The Ethiopian Eunuchs Conversion, Commentary on Acts 8 · Verse 36
VERSE 36. And as they went on their way, they came to a certaine water, and the Eunuch ſaid; See here is water, what doth hinder me to bee Baptized?
PHilip hauing thus preached Ieſus Chriſt vntounto him, and that through him alone we muſt looke for life & ſaluation, through faith in his name. And hauing likewiſe preached vntounto him the neceſſitie of being Baptiſed into Ieſus Chriſt, that thereby wee put on Chriſt, are ingrafted into him, and admitted into his Church. For howſoeuer eueryevery thing is not here recited that Philip preached vntounto this man, yet conſidering the Text of Scripture Philip had in hand, and the queſtion of the Eunuch here, it is our of all queſtion that Philip had taught him the maine Principle sof our faith, and myſtery of our ſaluation through Chriſt. Such as were, Chriſts Incarnation, Chriſts humiliation, and thoſe great things he ſuffered for our ſakes. His Reſurrection and exaltation on high, at the right hand of his Father, together with the vſe of the Sacraments of the Church, Baptiſme, and Chriſts Laſt Supper. That theſe things were taught vntounto the Eunuch, this Text doth make it cleare, by his deſiring of Philip, ſo ſoone as they came to the water, to baptiſe him.
And as they went on their way, Text.they came to a certaine water, &c.
Here we ſee the fruit and effect of Philips Miniſtery in another particular; firſt we hauehave heard before that he is brought to be a beleeuer; here againe to put on Chriſt by the badge and liuery of his profeſſion, Baptiſme. It teacheth vsus then,
What is the true end of preaching the Goſpell, Doct. The end of true preaching is to bring men to Chriſt.namely, to bring men to Chriſt. See the truth of this in the ſcope and drift of Pauls Miniſtery. VntoUnto the Iewes I became a Iew, that I might gaine the Iewes: 1. Cor. 9.20, 2…, 22.To them that are vnderunder the Law, as vnderunder the Law. To what end? That I might ſaue them that are vnderunder the Law. To the weake I became as weake, that I might gaine the weake. I became all things to all men, that I might by all meanes ſaue ſome. And this I do for the Goſpels ſake. Ver. 23 See wee the truth of this in the commiſſion Chriſt gaue vntounto his Diſciples, Go ye into all the world, and preach the word to eueryevery Nation; Mar. 16.16hee that beleeueth and is baptiſed ſhall bee ſaued. So that ſaluation is the end of preaching. So Paul, I am not aſhamed of the Goſpell of Chriſt, Rom. 16.17.becauſe it is the power of God to ſaluation. For therein is the righteouſneſſe of God reuealed from faith to faith, begetting faith in vsus, and is therefore called,1. Tim. 4.6. The word of faith; becauſe it begetteth faith in the hearts of Gods ſeruants. This is the maine end of the preaching of the word, and ſo of the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt. See the exhortation of Paul to Timothy, Inſtruct them with meekneſſe which be contrary minded, 2. Tim. 2.25.prouing if at any time God will giuegive them repentance vntounto ſaluation. This is the true end that the Miniſter of the word muſt ayme at, namely, to bring men out of darkneſſe into his maruellous light. Thus Paul and Sylas willeth the Iaylor to be leeue in the Lord Ieſus,Act. 16. and hee ſhould be ſaued; All true preaching aymes at this, as the true end thereof.
Vſe. 1 Seeing then that this is the end of the Miniſtery of the word, to bring men to Chriſt; EueryEvery faithfull Miniſter of Chriſt muſt then propound vntounto himſelfe Gods end in eueryevery Miniſteriall duty: whether he preach the Doctrine of the Law, or the Doctrine of the Goſpell, all his exhortations, reprehenſions, and inſtructions, muſt ſtill ayme at this, and tend to this. And indeed the true glory of a Miniſter conſiſts in the number of thoſe that by his Miniſtery are gained to Chriſt. Such are his crowne and glory, the Seales of his Miniſtery: And comfortable will the reckoning and account of ſuch, one day, be, when they ſhall ſay, Here come I, Father, with thoſe thou haſt giuen me.
