Common Places, Discourses 2 · Oration 2
An Oration which he made at Zurick the firſt time after he ſucceeded in the place of Conradus Pellicanus.
What things are woont to fraie vsus from the weightier ſort of functions.THoſe cauſes (yée Diuines and moſt déere brethren in Chriſt) which are woont many times to terrifie men from any function of charge, as both the experience and the writings of the wiſe doe teach me, are indéede not infinite that they cannot bee comprehended vnderunder a certaine number, but yet many and manifolde doe come to my remembrance. Firſt ſome doe refuſe a charge committed vntounto them, becauſe it is laide vponupon them as newe, freſh, and vnlooked for of them. A ſimilitudeFor euen as the yoke is ſoone ſhaken off from vntamed cattle, & the bridle from young coltes, ſo doe all thoſe things eaſily diſquiet men whereunto they hauehave not béene accuſtomed, and eſpecially if they ſhall chooſe to themſelues a kinde of life which is altogether contrarie from that whereunto they are called. For which cauſe Baſilius Magnus, Gregorie the Diuine, and Iohn Chryſoſtome, were by the Churches of thoſe times brought to take biſhopprickes vponupon them, becauſe they were more deſirous of a ſolitarie life, than becommeth true Chriſtian men to be, as they which be not borne to themſelues, but vntounto other men, and to the fellowſhip of the ſaints, and moſt of all to the ſpreading farre and wide of the true worſhip of God. We all holde faſt the purpoſes of our owne wil, neither do we gladly reſt in other mens iudgements and aduiſes. In the ſeconde place are they to be reckoned which for this cauſe ſtande againſt them which call them, for that they thinke yt their labor ſhalbe ſuperfluous, ſince in that matter whereunto they are called to worke, manie doe verie much labour. If (ſay they) there were néede of labours, our ſtudie and indeuour ſhould not be wanting: whereby it comes to paſſe that thoſe arts are contemned by the more excellent ſort of men, wherein they ſhall perceiue verie many to exerciſe themſelues. Laſtly they when they be required to take vponupon them ſome excellent function, therefore they will not becauſe they féele not themſelues able thereunto. They ſay that they muſt chuſe ſuch a matter as they are able to performe, and that great regard be had that we faint not vnderunder our burthen, be it neuer ſo honorable. For the more excellent it ſhalbe, the more notable alſo ſhalbee our fall vnderunder it. For this cauſe in verie déede, Exod. 3. 11. &c. Ierem. 1.….did Moſes withdrawe himſelfe for a while from this calling of God. And Ieremie prayed that there might be a conſideration had of his age. Thoſe Godly men did conſider both howe weake the ſtrength of man was, and of howe great charge was the ſeruice ſet before them, and therefore they did not ſtraightwayes obey when GOD commaunded. Theſe thinges my brethren are not recyted of mée at this preſent without great cauſe. For whereas I hauehave without denying, auoyding, delaying, or any ſtay at all taken vponupon me this weightie place to interpret the ſcriptures, I woulde not bee thought that I hauehave doone this boldly or vnaduiſedly. I might in verie déede hauehave eaſily béene called from ſo holy a miniſterie as this ought to be accounted, if any of thoſe reaſons which yée hauehave nowe heard coulde hauehave drawne my minde from it: but becauſe none of them by the grace of Gods ſpirit taketh any place in me, therefore yée ſée me to hauehave come hither with ſo readie, glad, ioyful, and willing a minde. Which that I may perſwade you by a profitable and verie liuely argument, I wil examine the cauſes now alledged by me after the ſame order that I began. And I will not onelyonly ſhewe that no cauſe coulde iuſtly terrifie me from my purpoſe, but that notwithſtanding euerie one of thoſe cauſes, my will was marueilouſly inflamed héereunto. But hearken (I beſéech ye) that I may no leſſe faithfully than I hauehave promiſed performe thoſe thinges which I hauehave ſpoken.
