honour? Was the Sonne of GOD ſometimes ſo carefull a ſhepheard, as to ſeeke that which was loſt, and will hee not preſerue that which he hath found? To conclude therefore, he was firſt manifeſted in the fleſh, and after receiued p. 65vp in glorie, that whoſoeuer beleeue in him, ſhould not periſh, but hauehave life euerlaſting, and bee made Kings and Prieſts with him for euer, obeying the Lorde without reſiſtance, ſeruing him without corruption, gouerned by him as by a glorified prieſt and Prophet, without ſuch temporall meanes as now are in vſe, yea as are very neceſſarie and profitable for the faithful, warfaring heere on earth. But at that time ſhall tongues ceaſe and propheſie be aboliſhed,1. Cor. 13.1.1 Cor 13:1 and Chriſt Ieſus ſhall deliuer vp to his Father the temporall part of his rule,1. Cor. 15.24.1 Cor 15:24 which now he exerciſeth not onelyonly in the world, but in the Church. For now he inſtructeth his people by the Miniſterie of men, then they ſhall not need any ſuch teachers, now he feedeth them by outward Sacraments, but then hee ſhall bee the onelyonly Lambe and bread of life; now he fighteth againſt or reſiſteth ſatan, but then he ſhall ſo breake his head, that hee ſhall fully conquer him.

Finally, now hee is to come to iudge the world, and to raiſe vp the dead, but hereafter hee ſhall ceaſe from theſe workes. Neuertheleſſe ſtill he ſhall remaine the light, glorie,Reuel. 21.22, 23.Rev 21:22Rev 21:23 and flower of the temple, gouerning both Angels and men immediatlie by his perſon and his ſpirit.

Thus Elect creatures ſhall (as members) be vnited vntounto God, and God ſhall bee all in all, euen the Father to whom with the Sonne, and the Spirite, three perſons and one p. 66heauenly Maieſtie, bee all praiſe and glory both now and euer, Amen, Amen.

Rom. 11.33.

O ther deepenes of the riches both of the wiſdome and knowledge of God, how vnſearchable are his iudgements, and his waies past finding out.

FINIS.

A requeſt to the Chriſtian Reader.

GEntle Reader, I have herein, onelie drawne the picture of Chriſt Ieſus after a rude and ſimple manner, as it were with a peece of chalke, or with a coale. But if thou ſhalt ſeeke him in the Miniſterie or preaching of the worde, and the Lord withall ſhall cauſe the day ſtarre to ariſe in thine heart, thou ſhalt ſee him ſo liuelie painted before thine eyes, & beholde him ſo clerelie as in a Cristall glaſſe, that thou ſhalt be tranſformed into his image from glorie to glorie, not continuing in ſinne, becauſe grace dooth abound. (for thou hast not ſo learned Christ) but putting off the olde man,Epheſ. 4.Eph 4 and putting on the new man, which is created according to God in righteouſnes and true holines. No more vntounto thee (whoſoeuer thou art which louest Christ Ieſus) at this preſent, ſaue onelyonly thus much, let him be the treaſure of …hine heart. Manie ſay, oh if one would cauſe vsus to ſee good: oh Iehoua lift thou vp the light of thy countenance on vsus. Pſalm. 4.7.Ps 4:7Then ſhalt thou put greater ioye into our heart, than of the time wherein their corne and new wine have beene increaſed. Farewell.

End of the text · Peter Moffett, The Excellency of the Mystery of Christ Jesus (1590)