Vſe. 2 And as Miniſters are taught their duties what ought to be the end of their Miniſtery; So are hearers likewiſe to be admoniſhed to ſtoupe vntounto Gods ordinance in their Miniſtery, that ſo they may be brought to Chriſt. If we neglect or contemne this meanes, no creature in heauen or earth can do vsus any good; faſt, pray, afflict thy ſoule, yea giuegive thy body that it burne, be thou neuer ſo rich in the workes of charity and mercy, if in the meane time thou turne thy backe vponupon the word, this ordinance of God,Ion. 2. Thou forſakeſt thy owne mercy. For the word preached is the word of faith, and it is faith that brings vsus to Chriſt.
Vſe. 3 And laſt of all, this may ſerue for matter of triall, whether or no wee hauehave profited aright by the hearing of the word. For then indeed hauehave we beene fruitfull hearers; and then, and not till then, hauehave we heard the word ſauingly, when our Iudgements hauehave beene thereby informed, and our liues reformed, and wee brought to Chriſt. Now indeed there be but few that hauehave thus heard the word. The Drunkard, Swearer, prophane and beaſtly liuer, hath not yet profited aright by the preaching of the word. All the husbandry beſtowed vponupon ſuch a one is not worth the labour. Such ground is neare to curſing and burning: for ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, The earth that drinketh in the raine that cometh often vponupon it, 1. Cor. 3. Heb. 6.7.and bringeth forth fruit meet for them by whom it is dreſſed, receiueth the bleſsing from God. But that which beareth thornes and bryers, is neare vntounto curſing, whoſe end is to be burned. Let vsus then, at laſt, my brethren, be awakened out of our ſecuritie, and whileſt it is called To day, not to harden our hearts, but anſwer the Lords call, leſt we come at laſt to be hardened through the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne: and by our wilfull rebellion and contempt of grace offered, ſhut vp at laſt the gate of grace againſt our ſelues.
(And as they went on their way.)
It ſeemeth then that Philip preached in his trauell ſitting in the Chariot, and as they iournied.
Certainly great was the zeale and pietie of this man in the improuing of his time ſo well. He would either reade himſelfe, or heare Philip preach, euen in their trauels, and in their iourney.
Now inaſmuch as the Spirit of God is ſo carefull in ſetting down this diligence of his in eueryevery circumſtance thereof, it teacheth vsus,
Doct. Time is to be well ſpent.That the carefull improuing of our time is a thing well pleaſing vntounto God, and that delighteth him: and hence it is that wee are exhorted to redeeme the time. And our Sauiour tells vsus,Eph. 5. That for eueryevery idle word that men ſhall ſpeake,Mat. 12.36. they ſhall giuegive an account in the day of Iudgement. Our Sauiour reproued this in thoſe huſbandmen in the Goſpell, Why ſtand yee here all the day idle? Mat. 20.Time, pretious time is one of thoſe Talents for the which we are one day to giuegive vp account vntounto God.
Which ſhews indeed the greatneſſe of their ſinne, Vſe. that make no reckoning or account of time, as if it were their owne to ſpend it they liſt. Many men ſet their wits on worke, how to ſpend time, and to driue it away, as they ſay, as if time were ſo ſlow footed, as that it ſtood in need to bee driuen. Surely there are many thouſands now in hell, that ſhall there ſuffer the reward of the damned for euermore, that would giuegive a thouſand worlds, if they might, for a few houres of that pretious time wee ſo waſtfully miſ-ſpend. My brethren, there is no prodigalitie in the whole world like vntounto this of miſ-ſpending of time. If a man waſte his eſtate, and miſ-ſpend his inheritance, it is poſſible to recouer it againe: But time, precious time, once loſt, can neuer be recouered.