As touching that which was alledged firſt, whereby men ſhoulde be terrified from taking vppon them the function whereunto they are called, is this: namely, if that which is commaunded be vnwoonted and vnlooked for. But to me cannot the exerciſe of handling the word of God in this age, be new, vnaccuſtomed, and vnlooked for. For euen from my youth, when I yet liued in Italie, Martyrs timelie entering into the ſtudie of Diuinitie.this one thing I minded to follow aboue all artes and ordinances of men: euen chiefly to learne and teach the holy ſcriptures, neither had I other ſucceſſe than I purpoſed. For euen I my ſelfe in verie déede (as the miſt, darkneſſe, obſcureneſſe and night of Poperie deceiueth manie) erred for a time, but yet did I not ceaſe in that blinde dungeon as the time would then ſuffer, both to learne and teach the holy ſcriptures. But afterwarde when the heauenly father by the benefite of Chriſt had compaſſion vppon me, I began to ſée through a cloude, and as trées walking, the trueth of the Goſpel: neither coulde I kéepe ſilent that which as yet I vnderſtoode but after a groſſe manner. I communicated it vntounto others, and the light was increaſed, & the meaſure and meanes being increaſed, I taught more openly, and the matter was brought to ſuch a paſſe as I might not nowe liue in Italie without extreme daunger. Wherefore (deare brethren) I went into Germanie, that from whence I had by letters taſted the firſt principles of the reformed truth, I might there receiue abundantlie a more fruitfull and perfect doctrine. I deſired alſo in perſon to behold certaine reſtored Churches, leaſt I ſhould imagine of the reformation of the church as of the commonweale of Plato, which may indéede be vnderſtoode, but hath his being in no place. Which then indéede I earneſtly ſought, firſt at Tigure. To Tigure (I ſay) I began to take my way, God not without moſt happie ſucceſſe directing my iourney which I had taken in hand. For when I was come hither, I perceiued that Godly and ſyncere diuinity was héere taught, and that the Church was reformed with pure and Apoſtolicall ordinances. Wherefore if then meanes had bin offered, whereby I might hauehave defended my baniſhment, I had moſt willingly receiued the ſame. And not a little did this bountifull curteſie increaſe this my minde and deſire nowe ſtirred vp in me. For thoſe two dayes wherein I tarried héere with thoſe that belonged vntounto me, I was ſo delighted with the Godly, learned, and ſwéete communication which I had with Doctor Bullinger, Bibliander, Gwalther, and Pellican of happie memorie, and of others whom I cannot nowe rehearſe by name, that I thought them moſt happie which might liue with ſuch men: and I reioyſed with my ſelfe for my preſent baniſhment, by meanes wherof I was brought by Almightie God to that comfort and conſolation, and to the knowledge and ſpéech of ſuch excellent men: that beléeue me, I could neuer afterward forget this Church, thoſe two dayes, and that intertainement. What ſhall I ſay more? I was taken from hence againſt my will, and when at that time there happened no occaſion of tarrying, it behooued me to make an other determinatiō although not more acceptable, yet more neceſſarie. Afterward I was called to Strasbrough where after the death of that worthy Capitol, Bucer at Straſborough.I ſuccéeded in the diuinitie lecture & receiued no ſmal courteſie of the Senate of that moſt noble Citie, of the miniſters of the Church, & eſpeciallie of Bucer, a man of godlie memorie, and of the profeſſors of the ſchoole: which curteſie vnleſſe I would be moſt vngrateful, I ought heartilie to commende and faithfullie to confeſſe. M…rcy… ſent … England.Sixe yeares therefore in a manner continuallie I liued there, interpreting the holie ſcripture, and longer had I tarried, had I not béene ſent both by the magiſtrate & by the Church into England, whither I was called aſwell by the king, as by the Archbiſhoppe, Primate of that kingdome. Verilie I tooke vppon me a weightie charge. For both it behooued me to teach diuinitie in the vniuerſitie of Oxforde, and I was often times called to the conuocations holden at Londō for cauſes eccleſiaſtical. Where, what labors I indured, what daungers I paſſed in defending the right opinion of the Euchariſt (which alſo ye of the Citie of Zurick as principall and in a manner onelie Patrons hauehave alwaies moſt conſtantlie defended) I had rather yee hearde it of others than of my ſelfe. They which were there at that time knowe that I was ſundrie times in great daunger of my life. And when we were now come to the