(They came to a certaine water.)
See here through the eſpeciall prouidence and goodnes of God, how happily eueryevery thing comes to hand, to ſet forward this mans ſaluation.
If the Lord doe but giuegive him once an heart to ſeeke him, and to ſerue him, here is a Ieruſalem to go to, to worſhip God. For the further building of him vp in the knowledge of Chriſt, here are the Scriptures to be read: doth hee ſticke at them as being beyond his vnderſtanding. Here is a Philip ready to teach and inſtruct him, and to interpret the Scriptures vntounto him.
Doth Philip tell him how neceſſary a thing it is to be baptiſed, ſee here, They came to a certaine water.
Whatſoeuer his wants and neceſſities are, the Lord ſtil makes ſupply thereunto.
Thus, thus, dealeth the Lord with his ſeruants, he neuer wanteth meanes to bring his own purpoſe to paſſe. Our Inſtruction then is this.
That God neuer wanteth means for the good of his children; Doct. God wanteth not means for the good of his ſeruants.what ſoeuer the wants and neceſſities of his ſeruants are, God neuer wanteth meanes for the ſupply thereof: whether wee conſider their corporall neceſſities, or ſpirituall wants, he is God all-ſufficient for them both.
Let the Iſraelites, his owne people, be in miſery and diſtreſſe, the Lord can ſupply their wants with Manna from heauen. If there bee a time of famine and dearth in the Land, hee can cauſe the widowes oyle to increaſe, and not to diminiſh, vntill the Lord ſend plenty in the Land; rather then Ionas ſhall periſh, the Whale ſhall attend his ſeruice: rather then Elias ſhall periſh for want of food, the Rauens ſhall feede him.
And as for the ſpirituall miſeries of his ſeruants, hee is able to ſend comfort and deliuerance many wayes.Act. 9. Paul being a choſen veſſell, the Lord can bring him home many wayes, at his pleaſure, as by that ſound from heauen, and afterwards to ſend him to Ananias. Let Cornelius with an vpright heart ſeeke the Lord with faſting and prayer, hee ſhall not want a Peter to inſtruct and comfort him in the waies of God.Act. 10.30. Let Peter be caſt into priſon, he ſhall hauehave the miniſtery of an Angell at hand for his deliuery.Act. 12. And this Eunuch that trauelled farre to worſhip God, and to know Ieſus Chriſt and him crucified, rather then his expectation ſhall faile, and his labour ſhall be in vaine in the Lord, the Lord will raiſe vp a Philip, by whoſe miniſtery hee ſhall be brought to beleeue. And why ſhould any wonder at this?
Is he not the Lord of Hoſts? Reaſ. hath he not all creatures in heauen and earth ar a becke and command for to execute his will? Let Daniel be caſt into the Lions den, hee can muzell the mouthes of thoſe cruell beaſts.Dan. 3. Let the three Children bee caſt into the fierie fornace, the fire ſhall hauehave no power at all againſt them. It skills not what the miſeries of Gods ſeruants are, ſo the Lord bee with them.
Vſe. 1 This then ſerues to reprooue thoſe who in their fits and Feuers of affliction, thinke the Lord hath forſaken his people, and left off to be gracious vntounto his inheritance. We are proue to looke too much to the meanes, an arme of fleſh, a bow of ſteele, not conſidering that the Lord is in heauen, and doth whatſoeuer it pleaſeth him. This was Dauids caſe, Hath God forgotten to be gratious, and hath hee ſhut vp his louing kindneſſe in diſpleaſure? This was Ionas caſe,Ion. 2. I ſaid I am for euer caſt out of thy ſight. Whereas indeed God doth neuer forſake his people. He hath ſaid,Heb. 13. Hee will neuer leaue them nor forſake them.