purpoſe we wiſhed for, and that that doctrine which is both true and holie tooke place, and that we now looked for peace and quietneſſe, woe is mee, then died Edwarde that moſt godlie king: King Edward the 6.than which youth I thinke the ſunne neuer ſawe a learneder for his age, a godlier and a wiſer. A ſiſter of his ſuccéeded him vtterlie vnlike vntounto him in minde and will, an enimie to the profeſſion of the Goſpell, the Popes ſubiect, hauing leſſe regarde to the honour and dignitie of her owne people, than the dominion and commoditie of the Spaniardes. There as ye knowe were all the excellent ordinances of the king departed, ouerthrowen, and the good men either baniſhed or flame. And whereas I my ſelfe eſcaped ſo deadlie a calamitie, for a while I thought it a dreame, till hauing paſſed the ſea with great daungers, I was come into the lowe countries. Many a time hauehave I had experience of the moſt mercifull care of God towards me, but neuer I perceiued it ſo manifeſt, plaine, and expreſlie as then. After that miſerable deſtruction, I came to Strasborough becauſe I was frée of that Citie, and was called home by the magiſtrate a yeare before. I returned with a minde ioyfull in heauie affaires, that I might after my vſuall manner profeſſe diuinitie in that ſchoole. To the Senate, the profeſſors & my olde acquaintance I am ſure my returne was moſt welcome, but not to all the miniſters. I ſpeake of them which are readie euerie daie not to prooue, but moſt impudentlie to vtter that the cakes & ſmall péeces of breade are the bodie of Chriſt indéede. Neuertheleſſe againſt their will and priuie practiſes ſpeaking faire to my face, I am reſtored to my old place & function. A controuerſie at Straſborough touching the Euchariſt.And whereas at that time the controuerſie about the ſacrament was whot, and nowe alſo is diſputed with great contention, not without the ſpeciall care of God, who woulde not hauehave ſo good a cauſe lie hidden vilie in the darkeneſſe, the Magiſtrate of Strasborough who doeth all the euill he can to kéepe outwarde peace, woulde giuegive this caution in receauing of me, that I ſhoulde not ſtirre vp this contention in the ſchoole, but ſhoulde together with the fellow miniſters maintaine peace. I aunſwere, that I had béene alwaies a liuer in peace, yet ſuch as was honeſt, and that therefore I woulde not breake the bond thereof, ſo that this might be left frée: that when a place to be treated of in teaching did require it, I might friendly and quietly ſhew that opinion which I thought to be the truer without taunts & bitter inuectiue of words: But yet I admoniſhed that if they woulde hauehave peace to be preſerued, thy ſhoulde prouide that they alſo which were of the contrarie part ſhoulde abſtaine from contention, and ſpeake modeſtlie and brieflie of that matter, otherwiſe it might not bee with a ſafe conſcience that I ſhoulde leaue the trueth vndefended. Laſtlie I added this alſo, that by this kinde of argument I would not hauehave it to be accounted, that anie of thoſe thinges which I had written before concerning this matter ſhoulde be chaunged, diminiſhed, or cancelled: with theſe conditions we departed, and peace was kept on both ſides. But within a while after, when the Saxons and our men wrote ſharpelie one againſt an other, thoſe my companions aduerſaries alſo brake out, and although they mooued nothing in diſputation, yet did they in the pulpit to the people, moſt bitterlie condemne my opinion: howbeit becauſe theſe thinges were doone in the Germane tongue and not in the ſchooles, I was not ſo greatly mooued, becauſe I ſawe it plainelie appeared to wiſe and learned men, that our aduerſaries had but ſmall confidence in their cauſe ſince they durſt not handle the ſame openlie in the ſchooles or diſpute thereof. But ſince they could not be ignorant hereof there was a boy ſuborned who vppon a paper read a declamation made by an other or rather by others, which was a verie bitter inuectiue againſt the Sacramentaries. With great gréefe and ſorrowe did good and godlie men heare it: For what elſe was this than to hauehave ſounded vp a trumpet? So then when peace was openlie broken, I alſo thought it not méete altogether to holde my peace. At what time (as it ſéemed good vntounto God) I receiued letters both from you my brethren and from this moſt honorable ſenate, whereby I was called hither. Which when I perceiued to be the working of God, as vnlooked for, ſo verie conuenient, I thought it fit to accompliſh the ſame. But with how great labour and difficultie I obtained licence of that honorable Senate to depart, I thought not now méet to declare, ſeing I ſuppoſe none of you can be ignorāt of it. But leaſt I ſhould be accuſed of an inconſtant departing, I vtterlie promiſed there to abide if I might hauehave frée leaue to teach, diſpute & write fréely my opinion, ſince the aduerſaries themſelues did ſo publikelie, and that it is not indifferent that while it was lawful for them to ſpeake, I ſhoulde be conſtrained to holde my peace: and that the matter was nowe brought to ſuch a paſſe, as manie woulde accuſe me of inconſtancie, as though I had lightlie changed my opinion, or elſe of vngodlineſſe, for that I woulde ſuffer true doctrine in my ſight and hearing to be cruellie rent in ſunder by holding my peace. The delaie was long, but becauſe that politike reaſons are of great force with them that gouerne common weales, at the length leaue was giuen mee to depart, although the Magiſtrate teſtified before me, that he did this with an vnwilling minde. Wherefore ye Diuines, the libertie which I coulde not there procure I hauehave by your benefit obtained. Wherefore firſt of all I giuegive thankes vntounto God, ſecondlie vntounto you and to the honourable Senate of this citie. And me thinkes that I account that daie wherein I came hither, euen as my byrth daie. But (ye will ſaie) to what purpoſe are theſe thinges ſo farre fet and repeated? For two cauſes my good friendes. Firſt becauſe ſo manie of my remoouinges ſhoulde not be attributed to lightneſſe, but rather to a choice of my minde and ſtedfaſtneſſe of my will. For I choſe no ſolitarie life, as though I would hauehave my ſtudies to profite my ſelfe. Neither doe I allowe that great deſire of ſolitarineſſe & liuing alone, which ſome of the fathers vſed, ſéeing men were not made to that purpoſe, neither can I perceiue that the lawe of God doeth beare it: Onelie this hauehave I wiſhed, that I might communicate to the holie ſocietie of ye Church thoſe things which I ſhould at anie time attaine by ſtudie. Further that ye might vnderſtand, that this was alwaies the chéefe drift of all my deuiſes, to applie all my indeuour to the expounding of Scriptures. Wherefore this exerciſe being lately giuen me in charge by you, ſéeing it is not vnlooked for and vnprouided for, but wiſhed and deſired, it could not diſcourage me but rather it draue me earneſtlie forward to aſcende into this place with a chéereful mind. Now I perceiue that my ſpeech of this firſt point is procéeded further than I wiſt, howbeit the deſire I had of putting away ſuſpition, which might be conceiued of me, together with your earneſt attention, made me more bolde than perhaps was requiſite.
Nowe at the length I come to the other point, and in the handling thereof I will be briefe, that I maie make amendes for holding you ſo long in the former partes. I denie that I could be withdrawen from this godlie purpoſe in reſpect it is common, and that manie doe labour therein. I woulde to God (O ye diuines) that the caſe did ſo ſtand, then woulde there not be ſo great a want of miniſters and ſyncere preachers. The ſcarcitie of miniſters.I am not ignorant that at Paris, Louaine, Salamanca, Bononie, and Padwaie, and in manie other Vniuerſities, are manie companies (or rather flockes and heardes if you will) of them which profeſſe diuinitie: but what maner of diuinitie (I beſéech you?) Darke, intangled, difficult, and beaſtlie, and defiled on euerie ſide with diueliſh contentions, in ſuch wiſe, that among ſo great a number of them that are ſo called, you ſhall ſcarſelie finde one pure and ſyncere diuine. Nazianzene in his Apologie complained that there were verie fewe true paſtors of the Church, albeit that ſo great was the rout of them which vſurped that function, as they excéeded the number of the ſubiectes, which at this daie in the Tyrannie of the Popedome is moſt manifeſtlie ſéene. There are made euerie daie an infinite ſort of maſſing Prieſtes, which are conſtrained to wait for benefices longer than they woulde. But of our part which hauehave admitted the pure preaching of the Goſpell, howe few ſchooles are there found? I knowe indéede that you of Tigure (God be thanked) hauehave no lacke of learned and godlie Diuines, and of thoſe which profeſſe the holie ſcriptures: Ye hauehave Doctor Bibliander a man of very great learning and exerciſe, Biblianderof whome, truelie, a man maie doubt whether he more excell in learning or in godlineſſe. Him hauehave I for honour ſake named, becauſe hee muſt bee my moſt déere fellow in office, and becauſe I ſée you meane to ioine mee with him, as Barnabas with Paul. So then this Church without controuerſie aboundeth: howbeit wée muſt prouide that there be no want of them to whoſe handes the burning lampe maie be deliuered by courſe, not to hauehave a regarde onelie to our owne Citie and territorie, but alſo to others, which are miſerablie deſtitute of teachers & paſtors. If euer that ſaying of the Lorde had place, at this daie it is moſt true: That the harueſt is great, Matt. 9. 