Vſe. 2 Secondly, this may ſerue to teach vsus in all our miſeries and neceſſities ſtill to waite on him; Thou art compaſſed about with many miſeries, know that God wants not meanes of deliuerance when he is pleaſed to helpe. Thou art kept vnderunder many corruptions and infirmities which cleaue vntounto thee here, which faine thou wouldeſt ſhake off, and be rid of: Know thou for thy comfort, that God is able to tread downe Sathan vnderunder thy feet; with whom all things are poſſible.
(Here is water, what doth let me?)
Philip hauing, no doubt, inſtructed him in the vſe of the Sacraments, that by Baptiſme he was to be admitted into the Church, and that it was the badge and cognizance of a Chriſtian; See we now his ready diſpoſition to put on this Chriſtian profeſſion, the Liuery of ſuch a Lord and Maſter. See here is water, what doth let me?
Q. d. Is Baptiſme a ſigne of our profeſſion, and is it a ſymbole of our putting on of Chriſt: Here is water, what lets but that according to thy Doctrine I bee now baptiſed?
See here with what readineſſe and cheerfulneſſe we ſhould put the Lords will in execution, Doct. Gods will being once made knowne, we ought readily to put the ſame in exacutionbeing once made knowne vntounto vsus. Is Baptiſme ſo needfull and ſo neceſſary? well fare a good heart, it will not omit any opportunitie offered, but takes the benefit of the firſt water he met withall in his iourney, to be baptiſed.
Men ſhould make haſte to be in couenant with God and Chriſt, like the ſonnes of Zebedeus, would leaue all to be entertained into his ſeruice. All our actions will finde acceptation with God, ſo farre forth as they ſauour of chearfulneſſe; For that which Saint Paul ſpeakes of giuing, is true of all other duties, God loueth a chearfull giuer. God loueth a chearefull hearer, God loueth a chearefull receiuer; chearfulneſſe is all in all in the doing of good duties. And hence is it that this is obſerued to the great commendations of Abraham, that when the Lord had commanded him to ſacrifice his ſonne Iſaac, Gen. 22.Abraham aroſe vp early in the morning to do it. But of this before.
(What doth let me to be baptiſed?)
The Eunuch hauing readily and willingly entertained the word in his heart, doth now in Baptiſme deſire to put on the outward profeſſion of Religion alſo, to teſtifie vntounto the world the …uth of his profeſſion. And herein will teach vsus,
That he that hath truly put on Chriſt, Doct. Hea…tie Chriſtians muſt bee heartie p…ofeſſors. Ro. 10.10.will be ready to make profeſſion of the name of Chriſt. With the heart man beleeueth to righteouſneſſe, and with the mouth confeſsion is made knowne vntounto ſaluation. For this publicke profeſſion of the truths ſake, Daniel was caſt into the denne: The three Children into the fiery fornace. The Apoſtles being charged to hold their peace, and to preach no more in the name of Ieſus, Anſwered boldly before the Councell, Whether it bee right in the ſight of God, Act. 5.29. Act. …1.11.12. 1. Tim. 6.12.13.to obey you rather then God, iudge ye. For we cannot but ſpeake the things that we hauehave ſeene and heard. How reſolute was the Apoſtle Paul this way, when Agabus had told him the things that ſhould befall him at Ieruſalem, and his friends went about to diſſwade him from going vp thither what doe ye weeping & breaking my heart, I am ready not only to be bound, but alſo to dye at Ieruſalem, for the teſtimony of the Lord Ieſus. And in this doth our Sauiour comfort his Diſciples againſt all the miſeries and afflictions of this life,Luk. 22.28 Ye are they which hauehave bene with me in my temptations, therefore I appoint vntounto you a Kingdom.
The point is cleare and plaine. That ſuch as by faith hauehave put on the Lord Ieſus, will not bee aſhamed to make confeſſion and profeſſion of his name; EueryEvery man muſt be at the leaſt a Confeſſor, if not a Martyr, that would raigne with Chriſt in glory.