37.but the laborers fewe. When Luther and Zuinglius men of godlie memorie beganne to Preach the Goſpel, if a man had ſaide vntounto them, that this doctrine which they publiſhed, ſhuld hauehave extended ſo farre and wide, I thinke they woulde neuer hauehave beléeued it. Good young men be ye therefore of good courage, and with great promptneſſe and chéerefulneſſe prepare your ſelues to the ſtudie of the holie Scripture. Fruitfull is the fielde of the Lorde, and the power of Chriſtes ſpirite is not barren. Stande vp therefore prepared to this worke, that ſo ſoone as yée ſhall heare the voyce of the Lorde, Eſa. 6. 8.ye maie ſaie with Eſaie, Beholde I am heere, ſende me. Some of the common weales of the Swichers ſéeme as yet to reſiſt the Goſpell, but thoſe alſo when they be ripe ſhall be reaped. Wherefore ſince theſe our times hauehave lighted vponupon ſo great a ſcarcitie of laborers, and vppon ſo great a hope of ſpreading ye pure doctrine of the Goſpell, it became me not for this cauſe to be withdrawen from this mind but rather to be more earneſtlie perſwaded thereunto.
Of this ſecond point I hauehave ſpoken more briefely becauſe it is ſo euident and plaine, as it had no néede of large expoſition and long diſcourſe. But in the thirde member of our diſtribution, I ſée a farre greater difficultie, becauſe many things are comprehended therein which might not a litle trouble the minde euen of him that is wiſe. For who dare denie, that nothing muſt be attempted aboue the ſtrength? Which, if it be true, how can I but be reclaimed frō my purpoſe, ſéeing hitherto I hauehave not gotten ſo much learning and knowledge, as I boldly truſt thereunto, ſéeing alſo old age commeth on, and is not able to endure the painefull labours of watching and ye perpetuall ſtudie of reading and writing, ſith this worke of deliueraunce, namely the expounding of the Scriptures is verie harde, and as our times be, doe euerie where abound with controuerſies, and thoſe without doubt verie great: and finallie, ſéeing we hauehave to deale not with the vnlearned ſort, whoſe eyes may eaſily be blinded, and whoſe mindes may without much adoe bée deceiued, but with men moſt expert in the lawe of God, and moſt famous in all godlineſſe and learning, and which hauehave bin exerciſed in this kinde of ſtudie euen from their infancie, and who daylie vndergoe no ſmall conflictes of this wreſtling place, & in times paſt alſo hauehave doone? In this point (gentle Auditorie) I fréely confeſſe that for a while I ſtoode ſomewhat in doubt. For what ſhoulde I elſe doe? Coulde I be ignoraunt howe litle prouiſion I hauehave at home in my ſelfe? But I want in my ſelfe many things concerning knowledge, the expounding of queſtions, and the perfect vnderſtanding of tongues. Shall I denie my ſelfe to be olde? My graie haires and wrinkled forehead will conuince me. Shall I denie that in examining of the holy ſcriptures, we méete with many obſcure and difficult places, which are hard both to be vnderſtoode and expounded? The thing it ſelfe will ſpeake when we come to the triall, and in a manner all the euident and large diſcourſes of the fathers wil teſtifie againſt me. Shall I at length doubt that your verie honourable preſence is adorned and furniſhed with great godlineſſe, and all kinde of learning? If I denie this, the verie ſtones would ſay that I lie, and alſo all you which be preſent would reprooue me of falſehood, euen ſo many as hauehave read the writings of the common father D. Bullinger an excellent man, of Bibliander, of Gualther, and of other men which hauehave openly heard either their Sermons or interpretations of the holie Scriptures. So great proofe there is of theſe reaſons, as they can by no meanes bée denied. Yet for all this (to ſpeake truely and ſimply) although theſe things be continually before me, they coulde not one iot hinder me, but that I would with a readie and willing minde take vponupon me the charge whereunto I was called. For although I hauehave but weake and ſlender learning, whatſoeuer it is, no doubt but it is the gift of God. But we all know that it is ye propertie of Gods gifts, (for Chriſt hath ſo taught, Matt. 25. 