And there is Reaſon for it,
Reaſ. 1 Firſt, becauſe it is one of the moſt proper fruites of Faith to make an open confeſſion & profeſſion of the name of Chriſt. Becauſe wee hauehave the ſame ſpirit of Faith, according as it is written, I beleeued, 2 Cor. 4.13and therefore hauehave I ſpoken, we alſo beleeue, and therefore ſpeake. No better teſtimony of true Faith, then heartily to confeſſe Chriſt, whereas he that is afraid to confeſſe Chriſt, hath no Faith.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, there is made a ſpeciall promiſe vntounto ſuch as make profeſſion of his name;Mat. 10.32. Hee that ſhall confeſſe me before men, him wil I confeſſe before my Father, which is in heauen. Mar. 8.38.Whereas the contrarie is threatned with a fearefull curſe, Whoſoeuer ſhall deny me before men, him will I deny before my Father, which is in heauen.
Reaſ. 3 Beſides, God hath not giuen to any the light of his heauenly grace, and the knowledge of his Sonne Chriſt, to the end that the ſame be buried in the earth, hid in wants not meanes of deliuerance when he is pleaſed to helpe. Thou art kept vnderunder many corruptions and infirmities which cleaue vntounto thee here, which faine thou wouldeſt ſhake off, and be rid of: Know thou for thy comfort, that God is able to tread downe Sathan vnderunder thy feet; with whom all things are poſſible.
(Here is water, what doth let me?)
Philip hauing, no doubt, inſtructed him in the vſe of the Sacraments, that by Baptiſme he was to be admitted into the Church, and that it was the badge and cognizance of a Chriſtian; See we now his ready diſpoſition to put on this chriſtian profeſſion, the Liuery of ſuch a Lord and Maſter. See here is water, what doth let me?
Q. d. Is Baptiſme a ſigne of our profeſſion, and is it a ſymbole of our putting on of Chriſt: Here is water, what lets but that according to thy Doctrine I bee now baptiſed?
See here with what readineſſe and cheerfulneſſe we ſhould put the Lords will in execution, Doct. Gods will being once made knowne, we ought readily to put the ſame in executionbeing once made knowne vntounto vsus. Is Baptiſme ſo needfull and ſo neceſſary? well fare a good heart, it will not omit any opportunitie offered, but takes the benefit of the firſt water he met withal in his iourney, to be baptiſed.
Men ſhould make haſte to be in couenant with God and Chriſt, like the ſonnes of Zebedeus, would leue all to be entertained into his ſeruice. All our actions will finde acceptation with God, ſo farre forth as they ſauour of chearfulneſſe; For that which Saint Paul ſpeakes of giuing, is true of all other duties, God loueth a chearfull giuer. God loueth a chearefull hearer, God loueth a chearefull receiuer; chearfulneſſe is all in all in the doing of good duties. And hence is it that this is obſerued to the great commendations of Abrabam, that when the Lord had commanded him to ſacrifice his ſonne Iſaac, Gen. 22.Abraham aroſe vp early in the morning to do it. But of this before.
(What doth let me to be baptiſed?)
The Eunuch hauing readily and willingly entertained the word in his heart, doth now in Baptiſme deſire to put on the outward profeſſion of Religion alſo, to teſtifie vntounto the world the t…uth of his profeſſion. And herein will teach vsus,
That he that hath truly put on Chriſt, Doct. Hea…tie Chriſtians muſt bee heartie profeſſors. Ro. 10.10.will be ready to make profeſſion of the name of Chriſt. With the heart man beleeueth to righteouſneſſe, and with the mouth confeſsion is made knowne vntounto ſaluation. For this publicke profeſſion of the truths ſake, Daniel was caſt into the denne: The three Children into the fiery fornace. The Apoſtles being charged to hold their peace, and to preach no more in the name of Ieſus, Anſwered boldly before the Councell, Whether it bee right in the ſight of God, Act. 5.29. Act. 21.11.12. 1. Tim. 6.12.13.to obey you rather then God, iudge ye. For we cannot but ſpeake the things that we hauehave ſeene and heard. How reſolute was the Apoſtle Paul this way, when Agabus had told him the things that ſhould befall him at Ieruſalem, and his friends went about to diſſwade him from going vp thither what doe ye weeping & breaking my heart, I am ready not only to be bound, but alſo to dye at Ieruſalem, for the teſtimony of the Lord Ieſus. And in this doth our Sauiour comfort his Diſciples againſt all the miſeries and afflictions of this life,Luk. 22.28 Ye are they which hauehave bene with me in my temptations, therefore I appoint vntounto you a Kingdom.