14. &c.) that if they bée negligentlie buried in the grounde, they become the leſſe: but if they be vſed with an holie and iuſt exchange, they increaſe mightily & are multiplied excéedingly. Wherefore hauing a confidence in the goodneſſe of God, I truſt it will come to paſſe that the meale of my doctrine, 1. kings. 17. 14. 2. kings. 4. 3.which I knowe to be but litle in my box, will bée ſo increaſed, as there ſhal bée no breade wanting vntounto this my table, and that the oyle of knowledge which God hath put into my cruſe, how ſmall ſoeuer it be, ſhall by the fauour of Chriſt, becauſe God hath raiſed vntounto vsus an high Prophet among our brethren, hauehave ſo great increaſe as it ſhal be able though not daintilie yet profitable to ſeaſon the meate of my wordes which I ſhall ſet before you, and perhaps ſhall ſo abounde, as it will not onelyonly bée ynough vntounto me for my domeſticall vſes, but alſo yt I ſhall be able to perfourme thoſe things which I owe towardes you, vntounto whom I am many waies bound. Wherefore yt I may not want of this my ſtore as I deſire, I am earneſtly mooued to impart vntounto you ye ſmall doctrine & knowledge whatſoeuer it be, yt God would of his goodnes beſtowe vponupon me. Age perhaps doth ſomewhat grieue my body, albeit by ye goodneſſe of Chriſt I hauehave hitherto not much felt it, but it hath brought me this cōmoditie that many things which by reading I could only know with the vnderſtanding of my minde, I hauehave alſo learned by experience, which, of how great importance it is to the ſtrengthening of knowledge, all artificers in their artes both know & fréelie confeſſe. Moreouer ſuch is your goodneſſe and courteſie, as both by your letters I béeing abſent, & being preſent ye hauehave ſignified, that ſuch conſideration ſhoulde be here had of my age, as ye woulde laie vppon me but ſuch moderate burthen as I were able to beare. Wherfore theſe yéeres wherein I am ſtricken doeth nothing hinder mée, but that I may runne this race which is ſet before mee. Neither doeth the matter which I muſt treate of being verie hard and difficult, diſcourage my minde which is readie and reſolute, becauſe I ſée that this yſe muſt not be cut by my ſworde: the ſpirit of promiſe without doubt will bée preſent, and the Maſes if any happen, ſhall be made plaine by the light of God. I knowe that A natural man perceiueth not the thinges that bee of God, neither in deede can he, 1. Cor. 2. 14becauſe he thinketh them to bee mere fooliſhneſſe and ſtarke madneſſe. I knowe that theſe thinges are hidden from the prudent and wiſe of this world: Mat. 11. 25.and I alſo knowe that the wiſedome of the fleſh is nothing elſe but grieuous enmities againſt God. But on the other ſide I am not ignoraunt, that God as he hath promiſed doeth clearely open, as to thoſe that louelove him his ſecretes, vntounto them which hauehave begunne to be ſpirituall, young and enemies of the fleſh. I knowe moreouer that to them that aſke, ſhall be giuen: they that ſéeke, ſhall finde: and to them that knocke, it ſhall be opened. Wherefore being aſſiſted by prayers both of mine owne and yours, I hope that the heauenly light will be preſent, whereby we ſhall walke fréely through the plaine, ſafely and without all errour through the obſcure and doubtfull places, and with great reuerence of the diuine Maieſtie, through ye ſecret and as yet altogether hiddē myſteries, by humble receiuing and reuerencing thoſe things which as yet cannot be vnderſtoode. And moreouer I am not ignoraunt that by comparing together of places alike, thoſe things which firſt ſéemed obſcure, may bée made plainer, and that the monumentes of the Hebrewe Commentaries bring otherwhiles no ſmall light, and much more the moſt learned writings of the auncient Fathers: and that alſo the counſels of men aliue, being exerciſed in the holy Scriptures, doe greatly profite, whereof as I hauehave alreadie ſaide, there be manie in this companie. To theſe I will not bée afraide to come, and if there be any thing wherein I doubt, I will familiarlie impart it with them. It is harde to be ſaide, and more harde to be beléeued, how greatly thoſe cōferences with learned and godly men, ſo we come vntounto them without preiudice & obſtinacie of minde, doe further the finding out of the trueth. Séeing then ſo manie helpes both diuine I ſay, and humane offer themſelues againſt difficultie and obſcureneſſe, if any difficultie in the meane time happen in the word of GOD, ought I for that cauſe be hindered from a good beginning? No verily, I ſhoulde rather bée drawne foorth to till vp this moſt noble fielde.