The point is cleare and plaine. That ſuch as by faith hauehave put on the Lord Ieſus, will not bee aſhamed to make confeſſion and profeſſion of his name; EueryEvery man muſt be at the leaſt a Confeſſor, if not a Martyr, that would raigne with Chriſt in glory.
And there is Reaſon for it,
Reaſ. 1 Firſt, becauſe it is one of the moſt proper fruites of Faith to make an open confeſſion & profeſſion of the name of Chriſt. Becauſe wee hauehave the ſame ſpirit of Faith, according as it is written, I beleeued, 2 Cor. 4.13and therefore hauehave I ſpoken, we alſo beleeue, and therefore ſpeake. No better teſtimony of true Faith, then heartily to confeſſe Chriſt, whereas he that is afraid to confeſſe Chriſt, hath no Faith.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, there is made a ſpeciall promiſe vntounto ſuch as make profeſſion of his name;Mat. 10.32. Hee that ſhall confeſſe me before men, him wil I confeſſe before my Father, which is in heauen. Mar. 8.38.Whereas the contrarie is threatned with a fearefull curſe, whoſoeuer ſhall deny me before men, him will I deny before my Father, which is in heauen.
Reaſ. 3 Beſides, God hath not giuen to any the light of his heauenly grace, and the knowledge of his Sonne Chriſt, to the end that the ſame be buried in the earth, hid in a Napkin, or put vnderunder a Buſhel, but that the ſame ſhould ſhine foorth to the praiſe of his owne grace to lighten others. Let your light ſo ſhine before men, Mat. 5.15.that they may ſe your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven.
Let vsus heare the vſes,
Vſe. 1 This meets then, firſt of all, with the Nichodemites of our time, which can keep their Faith & Religion to thēſelues, & are afraid to make open profeſſion of the ſame vntounto others. It is thought to be a deepe point of policy amongſt many, ſo to cary themſelues in points of Religion, as that they may change with the times without any great diſparagment, and hence it is that a man may liue many yeares amongſt many, and yet not know what religion they are of, making themſelues ready for eueryevery change and alteration, like the wether-cock that turneth with eueryevery blaſt of winde. I wold comend vntounto ſuch theſe places of Scripture to meditate on.
Then ſhould I yet hauehave comfort, yea I would harden my ſelfe in ſorrow, Iob 6.10.let him not ſpare, for I hauehave not concealed the words of the holy one.
The Iuſt ſhall liue by Faith, Heb. 10.38.but if any man withdrawe himſelfe, my ſoule ſhall hauehave no pleaſure in him.
The fearefull and vnbeleeuing ſhall hauehave their portion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimſton.Reu. 21.8.
Whoſoeuer ſhall be aſhamed of me before men, Mar. 8.38.of him ſhall the Sonne of Man be aſham'd when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy Angels.
It is lamentable to ſee the paſſe that many men are at, in the company of zelous Proteſtants, they will bee Proteſtants, in the company of Papiſts, they will bee Papiſts; wee hauehave of theſe amongſt vsus. Let not ſuch men deceiue them ſelues and their owne ſoules, for whileſt they will be thus of all religions, they remaine indeed and in truth of no religion, yea eueryevery ſimple man and little child can diſcouer ſuch to be no better then Atheiſts.
Was Religion my Brethren ordained to ſerue mens humors, and to be fitted as mens garments are to faſhions and times?
Surely God will make this poor Ethinck man a ſwifte witneſſe in iudgement one day againſt ſuch, who albeit he were in ſome danger heerein to the hazarding of his place and office, to looſe the fauour of the Queene his Miſtreſſe, now that hee ſhall forſake her in her idolatrous ſeruice. Yet being now by the Miniſtery of Philip brought to the knowledge of Chriſt, hee is content to run all the hazards that may come, will be baptiſed and therein take vponupon him the open badg and cogniſance of his Maſter, and profeſſe openly vntounto the world the truth of his religion.
Vſe. 2 Secondly, within the compaſſe of the reprehenſion come thoſe who will go beyond the former, and in peacable times & ſunſhine of the Goſpel, will bee content to take vponupon them the name of profeſſors, and will be diligent to frequent Sermons: But if a ſtorme be vp, ſo as they are like to ſuffer for Chriſt, if it bee but a little diſgrace, reproach, trouble, loſſe of libertie, wealth or the like, begin moſt ſhamfully to pull in their heades, and ſhrinke away. Many ſuch colde Profeſſors hath religion now adayes. Now if theſe men ſtartle ſo at a little ſhame, or diſgrace, what would theſe men do if they were called to the ſtake to ſeale their profeſſion with their blood? O what a ſhame is this, that eueryevery check, eueryevery taunt, eueryevery frowne of a mortall man that is but duſt, ſhold make vsus ſtagger in the good way of righteouſnes. If we be aſhamed of Chriſt before men, what looſeth he thereby? But if he ſhall be aſhamed of vsus before his heauenly Father, and before his holy Angels, what ſhall then become of vsus?
Vſe. 3 And yet wee hauehave a third ſort that may as iuſtly be reproued by the rule of this Doctrine. And they are thoſe that are ſo far from making profeſſion of Religion themſelues, as that they mocke at all zeale, piety, and holineſſe they ſee in others, becauſe they will not run with them into the ſame exceſſe of riot.
When the Lord was pleaſed to reſtore the light of the Goſpell amongſt vsus, and brought this land out of the Romiſh Superſtition and Idolatry, how did our Adverſaries the Papiſts gnaſh vponupon vsus with their teeth, & were ready to breake a ſunder through enuie of that pure light of the Goſpell that was riſen amongſt vsus? How did they ſet their wits a worke to reproach vsus and our Religion, branding Profeſſors with the names of Puritans, Preciſians, holy Brethren, and the like; Which contumelies and reproaches wee hauehave taken out of their mouthes, and are ready to ſpit them in the face one of another. It is high time my brethren to ſend theſe reproaches back againe to Rome from whence they came, The Mother of all bitterneſſe and cruelty, and not vpbraide any with his zeale, but rather bee prouoked by their example to walke in their ſteps.
Vſe. 4 And laſt of all it may ſerue for matter of exhortatiō to perſwade vsus to bee ſtedfaſt and conſtant in the Truth and Faith of Chriſt, in times of perſecutions as in the times of peace, and not to be aſhamed of the Religion of Ieſus Chriſt that wee hauehave taken vponupon vsus to profeſſe. It is wiſdom, when firſt wee take the profeſſion of Religion vponupon vsus, to caſt vp our accompts, what it will coſt vsus to be Chriſtians indeede. Wee muſt looke to hauehave Sunne, Moone, and Stars, againſt vsus. And indeed hee that is truly religious, cannot but ſtand to the truth.
We cannot but ſpeake the things that we hauehave heard and ſeene. Act. 5.92.The hundred fourtie and foure thou ſand had their Fathers name written in their fore-heads,Reu. 14.1. to ſhew that they were not aſhamed of their profeſſion; Though all men bee not honoured with the honour to bee Martyrs for Chriſt, yet all men muſt at leaſt bee Cofeſſors of Chriſt.