And yt which was alledged in ye laſt place, as it is altogether light to feare a man, ſo it is a moſt ſtrong Argument to inflame & ſtirre vp, namelie that my ſpéech ſhall be directed not vntounto the ſimple and ignorant, but vntounto the moſt wiſe and learned. Verilie it is the part of a deceauer not of an honeſt man, to ſeeke for blockiſh and ignorant hearers whome he may deceaue. But he that is deſirous of the trueth, and ſpeaketh neither for the bellie nor for gaine ſake, dealeth moſt willinglie with them which be indued with Chriſtian knowledge. For one of ye two good thinges he is moſt aſſured he ſhall obtaine. For if they ſhall reſt in the doctrine which he teacheth, he will reioyce that his opinion is confirmed by the iudgement of moſt ſound men, and by their teſtimonie will be more and more confirmed to hold the ſame. But if he ſhall perceiue it to be contraried of them, he knowing them to be graue men, and would cut the word of God rightlie, foreign.foreign.he will not ſuſpect that they reſiſt him for the deſire of victorie. Whereuppon, if he ſhall be inſtructed of them, yt the matter is otherwiſe than he firſt thought it, he will be of their opinion, & ſo ſhall receaue no dammage but ſhall gaine, which abooue all thinges is to be ſought for. Neither dooth it ſeldome happen, that (as Paul ſpeaketh vntounto the Corinthians) ſomething is reuealed vntounto a man ſitting, 1. Cor. 14. 30.which as yet is not reuealed vntounto him that ſpeaketh. foreign.Wherefore O ye Diuines, I acknowledge that ye be verie well learned and inſpired by GOD, and that ye be of one mind with me, louing and friendlie. Why then ſhould I be afraid in this learned companie of yours, but friendlie: graue, but yet welwilling; ſeuere, but yet courteous: holy, but yet bounteous: to exerciſe that office, which I hauehave not taken vppon me, but you hauehave called me vntounto? Wherefore I am not driuen from this function for happening of it vntounto me vppon the ſudden or vnlooked for and thinking of other matters, and intending other occaſions: not becauſe manie abroad take it vppon them, and therefore may ſéeme ſuperfluous: finallie not becauſe it is ioyned with a burden which my ſtrength is not able to ſuſtaine: nay rather, for all theſe cauſes I am much the rather incouraged, the more pricked foreward, and the more rauiſhed to bend my ſelfe wholie vntounto this labour.
And to doe the ſame beſides the Argumentes nowe alleaged, both the woorthineſſe and profite of the thinges to be handled dooth mightilie drawe me hereunto, & ought earneſtly alſo to prouoke you, to be manie times preſent. Which two thinges ſhould be commended of me more at large, if ye had not oftentimes heard them more plainlie and eloquentlie declared by good & godlie men, than can be ſet foorth and pronounced by my barren and baſe kinde of vtterance. Yet that I faile not in my duetie, in running through the chiefe pointes, I will rather take a taſte than ſéeme to hauehave ſpoken thereof. And that I ſpeake not confuſedlie but in order, I think it méete to beginne at the definition. A definition of diuinitie.Wherefore I iudge that Diuinitie is a doctrine, in déede not agréeable to our mindes not by the light of nature, but by the brightneſſe of faith, whereby is both learned and taught in the Church out of the holie ſcriptures, a certaine aſſured knowledge, aſwell of the wiſedome as of the will of God. And it is found to be of that nature and propertie, that (like vntounto gold and pretious ſtones, the oftener they be vſed & handled with the handes, the more they ſhine) by handling and conſidering, it yéeldeth foorth more ſhining beames of his brightneſſe; and euen as a liuelie water, which not onelie quencheth the thirſt, but alſo ſpringeth vp euen vntounto eternall life; and as that which the more it is mooued and drawen, the clearer and ſwéeter it is made: and euen as the fire, A ſimilitudewhich the more it is blowen & ſtirred, the greater and more cleare flames it giueth foorth. Neither are we to thinke that theſe ſimilitudes are raſhlie applyed to this purpoſe, ſince in the holy ſcriptures, the wordes of God, and ſound doctrine, are woont to be compared vntounto pretious ſtones, gold, and ſiluer, and alſo vntounto liuelie water and to burning fire, and that for iuſt cauſe. For euen as theſe among men are preferred before other thinges, euen by the teſtimonie of Pindarus who ſaith, foreign, water is the beſt thing: So the ſcriptures of GOD excell all mens learning and ſciences. Other writinges in déede doe alſo deſcribe the workes of God, yet ſuch as are perceiued to indure by the continuall courſe of nature: but thoſe doe ſet foorth his maruelous actes, & becauſe they excéede all the power of nature, they are commonlie called miracles. And they are declared leaſt perhappes we ſhould ſuſpect that God in the producing and preſeruing of naturall thinges, had ſo ſpent all his power and might, as he can doe nothing more, nor make anie thing more excellent, which in trueth is not ſo, for God hath infinite power, ſo that there is nothing in nature ſo firme, ſtedfaſt and ſtrong, which cannot by him be turned vpſide downe, & be directed to a contrarie purpoſe, than it was inſtituted at the beginning. Which bringeth no ſmall conſolation to godlie men. For they being admoniſhed by the holie ſcriptures, vnderſtand that all thinges are in the hand of their good father, and that there can be no griefe or trouble brought vppon them, but ſo much as GOD the gouernour of all thinges hath decréed to doe vntounto them for their ſaluation. Hereby are we made of a conſtant minde in aduerſities, of good courage in perils, and in the croſſe it ſelfe ioyfull, of an inuincible minde, and altogether vnfearefull when we muſt enter into conflictes for the name of Chriſt. Hereof aroſe that noble ſpéech of Daniels fellowes: Dan 3. 17.Behold the God whome we woorſhip is able to deliuer vsus out out of the furnace of burning fire, and out of thy hand O king. Hereof Dauid with an inuincible minde ſang: Pſal. 27. 1.The Lord is my light and my ſaluation, whome ſhall I feare? The Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whome ſhall I be afraid? Though an hoſt of men laid ſiege againſt me, yet ſhall not my heart be afraid: and though there roſe vp warre againſt me, yet will I put my truſt in him. And in an other place: Pſal. …3. 3.If I ſhall walke through the vallie of the ſhadowe of death, I will feare no euill. And finallie hereuppon Paul the notable Apoſtle of Chriſt, and moſt famous defendor and publiſher of the Goſpell: Who (ſaith he) ſhall ſeparate vsus from the louelove of God? ſhall affliction, penurie, perſecution, Rom. 8. 30.hunger, nakedneſſe, perill, the ſword? As it is written: For thy ſake hauehave we bin ſlaine all the day long, we hauehave bin counted as ſheepe appointed to the ſlaughter: but in all thoſe thinges we ouercome for his ſake that loued vsus. For I am perſwaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor thinges preſent, nor to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anie other creature can ſeparate vsus from the louelove of GOD which is in Chriſt Ieſu our Lord. Verilie ſuch thinges doe the children of GOD with true boaſting pronounce, being taught by the holy ſcriptures, as they that know which hauehave heard and beléeue the holy ſcriptures, that God their good father dooth gouerne, direct, moderate and order all thinges euerie moment at his owne pleaſure, and when he ſhall thinke good dooth manie thinges beſides ye courſe of nature, taking from wild beaſtes their ſauageneſſe and crueltie naturallie bread in them: from fiers, the power of burning: from the ſunne and ſtarres, their natural light: from hoſtes of men their ſtrength: from the windes, their violence: and from the ſea the vehemencie of waues & ſtormes. And contrariwiſe by puniſhing the wiſe men with madneſſe, by ſtriking a feare into the mightie, by inſpiring the ignorant with learning, the infantes with eloquence, and the weake ones with moſt puiſſant ſtrength. They which know and ſtedfaſtlie beléeue thoſe thinges in the holy ſcriptures, doe dwel in a houſe founded vppon a moſt ſtrong rock, which by no inundation of raine, flouds, ſtormes, or tempeſtes of weather, can be ouerthrowen.